IN THE continuing debate over the housing of foreign workers in Serangoon Gardens (SG), political editor Chua Lee Hoong insinuated on Saturday that residents of the estate were over-reacting out of prejudice and unfounded xenophobia ('Power, pride and prejudice').
She also accused the middle class residents of having led overly sheltered lives for too long. Hence they are now incapable of co-existing with foreign workers.

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Yeo Oon Chye asked "If one has paid considerably more for his property, is it not reasonable to harbour higher expectations concerning such a basic consideration as security and safety?"

I would guess that Yeo's concern are shared by other Singaporeans, even those who live in cheaper areas than Serangoon Gardens. It is uncomfortable for most Singaporeans to live next to a concentration of blue collar FTs.

The government should re-evaluate the idea of large hostels, since no neighbourhood wants them. It should instead develop smaller hostels housing not more than 100 FTs, spread out in every estate, to sensitise Singaporeans to the presence of FTs in our midst. Otherwise everyone like Yeo will want to be cocooned from the hundred thousands of FTs here.

I'm in Sembawang and am surrounded by FTs who work at the shipyards. They hang around the estate and are no trouble at all.

so safety and security are not so important for peasants in HDB estates but only for snobbier places like higher-middle Serangoon Gardens residents?
there are enough double standards as it is already in so many aspects of our lives.

This legion of foreign workers has lead to social issues for Singapore as well as overcrowding of our public hospitals and future crime issues. As the foreign legion grapples with issues like higher housing costs, medical costs, and gambling (hey, guess what! They don't have to pay a penalty to enter the casino) some will turn to crime to make some quick buck. Maybe Raymond Lim should do some prevention measures here as well as he is very good at preventing future traffic problems.

The implication of the letter is clear, if you are rich, you deserve the safety and security. If you are like me living in foreign worker enclaves like Jurong West, safety is not important, you die your business.

Aiya Sg is a capitalist and elitist society la. If you are rich, you should not die tragically. If you are poor, you are left to your own devices. In Sg, no money means you can die but cannot fall sick la.

MIW's ministers are much safer lah.

Make all the noise you want, before you know it, the go ahead has been given for the living quarters to be sited in S Gardens. There is nothing much you can do, live with it or move out. Govt have every say in the utilisation of state land.

The whole saga goes to show how Sporeans think themselves so highly that they cannot accept the FTs in their neighbourhood. It is only fair that that the quarters be located in S Gardens as like in all other private estates, the land use is really too low looking at the population density as compared to a HDB precinct.

Joo Chiat's case is more of a proven vice (& other crime) issue. SGarden is case clearly of pride & prejudice.

All residents should expect same level of security, not because you got bigger house means the govt shd give you more security. If you wanted more security, hire your own security guards!

For waytogoLTA : without these "foreign legion", you won't even have a shelter over your head....all HDF & private house are build by these "foreign legion".

Don't take one or 2 incidents as global. Security should be instill by within yourself. If your maid go astray, don't blame the whole world. Cut out the maid or move out.
The beauty of living in SGP is you r mobile. The govt don't forbid you to move to another estate like in China etc