MyStory

Ng Wee Kiat, 1979
Police Coast Guard, Singapore Police Force

"Singapore is home - a place where I look forward to going back to."

What does ‘Home’ mean to you?

To me, it is a place where I can stay. Where I feel secure, where I have a sense of belonging. A place where I’ll look forward to going back to. This is what I think of as a home.

Singapore is my home. Most of my friends are here. I feel more secure in Singapore. Especially at night, we walk around, we don’t need to worry about the surroundings.

If you have a foreign friend coming to Singapore, what are the top three things that you would introduce your friend to?

First thing, of course, is chicken rice. Chicken rice and maybe chili crab? And maybe exotic cuisine like frog legs, seafood?

To me, food actually serves as a kind of bonding. I feel that when we talk over good food, we feel like it’s more informal. We can talk about all the things in the world, and so it would create a kind of bonding between us. Easier to talk, compared to a formal setting. People would be more relaxed, so they would be more open to things. My friends, sometimes after work, we would just go somewhere, have a coffee. Talk over things, talk rubbish also can. After work. That’s what we do, most of us after our morning shift.

All I can say is our food stands out. A lot of people when they came to Singapore, they have a good impression. Food is everywhere, and they walk around, they see hawker centres. Because some countries they don’t know what hawker centres are. They only know those bistros all these.

What does it mean to be a Singaporean to you?

Maybe you can say, kiasu-ism (Hokkien: scared to lose). Some of us are quite kiasu, even on the road… kiasu andkiasi (Hokkien: scared to die). Some of us are afraid to do things, just follow the book. And Singaporeans’ talk is typical Singaporeans’ language. We use Singlish. Sometimes I also mix with other languages. Malay, Hokkien, so we seldom speak proper English. That’s the problem! You can differentiate between a Singaporean and foreigner easily. Then our dressing, for us when we go to Orchard, you can see all lots of styles. All the different, different styles.

Are there moments you feel proud of Singapore, or to be a Singaporean? Can you share with us these moments?

Actually I can feel it, during National day. When I see all the display, then I think back, and I see that we really progress a lot. It’s really two worlds apart. Like when I heard from my seniors, the transformation of Singapore. Like for us right, in our context, when in the old days, they have just the bare things to work with. Then currently, we have all the high-tech equipment to help us. So it’s actually more convenient. But though things are easier, we are a bit more regimental. Everything has to be in black and white, not like last time. Also, maybe when I see Singapore hosting all those summits, meetings. I feel that Singapore is quite a good place now. We have come a long way. All the ministers from other countries, when they come to Singapore for meetings, it shows that they trust Singapore. 

What do you think we need to do in order to continue overcoming challenges in the future?

I think the most important thing is, we have to understand each other. Think of others, we just can’t think of our own selves. Think of what we have done, how would it affect others. Just be more considerate of other people, and if we can help each other, we just help. Don’t be so selfish. We are in the same boat, so there are only us. We are the only people we can rely on.  I’ve been in charities. Those homes, I do see a lot of people helping around. Maybe by donating, by doing some work down there, I find that it’s quite good, meaningful. A lot of people are spending time at those old folks’ home, helping the older folks.

What hopes and aspirations do you hold for Singapore?

I just hope, Singapore would just continue to develop further, and still maintain some charm, some rural charms in Singapore, like Pulau Ubin and Lim Chu Kang area. You can have a taste of kampong life, feel more relaxed there. I would like my son to grow up in a peaceful, stable country, where he can grow up and learn. I hope that he won’t go elsewhere. Because I don’t think any other countries fits so well. Like all the things are here, and even all my relatives are here. If we are to go to other countries, who do we rely on? Like if there is any problem. So to me, I hope he will stay in Singapore.In terms of political stability, racial harmony. I feel that racial harmony is very important. Because if we misunderstand each other, I think, one small thing will lead to very big things. So let’s hope that everybody will be very understanding to each other. Just some of the things, you have to ‘just take it’. Most of my friends are Malays because, at my work place, the majority are Malays. So Malays and Chinese. Sometime we go out and eat. That’s why when we book chalets, go out to eat, we will just think for them. We eat halal food. And on their part maybe they just don’t bring beef, because some of colleagues are Buddhist. So we just think of each other.