#millionaire singaporean
Explore tagged Tumblr posts
singaporeanmillionaire · 2 years ago
Text
Tumblr media
singaporean millionaires, singaporean billionaires, millionaireceoclub.com, https://www.MillionaireCEOclub.com
1 note · View note
mentalrockstaryujin · 1 year ago
Text
Unlocking Success: The Impactful Motivational Speakers of Singapore
In the bustling city-state of Singapore, success stories abound. From entrepreneurs to corporate professionals, achieving success requires more than just hard work. It requires inspiration, motivation, and a guiding voice that pushes us beyond our limits. This is where the impactful motivational speakers of Singapore come into the picture.
With their charismatic presence and powerful words, these speakers have the ability to unlock the potential within individuals and organizations alike. They have honed their craft to deliver captivating speeches that captivate audiences and leave a lasting impact. By sharing their own personal journeys and experiences, they inspire others to dream bigger, work harder, and seize opportunities.
From renowned industry experts to sought-after life coaches, Singapore is a melting pot of talented speakers who possess the ability to transform lives. Whether it's through workshops, keynote speeches, or personal coaching sessions, they offer a wealth of knowledge and practical advice that can propel individuals and businesses towards success.
Join us as we delve into the world of Singapore's most influential motivational speakers and uncover the keys to their success. Prepare to be inspired, motivated, and empowered to unlock your own potential on the path to success.
Word count: 159 words.
The role of motivational speakers in personal and professional development
Motivational speakers play a crucial role in personal and professional development. They have the ability to transform mindsets, change perspectives, and inspire positive change. By sharing their own personal journeys and experiences, they connect with their audience on an emotional level and help them overcome obstacles and achieve their goals. Motivational speakers are not just motivational, but also provide practical advice that can be implemented in daily life.
Benefits of hiring a motivational speaker
Hiring a motivational speaker has numerous benefits. For individuals, it can help them gain clarity on their goals, overcome limiting beliefs, and develop a positive mindset. For organizations, it can boost employee morale, increase productivity, and drive business growth. Motivational speakers bring a fresh perspective and new ideas, which can help organizations stay ahead of the competition. They can also help organizations develop a culture of continuous learning and self-improvement.
Popular motivational speakers in Singapore
Singapore is home to some of the most influential motivational speakers in the world. These speakers come from diverse backgrounds and have different areas of expertise, but they all share a common goal – to inspire and motivate individuals and organizations to achieve their goals.
One of the most popular motivational speakers in Singapore is Adam Khoo. Adam is a self-made millionaire, entrepreneur, and best-selling author. He is known for his dynamic and engaging speaking style, and his ability to connect with his audience on a personal level. Adam's keynote topics include goal-setting, wealth creation, and personal development.
Another popular motivational speaker in Singapore is David Lim. David is a mountaineer, author, and leadership coach. He is best known for leading the 1998 Singapore Everest Expedition, which made him the first Singaporean to reach the summit of Mount Everest. David's keynote topics include leadership, teamwork, and peak performance.
Keynote topics and areas of expertise
Motivational speakers in Singapore cover a wide range of topics, from personal development to business growth. Some of the most popular keynote topics include:
- Goal-setting and achievement
- Leadership and teamwork
- Mindset and motivation
- Wealth creation and financial freedom
- Sales and marketing
- Customer service and experience
- Innovation and creativity
- Entrepreneurship and startup success
- Work-life balance and wellness
Motivational speakers in Singapore are experts in their respective fields, and they bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to their speeches.
Success stories and testimonials
The impact of motivational speakers can be seen in the success stories of individuals and organizations alike. By implementing the advice and strategies shared by motivational speakers, people have been able to achieve their goals, overcome challenges, and transform their lives. Organizations have reported increased productivity, improved employee morale, and higher profits as a result of hiring motivational speakers.
Here are some testimonials from people who have been inspired by motivational speakers in Singapore:
- "Adam Khoo's speech changed my life. I was stuck in a dead-end job and had no direction. But after hearing Adam speak, I was inspired to start my own business. I followed his advice and now I'm a successful entrepreneur." - John Tan, Singapore
- "David Lim's speech on leadership was eye-opening. I learned so much about the importance of teamwork and communication. I brought those lessons back to my team and we've been more productive and efficient ever since." - Jane Lim, Singapore
- "I hired a motivational speaker for our company's annual retreat, and it was the best decision I ever made. Our employees were re-energized and motivated to take on new challenges. We've seen a significant increase in productivity and profits since then." - Mark Lee, CEO of ABC Company
Tips for choosing the right motivational speaker for your event
Choosing the right motivational speaker for your event can be a daunting task. Here are some tips to help you make the right choice:
- Define your goals: What do you want to achieve with the event? Do you want to inspire your audience, provide practical advice, or both?
- Do your research: Look for speakers who have experience in your industry or have expertise in the topics you want to cover.
- Check testimonials: Read reviews and testimonials from previous clients to get an idea of the speaker's impact.
- Watch videos: Look for videos of the speaker's previous speeches to get a sense of their style and delivery.
- Communicate clearly: Make sure you communicate your goals and expectations clearly to the speaker before the event.
How to book a motivational speaker in Singapore
Booking a motivational speaker in Singapore is easy. There are many agencies that specialize in booking speakers for events. Here are some steps to follow:
- Define your goals and budget.
- Research agencies and speakers who fit your criteria.
- Contact the agency and provide them with your requirements.
- The agency will provide you with a list of speakers and their fees.
- Choose the speaker who best fits your needs and budget.
- Sign a contract and make payment.
The cost of hiring a motivational speaker
The cost of hiring a motivational speaker in Singapore varies depending on the speaker's experience and popularity. Some speakers charge a few thousand dollars for a keynote speech, while others charge tens of thousands of dollars. The cost also depends on the length of the speech, the size of the audience, and the travel and accommodation expenses. However, the cost of hiring a motivational speaker is a small investment compared to the potential benefits it can bring to individuals and organizations.
Conclusion: The power of motivational speakers in unlocking success
In the bustling city-state of Singapore, success stories abound. From entrepreneurs to corporate professionals, achieving success requires more than just hard work. It requires inspiration, motivation, and a guiding voice that pushes us beyond our limits. This is where the impactful motivational speakers of Singapore come into the picture.
With their charismatic presence and powerful words, these speakers have the ability to unlock the potential within individuals and organizations alike. They have honed their craft to deliver captivating speeches that captivate audiences and leave a lasting impact. By sharing their own personal journeys and experiences, they inspire others to dream bigger, work harder, and seize opportunities.
From renowned industry experts to sought-after life coaches, Singapore is a melting pot of talented speakers who possess the ability to transform lives. Whether it's through workshops, keynote speeches, or personal coaching sessions, they offer a wealth of knowledge and practical advice that can propel individuals and businesses towards success.
Join us as we delve into the world of Singapore's most influential motivational speakers and uncover the keys to their success. Prepare to be inspired, motivated, and empowered to unlock your own potential on the path to success.
Word count: 159 words.
The role of motivational speakers in personal and professional development
Motivational speakers play a crucial role in personal and professional development. They have the ability to transform mindsets, change perspectives, and inspire positive change. By sharing their own personal journeys and experiences, they connect with their audience on an emotional level and help them overcome obstacles and achieve their goals. Motivational speakers are not just motivational, but also provide practical advice that can be implemented in daily life.
Benefits of hiring a motivational speaker
Hiring a motivational speaker has numerous benefits. For individuals, it can help them gain clarity on their goals, overcome limiting beliefs, and develop a positive mindset. For organizations, it can boost employee morale, increase productivity, and drive business growth. Motivational speakers bring a fresh perspective and new ideas, which can help organizations stay ahead of the competition. They can also help organizations develop a culture of continuous learning and self-improvement.
Popular motivational speakers in Singapore
Singapore is home to some of the most influential motivational speakers in the world. These speakers come from diverse backgrounds and have different areas of expertise, but they all share a common goal – to inspire and motivate individuals and organizations to achieve their goals.
One of the most popular motivational speakers in Singapore is Adam Khoo. Adam is a self-made millionaire, entrepreneur, and best-selling author. He is known for his dynamic and engaging speaking style, and his ability to connect with his audience on a personal level. Adam's keynote topics include goal-setting, wealth creation, and personal development.
Another popular motivational speaker in Singapore is David Lim. David is a mountaineer, author, and leadership coach. He is best known for leading the 1998 Singapore Everest Expedition, which made him the first Singaporean to reach the summit of Mount Everest. David's keynote topics include leadership, teamwork, and peak performance.
Keynote topics and areas of expertise
Motivational speakers in Singapore cover a wide range of topics, from personal development to business growth. Some of the most popular keynote topics include:
- Goal-setting and achievement
- Leadership and teamwork
- Mindset and motivation
- Wealth creation and financial freedom
- Sales and marketing
- Customer service and experience
- Innovation and creativity
- Entrepreneurship and startup success
- Work-life balance and wellness
Motivational speakers in Singapore are experts in their respective fields, and they bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to their speeches.
Success stories and testimonials
The impact of motivational speakers can be seen in the success stories of individuals and organizations alike. By implementing the advice and strategies shared by motivational speakers, people have been able to achieve their goals, overcome challenges, and transform their lives. Organizations have reported increased productivity, improved employee morale, and higher profits as a result of hiring motivational speakers.
Here are some testimonials from people who have been inspired by motivational speakers in Singapore:
- "Adam Khoo's speech changed my life. I was stuck in a dead-end job and had no direction. But after hearing Adam speak, I was inspired to start my own business. I followed his advice and now I'm a successful entrepreneur." - John Tan, Singapore
- "David Lim's speech on leadership was eye-opening. I learned so much about the importance of teamwork and communication. I brought those lessons back to my team and we've been more productive and efficient ever since." - Jane Lim, Singapore
- "I hired a motivational speaker for our company's annual retreat, and it was the best decision I ever made. Our employees were re-energized and motivated to take on new challenges. We've seen a significant increase in productivity and profits since then." - Mark Lee, CEO of ABC Company
Tips for choosing the right motivational speaker for your event
Choosing the right motivational speaker for your event can be a daunting task. Here are some tips to help you make the right choice:
- Define your goals: What do you want to achieve with the event? Do you want to inspire your audience, provide practical advice, or both?
- Do your research: Look for speakers who have experience in your industry or have expertise in the topics you want to cover.
- Check testimonials: Read reviews and testimonials from previous clients to get an idea of the speaker's impact.
- Watch videos: Look for videos of the speaker's previous speeches to get a sense of their style and delivery.
- Communicate clearly: Make sure you communicate your goals and expectations clearly to the speaker before the event.
How to book a motivational speaker in Singapore
Booking a motivational speaker in Singapore is easy. There are many agencies that specialize in booking speakers for events. Here are some steps to follow:
- Define your goals and budget.
- Research agencies and speakers who fit your criteria.
- Contact the agency and provide them with your requirements.
- The agency will provide you with a list of speakers and their fees.
- Choose the speaker who best fits your needs and budget.
- Sign a contract and make payment.
The cost of hiring a motivational speaker
The cost of hiring a motivational speaker in Singapore varies depending on the speaker's experience and popularity. Some speakers charge a few thousand dollars for a keynote speech, while others charge tens of thousands of dollars. The cost also depends on the length of the speech, the size of the audience, and the travel and accommodation expenses. However, the cost of hiring a motivational speaker is a small investment compared to the potential benefits it can bring to individuals and organizations.
Conclusion: The power of motivational speakers in unlocking success
In conclusion, motivational speakers play a vital role in unlocking success. They have the ability to inspire, motivate, and empower individuals and organizations to achieve their goals and fulfill their potential. Singapore is home to some of the most influential motivational speakers in the world, and their impact can be seen in the success stories of people and businesses. By following the tips outlined in this article, you can choose the right motivational speaker for your event and unlock the potential of your audience.
0 notes
intracorp-blog · 2 years ago
Text
15 Surprising Details about Singapore's Enormous Success
Singapore is a country that never stops surprising both its visitors and the rest of the world! It is a city and a nation situated in Southeast Asia, and its official name is the Republic of Singapore. It is a mash-up of history and culture, as well as a culinary spectacular. 
Tumblr media
Singapore has the world's highest percentage of millionaires, with 1 in 6 households having a net worth of over $1 million. 
The country has a 100% literacy rate and is consistently ranked among the top countries in the world for education. 
Singapore is one of the least corrupt countries in the world, ranking 3rd on Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index. 
The country has one of the lowest crime rates in the world, with strict laws and heavy punishments for offenders. 
Despite its small size, Singapore is one of the busiest ports in the world, with over 130,000 ships passing through its waters each year. 
The country has a highly developed economy and is a leading financial hub in Asia, with many multinational companies choosing to establish their regional headquarters in Singapore. 
Singapore is known for its efficient public transportation system, including its extensive subway network, which is one of the most modern and reliable in the world. 
The country is a leader in green technology and sustainability, with initiatives such as the world's largest floating solar panel farm and a comprehensive recycling program. 
Singapore has a highly efficient and transparent regulatory environment, with clear and consistent rules and regulations for businesses. 
Singapore has a highly efficient legal system, with a strong focus on protecting intellectual property and enforcing contracts. 
Singapore has a highly developed financial sector, with a range of financial services available to businesses looking to raise capital. 
Singapore has a well-planned urban landscape, with green spaces, pedestrian-friendly streets, and efficient waste management systems. 
The country is a leader in innovation and technology, with a thriving startup ecosystem and government initiatives to support research and development. 
Singapore has a strong emphasis on social cohesion and community engagement, with initiatives such as the Community Development Councils and the National Day Parade, which celebrate the country's diversity and unity. 
According to the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business index, Singapore has continuously been recognized as one of the world's easiest places for company registration services in Singapore. According to the Global Competitiveness Report of the World Economic Forum, Singapore was ranked as the second-best country in the world in 2020 to launch a business. An array of laws and programs have been put into place by the Singaporean government to support business growth and entrepreneurship. With an emphasis on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education, Singapore has a highly educated and skilled labor population. These 15 amazing facts regarding Singapore's extraordinary success are now more clear to you. Such wonders cannot be found anyplace else! 
0 notes
ryo-hirakawa · 4 years ago
Note
you when your fav is in Finland
Tumblr media
why is it a photo of lando sdghdkjhgs PLEASE do you know how done i am with these rich white men...stop travelling...christ will it kill you to stay in your mansions and penthouse apartments?! COME ON GUYS THE BAR IS ON THE FLOOR STOP GOING UNDER IT THIS ISN’T THE LIMBO 
2 notes · View notes
singaporeanbillionaire · 2 years ago
Text
Tumblr media
singaporean billionaire, singaporean millionaire, millionaireceoclub.com, https://www.MillionaireCEOclub.com
1 note · View note
southeastasianists · 4 years ago
Link
She was an Indonesian domestic helper who earned S$600 (£345) a month working for an extremely wealthy Singaporean family.
He was her employer, a titan of Singapore's business establishment and the chairman of some of the country's biggest companies.
One day, his family accused her of stealing from them. They reported her to the police - triggering what would become a high-profile court case that would grip the country with its accusations of pilfered luxury handbags, a DVD player, and even claims of cross-dressing.
Earlier this month, Parti Liyani was finally acquitted.
"I'm so glad I'm finally free," she told reporters through an interpreter. "I've been fighting for four years."
But her case has prompted questions about inequality and access to justice in Singapore, with many asking how she could have been found guilty in the first place.
83 notes · View notes
theajaxnews · 3 years ago
Text
16-year-old boy becomes millionaire after getting corona vaccine
16-year-old boy becomes millionaire after getting corona vaccine
In Singapore, the Covid-19 vaccination caused a unique phenomenon in the life of a 16-year-old kid. The child felt unwell after being vaccinated, then became a billionaire overnight. Six days after receiving Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccination, the adolescent died of a heart attack. After recuperating from a heart attack, the 16-year-old never imagined he’d become a billionaire. The Singaporean health…
View On WordPress
1 note · View note
mavspeed · 4 years ago
Note
What are your thoughts on Indian actors (and I am talking more about Indian British and Indian Americans) having to most likely have to learn how to do an Indian accent so they can get work e.g. Dev Patel or Sacha Dhawan were probably most likely required to learn how to do an Indian accent in terms of their roles e.g. Outsourced (Sacha Dwahan) - I don't know too much about his filmography but that one is where he uses the Indian accent or Slumdog millionaire and The Best Exotic Marigold 1/?
Hotel. I've just noticed that there is perhaps an expectation for people of colour to have a specific accent that might be part of that ethnicity. Like on one hand it is racist e.g. Aziz Anisari refuses to do an Indian accent due to this, but on the other hand if we look at Constance Wu's accent in FOB, it's done because her character is from Taiwan, therefore she would have a non-American accent. Which is why I like Crazy Rich Asians so much because all, if not most of the characters do not 2/?
have the stereotypical or 'heavy accent', they speak in an almost clear but also received pronounciation (it's the closest way I can describe it e.g. Nick Young's mother has an almost like articulate accent and sounds 'educated' - excuse the vocabulary, I'm trying to ecplain this the best I can). Which tbh, correct me if I'm wrong, but from experience countries such as Hong Kong and more so in India there are people who don't have what people think the Indian or Hong Kong accent, even though 3/?
They're from those countries. I've met Indian people who've grown up in India, but their accents are rather neutral. I think it just depends on socio-economic status as well, considering perhaps how well a person can speak maybe determines how well their educated (this is also talking about native English speakers). But I do not want to go on a tangent about that, but more about how it is racist to see how Hollywood often for roles where the character may be Indian but there is no 4/?
evidence to suggest that he is actually from a non-English speaking country or they just put that in because he happens to be a person of colour e.g. Ravi Patel playing a telephone operator in Transformers, which Aziz Anisari rejected because he felt it fed into the stereotype of a call centre employee with an accent. Which is I think, maybe I'm wrong but the film Sorry to Bother you plays with because it talks abouthow black people often put a 'white voice' on to sound more approachable 5/?
as the 'black voice' is considered 'unapproachable' (racism). I just want to make sense of this, as it's something I've noticed with Hollywood or western media. 6/6
i will address this but first of all what you said about crazy rich asians- look, here’s the thing. as a singaporean myself can i just say that that movie is highly inaccurate because i’ve lived with fellow chinese/indian/muslim singaporeans all my LIFE and we ALL. HAVE. SINGAPOREAN ACCENTS. even if you go off to study in the uk YOU WILL COME BACK WITH A SINGAPOREAN ACCENT. i love henry golding and gemma chan to bits god knows i do but they should have done what michelle yeoh did and attempted a singaporean accent because even with elitist pricks who studied from elitist schools like acs or ri or whatever the fuck we STILL HAVE ACCENTS. michelle yeoh did a singaporean accent and its the closest, most accurate approximation of it in the entire cast. awkwafina’s character is bullshit because i have NOT met a single singaporean who has consistently maintained a blaccent. of course racist singaporeans do a blaccent and thats because they’re racist and antiblack to an alarming degree. but if you’re chinese, indian, malay, eurasian, chindian you WILL have the singaporean accent. its inescapable. 
here’s my opinion on this- its not racist, not at all, because we all have accents. everyone from every single part of the world has an accent. if you think people can speak WITHOUT an accent, that’s because you have been brainwashed into thinking the neutralised american accent is the norm. nothing is the norm. you talk like how people around you talk like. if you audition for an indian role, of course people will xpect you to have an indian accent. if you audition for an american role, people will expect you to have an accent from that bit of america- new york or california or texas. sorry but aziz ansari refusing to do an indian accent is bullshit (and ties into a deeper discussion about indian celebrities in the indian diaspora being shameful about their brown heritage because you see this shit, again and again and again with mindy kahling and kumail nanjiani and aziz ansari like hasan minhaj is the ONLY indian celeb other than dev i’ve seen actually hype up and appreciate his skin colour and race in a really self celebratory manner), because there is nothing shameful about the indian accent. its a beautiful thing and for some reason, indians outside of india think its something derogatory or to be made fun of just because its different than what they’re used to. is it racist for white directors to assume people of a certain ethnicity automatically have that accent? yeah it is, because a little thing called a diaspora exists. but you have to realise that everyone has an accent. there’s no such thing as a status quo accent because if you think there is, congrats because not to go all anti-west but you’ve been brainwashed by the west!
idk which part of the world you’re from but as an indian singaporean who has also been to literally every single country within asia except for korea and pakistan i can tell you firsthand that no, we do have heavy accents. people from hong kong have heavy accents too. so do people from china. but its not something weird its just a Thing because lets be real, white people have heavy accents too. half the time i need subtitles for richard madden interviews to parse out what he’s saying. so tldr, nah its honestly not an issue. not for me, anyway. and crazy rich asians is a shit fucking movie do not support it 
9 notes · View notes
mybukz · 4 years ago
Text
Work-in-progress: The Singaporean Candidate by Begau Salleh
Tumblr media
Image by Joshua Ang at Unsplash
Excerpt from Begau Salleh’s work-in-progress political novel ‘The Singaporean Candidate’.
Aadam has a dream; to be the first Malay Prime Minister of Singapore. Pretty tricky considering Singapore's Chinese racial majority.
There is a way. Singapore’s ruling political party is running a training programme for Singapore’s future leaders. From the trainees, the Father of Singapore himself will pick out and groom the next Prime Minister. All Aadam has to do is prove he is the very best, better even than the esteemed patriarch’s own grandsons.
But Malaysia is in a cold war with Singapore due to a land dispute. Public sentiment is against Aadam because of his ethnicity. Aadam will soon find himself caught in a greater plot, with the future of both nations hanging in the balance.
*
The next morning we were on the front page of the papers, right next to the headline “PM SLAMS MALAYSIA’S UNSCHEDULED WATER RATIONING”. The five Prime Minister candidates even got a special column.
Back in our cramped HDB flat, mak was smiling from ear-to-ear while reading the papers at the dining table. I wasn’t. I was muttering to myself while straightening out my hair in the mirror nearby.
Mak sighed, put down the papers. “Why the sour face?”
I straightened my tie and picked up a curry puff from the table. “They hardly mentioned me, mak. The three Ngs got so much more coverage. Even Benjamin, even Grace got more coverage than me!” I said, my mouth full of curry puff.
Admittedly, I didn’t have the clout of the three grandsons. My family history wasn’t as interesting as Benjamin’s. But how did Grace get more coverage than me when she wasn’t even aiming to be PM!
Mak flipped the papers open. She whistled and gave me a mischievous grin. “You know, this young woman is quite impressive. Not as astounding as my son, but very impressive. I think she’d make a wonderful wife for a tall, dark and handsome young man.”
A tall, dark and handsome young man like me.
I sighed. In high school, Singaporean parents forbid their kids from seeing girls, much less date. As soon as we leave college, parents do a 180 and play matchmaker themselves.
“Benjamin fits that description too, you know?” I replied dryly.
“Then you’d better make sure you strike first,” mak winked.
I rolled my eyes and gave mak a peck on her forehead. “I have to go now. Have a good day at work, mak.”
Mak wished me the best of luck. With today’s simple task, I wouldn’t need it. I took my coat, ruffled the head of my cat and told it “Behave yourself,” as I walked out.
# Appear, meet children, smile for the camera, leave. That was the schedule for the candidates today. Public relations at its finest. All I had to do was give my most genuine-looking smile and say nice things to kids. Everyone here knew how to do that, surely.
While the candidates sat in the hall waiting for the kids, the director gave us a short briefing on what to expect. The parents would be accompanying the kids, along with a lot of support staff trained in handling children. She emphasized that we would not be responsible for taking care of the kids once they arrived. Normally a few kids may get scared and cry, and that wouldn’t be our fault.
See? Easy-peasy.
Honestly, I needed a break after all the drama from the last PR event.
The Prime Minister arrived before the kids did. A slim man with greying hair, he was wearing a light blue dress shirt, tie and grey slacks. We gave him a standing ovation as he arrived, and he went straight to the podium.
“Welcome to the Candidates Leadership Programme. I’m here as a guest at the behest of the organisers. They’re hoping I can inspire all of you and explain the importance of this event.” He smiled. “Well, I’ll try my best. I’m told that a rather important question was conspicuously left out of all your interviews. You may have thought about it, or at least heard it before. Take a guess what that question was.”
A few hands came up.
“How can you serve your country?” ShuXuan guessed, pensive.
“How can you bring prosperity to Singapore?” Chulek said, smiling confidently.
“Why do you want to be Prime Minster, or a minister?” Benjamin suggested.
“Why are you the right man for the job?” I tried.
The PM smiled and put up his hands. “Those are all good questions. Oh dear. Maybe we should thought of those too.”
Everyone laughed.
The PM pointed to another raised hand and nodded.
HuaXuan put down his hand. “What is your vision for Singapore?”
PM Ng paused, frowned slightly. “Yes… that was the question. ‘What is your vision for Singapore?’ Now that I mention it, it sounds like an obvious question to ask, right? Why do you think it wasn’t asked, even though the organisers knew it was important?”
This time, he just waited a moment as if he was going to ask us to offer suggestions again. But he didn’t give us that chance. How unsporting, heh.
“Because we don’t want you to answer that question. Not yet. You’re still young and inexperienced, and your answer is going to sound like it came out of a National Day slogan contest. Right now, that’s all your answer will be; a slogan. We’re hoping that by the end of this training programme, it will be much more than that. And it begins here, by meeting Singapore’s future. We’ve asked each child to tell you what their dreams are. Let the dreams of Singapore’s future generation inform your vision of what Singapore should be.”
I swallowed down hard. Up until that point, I hadn’t been taking today’s event seriously. There may not be any exams or tests, but the PM had convinced me that this public relations exercise was worth my time. I had to make sure I listened to these children carefully.
The director exchanged words with the PM. He turned back to us. “The children are ready. I hope all of you are as well, because here they come!”
Parents and support staff escorted loud, crying, giggling and pouting kids of all ages into the hall. There had to be about a hundred children, compared to our 30 or so candidates. The hall couldn’t accommodate everyone, so a lot of them waited in line outside. To keep them occupied, support staff sang to them, a clown made animal balloons, and some had toys or books.
We had already been broken up into groups around the hall, according to which position we wanted. Each ministry group attended to the same group of children, one child at a time. My guess: the children were assigned to each ministry group based on how relevant their dreams were to that ministry. All the children had papers in their hands to read out what they had prepared beforehand. Most read from it, with a bit of encouragement from their parents.
I sat with the other PM candidates; that’s Benjamin, Chulek, ShuXuan and HuaXuan in case you forgot. We seemed to be getting slightly older children, other than one young Chinese boy. An Indian teenage girl in a wheelchair stood out to me. No doubt she wanted a more disabled-friendly Singapore.
“More jobs”, “Lower cost of living”, “Freedom of speech”… Did the children write these dreams themselves? We smiled knowingly at the embarrassed parents even as we clapped, smiled and cheered for each child and said sugary sweet things to each one. We promised we’d do our best to make ‘their’ dreams come through.
Then the little Chinese boy stomped forward to for his turn. He declared, “When I grow up, I want to be a millionaire. So I can buy a Ferrari. It must be red and very fast. No compromises.”
The five of us oh-ed and couldn’t help but giggle. At least that dream was genuinely his!
“Hey! Aren’t you supposed to say you’ll help me?’ the young boy asked, pouting and stamping his foot.
Sorry, kid. It’s not our job to make you a Crazy Rich Asian. I couldn’t quite think of how to handle him, honestly. He was just too cute! Like us, his embarrassed parents were trying their best to stifle their laugher from behind him.
“Oh, I think it’s a great ambition,” Chulek said, suppressing his chortling, “But I have to tell you, there’s no way it can be easy to be a millionaire. Not only do you have to work very hard, but you have to be better than everyone else. ”
“But you’re supposed to make it happen, right? Mum and dad said so!’ the boy insisted.
“Oh, did they?” Chulek said while eyeing the increasingly embarrassed parents who sheepishly apologised. Chulek nodded to the parents, then said to the child, “You’re not wrong. It’s our duty to create a Singapore that allows every Singaporean to reach their best potential. But you have to work hard to reach that potential too. If getting rich was so easy, then everyone would be a millionaire.”
The child pouted, sullen.
Chulek chuckled. “How about this. We’ll do our job by making sure Singapore continues to prosper. So when you grow up, you’ll get a fair chance at making it rich. Sounds good?”
The parents persuaded the poor boy with big dreams to agree, which he did with a little prodding. Looked like Chulek took this one. The camera was rolling, so I’m sure the public would have enjoyed watching him try to inspire the precious boy.
Next, the teen in the wheelchair. A single pony tail, spectacles, blouse and jeans, she’d look like a typical teenager if she wasn’t physically disabled. She looked a little shy, holding her still-folded paper in her hands. Her parents were smiling, but were shifting from foot to foot, looking around like we were going to swallow them whole.
“Hello dear, thank you for coming,” I said, trying to put them all at ease, “I’m Aadam. What is your name?”
The girl stayed silent until the parents patted her from behind. “Sahil,” she said.
Benjamin cut in before I could continue. “It’s nice to meet you Sahil. I’m Benjamin, and this is ShuXuan, HuaXuan, and Chulek. It’s okay if you don’t remember our names as we’re not anyone important yet.”
He winked and the teenage girl grinned ever so slightly.
Curse you, Benjamin! Using your good looks to charm teenagers!
“Why don’t you tell us what your dream is, Sahil,” ShuXuan said.
Sahil looked at her parents, and they nodded. Sahil said, “I want to be Prime Minister of Singapore.”
For a moment, the five of us were dumbfounded.
Benjamin recovered first. “Yes. …Yes? Yes! Why not. You can overcome anything. You can be the next Prime Minister of Singapore!”
The girl grinned, ecstatic, but the rest glared at Benjamin. Even the parents.
Benjamin glared back defiantly. “What?”
ShuXuan was frowning something fierce. “We have to be responsible for what dreams we pitch to the young. We shouldn’t encourage her to waste her future on a pipe dream like that.”
“We just got a young boy who wanted to be a millionaire. Please handle these children with a bit more finesse,” Chulek said.
Benjamin’s eyes narrowed at the two Ngs who had just spoken, then settled on the last one. “So. Is the last Ng going to tell me off as well? I shouldn’t tell this young woman to dream big?”
HuaXuan kept silent and refused to look at him.
Benjamin said to the girl, “Dear, don’t listen to them. Your disability is not relevant to the role of Prime Minister.”
“The last boy was one matter, but this is going too far. No one is going to accept her as the Prime Minister, and you know it. I’m not going to peddle lies to this girl in order to look good, unlike you,” ShuXuan said tersely.
Those words stung me to the core, but I hadn’t realised why yet.
HuaXuan winced. “Guys, focus. She’s still here.”
The poor girl teared up, clutching her paper in her hands into a crumpled heap. Her parents cringed, aghast. We were handling this terribly.
So the three Ngs started to talk to her gently. Letting her down, but gently. Squashing her unrealistic dreams, but gently.
Benjamin looked away in anger, had nothing to say. Honestly, I wasn’t totally convinced he believed she could be Prime Minister either. Otherwise he’d be using that opportunity to tell her that he believed in her, unlike the three Ngs.
I stayed silent the whole time. I wanted to say something, but everyone’s words rubbed me the wrong way.
“The Prime Minister is the representative of the country to the world. That’s why nobody with a disability has been chosen as a leader,” someone said. I was too livid to know who.
Shouldn’t they want the best person for the job? Nobody disputes that her disability isn’t relevant to the role!
“But there are so many other great and wonderful things you can be. Better than Prime Minister.”
What the hell is better than Prime Minister?
“For example, you could be a doctor who saves people’s lives.” 
“A CEO of a huge company!”
Aren’t you listening? She wants to be Prime Minister!
At the end of it all, I didn’t add a word to the discussion and let the three Ngs say everything. Sahil seemed to have calmed down, anyway. The parents weren’t happy, but they weren’t complaining either. I guess they knew it would come to this, in the end.
All the parents and children gathered around for a group photo before going on their way. We made sure to shake all their hands and apologised for not doing a good job of inspiring their kids.
Our group finished first, so we sat around waiting for the other groups while the kids from our session slowly made their way out. That’s when HuaXuan asked me, “Why are you staring at us like that?”
The rest looked at me curiously, as if they just noticed something.
“I have no idea what sort of face I’m making,” I said, defensive.
“You’re angry,” Benjamin explained, “I’m not sure why. I have reason to be, but what are you mad about?”
I had some idea. “You three… we did that girl wrong.”
ShuXuan raised his hands in surrender. “Alright, wise guy. What would you have said in our place?”
“Maybe we should have just been quiet the whole time like you?” Chulek quipped before I could respond, “At least Benjamin here tried to say something. Even if what he was saying was wrong.”
I tried my best to answer back, but my mouth opened and closed like a fish.
HuaXuan sighed. “You’re right. We could have handled it better. But in the end, the result is the same. Just lead her onto another path. That’s good enough.”
No. That wasn’t good enough. It wasn’t just this girl’s dreams everyone was taking a shit on. It was mine. I’m not sure what came over me. I got out of my chair and ran out, shouting for Sahil to wait. She was nearly out of the hall, surrounded by other parents who looked at her with a mix of pity and disapproval. I didn’t care what they thought. Sahil blinked at me in confusion as I knelt to get closer to her so she could hear what I had to say.
I held her gaze. “Singapore may not be ready for you yet. But one day, it can be. I will work hard to make your dream a reality. If you grow up and find I couldn’t make Singapore ready for you in time, I’m counting on you to continue where I left off.”
It took a moment for my words to sink in. When it did, her frown changed to a subtle smile. She nodded. I didn’t push her to say anything. “So we got a deal? Good. Let’s shake on it.”
We shook hands, and I gave a thumbs up to her before heading back to my seat. The rest were giving me a look I couldn’t quite fathom at the time.
“What?” I asked. I figured they couldn’t hear what I told Sahil from where they were seated anyway.
HuaXuan pointed at my portable mike, still attached to my coat lapel. Turns out they heard every word.
Fine then. “Anyone going to tell me off? For selling a girl unrealistic dreams?” I asked.
No one did. They just looked away. Even Benjamin.
Well, whatever. I wasn’t in the mood anyway.
#
Mak gave me a big hug as soon I stepped back into the house. She must have gotten up as soon as she heard me pulling out the keys.
“What brought this on, mak?”
“My son is the best! Now everyone knows. I’m so proud of you, ‘nak,” mak blurted out, pulled my face down so she could kiss each of my cheeks in turn.
I had no idea what she was going on about and told her as much.
“The way you talked to the wheelchair girl! It was live, on TV,” mak squealed, “Everyone’s sharing it on Facebook too!”
I whipped out my phone and checked. All my friends had tagged me to a video, gave me a thumbs up. The amount of ‘likes’ had already reached 30k, and I just got home from the event. I didn’t even know the event was screened live in the first place.
What exactly did the video show? I pressed play. It started with the introduction of Sahil and continued to the point where I got out to talk to Sahil myself. The cameraman had even moved in and shown a clear view of me talking to Sahil and shaking her hand.
Only after watching the video did I realise how well my actions had reflected on me in the public eye. I had stolen the show without even intending to or realising it.
“If those Ng boys didn’t think you were a threat before, they do now,” Mak said with a huge grin on her face.
I jumped for joy, then froze.  Questions were forming in my head.
How could that have happened?
The cameraman must have followed me as soon as I got up, and even went away from the main group of PM candidates to follow me into the crowd. Why would he do that? One would think he would stay with the three Ngs, and at most record me talking to Sahil from a distance. What I did was completely unrehearsed, so there couldn’t have been standing orders for the cameraman to follow me as I got up to talk to Sahil.
…No, I must have been overthinking it. The director must have been standing close by to us as the PMs candidates were the highlight of the show. She could probably tell something was going to happen when I got up. So she sent the cameraman to follow me. That had to be it.
Or so I thought.
*
Bio: Dr Begau Salleh (pen name) is an autistic writer based in Malaysia.
1 note · View note
etirabys · 5 years ago
Text
I’m reading China Rich Girlfriend, the sequel to Crazy Rich Asians, in which the leads of the first novel – mostly snobby Singaporean millionaires – deal with the nouveau riche of mainland China
"I bet these Baos are richer than God. You have no idea how wealthy al these Mainlanders have become – it seems like yesterday Peter and Annabel Lee were the first Mainland billionaires, and now there are hundreds. My son tells me that China will have more billionaires than America within five years."
who throw money around even more carelessly and extravagantly. I’m amused that Kevin Kwan is following a horror movie progression in his books
22 notes · View notes
juditogelterbaik527-blog · 5 years ago
Text
Prediction Of Bandar Togel
Judi togel video game is a gambling dish that is around for a Prediction Of Bandar Togel long time in the world known as bandar togel or toto in several other countries. Since ancient instances this judi togel game has really not little interest because with little capital able to obtain morals or actually large prizes except for winning the judi togel grand prize with different jackpot words and phrases. Those who are able to provoke a person’s life into instant millionaires and daftar togel wealthy business owners result from the outcomes of the overall game. This judi togel carries a large pull energy so the quantity of after-game fanatics becomes increasingly small, not a little because it doesn’t come from young brackets, however the old ones too.
Tumblr media
Judi togel lovers guess these figures often move their bets through togel cities and togel representatives whom they recognize where there is no such thing as an online system. When you have just about any issues with regards to in which along with the way to utilize Daftar togel, you possibly can email us from our web-site. But per government does not allow all varieties of betting form in Indonesia to stimulate judi togel aficionados to quietly continue the game because of anxiety caught. Finally, along with progress, chronology, increment, growth, transformation, sequencing, sequences, while the internet is released, all transactions can be carried out on line. Thus giving extra fresh surroundings to all judi togel online enthusiasts because it is able to carry out betting numbers almost everywhere and at any time without having to be concerned about the authorities and other folks, so that they are truly secure and suitable. Singaporean Togel and agen togel HongKong Togel is usually a judi togel game which in the 70s was already where the game was legalized by the local state authorities to increase state income & the financial development of its people. Judi togel online flash games do not provide as many game styles as on-line soccer gambling, online casino, daftar togel internet poker, and not additional styles and arguably almost a large number like the products found in the casino. Which means this judi togel lover doesn't have to start obtaining bored if you would like to switch different dishes and each game carries its laws that apply.
1 note · View note
dangermousie · 6 years ago
Photo
Tumblr media
Oh my God, you guys!
I have just found out that one of my favorite old-school period epic novels, Noel Barber’s Tanamera, was adapted into a miniseries in the 1980s!
And it’s all on youtube!
Pls note that unlike whoever adapted The Far Pavilions, the makers of Tanamera actually cast a Singaporean, part white part Asian actress to play the Singaporean, part white part Asian heroine. I am not sure if it’s because it was made later than TFP or because it was made in Australia or something else, but hooray. She actually looks the way Julie Soong is supposed to look!
Anyway, what is Tanamera? It’s one of those sprawling romantic period novels I adore, that centers around John Dexter, a scion of a very wealthy white family (who all live in a sprawling mansion that is the Tanamera of the title) and Julia Soong, the only daughter of a Chinese millionaire and his part-white wife. The two families are neighbors, business partners and casual friends in 1930s Singapore, but in an era where Julie can’t even go to white-only clubs despite her wealth and status, when Johnny and Julie fall in love, it spells disaster. 
That is, until war spills over from the mainland and the Japanese occupy Singapore and then the real disaster starts. 
The novel itself is wonderful and atmospheric (and a rare book where I don’t loathe first person narration) so the thought of an adaptation, makes me mega happy!
Also, I’ve been to Singapore and loved it, so extra !!!
6 notes · View notes
kelliejacobs-blog · 6 years ago
Text
Best Places to Purchase Property in Singapore
As per a recent poll, foreign buyers are primarily accountable for raising house cost. Since, land prices are climbing steeply, the majority of the thieves are discovering it as a much better investment. If you're searching to have a better property investment choice, you will need to spot the ideal place for purchasing a property. Bear in mind, a fantastic property can bring you greater yield values in future. Thus, you want to checklist of some essential areas and compare the areas to recognize the ideal location in accordance with your budget and anticipation.
Some great places to purchase property are recorded below:
Company central district is among the prime places for commerce and market. You may get a vast selection of people within this area. If you're interested in finding an industrial place, then suburban area can provide you with a great deal of livelihood opportunities and has lots of outdoor activities to enjoy together with your family . Northeast area is growing region that brings more foreigners with its booming trade opportunities. Want to locate a suitable home at a lush green area? Start looking for possessions around north region that has industrial property, shopping facilities, schools and residential houses and still keeps its beautiful lush green surroundings.
If you'd like a peaceful environment to unwind in the bustling town centres, then west area can meet all your requirements with its own hills, mountains and picturesque beauty. North area has become more attention today and is slowly growing into an important business centre. These are a few areas which are bringing a high number of foreigners with its broad assortment of amenities, nature and very affordable property cost rates. It is possible to take advantage of these details to pick the ideal place for purchasing Riviere Frasers Property depending on your requirements.
Tumblr media
Property costs in Singapore are among the greatest in Asia; nonetheless this island nation is a popular one of the wealthy Chinese millionaires seeking to migrate out their nation. Therefore it is not unusual for older buildings to create for large rise ultra lavish apartments. Following is a listing of properties which are worth a thought.
Purchasing a house in Singapore is 1 complicated region which could be hard to comprehend. As a result of this, getting the support of real estate brokers is beneficial particularly when it comes to finding the proper type of home, condominium or apartment that will be appropriate for you and your loved ones.
Properties such as flat units or condo units were known as strata titled properties and didn't want the acceptance of the Singaporean government. If it comes to those insured by the Housing Development Board, foreigners aren't Permanent Residents or aren't corporate bodies can't purchase a executive condo coming in the open marketplace. Rather, they needed to get in touch with the programmer.
While purchasing a house in Singapore, locating the ideal type of property a part of this sport. Seeking the support of specialist realtors will be of excellent use since not only will they guarantee appropriate documentation of what but they have a working understanding about the Singaporean property marketplace thereby making it much easier for you to select your pick. While purchasing a house in Singapore, it's also important to ensure the aid of a lawyer. When compared with the broker who does the leg job at searching for the correct sort of home for you, the attorney handles the legal dilemmas in addition to conducting a name check making certain the possession and title to the house is valid. The procedure for purchasing a house in Singapore requires the attorney who will file a caveat with the Singapore Land Registry in telling the people that the purchaser has curiosity over the house simply to be certain the property isn't the matter of any negative notice and so on. In accordance with this, the attorney may also check in the seller's qualifications and reputation ensuring any renovation or modification on the house was lawfully made and accepted, and if not, ask that it be adjusted at this cost.
Purchasing a house in Singapore also expects you to narrow down your choices and schedule a screening. Next, and you've made your decision, you'll have to sign an choice to buy document that specifically requires a 14-day interval where you may choose whether you may purchase the house or not. There isn't caveat at this point since you haven't represented your intention to purchase just yet. At this phase in getting a house in Singapore, you'll need to have a minumum of one percent of the cost available today. In case the purchase pushes , then you'll need to exercise this choice and send the file to the vendor's solicitor. At this phase, at least eight% of the cost should have been paid.
youtube
1 note · View note
jdfq · 2 years ago
Text
[PDF] Download Millionaire Teacher: The Nine Rules of Wealth You Should Have Learned in School EBOOK BY Andrew Hallam
Download Or Read PDF Millionaire Teacher: The Nine Rules of Wealth You Should Have Learned in School - Andrew Hallam Free Full Pages Online With Audiobook.
Tumblr media
  [*] Download PDF Visit Here => https://best.kindledeals.club/1119356296
[*] Read PDF Visit Here => https://best.kindledeals.club/1119356296
Adopt the investment strategy that turned a school teacher into a millionaire Millionaire Teacher shows you how to achieve financial independence through smart investing -- without being a financial wizard. Author Andrew Hallam was a high school English teacher. He became a debt-free millionaire by following a few simple rules. In this book, he teaches you the financial fundamentals you need to follow in his tracks. You can spend just an hour per year on your investments, never think about the stock market's direction -- and still beat most professional investors. It's not about get-rich-quick schemes or trendy investment products peddled by an ever-widening, self-serving industry; it's about your money and your future. This new second edition features updated discussion on passive investing, studies on dollar cost averaging versus lump sum investing, and a detailed segment on RoboAdvisors for Americans, Canadians, Australians, Singaporeans and British investors.Financial literacy is
0 notes
chrysocomae · 6 years ago
Text
"The lush lives these rich lead are consuming our planet’s resources at a rate that’s speeding the degradation of our natural world.
Between 1970 and 2000, the number of private jets worldwide multiplied by ten times over. These luxury planes emit six times more carbon per passenger than normal commercial jets. Private yachts that stretch the length of football fields burn more than 200 gallons of fossil fuel per hour. The top-earning 1 percent of households, one Canadian study has found, generate three times more greenhouse gas emissions than average households — and twice as much as the next 4 percent.
Those in the global 1 percent, Oxfam calculates, may well be stomping a carbon footprint 175 times deeper than the poorest 10 percent. Another analysis concludes that the richest 1 percent of Americans, Singaporeans, and Saudis on average emit over 200 tons of carbon dioxide per person per year, “2,000 times more than the poorest in Honduras, Rwanda, or Malawi.”
"And the more wealth concentrates, the more our political leaders tilt the wealthy’s way. The wealthy do not like paying for public services they don’t use. Political leaders don’t make them. They cut taxes and deny public services the funds they need to thrive. And so, we get more Lexus lanes [toll roads that increase prices as traffic becomes worse] that give the wealthy speedy commutes — and remind the rest of us that only the rich ever really win in societies as unequal as ours."
"Generations ago, during the original Gilded Age, the millionaire soap manufacturer Joseph Fels announced to Americans of his deeply unequal time that philanthropy was only “making matters worse.” Fels urged his fellow millionaires to fight for a new America that would make the superrich “such as you and myself impossible.”
His advice remains sound. We could survive without a superrich. Indeed, we would thrive without them.'"
Gilded Age 2.0 blows.
4 notes · View notes
southeastasianists · 6 years ago
Link
Lunchtime, 12 p.m. Hordes of office workers stream out of air-conditioned glass buildings in the heart of Singapore’s Central Business District toward Amoy Street Hawker Centre. There, they wait in snaking queues at rows of stalls, each operated by a hawker who often specialises in just one dish, such as char siew (Cantonese barbecued pork) or rojak (an assorted fruit and vegetable salad dish, doused with a sweet and spicy peanut sauce). The smell of spices, fried garlic, and caramelized meat mingles with the dark aroma of kopi tarik (sweet and rich pulled coffee), and the sounds are a melody of conversation, noodles being stirred, and hurried chops of the cleaver.
Singapore has often been described as a food paradise, and its hawker centres, of which there are more than 100, are the city-state’s most visible symbol of its highly democratic culinary scene. Tourists and visiting chefs head to the street markets to feast on Singaporean foods, whose multi-ethnic influences reflect the population: Peranakan Chinese, South Indian, and Malay. But with a plate of chicken rice costing around $3, hawker fare is a staple diet for a majority of Singaporeans—affordable, accessible, and delicious.
Despite this celebration of hawker food by both locals and visitors, beloved dishes are in danger of disappearing, threatening a crucial part of local culture and identity. Experienced hawkers are in their twilight years, and are retiring without passing their knowledge and skills to a successor.
Hawking first became a popular career option in the 1950s and 1960s, during Singapore’s post-war years, as it provided informal employment for residents during a time when jobs were scarce and the city was poor. By the end of the 1960s, roughly 24,000 hawkers, selling delicious and affordable street grub, were feeding a population of 1.7 million.
But the unregulated expansion of hawking led to hygiene and congestion issues. Hawkers roved open spaces and streets, selling home-cooked wares. The combination of diverse offerings—Javanese tempeh, Cantonese congees, Teochew porridges—that could be obtained instantly made them popular. But one such area, Ellenborough Market, which was called Teochew Market due to hawkers in the area, was razed by a fire in 1968, and food poisoning cases were common.
The government intervened, grouping hawkers in designated wet markets, or pasars in the Malay language. The open-air buildings, with individual stalls and designated sitting areas, became known as hawker centres. By the mid-1980s, the roughly 140 hawker centres across Singapore had become an institution. The number of hawkers continued to grow, as did their renown. In 2016, Chan Hon Meng’s soya chicken rice, which costs less than three dollars, earned him a Michelin star. But ask any Singaporean, and they’ll gladly debate which stall sells the best hokkien mee (wok fried prawn noodles) or laksa.
When Singapore’s hawker scene first developed, the city was in the process of rapidly transforming from a manufacturing hub to a well-functioning, cosmopolitan city. Decades of booming growth have since created millionaires (and inequality), an enviable skyline, and a pricey real estate market, making the continued existence of world-class food for three dollars a minor miracle. But the contradiction may not be able to last much longer.
One major threat to hawkers is competition from mall food courts—even though their offerings are less appealing. Unlike in hawker centres, where the food is typically cooked by self-employed stallholders, food court staff are hired, temporary, and given few training opportunities. But Singapore is a city so hot and humid that Lee Kuan Yew, the longtime prime minister, described air conditioning as the most important factor in the country’s growth. Shopping malls are curated for comfort and convenience—one can shop for groceries, enjoy an afternoon kopi, and find fusion burritos, all under one climate-controlled roof.
Yet the greatest challenge is that fewer cooks are taking up the hawker trade, which is an increasingly expensive proposition. The government owns the centres and auctions off leases for open spaces, with popular areas going for a premium. But after outbidding others, new hawkers have to compete with veterans, who pay less for their real estate—a legacy of the intervention that moved hawkers off the streets and into markets in the 1960s. Given the opportunities provided by Singapore’s economic growth, younger generations are also deterred by the long hours, physical demands, and less-than-desirable pay.
Consider the simple kaya toast found at Ah Seng Hainam coffee, an institution tucked away in Amoy Street Hawker Centre. The locale has been serving a Hainanese-style local breakfast since the 1950s, which typically includes kaya toast, two soft boiled eggs, and Nanyang coffee. After 60 years, owner Wong Ah Loke still insists on making breakfast the traditional way. He and his wife go to the stall at 4 a.m. every day to set up a charcoal fire, using the embers to warm up toast and heat the coffee percolators. While they no longer roast their coffee beans, they still make kaya from scratch, mixing coconut milk, eggs, sugar, and pandan leaf to make the distinctive green jam. Along with other touches, such as the charcoal embers, and the coffee style of mixing robusta beans with margarine, sugar, and maize, this is why customers keep coming to their stall.
If new owners take shortcuts, critical facets of hawker culture will be chipped away. KF Seetoh, founder of the hawker food guide Makansutra, laments that “new hawkers are hard to find, few and far between.” Already several dishes, such as Cantonese loh kai yik (stewed chicken wings) and the Hainanese yi buah (sweet glutinous rice cakes, with coconut fillings), are in danger of dying out. “More food will disappear as skills are lost,” says Seetoh, who notes that new hawkers want to sell what’s easy, focusing on quantity over quality. ”It’s about business today, not dedication and passion.”
The Singapore government is conscious of the threats to hawker culture. Earlier this year, Singapore’s prime minister, Lee Hsien Loong, announced a bid to make hawker centres places of protected cultural heritage under UNESCO. Other initiatives aim to educate the younger generation and attract them to the hawker trade. There are also calls for a new hawker centre management model that reduces capital costs for hawkers and is oriented around their role providing affordable meals to the public.
This phenomenon isn’t unique to Singapore—other cities, such as Hong Kong, are seeing street market culture disappear. But hawkers have long been symbols of resilience. Wong is optimistic that future generations will continue their traditions, even if they tweak their practices to adapt with the times. “As long as one does [one’s work] well and continues to persist,” he tells me, “traditions and skills will continue to be preserved and passed on.”
54 notes · View notes