I REFER to Wednesday's letter by Mr Yeo Oon Chye, 'It's about safety and security, not about power, pride and prejudice'. No attempt has been made to find solutions to the perceived safety and security issues, but many requests have been made to house the foreign workers elsewhere. This shows an underlying disturbing snobbish attitude. Or perhaps it is not just about snobbish attitudes or safety or security, but fear that property prices in Serangoon Gardens area would fall as a result.

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It is not about being snobbish and selfish. There are many reasons why I do not support the housing of foreign workers in Serangoon Gardens or anywhere near existing housing estates.

In the first place, those who argue on the need for integration is way off the mark. The government has no intention of letting this group of foreign workers stay here for the long term. These are not the PRs or PR wannabes. They are here on a contract basis, with a job to fulfil and after that they will go home. This is the fact. No doubt if they are able to integrate into the society within the short time, that will be wonderful, but is it realistic and at what cost?

All foreign workers have a different way of life. I am not saying our way of life is better nor am I insinuating that we are socially superior. Culture is oft-said to be descriptive, not evaluative. What I am saying is that we are different.

Of course it is not impossible for different groups of people to live together and assimilate and grow a new blended culture, but it takes time. And time is something that we do not have because these are not permanent workers here. Most are here for two years. So the hardship that accompanies the change process will come to naught in the end. Is this fair to the Singapore residents?

Those who argue on humanitarian grounds have missed the point as well. We all agree we should treat our foreign guests well. We appreciate their contributions to the development in Singapore. We need to and want to house them in suitable and decent accommodation.

Think about it. There are Chinatowns all over the world. Little Italy, Little India, Greek enclaves, little townships filled with the Lebanese, the Vietnamese, the Hispanics.... people like to live among their own kind when they are abroad. It is their home away from home. If we house the foreign workers in their own communities, I believe they will be more comfortable and happier. They need a place where they can be themselves after work, relax among their own people and do the things they are used to doing, away from the prying, and often critical eyes, of the locals.

I applaud the government's move to build self-contained foreign worker dormitories in Lim Chu Kang. Facilities such as shops and recreational spaces are catered for. Even then, there are the "humanitarians" who objected for various reasons. I wonder are they really assessing the situation objectively or are they blindly guided by an all-compassing moral compass?

There is no short-cut to the solution. George Yeo did mention that there are plans to create special townships for our foreign guests. I hope he sees it through.

We need foreign workers and we appreciate their contributions. The way I see it, there is only one decision that the government can make for the unused school in Serangoon Gardens. The most obvious is for it to be used to house an international school. Not to see the obvious will have deep political implications to the government.

Interesting how those who support the foreign workers moving into Serangoon Gardens are surely not living next to a foreign workers living quarters themselves. Would they want to move next to one? People in glass houses should not throw stones.

don't worry. the dormitory will go ahead as plan. Like the same with the IR issue. you can debate all you want, but eventually, it'll be decided for you, what's really good for the larger good of society and the decision made for you.

Those who are compasionate to foreign workers must adopt at least one foreign worker. They should make him live-in with them in their house, dine with him, watch TV with him and provide all facilities to him. Will they do it?

The joker writer cannot understand that expatriates (IT professionals, engineers, etc) are different from foreign workers (labourers). Employment agents charge foreign workers $ 6K to $7K but they donot charge the expat profesional..

christine, would you ever share your food, much less your roof, with a beggar? or are you that unsympathetic?

I agree with the writer that wherever the govt decide to house the FW, it should be done in small numbers so that the residents are given a chance to slowly adapt to their presence. Moreover, it is not wise to have them residing in big groups in any part of Singapore. I do not want to elaborate to avoid being accused though I have good intentions. The govt should find out fr those in charge in the count-down in welcoming 2007 at Marina Bay. I went with my family and was so worried for our safety the whole night through. We have been to many such countdowns over the years even when the children were much younger and we always enjoyed such free celebrations. But not now anymore. If I'm not wrong the time for the fireworks was much shortened .If ever they are housed together, even in small numbers, please do not encourage them to celebrate any occasion. People must not have encountered unpleasant experience to think that FW are one of us.However, I do not blame them for their behaviour because they feel lonely and are in an unfamiliar environment.

However, I am disgusted at the writer describing the residents of SG as snobbish and selfish. No one, including ST staff writers, has no right to pass unfavourable remarks on the character of anybody, We use the ST forum to discuss an issue, stating our opinion on the issue supported by arguments, not to hurl personal attacks on anybody. The ST should ask such writers to edit their letters before they are allowed to be publicised.

Sorry it should read ' No one, including ST staff writers, has 'the '( not 'no') right to ......'

There is a KTV Lounge directly opposite Chomp Comp housed above a 24 hr coffee shop. Those patronising that joint are some of the most unruly I have seen in years and this is compounded by the equally unruly and gangster-like behavior of their staff.

At closing time (0200 hrs) staff and patrons would trade profanities like it was cool to do so and when others frown at them they would spoil for a fight.

Once an elderly gentleman was having his supper at the coffee shop when a youth from that KTV traded loud vulgarities right in front of him. When he protested, the youth shouted: “Old man, shut up and eat your food, this is none of your fu*king business!"

Then his collegues rushed over to surround the freightened old man.

At another time, the staffs were trading punches with each other right outside the coffee shop. This is when I called the police.

SGd will degenerate even further if FTs are housed nearby. There will only get worse.