Happy 45th National Day

The article below the editorial by the Straits Times on 9 August 2010 carried this title "Celebrate achievements, strive hard for the future".

I was struck by the cartoon of a person with a broad smile, but his mouth was covered by the flag of Singapore. This thought crossed my mind, "Is this a subtle message that Singaporeans should smile and keep their mouth shut?"

I was also surprised that the chairman of the Public Utilities Board was given the top honors in this year's National Day. The timing seemed to be quite out of place, as Singapore had recently suffered from three unprecedented floods and the flooding problem had not been explained, let alone solved. Is this a message that public opinion does not count? (On a personal level, I know Mr. Tan Gee Paw to be humble and friendly, has made significant contribution to Singapore and is deserving of this award).

And here is my personal mesage for our national day.

Happy 45th National Day!

Tan Kin Lian