Friday, April 25, 2008

Some facts from individual findings

I'm now slightly freer than I was just 2 weeks ago, so to prevent my brains from going idle, I did some research on my own regarding the topics that I have always been interested in. Just for fun.

Singapore used to administer, if not own, Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean before the Australians took over. We were paid a hefty sum of pounds for the deal.

India is actually closer to Singapore than we thought of it to be, because India owns a stretch of islands at the throat of the Malacca Straits called the Andaman Islands.

We Singaporeans are Commonwealth citizens, enjoying many exclusive privileges accorded to past British subjects. We are no longer colonized, but the United Kingdom continues to bestow the privileges upon us. A statement of emphasis, however, is that we are all equals now. It is remarkable to see how the Commonwealth of Nations has grown to incorporate most of the old British colonies and become an international organization of modern, self-determining nation-states. And it works on a voluntary basis. It seems that past British subjects have little hard feelings towards their old colonial masters. That, to me, is remarkable.

For instance (correct me if I'm wrong; what I say here is not Gospel Truth), if Singaporeans reside in the British Isles for work or study, they can choose to be neutralized as British citizens after a few years. One key note is that the immigration process is simpler than in other circumstances, explaining why many Hongkongers (prior to 1997) flood to the British dominions of Australia and Canada that have erected similar clauses in their laws.

Sounds like a viable option for a quick getaway.

Compare this scenerio with the stories of hatred and warfare that have occurred elsewhere and the difference is obvious.

No comments: