Comments on: Singapore is a good parking lot

By: Jobichi

Jobichi — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 01:28:47 +0000

I’m a Malaysian. but I’ve been living in Singapore all my life (born here). My parents were Msians who came here and settled down many years ago. And the only reason they’d be going back to Malaysia any time soon is simple: lower cost of living. But recently, I have applied for citizenship, and will soon be a Singaporean.

As for me, I can safely say that… I dont think I will ever leave Singapore. Simply because, I have made my life here, for the past eighteen years of my life. I can’t imagine life anywhere else! This is my home!

However, I am not NS liable and if I had to serve NS, I might think differently. I’m not sure. Do other PRs out there share my sentiments? Those who have lived here all their lives? That Singapore is, our home?

I have a dream: I want to be a manga artist. Probably not the most fantastic dream but… Here in Singapore, I see not many, if not almost nothing, of an opportunity to do it here. But here I am. If I study overseas, I want to come back, because everyone is here. My friends, family, memories… Everything. everything is here. If I ever make it big, I want to say proudly, that I am Singaporean, and that this is a Singaporean production.

So, can the government bank on this? That there are some who come to Singapore, and eventually make it their home? That they are not just citizens in name, but in heart? I think they can.

This does not apply just to foreigners. Are Singaporeans, born n bred here, just Singaporeans in name? Or in heart?

I am in heart. Are you? Singaporeans out there, think. Because if you were, all these hardship would mean nothing.

By: RE Clarifications on University Admission « Winter Is Coming

RE Clarifications on University Admission « Winter Is Coming — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 17:24:25 +0000

[...] none of the powers that be has addressed, that of foreigners using Singapore as a stepping stone, a carpark. Bear in mind that it is known for a fact that the government does provide subsidies which [...]

By: CY Neo

CY Neo — Sun, 25 Mar 2007 09:26:45 +0000

It is easy to be selfish and pragmatic individual to label NS as a liability. On a broader Picture, if there were no NS, would there be a Desirable Car Park speak of ? Foreigners wouldn’t even consider us as a passing thru Car Park. Someone has to be the security guard.

By: We only have ourselves to blame

We only have ourselves to blame — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 19:06:47 +0000

[...] Guess what? Foreigners that come are also pragmatic people (see my entry on Singapore as a parking lot). Like migratory birds, they stop in Singapore until the winter in their homeland has passed and [...]

By: Fellow Singaporean

Fellow Singaporean — Sun, 11 Mar 2007 09:00:02 +0000

NS should be no big deal if one treats it like being at boarding school or camp. As for Singaporeans being allocated uncovered parking lots, we have accepted handouts from the government since the 60’s – the quid pro quo is lack of choice and a tendency to glance over our shoulders before expressing any dissatisfaction.

We are an apathetic lot as a consequence of over protection; we mutter and grumble but no one is willing to do anything to right any perceived wrongs.

So those with decent prospects sometimes leave – for good.

The unknown is what kind of talent we will attract and whether they will be a good thing or not. I doubt if anyone can answer that question.

By: Shanghai-hood

Shanghai-hood — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 01:33:05 +0000

Recruit Ong

In a certain sense, you are right. Actually, it seens like NS Liability is quite a big concern for most o/s singaporean men.

Kevin
The part on using singapore as a ‘toilet’ is a good laugh. Such humour, together with a cup of coffee, makes my day first thing in the morning!

By: Rowen

Rowen — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 11:13:57 +0000

It is true fact of life.
Where one can make a living, go there.
Our forefathers recognised the fact.
They came from all over to singapore.

Singapore is trying to benchmark against the US.

Is that possible?

US has rights, has unions, they make the green card something desirable.

Singapore citizenship desirable?

By: Kevin

Kevin — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 08:31:07 +0000

sure… ‘parking lot’ now. as long as they treat it like one. i’m thinking it’ll be far worse if they decide to treat it like a ‘toilet’.

By: Hellokitty

Hellokitty — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 07:25:03 +0000

A good parking lot will enforce the same parking charges for vehicles that use the lot.

The Singapore parking lot provides covered lots for foreigners and asks Singaporean male owners to please also patrol the parking lot to ensure the security so that the cars both Singaporean owned and foreign owned do not get scratched or damaged by envious neighbours.

In return, Singapore car owners in this car park pay slightly lower car park charges and get some GST credits but hey, some Singaporean owners die because while patrolling, they get killed, injured and maimed.

While the Singaporean car owner was busy patrolling the car park, his foreigner car owner got the deal done and got promoted while the Singaporean car owner gets a warning letter for not meeting his project schedule.

NS is killing Singaporeans.

By: recruit ong

recruit ong — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 02:57:00 +0000

“1) NS Liability
2) More chanllenging work scope oversea.
3) Relatively higher cost of living back home.
4) Better quality life-style and more time for family
Nobody raises political reason(s) thoughâ€¦â€¦ ”

Err Shanghai-hood, the 4 reasons are really consequences of the larger political situation leh… It is the state of politics in SG that has caused them. As long as the political situation remains the same those 4 reasons/consequences are going to carry on, especially reason 1 and 3.