Some high-hatted educated Member of Parliament in Singapore made a simple comment that pissed the average Singaporeans off (note average.).
Mr Charles Chong, MP for Pasir Ris – Punggol made the following quote:
“Maybe it made lesser mortals envious and they thought maybe he was a bit boastful. Would people have taken offence if his wife (a senior investment counsellor at a bank) had paid for everything ?”
What’s all these about?
It all started from one Civil Servant’s passion for cooking.
Enter Permanent Secretary Mr Tan Yong Soon. This man is part of the Ministry of Environment & Water Resources. What he did was to attend a Basic Cuisine Course with his wife at Le Cordon Bleu cookery school. It was 5 weeks long. Mr Tan wrote a travelogue for the Straits Times on the 6th of January, 2009, titled “Cooking Up a Holiday Spirit“. He spent a total of SGD$46 500 (comprehensive article) just for the lessons. Figuring in accomodation and expenses, that would be well within the SGD$100k.
The above article went on to draw fire from the average Singaporean as it was published in the “Life!” section of local news mainstayer, The Straits Times. Singaporeans felt it was boastful and insensitive during such times of “uncertainty” and “gloom”. There was strong sentiments that Mr Tan was insensitive and boastful of the experience. Most of the people who gave feedback were not very happy that a civil servant could spend SGD$45k on “Cooking Lesson”. Many viewed it as a luxury that was publicized in a very uncalled for way.
What does that indicate on the Singaporean Mentality?
There are people who feel that, it is everyone’s own personal perogative to spend the money he earns as he deems fit. I agree and advocate that. Are you spending your money the way you want to or the way that others want you to? Are you making your decisions in life for yourself or are you making them based on the perceptions of others?
Will It Help the Poor?
I refer to this article on Wayang Party. I felt it’s ridiculous to reference a person’s spending on the effect that it may have when it is used to help the poor. That’s sensationalization and it is not objective. How many people did you know of, who had splurged on something that was really unneccessary? How can that be directed to the poor and help them? If so, let’s all give up on the very things we do – Plasma TVs, Cars, Console Systems, Computers, Mobile Phones, Air Conditioning and blah. Let’s just eat bread all day and walk to work. Just the case of a civil servant’s spending doesn’t draw the responsibility of being compassionate from the average Singaporean. So what if you don’t have a SGD$50k to spend on a “Cooking Lesson”? Stop pointing your finger if you haven’t done enough to change things.
Civil Servants
Civil Servants aren’t meant to live frugally. In a meritocratic society, with a less than perfect education system, the top brass are naturally people who excel in academia. The idea of paying them handsomely to curb corruption had been working very well. If you have an income of SGD$300k per annum, what would be an exciting holiday for you? That’s a very good question. How many Singaporeans have went on exciting holidays that required more than the usual amount of dough? Had they been sensitive to the “Average Singaporean”? Have they been doing their bit for the poor?
Level of Thought
I am greatly disappointed by the level of thought and intellect that is being exchanged over the Media. I am not agreeing to Mr Teo Chee Hean chiding Mr Tan Yong Soon for the article. Why? Singaporeans are encouraged to have the idea that the Government is responsible for the average life. Yes, to a certain degree, Governments are responsible for the macro policies in effect. Ultimately, it’s time to start understanding that we are all individually responsible for our own lives.
Current Trends
How long more are we all going to live life by letting the system run our lives?
Why do people go to school? Why are children so fixated on academic results when they should be on their way to the X Games? Why are there lesser creations and innovations from Singapore? Why do we have to import our sports talent from elsewhere? Why do we do what we have been doing?
Self-Censorship
When was the last time that you could say what you really wanted to say? Singapore has created a nice system of self-censorship. Singapore ranks 144th out of 167 nations by Reporters without Borders on the World Press Freedom Index. Reporters censor their own news in fear of? I allow you to fill in the blanks.
Back to Charles.
Ok, having gone around half the world on this post, I now go back to Mr Charles Chong. He felt that the “Lesser Mortals” in Singapore are envious of Mrr Tan Yong Soon. That is unacceptable. It is unacceptable for a Member of Parliament to make such inflammatory remarks simply because he didn’t use his brain, first. If such a remark could be brought out so naturally, I guess this fella’s morality and world view has to be questioned. I am really not sure this guy is worth my money to make decisions for me.
The Singaporean as a Lesser Mortal.
To regard another human as a “Lesser Mortal”, it is highly possible he has dehumanized the very Singaporean that he serves. It’s a Psychological condition that was explored by Professor Phil Zimbardo from Stanford University, Psychology Branch. It went on to be summarized in a book titled “The Lucifer Effect – How Good People Turn Evil.”.
Demand for Apology.
In my humble opinion, Mr Charles Chong needs to give Singaporeans a very sincere and true apology as well as a very well deserved self-removal from office. To put it short, an apology is not enough.
I highly recommend Mr Charles Chong not to try and lessen the effect of his words with a press release or conference. Singapore has a 92.5% literacy rate.
I wonder if other Singaporeans think the way I do. I’m not particularly affected by the term “Lesser Mortal”. I’m just disgusted by the lack of responsibility in the words he says. He seems to view the “Average Singaporean” as a Scourge. That’s just my point of view. I’m not saying he is.
Mr Tan Yong Soon.
As for Mr Tan Yong Soon, I would like him to continue to do the things that he like in his way.
Mr Charles Chong.
Mr Charles Chong You Fook is the 2nd Advisor for Pasir Ris – Punggol Town Council. He is also the Vice President for Quality & Safety, SIA Engineering Company.
He’s a graduate from Sydney Technical College on a Qantas Airways Scholarship.
He’s a qualified Aircraft Maintenance Engineer & served various overseas postings. He also served as President and General-Secretary of SIA Staff Union.
Brilliant Mr Charles also served Chairman on the following:
- Pasir Ris – Punggol Town Council
- North East Community Development Council
- National Police Cadet Corps Council
- Singapore Institute of Aerospace Engineers Council
- Singapore Quality Institute
- National Productivity Association
He is married with 2 children.
His email is Charles_Chong@prpg-grc.sg
Source: Pasir Ris-Punggol Town Council
Declaration
I too, am a Civil Servant.
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