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

I think the statue erected should be Tan Tock Seng instead of Stamford Raffles. One of the reasons is because Stamford Raffles already has a statue erected of himself outside the Victoria Concert Hall, yet no one has ever erected a statue of Tan Tock Seng and he was a resident of Singapore. Everyone thinks that Stamford Raffles founded Singapore and he is well- known for his contributions if not Singapore will not be what it is today. On the other hand, Tan Tock Seng also contributed a lot to Singapore in the past. He started as a vegetable and poultry seller when he first came but because he was a visionary and entrepreneur, through his industry and his thrift, he massed wealth but he did not ignore the suffering and plight of his unfortunate fellowmen. He founded a pauper hospital in Pearl's Hill where the immigrants can receive help at little or no cost at all. Even though Tan Tock Seng was one of the richest merchants in Singapore, he still gave generously to charity. He gave money to the sick and poor people and even paid for the funerals of the dead for the poor family and relatives who could not afford it. Tan Tock Seng buried all Chinese paupers who died in streets and verandahs. This charity still continues even now. He was also the leader of the Chinese community and the Kapitan of the Hokkien clan. He was the first Asian to be appointed Justice and Peace in the Chinese community. After he died of an serious illness, his descendants continued his legacy and became leaders of the Chinese community. Tan Tock Seng still had many contributions in Singapore like donating money to hospitals and many more. That is why I think Tan Tock Seng's statue should be erected in front of the national museum.