8/21/2008

Paradise here I come

Singapore is indeed a paradise not only to Singaporeans, but to the many PRs and foreign talents working here. They have good jobs, good pay, good environment, and treated very well by Singaporeans. And the govt is still trying to convince the locals to treat the foreigners even better. Where on earth can a foreigner find another country that is so friendly to them? Filipino Mac Gregore Ponce Tan (31, architect), a PR since last year, balloted successfully for his daughter to a school of his choice. And he had this to say, (I quote from Young pay and pay blog), "Although I am a foreigner, I am not discriminated here. I receive the same privilege and rights as Singaporeans. This is very fair. This is a place I like most!" Native Singaporean Foo Wang Heng (My own translation of his Chinese name. 40, stockbroking sector. ) was unsuccessful. He said: "(My daughter,) such a little girl, every day having to spend so much time on transport, it's not a good thing! And as for the school's quality, we have now reach a stage, where we no longer have a choice (because it's now up to MOE to anyhow allocate)" I think any Singaporean who is in Foo Wang Heng's shoe and claimed that he would not feel unhappy about the situation must be lying or an idiot. It is good that we treat our new citizens and PRs well since we welcome them here. We shall provide them with the best environment possible to make their stay comfortable and pleasant. We want them to enjoy our hospitality as a gracious people. I still think we need to do something more for our very own people. We must provide enough classes to accommodate all the children of our citizens and PRs. But putting them together under the same balloting scheme will surely create bitterness among the citizens when they got out balloted by non citizens. It is only a human reaction. It would be better to give priority to Singaporeans by separating PRs and Singaporeans into two balloting schemes. If we can assure the PRs that there will be places for their children in our good schools, I don't think they will be unhappy. I don't think they will demand to be treated as equal as a citizen. Some may have the audacity to demand so. We can tell these talents to go home if they think we are not treating them well. But the process to ensure that children of PRs have a reasonable chance of being enrolled in good schools will be something the talented administrators have to work out without incurring the wrath and unhappiness of the citizens. Perhaps a percentage of PRs to provide a healthy mix be use as the justification for an admission formula. Call it the PR phase or whatever, but let them ballot among themselves. For citizens to be ballotted in the same phase as PRs will definitely incur some displeasure no matter how reasonable or magnanimous the citizens are. Something to think about. I think we are being very insensitive to the feelings of citizens.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

All you Singaporeans do is bellyache all the time. If you feel you have been passed over by a FT or a FR and you cannot stand it, just get the hell out and I am sure you will not be missed

young-pap said...
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young-pap said...
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young-pap said...

Actually, having 2 separate phase for citzens and PR is good for the government - it helps entice those foreigners to let their kids become citizens! Isn't that what the government want? Haha!

Chua Chin Leng aka redbean said...

it is only a matter of packaging. what is lacking in this process is sensitivity. we are so insensitive to the feelings of made in singapore singaporeans. we take them for granted, that they will accept anything that is shafted down their throats. that they will not protest or kpkb.

good that you brought this out for discussion, young-pap. didn't know that that was your blog. good one.

Anonymous said...

"we take them for granted, that they will accept anything that is shafted down their throats."

You want to know why that's the case, redbean ? It's cos Singaporeans have time and again shown the PAP that they have no balls. When an unpopular policy is drawn up and implemented, Singaporeans will kpkb like no tomorrow, but come election time, they give you some spare change from their pockets, everything is forgotten and forgiven. You tell me, lah redbean, with this kind of attitude which gahmen don't want to take advantage ?

Foreigners, on the other hand, can always take a taxi to Changi Airport and fly off. So, they must jagah very nicely.

Anonymous said...

Just do what the people of Hougang and Potong Pasir did in previous elections. Then they will wake up and take note of what we are kpkb-ing for. Low Thia Khiang said if they give you money, take it because it is money squeezed from you, but vote for the opposition. Don't let them think all Singaporeans can be bought over by the use of money and upgrading.

Chua Chin Leng aka redbean said...

ya, like what matilah used to say,

singaporeans deserve the govt they elected. more good years and more freedom.

Anonymous said...

interesting link. i believe the previous stop at 2 and restrictive university quota policies caused the present talent shortages leading to a 100% about turn though it's nobody's fault

Chua Chin Leng aka redbean said...

the fault is that no one dares to tell the boss that things are overkilled or going overboard. and the boss has too many things to bother and did not come back to stop it, it will keep steam rolling.

that is why things only change when the boss opens his mouth. we will probably see a slowing down of the 6.5 m maniacal population dream. the boss has expressed his reservation.