My fellow countrymen,
By the time you hear this, I will be outside Pittsburgh on my way to a pre-arranged chalet. It isn’t a change of plans, it has been scheduled since last semester.
After the constitution was amended in 1993 to pave the way for an elected presidency, the ensuing elections was fought between a relatively unknown banker, Chua Kim Yoeh, and the then-deputy Prime Minister, Ong Teng Cheong. The open secret was that Chua had been arm-twisted into contesting the elections. The elected presidency needs an election. It requires a mandate. The elected requires at least the semblance of an election.
So, why am I running?
To prevent a walkover, so that there will be no Marine Parade, no Tanjong Pagar. The elected needs an election and everyone loves a fight. Everyone loves the fireworks of politics. And so I offer myself to give the eventual winner the seal of legitimacy. Indeed, this election is not for me to win, but instead it is for the incumbent Activities Manager to lose.
So, why am I running?
To be very honest, I have never thought about it. When Khoon Kiat told me that I’ve been nominated to be your president, it took me a few days to laugh it off. But apparently, according to Khoon Kiat, the one who nominated me was very serious.
So why should you vote for me? Why should you vote for someone who hardly shows up for SSA events, who didn’t show up for booth until the very last moment?
I really don’t know. I don’t think any of you hate me. After I started using Paypal for my phone-bills, I think even Zhiquan likes me. And I certainly don’t hate any of you.
But I think it is not extremely healthy when Singaporeans become so comfortable in the company of each other that they become uncomfortable in the company of people from other countries. It is unhealthy that we have chosen to move around in group formation. I feel uncomfortable when Team Singapore, when the Majulah Connection becomes some sort of tribal herd instinct. We’ve come to the U.S. just to feel like N.U.S.
How many of you, when applying for college, decided on an overseas education because you want to experience a new culture?
The thing is, I believe many of you have sold out, and took the easy route by staying within your comfort zones. We sold out those ambitions and dreams to see the world, to be comfortable in different cultures, and to share Singapore.
If I become your president, SSA will not be just a Singaporean support group. It will also be a Singaporean interest group where we welcome both foreign talent and fellow countrymen.
I will run things different. That is the least you can expect from someone who is hardly present at SSA events. There will be no ambitious plans to go to far away places to skydive or to sit on a rollercoaster. This can be done at the individual’s level. I rather save the money to organize meals where food will be subsidized. Sitting down for a meal is my cup-of-tea.
I will not encourage nor discourage Booth. It will be up to the freshman batch, not one person’s decision but everybody’s. I think Booth fractured our community last year, people didn’t dare to see each other for fear of being shot an arrow.
There will still be semester dinners, there will still be trips to Grove City, and there will still be Food Feste. But Chinese New Year dinner will be expanded, and a Singaporean Film Festival will be organized to share our culture with the campus community.
I am very proud of Singapore. On my blog and in my conversations, you will often hear me speak heartily about the government and about national service. This is because I believe there is so much to share.
Vote wisely. If someone tells you that he will upgrade your dorm, don’t believe him.
Vote wisely. Vote to share Singapore culture. Vote for an SSA that is both constructive and inclusive.