As we enter into 2009...

This year marks the 50th year since Singapore achieved self-rule in 1959, when the British ceded control of domestic affairs within the state of Singapore, allowing themselves only the affairs of self-defence, and in foreign relations with other countries.

1959 now looks like a distant star away, and as it is, Singapore has long achieved standards that seemed a twilight away from what the then generations thought to be unachievable. After all, in the history of nation building and in general history, 50 years is a speck compared to the thousands of years some countries and cultures have been in existence since time immortal.

Its with this extraordinary achievement that Singapore has done within 50 years, that credit must be given to those leaders and citizens who have worked so hard to let the later generations compete in this world that we now live in.

Thus, the ruling party must be commended for what they have done so far.

In respect in saying also, we must however understand that while we have achieved so much in so little time, we also must cast an eye on our future, and take note of the current situation. Because the world of 1959 and 2009 are so different and vastly apart, the situation has changed, and the solutions have evolved.

And to better manage these vast changes, we must know that the old standards in which we compare ourselves and our country to has also risen, ensuring that while we may look stronger in comparison, compared to those who are vastly in front of us, in all areas, we still fall short.

The main reason on why we are still not there compared to some of the western countries, and developed nations in East Asia, is because of a few things: we don't have a real culture. We don't have the freedom of tolerance to tolerate people of different ideas. We don't have the environment to cultivate creativity. We are too much of rote learners to understand that different ideas taken in a different direction can sometimes lead us to the same path.

Thus, in this age when there's more roads to progress, and more countries trying out these different roads to progress, Singapore will lose out if we think the same path, that we have taken for the last 50 years, will help us keep in pace with these other countries. We know it isn't true, and we have seen that in 2008, when our own economical, social and political security has been damaged because of the recession, and because of some notable incidents.

Still, let us be clear: Singaporeans, all of us, we want stability. We want peace. We want low crime rates. We want a place where our jobs will not be threatened, and where our families will feel safe and secure. We want to have enough money to buy food to put on the table, and to service our homes. We want our own people to feel safe in turbulent times. That's all what all Singaporeans want, regardless of race, religion, sex or origin. And we want all parties to deliver on this, whether are they liberal, conservative or moderate.

This is what is about, and we will make that promise to ourselves that even as we change in the weak areas that we have, we will deliver the former. But beyond that, we must also realise that being leaders, let it be in society, let it be in politics, let it be in companies, or in foundations, being a leader means being a servant to those who are your sheep. The best leader serves the people, and not vice versa. And as they serve their people, they know that they need kindness, they need maturity, they need the values of mutual respect, they need to understand that one can disagree without being disagreeable, and they need to understand that equality and brother-and-sisterhood are so paramount virtues that if they abandon all of these, then they will not be leaders, but merely sheep.

So as this country marks the 50th year since Singapore achieved self-rule, let us not lose sight of what we have yet to do, and yet to see. But as long as we the people start participating in our democracy again, and as we elect new leaders to restore accountability, and transparency and to have the said virtues that was said above, who knows what else can this country of ours do in this year and beyond?

In the end, though, this country, to be united and strong, we must lay down this basic principle of brotherhood with this phrase, "I'm my brother's keeper, I'm my sister's keeper." and to practice this passionately.