We ask ourselves, what is Singaporean? In the first place, we did not want to be Singaporeans. We wanted to be Malayans. Then the idea was extended and we decided to become Malaysians. But twenty-three months of Malaysia – a traumatic experience for all parties in Malaysia – ended rather abruptly with our being Singaporeans. (Lee Kuan Yew, cited in Chan, 1971b:29).
Interesting…came across this quote recently. I wasn’t even born then but it is interesting to note that the every essence of the fact that we are Singaporeans makes it worth fighting – our identity, our citizenship, our land, our future. Although there are still many things I don’t agree with…anyway, that’s another story.
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