Recently, the author read one article from The Star Newspaper which was written by Karim Raslan, one of the columnists in many SEA media. Raslan wrote about his experience travelling in the great city of Singapore. For a "gentle" reminder, Singapore is but the most developed country in Asia. While most people accept the well status of Singapore, others do idolize each and every thing associate with the country: her development, her economy status, her government, her media, her people, her efficiency, her democracy, and her military; literally idolize each and every thing that is associated with Singapore. One would even come to compare the price of chicken rice in Malaysia and Singapore for the sake!
Raslan start with how he travel by cap to the newly build casino at Marina Bay and describe how fascinating it is the vista of the South East Asian's Monte Carlo. The area of the newly developed scene gives perception that Singapore is what you seen here. But what you see is often fraction of what really happen. When the next day he resumes his journey with his fellow friend, Alecia Neo another story comes all together at a place call Queenstown. And this especially true for the blue collar working class people of the country.
The medical fee is too expensive for the working class. Even though people are getting healthier and healthier, the bill for medical consumption is high. Most of the blue collars people cannot afford to pay the bill which may lead to running out of pension scheme during the old days. Maybe a country has the best medical practice but if one cannot afford it, there is no use for the people. Maybe the foreigner will come to get treatments that they deserved but what about the people in the country? It is just like a Malay saying, "kera di hutan disusukan, anak di rumah mati kelaparan," because apparently the monkey will "contribute" more rather than the kid. So, where is medical right?
Other issue for the Merlion government is about the plight of their people to own property. The price for an apartment is S$840 000 so much expansive to two room HDB flat circa S$225 000. But the tag price for "two room" flat isn't that cheap either! Of cause we do not wish to compare with the price of "PPR flat" of Malaysia but if the number is correct, than it is tough to own a house in Singapore. So, it may be true that a lot of Singaporean own house at Johor Bahru because it seem like "impossible" to own their house at their own country, theoretically speaking.
It appears that Malaysian is not the only one that has problem with foreign workers. But rather than having problems with illegal foreign worker, people of Singapore need to compete with the "permanent resident" for their job. Then, there is "the myth of the lazy natives" all together when the foreign worker, especially the Chinese from China are willing to work more for less compare to the national citizen. Hence, Raslan conclude that the Singaporean is competing with the foreigner for each socioeconomic level.
In the end, Raslan mention about election and the challenges that will be bugging the government (read: PAP). But rather then politically speaking, the heavenly image and proclamation of "Singapore is better" by some of "Malaysian," it seem that the country still do have some flaws. That is why it is wrong to simply compare the price of nasi lemak in Singapore and JB or the Singaporean do not need to pay for their petrol and their car debt because their public transportation is at the tip top, thus Singaporean do not need cars. Yes, Malaysia is still far from what Singapore has achieved and yes, we can learn so much from Singapore and may adapt their good policies. But just because we can do not mean that we must. For each and every uniquely economic, demographic and environment, there will be some special treatment rather the general one.
For we need to appreciate the uniqueness of the nation.... and keep up the good work. If you do not satisfy, then go on and choose a new government !
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