The title of this article is a question which I have been pondering on for some time now. Have we lost our ability to appreciate the good things which Singapore offers? And to be sure, there are good things about Singapore. In fact, there are many of them.
Yet, when we visit the Internet, it would seem, as Mr Lui Tuck Yew said in February 2009, that there is “a prevalence of noises, rumours and distortions in cyberspace…. while there were reasoned and critical views, there were also a great deal of unhelpful commentary and discussions online”. (Source)
And to a certain extent, the Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts is not entirely wrong.
Now, I am no fan of the minister whom I think has adopted a rather unnecessarily confrontational stance towards the Internet community since he became Mica minister. But that does not take away from the fact that indeed there seems to be an entirely different Singapore painted by netizens, if you go by postings especially on socio-political blogs and websites, The Online Citizen included.
Of course there is room for dissent and for different viewpoints. What I am asking here is: Is Singapore or the Singapore government so entirely devoid of anything good that we only have criticisms for it? And have we lost our ability to appreciate the positives?
It would take a courageous blogger to praise Singapore or the government when it is deserved, it would seem.
So, you may ask, what exactly is good about Singapore? Well, each person will have his own views on these. For me, first and foremost, I appreciate the safety and security we have. It’s a cliché, yes, but it is nonetheless true that Singapore is safe. Yes, we can debate about the draconian and prohibitive laws and rules, some of which we hope will be removed one day – such as the Internal Security Act. But Singapore is safe. Everyone knows it. Just take a walk past midnight anywhere on this island.
The grumblings and complaints about the transport system have become almost legendary now. Yet, it is also true that the MRT system, especially, is by and large an efficient and comfortable ride. Of course, again, there are improvements to be made, such as overcrowding during certain times of the day. But this is something which will always be a work in progress. I do not think we will ever reach a stage where we will have a 100 per cent consensus on happiness or satisfaction about the quality of service. Truth be told, nonetheless, I am quite impressed by the newly-opened Circle Line and the Land Transport Authority should be commended for a job well done. (My only wish is that the stations should be more colourful but that is another matter altogether.)
The Youth Olympics, which will take place from the 14th to 26th August this year, is another thing we can and should be proud of. And I commend the MCYS team, especially Mr Teo Ser Luck, for successfully winning the bid to bring the games here.
What about the government itself, which is the target of much unhappiness among netizens? I feel that the problem is a real one, that of hubris. The People’s Action Party, which has ruled independent Singapore since 1965, has grown arrogant and out-of-touch with the average common man and woman. This is self-evident in many instances, especially these past 10 years or so. And the main culprit, I feel, is Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew who, despite his age, sets the tone for the government led by his son.
Having said that, however, I do feel there are good people in government nonetheless. One whom I quite like is Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam. I would prefer him to be Prime Minister, rather than the incumbent. This is not to say that Mr Tharman has no shortcomings. His pussyfooting around the issue of investment losses incurred by both Temasek Holdings and the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC) two years ago revealed the delicate tight-rope he had to walk. But from all accounts, or at least those that I have been given to know, he is a sincere man who is well-liked, someone who is seen to be intelligent, a good listener and one with his feet firmly set on the ground.
At the lower level, some PAP Members of Parliament too, I feel, are good MPs. One whom I have often praised is Lee Bee Wah. This is because I used to be her constituent. Sure, she screwed up notably with her rather unbecoming remarks in Parliament three years ago and her handling of the STTA saga in 2008. The criticisms leveled at her in 2008 were, in my opinion, well and truly deserved. But that does not take away from the fact that she is a very hardworking MP on the ground. Even now, when I have moved from her constituency in Ang Mo Kio GRC, I still receive invitations to attend her grassroots activities. Well, perhaps this is because she has not updated her constituents roll but that is not the point. In my experience, her presence on the ground, in the coffeeshops, markets, at her Meet-The-People sessions, were ubiquitous and regular. My only hope is that the STTA saga has taught her further lessons in politics and humility.
There are many other things I could list which we should be happy about. Some of these are physical attributes, such as downtown Marina Bay/Clark Quay which is beautiful. Others would include the easy availability and the variety of food we have here.
And then there are the people. Singaporeans. Idiosyncrasies, yes, but also positivities. I have met selfless individuals, passionate individuals who give of their time to help others. I have seen, many times, for example, the younger ones giving up their seats on trains and buses to the elderly. I have seen young girls who would give $5 to the elderly selling tissue paper. I do feel it is an over-generalisation that people are selfish, a refrain which is oft-repeated. I also do feel we do not give Singaporeans enough credit.
Yet, Singapore can be better. Any country can be better. What I hope for Singapore, now that we have proved that we can build physical infrastructures, is that we have more heart. That we would value things of the human spirit. By this I mean, for example, the value of human life, dignity for the less fortunate, compassion which is second nature to us, and appreciation for those who do not measure up to society’s standards.
Perhaps these are the things which we presently lack, things which would truly help us appreciate that behind all the grand facades we are a people whose blood runs deeper. A people whose accomplishments go beyond the material or physical and into the realm of spirit.
Now, that would indeed be something worth appreciating, more than all the beautiful skyscrapers we behold.
But for now, lets not forget to appreciate what we have.
Andrew Loh
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Picture from haddock’s photostream
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Kojakbt,
and also a contented and thoroughly satisfied man who’s at peace and enjoying his world. You’re arguing from a matter of perspective. ;)
@Ahhui: Not making or attempting to make any sweeping statements by any nature, not on you because you have been pretty sensible.
On the HDB issue (aka the cost), I already mentioned that there are major issues with what the government is doing, and I am very concerned how they can improve the situation. I do not fully buy the argument about houses raising in costs by the government, but I do understand that first time buyers are having difficulties to buy flats, but those who already own one are benefiting from this a hell lot. It really is a judgment call which one you lean on for the argument, isn’t it? Lower the price for more people to live in, but long term these flats will be hard to sell. Keep it as it is, and people will have difficulties creating their own families. A tough choice, and a lose-lose situation either way they go.
On jobs, they have done various courses for people to upgrade, provide funds for SMEs. Of course, they might have various other schemes that I do not know. Can they do more? Sure, it’s never a completed task and there are always flaws in the system, just as any. Are they trying to do it better? I am sure they are.
On transport, Andrew has probably stated all the points I agree on. Is it the best system out there? Probably not but it’s doing pretty well to be honest.
Cost of living is a huge issue right now in Singapore. Tackling it is not instantaneous, and I definitely do not have an answer for it (or any country in the world to be honest). I am very sure the civil servants in various ministries are trying to grasp and understand how to better improve the situation here in Singapore because it might spiral out of control (I don’t think it is as yet).
All I am saying is that we got to take the bad and the good, weigh them properly and understand it as a nation. Not PAP, not the opposition or anything at all. I am just the normal man on the streets, I don’t have all the answers. What I do know is to try as best to objectively look at everything that is done around us and not just the negative things, and weigh it in. =/
Just to add on, I am not saying that we should just say “whatever they do is right” because TOC has clearly shown that there are deficiencies in policies. That is why there needs to be a consistent adjustment and discussion about what has been done, point out the flaws and mistakes, and the government needs to fix it.
I think we tend to overly harsh with failure and mistakes, and we are no longer patient enough to give chances. Yes, there’s a classic argument that “THEY ALREADY MADE SO MANY MISTAKES, vote them out!” I am more of the group where whichever party has to tell me what plans you have to fix the prevailing issues of our society, and the best answer gets my vote.
Danny, ask yourself realistically. How many Singaporeans are satisfied with their lives in Singapore these days? Perhaps only the top 10%…
Will this government fix problems? Or their focus is on “fixing” critics? History and unprompted public confession can’t be wrong. POLITICAL IMPERATIVES RULED. It takes integrity to know the difference between right and wrong and the political courage to choose the right. So far I see only evidences of endless, remorselessly mindless pursuit and persecution of critics and a tendency to most simplistic solution to the most complex problems. Who can deny the former? As for the latter, the strange eugenics of graduate mother quality focus stop-at-two (never ever publicly acknowledge as a complete wrong and disastrous failure) only to find the most simplistic solution again by mass influx of migration of oblivious quality control creating an orgy of housing shortage, employment dislocation, social upheavel, costs-of-living pressure for locals and a decimated infrastructure use overburden from public transport to hospital medical care access. AND ADDING INSULT TO INJURY DENYING ALL ON TOP OF PUBLIC BASHING OF ALL NATIVES IN PUBLIC FORUMS HERE AND ABROAD. Just where is the integrity to discover right from wrong and the political courage to find rigorous solution to complex problems?
And what future portends of this overflood of migrations besides economic pressures on social services etc. More deep underground tunnelling for MRTs and more super sky high Duxton-on-Pinacle so that 8 plus Ritcher scale earthquake in Indonesia will bring a sudden cave-in underground and the “Duxtons” collapsing above trapping millions killed and those trapped surviving no hope of rescue? And for power supply, build a nuclear power station and when accident like Chernobyl implodes, all 40 km radius are radioactive beyond survivability hopes? Is this what we want of simple solution to the ”mistake” of eugenics and stop -at-two drama wisdom of political economics? I am giving up hope on them, who is betting on them for a better solution to give his or her vote??
In corporate world, the failures would have expired their legitimacy of roles long ago. And if we do not replace them, society must bear the burden of backstopping all these destructive incompetences. How long can Singapore last when we are constantly reminded of our supposedly extraordinary vulnerability to fatal death of one mistake WHEN MISTAKES KEEP OCCURING IN ENDLESS ABUNDANCE?
The old saying has it that mushrooms grow on deadwood (irreplaceable of chosen specie of self-select wonders and marvels of failures), the mushrooms feasting as always know its nourishments BUT DOES DEADWOOD KNOWS??
I am truly sorry, lives and Singapore is more precious than anxious politicians scavenging for political hegemony.
your artice is written one-sided. My belief is SIN want to live here and are proud being here.. the angst or what LTY calls “not helpful”.. boils down to fact that citizen do not get enough informations or felt equal play is in place. . that SIN is ruled by a very small group individual guarding the secrets tightly.. keeping truth away from SIN.. as long as this preceived or real gap exists – you can be sure the noises and dissatisfaction will keep going up. SIN are no longer easily convinced of what government says.. they possibly think there are improprietory in business….favouring some and shelving many . giving places in schools to others shelving own SIN childrens.. giving preferences to other business leaders and ignoring the cries of many… Have SIN stop appreciating.. many worked dog hours to make a small daylight while others rip the coffers -real or preceived doesnt matters.
Pretty salient points, Andrew. I do agree with you that many Singaporeans now lack the empathy and ability to appreciate things that go well. That said, people usually will never remember the things that go well. People only have memories for mistakes, and damn, they are so damning and harsh to the point in which there is no room for failure.
Personally, people online are generally myopic enough to only bother with the negative things and acting just like the Republicans in the United States. Am I saying that our government is the best? No, there are quite a few flaws and they have made quite a few mistakes. Albeit all that, they did do well enough in various areas, and some of the points have been made nicely by you. So, well done there.
I think sometimes, we tend to criticize way too fast before thinking about all the stakeholders in an issue. Just because someone in a certain group is suffering doesn’t mean things are definitely done wrongly. Did you carefully look who are the main stakeholders in any issue that people throw? Who are most affected, what have been done, is it enough?
I doubt most people critical OR appreciative of the PAP never bothered to think so deeply. No wonder, we are daft.~
Dave,
Am I seeing a double post of Impz here or is the ghost of Republicans reappearing under a different moniker? Strange chanting of priest or monk of some erratic mind wandering in cyberspace?
Please get real of a serious debating board.
thanks
razor tv recently uploaded a video on women’s perspective of what they regard as “appealing” in men.
the general view?
if men earn less than $3k, their view or rating of these men will drop considerably even with pleasant appearance.
but the higher the income is(preferably above $8k), the more sex appeal of a man to a woman.
now what’s the implication of the singaporean psyche from this simple survey?
rather apparent isn’t it?
any man whose earning falls within a certain “respectable bracket” are NOT MAN ENOUGH.
doesn’t matter you are morally upright and responsible at work. if our people(both men and women) do not command that kind of salary, you are regarded as “incapable” in society.
the women say, we LOOK DOWN on you!
we look down on our bus drivers, our waiters and waitresses, our mechanics, bank tellers, factory workers, taxi drivers, postman, sales staff, cleaners and a very long list of workers who probably form more than half our workforce – including foreign laborers.
all these people are not “appealing”.
tsk tsk tsk. compared to our western counterpart, a rubbish man can even hold his head UP HIGH!
no wonder there is no pride and HUMAN DIGNITY in our service sector.
why?
you are NOT MAN ENOUGH and NOT CAPABLE because you don’t earn more than $5k!!!
great place to raise your kids huh? hehe
No issue with the general tone of the article.
For many who travel in the region, the best thing about Singapore is its first class infrastructure. Even compared with some developed countries (which are desperately short of manpower), public services in Singapore, such as garbage clearance and public sanitation. are first class.
My disagreement is with the comment on Tharman. In fact, I strongly disagree. The main objection is the fact that he, like many others in the present government, has not come up through the grassroots, has not proven himself at the hustings and we do not know what he really stands for and how he would behave and act independent of the PAP party whip. The Prime Minister’s job is not one that can be fulfilled by a technocrat, otherwise Singapore will turn even more into a soulless corporation than it is at present.
Simon,
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Razortv is not the place to gather serious overviews. We know the host of the channel, the foreign one who flies, has a reputation for putting people down since the day he joined our radio airwaves. How anyone can tolerate him this far is a wonder.
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Look also at the guests who have graced the program. These usually come from one segment of society, the English-educated, the ones who has no qualm in putting its own countrymen and women down in support of everything western-ised.
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Listen to how much potatoes there are in their mouths when they talk – the aping of western-ised behaviour and attitude.
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If you truly want to see a more gracious side of Singapore, a side which sees majority of its people going about the mundane activities of daily living, appreciating what little they have, happy for their neighbours whatever their lots are in life, you should move away from the enclaves of these superficial western-wannabes and go to the regular coffee-shops and markets of our HDB estates.
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That the PAP has been able to keep its strangle-hold on power is very much owed to this contented and appreciative lot of people.
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This is why I find the article a little flawed, in that it takes the perception of only one side of a population of people that are as diverse in views as are with the colour of their skins.
@Impz
Thank you for your response.
The things I see is that most of these current problems originated from their policies, you can say that they may have missed out some REALLY crucials point during the policies formulating or they are trying to catch the 2005-2007 boom years but I cannot accept that as an excuse.
I would be at least be appeased if they take more proactive steps into trying to fix these domestic problems but all I see is our leaders reverting back to the chiong GDP mentality after some verbal assurance.
And you mentioned that you only expect political parties to come up with solutions to these problems and you will support the one with the most viable solutions. The danger here is that in SG political environment, empty promises are often spoken with gusto and pride and after that remains empty.
Accountability and transparency to the citizens is sorely lackly in the current government and in order to make them pull up their socks/wake up, voting in more oppositions is the way to go(of course I have to say I for one will not just vote indiscriminately). You need counter checking in the govt, to make them worry and do more for their electorates and SG as a whole. No one will treat their work 100% seriously if you know its an golden ricebowl that belongs only to you.
Tazortv is not a place for serious news. That is how I sees it. Only a place for someone’s slanted information they want U to hear. – sometimes childishly and mechanically presented. I can only find serious news in alternative media where information is ripped apart and given a “once over” for what it is worth or worthless.
Read “The Six Key Drivers of Emerging Markets” at url:
http://www.usfunds.com/investor-resources/frank-talk/?i=2787
Does it read and sound familiar! Is that not what the PAP Government is doing? I feel good that Singapore continues to be on the right track.
Sure we have some problems here and there but which country does not? Ask the British people who introduced Westminster democracy in Singapore. What an incompetent Prime Minister Gordon Brown of the Labour Party they had elected after Tony Blair.
Go for it, Singapore! Now that the Recession has been archived in our history! The Best is yet to be!
Mr Balasingam, I think you are being too optimistic on the recession being history and that the PAP is on the right track.
I think PM Lee family and cabinet are not very entrepreneurial types. I really worry for the future because I don’t see PAP style of government is working. If they don’t take care of the weak, elderly, poor etc. I know what will happen to me in future. 50 years of their power is enough.
@ T A Balasingam
http://www.usfunds.com/investor-resources/frank-talk/?i=2787
Unfortunately, the categorisation in your link is to simplistic of generalisation and does NOT apply here. We have no natural resources for a start. Nor we have no external arm of significance to benefit from globalisation opportunities other than export dependency just like China BUT CHINA HAVE SWITCHED FOCUS to rely more on domestic consumption. Hence China might allow for gradual revaluation of the Yuan to stimulate domestic consumption and weaning off slowly export dependency and USA and Europe are unlikely to make big sustained turnaround given their embeded fiscal and budgetary woes. Countries rich in commodities like Canada, Australia and Brazil will be main beneficiaries.
SO YOU ARE WRONG to imagine good times are ahead when even the Government could only venture a forecast of 3% to 5% in the forseeable future if the global economic environment remains benign.
@ T A Balasingam
http://www.usfunds.com/investor-resources/frank-talk/?i=2787
And to add on. Here is my proof. See how fast mining stocks recovered in just 3 months from the global market and economic bottom. Mining stocks in EVERY CORNER OF THE WORLD rose from 80% to 400% in just under 3 months
http://www.mineweb.com/mineweb/view/mineweb/en/page67?oid=85130&sn=Detail
And it has gone up a long long way further since June 2009 – both metal prices and mining assets valuation. That is why if I bet my future, it won’t be Singapore with only a few percentage economic growth a year. And in China, it is fueled by massive property price bubble and airbag economy -even the Chinese Government are terrified of the risks outcome.
http://www.smh.com.au/business/china-goes-on-bubble-watch-20100422-tfx8.html
Your optimism is GROSSLY misguided.
No issue with the general tone of the article.
For many who travel in the region, the best thing about Singapore is its first class infrastructure. Even compared with some developed countries (which are desperately short of manpower), public services in Singapore, such as garbage clearance and public sanitation. are first class.
My disagreement is with the comment on Tharman. In fact, I strongly disagree. The main objection is the fact that he, like many others in the present government, has not come up through the grassroots, has not proven himself at the hustings and we do not know what he really stands for and how he would behave and act independent of the PAP party whip. The Prime Minister’s job is not one that can be fulfilled by a technocrat, otherwise Singapore will turn even more into a soulless corporation than it is at present.
Just look at the photos if you have travelled in the last 15 years – compare the difference in infrastructure between the present and that of 15 years ago of either Beijing, Shanghai, Gold Coast in Australia, even KL in Malaysia. No country has gone backward anywhere. The facade is meaningless, it is the density comfort, convenience, safety and service operating efficiency AND EVERYWHERE PROGRESSES outside Singapoe, so what is there outstanding here to appreciate? IT IS NOT A CASE OF THE WORLD GONE BACKWARD AND WE GONE FORWARD OR THAT WE ARE UNIQUELY DEVELOPING OUR INFRASTRUCTURE. Any growing metropolis will exhibit the same. A more pertinent question is – what holds for the future of this country given the dismal current state of affairs here and that is the legitimate gripe of bloggers.
@anonymous
The proper comparison to make for Singapore is with developed economies. Less developed economies start from a lower base and therefore is generally faster. If we compare Singapore and the whole of western Euroipe, the US and Canada, Singapore outperforms these countries by a stretch. As for comparing cities, yes, KL and Shanghai have grown at a rapid rate. The vital difference is that Singapore, in spite of a highger density has kept the crime rate low and the traffic moving, punblic services like health and education, top-notch. I go to KL quite often and would not even go out at night unless I get a friend to drive me. People live in gated communities and employ gurkhas. Health service is poor, the water is still not drinkable in KL or Shanghai.As for traffic, the less said the better. I have lived elsewhere for twenty years and my jobs have taken me to the 4 continents. I am shocked you think Singapore state of affairs is ‘dismal’(!!).
@anonymous
The proper comparison to make for Singapore is with developed economies. Less developed economies start from a lower base and therefore is generally faster. If we compare Singapore and the whole of western Euroipe, the US and Canada, Singapore outperforms these countries by a stretch. As for comparing cities, yes, KL and Shanghai have grown at a rapid rate. The vital difference is that Singapore, in spite of a highger density has kept the crime rate low and the traffic moving, punblic services like health and education, top-notch. I go to KL quite often and would not even go out at night unless I get a friend to drive me. People live in gated communities and employ gurkhas. Health service is poor, the water is still not drinkable in KL or Shanghai.As for traffic, the less said the better. I have lived elsewhere for twenty years and my jobs have taken me to the 4 continents. I am shocked you think Singapore state of affairs is ‘dismal’(!!).
@ Lee
Singapore souless? This type of description is normally made by people who are not engaged in the community. Volunteer yourself at the youth club, aged homes, the disabled and you will find there is a lot of soul.
@ taneug
Thank you for your rejoinder, taneug.
If you read carefully my post, you probably came to the conclusion I was NOT comparing Singapore with developing countries like Malaysia. My frame of reference is wider – including Australia and China. Mature economies like USA, Canada, UK, Australia has to be slower – the limits of growth and bigger base inherent factors which I agree with you and so is KL being a gated community. My point is that infrastructure facade tells nothing of real progress because every fast growing metropolis exhibit that. You agree on Shanghai but Gold Coast is not even Shanghai – the picture you took 15 years ago can’t compare with it now. You know that as well. Concrete jungles are NOT asset – but debt-financed assets which the debt portion is NOT visible to the casual mind which just see concrete structures as “development”. Just look at China’s Kang Ba Shi new metropolis in Inner Mongolia – big high-tech newest futuristic metropolis but nearly completely deserted – a white elephant. Is it “impressive” progress and development other than visual obscenity of lies of economic achievement?
http://www.ducklingseat.com/?cat=23
http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/2009/11/14/inner-mongolias-empty-city/
And the “dismal” I am talking about is NOT infrastructure – it is economy, society and where we go from this quagmire – some of which I have posted earlier on this thread. They are separate issues from the facade of progress if you read again my comment of the last post you wrote back in reference, Sir!
@anonymous
Thanks for youyr posting.My aplogies if I had misread your earlier posting. I actually did not but I understand if my posting could have given that impression.
How can anyone describe Singapore’s performance in both economic and in societal terms as dismal? A little British barren outpost surrounded by not-so-friendly neighbours has developed within 40 years into a prosperous metropolis with one of the highest per capita income in the world and you call this dismal? Who are the most hard-nosed businessmen in the world? I would say those in the gaming industry. They live for money and are experts in calculating odds. Why would Sands pump in over $7b if the economy here is dismal or it has little confidence in the future?
Society: lowest mortality rate in the wrold, 95% own their own homes, the best public education system, a comprehensive health care system, safe streets, a thriving arts scene, racial and religious harmony, interfaith dialogues, etc. Yes, of course, there is room for improvement, big improvement, but overall is ‘dismal’ a fair description? We should, as citizens, always do our bit to make Singapore a better place but it begins with an honest assessment of where we are.
@taneug
Thank you for your rejoinder.
No country have walked backward in the last 45 years.So that is not outstanding achievement. You spoke of top per capital ranking, I assumed it is GDP statistics. Misleading at best and at worst concealing of the dismal truth. Let me explain and substantiate. About 45% of GDP is foreign component. But honestly, 2009 our GDP slumped 2-3% after 20.4 bln stimulus package roughly 8% of GDP of 257 bln. Without that our GDP would tank to $237 bln or negative growth of 10%-11%. We had big population growth in 2007/2008 lifting consumption and GDP and without that the negative growth would be worse. In contrast, resources-poor South Korea like us, in a year of global recessionary pressures achieved its 7-year high economic growth – the reason is its huge indigenous (domestic) economic sector servicing global markets.
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/BUSINESS/10/26/skorea.gdp.growth.ft/index.html Do we have any?
Outside foreign component of GDP, Government sector, what pillars of domestic indigenuous economic sector to sustain us in the meltdown? We fell the fastest and deepest! Not dismal enough? The $7 bln IR bet was decision BEFORE the meltdown, thought to be recession-proof. It is NOT a proof of confidence but a desperate last bet on economic pillars – massive migration had not lift GDP to much effect. The big meltdown in 2009 proved that. And pure casino business is sunset industry globally. Plenty of evidence on the internet.
Adding on further..
As for society, the population economic failures of eugenic stop-at-two quality control failure for decades now went the reverse gear of mass-migration to make up for shortfall. Target is 6.5 million (and growing thereafter) to lift the economy with deep underground tunneling, super highrise apartments, supported by nuclear power in the future?. Current woes include economic dislocation, infrastructures overload, employment and housing crisis, and costs of living escalation pressures. Are these not dismal enough??
THESE ARE ALL BIG MACRO ISSUES.
Wait for your honest assessment of the true economic and societal situation prevailing in Singapore, Sir!!!!
@anonymopus
Thanks for your replies.
The first staement is patently wrong. There are many countries that have gone backwards. Sri Lanka, Myamar, Zimbabwe, Seirra Leone, Sudan, Somalia, Liberia, Pakistan, etc, etc. And maybe we can throw in Greece. Granted that most countries have moved forward, the pertinent question must be how much forward? My own view is that no country in the world has made such huge progress as Singapore has done in the last 45 years. HK comes a close second but HK was for a long time not a country nor part of one.
Among the programs to beat the recession last year, Singapores’s must rank as one of the most successful. Look at the turnaround, so huge and fast that the employers have to fork out the 1% incarese in CPF contribution. We now have an unemployment rate of just over 2%. That’s pretty amazing. Compare us with the US and the countires in western Europe, all still with figures in the teens and Spain with over 20%.
Do we really have a housing ‘crisis’? A crisis is when a large part of the population cannot afford or even rent a home. Here we have a 95% ownership, nearly unheard of anywhere in the world.And look at the condition of our estates. In the 90s, the UN, to celebrate world habitat day or some such event, voted Singapore as having the best public housing for developed countries on the planet; that was before the Upgrading program. To appreciate what we have, just visit any public housing estate in the UK or the US. I once read that in some US ghettoes the life span is actually lower than of Bangladesh, rifed as it is with gang and drug killings.
Yes, a large part of our economy is in the hands of foreign comapnies. So what? All discussions on Singapore must start with its size. With a small market base, we have no choice but to invite in the foriegn companies. What do we want? A forign company brings in capital,imports raw materials, employ locals (and foreigners), introduce technology, upgrade our population in managerial and technical skills, and buy support services from our local comapnies- banking, insurance, IT support, etc.. So, yes, they make the goods, export them and make huge profits for themselves. But they taxes which go into our defence, schools, hospitals. Compare that with no foreign companies here. You don’t get “exploited”, but you don’t get anything. Of course, there must be certain areas where we want to reserve a portion of the action for ourselves such as banking.But otherwise, better we have them here. As one Indian economist puts it: It’s better to be exploied than not to be exploiued at all- although the Marxist word “exploited” is hardly accurate. And anyway, in this globalized world,if we don’t plug into the grid, we might as well say good bye. See no further than Burma and its closed door policy.
Infrastructure overload? Yes, our trains and busses are more crowded and I take a longer time each day to go back to my home from Jurong. Occasioanlly, I swear. But this is a small price to pay for success. Without the immigrants, we would not have the growth in the economy nor the offices and building that they build.
Have we made a mistake in population policy. I dare say we have but hindsight is always 20-20. If you were here in the sixties and seventies, you would not have disageed with the government policy. High unemployment, overcrowded and degrading housing, youths going into gangs and yes, creaky busses packed like sardines and seldom come on time. And the British foces which constituted 15% of the economy closing their base here. What would you have done? Increase the population?
Yes, we made a historical mistake. But let’s consioder that what we have is a problem of success. With growing incomes, we abandoned some jobs to the foreigner, so we rbing them in. And as people get more educated, the familes get smaller, a phenomenon that is observed the world over.How else to keep the ecomomy growing but open the doors? I would agree if you said we should have started our productivity drive earlier and more ernestly. It was a mistake but I would hardly clssify our situation as dismal.And personally, I have found Singapore to be so much more interesting because of the large foreign population.
@ Taneug
Thank you for your rejoinder.
Your opening statement was a cop-out. Sri Lanka …etc have gone backwards. Your admission..”Granted that most countries have moved forward.” Leaving that your “backward” assertion offers no criteria but Sri Lanka was an obvious telling one of your preferred selective inappropriate comparisons -ridden by the longest 30 years of civil war. Do you eagerly aspire Singapore to go “backward”? South Korea and Taiwan are in permanent state of war. Looked at how much they achieve in the global stage – indigenous industries servicing global markets. We have NONE of remote comparison. And your comment – Hong Kong comes a close second to us. Misinformed or mischief of jokes? The Jardines Matheson, Swires, Sung Hung Kai, New World Development, HSBC, etc are titans before our GLC smells around outside Singapore. And their successful tycoons rate lower than our own? False preachings!
Where you got the 95% house-ownership? About 85% are HDB leasing. And fantastic turnaround in 2009. False assertion. Negative growth despite pumping $20.4 billion = 8% additional GDP-inflating stimulus spending lift-up like bras. Add $7 bln for two IRs, another 2% GDP lift. Add nearly 20% increase in population since 2006, another few % rise in GDP. Without all these artificial lifting, we are in a deep dark hole of economic guagmire of incomprehension. And 2% unemployment? False definition of “unemployment by MOM conealed realities.
The progress we see at all “optical” in concrete development – same everywhere from Gold Coast, to Hangzhou, to Ho Chi Minh City to KL to Shanghai and Beijing even to Kang Ba Shi in Inner Mongolia. So what is really impressive to someone claiming extensive travelling to 4 continents and not seeing these?? I don’t understand you, taneug? I see big industrialisation in South Korea and Taiwan, China and mining booms in Chile, Botswana, Tanzania, Guinea, and Ghana etc etc – like you said most countries moved forward!!
Mr. Taneug,Sir, And on to population question.
You admitted it was a mistake – a huge, enduring and extremely damaging of failure of political economy I would say. So what is the solution now? Flood the place with foreign population import – another simplistic solution to complex problems of past failures. I would hasten to add another MONUMENTAL MISTAKE and I will show you the proof here. Target is 6.5 million soon to lift our economy. REALLY????? lOOK AT THE STATISTIC FROM THE GOVERNMENT.
http://www.singstat.gov.sg/stats/themes/economy/hist/gdp2.html
Huge increase in population since 2006. Did that lift our economy in good year 2007 and rescued us in times of economic turmoil in 2008 and 2009? GDP growth from 2007 to 2009 was NEGATIVE. False economics again.
Political agenda was at work. With higher population of mainly adults migration, in 20 years time, they will aslo grow old, what do we do with them???
Meantime to accomodate this influx, build underground cities, MRT? Who pays for infrastructural costs? ANYBODY DID DIAMOND CORE DRILLINGS in thousands of deep hole to test rock formation stability. Ask a mining engineer or exploration geologists what happens to cave-in when geotechnical fails in simple mining operation. Talk to the managers of Austindo Resources and ask them what happen to Chibailiung gold project in Indonesia. It is PYHSICALLY IMPOSSIBLE to do diamond core drilling now in Singapore. An 8 plus Ritcher scale earthquake in Sumatra will risks cave in and buried all alive while you drive your car underground or your family in deep MRT tunnels below. You like that?
An a nuclear power station in Singapore to supply power needs of big population? Another Chernobyl from accident, war or terrorist attacks kills all within 40 km radius. You like that to happen to you and your family, taneug?
I don’t comprehend your unsupported logic of a large foreign population preference TO NO ECONOMIC BENEFIT BUT SEEMINGLY INSURMOUNTABLE ECONOMIC BURDENS FROM HOUSING CRISIS TO COSTS OF LIVING PRESSURES to escalate our survival riks.
You seems to see and appreciate everything superficially, am I wrong, Sir?
Sorry, Anonymous, I just don’t have the time to respond. I’ll just like to ask a few questions? Which country has increased its per capita income from US$4000 to US$40,000 in the same span of time? And to do so without damage to the environment, with smooth flowing traffic, very low crime rate, first class health service. And in the same period, create a world class education system, uncorrupt civil service or political system, etc, etc. How can we do this without an increase in population or with a population unwilling to go into certain industies (say,construction, waitressing). Immigrants have no economic benefit to us? Who build the HDB flats so many of us live in? Who build the roads, hospitals, schools? If you ever work for a MNC, you would realise how much Singaporeans gain by learning the latest management techniques through thier day-to-day work. How can you say we do not gain economically if foreign companies pour in billions of capital into industry we neither have the expertise nor capital to go into.
Instead of complaining, we should celebrate the presence of the immigrants and the MNC.
@ taneug
Thanks for your rejoinder. Noticed that you have responded to macro issues I have raised. They are pathogens of crisis and carry with them massive potential catastrophic uncontainable risks consequences. But I will respond to your questions nevertheless.
You asked about per capital – the usual poppycock and in practical term meaningless – more so than Singapore when the leakage factor is 46% to foreign investment alone. Of the balance 54%, foreigners working here slightly more than local absorbed the benefits of this per capita by employment alone. What is left for Singaporeans? Meaningless. By leave that aside, South Korea was an agrarian war-ravaged economy with a per capital of US$65 and what have they achieved now? Do your own homework. Low crime rate is due to law-abiding citizenry. Smooth traffic – Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Sydney Perth any worse? World class education – how many great entrepreneurs and inventions that created? Uncorrupt Government?? MIW said a lot about operation Coldstore and Operation Spectrum from sources which must be said to be reliable and vetted.
MNC imparting great knowledge and know-house? Of the biggest MNCs here in the 1980s, how many left on this shore? It might be relevant to you but not me. My life is very lucky – I ventured OUT. I am completely independent, leave my footprints in different continents and discovered my own little fortune of knowledge and survival. Singapore is so small, inconspicuous on global map, in GlOBALISATION, 99.9% of opportunities are outside by linear extrapolation. I AM GLAD I FOUND MY NICHE OUTSIDE AND NOT STUCK INSIDE THIS LITTLE REDDOT LOOKING FOR SURVIVAL.
Singapore should be the same – only because we are too small and lacking in resources, don’t you agree???
@ taneug
Thanks for your rejoinder. Noticed that you have responded to macro issues I have raised.
Sorry, typo error above
should read
Thanks for your rejoinder. Noticed that you have NOT responded to macro issues I have raised.
Thanks, anonymous.
I obviously disagree with many points you have raised, both in fact and opinions.
I am glad you have found your niche, even if it’s outside Singapore. You are obviously a person with intelligence and drive, the type Singapore needs a lot of. For many who do not have the skills or means to venture overseas, Singapore is a great and safe place to call home with possibly the best government in the planet.Paradoxically, for many who have lived abroad, Singapore’s virtues become even more glaring when one realises the meagre base it started from. It is a great little red dot alright. Having PR in the UK for a decade and offered PR in Australia, I am one of these.
@ Taneug
I lived the BEST and the WORST both in CHINA and AUSTRALIA – these experiences obviously shaped my thinking, perspectives and judgement.
Thomas L.Friedman believe the world is flat – a best seller publishing – is both correct and flawed. The globalisation impact of the great financial crisis of 2008/2009 proved that.
I believe the world is round but not exactly round – centuries apart, neither Christopher Columbus or astronauts from outer space can see that. The realities is that not all countries are equally impacted by the global financial crisis.
I believe to see the world correctly, one has to to be there and experience the worst and the best to know the contextual difference.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, nevertheless.
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