Tuesday, February 17, 2009 15:19
TOC International: Spaced-out in Singapore!
In Gilbert Goh, TOC International, Top Story, Youth Focus • 1,360 views • 45 Comments
Gilbert Goh
I had returned to Singapore from Sydney some weeks back. I was away for only a few months and was shocked at the drastic transformation in Singapore. The first thing that struck me when I reached home was the sheer number of people that I saw on the streets, malls, MRT, buses and even the parks.
Meeting people on Sydney’s streets, unlike Singapore, is a premium, especially after dark. In Sydney, I lived a half-hour train ride away from the city. Shops close at 6pm daily except Thursdays, when they close at 9pm. There was one weekend I could not even buy a bottle of soya sauce because the shops had already closed. Parks are also sparsely filled with people.
Back in Singapore, I found it difficult to cope with so many people when I am outdoors. I felt giddy at times from the constant stream of people filing in for a bite when I visited Macdonald’s, for example. The cinemas are also full usually and it is tough trying to get a cinema ticket during peak periods and weekends. In Sydney, this is not a problem. Perhaps the AU$15.00 price for a ticket does not make it an attractive item to have for many. They would prefer to rent DVDs at the affordable price of AU$3.00 for one. I did that mostly in Sydney.
The Aussies are pretty homely people and most prefer to stay indoors during the weekend. During the summer, many drive to the beach for a swim or to tan. Their incredible love for the outdoors has allowed them to save some precious money for rainy days. I find that Singaporeans tend to indulge in spending too much. We go for movies, dine in restaurants and indulge in post- Christmas sales events. Most of the stuff that we do often have a dollar tag to it.
No quiet moment
Thinking that I could have some space of my own for a while, I headed to my neighbourhood park one evening as I needed to think through some stuff alone. To my shock, I found that pockets of people had occupied the park. Some were there to smoke and chat whereas others simply sat around. I headed back home, disappointed that I couldn’t have a quiet moment on my own.
Overcrowding not only restricts one’s movement but also adds to one’s stress as there is a lack of personal space. One often feels frustrated if he has to fight with others for the toilet, movies, dining and, more importantly, jobs. It is not surprising that those friends that I met recently all asked me about the migration experience. Perhaps, they all shared how I feel about the experience back home. They felt like a foreigner in their own homeland.
Foreigners, foreigners, everywhere!
The next thing that hit me hard is the influx of foreigners into our country. Having taken the train several times, I had almost suffocated to death by the oncoming passenger load at every stop. I could smell the stench of human perspiration and also Armani perfume right next to me. Half of the train’s load was also strangely filled with foreigners (e.g. Filipinos, Indians, Chinese, Thais, etc) that I felt like a foreigner in my own country. I felt sad and detached. Am I home or what?
In Sydney, the Asians also seemed to dominate. My apartment has 12 units and at least ten units are filled up by Asians – mostly mainland Chinese or Vietnamese. Most Aussies have moved to Brisbane where the houses are cheaper and perhaps they find solace in their own kind. Will Singapore end up like this where the locals move away from the foreigners, creating a deep division? Is this one big reason why Singaporeans emigrate in large droves recently?
I ventured to my favourite coffee shop one morning and was shocked to see that the coffee shop was ran mostly by mainland Chinese workers. The worker ratio is three foreigners to one local worker there. They are all young and energetic and could even speak some simple English: “Kopi, want milk or not?” Our elderly workers have never seen so much competition for their often-shunned coffee shop job that pays S$5.00 an hour or less. Once again, I wondered how on earth can MOM allow so many young foreigners to do low-end manual work at the expense of our own workers. Depression soon took over me after that visit to the coffee shop.
Social cost of being so crowded
Our government ought to evaluate the social costs of having too many foreigners in our midst. Though the economic benefits may be there, the social cost can be too high for Singapore. Even in Australia, the Australian government is trying to reduce the emigration quota this year with rising unemployment. Although their protectionist labour policies may seem unfair, there is nothing wrong with the Australian government trying to protect the jobs of their own people. Yet in Singapore, the reverse could be said of ours: the jobs of the foreigners seem more protected than the locals’. This is a shocking revelation.
Maybe Australia’s strong social welfare policies have lessened the impact of a financial crisis for individuals and families at large. If one is unemployed, he can claim unemployment benefit. If one is a single parent, she can claim benefit for the children. They need not worry too much about money, unlike us. We only have ourselves to depend on, so much so that it has become an obsession. With that, our lifestyle also largely reflects our status – the car we drive, the house we live in and even the school we send our kids to.
Our government has perhaps been too effective in moulding us to be money-making machines. We all know how to make money the moment we graduate or enter the workforce. One takes the highest paying job offer even though our interest is sacrificed here. Bills need to be paid and we rather have cash on hand to buy a new car than doing something that brings us happiness.
I may stay in Singapore for a few more months to finish up some tasks. It is never easy for one to adjust to life back home, having enjoyed the nice weather, quiet environment and uncrowded train rides in Sydney. Nevertheless, home is still home especially when I can see old friends and familiar surroundings. I longed to visit friends and catch up over kopi while watching the EPL live games with my kakis. In Sydney, weekends were mostly spent at home with my family watching DVDs and soapy TV programmes. I guess one will not have a perfect place in this world to live his life. More importantly, as we age, we will feel more at home with our loved ones by our side wherever we are.
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Picture from: http://moeside.net
Read also: Is our politics any different from China’s?
TOC International (TOCI) features every Tuesday. If you’re a Singaporean overseas, and you’re interested in joining the TOCI team, do drop us an email at: theonlinecitizen@gmail.com.
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45 Comments
Dr Syed Alwi
Dear Gilbert Goh,
This is what happens when we have a Government that simply refuses to admit that it has FAILED. They are too proud and arrogant to admit that their policies are a flop ! Meritocracy, the 5 C’s, one-party state, lack of accountability and transparency, lack of freedom of speech and so on – has contributed to all this. But the people on top – are too arrogant to admit that these are the things that have contributed to the failure of their policies.
You should read the book, The Singapore Miracle : Myth Or Reality ? Its an excellent book that debunks the myths surrounding the Singapore story.
Ultimately – whether Singapore goes on to greater heights or whether it simply shrivels up and fades away – depends much on the ego of the people on top. If they are genuinely concerned about Singapore’s future – then they must first be honest with themselves and admit that their policies are a failure. You must first admit that there is a problem – before you can go on to fix it !
Best Regards
Dr Syed Alwi
smallvice585
Nice to see Gilbert back!
smallvoice585
Dear Gilbert Goh,
Whether in the placidity of Sydney or in the midst of noisy overcrowding in Singapore, we should train ourselves to reside in our inner peaceful state of calm.
If externalities do bother you, you should instead look for opportunities for personal growth and enjoyment. The large number of foreigners here actually enhance the richness of diversity in our everyday life. The eclectic smells, sights and sounds of the different nationalities actually constitute a rare cultural education not to be missed.
The only requirements to enjoy life here is to adopt a more cosmopolitan outlook and to abandon the “us against them” mentality.
SZ
“If they are genuinely concerned about Singapore’s future – then they must first be honest with themselves and admit that their policies are a failure. You must first admit that there is a problem – before you can go on to fix it !”
but what’s the chance of that happening? the extraordinary league of MIW seems to have super big ego and admitting fault seems to be the hardest, so yah, if it continues, singapore will continue down the death spiral
Jimmy Armfield
Generally agree with what Gilbert has said. Singapore has opened itself up too liberally to the point where foreigners come and go as they please. In pursuit of immediate economic benefit, the country has sacrificed its values and thrown caution to the winds. Well, this downturn and its social consequences will come back to haunt us for generations.
cy
I am not against foreigners coming but i feel that the pace has been quickened in the past few years. i wonder why? Is there a need for this breathtaking pace? Singaporeans and foreigners alike need time to get used to another or else there will be more conflicts.
Its like a ecosystem been invaded by foreign species. too much will spoil the ecosystem.
Shoo-shoo
the bottomline is: how much personal space do you want? 5cm as on MRT, 50 cm as in a coffee shop or 500cm as in a condo?
singapore is getting more crammed without a doubt. returning singaporeans have personally told me that. it’s okay with the elites of course. it’s easy when the quiet haven you seek is right in the middle of your garden surrounding your bungalow.
vote wisely!
smallvice585
The only requirements to enjoy life here is to adopt a more cosmopolitan outlook and to abandon the “us against them” mentality. – smallvoice585
That is a very Ah-Q attitude.
To smallvice585
That is a very Ah-Q attitude.
I wonder who is having the Ah-Q attitude? If someone chooses to see the positive side of things, does it merit such a response?
253SA
That’s what happens when them folks in charge have ambitions to make this here place look like Hong Kong or New York. They gonna want lots of crowds like Times Square. Remember what some fool said a long time ago that this here place lacked some kind of “buzz” that he gets at other cities? Yes siree, Gilbert, welcome to Singapore, half-baked New York of Asia!
Muhamad Nur
Singaporeans need to understand that Singapore is very much a dependent nation where else most other countries are truly independent. What are the other alternatives to replace our dependency on foreign labour? Are there new sources of income for the country without the need to recruit more foreigners in our midst?
There are many gray areas that need to be answered? The government have already informed its citizens the country needs to give birth to 50K babies a year to sustain itself. We have not met this target for the last 20 yrs. What are the implications if the 1.6 million foreigners are suddenly told to return home? Has anyone thought about this?
My only deduction is that the country will cease to exist if foreigners are to suddenly disappear tomorrow. Adopting a hideous siege mentality that almost reflect a racist undertone will do us no justice nor appeals to mainstream thinking Singaporeans. Please remember, whenever we face a problem, always think of the solution and not the problem.
sarongpartygarmen
“The large number of foreigners here actually enhance the richness of diversity in our everyday life. The eclectic smells, sights and sounds of the different nationalities actually constitute a rare cultural education not to be missed.”
don’t anyhow copy places like NY,Tokyo,London etc. they have four seasons to mask the “eclectic smells.” in a humid and sunny throughout weather like sg, we all smell like sardines and sweaty socks with that kind of “large number of people”.
our weather is better suited for kampong village style setting with lush greenery and breezy spaces.
the only smells you want is your neighbor’s curry fish head from a few houses away.
sarongpartygarmen
“What are the implications if the 1.6 million foreigners are suddenly told to return home? Has anyone thought about this?”
the property market will crash. you won’t be able to cash out of your homes and pressure the garmen for more cheaper alternative such as rental homes.
Andrew Loh
Muhamad Nur,
“What are the implications if the 1.6 million foreigners are suddenly told to return home? Has anyone thought about this?”
First I don’t think we have 1.6 m foreigners. Last time it was mentioned, the figure of 1.2 came up.
Second, no one is asking for all foreigners to be sent home. This is the extreme assumption taken by govt ministers whenever the issue of foreigners come up. It’s a red herring.
Singaporeans (at least some of them) are asking for the rules to be tightened in allowing foreigners in. Look around you, foreigners are everywhere in almost every sphere of our lives.
And also, employers are exploiting the weak policies in bringing in more foreigners than they are allowed – look at the foreign workers from Bangladesh and China, and look at the average coffeeshop with its China women working there.
Tighten the legislation and don’t let just anyone to come here. That’s what we’re saying. No one is asking for a Singaporean-only Singapore.
Bernard young Singaporean
In big countries where land and resources are abundant, people get the freedom and choice to live their lives. I studied in New York State and lived in a medium sized city of Buffalo. I was shocked at the slow pace of life . Buffalo was a booming city in last century – a la silicon valley of the 19th century. major port for trade etc. Till her fortunes waned as the St Lawrence seaway opened and diverted trade. Later, the heavy industry like steel left the area for cheaper and convenient areas in USA. Buffalo really declined as a city with a decreasing population . This is what I shuddered to think what might happen to Singapore. Will we go back to be a small fishing village ? Buffalo can still survive thanks to the backing of a big hinterland. Singapore has none and lots of god-given constraints. Maybe our future Singaporeans will have to go back to China , India and Malaysia , leaving this island empty and forgotten . If Thailand ever succeed in building a Kra Canal to bypass Malacca Straits, will Singapore lose its usefulness to the world trade ? like Buffalo port ?
Personally, I felt liberated when I was in the States. It is so big that it allows different people to live the life that they want. If you are tired of the hustle and bustle of city life, you can go to some small town and eke out a decent living. I visited NYC and was bowled over by the most vibrant city of the world. There is so much diversity of people and culture in the big apple. 8 million people. The pace of life is much faster than Singapore. The cost of living way higher that you need at least 50 K to 60K to live there.
I asked my American friends who live in NYC. Some of them had seen enough and want to move to another place with lower living costs, less stress for their lives. When you are young with little burden, people generally love the buzz and energy. As you age, you don’t have the youthful energy to handle the big busy city life.
This article sums it up . http://nymag.com/realestate/features/49491/Where the Urban Dream Life Is Going Cheap
What could possibly make someone want to leave New York and move to Buffalo?
Personally, I am seriously mulling over this to see whether I still want to take Singapore as my home beyond 40 years of age. I shall see about this as part of my independent study of Singapore. Singapore is just too small . MM Lee was right that we were forced to become an nation by accidental circumstances. We have little room for variety of choice.
Maybe when Malaysia ever give equal rights for the minorities, Singapore should re-merge into Malaysia as a autonomous state. We must have some bargaining chips with the ‘brotherland’ – a la Hong kong with China.
All the best to Gilbert for settling down in Australia !
Bernard young Singaporean
http://nymag.com/realestate/features/49491
Where the Urban Dream Life Is Going Cheap ?
What could possibly make someone want to leave New York and move to Buffalo?
highlighted as a comparative case example
Bacterium
It should be TOC Abroad, not TOC International.
Articles are posted by Singaporeans living abroad; not by non-Singaporean nationals.
AOB
Dear Gilbert,
You forgotten even on phone enquiry or call centre you will hear Philippino accent speaking. I cannot imagine when I get old and make a phone call to find myself as though in Philippine. I felt this is not my country anymore. When 2nd PM Wong went to Beijing to sign the Manpower treaty I know it is going to get worst. More mainland Chinese are coming to displace the english educated population to make Singapore a province of China. All english educated beware!
Donaldson Tan
Bacterium (#19),
Doesn’t TOC itself means Singaporean already?
humptinised
unless anyone of you have not go around singapore during non peak hours in the city, you would not know about the congestion in bugis MRT. Yes, no typo, non-peak hours.
this leads to a logical question:
Can the current infrastructure support 6.5 million, i.e 2 million more?
even if can, will it be at the expense of Quality of living Environment and thus life?
how about crimes? let some flies in? as in criminals. of course not all are criminals or wannabees or canbees.
to convince me can, lets see some improvement in the congestion at bugis roads, crossings, mrts, malls.
hey, by the by, another of my friend migrated last week.
Mui Lanj Hong
Assuming current Foreigner population (PR + Ft + WP + SP + EP + Expatriates)
= 1 million.
and
current total population = 4.5million.
=> citizens = 3.5 mil; Foreigners = 1 mil.
when hit 6.5mil:
=> 2 mil more. => foreigners can become 1 + 2 mil = 3 mil assuming this growth is tremendous within a few short years of ‘recruiting’ and birth rate stagnates or remain low or gets lower.
This effecitively means foreigners = about 50% of the population.
How many singapore jobs will go to foreigners?
How many citizens are adults out of this 3 million or so? lets say 2 mil.
so, very good picture?
jason
hi Gilbert, great article! I think u pointed out right on spot on over-crowding Singapore.. too many foreigners pose many problems..
I was robbed in People Park last month by a group of Filipinos and the police couldnt do much even though the CCTV has caught their images and videos as the inspector said they are foreigners and they wont have their data bases available..
That is just one of the many problems!
Stewpug
yeee, where is the TOCI article comparing sg and china?
i wanna post a comment about china people
allowed to have entertainment tv shows on CCTV where their political leaders are impersonated. that show something like called Shan Zhai Spring Festival show by CCTV , also reported by CNA.
communist china so impressive wor.
I guess we need to be vigilant and stay focused on our efforts to integrate with our foreign workers here.
I am sad though they have failed to come out of theri shell so far.
Maybe the govt will try to bring the citizens and PRs together.
I have hard of PRs who only speak to their kid nad not to Singpaorenas.
There is the perception for PRs that Singaporeans are proud and we look down on them. IS this true?
Bling Bling
25) Gilbert Goh on February 18th, 2009 10.26 pm
I would be honored to get your view on the following:
. what would you feel when or if in addition to 1 million foreigners, 2 million more come here?
dweller
Have anyone visit geylang lately???
We ave great food if you are hungry.
We also have great food from asia, china, india along the road side……selling raw meat.
Once awhile we can see or read in papers that the local police arrested some of those street walkers….anyway, the suitations never change.
This is what happen when too many student passes were given out.
The locals can’t fight the influx of the oversea meat seller……NO info if their biz is effected.
smallvice585
Stewpug (#24),
The Singapore-China Comparison article is here: http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/02/toc-international-is-our-politics-any-different-from-chinas/
You can find also find list of TOC International Article here.
bacterium
20) Donaldson Tan
TOC International reads ‘The Online Citizen International’ which means, that it is representative of the International community – of all nationalities.
TOC Abroad reads ‘The Online Citizen Abroad’ which means, that it is representative of the Singapore community – stationed abroad. I believe this is the main aim of TOC.
Just my personal opinion.
29) Bacterium/Donaldson
Just a matter of opinion – no big deal.
Let’s agree to disagree.
Thanks all for showing interest in my article.
I am also happy that I ahve the opportunity to move around abit between Singapore and Australia and maybe even China soon. It gives me more options which not many people have.
Gilbert
gj
Sorry guys,but i am wishing the recession lingers on a lot longer so that at least some of our FT’s can go back. At least, when i go to Ikea, I will not have to wait in a queque one mile long just to have a coffee and wait half hour for a table. When I am running at East Coast park, I used to head towards Safra club where it was less crowded.Now, I have to avoid cyclists, mothers with strollers, rollerbladers( all foreigners,I can tell) invading the running track. I can go on( overcrowded buses,trains,shopping centres,carparks,foodcourts etc,etc.Guys, the point I am trying to make is that our smart planners did not prepare the infrastructure first before they opened the floodgates to let the FT,s in. Now we are paying the price.
Grief
Dear Mr Gilbert, what you have said is true. It Is the grim truth in singapore. Also to add on, foreigners are like parasites, they come here, steal our jobs, make the educated youngsters leave permanently. increase crime rates, bring their family members here ( including their in-laws, be it old or young), give birth and breed new scum, sabotage singaporean jobs so that their brothers or brother-in-laws can take up the jobs ( based on true things). This is foreign talent. And if u have been to the ST forums website, im sure u would have come across a thread in which a possible foreigner says that singaporeans do not deserve rebates as we do not work as hard as them. Now because of our loving goverment’s foreign policy, we have to hear these sort of rubbish. Also, might i remind u that these FTs are all “degree” holders who ask for $1000 pay. And I mean the degrees are all bought from the unis overseas. Yes Bought. When I went to china and india for
business sake, some of them actually told that you can buy degrees in anything you want for measly 8 dollars. They juz study a little bit about the job they plan to do and come here as a degree holder. These things are backed by reports on FTs who have degrees from unis that don’t exist.
Thank You.
demon-cracy
I must agree with the author, I can’t even find peace at beaches nor at home thanks to unrestrained kids racketeering.
Donaldson Tan
I would be happy as long as this Column bridges the stayer-quitter divide. The PAP Government tends to demonise whoever that contradicts its policy, even it means at Singaporeans’ expense. Instead of admitting that their own policies driving out Singaporeans, they accuse such Singaporeans as being unpatriotic quitters and then use the consequent brain drain issue as a bogey-man on the Singaporeans who stayed behind.
Jim Tan
I brought my elderly mother and father to Sentosa for the chinese new year “flower festival” as she love flowers. She ended up with a headache and unable to enjoy herself. Why? The whole place was so congested with foreign workers I felt like I was in India. I can see beach goers packing up because the foreign workers were ogling at them. The only ones enjoying themselves were the foreigners.
Today went to Geylang East library. Wow the whole place was swarmed with foreigners at every corner sitting, lying. No place for me. I went off to Paya Lebar to search for a place to sit down to use my laptop. Along the way, at the congested MRT, everyone was a foreigner.
Do Singaporeans still need to defend Singapore when it has already been invaded and occupied?
KAM
I was “home” for a CNY visit too.
My advice is: only rich can “survive” in Singapore, with big house, big car, lots of money and 2 or 3 maids to clean up. They then can enjoy Singapore.
Working class, will be working.
If can, go overseas, at least that way you can breathe again “fresher” air and not so claustophobic. When parents and other family members depart from this world or this country, then can finally go away for good and no need to look back.
I am just a passerby in my own country. And the freaking rulers don’t give a damm. They just import more workers and build more dorms.
Long live the Lees….cos when they die, they will depart with the reserves.
Daniel
Ironically the only place that is devoid of foreigners and one may get Tranquillity 24hours a day is the Cemetery. Fresh hair without weird smell, peaceful with so much room to breath.
Bernard young Singaporean
LKY once said promised that he would make Singapore a great metropolis i.e. the New York of SE Asia. Indeed, more than 20 years has passed . Singapore is now one of the most cosmopolitan cities and is only going to become even more globalized in time to come. For that, we have to give due credit to the old man for bringing world recognition to this little island. Why is the rest of the world is amazed at this little red dot ? Some are even jealous.
On the other hand, there is a price to pay for becoming more and more globalized , this is the potential loss of the natives’ sense of belonging to this nation. After looking at NYC and its vibrant diversity, I am not sure that Singapore can handle such high levels of diversity in a melting pot . All people of different colors, religions and so on – mixing together.
In Singapore, we are like a salad whether every ingredient is still visible with distinct differences.
Looking at all of you’s comments and Gilbert’s post. It tells me something that a significant number of Singaporeans are uncomfortable with having more foreigners around. In NYC, the Americans are open to it as long as the foreigner is more capable. Of course, there is still a invisible ceiling level for foreigners. unless the foreigner is so good , then he/she will rise to the top.
NYC has the backing of the a big hinterland – New York State and the rest of USA. Singapore has none , we are on our own. The American who is tired of city life and fierce competition or cannot make it in NYC whatever reason, can go somewhere else. The American who has made big bucks and want to retire somewhere more relaxed , can go somewhere else. Singaporeans have no other place to go . go to Pulau Ubin ???
Simply put it, Singapore is just too small to sustain itself without the world. a man-made miracle. Therefore, immigration to other place for a less crowded place is natural and not being disloyal to country, it is similar to the New Yorker relocating to Buffalo for a cheap urban life without the excessive stress and competition. Even my Dad is going to retire to JB. long before Minister Mr Khaw’s suggestion.
As for me, I will still try my best to see if I can make it well in Singapore. If I can, I will stay on. If not, I will leave but at least I tried my best and make some contributions to repay back to Singapore. So MM Lee cannot say that I am ungrateful and have no conscience.
I don’t want to owe anything to Singapore, I can leave with a clear conscience.
cm liew
In the sense of ..
Don’t worry, be happy.
loop
Anyone wondering why we should have more kids when they will only add to overcrowding besides the foreigners? Ask those Christian groups to stop preaching about having a family & all the craps so the population will start to shrink.
loop
Just last weekend when I was visiting the clinic for a runny nose. I saw many foreigners coming to the clinic for medical check-up & hold up the queue. It is true we have too many foreigners.
They are everywhere
Go down to Orchard MRT on Sundays and you will find out yourself. Try out Macdonalds at Lucky Plaza. For a moment, i thought i was a foreigner in the crowd!
tiredsingaporean
Ever wonder if all these FT are brought in not because they are cheaper workers by reason alone but understand most of them are offered or given PR and citizenships in just a couple of years of employment here. What could likely be the other reason then? do not forget that “every citizenships” are required by law to cast their vote when comes every GE, so can you see the point here? its politics. So for the rest of us singaporeans, if you are unhappy with the govt, please feel free to pack and get out of the country. They have more than enough renewed citizenships to replace you.
time
Dear Gilbert Goh,
have u ever imagine singapore without Foreigners? Absolutely it will collapse!
Singapore has so less natural resources, if not be said none. Try to do statistics on Singapore-based companies projects..most of them are in other SEA countries. Keep in mind that political and social welfare are stabilizing for those SEA countries. They are all developing rapidly while you are relaxing in Australia.
No worries. I believe in the next ten years, most of foreigners will leave Singapore for other countries. They will bring along their investment, projects, markets, resources to China, Taiwan, at least to other SEA countries. Singapore as a hub will no longer be needed since in the next ten years…who needs any hub after all.
The foreigners then will come to Singapore not for business purpose any longer, but for tourism purpose. Singapore will be the “good old days” city..nothing more.
At that day, please write us another complain article in this blog…(if anyone still interested in reading Singaporeans opinion)
Bernard
to 44 time,
so you think that the golden period of Singapore is gonna be over in 10 years down the road ? Alas, indeed. what come up – must come down eventually. Nothing is forever in history. Singapore is a goner or the ultimate survivor ?
Well, your observations are spot on. Even, I had the most part stayed in Singapore all my life, it seems that not a single day will pass without the sight of foreigners(Filipino, Indians, Thais, Chinese, Burmese). It is truly a cultural melting pot( call it a rojak). Every single day on the train it is the same situation, jam, jam, and it is hard to not to notice someone speaking in a different tongue altogether.
I do wonder sometimes would there be any social cost in all of these? It seems now staying at home is the best luxury one can afford.
At any rate, I would not be surprised to see some kind of racial violence at some point.
At this point, only time will tell and time is not our friend unfortunately.