An amusing paradox: hanging national flags in HDB estates
From our Correspondent
Every year as 9 August approaches, the grassroots machinery of the ruling party will move into high gear to decorate their respective neighborhoods with the national flags.
Extra workers will be employed to hang the flags along the roads, on the decks of multi-storey car parks, at the markets, shops, schools and at every visible corner of the estate. Of late, banners depicting photos of PAP MPs “celebrating” National Day with the residents hung on roadside lamps are ubiquitous throughout the island. (has anybody wondered how much taxpayers’ money has been spent on these ostentatious displays of “patriotism” to ‘celebrate’ national day?)
Grassroots volunteers will come knocking on every household urging them to hang the national flag at their balconies. The community clubs, schools, government buildings will be completely awashed with the national colors of white and red.
The mainstream media will trumpet the achievements of leaders of the ruling party ad nauseum, remind Singaporeans of the “long” way we have since independence and to get the nation into a celebratory mood with daily coverage of the national day parade previews.
Ironically, the few people who seem to be ‘excited’ about National Day are those from the ruling party and its auxillaries. For ordinary Singaporeans in the streets, it is simply another public holiday and for some, a family trip up north to Malaysia.
Malaysia celebrates its national day three weeks after Singapore’s on 31st August and the difference cannot be more obvious. You will see many families displaying the Malaysian flag proudly outside their homes, on the roof of their cars, along the roads and at the stalls. The outpouring of national pride and joy is spontaneous and not orchestrated.
If the degree of patriotism can be judged solely by the number of flags displayed by citizens, then a majority of us will be “unpatriotic”. Just take a look around your neighborhood and you will not fail to realize that you can count the number of flags hung per HDB block with two hands. There are hardly any flags seen hanging outside the units of condominiums.
Some argued that Singaporeans are shy people who seldom reveal their love for the nation openly. Others attribute it to a gradual erosion of civic consciousness and sense of belonging to the country.
Singapore’s demographics has changed radically in the last decade with the unremitting influx of foreigners which now made up one third of the population, a quarter of which are PRs. How many of them will take up Singapore citizenship? Are they truly loyal to Singapore or are they merely making use of it as a springboard for greener pastures elsewhere?
The continued political hegemony of the ruling party and exclusion of ordinary citizens from participation in nation-building has led to widespread public apathy and indifference with deepening rifts between the ruling elite and the people. Are we really celebrating 44 years of nationhood or 50 years of PAP rule? (The PAP started ruling Singapore effectively in 1959 when they won 43 out of 51 seats in the Legco elections.)
With each passing year, the number of flags being displayed by Singaporeans outside their homes are getting less and less. Patriotism cannot be instilled overnight by the government, grassroots organizations or mainstream media. It is spontaneous feeling of pride and joy emanating from a deep sense of connection with the land of one’s birth.
We started out as a nation of immigrants and now we are being flooded by new migrants. The British colonial government is replaced by another nanny state run by a small exclusive group of elites disconnected with the suffering of the masses. Singapore is still far away from attaining real nationhood.
Related articles:
>> Hanging national flags in Yishun
EDITORS’ NOTE:
In the next few days, we will be bringing you photos of four HDB estates in different parts of Singapore to illustrate our point: that it is farce that the entire nation is looking forward to National Day; in fact ONLY the ruling party and its axillary organizations are “celebrating” National Day by lining every road, pavement, markets, carparks and even overhead bridges with the Singapore flag whereas very few Singaporeans had bothered to display the flag outside their homes. So much for “celebrating” national day as one united people!
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Yamasam on Sun, 2nd Aug 2009 10:35 am
After 44 years of nation building, this is what the best paid govt in the known universe has achieved. A nation of citizens who don’t have a sense of belonging. A bunch of political leaders and their cronies creating a make-believe world of appreciative citizens by putting up flags and banners to give an impression of patriotic fervour.
I have not put up the flag for many years and won’t be doing so in the foreseeable future. I will only do so when I feel that this country belongs to Singaporeans once again.
In fact, I will continue to wear black on every Aug 9 to mourn the loss by Singaporeans of this country.
ErniesUrn on Sun, 2nd Aug 2009 10:50 am
How can I not agree with this article. Living in Sg all my life,I can confidently say that most of the flags put up are staged. Especially flats facing the roads or expressways will be completely filled. And when you go into inner regions of the neighbourhood, not so many flags, maybe even lesser.
wearing black for PAP day on Sun, 2nd Aug 2009 11:41 am
Well said Yamasam and ErniesUrn.
I like the idea of wearing black on 9th Aug, also for the same reason. May I add 9th Aug to me is PAP day cum famiLee day.
Andrew Tay on Sun, 2nd Aug 2009 12:43 pm
When I was very very young, my parents used to hang flags outside our window and whenever I asked why?
My dad would reply: If you don’t hang the flags, the government will mark you and next time you ask for something, they will make it very difficult for you.
When I grew up and later joined the force, I NEVER on a single NDP hang a single flag.
I guess most elders are hanging these flags for the very same reason my parents used to?
Desoh87 on Sun, 2nd Aug 2009 12:57 pm
My family hasn’t hung a flag in years and the Sembawang Town Council gave us a big flag.. a big one in fact. Wake up you leachers, spend the money on welfare… not wayang.
ellen on Sun, 2nd Aug 2009 1:11 pm
Singapore is not a country, it is a corporation under Lee Dynasty
never on Sun, 2nd Aug 2009 1:47 pm
Me and my family has never hung the flag ever. Not that we hate the country or what but we just don’t.
Now, with what’s going on over the years and currently, we have another reason not to hang it, and it’s written in the article.
Actually, I’ve noticed this trend since around 2006 already.
amy on Sun, 2nd Aug 2009 2:20 pm
I have never put up the flag before. I have also not watched the parade on TV for many years. Done intentionally as a silent protest.
Vanilla on Sun, 2nd Aug 2009 2:24 pm
I do not have a pink IC but have been living here for years. During this time of the year, I usually would display the national flags in my office and sometimes on my car windscreen using decals. My Singaporean friends and colleagues would mock at me. Odd isn’t it?
Anonymous on Sun, 2nd Aug 2009 2:24 pm
Yamasam has a point. We should all bring our disatisfaction forward on national day. We should all mourn and wear black during the weeks leading to national day and 9 august itself.
Not a nation yet on Sun, 2nd Aug 2009 2:38 pm
After half a century of ruling the old man said that we are not a nation yet. Tell me people what nation is there to celebrate? Indeed we should be mourning instead of celebrating. I’m going to mourn on that day by wearing black like some brothers whom mentioned here.
Terence Goh on Sun, 2nd Aug 2009 2:56 pm
I think it is better off if we did not gain “independence”. At least if we are under the british now, we are guaranteed of our rights unlike the situation now under PAP where all our rights have been stripped off – no workers’ rights, no freedom of speech, no human rights, no welfare, no free education, medical benefits, no legal justice, no nothing.
We are constantly told to be grateful as long as we can live in a tiny flat that costs $300k and we earn $1k per month. Our sons have to risk their lives serving NS to protect the assets of the elite and rich foreigners like Jet Li. Not to mention they start working 2 years behind their foreign classmates.
We are now like the foreign construction workers who slogged while getting paid $500 a month building beautiful buildings but not getting the remotest chance of owning it. At least it is not as heart pain for the foreign workers because it is not their own country.
christopher on Sun, 2nd Aug 2009 2:58 pm
i am patriotic to my country but not my government. however, the lines are being blurred everyday and my loyalty has been very much misplaced. the truth is, i feel like a second class citizen in my own country.
anonymous on Sun, 2nd Aug 2009 6:39 pm
funny that there’s so much negativity here about our own little Singapore. I know for a fact that alot of flag flying’s staged, but some of us do appreciate our little island nation for all that it really is, a trully good place to live in and complain out of. and the ones who appreciate it the most are the ones who’ve had to live overseas for awhile. so we’re proud when national day comes by. my friends and i are gonna have a huge gathering and watch the ndp’09 together come august 9th (and if i’ve had enough to drink, maybe even recite the pledge at exactly 8.22pm!).
we are afterall celebrating as singaporeans, not PAPaya supporters, mind you. if you’re not interested to celebrate the birth of your own nation, then please by all means move elsewhere to celebrate another’s.
Terence Goh on Sun, 2nd Aug 2009 6:42 pm
Patriotism is not about hanging flags and singing songs. Any tom dick and harry, even foreigners can do that. What’s so difficult about going through the motion?
Real patriotism is about caring what is happening to your country and your fellow citizens.
Those who feel that Singapore is moving in the wrong direction and is deliberately not hanging the flag or hanging them incorrectly are the ones who are really patriotic. They care enough to show their displeasure. It is a form of protest in a place where protesting on the streets is illegal even if you are one person.
When Singapore is returned to Singaporeans, and people feel they belong here, they will proudly show it. No need for RC people to create fake patriotism.
Anonymous on Sun, 2nd Aug 2009 6:57 pm
the right way to hang sg flag:
http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/photo/getFullSizePhoto.do?id=78614
http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/singaporeseen/viewContent.jsp?id=29133
X on Sun, 2nd Aug 2009 7:19 pm
What’s the point of wasting taxpayers’ money on banners and posters that do nothing but look as if we’re living in the Third Reich?
Bila on Sun, 2nd Aug 2009 7:25 pm
I think all you people should get this right.
Love for your country is not love for the PAP.
The PAP is just the government of the day for our country.
They can be out next time round.
But our country will last many lifetimes.
I put up the flag every year.
Not out of fear of the PAP but out of respect for Singapore.
I still hate the PAP for its lack of transparency. But Singapore is Singapore and PAP is PAP.
k on Sun, 2nd Aug 2009 9:38 pm
when the PAP falls 85% of HDB residents will hang the national flags on national day.
Anthony Fok on Sun, 2nd Aug 2009 10:36 pm
I agree. Singapore is Singapore, PAP is PAP. Let’s not mix the two together. Hang our flags proudly. I am proud of this country and its successes. So be proud and stand tall as we celebrate our nation’s birthday!
Jean on Sun, 2nd Aug 2009 10:52 pm
I used to hang the flag with my parents when in primary school. But then, as I got older and lazier, and my parents saw the loss of enthusiasm, we just stopped. I actually do think it rather pretty to see the whole block awash with the flags. I guess the appreciation would be more meaningful if there was more spontaneity. Maybe I should just not be lazy and just put up the flag, and be spontaneous myself. haha then we wouldn’t need to depend on the government’s orchestrated efforts. It’s not like the government’s the sole single representation of the nation. If we honestly like our own nation (including all the flaws… the weird/wonderful/idiotic parts of it), we should just show it.
Chan Joon Yee on Sun, 2nd Aug 2009 11:18 pm
I think it’s a shame that we don’t celebrate National Day. The problem lies with all this orchestrating and leadership cheerleading by the ruling party. Rightly or wrongly, people have come to associate National Day celebrations with government propaganda. Such moves are backfiring, generating negative feelings towards all these “celebrations”.
Fairplayplease on Sun, 2nd Aug 2009 11:38 pm
Yes, we should hang our national flag with SINCERITY instead of political correctness of PRETENTIOUS loyalty instigated by grassroot organisation who really in themselves are suspected of genuine loyalty. Any public show of loyalty that needs official “encouragement” reeks of cinderella bull-shit con artistry.
WE DON’T NEED THAT. SINGAPORE IS SINGAPORE – it belongs to ALL SINGAPOREANS COLLECTIVELY.
xIsD Tay on Mon, 3rd Aug 2009 12:18 am
Bila said: …But Singapore is Singapore and PAP is PAP
Rightly should be so but unfortunately its not. SInkapore belongs NOT to its citizens but to the PaPies and its being run like a famiLEE business, not a country,
PaPies own Sinkapore so Sinkapore is PaPies and vice versa.
SG Quitter on Mon, 3rd Aug 2009 1:24 am
National Day at least to me, its the famiLEE way of celebrating their ANOTHER YEAR of successful making of millions if not billions.
Meaningless and Pointless if you ask me, for the lesser mortals.
A Tan on Mon, 3rd Aug 2009 6:58 am
Err so come both my neighbours are flying the flag. One from his varanda, the other on his fence.
silvir24 on Mon, 3rd Aug 2009 9:34 am
Reciting the pledge nationwide at 8.22pm, wherever u are, is a very very good idea. One of those brilliant marketing propaganda worthy of applause. It even stirs that little pinch of patriotism in my heart. Well, just too bad, that little pinch of patriotism is quickly buried deep under the toil & boil in my blood.
sawasdee on Mon, 3rd Aug 2009 10:16 am
National day does not mean a thing to me. I am a Singaporean working in Thailand now but still follows the Singapore public holiday. However, I will exchange my Singapore holiday on 9 Aug to Thailand Queen’s Birthday on 12 Aug!
George on Mon, 3rd Aug 2009 10:33 am
The old man is only interest in being ‘right’ all the time, even when he and his party is wholly responsible for the state of things.
The Auditor General should make it a point to report on the expenses chalked up for each 9th Aug. I would certainly want to know who pays fopr those gigantic display board complete with spot lights on every big junction featuring the GRC MPs.
Evey year we see more and more reasons not to put up the flag. This year, the Lehman and associated scandal is one and still unfolding fiasco. The GST increase is another. The Temasek-Ho Ching-Goodyear musical chair travesty is yet another.
We have reached the point when the govt surrounds itself with yesmen, lackeys who would only say what they know it wants to hear long ago. The govt has no clothes on, but it would only hear those who praise how pretty the no-existence clothing look and feel. what we need is that little child who would shout out the truth as the govt and its retinue of courtiers, court jesters and carriers pass by.
Fairplayplease on Mon, 3rd Aug 2009 10:50 am
@silvir24 on Mon, 3rd Aug 2009 9:34 am … Greetings…
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA…LOL
Another of your gem piece of delightful expression.
The Singapore Daily » Blog Archive » Daily SG: 3 Aug 2009 on Mon, 3rd Aug 2009 11:07 am
[...] Day 2009 – Temasek Review: An amusing paradox: hanging national flags in HDB estates – Military Sg: Duty, Honour and Country: National Day Reflections [Thanks Panzer [...]
blue on Mon, 3rd Aug 2009 11:07 am
Putting up our national flag or not is not so important to me. A foreign friend once ask me, would i carry arms to defend this tiny red dot called Singapore when threaten of attack. I answered: YES. Because I am true blue singaporean and believed that many others will do likewise. I may not agree everthing our govt does, in fairness; not all policies are wrong. Where we disagree, lets agree to disagree. Come National Day, let’s put politics aside, and all Singaporean celebrate together.
Disillusion on Mon, 3rd Aug 2009 11:22 am
To Terence Goh,
Yeah I second your views totally.
In Singapore, people who voice out against the country or govt are often told “If you don’t like the place, just leave the country”.
It is not as simple as that. Deep inside, I am sure many of those who complain against the many policies are more true blue Singaporean than those who just blindly support and accept all the policies without questioning.
Sad to say though… Singaporeans are being brought up to be as apathy and selfish as possible… Majority just simply cannot understand what and how it takes to be part of the country.
I really yearn for the day whereby I can proudly proclaim that I am a true blue Singaporean… sad to say though… I am getting more and more disillusion by the day… dun think the day that I am looking forward to will come at all….
Hairless Lee on Mon, 3rd Aug 2009 11:28 am
I love Singapore
I hate PAP and anyone who support them.
That sums up my feeling for this fake country.
Fairplayplease on Mon, 3rd Aug 2009 11:36 am
@ blue on Mon, 3rd Aug 2009 11:07 am …Greetings…
Celebrating out nation, yes, I think too..it is linked to my passport even though the domestic politics is a shamble and hoax of democracy. But that aside, I will celebrate the joy and ACUTELY MINDFUL of the direction of our economy, economic management and financial management of our national reserves.WE HAVE LEFT FOR TOO LONG A FAILURE TO BUILD A STRONG EXTERNAL SECTOR – THIS IS THE BIGGEST MISTAKE WE MADE unlike South Korea. Employment retrenchment will continue way past this economic meltdown and its recovery as MNCs continue to restructure their operations to lower costs economies and SPENDING EVEN LESS ON INVESTMENT IN PRODUCTIVE CAPACITY in their home country.
Let us not be carried away by illusions of self-aggrandisation and make belief of our fictional success AWAITING – we made great headways 2 decades ago BUT THE FUTURE IS BLEAK, needs sober re-assessment of our fundamental and strategy forward.
The world has changed and we are celebrating 44 years of nationhood FORGETTING THAT THE FUTURE IS OUR SURVIVAL, NOT THE PAST.
It is terrifying of reality.
silvir24 on Mon, 3rd Aug 2009 11:39 am
U know, a friend once told me, if there should ever be a war/rebellion in Singapore, the first thing he would do is to gather all the ammunition he can find and rob the 6th Ave district. i.e. Not defend the country.
Why? Cause he felt that the government is merely oppressing the people and enriching themselves in the process? Cause he felt that he had to defend his livelihood & survival more than the country? Is this the result of our pragmatic government policies? Riches at the cost of people? Maybe cause he felt we have no country to defend. If he fights and dies, he’ll only be defending the government at no cost to them, and huge cost to himself?
Hey, think of this. After the men all die defending the country, we can import more foreign men to mate with the local females. The children will still be half Singaporean yes? That should keep Singapore, Singapore. Or at least half. Yes? That is why one third of our population is imported. Eventually the children will still be Singaporeans. Yes?
silvir24 on Mon, 3rd Aug 2009 11:43 am
Is this the best the most brilliant minds our country has to offer, can come up with? Obviously common sense is not so common. Talk at me more about integration. Talk at me more about how i should welcome everyone with a open arms and welcome them to Singapore. Even if you want me to whore for the country, PAY ME!
Fairplayplease on Mon, 3rd Aug 2009 11:46 am
Beyond the superficiality of national day celebration, we need FRESH DIRECTION AND FRESH IDEAS about our way forward – politic, law, economy, and a re-engineering of our collective efforts INVOLVING ALL SINGAPOREANS (whether politically correct or not) if we sincerely want a future for our next generation.
PLEASURES ARE VERY SHORT, THE PAINS ARE ENDURING – let us not forget this fact. We will NOT get anywhere and be buried of a very short nationhood if we let the tide of change swamp us.
The old ways of making money is DEAD AND GONE, and the old ways of political dogma and institutional mindset of burying our heads in the sand whereever we hit crisis management will only bring us faster down the road to extinction.
IT IS TIME TO CHANGE AND YES WE SINGAPOREANS MUST STAND UP AND RESOLUTELY RESPOND WITH “YES WE CAN CHANGE”
ErniesUrn on Mon, 3rd Aug 2009 12:31 pm
Terence Goh,
I like your quote. It’s worth repeating.
“Patriotism is not about hanging flags and singing songs. Any tom dick and harry, even foreigners can do that. What’s so difficult about going through the motion?
Real patriotism is about caring what is happening to your country and your fellow citizens.
Those who feel that Singapore is moving in the wrong direction and is deliberately not hanging the flag or hanging them incorrectly are the ones who are really patriotic. They care enough to show their displeasure. It is a form of protest in a place where protesting on the streets is illegal even if you are one person.
When Singapore is returned to Singaporeans, and people feel they belong here, they will proudly show it. No need for RC people to create fake patriotism.”
Lao on Mon, 3rd Aug 2009 12:41 pm
Every year during national day, my RC will come and ask me to hang the flag. When I refused to buy it, they will either give me a new or old flag and ask me to hang. So I got no choice got to hang lor!!!
Crasty on Mon, 3rd Aug 2009 3:10 pm
Thank you! You often write very interesting articles. You improved my mood.
BD on Mon, 3rd Aug 2009 3:41 pm
I will always hang my flag outside my window as a sign of patriotism. I may not love the current government but I love my country and I make it a point to maintain a distinction between my nationalism and my political beliefs. Why should we associate the celebration of National Day with any political party? We should only associate it with our love for Singapore.
If any opposition party intends to succeed in Singapore they need to make it a point to say the pledge and sing the National Anthem and fly the Singapore flag at rallies. I believe Low Thia Khiang did this at one rally I attended and it was very touching.
BL on Mon, 3rd Aug 2009 4:20 pm
The Bangladeshi worker came to my block and put up the national flag free of charge for all of us. So if you happen to pass by a block in Ang Mo Kio replete with fluttering national flags, you’ll know the real story.
All this ostentatious and superficial display of flag-hanging and glitzy national day parade doesn’t embody patriotism. Patriotism exists in the heart, and patriotism only exists if a society is fair, equitable and democratic.
Looking at my fellow Singaporeans struggling to make a living and lying discarded on the wayside, I ask you all: is this country fair, equitable and democratic?
Firewalks set off into the ebony blanket of sky and framed by myriad skyscrapers; the ruling party resplendent in their unstained white, and replete with moolah in their bank accounts standing forth and reciting the pledge – do they sincerely believe what they recite and what they see?
Gallery: Hanging national flags in Yishun : The Temasek Review on Mon, 3rd Aug 2009 4:58 pm
[...] >> An amusing paradox: staged hanging of national flags in HDB estates [...]
argh! on Mon, 3rd Aug 2009 5:06 pm
50 years ago…
Sg people loved their land..
then…
25 years ago…
Sg people still loved their land, but were getting sick of a certain suspiciousLEE looking old man.
….
now…..
If this suspiciousLEE looking old man comes around, he’d get more than a bashing. (and so goes for he suspiciousLEE looking, highLEE paid dogs)!!
———————————-
love gahmen and love country is different.
If we sgreans really love our country, we’d protect it by overthrowing the LEE corporation.
Stenley Or Fatt Lam on Tue, 4th Aug 2009 2:12 am
WE ARE SIGAPORE, WE ARE CHIN KUNG KOR
WE AR NATIO STRONG AND WE ALL ZAO BOH LOR
Ganga on Tue, 4th Aug 2009 8:44 am
If you want to see something cool, observe the block facing a main road and the corresponding block behind that and you’d see 2 totally different things. Going by the concentration of flags displayed, you’d think the block facing the road is much more patriotic than the immediate block behind.
Every year during the ‘magical’ period, GRL’s usually buy new flags and hang them at the ’selected’ blocks…
moonlight on Tue, 4th Aug 2009 10:18 am
IF you love SG, please bring on the criticisms in order to spur positive changes in our constitutions and the government’s efficiency. No government is perfect and so need to rely on criticisms in order to know what they are doing so wrong and not to be complacent with its current successes.
I will not hang the flag from this year onwards due to the dismal conduct of our ruling party and government agency this year. This is to remind them that they need to change for the better.
silvir24 on Tue, 4th Aug 2009 11:02 am
Ha Ha… As if they would care. How many years have the volunteers been going around forcing people to hang flags in a hypocritical show of patriotism? Why do u think they know to do this in the first place? U mean the government and the GRC volunteers do not know that Singaporeans do not feel patriotic and are feeling less so year after year?
But of course, some show of defiance is better than no show. Just don’t expect them to do anything about it. They have not for 50 years. They will not for the next 50, as long as they hold absolute power. When you are already in power, what do u have to struggle for?
All u have to do is keep perpetuating your absolute rule. Hammer it into the people’s heads that your rule and power is absolute. Hold it like a death threat over their heads that without you in power, the people will not survive.
The Complete Guide To The Singapore National Day Parade on Tue, 4th Aug 2009 1:15 pm
[...] as expected, shortly after the gigantic show and its costs were revealed a huge public discussion started to emerge, and is still going [...]
XisD Tay on Tue, 4th Aug 2009 5:56 pm
Laos said: Every year during national day, my RC will come and ask me to hang the flag. When I refused to buy it, they will either give me a new or old flag and ask me to hang. So I got no choice got to hang lor!!!
So what if you refused to hang the flag, they charge you or shoot you?
Sturmtruppen on Tue, 4th Aug 2009 7:23 pm
Frankly folks…
A patriot is always willing to die for his/her country and for their loved ones.
For me…each year i am slowy and surely becoming a “no class” citizen in this country…
not born with a silver spoon or as a so called “elite” and always moving forward on my own with the limited resources on-hand…
never took a gov’t hand out cos know it is blood money…
from a dispassionate view point, i just need to highlight the following:
The government is always right…when they are wrong…they do apologize…but when we are wrong…we are not allow to apologize but are penalized and even worst condemmed…interesting…i wonder the key critical people with authority knows when their lower ranking people [not all i believe] are doing making the lifes of the less fortunate in singapore slowly and surely a living hell…especially in this country where second chances are given to criminals [yellow ribbon project - yes give them a second chance] but how about the victims [will there be a project for them too]…
it seems the elite are living of the backs of the non-elite in this country.
It is sad. Humanity at its best as usual i suppose even though i still have some dimishning hopes…hope the next generation is better and see the longer term…instead of the short term.
Adios amigoes/senoritas.
haha on Sun, 9th Aug 2009 10:37 pm
They didn’t know on my door to ask me to hang my flag.
Anonymous on Sun, 9th Aug 2009 10:42 pm
WIth immigrants or new Singaporeans every corner I turn, I begining to feel I am the forienger instead. In fact I am beginning to feel insecured knowing that one day, Singaporeans will be displaced “systematic” by immigrants. As much as the gov assures its citizens, their action does not match their words… at best a lip service. The gov drove up the cost of living and finds the answer in bringing in more immigrants.
I no longer have the sense of belonging anymore in this country.
Anoymous on Sun, 9th Aug 2009 11:59 pm
Some years back, the govt very kindly sent contractors to each household to drill hooks on our flat’s exterior walls, FOC, so that we citizens can display the flag proudly and safely come National Day. Well, I refused the offer and lo and behold, they set up gondolas at my point block and had the workers transported all the way from the 16th flr to drill those darn holes from the outside! Sheer desperation! Sheer waste of public funds!
Amazing on Mon, 17th Aug 2009 5:24 pm
Dun feel like hanging dun hang lor, what the big deal.
Do not understand why much force people to hang.
PRC on Sat, 22nd Aug 2009 3:56 am
Singaporeans should hang PRC Flag everyday!
ZHONG HUA REN MING GONG HE GUO WAN SHUI!
MAO ZHU SEE WAN SHUI!