50 Years Of Independence - Are We Better Off?

[Kohliantye]

First there were the British that ruled us from 1819 onwards.
Under them everything was fine
Medical care, educational needs and human rights were respected.
Even prisoners were well taken care of by HM Prisons Dept.
Then came the Japanese on bicycles from Kota Bahru under General Tomoyuki Yamashita
The Formosans and Koreans within their ranks wreak havoc on the locals.
Many were mercilessly murdered because of their race.
Those who surrendered returned "triumphantly" and took over a shattered country and restored order.
This wasn't for long as they were tired and their Commonwealth was slowly disintegrating. They were prepared to call it a day since 1819.
Some students from Malaya and Singapore, who studied in England took opportunity to form a government.
They got togather in the basement of a house at Oxley and formed the PAP.
They called on the electorate to unshackle themselves from the yokes of British Imperialism
Fair elections were held under the British and the PAP came into power.
The lightning had a field day and its hissing sound reverberated all over this tiny nation.
Merdeka, Merdeka, Merdeka was the war-cry.
50 years later, like the Hiroshima and Nagasaki Blast, the effects can still be felt today in Singapore.
Leaders in later years started looking inwards and forgot all about the people, who brought them into power.
Now the electorate has become sick and tired.
The hammer struck hard and Aljunied and Hougang were lost.
But the "cold attitude" of the new leaders persists till today.
We have been invaded by "aliens" who were brought in as so-called FTs.
Housing, transportation and other areas have to be shared by these "liabilities" in our midst.
Local char-kway-teow, bak-kut-teh and chicken rice sellers have been pushed aside by these aliens.
The food taste that we once enjoyed has been ruined.
Our youngsters are leaving our beloved nation in droves in search of better life elsewhere.
Those not able to re-locate have been left behind.
Sometimes I wonder whether independence has brought us any good.
If the British has still been here, had we been better?.
If the Japanese had been more humane and kind, will they still be around?
I leave it to the readers to give their frank views.

 

[myo539]

A no brainer question. That is my "frank" view (full stop)

 

[Char_Azn]

I wasn't around 50 years ago but according to my mum, back then, homeless beggers were everywhere. Kidnapping was common. Corruption was rampant. Basic infrastructure(running water and electricity) was lacking. Bringing her to undeveloped countries like the Philippines and parts of Thailand was like a walk back into the past.

Today I see almost everyone has a smart phone or tablet. Most homes have broadband internet connection. Almost everyone has a TV. Most of my peers go on vacation at least once a year. Crime rate is low and most pple have a roof over their head. Quite frankly anyone who thinks 50 years ago pple were better off then today must be out of their mind.

 

[palden]

Not sure about us being better. But MIW is sure better. Their grandmaster is best.

 

[ChaoPappyPoodle]

I wasn't around 50 years ago but according to my mum, back then, homeless beggers were everywhere. Kidnapping was common. Corruption was rampant. Basic infrastructure(running water and electricity) was lacking. Bringing her to undeveloped countries like the Philippines and parts of Thailand was like a walk back into the past.

Today I see almost everyone has a smart phone or tablet. Most homes have broadband internet connection. Almost everyone has a TV. Most of my peers go on vacation at least once a year. Crime rate is low and most pple have a roof over their head. Quite frankly anyone who thinks 50 years ago pple were better off then today must be out of their mind.

Only an idiot would think that time will stand still for 50 years. These kind of idiots are those that believe that floods only happen once every 50 years. Only an idiot would compare issues 50 years ago with issues today. Only an idiot would think that it takes the same amount of time and effort to develop a land thousands of times larger than Singapore. :*:

 

[laksaboy]

Quite frankly anyone who thinks 50 years ago pple were better off then today must be out of their mind.

'Better' is a very subjective yardstick.

Some people may see tall skyscrapers, expressways, air con bus interchanges etc as de facto markers of progress, i.e. better.

Others may see a slower pace of life, more greenery, less light pollution, less restrictions, less crowding as better.

I do not know what it was like 50 years ago. I wasn't born then.

But I know that balance is important, and the lopsided, relentless pursuit of economic growth will cause a country to die.
Something intangible will die.

 

[Char_Azn]

Only an idiot would think that time will stand still for 50 years. These kind of idiots are those that believe that floods only happen once every 50 years. Only an idiot would compare issues 50 years ago with issues today. Only an idiot would think that it takes the same amount of time and effort to develop a land thousands of times larger than Singapore. :*:

U obviously haven't been to India, most of Southeast Asia, Middle East, most of Africa, etc. For many of those countries, time did stood still and for some of them it actually went backwards. The Philippines for example was the 2nd richest country in terms of GDP in Asia after Japan in the 60s - 70s. A time when we were struggling to stand up. Right now the GDP of the 90+million population Philippines is even less then that of SG, a country with a population of 5 million. Small countries = easy to manage? I can name many small countries of similar size that are not very rich, even Hong Kong's median income is 30% lower then SG and if you've been to Hong Kong I think you'll realize the prices there isn't a lot cheaper then SG

 

[myfoot123]

To sum up our 50 years of journey in one short sentence:

Behind our expensive cosmetic is a sad face.

 

[I_Hate_Pappies]

Answer is Yes and No. This is the answer given to me by my Grandmother having going thru then and now. This question is not for most of us here to judge or answer.

 

[I_Hate_Pappies]

A no brainer question. That is my "frank" view (full stop)

I agree, people like you with no brain will jump in with a conclusion.

 

[neddy]

50 years ago, Malaysian Chinese want to move to Singapore.
50 years later, Malaysian Chinese still want to move to Singapore.

 

[ChaoPappyPoodle]

U obviously haven't been to India, most of Southeast Asia, Middle East, most of Africa, etc. For many of those countries, time did stood still and for some of them it actually went backwards. The Philippines for example was the 2nd richest country in terms of GDP in Asia after Japan in the 60s - 70s. A time when we were struggling to stand up. Right now the GDP of the 90+million population Philippines is even less then that of SG, a country with a population of 5 million. Small countries = easy to manage? I can name many small countries of similar size that are not very rich, even Hong Kong's median income is 30% lower then SG and if you've been to Hong Kong I think you'll realize the prices there isn't a lot cheaper then SG

If you think it is easier to manage a country such as Indonesia than Singapore then there really isn't much I can do to help you. There are more than 15,000 schools in Indonesia. Do you think it is easier to manage that many schools - to ensure that teachers and facilities are up to scratch? Do you think it is easier develop a land area thousands of times bigger than Singapore. The civil service here and the politicians have it so easy and yet they complain the most and even ask for the highest salaries in the world. :oIo:

As for comparing Philippines to us, then and now, they got screwed by their government. South Koreans used to be employed in Singapore as factory and construction workers in the 70s. Today, they provide value-added services in the construction industry and produce great products all over the world.

The use of GDP, generally and especially so within the Singapore context has been rubbished to death and you still want to bring it up? :(

 

[Jah_rastafar_I]

I wasn't around 50 years ago but according to my mum, back then, homeless beggers were everywhere. Kidnapping was common. Corruption was rampant. Basic infrastructure(running water and electricity) was lacking. Bringing her to undeveloped countries like the Philippines and parts of Thailand was like a walk back into the past.

Today I see almost everyone has a smart phone or tablet. Most homes have broadband internet connection. Almost everyone has a TV. Most of my peers go on vacation at least once a year. Crime rate is low and most pple have a roof over their head. Quite frankly anyone who thinks 50 years ago pple were better off then today must be out of their mind.

Don't worry some of them will think that the brits were better.

 

[rusty]

I wasn't around 50 years ago but according to my mum, back then, homeless beggers were everywhere. Kidnapping was common. Corruption was rampant. Basic infrastructure(running water and electricity) was lacking. Bringing her to undeveloped countries like the Philippines and parts of Thailand was like a walk back into the past.

Today I see almost everyone has a smart phone or tablet. Most homes have broadband internet connection. Almost everyone has a TV. Most of my peers go on vacation at least once a year. Crime rate is low and most pple have a roof over their head. Quite frankly anyone who thinks 50 years ago pple were better off then today must be out of their mind.

It's about the same in HK, S. Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Malaysia. Thay have also improved a lot but without PAP or LKY.
Ask their mothers if you have friends over there.

 

[JohnnyQuid]

50 years ago, Malaysian Chinese want to move to Singapore.
50 years later, Malaysian Chinese still want to move to Singapore.

Yes..many want to move to Sinkieland and take advantage of their Sinkie Chinese "cousins" and then fark us and Sinkieland over..one example is a glorified shopkeeper former SMRT CEO...but Sinkie esp Chinese Sinkie still never learn and continue to welcome these parasites....

 

[JohnnyQuid]

If you think it is easier to manage a country such as Indonesia than Singapore then there really isn't much I can do to help you. There are more than 15,000 schools in Indonesia. Do you think it is easier to manage that many schools - to ensure that teachers and facilities are up to scratch? Do you think it is easier develop a land area thousands of times bigger than Singapore. The civil service here and the politicians have it so easy and yet they complain the most and even ask for the highest salaries in the world. :oIo:

As for comparing Philippines to us, then and now, they got screwed by their government. South Koreans used to be employed in Singapore as factory and construction workers in the 70s. Today, they provide value-added services in the construction industry and produce great products all over the world.

The use of GDP, generally and especially so within the Singapore context has been rubbished to death and you still want to bring it up? :(

Bro ChaoPappyPoodle this is argument Sinkie uses to compare us with our neighbours, better infrastructure and most common is higher GDP..wats point of higher GDP when u have graduates driving taxis??

 

[myo539]

I agree, people like you with no brain will jump in with a conclusion.

You stupid arsehole deserve to be fxxked! Don't understand what is a no-brainer question?

Are you happy 50 years ago when you were a baby than you are now a father or grandfather? 50 years ago you were happy sucking milk, now 50 years later you are sucking cock! Are you any happier?

 

[Char_Azn]

It's about the same in HK, S. Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Malaysia. Thay have also improved a lot but without PAP or LKY.
Ask their mothers if you have friends over there.

Same meh??? Here's a comparison

Household income of
Taiwan NT$89,328 - SGD$3,770
South Korea SKW$3,858,000 - SGD$4,309
Hong Kong HKD$18,000 - SGD$2,900
Singapore SGD$5,000

Source and how I got the figures
Taiwan - 所得收入總計 = NT$1,071938(*note this is annual household income)
Korea - The average monthly household income amounted to 3,858 thousand won in the first quarter 2011, up 3.5% from the first quarter 2010
Hong Kong - The median monthly domestic household income++ for 2010 was $18,000
Singapore - Among resident households, median monthly income from work increased by 3.1 per cent from $4,850 in 2009 to $5,000 in 2010
Currency converter - http://www.xe.com/ucc/
Note the date of data used, Taiwan - 2011, Korea - 2011, Hong Kong - 2010, Singapore 2010. Also note that Korea and Taiwan data is Average Income and not median income. Singapore Average income per person is $4,200.

And I am 100% sure I don't need to tell you guys how much Malaysia earns and how different the income disparity between the 2 countries have become since we split

I think it's safe to say they did move a lot but we moved a lot faster

 

[djent]

Same meh??? Here's a comparison

Household income of
Taiwan NT$89,328 - SGD$3,770
South Korea SKW$3,858,000 - SGD$4,309
Hong Kong HKD$18,000 - SGD$2,900
Singapore SGD$5,000

Source and how I got the figures
Taiwan - 所得收入總計 = NT$1,071938(*note this is annual household income)
Korea - The average monthly household income amounted to 3,858 thousand won in the first quarter 2011, up 3.5% from the first quarter 2010
Hong Kong - The median monthly domestic household income++ for 2010 was $18,000
Singapore - Among resident households, median monthly income from work increased by 3.1 per cent from $4,850 in 2009 to $5,000 in 2010
Currency converter - http://www.xe.com/ucc/
Note the date of data used, Taiwan - 2011, Korea - 2011, Hong Kong - 2010, Singapore 2010. Also note that Korea and Taiwan data is Average Income and not median income. Singapore Average income per person is $4,200.

And I am 100% sure I don't need to tell you guys how much Malaysia earns and how different the income disparity between the 2 countries have become since we split

I think it's safe to say they did move a lot but we moved a lot faster

Thanks for the findings, but maybe also depends what kind of disposable income does each country household have? What amount of cash is used to pay mortgage and other regular payments? Food prices and stuff like that? Any healthcare provided by their government?

 

[johnny333]

How come no one mention that Spore has one of the highest rates of people who want to leave

Many of my schoolmates have already left to become Australians, Canadians,... Had plenty of lunch time discussions with colleagues & friends & for many it's a case of when rather than if they will leave