Once again, I am hearing people around me grumbling and complaining abt Singapore govt. usually I don’t like to get involved. However, this time around, I chose to speak up and expressed my views as I felt that they did not make a fair statement. Ended up, it was not a pleasant discussion. I don’t wish to explain further, so I chose to express my views on my blog instead. Haha.. after so long, my blog is revived! But with such a heavy topic…
I really don’t understand why do people have to amplify on the bad and totally ignoring the good? They are always complaining about all the bad things done by the govt but have they ever bother to compliment on the good contributions made by our govt? Maybe they did, but I guess it will be minimum compliments. They remembered when the train system break down, how much people suffered and how the govt did not do enough to help. They remembered when the flood came, how businesses were affected and how govt did not do enough to assist. Did they forget about the good things and efforts that the govt put in? Don’t they remember that without govt’s home ownership scheme, many of us will not be able to own a house? Don’t they remember without the govt’s effort in planning and building, we will not be enjoying good living lifestyle within a good living environment? Don’t they remember without the regulations and systems in place, we will not have a safe and secure environment? Without the govt’s foresight, we will not be able to have a stand in the international platforms and be recognized when we are just a small red dot on the world globe? Why are we so selfish and ungrateful and forget to look at the good sides and only focus on the negatives?
I do agree that our govt is not perfect and there are rooms for improvement. However, we need to give them time to improve and change. We need to give fair statements and comments about them and not only keep thinking about the bad things. Is this human nature, that we are always stingy in giving people credits and compliments? However, when it comes to the bad comments, we can talk about it non-stop for 3 days 3 nights or more. For instance when we were young, when we were in our teens, when we were in our adulthood and when we grow old, we always don’t get many compliments for the good things we do. The good comments are only limited to “Good Job! Well done! Keep it up!” and that’s about all. However, if we make a small mistake, the bad comments will be double or triple, “Why are u so stupid? Can’t even do a simple thing correctly? Why are u so clumsy? U are really hopeless”. Isn’t this example applicable to our negative views about our govt? For the good deeds they do, we take it for granted and never really thank them for it or even acknowledge their efforts. We think that we are “paymasters” so they are to do the job without us thanking them. However, when there are any slight errors, we will criticize them as much as we can. Is this being fair to them? It is the same for us at work. Our bosses expect us to do our job well and fulfill all tasks no matter what as we are paid to do so. When we make mistakes, they are unhappy abt it and will reprimand for it. However, when we perform well, our efforts are not recognized or not appreciated. This is when we will complain “Why are bosses so mean? Why our bosses didn’t even say thank u for our contribution? Why are we taken for granted by our bosses?” Ask ourselves - “Govt paymasters”, have we ever sincerely thank our govt - the payees for whatever they have done for us all these while? Didn’t we take whatever they do for us for granted too?
We always complain that our govt treat foreigners better than Sporeans, giving benefits to foreigners instead of to Sporeans. Did Sporeans realize that from day 1 when we were born, we have been receiving benefits from the govt? For instance, we have heavily subsidized school fees which enable most sporeans to be able to complete education up to at least secondary level. Our medical fees (unless those special medical procedures) are also heavily subsidized. With the middle to high living standards enjoyed by most Sporeans, many of us are able to go overseas for travel at least once a year. On the other hand, many citizens in 1st or 2nd world countries may not be able to have such opportunities at all. Not talking abt the 3rd world countries but talking abt countries like neighbouring Malaysia and economic powerhouse like US or Australia. Some of their people may not even have the chance to travel to the neighbouring state, needless to say overseas countries. Aren’t we more fortunate as compared to them?
I don’t come from a rich family. My parents live in HDB 3 room flat. My mum is a factory work who earns less than $2k a month. My dad used to work as a plumber and later as coffee shop assistant and cleaner and he earned about $800 per month. Currently he is not working. But thanks to govt’s home ownership scheme, my parents can at least own a house. And thanks to govt’s CPF scheme, they have $$$ for old age and their medical treatment. And thanks to govt’s regulations, my brother and I were able to finish our primary and secondary education with heavily subsidized school fees in govt schools. While I don’t have rich parents, I am more fortunate than many people as I have great grandparents and supportive aunties and uncles. With their teachings and financial assistance, I was able to go overseas for my studies and be able to gain experiences which I will never get to experience in Singapore. with all these experiences, I learnt to appreciate my life and home in Singapore even more. Although I love travelling and I enjoyed my times in Aussie while studying, I have never thought of leaving Spore for good. This is the place where I was born in, where I live in, where I belongs to and where I call home. This is the place which I am proud of. Whenever I met foreigners during my travel and when asked where am I from? I will proudly say “Singapopre”. I felt extremely happy when they say they know where Spore is and they have been there and they love the place for its cleanliness and safe environment. I felt upset when people do not know who we are and thought that we are part of China. This is when I will tell them who we really are and where we are and what they can do when they visit Singapore. Merely doing my part as a Singaporean introducing my home country.
Many friends claimed that when foreigners come to Spore, they are taking away our land, our home and our jobs. Why must we feel negative about it? If we are good, we can always compete with them? Many people are going into China too. Why don’t the Chinese felt the same way as we do? Why do they still think they r the biggest, strongest and greatest and that they don’t feel threaten by foreigners? Not because they have a large population but because they are united as one and they are proud of their own identity as a Chinese national. To a certain extend, I amazed by the Chinese for their unity. I admire them for the high ego and strong pride for their country, their nation and their identity as a Chinese. I can’t say likewise for my fellow Sporeans. Yes, we have many foreigners in Spore. But we are the owners of this land. Why must we be afraid of them or feel inferior to them? Why can’t we believe that we are better than them and that they can’t steal away our homeland and our jobs? Why can’t we learn from the Chinese? Do we want our country to be closed up to foreigners and just be contented among our own community? Do we want be a frog in the well? If that really happen, I think all Sporeans will start to scold the govt. “Why not opening up to foreigners to invest and create more job opportunities and strengthen economic growth?”. Why can’t Sporeans stand together and be proud to be Sporeans? One fine day, if Spore suffers attack from enemy, I wonder how many of us are willing to stay in Spore to help the country tide over the crisis? Instead will most of us make use of the opportunity to run away?
I am not siding the govt and pro govt. I just felt that we should be appreciative and grateful to what have been done for us. We should not only amplify on the bad and forget about the good. While people already know about the govt’s good sides, we should still be generous in giving our compliments and assurance. When there are mistakes, we should be more tolerance and give them a chance to learn and be better. Esp when we are talking about Spore and the Spore govt which belongs to you and me and every Sporean.
