“Merlimau is a species of tree, Gelonium spp, also known as the false lime. “Limau” itself means “lime” in Malay and the the prefix “mer” suggests that its fruits are similar, but not identical to lime. In other words, an impostor tree, a pretender.” - Alfian S.

‘When I read of another premier junior college moving into their new “sprawling 8.6ha campus in Bishan” with a new “buffet-style A-level curriculum” being offered to their top-scoring O-level students, I cannot help but think of my daughter’s school, whose new premises has been delayed indefinitely because their contractor went bust, and her small pool of special teachers who are stretched, like butter over too much bread, trying to cater to as many special kids as they can.’ - mr.brown

‘Not so long ago, an important member of India’s federal cabinet took me aside and asked why was it that Singaporeans were racist. I was floored by the question, which the official asked in all earnestness. In his long career dealing with ethnicities and
communities all over the world, he said, he had never quite encountered the sheer arrogance and hubris demonstrated by Singaporeans. “They think that they know it all,” he said, noting the absurdity of a nation of four million people taking on a country of 1.2 billion people. “Even a minor Singaporean official will talk down to someone as senior as me.”‘ - Pranay Gupte

“Singapore will get all the white trash it wants. Yes, it will get all the brown trash it wants. Anything’s better than living in villages without electricity. But it’s going to have problems getting the brown sahibs it needs.” - quoted by Pranay Gupte.

It is a case of racism, in a way — the common Singaporean assumption that the west is the final word on quality.