9/03/2008

It is going to get uglier

600 residents of Serangoon Garden signed a petition against the conversion of a school to house 1000 foreign workers. This is the first time we are seeing so many Singaporeans standing up for their rights. And they have a good and valid reason to speak up. And Lim Hwee Hua acknowledged that it is good that the residents are speaking up. This is the best and most direct feedback coming from the people. The problem is why can't the govt see the problem? We are too small, living too closely together. Bringing in a few hundred thousand foreign workers is going to eat into our private and social space. And there are all the good reasons for the residents to fear for their safety other tha the general cleanliness and orderliness of their neighbourhood. We must stop fooling ourselves that we are as big as America and have a lot of open space to accommodate all the foreigners. We are no bigger than JB! The social consequences and price we are paying are too big. Those living in their little palaces may not feel the crunch and the squeeze. But don't forget that more than 80% of the population are going to face these foreign workers and rub noses with them. I am waiting for the day they run riot and refuse to go home or back to their quarters. We will see how law and order can be restored. This is a sickness of small people with megalomaniac dreams.

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dont worry it is not going to get uglier becos law and order are quickly restored here. Have you seen how effective our army is on land, sea and air?

Anonymous said...

The worst part is they are from countries which believe in people power where racial and religious riots are strife according to our mainstream media.
I suppose they do not want the dorm there because they do not want Serangoon to turn into another Joo Chiat/Geylang.
Well , They could always house those worker in Batam or JB :) in mr Khaw's vision :)

Chua Chin Leng aka redbean said...

batam cannot lah. once they are there they would not want to come back anymore. that is another paradise.

Anonymous said...

Serangoon Garden is quite a nice and quiet enclave, it would be sad if it turns into another Joo Chiat or Geylang. What is the Government thinking? Everything it seems is for economic considerations. Sad

Anonymous said...

Singaporeans want the foreign workers to do their dirty jobs but do not want them in their neighbourhood. How pathetic you people are. Well as long as they are not in my backyard...........

Chua Chin Leng aka redbean said...

nothing pathetic but the brutal truth. the down and out will always be made to do the dirty job but not invited for the black tie party.

Chua Chin Leng aka redbean said...

the other issue is the quality of life. economic numbers and chasing the next million or ten million may become meaningless.

why is it necessary to spruce up the general area around that beautiful bungalow and not let it be surrounded by slums? why are servants only to be seen when needed and to vanish into thin air when the party starts?

what would the owners of paragon or a 6 star hotel do if all the foreign workers were to hang around in their buildings?

Anonymous said...

Right. Even shops in Lucky Plaza once tried to get rid of the Filipino maids congregating there on weekends.

Moreover, not all who are staying in Serangoon Garden have their 'dirty jobs' done by foreigners.

Anonymous said...

I can imagine what it would look like. Chomp Chomp, NTUC, the Serangoon Garden Circus - foreign workers everywhere. Urine, faeces, beer bottles. The place will just be ruined. What a pity it would be. And Serangoon Gardens has - so far - been such a strong supporter of the PAP. Well, if at the next GE votes swing, I'm sure the PAP will understand - just as MND asks residents for understanding.

Anonymous said...

Not true that Serangoon Gardens is a strong supporter of the PAP. Support has been declining, which is why it was split between Ang Mo Kio and Aljunied GRCs. Haven't you noticed the increase in MP walkabouts and the song and dance over a staircase built recently to link Cardiff Grove to Li Hwan View?

Anonymous said...

chomp chomp will be glad for the roaring new business.

Anonymous said...

Let the pap ministers lead by example. Build the foreign workers dormitories around their estate first than talk!

Anonymous said...

Be fair and talk also about those Elite alien workers(doctors, engineers,ect) they are silently creeping and crampping our space. Beating the poor workers make paradise a bully island.
Don't become like lou dobbs of CNN constanly beating up on illegal immigrant workers(mexicans and latinos).

Chua Chin Leng aka redbean said...

our problem is that we are too small and we have too many foreign workers squeezing among us. we are not america where you can put in a few millions and they all disappear.

they are now all around us and all over us.

Anonymous said...

Best to station them in decent homes in select industrial areas where they can have more space away from our homes. URA need work faster and allow more factories conversions. Best in the long haul.

Chua Chin Leng aka redbean said...

in the long haul my wish is that they should all be back in their countries and being very happy and rich.

we need the space for ourselves and our children.

what we need are the real foreign talents to be around. not the workers and the fictitious talents or pretentious talents or fake talents.

Anonymous said...

Singaporeans are selfish, arrogant and totally ignorant. You want foreigners to work for you and make you rich but when it comes to treating them decently you whinge and complain. You ARE a stupid lot aren't you?

Anonymous said...

Stupid or smart, it's a matter of interpretation.

Chua Chin Leng aka redbean said...

the singaporeans or many singaporeans did not want so many foreign workers here. and they have no say in how many are brought here.

cannot anyhow blame singaporeans lah.

Anonymous said...

If FW moves there, aiwoy , chomp chomp will have the best Indian Food. I will surely go there..