MM Lee "Singaporean can’t punch above its own weight if....

[DTJ]

I don’t know if our transport system is one of world’s best.


I only know that for many years, I have been ingrained to believe that our educational system is "very good"; maybe one of "world’s best" … if that’s really the case, why are our "local talents" an "inferior batch" compared to foreign talent? Is it right to therefore say that our educational system is flawed and hence cannot produce the type of "talent" we need? Hence, we import?

Yes - can someone define "foreign talent" to me?

My naive mind tells me foreign talent is a talent that is currently lacking in our society & hence, when "imported", they can contribute positively & immediately to our society… However, like i said, that’s just my naive thinking. I don’t think this is how "foreign talent" is being defined in Singapore. It seems to me "foreign talent" is just about anyone who is not Singaporean & who is willing to come here - doesn’t matter if their skill-sets aren’t relevant (ie cannot speak english or cannot understand a word of mandarin but yet they remain in service sector and work in Changi Airport; causing tourists to think that Singaporeans are "generally unable to converse in English" or they become teachers who do not have the aptitude nor patience to teach & guide but will allow their anger to get the better of them???).

I agree that foreign talent , with the relevant skill-sets will help us grow but we have to be selective and set some realistic criteria. Else, any Tom , Dick or Harry will just create more "social problems" for us & make Singaporeans an unhappy lot thus.

[pinky]

wo, brace ourselves for more imported ‘talents’ coming

[concern2]

It is very interesting how, after all the apologies, we start hearing all the ‘it cannot be helped’. The glaring transport issue, followed by the FT issue. Shall we expect that "Ministerial salaries also "cannot be helped"?


Why is it that in the past, we feel united, and have the hope that as long as we work hard, we will be rewarded? The case now is that the factor of ‘hope’ is missing. With the current policies, Singaporeans do not feel hopeful. Elections after elections, we are given empty promises, and we start losing the sight of the light, and I have to say the current leaders are failing to bring in that ray of hope, which is what successful leaders do. Perhaps, a plunge in their own pay will set themselves up as examples, to feel what the people feel - which is the least they could do, if they can’t come up with better ideas.

[concern2]

Perhaps, MM has divided himself from Singaporeans, speaking like he is no longer one of us, and the more he travels to countries, and continues to speak ill about his own people, the more divided he is causing the people to become.


\"If native Singaporeans are falling behind because the spurs are not stuck into the hide, that is their problem\"

[concern2]

I don’t see more harm done to Singaporeans than a leader who speaks ill of his own people to the whole world, and wanting to get foreigners to replace his people so that HIS country will continue to thrive.

[verykiasu2010]

snowman.697:

It's not just that. Singaporeans take luxuries for granted and continually want more and more. When their complaints are not rectified, they not happy. That's why you have (IMHO) unreasonable ppl complaining about our country's transport system which is already one of the worlds best.

yes, one of the world best

anyone tried the London Tube ? Paris Metro, the subway in Prague, Rome, Budapest ? joined the sardine can before in HK, Beijing, Shanghai ? or be in Tokyo that need people to push your backside into the train ?

or anyone tried the subway in NYC ? or taken those trains in the major American cities ... (too many to name them) ?

in terms of transport, we are one of the best, BUT, there are also lots of areas that need to be improved -- especially, peak hour frequency & punctuality.

A full bus is expected, but when the peak hour frequency and punctuality are not managed, sardine-can situation arises.

[verykiasu2010]

carebear:

raysusan:

are we that hopeless? :scared:

What MM said is true.
No, I don't think we are hopeless.
We are just too small a population, hence comparatively, just based on locals alone, we may not be able to perform well.

Agreed!

http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=48&t=157&start=6170
:siam:

[wapobs]

we are one of the best, agree.

fare increase, no agree.

[Mrsbongz]

verykiasu2010:

in terms of transport, we are one of the best, BUT, there are also lots of areas that need to be improved -- especially, peak hour frequency & punctuality.


A full bus is expected, but when the peak hour frequency and punctuality are not managed, sardine-can situation arises.

I agree with what MM said.. and yes in terms of transport we are one of the best.. but we are definitely not perfect, there's lots of room for improvement. For a country with such limited resources, small population, I think we have done well. the issue will be how to continue to do well or better.

Same thing for foreign talent. Only certain occupations are popular in Singapore, but a country cannot sustain itself that way... there are several industries in which Singapore cannot compete in, and also if we want foreign companies to base themselves in Singapore, you have to expect that they will entrust the top management to their own people. We would do the same if we set up companies overseas..

These issues are not only affecting Singapore, it is everywhere.. go to any developed country, you will see that non-locals are everywhere too. It is okay to talk about issues and voice out opinions. But just complaining without understanding the bigger picture doesn't solve anything... you can't stop globalisation... no country has been able to do that, those who attempted have serious issues with employment and their economy..

[Oppsgal]

Are Japan, Australia and Hongkong not considered developed?


Why didn’t see much of "FT" taking over their jobs?