Even visitor also doesn't understand why is Singapore govt so
desperate for foreigners!
Random notes on Singapore
Surya, 3quarksdaily
May 27, 2007
It is true that changes are afoot in a nation that after the
Asian Financial Crisis, and the terror caused by the spread of SARs
realised its government could never offer it complete
protection.
The bargain for freedom from want in return for silent cooperation
was not legitimately struck.
It was based on the false notion that Singapore was a nation in
charge of its own destiny rather than a small sliver of land,
smaller than the dot that represents it on the global map.
It made me think of my last trip to Singapore, a couple of months
back. Every time I visit Singapore, I am surprised by the pace of
change. I, in my nostalgia, try to seek out places I knew from
before, and am constantly reminded that I am oh-so-outdated.
But this time, I was struck by the number of foreigners. I still
remember the time I first came to Singapore.
The year was 1995 - sure, there were some foreigners around, but we
felt like foreigners - I mean, we felt like we were a minority - as
I assume, foreigners in any country are supposed to feel.
I was in Singapore for just a day and had way too many people to
catch up with - so I set up shop at a cafe near Millenia towers and
as I had cup of coffee after cup of coffee with friends who managed
to sneak off work for a coffee break, I indulged in one of my
favourite pastimes - people watching - and I was more than amazed
by the proportion of foreigners - almost every other person seemed
to be a foreigner!!
And for the first time, I heard murmurs of dissent among my
Singaporean friends, and we had some lively discussions on the
topic.
I dont quite get it - why is the Singapore Government so desperate
for foreigners? Do they really need so many foreigners - to
perhaps, the extent, that you have to ask who is the minority
here?
I can only imagine the government has a plan - and a good one too -
that is behind this mass import of talent. But none of my
Singaporean friends seemed quite able to explain to me the
rationale behind the policy. Which begs a bigger question.
This is just one of the many policies that the Government makes on
behalf of the citizens. I wonder, without due political
participation and debate, why do the people assume that the
Government will get it right every single time? What if they are
wrong?
Posted by Surya
