Singapore: A small country with big heart
By Kavi Chongkittavorn
SINGAPORE is the only country in Asean that uses its National Day to urge people to love the country and improve themselves.
If we just look at it on the surface, Singapore is pretty annoying. But in fact, the country should be praised because its strategies actually ensure that its people are proud and dignified. On National Day, a parade is organised just like in communist countries in the past. Shows by various ethnic groups are performed and the nation’s leader addresses his vision of what the country needs to do to move forward. This year’s theme is City of Possibilities.
The island state has continued to survive and remain wealthy and secure because it makes the impossible possible. For example, when it had a disagreement about water prices with Malaysia, it created an expensive scientific process turning waste water into drinkable water, which was sold at a reasonable price. This proved that the small country has a big heart and a fighting spirit that does not bow to anyone.
The Singapore Government always invites journalists from other Asean countries, including Thailand, to visit Singapore each year.
Education in Singapore is of a higher standard than the rest of Asean. Its education system develops talent systematically, unlike Thailand.
The reality is that Thailand can do nothing. How many years have we talked about education reform and what has been done?
Singapore has the financial resources to attract the world’s best teachers to educate their people to become scientists and academics. Thailand’s best teachers who have received government scholarships to finish their doctorates are often willing to reimburse the government by one or two million baht (S$94,000) in order to teach in Singapore where they get a higher salary.
Moreover, Singaporean society is dynamic and truly multicultural. Different religions are equally accepted and have the same holidays (just like Indonesia, which has more annual holidays than Thailand).
Outsiders do not really see these above points because they are jealous of Singapore’s development and wealth, and are put off by its arrogance.
Singapore always views itself as better than the rest and thinks of itself as the capital city of Asean. But it is the heart of Asia and has the finances so that it is always ready to invest and create jobs elsewhere.
Even wealthy Australia has to concede to capital from Singapore
Source : Straits Times - 25 Aug 2007
Singapore Property - Buy , Sell , Rent , Invest
Mindy Yong
(+65)91002985
mindy@mindyyong.com
Motor groups want COE supply cut »« Singapore URA gives sales details for 2 Reserve List sites
