Those who refer to the notion of Asian values would often describe these “values” as though they were intrinsic and integral to Asian societies. Yet, by imposing geographical boundaries (constructs that are not intrinsic to human consciousness) through the word “Asian”, there is already an indication of artificiality. If it makes sense to talk about Asian values, then these values are necessarily confined such that they are distinctive and distinguishable from values of others elsewhere. However, the ideological move of confinement, of delineating the borders within which the hazy set of values are confined, inadvertently exposes its own artificiality. Perhaps it plays up to an Orientalist gaze, but there is no reason why this region that has come to be imagined as and named Asia—a region of diversities, of so many different cultures, of so many conflicts, a region to internationally influenced historically by Empire—would have a set of values peculiar to itself. Asian values are necessarily Asian and, for that, they cannot be Asian.

It makes perfect sense to the apologetic Orientalist though. Asian values are really meant for the rest of the world rather than for Asians. Asians, or at least Singaporeans, do not really need values. They can be coerced or engineered. But the idea of Asian values inscribes a cultural specificity into oppression. It tells the rest of the world that, if they are politically correct, they should respect cultural diversity and not impose decadent ideas about democracy on others when their culture has traditionally been held certain values that make them deferential towards authority. Political oppression is the wrong term to use, of course. It is a matter of cultural character. Right. . . .

But what about bread and butter issues? Why this seditious digression from the institutionalized real issues?

Of course it goes back to bread and butter. Asian values help Asia prosper. (Needless to say, ridiculously paid politicians help a lot too.) What happens during economic crises? Time to rewrite history.

Compared to the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis, this crisis is more difficult for us to overcome because it is global. Still, it will not last forever. After a few years, conditions will go back to normal, though we cannot expect a quick return to the boom years before the crisis. (PM Lee, New Year Message 2009)

What boom years before the crisis? The years during which the poor were helped by increases in GST? The years of unprecedented inflation leading to a Golden Age of shameless political triumph for some people?

Try telling the lie of the boom years. It might become as successful as the Asian values scam. Told well enough and often enough, people will remember the PAP’s excellent track record of bringing about economic prosperity for everyone. The Asian miracle. The transformation from a developing economy to a developed dystopia.

And what happens? The government helps. By telling people to help themselves? “So long as people have work, they can take care of themselves and their families.” (PM Lee, New Year Message) Well, not if they are paid so little that it would take five thousand of them to earn the salary of one of the benevolent ministers helping them!

Asian values? Sure. Maybe people should learn from the Asian giant called China. Could it have been their values that led them to topple centuries of dynastic rule. But I’m not holding my breath for debrained sheep to stage a revolution any time soon. Not especially if there are other animals, such as kangaroos to trample on them and sheep dogs to intimidate them.