THE NATIONAL LIBRARY – “HEART, SOUL AND CHARCTER”

Your recent statement that the Government hopes to transform Marina South Downtown with “Heart, Soul and Character” – elements which are hallmarks of a truly international city – have inspired me to write and to share with you my thoughts and proposals regarding THE NATIONAL LIBRARY.

Those words “heart, soul and character” are easily spoken but in fact, extremely difficult to achieve, especially if the people whom they are addressed to, have no direction and substance and have forgotten about upholding strong values as they progress.

I commissioned an architect to draw my concept for the National Library because I believe architecture has the power to transform society for the better. I have also made a scale model of the whole complex. Also, enclosed please find a copy of my proposal.

SHARING is vital to avoid selfish stagnation and I have expressed my feelings with great passion to the NCB, URA, MITA, SIA, SAC, NAC, NATIONAL LIBRARY and many individuals, rousing them my version of “heart, soul and character.”

My greater concern is for the younger generations. During our thirty years of nation-building, they have been brought up, through our education system, to value monetary gains above all. Our academic philosophy is to achieve excellence results, measured by the number of ‘As’, so that a good position with high wages is guaranteed. This has given our children the notion that with only these assets, they can conquer the world without effort, struggle, planning and hard work, which are true asset of our nation success today.

I am afraid that when they do not get what they want they will then vote against the government, because they feel cheated by the system. In time, should the Government be unable to heal old wounds by making the people understand their position, the PAP will lose their foothold and I do not wish to witness such a scenario. That is why I am trying all my best to bridge the gap of misunderstanding between state and people.

Reasons for designed the NATIONAL LIBRARY are:-

1) If the Government is concerned of the need to make arts education a part of life then we need new environment. A place where people can meet, interact, browse and participate. The substation fosters this but it is now to small and limited. Time for a big change.

2) To instill patriotism in architecture so that the people will feel a sense of pride and recognition as Singaporeans.

3) We shall be giving the people the choice and this will make Singaporeans happy. Through arts education they will grow to appreciate life and thus the Government.

I hope you will take a moment to look at the enclosed proposal and understand how it has developed out of my feelings about the relationship between the Government and people.

Your comments and reaction the design would be greatly appreciated. I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,
Sunflower Chong