Running out of ideas

Running out of ideas When one runs out of ideas, anything will do as long as it is an idea. Better than doing nothing. And best when the users will have to pay for the brilliant idea. So we have expensive electronic system to tell motorists how long it takes to travel to another point. We have electronic boards to tell commuters how long it will take for them to reach the start of a taxi queue. And now how long it will take for the buses to be late. Next time you will have electronic boards to tell you how long before the ERP will come on go off. And better still, to tell the motorists how much it will cost to go pass the gantry. And motorists who are caught in an expressway jam, there will be electronic signs to tell them how long will they get out of the jam. All these are great leaps forward in the harnessing of technology and science to improve people's life and lifestyle.

good for commuters

Bus arrival time So the bus panels to tell how late a bus will arrive is going to be set up. This is the strength of this island. Once decided to do something, just do it. No one really cares whether the commuters are willing to pay for the cost of the system. Someone has decided that it is good for the commuters, a better quality of life. So get it done, and the commuters will just have to pay for it. Would someone want to improve the efficiency of the system without adding all these cost? Looking at the good side, we will probably acquire another world number one title for introducing such a futuristic system for our commuters. And with so many panels under the blazing sun, perhaps they can consider building bus kiosk, and aircon them for the comfort of the commuters under the hot tropical heat. The panels need some protection from heat and bright sunlight. Killing two birds with one stone.

of compassion and wretched souls

For $4.2 million to be shared among the NKF, KDF and Khoo Foundation, kidney dialysis patients will now be subjected to means testing. These poor buggers will now have to prove how poor they are so that they can get another $100 to relieve them from this deadly curse of being alive. Means testing to catch cheats is not a bad thing. But who would want to cheat when they are in dire straits? We are a very caring and compassionate society, especially in how we exposed the sufferings of the poor and sick, on air as well. The only good thing in my view is to subject all the charities to scrutiny on their accounts and management of public funds. When Penny Lane wrote the lyrics of Amazing Grace and the phrase 'wretched souls', was he referring to himself or the poor slaves that he caught and sold?

myth 123

Myth 123 Plight of the big earners The CPI has gone up over the years. It was reported that the lower income group suffered the most as the rise in cost of living in the lower sector was the highest. It grew by another 2% as against 1% for the top 20% of the population. Look at these numbers and see how serious they are. 2% of a $10k annual income is $400 a year. 1% of a $5 million income is $50k! For the lower income group, their problem is so easy to solve. I think the govt handout will more than cover the $400 and with excess to spare. It is the higher income group that bears the brunt of higher cost of living. Prices of top end housing are running away. Soon they will not be able to afford them. You should pity them for having to queue over night just to get one of those units. And the cars are not cheap, about $300k each and drinking petrol like nobody business. And when oil price shoots to the sky, it will burn a hole in the pockets of their $5000 suit. Poor buggers. And now with the 7% GST, all their dining and wining will cost more. They might have to make do with a $200 bottle instead of a $2000 one. These are the people who are going to find it hard to keep up with the cost of living. And it is only right and proper that their income be raised accordingly so that their lifestyle is not compromised or they be forced to downgrade and live a lesser life. The poor should not envy the high income earners. They need the big increments and bonuses or they will be in trouble. They have more expensive problems befitting their lifestyles.

Do away with O level result

Do away with O level result Sunday morning is always a good time to take a flight to fantasy land, to explore the impossible or the ridiculous. Creative thinking or wishful thinking, all thrown into one. There is an article in the Sunday Times by Sandra Davie titled,'Time to relook admission policy' to the polytechnics. It seems that the trend is changing and more students or parents are finding it more dollar effective to enrol in Polytechnics rather than JCs. This has resulted in many students with very good results competing with students with lesser results and nudging them out of a place. And this is bad. The solution is to rethink the entry criteria. One of which is not to look at the O level results. Just assess the aptitude of the students. Offer the place on interest, passion and talent. Whatever all these meant, and how to assess them in an interview or what, the key is to throw away the 9 years of education leading to a silly slip of paper called O level result. I think this will make many parents and students jump in joy. Society will have lesser problems of stressed up students. Schools can then indulge in creative and really life relevant courses like gambling in the stock market or trading unwanted dolls or toys to learn business skills. And those who are talented can spend more time either in sports or practicing their acting or singing talents. That will be the great future for Singapore, highly charged with innovative and creative talents, a freer and lively environment where people just do what their gut feeling suggests. Our pop and artistic industries will bloom. More casinos can be built to replace all the dull and monotonous factories or research labs. The latter is a hell hole for people who do not mind mugging and slogging for 20 or 30 years of their precious lives doing nothing, except reading books that nobody understand. They really have no life. Life is meant to be happy and easy going. Go where the heart will take you. Be happy. I feel so good already.

myth 122

Myth 122 Social Integration The last few weeks the topic of new citizens not integrating or mixing with the locals was raised in many quarters. There were complains by the locals that new citizens lived their own lives and were completely cut off from the locals, or even worst, looking down on locals. This is another divide that is cutting across our nation despite people assuring the population that all will be well when we have 6.5 million people, mostly new citizens. Wondering how many are gullible enough to have so strong a faith to believe in the happy eventuality of this story. After 40 years of independence, social engineering, demographic management and distribution, national education, campaigns after campaigns, our inter racial relations is still on tender hook. At the slightest instigation we can see the cracks emerging very quickly and a lot of damage control to put it back in place. We have all kinds of grassroot activities organised to promote social mixing and understanding among the people of different backgrounds. We tried very hard in these areas. Now another problem is added to this mixed matches of people. Before an old problem is solved, new problems are added. And we believe all is well. We have this simple mentality that we must herd the people together, play together and feed together. And unless they are seen to be feeding together like a flock of sheep, we are not a people united, not one people. So we try and try. And everytime we see people not mixing together or staying away from each other, horror, we are splitting apart. Suresh Kumar wrote in the Today paper to address this apparent disunity among new and old Singaporeans. In his view, everyone have their own things to do and own interests. And why should they be forced to be with people that are so different to them and do not share the same interest? it is only natural. The same kind of experience can be seen with a family or between brothers and sisters. When each is busy doing his own things, enjoying his own interests, pursuing his own dreams, they have hardly anytime to be together. Maybe once or twice a year over some cultural or traditional events. Even husband and wife have different dreams will sleeping on the same bed. But they are a family when the crunch comes. While we strive for unity, the superficial herding of people together does not mean anything if their hearts are elsewhere or they don't share the same dream and aspiration. Just like a flock of sheep, with a blank mind, grazing the grass and oblivious to anything. A perfect target for the wolf packs. What is important is for the people to have a soul or spirit, that they believe in being a Singaporean and will defend and die for this island. That their future well being is intertwined with the well being of this island and people. The money kind of nation building will turn us into a soulless cosmopolitan city, everyone grazing their little patch of grass and will scatter in all directions when the wolf pack attacks. When the social glue is money and nothing else, we no longer qualify to be called a nation of people. We will become a country of mercenaries. To each his own. Grab as much as one can during good time and plan to run away with houses and properties in some safe havens.

nkf story - of knaves and fools

A knave or a fool? Sant Singh: 'Then you are either a knave or a fool. what is your position as of today? Are you a crook or just foolish?' This was what Sant Singh said to David Tan in the witness box. And the paper reported that he is the great grandson of the well respected philantrophist Tan Tock Seng. I just feel so sad. I feel sad for Tan Tock Seng. And I also feel sad that in this episode, starting from the civil suit to this criminal trial, knaves and fools seem to be everywhere. Singapore really needs a big influx of foreign talents or we will be washed away in no time. How can there be so many implications of knaves and fools and crooks in so many places, and all very successful, all highly praised, in the circles of high society? And if knaves and fools can be so successful, what are the less successful and unsuccessful made off? Idiots, donkeys and asses? Quick, quick, bring in the foreign talents. Maybe the govt know this in advance and this could be the prime reason for the foreign talent policy.

Celebrating all the successful Singaporeans

Celebrating all the successful Singaporeans After the glowing reports on Singaporeans earning millions of dollars in bonuses it is only appropriate that we should all be happy for them and share their rewards for working so hard and being so successful. Cheers to all the million dollar earners and those who received bonuses in the millions.

bite the sand

Bite the sand In the face of unruly behaviour, Singapore might as well bite the sand, or bullet, and stop all importing of sand and granite from Indonesia. Go for new sources, pay a bit more, slow down a little in the pace of construction, spread them out by a year or two especially those projects that are not really that urgent. This will do a lot of good to relations in both countries.

nkf story - perjury can be fun?

Perjury in court? 'He (David Tan) was accused of lying and of fabricating stories, in order to help out long time associate TT Durai, the NKF's former chief.' Today paper reported. Now is that a serious accusation? If proven, does it mean that he can be jailed? Does David Tan know the consequences of what he is saying? And he had been reminded to tell the truth, which now becomes a mess of contradictions. Maybe truth is just like that, a big contradiction.

sand smuggling or breaches of regulations?

No ban on granite. Some of the barges were alleged to breach regulations. So the Indonesians told George Yeo. What do all these meant? There were barges who did not breach any regulations. So have they been released? Then what do they meant by breaching regulations? Smuggling sand is not a simple breaching of regulations. It is smuggling. And if they did smuggled, they have to pay the price. But breaching regulations? What regulations? Too many crews on board or too few crews? Some crews did not have immigration papers or what? If the breaches were minor and have nothing to do with smuggling, why are the barges still detained? Charge them or fine them and the commercial activities must continue as per regulations. What if, after finding out that there were no smuggling of sand except some minor breaches of regulations, and the Indonesians persist to detain our vessels there at their pleasure? Then what? We are talking with international forces to set up a task force to combat piracy. Who are the pirates?

rules of law

I was in a discussion with two anonymouses in the threat on hostile acts by Indonesia. And they were exasperated by the notion of rules of law which they found it so difficult to accept. To them, when a foreigner is in Indonesia, they are at the mercy of the authority. You do not need to commit any crime or violate any laws, or be completely innocent, but they can arrest you at their whims and fancy. And to these two anonymouses, that is an acceptable way of life. That is their system and how they do things. In countries that operate under the rule of law, no one can be arrested, citizens or foreigners, if they did not breach the law of the country. Their rights are protected by the constitution and upheld by the authority. How fortunate Singaporeans are. Even in Malaysia, if you are hauled up by the police for speeding, you can ask for evidence. If the police did not catch you on radar and have no proof, they are likely to waive you off. You will not be fined arbitrarily. Malaysia also practices the rule of law. Not the rule of might and warlords. In countries where you have corrupt people, corrupt system, corrupt culture and corrupt ways of life, there is no rule of law. The strange thing is that these are so invisible to themselves that when it is their own kind, they cannot see anything that is corrupt. But when you add the word 'Chinese' to Indonesians, everyone and everything they do is corrupt. Every Indonesian Chinese that is rich is corrupt. On the contrary, not a single Indonesian is corrupt. And they can live happily ever after with their loot which they robbed from the people and country. I would like to assure them that if they are foreigners and living in Singapore, our police or authority will treat them with full respect and all the rights of a free individual. They will not be arrested for no rhyme or reasons. We don't arrest ships in our territorial waters just because we feel like it.

The praising continues

The praising continues Alvin Tan wrote an article on the exemplary MPs in Parliament, praising them sky high, that they have done a great part in fighting for their constituents. And of course the opposition MPs failed miserably. This elicited a response from a Jeth Lee who said that for that they said, it is all about debate and saying something in Parliament. And Jeth quoted Tan Cheng Bock saying that for as much as he spoke against an issue, he still would have to vote for it. The issue that is in question is whether the MPs should put the party's interest first or the people's interest first? In a bi party system when there is a strong opposition, taking sides with the opposition is unthinkable. But in a near monopolistic position, when PAP MPs are speaking for themselves and not the opposition, taking a stand that is different from the party cannot be seen as for the opposition. It would be seen by the people that the MPs are speaking up for them or for a position that they strongly believe in. There lies the difference in a one party system, or an almost one party system. The ruling party MPs actually have more leeways to vote for their own convictions without being seen as anti party. And the party will be seen as being objective, open and not obsessive of domineering over opposing views within the party.

nkf story - a sub plot

A sub plot Putting a straw man to be shot down.

another sign of decline

Another sign of decline We are losing our 0.5% of the top brains of future Singaporeans. Our peaks will be lower. So to arrest this problem we cast our nets wide and rope in another 2.5 million foreign talents to replace the 0.5% Singaporeans. How many is this top 0.5%? 1000, 5000 or 1000? It reminds me of the debate between Wei Ling and Philip Yeo. To cast a big net or to be focussed and narrow in to what we want? Take a little more care and time, look at what we want, go for the catch. Or grab everything that comes along, all and sundry, the more the merrier, and hoping that some good ones will be caught? But the 2.5 million also has another objective. Without them there can be no growth or little growth.

a major test on our resolve and leadership

Our shipping vessels being arrested while plying the trade route doing legitimate businesses. Our assets being confiscated by drummed up fictitious charges. How would LKY have reacted when confronted with such issues? How are our leaders handling them? These are major crises. Would we come out of these tricky situations as a respectable nation or would we be forever thumbed down by bigger countries? How the present leadership handle these two crises will be an indicator of where we are heading.

Civil Service caught napping?

The salary of new entrants to the Civil Service has lagged behind the private sector over several years. And the difference is not 10 or 20%. The gap is HUGE. Depending on which level one is looking at, the difference can be more than 100%. But for the average entry level graduate, there is at least a 50% gap. And this has been going on for at least two years according to SMU survey. Does it mean that the Civil Service were underpaying their new employees or shortchanging them? What happens to the pegging to the market mechanism? Rip Van Winkle just woke up? Was the Civil Service caught napping?

signs of decline

After the whacking by our neighbours, now Changi lost to KLIA in the Best Airports in the World Ranking. And KLIA started with so many problems. Now who is laughing? Well done Boleh Land!

nkf story - the wayang continues

Is the $20k payment for work done? When David Tan was given the $20k by Durai, he was elated. It was reported that it was a token of appreciation for fundraising. Now it has become payment for consultancy work done over cheap chicken rice. The chicken rice was only the appettiser. The $20k was the main course. But why would David Tan return the money to NKF when he was questioned by the authority? Didn't he has any clue whether the money was payment, token of appreciation, legitimate or illegitimate? What a big puzzle. The recipient of $20k, told to raise an invoice which he did not know for what, returned the money and now admitted that it was payment for consultancy over chicken rice. What kind of wayang is this?

we were clobbered

There was no granite ban The Indonesians are just musing over whether to have a ban on granite. And according to the Trade Minister Mari Pangestu it is unlikely to ban granite sale. Those who are talking about protecting their environment should ban the exporting of oil or oil exploration and go back to use firewoods. Oops, firewoods would also harm the environment and send more haze all over the sky. Now that there is no ban, what happens to all our vessels that were seized? Have they been returned? Were there any compensation for the illegal arrest of legitimate shipping vessels with proper papers? Why is there no protest from Singaporeans when their vessels were seized by illegal and unauthorised means? This is the worst kind of piracy. Singapore as a nation is at the lowest in terms of respect from other countries. Our vessels seized, investments confiscated or slammed with all kinds of charges and probably ended up losing every cent. Our people being beaten up, robbed and killed in foreign land. And we are all living happily as if nothing has happened. We are small and that is our disadvantage. Growing our population to 6.5 million is not going to make even a ripple. What we need, maybe, is to consider becoming the 52nd state of the USA. Then we will no longer be small and we will walk in and take our vessels back. We will also confiscate or put a sanction on the properties of foreign countries that violate the legal process to seize our assets in their countries. We will called up ambassadors to give them a dressing and demand justice when our citizens are being attacked. Now would that be better than a little red dot? Just musing.