Well. Today was screwed up as expected.
I totally lost my confidence when I saw the 1000 people I had to face in the auditorium as someone foreign, literally. Letting people know you are a foreign scholar is not such a pleasant thing, really.
For starters, just want to comment on the
issue of the representation of the panel. This girl from shiv’s class whose name I didn’t quite catch raised the issue that both me and shiv are scholars and there are no foreign non-scholars in the panel. Actually I thought that was a pretty valid point because the truth is, scholars are treated differently from foreign students. If you tell a Singaporean you’re a Malaysian scholar instead of just a Malaysian, the response you get is probably different. That’s the reason why some scholars prefer not to make known to everyone that they’re here on a scholarship, evading the question of ‘You’re living on our money?’. Foreign non-scholars are actually around the same as Singaporeans because they’re living on their own income, doing everything on their own, getting the same or even less privileges, so in fact there should be no comparison between the two. The only difference is the former is not a local-born.
Nafis commented on the
principle of motivation of some foreigners becoming Singaporeans. He said that the main reason was pragmatism. Since they were already doing so well in that country, it just became a matter of fact that foreigners take up citizenship. I do agree to that. In fact, if you really think about it, isn’t that the case in most countries? Let’s face it. You want to migrate to somewhere more often that not because you feel life is better there. How many of you actually want to live someone because oh you feel that you have a sense of belonging to that country? Perhaps that’s just a small exception of the people. That is perhaps why I’m not willing to give up my citizenship for a Singapore one. Because I don’t even like the life here, so why would I want to force myself to stay here? Yes I’m being selfish as my main reason of coming here is probably to experience a different environment and different education system, and not to contribute back to Singapore’s economy. So call me kia-su. Who isn’t?
On the issue of Singaporeans having to migrate out of the country because there are too many foreign ‘intruders’ so to speak, I find that totally ironic. Singaporeans migrate to other countries for what? To lead a better life, I’m sure. If not why are Singaporeans not migrating to Malaysia? So if Singaporeans themselves flock to other countries because they are in their opinion, more developed, then what’s wrong with foreigners coming to Singapore because they too recognize Singapore’s potential in giving them a better quality of life? Aren’t we all seeking what’s best for us ultimately?
Well I got attacked on that issue that foreigners come as a competition and by right the locals should get more right since that is their homeland. I agree, Singaporeans should be entitled to their own rights themselves since it is their home country and where their patriotism lies. Don’t tell me please. I’m sure the Singapore government knows what it’s doing. And saying that I won’t contribute back to the workforce because I’m only coming here for education, are you then implying that you want me to stay? Wow I’m honoured. Well as I said, competition is not among nationalities, it’s among individuals. Companies don’t really care where you’re from, as long as you’re capable, you’ve got the job. It’s wrong too if I go back to Malaysia, and there’s this Chinese foreigner who wants to fight for a job with me. If I’m just overly stupid and that dude is proficient in both English and Chinese and also maths, then why should I even try to convince those the employers that since I’m your fellow Malaysian, you give me the job. It makes totally no sense!
Globalization is happening everywhere in the world regardless of whether we like it or not. The case of foreigners coming to Singapore is only an increasing trend, and there’s nothing we or anyone can do about it. Singapore prides itself as a multi-cultural and multi-national country, where it supposedly promotes peace and harmony. But if bitterness exists in such issues, then how can it really prosper?
By the way, I’m still going to remain a Malaysian.
Regardless of anything.
For now, at least.
And I’m proud to be a Malaysian.
And btw. NO OFFENCE to the above mentioned people.
I just have to defend myself a little I guess.
And singaporeans are friendly nice people. (:
