I visited National Museum of Singapore this Monday, 3rd day of Sept. 2012. My first intention was to enjoy the Singapore Living Galleries only. But, it turns out that my visit worths something more than understanding Singapore culture deeper. The experience that opens my eyes widely is reading a book about Singapore nation's struggle to rise as a developed country. Too bad that I forgot the title of the book.
The book tells how a well-known historian, Dr. Albert something, told Mr. Lee Kuan Yew to let Raffles statue keep standing at its place. He said that Singapore needs to eliminate communists because they have another intentions which are unlike Mr. Lee's. Then, what startled me is when the historian asked Mr. Lee to let the Raffles statue stans because Singapore will be the only country which allows the statue of former colonialist still stand. Then, he continued that sometimes later, Singapore would need help from United Kingdom. That's why the Raffles statue's keep standing is very important because it shows to the world that Singapore accepts the British as the part of their history. In addition, if Singapore needs assistance from other European countries or United States, they will see that Singapore opens their gate.
How do you think about that? A very very clever thought, isn't it? In my opinion, it is a briliant political move. It's very deeply thought. Maybe for us, Indonesians, the idea seems laughable or stupid. Maybe many persons will think it as an action which shows no indignity. But, I should say a big "No-No". It's a move which can leads you to success. No dignity? Naaay... Why should Singaporean deny the history of their country? It's a fact that they were occupied by British at the past. What they do is simply acknowledging the fact & it delivers many positive impacts. There's no shame to admit that yes we were occupied but we successfully announced our independence and now we are a developed country and one of the Asian tigers.
Then, there's one story in the book that involves Indonesia and our former president, Soeharto. In 1973, Singapore decided to join Malaysia and Indonesia and Philippine rejected it. Then, two Indonesian soldiers were accounted responsible to the bombing in Singapore which caused three fatalities and (if I'm not mistaken) twenty injured people. Despite Soeharto's plea for forgiveness on those two soldiers, they were hung to death by Singapore. It caused an uproar among Indonesians. Then, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew and President Soeharto still maintained a good relationship and Mr. Lee was intended to visit Indonesia regardless of the incident. The then Singapore's ambassador for Indonesia, Lee Boon something suggested Mr. Lee to spread flowers in the Indonesian soldiers' graves because of the Javanese belief on the existence of souls. He said to Mr. Lee that as long as the souls weren't happy, they won't rest peacefully. And...what Mr. Lee did? He obeyed his ambassador's suggestion and his spreading flower at graves successfully amended the uproar. See?! Another briliant political move from Singapore which saves them from a further diplomatic friction.
Learning from Singapore's politic, I believe that we must know when the exact time to show our regret is. Regret and say sorry do not always mean a loser. Sometimes, we must be a "loser" first to be a winner in the future. Once again, Singapore does not throw away their dignity. I think they just simply admit the fact that they hung Indonesian soldiers and offer warm reconciliation. They simply state that they are human too who have hearts but they cannot forgive the soldiers because they did commit a murder. It's really fair. Are you agree with me?
So, where's Indonesia's big heart? No, I never see our big heart. What I see during this time is diplomatic by arrogance or diplomatic by stupidity and fear (sorry to all at Foreign Affairs Ministry. But, it's a fact). Thus, please learn to be smarter in maintaining a relationship. It does NOT only apply to political relationship but also your personal relationship. When you need to say sorry, just say it. No harm of saying sorry. But, do bear in your mind that say sorry in a smart way and carefully observe the need to say sorry. Sometimes, we also do not need to say sorry if the condition requires us to be. Have a better relationship, everyone :-)
