The city of Singapore is indeed the best city in the world, many people have said that and not a few people know that Singaporean actually has problems. Many have complained about their problems. Behind the perfect facilities and life, there is a struggle in Singapore. A struggle that reflects a consequence for a better life. So, what happens when everything goes unexpectedly? Is Singapore the most successful society since human history began?
This is an upside-down view of the life that the Singaporean people have felt for survival in perfection.
Undesirable independence
In 1965, Singapore was expelled from Malaysia and pushed into an undesirable independence, it was like a Third World country. His current per capita income of $ 500 equals Ghana. Actually, it's not poor, but it affects malnutrition. Schoolchildren were then given a special meal program in first grade: drinking milk on a large bucket with a spoon that was also distributed to other children.
The story actually begins in 1963, Singapore declared independence from the United Kingdom. Without much land or natural resources of its own, the new country gets protection and economic aid by joining Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak to form the Malaysian Federation.
The union was completely unfair from the beginning and Singapore's state leaders disagreed with federal officials on the economic policies and federal affirmative action laws that gave preferential treatment to ethnic Malays. Meanwhile, Malay and Chinese-Singapore civilians staged demonstrations in the streets in a series of racial unrest that killed dozens of people, wounded hundreds more, damaged infrastructure, caused food shortages, and ruptured Singapore's relations with other countries and the federal government (Jean, 2011).
But looking deeply, one would find that although Malaysia first mentioned the secession, that move was largely precipitated by Singapore's actions. When given with choice as part of the union and accepting compromise because it has limitations in organizing and surrendering to the vision of Malaysia: where all races are treated equally, they consistently stick to such beliefs.
Laws in Singapore
If you’re thinking of going to Singapore, you should be aware that this country has strict rules, some of which may seem harsh.
According to Singapore Statues Online, singing, reading, and profaning in public is illegal. If you do this on purpose, you will issue with 3 months in jail, fine or both. Under Singapore Computer Abuse and Cybersecurity Ordinance, using someone else’s unauthorized WiFi is defined as hacking. The penalty for this misuse is maximum fine of $10,000, 3 years in prison, or both.
Same-sex relationships (homosexuality) are prohibited in Singapore and punishment is not as cruel as other laws. The penalty for same-sex relationship is 2 years in prison. When smoking at home is okay but, being seen walking around naked at home is unlawful in Singapore, you may face charges of pornography that could lead to a $1,000 penalty or fine. So, close the curtains as you get ready for a shower!
Singapore is not a place for spitters. Simply, it's illegal to spit indiscriminately, whether you're in a public place or on a public road. If you violate this law, you will be fined up to $1,000. When you urinate in public toilets and do not water them properly, they can result in considerable fine.
Moreover, Singapore is actually very safe to travel and offers many activities. If you are a good traveller, you will not get a fine.
Difficult ownership of cars and homes
In Singapore, having a car is very hard. We must really have a lot of money if we want to have it. The first reason is because the price of the car is very expensive, then only valid until 10 years. Singapore also has a very expensive annual vehicle tax as well as many additional costs, not including a fine if parking carelessly, car maintenance costs that make pockets collapsed and fuel prices are also unreasonable.
Also about home ownership. In many countries, there are Proprietary Certificates (SHM – Sertifikat Hak Milik) when buying a house. In Singapore, the land certificate is owned by the government, regardless of the price of its house. Almost most of the houses there, have only the Rights to Use (Hak Guna Pakai). One another, there is almost no housing that has a large garden and swimming pool in the yard, all of them shaped residential apartments.
Singapore public revenue
The Gross Domestic Product per capita in Singapore was last recorded at 55,235.51 US dollars in 2017. The GDP per Capita in Singapore is equivalent to 437 percent of the world's average. GDP per capita in Singapore averaged 23,545.84 USD from 1960 until 2017, reaching an all-time high of 55,235.51 USD in 2017 and a record low of 3389.60 USD in 1960 (World Bank).
However, the amount of their income is also balanced with the price of goods that are very expensive. Getting a job in Singapore must match with the appropriate position or have a high standard of living if you don’t want to get a hard life. We have to spend an average of 5 – 10 dollars for one meal. While we need at least two meals a day. It’s just food, not yet about the personal vehicle already mentioned above, very expensive maintenance.
Sources: Quora, Adventurousmiriam, Mentalfloss, Economist, Abshire, Jean (2011). The History of Singapore. ABC-CLIO. p. 104. (www.abc-clio.com)