The Opposition is NOT your Enemy

While you or your chauffeur cruise smoothly through traffic without the sardines-packed condition of public transport or risk being stuck in a train tunnel because the private-owned ex-national public transport may break down –

While you shake the hand of a new employee joining the company and wonder which country he or she hailed from – with no inkling that they have been selected from a pool of local and foreign candidates –

While you relax in your comfortable armchair after a nutritious dinner,  flipping open pages of propaganda in the state-owned newspapers –

When you bring the kids for a walk in the serene park,  and give $5  to the old grandma-type sitting by the side looking at you hopefully –

While you browse the glossy brochures of ivy league colleges for your kids – either because you don’t like the education system in Singapore or you know very well your kids won’t be able to make it into a local university –

While you turn off the lights to sleep in the air-conditioned room so that you can wake up tomorrow for another day of corporate work –

There are people on the other side who lead another kind of life in this supposed first-world country unseen by many; people from the middle class right down to the destitute….

The common folks who have been waiting for their public transport but see a delay again, cannot squeeze onto the overcrowded public buses, cannot do anything when train gets stuck in tunnel, or cannot help being late when the train breaks down again. All these result in them being late for work, being late for school or meetings – the extent is so bad that their Heads start telling them to “come out earlier since you already know that train break-downs are common in Singapore!”   Is this the type of realiability our public transport company seeks? While annual reports always reflect surpluses and yet the fares are still being hiked every so often? Remember this has become a privately-owned corporation – people don’t pay pittance for it – with world class fares charged, do commuters not have right to demand reliability?

Someone has just lost their job or is being denied the chance to join a certain company because a certain foreigner went for the same interview – the latter holds a degree from their local hometown university, has similar experience or none, promises to be a keen-learner and diligent, and does not mind earning SGD$1,000 less than their competitor candidate.

Someone has just tried to pose a question to the ruling party on behalf of Singaporeans as a whole, or tried to address a concern, yet they are being pegged as having slandered – and have been fined heavily or jailed for testing their freedom to speak / write / draw.

Then the grandpas and grandmas decide that for exercise, they scan trash bins for discarded metal cans, or cardboards to earn their keeps, till 2-3am in the morning – by now you’re probably sleeping like a log on your king-sized mattress.  Other gramps or grannies have probably just knocked off after a hard day standing at some fast food restaurants, bone-breaking day of washing dishes or tired day of cleaning some school or toilets.   In some households, electricity has been cut off and a loaf of bread is someone’s meal for 3-4 days – have you visited them before? Or do you not know they exist?   Daily Tai-chi or playing chess is a luxury in itself, no need to even dream about travelling the world.

How many dreams have been dashed when our potential future doctors, lawyers, etc cannot make it into local universities?  As a result, we engage foreign professionals to work here due to shortages – roles that could have been filled by our own people.  Our students study in private universities in Singapore, or go abroad to study, paying a lot more for a foreign degree so that they can come back to Singapore to compete for jobs with foreigners holding NUS / NTU degrees.

The Opposition – your friends – are trying to improve upon the Above 

Yes, your friends. They are not your enemies, just in case you think so, or just because you mock at them or doubt their capability. Why?

(i)  They are toiling away in the background, thinking of solutions and improvements on YOUR behalf, working without pay or official title as representatives of the People. Despite the fact that some of them have suffered at the hands of the Law for their fight for freedom, they never stop for YOUR sake.

(ii)  Many of them have good careers, are professors, doctors and lawyers etc as well.   They are comfortable in their roles and income, why do they not migrate for an easier life or just play golf every weekend?  But no, they channel their energies, time and efforts for the fights to RIGHT the policies that do not make sense.

(iii)  Some of the ideas or suggestions given the various opposition leaders have in fact been implemented – whether you want to believe it or not.   The current ruling party is not God, they can’t think of everything – so there is nothing wrong with borrowing an idea or two – BUT it means that the people who suggested the policies have not been credited or thanked properly. So, let them be in a position where they can put forth their brilliant ideas by their own hands.

(iv) You need to be aware again, that at this point in time,  your votes are merely able to send the opposition parties into the parliament – so that they can speak up for you, check the ruling party’s policies and be your listening ears.  If you have been misled by any posts or thoughts that this ONE vote is going to stop the SMRT trains from functioning, stop the police officers from patrolling your estate or the government agencies to STOP operating after 11 September 2015 – please get this misconception corrected.       The country will still run; but it would be such that, before certain bills or price hikes are being implemented, there are more voices to stop these from happening.

(v) They are on YOUR side.  You have to remember that the oppositions are not elites who have been sitting at top looking down at you, trying to imagine how you feel or how you suffer.  But these guys from the oppositions are on your side – working, living, enjoying family time etc exactly the way you do – paying the same bills, driving along the same roads, taking the same trains, eating at the same hawker centres, sending their kids to the same schools your kids go to.  Whatever issues you are facing, they are; whenever new policy changes impact you, it affects them too. You want someone who truly understands you, these are the people.

(vi) Give these people a chance.  The Singaporeans of the past gave the PAP a chance as well, and that batch did their jobs well, with improving lives of Singaporeans as priority.   You need to give the opposition a chance, if not how would you truly know their calibre?   To use a layman’s example – you won’t know how good a product works or tastes until you purchase it, right? You want a free sample – put them to the test in the parliament TODAY!

(vii)  Newbies always work the hardest, don’t they?  The current ruling party made of elites may have rich experience and enviable qualifications, but overworked machines get burned out, and underworked machines waste taxpayers’ monies.  So put the opposition in to work hard for you – where they lack in qualifications and experience, they will make up with diligence and drive.       What is the worse that could happen if they don’t perform? Well, they can either improve further over time or you can choose not to vote for them next time round.

But for now, since the Opposition parties are striving hard to work for YOU, for YOUR welfare, for YOUR future and YOUR children /grandchildren – reward them please. After all, when the time comes for Singaporeans to be given priority, better benefits and have all the concerns addressed – YOU will be part of that privileged Singaporean.  You can decide to exclude the opposition parties in your voting choice, but they have never excluded you – they are fighting for the good of ALL Singaporeans, every Singaporean – including you, the skeptical, the one who wasn’t aware, the one who don’t support them.

 

Your Vote –  Your Voice.  Your Country – Your Duty!  Let’s do our part on 11 September 2015!

 

 

Misconception of Politics and voting for the Opposition

Entering into Politics

In the past, people used to fear the notion of entering into politics, because it is “complicated” and “dirty”.  You put yourself out there, openly campaigning for rights and changes, subject to public scrutiny and attacks; your privacy is being invaded and you might even be ridiculed.

In the present, especially with the heavy use of social media platforms and existence of many self-professed “ciitzen journalists”, you don’t have to be a Politician to lose your privacy or be scrutinized. You don’t have to be a celebrity or public figure – but you are subject to the same risk of being posted on sites like Stomp or someone else’s social media feeds.

In the corporate world,  lots of schemes and games are being devised as well, “short-cuts” to ascending the corporate ladders – you have probably seen or been through your fair share. Therefore, you ought to realise that it is not (merely) politics that you have heard stories about – and you don’t necessarily have to be dirtied by entering politics.

You won’t lose your jobs and your rights; you won’t be cast into (jail) cells unless you do something extreme to members of the ruling party – such as threatening them, conducting demonstrations without applying for valid licenses. or posting harsh lies / insults about high-ranking governmental officials online. But do be reminded that you would still be subject to punishment by our law if you threaten or offend a common citizen too – not necessarily a member of the government.

So, ultimately, it is not about whether you are involved or not involved in politics – do the right things, campaign the right way, and you can continue to stay in politics. as a Singaporean just like anyone of us.  You don’t have to be an extremist to fight for our rights.

Voting for the Opposition

Contrary to what you believe or the many myths you’d probably heard since young,  of the consequences of voting for the opposition parties.  It is not true that your application for flats, bank loans, and other grants will be rejected or given less priority – kindly check your own financial standing and criteria for the rejected reasons before alluding everything to your vote.

At this juncture, every vote counts.  We may not be able to overthrow the current government yet – it might not be the intention anyway – we need to get more parties into parliament to speak up for us, to pass the messages for us, to represent our interest and keep the ruling party in check.

These are people who listen – you want the opposition parties to unite and stand as one against the ruling party, right? Well they heard you – hence the Vote for Change initiative.  Your views and your rights have been put above their personal reasons for campaigning.

These are people who have / are willing to ensure that your concerns and voices are being heard – some of them have made sacrifices or even stayed at “Changi Chalet” fighting for the people of Singapore.  Some has been cast out of the country before due to various (and obvious reasons). You may not agree with their tactics – but what have you done to fight for your own needs in your motherland?

Or do you have no needs because you believe that the government has planned, and taken care of everything for you – including helping to manage your money, the country your kids should study in, the time you should reach work due to train breakdowns and what you should be / should not be reading in the national papers?

Every vote counts, every vote is your voice to the ruling party; vote wisely, vote for your future and your children’s future; also do not spoil the precious vote.  Even if you are in a dilemma between the parties contesting in your area – do the right thing.

FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHTS

It is a bloodless war and the only frontline you get to battle in, is probably at your estate’s polling station.

FIGHT – for democracy, for the right to speak and write without fear of being put to jail for your RIGHT to express yourselves freely (and responsibly, of course).

FIGHT – for transparency of how funds are being handled, especially national funds and OUR hard-earned monies. Don’t you wish to see the real figures, or are you satisfied with “paper gains”?

FIGHT – for the rights in your own land. We need foreign immigrants to boost our economy and balance the aging population BUT we must have our rights as Native Singaporeans. If a Singaporean and Foreigner both have similar academic achievements and work experience, the Singaporean should be given priority in his / her job application here; same goes for educatioal opportunities.

FIGHT – so that Singaporeans won’t be mocked by foreigners in our own land, a land trampled upon by others merely using it as a stepping stone. Foreigners are being given VIP treatment and priorities over Singaporeans – but think again – if a war or dispute arises between their motherlands and Singapore – will they stay and give precedence to Singapore, fighting alongside Singaporeans against their native countries?

FIGHT – for understanding, because the elites sitting up there will never understand the hardship you are facing or have faced.  This also means that most of their empathies are superficial, and that is why the policies they come up with are flawed.  They price houses according to what they can afford, or deem affordable by their standards; they raise the retirement age to their whim & fancy because they don’t have an issue retiring comfortably at their own desired age; they close an eye to your public transport breakdowns / delays because they don’t commute the same way.

It is akin to a boss watching you from his current position and telling you to “suck it in” because he has never pricked his fingers or carried the heavy goods his workers are doing currently.  Better yet – when inflation and costs of living go up, their salaries follow accordingly – so that they can catch up with the high costs of living. And how about you, toiling away down there? Accept it and scrimp, or moonlight on assignments / extra businesses on the side.

Even with the cushy salaries meant to prevent corruption – how many cases have we seen in recent years that no amount is ever enough?

It is your right, your chance to say something that matters, your turn to  shake and wake those who are still sleeping on their jobs. Do your part for Singapore, for yourself and those you love!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Playing “Follow the Leader” through Name Calling?

I read with utmost interest this article by Jeraldine, and agree that in campaigns, name-calling and personal attacks are uncalled for.  Take a read before continuing with my writeup below.

http://www.jeraldinephneah.me/2015/09/pap-personal-attacks-opposition.html

No wonder it is notable that many of their supporters tend to resort to name-calling and insults against those with different political views

I see…so they were probably playing “follow the leaders”.

Shame on you! If you cannot intellectually defend issues without hurling attacks, it says a lot about your character and maturity level!

I’m sorry words aren’t minced here and what I’m saying next ain’t gonna be pretty, but I hope it’s a dose of reality for those who need to open their eyes (and minds up). I’m sick of reading about staunch pappies supporters dubbing opposition supporters as “dumb”, “senseless”, “ingrates” etc merely based on face level

Have you read much political history or spoken to the opposition supporters to understand their choices, before deducing that anyone who support the “heretic side” must be spoilt, unappreciative or possibly wrecking Singapore’s future?

Or do you, merely because of this “prosperity” are so awed that your world is entirely white with no gray, no black, no other hues? If so, it figures why you are so money-centric, because you are playing “follow the leaders ” here again. Though, if you really check yourself, does being in a prosperous nation necessarily mean that you are prosperous .

Having a world class transportation system does not necessarily mean you are riding in style, and having a world class education system does not guarantee your kids will be a part of it too.

So please, don’t because of the good work of the ex-generation of PAP, continue to live in denial that times are changing. If you want your monies locked up, want to repay interest for using your own money for education / housing, want to retire in JB, want to pay exorbitant sums for Healthcare and housing as well as your ministers’ salaries – that is your choice. You are willing to oversee all these for the current “comfortable” lifestyle.

How you wish to vote or think or dream is your own choice – and it is respected. But again I reiterate, drop the name-calling and unpleasantries just because you don’t like us supporting the other side, and fear that our decisions will have dire consequences.

We share the same fear too – that your blind, eternal gratitude aka devotion will also bring about unfavourable results to this nation we hold dear, but we have more decorum and sense to not cause friction by addressing you pappies supporters as “xxx” or “yyy” just because of your political choices.

Even this simple choice is a good example of Democracy! Your vote is your voice; let’s respect each other like the first world citizen we should be!

If you claim that you love your country, Singapore…

 

In the heat of the upcoming General Election 2015, most of us are either busy reading feeds / news on what every party said / did, attending rallies or are involved on a deeper level through volunteering for various roles or donations.

Amongst the frenzy, there are several types of voters, notably are the :

(i) Staunch supporters of any party who would defend and lend support unwavered;
(ii)  Indecisive or neutral ones who do not care about political news at all;
(iii) Indecisive or neutral ones who attend all rallies, read all news and try to find a fair point to support;
(iv) The Complain Kings / Queens who whine all about the ruling party and how much they detest certain policies, but continue to vote for them due to fear;
(v)  The laughable ones who take this too personally and begin attacking, name-calling or insulting those who share a different political view from them; and
(vi) Those that void their votes due to ignorance, frustration or mischief.

After reading so many articles and posts defending the ruling party, calling the opposition supporters “ingrates” or “unappreciative” and fearing how our voting decisions may affect the country adversely as a whole, I feel the strong need to set a few things straight:

(a) Firstly, as repeated, there is no  need for name-calling or insults. If you believe that the party you support is that great and perfect, people have eyes to see.   If you need to resort to name-calling and personal attacks to defend the party you support, it says alot about your character, your true understanding on what exactly is happening, as well as the level of confidence you have (or lack thereof) in them.

(b) Secondly, we are not overthrowing the government right now. You probably mistook us for Indonesia or Malaysia. We are merely voting to send more concerned leaders into PARLIAMENT to speak up for the people – the people, including you, your welfare and your future.   So don’t worry so much about the overall operations of the country after September 11 this year, all right?

(c) Thirdly,  not supporting a party does not mean we hate them – please grow up. We can see the things the past generation of PAP has done for us – thank you Sirs.   But that era is over, and now you have ministers who care about foreigners more than our people – including yourself – so please open your eyes to read more, see more and understand more.  Loyalty does not necessarily mean blind faith or oblivions.

(d) Just like how your abusive  or concesdencing posts express fear that if we vote for opposition, we are going to ruin the country, we share the same fear that your folly will destroy the future of the country as well.  The more power and control you give someone, the more daring they are, the more deserving they probably feel you deserve to have your CPF monies locked in, for you to retire across the Causeway, for your kids to give way to foreign kids studying here – because they know you are a stickler for their policies (no matter how wrong).

So, having said all that, you need to understand that we share the same level of respect for the past PAP members who contributed a lot, who helped the country prosper, who thought for the welfare of our people. We love Singapore for its strategic location, beautiful landscape and all the it has to offer – just like how much you love Planet Earth, don’t you?

Therefore, we also want to save the country and preserve its beauty, its values, its importance.  If certain changes don’t come about, if certain bad policies are not righted, if the ruling party does not see that their people are not meek little lambs who dare not voice out their concerns for the country – then what kind of love is that?  Like a parent who continue to indulge their kids even when the kids do wrong?

IF YOU REALLY LOVE YOUR COUNTRY, IF YOU REALLY WANT IT TO BE BETTER, IF YOU WANT TO PROTECT AND SAFEGUARD IT –
YET DO NOT HAVE THE POWER TO DO SO, OR HAVE NOT BEEN LISTENED TO-
ALL THE MORE YOU NEED TO SEND SOMEONE WHO HAS THE POWER TO DO SO, TO CHECK THE GOVERNMENT AND POLICIES, TO SPEAK UP FOR YOU, AND TO HELP WITH OVERALL IMPROVEMENT ON SINGAPORE AS A WHOLE. 

All the more you need to open up your eyes objectively to check on where it has “fallen ill”, to want to treat it and cure it and mend it, before it is too late. All the more you should help it to improve, help the people running it to make it a better place for the people including yourself.

Stop being selfish and just think of your own comfort zone and complacency, or the happiness with your GST credits etc.    HELP SINGAPORE GET BETTER BY SENDING DOCTORS AND TEACHERS AND LAWYERS TO KEEP IT IN CHECK, SO THAT IN POLITICAL, SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND OVERALL HEALTH, IT MAY ONLY GET BETTER.

Do your part as a sensible Singapore Citizen – save your country, do your duty. Your vote, your voice, your only chance!

 

 

 

National Day Songs- read into the lyrics

Ahhhh, classic National Day songs. I know the lyrics to some of these songs by heart.  We started singing them all the way from kindergarten – no joke! I even bought cassette tapes for 25th National Day!   The songs used to mean so much, we’d sing them with pride – songs for the nation, about the nation, OUR nation!

Then one day you wake up and realise that the nation has become a thing of the past, and this is but a profits-generating land, where passerbys were aplenty, leaving behind their footprints until something better comes along.

We don’t have to sing the same tune, of course, but truths are hard – maybe to some of you, accepting them is even harder.

“We will stand together to hear the lion roar…….. …….. we built a nation strong and free“.

Who will stand together when the lion roars? Singaporeans.

Do you think the new immigrants will stand together and their hearts will ever beat one ONE? Just like the gate-opener lets them in to help boost the economy and increase vote counts (sic), they are also here for their own benefits, duh.

Many of them are after the red (not blood) object – the wings to another land which they would pledge their allegiance and settle down in.  This makes us a stepping stone, doesn’t it?

How many of them bother to study our history and learn about our culture so that can better fit in? And when they fetch their parents and entire villages over here, do they try to fit in or even make an effort to?

Most importantly, when war breaks out one day – will they still be standing here, fighting for us as if this were their Motherland, shedding their blood and tears for Singapore just as our forefathers (who were also foreigners!) did?

“There was a time when people say that Singapore won’t make it, but we did…… we’re going to show the world what Singapore can be“.    So we’ve shown – and it’s attractive enough for them to want to be a part of it and make their own, as well.

So after “making it” with your efforts, time, sweat, blood and energy, your kids are not able to get into their local unversities of choice – because free scholarships are being dished out to other countries’ people’s kids, many of whom cannot even utter an English alphabet properly – which is to say, NOT even talented “scholars”.

So after “making it” with your sacrifices, accumulating a lifetime of ill health and spent youth, you are replaced by, or given lesser priority than someone who hails from another land, who probably cannot even pronounce your Chinese name accurately, and he / she will take your place, sitting on the very seat you were on – drawing the salary meant for you.

If you fail to associate with the above – you are either the cream of society, meaning, it doesnt matter which country you choose to reside in – you’d still be given priorities. OR, you are still living in a dreamland – so wake up and smell the coffee, please.  Which country’s government ask the people to reflect when foreigners on scholarship here call them “dogs“?

Don’t be fooled by articles that tell you that GE is more than public transport breaking down, GE is more than Amos Yee alone, GE is more than just CPF monies etc – if all these issues added together are not important national issues for a democratic society (i.e. Singapore), then what is?   If a group of elites cannot withhold standards of the past, then perhaps they need to hear it from the people!

I want MY Singapore back – don’t you?

 

Disclaimer: No part of this may be republished without the writer’s permission. Copyright 2015  ©  Singopporean. All rights reserved.

 

Sinkapore – will there be another 50 years?

After the hoo-has of SG50, I am seriously pondering – will there be an SG100 to come?

It seems so far away- at least with this government and their deteriorating policies,  I cannot see the other 50 years taking shape.

Yes,  they have done us proud – the Changi Airport, the port, our distilled water system, etc.  But are they able to continue doing us proud, or have they reached the limits of what they are capable of, at this juncture?

Today, as you sit reading your newspapers or watching your favourite TV program, contented in your home,  comfortable with your car – though still repaying your mortgage and car loans – life is good. The current job is still paying a handsome sum, and everything seems fine.

What you’d probably forgotten about, is what I am about to remind you herein:

One generation ago, your parents – who may not earn as much as you now, but $2000 was a comfortable salary back then – bought their houses and car at prices that cost a fraction of what you have paid for.  Do your flats have better amenities? Is it not just another flat  – albeit smaller in size – with the same lifts, same floorings, same walls and windows?

What you are paying for food is inflated as well, because of high rental costs at food centres (let’s leave restaurants out because that is an extravagant choice you may choose to pursue or not) – owned by private corporations – resulting in increased prices of per plate of rice or noodles you purchase.

You believe that it is solely due to inflation? Then why is it that your salaries are not adjusted accordingly, while the ministers’ pay are adjusted whenever the need calls for it?

Do you work less diligently or less brilliantly than they do?

What you’ll probably need to be aware of:

One generation later, you better pray that English and Mandarin /Melayu / Tamil are still the core languages we need to speak in Singapore- because if not, you would be in your 50s to 60s, and the new citizens here would not be able to understand a single word you utter. You cannot even ask for directions to the supermart without learning Tagalog or whatever language is used when Singaporeans become the minority here!

Your children may not marry fellow Singaporeans anymore – and your son or daughter in law may come from a culture where being fillial to their parents come first – so you pray hard your savings are enough to get you a home, a personal nurse or check you into the nearest nursing home. If not – you can apply to JB’s nursing homes for a place now.  It does not hurt to be prepared.

Your children may no longer be able to purchase flats of their own anymore-  if the prices continue to soar, and you know what will then happen?  They will have to stay in rental flats, or stay with you – imagine 2-3 families cramping under the same roof, as though we are going back to your parents’  time!  Then your kids will start fighting over your property even though you are still well and alive – that won’t be a pretty sight, but no choice- they don’t have their own abode!

Even the simple desire to find your favorite local Singapore food may be an impossible feat if Singapore were overtaken by majority of non-locals.   You want your favorite Char Kuey Teow, Laksa, Prawn Noodle etc? Go Chatterbox Restaurant and pay SGD$25.00 per serving ok.

Those who sit in parliament by then would be people who hail from other countries – see, even now Indian FTs are trying to contest as private candidate already (and he is just the START) – all who have an entirely different set of what they want Singapore to be, taking care of their people first.   And they will be here to rule, because you have been so kind as to allow them to.

The list goes on, I shall leave you to ponder.

If you don’t wish for such a horror scenario to come true – take action right now. Your vote – your voice!

 

10 Types of People Who Would Continue to Vote for the Ruling Party

Voting is a choice; it is not meant to divide Singaporeans into “PAP-supporters” and “Opposition Supporters” – please remember that.  Regardless of which direction our personal preferences lean toward- always remember that we Singaporeans are ONE, shall stand as ONE and respect each others’ decisions.

Currently, with the heat of the impending GE, it is sad to note that we are divided into “groups” according to our political preferences, and heated debates have been traded, including some insults.  Some have tried to enforce their views upon others, like this  and this, etc.  Others have been rather sarcastic in their posts, not sparing a little name-calling towards supporters who do not share their views.

DON’T.   Let’s learn to respect each other as a fellow Singaporean – all wanting and wishing for the BEST that our motherland, Singapore, can be.

Let us be calm and try to see why PAP has its staunch supporters:

(i) Comfort
It is easy to be in one’s comfort zone because they have probably yet to go through setbacks. It could be that they have been born into good families and whatever happens to the country should not affect them – since no matter who rules, they still have their monies in the banks, their annuities set aside, their vacation homes in some pretty escapade sites, yet to start business ventures that failed due to government policies or taken charge of planning for their own lives yet. The latter point is largely relevant because if my parents had planned everything nicely for me, I don’t see why I would bother with those who have to struggle with failed decisions or plans – I probably wouldn’t even be aware there were any.

Being too comfortable, one finds fear in the thought of changes – any changes at all.  They are probably worried when new neighbours move in, concerned when a new Head takes over the department, and nervous when the tour guide changes their travel itineraries as well. We cannot really blame them for worrying about their future if the country changes, can we? Well, but sadly it IS already changing.

(ii) Brainwashed / Fear
Since young, they have probably been told of how good, how powerful or how “dangerous” the government was / is.  I was told that the PAP was great too – but at least my folks stopped that when it was apparently no longer so.   Many people are simply bound by the fear factor – the fear that if they vote for the Oppositions, they would be deprived of certain rights or welfares.  Personally, I have spoken with people who have this fear – “If I vote for opposition, my flat application won’t be successful”. And we wonder why such mindsets come about.

Oh, did you watch last night’s rally? You might probably only get a bus interchange or hawker centre if you vote the PAP in. Wow.

(iii)  Unfazed / Neutral
This group of people are probably too busy or nonchalant to be aware of the changes around them. They probably shy away from political articles or activities, not wishing to be implicated or involved in any manner.   When GE comes around, they are probably torn between voiding their votes or just marking the “safer” options – either way, it probably does not affect them much.

(iv)  Bad Previous Experience
This group probably has more reason to be cautious than the others. They voted for the opposition parties before, probaby were even under their care for a period of time – and someone disappointed them greatly.  It is inevitable that they would be resentful and want to return to the care of the ruling party – the same one whom they did not vote for in the last election because they have been disappointed with the ruling party back then as well.   Nothing wrong – one can always choose to alternate between different parties during each GE.

(v)  The Non-Natives
No offence to anyone here, on a sincere note.   I have had minor run-ins with non-natives who disagreed rather ferociously with some of my political articles or postings, because they were either not born here or they are still foreigners NOW.   So they have not been able to see or feel the impact of changes over the years, and it is easy to be sitting on the fence and making remarks.  All I can say is, wait till they become citizens, and please open up the eyes to the world outside of rose-tinted gratitude – before forming opinions so soon.

Either that, or they have married non-native spouses and both are currently residing in Singapore. Hence the Singapore-spouse feels inclined to be grateful to the ruling party for their spouses’ citizenship, PMET job, whatsoever, in Singapore.

(vi)  The Ones Who Don’t Reside in Singapore Currently or Often
Strangely, it appears that the Singaporeans who reside overseas or travel out of the country have a lot of comments to make against Singaporeans in Singapore being “spoiled” or “love to complain”.     I have mentioned in another article before this, and shall repeat here, that it is no wonder they feel that Singapore is still the best – since they don’t live here, earn here,  raise their kids here or spend (time and money) here.   It is as good as our elites sitting up there looking down upon us and making policies that no longer apply or touch base literally – how well can one truly gauge the situation when they spend half their lives out of the country, “suffering” as a second class citizen in foreign lands that gives THEIR NATIVE people rights over others? Duh.

(vii) The Ones who work for the Government or their family members do
This is rather apparent as well and I shall not even go into lengthy explanation or justification for this group of people. They don’t want to bite the hand that feeds them – we cannot help it (or them).

(viii)  The Ones who agree with the Ruling Parties’ Policies or Proposed Policies Wholeheartedly
Staunch would be a kind word to use on this group of people.   It would be ideal to be able to tell a good and bad policy apart.  The ruling government had made some good moves that enabled Singapore to prosper and become what it is today – for that the ruling party has every right to take credit for.      But how about new policies or proposed policies? Perhaps the staunch supporters herein feel that they cannot manage their own monies well, so they do not mind the government locking their monies in even after age 55 – after all,  the longer our lifespan, the longer we deserve to work for our own livelihood.  Maybe it might even be fun, and great exercise to collect cardboard till 2.00am in the morning when we are 70 years old so that we won’t die of boredom at home.  Or maybe these supporters enjoy the idea of retiring or residing in hospices across the Causeway,  as per our minister’s brilliant advice.

(ix)  Those who do not know that the current ruling party was an opposition before, too
They are afraid to give someone else a chance to rule, to even speak up for them in parliament because they probably have zero inkling that the current ruling party was headed by a de facto opposition leader in the past!  These people might have been under the misconception all the while – that the ruling party was formed automatically when Singapore was discovered by Sir. Stamford Raffles, and have ruled till today.   Well, actually no, but our forefathers gave PAP a chance and they managed to turn  Singapore around, for the benefits of Singaporeans and Singapore’s future.

(x)  The Ones who have no time / no chance to understand the Opposition Parties Better
This group might be busy with other commitments and had no time to understand or study the opposition parties / contestants better.  As such, when GE comes around and they are obliged to vote, they cast the votes not for the party they truly support, but rather, for the party that they THINK they KNOW (or know of).   Pity, because over the next few years, they might come to be aware of someone who had tried to fight to better their lives, and then wished they had the time to understand the opposition parties better.    Knowledge is a powerful tool – so don’t become this group please. Take some time to read up on the opposition parties and individual candidates – many of them have good calibre and good reason to be your voices in parliament – so the least you can do is to read up more on them, find out about what they can do at current ongoing rallies, and then make a fair judgment of who to vote for.

This list is not exhaustive – feel free to add on!  If you are one of the above, or if you know of someone who may be one of the above –  it is not too late to effect changes and empower yourself with choices now.

Remember once again though – that regardless of the voting results and which party is being supported, we are all SINGAPOREANS wanting the best for Singapore and her future!  We respect our own!

“You sing, we listen; you sink, we run”

You are so afraid that by voting for the opposition parties – negative changes will take place, that they are inexperienced and have no power /capability to do a good job, or at least continue doing the work the past PAP has achieved.   Do you have so little faith in the current PAP – that they can be overthrown so easily-  that instead of sending more oppositions into the parliament, a few more votes is enough to completely replace the current ruling party?   Because if your level of faith in the current ruling party is so little – then perhaps you need to start shopping for a new opposition – someone who can serve your needs better and is not so easily toppled.

Every vote counts – make your vote count!

Issue 1-
High costs of living with no transparency.
We have been taken for a ride for many years, but being meek, docile Singaporeans, we chose to morph into “Hello Kitties” when we had the opportunities; yet in front of our friends we were probably Singa No. 2, roaring about how screwed up a certain policy(s) is.

When someone gives you a quotation, do you not ask for the breakdown?   When someone increases the price of an item, do you not ask for justification?

Learn to ASK – because only then, shall you be GIVEN.

Issue 2 –
Transportation
Breakdowns and delays are no joking matters, not for the nation’s main mode of transport.  We are being realistic here and not talking about special technologies and amenities onboard the trains and buses – no need for TVs to entertain us, thanks.  We are talking about the very basic function of getting us from Point A to B so that we can reach our workplaces or schools on time.  That is all.

When we pay the fare for the journey, the unspoken agreement is that this fare, this company we pay to will bring us to our designated destination.   When they fail to do so, they fail to provide alternate means of transport to fulfill their end of this unspoken agreement. AND instead of compensating all passengers who were affected by the countless breakdowns or delays (not hard to track since all our Ez-link cards have this thing called “unique serial numbers”), they fine the company they jointly-own.

Car owners and drivers – don’t peel your eyes away just yet. You mean to say that you are happy with the COE you are paying, the taxes and ERPs?  And all these are extras on top of owning a normal Japanese salon car with the pricetag of a Porsche in the USA?

Issue 3
Healthcare 
We don’t pay half of our salaries into taxes, so we don’t expect free healthcare. However, more subsidies should be in place for people, rather than the endless and constant prey on our Medisave funds. Why do the people have to bear the brunt of high costs – elements well within the government’s control and adjustments?

Issue 4
Central Provident Fund
No money, no talk.   20% of monthly salaries goes into this compulsory pension fund – so how much REAL MONEY is there left in our accounts?

Yes, you can use the monies in your CPF accounts to purchase flats or pay for education – everything is a figure, everything is on paper. Imagine if you could touch the money – the coolness of the coins, the crisp of the notes – how much would you still be able to physically grab hold of?

Locking the funds in with minimum sums and pushing retirement age up are NOT solutions – they are merely means of  buying time.   Just because you deduce that Singaporeans’ lifespan is longer, does not mean that they do not fall sick in their 50s onwards, does not mean that they need to toil till they land on their deathbeds.  Letting them have control over their own funds would also give them the rights to choose what kind of jobs they wish to pursue, or they can choose to set up businesses.

If you are afraid that they cannot manage their funds well and get cheated of their retirement funds – then appoint “managers” to help allocate their funds, interview them on their lifestyle (i.e. no gambling), appoint consultants to help them set up businesses etc.   Not to compulsorily lock up their monies as if it were your own – and dish out a monthly sum to them based on what YOU think is enough for them.

More issues to come.

Stay tuned.

Let’s Have a Party….

Election Day has just passed and now the colourfully-donned parties are all gearing up for the rallies. Posters are up, and flyers are being circulated fervently now.   You glance at the contestants, probably read up on their profiles, and are still oscillating between choosing the men in white, or other hues.

We are blessed to be in Singapore because the government HAD been good. Their plans for housing, efficient public transportation system, world-class education system, and even being a Fine City had its merits in crime prevention.

Some Singaporeans made the comparison, and continue to reiterate that having stayed overseas, transport is outdated, drivers go on frequent strikes leaving commuters no way to go home; education system is mediocre; they get robbed on the cobbled European streets ever so often, etc.

As a tourist or second-class citizen in those countries, you have to feel this way, of course – and have every reason to. Even if you apply for jobs there, you will probably be overlooked if their native citizen – who shares similar work experience and academic qualifications – applies for the same job.   Their people go on strikes to fight for better benefits or welfare – it is THEIR rights as a citizen; you don’t get that in Singapore NOT  because our transport system is more efficient, but because our drivers DO NOT have the rights to even fight for their rights without being tossed into jail.    As for being robbed on the streets – at this rate of bringing in more foreigners and putting more stress on the citizens – you might very well get that in Singapore soon.

Even the Hongkongers – most often compared to Singapore in terms of land size and high costs of living – had the right to protest when their government wanted to introduce the idea of a GST – and their government listened. This is active citizenry – the very basic right of being a citizen, isn’t it?

Singapore was a home, a nation. But if the people ruling it continue giving priority to the cream of society and foreigners, then Singapore has become nothing more than just “any other country”.

 

EMPLOYMENT –  People found contentment in their jobs in the past because their salaries enabled them to live comfortably, and they had job stability – which explains why it was common to hear someone in their 40s and above telling you they have been with their company / ex-company for 8 years, 10 years, 20 years easily, winning long-service awards effortlessly.  These days, competition is fierce, because not only do we compete with locals, but we compete with foreigners as well.

THEY ARE ALLOWED TO COMPETE FOR JOBS WITH FELLOW SINGAPOREANS BECAUSE THE CURRENT GOVT ALLOWED THEM TO.

EDUCATION – we had a good education system, with syllabus that surpasses even what kids in western countries were studying. That gave certifications from local recotgnised schools / educational institutions more weight.  Then what happened along the way?  When your kids reach tertiary levels, they are unable to get into universities of choice because they have to compete with other students, many whom do not even pay tuition fees because they are here on scholarships.

And while the pressure was put on academic achievements, the child’s other talents are hidden or not groomed into careers.  To be professional musicians or sportsmen, they probably need to train overseas, get famous, and then come back to Singapore to be accepted as a “professional artiste”; as for sports, there is no need to mention that foreigners have been representing Singapore in various international competitions.   And now, with the surge of foreigners coming here, some minister begins to sing a different tune and claim that education is not important.

IF EDUCATION IS NOT IMPORTANT, WHY  IS IT NOT EASY FOR LOCALS TO GET INTO LOCAL UNIVERSITIES AND WHY DO GOVERNMENT AGENCIES STILL BASE RANKS / PAY ON EDUCATIONAL LEVEL?

EMPLOYMENT – stability is tossed out of the window now with so many employees for the employers to choose from – any nationality and race they want.  Many foreigners in PMETs roles have had their mill-bought degrees being cast to light over the years – while the hard-earned degrees your kids possess may not get them their desired job roles. You know- the degrees you toiled so hard to pay for, or your kids took education loans for, and are now painstakingly repaying?

Strangely, when Singaporeans complain about the influx of foreign talents competing for their PMET jobs,  it is the foreign workers who are being barred from working in Singapore. Wait – it doesn’t make sense, right? So does this mean that Singaporeans should stop fighting for PMET jobs and take up the roles meant for foreign workers? Or does the ruling party think that Singaporeans cannot tell the difference between “talents” and “workers”, that as long as statistics show that “foreigners” are being reduced, we would be appeased?

That is bullocks! SMEs are suffering because of this stringent and nonsensical quota, as well as certain industries that relied heavily on foreign workers such as construction, manufacturing, F&B, etc.  If this is the way the government “listen” to their people and “resolve” issues, it ought to tell you that the ruling party today is no longer the same party of the past.

 

SO WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

That when you compare the ruling party against opposition parties, please do an apple-to-apple comparison. Do not confuse the efficient ruling party of the past with the current ruling party rolling in their fat salaries. Compare the ruling party of TODAY against the oppositions of today;    DO NOT compare the ruling party of the past with opponents of today; it is unfair.

Nice paths were paved by the ruling party in the past to make Singapore what it is today.   You need to be realistic and ask yourself if the current ruling still has the desire, the ability, and the capability to improve on these paths, or have they been destroying these beautiful paths with bad policies and decisions made?

You are scared that the oppositions cannot fulfill their promises to you – but also ask yourself, has the current ruling party been keeping their promises to the people of today, as well?

YOUR VOTE, YOUR VOICE.

 

 

 

 

 

SG50 – what does it mean to be a Singa-oppo-rean?

2015 marks a very special year for Singapore – a rural island rising to prosperity and popularity over the years. While we make a huge fuss of the Golden Jubilee, enjoying the long weekend, special SG50 promotions, wearing the red-and-white proudly to sing the National anthem. Do we really love our country, or were we overwhelmed by sentimental emotions, professing our love as we got swept up in the momentum?

You know it best, deep in your hearts.

Am I proud to be a Singaporean?  Search my heart, and I can find soft spots within it to say “yes”, of course I am. We have morphed into a very beautiful city; the national landmark has shifted from the meaningful Merlion to the Singapore Flyer now – the former paling in comparison by a long shot. I am proud of these beauty. I am proud of the country’s social and economic standing; am proud of its world-class education system, the convenience of lots of amenities as well as multi-racial integration into One.

I was prouder, though, when I was younger. I grew up feeling the peace of the streets and the sense of respect everyone had, “regardless of race, language or religion“.   There were foreigners on the land but they were cordial; they learned to blend in – and no, I am not xenophobic because my current close friends comprise Indonesians, Russians and Australians etc.

It is no joke to look around right now, feeling like a foreigner in your own land; hearing foreigners speak ill of the native citizens in this place, a place that belong to us. I loathed Singaporeans’ lack of grace, the constant need to be “kiasu” (i.e. not lose out), and the eccentric Singlish we had created over the years to reflect harmony of races.

In the constant chase for more prosperity and status, the idealistic goal to be a “hub” for everything, it has become a rather dogmatic society. Competition is fierce; opportunities are being dished out to non-Singaporeans so as to please newblood; and our values have been severely compromised. Oh that, and safety – the surge of murder cases ought to have set alarms ringing, but priorites lie first in frivolous policies. A clean city is littered with trash right now, but the cleaners are too busy making money to clean up the mess. No, wait – or are they the litter-throwers instead?

And these “litter-throwers” might have overstayed their welcome, because even the installation of media’s “CCTVs” cannot seem to look through the opaque layers of obscurity. Transparency and democracy are surreal – live examples are all over the media – but pick what you read from the load of censored and propaganda-ed materials.

Good policies turn bad when not taken care of correctly – even your bed of roses may turn into weeds given the same circumstances.  Being complacent in your current life, current home and current job is selfish – because it means you don’t care about the future of your children and their children as well.

Yes, our forefathers were foreigners in this land, as well- but they laboured hard with blood and sweat, created a culture through their virtues and well-learned values, so that their children and grandchildren have a place to call home. Ironically, the foreigners who try to set foot here now are trying to destroy the values and culture our forefathers helped create – do they try to integrate and become Singaporeans or do they try to convert?

Singapore is not an easy country to manage – being pint sized, yet wearing tall hats, with large shoes to fill. No one is perfect, so while there had been good times – are times still stellar, really?

If not, don’t you think it is time to make yourself heard through the sacred vote in your hands? If yes, did someone give you a chance to become who you were today?

Give someone else the chance to serve you, with your best interests at heart. Do not forget that NO ONE is perfect, and our policies and rulership changed hands several times (under British, under Malaysian, before PAP) and that the current ruling party was ruled by a DE FACTO OPPOSITION LEADER of that time, too! Because the chance was given (to him), improvements were made – so why are you so scared to give someone else a chance, holding on so tight to “what was” rather than create your own “what is”?!

You – as a Singaporean – have nothing but RIGHTS – and if you don’t help yourselves, don’t complain when bad policies hit you hard, please. Think hard, because September 11 is just around the corner…