Now we are in Singapore. Journey by BA was comfortable as we got first class travel. I must say the service provided by the BA crew was better than most other airlines, but unfortunately the aircraft was old and dated. Even the in-flight entertainment system did not work properly. However, this minor failure was more than compensated for by the fantastic and hospitable attitude of the crew.
When we left UK it was snowing together with very high wind. It was colder than normal for end of March. We had a white Easter this year in the London because Easter was unusually early. The north and the north-east of UK were under a thick blanket of snow. Traveling during this holiday period must have been chaotic. They say that Easter will not be as early for the next 152 years.
Completely at the other end of the temperature scale, Singapore is hot and humid. It must be around 34 deg C today with high humidity. The only way to stay cool would be to have numerous showers and stay in air-con room during the hottest part of the day. I should acclimatize quickly as I will be here for the next 2 to 3 months.
Singapore is still the same. People are still uptight and “kiasu”, even more so recently I reckon because of the uncertain world economic climate and the sharp increase in the cost of living. I am getting used to the Singaporeans. I have develop the ability to switch to my Singapore mode with I touch down at Changi Airport. When I drive I adopt the rude Singaporean mentality and when I meet neighbours I do not smile or greet as I normally would do in UK. When I leave UK I also leave my civility behind. This is the Singapore way and as they say, “when in Rome……..”
Next week we plan to visit JB. Something to look forward to. A trip to Segamat is on the card. Returning to my roots would be the best part of this trip to Singapore.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Saturday, March 08, 2008
Segamat - My Hometown
Segamat my beloved hometown lies in the northern part of Johor state in Malaysia. In the 50s and early 60s when I was growing up Segamat was a very small and quiet town. We had no more than fifteen streets in town with a few more in the surrounding areas. We had no traffic lights, not that we needed any as there were very few vehicles in town. In the middle of all the town streets we had trees, flame-of-the-forest, I recall. Our town was so small that one could walk from one side of town to the opposite side in no more than 10 minutes and one can tour the whole town in an hour. On both sides of the street we had two-storey shop houses, the ground floors used as shops and the upper floor as residences. I was born in one of these shop houses and it was here I spent the first seventeen years of my life.
To an outsider Segamat would appear to be just another typical sleepy Malaysian town. Years ago Segamat was a very prominent town in Johor, the centre of activity for all the villages around the region. Being on the trunk road and midway between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, Segamat enjoyed a booming economy brought about by the through traffic between the two cities. Travelers by road had to pass through Segamat bringing business to hotels and restaurants. When the North-South Highway was built it was decided that it would not pass anywhere near Segamat but nearer to the west coast. I guess it must be the hilly terrain in and around Segamat that sealed the fate of Segamat. The construction of the North-South Highway was beginning of the end for Segamat. While towns along the North-South Highway flourish and prosper, Segamat stood still and suffered growth stagnation. As far as I am concerned, selfishly I must admit, this has been a blessing in disguise. I would have been very disappointed if my beloved little hometown had flourished into a big town or even into a city. I rather like Segamat to remain a small sleepy town with a laid back atmosphere.
These days I try to visit Segamat as often as I possibly can. The old parts of town have remained virtually the same as I remember it from my childhood days. The shop houses are still there each with the same worn steps that I have trodden on so many years ago. The trees in the middle of the roads have all disappeared. There are some shops that have maintained the same businesses all through the years, most likely under third generation management from the same family. The streets, the hawker stalls, the coffee shops, the wet market are still the same. Walking through town never fails to bring back fond memories of days when we were young and carefree.
Segamat will always have a special place in my heart. It is the place where I was born, where I went to school and where all my childhood memories are. I have over the years visited many beautiful and vibrant cities in many countries. There are many more exotic and glamorous places in the world that I have yet to see, but there is no place like my hometown Segamat. You can take me out of Segamat, but you can never take Segamat out of me.
To an outsider Segamat would appear to be just another typical sleepy Malaysian town. Years ago Segamat was a very prominent town in Johor, the centre of activity for all the villages around the region. Being on the trunk road and midway between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, Segamat enjoyed a booming economy brought about by the through traffic between the two cities. Travelers by road had to pass through Segamat bringing business to hotels and restaurants. When the North-South Highway was built it was decided that it would not pass anywhere near Segamat but nearer to the west coast. I guess it must be the hilly terrain in and around Segamat that sealed the fate of Segamat. The construction of the North-South Highway was beginning of the end for Segamat. While towns along the North-South Highway flourish and prosper, Segamat stood still and suffered growth stagnation. As far as I am concerned, selfishly I must admit, this has been a blessing in disguise. I would have been very disappointed if my beloved little hometown had flourished into a big town or even into a city. I rather like Segamat to remain a small sleepy town with a laid back atmosphere.
These days I try to visit Segamat as often as I possibly can. The old parts of town have remained virtually the same as I remember it from my childhood days. The shop houses are still there each with the same worn steps that I have trodden on so many years ago. The trees in the middle of the roads have all disappeared. There are some shops that have maintained the same businesses all through the years, most likely under third generation management from the same family. The streets, the hawker stalls, the coffee shops, the wet market are still the same. Walking through town never fails to bring back fond memories of days when we were young and carefree.
Segamat will always have a special place in my heart. It is the place where I was born, where I went to school and where all my childhood memories are. I have over the years visited many beautiful and vibrant cities in many countries. There are many more exotic and glamorous places in the world that I have yet to see, but there is no place like my hometown Segamat. You can take me out of Segamat, but you can never take Segamat out of me.
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
City of Toronto - Canada
Now what can I say about Toronto? Three days in this wonderful city is definitely insufficient to fully explore all it can offer. There is uniqueness in Toronto that is unlike any North American city. Although English is the most spoken language here, French is also widely used. Public announcements are always made in both these languages. French influences can be found in almost all walks of life in the city most prominently at most restaurants and also in the markets selling local produce.As we had only 2 full days in Toronto with another day at the Niagara Falls, we had to prioritize the places we thought would best capture the spirit of the city.On the day of arrival it was too late for any sightseeing. Checked in at the hotel and after a quick dinner it was time for bed. The next day turned out to be a fine day with blue sky and a bright sun. However it was bitterly cold, -9 deg C was the air temperature but with the wind chill factor it was more like -14 deg C. We were OK as we went prepared for the Canadian cold.
Our first destination was St. Lawrence Market. It was Saturday, the best day to visit this market we were told. The market was approximately 2 miles from the hotel. As it was such a fine morning we decided to walk. Toronto, like most North American cities have easy to follow roads. Unlike European cities the roads here are in the form of a grid. With the aid of a decent map, it was easy to get from A to point B. St Lawrence Market was not a disappointment. It was crowded with Saturday shoppers. There was a happy atmosphere at the place with shoppers, market stall keepers, children and tourists like us all having a jolly time. There were places where shoppers stopped to eat and drink. We sampled the pea meal ham sandwich which turned out to be delicious. French influence in Toronto also comes in the form of the large variety of bread and cheeses they have. At St. Lawrence Market there are numerous cheese stalls selling cheeses of all makes and flavors. At the bakery stalls one would find all types of bread and pastries. Meat, fruits and vegetables are also sold in abundance here. It is safe to say that at St. Lawrence Market one would find everything needed for the kitchen.We enjoyed our morning at St. Lawrence Market. We could have stay longer but by noon it was time for us to leave for the CN Tower. This is currently the tallest tower in the world with a height of 553m. We were lucky to have chosen a good and clear day for the visit to the CN Tower. From the viewing deck we could see the whole of Toronto and far beyond. A section of the floor on the viewing deck is made of glass. This section of the floor is strong enough to withstand the weight of 9 hippos. However, standing on the glass and looking straight down onto the ground below was still quite a nervous experience.
The next day we made our way to the Toronto Chinatown. I was amazed by the size of the area covered by Chinatown. The whole area is approximately 10 times the size of the one in London. Similar to the London Chinatown majority of the Chinese in Toronto are from Hong Kong. The restaurants serve only Hong Kong cuisine. We sampled some Hong Kong dumpling noodles and had a meal of Dim Sum, both meals were delicious.Our next destination was the famous Eaton Centre. We did not know what it was until we got there. It turned out to be a very large shopping mall on 6 levels. It was a Sunday and the place was extremely crowded. I guess shopping malls all over the world are basically the same. The afternoon of our second day was spent wondering around this mall and through the 2 very large food courts within the premise. The day ended with a meal at one of the food courts.
On our third and final day we booked ourselves on a conducted tour to Niagara Falls. Niagara Falls is approximately 125 Km for the city of Toronto. The journey to the Falls took 2 hours with a stop at a vineyard to taste the local wine. We sampled for the first time the Canadian Ice Wine, which was a very sweet wine made from dried up grapes.Niagara Falls is made up of the American Falls and the horse shoe shaped falls on the Canadian side. We could only view the American falls from a distant. The Canadian Niagara Falls is spectacular and one must be at the site to fully appreciate the sheer power of this God’s wonderful creation. There was a blizzard blowing when we were at the Falls which gave the place a certain added harshness and beauty. At 4.30 pm it was just getting dark and we started our journey back to Toronto.
We checked out of our hotel the next day and made our way to Toronto Pearson International Airport. As we were provided with First Class travel we made full use of BA lounge where we had our dinner.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Toronto - February 15
The last 2 weeks in the UK has gone by with lightning speed. Soon we will be departing for Toronto for a few days holiday. I am actually looking forward to the trip because on one of the days we plan to visit the Niagara Falls. Much has been said about the city of Toronto and I am looking forward to the vast below ground shopping centres. There are numerous touristy places in and around Toronto that have been recommended but owing to our short stay we might not have time to visit them all. However, we like to consider this as a “sample” visit. If we like the city we would return to Toronto for a longer stay.
Winter in Toronto could turn out to be rather fun. We are hoping for some snow which would make our visit memorable. I remember visiting Boston a few year ago at around this time of the year. The snow on the day of our arrival was knee high. It was cold but very dry, sunny and pleasant. Let’s hope the winter in Toronto is similar to the winter of Boston.
We will depart London on February 15 from Heathrow Terminal 4 as all British Airways flights do. It will only be an 8 hour flight, so if we do not get first class or business, economy would be just fine. Looking forward to the trip and will write about it on return.
Winter in Toronto could turn out to be rather fun. We are hoping for some snow which would make our visit memorable. I remember visiting Boston a few year ago at around this time of the year. The snow on the day of our arrival was knee high. It was cold but very dry, sunny and pleasant. Let’s hope the winter in Toronto is similar to the winter of Boston.
We will depart London on February 15 from Heathrow Terminal 4 as all British Airways flights do. It will only be an 8 hour flight, so if we do not get first class or business, economy would be just fine. Looking forward to the trip and will write about it on return.
Monday, February 04, 2008
2008 - The Year of the Rat
Chinese New Year 2008 – Year of the Rat
The year of the Pig is coming to an end. Now comes the Year of the Rat. Chinese New Year 2008nfalls on February 7. All those with age 72, 60, 48, 36, 24…belong to the Year of the Rat.
A Rat Year is a time of hard work, activity, and renewal. This is a good year to begin a new job, get married, launch a product or make a fresh start. Ventures begun now may not yield fast returns, but opportunities will come for people who are well prepared and resourceful. The best way for you to succeed is to be patient, let things develop slowly, and make the most of every opening you can find. People born in an Earth Rat are said to be logical realists, shrewd, charming, ambitious, and inventive. Of course, the entire horoscope must be considered when making any personality assessment.
In Chinese, the Rat is respected and considered a courageous, enterprising person. People born in the Year of Rat are clever and bright, sociable and family-minded. They have broad interests and strong ability in adapting to the environment and able to react adequately to any changes.
They are gifted in many ways and have an easy going manner. They are active and pleasant, tactful and fantastic, and are able to grasp opportunities. They seem to have interests in everything and hope to participate in doing it and usually do it very well.
Here in the UK, Chinese New Year is generally celebrated by the Chinese community on the first weekend after the event. Chinatowns in London and in major cities all over the world will celebrate this day with lion dances and street fairs. This is the time for much merriment and reunions. A traditional Chinese family will have a great family feast either at home or in one of the many Chinese restaurants to celebrate the start of another year. Children dressed in their new clothes will receive red packets contain money (angpow) from their elders. One the first day of the Lunar New Year, all Chinese old and young will rejoice and look forward to a better year ahead.
Happy Chinese New Year to one and all. Let hope that the Year of the Rat will bring Love and Peace to all mankind.
The year of the Pig is coming to an end. Now comes the Year of the Rat. Chinese New Year 2008nfalls on February 7. All those with age 72, 60, 48, 36, 24…belong to the Year of the Rat.
A Rat Year is a time of hard work, activity, and renewal. This is a good year to begin a new job, get married, launch a product or make a fresh start. Ventures begun now may not yield fast returns, but opportunities will come for people who are well prepared and resourceful. The best way for you to succeed is to be patient, let things develop slowly, and make the most of every opening you can find. People born in an Earth Rat are said to be logical realists, shrewd, charming, ambitious, and inventive. Of course, the entire horoscope must be considered when making any personality assessment.
In Chinese, the Rat is respected and considered a courageous, enterprising person. People born in the Year of Rat are clever and bright, sociable and family-minded. They have broad interests and strong ability in adapting to the environment and able to react adequately to any changes.
They are gifted in many ways and have an easy going manner. They are active and pleasant, tactful and fantastic, and are able to grasp opportunities. They seem to have interests in everything and hope to participate in doing it and usually do it very well.
Here in the UK, Chinese New Year is generally celebrated by the Chinese community on the first weekend after the event. Chinatowns in London and in major cities all over the world will celebrate this day with lion dances and street fairs. This is the time for much merriment and reunions. A traditional Chinese family will have a great family feast either at home or in one of the many Chinese restaurants to celebrate the start of another year. Children dressed in their new clothes will receive red packets contain money (angpow) from their elders. One the first day of the Lunar New Year, all Chinese old and young will rejoice and look forward to a better year ahead.
Happy Chinese New Year to one and all. Let hope that the Year of the Rat will bring Love and Peace to all mankind.
Saturday, February 02, 2008
Car Problem
Since returning to the UK we have not been using the car. No, we have not gone so green that we have locked the car away. For the last 10 days since our return we have had to arrange for the car insurance scheduled for MOT and then finally register for road tax. The MOT was done on the last day of January. Thankfully that went OK and happily we went out today, the first day of February to register for road tax. However, as soon as I started the engine the warning light came on telling me that there is a fault with the alternator. Drove to the nearest Mercedes Benz garage and after a long check-up they told me that a replacement alternator was needed. What are the alternatives? None !! The repair cost is estimated to be at least GBP286, maybe more. I guess that is the penalty I have to face for driving around in a MB.
So it has been an expensive month with the car. Insurance, road tax, MOT and now the repair bill will all add up to nearly GBP1000. If I have to change my vehicle, my next one will definitely not be a Mercedes. They are too expensive to maintain and the fuel consumption is not that great either. However, having said all that it is a very comfortable machine and a pleasure to drive. Hope to get the repair done by tomorrow morning. We have to be in Cobham for lunch with our grand daughter tomorrow.
We planned to do a little shopping at the Chinese grocery store today, but I guess that will have to be postponed to another day. Got to get the necessary stuff for the Chinese New Year steamboat dinner, most probably on Sunday 10.
This new Chinese year is the year of the Rat. Lets hope it will be a good year for all of us, with lots of Happiness, Good Health and most important of all, Peace and Love.
So it has been an expensive month with the car. Insurance, road tax, MOT and now the repair bill will all add up to nearly GBP1000. If I have to change my vehicle, my next one will definitely not be a Mercedes. They are too expensive to maintain and the fuel consumption is not that great either. However, having said all that it is a very comfortable machine and a pleasure to drive. Hope to get the repair done by tomorrow morning. We have to be in Cobham for lunch with our grand daughter tomorrow.
We planned to do a little shopping at the Chinese grocery store today, but I guess that will have to be postponed to another day. Got to get the necessary stuff for the Chinese New Year steamboat dinner, most probably on Sunday 10.
This new Chinese year is the year of the Rat. Lets hope it will be a good year for all of us, with lots of Happiness, Good Health and most important of all, Peace and Love.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Into Malaysia
I never pass up an opportunity to be back in my birth country - Malaysia. The few days we spent in Kuala Lumpur last week were good. We managed to dine with my brother and family and also met up with Onn and Julina. The hotel was nice and not too expensive, compared to an equivalent in Singapore.
A day was devoted to sorting out some legal matters with the lawyers. The rest of the time we were with family and friends, mostly eating and shopping. Dining in KL in my opinion is much better than in Singapore. Restaurant dining is far cheaper than in Singapore and the quality is definitely more superior. Shopping is better and cheaper and we had a great time there.
Yesterday we had another day in Johor Baru for some bank business. Dianne took the opportunity to do yet more shopping. That was an enjoyable day out for both of us. Bought another Korean period drama on DVD of 24 episodes.
Now we are packing for our journey back to UK. We leave Singapore on Jan 21 and will be at Heathrow on the morning of Jan 22. Not looking forward to the long haul journey of 12 hours. Economy seats are so uncomfortable on BA flights. Hope to get First Class tomorrow.
A day was devoted to sorting out some legal matters with the lawyers. The rest of the time we were with family and friends, mostly eating and shopping. Dining in KL in my opinion is much better than in Singapore. Restaurant dining is far cheaper than in Singapore and the quality is definitely more superior. Shopping is better and cheaper and we had a great time there.
Yesterday we had another day in Johor Baru for some bank business. Dianne took the opportunity to do yet more shopping. That was an enjoyable day out for both of us. Bought another Korean period drama on DVD of 24 episodes.
Now we are packing for our journey back to UK. We leave Singapore on Jan 21 and will be at Heathrow on the morning of Jan 22. Not looking forward to the long haul journey of 12 hours. Economy seats are so uncomfortable on BA flights. Hope to get First Class tomorrow.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
The Peacocks and the Sparrows
Singapore, the land of modernity and wealth has GDP growth of double figures over the past decade. The government style, good or bad, has been copied by other young countries worldwide. There are more BMWs and Mercedes per square kilometer here in Singapore than anywhere else in the world. In Singapore unemployment is negligible; salaries are higher than most other countries in the region. The economy is stable and vibrant. Most Singaporeans are asset rich. There are many who own more than one property. Some I know own 2, 3 or even 4 properties from which rents are collected each month. Rentals are high in Singapore because of the demand from foreign talents imported by the Singapore government from countries such as China, India, Malaysia and Europe. The sudden influx of these foreign talents, most of these being “hungrier and meaner” from other countries has resulted in social tension in Singapore. Conflicts in social behavior and cultural clashes have been slowly creeping into this otherwise peaceful and placid Singaporean way of life.
Superficially, this little island state is what many would consider a near “ paradise on earth “. However if one digs a little below the shiny surface , and one does not have to dig too deep, one realizes that under all the glitters there lurks a more humble side of the Singaporean scene. The per capita average monthly income in Singapore is S$3,500. However there are still many at the lowest rung of the income ladder with monthly income of S$300. For the very poor there is a government handout of S$290 per month. So, we have here a small and very prosperous nation with an accumulated surplus in national asset of hundreds of billion dollars. There are those who work in the financial sector earning monthly 6-figure sum with end of year bonuses of 6 to 8 months. At the other end of the scale we have those who are desperately poor and with every hike in the cost of daily essentials, become poorer still. The recent hike in GST ( VAT ) from 5 to 7% did not help matters. Although the Singapore government has distributed financial assistance to counter the effect of this latter increase, there has been an increase in the number of Singaporeans seeking government social handouts. With such vast wage disparity one wonders whether the calmness and serenity of life in Singapore will last much longer.
In the local main stream media each day we read about Singapore advancements in all fields of the economy. The banking and financial sectors are booming and economy remains upbeat even with the gloom of the sub-prime problems in the USA. Financial gurus are predicting growth in 2008 and on the surface all are well.
Each morning on my visits to the newspaper stand and the local coffee shop and the vegetable market, I hear a totally different story from the poorer section of Singaporean society. Unlike the cries of jubilation from the trading floors, these are cries of doom and gloom. I suppose the million dollar question must be, why should there such depression when the economy of the country is doing so well? My daily conversation with the old man selling newspaper, the coffee shop attendant, the old couple selling vegetables tell me a very different story from what you read in MSM. I hear about the difficulties experienced by many from the effect of the high inflation and the recent hikes in daily essential, fares and utilities. In blogsphere you read about the disquiet of ordinary folks who are unhappy with new policies imposed on them by the government.
On such a small island, the vast income gap is astonishing. The difference in all things between the elite and the poorest are so glaringly obvious. At one end of the spectrum you have the peacocks, proud, beautiful and going through life with all the luxury and the fine trimmings. At the other end you have the ordinary sparrows, in their unglamorous brown scratching away for crumbs fallen off the elite tables. There is a large section of the population sandwiched between these two extremes, neither very rich nor very poor. For most Singaporean, life is comfortable, safe and the future looks rosy. For the small section who cannot keep up with globalization, a little sympathy and compassion may be needed to help them along. Sad to say such virtues are becoming harder to come by in this fast and uncompromising world.
These are just my personal views of life in Singapore.
Superficially, this little island state is what many would consider a near “ paradise on earth “. However if one digs a little below the shiny surface , and one does not have to dig too deep, one realizes that under all the glitters there lurks a more humble side of the Singaporean scene. The per capita average monthly income in Singapore is S$3,500. However there are still many at the lowest rung of the income ladder with monthly income of S$300. For the very poor there is a government handout of S$290 per month. So, we have here a small and very prosperous nation with an accumulated surplus in national asset of hundreds of billion dollars. There are those who work in the financial sector earning monthly 6-figure sum with end of year bonuses of 6 to 8 months. At the other end of the scale we have those who are desperately poor and with every hike in the cost of daily essentials, become poorer still. The recent hike in GST ( VAT ) from 5 to 7% did not help matters. Although the Singapore government has distributed financial assistance to counter the effect of this latter increase, there has been an increase in the number of Singaporeans seeking government social handouts. With such vast wage disparity one wonders whether the calmness and serenity of life in Singapore will last much longer.
In the local main stream media each day we read about Singapore advancements in all fields of the economy. The banking and financial sectors are booming and economy remains upbeat even with the gloom of the sub-prime problems in the USA. Financial gurus are predicting growth in 2008 and on the surface all are well.
Each morning on my visits to the newspaper stand and the local coffee shop and the vegetable market, I hear a totally different story from the poorer section of Singaporean society. Unlike the cries of jubilation from the trading floors, these are cries of doom and gloom. I suppose the million dollar question must be, why should there such depression when the economy of the country is doing so well? My daily conversation with the old man selling newspaper, the coffee shop attendant, the old couple selling vegetables tell me a very different story from what you read in MSM. I hear about the difficulties experienced by many from the effect of the high inflation and the recent hikes in daily essential, fares and utilities. In blogsphere you read about the disquiet of ordinary folks who are unhappy with new policies imposed on them by the government.
On such a small island, the vast income gap is astonishing. The difference in all things between the elite and the poorest are so glaringly obvious. At one end of the spectrum you have the peacocks, proud, beautiful and going through life with all the luxury and the fine trimmings. At the other end you have the ordinary sparrows, in their unglamorous brown scratching away for crumbs fallen off the elite tables. There is a large section of the population sandwiched between these two extremes, neither very rich nor very poor. For most Singaporean, life is comfortable, safe and the future looks rosy. For the small section who cannot keep up with globalization, a little sympathy and compassion may be needed to help them along. Sad to say such virtues are becoming harder to come by in this fast and uncompromising world.
These are just my personal views of life in Singapore.
Friday, January 04, 2008
To Kuala Lumpur and then UK
Next week we leave for a few days in Kuala Lumpur. There are a few things we need to sort out in Malaysia. I have booked us in my favorite hotel, the Royale Bintang in Damansara. Next to the hotel is one of the largest shopping malls The Curve. This is a very prestigious shopping mall with outlets selling all sorts of branded goods. It is a very pleasant place to spend a day just going through the stores. Adjacent to this shopping mall is another building housing eateries and restaurants. There is a restaurant specializing in Peranakan dishes at this place. We have been there twice and we enjoyed dining there on both occasions. We will definitely dine there during our stay in KL.
One of the days in KL will be dedicated to meeting up with my brother and family. I am looking forward to seeing them again. It has been a long time since our last meeting. We have also a dinner appointment with an old school friend. The remaining time will be dedicated to shopping, eating and just chilling out at some of our favorite haunts in KL.
Five days after we return from KL we will be on our flight back to UK. The weather in UK will be cold this time of the year. Leaving the house empty during the winter months may cause problems such as leakage and condensation. I must admit I am a little concerned. Anyway it will be good to return to UK again, albeit into the cold.
Before we leave for UK I have to remember to assemble my usual collection of cooking ingredients for the next few months stay. There are some items that are not available in the UK. Cooking is a hobby of mine and it is important I have the necessary ingredients.
Looking forward to returning to UK. I am getting a little bored here in Singapore. I guess 3 months is more than I can tolerate staying in Singapore.
One of the days in KL will be dedicated to meeting up with my brother and family. I am looking forward to seeing them again. It has been a long time since our last meeting. We have also a dinner appointment with an old school friend. The remaining time will be dedicated to shopping, eating and just chilling out at some of our favorite haunts in KL.
Five days after we return from KL we will be on our flight back to UK. The weather in UK will be cold this time of the year. Leaving the house empty during the winter months may cause problems such as leakage and condensation. I must admit I am a little concerned. Anyway it will be good to return to UK again, albeit into the cold.
Before we leave for UK I have to remember to assemble my usual collection of cooking ingredients for the next few months stay. There are some items that are not available in the UK. Cooking is a hobby of mine and it is important I have the necessary ingredients.
Looking forward to returning to UK. I am getting a little bored here in Singapore. I guess 3 months is more than I can tolerate staying in Singapore.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Happy New Year - 2008
2007 is drawing to a close and we are all anxiously waiting for the coming of 2008. What is in store for us in the new year? One can only guess. There are many prophecies and forecasts in the world political arenas, economic predictions, warning about global environmental calamities for the next 12 months, but who can be sure what 2008 will bring for us? Only today, in the newspapers, we read about the assassination of Ms Benazir Bhutto of Pakistan. We live in a world full of uncertainties and turmoil. Major world powers, out of self interest play smaller and weaker countries in the world like a game of chess. The discoveries of natural resources of undeveloped countries tend to bring interested players like bees to nectar. Human greed plays a large part in the most trouble spots around the globe. Corruption, greed and self glorification are the main causes for the misery in many countries.
The world we live in is divided into people who are super rich, a large percentage of middle class and a portion of very deprived and poor people. Inequality in wealth distribution vary from country to country. There are some countries rich in natural resources with 95% of national wealth in the hands of 5% of the population. The situation here in Singapore is much better. There are basically no destitute people in Singapore. Like any country in the world there are some very rich and also there are some poor people, but unlike many other countries no one goes hungry. Even the poorest have their basic needs. The Singaporean government has seen to it that no one is deprived of the basic essentials. However, inflation has increased recently and many are experiencing financial difficulties due to the hike in cost of living. The income gap has grown wider and voices of dissatisfaction can be heard in this otherwise very quiet and subdued city state.
What do I wish for 2008? I pray that 2008 will be a good year for all of us. I pray that all mindless world conflicts be ended. I pray that there will be no more loss of lives through indiscriminate acts of terror. I pray for the end of the Iraq and the Afghanistan wars and any other conflicts elsewhere in the world. Let there be peace, love and goodwill in 2008. I am certain this isn’t too much to ask but may prove an impossibility to achieve.
The world we live in is divided into people who are super rich, a large percentage of middle class and a portion of very deprived and poor people. Inequality in wealth distribution vary from country to country. There are some countries rich in natural resources with 95% of national wealth in the hands of 5% of the population. The situation here in Singapore is much better. There are basically no destitute people in Singapore. Like any country in the world there are some very rich and also there are some poor people, but unlike many other countries no one goes hungry. Even the poorest have their basic needs. The Singaporean government has seen to it that no one is deprived of the basic essentials. However, inflation has increased recently and many are experiencing financial difficulties due to the hike in cost of living. The income gap has grown wider and voices of dissatisfaction can be heard in this otherwise very quiet and subdued city state.
What do I wish for 2008? I pray that 2008 will be a good year for all of us. I pray that all mindless world conflicts be ended. I pray that there will be no more loss of lives through indiscriminate acts of terror. I pray for the end of the Iraq and the Afghanistan wars and any other conflicts elsewhere in the world. Let there be peace, love and goodwill in 2008. I am certain this isn’t too much to ask but may prove an impossibility to achieve.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Christmas Day 2007
Christmas Day 2007 arrived. Got up early and decided to breakfast at the local food market. As we will be having a heavy meal later in the day I selected a light breakfast of “chui kwey”, a sort of rice cake with the texture of jelly - nice and soft. After of few mouthfuls of this soft rice cakes I discovered that one of my crowns has detached itself. I was lucky I did not swallow it. What a bad start for my Christmas Day. All Singaporean dentists are closed for the festive day so I guess I will have to wait until either Boxing Day or later to get it seen to.
This Christmas, I was appointed to cook the Christmas turkey again. On top of that I had to prepare enough curry for 15 people. Preparing food for the family get together Christmas dinner has never been a problem for me. The dinner party went well. The turkey was much appreciated and the curry was very popular. My contributions towards the dinner spread were well-liked. By the end of the evening most of the spread had been consumed.
A few rounds of mahjong ended the evening. Good food, fine wine and good company made the evening a very happy occasion. The evening was a success. Another Christmas has come to an end. Christmas 2008 is another 364 days away.
Not looking forward to the visit to the dentist in the next few days.
This Christmas, I was appointed to cook the Christmas turkey again. On top of that I had to prepare enough curry for 15 people. Preparing food for the family get together Christmas dinner has never been a problem for me. The dinner party went well. The turkey was much appreciated and the curry was very popular. My contributions towards the dinner spread were well-liked. By the end of the evening most of the spread had been consumed.
A few rounds of mahjong ended the evening. Good food, fine wine and good company made the evening a very happy occasion. The evening was a success. Another Christmas has come to an end. Christmas 2008 is another 364 days away.
Not looking forward to the visit to the dentist in the next few days.
Monday, December 24, 2007
When you are old
I went to the market today for some vegetables and condiments. My regular stall was closed. A nearby stall had what I wanted so I did my purchases from an old lady manning the business. I guess she must be around 75 years old. She was a sweet little lady who advised me to buy an alternative vegetable because the one I had chosen was old and not fresh. I took her advice and made my purchase. As I was waiting for my vegetable to be weighed for payment I noticed she had tears in her eyes. I asked her if she was alright. She told me that she has a daughter who drives around Singapore in a Mercedes but would not drive her anywhere whenever she needs a ride. Wherever she goes she has to depend on her kind hearted neighbour. I guess she must have felt extremely neglected by her own flesh and blood. Her daughter apparently is quite well off and doing well in the booming economy of Singapore. The fact that this old lady has to work at a market stall so late in her life is very unusual in our traditional Chinese tight-knit extended family structure. With teary eyes she lamented that when you get old and if you have no money to leave behind, you will be neglected. I guess she meant that her daughter would probably be more attentive to her needs and comfort if when she dies there was money and asset left as inheritance. As she has none, no one cares. The sad thing about it is that when she was young she must have loved her daughter and devoted a good portion of her younger days towards caring for this daughter of hers. She would most likely have worked hard to see to her daughter’s education and her every need. Many from the younger generation would squeeze as much value and usefulness out of their parents as they possibly can. When there is nothing of value left that they can get out of their parents, they would discard their old folks to the mercy of old age.
I see this more and more in a place like Singapore where money and assets have become the ultimate measure of success. I believe this is also a very common trend in many western societies. Older folks who have devoted their lives bringing up their children are considered burdens in their old age, often discarded and neglected. Many above 70 year old here in Singapore have to work at foodcourts clearing tables and sweeping floors and maintaining toilet cleanliness. Where is the dignity in that? I believe that when one gets old one must be entitled to a few good and easy years and be allowed to live with dignity. They should have the opportunity to play with their grand children and generally take things easy. What a sad world this has become when older folks are considered as burden to society and abandoned. By the look of things this situation is going to get much worse.
I sincerely hope that I will not be in the same predicament as this dear old lady. Expect nothing, be prepared for the worst, and if you are lucky that your children do care for you in your old age, consider that a bonus.
I see this more and more in a place like Singapore where money and assets have become the ultimate measure of success. I believe this is also a very common trend in many western societies. Older folks who have devoted their lives bringing up their children are considered burdens in their old age, often discarded and neglected. Many above 70 year old here in Singapore have to work at foodcourts clearing tables and sweeping floors and maintaining toilet cleanliness. Where is the dignity in that? I believe that when one gets old one must be entitled to a few good and easy years and be allowed to live with dignity. They should have the opportunity to play with their grand children and generally take things easy. What a sad world this has become when older folks are considered as burden to society and abandoned. By the look of things this situation is going to get much worse.
I sincerely hope that I will not be in the same predicament as this dear old lady. Expect nothing, be prepared for the worst, and if you are lucky that your children do care for you in your old age, consider that a bonus.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Football Crazy
Singaporeans are football crazy. Making money and accumulating wealth is their first passion closely followed by football. 75% of Singaporeans are Chinese and the Chinese are noted for their love of gambling. Football betting is very widespread in this little country and government run betting premises are found in every housing estate around the island.
On a day like yesterday December 16, long queues could be seen at all betting premises. The scheduled matches were Liverpool vs Manchester United and Arsenal vs Chelsea. I guess the “ get rich quick “ mentality of the majority of Singaporeans encourages a healthy business for these betting premises.
The Manchester United vs Liverpool match was at 9.25 pm. I watched the match at a local coffee shop not too far from our house. By the time I got there the place was packed with fans from both teams. The crowd must have numbered more than a hundred. It was a good match. Manchester United came away with an away win, 3 more points but still one point behind Arsenal at the top of the league table.
Gambling of all variety can be found in Singapore. You can place a bet through legal betting shop or through illegal syndicates, with give better odds. There are currently two casinos being built on the island and by 2009 they will be in operation. Singaporeans will have to pay a daily entrance fee of $100 for admission to one of these casinos. I am sure this will not deter the devoted gamblers. Whether these casinos will result in an increase in the number of gambling addicts we shall have to wait and see. There will definitely be an increase in tourist numbers, but maybe at the expense of creating a social ill?
On a day like yesterday December 16, long queues could be seen at all betting premises. The scheduled matches were Liverpool vs Manchester United and Arsenal vs Chelsea. I guess the “ get rich quick “ mentality of the majority of Singaporeans encourages a healthy business for these betting premises.
The Manchester United vs Liverpool match was at 9.25 pm. I watched the match at a local coffee shop not too far from our house. By the time I got there the place was packed with fans from both teams. The crowd must have numbered more than a hundred. It was a good match. Manchester United came away with an away win, 3 more points but still one point behind Arsenal at the top of the league table.
Gambling of all variety can be found in Singapore. You can place a bet through legal betting shop or through illegal syndicates, with give better odds. There are currently two casinos being built on the island and by 2009 they will be in operation. Singaporeans will have to pay a daily entrance fee of $100 for admission to one of these casinos. I am sure this will not deter the devoted gamblers. Whether these casinos will result in an increase in the number of gambling addicts we shall have to wait and see. There will definitely be an increase in tourist numbers, but maybe at the expense of creating a social ill?
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Dry Xmas?
After many days of cloudy skies, for a change, this morning has started bright with clear blue sky. It does look like we are in for a dry spell. For how long no one can tell. The weather in this region has been very changeable. Within an hour the weather could change from a sunny day to one of torrential downpour. So let’s hope that we have seen the last of the heavy downpours we have been experiencing over the last two weeks. We need a clear and dry period over the festive Xmas and New Year season.
I understand that the rain has finally stopped in Segamat too. They have been having dry days lately and the flood water has receded. However, we are still in the rainy season and things could change and the water level could rise again. This must be a worrying time for the Segamatians, especially those living in the flood prone regions.
Segamat is a nice place with very nice people. I would be sad if it is flooded again. Of course I would say that .........Segamat is my hometown.
I understand that the rain has finally stopped in Segamat too. They have been having dry days lately and the flood water has receded. However, we are still in the rainy season and things could change and the water level could rise again. This must be a worrying time for the Segamatians, especially those living in the flood prone regions.
Segamat is a nice place with very nice people. I would be sad if it is flooded again. Of course I would say that .........Segamat is my hometown.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Segamat Floods
The rain season is here again. It has not stopped raining for the last few days. Malaysia is experiencing heavy rainfall and there are floods in many low lying regions in the country. Segamat my hometown has always been prone to flooding during the rain season from December to February. The flood of December 2006 was one of the worst in memory and many lives were lost. The continuous rain of the past few days has resulted in swollen rivers and in many areas roads are closed to traffic.
The morning papers has confirmed my worse fear. Segamat is flooded again and water is still rising. Weather forecast has predicted more rain to come and things do not look good for the Segamatians. My brother has moved furniture upstairs and has parked his vehicles on higher ground.
During the floods of December 2006, there were no electricity and water supply for many days. Food could only be prepared upstairs using portable stoves and bottled gas. Life must have been quite uncomfortable, especially for families with young children. After the devastation of December 2006, the Malaysian government promised to improve the flow of water in rivers, build flood banks and undertake measures to prevent further floods in the region. I guess, from what we are witnessing now, with flood water on the rise again, they must be still trying to figure out how they can achieve what they have promised. In the meantime, while they ponder over the problem, Segamatians continue to be flooded whenever they get heavy rain especially around the month of December.
The morning papers has confirmed my worse fear. Segamat is flooded again and water is still rising. Weather forecast has predicted more rain to come and things do not look good for the Segamatians. My brother has moved furniture upstairs and has parked his vehicles on higher ground.
During the floods of December 2006, there were no electricity and water supply for many days. Food could only be prepared upstairs using portable stoves and bottled gas. Life must have been quite uncomfortable, especially for families with young children. After the devastation of December 2006, the Malaysian government promised to improve the flow of water in rivers, build flood banks and undertake measures to prevent further floods in the region. I guess, from what we are witnessing now, with flood water on the rise again, they must be still trying to figure out how they can achieve what they have promised. In the meantime, while they ponder over the problem, Segamatians continue to be flooded whenever they get heavy rain especially around the month of December.
Friday, December 07, 2007
Day in JB
December 5th was a good day. The weather was horrible. It rained all day, but that did not dampen our spirit. We left Singapore early to avoid the rush at the causeway. By 7.30 that morning we were at Senai having our usual roti prata breakfast. Of course I did not forget buying breakfast for the Indian boy, our neighbour at our Senai house. After a leisurely breakfast we spent the rest of the morning at the house in Senai.
Shopping at Giant superstore was good. By 12.30 pm we were on our way to meet my brother and his children from Segamat. It was a moment I have been looking forward to for a long time. They finally arrived at 2.30 pm. It was so good seeing them again. The children have grown so much since I met them last. I fell in love with all three, especially Jason the youngest. Like all boys his age he is football crazy and a keen supporter of Manchester United. I got him a MU shirt with Ronaldo 7 on the back and a pair of MU shorts.
The rest of the day was spent in Terbau City where we lunched and shopped until late in the evening when we returned to City Square. We left them at City Square to catch the night train to Segamat. We crossed the causeway and returned to Singapore.
I really enjoyed my day with my brother and family. I am happy that we are finally reunited and constantly in touch via telephone calls and emails. The best thing that has happened is that I have a nephew and 2 nieces to pamper and love.
Shopping at Giant superstore was good. By 12.30 pm we were on our way to meet my brother and his children from Segamat. It was a moment I have been looking forward to for a long time. They finally arrived at 2.30 pm. It was so good seeing them again. The children have grown so much since I met them last. I fell in love with all three, especially Jason the youngest. Like all boys his age he is football crazy and a keen supporter of Manchester United. I got him a MU shirt with Ronaldo 7 on the back and a pair of MU shorts.
The rest of the day was spent in Terbau City where we lunched and shopped until late in the evening when we returned to City Square. We left them at City Square to catch the night train to Segamat. We crossed the causeway and returned to Singapore.
I really enjoyed my day with my brother and family. I am happy that we are finally reunited and constantly in touch via telephone calls and emails. The best thing that has happened is that I have a nephew and 2 nieces to pamper and love.
Monday, December 03, 2007
MSM or Blogs?
I read the Straits Times each morning when in Singapore. I then read the Singapore blogs. The messages coming from the MSM paint a very rosy picture of the Singaporean economy. Singaporean Bloggers tend to paint a rather different picture. Singapore has become the London of Southeast Asia and is already a rival to Hong Kong as the financial hub of the Far East. The Singapore Government through Temasek and many GLCs has invested heavily in neighbouring countries. On the whole, the financial health of Singapore is good and the future looks solid. The predicted downturn of the world economy, if it ever happens, will affect majority of the countries around the globe. Singapore too will not be spared, but with proper management and planning I think Singapore would fare better than most of her neighbours.
The robust economical growth of Singapore brings with it many undesirable side effects. Currently, inflation is at an all time high of 3.5% increasing to a predicted 5% next year. The salary gap between the high earners and the low wage earners has widened considerably. Prices for daily essentials like rice, noodles, cooking oil and fresh produce have increased. There are many who are feeling the pinch of cost of living hike. The newspaper has reported an increase in desperate people seeking help. It has also been reported that the government has taken action to help the needy. I am glad to see that the less fortunate in this vibrant city have not been ignored.
In the newspaper this morning there was another interesting article about financial feuds between siblings claiming on the assets left by their deceased father. There were a few other similar cases highlighted. The Chinese tradition of not dragging one’s own family name through mud no longer exists in Singapore. There have been many court cases lately between family members. Almost all such cases involve assets or money. Singaporeans are predominantly the “ Me “ people. They have been conditioned from cradle to grave to be very competitive. They have this “ I must win “ and “ I want to be first “ mentality. This has served the country well over the few decades since independence, turning Singapore from a third world country to the financial metropolis it is today.
This city state will do well over her neighbours in years to come, because Singapore has a very strict and no-nonsense government and a very submissive and obedient population.
Good luck to Singapore. According to reports from the MSM, Singapore is fast becoming the New York of the Far East. The bloggers are telling a different story. Who to believe?
The robust economical growth of Singapore brings with it many undesirable side effects. Currently, inflation is at an all time high of 3.5% increasing to a predicted 5% next year. The salary gap between the high earners and the low wage earners has widened considerably. Prices for daily essentials like rice, noodles, cooking oil and fresh produce have increased. There are many who are feeling the pinch of cost of living hike. The newspaper has reported an increase in desperate people seeking help. It has also been reported that the government has taken action to help the needy. I am glad to see that the less fortunate in this vibrant city have not been ignored.
In the newspaper this morning there was another interesting article about financial feuds between siblings claiming on the assets left by their deceased father. There were a few other similar cases highlighted. The Chinese tradition of not dragging one’s own family name through mud no longer exists in Singapore. There have been many court cases lately between family members. Almost all such cases involve assets or money. Singaporeans are predominantly the “ Me “ people. They have been conditioned from cradle to grave to be very competitive. They have this “ I must win “ and “ I want to be first “ mentality. This has served the country well over the few decades since independence, turning Singapore from a third world country to the financial metropolis it is today.
This city state will do well over her neighbours in years to come, because Singapore has a very strict and no-nonsense government and a very submissive and obedient population.
Good luck to Singapore. According to reports from the MSM, Singapore is fast becoming the New York of the Far East. The bloggers are telling a different story. Who to believe?
Saturday, November 24, 2007
My pet subject
Life in Singapore – my pet subject. I have now been living in Singapore on and off for nearly 7 years. When I came here for the first time in 2000 I was fascinated by the progress made by this tiny little island state. Without any resources to speak of, the country has advanced by leaps and bounds over the other Southeast Asian countries. In the past 7 years there have been many improvements in infrastructure such as roads, MRT, public services and many other projects to improve the standard of living for the Singaporeans. Public Housing in Singapore is second to none and the majority of Singaporeans are owners of their homes. The speed of transformation from a squalid little third world country to almost a first world city is astounding. Within 40 years Singapore, an island without any resources, transformed itself from a backward state to what it is today. How did this come about? I think it is through sheer hard work, good and strict governance and maybe little not so pleasant political maneuvers. Less said about that the better.
Becoming a modern and dynamic city has brought with it some very serious problems. One of the most urgent problems for this fast growing city is the aging population. The nation builders of 40 years ago are in their 60s and 70s today. Time for these people to retire from the workforce. The city state is finding it very difficult to support this ageing and non-productive portion of the population. To compound to this problem of the ageing population was a law passed some 40 years ago by the Singapore Government regarding the optimum number of children a couple should have. Any family with more than 2 children were penalized by having to pay higher school fees, medical bills, birth certificates and low priority in the choice for schools. All these discouraged the Singaporeans of 40 years ago from having more than 2 children. Many stopped at one or even had none at all. Owing to this law, Singapore is now suffering from a shortage of manpower.
Clamoring to become the financial hub of Southeast Asia, Singapore has to import workforce from other countries. Foreign talents have been encouraged to come to this little island to work and become citizens. These imported citizens come mainly from India, China and other countries in Asia and even from European nations. The Singaporean government is choosey in who they allow into the country. Only talented and skilled applicants are welcomed. Skilled and talented people are also encouraged to bring in families to increase the future workforce of the country. Good schools and medical facilities are added attractions to lure these foreign talents into the country. The Singaporean government has a target of 6.5 to 7 million populations for 2015. To cater for this fast population growth the government has put in place a programme to upgrade the infrastructure and housing. This involves a large importation of manual labour from nearby countries such as Bangladesh, Indonesia, Vietnam and some also from Malaysia.
The fast and sudden influx of foreigners into Singapore has to some extent taken the true blue Singaporeans by surprise. The majority of Singaporeans are middle class and probably are not fully aware the reason for this encroachment into their island. Whether this is good or bad for the country is not evident to them. What is glaringly obvious to them is the fact that their jobs, their space, their children’s welfare are being threatened by these newcomers. They probably do not fully understand that Singapore needs these foreigners to ensure survival in decades to come. They are more interested in the here and now and the daily survival for their families. Fast growth and a buoyant economy have brought with it some nasty side effect – inflation. Singapore has become one of the most expensive cities in Southeast Asia, not too far below Tokyo and Hong Kong. The middle and low income Singaporeans are now feeling the pinch of inflation and rising prices of daily essentials. I am sure the Singapore government, being as efficient as they are, is aware of this and is taking steps to combat this difficulty.
Importing citizen into ones country, which is what Singapore is doing, comes with it some very unpleasant side effects. This is very evident in the Singapore case. Lately from the MSM and the bogs about Singapore I have come across complaints, grievances, criticisms, objections, protests and grumbles from all various parties concerned. Although mostly from Asia, these parties are all from different countries with different customs and cultures. Clashes of cultures and customs manifest themselves through lack of understanding and intolerance. Bitterness arises when ones livelihood is threatened or when one’s feels there has been an encroachment on his space. The fight for jobs or a seat on the bus or the MRT is potential sources for such bitterness. Distrust between different factions also enhances suspicion and animosity. The cliquing of the various factions of the imported citizens tends to be looked upon as snobbery and aloofness. Cliquing for safety and comfort in a foreign land is quite normal but this could be misinterpreted as unwilling to mix attitude. Furthermore there is also snobbery within each faction of these new citizens. White collar citizens would not mix with the manual workers from the same country. All these silent “rivalry” go on under a surface of calm civility. What will happen in days to come no one can predict. I am certain the Singaporean government is trying their hardest to encourage integration. To achieve this there has to be more compassion, tolerance, humility and understanding. In my opinion, unfortunately these qualities hardly exist in Singapore.
On a good day I love being in Singapore. Everything works and things are so well managed. Buses are on time and MRT are clean and cool. There is hardly any litter on the ground and there is zero graffiti. Shops are full of goods and groceries are plentiful. In Singapore you can get anything money can buy. Everything here comes with a price tag and this price tag is usually high. As I have already mentioned, Singapore is an expensive city to live in.
I do have bad days in Singapore too. Drivers in Singapore are the rudest I have ever encountered. They care little for other divers and even less for pedestrians. No Singapore driver would wave a pedestrian to cross the road even when he cannot proceed himself. He would willingly drive to block you from crossing even when his road is not clear. Jumping queue is another horrible Singapore habit. The “always must win or must be first in line” in a Singaporean’s second nature. On a crowded bus or MRT, very few would offer their seats to needy passengers. Having been here for so long I have sort of got accustomed to these bad habits, so now my bad days are relatively few. Just have to accept that is the way of life here.
These comments I make about Singapore and the Singaporeans are just my personal views. I am non-political and am not affiliated to any political party. I am in no way criticizing the government or the people of this island. I do not intent to offend anyone. If I have inadvertently done so, please accept my apologies.
Becoming a modern and dynamic city has brought with it some very serious problems. One of the most urgent problems for this fast growing city is the aging population. The nation builders of 40 years ago are in their 60s and 70s today. Time for these people to retire from the workforce. The city state is finding it very difficult to support this ageing and non-productive portion of the population. To compound to this problem of the ageing population was a law passed some 40 years ago by the Singapore Government regarding the optimum number of children a couple should have. Any family with more than 2 children were penalized by having to pay higher school fees, medical bills, birth certificates and low priority in the choice for schools. All these discouraged the Singaporeans of 40 years ago from having more than 2 children. Many stopped at one or even had none at all. Owing to this law, Singapore is now suffering from a shortage of manpower.
Clamoring to become the financial hub of Southeast Asia, Singapore has to import workforce from other countries. Foreign talents have been encouraged to come to this little island to work and become citizens. These imported citizens come mainly from India, China and other countries in Asia and even from European nations. The Singaporean government is choosey in who they allow into the country. Only talented and skilled applicants are welcomed. Skilled and talented people are also encouraged to bring in families to increase the future workforce of the country. Good schools and medical facilities are added attractions to lure these foreign talents into the country. The Singaporean government has a target of 6.5 to 7 million populations for 2015. To cater for this fast population growth the government has put in place a programme to upgrade the infrastructure and housing. This involves a large importation of manual labour from nearby countries such as Bangladesh, Indonesia, Vietnam and some also from Malaysia.
The fast and sudden influx of foreigners into Singapore has to some extent taken the true blue Singaporeans by surprise. The majority of Singaporeans are middle class and probably are not fully aware the reason for this encroachment into their island. Whether this is good or bad for the country is not evident to them. What is glaringly obvious to them is the fact that their jobs, their space, their children’s welfare are being threatened by these newcomers. They probably do not fully understand that Singapore needs these foreigners to ensure survival in decades to come. They are more interested in the here and now and the daily survival for their families. Fast growth and a buoyant economy have brought with it some nasty side effect – inflation. Singapore has become one of the most expensive cities in Southeast Asia, not too far below Tokyo and Hong Kong. The middle and low income Singaporeans are now feeling the pinch of inflation and rising prices of daily essentials. I am sure the Singapore government, being as efficient as they are, is aware of this and is taking steps to combat this difficulty.
Importing citizen into ones country, which is what Singapore is doing, comes with it some very unpleasant side effects. This is very evident in the Singapore case. Lately from the MSM and the bogs about Singapore I have come across complaints, grievances, criticisms, objections, protests and grumbles from all various parties concerned. Although mostly from Asia, these parties are all from different countries with different customs and cultures. Clashes of cultures and customs manifest themselves through lack of understanding and intolerance. Bitterness arises when ones livelihood is threatened or when one’s feels there has been an encroachment on his space. The fight for jobs or a seat on the bus or the MRT is potential sources for such bitterness. Distrust between different factions also enhances suspicion and animosity. The cliquing of the various factions of the imported citizens tends to be looked upon as snobbery and aloofness. Cliquing for safety and comfort in a foreign land is quite normal but this could be misinterpreted as unwilling to mix attitude. Furthermore there is also snobbery within each faction of these new citizens. White collar citizens would not mix with the manual workers from the same country. All these silent “rivalry” go on under a surface of calm civility. What will happen in days to come no one can predict. I am certain the Singaporean government is trying their hardest to encourage integration. To achieve this there has to be more compassion, tolerance, humility and understanding. In my opinion, unfortunately these qualities hardly exist in Singapore.
On a good day I love being in Singapore. Everything works and things are so well managed. Buses are on time and MRT are clean and cool. There is hardly any litter on the ground and there is zero graffiti. Shops are full of goods and groceries are plentiful. In Singapore you can get anything money can buy. Everything here comes with a price tag and this price tag is usually high. As I have already mentioned, Singapore is an expensive city to live in.
I do have bad days in Singapore too. Drivers in Singapore are the rudest I have ever encountered. They care little for other divers and even less for pedestrians. No Singapore driver would wave a pedestrian to cross the road even when he cannot proceed himself. He would willingly drive to block you from crossing even when his road is not clear. Jumping queue is another horrible Singapore habit. The “always must win or must be first in line” in a Singaporean’s second nature. On a crowded bus or MRT, very few would offer their seats to needy passengers. Having been here for so long I have sort of got accustomed to these bad habits, so now my bad days are relatively few. Just have to accept that is the way of life here.
These comments I make about Singapore and the Singaporeans are just my personal views. I am non-political and am not affiliated to any political party. I am in no way criticizing the government or the people of this island. I do not intent to offend anyone. If I have inadvertently done so, please accept my apologies.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
The Tiffany's Show
Our last night in Pattaya, and to celebrate our wedding anniversary and my birthday we went to the famous Tiffany Show of Pattaya. I must confess that before the show my opinion about transvestites was a feeling of indifference. I also must admit that whenever I come across one I always feel a little curious and a little uncomfortable. Is it nature or nurture, the question that always pop into my mind. I have neither judged them harshly nor condone their way of life. As far as I was concerned they are free to dress anyway the please as long as they do not offend or infringe on the privacy of others.
Now I have been to the Tiffany’s Show and watch the performance through un-prejudice eyes. I must admit my opinion has greatly changed after seeing the magnificent performance by what I would classify as elegant artists. The performers, although all male were every bit as graceful as any female performer I have seen.
I came away from the show full of admiration for all the performers. If ever you visit Pattaya, do not miss this performance.
Now I have been to the Tiffany’s Show and watch the performance through un-prejudice eyes. I must admit my opinion has greatly changed after seeing the magnificent performance by what I would classify as elegant artists. The performers, although all male were every bit as graceful as any female performer I have seen.
I came away from the show full of admiration for all the performers. If ever you visit Pattaya, do not miss this performance.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Reflection
At this time of the year, just after my birthday I usually like to spend a few moments to ponder and sort of plan for the next 12 months ahead. Reflecting on the 12 months that have just gone by, I try to analyze all the major events in this period.
These are the list of questions that come to mind,
Has it been a good year?
On the personal travel front, the answer is yes. It has been a very enjoyable year. Apart from flying between the UK and Singapore we have visited a few places. This time last year we were in Marbella and Tangier. In June 2007 we visited Ho Chi Minh City. We made numerous visits to JB and Kuala Lumpur for shopping and meeting old friends. Our last visit to KL was for a reunion dinner for the Class of ’62. Meeting friends I had not seen for 45 years was quite a nostalgic experience. However, shortly after the reunion we lost a dear friend to cancer. That was a low point of the year. The only consolation was we manage to get together before she left us. It just shows that life can be very unpredictable and fragile.
There are ups and downs when it comes to the family. New arrivals into the family mark the good occasions. I have another 2 new nephews. Our grand daughter has turned 3 and developing into such a loveable young lady. On a sadder note I have lost another aunt. One of my brothers has been told he has a dreadful disease and one of my nephews has leukemia. Thankfully they are both progressing well and I pray for their full recovery.
As one gets older time becomes very precious. I am glad I took early retirement and have the freedom to travel, indulge in my hobbies and most importantly to re-connect with my relatives and siblings. I have managed to visit Segamat twice last year. I must try to visit more often. Relationship with siblings tends to become stale over the year. Coping with our respective families, bringing up our children and generally fulfilling the many parental responsibilities has somewhat made us overlook the importance of staying in touch with loved ones.
During the past year I have managed to become closer with a few siblings. We now write to each other regularly and whenever time permits I will visit more often. My boys are all young men now, each with their own chosen path. I love them all dearly but I am determined not to intrude on their lives and if they wish to be in touch with me, I will gladly reciprocate. I believe they know best in what they have chosen for themselves. I must never interfere unless asked.
What is in store in the 12 months ahead? I can only hope that there will be much happiness. I am sure there will be disappointment along the way, but I can only hope that those will be few and far between. As I said, time is precious and everyday that goes by is a day less for love and goodwill. On my part I will try to be sincere, compassionate and above all understanding and forgiving.
These are the list of questions that come to mind,
Has it been a good year?
On the personal travel front, the answer is yes. It has been a very enjoyable year. Apart from flying between the UK and Singapore we have visited a few places. This time last year we were in Marbella and Tangier. In June 2007 we visited Ho Chi Minh City. We made numerous visits to JB and Kuala Lumpur for shopping and meeting old friends. Our last visit to KL was for a reunion dinner for the Class of ’62. Meeting friends I had not seen for 45 years was quite a nostalgic experience. However, shortly after the reunion we lost a dear friend to cancer. That was a low point of the year. The only consolation was we manage to get together before she left us. It just shows that life can be very unpredictable and fragile.
There are ups and downs when it comes to the family. New arrivals into the family mark the good occasions. I have another 2 new nephews. Our grand daughter has turned 3 and developing into such a loveable young lady. On a sadder note I have lost another aunt. One of my brothers has been told he has a dreadful disease and one of my nephews has leukemia. Thankfully they are both progressing well and I pray for their full recovery.
As one gets older time becomes very precious. I am glad I took early retirement and have the freedom to travel, indulge in my hobbies and most importantly to re-connect with my relatives and siblings. I have managed to visit Segamat twice last year. I must try to visit more often. Relationship with siblings tends to become stale over the year. Coping with our respective families, bringing up our children and generally fulfilling the many parental responsibilities has somewhat made us overlook the importance of staying in touch with loved ones.
During the past year I have managed to become closer with a few siblings. We now write to each other regularly and whenever time permits I will visit more often. My boys are all young men now, each with their own chosen path. I love them all dearly but I am determined not to intrude on their lives and if they wish to be in touch with me, I will gladly reciprocate. I believe they know best in what they have chosen for themselves. I must never interfere unless asked.
What is in store in the 12 months ahead? I can only hope that there will be much happiness. I am sure there will be disappointment along the way, but I can only hope that those will be few and far between. As I said, time is precious and everyday that goes by is a day less for love and goodwill. On my part I will try to be sincere, compassionate and above all understanding and forgiving.
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