Tuesday, January 23, 2007

THINK SINGAPOREANS SENT TO STRAITS TIMES...REJECTED TOO!

Thank you for writing to us. We do appreciate your making the effort. We receive 70 letters on average each day. Limited space means we can publish only about a dozen every weekday. This means having to make often-difficult editorial judgments on which letters to publish. We regret we are unable to publish your letter, and hope you will appreciate the constraints on space we face every day. We hope you will continue taking an interest in the Forum Page.

Yours sincerely
Ms Noor Aizafor
Forum Editor
The Straits Times"

Nick Pedro
06/12/2006 12:53 PM
To:stforum@sph.com.sg

Subject:Forum

The Editor, FORUM,
Straits Times

I wish to submit the following,It is about time that we think Singaporeans first. There is always the element of patriotism in Singaporeans. There are several issues arising from employing foreigners. The end results most of those who have been given citizenship can easily return to their countries once again. We need to give Singaporeans key posts. For example in our soccer, hockey and table tennis teams although we have foreigners; we never did make a huge difference. Even if we win it is not of level ground. I would rather that we lose as Singaporeans and be proud that we tried our best. We need to expend these monies in sports for worthwhile use, which makes sense, for Singaporeans.There are families here that could not afford to bring their children to cinemas, Underwater World, Cable Car rides, Night Safari, etc, because they are too expensive. Why is there a need to enjoy these places when you cannot afford it, one could ask? One feels marginalized when their children could not afford to go to such places while working and slogging for thirty, forty years or so as Singaporeans. Should all households at least own a car? Why not, for families can bring their children for picnics and to places that they have never been before due to any transportation available to these places. There are many who have never actually traveled all over Singapore. The lower income families can also purchase three or five years old second hand cars at a very low price and tax free, instead of exporting them overseas. I feel that the old and young and handicapped must not be forgotten when the government plans the handouts to be given to cushion increases in price when GST is risen. The best would be not to penalize Singaporeans who own bigger flats. Everyone loves to see their children enjoy the spacious luxury of our homes for children to move about and have their own rooms. Everyone also wishes to come home to a large living room to relax, after a day’s work. This is basically the reason why we work, that is to own a home, have food and live comfortably. I hope one day the HDB architects would introduce more toilets/bathrooms into the flats so everyone can enjoy without rush a warm bath, in a large or an extended family. There should be more open spaces and fields for children to run about, for soccer players to kick about and old folks to enjoy the flora and fauna. We are living in a “closely knitted” environment. I believe we have the space to provide for each households landed property, if our population was like before. There is a need to realize the Singaporean’s dream, than only it would take the present government many more years into running our country. It would be therefore be appropriate if the government work on a per head basis in a family household than on 3, 4 or 5 rooms’ flats, in order to distribute part of the revenue from the increase. Many a time families with large number of children, parent as a sole bread winner, families with extended families are disadvantaged by this policy. In some case those owners of 3 rooms’ flat owns a car and a private apartment, with both husband and wife working with a monthly combine salary of eight thousand compared to a 5 room owner, whose salary is two thousand a month. Whose wife is unemployed and are with four children and it would not be a fair yardstick to who are the needy. It must be deeming to be fair, in terms of how much expenses a family has and at the same time it is pro family. We need to have satisfied citizens before we can actually realize the full potential of Singaporeans. I am really proud that a Singaporean actually swam across the English Channel. In this instance I shall be biased and add that it will be Singaporeans who take Singapore to greater heights. Majullah Singapura.

No comments: