• Response to Straits Times Forum: "Active Citizenry Needs Space to Find Its Feet"

    On 26 Aug 2011 | 25 comments

    A week ago, Mr. Eric Tan, Director of the National Archives of Singapore, explained that the archives have generously acceded to our requests for photographs to be published in our website, upcoming book and newsletter. This was not the full story. Last year, we wrote in to the National Archives of Singapore, requesting them to sponsor photographs of the ol

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  • MyQueenstown Celebrates: Consecration Ceremony at Sri Muneeswaran Temple!

    On 10 Jul 2011 | 1 comments

    Tanglin Halt residents are wokened up by the vociferous wailing of nadaswaram and thavil ensemble at Sri Muneeswaran Temple this morning. More than 15,000 residents and devotees have gathered at the Southeast Asia's largest Hindu temple worshiping the Muneeswaran god to witness the consecration ceremony. A consecration ceremony is a festive occasion done on

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  • 女皇镇1周新闻快讯 - 第二十五期

    On 08 Jul 2011 | 6 comments

    女皇弄组屋 同一垃圾糟 两年3纵火  女皇弄组屋走廊垃圾糟,三度起火,居民人心惶惶,警列恶作剧纵火处理。 位于女皇镇一带的女皇弄第21座组屋8楼的电梯口,今早7时15分左右发生大火。 一名住在事发地点附近的居民,惊见滚滚黑烟从该处冒出 最高74万5000元 最低40多万 女皇镇 四房转售价 相差近37万  在热门组屋区女皇镇里,有四房式组屋最近以74万5000元的最高价转售,但也有37万8000元。 组屋溢价回升之际,热门地点如女皇镇的组屋转售价也持续攀升。今年4月,一间位于女皇镇史达拉摩道(Strathmore Ave)的四房式高楼单位,以74万5000元售出。 最后一次乘搭火车北上  火车开动了!该各就各位了吧。经过女皇镇、武吉知马、武吉班让时看到铁路旁站着许

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  • Farewell MyQueenstown #7 - Farewell KTM Tracks

    On 30 Jun 2011 | 6 comments

    Much has been written about KTM Tracks lately. A simple search on Google and Yahoo will bring you to numerous websites such as this and this. After all, this cantankerous relic was Singapore's brave new world in the early 20th century.  I have always been a believer of my secondary school's motto, "Rooted in Tradition, Equipped for the Future."

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  • 女皇镇1周新闻快讯 - 第二十四期

    On 20 Jun 2011 | 1 comments

    为了鼓励更多女皇镇的青少年阅读华文新闻,《我爱女皇镇》将推出全新单元 《女皇镇1周新闻快讯》,把这个星期观于女皇镇的主要新闻简略的描述。 写在华义中学创校55周年 40年前 华义发扬美学教育  对很多学校来说,拥有校友会是平常不过的事。但是,今年庆祝创校55周年的华义中学,却没有正式的校友会。上个世纪五十年代的华义学生虽然曾经组织一个校友会,不过并没有招募新校友注入“新血”。到了九十年代,一些会员已经逝世,校友会势力变单薄,无奈在五六年前解散。  这让许多华义校友感到惋惜,其中包括毕业40年却不曾加入校友会的黄美芬(58岁)和戴月英(57岁)。目前担任新加坡读书会发展协会会长的黄美芬受访时说:“协会经常和不同学校合作。我发现很多学校的校友会阵容都很强大,很羡慕他们,因为自己的学校连校友会都

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  • Pasar @ MyQueenstown #2 - the Provisions Shop Golden Couple

    On 12 Jun 2011 | 2 comments

    Mr Chen, 63, together with his wife Mdm Chan, has been running their dried product store at #01-16 Meiling Market. Mr and Mrs Chen lives in Queenstown, so travelling time is not a major problem for them to open their store at 6am in the morning. Having running their business for over 30 years in the same market, the couple has more or less 

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Farewell MyQueenstown

Farewell MyQueenstown #7 - Farewell KTM Tracks

On 30 Jun 2011 | 6 Comments

Much has been written about KTM Tracks lately. A simple search on Google and Yahoo will bring you to numerous websites such as this and this. After all, this cantankerous relic was Singapore's brave new world in the early 20th century.  I have always been a believer of my secondary school's motto, "Rooted in Tradition, Equipped for the Future."

永别了!女皇镇!#7 一摊油条传三代

On 30 Apr 2011 | 1 Comments

一摊油条传三代 在玛格列熟食中心,“生活公市”说得上是个客至如云的摊子。这个小摊子,不售卖任何煮炒;摊子主人则一年三百六十五天,天天在摊内起个炉炸上一条条的油条。 “生活公市”摊主李马才先生(58岁)是这家油条摊的第三代。 祖父自中国南来便炸油条为业,后来其父亦继承了祖父的业务。“生活公市”自1969年起,正式迁入玛格列熟食中心营业。李先生从小便跟随父亲学手艺,在油锅边打转。 李先生的油条,以香脆爽口闻名。在80年代初,李先生每一日几乎可炸近200条油条。李家一家五人总要齐齐上阵来应付顾客的需要。 如今,虽然李先生的摊子已搬迁到亚历山大村熟食中心,但他对玛格列熟食中心仍然十分怀念。再见了,玛格列熟食中心!

Farewell MyQueenstown #6 - The Taste of Wanton Noodle Lingers...

On 24 Mar 2011 | 19 Comments

Mr. Phoon Hon Sun, 64, and his family started selling barbeque pork from a pushcart at the terminal for Hock Lee bus service no.9 some 53 years ago. The bus terminal was located next to Blocks 6B and 7 along Margaret Close, a cluster of flats which were demolished during the 1990s. A familiar sight no more Every afternoon, residents who lived in the seven

Home Sweet Home @ MyQueenstown

Home Sweet Home #15 - A New Day Has Come =)

On 24 Apr 2011 | 11 Comments

Last week, MyQueenstown team interviewed Mdm Chan about her life in Blk 15 Holland Drive. Under SERS, she was assigned a new apartment in the newly developed blocks just a stone throw sway. Today, we visit Hisham Suni, 38, who moved over from Blk 17 to his new apartment in Blk 18C Holland Drive. Hisham Suni and his son =) Hisham is delighted by his new ap

Home Sweet Home #14 - Farewell Holland Drive

On 17 Apr 2011 | 3 Comments

Blk 15, Holland Drive looked vacant and cold when MyQueenstown team visited this morning. The shop houses under the apartment block were all covered with card boards and all that was left were traces of glass panels, which could possibly be a beauty parlor in its place before. The lift was still working. Mdm Chan - a long time resident at Holland Drive A c

Home Sweet Home #13 - Commonwealth 10! Here I Come!

On 10 Apr 2011 | 3 Comments

The front door was wide open when MyQueenstown team visited Mr Lee, 78, at his apartment in Blk 74 Commonwealth Drive. Feeling curious, we knocked onto the door and was greeted by a sleepy looking Mr Lee. Mr Lee who lives alone at Block 74 Retired more than a decade ago, Mr Lee is living alone as he prefers being independent to tagging along with his chi

News@MyQueenstown

Response to Straits Times Forum: "Active Citizenry Needs Space to Find Its Feet"

On 26 Aug 2011 | 25 Comments

A week ago, Mr. Eric Tan, Director of the National Archives of Singapore, explained that the archives have generously acceded to our requests for photographs to be published in our website, upcoming book and newsletter. This was not the full story. Last year, we wrote in to the National Archives of Singapore, requesting them to sponsor photographs of the ol

MyQueenstown Celebrates: Consecration Ceremony at Sri Muneeswaran Temple!

On 10 Jul 2011 | 1 Comments

Tanglin Halt residents are wokened up by the vociferous wailing of nadaswaram and thavil ensemble at Sri Muneeswaran Temple this morning. More than 15,000 residents and devotees have gathered at the Southeast Asia's largest Hindu temple worshiping the Muneeswaran god to witness the consecration ceremony. A consecration ceremony is a festive occasion done on

女皇镇1周新闻快讯 - 第二十五期

On 08 Jul 2011 | 6 Comments

女皇弄组屋 同一垃圾糟 两年3纵火  女皇弄组屋走廊垃圾糟,三度起火,居民人心惶惶,警列恶作剧纵火处理。 位于女皇镇一带的女皇弄第21座组屋8楼的电梯口,今早7时15分左右发生大火。 一名住在事发地点附近的居民,惊见滚滚黑烟从该处冒出 最高74万5000元 最低40多万 女皇镇 四房转售价 相差近37万  在热门组屋区女皇镇里,有四房式组屋最近以74万5000元的最高价转售,但也有37万8000元。 组屋溢价回升之际,热门地点如女皇镇的组屋转售价也持续攀升。今年4月,一间位于女皇镇史达拉摩道(Strathmore Ave)的四房式高楼单位,以74万5000元售出。 最后一次乘搭火车北上  火车开动了!该各就各位了吧。经过女皇镇、武吉知马、武吉班让时看到铁路旁站着许

My Father and I

Former Tanglin Halt Industrial Estate

On 14 May 2011 | 2 Comments

The industrialisation programme took off in Queenstown when the Tanglin Halt Industrial Estate was established to generate employment in the neighbourhood. Initially, the Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) planned a small industrial estate at Tanglin Halt to provide employment for the new residents. Measuring some 20 acres of land consisting of 38 factories

Queenstown Baptist Church

On 03 May 2011 | 1 Comments

The Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT) set aside seven sites for religious use and advertised for religious organisations to ballot in the 1950s. Of the ten enquiries received, four withdrew, leaving six Christian organisations. These went on to build the first churches of Queenstown; Queenstown Baptist Church, Queenstown Lutheran Church, Faith Methodist Ch

Archipelago Brewery Company (Anchorpoint)

On 22 Apr 2011 | 3 Comments

Established in 1931 by German businessmen, Archipelago Brewery Company was the first commercial brewery in Singapore. It was located next to the Malayan Railway, which provided convenient transportation for exporting the beer in Tanjong Pagar. Archipelago Brewery Company One of the more popular beer produced at Archipelago Brewery Company was Anchor Beer.

Makan Shiok!

Snacks Attack #13 - Ah Luck Bean Curd

On 23 Dec 2010 | 2 Comments

Mr Chua, 25, runs Ah Luck Beancurd in Tanglin Halt market for more than 2 years. He is renting the stall from the original owner who has based his stall in the same area for more than 40 years. Ah Luck Bean Curd offers drinks and deserts such as soya bean drink, grass jelly and the residents' favorite soya bean curd (60 cents). A Delicious Bowl of Bean Curd

Snacks Attack #12 - Satay Mad in Tanglin Halt!

On 16 Dec 2010 | 7 Comments

 Ann, 46 runs the family food stall for over 10 years in Tanglin Halt hawker centre. Serving halal food for over a decade in the same place, Ann has integrated her dishes to suit the taste buds of Queenstown residents, especially the Malay community. The simple food stall offers snacks such as satay, otah and seafood dishes. As a family styled bus

Snacks Attack #11 - Almond & Peanut Paste!

On 09 Dec 2010 | 0 Comments

DessertStory, located in Anchorpoint basement one, has been serving residents tasty snacks and deserts for the past four years. Wendy, the supervisor of the cafe, introduced the various homemade desserts that they offer. A bowl of Almond Paste Hot desserts are mainly the favourite choice among Queenstown residents. Firstly, they have almond paste which is m

Random Thoughts @ MyQueenstown

Random Thoughts @ MyQueenstown #9 - 7 Funerals in 2 weeks

On 22 May 2011 | 0 Comments

7 funerals in 2 weeks. There is a flurry of "activity" these two weeks for correspondents from My Queenstown. We did not leave our traces in photographs as a mark of respect for the deceased. We did leave our sincere prayers and heartfelt condolences for those present. Quietly and fleetingly, we made our way to some of the funerals and understood that all o

Random Thoughts @ MyQueenstown #8 - Block 39A No More (The Removal of Block 39A Part I)

On 05 Apr 2011 | 8 Comments

On a Friday afternoon three weeks ago, several Bangladeshi workers, presumably from the Town Council, took their tool boxes to the lift lobby of Block 39A. In less than half an hour, they carried a metallic frame on their shoulders and placed it on a lorry parked in front of the apartment block. Farewell Block 39A The letterboxes The stretch of corrid

Random Thoughts @ MyQueenstown #7 - A New Coat of Paint

On 22 Mar 2011 | 1 Comments

The Point Blocks, along with 5 other blocks at Mei Ling Street were given a new coat of paint over the past week. The familiar combination of blue, yellow and orange was a thing of the past as these foreign workers toiled day and night, rain or shine to make Mei Ling Street "attractive again." White seems to be the "in" thing in Queenstown lately. Ten-store

Other Recent Articles

Response to Straits Times Forum: "Active Citizenry Needs Space to Find Its Feet"

On 26 Aug 2011 | 25 Comments

A week ago, Mr. Eric Tan, Director of the National Archives of Singapore, explained that the archives have generously acceded to our requests for photographs to be published in our website, upcoming book and newsletter. This was not the full story. Last year, we wrote in to the National Archives of Singapore, requesting them to sponsor photographs of the ol

MyQueenstown Celebrates: Consecration Ceremony at Sri Muneeswaran Temple!

On 10 Jul 2011 | 1 Comments

Tanglin Halt residents are wokened up by the vociferous wailing of nadaswaram and thavil ensemble at Sri Muneeswaran Temple this morning. More than 15,000 residents and devotees have gathered at the Southeast Asia's largest Hindu temple worshiping the Muneeswaran god to witness the consecration ceremony. A consecration ceremony is a festive occasion done on

女皇镇1周新闻快讯 - 第二十五期

On 08 Jul 2011 | 6 Comments

女皇弄组屋 同一垃圾糟 两年3纵火  女皇弄组屋走廊垃圾糟,三度起火,居民人心惶惶,警列恶作剧纵火处理。 位于女皇镇一带的女皇弄第21座组屋8楼的电梯口,今早7时15分左右发生大火。 一名住在事发地点附近的居民,惊见滚滚黑烟从该处冒出 最高74万5000元 最低40多万 女皇镇 四房转售价 相差近37万  在热门组屋区女皇镇里,有四房式组屋最近以74万5000元的最高价转售,但也有37万8000元。 组屋溢价回升之际,热门地点如女皇镇的组屋转售价也持续攀升。今年4月,一间位于女皇镇史达拉摩道(Strathmore Ave)的四房式高楼单位,以74万5000元售出。 最后一次乘搭火车北上  火车开动了!该各就各位了吧。经过女皇镇、武吉知马、武吉班让时看到铁路旁站着许

$#@^@#& Who Says We Hate Foreigners?

By my queenstown on Wednesday, September 15, 2010 with 6 comments

Many websites have mentioned about foreigners and their negative impact on Singapore's society. Foreigners are portrayed to be "disruptive," "irritating" and "destroying" the fabric of our nation. These websites claimed that foreigners took the jobs of Singaporeans and deprived Singaporeans of having a HDB flat because they drove the prices sky high! Are these claims justified? Or Are these websites accurate in portrayed what ordinary people feel about foreigners? Let MyQueenstown Team find out more about our residents' thoughts about foreigners today!

Singapore's population has reached 5.08million. Overcrowding in trains, insufficient places in schools and high prices of public housing were some of the "perceived" concerns by the policymakers and some of these messages were publicised by online blogs and other media platforms. In order to verify these statements, MyQueenstown Team spent 6 hours in various districts in Queenstown, including rental flats, to find out the exact impact of foreigners to ordinary residents. 

One of them is Mohammed Ali, a Singaporean who works in Queenstown. He thinks that foreigners contribute to Singapore's economic growth and competition for jobs is great for Singaporeans and lowly educated workers. This is because the presence of foreigners motivate him to work harder. While he finds that the prices of public housing in Singapore has rocketed in the past few months, he finds the new housing policy will be effective to curb speculators. He believes lower income Singaporeans will have the opportunity to purchase their own houses when the prices fall.

Mohammad Ali

Mr Fong, 71, is a retiree with a son who works abroad. Like Mohammad Ali, Mr Fong is impressed with the new housing policy because it can dissuade investors from profiteering from speculation. Comparing foreign labour to Singaporeans, he finds foreign workers in the construction sector more hardworking and they are needed to do manual labour! With regards to Singaporeans who blamed foreigners for "stealing their jobs," he urges Singaporeans to strive hard for their ambitions and not be deterred by competition.

Phillip and Irene are young couples living in Queenstown. They appreciate the policies which differentiate citizens from Permanent Residents because they make the PRs choose whether to be Singapore citizen or give up PR so that they cannot enjoy both country's benefits and would be more loyal to Singapore if they choose to stay in Singapore. They do not find foreign workers a problem but express slight concerns on the possibility of the reduction of housing loan  on the lower income families.

Sandeep

Likewise, Sandeep, a resident in Tanglin Halt, feels that foreigners are essential for economic growth and higher wages. However, he expressed his concerns on the transport system which is getting more crowded. He hopes that more can be done to alleviate the crowd in the buses and trains!

From the interviews above and other intermittent response, it appears that Queenstown residents do welcome the presence of foreigners and appreciate their contributions to our community and society! While there are some unhappiness among certain groups towards the management of the foreigners, we can conclude that Singaporeans and Queenstown residents welcome them with open arms!

It is unfortunate that there are some articles circulating online without credible basis and response on the actual situation on the ground. Well, for readers of this article, you can always choose whether to accept the arguments put forth by certain publications without credible interviews or believe in this article with pictures of the interviewees =)

Phew! 

Who to blame for these problems? Read On!

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6 comments:

Azmodeus said...
September 17, 2010 at 11:40 AM

Let us be clear about whether Singaporeans truly view foreigners as the cause behind the 'disruption' of our social fabric, or was it the policies that bring about excessive foreigners thereby causing the strain on the supply of housing, overcrowding of our public transportation, depression of wages by large influx of foreign workers and deprivation on various social services.

No one doubts the benefits and contributions to Singapore's economy by the various foreign workers. As commented by many like-minded Singaporeans, Singapore is founded on the premises as an immigrant nation, and as long as the newcomers are willing to integrate as good neighbours, contribute to the betterment of Singapore, and to abide by our laws. I am sure they would be more than welcomed by the local populace.

The unfortunate aspect of our 'lax' foreign talent policy had always been the boon that improves our economy and the bane that strains our available resources to allow more foreign residents. The primary cause will always be the lack of sufficient foresight in our government's policy making to cater to increased population by foreign influx.

Thus every so often, you will get 'imbalance' in the supply of our public housing or a need to expand MRT rail platforms.

Do we hate foreigners? The answer is probably no for most of us.

Do we like overcrowding, increased housing prices, lesser employment opportunities, lower pay, and service staff that can't speak English? I don't think any Singaporeans like that.

There will always be the question of whether we need growth that exceeds our current ability to cater for it. But of course that is for another time and for another article.

But you know who we are pinning the blame on.

Anonymous said...
November 6, 2010 at 9:37 PM

"He thinks that foreigners contribute to Singapore's economic growth and competition for jobs is great for Singaporeans and lowly educated workers. This is because the presence of foreigners motivate him to work harder."

Ask him to cut his salary by half. If he cuts his salary by half then he can offer his service cheaper, more competitively so that he can work harder.
No one wants to work harder without benefits. Everyone wants to get the maximum return with the minimum effort. Only a stupid person will make that kind of comment and I am not surprised he is among the low income earners.

Queenstown said...
December 6, 2010 at 6:59 PM

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its really great.

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December 22, 2010 at 4:33 PM

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December 25, 2010 at 5:40 PM

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