Singapore Story: Up-and-Coming Sarah Pei Ling

Singapore can be regarded as a very serious country when its then-Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew enacted the chewing gum ban. He got very angry for the gum disposal had dirtied public facilities, such as floors, starways, mailboxes, inside keyholes and even on elevator buttons. This ridiculous act implies clearly that the government regulates everything included trivial matters. And if you can’t chew the gums even if you will dispose them properly, let alone you can criticize the government in which you might make it looked dirty.

So, surrounding with draconian laws, can the Singaporeans make a fresh joke?

Yes, they can. In the runup general election slated next year, they can poke fun at government candidate, Tin Pei Ling. The jokesters jealously call her, Sarah Pei Ling, after American Sarah Palin. This Ernst & Young’s business consultant of 27 years old is the youngest candidate fielded by long-standing People’s Action Party. However, the critics level charge of nepotism on grounds that her husband is principal private secretary to the prime minister.

I don’t know much about Sarah Pei Ling, but her background coupled with several tests she had passed might bring her success in the future.

In contrast with Indonesia, to Singapore picking a candidate of Member of Parliament (MP) is not a joke at all. MPs are vetted from the best talented youngsters and groomed, not self-offered. PAP has spent much time for this encompassing background checks, psychology test and informal interview known as tea seasons. This chosen few with average age of 40 will serve as MP and later the best will be the next Prime Minister.

That is Singapore Story that really works.

PAP as the backbone of government has brought Singapore as one of the most prosperous country in the world. Its economy is vibrant, its social relationship is stable, its governance is capable and clean, its succession is clear and its future is promising.

Given this sustainable welfare, it seems the Singaporeans have been caught in PAP’s golden cage. No Singaporeans want to disrupt this. Criticism is needed, but must not hurt. Oppositions are needed, but limited only a few. Matthias Yao, the MP who would be replaced by Sarah Pei Ling, put up a convincing case. He said if you have 40 good people, why not put them in one team, not two teams as taken place in western-style democracy. It does make sense.

Finally, we get back to the question whether Singaporeans have a sense of humor.

It turned out they have. Even Lee Kuan Yew himself, under criticism that chewing gums might unleash creativity, replied:

“If you can’t think because you can’t chew, try a banana.” Ha ha ha …

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References:

1. http://e.mydigitalfc.com/dcf/dcf/2011/04/19/ArticleHtmls/19_04_2011_164_022.shtml
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chewing_gum_ban_in_Singapore