Dr. Khaled M. Batarfi
Singapore is a small island-nation (704 km2), with 5.5 million inhabitants. “Where do you go for space to accommodate future generations?” I wondered. "The answer is not to abandon public parks and uproot jungles, which makes almost half the country total area (42%). The answer is to go vertical with high rises and down with more underground stories and metro network. We reclaim from the sea, too. Man-made islands are helping us expand, and more are being built by dumping “green waste” (the sophisticated processing of human, agricultural and industrial waste). But our green rules always stand. All new projects must include certain percentage of greenery,” says Lee Yi Shyan, Senior Minister of State for National Development. “We will never sacrifice green for gray, trees for towers. A balance has to be maintained.”
It is comforting that leaders in Singapore appreciate future challenges and plan way ahead for them. Ambassador Zainul Abidin Rasheed, Special Envoy of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, emails me:
“Whether Singapore will remain strong, successful and united is the continuing challenge for its leaders and people.
One small correction to your previous article, though, (Singapore: Peace, Harmony and Order): It is not that we have not had racial riots before. We did. In 1950 Muslims fought the colonial British masters over a court ruling that returned an English girl back to her real parents (and to church) when she was brought up by her foster parents as a Muslim.
"In 1964, there was Chinese-Malay riots after some misunderstanding after a Prophet Muhammad Birthday celebration procession. Prior to that there was already heightened tension in race relations, while Singapore was in Malaysia. Again in 1969 there was a spillover of race riots which started in Malaysia.
“Bottom-line, Singapore came out stronger learning that race riots must not repeat in Singapore. We have since made Constitutional, administrative and policy changes to make the society more integrated.
This approach itself is worth further study, next visit, inshaAllah.” Now to your enlightening comments, dear readers:
Small not easy!
“Just saying Singapore is easy to manage due to its small size is not fair. Integrity, Transparency, Self-Reliance, Meritocracy, Will and Capability are required to make good things happen. Start from local districts and go upwards. Every country can be 'Singapore'." Muhammad Naeem Amin
Ladder of power
“In a book on economic and political predictions that I read in 1995, it mentioned that during WW1, USA and Argentina were world economic powers # 1 and 2, respectively. During WW2, America was still world economic power #1 but Argentina was not even in the first 100. Singapore did not exist during WW2 as it got independence in 1967. But within 50 years, it stood as the world economic power #7, in 1995. Reason for both is: National Discipline.” Faiz Al-Najdi
Strong vision
“Singapore has been incredibly well-managed. It was created with a strong vision: A safe place for most cultures and other races. My main mission, said Goh Chok Tong, the second Prime Minister, is to keep Singapore going! And Singapore has been kept going. And the same progression is augmented by the current regime of Lee Hsien Loong. A must visit City-State.” Dr. Mansour Memon
Safe country
“I worked in Singapore, with the Ministry of Education, for three years. It was hard work but a wonderful experience for me and my family. The transport service, systemic organization and contractual obligations were all truly amazing. As it was a very safe country, we could let our children go anywhere without concern. They learned many new skills (independence, trust, tolerance).” Yusuf Mayat
Message!
“It is a message to rich nations. If a small country with no resources could be so developed; then why can’t a country rich with resources?” Sam
Religious freedom
“Finally, an article that shows the reality of what real free and democratic countries do. They allow freedom of religion and practice it.” Ron, Australia
Time management
“In Ramadan, 2010, I visited Al-Nahdah Masjid in Bishan Area, and met with many Singaporean Muslims. I observed their respect to non-Muslims, as preached in the Qur'an and Sunnah. The transportation system is amazing—totally organized and computerized—no need to wait in long queue to get a ticket. That is ‘time management!’” Muhammad Faraz Iqbal
Peace is the key
“Yes, peace is the key to opening the doors of success and make this world a more beautiful place. I add that peace come through patience and tolerance. Countries like Norway, Canada, Denmark and Switzerland, started with peace and harmony, then progress followed and they reached greater height. Our religion also teaches us about peace and tolerance, but are we listening and following?” Waseem Sajid
Salute from Makkah!
“Working in a Makkah hotel, I had opportunities to deal with several nationalities, including Singaporean. They are really great people showing us the true meaning of peace. From this Holy Land of Makkah, I salute them and their great nation.” Belal Hossen
– Dr. Khaled M. Batarfi can be reached at kbatarfi@gmail.com ad follwed on Twitter: @kbatarfi
