A Singlish translation of SM Lee Hsien Loong’s speech.
Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong recently just gave a loong loong Lee Hsien Loong speech about the US tariffs and the impact they may have on Singapore. He said that Singaporeans must also understand what is happening, what is at stake, and what we must do together to secure our future.
But hor every time the leaders in Singapore touch on heavy topics like these hor, they expect commoners like us to understand what they saying. But actually we don’t!!! Maybe we should start a petition for a version translated to Singlish, just like how the newspapers also got Mandarin, Melayu, Tamil versions?
Anyway, here’s a gist of what SM Lee said in his speech, translate it into Singlish for you.
The old world order? Can kiss goodbye already!
Last time hor, we still considered ourselves very lucky. The world trade system is very steady and everybody follows rules. This is also the reason why such a small little country like Singapore can do business, grow our economy, and have good job opportunities for Singaporeans.
But now? Very hard to guarantee liao because the system is pecah and koyak (spoil). Big countries like the United States start to act like pai kia (gangster) and anyhow whack tariffs here, ban companies there. Like that how?
US say want to “Make America Great Again” but it is actually Making Others Grieve Everyday
SM Lee say, last time US protect the global system, now they only protect themselves. Slap tariffs, ban chip sales, everything say is because need “national security”. But deep down, everybody know is actually US just want to fight China.
When these big countries fight like little children, small countries like Singapore kena caught in the middle, become the collateral damage. TMD. And yet, we cannot just sit there and pretend nothing is happening.
Now is not like last time
2008 Global Financial Crisis? We still got system to fall back on.
COVID-19? Got supply chain problems but at least countries work together.
Now? Everybody just care about themselves. No more global teamwork hold hand and work together. So no choice, Singapore must fend for ourselves.
Economy may become slower, but don’t need to panic one
In his speech, SM Lee said that although it is not yet recession, but we all must inside heart prepare that our economy will no longer fly. Growth will be slower, and there will be more challenges ahead.
But hor, not all is doom and gloom lah. The good news is: we still got jobs, Gahmen still got money to help when needed. So no need to kan cheong spider yet.
Election coming so lagi even more important! Don’t play play
SM Lee also throw in one very important reminder. That is, in times like this, all the more Singaporeans must open their eyes big big and must choose the correct Gahmen they think that can lead Singapore properly.
Say what you want about politics, but if you vote anyhow and put jokers inside, then when things go wrong, how? Who you want to depend on? Your mother is it?
You can hate the ruling party, but you cannot deny that they have been the ones who led Singapore through all the difficult times and unless you tao nao pai (brain spoil), if not ah don’t gamble lah.
Want to gamble go Casino, don’t gamble with our lives and livelihoods hor. If not lao niang become ghost will haunt you every day.
Don’t assume everything will be okay
Last time people think US forever steady, China forever rising, globalisation forever win. Now? All these things don’t have guarantee plus chop already.
So Singaporeans must wake up and stop living in their own little bubble. Understand what’s happening with the world and vote wisely.
