SINGAPORE : Four immigrant families received a warm welcome with a durian party on Sunday morning - all part of efforts to make new citizens feel welcome and help them integrate into the Singapore way of life.I stayed here for almost 22 years already, and my town council never ever hold a party for me...
Durians and foreign talent - these prickly subjects were the focus of attention at the party at Rivervale.
Four-hundred D-24 durians were specially catered for the families from China, India, Bangladesh and Malaysia who now call Singapore home.
Said Michael Palmer, MP for Pasir-Ris-Punggol GRC, "One of the best ways of bringing in new citizens and new PRs into the community is to not only send them a letter or have tea with them but actually to bring them into the Singapore culture. And one of the great pastimes is eating, and durians are an all-time favourite among Singaporeans."
One couple from Andhra Pradesh, India, were one of many game enough to try the king of fruits.
Receiving their citizenship last year, the couple said they were happy here.
Said Reddy U Potturi, a physiotherapist, "My first experience in Singapore was only a bit with language for the first few months. After that I could adapt to Singapore English, and after that everything went on very smooth."
His wife, Menna Potturi, said, "I keep watching Channel NewsAsia so I can get news about Singapore and how people live over here so that I could get used to this place."
A Bangladeshi couple, who run a computer business, intend to hire four more workers soon, and they welcome the Prime Minister's call for more foreign talent in Singapore.
Said entrepreneur Helal Uddin, "As long as there are many foreigners there will be a lot of competition in the work place and better talents in Singapore, and they will contribute to Singapore and better futures."
This point was echoed by Foreign Minister George Yeo at a separate charity event.
Said Mr Yeo, "In many parts of the economy we do need foreigners to help plug in the gaps and the whole purpose is to benefit Singapore and Singaporeans. If we don't provide a sufficient pool of workers for investors, they will go somewhere else and this will affect our economy."
With more parties like this lined up, the winner of the next durian-opening competition could be among the new Singaporeans. - CNA /ct
Originally posted by mhcampboy:I stayed here for almost 22 years already, and my town council never ever hold a party for me...![]()
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Maybe the FTs were served with rejected or bad taste durians ($0.50 for two)...Originally posted by mhcampboy:I stayed here for almost 22 years already, and my town council never ever hold a party for me...![]()
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ok la. that perks me up a bit..Originally posted by Lowclassman:Maybe the FTs were served with rejected or bad taste durians ($0.50 for two)...Fts won't know how to differentiate good or bad durians wah......as long as it taste a bit sweet and ....that will be good to FTs.
You know right,.....sg govt are very good in wayang wah...
That's the citizenship test ... ... If you can't stomach durian, then Sg is probably not really for you ...Originally posted by mhcampboy:I stayed here for almost 22 years already, and my town council never ever hold a party for me...![]()
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yes and those Singaporeans living in Potong Pasir and Hougang get punished just cos the PAP didn't win the wards.Originally posted by mhcampboy:I stayed here for almost 22 years already, and my town council never ever hold a party for me...![]()
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u wan welcome party u migrate to malaysia den migrate back laOriginally posted by mhcampboy:I stayed here for almost 22 years already, and my town council never ever hold a party for me...![]()
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what is chee kam? a new kind of mandarin orange?Originally posted by foomwee88:I want mee siam w/ a lot of chee kams.![]()
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Of course, they need to generate more voters - because they are definitely losing a lot of local supporters!Originally posted by NiteSg:those new citizens also got the power to vote rite?
durians cheaper than peanuts wad...
Beware of the durains oh,it can be eaten n be used as a weapon as well.Originally posted by iveco:I hope the City of Belmont will hold a similar party for me when I get a house in the suburb of Rivervale.![]()
2 billions $ uncountered 4 in MOD a/c.Originally posted by BillyBong:Well, now we know how our taxpayer's monies are indulged...in flawed policy spending....
I'm sure the vagrants whom MM Lee refuses to acknowledge, the low income group and those who live on bursaries and grants will unanimously agree that our govt's frivalous expenditure knows no bounds.
My advice 2 u, wearing something hard on yr head b4 u go oh.Originally posted by iveco:I hope the City of Belmont will hold a similar party for me when I get a house in the suburb of Rivervale.![]()