22. It’s a Small World Experience in Singapore
PAP in tiny Singapore, not South African porridge, but rather the centre-right People’s Action Party, dominating since 1965 independence. Action the key word! Things work!! Astounding pace and scale of development into global financial hub, world’s busiest container port, economic powerhouse. Discipline, meritocracy, authoritarian, state planning, controls, intense emphasis on education, learning from other countries, technical expertise, results focused, excellence culture, open economy, zero tolerance for corruption, illegal to chew gum, penalties for not flushing public toilets! together creating a prosperous, innovative, entrepreneurial, success story Nation.
Home to 6 million – less than 200 in 1890! Not melting pot but rather enabling diversity of distinct cultures: China Town; Little India. Buddhism; Christianity; Hinduism; Islam. Legally enforced racial quotas apply to government housing complexes!
Hearing a SA accent at Friday night shul and Communal dinner, Ray introduced himself. Small world! 40 years ago, “Mrs. Schkolne”, art teacher at Weizmann, Cape Town, taught 9-year-old “Saul”, now living with his Singaporean wife and son in Singapore! Wonderful to connect!!
Land is scarce, expanded 25% through reclamation! Yet apartments, 86% on 99-year lease from Government, typically larger than Hong Kong. Huge self-sufficient amenity rich housing complexes: Schools, restaurants, ground floor shops, workspaces. Often little need for travel nor private cooking! Green spaces and “vertical” agriculture! Many bicycles. Excellent public transport. Motor cars limited, expensive – 75 000 USD just for 10-year entitlement to purchase vehicle!
Rained continuously over two days. Not the beautiful Botanical Gardens this time. But the “fabulous, enormous” bookstore in Orchard Road was a “must” for Sheryl.
Interesting, observing and experiencing Singaporean lifestyle: Urban planning centres. Visit to home of Singaporean couple. Elderly woman on bus never been outside Singapore! Singaporean man saying: “We are doing well materially, but no freedom. Too much compliance required and control”.
Obey! Questioning, criticising teachers or government not acceptable. Fines, caning, banishment all applied!
Singapore – Ode to affluent, vacuous, “ultimate” consumerism. Sterile!
Approaching Passover, some heady questions: What is our National Vision? Which approach will likely deliver it: Liberal Democracy free for all? Paternalistic authoritarian “Nanny State”? A mixture perhaps?
