Rethinking the $335 Million cost of our Founders' Memorial

[FireOpal]

Tan Cheng Bock Facebook 

Rethinking the $335 Million cost of our Founders' Memorial

Recently in Parliament, MCCY Minister Edwin Tong shared that the estimated cost for the construction of the Founders' Memorial would come to about $335million. This Founders' Memorial is intended to be dedicated to Singapore's pioneers and the values they exemplified - including our late esteemed Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. 

I was immediately reminded of Li Shengwu's eulogy for his grandfather on 29 Mar 2015. In it, he said: 

"Once, at the suggestion that a monument might be made for him, my grandfather replied, "Remember Ozymandias". He was, of course, referring to Shelley's sonnet about Ramses the Second, the greatest Pharaoh of the Egyptian empire. In the poem, a lone traveller encounters a broken statue in the desert. On the statue, the inscription, "My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings; look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!" Nothing beside remains.

I think his meaning was that, if Singapore does not persist, then a monument will be no help. And if Singapore does persist, then a monument will be unnecessary. And that assessment is accurate: His legacy is not cold stone, but a living nation. We could no more forget him than we could forget the sky."

As we reflect on the legacy of our founding leaders, we think about their humility and their single minded focus on nation-building - rather than personal glory. Our Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew, was particularly clear in his stance against monuments and grand tributes in his name. He believed that the work of building a resilient and prosperous Singapore was far more important than any physical monument.

With this in mind, it seems contradictory to PM Lee Kuan Yew's wishes, to spend such an extravagant sum of $335 million on a memorial. While it is essential to honour their contributions, perhaps a more fitting tribute would be to channel this significant sum toward addressing other more pressing national needs. On my part, I would like to suggest that this would include the future of healthcare.

Singapore's population is rapidly aging, and as we face this demographic shift, it seems clear that the future of healthcare is not be hospital-based. Instead, the focus should be on creating a robust and well-organised Home Care delivery system. By investing in allied health services outside the hospital, we can ensure that our aging population remains healthy and well-supported in their own homes.

Imagine if we could develop a comprehensive, well-planned Home Care service that leverages the expertise of allied health professionals and private sector providers. This would not only reduce the strain on our hospitals but also provide a dignified and sustainable way for our seniors to receive the care they need.

This is the kind of forward-thinking, practical solution that our founding fathers would have championed. They prioritised the well-being of the nation and its people above all else. In that spirit, we should rethink this spending of $335 million. A simpler memorial, one that truly reflects the humility and values of our founding leaders, would be far more appropriate, and the remainder of the funds can be redirected to an initiative that secures the future well-being of our population.

Let's honour our founding fathers in the continued work of building a Singapore that cares for its people.

For reference:
1. Eulogy by Li Shengwu https://www.pmo.gov.sg/Newsroom/eulogy-mr-li-shengwu-cremation-service-late-mr-lee-kuan-yew

2. The development cost of the Founder's Memorial https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/founders-memorial-gardens-bay-east-development-cost-million-edwin-tong-4596241

3. A short description on the poem Ozymandias for those interested https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozymandias

[FireOpal]

Profligate spending and vanity project cos of the fucker Loong.



https://www.facebook.com/100044184381767/posts/pfbid0bK8GYW8YJcemMWScqJv3ytfFgecZtZBDMR418s3kuFc18bJ7BXrxfovG944r9Vn4l/

[default]

I propose to have father and son statue to honor their great leadership

Gct one can be smaller and put behind or sth

Rem to leave out otc also

[Banned User]

Is Singapore also known as North Korea?

[Arctic]

I propose to have father and son statue to honor their great leadership

Gct one can be smaller and put behind or sth

Rem to leave out otc also

Might as well hang their photos in all homes...

[Arctic]

I'm more concern about the agenda behind the memorial rather than the  $300mil...

I'm not saying the money is insignificant but Sg can definitely afford the $300mil...chump change only

[jim889]

61% approved
 

[daryl76]

i still couldnt get over how they screwed tcb in the elections