December 28, 2009
It seems that Singaporeans can do nothing right
and are blamed for every problem big and small in their
country.
According to figures from the Juvenile Court, the number of
parents seeking a Beyond Parental Control order increased from 720
last year to 744 this year.
Parents haul up their children for suspected gang activity,
substance abuse or running away for weeks on end and loanshark
activities lie on the top of the list.
As expected, the state media lays the blame solely on
Singaporeans while exonerating the government from all
responsibilities:
“During tough times, parents may neglect their children to
clock in more hours at the office. And being cash-strapped, they
are also less able to give their children that latest flashy iPod
or PlayStation Portable.”
Though parents must bear some responsibilities for neglecting
their children, the government is ultimately in charge of the
nation’s economy.
Singaporeans have to work longer hours to earn the same amount
of money because of wage freezes and cuts taken out by companies
during the global financial crisis last year.
They also have to contend with the relentless influx of
foreigners whose easy availability to employers help depress their
wages.
Furthermore, the cost of living has increased over the years,
especially that of public housing and the average wages have not
kept pace with it.
The starting monthly pay of an engineering graduate is between
$2,400 – $2,600, about the same as 10 years ago.
Without basic legislation to protect their rights, Singapore
workers are forever at the losing end.
One government minister even have the dearth to exhort
Singaporeans to work “cheaper, faster and better”.
The median pay of an ordinary Singapore worker is only $2,600 a
month, hardly enough to support a family.
It is little wonder that many Singapore couples have to spend a
large part of their time working with little to spend with their
children.
With the two IRs opening next year, loanshark activities are
bound to see an increase, especially in the youth.
According to Mr Dominic Lim, founder of Splat!, a community arts
movement helping at-risk youths and former youth offenders,
loan-shark running is appealing because of its attractive rates:
$80 or thereabouts just for scrawling ‘O$P$’, $150 for splashing
paint, $200 for harassing one household.
The government has predictably resorted to harsh punishments to
clamp down on all levels of money-lending syndicates, including the
runners, but fail to address the root cause of the problem.
A 16 year old Malay girl was sentenced to 4 years imprisonment
lately for splashing paint onto a household.
As usual, Singaporeans will again be blamed for the problems
brought by the IRs as if they are the ones who clamor for them to
be built in the first place.
