sampan

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Malay:

sampan

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definitions

noun

  1. a small wooden rowboat

    2. Mr Lee said the Republic is a small country and while it may have progressed from being a "sampan" to a safer boat with a motor, "the seas are unpredictable".

    — 2014 September 5, Neo Chai Chin (quoting Lee Hsien Loong). Today, "Cost of living, ageing among issues raised during programme". p.2

    The US is an aircraft carrier. Malaysia is a frigate. When some people on these ships start jumping up and down, the others can ignore them or even enjoy their antics. Singapore is a sampan. If someone starts jumping up and down, what should the rest of us do?

    — 2015 October 6, Lee Hong Leong. Today, "We can’t afford to let others rock our ‘sampan’". p.22


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