Its a pity that this forum does not have a spore chat by its own....

I found this in spore mirrors....and perhaps this would be good knowledge to some people who is unaware of singapore's achievement to-date

Not here to flame or to compare....but juz pointing out how did this tiny red dot achieved so much in so little time.....

Little edition to the original text....which i find not accurate


It is one of the cleanest cities in the world

It is a green city - greenery all over the city. Appropriately, it is also called a 'garden city'

Its airport - Changi Airport - has been voted as the best airport in the world for the last more than 10 years

Its airline - Singapore Airlines - has been voted as the best airline in the world for the last more than 14 years

Its port is the busiest port in the world - handling about 19 million TEU's (Twenty Footer Equivalents) per annum

Its housing policy should be the best in the world as about 95% of citizens have own house. Further, houses here are quite spacious, have all the amenities, e.g., market, supermarkets, multi-stall eating centres, library, swimming pool, bus stop, car park, school, etc.

It became a first-world country from a third-world country in one single generation. It was one of the poor countries in 1965 when it was separated from Malaysia. In 35 years, it is one of the wealthiest countries of the world.

Its public transport system should also be one of the best in the world which comprises of buses, trains & taxis. Buses and trains are almost always 100% on time and are very frequent in service.
One can easily keep one's appointment relying on the public transport

Most Singaporeans can speak English which is also a huge plus in today's IT world

One of the best roads in the world. Besides numerous flyovers & expressways, a limited quota of vehicles is issued, keeping the vehicle population in check

Its justice system shoud also be one of the best. On an average, it takes only about 6 weeks to decide a case

Its Govt departments should also be the most efficient. Response time is minimum, work moves very fast here

It was awarded as the best city in Asia to do business in 1998, 1999, 2006

Its infrastructure is also one of the best in the world. This includes world's best airport, world's busiest port, a very efficient and highly successful telecommunication giant, highly efficient water & electricity system, no-traffic-jam roads, world's best airline, reliable, air-conditioned & most efficient public transport system, most efficient Govt depts, public amenities, housing, industrial land, office buildings, world class banks, most modern post offices, world class insurance companies, multi-channel TV station etc. etc.

Just for example, if you need an industrial land or flatted factory or office space for your business, these are available in all sizes and at every location of Singapore - choice is yours

It has also been voted as the freest economy in the world - a hassle free, no-red-tape country

Well DUH! Its a tiny island, easy to manage. go figure man.. look at NY & Taiwan. sheesh..

btw, dis is Malaysia Chat.

Ricochet Tell Us More Make more threads about Singapore here

shut up glut.. its not funny

From Singapore's Economic Development Board (EDB)


Singapore Rankings

Singapore consistently scores high marks in global and regional rankings of the factors that matter to businesses. These range from political risk to workforce productivity, from the quality of life to the prospects for making profits.


Singapore: Most Cost-Competitive Place for Business

Country Cost Index Rank

Singapore 77.7 1
Canada 94.5 2
France 95.6 3
Netherlands 95.7 4
Italy 97.8 5
United Kingdom 98.1 6
United States 100.0 7
Japan 106.9 8
Germany 107.4 9

Source: KPMG Competitive Alternatives Study, 2006

According to a study by accountancy firm KPMG, Singapore is the most cost-competitive business location among nine industrialised countries.

The bi-annual study - which covers 128 cities in nine countries - indicated that Singapore was 22 per cent cheaper than the benchmark United States.

KPMG's 2006 Competitive Alternatives study analyses 27 cost components, including wages, freight, business taxes, rent and utilities.


World's easiest place to do business

Rank Country

1 Singapore
2 New Zealand
3 United States
4 Canada
5 Hong Kong
6 United Kingdom
7 Denmark
8 Australia
9 Norway
10 Ireland

Source: World Bank report: "Doing Business 2007: How to Reform"

Top 20 Business Environments

Rank Country Total Score

1 Denmark 8.77
2 Canada 8.75
3 United States 8.59
4 Finland 8.59
5 Hong Kong 8.58
6 Singapore 8.58
7 Netherlands 8.57
8 United Kingdom 8.57

Source: The Economist Intelligence Unit, in its Business Environment Ranking (2006-2010)

World's Most 'Network Ready' Country

Rating Country

1 United States
2 Singapore
3 Denmark
4 Iceland
5 Finland
6 Canada
7 Taiwan
8 Sweden

Source: Global Information Technology Report 2005/06, World Economic Forum

World: E-readiness Rankings

Rank Country

1 Denmark
2 United States
3 Switzerland
4 Sweden
5 Britain
6 Netherlands
7 Finland
8 Australia
9 Canada
10 Hong Kong
11 Norway
12 Germany
13 Singapore
14 New Zealand

Source: Economist Intelligence Unit, 2006

Most competitive Asian Economy

Rank Country

1 United States
2 Finland
3 Denmark
4 Switzerland
5 Singapore
6 Germany
7 Sweden
8 Taiwan

Source: Global Competitiveness Index (GCI), 2005-2006

Singapore holds 1st place on the institutions and technological pillars.

Best Labour Force

Country Rating

Singapore 88
USA 74
Taiwan 73
Switzerland 73
Belgium 72
Japan 71
Netherlands 65
Ireland 65
Sweden 61
France 61

Source: BERI's 2005 Labour Force Ranking

Countries with the least restrictive immigration laws for employing foreign labour

Ranking Country

1 Ireland
2 Chile
3 United Kingdom
4 Singapore
5 Hong Kong
6 Iceland
7 Scotland
8 Argentina
9 Finland
10 Portugal

Source: IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2006

Most attractive environment for highly-skilled foreigners

Rank Country

1 United States
2 Singapore
3 Switzerland
4 Hong Kong
5 Ireland
6 United Kingdom

Source: IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2005

Most attractive investment incentives in Asia

Rank Country

1 Slovak Republic
2 Czech Republic
3 Ireland
4 Singapore
7 Hong Kong
10 Thailand
11 United States

Source: IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2005

Most competitive air hub

Rank City

1 Paris
2 Anchorage
3 London
4 Singapore
5 New York
6 Los Angeles
7 Port Moresby
8 Frankfurt
9 Tokyo
10 Moscow

Source: National Academy of Science, May 2005

World: Overall Competitiveness

Rank Country (<20m pop)

1 United States
2 Hong Kong
3 Singapore
4 Iceland
5 Denmark
6 Australia
7 Canada
8 Switzerland
9 Luxembourg
10 Finland

Source: IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2006

World's top 11 Countries for Investment Potential

Rank Country POR Score

1 Switzerland 83
2 Singapore 78
3 Netherlands 73
4 Japan 73
5 Norway 72
6 Taiwan 72
7 Germany 71
8 Austria 69
9 Belgium 67
10 Sweden 66
11 United States 66

Source: BERI Report August 2005

Bureaucracy and Red Tape in Asia

Country Level of Red Tape (0 = no red tape, 10 = high levels of red tape)

Singapore 2.48
Hong Kong 2.52
Taiwan 5.21
South Korea 5.49
Malaysia 5.9
Japan 6.07
Thailand 6.39
Philippines 7.54
China 7.67
Vietnam 8.23
India 8.2
Indonesia 8.62

Source: Political and Economic Risk Consultancy, June 2006

World's Top 20 Most Globalised Nations

Rank Country

1 Singapore
2 Ireland
3 Switzerland
4 United States
5 Netherlands
6 Canada
7 Denmark
8 Sweden
9 Austria
10 Finland
11 New Zealand
12 United Kingdom
13 Australia
14 Norway
15 Czech Republic
16 Croatia
17 Israel
18 France
19 Malaysia
20 Slovenia

Source: A.T. Kearney/FOREIGN POLICY Magazine Globalization Index 2005

Perceptions of Corporate Governance Standards

Country Rating (0 being the best and 10 the worst)

Singapore 2.4
Japan 3.8
Hong Kong 4.2
Taiwan 5.8
South Korea 5.9
Thailand 5.95
Malaysia 6
India 6.1
Philippines 6.85
Indonesia 7.5
China 8
Vietnam 8.8

Source: Political and Economic Risk Consultancy, June 2006

Singapore: Least corruption in Asia

Country Level of Corruption (0 = no corruption, 10 = high levels of corruption)

Singapore 1.3
Japan 3.01
Hong Kong 3.13
Macao 4.78
South Korea 5.44
Taiwan 5.91
Malaysia 6.13
India 6.76
China 7.58
Thailand 7.64
Philippines 7.8
Vietnam 7.91
Indonesia 8.16

Source: Political and Economic Risk Consultancy, March 2006

Best Country Brand for Business

Rank Country

1 United States
2 China
3 United Kingdom
4 Germany
5 United Arab Emirates
6 France
7 Singapore
8 Japan
9 Australia
10 South Korea

Source: FutureBrand, 2005

Best Country Brand for Conventions

Rank Country

1 United States
2 Australia
3 China
4 United Kingdom
5 Bahamas
6 United Arab Emirates
7 Japan
8 France
9 Singapore
10 Thailand

Source: FutureBrand, 2005

The best place to live for Asian expatriates

Rank Location

1 Singapore
2 Sydney - Australia
3 Melbourne - Australia
4 Canberra - Australia
5 Kobe - Japan
6 Auckland - New Zealand
7 Copenhagen - Denmark
8 Vancouver - Canada
9 Wellington - New Zealand
10 Basel - Switzerland

Source: ECA International 2006

Asia's No.1 place to live, work and play

Rank City Country

1 Zurich Switzerland
2 Geneva Switzerland
3 Vancouver Canada
4 Vienna Austria
5 Auckland New Zealand
6 Dusseldorf Germany
7 Frankfurt Germany
8 Munich Germany
9 Bern Switzerland
9 Sydney Australia
33 Paris France
34 Singapore Singapore
35 Tokyo Japan

Source: Mercer Human Resource Consulting, 2005-2006

I don't see anything wrong with ricochet starting this thread in Malaysian Chat.There are many Singaporeans here.And I don't think that Singapore's impressive achievements is solely due to its size.

And what about its strategic location.Would it be successful if it were in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Would it survive if the Isthmus of Kra was built?

China is not no.1 in everything, but people still invest loads of $$$ there,S'pore's strife to be no.1 in everything shows its insecurity in ASEAN coz it knows that it will have compete hard for FDI in ASEAN. Example, Port of Tanjung Pelepas already handle 10 million TEU and took away 2 important customers,Evergreen and Maersk from Singapore's port, and Port of Tg.Pelepas only opened in 2001 and not even the top 10 ports in the world while KLIA is attracting more and more Low Cost Carriers to its KLIA hub. S'pore must not always think that its neighbours are going backwards, they are getting better, slowly, but getting better.

I know rico will also hentam me but I cannot help it.... ..this is a Malaysian Chat.

I want to hear more about Singapore Pleas

wtf?? do we care..


shame on u sporean..


well it is still a fact..

wats up with rico for bringing up dis topic bout singapore... its just like telling the US that NY is everything there is about them.

the fact u are replying shown that u care






jealous with others achivement ya

Hm.... thank you. So SG reminds you of Manhatten island, yeah?

no. just shows that they are as stuck up as their Manhattan counterparts. 'Better' than the rest of the world. Oh puhlezz..

maldini - who gives a fvck?

Hmm... I like NYC. U should go there sometime, instead of pining for Australia. Australia's a dump..

the fact that u are replying shown that u really do

good for you.. anyway its pinning. not pining.

What is the meaning of 'pinning'? Is that Aussie English or Manglish?

what i mean is, i dont care whatever happen in spore.. got it? spore is a country known for its kiasu-ness.. huahaha everyone knows that..

yeah, singapore can be what they are today because of their kiasuness as well which drive them to work harder.
while "some peoples" are very kiasu/kiasi as well and that drive them to lobby for more tongkats from government

at least some.. but not like that a lot of kiasuness ppl over there.. hahaha

It should be Singlish.

Jangan main main la... goondu. U made a booboo with your Manglish and now you blame it on Singlish...

Singapore IMO is really nice but also is really boring.

Heeey, I reckon Aust, a great place to live .
Having said that I also think in its short history, Singapore's achievements have been quite remarkable.

Thank you for everyone's contribution to my post. As I have said before, I am not here to compare nor flame. I think I share with doc's view that their achievement is remarkable. When I was doing my postgraduate studies, we debate on why Malaysia-Singapore compete where co-operation and synergy with both countries is better than competition.

I think learning of what each country can contribute to each economy is better. Trying to work together, learning the secret to success, and whole lot of other things would optimise the resources of both countries instead of using the same resources for the same purpose. Malaysia too have their achievements which singapore would dream to have and when 2 join in to think of one solution, many things can achieve but when 2 collide....then a lot shall be wasted

Singapore Song - Watch it before it is banned

Mr Brown is at it again. This time he got Hossan Leong

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWmLAui6OOw

Then why bother scrolling down the pages to read then replying to this thread? Kiasu is acually sth good...u should know that.

My.. your Singlish is exceptional...

Hmm.. I believed most malaysian knew bout those stuff..

But, in SG,

chewing gum isn't allowed..
The speed limit isn't as high as in Malaysia * Most SG peopel drive like a devil here*
You can tour the whole country in 2 days?
The only place that can bring you the 1970s memories is only Tanjung Pagar
Hard to own any piece of land
The Golf membership fees is extremely high
No casino * at the moment*
The only beach - sentosa island beach?
Everybody needs to do the National service.. *for me, its not good.. *

I'll add list later ok..
Jangan marah yek bang.. gurau je..

Hossan Leong is great! Sam just rewrote the lyrics!!!!

Owhh.. really?

Nah,dun worry, u are just being a typical Malaysian. S'porean and M'sian like to put down each other ....and kiasu with one another....

so life pretty much sucked huh?

Dammnit rico, you petualang bangsa!!!!
Fine, this should keep you happy.

2006 Globalisation Index by Foreign Policy.


To all ex-Malaysians living a happy life in Singapore. Good for you, but puh-leez spare us your kiasuness when you come back for a visit. Urgh.

brader...why you angry with me la. people say this and that about SG without checking how SG is like. And a lot take for granted watever they hear about SG is true...

I'm not here to compare....but trying to cultivate to most people....how to learn from SG achievement...how did they do it to be the best in a lot of things...

what kiasu la....me only kiasu when going to work...beating the jam dat is all....wake up early and that's it....being no, 1 in work...aiya forget la...too much politicking make you sick....juz work ...no need to kiasu..

the only thing kiasu for me is.....get the best girl....

come back malaysia was never being kiasu....

selamat hari raya bang.....some british pound would be good for duit raya...

Singlish Poetry.....


I am Ong Ah Bee living in Kampong Chai Chee
Life used to be simple and HAPPY
I worked hard in my STUDIES
I learned A-B-C, and everything from 1, 2, and 3.
Primary school was quite easy
I passed PSLE

Then I went to SECONDARY
The subjects include HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY
Physics, Biology and CHEMISTRY
After O levels I went to JC
I was quite LUCKY

This is a small humid tropical COUNTRY
Surrounded by unknown potential ENEMIES
Boys turned 18 must go to ARMY
After that we may continue our Studies
The girls can just sit back, relax, and watch TV
They come to this world only to "Chia Liao Bi"

No one lives on free meals or depends on CHARITY
I had no money to go to University or Poly
So I went to work at a FACTORY
Trying to earn a little lousy SALARY
After CPF and INCOME TAX,
I have just enough money to buy ROTI & ride in MRT.

Colleagues at work used to be FRIENDLY
Always treat me to tea and COFFEE
Somehow they turned FISHY
Passing bad remarks about me
Telling everybody I am LAZY.

My bosses show me no SYMPATHY
Mumbling over my shoulder daily:"HURRY, HURRY and HURRY!"
Accusing me of always trying to get MC
But my sickness was due to over stretch OT
Going home after midnight by TAXI and
They pay me only bus fee

I Park-Tor and became STEADY
Finally had to MARRY
I lost money holding Wedding Dinner PARTY
Cheeky friends donating only cheap PANTY
After marriage, nothing was EASY

In one year, I became DADDY
I can't support my family and our BABY
Being tied down for life to repay HDB and
rising monthly utilities to PUB
My bank account has NO MONEY
POSB balance is almost EMPTY
DBS wants to charge me EXTRA FEE
Insisting that "Nothing is FREE!"
So I moonlight as KARANG GUNI

Many times I want to jump into the sea to MATI
But that is not EASY
My wife cries: "Who is going to support me and our BABY?"
So I can't MATI .

I went to seek assistance from the MP
His reply was simple and easy:
"Vote for me, vote for me, vote for me".
He never tell me any convincing Policy.
My dear friends, can you pls help Ong Ah Bee ?

You're saying life sucks just because of those facts? How much lamer can you be. BTW Singapore rocks. Nice clean country, just the perfect place to take a break from dirty polluted Jakarta .

Yeah.. its true though.. well, there pro and cons in every aspects though..

everyone says kiasu this and kiasu that when it comes to SG....so tell me my frens....why do you think kiasu is bad and what do you understand about kiasu-ness?

they should put a singapore subforum under the chinese chat.

My view.. SG is closer to Malaysia chat than the chinese chat..

I would have thought so too. Singapore culture is virtually identical to Malaysian.

Acckkkk ... better create a new SG Chat. No need to park over here.

Isn't Singapore considered a Chinese diaspora?

Beautiful Singapore...

so..what Kiasu means?

According to my dictionary,kiasu means competent,efficient,driven,ambitious,competitive,future-oriented...or anything good that is related to this word.

but why do people think its a bad thing??? I wonder

Well...probably that's because they don't really understand what it means and the exact impact of this kiasu-ness on people.