<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=msghead><TD><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR class=msghead vAlign=top><TD class=msgF width="1%" noWrap align=right>From: </TD><TD class=msgFname width="68%" noWrap>LauZoeTay <NOBR></NOBR></TD><TD class=msgDate width="30%" noWrap align=right>4:53 am </TD></TR><TR class=msghead><TD class=msgT height=20 width="1%" noWrap align=right>To: </TD><TD class=msgTname width="68%" noWrap>kojakbt89 <NOBR></NOBR>unread</TD><TD class=msgNum noWrap align=right>(21 of 22) </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=msgleft rowSpan=4 width="1%"></TD><TD class=wintiny noWrap align=right>48326.21 in reply to 48326.1 </TD></TR><TR><TD height=8></TD></TR><TR><TD id=msgtxt_21 class=msgtxt>A Malaysian PR wrote this in response:
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/sing...elp-create-jobs-poreans-pm-lee-055352604.html
I feel compelled to post here after reading the many comments posted here and on other similar articles. I am a Malaysian working in Singapore since 2000.
From the comments I've read, I can totally emphatise with the unhappiness, dissent and also anger that many Singapore citizens (locally born and bred) are feeling this time around. Firstly, I must say I disagree with some non-citizens that post comments that seem deriding. I believe we all deserve understanding and compassion.
I feel that much of the anger that Singaporeans are feeling are justified. It's only natural to feel that way that any person feels that they're faced with similar situation: squeezed economically, gradually outnumbered by foreigners, basic need (housing) getting beyond reach. Every person need that sense of pride, dignity, a say, a stake in his/her country.
I feel that the current policy is putting the many Singaporeans at an economic disadvantage, especially those below a certain income bracket. Not every family is earning above S$5k, to comfortably pay for HDB instalment.
I do understand where all the anger and sentiments towards/against the foreigners working in Singapore are coming from. However, I seek understanding that it must be remembered that foreigners do not stay here for free. Rental, transportation, food etc.. In fact, my own room rent has just increased.
Why am I working in Singapore? I could hardly support myself and my (divorced) mother with a RM2k salary. Anybody say that RM2k can do more than S$4k doesn't know what he's saying and probably hasn't lived in Malaysia for extended time.
However, I derive no pleasure in seeing the sheer steep increase in the number of foreigners working and occupying the space in Singapore. Especially if it's at the expense of the locals here. They include my colleagues and close friends.
Perhaps some positive changes would happen this year. I hope the citizens here would vote wisely to affect the changes desired. Take action and reclaim what you feel is yours to have.
I regret to see how the HDB public flats are getting so rapidly expensive, especially in this past 10 years. It's not affordable anymore. Not a few Singaporean families have to resort to renting out rooms to cover mortgage instalment and other expenditures. My own landlord rents out 2 rooms, and they don't have kids yet.
It doesn't help that some people (may include citizen, foreigners, who knows) have used public housing to make easy profit.. This buy-low-sell-high, buy-high-sell-even-higher thinking is destroying the housing market, and destroying people's lives and dreams.
Have I thought of becoming a citizen? Yes. But when I see how Singaporeans themselves are facing an uphill task of just surviving, let alone start a family, I'm not sure if I'm able to do the same with my single income. S$300k or more for a HDB flat? That's not including bank interest yet. It's regrettable what has happened to the housing in Singapore, a basic need that's been exploited irresponsibly, short-sightedly, and now wreaking havoc on the survival of many Singaporeans. Additionally, at 34 years old now, I don't have the option of going without income for 2 years to do NS. Becoming a male citizen without NS is just not the same. I'm just speaking for myself, not anybody else. I sincerely apologise if any new citizens do feel offended.
Back to the issue of HDB flat, I think the HDB flat and private property ought to be treated as separate categories from the very beginning. HDB flats price should not be judged according to "market" value similar to private housing. Greed is universal, and will exploit such opportunity.. and it has already done much damage as many have seen. Public housing ought to stay affordable, not a luxury, nor a status symbol.
Back to the economic issues, I'm saying all these not to merely garner understanding nor support from Singaporeans. I'm saying these because I'm a human too. Much love and concern to everyone reading this
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http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/sing...elp-create-jobs-poreans-pm-lee-055352604.html
I feel compelled to post here after reading the many comments posted here and on other similar articles. I am a Malaysian working in Singapore since 2000.
From the comments I've read, I can totally emphatise with the unhappiness, dissent and also anger that many Singapore citizens (locally born and bred) are feeling this time around. Firstly, I must say I disagree with some non-citizens that post comments that seem deriding. I believe we all deserve understanding and compassion.
I feel that much of the anger that Singaporeans are feeling are justified. It's only natural to feel that way that any person feels that they're faced with similar situation: squeezed economically, gradually outnumbered by foreigners, basic need (housing) getting beyond reach. Every person need that sense of pride, dignity, a say, a stake in his/her country.
I feel that the current policy is putting the many Singaporeans at an economic disadvantage, especially those below a certain income bracket. Not every family is earning above S$5k, to comfortably pay for HDB instalment.
I do understand where all the anger and sentiments towards/against the foreigners working in Singapore are coming from. However, I seek understanding that it must be remembered that foreigners do not stay here for free. Rental, transportation, food etc.. In fact, my own room rent has just increased.
Why am I working in Singapore? I could hardly support myself and my (divorced) mother with a RM2k salary. Anybody say that RM2k can do more than S$4k doesn't know what he's saying and probably hasn't lived in Malaysia for extended time.
However, I derive no pleasure in seeing the sheer steep increase in the number of foreigners working and occupying the space in Singapore. Especially if it's at the expense of the locals here. They include my colleagues and close friends.
Perhaps some positive changes would happen this year. I hope the citizens here would vote wisely to affect the changes desired. Take action and reclaim what you feel is yours to have.
I regret to see how the HDB public flats are getting so rapidly expensive, especially in this past 10 years. It's not affordable anymore. Not a few Singaporean families have to resort to renting out rooms to cover mortgage instalment and other expenditures. My own landlord rents out 2 rooms, and they don't have kids yet.
It doesn't help that some people (may include citizen, foreigners, who knows) have used public housing to make easy profit.. This buy-low-sell-high, buy-high-sell-even-higher thinking is destroying the housing market, and destroying people's lives and dreams.
Have I thought of becoming a citizen? Yes. But when I see how Singaporeans themselves are facing an uphill task of just surviving, let alone start a family, I'm not sure if I'm able to do the same with my single income. S$300k or more for a HDB flat? That's not including bank interest yet. It's regrettable what has happened to the housing in Singapore, a basic need that's been exploited irresponsibly, short-sightedly, and now wreaking havoc on the survival of many Singaporeans. Additionally, at 34 years old now, I don't have the option of going without income for 2 years to do NS. Becoming a male citizen without NS is just not the same. I'm just speaking for myself, not anybody else. I sincerely apologise if any new citizens do feel offended.
Back to the issue of HDB flat, I think the HDB flat and private property ought to be treated as separate categories from the very beginning. HDB flats price should not be judged according to "market" value similar to private housing. Greed is universal, and will exploit such opportunity.. and it has already done much damage as many have seen. Public housing ought to stay affordable, not a luxury, nor a status symbol.
Back to the economic issues, I'm saying all these not to merely garner understanding nor support from Singaporeans. I'm saying these because I'm a human too. Much love and concern to everyone reading this
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