We're Singaporeans, So What!

"Nothing is free in Singapore" is beginning to sound more and more like a cliche. Whether it is a visit to the public loo, or a view at the Pinnacle Top, or a trip to Sentosa, we pay a levy and hardly think twice about doing so. The government would have us believe that this is the price we have to pay for progress ... to become a first world country. I have no quarrel with that.

Reality, however, hit me hard this week at the Sentosa. Less so because of the $6-toll that I had to pay to enter the island; but more so because of the disparity of treament accorded to Singaporeans vis-a-vis foreigners. After watching the goings-on outside the casino entrance for about 10 minutes, I walked away, shaking my head, wondering how in the world the government could subject Singaporeans to so much tighter a screening process compared to foreigners and getting away with it!

- Foreigners only had to wave their passports in the air to get in. Not once did security stop any of them to verify the authenticity of the passports or their holders.

- Singaporeans on the other hand had to show their passport or IC at a special counter, pay the $100 levy and then proceed back to the main entrance to show it to security before being allowed to enter.

- Chinese nationals form the bulk of the foreigners. Most of them were simply dressed - the kind you find in market places; many were elderlies. First impression about them was a look-see group of people rather than casino players or gamblers.

- Crux of the matter was that these foreigners, whether construction workers or domestic helpers, get to enjoy our newly opened casino at no cost to them at all while Singaporeans were left to look at the casino on the outside unless they are willing to part with their hard-earned $100.

We're Singaporeans, so what! There are some of the government policies that make me really sick in the stomach.