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Are we still regarded as a garden city? Why is it we have become like that? Is it because of foreigners or we ourselves have let it happen or have contributed to this sad state? One only has to take a good look at the areas around our HDB blocks early in the morning of all the rubbish being thrown around before the hardworking workers sweep it all away. Something to reflect upon... From ST Forum: http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/...ory_684678.html Cleanliness on the decline I AM a Canadian who visited Singapore in 1995 for two weeks. It was the cleanest city I had ever been to. I came back a year later, and again was impressed by how immaculate the country was. I returned on June 2 this year to enjoy Singapore's famous food and the Great Singapore Sale, but was very disappointed. The cleanliness of the city is gone. I spent days walking and taking public transport to various parts of the city, and noticed an appalling amount of paper and plastic rubbish in the parks and on the streets. I asked those I met why there was a litter problem, and one common comment was that it was due to the people's attitude. Another common response was: 'It's the immigrants.' A garbage worker said the problem had become worse in the last five years. A young woman said: 'Singapore has a lot of problems. We have to worry about our money and how to make a living; the litter is not our problem.' I soon witnessed acts of littering and it infuriated me. A woman with her teenage son and daughter tossed a green plastic drink bag over a railing onto the grass. I yelled at her from down the street, but she just laughed. I saw a construction worker walking past a rubbish bin and placing a can on a wall a farther 10m away, before continuing on his way. It really upsets me to see the once-pristine Singapore turning into just another grubby, trash-laden metropolis. This litter problem is a blight on Singapore's reputation, and I hope Singaporeans will address this disrespect for their country. One way is for people to take all rubbish with them after leaving public places and place it in a trash bin, and not on the ground, a wall, a bench or in the park. Community groups can get together to clean up the streets in their neighbourhoods. The city can promote cleanliness through mass media campaigns. Keeping Singapore clean is the responsibility of everyone - citizens, immigrants and tourists. James Cruikshank

She shud convert to becoming a citizen leh if she doesn't want to be hurt. If love Sinb so much, prove it. Some more got sacred privilege to vote some more. ST Forum May 7, 2011 PR who loves Singapore laments harsh words at rallies ALTHOUGH I am part Japanese, I was raised and educated in Singapore. I went through the full examination treadmill at the Primary School Leaving Examination, and O- and A-levels. After graduating from a local university in 2009, I decided to build my career in Singapore with an advertising conglomerate. Although I still hold a Japanese passport, Singapore is my second home. Whenever I am overseas, I suffer withdrawal symptoms and yearn for my favourite hawker staples: bubor cha cha and nasi lemak. I am writing in because I am saddened by some speeches at election rallies which have railed unremittingly against foreigners. I appeal to Singaporeans to remember permanent residents like me who have grown to love Singapore as a second home, living and working with Singaporean friends and fellow workers. Many even have Singaporean spouses and children. I couldn't agree more that Singaporean interests must come first. Jobs and competition for promotions are real and pertinent issues. At the same time, I am not certain that inciting division and ill feeling towards any one segment of society is good for peace and progress. History has shown that progressive leaders ushered national progress by opening up their country's economy and embracing diversity. Rather than distance foreigners living in Singapore, many of whom have grown to love Singapore as a second home, why not work together to lift Singapore to even greater heights? Mariko Tania Kimura (Miss)