Actually there's a lot that Singapore doesn't have what Indonesia have. Garbage in the river, beggars on the street, drink seller on every bus, and yet that's a good thing. hahaha...
With its limited land and a lot of construction going on, I always thought that Singapore will be this so modern city with less green area. Boy did I completely wrong. This morning I went to the Singapore Botanical Garden. Unique things about Singapore is, if a place named park or garden, there's no admission fee. It almost feel like the government give you a place to escape from your daily routine, from the pollution for free. Compare to Indonesia, every park and garden is business.
Looking at the Map and looking at this garden, I can't quite believe that I actually stand on Singapore land. A metropolitan city with a lot of building, but still manage to have this vast and wide park. In my opinion, it's not just park. I believe it also needs cost to manage the park to keep it stay in shape. The government in able to manage that cost and not tempted to take admission fee from the visitors. More over, It actually something amazing that government doesn't turn this park into something more profitable, let say like Mall, Hotel or more housing for the people. But yet it's not the only garden in Singapore.
There really is something about this small but beautifully manage country. Maybe people will say, "Nah, it's easy to manage Singapore since it's only a small country."
It is true, maybe compare to Singapore, Indonesia is much much much bigger in terms of land and people. But that also means that with its limited resources like land and man, Singapore yet able to build such a nation. While other country with more land and more man, find it harder to make use of its resources to its maximum capability.
If I look from the history of the Public Housing in Singapore, you will find that in the 60's, Singapore is still a slum. A place with not that much of an order. Pretty messy and quite contradictory to its present condition. Now in 2013,Singapore is able to housing more than 80 of its people in public house, Singapore is also able to use its limited land to the maximum potential. Every building in Singapore is build deeper and higher. The sky is the limit for Singapore.
Just like other country, no one said that Singapore doesn't have a dark side. But I think, Singapore is quite good in handling it and not showing it to the tourist eye. If you're visiting Singapore and let say comparing it to Jakarta, You will find that the 'problems' of Singapore is unseen to the tourist eyes. But if in Jakarta, quite contrast to the malls and plazas, you still can see the slum area throughout your journey.
There's something about people in Singapore. Maybe because mostly of them is originally from other country, let say Malaysia, India and China. So Everyone is act accordingly to the guidelines and manner that's been set by the rules. If you come in Singapore, you maybe will think twice before you smoke in any places or throw trash not in its place, or even cross the street when the light is red. Why? because there's law and the law enforcer is quite strict if you got caught. A thousand Singapore Dollar for a stick of cigarette? or two thousand Singapore dollar for parking in a handicapped space when you're not handicapped? Singapore is a fine city. There's fine for every rule violation.
But then I think it once again... Doesn't Jakarta also has fine for smoking not in a smoking area?? yeah Jakarta does have the law for that. But then you see... people are still smoking regardless. The difference is the people. There's something about the people of Singapore and the way they live.
Okay, let's stop for a second comparing Indonesia and Singapore, because it really is an unfair fight. Let's comparing Jakarta and Singapore, or Palembang and Singapore, Padang and Singapore, Let's comparing capital city of provinces in Indonesia versus Singapore. If we compare bit by bit, I think it's a fair game. But now, look at the development on the city compare to Singapore.
I do have a dream of how Indonesia can be consisting of 'Little Singapore' in every city. How if the governor in every city can lead his or her city like the way the Singapore government governs its city. So every place in Indonesia can grow and prosper as one small part. A bit by bit then if every bit is good, collectively as a whole, it will make Indonesia a great nation it should be.
Stop thinking Indonesia as this big,vast and wide nation. Think of it as pieces that we should build. Like arranging the 1000 pieces puzzle. We build bit by bit than if we can build one part very good, as a whole, we will build something big and great.
There really is something about Singapore that we can learn. How such a small country become so big in south east Asia. Other country maybe already big, but the progress, not as big as Singapore.
Today is a special day for Singapore, some say it's 48th birthday of Singapore, other said it's 48th celebration of Singapore Independence day. Well I don't know which one is the correct one, but still, today is a celebration.
I just live here maybe only for a few week, but yet I already have many stories to tell. Happy National Day for Singapore. I really do wish nothing short of the best. And I'm still learning from Singapore, I hope that when I came back, I can do something for Indonesia.
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