Scary how well-educated S’poreans could espouse short-sighted views about regional politics

by Ghui

As Malaysians are celebrating the dawn of a new political age, it would naturally flow to the Singaporean mind (at least to mine) of how this watershed Malaysian election would affect our little island state?

While we are two separate countries, it would be imperative to remember that the Singapore story is inextricably linked to the fate of its far larger cousin across the causeway. Singapore's position in the region makes it susceptible to the events that happen to the countries that surround it, and indeed to international events. To think otherwise would be naive and foolhardy.

It, therefore, strikes me as odd that a self-professed public figure like former Nominated Member of Parliament, Calvin Cheng would tout views such as "it does not concern me how Trump's policies affect the average American" or being "worried" about the opposition win in Malaysia as Najib was more friendly to Singapore.

Really??? To me, that is a dangerously myopic view.

Najib was beyond corrupt pushing Malaysians to the brink. If you push people too far, there can only be one outcome – rebellion. If there is rebellion in Malaysia, how good is that for Singapore?

In this regard, Cheng's views are short termed at best. Anyone who possesses a basic understanding of people management will realise that you can only push the masses up to a certain point before revolt take place. It appears to me that Malaysians were reaching the boiling point under Najib. So no, I do not agree that Najib remaining in power will be good for Singapore by any yardstick. As for whether Mahathir is the answer, I defer to the old adage – only time will tell.

The same theory applies to Trump's America. America is the largest economy in the world, an economy that Singapore is affected significantly by.  Stirring up local American sentiments, pitching factions against each other leads only to deadlocks and failures of administration. Failures of administration will lead to uncertainties in the markets (which once again, includes Singapore). Is Cheng blind to the international implications of Trump's follies and how vulnerable Singapore actually is to external influences?

Singaporeans paying attention to international events and how these affect the relevant citizens of those countries is not a mindless exercise of Singaporeans forgetting their national identities and thinking that they are citizens of the directly affected countries! It is displaying prudence and understanding that what affects those citizens may well have spill over effects on Singapore! We are all interlinked and to suggest that we should go into insular self protection mould is completely irresponsible!

History has repeatedly shown that insularity does not serve the interests of any country. Look at the Meiji period in Japan or the Qing period in China! Short term gains and hubris for long-term defeat. In short – Unsustainability!

One may argue that those were different times and that the age of imperialism is over. However, in our digital age, connectivity is all the more important!

It is scary that well-educated Singaporeans boasting international entrepreneurial experience could espouse such short-sighted views!

This entry was posted in Opinion.

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