myth 64

'Who says we are intolerant of opposing views?' I have posted what Lee Wei Ling said about helping the poor since we are such a rich country. And I quote her here again. 'As a First World country where millions of dollars are being poured into making us a cultured and vibrant society, could a few million dollars be spared to build nursing homes for disabled patients whose parents are getting too old to look after them any longer.' Dr Lee Wei Ling I think she is asking for too much. There is no such things as a free lunch. Neither is the govt responsible to look after the people's welfare. Everyone must be responsible for their own health and problems. Wei Ling's view is definitely not the same as the govt. Boon Wan is having great plans to build retirement villages. These will not be for free. But disagreeing with the govt's position is acceptable. It is not always a case of right or wrong when people disagree. Someone insists that durian is the best fruit in the world. Some will strongly disgree and think it is the most smelly fruit. Then again, for the safety of the IMF-World Bank delegates, we wanted to ban 27 activists. But the IMF-World Bank disagreed and protested that the 27 should be let in. And we listen and accepted their opposing voice. We allowed 22 to come in. We are willing to listen to people who disagree with us and if they are reasonable, change our position. Who is complaining that we are intolerant of opposing voices?

Fortress Singapore

I was in town this morning and decided to take a look at Fortress Singapore. Never seen so many uniformed and non uniformed police in one little area. All around Suntec and Raffles Hotel and Raffles City, roads were blocked and there were also gurkhas in police uniform and fully armed guarding the entrances of hotels and the main roads leading to Suntec. And of course the barricades were there. We are taking the security of the delegates very seriously. And Kan Seng did the right thing to deny potential trouble makers from coming in, until last night when 22 of the 27 deemed dangerous were also let in. Are we going to see more agitations from this dangerous lot? Have we compromise anything? The IMF-World Bank Show has been on for several years. And they have lived to love the agitators and the demonstrators. They have such a good understanding that after every protest and demonstration they will go home and come back again the next round. Very likely they know each other by name now and were friends except for having different views of things. If this is not maturity what else is. If this is not first world what else is?

a rich first world country

'As a First World country where millions of dollars are being poured into making us a cultured and vibrant society, could a few million dollars be spared to build nursing homes for disabled patients whose parents are getting too old to look after them any longer.' Dr Lee Wei Ling I think she is asking for too much. There is no such things as a free lunch. Neither is the govt responsible to look after the people's welfare. Everyone must be responsible for their own health and problems. So what if the govt has more than $200 billions in the reserves? These are for the future. (Not sure for what or when they will be used). For the time being, if people need help, go and organise a few charity shows and ask the public for donations. This is reality. We are not a welfare state. The state's money is not your money. And your money is also not your money.

a malaysian joke

Wanted: Chinese teachers to teach in National Schools. Malaysia is going to import hundreds of Chinese teachers to teach Mandarin in National Schools.

IMF-World Bank should be grateful to Singapore

IMF-World Bank should be grateful to Singapore Singapore should tell all the delegates that what it is doing is all for their own good. We are their protectors while they are here as our guests. We want to see them going home safe and sound. And this is our commitment and responsibility to them. Now they can have their meetings in peace and at ease, knowing that every measure has been taken. How can they be so ungrateful and accused Singapore of breaching the MOU? The message that Singapore is sending out to the world is that this is a tropical wonderland. Come and play and have fun. We will make sure that you will be very safe, and feel very safe. STB should sell this message in their promotion to tourists. Come to Singapore and experience how Singaporeans feel in this safe haven.

singapore did not breach the MOU with IMF-World Bank

Did Singapore breach the MOU with IMF-World Bank. Singapore did not. But Paul Wolfowitz, World Bank's President said Singapore did. And Singapore explained. The issue lies in between two conditions. One is for 'Singapore to '(assure) expeditious entry procedures including the issuance of visas... for any observers and other persons... who are accredited'. The other is for 'Singapore to take all necessary measures for the safe passage of all persons in and out of Singapore and for their personal security and safety of their property and the property of the organisations and delegations. The two conditions is like day and night. Having one will compromise on the other. You can't have day and night at the same time. For Singapore to ensure the safety of all delegates, it must have the full authority to exercise caution and take preventive measures. In this sense, if Singapore thinks that Paul Wolfowitz is a security threat himself, he can be barred from Singapore under the agreement. So Singapore is perfectly right to stop those whom it thinks will pose a danger to the Meeting. On the other hand, if Singapore is to abide by the first condition, to allow all and sundry to attend the Meeting, it will compromise itself, and safety and security of delegates, and any trouble Singapore will be blamed and be answerable. The devil is in the details really. It is like George Bush raising a red flag that Iraq is a danger, or the terrorist threat. So hiding behind the threat he can do anything he wants to protect America and its people. Paul Wolfowitz should be familiar with this kind of reasonings.

the moral of kopi susus

It is quite heavenly to have a cup of steaming hot black coffee first thing in the morning. The aroma of a coffee brew is really fragrant. And the perk kicks in once the black shining liquid gets into your system. Then some ingenious people started to add milk into the coffee. At the right proportion, the combination is a different goodness. And some will only take coffee with milk. Given a cup of coffee, if one continues to add milk unrestrained, and with no concern to the final outcome, the coffee will either be diluted, or if allowed to overflow, will end up with nothing but a cup of milk. Is the coffee more important or the milk? Or just a cup of drink regardless of what is inside? In the same vein, as the govt calls for more foreigners into our rojak bowl, what does the govt think is the important final result? Does the viability of the state overrides the interest of the kopi and susu? A state exists for the good and interests of its people, the citizens. If the citizens are not important, the state is but like an empty vessel. Just throw anything into it. As long as the vessel is filled and desirable, that counts. If this be the case, shall we change the kopi susu or its maker? Or we have really transformed ourselves into a hotel? Everyone is a guest and and how well one is treated or appreciated depends on ones value or propensity to spend.

Singapore Encyclopedia

Now I am unhappy. I just read that Annabelle Chong made it to the Singapore Ency. Does anyone know whether Mr Brown make it? Or what about Mr Wang, Gayle Goh and Redbean?

myth 63

'Population growth is necessary for our survival' China is facing a high growth rate despite population control. In fact the official policy of China is to reduce population growth as too much growth in this area will put a huge burden on the country. But I am too clever in selecting an out of context example to prove a point that people do not believe in. Ok, lets look at a smaller countries that can sustain growth without forcing a population growth, and maintaining a high standard of living for its own people. Yes, yes, you guess it right. Our model country Switzerland. Belgium, Luxemburg, Denmark, etc are all small countries. Australia is also a small country in terms of population size. Do they need to frantically boost up their population for more growth? This is very low level if not primitive approach to economic growth. What happens to high tech and leading edge industries as engines of growth? Fail? The influx of foreigners as a good thing today is just the reverse of the 2 child policy and population control in earlier days. One more is good and the other less is good. When all our systems and physical networks are choked up by a huge population, we will die like a fat man under his own weight, with all his blood vessels blocked, cannot breathe.

good news, fare hike but affordable

The best news today is that bus and train fares are up, but not as much as last year. Singaporeans are really lucky people. Gerard Ee, Chairman of PTC, said that PTC has taken care to ensure that fares remain affordable for the majority of commuters relative to their updated income. Presumably the income of the majority of commuters went up by at least the same margin to be absorbed by transport cost. What's left? Lim Boon Heng, Labour Chief, commented in Today, 'The public will be relieved to hear that the increase for ez link card holders is relatively small...' What is a 3c increase to commuters who may earned $5k to $10k a month? Just heard from a commuter that a trip from Tanjong Katong to Raffles Place is $1.05 by public bus. The same journey cost 80c by private bus.

what if i own a main stream media

I was having a discussion with a very senior journalist on what I could do if I own a MSM. I have to brag about 'very senior journalist' to give it a little weight. If I were to say that I was talking to myself, people would just brush it off. Now the eyes and ears are wide open. Ok, let's talk about the content of the media, international relations, domestic issues, social, political economics, sports and funs etc. I will start with international news. I think this is a lucrative source of revenue for MSM. Many countries, especially the rich and powerful ones, would like to set their agenda. Country A may want to condemn country B as a terrorist nation, or branded country C as a rogue nation. Or some may want to blaster another country for abuse of human rights. Now if I were the MSM owner, I will willingly print what they want me to print in my press. But I will ask how much? These countries must be made to pay for their propaganda in my press. And there is no reason for me to help them to badmouth other countries for free. What is worst, or silly, is to publish their propaganda, get into the bad books of the wronged countries and still have to pay for them. I am sure many MSM are making tons of money doing this. I don't believe they will be silly enough to be paying to do this dirty job for other countries.

the great psychotherapeutic shows

Do not have pity on a beggar. Better thank him for giving you the chance to throw him a few coins. The beggar is there for you to show kindness and compassion as a warm human being. He is there for you to gain merits for your future life, that is, if you believe that life does not end and will go on and on. Do not be mistaken. You are not helping him but yourself. We have plenty of charity shows over the years. And we have many tough and hard luck stories being beamed into our living rooms. We were touched and we emptied our pockets. And the beneficiaries were so grateful that we did. Looking at it another way, we are the ones to be grateful. Where in the world will there be a chance to see so many poor souls, real people, baring their grief and pains for us to be entertained? Singaporeans, especially the younger ones, are born in a generation of plenty. Many have never experienced the pains of want and not having the wants satisfied. Some may watch in disbelief that there are poverty and sufferings in our midst. Singaporeans should be thankful that these charity shows could draw out the little emotions and humanity in them. To make them feel and empathise with other unfortunate fellow beings. Some may even be so moved to shed a few tears. Some even burst out crying. And they felt so good after that. And for those who have been whining and feeling depressed over their plight or humble life, the beneficiaries of the shows will make them feel better, that their situations are not that bleak. They should be thankful to be able to just walk, see and take a bus without assistance. What should have happened is that all viewers who are being entertained should pay a minimum sum of $5. For those who feel better or less depressed, they should phone in to pay $20. Those who shed some tears could pay $30. And those who are more fortunate to experience rapture and break out crying should pay $100. Going to a shrink will definitely cost more. As for the performers, the actors, dancers and singers, each should pay at least $500 to $1k for the opportunity to do charity and be seen as celebrities with a heart. And the two MCs must pay even more for their greater exposure in hosting the shows. The person who benefits the most and who should donate the most is the patron of the show. He gets all the credits, merits and honour for all the performance and money raised in his name. In future shows, the patron should at least foot out $50k for such glory. If there are too many volunteers, then they can bid for the privilege to patronize the shows. Finally, everyone should say a big thank you to the beneficiaries who braved all reservations to pour out their deprivations and pathetic lives for all to see. And all future shows shall be marketed as Psychotherapy Shows. They have great therapeutic effects on the viewers. A great stress reliever. Oh, before I forget, those who are unhappy with such shows may call up the Association for the prevention of cruelties against humankind to protest.

leading by the new water way

When the New Water formula became a reality, it was still a problem convincing the people to take a sip at their own excretion. Then one by one the Ministers, including Prime Minister, demonstrated that it was ok to drink what was not drinkable before. It was a change of perception. But more. It was leading by example. Since then drinking New Water was never an issue. Today we are hearing many dramatic changes in our policies. There were calls to leave the nest and find greener pastures overseas. Calls to invite foreigners to the homes. Calls to take a pay cut and expect lower salaries in the face of competition from foreigners in our backyard. And there were the retirement age of 62. Grumblings were aplenty on the ground. Somehow all these calls seemed less real, less legitimate. The people who are going to bear the brunt of these calls are unconvinced. Maybe we should see and other exercise like the New Water Campaign. Lead by examples and show the way.

this is our country, this is our home

Do we invite foreigners to our homes and allow them to insult us and tell us to get out? This seems to be the latest development in the game of foreign talents and welcoming more people to our shores, as citizens. Many well meaning people have been singing praises of foreigners and how important they are to our survival in the future. And this message has sunk into the heads of many foreigners and Singaporeans alike, that we need them to save us. And they believe so. Some Singaporeans also believe so. And foreigners are even telling us that if we are uncompetitive, want high salaries and less work, then we should ship out. They are willing to come here to work harder and for less. The remarkable thing is that some Singaporeans do agree wholeheartedly to this kind of argument. There are Singaporeans who are working overseas as foreign talents and understand how tough it is to be foreigners competing against the locals. And they have achieved some success in doing so. And they empathise with the foreigners working here. They understand the logic that more work and less pay is the only way to fight the competition. Singaporeans can no longer rely on the stupid idea that they must be paid first world salaries when others are willing to work for less. Admittedly this reasoning is logical and true. There is no pleasant alternative in a globalised world. Singaporeans must work more and be prepared to earn less, except for positions where foreigners are not allowed to compete in. For such occupations, they can go on as before and keep increasing the salaries at will. Would there be any profession where the incumbents dare to say they are over worked? Or after being given more perks and increments, have the audacity to ask for less work and responsibilities? Now that this new living mantra is the accepted conventional truth, it can only be expected that life will be a bit tougher for the lazy or less talented Singaporeans. So what can we expect them to do? Are they expected to tighten their belts and fight with foreigners for jobs here, asking for lesser pay? And is this a fair equation? Foreigners are hungry, have no stake or responsibilities here. They can live with less. Should we allow them to proceed to compete with our own people for jobs? Are we saying that time has changed and Singaporeans have to look backward, to a level of living like in the past? The other alternative is for talented Singaporeans to rough it out like our foreign talents. Go forth and seek for new pastures. And there are jobs galores overseas. Singaporeans are in high demand as foreign talents and logically will be getting better pay in foreign lands. Strange isn't it? Why are Singaporeans in great demand overseas but not wanted in their homeland? Or is this a game of musical chairs? We export our unappreciated talents overseas and welcome foreigners to take their places. Would we reach a stage that the more able Singaporeans will be found living overseas and their homes rented and occupied by foreigners? If this is the likely development, what kind of nation or society will we become? Citizens of the world? The Filipino and Indonesian maids went overseas to earn foreign exchange and left behind an empty nest. Some returned to find their nests occupied by strangers and they were no longer wanted or could not fit into the new equation. Would we pay the same price if this happens to us? And very likely the price will be much higher. For instead of the women folks being abroad, our able men folks are the one that are missing from home. A home without a man or a nation without its men or talented men can have unimaginable consequences. This is our country, this is our home. What would it be like if our homes are now overseas and our country becomes the homes of foreigners?

scam stories

hi fellas, i have started a column in my forum on scam stories that i replied to and the details of the exchanges over email. i have received many in the past but conveniently deleted them. i think it will be educational to all by playing along and reveal how their modus operandi. i have started on two cases now, one claiming from bank of africa and another from uob singapore!

Scam Stories

hi fellas, i have started a column in my forum on scam stories that i replied to and the details of the exchanges over email. i have received many in the past but conveniently deleted them. i think it will be educational to all by playing along and reveal how their modus operandi. i have started on two cases now, one claiming from bank of africa and another from uob singapore!

unhappy singaporeans, please go somewhere else

Johnny be good is right. If people here are not happy, leave for a life overseas. Then you shall see through your one-dimensional prism that you will face the same problem foreigners face in Singapore, and you shall see how you like it. Don't even argue national protectionism for one's own peoples, for your concept of nationalism is increasingly flimsy in this globalised world. A nation is an imagined community and this is one area in which your imagination is a liability to all. The above is a view of anonymous posted in another thread earlier. The discussion is on the serious issue of replacing Singaporeans with more foreign talents. All FTs will stand for such a position. No more countries, no national barriers, the world is free and open and the talented shall be welcomed everywhere. If this is what the world should be, good for the talented. And Singapore just committed the most expensive mistake in Education. There is no need to pamper our teachers with more salaries and perks. Go overseas and recruit the best teachers from the poorer countries and pay them peanuts and they will all rush to come here. As for our demanding teachers, tell them to pack up and go overseas and see which country will pay them the big fat salaries they are getting. Yes, all Singaporeans who think that they are not earning enough and want more should go overseas and see if they are worth what they are getting here. I can bet most Singaporeans, other than a handful of exceptional ones, will find that no one will pay them what they are getting here. The salaries that Singaporeans are getting is an artificiality that is created by ourselves. We consciously push for high salary and high cost of living and are trapped in our own doings. Singaporeans will willingly go for lower salaries if the cost of living is lowered. But we can't if we are to live in this island. But should Singaporeans listen to such comments that if we are unhappy, pack up and leave? Who has the right to say this to Singaporeans? Any politician who dares to utter such remarks will see himself packing. This is home. And for FTs who are here, they must know that they are here with our blessings and good grace. So long as they respect that there are citizens and non citizens, and the citizens must have better privileges, they are welcomed. Once they get crazy ideas in their heads and telling Singaporeans to ship out because they have a right to compete with Singaporeans on less pay, their time is up. They must not understimate the wrath of an angry people, the citizens, to kick them out. The world is not a free or borderless world. Otherwise we will not have any Singaporeans left and all will be replaced by people from the poorer countries. The island belongs to every Singaporean. It is a product of our forefathers, their sweat and tears. Any foreigner who thinks otherwise is planting the seed for their expulsion. Any Singaporean who agrees with this will see his own expulsion as well. For there are many hungry people willing to take their place here.

i can't resist this

George Bush has a heart attack and dies. Obviously, he goes to Hell, where the Devil is waiting for him. "I'm not sure what to do," says the Devil. "you're on my list, but I have no room for you. But since you definitely have to stay here, I am going to have to let someone else go. "I've got three folks here who weren't quite as bad as you. I'll let one of them go, but you'll have to take their place. I'll even let you decide who leaves." George thought that sounded pretty good, so he agreed. The Devil opened the first room. In it was Richard Nixon and a large pool of water. He kept diving in and climbing out, over and over. Such was his fate in Hell. "No!" George shouted. "I don't think so. I am not a good swimmer, And I don't think I could do that all day long". The Devil led him to the next room. In it was Tony Blair with a sledge hammer and a room full of rocks. All he did was swing the hammer, over and over, time after time. "No! I've got this problem with my shoulder, I would be in constant agony if all I could do was breaks rocks all day", commented George. The Devil opened the third door. In it, George saw Bill Clinton Lying on the floor with his arms staked over his head, and his legs staked in a spread-eagle pose. Bent over him was Monica Lewinsky doing what she does best. George Bush looked at this in disbelief for a while and finally said, "Yeah, I can handle this." The Devil smiled and said "Ok, Monica, you're free to go!"

how to bring life back to cyberspace?

Another scenario that can jolt cyberspace into life again, albeit a frightening one. While all the IMF World Bank delegates are feasting in the comfort of Suntec Convention Centre, a huge explosion blew up in one of the neighbourhood town centre. Or perhaps a busload of convention delegates were taken hostage. And all the bright and sunny decor could not take away the feeling of gloom and doomday. The peace and security of our daily life can run to a halt if any of that happens. Or maybe a bad joke like the one on TV last night of one celebrity laughing at Tom Cruise's child whom he claimed was Jet Li's. What a piece of shit doing on TV? But he got the world talking and listening.

mickey mouse game

We planned for two Integrated Resorts, thinking that two is just about right. We are not that ambitious to think bigger. This is just a little aberration from the big ego that we have, to be the best in everything. Could we go bigger than the two IRs, bigger than the biggest Disney the world ever had? We plan, others plan too. Now it seems that the big boys have bigger plans for Singapore, a regional funland with all the big names in one little island. One trip to Universal Studio, Disneyland, Casinos and all the fun for a whole family. No long hours of coach or plane rides in between destinations. The savings from transportation and travelling time will be a big plus for an island resort with the best of the world, yes, all here. This is the first positive development out of the IR projects. Suddenly the whole picture changes. Instead of two miserable IRs, there can be 3, 5 or more and other combinations. Would our plans change to embrace a flood of more funlands to set foot here and turning the island into an international wonderland? The catch is how to remove the monks and priests.

my first enlightenment

After being kept in the dark for so long and unable to figure the logic of this urgency for more citizens, finally I was enlightened. I am so glad to have discovered the truth. Singaporeans are in great demand overseas, which means that they will all be moving out to be foreign talents. Then what? There will be a big vacuum left behind, including a lot of empty flats and houses. If these are not taken up, then property prices will fall. Now you see why we need all the foreigners to become citizens, to buy up all the slacks and prevent a hollowing out of our talents? Now no more Singaporeans are not talented craps. We need foreign talents not because Singaporeans are not talented. It is exactly the opposite. Singaporeans are so talented that they are now a rare specie in their homeland, poached by other countries. Let me quote Straits Times reporter Sue Ann Chia, 'It is opportunities galore for Singaporeans.' Not to say that those who are left behind are the not so talented.

a possible scenario

A scenario to ponder. We are living in blissful peace. We gripe about some issues that are close to our hearts. We are unhappy, sometimes over very small things. We begrudge other people earning more money than us, and some even take actions to make sure other people do not earn more money than them. And the grumbling goes on and on. But seriously, the quietness in the internet really tells a story. There is no big issues that will work up the masses. There is a lull before the storm. The north wind in blowing. Let me paint a possible development in the north. Mahathir wins a nomination to the UMNO Conference and blasts at Badawi and his son in law. Half of his old comrades switch side and Badawi's govt is crippled. And so is the dream of Khairy of ever becoming the youngest Prime Minister of Malaysia. This young upstart is rattling a lot of nerves among those in the queue for premiership and the possibility of they ganging up to remove him is always there. In desperation Khairy could stir up a racial storm. The blame is placed squarely on the shoulders of the non bumiputras, with a little exaggeration. A few stone hurling and car burning incidents could turn into racial tension. Riots break out here and there. The country runs to a halt. People flee. We have refugees amassing at the second link and the causeway. Non bumi Malaysians flooded into the city states with all their cash and gold. All the industries come to a standstill. Funds pack up and go home. The Malaysian stock market collapses. All the billions in paper money go up in smoke. The Malaysian govt goes bankrupt. And more violence follows. Singaporeans wakes up to see a nation in arms, trying to keep the problems outside our shores. And this can happen. Just a little exaggeration.

myth 62

'Money can solve all problems' This is actually another way of looking at the same issue mentioned in Myth 62. We are so rich. Temasek just announced another whopping profit of $12.8 billion! Wow, there is money everywhere. What to do with so much money? We are indeed a very fortunate nation driven by very able leaders that put us in such a privilege position. Yes there are gripes and complaints everyday as if we have severe problems that will bring the country down. Actually there are no earth shakening issues that could do us in in the near term. We have grouses just like any other countries. But ours is of a nature arising out of having too much money. And often we think money can solve all problems. And it is very easy to throw money at problems. Not much thinking needed. And that is why, despite pledging something like $10 billion during the last election (hope my memory is correct) and $500 million alone to ComCare, we are still hearing very sad stories on TV. We are still seeing people, our own citizens, living in abject poverty, living a life in misery and had to embarrass themselves in front of the whole nation, pleading for mercy, for a few dollars. This kind of problems are actually very simple problem and can be easily solved, and yes, by throwing money at them. The unbelievable thing is that so much money have been thrown at them and nothing solved. And we need to rely on charity shows, year after year, to raise a few millions for these peopel. It is really a shame.

tycoon li ka shing

'In Asia, our traditional values encourage and even demand that wealth and means pass through lineage as an imperative duty. I urge and hope to persuade you, especially all of us in Asia, that if we are in a position to do so, that we transcend this traditional belief. Even if our government structure is not yet geared towards supporting a culture of giving, we must in our hearts see building society as a duty in line with supporting our children.' The above quote is from Li Ka Shing after he received a lifetime award in recognition of his entrepreneurial achievements at the 6th Forbes Global CEO Conference at the Shangrila Hotel.

good times are back again

I just got this feeling that there is going to be a big round of pay rise across the board. Then follows by everything up and back to square one for many. And in the case of the bottom feeders, it will be sinking even deeper. How so? Let's see, everyone gets a 10% increase and everything also 10% increase. Ok the lower earners may get 10% plus $50. So that could be more than 10%. Sounds good. But all the bread and butter stuff are going to go up by more than 10%, maybe 30% or more. It does not make sense to raise the price of a 70c item by 10%, needs to round it up. A cup of kopi cannot be 77c, so make it 80c or $1, neater that way. Is this forthcoming pay rise a good thing? If I am earning a million, sure must be good, it means another $100k increase. Can do a lot of wonders with that kind of money.

myth 61

'The failsafe solution, Singapore's answer to all problems' Teachers are quitting the service in huge numbers. And teaching our young is a very important part of our national and economic development. We cannot afford to lose teachers at this rate. Quick, quick, find a solution. 'Just throw some money to them.' $250 million, will it be enough? Surely that should solve the problem. The teachers said, not enough. We want lesser work. Not exactly. The teachers just want to teach. Cut away all the administrative work or ECAs, just let them do the most important function of their profession, to teach. Oh dear, throwing money at teachers is not good enough. And this is a vital profession that we cannot afford to lose good and well trained professionals. All the investment in the training go to waste. What shall we do now? Have they heard of multi tasking? All Singaporeans are expected to multi task, to wear on 10 or 20 hats to justify their stratospheric level salaries. And now teachers are also raised nearer to that level, how could they ask to do just one thing, teach and nothing else. Didn't they know that an insurance agent is now called a financial adviser? They not only sell insurance, they are also expected to sell all kinds of financial instruments, including advising clients on their financial matters. And their commissions are cut some more. Now who is next to claim that their profession is important and overworked? Ah, the doctors. How can we forget the doctors. And the lawyers too. Their jobs must also be important. Who else's job is not important? How much more money do we have to throw at them?

tension continues to build up in the north

Khairy is reported to take his battle to Penang and using the same agenda, diverting the hate to the Chinese community, pitting the Malays against the Chinese. He is a dangerous animal on the loose. Though Badawi is a moderate and well respected gentleman, during this period he needs all the goodwill from all the communities. The way Khairy is setting the agenda and the terms of engagement, he could destroy himself and take Badawi along with him. And the Malaysian Chinese community better be more circumscribed, take a step back and do not allowed themselves to be cannon fodder again. Things can turn bad over night.

new era in singapore malaysia relationship

Singapore and Malaysia welcome opening up of two-way air routes By Channel NewsAsia's Malaysia Correspondent Melissa Goh Posted: 04 September 2006 1937 hrs Singapore and Malaysia welcome opening up of two-way air routes Malaysia and Singapore have both welcomed the imminent opening up of two-way air routes, seeing mutual benefits in such a development. The warming up of relationship between Singapore and Malaysia, and more economic cooperation and joint business ventures are the signs of change towards a new era of working closer together. And this is only possible when politics is removed from the equation of business and economic cooperation. Under Mahathir, this is not possible. And all his ministers, no matter how rational and pragmatic, would have to behave like chameleon, depending on the mood of Mahathir. Often they appeared clownish and outright stupid, making silly statements or reversing what they had said or agreed earlier. They have lost a lot of credibility as leaders of a nation by behaving or misbehaving in the public and in international arena through their unpredictable and unreasonable behaviour. And no thanks to Mahathir. Today, when logic and pragmatism and economic interests are key to their policies and actions, they have become their true self, behaving and acting as normal, predictable and rational leaders who talked sense. They must all thank their current Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi for allowing them to regain their self respect. Poor Syed Hamid and Rafidah were often made to take U turns and undermined their own credibility as if they did not know what they were doing. Now they appeared very sensible and saying sensible things that ordinary people could understand and not be shocked to their absurbed turnarounds. A good leader will allow his team of ministers to stand out as good leaders themselves.

a legend made

Legends are made of this. Just a little distraction from the routine posting. Tiger Woods made it 5 in a row after winning the Deutsche Bank Championship from Vijay Singh. And he did it after trailing 3 strokes going into the final round behind Vijay who hammered a 61 round course record. To recover 3 strokes against another former world number one is just too much of a fairy tale ending. This man is born to be great and he is unstoppable. He is not only charismatic, he is a role model for many to emulate, clean, honest and down to earth. He is no rogue like some of the other athletes in boxing, football or basketball. And not a naughty McEnroe. And definitely not a prima donna. What a great hero, and a living legend. And he is American, African and Asian.

the 'mao dun' of new citizenship

I still can't get over this 'mao dun,' or the controversy between the best spear against the best shield. We are telling the foreigners that becoming a Singapore citizen is good. On the other hand the citizens are screaming foul for being citizens. The citizens are saying that as a citizen they are getting a raw deal compares to a PR. So when a PR becomes a citizen, he is going to have a raw deal compares to his previous status. So why on earth would a PR want to trade places to become a citizen? Obviously when a PR becomes a citizen, he must be better off. Actually I just saw the light at the end of the tunnel. This welcoming new citizen thing is just a gimmick to frighten Singaporeans to buck up. For the govt know in their hearts that PRs are too smart to trade in their privilege position to become citizens and get a raw deal.

a great president charity show

It was a great show featuring our local talents, or that was the part that I saw. I missed the first half of the show. The poly students were great, and so were the girls from MGS. And so was Stephanie. We have a lot more talents to market if we keep at nurturing them and providing them with more opportunies to excel. No need foreign talents really. As for the charity aspect, the effect of exhaustion was obvious. The callers chalked up a miserable $340,000. The balance that made up the $4 million were from corporate donations. The glamour and novelty of painful faces were not pulling the heartstrings as they used to. Maybe over exposure had toughened the senses of the audience. If that be the case then we are going to see poorer response in future charity shows. Hopefully cynicism will not replace the genuine human warmth when staring at people in grief.

israelis must learn from singapore

According to Clement Mesenas, Editor at large of the Today paper, Israel should learn from Singapore to live in peace with its Arab neighbours. The first thing that Israel should do is to be more Arab, learn to speak Arab and accept the ethos of Arab, to live more like the Middle Eastern people. Israel should not embrace the western way of life. And Singapore was quoted as the shining example to follow, learning and have Malay as our national language. All Israelis must speak Arab as a second language. But he forgot that Singapore is also like Israel, embracing everything that is good from the west and eschews all the lifestyle of the west. And, Singapore is modeling itself after Israel! Horrors!!! I am amazed at the simple solution to the Israeli problem and that the Israeli would not take this road to peace. Stupid Israelis?

the british nightmare

Britain is paying a heavy price for its arrogance, the colonial master that knew it all. And today it is crying. It is living with a nightmare it created for itself. They must have regretted not taking the advice of Enoch Powell. The raids at all the muslim hideouts to flush out terrorists over the last few days are only skimming the surface. The problem has very deep roots and well spread across the British Isles. How could they ever uproot the terrorists living among them and who were locally born, bred and trained? For their generosity or guilt, they embraced all their colonial subjects regardless of race or religion. These same people who came to Britain for a better life are turning against their benefactor. How ironic. Or is it retribution for the excesses of their forefathers who ravaged the colonies and turned free people into British subjects, subjected to British rule? We are also embarking on a major policy change to welcome the world into our little space. Will we live to regret it one day like the British? Bringing a stranger into your home is a big risk. It could turn out to be a devil in disguise.

myth 60

'The Little Red Dot is not viable' We have lived with this myth for 41 years. We started off with a population of less than 2 million. We were heading towards a dead end, political suicide for leaving our Malaysian hinterland without resources and a treasury that is virtually empty. All these are history. Today the same threat has been raised, that Singapore will not survive if we do not increase the population to 6-8 million. This time it is not outsiders that said we cannot survive. This time we said it ourselves. And to survive, we need the influx of more foreigners. The originals are no longer good enough and is a dying breed. It is like cattles with too much inbreeding. We need a dosage of new DNAs to boost out the impoverished stock. And so far everyone believe so. At least the whole govt machinery believe so. And the whole main stream media also believe so. No one has uttered a little disagreement to this embracing truth. We die if we do grow our population. The little voices in cyberspace, from the not too well educated, the unprofessional and not too objectives, the kopit tiam kakis, seem to think otherwise. So we have a competition of ideas from the thoughtful against the unthinking gossipers. Obviously the unthinking cannot be believed. The thinkers and policymakers must be right. There is another group of thinkers in the academia. Why are they saying notthing? Do they agree or disagree? Silence is golden, silence is consent. Silence can also mean protest. Or they have spoken but not heard. This is a major issue that will change the nature of the nation and its future. The academics cannot be clueless or without any views. Still waiting to hear some hot debates among the high brow thinkers on this issue. Or the viability of this nation without the doubling of its population is a truth and not a myth?

cheaper and better

When I first bought my Nikon camera a couple of years back, it cost me $399. My plasma tv cost $6000. Today, less than two years, I can get a better Nikon for the same price, with better features and improved technology, from 4 megapixels to 6 and a 1.5 inch LCD to a 2.5 inch. So is a plasma tv. A laptop used to cost at least $2k. Today it can cost below $1.5k. All the prices are coming down but without compromising on quality. In fact the quality has improved in leaps and bounds. Why is it that in this little queer island called Uniquely Singapore, the price of everything can only go up. And any suggestion of cutting down cost, the immediate reply is that quality will be compromised. That lower cost means lower quality. A CEO is a CEO and is himself. Pay him $1m or $10m, he is the same turkey producing the same work. Of course he will turn into a monkey if he is being paid peanuts. The only problem here is that nobody thinks that he is paid enough or excessively. And with the govt setting the trend, telling people that all cost and prices and salaries must go up (except for those at the lower rung that are faced with fierce international competition), it is like an edict to raise prices. And salaries are raised even in positions that have no international competition. Positions that are the reserves of Singaporeans. Then look at all the low tech industries like public transportation, essential services and basic food, how can their cost keep going up when high tech industries with cutting edge technologies, employing the best brains are able to produce better products at lower cost? Something is seriously wrong in this logic that cheap means lower quality. Just look at those who are getting ever higher salaries and compare their performances and see whether there is a proportional improvement in their performance. I bet many were just doing the same shit in and out or may even be worst. Some may spend time networking for more kickbacks for doing nothing but to show their faces or lend their names. But this is not a game of golf when a name like Tiger Woods sells.

like a virgin, george yeo in cyberspace

George Yeo is like a virgin taking her first tentative walk in the ghettos. And he chose to be in one that he is more familiar with, and feel a little safer. Can't blame him, knowing how treacherous cyberspace can be with many demons and devils of all stripes and hues lurking in the dark corners waiting to pounce on him. Nonetheless it is a very brave move and most appreciated by netizens. If all goes well, if he is not mugged, and when he spread the words among his other virgin peers, cyberspace may see more luminaries appearing for a chat. What is important now is for him to feel safe. And netizens should encourage him to visit more frequently by responding positively to his brave gesture. The nature and credibility of cyberspace depend on the netizens themselves not to engage in vicious attack on other netizens regardless of their background. It will help the growth of cyberspace community and improve communication between people and those who will influence their lives with their decisions. Cyberspace welcomes George Yeo as a netizen. PS: Though I have no specific rules in this forum, I reserve the right to delete posts that attack another forumer personally.

it is all in the faces

Well they said a picture is worth a thousand words. And I was looking at the colourful picture of Lui Tuck Yew and the six students in the Straits Times yesterday. One whole page devoted to the topic of National Education and a 5R full colour photo of the participants right in the middle. I skipped the wordings, too wordy and a topic too familiar to read it in detail. What fascinated me was the facial expression on the faces of the students and their body language. Hanisah Maskon said, 'What's Lui talking about?' Hers was a quiet attentive look. Next was this red shirt guy, Benjamin Lin, with his body leaning away from Lui as if saying better to keep your distance. And Gayle Goh, her fist in her mouth and a look that said she was in Orchard Road or somewhere out there. She was so far away though sitting so near to Lui. Tan Yee Ling was listening, but you cannot miss the scepticism in her expression. Robert Straughan was more interested in the chemistry of the half empty glass of ice cream or milk shake. He was trying to guess which was which. And Muhammad Nabil, the bright one from RI was perhaps the only one still engaged in the conversation. And of course, Lui was the one doing the preaching, or talking. Was there a generation gap or were they talking about something world's apart?

radical thoughts about babies

Radical Thoughts Babies shortage, not enough man to be soldiers, more new citizens needed. The question is how many soldiers are needed to defend against the perceived foe? The second question is whether we can survive just on our own capability or do we need backups from allies? It all depends on the strategy on how to defend a small island state. It may not be appropriate to discuss such matters here and also it is not a simple issue to deal with. But we could take some broad strokes on this dwindling number of service men to defend the country. If we can maintain the present strength, maybe a little lesser if we cannot produce the numbers we want, the small shortfall can be compensated by technology and superior weapons. With this as the bottom line, is it possible not to be too obsessed with more in numbers? What about mecenaries as a supplement? Would an additional two divisions of mercenaries be enough? We have been living with the Gurkhas as mercenary soldiers for sometime. Could options be made to have one or two divisions of Gurkhas on call if needed? Given their lower cost, we should be able to pay for them in a crisis. Not forgetting that we have a standing armed forces of our own, which is the key to our own defence and that only we can defend our own country, to activate the mercenary soldiers, it would mean that we are in a state of war, which is still a remote possibility. The other option is to sign defence treaties with friendly forces like the 5 Nation Defence Pact, or maybe with the US to come to our defence when attacked. We still have our own forces to hold the fort for the initial phases of engagement. With these two options available, we may not be so desperate to have more headcounts as war is not an option for us. We should at all times be striving for peaceful co existence with everyone and the ultimate defence by military means should hopefully not be called upon. Simply put, diplomacy first, and building bridges to avoid conflict. Second, have a respectable defence capability of our own. Third, to be able to draw upon a mercenary force or from friendly allies. Would these be adequate measures to avert the pressure of not enough babies?

new citizen policy a wake up call

Inviting more new immigrants and foreign talents is just a wake up call for the sloppy and less competitive Singaporeans. The young Singaporeans have lost the fighting spirit of their immigrant parents. They have been living a cosy life, brought up in an era of plenty, expecting everything to be delivered to them in a silver platter. The drive of the pioneering generation is needed to resusitate an aging and ailing Singapore to life, to reinvent Singapore into a vibrant nation. The new migrants, hungry and willing, will be the new blood in the driver seat. Local born Singaporeans either shape up or ship out. The govt is not there to doddle and appease them with goodies every year. They cannot depend on the charity of the govt. We are not a welfare state. Fight for the right to be in this oasis of wealth and abundance, and the right to call it home. Citizens or not, there is no privileges except talent. Be a worthy member and you will find this island very rewarding, an island of opportunities.

myth 59

'Life is fair' Many of you would have read in the papers yesterday about this guy who has more than 70 wives. He is a leader of a religious cult in the US. And he assumes the supreme position of the top leader after inheriting the cult group from his father. In his position he takes all the women he fancy. He decides who should have more wives, who should not have wives, and banishes the guys to reduce competition for women within the group. And I believe all of you have a lot of questions about the privileges of this guy and why the rest of his flock obey him and willingly be subservient to him. One of his strength is a group of body guards to protect him and his excesses. Does this guy know that he is having too much, of women and other goodies that his other cult members do not have? Oh, he is quite smart in making sure that his close circles of leaders also enjoy the same privileges, but lesser than him. Everyone in his circle will obviously be as happy and dedicated to preserve the system and status quo. Not only that he, and they, do not think anything wrong with their abundance. They do not seem interested to change the system or make it more equitable to the rest of the group. Why should they when they are enjoying all the perks and largesses? To them, it is a natural order of things. The more able of the group deserves better things and more women. And very likely if anyone would come out with some stupid idea of distributing the women more evenly among the men he will be shot down. It is the selfish nature of men that it is ok for themselves to have more than others. It is like our widening income gap issue. It is not really a problem. It is only a problem to those who are at the wrong end of the equation. If one is enjoying the good time, at best maybe offer some condolence to the less fortunate. But the system must be preserved, as it is good for their own wellbeing. Fortunately there is a bigger god to arrest the cult leader.

Robotics is the way to go.

Robotics is the way to go. There is no need for so many foreigners to make up the 8 million. Think robotics. Many ministries and stats boards need only be manned by robots. Many of them have so perfect rules and procedures that they can run without human interferences. Even problems and questions by the public can be answered by answering machines or FAQs in the websites. By replacing them with robots, the existing manpower can be reallocated to areas where they need humans to manage. Organisations or departments where thinking humans are required, where flexibility and exceptions are needed in the daily decision making process. Among the ministries and stats boards that can be completely manned by robots will be CPF, Income Tax, PUBs, LTA, BCA, HDB etc And robots can be programmed to smile as well.

the sun will rise from the east!

Today Chok Tong said tomorrow the sun will rise from the East, or something like that. What he actually said was that with globalisation, the income gap between the rich and poor will continue to widen. Anyone does not know or have not heard this statement of unquestionable and irreversible truth? Is this going to be a fact that the poor/govt must accept? Or are conditions gravitating towards the pre revolutionary days when the only way out for the poor is the destruction of the existing system, to start all over again, a revolution? An uncontrolled capitalist and free market system will move in this direction, up to a point when the division is so stark that only a confrontation of the two extremes will level the playing field. It is natural that the rich will want to be richer. And if they are some crumbs to be thrown around, some will. The other truths are greed and selfishness. Nobody will complain that they have too much money. And Chok Tong then posed the question of how to distribute the wealth of the nation to the poorer segment of the population. There is no need for supertalents to make super money using public fund and the authority of the state and state mechanism. Any idiot can do that. The real test comes when they have to uplift the less able people, a large group of people at the bottom rung of society. How to return some wealth to these less endowed and less fortunate people, the lazy and lost ones? It is time the supertalents use their talents that were paid by super salaries to tackle this enormous problems and justify their existence. An easier solution is to let this lot die naturally, or fade away, their problems contained and unseen. Unfortunately, this lot is like the lallangs. They will keep returning to be trampled. The waste lands will always be covered with lallangs unless big effort and resources are applied to keep them away. Landscaping caused money. Making the poor look less miserable needs a lot of money and attention.

myth 58

'We frown on Quitters!' This statement has become a joke. Or is it? We were so unkind to Singaporeans who quit and left for foreign shores. Today, we are praising all the quitters of foreign shores and welcoming them here with open arms. We want to make non Singaporean quitters feel that they are a highly desirable commodity and we will go all out to make it easier for them to be here. Double speak, double talk, forked tongue? Heads I win, tail you lose. Quitters are no longer frowned. Quitters are good and precious.

should we invest in the southern johore econ zone?

The Southern Johore Economic Zone is going to take off. Now we are seeing the two trade ministers talking about cooperation and developing the concept. How about Khairy's talk of the SJEZ purpose of making Singapore begging Malaysia if it is a success? Shouldn't Singapore stay out of this project if that is the purpose? Time to talk sense and do business instead of politiking for personal interest and stirring up inter state rivalry and emotions.

cpf my money!

The people's right to their CPF money must be revisited everyday to remind the authority that it is the people's money and not the govt's money. Wonder what the IMF would have to say if they know about such things? Oh, perhaps we should privatise the CPF to make it more efficient and effective in managing the people's money. At the moment it is so happy just to hoard the people's money, paying minimal interest rate and even charging administrative fee for withdrawal to pay medical bills. The CPF board should start cracking its head on how to get the best insurance policy for old age and return the bulk of the money to the people instead of thinking of increasing the amount of money retained by the board.

anti missile shield for singapore

This is the headline by a Defence Correspondence, David Boey, in the Straits Times today. The main point in the article is that it is prudent for Singapore to have anti missile shield now that it is within the range of ballistic missiles from North Korea, China, Russia and the USA. Now let me see, does any of these nations has a reason to shoot missiles at us? North Korea does not even know that we exist. China is our good friend and has publicly stated that it will not be the first to use nuclear weapons on any country. Presumably firing an ICBM and to be cost effective, it must have a nuclear warhead and not 20 kilo of TNT. Russia, well, think it will be too busy with Eastern Europe. The USA? Our closest allies, but could be a threat if they decided to leave us out in the cold when they found a more valuable friend. It has all the capabilities and has been threatening everyone they don't like with pre emptive nuclear threat. So shall we buy an anti missile shield from the US to defend against American missiles flying at us? And if they do so, I don't think any anti missile system can hold them back. What about the others, including potential new enemies from the Middle East? Now, why would we have enemies who would find us so naugthy of deserving a missile strike? Possible, if we keep perching on top of our HDB flat and show our two fingers to people we have nothing to do with or showing them monkey faces. I would think it is more prudent to take a low profile, be friends to everyone, and use the money to build a few more IRs. PS: In the case of Malaysia, by the time the missile is airborne it will be in Indonesia.

taxi woes and passenger woes

Siew Kum Hong raised the issue that in the forthcoming review of public transport systems, the taxis are being left out? Is it because the system is working efficiently and nothing else needs to be done? Or the people on the right side think that everything is right while the people on the wrong side think that everything is wrong? And while one side thinks that many things ought to be done, the other thinks otherwise? We have heard many complains and the woes of the taxi drivers and passengers. One complaining not enough passengers and the other not enough taxis. The only people not complaining are the taxi companies. I was waiting at the roadside last sat morning, before 6am, for my golf kaki to pick me up. Were there any taxis at that hour? During that 15 minutes while I was there, with my golf bags on the roadside, there were at least 20 taxis hovering and hopping that I wave my hand. All of them were empty. They were so hungry for passengers. And can't complain that they were lazy, waking up so early in the morning to drive their cabs. What is wrong? Those who can afford it will have their own private cars. Those who don't have private cars cannot afford the taxi fares. That is the problem. Very fundamental problems. Now who is hooting that our taxi fares are cheap compare to other big cities and should actually double it so that the taxi drivers could double their income? Insanity!

myth 57

'Open door to welcome new talented citizens' I thought this was for real. But after thinking about it a little deeper, it is clear that it is a message for Singaporeans to wake up, a wake up call. For if they don't, then they must be prepared to face another few million foreigners to replace them. And this is where the myth lies. Look at it this way, without any incentives or promotions, there are already a few millions queuing to be our citizens. These are the hairdressers, the waiters and waitresses, the masseurs, the talented construction workers, the environment specialists etc. To these people, there is no incentive needed. Just open the door and say welcome, and we will have 3 millions signing up. Of course these are not the talents that we want right? Other than the special attributes that are needed for masseurs, the rest of the jobs can be done by our very own Dad's army. Ok, construction workers is another issue. And the highly talented foreign talents will see no need to be citizens of any country. They are welcome anywhere they wish to go. So thinking of attracting this group is a fallacy. What about the in between, the not so talented talents, mostly PRs? Would this group be interested in becoming citizens? Why should they when they are so happy just being PRs? There are no real benefits in becoming citizens than what they are enjoying now. And worst, they are likely to be worst off after becoming citizens. If the govt is serious, it is only expected that they will make becoming citizens so attractive that all the PRs would also want to change their status. So, is this welcoming more citizens thing a myth?

soliciting for new citizens

Cheng Yoke Wah, a column writer for Today, has been here for 20 years. She married her husband who is also a PR. But when the question was raised, why not citizenship, it becomes a different matter. Her reasons, as she penned in the Today paper, is a matter of heart. Singapore is an adopted country, adopted parents, and her home country is where her biological parents are. In her view, it smacks of being ungrateful to disown her own parents by becoming a true blue child of the adopted parents. But she is loyal to Singapore. She sang the Singapore anthem with gusto and sincerity. Or is it a mixed up sense of being grateful to Singapore for giving her a good life, a fair and equal opportunity to live well and with respect? It is understandable that people have feelings. The bonds of the home, the memories of childhood and the familiar surroundings where one grew up are important bits and pieces of our emotional ties. To severe this link by taking up a new citizenship, is a big pyschological decision to make. There will be many who will instantly trade in their passports for our red passports when they compare what they could be as from what it would be. As we move pass this group, there will be many who will take the plunge for less desirable reasons. We should not buy citizenship. We should not prostitute ourselves to anyone. We should go all out to buy PRs and talents. Citizenship is still a valid concept today and has more intrinsic and psychological values than just a piece of paper or a red passport. Many who are from the more developed and established nations will not want to part with their citizenships for ours. Many will temporary part with their less desirable citizenships for ours and planning to swop it for even more desirable citizenships. What's wrong with the current policy of having PRs, WPs and EPs? If numbers is what we want, these schemes will continue to provide us the numbers when we want it and to cut down when we do not want them. We have the best of both worlds. To consciously push for citizenship may not be the solution even to hope for more NS men. More of the undesirable or uncommitted could be more dangerous than having less. We can get the numbers through the present array of employment passes and PRs. Many of the talented are highly mobile and are happy just to be PRs and live in any where of their own choosing. We need not rush headon into something that can have a lot of adverse consequences in the future, by taking in everyone willing. The wider the door is thrown open, the higher the possibilities of inviting more trouble.

myth 56

'Encouraging lateral thinking: Mee siam mai hum.' Another myth? I am not referring to mee siam mai hum but the progress of imbuing Singaporeans to think laterally. Singaporeans were told to think out of the box and not to look at things at face value. In anything, there is always the positive side to it if one bothers to dig it out. Many Singaporeans had a good laugh at the mee siam mai hum anecdote. Some stretched it further towards the negative. Look at it another way, this simple phrase has set many thinking. Why can't mee siam have hum? Or why can't hum be added to mee siam, maybe create a new recipe from adding hum. Better still, a completely new dish. After the laughter has subsided, it is time to sit back and see what can be gained from this new insight, mee siam mai hum. Citizenship mai National Service, PRs mai citizenship, want the privileges of a citizen but mai responsibilities. Or chenghu mai opposition, opposition voice mai opposition candidates and parties...or have a new concept of a piece of land for all the talents mai citizenship. No citizenship is needed. All are equal and the more talented the more equal. How about a little dosage of lateral thinking and think out of the box? Did Hsien Loong set the nation thinking? or at least the cyberspace thinking?

foreign talents, balancing perks and privileges

The policy for foreign talent is as good as being cast in stone. Not that it is a bad policy per se. People are disagreeing with how it is being done, how far it is being carried out and undermining the interest or privileges of Singaporeans. I would just try to discuss on two points. Cost of living and privileges of being citizens versus PRs and the rest. The two points are interrelated and may overlap in many areas. While we welcome the new citizens with more attractive perks, and as their number grows and become a significant factor in all our activities, it may be opportune to factor in the difference between being citizens and PRs to favour citizens. Essential services like education, medical, transportations can be fine tuned to a point where citizens pay lesser than PRs. The difference may not be too big to become a disincentives but enough to make citizenship more respectable, valuable and attractive. As an example, the cost to PRs and the rest could be 10 or 20% higher than a citizen. If becoming a citizen marks the end of the honeymoon or romance as in a marriage, when the sweetness and fairy tale of courtship are transformed into more responsibilites, it becomes questionable for logical and rational people to want to become citizens. Being PRs is that much more interesting and attractive. Or like living together and having all the funs and not getting hitch and share the chores. The privileges of citizenship with respect to housing subsidies, taxation, even preference for employment in the govt sector can be modify to make citizenship a more desirable status than just being PRs. And when all the privileges of citizenship are cumulated, and found to be worth the while to compensate for the responsibilities and liabilities to serve national service, a life long commitment and sacrifice, taking up citizenship may make more sense for the PRS and at the same time sooth the people's anger.

a need for alternative views in cyberspace

The MSM is flooded with articles by any living reporters and journalists on the foreign talent issue as if they are singing in chorus to the wave of an imagery baton. All singing the same song, complimenting every point. No one is out of tune. Now is this classical, pop or jazz? Anyone hoping to hear rock or country and western will be disappointed. I tried scanning every piece of article hoping to fish out some alternative views or some disagreement with the policy, but as expected could not find any. They said wise men all think alike. This only leave the cyberspace for views that are contrary to conventional or official thinking. The trend of development for MSM and cyberspace is very natural, one adopting the views of the power that be and the other pulling away to express alternative views which associated with the disgruntles. The question that is left to be answered is whether the MSM can present a balance view or whether there is a place for alternative views in cyberspace? I think, after reading all the MSM reports on the foreign talent issue, the answer is pretty clear.

what george bush and prince charles have in common

In an article written by David G Myers fo the Straits Times Myers described Bush as a leader that made decisions, especially foreign policy decisions, based on his gut feel. He quoted Bush as saying, 'I know there's no evidence that shows the death penalty has a deterrent effect, but I just feel in my gut it must be true.' Very much like he got this gut feel that Saddam Hussein must have WMD and he launched a war in Iraq. Bush was also quoted to have told Larry King in an interview: "If you make decisions based upon what you believe in our heart of hearts, you stayed resolved.' The other leader of compatible leadership quality and wisdom is none other than Prince Charles of the British throne. This was what Charles said, 'Buried deep within each and everyone of us, there is an instinctive, heartfelt awareness that provides - if we allow it to - the most reliable guide.

we have decided. this is the way to go

This issue of throwing the door wide open to welcome foreigners as citizens is a case where people can agree or disagree with the govt's policy. The govt has made its calculations based on its own premises of what is good for Singapore. No doubt that the govt has done its homework and think that this is the only right way to go forward. And looking at how the main stream media jumps into it so quickly to support the policy wholesale, one begins to doubt the sincerity of the MSM in this issue. Are they just towing the official line or they really believe in it? But this is besides the point. The MSM has its right to believe and throw its weight behind any issue. What is interesting to note are the voices that disagree with this policy. Hopefully disagreeing with it or criticising it is not seen as anti govt or undermining the govt's policy. This is applicable to many issues. The people agree with many govt policies but pick on some that they don't agree. Often this little divergence of views is looked at with great disapproval though the mantra today is that the govt agree that they did not have all the answers. We have seen many policies that have gone wrong but continue to be pursued relentlessly. And any opposing views are frown upon and viewed at unkindly. The concerned Singaporeans are also interested in the wellbeing of the country and people. And every Singaporean has a stake in this country and has a right to air their concern. The only difference is that they are not in power to decide to go for alternative options. Just because the govt is empowered to make decisions, does not mean that decisions are always right and good for the people. The people are seeing the issue differently and can be right and the govt wrong. And unfortunately for such a decision, and with everyone singing hallelujah for now, the disapproving views may be drown. But the consequences of such a decision will only surface in the long run and it will be too late to turn back the clock.

let's recall the dad's army to serve the nation

Why do we need so many headcounts? Never heard of computerisation, mechanisation, multitasking, job redesign and restructuring? Also, if everyone is made to work until 80, we would have increase our productive population by a few hundred thousands, and with little development cost. With the stroke of the pen, retirement age at 80, we can put many people back into the job market

who is the biggest pirate of intellectual properties?

The champions of intellectual properties carry a big stick everywhere they go trying to catch the violaters and illegal operators. The pirate CD operators, the publishers of pirated copies of books etc. All will be booked when they are caught. But when you are big and appear to be doing a proper business, you can copy anything you want, stealing intellectual properties and selling them in the international market, and making billions in profits, and get away with it until you are caught. But because you have so much financial muscles, sometimes it is ok when caught, to threaten to counter sue the owner of the intellectual properties, then compromise and settle out of court with a minimal sum, and continues legally with the pirated material. Now after the settlement, it will not longer be stealing of intellectual properties. Who is the biggest pirate of intellectual properties?

living with truths or OB markers

Bloggers and forumers should stay away from trouble by staying within the OB markers. That is the cardinal rule. And Singaporeans accepted this as a right thing to do. Accept the OB markers without asking why. But what are OB markers? What about speaking the truths? Are truths offensive or threatening to OB markers? Should truth be not spoken if someone decides to put some OB markers around it? On the other hand humankind have been living with half truths or lies and be very happy with them because no one cares to put OB markers on them. Did Mr Brown got into trouble because he spoke half truths or because he crossed OB markers? If the case is one of half truths, would it be a civil way to tell the whole truths so that everyone is enlightened rather than to shut him up? What if he is telling the truths, maybe from his perspectives, and given the short article he could not clarify every detail, that they appear as half truths to others? And for that, or not for that, he was closed down because of OB markers? The issue is whether we should be living our lives with arbitrary OB markers imposed on us by demigods? There are obvious OB markers that everyone should avoid even if nobody says so. These are things that could cause social unrest or attacking people personally, libel etc. But if it is a case of politically correct or incorrect according to the OB marker maker, then it is a separate thing altogether. Not all OB markers are objective and good for the nation and people. Some may be good only for the OB marker maker.

Cyberspace and Main Stream Media

Cyberspace and Main Stream Media Mee siam mia hum made the day for bloggers and forumers which also becomes the envy of MSM journalists and reporters. Stories were spun, ringtones, jokes, poems, songs etc were added to make this simple phrase comes alive. Some were naughtly, some mischievious, but many were just poking fun for a little laugher. Everyone in cyberspace must have a say or a word on this. The poor MSM professionals must be biting their nails, wanting to have a go at it too, sharing their two cents worth. Both professional interest says otherwise. No, you can be indulging in such humour or graffitis. So they all sit back doodling on their keyboard wondering what to write. Now this is one aspect of cyberspace which MSM can never compete. Fortunately the new campaign on foreign talent kicks off and gives the MSM professionals something to talk about. Writing about the need for foreign talents and how this can benefit Singapore can never be wrong and is only politically correct. And whew, finally they got something to write about and keeps them busy. The cyberspace is also very active in this topic. But it is very clear that they both belong to different world and seeing the same issues in different perspectives. There is a very real reason why there is a need for cyberspace, just to tell a different story or looking at things from the real people. Can MSM compete with cyberspace when their coverage is limited to politically correct stuff or non political stuff?

creative profit!!!

in the next reporting season creative technology will report an extraordinary gain of us$100 mil! where on earth got asian companies claiming against western giants like Apple and won this kind of damages without even fighting it out in a long legal battle? only creative can do this. and now it has another leg inside apple territory, given the right to produce accessories for ipod. so creative can produce for its zen range of mp3s and ipods. who is this sim wong hoo, the singapore wonderboy? local talent.

myth 55

'Our problem is not Singaporeans giving up citizenships. Our biggest problem is getting people to come here, to take up residence and eventually become citizens.' Wong Kan Seng Is this a myth or a statement of reality? For 41 years, we have been brewing this concoction called 'mee siam mai hum,' just kidding. We have been brewing this Singapore stew and are almost there. The people are starting to gel and singing one people one nation. Today, for some reasons, we are in a hurry to throw in more new ingredients into the stew in double quick time. Can we expect the stew to be the same? How can that be when the recipe is changed? It will take maybe another 40 years to see the result. But the immediate position is that the 41 year stew is not going to be served. It will have to start the whole process all over again, depending on how much new ingredient are thrown in and at how fast a pace. We are not afraid of Singaporeans giving up citizenships. We want to welcome more foreigners quickly by making things easier, more transparent and probably more attractive terms. Now where would all these leave the Singaporeans? The next question is whether the potential citizens will bite. They are not stupid. They too will look at how the govt treat the Singaporeans. For they too will become Singaporeans too. And if they think once they become Singaporeans, they will be treated in the same way, will they have second thoughts? Now they have the best of both worlds. Why would they want to become shit in a shit hole if becoming Singaporeans means they will be lesser off than be better off? Can there be a level playing field for Singaporeans to opt to become PR just like PRs opting to become citizens? Make it easier and just as attractive, a freedom of choice to go either way. Why is it that PRs have greater freedom and flexibility and citizens have more restrictions? Who is better off? Membership has its privileges. Or is it the other way round?

welcoming foreign talents policy seems so right now

30 years ago we had the stop at 2 campaign. everyone was trumpeting how necessary it was to stop at 2. today we are paying the price for that decision. but mind you, it was the right thing to do then for they could not find enough jobs for a rapidly growing population then. today we are trumpeting this foreign talent campaign as if it is the only right thing to do despite our people crying for more decent paying jobs. will this be another big regret 30 years down the road? the british must be kicking their arses for freely allowing their colonial subjects to migrate to uk. otherwise they will not have, or will have lesser terrorist problems. such decisions are never a clear cut right or wrong solution. every solution will have its consequences. anyone dare to vouch that this is the correct thing to do? that is why i always call for moderation. the restructuring of the financial industry in the 90s had caused the loss of many high paying jobs when many in the industry were retrenched. is the financial industry really better off today? the banks appear to be doing well. but the stock market industry is like a big shining red apple on the outside, but rotten to the core and waiting to implode.

'preserve our rights to use our cpf'

I read the above title in the Today paper and find it amusing. There was a hot debate after Tan Keng Soon wrote an article suggesting to modify the CPF scheme and children should contribute to the CPF of their mothers. And now readers are not agreeable to this and wanted to have more control of their CPF savings. Now why is this so amusing? It is amusing because whatever CPF one has, it is well known and has already been factored into the big picture of the country. How much the people have in the CPF have been computed to make sure that they can afford to pay for HDB flats and medical cost. When people have more CPF money, property prices will be priced according to their affordability. Now that people have lesser money left in their CPF, HDB will build 2 room flats to meet their lower affordability ability. And when there are more in CPF, bigger flats will be built again. And today's paper headline has this cheerful report that Singaporeans can now afford to pay for their medical cost. These are also priced according to affordability. According to the report, if Singaporeans seek to be admitted into C and B2 wards, then they should be able to afford to pay for them through their Medisave. But the report forgot that admission into C and B2 wards is not a matter of personal choice but depended on the means testing. So much as Singaporeans may want to save some money by opting for C and B2 wards, they may not qualify and have to pay for more expensive wards because they could afford to. What does all these mean, ie affordability, is to see how much one has in the CPF and how much to price facilities and services to use up these CPF. Now the cry to preserve our right to use our CPF. Fat hope. Every organisation is thinking of how to use up your CPF. Their rights to use your CPF come first. By then they would not be much left. And the final condition, you don't have the right to decide when you can take out your cpf and how much to take out even after you retire.

myth 54

'SMRT is doing well and should not raise fare' I was in the train this morning and something caught my attention. First the thought that SMRT is going to raise its fare after making more than $100 million in profit. Should that be enough to cover for the higher fuel cost? Lets say fuel cost will add another $50 million to its operating cost, just a guesstimate, they will still make another $50 million, ceterus paribus. Then I look around the train carriage all over again. I just felt that something was not right. The two tv screens that were supposed to bring in advertising income were dead silent. The screens were blank, black and not powered on. One big source of income not coming in. What about the billboard advertising panels? There were at least 20 of them on both the inner sides of the train carriage. What? Only one panel has an advert! The rest were empty. This means there will be a drastic fall in advertising revenue. I only hope that it was only in one train carriage. But very likely it will affect the rest of the trains. And this will also mean that many businesses are not advertising, businesses not doing well, or cannot afford to advertise. Or maybe advertising in train is not rewarding. Make your guess.

myth 53

'Need to protect the safety of the World Bank/IMF delegates' As a host nation offering our facilities for the World Bank/IMF Conference here, it is our duty to provide the best facilities, the most hospital and friendly environment and to look after the safety of the delegates. And when we know of public demonstrations that are being planned, we fear for their safety. We must do whatever we can to protect them. Further, we don't allow public demonstration for our people and there is no reason to make an exception for our guests. What if our guests wanted the demonstrations to take place? What if our guests are not concerned with their safety or if they don't see any threat to their safety? What if our guests encourage demonstration as that will make them do a better job? What if our guests requested that the demonstrations be allowed to take place? No, we still need to protect their safety. So no public demonstrations allowed.

year of the dog

There is a beautiful picture in the Straits Times today of the Suzhou Mayor presenting a picture of a dog to Kan Seng in praise of our contribution to the Suzhou Industrial Park, and to commemorate the Year of the Dog. It is an excellent and finely crafted silk weaving painting, a craft that the Chinese has perfected. A special and valuable gift as both men were born in the year of the dog.

we welcome the best of the best

I too am worried after reading the responses to the call for more foreigners. Without teaching history, without reading politics, this country can go to the dogs without knowing it. And all because of the innocence of wanting the best, meritocracy, talents etc. If we throw away politics, we can even sell the country away to the highest bidder. What is there left when a nation does not value its people and its citizenship, but instead hold in awe the talents and superficial talents of the world as must have? It is about time to resurrect Durai as a national hero, and who's the guy who spent Asia Pacific Brewery's money and be treated like a king in all the casinos? We should recruit all the drug barons and the mafia godfathers and triad bosses. Tell them we welcome their exceptional talents and send them invitations to be our citizens. Talents of all colours and stripes are welcomed to this island of super talents.

shssssh...let's not talk about it

The Malaysian Minister for Information, Zainuddin Maidin, was unhappy about the spat between Mahathir and Badawi. He was deeply concerned that this will expose all the cronies in the system and tell on the weaknesses of the bumiputras. In his view, the changing of the PMs is only a transfer of cronies. And since the cronies are endemic in the system, it is better not to talk about it so that nobody knows. The lesser people know about it the better for the country. This is a very wise minister.

training courses for bloggers

Bloggers need to go for courses, less they be killed. Well not in the battle field of course. But killed in different ways. Professional training for journalists have proven that it saved their lives, as quoted by anothor professional trainer. That must be the most valuable training the world can ever have. All the armies in the world should send their soldiers for such training and they will be less likely to be killed in battle. Back to bloggers training. The first advantage I can see in this is that I am going to set up a training school for bloggers and get some income. And to boost my income, all the bloggers must be licensed, issued by me. That's another source of income. Another advantage is that bloggers will, after the training, confine themselves to safe topics like food, entertainment and sports. That would raise the level of bloggers in these fields. Next is to set up a task force to enforce the rules and regulations and licencing. Now this will create more jobs. Cyberspace inspectors and cyberspace police. I strongly support the call for training for bloggers, on condition that they attend my school and the licence be issued by me. Others can take on the policing role.

latest: we are opening up!

Latest News Following Hsien Loong's National Day Speech and his citation of Talkingcock.com, a sign of official sanction of the talking cock site, it is no longer blocked. All Singaporeans can now visit Talkingcock.com freely. Now this is no talking cock. Hsien Loong is walking the talk and showing the way. Welcome to cyberspace, Cyberspace citizen Hsien Loong! PS: I hope this is not just a slip by those responsible for blocking it.

the 6-8 million squeeze

With the kind of traffic jams that are increasing by the days, and with the policy change to allow more car ownership by removing COEs, how much more can our roads take before they will all clog up? With 4 million people, we are all feeling the stress, resources are stressed, road are stressed, jobs are stressed. Can we imagine how the island will look like if we are to have 6 to 8 million people? Khairy, Badawi's son in law may be right. When the people feel so squeezed, when property prices go beyond many, the lower income Singaporeans may find it a natural alternative to move into Johore, that is if they are welcomed. These poorer cousins of the rich Singaporeans cannot migrate to Australia or further. Would they eventually find the Southern Johore Corridor a welcome location and make way for other richer Singaporeans? When there are 6-8 million people in Singapore, can cars and flats still be affordable? Will there be enough jobs to go round? Or is this one of the reasons why the room size of HDB flats are getting smaller and smaller? Obviously they are not looking into a future where Singaporeans are all 5 feet tall and need lesser room to move around.

hsien loong's national day speech

A little light moment to remember. The most animate moment when he mentioned the name of Lim Kim San, he instinctively looked skyward to see if Kim San was there looking at him. I don't think he choreographed that. And anyone want to buy him mee siam, please don't. Mee siam apparently is not his favourite food. He didn't know that 'hum' do not go with mee siam. Now what is interesting in his speech, things that forumers will want to know? He spent quite a bit of time talking about the digital age and cyberspace. He discussed about how and why they did that to Mr Brown and the need to engage the people in cyberspace. He came out really fired up about this. But this is an area that he wants to do something differently but did not know how. This is best described by him quoting Deng Xiaoping, groping for rocks, one at a time while crossing a river. A case of wanting to let go, to engage the people but not having a formula to do it. Much as he wanted to talk to the people, or for his ministers/ministries to talk to the people, the big stick is still in his hand. He invited criticisms, and even talking about debate. But would there be any debate? In his view there was debate in Mr Brown's case when MICA responded. If that was the kind of debate that we are going to see, then one can expect nothing new. He talked about the new digital age and how to respond to this new challenge. But would the ministers/ministries think they are up to it to debate or discuss an issue over cyberspace? So far only one senior officer from the Foreign Ministry had the confidence to respond by writing back to Gayle Goh in her blog. Would there be more to follow suit and talk to the people instead of talking down to the people, or using the big stick? We will have to wait and see how they go about groping around, and carrying a big stick.

open jobs to foreigners selectively

Mr Lee added that Singapore has to educate the young to higher standards so that they can move up the value chain and do higher end and more difficult jobs. At the same time, the government will continue to invest in new schools to develop talent. These are the basics that are needed for Singapore to continually adjust and grow, MM Lee said. But Mr Lee warned that the government cannot stop the worldwide trend of lower wage increases for the lower income group, thus the urgency to learn new skills. To move ahead and compete, Mr Lee felt that the services sector is the sure sector, which cannot be "migrated so easily" or outsourced. The above was an extract of LKY's National Day Dinner speech at Tanjong Pagar. LKY said that the service sector is one area that cannot be outsourced or migrated easily. This means that this sector will still be a reserve for Singaporeans if they want them. To take this further, there are many services and industries that need not be opened up to foreigners. And such industries and services should be identified and their job opportunities be Singaporeans preferred. In our attempt to open the country, there is no need to open up everything, including our backside. Some parts must still be covered. We have protected the political system, the legal system, some sectors of the civil service like defence and home affairs etc, we can do more. There are many areas in the private sectors that need not be given away so freely and easily. There is a need to be a little street smart while we open up. Or Singaporeans will end up begging the foreigners to have mercy and not to compete with them for jobs. Opening up is a good thing to attract more foreign talents. But it should not be done foolishly.

reinventing singapore

After 41 years as a new nation, we celebrate national day again and again while others celebrate independence day. Our independence was handed to us on a platter, not on a pool of blood of independence fighters. We have grown from about 1 million people to 4 million, including all the residents, PRs and guest workers. It is quite a strange feeling to count the guests and PRs as part of our population. And we are aiming for 8 millions despite the dwindling fertility rate. And projections claimed that only 1.5 million Singaporeans will be left in the not too distant future at the rate we are going. This would mean that Singaporeans will be a minority in this island which they called home. Assuming that this will be the case, lesser indigenous and organic growth but with an influx of foreigners who are happy to be just permanent residents as they get better privileges than the citizens, would the island then really resembles what we have heard very often, a hotel? And if this is the nature of things to come, maybe we should think about reinventing Singapore into a global city without citizens. Everyone is a guest. Everyone is a PR. Then we can change our status from the Republic of Singapore to PR Singapore. Not People's Republic of Singapore, but Permanent Residence's Singapore. We can declare ourselves something like a neutral piece of land like Switzerland and get a guarantee from the United Nations and all the big powers to safeguard our neutrality. Then we can disband all the expensive and cumbersome defence infrastructure and national service. We will be the shining example of a country without borders. Anyone can come and go as they please. And no citizens to curse and swear about being at a disadvantage in their home country. Everyone is equal, just a PR. No more Singaporeans, just citizens of the world.

followup of andy ho's quality reporting

I was reading this article on students agents by Melissa Sim in the Sunday Times. Despite the fact that she had been told that her numbers were wrong, she still put it into print, claiming that students agents earned a hefty commission of between $2000 to $8000! And she was told that she must know what constitutes that $8000. The number is nonsensical if it is just commission for bringing a student here and help him enrolled into a school. No student would pay that kind of money just for that. The more likely figure is between $800 to $2000, depending on the complexity of the case. But $8000 is not uncommon for foreign agents in China, Korea or Vietnam to charge their clients as there are many domestic regulations and systems to get by, including paying off certain people. The impression given by Melissa Sim is that it is a 'low startup costs and about $100 million up for grabs...' What her article implies is that these are sheeps with plenty of money to be milked by the agents. But when you read her comments further, her evidence did not point to anyone paying that kind of money to their agents. Even a student who paid $2000 were unhappy about it. Where would anyone pay $8000? Other than the unscrupulous who would take the commission and run, many agents have to sweat it out and play parents to the students, especially the younger ones for 4 to 6 years when they are here, running and fetching them around to do domestic chores and worrying for their safety. It is hell of a responsibility to take a child into their care when their parents are thousands of kilometers away and have laid full trust that the agent will look after their children, responsibly. And she mentioned about the Association of Consultants for International Students(Singapore) or ACISS which was set up specifically by the agents and related industry players to self regulate and ensure professionalism and reliability of the service providers. The responsibilities are huge and the service providers knew that they have to provide a service that commensurates with the commissions they are getting, and to make sure that their care are safe and sound. It is no joke should an accident happen or the child is hurt in anyway. For $2000 and a responsibility that can stretch for several years, only the uninformed will think that it is good money. Perhaps in the eyes of this reporter, once the commission is in the pocket, it is time to disappear. I post this to show the quality of reporting and the amount of homework done by a mainstream journalist as claimed by Andy Ho. Factual and accurate reporting!

corporate watchdog!

Many of us are privy to many wrongdoings in the corporate world. Some were first hand information and some from hear says that were mostly truth. It is not uncommon to see hotshot and prominent honchos and CEOs indulging in sleazy deals, unethical and immoral practices at the expense of organisations and employees. I have heard of employees being held at ransom, treated like chattels, exploited and abused by the management they trusted. Some were used for horse tradings, some threatened and prevented from leaving the organisation, or if they leave, obstacles were placed along their path. All these wrongdoings have not been exposed for many reasons. And many at the lower end of the pecking order do not have the resources, money or intellect to take on the bigshot culprits who could drag them to court. And these people would lose by default as they would not be able to engage a legal counsel to bring the culprit to justice. They just cannot afford the legal fee. The internet forum will be a good place to expose such wrong doings to give warnings to those wrongdoers that their wrongdoings did not go unnoticed. Just to mention them here without identifying them or the organisations will suffice to put notice that their game is up. I hope forumers can contribute to this thread with their own encounters. And if this thread proves popular, I will stick it up as a permanent feature here.

crying wolf once too many

Putin has slammed the Americans for trying to flame the North Korean issue by claiming that the North Koreans are planning for an underground nuclear test. Even the South Koreans are dismissing the claim as untruth. The more the Americans keep dishing out their 'intelligence' reports of threats from terrorism or the nuclear ambitions of Iran and North Korea, the less would the world believe in them. They have cried wolf too many times and too often. The Americans are losing credibility in the eyes of the world after Iraq's WMD. The latest terrorist threat claim at Heathrow has also raised many eyebrows as to its reliability. It is very likely another hoax originated from the White House but executed through White Hall. The wayang of Bush and Blair is now well known since the WMD debacle in Iraq. How much more would the world believe in the two of them? How much more would they keep on undermining the intelligence of their intelligence communities? The credibility of both services have plunged to the lowest level ever since their reports and assessments had led to the invasion of Iraq. Today we are hearing the Australians raising alerts to Batam and Bali islands. Are these also part of their scheme to raise the alarm on terrorism and indulging in more hoaxes to frighten the world and make them look right? Wolf, wolf, wolf!!!

the world can easily be turned topsy turvy

The world, especially in the air travel business, can be held at ransom, crippled, just by a phone call. Look at the panic stricken cities of the west. There is no need for WMD, no need for human bombs, no need for any complicated and expensive technology to disrupt the daily activities of any country. All that the terrorists needs to do now is to make a call to any airline or airports claiming that there is a threat or a bomb hidden somewhere and waiting to be exploded. Everything will come to a halt. All the security personnel will run around like bull arse flies trying to establish if the threat is true. And no want would risk taking any threat as a hoax. Fear and threats of sabotage will now be the most effective weapons of the terrorists. At their own time, and place of their own choosing, they could turn the world upside down. All life and economic activities will be disrupted at the mercy of the terrorists.