We Live in an Unsafe and Uncertain World. Stop Dreaming.

There have been reports about Singaporeans, especially younger ones, being pre-occupied with their lives and losing touch with what is happening in the world around us. Based on my own observations, it is true that few young people in Singapore actually read world news these days.

I hope we do not take our good lives for granted. The world has big problems and there are many lessons for us. The worry is that we start to be complacent, and think that such problems will never hit us.

Just reading through the world news on the Straits Times today gives me a sobering reminder of how unsafe and uncertain the world we live in is.

Global Extremism

The ISIS continues to gain ground, despite intensive air attacks. Another Iraqi base has fallen and Baghdad look to be under threat. Let us also to forget that the ISIS has now publicly said that they will enslave women and children of a certain race and religion - the women are sold off like property to ISIS fighters, to be used as concubines. Can this happen one day in, closer to home?

Global Health Crisis - the Ebola virus look to be getting out of control. The World Health Organization now predicts that Ebola cases could hit 10,000 a week, with a death rate of 70%. Think about it. 7 in 10 chance of dying if a person contracts Ebola. See the WHO fact sheet for more info on Ebola - http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs103/en/

The scary thing is that the incubation period is anywhere from 2 to 21 days. Already 2 people in Texas have confirmed infections.

Civil Disorder - Who could have predicted that suddenly, there is so much civil disorder in Hong Kong. And now, the Police look to be stepping up the pressure. Despite what all the sympathisers of the Hong Kong protestors may say, no country will be willing to challenge China over the issue of Hong Kong.

Women as Slaves - And lest we forget, more than 100 Nigerian girls were abducted by extremist groups 6 months ago. At that time, there was widespread international condemnation.

To what end?  All talk, very little action.

Today, the girls have yet to be found,yet this issue is rapidly fading away from our memories. What if these girls were Singaporean girls?

Lessons for me.

1. Don't kid ourselves. This world isn't a safe place, in all senses of the word safe.

2. If something bad happens to us and our people, don't assume other people will come help us, no matter what they say.  There is a lot of talk and hot air, but very little action.

3. If we don't look after ourselves, nobody will look after us. If we don't have the ability to fight and hold our ground, expect what we have to be take away from us.

4. Stop dreaming. Go do your part, to make our little country more safe and secure.

Thanks for reading.