新加坡人心理防卫亟待加强

Singaporeans are by and large unconcerned, unaware and uninterested in terrorism-related issues, according to a recent survey conducted by the Ministry of Defence. The poll also revealed that Singaporeans might not be psychologically prepared to deal with the fallout of a terrorist attack on the country.

　　The findings are hardly surprising considering that many Singaporeans have always displayed a couldn't-care-less attitude towards national and global affairs. Nothing short of a bomb explosion in their homes will wake these Singaporeans up to the gravity of the threat we face.

　　Such surveys are necessary in that they show Singaporeans up to be rather ill-prepared psychologically. Many will doubtless be thrown into panic should a disaster strike.

　　True, we have always expressed a sense of patriotism on National Day and carried out civil defence exercises in an orderly manner “duing peace time”。 But we will only know just how far we will go in showing our love for our country when we are put to the test.

　　There is an old Chinese saying that “only sturdy grass can withstand strong winds”。 “A Song of True Spirit”, which is the best-known writing of Chinese patriot Wen Tianxiang during the Song dynasty, also contains an oft-quoted phrase that “a man's true qualities are revealed only in times of adversity”。

　　The weakness in our psychological defence is something we must take seriously. What forms the basis of psychological defence？ It is the deep sense of affection we feel for the country and an equally strong sense of duty to protect it.

　　However, if everyone is only concerned about “what can the country do for me？” and not “what I can do for the country？” or if everyone is asking “I love the country, but does the country love me？”, then I think our psychological defence is far from impenetrable and we should also take the display of peace-time patriotism with a pinch of salt.

　　A sense of duty or obligation is the most reliable premise upon which loyalty to the country and psychological defence can be developed and strengthened. The love for our country and the willingness to defend it should never be motivated by material gains.

　　Perhaps Singaporeans ought to ask themselves these soul-searching questions： Do you feel for Singapore because it has given you high status and a good income to match and many chances to get rich？ When such opportunities are no longer available, would you still feel the same and would you fight to safeguard Singapore if war broke out？

　　In Chinese history, patriots such as Qu Yuan and Dr Sun Yat Sen were not loyal to the country because they had been given a cosy life. On the contrary, the country only brought them humiliation and suffering.

　　However, we have for a long time been used to measuring one's achievements and social status by means of wealth and many are ready to “forsake good for the sake of gold”。 To them, citizenship is like a piece of clothing that can be changed anytime.

　　The inadequate sense of psychological defence is also demonstrated by Singaporeans' general indifference towards politics - they do not care about what happens here and in the world.

　　People usually adopt one of three types of attitudes towards politics. Firstly, they are unhappy with existing circumstances and the people in power and will push for change.

　　Secondly, they are comfortable with the status quo and will respond to any calls from the leadership which they trust. Thirdly, they are not completely satisfied but have no intention of rising against the authorities either. Basically, they belong to the “bo chap” category. The last two groups are generally unconcerned about politics, even if they are concerned, they are unlikely to be galvanised into action.

　　We should obviously eschew political fanaticism. We have seen how people in some countries will take to the street for the slightest reason. Some demonstrators will sometimes even vent their anger by burning cars and foreign embassies. In the end, the government has to apologise and use taxpayers' money to pay for the damage.

　　Political apathy is equally undesirable. When the people are panic-stricken when caught off-guard in a crisis, can they be counted on to protect the country？

　　From the facts detailed in the government White Paper on terrorism, it is clear that Singapore is not spared from threats. But since they have been taken care of by our capable government, many will continue to feel that we are in safe hands and there is little to fear.

　　For a small and affluent country like Singapore, the lack of a sense of crisis among its people is perhaps the biggest crisis for us.

　　（The writer is an Executive Sub-editor of Lianhe Zaobao. Translated by Yap Gee Poh.）

　　国防部不久前公布了一项调查结果,显示一般新加坡人对于与恐怖活动相关的课题不关心、不知情及不感兴趣。调查结果也显示,如果新加坡遭恐怖分子袭击,国人未必有足够的心理准备去面对袭击的后果。

　　了解新加坡国情的人对于这样的结果并不感到意外,原因是好多新加坡人长期以来对国事、天下事,事事不关心,炸弹不在自己家中爆炸,很难惊醒梦中人。

　　但无论如何,这样的调查是很有必要的,它让我们看到,新加坡人的心理防卫水平不高,如有大难临头,很多人会惊慌失措。

　　国庆日表现的爱国情绪,民防演习的有条不紊,那都是在和平时期做的。有句老话说：疾风知劲草,岁寒知松柏,文天祥的《正气歌》还有句名言：时穷节乃见。新加坡人的爱国热忱热到什么程度,得经过考验才知道。

　　但是我们的心理防卫基础不够坚实,却是我们必须正视的问题。心理防卫的基础是什么？是人民对这个国家的深厚坚实的感情以及对国家的强烈责任心。如果人人都只会问：“国家能给我什么？”而不问“我能给国家什么？”或者都在问：“我爱国家,国家爱我吗？”那么,这个国家人民的心理防卫就谈不上固若金汤了,爱国热忱也要打折扣。

　　爱国精神、心理防卫的最可靠的基础是建立在“义”而不是“利”之上。不妨问问新加坡人：你为什么爱这个国家？是因为这个国家给你提供高官禄位,带来发财致富的机会,你才爱这个国家吗？一旦这些机会都没了,你还爱不爱这个国家？你愿为她而战吗？

　　中华民族历代的爱国者,从屈原到孙中山,都不是因为国家能给他们舒适安逸的生活,他们才爱国的,相反的,国家给他带来是屈辱、灾难与痛苦。

　　爱国应当是基于“义”而不是“利”,见利忘义,还谈什么爱国？

　　然而,长期以来,我们习惯于以拥有的财富多少来衡量一个人成就的大小,以及社会地位的高低,很多人重“利”轻“义”。在他们看来,国籍不过是一件随时可以更换的衣裳。

　　心理防卫不强还表现在新加坡人普遍上不关心政治。不关心政治,说到底就是不关心国事与天下事。

　　人们对政治无非是三种态度：一是不满现状,不满当权者,老是想造反；二是满足现状,对政府说：你号召,我响应,你办事,我放心；三是虽有不满意,但不想造反,基本上不管。后两种态度的人对政治都不关心,或是只关心,不热心。

　　对政治热心过头,导致狂热,绝非好事。像世上有些国家的老百姓,动不动就上街*,*的时候就目无法纪,人家的汽车跟他们无冤无仇,他们看不顺眼就砸汽车,一怒之下就放火烧别国的大使馆,让政府去给人家赔钱道歉,所花的还不是纳税人的钱？

　　对政治冷漠麻木,那也不行,不知国家有难,一旦危机浮上水面,人民如惊弓之鸟,这个国家怎么保？从恐怖活动白皮书揭露的事实看来,新加坡并非没有危机,只是由于政府非常能干,化解了一个又一个危机,很多人就以为没有危机。

　　对于小而富的新加坡来说,人民缺乏危机感,这本身就是危机,没有忧患意识就是的忧患。