As we strive to remake Singapore, we should be mindful that the term “remaking Singapore” should not be reduced to just a slogan. The drive to remodel the republic should focus on people to meet the urgent needs of Singaporeans as well as take a far-sighted view to lay the foundation for our future. In my view, the following points should be considered.
Firstly, it should promote a sense of humanity and come up with more ways to help the disadvantaged. “Living from hand to mouth” is indeed the experience of some weaker groups in society. For the elderly, for instance, it should not be a dream to be able to enjoy one's old age.
The disadvantaged hope to have their voices heard. For them, leaders should not remember the need to speak Hokkien only during a general election. They should also not stress the importance of the Chinese language only in relation to hitching a ride from the China Juggernaut. Mastery of a language should not be a measure of one's social status. The purpose of knowing more languages is not to show off the advantages one enjoys over others, but to use the languages to serve the people well.
Secondly, we should have long-term plans to continue to develop the Singapore brand name （Finland, a small country, for instance, is well-known because of Santa Claus）。 We should also be quick in identifying and adapting to changing trends. This instinct would have spared us the rush in switching to the biochemical industry when the manufacturing sector went into decline. We should be pro-active and not play catching up all the time.
And even as we continue to pursue economic success and material comfort relentlessly, we should not postpone or neglect our spiritual or cultural development. We should play a leading role as the country with the highest quality of lifestyle in Asia. At the same time, we should be patient and meticulous in fostering our own culture and ensuring its transmission to the younger generations. We may even be able to export our culture.
Thirdly, we should capitalise on our strengths, be innovative and creative, and forge a national identity that strikes a chord with the people.
Singaporeans, especially the younger ones, should be familiar with our history. In order to value what we have achieved so far, they need to know how the pioneers had defended and helped create the Singapore of today. They should identify with Singapore instead of being bowled over by Japanese pop culture out of ignorance. Our future depends on young people who should not confine themselves to the island-state but should set their sights beyond Singapore.
To work towards creating a Singaporean identity, we have to listen to the voices of the “silent majority”。 Intellectuals also need to break free from the “tradition of maintaining silence”。 Heaping praises on our achievements and turning a blind eye to our shortcomings will not help us overcome our problems. In fact, it may well lead to our decline.
Intellectuals can make constructive criticisms and suggest workable strategies. The process of remaking Singapore is a colossal task that should involve everyone. The inputs from Singaporeans who are creative and independent-thinking （or people who represent their interests） are more important than the “nanny” who has always taken care of almost everything.
Besides, I hope justice can be tempered with mercy. Do not throw the book at people in the first instance, allow them the benefit of a kind and gentle reminder （this has to do with morality） instead of slapping them with a fine or Corrective Work Order. The purpose of strict enforcement of the law is to maintain an orderly society. But people should not become so fearful of breaking rules and regulations unwittingly that they refrain from exercising any initiative.
In short, the remaking of Singapore should focus on people and create a Singapore that gives people a sense of belonging.
（The writer is doing his Ph.D at the NUS. Translated by Yap Gee Poh.）
改造新加坡：以人為本● 朱崇科改造新加坡不應(yīng)只是一句標(biāo)語口號,它應(yīng)當(dāng)既能實實在在地急民之所急,以人為本；又能高瞻遠(yuǎn)矚,為光輝燦爛的未來形塑預(yù)設(shè)基點。
一、發(fā)揚人道主義精神,真正更多為弱勢群體著想。“手一停,口就?！弊鳛橐痪浔镜厮渍Z可謂道出了許多弱勢群體的心聲?！袄嫌兴K”不應(yīng)該只是一個遙遠(yuǎn)的夢想。弱勢群體希望他們的心聲能被認(rèn)真聆聽,而不是到了大選之時才記得講福建話,不是在搭中國經(jīng)濟的順風(fēng)車時才順便想起了華語。
語言不應(yīng)該成為身分尊貴與否的判斷標(biāo)準(zhǔn),多語的優(yōu)勢不應(yīng)只是炫耀,而應(yīng)是踏踏實實為民服務(wù)的媒介。
二、新加坡不但要有靈活機動的眼光和隨機應(yīng)變的精神,還應(yīng)當(dāng)有打造長期品牌的計劃（如圣誕老人品牌之于小國芬蘭）。這樣一來,才不會在制造業(yè)不景氣乃至沒落時才匆匆忙忙追逐生化。因為這樣下去,我們永遠(yuǎn)不能超前知道我們下一階段又該手忙腳亂地追什么。
追求功利性、物質(zhì)生活的同時,并不意味著精神生活可以暫時被擱置乃至忽略。新加坡不僅要引導(dǎo)亞洲一流的物質(zhì)生活方式,更要精心、耐心熔鑄本土文化傳承與創(chuàng)新,甚至可以成為文化輸出國。
三、要革舊創(chuàng)新,揚長避短,共塑人民的新加坡。新加坡人（尤其是新一代的年輕人）要熟知自己的歷史,深入了解前輩們?yōu)楸Ｐl(wèi)、營建新加坡所付出的血汗,明白今日之來之不易。要塑造對新加坡的本土認(rèn)同,而不是無知的一味追風(fēng)逐“日”,更不能以島國心態(tài)固步自封,因為年輕人就是新加坡的未來。
要群策群力,共塑人民的新加坡,不僅要聆聽“沉默的大多數(shù)”的心聲,也要喚醒新加坡“沉默的知識分子傳統(tǒng)”。因為單純的溢美之詞不能解決根本問題,一味粉飾太平恰恰正是某一統(tǒng)治江河日下的標(biāo)志。
知識分子應(yīng)當(dāng)可以利用自己的聰明才智出謀劃策,也可以進行善意的批評,發(fā)出逆耳忠言。因為重塑是關(guān)系國計民生的大事,它更應(yīng)該依賴具有獨立思考能力和自由精神的國民（或他們利益的忠實代表）而不是時時處處為他們包辦一切的保姆。
我仍然希望新加坡更多一些善意的溫情的提醒（屬于道德層面）,而不是冷冰冰動輒罰款XX元或在勞改法令下接受勞改的懲戒。嚴(yán)格執(zhí)法的目的是為了營造良好的社會秩序,而不是舉手投足之間都提心吊膽的物化羈絆。
改造新加坡,要以人為本,打造人民的新加坡。
Firstly, it should promote a sense of humanity and come up with more ways to help the disadvantaged. “Living from hand to mouth” is indeed the experience of some weaker groups in society. For the elderly, for instance, it should not be a dream to be able to enjoy one's old age.
The disadvantaged hope to have their voices heard. For them, leaders should not remember the need to speak Hokkien only during a general election. They should also not stress the importance of the Chinese language only in relation to hitching a ride from the China Juggernaut. Mastery of a language should not be a measure of one's social status. The purpose of knowing more languages is not to show off the advantages one enjoys over others, but to use the languages to serve the people well.
Secondly, we should have long-term plans to continue to develop the Singapore brand name （Finland, a small country, for instance, is well-known because of Santa Claus）。 We should also be quick in identifying and adapting to changing trends. This instinct would have spared us the rush in switching to the biochemical industry when the manufacturing sector went into decline. We should be pro-active and not play catching up all the time.
And even as we continue to pursue economic success and material comfort relentlessly, we should not postpone or neglect our spiritual or cultural development. We should play a leading role as the country with the highest quality of lifestyle in Asia. At the same time, we should be patient and meticulous in fostering our own culture and ensuring its transmission to the younger generations. We may even be able to export our culture.
Thirdly, we should capitalise on our strengths, be innovative and creative, and forge a national identity that strikes a chord with the people.
Singaporeans, especially the younger ones, should be familiar with our history. In order to value what we have achieved so far, they need to know how the pioneers had defended and helped create the Singapore of today. They should identify with Singapore instead of being bowled over by Japanese pop culture out of ignorance. Our future depends on young people who should not confine themselves to the island-state but should set their sights beyond Singapore.
To work towards creating a Singaporean identity, we have to listen to the voices of the “silent majority”。 Intellectuals also need to break free from the “tradition of maintaining silence”。 Heaping praises on our achievements and turning a blind eye to our shortcomings will not help us overcome our problems. In fact, it may well lead to our decline.
Intellectuals can make constructive criticisms and suggest workable strategies. The process of remaking Singapore is a colossal task that should involve everyone. The inputs from Singaporeans who are creative and independent-thinking （or people who represent their interests） are more important than the “nanny” who has always taken care of almost everything.
Besides, I hope justice can be tempered with mercy. Do not throw the book at people in the first instance, allow them the benefit of a kind and gentle reminder （this has to do with morality） instead of slapping them with a fine or Corrective Work Order. The purpose of strict enforcement of the law is to maintain an orderly society. But people should not become so fearful of breaking rules and regulations unwittingly that they refrain from exercising any initiative.
In short, the remaking of Singapore should focus on people and create a Singapore that gives people a sense of belonging.
（The writer is doing his Ph.D at the NUS. Translated by Yap Gee Poh.）
改造新加坡：以人為本● 朱崇科改造新加坡不應(yīng)只是一句標(biāo)語口號,它應(yīng)當(dāng)既能實實在在地急民之所急,以人為本；又能高瞻遠(yuǎn)矚,為光輝燦爛的未來形塑預(yù)設(shè)基點。
一、發(fā)揚人道主義精神,真正更多為弱勢群體著想。“手一停,口就?！弊鳛橐痪浔镜厮渍Z可謂道出了許多弱勢群體的心聲?！袄嫌兴K”不應(yīng)該只是一個遙遠(yuǎn)的夢想。弱勢群體希望他們的心聲能被認(rèn)真聆聽,而不是到了大選之時才記得講福建話,不是在搭中國經(jīng)濟的順風(fēng)車時才順便想起了華語。
語言不應(yīng)該成為身分尊貴與否的判斷標(biāo)準(zhǔn),多語的優(yōu)勢不應(yīng)只是炫耀,而應(yīng)是踏踏實實為民服務(wù)的媒介。
二、新加坡不但要有靈活機動的眼光和隨機應(yīng)變的精神,還應(yīng)當(dāng)有打造長期品牌的計劃（如圣誕老人品牌之于小國芬蘭）。這樣一來,才不會在制造業(yè)不景氣乃至沒落時才匆匆忙忙追逐生化。因為這樣下去,我們永遠(yuǎn)不能超前知道我們下一階段又該手忙腳亂地追什么。
追求功利性、物質(zhì)生活的同時,并不意味著精神生活可以暫時被擱置乃至忽略。新加坡不僅要引導(dǎo)亞洲一流的物質(zhì)生活方式,更要精心、耐心熔鑄本土文化傳承與創(chuàng)新,甚至可以成為文化輸出國。
三、要革舊創(chuàng)新,揚長避短,共塑人民的新加坡。新加坡人（尤其是新一代的年輕人）要熟知自己的歷史,深入了解前輩們?yōu)楸Ｐl(wèi)、營建新加坡所付出的血汗,明白今日之來之不易。要塑造對新加坡的本土認(rèn)同,而不是無知的一味追風(fēng)逐“日”,更不能以島國心態(tài)固步自封,因為年輕人就是新加坡的未來。
要群策群力,共塑人民的新加坡,不僅要聆聽“沉默的大多數(shù)”的心聲,也要喚醒新加坡“沉默的知識分子傳統(tǒng)”。因為單純的溢美之詞不能解決根本問題,一味粉飾太平恰恰正是某一統(tǒng)治江河日下的標(biāo)志。
知識分子應(yīng)當(dāng)可以利用自己的聰明才智出謀劃策,也可以進行善意的批評,發(fā)出逆耳忠言。因為重塑是關(guān)系國計民生的大事,它更應(yīng)該依賴具有獨立思考能力和自由精神的國民（或他們利益的忠實代表）而不是時時處處為他們包辦一切的保姆。
我仍然希望新加坡更多一些善意的溫情的提醒（屬于道德層面）,而不是冷冰冰動輒罰款XX元或在勞改法令下接受勞改的懲戒。嚴(yán)格執(zhí)法的目的是為了營造良好的社會秩序,而不是舉手投足之間都提心吊膽的物化羈絆。
改造新加坡,要以人為本,打造人民的新加坡。