However, the PAP did need a lesson, I'll agree, but to use the foreigner/housing/cost of living gambit is totally incorrect as there is absolutely nothing the opposition can do either. And, that's why none of them had anything concrete in their manifesto's, (those that did have them), WP didn't even have plans for Aljunied and still don't. Why? Because the WP is being used by Chen to further his personal ambition to become PM and nothing more. The WP just happens to be the largest opposition base he could tap into for his own ends.SGUS wrote: If you are comparing Singapore to developing countries around Singapore or any developing country, sure Singapore fares well except Singaporeans are not paying the lower standard of living like in those places; but are receiving stagnated wages. This is exactly what the govt have been telling people,the thing is what's the point of comparing to those who are worst off. I tend to believe most Singaporeans want to compete against to those on par with you or better than you, after all that's how the country can improve!
Only Singapore's infrastructure is 1st world, the vast majority of locals however are only one generation removed from the kampung and a good portion of them cannot compete with other 1st world workers.
No doubt Singapore has benefitted from foreign companies and the foreign professionals these industries attract but the recent influx of foreigners,with no regards to skill levels, has major impact on the social and economic issues. Even a big immigrant country like USA brings in 65K new foreign professional each year; but Singapore took in 150K (both professional and non-professionals) each year in last few years, obviously that generates discontent among locals, wouldn't it?
Discontent yes, but do they ever wonder how the wheels of industry are going to keep turning if they aren't procreating? If they are retiring worker when they hit 62 or refusing to hire workers after they pass 45? The structural unemployment of Singaporeans is one of the lowest in the world but the problem is deeper than than. With only 1.16 fertility rate, if you don't bring in even the lower level workers (industry) the wheels will stop turning and the MNC will move to your neighbour's who are anxiously awaiting them as they know the local population is about to totally screw up Singapore to the point that there will probably be a mass exodus like Evergreen did a couple of years ago.
In general, Singaporeans welcome managerial/professionals but not so much for the low skilled workers as the lower-skilled not only compete for low paying jobs but also resources in the HDB estates. On the other hand, the liberal policies that allow new PRs to get HDB apartments (and remember public housing in Singapore has no income restrictions as compared to say the US) has caused skyrocketed real estate price, as a result of well-to-do PRs buying both private apt and holding HDB flat. It also created shortage of affordable HDB housing for the younger generation. So this is double wammies for the locals. So most would agree that the immigration policies need to be looked at, should be more selective as to who they want in the country?
Skyrocketing real estate prices? Who is causing that? Sorry to say, but your are grossly misinformed. It is the local Singaporean property owner who is holding out in property scarce Singapore for the absolutely highest COV they can get. There is nothing stopping a Singaporean from selling to other Singaporeans at a decent price, so it would appear the the problem is Singaporean GREED that causes skyrocketing prices. No different than any other property owner in the world, except they don't try to blame it on the buyers, who often have NO Choice but to either buy at inflated prices or pay inflated rentals to the Singaporeans to take the fact that they are foreigners, as a license to gouge.
For all your vaunted education here, a large percentage of the local population sure are dense not to see what is a plain as the nose on their faces.
Good luck, cause you're gonna need it.