We must uphold meritocracy and incorruptibility.
We provide opportunities for all, according to their ability and effort.
|
uphold meritocracy
|
|
|
national education
We must uphold meritocracy and incorruptibility. We provide opportunities for all, according to their ability and effort.
|
|
|
About Meritocracy
 Generally, Meritocracy is a system of a government or other organization wherein appointments are made and responsibilities assigned to individuals based upon demonstrated talent and ability merit. In a meritocracy, society rewards (via wealth, position, and social status) those who show talent and competence as demonstrated by past actions or by competition. Meritocracy in Singapore
Within a system of meritocracy, people have equal opportunities to learn, achieve and excel. While there is considerable mixing of the races in the public domain, the different communities maintain their own language, culture and customs. The analogy of four overlapping circles is useful in describing inter-racial relations in Singapore. In the overlapping area, Singaporeans share common experiences, a common language, that is, English, and have equal access to opportunities. Where the circles do not overlap, each community maintains its own language, culture, and customs. This emphasis on multiracialism and meritocracy has helped to build multiracial harmony out of diversity in Singapore, and fuelled economic development. |
|
|
benefits of upholding meritocracy
Singapore represents a practical, if imperfect, attempt at applying "fair" meritocracy to a multiracial society. Throughout its independence and dramatic economic growth, Singapore has maintained a strict adherence to the ideal of a procedurally equal meritocracy, while simultaneously promoting multiracialism as a fundamental national ideal. The struggle to maintain these occasionally conflicting ideals has yielded an interesting mix of policies that seek to sort individuals objectively while allowing racial groups to compensate for their perceived social and economic disadvantages. For Singapore, one of the most significant benefits would be that meritocracy fairness, which would then lead to harmony between races. Meritocracy brings out the best in everyone. This would ensure that everyone in the community strives hard and contribute to the society. People would not be judged by their races, instead they will be judged according to their merits and achievement. The idea of valuing merit connotes a high-minded dismissal of unfair biasing factors (i.e. race, sex and class). This would allow anyone, from any race, to have a chance to contribute to the society in a positive way. Hence, creating a more “well rounded” society. To this day, Singapore continues to hold up meritocracy as one of its official guiding principles for domestic public policy formulation. disadvantage/misunderstanding
There is criticism backed by evidence that this system has some serious disadvantages: for one, Singaporean society is being increasingly stratified; and, for another, an elite class is being created from just a narrow segment of the population. Commentators have also criticized the city-state for not applying the meritocracy principle uniformly. They cite, for example, the disproportionate influence and presence of the family of the founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew in both political and business circles. Although most Singaporeans still agree that the city-state's tremendous economic success has been due in part to its strong emphasis on developing and promoting talented leaders,[15] there are more and more signs that an increasing number of Singaporeans believe Singapore is instead becoming an elitist society. Defendants claim the ancient Chinese proverb that 'Wealth does not pass three generations', suggesting that elitists will eventually be, and often are, replaced by those lower down the hierarchy. Indeed, many top political leaders in Singapore (and also China) come from peasant backgrounds, while modern peasants boast about their great ancestry, though the current Prime Minister is the son of a former Prime Minister. |
|
|
case-study: separation from malaysia, road to independence
 Singapore got self-government in 1959. However, the British had control of internal security and defence. At that time, many felt that a merger between Malaysia and Singapore would help Singapore achieve an early independence, riding on Malaysia's independence, which was already attained on August 31, 1957. Initially, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tengku Abdul Rahman, was against the merger. He felt that the predominantly Chinese population in Singapore would cause a racial imbalance in Malaysia. At that time, Malays formed 49% of the total population while the Chinese formed 37% of it. Tengku also viewed the Chinese in Singapore as being sympathetic towards the Communist cause. He was unwilling to allow the Communists to creep into Malaysia again, after it had wiped them out.  It was not until 1961 that Tengku Abdul Rahman(left) changed his stand on the issue of merger.
He feared that Singapore might rapidly change into a communist state and would then become a troublesome neighbour. Hence the merger plan would include the Borneo territories; Sabah, Sarawak and Brunei, to maintain racial balance. This would bring the five territories closer together in political and economic cooperation, creating "a mighty Malaysia". At a luncheon speech to the Foreign Correspondents Association in Singapore in May 1961, Tengku Abdul Rahman announced a plan for merger.
In September 1962, the people of Singapore voted for merger with Malaysia. Depsite calls by the Barisan Sosialis to return blank vites, 71% of the voters voted in favour of Alternative A: merger. However the Malaysia negotiations were strongly opposed by the Philippines and Indonesia. The Philippines claimed that North Borneo belonged to them. President Sukarno opposed the idea of Malaysia as it was in conflict with his own dream of Indonesia Raya which would cover the Malay world. The Philippines and Indonesia insisted that it was important to get the views of the people of the Borneo territories. A United Nations mission carried out a survey on the opinions of the people of Borneo. Findings showed that the people of Sabah and Sarawak wanted to join Malaysia. President Sukarno declared a state of armed confrontation which lasted for two years. The worst incident in Singapore was the bombing of MacDonald House at Orchard Road. The confrontation ended in August 1966. It was against this backdrop of tension that the merger was finalised and Malaysia was established on Sept 16, 1963. Hundreds of thousands of people gathered at the streets of all 14 states to greet the birth of the new nation. Celebrations lasted a week to mark Malaysia Day. It fulfilled Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew's goal of getting independence through a merger. The proclamation of Malaysia was read by Tengku Abdul Rahman at the Merdeka Stadium. However, the merger did not last for long. Conflicts over finances, revenues, a common market and politics caused rifts in the relationship. Examples of conflicts 1) Unequal distribution of wealth In December 1963, Lee Kuan Yew argued that the Malaysia budget created an unequal distribution of wealth instead of improving social conditions. 2) Decreased trade The merger did not result in increased trade. Instead, Indonesia’s boycott cut off trade ties with Singapore. 3) Demands for larger portion of Singapore’s revenues In December 1964, the Central Government demanded a larger portion of Singapore’s revenues to meet increased defence expenditure which resulted from the Confrontation. 4) Closure of the Bank of China The Central Government ordered the closure of the Bank of China despite protests by Singapore. The Bank of China had played an important role in Singapore’s trade with China. 5) PAP’s participation in the 1964 Malaysia elections PAP argued that it would be a more effective partner of UMNO within the Alliance instead of MCA, as it would gain the support of the Chinese community. UMNO viewed this move as a challenge to its Malay-based political system. MCA, on the other hand, felt that this was a threat to their position in the Alliance. Although PAP won only one seat in the elections, it added to the number of Singapore representatives in the federal legislature, making PAP the leading opposition party. 6) Racial riots Racial riots between the Malays and Chinese erupted in Singapore on July 21, 1964. 23 people were killed and 454 were injured in the riots. 
(A police sergeant, one of the many policemen armed with canes to thrash unruly youths who took part in the anti-Malaysia demonstration) 7) Formation of a Malaysia Solidarity Convention The PAP formed a Malaysia Solidarity Convention in May 1965 which combined various opposition parties in Malaysia. It called for a democratic Malaysian Malaysia that would be for all Malaysians and not one community. Members of UMNO’s right wing viewed the Convention as a plot against Kuala Lumpur. Lee Kuan Yew’s open attacks against the Central government sparked accusations that he was trying to seize power for himself. 8) Support for Barisan Sosialis candidate The rifts between the Alliance and PAP worsened when UMNO openly supported the Barisan Sosialis candidate in the Hong Lim by-election in Singapore. Finally on Aug 7, 1965, the two prime ministers met. Singapore was told to leave Malaysia immediately. Lee Kuan Yew, Dr Toh Chin Chye and S Rajaratnam tried unsuccessfully to persuade Tengku Abdul Rahman to change his decision but Tengku Abdul Rahman saw the situation as hopeless; as soon as one issue was resolved, another cropped up. After much thought, Tengku Abdul Rahman was convinced that only a separation can settle their differences without bloodshed. On Aug 9, 1965, he issued a proclamation that Singapore would cease to be part of Malaysia and would separate and become independent. |
|
|
conclusion
In conclusion, meritocracy plays an important role in maintaining peace in Singapore. How it this so? Meritocracy is based on values such as equality, progress and fairness. Meritocracy rewards citizens based on their talents and efforts. This is essential in Singapore as we are a multi-racial country. With different races living together in one state, the chances of racial conflicts are highly possible. Hence, implementing meritocracy will reduce the chances of it. Without meritocracy, citizens of different races may feel threatened and unharmonious, knowing their race may play a part in deciding their success. This is shown in the case-study given regarding Singapore's merger with Malaysia. The Malays felt threatened by the Chinese to seize political power over the country. This led to racial riots, causing death and damages to the country. This concludes that a meritocracy system is beneficial to a country, especially those with different races. No races will be discriminated against and everyone has an equal chance in succeeding, depending on their competence in the society. 
So let's uphold meritocracy and incorruptibility towards a harmonious Singapore! |