An appeal of a concerned citizen

I wrote the following appeal to our Singapore Government:

For 46 years of my life, I have been contented to "remain under the radar" and "mind my own business", since we have such an honest and strong government to take care of everything. However, of late, it has been more and more disconcerting to me that there seems to be a subtle (if you may call that) lobby to recognise homosexual acts as normal acceptable behaviour. Many are calling for the repeal of Section 377A of the Penal Code. The silent majority like myself cannot be silence anymore lest what is wrong becomes right and normal.

I am a professional, with a good job which gives me the opportunity to visit other countries, including those so called "liberal" countries. I have seen the so called "freedom" and "individual rights" taken to the extremes (for e.g. gun ownership, legalized drugs, homosexual relations given equal rights as heterosexual). I would not feel comfortable living in such an environment where what was wrong is now right, and what was abnormal behaviour is now normal, or even considered "hip".

I am so proud to be a Singaporean because our Government have the moral courage to stand up against these modern decadent world views and maintained a clean strong Government with good old traditional values.

However, recently, I am concerned that the Government is wavering and tending toward the so-called social norms of the world today. I am alarmed when Minister Mentor told Reuters on 24 April 2007, "I would say if this is the way the world is going and Singapore is part of that interconnected world - and I think it is - then I see no option for Singapore but to be part of it.". This is with reference to whether Singapore should repeal Section 377A of the Penal Code. Having seen what is happening to the other countries; I would rather "Singapore … NOT to become part of it". When the world criticised us on our death sentences, our ISA detention law, our caning of Michael Fay, you, our Government, had stood firmly and showed that we are a better society. So why waver now?

The explanation which the Government gave on why it is "closing an eye" to homosexuality is because homosexuals are talented people which we should not missed out enticing to contribute to the Singapore economy. It is estimated that only about 10% of the world's population are homosexual. Is the Government going to compromise the country's moral value for the chance of attracting 10% of the talents?

I have a wife and 2 lovely sons which I hope to bring up as morally upright and responsible citizens. I believe the fundamental unit of a country is the family unit. How strong a country is dependent on how well each family brings up the next generation. If the family unit imbues the wrong values to the next generation; or, in this case, the sanctity of the family unit is breached (for e.g., a family unit comprising 2 same sex individuals with adopted kids), it will lead the country down the slippery path of decadent. I cannot imagine the day when we are out on the streets, every corner we turn, we see man kissing/cuddling man or women kissing/cuddling women. I do not want my sons to grow up in such an environment. If I were living in a big country, I could just move to another part of the country where tradition values still hold, but, Singapore is just a 647.5 sq km piece of land, there is no where else to go. If this day were to happen, I will have no choice but to uproot my family and leave my beloved Singapore.

I beg the government to take this into consideration, please do not trade our moral values to attract a small 10% of "supposedly talented" people and risk losing the true sons of Singapore who love their country because she has the moral courage to stand for what is right and moral.

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It is indeed heartening when the Government reply to my appeal by assuring me that the government is not wavering on its position on Section 377A of the Penal Code.

Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!