My letter to MP Vivian on 'Create our future' movt

Greetings,

I am a year 3 undergrad studying business in NTU. Recently, I just came back from a 6 month overseas exchange study program in Netherlands and, prior to that, a 2 week exchange stint in China. I will like to relate my experience of living abroad in a different culture to share some ideas for creating our nation’s future.

We need the friendly kampung spirit back

As the society progress and modernize, we have inevitably become a victim of our own success. This is especially so in the context of high-rise HDB flats, where doors are usually shut, with families guarding as much privacy as possible. Children are no longer given the freedom to play with their neighbours. Instead, the moment they reach home, it is only their books or TVs that they interact with. The free wheeling, “you know almost everybody in the neighbourhood” spirit is gone. My older friends and relatives, those in their late 30s and above, and who had the experience of living in kampong, often lament that everybody is so closed up in their own world nowadays.

It was only when I went to Holland did I truly realize what they really meant. I had lived in a small town called Maastricht, with a population of just a few hundred thousands. There, virtually everyone knows each other. It is almost like one big tight-knit family. Coupled with that, their friendliness and the spontaneity to say hi and acknowledge each other presence amazes me so much. To give one simple analogy, when I took the elevator in Holland, the ‘ang moh’ next to me will naturally say hi to me, even if he does not know me. However, in Singapore, we will normally stare into open space or just look down at the floor. If one is to do this in Maastricht, he will have been branded rude or arrogant. Perhaps this is due to the Asia culture of shyness or protecting one’s face but this is certainly one area we can ill-afford. Artificial walls are erected in everyday lives. Trust and togetherness are rarity. To quote a famous Bible phrase, love your neighbour as you love yourself? But how well do we actually know our neighbour nowadays?

Something must be down to avoid the indifference and more snobbish attitudes that big city dwellers are known for. As I was listening to PM National Day Rally, as young ones like me are given ‘wings’ to explore the world, ‘roots’ activities that make us feel belong and involved will certainly go a long way to make us stay. On a more personal note, Singapore will always hold that special place in my heart. After all, this is my country where I was born and bred. Though I have my grumblings here and then, I truly appreciate the good life and opportunities given here. The social support system, waking up everyday knowing we are secured, food on our tables, a superd meritocracy system, economic prosperity, peace, and harmony. I count my blessings and am proud to be a Singaporean. Where else can find another home that has one of the best standard of livings, leaders who almost never put a wrong foot down. Singapore is one country that I will not exchange anything for.

Globalization calls for us to connect to the world, but are we ourselves connected at home?
This is a pertinent issue that a kampong spirit can help to foster. Man is by nature a social animal, but somehow, the society is stifling us to not go out and interact. The environment must be more conducive. Social inhibitions cannot be part of us. Just as networking is important to businessman, community togetherness is also needed for families. If we succeed in all these, the folks at SDU will also have an easier time in organizing social outings.

Cheers
elwyn