It is starting to happen

Two Bangladeshi workers were charged in court for the murder of a Singaporean, a security guard. Two other suspects were still at large. The security guard and his girlfriend used to rent a room to several Bangladeshi workers. This is a case that is waiting to happen. As the foreign workers get more familiar with the locals and the environment, some will get into mischiefs. And as the frequency gets higher, things will only get worst. Soon Singaporeans would live in fear of the foreigner workers living next doors. We have been living in a peaceful paradise for too long. Things are going to change, very fast. It may get to a point that we would be worried of our children and daughters walking out of the flats or coming home at night. Singaporeans must be prepared to accept such a development as they open their flats and homes to foreign workers. Not that all foreign workers are bad. Many are good and decent fellows. You only need 1% and our lives will be torned to pieces. We have 1 million foreigners living in our midst. 1% is a big number to terrorise the innocent, unprepared and unthinking locals.

Who is to protect you in your own country?

I used to make nasty remarks about Japan and south Korea being semi colonies of the US. The US personnel stationed in these two countries do not come under their jurisdiction, not under their laws. They are above the laws of these two countries. When they commit any crime, they will be taken away and protected by the Americans. The Japanese and South Koreans could do nothing about it. Such a situation used to happen in the Philippines as well until the people took to the streets to protest. The Philippines have got back their rights and kept the Americans in the right place. Philippines is not a colony of America and any Americans caught violating their laws would be dealt with under Filipino laws. That is what being an independent country is all about. We are an independent country. I just read in the paper that a Singaporean was bashed up for no reason by a drunken American sailor. Though the assailants were caught, he was quickly whisked away by the American Naval Criminal Investigation Service. The NCIS is a body to 'protect members of the US Navy and Marine Corp.' So this American who had beaten our citizen is now being protected by this agency. And our police, after arresting the suspect, 'did not arrest him because the alleged offence - voluntarily causing hurt - is not a seizable one.' And the victim had been 'advised to lodge a magistrate's complaint should he wish to pursue the case against the defendant.' Now I know why being a lawyer is so lucrative. I would advise him not to as he would not be able to afford the legal cost. How could he fight against an agency that protects Americans against us? He must count himself lucky that he did not land up in the intensive ward and having to pay for his own medical bills. Let's welcome more visitors to beat up the locals. And as long as the offence is not seizable, they can walk away after making a few statements. And the poor victims must now find the money to pay for his justice. My goodness. I am feeling very unsafe now. I will watch my front and back and stay clear from foreigners.

The New NKF Story

Gerard Ee and his team have done a miraculous job in the New NKF. They have cut cost, raised subsidies, took in more patients, and increased income for the NKF despite losing 100,000 donors. What can we say? Applause! Now they are thinking of more ways to reduce the costs to the poorer patients and spending a bit more of the $270m in reserves. Perhaps drawing down a little to help more people. That's what a charity is supposed to be instead of acting like a bank or public trust and hoard the money for as long as it can, in the process depriving some of the needy from some help. People from another school of thought may be looking at the New NKF management in horror. How could they ever think of spending the reserve? Reserves are meant to be reserves and should not be touched. Only to be used for very good reasons, maybe like engaging a professional top grade executive to raise more fund. For such an animal, they need to pay him/her market rate to match his talents. It reminds me of the Malaysian's unwillingness to sell us water and prefer to let the rain water flow into the Straits of Johore. Donation money are like rain water. It is God sent. No need to work for it. Just ask or beg and the kindness of human milk will flow. Turn it into a business enterprise, it will dry up. Be more calculative, and the donors will also be as calculative. We must not forget the original meaning of charity. It is human kindness from the heart. Those without a heart should not meddle with charity and charitable organisations. Gerard Ee and his team have done a miraculous job in the New NKF. They have cut cost, raised subsidies, took in more patients, and increased income for the NKF despite losing 100,000 donors. What can we say? Applause! Now they are thinking of more ways to reduce the costs to the poorer patients and spending a bit more of the $270m in reserves. Perhaps drawing down a little to help more people. That's what a charity is supposed to be instead of acting like a bank or public trust and hoard the money for as long as it can, in the process depriving some of the needy from some help. People from another school of thought may be looking at the New NKF management in horror. How could they ever think of spending the reserve? Reserves are meant to be reserves and should not be touched. Only to be used for very good reasons, maybe like engaging a professional top grade executive to raise more fund. For such an animal, they need to pay him/her market rate to match his talents. It reminds me of the Malaysian's unwillingness to sell us water and prefer to let the rain water flow into the Straits of Johore. Donation money are like rain water. It is God sent. No need to work for it. Just ask or beg and the kindness of human milk will flow. Turn it into a business enterprise, it will dry up. Be more calculative, and the donors will also be as calculative. We must not forget the original meaning of charity. It is human kindness from the heart. Those without a heart should not meddle with charity and charitable organisations.

Minister's pay hike

The huge 21% increase in minister's pay has received the expected criticism and condemption from many quarters, spoken and unspoken. It is very tempting for anyone to join the bandwagon and add in a few more vibes at the issue. Not many will be pleased about this earth shattering event except for the privilege few who can afford to retire after one year's of such income. Look at the bright side. I am sure all the good men and all their goodness will surely think that getting 21% pay hike on top a million dollar income is no small thing. And surely they too will want this goodness to be spread down to as many people as possible. And they will know that the people will go down on their knees and worship them if they could give everyone a 21% pay hike as well. It does not matter if one is getting only $210 pm increase on a $1000 income(or x15 = $3150 for a whole year) or a $210,000 increase on a $1m income. It will still look fair and just as the common factor is 21%. The people must have faith and look forward to a 21% increase coming their way as it is the only decent thing to do and expect. Just give it some time for the policy makers to get it done. The easiest and first people to receive such an increase, in my view, will be those on $290 pm public assistance scheme. It will not amount to more than another $60 increase or $720 a year. Let's wait for our Christmas present, maybe next year. It takes time to deliver.

Singaporeans highest paid workers in the world...soon

At the rate that we are going, Singaporean workers will soon become the highest paid in the world. Starting from a top down approach, the richness of the rich will soon filter down as we work towards closing the income gap. If employees in the top bracket are earning $4m or more, and if the gap is 1:100, then the lowest paid workers should be getting $40k. Now this must be good. And they need to earn this amount to keep pace with the galloping away cost of living. Every thing is up. So worker's income must also up. Or else how are they going to survive? And the world will envy us and all the workers, especially the talented ones, will be queuing up to work here. We will become the best in everything.

Why begrudge taxi drivers earning more?

There are still many letters to the msm complaining about the hike in taxi fares. I am curious why people are so unhappy that taxi drivers got to earn a bit more from people who can afford to pay more to ride in taxis. And there are many who are willing to pay even more, suggesting to give more tips to good taxi drivers. We should let the market forces determine how much the taxi drivers should get and encourage those who can afford to pay the taxi drivers more. Another way is to do an objective study by paying some international consultants to compare the salaries of taxi drivers with their counterparts. Then they can benchmark the salaries of the taxi drivers accordingly. Once a benchmark has been set, then no one should question the validity of the study, the methodology nor the increases expected. It should become a fait accompli. And everyone can then move on. Let the taxi drivers enjoy their little hikes. It comes to nothing actually.

Medisave Account RA

It is reported in the Today paper today that from Jan 1 2008, the RA or Required Amount in the Medisave Account 'will be raised to $14,000 from teh current $11,500, increasing by $2,500 each year until it reaches $25,000 on Jan1, 2013.' There are people with more than $25,000 in the Medisave Account. Does it mean that the CPF is retaining more than it can in the people's Medisave Account as provided by legislation? Should the excess amount be returned to the account holder?

Notable quotes - S Dhanabalan

'Singapore's leadership is honest' S Dhanabalan KNN. With the compensation package designed to make everyone honest, what shall we expect?

Longer COEs

Forum writer Frederick Tan Huay Teong pleaded to the LTA to allow extension of COEs for another 5 years and owners can have the option of renewing it year by year. This is good for those who are cash strapped. There is no issue on the condition of the cars as most of them will be like new. Scrapping them at 10 years is a waste. The current system allows renewal on another 10 year basis. Hmmm, it may be a good idea. But too complicate a system to manage. But what is the advantage from the revenue point of view?

Compulsory taxi driving

The cries are getting louder with the new fare hike. But that is something that must be done. Other than the fuel hike there is also a need to cut down on the number of taxis on the road. And we need to increase the number of commuters using public transport to generate more income to improve the system. The net effect will be lesser taxis on the road and more people using public transport. It is an objective that we are trying to achieve all these years. So it is a good thing. There is a possibility that things may go a bit too far when the demand for taxis drops dramatically and too many taxi drivers may quit. So it may be a good thing to make taxi driving compulsory for those above 55 and who are jobless. They can pay the monthly rentals from their money locked up in the CPF. We can then be guaranteed of a ready pool of drivers to keep the taxi operation running smoothly and efficiently. It is good for the taxi operators as their taxis will be fully rented out and payment from CPF is prompt. And many of the unemployed will be employed. Commuters too will get the taxis they want.

Up, up and up

School bus will cost between $5 to $10 more next month. And parents are complaining. How unreasonable with the high fuel cost and drivers needing more income to pay for the high cost of living. And Chek Jawa trip is not going to be free anymore. It will cost $60 for a group tour. How could they ever conduct tours for free? The thought that they had done it for free earlier is so ridiculous. How could Singaporeans work for free? It is sinful to do that.

Straits Times agrees with Redbean

I read the ST Editorial today and it said that the paper agrees to a big bang approach on taxi fare hike to $7-$10 flag down rate and remove all the other charges. I too suggested this with as a tongue in cheek proposal. Looks like the taxi companies are going to adopt the little increments, bit by bit, so that it is not so painful approach. I think they should go for the big whack as people who can afford taxi fares can afford to absorb big hikes compare to the poorer mrt and bus commuters. Hey, as some have said, taxi is a luxury item. Fear not. Make them pay.

UNSW and EDB reached an agreement.

This is being reported in the msm today. After reading the article, could not find a clue what agreement was reached. Who pays what or concede to pay what, not a single thing was mentioned. Would the public get to know what was agreed? Or we are supposed to accept that an agreement was reached and need not have to know any details?

How will hikes help?

This is the heading of an article by Leong Wee Keat in Today paper. I think it will help a lot. First, some to the commuters will switch to mrt and buses. So there will be lesser demand for taxis. But this will not affect the taxi drivers' income as the hike will ensure that they get more per trip. As there will be less users, more will give up driving taxis. So road congestion will be lesser. And stock prices of MRT and Singapore Bus should go up accordingly. And more of these taxi drivers can return to the job market. Isn't that good?

Are our taxi drivers professional?

How much would it cost from the Chinese Embassy at Tanglin Road to Redhill MRT station? The distance is about 2 km. This auntie took a Comfort cab and had to pay $4.30 for the trip. The distance registered by the cab is 3.5km. Receipt details: Comfort Transportation GST No. M2-0113048-4, SH 8135A. Trip No. 121010323 Start 10/12/2007 10:32 End 10/12/2007 10:40 Meter Fare $4.30 Have a nice day. The auntie is still fuming mad for being taken for a ride.

More ups. Economy up, salary up.

Over the last few days childcare centre cost has gone up by $75 pm. And taxi fares up. Flag down fare up by 30c plus other charges also up. The comparison for a 9 km trip during peak hours is $14.35 against Hongkong's $14.30. Very compatible as if the commuters can switch to Hongkong cab if local cab is too expensive. A substitution idea. Then the mandatory comparison with Sydney at $28.70 and London at $51.60. So we are cheap, very cheap. How about comparing lemon to lemon? What is their average income compare to an average Singaporean?

1/3 full or 2/3 empty?

Zul Othman reported in Today on a poll conducted by Globescan and Synovate on press freedom versus social stability. The survey concluded that '48 per cent of Singaporeans feel controls on the media necessary.' Or is it 52% say it is not necessary? It also said, '...43 per cent felt a free press was very important.' So 57% must feel that press freedom is not important. And 'Some 42 per cent of Singaporeans gave a "good job" rating to govt-funded media in accuracy and honesty,...' What about the 58%? So, should we say one third full or two third empty?

Providence smiling at the Red Dot

While all the super talents were planning and strategising their moves to conquer the financial world, Providence was watching. What human beans intend, without the aid of Providence, will hardly get anywhere. But when Providence smiles, fortune comes a knocking at our door. We have spent a lot of money buying little banks and incurred the anger and minds of their petty leaders. They basically said, we want your money but not your presence. Or we don't like you. Leave your money here and get lost. Then the sub prime loan crisis came and many fell along the wayside. And Providence keeps smiling. The Red Dot is welcomed to work with the big international banks. The number one European bank, the UBS is offering the little Red Dot a majority share in the bank. And the little Red Dot did not even have to sweat for it. I don't think we even think of owning such a bank. But Providence smiles only on those who prepare themselves for it. We have positioned ourselves well and being in the right place and the right time counts. Also being seen as a decent and predictable entity, operating under the rule of the law and not the rule of the fist helps. Singapore should discard its little boy mentality and walk with the big boys in the international arena. Forget about wheeling and dealing with the kampong chieftains. Singapore can go places.

Throwing caution to the wind

It is necessary to seek alternative views and opinions. People who come out with different views and perspectives are not necessary the devils or trying to spoil the broth. There is a front page article on Ngiam Tong Dow in the Today paper. Ngaim is talking through his vast experience and is cautioning against this unquestioning righteousness and the arrogance of never wrong. He revealed, through hindsight, what had gone wrong of decisions that were then seemed so right and backed up by even Goh Keng Swee. History will vindicate what is right or wrong many years down the road. Many things are being sung tonight as the best decisions and the right decisions. Would they stand up tomorrow as the right things to do? The second point which Ngiam was trying to say, which we all know, is that the realities on the ground are more real than mere statistics churned our by statisticians. We need to read statistics wisely and carefully and not be lulled into a sense of well being when what is happening at the ground level is saying that things are not right. Ngaim's third key concern is the way we are pushing up our population growth. The consequences of what we are doing now at this maddening speed will tell tomorrow. By then it is too late to unwind. And the faster we hit the 6 million mark, the faster we will hit recession. Unless we continue to pursue population growth as an engine of growth and do not stop at 6 million. The question is what then when 6 million is reached? The convinced and believers will just believe blindly. But we need the doubters, the non believers to tell the other side of the story.

Competing for living space, with the dogs

Space is a crucial item in the life of Singaporeans. The more people we pack into this little tin can, the more suffocating it will be. We are pushing the population to 6 or 7 million and we must expect the quality of our life be affected. Do not believe any donkey who tells you that your quality of life will improve with more people being squeezed here. They do not know what they are talking. We are competing for space with foreigners. And this is the biggest shit. Then if we are not careful, the gays will want their own space, the nudist will want their little corner in Sentosa as well. But all these can never beat the ambition of animal lovers if they have their ways. They want running tracks and parks for their love ones, they mean the four legged ones that need to run to keep trim and healthy. They will also want a corner of Sentosa and a portion of the sea cordoned off for them and their dogs to frolic and have a good time. If things will go liberally, we will soon be known as a dog's paradise where it is better to be a dog, with its own restaurants and specially prepared meals, dog parks, dog sea, dog tracks, and of course dog hospitals. Soon some will become specialists and consultants to take care of the whims and fancies of doggies. This is one thing which we can promote to bring in more visitors to our shores, plus their pet dogs.