Singapore

on

Best City / Country in the World!

If you have read my really old blog (2001) on Oocities, you probably would have known that I am not originally from this country but from Malaysia. My plans at the time was to work here a few years, make a little money and then return to Malaysia. Well, 20-plus years later, I have decided to call this place home and became a citizen. I have since gotten married, had 2 children and living life to the fullest.  



How and What is Singapore?

So, what's it like to be a citizen here? As one YouTuber has commented and I cannot agree more, if you have the means to stay here, Singapore is probably the closest one could get to the perfect country on planet Earth.

Here's a list of Singapore's claim to fame:
  • One of the few countries in the world with no known natural disasters 
  • One of the best and most connected countries in terms of public transportation 
  • One of the highest GDP countries...or one with the highest salaries / savings
  • One of top countries in the world ranked by OECD PISA (Program for International Student Assessment), in terms of education
  • One of the top retirement systems in the world via the Central Provident Fund
  • One of the easiest place to own property, despite the sky-high prices 
  • One of the strongest passport in the world, in terms of visa-free destinations 


Brief history of Singapore 

It did not start out that way...

Singapore was a just a tiny country measuring 50km (31 miles) from East to West and 27km (17 miles) from North to South. For comparison, the entire city of Singapore is about 92% the size of New York City. The history is pretty much similar to the other countries in the region - it consist of villagers and people who live off the land and sea. It then grew because of trade due to it strategic location at the entrance (or exit) of the Straits of Malacca. 

However, in the 1960s, there was an event which forever changed the trajectory of the country. Sure, there were some progress here and there but none that accelerated so much that it turned the nation of Singapore from a Third world country to First (similar standards such as the UK, Europe and the US within a single generation (less than 50 years). This from the leadership of one man - Lee Kuan Yew. 

Many books has been written about the man himself and how he did what he did:


In a nutshell, what he did was the textbook example of how any business (or country) should be run: "...an undivided society, behind a meritocratic system, pushing for higher standards of education, higher standards of performance, and meritocratic at every level." 

Easier said than done but LKY is a man of his word - he said it and he did it. And by doing so, he created the tiny miracle I now call home. 

Well, so much for the politics. What does living in Singapore really like? We have heard enough of the accolades but how does it feel to be staying? Here is an attempt to explain why I believe (and still believe) this place is the greatest country in the world. 
To be continued...