Comments on: The unknown side of Singapore http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/08/the-unknown-side-of-singapore/ a community of Singaporeans Fri, 10 Feb 2012 06:58:34 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: george http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/08/the-unknown-side-of-singapore/comment-page-1/#comment-96456 george Mon, 17 Aug 2009 13:29:42 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=11911#comment-96456 Poverty exist in every country. Rich Western nations had a social security system where the working population support the less fortunate one. However their tax level is high. Sinkapore prefer their own unique system - right or wrong I leave to the readers. Poverty exist in every country. Rich Western nations had a social security system where the working population support the less fortunate one. However their tax level is high. Sinkapore prefer their own unique system – right or wrong I leave to the readers.

]]> By: rwkc http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/08/the-unknown-side-of-singapore/comment-page-1/#comment-93833 rwkc Sun, 09 Aug 2009 16:33:01 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=11911#comment-93833 Muhamad Nur #7 "Those Singaporeans who believe the government has done enough are either too arrogant or showing indifference." Good observation, MN. I agree. Muhamad Nur #7

“Those Singaporeans who believe the government has done enough are either too arrogant or showing indifference.”

Good observation, MN. I agree.

]]> By: Ahgong http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/08/the-unknown-side-of-singapore/comment-page-1/#comment-93069 Ahgong Thu, 06 Aug 2009 16:19:39 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=11911#comment-93069 Til this date, i have not known any country without poverty. But it is always interesting to see this kind of video. In any population, there are always about 3-5% of the people are living in dire conditions. Video seems to very "greenhorn" done. Shouldn't have put up the sentence at the beginning. Also, people neber realised that income is very sensitive thing. I almost laughed when the interviews on the newspaper auntie and tissue paper aunties. They won't really revealed true income to "suspicous" people, you might be from the government. haha. As i always say, if there is any country, having complete social welfare, medical benefits, lifelong retirement income, no TAX, no GST, no toll/ERP, jobless benefits. Pls hurry inform us. Til this date, i have not known any country without poverty. But it is always interesting to see this kind of video. In any population, there are always about 3-5% of the people are living in dire conditions.

Video seems to very “greenhorn” done. Shouldn’t have put up the sentence at the beginning. Also, people neber realised that income is very sensitive thing. I almost laughed when the interviews on the newspaper auntie and tissue paper aunties. They won’t really revealed true income to “suspicous” people, you might be from the government. haha.

As i always say, if there is any country, having complete social welfare, medical benefits, lifelong retirement income, no TAX, no GST, no toll/ERP, jobless benefits. Pls hurry inform us.

]]> By: BH http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/08/the-unknown-side-of-singapore/comment-page-1/#comment-92971 BH Thu, 06 Aug 2009 02:45:46 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=11911#comment-92971 This video lacks journalistic depth and research (kudos to TOC for making this though) as there are no statistics. I would love to see a feature on how people's standard of living and purchasing power have fallen drastically along with their real income, and hence have had to make a lot of financial, emotional and social adjustments. Some examples of this group would be the chronically unemployed, retrenched people (especially PMETs who now work as, for example, cab drivers), etc. I believe the number of this group of people is greater - and their suffering not less significant - than the relatively small number of people who live in poverty. This video lacks journalistic depth and research (kudos to TOC for making this though) as there are no statistics. I would love to see a feature on how people’s standard of living and purchasing power have fallen drastically along with their real income, and hence have had to make a lot of financial, emotional and social adjustments. Some examples of this group would be the chronically unemployed, retrenched people (especially PMETs who now work as, for example, cab drivers), etc. I believe the number of this group of people is greater – and their suffering not less significant – than the relatively small number of people who live in poverty.

]]> By: KopiCat http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/08/the-unknown-side-of-singapore/comment-page-1/#comment-92942 KopiCat Thu, 06 Aug 2009 00:14:38 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=11911#comment-92942 Poverty? What poverty? Our celebrities are doing charity projects overseas while charity should begin at home. Poverty? What poverty?

Our celebrities are doing charity projects overseas while charity should begin at home.

]]> By: blisteringbarnacles http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/08/the-unknown-side-of-singapore/comment-page-1/#comment-92886 blisteringbarnacles Wed, 05 Aug 2009 15:55:49 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=11911#comment-92886 Oh my god. papsupporter is so obviously being sarcastic, in the same vein as Lucky Tan. Cant you moronseven read between the lines??? All his sentences drip of sarcasm.... Wa lao eh, grow some brains... Oh my god.

papsupporter is so obviously being sarcastic, in the same vein as Lucky Tan. Cant you moronseven read between the lines??? All his sentences drip of sarcasm…. Wa lao eh, grow some brains…

]]> By: Noob http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/08/the-unknown-side-of-singapore/comment-page-1/#comment-92870 Noob Wed, 05 Aug 2009 14:42:34 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=11911#comment-92870 Poverty is amongst the old.. I've seen this old man picking up food from trash around my work areas and I've always given him a few dollars to buy food. That being said.. the girl at 1:06 has a really nice set of rack. Poverty is amongst the old.. I’ve seen this old man picking up food from trash around my work areas and I’ve always given him a few dollars to buy food.

That being said.. the girl at 1:06 has a really nice set of rack.

]]> By: Concerned http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/08/the-unknown-side-of-singapore/comment-page-1/#comment-92777 Concerned Wed, 05 Aug 2009 07:54:10 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=11911#comment-92777 To be fair, there are poor people everywhere, including Japan which is well-known to have been taking comparatively good care of its ageing population. The needy people in Singapore are mostly old and sick elderly facing financial and health problems due to family and personal problems. Some of them are self-inflicted. Nevertheless, it should never be a blame game. Let's all be compassionate and magnanimous. Just try whatever we can to help within our means. The Govt has done a lot but insufficient. There are many cases where more help is needed. The private sector should chip in whenever possible. It is the duty of every citizen to make our country a noble and respectable. We have come a long way, but more has to be done. Let's celebrate our National Day cheerfully and be prepared to work for an even better nation! To be fair, there are poor people everywhere, including Japan which is well-known to have been taking comparatively good care of its ageing population. The needy people in Singapore are mostly old and sick elderly facing financial and health problems due to family and personal problems. Some of them are self-inflicted.

Nevertheless, it should never be a blame game. Let’s all be compassionate and magnanimous. Just try whatever we can to help within our means. The Govt has done a lot but insufficient. There are many cases where more help is needed. The private sector should chip in whenever possible.

It is the duty of every citizen to make our country a noble and respectable. We have come a long way, but more has to be done. Let’s celebrate our National Day cheerfully and be prepared to work for an even better nation!

]]> By: ariel wong http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/08/the-unknown-side-of-singapore/comment-page-1/#comment-92771 ariel wong Wed, 05 Aug 2009 07:19:14 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=11911#comment-92771 i put it at 0.01% of total population living under poverty line in singapore. less than 450 people in singapore. besides i m so jealous of the gal's boobs in 1:20 of the video. i wish i have her rotundness and size. i put it at 0.01% of total population living under poverty line in singapore. less than 450 people in singapore.

besides i m so jealous of the gal’s boobs in 1:20 of the video. i wish i have her rotundness and size.

]]> By: Passerby http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/08/the-unknown-side-of-singapore/comment-page-1/#comment-92757 Passerby Wed, 05 Aug 2009 05:43:54 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=11911#comment-92757 Nice video footage, nice music. Just find the video .. bit misleading and the information does not really gave you the statistics. If there are more facts and figures, it would be commendable. However, I did find the comments suddenly turned political which I do not know why. ================================================================ Don't Just Complain. Suggest Solutions as well. Nice video footage, nice music. Just find the video .. bit misleading and the information does not really gave you the statistics. If there are more facts and figures, it would be commendable.

However, I did find the comments suddenly turned political which I do not know why.

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Don’t Just Complain. Suggest Solutions as well.

]]> By: Seng Thong Kan http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/08/the-unknown-side-of-singapore/comment-page-1/#comment-92670 Seng Thong Kan Tue, 04 Aug 2009 13:46:27 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=11911#comment-92670 Why did that man said poverty is ERADICATED ? such a strong word. No poor? who said that? of course there are poor people and homeless people in singapore. why did that man said that? this kinds of videos are enlightening and educational. These cannot be faked. These are REAL footages. Many singaporeans are too busy to analyse social problems and problems in the society and system. They let it auto-pilot. sad. At the end of the day, these footages would not be effective if the majority especially the young cannot view them or do not get to view them. regards ivory tower high high way too high Why did that man said poverty is ERADICATED ? such a strong word.
No poor? who said that?

of course there are poor people and homeless people in singapore.
why did that man said that?

this kinds of videos are enlightening and educational. These cannot be faked. These are REAL footages. Many singaporeans are too busy to analyse social problems and problems in the society and system. They let it auto-pilot. sad.

At the end of the day, these footages would not be effective if the majority especially the young cannot view them or do not get to view them.

regards
ivory tower high high way too high

]]> By: Marketplace Thiologist http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/08/the-unknown-side-of-singapore/comment-page-1/#comment-92573 Marketplace Thiologist Mon, 03 Aug 2009 21:12:58 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=11911#comment-92573 papsupporter is hilarious for suggesting that malaysians will come to Singapore to beg. Haha. There is no elaborate "framing" to hard sell the story of poverty in Singapore. The title made it very clear that this is intended to portray that there is a lesser known and lesser understood side of Singapore that the mainstream media had concealed by not reporting about it. papsupporter is hilarious for suggesting that malaysians will come to Singapore to beg. Haha. There is no elaborate “framing” to hard sell the story of poverty in Singapore. The title made it very clear that this is intended to portray that there is a lesser known and lesser understood side of Singapore that the mainstream media had concealed by not reporting about it.

]]> By: budamax1952 http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/08/the-unknown-side-of-singapore/comment-page-1/#comment-92541 budamax1952 Mon, 03 Aug 2009 11:09:19 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=11911#comment-92541 Singapore would never have had any poverty, but for the policies implemented by the PAPies during the last few decades. These policies have let to the enormous disparity in the distribution of wealth. 5% of the population controls 80 to 90% of the wealth here and the bottom 20% of the population are in dire-straits and live day to day in perpetual poverty. The fact that there is no minimum-wage here is only going to worsen the lot of lower income groups in the future. While PAPies and their fellow elites live their millionaire lifestyle the people are left with the crumbs to pass through their miserable days. Singapore would never have had any poverty, but for the policies implemented by the PAPies during the last few decades. These policies have let to the enormous disparity in the distribution of wealth. 5% of the population controls 80 to 90% of the wealth here and the bottom 20% of the population are in dire-straits and live day to day in perpetual poverty. The fact that there is no minimum-wage here is only going to worsen the lot of lower income groups in the future. While PAPies and their fellow elites live their millionaire lifestyle the people are left with the crumbs to pass through their miserable days.

]]> By: anonymous http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/08/the-unknown-side-of-singapore/comment-page-1/#comment-92537 anonymous Mon, 03 Aug 2009 09:59:18 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=11911#comment-92537 i used to think it is impossible for any country to eliminate poverty. but i gained a new perspective when i found out the swf lost billions without regrets. how can any country that can lose hundreds of billions not be able to eradicate poverty if they really wanted to???? $40B lost by temasek is enough to ensure all singaporeans have 3 proper meals for a decade!! incapable of helping and unwilling to help is totally different. i can accept incapable but i simply cannot accept unwilling. that is why i will vote against the pap. i used to think it is impossible for any country to eliminate poverty.

but i gained a new perspective when i found out the swf lost billions without regrets.

how can any country that can lose hundreds of billions not be able to eradicate poverty if they really wanted to????
$40B lost by temasek is enough to ensure all singaporeans have 3 proper meals for a decade!!

incapable of helping and unwilling to help is totally different.
i can accept incapable but i simply cannot accept unwilling.
that is why i will vote against the pap.

]]> By: shenshi.c http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/08/the-unknown-side-of-singapore/comment-page-1/#comment-92492 shenshi.c Mon, 03 Aug 2009 05:33:54 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=11911#comment-92492 there's hell a lot of poverty in disguise here just look around over your shoulder maybe they still look good on the surface and it's hard to distinguish they are everywhere there’s hell a lot of poverty in disguise here just look around over your shoulder maybe they still look good on the surface and it’s hard to distinguish they are everywhere

]]> By: Followers in denial too http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/08/the-unknown-side-of-singapore/comment-page-1/#comment-92487 Followers in denial too Mon, 03 Aug 2009 05:01:59 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=11911#comment-92487 #9) papsupporter on August 3rd, 2009 11.00 am How do you know the people in the video are visitors? I've seen that old man with beads for years....if he were a foreigner shouldn't he have been deported long ago? And if jobs are so readily available, then why are there 116000 residents still unemployed as reported in the latest MOM statistics? Are you claiming that all of them picky? No wonder our elites are in denial when the information fed to them has been bleached to their liking by followers like you. #9) papsupporter on August 3rd, 2009 11.00 am

How do you know the people in the video are visitors? I’ve seen that old man with beads for years….if he were a foreigner shouldn’t he have been deported long ago?

And if jobs are so readily available, then why are there 116000 residents still unemployed as reported in the latest MOM statistics? Are you claiming that all of them picky?

No wonder our elites are in denial when the information fed to them has been bleached to their liking by followers like you.

]]> By: ErniesUrn http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/08/the-unknown-side-of-singapore/comment-page-1/#comment-92482 ErniesUrn Mon, 03 Aug 2009 04:17:24 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=11911#comment-92482 papsupporter, The video is not saying anything bad about PAP, it's showing you the people that have been left behind by the Sngpore system and the economy. Don't be too quick to defend PAP, this video is for you guys to follow up and address to. Some supporters really ignorant and lack compassion of any sought. papsupporter,

The video is not saying anything bad about PAP, it’s showing you the people that have been left behind by the Sngpore system and the economy.

Don’t be too quick to defend PAP, this video is for you guys to follow up and address to.

Some supporters really ignorant and lack compassion of any sought.

]]> By: papsupporter http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/08/the-unknown-side-of-singapore/comment-page-1/#comment-92477 papsupporter Mon, 03 Aug 2009 03:00:42 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=11911#comment-92477 Singaporeans are living a very good life in SG. We have to be thankful to the govt for this, we owe them that much. This video is very misleading. The pple portrayed are probably visitors / tourists trying to earn the strong S$. The old man with the big buddha beads is obviously from JB. Jobs are readily available in SG, just that pple are too picky. Also, help is readily available in the CDCs, there's no reason for pple (in video) to do these for a living. Singaporeans are living a very good life in SG. We have to be thankful to the govt for this, we owe them that much.

This video is very misleading. The pple portrayed are probably visitors / tourists trying to earn the strong S$. The old man with the big buddha beads is obviously from JB.

Jobs are readily available in SG, just that pple are too picky. Also, help is readily available in the CDCs, there’s no reason for pple (in video) to do these for a living.

]]> By: man against the tank http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/08/the-unknown-side-of-singapore/comment-page-1/#comment-92470 man against the tank Mon, 03 Aug 2009 02:18:24 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=11911#comment-92470 Very interesting topic...just wanted to relate something that I happened to see just about a week ago. was walking past behind the old capitol after working late (11pm) one night when I saw a group of people (3-4 people) cowering around trash bin behind the restaurant...When I came close enough I soon realised that they were picking food up from the trash...I can't tell if they were locals or FT since it was dark...but it was clear to me that they were picking up leftovers from the trash for dinner. I am not making this story up...we don't get to see this very often in "this land of no poverty". But just because if we don't see it doesn't mean it is not happening... Very interesting topic…just wanted to relate something that I happened to see just about a week ago.
was walking past behind the old capitol after working late (11pm) one night when I saw a group of people (3-4 people) cowering around trash bin behind the restaurant…When I came close enough I soon realised that they were picking food up from the trash…I can’t tell if they were locals or FT since it was dark…but it was clear to me that they were picking up leftovers from the trash for dinner.
I am not making this story up…we don’t get to see this very often in “this land of no poverty”.
But just because if we don’t see it doesn’t mean it is not happening…

]]> By: Muhamad Nur http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/08/the-unknown-side-of-singapore/comment-page-1/#comment-92461 Muhamad Nur Mon, 03 Aug 2009 00:47:18 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=11911#comment-92461 Poverty means earning less than your living expenses. This probably constitute about 1/5 of Singaporean workers. Just drop by HDB flats (1 and 2 rooms) to interview residents who falls into this group. Those Singaporeans who believe the government has done enough are either too arrogant or showing indifference. Poverty means earning less than your living expenses. This probably constitute about 1/5 of Singaporean workers. Just drop by HDB flats (1 and 2 rooms) to interview residents who falls into this group. Those Singaporeans who believe the government has done enough are either too arrogant or showing indifference.

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