4/18/2006

retirement village

"My personal view is, our land is expensive. But we have nearby neighbours in Johore, Batam and Bintan. The elderly want to reach their doctors within half to one hour. So retirement villages in neighbouring countries is possible, barring the cross-border hassle. It is best to find cheap land on short leases," said Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan. I must say that this is a good concept for the well heeled, rich and famous Singaporeans who want a little paradise before they go to the real paradise. The only reservation I have is the location. We need a place that is really safe for these retirees. We do not want to put them in jeopardy in the hands of unknown strangers that could run them like a Nazi prison camp. Be very careful with the choice of paradise. Indonesian islands are cheap and good provided we have our own people manning the security. Otherwise, don't play play.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I would think the well-heeled and rich will go to London or at the very least one of the eastern seaboard Australian capital cities, not a backwater village like JB, and Batam. I think Khaw had the average 'money no enough' Singaporean in mind rather than the rich and well-heeled.

Anonymous said...

There are no needs to go to other lands. Singapore can consider building islets in the sea near her border for the retirement villages. Not to waste resouces, these islet should incorporate other things such as fish farms, solar electricity generating plant, fresh water production plant, etc, etc. i believe it is feasible.

Chua Chin Leng aka redbean said...

i prefer the outbacks in australia or some corners of australia.

at least the risk is lower. and the cost maybe quite similar. no need prime land.

Anonymous said...

This is what you end up with when you get a foreigner (and an ex-Malaysian at that) to run the Health Ministry in your country. In your old age - weaken in body, perhaps senile and suffering from dementia, you get to be displaced from your very own country. Now, which population in the whole wide world helps the FTs to displace themselves?

Socaps said...

To harbour any thought of having retirement villages in neighbouring countries is wishful thinking. Our retirees, who have contributed towards nation building in one way or another, deserve a safe haven with proper medical care to live out their twilight years. For me, "my island home is far beyond the wave; I will no longer roam"!

Chua Chin Leng aka redbean said...

haha, no more utility value. this is the devil in being too pragmatic.