Ladies and Gentlemen,
Singapore's state controlled newspaper, the Straits Times online edition of July 29, 2010 has the story "Singapore still top city to live in". I am not sure how or why whoever thought of this, but I can tell you they cannot be further from the truth.
For instance, I for one cannot live in Singapore at all, not just a case of livability, because I have been banned from ever going there! And why because I wrote an article in this blog which was not completely flattering of one of Singapore strongman Lee Kuan Yew's judges in 2008.
And neither can Tang Liang Hong live there because he too, like me, had said something that Lee Kuan Yew or his son did not like. He is in Australia.
And there are several more like me in countries all over the world who have been banished from Singapore because Lee Kuan Yew did not particularly like them.
And not counting those who have been officially banned from entering that island like me, there are as many as a million or more Singaporeans who have found Singapore totally unlivable and voluntarily packed their bags and left for Singapore airport, for a flight out, permanently.
What is even more revealing, another study not too long ago among young Singaporeans revealed the shocking fact that almost all of them given a chance want to get out of Singapore and live elsewhere. They simply hate Singapore, not just a case of finding it livable or unlivable.
Surely if you live in a country, you expect to have some peace, quiet and some dignity. You have none of that in Singapore. Lee Kuan Yew can get his lackeys to have you arrested at his whim, never mind any laws, since he is the law. You can only live there without being molested by his police if you are prepared to be silent and not complain about his $ 4 million dollar salary, same for his son and his family members; if you are prepared to accept a life without any freedom of speech, assembly, association, constitution or the press. You can only live in the place provided you accept that Lee Kuan Yew is God and he is entitled to do anything to you anytime.
Most people, unless you are a dummy, is not prepared to live like that. For them, Singapore is not just unlivable, it is a dumb stupid boring place. It is a place where dummies and those who have no respect at all for themselves can live; living as slaves and worshipping Lee Kuan Yew and son daily, making sure everything you say is flattering of the duo.
You know, a sort of Lee Kuan Yew version of Orwellian doublespeak.
It is also livable for foreign merchants who temporarily do business in Singapore since it is, afterall, not their home. Which means they won't care one bit if Singapore was run by a bunch of dummies as long as they can make some money. If it is profitable in Pyongyang, they will go there too.
But for anyone with a head and some self respect, Singapore is not just unlivable, it is the worst place on Earth.
In my case, I would like to visit it if possible, but Lee Kuan Yew won't allow even that. It appears I have clearly upset him.
But this is what I want to tell the Big Boy. I may not be able to come to Singapore. But at least in California I can live with my dignity intact.
Gopalan Nair
39737 Paseo Padre Parkway, Suite A1
Fremont, CA 94538, USA
Tel: 510 657 6107
Fax: 510 657 6914
Email: nair.gopalan@yahoo.com
Blog: http://singaporedissident.blogspot.com/
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4 comments:
Dear Gopalan,
What the Straitjacketed Times wrote is true. If you are the Lee family, or a fat cat endorsed by the Lee, Singapore is top city and earning $600k there is peanuts.
But if you are an opposition politician, no matter how blue and true Singaporean you are, your life in Singapore is worse than a dog.
As for those who are in Singapore to make money to send home, of course they will want to work in Lee Island.
http://english.caing.com/2010-06-29/100156825.html
Australian just-deposed PM Kevin Rudd has always been a keen Asian watcher. But he overstepped his "place" in Asia when he correctly diagnosed the Challenges facing Asia.
Singapore is the most zealous torch-bearer for ASEAN, and has jealously guarded for decades its role as the hub of Asian summitry and has now succeeded in fending off the "challenge" from Rudd's Asian vision.
Will $ingapore be as influential after Lee Kuan Yew's death?
Gopalan,
It appears that the latest move to increase the number of Singaporeans is to make 'suitable' Singapore PRs decide at their PR renewals - "No PR renewal. Either get Singapore citizenship or leave".
Like many Singapore policies, this is hush-hush so I am not certain if it is true or not.
It will become a big embarassment for the Singapore govt if foreigners would rather stay in Singapore for work than making a real commitment to migrate here. So, I am not surprised at this policy, knowing that some PRs may not find jobs back home.
It also came to my understanding that many Singaporeans, esp the older single ladies, have married foreigners and left the island. Just one quick look at my sister's Facebook secondary school friends confirm this.
why would anyone want to be citizens of singapore? their children would have to serve ns.the weather is unpleasant compared to say oz or new zealand. cars are expensive housing is expensive.if you can buy one car in singapore you can afford 2 elsewhere.
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