Are Sinkies crazy, stupid or what, too clever?

There are more than 700k Work Permit holders working here. Last night’s Talking Point’s topic was about whether to integrate these foreign workers or to leave them alone. The general view was that Sinkies must take the initiative to reach out to these transient workers, to get to know them, to organise activities for them or to participate in their activities. One went further to suggest that the foreign workers should be involved in our grass root activities, even patrolling to keep the place safe. My eyes are rolling. I could go on to elaborate more of the things the panellists would want to do to make these workers feel appreciated, to tell him how grateful we are for them to build our homes, roads and infrastructure and to help to grow out economy. I would like to add that we should invite them to our homes on their festivals or holidays, and likewise when we are celebrating ours. We should also celebrate their birthdays and show them how caring and gracious we are.

It keeps me thinking. How much time does an average Sinkie has to socialise and integrate with the foreign workers? Does an average Sinkie has time for his/her parents, siblings, Sinkie friends and neighbours? Or are they so tired after work and would like to have some moments of peace and rest for themselves? There is this presumption that the Sinkies have a lot of free time and a lot of energy and money to spend time with the foreign workers. Their well being is our responsibility, the responsibility of all Sinkies.

There were some sensible views expressed, like these are workers here to make a living. Give them a decent place to live, to rest and to play. Give them decent working environment, take care of them and make sure they are paid. Don’t cheat on them. These are the responsibilities of the average Sinkies? What about their employers and recruitment agents who benefited from their labour and fees? What about the govt that collects fees from the workers to be here? Shouldn’t it be their responsibilities to take good care of them?

Do we need to integrate them to our way of life or we integrate into their way of life? Are they citizens that are going to be part of us? Are they PRs that are here on a long term basis to live with us and try to be one of us?

There is one very serious issue that ‘seow’ Sinkies are taking for granted. These are very nice people, like the rioters in Little India. I have to be fair here when making this comment. In every community or group of people, the majority are nice or decent people. These include the Sinkies. But in every group, including Sinkies, there is always that 5% or 10% that could turn bad when given the opportunity or temptation. You want to take the risk with them? You know which one is going to be bad? You want our innocent young girls to go and socialise and play with them?

One source of trouble with people is familiarity. When people get to know someone too well, they get to know the weaknesses and vulnerability of that person. When people are invited to your homes, they get too familiar and could have naughty and dangerous ideas. Think of the stranger you brought home and trusted to take care of your old parents and children. There are that 5% to 10% that could bring harm to you while you try to be very nice, very gracious, very caring and very clever.

My view, very subjective, is that the foreign workers should be left alone to live their lives as long as we don’t mistreat them, don’t exploit them, don’t abuse them. There is no need to want to be too clever or too nice. But there will also be the 5% to 10% of Sinkies that would want to be very nice to them. Go ahead and be nice.

Do not force it upon the average Sinkies to go and socialise and integrate with strangers they have nothing to do with in their lives. Do not ask for trouble when there is no need to. Do not create the familiarity and the temptation to bring harm to oneself or family members when there is no need to. They live their lives and the Sinkies that choose to live their own lives should stay that way.

Sinkies don’t ‘kee seow’ and ask for trouble that you would curse yourself later on. Many will be lucky and have good experiences and stories to tell. Better to treat each other at arms length, unless one has good reasons to be connected out of necessity or work, and be cautiously and tentatively respectful and safe. Often kindness does not beget kindness but harm and pain. That is the hard truth in life. But of course, for those who have so much time and love for the foreign workers, do not be affected by my cautionary comments. Go and do what makes you happy and make the foreign workers happy.

Kopi Level - Green