Photo credit to Azlan Zamhari's Gallery. The photos were circulating in the net and I received it in my email.
7/12/2011
Some images of the Bersih 2.0 demonstration
Photo credit to Azlan Zamhari's Gallery. The photos were circulating in the net and I received it in my email.
Transport fare increases coming
Cost is going up, fuel cost, labour cost and buying of new buses. The commuters pay. The commuters are expected to pay for all the cost increases, bonuses, and the inability to increase profits from other sources. There is an expectation by the management that they must make so much profit. If all things failed to hit profit target, just raise fares. That is a sure fire way to meet profit target, and the easiest way to do so. The commuters must make up for the shortfall in profits.
It is not that the transport companies are making losses. In fact the profits are growing by the years, and in hundreds of millions. Can the transport companies absorb some of the cost with a little lesser profits in view of the higher fuel cost? Can the transport company pay lesser bonuses and lower salary increases to hold down cost?
Why is it that the transport companies are given the birth right to make profits and profits and millions of profits, and the commuters just have to pay?
For those people who are finding public transport unaffordable, please cut down on your travelling. Do not travel unnecessary if you don’t have to. Don’t go for bus ride or train rides just to pass time. Cycle, walk and find other means to amuse yourself. Take bus or trains only when necessary. Lower your expectations and live within your means.
Transportation cannot be cheap with cost spiraling. In fact walking is good for health. Go for long walks, there is a new green corridor, from Tanjong Pagar to Woodlands. Everyone is walking, for fun. Rich people also do that No need to take bus or train, and free fresh air too.
It is not that the transport companies are making losses. In fact the profits are growing by the years, and in hundreds of millions. Can the transport companies absorb some of the cost with a little lesser profits in view of the higher fuel cost? Can the transport company pay lesser bonuses and lower salary increases to hold down cost?
Why is it that the transport companies are given the birth right to make profits and profits and millions of profits, and the commuters just have to pay?
For those people who are finding public transport unaffordable, please cut down on your travelling. Do not travel unnecessary if you don’t have to. Don’t go for bus ride or train rides just to pass time. Cycle, walk and find other means to amuse yourself. Take bus or trains only when necessary. Lower your expectations and live within your means.
Transportation cannot be cheap with cost spiraling. In fact walking is good for health. Go for long walks, there is a new green corridor, from Tanjong Pagar to Woodlands. Everyone is walking, for fun. Rich people also do that No need to take bus or train, and free fresh air too.
Time to take ownership
I was at a foodcourt and happened to be next to a hot discussion on the future of Singapore. Two gentlemen, a citizen and a PR were in an intense discourse on the slippery road the country is taking. The PR was all heated up. He came here more than a decade ago and liked it, settled down with a local lass, and started a family.
He was terribly worried and angry at the things that were happening. He feared for the future of his children who are citizens. The boy would have to do his NS bits. What he was incensed with was the unfair competition that his citizen children were facing today and into the future. There were simply too many foreigners everywhere, in schools, in work place, queuing for medical services, representing Singapore in sports, and being imported here with full lodging and food provided, plus expenses, to compete with the children of citizens. The country is spending so much money and resources to bring up foreign children to compete with the children of citizens.
Many Singaporeans have left, ran away from the competition. They said competition is good. But the Singaporeans who left felt that it was unnecessary and unfair competition against the citizens and their children. Many are kpkbing in cyberspace. The happy ones are writing letters of praises in the main media of how great this place is and how great the foreigners are.
In the meantime the country is sliding down the slippery road to Third World. Today books were written about how we climbed from Third World to the First World. Tomorrow, there may be books written about how we slipped from First World to Third World. Several decades of nation building only made us a work in progress, not a nation. What rubbish! All the efforts is either wasted or ineffective, redundant stuff. What the hell have they been doing?
All the education on social graces, keep the country clean, do not litter, be gracious and kind, and compassionate, be a peace loving people, a safe and clean environment, are now at risk, deteriorating. We were turning into wine and almost became wine. But for greed of quantity, we added more peels, orange peels, banana skins, coconut husks, and all kinds of skins into the fermentation. Our wine is turning sour, and will not be wine anymore. It is back to square one.
The Japanese will not want to turn themselves into Third World. Over the decades and centuries, they have nurtured a people with discipline and social graces, and proud of being Japanese, to keep their country in a meticulous state of goodness. They will not accept the Third World being imported en mass to undermine a society, system and culture they took so long to build, just to make the economic numbers look good. Economic growth numbers are not everything. There are better and more important things in life, in the creation of a nation, in nation building, in the overall improvement of the quality of life, in social graces, in a clean and safe environment, in living life.
Look at what is happening around us? More litters, more crimes, foreigners coming here to cut up our people, beat up our people, more spittings and ugly social habits, all for what, economic growth numbers? Is that what we want for our children? Is that how we want our country to be? If the Singaporeans, do not agree, stop running away. Do something. Take ownership of the country and shape it the way you want it, the way YOU think is good. Not the way other people think is good. Singaporeans must take charge of their own country and future. One man’s goodness may not be the goodness for the rest of the citizens. Singaporeans must decide what they want for themselves and not accept everything that is thrown at them.
This is your country. This is your home. You stake your life and the future of your children for this piece of rock. Don’t let it go to the sewers. Don’t let it become Third World.
He was terribly worried and angry at the things that were happening. He feared for the future of his children who are citizens. The boy would have to do his NS bits. What he was incensed with was the unfair competition that his citizen children were facing today and into the future. There were simply too many foreigners everywhere, in schools, in work place, queuing for medical services, representing Singapore in sports, and being imported here with full lodging and food provided, plus expenses, to compete with the children of citizens. The country is spending so much money and resources to bring up foreign children to compete with the children of citizens.
Many Singaporeans have left, ran away from the competition. They said competition is good. But the Singaporeans who left felt that it was unnecessary and unfair competition against the citizens and their children. Many are kpkbing in cyberspace. The happy ones are writing letters of praises in the main media of how great this place is and how great the foreigners are.
In the meantime the country is sliding down the slippery road to Third World. Today books were written about how we climbed from Third World to the First World. Tomorrow, there may be books written about how we slipped from First World to Third World. Several decades of nation building only made us a work in progress, not a nation. What rubbish! All the efforts is either wasted or ineffective, redundant stuff. What the hell have they been doing?
All the education on social graces, keep the country clean, do not litter, be gracious and kind, and compassionate, be a peace loving people, a safe and clean environment, are now at risk, deteriorating. We were turning into wine and almost became wine. But for greed of quantity, we added more peels, orange peels, banana skins, coconut husks, and all kinds of skins into the fermentation. Our wine is turning sour, and will not be wine anymore. It is back to square one.
The Japanese will not want to turn themselves into Third World. Over the decades and centuries, they have nurtured a people with discipline and social graces, and proud of being Japanese, to keep their country in a meticulous state of goodness. They will not accept the Third World being imported en mass to undermine a society, system and culture they took so long to build, just to make the economic numbers look good. Economic growth numbers are not everything. There are better and more important things in life, in the creation of a nation, in nation building, in the overall improvement of the quality of life, in social graces, in a clean and safe environment, in living life.
Look at what is happening around us? More litters, more crimes, foreigners coming here to cut up our people, beat up our people, more spittings and ugly social habits, all for what, economic growth numbers? Is that what we want for our children? Is that how we want our country to be? If the Singaporeans, do not agree, stop running away. Do something. Take ownership of the country and shape it the way you want it, the way YOU think is good. Not the way other people think is good. Singaporeans must take charge of their own country and future. One man’s goodness may not be the goodness for the rest of the citizens. Singaporeans must decide what they want for themselves and not accept everything that is thrown at them.
This is your country. This is your home. You stake your life and the future of your children for this piece of rock. Don’t let it go to the sewers. Don’t let it become Third World.
7/11/2011
Wow, wow, wow!
Good things come in threes. We have the three iconic towers in Marina Bay, the three wise men, now three dinosaurs are coming. They cost only slightly more than a billion bucks, including the housing for the mammoth exhibits. Any visitors seeing the exhibits will definitely say, Wow!
For $1b, the wows don’t come cheap. But what the heck, we have so much money and dunno what to do with them, getting wows is not a bad thing too. I will suggest that a floating platform be built in the Marina Bay Reservoir so that it would not take up more precious space from housing. It would not be of a shoebox size for sure. Shoe boxes are only for the privileged citizens.
Alternatively the $1b can be used to buy a boulder of gold in its natural state, to replace the dinosaurs. The value can appreciate over time, and there will always be buyers for the gold. I think there will be the wows looking at the glistering gold, wow!.
By the way, who is paying for the dinosaurs? If I am going to pay for it, would I have a choice to say yes or no?
For $1b, the wows don’t come cheap. But what the heck, we have so much money and dunno what to do with them, getting wows is not a bad thing too. I will suggest that a floating platform be built in the Marina Bay Reservoir so that it would not take up more precious space from housing. It would not be of a shoebox size for sure. Shoe boxes are only for the privileged citizens.
Alternatively the $1b can be used to buy a boulder of gold in its natural state, to replace the dinosaurs. The value can appreciate over time, and there will always be buyers for the gold. I think there will be the wows looking at the glistering gold, wow!.
By the way, who is paying for the dinosaurs? If I am going to pay for it, would I have a choice to say yes or no?
Crossing the Rubicon
Anyone who has been fed with a diet of Hollywood or Hongkong movies must be familiar with the endings of gamblers in gambling dens. The stories almost always have a similar sequence and a similar ending. A habitual gambler could be on a winning streak and walk away with his winnings. This can go on and on as long as he does not break the bank.
A certain amount of winnings is tolerable to the operator. Once the rubicon is crossed, when the takings are too high, the gambler often live to regret for taking so much. He could be robbed, maimed or may even pay for his life.
A smart gambler will know how much he should take from the table and call it quits, and walk away to enjoy his windfall. A greedy gambler that does not know when the limit is up will not have the chance to walk away.
The moral of the story is simple. Don’t be too greedy. Greed will take you in and you will have to return everything, with a bad taste. Take some, win some, but always watch the rubicon.
A certain amount of winnings is tolerable to the operator. Once the rubicon is crossed, when the takings are too high, the gambler often live to regret for taking so much. He could be robbed, maimed or may even pay for his life.
A smart gambler will know how much he should take from the table and call it quits, and walk away to enjoy his windfall. A greedy gambler that does not know when the limit is up will not have the chance to walk away.
The moral of the story is simple. Don’t be too greedy. Greed will take you in and you will have to return everything, with a bad taste. Take some, win some, but always watch the rubicon.
2 times oversubscribed, 35% sold
When Centrale 8 was launched, it was reported that it was oversubscribed by two times which technically translated, all should be sold as they were more buyers than units available. Today’s paper reported that till yesterday, on a notice board at the showroom, it showed that only 35% were sold. And the number of people visiting the showroom was about 20 families at any one time.
What happened to all the applicants? What happened to all the eager buyers and long queues? Centrale 8 was reported as a great place with great facilities, a mature estate, good value for money.
Was the report on the oversubscription wrong? Anything wrong with the 35% take sold figure? Anything wrong with all the hypes about the attractiveness of the estate?
Is the lack of interest got to do with the pricing, the location or the measures taken by HDB to build more new flats? Or is it that the influx of foreigners is slowing down?
Will Centrale 8 be the first DBSS project that is going to be partially sold, at least in the short term? Is this the first sign of a cooling down of the public housing market?
What happened to all the applicants? What happened to all the eager buyers and long queues? Centrale 8 was reported as a great place with great facilities, a mature estate, good value for money.
Was the report on the oversubscription wrong? Anything wrong with the 35% take sold figure? Anything wrong with all the hypes about the attractiveness of the estate?
Is the lack of interest got to do with the pricing, the location or the measures taken by HDB to build more new flats? Or is it that the influx of foreigners is slowing down?
Will Centrale 8 be the first DBSS project that is going to be partially sold, at least in the short term? Is this the first sign of a cooling down of the public housing market?
7/10/2011
The perpetrators of violence
The Bersih Rally was a peaceful rally with tacit approval from the Yang di Pertuan Agong. The Govt also agreed to allow the Rally to be held inside a stadium. It was not meant to be an Arab Spring, but a call for a clean and fair election, prevention of corruption by the Govt, and a level playing field for politicians. Are these too much to ask for?
The Govt had a change of mind and no permit was issued. So the Rally became illegal. Once anything is declared illegal, the full force of the law and the legal gangsters can do anything they want against the ‘criminals’. On the contrary, anything that is declared legal, passed by the Parliament, will be legal and right, even corruption.
So, a peaceful demonstration turned violence. No, the demonstrators did not start it. They did not fight back. They sat on the roads leading to Merdeka. Pardon my pun. Who were the real perpetrators of violence? The demonstrators were sprayed with chemical treated water, tear gas, blasted by the might of water hoses and batons. And 1,600 were arrested for attending a peaceful Rally that ended in violence, by the authority that was there to prevent violence. Perhaps it was done for the good of the demonstrators.
Yes, the authority was there in full force, to prevent violence and to protect the peaceful demonstrators from harm. Looking at the parties that received the full brunt of the violence, you cannot miss the truth, as to who were the real perpetrators of violence.
Maybe, if the peaceful demonstrators were to handcuff themselves, they will be safe from violence against them. Handcuffing is the safest and most ingenious way to protect them from harm. It will keep them from harms way too, and to prevent people from causing harm to them.
My apologies if all this do not sound logical. It is Sunday morning, and a little hangover makes logical thinking a bit funny.
The Govt had a change of mind and no permit was issued. So the Rally became illegal. Once anything is declared illegal, the full force of the law and the legal gangsters can do anything they want against the ‘criminals’. On the contrary, anything that is declared legal, passed by the Parliament, will be legal and right, even corruption.
So, a peaceful demonstration turned violence. No, the demonstrators did not start it. They did not fight back. They sat on the roads leading to Merdeka. Pardon my pun. Who were the real perpetrators of violence? The demonstrators were sprayed with chemical treated water, tear gas, blasted by the might of water hoses and batons. And 1,600 were arrested for attending a peaceful Rally that ended in violence, by the authority that was there to prevent violence. Perhaps it was done for the good of the demonstrators.
Yes, the authority was there in full force, to prevent violence and to protect the peaceful demonstrators from harm. Looking at the parties that received the full brunt of the violence, you cannot miss the truth, as to who were the real perpetrators of violence.
Maybe, if the peaceful demonstrators were to handcuff themselves, they will be safe from violence against them. Handcuffing is the safest and most ingenious way to protect them from harm. It will keep them from harms way too, and to prevent people from causing harm to them.
My apologies if all this do not sound logical. It is Sunday morning, and a little hangover makes logical thinking a bit funny.
7/09/2011
For the love of money or justice
This is an era extremely starved of ideals (骨感), but precisely because of this, our ideals can take flight.
In such an era, what expectations and aspirations do I have for you? I know that a professor from Beijing Normal University once told his students, “If you don’t get 40,000,000 dollars within 10 years after graduation, don’t come and look for me.”
I won’t say the same thing to our graduates.
I don’t hope that you people become prominent elites. I will only say that 10 years from now, if any of you dare to plot against the good and the loyal, I will refuse to let you step across my door, I will refuse to acknowledge you.
You don’t have to be Bao Gong (a historical figure from the Northern Song Dynasty known for his sense of justice), but you cannot frame the innocent and get the loyal and the good into trouble. This is the most basic and minimum baseline to follow and live by.
The above is an extract of a graduation speech by Professor He Bin of China University of Political Science and Law that went viral. Professor He is the Vice Dean and Department Head.
His speech is a dig at the money driven motives of modern Chinese and the widespread ills of corruption and injustice in the Chinese society, where the elite have no qualms to do the innocents in, for their own selfish agenda.
It is a plea and a revelation of how sick a society can be when the elite themselves are sick and abusing the trust and power of their office.
PS: I copied the quotation from an article in The Kent Ridge Common.
In such an era, what expectations and aspirations do I have for you? I know that a professor from Beijing Normal University once told his students, “If you don’t get 40,000,000 dollars within 10 years after graduation, don’t come and look for me.”
I won’t say the same thing to our graduates.
I don’t hope that you people become prominent elites. I will only say that 10 years from now, if any of you dare to plot against the good and the loyal, I will refuse to let you step across my door, I will refuse to acknowledge you.
You don’t have to be Bao Gong (a historical figure from the Northern Song Dynasty known for his sense of justice), but you cannot frame the innocent and get the loyal and the good into trouble. This is the most basic and minimum baseline to follow and live by.
The above is an extract of a graduation speech by Professor He Bin of China University of Political Science and Law that went viral. Professor He is the Vice Dean and Department Head.
His speech is a dig at the money driven motives of modern Chinese and the widespread ills of corruption and injustice in the Chinese society, where the elite have no qualms to do the innocents in, for their own selfish agenda.
It is a plea and a revelation of how sick a society can be when the elite themselves are sick and abusing the trust and power of their office.
PS: I copied the quotation from an article in The Kent Ridge Common.
A Walk for Merdeka
Today is the day. Bersih 2.0 is rallying Malaysians to a Walk for Democracy, for clean and fair election. And the venue, the Merdeka Stadium. The cries of Merdeka is going to scream through the air like the cries in 1957.
The Walk for Democracy was meant to be a street rally but strongly opposed by the BN and Perkasa. It took the Agong to intervene for a compromise venue inside the walls of a stadium. This is not to be with the BN sending the police to cordon off all roads leading to Merdeka.
At the same time Perkasa and UMNO Youth Wings, both branded as ultras with very strong Malay rights views are opposing the Bersih Rally. They wanted to hold counter rallies on the same day to march towards the Bersih gathering. Officially these were turned down. But they will continue with their march in one way or another as a show of force against Bersih supporters.
The undertone of their protests against Bersih is racial. They are accusing Bersih of splitting the Malay unity which was something furthest from the Bersih position. Bersih is calling for clean and fair election. What has this got to undermining Malay unity is only for the BN, Perkasa and UMNO Youth to interpret.
By all means, the Rally today is going to turn into a confrontation that can become ugly. The police are there to prevent the Rally from taking place, by order of the BN govt. So which side would the police take in a flare up or when the Bersih supporters approach the Merdeka Stadium?
Tension is rising in KL. The stronger the govt tries to stop the Rally, the greater the resistance and the greater will be the counter resistance. KL is seeing a showdown for a new Merdeka cry. The price to pay for this new freedom can be very high. Would tomorrow be just another Sunday in KL and Malaysia? It all depends on how the police handle the two opposing sides and how violent it turns out. Would 9th July be remembered in the same vein as May 13?
The Walk for Democracy was meant to be a street rally but strongly opposed by the BN and Perkasa. It took the Agong to intervene for a compromise venue inside the walls of a stadium. This is not to be with the BN sending the police to cordon off all roads leading to Merdeka.
At the same time Perkasa and UMNO Youth Wings, both branded as ultras with very strong Malay rights views are opposing the Bersih Rally. They wanted to hold counter rallies on the same day to march towards the Bersih gathering. Officially these were turned down. But they will continue with their march in one way or another as a show of force against Bersih supporters.
The undertone of their protests against Bersih is racial. They are accusing Bersih of splitting the Malay unity which was something furthest from the Bersih position. Bersih is calling for clean and fair election. What has this got to undermining Malay unity is only for the BN, Perkasa and UMNO Youth to interpret.
By all means, the Rally today is going to turn into a confrontation that can become ugly. The police are there to prevent the Rally from taking place, by order of the BN govt. So which side would the police take in a flare up or when the Bersih supporters approach the Merdeka Stadium?
Tension is rising in KL. The stronger the govt tries to stop the Rally, the greater the resistance and the greater will be the counter resistance. KL is seeing a showdown for a new Merdeka cry. The price to pay for this new freedom can be very high. Would tomorrow be just another Sunday in KL and Malaysia? It all depends on how the police handle the two opposing sides and how violent it turns out. Would 9th July be remembered in the same vein as May 13?
7/08/2011
The debate between foreign talents and citizens
This debate has been going on for quite some time and some heat has been generated as a result, with some getting personal and Singaporeans being accused of being xenophobic. The debate is healthy but when pointing a finger, one has to be aware that the foreign talents should not be blamed for being here and taking away the jobs from local PMETs. Neither should the foreign talents blame Singaporeans for exhibiting some hostilities. Both are misplaced.
Put it simply, if there is no policy to invite the foreign talents here, if the immigration door is not opened by the govt, no matter how hard the FTs tried, they will not be able to get in. The fault is not with the FTs.
And Singaporeans got reasons to be angry when their jobs are taken over by FTs but not at the FTs. If someone let in the thieves, don’t blame the thieves. Singaporeans should not direct their anger blindly at the FTs, the FTs too would not react so negatively to Singaporeans.
As the saying goes, while the two balls got hanged banging at each other, the guilty one is still having a good time screwing around. True or not?
Put it simply, if there is no policy to invite the foreign talents here, if the immigration door is not opened by the govt, no matter how hard the FTs tried, they will not be able to get in. The fault is not with the FTs.
And Singaporeans got reasons to be angry when their jobs are taken over by FTs but not at the FTs. If someone let in the thieves, don’t blame the thieves. Singaporeans should not direct their anger blindly at the FTs, the FTs too would not react so negatively to Singaporeans.
As the saying goes, while the two balls got hanged banging at each other, the guilty one is still having a good time screwing around. True or not?
Return respectable but not impressive – Analysts
This is the title of an article on the release of Temasek Holding’s financial report. I went through briefly on the charts and totally disagree with this comment. I tried to figure out what which auditing company did the report, or was it done internally, but could not find any names mentioned. So I presume it must be an internal auditor.
What was reported was simply excellent. I think not many fund managers can boast of such remarkable financial returns over the same period covered. I am greatly impressed with the super talents running it. Time to reward them handsomely.
The report covers a period from 2004 to 2011 which was hit by the global financial crisis in 2008. Temasek was badly hit like everyone, and its portfolio value fell from $185b to $130b, registering a loss of $55b. This is no small peanut. In the train I used to read this advert from a fund manager boasting of a whopping US$5b that it was managing. Now look at the $55b being wiped out within a year. That was easily an equivalent of wiping out 10 big fund managers completely.
But no need to worry. In year 2010, Temasek fully recovered from all its losses and its portfolio went back up to $186b, a whopping and unbelieveable recovery. And now 2011, it added another $7b to top $193b. Can you beat that?
Another better indicator is that throughout the period of 2004-2011, Temasek registered profits every year! Even during the global financial crisis, it booked a net profit of $6b and $5b in 2009 and 2010 respectively. If this is not impressive what is? The portfolio could be wiped out by $55b and there was still profit to be made, approximately about 10,000 peanuts.
I think those analysts that tried to talk down this fantastic report of Temasek need to have their heads checked. It is probably the best fund manager the world has ever seen. I don’t think any sovereign fund or funds of this size could do any better than Temasek in the same period.
It is a company that practically cannot lose money no matter what crisis is in the air. Better put in more money for Temasek to manage. Well done, and time for a well deserved fat bonus.
What was reported was simply excellent. I think not many fund managers can boast of such remarkable financial returns over the same period covered. I am greatly impressed with the super talents running it. Time to reward them handsomely.
The report covers a period from 2004 to 2011 which was hit by the global financial crisis in 2008. Temasek was badly hit like everyone, and its portfolio value fell from $185b to $130b, registering a loss of $55b. This is no small peanut. In the train I used to read this advert from a fund manager boasting of a whopping US$5b that it was managing. Now look at the $55b being wiped out within a year. That was easily an equivalent of wiping out 10 big fund managers completely.
But no need to worry. In year 2010, Temasek fully recovered from all its losses and its portfolio went back up to $186b, a whopping and unbelieveable recovery. And now 2011, it added another $7b to top $193b. Can you beat that?
Another better indicator is that throughout the period of 2004-2011, Temasek registered profits every year! Even during the global financial crisis, it booked a net profit of $6b and $5b in 2009 and 2010 respectively. If this is not impressive what is? The portfolio could be wiped out by $55b and there was still profit to be made, approximately about 10,000 peanuts.
I think those analysts that tried to talk down this fantastic report of Temasek need to have their heads checked. It is probably the best fund manager the world has ever seen. I don’t think any sovereign fund or funds of this size could do any better than Temasek in the same period.
It is a company that practically cannot lose money no matter what crisis is in the air. Better put in more money for Temasek to manage. Well done, and time for a well deserved fat bonus.
7/07/2011
Big man, small man
This concept of big man, small man(da ren, xiao ren) has a very long history in the Chinese culture. The rich and powerful were called da ren while the poor and weak were called xiao ren. This was rooted for centuries that it became part of the culture and character of the Chinese people. And the poor and weak submissively referred to themselves, very naturally, as xiao ren when speaking to the da ren. In the palace or among officials, they went one step further by referring to the servants and those of lower ranks as nou cai or slave servants.
By accepting and acknowledging such demeaning terms, the weak and poor were psychologically defeated and accepted their stations in life as people with lesser or no rights vis a vis the rich and powerful. This kind of mentality seems to be so deeply engraved in the bones of some Chinese people, even those in modern Singapore, despite receiving western education that preaches equality and democratic rights of every citizen. There are still Singaporeans who believed and willing to accept that they are less equal than the rich and powerful, that they are the xiao ren in life.
The Indian Singaporeans could be bettered off here after breaking away from their caste system when some are da ren or bigger da ren and some xiao ren or smaller xiao ren in a similar sense. Just by their names they could tell where and what cast the person is. With the influx of the higher castes and richer India Indians as new citizens or PRs, some of the caste system and antics are starting to seep into our society. The lower castes would be shunned naturally. But a Samuel Jacob or a Peter Vincent will keep the new Indian citizens puzzled. Where did they come from, some Tuans from Britain. It is quite an ingenious way to discard and break away from the stigma of lower castes by the adoption of a western name. Now all is equal in some ways.
I am not too informed of the Malay Singaporeans and their perception of their position in society vis a vis the royalties. Fortunately we don’t have royalties here and all is equal.
How relevant is this da ren and xiao ren mentality to modern day Chinese Singaporeans? Ingrained deeply in their bones, and in their blood, the xiao ren are full of humility and self deprecating behavior. They still cannot understand nor accept what democracy and the rights of citizens mean to them. They cannot see themselves as equals even to those elected as their representatives in govt. They still look up to them as the da ren, to listen to, to obey and to do what they are being told. No questioning of their authority or bad decisions that were detrimental to their xiao ren interests. Just accept the position and status of xiao ren and remain, and live life as the unthinking and obeying xiao ren. And the da ren will insist that the xiao ren know their place when talking to them.
I was rebuked for addressing our da ren by names in all my articles, in TRE. In the minds of the xiao ren, this is no big no small, not knowing our position in society. Talking or addressing da ren, one must show respect and humility. How can xiao ren refer to a da ren by name. Very unbecoming, very unacceptable. Obviously that xiao ren has never worked in a MNC before.
From the chat sites, it is often repeated by the bloggers that the xiao ren must plead with the govt to have mercy on them, to change policies to be nicer to them. Their gripes are mostly about obscene housing prices, foreign talents taking away good jobs and unable to take out all their CPF savings. And they could only think of pleading with the govt to be kinder to them, to make housing prices not so expensive, to take in lesser foreign talents, to let them have a bit more of their CPF savings.
In their xiao ren psychic, they never know that they can vote out all the da ren that does not serve their interests and vote in a govt that will work for them. They even fear the govt will come down hard on them like the old days of imperial China. They forgot that their CPF savings are their money. So they choose to plead with the govt like xiao ren pleading to da ren.
The precedents set by the Hougang and Aljunied voters did not seem to wake up the xiao ren mentality. They are still locked or trapped in being xiao ren for good. No amount of education, enlightening of their rights to be equal to every citizen will shake them out of their mental prison. Hey, the ministers that were voted out are now ordinary citizens like you and me.
The surprising change is that the China Chinese have actually discarded this ancient entrapment and are freer as a people. They will protest and fight for their rights as an equal, the rights that every citizen has. There will still be oppression, but they are fighting. They no longer fear authority. The have been liberated from the yoke of the past embedded into their DNA as xiao ren. They no longer called themselves xiao ren anymore. They will demand for their rights as citizens of their country.
The xiao ren of Singapore should learn from the unrefined China men and women on what it is like to be treated equally among all citizens. No doubt there are still many da ren in China that are still corrupt to the core in power politics. But things are improving with many been caught and hanged. The table is turning, and time to learn from the students.
By accepting and acknowledging such demeaning terms, the weak and poor were psychologically defeated and accepted their stations in life as people with lesser or no rights vis a vis the rich and powerful. This kind of mentality seems to be so deeply engraved in the bones of some Chinese people, even those in modern Singapore, despite receiving western education that preaches equality and democratic rights of every citizen. There are still Singaporeans who believed and willing to accept that they are less equal than the rich and powerful, that they are the xiao ren in life.
The Indian Singaporeans could be bettered off here after breaking away from their caste system when some are da ren or bigger da ren and some xiao ren or smaller xiao ren in a similar sense. Just by their names they could tell where and what cast the person is. With the influx of the higher castes and richer India Indians as new citizens or PRs, some of the caste system and antics are starting to seep into our society. The lower castes would be shunned naturally. But a Samuel Jacob or a Peter Vincent will keep the new Indian citizens puzzled. Where did they come from, some Tuans from Britain. It is quite an ingenious way to discard and break away from the stigma of lower castes by the adoption of a western name. Now all is equal in some ways.
I am not too informed of the Malay Singaporeans and their perception of their position in society vis a vis the royalties. Fortunately we don’t have royalties here and all is equal.
How relevant is this da ren and xiao ren mentality to modern day Chinese Singaporeans? Ingrained deeply in their bones, and in their blood, the xiao ren are full of humility and self deprecating behavior. They still cannot understand nor accept what democracy and the rights of citizens mean to them. They cannot see themselves as equals even to those elected as their representatives in govt. They still look up to them as the da ren, to listen to, to obey and to do what they are being told. No questioning of their authority or bad decisions that were detrimental to their xiao ren interests. Just accept the position and status of xiao ren and remain, and live life as the unthinking and obeying xiao ren. And the da ren will insist that the xiao ren know their place when talking to them.
I was rebuked for addressing our da ren by names in all my articles, in TRE. In the minds of the xiao ren, this is no big no small, not knowing our position in society. Talking or addressing da ren, one must show respect and humility. How can xiao ren refer to a da ren by name. Very unbecoming, very unacceptable. Obviously that xiao ren has never worked in a MNC before.
From the chat sites, it is often repeated by the bloggers that the xiao ren must plead with the govt to have mercy on them, to change policies to be nicer to them. Their gripes are mostly about obscene housing prices, foreign talents taking away good jobs and unable to take out all their CPF savings. And they could only think of pleading with the govt to be kinder to them, to make housing prices not so expensive, to take in lesser foreign talents, to let them have a bit more of their CPF savings.
In their xiao ren psychic, they never know that they can vote out all the da ren that does not serve their interests and vote in a govt that will work for them. They even fear the govt will come down hard on them like the old days of imperial China. They forgot that their CPF savings are their money. So they choose to plead with the govt like xiao ren pleading to da ren.
The precedents set by the Hougang and Aljunied voters did not seem to wake up the xiao ren mentality. They are still locked or trapped in being xiao ren for good. No amount of education, enlightening of their rights to be equal to every citizen will shake them out of their mental prison. Hey, the ministers that were voted out are now ordinary citizens like you and me.
The surprising change is that the China Chinese have actually discarded this ancient entrapment and are freer as a people. They will protest and fight for their rights as an equal, the rights that every citizen has. There will still be oppression, but they are fighting. They no longer fear authority. The have been liberated from the yoke of the past embedded into their DNA as xiao ren. They no longer called themselves xiao ren anymore. They will demand for their rights as citizens of their country.
The xiao ren of Singapore should learn from the unrefined China men and women on what it is like to be treated equally among all citizens. No doubt there are still many da ren in China that are still corrupt to the core in power politics. But things are improving with many been caught and hanged. The table is turning, and time to learn from the students.
7/06/2011
A short cut to immediate housing supply
Shoe box is in. Some even glamorize it by how well they furnished the shoeboxes with the most expensive furniture. Some have elaborate designs to make a shoe box look spacious and functional. For those who love shoe boxes or are forced to live in shoe boxes, or those who have no where else to go, shoe box can be an answer.
Boon Wan should seriously consider providing shoe boxes as a quick but temporary solution to solve the housing needs. It is not the most desirable option for raising a family. As a temporary relief, it is still an option to consider.
I am thinking of instant shoe box homes using 20 ft containers stacked and arranged to maximize and optimize their uses. They only need to be modified and fitted with power and sanitation facilities and you get an instant shoe box home for those in urgent need. A 20 ft container may be suitable for a single occupant. A 2x20ft container set up, stacked one over the other or side by side could provide two bedrooms and a little kitchen, a bath room and a small living area for a small family.
And the cost is definitely much lower than all the piling and infrastructure of a permanent estate. The key point is that they are temporary housing and occupants should be looking for alternative permanent housing at the earliest opportunity. In the meantime, a 2x20 ft container set up can be a decent place to stay than pitching tents or squatting or squeezing in a small flat with too many occupants. And with a little spin, even the well heeled singles may transform them into a new lifestyle statement. A little thought and design will turn such a community very liveable, with some landscaping thrown in.
It is temporary housing but well designed to prevent them from looking like slums. A small little pleasure boat, with all the nice fittings can be home to the rich and famous, why not a spacious container?
Boon Wan should seriously consider providing shoe boxes as a quick but temporary solution to solve the housing needs. It is not the most desirable option for raising a family. As a temporary relief, it is still an option to consider.
I am thinking of instant shoe box homes using 20 ft containers stacked and arranged to maximize and optimize their uses. They only need to be modified and fitted with power and sanitation facilities and you get an instant shoe box home for those in urgent need. A 20 ft container may be suitable for a single occupant. A 2x20ft container set up, stacked one over the other or side by side could provide two bedrooms and a little kitchen, a bath room and a small living area for a small family.
And the cost is definitely much lower than all the piling and infrastructure of a permanent estate. The key point is that they are temporary housing and occupants should be looking for alternative permanent housing at the earliest opportunity. In the meantime, a 2x20 ft container set up can be a decent place to stay than pitching tents or squatting or squeezing in a small flat with too many occupants. And with a little spin, even the well heeled singles may transform them into a new lifestyle statement. A little thought and design will turn such a community very liveable, with some landscaping thrown in.
It is temporary housing but well designed to prevent them from looking like slums. A small little pleasure boat, with all the nice fittings can be home to the rich and famous, why not a spacious container?
The most destructive human enterprise
Going green, saving mother earth, conservation, protect wild life and forests, these are the slogans that slipped freely and profusely from the mouths of environmentalists and govt officials. On the other hand they went blindly to destroy mother earth at a faster speed than these slogans coming out of their mouths.
At the Singapore Water Lecture, a recipient of the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize, Dr James Barnard said, ‘…with a growing population, pure drinking water is becoming a scarcity in many countries.’ Yes, the most destructive human enterprise is human multiplication, reproduction. Every human brought into this earth is going to consume a life time of resources and food, and drinking water. The earth is under stress by the growing population, the number one cancer, which directly lead to all the destructive enterprises, high consumption of food and resources, and energy, global warming, deforestation, emptying the ocean of fishes etc etc.
The world is being destroyed by humans trying to multiply themselves, for economic growth. Singapore is doing its bit too, by cramming more and more people into the piece of rock. We used to have all the water we want, with some from Johore, with only three tiny reservoirs. Today we have 17 huge reservoirs, desalination, shit water, and still some from Malaysia, and we are complaining that water is not enough. We can never have enough of water, power and everything if we crazily add more heads to devour them.
And this also leads to some clever arguments on how to make the people pay more for these rare resources. Or are they versions of self serving logic, to enrich the provider of these resources? Making people pay obnoxiously using self serving logic will lead to karmic retribution. Robbing the people’s money or taking the people’s money from them for all the wrong reasons is not free lunch. There will be pay back time.
17 reservoirs and 3 more taps still not enough. Why? What is the moral of the story? What is wrong with the formula or solution? The simple answer is headcounts. Try 6m or 10 million, you may have to turn the whole island into a reservoir to provide enough water for the people. But also a good reason to make the people pay more for water consumption.
At the Singapore Water Lecture, a recipient of the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize, Dr James Barnard said, ‘…with a growing population, pure drinking water is becoming a scarcity in many countries.’ Yes, the most destructive human enterprise is human multiplication, reproduction. Every human brought into this earth is going to consume a life time of resources and food, and drinking water. The earth is under stress by the growing population, the number one cancer, which directly lead to all the destructive enterprises, high consumption of food and resources, and energy, global warming, deforestation, emptying the ocean of fishes etc etc.
The world is being destroyed by humans trying to multiply themselves, for economic growth. Singapore is doing its bit too, by cramming more and more people into the piece of rock. We used to have all the water we want, with some from Johore, with only three tiny reservoirs. Today we have 17 huge reservoirs, desalination, shit water, and still some from Malaysia, and we are complaining that water is not enough. We can never have enough of water, power and everything if we crazily add more heads to devour them.
And this also leads to some clever arguments on how to make the people pay more for these rare resources. Or are they versions of self serving logic, to enrich the provider of these resources? Making people pay obnoxiously using self serving logic will lead to karmic retribution. Robbing the people’s money or taking the people’s money from them for all the wrong reasons is not free lunch. There will be pay back time.
17 reservoirs and 3 more taps still not enough. Why? What is the moral of the story? What is wrong with the formula or solution? The simple answer is headcounts. Try 6m or 10 million, you may have to turn the whole island into a reservoir to provide enough water for the people. But also a good reason to make the people pay more for water consumption.
7/05/2011
The most exclusive social club in Singapore
SICC, Singapore Island Country Club, must be the most exclusive club in the island. Among the members are the Who’s Who of Singapore. Anyone worth his salt will want to be a member of the Club and be seen there sipping tea. And membership is not cheap, at $220k current market price. There is a cheaper version of social membership that does not include golf for those who want to be there but not willing to pay for the hefty $220k.
It is reported in the ST that the Club had a big pow wow at last Friday’s EGM. It was the biggest turnout the Club ever had for an EGM, 700 attending and 300 viewing from the TV in the sideline. And the hot issues, upgrading of a golf course and to keep the club exclusive. The latter was pitted between two camps, one for more inclusiveness and to open the door a bit wider for more new members while the other half to keep it exclusive, to keep the door close.
The exclusive group won. The Club shall retain its exclusivity as the most elitist and high end Club in the island. In the earlier days the Club was more or less given to the elite at a token fee for the use of this choiced property. I think today they will have to pay a market rate to PUB for the continued occupancy of this prime land, and to use the exclusive name of SICC instead of PUBIC Club, an acronym for PUB Island Country Club.
It is good that the elitist members won the day and keep this rarity longer. Having such an elitist Club will be a good motivation for those who are striving to be recognized to work that bit harder to earn that $200k to cross the first hurdle. Subsequently, I am not sure what other procedures or regulations they will have to comply to be invited to be a member of the elite.
In any society, it is natural for a divide to be formed between the very successful and the losers. Trying to blend the two together, to be inclusive, is a defeated cause to begin with. It is like trying to make the MRT a gracious place to be in and expect people in suits and evening dresses to sit or stand side by side with the dirty overalls or sweaty singlets and slippers. Arrrrrrghhh….
Society must honour the ablest, let them have their own playground, let them enjoy their success and hardwork, let them be exclusive, as long as they can afford it, and not by seizing the use of public land and pay a token $1 for their exclusive entertainment and flattery. SICC shall keep the elitist flag flying high, as a testimony that it is not wrong to be rich and successful. Bravo SICC.
It is reported in the ST that the Club had a big pow wow at last Friday’s EGM. It was the biggest turnout the Club ever had for an EGM, 700 attending and 300 viewing from the TV in the sideline. And the hot issues, upgrading of a golf course and to keep the club exclusive. The latter was pitted between two camps, one for more inclusiveness and to open the door a bit wider for more new members while the other half to keep it exclusive, to keep the door close.
The exclusive group won. The Club shall retain its exclusivity as the most elitist and high end Club in the island. In the earlier days the Club was more or less given to the elite at a token fee for the use of this choiced property. I think today they will have to pay a market rate to PUB for the continued occupancy of this prime land, and to use the exclusive name of SICC instead of PUBIC Club, an acronym for PUB Island Country Club.
It is good that the elitist members won the day and keep this rarity longer. Having such an elitist Club will be a good motivation for those who are striving to be recognized to work that bit harder to earn that $200k to cross the first hurdle. Subsequently, I am not sure what other procedures or regulations they will have to comply to be invited to be a member of the elite.
In any society, it is natural for a divide to be formed between the very successful and the losers. Trying to blend the two together, to be inclusive, is a defeated cause to begin with. It is like trying to make the MRT a gracious place to be in and expect people in suits and evening dresses to sit or stand side by side with the dirty overalls or sweaty singlets and slippers. Arrrrrrghhh….
Society must honour the ablest, let them have their own playground, let them enjoy their success and hardwork, let them be exclusive, as long as they can afford it, and not by seizing the use of public land and pay a token $1 for their exclusive entertainment and flattery. SICC shall keep the elitist flag flying high, as a testimony that it is not wrong to be rich and successful. Bravo SICC.
Poster boy and poster girl
If you are looking for pictures of poster boy and poster girl for the PAP, look no further. Chan Chun Sing and Tin Pei Ling will fit it nicely. They will give PAP a fresh look instead of all the photos of the oldies. Looking at their poster boy and girl look, it will give PAP the youthful look it needs, as a young party with young leaders.
Both will also serve to confirm that the leadership renewal process is working. And the timely stepping down of MM and SM will also mean that their ageing photos will not be seen too often.
PAP is now a brand new party of young and beautiful leaders. There is no need to do hip hop to look young and to win the votes of the young voters. The poster boy and poster girl will blend in with the young Orchard Road crowd or those in the Sentosa soap parties. They will definitely be the crowd puller of Generation Y.
Both will also serve to confirm that the leadership renewal process is working. And the timely stepping down of MM and SM will also mean that their ageing photos will not be seen too often.
PAP is now a brand new party of young and beautiful leaders. There is no need to do hip hop to look young and to win the votes of the young voters. The poster boy and poster girl will blend in with the young Orchard Road crowd or those in the Sentosa soap parties. They will definitely be the crowd puller of Generation Y.
Singapore’s nuclear meltdown
The Fukushima nuclear meltdown is still on going. The heat will take a long time to cool down. Singapore too is facing an intense heat that is refusing to cool down as well. The massive anger and dissatisfaction over a once the pride of the nation housing programme is still generating heat at an ever higher temperature. Under the thick concrete covering of a nuclear plant silo, the heat is well kept within in the deep. The housing problems too was well wrapped up in papers and looked as if everything was fine, till one fine day when the wrappers were removed.
The DBSS is now like a piece of rotten shit, smelly and filthy and likely to be thrown away. Next in line will be the Executive Condominium while the BTO is likely to go as well. It is really disgusting, really, for something so good that could turn so wrong. And no one has a clue about it. How could they know when there were reassurances after reassurances that all was well. No need to ask how it came about. The truth is all out there. Only those with eyes wide shut will say that there is no problem, that it is a blooming success, and the administrator deserved a gold medal for all the great work. They did give one to Lim Kim San then, the Magsaysay Award, for solving the housing problem.
I am figuring what kind of award shall be given for creating a housing problem that is so deep seated that after so many cooling measures the heat is still simmering, hot. And the new MND Minister is having sleepless night. Poor bugger. Don’t stress the small stuff huh, or it will be bad for the heart.
When or how long will Boon Wan be able to douse the heat and bring temperature to normal? It took great ingenuity and determination and great effort to solve the housing problem of old Singapore. And it took great effort and ingenuity to create this mountain of problem for a new man to solve. And he is complaining. Can’t blame him, as the problem is in such a knot that it will take at least 52 man years to solve. Take care, Boon Wan.
And I read a recommendation to the losers that if they cannot buy a flat, don't buy. So what's next, look for a rental flat? If also cannot afford or no rental flat how? Pitch a tent at the beach? If the authority comes and arrests you how? Never mind, can get free lodging then, maybe somewhere comfortable in Changi.
The DBSS is now like a piece of rotten shit, smelly and filthy and likely to be thrown away. Next in line will be the Executive Condominium while the BTO is likely to go as well. It is really disgusting, really, for something so good that could turn so wrong. And no one has a clue about it. How could they know when there were reassurances after reassurances that all was well. No need to ask how it came about. The truth is all out there. Only those with eyes wide shut will say that there is no problem, that it is a blooming success, and the administrator deserved a gold medal for all the great work. They did give one to Lim Kim San then, the Magsaysay Award, for solving the housing problem.
I am figuring what kind of award shall be given for creating a housing problem that is so deep seated that after so many cooling measures the heat is still simmering, hot. And the new MND Minister is having sleepless night. Poor bugger. Don’t stress the small stuff huh, or it will be bad for the heart.
When or how long will Boon Wan be able to douse the heat and bring temperature to normal? It took great ingenuity and determination and great effort to solve the housing problem of old Singapore. And it took great effort and ingenuity to create this mountain of problem for a new man to solve. And he is complaining. Can’t blame him, as the problem is in such a knot that it will take at least 52 man years to solve. Take care, Boon Wan.
And I read a recommendation to the losers that if they cannot buy a flat, don't buy. So what's next, look for a rental flat? If also cannot afford or no rental flat how? Pitch a tent at the beach? If the authority comes and arrests you how? Never mind, can get free lodging then, maybe somewhere comfortable in Changi.
7/04/2011
Talking down at the people
This is a political culture for several decades here. The dafts need to be treated as such. Father knows best and shall deliver. There is no need to listen, just be a deaf frog and do what is right. And if needed be, give them a public lecture on how lucky they were to have such talented leadership, and cheap too. They ought to be grateful for all the good things happening around them.
After the last GE, things took a dramatic change. Hsien Loong took the lead to apologise to the people for the govt’s mistakes and pledged to listen more to the people. Yes, the deaf frog is also listening I supposed. While those who have been talking down to the people were either whisked away or remain dumb, those who are still talking are now more polite and pleading with the people to give them time to do their jobs.
One or two tried some gimmicky comments and were taken to task immediately. Some are still learning and still talking down to the people. That is the advantage of being young. Young men tended to be a bit more cocky, a natural trait. The older and wiser ones are taking a different mode in engaging the people in the internet.
Would the younger leaders learn to be more engaging, more listening, or would they still think it is their right to talk down to the people? Ask lesser of the govt. Why don’t they ask lesser, take lesser, and do more instead? The people have got used to a very expensive govt that is asking more and more in terms of salary. And the people are reciprocating by asking more and more of the govt in return. You want to take more, show the people that you can do more, but not talk more. Talking is good when you can deliver. But before delivering, it is better to talk less and do more. Show the people what you can do. But don’t insist that you have done damn well when in fact you have messed up the show.
But as they said, it is good to be young. It is the privilege of the young to be a bit arrogant, a bit abrasive, and also the right to make some mistakes along the way. That is how older people gain their wisdom.
After the last GE, things took a dramatic change. Hsien Loong took the lead to apologise to the people for the govt’s mistakes and pledged to listen more to the people. Yes, the deaf frog is also listening I supposed. While those who have been talking down to the people were either whisked away or remain dumb, those who are still talking are now more polite and pleading with the people to give them time to do their jobs.
One or two tried some gimmicky comments and were taken to task immediately. Some are still learning and still talking down to the people. That is the advantage of being young. Young men tended to be a bit more cocky, a natural trait. The older and wiser ones are taking a different mode in engaging the people in the internet.
Would the younger leaders learn to be more engaging, more listening, or would they still think it is their right to talk down to the people? Ask lesser of the govt. Why don’t they ask lesser, take lesser, and do more instead? The people have got used to a very expensive govt that is asking more and more in terms of salary. And the people are reciprocating by asking more and more of the govt in return. You want to take more, show the people that you can do more, but not talk more. Talking is good when you can deliver. But before delivering, it is better to talk less and do more. Show the people what you can do. But don’t insist that you have done damn well when in fact you have messed up the show.
But as they said, it is good to be young. It is the privilege of the young to be a bit arrogant, a bit abrasive, and also the right to make some mistakes along the way. That is how older people gain their wisdom.
A few simple questions for the presidential candidates
With the three Tans, all ex PAP candidates, in the fray for the most highly paid president job in the whole wide world, for that matter, no president comes even near or half of what these president hopefuls will be getting, I just want to ask them individually, a few simple questions.
1. What would he think are the reasons/justifications for the EP to be paid $4m, plus whatever performance bonuses and growth bonuses if applicable?
2. Can any one of them confirm that the $4m is all the EP is getting and nothing more, excluding all the costs for the maintenance of the office?
3. Do the candidates believe that the remuneration for the EP is reasonable, or too much or too little?
4. If given a choice, how much does he think would be a reasonable sum for the EP?
5. If elected, will he take the full salary as what is deserving of the office, or would he think that it is too much and he would like to donate some to charity, and how much would he donate?
Answering the above questions will definitely help the voters to decide who they will elect. These are now the real issues that the voters are asking. Not how independent they are from the PAP. Never mind if they are sponsored by the PAP or not. Never mind the custodial duty or ceremonial duties. We all know what those duties are.
The people know that all the candidates are independent from the PAP. The people also know that they are not sponsored by the PAP. The people also know what each thinks his role is as the EP.
Just tell us how much you need to be the EP will do.
1. What would he think are the reasons/justifications for the EP to be paid $4m, plus whatever performance bonuses and growth bonuses if applicable?
2. Can any one of them confirm that the $4m is all the EP is getting and nothing more, excluding all the costs for the maintenance of the office?
3. Do the candidates believe that the remuneration for the EP is reasonable, or too much or too little?
4. If given a choice, how much does he think would be a reasonable sum for the EP?
5. If elected, will he take the full salary as what is deserving of the office, or would he think that it is too much and he would like to donate some to charity, and how much would he donate?
Answering the above questions will definitely help the voters to decide who they will elect. These are now the real issues that the voters are asking. Not how independent they are from the PAP. Never mind if they are sponsored by the PAP or not. Never mind the custodial duty or ceremonial duties. We all know what those duties are.
The people know that all the candidates are independent from the PAP. The people also know that they are not sponsored by the PAP. The people also know what each thinks his role is as the EP.
Just tell us how much you need to be the EP will do.
How much to serve the people?
Someone asked how much was needed to serve the people. The answer, $15k a month should be enough. What, that’s impossible! How to live a dignified lifestyle with that kind of pittance? This is what Chen Show Mao and Sylvia Lim needs to be a MP full time. They have both quitted their full time jobs. For Chen Show Mao, who was used to earning many times more, he would have a lot of adjusting to do. He may even have to take public transport or buy a HDB flat, downgrade his lifestyle to suit his smaller pay check. Another important question pops up? Would he be tempted to be corrupt if he is not being paid in the millions?
Chen Show Mao’s presence in the home political scene has disturbed the status quo of high paying sacrifices in politics. Do I make sense in this statement? Nevermind, it is not meant to make sense anyway. But you will get what I mean.
When Chen Show Mao returned to stand for the GE, some questioned his motives and sincerity as if he was a wolf in sheepskin. The doubts cast on him were full of skepticism and ill intent. They raised questions about his family, his children, why he spent so many years out of the country, even his accent.
Today, we heard that he had resigned from a high profile and very high paying job, to be an ordinary MP, to serve the people in the tropical heat of a void deck. No more designer suits, no more air conditioned comfort, no more fine dinings with the sikit atas and nice people, but plenty of kopitiam talks and shoulder rubbing with the losers.
Again, the skeptics and those with private agenda would be wagging their tongues about this new kid in the block. What is he up to? Is he up to any no good? Or is he of unsound mind? Such chivalry and sacrifice for a cause, a higher calling, is just too idealistic and can only be found in children’s fairy tales story books. Is he serious in what he is doing and would he quit after one term?
By the way, Chen Show Mao has never used the word ‘sacrifice’ in the all the things he is doing. He just came in from the cold and doing what many would demand a fortune to do. He is a man with a mission, a man of the moment, dispelling all the myths that we have all made to believe in. Would Times Magazine want to put his face on their front page?
Please pour more cold water on my head. This kind of things cannot be true. It is just not practical, not real. Or is he a freak, an alien? What is his belief? What kind of odd upbringings did he receive to do such things that normal people will scorn upon? Shall he be praised or shall he be shunned, to upset the impeccable window dressings in the expensive Orchard Road department stores?
Oh, time will tell, so they said.
Chen Show Mao’s presence in the home political scene has disturbed the status quo of high paying sacrifices in politics. Do I make sense in this statement? Nevermind, it is not meant to make sense anyway. But you will get what I mean.
When Chen Show Mao returned to stand for the GE, some questioned his motives and sincerity as if he was a wolf in sheepskin. The doubts cast on him were full of skepticism and ill intent. They raised questions about his family, his children, why he spent so many years out of the country, even his accent.
Today, we heard that he had resigned from a high profile and very high paying job, to be an ordinary MP, to serve the people in the tropical heat of a void deck. No more designer suits, no more air conditioned comfort, no more fine dinings with the sikit atas and nice people, but plenty of kopitiam talks and shoulder rubbing with the losers.
Again, the skeptics and those with private agenda would be wagging their tongues about this new kid in the block. What is he up to? Is he up to any no good? Or is he of unsound mind? Such chivalry and sacrifice for a cause, a higher calling, is just too idealistic and can only be found in children’s fairy tales story books. Is he serious in what he is doing and would he quit after one term?
By the way, Chen Show Mao has never used the word ‘sacrifice’ in the all the things he is doing. He just came in from the cold and doing what many would demand a fortune to do. He is a man with a mission, a man of the moment, dispelling all the myths that we have all made to believe in. Would Times Magazine want to put his face on their front page?
Please pour more cold water on my head. This kind of things cannot be true. It is just not practical, not real. Or is he a freak, an alien? What is his belief? What kind of odd upbringings did he receive to do such things that normal people will scorn upon? Shall he be praised or shall he be shunned, to upset the impeccable window dressings in the expensive Orchard Road department stores?
Oh, time will tell, so they said.
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