xenophobia on the rise

[sundaymorningstaple]

I believe that was c. 2008 or 9. I'm pretty sure they are revising that estimate now, considering the mess they have already created and the likelihood that they will lose power if they attempt it.

[NorrinRadd]

I think JR may be right, I remember seeing something in the ST last weekend or the weekend before showing some ridiculously high forecast of something to that effect.

I know they were calling it 6.5 in 2008/9 also.

I say 'ridiculously' because I don't see how they will achieve that with the low birth rate, people leaving and things only getting more expensive and exclusive, there is no longer the attraction that was there in the early 2000's for people to come here or stay.

Hadn't thought of it before, but JR's idea of it being a distraction sounds quite possible.

I believe that was c. 2008 or 9. I'm pretty sure they are revising that estimate now, considering the mess they have already created and the likelihood that they will lose power if they attempt it.

[BillyB]

6.5mn population - hmmmmmmm

Do you think I'd get planning permission for a second Orchard Towers? That sounds like a golden opportunity........

[NorrinRadd]

Wasn't there such a plan?

I vaguely remember when Top 10 became Top 5 that there was talk of moving it to a new location, presumably housed with other such establishments.

6.5mn population - hmmmmmmm

Do you think I'd get planning permission for a second Orchard Towers? That sounds like a golden opportunity........

[movingtospore]

There is resentment against foreigners without a doubt. I have been here 20 years, and now more than ever the newspapers are stoking the fire about foreigners. You only have to look at the daily paper (wont name it) to see all the chit. This seems to have escalated over the last couple of years. I hate it all and am done now. Before i get replies about the airport, i do know where it is. Sorry to be so negative, it is how i feel about this place. It seems that all of a sudden Singapore has casinos, new hotels bigger than before and all this crap has started against foreigners in the newspaper and on Singapore forums.
Sorry if i offend anyone but i feel Singapore is getting too big for its boots now.

I'm glad I'm not only one getting this vibe. Was starting to think I'm paranoid. But you can feel it, everywhere you go. Are they really planning to throw another couple million people into the mess? Should be fun.

[movingtospore]

Not at all, thanks for pointing it out, fixed.

From where I'm sitting I see heated responses without considering the ramifications. Win the battle, lose the war.

Apologies for being pedantic, but you lose the war when you become loose with your English.

I can't help myself. That what a few years of living here does to you.

[poodlek]

6.5mn population - hmmmmmmm

Do you think I'd get planning permission for a second Orchard Towers? That sounds like a golden opportunity........

OT very successful... yet no time to procreate because they're working too many hours?

[JR8]

Hadn't thought of it before, but JR's idea of it being a distraction sounds quite possible.

Hey it's just a passing thought, I'm not making a claim or statement ok.

But if you look at western countries it is quite common to see governments that are under pressure, divert that pressure elsewhere. Also economic squeezes seem to naturally lead to a period of xenophobia, as an extreme look at Germany in the 1930's which lead to WW2 and the holocaust.

Another example, in the last few weeks of run-up to the French elections Sarkozy became increasingly right-wing, trying to lure in right-wing voters (who were voting for Marine Le Pen). He arguably became downright xenophobic, threatening to close borders and withdraw from Schengen etc. That's about as much of a finger-pointing diversion as you get away with in PC Europe...

The thing I don't get in SG is that if the plan was to reach say 6.5m (for what reason?) has it changed? If so what is the new plan?

[JR8]

I vaguely remember when Top 10 became Top 5

Top 10, wey-hey blast from the past! Er [cough] I mean, oh yes, someone once told me about that establishment.

[nanamar]

(I did not check if someone has already posted about this before, but here goes)

On this subject of projecting population, the government released a white paper earlier last month. https://www.nptd.gov.sg/content/dam/npt ... narios.pdf

They detail 5 possible scenarios and seek to justify adding more citizens.

Though most of the findings in their report are obvious, it might have been their way to sell the current strategy to the people.

[sundaymorningstaple]

6.5mn population - hmmmmmmm

Do you think I'd get planning permission for a second Orchard Towers? That sounds like a golden opportunity........

For three years between '88-91 I actually rented a semi-D that was owned by the architect that designed the Original OT. Was a very inauspicious house but while he was Chinese, he had nothing but good luck there and he won't sell it because of that luck. He got the OT contract & had 2 sons while living there. The front gate faces a sharp 90 degree curve which if you open the gates is downhill straight the road onto Thompson Road. And the house number? "4". So Feng Shui doesn't always fly true. (And my son was born while living there as well in '89)

[JR8]

Did it have a circular bed, mirrors on the ceiling and a pink corner jacuzzi bath?

[x9200]

I have a bit different question: is the anti-foreigner sentiment targeted mostly at the PR/WP holders or also at the naturalized citizens?

[sundaymorningstaple]

To a lesser extent, I've heard new citizens have also been singled out as well, but mostly by the opposition members as they figure if the PAP gave them citizenship, then out of gratitude, they would naturally vote for the party who was responsible for their obtaining citizenship.

However, if it's something to do with the sporting arena, then everybody hates them as they "are purchased" to represent Singapore.

http://singaporedissident.blogspot.com/ ... ually.html

http://www.askmelah.com/foreign-sports-talent-scheme/

[x9200]

Yep, I remember this one, but otherwise it sounds like the option they may want to take. "Offer" the worthy PRs to convert to SC, do not extend REPs for the others. We already seem to see the 2nd part going on. Interesting how worthy you should be to refuse taking the citizenship and not fall into the 2nd category immediately.