SIR regulations

[why is it]

A little bit curious and frustrated about something that I have yet to understand about this country so I am posting here in hopes that someone can enlighten me.

Approached the SIR the other day, or whatever they call it now, to apply for my ltsvp, and I was told by a not so polite immigration official that my ltsvp was disapproved. Reason: I didn't have the "proper" qualifications from a "recognized" university, so therefore I would be unable to get this pass. When I questioned them about this silly requirement, they couldn't give me a proper answer.

So, being a bit upset, I asked this official why it is that an immigrant from China can come here, speak not one word of english, have no education after primary school, and get their PR status approved without a second glance? This statement really didn't sit to well with them, but they still could not answer me. I was just told that I can write in with my questions if I so desired. Does anyone here on this board have a clue as to why I'm seeing double standards here? I haven't been in this country all that long, but I have learned from my short time here, that Chinese immigrants can come and go freely but let a caucasian or otherwise come and they scruitnize your every move. Then they tell you, sorry, not enough qualifications. Must leave. End of story.

Seems to me, this country is a bit racist. How sad if you ask me. Thanks to anyone who might be able to shed some light on this issue.

[Horsesh*t]

They're looking for erectus-sapiens cross-breeds carrying DNA strands with genetic markers resembling those of hardie toughie asiatic-siberian stock. You see, the gene pool in SG is way overstocked and inbred with softies wussies from the tropics. And they probably figured they've reached their quota on the post-ice-age whitey pasty bungee jumping bar top dancing gum chewing beer chugging spouse abandoning SPG hoarding neantherthal.  

[rumours...]

i heard from inside source that the sgp govt is worried about the low growth of majority chinese population and the fast-growth of minority malay/muslim population.    if this trned is not reversed through drastic means via immigration, the chinese could end up being minority group within 50 years or so.   it seems the most favoured immigrant  is malaysian chinese.  

[Shedding some light]

Why is it - welcome to Singapore. Doesn't seem like such a great place now does it?

So given what you've found out, do you still want to stay here?

[this is why]

> speak not one word of english <

Since when is the ability to speak English a requirement for Singapore?  Yo, wake up!  This is not the US, UK or Australia.  Chinese is an official language here.  He/she may not speak a word of English, but he/she can speak tens of thousands of words in Mandarin.  Get it?

[Larry Flint]

Actually English is the official business language here.  Old uncle who is fresh off the boat with no english language, well the best he's going to do is sweep the leaves from my condo or serve me coffee in a plastic bag.

I agree, it's plain racisim.  The chinese are sh!t scared that they won't be the number 1 ethnic group here.

[.]

Is that why they don't publish criteria? Because they couldn't support racist and inconsistent practices in a million years under any sort of tranparent scrutiny?

[Shadou]

This is why.....

Since when is Chinese considered the "official" language here in Singapore? Last time I checked, the official language is English, not Chinese. And that is something I have yet to understand as well. They say that here in S'Pore, all business is done in English, but then why is it that more than half of the jobs here require you to speak Mandarin? If that is the case, then I think they need to change the official language to Chinese, not English, as they so proudly say. If this was a Chinese speaking country, then I wouldn't expect that citizens be required to speak English. But it is quite sad to see so many immigrants here that don't speak a word of English and can live happily, but take your over-qualified by other country standards typical Caucasian, and he/she would find it hard to work here if they don't possess the "correct" qualifications.

[feh]

yawn......

[Fed up]

Feh

Why do you bother with the "yawn" comment.

This board is for people to ask questions  
and to get advice.  So either give advice or just shut up.

The woman is asking a legitmate question.  She is curious and frustrated, like we all have when we first came to this country.  Trying to agree and understand the rules and regulations can be very frustrating at times.

So "why is it" I wish you luck.

[proper educated]

"why is it",

Well, let us in on the name of the university and qualifications that you have?  Maybe the immigration officer was correct.

[want_to_believe]

As the person is asking for a long term social visit pass, not a work permit,  I can not really understand why a university qualification has anything to do with this .
However, no reason to call this a racist country. Have you ever tried to get a work permit or a long thermo social visit pass in US. Compare to this procedure, everything in Singapore is a walk in the park.

[thicko?]

Is it just me or what? Where does it say at the Airport or any other Immigration Point in Singapore that if you're a white expat you're guaranteed a right to stay in Singapore as long as you like?

What is it with you people to think you've a god-given right here? You, we, all of us are guests in this country and we apply and are subject to the immigration laws and policies of this country. Tomorrow if there was war here, would you stay and fight or run away - the point being that the country's citizens get first priority 'cos they'll stay and fight. Will you?

Secondly, on a broader level - the problem with many of us is that we're lulled into thinking that the world is a fair place. It isn't.

Again what makes the following expect things to be magical like it's their god-given right:

1. Expats who get retrenched and expect jobs to land in their laps.

2. Pets and animals here to be well-treated

3. Expat women complaining how there's no dates for them when they're so fussy?

4. People complaining that they can't find food here like they can back home. Hello?

5. Competition from SPGs

6. Excellent driving and road manners.

Gimme a break all. It's not a fair world, live with it. (Man, that feels good).

[celestar]

you have to hand it to the Sg govt for thinking far ahead - who's going to be the next world's foremost economic giant in say 20 or 30 years' time? that should answer your question...

[This is why]

> Since when is Chinese considered the "official" language here in Singapore? Last time I checked, the official language is English, not Chinese. <

Shadou, I suggest you check again.  Its been a long, long time since you last checked.

Since when?  Since we gained self governance from the Brits in 1959.  Singapore is no longer a British colony, you know.

You don't have to take my word for it.  You don't even have to surf the net for the answer - the answer is right here on this forum.  Look to the left hand column on expatsingapore's home page - under General Information and Languages.  Talk about ignorance.

There are 4 official languages in Singapore.  English is one of them and the language of admin and business.  The lingua franca is a sort of pasar Malay mixed with Hokkien.

Here, let me spoonfeed you:

> Because of its multiracial makeup, Singapore recognises four official languages: English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil. English is the language of administration. Malay is the language in which the National Anthem in sung. In schools, children usually take English as the first language and one of the other 3 as a second language. For all intents and purposes, most conversations and business in Singapore are conducted in either English or Mandarin. <