The Rhetoric
“I see Singaporeans growing up. They have skills, they should be able to exercise more independent judgement and we should allow them to do more and more for themselves.”
– Goh Chok Tong, ChannelNewsAsia, Oct 26, 2003We will continue to expand the space which Singaporeans have to live, to laugh, to grow and to be ourselves. Our people should feel free to express diverse views, pursue unconventional ideas, or simply be different. “
– PM Lee Hsien Loong, Inauguration Speech, Aug 12, 2004The Reality
“They say people can think for themselves? Do you honestly believe that the chap who can’t pass primary six knows the consequence of his choice when he answers a question viscerally, on language, culture and religion? But we knew the consequences. We would starve, we would have race riots. We would disintegrate.”
– Lee Kuan Yew, The Man & His Ideas, 1997