Yet another piece of bad news when I bought the Straits Times today. It's been almost 3 months since I am back and everyday when I read the news, it's always more turmoil!
1. The US Bailout plan failed to go through. Imagine the implications that it will have globally. Millions of people will be affected. Sometimes, I wonder if Singaporeans are just passive or are they genuinely ignorant? People around me don't seem to be the least bit concerned about the failure of the US credit market. Maybe I misunderstood them. They are avoiding the topic because they are too traumatised? Come on, despite a diversified economy, Singapore is pretty reliant on the US economy for its survival. Hundreds of our citizens fill up positions at the US-based investment banks in Singapore. Millions of our cash deposited with the bank goes into investments in the US Debt and Equity Market. But are Singaporeans informed about all these things? Are they concerned about Singapore's prospects and future? Yes, Singapore has huge reserves backing the economy and the MAS has repeatedly provided assurance for Singapore's banking and finance industry. But think back to those times in the 1997 Asian financial crisis. Perhaps you weren't too affected by it that's why it didn't struck you this time round.
Thousands of people lost their jobs, investments pulled out, inflation was pervasive etc. If you think you are not going to start to be concerned about what's happening around us, slap yourself and wake yourself up and start to pay more attention. Be informed, don't be just another ignorant Singaporean who just knows how to eat, drink, work, sleep and wait for the day God receives you. Don't just idle and think that the government is going to solve any crisis for us. Yes, we are in good hands right now but there must be something that we all can do to play a part in driving Singapore's economy. You have enjoyed the fruits of labour laid by our ancestors. It's also our responsibility to ensure our kids and grandchildren have the same luxury as us. :)
2. Tainted-milk scandal in China. China's largest importer-US. The US has been running a trade-deficit with the Chinese for decades. With the toy scandal last year followed by the tainted milk products this year, China's economy is expected to suffer a setback for sure. Millions of food consumers worldwide are recalling products that are suspected to have used milk powder produced by the China San-Lu company. Despite having launched the space shuttle into space just last week, returning this week, your military and technology supremacy does not translate necessarily into global recognition. All eyes are on how this scandalous tainted-milk product drama is going to end? Will domestic and international consumers trust China's product like before?
3. Numerous cases of murders and suicides. Recently the news and newspapers have been making headlines of murders and suicides. From the Yishun's murder case to the recently homicide of the 15-year old China girl by her step-father and recently the suicide case at Bukit Batok. Just what's happening to the world? Yes, Singapore used to be largely-immigrant based in our history. It was the Chinese and Indian immigrants which contributed largely to Singapore's growth. But will Singaporeans be able to accept these immigrants today like they used to a century ago? Without technology and the temptations of greed, I am sure my answer will be a definite YES. After all, we are all descendants of China too. But circumstances have changed today.
A century ago, men and women who came from China purely wanted to lift themselves out of poverty and to escape the war with Japan. Men left in search of a better life while women left to avoid the humiliation by the Japanese. After they arrived in Singapore, their main priority was to work. Nowadays, those China women that came with their kids are simply atrocious! Getting into scandals with local Singaporean guys, creating social problems of all kinds.. Just take a look at the past 4-5 years. How many cases of murders, cheat, suicides involved these Chinese ladies. Why are we wasting our precious human talents and resources from the Ministry of Home Affairs to deal with all the problems that these non-locals have created? I can rationalise people's negative connotations and attitudes towards these foreign migrants. We all started with a neutral mindset and accepted them. But you can't help deny that it's their own behaviour, actions and attitudes that have altered our perceptions of them. It takes two hands to clap.
Well, of course these are just my personal comments and have no intention of directing any opinion against or towards anyone. Tomorrow will be BETTER! :)
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