"So we have increasing colonial demands for self-determination, for justice, for equality; demands for a government that genuinely took into account the needs and aspirations of its people? How did the British respond? Why, by crushing the life out of it, of course. From their perspective, all this desire for democracy and self-determination? It’s seditious. It’s dangerous! All these Asian values of freedom and democracy and justice and equality coming out of China and India and Indonesia? No! What this colony needs are good colonial values of harmony, a need for a single party benevolent authoritarian government which can take the long view, which can focus on socio-economic prosperity and collective well-being of the colony, and an emphasis of loyalty and respect towards authority."

Please send questions, comments, and feedback to thehistoryofsingapore@gmail.com or visit thehistoryofsingapore.com. Support the show at patreon.com/pjthum. For all the previous episodes in this series, search for "History of Singapore" on bfm.my.

Download the BFM mobile app. Stay at home and stay up-to-date.

Tags:  history of singapore,  dr thum ping tjin,  asian values,  colonialism,  colonial values,  culture,  identity,  hosbypjthum,  Education