TR EMERITUS

OPINION

Singapore Law Minister K Shanmugam wrote a lengthy commentary in the PAP magazine Petir lately on the need to introduce some form of “political education” in Singapore schools to enable our students to make an “informed” choice on the type of political system which best suits Singapore.

Mr Shanmugam expressed his concerns that young educated Singaporeans may be mesmerized by the dominant political philosophy today – the Western model of liberal democracy to demand for political changes in Singapore without realizing the “trade offs”.

“Singaporeans are entitled to decide whether they want the trade-offs. And if the majority chooses slower development and a lower quality of life, and is willing to accept more tensions within our society in return for changes in the political system, then so be it. But that choice must be an informed choice,” he wrote.

Actually Mr Shanmugam need not spend so much money to come up with one entire textbook to “educate” Singapore students for they are already being “educated” daily by reciting the National Pledge.

From primary to secondary school, a Singapore student spends on average one minute a day reciting the National Pledge which amounts to 3650 minutes or two and a half days in one’s lifetime.

If the National Pledge is a “highfalutin aspiration” only as proclaimed by one geriatrician leader of the PAP, then why are Singapore students devoting so much time to recite it till it becomes etched permanently in their minds?

Before the students are taught the different types of political system in the world, they must first know their rights and responsibilities as citizens of Singapore as well as Singapore’s political system in the first place which are already found in our National Pledge.

Unfortunately, most Singaporeans grow up reciting the National Pledge blindly without ever realizing or understanding the meaning and significance of its words.

Let us dissect the hidden meaning of our National Pledge in full:

“We, the citizens of Singapore, pledge ourselves as one united people, regardless of race, language or religion, to build a democratic society based on justice and equality so as to achieve happiness, prosperity and progress for our nation.”

Rights as citizens of Singapore:

What does it mean to be a citizen of Singapore? What is the role of a Singapore citizen in building the nation? Are we merely digits in the economy or citizens with the power to change our collective destiny as a nation?

The fundamental rights and liberties enjoy by Singapore citizens are enshrined under Article IV of the Singapore Constitution which is hardly known by Singaporeans.

Ironically, Article IV bears close resemblance to the United Kingdom’s Bills of Rights and the United States’ First Amendment, both “western” liberal democracies so scorned by Mr Shanmugam and his colleagues.

Excerpts from Article IV of the Singapore Constitution:

9. —(1) No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty save in accordance with law.

12. —(1) All persons are equal before the law and entitled to the equal protection of the law.

(2) Except as expressly authorised by this Constitution, there shall be no discrimination against citizens of Singapore on the ground only of religion, race, descent or place of birth in any law or in the appointment to any office or employment under a public authority or in the administration of any law relating to the acquisition, holding or disposition of property or the establishing or carrying on of any trade, business, profession, vocation or employment.

14. —(1) Subject to clauses (2) and (3) —

(a) every citizen of Singapore has the right to freedom of speech and expression;

(b) all citizens of Singapore have the right to assemble peaceably and without arms; and

(c) all citizens of Singapore have the right to form associations.

[Singapore Statutes]

Let us compare the above with the First Amendment of the United States of America:

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

Implicit in our Constitution are rights reserved for citizens to partake in the politics of the nation – they have the freedom to express their views including dissent, to assemble peacefully and protest against the government of the day and to form political organizations to advocate their beliefs and cause without interference from the executive.

The real meaning of democracy:

As stipulated clearly in our National Pledge, we the citizens of Singapore pledge ourselves to build a “democratic society” regardless of race, language or religion.

So what exactly is a “democratic society”?

Other than conducting relatively free, but not necessarily fair elections once every five years, Singapore does not qualify to be a “democracy” or “democratic society” at all.

Former Thai Prime Minister Anand Panyarachun outlined seven pillars of democracy which are widely acknowledged by political leaders over the world:

“In my view, there are seven main pillars of the architecture of democracy, namely, elections, political tolerance, the rule of law, freedom of expression, accountability and transparency, decentralization and civil society.”

Do we have political tolerance in Singapore? Is our political system based on the rule of law? Are Singaporeans are allowed to express their unhappiness with the government freely without any fear? Is there accountability and transparency in the ruling party? Does Singapore have an active civil society?

Only when Singaporeans themselves are educated on their rights as citizens as guaranteed under the Singapore Constitution will Mr Shanmugam’s “political education” bear any meaning and relevance for them.

One cannot teach a toddler to run when he/she can’t even stand up and walk. Similarly, Singaporeans are still considered as infants where political awareness is concerned and without first addressing their ignorance and misconception about politics, Mr Shamugam’s good intentions may turn out to be another form of political indoctrination we see so often in articles published by the Singapore media today.

12 Responses to “Political education: Teach our children the real meaning of the National Pledge first”