My fellow Singaporeans

Since stumbling into adulthood, I have never thought I would address my countrymen and countrywomen as such.
Back during my school days while I was still wide-eyed and innocent, wearing a school uniform gave me an identity. Singing the national anthem and reciting the national pledge at every morning assembly instilled in us that we should never forget who we are.

This daily routine however, was long forgotten once I've entered NUS. My concerns were far from what I can do for my country or what my country can do for me. Fortunately, by virtue of my gender I didn't have to serve NS. Although it made men out of boys, it didn't exactly make any of them more willing to die for their country. Conversely, these men questioned the rationale for NS when PRs and foreign talent were not required to serve their national duty. Furthermore, if war breaks out, does it mean that our natives have to defend the immigrants? When it comes to the crunch, where do the true-blue Singaporeans stand? 
What is it that binds us together as one? 
 
What is our national identity? The Flag? The Orchid? The Merlion? Singlish? Complaining? Chilli-Crab?


For the teenage me, it was the national pledge that vaguely gave me a sense of national identity. As powerful as the national anthem is when our voices resonate in harmony with the orchestral fanfare, it was however in Malay. Which was none of my learned languages. 
The pledge however, by sheer memory through endless repetition, never fails to overwhelm my heart with pride whenever I recited it during the National Day celebrations accompanied with the instrumental background.


This was lost as the years past, when selling your time for money was the only way to carve out a living in the vicious rat race. We were all saddled with debts even prior to joining the workforce, not including the privileged who's families have deep pockets to fund their education with ready cash. Indeed, we don't live to work, but sadly we have to work to live. Only the fittest survive and this is the mandate in the corporate world, which reveals the ugliest in everyone, backstabbing, boot-licking, manipulation, Donald Trump would definitely approve.
Somehow, our culture has enhanced this characteristic, where the government is always quick to control any anomaly or disparity, any individualism or critical thinking was nipped at the bud hard and fast. People became wary and selfish. 


The fear of being unconventional and shame from drawing unwanted attention has been ingrained into us, which is typically an Asian trait. However, this has festered into near-paranoia whereby folks are afraid even to speak openly about the government; for fear of being secretly surveyed and that ninja ISD officials will pounce out of nowhere and arrest you?!


It all started on 28th April 2011, around 7:30 PM, I was at Hougang with Aloysius, walking to the Workers' Party Rally. There were throngs of people heading towards the Rally ground. We were barely approaching the stage and it was already packed to the edge of the field. However, we managed to maneuver through the crowd and find a spot nearer so that we could listen to the speakers. The anticipation while nearing the Rally was already bubbling. I was marvelling at the turn-out and the positive response of the people around me and amused at a few 'loudspeakers' shouting in tandem with the speakers as well as throwing in their own quips. There was no doubt however, that I felt something that was dormant for the longest time, the last inkling of which was during the National Day Parade.
This time round, we were not just spectators watching a show, we were involved, we had a real stake in the outcome. The show would not go own without the other. 
There were people of all races and ages, people who rushed from the office, still decked in their working attire and munching their takeaway dinner while listening attentively. Sprightly old folks making their way to the front of the stage like groupies attending a rock concert.


Each time the speakers emphasized a point that addressed the common pains we have, everyone cheered in unison. The field was uneven and we could scarcely see the stage, furthermore it was a humid night, still, everyone stayed put. There was no network reception (SingTel) at all, those on the ground did not know the extent of the crowd. Although, I left after sometime when my back started to act up, I did climb 10 flight of stairs to the top of a nearby HDB block nonetheless to look for Sebastian and Ai Jia. 

The view from above was jaw-dropping.
It was alive, it was real, it was awe-inspiring, it was stirring something in all of us, a political awakening, telling everyone that apathy is for fools. The time is now, for everyone to make their decision count, it is a grand time to be an eligible voter in Singapore (except for Tanjong Pagar). 
This was just a start, it was like a political......"tsunami". It starts off as an earthquake beneath the surface and the tremors surged through the waters and magnifies exponentially as it approaches the shore. Everyone came together as one. We were drops of water in the vast ocean, almost insignificant. All the puny water droplets bonded by a collective force of the water current that could reach the height of buildings and destroy anything in its like.Together, we have the power to make a change!


I was awed by the WP's drive for a change, moved by the SPP's (Chiam See Tong) heart to reach out to the common folk, skeptical of the PAP's frills and last minute apology, very impressed and proud of (girl power!) NSP's (Nicole Seah) maturity and confidence and of course revolted by TPL's  presence throughout the campaign period.
Each time I watch Chiam See Tong's Rallies and while attending his closing session at Bishan Stadium, I felt a lump in my throat. His approach was not of the offensive by tapping on the gripes of the masses, it was simple and sincere. He's humble and he's real, he expressed his love for his country and his people which is driving force all these years (more than a quarter of a century) despite of the odds against him. I was elated to know that he was contesting in my ward. Yet I was apprehensive that this might be his last election in view of his health condition. Speaking of which, each time he was on the podium, it was far from easy for him. On top of which he was attending walkabouts throughout the day. He had difficulty walking and standing upright, spoke slower than the rest and lesser as well but he had the most cheers and you could catch a glint of sparkle in his eye, which showed that he still had the passion to fight for his conviction. 
I knew my decision, but on the morning of Polling Day I was feeling unsettled. My intuition was going out of sorts. I was saddled with emotion and almost teared, I was genuinely worried for Mr Chiam. Everyone could see that he was taking (a calculated?) risk, by leaving his beloved Potong Pasir to his wife's hands and venturing towards Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC. Being a Bishan resident for more than a decade, I knew very well, we're nothing like Potong Pasir. Bishan is a relatively new town, with not much history, culture or heritage to speak of except for having record-high HDB prices, which plainly spells out the type of folks that Bishan appeals to. Sigh..
It was too true... 
Although I was present at Hougang Stadium to celebrate WP's victory,the atmosphere was like none other. Albeit it was with a heavy heart and mixed emotions, upon learning that Chiam See Tong has lost both Potong Pasir and Bishan-Toa Payoh. Was this the end of his legacy, since PAP taking over the helm allowed them to redraw the boundaries and thereby turning Potong Pasir to a GRC thus minimizing the opposition any chance to contest for it?
For 27 years, he was the lone-ranger in Parliament. The only minister without a comfy office at his town council, the only minister who had to fight for HDB upgrading in this town when it can be granted freely to the rest of the constituencies. His accolades might not be as fanciful as the other ministers but he might be the only one of his kind to touch the hearts of many beyond the boundaries of Potong Pasir. 
The very next day, I scoured the trusty Internet (Facebook, Twitter and Yahoo news) for any updates on the aftermath of his lost. 
He was quoted  "Next time we will do better. We shall never surrender. In the end, we shall win the battle, we shall conquer. Thank you everybody for coming,"
Wow! Mr Chiam won me over again and deserves all my respect. He's a fighter till the very end. Spirit undampened in spite his age, physical condition and the setback of the polling results. Words could scarcely describe the respect and regard I have towards him.
He has emerged victorious in spite of the outcome of this election, he made a difference in not just in my life but everyone else. Venturing out of his comfort zone, he's fully aware that he might jeopardize his ministerial position. He has spread the word of democracy and hope across this country which was crippled with apathy.
He holds a pivotal role in this dawning of a new era. I hope that everyone will return the favour and continue his fight together for a better future for us. A future whereby everyone is engaged in the public arena, the interests of the greater good of the community is the focus of the public service and constructive political discourse is encouraged not shunned.


This is just the beginning of a new age.