Honesty is like a breath of fresh air

" I REFER to the letter by Mr Bertrand Teo Ming Shan, 'Can ICA be flexible in dual citizenship case?' (ST, Sept 27). Dual citizenship is a policy that has to be considered carefully and thoroughly. We have yet to reach the stage of nation-hood where a Singaporean with a second citizen-ship would still retain his identity and loyalty to Singapore as his homeland wherever he goes, with his second citizenship being only of secondary importance. " - Lim Jing Jing (Ms) Senior Public & Internal Communications Executive Immigration & Checkpoints Authority

- [ The Straits Times FORUM, 'Singapore not ready for dual citizenship', 14 October 2006, Page H16 ]

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I was rather taken aback - in a good way - when I read this response in papers this morning. I thought to myself "finally, some honesty." Usually for issues as sensitive as 'national pride' or 'nation-hood' or the likes, the relevent authority figure will ask their underlings to issue a general templated politically-correct vague response. Those responses are seldom to the point and usually leave us - the people - with more questions than answers. They would also usually adopt a I-know-what-you-are-saying-but-I-do-not-want-you-to- know-that-I-know defensive pose. It gives them more room to manoeuvre later on.

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So that is why I find that response particularly refeshing. No bull, straight to the heart of the matter. If I were to paraphrase, this is how it would be:

Question: Can ICA be flexible on dual citizenship?

Answer: No. We (the powers that be) are not confident that Singaporean citizens would retain their identity as a Singaporean and remain loyal to the republic once their lips touch the first blade of grass on (what they perceive to be) the greener pasture.

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How true. I pose a challenge to the authorities. Make a survey of a big diverse group of people, especially the young adults. Ask them.

Would they leave Singapore if his/her desired country offers him/her citizenship? and Why?

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Here is my prediction. Some will say YES others will say NO. That is a given. But the interesting part is held within their reasons behind their choice.

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Those who say YES would probably do so for the following reasons:

1. Future looks brighter. Financially more appealing.
2. Desired country is less restrictive, more accomodating.
3. Ability to own a house comfortably, a house that makes the HDB look like a guest room.

Those who say NO is probably beacause of the following reasons:

1. Family members are old and would frown on the idea of relocating.
2. Unadventurous. The idea of living in a foreign land is intimidating.
3. They find comfort and security in the system which they are used to.

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From the above, you can tell why the interesting portion of the survey lies in the young adults. Those who have the energy and curiousity to see what's out there. Now that I am starting my new job, I will work hard and sniff out opportunities to work overseas, because unlike the masses, my eyes are already opened.

Loyalty to this utilitarian oligarchy? Unfortunately, I do not have an underling to provide a general templated politically-correct vague response to this question. a

Name: Fredizzle Height: 1.79meters Weight: 112kg