It is time for Singaporeans to take back our country
August 24th, 2010 | 
Author: Dear TR,
I decided to write to you after reading the stories of Ms Judy Eng and Ms Melissa Quek.
I am a 20-year-old poly student. My family and I live in a four room HDB flat that is fully paid up. I am fortunate that my father works for a Scandinavian company that really takes care of its workers (it fully restored pay cuts the moment sales improved).
As a student, I am yet to be burdened with housing costs and raising a family, but I still feel that something is seriously dysfunctional in our little island. The denial of subsidized transport fares for poly students is an injustice. My peers in JCs and ITEs spend so much less.
Polytechnic students are not all rich, you know. Despite a petition, there is little momentum in reversing this anomaly. When I see the refusal of the government to even subsidise public transport for disabled Singaporeans, I harbour little hope that our concerns will ever be heard.
I am also very disturbed by the influx of foreigners, especially students. In my secondary school, 20 scholars from China were brought in each year. Within months they outperformed everyone else even in English. Many Singaporean students felt they were being denied the chance to be the first in the subjects and tests. I have always wondered why the government is bringing in these PRCs and giving them free scholarships. Shouldn’t public schools be focusing on nurturing our own talents?
With the impending increase in poly, ITE and university fees, I worry how my parents are going to pay for my degree education. Why must the government keep raising fees for education when it can afford to lose billions in bad investments? Where is the sense of priority? Surely spending a few billion to absorb the increased costs is reasonable?
As a 1st world country, we should have free primary and secondary education. The PAP is so greedy that it claims school is free but charges a ‘miscellaneous fee’.
As a Singaporean Indian, I feel increasingly threatened by the risi! ng numbers of Indian PRs and new citizens. Similar to the situation between PRCs and Singaporean Chinese, there is very little in common between Indian PRs and us. Little India has been all but overrun by them. Local Indians now try to stay away as far as possible. We have been crowded out from the restaurants, markets and temples.
Most PRs who come from India are not Tamil-speakers and generally look down on South Indians, who Tamils belong to. When my mother was shopping in Mustafa Centre, a group of North Indians (likely to be PRs) walked past her and she heard one of them uttering “bloody Tamilians” to his friends.
There is a belief among Indian PRs that they are in demand to work in Singapore because the local Indians are not as good as they are, and therefore they behave with a sense of superiority and snobbishness.
The scourge of castes has completely disappeared in Singapore. We see each other as Indians and nothing else. But these PRs are bringing in their prejudices from India and corrupting our local culture. We are beginning to see advertisements put in the paper asking for brides and bridegrooms from a certain caste.
Even the PRs in the parents support group in my sister’s school immediately enquired about our caste as soon as we introduced ourselves. We are losing our unique Singapore identity to the policies of the PAP, which seems to worship foreigners like gods and trample on Singaporeans. Chinese, Malay, Indian, Eurasian and all other Singaporeans are one of a kind and special. No amount of money, social engineering or integration can ever transform foreigners into true-blue Singaporeans.
I live in the area that was once part of Cheng San GRC. I remember when I was little, JB Jeyaretnam came to campaign and even after he lost, he graciously returned to thank the voters anyway.
It has been nearly four years since the last election. My current MP (who daughter is infamous for an ‘elite’ remark) has yet to visit my block even once. Without knowing residents’ concerns, it is no wonder why MPs have time to engage in frivolous debates about frogs, food museums and beauty secrets.
The man who killed his children, set fire to his flat and jumped to his death recently, lived only a few blocks from mine. When that incident happened, the reality of Singaporeans struggling with their lives really hit me hard.
It pains me each time I see an elderly Singaporean rummage through dustbins for cans to sell and toil as cleaners until their deaths. It is shameful for our leaders to proclaim our country as “first world” and being in a golden period when all the gold is flowing into the pockets of ministers. I think our seniors all deserve a big thank you and a comfortable retirement for their years of service to nation building.
It is time for Singaporeans to take back our country, eject unnecessary foreigners and start providing decent lives for ourselves. Foreigners (including PRs) must always remember that in Singapore, they live on our terms, not vice versa.
Singapore is our home. It’s worth saving.
T. Rajendran
Posted in Letters
The Singapore Flag IS TO BE respected right? WHY? BECAUSE it represent our nation oOF Singapore yes? As so it represents ONE and ALL Singaporeans too hor! So, when PAP lash their tongues to bash at Singaporeans, logically then they ARE lashing and bashing OUR Singapore Flag too right? So, when LKY did it with National Geographic, WHAT ACTUALLY DID HE DO LAH! Best is for him to tell us hor!
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impressive that the China students learned and excelled in English in just a few months. don’t you think that it’s perhaps part of the reason why they were given scholarships in the first place? it’s not their fault that they’re performing better than local students.
what i find unfortunate is the “re-introduction” of the caste system. this should have no place in “meritocratic” Singapore and a law should be passed in parliament outlawing this practice.
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The scholars from India or China will be groomed to be PRs and Citizens and give them the votes and loyalty required and will defend them in anything.
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dEAR rajendran
i must say that i am happy to note that there are young singaporeans like you who have more loyalty to SINGAPORE than many SPINELESS ADULTS who dare call themselves singaporeans here.
you are even more loyal than most of the miws and all the ministers.
for that,i am somewaht consoled as their is still hope for FUTURE SINGAPORE.
MAY YOU BE BLESSED in your studies and make your mark one dya in our society.
cheers
LIONS ROAR.
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Just to clarify a few points made by the write, despite pointing out things that certainly distinct Indian PRs from S’pore Indians which is the same seen for China PRs and S’pore Chinese.
Education IS NOT A PUBLIC GOOD. It is a merit good, being able to exclude certain groups of people in the usage of it.
1st World Nations, or even the incumbent superpower(ie the US), charges for education.
This may come in the form of increased taxes, and/or GST that varies according to tax, depending on the state government in their provision of education.
Even in the UK, education might seem free, but their >40% income tax and >10% GST is a result of that perceived ‘free’ education.
Other than that, everything you brought up reflects the growing dissent over scholarships given to foreigners and how schools sucked up to them, despite being a Singaporean school, for Singaporeans.
Shame on this minute group of educators nowadays.
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And also the reason why polytechnics students are charged adult fares.
That WAS because polytechnics are often night-classes for working adults and/or students who often work in conjunction to studying in poly.
And not ‘pure’ students who do not contribute to the state through employment or such.
As such, it is time to revise such a scheme.
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“I am also very disturbed by the influx of foreigners, especially students. In my secondary school, 20 scholars from China were brought in each year. Within months they outperformed everyone else even in English. Many Singaporean students felt they were being denied the chance to be the first in the subjects and tests.”
What nonsense. You want to be ‘first’ by excluding those who can beat you simply because they aren’t ‘local’? And where do you think your foreparents came from? Bukit Merah? They were ‘PRCs’ themselves. You are obviously a self-centred jackass who simply wants the company of other jackasses so that you don’t have to think you’re dumb and docile when compared to better others. That’s what was done to the non-chinese in singapore, and now you’re adopting the same approach in the face of ‘foreigners’. That’s what happens in a confucian society where monoculturalism reigns. You think you’re going to have people becoming smart in a ‘one way of thought’ kind of society? Multiculturalism is the key, i.e. India, UK. Take that out, and we have ridiculously argued rubbish such as this letter.
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p.s. the above critique applies to singaporeans regardless of ‘race’. It seems that everyone is ‘talking confucian’ now, even local ‘indians’.
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I can fully sympathize with my local Malays and Indian brethren, but truly, there is NOTHING true blue Singaporeans can do to reverse the situation. It is not unthinkable that a massive diaspora of Singaporeans will happen in the next 5 years to make way and create “living spaces” for migrant elites and low-cost workers in this “ready-made” modern city that is built by the sweat and blood of the locals. Good luck my fellow Singaporeans, my heart and prayers will always be with you.
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Hi,
Im a Singaporean staying overseas, and I must first clarify that I am not Pro-PAP.
I commend your patriotism and fervent sense of righteousness.
But whatever hypothetical panaceas you have put forth to alleviate the grievances do not make any sound economic sense at all.
I feel for the acute sense of encroachment you are feeling in Singapore, but I can assure you that it is not a problem exclusive to Singapore only.
I shall not go into a long discourse on economic policies, but as much as your problems are valid, i think you’ve got to give the government their fair share of credit as well (there is no foolproof policies in this world).
I hope it will dawn upon you with age.
Cheers=]
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Well written article. Fully agreed with. It’s time to take back our small country which is sold away by PAP govt. They will not listen. They treat the old citizens as rubbish who have contributed so much to the country. Very sad. As what francis seow said. The behaviour of the new citizen like sinhar shekhar is likely from northern india too. This kind of arrogant people is what PAP regards as elite. We have to vote whatever opposition in be it dog or cat before it’s too late. So long as it is not PAP. 50 years of autocratic ruling of our country. It has also corrupted our citizens’ minds. So come next election do not hesitate. Vote PAP out. The signal is very clear. We want our country back which is bolong to our ancestors, not PAP.
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The world is so big, we open our tiny country to the world to come compete with us… There will always be someone willing to work for less, they can suffer for 2-3 years, 4-5 ppl to a room and then go back home and have a better life… Singaporeans are not accorded such a luxury of choice. This open door policy has created so much hardship for the average singaporeans from the rising cost of living to job insecurity and downward pressure on wages. If this is what this govt promises it’s citizens and we are still returning them to power then the population have itself to blame. Things can only get worse.
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@ed..
We are a population of almost 4 million native singaporeans, so we should compete head on with india and china? Bill gates once said that if u are one in a l million in china, there;s 1000 ppl just like you, and that’s not counting india.
pray tell…. How are the average singaporean to compete in this open door policy?
To be better betterer betterest? like what LSS propose?
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Y don;t we start an exercise now to hang all FLAG UPSIDE DOWN to show protest n grievances.
Is time to HIGHLIGHT 2 them our UNHAPPINESS.
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Undo the damage of the one-party rule and watch the transformation. It is the one-party system that is being exploited by PAP – lack of transparency, lack of accountablity and ….. that is what is woefully missing.
Also, the govt’s control and influence over the media has shut all doors to what Singaporeans should know.
No one for sure knows if there are really any money left in the reserves or how the money (close to 100 billions lost or is it really lost?). These are taxpayers’ money. Other egs of so-called subsidies, HDb, CPF, Transportation and … that seem to lack transparency will remain the way it is as long as it remains under the purview of a one-party rule.
One can go on and think of so many issues, policies, regulations and so on so forth but one has to understand that in a one-party state – who is going to check? who is going to verify? Who is being made accountable?
Answers or the truth is beyond the reach of anyone excepting what is propagated thru the media by the govt.
Singapreans gave the gun but were unwise to to hand over the bullets also.
Imagine if the bullets were in the hands of an opposition party – a difference and a big difference it would make lah.
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Wonder…. I seriously wonder how many in sg will know how to sing Majulah Singapura in another 10 yrs.
Will the PRC new citizens bother to learn? Will the Indian new citizens bother to remember those Malay words?
We don’t expect our old folks to know how to sing, rite? Better off true-blue s’poreans will choose to migrate sooner or later. So, how many natives left in s’pore to sing the Majulah Singapura?????
If PAP continues to rule, s’pore will parish for sure.
Yes! We need to take back our beloved s’pore and the only sure way is through the ballot box, no other way!!!!!!
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Well, guess what? I am a middle age Chinese working at a polytechnic. I just met an intern who happened to be a PSC, public service scholar. when she presented her findings, it’s clear why she is a scholar. eloquent and her ability to speak English with an American accent. Ok she was in the states studying in Chicago for a few years. Did I tell you she was born in Beijing, China? Yes, PR now!!
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Don’t be like the Lims who would only hide in their comfort zone. Go forth and tell your friends and neighbors how you are being marginalized. Get them to be involved in politics whether they are pro or against PAP.
If you don’t do anything, don’t blame others, you have only yourself to blame.
This is your country, the government don’t care about you, what is the best thing to do? You know you have to do what a man has to do.
You have a legal right in the constitution, don’t let them delete and change it where foreigners and local is of the same status. Without doing a thing now, this will surely happen to you. The time is now or never. Go people go.
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NS for true blue.
Tax sponsored scholarships for Ftrash.
In 5 to 10 years time these NS exempted Ftrash will rise to rule over local true blue-NS serving peasants.IMPORTED MANDARINS.
This is the policy of the ftrash infested Pro-alien party.
Kick them out to save the country.
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您的博客访问速度很快，用的哪家主机，能否推荐推荐。
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baby boomer:
August 24, 2010 at 8:42 pm
hi baby boomer.
just wanna make sure that speaking good english doesn’t mean she is a genuine talent.
honestly,so far,i have yet to come across FTs who are real talents that will “create more jobs for singaporeans”.
it seems the govt have got to pilfer our jobs to give to them?
does that sound like getting in talents at all?
where is bill gates,buffet or soros or a mere sim wong hoo?
or do we anyone close to the intellect and integrity of ZHU RONJI amongst them?
what talents do we derive from the FT POLICY?
i guess we REPLACE MORE LOCAL TALENTS than we got in form amongst the foreigners?
on second thought,maybe some ‘TALENTS’ in the sex trade and other vices????
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@ed
And where do you think your foreparents came from? Bukit Merah? They were ‘PRCs’ themselves.
U r right. They came from China or India or someplace else. But our forefathers are different. They stayed and defended this country when the Japs were ard. They were part of our history.
You are obviously a self-centred jackass who simply wants the company of other jackasses so that you don’t have to think you’re dumb and docile when compared to better others
I don’t think the author meant that way. I am a Singaporean and I have a dream. If, for example, my dream is to represent the country in a sport (e.g. table tennis) in Olympics 2012 and I worked very hard for this opportunity. However when the time comes, I realise that I cant play because Govt has imported some FTs from China. To win that gold medal, the govt has decided that my dream is no longer important, no longer relevant.
What is a country? What is the point of importing the FT to win the gold medal for the country when the country is actually us? There is always someone better out there in the world, if they keep doing that in everything they do, then what is going to happen to Singapore Dream?
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VOTE OUT PAPies, I CONSIDER PAPies AS A TRAITOR ‘ no more excuse u idiot pm story teller
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SilenceIsGolden:
August 24, 2010 at 8:47 pm
Boo, Boo
Cry Baby
Where is your mummy???
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LIONS ROAR:
August 24, 2010 at 9:16 pm
I had worked with Indian colleagues who had migrated to Australia via a Singapore citizenship. Unfortunately all of them did not make the cut and were fired less than a month into their employment. It’s an eye opener. Ong Ah Heng suggested that I should work as a cleaner in 2001 when I asked him for help. I am now an Australian citizen. Go figure. Cheers!
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this is the kind of feeling anyone would feel when they are being betrayed by traitors, anywhere in the world, its the same feeling.
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U need to ask Bo Chok Yong(sm), he got new dream for us.
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Sg in Oz:
August 24, 2010 at 10:04 pm
……………………
CONGRATS MY FRIEND.
TO ME,YOU ARE STILL A FELLOW COUNTRYMAN;JUST ONE ‘forced’ by circumstances to leave more than by choice,i believe.
many of us may take the same rout if the 66 pct blind and daft singaporeans refuse to see and think.
then,this 66 pct will ultimately become the ‘MINORITY’ in their own country.Sad for sinhapore and true blue singaporeans who worked so hard to build this NATION,only to have their labouring wasted away by some so-called smart people who think they are doing it for the good of the country?
i guess when you are in it,you can’t see clearly.
best wishes and hope you find happiness in ‘LUCKY’ COUNTRY.
AT LEAST,the aussies know who are th REAL TALENTS THAT our govt brushed aside.
cheerio
LIONS ROAR.
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I agreed with many points the writer made.
Its NOT too Late – GE soon coming. All we need is simply Cast Vote For OPPOSITION. It is Definitely BETTER than having exiting PAP Mps when who knows the opposition voted in WORKS Even Betterest Hardest than PAP ones whom many of them JUST Sneaked in Conveniently.
No HARM – give it a TRY – VOTE FOR Opposition to See. YOU might be Amazed of the wonders they can do for their constituents – See, LTK and Chiam, against all Odds, They PREVAILED!!!
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all these sob sob story
i heard it all before
soon singaporeans wll forget and be fearful when
HDB upgrade is provided as sweetener,
few giveaway $
threat of destruction of singapore when ruling party is no longer around
now to even have a sizeable number of opposition in parliment
when MM said he will send in the army if there is a freak election
so in short how to have a change
are we dreaming
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@Jay: comeon you not pro-pap? crap! you wrote we should give pap govt credit. what policies really benefit sporeans? getting more FTs who can study? FTs to take our jobs or drive hdb prices or crowd out spore? I suspect you haven’t come back for a long while or you are a scholar posted overseas by a ministry or glc
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We must be grateful and thankful to LKY and PAP.
LKY gave problems to Malaysia in 1960s so was kicked out of M’sia by Tunku Abdul Rahman. Singapore was a state of Malaysia at that time.
Recently there are news that 2 cases in Malaysia where 2 Malay school principle asked the Malaysian Chinese student to go back to their origin country mainland PRC. Saying Malaysia doesn’t need them.
Imagine if Singapore is still a state of Malaysia.
I really love LKY and PAP. I will vote for them till I die.
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sweeney 38,you are already dead!
LKY doesn’t give a damn about whether you are dead either.
it makes no diff to him and he doesn’t give a damn whether you go to hell.
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@sweeney 38: August 25, 2010 at 2.18am
“LKY gave problems to Malaysia in 1960s so was kicked out of M’sia by Tunku Abdul Rahman. Singapore was a state of Malaysia at that time”
Yes, LKY gave problems to Malaysia in 1960s – and what were the troubles ?
He insisted that “Malaysia should be for Malaysians” – when Tunku allowed his UMNO Malays to promote his own dream of Malaysia to be “Satu Negara, Satu Bangsar, Satu Bahasa” or “One Country, One Race, and One Language” !!!!
Why did LKY have to fight for a “Malaysia for Malaysians” after Singapore got into Malaysia ?
Why was this not thrashed and clear at the negotiations leading to merger with Peninsular Malaya, Sarawak and Sabah to become Malaysia ?
Why should LKY be treated as a HERO – when he arrested all the loyal Singaporeans and falsely accused them to be “Communists” during the “Operation Cold Store” before the “FALSE REFERENDUM” that was crafted by LKY to lead Singaporeans to vote for merger with Malaysia ?
NO WONDER LKY CONSIDER SINGAPOREANS TO BE “DAFT” – when Singaporeans were led by blind sheep to accept his “FALSE REFERENDUM” and allowed him to arrest every opposition member who opposed his dream of merging Singapore into a bigger Malaysia !!!
NO WONDER LKY CONSIDER SINGAPOREANS TO BE “DAFT” – when no one commented on the three choices in the “FALSE REFERENDUM” that showed no difference in choices but all leading to one outcome: “MERGER” !!!
With regards to the terms of the merger, Dr Toh Chin Chye was reported to have stated:- “We merged with Malaysia just like any of the states of Malaya….It was Lee Kuan Yew’s idea. He drafted the terms. This did not make sense to me. As early as 1959, Singapore was a self-governing state, we had all the powers except Foreign Affairs and Defence….But we gave up these powers when we merged in 1963…So I suggested we retain Education…Of course, the Tengku was happy to give us back Education. This was only at the last minute. After they (Lee and Goh) came back from London. That was not written in the White Paper. Then they added Labour….No. These aspects were not thought through at all. Why ? Lee Kuan Yew and Goh Keng Swee were in a hurry. Both of them were in London for the Constitutional talks. The rest of the Cabinet were in the dark about the details of the merger.” (Chew, 1996). [See Reference #1 below]
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Option A:
A “I support merger giving Singapore autonomy in labour, education and other agreed matters as set out in Command Paper No. 33 of 1961, with Singapore citizens automatically becoming citizens of Malaysia.”
Option B:
B “I support complete and unconditional merger for Singapore as a state on an equal basis with the other eleven states in accordance with the Constitutional documents of the Federation of Malaya.”
Option C:
“I support Singapore entering Malaysia on terms no less favourable than those given to the Borneo territories.”
[See Reference #2 below]
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Dear sweeney – you are WRONG to believe that Tunku kicked Singapore out of Malaysia !!!
Tunku did not even have control over his own UMNO, as a small group of clever and scheming activists within UMNO had planned to send two battalion of Royal Malay Regiment based in Johor, to enter Singapore and arrest the entire Singapore State Cabinet.
This scheme was leaked which resulted in LKY calling for help from UK Prime Minister Harold Wilson – who then threatened Tunku that if such the Singapore Cabinet was arrested by military action, then UK will withdraw her military effort against Indonesian Konfrontasi.
These events led to Dr Goh Keng Swee visiting Kuala Lumpur to meet with DPM Tun Razak and Home Minister Dr Ismail, and together they decided that the best option was for a negotiated SECRET withdrawal of Singapore from the merger arrangement with Malaysia !!!
These negotiations were conducted at least a few months before 9 August 1965 – and all these were kept SECRET in a file named “ALBATROSS” – [See Reference #3]
This was mentioned briefly in the memoirs of Dr Goh Keng Swee, and the events which LKY so desperately needed to clarify in his version during his insisted eulogy at Dr Goh’s funeral. [See Reference #4]
Before the announcement was made during over TV that included his infamous crying – it had a shameless warning from LKY – not to publish any photo of him smiling. [See Reference #5]
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What can anyone say for your undying loyalty to such a chameleon who had called you to be truly ‘DAFT’ ?
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Reference 1: “The Fajar Generation”
http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/12/the-fajar-generation/
Reference 2: “False Referendum” – Singapore only referendum
http://www.singapore-elections.com/nr-1962/
Reference 3: “The secret Goh is carrying to his grave”
http://singaporedesk.blogspot.com/2010/05/secret-goh-is-carrying-to-his-grave.html
Reference 4: “Secession conundrum”
http://www.temasekreview.com/2010/06/05/the-secession-conundrum/
Reference 5: “Do not print a picture of me smiling”
http://theonlinecitizen.com/2010/07/do-not-print-pictures-of-me-smiling-lee-kuan-yew/
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T. Rajendran views in this thread is from the perspective of a Singaporean Indian – of Tamil ethnicity.
It is shocking that the new Singaporeans of Indian Origins will import their CASTE SYSTEM into Singapore, and treat our true blue Singaporean brethen with such an antiquated cultural disdain!!!
It is through the continued mistakes of LKY and the Pro Alien Party that will see the destruction of Singapore by importing masses of foreigners with no basic understanding of the local traditions and accepted practices of accomodation and balance.
Can LKY and the Pro Alien Party hope to erase a century old Indian cultural practice of caste system with a mere S$10 MILLION to integrate the FOREIGNERS from India to be Singapore Citizen ?
What will be the remaining amounts left from the S$10 MILLION to integrate the FOREIGNERS from China and elsewhere to be Singaporean ?
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When a gov’t is run purely on a meritocracy as the PAP freely admit over and over, then the policies that follow are logical: locals complain? then entice the best minds from China to replace the locals. This is pure, cold, hard logic and the consequence of a pure meritocracy
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sweeney38, remember the island does not belong to your god father or the Chinese. You are lucky the Malays let you live on the island. Singapore like it or not, belonged to the Malays.
Do you think the Chinese government would allow a non-Chinese to become the leader or President of China? Or do you think a non-Indian can become the President of India? Bottom line: Singapore is not a Chinese state or province like Hong Kong or Macau.
The Chinese were given a privilege to become Malaysian citizens in 1957 else they would have been stateless like those Indians in HK after 1997 because the Chinese government would not give them Chinese citizenship. Neither did the British! So they ended up in limbo. So the Chinese should be grateful to the Malaysian government, else they can choose to leave. Nobody asked them to go to Malaysia or become citizens. When in Rome, do as the Romans do!
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Someone is impersonating me…………Lol!!!
You are nothing but a con-man. Disgusting and Daft!!!
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“I am also very disturbed by the influx of foreigners, especially students. In my secondary school, 20 scholars from China were brought in each year. Within months they outperformed everyone else even in English. Many Singaporean students felt they were being denied the chance to be the first in the subjects and tests. I have always wondered why the government is bringing in these PRCs and giving them free scholarships.”
The answer is because Singapore needs all the real good talent we can get. Silicon Valley is world famous because of all the talent flocking there. There will be no Google, Yahoo etc if Silicon Valley rely on Americans only. We shouldn’t begrudge talent simply because they’re better than us.
The problem is Pee and Pee had abused this by opening the flood gates to all sorts of rubbish that are not even on par with Singaporeans.
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I am also very disturbed by the influx of foreigners, especially students. In my secondary school, 20 scholars from China were brought in each year. Within months they outperformed everyone else even in English. – disturbed? you mean threatened? jealous? or isit envy?
Shouldn’t public schools be focusing on nurturing our own talents? – FTs an impetus to excel isn’t it? If the PRCs or Indian FTs can do it, WHY CAN’T YOU? think.
Singapore is our home. It’s worth saving. – What do you mean saving? Give a man a fish , or teach him how to fish? Both are a form of saving.
May the best man wins.
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sweeney 38
LKY only wants you here so he has more of your CPF to ‘invest’. I suppose he’s right to call you daft when you can’t even see that.
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The questions is: Are you able to pass the message to all your poly friends (who will be the one that will be this country in the future) to voice your view and get pap to be voted out or Are your friends, relative, father , mother , brother , sister have the guts to do voice it out or are they too fearful to even say anything at all. The challenge is how daring and how far can you go. Or are you going to be like minister who just sucks up to pap and collect the millions. Sorry for the harsh questions. But, talk is cheap. Just look at how many innocent singapore dissident have to leave the country. How many opposition is silent. But , I wish you well and good luck for speaking up.
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@Silly.
comeon you not pro-pap? crap! you wrote we should give pap govt credit. what policies really benefit sporeans? getting more FTs who can study? FTs to take our jobs or drive hdb prices or crowd out spore? I suspect you haven’t come back for a long while or you are a scholar posted overseas by a ministry or glc.
Q:What Policies really benefit sporeans?
A:Tonnes. Just take a look at our social security system (CPF).
Unlike other countries which rely on privatised super-annuation funds, Singapore has made it public, which many would lament has gone to the coffers of GIC, thus the Lees. But if you look at the amount of public debt that we have, though 6th highest in the world, it is largely internal debt rather than external, all thanks to the CPF savings that we have, thus making us free from implosion (the likes of Greece, USA, Europe). Our social security system does not use a pay-as-you-go system where the younger generation will have to prop up the older ones (ponzie scheme), which has been proven in the US to be a rather precarious system, but one that relies on the individual’s savings, and the choice of investment has also allowed us to grow our pie as well, making us one of the richest and highest home ownerships in the world.
Q:FTs to take our jobs or drive hdb prices or crowd out spore?
A:If the government have taken a stance of stopping FTs from coming to Singapore, we will suffer the same fate as Japan, which has, up till now, gone through not one, but two decades of “lost generation”, where deflation rate is high, public debt is the highest in the world (260% if GDP), economy is ailing (on the verge of bankruptcy), and population is old, putting a whole lot of pressure on the younger generation, which I think is a situation you will not want to be in.
Q:drive hdb prices?
A: It has nothing to do with FTs. It is the works of a globalised economy. Speculation is at fault. Which the government has duly corrected, passing laws to prevent that from happening. That’s where we should put some credit to=]
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Will our Authority look into this unfair practices? Poly student are recognise under our education system, they are not private school student. As such, why are they paying adult fare? They are no different from JC student only different is the course that they are taking. They shouldn’t be punished for going to Poly instead of JC.
As for the foreign influx, it is misused by our Government. If they are talking about talents that will benefit us, agreeable. Then again, what kind of talents? Talent that are unfound in Singapore, yes. If we are already having aplenty of these talents, do we need more from oversea just to make way for them, furthermore, did we make way for a better and more capable talent?
Wanting more population, thus opening to any Tom, Dick and Harry. So what kind of people are we getting? More racist, criminals, loathers, beggars?
Do we really need 6.5 million Citizens in our cramped City? At present population, we are already unable to find a space for ourself to have some peace and tranquility. Do we still need more?
I am afraid the opening of the flood gate for more foreigners has a different purpose than what we were told. I strongly believe that it is for voting the ruling party into power.
To prove that it isn’t a case, the Government should not allow any New Citizens (at eligible voting age)to cast their votes within a period of ten years from the date of Citizenship. That will at least make me believed that their intention isn’t for wanting to stay in power.
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@SilenceIsGolden: August 24, 2010 at 8:47 pm
>> “Don’t be like the Lims who would only hide in their comfort zone. Go forth and tell your friends and neighbors how you are being marginalized. Get them to be involved in politics whether they are pro or against PAP.”
Are you related to GCT? I think GCT said something to Dr. Catherine Lim about joining a political party if she wants to be say something regarding politics.. Seems like in your view, people should become party members otherwise they cannot make a difference..
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@Jay: August 25, 2010 at 10:22 am
>>”Q:What Policies really benefit sporeans?
A:Tonnes. Just take a look at our social security system (CPF).”
- Why is the payout from cpf life not inflation-adjusted? With inflation increasing every year, how much will the cpf life payout helps 20 – 30 years down the road?
- Why is cpf paying us only 2.5% + 1% for ordinary a/c when minimum sum adjusted according to 2003 can be increased by $11000 for 2009, $6000 for 2010.. If I have $120K in cpf OA in 2003, and assuming I longer contribute cpf after that, the interests alone are not enough to match the increases in minimum sum..
>> “Q:drive hdb prices?
A: It has nothing to do with FTs. It is the works of a globalised economy. Speculation is at fault. Which the government has duly corrected, passing laws to prevent that from happening. That’s where we should put some credit to”
pap fails to foresee the hdb demand. And this is a BIG fail..
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@Jay: August 25, 2010 at 10:22 am
Also, singaporeans in general can accept foreigners in our midst.. This has already been so since independance, with malaysians, indonesians, and even prcs, hongkongers coming in the early 90s, to work and live among us.. The issue now is the HUGE influx caused by pap’s open door policy.. Just imagine, can a few hundred thousands of recent north indian immigrants, a few hundred thousands of recent prc immigrants and many thousands of myanmese, vietnamese, live in harmony?
These people will form enclaves (lky also mentioned this), and I am doubtful they will “integrate” with other nationalities.. It will only take a spark to cause some mayhem, maybe in the next global recession….
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sweeney40:
August 25, 2010 at 5:59 am
sweeney38, remember the island does not belong to your god father or the Chinese. You are lucky the Malays let you live on the island. Singapore like it or not, belonged to the Malays.
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Singaporean blues:
August 25, 2010 at 8:34 am
Well, spare a thought for the malays. Afterall, they are like the Red Indians in America. First it was the Indians who invaded ASEAN(besides the Philipines) under Raja Raja Chola’s regime more than 400 yrs ago. Then, it was the British from the East India Company bringing more Indians and, then the Chinese who came to Malaya.
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To both of you – “sweeney40″ and “Singapore blues”
The Malays in Peninsular Malaya are NOT the real “sons-of-the-soil” or Bumiputras – and similarly, neither are the Malays in Singapore.
Even the Malaysian ex-PM Dr Mahathir had written in his book ‘The Malay Dilemma’ – that the Malays were migrants from the provice of Yunnan in China !!! [See Reference #1 below]
Singapore was an island with no inhabitants when a Prince from the Sri Vijaya Empire – largely the entire Indonesia of today and parts of Malaysia – arrived and claimed the island to open a port called “Temasek” in the 13the Century. [See Reference #2 below]
In the 14th Century – around 1390s – Parameswara, the last Srivijayan prince was busted by the new rulers of the Majapahit Empire, and destroyed Temasek.
Parameswara fled to Malacca then moved into southern Malaya to form the beginning of the new Johor Sultanate, which lasted to this day. [See Referemce #3]
Who are the ‘Malays’ in Singapore, when the ‘Malays’ in Peninsular Malaya are from the Province of Yunnan in China ?
The true “Sons-of-the-Soil” or “Bumiputra” in Peninsular Malaya are the native mountain tribal people known as the Sakai or Negritos, who roam the mountain ranges of Peninsular Malaya to Thailand. [See Reference #4]
The true “Sons-of-the-Soil” or “Bumiputra” in the East Malaysian State of Sarawak are the Ibans, Penans amongst the 40-odd sub-ethnic groups that are well known for their ‘long house’ communal living, ‘head-hunting’ and blowpipe traditions. [See Reference #5 below]
While the true “Sons-of-the-Soil” or “Bumiputra” in Sabah are the thirty odd tribal people and more then 100 ethnic dialects. [See Reference #6 below]
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Did Singapore belong to only one ethic group while everyone else are migrants ?
Dear “Sweeney40″ and “Singapore blue” – are both of you attempting to re-write history ?
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Reference 1 – The Malay Dilemma
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Malay_Dilemma
Reference 2 – Srivijaya Empire
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Srivijaya
Reference 3 – Timeline of Singapore History
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_Singaporean_history
Reference 4 – The Negrito of Malaysia’s Peninsular Malaya
http://www.andaman.org/BOOK/chapter35/text35.htm
Reference 5 – The ethnic tribes of Sarawak
http://wapedia.mobi/en/Sarawak
Reference 6 – The many ethnic tribes of Sabah
http://81lions.blogspot.com/2007/06/kaamatan-2007-many-ethnic-tribes-of.html
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@Lim
>>Q: Why is the payout from cpf life not inflation-adjusted? With inflation increasing every year, how much will the cpf life payout helps 20 – 30 years down the road?Why is cpf paying us only 2.5% + 1% for ordinary a/c when minimum sum adjusted according to 2003 can be increased by $11000 for 2009, $6000 for 2010.. If I have $120K in cpf OA in 2003, and assuming I longer contribute cpf after that, the interests one are not enough to match the increases in minimum sum..
A: Does your bank adjust inflation rate? At the going rate of 0.2-0.3%, and with the current forecast of 3.2% inflation rate, arent you making a loss year on year while depositing your money in the bank?? If you notice, the CPF do adjust with inflation rate, and given the rate (much higher than the banks), its giving you a way better alternative than what you have out there. A privatised Superannuation will not fare any better.
>>Q:pap fails to foresee the hdb demand. And this is a BIG fail..
A: Its not genuine demand. It speculation. Live and let live. You are nitpicking at the policies. There are no foolproof policies in this world.
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@Lim
>>Q:Also, singaporeans in general can accept foreigners in our midst.. This has already been so since independance, with malaysians, indonesians, and even prcs, hongkongers coming in the early 90s, to work and live among us.. The issue now is the HUGE influx caused by pap’s open door policy.. Just imagine, can a few hundred thousands of recent north indian immigrants, a few hundred thousands of recent prc immigrants and many thousands of myanmese, vietnamese, live in harmony?
These people will form enclaves (lky also mentioned this), and I am doubtful they will “integrate” with other nationalities.. It will only take a spark to cause some mayhem, maybe in the next global recession….
A: Your arguments are most valid. But like I said, its lesser of the 2 evils, unless you would like to see Singapore down the path of Japan. There’s definitely more one can do to improve the situation, but all I’m saying that you got to give credit where credit is due.
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@Jay: August 25, 2010 at 11:24 am
>>”A: Does your bank adjust inflation rate?”
With a bank, I can chose whether to save with the bank, or buy an insurance product at higher than cpf interest rate.. With cpf, there are limits to how much I can use..
>>”A: Its not genuine demand. It speculation.”
How can hdb be used for speculation? Isn’t hdb’s goal is to provide housing for singaporeans (prs too)? How many hdb flats can a person own at any one time?
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poly pay higher bus fares becos YOU GUYS DO NOT NEED TO WEAR UNIFORM
if u guys wan to have “student” price for bus fare
THEN PREPAR TO WEAR UNIFORM
u see ITE & JC wearing uniform
IT IS FAIR that poly student pay adult fare and not student fare
dumb freak
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@Lim
>>Q:With a bank, I can chose whether to save with the bank, or buy an insurance product at higher than cpf interest rate.. With cpf, there are limits to how much I can use.
A: Dude, the money that you place with the insurers will go out as exorbitant bonuses to jet-setting executives; while money in CPF is ploughed back to the country. While you may then go on to argue that our Ministers are highly paid as well, but they are not any higher than the amounts that you see splashed on papers during the GFC.
>>Q:How can hdb be used for speculation? Isn’t hdb’s goal is to provide housing for singaporeans (prs too)? How many hdb flats can a person own at any one time?
A:Thats what precisely the govt have set out to do right from the beginning.
I shall not go into a debate with you anymore. You are most definitely entitled to your views. Be content dude.
Cheers =)
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This is a true voice of next young generation singaporean. May god be with them
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@im:
August 25, 2010 at 10:39 am
Involve in politics does not mean you must be in a political party, lim. Well it is more lightly that you are related to Caterine Lim, you are all lims.
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@Jay, Yes, we are all entitled to our personal views..
Here is something that is cause for concern (not directed at Jay):
- 2nd generation prs serving n.s. Yes I do agree that it is fair for them to serve ns, but I do have a concern if they are appointment holders. Imagine a pr lieutenant leading a platoon going awol in time of war, what will the rest of the platoons think? Ok to die for singapore while the pr platoon leader goes awol?
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SINGAPORE has retained the title of the most popular city for international meetings for the third consecutive year .
The award is given out by by the Union of International Associations (UIA), a research institute and documentation centre based in Brusse
From a fishing village and one of M’sia state to an independent country achiving above.
How can we not love PAP leaders especially LKY ? How can we be so ungrateful ? This message should be sent to all Singaporeans.
What is that small amount of salary comparing to the hundreds of achivements they have achieved ?
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@SilenceIsGolden: August 25, 2010 at 12:57 pm
>>” Involve in politics does not mean you must be in a political party, lim.”
So, by discussing pap policies in TR, doesn’t it mean that I am somewhat involved in politics? Do I need to join a demonstration, go to a rally, wear some slogan t-shirts, etc, just to show that I am involved in politics?
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There is an impersonator using my nick.
Kindly ignore comments written by sweeney 38.
Henceforth, sweeney 38 will end comments with:
Cheers
PAP SURE LOSE
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Hi
i like to make a point. FT are welcomed if they are better qualified then S’poreans and can bring progress to our country and to ourselves.
It is only when they are pose a problem to s’poreans with their mediocrity that i dislike .
For example I had a colleague from India who was given PR. In s’pore he signed up as a volunteer police man (VSC)He would boast to everybody that he has a police warrant card and he would act very arrogantly and abuse people. he says in India the police can do anything they want. It is when the governt gives such low class people PR and citizenship that it efefcts s’poreans in a negative way. What is the use of having HDB flat and food to eat if you are victimesd by govern policies.
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Nobody is calling a unwilling heart to do something he does not want to do. You are already involved in politics as we are definitely discussing about it too. However tons of people are apathetic. By calling others drama aka wayang when they are trying to make a point for your ultimate good and slamming a movement to political gain that is for your own good, you are basically shooting your own feet.
There is nothing wrong with showing your support openly for Temasek Review and gain public attention. The publicity will bring a upsurge of readership who want to know who is Temasek Review. Is the suggestion for my personal gain? You have a brain so kindly make use of it. .
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sureesh:
August 25, 2010 at 2:00 pm
Hi
i like to make a point. FT are welcomed if they are better qualified then S’poreans and can bring progress to our country and to ourselves.
(FTs are hired because they are cheaper alternative to hiring locals and not that they are better qualified coming from universities in India which are not recognised by local authorities board for Professional examinations.)
It is only when they are pose a problem to s’poreans with their mediocrity that i dislike.
(The existence of FTs in singapore already posed a problem for locals as employers tend to overlook locals for cheaper alternatives).
For example I had a colleague from India who was given PR. In s’pore he signed up as a volunteer police man (VSC)He would boast to everybody that he has a police warrant card and he would act very arrogantly and abuse people.
(Well, you can always filed a complain with the Singapore Police Force to have him removed from this VSC status.)
He says in India the police can do anything they want.
(Alternatively, you can ask you colleague to go back to india with you.)
It is when the governt gives such low class people PR and citizenship that it efefcts s’poreans in a negative way.
(All FTs and FWs are low class people, thats why their here to work).
What is the use of having HDB flat and food to eat if you are victimesd by govern policies.
(We, people of singapore, to a certain extend, is trying to introduce more opposition parties into the present government but thank you for your concern and please, take the next flight out of singapore. Thank you.)
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This seems to be an extended version of a previous letter.
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“The PAP is so greedy …… all the gold is flowing into the pockets of ministers”.
Couldn’t agree less !
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We have been compared to HK so many times. Mostly we heard about how polluted HK is, how expensive the housing. But many of us does not know, primary and secondary education is free in HK. 7-up cost only 30cents in HK compared to 70cents in SG. There are many many more examples …
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T. Rajendran
I too, just recently moved from Teck Ghee to Cheng San and noticed lately the plights of locals (True Singaporean). The old lady
employed by town council as cleaner to my block had been abused by ‘new citizen’. We local would normally take our bulky rubbish to the
ground floor for disposal but these ‘new citizen’ (PRCs & Indians)
would just leaves their garbage along the corridor. When the old
lady told them to bring it down, she was told that they are paying
conservative charges and it is her duty to clear the rubbish.
From this instant, I had been observing these ‘new citizen’ and in
my opinion, just like you had posted, these peoples are snobbish and selfish, eroding the neighbourly culture and attitude we had been practised.
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