A Young Singaporean’s Reflections on SG60
A Millennial’s Journey Through Love, Frustration, and Commitment
Growing up in Singapore, many of us Millennials and Gen Z learned about our nation’s history and governance through social studies and national education.
These lessons often focused on Singapore’s rapid rise from a struggling nation to a global powerhouse, with much of the spotlight on Lee Kuan Yew.
When I was in my teens, my love for Singapore felt immature. I viewed any criticism of the country’s policies or systems as unnecessary drama.
Any negative remark about Lee Kuan Yew or Singapore felt almost like a personal attack.
The Rough Patch
Just like any meaningful relationship—with our parents, closest friends, or partners—my 'relationship' with Singapore went through its ups and downs.
In the early 2010s, as I entered university and moved on to join the workforce, I began to feel disillusioned.
I told my friend back then, “Maybe, I no longer love Singapore as much as I used to,”
Even SG50, meant to celebrate 50 years of independence, felt overhyped — like a glittering facade that masked deeper issues.
A few things led to this change of perspective.
I started to notice Singapore feeling noticeably much more crowded and gradually un-recognizable to the one many of us grew up in.
This was accompanied by troubling patterns I observed in the workplace. I witnessed a few examples where when a director from a specific foreign country was appointed, it often led to the hiring of individuals from the same nationality, creating entire teams composed of people from that country.
I saw Employment Passes given to those who were not as competent but had family connections and felt it was undeserving.
These incidents raised uncomfortable questions in my mind about inclusivity and meritocracy.
It was disheartening and made me wonder why locals were being discriminated overlooked in our own home—a place where we should feel valued and empowered.
To make matters worse, some of these individuals made snide remarks suggesting that Singaporeans were less competent or driven.
At the same time, the cracks in our infrastructure became more evident.
The once-reliable MRT system faced a series of breakdowns starting in 2011, sparking frustration and raising questions about whether we were prioritizing growth at the expense of sustainability.
I am sure I was not the only one concerned about this given the large turnout at the protest against the controversial white paper released by the government of Singapore in January 2013 that projects Singapore's population as 6.9 million by the year 2030.
While I fundamentally believe Singapore must continue to remain economically open and relevant to the world and that non-Singaporeans are essential to Singapore, I felt how Singapore manages foreigners in the economy had to change.
Photo by AWARE
Another issue that deeply resonated with me, especially as someone close to my grandparents, was the plight of the elderly poor.
This generation endured Singapore’s toughest times and contributed immensely to its growth, yet many struggled to keep up with its rapid progress.
It felt unfair to see stark contrasts in a wealthy society: elderly individuals collecting cardboard, selling tissue packets, or clearing plates at hawker centers. It was even more disheartening when their struggles were met with insensitivity.
This inequality extended beyond the elderly to other Singaporeans who were struggling.
HDB resale prices rose by 109% from 2003 to 2013 (and has been surging ever since), yet incomes certainly did not increase at the same pace. I worried and unhappy that the lower-income and young adults were being left behind.
Around this period, alternative news platforms gained traction, offering narratives that I had not encountered in school or mainstream media.
For the first time, I was exposed to different perspectives. i began to see Singapore in shades of grey rather than the black-and-white narrative I grew up with. The PAP and Lee Kuan Yew achieved remarkable milestones, but they were not infallible.
This realization put me at a crossroads. I could either: Leave Singapore in search of a different way of life, or stay and work to make things better.
Choosing to stay
I decided that I would stay and improve things.
While charity work is impactful and essential, I felt that alone as not sufficient as it was like bailing water out of a sinking boat. I wanted to fix the hole in the boat. In order to do so, policies needed to improve.
This led me to join the Workers’ Party (WP).
I felt that political competition will raise standards in the way our country was run. It was a good platform for me to contribute to building a credible and rational opposition and drives improvements for Singapore.
Through volunteering and taking action to improve things, I became even more deeply invested in my country’s future.
I was inspired by the dedication of fellow volunteers who give their time selflessly, without any personal benefits.
I felt touched by our leaders who make immense sacrifices—foregoing higher earnings, stability, family time and endured bullying from others to serve the public while facing intense scrutiny on their past and present.
Over the years, it’s been incredibly rewarding to see some of the policies we’ve advocated for being implemented.
It’s a reminder that change is possible when we work collectively for a better Singapore.
Some recent examples include: Increase in shared parental leave, steps taken towards mandating flexible work arrangements being able to give dignity to stillborn babies.
Through volunteering, my love for Singapore evolved. It was no longer the uncritical patriotism of my school days but a deeper, more mature commitment to improving the country I call home.
I’ve come to realize a few truths:
You can be deeply grateful and proud for what we have and what has been done in the past, while striving for continuous improvement.
Love is a verb and can be shown through actions. Love for Singapore means caring enough to work toward making this place even better. You can channel that gratitude and pride into meaningful action to address the things you feel are not right.
Reflecting on how I felt during SG50 and contrasting it with what I have done and how I feel now, I am filled with an immense sense of pride.
The journey from disillusionment to action has been deeply transformative.
As we celebrate SG60, it’s evident that Singapore’s journey is far from over—and so is our role in shaping its future.
For our generation, the responsibility lies in envisioning and working toward a Singapore where everyone can thrive and flourish.
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