Relacklabrudder 1st Gear February 1, 2012 Share February 1, 2012 Is it just "no fun" being poor in Singapore? Tuesday, 31 January 2012 Singapore Democrats In an interview in Davos, Switzerland, where he was attending the annual World Economic Forum, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that "If you're poor in Singapore, it's no fun but I think you're less badly off if you're poor in Singapore than in nearly anywhere else in the world including the United States." Is that what he really thinks, that it is just "no fun" to be poor in Singapore? One can say that it is no fun visiting the dentist or getting caught in the rain without an umbrella. But no fun being poor? The statement shows a complete lack of comprehension of, or worse disregard for, the pain and hardship that those stricken by poverty have to endure on a daily basis. Even if he was speaking figuratively and euphemistically, which he was not, it is a jarringly insensitive way for a head of government to talk about the poor. After all, he is charged with the solemn responsibility of taking care of the people of whom the poor must count as priority (the rich don't need the Government's help). It reflects a blase and devil-make-care attitude. This is what must concern Singaporeans most. If the PM can make light of the crushing burden on the poor, our society is in a lot more trouble than we think. In the same sentence, Mr Lee tells us that our poor in Singapore are better off than the poor in other countries. Try telling that to Tan Jee Suan who killed himself by jumping in front of an on-coming train because he could not earn enough to feed his family. Try telling that to the thousands who like Tan take their own lives because they cannot cope with their desperate situations. Last year alone, 353 people committed suicide, that's nearly one person killing him or herself every day. Try telling that to the thousands who are unable to cope with poverty and as a consequence suffer mental breakdowns. One in ten Singaporeans are afflicted with mental illness, mainly from depression. Are they really better off than those in other countries? Is it really just ↡ Advertisement Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mockngbrd Supersonic February 1, 2012 Share February 1, 2012 of cos no fun la.... knn Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kangadrool Supersonic February 1, 2012 Share February 1, 2012 Everyone will be aspiring to be poor if being poor is fun. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Help1 1st Gear February 1, 2012 Share February 1, 2012 actually being poor in Singapore still ok as there are safety nets set up by various govt agencies to assist them. It is those group that neither poor nor rich, that is really no fun and worst of, and i am one of them...KNN Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unidentified 1st Gear February 1, 2012 Share February 1, 2012 (edited) being pappies is fun.for basically doing nothing,they are earning millions each year excluding 20+ months BONUS!!!!!! WOW!!!!!!! Edited February 1, 2012 by Unidentified Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gukubird Neutral Newbie February 1, 2012 Share February 1, 2012 so is he going to veto the pay cut now? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jman888 Moderator February 1, 2012 Share February 1, 2012 poor choice of words, misinterpreted Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scion Turbocharged February 1, 2012 Share February 1, 2012 Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that "If you're poor in Singapore, it's no fun but I think you're less badly off if you're poor in Singapore than in nearly anywhere else in the world including the United States." disgusting so a poor person in Singapore is better off than any other poor people in the rest of the world? no wonder his highest salary for a PM is justified Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Csnewbie 1st Gear February 1, 2012 Share February 1, 2012 Is it just "no fun" being poor in Singapore? Tuesday, 31 January 2012 Singapore Democrats For $3 million a year, we should be able to expect Mr Lee to tell us precisely how he is going to reduce poverty and when he is going to achieve this instead of just spinning us that our poor are better off than those in other countries. in a limited resources nation,where many things are rationed by quotas,it is quite impossible to reduce the poor. the rich will get richer & so will the Govt,with increased population. but poor will remain poor. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigerwoods Turbocharged February 1, 2012 Share February 1, 2012 No wonder recent years I was not having FUN at all. Now I understand. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CKP 3rd Gear February 1, 2012 Share February 1, 2012 Yup, agreed. It is no fun to get a 33% pay cut and become the "new" poor Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Count-Bracula Twincharged February 1, 2012 Share February 1, 2012 So will it be HMA or RMA when he's back? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonTan 2nd Gear February 1, 2012 Share February 1, 2012 Does it means its fun to be rich in Singapore? Of course lah....I also know. I see his logic.....sometimes people talk and accidental reveal their real reverse psychology meaning. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
13177 Hypersonic February 1, 2012 Share February 1, 2012 Can PM tell me which country will be fun when you are poor? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyrios Turbocharged February 1, 2012 Share February 1, 2012 I understand what he is trying to say but why drag in other countries to compare? Funny when it comes to their pay, they say dont compare, when comes to people's well being they suddenly pull in USA. Pls dun ridicule USA leh.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Route Clutched February 1, 2012 Share February 1, 2012 it was an honest mistake la.. but honestly its no fun being world everywhere in the world... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nightkids 6th Gear February 1, 2012 Share February 1, 2012 Is it just "no fun" being poor in Singapore? Tuesday, 31 January 2012 Singapore Democrats In an interview in Davos, Switzerland, where he was attending the annual World Economic Forum, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that "If you're poor in Singapore, it's no fun but I think you're less badly off if you're poor in Singapore than in nearly anywhere else in the world including the United States." Is that what he really thinks, that it is just "no fun" to be poor in Singapore? One can say that it is no fun visiting the dentist or getting caught in the rain without an umbrella. But no fun being poor? The statement shows a complete lack of comprehension of, or worse disregard for, the pain and hardship that those stricken by poverty have to endure on a daily basis. Even if he was speaking figuratively and euphemistically, which he was not, it is a jarringly insensitive way for a head of government to talk about the poor. After all, he is charged with the solemn responsibility of taking care of the people of whom the poor must count as priority (the rich don't need the Government's help). It reflects a blase and devil-make-care attitude. This is what must concern Singaporeans most. If the PM can make light of the crushing burden on the poor, our society is in a lot more trouble than we think. In the same sentence, Mr Lee tells us that our poor in Singapore are better off than the poor in other countries. Try telling that to Tan Jee Suan who killed himself by jumping in front of an on-coming train because he could not earn enough to feed his family. Try telling that to the thousands who like Tan take their own lives because they cannot cope with their desperate situations. Last year alone, 353 people committed suicide, that's nearly one person killing him or herself every day. Try telling that to the thousands who are unable to cope with poverty and as a consequence suffer mental breakdowns. One in ten Singaporeans are afflicted with mental illness, mainly from depression. Are they really better off than those in other countries? Is it really just Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyrios Turbocharged February 1, 2012 Share February 1, 2012 Can PM tell me which country will be fun when you are poor? er..Bhutan? ↡ Advertisement Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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