surprised

It's been a while since my last post in this blog. Actually, just now, I got a surprised from my friends in ISCF (Indonesian Students' Christian Fellowship). Ci Yenty, Ian, Yusita, Erlin, and Johni came to my room today. Actually, today I had another check-up round in NUH, from 10 am to 4 pm. It was really tiring. I went home and slept for, hmm I think three and a half hours :p. When I woke up, I felt very hungry. To save up money, I decided to cook my favorite instant noodle (Indomie hehe). I asked Johni to accompany me in the kitchen. To my surprise, he brought a bunch of people. I was very surprised! I just woke up, my room (actually Jetan's room, coz I'm now staying in his room until 26 Dec hehe) is very messy.

Actually, they were here to pray for me. I was very touched. Hmm, not was, but I am still very touched. Sometimes, I feel very lonely in this world... But I shouldn't feel lonely anymore. I have Him, My LORD, with me, with His unchanging love and guidance; I have my family who always love me as I am; I have this fellowship, all friends in ISCF who's always supporting each other, who always care and love each other. I am ashamed of myself.. Why do I always keep thinking that I am lonely when so many people do care about me...

Oh ya, continuing my story... The six of us had a dinner together in Jetan's cluster's kitchen. I cooked my favorite Indomie and the rest already bought their foods in PGP's canteen. We talked about a lot of things but mainly I shared about my own condition. At the end of our dinner, they prayed for me...

Everyday, every hours, every minutes,

I can feel God's blessings..
I don't want to be only the 'container' of those blessings,
I want to be the channel of blessings,
for all people around me...

My Eye Condition
Ok, as I've said above, I had a another check-up in NUH yesterday and today. Yesterday, I met with Dr. Caroline Chee. She checked my left eye. There are another doctors with her. The one that I remember is Dr. Fadi. Yesterday, they said that my problem is not a retinal displacement but some sort of inflamation. To find out the cause, I did several laboratory investigations, mainly on blood, and a chest X-Ray.

They took ten tubes of my blood for the laboratory investigations. Right after they took my blood, I felt a headache. Maybe because I haven't had my breakfast. The nurse told me to have my lunch as fast as possible so that I won't be fainted. It was a very tiring day...

Today, most of the laboratory results are out. I need to undergo two more angiography test today. The first is Indocyanine Green Angiography (IGA) . Another test is the Fundus Flourescein Angiography (FFA). I cannot explain about these tests, hmm you can check this website: http://www.vrmny.com/angiography.htm

The procedure for IGA is like this. The nurse injects dye into my body. The dye is yellowish. Oh ya, before the injection, the nurse check whether I have any allergies on the dye. Fortunately, I don't have, so they can continue the procedure. After several minutes after the dye entering my body, my eye ball became yellow. The doctor then took several photos of my eye. The nurse asked me to drink a lot of water after the test so that the dye can be dispensed through my urine. My urine also became very yellow, thanks to the dye hehe.

Dr. Chee told me today that the problem is caused by the Toxoplasmal infection. I think my Toxoplasma IgA test is positive but the Toxoplasma IgM test is negative. This Friday, I will undergo another check-up round to confirm this. I have put everything unto His Hand, because He is my only source of strength:

Psalm 28: 7-9 (NIV)

The LORD is my strength and my shield;

my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.

My heart leaps for joy

and I will give thanks to him in song.

The LORD is the strength of his people,

a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.

Save your people and bless your inheritance;

be their shepherd and carry them forever.

~Because He Lives~
1. God sent His Son - they called Him Jesus,

He came to love, heal and forgive;

He lived and died to buy my pardon,

An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives. (Chorus)

2. How sweet to hold a newborn baby

And feel the pride and joy he gives;

But greater still the calm assurance:

This child can face uncertain days because Christ lives. (Chorus)

3. And then one day I'll cross the river,

I'll fight life's final war with pain;

And then, as death gives way to victory,

I'll see the lights of glory - and I'll know He lives. (Chorus)

Chorus:

Because He lives I can face tomorrow,

Because He lives all fear is gone;

Because I know He holds the future

And life is worth the living just because He lives.

This song reminds me of a lot of things...

I made a wallpaper out of it hehe

a beautiful fellowship

Today, I went to National University Hospital for an eye check-up. I have made an appointment with Dr. Lee Sao Bing (Consultant Eye Surgeon) a week before, after the end of my first exam. Actually, I have a problem with my left eye. I cannot see very clearly with only my left eye, as if there is something blocking my vision, just like a fog. After a tiring 3 hours check-up, Dr. Lee come to a conclusion that my left eye's retina is broken. Morever, he said that it's almost impossible for me to recover 100%. I was very sad when hearing this news. Next Monday, I will meet with Dr. Caroline Chee, a retina specialist, for follow-up. I think there is no other choice other than having an eye surgery. Actually, I am very affraid of surgery, I really hate hospital, especially the smell, but no other choices. I believe that Lord our God will take care of me...

My patient's card and the referral letter from Dr. Patrick Tan (University Health and Wellness Center)

NUH Eye Surgery Centre

From NUH, I went to The Cathay Dhoby Ghaut for a cell group session. Btw my cell group members are me, Ardianto, and Yonathan, and the leader is Benny. I and Yonathan went together to The Cathay, rushing for the free drinks promotion from Star Bucks (only today from 5-7 pm). We arrived at 6.45 and got the free drinks. I ordered the most expensive one hehehehe. My cell group leader arrived very very on time. I think he was one of the last people in the queue. You can see his victory smile here hehe:

Benny's (pink shirt, holding a receipt) victory smile :p

Star Bucks promotion

We (I, Yonathan, and Benny) talked a lot in Star Bucks while waiting for Ardi. Ardi had his last exam today at 5 pm. We shared about a lot of things, because this is our first meeting after a long exam break. Ardi arrived at around 8 pm, missed the chance to get the free drinks ha2. After Ardi arrived, we had a dinner together in Billy Bomber, just next door of Star Bucks. It's Benny's treat hehe, we were so happy, and I am still very happy now. Thanks a lot bro!!! We had a very nice fellowship back there, sorry cannot tell you what are the contents of our conversation, private and confidential hehe. These are our photos inside Billy Bomber:

Yonathan (left) and Benny (right)

me (left) and Ardi (right)

from left to right: Yonathan, Benny, me, and Ardi

After the dinner, we met with a bunch of wandering freshmen :p. We met with Teddy, Adit, Winong, Thomas, Vincent, and Anton. They were just from Bugis, buying gifts to be brought back to Indonesia. So that's for today, a sad news ended by a beautiful fellowship. Thank you Lord.

buffet time!

Okay, today me and 4 of my friends (Johni, Daisy, Haskell, and Jetan) were planning to go for dim sum buffet in one of the restaurant in China Town. The name of the restaurant is Yam Cha. We were so excited, we woke up very early in the morning (I myself woke up at 7.25 today coz I forgot to turn on my alarm) and went to China Town at 7.45 am. We arrived in China Town at around 8.30 am, woa it was very still, many shops still closed, as you can see in the picture. When we arrived at the restaurant, we were surprised that the restaurant was closed. Johni said that the restaurant open at 8 am for the buffet until 11 am. All of us were very upset until we found out that actually the promotion period was over. We found this out from the restaurant's advertisement in China Town MRT Station.

So all of us decided to go to Orchard Road, to find some other places to eat. Before that, we went to NUS Extension in Park Mall. From NUS Extension, we walked all the way to Visitor's Center to get information about some dim sum buffet restaurants in Singapore. Unfortunately we got no answer, so we followed Jetan's idea to eat in a Japanese buffet restaurant in Suntec City. He ate in the restaurant some 2 days ago with his KTB (sort of Christian cell group). Btw in the photos, you can see the Orchard Road during Christmas time. The night scenery is much better than this one.

Daisy was captured in the photo

The Christmas Tree in front of Paragon

We took bus number 106 from Orchard Road to Suntec City Convention Center. First, we took a walk around Suntec City. We went to the Fountain of Wealth to take some photos. Yea, you can see our photos here, also with the photos of Suntec City's Christmas decorations.

from left to right: Haskell, me, and Jetan

from left to right: Johni, me, and Jetan

from left to right: Jetan, Haskell, and me

yo this one is myself

We arrived at the restaurant at around 10.45 am, and the restaurant was still closed! All of us were already very hungry, yet we had no other choice, must wait until the restaurant open. Oh ya, btw the restaurant's name is Kuishin-bo, you can see the promotion phamplet here:

We went to the Sky Garden, just next to the restaurant, to wait until the time (the restaurant opens at 11.30 am). We took some photos here, remembering our childhood hehe.

clockwise: me, Haskell, Jetan, Johni

At 11.30, we went back to the restaurant. Woa, the queue was already very long!! We were the second "team" to go inside the restaurant. The buffet lunch is SG$23.80 for one person, quiet something for students like us. The restaurant provided up to 100 kinds of foods, from sushi, sashimi, tempura, tepanyaki, udon, etc etc. I tried my best to eat all kind of foods available :p, but still my stomach has its own limit. I was KO after I think my third round hahahaha. The foods were very good, especially the dessert. These are our photos inside the restaurant.

the deserts

from left to right: me, Haskell, and Daisy

couple :p (btw see the hand hahahaha)

what's the true meaning of christmas anyway?

I am not a baby Christian, I was baptised when I was still a baby. But yet, what's is the meaning of Christmas for me?

When I was still a kid, my mom always told me many stories about Christmas, from Jesus who was born in a manger, the three Magi from the East, Santa Claus and his reindeers, she told me everything. However, one thing that attracted me most as a kid is the Santa Claus story. My mom told me that Santa always come on the Christmas night to bring presents for kids. At that time, I really believed in her story, I believe that Santa Claus is exist! I remember one night, I insisted on staying awake to wait for Santa Claus to come, but I could not make it. In the morning, under the Christmas tree, I saw many presents. Woa, I was so happy, but I was also sad because I missed the chance of meeting Santa Claus. The presents were a new cloth and toys. I kept believing that those presents are really from Santa Claus until 5 years later I realised that they were from my mom. My mom wake up very early in the morning to set the presents under the Christmas tree. At that time, I realised that Santa Claus is just a bedtime story from my mom.

Before I went to Singapore, I always spent every Christmas with my entire family, having a christmas dinner, watching a christmas movie, and attending christmas celebration at my local church. I only thought Christmas is a time for us to celebrate, parties are everywhere! Even in Jakarta, many malls set up many Christmas decorations and hold great sales with tempting discount rate. The only thing I know is that Christmas equals party time.

However, is it really Christmas our Lord want us to have?
There are several points to consider: (note: different denominations may have their own different view on some points I mention here)

Christ was born to the world. Yes, but for what purpose?
Every christians should know the answer to this question. Yes, Jesus Christ was born to atone our sins. We learned this since our primary school. Our teachers in the sunday school always stressed this fact again and again. Christ was born to die on the cross as an atonement to our sins.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him." (John 3: 16-17, NASB)

If we never received any miracles or good things in our life, we still need to be ever thankful. Why? Because of this greatest grace that the LORD our God has given to us, all who believe in Him, the promise of eternal life in Heaven. Adam has fallen into sin by following Satan's calling. Therefore, all of the descendants of Adam (all men) are born with this sin, the original sin. As the scripture said: "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23, NASB).

Christ came to this sinful world to take all the men's sin with Him on the cross. "Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit" (John 19:30, NASB). What is finished? Jesus had finished His divine task on this world, to take away the sin of the world (John 1:29b).

Now, for whom Jesus died on the Cross?
Indeed Jesus died on the cross for all men, however not all men can receive this atonement. We know this as the doctrine of limited atonement (definite atonement). Only those who are faithful to Him and already received Him as the only saviour can receive this atonement. Thus, LORD our God has already known for sure all "His sheeps".

"I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep." (John 10:14-15, NASB)

God chose a group of people, who would not and could not choose Him to be saved apart from their works or their cooperation, and those people are compelled by God's irressistable grace to accept the offer of the salvation achieved in the atonement of Christ. Since in this scheme God knows precisely who the elect are, Christ needn't atone for sins other than those of the elect.

"Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it." (Matthew 7:13-14, NASB)

Now, when we know these things, what's our response?
We now understand that we have received the atonement from our sins. We are worthy of this grace only because of Jesus. These all are because of our faith on Him. But now, how's our response? Is christmas is just a time to party? When we know the reason of this celebration, what we need to do is a self-reflection. What we have done in this one year? Do we getting better and better and all things that we do reflect His perfectness? Do we getting closer and closer of being like Christ, or otherwise? We are being dragged away from Him. I left these questions for us to answer...

Song - He's Everything to Me
In the stars His handiwork I see, On the wind He speaks with majesty.
Though he ruleth over land and sea, What is that to me? (Refrain)
I will celebrate Nativity, For it has a place in history.
Sure, He came to set His people free, What is that to me? (Refrain)

Refrain:
Till by faith I met Him face to face, And I felt the wonder of His grace,
Then I knew that He was more than just a God who didn't care
That lived away out there and Now He walks beside me day by day,
Ever watching o'er me lest I stray, Helping me to find that narrow way,
He's everything to me.

christmas celebration with Rev. Dr. Stephen Tong

Come and experience the true meaning of Christmas!
Bring along your friends and family.


Place: Singapore Polytechnic Convention Centre
Date/Time: December 24, 2006 / 16.30 pm

yahya zaini scandal

Indonesia was shocked by a recent news about a member of the House of Representative (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat) having a extramarital relationship with a local actress. Furthermore, the video of their sexual intercourse is now widely spreading. The name of this parliament member (wakil rakyat) is Yahya Zaini, from Golongan Karya Party (led by Indonesian Vice President, Yusuf Kalla). On the 5 minutes video recording, the face of the couple can be seen very clearly. It's indeed Mr. Yahya Zaini and Maria Eva, the local 'dangdut' actress.

Actually, the video itself is already spreading through the internet and handphones since about some weeks ago but responses from the government's officials and another parliament members just boosted by this week. Vice President Yusuf Kalla during a press conference said an action will be taken to the related parliament member and he will start a team to investigate this scandal. However, he never specifies what kind of action that will be taken. Mr. Yahya Zaini himself cannot be contacted through either home or his office. He is reported to be in Australia for a working trip.

Yesterday, on December 5, a resignation letter from Mr. Yahya Zaini arrived at Yusuf Kalla's office. In this letter, Mr. Yahya Zaini stated his resignation from his position in the Golongan Karya Party's executive committee (DPP Partai Golkar). Below is the excerpt from the first paragraph of his letter (taken from kompas.com):

"Observing the reportings of the mass media about myself, as the cadre of the Golongan Karya Party that revered the party's dignity and honor, allowed me to resign from the executive committee of the Golongan Karya Party, term of service 2004-2009."

Also, in this letter, Mr. Yahya Zaini also delivered his personal apology. These links provide more information about this scandal (in Bahasa Indonesia):

http://kompas.com/ver1/Metropolitan/0612/01/085520.htm
http://kompas.com/ver1/Metropolitan/0612/01/151333.htm
http://www.liputan6.com/view/1,133611,1,0,1165292137.html

s rajaratnam: a forgotten giant

This is my first essay in NUS, written as an assignment for my SSA2211 module (Evolution of a Global City State)

Sinnathamby Rajaratnam is one of the prominent figures in the modern history of Singapore. Recently, on 22 February 2006, he passed away in the age of 90, just 3 days before his 91^st birthday. This essay is trying to reconstruct the current collective social memory on Singapore’s founding fathers such as S Rajaratnam, CV Devan Nair, Goh Keng Swee, and Lim Kim San, in the current Singapore society. Afterwards, this essay will try to answer the question on why is it important for us to remembering them. This essay is focusing on S Rajaratnam because of his prominent career in politic and contribution that he has given to Singapore. He is also regarded as one of the founding fathers of Singapore as well as a prominent politician, thinker, and writer¹. This essay is then trying to assert whether the current approach in making these great men be remembered is considered to be effective and come up with some suggestions on rectifying the situation of “amnesiacs nation”.

Although most Singaporeans still can recall the name of S Rajaratnam, most of them are difficult to recall what contributions he has given to Singapore. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong himself complained about Singaporeans lack of knowledge of their founding fathers on his National Day Rally Speech on 20 August 2006, “They didn't know that Mr Rajaratnam wrote the pledge or that Mr Lim Kim San was the reason that we all have homes is HDB flats”². PM Lee is very much concerned with the fact that even Singaporeans are really shadowed about their own history. Ng Chuin Song, an NUS undergraduate, wrote, “I was not alone. I did a survey and found out that even my fellow political science majors did not know Mr Lim (he referred to Lim Kim San)”³. Many articles written on the newspapers again show the same concern about the lack of the collective memory on the nation's founding fathers⁴. The current education system is mentioned as one of the causes of this problem as history is taught based on its usefulness for the nation-building, commented Professor Lee Guan Kin, director of Nanyang Technological University's Centre of Chinese Language and Culture⁵. Some also argued that the continued prominence of former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew has virtually reduced all of his peers' contribution in Singapore history.⁶ Although these two factors might be considered influencing this condition, we should look inside the very soul of every Singaporeans. Young generation, who has enjoyed many privileges brought by their ancestors and founding fathers, has reduced the position of the “past” in their memory⁷. This condition leads to an ignorance⁸ and lack of eagerness in knowing more on how founding fathers built this country. However, one question that can be raised is that why is it important for us to remember S Rajaratnam. We will now look in closer details on the achievements, contributions, and ideas that he has given for this country.

S Rajaratnam once lamented that he may not leave any lasting legacies for the coming generations as he said that his “contributions were very abstract as there are no buildings I can point to and say, they were what I did”⁹. This shows his great humbleness, one thing that is well remembered by Lee Khoon Choy¹⁰. He was the one who found out similarities of political aspirations between himself, Lew Kuan Yew, Goh Keng Swee, and Toh Chin Chye, thus pioneering the formation of People's Action Party (PAP) to “overthrow imperialist rule and stop the expansion of communism”¹¹. He was a loyal supporter, old guard of the party's idealism, and ”among the few who articulate and emphasis the PAP’s stand when attacked,”¹². He is also known as the supporter of a one-party government as he described a strong opposition as a non-communist subversion to Singapore¹³, an idea that gave a basis for the current’s successfulness of Singapore. He is also mentioned as the one who gave Lee “a heart to go on fighting”¹⁴. He remembered S Rajaratnam as “a tower of strength to all around him”. He added, “My most lasting memory of him was his courage. Never for one moment did he consider giving up the fight”¹⁵. S Rajaratnam has showed us a great patriotism and courage, humbleness, and many aspects that we can learn from such a great man. His contribution and continuous support for PAP is invaluable for the party's and nation's development.

During the turbulent period of 1959-1965, S Rajaratnam who served as the Minister of Culture, spoke out the ideas of “Singaporean Singapore”, a multi-racial society progressing based on merit, not race. He said, “On my identity card, it says my race is Indian. But I don't care if you call me an Indian or an Eskimo. What is important is whether you consider me a good man”¹⁶. He stressed out the idea of being Singaporean as a matter of choice and conviction, not as a matter of ancestry¹⁷. His view of multiculturalism is heavily influenced by his childhood memory:

“In those days, I came into contact with many aspects of the different races, such as Malay music and dance, Chinese lion dance during Chinese New Year and the wayang outside the Chinese temples ... I found them interesting and colourful.”¹⁸

Aside from the idea of multiculturalism, he is also a supporter of religious tolerance. He admitted though he is not a religious man, he has “always believed in religious freedom and tolerance”¹⁹. Singapore Pledge, which is well known among Singaporeans, is penned by S Rajaratnam as a manifestation of his belief²⁰. The idea of “Singaporean Singapore” along with religious freedom idea, have become the basis of a stable modern Singapore society, a lasting legacy of S Rajaratnam.

On 8 August 1967, ministers of foreign affairs from five Southeast Asian countries signed the document that provides the basis of the foundation of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). S Rajaratnam, at the time was the incumbent Singapore's Minister of Foreign Affairs, was one of those pioneers²¹. The formation of ASEAN is later considered crucial as he mentioned the importance of a self-sustained regional community as a pillar to support the world globalisation:

“Should the new regional efforts collapse, then globalism, the final stage of historical development, will also fall apart. Then we will inevitably enter another Dark Ages ...”²²

However, the early reason of the formation of ASEAN is not because of that view, but as S Rajaratnam affirmed, ASEAN is formed in the midst of fear of disintegration following the Vietnam War which subsequently led to the rise of communist power in the region²³. At that time, the idea of regional community as a pillar of world globalisation was not yet exist. ASEAN is also a path for the manifestation of a self-sustained Southeast Asia, an idea voiced out by S Rajaratnam in 1970s. However, he didn't refute the fact that until 1970s, the region’s economy was still very much depending on the west²⁴. He observed that the region can stand to importance if they have “the vision and courage”²⁵. This can only be achieved through mobilisation of the collective strength and potential resources of ASEAN; something that can be actualised if all the Southeast Asian countries settle down their clashes and unite. His vision on ASEAN is proven to be true as ASEAN now stand as one of the most influential regional community alongside the European Union. His contributions toward regional politics are very great considering all his ideas and support he has given to ASEAN during his lifetime.

During his time as the Singapore’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, S Rajaratnam had contributed much to the Singapore’s foreign policy and drew much of the outline on how Singapore positioned itself in the international society. He designed a friendly and open policy for all countries that are trying to make such kind of relationship with Singapore²⁶. He also stressed out not to formulate foreign policy based on permanent enemy as the world is changing very fast, thus need a consistent review on the relationship made with another countries. He was then categorised countries into three categories to judge the level of friendship that Singapore can build with that country²⁷. His idea has been a basis for the Singapore’s foreign policy for years as acknowledged by Minister of Foreign Affairs George Yeo²⁸. Besides continuing a “friendly policy”, S Rajaratnam is also concerned on the main ideal of Singapore’s foreign policy as a safeguard of Singapore’s independent from external threats²⁹. In order to fulfil this ideal, he supported a non-aligned policy thus placing Singapore in the neutral position. At that time, Cold War is on its height and the rivalry between the Western and Eastern Block is at large³⁰. He emphasised and re-emphasised the importance of non-aligned policy several times on his parliamentary speech:

“Our foreign policy and our defence policy must ensure that we do not become, or even appear to become, the pawn of any outside power”³¹

“Singapore is genuinely convinced that a non-aligned policy is the correct one for itself and for the peace of Southeast Asia”³²

S Rajaratnam has contributed much for Singapore’s foreign policy. He is known as the “architect” of Singapore’s policy and much of his ideas still become the runway for Singapore’s foreign affairs.

We have now examined several answers behind the question on the importance of remembering S Rajaratnam. Thereafter, this essay is trying to look deeper towards what that has been done to remember him. Recently, the Nanyang Technological University is announcing a new school named after S Rajaratnam as a form of tribute to him³³. On the other hand, the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS) has launched a biography project on the leaders who often referred to as members of the old guards³⁴. They are now working on it, especially on S Rajaratnam's, said the Director of ISEAS, K Kesavapany³⁵. As this essay mentioned earlier, education system is mostly blamed for lack of awareness of Singapore's history among Singaporeans, but Dr. Cherian George, assistant professor at Nanyang Technological University’s School of Communication and Information, mentioned not to turn the entire burden to the school but to refer back to the society to give the children a sense of history³⁶. Indeed, the one who shape the young and nurture them with the spirit of nationalism and understanding of their country is first done by the society. We need to create this awareness in the older generations as their view will eventually influence the young. However, there’s still a need to revise the current history curriculum offered from the primary to the secondary school to emphasise more on the post-war history as to increase the pupils’ awareness and appreciation of the post-war struggle for independence. The National Education programme that is started on 1997 to increase this awareness is considered ineffective as it is too limited and selective³⁷. Another factor that reduces this awareness is that only a few of retired politicians and other distinguished persons shared their experience in form of books or memoirs³⁸. Books are important as the source of knowledge for the young to understand their country's story. Therefore, there is an urgent need to stimulate writing of memoirs among the outstanding persons in the Republic. Their writing will be invaluable resources for the next generations of Singapore. However, it is unfortunate that S Rajaratnam himself never leaves us with any personal memoirs.

S Rajaratnam contributions towards this country are very special. He has together with other nationalists, struggled for the Singapore’s independent and has built this country through his ideas, writing, and thought. His contributions are long lasting contrasting the fact that the memory of him has faded away from most young generations of Singapore. In order to keep this social memory intact, there is a need to revise the current history curriculum, encouraging the retired politicians, civil servants, and other imminent figures to share their experience with the young through their writings and memoirs, and increasing the awareness of the society to nurture the sense of history on the young generation.

1 Lee Kuan Yew on “Minister Mentor's Eulogy for Mr S. Rajaratnam”, 22 February 2006. In this eulogy, Lee Kuan Yew spoke about S Rajaratnam, “His strength was as a thinker and a writer, a man of honour, with great moral courage.”

2 “Keeping the Singapore story alive”, Straits Times, 21 August 2006.

3 Ng Chuin Song, “Even Undergrads are Blur about Singapore's History”, Straits Times, 5 August 2006.

4 Many newspaper articles dated after the death of S. Rajaratnam show this fact. Sue-Ann Chia and Li Xueying wrote in “A Nation of Amnesiacs?”, Straits Times, 4 March 2006:

“Some had no idea the Singapore Pledge they used to recite daily in school was penned by Mr Rajaratnam. As Ms Monica Yap wrote in The Straits Times Forum page: 'If it was not for the death of Mr Rajaratnam, would we know all the past historic events and the writer of our Pledge? My plea is, please do not wait till the death of another great man before we learn about him and his impact on Singapore's history.' ”.

Sue-Ann Chia, in another article, “Know the Founding Fathers of Singapore”, Straits Times, 4 March 2006, wrote: “But beyond that, younger Singaporeans are hard pressed to list these leaders' contributions. Some historians describe Singapore as a nation of amnesiacs, with little curiosity about the past. “ Another quotations from the newspapers that show this lack of social memory are listed below:

“There is a consistent ignorance among the very young and the older of the post-independence cohort about the milestones of the Singapore story and of its principal characters. Is the deficiency important enough to think about? Most assuredly, yes. What can be done?” (Anonymous, “No Sense of History”, Straits Times, 6 March 2006)

“My peers and I reacted to news of Mr S. Rajaratnam's death with a certain degree of detachment. I remembered him only because of passing references in my history textbooks.” (Kenny Tan, “The Detached Generation”, Straits Times, 6 March 2006)

“Until he died and I read about it in the papers, I did not know he had penned the Pledge.” (Chua Muhammad Taufiq Muhammad Hadi, “Why had I not known about him earlier “, Straits Times, 6 March 2006)

“When a friend told me recently that Mr S. Rajaratnam had passed away, I found the name vaguely familiar but I could not put a face to it.” (Eisen Tao, “Make men like Raja come alive in classes”, Straits Times, 6 March 2006)

5 Sue-Ann Chia & Li Xueying, “A Nation of Amnesiacs?”

6 Ibid.

7 Albert Lau, “The National Past and the Writing of the History of Singapore,” in Imagining Singapore, edited by Ban Kah Choon, & others, (Singapore: Times Academic Press, 1992), p. 46. Albert Lau mentioned in this paper that Singaporeans has mostly neglected the past as they searched for the meaning and for their destiny in the present and in the future.

8 Kenny Tan, “The Detached Generation”, Straits Times, 6 March 2006. He write that: “We see the older generation in a rather distant light, and many of us says: ‘If it doesn’t affect us, why should we be bothered?’” This statement shows an increasing of ignorance happening in the young generation.

9 Hong Lysa, “Making the History of Singapore: S Rajaratnam and CV Devan Nair”, in Lee's Lieutenants: Singapore's Old Guard, ed. Lam Peng Er & Kevin YL Tan. (Australia: Allen & Unwin, 1999), p. 108.

10 “Former Minister of State Lee Khoon Choy Remembers ex-DPM Rajaratnam”, Straits Times, 28 March 2006. He mentioned S Rajaratnam as a man “always maintained his own self and he never showed off.”

11 Ang Hwee Suan, Dialogues with S. Rajaratnam, Former Senior Minister in the Prime Minister's Office (Singapore: Shin Min Daily News, 1991), p. 7.

12 Ibid., p. 97.

13 S Rajaratnam, “Non-Communist Subversion in Singapore”, in Trends in Singapore: Proceedings and Background Paper, ed. Seah Chee Meow (Singapore: Singapore University Press for ISEAS, 1975), p. 118. On this paper, he mentioned that “Given a one-party government, the capacity of such a government to act is far more independently than if it were harassed by an opposition and by proxies ...”

14 Ibid., p. 108.

15 Lee, “Minister Mentor's Eulogy for Mr S. Rajaratnam.”

16 Chua Mui Hoong, “Singapore Pioneer Rajaratnam Dies”, Straits Times, 23 February 2006

17 Hong, “Making the History of Singapore”, pp. 105-106.

18 Ang, Dialogues with S. Rajaratnam, p. 88.

19 Ibid., p. 89.

20 S Rajaratnam wrote Singapore Pledge against the backdrop of racial riots in the 1950s and 1960s. The Pledge emphasises that these differences can be overcome if Singaporeans cared enough about their country. Extracted from http://www.sg/explore/symbols_pledge.htm

21 Jamil Maidan Flores and Jun Abad, “The Founding of ASEAN, ” <http://www.aseansec.org/7069.htm>, 8 August 1997

22 S Rajaratnam, “ASEAN: The Way Ahead,” <http://www.aseansec.org/13991.htm>, 1 September 1992

23 Ibid.

24 S Rajaratnam, “Politics of the Global City”, in The Future of Singapore: The Global City, ed. Wee Teong-Boo (Singapore: University Education Press, 1977), pp. 28-29.

25 Ibid., p. 29.

26 S Rajaratnam, The Prophetic & the Political, p. 280.

27 Ibid., pp. 280-281. In this speech, S Rajaratnam outlined the three categories of countries exist in the world:

“… if a country does not like us as a matter of principle … should not preclude normal relations between us and them. So long as they do not translate their theoretical disapproval of us into hostile deeds … The second category of countries are those which may have to be unfriendly with us in theory … while developing friendly and normal relations with us in practice … The third category of nations are the nations whose foreign policy of words is as hostile and dangerous to our national interests ...”

28 George Yeo on “Minister for Foreign Affairs Statement on the Passing of Mr S Rajaratnam”, 22 February 2006. He mentioned that S Rajaratnam has “shaped Singapore's foreign policy in its crucial formative years, made us many friends and helped transform us into a global city”

29 S Rajaratnam, The Prophetic & the Political, pp. 282-283.

30 S Rajaratnam, “New Cold War in the Pacific”, Asia Pacific Community Quarterly Review, 3 (Winter 1978), pp. 1-3.

31 S Rajaratnam, The Prophetic & the Political, p. 283. S Rajaratnam’s parliamentary speech on 16 and 17 December 1965.

32 Ibid., p. 285

33 Liaw Wy-Cin, “NTU’s New School to be Named after Rajaratnam”, Straits Times, 6 August 2006. This article mentioned that the new school will be called S Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS).

34 Sue-Ann Chia & Li Xueying, “A Nation of Amnesiacs?”

35 “ISEAS to set up research fellowship in memory of late Rajaratnam”, Channel NewsAsia, 25 February 2006 06:58 pm. K Kesavapany mentioned that, “We are now in the process of bringing out a book on Mr Rajaratnam, a collection of memorial essays and a research fellowship, to really go into depth what his philosophy meant. Our younger generation is at the point of forgetting what our pioneers have done, so it is important we record this for posterity.”

36 Ibid.

37 Chua Muhammad Taufiq Muhammad Hadi, “Why had I not known about him earlier?” He wrote: “National Education is too limited and selective. Mr Rajaratnam is a classic example of someone who has not been given enough importance in our history syllabuses.”

38 Anonymous, “No Sense of History.”

my first post

Yo, this is my first post in this blog. I am now on my school holiday after having finished my exams last Friday. Many things that I need to do during this school holiday, from finding part-time job to Christmas carolling (btw I join the NUS Choir hehe). Many of my friends are also having blogs with many different contents. Maybe for my own blog, I want this blog to be a source of information and a useful one. Hmm, I'll start posting from now. That's all for the introduction.