Singapore: The Ah Beng Poem

I do not know who wrote this tongue-in-cheek poem about life in Singapore. I think it is very creative and appeal to our sense of humour in Malaysia as well.

Let us appreciate the realities of an Ah Beng in Singapore and his trials and tribulations as he live daily in this small island state.

      REFLECTION OF A TYPICAL SINGAPOREAN

  I am Ong Ah Tee living in Kampong Chai Chee
  Life used to be simple and HAPPY
  I worked hard in my STUDIES
  I learned A-B-C, and everything from 1, 2, and 3.
  Primary school was quite easy I passed PSLE

  Then I went to SECONDARY
  The subjects include HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY
  Physics, Biology and CHEMISTRY
  After O levels I went to JC

  They said you live in Singapore very LUCKY
  This is a small humid tropical COUNTRY
  Surrounded by unknown potential ENEMIES
  Boys turned 18 must go to ARMY for the tour of duty
  After that we may continue our Studies
  The girls can just sit back, relax, and watch TV
  They come to this world only to "lim kopi, kway jit chee
  No one lives on free meals or depends on CHARITY
  I want to take up IT, but I had no money to go to University or Poly
  So I went to work at FACTORY
  Working hard to earn a little lousy SALARY
  After CPF and INCOME TAX, I have just enough money to buy ROTI and
  ride in MRT.

  My bosses show me no SYMPATHY
  Mumbling over my shoulder daily: "HURRY, HURRY and HURRY !"
  Accusing me of always trying to get MC
  But my sickness was due to over stretch OT
  Going home after midnight by TAXI
  And they pay me only bus fee

  My colleague likes me because of my honesty and can easily bully
  They said I don't know how to carry.
  I Park-Tor and became STEADY
  Finally had to MARRY
  Because gahment gave baby bonus MONEY
  I lost money holding Wedding Dinner PARTY
  Cheeky friends donating only cheap PANTY
  After marriage, nothing was EASY
  In one year, I became DADDY
  I can't support my family and our BABY
  Being tied down for life to repay 2 rooms HDB and rising monthly
  utilities to PUB
  My bank account has NO MONEY
  POSB balance is almost EMPTY
  DBS wants to charge me EXTRA FEE
  Insisting that "Nothing is FREE!"
  So I moonlight as KARANG GUNI
  Many times I want to jump MRT
  But that is not EASY
  My wife cries: "Who is going to support me and our BABY?"
  So I can't MATI

  I went to seek assistance from the MP
  His reply was simple and easy
  "Vote for me, vote for me, vote for me".
  He never tells me any convincing Policy.

  How to help the poor with more GST?

  Why I cannot have pay increase but they can have increase?
  Before, my MP said "Vote for me, we give you sweeties".
  Now, they want to increase salary, because "You voted me"..
  They claim they made good economy for our country.
  They benchmark themselves using GDP.
  They said, "To get the best man, you have to pay high fee"
  otherwise, they will join MNC. / /
  And all your 'char bor' become maids in other COUNTRY.

  Next will be the GST.
  My boss say "no" to increase in salary,
  It's really make me worry.
  Our Health Ministry said let GP set their consultation fee.
  If the GP charges high fee, don't let them see.
  No money, how can healthy
  If fall sick, can only mati
  In hospital, can afford Class C.
  I don't mind all nurses are aunty,
  But only one doctor to see
  No money for operation, I Tan Si.

Very nice poem full of inter-languages. Did you enjoy it. I did.