Ferrari no match for Mercedes

A Ferrari Spyder was chased by a Mercedes C Class and went out of control, crashed. Driver robbed and beaten up in daylight robbery in the NS highway. Talking about lawlessness. And the robbers attempted twice to rob the group of Ferrari convoy and only third time lucky on the single Ferrari. Funny, didn't these rich drivers own any handphones to pass the message to all the drivers in the convoy? Or they panicked and did not know what to do? What they were only too concerned for their own safety and the safety of the rest of the drivers was not their concern? As a warning to all Singaporeans driving up, the robbers are not only more daring, they are able to do whatever they want, like the wild wild west. These robbers are obviously targetting Singaporeans and waiting for them. And there must be many of them operating in such manners. And they could get out of the highway so easily. That speaks a lot about the intricate organisation of these robbers. Some kind of immunity definitely.

Sizzling debate

The presence of foreign workers and the concerns of the people have been brewing for many years. Now it has come to a head and a sizzling debate is going on. As the number grows, as empty space near rubbish dumps and cemetries got used up, they will be moved closer to the residents. It has to be. The hardlanders are less vocal when their private space were encroached. Anyway they are seen as nothing much better than these foreign workers and their lifestyles should melt into each others quite easily. They might not look too different either. Now the encroachment is getting a bit too near for comfort for the more well off segment of our people. And they are not going to take this sitting down. But can we do away with them? They have become integral to the well being of our economy. They may be here to stay for good, helping us. One solution is to increase the dosage. Bring in more, another 3 million foreign workers will do the trick. That will dump the Singaporeans into a minority and drown their voices. And we can develop a bigger infrastructure to take care of the existence of this group of people. We can designate a Dep PM to look after the 4 or 5 million foreign workers, a Minister in charge of their welfare, another for their housing, another Manpower Minister to look after jobs for them. And more MPs to be elected from the foreign workers to represent them. This will also help to bring our population to the optimum level of 7 to 8 million. Then no need to bring in any more. And our economy will then be sustainable, self sufficiency, and we can all live happily ever after. Another option to dilute the great divide between them and us is to offer Singapore citizenship to all foreign workers. That will make them one of us. No more distinction and cannot call them foreigners anymore. All problems solved. And we can revive the great HDB building programmes and all properties will increase in value too. Both are great solutions that are worthy of serious considerations.

The numbers are numbing

A recent indication of the scope of the dilemma was the rising number of Singaporeans who asked for a document needed to apply for permanent residency overseas. It has exceeded 1,000 a month to reach 12,707 last year from 4,996 in 1998, or a rise of 170% over 10 years, said Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng. These people, over the age of 16, could be leaving for good, but they also included students and businessmen, who may eventually return. In 10 years, they totalled 97,990 Singaporeans (a far greater number if children were included).... By Seah Chiang Nee in the Star online News on Sep 06. These numbers are worrying to some but not to everyone. The more they leave, the more we replaced them with new citizens. What is the problem? Our intake is so big that we have a net gain. Good riddance. This a statement of truth. Singapore is just a social political construct. The citizens are just people given a piece of paper. If all the Singaporeans leaves Singapore, they can be easily replaced by more new Singaporeans. It is a non issue. So no need to cry over spilled milk. And for those who have been saying, if you are not happy here, please leave. I must admit that they have a point. I can read the message clearly. This is the Singapore that I have created. And this is the way it is. You like it, good. If you don't like it, also good. Just go.

Senoko Power sold

Senoko Power is sold to a Japanese consortium. 2 out of 3 power stations have been sold. One more to go. Will we also see the water treatment plants be sold? If that be the case, electricity and water bills will be generated by private companies. And when they raise prices, it will be a commercial decision. These are private organisations are there to provide a service and to make money for their shareholders, just like SMRT and Singapore Bus and privatised hospitals and HDB. One thing that the people can expect is better quality of service and higher efficiency. Good for the people, good for the economy.

Hey you're mad. No, you are.

Would such a statement be sufficient ground to suspect that someone is mad? Would someone heard cursing and swearing at a religious ceremony in the neighbourhood be arrested for disturbance? The law of a state is to protect the people from being harmed. If someone beats you, you are to take up a lawsuit yourself against that person. It is a private matter. If someone disturbs a wedding procession, is it a private matter? How serious would a disturbance be good enough for one to be arrested and sent to psychiatric checkup to determine his sanity? And if the psychiatrists could not find anything after two or three weeks, can the psychiatrists demand that one shall continue to be detained for further observation? How long would such observations become unacceptable? Shall I warn all those bloggers calling people stupid, mad, irrational, fools etc not to do so for their own good? Will such libellious remarks be a problem between the parties involved or can one party insist the other party be sent for psychiatric observation? Freedom of expression or anonymity in the internet has led some bloggers to go shooting from their hips. Some even fabricate stories and half truths. Would they end up under the microscope of the psychiatrists? Oh, the heading of this post is just an illustration only. I am not calling anyone mad.

Matilah Singapura is Alive!

I have to repost this thread here as the original thread is too far deep down and many will miss it. This thread is posted by Matilah in the earlier thread which I started, 'Matilah, wanted, dead or alive.' Nice to know that you are still kicking, chum. From Matilah Singapura. My dear fans, and redbean,Let me begin by thanking everyone for their concern.I hope that I am wanted more ALIVE than I am dead, but then again I have no control over such things as 'other people's opinions' :)Unlike Gopalan Nair, I don't tease the state of S'pore, and challenge them to come after me...so to one anonymous poster...sorry to disappoint. I quit Thailand 2 months ago--at least for the foreseeable future. The political situation is not good and staying there, IMO, is exposing myself to unnecessary risk on several fronts. Frankly speaking the novelty of Soi Cowboy gets old quickly when your office is a mere 7 minute walk away.S'pore is also out of the question--I stopped by for a week or so to recce and decided 'no go'. It's way too expensive (i.e. factors of production), and my margins would be too lean to make it worth my while. On the upside, returns from rentals are the best they've been for years...so the best position to be in is a landlord and to be elsewhere. I am back in Aust, settling into a new home and getting started on projects which I hope will bear fruit. Aust is still very strong economically depite the naysayers. The average weekly wage is now over AUD1k and the spirit of 'can do' private enterprise is the best it has ever been. I have therefore decided to hang-out here for awhile. It is truly a wonderful place, especially now that the weather is warming up!So that's basically an update of my ordinary life. I've posted a bit on Singabloodypore, but my internet time is essentially restricted to an hour or two a day now as my time is taken up with more "social" activites—interacting with real people in the real world. The only reason I stopped by to post this was I did a Goggle on 'Matilah Singapura' and redbean's post was at the first listing. Such is the efficacy of the web!SE Asian politics are, for the most part, a part of my past. It saddens me to some degree that my social, political and mostly my economic predictions (all derived form natural laws and understanding of 'spontaneous orders', like 'markets' and the nature of collectivism) have come true, and Singapore proves itself more and more to be on a path of decay—on many fronts. My ego doesn't require 'stroking'--to be honest, I hope to be wrong.Unfortunately I do make part of my living from using methods to 'manipulate' human conciousness. I'm not the only one who knows how to do this, but I do understand how EASY it is once you know how. I also know that governments use these tools to manipulate their voters, such that the average person lives in a world of MYTHS. As if this wasn't bad enough—the surprising thing is how readily the avergae person will DEFEND these myths from any form of critical analysis or criticism. That is how effective states can be—the people don't 'govern' themselves, they IMPRISON themselves. Anyway, I wish all of you well, and hope you find the truths you are seeking on your own terms. Redbean, it's good to know that you're still blogging furiously. Well done. Warmest regards MS

The AIMS Paper

My general impression of the AIMS Paper is that it is a very comprehensive report on the existing status of internet activities and where to go from here. AIMS stands out as a fairly neutral body and its recommendations were free from the encumbrance that one would normally expect from a govt agency. The only area that it could not help to detach itself from is the need to control and manage political discussions of the people in general and the political parties in particular. The need to control and manage is entrenched in any govt in power. It is in their interest to ban or block any criticisms or comments that challenges their position and power. This assumption that it is normal for the govt to control and manage opposition and criticisms has moderated AIMS recommendation on Section 33 of the Films Act. Section 33 is simply a provision that favours the govt in power. Period. The other recommendations on the protection of minors, crimes, pornography, sedition etc should not see any objections and rightly so, and the Bloggers 13 have left them untouched. The recommendations to remove all the obstacles placed on netizens are welcomed. This can only come about with a positive assumption that netizens are responsible and decent people and can be trusted with the freedom of expression. Maybe AIMS should try to address the issue of a level playing field whereby the power to control and to dictate to the opposition be removed and all parties operate under the same set of rules. Would this be asking too much from the realities of politics? But liberalization of the internet must bring about a freer and fairer environment for all parties if criticisms and cynicisms are to be avoided. Transparency, fairness, soundness of policies will be demanded and anything less will only be ridiculed openly. It demands a higher level of sophistication and consistency in policy making. To liberalise involves big changes in many areas, including how the political games should be played and how the govt conducts itself and its relations with the people. AIMS has recognized that this is a process in its infancy and incremental changes is a better way to go, to learn and change along the way. The govt will have a tough time deciding on how much to let go on political activities, outside and during an election campaign period. A lot of resources and manpower will be needed to engage the netizens, including setting up of many support organizations. A lot of jobs will also be created, maybe even a ministry in charge of cyberspace and netizens be appointed. It is a new constituency. The boldest part of the recommendation is the recognition and acknowledgement that the internet is the future, uncontrollable and unstoppable. The govt is strongly encouraged to step bravely into the future, engage the people, be less uptight, and be less abrasive, be prepared to share the political space with the opposition and people who don't agree with them. This is a tall order. It is a great departure from the obsessive need to control, like pronouncing cycling in the park as dangerous to social security, even harassing young students, that makes the govt looks clumsy and ridiculous. The other positive assumption is that netizens are not the illiterate Ah Pek and Ah Ma, and many are thinking people that can see things as they really are and can contribute to the general goodness of country and society, that is, if they are embraced as part of the whole decision making process, even in a small way like e-engagement. AIMS has invited the govt to take a path into the future that is full of uncertainties but also full of promises and opportunities, to tranform our way of life and how we communicate, a freer and all inclusive society where the divisive line between the people and govt is blurred for the better of everyone. Will the govt bite?

YOG - Whole NATION must be involved

The CEO of the Singapore YOG committee, Goh Kee Nguan, is calling the whole Nation to be involved in the Youth Olympic Games. Wait a moment. If Singaporeans do not know what is a Singaporean, do they know what is the meaning of a Nation? Does the Nation includes citizens, PRs and all the foreign talents and workers working here? Who will be involved? If we are thinking of an all inclusive society, shall we include everyone here, citizens or non citizens, every residents? We have taken for granted the meaning of Singaporeans and it now loosely even include PRs and residents. Even Singaporeans do not know the meaning of being a Singaporean. I am sure the word 'Nation' will stump everyone here. We shall rise as a Nation. Sounds quite hollow and empty isn't it? Are we a nation? After 43 years of nation building...

As we grow older...

As the population grows older and less nimble with age, many things becomes frightening. The old, ing experience for them to walk alone in the presence of young and strong foreign workers and their wild stares. You do not know what is going on inside their heads. We are growing older for sure. And we have a few hundred strong and hungry young men in our midst. It is a great recipe for more tension and crimes if we are not careful. We must find a way to deal with this dilemma. We want them or need them, but we fear them. For they can create a lot of potential problems for us. Singaporeans must not be complacent in their thoughts. We are going to become a minority in a sea of foreigners and security and safety will become a bigger issue to face on a daily basis. It is not just 1000 foreign workers in Serangoon Garden. The clusters living next door or a few doors away, or in the nearby construction sites can be equally dangerous.

What's the fuss?

I did not really follow the on goings on what Aims were trying to do, to regulate the internet, when the govt is talking about liberalisation. What Aims is trying to do and what the govt is trying to do appear to be contradictory. One argument is that you need rules before you can run free. Quite true. But rules are aplenty and is all we got. We have rules and laws against sedition, scandals, libels, pornography, false or misleading information and also the mother of all laws, ISA. What more do we need? The only area that is really troubling the authority is political openess. How much can one say against a political party, in this case the ruling party. The simple line to be drawn, or has always been there, is truth and facts. If you are telling the truth, then why fear the truth, why ban the truth? Admittedly, two persons' truth may disagree, my truth against your tooth. Often such things will be a matter of interpretation or opinion. But the truth must be the truth and not the tooth. So what is the big fuss? We should know better. My position thus, is still the same. There are already enough rules and laws to regulate the internet. And everyone is responsible for his postings and can be hauled up by the law or another party to answer for his rambling. A little fine tuning of the current laws may be necessary to take into account this new technology, terminology and how it works. What the blogging community should worry about is how the laws are to be applied and whether they are fair and just. Then again, how to be fair and just when what is fair is in the eyes of the beholder or the one holding the big stick? Can the opposition party organise a cycling event? Oh yes. But would it get a permit to go ahead?

$126 mil to instal screen doors

SMRT will spend $126 mil to instal screen doors in its stations to prevent people falling onto the track accidentally or intentional. Another $29 to instal CCTV to monitor such incidents. Should these money be spent to prevent people from jumping on the track if they already planned to do so? If that is the case, HDB should instal grills on every floor of flats to prevent people from falling. For those who wanted to jump, such measures are a complete waste of money. Even the CCTV is only good to tell you what happened after they have jumped. For accidental falls, some minimal railings should do. If the MRT reasoning is valid, then screen doors must be erected to all the roads to prevent people from straying onto the roads. We even need to block out all the canals to prevent people from falling in.

It is going to get uglier

600 residents of Serangoon Garden signed a petition against the conversion of a school to house 1000 foreign workers. This is the first time we are seeing so many Singaporeans standing up for their rights. And they have a good and valid reason to speak up. And Lim Hwee Hua acknowledged that it is good that the residents are speaking up. This is the best and most direct feedback coming from the people. The problem is why can't the govt see the problem? We are too small, living too closely together. Bringing in a few hundred thousand foreign workers is going to eat into our private and social space. And there are all the good reasons for the residents to fear for their safety other tha the general cleanliness and orderliness of their neighbourhood. We must stop fooling ourselves that we are as big as America and have a lot of open space to accommodate all the foreigners. We are no bigger than JB! The social consequences and price we are paying are too big. Those living in their little palaces may not feel the crunch and the squeeze. But don't forget that more than 80% of the population are going to face these foreign workers and rub noses with them. I am waiting for the day they run riot and refuse to go home or back to their quarters. We will see how law and order can be restored. This is a sickness of small people with megalomaniac dreams.

Blessed are the corrupt?

This is the heading of an article by Maria Siow, Media Corp's bureau chief in China. She was commenting about the anti corruption process going on in China and how corrupt officials were allowed to return to hold positions of responsibility. She has not been back in Singapore for too long. We have this Yellow Ribbon Campaign and reformed criminals are welcomed back to lead a normal life. Some, the more talented, are still praised in the media and given high paying jobs. She should not be grumbling and thinking that the Chinese are doing the wrong thing. People made mistakes. Give them a second chance, especially the talented ones. Perhaps the Chinese are learning from us and are becoming more sympathetic and compassionate, and forgiving, like us.

A tragic comedy on CNA

I stumbled over this programme aired after 8.30pm over CNA last night. I was attracted by the topic, ‘Are citizens the new minority’, an issue which we have been talking almost everyday in cyberspace. There was a female, stated as a MBA student, a bright adolescent, an older man with age on his side and presumably wiser, and two young men, one a co host of the programme and another whom I am still trying to figure out what he was or is. He didn’t say much and throughout the programme appeared a bit lost. Oh, the older man was the other host. As the programme got on its way, I started to wonder what kind of programme it was. I was expecting something serious or at least intelligent from CNA, and I can’t accept anything less. Could it be a comedy or just a light hearted talkshow? The key question that was popped subsequently was the meaning of being a Singaporean. The MBA student, a new citizen, still new after 14 years, could only manage to say she was proud to be a Singaporean. The adolescent was honest by declaring that he did not know what a Singaporean meant. This is the best proof that we should shelf our nation building programme. The older host was laughing all the way, not knowing what he was laughing at. He was the jester of the show. Neither did he volunteer any explanation or definition of the term Singaporean. He just laughed it off. The other young host was at ease with himself and his profession. He just talked and talked, which was what he knew best and did best. As long as he was talking, he had done his job. What came out of it, meaningful or meaningless, was not his concern or cup of tea. The other young man, oh, he was listening intently, and by the end of the programme still probably trying to figure out what was going on. If it was meant to be a serious discussion, they picked the wrong guys and gal. Either too new, too young, or too old or too ignorant. If it was meant to be a comedy, it was tragic, a tragic comedy. Singaporeans new and old, young and not so young, all five of them did not know what a Singaporean meant? Don’t they ever knew or heard of what nation building is all about? Why nation building if being a Singaporean is not important or no better than being an immigrant or a foreign talent? If we can easily throw away the concept of a nation and being a citizen, then we need not be bother about nation building, and neither is it important to call ourselves Singaporean. Forget about National Day Parade as well. Maybe that is what we have become, stateless. We don’t even know the difference being a citizen or belonging to a country and a non citizen. And the old juvenile in the discussion told them, and over the air, that Singaporeans must grow up and accept all immigrants here, welcome them with open arms. His simple reason, or simplicity, is that we were immigrants, So the immigrants and us were the same. Didn't he want to know why our forefathers were immigrants and forced to come here and built this nation? My goodness, what is the message coming out from that programme? I hope CNA should give a pre warning or notice on the category of such a programme. If it is meant to be a fun talkshow without substance, then tell the audience. If it is meant to be a serious discussion, say so, and make sure the main casts are up to it. Discussing about what is a Singaporean must be done by well informed and knowledgeable people. Not jokers or people who just talk for fun as a profession. Maybe it was all meant in jest. I am being too serious and expecting too much.

Special Branch probes defection rumours: S'wak MP

This is a post in Malaysiakini. How come the Malaysian Special Branch finds it their duty to question MPs from crossing over to the opposition? This is politics and nothing concerning the police. It is not a threat to national security. It is the right of the politicians to join whichever party they want. The police, as the executive arm of the govt, civil servant, should not be involved in the politics of the country. They should remain neutral. Once the police and army get into politics, Malaysia could end up like Thailand and Indonesia. That would not be healthy. Maybe it is too late. The Anwar saga before and the new Anwar saga in the making do not speak well of what is happening to the police force.

More chilling revelations in paradise

A few years back a stockbroker was found to turn cuckoo for harassing the former Chief Justice. He was then sent to the IMH for observation and recuperation. Wonder if he is still there? Today the ST reported that a lawyer, M Ravi, who claimed to be a leading Human Rights lawyer, was also found to have unsound mind. He was also sent to the IMH. The new bill to scan lawyers for unsound mind is very timely. It must be the stress in this world class city. Too competitive. And more professional people are going to go cuckoo at the rate it is going. Quite a chilling thought. Who's next? I think the most sane people will be the bloggers. They are blessed with the internet to let off steam and frustration. They will be the last to go cuckoo. The internet is a great invention for stress relief and keeping one's mind sane. Better not to keep harping on one being sane. The more one claims to be sane, the more insane one will sound.

Another secret success formula

I think I have just discovered another secret formula for Singapore's success, or to be specific, the Table Tennis Team's success. Firepower! Firepower not only among the players, but the management team. The latter is even more critical. There are 38 talents in the STTA's Committee. And these include a Minister of State, 3 MPs and one ex MP. This is a powerful combination of some of the best brains that a sports association can ever dream of. We almost got Zhang Yi Ning in the team if things had gone our way. She was spotted long ago by one of the committee members and was chosen. But the Chinese refused to release her. That was a golden choice. This Committee is the brain behind the STTA's success. They did all the planning and talent scouting and laid the foundation for the development of a solid team. All the sports association can learn from this secret formula. Recruit more supertalents into the association first. Then the medals will come.

Speaking up in Speaker's Corner

Do we need a Speaker's Corner to speak up? With the internet, would it be good enough? How would Speaker's Corner add up to the right to speak up on Singapore issues? The first thing that came into my mind is money. No, you don't need money to speak at the Speaker's Corner. But the spectators need money to get there. With the high cost of travelling, $3 average to and fro to listen to someone speaking at the Corner, would it be too expensive? Many Singaporeans are more or less confined to their homes and neighbourhoods unless there is a real reason to spend $3 to take public transport. They will have to think very carefully to want to go down to the Speaker's Corner. There will be some listeners, the same people day in and day out. Those that happen to stay around the Speaker's Corner, and those lunch time crowd of office workers working in the area. That may be all there is. And if public transport cost keeps going up, the number of spectators will likely to go down unless there is a hot issue that everyone wants to listen to. Or maybe a great orator will appear to enthral the crowd. Come to think of it, tranport cost is a big factor to decide how big the crowd is. For the many who have been used to the new media, the Speaker's Corner will be too far away.

The people behind our Olympic medal

Singapore Table Tennis Association Board Members. This list was posted by a forumer in TOC. Advisers Ms. Grace Fu Hai Yien Mr. Liang Eng Hwa Mr. Yeo Guat Kwang Mr. Chan Soo Sen Mr. Choo Wee Khiang Honorary Presidents Mr. Goi Seng Hui Mr. Tony Phua Mr Seah Moon Ming President Ms. Lee Bee Wah Deputy Presidents Mr. Jack Soh Tze Churn Mr. Ng Ah Hwee Mr. Seah Chwee Lim Vice Presidents Mr. Low Chee Seng Mr. Chew Soo Sheng Mr. Teo Hock Hoe Mr. Han Ngge Juan Mr. Lau Pub Taai Honorary Secretary Mr. Soon Min Sin Honorary Assistant Secretary Mr. Teo Nam Meng Honorary Treasurer Ms. Judy Sim Hock Cheng Honorary Assistant Treasurer Mr. Tang Shiuh Huei Legal Adviser Dr. William Koh Hai Keong Committee Members Mr. Foo Soo Peng Mr. Chia Wing Yew Mr. Tang Mun Fai Mr. Pang Tow Chai Richard Mr. Oh Eng Tiong Mr. Ong Teng Dit Mr. Tan Guan Kee Mr. Thomas Yong Mr. Loh Men Kuan Mr. Chan Pong Heng Mr. Steven Loi Mr. Chang Foo Chiang Mr. Timothy Ng Cheong Lum Mr. Ho Kok Khun Mr. John Tan Wui Meng Chief Executive Officer Mr Jackie Tay Auditor C C Yang & Co While everyone is celebrating the success of the Table Tennis Team, we shall not forget the contribution of all these people who have worked very hard behind the scene to make it possible. They are the unsung heroes in this saga and some recognition must surely be due to them. All 38 of them, including one minister of state, 3 MPs and one ex MP.

The joy of keeping pets

It is a big industry out there for pet lovers. Dogs, cats, birds, fishes, and whatever, are treasured by pet lovers who willingly part their hard earned money just to have them. Having them is only the beginning. Then comes the joy of raising them, feeding them, caring for them, looking after their health, their grooming and fetching them to the doctors. Some will bring them out to play, to restaurants for that special meals. It is a great experience to love and care for the pets. If only the pets can be children, lively, jumping, screaming precocious little ones. Now, would these children bring an equal amount of joy and laughter to the lives of the owners? If we can make Singaporeans love children more than pets, we may not have lack of babies problem.