Comments on: Social isolation – left among the dead http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/11/social-isolation-left-among-the-dead/ a community of Singaporeans Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:25:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Zoroukah – Looking back on five years http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/11/social-isolation-left-among-the-dead/comment-page-2/#comment-201122 Zoroukah – Looking back on five years Fri, 06 May 2011 10:13:37 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=15556#comment-201122 [...] In 2009, I was attending a funeral at Lim Chu Kang cemetery. While the rituals were being performed, I noticed a row of buildings at the other end of the cemetery.  A curious sight. I made a mental note to return the next day and find out what those buildings were. As it turned out, they were dormitories for foreign workers. I was truly shocked when I found this out. My friend Damien and I wrote a report about this: Social isolation – left among the dead. [...] [...] In 2009, I was attending a funeral at Lim Chu Kang cemetery. While the rituals were being performed, I noticed a row of buildings at the other end of the cemetery.  A curious sight. I made a mental note to return the next day and find out what those buildings were. As it turned out, they were dormitories for foreign workers. I was truly shocked when I found this out. My friend Damien and I wrote a report about this: Social isolation – left among the dead. [...]

]]> By: Looking back on five years | GE2011 | The Online Citizen http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/11/social-isolation-left-among-the-dead/comment-page-2/#comment-200527 Looking back on five years | GE2011 | The Online Citizen Thu, 05 May 2011 16:00:23 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=15556#comment-200527 [...] In 2009, I was attending a funeral at Lim Chu Kang cemetery. While the rituals were being performed, I noticed a row of buildings at the other end of the cemetery.  A curious sight. I made a mental note to return the next day and find out what those buildings were. As it turned out, they were dormitories for foreign workers. I was truly shocked when I found this out. My friend Damien and I wrote a report about this: Social isolation – left among the dead. [...] [...] In 2009, I was attending a funeral at Lim Chu Kang cemetery. While the rituals were being performed, I noticed a row of buildings at the other end of the cemetery.  A curious sight. I made a mental note to return the next day and find out what those buildings were. As it turned out, they were dormitories for foreign workers. I was truly shocked when I found this out. My friend Damien and I wrote a report about this: Social isolation – left among the dead. [...]

]]> By: Looking back on five years | The Online Citizen http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/11/social-isolation-left-among-the-dead/comment-page-2/#comment-200354 Looking back on five years | The Online Citizen Thu, 05 May 2011 11:01:31 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=15556#comment-200354 [...] In 2009, I was attending a funeral at Lim Chu Kang cemetery. While the rituals were being performed, I noticed a row of buildings at the other end of the cemetery.  A curious sight. I made a mental note to return the next day and find out what those buildings were. As it turned out, they were dormitories for foreign workers. I was truly shocked when I found this out. My friend Damien and I wrote a report about this: Social isolation – left among the dead. [...] [...] In 2009, I was attending a funeral at Lim Chu Kang cemetery. While the rituals were being performed, I noticed a row of buildings at the other end of the cemetery.  A curious sight. I made a mental note to return the next day and find out what those buildings were. As it turned out, they were dormitories for foreign workers. I was truly shocked when I found this out. My friend Damien and I wrote a report about this: Social isolation – left among the dead. [...]

]]> By: Joo Chiat fire – an old issue surfaces | The Online Citizen http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/11/social-isolation-left-among-the-dead/comment-page-2/#comment-165530 Joo Chiat fire – an old issue surfaces | The Online Citizen Sun, 24 Oct 2010 15:41:21 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=15556#comment-165530 [...] this means as “further away” as the Choa Chu Kang cemetery  (See TOC’s report here: Social isolation – left among the dead), and the use of dilapidated factories which we brought to the public’s attention in 2009. (See [...] [...] this means as “further away” as the Choa Chu Kang cemetery  (See TOC’s report here: Social isolation – left among the dead), and the use of dilapidated factories which we brought to the public’s attention in 2009. (See [...]

]]> By: issac http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/11/social-isolation-left-among-the-dead/comment-page-2/#comment-155224 issac Wed, 28 Jul 2010 05:13:14 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=15556#comment-155224 I believe there is a need to put yourself in the shoes of the workers. For most of them, they are not going to stay in Singapore for good. They are just here to earn their share and go back to their families. We could say that they should be given better accomodations, but that also reflects higher cost to the employers which in turn have to either decrease workers hired or the workers' salary. Given their meagre wages in the first place, which of these foreign workers will want to take lesser money home just for more comfort? Even if the goverment implement laws and policies which gives them better accomodations, the workers will find ways to squeeze more people into the room just to save on the rent. Therefore, very simple and basic amenities or hygenic conditions may just be what the workers want. I believe there is a need to put yourself in the shoes of the workers. For most of them, they are not going to stay in Singapore for good. They are just here to earn their share and go back to their families. We could say that they should be given better accomodations, but that also reflects higher cost to the employers which in turn have to either decrease workers hired or the workers’ salary. Given their meagre wages in the first place, which of these foreign workers will want to take lesser money home just for more comfort? Even if the goverment implement laws and policies which gives them better accomodations, the workers will find ways to squeeze more people into the room just to save on the rent. Therefore, very simple and basic amenities or hygenic conditions may just be what the workers want.

]]> By: Sean http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/11/social-isolation-left-among-the-dead/comment-page-2/#comment-155193 Sean Wed, 28 Jul 2010 03:05:48 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=15556#comment-155193 Someone brought up the idea of instituting a minimum wage syste. I'm actually all for it, because I believe if the jobs were to pay something that would actually be acceptable for surviving, and possibly living comfortable enough, in Singapore, more people would gravitate to such lines of work. Meaning less foreign workers, as they would supplement an existing workforce, instead of being the workforce, which would then lead to employers being able to provide better facilities. This reasoning comes about from the fact that since there is less of them to provide for, there is no need to squeeze them together in such terrible conditions. Conditions that can be said to be only a step or two above squalid in some places. Of course, this is a hypothesis. Even if they were to finally introduce a minimum wage system into industries that needed it(there are a few, just talking contruction here for now) and a scenario like the one I oulined happened, there is nothing much stopping employers from still treating the foreign workers the same way. Someone brought up the idea of instituting a minimum wage syste. I’m actually all for it, because I believe if the jobs were to pay something that would actually be acceptable for surviving, and possibly living comfortable enough, in Singapore, more people would gravitate to such lines of work. Meaning less foreign workers, as they would supplement an existing workforce, instead of being the workforce, which would then lead to employers being able to provide better facilities. This reasoning comes about from the fact that since there is less of them to provide for, there is no need to squeeze them together in such terrible conditions. Conditions that can be said to be only a step or two above squalid in some places.
Of course, this is a hypothesis. Even if they were to finally introduce a minimum wage system into industries that needed it(there are a few, just talking contruction here for now) and a scenario like the one I oulined happened, there is nothing much stopping employers from still treating the foreign workers the same way.

]]> By: Sean http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/11/social-isolation-left-among-the-dead/comment-page-2/#comment-155192 Sean Wed, 28 Jul 2010 03:04:32 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=15556#comment-155192 Personally, I have no problem staying near a cemetary, even with my family and kids, should I have one. I don't think there should be any negative sentiments about living near the dead, unless one has to deal with strong taboos regarding such things. The main points are really 1) Were the workers consulted at all about it? This is rather unlikely, because from what I remember about dorms, once it goes up, you get various workers circulating through it, so that is a problem. 2) The keep them far away and out of sight mentality alot of us have. They do rather vital work here, and I think its rather rude to place them in the middle of nowhere. Also does not speak very well of those of us who would rather not have to see or face them. I do like the suggestions of putting them in the high value areas, ahah. I mean, if the govt people are supposed to be leaders of the nation, then they should lead by example when it comes to this issue of housing foreign workers, no? ;) And if prime property were to devalue as a result, well, thats just good news for everyone struggling with the cost of HDB flats, cos when prime value drops, all should follow suit to some degree, correct? Ahhh, if only. Personally, I have no problem staying near a cemetary, even with my family and kids, should I have one. I don’t think there should be any negative sentiments about living near the dead, unless one has to deal with strong taboos regarding such things. The main points are really 1) Were the workers consulted at all about it? This is rather unlikely, because from what I remember about dorms, once it goes up, you get various workers circulating through it, so that is a problem.
2) The keep them far away and out of sight mentality alot of us have. They do rather vital work here, and I think its rather rude to place them in the middle of nowhere. Also does not speak very well of those of us who would rather not have to see or face them. I do like the suggestions of putting them in the high value areas, ahah. I mean, if the govt people are supposed to be leaders of the nation, then they should lead by example when it comes to this issue of housing foreign workers, no? ;)
And if prime property were to devalue as a result, well, thats just good news for everyone struggling with the cost of HDB flats, cos when prime value drops, all should follow suit to some degree, correct? Ahhh, if only.

]]> By: goondu http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/11/social-isolation-left-among-the-dead/comment-page-2/#comment-155140 goondu Tue, 27 Jul 2010 19:15:03 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=15556#comment-155140 If we are referring to crime like adultry, then how come there are still illegal "pros" to cater for such workers? Be it next door or on a lonely island, crime will always be where there is human. It is only whether it is low or high. Foreigners are allowing companies to lower our labour market rates. Companies prefer foreigners to Singaporeans becos the foreigners do not mind working for low wages. One of the reason is that they come into Singapore to work and transfer the money back to their country where upon the currency exchange rate, it well worth the effort. Gar ment used to say Singaporeans must learn to adapt and be willing to work for lower wages, especially during the recession. Then how come the MPs dun lower their salaries? MPs not Singaporean aH? Companies nowadays use the low wages,when employing,to tell us that our salary request is too high. There is always a few black sheeps around but i believe most Singaporeans ask for reasonable pay, in accordance to the living standard we are living in. In my opinion, to solve all this FW accomodation, wages and problems. Just kick most of them out and let the locals do the job. Flooding SG with FW is making locals so irritated, angry and dun forget, when they bring in FWs, they have to house them and look after them. Just becos of the top wanting to earn more moni, the locals have to suffer. WTH... Before FWs were flooding sg, most jobs were held by locals so who says Singaporeans are not willing to work? If we are referring to crime like adultry, then how come there are still illegal “pros” to cater for such workers?
Be it next door or on a lonely island, crime will always be where there is human. It is only whether it is low or high.

Foreigners are allowing companies to lower our labour market rates. Companies prefer foreigners to Singaporeans becos the foreigners do not mind working for low wages. One of the reason is that they come into Singapore to work and transfer the money back to their country where upon the currency exchange rate, it well worth the effort.

Gar ment used to say Singaporeans must learn to adapt and be willing to work for lower wages, especially during the recession. Then how come the MPs dun lower their salaries? MPs not Singaporean aH? Companies nowadays use the low wages,when employing,to tell us that our salary request is too high. There is always a few black sheeps around but i believe most Singaporeans ask for reasonable pay, in accordance to the living standard we are living in.

In my opinion, to solve all this FW accomodation, wages and problems. Just kick most of them out and let the locals do the job. Flooding SG with FW is making locals so irritated, angry and dun forget, when they bring in FWs, they have to house them and look after them. Just becos of the top wanting to earn more moni, the locals have to suffer. WTH… Before FWs were flooding sg, most jobs were held by locals so who says Singaporeans are not willing to work?

]]> By: PaceMaster http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/11/social-isolation-left-among-the-dead/comment-page-2/#comment-124393 PaceMaster Fri, 01 Jan 2010 22:15:15 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=15556#comment-124393 Hello fellow Singaporeans, I really hope that you are really reading this. There are reasons why such dormitories are built in certain areas. This is to deter those foreign workers from commiting offences against the locals. An example is that, those FW's would sit under the void deck especially on Saturdays, drinking beer, leaving empty beer bottles, urinating at the corner of the void deck and/or disturbing house maids. I had heard of aldultery happening before. This is why it is built in, at the far end of the cluster of Muslim, Christian and Chinese cemeteries, the dormitories are isolated. The nearest housing estate and shops are in Jurong West, at least 5km away. It's good that they are built far from our area. Only those in the enforcement line would agree with me. There are always bad guys among the good guys. Anyway, they are humans just like us. They won't commit criminal activities unless they are being paid by locals(syndicate). See that?? Hello fellow Singaporeans, I really hope that you are really reading this. There are reasons why such dormitories are built in certain areas. This is to deter those foreign workers from commiting offences against the locals. An example is that, those FW’s would sit under the void deck especially on Saturdays, drinking beer, leaving empty beer bottles, urinating at the corner of the void deck and/or disturbing house maids. I had heard of aldultery happening before. This is why it is built in, at the far end of the cluster of Muslim, Christian and Chinese cemeteries, the dormitories are isolated. The nearest housing estate and shops are in Jurong West, at least 5km away. It’s good that they are built far from our area.

Only those in the enforcement line would agree with me. There are always bad guys among the good guys.

Anyway, they are humans just like us. They won’t commit criminal activities unless they are being paid by locals(syndicate). See that??

]]> By: The Singapore Daily » Blog Archive » Weekly Roundup: Week 45 http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/11/social-isolation-left-among-the-dead/comment-page-2/#comment-114160 The Singapore Daily » Blog Archive » Weekly Roundup: Week 45 Sat, 07 Nov 2009 03:21:50 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=15556#comment-114160 [...] "Why leave them among the dead – literally?" Andrew Loh [...] [...] "Why leave them among the dead – literally?" Andrew Loh [...]

]]> By: Foreign workers “left among the dead” « thinking aloud http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/11/social-isolation-left-among-the-dead/comment-page-2/#comment-113922 Foreign workers “left among the dead” « thinking aloud Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:15:15 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=15556#comment-113922 [...] among the dead” By Matt Today’s inspiration is Andrew Loh’s article, titled “Social isolation – left among the dead” . In essence, the article asks: Is siting a dormitory for foreign workers directly beside a cemetery [...] [...] among the dead” By Matt Today’s inspiration is Andrew Loh’s article, titled “Social isolation – left among the dead” . In essence, the article asks: Is siting a dormitory for foreign workers directly beside a cemetery [...]

]]> By: agongkia http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/11/social-isolation-left-among-the-dead/comment-page-2/#comment-113592 agongkia Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:20:44 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=15556#comment-113592 72)patriot Enjoy seeing you here.Thanks for reading and sharing. I just feel that Human has their so call rights.The Dead should also have their right..The Dead are also past singaporean who had contributed in one way or another.They deserve to rest in peace.They do not mind and do not complain about human moving in to become their neighbour but that does not mean Human has their Rights to despise them by feeling down graded or low class to stay near them. And hope no one uses this excuse to expedite the closure of these graves instead of the relocating the dormitories elsewhere and start building flats or condos..Spare some thoughts for our Deads.Some deads just love to be buried and not cremated becos there is a saying"Lu Thoo Wee Arn"and not "Sze Wu Chang shen chze Tee" 72)patriot
Enjoy seeing you here.Thanks for reading and sharing.

I just feel that Human has their so call rights.The Dead should also have their right..The Dead are also past singaporean who had contributed in one way or another.They deserve to rest in peace.They do not mind and do not complain about human moving in to become their neighbour but that does not mean Human has their Rights to despise them by feeling down graded or low class to stay near them.
And hope no one uses this excuse to expedite the closure of these graves instead of the relocating the dormitories elsewhere and start building flats or condos..Spare some thoughts for our Deads.Some deads just love to be buried and not cremated becos there is a saying”Lu Thoo Wee Arn”and not “Sze Wu Chang shen chze Tee”

]]> By: patriot http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/11/social-isolation-left-among-the-dead/comment-page-2/#comment-113444 patriot Tue, 03 Nov 2009 01:26:07 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=15556#comment-113444 Agongkia #69; "Show more concern on our singaporean who sleep in the parks,open area etc who risk being picpocket or robbed,face the authority’s spotcheck etc…Many homeless citizen need your attention", unquote. A good call my friend ! The foreign workers that i know are all very resilient, able to adapt to any environment and are real survivors. They are not softies neither are they very demanding. By the way, graveyards were preferred over temples by travellers in the olden days in China and i surmise it was/is because the deads do not molest, rape, rob, cheat, exploit and bully the living beings. patriot Agongkia #69;

“Show more concern on our singaporean who sleep in the parks,open area etc who risk being picpocket or robbed,face the authority’s spotcheck etc…Many homeless citizen need your attention”, unquote.

A good call my friend !

The foreign workers that i know are all very resilient, able to adapt to any environment and are real survivors. They are not softies neither are they very demanding.

By the way, graveyards were preferred over temples by travellers in the olden days in China and i surmise it was/is because the deads do not molest, rape, rob, cheat, exploit and bully the living beings.

patriot

]]> By: Xmasislandpimp http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/11/social-isolation-left-among-the-dead/comment-page-2/#comment-113419 Xmasislandpimp Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:14:16 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=15556#comment-113419 as the sayins goes... a house is better than no roof @ all whether its near a cemetry or the cte highway try workin in a foreign country and suddenly find out that you cannot even afford the weekly/monthly rentals.... last but not least..try rentin a room which housed 4 bunkmates in a shophouse upstairs which have 4 bedroom makin a total of 16 roomates in 1 sharin 1 mini kitchen and 1 jumbuan... rental wise? only $200/month nia...has anybody ever wait in line just to brush your teeth..have a crap before startin work? as the sayins goes…
a house is better than no roof @ all whether its near a cemetry or the cte highway
try workin in a foreign country and suddenly find out that you cannot even afford the weekly/monthly rentals….
last but not least..try rentin a room which housed 4 bunkmates in a shophouse upstairs which have 4 bedroom makin a total of 16 roomates in 1 sharin 1 mini kitchen and 1 jumbuan…
rental wise? only $200/month nia…has anybody ever wait in line just to brush your teeth..have a crap before startin work?

]]> By: agongkia http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/11/social-isolation-left-among-the-dead/comment-page-2/#comment-113414 agongkia Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:55:30 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=15556#comment-113414 The Deads are the person who should complain .Human being built their dormitory near their resting place.Create noises,took photoes and put them in the net,talk how bad staying near their castles....They are not only disturbed,but also face a security threat.They are also worry that one night,someone one will carry a changkol and start digging and took away their gold bracelet etc. from their bodies .Can they complain to URA why is there no sookoority guard on duty?Pls let them Rest in Peace. What is wrong sleeping near a cemetery.Not everyone has a chance.Show more concern on our singaporean who sleep in the parks,open area etc who risk being picpocket or robbed,face the authority's spotcheck etc...Many homeless citizen need your attention.The FWs dun mind staying there.Get the fact right. The Deads are the person who should complain .Human being built their dormitory near their resting place.Create noises,took photoes and put them in the net,talk how bad staying near their castles….They are not only disturbed,but also face a security threat.They are also worry that one night,someone one will carry a changkol and start digging and took away their gold bracelet etc. from their bodies .Can they complain to URA why is there no sookoority guard on duty?Pls let them Rest in Peace.
What is wrong sleeping near a cemetery.Not everyone has a chance.Show more concern on our singaporean who sleep in the parks,open area etc who risk being picpocket or robbed,face the authority’s spotcheck etc…Many homeless citizen need your attention.The FWs dun mind staying there.Get the fact right.

]]> By: Tan Cheng Hua http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/11/social-isolation-left-among-the-dead/comment-page-2/#comment-113406 Tan Cheng Hua Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:14:15 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=15556#comment-113406 "And if they don’t mind at all, then I have no reason to object really." Terence, that is a cop-out. There are almost a million of them. And for sure, some of that million will not mind. But does that make it right? I think we have to be bigger than that, more compassionate than that. As you said, the problem is the policy. Without first ensuring that there is infrastructure enough to cater to these foreigners, the govt has opened its doors to them - a million of them. That's an astounding number. And without the infrastructure, we house them wherever we can find space, even in containers in ulu, mosquito-infested places and in cemeteries. It is sad to me to hear things like, "As long as the conditions inside are ok..." and "As long as the workers are ok with it..." The simple principle we should live by is this: Do not do to others what you do not wish others to do to you. And by this, none of us would live in ulu, mosquito-infested areas, or in cemeteries or in containers. No? “And if they don’t mind at all, then I have no reason to object really.”

Terence, that is a cop-out. There are almost a million of them. And for sure, some of that million will not mind. But does that make it right? I think we have to be bigger than that, more compassionate than that.

As you said, the problem is the policy. Without first ensuring that there is infrastructure enough to cater to these foreigners, the govt has opened its doors to them – a million of them. That’s an astounding number.

And without the infrastructure, we house them wherever we can find space, even in containers in ulu, mosquito-infested places and in cemeteries. It is sad to me to hear things like, “As long as the conditions inside are ok…” and “As long as the workers are ok with it…”

The simple principle we should live by is this: Do not do to others what you do not wish others to do to you.

And by this, none of us would live in ulu, mosquito-infested areas, or in cemeteries or in containers.

No?

]]> By: TestMe http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/11/social-isolation-left-among-the-dead/comment-page-2/#comment-113405 TestMe Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:08:38 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=15556#comment-113405 "“Ian made a valid point: What are the cultural implications for the FWs staying there? Is it a strong sentiment? And if they don’t mind at all, then I have no reason to object really.”" Isn't it like asking the citizen if they mind having CPF Life when they don't even have a choice of whether to have it or not ? Don't even need to object and dis-object. ““Ian made a valid point: What are the cultural implications for the FWs staying there? Is it a strong sentiment? And if they don’t mind at all, then I have no reason to object really.””

Isn’t it like asking the citizen if they mind having CPF Life when they don’t even have a choice of whether to have it or not ? Don’t even need to object and dis-object.

]]> By: TestMe http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/11/social-isolation-left-among-the-dead/comment-page-2/#comment-113403 TestMe Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:07:02 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=15556#comment-113403 "Ian made a valid point: What are the cultural implications for the FWs staying there? Is it a strong sentiment? And if they don’t mind at all, then I have no reason to object really." Rather than saying if they don't mind at all (seriously you asking the foreigners who are openly exploited by employers ), the question is "Do they even have a choice to raise objection ? " “Ian made a valid point: What are the cultural implications for the FWs staying there? Is it a strong sentiment? And if they don’t mind at all, then I have no reason to object really.”

Rather than saying if they don’t mind at all (seriously you asking the foreigners who are openly exploited by employers ), the question is “Do they even have a choice to raise objection ? “

]]> By: lobo76 http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/11/social-isolation-left-among-the-dead/comment-page-2/#comment-113400 lobo76 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:51:32 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=15556#comment-113400 62) tender on November 2nd, 2009 5.03 pm The fact is, would you, together with your family,. young and old, stay in such a place, as a home? Even if you said yes and know, I reckon both the answers are half hearted. I confessed, mine will also be the same as yours. The fact is, you should be asking Ian if he might stay in such a place if he was WORKING OVERSEAS for a finite period of time. why would you bring in 'family' at all?? totally apple and orange. 62) tender on November 2nd, 2009 5.03 pm
The fact is, would you, together with your family,. young and old, stay in such a place, as a home? Even if you said yes and know, I reckon both the answers are half hearted. I confessed, mine will also be the same as yours.

The fact is, you should be asking Ian if he might stay in such a place if he was WORKING OVERSEAS for a finite period of time. why would you bring in ‘family’ at all?? totally apple and orange.

]]> By: Terence http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/11/social-isolation-left-among-the-dead/comment-page-2/#comment-113364 Terence Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:42:41 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/?p=15556#comment-113364 I think we need to balance idealism with pragmatism here. On one hand, which Singaporean would honestly want to stay in a dorm next to a graveyard? On the other hand, are there any alternatives for these FWs? Is housing these dorms next to HDB estates a source of more social unrest and disenchantment with the government? If there are no alternatives, then the next natural question would be: Why is there no more space? Is it due to over development? I think when you think of it this way, it is quite clear where the source of the problem lies... it is a policy issue really, and has a lot to do with the government. Ian made a valid point: What are the cultural implications for the FWs staying there? Is it a strong sentiment? And if they don't mind at all, then I have no reason to object really. I think we need to balance idealism with pragmatism here.

On one hand, which Singaporean would honestly want to stay in a dorm next to a graveyard? On the other hand, are there any alternatives for these FWs? Is housing these dorms next to HDB estates a source of more social unrest and disenchantment with the government?

If there are no alternatives, then the next natural question would be: Why is there no more space? Is it due to over development? I think when you think of it this way, it is quite clear where the source of the problem lies… it is a policy issue really, and has a lot to do with the government.

Ian made a valid point: What are the cultural implications for the FWs staying there? Is it a strong sentiment? And if they don’t mind at all, then I have no reason to object really.

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