To Gov; Want People Back? Stop being Lame, but Proactive!
-
Not a recipe to win hearts over
More intrinsic appeal needed to woo overseas locals back
Siew Kum Hong
I WENT to Singapore Day in New York a couple of weeks back. I was there for work, was with a Singaporean friend living in the city who wanted to go, and eventually found myself in Central Park on a bright, sunny Saturday.
.
The event was undoubtedly a success. The hawkers were a big hit, with some queues taking up to two hours. Still, some Singaporeans I spoke to had reservations, even as they enjoyed the food.
.
Some queried the registration requirement and amount of information requested, and wondered if the Government is using the event as an excuse to gather data on overseas Singaporeans. Others found the tone of the event — which included National Day songs belted out by homegrown entertainers — off-putting, as it reminded them why they had left Singapore in the first place.
.
While I applaud the idea of Singapore Day, I think these views are nevertheless valuable and interesting. There was a certain fuzziness around what the event sought to do, but I doubt it was a sinister effort to track overseas Singaporeans, a theory I find borders on paranoia.
.
Was it a disguised attempt at getting Singaporeans to come home? If so, it needs to be more sophisticated in its approach. The performance of the National Day songs came across as being over-the-top and contrived.
.
A Singaporean who liked the idea of re-connecting with her country was turned off by the hardsell and rolled her eyes at the brochures on integrating returning Singaporeans' kids into our education system. I also met more than one gay Singaporean, who, regardless of however much he or she enjoyed the event, were all convinced that they would never return home.
.
I prefer to take the Government at face value and think that the event served to refresh connections with overseas Singaporeans, to remind and update them about Singapore.
.
However, I also noticed certain unflattering aspects. There were no activities for kids. The American husband of another Singaporean noted the irony of flying in Singaporean bands that sounded exactly like many other bands in New York. (The highlight for me was the getai skit from Royston Tan's upcoming film 881.) There was a lack of recycling bins despite the number of Yeo's-sponsored canned drinks being guzzled down.
.
And, as pointed out by another Singaporean, it was a "typically Singaporean" event, with a singular emphasis on food.
.
I was bothered by this display of food as the overarching — and apparently sole — factor that unifies Singaporeans. (And I am at least as greedy as the next food-loving Singaporean.) The identification of eatables as being at the core of "Singaporeanness" betrays a certain pragmatic consumerism and materialism. If being Singaporean is so intimately tied to something extrinsic, what will happen when it is gone?
.
Singapore Day hinted at the troubling answer. The crowds thinned considerably as the stalls ran out of food. Few stayed for the entertainment flown in from home. Fewer paid any attention to the displays and booths touting the developments at home and that of overseas Singaporeans. In fact, there was a lack of interest in anything other than the food — and when the food was gone, there was little interest in anything at the event at all.
.
Food can be replicated, even if it is difficult to do so authentically. New York-based movie director and foodie Colin Goh said all the local fare at Singapore Day was available in New York except for the chwee kueh. That was the first item to run out.
.
The sad truth is that while food is the easiest and surest way to tie Singaporeans' minds to Singapore, it is a tie that does not bind tightly, if at all. We would do well to develop and emphasise other ties that are far more intangible and emotional — and hence tighter and less easily displaced and replaced.
.
This will require greater subtlety, creativity and resources. Perhaps Singapore could be "recreated" through miniature replicas of familiar landmarks. Instead of including rubber bands in goodie bags with instructions on how to play "zero point", a zero-point competition could be held for children and adults. Another suggestion I heard was to have people register for a Friendster-type social networking service, to tease out connections between people.
.
The aim of events such as Singapore Day should be to engage people's hearts and minds, not just their stomachs. Otherwise, overseas Singaporeans may flock to future Singapore Days, but the events will not deepen or strengthen their links with Singapore.
.
The writer is a Nominated Member of Parliament and corporate counsel, commenting in his personal capacity.
More intrinsic appeal needed to woo overseas locals back
Siew Kum Hong -
Woo overseas locals backÂ…Â….as FT?
Home grown singer Stephanie Sun sung the NDP theme song in 2003.
Later that same year, read in Wan Bao that she was keen to emigrate to NZ one dayÂ…..haha
Now that sheÂ’s rich, probably no need to renounce her citzenship to live in NZ.
However, I doubt that her heart belongs to Singapore. -
The writer has pointed out food is not what is unique to Singapore.
But still, he didn't write what's holding them back.
I guess if he were to write, it will be an X-page essay. -
What to do? Culturally, Singapore is still something of a desert, with a few paltry patches of oases here and there. I'm reading Simon Schama's The Embarrassment of Riches, which is a marvellously insightful history of Dutch national identity and consciousness. It shows how the Dutch created their own culture as a form of national bonding cement in the place of other unifying factors such as language, religion or political allegiance. It's a stark and remarkable contrast with Singapore, whose sole focus since independence has always been economic survival and money.
-
It's a stark and remarkable contrast with Singapore, whose sole focus since independence has always been economic survival and money.
Without that focus, we wouldn't be what we are today.
But precisely because of this, we are in this predicament.
When there's gains, there's loses. Guess this is the price we paid for all our success. -
Success??Originally posted by ndmmxiaomayi:Without that focus, we wouldn't be what we are today.
But precisely because of this, we are in this predicament.
When there's gains, there's loses. Guess this is the price we paid for all our success.
I think the "successes" are largely our government's, not us... we get to contend with FTs, lower wages, longer working life with little chance of actual retirement and our hard earned money under their clutches and control...
What, success?? -
If you are referring to present, a large part of the success is not contributed by us, but rather, the older generation.Originally posted by ShutterBug:Success??
I think the "successes" are largely our government's, not us... we get to contend with FTs, lower wages, longer working life with little chance of actual retirement and our hard earned money under their clutches and control...
What, success??
As for the past, largely is contributed by our grandparents or even great grandparents, in terms of manual work. Dr Winsemius also played a huge role in our economic success, although I wouldn't say it's very obvious.
Even though our population at that time was increasing rapidly, we still don't have a population like China. It's a rapid succession of the different policies that made the Singapore today (high tech manufacturing)... -
Yes, indeed... and where do these older generations fit in after all the toiling??Originally posted by ndmmxiaomayi:If you are referring to present, a large part of the success is not contributed by us, but rather, the older generation.
As for the past, largely is contributed by our grandparents or even great grandparents, in terms of manual work. Dr Winsemius also played a huge role in our economic success, although I wouldn't say it's very obvious.
Even though our population at that time was increasing rapidly, we still don't have a population like China. It's a rapid succession of the different policies that made the Singapore today (high tech manufacturing)...
... picking up empty drink cans, cardboard boxes, and selling tissue papers to get by...
Well done indeed....
-
And that's the price that we are paying for all that we have now.Originally posted by ShutterBug:Yes, indeed... and where do these older generations fit in after all the toiling??
... picking up empty drink cans, cardboard boxes, and selling tissue papers to get by...
Well done indeed.... -
With an uncertain future during old age with no financial guarantee where the citizens are continually exhorted to worktill u drop....
like a reader a Mr Png wrote to the mouthpece today and said
'" something must be fundamentally wrong with the society if one cannot retire after wotking for 30 to 40 years. I can understand if a senior citizen is working beyong retirement age to stay healthy and to keep in touch with society. But if one has to work beyond retirement to keep a roof over his head and to keep the authorities from cutting off his utilites, then our social -security saving plan, the CPF has failed to achieve its objective of providing working Singaporeans with ' a sense of security and confidence in their old age'
Citizens leaving likely to get worst. -
well ... I get the sense that the goverment is not interested in people coming back to singapore to retire .....
but they want someone who's "productive" back ......
perhaps their dream scenario is to have people slog through the productive periods of their lives and go somewhere else to retire and die .... no expenses, no burden on the singapore health and social net .... -
Yes, that's exactly how I feel about the government; but somehow they will deny harboring such selfishness, and continue to dish out lame statements and excuses... just to HOLD ON to your CPF monies while whether you end up picking up empty cans and cardboard boxes or not, it is not their concern or problem! They only care about their farking reserves... and for what? So much in reserves for what when the locals are leaving in droves?? Feed their pet Foreign Talents who will eventually return to their homeland where they reportedly claim has more freedom and space after they've made their millions??? The gov is surely blind....Originally posted by Fatum:well ... I get the sense that the goverment is not interested in people coming back to singapore to retire .....
but they want someone who's "productive" back ......
perhaps their dream scenario is to have people slog through the productive periods of their lives and go somewhere else to retire and die .... no expenses, no burden on the singapore health and social net ....
It seems like they will not even let you see, a little light at the end of the tunnel!
So, there you go, the reason and cause of their admission of "Brain Drain".. they can recognise that there is a Brain Drain, but refuse to admit to the causes... -
I mean, look at the sheer stupidity of the Singapore Day set up in New York just to harvest information on WHY Singaporeans stay abroad..
They can bloody just gather the needed and TRUE reasons and facts by just standing in the streets and asking people walking by! Coming into this forum will do even better!!!
Lame as hell gov...!!!
-
Once they stop squeezing so much money from Singaporeans and stop treating Singaporeans as second class citizens, then there still might be hope.
-
Just look at some of the remarks in the above article, don't you think it is just so damn embarrassing??
====================================================
However, I also noticed certain unflattering aspects. There were no activities for kids. The American husband of another Singaporean noted the irony of flying in Singaporean bands that sounded exactly like many other bands in New York. (The highlight for me was the getai skit from Royston Tan's upcoming film 881.) There was a lack of recycling bins despite the number of Yeo's-sponsored canned drinks being guzzled down.
.
And, as pointed out by another Singaporean, it was a "typically Singaporean" event, with a singular emphasis on food.
===================================================
FOREVER coming up with god damned HALF-COOKED IDEAS!!!!
They claim to be so bloody knowledgable, and well travlled, but come up with events like this that attracts such embarrassing remarks from Americans as well as Locals living there!!!
Really no words to say !!! -
I think they better just stick to counting their money!
-
No, I am more interested in the section whereby the writer queried about the amount of info needed for registration.Originally posted by ShutterBug:Just look at some of the remarks in the above article, don't you think it is just so damn embarrassing??
====================================================
However, I also noticed certain unflattering aspects. There were no activities for kids. The American husband of another Singaporean noted the irony of flying in Singaporean bands that sounded exactly like many other bands in New York. (The highlight for me was the getai skit from Royston Tan's upcoming film 881.) There was a lack of recycling bins despite the number of Yeo's-sponsored canned drinks being guzzled down.
.
And, as pointed out by another Singaporean, it was a "typically Singaporean" event, with a singular emphasis on food.
===================================================
FOREVER coming up with god damned HALF-COOKED IDEAS!!!!
They claim to be so bloody knowledgable, and well travlled, but come up with events like this that attracts such embarrassing remarks from Americans as well as Locals living there!!!
Really no words to say !!!
It seems that they want to monitor you even when you are overseas. -
I always wondered whether overseas Singaporeans will be touched to tears when they hear National Day songs.
Apparently not, judging from this writer's observations. -
.... Tears from hysterical laughter perhaps...Originally posted by charlize:I always wondered whether overseas Singaporeans will be touched to tears when they hear National Day songs.
Apparently not, judging from this writer's observations. -
I read in a minister's speech 150000 have migrated to other countries but why release the figure only now?Originally posted by ShutterBug:I mean, look at the sheer stupidity of the Singapore Day set up in New York just to harvest information on WHY Singaporeans stay abroad..
They can bloody just gather the needed and TRUE reasons and facts by just standing in the streets and asking people walking by! Coming into this forum will do even better!!!
Lame as hell gov...!!! 
-
Originally posted by ShutterBug:Yes, indeed... and where do these older generations fit in after all the toiling??
... picking up empty drink cans, cardboard boxes, and selling tissue papers to get by...
Well done indeed....
Well, you've got tonnes of people who subscribe to the notion that socialism and welfare breed laziness, yet haven't got the courage (at least, not evident at the polls) to voice their dissent at criminals writing their own paychecks. So what do you expect? -
Was it a disguised attempt at getting Singaporeans to come home? If so, it needs to be more sophisticated in its approach. The performance of the National Day songs came across as being over-the-top and contrived.
Indian citizens are seen returning to India to contribute to its economy in IT field and Chinese returning to China for similar reasons.
.
A Singaporean who liked the idea of re-connecting with her country was turned off by the hardsell and rolled her eyes at the brochures on integrating returning Singaporeans' kids into our education system. I also met more than one gay Singaporean, who, regardless of however much he or she enjoyed the event, were all convinced that they would never return home.
It will not be that easy to persuade Singaporean migrants to return home because they could see through the facade in whatever being done as there are nothing changed in the way of helping or motivating ordinary citizens and it was only a hypocrisy in holding Singapore day overseas.
It was a narrow-minded way of governing with a lot of legalistic control to serve the interest of only the elites in power full of hypocrisy and look-good presentations.
There is a lot of them who were forced to migrate because of lack of work and business opportunities, caused by such narrow[minded promotion of elites' own brands of meritocracy, which concentrate benefits in a few and heavy-handed anti-people autocratic political control processes that drove them off in the first place.
The migrated talented Singaporeans need to see more than Singapore Days before they would consider returning home to serve the country.
. -
They want Singaporeans to come back. Think it is fat hope on their part! From what I gather, in the first place majority of these Singaporeans who have gone overseas go there because they are fed up and give up on the way the ruling party is running the country. So I don't think by having a Singapore Day will get them to come back.
Singaporeans are not that easily fooled OK!!!
-
Yeah .. I remember the day I had to leave Aussieland & return to Singapore against my will (family reasons).. I cried like hell man.. I didn't wanna come back to this!Originally posted by rane:They want Singaporeans to come back. Think it is fat hope on their part! From what I gather, in the first place majority of these Singaporeans who have gone overseas go there because they are fed up and give up on the way the ruling party is running the country. So I don't think by having a Singapore Day will get them to come back.
The only thing that comforted me upon return was the food (how ironic, just like that Singapore Day event)... Working hard to get out now - overtime, overnight, just to get out! -
Hi, spinsugar, get a job in downunder and stay there!!! Most - more than 50% of those who have gone overseas refuse to come back. A good example is my 2 siblings, they studied, worked and married in US. They will stay there forever and will not return to Singapore. They only come back to visit family and friends.Originally posted by spinsugar:Yeah .. I remember the day I had to leave Aussieland & return to Singapore against my will (family reasons).. I cried like hell man.. I didn't wanna come back to this! The only thing that comforted me upon return was the food (how ironic, just like that Singapore Day event)... Working hard to get out now - overtime, overnight, just to get out!