Does supporting or rooting for the PAP Government mean that you have to agree with every single thing they do?
Well, for me, it is a no. There are some of their policies I do not agree with, some I feel they can do more. But, why do I support them?
And also, some suggestions to improve Singapore. This
article has 2 parts. The main point is stated in the previous paragraph. Hope
for everyone to give suggestions/feedback on this article and help to share it
around.
I support the Government, but there are still some areas I
do not agree with. These are a few. I will explain the reason why I still
support the Gov. in the later part of the article. Or if you are in a hurry and
do not have much time to read the whole article now, you can just scroll down
to the part where I explain the reasons why I still support them.
NEW CITIZENS: For example, I feel that more can be done when
allowing New Citizens in, granting PRs/New Citizenship.
Perhaps, there can be more stringent measures, like only
accepting those who are dedicated to Singapore. Many of them are let in too
easily, while most are just here for the money, for the fruits of labour of
Singaporeans in the past years, to enjoy our infrastructure etc...
Yes, we cannot show that we do not welcome new citizens, or
investors. Yes, many of them have caused problems in Singapore - such as
overcrowding of Public Transport, competition in education/schools etc.. But,
we need those dedicated ones, or ones that can truly help us while minimising
the impact on Singaporeans. But, I feel that the number of PRs/New Citizens we
are letting in are too much.
There are some who look down on Singaporeans, they are some
who always want to be "in front" of us Singaporeans, there are some
causing stress in Work/Education. There are some who are just here for the
money, and back in their homeland, they have another 'life' there, like another
house for investment, relatives etc, and if anything happens to Singapore, they
will just run back there, and ignore Singapore. These are the types who should
be filtered out, and the interview process should be more stringent, and more
on determining who are the ones who are really dedicated to Singapore.
On the other hand, there are also some who really want to
help Singapore, there are some who have dedication in Singapore, there are some
who really love Singapore no matter what we become. These are the ones who
should be let in, and not the ones in the previous paragraph.
I feel that, more can be done to separate these 2 different
groups, and letting in only 1 group of them, as this at the same time, can also
reduce the number of PRs/New Citizens here.
SINGAPOREANS: Another example would be how I feel that there
should be more benefits for Singaporeans, to distinguish us from the PRs/New
Citizens.
I am glad that the Gov. is already helping to give
Singaporeans more benefits, and less for PRs/New Citizens. For example, when
buying flats, in Edusave, when balloting for places in schools etc.. However,
these only deter them from buying flats, getting into Education. What I feel
can be done is, to give Singaporeans further benefits and less for them, when
they are already in Education, already get into schools, already bought their
flats.
At work, Singaporeans should be given more opportunities,
more incentives, and a significant higher pay than PRs/New Citizens.
In education, Singaporeans be given more priorities, more
awards, scholarships, meant only for Singaporeans.
SINGAPORE FIRST: Another example would be on how I feel that
we should not "help build other cities" too much.
I am referring to "building cities" like helping
to develop other countries' infrastructure, like Danga Bay, or the ones in
China.
We could instead focus more on Singapore first, until our
infrastructure is fully developed. I have came across articles about how many
Singapore companies have chose to leave Singapore, and move to the 2
developments stated above, as it is cheaper there.
This would hurt our economy, if investors turn to them
instead. Companies may choose to move over there, people may choose to move
over there, and could result in a "brain drain".
The Gov. has done well in attracting investors, companies to
set up here etc.. But developing other cities' would reverse all these efforts.
As a Singaporean, I feel uneasy when advertisments
advertising other places as "It will be the next Sentosa" are being
published. There is only one Singapore here, and as a dedicated Singaporean, I
do not feel happy when there is another "replica" of us being made.
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But, despite these that I do not agree with, why do I still
support the Gov.?
I may disagree with these, but can the Opposition do better?
Can they fully solve this problem as well? In regulating New Citizens/PRs while
not neglecting other consequences, in continuing to maintain good ties with
other countries, in carefully planning the budget for the best of Singapore
etc.. I have more faith in the Gov. in this, for what they have already proven
to us and shown us over the years.
I am confident in them.
The Government has done very well in other policies, plans,
and in leading Singapore. I may not agree with the 3 points pointed out above,
but while I may not agree with everything, there are much more things that they
have done well. Let's not just look at the bad side, instead, look at the good
side of them, it is much more. Many people have been complaining about what
they do not agree, but they are completely ignoring what they have done very
well.
It is not about being thankful to them for their efforts
that I support them, it is who I feel can manage Singapore. Both the Government
and the Opposition may want the best for Singapore, but it is about who can do
it better.
It is not about one side being "bad", neither
sides are perfect, but I stress again, it is who has the ability to lead
Singapore to a better future.
Running a country is not as easy as it seems. There are many
more problems that it seems that we need to solve. Only by solving these
problems, can we progress to an even better nation.
When making a decision about Singapore, a new policy for
example, many factors have to be considered. Internal and External factors. It
is not as simple like just writing/saying it out, then tada, a new policy is
formed. It does not work like that.
We need a Government with great foresight as well. One who
has the ability to do long-term planning, while not neglecting the present, and
vice versa. I would support one who knows what Singapore needs. Many have the
misconception that we, Singapore, should "learn from other countries'
policies", and we can achieve the same success in the area as them. We are
much different from other countries. Our policies have to be unique, and we
need to stand out in other to achieve success.
That's all for this article, hope for everyone to read it,
and give your suggestions/feedback on it. You may disagree with any point in
this article, but please point it out politely. Thanks.
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Posted on the Facebook Page of Tan Swee Swee on July 8, 2014.
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