Courtesy of forummer Kelingkia who dug it out from the old SBF. Note the date it was written.
a great post by ravenf4 posted on: 14/05/2004
Can you afford NOT to migrate ??
http://forums.delphiforums.com/sammy...es?msg=47359.1
Can S'poreans survive after migrating is no longer the question but the more pertinent question would be, can you afford not to migrate. The usual issues with the first question are
- the other culture is different
- we w'll be minorities there
- should be abandon our roots
- are you sure the grass is greener
- stories of returnees
I have been travelling to NY amongst other places over 14 yrs practically on a yearly basis and have seen life as it evolves in these cities. Hardly any asians reporting news then, now practically every TV channel has an asian as an anchor. The same with politicians, now you hear of asian mayors, senators, governors and these are people elected by non-asian majority. Every Ivy league college, Brit, OZ, NZ and Canadians Uni is flooded with asians with many graduating in the top grade. Remember Philip Yeo loosing his cool about scholars not returning and paying out their bond. GCT's daughter is PR of Britain albeit married to a British. She certainly has not betrayed her country, she is doing it for her family.
The fact is no one is talking about migrating to an impoverished underdeveloped country, it is about recognising a brighter future. My kids blended into the school system within a week. Some may take longer.
It is not about facing up to Ang Mohs but facing up to your race who dared to cross the ocean and make a difference for themselves. The Ang Mohs were migrants themselves in 4 of the 5 choice destinations.
It's more about calling your home your castle and not a 99 yr lease agreement. It is not about LKY forcing the lease on us but the choices and degree of freedom are limited by the lack of size, resources and the ability to withstand an economic downturn.
As the pressure mounts, crazy things start to happen, like the concentration of talent in one family, Temasek buying UOL, retiring experienced Perm Sec at 50s, relying on FTs to provide critical mess -generating runaway demand, resulting in the rip roaring economy in the late 80s, early and mid 90s.
To repeat the same phenomenon, the country needs another 2 to 3 million FTs, but can the country and its infrasture take it, can the locals take it. High value industries have moved on, shipping lines have moved on, bio tech venture is teethering and we are still grappling with the 2nd language issue. The world does not revolve around Singapore but there was a time, we thought it did and we enjoyed it.
There comes a time when highly paid scholars, administrators, journalist, colonels and Intelligence officers may not be enough to hold the social fabric together. Why take risk or stir the pot and jeopardise the high pay. Why bother starting new airlines in foreign countries when you can buy minority stakes in Virgin Atlantic and Air NZ and pretend that you an entrepreneur. How comes the CEO aged in his 30s of Virgin Blue in Australia that started from scratch make it profitable when SIA did not dare step in. How come a young upstart called Air Asia suddenly cause a change in the nation's transportation strategy to change from SIA first and CAA second to CAA first, any airline wanting to hub in S'pore second and SIA third. Why is Temasek buying UOL instead of starting from scratch. Imagine one of Singapore's foremost entrepreneur having to watch his back in his own backyard while buying a Thai bank. If a government of a developed country raided a local entity that is associated with entrepreneurship and pioneering spirit, it would be sacriligious but for Singapore it is survival as a nation.
Did it it not strike you that the risk takers are from the old guard. They were the ones who started SIA, set up EDB,DBS built JTC, created the zoo, bird park, etc. Occasionally something good comes up like the esplanade but do we have enough George Yeos around.
Why are Filipino maids who have worked in Singapore given PR and jobs in Canada via fast track. Why are British and OZ health entities recruiting FT nurses who have worked in Singapore. Why do FTs leave us and move on to 4 choice emigration countries despite being offered citizenship. How come a PRC National who worked as a nurse in Singapore for 10years , felt that she was more comfortable migrating to Melbourne, buying a home and a Toyota Camry
Why did LKY out of the blue suggest merger with Malaysia in the late 90s and why in the first place did he cry when Tunku kicked us out in 65. Ever wondered why Malaysians who were born studied,grew up and now work with you in Singapore don't want to give up their citizenship. Has this got anything to do with the perception of long term survival.
Why is GCT, whose popularity is high leaving in his prime. The strain must be tremendous.
It is not about quitting or betraying your country. It is about recognising the world is a global place and the opportunities it offers. It is about looking after your family first. Can you afford to provide your kids the best education possible. Can you afford to send them to the best boarding school while in Singapore. Can you afford to spend quality time whilst ferrying your kids for 2nd language tuition. Can you afford to give them the best quality of life that you can possibly achieve. Will the move help you achieve these things.
Don't get swayed about returnees and their negative stories in the local press. Ever read a story about a successful emigrant from Singapore or the wonderful life that retirees who are predominently civil servants are enjoying? Do you honestly believe that none had made it and all had failed.
Ever heard about non-Singaporean asians succeeding in these 5 choice countries.
Finally it is not about food, culture and your roots. 85% of Singaporeans are of migrant stock and their original roots are everywhere. Our forefathers made a difference by making the journey to Singapore and we benefitted from it. We in turn contributed our share via taxes, NS and living a moral and ethical life. 80 years ago, you worked for the company that your father worked in. 30 years ago, you worked for the one company till you retired. Now people move from company to company to upgrade themselves and eke out a future for their family. Even if you wanted to stay, change in business variables will force companies to retrench and relocate. Many years ago, if you worked in Jurong, you stayed in Jurong. Is it the same now.
Complacency, inertia and ignorance are the bane of mankind. High pay maybe the fourth.
a great post by ravenf4 posted on: 14/05/2004
Can you afford NOT to migrate ??
http://forums.delphiforums.com/sammy...es?msg=47359.1
Can S'poreans survive after migrating is no longer the question but the more pertinent question would be, can you afford not to migrate. The usual issues with the first question are
- the other culture is different
- we w'll be minorities there
- should be abandon our roots
- are you sure the grass is greener
- stories of returnees
I have been travelling to NY amongst other places over 14 yrs practically on a yearly basis and have seen life as it evolves in these cities. Hardly any asians reporting news then, now practically every TV channel has an asian as an anchor. The same with politicians, now you hear of asian mayors, senators, governors and these are people elected by non-asian majority. Every Ivy league college, Brit, OZ, NZ and Canadians Uni is flooded with asians with many graduating in the top grade. Remember Philip Yeo loosing his cool about scholars not returning and paying out their bond. GCT's daughter is PR of Britain albeit married to a British. She certainly has not betrayed her country, she is doing it for her family.
The fact is no one is talking about migrating to an impoverished underdeveloped country, it is about recognising a brighter future. My kids blended into the school system within a week. Some may take longer.
It is not about facing up to Ang Mohs but facing up to your race who dared to cross the ocean and make a difference for themselves. The Ang Mohs were migrants themselves in 4 of the 5 choice destinations.
It's more about calling your home your castle and not a 99 yr lease agreement. It is not about LKY forcing the lease on us but the choices and degree of freedom are limited by the lack of size, resources and the ability to withstand an economic downturn.
As the pressure mounts, crazy things start to happen, like the concentration of talent in one family, Temasek buying UOL, retiring experienced Perm Sec at 50s, relying on FTs to provide critical mess -generating runaway demand, resulting in the rip roaring economy in the late 80s, early and mid 90s.
To repeat the same phenomenon, the country needs another 2 to 3 million FTs, but can the country and its infrasture take it, can the locals take it. High value industries have moved on, shipping lines have moved on, bio tech venture is teethering and we are still grappling with the 2nd language issue. The world does not revolve around Singapore but there was a time, we thought it did and we enjoyed it.
There comes a time when highly paid scholars, administrators, journalist, colonels and Intelligence officers may not be enough to hold the social fabric together. Why take risk or stir the pot and jeopardise the high pay. Why bother starting new airlines in foreign countries when you can buy minority stakes in Virgin Atlantic and Air NZ and pretend that you an entrepreneur. How comes the CEO aged in his 30s of Virgin Blue in Australia that started from scratch make it profitable when SIA did not dare step in. How come a young upstart called Air Asia suddenly cause a change in the nation's transportation strategy to change from SIA first and CAA second to CAA first, any airline wanting to hub in S'pore second and SIA third. Why is Temasek buying UOL instead of starting from scratch. Imagine one of Singapore's foremost entrepreneur having to watch his back in his own backyard while buying a Thai bank. If a government of a developed country raided a local entity that is associated with entrepreneurship and pioneering spirit, it would be sacriligious but for Singapore it is survival as a nation.
Did it it not strike you that the risk takers are from the old guard. They were the ones who started SIA, set up EDB,DBS built JTC, created the zoo, bird park, etc. Occasionally something good comes up like the esplanade but do we have enough George Yeos around.
Why are Filipino maids who have worked in Singapore given PR and jobs in Canada via fast track. Why are British and OZ health entities recruiting FT nurses who have worked in Singapore. Why do FTs leave us and move on to 4 choice emigration countries despite being offered citizenship. How come a PRC National who worked as a nurse in Singapore for 10years , felt that she was more comfortable migrating to Melbourne, buying a home and a Toyota Camry
Why did LKY out of the blue suggest merger with Malaysia in the late 90s and why in the first place did he cry when Tunku kicked us out in 65. Ever wondered why Malaysians who were born studied,grew up and now work with you in Singapore don't want to give up their citizenship. Has this got anything to do with the perception of long term survival.
Why is GCT, whose popularity is high leaving in his prime. The strain must be tremendous.
It is not about quitting or betraying your country. It is about recognising the world is a global place and the opportunities it offers. It is about looking after your family first. Can you afford to provide your kids the best education possible. Can you afford to send them to the best boarding school while in Singapore. Can you afford to spend quality time whilst ferrying your kids for 2nd language tuition. Can you afford to give them the best quality of life that you can possibly achieve. Will the move help you achieve these things.
Don't get swayed about returnees and their negative stories in the local press. Ever read a story about a successful emigrant from Singapore or the wonderful life that retirees who are predominently civil servants are enjoying? Do you honestly believe that none had made it and all had failed.
Ever heard about non-Singaporean asians succeeding in these 5 choice countries.
Finally it is not about food, culture and your roots. 85% of Singaporeans are of migrant stock and their original roots are everywhere. Our forefathers made a difference by making the journey to Singapore and we benefitted from it. We in turn contributed our share via taxes, NS and living a moral and ethical life. 80 years ago, you worked for the company that your father worked in. 30 years ago, you worked for the one company till you retired. Now people move from company to company to upgrade themselves and eke out a future for their family. Even if you wanted to stay, change in business variables will force companies to retrench and relocate. Many years ago, if you worked in Jurong, you stayed in Jurong. Is it the same now.
Complacency, inertia and ignorance are the bane of mankind. High pay maybe the fourth.
