Honestly, I’ve told my kids to study hard and go abroad for a better future. Go see the world, don’t stay rooted like papa. Singapore feels too saturated, moving so fast that it has lost its identity. I miss the ’90s and early 2000s—when the pace was more balanced, and the island wasn’t so crowded. Now, the “Garden City” feels artificial—just man-made waterfalls, curated gardens, and enclosed caves. Attractions, concerts, mrts, hdb, roads. Construction is everywhere.
Sometimes, Singapore feels like Disneyland. Citizens are like theme park employees, working tirelessly to bring in more “visitors” and to ensure they have a seamless experience—keeping them fed, making sure they get around easily and comfortably—while earning just enough to keep up with the ever-rising cost of living in the park. Inflation is real. The highly paid, world-class executives running the theme park tell us to work together, stay united, and keep things running—and we do, for the love of our country.
Of course, visitors contribute to the economy, but at the end of the day, they leave with good memories while we remain, tied to our roots and families, continuing the cycle for the next gen.
Is this the “good future” that CHT is referring to? I know, I know… if we’re unhappy, we can always migrate. But it’s also true that I can choose who to believe—and who to vote for.
Humbly, I don’t need anyone to tell me about how a strong mandate guarantees a good, foreseeable future. No one could or should say that. I shall decide that for myself. And right now, I know exactly what’s hurting my wallet—and my dreams.
