Reflections 2

The National Museum has decided to erect a statue in front of its entrance and they have to choose between Sir Stamford Raffles and Tan Tock Seng.If you were working for the museum, who would you choose and why?

I would most likely choose to errect Tan Tock Seng. Yes, Raffles did do a great number of things for Singapore, and he is well known as the founder of Singapore by most Singaporeans. Many of us would recognise this name; Tan Tock Seng Hospital. But how many of us really know what Tan Tock Seng did for us?

Tan Tock Seng arrived in Singapore in 1819. He founded a pauper hospital in Pearl's Hill which he took in many immigrants, whom which he didn't even know, and took care of them. Considered the richest man and entrepreneur in Singapore at that time, he donated a considerable amount into buying medicine and health care products for these patients.
Being a devoted Taoist, he believed that everyone should have a proper burial when they die. He paid for the funeral expenses for those families that could not afford it. Considering that he didn't know most of these people, this act of kindness earned him a great deal of respect from fellow Singaporeans.
He was also the first Asian to be accorded the title Kapitan of the Hokkien Clan. He was a great leader and helped in settling problems and disputes in the Chinese community.
Tan Tock Seng took money from his own pocket to help the poor and the sick. He was willing to pay for decent burials for people he didn't know. He showed great leadership in leading the Chinese community. Tan Tock Seng has done a great number of good things for the poeple in Singapore. I think that Tan Tock Seng deserves far more respect than anyone of us gives him.
I choose Tan Tock Seng as he should have the recognition of a great man.