A woman’s recent comments regarding "HDB people" have ignited a firestorm of backlash from netizens, who argue that she is out of touch with reality.
A woman’s recent comments regarding “HDB people” have ignited a firestorm of backlash from netizens, who argue that she is out of touch with reality. In a LinkedIn post shared on May 22, Satwant Kaur expressed her discomfort with public housing residents working in private residential areas, claiming it makes it “hard for her to live in Singapore.”
Kaur stated that the time spent by these individuals in private properties—“six to eight hours a day”—is excessive, asserting that limiting contact with “HDB people” is necessary to preserve her “unique identity.”
She further elaborated that there are fundamental differences between residents of public housing and those in private properties, suggesting that the former are primarily focused on financial gain rather than community values.
Kaur wrote, “For the most part, HDB and private residence people are very different because of our outlook on community building.” She criticized public housing residents as being “about money and not values,” alleging they rely on governmental networks and rules.
Describing herself as a “nationalist” and a professional in the communications industry, Kaur emphasized the superiority of her mindset and values in her work and social interactions.
Her LinkedIn post has since been shared widely, generating over 300 comments on Reddit and sparking intense debate. Many netizens condemned her remarks, interpreting them as an exclusionary stance towards lower-income individuals, particularly those in essential roles like cleaners and domestic workers.
One user remarked, “She’s living in a bubble,” while another criticized her for implying that “poor people” should not work in affluent neighborhoods.
Amid the backlash, some users acknowledged her post as a reflection of the income inequality issues present in Singapore, suggesting that it is crucial to address these societal fault lines.
AsiaOne has reached out to Kaur for further comment on her statements.
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