‘I don’t know what I’m defending anymore’

‘I don’t know what I’m defending anymore’

By Ewen Boey – October 30th, 2010

Young Singaporeans like Lim Zi Rui are becoming increasingly disillusioned and they’re not afraid to let it show.

The 23-year-old final-year aerospace engineering student was among a 1,000-strong crowd who attended a Ministerial Forum organised on Friday by Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Students’ Union.

Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong was the guest-of-honour.

During a dialogue session after SM Goh’s main address, Lim stood up and asked if the Minister was aware that many young people no longer felt a sense of ownership in Singapore.

“When I was younger, I was very proud of being a Singaporean,” said Lim.

“But that was about five, ten years ago. Five years later, with all the changes in policies and the influx of foreign talent, I really don’t know what I’m defending any more.”

He said this was a view that many of the men he served with during National Service also held.

“I feel that there is a dilution of the Singapore spirit in youth… We don’t really feel comfortable in our country any more,” he said.

Mr Goh replied, “‘This is one early sign of danger… If this is happening, it is very serious.” He went on to ask Mr Lim why he felt disconnected.

Mr Lim told SM Goh, ”‘I’m still serving as an officer and I definitely would love to defend Singapore.”

But he said the key difference between him and his foreign friends was, “I tell them, this is my country. I can’t just leave here whenever I want to. You can come and play and work here, but I have to stay here.”

SM Goh responded by defending the government’s policy of welcoming foreigners.

“You want to have a home. Who’s going to build your HDB flat?” said the Minister.

Lim replied that due to the inability to afford the sky-high public housing prices, his brother had to call off his engagement.

“My brother got engaged, but lost his engagement because he could not afford an HDB flat,” said Lim, who went on to state that his question was not about “integrating foreigners”.

“My question was, how are we going to help the younger generation feel a sense of belonging to Singapore? I don’t think it’s about integrating foreigners,” said Lim.

“This is your country,” SM Goh replied. “What do you want me to do to make you feel you belong?”

“For my part, don’t worry about me,” Mr Lim said. “I will definitely do something, if I can, for Singapore. But I can tell you honestly that the sentiment on the ground is a bit different.”

“If this is happening, it is very serious,” said SM Goh.

“If the majority feel they don’t belong here, then we have a fundamental problem. Then I would ask myself: What am I doing here? Why should I be working for people who don’t feel they belong over here?” asked SM Goh.

Earlier on during the dialogue session, the Minister made the point that the next General Elections, due to be held by February 2012, would be a “watershed” for the future of Singapore from which a “fourth Prime Minister and a core team of younger ministers will emerge”.

SM Goh also challenged the young undergrads in his audience to “make a difference to Singapore” by joining local politics.

Source:
http://sg.yfittopostblog.com/2010/10/30/i-dont-know-what-im-defending-anymore/

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Marina Bay Sands Outing

Went out with Zen and Tsian last week to Marina Bay Sands... our 1st time there... took 106 from dhoby ghaut mrt.... to its doorstep....




When we reached there, we realised MBS hasnt really fully opened its door yet.... the whole ambience was pretty dark.... i dunno if they are doing energy saving or wad so ever...



Anyway, the boat ride... modelled after other countries' "Venice city boat ride" was seriously a scam.. its like a 5 minute walk to clear the entire waterway.... and i really pity those who take the $5 boat ride... seriously i think in 3 minutes you can complete the ride... and there werent many boats paddling around the waterway... and everybody just looked at you from the cafe seats and also tourists taking pictures of the boat and you... and you really look stupid lor....












The night scenery outside MBS wasnt as spectacular and as scenic as the one I saw while I was walking the Avenue Of Stars in Hong Kong... Singapore's across the bay version wasnt as good.... it wasnt as brightly lighted as those in Hong Kong.... so you cant expect nice and beautiful pitures... The weather was pretty cold that day and it was quite nice having the river breeze.... smell of nature =)





Worst of all in MBS was that apart from a cafe and a food court that looks really run-down like a coffee shop that sells char siew rice at $5 and economical rice at $8, there wasnt any restaurant spotted in the MBS shopping arena... and while we were taking pics at the bayfront.... there was this vietnamese tourist that came and ask us if there was any food available around the area.. and then we told him gluttons bay and pointed at the direction... and we was like -_-" wtf.. so far away...





I guess we really gotta wait one more year before we really go to MBS... apart from the bus services, hotels, convention centre and the casino, i feel much of it isnt really operational yet.



We decided to walk down to Marina Square to have our favourite "Imperial Treasure" la mian xiao long bao.. we ordered 1 tray of xiao long bao per person..hehe.... as usual, we like it much more after our meal =)

嘿！奔奔!

嘿！奔奔! (Chinese Version)



Hey! BunBuu! / 嘿！奔奔 (Japanese Version + Feature of characters @ closing

Childhood Memories... SIA!

Recent updates & Movie Reviews by Junyang

WOW... Its been a while since i last blogged... Well, have been too preoccupied with stuff till today...

Selling bus models has been a wonderful business selling experience so far... Sales hits $596 in over 4 months... =)

By the way, do check out http://bushere.blogspot.com if you are interested in buying bus models from me. =)

Anyway, going for my 4th interview tml at Changi.... Hope I can get the job after all.... Applying for the post of Logistics Associate with National Library =) Wish me luck yeah! =)


Watched "The Other Guys" with Zhenhui and Tsianhwee last last Sunday during his birthday celebrations..... Overall the movie was funny and action packed.... enjoyed the movie a lot... =) A few twists and there.... its a story about an old policeman who suddenly decided that he wants to do something big for the community after cooping himself in office for the past 20 years staying in the office doing administrative work.... and he embarks on a very funny and yet adventurous mission...

RATINGS: 7/10


Watched Wall Street a few days back before 10/10..... watched with zhenhui... overall the movie can give you some financial advice (in a way).... but there were too many dialogues in the movie.... and some draggy parts.... if you havent studied a single business related module in school... u probably wouldnt understand anything in the movie....

RATINGS: 6/10

1O/1O/1O Birthday Celebrations

It was Zhenhui's birthday last last Sunday (1O/1O/1O)! We went to Illuma Bugis to celebrate his birthday..... Had dinner at Asian Kitchen.... food was generally quite good... Cereal Prawns.... Tofu.... Roasted Chicken.... in 2 flavours... =)

Loved their Avocado drink ... had dine at Asian Kitchen years back... theirs is more milk... less avocado... but if you have to let me choosse between Alexandra Hawker Centre (next to alexandra hospital).... i would still choose Alexandra =)



Watched "The Other Guys" after which..... as explained earlier....







Went home via 960's last bus at about 1140pm... Surprisingly the bus was quite empty at night.... so it was nice to go back home via the bus... 1 hour earlier things would have been a lot different with all the banglas and indian workers preparing to go home using 960 from little india...

Sentosa (1) Jewel Box + Images of Singapore

Dad got a 2 day pass for 3 from his recreation club to go to all places of interest operated by Singapore Tourism Board.... and he took a 2 day leave.... to go out with mum and me to all the places of attraction that are free.... ended up we spent about $150.... taking photos with dolphins.... and tram ride at Night Safari..

In 2 days, we went to Night Safari, Bird Park, Science Centre, Sentosa - Underwater World.... the new Jewel Box (aka Cable Car), the chairlift ride and many more....

Sentosa (2) (Merlion + Underwater World + Siloso Beach + Chairlift + Resorts World Sentosa