Exposure – The Element of Change for Singapore and Singaporeans
February 7th, 2010 | 
Author: By Lawrence Pek
As I am writing this article on my way from Shen Zhen (where I am based now) to Shanghai, my heart is heavy. Too much has transpired in the last 18 to 24 months. Almost every conversation that I have with my family, my friends is about where this country is going and how things have changed. Besides the usual rant on immigration policies, what troubles me is not how and why the PAP has formulated these slew of policies with considerations but without deliberations with their electorate. Rather what we can do about it with these “given conditions”.
My thoughts turn to what we can do about the current scenarios. In the short run, we are faced with pro-foreigner policies and in the long run, how we can change ourselves, to be better to be more value added. My thoughts are about what we can do ourselves, take actions ourselves rather than wait for more policies, rather than continuing to believe that we will be taken care of.
If you are 25 to 40
I would like to take this opportunity to propose a radical idea – If you are between 25 and 45 (male or female), just leave Singapore and make your careers, your money and livelihood outside of Singapore. Yes, if an opportunity exists, just take it and leave – if there is a biz opportunity and it makes sense to you, just seize the day and take the plunge. If your employer offers an opportunity to work overseas, just go (may it be in Dubai, Shanghai, London or Chicago), may it be a Local or Expat package.
My reasoning is simple – with the current economic climate (internally and externally) – I will make the following assumption – My value, your value, our value is higher overseas than staying back in Singapore. With the huge influx of cheap and cheerful labor force, we need to consider where and how to maximize our value. Given Singapore’s limitations of size and natural resources, given that local jobs are getting cheaper and cheaper (hence so many cheap and cheerful foreigners), staying back and sighing over a cup of tea-c is hardly productive, for yourself, your family or for your country.
For the Local Born and Bred Students
If your sons and daughters are entering or finishing college, please do consider to send them overseas to further their education. Having lived in China for so many years, I am clear that besides the language barrier, the local Chinese lacks the single most important element – Exposure. You cannot read this in any tertiary institution, you cannot buy this off the shelves; you need to be mentally and emotionally be ready to invest in your children’s future. They will learn to interact, to speak a different language; they will see the world and hence react differently.
I never liked the local tertiary institutions for 2 reasons. Firstly, their curriculum does not foster cutting edge technology R&D nor Creative Arts and Design talents. 2ndly, upon graduation, these graduates will be herded “factory like” into the Singapore local workforce and be instilled with local paradigms and culture. The funny reference to “kiasu and kiasi” – these may be funny reference to local mentalities, but it is not funny after a while, if you need to compete globally.
Yes, I am sensitive to several issues that my idea will encounter, working parents will need to bear with temporary separations, and the all important family unit will be temporarily disrupted. Spouses will pine for each other and parent will miss their children. Even though there will be tears and pain but there will also be joyous reunions every holidays and family visits.
However, please consider the long term value add to our people and our country (above and beyond the ruling PAP). We will have seen, experienced and become more exposed to the world beyond Changi Airport. With our opened eyes, we will know what is right and wrong, what should and what should not be.
My vision is to see locals returning to Singapore not just with value added global exposure, which will propel our economy forward. Furthermore, they will be more willing, able and capable to take their destinies into their own hands. To decide what the issues are, what the policies should be, who they want to see as administrators for their neighborhoods, their districts and their country.
My conclusion is a simple summary, if you can go, please go. If your kids want to go, let them, There will be risks, there will be pain and tears. However, by doing this, we evolve and we will better take charge of ourselves, we will be better equipped to vision and administer ourselves.
The Winds of Change are Blowing….Singapore for Singaporeans!
Other articles by Lawrence Pek:
>> A deeper understanding of the “Foreign Talent” issue
>> Strategies for the next election 2010/11
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If Finland with a population the size about that if Spore can make a name for itself – Nokia – while Singapore cannot, our directions somewhere has gone wrong.
I am not sure if we have gone too far down the road of cheap labour to return to a road of high productivity and innovation-based economy.
Your advice is valid – for the last 14 years, I’ve made my living from seeking projects from UK to Indonesia and Malaysia and India…. I cannot make a living in Singapoer. No one wants my expertise which is in quality and productivity improvements.
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Agree in a way that the Singapore brand name has been very well promoted to many overseas countries such as the middle east and Asia excluding japan. Might as well capitalise on it and be a expatriate rather than be a “cheaper, faster and better” in Singapore.
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Goh Chok Tong mentioned before if we do not vote in PAP our mothers, sisters & daughters will be maids in other countries.
Today PAP is still the ruling party. We are now in the first stage of exporting labours to other countries as opportunities are better than back home. 2nd stage our mothers, sisters & daughters will be working as maids in countries like China, India & Vietnam.
So Mr Goh Chok Tong what do you have to say about this?
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The foreign countries do not treat us like ‘foreign invaders’.
My point is simple: Do not blame the foreigners, the PRCs, Indians whoever …. blame the PAP MILLIONAIRES. The foreign workers only want to better their lives, like we do.
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What you wrote are facts, and I agree with you generally what u said. I also can safely say I read between the lines and what is not said.
My job is rooted, locally-based, serving locals and nowhere to get exposed – but I made do with reading widely to expose myself (I junked local publications and media into trash long ago).
Sometime last year I had the opportunity to write to a couple of world-popular institutions – FT, BBC, WSJ – at the height of the banking/financial meltdown which I coined as a probable financial Armaggaedon, and I had the opportunity of receiving an overseas call in the middle of the night from BBC World service to join them in a talk-show broadcast live. This is not meant to promote anything about myself – but just to illustrate the lack of opportunities locally to speak our thoughts!!!
Is it sad?
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My kid wants to leave singapore after graduation… I will not stand in the way
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If our government can’t even take care of its citizen, then vote them out. Government should work for the people and not the other way round. There is no care, concern and consideration for the common people, but only for the rich and wealthy. They just don’t see the point that FTs are taking the job, buy a house, earn enough and then taking whatever they can take and go back to their home country to live happily, while we are slogging day and night just to make a decent living. Even our local enterprise consider foreign as good. This is misleading. They just take learn the skill, technology and will live for sure. So we end up getting poorer and poorer and working like dog in a harsh and unkind world under the PAP!
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while i generally agree, but i must put in a word for those weak,disadvantaged and poor. They can’t afford to send their kids overseas, they also do not have the “talent” to go overseas to work.
the solution proposed by author is more for the upper-middle class, what about the lower-middle class? What solution is in for them?
Therefore, the only way is to boot out PAP, at least deny them of a majority.
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Lawrence,
if you want to blame , can you blame the people for your discontent?
The people is the one who always voted for them. They can jolly well choose not to.
Can you rebut me? can anyone rebut me for that matter?
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Personally speaking, heading overseas is not a solution. I think it is self-centered and self-absorbed. But I will not blame you if you do.
The question is, what about those who can’t leave? Those who are financially, educationally and health constraint?
If our best and brightest leaves, who will fight for these people’s rights. The problem will not go away on its own.
If you only think of your own survival and think going overseas is your way out, then you have the right to do so.
I for one, will stay here and as long as I am alive, wish to be a part of the growing voices to affect change for the good of ALL Singaporeans. At least here, I can do something about it.
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Hmmm i am in agreement with the author of the above article.
But dont assume the PRC are no longer constraint in their exposure.
With cheaper flights, go any major conference and trade fair around the world, be in Milan, venice or Chicago, they are there in full force.
Plus with more and more of their overseas graduates returning each year to motherland, things are changing. (i can already observe the changes).
Singaporean’s value in overseas, is at best a novelty for a very short duration of time to come.
Soon we will be foreign worker instead of foreign talents.
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incredulous ,
“If our best and brightest leaves, who will fight for these people’s rights.”
best and brightest. but what have they done to help the voiceless? nothing.
leave leave lah. they WILL be easily replaced by new citizens all queueing up now even at supermarkets.
i am glad these who never voice up for their comrades especially the less educated and smart ones who are left behind.
I have no tears for their exodus. good ridance.
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Lawrence Pek, you are a coward, numb skull and daft in the first place.
By asking our better off Singaporean to go to another country to be citizen, you think Singapore will die and fade away. On the contrary it is going to be more prosperous with large number of foreigners willing to come in to take their place.
If you don’t want to join the fight to reclaim Singapore that’s your business. You encourage people here to be quitter and leave Singapore, you are the murderer of Singapore.
PAP will be glad if Singaporean want to leave Singapore because they can get cheaper, better and faster replacement directly from China and India anytime. This new people will surely side the PAP in every election.
Lawrence shut up and sit down.
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Elsewhere in the world, there are pro-foreigner policies. Of cheap Asians with Master’s flooding the job market. Taking up jobs that used to be the rich White man’s. The White men are not happy. Not happy at all. See Germany and France.
Why should we leave Singapore to become third-class citizens elsewhere, and be subject to the same disdain and ridicule we slather on the migrants here? I say we just kick out PAP and make ourselves first-class citizens again.
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Singapore is in tatters because of the PAP govt. They have proven beyond a shadow of doubt that they have severe limitations and cannot lead the country anymore. They have run out of ideas and do have have the faintest on what to do next. They are all at sea.
Enough no more. The PAP’s incompetency is clearly seen. No more false promises by this pathetic govt. We have to vote in a new govt or pay the price. Change or sink with the PAP govt.
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Unlike the thousands of netizens here who distrust the PAP Govt, I am sorry to say that I fully trust this govt, 100%, now, and in the future. I trust this govt to fully:
FUCK-UP OUR BELOVED COUNTRY AND TURN IT INTO A LIVING HELL LEAVING US AND OUR CHILDREN PENNILESS AND WITH NOTHING TO PROTECT AND DEFEND OURSELVES. IN THIS RESPECT, YES, I FULLY TRUST THIS GOVT. THEY HAVE NO PEERS. TRULY, THE NO 1 IN THE WORLD.
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this articles says “LEAVE SINGAPORE” then ends with “SINGAPORE FOR SINGAPOREANS!”
eh…..
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I think PAP in still a reckoning force in SIngapore’s future, at least for the next 20 years. HOWEVER, we need to vote in as many seats as possible for opposition parties. WHY??? Simple, we are now an economically developed country so we need to evolve and change like the develop western countries. Opposition parties will audit and check on the ruling party and be a voice for the people. With opposition parties fiercely in place in parliament, PAP will be constantly challenge and to PAP, esp LHL its not productive. Bullshit! Its intellectually stimulating for the citizens. That’s how knowledge based developed countries do! People will start to think constructively for themselves and the country as a whole as to how to improve the nation and its people and not always under stern instructions from PAP and we just do and shut up.
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Another Number One in the world here,
Thickness of Skin on face.
Reference point:
Size of Economy : USA 14.4 Trillion. Spore ~200 Billion
Size of Reward : Obama ~400k. LHL ~2.7 Million(U$)
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All you think tanks got to work together and build us the nation we all wanting!
Build shipyard that make world class vessel.
Build factory plant is productive, higher our low incomers and make them smile, fuck those who monopolize the economy.
Make people peaceful and loving!
Shaft the swiss standard of living up he arse, to the guy who came out with it.
Make sure the country fund is used for the good of it people.
I will rest in peace!
Useless already I past my 45, younger one need to think and quick!
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Old fart like me consider daft and Lazy by LKY to Nat Geo.
All you young one out there make the best of your time, make us the old and poor proud.
He can jail people with no trial but he can not take away pride and dignity from people for sure.
Nature call, excuse me need to go to the toilet and give birth to some PAP politician!
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Frankly I did thought of resettling my family and kids in Australia but stop short when I think of my parents both retiree. What’s going to happen to them in the midst of me finding greener pasture. I decided to stick it out with my dearest Mom and Dad here, This is my country and I WANT TO DECIDE IT’S FATE WITH MY VOTE!! Vote for change, vote for better future. God Bless
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Threaten by HDB falling price if you vote opposition you know, without PAP Singaporean will have to eat roots from tree you know.
And also class as daft and lazy!
I m so worried and scared are you?
Do you have thoughts that 1 day opposition take the lead and make these a better place, the poor smiling after they collect their salary.
Design new jobs, acquire oversea land for agriculture and live stock and put people to work.
Acquire oil block oversea for exploration of fossil fuel at the same time build offshore water making plant, lay pipe line for water.
We can not relied on import export, kay Po here and there to make living, 1 bad deal or fall out we are toast.
I work with many Aussie they hate Vietnamese, why?
Many migrant from Vietnam run drugs,vice, kidnapping etc, you being alike and I will be treated as trouble maker for them.
And they are born loud mouth, I work with white people a lot the only kind I avoid.
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Why let a few disloyal chaps in white disarray us?
We can decide how we want to be treated by casting our votes wisely.
Of course,if we just complain about this and that and continue to put the same chaps to ‘RUiN’(run) our lives,we just got to shut up!
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The PAP is the essence of this society. So even if you stay in Singapore, it is doubtful that there will be major changes. The reason I say this is there is a facebook group called “Vote the PAP out” and it garnered 3000+ members recently over many weeks. Compare this to a similar group set up in Hong Kong that is against the Pro-Beijing party DAB. It had managed to gather more than 80,000 members before it got hut down. They regrouped and garnered more than 70,000 members in JUST A FEW DAYS. Singaporeans are just not politically active or even aware because they have the misconception that politics are separate from bread-and-butter issues. So I think the writer here means well to tell individuals who know better to leave before it is too late.
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1. 1st it was LKY and NOT GCT who said about our women becoming MAIDS in other countries if we voted in the Opposition in a ‘freak’ GE. He was talking about revolving government.
2. And It WAS GCT whom STARTED The INFLUX of Foreigners INTO Singapore WITHOUT AS MUCH AS Betting an eye on related issues in infrastructures. What plans did he ever Fast Forward before implementing???
This was the same guy as 2nd PM who ALSO almost LET-Loose the CPF for Ordinary Folks to DEVIL in Stocks and Share and COMPLEX Financial Instruments. And even though it WAS Reported that 80% LOST PLENTY of their CPF monies, PAP still got in again with GRC, Electoral Boundaries REDRAWING AT THE LAST MINUTE!!! Only 9 days campaigning HELP PAPPY too!!!
WHERE IS THE “LEVEL PLAYING FIELD”??? THAT SAID, ISN’T “FEAR” OF THE VOTING NUMBERS IN THE VOTING SLIP, ONE BOX FOR EACH APARTMENT BLOCK, GOVERNMENT SNAPPING UP OF MANY MEDIUM ENTERPRISES SINCE THE EARLY 80s… VERY HUGE INFLUENCES THAT “HELP” PAPPY TO WIN??? And now…
Practical or Pragmatic… is Pappy a True Hero OR A COWARD??? Just A question FOR YOUR THOUGHTS!!!
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somehow i dont see the logic of running away. the best and brightest should be staying and trying to fight against the regime by joining the opposition and establishing them as a viable and more suitable alternative than what we are currently experiencing.
by running away and quitting on your own country, some other foreigner will just happily take your place. and wherever else you go, your voice will never be as big as when you’re in your homeland.
isnt it ironic to be a FT elsewhere while complaining about FT here?
im sure if you want to leave, the current government is more than happy to see you go – one less person to vote against them.
if change must come, we must be around to effect it. we must be around to vote for a better alternative.
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17-18 youths still impressionable and maturing are being hauled up by authorities and not being Counseled by MCYS instead for making “racist” remarks. And it IS perfectly okay for pappies to demean Singaporeans as “lesser-mortals”, sheep and daft?
Are not such pappy and pappies remarks also Contentious and Defaming of Fellow Citizens by OLD and EXPERIENCED Statesmen Worse IN COMPARISON? Does position, power and agenda ‘naturally’ ABSOLVE such men in ‘Elected’ HIGH OFFICE from erring and/or blame? Appear strange?
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