Wednesday, April 19, 2006
taken from the straits times forum:
someone who shares my sentiments, so i don't need to say too much.
April 18, 2006
Lack of respect and decorum for MM Lee at TV forum? For goodness sake, it was a robust question-answer session
I refer to the letter "Where was the respect and decorum for MM?" (ST, April 14) where Mr Sim Ghee Hau felt dismayed by the supposedly disrespectful manner in which the youths discussed political issues with Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew.
I am surprised and saddened by what Mr Sim said. Firstly, he felt that the youths are lacking in Asian and Confucian values of respect and decorum in the dialogue.
However, it seems reasonable for me to suggest that the questions raised did not allow the person to be altogether deferential. For example, asking things like, "Is the PAP arrogant?" or "It seems like you almost have done that! (eliminated the opposition)" serves to honestly reflect the sentiments of people-in-the-street in the starkest manner.
When posing them, one has to be direct, incisive and cogent as they set the questions in the context in which people ask the MPs in meet-the-people sessions.
People are hardly going to lace their queries with flowery language or politeness when they want to know if their main governing party is arrogant or humble, or whether it is deliberately trying to exterminate the political opposition.
These are pertinent issues that not only underline the fundamental principles of a democracy but also pierce to the heart of local politics, the way Singapore is run.
Their lives depend literally on who is going to lead their country. Asking such penetrating questions in a docile manner would merely undermine their effectiveness.
Secondly, Mr Sim also insinuated that the advent of Western influence is one of the reasons why the local youths are lacking in the aforementioned values. I sincerely believe that to be an inaccurate portrayal of the West.
Contrary to what Mr Sim perceives, these morals are not unique to Confucian teachings. The West too recognises and practises the values of respect and decorum.
Western culture also encourages morals such as filial piety, compassion, kindness etc. What does Mr Sim expect Western values to be? Of course, shows with Western origins seem to be prone to having scenes of violence, defiance at authority or other regretful behaviour.
But we have to ask ourselves, would people adopt or even propagate such a lifestyle just because they are living in Western countries? To draw a line so definitively between Asian and Western values would be overly presumptions.
Ultimately, the televised dialogue session was to create an atmosphere of unabashed inquisitiveness, remind our youths of the importance of having a critical mind and to be outspoken. More importantly, it highlights the importance of us citizens being concerned about our own country.
Should young men and women be frowned upon because they had asked robust questions in their quest to learn more about the governance of their own country, albeit in a slightly over-zealous manner?
Then the incentive for them to be politically apathetic would be greater. This scenario should never come to pass. Only by having such interactive dialogues with the youths and viewing them with greater latitude can we foster a spirit of active political engagement amongst them.
Ang Wee Jian
now playing: hotel costes - cafe de flor
April 18, 2006
Lack of respect and decorum for MM Lee at TV forum? For goodness sake, it was a robust question-answer session
I refer to the letter "Where was the respect and decorum for MM?" (ST, April 14) where Mr Sim Ghee Hau felt dismayed by the supposedly disrespectful manner in which the youths discussed political issues with Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew.
I am surprised and saddened by what Mr Sim said. Firstly, he felt that the youths are lacking in Asian and Confucian values of respect and decorum in the dialogue.
However, it seems reasonable for me to suggest that the questions raised did not allow the person to be altogether deferential. For example, asking things like, "Is the PAP arrogant?" or "It seems like you almost have done that! (eliminated the opposition)" serves to honestly reflect the sentiments of people-in-the-street in the starkest manner.
When posing them, one has to be direct, incisive and cogent as they set the questions in the context in which people ask the MPs in meet-the-people sessions.
People are hardly going to lace their queries with flowery language or politeness when they want to know if their main governing party is arrogant or humble, or whether it is deliberately trying to exterminate the political opposition.
These are pertinent issues that not only underline the fundamental principles of a democracy but also pierce to the heart of local politics, the way Singapore is run.
Their lives depend literally on who is going to lead their country. Asking such penetrating questions in a docile manner would merely undermine their effectiveness.
Secondly, Mr Sim also insinuated that the advent of Western influence is one of the reasons why the local youths are lacking in the aforementioned values. I sincerely believe that to be an inaccurate portrayal of the West.
Contrary to what Mr Sim perceives, these morals are not unique to Confucian teachings. The West too recognises and practises the values of respect and decorum.
Western culture also encourages morals such as filial piety, compassion, kindness etc. What does Mr Sim expect Western values to be? Of course, shows with Western origins seem to be prone to having scenes of violence, defiance at authority or other regretful behaviour.
But we have to ask ourselves, would people adopt or even propagate such a lifestyle just because they are living in Western countries? To draw a line so definitively between Asian and Western values would be overly presumptions.
Ultimately, the televised dialogue session was to create an atmosphere of unabashed inquisitiveness, remind our youths of the importance of having a critical mind and to be outspoken. More importantly, it highlights the importance of us citizens being concerned about our own country.
Should young men and women be frowned upon because they had asked robust questions in their quest to learn more about the governance of their own country, albeit in a slightly over-zealous manner?
Then the incentive for them to be politically apathetic would be greater. This scenario should never come to pass. Only by having such interactive dialogues with the youths and viewing them with greater latitude can we foster a spirit of active political engagement amongst them.
Ang Wee Jian
# posted by Kitana @ 4/19/2006 03:37:00 AM 
