04/08/2025
𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗚𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗠𝗜𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗧 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞𝗘𝗥𝗦
𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗢𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱
𝗢𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗹 (𝗔𝗯𝘁 𝟮,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀)
Last week I posted a 4 and a half min IQ (Inconvenient Questions) commentary on the sinkhole incident.
I ended the commentary with this question:
“Do we have the humility and strength of character to break protocol and go that last mile to consider offering Pitchai (the leader of the migrant workers who rescued the lady driver from the pit) Singapore citizenship? I’ve been told that for several of the ultra-high-net-worth new citizens, Singapore is just a hotel. By offering it to individuals such as Pitchai - for whom Singapore has been home for 22yrs - we are saying thank you in a way that counts. More importantly, we would be honouring the citizenship of our country.”
My aim in posting the commentary is not so much to lobby for the cause. It’s to provoke deeper thinking about citizenship and who should be offered it.
I believe this goal has been fulfilled reasonably well. The commentary has been doing the rounds.
On TikTok we did a poll on the question: Does Pitchai deserve Singapore citizenship?
I was pleasantly surprised by how many netizens participated. I was even more surprised by the result.
* yes - 1,357
* no - 32
I am particularly heartened by the number of you who took the trouble to send me your thoughts. In the spirit of constructive and truthful conversations, I would like to share a few of these comments - see below.
If you would like to add further comments pls write to me directly or post them on our IQ YouTube channel. (Click the link, below.)
Thank you, and let’s keep the conversations going. This is what active citizenry looks like. 👍
1. “What this person did was incredible…it was an act of courage, done without any thought of reward…we absolutely should recognise them, honour them, and even support them in tangible ways. But I feel uneasy when the conversation shifts to offering citizenship as a ‘reward’. When we start putting it on the table like a trophy, we risk cheapening both the act of selfless heroism and the meaning of citizenship…we don’t have to turn everything into a transaction. Let’s celebrate the person for who he is and what he did.”
2. “What’s truly heartening is seeing people from all walks of life showing their appreciation in their own way.”
3. “Human experiences always offer rich lessons for us all if we care.”
4. “Even PR would be something. The messaging to non-Singaporeans and Singaporeans alike will be priceless. Being Singaporean is much more than just having material assets. Much needed when we have become a playground for the rich.”
5. “A French construction worker was made an Australian PR as a reward for heroism during a knife attack in a Sydney mall that left six victims dead and a thousand wounded. The same offer was made to a Pakistani security guard as well.”
6. “If the government gives citizenship to Pitchai, then what about the migrant workers a few months ago who rescued children from a fire situation. I agree the workers should be recognised more, but not citizenship.”
7. “Your broader perspective on the situation has truly helped shed more light on the importance of respecting and valuing migrant workers. Your words have given Singaporeans renewed optimism that the community will indeed come together to show greater appreciation and respect for their contribution.”
8. “Thank you for using your platform to make a positive impact and inspire some change to the thinking of the majority about migrant workers.”
9. “For the idea of citizenship we need to be clear what the criteria will be, so that we apply it consistently.”
Check out the 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗧𝗶𝗸𝗧𝗼𝗸 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗽 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗹:
1074 likes, 165 comments. “The sinkhole incident last Sat was a wake up call for us - government and people alike. It was also an occasion to recognise our silent heroes who help to keep things moving in our country. 48 year old site supervisor, Pitchai Subbiah and his colleagues literally saved a...
