G
General Veers
Guest
ST Forum
Mar 31, 2010
Tough being a S'pore PR? Try China
AS A Singaporean working in China on non-expatriate terms, I am puzzled about the grouses of Singapore permanent residents (PRs) like Mr Vishal Garg and his wife Shweta in last Saturday's report ('Almost Singaporean'). I cannot afford to buy a home in China because prices are almost as stiff as in Singapore and I cannot use my Central Provident Fund savings. My two sons cannot attend local schools or participate in local sports because they are not Chinese citizens. They must attend an international school and their annual school fees alone cost more than for a pair of four-year degree courses at the National University of Singapore.
I am almost 50 years old, have done my national service (NS) and am still liable as a reservist. When they reach 18, my sons must return to Singapore to serve NS. My boys will have to live on their own in Singapore and will add to my financial burden for which the Singapore Government does not provide me with any financial support or relief. China has one of the world's highest income taxes. Hygiene and safety remain a constant concern. The standards of some local hospitals are nowhere near Singapore's and if we fall ill, we must seek treatment at private hospitals, whose costs are exorbitant. Given a choice, I would have preferred to remain in Singapore, but I am not complaining.
It is true that some foreigners, for example a top biomedical scientist, bring special talents to Singapore and we must always welcome such talent. But for every top talent, there are hundreds who are here because there is good money to be made and Singapore is a vibrant and accommodating country. For many years, Singapore PRs have enjoyed benefits as that of citizens without having to pay for it. In Singapore, citizenship has its privileges, but at least we treat foreigners and PRs with respect and provide them with decent benefits at a minimum cost. In some countries, foreigners are called aliens.
Patrick Tan
Mar 31, 2010
Tough being a S'pore PR? Try China
AS A Singaporean working in China on non-expatriate terms, I am puzzled about the grouses of Singapore permanent residents (PRs) like Mr Vishal Garg and his wife Shweta in last Saturday's report ('Almost Singaporean'). I cannot afford to buy a home in China because prices are almost as stiff as in Singapore and I cannot use my Central Provident Fund savings. My two sons cannot attend local schools or participate in local sports because they are not Chinese citizens. They must attend an international school and their annual school fees alone cost more than for a pair of four-year degree courses at the National University of Singapore.
I am almost 50 years old, have done my national service (NS) and am still liable as a reservist. When they reach 18, my sons must return to Singapore to serve NS. My boys will have to live on their own in Singapore and will add to my financial burden for which the Singapore Government does not provide me with any financial support or relief. China has one of the world's highest income taxes. Hygiene and safety remain a constant concern. The standards of some local hospitals are nowhere near Singapore's and if we fall ill, we must seek treatment at private hospitals, whose costs are exorbitant. Given a choice, I would have preferred to remain in Singapore, but I am not complaining.
It is true that some foreigners, for example a top biomedical scientist, bring special talents to Singapore and we must always welcome such talent. But for every top talent, there are hundreds who are here because there is good money to be made and Singapore is a vibrant and accommodating country. For many years, Singapore PRs have enjoyed benefits as that of citizens without having to pay for it. In Singapore, citizenship has its privileges, but at least we treat foreigners and PRs with respect and provide them with decent benefits at a minimum cost. In some countries, foreigners are called aliens.
Patrick Tan
