blinki_dadi wrote:
It’s not difficult to answer why Singaporeans find it so easy to leave this place for greener pastures. The No 1 reason is because for most of us the roots don’t grow very deep. We are just Singaporeans in name only, like me, most of my friends don’t place much value in our citizenship.
We look around us and see all the privileges handed out to foreigners on silver platters on a regular basis and wonder what is it we serve National Service for.
Singapore is run like a corporation, hell, even our politicians are paid like CEOs, so can you blame the people for feeling like they are employees rather than citizens.
Most of us just feel like a small employee in a large corporation. So is it any wonder that people leave at the prospect of a better life, a better job somewhere else.
It’s difficult to expect loyalty from the people if the country doesn’t seem to place much loyalty in us. For all the talk of nationhood, its hard to feel patriotism when foreigners (foreign talents) always seem to get preferential treatment over us – whether real or perceived.
As citizens, we don’t sense much ownership in the country, everything is decided for us, even our so-called “elected” President. How to grow roots when your life, your destiny is seemingly out of your hands.
So for many people, they would rather move out since at least it does empower them somewhat – having the power to at least for once decide their own fate rather than like the government decide it for them.
http://www.littlespeck.com/informed/2006/CInformed-060225.htm
about 125,000 gave up their passports last yearto migrate overseas to search for greener pastures. 400,000 singaporeans work overseas. we’re seeing more doctors, lawyers, it professionals, accountants, leaving singapore. if the country doesn’t value us, we’ll find another place who will..
ps. the figures come from a friend with credible source.
will you give up yours?
James said
yes, i will.
Kaffein said
I’m already in AU. And enjoying life.
I have given an analogy to the P65: The bucket is already full of holes. Instead of plugging the holes, the government pours more water in.
Tell me frankly, beside food and family/relatives/friends, what else is there for you to stay in SG? I’ve just recently returned back to SG. But I can’t wait to get back to AU.
Frighteningly congested in SG, and nothing but capitalism and consumerism at its best. If I were to live to earn money alone, I’ll stay in SG. Low tax, cheap food. But to bring up my family? That’s a different story.
You are young (I am too
). Take a step outside the shores of SG and see the world for yourself. Hope it will liberate your mind and thoughts.
Kaffein
C K said
I do realise that many Singaporeans would leave if given a choice. However, there are also a number of us returning each year. When we get to spend some time overseas, we do realise that there are some stuff that we take for granted back home. Security for one. But then again, I understand that the number of foreign workers in S’pore has increased and that doesn’t help the crime rates back home.
anon said
With its alarming immigration rates, Singapore will look and feel more third world than first world very soon.
At least I had the feeling when I went back 2 months ago.
I guess if one just live in the posh hotels and hang around orchard road and shenton way, u might feel what my caucasian friends felt. Singapore is very modern and clean.
Not the case if u live in Bukit Batok, where my parents live.
And it’s going to get worse. Even my parents think it’s time to move over to my new country.
They prefer to spend their twilight years gardening in the backyard than selling tissues.
loonshi said
Nice article.. It really set me thinking….
byon said
If given the chance to, many will gladly leave this stinking place.
sister said
why give up SG citizenship when others are fighting hard to gain it?
whose opinions did you seek? you are plotting yourself against those of executive-level. i find that SG is a great place compared to our neighbors. our corruption is kept to minimal since our ministers and yada yada are well-paid.
i don’t know much. i only know my colleagues (who are obviously not like your high-class angmohs getting paid in pounds,…) WANT to become PRs and citizens of sg. at least over here, the crime rates are definitely lower and they get paid better than back home.
also, i won’t deny this place is still safe. our leaders are pretty much outstanding and really, i don’t see others who are more worthy of our votes. they reap what they sow, and sg owes our success to ahgong. and are we not thankful he has great foresight?
then again, what irony, all these coming from somebody who’s waiting to jump at any chance to leave sg.. srsly we are all working too hard.. (and yeah. we still are YOUNG)
byon said
1. why give up SG citizenship when others are fighting hard to gain it?
How hard are others fighting hard to gain this citizenship when singapore is opening her legs wide to attract all ye who’re desperate as her? Not to be sound crude, but dont you think the country is desperate in giving out citizenship too easily to attract the FTs?
what makes ft and sg prs so special that they can’t serve the military? aren’t they going all for the citizenship? you mean people in the 30s can’t do clerical admin paper work in the army? true-blue singaporeans put in their 2.5 yrs in the military service while the fts and prs come in and enjoy the material and comfort of our land.
i’m not trying to be condescending here, read this it will widen your scope http://www.straitstimes.com/ST+Forum/Story/STIStory_261057.html
Anonymous said
Hi there….I find this an interesting discussion. As an American and veteran of our army, I have mulled over the idea of trying to enlist in Singapore’s army but I found absolutely no information about foreign enlistment requirements on any of the Ministry of Defense sites.
Some of us foreigners could care less about tax benefits and privileged treatment–we would just like some adventure and a chance to pursue a military profession outside our home nation’s forces, and perhaps a different place to call home someday if it was our inclination. I’m in my late 30′s, and I would thoroughly enjoy taking a crack at foreign service if there were a shot at something other than working some boring job. Most veterans seem to gravitate to the PMCs (Private Military Corporations) because of the difficulty in serving in foreign militaries.
I and many of my veteran friends have kicked around the notion of serving in foreign militaries, however with the exception of the French Foreign Legion, most seem to make it extraordinarily difficult. I have discovered on many blogs and websites that there are a lot of residents of Singapore unhappy about NS, and while I can sympathize, I also find myself thinking, “if they would let a foreigner sign up for the Commandos or Guards, I might hop on a plane…”
Some of us foreigners aren’t lazy, privileged business owners.
Emigrating to Melbourne said
well singapore is so easy to get along.
Allan Yam said
As the world’s population continues to explode toward 10 billion in just a couple of decades, the over-population problem becomes more evident.
Life may have been good for our parents, but it’s getting worse and worse as Singapore gets more crowded, and Singapore’s cost of living rises into the top 10 list. So the real question to ask is: life may be ok lah for me, but is there a future for my children or my children’s children? If the number of young Singaporeans wanting to leave is 53% now, what will it be in 20 years time?
It would suck if I stayed here just because of my parents/cousins/uncles/aunties and then my only children leave this country because it’s too expensive and stressful in 20 years time.
byon said
sets me thinking about the younger generation now.
the statistics saddens me.
Roz said
I am giving up mine the first chance I have. It is simple. At 10, I never had the choice to choose what subjects I could study. At 20, I never had that same choice. At 30, I found myself waiting inline for jobs that were handed over to people not from my own homeland. At 35, I saw more jobs given to foreigners when the times were bad and other countries were taking care of their own. At 40, I would start to wonder if I would still have a CPF to receive when I turned 65. At 50, I would know the so called motherland of mine had used my CPF and I have no retirement funds. At 60, I would want to just get it over with and jump off some tall building because my children can no longer afford to feed an old woman.
Frankly, if this is the future of my life, I would certainly rather take my chances as a second class citizen elsewhere. Taking risks? Oh yar. I rather gamble with fate then sit in a sinking ship.
byon said
it’s really time to leave singapore. singaporeans pack your bags now! ten years down today, read this blog post and you’ll thank me really.
hotshot said
1) DAO sg gals whose quality is lower than other asian countries
2) Not much places to go besides movies
3) siam ICT
4) experience other countries culture
5) not being appreciated in current job
6) tired of rat corporate race
7) sick of seeing angmo with our local gals
8) sick of squeezing train with blanglas
byon said
excellent reply hotshot!
overseas meaning no ICT, no IPPT, no reservist, and no more lees!