I refer to the rumours of a forthcoming election in the near future.
My fear is that if the ruling party calls a general election now they may lose a few more seats to the opposition based on the current environment. I have never met so many unsatisfied Singaporeans in my life.
1. Foreign workers
The issue of foreign workers is perhaps the biggest grouse of local Singaporeans. The huge suddent influx of foreign workers into our tiny island state is too much for most locals to bear. Not only do they infringe on our employment opportunitties but they also drive down wages as manpower supply exceeds demand especially at the last recession.
Though the government has try to placate Singaporeans by slowing down future intake of foreigners, the damage is already done and may cost the government to lose quite a large number of votes.
2. Housing
Prices of HDB resale flats have rose significantly since the middle of last year even in the midst of a recession. This is largely thought to be influenced by the huge number of foreigners bidding for resale flats with deep pockets.
Moreover, build-to-order (BTO) programme is not really going on as well as proclaimed. New couples have to wait for at least 3 years before they can occupy their flat and the locations of new flats are also not that popular.
Singles above age 35 can buy HDB resale flats but the skyhigh prices rumoured to be chased up by immigrants with strong cash reserve have cause them much unhappiness. They also felt victimised as the housing policy is seen to favour married couples.
3. High cost of living vz stagnated salary scale
The high cost of living has affected the spending power of most Singaproeans notably the poor and lower middle income earners. The past recession has forced many Singaporeans to take on lower paying jobs and many are still trapped in that pay package. Many who are retrenched from their high paying jobs have lost the hope of ever attaining such good salary jobs again. They have the feeling that the country has regressed.
The inflationary rate has also outstripped whatever small gain in salary the average wage earner has made. Many also could not save enough for their retirement which may later grow into a time bomb for the country.
4. Bias In Human Resource Practices
Many PMETs in their 40s and 50s could not find a job easily as employers continue to be bias against this age group. With younger foreigners waiting in line and cheaper to hire, employers have the upper hand here especially when the economy is still on its gradual upward trend. Many who are desperate take on low end jobs such as cab drivers and security guards to make ends meet. This age group also often still carries the burden of unpaid hefty home mortgages and educational funding for their young children. Under-employment seems to be a main issue with this middle-aged professionals armed with their coveted degrees and MBAs.
With very little opportuniies for gainful employment, this age group will likely cast their frustration at the polls.
5. People everywhere
Trains got more crowded as foreigners enter our country by the hundreds of thousands. Every tiny little red spot is invaded as Singaporeans avoided their usual weekend solace at the shopping malls and cinemas. They begin to camp in at home during the weekend wallowing in their frustration. They may also explore migration channels in the search for a better lifestyle abroad.
With overseas voting available for the first time with the forthcoming election, it will not be surprising if many of such votes should go against the ruling party.
6. Stressful lifestyle
The Singaporean lfiestyle is often associated with stress and boredom. People simply move from one stressful environment to another as they progress on in life.
From being stressed out at school due to the very high achievement-oriented environment to work stress prevalent everywhere, the typical Singaporeans have often complained of having no time to relax and living like a rat.
Too much time spent at work has also contributed to a high divorce rate as many couples fail to find the time to cultivate their relationship. This has also resulted in a spike in juvenile delinquent crimes as the lone parent could not find the time and space to care for their children left alone at home.
7. Lack of welfarism
There is the general agreement that the government is stingy in it’s many welfare programmes. Many still lament that they have to pay alot for health-care facilities in an increasing ageing population. The sandwiched generation has alot to complain here as they have to care for their young children and aged parents.
In the eyes of the typical Singaporean, it is better to die poor and dignified than depend on the government for hand out. Many have also complained of the high–handed ways Community Developement Council (CDC) officers have handled their welfare applications.
8. Skyhigh ministerial pay
Much has being discussed on the high pay our cabinet ministers command. Most ministers are pay in the million dollar category and this have not gone down well with the population especially when their own pay is squeezed out by ihe influx of foreigners.
Many agree that politcians should not be so well paid as to diminish their sacrificial duty to serve the people.
Ministers are also perceived as very distant power figures, unable to understand how the ground feels as they plot their policies behind their millions in ivory towers.
How many ministers actually take the MRT trains to work to understand how the common people experience about feeling crowded when they journey to work daily?
9. Huge losses on our foreign reserves
Recent reports on the huge losses incurred by the Temasek Holdings and Government Investment Corporation (GIC) have also stirred up alot of negative sentiments against the ruling party.
Failure to be transparent in their investment portfolios have caused many Singaporeans to believe that there are things that the two investment bodies do not want the public to know. As the money in foreign reserves belong to the country, people naturally will react adversely when news on huge losses are reported by the two funds.
10. Push for change
People generally believe that change is needed in a stifling environment that has long being dominated by a single ruling party for well over forty years. People generally feel that change is needed in our country as the population struggles to survive in a tightly controlled environment.
The issue of foreigner workers may just be the main catalyst that push Singaporeans to demand for change. People are pragmatic and if their economic neds are not met, they may simply go for the jugular.
Forced out by foreigners in their work places and feeling second-class in their own country, Singaporeans may now throw caution to the wind and vote for an alternative.
Written by: Gilbert Goh
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Either they are turning a blind eye to the various issues you have listed or are totally ignorant of the ground views. Both spells for disaster.
Well, it is probably about time to shake them too their roots and complacency.
Not only are they not open to criticisms, they have a “reason” more like excuses for even the most obvious issues, and the lack of transparency.
You say “I have never met so many unsatisfied Singaporeans in my life.”
Well I can hear them saying.. oh he is just another blogger exaggerating… blah blah Nothing like this surprises me anymore.
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[...] Countdown to Elections – Diary of A Singaporean Mind: U-Turn or Election Sweetening….? – The Temasek Review: Why Singapore’s future in the next ten years is a bleak one – Transitioning.org: Ten Reasons Why PAP May Lose Some More Seats In The Next Election [...]
Very interesting article. I applaud the people looking for change.
Thanks for another interesting blog site. Exactly where else could I find that kind of information written such the best way? I have a project that I am at the moment focusing on, and I’ve been on the consider this kind of information.
The ruling government’s arrogance is institutionalize; personally, I do not see any real change is possible. The ruling government will only make the necessary changes to placate the voters. I hope the rest of the thinking voters will not accept this kind of lip service. I think we need to wait until the next election to effect real changes.
“Change”, “transform”,”reform” are very loose, casual words being bantered around by the PAP MPs in their speeches. While they claim to want to improve things, just look at what MP Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan said. He said that the policies are right but getting them communicated across on a strategic level was the issue. If it is that way, then as suggested by the speech, what changes is only the cosmetic aspects of implementing a policy, of justifying it through mainstream media and so on. That way, little changes in the way of content. I doubt that their wish to change for the better as professed in their speeches sound sincere on that level.
Hi you forget to add this
high cost of transportation due to COE , Fuel tax and ERP
With the percentage in fuel tax government will earn more as the fuel price go up . Now business transportation vehicle cost so much . With the increase in fuel , ERP ,COE and parking all other daily stuff we use have to go up sky high .
High COE and office place make new want to be entrepreneurs to suffer . Can you tell me how to see customer and delivery of goods when the vehicle and office place is so high . Some of the big company started working in house and able to use cheap vehicle to delivery to customer before they grow big . How we suppose to do that . Delivery by bus or MRT ?