5/17/2013
Sun Tzu’s Art of War in practice
The continuing episode of the tussle over the AIM saga has taken a new twist with the WP’s award of the TCMS contract to FM Solutions and Services(FMSS) taking the spotlight. The AIM saga saw the PAP on the defensive, warding blows all over.
The picture has changed with the FMSS involvement and the WP is now on the defensive. Teo Ho Pin has suggested something amiss amounting to impropriety. The WP, represented by Sylvia Lim, has stood its ground and challenged Teo Ho Pin to report the case to CPIB if they think it is necessary. The ball is now in the court of the PAP, to go to the CPIB or not got go. Going to the CPIB is a serious thing and WP will be very busy invited for tea and its award of the contract to FMSS be put under the microscope. Not going to the CPIB is an admission that what he said has no basis. Very likely it will go to CPIB I think.
Would WP then counter the move with a report to CPIB on the AIM saga, if they can find any ground to do so, and open another front? This is political warfare with attacks and counteroffensive, evasions, misleading the enemies, diversions, all lumped into the battle field.
How would this war go forward and how long will it take to end the war? Will there be a victor or will both parties end up as collateral damages? This is going to be a massive exercise involving a lot of manhours and resources and the skills of military strategists and snoops to dig out more information as cannon fodder. The beneficiary of this contest will be truth, transparency and accountability, hopefully.
Politicians will be made more aware of the spotlight that could fall on them on what they are doing and the explanations they have to provide to appease public scrutiny. This is something like washing dirty linen in the open. This is a new expectation, a new political reality.
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45 comments:
With so many funny and suspicious points raised in this drama, would the CPIB initiate its own investigation or must it wait for a complain before they can investigate?
"... would the CPIB initiate its own investigation or must it wait for a complain before they can investigate?"
Who does the CPIB report to?
Who is CPIB's boss?
Does CPIB have to explain their actions or no-ctions to the Singaporean citizens?
Gd Morning RB,
This sounds more like another “兵法” than Sun Tzu.
But the author supposedly is also same surname Sun.
Some historians attribute this to a Warring State period ( around BC 500+ to BC 200+ ) military strategist called Sun Bing。
Think this counter move is call “围魏救赵”。
But I suppose long run, holistically, country wise it is beneficial because it is akin Team A sparring Team B.
In football, usually our Lions go for competitive games before major tournaments so the team is at peak form in terms of fitness, sharpness, tactical trainings etc etc.
But of course our "political Team A Lions" are far far ahead of our "football Team A lions" in world ranking. This is not a joke. It is true in the sense that though Sgreans compain alot but outside Sg, our nation is much revered, admired and respected around the globe.
Of course, how did our nation achieved such high respect and accolade is another point.
More significantly, if ever there is a world cup in that sense, our "Team A Lions" should be in the Final 32 and more than capable of going past the first round and beyond the last 16. Too bad there is no such world cup games. But I think Sg success is testimonial that we are capable of that.
I think overall this "art of war practice and sparring" is good in the sense that "Practise makes perfect" so when external threat arises one day, sg is more than ready to deal with it.
Agree?
This is just my opinion and not necessarily what would result. Of course, it should be in our nation's interests if our leaders are very adept at “兵法” . No harm knowing more skills. It can only benefit Sg more.
Anyway, I sincerely hope there would not be any netizen who takes it negatively and “throws eggs” at my comment. My view is that on the international stage, there is no more Team A, Team B. It should be Team Singapore, just like the Olympics.
No?
My parting words:
"Need any counter counter counter counter move can email me. No charges. :)" Just kidding. But just for "academic discourse", how about using “金蝉脱壳”？ Sounds familiar?
I just blog to discuss issues, keep updated with the world but nothing of the sort that might "rock our little ship because few millions livelihoods at stake". Reasonable?
Is CPIB proactive in it's function?
Let's get it straight. I thought CPIB is only involved when there is suspicion of something being illegal. Immoral, illogical or unreasonable, eg terms in contract, are not illegal, tio bo?
For example, having extra marital affairs (EMA) to get business contracts is corruption and also illegal.
But EMA per se is not corruption, not illegal but it is immoral.
It all boils down to what is illegal, not anything else.
It is not a crime to be immoral, illogical or unreasonable if it can be proven that it does not break any laws.
And if no laws are broken, there is no case to answer in the courts.
I am not a lawyer but am I right?
What do you think?
Most important, it is also not a crime for an incumbent to gerrymander to win elections.
Sun Tzu Art Of War was obsolete since the First World War, maybe even long before that.
Anyway, even in ancient wars between and among the Different States in China itself, said Art Of War was useless. China was ruled by many Dynasties that overthrew one another. And the greatest failure of Sun Tze Art Of War is self exprained when China fell to the Mongolian, Manchurian, Russian and Europeans.
Sun Tzu could have been a war expert foe horseback and foot soldiers. But, its greatest failure lies in its inability to unite the Chinese until Mao Zedong did it.
Sun Tzu was not at fault when China's dynasties fell so many times. The causes of the falls were more political, inept and weak and useless kings running the country. The country already rotted within and there were really no strong army and generals to fight a war, no money to fight a war.
That's was why I said, know your enemy and know your enemy is only a small fraction of winning a war. There are resources, logistics, weapons, soldiers and many other things.
In CPIB, who makes the decision to proceed with an investigation?
CPIB ?
Isn't CPIB is political in nature just like Khaw say about town council and partisan to a party as well (see who is the clown they reporting to, and who blatantly publicly admit where to find time to fix opp party and buy supporters' vote)
CPIB ex-chief, Chua Cher Yak, said: “Our job is driven by political will. We can only be as effective as the Government wants us to be.”
http://www.tremeritus.com/2012/06/08/what-political-will-achieves/
http://www.tremeritus.com/2012/09/28/cpib-director-conveniently-forgets-to-invite-old-director-mr-yoong-to-its-60th-anniversary-celebration/
please don't forget we are the modern Qing Dynasty, just without the violence.
We learn about the fate of Yue Fei, yet we see it happening in Sincity constantly. No, our yue fei don't get killed, they just been oppressed, silenced and threatened by defamation suit into docile and obedient puppy.
CPIB ex-chief, Chua Cher Yak, said: “Our job is driven by political will. We can only be as effective as the Government wants us to be.”
Anon May 17, 2013 1:12 pm
That's why it is very important to become the government by winning majority seats in elections.
WP ownself said not even ready to be government, let alone able to win elections to be government.
Like that, if I were Khaw or Teo, I would also have responded the way Khaw and Teo responded. Because I "see WP no up".
/// Anonymous said...
Sun Tzu Art Of War was obsolete since the First World War, maybe even long before that. ///
You obviously don't know what you are talking about. It is as current as it was then, and it will still be applicable to future wars if you have read the treatise.
The Gulf Wars were fought using its principles. Generals in the US have to study this classic.
Even Carl von Clausewitz was a student of this classic.
PAP is many times more advanced than Sun Tze, especially its Chief Lee Kuan Yew who is always planning 3 decades ahead. He is still at it.
His greatest strategy is to cripple all opponents by 斩草除根 annihilating any foreseeable threat to his Regime. Not only he removes the roots, he make sure the seeds are destroyed, so no sapling will grow.
He is able to project into the future and work out the possible consequences base on current situation and development. One of this future vision is to nurture a group of military commanders that will be at the behest of his Regime which is also make up of zombies like the soldiers. The Soldiers will be used as he had us informed when the Regime requires it to.
Whatever happens, Sinkies are henpeck by the Rulers and the only saviour for the People, if any, is the People themselves working in unison to vote the Regime out totally. Anything less than voting out 70% of the Regime will not be able to have the Regime replaced.
Another situation that could cause change has to be natural disaster which will be very unfortunate for that will be much suffering.
Ah ha - found it for you Mr Ignoramus @ May 17, 2013 12:20 pm
/// Sun Tzu Art Of War was obsolete since the First World War, maybe even long before that. ///
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_Tzu
The Department of the Army in the United States, through its Command and General Staff College, has directed all units to maintain libraries within their respective headquarters for the continuing education of personnel in the art of war. The Art of War is mentioned as an example of works to be maintained at each individual unit, and staff duty officers are obliged to prepare short papers for presentation to other officers on their readings.[21]
Sun Tzu's The Art of War is listed on the Marine Corps Professional Reading Program (formerly known as the Commandant's Reading List).[22] During the Persian Gulf War in the 1990s, both General Norman Schwarzkopf, Jr. and General Colin Powell practiced Sun Tzu's principles of deception, speed, and attacking the enemy's weakness.[16]
What Sun Tzu? Money can settle everything. Money can even buy the votes they want. The winner and loser of AIM has been determined way in advance. Whoever has more money will win. THis is the harsh but true reality of the world we live in. People must learn to vote properly in next GE else all the reserves will go to the wrong hands.
Who is Sun Tzu compare to Lee Tzu ?
Don't compare apples with oranges.
Don't compare PAP 2013 with PAP 1963.
The chinese saying that it is the old ginger that has bigger bite is so true.The heroine from WP is out- manouvered and outgunned and is now on the defensive.Her suggestion of CPIB is bad. She may not know that CPIB is under the office of PM who likes to fix opposition and is as neutral as the American IRS.In this war it is the MIW that emerges victorious because they pracrised Sun Tzu Art: They chose the favourable terrain(parliament, mass media, both under their control), they use overwhelming force(MND) and they know their enemy.
AIM is now the waterloo of WP's chairwoman. Not PAP's chairman!
Do not be daft.
Deception, speed, make better and more lethal weapons are normal military stuff and commonsense. Anyone who is a military commander needs to learn Sun Tze about them should be made to sweep the barracks and camp lah.
However; having said that, commanders are lucky to have chance to read story book and use it later as cause and reason for losing battle. Why not?
"AIM is now the waterloo of WP's chairwoman. Not PAP's chairman! "
Don't worry.
人在昨天在看，相信正义，相信善有善报，恶有恶报
The Battle has just started, the ultimate winner is the People no matter how it ends.
First, the People have a better glimpse into the intricate web of how schemes work in Sin. The Political Parties and their Top Dogs got plenty of opportunities to show their competency, efficiency and integrity.
We get to know them better.
Secondly, if CPIB is involved, again the plebeians get to see how it functions and see for ourselves its impartiality or otherwise.
Most have lost confidence that they have much future in Sin. The more pessimistic ones have resigned to fate while the hopeful ones are gearing for change.
Whatever it is, having more Political Parties in the Government certainly benefit the People.
Imagine that there is only One Party in the Government; we will never have the Chance to examine how the System works and how respectable our Rulers are.
patriot
If WP chairwoman is convicted for wrong doing, will people of this small island stand up for her? will they continue to be kiasi, kiasu and hide behind their balls?
This small island has become too money oriented under current ruling party. When a man drops into a white tigers den in the zoo, they will prefer to let the man being mauled to death than to kill the tigers to save the man cos the tigers have more economic value ( making tourists money) than the man. People must learn to STOP voting for a particular evil party.
'人在昨天在看，相信正义，相信善有善报，恶有恶报'
THis world is full of lies. It takes more than kindness to defeat evil. It needs the unison of people. Unfortunately, that is asking for pigs to fly else Jesus would not have been cruxifixed.
Blame a book and free themselves.
Sounds better than Sun Tze oredi
BBC
[Managing the Benghazi crisis is a tricky business]
by Tara McKelvey
BBC News Magazine
"Like his predecessors,
President Obama is relying on a specially-commissioned report and efforts at transparency to control the fallout from Benghazi.
US officials were following a well-worn path:
when in trouble, announce the creation of a panel.
'These reports have become a standard way that govts manage crises,'
says Richard Gowan of New York University's Center on International Cooperation.
'There's always a sense that this is a way to remove the poison from an issue,' Gowan says.
'The problem is what comes afterwards.'
'They are frequently more about buying time
than about actually getting to the bottom of what happened,' Gowan says.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-22487286
人在做, 天在看 may not deter believers from unethical practices and immoral deeds. It is because believers believe that they will be forgiven if they are religiously pious. That is they pray hard for forgiveness instead of refraining from greed and vice.
Now pardon me from digressing, I was cursing about the increase of about 1/3 more in my Utilities Bill at this Site not long ago. There were many others swearing about similar increase in their bills too and all about the same quantum. Imagine about 30% increase, huge hike indeed I must say. And really cant find any reasonable cause for it.
How about You?
patriot
The increases are justified because YOU voted for it.
At least 60% of you anyway.
What part of Pay And Pay don't you understand?
You want to see a decrease?
Vote for it in GE 2016.
But until then.
Keep paying for the next 3 years.
Serves you right.
@ Patriot 17/03/2013 4.10 pm
“The Battle has just started, the ultimate winner is the People no matter how it ends.”
This is not necessarily true.
“Practise and sparring is ok”. If it “degenerates” into “打内战”，ultimately “人民受苦”。
“打内战” in any country historically = “ internal M – A – D “.
In most instances, what is the outcome?
“亲者痛，仇者快”。
“Adversaries would be glad to see sg falls apart.”
“打内战” likely "benefits nobody domestically. Historically, in the end, the country as a whole suffers the most. This may not be what the people want."
It's easier actually for the party to apologies on a indefensible position and move on but then sorry is not in their vacab.
@ Anon 10:43 pm.
Haha.....Though me never voted for PAP, not even over my dead body; i still agree with You that many had voted for the Regime over and over again.
I can confirm that over 90% of my family and clan of about 30 voters did that repeatedly. But, i must disagree with You that since most have voted for the Regime, the Latter has the Authority and Right to do as it likes. This premise is untenable as it means abuse of power.
The hike in the Last Utilities charges goes against stable and lower cost of oil in the Last many months. Our neighbouring countries had just announced lowering their cost of power supply. What an irony!
Anyway, i maybe irked by the increase, however i am not sure that others feel the same.
Thank You for the Interaction, have a good weekend.
patriot
ST Forum
Kalaiselvan Rajangam
[TOWN COUNCIL CONTRACTS
Where's the accountability]
"ON MONDAY, Minister Khaw Boon Wan revealed in Parliament
details about the management contract awarded by the WP-run Aljunied-Hougang Town Council to FM Solutions and Services
without a tender being called
('Khaw: Town councils political by nature'; Tuesday).
It was also mentioned
that FMSS is principally owned by a husband-and-wife team with a long association with the WP,
and who acted as the assentor and proposer to the party's AMK GRC team in GE2006.
How did we end up in this situation?"
http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/forum-letters/story/wheres-the-accountability-20130518
Hi Edmund:
Glad to have You interacting.
Got to say that me concurs fully with You that 内战(civil war) is never good for any nation. However, in our case, me am of the opinion that Sin is ever capable of nationhood. From a British Colony; it has morped into a fiefdom after the British gave it to the Local.
Nationhood, according to the Wise Ol Man Lee Kuan Yew is a ASPIRATION.
I ABSOLUTELY AGREE WITH HIM and me sees GREAT NEEDS FOR THIS TINY ISLAND TO UNDERGO SOME TESTS FOR THE GESTATION OF NATIONHOOD.
It is vital for this tiny island to have NOT ONLY THE BEST TALENTS TO MANAGE. IT MUST HAVE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE HIGHEST RESPECTABILITY, HONOUR AND INTEGRITY TO LEAD.
What is happening in this tiny island politically now is healthy and good for our future. It is a necessary process to achieve better governance. The Flaw so far is that too much authority is in the grip of a group of very greedy elites. It cannot be good for anyone, not even the Ruling Elites themselves for they stink.
Thank You once more Edmund.
patriot
ST Forum
S. Ramamirtham
[Time for managing agent to come clean]
"Perhaps it is time for Ms Sylvia Lim to call a press conference and introduce the couple to the public,
and let them answer all the burning questions that have been raised in the media
and, most importantly, come clean,
like what the Govt did in Parliament earlier this week.
Accountability and transparency have to work both ways -
not just for the govt of the day but also for the opposition parties."
http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/forum-letters/story/time-managing-agent-come-clean-20130518
ST Forum
George Wong Seow Choon (Dr)
[Right to clamp down on illegal protests]
"If scenes of violence and chaos are seen on our streets,
it would do irreparable harm to Singapore's image
and hurt our tourism and investment industries."
http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/forum-letters/story/right-clamp-down-illegal-protests-20130518
TODAYonline
[Zahid slammed for emigrate call]
"Malaysia’s new Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s comment
that Malaysians who are dissatisfied with its political system should migrate to other countries
has drawn criticism from the opposition DAP.
DAP’s Tony Pua pointed out that
although the first-past-the-post system allows political parties or coalitions to win elections despite losing the popular vote,
Malaysia’s electoral boundaries 'have been excessively corrupted over the past decades'.
'One will not find such ridiculous discrepancies between constituencies in other advanced first-past-the-post democracies such as the United Kingdom or Australia,' the DAP’s publicity chief said in a statement."
http://www.todayonline.com/world/asia/zahid-slammed-emigrate-call
Hi:
Please replace me 'am of the opinion that' Sin is ever.....
to
me 'doubts' Sin is ever...
My apology.
patriot
Voices, TODAYonline
from Mak Yuen Teen
[How about segregating local and national govt?]
"The review of town councils is welcomed.
However, merely tweaking the Town Councils Act and Town Councils Financial Rules, or adding rules to handle specific issues which have arisen,
may only address the symptoms of the problems with town councils.
The underlying cause of the problems is this..."
http://www.todayonline.com/voices/how-about-segregating-local-and-national-govt
Seah Chiang Nee's Saturday column
[All eyes on the year 2016]
"The year 2016
seems to be the most frequently mentioned in Singapore these days.
It is when the next general election will take place.
But with election three years away,
people are asking a once-seemingly ridiculous question:
“Can the PAP actually lose?”
To many observers, the PAP today faces 2 serious problems outside making policies.
One is a shortage of high-calibre people from within the party.
The second is finding it harder and harder to recruit able political candidates from the private sector."
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2013/5/18/focus/13126648&sec
PAP Problems are PAPies' Problems, NOT NATIONAL PROBLEMS.
REPEAT
NOT NATIONAL OR SINGAPOREANS' PROBLEMS.
Alternative Political Parties are ever ready to be elected to form the Government in Sin.
It is up to the Voters, but they prefer the PAP, this is the BIG PROBLEM.
patriot
I disagree with George Wong that the kind of protest we had will drive away tourists. I think they will become tourist attractions and more tourists will come to enjoy the peaceful protests of a few hundred or a few thousand without going violent. It is like watching a sports event.
We don't even need to have the presence of police. What is there to fear?
The only type of protest that is frightening are those involving 4 or 5 people. Look at the number of men and women in blue being deployed to contain the violent nature of such protests?
BBC
[Dozens injured in head-on train crash in Connecticut]
"About 60 people have been injured, 5 seriously, after a head-on, rush-hour collision between 2 commuter trains near New York City, officials say."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-22578931
"... the PAP today faces 2 serious problems outside making policies.
One is a shortage of high-calibre people from within the party."
Shortage of high calibre people is a PAP problem (calibre as defined by PAP).
"High calibre people" is a PAP solution to every problem.
BELOW IS WHAT SINGAPOREANS REALLY NEED;
Singaporeans desperately need political leaders with a heart and good values to lead us.
For technical expertise ("high calibre people"), we can hire experts from United Nations and all over the world to formulate our economic policies.
What is indispensable are leaders who truly represent Singaporean values.
The movie "Invictus" - the real life story of how Nelson Mandela united South Africa best explains what I mean.
QUOTE:
"The film tells the inspiring true story of how Nelson Mandela joined forces with the captain of South Africa's rugby team to help unite their country.
Newly elected President Mandela knows his nation remains racially and economically divided in the wake of apartheid.
Believing he can bring his people together through the universal language of sport, Mandela rallies South Africa's rugby team as they make their historic run to the 1995 Rugby World Cup Championship match."
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1057500/plotsummary
How come not a single cash desperate europe country like greece or spain open their gates and give out free pasports to sinkies so we can all cash out and bring all the monies and our hardworking mentality there?
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