Hi Gilbert,
I don’t know whether this is considered as counselling but I am lost, and I need some opinions and advice.
This morning, I read your article on how Malay Singaporeans are receiving lower class treatment in our own country – and I can’t agree more.
I was on the train reading and was literally crying because they really hit home.
I recently just emailed one of the ministers on how suffocating it is to live in Singapore due to foreign “talents”. Of course, no reply from him.
My previous job was in the government sector, but I decided to take the plunge to leave for a job with more than half pay-cut because I just couldn’t stand any longer being in the Chinese-speaking environment.
I just don’t get it.
They excluded me from most activities because I’m a Malay. Even in meetings, they converse in Mandarin.
Please don’t get me wrong, my best friend is a Chinese, but sometimes, enough is enough. Right now, I’m working under a Pinoy, who’s not so bright actually.
That being said, I have always wanted to migrate to Australia. I studied there but I came back to Singapore in 2010 because my mom passed away, and I met someone here.
It’s been the worst 2.8 years of my life (being unemployed for 1+ years because I don’t have a local degree etc, etc).
My boyfriend, on the other hand, has been unemployed for almost 3 years (despite having a diploma), and he just got a job two weeks ago with a low pay.
I keep wanting to get out of this country, as fast as I can, away from all these nonsense that this country is throwing at me but I don’t know whether I will be making the right choice to move.
I don’t know what’s in store for me, or for my boyfriend.
Both of us do not have skills that are on the SOL list.
We are both equally confused and skeptical, but I swear I can puke blood if I am stuck in this country any longer.
Many, many thanks,
Aida
********
Hi Aida
Thanks for your mail and sorry to hear about your experience on racial discrimination in Singapore as someone from the minorities races.
It has being happening for the past few decades and so far our government has tried to put things right.
I dont blame you for wanting to flee the country in view of the subtle discrimination faced at your work place. Any sane person will do the same.
Frankly speaking, many Chinese Singaporeans have also indicated their interest to emigrate due to the huge influx of foreigners into our country snatching away jobs and our space.
If you decide to stay put, do consider contributing to the nation rebuilding process by being active politically or socially.
This way, you are becoming a change agent than merely surrendering to the current situation.
On another note, I want to post your mail on my blog so that others will know how our minorities races feel.
Is this ok with you?
I will leave out your name to protect your identity.
I am now in Sydney actually but will return this month end.
My family is based here.
Are you keen to catch up sometimes next month when I am back in Singapore?
Stay strong and positive.
Cheers!
Stand Up, and tell the Pinoy off lah.
Why are you scared..
Strange as it may sound, I understand how you feel. I am a 59 yr old Chinese male Singaporean & nothing pissed me off more when I see a group of Chinese Singaporeans speaking in Mandarin when their single Malay friend is standing quietly at the side. Obviously their Malay colleague does not speak or understand the language. I find it extremely rude & insensitive.
We spend so many years trying to blur the fault lines between the local Chinese, Malay & the Indian races and have to a large extend, succeeded in doing so. However, in the past 5 to 10 years, we have been overwhelmed by the ridiculous onslaught of foreign trash that Singapore is not the same anymore. Now our population is further complicated by large numbers of India Indians, China Chinese, Pinoys & others.
To build up a cohesive society among our original locals was not easy and is still not easy. We need to spend more time & effort. Unfortunately, the situation is made more complex now & the chance to do it is lost forever.
So who is to blame? So who will you vote
In election 2016?
I do not believe that the 60% who voted PAP
are in favour of many foreigners coming here to dilute
Our culture, insult Sgporeans, insult the system of
Govt, replace fellow Sg jobs, etc
They must be crazy to vote to lose their country and
Their own survival !
Looks like is too late, new citizens will vote for
PAP and many other ways for PAP to retail power
Which is there only objective!
I just cannot understand how 60% can tolerate
Their own destruction of their own kind and their
Children.
Signed off
Sg with family living overseas in the meantime
Their, not there
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In my workplace, Malay and Malaysian colleagues speak in Malay among themselves. Tamils converse in Tamil. If there is something important they need me to know, they will tell me in English. I am sick of hearing as if Chinese are the only ones doing this. Do remember that Singapore is a multiracial society. We should not be made ashamed of using our own languages.
Cant agree with you more Tim.
we are all minorities now with so many foreigner so Malays please dont expect any special care and concern
Dear Aida,
It is a bit difficult for me to understand that you left the government sector job because of “Chinese-speaking environment”. About your Chinese colleagues even conversing in Chinese during meetings, did you let them know ? Did you raise it to your superiors ? I cannot imagine that nobody took action (including those Chinese colleagues), unless it is small talk and not the actual meeting discussion. And if you feel so strongly about it, what about seeking Mendaki’s advice or Mr Yajob Ibrahim or raise it within the public service feedback channel ? (I mean, this would be the steps I have done before throwing the towel). But of course, if you prefer or are used to a TOTAL English-speaking working environment (like in Australia), it is difficult to find it in Singapore because we are multi-racial after all. Maybe only in the regional HQs of MNCs based in Singapore. As for emails to government ministers, I have always received a reply, but not immediately. (I was retrenched in Aug 2011 at age 48 and managed to secure a job in the 5th month. It is a junior position with less than half my previous pay. I am okay with it. I have savings and the job is less stressful with fewer responsibilities. I just received a 20% pay raise). Good luck.
I am appalled that the lady left her job just because her colleagues were speaking Chinese. Did they backstab her? Were they mean to her? Were the working hours or working conditions unbearable? Was she subjected to a drastic pay cut or verbal abuse? Did she hv a lousy boss? Usually people quit bec of these reasons n not bec their colleagues speak another language. My bosses n colleagues consist of both locals n foreigners n when they r together they do tend to speak their own language, not bec they hv something against others, but simply because they r just more comfortable in their own language. However they mk sure that vital info is always communicated in English during meetings n through emails. This girl really needs to toughen up as there can be many worser things happening at a work place other than colleagues speaking in a language she does not understand. Good luck to her job search.
I’m sure that the writer has her own reasons on why she left the job. That’s a closed chapter now, look forward as life goes on. As she mentioned that she does not qualify for a 457 visa as her work experience is not valid. Consider other options in life such as Canada or New Zealand, we all make certain decisions in life and for better or worse, we have to live with the consequences. All the best.
What a hypocrite Gilbert Goh is. He’s currently working in Sydney (i.e. a foreigner working in Australia) but has a problem with foreigners working in Singapore. What a joke.
To Sing lee. Gilbert Goh made the right choice to work in Sydney and he has earned the right to work there. For your info, after all the research I have done, there are strict prerequisite that you need to have to work in Australia, for eg. Pass ELTS (English test) and you must have certified expertise or skills to be able to work. Even if he was a student there and got a job through the institution, he still have to pay a large amount to get by. So does this sound like a tough prerequisite to you? Well unlike Singapore, as long as you can speak in Mandarin or you can opt to pay your money making agent an installment of 70% of your pay every month just to be here, i believe it is a very easy escape route to flood this country (Singapore) like nobody business. Gilbert Goh has earn his right to be there, the rightful way through his expertise that came useful to Australia. So don’t just judge the whole picture in General. It is never the same here. Open your eyes please.
Hi Sing Lee
I dont work in Australia – I merely visit my family who is based here.
My work is among jobless Singaporeans and I dont have a salary as its entirely on my own.
I spent at least 9 months in Singapore and the other three months in Sydney.
Hope this clarifies the misunderstanding.
Gilbert Goh
To Sing lee. Gilbert Goh made the right choice to work in Sydney and he has earned the right to work there. For your info, after all the research I have done, there are strict prerequisite that you need to have to work in Australia, for eg. Pass ELTS (English test) and you must have certified expertise or skills to be able to work. Even if he was a student there and got a job through the institution, he still have to pay a large amount to get by. So does this sound like a tough prerequisite to you? Well unlike Singapore, as long as you can speak in Mandarin or you can opt to pay your money making agent an installment of 70% of your pay every month just to be here, i believe it is a very easy escape route to flood this country (Singapore) like nobody business. Gilbert Goh has earn his right to be there, the rightful way through his expertise that came useful to Australia. So don’t just judge the whole picture in General. It is never the same here. Open your eyes please.
I don’t think writer is being upfront about the actual reason for leaving civil service.
Let’s face it, nobody will just quit a cushy government job and take a 50% pay cut in some low level pte job just solely because her colleagues talk in mandrin.
It’s a pretty common thing whenever there’s a majority population, applies to all races and much worse when working in non-english overseas countries.
She can’t expect Gilbert to help much if she cannot even be honest about with him about the situation.
I agree with Samuel. The author’s story just doesnt make sense.
Who in the correct state of mind would quit a comfortable and well paid government job for another that pays not a little, but half of what she used to earn? And all that for what? Just because her colleagues spoke Mandarin in the workplace?
Surely the author knows she will be one of the minorities when she joined the place. Does she expect her co workers to be speaking Berhasa Melayu instead?
She could also mix with her Malay colleagues what. So whats the big deal here?
I think we need reading comprehension skills here. It’s in the meeting people. I think it’s not acceptable. Thought business language in Singapore is English hor…
wow, do i quit my job because malays choose to mingle in malay among urselves? What a joke? you obviously do not know how to handle situation.
You can always raise hands “Sorry can u translate that for me”, or “For the sake of myself and some of the other colleagues that are more comfortable or fluent in English, can we hold it in that language?”.
gilbert often spread lies such as yakun and hanis and smear other establishments. Do gilbert know there is a work permit quota system?
Samuel and xiao p, Lets get the facts right..author did not left the government job becoz of that specific reasons only..she left mainly becoz she felt marginilized. Colleagues speaking mandarin among themselves is definitely fine. But having meetings in mandarins with the presence of a malay speaking colleague is way too much..
The blog title is misleading.. Gilbert u should word it better. There will always be occasions where Chinese will speak Mandarin, Malays will speak Malay and Indians will speak Tamil and or Hindi. A whatever-language environment does not equate racial discrimination.
Hafiz,
Oh come on, we all know what the author felt ok? But she is seriously over-sensitive and over-reacting.
I highly doubt that the course of their meetings were conducted totally in Mandarin. Thats highly inplausible in a govt board.
Besides, if what was discussed in Mandarin is not related with the author’s jobscope, then what fault is it of the colleagues?
Plus, the whole article sounds like the author whining about being a minority and not being taken care off in her workplace.
Its not as if anybody owes her a living you know, if she has difficulties, she can always voice out. Who or what will stop her?
For her to quit her job and then start pointing fingers is just wrong and irresponsible.
She is nothing more than a spoilt brat that wants ppl to spoon feed her.
Sounds familiar lol
In civilized environment it is considered rude to exclude a workmate even from water cooler banter by using language that is not understood by all. Seriously, just because it’s not related doesn’t mean it’s not rude. And yes I know boat load of local Chinese who are openly racist (though they don’t even realize that).
I think what is author meant is that she felt demoralised for such important meeting she saw those communication barrier. Meeting as we know usually we used standard language which is 1st language in singapore-English.
I myself working in Priv company which majority local chinese not a single indian within that level. Though i’m the only Malay, i can mix well with other race but only sometimes i felt some sort of descriminate. It’s human nature to talk to someone with language they are comfortable with. I’m used to it as during my poly days i’m the only malays among china students and chinese Singaporean. The main thing wether you want to socialise with them
Or not.
Throughout my whole journey living in singapore and singaporean, i do felt that somehow yo u understand what they are talking about but do not know how to reply back. Thats my own experience.i do understand what’s my chinese colleague are talking about? But i may reply them back in english. Some of them do called themselves “abang” (brother) to me..
Nonetheless, not about being in this environment , how you able to socialise and adapt to the environment.
There’s some colleagues are considerate some may not.only sometimes i do felt lonely coz of 99%are chinese speaking.
Hi Aida, why don’t you consider working in Malaysia, Vietnam , Indonesia or Middle East with your husband to be. With the budget airlines, one can fly in/out from Spore easily.