If we lose our sense of compassion and generosity, our place in the economic pecking order will be the least of our worries. When I first joined Parliament in 2012, debate over the fate of Bukit Brown cemetery was raging. Pragmatism has prevailed and some exhumations are underway. But we all know it was a turning point. Many Singaporeans discovereda new passion for their heritage. Some even realized their own family history had lain hidden more or less under their noses for decades. The assumption that people will accept development at all costs can no longer be taken for granted. As Professor Wang Gungwu wrote recently, with Bukit Brown in mind: “For a community to thrive, it is vital for each to defend the right to preserve what its members want.” The heritage phenomenon, he says, “is a measure of cultural resilience, something that comes from living and caring for what is familiar.” Sir, in a recent paper published by the Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities, Professor Joel Kotkin noted that great cities are safe, busy and sacred, and he rightly points out that Singapore has done well in the first two areas - security and commerce. But something in Singapore is still not working well. Why do polls show Singaporeans as amongst the most pessimistic people in the world? Why is Singapore fairing poorly in family formation and total fertility rate? Kotkin suggests that we re-evaluate the third aspect of urban success – the sacred.
Posted on: Wed, 05 Mar 2014 17:02:47 +0000
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