Grandpa, Listen To This

*Note : Long entry*

Over the years, a number of local Singaporeans have indicated the future of Singapore appears bleak at least for the next generation.

With the Integrated Resorts, the ferris wheel, Changi Airport, the plans for F1 and the pressure on Singapore to be a world-class nation, the impact is felt most by 60% of Singaporeans have an average or low income.

GST hikes, the ballooning inflation rate, lack of compassion and concern from the government lead towards numerous resentments and unhappiness amongst the heartlanders.

Yes, the media can publish all the shit about Singaporeans being underinsured and not having enough for their retirement, crime rates going higher everyday, youngsters commit thefts, robberies, forgery and even printing money from their own home, with gangs getting more bold and beating up and killing people even in the heartlands. Why are all these happening?

Look at it this way, with both parents being forced to go out and work due to the high costs of living here, their children are not being given the love and attention they should receive and thus turn to their peers who felt the same way too. More and more youngsters now are bold enough to rob and beat up people for fun. When they are caught and punished, the parents are ashamed to even face their neighbours, relatives and friends who would wag their tongues and then blame the parents for what happened.

Are the parents to blame?

Before we even move on to be a “world-class nation” or whatever the shit they call it, maybe we should look into the social problems we are facing and work on the solutions. Singapore’s only resource is its own people. Local citizens. Not PRs and foreigners.

The already cramped country has a population of 4.5million and yet the government is pushing it to reach 6.5million. If they can’t control the social problems faced by the current population now, what makes them think they can control the population when it hits 6.5million plus foreigners? 40% of the locals here are trying to make ends meet day after day, month after month. Stop dreaming and come back to earth, down to the heartlands. Knock on the doors of those living in one and two-room HDB flats and ask these people, how can we as a “world-class” nation, help them?

Does Singapore have the means - resources, critical mass to go the distance?

Singapore may have the means, the resources based on the published "foreign reserves" and possibly undisclosed reserves, but not the critical mass. With the advent of technology, space and distance are no longer the biggest roadblock for prosperity. It is knowledge and pro-business environments. Singapore might not be the perfect 10, but it does have its strength and advantage to move forward for better.

Will Singapore move to the seedy side of Las Vegas/Monaco in order to survive?

Based on the publicly available information pertaining the plan to build and develop two "integrated resorts", I am disappointed that the relevant individuals have chosen to go that route.

Will a merger become a necessity?

Perhaps, logic will over rule emotions. Accordingly, it may be prudent to reconsider "merger" after a well-known individual kicks the bucket. Many suggest that Singapore should consider it now rather than later, when it becomes a necessity, and then will be negotiating from a position of weakness. We have Asean organisation, AAPEC and lots of organisations to bind us economically and socially. We can do a good job in fostering that community spirits and discipline. It is better to be independent and free. I doubt Singapore would ever agree to a merger when times are good. And when times are bad, the merger might as well not be called a merger but a return to the Malaya Federation on Malaysia's terms. It that case, it does not take a genius to know if it is a good or bad thing.

Is our Education system burning us out?

Yes. The strong emphasis on education starts at too young an age, at kindergarten, and that an individual must succeed at school in order to be "successful" in life. Besides, it is wasteful to consider all who are weaker at 9 (Primary 3) or 12 (Primary 6) or 16 (Secondary 4/O’Levels), to be "unsuitable" academically. Every individual should be encouraged to reach his or her full potential (create, build and design a career path) and be successful, regardless whether he or she is an actor/actress, artist, clown, dancer, doctor, electrician, fire fighter, grave digger, etc. It is unrealistic to compare our education to US, Canada, Australia, etc. We are different in size and in regions. Singapore is still playing 'catching-up'. In the US (unless one is doing grave-digging job) the working environment is solidly, extremely competitive, people from all over the world fighting and competing in their home ground.

Are we going to pay a heavy price by failing to integrate racially?

Unlike USA, where almost all of them refer themselves as Americans, Singaporeans (and Canadians) generally refer themselves as Chinese, Malay or Indian (French Canadian, Italian Canadian, etc.)

Integration may not be as important, except that the Singapore government's policies may have done more harm than good. For comparison, Canada is more multi-cultural and multi-racial than Singapore, but the Canadian government (municipal, provincial, federal) does not suggest where one should live. Black, Asian, hispanic are heavy segregated in their own ethnic areas in US, Canada, OZ. Why single out Singapore? Do you have any shops, which refuse to serve, entertain people from other ethnic background?

Are the rich and the influential few feathering their nest?

Just like anywhere else, Singapore is not different from any democratic societies. People who work hard, smart and competitive, stay in the top. But the government should help those who are not rich and have low income. Small yearly bonuses given out by the government yearly does not help us to beat inflation and GST hikes.

Will CPF cover us in our retirement?

I believe that the original objectives were needed and desirable. However, after the authorities priced "supposedly subsidised public housing re: 99-year leases" to market (and possibly made significant profits), and caused the majority to purchase such 99-year leases at astronomical prices, thus requiring higher mortgage payments over the maximum 25 years, I believe that many Singaporeans have "fallen for the asset enhancement scheme" and will be worse off. With respect, I believe that the asset enhancement scheme benefited the rich and upper middle income groups, but cause grieve to the bottom half.

Are we politically sterile or plain fed up with the exclusionary policies of the ruling class?

The ruling government and its use of the Internal Security Act to "silence individuals who were considered undesirable and/or a threat" have resulted in a politically sterile, culturally uncreative, artistically boring, and entrepreneurially slow society. The government's continuing emphasis on "an elite group", scholars, the "golden rice bowl given to scholars and very senior military officers", transfers of scholars and senior military officers to "government linked entities", and the government's omnipresence have caused undesirable results, and may cause the eventual demise of Singapore in the next 30 years.

Is there a brain drain?

The authorities will lead the commoners to believe that they have managed to retain almost all the brains in the military, the administrative (civil) service, and in the government. But with respect, I speculate that "within the senior government ranks, they probably have discussed their concern for the drain of thousands of non-elites who may have been the top 6 to 15% of the population (who are desirable immigrants for many developed countries).

Will we go the way of all other city states in history - to oblivion?

I hope not, but the elites and leaders who are paid enormous compensation packages compared to other countries and compared to the results of their actions, appear to be focused on earning a "market value pay package" rather than the privilege and honour of public service, service to one's country and fellow citizens. They appear to have overlooked being caring, concerned and compassionate. They even have to pay judges $1 million a year, when most people would be delighted to be a judge, especially for those who desire to serve.

Is there hope if we leave our destiny to a entrenched few?

No hope. In addition, the constitution, "GRC" and elections need amendments and improvements.

Singapore future looks bleak, yes I do somehow agreed. We are at the precarious cross-road, there's a lot of uncertainly in the job market. After the last recession, a lot of people have lost their jobs and after a painstaking hunting for a new job what they get is a diminished pay, these people somehow felt satisfied as long as there are income to subsist for a living. Contrary, the cost of living did not go down, this did not argue well in balancing up the equation of income and consumption.

The cost keeps rising but our income is lagging behind and with the inflation to balloon further our income is still subject to company cost cutting policy and a future recession. How do we survive for a higher cost of living where the medical cost, transportation cost etc. is rising further? And how much can we save for raining days?

There is also a big influx of foreign talents, but frankly, I have come across the so-called foreign talent, which is worse than the local. These foreign talents earned a big buck but did not contribute much. I have seen some "foreign talent" at my previous work place, who is not up to their mark and somehow created blunder for us to solve.

To our government, Foreigner = Talent

Our “Grandpa”, I consider him as a smart man and very capable but to compare to the world's best I don't think he has meet his challenge. After Singapore has gained her independence Grandpa has restructured Singapore successfully but consider during that time, what are those Asia countries been doing. China is still a closed up country, there is no competition from them whilst, the leaders of other Asian countries are frivolously in administrating their countries.

That's how Singapore can stand up tall among them. "Grandpa", with his intelligent brain should have no problem during this period when he is managing the country. But come to 90's those Asian countries, China and India start to wake up...that is the challenge arising which I don't think our capable government has anticipated. So we started to restructure and our common people suffered. So where is our local talent? Most of our brightest are serving in government stat board and commanding a high pay which do not require them to think much and do much.

These brightest are the one that can create miracle for Singapore, but there are keep under the aegis of our government to do some easy works. We have wasted our local talents.To overcome the challenge I don't think staying as a export-orientated country can help us much. If there is a recession from outside we will get hurt, that's why when the US is not doing well we must start to get worry. Also most of our biggest companies that can face the world best are actually a "government company" like SIA, PSA, etc. we do not have company like Intel, IBM, DELL etc which are not owned by the government. We should focus on this area.The government has decided to built an IR (Integrated Resort), this will definitely create jobs and revenue for the country but it should also create a lot of social problems as well. I am not very optimistic on our future as we are subject to a lot of exogenous risks and challenges. I am sure a lot of us are muddling through year after year. There should be more restructuring from the government to come in order to meet the challenges from the outside.

If we continue on our present course we're just heading for a slow painful decline. We can only progress as fast as our leaders can lead us and let's face the facts, they are leading us on a merry-go-round. While we've been running in circles for the last 10-15 years, the countries around us has been catching up quickly, how long before they overtake us if they have not already done soon.As a whole Singaporeans do have the will power and imagination to do it, but the burden laid on us since the day we step into the education system has much too often stifled the mind and those that refuse to be stifled sees escape as its only choice.

Its not that we're lacking in talents, just that the official definition of talent as defined by the MIWs (ruling party) is too restricting and myopic in view. For example, it has been shown in studies that there are in fact many different types of intelligence, but our leaders still like to define talent in terms of academic excellence and little else. And how far has that gotten us? People such as David Lim, Phillip Yeo - defined as talent in the eyes of the leadership, how far have they gotten us? All too often, there is a serious lack of transparency and accountability in the government.

People who are already entrenched there saw little benefit in stepping out of their comfort

zone and risking their necks. Even people who are poor performers or has screwed up are protected in the form of so-called "honest mistakes". So where is the impetus to strive and to achieve within the leadership. As it is, it is much safer to keep your head down and protect the little fiefdom you have rather than to risk it in gambles that ultimately won't bring you anywhere since your destiny within the upper levels of management is already written in stone. I mean does anyone in PAP seriously think if he works harder enough that he can one day supplant Lee Hsien Loong? If not, than why even bother. Its the same in Singtel or A*Star or any one of the GLCs or government institution. How far up the ladder you can go is already decided by your pedigree and connections. Its not about ability or performance, its about backing and ass-kissing.

With such a leadership, can we go far? The real stars or performers are already buried if they have not already made their home somewhere else.Look at the presidential elections. It didn't matter who you're or what you have done, if you have not being chosen by the select few, there's not a chance of you rising above your station in life. Instead of letting nature takes its course where the best man win, the MIWs (ruling party) has already decided who the best man is, irregardless of the will of the people.Or take Singtel, for example, imagine being in upper management, doing your utmost for 10-20 years hoping one day you might prove yourself worthy to be CEO only to have a greenhorn be appointed straight out of the army, someone not even remotely familiar with the industry.

How does that feels and what kind of a message does it send to the rest of the company or nation?So can we blame Singaporeans for the apathy? Can we help being apathetic in the face of such unjust and blatantly nepotic policies? What hope is there for the nation when it is still one man who stubbornly decides who goes where and do what? What truly talented individual would like to settle in a place like this when even true talent will only get you as far as the powers-that-be allows.

Listen to this, Grandpa. Without us Singaporeans, you won't be up there.

Respectfully submitted for the improvement of Singaporeans.