Integration May Not Work
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A brave article by our usually timid media:
For new expats, integration may not really work
By P N Balji, TODAY's Editorial Director | Posted: 12 March 2007 0759 hrs
Let's not kid ourselves. Most expatriates who come to work and live here don't do so because they want to make this place their home. Their primary reason is economic. That is, Singapore is a good place to make money. Period.
Our reason for attracting them here is also economic. Without the entry of outsiders, we may as well kiss goodbye to the good times. That was Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng's clear message to Singaporeans last week.
He gave a list of figures. At the heart of it all is this statistical reality: To keep the economy humming at 6 per cent a year, we need 34,600 foreigners every year to top up the labour market.
Argument clinched, so shall we all accept it and move on?
But in Parliament two Fridays ago, we saw another side to this expat debate with MP Indranee Rajah talking about a disconnect developing between Indian Singaporeans and expatriate Indians — and social integration being thrown in by MP Inderjit Singh as the solution.
I beg to differ, Mr Singh.
The new expatriates are very different from those who ran away from abject poverty and harsh political regimes, risking their lives in rickety boats and sometimes as stowaways in passenger ships. Many of our parents and grandparents left their motherland with a one-way ticket.
Yes, they came here to make money but in the process they saw themselves as contributing to society by entering politics, starting unions and registering clan associations. Integration into Singapore came naturally.
But the new expatriates are very different. They are very well-educated, well-informed and well-heeled, very confident that if it is not Singapore, then there are other modern societies which will welcome them with open arms and red carpets.
Take the new flavour in the immigration game, the Indians. I have yet to meet one who is willing to sink his or her roots in Singapore.
A month ago, I met one Indian expatriate in her mid-30s, who has lived here for eight years and teaches in an international school.
I asked her if she had become a Permanent Resident (PR) or taken up Singapore citizenship. The answer came without hesitation: No.
Why not, I asked.
Because I am an Indian, she said with a sense of pride, the glow unmistakable on her face.
That same sense of pride was palpable during my two recent trips to India, one to New Delhi last year and the other to Chennai and Kerala just two weeks ago. Something I had not seen during my previous visits.
The young people I met in all three places were flush with money, taking me to plush restaurants and offering to pay for my drinks, all the while displaying the India Is Shining slogan proudly on their sleeves.
One even insisted on taking me on a ride on the Delhi Metro to display the cleanliness and the efficiency of the system.
Isn't it as good as your MRT, she asked.
When I asked what was the reason for the transformation, she answered, her nose high up in the air: Indian pride!
In Chennai, I was taken to what was once a remote place, one and a half hours away by car, called Wallajabad. The route was filled with a construction buzz I have not seen before, with my guide proudly pointing out the names of multi-national corporations muscling in to establish their presence.
He took me to a 40-acre area being developed into a township, J S Nagar, to cater for the industries coming up in the vicinity. What impressed me was the attention to planning details (park for the residents, lake, drinking water, temple, wedding hall) and the no-nonsense attitude of the brains behind the development, Mr RGK Subramaniam (he was on the phone scolding an employee for misspelling a word in the contract).
Even the mother of all summits, the Davos economic summit, for the first time pushed the US to the back seat, reserving the front row for India and China.
And what was the slogan for India as it prepared for cricket's World Cup?
Without pride, there is nothing.
A survey by The Week magazine in Kerala showed up a similar trend. To the question of whether India was shining, the answer was a resounding 68.8 per cent "yes".
With this changing demographic profile, a new world that is hungry for the same small pool of talent and the reality that they are being attracted and coming here as economic digits, is integration the route to take?
It is only one way, with successes like expatriate-turned-citizen Gautam Banerjee, who went one step further and was appointed Nominated MP, and expatriate-turned-PR Edison Liu of A*Star talking about their commitment to Singapore.
The other answer is to face reality and admit that many of the new expatriates will come here, make money and disappear, either to a new destination in a global world where their skills are in greater demand or back to their home countries which are throwing up opportunities galore.
It is a revolving-door nation that we are looking at. But with one important caveat: That we have to keep building and growing a core of people who believe in the soul of this nation. And be prepared to die for it.
A revolving-door nation with a strong and unshakeable core. Achievable?
Honestly, we have no choice. - TODAY -
that stupid moron idiot, editor, wants to hold the balls of PAP so much, why not, he just send a compliment letter to PAP, will do
KNN, this sort of news, is what making, we singaporean so angry
treat those foreigner so damn good,
PLEASE DON'T FORGET WHO IS THE ONE WHO VOTED THEM INTO POWER IN THE FIRST PLACE!!!!!!!
CB
IF THE OPPOSITION WAS TO COME TO MY AREA TO CONTEST, I WILL VOTE FOR THEM, KNNCB PAP, HOPE THEY WILL LOSE POWER IN MY LIFETIME
CCB mother f u c ker
this is also one of the reason, i don't read local newspaper at all -
Originally posted by allentyb:that stupid moron idiot, editor, wants to hold the balls of PAP so much, why not, he just send a compliment letter to PAP, will do
KNN, this sort of news, is what making, we singaporean so angry
treat those foreigner so damn good,
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Originally posted by pearlie27:
sorry to TS, i think that post that i posted earlier is way over my head, and i apologise,
[b]A brave article by our usually timid media:
/b]
that verbal abuse wasn't intentionally, but merely that article, there is nothing constructive about it and that pissed me off, and for that i am sorry
again this is all i wanted to tell you, TS
temasek holding control mediacrop, mediacrop control today
do you think this article is worth anyone to believe? -
My foolishness and my sincerely apologise to you, TS,
that you have read it -
Come on,we must welcome FTs not only with open arms only but also with open legs 4 them 2 fuck later on!!!
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Aw c'mon, read the last point, Balji is hinting very strongly that we cannot rely on migrants and FT to build Singapore, and that our locals should still be the most important people in this cultural landscape.
Too many bleddy cowboys here aye.. shooting first before reading. -
Just sorry to say that if allentyb was ever an opposition member, he would certianly not have my vote.
While I do not agree with many of the current FT policies, it would be certain death for us to assume that we can shut the doors and home-brew our economy. A lot of things we take for granted indeed are dependent on FTs to add the spice to it, and I think it's unreasonable to think that there's such a thing as a free lunch.
Certainly a lot of the policies on FTs have been at the expense of the average Singaporean, but then again an error in the opposite direction is still an error. Is there an good solution to this FT issue? I have yet to see one but I don't recommend allentyb's approach of vulgarity spewing and screaming like a madman. -
What we need now is a transparent Points System for PR application, and a proper skills recognition agency to properly filter out those applicants with skills that are taught in Singapore to our students. Let those who have unique abilities and those who will be working in fairly new industries come in.Originally posted by SingaporeTyrannosaur:Just sorry to say that if allentyb was ever an opposition member, he would certianly not have my vote.
While I do not agree with many of the current FT policies, it would be certain death for us to assume that we can shut the doors and home-brew our economy. A lot of things we take for granted indeed are dependent on FTs to add the spice to it, and I think it's unreasonable to think that there's such a thing as a free lunch.
Certainly a lot of the policies on FTs have been at the expense of the average Singaporean, but then again an error in the opposite direction is still an error. Is there an good solution to this FT issue? I have yet to see one but I don't recommend allentyb's approach of vulgarity spewing and screaming like a madman.
Let's end all these entry for middle level management PRs. We should NOT compete on cost structure. If we are more costly, work on our value addedness. Why should we have to hire foreign managers when we have our own people here, graduating by the truckload?
Expats are welcome, as long as they can fill a skill shortage and migrants are definitely welcome if they are business category investors. Have you seen our immigration website recently?
Go compare it to the Australian Department of Immigration.
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*slaps forehead*
To allentyb and foomwee: It would do well for the both of you to read the article properly before shooting off blindly. -
i still maintain my stand on FT, i welcome their talent, but in terms of salary wise and the perks, that they have, is more than what singaporean are having,
let me ask you a question
why can't we develop our citizen skill to be as good as a expat
the unfairness is there
i still maintain my stand and i still think that article is crap
is there any law that will protect our rights as a citizen
our job has been rob away by FT, cheaper labor coming china,
i don't think you clearly understand what i am saying
i don't hate FT, i hate the government that has been doing nothing to protect the rights of our people, equal privilege, -
Originally posted by SingaporeTyrannosaur:Just sorry to say that if allentyb was ever an opposition member, he would certianly not have my vote.
While I do not agree with many of the current FT policies, it would be certain death for us to assume that we can shut the doors and home-brew our economy. A lot of things we take for granted indeed are dependent on FTs to add the spice to it, and I think it's unreasonable to think that there's such a thing as a free lunch.
Certainly a lot of the policies on FTs have been at the expense of the average Singaporean, but then again an error in the opposite direction is still an error. Is there an good solution to this FT issue? I have yet to see one but I don't recommend allentyb's approach of vulgarity spewing and screaming like a madman.
i doubt you realise the situation, does the government pass any bill to protect our rights and now you are judging me! i don't give a damn to what people think of my comment, i am sick of tired to be treated like a second class citizen, and certainly, you don't understand what i am saying,
i am not screaming like a madman, but merely i am typing in caps.......
you only pose question to me, as if like, throwing my sentence back at me,
shouldn't we have the same kind of privilege as what FT is getting?
how about i put it this way, why can't the bloody government put more faith in our people?
Isn't it our rights to demand what we want?
we vote them into power, LET ME EMPHASISE again
you have no rights to judge me -
i know what i have read,Originally posted by fudgester:*slaps forehead*
To allentyb and foomwee: It would do well for the both of you to read the article properly before shooting off blindly.
i didn't shoot my mouth off blindly
for goodness sake
i choose my words carefully, and i intentionally type in craps
and i still think that article is crap
god damn it, so many article has been reported on FT already
how i wish, that article can tell me what i don't know -
To SingaporeTyrannosaur,
i only support those whom are capable, let me remind you, do not put words into my mouth
doesn't mean, i will vote for opposition means that i support opposition
ITS BECAUSE I AM SICK AND TIRED OF THE GOVERNMENT POLICES
ITS DAMN BIASED
GOD DAMN IT, THE GST,
i want to see changes
jesus chirst, you are another fellow who pretend to know me, and start to comment on my words, use my words against me
i don't give a rat ass to what the government has to say, their crap, and their sugar coated offset gst package, IF you can't make a stand, on what you believe,
please spare me from your comment
you are just another neutral voter
I ask you this question
DO YOU DARE TO EVEN MAKE YOUR OWN STAND
CHOOSE ONE SIDE
PAP OR THE OPPOSITION!!!!!! -
u noe...
with all the talk abt attracting FT and stuff like dat...
i wonder if the govt noes dat we really cannot depend on FT too strongly.
the impression i have of spore govt is dat, everything also FT, machiam we sporean really "dumb"?
of course we cannot do without FT, but shld we always talk n talk n talk n talk n talk.................abt dem?? -
If we have been treated fair and equally in terms of pay wise
OUR BREAD AND BUTTER
do you even think i would complain about the government
FFS,
I EMPHASISE AGAIN
THAT PIECE OF CRAP, ARTICLE,
DOESN'T ENLIGHTEN ME AT ALL
WE ALREADY KNOW WHAT FT ARE HERE FOR
and i welcome their talent, and i welcome competition, god damn it, if i wasn't playing Flash Element TD, i would have rebuke you back immediately, god damn it,
again, i choose my words carefully and i will not repeat myself unless its necessary and when i repeat myself, its mean its important -
TS is the one who posted the article and the opening sentence is what pissed me off, and that singaporetyr...... is just another neutral voter, if comes to election day, he will just suck thumb and vote for PAP,Originally posted by hiphop2009:u noe...
with all the talk abt attracting FT and stuff like dat...
i wonder if the govt noes dat we really cannot depend on FT too strongly.
the impression i have of spore govt is dat, everything also FT, machiam we sporean really "dumb"?
of course we cannot do without FT, but shld we always talk n talk n talk n talk n talk.................abt dem?? -
my childishness has get over my head
please ignore this post, TS -
u need to join the oppositionOriginally posted by allentyb:my childishness has get over my head
please ignore this post, TS
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FFS, its the newspaper,Originally posted by the.prata:Aw c'mon, read the last point, Balji is hinting very strongly that we cannot rely on migrants and FT to build Singapore, and that our locals should still be the most important people in this cultural landscape.
Too many bleddy cowboys here aye.. shooting first before reading.
its suppose to be the voice of the people, did he himself, admit that, we cannot rely on foreigner too much, he can always eat back his words
if you want to spread the message, it should be crystal clear!
FFS, please you are another fellow, who doesn't know the function of a press holdings
how about this, the NKF matter, they can make a ho ha out of it, why can't the press holding speak up for the people, be the voice, voice out our anger, our agony, its not hatred, but the cry of not treated with equal privilege,
is it so hard about it, have you seen any article, that dare to point out the flaw of the government polices, or even point out that the polices are not working as what they are intended to be?
those press holdings are just merely running paper for the government, PERIOD! -
Originally posted by OO_OO_OO:u need to join the opposition
no thanks
i will vote for them for a change -
A policy of moderation which concerns itself not just with economic viavility, but economic survivalbility for members of our society who do not possess the neccessary skills to survive in the new global economy. Gaps will exists, but we will do well to close that gap, while steering our nation's economy forward.
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Everyone knows the press are the running dogs of the PAP.Originally posted by allentyb:FFS, its the newspaper,
its suppose to be the voice of the people, did he himself, admit that, we cannot rely on foreigner too much, he can always eat back his words
if you want to spread the message, it should be crystal clear!
FFS, please you are another fellow, who doesn't know the function of a press holdings
how about this, the NKF matter, they can make a ho ha out of it, why can't the press holding speak up for the people, be the voice, voice out our anger, our agony, its not hatred, but the cry of not treated with equal privilege,
is it so hard about it, have you seen any article, that dare to point out the flaw of the government polices, or even point out that the polices are not working as what they are intended to be?
those press holdings are just merely running paper for the government, PERIOD!
Balaji's being smart by trying to write a balanced article. His real meaning is between the lines. Afterall, the last Brown guy who used to write for Today's Friday column got screwed by MICA for writing the truth as it is and lost his job.
Sometimes the best opposition tactic isn't full-frontal, brute force.