Stranger in your own country

I have been warned by well wishers & net-citizens that the Singapore government does not take kindly to its people migrating.  My family and I may be ostracized and may even not be allowed to return to Singapore if we decide to migrate.  People who have migrated are sometime called "traitor", "quitter" etc.

I find this view difficult to believe or accept.  While the government is not known for its compassion and sacrificial love for its people, it has certainly not gone to the extend of victimizing its people.  While the government may be overly pragmatic, it is certainly not malicious in its dealing with the people.

To me, the decision to migrate is like a son having grown up, decided to move out of the family to explore his own dream and a lifestyle that best suit him.  It is not an issue of who is right or who is wrong.  The child is not a traitor nor a quitter in the family.   Perhaps, he may return someday and decide that this is home. He may also not return as he has found a new place call home.  But I am sure he will not forget his roots.  He will still want to reconnect, to relive the memories, to treasure his roots.... because he is never a stranger in the family.....

I have been a good citizen of Singapore.  I paid all my taxes for more than 2 decades of my working life.  I faithfully served the army (National Service) full time for two & a half years and continued as a reservist over a 13-years cycle.  I did not find excuses to avoid in-camp trainings, even to the extend of affecting my work prospects.   Unlike some people who were contented to "go through the motion" in the army just to fulfill their national service liability, I trained hard to become an officer and maximized my contributions to the security and defence of the country.

Even as I prepare to relocate, I make sure that I can be contacted by Inland Revenue in order to pay my tax promptly.  I have obtained an exit permit for my son.  I am also making arrangement with the Ministry of Defence to put up a bond for my son's exit permit.  I have kept my obligations to my country.

For years, Singapore has welcomed strangers to our land with open arms.  Many of these highly qualified immigrants have excelled in our schools and work places.  While they have contributed to our economic growth, they have also displaced and replaced many of our less talented Singaporeans.  As seen from the last general election, they have caused some disquiet among the locals due to differences in culture, lifestyle, habits ...etc

If Singapore is willing to welcome these strangers with open arms, why would she treat her sons & daughters as strangers, even though they may have taken the step to relocate overseas?  Will we treat our own children as strangers when they grow up and decide to leave the family to start their own in a new place?  Will we not welcome our prodigal son with open arms when he decides to return one day?

Singapore is my birth place.  She will always have a special place in my heart no matter how much it has transformed over the last 4 decades.  I may not like her present form and the pressure & demands that she has of her people, she is still my country of birth.  She has nurtured me, given me many opportunities and provided me with all the material gains that I have achieved over the years.  I have wonderful memories of this country.  I will always be proud of her no matter what her destiny will be in future.  I may not know if she will still be my home or my children's home in future, I know I will speak of her with pride. 

The decision to leave this country is a difficult one.  But I have already decided on this major crossroad of my life.  I am assured that this is right for me and my family.  I have no plan to return, whether I will be welcomed back or not.  But if I do return one day, I wish I will not be a stranger in my own country......