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SINGAPORE: Parliament has adopted an amended version of the motion on the nation building tenets after much debate.
The original motion proposed by Nominated MP Viswa Sadasivan on Tuesday was met with much criticism from MPs.
Many felt that it glossed over Singapore's achievements and did not reflect the progress the republic had made after attaining self-governance in 1959.
Mr Zainudin Nordin, Mayor of Central Singapore District, said: "The original motion overlooks the progress and the very exemplary manner in which we have delivered all our policies even-handedly on the basis of justice, equality and meritocracy.
"I see no reason why we should only emphasize the principles of meritocracy, justice and equality in economic policies. Rather, in the last 50 years, we've achieved so much in our nation-building, that we're often cited as an example of a good government that has brought prosperity and progress for its people through its multiracial policies."
To this, Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew proposed the addition of the word "aspirations" to the amended motion. He explained that the tenets in the National Pledge are not an ideology as described by Mr Viswa.
Mr Lee said: "We expressly state in our Constitution, a duty on behalf of the government, not to treat everybody as equal. It's not reality, it's not practical. It will lead to grave and irreparable damage if we work on that principle. So this was an aspiration."
Mr Lee added that while it may take Singapore decades if not centuries to create a level playing field for the minorities, it is necessary to do so.
Other members of the House also rose to debate the principles that underpin the National Pledge. It was a vigorous debate that saw 15 MPs speak over two days.
Some like the MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, Penny Low, agreed that nation-building is a "work in progress", while others spoke of the need to foster a sense of community rootedness among the youth.
Education and Second Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen took issue with Mr Viswa's criticism of Singapore's political system. He said: "Let me be unequivocal about the government's signals here. We cannot afford to stand still, rooted complacently but precariously in status quo.
"We must move with the times, and respond to changing circumstances, needs and challenges. But each time we make a move, we must not do so unthinkingly but consider carefully each step forward, carving our own path towards a better society and a more vigorous economy.
"Singapore and Singaporeans cannot afford to ape any model, but must choose or create a solution which is best suited to our nation."
Dr Ng added that the government had consistently presented a "frank accounting" of the realities facing the republic, and if the PAP government was corrupt or incompetent, it would be voted out.
Mr Viswa, in reply, said he had been misunderstood on some points. "I'm not saying that the government is stuffing ballot boxes or doing things that are unconstitutional," he said.
"I was highlighting a lingering perception that I sensed on the ground that politically it's not a level playing field, and if you don't address this, there'll be growing cynicism, especially among our youth, who choose to express their displeasure through angry postings on the Net, which is not useful," he added.
Mr Viswa also clarified that when calling for a repoliticisation of Singaporeans, what he envisaged was not riots on every street corner, but simply getting more people interested in politics. He said he believed this would help Singapore going forward.
- CNA/938LIVE/ir
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