"There was a time when people said that Singapore won't make it but WE DID..." This well-known verse, sung every year without fail on every 9th of August to marked our date of Independence for us. Looking back in those years where a small nation like our Singapore, merely a red-dot on the Global Map, achieving, upgrading and developing till where we stand now. I believed some would chose the past than now, claiming that it was much better before than now.
To others across the world, Singapore is a Gold Mine, a hidden treasure that many from abroad seeks and willing to do whatever it takes to make their lives better. The people who is/was given the authority, the power, to take Singapore to the next level, I would say did a good job in bringing success to Singapore. Just like a Sport Team like Football, a country winning the World Cup, getting world recognition, not only the players enjoyed that amazing moment in life but also the coaches, managers, backroom staffs and of coz the fans. Not only those who travelled together with the Team but also those back home. Everybody is happy. Not even a single one will grumble or curse "Bloody hell why did we win it?!" unless that particular person are on some form of Illegal Betting Activities but hey...who won't bet on their own country if it qualified to The Finals?
But sadly in Singapore, it was a very intense and mixed feelings between proud and hatred. Something is missing somewhere in the middle. Back in the 90s when Singapore won the Malaysia Cup Finals, the whole Singapore people celebrated it "Regardless of Race, Language or Religion". But not this time. Not when we were at first made known to the world that we are SIXTH most Expensive City to live in and now we are 'No.1'. And I don;t know which group of people or citizens is celebrating it but I definitely knew majority are not happy with it. The higher the level of Standard of Living in Singapore rises, same goes to the level of Stress injected indirectly into it's Citizens.
For so many years ever since those History of Racism Riots in the past, our Government have done well in implementing its Law and Order. Schools teaching children to practice tolerance and respect to one another but now I foresee loopholes and cracks begins to appear in the system. 'WE' are so much into progressing our country's development that we forgotten to progress in our Social Education. 'WE' are to busy making money, digging here and there and tunnels here and there for roads and MRT Trains in the name of 'Convenient for our People' but we forgot to actually look into maintaining it and strengthen the one existing. Now, instead of providing better transportation services for all, it caused more delays and frustrations, with the malfunctions while the prices still hikes. The trains can break down but the ERP Gantry never. This caused STRESS among us.
So recently, we could see 'a majority race' individuals mocking another on it's cultures or wedding celebrations. Definitely RACISM on the alert. Not once but we've seen more especially all those banterings on Social Network Websites. When it was put down the soonest, another one appears. Don't just put it down. Educate them. Console them. Blockings and Banned or Rejections won't solve it. The recent trend now is all about 'Citizens Vs Non-Citizens / Foreigners / PR. From Bus Trip Rights to walking in the street of my country Rights.
Foreigners don't just come here my dear fellow much-more-better-educated citizens. They have to go through strict rules and regulations so stop blaming them for 'taking our job'. Because of this attitude, we got labelled as 'Lazy-Choosy Singaporeans' just because of some bad eggs who rots among us. I came from a middle-class family and life is not pretty easy for that class too what's worst the lower income might be facing, I couldn't imagined being in their shoes. I got my standard educations here in Singapore, got to taste Kampung Lifestyle before it fades ( Lorong Buangkok ) and served my National Service and started working till now. Working in varies jobscopes especially in Entertainment, getting the opportunity to mingle and worked with Locals and Foreigners made me realized what is the missing part that caused the current bantering on Foreigners and etc..etc. which lead to us discriminating and blaming them for the Riots in Little India or the noises caused by Filipinos in Lucky Plaza, bus trips or Indonesians in City Plaza Geylang or Thais drinking habits along Beach Road.
We forgot the true meaning of "Regardless of Race, Language or Religions". The lyrics says it all. It doesn't say "Regardless of Malay / Chinese / Indian / Eurasian, mandarin, hokkien, hindi or Islam, Hindu, Catholic or Christianity". Regardless of race meaning any race..any language any religion. We can never claimed which race owns Singapore coz it was mixed right from the start. You can go with Sang Nila Utama and blablabla but did Malay / Java was the largest Race in Singapore? No! but to give credit and respect 'Majulah Singapura' to be sung in Malay but recognized as NATIONAL ANTHEM in English and not LAGU KEBANGSAAN. No breakfast is ever better than Indian's Roti Prata and no Chicken Rice could ever be better than Hainanese Chicken Rice and no Nasi Lemak could ever be better made especially the 'sambal' (spicy chilli paste) made by the Malays. But do we have to eat food based on our own race only? No! Especially goes out to the Malay Muslim Community, we created a 'Halal' version of all the chinese cuisines so that we too could have a taste of how it actually taste or at least closest to similarity. Same goes to the well known Punggol Nasi Lemak. By who made popular? From Malay but a Chinese Family made it as their trademark for their own people to enjoy.
It's a Bangladesh Cleaner who woke me up from daydreaming, working hard, being made fun of for their poor knowledge of English but once he finished his 2 years contract here which he endured from all the mockings and bullying be it friendly or harsh, he got a woman in India waiting to be his lawful wife, a 2-storey house furnished with external Quarters for rent, a simple car and a great savings for he bought lands there. Numerous of Filipinos i worked and performed with, came here with nothing but once they are ready to retire, take a look at those who knew how to appreciate opportunities and enjoy life. Bungalows and lands. What about us Singaporean here? What did we do about it? Blame them for stealing our jobs?
Would a Malay Mamat work as a Building Contractor Worker? Would you see an Ah Lian work as a maid? Look here my fellow people, upgrade yourself and enjoy life. Yes I know it's tough but we are smart and better educated. Use it. They are here temporary, we are permanent. Take the opportunity to learn their mental strength and courge to be apart from family for so long. To appreciates every little grace bestowed to us because they are learning about us while working here so why not learn together? Yes the standard of living here is high that caused the stress but tell me honestly...who never have debts? outstanding bills? overdues? Its a norm now. So deal with it. Work it out. Plan a budget and enjoy life even if you can't afford to go to MBS for a luxury Swim, a public Swimming Pool cost you S$1.00 but with your family and children is much more happy and contenting. You can't afford to go Garden by the Bay? A Stroll in Bishan park with your love ones will definitely be a great. You can't afford to take your family to High-End restaurant for Steaks? There's alot in the heartland Kopitiams now from Lava Rock to Charco's.
You see people...It's all about undertanding and after understanding, what can we learnt from it then comes can we make it better? Be better than it. If we can't...what are the other options we got to actually achieve similar Glories or Happiness. Important is not to think about "How rich I can be?" because richness can comes in many form and if you talking about money...You still need family, friends, colleagues, staffs to help you achieve it. If you telling me You can achieve Rich in Financially all by yourself all alone I say you must either be retarded racist or some dumb-ass clown coz You may be born rich but how are you gonna be more rich if you don't interact with others?!
To sum it up....
We are all meant to shine coz when we shine, we indirectly letting others to shine too. The more we shine together, the brighter the surrounding will be. The brighter it is for today and it continues this way, the brighter the future will be and no one will ever be left in the dark. No one will have to fear of the dark and so it all leads to trust. If you don't start trusting them, why should they start trusting us? Being Humble and nice to others brings you happiness will get you far. Would you give a donation to a beggar greeting you and being humble or a beggar that come up to you and "Oi..Halo...help please.."
Try it today...Greet someone with a smile...your Kopitiam Cleaners...Road sweepers...domestic workers with children playing at your local playground. Those serving you with in Food Places with Name-tags on..take a glance and address them by their names. Trust me...they will serve you with a smile. As we widen our circles of friendship with honesty, we are widening our knowledge too and learn to appreciates Life.
Start the Smiles. Stop the Hatred. Start Living.
Mr Islandwide
TRS Contributor