The Rhetoric
“Singapore’s future lies in maintaining an edge over other countries, so that it can continue being a ‘First World oasis in a Second World region’, Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew said yesterday.”
– Straits Times, Jun 03, 2003The Reality
“Given the absence of unemployment benefits and a lack of welfare aid, and nothing in their wallets, a growing number of Singaporeans are being forced to give up their homes and seek alternative accommodation – in parks, under bridges and vacant areas…Most are among the country’s more than 100,000 residents who are currently unemployed. Also hit are those in the income bracket of S$400 a month. Their numbers, according to government data, stand at 180,650 workers or about nine per cent of the workforce.”
– New Straits Times, Oct 11, 2003“Homeless Singaporeans prefer to stay unseen and unheard…The ministry has a destitute-persons team combing the streets 12 to 16 times a month. An average of 142 vagrants have been found each year in the last four years.”
– Straits Times, Oct 6, 2003