As a fellow Singaporean, I take many things for granted, eg peace and harmony among many others. It is indeed heart warming to hear the good things about my own country from a foreigner, rather than we blow our own trumpet.
Many thanks to Kenneth too, for spreading the news. I noticed he mentioned at the beginning of his message, to "could you pls forward this around the office".
umm.. young man stop inviting people for lunch without giving time and date.... also... lunch is always bad unless you are willing to come up to Pasir Ris.... in any case, young man, when can we gather the "lighter side of Chinese History - (LSCH) for a makan?
I am glad Kenneth enjoyed his trip here. Its important to understand that Singapore's geography, physical constraints/size and the political environment made many of these policies workable, something not always easy in larger countries and near-neigh impossible in some.
Social engineering can have its downside too I don't need to list examples.
40+ years is not a long time at all on the scale of nations. It would be churlish of us to take our current prosperity or ethnic harmony for granted. Come another 40 years and Singapore might just be a quaint backwater 'town' nominally a sovereign state but tied to Malaysia/Indonesia for foreign policies and military protection not to mention economic/physical aid.
Even as some of us might take pride in our ethnic harmony I still find many examples of bigotry and superiority towards other countries in the region. I wont go into why this is bad on so many levels but it would be nice if we can treat everyone as we would our fellow countrymen. Accord the same respect you would any human being anywhere. Many of them are working in Singapore due to economic necessity. Please don't look down on them or treat them like a lower class or 'invisible' elements of society. They are our neighbours and when they eventually go back to their countries each is a tiny ambassador as to how the country will view Singapore. Goodwill can go come in handy and you never know when you might benefit from it.
Kenneth looks a mite harried. XD
ReplyDeleteHis little munchkins is too adorable, though...
ReplyDeleteyesssss... and kennethssss needsss to sssssmilessss moresssss..... preciousssss!
ReplyDeletehope he enjoyed his stay in SG..
ReplyDelete:-)
umm, how did we missed seeing him?
ReplyDeleteGreat picture!
ReplyDeleteEh. Now I'm hungry. ><
ReplyDeleteKam, kam, Ur and I are going for lunch. Kam join us.
ReplyDeleteAiyoh, forget already? I'm lunching with DaMo today! XD
ReplyDeleteoh, oh, oh, the date! Soli, soli, soli....
ReplyDeleteXD
ReplyDeleteGo git'em tiger! *roar*
ReplyDeleteAs a fellow Singaporean, I take many things for granted, eg peace and harmony among many others. It is indeed heart warming to hear the good things about my own country from a foreigner, rather than we blow our own trumpet.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks to Kenneth too, for spreading the news. I noticed he mentioned at the beginning of his message, to "could you pls forward this around the office".
oh hehe That bracketed statement was meant for his colleague back in his office in NZ.
ReplyDeleteumm.. young man stop inviting people for lunch without giving time and date.... also... lunch is always bad unless you are willing to come up to Pasir Ris.... in any case, young man, when can we gather the "lighter side of Chinese History - (LSCH) for a makan?
ReplyDeleteI'mma already gitting 'em! XD
ReplyDeleteOi, young tiger, make sure you don't rip shirts ok?
ReplyDeletePshaw...Sohan's safe, don't you worry. :D
ReplyDeleteI guess he better be, but then, I was thinking of your tigeress claws, ripping at the shirt... hmmm... must have missed something. ;)
ReplyDeletewell.. even the better.
ReplyDelete;-)
Back, after a 3-hour "lunch"...gawd, I love the benefits of corporate executive life. :P
ReplyDeleteI am glad Kenneth enjoyed his trip here. Its important to understand that Singapore's geography, physical constraints/size and the political environment made many of these policies workable, something not always easy in larger countries and near-neigh impossible in some.
ReplyDeleteSocial engineering can have its downside too I don't need to list examples.
40+ years is not a long time at all on the scale of nations. It would be churlish of us to take our current prosperity or ethnic harmony for granted. Come another 40 years and Singapore might just be a quaint backwater 'town' nominally a sovereign state but tied to Malaysia/Indonesia for foreign policies and military protection not to mention economic/physical aid.
Even as some of us might take pride in our ethnic harmony I still find many examples of bigotry and superiority towards other countries in the region. I wont go into why this is bad on so many levels but it would be nice if we can treat everyone as we would our fellow countrymen. Accord the same respect you would any human being anywhere. Many of them are working in Singapore due to economic necessity. Please don't look down on them or treat them like a lower class or 'invisible' elements of society. They are our neighbours and when they eventually go back to their countries each is a tiny ambassador as to how the country will view Singapore. Goodwill can go come in handy and you never know when you might benefit from it.