On the Dispute Over Singapore: A Light‑Hearted Take on a Viral Exchange
The Spark
A Facebook page called The Alternative View hit the headlines on September 18 with a snarky post claiming that Nas Daily’s Nuseir Yassin was “an authority on Singapore” after just a handful of days in the country.
They urged him to “walk the talk” and even suggested he grab Singaporean citizenship so he could truly live the everyday experience of a local.
The comments piled on topics that spark heated debates: the 99‑year lease on HDB flats, mandatory National Service, the Central Provident Fund, and train delays that feel like a personal soundtrack to a glitchy video game.
pic:Nuseir with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at Gardens by the Bay
Nuseir’s Epic Reply
Nuseir, then 26, shot straight back in a simple comment, “Why doesn’t everyone here try to live in the Middle East for a little bit?”
He followed up with a quick travel‑fare comparison, saying that growing up as an Arab Muslim in Israel—a nation bonded with conflict—makes him yearn for Singapore’s calm.
He added a parenthetical about his travels “teaching me that a lot of people lack PERSPECTIVE,” and stated that oddball critics live in a “bubble” and are “cry‑babies.”
≥ 4 400 reactions on his comment, pad more than the 1 100 shares of the original post.
The Web’s Reaction
Many netizens rallied for the vlogger, scolding the original post’s negativity and praising his upbeat Singapore travel videos.
Syzra Zahara K Sultan even apologized “on behalf of my countrymen” and encouraged him to keep doing what he does best.
Others played the “fair‑share” card, arguing that comparing life in Israel with that in Singapore is unfair.
Aleya Gaba reminded readers that while Singapore is pretty clean and safe, it is also deeply flawed—misery doesn’t make a life invalid.
Finishing Touches
Nuseir, with 8.2 million followers on Facebook, clarified that his Singapore footage was not sponsored, even if it was largely positive. He’s currently roaming China, still kicking off the next chapter of his vlogging adventures.
Reprinted from The Straits Times.
