Choosing a new god

In the assembly of gods, God said, 'Ye are gods.' A new god will be chosen by the existing gods, in their own image. If we look at this as a leadership renewal, is it heartening to know that our new leader will be chosen, like companies head hunting for a new CEO? I remember Shakespear's famous phrase in the Twelveth Night, 'Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.' Now I shall add, 'Some are chosen to be great.'

Top brains for the Premiership

The concept of having the top academic brains in govt was a practice in Imperial China for centuries. But if historical records were anything to be trusted, they failed over and over again. Also, the top academic brains were best only in administrative roles. Many were not real leaders or did not make it to the top post, ie the Emperorship. The Emperor was our equivalent of the PM. Many top scholars reached the premiership in their career. But the premiership then was at best a top civil servant. The Emperor was the ruler akin to the PM today. A ruler. The type of leadership in a ruler is very different from those of top civil servant. A top academic brain or a top professional is not necessary the right guy for the job. Political leadership demands more than academic or professional excellence. Otherwise all the deans of universities or top scientists, doctors, lawyers, engineers will all end up as the top man. Historically, many leaders were not top academic brains or top professionals. We have librarian, soldiers, businessmen, football club manager, actors, farmers and of course lawyers and mathematicians. The real leaders are not simply just because of their academic prowess. And a good leader is something else. It is the heart that is more important.

PAP Kindergarten fee up

The PAP kindergarten is a national institution. Its existence around the heartland and for the last 30/40 years mean that whole generations of Singaporeans have benefitted from them. Many Singaporeans see the National Service as a national institution for male bonding, a phase of life that all young Singaporeans have in common. A common background to share and talk about. The kindergarten's impact is even more pervasive. Young boys and girls went through them in the early foundation days of their lives. And it was education and upbringing at a very affordable cost. But affordability is now an issue. In 2006, the monthly fee was $30.50. It went up to $50.60 in 2007. It is going to be $95 a month starting 1 Jul 08. Some parents are crying foul. Some thought that the increase in fee was due to the provision of airconditioning in the classroom as some richer parents have requested for it. So they have appealed for a lowering of fees rather than the comfort of aircon. It is true that many Singaporeans are getting more affluent and would like to live in a more comfortable environment. And airconditioning is becoming a necessity. But is aircondition so desirable? Nothing wrong with pampering our young in such comfort. But with the high fuel cost and electricity bill, not many hardlanders are going to be able to afford such comfort for long. And for those young pampered boys, they will have to get used to life without aircon when they enter NS. Unless military training camps will have aircons in time to come. The jungles surely have no aircon. Another problem with the high fees is that it does not gel well with the push for bigger families. The high education cost and now the high kindergarten fees are going to deter parents from having a brood. Then again, maybe hardlanders who cannot afford it should not have too many children. It is going to be very tough on their pockets. And many will pooh pooh the little increase as another affordable thing. For those who can afford it, what is $95 a month.

Plans afoot to ease Jalan Kayu congestion

This heading was followed by a letter from Yam Meng Keng, Chairman, Jlan Kay CCC/EUP Working Committee in the Today paper. He thank George Pasqual and Jayandran Sandra Alison for their letters on the condition of Jalan Kayu Estate. It seems that the estate is also faced with congestion problem and this will be resolved soon. Who knows, ERP gantries could soon be erected in Jalan Kayu. For solving traffic flow problem, nothing is more effective than ERP. I would not dare to complain about congestion in my estate. It could be an invitation for more ERPs.

CNN's apology is more insulting

CNN has apologised for the comment by its commentator Jack Cafferty for calling the Chinese people goons. Now with the outcry in China and a demand for an apology, they said he or CNN meant 'Only Chinese leaders are goons, thugs.' And the sickening thing is that they think that will get them scotch free, that it is ok to call the Chinese leaders derogatory names and the Chinese people would not mind. It is like believing that people can call their father and mother dogs and bitches and they will not be offended. Maybe the CNN people will accept such remarks on their parents. But this is what a reputable msm standard of conduct and ethics is all about. OK it is freedom of expression without responsibility and propriety. If any Chinese media would like to pay me a small sum of money, I will be the equivalent of Jack Cafferty and let go my pieces as flowery as can be. I think I can do no lesser than Cafferty.

New Straits Times slammed UMNO

Unbelieveable, the NST slammed UMNO for behaving badly after a bad showing in the last GE. God works mysteriously. This is what NST said, 'People are getting fed up with UMNO's moaning and groaning. The truth is that the people have long been disgusted with the kind of boorish and loutish behaviour that UMNO leaders have exemplified because of their grip on power since independence in 1957.' Finally the journalists who have their views and feelings suppressed all these years just let go their truth. To be fair, many of these journalists are just ordinary beans with family to feed and need to tow the line, cari makan. When the time comes for them to be themselves, they will write what they truly believe in. This may happen in paradise too, one day. God works mysteriously in his own way.

Walter Woon the romantic

A few months back when Chan Sek Keong spoke to the young lawyers, he raised the problem of pay and shortage of lawyers. And as expected, he in a way suggested that the solution is to pay them more, a time tested and no need to sweat the small stuff type of solution. Yesterday Walter Woon made an appeal to young lawyers to work with him in the name of altruism, to serve with a sense of public duty. He wanted 'to attract lawyers who will look beyond financial gains. For saying this, he must be totally out of synch with the great Singapore mentality. Where got smart people work not for money? And lawyers are smart people. But I like this fellow. After so many years in the establishment, he has not been seduced by greed, that money is everything in life. In a way he is a romantic inside, a little like me. It is refreshing and healthy at this point in time to still be able to find such a man in public service. I thought they were extinct. A little idealism and romanticism is good for the soul. Anyway he need not worry that no young lawyers will join him. A big pay rise is on the card and coming very soon.

The mask unveiled

As UMNO fights for its life, to remain in power, the truth of what UMNO really stands for becomes clearer. The speech by the Kelantan Crown Prince Tengku Mohammad Faris on the special privileges of Malays and UMNO's unflinching endorsement clearly defined its position. It is no longer a special right but more, Ketuanan Melayu. The criticism of Ong Ka Ting(MCA) and Karpal Singh(DAP) on the same speech tells two different stories. In the case of MCA, they have been supporting UMNO's position all these years and it sounds kind of hollow. In the case of DAP, their stand is quite understandable. The DAP stand is also about recognition of the Special Rights of the Malays but not the Ketuanan Melayu of UMNO. Acceptance of this right has not been questioned by the non Malays. What they are opposing is the extreme interpretation of this right by UMNO. Even PAS is not in agreement with UMNO on this. They are more concern with protecting the rights of the underprivileged, especially the Malays. They are not comfortable with protecting the rights of the rich UMNOs and their corrupt ways. There is a huge difference in what the two camps stood for. UMNO is now trying to sell its extremism to PAS to prevent the erosion of Malay hegemony.

Ridiculing virtues

What are we becoming when all the age old virtues are now only good to con the kids in schools? We used to teach our young about honour, respect, honesty, love, passion, loyalty, country and nation. Today these values are as good as how much one can trade them for. You want honour, honesty, loyalty, country and nation, how much are you going to pay for it? Even the position of public office is not worth anything unless it can command a lot of money. What is so great about being a minister when you end up with lesser money? It used to be a great honour, a place in history, a pride of the family to see a son becoming a govt official, and what honour will that be if that son becomes a top official, a minister? Today, it is seen as a monetary trade off, a sacrifice, a big sacrifice. Actually many would not want to be a minister. Too much of a sacrifice. For goodness sake, lets not belittle the honour of public office. Let's teach our young the right values, let's go back to some of the virtues that we cherish and can live by with pride and honour. Money is good, the more the better. But up to a point, there are things that money cannot buy. Oops, I am talking nonsense again. Anything that can be monetised can be bought. That is Uniquely Singapore. There is a paradise in heaven, there is one on earth. The one above exists without money. The one below exists because of money.

The impending reality of Malaysian politics

While UMNO top brasses are trying to outdo and kick one another out of the cabinet, Anwar is quietly building up his forces. And any time, one month or six months, the whole UMNO cabinet ministers may end up without a job and be opposition backbenchers. What are they fighting for when their days are so limited?

A special hotel in paradise

The guests have single rooms. They have special areas for worshipping and were guided by religious teachers. When they are in trouble, they are assisted by counsellors. They wore new clothes and spruce up for family visits. The hotel is operated under a holistic environment for rehabiltation. The hotel is in Whitley Road. And all the rumours about harsh punishments were just rumours. Dr Rohan Gunaratna, head of Singapore's Internationa Centre of Political Violence and Terrorism Research, said, 'The rumours you hear about harsh treatment are not true. The conditions there must be conducive to rehabilitation. If you treat them badly, their resentment will grow.'

800 more chips on the table

800 chips of $1m each are on the Merill Lynch table. Temasek had earlier bought US$4.4 bil worth of Merrill Lynch shares and with the additional $800 mil through exercising its option, it now holds near to 10% of Merrill Lynch. Would this large holding qualify Temasek to have a say and the management of the company? Or we are so trusting to let the Merrill Lynch managers to run the show at will and believing that they will manage the company for our interest? What are the safeguards to protect our investments? It is incredulous to put in so much money and did not have a say in the company. Today paper reported that 'Temasek is currently sitting on paper losses of US$1.2 bil from its investments in Merrill Lynch and Barclays.' As long term investments, the returns will come in in a matter of time. As for concerns on the long term time frame and lack of disclosure on grounds of secrecy, investments in such high profile institutions cannot go unnoticed. These organisations are subject to public scrutiny in their own countries and any mismanagement or poor showing will be exposed quite quickly as in this case. They may hide and delay as much as they like, but they can't hide forever or for too long. The truth will be out sooner than expected.

More money into UBS?

'Singapore's GIC may participate in UBS rights offering - report April 14, 2008: 09:17 PM EST SINGAPORE, Apr. 14, 2008 (Thomson Financial delivered by Newstex) -- The Government Investment Corporation of Singapore (GIC) may participate in the 15-billion Swiss franc ($15 billion) rights offering of Swiss investment banking giant UBS (NYSE:UBS) AG, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday, citing unnamed sources. This will be the second time that GIC will be injecting capital into UBS following an 11 billion franc investment in December last year....' This time they are going in with eyes wide open. The first time they went in there were some uncertainties and a little wet behind the ears. This time there is no excuse if they foul it up. Basic questions, is this a bottomless pit? Are all the woms out crawling? Is there light at the end of the tunnel? What are the safeguards and protection to our investments if there are more than meet the eyes? The worst thing that can happen is to put in good money after bad money. Better do all the homework thoroughly. Billions of our money are at stake.

God works in his own mysterious way

The world is in upheaval. Things are changing, and changing very fast. And things that are happening are all simply unbelieveable. Things that we see, things that we hear, all so unbelieveable.

Myth 178

MPs know what they are talking All these years we have been relying on the MPs to explain govt policies to us, the people, the uninformed masses. We were all ears, eagerly listening and copying every word the MPs told us. They were expected to know what they were saying, to understand the intricacies of govt policies. And it is their job to explain to us. Now the common people must be asking whether the MPs understand the policies and explaining the right thing to us. And this also applies to the news workers. When they report or comment, do they know what they are reporting or commenting? Do they really understand the what the polcies are all about? Maybe some MPs and news workers know, maybe some don't know and gasak butak. I also gasak butak. Not sure if right spelling or not.

More trains running

MRT has increased the number of trains running and reduced the waiting time for the next train. This must have brought some relief for commuters as the trains should be relatively less jam packed and there will be more air to breathe. With the increase in frequency and the same number of commuters travelling, the cost will definitely go up relative to revenue. And if MRT cannot generate more revenue from its other sources of income, eg rentals and advertisements, the profit will definitely go down, or may not rise as much in percentage term. And if the company must register growth in profit to satisfy the shareholders, and to pay more bonuses to its staff, what is the next logical development? Commuters must be prepared for higher fares for sure. There is no magic formula when the trains are operated for the primacy of profit first and national service second. It is not like national service pay where a NS men can be paid a few hundred bucks and if not enough, go back to parents for more pocket money. The public transport is a private business organisations and does not have a duty to perform national service, just like restructured hospitals. Soon schools too will not be doing national service. And many ministries may go along the same concept. Sit tight and enjoy the ride while you can. I am also being proactive, looking ahead.

I told you so

Yesterday I was talking about govt collecting a lot of money from the people and the people can expect this to be paid back. And HELP is everywhere. Today, the announcement is like Christmas is here, 8 months early. $3b payout will be given to all Singaporeans from last year's budget surplus. What this amounts to is that a 3 room HDB occupants could get about $5k while a 5 room could also get around $4.9k. Bee tang man. Time for celebration and say a big thank you to the govt. This is sharing the wealth of the nation to everyone. No where in the world got such a thing. Only uniquely Singapore. Now stop complaining please.

Recent achievements

Time to take stock of the recent achievements of the govt ministries. The MOH has completed its plan to make sure that everyone is able to pay his medical bills when admitted to hospitals. The bill is large, it did not do much to bring down the hospital costs, but it did got the various medical insurance schemes going and potential patients can feel better that the insurance will take care of the bills. They only need to pay a few dollars more a month to the medishield. The second achievement is old age problems. The MOM knows that people will live longer, to 85 or 100 and need more money to keep themselves alive. They fear for the old people, that they will have no money to spend at old age. This problem is also solved through the Long life annuity scheme. So Singaporeans will now have more money to spend when they grow old. Transport problem is also solved, or at least temporarily solved through more ERPs and lesser COEs. Then in the not too distant future the Circle Line will come on stream. This will definitely help. For those living the in the extreme east, west and north, their problems of getting to the city may still be the same as they converge there daily. But this too will be taken care off with decentralisation in the future. In this short span of time, three major problems were solved. Looking forward, the outstanding one will be high education cost. A solution will be found soon. Security will be no problem despite the little glitch recently and can be said to be well controlled. Not bad for the report card.

Beware, caveat emptor, Yeong Kie Seafood Restaurant

Last week, I brought my guests to Genting Highlands. After a day above the clouds', we decided to have dinner at the Gohtong Jaya area on the way down. We ordered some dishes and decided to have a steamed fish as well. So the captain recommended 'sultan fish'. The steamed fish came. HALF, and plain steamed. Good & fine. But when the bill came, it came to over $500 !! We were shocked !! We were told the fish was 1.4kg ( & please bear in mind, its ONLY HALF A FISH ) at RM 320 per kg! RM 420!! This was daylight robbery. We were not informed by the Captain that a kg of the Sultan fish would cost us RM320 and there was also no signs of such pricings anywhere in the restaurant. When we checked with the cashier, she told us, its correct !! Of cos, it was our mistake for not asking the! price first. Anyway, on the way back to KL, we stopped at Unique Seafood,PJ, where one can choose a live fish. The most expensive Soon Hock swimming in the tank is RM135 per kilo. Asked them about the Sultan fish, it is going for RM100 a kilo. Will be sending this letter to the newspapers, Tourism board, etc etc; and friends, pls pass on to all on yr email list. CHEATED. PS, the above posted was emailed to me.

Stop complaining, HELP is everywhere

Why are Singaporeans complaining about high cost of living when HELP is everywhere. Stretch out your hand and you can touch HELP. I couldn't believe that there is so much HELP out there to keep the people warm at night. HELP from the govt, HELP from the NGOs and charities. There must be thousands of HELP organisations with hundreds of millions of dollars helping the poor. And there are so few poor living among us that many did not even know they existed. There are handouts, discount vouchers, subsidies, donations, queues for free food, charity shows etc etc. Sometimes I wonder if we are in Africa! With so much HELP, so many wonderful people helping, a little affordable increases here and there should not mean a thing. We can indeed be called a HELP paradise. If we put all the HELP agencies together, and the varieties of HELP a Singaporean can get, we should rightfully be number ONE in the world for helping our people. And best, we don't believe in welfare state and giving freely to the people. It is so sian to talk about the poor when the poor are so well taken care of. And don't forget, the more the increases, the more HELP will be there. Fear not, for I have known you by your name....