The Quest to Revive Singapura Semangat

Someone from Sydney called me early on Easter. I was still yawning as I picked the call while I was 'detoxifying'. Even more surprisingly, the conversation lasted two hours. Two strangers, a simple chat and a new friend found.


By now I've known Singaporean sons living or wanting to live in Australia from a wide age range. MJ myself, Eugene, Patrick and Micky, Alvin and Sydney Stranger - (not in particular order) ranging from their 20s to 60s. With the exception of Micky (not confirmed), all the others including myself are atheists. Nothing of special significance but interesting to note. Does an atheist feel alienated from the Singapore society more easily than the religious?


Stranger from Sydney (SS) reminds me of Alvin in many ways. They would be able to chat for hours if they meet one day. Hopefully I'll be there as a side observer. SS sold me an idea of forming an informal Singaporean group to help one another, especially to the new Singaporean migrant. There was no lofty ambitions such as the "branding of Singapore so that government officials in the host country will take notice." Just reviving the Singapura semangat extinguished in main land Singapore, overseas. Spread it tenderly to those who need it most, the newly arrived.


The group in Perth is doing it subconsciously. When I heard Alvin offering MJ a bed when he returned from Esperance so that he could stay a couple more days to have a last gathering BBQ with the rest of the Singaporeans, I was moved. What a person new to a strange land needs is not to attend events with celebrities and performances. Showing off is the last thing on our minds. Survival is. The needs of migrant Singaporeans are largely ignored by official Singapore entities setting shop overseas with taxpayers' money with a different agenda - but masking the Singaporeans back home with a beautiful story.


I've received so much kindness from Singaporeans here when we were only next to strangers. They didn't extend the hand only when we are familiar with one another. Right from the beginning Sei from Adelaide made phone calls to me to give advice on settling down. Then shortly I knew Patrick, who cured my food homesickness by inviting us for countless home-cooked dinners at his place. Eugene found me a job and rented me his room. Denise and Michelle giving advice and lending their listening ears, Alvin kindly opened his huge house for gatherings often, despite the mess we create, Micky on top of his job hunt advice, left me two boxful of baby clothes on our first meeting. Most notably, V - who chose to be anonymous - gave Jen and I very strong all round support though we barely knew one another for a month. The last time I heard, V tried to help Edmund, another new migrant around my age, to sublet his room. It seems like she is helping every Singaporean she can within her abilities. A Singaporean I will salute over the those receiving PBMs on National Day. I can go on and I can't list all the help I received from everyone which includes those from Singapore but all these have been heartfelt and appreciated.


I can't do much to repay these because the givers are unwilling to accept anything in return. The only thing I want to do is to pass on the spirit to the others. We can do a lot if we work together - informally - so that Singaporeans can receive a little bit of friendship, a little bit of kindness when they arrive here like lost lambs. In short, "to ensure at least there is someone to pick a Singaporean from the airport."


Having said that, I stress on the word informal because it should remain that way. We have to be aware not to fall into the bureaucratic trap we despise in the first place. No president, no secretary, no treasurer, no public relations, no shit like that. No. Never. I'll be out of the place if it is anything of this sort.


On the side note, I'll be expecting to meet up with Edmund from Como one of these days. Probably Ong YC as well, the girl who (seemingly) just came to Perth, looking for a room to rent. (and i recommended Edmund's place). Hopefully Stephen from Como as well who is a tradie like me. The first Singaporean I know who is in trades. He'll be bugged by me with questions about trades, unfortunately.


Strange, what a little simple blog brought me.

15 comments:

  1. Heartwarming and encouraging. Your blog has indirectly and unoffcially become the website to go to when one thinks of migrating or migrating to Oz.

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  2. your words and pictures have provided a lucidity on your experience in oz that is unmatched, in my opinion.

    i read your blogs because the entries are representative of what life over there is really like, at least from your viewpoint.

    though i stumbled across your blog while reading views on the issues of life in sg, not because i was looking for a way out.

    thanks to your blog, now i am. there is so much more of life outside of this little red dot some people think is paradise.

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  3. Bro SingaporeSon, have sent you an email - hope you can reply!

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  4. Does religion play a part in one's decision to migrate?? I am not sure.

    Just for the record, I am Catholic and so are the rest of my family. If I have given you the impression that I am an atheist, I must have failed in my religious obligation and behavior. May the Lord forgive me.

    Back to the questions - anyone who practices anything religiously tend to have a heavy mindset without much questioning. Perhaps this attitude permeates into their political view as well, ergo they are a little more accommodating and accepting when it comes to the Governmental policy.

    On the other hand,I can easily be proven wrong just judging from the large numbers of Singaporeans that goes to church here in Perth. There are easily 3 or more churches here that have a significant Singaporean congregation.

    So for Christians who are thinking of migrating, fear not, I can show you where to go and put you in touch with other Singaporean church goers, even though I am a bad example of a Christian.

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    1. I'm a Methodist, and I realised that the majority of the older church attendees tend to feel very comfortable in SIngapore. However, many of the younger members of the church are looking for a way out...
      but maybe that's just in my church

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    2. Maybe it is not a religion kind of thing, it is an age kind of thing HAHA

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  5. no club house ?

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    1. Just show how much your they care about you. All the "officially recognised club" do not have a physical club house after so many years.Hmmm. afterall they are $2 clubs anyway. hehe

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  6. Word of caution : be careful and not too trusting. My family had encountered some opportunistic "settlers" preying on new migrants.

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    1. Sorry to hear about your sad encounters. Would you like to share so that we can learn from it.

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    2. Probably I'll let the blogger know and he can blog about it as a story for everyone.

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  7. How I wish SG can be back to the good old days where people are warm, friendly & helpful.

    Under the Pappies' hardcore focus on GDP, GDP, GDP and all policies (cheaper+faster+better, uncontrolled mass invasion of FT, profit-driven services like public transport, healthcare, education, etc.), the people have become paranoid, unfeeling, stressed, short-tempered, suicidal, etc.

    How I wish the name "PAP" can be forever erased from the history of SG one day... ... ... ...

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  8. SydneyLibrarian12 April 2012 at 07:29

    You're blessed to have friends like these who are ready to help you and Jen out when you need it :) You're passing this on already, just by blogging, to the rest of us out here :)

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  9. The kindness of Singpoareans here in Perth simply amazed me. Thank you to you and V for your help and encouragement. I have our meet-up noted in my 'to-do-list'. Hope to see you, V and the rest of Sigaporeans Sons / Daughters soon.

    Edmund

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  10. For all the new migrants out there, I would encourage that you all network and make friends actively. It's very important to get to know as many people as possible... That's how you can learn about your new adopted country, and especially it helps to know people to land a job. People would only recommend you jobs if they know you, and can be your reference.

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