I nominate Lawrence Lee Liang Wei

I nominate Lawrence Lee to sit in the Board of LTA. He wrote a letter to the ST forum supporting the taxi fares hike, like I do. He also agrees that we should not begrude taxi drivers the right to earn a good living. He quoted his LA trip which cost him US$105 for a 15 min trip and $22 in Hongkong for a 10 min trip. He also said that we should compare with comparable countries and not against third world countries or we will be biased. And looking at the responses in the media, most of the taxi users are not too perturbed by the recent hike. They are only angry because it does not improve the availability of taxis. So my proposal of a $10 flag down fare is still an excellent suggestion. With that they can do away with the call surcharge as this is nonsensical. Taxi drivers save petrol by parking somewhere waiting for calls and then collect extra charges. Just give them the $10 upfront and they will be scrambling for passengers.

Corporate Governance hitting the headline

Today's frontpage article is on Corporate Governance. And I particularly like this quote from Morene Sim, executive director of Student's Care Service. 'We have a long history, so we have had the benefit of time to put in place best practices over all these years. This code just helps to achieve some degree of standardisation.' Yes we have a lot of time. Is this code of practice in the right place at the right time? How many places still sorely need this code of practice? Some may say the answer is quite obvious. There are many places where corporate governance is totally absence or pretend to be there.

Dr Surin calls the people to check their govts

The key issue in Asean in Vision 2020 is 'The disconnect between the state and citizens' according to Nazry Bahrawi. 'Asean must not remain aloof and disconnected from our people - our power base and our source of legitimacy...The people must demand that their governments and govt agencies be accountable for progress - and the lack of it - in their respective countries.' Said Dr Surin Pitsuwan, incoming Sec Gen of Asean. He should add that Asean countries need look no further. Just look at Singapore and use it as the role model of a high connect between the people and govt. Everything runs smoothly in Singapore and the people are fully behind the govt. Asean countries should send more missions and govt officials to study and learn from Singapore.

Man needs God

Any organisation, system or country, there is a need for an independent body to act as checks and balances. Without the existence of such a body, it is foolhardy to expect man to check himself. Leaving man alone to his own device, his ego and arrogance will lead him to his own destruction. Without God, madness will triumph over all man. That is why they said 'the world will go round and round' or history will keep repeating itself.

A simple comparison of salaries

A 50 year old CEO with an annual income of $2m quits his job. His total income will be $2m plus perhaps another $2m for severance pay. $4m! A 50 year old Minister with a similar income quits, assuming he is entitled to a $1m pension and lives till 85, his total income will be $2m plus $1m x 35 years or $37m! And he stands to earn the additional $35m without having to lift a finger for the next 35 years. It could be more if he lives till 100 years, another $15m. I would want to apply to be a minister. I don't mind the cursing and swearing at me everywhere, I don't mind the sick jokes on me, I don't mind at all. It is a little sacrifice. It is ok. And I don't mind the hard work. I can still tell myself that I am working for the good of the people and country. Just pay me the millions. It is worth every cent.

I am still scratching my head

The noises are getting louder. Expected. The people are angry. Sure. Some will threaten to vote for the opposition in the next GE. Expected. The question is why? Why would people, very smart and talented people, with all the money in the world to spend, not likely to finish spending in their whole life, still crave for more money? And as a result we have this strong backlash. And the people must not think that such a reckless decision were made without thinking. Many factors must have been input and seriously considered before a decision like this is made. They must know and think that this is the right and good thing to do. The people must not think that the wisest men of the country will do themselves in for a few dollars that they do not need. The people must not think that the wisest men are craving for money. They have plenty of them. So what will be the good reasons for this decision? I am still scratching my head. Peasants should not think that they can understand what the supertalents are thinking. Just rest assure that it is good for the country.

Political differences surfacing

“In a political system in which exit management is practised with a handshake, a smile and a tacit understanding not to talk publicly about departures, Mr Dhanabalan's candour was unusual. “But don't expect others who have left or were forced to quit to come out of the woodwork. ”The fear of how robustly the other side will tell its story, and the Singapore culture of not going against the establishment will weigh against others going down Mr. Dhanabalan's route. The above was extracted from www.littlespeck.com. I think all the skeletons will be brought out to air one day.

Time to commission a statue

We can add another attraction to the Singapore tourist scene. Let's erect a statue for the Most Well Paid Worker In the World and turn it into a tourist attraction.

40s and 50s still jobless

Gilbert Goh Keow Wah wrote to Today complaining that many of his friends were still jobless and have difficulties getting a job even when they were well qualified and with a breath of experience. How could this be? The msm have been publishing great statistics like hundreds of thousands of jobs were created and unemployment is at a record low that employers have to raise salaries to ridiculous amount to retain employees. I think his letter is just a small anomaly. Not representative of the real situation on the ground. Not real.

Reviewing the transport policies

The Straits Times on Saturday generously gave up 4 pages of its valued space to let people understand how much thoughts and efforts have been put in to address the state of our road transport policies. I think it hopes to tell the people how difficult it was to make all those decisions and why the people must appreciate the policy makers behind it and accept that they have done the best they could under all the existing constraints. And it also said that there is a big review going on to improve on what it is today to make public transportation and car ownership more acceptable and palatable to the people. After reading what were written, I doubt there will be any real improvements that will benefit the people and society except the public purse. There are still many obstacles in the mindset that if they are not removed, there will not be any significant change to speak of. They will be whipping a dead horse the same way they did, and dressing it up as if it is a new and vibrant creature. The same story of ‘if you want something that is world best, you must pay for it’ is the mantra of the present regime. Money is still seen as the answer to all problems, pay or buy your way out. What they should do is to rethink on what transportation means to the people’s life and the economy. The current policies promote economic activities at an ever increasing cost. On the other hand it stifles social activities of the people. Going shopping or moving around for social activities is very expensive. You pay to get there and you pay to remain there. People have avoided visiting friends or relatives due to the prohibitive transport and parking costs. It is time to ask if our transport policies should be money and profit driven. If we can abandon this thought and accept transportation, free and easy, economical and efficient, as a social cost that the country needs to keep the people moving, facilitate economic and social activities, then something really new will happen to enhance the life of the people. Public transport must be for transportation and communication, a public service, and not for profit. The profit is indirect, both tangible and intangible. Is this acceptable? As long as the key motive for public transportation is to make profit, all the policies will be half baked. We need to pay this cost to raise the vibrancy of our people and society. Take away the profit motive, put in younger people to manage public services when they are at an age that a couple of hundred thousand are big money to them. When they grow older and their appetite gets bigger, let them move on to run profit making organisations to fill up their bank accounts. While in these public service organisations, their performance must be measured on how they reduce costs or maintain cost at a reasonable level while continuing to improve efficiency and productivity. These kinds of performance indicators require a different mindset to appreciate. If we continue to measure everyone and organisation by how much profit or money they make, then nothing will change. Everything, every cost will only go up and up without any real improvement in the quality of service. The ERP charges is a good example. The current policies are choking the system, holding the commuters and car owners at ransom by demanding higher payment to get around. And the problems remain. Any improvement is marginable and temporary.

Notable quote - The Emperor of the Dark Side

'Welcome to the Dark Side. Stand side by side with your father. Feel the power...' The Emperor of Star Wars

When you write your own pay cheque?

The transport policies, the COEs, ERPs, bus fares, mrt fares, car ownership, etc etc, together is a very complicated issue. It is not easy for peasants to understand or to grapple with. Even super talents find it tough to handle. So please try to appreciate that they are doing their best.

A Septo Sutedja, had a role play as a Transport Minister and got away feeling better that he now had a better understanding of the complicated issues involved. So, is he now more satisfied with the way things are?

When we pay people top dollars, millions of dollars, to do a job, we expect the job to be done to our satisfaction. Once we start to pay market price, we do not see the job as a sacrifice, a voluntary social work. We have gone past that. We are not in a state to understand and appreciate that the best effort has been put in and that’s it.

We don’t pay a mean salary just to accept whatever that is dished out to us. Only the best is expected, and the people shall decide what is good enough. For it is the people’s money that is going into the pay cheque. You name the price, we pay. No question asks.

Now you deliver.

Joke of the Day

The parents are angry because the school bus fee has been raised by $5 to $10 per month. And the School Transport Association was so apologetic for raising this amount. The only reason I can think of, and feel comforted, is that they were not run by super talents.

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?