Elections Fever

Elections fever had been raging for the past 9 days, and it had never been a more exciting and breathtaking time in Singapore politics. For the first time, I am seriously torn with my choices (I never was!), and until now, am still ruminating over many questions. What do I want for my future as a Singaporean? What should we be thinking about when choosing our government? How can our national identity be solidified further? How sustainable is Singapore in the long term, and who can help us forge ahead? What defines happiness? Simplicity, contentment, being surrounded by the people you love? Or economic growth, stable jobs, high incomes? Do we want Singapore to be run like an enterprise? Or do we want the kampong spirit to be back, albeit in a simpler, less stressful Singapore? 

For those of us with a deep love for our country, we need to truly think about what we want as a future Singapore...and really analyse options from many different perspectives and parties. We had achieved immense growth as a country in the past 50 years and no one can disagree with that. Moving forward, are there more avenues of growth as our country matures? What defines future happiness? Future successes? Future growth? Are there other ways of analysing successes other than material growth or increasing GDP? What about the emotional health of Singaporeans?

On Cooling-Off Day, I had been reflecting about how enlivening this whole GE2015 journey had been. It is an awakening of sorts for Singaporeans, where we are able to immerse in open dialogue, liberal thrashing of different candidates and parties and mass rally gatherings. Most amusingly, such discussions are probably the root of many split party opinions within families and friends!

But I view all these as highly positive signs - that we are able to debate openly, sometimes irrationally, sometimes persuasively, but mostly vehemently. And by us doing so, it merely proves that all of us deeply love our country, that we care about where Singapore is heading, that we harbour hopes for the future of Singapore. And most importantly, that we all feel we can create change and have the liberty to choose. And the amazing thing is that all these rigorous debates were conducted in full respect of peace and harmony, with no violence, physical fights or acts of terrorism that had been so commonly linked to election seasons in many countries.

So I am truly thankful for this journey, allowing us to truly ruminate and reflect in the face of intense, spirited and energetic debates. Never have I felt so much like a Singaporean, even at the cusp of possible changes and possibilities. Never have I felt so gratified that I live in this country, witnessing the subtle ripples of changes that - hopefully - will create a better Singapore for our children, where open dialogue, intelligent discourse and a unified love for our country, exists. Whatever the results are tomorrow, we know that we have groups of passionate individuals who dearly love Singapore and who wants to help the country ride to better heights, however you define those heights. Majulah Singapura! 

"I am not a brave man, but I love Singapore and I love Singaporeans." ~ Chiam See Tong