Go Home, Mr Casey
The (ongoing) saga involving Anton Casey is unfortunate. But the blame, if he is looking for it, lies squarely on his shoulders.
I think Singaporeans are a very kind and hardworking people. We have collectively built up this country into what it is today – the envy of many, not only from so-called “third world” countries but also those in “first world” countries such as Mr Casey’s United Kingdom.
Singaporeans also understand that foreigners have contributed to our success, which some described as a “miracle”, economic and all. Indeed, throughout our short 48-year history, we have always welcomed and work and lived with our foreign friends. And we continue to welcome them, political consequences notwithstanding but that is another matter. And we are rather proud, in a good positive way, that so many from all parts of the world want to come here, be it for work or for play, or even to become “one of us” as citizens.
And it is not just one-way where we Singaporeans offer and share what we have. Our foreign compatriots do the same for us too.
Singaporeans and our foreign friends have always had mutual respect for one another. Certainly, there are ugly Singaporeans, as it is with any other country where some of the citizens are not so welcoming of foreigners. But here in Singapore, the fact that we have some 2 million foreigners – making up 40 per cent of our total population - present here and that we have gotten along relatively well shows that we do respect each other.
At the same time, however, our more “introverted” behaviour or our less confrontational disposition should not be taken for weakness, or meekness.
Singaporeans will stand up if they are abused or if they are insulted, as one can see from the current saga.
Perhaps Casey’s insulting and condescending attitude towards Singaporeans and Singapore comes from the thinking that Singapore needs foreigners more than they need Singapore.
And there have been instances in the not too distant past where foreigners such as Chinese nationals have scoffed at Singaporeans for exactly this – that Singapore needs them and can’t do without them. And they have used this to belittle Singaporeans. “Your own government says we are better than you!” is something which some foreigners have said to us.
Truth be told, the regular and constant praises heaped on “foreign talents” by our Government have or at least may have given our foreign friends this impression – that they are better or superior to Singaporeans.
If they do think this way, let me say it loud and clear: you are not better or superior to us.
Many of you are here only after we have built up this country and city. We were the ones who put our shoulders to the wheel in our earliest days when few in the world would even give us the time of day.
But we are not better than you, in the same way that you are not better than us.
We all are, at some level, inhabitants of this land and we complement each other.
A road sweeper is no less important than a doctor.
A taxi driver, even if he wears mittens in our tropical weather, is no less important than a Porsche-driving wealth manager.
Yet, if that wealth manager finds it hard to understand “these people” (that is, Singaporeans), even after 11 years of living here, or so claimed, then perhaps it is time for him to leave – especially if he also finds that the “stench” from taking our public transport system is so nauseating.
We poor Singaporeans will live with the “stench” because this is us. If you can’t breathe the same air as us, then please, go home.
Often, we are told not to be xenophobic. And when we do speak up against a foreigner who insults us, we are labelled that. Indeed, the mainstream media have been going on about this the last few years.
But the truth is this: we are Singaporeans and we do take pride in being so.
And when we are insulted, we should speak up, and we do. But we are also magnanimous and will forgive when there is genuine remorse or genuine attempts at reconciliation. Just look at all the past instances where Singaporeans were insulted by foreigners. We have moved on and forgiven, or at least forgotten.
But there comes a time when a line is crossed and enough is enough.
“He has attempted to apologise to Singaporeans,” Law Minister K Shanmugam said, with regards to the incident. “But some feel that the manner of his apology showed a lack of sincerity. And I think there is some basis for thinking that.”
As with the minister, one does not see his “apology” as either sincere or genuine.
It seems that Mr Casey still considers the matter some sort of a game, where he can spin to his advantage.
But before there are any misunderstandings, we should agree with what Mr Shanmugam also said:
“I hope that Singaporeans will not attack or flame his family because of his actions. We, Singaporeans, can be bigger than that.”
We are bigger than that.
And it is because we are bigger than that that perhaps Mr Casey should consider leaving Singapore for good. For the ire that he has ignited is worrying and we do spare a thought for his family which has done nothing wrong to deserve any backlash.
Mr Casey should pack his bags and leave for home.
Singapore and Singaporeans will not sweat it.
We welcome foreigners, but we do not welcome those who come here to look down on us.
But as entrepreneur Pamela Lim said, “We bear no grudges.”
Hopefully a better place with better opportunities awaits him.
Go home, Mr Casey.
And take your Porsche with you.
Andrew Loh
The (ongoing) saga involving Anton Casey is unfortunate. But the blame, if he is looking for it, lies squarely on his shoulders.
I think Singaporeans are a very kind and hardworking people. We have collectively built up this country into what it is today – the envy of many, not only from so-called “third world” countries but also those in “first world” countries such as Mr Casey’s United Kingdom.
Singaporeans also understand that foreigners have contributed to our success, which some described as a “miracle”, economic and all. Indeed, throughout our short 48-year history, we have always welcomed and work and lived with our foreign friends. And we continue to welcome them, political consequences notwithstanding but that is another matter. And we are rather proud, in a good positive way, that so many from all parts of the world want to come here, be it for work or for play, or even to become “one of us” as citizens.
And it is not just one-way where we Singaporeans offer and share what we have. Our foreign compatriots do the same for us too.
Singaporeans and our foreign friends have always had mutual respect for one another. Certainly, there are ugly Singaporeans, as it is with any other country where some of the citizens are not so welcoming of foreigners. But here in Singapore, the fact that we have some 2 million foreigners – making up 40 per cent of our total population - present here and that we have gotten along relatively well shows that we do respect each other.
At the same time, however, our more “introverted” behaviour or our less confrontational disposition should not be taken for weakness, or meekness.
Singaporeans will stand up if they are abused or if they are insulted, as one can see from the current saga.
Perhaps Casey’s insulting and condescending attitude towards Singaporeans and Singapore comes from the thinking that Singapore needs foreigners more than they need Singapore.
And there have been instances in the not too distant past where foreigners such as Chinese nationals have scoffed at Singaporeans for exactly this – that Singapore needs them and can’t do without them. And they have used this to belittle Singaporeans. “Your own government says we are better than you!” is something which some foreigners have said to us.
Truth be told, the regular and constant praises heaped on “foreign talents” by our Government have or at least may have given our foreign friends this impression – that they are better or superior to Singaporeans.
If they do think this way, let me say it loud and clear: you are not better or superior to us.
Many of you are here only after we have built up this country and city. We were the ones who put our shoulders to the wheel in our earliest days when few in the world would even give us the time of day.
But we are not better than you, in the same way that you are not better than us.
We all are, at some level, inhabitants of this land and we complement each other.
A road sweeper is no less important than a doctor.
A taxi driver, even if he wears mittens in our tropical weather, is no less important than a Porsche-driving wealth manager.
Yet, if that wealth manager finds it hard to understand “these people” (that is, Singaporeans), even after 11 years of living here, or so claimed, then perhaps it is time for him to leave – especially if he also finds that the “stench” from taking our public transport system is so nauseating.
We poor Singaporeans will live with the “stench” because this is us. If you can’t breathe the same air as us, then please, go home.
Often, we are told not to be xenophobic. And when we do speak up against a foreigner who insults us, we are labelled that. Indeed, the mainstream media have been going on about this the last few years.
But the truth is this: we are Singaporeans and we do take pride in being so.
And when we are insulted, we should speak up, and we do. But we are also magnanimous and will forgive when there is genuine remorse or genuine attempts at reconciliation. Just look at all the past instances where Singaporeans were insulted by foreigners. We have moved on and forgiven, or at least forgotten.
But there comes a time when a line is crossed and enough is enough.
“He has attempted to apologise to Singaporeans,” Law Minister K Shanmugam said, with regards to the incident. “But some feel that the manner of his apology showed a lack of sincerity. And I think there is some basis for thinking that.”
As with the minister, one does not see his “apology” as either sincere or genuine.
It seems that Mr Casey still considers the matter some sort of a game, where he can spin to his advantage.
But before there are any misunderstandings, we should agree with what Mr Shanmugam also said:
“I hope that Singaporeans will not attack or flame his family because of his actions. We, Singaporeans, can be bigger than that.”
We are bigger than that.
And it is because we are bigger than that that perhaps Mr Casey should consider leaving Singapore for good. For the ire that he has ignited is worrying and we do spare a thought for his family which has done nothing wrong to deserve any backlash.
Mr Casey should pack his bags and leave for home.
Singapore and Singaporeans will not sweat it.
We welcome foreigners, but we do not welcome those who come here to look down on us.
But as entrepreneur Pamela Lim said, “We bear no grudges.”
Hopefully a better place with better opportunities awaits him.
Go home, Mr Casey.
And take your Porsche with you.
Andrew Loh
