Who says that Singaporeans only read about cats and memes online?

The reason is because Singaporeans have not encountered a good piece of writing yet.

Until now.

Singaporeans displayed how discerning they were, as they shared this insightful commentary from the Straits Times. The lengthy 1,000-word commentary has generated nearly 1,000 FB shares and 200 re-tweets.

 Source: Straits Times, Feb 13 2014.

The commentary is about Indonesia’s decision to name its new navy ship Usman Harun, after the two marines who bombed the MacDonald House that left three people dead and 33 injured.

And the author? Bilahari Kausikan, 59, who retired as the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) last year.

Bilahari devoted 31 years of service in the public sector, where he was ambassador to Russia, and Singapore’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York.

He is known as someone unafraid to speak his mind, saying previously that he enter public service "intending to serve out my bond but I forgot to leave".

Anyway, here are the key points of his commentary:

1.  Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa "entirely missed the point" about Singapore's displeasure. 

"Singaporeans will no doubt be happy to know this [Foreign Minister Marty's remarks that there was no ill intent and no malice in the incident].

But I am afraid that the Foreign Minister entirely missed the point. The issue is not Indonesia's intentions."

2. Sensitivity is a two-way street for Indonesia and Singapore.

"Indonesians never tire of reminding Singapore that we should be 'sensitive' and 'neighbourly'. But Indonesians do not seem to believe that they should be equally "sensitive" to their neighbours."

"What would Indonesians think if the Singapore Navy were to go crazy and name one of its warships after Noordin Top, the terrorist behind bombings in Jakarta in 2004 and 2009 and who may have assisted in the 2002 Bali bombings?"

3. As a small sovereign country, Singapore needs to state its position clearly. 

"Both actions - standing firm on fundamental principle even at the risk of conflict and making a gracious gesture once the principle had been established - were equally important in setting the foundations of the relationship Singapore today enjoys with Indonesia."

4. There is a "powerful, self-righteous thrust of Indonesian nationalism" and the belief that "because of (the) country's size… it has a moral right to leadership".

"This attitude lies, for example, behind the outrageous comments by some Indonesian ministers during the haze last year that Singapore should be grateful for the oxygen Indonesia provides; it is the reason why Indonesians think Singaporeans should take into account their interests and sensitivities without thinking it necessary to reciprocate."

5. Mutual respect is the essential condition for good bilateral relations.

"Of course, Indonesia has the right to name its ship anything it pleases, as some Indonesians have argued.

Why choose a name that is bound to cause offence? That the Indonesians did not even think of the implications, as Foreign Minister Marty's comments to the media would suggest, is exactly the point.

It was not Singapore that started this incident. And Singapore has no interest in seeing relations with a close neighbour strained.

But Singaporeans cannot let this episode pass without signalling our displeasure."

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Top photo from here.

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