Taking in the delight of an economic marvel

The evening of National Day found me and my husband sitting on a mat outside the MBFC towers waiting patiently for the fireworks to start. Taking on the scenes around me (blocks after blocks of  of tall office buildings and the iconic MBS towers afar) I began to marvel at how well our nation has progressed, at least economically. Watching the delightful showers of light in the midst of a crowd seated comfortably on the clean pavement, the distant thunders of fireworks evoked feelings of gratitude for such a liveable city and appreciation of what a long way this nation has come.The recent news of Malaysia Airline System to be delisted has reinforced this feeling, providing a benchmark in our favour.

I recalled way back in 1972 when the then Malaysia Singapore Airlines (MSA), jointly run by both Malaysia and Singapore decided to split ways. I can still remember concerns among Singaporeans that MAS had a brand advantage for retaining abbreviations close to the familiar MSA whilst SIA had to forge a new identity for itself. The 2 airlines have seen different trajectories since then, partially through different management style, work culture and partly because of different luck perhaps.

Another incident which I recalled was the withdrawal of the British Naval Base from Singapore in 1971. (One can imagine how those early 70s were fraught with uncertainties) It was a time of uncertainty because not only were 25,000 jobs lost but the economy was affected. I remembered quite clearly because my uncle used to own a tailoring business in Holland Village right in the hub where the British naval officers and their families shopped and got their daily supplies. It was a lucrative business and I remembered my uncle lamenting to my mother the grim prospects going forward. Not only did he survived but he did very well although I did not follow up with the new business model he adopted.

I guess he was part of the pioneer generation (more like 'pre-pioneer') who had that " never say die " attitude that was so typical of the LKY's generation and which had brought us to what we are today, an economic marvel of the world.