8:22 is the time all Singaporeans are to recite the pledge, the solemn binding spell to remind Singaporeans of their identity, common history and shared future. The pledge has been dismantled and reassembled by many others in the period up to national day today. Too often we recite it without thinking through the words, taking it for granted. The only time I didn’t take the pledge for granted and recited it with great affection was on May 5, 2006 at the Workers’ Party closing rally at Serangoon Stadium, the night before polling day.

Why 8:22 pm and not 6:44 pm, 7:44 pm or 8:44 pm where the :44 represents 44 years since 1965.  That’s arbitrary and probably suited the clockwork scheduling of the biggest stage production of the year every year by the SAF, the annual national day parade. 822 is the NDP committee talking and expecting the country to jump up and put our fist to our puffed up chest, with the organisers riding on the patriotic fervour that only a national day parade can drum up. To me, 8:22 was a cheap shot. My citizenship and all the rights and responsibilities it entails was all reduced to 8:22, 3 showmanship numbers imposed on us because of the timing of the grand finale, the fireworks and national TV programming so that Singapore Idol can start on time.

44 is the more significant enigmatic figure. It means that in 6 years, it would be 50 years since Independence and the young state of Singapore, nation or not depending on who you ask, might really have achieved much besides mere economic progress. Although prosperity is vital, I want to see civil-political and social progress by then. Big vague sweeping expectations no doubt, but perhaps you know what I mean. The ruling government has done much and the old guards had vision. But the time has come for faster change and meeting the expectations of an introspective more educated population aware of their options. What I wish for is that in 6 years, Singapore would be a better place for my only child to grow up in and I would no longer be ambivalent about emmigration. Rather I would want to stay on as I believe there is a bright future ahead for us.

I love Singapore and I hope we all can make it a much better place by the time we celebrate our 50th anniversary.