I am no rebel, no left-winger or extremist or too much of an anti-anything, but I am inclined to think that our government and everything to do with it is a flakmagnet. Three nights ago during dinner, Siva asked if I had read Jen Lee's articles about the bond-breakers. I shook my head no, and Jen Lee just smiled. Now, had I been still ignorant, I should really be ashamed. All this recent hullabaloo about scholars, scholars breaking bonds, racism and discrimination, civil service, and us tongue-wagging finger-pointing citizens of the police state (and how we've come to be this way)... sigh...

"Red tape and bond breakers" (The New Paper, 5 Apr 05. By Teh Jen Lee)

"Why bond breakers left" (The New Paper, 5 Apr 05. By Teh Jen Lee)

(Where, while digging up some additional info regarding the cases, I was rather shocked and disgusted to find a disturbing statement on the A*STAR website by the Executive Director of the A*STAR Graduate Academy: "We will not hesitate to publicly name irresponsible scholars who intentionally break their bonds for selfish interests. Being named as a bond-breaker will irrevocably affect one’s standing and reputation in society." The financial and psychological burdens of breaking a bond is already straining enough - why lynch the poor chaps? It's almost as though breaking a bond is a criminal act.)

"Scholar under fire for racist blog entries--PSC scholarship holder studying in US removes offending remarks and says sorry; his shocked family here also apologises. PSC investigating issue" (ST, 17 Apr 05. By Jeremey Au Yong)

One of the PSC cases is comprehensively documented - with opinions expressed - by AcidFlask himself. It reads like a saga... of personal struggles and victories.

As for the most recent PSC case... someone found his blog, read it and was troubled, and he obviously had too much time on his hands - and in a spirit of unsparingness - compiled a summary of his posts and reported it to the media and PSC. In a nutshell that's what happened, though there may be missing pieces here and there. In fact, in the forums and on many Singaporeans' blogs, this issue had brought about some heated discussions even prior to the article's appearance in today's Sunday Times.

People now worrying about the sort of leaders we have in the upper echelons of government bodies - are they just as racist under their public facades? What does this spell for multicultural Singapore? What kind of scholarship systems do we really have... what are they doing to our talented youth...? What is happening to the selection processes... when people of such soiled thoughts and characters can be chosen to become scholars. How should we treat blogs - they are totally private spaces but yet are open for public prying eyes to read? Where should we draw the line when defining one's privacy? Are Singaporeans, so brainwashed and clockworked and rigid, beginning to lose their humanity and compassion?

Hmm... I don't know what else to think. I do think a lot, but I just lack the energy to write.

And I must say, Jen Lee's really one brave journalist to be willing to touch such sensitive issues... it's brought the New Paper to new heights, for one, garnishing more praise from Singaporeans young and old. The media doesn't have to be silenced by government 'openness' all the time.

posted by Husky @ 4:41 PM  |