Argue for argument’s sake. Argue just to win. Argue just to insist that one is right despite all the evidences proving against it. This seems to be the position many have taken in the issue of foreign talents in Singapore. We need foreign talents or else we will not be where we are today. Yes and no.
In a way, practically every Singaporean is a foreign talent. Our forefathers were migrants, so we are migrants. Up to a point, I may say yes, our forefathers were migrants. But we Singaporeans born and bred here are not migrants. We were the original people here on first principles just like the aborigines of every country were the first people. There were some locals but not many. Our forefathers built this place and we inherited from them as the first owners of this land. Subsequently the Johnnys come lately are the migrants, the foreigners. This is where the line I like to draw. We are not migrants in this sense. So for those who still want to push the argument that since our forefathers were migrants, there is nothing wrong with welcoming more migrants. I say bull. Our forefathers maybe migrants but we are not.
And neither are Singaporeans anti foreign talents. Which clown still harping on this point that Singaporeans are anti foreigners? No one is anti foreign talents. So anyone accusing Singaporeans for being anti foreign talents is talking through his arsehole. The crux of the matter, of why this foreign talent issue becomes such a pain, is that many were not really talents vis a vis Singaporeans. And worst, they were made to look better than Singaporeans and given plump jobs which otherwise would have been given to Singaporeans. The other issue is the over crowding which I am not addressing here.
Singaporeans would have no difficulty accepting real foreign talents. Singaporeans would have not difficulty if a position has to be filled by a foreign talent because of job specific needs or because no Singaporean is good enough for it. We need an angmoh face to look good. Ok, get an angmoh. The good examples are the CEOs of SMRT, DBS, SGX, OCBC, and even some positions in the academia. These are talents that are much superior to Singaporeans, or jobs that no Singaporean is good enough to do. I read in the paper that it took SATS 37 years before they were able to find a Singaporean good enough to fill the job of a CEO. Now he has just left, and very likely a foreigner will replaced him as Singaporeans talented in airline food is hard to come by.
And Mediacorp finally got a Singaporean to be its CEO, a President scholar, when they could not find a more talented man than him after months of search. If they could, this President Scholar Singaporean too will have to play second fiddle. Oh, I forgot, even MPs and Ministers, when they can’t find Singaporeans good enough, they can find foreign substitutes.
When and which Singaporean is against genuine and real foreign talents? Please lah, don’t talk nonsense and argue for the sake of arguing. Singaporeans will continue to be pissed off with ‘foreign talents’ when the foreign talents are not really talents or anything better than Singaporean talents. Singaporeans will continue to be pissed off when jobs that Singaporeans can easily filled but given to foreigners who are no better than them, which is a great insult to our own people.
Seriously, how many of the top jobs given to foreigners cannot be filled by Singaporeans? Seriously, do we need foreigner, or new citizens to be MPs? Oh, we have many great ministers that were foreigners. This was due to a different stage in our history when we were a new nation. Even Boon Wan has been living here and a citizen for many years and not really new. Now what is new? No need silly reasons to win this argument.
Can Singapore do better without the average ‘foreign talents’ or the many fake talents with fake papers? Having said all this, I am sure all Singaporeans will agree with me in showing our appreciation to all the real foreign talents that really make a difference to our economy and well being. No one will deny their great contributions. But please lah, nothing great about the average foreigners that are here to contribute to be the bread and butter in our society and to deprive jobs and university places that should rightly go to Singaporeans. This is like being sold out, betrayed.
I can only say one thing. They refused to listen to what the Singaporeans are saying and refused to understand them.
7/23/2011
7/22/2011
Can the President speak?
Elgin Toh talks about the right of free speech by the Elected President in his article in the ST today. Apparently, the official position is that the EP has no right to speak independently as a President. This is what the Prime Minister’s Office said, ‘It is not the president’s role to support or oppose the govt of the day or to advance his own agenda or policies’. Shanmugam was also quoted as saying, ‘National policies and running of the Govt are the responsibility of the prime minister and Cabinet…’
So, if the governing of the country is none of the EP’s concern, does he have a right to speak for or against govt policies? It is not his role to support or oppose? What does this mean? He cannot talk about them except speaking neutrally or no comments?
He is not allowed to have his own agenda or policies. It is as good as saying, please shut up. Let’s gag the President. I am in favour of it as he is basically a ceremonial piece, good for waving hands during National Days or shaking hands with foreign dignitaries and the people visiting the Istana grounds and engages in the exchanges of pleasantries. No, he can be an extension of the govt, by speaking in favour of govt policies and agenda. He can also promote trades!
Why the hell is the President being paid $4m annually, and maybe another 10 or 20 mths of bonuses when he is just what he is constitutionally, a rubber stamp? How to justify this kind of obscene pay?
So, if the governing of the country is none of the EP’s concern, does he have a right to speak for or against govt policies? It is not his role to support or oppose? What does this mean? He cannot talk about them except speaking neutrally or no comments?
He is not allowed to have his own agenda or policies. It is as good as saying, please shut up. Let’s gag the President. I am in favour of it as he is basically a ceremonial piece, good for waving hands during National Days or shaking hands with foreign dignitaries and the people visiting the Istana grounds and engages in the exchanges of pleasantries. No, he can be an extension of the govt, by speaking in favour of govt policies and agenda. He can also promote trades!
Why the hell is the President being paid $4m annually, and maybe another 10 or 20 mths of bonuses when he is just what he is constitutionally, a rubber stamp? How to justify this kind of obscene pay?
UK more corrupt than it thinks
The mypaper picked a very interesting article about how corrupt the UK is though it looks clean and good in public. The choice is timely, as it seeks to expose corrupt govts hiding under the veil of legality and decency through the use of camouflage and control of the media. I will just quote some of the pertinent verses by Peter Apps, a REUTERS Analysis, below. Read them and reflect a moment on their relevance to present day context.
‘Britons love to lecture the world about integrity and the rule of law, but the News of the World phone hacking scandal has laid bare a web of collusion between money, power, media and the police.
Behind the façade of probity, London offers a haven for oligarchs and despots, a place where foreign media magnates have bought access to and influence over the govt….
In fact, it points to a bigger problem in British society – overly cosy relationships among elites that are ethically dangerous, even when they do not involve outright criminality….
“It is ….often a more sophisticated form of high level political corruption. It may not be strictly illegal – or it may be more subtle – but that does not mean it is not very costly for society or the economy,” said Dr Kaufmann, a former director of the World Bank Institute….If unchecked, “elite capture” of political systems can become “privatization of public policy”….
Transparency International published a report earlier this month titled Britain: More Corrupt than You Think, showing that the majority of people believed corruption was worsening in the country….”The long term result is likely to be a further erosion in the credibility of the British establishment, particularly the media and the police, in the eyes of the citizens.”
‘Britons love to lecture the world about integrity and the rule of law, but the News of the World phone hacking scandal has laid bare a web of collusion between money, power, media and the police.
Behind the façade of probity, London offers a haven for oligarchs and despots, a place where foreign media magnates have bought access to and influence over the govt….
In fact, it points to a bigger problem in British society – overly cosy relationships among elites that are ethically dangerous, even when they do not involve outright criminality….
“It is ….often a more sophisticated form of high level political corruption. It may not be strictly illegal – or it may be more subtle – but that does not mean it is not very costly for society or the economy,” said Dr Kaufmann, a former director of the World Bank Institute….If unchecked, “elite capture” of political systems can become “privatization of public policy”….
Transparency International published a report earlier this month titled Britain: More Corrupt than You Think, showing that the majority of people believed corruption was worsening in the country….”The long term result is likely to be a further erosion in the credibility of the British establishment, particularly the media and the police, in the eyes of the citizens.”
7/21/2011
Battlestar Galactica Episode 2
‘Funny how SIA keeps putting foreigners in charge at their ICC (low cost carrier). Don’t they have faith in Singaporeans. I do. My Commercial Head is a Singapore. Odd company. If I were a Singaporean, I would really be upset with SIA.’ Tony Fernandez. CEO Air Asia
What Fernandez is saying is part of the Battlestar Galactica plot. There can be several reasons for this. One is that Singaporeans are really inepts despite their great paper grades. Two Singaporeans lack confidence and need to hide behind a European face to do business. The colonial hangover is difficult to treat. Four, and this is like doing a Michael Jackson act. No I am not white. It is natural, or a disease. Not my fault.
Don’t be surprise the next President could be George Bush or Bill Clinton if they are willing to change to a pink IC. Anyone clamouring to have Queen Elizabeth II as our head of state again? We will have Prince William and Princess Kate gracing our community centres and flagging off our marathons. Nice, ain’t it?
What Fernandez is saying is part of the Battlestar Galactica plot. There can be several reasons for this. One is that Singaporeans are really inepts despite their great paper grades. Two Singaporeans lack confidence and need to hide behind a European face to do business. The colonial hangover is difficult to treat. Four, and this is like doing a Michael Jackson act. No I am not white. It is natural, or a disease. Not my fault.
Don’t be surprise the next President could be George Bush or Bill Clinton if they are willing to change to a pink IC. Anyone clamouring to have Queen Elizabeth II as our head of state again? We will have Prince William and Princess Kate gracing our community centres and flagging off our marathons. Nice, ain’t it?
My second daft Singaporean story for the day
Transport fares are going up, as sure as the sun will rise. This law is more permanent and unyielding than the law of gravity. So what can the Singaporeans do? KPKB is one thing. The next logical thing in the daft Singaporean mind is to say, fare goes up we want to see improvement in services. If no improvement, cannot.
So they are willing to concede to have more fare hikes if there is improvement in services. And they are still complaining that the service quality is bad. Now what does this mean? After 10 or 20 fare hikes, the same daft Singaporeans demanding that service quality be improved and the promises that fare hikes would lead to improvements, and what is the situation now?
Was there any improvement in the service quality after every fare hike? Or would this call for improvement be just a lip service that the daft Singaporeans sought to appease themselves, that there is nothing else they could do? If I were the operator, I will simply say the fare hike will improve the service quality.
Come next year, ask for fare hike to improve quality again. Imagine if there were 20 fare hikes and really 20 times improvement in quality, our transport services must be the best in the world. What or where were the improvements after every fare hike?
But of course, this time the call for fare hike is not to improve service quality but due to higher cost, petrol, manpower and also new buses. Ok, the later could be related to better services, with new and more comfortable buses. But the main part is higher cost. So what is this call about improving services?
So they are willing to concede to have more fare hikes if there is improvement in services. And they are still complaining that the service quality is bad. Now what does this mean? After 10 or 20 fare hikes, the same daft Singaporeans demanding that service quality be improved and the promises that fare hikes would lead to improvements, and what is the situation now?
Was there any improvement in the service quality after every fare hike? Or would this call for improvement be just a lip service that the daft Singaporeans sought to appease themselves, that there is nothing else they could do? If I were the operator, I will simply say the fare hike will improve the service quality.
Come next year, ask for fare hike to improve quality again. Imagine if there were 20 fare hikes and really 20 times improvement in quality, our transport services must be the best in the world. What or where were the improvements after every fare hike?
But of course, this time the call for fare hike is not to improve service quality but due to higher cost, petrol, manpower and also new buses. Ok, the later could be related to better services, with new and more comfortable buses. But the main part is higher cost. So what is this call about improving services?
Myth 230 - The Presidential Myth
Before 31 Aug is up Singaporeans would have voted for a Tan to be their next Elected President. And many are gearing up for the event, to decide who they want as the President. They want to use their vote to pick their man. This is one myth that they did not bother to think about. No they did not decide, or cannot decide, who should be their man to be President.
No? The man to be the next Elected President will be decided by the Presidential Election Council, by three wise men. They will pick the man or men whom they decide will be suitable to be the President of Singapore. Only then can the Singaporean cast their vote. If they so decide on one candidate, Singaporeans would LL have to accept it. So, who decides who can be the Elected President of Singapore? The citizens?
Then again, this is only one of the myths. The second myth is that the three men could only decide on whoever was deemed good enough, eligible, by someone else. The criteria, the conditions were already decided before the three wise men can say who? This is the bigger myth that daft Singaporeans totally forgotten. That is why we need more thinking foreigners to lead the unthinking and simplistic Singaporeans. They simply can’t think, can’t see anything beyond their noses.
Who really decides who can be the Elected President of Singapore? You tell me.
No? The man to be the next Elected President will be decided by the Presidential Election Council, by three wise men. They will pick the man or men whom they decide will be suitable to be the President of Singapore. Only then can the Singaporean cast their vote. If they so decide on one candidate, Singaporeans would LL have to accept it. So, who decides who can be the Elected President of Singapore? The citizens?
Then again, this is only one of the myths. The second myth is that the three men could only decide on whoever was deemed good enough, eligible, by someone else. The criteria, the conditions were already decided before the three wise men can say who? This is the bigger myth that daft Singaporeans totally forgotten. That is why we need more thinking foreigners to lead the unthinking and simplistic Singaporeans. They simply can’t think, can’t see anything beyond their noses.
Who really decides who can be the Elected President of Singapore? You tell me.
7/20/2011
Let’s teach the Brits
Rupert Murdoch was quoted to have told the British Govt that they should emulate Singapore in paying millions to their political leaders. In that way the politicians can be cleaner and less corrupt, no need to resort to making spurious expense claims, or having dinners with him and Murdoch picking up the tabs. I think this is a wise thing to say.
Singapore has the cleanest and least corrupt govt in the world, by paying them not to be corrupt. We should share our world best formula with the British and the West, plus the ingenious arguments. They will be very thankful that they could finally learn something from the East. We are the pathfinders for a govt that is not corrupt, with a pay that is so good that makes corruption obsolete.
The British and the Americans would surely love the formula. Obama could be looking at $200m and David Cameron could probably be looking at 50m sterling pounds. Given that they have not been corrupted with their present salaries, maybe a 50% discount from these amounts would be enough to send them to the moon in glee.
Singapore has the cleanest and least corrupt govt in the world, by paying them not to be corrupt. We should share our world best formula with the British and the West, plus the ingenious arguments. They will be very thankful that they could finally learn something from the East. We are the pathfinders for a govt that is not corrupt, with a pay that is so good that makes corruption obsolete.
The British and the Americans would surely love the formula. Obama could be looking at $200m and David Cameron could probably be looking at 50m sterling pounds. Given that they have not been corrupted with their present salaries, maybe a 50% discount from these amounts would be enough to send them to the moon in glee.
If we do away with the President…
Think of all the advantages of doing away with the president. I can think of all the good things and nothing bad. There is no need to hold on to this historical legacy. Why waste so much money and land just to keep up such an image? Even the British were thinking of doing away with their monarchy many years back. The only reason is that the British monarchy provides jobs for the people. Dunno who is paying for it.
In our case we don’t need those jobs. We have full employment and the staff can be deployed into more productive areas. But don’t think of building properties on the Istana land for sale. Keep it as a green lung, a park in the city for the benefits of the people, everyday, not 3 or 4 times a year. The property belongs to the people and everyone should be allowed to benefit from it, not a few individuals under the present system.
And I am sure our foreign workers would love to have the Istana park for leisure over the weekend. We need all the free space we can get hold of to share with the people and to loosen up the crunch.
So much money saved. And no need to spend time and money just to elect a ceremonial head that is mainly a rubber stamp but collecting millions and millions from the public coffer. This is definitely bad.
How many of you agree with doing away with this office? To me it is not an institution that is a must have, definitely no need to be so costly. If we are so preoccupied with high offices or monarchys, it may be more romantic to instal a royal family. Then we can have coronations, prince and princess, uncles and aunties of royal families. These will be good stuff for fairy tale authors and the media.
In our case we don’t need those jobs. We have full employment and the staff can be deployed into more productive areas. But don’t think of building properties on the Istana land for sale. Keep it as a green lung, a park in the city for the benefits of the people, everyday, not 3 or 4 times a year. The property belongs to the people and everyone should be allowed to benefit from it, not a few individuals under the present system.
And I am sure our foreign workers would love to have the Istana park for leisure over the weekend. We need all the free space we can get hold of to share with the people and to loosen up the crunch.
So much money saved. And no need to spend time and money just to elect a ceremonial head that is mainly a rubber stamp but collecting millions and millions from the public coffer. This is definitely bad.
How many of you agree with doing away with this office? To me it is not an institution that is a must have, definitely no need to be so costly. If we are so preoccupied with high offices or monarchys, it may be more romantic to instal a royal family. Then we can have coronations, prince and princess, uncles and aunties of royal families. These will be good stuff for fairy tale authors and the media.
Battlestar Galactica Singapore
I was reading the discussion on how the three universities have been colonized by foreigners. Oops, maybe colonized is not an appropriate term. There seems to be a pre occupation and adoration of foreigners from academic staff to students. Some said it got to do with the rankings. The more foreign or alien elements there are, the higher will be the rankings for the universities. I say, to hell with it. If our university’s high rankings are due to the presence of foreigners and not the quality of local staff and local students, forget it. Want Liverpool to represent Singapore in the World Cup?
Then again, many will disagree with me. A brand, a good brand, is important. Who cares if the handbags are made in China or Thailand. They care if it is meant to be made in Italy but then found to be from China. Other than this little aberration, a top brand is a top brand. Made in China or Thailand or Indonesia, also can. Actually some of the products out sourced to these countries are still working just as well. My Nikon is made in China.
How could this relate to a degree Made in Singapore but with academics from Europe and America and students from third world countries? Yes, on paper the ranking is high and nice, maybe close to Harvard, MIT or Cambridge huh? Can stand side by side with such premier academia must be good. But would employers buy the degree and say good degree? Would the graduates be sought after as quality graduates? Or would employers go after graduates from third world countries for cheapos or graduates from second or third tier universities in western universities as quality? The job market never lies. The truth is out there.
What about Battlestar Galactica? Are our universities turning into Battlestar Galactica? Those of you who have watched this Hollywood creation will know who are the masters and the majority in Battlestar Galactica. They ruled the universe. Is this the bigger game plan, to turn Singapore into a Battlestar Galactica where the locals will play second fiddles, as supporting casts? Yes Captain, what’s his name? Not Spock, something more western. Oh yes, Commander William Adama, I think.
No lah, this cannot be lah. It is Singaporeans first. Just look at some of the big local institutions headed by foreigners for a little contradictions. But can’t blame these institutions as the local employees are just not good enough. It is the low quality of locals to be blamed. Would UOB be headed by a foreign talent soon? What about SIA, GIC, Temasek?
Battlestar Galactica cannot be the big game plan. It would only become a reality out of necessity and circumstances, when the locals are not good enough, that our world best and highly ranked universities are unable to produce the world best local talents to put the mantra ‘Singaporeans first’ into a national practice, where Singaporeans will be highly sought after to head our big institutions.
For the time being, Battlestar Galactica Singapore will sail on to bring glory to Singapore.
Then again, many will disagree with me. A brand, a good brand, is important. Who cares if the handbags are made in China or Thailand. They care if it is meant to be made in Italy but then found to be from China. Other than this little aberration, a top brand is a top brand. Made in China or Thailand or Indonesia, also can. Actually some of the products out sourced to these countries are still working just as well. My Nikon is made in China.
How could this relate to a degree Made in Singapore but with academics from Europe and America and students from third world countries? Yes, on paper the ranking is high and nice, maybe close to Harvard, MIT or Cambridge huh? Can stand side by side with such premier academia must be good. But would employers buy the degree and say good degree? Would the graduates be sought after as quality graduates? Or would employers go after graduates from third world countries for cheapos or graduates from second or third tier universities in western universities as quality? The job market never lies. The truth is out there.
What about Battlestar Galactica? Are our universities turning into Battlestar Galactica? Those of you who have watched this Hollywood creation will know who are the masters and the majority in Battlestar Galactica. They ruled the universe. Is this the bigger game plan, to turn Singapore into a Battlestar Galactica where the locals will play second fiddles, as supporting casts? Yes Captain, what’s his name? Not Spock, something more western. Oh yes, Commander William Adama, I think.
No lah, this cannot be lah. It is Singaporeans first. Just look at some of the big local institutions headed by foreigners for a little contradictions. But can’t blame these institutions as the local employees are just not good enough. It is the low quality of locals to be blamed. Would UOB be headed by a foreign talent soon? What about SIA, GIC, Temasek?
Battlestar Galactica cannot be the big game plan. It would only become a reality out of necessity and circumstances, when the locals are not good enough, that our world best and highly ranked universities are unable to produce the world best local talents to put the mantra ‘Singaporeans first’ into a national practice, where Singaporeans will be highly sought after to head our big institutions.
For the time being, Battlestar Galactica Singapore will sail on to bring glory to Singapore.
7/19/2011
A taste of bad govt
Boon Wan is talking about the BTO woes. When has it been a woe? Everything was fine until he took over. The housing policies were perfectly tuned to the needs of the people. And the people were happy queuing up for the new launches religiously, and willingly paying more for each new flat knowing very well that the prices could only go up. And they stood to make a pretty hefty gain on their valuable purchases.
It is kinda strange to talk about woes after barely two months in his new job. And he is ramping up BTOs to the tune of 25,000 units and possibly more, building ahead of demand. What demand? There was no demand before, or was there? And HDB was only willing to build when there was genuine demand. Obviously there wasn’t and the housing programme was scaled down.
It was great time for property developers and property owners then. Everyday they were counting on how many times their properties had appreciated in value. A couple of hundred thousand dollars price hike for public housing was the norm. And the owners were quietly happy.
There was some panic in a little corner, particularly among the young and those who are not property owners. They literally panic every time they failed in their ballot for a new public flat, peeing in their pants. The next one would mean another few more years of savings just to pay for the increase in price. Yes, there were fears. The fears of runaway housing prices that they could not catch with every passing day. Many jumped into whatever they could get hold of, private properties or resale flats. Better get it today or gone tomorrow.
Boon Wan was trying to restore some calm into the lives of these sweet young things trying to start a family. But don’t expect the prices to fall. It is sinful if prices should fall. 90% of the property owners would not want that. Boon Wan is happy, believing that his policies are good. So was his predecessor. If Boon Wan’s policies are good, then his predecessor’s must be bad, or vice versa.
The things that Boon Wan is doing are a result of the people’s voices in the last GE. The people had spoken and changes are taking place. Are they enough? What if the people did not make their concerns heard in the last election? Would the housing policies be the same as before, and Mah Bow Tan still writing his columns praising his achievements?
I am still puzzled by the two sets of policies. One must be good and one must be bad. Can’t be both good or both bad. Are the people having their first taste of bad govt?
It is kinda strange to talk about woes after barely two months in his new job. And he is ramping up BTOs to the tune of 25,000 units and possibly more, building ahead of demand. What demand? There was no demand before, or was there? And HDB was only willing to build when there was genuine demand. Obviously there wasn’t and the housing programme was scaled down.
It was great time for property developers and property owners then. Everyday they were counting on how many times their properties had appreciated in value. A couple of hundred thousand dollars price hike for public housing was the norm. And the owners were quietly happy.
There was some panic in a little corner, particularly among the young and those who are not property owners. They literally panic every time they failed in their ballot for a new public flat, peeing in their pants. The next one would mean another few more years of savings just to pay for the increase in price. Yes, there were fears. The fears of runaway housing prices that they could not catch with every passing day. Many jumped into whatever they could get hold of, private properties or resale flats. Better get it today or gone tomorrow.
Boon Wan was trying to restore some calm into the lives of these sweet young things trying to start a family. But don’t expect the prices to fall. It is sinful if prices should fall. 90% of the property owners would not want that. Boon Wan is happy, believing that his policies are good. So was his predecessor. If Boon Wan’s policies are good, then his predecessor’s must be bad, or vice versa.
The things that Boon Wan is doing are a result of the people’s voices in the last GE. The people had spoken and changes are taking place. Are they enough? What if the people did not make their concerns heard in the last election? Would the housing policies be the same as before, and Mah Bow Tan still writing his columns praising his achievements?
I am still puzzled by the two sets of policies. One must be good and one must be bad. Can’t be both good or both bad. Are the people having their first taste of bad govt?
7/18/2011
Putting our oldies away in a foreign land
I read Andrew Loh’s articles on the number of senior Singaporeans having to make do with nursing homes across the causeway. It was much cheaper and more caring staff, but a resting in a place so far from loved ones, so far from everything that is familiar.
In Singapore, the cost of nursing home has rocketed from slightly over a $1k to $2k or even more over the last few years. The oldies have little practical values and no economic value at all. It may be a little different if we can house them in a $200m state of the art building for them to narrate their stories as living history to the young and paying visitors. They all have a story to tell, a rich past that connects the present from what it used to be.
What we need is a living museum of sort, well equipped with the best sound and visual systems to share the contributions of the oldies. I think they have more value and should be better care for than some bones from Wyoming and needing a $300m building plus $12m public donations to acquire.
The old are living assets, if we care to look at them from a proper angle. They can be turned into money generating specimens too if money if the only reason for their existence. But maybe they would attract the oohs and the aahs and the whoas. Maybe JB is where they should be.
PS. The strays are much better taken care of.
In Singapore, the cost of nursing home has rocketed from slightly over a $1k to $2k or even more over the last few years. The oldies have little practical values and no economic value at all. It may be a little different if we can house them in a $200m state of the art building for them to narrate their stories as living history to the young and paying visitors. They all have a story to tell, a rich past that connects the present from what it used to be.
What we need is a living museum of sort, well equipped with the best sound and visual systems to share the contributions of the oldies. I think they have more value and should be better care for than some bones from Wyoming and needing a $300m building plus $12m public donations to acquire.
The old are living assets, if we care to look at them from a proper angle. They can be turned into money generating specimens too if money if the only reason for their existence. But maybe they would attract the oohs and the aahs and the whoas. Maybe JB is where they should be.
PS. The strays are much better taken care of.
It is easier to get a BTO flat
Boon Wan showed some statistics that first timers applying for BTO flats are finding it easier than before. With his ramping up of the housing programme, more units are being built to meet the demands of first time flat owners. This is good news as it will mean that these new buyers(citizens and reservists) will be able to get relatively cheaper govt flats than from the private sector and not be forced to take up a big mortgage that could make life quite uncertain and draining their savings.
For almost 10 years, HDB had scaled down the building programme and cost many first timers many trying times to get their flats. Some were unfortunate and ended being pushed out of the public housing programme after several years of unsuccessful attempts. Some could have bought into private properties. Some are still stuck without any, with their income ceiling exceeding the HDB limits but not enough to hang themselves with a frightening loan when buying private properties.
These young people, some with genuine financial obligations, some being prudent and not wanting to be high in housing debt, are still waiting for a little mercy from HDB to be allowed back into the public housing programme. It was never their fault to wait till their income ceilings exceeded. When they first applied, for the first 3 to 5 years, their incomes would definitely be within the HDB limits. But with the passing of every year, the eligibility slipped away.
They should thank Boon Wan’s predecessor for their plight when the queuing system and building programme were drastically altered. Would Boon Wan make an exception, in his compassionate best, to accommodate those who are still left in the lurch? Or would he adopt his predecessor’s famous logic, that these people should buy private and not add into the public queue? It is the faults of these first timers for not buying a public flat when they could. Good riddance.
For almost 10 years, HDB had scaled down the building programme and cost many first timers many trying times to get their flats. Some were unfortunate and ended being pushed out of the public housing programme after several years of unsuccessful attempts. Some could have bought into private properties. Some are still stuck without any, with their income ceiling exceeding the HDB limits but not enough to hang themselves with a frightening loan when buying private properties.
These young people, some with genuine financial obligations, some being prudent and not wanting to be high in housing debt, are still waiting for a little mercy from HDB to be allowed back into the public housing programme. It was never their fault to wait till their income ceilings exceeded. When they first applied, for the first 3 to 5 years, their incomes would definitely be within the HDB limits. But with the passing of every year, the eligibility slipped away.
They should thank Boon Wan’s predecessor for their plight when the queuing system and building programme were drastically altered. Would Boon Wan make an exception, in his compassionate best, to accommodate those who are still left in the lurch? Or would he adopt his predecessor’s famous logic, that these people should buy private and not add into the public queue? It is the faults of these first timers for not buying a public flat when they could. Good riddance.
The Devil’s Advocate
I am trying to put myself into the shoe of the devil and to understand his logic and motivation as the master planner of our transport system.
Let me start with cars for motorists. Being the devil, he would want to make as much money from the motorists as possible. These can come from road tax, PARF, ARF, petrol tax, car parking and even motor insurance. But the two schemes for easy money must be COEs and ERPs. For COEs, make sure that the supply is always limited. And this must be the easiest thing to do and all the right justifications given the space constraint. The pumping in of more foreigners is a god sent backup that would ensure that the number of cars on the road would always be critical. Then play on the rich who are able to afford to pay more and more to have the roads for themselves. At the same time tell those who cannot afford to take public transport. At $50k per piece of paper, without production cost, negligible manpower and material cost, what a sure win formula.
As for ERPs, just keep shifting the gantry points. Another easy scheme to make money. Put up one and shift the jam to the next bottle neck. That would be good justification for a new ERP. And when the jam builds up at the peripheral roads, more good reasons to erect more ERPs. It is kind of a never ending opportunity to make more money by simply putting up money collecting points.
What about public transport system? Just make it look good but never allow it to undermine the price of COEs and people wanting to drive their own cars. What does it mean? Don’t make it too comfortable or cheap enough as a substitute. It must look like a substitute, but weighing all the costs and inconvenience, the motorists will still want to pay the $50k COEs and the multiple ERPs to get around.
Also, it will increase the profits if the buses or trains are packed like sardines. It will be maximization of every inch of available space, for the same number of drivers and trains or buses.
The public transport system and the availability or convenience of private transport must be carefully managed to give the best yield in terms of profits. The ability for both systems to lay the golden eggs must not be undermined.
The above scenario is only valid in the minds of the devil. Luckily we have a good govt constantly trying to improve public transportation and to minimize the cost for the good of the people. And a minister had to pay the price for the people’s unhappiness in public transport. Actually it is very unfair. Why remove a minister who have made our transport system world class? The same logic should apply to our world class healthcare system that made Boon Wan an icon.
We now have a new minister who even tried to feel how it is to travel in public transport, off peak and during peak hours. More improvements will be on the way.
Let me start with cars for motorists. Being the devil, he would want to make as much money from the motorists as possible. These can come from road tax, PARF, ARF, petrol tax, car parking and even motor insurance. But the two schemes for easy money must be COEs and ERPs. For COEs, make sure that the supply is always limited. And this must be the easiest thing to do and all the right justifications given the space constraint. The pumping in of more foreigners is a god sent backup that would ensure that the number of cars on the road would always be critical. Then play on the rich who are able to afford to pay more and more to have the roads for themselves. At the same time tell those who cannot afford to take public transport. At $50k per piece of paper, without production cost, negligible manpower and material cost, what a sure win formula.
As for ERPs, just keep shifting the gantry points. Another easy scheme to make money. Put up one and shift the jam to the next bottle neck. That would be good justification for a new ERP. And when the jam builds up at the peripheral roads, more good reasons to erect more ERPs. It is kind of a never ending opportunity to make more money by simply putting up money collecting points.
What about public transport system? Just make it look good but never allow it to undermine the price of COEs and people wanting to drive their own cars. What does it mean? Don’t make it too comfortable or cheap enough as a substitute. It must look like a substitute, but weighing all the costs and inconvenience, the motorists will still want to pay the $50k COEs and the multiple ERPs to get around.
Also, it will increase the profits if the buses or trains are packed like sardines. It will be maximization of every inch of available space, for the same number of drivers and trains or buses.
The public transport system and the availability or convenience of private transport must be carefully managed to give the best yield in terms of profits. The ability for both systems to lay the golden eggs must not be undermined.
The above scenario is only valid in the minds of the devil. Luckily we have a good govt constantly trying to improve public transportation and to minimize the cost for the good of the people. And a minister had to pay the price for the people’s unhappiness in public transport. Actually it is very unfair. Why remove a minister who have made our transport system world class? The same logic should apply to our world class healthcare system that made Boon Wan an icon.
We now have a new minister who even tried to feel how it is to travel in public transport, off peak and during peak hours. More improvements will be on the way.
Myth 229 - The myth of objectivity
It is a taken, a belief, that in order for a person to perform the role of checks and balance, that person has to be neutral to be able to act objectively. It is also a practical consideration. The last thing you want is a person in such a position to have kinship relations or be beholden to the parties that the person is supposed to check on. Thus a person coming in from the cold, with no attachment, is the ideal candidate, provided the person has all the qualifications needed. Between one that is completely unrelated versus one that is related or connected, it is clear that the former is best suited for the job.
For many years, an independent director of a listed company, someone who is called such, and must be independent, often are picked and appointed by the management, paid by the management who could fire him at will. Often the independent director could be a family member or a good friend or a close associate. And he is expected to watch over the management and blow the whistle if they did wrong. It looked very untidy.
This was the happy arrangement for many years and nothing or very few things went wrong. Only recently that someone thought it should not be the case and an independent director must be truly independent to act as checks and balance over the management. If past experience over all the years gone by is a good indicator, such a concern for neutrality is superfluous. All or most of the independent directors, despite being handpicked by the management, despite being ‘pally pally’ with the management, seemed to have done their jobs well within the law.
With the new regulations, family members, relations, friends, golfing kakis, would most probably be ruled out from being independent directors. If such a reasoning is extended to the management of an organization, you could not have a CEO being the husband and the spouse being the Chairman or vice versa. Or in a worst case, the Finance Director is the wife, the CEO is the hubby and the Chairman is the father or father in law. Such a situation will undermine all the concerns of independence and transparency and give grounds for suspicion. Then again, given the lack of talented individuals in paradise, if such arrangement is not allowed, most organizations will have problems filling up senior positions. And the alternative will have to be foreign talents.
Our historical and empirical evidences have proven that as long as the person in charge is an honest and upright person, incorruptible, there is no problem even if one is father and the other is son, or between husband and wife. The key is the uprightedness of the person. The rest of the conditions and precautionary measures are hogwash. Just pick a person with good upbringings, all the right values, integrity, all the problems will go away.
The current issue of an Elected President may come under the same scrutiny for neutrality and free from attachments from the ruling govt. The Elected President has a check and balance role over the nation’s reserves that he is supposed to guard against an errant govt. We have 3 candidates that have one time or another been part of the ruling govt. So will they be suitable to place the custodian role to guard their former comrades in action?
The answer is not to worry. It has been proven that an ex PAP member, even cadre member/minister, could execute his presidential duties independently without being corrupted by past relationship. The honourable President Ong Teng Cheong had proven that it could be done. The only condition is the right person, with high personal integrity and a commitment to carry out his duty honestly, righteously, free from any encumbrance or association. It is the person that will determine whether the Elected President will do his job well and as expected of him.
So, all the three ex PAP candidates should have no problem acting the role of an independent Elected President. Their past association is not material. The criteria of neutrality is not applicable, just a myth. They will act independently, like independent directors, watching over the govt, and protecting the nation’s reserves for the good of the people.
With this doubt being removed, the people can go on and vote any of the candidates standing. Go for the one that looks good, look presidential, looks like a president. And we will have a good looking President that can fill our family albums and the pages of the newspaper across the world. Looking presidential is a great quality.
For many years, an independent director of a listed company, someone who is called such, and must be independent, often are picked and appointed by the management, paid by the management who could fire him at will. Often the independent director could be a family member or a good friend or a close associate. And he is expected to watch over the management and blow the whistle if they did wrong. It looked very untidy.
This was the happy arrangement for many years and nothing or very few things went wrong. Only recently that someone thought it should not be the case and an independent director must be truly independent to act as checks and balance over the management. If past experience over all the years gone by is a good indicator, such a concern for neutrality is superfluous. All or most of the independent directors, despite being handpicked by the management, despite being ‘pally pally’ with the management, seemed to have done their jobs well within the law.
With the new regulations, family members, relations, friends, golfing kakis, would most probably be ruled out from being independent directors. If such a reasoning is extended to the management of an organization, you could not have a CEO being the husband and the spouse being the Chairman or vice versa. Or in a worst case, the Finance Director is the wife, the CEO is the hubby and the Chairman is the father or father in law. Such a situation will undermine all the concerns of independence and transparency and give grounds for suspicion. Then again, given the lack of talented individuals in paradise, if such arrangement is not allowed, most organizations will have problems filling up senior positions. And the alternative will have to be foreign talents.
Our historical and empirical evidences have proven that as long as the person in charge is an honest and upright person, incorruptible, there is no problem even if one is father and the other is son, or between husband and wife. The key is the uprightedness of the person. The rest of the conditions and precautionary measures are hogwash. Just pick a person with good upbringings, all the right values, integrity, all the problems will go away.
The current issue of an Elected President may come under the same scrutiny for neutrality and free from attachments from the ruling govt. The Elected President has a check and balance role over the nation’s reserves that he is supposed to guard against an errant govt. We have 3 candidates that have one time or another been part of the ruling govt. So will they be suitable to place the custodian role to guard their former comrades in action?
The answer is not to worry. It has been proven that an ex PAP member, even cadre member/minister, could execute his presidential duties independently without being corrupted by past relationship. The honourable President Ong Teng Cheong had proven that it could be done. The only condition is the right person, with high personal integrity and a commitment to carry out his duty honestly, righteously, free from any encumbrance or association. It is the person that will determine whether the Elected President will do his job well and as expected of him.
So, all the three ex PAP candidates should have no problem acting the role of an independent Elected President. Their past association is not material. The criteria of neutrality is not applicable, just a myth. They will act independently, like independent directors, watching over the govt, and protecting the nation’s reserves for the good of the people.
With this doubt being removed, the people can go on and vote any of the candidates standing. Go for the one that looks good, look presidential, looks like a president. And we will have a good looking President that can fill our family albums and the pages of the newspaper across the world. Looking presidential is a great quality.
7/17/2011
The people’s prayer answered
With the three ex PAP Tan’s in the race, it was kind of who was the lesser evil, or who was the least PAP. It was like a GE where the opposition could not come out with good calibre candidates and the people were left with a half past six choice. They wanted to vote opposition but not what were offered on the slate. Some reluctantly threw their votes behind a less than acceptable opposition candidate. Some were forced to give it to a PAP candidate against their will.
Voting for any of the three Tans is something like that. It is like voting PAP when the people wanted something else, someone totally untainted by the culture, values, policies and records of the PAP. Some may say what’s wrong with that? Just listen to the ground and feel the scorn and anger and you will understand the feeling. But one can choose to ignore the ground and bury the head in the sand and called them nonsense, that PAP still represents what is best and good for the people.
While the people were caught in another dilemma, the invisible hand acted, just like throwing in Chen Show Mao and a few gallant and worthy candidates during the last GE into the opposition camp. Out of the blue came Tan Jee Say. He might have been with the civil service, but he was not with the ruling party. Now there is a clear and unambiguous choice for the people.
The angst of the people was heard and their prayers answered. The people have a choice to vote for someone not from the PAP, a virgin of sort. Would the people squander away the chance like they did in the last GE? Or would they have learnt their lessons and take this god sent opportunity seriously?
The fear of uncertainty, of a new and untested govt is not there. The govt is in place. The voting in of a neutral President that can check the ruling govt must be the top priority in the minds of every thinking individual. The blind believers can continue to vote according to their belief and teachings. The rest of the people must now vote wisely. When you can choose between black and white, there is no need to compromise by choosing another shade of grey. When a situation is murky, when awkward explanations and justifications are needed, it is best to go for one that is clear and free from adulterated reasonings.
There is now a non PAP candidate versus three ex PAP candidates. What would the people be thinking, and who would they vote to be the next Elected Presidential that could objectively check on the ruling govt when the nation’s reserves are concerned? Yes, Tony is a nice man, looks very presidential. So is Cheng Bock and Kin Lian, all very nice and will make very good looking Presidents. What is the crux of the matter? What matters most in this election? Is it just personality or the purpose and function of the Elected President?
Voting for any of the three Tans is something like that. It is like voting PAP when the people wanted something else, someone totally untainted by the culture, values, policies and records of the PAP. Some may say what’s wrong with that? Just listen to the ground and feel the scorn and anger and you will understand the feeling. But one can choose to ignore the ground and bury the head in the sand and called them nonsense, that PAP still represents what is best and good for the people.
While the people were caught in another dilemma, the invisible hand acted, just like throwing in Chen Show Mao and a few gallant and worthy candidates during the last GE into the opposition camp. Out of the blue came Tan Jee Say. He might have been with the civil service, but he was not with the ruling party. Now there is a clear and unambiguous choice for the people.
The angst of the people was heard and their prayers answered. The people have a choice to vote for someone not from the PAP, a virgin of sort. Would the people squander away the chance like they did in the last GE? Or would they have learnt their lessons and take this god sent opportunity seriously?
The fear of uncertainty, of a new and untested govt is not there. The govt is in place. The voting in of a neutral President that can check the ruling govt must be the top priority in the minds of every thinking individual. The blind believers can continue to vote according to their belief and teachings. The rest of the people must now vote wisely. When you can choose between black and white, there is no need to compromise by choosing another shade of grey. When a situation is murky, when awkward explanations and justifications are needed, it is best to go for one that is clear and free from adulterated reasonings.
There is now a non PAP candidate versus three ex PAP candidates. What would the people be thinking, and who would they vote to be the next Elected Presidential that could objectively check on the ruling govt when the nation’s reserves are concerned? Yes, Tony is a nice man, looks very presidential. So is Cheng Bock and Kin Lian, all very nice and will make very good looking Presidents. What is the crux of the matter? What matters most in this election? Is it just personality or the purpose and function of the Elected President?
7/15/2011
3 Tans and one more Tan
Tan Jee Say just announced his candidacy for the Presidential Election. With 4 Tans in the contest, this presidential race is going to be exceptionally heavy. By his personal disclosure, he looks like one that should have no problem with the Certificate of Eligibility.
Now the picture changes. 3 ex PAPs against an ex SDP. How would this change the odds and the choices of the people? If they are all anti PAP, Jee Say will be there collecting all their votes. The pro PAP camp will be splitted by the ardent believers for Tony, the old guards for Cheng Bock and the rebels for Kin Lian.
At first I thought it will further dilute the chances of ‘opposition’ biased candidates. But it may look good for Jee Say as the only non PAP associated candidate. But then there is Andrew Kuan. But he will likely be disqualified on precedence. His last application was unsuccessful.
So we have Tan, Tan, Tan against another Tan.
Now the picture changes. 3 ex PAPs against an ex SDP. How would this change the odds and the choices of the people? If they are all anti PAP, Jee Say will be there collecting all their votes. The pro PAP camp will be splitted by the ardent believers for Tony, the old guards for Cheng Bock and the rebels for Kin Lian.
At first I thought it will further dilute the chances of ‘opposition’ biased candidates. But it may look good for Jee Say as the only non PAP associated candidate. But then there is Andrew Kuan. But he will likely be disqualified on precedence. His last application was unsuccessful.
So we have Tan, Tan, Tan against another Tan.
Expensive yo yos
I was at a toy shop looking for some toys to amuse myself. And I must say that adult toys are really getting quite expensive, and many would be just too much to pay for. Just for curiosity I asked the owner of his most expensive toys. He pointed to two yo yos.
I was amazed by the price tags. Unbelieveable! So I walked over to take a closer look. There were testimonials attached to the two yo yos. Mine, great stuff for reading. They were previously owned by top celebrities and had performed in many big events, had seen better days. Despite the price tags, they were a bit worn down and had lost some of their shines.
I asked the owner how long had they been on the shelf. He said quite a while. Some customers came to ask but were taken aback by the asking price. Some thought the asking price was a joke. Looked like they would be left on the shelf for a long while, I thought.
I asked the owner about the chances for the two yo yos to be sold. He grinned. ‘Don’t worry, just wait for some suckers to come by.’ Anyway, by pricing them so high, it made the rest of his stocks looked cheap.
Brilliant sales tactics. I believe he will soon put up a big sales sign claiming 50% discount. That would make the yo yos look like a bargain.
I was amazed by the price tags. Unbelieveable! So I walked over to take a closer look. There were testimonials attached to the two yo yos. Mine, great stuff for reading. They were previously owned by top celebrities and had performed in many big events, had seen better days. Despite the price tags, they were a bit worn down and had lost some of their shines.
I asked the owner how long had they been on the shelf. He said quite a while. Some customers came to ask but were taken aback by the asking price. Some thought the asking price was a joke. Looked like they would be left on the shelf for a long while, I thought.
I asked the owner about the chances for the two yo yos to be sold. He grinned. ‘Don’t worry, just wait for some suckers to come by.’ Anyway, by pricing them so high, it made the rest of his stocks looked cheap.
Brilliant sales tactics. I believe he will soon put up a big sales sign claiming 50% discount. That would make the yo yos look like a bargain.
The attacks on Presidential candidates
As expected the attacks on the presidential hopefuls will come in a matter of time. At the moment the guns were trained at Tan Kin Lian. Some smears have already been spread in the internet. Would it work or would it work to the advantage of Tan Kin Lian? The supporters of Tan Kin Lian will not be swayed by such smear tactics and are resolute in their support. They knew that some will have private agendas to bring down a candidate and it is nothing knew. Perhaps some could be mercenaries being paid to do the smearing, or some may have an axe to grind.
There are no saints among mortals. Everyone will have a few warts here and there. And it does not take much effort for the smearers to get hold of any unpleasant gossips to tar anyone. So far Tony Tan and Tan Cheng Bok have been spared the worst. But as the election gets nearer, will shit begin to flow more profusely? Will those who are comfortable with throwing shit dictate how the presidential election be conducted and every candidate walks away smelly and embarrassed? Or will there be some restraint by all parties to maintain some dignity and decorum in an election for the highest office in the land?
Who will set the tone? The first shit has been thrown. Will it get worst or will it end abruptly just like what happened at the Bukit Timah Holland GRC during the GE? The field is quite level. Everyone can play the same game. When the attackers feel that it is free for all and everything goes, it can get really nasty.
And finally Tan Cheng Bock is making his appearance. He has been absent for a while and there were speculations that he was told to back off. This has proven to be untrue. Now the action is just beginning. Would there be smears thrown at him, or at Tony Tan?
There are no saints among mortals. Everyone will have a few warts here and there. And it does not take much effort for the smearers to get hold of any unpleasant gossips to tar anyone. So far Tony Tan and Tan Cheng Bok have been spared the worst. But as the election gets nearer, will shit begin to flow more profusely? Will those who are comfortable with throwing shit dictate how the presidential election be conducted and every candidate walks away smelly and embarrassed? Or will there be some restraint by all parties to maintain some dignity and decorum in an election for the highest office in the land?
Who will set the tone? The first shit has been thrown. Will it get worst or will it end abruptly just like what happened at the Bukit Timah Holland GRC during the GE? The field is quite level. Everyone can play the same game. When the attackers feel that it is free for all and everything goes, it can get really nasty.
And finally Tan Cheng Bock is making his appearance. He has been absent for a while and there were speculations that he was told to back off. This has proven to be untrue. Now the action is just beginning. Would there be smears thrown at him, or at Tony Tan?
7/14/2011
Myth 228 - The Myth of changing clothes
The most advanced public administration theory today is that all govt services and govt employees are inefficient and lack motivation to improve what they are doing. Or they basically sit on their chairs, drink kopi and read newspapers. They are lazy and irresponsible. Only know how to collect pay and more pay, but not willing to work. Thus the services they provided will only get worst and worst. They will not try to improve and nothing can be done to them, not even firing them.
But there is hope. The panacea for making govt services and employees become responsible, hardworking and efficient is to privatise them and the organization. So, the same bunch of employees, from the CEO to the office cleaners, all will become efficient and hardworking, and highly motivated, the moment they change their clothes to those worn by private company employees.
The same theory applies reversely. A bunch of private company employees will become lazy, inefficient, lack motivation etc etc, when the company is nationalized and when they put on govt employee clothings.
This is the magic formula of public administration. Just change the clothing and it will work instantly. The only thing they cannot privatise and will remain inefficient will be the govt. If only they could privatise the govt as well, efficiency will go up immediately. And of course, cost will be down.
But there is hope. The panacea for making govt services and employees become responsible, hardworking and efficient is to privatise them and the organization. So, the same bunch of employees, from the CEO to the office cleaners, all will become efficient and hardworking, and highly motivated, the moment they change their clothes to those worn by private company employees.
The same theory applies reversely. A bunch of private company employees will become lazy, inefficient, lack motivation etc etc, when the company is nationalized and when they put on govt employee clothings.
This is the magic formula of public administration. Just change the clothing and it will work instantly. The only thing they cannot privatise and will remain inefficient will be the govt. If only they could privatise the govt as well, efficiency will go up immediately. And of course, cost will be down.
Lui Tuck Yew defending the privatization of public transport
Lui Tuck Yew spoke against the Worker’s Party proposal to nationalize public transport. To him, the privatization formula works and if it is nationalized, it will become inefficient, non commuters will also have to pay and cost will go up and everyone ended paying more.
Assuming he is right, and I think he is. Look at the housing programme after it was privatized. Look at the medical care services after they are privatized, and transportation of course. All became world class and all so cheap and affordable. Ok, cannot say cheap, but affordable. If they were not privatized, the cost would have gone up even more and everyone paying more. Please be grateful that they are privatized.
And there will be no motivation for a nationalized public service to improve, except maybe the ministries. The ministries are not privatized, and presumingly running well. Or are they, like all non privatized organizations, running inefficiently and incurring more and more cost? In a nutshell, is the govt runnning efficiently without being privatized or it is running badly and incurring higher cost? If it cannot run efficiently without being privatized, then the govt/ministries should also be privatized.
Let’s move away from all these circular arguments that are self serving. Let’s ask a simple question. Can the transport companies continue to run, under the present system and staff, ceteris paribus, and don’t run into the red for another 3 years?
Another question, can the public transport companies operate with the current profit margin or lesser profit margin by ploughing back some profits to commuters and avoid another fare hike in the short term?
How much profit is enough for the privately run companies? Or is it a privately run company in the first place? Why is a minister defending a privately run company and its profits?
In my opinion, any able administrator could run the companies without raising fares for the next three years without making losses, unless fuel cost shot up dramatically.
So why the hurry to raise fare?
Assuming he is right, and I think he is. Look at the housing programme after it was privatized. Look at the medical care services after they are privatized, and transportation of course. All became world class and all so cheap and affordable. Ok, cannot say cheap, but affordable. If they were not privatized, the cost would have gone up even more and everyone paying more. Please be grateful that they are privatized.
And there will be no motivation for a nationalized public service to improve, except maybe the ministries. The ministries are not privatized, and presumingly running well. Or are they, like all non privatized organizations, running inefficiently and incurring more and more cost? In a nutshell, is the govt runnning efficiently without being privatized or it is running badly and incurring higher cost? If it cannot run efficiently without being privatized, then the govt/ministries should also be privatized.
Let’s move away from all these circular arguments that are self serving. Let’s ask a simple question. Can the transport companies continue to run, under the present system and staff, ceteris paribus, and don’t run into the red for another 3 years?
Another question, can the public transport companies operate with the current profit margin or lesser profit margin by ploughing back some profits to commuters and avoid another fare hike in the short term?
How much profit is enough for the privately run companies? Or is it a privately run company in the first place? Why is a minister defending a privately run company and its profits?
In my opinion, any able administrator could run the companies without raising fares for the next three years without making losses, unless fuel cost shot up dramatically.
So why the hurry to raise fare?
7/13/2011
Singapore’s two most valuable living assets
LKY and Chok Tong are in great demand as statesmen dispensing good advices to less experienced leaders over the world. There must be a beeline queuing up to meet them and to seek their views and advices on world issues and economic development.
These are two very valuable men. In fact world leaders will be more willing to hear their views and wisdom than Bush or Clinton and the likes from the White House. And to think that these ex American Presidents are taking millions on their public talks just for novelty sake, I am sure our two wise men could command a bigger lecture fee.
They should engage a manager to market their popularities and turn themselves into profit centres. It is also good for the country to have two eminent men in the lecture circuit and educating the world leaders. If world leaders are prepared to pay to listen to jokers or one line puns from Hollywood celebrities, I am sure they will pay good money to hear pearls of wisdoms.
What are we waiting for? Both are living legends of modern history. Why give free advice when there are plentiful of money to be made? The income can be used to defray the cost of their offices and the supporting staff.
These are two very valuable men. In fact world leaders will be more willing to hear their views and wisdom than Bush or Clinton and the likes from the White House. And to think that these ex American Presidents are taking millions on their public talks just for novelty sake, I am sure our two wise men could command a bigger lecture fee.
They should engage a manager to market their popularities and turn themselves into profit centres. It is also good for the country to have two eminent men in the lecture circuit and educating the world leaders. If world leaders are prepared to pay to listen to jokers or one line puns from Hollywood celebrities, I am sure they will pay good money to hear pearls of wisdoms.
What are we waiting for? Both are living legends of modern history. Why give free advice when there are plentiful of money to be made? The income can be used to defray the cost of their offices and the supporting staff.
Is it a god damn right?
What makes the transport companies think that it is their god damn right to make millions in profits every year? And when profit is not enough, they simply apply to the LTA to raise fare? Is it a business that guarantees them profit year after year? Is there a business that has such a privilege status? Pow chiat business!
If they cannot make decent profit they should not be in the business and let someone else runs it. Don’t give the crap that they are answerable to the shareholders. They are answerable to the commuters too. Just because they are privatized, they can claime shareholders interests as the number one priority. Have they paid back the huge infrastructure cost of constructing the lines from public money?
In whatever guises, it is a public transport system and has a national duty to keep transportation cost low and to run efficiently. Making profit is secondary. The most important thing is that it is not running at a loss. For the last 10 to 20 years, how many billions have the transport companies been making, at about $200m to $300m annually?
It is time they think of the interests of the nation and the commuters. No business has a god damn right to be profitable year after year. Allow real competitors to run alternative routes and break down this monopoly.
If they cannot make decent profit they should not be in the business and let someone else runs it. Don’t give the crap that they are answerable to the shareholders. They are answerable to the commuters too. Just because they are privatized, they can claime shareholders interests as the number one priority. Have they paid back the huge infrastructure cost of constructing the lines from public money?
In whatever guises, it is a public transport system and has a national duty to keep transportation cost low and to run efficiently. Making profit is secondary. The most important thing is that it is not running at a loss. For the last 10 to 20 years, how many billions have the transport companies been making, at about $200m to $300m annually?
It is time they think of the interests of the nation and the commuters. No business has a god damn right to be profitable year after year. Allow real competitors to run alternative routes and break down this monopoly.
A new game called Treasure Hunt
Treasure hunting has taken on a new meaning in paradise. About 10 bodies were found over the last few months. Yesterday two more bodies were found, one in Clementi and one in Serangoon Reservoir. The Clementi body belonged to a housing agent and her housemate, another woman, was arrested. The body in the reservoir was an elderly man.
Just a month ago half a body of a Chinese National was found in Bedok Reservoir. Later another 5 were discovered. And these findings were random. If a concerted effort to search for bodies is mounted, there could discover more I supposed.
How about a Treasure Hunt and a reward for everybody found? Oops, better not, or else more bodies will be fabricated just to claim the reward. This is a new phenomenon here. Never heard of so many bodies being found in so short a spell of time.
Just a month ago half a body of a Chinese National was found in Bedok Reservoir. Later another 5 were discovered. And these findings were random. If a concerted effort to search for bodies is mounted, there could discover more I supposed.
How about a Treasure Hunt and a reward for everybody found? Oops, better not, or else more bodies will be fabricated just to claim the reward. This is a new phenomenon here. Never heard of so many bodies being found in so short a spell of time.
7/12/2011
Some images of the Bersih 2.0 demonstration
Photo credit to Azlan Zamhari's Gallery. The photos were circulating in the net and I received it in my email.
Transport fare increases coming
Cost is going up, fuel cost, labour cost and buying of new buses. The commuters pay. The commuters are expected to pay for all the cost increases, bonuses, and the inability to increase profits from other sources. There is an expectation by the management that they must make so much profit. If all things failed to hit profit target, just raise fares. That is a sure fire way to meet profit target, and the easiest way to do so. The commuters must make up for the shortfall in profits.
It is not that the transport companies are making losses. In fact the profits are growing by the years, and in hundreds of millions. Can the transport companies absorb some of the cost with a little lesser profits in view of the higher fuel cost? Can the transport company pay lesser bonuses and lower salary increases to hold down cost?
Why is it that the transport companies are given the birth right to make profits and profits and millions of profits, and the commuters just have to pay?
For those people who are finding public transport unaffordable, please cut down on your travelling. Do not travel unnecessary if you don’t have to. Don’t go for bus ride or train rides just to pass time. Cycle, walk and find other means to amuse yourself. Take bus or trains only when necessary. Lower your expectations and live within your means.
Transportation cannot be cheap with cost spiraling. In fact walking is good for health. Go for long walks, there is a new green corridor, from Tanjong Pagar to Woodlands. Everyone is walking, for fun. Rich people also do that No need to take bus or train, and free fresh air too.
It is not that the transport companies are making losses. In fact the profits are growing by the years, and in hundreds of millions. Can the transport companies absorb some of the cost with a little lesser profits in view of the higher fuel cost? Can the transport company pay lesser bonuses and lower salary increases to hold down cost?
Why is it that the transport companies are given the birth right to make profits and profits and millions of profits, and the commuters just have to pay?
For those people who are finding public transport unaffordable, please cut down on your travelling. Do not travel unnecessary if you don’t have to. Don’t go for bus ride or train rides just to pass time. Cycle, walk and find other means to amuse yourself. Take bus or trains only when necessary. Lower your expectations and live within your means.
Transportation cannot be cheap with cost spiraling. In fact walking is good for health. Go for long walks, there is a new green corridor, from Tanjong Pagar to Woodlands. Everyone is walking, for fun. Rich people also do that No need to take bus or train, and free fresh air too.
Time to take ownership
I was at a foodcourt and happened to be next to a hot discussion on the future of Singapore. Two gentlemen, a citizen and a PR were in an intense discourse on the slippery road the country is taking. The PR was all heated up. He came here more than a decade ago and liked it, settled down with a local lass, and started a family.
He was terribly worried and angry at the things that were happening. He feared for the future of his children who are citizens. The boy would have to do his NS bits. What he was incensed with was the unfair competition that his citizen children were facing today and into the future. There were simply too many foreigners everywhere, in schools, in work place, queuing for medical services, representing Singapore in sports, and being imported here with full lodging and food provided, plus expenses, to compete with the children of citizens. The country is spending so much money and resources to bring up foreign children to compete with the children of citizens.
Many Singaporeans have left, ran away from the competition. They said competition is good. But the Singaporeans who left felt that it was unnecessary and unfair competition against the citizens and their children. Many are kpkbing in cyberspace. The happy ones are writing letters of praises in the main media of how great this place is and how great the foreigners are.
In the meantime the country is sliding down the slippery road to Third World. Today books were written about how we climbed from Third World to the First World. Tomorrow, there may be books written about how we slipped from First World to Third World. Several decades of nation building only made us a work in progress, not a nation. What rubbish! All the efforts is either wasted or ineffective, redundant stuff. What the hell have they been doing?
All the education on social graces, keep the country clean, do not litter, be gracious and kind, and compassionate, be a peace loving people, a safe and clean environment, are now at risk, deteriorating. We were turning into wine and almost became wine. But for greed of quantity, we added more peels, orange peels, banana skins, coconut husks, and all kinds of skins into the fermentation. Our wine is turning sour, and will not be wine anymore. It is back to square one.
The Japanese will not want to turn themselves into Third World. Over the decades and centuries, they have nurtured a people with discipline and social graces, and proud of being Japanese, to keep their country in a meticulous state of goodness. They will not accept the Third World being imported en mass to undermine a society, system and culture they took so long to build, just to make the economic numbers look good. Economic growth numbers are not everything. There are better and more important things in life, in the creation of a nation, in nation building, in the overall improvement of the quality of life, in social graces, in a clean and safe environment, in living life.
Look at what is happening around us? More litters, more crimes, foreigners coming here to cut up our people, beat up our people, more spittings and ugly social habits, all for what, economic growth numbers? Is that what we want for our children? Is that how we want our country to be? If the Singaporeans, do not agree, stop running away. Do something. Take ownership of the country and shape it the way you want it, the way YOU think is good. Not the way other people think is good. Singaporeans must take charge of their own country and future. One man’s goodness may not be the goodness for the rest of the citizens. Singaporeans must decide what they want for themselves and not accept everything that is thrown at them.
This is your country. This is your home. You stake your life and the future of your children for this piece of rock. Don’t let it go to the sewers. Don’t let it become Third World.
He was terribly worried and angry at the things that were happening. He feared for the future of his children who are citizens. The boy would have to do his NS bits. What he was incensed with was the unfair competition that his citizen children were facing today and into the future. There were simply too many foreigners everywhere, in schools, in work place, queuing for medical services, representing Singapore in sports, and being imported here with full lodging and food provided, plus expenses, to compete with the children of citizens. The country is spending so much money and resources to bring up foreign children to compete with the children of citizens.
Many Singaporeans have left, ran away from the competition. They said competition is good. But the Singaporeans who left felt that it was unnecessary and unfair competition against the citizens and their children. Many are kpkbing in cyberspace. The happy ones are writing letters of praises in the main media of how great this place is and how great the foreigners are.
In the meantime the country is sliding down the slippery road to Third World. Today books were written about how we climbed from Third World to the First World. Tomorrow, there may be books written about how we slipped from First World to Third World. Several decades of nation building only made us a work in progress, not a nation. What rubbish! All the efforts is either wasted or ineffective, redundant stuff. What the hell have they been doing?
All the education on social graces, keep the country clean, do not litter, be gracious and kind, and compassionate, be a peace loving people, a safe and clean environment, are now at risk, deteriorating. We were turning into wine and almost became wine. But for greed of quantity, we added more peels, orange peels, banana skins, coconut husks, and all kinds of skins into the fermentation. Our wine is turning sour, and will not be wine anymore. It is back to square one.
The Japanese will not want to turn themselves into Third World. Over the decades and centuries, they have nurtured a people with discipline and social graces, and proud of being Japanese, to keep their country in a meticulous state of goodness. They will not accept the Third World being imported en mass to undermine a society, system and culture they took so long to build, just to make the economic numbers look good. Economic growth numbers are not everything. There are better and more important things in life, in the creation of a nation, in nation building, in the overall improvement of the quality of life, in social graces, in a clean and safe environment, in living life.
Look at what is happening around us? More litters, more crimes, foreigners coming here to cut up our people, beat up our people, more spittings and ugly social habits, all for what, economic growth numbers? Is that what we want for our children? Is that how we want our country to be? If the Singaporeans, do not agree, stop running away. Do something. Take ownership of the country and shape it the way you want it, the way YOU think is good. Not the way other people think is good. Singaporeans must take charge of their own country and future. One man’s goodness may not be the goodness for the rest of the citizens. Singaporeans must decide what they want for themselves and not accept everything that is thrown at them.
This is your country. This is your home. You stake your life and the future of your children for this piece of rock. Don’t let it go to the sewers. Don’t let it become Third World.
7/11/2011
Wow, wow, wow!
Good things come in threes. We have the three iconic towers in Marina Bay, the three wise men, now three dinosaurs are coming. They cost only slightly more than a billion bucks, including the housing for the mammoth exhibits. Any visitors seeing the exhibits will definitely say, Wow!
For $1b, the wows don’t come cheap. But what the heck, we have so much money and dunno what to do with them, getting wows is not a bad thing too. I will suggest that a floating platform be built in the Marina Bay Reservoir so that it would not take up more precious space from housing. It would not be of a shoebox size for sure. Shoe boxes are only for the privileged citizens.
Alternatively the $1b can be used to buy a boulder of gold in its natural state, to replace the dinosaurs. The value can appreciate over time, and there will always be buyers for the gold. I think there will be the wows looking at the glistering gold, wow!.
By the way, who is paying for the dinosaurs? If I am going to pay for it, would I have a choice to say yes or no?
For $1b, the wows don’t come cheap. But what the heck, we have so much money and dunno what to do with them, getting wows is not a bad thing too. I will suggest that a floating platform be built in the Marina Bay Reservoir so that it would not take up more precious space from housing. It would not be of a shoebox size for sure. Shoe boxes are only for the privileged citizens.
Alternatively the $1b can be used to buy a boulder of gold in its natural state, to replace the dinosaurs. The value can appreciate over time, and there will always be buyers for the gold. I think there will be the wows looking at the glistering gold, wow!.
By the way, who is paying for the dinosaurs? If I am going to pay for it, would I have a choice to say yes or no?
Crossing the Rubicon
Anyone who has been fed with a diet of Hollywood or Hongkong movies must be familiar with the endings of gamblers in gambling dens. The stories almost always have a similar sequence and a similar ending. A habitual gambler could be on a winning streak and walk away with his winnings. This can go on and on as long as he does not break the bank.
A certain amount of winnings is tolerable to the operator. Once the rubicon is crossed, when the takings are too high, the gambler often live to regret for taking so much. He could be robbed, maimed or may even pay for his life.
A smart gambler will know how much he should take from the table and call it quits, and walk away to enjoy his windfall. A greedy gambler that does not know when the limit is up will not have the chance to walk away.
The moral of the story is simple. Don’t be too greedy. Greed will take you in and you will have to return everything, with a bad taste. Take some, win some, but always watch the rubicon.
A certain amount of winnings is tolerable to the operator. Once the rubicon is crossed, when the takings are too high, the gambler often live to regret for taking so much. He could be robbed, maimed or may even pay for his life.
A smart gambler will know how much he should take from the table and call it quits, and walk away to enjoy his windfall. A greedy gambler that does not know when the limit is up will not have the chance to walk away.
The moral of the story is simple. Don’t be too greedy. Greed will take you in and you will have to return everything, with a bad taste. Take some, win some, but always watch the rubicon.
2 times oversubscribed, 35% sold
When Centrale 8 was launched, it was reported that it was oversubscribed by two times which technically translated, all should be sold as they were more buyers than units available. Today’s paper reported that till yesterday, on a notice board at the showroom, it showed that only 35% were sold. And the number of people visiting the showroom was about 20 families at any one time.
What happened to all the applicants? What happened to all the eager buyers and long queues? Centrale 8 was reported as a great place with great facilities, a mature estate, good value for money.
Was the report on the oversubscription wrong? Anything wrong with the 35% take sold figure? Anything wrong with all the hypes about the attractiveness of the estate?
Is the lack of interest got to do with the pricing, the location or the measures taken by HDB to build more new flats? Or is it that the influx of foreigners is slowing down?
Will Centrale 8 be the first DBSS project that is going to be partially sold, at least in the short term? Is this the first sign of a cooling down of the public housing market?
What happened to all the applicants? What happened to all the eager buyers and long queues? Centrale 8 was reported as a great place with great facilities, a mature estate, good value for money.
Was the report on the oversubscription wrong? Anything wrong with the 35% take sold figure? Anything wrong with all the hypes about the attractiveness of the estate?
Is the lack of interest got to do with the pricing, the location or the measures taken by HDB to build more new flats? Or is it that the influx of foreigners is slowing down?
Will Centrale 8 be the first DBSS project that is going to be partially sold, at least in the short term? Is this the first sign of a cooling down of the public housing market?
7/10/2011
The perpetrators of violence
The Bersih Rally was a peaceful rally with tacit approval from the Yang di Pertuan Agong. The Govt also agreed to allow the Rally to be held inside a stadium. It was not meant to be an Arab Spring, but a call for a clean and fair election, prevention of corruption by the Govt, and a level playing field for politicians. Are these too much to ask for?
The Govt had a change of mind and no permit was issued. So the Rally became illegal. Once anything is declared illegal, the full force of the law and the legal gangsters can do anything they want against the ‘criminals’. On the contrary, anything that is declared legal, passed by the Parliament, will be legal and right, even corruption.
So, a peaceful demonstration turned violence. No, the demonstrators did not start it. They did not fight back. They sat on the roads leading to Merdeka. Pardon my pun. Who were the real perpetrators of violence? The demonstrators were sprayed with chemical treated water, tear gas, blasted by the might of water hoses and batons. And 1,600 were arrested for attending a peaceful Rally that ended in violence, by the authority that was there to prevent violence. Perhaps it was done for the good of the demonstrators.
Yes, the authority was there in full force, to prevent violence and to protect the peaceful demonstrators from harm. Looking at the parties that received the full brunt of the violence, you cannot miss the truth, as to who were the real perpetrators of violence.
Maybe, if the peaceful demonstrators were to handcuff themselves, they will be safe from violence against them. Handcuffing is the safest and most ingenious way to protect them from harm. It will keep them from harms way too, and to prevent people from causing harm to them.
My apologies if all this do not sound logical. It is Sunday morning, and a little hangover makes logical thinking a bit funny.
The Govt had a change of mind and no permit was issued. So the Rally became illegal. Once anything is declared illegal, the full force of the law and the legal gangsters can do anything they want against the ‘criminals’. On the contrary, anything that is declared legal, passed by the Parliament, will be legal and right, even corruption.
So, a peaceful demonstration turned violence. No, the demonstrators did not start it. They did not fight back. They sat on the roads leading to Merdeka. Pardon my pun. Who were the real perpetrators of violence? The demonstrators were sprayed with chemical treated water, tear gas, blasted by the might of water hoses and batons. And 1,600 were arrested for attending a peaceful Rally that ended in violence, by the authority that was there to prevent violence. Perhaps it was done for the good of the demonstrators.
Yes, the authority was there in full force, to prevent violence and to protect the peaceful demonstrators from harm. Looking at the parties that received the full brunt of the violence, you cannot miss the truth, as to who were the real perpetrators of violence.
Maybe, if the peaceful demonstrators were to handcuff themselves, they will be safe from violence against them. Handcuffing is the safest and most ingenious way to protect them from harm. It will keep them from harms way too, and to prevent people from causing harm to them.
My apologies if all this do not sound logical. It is Sunday morning, and a little hangover makes logical thinking a bit funny.
7/09/2011
For the love of money or justice
This is an era extremely starved of ideals (骨感), but precisely because of this, our ideals can take flight.
In such an era, what expectations and aspirations do I have for you? I know that a professor from Beijing Normal University once told his students, “If you don’t get 40,000,000 dollars within 10 years after graduation, don’t come and look for me.”
I won’t say the same thing to our graduates.
I don’t hope that you people become prominent elites. I will only say that 10 years from now, if any of you dare to plot against the good and the loyal, I will refuse to let you step across my door, I will refuse to acknowledge you.
You don’t have to be Bao Gong (a historical figure from the Northern Song Dynasty known for his sense of justice), but you cannot frame the innocent and get the loyal and the good into trouble. This is the most basic and minimum baseline to follow and live by.
The above is an extract of a graduation speech by Professor He Bin of China University of Political Science and Law that went viral. Professor He is the Vice Dean and Department Head.
His speech is a dig at the money driven motives of modern Chinese and the widespread ills of corruption and injustice in the Chinese society, where the elite have no qualms to do the innocents in, for their own selfish agenda.
It is a plea and a revelation of how sick a society can be when the elite themselves are sick and abusing the trust and power of their office.
PS: I copied the quotation from an article in The Kent Ridge Common.
In such an era, what expectations and aspirations do I have for you? I know that a professor from Beijing Normal University once told his students, “If you don’t get 40,000,000 dollars within 10 years after graduation, don’t come and look for me.”
I won’t say the same thing to our graduates.
I don’t hope that you people become prominent elites. I will only say that 10 years from now, if any of you dare to plot against the good and the loyal, I will refuse to let you step across my door, I will refuse to acknowledge you.
You don’t have to be Bao Gong (a historical figure from the Northern Song Dynasty known for his sense of justice), but you cannot frame the innocent and get the loyal and the good into trouble. This is the most basic and minimum baseline to follow and live by.
The above is an extract of a graduation speech by Professor He Bin of China University of Political Science and Law that went viral. Professor He is the Vice Dean and Department Head.
His speech is a dig at the money driven motives of modern Chinese and the widespread ills of corruption and injustice in the Chinese society, where the elite have no qualms to do the innocents in, for their own selfish agenda.
It is a plea and a revelation of how sick a society can be when the elite themselves are sick and abusing the trust and power of their office.
PS: I copied the quotation from an article in The Kent Ridge Common.
A Walk for Merdeka
Today is the day. Bersih 2.0 is rallying Malaysians to a Walk for Democracy, for clean and fair election. And the venue, the Merdeka Stadium. The cries of Merdeka is going to scream through the air like the cries in 1957.
The Walk for Democracy was meant to be a street rally but strongly opposed by the BN and Perkasa. It took the Agong to intervene for a compromise venue inside the walls of a stadium. This is not to be with the BN sending the police to cordon off all roads leading to Merdeka.
At the same time Perkasa and UMNO Youth Wings, both branded as ultras with very strong Malay rights views are opposing the Bersih Rally. They wanted to hold counter rallies on the same day to march towards the Bersih gathering. Officially these were turned down. But they will continue with their march in one way or another as a show of force against Bersih supporters.
The undertone of their protests against Bersih is racial. They are accusing Bersih of splitting the Malay unity which was something furthest from the Bersih position. Bersih is calling for clean and fair election. What has this got to undermining Malay unity is only for the BN, Perkasa and UMNO Youth to interpret.
By all means, the Rally today is going to turn into a confrontation that can become ugly. The police are there to prevent the Rally from taking place, by order of the BN govt. So which side would the police take in a flare up or when the Bersih supporters approach the Merdeka Stadium?
Tension is rising in KL. The stronger the govt tries to stop the Rally, the greater the resistance and the greater will be the counter resistance. KL is seeing a showdown for a new Merdeka cry. The price to pay for this new freedom can be very high. Would tomorrow be just another Sunday in KL and Malaysia? It all depends on how the police handle the two opposing sides and how violent it turns out. Would 9th July be remembered in the same vein as May 13?
The Walk for Democracy was meant to be a street rally but strongly opposed by the BN and Perkasa. It took the Agong to intervene for a compromise venue inside the walls of a stadium. This is not to be with the BN sending the police to cordon off all roads leading to Merdeka.
At the same time Perkasa and UMNO Youth Wings, both branded as ultras with very strong Malay rights views are opposing the Bersih Rally. They wanted to hold counter rallies on the same day to march towards the Bersih gathering. Officially these were turned down. But they will continue with their march in one way or another as a show of force against Bersih supporters.
The undertone of their protests against Bersih is racial. They are accusing Bersih of splitting the Malay unity which was something furthest from the Bersih position. Bersih is calling for clean and fair election. What has this got to undermining Malay unity is only for the BN, Perkasa and UMNO Youth to interpret.
By all means, the Rally today is going to turn into a confrontation that can become ugly. The police are there to prevent the Rally from taking place, by order of the BN govt. So which side would the police take in a flare up or when the Bersih supporters approach the Merdeka Stadium?
Tension is rising in KL. The stronger the govt tries to stop the Rally, the greater the resistance and the greater will be the counter resistance. KL is seeing a showdown for a new Merdeka cry. The price to pay for this new freedom can be very high. Would tomorrow be just another Sunday in KL and Malaysia? It all depends on how the police handle the two opposing sides and how violent it turns out. Would 9th July be remembered in the same vein as May 13?
7/08/2011
The debate between foreign talents and citizens
This debate has been going on for quite some time and some heat has been generated as a result, with some getting personal and Singaporeans being accused of being xenophobic. The debate is healthy but when pointing a finger, one has to be aware that the foreign talents should not be blamed for being here and taking away the jobs from local PMETs. Neither should the foreign talents blame Singaporeans for exhibiting some hostilities. Both are misplaced.
Put it simply, if there is no policy to invite the foreign talents here, if the immigration door is not opened by the govt, no matter how hard the FTs tried, they will not be able to get in. The fault is not with the FTs.
And Singaporeans got reasons to be angry when their jobs are taken over by FTs but not at the FTs. If someone let in the thieves, don’t blame the thieves. Singaporeans should not direct their anger blindly at the FTs, the FTs too would not react so negatively to Singaporeans.
As the saying goes, while the two balls got hanged banging at each other, the guilty one is still having a good time screwing around. True or not?
Put it simply, if there is no policy to invite the foreign talents here, if the immigration door is not opened by the govt, no matter how hard the FTs tried, they will not be able to get in. The fault is not with the FTs.
And Singaporeans got reasons to be angry when their jobs are taken over by FTs but not at the FTs. If someone let in the thieves, don’t blame the thieves. Singaporeans should not direct their anger blindly at the FTs, the FTs too would not react so negatively to Singaporeans.
As the saying goes, while the two balls got hanged banging at each other, the guilty one is still having a good time screwing around. True or not?
Return respectable but not impressive – Analysts
This is the title of an article on the release of Temasek Holding’s financial report. I went through briefly on the charts and totally disagree with this comment. I tried to figure out what which auditing company did the report, or was it done internally, but could not find any names mentioned. So I presume it must be an internal auditor.
What was reported was simply excellent. I think not many fund managers can boast of such remarkable financial returns over the same period covered. I am greatly impressed with the super talents running it. Time to reward them handsomely.
The report covers a period from 2004 to 2011 which was hit by the global financial crisis in 2008. Temasek was badly hit like everyone, and its portfolio value fell from $185b to $130b, registering a loss of $55b. This is no small peanut. In the train I used to read this advert from a fund manager boasting of a whopping US$5b that it was managing. Now look at the $55b being wiped out within a year. That was easily an equivalent of wiping out 10 big fund managers completely.
But no need to worry. In year 2010, Temasek fully recovered from all its losses and its portfolio went back up to $186b, a whopping and unbelieveable recovery. And now 2011, it added another $7b to top $193b. Can you beat that?
Another better indicator is that throughout the period of 2004-2011, Temasek registered profits every year! Even during the global financial crisis, it booked a net profit of $6b and $5b in 2009 and 2010 respectively. If this is not impressive what is? The portfolio could be wiped out by $55b and there was still profit to be made, approximately about 10,000 peanuts.
I think those analysts that tried to talk down this fantastic report of Temasek need to have their heads checked. It is probably the best fund manager the world has ever seen. I don’t think any sovereign fund or funds of this size could do any better than Temasek in the same period.
It is a company that practically cannot lose money no matter what crisis is in the air. Better put in more money for Temasek to manage. Well done, and time for a well deserved fat bonus.
What was reported was simply excellent. I think not many fund managers can boast of such remarkable financial returns over the same period covered. I am greatly impressed with the super talents running it. Time to reward them handsomely.
The report covers a period from 2004 to 2011 which was hit by the global financial crisis in 2008. Temasek was badly hit like everyone, and its portfolio value fell from $185b to $130b, registering a loss of $55b. This is no small peanut. In the train I used to read this advert from a fund manager boasting of a whopping US$5b that it was managing. Now look at the $55b being wiped out within a year. That was easily an equivalent of wiping out 10 big fund managers completely.
But no need to worry. In year 2010, Temasek fully recovered from all its losses and its portfolio went back up to $186b, a whopping and unbelieveable recovery. And now 2011, it added another $7b to top $193b. Can you beat that?
Another better indicator is that throughout the period of 2004-2011, Temasek registered profits every year! Even during the global financial crisis, it booked a net profit of $6b and $5b in 2009 and 2010 respectively. If this is not impressive what is? The portfolio could be wiped out by $55b and there was still profit to be made, approximately about 10,000 peanuts.
I think those analysts that tried to talk down this fantastic report of Temasek need to have their heads checked. It is probably the best fund manager the world has ever seen. I don’t think any sovereign fund or funds of this size could do any better than Temasek in the same period.
It is a company that practically cannot lose money no matter what crisis is in the air. Better put in more money for Temasek to manage. Well done, and time for a well deserved fat bonus.
7/07/2011
Big man, small man
This concept of big man, small man(da ren, xiao ren) has a very long history in the Chinese culture. The rich and powerful were called da ren while the poor and weak were called xiao ren. This was rooted for centuries that it became part of the culture and character of the Chinese people. And the poor and weak submissively referred to themselves, very naturally, as xiao ren when speaking to the da ren. In the palace or among officials, they went one step further by referring to the servants and those of lower ranks as nou cai or slave servants.
By accepting and acknowledging such demeaning terms, the weak and poor were psychologically defeated and accepted their stations in life as people with lesser or no rights vis a vis the rich and powerful. This kind of mentality seems to be so deeply engraved in the bones of some Chinese people, even those in modern Singapore, despite receiving western education that preaches equality and democratic rights of every citizen. There are still Singaporeans who believed and willing to accept that they are less equal than the rich and powerful, that they are the xiao ren in life.
The Indian Singaporeans could be bettered off here after breaking away from their caste system when some are da ren or bigger da ren and some xiao ren or smaller xiao ren in a similar sense. Just by their names they could tell where and what cast the person is. With the influx of the higher castes and richer India Indians as new citizens or PRs, some of the caste system and antics are starting to seep into our society. The lower castes would be shunned naturally. But a Samuel Jacob or a Peter Vincent will keep the new Indian citizens puzzled. Where did they come from, some Tuans from Britain. It is quite an ingenious way to discard and break away from the stigma of lower castes by the adoption of a western name. Now all is equal in some ways.
I am not too informed of the Malay Singaporeans and their perception of their position in society vis a vis the royalties. Fortunately we don’t have royalties here and all is equal.
How relevant is this da ren and xiao ren mentality to modern day Chinese Singaporeans? Ingrained deeply in their bones, and in their blood, the xiao ren are full of humility and self deprecating behavior. They still cannot understand nor accept what democracy and the rights of citizens mean to them. They cannot see themselves as equals even to those elected as their representatives in govt. They still look up to them as the da ren, to listen to, to obey and to do what they are being told. No questioning of their authority or bad decisions that were detrimental to their xiao ren interests. Just accept the position and status of xiao ren and remain, and live life as the unthinking and obeying xiao ren. And the da ren will insist that the xiao ren know their place when talking to them.
I was rebuked for addressing our da ren by names in all my articles, in TRE. In the minds of the xiao ren, this is no big no small, not knowing our position in society. Talking or addressing da ren, one must show respect and humility. How can xiao ren refer to a da ren by name. Very unbecoming, very unacceptable. Obviously that xiao ren has never worked in a MNC before.
From the chat sites, it is often repeated by the bloggers that the xiao ren must plead with the govt to have mercy on them, to change policies to be nicer to them. Their gripes are mostly about obscene housing prices, foreign talents taking away good jobs and unable to take out all their CPF savings. And they could only think of pleading with the govt to be kinder to them, to make housing prices not so expensive, to take in lesser foreign talents, to let them have a bit more of their CPF savings.
In their xiao ren psychic, they never know that they can vote out all the da ren that does not serve their interests and vote in a govt that will work for them. They even fear the govt will come down hard on them like the old days of imperial China. They forgot that their CPF savings are their money. So they choose to plead with the govt like xiao ren pleading to da ren.
The precedents set by the Hougang and Aljunied voters did not seem to wake up the xiao ren mentality. They are still locked or trapped in being xiao ren for good. No amount of education, enlightening of their rights to be equal to every citizen will shake them out of their mental prison. Hey, the ministers that were voted out are now ordinary citizens like you and me.
The surprising change is that the China Chinese have actually discarded this ancient entrapment and are freer as a people. They will protest and fight for their rights as an equal, the rights that every citizen has. There will still be oppression, but they are fighting. They no longer fear authority. The have been liberated from the yoke of the past embedded into their DNA as xiao ren. They no longer called themselves xiao ren anymore. They will demand for their rights as citizens of their country.
The xiao ren of Singapore should learn from the unrefined China men and women on what it is like to be treated equally among all citizens. No doubt there are still many da ren in China that are still corrupt to the core in power politics. But things are improving with many been caught and hanged. The table is turning, and time to learn from the students.
By accepting and acknowledging such demeaning terms, the weak and poor were psychologically defeated and accepted their stations in life as people with lesser or no rights vis a vis the rich and powerful. This kind of mentality seems to be so deeply engraved in the bones of some Chinese people, even those in modern Singapore, despite receiving western education that preaches equality and democratic rights of every citizen. There are still Singaporeans who believed and willing to accept that they are less equal than the rich and powerful, that they are the xiao ren in life.
The Indian Singaporeans could be bettered off here after breaking away from their caste system when some are da ren or bigger da ren and some xiao ren or smaller xiao ren in a similar sense. Just by their names they could tell where and what cast the person is. With the influx of the higher castes and richer India Indians as new citizens or PRs, some of the caste system and antics are starting to seep into our society. The lower castes would be shunned naturally. But a Samuel Jacob or a Peter Vincent will keep the new Indian citizens puzzled. Where did they come from, some Tuans from Britain. It is quite an ingenious way to discard and break away from the stigma of lower castes by the adoption of a western name. Now all is equal in some ways.
I am not too informed of the Malay Singaporeans and their perception of their position in society vis a vis the royalties. Fortunately we don’t have royalties here and all is equal.
How relevant is this da ren and xiao ren mentality to modern day Chinese Singaporeans? Ingrained deeply in their bones, and in their blood, the xiao ren are full of humility and self deprecating behavior. They still cannot understand nor accept what democracy and the rights of citizens mean to them. They cannot see themselves as equals even to those elected as their representatives in govt. They still look up to them as the da ren, to listen to, to obey and to do what they are being told. No questioning of their authority or bad decisions that were detrimental to their xiao ren interests. Just accept the position and status of xiao ren and remain, and live life as the unthinking and obeying xiao ren. And the da ren will insist that the xiao ren know their place when talking to them.
I was rebuked for addressing our da ren by names in all my articles, in TRE. In the minds of the xiao ren, this is no big no small, not knowing our position in society. Talking or addressing da ren, one must show respect and humility. How can xiao ren refer to a da ren by name. Very unbecoming, very unacceptable. Obviously that xiao ren has never worked in a MNC before.
From the chat sites, it is often repeated by the bloggers that the xiao ren must plead with the govt to have mercy on them, to change policies to be nicer to them. Their gripes are mostly about obscene housing prices, foreign talents taking away good jobs and unable to take out all their CPF savings. And they could only think of pleading with the govt to be kinder to them, to make housing prices not so expensive, to take in lesser foreign talents, to let them have a bit more of their CPF savings.
In their xiao ren psychic, they never know that they can vote out all the da ren that does not serve their interests and vote in a govt that will work for them. They even fear the govt will come down hard on them like the old days of imperial China. They forgot that their CPF savings are their money. So they choose to plead with the govt like xiao ren pleading to da ren.
The precedents set by the Hougang and Aljunied voters did not seem to wake up the xiao ren mentality. They are still locked or trapped in being xiao ren for good. No amount of education, enlightening of their rights to be equal to every citizen will shake them out of their mental prison. Hey, the ministers that were voted out are now ordinary citizens like you and me.
The surprising change is that the China Chinese have actually discarded this ancient entrapment and are freer as a people. They will protest and fight for their rights as an equal, the rights that every citizen has. There will still be oppression, but they are fighting. They no longer fear authority. The have been liberated from the yoke of the past embedded into their DNA as xiao ren. They no longer called themselves xiao ren anymore. They will demand for their rights as citizens of their country.
The xiao ren of Singapore should learn from the unrefined China men and women on what it is like to be treated equally among all citizens. No doubt there are still many da ren in China that are still corrupt to the core in power politics. But things are improving with many been caught and hanged. The table is turning, and time to learn from the students.
7/06/2011
A short cut to immediate housing supply
Shoe box is in. Some even glamorize it by how well they furnished the shoeboxes with the most expensive furniture. Some have elaborate designs to make a shoe box look spacious and functional. For those who love shoe boxes or are forced to live in shoe boxes, or those who have no where else to go, shoe box can be an answer.
Boon Wan should seriously consider providing shoe boxes as a quick but temporary solution to solve the housing needs. It is not the most desirable option for raising a family. As a temporary relief, it is still an option to consider.
I am thinking of instant shoe box homes using 20 ft containers stacked and arranged to maximize and optimize their uses. They only need to be modified and fitted with power and sanitation facilities and you get an instant shoe box home for those in urgent need. A 20 ft container may be suitable for a single occupant. A 2x20ft container set up, stacked one over the other or side by side could provide two bedrooms and a little kitchen, a bath room and a small living area for a small family.
And the cost is definitely much lower than all the piling and infrastructure of a permanent estate. The key point is that they are temporary housing and occupants should be looking for alternative permanent housing at the earliest opportunity. In the meantime, a 2x20 ft container set up can be a decent place to stay than pitching tents or squatting or squeezing in a small flat with too many occupants. And with a little spin, even the well heeled singles may transform them into a new lifestyle statement. A little thought and design will turn such a community very liveable, with some landscaping thrown in.
It is temporary housing but well designed to prevent them from looking like slums. A small little pleasure boat, with all the nice fittings can be home to the rich and famous, why not a spacious container?
Boon Wan should seriously consider providing shoe boxes as a quick but temporary solution to solve the housing needs. It is not the most desirable option for raising a family. As a temporary relief, it is still an option to consider.
I am thinking of instant shoe box homes using 20 ft containers stacked and arranged to maximize and optimize their uses. They only need to be modified and fitted with power and sanitation facilities and you get an instant shoe box home for those in urgent need. A 20 ft container may be suitable for a single occupant. A 2x20ft container set up, stacked one over the other or side by side could provide two bedrooms and a little kitchen, a bath room and a small living area for a small family.
And the cost is definitely much lower than all the piling and infrastructure of a permanent estate. The key point is that they are temporary housing and occupants should be looking for alternative permanent housing at the earliest opportunity. In the meantime, a 2x20 ft container set up can be a decent place to stay than pitching tents or squatting or squeezing in a small flat with too many occupants. And with a little spin, even the well heeled singles may transform them into a new lifestyle statement. A little thought and design will turn such a community very liveable, with some landscaping thrown in.
It is temporary housing but well designed to prevent them from looking like slums. A small little pleasure boat, with all the nice fittings can be home to the rich and famous, why not a spacious container?
The most destructive human enterprise
Going green, saving mother earth, conservation, protect wild life and forests, these are the slogans that slipped freely and profusely from the mouths of environmentalists and govt officials. On the other hand they went blindly to destroy mother earth at a faster speed than these slogans coming out of their mouths.
At the Singapore Water Lecture, a recipient of the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize, Dr James Barnard said, ‘…with a growing population, pure drinking water is becoming a scarcity in many countries.’ Yes, the most destructive human enterprise is human multiplication, reproduction. Every human brought into this earth is going to consume a life time of resources and food, and drinking water. The earth is under stress by the growing population, the number one cancer, which directly lead to all the destructive enterprises, high consumption of food and resources, and energy, global warming, deforestation, emptying the ocean of fishes etc etc.
The world is being destroyed by humans trying to multiply themselves, for economic growth. Singapore is doing its bit too, by cramming more and more people into the piece of rock. We used to have all the water we want, with some from Johore, with only three tiny reservoirs. Today we have 17 huge reservoirs, desalination, shit water, and still some from Malaysia, and we are complaining that water is not enough. We can never have enough of water, power and everything if we crazily add more heads to devour them.
And this also leads to some clever arguments on how to make the people pay more for these rare resources. Or are they versions of self serving logic, to enrich the provider of these resources? Making people pay obnoxiously using self serving logic will lead to karmic retribution. Robbing the people’s money or taking the people’s money from them for all the wrong reasons is not free lunch. There will be pay back time.
17 reservoirs and 3 more taps still not enough. Why? What is the moral of the story? What is wrong with the formula or solution? The simple answer is headcounts. Try 6m or 10 million, you may have to turn the whole island into a reservoir to provide enough water for the people. But also a good reason to make the people pay more for water consumption.
At the Singapore Water Lecture, a recipient of the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize, Dr James Barnard said, ‘…with a growing population, pure drinking water is becoming a scarcity in many countries.’ Yes, the most destructive human enterprise is human multiplication, reproduction. Every human brought into this earth is going to consume a life time of resources and food, and drinking water. The earth is under stress by the growing population, the number one cancer, which directly lead to all the destructive enterprises, high consumption of food and resources, and energy, global warming, deforestation, emptying the ocean of fishes etc etc.
The world is being destroyed by humans trying to multiply themselves, for economic growth. Singapore is doing its bit too, by cramming more and more people into the piece of rock. We used to have all the water we want, with some from Johore, with only three tiny reservoirs. Today we have 17 huge reservoirs, desalination, shit water, and still some from Malaysia, and we are complaining that water is not enough. We can never have enough of water, power and everything if we crazily add more heads to devour them.
And this also leads to some clever arguments on how to make the people pay more for these rare resources. Or are they versions of self serving logic, to enrich the provider of these resources? Making people pay obnoxiously using self serving logic will lead to karmic retribution. Robbing the people’s money or taking the people’s money from them for all the wrong reasons is not free lunch. There will be pay back time.
17 reservoirs and 3 more taps still not enough. Why? What is the moral of the story? What is wrong with the formula or solution? The simple answer is headcounts. Try 6m or 10 million, you may have to turn the whole island into a reservoir to provide enough water for the people. But also a good reason to make the people pay more for water consumption.
7/05/2011
The most exclusive social club in Singapore
SICC, Singapore Island Country Club, must be the most exclusive club in the island. Among the members are the Who’s Who of Singapore. Anyone worth his salt will want to be a member of the Club and be seen there sipping tea. And membership is not cheap, at $220k current market price. There is a cheaper version of social membership that does not include golf for those who want to be there but not willing to pay for the hefty $220k.
It is reported in the ST that the Club had a big pow wow at last Friday’s EGM. It was the biggest turnout the Club ever had for an EGM, 700 attending and 300 viewing from the TV in the sideline. And the hot issues, upgrading of a golf course and to keep the club exclusive. The latter was pitted between two camps, one for more inclusiveness and to open the door a bit wider for more new members while the other half to keep it exclusive, to keep the door close.
The exclusive group won. The Club shall retain its exclusivity as the most elitist and high end Club in the island. In the earlier days the Club was more or less given to the elite at a token fee for the use of this choiced property. I think today they will have to pay a market rate to PUB for the continued occupancy of this prime land, and to use the exclusive name of SICC instead of PUBIC Club, an acronym for PUB Island Country Club.
It is good that the elitist members won the day and keep this rarity longer. Having such an elitist Club will be a good motivation for those who are striving to be recognized to work that bit harder to earn that $200k to cross the first hurdle. Subsequently, I am not sure what other procedures or regulations they will have to comply to be invited to be a member of the elite.
In any society, it is natural for a divide to be formed between the very successful and the losers. Trying to blend the two together, to be inclusive, is a defeated cause to begin with. It is like trying to make the MRT a gracious place to be in and expect people in suits and evening dresses to sit or stand side by side with the dirty overalls or sweaty singlets and slippers. Arrrrrrghhh….
Society must honour the ablest, let them have their own playground, let them enjoy their success and hardwork, let them be exclusive, as long as they can afford it, and not by seizing the use of public land and pay a token $1 for their exclusive entertainment and flattery. SICC shall keep the elitist flag flying high, as a testimony that it is not wrong to be rich and successful. Bravo SICC.
It is reported in the ST that the Club had a big pow wow at last Friday’s EGM. It was the biggest turnout the Club ever had for an EGM, 700 attending and 300 viewing from the TV in the sideline. And the hot issues, upgrading of a golf course and to keep the club exclusive. The latter was pitted between two camps, one for more inclusiveness and to open the door a bit wider for more new members while the other half to keep it exclusive, to keep the door close.
The exclusive group won. The Club shall retain its exclusivity as the most elitist and high end Club in the island. In the earlier days the Club was more or less given to the elite at a token fee for the use of this choiced property. I think today they will have to pay a market rate to PUB for the continued occupancy of this prime land, and to use the exclusive name of SICC instead of PUBIC Club, an acronym for PUB Island Country Club.
It is good that the elitist members won the day and keep this rarity longer. Having such an elitist Club will be a good motivation for those who are striving to be recognized to work that bit harder to earn that $200k to cross the first hurdle. Subsequently, I am not sure what other procedures or regulations they will have to comply to be invited to be a member of the elite.
In any society, it is natural for a divide to be formed between the very successful and the losers. Trying to blend the two together, to be inclusive, is a defeated cause to begin with. It is like trying to make the MRT a gracious place to be in and expect people in suits and evening dresses to sit or stand side by side with the dirty overalls or sweaty singlets and slippers. Arrrrrrghhh….
Society must honour the ablest, let them have their own playground, let them enjoy their success and hardwork, let them be exclusive, as long as they can afford it, and not by seizing the use of public land and pay a token $1 for their exclusive entertainment and flattery. SICC shall keep the elitist flag flying high, as a testimony that it is not wrong to be rich and successful. Bravo SICC.
Poster boy and poster girl
If you are looking for pictures of poster boy and poster girl for the PAP, look no further. Chan Chun Sing and Tin Pei Ling will fit it nicely. They will give PAP a fresh look instead of all the photos of the oldies. Looking at their poster boy and girl look, it will give PAP the youthful look it needs, as a young party with young leaders.
Both will also serve to confirm that the leadership renewal process is working. And the timely stepping down of MM and SM will also mean that their ageing photos will not be seen too often.
PAP is now a brand new party of young and beautiful leaders. There is no need to do hip hop to look young and to win the votes of the young voters. The poster boy and poster girl will blend in with the young Orchard Road crowd or those in the Sentosa soap parties. They will definitely be the crowd puller of Generation Y.
Both will also serve to confirm that the leadership renewal process is working. And the timely stepping down of MM and SM will also mean that their ageing photos will not be seen too often.
PAP is now a brand new party of young and beautiful leaders. There is no need to do hip hop to look young and to win the votes of the young voters. The poster boy and poster girl will blend in with the young Orchard Road crowd or those in the Sentosa soap parties. They will definitely be the crowd puller of Generation Y.
Singapore’s nuclear meltdown
The Fukushima nuclear meltdown is still on going. The heat will take a long time to cool down. Singapore too is facing an intense heat that is refusing to cool down as well. The massive anger and dissatisfaction over a once the pride of the nation housing programme is still generating heat at an ever higher temperature. Under the thick concrete covering of a nuclear plant silo, the heat is well kept within in the deep. The housing problems too was well wrapped up in papers and looked as if everything was fine, till one fine day when the wrappers were removed.
The DBSS is now like a piece of rotten shit, smelly and filthy and likely to be thrown away. Next in line will be the Executive Condominium while the BTO is likely to go as well. It is really disgusting, really, for something so good that could turn so wrong. And no one has a clue about it. How could they know when there were reassurances after reassurances that all was well. No need to ask how it came about. The truth is all out there. Only those with eyes wide shut will say that there is no problem, that it is a blooming success, and the administrator deserved a gold medal for all the great work. They did give one to Lim Kim San then, the Magsaysay Award, for solving the housing problem.
I am figuring what kind of award shall be given for creating a housing problem that is so deep seated that after so many cooling measures the heat is still simmering, hot. And the new MND Minister is having sleepless night. Poor bugger. Don’t stress the small stuff huh, or it will be bad for the heart.
When or how long will Boon Wan be able to douse the heat and bring temperature to normal? It took great ingenuity and determination and great effort to solve the housing problem of old Singapore. And it took great effort and ingenuity to create this mountain of problem for a new man to solve. And he is complaining. Can’t blame him, as the problem is in such a knot that it will take at least 52 man years to solve. Take care, Boon Wan.
And I read a recommendation to the losers that if they cannot buy a flat, don't buy. So what's next, look for a rental flat? If also cannot afford or no rental flat how? Pitch a tent at the beach? If the authority comes and arrests you how? Never mind, can get free lodging then, maybe somewhere comfortable in Changi.
The DBSS is now like a piece of rotten shit, smelly and filthy and likely to be thrown away. Next in line will be the Executive Condominium while the BTO is likely to go as well. It is really disgusting, really, for something so good that could turn so wrong. And no one has a clue about it. How could they know when there were reassurances after reassurances that all was well. No need to ask how it came about. The truth is all out there. Only those with eyes wide shut will say that there is no problem, that it is a blooming success, and the administrator deserved a gold medal for all the great work. They did give one to Lim Kim San then, the Magsaysay Award, for solving the housing problem.
I am figuring what kind of award shall be given for creating a housing problem that is so deep seated that after so many cooling measures the heat is still simmering, hot. And the new MND Minister is having sleepless night. Poor bugger. Don’t stress the small stuff huh, or it will be bad for the heart.
When or how long will Boon Wan be able to douse the heat and bring temperature to normal? It took great ingenuity and determination and great effort to solve the housing problem of old Singapore. And it took great effort and ingenuity to create this mountain of problem for a new man to solve. And he is complaining. Can’t blame him, as the problem is in such a knot that it will take at least 52 man years to solve. Take care, Boon Wan.
And I read a recommendation to the losers that if they cannot buy a flat, don't buy. So what's next, look for a rental flat? If also cannot afford or no rental flat how? Pitch a tent at the beach? If the authority comes and arrests you how? Never mind, can get free lodging then, maybe somewhere comfortable in Changi.
7/04/2011
Talking down at the people
This is a political culture for several decades here. The dafts need to be treated as such. Father knows best and shall deliver. There is no need to listen, just be a deaf frog and do what is right. And if needed be, give them a public lecture on how lucky they were to have such talented leadership, and cheap too. They ought to be grateful for all the good things happening around them.
After the last GE, things took a dramatic change. Hsien Loong took the lead to apologise to the people for the govt’s mistakes and pledged to listen more to the people. Yes, the deaf frog is also listening I supposed. While those who have been talking down to the people were either whisked away or remain dumb, those who are still talking are now more polite and pleading with the people to give them time to do their jobs.
One or two tried some gimmicky comments and were taken to task immediately. Some are still learning and still talking down to the people. That is the advantage of being young. Young men tended to be a bit more cocky, a natural trait. The older and wiser ones are taking a different mode in engaging the people in the internet.
Would the younger leaders learn to be more engaging, more listening, or would they still think it is their right to talk down to the people? Ask lesser of the govt. Why don’t they ask lesser, take lesser, and do more instead? The people have got used to a very expensive govt that is asking more and more in terms of salary. And the people are reciprocating by asking more and more of the govt in return. You want to take more, show the people that you can do more, but not talk more. Talking is good when you can deliver. But before delivering, it is better to talk less and do more. Show the people what you can do. But don’t insist that you have done damn well when in fact you have messed up the show.
But as they said, it is good to be young. It is the privilege of the young to be a bit arrogant, a bit abrasive, and also the right to make some mistakes along the way. That is how older people gain their wisdom.
After the last GE, things took a dramatic change. Hsien Loong took the lead to apologise to the people for the govt’s mistakes and pledged to listen more to the people. Yes, the deaf frog is also listening I supposed. While those who have been talking down to the people were either whisked away or remain dumb, those who are still talking are now more polite and pleading with the people to give them time to do their jobs.
One or two tried some gimmicky comments and were taken to task immediately. Some are still learning and still talking down to the people. That is the advantage of being young. Young men tended to be a bit more cocky, a natural trait. The older and wiser ones are taking a different mode in engaging the people in the internet.
Would the younger leaders learn to be more engaging, more listening, or would they still think it is their right to talk down to the people? Ask lesser of the govt. Why don’t they ask lesser, take lesser, and do more instead? The people have got used to a very expensive govt that is asking more and more in terms of salary. And the people are reciprocating by asking more and more of the govt in return. You want to take more, show the people that you can do more, but not talk more. Talking is good when you can deliver. But before delivering, it is better to talk less and do more. Show the people what you can do. But don’t insist that you have done damn well when in fact you have messed up the show.
But as they said, it is good to be young. It is the privilege of the young to be a bit arrogant, a bit abrasive, and also the right to make some mistakes along the way. That is how older people gain their wisdom.
A few simple questions for the presidential candidates
With the three Tans, all ex PAP candidates, in the fray for the most highly paid president job in the whole wide world, for that matter, no president comes even near or half of what these president hopefuls will be getting, I just want to ask them individually, a few simple questions.
1. What would he think are the reasons/justifications for the EP to be paid $4m, plus whatever performance bonuses and growth bonuses if applicable?
2. Can any one of them confirm that the $4m is all the EP is getting and nothing more, excluding all the costs for the maintenance of the office?
3. Do the candidates believe that the remuneration for the EP is reasonable, or too much or too little?
4. If given a choice, how much does he think would be a reasonable sum for the EP?
5. If elected, will he take the full salary as what is deserving of the office, or would he think that it is too much and he would like to donate some to charity, and how much would he donate?
Answering the above questions will definitely help the voters to decide who they will elect. These are now the real issues that the voters are asking. Not how independent they are from the PAP. Never mind if they are sponsored by the PAP or not. Never mind the custodial duty or ceremonial duties. We all know what those duties are.
The people know that all the candidates are independent from the PAP. The people also know that they are not sponsored by the PAP. The people also know what each thinks his role is as the EP.
Just tell us how much you need to be the EP will do.
1. What would he think are the reasons/justifications for the EP to be paid $4m, plus whatever performance bonuses and growth bonuses if applicable?
2. Can any one of them confirm that the $4m is all the EP is getting and nothing more, excluding all the costs for the maintenance of the office?
3. Do the candidates believe that the remuneration for the EP is reasonable, or too much or too little?
4. If given a choice, how much does he think would be a reasonable sum for the EP?
5. If elected, will he take the full salary as what is deserving of the office, or would he think that it is too much and he would like to donate some to charity, and how much would he donate?
Answering the above questions will definitely help the voters to decide who they will elect. These are now the real issues that the voters are asking. Not how independent they are from the PAP. Never mind if they are sponsored by the PAP or not. Never mind the custodial duty or ceremonial duties. We all know what those duties are.
The people know that all the candidates are independent from the PAP. The people also know that they are not sponsored by the PAP. The people also know what each thinks his role is as the EP.
Just tell us how much you need to be the EP will do.
How much to serve the people?
Someone asked how much was needed to serve the people. The answer, $15k a month should be enough. What, that’s impossible! How to live a dignified lifestyle with that kind of pittance? This is what Chen Show Mao and Sylvia Lim needs to be a MP full time. They have both quitted their full time jobs. For Chen Show Mao, who was used to earning many times more, he would have a lot of adjusting to do. He may even have to take public transport or buy a HDB flat, downgrade his lifestyle to suit his smaller pay check. Another important question pops up? Would he be tempted to be corrupt if he is not being paid in the millions?
Chen Show Mao’s presence in the home political scene has disturbed the status quo of high paying sacrifices in politics. Do I make sense in this statement? Nevermind, it is not meant to make sense anyway. But you will get what I mean.
When Chen Show Mao returned to stand for the GE, some questioned his motives and sincerity as if he was a wolf in sheepskin. The doubts cast on him were full of skepticism and ill intent. They raised questions about his family, his children, why he spent so many years out of the country, even his accent.
Today, we heard that he had resigned from a high profile and very high paying job, to be an ordinary MP, to serve the people in the tropical heat of a void deck. No more designer suits, no more air conditioned comfort, no more fine dinings with the sikit atas and nice people, but plenty of kopitiam talks and shoulder rubbing with the losers.
Again, the skeptics and those with private agenda would be wagging their tongues about this new kid in the block. What is he up to? Is he up to any no good? Or is he of unsound mind? Such chivalry and sacrifice for a cause, a higher calling, is just too idealistic and can only be found in children’s fairy tales story books. Is he serious in what he is doing and would he quit after one term?
By the way, Chen Show Mao has never used the word ‘sacrifice’ in the all the things he is doing. He just came in from the cold and doing what many would demand a fortune to do. He is a man with a mission, a man of the moment, dispelling all the myths that we have all made to believe in. Would Times Magazine want to put his face on their front page?
Please pour more cold water on my head. This kind of things cannot be true. It is just not practical, not real. Or is he a freak, an alien? What is his belief? What kind of odd upbringings did he receive to do such things that normal people will scorn upon? Shall he be praised or shall he be shunned, to upset the impeccable window dressings in the expensive Orchard Road department stores?
Oh, time will tell, so they said.
Chen Show Mao’s presence in the home political scene has disturbed the status quo of high paying sacrifices in politics. Do I make sense in this statement? Nevermind, it is not meant to make sense anyway. But you will get what I mean.
When Chen Show Mao returned to stand for the GE, some questioned his motives and sincerity as if he was a wolf in sheepskin. The doubts cast on him were full of skepticism and ill intent. They raised questions about his family, his children, why he spent so many years out of the country, even his accent.
Today, we heard that he had resigned from a high profile and very high paying job, to be an ordinary MP, to serve the people in the tropical heat of a void deck. No more designer suits, no more air conditioned comfort, no more fine dinings with the sikit atas and nice people, but plenty of kopitiam talks and shoulder rubbing with the losers.
Again, the skeptics and those with private agenda would be wagging their tongues about this new kid in the block. What is he up to? Is he up to any no good? Or is he of unsound mind? Such chivalry and sacrifice for a cause, a higher calling, is just too idealistic and can only be found in children’s fairy tales story books. Is he serious in what he is doing and would he quit after one term?
By the way, Chen Show Mao has never used the word ‘sacrifice’ in the all the things he is doing. He just came in from the cold and doing what many would demand a fortune to do. He is a man with a mission, a man of the moment, dispelling all the myths that we have all made to believe in. Would Times Magazine want to put his face on their front page?
Please pour more cold water on my head. This kind of things cannot be true. It is just not practical, not real. Or is he a freak, an alien? What is his belief? What kind of odd upbringings did he receive to do such things that normal people will scorn upon? Shall he be praised or shall he be shunned, to upset the impeccable window dressings in the expensive Orchard Road department stores?
Oh, time will tell, so they said.
7/03/2011
When Boon Wan is doing the kpkb
Things are getting interesting when Boon Wan is doing the kpkb himself. Kpkb is going to take on a very special meaning now. He is infuriated with the BT report on the obscene profit that Sim Lian was supposed to make from Centrale 8. ‘I am working my guts out to try to calm the market, for the good of all Singaporeans. But I can’t do it alone. I need all to help.’
And Boon Wan has only been on the job for 5 weeks and found himself having sleepless night trying to solve an enormous problem that was non existence before he took office. His predecessor was having a cake walk then. Everything was going on smoothly according to plans, and Singaporeans got to be thankful for his skilled management of the housing problems. Oops, cannot call it a problem as there was no problem at all.
Perhaps Boon Wan may want to have tea with his predecessor and get a few good advices on how to manage a problem that was not a problem in the first place. Then he can have an easier life. Imagine him rushing out all the BTOs and pushing all the contractors to build in double quick time, cannot sleep, and the prices still uncontrollable. And he needs everyone to help him when all he needed is Mah Bow Tan to show him the ropes.
Or could it be that all the so called problems were imaginary. Look at the riotings in Hongkong. They have a real problem, and one of which is soaring property prices. The people are really getting hit and are walking the streets. Here, where got problem? I can’t see any problem. You can’t find more than 200 angry people at Hong Lim and you called it a problem?
And Centrale 8 is still very well received by the people. Many young people are finding the location and facilities excellent and willing to pay the asking price. You cannot call that a problem. The people are just too happy to pay. Stop imagining? The answer is very simple. Just tell yourself that there is no problem and the problem will disappear. If people come to kpkb about problems, tell them it is they themselves that are the problems. Other people, in fact at least 60% of the population, are very happy people. Or adopt the deaf frog approach, just believe that what you are doing is right and the best way to go. Your conscience will then be clear and you will be at peace with yourself, and the million dollar salary.
Now, how can the media help Boon Wan? To report that there were profiteering and that the prices were too high? Or to report that the prices are reasonable with very little profit? I think, just the personal opinion of a simple layman, if the buyers are told that developer’s costs are so high and the pricing is just right with minimum profit, then they can never expect the price to come any lower. You cannot expect the developer to build at a lost. So I think the buyers will buy up the whole Centrale 8 at the asking price. If the price is excessively high as reported, would it not put fear to the buyers and to pressure other developers to bring the price down?
On the one hand it was worrying that the price was too high. Now it is claimed that it is reasonable, with little profit? Which view will create more problems?
Maybe the media shall not report on those rich interviewees who said the prices are affordable or reasonable. And then report on those who are complaining that the prices are too high, cannot afford them? There is a choice in reporting, really. The Hongkong demonstration was reported to have 200,000 participants by the organisers and only 50,000 by the police. And the readers also have a choice to read what they want to believe in the media.
So, is the price of Centrale 8 high or low? Is there a housing problem here? Now who is to say that a $1m Ferrari is expensive? It all depends on whether you can afford it. To some it is cheap, cheap, cheap.
By the way, what is the hooha about? The market forces will set the property prices. Those who can afford, buy, those who cannot, downgrade their expectations. Problem solved already.
And Boon Wan has only been on the job for 5 weeks and found himself having sleepless night trying to solve an enormous problem that was non existence before he took office. His predecessor was having a cake walk then. Everything was going on smoothly according to plans, and Singaporeans got to be thankful for his skilled management of the housing problems. Oops, cannot call it a problem as there was no problem at all.
Perhaps Boon Wan may want to have tea with his predecessor and get a few good advices on how to manage a problem that was not a problem in the first place. Then he can have an easier life. Imagine him rushing out all the BTOs and pushing all the contractors to build in double quick time, cannot sleep, and the prices still uncontrollable. And he needs everyone to help him when all he needed is Mah Bow Tan to show him the ropes.
Or could it be that all the so called problems were imaginary. Look at the riotings in Hongkong. They have a real problem, and one of which is soaring property prices. The people are really getting hit and are walking the streets. Here, where got problem? I can’t see any problem. You can’t find more than 200 angry people at Hong Lim and you called it a problem?
And Centrale 8 is still very well received by the people. Many young people are finding the location and facilities excellent and willing to pay the asking price. You cannot call that a problem. The people are just too happy to pay. Stop imagining? The answer is very simple. Just tell yourself that there is no problem and the problem will disappear. If people come to kpkb about problems, tell them it is they themselves that are the problems. Other people, in fact at least 60% of the population, are very happy people. Or adopt the deaf frog approach, just believe that what you are doing is right and the best way to go. Your conscience will then be clear and you will be at peace with yourself, and the million dollar salary.
Now, how can the media help Boon Wan? To report that there were profiteering and that the prices were too high? Or to report that the prices are reasonable with very little profit? I think, just the personal opinion of a simple layman, if the buyers are told that developer’s costs are so high and the pricing is just right with minimum profit, then they can never expect the price to come any lower. You cannot expect the developer to build at a lost. So I think the buyers will buy up the whole Centrale 8 at the asking price. If the price is excessively high as reported, would it not put fear to the buyers and to pressure other developers to bring the price down?
On the one hand it was worrying that the price was too high. Now it is claimed that it is reasonable, with little profit? Which view will create more problems?
Maybe the media shall not report on those rich interviewees who said the prices are affordable or reasonable. And then report on those who are complaining that the prices are too high, cannot afford them? There is a choice in reporting, really. The Hongkong demonstration was reported to have 200,000 participants by the organisers and only 50,000 by the police. And the readers also have a choice to read what they want to believe in the media.
So, is the price of Centrale 8 high or low? Is there a housing problem here? Now who is to say that a $1m Ferrari is expensive? It all depends on whether you can afford it. To some it is cheap, cheap, cheap.
By the way, what is the hooha about? The market forces will set the property prices. Those who can afford, buy, those who cannot, downgrade their expectations. Problem solved already.
7/02/2011
Citizen’s savings become Nation’s reserves
According to Ngiam Tong Dow’s article, the country’s reserves comprise CPF contributions, budget surpluses, revenue from land sales and dividends from GLCs. I would believe all the profits made by the ministries and stats boards would also be included in the reserves under surpluses.
Does it mean that the funds managed by the GIC and Temasek Holdings are not part of the reserves but funds managed by them from the govt? Technically that could be the case as it would lead to double entry and recognition.
What I am curious is the assigning of the people’s savings in the CPF as the country’s reserves. Aren’t this money the people’s money? The govt’s money is money it generated from its services, profits and surpluses. There cannot be any misunderstanding that the people’s savings is not the country’s money. It is a more acceptable general description that the country’s savings or wealth is the people’s money as the people is the ultimate owner of the country. Definitely the country cannot claim that the money the people saved belong to the country and become its reserves. If that be the case, it has an additional reason to boost up the savings in the CPF to inflate the reserves. Have all the lockup schemes got anything to do with this?
This distinction must be clearly defined or else it is easy for the administrator of the people’s saving to think that it is their money and they can do anything they want with the money. The often changes in the withdrawal date and amount to be withdrawn and what or how the people can use their savings are manifestations of a mindset that puts questions to the ownership of the people’s savings in the CPF.
The people cannot take it lying down that the govt can dictate how and what it wants to do with their savings, locking it up in all kinds of schemes. Should this be a time to redefine the people’s savings in the CPF as the people’s savings and not the nation’s reserves? As a reserves it is good to know and to see but cannot touch except by the govt. Does not seem very right is it? It is better to remove the people’s saving from the definition of reserves so that no one will harbour wild ideas about them.
Your money is my money and my money is my money.
Does it mean that the funds managed by the GIC and Temasek Holdings are not part of the reserves but funds managed by them from the govt? Technically that could be the case as it would lead to double entry and recognition.
What I am curious is the assigning of the people’s savings in the CPF as the country’s reserves. Aren’t this money the people’s money? The govt’s money is money it generated from its services, profits and surpluses. There cannot be any misunderstanding that the people’s savings is not the country’s money. It is a more acceptable general description that the country’s savings or wealth is the people’s money as the people is the ultimate owner of the country. Definitely the country cannot claim that the money the people saved belong to the country and become its reserves. If that be the case, it has an additional reason to boost up the savings in the CPF to inflate the reserves. Have all the lockup schemes got anything to do with this?
This distinction must be clearly defined or else it is easy for the administrator of the people’s saving to think that it is their money and they can do anything they want with the money. The often changes in the withdrawal date and amount to be withdrawn and what or how the people can use their savings are manifestations of a mindset that puts questions to the ownership of the people’s savings in the CPF.
The people cannot take it lying down that the govt can dictate how and what it wants to do with their savings, locking it up in all kinds of schemes. Should this be a time to redefine the people’s savings in the CPF as the people’s savings and not the nation’s reserves? As a reserves it is good to know and to see but cannot touch except by the govt. Does not seem very right is it? It is better to remove the people’s saving from the definition of reserves so that no one will harbour wild ideas about them.
Your money is my money and my money is my money.
7/01/2011
The phones stop ringing
More shocks than stocks as brokers take a belting and the phones stop ringing
June 28, 2011
Bill Shorten and some key federal politicians are about to be lobbied hard and loud by Australia's retail brokers who are fighting for their lives against a backdrop of depressed trading volumes, falling commissions and tougher regulation.
The latest body blow relates to a set of recommendations in the Future of Financial Advice (FOFA) reforms which came about following the collapse of some financial planning companies, notably Storm Financial.
Industry submissions recently closed, but some blue-chip stockbrokers and their lobby group, the Stockbrokers' Association of Australia, will go direct to politicians to try to overturn a set of proposals before they are put to the Parliament….
In the past few years, more than 20 brokers have either collapsed, nearly collapsed or merged.
Most have culled staff or instigated hiring freezes. More recently, BBY bought Stonebridge Group, formerly known as Tricom Securities.
Most brokers remain unlisted and out of the public gaze, but the few that decided to list on the ASX have found the experience humbling.
Austock Asset Management's shares trade at 12¢ which is a far cry from the high of $2.10 in December 2007. Wilson HTM is at 67¢ a share after trading above $4 in June 2007 and Bell Financial Group is at 78.5¢ after trading at more than double that in 2007.
With thin volumes on the ASX, it is becoming a war of attrition in stockbroker land, with questions over who can survive the longest under the strain.
There are three parts to a traditional retail business: retail advisory, institutional brokerage and corporate finance. In the current climate, retail advisory has fallen severely, institutional has been butchered, and with few floats and even fewer equity raisings, corporate finance is on life support.
This is not being helped by some tougher regulatory requirements, including the increase in the minimum core capital requirement - from $2 million to $5 million, and going up to $10 million in 2013 - for stockbrokers who clear their own trades. This is a big increase considering the requirement was $100,000 a few years ago.
It is no surprise then that some smaller brokers have already moved to third party clearing while others will need to consolidate.
Times are certainly tough, particularly for the smaller full service retail brokers, with some complaining the phones hardly ring. With more investors going for cheaper online trading and the ASX focused on turnover and speed of transactions, many more will fall by the wayside.
The above is an article in Brisbane
Times on I Jul 11.
The Stock Market has been transformed in the last few years to an animal that is beyond recognition. It is no longer a stock market in the traditional sense where companies list their shares to raise funds for growth and expansion, where investors made profits from long term investments and riding on the growth of profitable companies. And where brokers and broking houses were able to service their clients and earn a commission to support their operation.
Today, the big funds are trying to make money from the fictitious stock market by being faster than the next guy by 1 micro sec or by placing a micro bit of 0.01c. And big funds are able to take full advantage of an unlevel playing field, using their big financial muscles, technology and hardware to squeeze every cent out of the small investors.
Stock exchanges used to take it as their main responsibility, to provide a fair and level trading platform to all players. Today they unashamingly embraced the big funds and accommodate their unfair trading methodologies with no sense of guilt or crime. Small investors thus became victims to the big funds and lost their pants without knowing why, and on one willing to own up for the fiasco in the stock exchanges around the world.
The phones have stop ringging. Soon the brokers will hand up their phones too, and so will be the broking houses. Retrenchment and cost cutting will not do when there is no income to sustain the high overheads. Neither will cutting the razor thin commission make any sense or do any good. The gimmicks of continuous trading with no lunch breaks will not bring in additional business as the small investors will still not have any chance in an unfair trading system. It only benefits the big funds that operate cross boundaries to take advantage of arbitrage opportunities and their sophisticated computer system to scalp every cent there is from the small investors.
Yes, it cannot go on forever as the small investors will not be able to keep paying for their losses. The Brisbane Stock Brokers are barking up the wrong tree like brokers around the world. The key issue is to return to the basics of what a stock exchange is supposed to be, and when trading is fair and level for everyone, and where companies can raise funds and grow, while small investors can invest and grow with the companies.
Making money by being 1 micro second faster is not stock investing. Applying huge funds and technology to win bets in the stock exchange is not stock investing either, but manipulation of the stock market system, cornering of the market, buying and selling without change of ownership which are against the rules and regulations of stock exchanges.
When will the phone go dead for good? The new regulations that the Australian brokers are to put up with are plain stupidity that will do no good to their business. It is shadow fighting, grasping at strawmen. When are they going to open their eyes to see what is going wrong?
June 28, 2011
Bill Shorten and some key federal politicians are about to be lobbied hard and loud by Australia's retail brokers who are fighting for their lives against a backdrop of depressed trading volumes, falling commissions and tougher regulation.
The latest body blow relates to a set of recommendations in the Future of Financial Advice (FOFA) reforms which came about following the collapse of some financial planning companies, notably Storm Financial.
Industry submissions recently closed, but some blue-chip stockbrokers and their lobby group, the Stockbrokers' Association of Australia, will go direct to politicians to try to overturn a set of proposals before they are put to the Parliament….
In the past few years, more than 20 brokers have either collapsed, nearly collapsed or merged.
Most have culled staff or instigated hiring freezes. More recently, BBY bought Stonebridge Group, formerly known as Tricom Securities.
Most brokers remain unlisted and out of the public gaze, but the few that decided to list on the ASX have found the experience humbling.
Austock Asset Management's shares trade at 12¢ which is a far cry from the high of $2.10 in December 2007. Wilson HTM is at 67¢ a share after trading above $4 in June 2007 and Bell Financial Group is at 78.5¢ after trading at more than double that in 2007.
With thin volumes on the ASX, it is becoming a war of attrition in stockbroker land, with questions over who can survive the longest under the strain.
There are three parts to a traditional retail business: retail advisory, institutional brokerage and corporate finance. In the current climate, retail advisory has fallen severely, institutional has been butchered, and with few floats and even fewer equity raisings, corporate finance is on life support.
This is not being helped by some tougher regulatory requirements, including the increase in the minimum core capital requirement - from $2 million to $5 million, and going up to $10 million in 2013 - for stockbrokers who clear their own trades. This is a big increase considering the requirement was $100,000 a few years ago.
It is no surprise then that some smaller brokers have already moved to third party clearing while others will need to consolidate.
Times are certainly tough, particularly for the smaller full service retail brokers, with some complaining the phones hardly ring. With more investors going for cheaper online trading and the ASX focused on turnover and speed of transactions, many more will fall by the wayside.
The above is an article in Brisbane
Times on I Jul 11.
The Stock Market has been transformed in the last few years to an animal that is beyond recognition. It is no longer a stock market in the traditional sense where companies list their shares to raise funds for growth and expansion, where investors made profits from long term investments and riding on the growth of profitable companies. And where brokers and broking houses were able to service their clients and earn a commission to support their operation.
Today, the big funds are trying to make money from the fictitious stock market by being faster than the next guy by 1 micro sec or by placing a micro bit of 0.01c. And big funds are able to take full advantage of an unlevel playing field, using their big financial muscles, technology and hardware to squeeze every cent out of the small investors.
Stock exchanges used to take it as their main responsibility, to provide a fair and level trading platform to all players. Today they unashamingly embraced the big funds and accommodate their unfair trading methodologies with no sense of guilt or crime. Small investors thus became victims to the big funds and lost their pants without knowing why, and on one willing to own up for the fiasco in the stock exchanges around the world.
The phones have stop ringging. Soon the brokers will hand up their phones too, and so will be the broking houses. Retrenchment and cost cutting will not do when there is no income to sustain the high overheads. Neither will cutting the razor thin commission make any sense or do any good. The gimmicks of continuous trading with no lunch breaks will not bring in additional business as the small investors will still not have any chance in an unfair trading system. It only benefits the big funds that operate cross boundaries to take advantage of arbitrage opportunities and their sophisticated computer system to scalp every cent there is from the small investors.
Yes, it cannot go on forever as the small investors will not be able to keep paying for their losses. The Brisbane Stock Brokers are barking up the wrong tree like brokers around the world. The key issue is to return to the basics of what a stock exchange is supposed to be, and when trading is fair and level for everyone, and where companies can raise funds and grow, while small investors can invest and grow with the companies.
Making money by being 1 micro second faster is not stock investing. Applying huge funds and technology to win bets in the stock exchange is not stock investing either, but manipulation of the stock market system, cornering of the market, buying and selling without change of ownership which are against the rules and regulations of stock exchanges.
When will the phone go dead for good? The new regulations that the Australian brokers are to put up with are plain stupidity that will do no good to their business. It is shadow fighting, grasping at strawmen. When are they going to open their eyes to see what is going wrong?
We have plenty of land
We can bring in another few million people and we will still have enough land to build more ugly building blocks to house them. Sure, no problem. We have even more land overseas to train our boys, I mean borrowed land, or leased land. What if the political climate changes? What if our friendly countries got moneywise and want us to pay more for training our boys in their land? And what if we run out of goodwill and borrowed land and have to bring our boys back, and train them in our own land? Would our boys be jumping from one HDB block to another as part of their training?
In our pursuit for more heads for growth, we have used up practically every inch of land we have for all things, including training young men. Can we count on other countries to be always friendly and willing to let us train in their land? It is a possibility that no one will want us one day and we will be truly fixed.
We need to conserve our land and stop the relentless building programme by filling them up with more buildings to house more people. We are painting ourselves into a corner when land is concerned.
In our pursuit for more heads for growth, we have used up practically every inch of land we have for all things, including training young men. Can we count on other countries to be always friendly and willing to let us train in their land? It is a possibility that no one will want us one day and we will be truly fixed.
We need to conserve our land and stop the relentless building programme by filling them up with more buildings to house more people. We are painting ourselves into a corner when land is concerned.
The last man against a rogue govt
This is the primary duty of the Elected President. Probably the only executive duty he is expected to perform in a time of great crisis. The rest of his roles are mainly ceremonial and rubber stamping of what ever the govt wants him to stamp.
So, how important and effective will an Elected President hold himself as the last man in the defense of the nation’s reserves? It may be useful to understand what is a rogue govt to start with. A rogue govt is not just a bunch of rogue politicians, all 87 of them in Parliament at most. A rogue govt is not just all 87 MPs plus all their crony party members.
A rogue govt, if it is called a govt, must be all the civil servants, military and police personnel in cahoot with the ruling party. Only then can a rogue govt be formed to capture all the powers of a country and run the country as it likes, and to empty the treasury.
In the face of a rogue govt presenting the Elected President and his team of Presidential Advisers with an ultimatum,, and the rogue govt simply says, sign on the dotted line, what can an Elected President do? Can he say no?
Then again, it is unlikely that a rogue govt can be formed and get to that stage when all the civil servants, military and police personnel are with the rogue govt to do its biddings. An Elected President can only be effective if he can preempt the whole development, before a govt shows its greedy face that it is a rogue govt, and still has the civil servants and uniformed men on his side.
The critical point is when and how would the Elected President know that he has to act? Would he act if say an alternative party wins the majority in the next election to form the govt? Would the EP decide at that moment when a new govt is formed, that it is a rogue govt and call in the troops? Or would he wait till the day when the rogue govt reveals itself by asking him to sign on the dotted line?
To be effective, the EP must jump the gun. If not, he will not stand a chance when the day comes.
So, how important and effective will an Elected President hold himself as the last man in the defense of the nation’s reserves? It may be useful to understand what is a rogue govt to start with. A rogue govt is not just a bunch of rogue politicians, all 87 of them in Parliament at most. A rogue govt is not just all 87 MPs plus all their crony party members.
A rogue govt, if it is called a govt, must be all the civil servants, military and police personnel in cahoot with the ruling party. Only then can a rogue govt be formed to capture all the powers of a country and run the country as it likes, and to empty the treasury.
In the face of a rogue govt presenting the Elected President and his team of Presidential Advisers with an ultimatum,, and the rogue govt simply says, sign on the dotted line, what can an Elected President do? Can he say no?
Then again, it is unlikely that a rogue govt can be formed and get to that stage when all the civil servants, military and police personnel are with the rogue govt to do its biddings. An Elected President can only be effective if he can preempt the whole development, before a govt shows its greedy face that it is a rogue govt, and still has the civil servants and uniformed men on his side.
The critical point is when and how would the Elected President know that he has to act? Would he act if say an alternative party wins the majority in the next election to form the govt? Would the EP decide at that moment when a new govt is formed, that it is a rogue govt and call in the troops? Or would he wait till the day when the rogue govt reveals itself by asking him to sign on the dotted line?
To be effective, the EP must jump the gun. If not, he will not stand a chance when the day comes.
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