Malaysia Star, 11 Aug 2012
A TUSSLE of will appears to have broken out between the government and many of its people over the issue of attracting foreign talent to win sports medals.
Actually, sports are only a part of an overall policy that is becoming increasingly controversial of using its wealth to short-circuit national achievements.
In an online poll, some 77% of Singaporeans said they did not feel proud of her achievement – comparable to another that showed 78% of people were opposed to foreigners.
So far, the government seems unimpressed with this statistics.
As the public opposition grew, the pro-government media argued strongly for the players, and acting Cabinet Minister (for Social and Family Development) Chan Chun Sing congratulated the table tennis team for “uniting the nation”.
Some observers believe the public feelings reflected the country’s mood against foreign workers in general, blaming them for taking away jobs and opportunities.
For winning the bronze, Feng will be paid S$250,000 (RM625,000) by the state of which she will have to contribute 20% – or S$50,000 (RM125,000) – to the table tennis association. Full story
