I think that is too harsh of judgement. When Singapore gain independent She is nothing but malaria infested swamp with the largest employer being British military base that is leaving soon. So she has nothing then the fiasco with Malaysia . She ceremoniously kicked out of the federation. Soon she has to face confrontation with Indonesia.
With no military to speak of other than 1 battalion of poorly equipped army. So what are you going to do if you are poor and defenseless. So of course they built up the defense but it will take time She ask for help but no one call the answer except Taiwan and Israel. The Israel provide the training for the army and Taiwan pilot and sailor was inducted into the Air force and navy. China cannot help because she is mired in cultural revolution and busy fighting against themselves.
Politically the PAP still not secure and Communist(China supporter) still hold power and loyalty among the masses they just squeak thru election So yes there concerted effort to deSinized the population at large by deemphasize the connection to China in order to forge new Singapore identity which is pragmatic. Since Singapore is Chinese island in the sea of Malay who are always suspicious of China at that time due to western propaganda. Also 20% of Singaporean are Malay!
Economically Spore latch themselves to Japan and the west because they are the one who has money and industry to invest in Singapore. China was too poor back then. Many people in SEA send money to China to support the relative. I was in Spore in 67 and at that time it is backwater too many robber and prostitute(dancing hall). Most people still live in Kampung.
In order to facilitate investment Singapore opt for open port and welcome investor from Japan and the west . Actually America didn't come into picture at that time. Latter they work out and agreement with US by allowing small logistic group to operate in Singapore and visiting right and maintenance for US navy In return for US to provide sophisticated weaponry
So when you open the door the fly will come in. You cannot avoid it Western movie, western newspaper, western influence seep in. They realize that the westernization is going too far back in early 80's.
People here condemn Spore to easily but relation is not one way street, When the Indo burn, loot and rape Indonesian Chinese in 1998 what did China do NOTHING. To add insult to injury they even forbade Chinese civilian to protest. People in SEA see that as betrayal to your own kind and China is useless! and too coward to help so called blood and kin.
When the overseas Chinese always help and support China thru thick and thin! thru history
So before you point the finger you should ask yourselves What has China did for overseas Chinese? BIG NOTHING!
Pogrom and riot against Chinese in SEA is common There were big riot in Malaysia back in 1964, 1969
Again China did nothing
When ask why china did nothing Zhou Enlai Said it is like giving up a daughter for marriage Once she is gone the family has no responsibility anymore . Now why should overseas China own loyalty to China then!
I don't think the founder of Singapore are ashamed of their identity most of them are peranakan and they always balance between Their Chinese identity and the need for western science and technology. Though I have to say that the latter convert(English speaking chinese) tend to go overboard with westernization and worshipped the west on the altar. Something gone wrong along the way!
