[Sunday Read] 'Preferential' Treatment in Singapore, or not

In recent times, we've seen preferential treatment take root in several industries, particularly within security guard forces, food & beverage, and food delivery services. This bias often plays out in how certain individuals are treated based on who they know or how they are perceived. In the process, hardworking and talented people, who truly understand and navigate the crux of societal challenges, are overlooked.

Read till the end to find out the relationship between Foreign Workers - Vice Trade, Food & Beverage, Food Delivery and Security Guard.

Growing up, I was no stranger to this. In my Chinese-educated high school, I rose as the unexpected winner of the Chinese Essay Writing Competition, coming from the last class. Many were upset because the favorites from the top class didn’t win. Yet, I stood by the belief that merit should always triumph over favoritism.

But why do we shy away from fields like journalism or the arts, where such biases are often exposed? In many societies that favor conformity, those who speak up risk persecution. Institutions, over time, can become oppressive, subjugating the weak and stiffening creativity, ethics, and the value systems we hold dear.

"So that’s why you went into business development and technology?"

Yes, that's right. I needed to understand how things function and observe how they are done. My opportunities for growth and learning were limited for over two decades due to the influence of tribes and clans. However, things have changed. I was recognized for my credible and proven efforts in transforming our land transportation sector, all while remaining resilient in the face of threats.

Kudos to the team of clandestine leaders who found me. Together, we are working to fix the gaps in society, the economy, and our systems—gaps where invisible forces and doctrines have stopped anyone from addressing them.

They knew I’m someone who prefers to sit back and observe but will step in when no one else does. The clandestine team found the champion they needed, and I found the support I wasn’t born with.

I also want to give heartfelt thanks to the teachers who never bowed to pressure, standing firm in their belief that merit and effort should always win the day. Your courage continues to inspire me.

Our modern world is aging under the weight of excessive rules and regulations, but I believe the time is near when people will rise against these invisible pressures. Creativity, ethics, and value systems—including our spiritual beliefs—are the very foundations that need rejuvenation. And it's time we recognize and support those who dare to challenge the status quo.

You think you have the first-move advantage, which is fine. We’ll just make do with having the last laugh.

It’s hard not to when the Gods, Demon lords, deities, spirits, and mankind are behind us. Even among humanity, people from different faiths, ethnicities, and genders stand with us.

Feel free to take on the world with an upcoming revival in faith.

Now, with so many people in the headlines for all sorts of reasons, who's next? Entertainment news! The people love it.

So, what about the Female Foreign Workers, Food & Beverage, Food Delivery and Security Guards?

As usual, I went about doing my rounds in Singapore, tilling the ground for unheard voices. Food—the most fundamental aspect of life—has unfortunately become an issue for our female foreign workers. Meals are often ordered and handled by nearby coffeeshops or eateries, but in our micro-level stratified society, even orders for crabs or seafood lack freshness. So much for equality in our national pledge. Even food delivery riders sometimes deliver meals with spillage, i.e. major spillage of soup. I mean, riders can always choose their jobs, so if you feel above a task, maybe it’s better not to take the job for that specific destination. Just to let you know that the high-tier seafood restaurants take pride in their work and are getting the orders right from them now.

People who know me know I work the ground. I do deliveries, I get involved in the action, and even if I don’t, the folks know I can feel for them. These ladies can cook, yet there are no kitchens available for them. They’re confined within compounds, sharing rooms that deprive them of proper sleep—so much so that some end up sleeping in corridors or void decks to escape the noise or snoring of a roommate.

In our military camps, we swapped out national servicemen cooks for food caterers with central kitchens decades ago. Here’s a task for our relevant government agencies, though I always wonder who is responsible—because ideas can come from one agency and be deployed in another, as I mentioned in my previous post about "Female Foreign Workers - Vice Trade too."

Since food is such a contentious issue, with disgruntled service providers unwilling to step up for this segment of society, would a central kitchen make sense to serve an entire district? I’m sure nearby eateries would shape up quickly. A paying customer is a customer, regardless of who they are, especially in our world-class food scene where we cook with excellence, not merely to appease.

In the next story, my weekly trip to the Sembawang Hot Springs was met with an enforcement officer who seemed ready to catch us in the act of serving hot water to our Pioneer and Merdeka generation with his camera phone. But when I greeted him, 'Good morning' from meters away, he scuttled off, knowing his superior’s instructions had been discovered. It's interesting that no warning was given today compared to the security guards from the weeks ago who gave us advice with professionalism. Hence, we were taken aback with today's treatment.

Fortunately, a much nicer officer replaced him, and I had a great conversation with him and another regular visitor. This officer bravely engaged with us, he declined my request for a wefie, explaining that he was on duty and couldn’t take photos. I'm closely related with security guard training academies. Ping me if you need some help. I would think its good publicity showing your guards are well-loved by the community.

Reflecting this experience demonstrates the irony in an Asian society where the elderly are supposed to be accorded with respect, yet rules and regulations are stopping the young from serving with ambushes.

Work has become so restrictive these days! I’ve seen videos of government events where friendly security guards interact with visitors, but perhaps that’s just good marketing and packaging. Greenwashing and yellow-washing are prevalent, too. So, is this what we call whitewashing as we near the elections?

#MeritOverFavoritism #BreakTheBias #Creativity #ValueSystems #RiseAbove #Leadership #GratitudeToTeachers #DivineGuidance #SavingThePlanet #EqualityInAction #SupportForeignWorkers

I am Mar Vin Foo ??, a specialized consultant in energy, both upstream and downstream with a focus on AI.

Thank you for relooking at institutions that were started with good intent originally.