So the NDP came and gone and now the hot topic is regarding MP Penny Low texting on her cell phone while other Cabinet members around her were standing and singing the national anthem. Her reason for doing so: “to share the “moment of pride” with her residents on Facebook”. -_-

Anyway, just when you think the mess ends there, an FT clerk by the name of Rachelle Ann Beguia started to defend MP Penny and hurl insults at Singaporeans. Examples of posts on Facebook are:

1) “These moronic Singaporeans…”
2) “…their code, their morals, their loyalty and patriotism.. all dropped at the first sign of trouble..”
3) “Foreigners can come and snatch your jobs and flats it only shows one thing.. how incompetent you are.”
And my favorite…
4) “I mentioned names and yours especially, so what are you going to do about it? Yes I like to bootlick it benefits me what you going to do about it?”

Source

Even though Rachelle Ann Beguia has apologized to Singaporeans, unfortunately the damage has already been done. The ill she spoke with her tongue is apparent; I bet the hate she harbor in her heart for Singaporeans will be far worse. I’m just glad she is a clerk… imagine if she is a nurse tending to local patients.

It is very easy to be emotional and fight fire with fire, however, everybody needs to look at this in a calm, rational manner. So for today, I want to set the record straight for all foreign workers, talented or not.

1) Know your place
When you are a foreigner and working in ANY country you should know your place. It does not matter if you are given a temporary work permit or Permanent Residency, bottom line, you must act like a guest. And the guest must not burden the host.

When I was working in the US, even though I was given full rights to live and work anywhere I want to like any American citizen, I still feel that I am an outsider. I look different from the locals, I have a Malay accent whenever I speak my English and I think differently too… and all this took time for my Ang moh co-workers to adjust.

So that means there are certain things I know I must not engage in. I saw a crowd in a mall once where people are invited to raise their opinions on US policies. And near the booth, I saw Americans debating with each other in public.

Even though, I have my own political opinions, should I join in and engage in their debate as if I am a local? Of course not, cause it’s their country and they are trying to work things out. Who the heck am I to intervene and meddle in their affairs? And why should I be mean to my American friends and criticize their country and work ethics? How does that benefit anybody?

So my advice to foreign workers in Singapore, just go to work, save your money and keep a VERY low profile.

2) Just because Singapore Government welcomes you, does not mean Singaporeans do.
This is harsh but it is a fact. The reason for the influx of foreigner workers problem is 2 fold. Due to mismanagement from the Government, it has effectively turned this once happy little island to an expensive, stressful hellhole that suppresses birth rates. It is not the fault of Singaporeans that birth rates are falling short, it is the fault of Govt policies… anybody who refute this fact, is either severely ignorant or in denial and I am not interested in discussing problems that are apparent.

Another factor is due to cheap foreign labor. Do not be fooled by the Singapore media labeling you as talented. The PRIMARY reason for this whole foreign worker policy is to drive costs down. Whether the need is legitimate is still unknown because of how elusive the Govt is.

3) Your stay is not permanent.
Even though, you are granted citizenship…. even though, you just bought a HDB, you must bear in mind that mp Teo Chee Hean admitted that the PAP may not stay in power and that the transition will be “very difficult.” Even LKY, don’t think PAP will last either.

Difficult or not, to me, this transition he is talking about is a matter of time and when a NEW Govt is set in place, I can assure you, foreign worker policies can be reversed and we will see a gradual decrease of foreigners. This is not being spiteful; this is to correct mistakes done by the current administration.

In my opinion, even if the new Govt impose tough criterias for any incoming foreigner, Singapore will still be one of their top choice place to work because of the strong Singapore dollar, high standard of public amenities, safe environment etc.

Lastly I would like to end this article by saying that I am not against foreigners who come to Singapore to work. I do not like when a Singaporean blast a foreign worker online by using condescending remarks. It is tough to leave your home and be far away from your family to earn money. At the same time, I also do not like foreigners who think he/she is God’s gift to Singaporeans and not know their place.

All of us are human beings no matter where we come from, and deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. Anyone who can’t see that has this disease call Nationalism and arrogance in their heart. The issue here is with Govt policies that make Singapore a tough place for Singaporeans to start a family. And after that they made things worse by cutting job opportunities for the Singaporean.

This tiny island is falling apart,
Evil Bunny

PS: I have a Filipino and Indonesian colleague once and they told me not to stay back late in the office with them. They told me their families are not here while mine are. So don’t hate on the Filipino worker just because of one bad apple. YOU CAN be apprehensive when you interact with foreign workers or Singaporeans for that matter because bad people ALWAYS outnumber good people, but once you can sense sincerity with their words, you can bring your guard down.