After Singapore's failed attempt to merge with Malaya as part of Malaysia, Singapore went on its own to create a prosperous little piece of rock in SE Asia. After 40 plus years of breakaway, Singapore seems to be hitting a plateau and using up all the tricks available. The final trick of importing more heads to increase consumption is reaching a breaking point with anger brewing among the Singaporeans. Going ahead mindlessly with importing more and more third world fake talents is no longer acceptable or tolerable. Xenophobia is on the rise. A new strategy must be cooked to ensure the million dollar salaries remain sustainable and not be overturned.
How about finding a new hinterland to merge with? Singapore seems to have work out something with India, the next superpower in the world. From CECA and the importing of more and more Indians to head Singapore's key institutions, now even low down provision shop like Fairprice, the picture seems complete. Is there anything else that needs an India Indian to helm? How about the PM? Singapore is integrating with India, hedging all its resources and hope on India and Indians., ploughing billions and billions of our reserves into India. The more the merrier.
Would the next step be the integration of Singapore as a part of India, a merger of some sort, but unlikely to be like the merger with Malaysia. Singapore can at most be a little gateway to India given the difference in size. If there is indeed a plan for a merger with India, Singapore cannot ever think of becoming a major partner in India and a Singaporean becoming the PM of Indiapora. Likely the role would be like Hawaii to the USA, living in the peripheral. There is no way that Singapore can swallow up India, more likely India swallowing up Singapore and remain as India, not Indiapore or Indiapora.
Looking ahead into the future, without any resources, its strategic position as a major port compromised and going to be diminish when all China's shipping could bypass Tuas, and its main strength, a talented pool of human beans becoming an untalented pool of drivers and jagas, Singapore's future is bleak, the light is dimming. No more new tricks but to look for a god father. How high can HDB prices be pushed, $1m or $2m to keep the economy afloat before the house of cards collapses?
China is an unlikely candidate as too much bad blood had spilt, unless Singapore is willing to go down on its knees to beg for forgiveness. India would be most willing to take Singapore in, like picking up a pot of gold. Singapore would be an asset to India. It would be the crown jewel of all Indian cities, none could come near to Singapore. The caveat is, would life be still the same if Singapore becomes a city of India? One thing for sure, should Singapore integrate or merge with India, Singapore would not be able to say Singapore is not ready for an Indian PM. It would be the other way round. India would say India is not ready for a Chinese PM in the city of Singapora. The Chinese ships would not be calling. And if Singapore becomes part of India, nothing from China would be coming. India is dead set to be the arch enemy of China and would block everything coming from China.
So, is merging with India, making India our hinterland, banging on the subcontinents' underdeveloped land and cities going to give Singapore a leg up to continue to survive as the first world in SE Asia, and in India? Or would Singapore become another third world city in India?
How far fetch is this scenario of Singapore becoming a part of India? Has Singapore decided to throw all in to be a part of India and bringing in more India Indians to run Singapore? Would Singaporeans be made to sing another national anthem, the national anthem of India?
What do you think?
PS. Floating this idea for musing around.
If the PM is Indian, this would probably happen.
ReplyDeleteThat's why PAP said Singapore is not ready for an Indian to be PM. DPM is okay. PM, NO!
A Winner will choose a winner. Likewise, a loser will choose a loser.
Are Singapore's present leaders winners or losers?
BJP Singapore coming !
ReplyDeleteSingaporeans are so used to have Indians as bosses. So to join as a state of India and have more Indian bosses would not make any difference.
ReplyDeleteBJP versus PAP is like criminals versus priests and monks.
ReplyDeleteWho would win? I think BJP would.
I've POSB a/c since I was a toddler. I've frequented NTUC for decades since I was a toddler. These two institutions now both helmed by . . .
ReplyDeleteNext change, India president and Indian PM akan datang.
ReplyDeleteWhen that happens, automatically Temasek Holding and GIC would also be helmed by Indians.
ReplyDeleteHuuat ah!
Temasek is already helmeted by an Indian as CEO.
ReplyDeleteHC is now the ChairMAN. That's why everyday so free to spend time on Facebook and posting in RB's blog.
RB is right. The writing has been on the wall for some time and the momentum is gathering speed. India is preying on a seductive little red dot and the little dot is succumbing?
ReplyDelete6 days ago, India summoned Singapore envoy just for PM's comment on Indian MPs with criminal cases. This despite Singapore having given the Indians plenty of oxygen tanks to save Indian lives during last year's deadly Indian Delta wave. So humiliating . . . How come Singapore take it quietly, don't dare summon India envoy?
ReplyDeleteSingapore not take it quietly but no balls to retaliate. Only good in punching above the weight against China. The imbeciles are useless against India. Balls got squeezed by India already.
ReplyDeleteCan you imagine the $billions of taxpayers money dumped into the Black Hole of bottomless pit? These monies will be gone if talk too much.
Sin lnfatuation with lndia is 一厢情愿 one way traffic. It is for survival of the Barren Tiny Rock.
ReplyDeleteSin is shown the Cold Shoulders by its Fellow Asean Members like caused by the Conceited Behaviours of the Sin Leeders.
The Tiny Dot is fast becoming a parasite as it becomes insignificant and matters not to others in World Affairs.
Desperation calls for means to survive and prostitution is one fast and practical way.
There is a Chinese Saying 笑贫不笑贱 meaning the Poor are despise but not the lmmoral.
Sin is looking at lndia as its' saviour. May the Latter have mercy.
You are asking India to have mercy on Sinkaput? It's like playing music to the buffalo.
ReplyDeleteSingapore is the grass. India is the cow.
ReplyDeleteCow eat grass.
China and USA are the elephants.
ReplyDeleteWhen elephants fight, the grass get hurt.
When the cow is hungry, it eats the grass!
Betting on a third world country for survival?
ReplyDeleteThat shows Sinkaput leaders have run out of ideas, lazy to think and want the easy way out.
ReplyDeleteSuch leasers are like those during the Ching Dynasty in China.
Collapse is in the making. It's only a matter of time.
Showing no confidence in own citizens. Don't trust ability of Singaporeans.
ReplyDeleteTrust foreigners. Gave good jobs to foreigners!
How silly can it be? Sure to decline. Sure to lose support from Singaporeans.
India is Mother India
ReplyDeleteSinkapore is Sister India
Last time, Where is Sinkapore ?
It is in China !
Now
It is in India !
1 Country 2 Systems !!!
ReplyDeleteWork so beautifully for HK!
Why not S'pore?!?!?!
Anyway, I was too busy just now --- buying stocks in SGX & London stock exchange. Many good ones on sale thanks to Putin!!!
I'll buy more on NYSE tonight.
THANK YOU PUTIN!!!!!
I will monitor & will buy more stocks over the next few days & weeks, whenever stocks have diarrhea.
Russia launched full scale invasion of Ukraine, after Ukrainian military attacked the two recently declared independent states and shot down six Russian military aircrafts.
ReplyDeleteThese two newly independent states have asked Russia for help to counter the Ukrainian aggressive actions.
The aim of the invasion is to disarm Ukraine, just like disarming Japan after World War 2. Otherwise, Ukraine can become a great threat to the security of the Russian Federation.
The US and NATO must never be allowed to make Ukraine as their military base to launch attacks at Russia.
The Ukrainian joker boy president has cut off diplomatic relations with Moscow for the first time in history.
ReplyDeleteThis action means, Russia will not have to consider many other things but to just concentrate on bring Kiev to its knees and surrender without conditions.
@virgo,
ReplyDeleteIf you want to sell your flat, can still sell for high price. But you won't coz it's downgrade for you.
Property prices here will continue to go up strongly for the next few years coz (1) high inflation, (2) salaries going up very strongly for those below 40.
More & more retirees here will be forced to go back to work in the next 5 years. Coz their savings are too low to counter increasing prices & they don't have investments that can match or exceed inflation rate.
Depending on children for handouts will not be sustainable as the children themselves have their own jobs, lives & increasing prices to tackle.
It's a fact in Singapore that the average sinkie's salary drops after 45. This has been true for the past 20 years & is tracked and can be seen by anyone at the S'pore govt Dept of Statistics website.
Singapore under considerable pressure from US ?
ReplyDelete"Geopolitically, the invasion of Ukraine will cause some Asian nations to have to choose sides. The U.S. will put considerable pressure on Japan, South Korea, Australia, Singapore and other techno-democracies to fully condemn Russian behavior in invading and annexing portions of a neighboring sovereign state. All indications thus far indicate there will be strong alignment among this Asian group and the U.S." - James Stavridis (Feb 24, 2022)
Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said the country is "gravely concerned" by Russia’s announcement of the start of a “special military operation” in the Donbas region of Ukraine, as well as reports of land and air attacks on multiple targets in the Eastern European country on Thursday (Feb 24).
"Singapore strongly condemns any unprovoked invasion of a sovereign country under any pretext," said an MFA spokesperson in a statement.
Unprovoked? The new US-stooge, President of Ukraine has been provoking Russia no end, since he became president.
ReplyDeleteSingapore MFA must be sleeping.
Likewise, by turning Singapore into a US Naval Base, Singapore has been provoking China, Indonesia and Malaysia no end.
ASEAN is supposed to be a Zone of Peace and Neutrality, and non interference in the internal affairs of member countries is the cornerstone and foundation of ASEAN. BUT Singapore has deviated from those tenets by siding with the evil US Empire and interfered in the internal affairs of Myanmar.
So, the words of the Singapore Foreign Ministry seems to be the echos of its US Master.
Double standards?
ReplyDeleteHow come Singapore never condemn the US when Washington did not respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan, and had wantonly killed innocent people there ?
Yes, why Singapore never condemn the USA for the massacres of so many innocent civilians, unprovoked?
ReplyDeleteSingapore MFA has to be consistent in upholding international laws, not whenever she likes. Like that, the credibility of Singapore is questionable.
The Americans have to kill them to save them. So how to condemn the good Americans?
ReplyDeleteThe War
ReplyDeletebroke out as expected. It shall be over soon despite unending instigations from the US. The US has no gut to go into war with Russia which is supported by China, North Korea, Cuba and some other nations. The US can only posture and stirs shits. That's the Most it will do.
Ukraine is no fight for the Russia. Europe despite having Nuclear Powers in UK, France, are mire in livelihood problems.
All considered,
the War will be over soon. The World shall herald a change for the Better. Humanity will come to realize that war benefits no one.
The Ukraine War is a blessing that shall awaken humanity to cherish peace.
Cheers
HO Ching
ReplyDeletePatience, folks, patience.
The hospitals are full, not so much bcos of seriously ill covid patients.
We are likely seeing the rebound from the deferred electives too.
Remember we deferred electives like surgery, etc?
Such elective procedures are not emergencies, but they addressed serious underlying conditions.
And when delayed, folks with these conditions would likely start to see deterioration over time. And a few may even become emergencies.
When we postpone electives during the Delta wave, we knew we would be storing up a bigger load of more of the urgent or emergency cases later.
Then as the Delta wave came down, we went back to business as usual and restarted dealing with the electives and other normal business in hospitals.
But the Omicron emerged soon after.
We continues to maintain a business as usual posture in our hospitals, but would be dealing with the bigger load of the previously delayed electives, as well as other ongoing emergencies.
So the pressure on our medical team is not so much from a lot more Omicron cases. Rather, it is the sum of every bit which has increased just a little bit.
A little bit more of BAU cases (Business As Usual), of emergencies arising from electives postponed earlier; a little bit of catch up as postponed electives have been rescheduled as a catch up load; a little bit more of serious Omicron cases, esp for the unvaccinated old who would likely also have other medical complications to deal with; a little bit more of very young Omicron bcos Omicron is so infectious that it is hitting everybody wherever they can, and most kids are not fully vaccinated yet; and most of all, a little bit of the postponed doctor visits during the CNY as many would delay seeing their doctors for this or that developing conditions until after the CNY festivities are over.
All these add up to a very full hospital load that has been building.
Add the folks panicked by ART+, who stream to the Emergency Departments at hospitals even when they feel well or only had mild Covid symptoms.
So don’t be surprised if hospitals are moving to redirect the chronic stable cases to their primary care GPs or polyclinics for the next 1-2 months.
So don’t be alarmed if we are told, to go to our GPs or polyclinics, if we are chronic but stable cases that just need a review and a resupply of medicine.
Already, the PHPC GP clinics have been alerted to extend their operating hours.
Perhaps other non PHPC GP clinics could also extend their hours for these couple of months till end March or end April as a way to help as a whole of nation effort?
So what else can we do, as individuals and part of the community, apart from taking things in our stride?
First, recognise that with vaccination and boosting, the Omicron would be typically mild, and patients can recover at home in 3-10 days.
So prepare to recover at home.
How?
Let’s get various home recovery items ready.
On the infection monitoring, we should collect and put these in a convenient bag:
- oximeter **
- thermometer *
- pack of 5/10/15 surgical masks (?)
- pack of 3 or 5 ART kits (?)
** Of these, the oximeter is important to check of silent Covid pneumonia that can happen even when we feel well.
The oximeter has helped a number of people get oxygen support in a timely manner before their organs get damaged from prolonged low oxygen.
* The thermometer is to check and record temperature if we have a fever.
But we generally know if we have a fever, so we don’t really need to measure and chart our fever - we almost never do when we have usual fevers from flu, right?
So when is a thermometer useful?
It is useful when we have young kids or very old folks who can’t communicate how they feel.
In general however, very old folks have much weakened immune response, and typically don’t mount very high fevers even when they are sick.
ReplyDeleteSo the thermometer will be really useful if we have young kids who can’t tell us how they really feel apart from crying.
For kids, high fever or prolonged fever can be dangerous, regardless of whether we are dealing with covid or not.
(?) The masks and ART kits are optional. Useful when we want to go out - test ART -ve, and put on a mask before we go out.
But otherwise, we just do a time based recovery plan - differentiated by whether we are fully vaccinated or not.
What else?
We should get ready our comfort home remedies:
** panadol or other fever/pain medication
** PVP-I mouth gargle or throat spray
** throat lozenges
** favourite home remedies
(?) decongestant nasal spray
(?) nasal wash
We may mostly be mild or without symptoms, but a number of Omicron cases will have fever for a couple of days, bad sore throat for several days, and perhaps a lingering cough for many more days.
** fever and pain medication will be helpful, and many would have such available at home.
** PVP-I mouth gargle or throat spray could be very helpful in reducing the viral loads. Gargle or spray thrice daily. Except these are not suitable for pregnant women, children under 6, or those with thyroid and some other rare medical conditions.
The Betadine PVP-I can be purchased from pharmacies or online stores. The Orasyl orange PVP-I version can ordered online for delivery to the home.
Substitute with other oral mouth wash or throat sprays if we do not have PVP-I. Though these may be less effective against the coronavirus, they still can help sooth sore throats and prevent other viruses from co-mingling in.
** favourite throat lozenges are a comfort remedy - pick your favourite ones, whether medicated, herbal, with or without sugar. These could help through bad spells of sore throat, or even coughs.
** Favourite home remedies are often used for normal coughs and colds. These include simple things like a salt gargle, a honey lemon drink, a facial steamer, cheng tng, boiled pear and so on.
These can be for handling coughs, sore throats, stuffy nose, etc.
Facial steamer?
Yup! Some folks use a facial steam, or just a basin and a towel. They put hot water into the basin, put in some vix or other favourite droplets, cover the towel over their heads and basin as they breathe in the steam to clear their sinus or throat issues. Do no more than 20 minutes each time, for 3-4 times a day, and don’t scald yourself with either water that is too hot, or with repeated steaming at close intervals. Spread the steaming throughout the day.
(?) Some folks have their favourite or regular decongestants and nasal wash due to chronic sinus or allergy conditions. They can get these ready too.
Apart from these, what else?
A favourite book or books to read? An iPad for access to play internet mahjong or chess? Colouring books or musical instruments?
Yah! When we are sick, we can feel very moody or lousy. Make a list of favourite foods to see if we can order some in to try during home recovery?
Most of all, just watch for the dangerous silent pneumonia with the oximeter, and chillax the rest.
No need to rush to the hospital or the clinic for another test.
And oh!
Yes! Vaccinate if we have not already done so.
Take care and keep steady, can?