Celebrating the unsung heroes

It is easy to notice the great achievers and share their successes. The fame of entrepreneurs, statesmen, professionals etc are well documented, acknowledged and published in the media. These people are generally those who have acquired fame and wealth. We spoke in awe at the doctor or lawyer who earned several hundred thousands for each case executed. The higher the fees, the more respectable they become. He is good and that is why he can charge more. Looking at another corner, there are great people who have done great things for the people by making their lives liveable at very low cost. They do not pursue high profit margin for themselves. They produce goods and services at the cheapest possible price and at reasonable quality to benefit the masses. The first name that came to my mind is the instant noodle manufacturers. At a few cents, they pack a decent meal for those who cannot afford to be lavished. Millions in the world are living on instant noodles daily, 3 or 4 meals a day, 365 days a year, and for several years. Not only the lonely and the unemployed or retirees are doing it, many students from not too well off families are doing eat, eating instant noodles to get by, saving every cent they could to get their education. For the good that these manufacturers have done and served humankind, their contributions are mostly taken for granted. Then there are the hawkers in some hawker stalls that are selling quality and excellent meals at $2 in this expensive city called Singapore. And they are continuing to do it, happily serving their grateful customers, not raising prices despite all other costs being up. How could they do it? Or why are they so stupid to continue to do it and not ripping off their customers by claiming that costs are up and they need to raise their prices? Or would people be looking down at them for not earning the millions they should be and to claim that they are also talents in their own fields? The answer, i think, is that these people are happy with what they are doing, and they are happy seeing their customers happy. They are happy with the profits they are getting and do not seek to maximise profits at all costs. Basically they are not greedy people. But we should not be too happy about this state of affair. Soon the greedy people will come into the picture to force them out of business, raise their rentals and whatever costs. Then they will have no choice but to raise prices or go out of business. Then people will all claim to be innocent and blame somebody else for the high cost of living. The BSE disease is a very good excuse to fall back on.

Cash prizes to improve govt efficiency

'Give the Govt an innovative, impactful idea to cut red tape for businesses and win $1000.' This is a new drive by the Pro Enterprise Panel(PEP), an agency to help cut unnecessary bureaucracy in regulations, to create a more pro business environment. My first suggestion, and I want to claim my $1000 prize, is to remove this agency and this award. You do not need an award like this to solicit suggestions from the ignorant and no talent public to improve govt efficiency. If the public can do that, then they should be running the govt agencies. And we are having the top talents, paying top salaries running these agencies. Why are they incapable of looking into the problem, cutting red tapes and improve their proceduces and efficiency? Who create the red tapes and inefficiency? What is happening? Million dollar talents asking the peasants to teach them to suck eggs? Let me rethink over the issue again. We pay top talents millions of dollars, in turn they are asking the no talents to teach them how to improve and willing to pay the no talents a miserable $1000 for it....

Money everywhere

With ERPs as another great source of revenue, there is money everywhere. And motorists are also 'encouraged' to use public transports, the bus companies and SMRT are going to laugh all the way to the banks. They may be crying, that they can't cope with the volume of people traffic. They would not cry because of the revenue they are collecting. Now, where are these money from the ERPs and the commuters taking public transport going to? The shareholders of transport companies must be the great beneficiaries with the govt helping to promote their services. Shouldn't some of these profits be ploughed back to the people in some ways? The increase revenue is due to govt effort and policies, not because of the effort of the transport companies. What kind of private business can get this kind of booster from the govt? Is it too much to ask for some kickbacks to benefit the commuters in reducing fares? Or are we expecting fares to go higher because of increasing demand?

Two pet projects

The two hottest pet projects today, no guessing, must be Mean Testing and Longevity Insurance. I do not know how they came about or who were the great thinkers behind them, they sure come across as two pet projects that must die die be implemented at all cost. And despite the obvious, that both are no gos, the tenacity and furiousity to get them accepted are unbelieveable. With so much effort and resources put into them, no matter, an inadequate idea is still an inadequate idea. Yes I am harping, I am belabouring my point. Take mean testing for instance. What does it hope to achieve? Peanuts. And what are the costs? Financial, manpower and political costs are high, very high. Worst, it is all about a little principle that people are whinning about? We need bigger hearts to overlook the little idiosyncracies of man, of those who choose to live frugally and save every cent they can. These are not sinful or criminal ways and need not be hit so hard with the full machinery of a state. Then the longevity scheme. It is a good scheme like any insurance scheme. But how useful is it? How many will need it that the whole population will now have to bear the cost of someone's pet idea? Which god is so sure that 50% of the people will live past 85 years? And how many of these will need monetary help? You mean all these people who live till these ages could not think for themselves to make some kinds of provision for their old age? The joke is that many of those who can afford to live past that age are people who can afford to live on and on, even hooking on to expensive machines. Those who cannot are happier to let nature takes its course. There is no reason to prolong life in misery when the people cannot afford to even feed or house themselves. Once we accept that everyone must die, the natural way, let it be and the problem will solve itself. There is very little need to have longevity insurance. But for those who want it and can afford it, by all means. The little remnants that survive to those ages and could not feed themselves do not cost a bomb to the govt unless the govt wants to treat them like little Suhartos, hooked to machines and attended by an army of medical professionals. The scheme is but a red herring at best. LKY has publicly said that the 6.5m population, another pet idea, may not be what he is comfortable with. I am sure the planners will be scrambling for cover now. Do we need LKY to raise some doubts about these two pet projects before they are abandoned? Maybe it is too late. The rice isw almost cooked. Maybe LKY also agrees to it.

Smelling problems

One of the fine secrets of our success is smelling for problems or predicting problems. In management term it is called proactive. Every time when a problem is found and anticipated, you can smell money. We are being proactive in the ageing problems. Ha, money everywhere. We are anticipating water shortage and higher prices, more to collect money! We are planning to reduce jams on our roads, more money again. Increase our population, even more money. Lack of talent in govt, more money also. Medical care, housing shortage, ahhh, money akan datang. Every problem is actually a happy problem as more money will be in play.

Longevity Insurance - So what's new?

It was called National Longevity Insurance Scheme. Now it is called National Lifelong Income Scheme. A high power team has done its work and the scheme has been revised, repackaged and ready for the ears. The scheme met with a lot of unhappiness when first announced. Presumably everyone will be celebrating and very happy when the revised scheme is heard. Heard that instead of withdrawing at 85, now can withdraw at 80. Great, fantastic! And money need not go to someone else but back to the families. Another great improvement. And there are options. Great ideas. Never heard of options before. So, is it still compulsory? Have they addressed the issue that many do not need such insurance as they are well covered or have made plans for themselves? What ever, if 50% as believed will live past 85, maybe to 86 or 120 years, the other 50% will not reach this age. The error is 50%. I woke up this morning and a saw a bright light. And I realised that everyone must die. I challenge anyone to dispute this truth with me. I am 100% right! Not 50%. So I am going to recommend that life insurance be made compulsory for everyone since all must die. Brilliant isn't it?

Near full employment

Unemployment rate at 2.1% is as good as full employment. And according to a UOB economist Ho Wei Chean, '...most locals who want a job are able to do so. There is competition but it is not creating a lot of unemployment among locals.' This is good news and as good as tooth, I mean truth. I only hope that our university graduates and professionals are happy driving their taxis. Ok, their income has risen with the taxi fare hike and they should not be complaining. 236,000 jobs were created last year and 61% or 144,000 went to foreigners. 39% went to locals or a new group called 'indigenious workforce.' I call this term ingenious for it does not tell whether they are citizens or non citizens. Anyway full employment is better than unemployment. Parents should still spend hundreds of thousands to send their children to university and they can be assured that if all else fails, their children can still drive taxis and enjoy a mobile office.

Singapore govt smarter than Malaysian govt

While the Malaysian govt can only think of building bridges to collect tolls, Singapore only needs to erect ERP gantries to do that. In the former, building bridges will take a long time and a lot of money upfront. In the later, the roads are all there and erection of gantries will cost next to nothing. And the money collection is instant. See how fast we generate revenue. And gantries can be added anywhere. In a bridge, you can't have more than one collection gate.

Take Public Transport Month

In view of the traffic congestion, Singaporeans should drive less. We should support Raymond's initiative by taking public transport to work or play. Let's make February 2008 a 'Take Public Transport Month.' For the month of February, everyone should leave their cars at home and try taking public transport for a month. If we can do that, we may change our habit of travel and free the roads for the rich car owners. Hopefully, when the public start to take public transport, the transport companies will not find the excuse that they cannot cope and thus have to raise fares to stop people from taking public transport. Can the Raymond promise that this will not be the case?

Comprehensive changes to improve transportation

It is a major overhaul of the road system and the changes are very well thought of and should make our roads freer not from no need to use but unable to afford to use. For those who still need to use the car, they will just have to pay more. For the casual drivers, they can jolly well park their cars at home. For those who really need to drive for some reasons but cannot afford to pay, just too bad. This point may hit hard on essential driving and casual driving for those who can afford to pay. Got money can travel, even for the fun of driving everywhere. Maybe the Raymond may want to consider allowing a $10 upfront free usage for all motorists as a kind of gesture for those who may need to drive on some important or urgent matters. A second point that raised my eyebrows is the provision of electronic info for carparks 400 metres away. This is a sheer waste of public fund and technology. When use in a car park it makes sense. Putting such information on the road at quite a distance is, to put it kindly, rubbish. How would it help when 20 cars see the info and rush for a parking lot? One development from all these changes is that many will have to park their cars at home. That will provide a new opportunity for car parking business. HDB car parks can be spruced up, carpet the carpark, cameras to allow owners to view their cars in their homes, car washing facilities in every floor, private lots for owners to print their names on the floor etc etc. Aircon the carpark so that owners can read books sitting besides their $100k cars. These additional services will allow owners to happily park their cars at home. And a small circuit can be provided for the owners to drive their cars in circles to warm up the engine. Otherwise there will be starting problem from lack of use. Car parking business will be changed dramatically.

I thought I have enough savings to retire

Then one smart ass said I need more money to live on before I die. They said I need more money to live on woah! Then they started to take my little savings and put them aside and said it is for my own good. And just like that! I have no say whatever with my own money. I count count and still think it is enough because I no drink, no smoke, no need go out, eat maggie mee so shiok... why do I need so much money for? Pay hospital bills? I no need leh. I sick I die, hahish. No happy no unhappy. Pssst, can I have my money back? This god no answer.

ERP needed in MRT stations

While there is this push to get the richer Singaporeans to take public transport, the people who are so used to the comfort and privacy of driving their own cars, more thoughts are needed to make sure that travelling in MRT and buses are up to their expectations. At the moment taking public transport is a filthy, smelly and unhealthy experience. The trains and buses are clean, but not the commuters. Despite all efforts to make the facilities world class, spick and span, the commuters will stride in in their dirty and smelly working clothes and to rub them against your clean while shirt or expensive blouses. They take great pleasure in doing that. Then the smelly ones. You have to exchange your Colgate Mint breath or your expensive mouth spray breath with their smelly breath. You breathe out, they breathe in. They breathe out, you breathe in, at close quarters, exchanging breath. And of course the sick, those with flu or whatever, sharing everything they have with everyone in the confined space of a train or bus. How would the richer Singaporeans tolerate such stuff when they are used to some personal hygiene and cleaner air and better smell? Maybe the first one or two train carriages should be cordoned off with ERP gates and commuters having to pay extra to get in. This will provide some separation for those who wants a little space and comfort. Such segregation is not new. The airlines, trains, hospitals, express buses etc are doing it. But just don't call it first class or any snobbish name. Maybe call it express trains or ERP, Express Room Passengers! It is unthoughtful to force the richer Singaporeans to take public transport but failing to provide a higher level of service to them. It is unthoughtful to provide a world class service standard to all commuters knowing that now all can or would want to pay for it. Have a standard service and a better service for those who want to pay more. Huh, paying more sure rings a bell.

Notable quotes - George Bush

'The Govt must trust the people with their own money.' George Bush Although I don't agree with Bush in many of his international policies, this is the most agreeable statement that came out from him. It is time that the gods and saints stop bullying and ridiculing the people by telling them that they are incapable of managing their own money. It is time that they return the money to their rightful owners.

Why so many complaints about MRT?

It is unbelieveable that there are so many complaints in the msm today on the MRT. Too crowded, overcrowding, smelling people's body odour, people breathing down your neck, etc etc. How can there be so many complaints about our world class transport system? And they had just collected several years of fare hikes to improve the system. I think all these complaints are unjustified. Our trains, compare to some other countries, are so comfortable. At least not as crowded as in Tokyo or having to hang outside the train or sit on the roof. And we have been told that the trains are only 80% capacity. We can squeeze in 20% more people. Singaporean commuters are too much. Can't they appreciate that standing close to each other will be a great opportunity to strike up a conversation and get to know the other person. Perhaps they can make more friends as well. It is great for socialising. For the ingenius salespeople, it will be a good occasion to sell more deodorant. And the services must have improved tremendously after all the fare hikes. Imagine if not of the fare hikes what will be the condition of travelling in the train. Singaporeans just do not know how good this paradise is.

Things are getting brighter

This morning I work up with an urge, to take a law degree. With Singaporeans all getting richer and smarter, their reputation will also grow in stature. And they will have to protect their big reputation at all cost. Any slight will be enough reason to start a liber suit against another party. With this kind of development, litigation lawyers are going to have a ball. And it is an honourable profession, protecting the honour of all the rich and respectable Singaporeans. I will look forward to the day when the rich beggars will hire a lawyer to defend their reputation should anyone say anything bad about beggars. But let me register myself to the law school first. I am going to start practising at the age of 85, as a lawyer.

Complaint Choir

What kind of performance is this? Complaints, complaints, complaints! Why don't they sing praises? Do they think that just because we are opening up, getting looser, foreigners can come here and sing about complaints? Complaints about Singapore are only for Singaporeans. Foreigners can sing or joke about our complaints outside of Singapore. Then we can shut our ears to them and we will be alright, and they will be alright too. The complaint Choir can only perform by Singaporeans only. I think this is something understood by all. Sometimes people also not happy if I make negative comments about Singaporeans and they tell me to shut up or shift out too. We are really uptight aren't we? We cannot joke about ourselves or complaint about things that we are not happy about. For doing so is just like telling lies. We need to sing more hymns and praises and everyone will be happier. Can't we just hear the good stuff?

Discussion is good - Tony Tan

Tony Tan said this in response to concerns raised regarding GIC's investments overseas. His position is that if the concerns raised were not discussed and allowed to build up, they may lead to some form of financial protectionism. Would Tony's comment that discussion is good applies to other fields, especially domestic issues? And would discussion is good also applies to cyberspace or only to some select groups? Is discussion good or no good on some issues?

We will improve our services

Sorry guys/gals. I was on a short retreat and no posting for a couple of days. Back late last night, glanced through the papers and saw a small piece of good news. The bus and MRT companies have announced that they will improve their services in the face of an opening up of the industries by Raymond Lim. This is the first positive contribution from Raymond in his tranportation reform. Before anything is even being done, the transport companies are already sitting up. What is most amazing this time is that they did not say anything about more fare hikes in order to improve their services. Am I dreaming? How could they improve their services without any fare hike? Does anyone notice any difference or improvement in their services after the last few fare hikes? I hope more concrete and substantive improvements can be felt by the users.

Whither Singapore?

We are entering a watershed in our history. We have gone past the days of nation building and are looking at new goals and heights to scale. The days of the founding fathers are about over. It is time to ponder where we are heading? The earlier days are simpler. Economic growth and filling the stomach and a roof over our heads. Now economic growth is not everything. There are more choices, right choices and wrong choices. Oops, let me backtrack a bit. Economic growth or more money in the pocket is still very important. Yes we have plenty of choices that money can buy. We are now in the phase of looking for the good life. What is the good life? All the glitters, all the wine, women and song. This is like the prime years of the Tang Dynasty.

Some Taxi drivers still complaining

When an average taxi driver is getting more than what he got previously, why are some still complaining? There are bound to have some who earn more and some lesser. But as the average income is more, than generally more will get more. For those who are getting less, either they are taking too much kopi breaks or not working hard enough. Drive a few rounds more and their income will rise. They are not saying that the numbers given are a lie. Several taxi operators have also support the better numbers.