http://sg.yfittopostblog.com/2011/01/17/singapore-a-nation-of-paradoxes/
By Alicia Wong – January 17th, 2011
Has the government neglected nation-building while developing Singapore as a global city? Is Singapore full of paradoxes? What more can be done to help the vulnerable in society?
These questions and more were raised during a discussion at the Institute of Policy Studies’ annual Singapore Perspectives conference on Monday. Twelve panelists from various industries shared their views on three major topics – a “Global City”, a “Caring Community” and the “Singapore Spirit”.
While Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng mapped out the government’s plans to develop Singapore as both a global city and endearing home in his keynote address, subsequent discussions raised doubts on the possibility of doing so.
One key concern was the “cost” of nation building, with the focus on growing Singapore into a global city.
Writer and independent scholar Derek da Cunha said the apparent focus on developing a global city had “the unintended side effect of causing some fissures to the national fabric”.
For instance, bringing in more immigrants to create a cosmopolitan “buzz” put pressure on transport, housing and employment, he said.
Citing the sharp increase in casino exclusion orders and news reports of crime in the casinos, Dr de Cunda wondered if the drive to turn the Republic into the “Monaco of the East” would further entrench the underclass and lead to a widening social divide.
Chairman for the Workers’ Party and Non-Constituency Member of Parliament Sylvia Lim also highlighted the “palpable sense of loss of identity among Singaporeans due to the pace of change over the last few years”.
Pointing out the contradiction in the terms “Global City” and “Endearing Home”, Ms Lim said the change in the population mix adversely impacted citizens’ sense of belonging and security.
In 1990, 86 per cent of the population was local but in 2010, the figure fell to 63 per cent, she cited.
She said, “Singaporeans must always feel empowered at home”.
The government should retreat from various spheres in life and allow for others to take charge, such as in sports associations, and Singapore should celebrate political diversity, she suggested.
“We must have the confidence that as Singaporeans we will be taken care of,” she stressed, calling for a “closer look at the social safety nets”.
Some felt more should be done for the vulnerable groups, for example, by tackling the widening income gap.
Member of Parliament Denise Phua, who spoke about the needs of the low-income and the disabled, young and elderly in Singapore, called on the government to “play a leading role” so that all citizens have equal access to goods that are their “basic social entitlement”.
Everyone else can also do their part by doing more for others, she stressed.
However, chief executive of the Singapore Indian Development Association T Raja Segar pointed out, a recent survey by the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre found Singaporeans more willing to donate money than their time.
In true adversity, such as the Brisbane floods, would Singaporeans step up to help others, he asked. Those who responded said, they believed Singaporeans would.
In addressing the Singapore spirit, some speakers described it as one that looks ahead to what Singapore can be, rather than one that relied on the past. While it brings vitality and openness to society, it could also mean Singaporeans lack refinement and a stable identity, said associate editor at The Straits Times Janadas Devan.
But to director at the Theatre Training & Research Programme, T Sasitharan, “to be at once at home and always at the edge; to feel rooted and at the same time to feel constantly blown away by the wind – these contradictions are what makes us who we are.”
Mr Sasitharan, pointing to the increasing diverse demographics in Singapore, said, “Unless we find space in our hearts to include those who are different… we would no longer feel at home.”
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Saturday, October 3, 2009
paradox of education and the underlying problem of society
My grueling midterm ended yesterday. Technically, i ended half an hour earlier than my fellow mates after leaving the exam hall with 30 mins to spare. I just have to breakfree from this suffocating "ed"mosphere. Within minutes, I immediately went to the computer lab and printed out the application form for the local exchange in the next semester.
Yes, I am taking this "break" from my school and perhaps stress as well. Well, for those who are not sure, every semester, the 3 universities from Singapore do provide overseas exchange programme with their respective partner universities all over the globe for students. Students can have the choice of studying in overseas universities for 1 or 2 semester depending on the course of studies and also availability. For those who financially incapable of going on the overseas exchange, the local universities do provide spaces for a local exchange.
According to my school's International Relations Office(IRO), going on exchange is for the following benefits. "Few experiences challenge and reward you like living and studying in another country. Through the International Relations Office (IRO), you can learn about the excitement of living and studying in another country. The knowledge that the experiences you had acquired during your overseas studies will be valuable to your future employers makes it all the more rewarding. With more than 1,000 placements being arranged for students yearly, IRO is dedicated to transforming students' lives through international exchanges."
However, is it the real case and do students share the same thought? Well, I do not want to dispel that some students really want to have an experience of studying overseas and also for valuable asset for future employer. Nonetheless, the general consensus is that students going for such exchange programmes for 2 main things. First, to "freeze" their Cumulative Average Point (CAP). Second, to study less stressfully.
Exchange programmes allows students to "freeze" the CAP and study less stressfully because modules of partner universities are not counted towards the overall CAP and students just have to pass the modules in order to gain the credits for graduation.
So in this case, an exchange student actually have the tendency of not putting in a full effort knowing that the final result he or she just have to get a minimum of C or D for a pass instead of aiming for an A grade. Hence, despite their experience and exposure, it is likely these exchange students might just be learning and absorbing less than those students who have conscientiously work hard to get the A grade.
Well, like my hypothesis and the general understanding from the discussions among students, the reason is to study at a less stressful environment. Hence, it is only certain that they will not put in the same amount of effort overseas than in Singapore. As a consequence, they are less wholesome than the dutiful local student in terms of knowledge.Moreover, this goes in opposite direction of the concept of education, where people learn and be enlightened.
Paradoxically, this is the result of the pursue of recognition and reward wieded by a certain piece of paper which determines how successful a person is. It has also become a parameter for employment, future and how society judges you. The buliding of pressure for people to do well in education has certainly taking a turn on how an positive exchange programme can become an escape from the reality. Sadly, and inevitably, all of the students are taking advantage of this, including me if my application is successful.
Addressing my concern for studying in a less stressful environment, which allows student to take a easier option for completing the semester, I would like to suggest that students can have the option of using the results in partner universities to contribute towards their CAP. This can allow the students to take a positive attitude towards studying in partner universities rather then acheiving the bare minimum pass.
Nevertheless, the ultimate problem remains. It is high time for the society and employers to shift away from the paradigm of judging the success of a person based on the certain piece of paper. After all, the character and talent of the person are not found anywhere on it.
Yes, I am taking this "break" from my school and perhaps stress as well. Well, for those who are not sure, every semester, the 3 universities from Singapore do provide overseas exchange programme with their respective partner universities all over the globe for students. Students can have the choice of studying in overseas universities for 1 or 2 semester depending on the course of studies and also availability. For those who financially incapable of going on the overseas exchange, the local universities do provide spaces for a local exchange.
According to my school's International Relations Office(IRO), going on exchange is for the following benefits. "Few experiences challenge and reward you like living and studying in another country. Through the International Relations Office (IRO), you can learn about the excitement of living and studying in another country. The knowledge that the experiences you had acquired during your overseas studies will be valuable to your future employers makes it all the more rewarding. With more than 1,000 placements being arranged for students yearly, IRO is dedicated to transforming students' lives through international exchanges."
However, is it the real case and do students share the same thought? Well, I do not want to dispel that some students really want to have an experience of studying overseas and also for valuable asset for future employer. Nonetheless, the general consensus is that students going for such exchange programmes for 2 main things. First, to "freeze" their Cumulative Average Point (CAP). Second, to study less stressfully.
Exchange programmes allows students to "freeze" the CAP and study less stressfully because modules of partner universities are not counted towards the overall CAP and students just have to pass the modules in order to gain the credits for graduation.
So in this case, an exchange student actually have the tendency of not putting in a full effort knowing that the final result he or she just have to get a minimum of C or D for a pass instead of aiming for an A grade. Hence, despite their experience and exposure, it is likely these exchange students might just be learning and absorbing less than those students who have conscientiously work hard to get the A grade.
Well, like my hypothesis and the general understanding from the discussions among students, the reason is to study at a less stressful environment. Hence, it is only certain that they will not put in the same amount of effort overseas than in Singapore. As a consequence, they are less wholesome than the dutiful local student in terms of knowledge.Moreover, this goes in opposite direction of the concept of education, where people learn and be enlightened.
Paradoxically, this is the result of the pursue of recognition and reward wieded by a certain piece of paper which determines how successful a person is. It has also become a parameter for employment, future and how society judges you. The buliding of pressure for people to do well in education has certainly taking a turn on how an positive exchange programme can become an escape from the reality. Sadly, and inevitably, all of the students are taking advantage of this, including me if my application is successful.
Addressing my concern for studying in a less stressful environment, which allows student to take a easier option for completing the semester, I would like to suggest that students can have the option of using the results in partner universities to contribute towards their CAP. This can allow the students to take a positive attitude towards studying in partner universities rather then acheiving the bare minimum pass.
Nevertheless, the ultimate problem remains. It is high time for the society and employers to shift away from the paradigm of judging the success of a person based on the certain piece of paper. After all, the character and talent of the person are not found anywhere on it.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Fried Dumpling Noodle
Language policies have recently been the talk of the town. The recent speak mandarin campaign make use of the foreign children (or maybe are already Singaporeans) to spread the importance of speaking the much forgotten mother tongue. Likewise, Mr Brown did a podcast on the degeneration of dialects in Singapore and predicts a much hilarious situation with the lost of it.
Language has always been a key indicator of ethnicity and probability on a smaller extent nationality in certain countries. France is an example of using French to tie the people together despite ethnic differences.
I was ordering food with my friend like any other day in the high noon in school when suddenly over my shoulder came a voice of another student "Can I have Fried Dumpling Noodle?” For a moment, my mind went blank as if the deoxygenated blood had just rush to my head. I was truly alarm and perhaps the uncle tending the stall also tried to regain his composure. Why is this happening?
English language has been slowly becoming the dominant language in Singapore is definitely more prevalent in tertiary institution where it is the language of instruction. However, it should still not totally erode the ability of anyone in Singapore speaking their own mother tongue. If you look at the people all over the world and I would say almost all of them possessed the ability of speaking their own mother tongue. This was actually commented by my friend while personally I tend to believe this is another result of our paradox society.
English has always been to No 1 language stressed by the governing party which is a tool for creating social harmony among the different races. This is not just for communication but also implicitly implied none of the major races are biased.
While English help to mend to friction between societies, English continued to flourish with globalization, loosening the importance of the learning of mother tongue. The rapid globalization rendered that many Singaporean parents see English language as a useful tool to climb up the social ladder and also the increase the income as well.
One might noticed that despite the same globalization effect on the little red dot, the most drastic effect of language deterioration actually fell disproportionately on the Chinese. The Malays and Indians are generally capable of juggling with both languages. Hence, what is it actually the main culprit of the degradation of mandarin as a mother tongue?
One likely reason and perhaps a paradox problem lie on our education sector. For many years, Chinese has been given a leeway and many schools and students capitalize on the downgrading of Chinese education and reduced syllabus. I do not have many examples other then the Chinese B syllabus. Even with the lighter and easier syllabus, many school mates around me actually tend to openly discuss how bad their Chinese were. As compared to the other mother tongue, the lax of Chinese syllabus and decreasing requirement ironically by of education ministry have caused this downfall of mandarin in our paradox society.
I am still so puzzled by my fellow schoolmate just now for not knowing how to pronounce 云吞面 or maybe in this case 炸云吞面。 Unless you are a foreigner, you should be able to order the food at its original language. To me, ordering with the wrong language is similar to eating the food with wrong utensils. Maybe it’s too exaggerated but this is likely to grow into a worrying trend. Imagine this, "Uncle, one plate of white chicken rice.", "carrot cake fried with black soy sauce", "Coconut rice" instead of the original "白斩鸡一盘","chye thou kway 炒黑" and "Nasi Lemak."
It’s no secret that our language ability are losing at a fast rate. This might be the compensating loss to the English language and other "economical" subjects in school. However, language is a key indicator of ethnicity and sometimes nationality and policies should help to encourage retaining languages, even possibly Singlish. Policy makers should come to realise that all policies should be more integrated and run aligned. By introducing Speak Mandarin Campaign and still allowing slacken approach in teaching Chinese in School has no effect at all.
Language has always been a key indicator of ethnicity and probability on a smaller extent nationality in certain countries. France is an example of using French to tie the people together despite ethnic differences.
I was ordering food with my friend like any other day in the high noon in school when suddenly over my shoulder came a voice of another student "Can I have Fried Dumpling Noodle?” For a moment, my mind went blank as if the deoxygenated blood had just rush to my head. I was truly alarm and perhaps the uncle tending the stall also tried to regain his composure. Why is this happening?
English language has been slowly becoming the dominant language in Singapore is definitely more prevalent in tertiary institution where it is the language of instruction. However, it should still not totally erode the ability of anyone in Singapore speaking their own mother tongue. If you look at the people all over the world and I would say almost all of them possessed the ability of speaking their own mother tongue. This was actually commented by my friend while personally I tend to believe this is another result of our paradox society.
English has always been to No 1 language stressed by the governing party which is a tool for creating social harmony among the different races. This is not just for communication but also implicitly implied none of the major races are biased.
While English help to mend to friction between societies, English continued to flourish with globalization, loosening the importance of the learning of mother tongue. The rapid globalization rendered that many Singaporean parents see English language as a useful tool to climb up the social ladder and also the increase the income as well.
One might noticed that despite the same globalization effect on the little red dot, the most drastic effect of language deterioration actually fell disproportionately on the Chinese. The Malays and Indians are generally capable of juggling with both languages. Hence, what is it actually the main culprit of the degradation of mandarin as a mother tongue?
One likely reason and perhaps a paradox problem lie on our education sector. For many years, Chinese has been given a leeway and many schools and students capitalize on the downgrading of Chinese education and reduced syllabus. I do not have many examples other then the Chinese B syllabus. Even with the lighter and easier syllabus, many school mates around me actually tend to openly discuss how bad their Chinese were. As compared to the other mother tongue, the lax of Chinese syllabus and decreasing requirement ironically by of education ministry have caused this downfall of mandarin in our paradox society.
I am still so puzzled by my fellow schoolmate just now for not knowing how to pronounce 云吞面 or maybe in this case 炸云吞面。 Unless you are a foreigner, you should be able to order the food at its original language. To me, ordering with the wrong language is similar to eating the food with wrong utensils. Maybe it’s too exaggerated but this is likely to grow into a worrying trend. Imagine this, "Uncle, one plate of white chicken rice.", "carrot cake fried with black soy sauce", "Coconut rice" instead of the original "白斩鸡一盘","chye thou kway 炒黑" and "Nasi Lemak."
It’s no secret that our language ability are losing at a fast rate. This might be the compensating loss to the English language and other "economical" subjects in school. However, language is a key indicator of ethnicity and sometimes nationality and policies should help to encourage retaining languages, even possibly Singlish. Policy makers should come to realise that all policies should be more integrated and run aligned. By introducing Speak Mandarin Campaign and still allowing slacken approach in teaching Chinese in School has no effect at all.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Singapore United
I saw him when I was a 17 years old struggling abreast with the hectic schedule of workload of juggling academic and CCA as second year junior college student. That time he was only 15, and already crowned world pool champion. I thought to myself, what am I doing when some teenager from Taiwan actually can have the calibre to beat his counterparts possessing wealth of experience in Pool competition.
In Singapore, its not likely to happen given the "economic" mindset that our government has instilled within our society. Studies always come first and interest and leisure will only come after that, very much for recreational purposes rather than being professional. Placing a recreational attitude towards non-academic events for example sports inevitably result in talent scacity.
Today in the Sunday times, I saw Wu Chia Ching again. This time not for any truimph of winning any pool titles but being offered a Permanent Resident status. Many question mark soon appeared on my head.
Firstly, I thought the headline on the main page should be with regards to the Earth Hour. A global effort is surely more worthwhile to be reported much more than a swapping of citizenship of a quitter? No disrespect to him but I just cannot see myself swapping my citizenship of another country where I have not even stay at.
Secondly, questions must be asked how easy for someone with certain talents to get our Permanent Resident and soon Citizenship. Wu came to be a sparring partner of the Singapore Cuesport team and after just one month, he has gain access to get a PR status? Personally I'm unsure of the PR regulation but certainly the ease of getting a PR status has to be looked into.
Thirdly, I think the article and some comments left much to be desired. Wu himself had claimed to be prepared to serve his time in National Service in Singapore. I wondered whether he was really committed or he had knew that he would be exempted of National Service. Another comment from the Cuesport vice president said that Wu is not here to win medals but also to involve in schools and be a role model for our youth. Does that mean when our Sports School, with the faintest chance of producing a prodigy, had succesfully manufactured a local talent capable of being World champion, heeded Wu advice to look for a greener pasture? Although this is far fetched but a certain way to let the government understand the feeling of a sporting talent being poached. Or maybe they are already immune to the huge amount of singaporeans who has lost faith and emigrated abroad.
Our Prime minister has call of a more United Singapore to stand tall against the crisis. But seriously, apart from the economic front, Singapore has a long way in population policy. I certainly hope the devaluation of my citizenship and dilution of society around me will improve someday.
In Singapore, its not likely to happen given the "economic" mindset that our government has instilled within our society. Studies always come first and interest and leisure will only come after that, very much for recreational purposes rather than being professional. Placing a recreational attitude towards non-academic events for example sports inevitably result in talent scacity.
Today in the Sunday times, I saw Wu Chia Ching again. This time not for any truimph of winning any pool titles but being offered a Permanent Resident status. Many question mark soon appeared on my head.
Firstly, I thought the headline on the main page should be with regards to the Earth Hour. A global effort is surely more worthwhile to be reported much more than a swapping of citizenship of a quitter? No disrespect to him but I just cannot see myself swapping my citizenship of another country where I have not even stay at.
Secondly, questions must be asked how easy for someone with certain talents to get our Permanent Resident and soon Citizenship. Wu came to be a sparring partner of the Singapore Cuesport team and after just one month, he has gain access to get a PR status? Personally I'm unsure of the PR regulation but certainly the ease of getting a PR status has to be looked into.
Thirdly, I think the article and some comments left much to be desired. Wu himself had claimed to be prepared to serve his time in National Service in Singapore. I wondered whether he was really committed or he had knew that he would be exempted of National Service. Another comment from the Cuesport vice president said that Wu is not here to win medals but also to involve in schools and be a role model for our youth. Does that mean when our Sports School, with the faintest chance of producing a prodigy, had succesfully manufactured a local talent capable of being World champion, heeded Wu advice to look for a greener pasture? Although this is far fetched but a certain way to let the government understand the feeling of a sporting talent being poached. Or maybe they are already immune to the huge amount of singaporeans who has lost faith and emigrated abroad.
Our Prime minister has call of a more United Singapore to stand tall against the crisis. But seriously, apart from the economic front, Singapore has a long way in population policy. I certainly hope the devaluation of my citizenship and dilution of society around me will improve someday.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Quiz
The RED DOT on the Chart shows where you fit on the political map.
Your PERSONAL issues Score is 60%.
Your ECONOMIC issues Score is 20%.
According to your answers, the political group that agrees with you most is...
Liberal
LIBERALS usually embrace freedom of choice in personal
matters, but tend to support significant government control of the
economy. They generally support a government-funded "safety net"
to help the disadvantaged, and advocate strict regulation
of business. Liberals tend to favor environmental regulations,
defend civil liberties and free expression, support government action
to promote equality, and tolerate diverse lifestyles.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
State's need paramount.
Every Singaporean with basic geographical knowledge would know that the largest constraint of Singapore has to be its physical restriction. Every bit of land has been used to maximize the welfare of Singaporeans economically and socially.
Sometimes back, the government enacted a law to exhumed graves with 20 or more years buried in the ground. Most affected families shifted their ancestors from the graves to the high rise columbrium starkly similar to the HDB block most Singaporeans lived. I presumed this is a bid for the government to increase the land area for development purposes. This is a strong indication that the state's need is paramount and is overriding the society's need. Traditional festival of Qing Ming of visiting the grave and paying respect to the ancestors is now transform to the alternative place decided by the government.
A few days ago, Health Minister Mr Khaw Boon Wan sensationally brought up the idea of settling the old folks in the neighbouring countries. While family values and ties are deeply treasured and promoted in the country, the state has dangle with the idea of sending the elderly to old folks home across state boundaries. This whole concept just reminds me of how state's need is again paramount.
He said: ‘It is mind-boggling. The cost of land and construction cost is so low that my cost of putting up just a polyclinic (in Singapore) is probably more than his cost of putting up a 200-bed nursing home (in Johor Baru).
Is this trying to cut cost for the state?
Mr Khaw added: ‘Of course many visit daily, but quite a significant number visit only during the weekends, so what is the difference in putting them in Johor Baru?’
Is he trying to shift the blame?
What I can conclude from the whole event is that Singapore's government is increasingly selfish and lacks compassion for the elderly. Although it may be much more costly to build medical facilities, nursing homes for the elderly in Singapore, I strongly believes that the elderly who had once fought for the development and progress of Singapore deserved to be well taken care of in their old age. Ultimately, it is the job of the government to provide affordable and accessible healthcare for the citizens. Although State's need is important, the people, being the building blocks, should not be placed down the hierarchy as well.
Mr Brown Show
You know, Singaporeans, when it's to time to choose a nursing home, the gahmen has a place for you.
There's a place, Batu Pahat
Where the old folks can roam free
And this place, very cheap
Got many palm tree
Work whole life, in Singapore
But still broke until teng kor
Dowan you, go and die in another country
When it's time to mati
Don't pay 90 cents for a kopi
Send your dad and mum
They have chewing gum
Chorus:
Send Ah Kong
Find budget old folks' home
Health Minister say got discount across causeway
Since already dying
May as well make space for the living
Singapore too small
Please go to JB
You may think it is far,
sekali bad guy steal your car
Lagi worse if you drive BM or Honda
Don't be scared, not so bad
Just don't stop if tire flat
There's no jam if you choose to go on weekdays
When you go to Johor
You can also do some shopping
Seafood cheap and fresh
You can save some cash
Chorus:
Send Ah Kong
Move to a bigger place
Health Minister say that Malaysia Boleh
There got pirate movie
And power tongkat ali
Why choose Singapore
Better go to JB
Send Ah Kong
If he kena sick
Health Minister say ambulance on the way
Gahmen very caring
It's just an option they are sharing
Singapore loves you
Grow old in JB
Gahmen very caring
It's just an option they are sharing
Singapore loves you
Grow old in JB
For you and for me
Got no ERP
It's cheaper, you see
Go die in JB (Do it for your children)
Sometimes back, the government enacted a law to exhumed graves with 20 or more years buried in the ground. Most affected families shifted their ancestors from the graves to the high rise columbrium starkly similar to the HDB block most Singaporeans lived. I presumed this is a bid for the government to increase the land area for development purposes. This is a strong indication that the state's need is paramount and is overriding the society's need. Traditional festival of Qing Ming of visiting the grave and paying respect to the ancestors is now transform to the alternative place decided by the government.
A few days ago, Health Minister Mr Khaw Boon Wan sensationally brought up the idea of settling the old folks in the neighbouring countries. While family values and ties are deeply treasured and promoted in the country, the state has dangle with the idea of sending the elderly to old folks home across state boundaries. This whole concept just reminds me of how state's need is again paramount.
He said: ‘It is mind-boggling. The cost of land and construction cost is so low that my cost of putting up just a polyclinic (in Singapore) is probably more than his cost of putting up a 200-bed nursing home (in Johor Baru).
Is this trying to cut cost for the state?
Mr Khaw added: ‘Of course many visit daily, but quite a significant number visit only during the weekends, so what is the difference in putting them in Johor Baru?’
Is he trying to shift the blame?
What I can conclude from the whole event is that Singapore's government is increasingly selfish and lacks compassion for the elderly. Although it may be much more costly to build medical facilities, nursing homes for the elderly in Singapore, I strongly believes that the elderly who had once fought for the development and progress of Singapore deserved to be well taken care of in their old age. Ultimately, it is the job of the government to provide affordable and accessible healthcare for the citizens. Although State's need is important, the people, being the building blocks, should not be placed down the hierarchy as well.
Mr Brown Show
You know, Singaporeans, when it's to time to choose a nursing home, the gahmen has a place for you.
There's a place, Batu Pahat
Where the old folks can roam free
And this place, very cheap
Got many palm tree
Work whole life, in Singapore
But still broke until teng kor
Dowan you, go and die in another country
When it's time to mati
Don't pay 90 cents for a kopi
Send your dad and mum
They have chewing gum
Chorus:
Send Ah Kong
Find budget old folks' home
Health Minister say got discount across causeway
Since already dying
May as well make space for the living
Singapore too small
Please go to JB
You may think it is far,
sekali bad guy steal your car
Lagi worse if you drive BM or Honda
Don't be scared, not so bad
Just don't stop if tire flat
There's no jam if you choose to go on weekdays
When you go to Johor
You can also do some shopping
Seafood cheap and fresh
You can save some cash
Chorus:
Send Ah Kong
Move to a bigger place
Health Minister say that Malaysia Boleh
There got pirate movie
And power tongkat ali
Why choose Singapore
Better go to JB
Send Ah Kong
If he kena sick
Health Minister say ambulance on the way
Gahmen very caring
It's just an option they are sharing
Singapore loves you
Grow old in JB
Gahmen very caring
It's just an option they are sharing
Singapore loves you
Grow old in JB
For you and for me
Got no ERP
It's cheaper, you see
Go die in JB (Do it for your children)
Monday, December 22, 2008
Globalise Singapore
It was not the first time the Singapore National Team had foreign born Singapore citizens in the line up. In fact, it has been a long time since there were major criticisms of the Sportsmen for Singapore ever since the Foreign Sports Talent Scheme started. Amongst the patriotic Lions fans clad in red, there was notably a portion of distinctive Caucasian dress in red who answered the call of duty to be part of the Kallang crowd. As my friend was claiming them that they must be some relative and friends of Daniel Bennett or John Wilkinson, one must now seriously ponder whether they have immerse into the one of the Singaporeans' favourite pastime.
Many observers have voice their concerns that a more open and globalize Singapore attractive talents/quitters from all over the world could or will lead to a reduce amount of patriotism towards Singapore. Increasingly, it has even affected the younger generation of Singaporeans leading to the emergence of the Hotel Singapore analogy where national boundary is rendered progressively permeable. Well, a globalise Singapore do actually bring in its economic value, however, it has definitely come at a high social cost amongst the true blue Singaporean.
The increasing permeability of across nationality boundaries has certainly left many Singaporeans wondering whether the imbalance in the welfare and responsibilities put on the natives and the ‘new’ Singaporeans. Statistics from a few months ago from the Straits Times points out that only 2/3 of the Singapore Citizens are born and bred locally. Well clearly, the proportion on the Kallang Stadium was nowhere close. No doubt one cannot judge patriotism in this manner but I certainly believe it for more convincing then attending the National Day Parade.
Unmistakably, the government is economic driven. Economic growth is second to none in the hierarchy of the Singapore government. Look at the recent major events, from the Integrated Resorts to the Formula 1 Grand Prix, growth is place ahead of social security and environment well being. Surely, economic prosperity helps to run the country efficiently, however one must not forgo the willingness for the citizens to fight and build a country and strengthen the national identity for the much more tumultuous years ahead. A national identity build solely on economic growth can go nowhere further when tough economic times emerge. Hence, I strongly believe more actions should be done to make the citizens feel more worthy of being here instead of being short-changed in terms of the responsibilities and benefits section. Well, it is time to train for the annual IPPT again.
Majulah Singapura.
Many observers have voice their concerns that a more open and globalize Singapore attractive talents/quitters from all over the world could or will lead to a reduce amount of patriotism towards Singapore. Increasingly, it has even affected the younger generation of Singaporeans leading to the emergence of the Hotel Singapore analogy where national boundary is rendered progressively permeable. Well, a globalise Singapore do actually bring in its economic value, however, it has definitely come at a high social cost amongst the true blue Singaporean.
The increasing permeability of across nationality boundaries has certainly left many Singaporeans wondering whether the imbalance in the welfare and responsibilities put on the natives and the ‘new’ Singaporeans. Statistics from a few months ago from the Straits Times points out that only 2/3 of the Singapore Citizens are born and bred locally. Well clearly, the proportion on the Kallang Stadium was nowhere close. No doubt one cannot judge patriotism in this manner but I certainly believe it for more convincing then attending the National Day Parade.
Unmistakably, the government is economic driven. Economic growth is second to none in the hierarchy of the Singapore government. Look at the recent major events, from the Integrated Resorts to the Formula 1 Grand Prix, growth is place ahead of social security and environment well being. Surely, economic prosperity helps to run the country efficiently, however one must not forgo the willingness for the citizens to fight and build a country and strengthen the national identity for the much more tumultuous years ahead. A national identity build solely on economic growth can go nowhere further when tough economic times emerge. Hence, I strongly believe more actions should be done to make the citizens feel more worthy of being here instead of being short-changed in terms of the responsibilities and benefits section. Well, it is time to train for the annual IPPT again.
Majulah Singapura.
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