Newsletter #95: What Does Singapore Mean To You?

Mac
1 day ago
3 min read

Happy National Day!

In case you are wondering, today is Singapore 61st birthday. From a country perspective, we are a young country even though we are an ageing society. (An irony here) Some of the oldest countries in the world includes Iran, Egypt, China and India, whose civilisation has been around for more than 5,000 years. Amazing, isn't it?

So what is your plan for today? Going to NDP, enjoy a quiet moment or spending time with your friends and family? Today is a slow and peaceful day for me, hence I have the opportunity to write this newsletter for you. I hope you enjoy it.

What does Singapore means to you?

I think everyone has a different answer to it, which is great. To me, I see Singapore as a garden and myself as a caterpillar. The time will come when I become a cocoon and then metamorphosis into a butterfly. Once I become a butterfly, that is when duty beckons and I will explore the magnificent world ahead. (Hopefully I don't get trapped in a spider web or eaten by a praying mantis!)

Back to what I appreciate about Singapore, below are the followings:

1. Safety - There are more than 90,000 security cameras islandwide, operated by the Singapore Police Force. You can pretty much walk anywhere at night in Singapore alone, and you are unlikely to encounter any crime. But if you do encounter crime, then you can buy ToTo.

2. Low unemployment rate - According to Ministry of Manpower, resident unemployment rate remains at 2.9%. Although there are concerns about how the number was being derived, alongside with ageism and under-employment issue, there are still jobs available. (Nvm that Skynet will be taking over the world in 2040)

3. Relatively Possible Social Mobility - During my interaction with many individuals who has done well for themselves, I learnt that a lot of them came from nothing. This speaks volumes in terms of government policy and infrastructure that has been built over the last 6 decades. Obviously success is never an easy path, but that's life.

4. Racial and Religious Harmony - Compared to many places around the world, I think we did really well in this aspect.

Obviously, no country in the world is perfect and each comes with it's own challenges. I feel lucky to be born and living in Singapore. According to statistics, do you know an individual has 0.04% chance of being born in Singapore, compared to the other parts of the world!

Fun Facts!

Do you know Singapore went through a few rounds of organisational development / M&A before?

1299: Founding of ancient Temasek on the island by Sang Nila Utama.

1819: Modern Singapore was founded as a British trading post by Sir Stamford Raffles. (Partnership Agreement)

1959: Singapore gained internal self-governance from the British. (Carve out)

1963: Merged with Malaysia. (M&A)

1965: Became a fully independent republic after separating from Malaysia on August 9. (Carve out)