Singapore Expats

I am applying for a Singapore work permit. I am properly sponsored by my company so, I do not expect approval to be an issue. What confuses me is why is Singapore asking what my religion is? Form 8 specifically asks for religion. I would expect this of a countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iran or 1930-1940's Germany. I never expected this of Singapore. I though Singapore was a totaly secular governement?? Maybe not? Hmmm... The country I currently reside in (Hong Kong) did not ask such questions nor, do they care.

I like Singapore and the lifestyle there but, I find things like this very odd for such a cosmopolitan country. Seems a bit "back ward (no offense intended). The only historical purpose to make people specify their religious faith has been to opress them based on those beliefs.

Maybe just don't fill it in.

Interesting. Why do you think it's only historical? You ask about why they are asking about religion but you did not say anything about their asking for race? Why is that. Both are equally abhorrent as far as I'm concerned. While you are at it, so is gender, age & marital status but all Asian countries do it don't they. It's only the west that has laws against discrimination (doesn't mean it isn't practiced there but just means if you've got the money you do have legal redress )

For religion I always put pagan and for race I put Homo Sapiens. What do you put?

For Religion: Golf
For Race: My Bike

Try 'free thinker'. That's what they put on my PR when I told them I had no religion.

And the reason you're so upset about this? I don't think in a comparison for human rights with Hong Kong that Singapore would lose out badly at all.

As tilly says, don't fill it in if you are so worried about it and believe it is the wost thing since the tsunami.

Falun Gong anyone?

As to the race issue. Yes you are correct it never crossed my mind.

Wow... Judging by the a few responses (not all) including those of the moderator. I detect some hostility here? It was just a question and not intended to offend.

cutiebutie no offense but we're getting way off base. I never questioned the status human rights or freedoms in Singapore or Hong Kong for that matter. Also Falun Gong/ Falun Dafa is unrestricted in Hong Kong.

airpiratehkg wrote:As to the race issue. Yes you are correct it never crossed my mind.

Wow... Judging by the a few responses (not all) including those of the moderator. I detect some hostility here? It was just a question and not intended to offend.

I would suggest you go back and reread the replies that have been posted. I do not detect any hostility what-so-ever. Are you a native English speaker? I ask only because of your reaction to sarcasm and levity (which should never be construed as hostility). Lighten up, lah. I was curious as you seemed to pick out only Religion when discrimination is rampant in all forms here. Singapore is a country with a 1st world infrastructure but with 3rd world mind-sets. Get used to it. We did.

airpiratehkg wrote:cutiebutie no offense but we're getting way off base. I never questioned the status human rights or freedoms in Singapore or Hong Kong for that matter. Also Falun Gong/ Falun Dafa is unrestricted in Hong Kong.

And the rulers of Hong Kong are? The islands belong to whom?

You questioned and likened Singapore to Nazi Germany and conservative countries in the Middle East.
In this way you directly questioned freedoms in Singapore, as well as human rights.

Possibly you should look at the way you construct your sentences and the words you use to understand the responses you got.

Hostility? I don't think so, possibly only from you.

Singapore is a country with a 1st world infrastructure but with 3rd world mind-sets. Get used to it. We did.

Not for me though, I'm still trying. . .

To be fair the human rights situation in Singapore is very good until it comes to politics. There is an oppressive climate in Singapore with regards to politics and I am sure everyone knows this. Other than that, the courts are fair and uphold most civil rights and liberties especially the rights of consumers who have been treated unfairly by merchants or businesses.

As for the laws against discrimination in the West, I believe on many application forms in the UK you do have to state your race, gender and age, although not religion.

I suppose the reason why they ask for your religion in Singapore is because the country is surrounded by Muslim states and things can get quite sensitive sometimes?

RobinHood wrote: As for the laws against discrimination in the West, I believe on many application forms in the UK you do have to state your race, gender and age, although not religion.

Ethnic origin on most UK application form is optional; gender and age is partly for stastical purposes. Religion is often asked for in certain circumstances e.g when being admitted to hospital as an in-patient to avoid serving certain foods and to respect religious beliefs. Some jobs may also make allowances for religious holidays too.

RobinHood wrote:Other than that, the courts are fair and uphold most civil rights and liberties especially the rights of .............

senior politicians?

You realise that PR can be revoked for subversive elements!