The Messiah is gaining credence with Hsien Loong taking up his
challenge, to face threat with threat. Hsien Loong has declared war on
The Messiah. We would get you, with no stone unturned, or as good as
that. Internal and external resources would be tapped upon to flush out
this anonymous hacker. If I did not forget, someone was trying to trace a
blogger, was it Screwball or something like that, in Sammyboy but
nothing heard after that. Did they get their man or still trying?
As it is now, The Messiah is still an unknown element in cyberspace, a
virtual figure. Going after him is like ghost chasing. So far The
Messiah had only made a vitual threat but has done nothing serious, or
had he? Hsien Loong’s comment is as good as throwing the gauntlet into
the ring and telling The Messiah, let’s fight. If this Messiah is real,
then he is going to react unless he senses that the mighty Singapore
govt and its IT warriors would be good enough to nail him down and it is
better to take Hsien Loong seriously, stay away from Singapore. No more
threats and no more hacking. Going after a hacker can be done quietly
with no announcement. An open statement is like a shouting match.
On the other hand if he is worth his salt and confident that he could
wreck havoc to the Singapore govt, he is now prompted to do something.
There is a saying, 多一事不如少一事, would it be better to just keep quiet and
see if The Messiah escalates his threat by doing something? Or it would
be better to let a second stringer minister to make a less
confrontational comment? Is it worth the fight?
Anyway, the fight is on I suppose, and when the ante is up more
fireworks will follow. Then again, The Messiah may just chicken out and
nothing happens, with Hsien Loong calling his bluff. A serious attack on
our computer systems, so many out there, can be quite disturbing and
troublesome actually. But we have the best IT brigades to deal with the
attack, so it is a matter of who is better and who shall triumph and
rise as the victor.
So far so good. No more attacks.
PS. I wrote this yesterday and looks like it has been overtaken by what
happened last night. TRS has reported that the PMO website has been
defaced with the mask of The Messiah smiling in it. This episode shows
that Yaacob is the cleverest of all the ministers. Anyone who stands up
will only draw enemy fire to him. Better to lie low for the time being.
Now who is next?
11/08/2013
11/07/2013
You can’t live there
Below is an extract of Thomas Friedman’s article on the airpocalyspe in
Beijing and how bad it has become appearing in the Today paper today.
‘….“What if China meets every criteria of economic success except one: You can’t live there.”
Indeed, what good is it having all those sparkling new buildings if you are trapped inside them? What good is it if China’s rapid growth has enabled four million people in Beijing to own cars, but the traffic never moves?
What good is it if China’s per capita incomes have risen to a level affording tens of millions of once-poor peasants diets rich in milk and meat, ...? What good is all that rising GDP, if there is no clean air to breathe?
China has built amazing hardware in 30 years — modern cities, roads, airports, ports and telecoms….’
Allow me to substitute the word China with the word Singapore and ask a slightly different question. ‘What good is Singapore with all the economic successes if there is no Singaporean living there?’ When I said Singaporeans you know what I mean.
‘….“What if China meets every criteria of economic success except one: You can’t live there.”
Indeed, what good is it having all those sparkling new buildings if you are trapped inside them? What good is it if China’s rapid growth has enabled four million people in Beijing to own cars, but the traffic never moves?
What good is it if China’s per capita incomes have risen to a level affording tens of millions of once-poor peasants diets rich in milk and meat, ...? What good is all that rising GDP, if there is no clean air to breathe?
China has built amazing hardware in 30 years — modern cities, roads, airports, ports and telecoms….’
Allow me to substitute the word China with the word Singapore and ask a slightly different question. ‘What good is Singapore with all the economic successes if there is no Singaporean living there?’ When I said Singaporeans you know what I mean.
What is HFT or High Frequency Trading
Business Times journalist Sivanithy wrote an article(yesterday) on SGX’s initiative
to consult the public on HFT trading in the SGX. The introduction of
the HFT is now a matter of when, so what is this public consultation all
about? Should not the SGX try to educate the public on what this HFT is
all about, the pros and cons of this newcomer?
Sivanithy asked a few very basic and pertinent questions. What is HFT and the need for SGX to educate the public on this new animal that it assumed everyone knows what it is but the truth is that no one knows. It is not as simple as what people think, that HFT is there to provide liquidity in the market to benefit the other traders.
Without knowing how this animal works, what kind of advantage it has over the rest of the players, no one knows how dangerous or what harm it can cause to the market. One thing for sure, HFT is not here to do charity. Its mission is simply to take advantage of any arbitrage situation to take profits. Technically, it can only make profits and not losses. So, how is this going to benefit the other players? How can the exchange allow HFT or any other instruments to enter the market with a clear cut advantage, to make profits while other players lose?
This applies to Algorithm trading. The Algo players have the advantage of their super computers to compute and take positions to make profits. It is like a sure bet. And who are the losers or the sure losers? The exchange should have enough data by now on who are the big net gainers from the market. Both Algo traders and HFT traders are more or less guaranteed to profit from the system with the aid of high tech equipment. This is a violation of the exchange’s guiding principle and responsibility of providing a level playing view.
What is the SGX and MAS’s positions on this? Is it fair to the rest of the traders? Are they breaking their own rules and regulations?
There is a need to tell the whole story on the capabilities of the HFT and Algo trading technology? Don’t just tell the people how good they are. The public and the govt need to know how harmful they are. The public were told how good the Lehman Bonds and toxic notes were but nothing about how bad they could turn out. We need to learn from that mistake and handle this new animal with great care.
What information is made available to them and not to the other traders and how they can take advantage of the information to make assured profit? If the technology can assure them of profits, how can they be allowed to do so when other traders enter the market with the risk of losing instead of making profits? How can SGX/MAS allow HFT and Algo traders to play in the market when they can only be winners and paying a small clearing fee? Is this the case?
The public and other traders have the right to know what they are up against. There is a need for transparency and disclosure on what these two systems can do and are doing. How many Algo computers are already hooked onto the SGX computers and how many HFT computers will be allowed into the system?
It is the responsibility of MAS and SGX to provide a level playing field and fair play. Period. The public cannot be let into a market blindfolded without knowing how dangerous these new players are and what they are up against, and with their hands tied.
Sivanithy asked a few very basic and pertinent questions. What is HFT and the need for SGX to educate the public on this new animal that it assumed everyone knows what it is but the truth is that no one knows. It is not as simple as what people think, that HFT is there to provide liquidity in the market to benefit the other traders.
Without knowing how this animal works, what kind of advantage it has over the rest of the players, no one knows how dangerous or what harm it can cause to the market. One thing for sure, HFT is not here to do charity. Its mission is simply to take advantage of any arbitrage situation to take profits. Technically, it can only make profits and not losses. So, how is this going to benefit the other players? How can the exchange allow HFT or any other instruments to enter the market with a clear cut advantage, to make profits while other players lose?
This applies to Algorithm trading. The Algo players have the advantage of their super computers to compute and take positions to make profits. It is like a sure bet. And who are the losers or the sure losers? The exchange should have enough data by now on who are the big net gainers from the market. Both Algo traders and HFT traders are more or less guaranteed to profit from the system with the aid of high tech equipment. This is a violation of the exchange’s guiding principle and responsibility of providing a level playing view.
What is the SGX and MAS’s positions on this? Is it fair to the rest of the traders? Are they breaking their own rules and regulations?
There is a need to tell the whole story on the capabilities of the HFT and Algo trading technology? Don’t just tell the people how good they are. The public and the govt need to know how harmful they are. The public were told how good the Lehman Bonds and toxic notes were but nothing about how bad they could turn out. We need to learn from that mistake and handle this new animal with great care.
What information is made available to them and not to the other traders and how they can take advantage of the information to make assured profit? If the technology can assure them of profits, how can they be allowed to do so when other traders enter the market with the risk of losing instead of making profits? How can SGX/MAS allow HFT and Algo traders to play in the market when they can only be winners and paying a small clearing fee? Is this the case?
The public and other traders have the right to know what they are up against. There is a need for transparency and disclosure on what these two systems can do and are doing. How many Algo computers are already hooked onto the SGX computers and how many HFT computers will be allowed into the system?
It is the responsibility of MAS and SGX to provide a level playing field and fair play. Period. The public cannot be let into a market blindfolded without knowing how dangerous these new players are and what they are up against, and with their hands tied.
Worker’s Party coming into the hijab discussion
WP is calling for a national conversation on the hijab issue after the
Malay community met up with Chee Hian and Yaacob. The conclusion on that
meeting did not go down too well as nothing changes, not that there
must be a change if the situation does not warrant it. While there could
be or could not be a national conversation on this issue, or another
one sided conversation initiated and led by the WP this round, I would
like to draw a few premises that I think could be useful in this free
for all talk shop.
There are two premises that we must strongly guard, ie our secular national ethos and our cultural heritage. In an attempt to deal with a matter like the hijab that could transcend religion and culture, it can be tricky and even sensitive to some. If we can keep the lines of secularity clearly in the picture, we may have to define how far we can and want to go before hitting the OB markers, things may be more manageable. We do not want to allow every other religion to want to have their religious ways in a secular society and environment. We do not want, as an example, a group that insists on wearing drappy grey and head shaven in the office, male or female. We do not want people who insist that they cannot shave nor cut their hair for both sexes. Let’s keep our society a secular one and let religion be practiced at home or in one’s private space. The common space should be kept secular.
We must be proud of our cultural heritage, the way of life of the 4 major racial groups that founded this island. We do not want to integrate and compromise our way of life with the new migrants. We are not migrants. Our forefathers were and that is their story. We are stayers. Migrants are temporary visitors that are here and may not be here tomorrow. Migrants have no homes or countries of their own or have abandoned them. This is our home. We are the owners and we decide and must dictate what we want our country to be and how we want to live. The visitors or migrants must accept our way of life.
We have so many new migrants coming in and with their huge numbers there will be a time when they would want to demand to be recognized, their religions, cultures and ways of life. Singaporeans, the first movers in this country must be the top priority and must call the shot. We decide. Foreigners, new citizens and migrants must accept our terms and not the other way. Don’t like it they can go elsewhere.
The hijab is also a cultural thing, part of the Malay custom and baju. Correct me if I am wrong. It should be addressed from this perspective, to protect and promote our cultural heritage. Promoting the use of the hijab on religious grounds will open the Pandora box for all and sundry to make their special and unique demands that would be difficult to accept and may not be tolerable.
The Singaporeans must keep our cultural heritage as a part of us. We must promote their use as our way of life. We do not want to be China Chinese, India Indian or Arabs. In the course of time, there could be things from the foreigners that are useful and good and would gradually take form. Let that be. We can be flexible to allow the good stuff to be a part of us without compulsion or legislation. Good stuff will be good stuff and will be welcomed and accepted by the populace. Let our unique identity survive and thrive on its own without being pressurized or being harrassed by foreigners and foreign influences.
We are Singaporeans. This is our home. Let’s talk hijab.
There are two premises that we must strongly guard, ie our secular national ethos and our cultural heritage. In an attempt to deal with a matter like the hijab that could transcend religion and culture, it can be tricky and even sensitive to some. If we can keep the lines of secularity clearly in the picture, we may have to define how far we can and want to go before hitting the OB markers, things may be more manageable. We do not want to allow every other religion to want to have their religious ways in a secular society and environment. We do not want, as an example, a group that insists on wearing drappy grey and head shaven in the office, male or female. We do not want people who insist that they cannot shave nor cut their hair for both sexes. Let’s keep our society a secular one and let religion be practiced at home or in one’s private space. The common space should be kept secular.
We must be proud of our cultural heritage, the way of life of the 4 major racial groups that founded this island. We do not want to integrate and compromise our way of life with the new migrants. We are not migrants. Our forefathers were and that is their story. We are stayers. Migrants are temporary visitors that are here and may not be here tomorrow. Migrants have no homes or countries of their own or have abandoned them. This is our home. We are the owners and we decide and must dictate what we want our country to be and how we want to live. The visitors or migrants must accept our way of life.
We have so many new migrants coming in and with their huge numbers there will be a time when they would want to demand to be recognized, their religions, cultures and ways of life. Singaporeans, the first movers in this country must be the top priority and must call the shot. We decide. Foreigners, new citizens and migrants must accept our terms and not the other way. Don’t like it they can go elsewhere.
The hijab is also a cultural thing, part of the Malay custom and baju. Correct me if I am wrong. It should be addressed from this perspective, to protect and promote our cultural heritage. Promoting the use of the hijab on religious grounds will open the Pandora box for all and sundry to make their special and unique demands that would be difficult to accept and may not be tolerable.
The Singaporeans must keep our cultural heritage as a part of us. We must promote their use as our way of life. We do not want to be China Chinese, India Indian or Arabs. In the course of time, there could be things from the foreigners that are useful and good and would gradually take form. Let that be. We can be flexible to allow the good stuff to be a part of us without compulsion or legislation. Good stuff will be good stuff and will be welcomed and accepted by the populace. Let our unique identity survive and thrive on its own without being pressurized or being harrassed by foreigners and foreign influences.
We are Singaporeans. This is our home. Let’s talk hijab.
11/06/2013
Hijab is nice
As a kid I lived next to Kampong Radin Mas. Many of my classmates were
Malays from the kampong. We played together with no consciousness of the
differences in us. We were one people.
Radin Mas was a boy school. The Malay girls or ladies we saw were in the kampong. The ladies were very pretty with their hijabs. I did not know when the of wearing the hijab becomes an issue. From my childhood memory, I have the impression that it was cultural and not so much religious. They were part and parcel of the Malay baju.
The hijab is not the burqua used by the Arabs that covered almost totally that no one really knows who is behind the burqua. It would pose many difficulties when identification is needed. Today there is also the security angle to consider.
I personally find the hijab very normal and very nice. One consideration is that it may become a hazard in a difficult working environment. In such a situation, wearing of the hijab is best avoided. The other consideration is when it is not part of a uniform like the army where there are proper headgears. In other situations like in nursing, a grey area where the hijab may become obstructive in some situations, allowing hijab or not is a matter of judgement. Wearing of the hijab should not be a problem in most office environment unless they are so huge and drappy. It can be very fashionable and graceful as well.
I hope an amicable solution can be reached and everyone is happy. Let the people making all the big money come up with a win win solution. Yes, they are very good at win win kind of things. A rule of thumb judgement is to ask whether the wearing of a scarf by anyone is acceptable in the work place.
Radin Mas was a boy school. The Malay girls or ladies we saw were in the kampong. The ladies were very pretty with their hijabs. I did not know when the of wearing the hijab becomes an issue. From my childhood memory, I have the impression that it was cultural and not so much religious. They were part and parcel of the Malay baju.
The hijab is not the burqua used by the Arabs that covered almost totally that no one really knows who is behind the burqua. It would pose many difficulties when identification is needed. Today there is also the security angle to consider.
I personally find the hijab very normal and very nice. One consideration is that it may become a hazard in a difficult working environment. In such a situation, wearing of the hijab is best avoided. The other consideration is when it is not part of a uniform like the army where there are proper headgears. In other situations like in nursing, a grey area where the hijab may become obstructive in some situations, allowing hijab or not is a matter of judgement. Wearing of the hijab should not be a problem in most office environment unless they are so huge and drappy. It can be very fashionable and graceful as well.
I hope an amicable solution can be reached and everyone is happy. Let the people making all the big money come up with a win win solution. Yes, they are very good at win win kind of things. A rule of thumb judgement is to ask whether the wearing of a scarf by anyone is acceptable in the work place.
MRT fare hikes – the good part
With the impending fare hike for MRT, 1m commuters will benefit. Heheh,
just like raising GST and the poor would benefit. But this is true. 1m
commuters would probably pay lesser with more subsidies. Now the bad
news, some commuters would have to pay more. Heheheh.
It is necessary to have more frequent fare hikes to keep the hike small. Be prepared for more hikes every year or faster. Why is it that fares must only go up and cannot stay still or go down? Sure cannot one. Salary goes up, rental goes up, fuel goes up, new buses go up, bonuses go up.
Why is a 40 inch TV costing $5000 several years back is selling at $1000? Why is a 36 inch selling at $4000 now selling at $800? Possible, it is happening. How come uh? They also have to pay higher salaries, bigger bonuses, higher fuel and material cost, higher rentals and higher everything.
Why must prices defy gravity and cannot be the other way? I am not paid millions so I have no answer to this. Only people that are paid ‘out of this’ world salaries can think of ‘out of this’ world solutions. Tiok Boh? No? Then why pay them millions when they are doing the mundane and the ordinary?
Who does not know how to raise fares to keep revenue and profits up?
It is necessary to have more frequent fare hikes to keep the hike small. Be prepared for more hikes every year or faster. Why is it that fares must only go up and cannot stay still or go down? Sure cannot one. Salary goes up, rental goes up, fuel goes up, new buses go up, bonuses go up.
Why is a 40 inch TV costing $5000 several years back is selling at $1000? Why is a 36 inch selling at $4000 now selling at $800? Possible, it is happening. How come uh? They also have to pay higher salaries, bigger bonuses, higher fuel and material cost, higher rentals and higher everything.
Why must prices defy gravity and cannot be the other way? I am not paid millions so I have no answer to this. Only people that are paid ‘out of this’ world salaries can think of ‘out of this’ world solutions. Tiok Boh? No? Then why pay them millions when they are doing the mundane and the ordinary?
Who does not know how to raise fares to keep revenue and profits up?
The Messiah came and gone
What a disappointment, nothing really happened. Though some claimed to
have their Facebook pages defaced, websites of govt agencies were
unaffected except for self imposed down time for planned maintenance.
While many are taking the announcement of maintenance for the 19 sites
with a pinch of salt, officially it was announced as that, down for planned maintenance. And during the planned maintenance they discovered
more faults that caused the down time to be extended in some cases.
Another view is that the down time was to upgrade the protective system
in case the Messiah turned up. The govt spokeman did say that they were
taking the threat seriously.
To those that were expecting fireworks it must end with a big disappointment. But did the Messiah achieve anything? For one, many IT people were scurrying around and burning their weekend and holidays trying to install more protective firewalls to keep the Messiah out of mischief. And many ministry heads were worried that their sites could go down. There was a heighten security alert and many used to be sitting on their bums could not do so for fear of being burnt.
A threat like this is enough to cause a paralysis in many systems and websites and forcing many people to have sleepless nights. Resources would have to be diverted to cater to the threat. Nerves were extra sensitive and people become edgy. This is the power of people issuing threats.
The whole of the USA could go on a stand still by a simple letter or message of an attack by any terrorist group. A simple message could be so powerful and effective in bringing systems down on their knees. We too would not be spared from such an open threat of a terrorist act. The threat to hack or deface govt sites is already quite a big threat that got thousands of people running around and hoping that nothing goes wrong or someone’s backside will be burnt.
So, did the Messiah achieve anything? Indirectly 19 sites went down. But the most direct impact is the fact that a threat was issued and aimed at the govt. This is unreal. It has never happened before. Anyone trying to do so, or even utter the word threat or intent to hurt an MP would be bundled in for questioning and may be put into IMH for observation. This Messiah is still out there, untouched and smiling, knowing that nothing can be done to him. And he can issue even more serious threats to make people more uncomfortable, and even fear him. It is best to keep quiet and not to provoke him further with unnecessary confrontational comments or actions. Let there be peace with no one attempting to threaten anyone as the game can be played by both sides. It is a new ball game.
To those that were expecting fireworks it must end with a big disappointment. But did the Messiah achieve anything? For one, many IT people were scurrying around and burning their weekend and holidays trying to install more protective firewalls to keep the Messiah out of mischief. And many ministry heads were worried that their sites could go down. There was a heighten security alert and many used to be sitting on their bums could not do so for fear of being burnt.
A threat like this is enough to cause a paralysis in many systems and websites and forcing many people to have sleepless nights. Resources would have to be diverted to cater to the threat. Nerves were extra sensitive and people become edgy. This is the power of people issuing threats.
The whole of the USA could go on a stand still by a simple letter or message of an attack by any terrorist group. A simple message could be so powerful and effective in bringing systems down on their knees. We too would not be spared from such an open threat of a terrorist act. The threat to hack or deface govt sites is already quite a big threat that got thousands of people running around and hoping that nothing goes wrong or someone’s backside will be burnt.
So, did the Messiah achieve anything? Indirectly 19 sites went down. But the most direct impact is the fact that a threat was issued and aimed at the govt. This is unreal. It has never happened before. Anyone trying to do so, or even utter the word threat or intent to hurt an MP would be bundled in for questioning and may be put into IMH for observation. This Messiah is still out there, untouched and smiling, knowing that nothing can be done to him. And he can issue even more serious threats to make people more uncomfortable, and even fear him. It is best to keep quiet and not to provoke him further with unnecessary confrontational comments or actions. Let there be peace with no one attempting to threaten anyone as the game can be played by both sides. It is a new ball game.
11/05/2013
A few Sinkie snippets
1. The most sought after software in Sim Lim Square, and running out of
stock, is Sampan 2.0. It is a software developed by the Prime Minister.
2. The lowest paid workers in Singapore are the remisiers, some earning less than the cleaners. And because the profession is in so high demand, they have to sit for examinations and yearly refresher course to keep them highly professional, only to earn $1000 pm or less. The unprofessional cleaners should be very envious of the remisiers. What, what, cleaners earning more than remisiers?
And the authority does not know, can you beat that? No, remember, the profession was once suggested as a benchmark to compute the salaries of the ministers.
Would the ministers still want to include the incomes of remisiers in the formula to compute their salary?
3. For the oldies that have no money for food, overheard someone saying the first option is to walk into a reservoir. Option 2 is the MRT track. Option 3, another Ah Pek in a kopitiam said, immolation in Orchard Road.
I think a better option, less gory, is to walk into any supermarket and just help themselves with the food. Doing so would be rewarded with free lodging and meals in a spacious bungalow, and the best part, free medical. And no need to wait for one year for a medical appointment. The doctors will come to visit you instead, to take very good care of you.
_________________
2. The lowest paid workers in Singapore are the remisiers, some earning less than the cleaners. And because the profession is in so high demand, they have to sit for examinations and yearly refresher course to keep them highly professional, only to earn $1000 pm or less. The unprofessional cleaners should be very envious of the remisiers. What, what, cleaners earning more than remisiers?
And the authority does not know, can you beat that? No, remember, the profession was once suggested as a benchmark to compute the salaries of the ministers.
Would the ministers still want to include the incomes of remisiers in the formula to compute their salary?
3. For the oldies that have no money for food, overheard someone saying the first option is to walk into a reservoir. Option 2 is the MRT track. Option 3, another Ah Pek in a kopitiam said, immolation in Orchard Road.
I think a better option, less gory, is to walk into any supermarket and just help themselves with the food. Doing so would be rewarded with free lodging and meals in a spacious bungalow, and the best part, free medical. And no need to wait for one year for a medical appointment. The doctors will come to visit you instead, to take very good care of you.
_________________
The mysteries of the Messiah
The Messiah has announced his arrival. He came from no where and is
everywhere. Who is the Messiah? Is it the end time? Where are the signs?
Are nations rising against nations, are there wars, famine? Are there
wickedness? No one knows when will be the end time. But there will be
false prophets and messiahs coming to deceive the people. Then again,
like the days before the great flood, everyone was marrying and merry
making and not knowing that it was the eve of the flood.
Who is this Messiah? So far there is only one claim while Anonymous hackers have appeared in several countries at the same time, in the Philippines and in Australia, and of course all over Singapore. Are they one and with the Messiah or imposters and opportunists or copycats? Anonymous Indonesia attacking Australia is presumed to be from Indonesia. Really? Could false flag be at work again?
The greatest mystery of all is the silence from the govt. So far no minister has said a word. Maybe they are waiting for Hsien Loong to say something first. The silence has led to many speculations, some very wild, that it was an internal job, a self inflicted wound to justify more controls and surveillance like George Bush did to the Americans. The perceived threat would be used as justification for more surveillance and controls and more clamping down or intrusion into people’s privacy.
This trend of though could be seen in the light touch of the hacking. No real damage really. And no need for any minister to respond, no need to sweat the small stuff. And the 19 govt sites that went down were really scheduled maintenance. And the sites that were hacked, Seletar Airport and Carpe Diem. Why would anyone want to hack a childcare if they were against the govt?
Or could it be the start of a bigger international crisis giving the sudden surge in hacking activities in the region and the emergence of a new force, the Anonymous Collective?
Does anyone know who is behind all the hackings? Would it remain a mystery and not to be discovered or be identified? Is the Messiah here? Has the Messiah arrived to deliver the people from their oppressed and meaningless lives as slaves to the economy of growth for the sake of growth with their lives getting worst than before as days pass by?
Today is 5 Nov and is the day The Messiah has announced as the day of his arrival, or is it the end time, or a new beginning? Would anything big happen today? Would the sky darken, would the moon not give light, would the earth shatter and would there be earthquakes? Where is the sign of Jonah?
Where is the Messiah?
Who is this Messiah? So far there is only one claim while Anonymous hackers have appeared in several countries at the same time, in the Philippines and in Australia, and of course all over Singapore. Are they one and with the Messiah or imposters and opportunists or copycats? Anonymous Indonesia attacking Australia is presumed to be from Indonesia. Really? Could false flag be at work again?
The greatest mystery of all is the silence from the govt. So far no minister has said a word. Maybe they are waiting for Hsien Loong to say something first. The silence has led to many speculations, some very wild, that it was an internal job, a self inflicted wound to justify more controls and surveillance like George Bush did to the Americans. The perceived threat would be used as justification for more surveillance and controls and more clamping down or intrusion into people’s privacy.
This trend of though could be seen in the light touch of the hacking. No real damage really. And no need for any minister to respond, no need to sweat the small stuff. And the 19 govt sites that went down were really scheduled maintenance. And the sites that were hacked, Seletar Airport and Carpe Diem. Why would anyone want to hack a childcare if they were against the govt?
Or could it be the start of a bigger international crisis giving the sudden surge in hacking activities in the region and the emergence of a new force, the Anonymous Collective?
Does anyone know who is behind all the hackings? Would it remain a mystery and not to be discovered or be identified? Is the Messiah here? Has the Messiah arrived to deliver the people from their oppressed and meaningless lives as slaves to the economy of growth for the sake of growth with their lives getting worst than before as days pass by?
Today is 5 Nov and is the day The Messiah has announced as the day of his arrival, or is it the end time, or a new beginning? Would anything big happen today? Would the sky darken, would the moon not give light, would the earth shatter and would there be earthquakes? Where is the sign of Jonah?
Where is the Messiah?
Invoking the Third Key
We had good govt in the past. They did so well that they could talk with
great conviction and moral authority, and the people believed in them
and were with them. To their credit, they built a big national reserve
not withstanding that the bulk of the money are the people’s CPF
savings. And it was seen as a right thing to do to introduce a Second
Key to protect this reserve that is growing bigger and bigger every day.
The people believe so too.
No future govt should be allowed to spend away this national reserve, and the President shall hold a Second Key to prevent this from being looted by a rogue govt. A rogue govt is something to fear about, our national reserve is at stake.
But the national reserve is not the only thing that a rogue govt can get their hands to or to do mischief. There are many big assets of the state that can be sold away by a rogue govt. Top on the list is land. This can be sold in many ways. Remember Christmas Island.
What could happen is that a rogue govt could sell off some of our islands and the Second Key may not be able to stop them. He could be too weak, or he could be in collusion with the rogue govt to sell the islands. Building properties exclusively in an island and selling them to foreigners, even with 99 year lease, is as good as selling the island away for 99 years. Cannot imagine if sold as freeholds.
What about selling away national assets or strategic assets? Should the Second Key be used to stop such sales in the name of national interest? The President is paid a huge salary and should be tasked to take on bigger roles and responsibilities.
What about bringing in big numbers of foreigners as citizens or PRs? Hypothetically, if our citizen population is 3m and 3m foreigners are brought in as new citizens or PRs, it is as good as giving 50% of the assets/country to the new citizens and PRs. They are brought in to share our wealth and our country. Should the Second Key be used to stop such acts?
A rogue govt can commit many acts of treasons against the citizens that we could not think of at the moment, and with a President in their pocket. Rogue govt can turn traitors to the citizens. And when they do, and if the Second Key failed to stop them, who else or what else can stop the looting?
The citizens of the island need a Third Key to prevent the country from being sold away by a rogue govt in collusion with a willing President as an accomplice. As the system is such, it is the govt of the day that appoints the President, in a way. Oops, the people voted for the Presidency. The probability of a rogue govt working hand in hand with the President is very high. Only a Third Key can stop this.
The Third Key is with the people, and the Third Key is the people. The citizens of the state are the Third Key and this key must be used in major issues affecting the state and the interest of the citizens.
The citizens of the state must use the Third Key on the issue of 6.9m population and on any matters that involved selling a part of the country away. It is time to invoke the Third Key. The citizens of a country cannot let 78 people decide their fate on a matter of such importance and with grave consequences. The people must know that they hold the Third Key and they are the Third Key.
No future govt should be allowed to spend away this national reserve, and the President shall hold a Second Key to prevent this from being looted by a rogue govt. A rogue govt is something to fear about, our national reserve is at stake.
But the national reserve is not the only thing that a rogue govt can get their hands to or to do mischief. There are many big assets of the state that can be sold away by a rogue govt. Top on the list is land. This can be sold in many ways. Remember Christmas Island.
What could happen is that a rogue govt could sell off some of our islands and the Second Key may not be able to stop them. He could be too weak, or he could be in collusion with the rogue govt to sell the islands. Building properties exclusively in an island and selling them to foreigners, even with 99 year lease, is as good as selling the island away for 99 years. Cannot imagine if sold as freeholds.
What about selling away national assets or strategic assets? Should the Second Key be used to stop such sales in the name of national interest? The President is paid a huge salary and should be tasked to take on bigger roles and responsibilities.
What about bringing in big numbers of foreigners as citizens or PRs? Hypothetically, if our citizen population is 3m and 3m foreigners are brought in as new citizens or PRs, it is as good as giving 50% of the assets/country to the new citizens and PRs. They are brought in to share our wealth and our country. Should the Second Key be used to stop such acts?
A rogue govt can commit many acts of treasons against the citizens that we could not think of at the moment, and with a President in their pocket. Rogue govt can turn traitors to the citizens. And when they do, and if the Second Key failed to stop them, who else or what else can stop the looting?
The citizens of the island need a Third Key to prevent the country from being sold away by a rogue govt in collusion with a willing President as an accomplice. As the system is such, it is the govt of the day that appoints the President, in a way. Oops, the people voted for the Presidency. The probability of a rogue govt working hand in hand with the President is very high. Only a Third Key can stop this.
The Third Key is with the people, and the Third Key is the people. The citizens of the state are the Third Key and this key must be used in major issues affecting the state and the interest of the citizens.
The citizens of the state must use the Third Key on the issue of 6.9m population and on any matters that involved selling a part of the country away. It is time to invoke the Third Key. The citizens of a country cannot let 78 people decide their fate on a matter of such importance and with grave consequences. The people must know that they hold the Third Key and they are the Third Key.
11/04/2013
Where were the securities?
The woman that climbed over the barrier to pluck at the décor for the
Kinetic Rain installation at Changi Terminal One was arrested and sent
for psychiatric observation. The puzzling and unsettling part of this
bizarre episode was that the woman could fall through the netting and kill herself, and that it went on for quite a while. It must have
taken a few minutes for her to climb over, gingerly walking to the pick
the décor, a bundle of them and one at a time, and gingerly walking back
and climbed back to safety.
Where were the guards? Where were the securities?
I remembered an experience in the underground passage of the train subway in Seoul many years back. As a tourist and full of curiosity, and a camera at my hip, I innocently took it out and shot a couple of pictures. We didn’t have our subway then. Before I could fire a third shot I was surrounded by civilian police and escorted to the side. They appeared so fast that I didn’t notice where they came from. Such efficiency and alertness in security!
Fortunately my pink passport won the day. They politely told me no pictures were allowed in the subway. I smiled and apologized. They took the roll of film with them and everything was back to normal. They went their way I went mine.
With the constant threat of terrorist attack, it was strange and uncomfortable to know that the woman could do so many things without being stopped from the moment she attempted to climb over the barrier. Were there any security personnel around watching? Not very assuring, not very good to see this kind of things happening.
Where were the guards? Where were the securities?
I remembered an experience in the underground passage of the train subway in Seoul many years back. As a tourist and full of curiosity, and a camera at my hip, I innocently took it out and shot a couple of pictures. We didn’t have our subway then. Before I could fire a third shot I was surrounded by civilian police and escorted to the side. They appeared so fast that I didn’t notice where they came from. Such efficiency and alertness in security!
Fortunately my pink passport won the day. They politely told me no pictures were allowed in the subway. I smiled and apologized. They took the roll of film with them and everything was back to normal. They went their way I went mine.
With the constant threat of terrorist attack, it was strange and uncomfortable to know that the woman could do so many things without being stopped from the moment she attempted to climb over the barrier. Were there any security personnel around watching? Not very assuring, not very good to see this kind of things happening.
Yong Tau Hoo stall wants to hire FT
The Yong Tau Hoo stall in Queenstown called up a recruitment agency to
help them find a foreign talent. What do you want a foreign talent for?
Competition lah, I need to compete against the Yong Tau Hoo stall in
East Coast. I need the talent of a foreign talent to give me clever
ideas to compete lah. But you can get a Sinkie as your market is local
and your customers are locals. No, no, cannot. Sinkie no talent. And
they got reservist training, very ‘lay chay’. If I don’t hire foreign
talent, he hire foreign talent, then I lose to him. Also if I don’t hire
the foreign talent the talent can go to join him. Like that also no
good for my business.
Who makes you think so stupid, oops, I mean strategic? I read in the newspapers lah. They reported that the talents are all over the world, global talents. If I don’t hire them my competitors in East Coast, Sengkang and Toa Payoh would take them to fight me. OK, don’t talk too much, get me one FT, angmoh the best. If no angmoh, an India Indian also can. I teach them how to make Yong Tau Hoo. Then I can feel good and sleep good, with a FT in my pocket.
You know how many global talents are out there? You recruit one there are still a hundred millions floating around you know. No mind lah. I got FT can oredy. Feeling so shiok. When angmoh come eat my Yong Tau Hoo, my angmoh FT can show face, look nice and got world class image. Swee swee.
Who makes you think so stupid, oops, I mean strategic? I read in the newspapers lah. They reported that the talents are all over the world, global talents. If I don’t hire them my competitors in East Coast, Sengkang and Toa Payoh would take them to fight me. OK, don’t talk too much, get me one FT, angmoh the best. If no angmoh, an India Indian also can. I teach them how to make Yong Tau Hoo. Then I can feel good and sleep good, with a FT in my pocket.
You know how many global talents are out there? You recruit one there are still a hundred millions floating around you know. No mind lah. I got FT can oredy. Feeling so shiok. When angmoh come eat my Yong Tau Hoo, my angmoh FT can show face, look nice and got world class image. Swee swee.
Would Singapore lose its unique identity?
In an article titled, ‘Get ready for a formidable, rising China’ by Han
Fook Kwang, in the Sunday Times, he laid out a possible scenario of what
Singapore could become in the wake of a rising China. Han Fook Kwang
talked about the three phases of China’s development as an economic and
world power. The first phase is about economic expansion through trade
and development. Unless Asean and the world could produce goods that are
cheaper and value for money than the Chinese, their products will be
sought after by everyone wanting value and utility. This will be
followed by a second phase of soft power in culture through movies and
the arts.
The third phase would be the use of Mandarin for communication. This is seen as a natural development when economic and social interactions with China are so widespread and pervasive that people, including Sinkies, would just use the language as a convenient and necessary tool. Then there will be no need for Speak Mandarin Campaign. Singapore will ‘lose its unique identity and become more like another Chinese city, not much different from the many cities in the mainland.’
Han Fook Kwan hoped that it would not happen but this cannot be ruled out. His theory is based on external forces and the rise of a new economic power that has such an overpowering presence to change the world and the Singapore’s identity. I have another theory based on internal forces that could change Singapore’s identity into another form.
The govt has put in place, top priority policies, to fill the islands with foreigners in the name of lower birth rate, ageing population and economic growth, and in the process, instead of replacement, to increase the population to 6.9m. We are seeing the influx of foreigners in great numbers over the last decade or so and will gain momentum in the coming years.
The foreigners are coming, the westerners, the Chinese, the Indians and those from Asean countries. The westerners are unlikely to make any impact. The three biggest groups are likely to be the Chinese, the Indians and the Pinoys. The Pinoys have grown to several hundred thousands from a handful overnight. But with the tightening of employment passes, their numbers are going to slow down a bit. The large bulk of the Pinoy maids would not turn them into stayers and changing of our demography less of a problem.
As for the Chinese, many would return to China like the Hongkies when their home country is growing in riches and opportunities. Singapore is not really their cup of tea except for a small group that are very wealthy and have reasons to want to stay away from China. The rest will return to China when they find making money there easier than here. China will draw them back.
The next biggest group of migrants is the Indians. They see Singapore as a paradise, a land of opportunities, many times better than India. They are coming here in swarms, especially the rich and the PMETs. They brought their families to stay, buying up properties in large numbers. And there is this Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement, CECA, which provides a legal framework for the mass migration of Indians into the island. Their numbers have already outnumbered the local Indians and growing rapidly. The attraction of India for the near future is not looking that much attractive than Singapore for them to return. Singapore is the idea place to live and do business.
With both govts abiding closely to the CECA terms, the influx of Indians will become a dominant factor that will change the social economic fabric and the demography of the island. When the Indians become a majority in the island, Singapore is likely to take on a more Indian outlook and English will remain the dominant language for social and business activities. Mandarin would then become of lesser importance despite the growing presence of China in the international scene.
Would the external forces of a rising China over shadow the influx of Indians into the island provided by CECA, or would the latter be so domineering that it will change the demography of the island and prevent Singapore from becoming just another Chinese city? Anyway, both scenarios would definitely change the unique identity of the island, one becoming more Chinese and the other becoming more Indian. The probability of external factors to alter the identity of a country is less likely to happen than an internal factor that is a govt initiative and supported by two govts with an official agreement to see it through.
The third phase would be the use of Mandarin for communication. This is seen as a natural development when economic and social interactions with China are so widespread and pervasive that people, including Sinkies, would just use the language as a convenient and necessary tool. Then there will be no need for Speak Mandarin Campaign. Singapore will ‘lose its unique identity and become more like another Chinese city, not much different from the many cities in the mainland.’
Han Fook Kwan hoped that it would not happen but this cannot be ruled out. His theory is based on external forces and the rise of a new economic power that has such an overpowering presence to change the world and the Singapore’s identity. I have another theory based on internal forces that could change Singapore’s identity into another form.
The govt has put in place, top priority policies, to fill the islands with foreigners in the name of lower birth rate, ageing population and economic growth, and in the process, instead of replacement, to increase the population to 6.9m. We are seeing the influx of foreigners in great numbers over the last decade or so and will gain momentum in the coming years.
The foreigners are coming, the westerners, the Chinese, the Indians and those from Asean countries. The westerners are unlikely to make any impact. The three biggest groups are likely to be the Chinese, the Indians and the Pinoys. The Pinoys have grown to several hundred thousands from a handful overnight. But with the tightening of employment passes, their numbers are going to slow down a bit. The large bulk of the Pinoy maids would not turn them into stayers and changing of our demography less of a problem.
As for the Chinese, many would return to China like the Hongkies when their home country is growing in riches and opportunities. Singapore is not really their cup of tea except for a small group that are very wealthy and have reasons to want to stay away from China. The rest will return to China when they find making money there easier than here. China will draw them back.
The next biggest group of migrants is the Indians. They see Singapore as a paradise, a land of opportunities, many times better than India. They are coming here in swarms, especially the rich and the PMETs. They brought their families to stay, buying up properties in large numbers. And there is this Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement, CECA, which provides a legal framework for the mass migration of Indians into the island. Their numbers have already outnumbered the local Indians and growing rapidly. The attraction of India for the near future is not looking that much attractive than Singapore for them to return. Singapore is the idea place to live and do business.
With both govts abiding closely to the CECA terms, the influx of Indians will become a dominant factor that will change the social economic fabric and the demography of the island. When the Indians become a majority in the island, Singapore is likely to take on a more Indian outlook and English will remain the dominant language for social and business activities. Mandarin would then become of lesser importance despite the growing presence of China in the international scene.
Would the external forces of a rising China over shadow the influx of Indians into the island provided by CECA, or would the latter be so domineering that it will change the demography of the island and prevent Singapore from becoming just another Chinese city? Anyway, both scenarios would definitely change the unique identity of the island, one becoming more Chinese and the other becoming more Indian. The probability of external factors to alter the identity of a country is less likely to happen than an internal factor that is a govt initiative and supported by two govts with an official agreement to see it through.
11/03/2013
A dynamic and vibrant chicken coop
The farmer stared blindly at the expanse of his chicken coop, every chicken was fat and cheery, the male chicken too. Then it struck his mind, why are the chicken not running around and cackling? Something is missing, lazy, lack of motivation, life too good? There is no life, a lack of vibrancy. They all seemed so contented, fat and contented.
After a few sleepless nights he came out with an idea to make
his chicken coop more vibrant and his chicken behaving more like chicken. He
sent a few orders overseas and a plane load of cocks arrived, red ones, brown
ones, yellow ones, white ones and black ones. The farmer was very impressed
with the athletic built of his new cocks. Some may be a bit skinny, but with
their hungry look he knew they would perform.
He let loose his new foreign cocks among the local chickens.
Sure enough the hens went wild like crazy, being chased around by the foreign
cocks. And the local cocks were left out completely, unable to compete with the
hungrier foreign cocks and their sharper talons. The whole chicken coop was
wild with a new found vibrancy, and the cackling went on through the nights.
A few months later the noise in the chicken coop started to
lower. The hens did not run around as often and started to put on weight again.
The foreign cocks had grown a bit tired after having too much fun and too much
of a good life.
He thought of another new idea to increase the productivity
of the hens. This time the farmer brought in the big guns. No need too many,
just a few foxes to chase the hens and the cocks around. This will make them
healthier and increase their libido, and healthier eggs would be produced. The
cackling was even louder than before and with intense vibrancy and with more
shits all over the place.
After a while the noise went quieter again. The farmer could
hear it from his ivory tower at a distance. Without putting his head out of the
window, he decided to do something to get the vibrancy back again. The hens
need to be productive to lay the golden eggs.
He did not know that the foxes not only screwed the hens and
the cocks, they had them for breakfast, lunch and dinner as well. The lack of
sound and activities were apparent but ignored, a few laggards managed to
survive the ordeal. The farmer thought he still had a whole chicken coop with
hens, cocks and the foxes.
He wanted more actions and brought in a few wolves into his
chicken coop hoping to improve his chicken egg business. Sure, he heard the
noise and the running around of the last few chickens and their cackling that
were really dying calls for help. But the farmer was still sleeping, thinking
all was well. With the wolves after the chickens, even the foxes would not
stand a chance. They had high speed and high frequency appetite and could eat
more. The wolves finally act up all the chickens in the chicken coop.
When the farmer woke up and found the chicken coop empty, he
asked, ‘What happened?
JP Morgan hiring local talents
‘The US authorities are believed to be scrutinising the hiring practices of banking giant J P Morgan Chase in India, South Korea and Singapore following a probe into its activities in China regarding hiring children of powerful officials to win lucrative business deals.
A report in the New York Time said that the federal investigation into the
hiring practices of JPMorgan Chase appears to be expanding beyond China
into other Asian markets.
In a filing with Securities and Exchange Commission, the bank disclosed that the federal regulator and the Justice Department were now looking into "its business relationships with certain related clients in the Asia Pacific region and its engagement of consultants in the Asia Pacific region."’ Quoted from Business Today dated 2 Nov 13.’
In a filing with Securities and Exchange Commission, the bank disclosed that the federal regulator and the Justice Department were now looking into "its business relationships with certain related clients in the Asia Pacific region and its engagement of consultants in the Asia Pacific region."’ Quoted from Business Today dated 2 Nov 13.’
Why would they want to check on their Singapore
office? Singapore
is one of the most highly regulated cities in the world and such things would
not have happened here. We are not only famous for being a city that runs by
the rule of law but also on meritocracy. Everyone is appointed to where he is
based on merit. Period. This is the unquestionable truth in the city state.
What is interesting in JP Morgan’s hiring practice is to
hire local talents in the country of operation. When in India
they hired Indians, in China
they hired Chinese, in Singapore
they hired Singaporeans in top management, not in the backroom or for show. JP
Morgan is a big MNC and finds it proper and wise to hire local talents with
local knowledge to run their local businesses. This is only practical, logical,
pragmatic and showing respect to the countries and people they are doing
business with and making money from.
11/02/2013
Happy Deepavali
I was so busy socialising today that I almost forgot to wish our Indians happy Deepavali, or has it been changed to Tiwali. Anyway, I am still more comfortable with Deepavali, having grown up with this term for more than 60 years.
Cheers
Cheers
The rich knows no bound
Come
November 4 ERP gantries will have their fees raised from $5 to $6 a pass. That
is two bowls of noodles or two plates of char kway teow. To the rich, it is
cheap cheap cheap. To the not so rich, it is arrrgggh. Every pass is so painful.
But
this is necessary as these roads are now clogged, like the drains and canals
during a flash flood. You want progress, this is what you should expect and be
paying. How high will the fees go up when we have 6.9m people here?
Did
you ask for it, do you have a choice? No the choice has been made for you. You
should be grateful that such tough decisions are made for you. It must have
hurt those people deeply for having to make this decision. They must have
sleepless nights and nightmares after voting for it in Parliament.
But
they will feel good and their conscience is clear. They are doing it for the
good of the people, yes, for the good of you and me.
Please
say thank you. And thank God that it is not $10 a pass already. This is
progress. Only with progress, with a growing GDP can the motorists pay this
kind of gantry fees. Count your blessing that we can afford it and the charges
are so affordable.
Strategy versus strategy – China versus India
Two Asian powers expanding their reach and influence into Southeast Asia. On the East there is China claiming the little rocks in the South China Sea with potential for oil. Just potential, but still quite good chances of striking some black gold. From the West there is India setting its eyes on the Jewel of Southeast Asia, a thriving and very rich little city with added strategic values militarily and economically.
While
China is being challenged by
several of the Asean countries, with the USA hiding behind them, India is in Singapore, welcomed and
unchallenged. With CECA in her bag, India could literally transfer
and transport whole cities of its industries and businesses and people into the
island, legally. And with the agreement, it could even sue the City’s govt for
trying to obstruct or delay the transmigration of its people and businesses
into the City. There is no competition and no USA hiding behind to throw
obstacles along the way.
As
of today, unofficially, there are probably more Indian nationals in the City
than the Indian citizens of the City. Combined they could be the second largest
ethnic group in the City, overtaking the Malays. If there is no slowing down to
the migration of Indian nationals, it is only a matter of time that ethnic
Indians will be competing with the Chinese citizens as the biggest racial group
in the island City.
The
acquisition of this City will come along with all its riches, a thriving city
state with all its assets, national reserves in the trillions, institutions and
a well educated population. And most important of all, controlling a choke
point in the sea route between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. Controlling this
strategic City is controlling the gate to the region and passage through the
region. It is a master stroke, a master strategy many times more superior to
controlling some little uninhabited islands in the South China Seas and risking wars with the
littoral states and the USA.
Taking
over the city state could be just a formality, if the islanders are happy with
the arrangement or sleeping and without knowing what is happening until the
rice is cooked. It would be a fait accompli, or a de facto ownership of the
island, with the consent of the Sinkies of course. Quietly and stealthily, one
business park at a time, one housing estate at a time, the acquisition is real
and expanding.
The
two Asian giants, each one setting eyes on expanding their control and
influence into the region but aiming for different assets. Controlling and
taking over the city state would be many times more valuable and strategic than
the rocks in the South China Seas.
11/01/2013
Why Anonymous Collective hacked into ST Online site?
The Anonymous Collective, better known as The Messiah, has hacked into
the ST Online site early yesterday morning. They gave the reason for the
hacking as a reaction to a reporter by the name of Irene Tham for
putting up a misleading article on them. This is what the Anonymous
Collective said.
'Greetings Irene Tham & Straitstimes.com,
I am The Messiah from the Anonymous Collective. We are a decentralized non-violent resistance movement, which seeks to restore the rule of law and fight back against the organized criminal class. We oppose any form of internet censorship among other things.
Allow me to explain our intrusion.
Earlier today upon discovering the existence of a Youtube video of ours (click here), a straitstimes correspondent by the name of Irene Tham chose to publicize an article distorting our words and intentions (click here). She chose to conveniently modify the sentence “war against the Singapore Government” into “war against Singapore”.
That in our opinion can be very misleading and unfortunately we suspect that must have been her intentions. Look what she made us do!
Irene Tham, since you had the ignorant nerve of invading our world (the internet) to speak blasphemous lies, then we took it upon ourselves to invade your tiny little space to voice our issues over a few matter. We sincerely hope you wont mind…. '
We can see the switch in the objective from opposing internet censorship to this reporter. The point here is that the ST reporter is being accused to misleading the public by changing the words and thus the content and intent of Anonymous Collective. The AC said that their actions were targeted at the Singapore govt while the reporter changed it attacking Singapore. The difference is quite significant.
Did the reporter misinterpret what the AC wrote or was the change intentional? Did the paper double check to make sure what the reported was factually correct? I leave this to the readers to make their own judgment. What follows is that the AC is demanding an apology from the reporter to the citizens of Singapore within 48 hours, failing which she has to resign from ST ‘…for trying to mislead them with her hate.’ The AC added, ‘in the event our demands are not met in the next 48 hours, we will place you in our “to do” list and next time you wont be let off this easy.’
I am not sure what is this ‘to do’ list but it sounds like a KIV until a next time something like this happens again. What is interesting to note is that you have a virtual body making threats and warnings of actions against an institution like the ST and of course the govt of Singapore. This is the first of its kind to happen. The audacity is stunning. It is a case of I can hit you but you can’t do anything to me. Sound familiar?
It is interesting to see how ST reacts to this warning and challenge. Would ST simply ignore it as something from the wilderness? Or would it take this threat seriously and Irene Tham would make an apology or be dismissed? How would this go? Would a virtual body from virtual space have the clout to do this to an established big organization like the ST? This is a big change in the nature of things, the natural order of things.
'Greetings Irene Tham & Straitstimes.com,
I am The Messiah from the Anonymous Collective. We are a decentralized non-violent resistance movement, which seeks to restore the rule of law and fight back against the organized criminal class. We oppose any form of internet censorship among other things.
Allow me to explain our intrusion.
Earlier today upon discovering the existence of a Youtube video of ours (click here), a straitstimes correspondent by the name of Irene Tham chose to publicize an article distorting our words and intentions (click here). She chose to conveniently modify the sentence “war against the Singapore Government” into “war against Singapore”.
That in our opinion can be very misleading and unfortunately we suspect that must have been her intentions. Look what she made us do!
Irene Tham, since you had the ignorant nerve of invading our world (the internet) to speak blasphemous lies, then we took it upon ourselves to invade your tiny little space to voice our issues over a few matter. We sincerely hope you wont mind…. '
We can see the switch in the objective from opposing internet censorship to this reporter. The point here is that the ST reporter is being accused to misleading the public by changing the words and thus the content and intent of Anonymous Collective. The AC said that their actions were targeted at the Singapore govt while the reporter changed it attacking Singapore. The difference is quite significant.
Did the reporter misinterpret what the AC wrote or was the change intentional? Did the paper double check to make sure what the reported was factually correct? I leave this to the readers to make their own judgment. What follows is that the AC is demanding an apology from the reporter to the citizens of Singapore within 48 hours, failing which she has to resign from ST ‘…for trying to mislead them with her hate.’ The AC added, ‘in the event our demands are not met in the next 48 hours, we will place you in our “to do” list and next time you wont be let off this easy.’
I am not sure what is this ‘to do’ list but it sounds like a KIV until a next time something like this happens again. What is interesting to note is that you have a virtual body making threats and warnings of actions against an institution like the ST and of course the govt of Singapore. This is the first of its kind to happen. The audacity is stunning. It is a case of I can hit you but you can’t do anything to me. Sound familiar?
It is interesting to see how ST reacts to this warning and challenge. Would ST simply ignore it as something from the wilderness? Or would it take this threat seriously and Irene Tham would make an apology or be dismissed? How would this go? Would a virtual body from virtual space have the clout to do this to an established big organization like the ST? This is a big change in the nature of things, the natural order of things.
How to run a stock market to the ground?
Stock markets around the world have been profitable institutions for
centuries. As a collector of commissions and fees for listing and
trading, it is like an evergreen ATM, always making money. The Great
Depression could have temporarily halted the trading activities of a
stock market, but they still picked up and ran again. It is quite near
impossible to run a stock market to the ground. It would take tremendous
ingenuity or stupidity to be able to do so.
After twenty years in the industry I have discovered how a stock market can actually be run to ground zero by a special recipe. Let me try to put this into simple steps for anyone who has the chance to do it, like how to assemble 炸蛋, fried egg, DIY online.
1. Invite all the big funds to play in the market.
2. Consult them on how to fix a system so that they can take full advantage of their high speed computers to make profits from the small investors.
3. First thing, allow them to hook their computers into the exchange system so that they would know what other traders/investors are buying or selling. Don’t tell people this is unfair. Better still don’t tell anyone if possible. Don’t talk about it is the best.
4. Reduce the commission to as low as possible, even free if can, so the big funds can trade in very big volumes without cost or with minimum charges. Then they can play big big and pay more fees to the exchange while making a killing at the same time. The small investors are there to be cannon fodder and dispensable.
5. No lunch break so the computers can keep on running throughout the whole session. Having lunch break is very disruptive to the computers and troublesome for the operators. Then bluff the broking houses no lunch break increases trading volumes, continuous trading means more time to do business.
6. Create a system to allow the funds to borrow scrips just in case they oversold some positions and need to cover for a short while. So the funds can long or short to make money either way. The trick is to protect the big funds while they eat up the small traders.
7. Deregulate, have as little rules as possible. No rules better still. If got rules, pretend to have dementia. Some say one eye open one eye close.
8. If the funds violate trading rules like churning, buying and selling without change of ownership, cornering the market, creating a false market, just ignore. Pretend not to know, not to see. Pretend nothing is wrong. The big funds must be given the fullest support to generate volume and liquidity in the market and of course to make money.
9. Make the small traders pay higher commission rate so they cannot get out quickly without losing or cannot make profit unless the price has moved several bids. This will allow the big funds to hold them captive and take advantage of small changes to make money, like push up one bid, push down two bids.
10. There is no need to provide a fair and level playing field. Bring in the HFT to make profits by skimming the differences that the small investors cannot see and not chance to see. It is a given that the HFT is sure to make profits like the big funds. No need to care where or who pay for their profits. Zero sum game? Sure.
These ten simple steps will definitely run a stock exchange to the ground in double quick time. All the small traders will be scooped up and hung to dry without knowing what has happened. And when there are no more small traders to slaughter, move on.
After twenty years in the industry I have discovered how a stock market can actually be run to ground zero by a special recipe. Let me try to put this into simple steps for anyone who has the chance to do it, like how to assemble 炸蛋, fried egg, DIY online.
1. Invite all the big funds to play in the market.
2. Consult them on how to fix a system so that they can take full advantage of their high speed computers to make profits from the small investors.
3. First thing, allow them to hook their computers into the exchange system so that they would know what other traders/investors are buying or selling. Don’t tell people this is unfair. Better still don’t tell anyone if possible. Don’t talk about it is the best.
4. Reduce the commission to as low as possible, even free if can, so the big funds can trade in very big volumes without cost or with minimum charges. Then they can play big big and pay more fees to the exchange while making a killing at the same time. The small investors are there to be cannon fodder and dispensable.
5. No lunch break so the computers can keep on running throughout the whole session. Having lunch break is very disruptive to the computers and troublesome for the operators. Then bluff the broking houses no lunch break increases trading volumes, continuous trading means more time to do business.
6. Create a system to allow the funds to borrow scrips just in case they oversold some positions and need to cover for a short while. So the funds can long or short to make money either way. The trick is to protect the big funds while they eat up the small traders.
7. Deregulate, have as little rules as possible. No rules better still. If got rules, pretend to have dementia. Some say one eye open one eye close.
8. If the funds violate trading rules like churning, buying and selling without change of ownership, cornering the market, creating a false market, just ignore. Pretend not to know, not to see. Pretend nothing is wrong. The big funds must be given the fullest support to generate volume and liquidity in the market and of course to make money.
9. Make the small traders pay higher commission rate so they cannot get out quickly without losing or cannot make profit unless the price has moved several bids. This will allow the big funds to hold them captive and take advantage of small changes to make money, like push up one bid, push down two bids.
10. There is no need to provide a fair and level playing field. Bring in the HFT to make profits by skimming the differences that the small investors cannot see and not chance to see. It is a given that the HFT is sure to make profits like the big funds. No need to care where or who pay for their profits. Zero sum game? Sure.
These ten simple steps will definitely run a stock exchange to the ground in double quick time. All the small traders will be scooped up and hung to dry without knowing what has happened. And when there are no more small traders to slaughter, move on.
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