SINGAPORE: Singapore's Acting Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin has urged Singaporeans to keep an open-mind as the country engages in a national conversation about its future.
Posting on the Our SG Conversation Facebook page, Mr Tan, who is also part of the committee facilitating the conversation, noted the different reactions among Singaporeans over the process.
He said some are dismayed that certain topics have not been surfaced.
Some
felt that there are obvious issues to grapple with and that Singapore
should not waste time with this process, while others said they have
gone through such an exercise before.
Mr Tan said if such comments were scoped, then "the criticism would be about not coming in, with an open mind."
He pointed out that some Singaporeans may have taken part in previous reviews but many others have not.
He called on citizens to respect the space of those who have not been engaged, and to let this group "discuss and speak".
On slaying sacred cows, Mr Tan said it's also about keeping an open mind.
He said just because some themes have not yet surfaced, it does not mean the government's positions are closed.
If and when the cows come up for slaughter, Mr Tan said the government will do the necessary - if it makes sense.
He added work is ongoing.
"Where
there are things to be fixed, we have begun the process. Where
Singaporeans felt that adjustments could be made, we have reviewed and
changed where needed... We do not start from a blank sheet and there are
views and ideas that we have going forward," said Mr Tan.
Mr Tan added there will be areas where Singaporeans cannot agree on.
But even with the disagreements, he said the way Singaporeans approach it will define society.
- CNA/cc
I have an extremely open mind about other parties ruling over Singapore.
Everytime I keep an open mind, I get screwed over.
open yr mind u idiot
Tan Chuan-Jin urges S'poreans to keep "open-mind"
I think Tan Chuan Jin should also adopt an "open mind".
If he doesn't have an "open mind", then his mind and my mind cannot meet.
I wonder who are the closed minded people who have his own people implant to stage a national wayang and only to disgrace themselves later by a blog.
If they are sincerely want to engage the people, the meet the people, facebook and forums have already a lot of feedback on their policy and things to improve.
Stop the play-acting and stop setting up mindless committee to siam away real problem.
Always blame Singaporeans. PAP no fault, perfect.
This kind of sickening govt would have been ousted in other countries.
Cut the crap, ah Tan and all in PAP. Prepare to lose more votes. Foreigners in Singapore are not stupid and dumb to realise how you treat citizens. It is understandable why those foreigners refuse to become citizens.
The reason for getting in foreigners to become citizens is to bang hope on these people to vote for them and more money into their pockets.
Shit!
Yes, I am with open mind for a total change of leadership in our country. We desperately need new blood from other political party in leading our nation
he was a general from SAF isnt he.
I once worked under a colonel, he seemed unable to adapt to life after SAF, as he always used SAF speak when he spoken to me, like when war breaks out, you have to be ready and Alexandar the Great etc.............crap
Originally posted by Jacky Woo:I once worked under a colonel, he seemed unable to adapt to life after SAF, as he always used SAF speak when he spoken to me, like when war breaks out, you have to be ready and Alexandar the Great etc.............crap
Why Alexander the Great? Why not Yue Fei or Dalforce? The colonel is which ethnic group?
Dalforce, or the Singapore Overseas Chinese Anti-Japanese Volunteer Army (星�义勇军;Xinghua Yi Yong Jun) was an irregular forces/guerrilla unit within the British Straits Settlements Volunteer Force during World War II. Its members were recruited among the ethnic Chinese people of Singapore. It was created on 25 December 1941 by Lieutenant Colonel John Dalley of the Federated Malay States Police Force.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalforce
The 1st Malaya Infantry Brigade was a regular infantry brigade formed in 1939 with its headquarters in Singapore immediately after the outbreak of hostilities in Europe.[1] The Brigade participated in the Battle of Singapore against the Japanese until the surrender of the garrison in February 1942.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1st_Malaya_Infantry_Brigade
The First Indian National Army (or the First INA) is the term often used to denote the Indian National Army as it existed between February and December 1942. It was formed with Japanese aid and support after the Fall of Singapore and consisted of approximately 12,000 of the 40,000 Indian prisoners of war who were captured either during the Malayan campaign or surrendered at Singapore and was led by Mohan Singh.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_INA
In 1939, 3,200 young men from South-East Asia, historically was called Nanyang(å�—æ´‹) by Chinese, most were from Malaya, left their families and homes voluntarily to travel to China to work as drivers and mechanics during the Sino-Japanese War of 1937-1945. They left in 15 batches with 9 of 15 batches leaving from Singapore. The volunteers are called Nangiao ji gong(å�—侨机工)or “overseas Chinese mechanics”.
These 3200 volunteers included Indian, Malay men and four Chinese women. They were responding to China Relief Fund’s call to sustain China’s war materials supply chain during the Sino Japanese War. The China Relief Fund or Nanyang Federation of China Relief Fund(å�—æ´‹å�Žä¾¨ç¹èµˆç¥–国难民总会) or Nangiao Chung Hui(å�—侨总会), an association founded on 10-10-1938 by 170 overseas Chinese representatives from the Nanyang region. Their objective was to coordinate regional relief work to support China against Japanese advancement. Mr.Tan Kah Kee(陈嘉庚)was elected as the chairman. The regional headquarter of China Relief Fund was located in Ee Hoe Hean Club, Singapore.
The volunteers, consisted mainly Chinese from Nanyang, but also included Indians, Malays,Indonesians and Burmese. The sent off ceremony attended by many was the hot news in Singapore. The initial 80 was called Eighty Pioneer(八�先锋),who left on 18-2-1939, just a day before Chinese New Year. They made history for Nanyang Chinese. (Note: You can see the photo of the first batch Ji Gong at the official website of Ee Hoe Hean Club(怡和轩俱�部), http://www.eehoehean.org/?page_id=45)
http://teochiewkia2010.blogspot.sg/2011/07/penang-chinese-anti-war-memorial.html
i susepct all thsoe domations we giv last time many makan-ed by their own cheena people. cannot be so many help offered all over the wolrd back then they still cannot defeat the japs. must have been too many tactical retreat
Originally posted by QX179R:SINGAPORE: Singapore's Acting Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin has urged Singaporeans to keep an open-mind as the country engages in a national conversation about its future.
Posting on the Our SG Conversation Facebook page, Mr Tan, who is also part of the committee facilitating the conversation, noted the different reactions among Singaporeans over the process.
He said some are dismayed that certain topics have not been surfaced.
Some felt that there are obvious issues to grapple with and that Singapore should not waste time with this process, while others said they have gone through such an exercise before.
Mr Tan said if such comments were scoped, then "the criticism would be about not coming in, with an open mind."
He pointed out that some Singaporeans may have taken part in previous reviews but many others have not.
He called on citizens to respect the space of those who have not been engaged, and to let this group "discuss and speak".
On slaying sacred cows, Mr Tan said it's also about keeping an open mind.
He said just because some themes have not yet surfaced, it does not mean the government's positions are closed.
If and when the cows come up for slaughter, Mr Tan said the government will do the necessary - if it makes sense.
He added work is ongoing.
"Where there are things to be fixed, we have begun the process. Where Singaporeans felt that adjustments could be made, we have reviewed and changed where needed... We do not start from a blank sheet and there are views and ideas that we have going forward," said Mr Tan.
Mr Tan added there will be areas where Singaporeans cannot agree on.
But even with the disagreements, he said the way Singaporeans approach it will define society.
- CNA/cc