Open letter to Prime Minister Lee expressing unhappiness at his pro-foreigner policy (Part 1)
November 12th, 2009 | 
Author: By Tan Keng Leng
Mr. Prime Minister,
We are a group of concerned Singaporean netizens, and we are writing in to you to express our unhappiness at the direction the country has been heading towards since the last General Election.
As citizens, it is our birthright to decide the direction we want the country to take, to elect the national leaders who would lead the country in the direction we want, and to voice out our reservations if we are unhappy with the direction the country is headed. And now we strongly believe that the time has come for us to express our unhappiness to the government.
First and foremost, there should be an immediate freeze on the number of foreigners allowed into the country.
The country now has 5,000,000 residents give or take a few thousand, and the social infrastructure is now bursting at the seams.
Before taking in anymore foreigners, the country’s infrastructure such as public transportation should be upgraded at these new arrivals’ cost, not at locals’ expenses; if they want to come here to earn a living, then they should contribute something to improving the country instead of simply taking from it.
We are often told that foreigners are a buffer who will be the first to be retrenched in a recession. How true is that really? If anything, the reverse is true; tens of thousands of locals have lost their jobs, replaced by foreigners.
After all, in a recession, who would the employer retrench, the foreign scholar whose education he paid for, or the local who paid for his own education?
We are also told that it is in the country’s strategic interests that locals should work in such fields such as construction and shipbuilding instead of depending upon foreigners. Why is this so? Aren’t we always being told that foreigners do such jobs locals shun? And there’s a very good reason why locals shun such jobs too: they’re very dangerous, with high industrial accident rates.
Furthermore, why are foreigners employed in such a strategically vital field such as the utilities industry? Can anyone imagine what would happen to the country should disgruntled foreigners decide to shut the country’s waterworks down because Singapore got into a major diplomatic spat with their homeland? The entire country will grind to a halt from lack of freshwater if that should ever happen.
Next, the authorities should take a good hard look at the quality of the so-called foreign “talent” entering the country.
Nobody in his right mind would object to someone of the caliber of Professor Stephen Hawking being given a job as an NUS lecturer. However, it’s entirely another matter altogether when the country takes in foreigners to fill up posts that can easily be done by locals.
Why on Earth should the country take in HR managers from China, Malaysia or India when this is a post that any suitably qualified local can perform
Moreover, there have been many complaints from locals that these foreign managers discriminate against them at work; what guarantees do we have that they don’t discriminate against locals in favor of their own kind?
We are constantly being told that the country’s only resources are its people, so we should all continuously go for upgrading classes, almost always at our own expense.
Even retrenched people for whom cash flow is a major concern are told to upgrade their skills at their own cost to improve their marketability, but what is the use of skills upgrading when all the good jobs are going to foreigners?
Some of our national leaders have said that local professionals should seek their fortunes overseas as there are plenty of vacancies for them overseas, but good jobs available locally should be reserved for the foreigners as otherwise they would not want to come.
In the first place, doesn’t the government always claim that Singapore is a meritocracy? If it truly is one, then why should good jobs be reserved for foreigners, or even elite scholars for that matter?
Shouldn’t everyone compete for jobs on an equal footing instead? And for that matter, why should local professionals look for good jobs overseas so that foreigners can be enticed by good jobs that are reserved for them here?
Why can’t the foreigners seek their good job opportunities elsewhere instead of here? We are often told that we should allow our parents to move in with us to keep the family unit intact; doesn’t forcing us to seek better prospects overseas run contrary to this? Or are we supposed to uproot our parents from their friends and the land they call home to settle someplace they are unfamiliar with?
In the past, the government has often denounced locals who migrate in search of a better life elsewhere as quitters; that being the case aren’t the so-called foreign “talents” that the country is taking in also quitters? And why are our own people who seek greener pastures elsewhere being condemned as quitters when foreign quitters are welcomed with open arms, especially since it is government policies that are driving the locals out of the country?
Other parts in the series:
Posted in 
Is it correct to say that the direction the nation is heading is to have millions or new citizens and this is supported by the people who issue the mandate?
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Lets not forget that the hiring decision makers may also be singaporeans.
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Now, our PMs father, MM said S’poreans must bear with new migrants.
If nothing is being done – over time, he might instead have to tell new migrants to bear with Singaporeans.
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If some papies can just take the MRT, they will realised we are swamped with foreigners!
The unfortunate thing is none of them does
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They never listen to the people. Never.
It so sad that Singaporeans never learn. Hopefully, they will get the message before the next elections.
Time for Change.
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Well,the hole of the problem is this…The social engineering thingy;especially if you are not a god.This had been the folly of many a leaders in the past whether Hitler,Stalin or Pol Pot.But man as the saying goes never really learns and thus the cycle of history keeps repeating itself..Take Chairman Mao for example,a truly a great personality for he galvanized the draconian task of uniting China as one against all odds…But he should have quit like the Mahatma Gandhi of India did and let able administrators take over..Even Dr.Mahathir of Malaysia recognized that his time was up when it actually came as much as the founding father of Malaysia the Tunku Abdul Rahman did…But not Mao nor MM Lee.
Mao and Lee share certain similarities..Both engineered a social movement that had disastrous outcome..Let a thousand flowers bloom proclaimed Mao with his cultural revolution.Instead China suffered the worst of consequences in its entire history..Likewise MM Lee had now proclaimed,let a couple of million foreigners bloom in Singapore…and the consequential trauma unfolds..Perhaps Mao went to his grave unknown the amount of damage he had done to China…Because nobody dare tells the emperor that he wore no clothes..Now who dares tell MM Lee?
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@Time for Change
Thats assuming we even get a chance to vote, considering our wonderful GRC system.
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They want to hang on to power. If you Singaporean don’t want to vote for me, fine. We get more foreigner to become PR, they pay more tax to make us richer and will happily vote for us. We continue to stay in power and let see what you can do to us stupid. Do you still want to wait for the population to become 6-7 million when local is less than 50%? You can decide through your vote then? It is too late idiot.
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Remember when GRC was implemented, the Papies treat the citizen with deaf ear, when comment was rise.Two third of the
citizen was not entitle for a vote. they are in the happy mood of winning.for the two third of the citizen curse and swear.
What right the oldfart told us must bear with the new migrants. Then why he can’t bear with this oponent or terrorist.Talk Cock
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Mr. Lee SL, the prime minster of SG, how did you flair in governing Singapore?
Are you the best PM of Singapore? Have you done exceedingly better than your predecessor?
Let’s leave it to the people of SG to decide.
Let them decide if you have risen by merit or is it nepotism at work.
Perhaps TR should consider doing a poll to gauge what the people of SG think.
Best of luck to you.
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Singaporeans, don’t worry. The new citizens need not always adapt to the native citizens lifestyle IF their population, which grows so astonishingly fast, overtakes the native population which results in native being the minority as in <50%.
This is a scientific possibility. whether this possibility is big or small is altogether another issue.
How many are they now? 1 million?
Now, how much difference in population size compared to native citizen population size?
I was monitoring with pleasure the improving popularity of the opposition parties over the years but now this influx may change the whole game. Its uncertain who these will vote for but commonsense is enough to know something.
Only when the fat lady sings the song of hum.
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This extreme influx of new citizens at such a super broadband breakneck speed is making me feel a bit nostalgic.
Maciam like the initial years when singapore was just independent where immigrants who become citizens support behind 1 leader.
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this weekend’s APEC summit will see the CBD area filled with foreigners and all the Singaporeans will be staying at home
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Mr Brown insisted that immigration must not be made a “taboo” issue tackled only by fringe parties, but should be “a question to be dealt with at the heart of our politics”. People who voice concerns about migration should not be branded “racist”, he said.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6913856.ece
All over, world leaders are listening to the people concern over migration but not so in Singapore where another 3 million foreigners will be brought in soon.
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Simply, vote the ruling government out or allow opposition parties into parliament. Break the monopoly of the one-party system and have differing views of other parties to bring sanity back to the country.
Otherwise we all doomed cows!
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@time for change – thanks for the nice piece of info.
I GET IT. DO YOU MR. LEE?
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“Because nobody dare tells the emperor that he wore no clothes.”
Unfortunately he forces those subjects around him be naked like him so the latter cannot tell the emperor the truth when they themselves have wore no clothes.
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I have said what a true singaporean has to say(in this blog).
i think what i said is better communicated if done through my actions…i shall put both my hands up(and my feet too) for the
candidates who are going to VOICE OUT AND UP for me in the HOUSE…THE OPPOSTION!..YES,the OPPOSTION!
REGARDS TO ALL PROUD BUT LOYAL LIONS WHO ROAR SO SELFLESSLY FOR SINGAPORE AND SINAGPOREANS!!!!!MAJULAH TRUE-BLOODED
LOYAL FELLOW CONUTRYMEN AND WOMEN!!!!
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have more kids! then there will be less foreigners!
but how to have more kids? so expensive?
so no kids, need to bring in more foreigners otherwise economy will falter.
more foreigners means prices go up up up.
so to stop foreigners from coming in, have more kids.
but how to have more kids? so expensive?
.
.
.
so how?
ask gahmen give more money for people to have kids?
money come from where?
don’t pay the ministers so much lor.
but will that be enough?
ultimately that money comes from tax money.
would you want to give money away to get people to have kids?
if not then still not enough kids to replenish the population! then how?
aiyah. all gahmen’s fault la. ask people stop at two. see la. now become liddat. stupid gahmen.
so. the very smart people here in TR should go join the opposition and contest in the next elections, get elected and become Ministers. then we’ll all have very good lives.
any takers?
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rc on Fri, 13th Nov 2009 12:07 am
any takers? Wait and see!
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Sigh… The PAP had done a good job. However, it could have been better if they had listened more to the ground, work selfless-ly and serve the people sincerely. However, I’m afraid it’s time for a change.
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Don’t expect PM Lee to do anything because the agressive immigration policy is implemented by him. We can only hope that he will be voted out in next GE. Otherwise, we can only forsee more hardship for every Singaporean!!!
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i want to know this: what do we do with PRs who have committed a crime in Singapore and been sent to jail?
Do we continue to extend PR to this group of people? Do we even allow them to be released early from jail on some “Work Release Programme” – to increase competition for us locals even when they are PRs EX-CONVICTS!
I’m writing to the relevant authorities and am waiting for an answer… I think I wld probably go see my MP at Aljunied GRC too…. wat you think?
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Tony Woodley, joint general secretary of the union Unite, welcomed the emphasis on jobs for British residents.
“Workers are not expressing a fear of foreigners, but an anger that employers are exploiting overseas workers to undercut wages and drive down standards,” said Mr Woodley.
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Government should just fine tune the foreigner policy such that it benefits Singaporeans. We had alot of foreigners in the 90s but they contribute to the economy as household helpers or labourers, jobs that Singaporeans do not want to do.
But now we are competiting with them in fields like Engineering, IT and other fields which Singaporeans want to do. This is the root cause of our unhappines over the FT policy. We never complained about foreigners in the 90s did we?
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recieved this from an email:
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd - Australia:
Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told on Wednesday to get out of Australia , as the government targeted radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks.
Separately, Howard angered some Australian Muslims on Wednesday by saying he supported spy agencies monitoring the nation’s mosques.
Quote: ‘IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT. Take It Or Leave It. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali , we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians’.
‘This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom’. ‘We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society . Learn the language!’
‘Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.’
‘We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us.’
‘This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this… But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom,
‘THE RIGHT TO LEAVE’.’
‘If you aren’t happy here then LEAVE. We didn’t force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted.’
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@ disgruntled Sillyporean on Fri, 13th Nov 2009 11:07 am
GREAT POST!
Yes, I do like the great Aussie dinky-dye exposition of substance from myth.
If anyone cannot accept the truth in the public arena, be it foreigners or politicians, HOW CAN WE THE REST ACCEPT YOU?????
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MM Lee is my hero. I hope he lives forever. He understand the Asian, and particularly the Chinese, more than any one that I know. To use uneducated coolies, maids and minimum resource to turn this country to what it is today is extraordinary. Nevertheless, he later admitted that it quite costly to teach the people manner and grace even when they are living in the first world country. That’s why Singapore needs foreigners. With their refine manner, rich culture, education, humility,etc… will help to bring Singapore to the next level (be open minded that where ever the angel goes the devil follows). Racial discrimination, protectionism, anti-foreigner behavoir will only be little Singaporeans. After all, this is a country that built by immigrants not long ago.
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Lets not forget that most of us are only 2rd, 3th or at most 4th generation citizens. If our fore-fathers did not board that ship from China or India to Singapore in search of a better life, most of us will be singing a different national anthem now. Before we criticize the foreigners let us reflect on ourselves first. First thing first, Loyalty to Country, how many of us will fight to defend Singapore in times of war? Or will most of us flee together with the foreigners? Support of Local Products, how times you have chosen a foreign product over a local one? You might say that Local Product is of inferior quality but without support how could they become better. Why must our artists gain popularity overseas before Singaporeans start recognizing their works? Why so many Singaporeans claims local films sucks even before watching them? In fact the only difference between us and them (foreigners) is only that we came here earlier.
PAP’s economical policies in the 60s worked and perhaps worked too well for Singapore’s own good. Our grandfathers planted the seeds and we just need to open our mouth to enjoy it’s fruits. The success of our fore-fathers breed a whole generation of spoilt kids. Perhaps it is PAP’s intention of bringing in so many foreigners to force this spoilt generation to wake up their idea. Putting yourself in the shoes of an employer, who will you employ, a foreigner who is willingly to work hard or a Singaporean who thinks he/she should be protected and cost 60% more. Not forgetting most local firms prefer foreigners over Singaporeans. In fact, many employs Singaporeans just because they need the head count.
Before we ask for more protection of Citizens, let us look at our neighbor Indonesia and Malaysia. Who are the richest people in those countries, excluding corrupted government officials? The protected natives or the unprotected Chinese? Over protection will only make one weak and spoilt, just take a look at our newest generation of kids and you will see that.
Many might said PAP is “openly corrupted” for the super high salary for it’s minsters and the all powerful LEE family which controlled most of the highly profitable industries in Singapore but which politician in this world isn’t in for the money and power. I can only say that at least PAP have done its job and made Singapore what it is today. Although they took a lot but at least they gave some back unlike many other governments which only takes.
Like a true Singaporean would say, “Dun like PAP? Dun vote them loh…. Better still join the opposition party and beat them at their game.”
Quit whining if you have done nothing to make Singapore a better place.
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@Barry Kaufman on Fri, 13th Nov 2009 11:52 am
do your pappie masters give you a dog treat after you make a post like that?
STOP PAPPIE BULLSHIT, VOTE FOR CHANGE, VOTE OPPOSITION
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High immigration has coincided with a widening income gap. Singapore’s Gini coefficient, a measure of inequality, rose from 0.444 in 2000 to 0.481 in 2008—higher than in China and America. The contrast between the glitzy downtown and the “heartlands” is glaring, and more damaging in tiny, dense Singapore than it would be in a big country, says Paulin Straughan of the National University of Singapore.
To defuse the pressure, the prime minister, Lee Hsien Loong, says Singapore will slow down the intake of migrants while accentuating the privileges of citizenship. Meanwhile, the government has plonked S$10m ($7m) into the new National Integration Council (NIC), which will try to promote interactions between different groups. It will not be easy, as the government admits. “The NIC recognises that integration is a long-term effort, and may take years before success is apparent,” says Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, the head of the NIC and minister for community development, youth and sports.
But Singaporeans care less about fuzzy notions of integration than their own jobs, says Chung Wai-Keung of the Singapore Management University. He wants employment laws rewritten to favour locals. But this would contradict the government’s commitment to an open economy. And the dominance of the ruling People’s Action Party means that in Singapore—unlike many countries—anti-immigrant sentiment cannot easily gain a strong political voice. Expect no drastic policy changes.
http://www.economist.com/world/asia/displaystory.cfm?story_id=14859345
Social tension is building up in Singapore. This is not good for everyone. MNCs will surely be afraid to invest here. Yet, the comment in the Economist notes that there will be no change in the policy of flooding Singapore with foreigners.
Singaporeans have to use their votes wisely.
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Be careful, such letters will kena response one. Sue or get shut down by DDOS.
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I propose we form a new party to help our poor singaporeans who are disadvantaged by the invasion of foreigners. This party will be called: Singapore National Party (SNP).
Long live SNP! Our last hope to rid the foreigners who took away the jobs of our locals and their aspirations.
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//Freeman
whatever the reflection, the rules cannot be designed to be against the locals?
It is as simple as that.
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//Freeman
Yeah the highest level of approval is LHL or LKY.
That’s why we are addressing the issue from the top.
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I thought SNP already existed in the form of PAP – mandatory “National” Service for locals and protection of locals in the state bureaucracy and state controlled economy, as well as fostering an antipathy best not said. You reap what you sow.
I tot Singapore is always compared to Israel, how come a certain old man NEVER express at the very least survivor’s guilt over his actions in WWII?
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It is the time for us to change the government because PR and new citizen shit on our head like Barry Kaufman
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@ Freeman on Fri, 13th Nov 2009 1:10 pm
A quick read of your post – all reference to the 1960s and earlier ancestral history. Nothing displayed of any of your informed knowledge of how the world has changed – politically, economically and the business world generally and how these will shape Singapore’s challenge and destiny.
How could your thoughts expressed be relevant to the future of this country – other than groaning the trivials over historical?
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I think Singaporeans are okay with M’sians who come here, but aren’t okay wif the China dudes. feel that the m’sians don’t have their own congregations and they tend to really want to be a part of Singapore. while the chinese people from china always group together (they ostracise themselves) and hardly make an attempt to be Singaporean.
I believe it would take 3 generations for these people to want to be Singaporean and believe in the ideals of this country. But for now, they have to make an effort to integrate into our society, not the other way round. We are not obliged to accomodate them. THEY should accomodate us, after all this is our hinterland.
Note: I do not patronise restaurants which employ staff who cannot speak English. Can you believe it, the waiter requested me to speak Chinese to him; out of the restaurant i went.
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Immigration is a legitimate concern of the 5 million people (yes INCLUDING the existing PRs/FTs etc.) in a 700 sqkm island, not just the far right, which by the way DOES NOT EXIST in Singapore except in the minds of the government and lackeys looking to SMEAR the opposition.
LKY and gang should take some advice from fellow travelers in the UK:
“Gordon Brown to admit ‘mistakes’ on immigration after BNP TV furore”
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article6913293.ece
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The difference between UK and SG is that in a democracy, the fairly ELECTED leader has to listen to the people’s criticisms and act accordingly whereas in SG the government tends to marginalize all criticism (valid or not) as “whining” and completely ignoring all potential problems.
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US immigration is now re examining Singapore passport holders.
Many Singapore passport holders are ex Communist party members or with a bad history in their own home land. Since 2008, many ‘Singaporean’ has been denied entry into US or has lost their employment thru sensitive connections.
If the US administration can spot such unfavorable elements of these individuals, why can’t the Singapore government do likewise?
We now have a devalued Citizenship thru a devalued Government.
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■Freeman on Fri, 13th Nov 2009 1:10 pm
Lets not forget that most of us are only 2rd, 3th or at most 4th generation citizens. If our fore-fathers did not board that ship from China or India to Singapore in search of a better life, most of us will be singing a different national anthem now.
I remember well, that when our forefathers came, Singapore was still very ‘raw’. Our forefathers toiled, polished and contribute significantly to what is Singapore today! They stay put with a ‘Never Say Leave’ attitude. The immigrants of today is different; Singapore is already a developed country and many are in for the short haul and will leave when they have made enough and retire elsewhere.
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@Freeman on Fri, 13th Nov 2009 1:10 pm
Lets not forget that most of us are only 2rd, 3th or at most 4th generation citizens. If our fore-fathers did not board that ship from China or India to Singapore in search of a better life, most of us will be singing a different national anthem now. Before we criticize the foreigners let us reflect on ourselves first. First thing first, Loyalty to Country, how many of us will fight to defend Singapore in times of war? Or will most of us flee together with the foreigners? Support of Local Products, how times you have chosen a foreign product over a local one? You might say that Local Product is of inferior quality but without support how could they become better. Why must our artists gain popularity overseas before Singaporeans start recognizing their works? Why so many Singaporeans claims local films sucks even before watching them? In fact the only difference between us and them (foreigners) is only that we came here earlier.
Since independent the generation is the true blue citizen of Singapore. This generation which happen to be the bulk of the citizens are definitely the sons of Singapore. Does it mean once an migrant’s, all descendant are migrants therefore must have open arm for immigrant. What logic is that? After building a nation, now you want to destroy it, is it your kind of joke toying with other people’s life. All those that serve the army will fight for Singapore if you need to know. Tell me what else can we do. Our families are rooted here. Our house and everything is here, if we don’t protect it who will. Stop thinking as if we are cowards.Your twisted logic sound like a ranting fool.
PAP’s economical policies in the 60s worked and perhaps worked too well for Singapore’s own good. Our grandfathers planted the seeds and we just need to open our mouth to enjoy it’s fruits. The success of our fore-fathers breed a whole generation of spoilt kids. Perhaps it is PAP’s intention of bringing in so many foreigners to force this spoilt generation to wake up their idea. Putting yourself in the shoes of an employer, who will you employ, a foreigner who is willingly to work hard or a Singaporean who thinks he/she should be protected and cost 60% more. Not forgetting most local firms prefer foreigners over Singaporeans. In fact, many employs Singaporeans just because they need the head count.
As if economical success is only the fruits of our fore fathers then you dismiss our generation contribution. All of us sat at home waiting for money to fall from the sky to support our family is it. Go take a hike please.
If you send in the police to investigate every company that employs foreigners, you will dig out many juicy stories.
Foreigners don’t have a family living in Singapore to support, the cost of their home country is only a pittance from that of ours. Money they send home, they can feed more than a family. Having no social life or family to entertain, surely they worked all day, making them the darling of the employers. Raise the cost of employing foreigners and you’ll see if the employers will welcome them.
You sound like a bloody traitor and one who does not love your brothers and sisters or perhaps you are not a local like us. You gleefully rub salt into our wounds.
Before we ask for more protection of Citizens, let us look at our neighbor Indonesia and Malaysia. Who are the richest people in those countries, excluding corrupted government officials? The protected natives or the unprotected Chinese? Over protection will only make one weak and spoilt, just take a look at our newest generation of kids and you will see that.
Recently something happened to the Indian in our neighbor, Malaysia. Who say under protection cannot kill a generation? You are a mad professor.
Stop being a racist by advocating certain race being so superior. Be sensitive and not to play around with any race.
Many might said PAP is “openly corrupted” for the super high salary for it’s minsters and the all powerful LEE family which controlled most of the highly profitable industries in Singapore but which politician in this world isn’t in for the money and power. I can only say that at least PAP have done its job and made Singapore what it is today. Although they took a lot but at least they gave some back unlike many other governments which only takes.
I can think of Sadam Hussein, who was even more “openly corrupted”, all the bank money is his money and he has no need to be close and corrupted, he makes me flabbergasted. Singapore don’t belong to one family, it’s belonged to Singapore citizens.
I worked for my employer when he prospers, do i take a salary or all his profits making him miserable and broke. Is it satisfactory if I am enriched and he is broke?
Like a true Singaporean would say, “Dun like PAP? Dun vote them loh…. Better still join the opposition party and beat them at their game.”
Quit whining if you have done nothing to make Singapore a better place
Even a taxi driver is doing something for Singapore, only you think he is not. Even a hawker is doing something for Singapore, and many many more.
Every citizen has the right to criticize our government because they are working for us and not the other way round. However in the confusion it seems they are bullying us around.
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How dare you compare our forefathers with the foreign Trash swarming into Singapore. Our forefather came from their native homeland to build up Singapore which was then a fishing village. They settled here and contributed to Singapore what it is today. The FT is here to make money and eventually take all their CPF to their homeland or some to even greener pasture like US.
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The ST already reported that the govt want to slow down the intake of the foreigners n they also revealed that each year about 5000 locals went to other countries such as US, ?UK , Canada, Australia n NZ to apply for PR in these countries. Out of the 5000 locals, 1000 gave up their Spore citizenship.
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//will4
Those who can leave Singapore and definitely capable.
the question that the govt should pose is why are these people leaving.
And not add salt to the wound by importing 3rd class foreigners like constructors of MRT (yeah, their work is important but with that kind of pay how to survive in Singapore) and make them PR and singaporeans.
Nothing hides the fact that PAP is not popular and is driving able singaporeans away.
some were even driven to suicide in Australia so that his dealth can have a chance of being covered by the local media or foreign ones.
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will4 on Sat, 14th Nov 2009 10:40 am
The ones that migrate out of Singapore are quality. These western countries are very stringent with their PR requirements. The ones that comes into Singapore are a gradient of quality to the dubious. So if the Government is looking to increase SKILLED MIGRATION in, it might be close of mutually offseting on the highly-skilled portion BUT IN THE PROCESS A LOT OF TRASH ALSO CAME IN THE FLOODGATES.
The dubious will find it very hard to strike out long-term survival here because the high-income earning skilled Singaporean professionals migrating to UK, USA, Australia and New Zealand are already finding this place stressful enough to leave.
If these “low quality” PR becomes citizens, they will simply add to the social and economic costs of this country. In every random society, 10% are cream and at least half (by definition) are below the median needing assistance and subsidy.
The lack of quality screeing is going to be very costly for Singapore in the medium to long-term and the Government just look the other way.
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@Barry Kaufman
Yes, our founding fathers were largely immigrants but for them there were no turning back. Succeed or die. Now in the age of globalization, FTs move to wherever the pastures are the greenest, satiate themselves and leave when the place becomes barren (due to their over eating, of course). They don’t take root. We see that everyday…imported talents from sportsman to CEO’s. When Singapore have nothing else to offer, jobs, money, fun,…let’s see if thay will stay.
We want to learn from FTs, that’s why we pay them top dollars but look at the cases of some of the failures, DBS , SGX, NOL. which left us poorer and no wiser. Whether the corporation fail or succeed, these blokes become richer. As they are FTs, if they don’t make it, they just brush off the dirt and go home..$$$millions richer.
Bring these top talants in by all means, make them deputies or advisors rather than heads, and when they leave we would have tapped their talent. They get $$$ we get knowledge…fair trade.
We are living in a different age now…FT’s are different from immigrants of yester years.
I have personally encountered many who deriding our FT policies and unabashedly stated that they are here for the money, and see a Singapore PR a springboard to greener pastures.
To be fair, I know many who have settled and taken root here but there are many who are here only when the going is good.
I think I like the Gulf state model on treatment of FTs.
Bex
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I am a Singaporean at birth. Before MM Lee had urged Singaporeans to move out of our comfort zone (meaning in Singapore) I had been working overseas in HK, China, Taiwan since the age of 22. Since then, I felt that SINGAPOREANS ARE SO LUCKY! Compared to all the countries I have visited, we are so well protected and pampered by our CPF policy, Housing Policy and many others government policies. No doubt the cost of living is getting higher and higher each year and govt had been seemingly over-charging from the ERP system which sometimes I thought it need not do so especially during off peak hours and weekends. Nevertheless, the difference between Singapore and other countries is when the GOVT TAKES THEY GIVE IT BACK to build Singapore and the citizens. Who or which govt on earth will give out money to their citizens as Ang Bao every now and then (be it tens or hundreds). I am also running retail business in SG now. I realized why Foreigner can get the job offers when locals dont. Simply because they are willing to work longer hours with lesser pay to prove their worth especially Chinese from China. These Chinese are like our forefathers during the 20s to 60s who came from China. Hardworking and willing to sacrifice. Think about it, our mother tongue is Chinese and we are 70% populated by Chinese race. Why should we be against our origin?? We should be more competent to prove ourselves our wits and be more hardworking instead of blaming the govt of letting in Foreigners. Didnt everyone realise our population growth rate has been decreasing year after year BEFORE the govt started the policy of letting more foreigners to come in? We saw many new immigrants flood the city especially Chinese from China, and it is human nature that we feel ‘intruded’ and uncomfortable. Shouldnt we put in effort to accomodate them, grow with them as a nation and make us a harmonise country from now on? I do also understand somehow these new immigrants had caused certain social issues or even major crime in SG. But before they came, dont we also have social or criminal issue?? We had a very strict Legal System which govern the immigrants and locals too.(Remember that young American kid Michael who get canned for Vandalism despite of US govt interference?) Lastly, I just want to say, WE ARE ALL LUCKY SINGAPOREANS from the bottom of my heart. I am not against having more voices but please don let it turn out to be a political excuse or allegation as I had seen a lot of these nonsense in TAIWAN for many years. Opposition parties have always use such issues to create citizen’s emotional unrest (good example in TAIWAN especially) so as to achieve their votes, instead of suggesting constructively how to harmonise the society. Please think twice fellow Singaporeans! YOU are still in the comfort zone.
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As regards to govt letting in ‘3rd class migrants’, I truly feel that this is absurd. Without them, even if we have first class mind migrants we could not even have our perfect MRT as what we have today. 1st Class Migrants have family members who may not have 1st class quality (eg., their spouse and children). Does it mean we only allow their 1st class family member to migrate only leaving their family behind in their homeland so that they have the excuse of going back to their homeland after they had earned enough or retired? NO! we want them (the 1st class migrants with their families) in to settle down in Singapore and became Singaporeans. We are a nation with different races. We had been singing such national songs every year since at least 25 years back when I remembered participating writing National Songs for National Day events during my college days. New Immigrants came from different social, educational and cultural backgrounds. Singapore has been a successful furnace for harmonizing racial stability since the building of HDB flats in the 70s. Why are we so worried now as we should be more understanding, tolerant and cultured as we are so much in ‘globalisation’ nowadays. Move ahead, move forward for a harmony society and build a stronger and richer country. We are having a peaceful and stable life in Singapore comparing to all other neighbouring countries. Treasure it please fellow Singaporeans!
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As regards to Singaporeans migrating out of Singapore issue, I believe this is individual preference. In view of the Singapore pulic policies, the govt has been trying to tax the richer more and take care more of the welfare of the poorer. The govt has always been trying her effort to minimise the wealth gap between the Richest and the Poorest because that will be a potential for creating social unrest. Classic examples like our neighbouring countries Indonesia where I personally experienced the anger and frustration in the poor when they are so deprived from the rich Chinese especially. Singapore is moving towards to be an intelligent hub and we had nurtured many highly skilled (espically IT) personnels. These are the people with high position and high post and are easiest to migrate to places like US, or Australia where they pay even higher salary and benefits. I believe these are mainly the rich migrants that move out of Singapore hoping to enjoy a better renumeration overseas. Many true wealthy individuals, however, chose Singapore to park their wealth as they find it safe in Singapore (eg, Indonesian). Isnt that a contrary? We should be sorry for those who migrate away I feel but afterall, it is their individual preference.
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With regards to the issue posted last sat about ‘Will Singaporeans fight the WAR or flee with the foreigners?’, ‘how many Singaporeans buy Singapore products?’, ‘why artiste talent gain fame overseas first before Singapore’, and ‘Singaporeans criticize Singapore-made films before even watching them’, I dont see any relationship to our topic to discuss about our govt policy letting in too many migrants. Nevertheless, they are interesting issues which I believe many Singaporeans have different opinions. I think we cannot foretell if we local Singaporeans will flee or not during war time. I believe human nature is such that when an alien force come intruding our home or homeland, we will stand up against it to protect ourselves, our family and our homeland. Isn’t it very clear that Singaporeans are already trying to discriminate MIGRANTS nowadays in our market place? (which is this topic about) As regards to the film and celebrities issue, I should say that we are still young and immature in this industry. We also dont have the huge population as in China, Japan, Taiwan or Korea which could support the celebrities and make them rich and famous. Besides, the govt had put in more effort to make us more of an intelligent hub, a medical hub, or even a scientific hub (eg.,Science park, A-star). As for entertainment, we are quite restricted but that is good and healthy for a peaceful society. Compared to Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Japan, for example, the media and the paparazzis are making the society crazy for these celebrities to the extent they even adore them as God. I don see it healthy anyway. Talking about local films, I can only say we have rooms for improvement and we need more govt support in bringing them to a higher standard. We don have good school or institution to nurture such talent as in overseas like China. NAFA and Nanyang Art academy nurture students who are too classical. The film industry need to be further encouraged that is for sure. Sad to say, we only have Media Corp who is capable to introducing (not nurturing wealthy celebrities) stars so far by organising commercial contest. MDA (Media Development Authority) should step in to look into this seriously if the govt wishes the country to move forward in producing good artiste and films.
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Reading freeman’s comment;
“Putting yourself in the shoes of an employer, who will you employ, a foreigner who is willingly to work hard or a Singaporean who thinks he/she should be protected and cost 60% more.”
I just laughed so hard that I fell off my chair… I just guess this person really has never worked with a foreigner/FT before.
Most of the FTs/foreigners who work in the current mid-level job I am working in are pretty lazy, preferring to laze around, and wait till the last minute to finish the work given.
Some friends in the technical sector related instances where their foreign colleagues prefer to laze around and sleep instead of doing work. They treat working in Singapore like a holiday.
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