[Blasterlord2]

In the para which followed, I mentioned that many among the 39% know all these.

And I was not having you in mind wen I referred to "many among the 39%"

Lots of factories in Penang (the industrial capital of Malaysia) closed down when even Malaysia could not compete with China despite their low wages vis-a-vis Singapore's.  And Singapore of course had no way of retaining or stopping those companies from moving out.  Tuas, Jurong...so many factories had a "For Rent" or "For Sale" signboard hanging at the gate outside.

Back in the 1970s, engineering was the course to go for.  Never mind if it was mechanical engineering, civil engineering or triple E.  You were assured of getting hired as soon as you graduated, and there was no shiat stuff in those days as "intern".  You were hired, placed on a three months' probation, and if you didn't make a serious enough blunder, you should be conspermed by the end of the 3rd month. Life was good.

Even if you didn't finish primary school, you could still find a job as a machine operator or factory hand.  When China opened up, MNCs found our factory hands way too sexpensive.  Why so?  because the Chinese were willing to work for USD 1 a day in sweatshops.  I repeat, USD1 a day!  No Singaporean would work for that kind of salary.    So, the government had to find new jobs for them.  Retraining, lifelong learning blah blah blah.  Have you ever conducted a training class for adults with less than a primary school education before? It's not easy.  

You can bury your head in the sand in denial, but that does not change the fact of the dynamics, the forces which changed the whole world order when China opened up.  If you still don't get it, go and see Jamus for a free lecture on economics. 

If you want to blame other countries for their cheap labour then you're never going to succeed. And worse still, you're begrudging other countries for their success and expecting them to stand still for you. I don't need to listen to Jamus but you definitely ought to grow up.

The current PAP is just riding on past success and taking shortcuts whenever they can. I've no issue with taking shortcuts but you've got to build a strong foundation while doing it. Look at China. They take shortcuts by having joint partnerships with foreign companies which are much stronger than them. They subsequently learnt and improved to the extent that they're now able to hold their own internationally.