Hi,
I am an Indian
and have been here for a year now. Applied for my PR sometime last
week and came across this forum during some random
googling.
Now, I must say
that i am quite surprised at the anti-PR tone that a lot of these
posts are taking. It is a little unfair to club all foreigners into
the whining-lot category. I know for a fact that I am
speaking for many out there when I say that citizenship
is a privileged position. It MUST come with benefits over and
above those offered to legal tax residents. Government's first
responsibility is the well being of its citizens and that
should be its priority.
I, for one, am
here because I find Singapore to be a more convenient
place to live in than India. It also feels more like home than
Europe or USA does. That itself is a huge benefit and anything
on top of that is a bonus. It is foolish to demand same rights as
citizens; anyone doing so should first become a citizen and
commit to national service.
PRs here are not
freeloaders. We are grateful to be welcome in this
country. I am sure there are a few black sheep, but that’s true for
any community.
Singaporeans are
very friendly people. I have quite a few local friends and am
having a great time laJ.
Let’s not make our relationship acrimonious.
Cheers
To reassure you, most of what you think are "anti PR"
posts are actually not directed at the PRs themselves but rather on
the perceived favouritism that the government places on everything
foreign over her citizens.
You are right when you say that governments have an obligation
and responsibility to care for her citizens first and
foremost. However, this is apparently lost on the current
leaders who make it a point to think of ways and means to make as
much money out of the general population as possible while
splurging the money it makes to make the country better for
foreigners (note: not singaporeans). Reasons given for the
relaxation of rules and regulations - to attract more foreigners to
come stay in Singapore. (note: not because of Singaporeans' wish
for more openness)
As a PR, you might not feel it. You might even be tempted
to label Singaporeans as a complaining lot, of not appreciating all
that Singaporeans have. All I can say is when you eventually
decide to convert to sg citizenship, you will realise what is
happening as your kids serve their NS obligations, are not able to
enter the local universities due to increase foreign student
demand, can't take out your CPF monies when you are 60 or 70 or 80
years old etc and face some of the problems that Singaporeans
grapple with everyday.
It will be an eye opener for you, I am sure.
