chia ti lik also resigned from wp

And now Chia Ti Lik has also resigned. The reason is the curb on internet postings on WP members. I fully support Chia Ti Lik's resignation. And probably Goh Meng Seng resigned for the same reason. They should get together and form a new and progressive party that is up todate with a new technological world. Trying to live the 21st century like kampong folks of the 1960s is sure to dig deeper into a hole to cover oneself up. The internet is the most advanced and progressive and effective tool that a political party in the Singapore environment can depend on. It is only a matter of how to use it and maximise its effects to benefit the party. The problem at the moment is the lack of discipline and to fall into the traps of tauntings by people masquerading as friends or innocent trawlers. As long as the politicians or would be politicians conduct themselves well and with decorum, they must not be gagged from posting in the net. Gagging people from posting in the net is regressive and living in a fictitious world of the three monkeys, covering their eyes, ears and mouths, and think everything is fine. Goh Meng Seng and Chia Ti Lik, go and form your own party with the youth of today, and capitalise on technology and the internet to push your agenda and views. Technology is a friend and not an enemy.

The whiners must do some soul searching

The whiners must do some soul searching Mohammad Maliki Osman, a new MP, pointed out that Singaporeans were whiners and complainers. A little variation from quitters. Name calling is quite fun. For every little wrong they would call up a govt agency to deal with it. He would rather the Singaporeans take actions into their own hands, take ownership of their actions to make the island a better place to live rather than depending on the govt. Why is this so? Why are the Singaporeans all so like dat? Whose fault huh?, so asked robertteh. Who should be doing the soul searching? Matilah had on many occasions complained about too much govt. For when there are too much govt, it is only natural and expected that if the govt wants a hand in everything, wants to interfere in everything, then the people will just let the govt to take over, even their lives, reluctantly or legally. And first thing is to stop telling people what to do and what not to do in bed. Or should the govt step back a little? Return more freedom, initiative and more funds and resources back to the people to lead their own private lives? Now, it is always easy to blame the people or some other people isn't it, especially when one thinks one is now god, in the highest body of the state, to tell the people who is the boss?

help is on the way, 36 schemes!

The poor Singaporeans are so lucky. There are officially 36 schemes or assistance programmes forthem to fall back on in addition to the hundreds of non governmental schemes available. Even if I would like to help to disseminate these information to the needy I will also have problems trying to understand each of them. Now I am wondering how the less able, ignorant orlowly educated Singaporeans be able to benefit from such schemes when they either did not know that they exist, or even if they know, would not be able to understand them. And what about the helpers who are to bring these assistance programmes to the needy or to bring the needy to the programmes? Are they also conversant with these programmes? Or would they need a computer to help them to determine who is qualified for which programme? I will surely need a computer to assist me. After reading one programme I will probably forget everything when I try to understand the second programme. And there are 36 of them! By the time I read all of them I will either go bonkers or havewritten a doctoral thesis.

public transport - maximise profit or maximise use

The article by T Rajan in the Straits Times on public transport provides a lot of fruits for thoughts. First point is that public transport operators are not happy that at peak period the trains and buses are only 80% full. Imagine if they are 100% full. What a joke! Would those who expect a 100% full trains and buses be willing to ride on them as their preferred mode of transport? Is a world class transport meant to be that way? And hey, even with the under utilisation the profits are quite handsome and they shouldn't be complaining, should they? Another point is this obsession to push for a 70% usage of public transport. Why shouldn't the current 50% be a good way of life? If our road system is able to cope, isn't it desirable for a better quality of life for more people to be able to drive their own cars? In the future it can be a different issue when the roads are so congested because of our 8 million population dream. Then there is this issue of season passes. It was quoted that the common practice for season passes is to price it with a 50% discount. And for a yearly pass, the discount is even more. Now, how much discount is our $98 season pass? We need to develop a world class public transport with the objective of serving the commuters at the cheapest cost possible and not to maximise profits for the operators and at the discomfort of commuters. There was a comment in the article that people choose to take public transport because it is fast and efficient, and comfortable? I did not read this last word. But travelling in a world class public transport cannot be uncomfortable or be squeesed like packed sardines, that's for sure.

too many helping hands

The 'too many helping hands' syndrome raised by Denise Phua strikes a similar cord in me. With so many charities around, there is a misperception that a lot of good things were done to help the needy. I agree that many good things are being done. And also many unnecessary things are being done. And also many improper things are being done in the name of charities. But because charity is such a noble word, everyone with a little time would want to whip this charity horse as a past time. Everyone wants to start a charity, wants to raise fund for charity, wants to build hospitals, aged homes, dialysis centres and whatever in the name of charities. And the govt probably believe that with so many charitable organisations to help, it can let them share some or more of the load of helping the less fortunate. To have voluntary charitable organisations is a very good thing. it allows people who want to feel human an opportunity to show their generosity and shower love and compassion for the needy. But when charity becomes commercialised, it becomes so fake. If it goes on like what it is being pushed on TV media, soon it will become repulsive. A lot more work needs to be done to manage charitable organisations and the belief that more charitable organisations is good. Who knows, tomorrow undesirable characters may jump on the charity bandwagon to fill their own pockets. Maybe they are already doing so without being discovered.

parliament brief

The most impressive MP in Parliament yesterday must be this guy, shit, I can't even remember his name. Oh yes, Sam Tan. He has such a massive memory that he could remember things lucidly when he was about 5 or 6 years old. And political events and personalities too. I am very impressed. And Amy Khor suggested that the govt should start to study and understand the problems and mindsets of the needy so as to better understand them. Now isn't it about time. It is important to really understand why this people would not come forward to beg for charity and alms but to choose to jump. And there were calls to raise the minimum wages. Now that is a bit tricky I think. Can we really raise the wages for the lower level jobs when others can do it at half or less than half our asking price? I thought it would be easier to lower the cost of essential services and products. These are within our control. Make less profits or subsidise a little. No, I am not suggesting killing the goose that lays the golden egg. And to think that people are now rushing to grab at cleaner jobs. Now is that a good sign or bad sign? Is it because people are now so desperate or penniless that anything will do? I am not sure. I don't know their mindsets. But the best part is the bedroom antics. Now things are going to be more interesting between consenting couples behind close doors.

what bumiputra?

As the debate on bumiputra versus non bumiputra policies hots up and tension creeps in, the concept of bumiputra gets clearer. Johore UMNO is now criticising the concept of a Malaysian race. What they are concerned, according to Abdul Ghani, is that 'The concept is seen as a threat to the Malays and the special position provided for them in the Constitution.' To Abdul Ghani, the Malays must remain the "pivotal race". What is therefore important is not so much the bumiputras or sons of the soil. For bumiputras should also include the orang asli, the ibans, the dayaks, and other native people of Sabah and Sarawak. But they are not Malays and thus should not be part of the pivotal race.

goh meng seng, a little respectability

Goh Meng Seng resigned from Workers Party to take responsibility for the bad publicity he had caused to the party in the internet. It is sad that a new and young opposition party member that has some potential to make it big has to resign for this mess. Actually he should just make a sincere apology will do. I posted this episode here as this is the kind of quality needed from a responsible politician. Firstly when one made a serious mistake, it is only honourable to apologise, and if a really serious mistake, better to resign. The second point that I want to make is that politicians and politicking must be done with some integrity and respectability. Underhand tactics, character assassination, disrupting blogs and forums, making uncalled for remarks and abusing other forumers by planting people in disguise, are all thuggish behaviour and unacceptable. Let's hope that we have honourable people as politicians and political leaders. The respect and integrity of political office must be upheld at all times. And scums and scoundrels adopting tactics of gangsterism should not be allowed even in cyberspace. Whoever that are playing such games should quickly withdraw their members and refrain from such practices. First world country must have first world standard and practices, and behaviour whether in internet or in politics.

how old or when to get passionate?

Michael Palmer says, "Being the lawyer that I am, let me throw in a few qualifications at this point. I do not for one minute mean to compare goverment and the issues of our country with a pop concert. Nor do I suggest that we approach the two with the same mindset. But what I want to know is why are we not as passionate about the government of our country and our country as we are with things like our favourite rock or pop band or maybe even our favourite movie stars? Yes, the subjects of government and our country may be less entertaining but on the other hand they affect our lives much more fundamentally than a movie star or pop group would. So what is it that the latter has to inspire such passion? More importantly, how do we get that same passion to emerge when it comes to issues of government or your country?" I would like to ask Michael when he starts to be passionate about the governing of the country? How old is he when starts to be passionate about this?

our own hero!

Yes, the Time magazine has picked LKY as one of the 60 Asian heroes for the 20th Century. No one can deny that since he came into the world of politics and nation building he has achieved more than many world leaders. He has made his mark domestically and in the world stage. Fortunately Time did not include Annabel as a heroine among the 60 heroes.

intolerance of lesser beings

Intolerance of the lesser beings. Another case of a young female employer beating up the maid appeared in court today. Such acts of cruelty are now as common as brushing your teeth. You see it or hear about it almost everywhere when there is a conversation about maids. They are so slow, stupid, stubborn, unteachable and intolerable. Such specimens of lesser beings only deserve to be beaten or ironed or to be fed with human faeces. Are we going down the road to monstrosity? This trait of intolerance to the lesser beings, and the lack of humility, seems to permeate across our society. And if we are still not going to pull the brakes, we only have retribution at the end of the road. Survival of the fittest means the strongest have the right to feast on the weak. And when the mighty lion ages, it will be his turn to be eaten. Are we going to see stronger and harsher measures to be given to the violaters of basic human decency? The lesser beings may be slow, stupid or naughty, there is no reason to beat them or iron them or steam them. Just let them go. Send them back to where they come from.

teach the indons the fine thing

Now Indonesia is angry with Singapore for raising the haze problem at the UN. To the Indonesians, haze is a domestic problem. If only they can keep the haze under wrap an not share with their neighbours. Just like smoking is a personal habit, but don't exhale after inhaling as your neighbour will have to share the secondhand smoke with all its leftover nicotine plus your bad breath. (Where is matilah? Please don't tell him I say this.) And Indonesia claims that it has all the expertise which in this case they must have kept it and not telling the world. Lets hope they will use their expertise to stop the haze fast. They must have mustered the skill and concealing it all these years. So generous of the Indonesians. Like kungfu masters. Actually the easiest way is to borrow Singapore's fine formula and the Indonesian govt will be laughing to the bank. Just introduce a fine system and make the plantation owner pay and pay. For the small farmers, a smaller fine will do. Anyway their little fire would not have cause so much smoke. The small farmers are not that good at creating smoke screens.

myth 90

'China is the most corrupt nation' If we brand countries according to the number of cases of corruption and people brought to court as a guide, China is definitely the most corrupt country in the world. Next should be South Korea. And the rest of the world are relatively free from corruption. Singapore can be grouped together with Malaysia, Indonesia and even the USA as corruption free country. There is hardly anyone being brought to court for corruption. Even the NKF case, the legal fraternity also pronounced that there is no evidence for corruption. At worst it is mismanagement. And the few cases of corporate honchos being found guilty in court, these are commercial crimes, like the Enron case. Not corruption at all. In the case of Malaysia and Indonesia, better still. Where got corruption? Mahathir has challenged anyone to prove that there is corruption in Malaysia. So the world is a very clean and healthy place. Virtually corruption free.

Johore like New Territories of Hongkong?

If only Malaysia is serious, sign a 100 year agreement with Singapore (JTC/HDB) to develop and manage JB Singapore style but with full sovereignty remaining with Malaysia. Let the developers and infrastructure professionals to go in and develop JB into a twin city of Singapore, the same efficiency and security. The tricky part is the law enforcer. The Malaysian govt can be guaranteed of a larger and more vibrant JB with all the features of a metropolis within 20 years. A larger scale Singapore integrated into the smaller Singapore like Hongkong and the New territories. Do they have the will and the vision to want to see that happens?

oldies, you are wanted, in Oz.

Oldies wanted! Below is quoted from Soc.cul.spore. There is a way out for some oldies. The local paper quoted the WA police as saying that they are sending a recruiting team to Singapore. WA is extremely short of police officers. To make up for the difficulty of getting Aussie, they have recruited British bobbies. They now think that Singapore police officers who have to retire at 45 will make good cops in WA with their years of experience. The Singapore system value youth and vitality while the Australian system value experience and wisdom.

can johore become a metropolis?

To turn Johore into a metropolis is not just hardware, cheap land and money. They will need a host of other softwares to get it really moving. They can't one day say you are welcomed and tomorrow say you are not welcomed. They can't change the law today and backdate it 5 years to strip an investor of his properties and assets. They also need the whole govt machinery to tell the investors and vistors that they are welcomed. They cannot have civil servants, police or custom officers making life difficult to foreigners or irritating foreigners or preying to take advantage of foreigners. They cannot have a place that is so hostile to investors and visitors. Investors and visitors bring money to the land. They need to be very sure that they are safe and not be robbed by robbers and govt officers. The investors and visitors need to feel that they are welcomed and not seen as intruding into other people's land.

myth 89

'Have a pap smear at least every three years' Just read this in the paper this morning. Haven't we have enough of pap smears? Just kidding.

hand holding indonesia

My proposal to Indonesia on the haze problem. Divide Sumatra into 6 regions with Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore being responsible for two regions. Similarly Kalimantan be divided into 3 regions with Brunei taking one region and Malaysia taking two. And for each region appoint an Indonesian Mayor In Charge of Environment(MICE). And each MICE be supported by an adviser whose advise is to be followed. And when the MICE failed in his job, the Adviser shall report to Jakarta to have the MICE removed. I think that will work.

the poor had it.

The poor had it. The bulk of the commuters of public transport comes mainly from the less well to do Singaporeans. These are the people whom the govt takes great care to make sure public transport is affordable. And if there is any increase in transport fare, it will be done cautiously, and in small amounts like 2c or 3c. One can expect that the transport operators will also be sensitive to the fares that the commuters are paying and not to over charge them. But we are still hearing commuters being made to pay extra because of system failure or errors. The poorer segment of the society, often less articulate, also did not have a voice. Are there really people who represent them and their interest? Take this uncle for example. He seldom takes public transport. Then hopped onto a bus and asked the bus captain how much it cost to his destination. $1.30 came the reply. Uncle scratched his pocket for his $1.30. He only had 80c, and no ez link pass. The captain patiently waited for his fare to be deposited into the box. Uncle asked, 'got change?' as he took out his smallest $2 note. Captain grinned. Sorry no change, exact fare please. Uncle was caught not knowing what to do. And the queue behind him grew impatient. He reluctantly let his $2 dropped into the box for his $1.30 ride. And no change. Why is it that the poorer commuters should always be made to pay more for the convenience of the big transport operators? How many uncles and aunties have been forced to pay that much more for their rides? But they are to be blamed for not having the exact change. It is the system. The bus captain is also unable to waive the short changed. A modern and world class system has no tolerance for the ignorant and difficult to train poor. This is another brutal truth of a world class transport system. To be fair to the transport operators, they have given enough publicity on the need to have exact fare. Or else the computerised system cannot cope with all the change. They have educated the commuters and the commuters jolly well know what is expected of them. The poor commuters shall not make a nuisance of themselves.

how to kill the SJER?

Even before the ink dries, there are all kinds of distracting voices that could derail an aggressive and promising strategy to turn Johore into a metropolis. The Sultan is saying that foreigners are dirty. How is this going to be helpful to the SJER? Cut the causeway! Another ambivalent if not counter productive statement. Would investors and Singaporeans think that they will really be welcomed in Johore? But the most destructive statement on the SJER is to claim that Singapore will stand to benefit from it. And worst if someone claims that Singapore will gain more in the cooperation than Johore or Malaysia. The thought that Singapore will benefit from any project is like the tolling of the death bell. Whether it is real or imagery, once the Malaysians or some Malaysians heard that Singapore will benefit, susah lah, how can the deal go through? The easiest way to kill the SJER is just to crow how much Singapore will benefit from it. So whoever want to kill this project, just make sure that the Malaysians heard it loud and clear that Singapore is going to benefit from it. And to hasten its demise, just claim that Singapore will benefit more than the Malaysians.