SINGAPORE - Professor Tommy Koh lamented at the recent Bicentennial Conference that Singapore is a First World country with Third World people. He apparently based it on his observation that "many of our people are selfish and unkind".

It sparked off reactions from public figures and academics alike. They affirmed Prof Koh's sentiments by citing examples of mistreatment of foreign workers, ungracious driving and inconsiderate behaviour in public spaces like hawker centres.