You have to make a choice between Stamford Raffles' and Tan Tock Seng's statue,in front of the museum's entrance, which will be erected.

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


If I were working for the museum, I would choose Tan Tock Seng over Stamford Raffles, erecting Tan Tock Seng's statue instead of Stamford Raffles'.

Reason being I think that though Raffles founded Singapore, Tan Tock Seng's actions also deserved his status to be situated in front of the National Museum's entrance. Being an immigrant from Melaka, his actions and contributions were really surprising!

Some of his 'surprising' actions or contributions were founding a pauper hospital in Pearl's Hill, paying funeral expenses of those who could not afford one and helping in settling problems and disputes in the Chinese community.

The pauper hospital in Pearl's Hill was founded for immigrants could seek medical help at little or no cost. As a lot of people could not afford medical help, they were left to die. Therefore the pauper hospital Tan Tock Seng set up was very important.

He paid the funeral expenses of people who he did not know as they could not afford one decent funeral. That's because he ,being an ardent Taoist, believed a decent funeral should be conducted for the dead. Not many people in the past would spend money for strangers' funerals, yet Tan Tock Seng did, and he paid not for one, but for many people.

All these shows that Tan Tock Seng is a man who did not ignore the suffering and plight of his unfortunate fellowmen. Raffles and the British did not do much for the well-being of the citizens.
Therefore I think that Tan Tock Seng's statue should be erected if I have to make a choice between Tan Tock Seng's and Stamford Raffles'.