Who loves Singapore? Ang Mo of course!

An Ang Mo expat wrote to Forum on 13 Mar 08 (see below letter) saying Singapore is almost an heaven.

I can really see reasons for him feeling that way and why a locally born and bred man won't.

Ang Mo men:

• received better respect than the local men from the local government and girls;
  
• enjoying safety without the need to contribute to it (read NS);
  
• have recourse to democracy by returning home to the west;
  
• in time of unemployment can return to home where welfare is a lot better;
  
• short distance to the wonderful Asia but based in a place where pay is high for expat, tax is low, travel is hassle free, English speaking and westernised;
  
• perceived to have better English and more creative than the locals whose survival is dependent on command of English.
  

In short the bests of both worlds -- working world (spore) and Shelter (home in the west).

The local men have the worse deal:

• served NS (and discriminated for that because of age and reservice);
  
• compete without preferential for University and jobs;
  
• no political power like an expat (or worse because expat has no fear of political oppression from the local elite caste);
  
• most have no recourse to other democracy or places of better welfare;
  
• perceived to be not as cultured and creative as the ang mo;
  
• may not have enough to eventually retire.
  

Note: I'm not against any race or Foreign Talents, but merely reflecting reality faced by local men. Under normal circumstances anywhere, one would expect locals to be treated no worse than a foreigner in own country.

Letter to Forum

Singapore is heaven. Almost

(http://www.asiaone.com/Business/Office/Rest+And+Relax/Story/A1Story20080313-54287.html)
David Sandison
Thu, Mar 13, 2008, AsiaOne

SINGAPORE has changed a lot since I turned up here as a lad about 17 years ago.
I remember coming out of work in the evenings - we were in Battery Road at the time - to be faced by four choices:
(1) Go home.
(2) Go across the road to Movenpick for a glass of the only beer they served (I think it was Tiger).
(3) Clamber over rubble and go past derelict warehouses on Boat Quay down to a dank little pub called Paddles for a glass of their only beer (I think it was Tiger).
(4) Walk around aimlessly along the dark, deserted streets (which was sometimes forced upon you in attempting the first of the above and not finding a taxi).
My wife saw a lot of me back then. Now, after work, I am faced with 100 choices, bright lights, and an almost party atmosphere.
I can enjoy a large variety of beer, including, but not limited to, an old favourite of mine, Green King's Abbott Ale.
The choice of food, styles and prices are immense. Boat Quay bustles with tourists and homeward bound(ish) office staff.
Clark Quay boasts its own micro brewery and a Scottish restaurant, of all things.
Robertson Quay, Far East Square and Club Street all have their share of diners and revelers.
My wife also sees a lot less of me now ("Sorry dear, couldn't get a taxi home" - which, sadly, is something that hasn't changed).
Also, you could still buy a pack of chewing gum then and not risk arrest. Now, you have to get a prescription and wander into a pharmacy to get your fix.
But this is a small price to pay to live in one of the safest places in the world. Safety is a main reason why I have stayed here for the past 17 years.
Yes, the changes have been dramatic, but they have certainly been changes for the better.
Singapore is now a sophisticated, cosmopolitan, modern city which is a pleasure to live and work in.
The city is clean, it is safe and things work ? when they don't, someone will be round within the hour to fix them.
Red tape is minimal, government officials are helpful and polite.
The good news for me personally (though bad, professionally) is that tax rates are low.
Investment income is primarily tax free and we do not have the dreaded Capital Gains Tax.
Finally, on the travel front, I have never come across an airport as efficient as Changi.
No queues, a fast track access card and a rectangular, intuitive layout (has anyone tried drawing a map of Heathrow lately?).
My record from tarmac to front door is 30 minutes - and that includes swiping a bottle of competitively priced Laphroaig - whiskey - on the way through duty free.
Sounds like heaven? Almost.
In heaven, you can get a taxi.

David Sandison is a tax partner with PricewaterhouseCoopers Singapore. He has provided corporate tax advisory services in the UK, Australia and, for the past 17 years, Singapore.