The increasing feuds between Singaporean and the foreign talents
that we can almost see daily on our Facebook timeline; like the recent case of
TTSH dismissed its employee Mr Ello Ed Mundsel Bello for being rude on the
comments he posted on his Facebook. It just causes more hatred for either nationality.
The indisputable truth is that our
forefathers "invaded" this peaceful Malay village back in the 1830s
when Singapore became the capital of British Traits Settlements. Although the
Chinese came way before this time, the British found only about 150 people on
the island and only 30 are Chinese fishermen.
So it is just a Deja vu happening over
again. We came to this little Malay village and FT came to our country which
happens to be the same place at a different era. The problem is that this place
had not doubled its size but just merely increases from 1960s 581.5 sq.km to
723.2 sq.km today. The population scored much better with 1.7 million in the
60s to 5.4 million today.
The other things need to mention is that
the Chinese came as traders and many ended in small time business owners
providing all kinds of services to the communities. That is where we have our
title of food paradise in Asia.
Raffles sat foot to discover about 1000
people in the island in 1819 with mostly indigenous Malays and a couple of
Chinese. By 1860, the population climbed to 80,000 with half of it are Chinese
immigrants mostly worked at the rubber plantation. Around 1870, Singapore
became a global centre for rubber exportation. Job opportunities and population
increased at an insane rate but parallel.
By the time of Japanese Occupation in
1942, Singapore's multi racial had already lived in this island cohesively.
Disregarding the racial riots in 1964, nothing seems to be a problem. The
Chinese could speak Bahasa Melayu and the Indian could speak Hokkien. Although
there are Malays and Chinese village separately, Chinese are enjoying nasi
berani and Malays eats prata (halal).
Why didn't the Malays rejected the Chinese
back in 1830?
Because the intrusion brings about a
change. A change that all parties desired. Everybody is in a win-win situation
and most importantly, the Chinese did not have the intention to leave. The
Chinese is fully willing to blend into the Sumatra Straits - the Malay dominant
cultures. They have only 1 aim and that is to build up the country -
Singapore.
So how long will we take to accept of our
new companions?
That depends. The Indians are here to make
their money and sail their way back and it goes the same for other
nationalities. I even talked to some that converted to citizens and have a
heart to heart chats. Surprisingly the plan is to be legally able to buy a HDB
flat and rent it for investment. He said," I can take HDB loans and rent
out the house to pay it back. When it's fully paid in 15 years I will sell it
and goes back to my country". "You will be a Singaporean on visa staying
in India?" I asked. "Nooooo, we have ways to do it". He replied.
Seems that most are here to make quick
bucks and return swiftly. The measurement is how fast they became successful in
their country for time spends in Singapore. Let's be fair, there are FTs willing
to stay for good. My concern is - what is your plan for this country?
Well, the FTs will ask, “So, what is your
plan?". My plans? I don't have any plans. I just know that I'm
enjoying the fruit of my forefather hard labour to build this country. So does
the Malays and local Indians. But guess what? I have to share it with you now.
Did your forefathers build this country? You are the future forefathers of this
country? Then tell me what your plans are? Is it to enjoy the benefits and high
salaries and send money back to your country?
No comments:
Post a Comment