Defining Loyalty

Let's get this one thing straight. What does it mean to be loyal to Singapore? Does it mean that if we are born in Singapore, we must die in Singapore, then we are considered loyal?

Another silly (but strangely profound question): why must be loyal leh? Because the law says so? Because it is only right to be so (because??)? While it is generally acknowledged that loyalty is a desirable attribute, it is strangely not a trivial matter to try to justify it.

Some people will say that we have to be loyal because the country has given us this and that, and we should therefore for grateful 'cos we got A & B. Fair enough, but it is also a fact that no everyone benefits equally or has equal access to opportunities. Some people get scholarships 'cos they can study, others don't and have a hard time getting into university in Singapore. Does it therefore mean that scholars should therefore be more loyal than the rest? The KTM has no wish to explore this question. He is only highlighting that to cast loyalty into the form of a commercial transaction is to go down a pretty slippery slope.

For the rest of this discussion, the KTM would like to adopt a very simple view of loyalty: that loyalty is a good thing (much like the air we breath). Sorry lah, the KTM is very simple-minded and not much of a philosopher. :-)

Defining the Boundaries of Loyalty

Confucius once said (or at least the KTM thinks he did say) that we need to "get our homes in order, only then can we govern our country and bring peace to the world". So before we even start to talk about loyalty to country, I think that we need to first look at loyalty to family.

It is the KTM's humble opinion that Singaporeans should be expected first to be loyal to their family members. That means that if a Singaporean girl marries a foreigner and decides to migrate, that's perfectly fair. Wah seh, you expect the girl to give up her hubby for our flag? You think fair meh? If a family decides to migrate to provide their kids with better perceived educational opportunities, that's also quite fair.

The KTM has quite a dim view of those who migrate so that their sons do not have to do NS -- but he tries not to judge lah. If that's their choice, so be it. While Singaporeans may complain about having to do NS, the KTM believes that the majority have come accept NS as a way of life and rite of passage to adulthood (for the men, though some will disagree and say that Singaporean men are still wimpy after doing NS. Perhaps lah, but if dun have NS, probably lagi worse). :-)

Next, there are those who decide to emigrate because they have better job opportunities elsewhere. Again, the KTM says, fair enough. It is the universal right for each man (or woman) to pursue his/her own happiness and the KTM believes that to hold them hostage by calling them "quitters" is not going to change the situation a bit. People who want to go, will still go. So why not be gracious and wish them well?

We have to come to terms with the fact that our island is really small and it's IMPOSSIBLE to make this place an Utopia that can satisfy EVERYONE. The KTM is of the opinion that what's more important is for us to create an environment that allows all Singaporeans to fulfill their own potentials and be the best that they can be. If for some (especially the musicians), it means that they have to move overseas, so be it. Let us not begrudge those who have the talent to reach for the skies. While Singapore may not be perfect, may our country be one where our citizens dare to dream (their own dreams, not one dictated to them by the Garmen). :-)

The KTM was chatting with BL the other day and found that BL has dreams of winning the Nobel Prize. That's no small dream leh.... but at least some of our people dare to dream big! Some will succeed while others will fail -- but let us allow them to try and not hold them back. The only thing we know for certain is that if we dun let them try, they will most certainly never succeed.

Emigration in Practice

The KTM agrees with Adeline Koh's observation that just because 50% of the Singaporean teens say that they would consider emigrating, it doesn't really mean that they would eventually do so. In fact, most wouldn't get to emigrate lah. Talk only lah, and talk is cheap hor.

Instead of interpreting the data as evidence that Singaporeans are disloyal, perhaps it's just a sign that Singaporeans are more globalized than their counterparts overseas. It's no honour being a frog in the well. While it's probably true that some of this thinking arising from a me-centric mentality in the some of the young, will nagging them help? :-)

It really cannot be helped that some Singaporeans have to work abroad simply because the jobs they care about aren't available locally. The question is whether we can persuade Singapoeans with skills we need to come back when we have jobs that we need them to fill? The KTM thinks that it's possible as long as we match their pay and the Garmen doesn't do anything stupid to upset them. :-)

Among the Singaporeans that the KTM have met overseas (and who have decided to settle down abroad permanent), most of them are quite happy to proclaim that they are Singaporeans. Singaporeans are also generally helpful to their own kind. :-) One nice Singaporean lady actually gave the KTM her cell phone number when she realized that the KTM was in Shanghai alone. The KTM thinks that that's loyalty already (at least to own countrymen). :-P

We must not forget that our ancestors were also immigrants from poor countries, who came to Singapore to seek a better life. Our economy has matured. For some, Singapore ain't the best place to make a quick (and big) buck, so they have no choice but to expand overseas. That's not a bad thing what. For others, they may not be able to adapt to the new economy and they realize that perhaps if they go abroad, they will have more opportunities. The KTM applauds this gung-ho spirit of adventure (again along the same lines of "dare to dream").

Unfortunately, there is also a group of disgruntled emigres. These are the people who feel that they have been shortchanged by the System (or Garmen, whatever) and decided that the grass is greener on the other side. For some, it is indeed greener lah, 'cos Singapore is too small to support their special talents (by paying for it lah). For others, they cannot make it in Singapore, also cannot make it abroad, but die die must act like they did good. *sigh* These people have the KTM's sympathies.

A Perspective: Being Gracious

That said, the KTM admits that brain drain will pose to be a serious problem for the economy in the long run, if it is not already. It is not clear what the solution is, or even if there is a solution to this problem.

The KTM would like to suggest one perspective to look at this problem and this is from the perspective of a family. Singapore is like a parent and our people its children. (Should be easy lah, since we're a nanny-state to begin with.)

As a parent, one would most definitely hope that his/her kids will grow up to be filial children and that they will remain by one's side when they start their own families. However, what to do if they don't? Can we threaten them to be filial, or else ... (or else what huh?) or make them sign a contract (stipulating liquidated damages)? *sigh*

Parents can only do their best when they bring up their kids and hope for the best. Some people are horrible parents and probably deserve what they get when their kids abandon them; others are good parents, but their kids still turn out bad, so what to do? Who to blame?

The KTM thinks that there is no need to blame anyone lah. Blame can eat meh? We all do our best and we hope for the best loh. If they leave, may they live good and fulfilling lives no matter where they may go; when they come back, we welcome them and call them brothers. That is what a family ought to be -- though some will call the KTM stupid and naive. :-)

Moving Forward

The KTM really has no real solutions to offer (fake ones also dun have), but he does have some random ideas, for discussion.

Change of Attitude. It is STOOPID to brand those who wish to emigrate as "quitters". Is that going to change people's minds? Will it make the remaining Singaporeans think twice about emigrating? No what. Upsets them only. Why do this kind of lose-lose thing? Stupid right?

If indeed, we be more gracious about the whole matter and instead wish these people well, remind them that they are our brothers and are welcome to come back if things don't work out for them abroad, wouldn't it be better for us? First, we part on a more amiable note. Second, if some of these folks do actually make it big later in life, do you think they will be more inclined to come back or to donate money to us if we parted on a good note, or on a sour note? Politicians who don't have the cow sense to say the right things should keep their mouths shut to avoid doing damage to our national interests.

Dealing with Spoilt Brats. The Singaporeans who claim that they want to emigrate [only] because the Garmen doesn't listen to them are stupid and immature. Please lah, that's a completely IRRATIONAL reason. If people want to leave because they see find better opportunities abroad, please just say so lah. Dun come up with such lame excuses. At home, if you tell your mother every day you like to eat chicken and she dun listen to you and cook for you beef everyday, you pack up and leave home izzit? This one still your country and like it or not, 66% of the people (who got to vote) voted for the Garmen leh. Grow up can?

The KTM like many others also wrote to express his unhappiness with the policy of tying upgrading to Elections. Garmen got listen or not? Never okay! But hor, the KTM got say pack up and go or not? No what. For what? He still got his KT to fry what. If next time, Singaporeans dun like to eat his KT and his KT stall close shop, but somehow the ang mohs in London like to eat his KT, then even if the Garmen dun do dunno what upgrading magic, the KTM may still move to London. Otherwise how? Sit around, complain and wait for Garmen to give hand outs ah? Siao!

Basically, we can afford to ignore the spoilt brats. Let them go lah. Our country is probably better off without them. :-)

Putting up a Good Wayang Show. That said, the Garmen is really lousy at putting a wayang show. Like it or not, the elected Garmen has a responsibility to be accountable to the people. Being accountable ("listening to the people") doesn't mean that the people want what you give what. Some people, like the KTM, can be rather dense and stupid, so please go and educate them can?

For example, the KTM has been clamouring for controlling the rising costs of living. It is perfectly plausible that the KTM is barking the wrong tree. The KTM got no PhD in Economics hor! How then should the Garmen make kay pohs like the KTM (and others who are questioning the increases in public transportation fares) shut up? Actually very easy one! Just go and hire this dunno what Professor of Economics to write a paper on why it is bad to nationalize public transportation in the context of Singapore. Demolish the KTM's arguments for nationalization without mercy and make the KTM look like a stoopid idiot. Then hor, the KTM dun want to shut up also cannot. Who is the KTM to go and argue with this dunno what PhD from what Ivy-League school. So simple right?

Of course, there is a horror scenario: scully the Garmen cannot find any one who is willing to write this paper, or if the fella who writes this paper instead kenna demolished by the KTM (by some strange twist of fate) how? In the first case, the Garmen had better sit up and think harder. In the second case, got two options, (i) either find the next best player, or (ii) sit up and think harder. In the latter, the Garmen doesn't look too bad also 'cos its the Doctor fellow who looks stupid (think scapegoat!).

All the Garmen got to watch out for is not to issue lau pok robust replies can already. Any public statements should be made completely water-tight and aboveboard.

The keyword here is being "gracious". It is a sad reality that the people cannot think for themselves and only know how to take the cue from the Garmen. If we want to become a more gracious society, it might be necessary for the Garmen to set the example.

Finally, it is important for the Garmen to keep in mind that loyalty to country cannot be legislated. Mindef especially should sit up and pay attention. (Footnote: credit must however be given to Mindef for allowing violinist prodigy Ike See to defer his NS to study violin in the US. Perhaps this is a sign of progress. :-P) Neither should Singaporeans be nagged to death about how they should love our great nation.