As two more heavyweight ministers Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Law and Foreign Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam spoke against rising xenophobic sentiments in Singapore, one is left wondering why no minister has came out to speak on behalf of Singaporeans.
It shows how disconnected the government has being from the ground.
Singaporeans are by nature peace-loving and has all along shown much welcome to at least half a million Malaysians who have came down south to seek a greener pasture for themselves for the past few decades.
In fact, many Singaporeans have married Malaysians and we have always treat them like one of our own.
We are also used to work for true-blue foreign talents from the US, Europe, Australia, Canada among others and have never being impolite towards any of them.
There is mutual respect and we co-exist almost seamlessly with one another.
So why are we suddenly becoming xenophobic and became suspicious of anything foreign now?
Many Singaporeans have struggled with the high cost of living and their meagre wages for a while and are visibly frustrated when they saw how well treated their newly-arrived foreign colleagues have been.
The frustration turned to hatred when they realised that the foreigners are there to replace their jobs as well.
Nevertheless, I am glad that the government is aware that xenophobic sentiments are unhealthy and if left unchecked for too long can lead to dangerous consequences.
More seriously, such anti-foreign sentiments will lead to a divisive society which will benefit no one.
I have listed seven reasons why Singaporeans are increasingly turning xenophobic and discontented with the foreign influx instigated by a insensitive government.
1. Lack of consultation and transparency on blueprint of foreign influx
So far, there is no minister – not even the Prime Minister who has spoke about the immigration blueprint proper to the population.
No one has explained to us thoroughly why we need 1.8 million foreigners in our midst, why we need half a million PRs and why 30, 000 new citizens will be converted each year.
We were told all along to accept and welcome the foreigners into our country without any reservation - when 1.8 million of them are already living here.
Suddenly, within a short five-year period, our MRT trains and buses were all jammed up with foreign workers – both blue and white collared.
Our notion of a foreign worker all along is someone who will sweat under the sun in construction buildings or stand for eight hours in their kitchen apron at a restaurant – jobs that Singaporeans shun and won’t do because of the meagre wages or horrible working condition.
Now, they occupy office jobs as receptionist and some have even become middle managers shouting orders at us.
The feeling of being invaded has become the norm among local Singaporeans now when one speaks of the foreign influx.
Moreover, there was no consultation whatsoever with the people on this massive influx as if the population does not exist at all.
It’s like your father has brought in total strangers into your home and they take over your room, dining table and fight for the tiolet with you in the morning and all you have to do is just to welcome them with open arms.
If you open your mouth to protest, you are slam down by both your parents.
That’s probably how the average Singaporeans have felt all along regarding this issue of foreign influx.
Lack of open communication and transparency by the government on this important decision to bring in foreigners by the millions are probably the biggest bugbears they have made all this while.
It is my belief that the government does not want to engage the population deliberately as they know that no Singaporeans will welcome such a unpopular decision however loyal they are to the ruling party.
Worse, the issue if debated in Parliament may even split the ruling party causing them untold discomfort especially when the government is used to ramming things down the people throats.
Faced with a serious down turn immediately after the 2008 global financial crisis, the government has no choice but to bring in low-cost cheap labour by the hundreds of thousands to attract MNCs back into the island state.
They are now paying the political cost and face the ugly backlash from local Singaporeans.
2. Lack of legislation to protect the jobs of Singaporeans
We have heard many stories of how foreigners came in and start to replace the jobs of our local Singaporeans.
More signficantly, MOM seems to have turned a deaf ear to such discriminating happenings.
Being cheaper, younger and fitter, easily-hired foreign workers start to flood our companies in recent years and now it is difficult to spot our local workers as the majority work force especially in MNCs.
Small and medium enterprises (SME) have also suddenly found a life line in foreign workers as they are cheaper and easier to exploit.
Many work beyond the stipulated 44-hours per week and some even have to work on weekends without any extra benefits.
In fact, if not for foreigners, many SMEs may have to close shop as they are not competitive enough and the exorbitant rental also robs many small-time employers of a decent profit margin out of their businesses.
Transitioning.org has received numerous emails on how jobs of local Singaporeans were taken away by foreigners and some of these stories were posted on the blog.
There is a apparent lack of legislation to protect the rice bowl of the average Singaporeans and when disenchanted locals went to MOM to complaint about their unfair dismissal, many were told that the sacking was done within the labour law or worse, they were told to seek their own personal legal recourse as they are not covered by the labour law!
To curb the rising sentiments of xenophobia among Singaporeans, MOM should come up with stricter rules to protect the jobs of our own people.
If not, even those who are peace loving in nature all along towards foreigners will turn xenophobic as the massive foreign influx has affected their survival or that of their loved ones.
3. Lack of transparency on selection of foreign talents
Many Singaporeans are also unhappy that the foreigners currently residing among us are not true talents of their own rights.
There are even rumours of tiolet cleaners and stall assistants becoming permanent residents (PR) after residing here for a while.
There is no clear transparency on how PRs are being selected and what criterions are used to bring them.
Countries like Australia, New Zealand and Canada have clear transparent guidelines and criterions for migrants to meet or else they will be disqualified.
We only know that there are a host of easily-attainable work permts for employers to bring them in and after working here for a year or two, many of them will receive their PRs and subseqently asked to convert to citizens.
Many foreigners have also married local Singaporeans in the hope that they will easily receive their PRs.
Nowadays, I heard that its tougher to become PRs or even citizens due to the tighter legislation and also because there are many foreigners to choose from.
There are also speculation that the government has given more priority to mainland Chinese to become citizens to boost up the Chinese majority population here as they have the lowest fertility rate for the past decade.
Singaporeans, by and large, are not really resisting immigration but the people brought in have to be really talented and not here to replace our own jobs.
The government should make the selection of PRs open and transparent so that we know they are really trying to bring in people of good quality.
The current opaque system does not provide assurance to the population that we are doing just that.
4. Ban permanent residents from buying HDB resale flats
Our resale HDB market has being sky-rocketting all this while and shows no signs of abating.
Though sellers will enjoy the huge premium in price, buyers will lament that resale HDB flats will be forever out of their reach.
Many Singaporeans have pinned the blame of the ever-rising resale HDB property market directly to the foreigners – many who are armed with cash to splash.
Though the government has asked young Singaporeans to apply for new BTO flats instead, the resale HDB properties are usually more popular with newly-weds as the locations are better and more importantly, many want to stay near their parents for ease of baby sitting arrangement.
BTO flats tend to be located further away in Punggol and the far west and if you don’t have a car, it will be tough to travel to work in the town area.
Many Singaporeans are thus unhappy that foreigners came and snatch away resale HDB flats even without bargaining down the price.
The government should take a serious look at banning PRs from buying up resale HDB flats as it has caused the property market to spiral out of control and reach of local Singaporeans.
Who will want to buy a $400, 000 3-room resale flat other than a foreigner flushed with hard cash?
Thus, PRs should either rent a room or buy private properties if they want to own a house.
They should not be able to purchase HDB resale properties and such homes ought to be reserved for Singaporeans only.
Many PRs intend to buy a resale flat and sell it out in the open market again – in the hope of reaping some profit.
If PRs want to buy our HDB resale flats, they should convert to citizens first.
Why should they have the cake and still be able to eat it so generously?
5. Government seen as too protective of foreigners over native citizens
The government is also seen as too protective of the rights of foreigners.
It is as if the government owes our foreign friends a living and has to openly defend their rights to stay in our country.
I have never heard of any government in the world who speaks so well of foreigners in their own country – not in Australia, Canada, NZ or the US.
These countries have a large immigrant population and so far none has spoken up for the foreigners so vigoriously as our own government.
Perhaps, this over-protective stance has invariably turned the population against the foreign citizens who are now uncomfortably put in the spotlight.
So far, on the other hand, I have not heard of one minister who has spoken up for the native citizens and have always felt that our government is very disconnected from the ground.
Has any minister empathsized with the extreme over crowdedness felt in our transportation system?
Has anyone tried to understand why the population has gradually turned so xenophobic over time?
Besides constantly been talked down and chastised like small kids for being xenophbic, has anyone from the top tried to understand the feelings of the general population towards migrants?
6. Foreign citizens woo for their votes
There are also speculation that the government has generously woo foreigners to become citizens because of their all-important loyal votes.
If the government could throw money at them to become citizens, they would.
They are allowed to work freely in our country – replacing many local Singaporeans in the process.
Many foreigners are also allowed to study in our country free of charge with allowances to boot so that they will be enticed to become PRs and later convert to citizens for their loyal votes.
I have also heard that many of these foreign scholars could not even attain a second upper honours degree while studying with us using our tax payer money whereas local Singaporeans have to pay 6-figure sums to study abroad as there is a quota on local graduate intake.
More than 15% of our universities’ places are given to foreign scholars – many from PRC China.
Many Generation Y Singaporeans have turn xenophobic when they saw so many foreign scholars occupying universities’ slots that are denied to their Singaporean friends.
More than 130, 000 new citizens cast their votes for the first time during last year general election and it is no surprise that many would have voted for the ruling party out of gratitude and loyalty – at least for the first time.
If someone welcomes me into their home with open arms, provide me with good paying jobs and a place where it is much better than my own home, I will even die for that person.
If not for the loyal votes of foreign citizens, I am sure that the majority votes for the ruling party would be much lower during last year GE.
Sensing that this is one workable desperate tactic to shore up the diminishing popularity votes for the ruling party, the government has decided to convert up to 30, 000 new citizens per year in the pretext of shoring up the declining popuation figure.
So far, despite the rising speculation, the government has not come up to defend any of such accusations and many Singaporeans are quite sure that there is some truth to the matter.
7. Lack of proper integration programmes
There is obviously a lack of integration programmes for local and foreign citizens to mix around.
It also shows, for the first time, a serious lack of preparation from the ruling party at tackling something that is very crucial and this lack may even have serious future repercussions on the survivability of the party if it is not handled properly.
Many analysts have predicted that the foreign influx will be the key issue that will plague the election in 2016 and all signs point to another ugly bloodshed for the ruling party.
To make matters worse, companies on the ground also do not bother about encouraging foreigners and local Singaporeans to work together amicably and camps developed as they group together by nationality.
As I have mentioned before, Singaporeans are by nature peace loving and law abiding.
We will not initiate any violent reprisals even though we are bullied on the ground.
However, as the situation turns acutely adverse, many Singaporeans now have seized the advantage by developing a seige mentality together – against the foreigners.
It is really a miracle that so far there are no anti-foreigner violence occurring on the ground.
If the same situation persists abroad, I am sure that proper law and order enforcement will have to be called in.
For this, I salute our Singaporean friends for not using violence to resolve a very serious matter.
The government has to really develop initiatives to allow foreigenrs to mix amicably with our local Singaporeans.
Many foreigners are pretty much on their own and amazingly, some do not even bothered to respect our local culture.
The infamous curry incident and third world behaviour of many foreigners in our MRT trains have put off many Singaporeans – further hampering the complicating integration process on the ground.
There is also this uncomfortable feeling that many foreigners from different nationalities are trying to impose their own cultures on us.
While jogging in the Punggol Park frequently, I witnessed large groups of Indians enjoying a picnic on their own – oblivious to the stares of many local Singaporeans nearby.
There is no attempt to make any contact with the locals and I guess we are also not keen to establish any rapport with them.
If integration is allowed to deteriorate further, we may see a very fragmented society here divided by different migrant groups.
Over time, sensitive hostile anti-foreign sentiments may develop which will severely hamper social cohesion and national unity.
All is not well in our country now…
Written by: Gilbert Goh
The other main culprit for the high property prices, other than real demand, are the low interest rates. Interest rates for home loans are lower than the inflation rate and/or the typical appreciation rate of property. Therefore borrowing large amounts of money to invest in property is technically FOC. In combination with EXPECTED price increases it will drive up property prices. This is how you create a bubble, a big one.
Hi Gilbert,
A very well detailed written article that reflect the current problem in SG.
I hope alot of people will be able to know your website and start to get more aware of the situation.
Thanks for your blog.
Cheers!
These heavyweight ministers or deputy prime ministers don’t have xenophobic sentiments issue against the foreigners unlike us coz they are not facing any threats from foreigners for their positions. On the other hand, we ordinary folks face tough competition from foreigners on wage, job, housing, edu, transport issues.
JJ,
You hit the nail right on the spot man!
Why would these Pappy MIW ministers be affected when they are drawing million dollar salaries and probably living in big landed houses unlike the bulk of us.
These days wherever you are, be it in the bus, MRT or on the road every where you turn your head you will see a foreigner talking in his native language. That irks me right from the core!
BTW, I am one of those unfortunate PMEs who was replaced with 4 green peenoi engineers who are paid a quarter of what I was getting.
Come across this adv to look for promoters in the current Comex show.
The catch in the adv is
“Foreign students who are studying in Singapore are welcomed”.
The question is can foreign students, who are studying in Singapore on student pass, work in Singapore at the same time?
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Promoters for Comex 2012 x 200 (Basic + Comm)
Promoters for Comex 2012 x 200
(Basic + Comm)
Responsible for promoting IT Products (Laptops/ Printers/ Mobile Phones/ Cameras/ Home Appliances & etc)
Job Requirements:
– Service oriented with high motivation
– Without experience but willing to learn
– Locations: Suntec Convention Hall Level 1, 3, 4 & 6 – 12pm to 9pm
– Training provided
– Singaporean/ SPR
– Foreign students who are studying in Singapore are welcomed
– Candidates waiting for NS enlistment are welcomed
– Comex Show (30 Aug 2012 – 2 Sep 2012)
Benefits
Working within a vibrant, friendly team
Support & Training
Join Us Today!!
Interested, Please SMS to XXXX XXXX
OR call XXXX XXXX
or send in your resume to XXX@XXXX.com.sg
to arrange for an interview.
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Yes, foreign students are allow to work in S’pore.
http://www.mom.gov.sg/foreign-manpower/working-in-singapore/Pages/employment-of-foreign-students.aspx
Like what many have said before, there are loopholes in our employment act.
@jj@39: So now students who come here alone, and work part time to ease their financial burden also you don’t want to allow? Its not full time, its part time. So even part time jobs also you want to complain?
If foreign students who come here alone are allow to work p/t, then how about those that didn’t came here alone? Can they also work p/t?
Some forsake studies after earning big bucks in p/t jobs. Some claim working p/t but actually work f/t.
If locals are competing for the same p/t jobs with foreign students then what happen next?
Few years back, many parents from PRC (陪读妈妈) who accompanied their children to study in S’pore also want to work in S’pore, all claim they need to ease their financial burden. Some even openly request S’pore govt to help them find jobs.
To: jj@39:
[ sgforums . com / forums / 10 / topics / 201456 ]
This issue is very complex with no solution in the near future. The situation will even worsen with space contraints, high inflation, competition for jobs, homes and education etc.
I started to feel the competition from FTs in Sec 3 when some places in the best class in school were reserved for foreign scholars. I felt very disheartened when my efforts seemed to be wasted. My father even put me down to say that I also didn’t have the calibre to be in the best class. Anyway, that is history and it won’t make any difference to me now whether I studied in the best class or not.
Later on in life, I met FTs in offices who were either higher or in the same rank as me. Some were nice while others were not. I think it is a matter of whether we have common values and similar personalities which would make integration easier.
The situation right now is like our parents have persuaded us to accept their other adopted children without our consent. These new siblings have talents which we don’t have. They come from very poor villages and our parents want to groom them to inherit the family business because none of the blood-related children are capable of doing so. Thus, we have to work and live with them for the rest of our lives.
The crux of the problem is how to balance the needs of both parties. How do you sieve out the chaff from the wheat? Have you prove that the locals cannot close the skills gap even with training?
I believe that many of us here have hidden talents which are not discovered yet. The problem is whether anyone can give us the opportunity to realise our potential instead of importing FTs.
Hi J Y,
I know and understand how you feel of not getting into the best class and worst the moral is low where your dad is looking you down.
I have the same sentiment many years ago, where i did apply for the local universities 3 times from 2003 to 2005. I couldn’t get a place in local uni due to alot of competition from foreigner students as well as i am a diploma holder from local polytechnic. (Pl remember i am a scholarship holder when i was in the polytechnic). My poly friends was also rejected and most of them left for overseas uni studies (UK and Australia), and they did not return back to SG upon graduate and become PR there.
We are not given any chances or opportunities at all in the first place in OUR OWN BIRTH COUNTRY! So, i can see that more and more local students are denial of chances of grooming themselves or excel in the experts of their own.
I believe more and more students are going to face this same problem again down the road, and if you are capable and resourceful, try you lucks in overseas if you prepared to go.
Owen : I empathise with your situation of not getting into a uni. But a diploma from local poly does not guarantee you a place in uni, you know this right? And how do you know its foreigners who are taking your place in the school? Did the school administration tell you “Oh I’m sorry there is no place for you due to a high number of foreign students” . Because if they didn’t then you are assuming that it was foreigners who robbed you of your “rightful” place in the uni. And second thing, are universities giving more priority to A level students? So might it not be those students who are taking up the places? Last point is that perhaps you were rejected because your GPA was not as high as others? Its very easy to point fingers at others when something doesn’t go your way but we should take a moment to see if its really their fault or our own. Please don’t generalise and blame so readily. Lest others do it to you as well.
To simon:
If so inclined, you may like to perform a search on these terms:
” illusory transitory paper purpose loose woman moment pleasure discard “.
Hi J Y: Understandably what you said about locals having talents are true. I have a few local friends who are really talented and they have proper jobs. But you said “opportunity to realise our potential” I really don’t get that part. Hasn’t the govt given locals ample chances to realise their potential by providing heavily subsidised education? If anyone screws up their education in their youth how is it anyone else’s fault but their own? Your potentials can be realised only if you work towards it. Though there are many who are trying, a great number also assumes that their potential lies in their citizenship iteself. Many locals I know didn’t work hard in school precisely because they assumed things will be easy going for them. No one encouraged them to take it easy. So whose fault is that?
Also pisses me off to see young men under 30 granted citizenship and not having to serve NS.
@Gaga:
Considering what you mentioned about stinkapore’s years of full-time conscription (“NSF”) and lifelong reservist (“NSmen”) obligations for all males, you may like to do a search on these terms:
” eduardo luiz p. saverin egmar gonçalves male منافق matthew matt miller “.
Do NOT start me going what happens if a stinkaporean couple has a disproportionately HIGH number of MALE children all born with solely the nationality of a “city, not country” (think the world’s HIGHE$T PAID law-cum-foreign affairs minister காசிவிஸ்வநாதன் சண்முகம் [கே சண்முகம்]) amid the PLUMMETING birth rates.
By the way, you may like to find out more about HIS colleague MALE Singaporean ஜனில் புதுச்சேரி vis-à-vis the fact that professionalism does NOT equate with patriotism.
@Gaga:
For the record, “NS” stands for “National Service”.
We are second class citizens in our own country
When I was studying in the US I was not allowed to get a job and I thought fair enough.
@Gaga:
You may like to do a search for these terms:
” hongkies three passports “, especially if you are a MALE Singaporean Citizen.
In addition, you may also like to find out what the abbreviation “BN(O)” stands for.
It seems to me the only solution is to vote PAP out of the office…
Australia used to grant PRs to any student who does a 6 month cooking or hair dressing course. You tell me whether cooks or haor dressers are really talent? it seems the author still can’t get over the colonial hangover whereby anything the ang moh does must be good and so we have to ape like a monkey. Goodness!!
Hi Gaga, we have MP that didn’t serve NS too and convert to citizen just to run as a PAP candidate.
@Sye:
Do you know who this MALE Singaporean is?
All this talk about people feeling second class in their own country. We ourselves decide what class we are. Singapore is a first-world country, and we need first-world mindsets. If anyone thinks himself to be second class, who are we to say no. Its how you see yourself that matters. If you want to be first class citizen go and be one. The only person stopping you is yourself.
Do you know who claimed that S’pore is a first-world country? What is the criteria to meet in order to become a first-world country? How many S’poreans will agree that S’pore is a first-world country? How many foreigners also agree that S’pore is a first-world country?
@simon:
“Yes, here is my take as a Singapore [Permanent Resident (PR)] from a WESTERN country.
If they made Singapore citizenship more attractive, i.e. allow dual citizenship [i.e. FLEXIBILITY OR ROOM FOR ABUSE], I would [gladly] take it up [I.E. EXPLOIT IT].
If they force me to give up my existing citizenship, I would SIMPLY LEAVE [I.E. DISPOSE IT LIKE USED GARBAGE] and go off to one of the many other countries of the world that welcome English speaking highly paid professionals.
Why wouldn’t I give up my existing citizenship? Well most importantly there are the emotional reasons of loyalty to my country and my ancestors who fought for it.
AND THERE ARE OF COURSE THE PRAGMATIC REASONS. THE PIECE OF PAPER CALLED A WESTERN PASSPORT IS NOT JUST A TRAVEL DOCUMENT THAT OPENS DOORS AROUND THE WORLD BUT IS ALSO A MEDICAL INSURANCE POLICY, GIVING ME FREE HEALTH CARE IN MY HOMELAND IF I CHOOSE TO TAKE IT, A SOCIAL WELFARE CARD GIVING ME ACCESS TO VARIOUS SOCIAL WELFARE BENEFITS, A PENSION PLAN FOR WHEN I AM OLD, AND AN EDUCATION SUBSIDY FOR MY CHILDREN GIVING THEM THE RIGHT TO STUDY IN UNIVERSITIES BACK HOME (AND IN OUR FRIENDLY NEIGHBOUR) AT A HIGHLY SUBSIDISED RATE.
If Singapore Inc. thinks that any rational human being [with all these PRIVILEGES that FEW people on the planet possess] would give all that up for a Singapore passport [i.e. be CONFINED or TRAPPED in one of TINIEST countries in the world [17th from the BOTTOM] that is STUCK in one of the most VOLATILE regions on the Earth that has to CATER and TART itself to the taste of ASININE and ARROGANT (mainly ANGLOPHONE) WESTERNERS like US, no matter how PRETTY and PEACEFUL it has to MAINTAIN itself], THEY NEED TO TWEAK THEIR GRIP ON REALITY VERY FAST.”
[ expatsingapore . com / forum / index.php?topic = 64363.15 ]
@jj: You’re a lost cause. It has become clear to me that you are conceited and full of self-ignorance. Even part time jobs you want to say others are snatching away from you. What next? The air that you breathe also want to compare? Globalization is inevitable as long as the country is more advanced then others. Want to know how to totally cut down the influx of foreigners? I’ll let you in on a little secret. If you can singlehandedly bring down the country’s economy by even 50%, you can be very sure that the influx will come to a screeching halt. Oh and of course social standing in the world also affects but its ok because people like you are already bringing down the country’s social standing. We don’t really need more of that. I agree there are some unscrupulous foreigners who use their student pass to work p/t and earn a lot, neglecting their studies. But its not everyone. You won’t like other to generalise you as a whole so I suggest you don’t do it to others as well. If you encounter any such individuals, you are welcome to report it to the authorities. But if they’re not doing that, there’s no reason for you to accuse them otherwise. I often see some Singaporeans being discourteous and ill-mannered but do I say all of you or most of you are doing it?
And not all foreigners who come with family are well to do. Their children work p/t to ease the burden on their parents. Its called being a good son/daughter. If you think its unnecessary for them to help their parents out like that, then damn, must have been a waste raising you up.
Simon, pls don’t insult my parents.
You stupidest fuxkin cuxt !! U r a mxther fuxkxr !
You are not a Sg citizen and u think r hv a right
To ask Sg cirizens to leave their own country!
Do u want me to reveal my particulars to u on
This pOst!
I WILL FUXKIN SUE U FOR ACCUSING ME THAT
I HATE FOREIGNERS N THAT I WOULD HARASS U
IF I MAKE A MAGISTRATE COMPLAINT, maybe
this website will be close down, that was what u
Wanted from Gilbert ,
I Do not have to hate u, u will be removed by virtue of
A foreigner who is an enemy of the state,
Pathetic idiot !
http://www.transitioning.org/2012/08/31/foreigner-served-national-service-but-still-rejected-as-citizen/#comment-1582961
Hi guys
The main problem is that every Sinkie is more than happy to follow the FT policy unless he gets hit.
This is a result of the prevalent worship PAP/LKY culture
The crucial part now depands on the NPTD White PAPer on whether there is any official targets to reduce population inflowa.
It is due to be released at the end of the year.
If PAP backs down, we have still have a chance to survive in SG.
If not, then it is either we finish off the PAP or we are finished.
Then you will be disappointed.
The gov have conduct more events than last year to get in foreigner, this time from many western countries, below are the dates and countries that the event will be held:
For 2012
Feb 28 in Newcastle, Australia
Mar 06 in Melbourne, Australia
Mar 06 in Melbourne, Australia
Mar 07 in Melbourne, Australia
Mar 08 in Melbourne, Australia
Mar 14 in Sydney, Australia
Mar 16 in Brisbane, Australia
Mar 19 in Sydney, Australia
Mar 20 in Melbourne, Australia @ 2 different location
Mar 21 in Melbourne, Australia
Mar 23 in Sydney, Australia
Mar 24 in Vancouver, Canada
May 05 in San Diego, United States
Jun 26 in Boston, United States
Jul 14 in Redwood City, United States
Aug 17 – Aug 19 in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia
Aug 18 in Los Angeles, United States
Aug 20 – Aug 21 in Philadelphia, PA, United States
Aug 23 in Shanghai, China
Aug 24 – Aug 25 in New York, United States
Aug 24 in Shanghai, China
Aug 30 in London, United Kingdom
Aug 30 in Perth CBD, Australia
Sep 06 in Sydney CBD, Australia
Sep 06 in New York, United States
Sep 10 in Atlanta, United States
Sep 11 in Pittsburgh, United States
Sep 11 in Ithaca, United States
Sep 11 in Melbourne, Australia
Sep 12 in Durham, United States
Sep 17 in Champaign, United States
Sep 20 in London, United Kingdom
Sep 20 in Baltimore, United States
Sep 20 – Sep 21 in Toronto, United States
Sep 21 in Princeton, United States
Sep 24 in Madison, United States
Sep 27 in London, United Kingdom
Sep 28 in New Haven, United States
Oct 02 in Ann Arbor, United States
Oct 03 in Philadelphia, United States
Oct 04 in Melbourne CBD, Australia
Oct 09 in Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Oct 11 in Milan, Italy
Oct 11 in Warwick, United Kingdom
Oct 11 in Brisbane CBD, Australia
Oct 12 in Chicago, United States
Oct 17 in Manchester, United Kingdom
Oct 18 in London. United Kingdom
Oct 23 in London, United Kingdom
Oct 24 in Bristo, United Kingdom
Oct 25 in Shanghai, China
Oct 25 in London, United Kingdom
Oct 25 in Philadelphia, United States
Oct 26 in New York, United States
Oct 30 in Sheffield, United Kingdom
Oct 31 in Oxford, United Kingdom
Nov 01 in London, United Kingdom
Nov 01 in Sydney CBD, Australia
Nov 08 in Cambridge, United Kingdom
Nov 29 in London, United Kingdom
Dec 13 in Shanghai, China
You asked: “I have not heard of one minister who has spoken up for the native citizens”
As the PAP MP now are ALL “YES” man, who got the balls to speak up against the BOSS, their BOSS will slap and HE can slapped very well, as what he did in the past to a dark minister.
Further more all the PAP MP now are there for the money, NOT A SINGLE ONE, yes NOT A SINGLE ONE are with a COMPASSION to truly served the people.
One nation One Spore….what can we do yo help ourselves in this trying times. U need to survive, in this dog eat dog world….only the fittest survive.
@sal:
More than one-thirds of the registered millionaires residing in Singapore are Indonesians.
I also understand that a good number of these wealthy miscreants from Indonesia have even managed to obtain a Singaporean passport, even though technically multiple citizenships in both countries is ILLEGAL for adults.
That mentioned, you may like to find out more about dzaky wirahman (I think his “fool” name is dzaky putra wirahman) and HIS [ youtube . com / all_comments?v=nMxTcRs3KDU ] “facebook” account number is “1664863412″.
@simon:
“Yes, here is my take as a Singapore [Permanent Resident (PR)] from a WESTERN country.
If they made Singapore citizenship more attractive, i.e. allow dual citizenship [i.e. FLEXIBILITY OR ROOM FOR ABUSE], I would [gladly] take it up [I.E. EXPLOIT IT].
If they force me to give up my existing citizenship, I would SIMPLY LEAVE [I.E. DISPOSE IT LIKE USED GARBAGE] and go off to one of the many other countries of the world that welcome English speaking highly paid professionals.
Why wouldn’t I give up my existing citizenship? Well most importantly there are the emotional reasons of loyalty to my country and my ancestors who fought for it.
AND THERE ARE OF COURSE THE PRAGMATIC REASONS. THE PIECE OF PAPER CALLED A WESTERN PASSPORT IS NOT JUST A TRAVEL DOCUMENT THAT OPENS DOORS AROUND THE WORLD BUT IS ALSO A MEDICAL INSURANCE POLICY, GIVING ME FREE HEALTH CARE IN MY HOMELAND IF I CHOOSE TO TAKE IT, A SOCIAL WELFARE CARD GIVING ME ACCESS TO VARIOUS SOCIAL WELFARE BENEFITS, A PENSION PLAN FOR WHEN I AM OLD, AND AN EDUCATION SUBSIDY FOR MY CHILDREN GIVING THEM THE RIGHT TO STUDY IN UNIVERSITIES BACK HOME (AND IN OUR FRIENDLY NEIGHBOUR) AT A HIGHLY SUBSIDISED RATE.
If Singapore Inc. thinks that any rational human being [with all these PRIVILEGES that FEW people on the planet possess] would give all that up for a Singapore passport [i.e. be CONFINED or TRAPPED in one of TINIEST countries in the world [17th from the BOTTOM] that is STUCK in one of the most VOLATILE regions on the Earth that has to CATER and TART itself to the taste of ASININE and ARROGANT (mainly ANGLOPHONE) WESTERNERS like US, no matter how PRETTY and PEACEFUL it has to MAINTAIN itself], THEY NEED TO TWEAK THEIR GRIP ON REALITY VERY FAST.”
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Uniquely Spore…where foreigners are regard as Foreign Talents and not Migrants.