S
SylviaLim
Guest
Cities sell themselves to the world, on whose sufferance?
A chance to host a internationally acclaimed event can reverse the attitudes of officials overnight.
While authorities had been in no hurry to curb pollution in the past despite feisty criticisms and concerns for their fellow countrymen's health, it is almost laughable to watch government officials' recent attempts, scrambling to curb pollutions surrounding the city.
Given in the recent hype surrounding Beijing's hosting of the Olympic games, it is easy to turn a blind eye to the flip side of the story.
While Beijing sells itself to the world, and elicits praises from the international community for a series of measures to iron out the Olympic preparations, one can be forgiven for failing to flip the side of the coin and ask: At whose expense?
Factories are forced to a closure, jobs of factory workers have been temporarily cut off- Will the government eventually compensates for the workers' loss of earnings?
New traffic rules are implemented, with millions of common people on the streets inconvenienced and left to their own devices- Did the officials listened to the concerns of the people and investigated the impact upon them before taking such drastic measures?
I'm not suggesting that world-acclaimed events shouldn't be showered with all the attention they deserve. But it is pathetic that in a attempt to do so, the basic rights of the countrymen have taken the backseat or even disregarded.
Now, recalling what is close to home, it has always been fascinating to hear Singapore's elder statesman Mr LKY, wax lyrical about Singapore's coming of golden period ad nauseum.
But what does this mean, for a 70yr old lady working her butt off, clearing the tables in coffee shops for hours and hours while Singapore boast its international profile, and the government perpetuates to dwell on its successes?
Is she, a unskilled worker going to have her income raised? When is it ever going to be her turn to get a respite from the relentless cost of living?
Are the elderly, unskilled and less abled poor going to receive more then $280 per month for what they laboured through in the past, to bring the country to where it stands today?
Has the country, in its obsession to accomplish the bigger scheme of things and move ahead, left them in the wake?
Why must the old and less abled continue to slog it out while the nation progresses into its golden period?
When will the country's progress ever translate to benefits for the less fortunate?
When our government spew the words; "growth at all cost", what does "cost" really mean?
The country is moving ahead, but many in the lowest rungs of the societal ladder aren't following suit.
Sometimes the government forgets the primary purpose for which the people put them in the governing seat for; that is, to take care of the welfare of its countrymen right down to the last man on the streets.
Are the little people negligible as our efficient government strives to reach new heights on the global front?
In countries where democracy does not thrive, the rights and worth of the man on the streets cheapen.
Voices of the people are often overlooked as ruling elites do not keep their nose to the ground.
A chance to host a internationally acclaimed event can reverse the attitudes of officials overnight.
While authorities had been in no hurry to curb pollution in the past despite feisty criticisms and concerns for their fellow countrymen's health, it is almost laughable to watch government officials' recent attempts, scrambling to curb pollutions surrounding the city.
Given in the recent hype surrounding Beijing's hosting of the Olympic games, it is easy to turn a blind eye to the flip side of the story.
While Beijing sells itself to the world, and elicits praises from the international community for a series of measures to iron out the Olympic preparations, one can be forgiven for failing to flip the side of the coin and ask: At whose expense?
Factories are forced to a closure, jobs of factory workers have been temporarily cut off- Will the government eventually compensates for the workers' loss of earnings?
New traffic rules are implemented, with millions of common people on the streets inconvenienced and left to their own devices- Did the officials listened to the concerns of the people and investigated the impact upon them before taking such drastic measures?
I'm not suggesting that world-acclaimed events shouldn't be showered with all the attention they deserve. But it is pathetic that in a attempt to do so, the basic rights of the countrymen have taken the backseat or even disregarded.
Now, recalling what is close to home, it has always been fascinating to hear Singapore's elder statesman Mr LKY, wax lyrical about Singapore's coming of golden period ad nauseum.
But what does this mean, for a 70yr old lady working her butt off, clearing the tables in coffee shops for hours and hours while Singapore boast its international profile, and the government perpetuates to dwell on its successes?
Is she, a unskilled worker going to have her income raised? When is it ever going to be her turn to get a respite from the relentless cost of living?
Are the elderly, unskilled and less abled poor going to receive more then $280 per month for what they laboured through in the past, to bring the country to where it stands today?
Has the country, in its obsession to accomplish the bigger scheme of things and move ahead, left them in the wake?
Why must the old and less abled continue to slog it out while the nation progresses into its golden period?
When will the country's progress ever translate to benefits for the less fortunate?
When our government spew the words; "growth at all cost", what does "cost" really mean?
The country is moving ahead, but many in the lowest rungs of the societal ladder aren't following suit.
Sometimes the government forgets the primary purpose for which the people put them in the governing seat for; that is, to take care of the welfare of its countrymen right down to the last man on the streets.
Are the little people negligible as our efficient government strives to reach new heights on the global front?
In countries where democracy does not thrive, the rights and worth of the man on the streets cheapen.
Voices of the people are often overlooked as ruling elites do not keep their nose to the ground.