Foreign Talent

 As you can see there are many comments on stomp targeted at certain nationality or foreigner

Are we really threatened by foreign talent? Are we afraid of competition? If there is no competition, how do we gauge ourselves and progress? Are we being too proud? Are we narrow minded? It is quite common to see racist or anti foreigner comments now adays. There are many comments like "it must be the job of PRC", "it must be done FT" without knowing the real identity. Are we living in self denial? So being a Singaporean does not mean none of the Singaporean do those stuff posted on stomp? Among the population, there will definitely be some black sheeps. Just that 1% of 5 million is smaller than 1% of 1 billion.

Here are two examples of such comments exist.
http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/stomp/sgseen/ugly_commuters/296592/did_this_guy_pay_for_one_seat_just_to_get_two.html

http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/stomp/sgseen/ugly_commuters/311550/shameless_man_snatches_seat.html

wettissue said   on 30 Jan, 2010

these people looks like chinese nationals (cheenas) and even malaysians. seriously, go to their country with mass rapid trains, all they think about is snatching seats for their own convenience.

unlike singapore's culture, giving seats to the people in need. with these foreign talents coming into the scene as a pollution, it distort what people perceive singapore to be.

How could he be sure that is unlike Singapore's culture? Is is the way we push the blame? Is it the way how he push the blame at work? This is actually worrying for the progress of the nation. Imagine in 10 years time, more and more people are living in self denial, we will be the one lag behind while other countries progress.


Though Singapore have double taxation agreement with many countries, people form countries like Myanmar have to pay 10% of basic salary to Embassy (There is no personal relieve like first 20000 is not taxable) . They pay Singapore tax and they have to pay tax to their country. This already take a toll on them financially. Medical subsidiary rate will drop from 80% to 65%.

http://www.temasekreview.com/2010/01/28/pap-cuts-generous-health-subsidies-for-prs-to-appease-angry-citizens/

"In the first place, PRs should not qualified for subsidized healthcare at all. Singapore’s public healthcare system is stretched to its limits lately faced by rising demands from the growing population." There is a bit of conflict in this statement. Some says that Singaporeans are now competing with low salaried foreign talents for jobs in Singapore. It actually not cheap very cheap for company to employ a foreign worker. The basic salary may be slightly lower but there are additional cost,  basic salary+ lodging + medical insurance + workmen comm + Levvy+ others.. And in some sector, they simply can't get the right talent form the local poll.

If you are young and mobile and really talented in IT would Singapore be your first port of call? The siren song of Silicon Vally is a real talent magnet. Unless as a foreigner you settle for personal (not career) preferences in Singapore it is very unlikely that you end up here.

Now Singapore government increase the school fee of PR children by 3 fold. When those children reach 18 years old they will have to serve NS just like Singaporeans.

A few weeks back, I came across this article on Straits Times, under the forum section. The writer suggesting that HDB should set a rule not to let PR sell the flat higher than they bought. Is it really viable? Property price will increase over time. If such rules exist all Singaporeans will be looking out for PR sellers? Since the priced is capped and price is way lowered than the market price there will be so many buyers eyeing for one flat and how do we decide how much the flat should be sold? Draw lot? Besides the housing loan does not come with free interest. Isn't it a double loss? Besides there are already distinctions such as PRs cannot buy new public flat but only resale flats. They also are not eligible for government housing grant, HDB mortage loans or subsidies for upgrading works.  Don't we, Singaporeans buy property oversea too? What would happen if other country implement such rule against Singaporean? If that the case who would want to stay? If foreigners are not welcomed, will there be foreign investments in Singapore? This is not practical. This is just his kiasusim though. Besides, the statics shows that PR resale market is single digit percentage of the resale market. So the majority of resale market goes to speculators and  those who are planning to rent out without meeting HDB requirement.

After all, we are in the century of globalization.

Life is a journey of learning.

http://www.mrbrownshow.com/2008/09/08/the-mrbrown-show-alien-invasion/

* I am not saying about the whole population, but I am saying about certain group of people.