I value my pink IC because...

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1026209/1/.html

The headline reads "School fee hike may prompt more foreigners to take up citizenship".

I read this article with great disappointment. This is the latest government policy to widen the gap between Singaporeans and non-citizens, and it is part of a string of policies which I cannot agree with.


Background:
3-5 years ago, the Singapore government allowed large numbers of foreigners to come here to work and live. In good times, Singaporean citizens would accept this influx of foreign talent ("FT"), because it was inevitable that someone had to do the "dirty jobs" that Singaporeans in general tend to shun. These were generally low-paying jobs that included cleaning and construction.

However, bad times came with the 2007/08 economic collapse. People were losing their jobs and someone had to be blamed. Xenophobia spread like wildfire throughout the world, and Singapore, having a significant FT population of around 30%, was not spared. Soon, the Opposition took advantage of the situation and issued stinging articles and biting criticisms against the FT policy.

People voiced their unhappiness in various areas like jobs, housing, CPF, NS and social disruption. Interestingly enough, people started to complain of "disadvantages" of being a citizen. They claimed that NS had robbed them of 2 years, and continuously disrupted their lives for the next 10 years, something which FT do not have to undergo.


The Change
People began to question, "what is the value of my pink IC? Why am I a Singaporean, only to be disadvantaged by the FT?"

This country is a democracy, and the will of the people be done. The government soon began to implement policies to widen the gap between Singaporeans and non-citizens (FTs and PRs). First they published a list of statistics, varying from housing to welfare to medical to retirement benefits. These statistics show that for many years, Singaporeans have enjoyed a certain advantage over non-citizens.

Then, a string of policies to widen that advantage started to appear, and they would explain very carefully to the reader that "this was to make a greater distinction between Singaporeans and non citizens".

This is not a critique of the government's policy, because I understand the background and the rationale for it's implementation. Public policy is merely the reflection of the needs and wants of the people, and this is a critique of these wants.

Yes, as Singaporeans, many of us do not feel a great sense of belonging to this country. We have people who emigrate to greener pastures, and some of those who stay behind lament day and night over everything. BUT, this is not the way to do things! THIS is not the way to give people a sense of belonging! We do not need another reason to be materialistic!


I value my pink IC because...
One of the greatest character flaws in Singaporeans is our materialism. We strive towards material success and gains, and this has been widely criticized, even by ourselves.

One of these days, my grandson is going to ask me "Why am I a Singaporean? Why is it important or good?" I sure as hell don't want to say "oh because we get an additional 20% discount over the foreigners! things will be cheaper!"

Hello? It's not as if we don't have enough materialism already!

I looked at my pink IC.

This is NOT a credit card. I didnt get this so I can get cheaper housing, more transport subsidies, or discounts whenever I go shopping! This is NOT a card which I will attach a monetary value to! If we look at our pink IC and think of all the monetary benefits we enjoy over the non-citizens, then ONE FINE DAY, another country is going to offer better benefits, and when that day comes, where will our loyalty lie?

I looked at my pink IC.

This is an IDENTITY CARD. It identifies me as who I am, and tells the world of what we are.

This card tells the world that I live on a tiny rock that can't be seen on the atlas.

This card tells the world that I speak English, and some other Asian language (Chinese, Malay, Indian), which makes me a bridge between East and West.

This card tells the world that I'll likely die from high cholesterol, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes or all of them, but it SURE AS HELL won't stand between me and my char kway teow.

This card tells the world that I'm from a group of people that's made the impossible possible. We have learned to study for an aptitude test and has produced more SATS perfect scorers than any other country in the world.

This card tells the world that I'm honest, hardworking and innovative, and around the world, my skills and character set is much sought after.

This card tells the world that come hell and high water, I am able to hold a rifle, I can survive in the wilderness, and when the rest of the developed world is losing the war against flab and fat, we still have a fighting chance.

This card tells the world that we are a freak of nature. My father, and my father's father, have broken, if not SHATTERED, every fundamental economic, social and political model that Western theorists have been able to conjure to date. It is IMPOSSIBLE for a nation of our circumstances to have achieved this level of material comfort, social cohesion and political stability FROM ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.

Oh and most important of all, this card tells the world... that I am Singaporean.