Dangerous to slow down to appease our neighbours

The Straits Times, February 16, 2007

READING the report on the parliamentary debate about Singapore's relationship with its neighbours ('How to live with neighbours: Stay cool despite heated spats'; ST, Feb 13), I was disappointed with what was attributed to Madam Ho Geok Choo.

Although I do not have the full context of what was discussed, I still think it dangerous for an elected Member of Parliament to suggest Singapore should consider slowing down its rate of growth so less resentment is generated among its neighbours.

Singapore is a sovereign country in its own right and owes no apologies to anyone for what it is today. We are privileged to be in a position to decide how to chart the future of our country independently, and this privilege is sacrosanct.

Should our political leaders today decide we should slow down our progress to get in the good books of our neighbours, we will surely start to compromise on other aspects like defence, education and perhaps strategic resources like water and maybe even sand. When our neighbours catch up with us, will we then expect them to slow down their progress so we can play tag?

I urge MPs to carefully balance the interests of all Singaporeans against the need to score political points. To suggest what Madam Ho did is to give up what each and every one of us hold dear - the right to hold up our flag and salute it, knowing full well this is a right many people around the world would shed blood for.

Steve Tan Peng Hoe
ST Forum