State media: Citizens have more rights over PRs
October 24th, 2009 | 
Author: From our Correspondent
In a lengthy editorial published in the Straits Times today, the propagandist mouthpiece of the government tried desperately hard to dispel the public “misconception” that there are more advantages being a PR than a citizen. (read article here)
Zakir Hussan painstakingly compiled a list of advantages a Singapore citizen has over a PR “from cradle to grave”:
“If you are a Singapore citizen, you have the right to vote, visit 150 countries without a visa on your red passport, and receive a slew of tax reliefs and a cornucopia of subsidies.
If you are so inclined, you can form a political party, launch a tirade and stage a protest at Speakers’ Corner on most matters – but race and religion are off-limits.
Indeed, from the cradle – or from the point you are given a pink IC – to the sick bed, you have a leg up over permanent residents (PRs) and foreigners working or living here,” he wrote.
The comprehensive list contains some interesting hitherto unknown differences between citizens and PRs.
For example, citizens pay between $262 and $475 dollars for a normal delivery at a C class ward at KK hospital while PRs pay between $293 and $506.
It costs only $26 for citizens to register their marriages in Singapore compared to between $128 and $298 for PRs.
Yet the advantages highlighted are minuscule compared to the benefits a PR can reap out of Singapore.
PRs are usually mid to high-level professionals who come to Singapore in their prime without having to serve the mandatory two year National Service.
Some are foreign students who are given scholarships to study in Singapore universities and are guaranteed a job as part of their bond upon graduation.
Furthermore, PRs have the option of uprooting themselves from Singapore easily and return to live in their homelands where the cost of living is much lower after making a quick buck in Singapore.
Singaporeans are put at a disadvantage when competing with PRs for jobs especially Singapore males who are burdened with reservist obligations.
The playing field is tipped in the favor of PRs which is the main point of contention for many local citizens.
Zakir also illustrates his naivety by praising the social welfare “system” put in place by the government for citizens when there are in fact none:
“Should you have the misfortune of becoming destitute or unable to support yourself, you would qualify for public assistance, ComCare aid, a rental flat and handouts to help pay your utility bills and conservancy charges. And if you fall ill, you can bank on Medifund to pay for your hospital bills.”
Out of a population of 5 million, only about 3,000 citizens qualify for public assistance which offers a pittance of $330 a month, hardly enough to survive in Singapore.
One has to be really destitute – without any kins left in the world and medically certified to be permanently unfit to work before they can even apply for public assistance from the government.
Rental flats are for the lowest income group with a combined household income of less than $1,500.
The sandwiched population which is neither here or there are hardest hit because they do not qualify for any government aid, but are not earning enough at the same time to afford a decent standard of living in Singapore.
Unless one has bought medical insurance, medisave is hardly enough to pay for one’s hospital bills let alone medifund and there are stories of families who are literally bankrupted by the hefty hospitalization bills.
An AFP video about the life of a 76 year old street scavenger Madam Zheng stirred a furore in cyberspace lately.
Madam Zheng depleted her savings to foot the medical bills of her late husband and is now reducing to scavenge for used cardboards, cans and papers in the streets to earn a living. (watch video here)
Perhaps the root cause of the disaffection lies in the draconian laws put in place by the ruling party to curtail the civil rights of citizens in order to perpetuate their hegemony indefinitely.
Citizens are not allowed to gather at any other parts of the island other than Hong Lim Park. A solo protest is now considered illegal under the law. Public expression of political dissent is criminalized and activists are frequently harassed by the police.
The weak opposition coupled with rampant walkovers in GRCs make a mockery of the electoral process.
Few dare to participate in politics, let alone join or form a political party out of fear of losing their livelihoods.
The sense of national identity and eroding is further eroded by the relentless influx of foreigners who now make up more than one third of the population.
Despite the efforts of the state media to hide the truth, not many will be convinced by Zakir’s arguments that citizens have more rights than PRs.
Related articles:
>> Zhang Yuanyuan got her Singapore PR in only 2 months
>> Official reply from government on the Zhang Yuanyuan fiasco
>> Singapore PRC PR proclaimed loyalty to China publicly
>> PRC resident hung China flag to celebrate its National Day
>> PRC student in Singapore wants more scholarships for foreigners
>> PRC prostitutes solicit for customers on Singapore’s cyberspace
>> ERA: 40 per cent of resale flats buyers are PRs
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Posted in Editorial
Coz it’s true to character of...
Second generation PR need to serve NS like the rest of the locals but if they chose not to serve, they have to leave the country.
……“If you are a Singapore citizen, you have the right to vote, visit 150 countries without a visa on your red passport….”,
This one is real DUD
Does Zakir Hussan “stating” in silence of presumed assertion here that an Australian, Canadian, British or American PR in Singapore DOES NOT HAVE a right to visit 150 countries without a visa on their passports????? Many of these countries have dual citizenship rights such that they can travel on any passport in their lawful possession – so what the DISADVANTAGE OF ONE RED PASSPORT not disclosed?
…”and receive a slew of tax reliefs and a cornucopia of subsidies.”….
This one is a FUNNY DUD.
As part of their stimulus spending boost, the Australian Government gave cash of A$900/- to all taxpayer who is registered with the Australian Taxation Office in the last financial year and that EVEN INCLUDE PRs and seasonal foreign workers.
Zakir Hussan probably thinks Singapore is the centre of universe of state-funded public charity to citizenry. Foreigners reading that comment must be excused for giggling
……..If you are so inclined, you can form a political party, launch a tirade and stage a protest at Speakers’ Corner on most matters – but race and religion are off-limits…..
Does Zakir Hussan thinks foreign PRs cannot form a political party in their country of origin – be it Australia, Canada, Malaysia, India, – only Singapore uniquely offer this huge advantage of political rights to association??? May Zakir Hussan might be thinking of comparison to China, North Korea or Cuba.
Zakir Hussan does NOT know that even Russian and war-torn Afghanistan allowed political parties.
How medieval is this alleged advantage is???
Indeed, from the cradle – or from the point you are given a pink IC – to the sick bed, you have a leg up over permanent residents (PRs) and foreigners working or living here.
Zakir Hussan thinks it is OTHERWISE the birthright of foreigners to be subsidised of medical costs by citizen here
such that a denial of these benefits to foreigners is morphed into a huge advantage for Singaporeans??? Does China gives foreigners free medical care in their hospital anymore or less than Australia??? THIS IS A PERVERSE SICK JOKE OF ARGUMENT I BELIEVE.
……..Should you have the misfortune of becoming destitute or unable to support yourself, you would qualify for public assistance, ComCare aid, a rental flat and handouts to help pay your utility bills and conservancy charges. And if you fall ill, you can bank on Medifund to pay for your hospital bills……..
Does Zakir Hussan thinks Australia has no social security benefits, INCLUDING RENTAL SUBSIDY and COMPLETE PUBLIC HOSPITAL CARE AND SUBSIDIED PHARMAEUTICAL BENEFITS? And Housing Commission flat letted to destitute for only A$10 per week for whole flat when outside in suburb it could easily by A$150 per room per week in Sydney??
Zakir Hussan could do with some internet research before publishing these exaggerated benefits of citizenship here WITHOUT BALANCED EMPHASIS OF MILITARY SERVICE FOR MALE AND ITS SUBSEQUENT CAREER DAMAGE PLUS THE COMPLETE LACK OF PUBLIC RIGHT TO DEMONSTRATE ON THE STREET which other democracies permit. You can’t even walk in the street of 5 here without haunted risks! When there is no political rights of expression, where is the ownership and value of citizenry other than purely “mirage” advantage in reality???
“If you are a Singapore citizen, you have the right to vote
Problem is, so what if citizens have the right to vote?
There are so many walk overs. Coz opposition cant find enough candidates to compete for the GRCs.
Worst, the the GRC boundaries are constantly manipulated & altered to maximise the gains of the pappy & minimise the support for the opposition.
So, the right to vote….
Zakir Hussain, 25
Journalist at The Straits Times Political Desk, English/Malay Newspaper Division.
Zakir graduated from Oxford University with a Bachelor of Arts in Modern History and Politics. He is studying for a Masters of Science in Journalism at Columbia University, USA.
how on earth did he get his oxford degree with such poor analytical skills?
bullocks! oxford?! do they rear oxes there?
cy, maybe you wanna forward zak’s disgraceful article and the above rebuttals to oxford to tell them to stop rearing cows that produce loads of bullshit.
Is he on a SPH or govn’t scholarhip…?
Hidden agenda to appease the public on the recent issues on PR.
Indeed very biased article that could easily influence readers who are not knowledgeable on the systems in other countries.
Despite having been educated at Oxford,he still posts this kind of article?This is not the kind of article that an Oxford gradute would produce.He should either return his degree to Oxford or have his degree revoked.
here’s a thought : what if the writer kena arrow to do this article? Being a professional writer means you are being paid to write ; not necessarily on things you may personally agree with or even like to write about
aiyah.. probably a scholar lah…wat else he supposed to say.
Political right is bullshit because many Singapore citizens do not have a chance to cast their vote!!!!
PR has more right than male Singapore citizen who serve 2.5 years NS and 13 years of reservist e.g. two related PR can buy resale flat before 35 but two related Singapre male citizens cannot buy HDB resale flat before 35.
Down to Zakir Hussain who sticks his tongue out resembling a faithful dog. Pull thick wool over our eyes to make us blind, hack TR will open many eyes like god healing the blind. Now we can see clearly. Tell your master to wait till election day, we give him a big surprise.
To be fair to all Singapore you should ask your master to give each and everyone a PR status in countries like China, India, Malaysia or any other countries whose citizen has become Singapore PR.
Citizen of Singapore, we need to stand united. Show PAP who is the true owner of Singapore.
two-cent worth from a PR:
I have stayed in Singapore for 10 years, the two major advantages/privileges of Citizen over PR that I observed so far are
1. More research opportunity + able to get grant in tertiary institution. In fact a friend converted to citizen just to get an opportunity.
2. A Singapore law guarantees that a citizen will have a house to stay no matter what.
Of coz, these are nothing compared to not serving NS.
“Should you have the misfortune of becoming destitute or unable to support yourself, you would qualify for public assistance, ComCare aid, a rental flat and handouts to help pay your utility bills and conservancy charges”
It is more likely to end up with you being incarcerated till you die in Pelangi Village ‘Prison’ at the MCYS Minister’s pleasure. This is one privilege of citizenship Sinkapooreans would rather not have, by say, jumping the MRT.
Political rights for holders of red passports?
Walking 5 “dispersed together” get haunted by ghosts video for evidence? PRC FW marched in packs of wolf and demonstrated at MOM – gets more than “bo tai chi” (no problem ) treatment except tenderly loving sweet pillow talks of “can I help you to break your errant salary-cheating employers’ arm instead of you kissing them and end up in our full-house “Hotel Changi” for assault and illegal assembly?”
Zakir Hussan must be thinking of red passport has only carbon black pages inside which is Uniquely Sinkapoor – visa chops inside must be invisible, so need need for visa entry to not just 150 countries but also to China, North Korea and Cuba.
Mr Zakir,
Sir, I can only presume that you must be handsomely rewarded for playing your part in the PAP propaganda machinery. Otherwise, it would be difficult for you to sleep at night knowing the struggles and suffering your fellow countrymen are going through.
I certainly hope it is worth it.
lee hsien tau on Sun, 25th Oct 2009 9:45 am
It is more likely to end up with you being incarcerated till you die in Pelangi Village ‘Prison’ at the MCYS Minister’s pleasure. This is one privilege of citizenship Sinkapooreans would rather not have, by say, jumping the MRT.
===============================================================
The MIW knew that as their harsh policies would result in more hardcore poor Singaporeans contemplating suicide, they quickly rushed to build platform screen doors.
http://izreloaded.blogspot.com/2008/09/smrt-to-install-platform-screen-doors.html
S’poreans have already given PRs 2 of the best things….our jobs and time spent on NS so that PRs lead a comfortable and safe lives here.
Is there any need for govt to throw more money/benefits at PRs????
This citizen rights of buying direct flat from HDB is a TOTAL BULLSHIT!!!. As a single who have been a true borned and served national service in this cuntry, we are not allowed to buy flat directly from HDB but have to make do with resale flats like the PRs. What kind of utter nonsenses are straits times trying to fool by stating that (all) citizens can buy flats directly from HDB !!
The ST article is typical what you find in a state-controlled media; like the Pravda of old, the Chinese and North Korea state media. Singing their own praises and blowing their trumpets. Like they said, ‘A Lie Repeated Often Enough Becomes Truth’; that’s PAP propaganda in its most ’subtle’ form. The writer is sold in Lee’s paradise. Get real.
S’poeans shld thank ST for the pieces. It quantifies how little we citizens (esp Singletons) get vis-a-vis PRs and foreigners.
Maybe the reporters, weiters and editors responsible for pieces are subversives from SDP? ISD shld investigate if ST has been infiltrated by Dr Chee’s people.
People from the Straits Timers political desk are jokers. They are behind times, unintelligent and full time entertainers. Readers who read their writings can only shake their heads. With hidden agenda to rip benefit out of tax payers monies, they need to abide by their masters message to twist stories and generalised it. The more of such writings are seen in the msm, the more we wanted election immediately and the fall of pap is a sure thing to come.
Zakir Hussan comedy write forget one important privilege of red passport holders – they get the unique chance to feed, mollycoddle and admire a lot of very expensive unsackable deadwoods. PRs don’t need a visa to return home after this place has completely broke.
I recently learned that in primary 1 registration, PR and Singaporean have the same priority to entry.
No wonder some of my friends with kids are pissed of by this government policies.
I guess they are too ashamed to mentioned this fact it the ST article.
Dear Zakir Hussan,
What the big deal about visa-free to 150 couuntries that is has to be the headlines? Shows that there is nothing better to mentioned.
If you got nothing to write, please don’t write, you guys are shooting yourself in the foot.
All Singles Singaporean should not vote for PAP bevause this is the group of locals who are seriously marginalized!!!!
This is how the article should appear
“As a citizen of Singapore, you will get to enjoy free health care, free education, free admission to all tourist attractions and affordable public housing.
PR please queue to apply for our citizenship to enjoy these privileages… but of course after you have completed the NS first.”
Maybe this site should do a counter article – exploring the rights of citizens in USA, canada or Australia VS their PRs. I bet it will be an eye-opener.
I’m disappointed in this report by the correspondent of Temasek Review. Though I may not agree with several of the points raised in Mr Hussein’s article, I do not find the Review’s report any better.
This report is a commentary and should be signposted to readers as such, and not filed under Top News. As a news report, it lacks depth.
The Singapore Government can do better on civil and human rights issues, but when it comes to taking care of its people’s material needs, by and large, I don’t think it’s let us down. It can, of course, do better, but so can any other government in the world.
To expect an administration to do everything is ludicrous.
I don’t think The Straits Times is the bees’ knees, but I have yet to come across an alternative local news site that knows the difference between critical analyses and pedantic ranting.
Singaporean citizen gets babies benefits while the PR does not have. But these babies have to pay many times back in terms of life and money when they grew up and ripe to be soldiers.
Disappointed reader on Sun, 25th Oct 2009 4:23 pm
….I have yet to come across an alternative local news site that knows the difference between critical analyses and pedantic ranting….
You mean Zakir Hussan’s article KNOWS THE DIFFERENCE – noting your analysis is near perfection to error of fact and fiction of ( who is this character???) Mr Hussien’s article referred to by you that we all have not yet read?
It is easier to attack TR than the critical analysis contribution bloggs of bloggers here? Or is it not????
Interesting development in UK just reported recently.
It seems that an insider revealed that the immigration policy in UK was deliberate attempt by the government.
Sets your mind thinking about Singapore’s situation, eh?
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/5/20091023/tuk-labour-encouraged-mass-immigration-t-45dbed5.html
Mr Zakir, the examples you have given are pathetic. You have single handedly brought journalism to a new low in Singapore. I suppose you do not share the opinion that it is the moral duty of journalist to dessiminate the truth.
Your article has done a great disservice to your fellow Singaporeans. I hope you will make amends.
@ ObviousMan on Sun, 25th Oct 2009 8:41 pm
Many thanks for that very interesting link you provided.
Mass influx of migration here is also WITHOUT public consultation – exactly what has happened here and chaotic social and economic consequences erupting and irretrievably damaging.
The burden and damaged caused here is far more severe and deeply disturbing. Britain has got a lot more physical space. Singapore is nearly impossibly capable of even marginally increasing its physical size and stucked with embedded infrastructure that cannot be easily rip apart and rebuild to sustain higher population – HOWEVER COSTLY THAT MIGHT ENTAIL.
THE ECONOMICS OF POPULATION IMPLOSION IS NEGATIVELY SKEWED AGAINST US BECAUSE OF RESOURCES CONSTRAINTS – obvious to all. if population is the key to economic advancement, why is congested HONG KONG NOT EVEN REMOTELY INTERESTED IN ADDING TO ITS POPULATION BASE.
The only reason for such mass migration, in my informed opinion, must be cynical undisclosed political motives. THE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY AND PUBLIC CONSULTATION MUST GIVE RISE TO COMPELLING APPREHENSION THAT POLITICAL AGENDA IS AT WORK.
Other compelling refuting logics are plenty. The obvious one is that the target population of 6.5 million IS NEVER GOING TO BE A DESIRABLE TARGET of holding it at that “optimality” if there is such a fictional myth of optimal population base for Singapore. It will add on from there by natural birth and further migration, can then we add on to a economically-sustainable 10 million after that? CAN WE HOLD IT AT 6.5 million? IT IS A PUBLIC HOAX!!
In a climate change, carbon-constrained world, food, fuel supply, transportation economics will CHANGE SURVIVAL ECONOMICS IN THE WAY TOTALLY UNIMAGINABLE and when hit by another recession, is DIVINE in heaven supply us our bread and butter while those receiving millions in pay laughing at our slow death from poverty??
We have only one choice here – walk back from stupidity of impossibility of over-population – and Singaporeans have to decide it in the next election.
Time for Change on Sun, 25th Oct 2009 8:42 pm
Your article has done a great disservice to your fellow Singaporeans. I hope you will make amends.
=========================================================
I believe Mr Zakir is a foreigner. He’s likely from Pakistan.
The subsidies he talked about were small and also available to PR.
The differentials do not compensate for the extra NS liability.
Go do a calculation.
i think these days if you are a local singaporean,yu have
the “first right” to be out of job and the first duty to acknowledge that”foreign talent betetr,not enough local talent…”.
if you look around more closely around the neighbourhood and workplaces like rRafflesplace,you notice to that you have even
more rights to be the NEW “SINGA-POOReans!”
THANK YOU STRAITS TIMES but no thanks!!!
if this was a multiple-question article, i would answer none of the above!
It feels like we have more right to be nation’s first “NEW Singa-POOR-eans”!!!
Even,our Indian FTs’ families in our neighbourhood seem to fair better than us! At least,they can be found in great numbers walking about at Rafflesplace whilst their wives go
shopping at the malls!
Our poor old sinagporeans go “hunching” under the hot sun
psuhing carts along the roads of singapore;some of the older
male colleagues collecting cardboards at singapore’s Wallstreet!
I guess we have to be grateful to the MIW for just having a job, no matter how low it pays.
http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y29/vnc2005/Swiss_Standard_of_Living/
However, how about the increasing number of Singaporeans who are finding themselves jobless and unable to support themselves and their families.
“If you are a Singapore citizen, you have the right to vote, visit 150 countries without a visa on your red passport, and receive a slew of tax reliefs and a cornucopia of subsidies.
I donn’t think being able to visit 150 countries is on the top of their minds.
Zakir Hussain, 29
Correspondent at The Straits Times Political Desk, English/Malay Newspaper Division
Zakir graduated from Oxford University with a Bachelor of Arts in Modern History and Politics. He has also completed Masters of Science in Journalism at Columbia University, USA.
As someone trained in America, we expected more responsible journalism from you. Definitely not propaganda.
……..Should you have the misfortune of becoming destitute or unable to support yourself, you would qualify for public assistance, ComCare aid, a rental flat and handouts to help pay your utility bills and conservancy charges. And if you fall ill, you can bank on Medifund to pay for your hospital bills……..
This is the funniest joke, perhaps Zakir Hussan can try, the chances of getting this ‘aids’ is lower than striking 4D.
Perhaps the writer may wanna go to the public hospitals and witness more the staff ask already sick and aged destitute patients at the registration counters:”How you wnna pay?”
Poor old guy says:’NO money,son’s CPF,BLA,BLA,BLA”>
staff says:”WHERE ‘S YOUR SON?”.
old man:’ working very HARD at the office…”
STAFF:” then cannot leh, you must ask your son come sign
MEDISAVE…NOW YOU GO,come back,hor,..later…”
So you see,MR ZAKIR,this is true journalism!
But look at this:
http://thegovmonitor.com/world_news/asia/singapore-to-introduce-incentives-to-recognize-nsmen%E2%80%99s-dedication-and-commitment-12177.html
NSmen getting more incentives which the poor PRs who don’t have to do NS will never get.
And,by the way,let’s make fair comparisons!
LOCALS pay more taxes in total;past and present!
Yours and my great-great granfathers,great-grandfathers,grandfathers and our parents(MOTHERS N FATHERS!) AND NOW,US,paid for all the public hospitals,roadS like ORCHARD,”LONGKANGS(DRAINAGE SYSTEMS),”LO TENGS” (street lights),traffic lights,bus stops,and etc , etc…
mind you,we also must “sacrifice our jobs” for the others.
So you see,socail costs paid by locals does not equate to their
socail benefits! If there are substanicial ones remaining at all?
ilovesingapore on Mon, 26th Oct 2009 12:14 pm
“….NSmen getting more incentives which the poor PRs who don’t have to do NS will never get…..”
Can I have an option to opt out of reservist? I am willing to forgo all the benefits that reservist enjoy. In addition, if I am allow to opt out of reservist, I am willing to pay $100 to government for the administrative works involve.
Alternatively, can I get a foreigner or PR to replace me for reservist? The foreigner or PR who is replacing me can get all the benefit a reservist gets. I am also willing to give him $50 for every reservist that he perform? Please?
I do not mind paying all the differences bet Citizens and PR but allowed to skip all my NS obligations.
How, can?
Male citizen like me have to do NS. PR?Need to or not ah?
http://hzdaily.hangzhou.com.cn/mrsb/html/2009-11/02/content_770456.htm
The above news state that admission to NUS, NTU & SMU Masters degree did not require English proficiency test & scholarship is assured. And apparently, it is easy to gain admission to these universities. How low can our unis go!
Wow!