Since I was young, I've subjected to one sided political indoctrination bombarded by state controlled newspapers and TV media. For those who are from rich families and can afford to travel, they would have their eyes open at an early age because they will be exposed to what is going on in foreign countries. The effects of continued propaganda and indoctrination is heaviest on the poor who spend their whole lives in Singapore. Over time I thought that people in other countries live in complete chaos and Singapore is a true paradise. Our homes are worldclass, our transport system is world class, our education system is world class, our govt takes excellent care of the poor and old. Other countries are fraught with crime disorder and misery.
It was only when I was in my twenties that I get to travel to Muar in Malaysia. I was terrified of going given the numerous reported crimes reported in our newspapers. I was afraid of getting robbed, cheated and killed. I set aside my apprehension of the unknown to go to stay at the home of a friend of a friend. I was worried the home will have no basic amenities like water, electricity, cable vision and Internet access given they are not advanced like Singapore. I was afraid thatI would not be able to get around due to their backward transport system. I was also afraid that racial riots and protests will erupt sponteneously on the streets putting my life in danger. Muar is afterall the backwater of Malaysia.
When I got there, the 1st question I asked my host was whether he can provide me with some information on public transport. His reply was "public transport? What public transport?". That immediately confirmed my fears that the place was hopeless. However, what he said next was more shocking to me, "Everyone here drives around or use motorbike lah who wants to take bus?!". It is shocking because the unreachable Singapore dream of owning a car is a default transportation in Muar? Yes, and they have clean water, cable with more channels, Internet access, mobile phones too. They mostly live in landed property which although look a bit run down have little garden and spaces for children. In the 1 week I was there, I was not robbed or cheated. The food was great and I even got to meet the (in)famous Muar rapper who unpleasantly hurled vulgarities at me when he found out I was from Singapore. The old don't work in Muar, they look after grandchildren ...yes, the people there are still reproducing. My first experience out of Singapore thought me that people don't live the same way we do in Singapore - they are firstly more relaxed, children have spare time to play soccer, they live in bigger homes. Also, people like the Muar rapper have some character and do not behave like drones feeding an economic machine.
I suspect many poor Singaporeans who don't travel do not know that life can actually be better. They are somewhat trapped in their thoughts that what is unchangeable is unchangeable and they can only cope with life and struggle through the challenges. I used to think that people are stupid to emigrate from such a wonderful place like Singapore to other countries where the system is described by our newspapers as completely flawed dysfunctional and unsafe. Just a short trip to one of Malaysia's backwater made me questions the assumptions on which Singaporean lives are built. Singapore is a sparkling micropolis with numerous millionaires but most of us will never be millionaires and will have to eke out an average life - 3 room flats, public transport, A level education. Many will not be able to afford marriage and children. We are now told to go to Malaysia when we are sick and old. Singapore is a paradise only to those who don't know better....
It was only when I was in my twenties that I get to travel to Muar in Malaysia. I was terrified of going given the numerous reported crimes reported in our newspapers. I was afraid of getting robbed, cheated and killed. I set aside my apprehension of the unknown to go to stay at the home of a friend of a friend. I was worried the home will have no basic amenities like water, electricity, cable vision and Internet access given they are not advanced like Singapore. I was afraid thatI would not be able to get around due to their backward transport system. I was also afraid that racial riots and protests will erupt sponteneously on the streets putting my life in danger. Muar is afterall the backwater of Malaysia.
When I got there, the 1st question I asked my host was whether he can provide me with some information on public transport. His reply was "public transport? What public transport?". That immediately confirmed my fears that the place was hopeless. However, what he said next was more shocking to me, "Everyone here drives around or use motorbike lah who wants to take bus?!". It is shocking because the unreachable Singapore dream of owning a car is a default transportation in Muar? Yes, and they have clean water, cable with more channels, Internet access, mobile phones too. They mostly live in landed property which although look a bit run down have little garden and spaces for children. In the 1 week I was there, I was not robbed or cheated. The food was great and I even got to meet the (in)famous Muar rapper who unpleasantly hurled vulgarities at me when he found out I was from Singapore. The old don't work in Muar, they look after grandchildren ...yes, the people there are still reproducing. My first experience out of Singapore thought me that people don't live the same way we do in Singapore - they are firstly more relaxed, children have spare time to play soccer, they live in bigger homes. Also, people like the Muar rapper have some character and do not behave like drones feeding an economic machine.
I suspect many poor Singaporeans who don't travel do not know that life can actually be better. They are somewhat trapped in their thoughts that what is unchangeable is unchangeable and they can only cope with life and struggle through the challenges. I used to think that people are stupid to emigrate from such a wonderful place like Singapore to other countries where the system is described by our newspapers as completely flawed dysfunctional and unsafe. Just a short trip to one of Malaysia's backwater made me questions the assumptions on which Singaporean lives are built. Singapore is a sparkling micropolis with numerous millionaires but most of us will never be millionaires and will have to eke out an average life - 3 room flats, public transport, A level education. Many will not be able to afford marriage and children. We are now told to go to Malaysia when we are sick and old. Singapore is a paradise only to those who don't know better....
:(
