Will take a short break from blogging about Philippines and blog about Singapore instead, as tomorrow is Singapore's National Day and I'll be too tired to blog.
It's my 5th year in Singapore now and I'm very thankful to be moving around circles of Singaporean people and friends who do not have (or do not openly have) hostile feelings towards foreigners. Unfortunately this feeling of unease/ repulsion/ discontentment towards foreigners coming to earn Singapore dollars (thus taking up resources for job openings, health care, public transport and housing etc.), and later retiring in their home countries is very real. And I can't exactly say I blame them for that either.
Anyway, I studied, worked, and lived here as a Singapore permanent resident (PR) thanks to the opening in this system. In which the Minister Mentor, Mr LKY himself said that Singapore is in need of the talent and economical contribution of its immigrants, because Singapore cannot afford to progress at a slower rate due to it's naturally vulnerable conditions.
I would not compare Singapore and Malaysia and say which is better. Because 'better-ness' depends on many factors, and what is 'better' from my point of view may not be that so for others. But I would say this: As a foreigner working and living in Singapore - I am thankful for what is being offered to me here. Convenient public transport (breakdowns or not, I believe this is something to be appreciated), reasonably efficient public service, public security, a stable job, a place to stay, and acceptance as who I am.
With all political and non-political grouses and small complaints aside, I believe every Singaporean should be proud what Singapore is today and how far she has come. No system is perfect, and all man-made systems are always interjected with a fair amount of injustice, selfishness, and lack of appreciation, some more than others. Singapore's laws and policies are no exception. But there are still many things in this country to be thankful for - especially for people who love and appreciate the country, who are working hard for it, who pull together for it.
You can say I'm looking at things through rose-tinted glasses, or through the glasses of a foreigner who has but to gain from the current system. You may be, and are probably right, But as I've been working in my job for the past year: I have been consciously telling myself this - I work for the glory God, for the organization I am in, for the end users of the drugs my organization produces, and last but not least, for the economy and progress of Singapore - a country which I owe a fair amount to.
Happy National Day Singapore!
