Looking for signs of progress?

After so many signs of decline, including the latest spectacle that made us infamous the world over, I am hoping for some signs of progress. Catching Mas Selamat is not one. He must be caught. I am looking at all the great works done by Boon Wan and Eng Hen on providing something for the Singaporeans when the grow old or get seriously ill. The effort is tremendous. The execution poor and the result unpromising. It would be a very different picture if what they have proposed and recommended are explained and offered to the people. Lay everything on the table and tell them, we have done our homework, these are the options available, and everyone feel free to make their own choice. The people are not stupid or stubborn or mad. They will analyse all the options and alternatives and many will make wise decisions for themselves. And they will say thank you to the two gentlemen for telling them the problems in advance and offering them alternative solutions. Their hard work and effort will be much appreciated. And both gentlemen will be seen as good ministers who are toiling for the people. Would they still insist that the people must be compelled to do what they think best and, instead of praise, receive brickbats in return? Why the stubborness to dictate to the people and not to talk to the people and treat the people as reasonable thinking people? Offering the people options and choices is the way forward, the signs of progress of a nation and its people. We have to depart from the ways of old. Those were days when the people were mostly illiterates. We need to believe in the new people of today, that they are capable of making logical choices that are good for themselves.

Questioning the local msm

www.littlespeck.com posted an article by Cherian George questioning a lapse in the reporting of local msm on the Great Escape from Paradise. To Cherian's horror, he discovered that there were no reports or questions asked on how Mas Selamat Kastari escape. In Cherian's opinion, this is something basic that all readers would want to know. He was disappointed of course. But he must understand. Professional journalists and reporters have to be professional and accurate in their reportings. They must gather the data, scrutinise them carefully before putting them on print. This takes time. The bloggers and cyberspace warriors can just point and shoot. So everyone is shooting in all directions. Some hit, some miss. The msm cannot anyhow shoot and miss. Very malu ok. So got to be patient and wait. Maybe when the report from the independent inquiry board comes out, we will have 6 pages of articles on how the escape took place in the msm. In the mean time create your own news and fantasies and enjoy. The internet is one up definitely. The internet is here to stay.

Universities pursuing students

We want you! This is the message going out to all students. The universities are rolling out a full marketing and promotion plan to attract students to their faculties with clever PR and promotion material. I wonder how much it costs to do all these? And the question is, 'Is it necessary?' Are the universities recruiting employees to run a factory or business? Why the aggressive promotion to enlist students? Income? Revenue? Are the universities commercial institutions, running a business? One can expect the private schools to do such things as every student means money to them. For state universities, whose roles are to teach and produce trained graduates, why behaving like MacDonald or Bugger King? The employers need to recruit the best and compete for the best. And there are only 3 of them to choose from. Universities need to do that as well? Why can't the universities just do their job in education and let their products speak for them? They are their own monuments of excellence, together with their alumi. The students should be running to them because they are good. It is another thing to run after students to tell them that they are good. When you have to do that, you have lost. Education shall not fall prey to marketing gimmicks. Education is serious stuff. Education as a business is another animal altogether. They exist to make money. Education and quality of education are incidental. They may even compromise to bring in revenue. Does RI or Hwa Chong need to go chasing for good students? Or are they thinking of doing so?

3 flawed concepts as policies

3 obviously flawed concepts are now national policies. The Longetivity Annuities/CPF Life and Mean Testing both go against the grain of thrift and private properties. They were conceived with your money in mind and to compel the people to spend them against their will. They also go against the principle of letting the people be more self reliance and be responsible for their own lives. Longetivity Annuities, now repacked as CPF Life, are based on the assumptions that people will live to 85 and more and have no money or means to look after themselves. The result is an insurance scheme that only helps those who may not need to be helped and left out those that need to be help. Mean Testing if not properly executed is better not done at all. Everyone, every individual, has his own peculiar problems. It cuts through religious, social and cultural values. You can't tell someone that his $10k income is good enough and his 10 wives and 20 children are his problem. Doing a proper mean testing requires a lot of time and resources. To oversimplify it is a waste of time and effort as all the errors and exceptions will creep in. Is the effort worth it to do a half baked job to catch a few prudent individuals who may have some money but not millions that cannot be spent away? The assumptions that people earning $4k, $5k or $6k, can afford to pay more is grossly flawed. How many people with this kind of income are able to pay a $50k hospital bill? More subsidies are provided in the budget. So? The subsidies to be collected back by the hospitals as income and even profit and the medical fees keep going up. Lack of doctors and overworked doctors! Whose fault? What kind of planning has caused us to reach such a pathetic state? We also have shortage of lawyers. Why? What is the third flawed concept? Medisave. It is a scheme that guarantees one thing. Many people will die without touching the money. Some may use a little and a small group will deplete it. Then people will laugh, 'What is $30K? What's the big deal?' Yes, it is not even near a peanut. But to many, this is a money that is their life fortune. Money that they can use to live a bit more decently and even pampered themselves a little. Alas, they are not going to touch it in their life time. Is it cruel to deprive these hard life buggers from their little nest eggs in the name of 'It is for their own good?' We will not micro manage the people's life. Is this the tooth?

The burden of high salaries

All the hype about paying high salaries to supertalents is now taking a knock. There have been many strong views and attacks on Kan Seng since the disappearing of the Jedi or JI. And if one looks at the reasonings behind it, it is all linked to the high ministerial salaries. They are demanding for greater accountability and responsibility commensurate with the high salaries. Would these people be less harsh on Kan Seng if he is not getting this kind of salary? When high salaries are equated with high talent and ability, the expectation becomes very high as well. You said you are damn good and deserve that high salary, then you better peform and prove that you are worth the money. And when you fumbled, the people is going to come after you. Indeed the high salary, high talent, high expectation formula is becoming a double edged sword. I think the people will be much more kinder and forgiving if the salary is not tagged to high talent and ability. Are these people justified in their expectation and can demand for the axe to fall if it is not met?

It's an exercise...Want to know more?

Let me speculate on this theory with more clues that I have gathered from the msm. Don't take it seriously. This is an exercise too, for those who want to see it this way. And those who want to see it from another perspective can also try to collect their own evidence to support their case. 1. We are famous for being professional and meticulous to the point that nothing can go wrong. And for a highly dangerous prisoner, fat hope that he can fly out from the detention centre. 2. There is a physical breach! Ridiculous suggestion. It is as good as saying our men are sleeping on the job. Unikely. 3. They took 4 hours to release the news. Another sign that there is no need to hurry. 4. The information were in drips and draps and not very accurate. Execise material. 5. Kan Seng was seen on TV smiling. A big giveaway. 6. Search was only on one part of the island around Whitley area. Why only one part and the MacRitchie part not touched on the first day? A bit of artificiality here. 7. Sniffer dogs are now in use, after several days. Why not the first day? 8. Interpol was informed also after a couple of days. Probably no need to tell them but on second thought. 9. After so many days, still searching from one park to another, assuming that he can only hide in parks. Why not HDB or housing estate as the first day? Going into housing estates will be troublesome as it will get the people all excited and difficult to coordinate. In the parks and reserves, like exercise grounds. 10. More information are given after a few days, like computer games. As one advances into the game, more information will be provided to lead the players along. 11. No need to put up monetary rewards for a Most Wanted Man. 12. No condemnation from the US or our neighbours. Now this part is very interesting. I am exhausting my possible clues. 13. Hsien Loong hasn't spoken on this I think. No need to make him comment on an exercise I think these should be enough to build a case that it is an exercise.

The most realistic exercise

Let me just speculate a little on this great escape. At the end of the day it could be the most realistic exercise any country could have conducted. Given the fact that he is a little lame, tagged, and in a small and high tech island where cctv and satellite technology are being harnassed to the fullest, even a mosquito can be tracked and monitored. He will be caught of course. The rewards, the whole system being tested to the fullest. The people becoming fully aware of the threat of terrorism and would not take it for granted. Civil Defence and people's participation and involvement also tested. It is a very worthwhile exercise with everything being controlled and closely monitored while Mas Selamat Kastari thought he was on the run. And they may even be rewarded with all the attempts and contacts that Mas tried in the wilderness. Who would have the last laugh? Don't take things at face value in the city of possibilities. And they don't have to admit it publicly that it was afterall a well coordinated exercise.

He's still here!

This is the most positive and assuring statement coming out from the police. They even confirmed that he was not limping as was previously reported. The limp is only noticeable when he runs. And he could jump start cars easily. Hope he could find a car in the jungle. Hi elle, there have been many conspiracy theories around this escape. It is something that no one believe will happen here. In our neighbouring countries such escapes are expected and occurred quite frequently. Not in the red dot. Now that they are so sure that he is here, you can bet on it that he will be captured. Unless this 'he's still here' is just another guess.

Calling Kan Seng to resign

I have read many postings in cyberspace and msm calling for Kan Sing to take the rap and to resign. That may be tough as we have limited talents and we cannot afford to lose a good minister like him. I am sure that he will gain from the experience and make sure that such things will not happen again. Things could be worst without him. Every talent, especially supertalents, must be treasured. We have been kind to those talents in NKF saga, so we can be kind to those in this case. The people must be gracious and support those who are working very hard to keep this paradise safe and sound. Oops, many are not going to agree with me. That's normal. : )

Favourite wallpaper in mobile phones

Linkin Park, Beckham, F5, Sun Yanzi? Or is it Rain or Jacky Cheung? Who's face would be loaded in the mobile phones of thousands or millions of subscribers? Who is the most recognisable face in paradise and even the world today? Step aside George Bush or Barack Obama. No fight. Today we have a new celebrity, an instant fame. Infamous to be exact. For the PR and commercial organisations, an instanty recognisable face will sell anything. Even aunties and uncles will recognise this face, more famous than the male lead in Winter Sonata. I think he needs a manager right now, or many people are looking for him to be his manager. If Edison Chen is welcomed in Hollywood, Mas Selamat Kastari would be in Hollywood with a bigger appearance fee, and Bollywood, Hongkong Movie Town, and an instant hit in the Middle East. If he is smart enough he should walk out from his hideout somewhere in Caldecott Hill, probably disguising and lookinng like one of the newsreaders, say thank you for all the publicity, denounced whatever he was thought to be, and live the life of a celebrity, rich and famous.

$2000 Reward for lost poodle

The owner was distraught after losing her pet poodle. The poodle was so important to her that she is losing sleep and not eating well. She has combed every corner of her neighbourhood but still no sign of her dear poodle. Finally she decided to cough up $2000 as a reward to anyone who finds the poodle. She knew that there is no free lunch. Why would people run around looking for her poodle for free? I am planning to visit nature today. I have Sungei Buloh, Pierce Reservoir, MacRitchie and Bukit Timah nature reserves in mind. Maybe Labrador Park as well. And I will be on the look out for the poodle. I may chance upon seeing it and pocket $2000. That would save to pay for my petrol and time. Money sure is a great motivator especially for something so valuable and important. And I am planning to go to Ubin and Sentosa next week for a try. Maybe the zoo and birdpark as well. Now why would I want to go to the zoo and the birdpark to search for a poodle, and the islands as well? The monetary reward of course.

The Great Escape from Paradise

Jack Neo better find this fella fast before Steven Spielberg finds him and spiel the beans. Mas Kastari's story is going to be worth millions in Hollywood. He can retire in riches for life. No need to go back to lead the life as a terrorist or fugitive. This story sure beats that of Tok the child murderer or Tan Wah Piow's escape.

All govt fees and charges frozen

Did I read somewhere that all govt fees and charges are frozen at least till the end of the year? What is this that development charges for properties are being raised, as high as 38.9% for hospitals and hotels? Would these not add on to the self inflicted inflation and high cost of living? Would the increases not pass to the consumers eventually? And were these increases caused by external factors beyond our control? Private sector has been told not to increase cost unnecessarily. Now what kind of wayang is this?

One man, one slip and a lot of red faces

No words can describe the Mas Selamat Kastari's escape. No amount of criticism or public outcry nor superlatives will be adequate for such a fiasco. No need to say anything more. There are now many theories about how it could have happened in cyberspace, in msm, in emails and sms and cocktail circuits. Wayang, planned for him to go for some conspiracy reasons, security lapse, a highly coordinated and clever escape plan with internal help, Hollywood style, or he was already dead, etc etc. Everyone's imagination is going into fantasy gear. In my view, walking out of that place is a near impossibility. And according to reports in msm, the guards are all gurkhas, professional soldiers with an impeccable reputation of incorruptibility. Unlikely to be sympathisers or part of any JI movements. So, even if it is an inside job, how could they go pass the gurkhas? For whatever reasons or theories, the damage to our professional and efficient image will take a collosal hit even if he is caught eventually. This is too big a credibility cost to stomach for our reputation and the pride of the men in uniform or our supertalents in govt. Thinking that it is a wayang is too high a price to pay. I was trying to imagine how could a person walk out of the camp and out of the surrounding little jungle without notice. It will take hours to leave the place on foot even if it is possible to walk out of the gate. I rule this out completely. A detailed and well thought out plan by some masterminds and executed by a team of professionals is just as ludicrous. Neither would it be possible for him to dig a tunnel or find a drainage tunnel to slip out from below. The most possible reason is that he has mastered some spiritual power that allowed him to walk out, unseen and unknown to anyone. Hmmm, the logical and objective options were out, and this must be the reason. While everyone is second guessing, thousands of men and women are combing the ground working non stop to track this one man down, all because of a security lapse. The resources and cost put into this exercise is simply unimaginable. And he could still be sleeping inside the detention camp.

The ultimate weapon

After two days, no one has come out with a sound idea of nabbing Kastari quick and fast. It is time to use the ultimate weapon...Money. Offer a $1m reward for his capture, Dead or Alive, as the bounty hunters like to call it. I think many people will be motivated to do the chasing for the money.

Upgrading the quality of education

According to an article in MyPaper today, a parent sent an email to them talking about Sec One students in Maris Stella High are now expected to purchase a $2k MacBook for their personal use. The school has this motto, 'One student, one computer, one great way to learn.' The laptop actually cost between $2277 for a basic model and $2,672 for an upgraded model. The students will definitely be more computer literate and can access to all the websites in cyberspace. It is a bit heavy for a Sec One student to lug along though, and a bit of money to lay hand to one.

Possibility of satellite technology

While so much effort and resources have been invested in satellite technology to track cars on the road, car speed and cars going through ERP gantry points or causing jams, now there is a better use of such leading edge technology. Instead of wasting such resources to become more efficient in collecting tolls, I would suggest that we use it to tag prisoners. Then we can keep track of their every movement. We would definitely know if they are in the toilet if they said they are going to the toilet. And if they escape, if will be a piece of cake to track them down. Satellite technology must have some better use than tracking cars on the road.

Mood was tense but generally inconsequential

The mood in parliament was tense. You could see that on the grim faces and uncomfortable composure of the MPs. Other than that, the issues raised were either irrelevant or of non consequences. I heard about loan sharks and how to make borrowing from them illegal. I heard about trying to meddle with Myanmar's internal affairs, that Myanmar violates human rights, put their opposition leaders in prison, corruption in high places and that sort of things. Actually talking about Myanmar is the safest and most correct thing to do. It was a non event. No more scoring own goals.

Open your hearts to foreigners

This statement alone is flawed and misleading. It is a misconception that Singaporeans are hostile to foreigners. Nay, all foreigners are welcomed here. There may be a few personal and individual incidents of unhappiness or irritations, but on the whole we do not exhibit xenophobic behaviour to our guests. Most fit in very well. Some even go around beating up Singaporeans and insulting them for being stupid. And the Singaporeans take in with a big smile. Some even offer the other cheek. Last year alone we have 63,600 PRs and 17,300 new citizens, nearly 81,000. Our birth rate probably produces 35,000 to 40,000 newborns. With such a huge influx into a small pool of 3 million citizens annually, and to get away with it is a near miracle. But how long can it last? How long can relations and peaceful co existence be maintained? How long can the economy continue to grow to absorb all the people? Shall we stop at 5.5m or 6.5m or 10m? Whatever number, the number game must come to a stop. I still find it very dangerous to think that our lifestyle and environment will not be affected if we keep on stuffing more people here. We will soon be like goldfishes gulping for air on the surface of an aquariam. We should stop this foolish thought that we can go on and on with the help of creativity and technology. Just the roads and transportation will kill us. We are entering a stage when people will not leave their little flats as it is very costly. Driving a car to town, petrol, parking and ERPs will easily add up to $30 or $50. For those taking trains and MRT, a return trip is $3 to $5. Hey, these are money that not everyone can spare. And all the little frills of green lungs and space for a little escape from the rat race will be gone. We may have no place to train our NS men or camps for them to stay. Yes we can keep building higher and higher. We can build more and more roads and MRTs. For what? For who? For what kind of life and what quality of life? At what cost?

What happy mistake?

Whoever thought that the $6.4b surplus was a mistake was being too presumptious. How could it be when all the detailed planning and calculations were churned in the computers and simulators for so many rounds? And the ending of the budget debate was as predictable as the sun will rise from the east. OK everyone had been given a chance to kpkb, and all the criticisms were flawed. Period. I was also presumptious to think that some measures that I thought had gone overboard would be reined back. Alas, I was as wrong as everyone who were calling it a happy mistake. It was an outcome that was likely to be well conceived and expected.