Working in Singapore

It been a year since I work in Singapore. Before I graduate, I never thought of I will working here. I always pursuit by my brother who already work in Singapore for about a year at that time. He keep saying higher salary there compare to our home country Malaysia. In Malaysia a normal fresh graduate can earn around RM2500~ 3000 while work in Singapore is having the same number too but the difference is the exchange rate between the two countries currency. This make huge income different when you convert salary in Singapore Dollar SGD2500-3000 to Malaysia Ringgit which bring around RM6500-7800 (Current exchange rate ~ SGD1=RM2.6). Mostly due to this reason, there are around 500,000 Malaysian currently working in Singapore which is around 16% of total Singapore workforce and this doesn't include those Malaysian who change their citizenship to Singapore.  

When we talk about Singapore, what come out in our mind are a clean, rich and modern country. This tiny island, just a developed point inside Southeast Asia but attracting thousand of foreigner not only Malaysia but other people from Asia region and even small amount of westerner. It has efficient public transport, the least corruption country among the regional and located strategically in major sea route. Besides that, this lion city is one of the major financial center and busiest port. All this lead to flood of foreign workers into this gold mine. 

This was the 1st developed country I ever visit. I feel very amazed by the clean environment, very organised building and road, MRT and skyscrapers even today. However, this excitement slowly become fade after work . For me, this city start to become what other foreigners perceive : it is just a place for working nothing else. Singapore is a wealthy nation in eye of the world and envy by many but once this thinking strike me, I started to feel how the local feel. 

Small nation mean lack of land, fully integrated public transport system but expensive car, cheap public housing but not fully owned it and etc. The Singaporean can't really enjoying the benefit of wealthy nation. While birth rate is decreasing, lack of workforce, therefore more foreign labours will be bring in to support the ageing population so it can maintain the wealthy and the cycle keep repeating.

One thing I certain, their government is doing what best for the city to keep it roaring but not their citizens.