Originally posted by Sardaukar:the education system is one of the iron fist of the govertment,to make every being studying under them to be one with the mass...[learn the main language and the secondary language]
Anyone who knows me in real life knows that I was born in Singapore,raised here, lived in Australia for 2 years then returned for NS.
After all thats been happening,after my eyes were opened by getting out of the Singapore system,I can honestly say I love and hate this damn country.Its my home,but what the hell is becoming of it?
My roots are here,most of my family is here.A lot of friends are here.Thats it.Its these relationships that root me here,as well as associations with the comic store I always go to,been going to since I was 12.A certain fondness of the food and the general environment in Singapore.A few aspects of the culture.
Yet,I do not feel I truly own or belong to this naiton at times.I'm a mixed-blooder of Chinese,Indian and Portueguese blood.Yet,I'm expected to deny these parts of my identity and am expected to speak Mandarin,which I do not know at all.I learnt Malay as a second language due to childhood dyslexia.Mandarin is promoted as the national language,with George Yeo even saying we as a nation are Chinese with Singaporean characteristics.Bullshit.I'm a Singaporean now.As are every one of you,whether you call yourself one now or whether it was in the past.I am in the service of the Singapore Armed Forces as an NSF,in an organisation that treats its own Malay citizens as second class, denying them similar treatment as the rest,denying them the same opportunities of promotion.You see it in the lack of [b]any Malays in the Signal formation,any Muslims.You see it in the commandos,in the armour,in the air force and navy.You have a token person and that is it.
You have a GLC like SIA seeking profit at the expense of its people,its staff,all the while when it would have cost them only a decreased profit.All they though was to cut and slash their workforce and their salary.As a GLC,while they are a business,they are also responsible to their staff, their customers and the environment they operate in,as they have influence upon it,and is their responsibility as a human organisation staffed by human beings to practice corporate citizenship as well as individual citizenship.As a government-linked corporation,they h
Similarly,they talk of inclusivness.Where is the inclusivness in not allowing any of the opposition parties to parade during National Day as well,only PAP?Where is this inclusivness in the statement that they will not upgrade Potong Pasir,simply because it voted against them?
The government is there to serve as a guide to the people,a steward,to teach them as a socity, as a collective of individuals,to help them maintain their strength and adapt as a society,to fight for their right to exist if necessary.It is there to represent the interests of the different segments of the people,NOT the elite.
They have done good and bad.We as a nation are 41 years old,but they deny us a basic political right to criticise them openly,or to oppose them in some form,to tell them;Listen,here is a mistake!Look at David Saul Marshall who was a supporter and citizen of Singapore,who was maligned in the Straits Times.Look at what happened to JB Jeyaratnam,who was bankrupted by Lee Kuan Yew while fighting for what he belived was good for Singapore.
There is little soul in our society,little passion.Yes,we have to be practical to survive.We all do.But that does not mean you abandon your principles or your passion!You will feel empty otherwise,and will affect others around you,by your behaviour and the way you treat them.
Our society is diverse,but collectively,can we make something better for ourselves,as a country?
I am a 20 year old who is somewhat idealistic enough to think he can change the system,but pragmatic enough to know it will take extreme hard work.Would I have what it takes as an individual?Doubtful but possible.Many people don't.However,as a group,I believe Singaporeans can change this place for the better.
In any case,if I'm a bitter and cynical 30 year old and nothing has changed,well then,I'll just go Down Under.....[/b]
You are free to go, provided you have the right skills. Make sure you go into one of the professions that are most in demand as mentioned in this article:Originally posted by Sardaukar:In any case,if I'm a bitter and cynical 30 year old and nothing has changed,well then,I'll just go Down Under.....
bullshitOriginally posted by Sardaukar:Going to Australia is not an option I would like to take.If necessary,or if I get discontented enough,then yes.If not,then I'll stay here and try to make it better.
If anything,the education has to change to make Singaporeans more rugged and adaptable.That is the only way.The younger generation,especially post-1986,are getting less rugged mentally and physically.I feel as a whole that collective quality has gone down,that our hunger and ambitions for power and success are not as there as before.
So many Singaporeans expect a high pay when they enter a job,an entry-level job,to pursue a lifestyle they enjoyed before.They are not realistic.Work is work.You do it or you don't.The world and the country sure as hell does not owe you a living.You have to fight to earn your place,once your parents can no longer support you.
Seriously,much of it has to do with our education system and with the way children are brought up nowadays.They need to get their hands dirty and learn the value of money and work.
Actually, there was a historical reason which might sound more racist:-Originally posted by reyes:dispite i against many of the govt policy, to be fair, racial discrimination has not been tolerant in the SAF .Put it Simply promote base not just on your physical attributes but more on your academic abilities.
i dont see much malay scholars in the SAF and i see many condemn chinese laojian still hang around inside army camp. thus your condemning SAF of racial discrimination is not valid.
like thailand hero mention, muslim have muslim foodcater just for the minority inside all army camp.
about issue why some religion group are not drafted in some army units. i guess it because in army like commando, divers. what happen if an enemy attack while you are fasting? or does the whole commando unit have to halt the training until fasting is completed. these simply make sense and it not as complicated as you think.
we have to face one reality working in singapore. that if you know chinese languages, you will have wider job ranges you can choose from.
just like most indonesian chinese speak bahasa indonesian, chinese in malaysia can speak malay.
But here in singapore you have the choice and the choice is yours.
we have enough FT in singapore thus fellow singaporean of various religious group should work hand in hand together and not bring up any ethnic group discrimination issues.
Not so much race as religion. If we are going to war with nation X and the Pope says he will ex-communicate Catholics who fight in the war, many Catholics will find it difficult to disobey him. If I were a Muslim and my Mufti says it is a sin to fight fellow Muslims in a war, what do you expect me to do?Originally posted by pikamaster:Actually, there was a historical reason which might sound more racist:-
Malays were/are thought to be the most susceptible to collaboration with Malysia and Indonesia should either or both invade us; thus having them in important positions like commandos and signals creates a potential threat to national security.
I am a Chinese Singaporean.Originally posted by oxford mushroom:Not so much race as religion. If we are going to war with nation X and the Pope says he will ex-communicate Catholics who fight in the war, many Catholics will find it difficult to disobey him. If I were a Muslim and my Mufti says it is a sin to fight fellow Muslims in a war, what do you expect me to do?
Of the two scenarios, which is the more likely in Singapore? Hence the current policy...
No. 1, I have lived in Australia,and I can tell you that the media here is biased towards it.It is never as bad as it seems,or it can be worse,depending on the situation.Originally posted by Thailand_Hero:If you look around Australia, u'd realise that Malays and muslims are treated worse than second class. I dont quite understand why you're complaining that SAF treats muslims 2nd class.
Even food is catered for your kind.
There was an artical in the papers not too long ago about muslims or anyone that looks like a muslim getting beaten up at the beaches in gold coast.
Singapore is still the best lah...if u dont like Singapore just go live in Malaysia or indonesia. No one will stop u.
Its unfair to compare SAF with the malaysian armed forces or indonesian armed forces. If it would be of any consolation to you, both their armed forces are extremely corrupted and have even been suspected of being pirates themselves especially in the indonesian waters.Originally posted by Sardaukar:No. 1, I have lived in Australia,and I can tell you that the media here is biased towards it.It is never as bad as it seems,or it can be worse,depending on the situation.
The fact is that the media here is not an institution I will trust completely.They are controlled directly or indirectly by the PAP.They are good for average news,but I always take it with a pinch of salt.
Regarding my kind,I am NOT Muslim.I already stated that I am a mixed blooder and a non-practicing Catholic.I acknowledge that they are accomodated as personnel at a basic level.What I do NOT like,as I have stated,is that they are barred participation in different formations simply because of ethnicity and religion.
It is simply not to any benefit to apply a whole blanket ruling to them just because of their ethnicity.It is wasteful in manpower and denies them access to a significant minority.
If they meet the grade and can do the job well,then it should not matter as much what their race is.Instead,Malays are overwhelmingly placed in areas like Logistics and Regimental Policeman.
As well as for the argument against them being in Commandos or Divers,they are just as capable given the training,and I have never heard of problems derived from training during fasting.That argument is unusuable,given that the militaries of Malaysia and Indonesia manage to pull off such a task given their own personnel,who still train professionally.
thou i`m not gg to disagree.....Originally posted by Thailand_Hero:A simple equation i'd like to point out to you is...
10 Mahatirs + 10 habibies + 10 megawatis + 10 bangbangs cannot equal our one and only Mr Lee Kwan Yew.
hope it answers your questions.
Wah. This fella sounds very patriotic, to the point of sounding slightly nationalistic! but nickname abit salah.Originally posted by Thailand_Hero:I am a Chinese Singaporean.
Singapore is my home. I love my nation very much as i was brought up here and lived here all my life.
If anyone becomes a threat to my nations security may they be a foreign country or an internal religious threat. I will respond to my nations call and participate in the mobilization call up that will follow. I will risk my life and defend my nation. I will shoot the enemy and their families if it comes to that without batting an eyelid. All enemies of Singapore must be exterminated.
Enemies will be treated cruelly and without any regard for their lives.
Hey, tats a nice oneOriginally posted by Hellraiza:Wah. This fella sounds very patriotic, to the point of sounding slightly nationalistic! but nickname abit salah.
reason why i am called thailand_hero is coz during my army days in 2001 Exercise in Thailand i always chiong and finish first. my army buddies nickname me thai guo ying xiong...Originally posted by Hellraiza:Wah. This fella sounds very patriotic, to the point of sounding slightly nationalistic! but nickname abit salah.
not only that.. back then most of their families and relatives, etc are back in malaysia. if any conflict they would be like fighting their own blood relatives. chinese not as much, but if i remember right, i read somewhere before, they also checked on personnels family ties with malaysians.Originally posted by oxford mushroom:Not so much race as religion. If we are going to war with nation X and the Pope says he will ex-communicate Catholics who fight in the war, many Catholics will find it difficult to disobey him. If I were a Muslim and my Mufti says it is a sin to fight fellow Muslims in a war, what do you expect me to do?
Of the two scenarios, which is the more likely in Singapore? Hence the current policy...
wad if that enemy is your own family? can bat an eyelid?Originally posted by Thailand_Hero:I am a Chinese Singaporean.
Singapore is my home. I love my nation very much as i was brought up here and lived here all my life.
If anyone becomes a threat to my nations security may they be a foreign country or an internal religious threat. I will respond to my nations call and participate in the mobilization call up that will follow. I will risk my life and defend my nation. I will shoot the enemy and their families if it comes to that without batting an eyelid. All enemies of Singapore must be exterminated.
Enemies will be treated cruelly and without any regard for their lives.
The local media is not to be taken seriously. have they ever produced something of international susbstance other than repeating ad nauseum, what is found on wire agencies.Originally posted by Sardaukar:No. 1, I have lived in Australia,and I can tell you that the media here is biased towards it.It is never as bad as it seems,or it can be worse,depending on the situation.
The fact is that the media here is not an institution I will trust completely.They are controlled directly or indirectly by the PAP.They are good for average news,but I always take it with a pinch of salt.
Regarding my kind,I am NOT Muslim.I already stated that I am a mixed blooder and a non-practicing Catholic.I acknowledge that they are accomodated as personnel at a basic level.What I do NOT like,as I have stated,is that they are barred participation in different formations simply because of ethnicity and religion.
It is simply not to any benefit to apply a whole blanket ruling to them just because of their ethnicity.It is wasteful in manpower and denies them access to a significant minority.
If they meet the grade and can do the job well,then it should not matter as much what their race is.Instead,Malays are overwhelmingly placed in areas like Logistics and Regimental Policeman.
As well as for the argument against them being in Commandos or Divers,they are just as capable given the training,and I have never heard of problems derived from training during fasting.That argument is unusuable,given that the militaries of Malaysia and Indonesia manage to pull off such a task given their own personnel,who still train professionally.
What is a chinese? It's a blanket identity. Chinese is derived from China which is derived from Qing. Qing of Qing Dynasty. It's not an ethic grouping. And chinese(mandarin) is not my mother tongue. True blooded Singapore CHINESE, haha.Originally posted by Thailand_Hero:reason why i am called thailand_hero is coz during my army days in 2001 Exercise in Thailand i always chiong and finish first. my army buddies nickname me thai guo ying xiong...
i am true blooded Singaporean CHINESE
Precisely. One of the few professors that I respect, told me once, when I was in my first semester of Uni, that race is an artificial cage built by the govt. We are all human beings and we should learn to move away from always looking and fighting over racial identity.Originally posted by Hellraiza:singaporean enough liao...no need singaporean chinese, english, malay, indian whatsoever...
Race is important. It signifies out roots. Chinese have a long and proud history once being the major superpower in Asia. The blood of a thousand battles rages in our vein. Chinese people have gone through great times and also severe hardship and yet everywhere in the world we are found in places where the economies are the strongest. Chinese are great market leaders and we always work for great prosperity. We Chinese have came a long way and as long as we continue to work hard...we can be prosperous anywhere.Originally posted by LazerLordz:Precisely. One of the few professors that I respect, told me once, when I was in my first semester of Uni, that race is an artificial cage built by the govt. We are all human beings and we should learn to move away from always looking and fighting over racial identity.
Some nations practise this racial profiling because they fear a grassroots national identity forming, without their "guidance and engineering", thus something out of their control. Think about it..
I rather we drop the race on our NRIC.
Well said.Originally posted by Thailand_Hero:Race is important. It signifies out roots. Chinese have a long and proud history once being the major superpower in Asia. The blood of a thousand battles rages in our vein. Chinese people have gone through great times and also severe hardship and yet everywhere in the world we are found in places where the economies are the strongest. Chinese are great market leaders and we always work for great prosperity. We Chinese have came a long way and as long as we continue to work hard...we can be prosperous anywhere.
I am proud to be Chinese. Even prouder to be Chinese Singaporean.
I dont see why we should renounce our race thats on our NRIC. My race distinctly puts me in acceptance to do business with fellow chinese worldwide. We speak the same language and we follow the same customs. Regardless of whichever part of the world us Chinese are from.
Your university professor is merely citing his own opinions which i dont deem recognisable as a fact. Race is not a cage created by the government. Your uni lecturer isnt a Chinese rite? The 'cage' is his own psychological barrier created by himself.
Chinese worldwide will continue to prosper and the world will see China emerge as a superpower to contend with even the United States. As a Chinese Singaporean. I can travel freely to China whenever i want and will always be accepted there as one of their own to do business or live.