[Oyk]

In the 1980s, LKY emphasised on the importance of learning Mandarine so that Singaporen Chinese of various dialects can have a common language. As you know not everyone know how to speak the various dialects. It is for the benefit of Singaporen to learn Mandarin so that all Singaporean Chinese of various dialect can communicate with one another locally and externally with China on business which he foresees one day will be a developed nation.  His foresight on China has come true.

It also integrated the various dialect groups. Today the yoomers and zoomers all speak Mandarin while calling it their mother tongue. Most can't even understand their true mother tongue.

In the past there were clashes like those fights between the Hokkiens and Cantonese at the old Bishan cemetery.....dialectal segregation resulting in a disunited Singapore even among the Hans.

Today yangsters don't identify themselves by saying I am Hokkien, I am Hainanese etc. They'd say I am Chinese which of course is incorrect. They are Singaporeans and their race is Han.

There are about 1 m PG and MG still alive who due to habit and upbringing continue to speak their mother tongue, especially those chao Hokkien ah lau