Yes… I didn’t fall off the cliff during my hike in Yosemite National Park earlier today. Just too busy to put up all the photos and trip reports. I will do so gradually…
Just a short reflection for today.
I noticed that the talk of the blogosphere these few days have been about foreign workers in Singapore again. Seriously, the government isn’t listening to native Singaporeans’ views – why can’t they respect the fact that many SIngaporeans do not like our country to be taken over by foreign talent? Instead of telling us what is good for us… why can’t they just respect what the people want?
Pro-establishment people are going to slam me for being myopic, going to comment saying that Singaporeans should be open to competition, it is healthy for the economy, the government always have the best intentions for the people, etc. I’ve had enough of this shit and brain washing. Life is only so short, why should we restrict ourselves to a place where the government doesn’t bother about implementing policies that we really want? True, what we want may not be in the best interests for us… but… ultimately, isn’t is so that in a truly democratic society, citizens get to choose what they really want for themselves?
Our economy may not perform as well if we choose not to allow that many foreign talent to come in, however, if we made that choice, we will be responsible for the consequences. And afterall, is the Singapore economy really doing that well now with all the FT? For business owners and investors, maybe. For the normal and marginalized population… not quite so – I am sure many of my readers out there can testify to.
The most significant choice we can make as citizens is to choose who we want as our leaders – however, the election laws and political scene in Singapore make it difficult for opposition parties to effectively challenge the ruling party. As a result, many constituencies remain unchallenged and many Singaporeans are unable to exercise their rights to vote – is this still considered a democracy? People who want to make alternative choices have no chances to do so…
Some people say that Singapore has few competent opposition politicians. This I agree with. There are certainly lots of competent people in Singapore, and I suspect many with strong political beliefs. However, there is a climate of fear – look at all the opposition politicians in the past who, for some reason or another, have been put out of action. Truly successful and competent people in Singapore will not want to take the risk of openly associating themselves with the opposition – much less to become opposition politicians themselves – it takes a lot of guts and appetite for risk to do so, and in this society where ‘me’ comes first over ‘we’, most people will stay away from that. The general mindset is, when you are already doing well in life, why make things more difficult for yourself?
These are more reasons I have for wanting to leave Singapore. Many of us never had the opportunity to choose our leaders before… maybe even for the rest of our lives we will continue to see ‘walkovers’ in our own constituencies. However, we can choose to leave for somewhere else, where citizens are treated with more respect, somewhere where the political scene is healthier, where the grass is greener.
Having traveled around quite a bit now, I still subscribe to the belief that the grass is really greener on the other side. If you believe in this too, continue believing in it – do not let people put you down, telling you that you’re wrong and Singapore is good for you. Everyone has their own ideas of what is good for themselves. As long as you know what you are doing/thinking is right, then continue believing in yourself and continue to dream and strive for what you want or where you want to migrate to.
I’ve made my choice. And the next step is to work towards it.
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Yes, the grass always appear greener over the other side, and that’s why you have people living there wanting to come to Singapore as well.
My contemporaries emigrated to a few different ‘western’ countries and some of the children, now grown up, wanted to come back to work and live. They cited mostly discrimination and culture as the reason.
It’s a merry go round.
when you go over the other side, you’ll become one of the foreign talents…chances are, the locals there will not welcome you – just like you don’t welcome FTs now…
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the comments posted do make a lot of sense. My sister migrated to NZ so that her kids have an easier time with their studies. However, many China, Hongkong and even Korean citizens migrate over here cos our education system is ‘easier’. Personally yes, I wish we would have a Union that pushes for a minimum wage system, instead of one that allows for China dishwashers to work 14 hour day, 2 days off a month and paid $1200. We ask Singaporeans to upgrade, but the lower 20 percent will probably just give up and go on the dole. Tough, and if there is a minimum wage system, these exploitations will cease, and maybe our filipinno maids and Indonesia maids will also have a better deal.
But our govt does not have the backbone to see this thru. See how they waiver over a simple seat belt issue for buses.
Actually.. it may be a little extreme in wanting the government to implement every policy the citizens want by saying its a democratic country.
You said “Our economy may not perform as well if we choose not to allow that many foreign talent to come in, however, if we made that choice, we will be responsible for the consequences”.
You may well agree to this point, but if this really happens, i’d be willing to bet that half the country will say “If the govt knew it was a bad choice, they shouldn’t have implemented it and let us suffer the consequence.. isn’t that what a government is for? to govern the country?”
Then how?
To be frank, guess we see alot of singporean coming back after emigration to another country, but alot of singaporean stil have the singapore “kiasu’kiasi” mentality lor. Face value is important, but the Ang Moh dun care about what you drive, what you wear or how rich you are. They still treat you as a normal person. At work you can actually challenge the manage and more open door. I have been workiing with Australian since I moved, so far all the Ang moh bosses are good.
Everyone looks at their objectives in life differently and I strongly agree that this whole world is a musical chair, some foreigners like singapore because safe to work at nite, educations system is far better, especially some of my Ang Moh friends like singapore because they got Maid, here in Australia no maid, but not the education system, that is why they have Australia international school in Spore
Guess life is short, make full use of it, if those people think spore is good for them, then stay on. but those who want to exchange for lifestyle , then should look into elsewhere, we have many singaporean friends emigrated to UK, Canada , and no regrets.
me and my family – also no regret leaving. If you think that is Ang Moh racist , i think we sporean also racist about Indians and Malays. So if are humble and dun show off, i think you can live better elsewhere.
free summarized it nicely – exactly what I think – its a matter of choice/preference – some people prefer the way Singapore is, that’s fine… others like myself prefer a slower pace of life, better lifestyle and culture… look elsewhere, and there’s nothing wrong – its just a matter of looking in the right place for what you want in the short decades of life you have.
And yes, when we move elsewhere we may be subject to racism and people who dislike FT as much as some people do in Singapore – but, don’t forget there are places in this world that are more diverse and welcoming to immigrants and at the same time able to offer (in my opinion) a better life than in Singapore. Places like Vancouver, San Francisco, Toronto are some of the nicer places for Asians. And probably some parts of Australia too.
And free mentioned about how westerners tend to look less at ‘what you drive and how you dress’… which is true and in my opinion again is a better culture than in Asia where face is important… your status and reputation largely depends on how you dress and kiss ass… and the manifestation in the workplace where one can seldom challenge/question his superior because he will get into trouble for making the latter lose face.
familyman mentions about how the bottom 20% will give up and go on the dole… but what dole? Singapore doesn’t provide much handouts in the firstplace… besides the controversial $260 or so that is hardly enough to survive on.
There is no easy way out in Singapore – one has to work hard to make a living and that is what our society has become of because of a system that pushes everyone to be more ‘efficient’ and ‘effective’ than ever, meaning each person has to work in multiple roles, work OT, etc in order to achieve ‘cost-efficiency’ for their employers.
People can say I like to whine about how the grass is greener on the other side when its not… its alright… its just a matter of different values in life each of us have…
I always respect others’ opinions and it is always healthy to open oneself to opposing views… And its been nice so far to hear so many varying views… so keep them coming.
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Racist? I think Singapore chinese is on of the most racist about Indians and Malays.
I’m currently planning to immigrate to Australia, but due to my age, unlikely I will meet the minimum required points.
I wish I’ve done this when I was in my early 30s, at least I know I would have enough points to make it and if things didn’t go well I can always come back to Siingy again.
I also heard many Singapore came back after immigrating to Aust or NZ, but at least they’ve tried
Now seem to be too late for me. Try if you can, you may not able to do so once you reach 40s.
Well said, I have been away in Canada for 6 yrs and now that I am back in Spore (my parents are still here), I can’t help but feel trapped.
I don’t see how I can live in Spore,and I can’t wait for the day where I will receive my Canadian Citizenship.
“Singaporeans do not like our country to be taken over by foreign talent? ”
Hi, this is my first time commenting on your blog. I would like to offer my humble opinion.
I do not think that this is an issue of foreign talents vs government. These are real social issues confronting the Singaporean society, such as our children being brought up by maids, etc. The shocking truth is that Singaporeans are not having enough children, the rate is 1.29, much lower than a lot of othe developed countries even.
Secondly, these sort of construction work, menial work is shunned by local Singaporeans. We haven’t invented robots yet to clean our trash, look after our children, build our MRT stations, etc. These individuals who leave their homeland and come work for us due to economic conditions in their countries are human beings too. They shouldn’t have to live in slum like areas.
If every foreign worker left Singapore – are Singaporeans willing to start taking on these socially unacceptable jobs? Is it not possible to find some win-win situation. I am very aware of the limitations of our elite government, at the same time, it irks me to see the fundamental “superiority” complex that is a remnant of our colonial masters way of thinking.