I was born in Singapore in 1971 but I was not a Singapore citizen, on account of the fact that both my parents were foreigners at that time. While others had Singapore passports, my travel document consisted of a pink book that was known as a Certificate of Identity. In it, the CI stipulated that I was stateless and it was not until 1986 where I received my citizenship. I remembered how proud I was when I took the oath of allegiance to accept my citizenship. I remembered how proud I was again when I took my second oath of allegiance the day I was enlisted into the National Service. Although, I am no longer physically in Singapore, I remained proud to be a Singaporean. It is with pride that I carry my Singapore passport when I travel around the world. I am always proud and eager to tell my foreign friends that I am Singaporean.
National Day is a day for me to look back and see how well we have done as a country. However, I am starting to dislike what I see before me. I have come to realise that as a Singaporean, I am constantly living in fear. The fear of prosecution for saying the supposedly wrong things, thinking the supposedly wrong things and doing the supposedly wrong things. What irks me is that rather than spending the time to present a convincing argument to educate the person, one is instead faced with the threat of prosecution, penalty and punishment for the slightest deviation. Is this the best we could do for our people, our country? I am sad. I am disappointed. I am disillusioned.
I feel for Singapore because I care and love this country.
My name is Jay and I am Singaporean. So say we all.
---> Jay-Cast 2006-07-06 @ ChangAn (Special Edition: I Am Singaporean)
- Voxeros
1. Pam left...
it is abit worrying though, that they think the draconian behaviour of yesteryear is still being used nowadays.
I have the distinct possibility of not having Singaporean citizen children - and I dread that (for the mo). I'm not sure how the European Union passport will be very beneficial. we shall see.
Friday, 7 July 2006 1:33 am
hey, don't give up on the country yet! it is abit worrying though, that they think the draconian behaviour of yesteryear is still being used nowadays.
I have the distinct possibility of not having Singaporean citizen children - and I dread that (for the mo). I'm not sure how the European Union passport will be very beneficial. we shall see.
2. JayWalk left...
Pam: I haven't given up on the country. I gave up on the Gahmen.
Nairmind. 5 years only. I wait.
Pam: I haven't given up on the country. I gave up on the Gahmen.
Nairmind. 5 years only. I wait.
3. jaschocolate left...
Friday, 7 July 2006 7:44 pm
Ehhhhhhhhhhhh.... why you sound so solemn... sound so different from your usual voice.. Mmmmmmmm...
4. Jaslyn left...
Saturday, 8 July 2006 6:35 am
Pa.. Why u like reporting news like that. Very documentary leh.. Hahha.. Cheer up! U are still Singaporean! U still must come back ok? For all your "daughters" here!
5. JayWalk left...
Jaschocolate & Jaslyn: This is something that hold dear to my heart and is not something one should take lightly. So do pardon me, if I sound less than cheerful with this entry coz seriously, there is nothing to smile about as far as the current state of our home is concerned. :(
Jaschocolate & Jaslyn: This is something that hold dear to my heart and is not something one should take lightly. So do pardon me, if I sound less than cheerful with this entry coz seriously, there is nothing to smile about as far as the current state of our home is concerned. :(
6. sunflower left...
That is becos after we comment, make suggestion, sometimes, there is no goot return. What make it worst, is the reverse happen!
Jay, I can understand how you feel, cos I feel the same too!
Saturday, 8 July 2006 9:20 am
I don't think Singaporean is not passionate enuff. In fact most Singaporean is very very passionate. But why there is a bo chap attitube in most Singaporean.That is becos after we comment, make suggestion, sometimes, there is no goot return. What make it worst, is the reverse happen!
Jay, I can understand how you feel, cos I feel the same too!
7. Dicta left...
Saturday, 8 July 2006 5:15 pm :: http://dicta.blogdrive.com
I'm lost for words. You put it so succinctly and well. Kudos. But please do come back to Singapore - it needs more voices like yours.
8. JayWalk left...
Sunday, 9 July 2006 9:11 pm ::
sunflower: This bor chup attitude is that of the preceding generation where "everything also leave it to the gahmen to settle for us".
The current generation is one that is starting to wake up and notice the Gahmen nonsense.
We may be a bit too late to do something about it this election, but bear in mind, the next is merely 5 years away. We will be around to do something about it if the Gahmen don't.
Dicta: Thank you. As many people as there are who agree with me, there are just as many who disagree. We'll just have to respect that and the bladdy gahmen ought to learn one thing or two from us, rather than just bulldozing its way through.
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