TR EMERITUS

Leong Sze Hian I refer to the articles “S’pore on right track to cut foreign labour dependency” (Straits Times, Oct 1) and “Shrinking the foreign workforce ‘would have dire results‘” (My Paper, Oct 1). The former states that “Overall, the growth in foreign manpower, excluding maids, slowed to 34,100, a 7 per... 

Truth is stranger than fiction. And weird things happen when governments decide to help you decide how many children you can have. Take Singapore, for instance. The island nation, after gaining its independence from Malaysia in 1965 had a total fertility rate (children born per woman) north of 4.7 (down from 5.41 in 1960).... 

I had served as a full-time National Serviceman with the Republic of Singapore Navy headquarters, and though I was downgraded to Physical Employment Status E, I was liable for reservist training after my Operationally Ready Date in 1993. While I waited to be called up, I dutifully applied for exit permits and notified the Ministry...