William Jansen: Quality of life in Singapore is hard to beat
February 17th, 2010 | 
Author: Written by Our Correspondent
A Singaporean/PR/expatriate by the name of William Jansen has written a letter to the Straits Times Forum today praising the “high standards” of life in Singapore in response to an earlier letter by Ms Maureen Pollard expressing her “regret” in giving up Singapore citizenship.
“Giving up Singapore citizenship is a serious matter and, apparently, there is no turning back. This quality of life must be hard to beat even if one emigrates to a developed country,” Mr Jansen wrote.
He did not quote any reports to substantiate his claims. However, Singapore is ranked the 70th best place in the world to live in based on the Quality of Life index computed yearly by Ireland-based magazine “International Living”. (read report here) which is corroborated by a similar ranking by The Economist Unit.
The index is produced based on the following nine categories: cost of living, culture and leisure, economy, environment, freedom, health, infrastructure, safety and risk and climate.
Each country in each category is graded on a curve and it is scored relative to every other country. The scores run 0 to 100 for each category. This means the country that gets 0 is the worst in that category, and the country that gets 100 is the best.
The data is collated from official government sources, the World Health Organization, The Economist, and many other journals, tables, and records.
Below is Singapore’s scores for each category:
While Singapore scores high on risk and safety, health and infrastructure, it scores poorly in environment and freedom, bringing down its final score to a mediocre 61.
Mr Jansen also claimed that he was “told” that many Singaporeans who migrated to other countries have regretted their decision again without substantiating them:
“I have been told that there are many cases of Singaporeans who have emigrated to other countries and have regretted their decision to leave because they have suffered discrimination and are treated like second-class citizens in the country of their choice.”
If what Mr Jansen has heard is indeed true, then the Home Affairs Ministry would not be busy trying to entice Singaporeans working overseas to return to Singapore.
Every year, about 1,000 Singaporeans give up their citizenship in search of a better life elsewhere. There are nearly 200,000 Singaporeans working and living overseas and it is highly doubtful that they will return to Singapore eventually.
Even the mainland Chinese, whom the ruling party is so desperately trying to attract to Singapore to boost its declining birth rate, are giving Singapore a miss.
In a Gallup conducted in July last year, the top three emigration destinations for China college students are the United States, France and South Korea. Singapore was not even featured in the top five.
Mr Jansen ended his letter by urging Singaporeans to appreciate the “quality of life” they enjoy in Singapore and be “thankful” for what they are.
Only Singaporeans of a certain “economic class” are able to enjoy a decent standard of living in Singapore.
Under the rule of the PAP, Singapore now has the highest income gap between the rich and the poor among the 30 most developed nations in the world and one of the lowest domestic purchasing power.
With the sycophantic state media censoring critical articles and publishing only spins and half-truths as such which are completely “divorced from reality”, it is no surprise that the PAP leaders are still sleeping comfortably high up in their ivory towers.
Posted in Editorial
Home is where our heart is! Please be fair to the country and give it your heart and soul with no regret. I honor whoever committed to make Singapore a quality living country for Singaporeans. We Singaporeans are the FIRST-CLASS citizen in Singapore. Let nobody take away our right, unless we gave it up. It is our choice!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Quality of life in singapore
is HARD…
NOT hard to beat..!
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
There are 2 types of western foreigners who comment about Singapore – the first sees right through the system and its abuse of human rights and will leave as soon as they can. The second type is happy to be living in a pseudo-american city with its Starbucks and english book shops and nice airy apartments and sees no evil, hears no evil and speaks no evil…
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
I want to know the socio-economic level of this guy. how much he earns, how kind of place he lives in, is his car free, does he take public transport, who he hangs out with.
after i know his details, then i can make a proper judgement of his letter.
If not, your guess is as good as mine. A rich expat with everything paid for, hanging out with his fellow ang moh kakis drinking beer, thinking this is a good life.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
jansen sounds belgiumish.
“many Singaporeans who migrated to other countries have regretted their decision again” haha
sometimes when i watch the news i cant help but laugh. the news these days seem to report a lot of negative things about australia.
bush fire in australia, indian man killed in australia by drunk, australia kangeroo punches man to death, cobra bites australian man’s butt… etc etc. some of the news are just local australian crime but it is reported in singapore. they dont report local crime in usa or uk or germany but only australia for some reason. maybe because too many singaporeans are going there?
more fear mongering.
like the “the army will come in if you elect opposition leaders, your flats will be worthless, wives will work as maids etc etc”
legal? yes. but quite rediculous nevertherless.
singapore has the best standard of living, you go overseas you will be an outcast, you are quitter according to chok tong, you are loser, you cant make it in singapore that’s why you run, stay and fight, singapore is our home, 100 national day songs, 100 singapore is good articles on the straits times. only an idiot would listen to their crap.
and they make it hard for singaporean men to go overseas as well. need to apply exit permit, mindef notification, etc if not you can be put in jail. you need to provide work contracts as proof etc as well. rediculous. why do i need to provide a reason and supporting documents just to go overseas? freedom of movement is a fundamental right. even in africa theey dont do this.
i’ve seen a man who went to work on a cruise for two years but did not apply for an exit permit. when he came back to sg, he missed 3 ICTs and he was charged as a repeat offender because it was 3 ICTs. he got 2 years in DB. guy couldn’t even speak english. father of 2. sole breadwinner in family. that was in the 90s.
and when you are overseas, you need to remember to renew your exit permit all the time. failing which, you may go to jail once again. it’s all very stressful.
but at the end it is worth it if you really want out of singapore.
it is like the north koreans who are starving yet they are saying their country is the best place on earth. the north korea govt makes it impossible to get out of the country as well, fences all around, soldiers guarding the borders lol. there is nothing more scary than brain washing and an entire nation living in fear.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Quality of life in Singapore is hard to beat as compared to which country? Zimbabwe or North Korea?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
did this jansen guy do national conscription???
if not pls shut up and sit down.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
generally speaking, the more shitty a country is, the more ways they will implement to try to keep their citizens from leaving.
from exit permits, notification permits, propaganda, brain washing, nationalistic banners, censoring the mass media etc.
when i was in china, there were these nationalistic banners everywhere and what was scary was that many ppl there truly believe china is the best place on earth to live in lol. the media is censored, even the damn internet is censored, i cant even access youtube or blogger.
in decent countries such as australia, uk etc, they dont give a shit if you want to leave because they know you will most probably be back sooner or later. if you dont come back, there are millions who want to come in anyway lol, they will respect your rights to freedom of movement. they are not so insecure to put out propaganda or brainwash you in a million possible ways. people are proud of their country by choice and not by fear or through brainwashing.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
@myfairynest
you really think you are a first class citizen? lol. you must be nuts.
dont talk about first class, are you even accorded proper fundamental rights as a citizen?
do you have right to freedom of assembly, public speeches, political affiliation? can you change your government? do you have the right to join opposition parties and stand for elections without fear of being prosecuted or harressed? do you have a free media? democracy? civil and political rights? when you are jobless and homeless do you receive enough social aid to help you survive?
lol. you are crazy.
they just take my cpf which is 35% of my salary and refuse to give it back to me until i am 60, take my tax money, make me do ns for 2 years, reservist for 40 years but i get nothing in return. i am like a rat who keeps running in his ferris wheel in his cage. i dont even have the right to assemble peacefully or speak in public without a police permit. when i am unemployed, i receive no aid to surivive. you die your business.
they put out songs, posters and articles everyday to tell me this is my home but i know i am nothing but a digit with little rights. i know my place in society, i am not delusional. my job is to work and work till i die so that i can pay cpf and tax for the country to survive. like a bee bringing honey to the nest. enjoy a little shopping, watch some movies and enjoy watching buildings rise to the skies. there is nothing else you can do in a concrete prison anyway. but dont ask the big questions about democracy and fundamental rights. keep your head down.
this is the singaporean life.
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
if the public transport can’t even support the poor NUS NTU students without niche people coming up with $3.70 per ride to shorten their suffering, what standards are we talking about?
it’s just like you poor too bad u haf to put up with our nonsense and transfer 2 hour rides, wait for third bus dat kinda thing. our profits are more important than service. go pay premium or whatever ACE at exorbitant price for all SBS/SMRT care. LTA, PTC couldn’t care a damn about basic standards!
Transit link office suka suka close anytime – put up computer down and that is ok?
50 foreign workers ar dbs atm queue on weekends – high standards of living?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
As someone who IS emigrating, I’d like to point out that expatriates in Singapore don’t see the same picture as Singaporeans.
(1) They don’t have the same obligations as Singaporeans. National Service?
(2) They often send their kids to international schools. They don’t experience the misguided, pressure cooker system that is the Singapore Education System.
(3) Their money isn’t locked away in CPF.
(4) Often they get a housing and car allowance. These are two of the biggest factors in Singaporean cost of living.
(5) They often make a lot of money relative to Singaporeans. This country has a very high Gini coefficient. If you earn a lot of money you can live well here, because workers are cheap. The caveat is you have to be one of the FEW who earns a lot of money.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I would rate Singapore as one of the top destinations if I have cash in my pocket.
Its not a place for the weak hearted.
Got money, got quality of life. No money, stuck rut and dead.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
William Jansen is right. Life is good for the 5% elite and 10% FT here. Life is hell for majority. That why average is about the 70th best place in the world to live in.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I’m so sick of people saying we’re 2nd class citizens if we move out to another country.
Truth is, no, I didn’t feel like that when I was in Australia for 7 years, the Aussies treat me like a brother. Especially to asians who can speak English very well.
And the sad truth is, we’re 7th class citizens here in Singapore. The first few classes are the government and families, foreign talents. etc.
So please, don’t come and tell me that we’re going to be 2nd class citizens or crap in the other countries. I’m so very sick of hearing it.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
ahem, the 2 lowest score on the list is environment and climate. Which i assume is the lack of 4 season and mountain and river which cause us to rank lower. This natural and nothing we can do.
Taking away this 2 item, our new average is 68.
So how do we fair on the scale now?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I don’t understand why Bosnia-Herzegovina is rated higher then Singapore, this is a very Ang Mo orientated scale.
The highest score is only 82, so 60plus isn’t that bad.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Of course!
It is a heaven for rich people.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Now,why would we need an ‘ang moh’ to tell us that your country is pretty peach and pink?..Because during the struggle for freedom, the white ang mohs described our freedom fighters as traitors, and today, 50 years after independence some ang mohs like William Jansen are still telling us again in a sort of manner to play the superior race who understand backward SG natives better than the native Singaporeans.
With kindness I say the following to William Jansen.
Clearly, you the person who wrote that ‘news’ is not playing with a full deck. You are, as they say, not the sharpest knife in the drawer. Or we may say that Jansen is a few eggs short of a dozen.Why?…Because his illogical language makes me absolutely head over heels with confusion. .How?
It it reads as Jansen is always right because he is an ang moh, the ang mohs are always right because a superior race dictated it, and we know that Jansen dictated it because he comes from a superior race. That’s circular logic, no different than saying ‘Jansen is right because He says He’s right.’”
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
If you have a pool of money, of cos Singapore will be a great place to live. Shit… i missed that $5 million toto again.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Everytime when I read such articles in the ST, cant help but feel that PAP is so desperate to hoodwinked the locals that it is using such cheap, thoughtless methods.
WHAT?….does PAP think that we are still like the old uncles and aunties who helped build up the nation but are generally not educated and thus very trusting of everything the PAP tells them?
WAKE the F Up man! You can hoodwinked the elderly, you can bully them, you can even take away their contributions as pioneers…..but PLS PLS PLS….dont dream about succeeding with the X/Y/Z generations. Things are different now.
Oh….before I forget. Mr Jansen…..care to try out NS/Reservist? Got nothing better to do, go try your luck at hooking some spg, dont make a fool of yourself in the papers.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
is he jansen LEE from LEE famiLEE ?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
“Under the rule of the PAP, Singapore now has the highest income gap between the rich and the poor among the 30 most developed nations in the world and one of the lowest domestic purchasing power.”
Under the rule of the PAP, Singapore also made it to be in the top 30 most developed nations.
One of the lowest domestic purchasing power, compared with other developed nations, all nations or cities?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Under the rule of PAP, the cruel truth is best covered up and not make known to the public. Such order and instructions were given to SPH. If the truth hurts the party, conceal it, sweep it neatly under the carpet. Only positive news of PAP, be it fictitious, are allowed full coverage with bold prints and highlights. I hope all readers and Singaporeans understand such important lesson.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Again, this article on ST is not representative of the majority of the population! Every regime/nation will have its supporters no matter what – but what is the true representation???
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Of course it is hard to beat. But only on the surface. And especially if you are not from here, even more so if you are pretty comfortable on the money side.
Many of us would like people from abroad or even within (good on whoever is enjoying their life here), to know that what many of us seek, is not the false sense of security of a life vest while treading on still waters. The rich and powerful on their expensive yachts, looking down are telling us, who are bobbing away, that we should be thankful that at least we are alive and equipped with affordable yet good quality life vests that keeps us well afloat and that we should not be too worried about suspected under currents.
The sad thing is, many of us are so used to the life vests that they think that is the way of life and think they are actually enjoying and appreciating the weather, the whistles, the flash lights, the colors of the vests.. in fact, many are so deluded and distracted that they are seeking the latest flash lights, the best whistles, expensive vests with pockets!
We have been told that we should make the best out of it instead of complaining, instead of thinking how all of us can be on vessels of life, not needing to continue treading on the surface till the end of our days.
Perhaps Mr William Jensen came on a boat, and failed to see that we are not because our life vests are big and so inflated that each of us look like we are on one.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Aiyo all you losers!
People say S’pore good you condemn them. If S’pore is so bad – emigrate really. Say it with your feet. Leave in BIG droves until all apartments and condos are empty.
Really, all S’poreans like to do is complain here and there. Be like my Malaysian friends – say with their feet. So many give up their citizenships to goto Australia, S’pore, Canada and some even US/UK. Or be like my Indian (real big India) friends – goto USA, S’pore, UK, Australia etc. Say and DO IT.
I do agree that S’pore is good if you are rich – but heck, THINK BIG. Which country will NOT be good if you are rich? Which country is NOT BAD if you are poor or middle class? Ask the people Tokyo, Seoul, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Bangkok, Taipei, Shanghai folks – I worked in all these cities and all say the same. Take for example, in Taipei, the newly wed there still stay with parents or rent. Too expensive to buy! High cost is driving them crazy too. And the rich in these cities all very happy, middle-low class and low class all complaining like nothing.
There are only a few countries where middle class are happy. Well, they are good. Go there if you like. By all means. We can make do with less whiners!
My dad was poor, and we had very hard life. Eat 1 apple also got cut to many small pieces to share. But hey, I worked hard and I think I made it. If you do not work hard and stuck at bottom, I can only say you need to work harder. No free lunch – even in welfare state people are paying 30-40% tax to give you THAT free lunch (read social benefits).
I am not saying S’pore is great – but it is just like all other big modern cities. Please live and work in other cities to know what is it like over there as well.
High and shitty cost, and gotta slug to make a living. Of course you can retreat to some small China/Indian village and be a farmer. Idyllic life. Make RMB 5 per day and still be very happy and self sufficient. If that is what you define and “not so hectic and high cost” – go there and make it happen. Dun complain like sh*t here.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I find it very Funny leh ?
First you said we are “Blunt spurs and sheeps.
Next you said you are thankful that you have open the floodgates for F/ts.
Then you warn us that if MBT gets booted, HDB price will fall.
So…if we believe what you said and decide to “Cash out” and migrate…also Wrong ah ???
Now you try to pyscho us ” Migrate No Good” ,cancel citizenship no good?////
I am very ‘Confused’ leh!!…or is it “CPF & HDB ” actually got notmuch money inside already ?????
This, I am very concern.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
A question to William Jansen:
Some have call Singaporeans who emigrate as “quitters” as they left to seek a better life elsewhere…
so what do we call people like you, people who leave their own country to seek the so call “better life” here….but that’s provided if William Jansen is real.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I wonder if he has confused the window dressing for the real thing lar.
The icing on the cake is not the real cake.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
This is call shenanigans.
Pure utter BS.
Be thankful to PAP for not even being able to buy a damn HDB flat, JUST FOR ONE PERSON TO LIVE IN?
I’ll pass. Thanks.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Singapore’s BEST.
It’s paradise on earth.
You check out elsewhere where the Chinaman reigns. Here we even multipy from NOTHINGNESS to feed the rest.
This’s the BEST place on earth
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
2010 Quality of Life Index
http://www1.internationalliving.com/qofl2010/?field=final
I really CAN’T believe it.
This resourceless, tiny, red dot is again among the top 5 in the ASIAN continent.
Appraisal by independent international authority.
Keep it up Singapore!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
If you are paid well, and can afford all the luxuries at the expense of the locals, of course, life in Singapore is like heaven on earth. How many of these people understand the true Singaporean way of life? Increasingly, people are opting for class C wards, downgrading to smaller homes, or even downgrading to living in the parks, tightening belts, more students getting help from school pocket funds. What quality? Quality for who?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
@gravatar
singaporeans ARE leaving by in doves. many who are able are leaving. to immigrate into another country, you normally need a degree and a few years working experience, so not all singaporeans can migrate you know? only 15% of singaporeans above 15years old have a degree. but those that have a degree are now heading abroad for greener pastures.
why do you think the government is running its propaganda machine so hard these days? they even brought the “singapore day” to london lol.
a recent survey showed 50% of our kids below 18 want to emigrate out of singapore as soon as possible. lol. after NS and a few more years of working in sg, it will probably rise to 75%.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Gravatar – well said.
I believe that everyone can vote with their feet. If the many PRC CHinese can come here seeking a better life, then disgruntled Singaporeans can do the same and seek a better life else where. THe Grass is always greener on the other side. We are not perfect, but neither is the other side. I see really frivolous comments about applying for exit permits being a burdern bla bla… but if the big picture is that we are here to defend our families when needed, what’s the issue of an exit permit?
THe PAPies have said some wrong things and I don;t believe in all their policies, but by and large, we do have a decent standard of living. As a country we can do more for our under-privileged, in terms of healthcare, subsistence assistance etc. give them a leg up. But we are also aware that all these leg ups will cost money and need to come from somewhere. Of course, we all love the idea that we should pay our leaders less and use this money to do more. TO a certain extent, I agree
Housing is going to be a big problem. THere is no free lunch. The milions that owners make now by selling out, well, their children would also have to pay millions for their houses in the next generation. I am still wondering how the govt will untie this knot. In fact, if MBT gets voted out and they put a rookie opposition in MND, the rookie will be in a catch 22 situation.
Bottomline is – don;t bash for the sake of bashing. I always believe that if you believe in your convictions, you will translate that into action. So if you deem Australia to be a better choice, ship out. Friends have done that, and i wish them all the best. But right now, I am staying on this ship – this is where my home is.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
yah damn hard, hard until we had to work like a mad dog without day or night.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
My friend who worked as a security guard told me he has to work 12 hours per day 6 days a week just to earn a bit more than $1000.
Sometimes he has to work over 18 hours continuously.
Who is this dude William Jansen ? If he is paid over tens of thousand a month and can be entertained by Singaporean social escort anytime he wants, of course this place is heaven to him.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Singapore is a wonderful place to live if you earn at least $300k a year. Anything less, you would be better off elsewhere.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Yes I regretted giving up my Singapore citizenship in Oct 1991…my biggest regret is that I did not give it up earlier!
Last year the day my daughter turned 21, she immediately re-nounced her Singapore citizenship because she does not want to be bonded by all those minimun CPF amount when she turns 55. just imagine, even if you are out of the country but by virtue of you being a Singapore citizen, you can be breaking a law without your knowing….owe the CPF the minimum sum and not paying them is breaking the law!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Stop sprouting crap here lah u ft trashhead, go the the HDB heartlands and observe….tell me u see good quality of life there.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
statistics can be very different if the basis is different.
For me, singapore quality of life is quite low.
No place to relax on weekends as great as in overseas where there is nice natural scenery and fresh air. Here, what we have are very limited places for such things if any.
the life style is pretty boring. wake up, work, pubbing if not shopping, malls and cinemas. the cycyle repeats.
cramped and congested city. will get even more crowded as it already has.
people worry about job security constantly and with each passing year.
people not having babies.
what is the quality of life?
i can say better overseas.
jansen can say all he wants. i disagree with you. period.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Yes, Singapore would be my first choice if I win one of the many lotto jackpots in Australia.
I worked in HDB in the early 70 and realised it would be very hard for my children to lead a normal life without the early pressure in studies. Today, I witness one of my close relative at age of 68 still working in a cake factory for $7 an hours to make ends meet. I also know a lot of my ex-workmate from Malaysia already retired but did not take up Singapore citizenship for sake of their children.
There are pro and cons of living in Singapore but if you are not one with special skill on very high income, life can be hard.
Would appreciate if my full name is not published.
cheers
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
In “Impact of Inequality”, Wilkinson compared various social indicators in Greece to those in the USA. He found that while Greece has almost half the per capita GDP, citizens have a longer life expectancy than the USA. While globally, the USA is the wealthiest nation, it has one of the highest levels inequality and lowest life expectancy in the global North.
Furthermore, Wilkinson demonstrates that crime rates are most strongly correlated to a nation’s level of inequality, rather than its aggregated wealth. Given this, Wilkinson concludes that the most equal countries tend to have the highest levels of trust and social capital.
As Nicholas Georgescu-Roegen, one of the fathers of ecological economics argues, as we have become caught up in our obsession with consumption and material throughput, we have failed to recognise the ‘immaterial flux of the enjoyment of life’.57
Souce: “Growth Isn’t Possible”, 2010, The New Economics Foundation, UK
I leave you to draw your own conclusions…
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
DPM Teo Chee Hean :
It is your job to enlist this William Jansen for full time national service with immediate effect.
If he resists, we have the Military Police & Police Officer to arrest and charged him in court.
If need be, send him to jail for not wanting to serve NS !
As a Defence Minister we expect you to enlist him.
National Service :
Army
Navy
Police Force
SCDF
AirForce
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
@pro-singapore on Wed, 17th Feb 2010 11:55 pm
Why should we native singaporeans ship out when we are not happy ?
We will Voted PAP OUT !!!
Listen !
pap don’t own Singapore but native singaporeans do.
pap is just a political party and can be replaced by another polictical party in a election.
Nobody or any political is indispensable.
If I am the government, I guarantee you that you be the first to be shipped out whether you like it or not !
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Mr Lee Kee hit the right point.. not only in Singapore any where its same.. you can see luxes are driving in Cambodia, Vietnam, Lao, Nepal..
Name of the game is “the one who is smart enough to make money,will win the race. The one who talk but no action not change accordingly to needs of the modern world.. will loose and push aside.. no one can save them..
Singaporian’s must stop complaining instead thinking use government to bring the innovation, business, go out and do the business and be rich.. any way if Singaporian’s do not that some one else will do..in facts its happening…nothing to claim and blame…
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Someone has once suggested this to exp who is working in sg.
Is William willing to exchange his citizenship with anyone in sg. One for one exchange.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
The truth is, there are many people from 3rd world cuntries who would give an arm to come to Sinkapore. But we should be above that. We should be benchmarking against Canada, Europe, NZ etc… or even Tokyo and Shanghai. At the moment Sinkapore is still a haven for 3rd world refugees, not a first-class destination to settle down and live a good life.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I never though to renounce my Indonesian citizenship n this is the advice given to me by many of my local frens. It is not going to be a surprise next time, many of the local retirees might be forced to move to JB, Malaysia in order to lower the cost of living, like one of my former colleuages mentioned.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
why in the first place straits times forum print his letter. do we need this kind of shit every now and then . do we need a foreigner to tell us what we should do. there are more important bread and butter issues that the forum page can publish that can be more meaningful and helpful than this propaganda.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
We don’t even know if the writer, William Jansen, is a real person or that the letter to ST was a …………. ?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
To those who suggest ‘whiners’ and whoever is displeased with the system here should leave… all of you must be morons.
In your ridiculous logic, people who like the system has more right to stay? People who enjoy and appreciate their life here are more patriotic? In your logic, almost everyone in every country who chooses to stay in their respective land must be keeping their mouths shut and really really love their whatever system and every policies and must adore their ruling party!
Do you people have any idea what people are complaining about? Are they complaining about the land? Or the government? Or a certain policies? Do they want a betterment for everyone?
If you are born here and you don’t like it, you should leave??? If you voiced unhappiness, you should pack and go???? (Do take into account many do not have the capability to do so, and do make simple guesses why that is so?)
This is a country, our country, not a restaurant!!!
Vote with our feet? What type of suggestion is that? People migrate for many different reasons, and people DON’T migrate for many different reasons as well!
I know all of us supposedly think with our brains, and most of us speak through our mouths… but many a times, it does raise suspicions.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
To : Will4 on Thu, 18th Feb 2010 11:31 am
Pl don’t be stupid to give up your Indonesian Citizenship.
If you want to consider migrating, perhaps Malaysia is a wonderful country.
And definitely not singapore unless you are very rich or else either you or your family will get it from our present government.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
When you are ABLE, Well-Off and above the lower middle-class… and can afford it is good. And then ignore the size of the country with it’s complexities to develop and…
1. Just say that Poverty cannot be eradicated anywhere in the world!!!
APPROPRIATE Comparison Queries like:
a. Where and what country for appropriate comparisons?
b. What Size land and population?
c. What cultural history and culture?
d. What Political System? And Any ENTRENCHMENT like in Singapore?
e. What type of Political Leaders? Like…
Dictatorial?
Authoritarian?
Socialistic?
Republican?
Socialist Republican?
Democratic?
Communistic?
Socialist Communistic?
Partisan?
Bi-Partisan?
Capitalistic?
And last but not least… For The People By The People? How shall we name this one??? SAY “Socialist Non-Partisan Democrat”???
WHAT SAY YOU???
2. Well then… NOT ONLY LKY… BUT SO TOO… ALL SIGNIFICANT OTHERS in THE NAMESAKES of HUMBLE Dr. Goh Keng Swee, Dr. Toh Chin Chai, CHUA Siang Chin, Hon Swee Sen, Etc Etc!!!
3. BIG QUESTION: LET”S ALL BE FAIR… Could LKY HAVE BEEN able to achieve the same he ‘has’ elsewhere like in…
a. Malaysia with it’s different racial incline? (Got KICKED out fast right!)
b. Thailand?
c. Vietnam?
d. Cambodia?
e. Burma?
f. Laos?
g. Philippines?
h. Indonesia?
i. Even Canada/USA/or Britian where he graduated???
4. Hypothetical? Yes and No. Why? Because we all know that man’s character? Only with Kiasu, Kiasi, Kia-Kichiang tinny winy island of Singapore with little choice can he succeed. But then he held for too long BECAUSE of his Failing Policy of PAYING FAR TOO HIGH… he got more than his bargain of “talent” in THE From of “YES-men MIW & WIW too!
5. Is his party Self-Renewal working well??? As is HYPER-PAY Policy REVERSAL possible now??? Just like corruption in neighboring countries… HAS THIS BECOME ENTRENCHED NOW… And so NEED A Long Process to do so?
Another piece of ‘Food’ for thought!!!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
@angry one
have you ever been to new zealand or shanghai? i assure you singapore is a lot better than both of these places.
as for europe, almost half or more than half of europe is worse than singapore. especially the eastern european part.
they are trying to do a USA there with the EU but they are all struggling because a lot of the countries in the EU are really poor and unemployment rate is very high. bulgaria, romania, hungary etc. greece just went bankrupt. the uk is bankrupt as well and crime is a big issue in the uk. there is a good chance your house will be broken in, you need to take precautions to avoid certain places and stay at home at night. it is unlike singapore where you can walk around and the most you will meet is some annoying ah soh or kaka teenager ah beng.
there are a lot of countries that offer a better life than singapore but shanghai is definately not one of them lol. try smelling the air there and interacting with the locals.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Once he can’t make as much money here or the economy stumbles let’s see where in world opportunists like Mr William Jansen will run off too.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
This Bill Jansen is not even worth my rebuttal.I forgive his ignorance. Honesty, I cannot wait to cast my vote for the opposition.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
To wui:
My main point is this:
S’poreans loves to complain. Not illegal, but habit.
So please now – act on it.
If cannot act on it – you can only rant like in this forum.
Go act on it. Really.
By voting, by leaving, by jumping off the cliff etc…I do not care.
In the end – you will realize that – it is better to just work hard. Like anywhere else in the world – be it a 3rd world country, or a 1st world country.
Please do not tell me a happily migrated person did not work hard and he already got money, houses given to him?
He (or she) will to get some help from relatives, got a job, work hard, and in the end do well, and then brag about it over here.
Like how I brag about me here. So point is – work hard anywhere, you will have better life. If you don’t, you think you will still have good live in USA or Australia or UK?
Stupid really. That is why you need to complain and I do not need.
Do not say in some countries they take care of their poor well. Sure they do. By taking 30-40% of your and my tax (read income distribution). If you are ok, fine – that is your model and be prepared to pay that amount tax.
Sure – I do not like PAP and I complain abt them too – pay, self righteous, not sensitive to ground feelings, artificial, authoritative. But in the end, I vote for opposition. But if I want bigger action, I will go form a political party and fight with them. BUT, I am happy NOT to do it as it takes too much effort – so I just complain like you. In this TR.
In the end – JUST COMPLAIN. Like you. So you see – WE are complain kings! Bo action.
Cheers!
Gravatar
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
by and large, i am still quite content with the quality of life in Singapore as a citizen. Reservist to me is still quite a welcome break from my normal routine and to catch up with friends etc. although training can be tough for an old man, it is still not that bad as some people have mentioned. i am in armour regiment and not an officer if some pple wants to question.
main sore point is the current ruling party cease to be relevant and has been putting too much profit over citizen’s interests. examples are housing, cars, new immigrants(pushing to be 6million target), millions of dollars to pay our ministers or else they will be corrupted(where is the altruism?) etc. is Singapore that hard to manage? are we telling the whole world that Singapore is harder to manage than US? or are we trying to tell everyone that our ministers are a lot better than Obama?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
gravata and kian,
Well said. I too feel that S’pore is still ok. But that good but ok. I am not happy with pap and i voted for opposition for last few rounds and will do it again.
i agree too – we complain too much. including our ministers – they complain not enough money – so they pay themselves so much!
i also disagree that s’pore, so tiny, is hard to manage. when i tell my indian friends about this – they laugh like crazy! they say – ask your lky to govern india for one 1 day at that salary and see what happen!
i was laughing out loud!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
He is enjoying himself cos maybe there are sarong party gals and Filipino maids to serve him whereas in his home country he needs to do his own house chores…
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
When one has $$$, anywhere is nice to live…..
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Singapore Inc is prospering.
Singaporeans are paying and will pay the final price.
Regardless of what you feel about Singapore, one thing that we should not miss is whether the path that the PAP has set us on is sustainable.
I argue that it isn’t, skipping past the lengthy exposition, suffice to say on our current trajectory of increased population density via immigration and expansion of credit/indebtedness, it is a matter of when, not if, this house of cards collapses.
Unlike Japan and the US, we have neither the hinterland nor the global creditworthiness to support our asset markets when demographic inversion finally takes place be it through local dissatisfaction from immigration, low birth rates, emigration …etc.
When asset markets disintegrate, social disorder will follow as the illusion of paper wealth will be revealed as nothing but that.
There may not be a watershed event but rather a slow grind, Singapore the state will most likely survive but its people will be paying the price for generations. (I skip the argument for this)
Perversely, in order to knock us off this path we may precipitate it by voting the PAP out.
Many will criticize this and me as being fatalistic, a loser, a quitter, traitor…. etc. It does not change the fact we are squarely on the paths that Japan and the US have taken but without the safety nets or pressure valves that they enjoy.
—————————————————————
For those that say just work hard and everything will be fine.
Yes, we must work hard for the present but likewise should we not work hard to secure the future for our children as well?
Do you sincerely believe the path that Singapore is on will give them a better future, or at least an equal one?
To say just shut up and sit down, work hard and everything will be alright is to abrogate your responsibility to your future generations.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0