Just like the phrase Guided Democracy, what Singapore needs is Managed
Meritocracy and not Meritocrazy as it is being practised. The whole
basis of Managed Meritocracy is about country and citizens. The country
and citizens must be the main priorities in the practice of meritocracy.
It cannot be a blind meritocracy. It cannot be a colourless
meritocracy, irrespective of nationalities. It must be a meritocracy
with nationality, Singaporeans, sitting on top of the agenda.
An idiotic and mindless meritocrazy that sells out the citizens in
favour of foreigners is unacceptable and a betrayal of the citizenry.
This point must be foremost in the minds of the leaders. The citizens
are the masters of this island and own this place. No one can give their
birthrights and privileges to have a good life here to foreigners at
their expense.
Any politician that threatens to replace the citizens with foreigners on
the ground that the foreigner is ‘better’ than the citizens is standing
on weak sand. It cannot be and must not be and must not be allowed to
continue. If this kind of argument is the new truth, then it is a matter
of time that the whole citizen population would be replaced by
foreigners.
What we need is Managed Meritocracy. This is a Meritocracy that places
the interest of Singaporeans ahead of foreigners. All things being
equal, the Singaporeans must be considered first. Even when things are
not equal, especially in top jobs or good jobs, the Singaporeans must
still be considered first unless the having of a foreigner is a no
choice option, unless the foreigner is going to bring the moon and the
stars to put on the table. We know that many foreigners are not able to
do so and what they are doing are nothing better than what a citizen can
do in their places but still given the jobs. In many cases there is
nothing spectacular that the foreigners can do that the Singaporeans
cannot do except they looked like our colonial masters or some 3rd world
novelties.
For the good of people and nation, Meritocracy must be managed or else it is at best just a dangerous kind of Meritocrazy.
2/12/2014
Wisdom in a tricky situation
The blow up on the naming of the Indonesian naval ship was, like many
commented, a storm in a tea cup. Was it a tricky situation? I don’t
think so. It was unnecessary and a throwing of tantrum at the wrong time
for the wrong reasons. We are in a time when relations with our
neighbours are extremely good and things can be sorted out over a cup of
tea. To raise all the ruckus over this issue is bad judgement. Things
have to dealt with wisely, from the right perspective, the right context
and the right timing. Beating the drums and thumping the chest are not
always the right thing to do.
Indonesia is blessed with several wise leaders in Yudhoyono and in Marty Natalegawa. They spoke wisdom. They could behave like young punks and responded with more tantrums as well and the situation could have blown out of proportion with both sides unable to fall back to a conciliatory mood. We benefitted from wise leaders, and this particular incident shows how valuable wise leaders to their countries and how they could affect their neighbours as well.
Yudhoyono cautioned against the slippery step of destroying a relationship built over the years without hinting at any signs of retaliation. Marty spoke calmly, like a wise man many times his age on the issue, without ruffling any feathers. That was not his intention. He explained that the naming of the ship was done without malice or ill intent. He needed not have to explain and neither does any other Indonesian leaders. And it would be even more embarrassing for our leaders if they did not back up their aggressive response with another level of provocations. Now Marty has given them an excuse to back down with some dignity. Let’s hope no one is trying another one upmanship to raise the temperature.
Thank you Marty. Indonesia and the region are blessed to have wise leaders like you and Yudhoyono in charge. Let’s hope the next president and his team will be as equally wise as your team today. The three candidates of Wiranto, Subianto and Wibowo are technocrats and highly educated and looking in the same mould as Yudhoyono. Indonesia and Asean have benefitted from Yudhoyono’s wise leadership and hopefully this will continue when the baton is passed to another wise leader.
Indonesia is blessed with several wise leaders in Yudhoyono and in Marty Natalegawa. They spoke wisdom. They could behave like young punks and responded with more tantrums as well and the situation could have blown out of proportion with both sides unable to fall back to a conciliatory mood. We benefitted from wise leaders, and this particular incident shows how valuable wise leaders to their countries and how they could affect their neighbours as well.
Yudhoyono cautioned against the slippery step of destroying a relationship built over the years without hinting at any signs of retaliation. Marty spoke calmly, like a wise man many times his age on the issue, without ruffling any feathers. That was not his intention. He explained that the naming of the ship was done without malice or ill intent. He needed not have to explain and neither does any other Indonesian leaders. And it would be even more embarrassing for our leaders if they did not back up their aggressive response with another level of provocations. Now Marty has given them an excuse to back down with some dignity. Let’s hope no one is trying another one upmanship to raise the temperature.
Thank you Marty. Indonesia and the region are blessed to have wise leaders like you and Yudhoyono in charge. Let’s hope the next president and his team will be as equally wise as your team today. The three candidates of Wiranto, Subianto and Wibowo are technocrats and highly educated and looking in the same mould as Yudhoyono. Indonesia and Asean have benefitted from Yudhoyono’s wise leadership and hopefully this will continue when the baton is passed to another wise leader.
2/11/2014
Small minded and mean people aplenty
The Medishield Life Scheme and the Pioneering Generation Package would
be in everyone’s lips for a while. Some will be so happy that they have
been included in the package, some a disappointed. Some are talking
about introducing mean testing like they did in the hospitals. I must
say only mean people can think of such a sickening thing. A friend of
mine was trying to renew his CHAS card and was subject to a grueling
regiment of questions that were as good as stripping him of all dignity
as a person, to the extent of wanting to know how many pubic hair is
left beneath his underwear. Only people who are wealthy beyond
recognition will think it is fun to subject people to mean testing. They
said such people have bad hearts.
I have a very simple solution to those shit heads. Just let the rich to voluntarily donate their package to charity if they do not need it. It is a very simple unobtrusive and generous gesture, showing a big heart instead of a small and narrow one. If the pioneering generation package is to recognize the contribution of the pioneers, why is this nonsensical objection against the rich? I know many of the rich pioneers are extremely rich and would not need the money. Let them decide what they want to do with the money. It is their prerogative.
By the way, do not be happy. The pioneering package is just there to keep the pioneers from being made to pay for the Medishield Life. The money will be credited and then debited, LPPL. They are just being spared from emptying their little savings if they have any. It is not a windfall, not striking lottery and can go to Batam for a fling. Just count yourself lucky for not being put in a very embarrassing financial fix, no money to pay for the hefty premiums when you don’t have an income.
Should they be grateful for the kindness and mercy shown? Even before they are on dry ground and some mean people are thinking of dragging a few into deep waters. God bless the mean and mighty. Mercy. These are very kind and good people with very good intention, to commit murders in the name of goodness.
I have a very simple solution to those shit heads. Just let the rich to voluntarily donate their package to charity if they do not need it. It is a very simple unobtrusive and generous gesture, showing a big heart instead of a small and narrow one. If the pioneering generation package is to recognize the contribution of the pioneers, why is this nonsensical objection against the rich? I know many of the rich pioneers are extremely rich and would not need the money. Let them decide what they want to do with the money. It is their prerogative.
By the way, do not be happy. The pioneering package is just there to keep the pioneers from being made to pay for the Medishield Life. The money will be credited and then debited, LPPL. They are just being spared from emptying their little savings if they have any. It is not a windfall, not striking lottery and can go to Batam for a fling. Just count yourself lucky for not being put in a very embarrassing financial fix, no money to pay for the hefty premiums when you don’t have an income.
Should they be grateful for the kindness and mercy shown? Even before they are on dry ground and some mean people are thinking of dragging a few into deep waters. God bless the mean and mighty. Mercy. These are very kind and good people with very good intention, to commit murders in the name of goodness.
Usman Harun – A call for wise leadership
Chan Chun Sing said that this issue required the presence of wise
leadership, for more dialogue to prevent the fanning of a flame, to
prevent creating an external issue to divert domestic problems. And
Yudhoyono cautioned against over reacting and dragging a good
relationship developed over the years back to the past.
Both statements are words of caution to warn the young turks from behaving like they are, hot behind the ears. The Indonesians had done something that we cannot agree on and we are reacting. As far as the Indonesians are concerned, this is their domestic matters and who are we to interfere and tell them what to do and what not to do. Now, who is fanning a flame, creating an external problem to divert from domestic issues or over reacting and dragging a good relationship into the past?
How significant is the naming of a naval ship after the two terrorists, yes they were terrorists to us but heroes to the Indonesians, compares to the hundreds of thousands killed by the Japanese during their invasion of the island?
The laying of the wreath at the two terrorists’ grave by LKY, their equivalent of a hero burial site, our Kranji War Memorial, must have closed the chapter and their act forgiven. Why the big outcry that would lead to nothing but hostility when quiet diplomacy would have been more appropriate in this case? If we can forgive the Japanese, allowed their PM to honour war criminals that they regarded as national heroes without a whimper of protest, what is so different with the naming of a naval craft?
Yes, we need wisdom. Where is the wisdom coming from? Are we still searching and waiting for wisdom to appear over the horizon?
Both statements are words of caution to warn the young turks from behaving like they are, hot behind the ears. The Indonesians had done something that we cannot agree on and we are reacting. As far as the Indonesians are concerned, this is their domestic matters and who are we to interfere and tell them what to do and what not to do. Now, who is fanning a flame, creating an external problem to divert from domestic issues or over reacting and dragging a good relationship into the past?
How significant is the naming of a naval ship after the two terrorists, yes they were terrorists to us but heroes to the Indonesians, compares to the hundreds of thousands killed by the Japanese during their invasion of the island?
The laying of the wreath at the two terrorists’ grave by LKY, their equivalent of a hero burial site, our Kranji War Memorial, must have closed the chapter and their act forgiven. Why the big outcry that would lead to nothing but hostility when quiet diplomacy would have been more appropriate in this case? If we can forgive the Japanese, allowed their PM to honour war criminals that they regarded as national heroes without a whimper of protest, what is so different with the naming of a naval craft?
Yes, we need wisdom. Where is the wisdom coming from? Are we still searching and waiting for wisdom to appear over the horizon?
Singapore welcomes Japan’s military role?
At the Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Fullerton Forum held on 13
Jan 14, Singapore’s Minister Ng Eng Hen told the Japanese to ‘assure
her neighbours as it beefs up military’. Japan is rearming, the Japanese
PM Shinzo Abe has visited the Yasukuni Shrine, a symbol of Japanese
militarism, and sending out a message that Japan is proud of its
militant past and aggression against East and Southeast Asian countries.
The Japanese PM is paying homage and honouring the Japanese soldiers
and war criminals who committed brutal and barbaric aggression against
Japan’s neighbours in WW2, including colonizing Singapore and
brutalizing its population with hundreds of thousands murdered in broad
daylight.
Only China and the two Koreans were fuming at this act of defiance and treachery by the Japanese PM. The other Asian countries have not breathed a word. Many must have forgotten or forgiven the Japanese for their invasion, looting and bombing and atrocities against their countries.
Now Japan is rearming, just like it was before it invaded Asia and SE Asia. Japan’s military strength is second only to China and could easily do a repeat of WW2. No one is protesting except of course China and the Koreas. The rest of the Asian and SE Asian countries do not believe that they would be invaded by Japan again and in a way supported, or tacitly supported the rise of a new militant Japan.
Does Singapore also forget what the Japanese did to its people, ruling the island by force and coercion? Does Singapore also support a strong militant Japan that could do another Syonanto? The memories of the vicious Japanese hordes here and the pain they inflicted, the lives they murdered in broad daylight are still vivid to many who are still alive. Many may want to forgive the barbarity of the Japanese, but would we want to encourage another militant Japan?
Should the world stop the rearmament of Japan? With the new geopolitical forces in play, with the Americans needing the Japanese to fight a proxy war to contain China, no one, not even the Americans that suffered a Pearl Harbour would mind having a strong military Japan.
The forces and factors that could lead to a WW3 are in the making with the tacit approval of all the victims of past Japanese aggression. Japan has dropped its pledge on not going to war. The Pacifist Constitution is being annulled and revamped to allow Japan to conduct wars. Thanks to their American minders who are so happy to have Japan as their top fighting dog. If there is retribution, let’s hope Japan will nuke the USA one day.
PS. Why are we reacting so strongly to the Indonesians naming a naval ship after two terrorists who killed 3 people and wound 33 while condoning Japan’s remilitarization and the honouring of war criminals by their Prime Minister in Yasukuni?
Only China and the two Koreans were fuming at this act of defiance and treachery by the Japanese PM. The other Asian countries have not breathed a word. Many must have forgotten or forgiven the Japanese for their invasion, looting and bombing and atrocities against their countries.
Now Japan is rearming, just like it was before it invaded Asia and SE Asia. Japan’s military strength is second only to China and could easily do a repeat of WW2. No one is protesting except of course China and the Koreas. The rest of the Asian and SE Asian countries do not believe that they would be invaded by Japan again and in a way supported, or tacitly supported the rise of a new militant Japan.
Does Singapore also forget what the Japanese did to its people, ruling the island by force and coercion? Does Singapore also support a strong militant Japan that could do another Syonanto? The memories of the vicious Japanese hordes here and the pain they inflicted, the lives they murdered in broad daylight are still vivid to many who are still alive. Many may want to forgive the barbarity of the Japanese, but would we want to encourage another militant Japan?
Should the world stop the rearmament of Japan? With the new geopolitical forces in play, with the Americans needing the Japanese to fight a proxy war to contain China, no one, not even the Americans that suffered a Pearl Harbour would mind having a strong military Japan.
The forces and factors that could lead to a WW3 are in the making with the tacit approval of all the victims of past Japanese aggression. Japan has dropped its pledge on not going to war. The Pacifist Constitution is being annulled and revamped to allow Japan to conduct wars. Thanks to their American minders who are so happy to have Japan as their top fighting dog. If there is retribution, let’s hope Japan will nuke the USA one day.
PS. Why are we reacting so strongly to the Indonesians naming a naval ship after two terrorists who killed 3 people and wound 33 while condoning Japan’s remilitarization and the honouring of war criminals by their Prime Minister in Yasukuni?
Foreign talent and the suicide of nation states
‘Switzerland voted in favor of new immigration curbs, risking a backlash
from the European Union and thwarting the ability of companies to hire
top talent abroad.’
European nations are waking up to the hole they dug for themselves with an open border and freedom of immigration under the guise of foreign talents. And every asshole is talking about the goodness of hiring foreign talents at the expense of the well being of their own citizens. Smaller nation states like Switzerland would be the first to feel the pain and is now taking actions to stop this idiocy. More European states would do so in times to come.
When one is talking about talents, countries that have a big pool of trained talents would have the benefits of exporting their talents overseas when there are silly political leaders willing to sell their countries freely. China and India would eventually fill the whole world with their talents. In smaller states, the top jobs could easily be replaced by these talents when their pool is so huge, more than 2 billion people to choose from among them. It is a simple number game.
When would the idiots realize that this game cannot be played under laissez faire terms when it is as good as no rules? When this is the case, small states could be taken over by states with big populations. It is as good as selling out the whole country to foreigners.
Is this the new world order? Is this something that citizens desired at their own peril? No, it is not the new world order. It is small nations courting their own demise, willingly, voluntarily, and stupidly. The big powers would be there to grab these silly nations who are willing to lose their sovereignty in the name of ‘meritocrazy’ and thinking that they could get a free ride from foreign talents. They would get a lift for sure, from a stick shafted into their arse.
Kopi level - Green
European nations are waking up to the hole they dug for themselves with an open border and freedom of immigration under the guise of foreign talents. And every asshole is talking about the goodness of hiring foreign talents at the expense of the well being of their own citizens. Smaller nation states like Switzerland would be the first to feel the pain and is now taking actions to stop this idiocy. More European states would do so in times to come.
When one is talking about talents, countries that have a big pool of trained talents would have the benefits of exporting their talents overseas when there are silly political leaders willing to sell their countries freely. China and India would eventually fill the whole world with their talents. In smaller states, the top jobs could easily be replaced by these talents when their pool is so huge, more than 2 billion people to choose from among them. It is a simple number game.
When would the idiots realize that this game cannot be played under laissez faire terms when it is as good as no rules? When this is the case, small states could be taken over by states with big populations. It is as good as selling out the whole country to foreigners.
Is this the new world order? Is this something that citizens desired at their own peril? No, it is not the new world order. It is small nations courting their own demise, willingly, voluntarily, and stupidly. The big powers would be there to grab these silly nations who are willing to lose their sovereignty in the name of ‘meritocrazy’ and thinking that they could get a free ride from foreign talents. They would get a lift for sure, from a stick shafted into their arse.
Kopi level - Green
2/10/2014
Sonic Gear Ear Pump Studio Pro
I have never really promoted any products before. And I am going to
promote this ear phone voluntarily, not being paid for it. I happened to
be browsing around at Challenger and came across this beautiful
headphone. I had seen many expensive ones but this one was really
striking, if you like the awesome size of the ear piece which is in
vogue. It looked so good, attractively designed and well made.
After looking at it for a while I returned it to the shelf. But I kept walking back to take a second and third look. I had no intention to buy anything. It was a very appealing piece of headphone. And the most appealing part was the price tag. It was likely to be the top model for Sonic Gear. I have used a pair of Sonic Gear table top for my computers and never regretted. It was great value for money.
Now this headphone was beckoning to me. Then I told myself, what the hell, it was only $39.90 before discount for members of Challenger. I must say I have several headphones and in ears and I absolutely do not need this piece of equipment.
I paid for it anyway, just to test out what it was going to be like compare to my Sony Studio Monitor which was a very good piece of headphone. And I don’t expect this less than $40 piece to be close to it in performance. Even if it is a few notches down, how to complain? It cost only a fraction of what I paid for my Sony.
I could not believe my ears when I plugged it into my system. It came very very close to my Sony. Unbelieveable! The sound quality is good enough for listening. The clarity, spatial and transparency. The bass was reasonable when the volume was pushed up. For $40, this is a great piece of headphone, and damn good looking too.
The headphone may not produce as good a sound on the mobile phone or a small pocket player. But once plug into a reasonably good system it comes to live.
It is worth many times the $40 I paid for. I thought I was just having fun throwing away $40 for a piece of toy. It was a pleasant surprise, and a headphone to keep and listen to. If you do not want to spend $300 or $400 for a branded phone, this is an excellent alternative.
After looking at it for a while I returned it to the shelf. But I kept walking back to take a second and third look. I had no intention to buy anything. It was a very appealing piece of headphone. And the most appealing part was the price tag. It was likely to be the top model for Sonic Gear. I have used a pair of Sonic Gear table top for my computers and never regretted. It was great value for money.
Now this headphone was beckoning to me. Then I told myself, what the hell, it was only $39.90 before discount for members of Challenger. I must say I have several headphones and in ears and I absolutely do not need this piece of equipment.
I paid for it anyway, just to test out what it was going to be like compare to my Sony Studio Monitor which was a very good piece of headphone. And I don’t expect this less than $40 piece to be close to it in performance. Even if it is a few notches down, how to complain? It cost only a fraction of what I paid for my Sony.
I could not believe my ears when I plugged it into my system. It came very very close to my Sony. Unbelieveable! The sound quality is good enough for listening. The clarity, spatial and transparency. The bass was reasonable when the volume was pushed up. For $40, this is a great piece of headphone, and damn good looking too.
The headphone may not produce as good a sound on the mobile phone or a small pocket player. But once plug into a reasonably good system it comes to live.
It is worth many times the $40 I paid for. I thought I was just having fun throwing away $40 for a piece of toy. It was a pleasant surprise, and a headphone to keep and listen to. If you do not want to spend $300 or $400 for a branded phone, this is an excellent alternative.
I am a big time property developer
My unsold properties are seeing their values stagnated and not rising.
My profits are not growing. This is bad. How can the govt do this to me?
Nevermind if I have made millions and billions in the last decades and
laughing to the banks, having an extremely good life from the profits
that I have made. Now I am not happy as my properties are not making the
kind of profits that they should be making. My gosh, the price actually
came down by 1%! Horror, I am having nightmares, cannot sleep. Please
don’t remind me that the prices have appreciated by 100% or 200% over
the last decade. That is my good fortune. I am very clever and talented.
I have foresight to go into property development and took the RISK. Yes
I took the risk to make millions and billions. I am sooooo talented.
Hey govt, you must tweak your policies on curbing property speculations. I have invested so much money in building these properties, how can I make a loss? Didn’t you say that the value of properties can only go up, only in smaller percentages? You have to tweak your curbs so that I can make my profits.
Oh, I am only selling to foreigners and making profits from foreigners. This is good right? And if you give me the chance, I will buy up the whole island, develop them into good class properties and sell them to the foreigners. What, selling the whole island? That is not my problem. My only interest is to make money as a developer. Selling the whole island is not my problem.
Quick, quick, tweak your policies so that I can make more money then I will buy more land from you and sell the properties to foreigners. You happy, I happy.
Hey govt, you must tweak your policies on curbing property speculations. I have invested so much money in building these properties, how can I make a loss? Didn’t you say that the value of properties can only go up, only in smaller percentages? You have to tweak your curbs so that I can make my profits.
Oh, I am only selling to foreigners and making profits from foreigners. This is good right? And if you give me the chance, I will buy up the whole island, develop them into good class properties and sell them to the foreigners. What, selling the whole island? That is not my problem. My only interest is to make money as a developer. Selling the whole island is not my problem.
Quick, quick, tweak your policies so that I can make more money then I will buy more land from you and sell the properties to foreigners. You happy, I happy.
American’s rule of law and justice
The Americans are chiding the Chinese for not conforming to
international law in claiming the islands in the South China Sea. China
has retorted that it is abiding by the international law of the day and
historical records to support their claims.
Let’s see how the Americans abided by international law in its claim of the north American continent compares to what China is doing. When China claimed the South China Sea islands, it was during a time when the rule of law was finders keeper. This is still valid when an island, a no man’s land is unclaimed by any country. When China made their claims, the islands were all no man’s land. And they have made their claims several centuries back. The littoral states that are claiming these islands don’t even know that the islands existed until recently and are contesting China’s claim. China could simply show them the middle finger.
When the Europeans claimed north America, the continent was NOT no man’s land. It was populated by millions of north American natives. It was their land. The Europeans simply took the land, murdered the natives, historically the worst genocide in terms of numbers. American historians have recorded the death toll to range from 70 million conservatively to more than 100 million.
What kind of law were the European Americans talking about? What kind of natural justice were they standing on today to comment about the claims made by China? The Americans are the last people to talk about international law that they have been violating for centuries and still doing it everyday. The Americans should be the last people to talk of human rights and killing of the innocence when they have done that for centuries and still doing it daily.
What kind of rubbish are the Americans talking about? What audacity and a distortion of the rule of law and natural justice that the Americans think they are on moral and legal high ground to comment about China?
Let’s see how the Americans abided by international law in its claim of the north American continent compares to what China is doing. When China claimed the South China Sea islands, it was during a time when the rule of law was finders keeper. This is still valid when an island, a no man’s land is unclaimed by any country. When China made their claims, the islands were all no man’s land. And they have made their claims several centuries back. The littoral states that are claiming these islands don’t even know that the islands existed until recently and are contesting China’s claim. China could simply show them the middle finger.
When the Europeans claimed north America, the continent was NOT no man’s land. It was populated by millions of north American natives. It was their land. The Europeans simply took the land, murdered the natives, historically the worst genocide in terms of numbers. American historians have recorded the death toll to range from 70 million conservatively to more than 100 million.
What kind of law were the European Americans talking about? What kind of natural justice were they standing on today to comment about the claims made by China? The Americans are the last people to talk about international law that they have been violating for centuries and still doing it everyday. The Americans should be the last people to talk of human rights and killing of the innocence when they have done that for centuries and still doing it daily.
What kind of rubbish are the Americans talking about? What audacity and a distortion of the rule of law and natural justice that the Americans think they are on moral and legal high ground to comment about China?
Pioneering Generation recognized
The announcement of the package for the pioneering generation is
welcomed particularly on the subsidies towards the Medishield Life that
could deal a heavy blow financially to all the oldies. They were caught
in an era of low income, relatively speaking, and now faced with high
inflation that had eaten up whatever little savings they have. And the
medical bills they are going to face are daunting, just the premiums
alone could make many of them bankrupt out right the moment it is
announced.
The pioneering package would have taken away this fear to a great extent. But those that were cut off from receiving this package would better be financially comfortable to face the full impact of the Medishield Life. Some who missed the package marginally would naturally not be too happy. But as in all such cases, a line has to be drawn and some would be painfully cut off to lick their wounds.
To make things more painful is the line drawn for ‘new’ citizens when the cut off is up to the year 1987. Anyone converted to a citizen before 1987 would be eligible for the package. That could make many of these new citizens who would be younger than the 65 years cut off point. How so?
What is the logic to this that in a way favours the new citizens against the natural citizens? From our independence in 1965 to 1987 there is a difference of 22 years. Is the govt being too generous to the new citizens again? What is the purpose or rationale for doing this to upset the citizens?
If I can recollect, in mid 70s the govt gave an ultimatum to those Malaysians working here, in the uniformed services, to convert their citizenship. Some converted and some went back to Malaysia. This could be a reason to recognize the tough choice that this group of people had to make. But most of them would have converted before 1980. Why is there a need to stretch the cut off point to 1987 to include many more relatively new citizens?
Like it or not, this is going to be a sore point to the citizens that missed out and who would thing rightlyfully that they are more deserving than the new citizens converted after 1975 or 1980, let not 1987.
What do you think?
Kopi level - Green
The pioneering package would have taken away this fear to a great extent. But those that were cut off from receiving this package would better be financially comfortable to face the full impact of the Medishield Life. Some who missed the package marginally would naturally not be too happy. But as in all such cases, a line has to be drawn and some would be painfully cut off to lick their wounds.
To make things more painful is the line drawn for ‘new’ citizens when the cut off is up to the year 1987. Anyone converted to a citizen before 1987 would be eligible for the package. That could make many of these new citizens who would be younger than the 65 years cut off point. How so?
What is the logic to this that in a way favours the new citizens against the natural citizens? From our independence in 1965 to 1987 there is a difference of 22 years. Is the govt being too generous to the new citizens again? What is the purpose or rationale for doing this to upset the citizens?
If I can recollect, in mid 70s the govt gave an ultimatum to those Malaysians working here, in the uniformed services, to convert their citizenship. Some converted and some went back to Malaysia. This could be a reason to recognize the tough choice that this group of people had to make. But most of them would have converted before 1980. Why is there a need to stretch the cut off point to 1987 to include many more relatively new citizens?
Like it or not, this is going to be a sore point to the citizens that missed out and who would thing rightlyfully that they are more deserving than the new citizens converted after 1975 or 1980, let not 1987.
What do you think?
Kopi level - Green
MAS and SGX propose measures to strengthen the securities market
‘The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and Singapore Exchange (SGX)
today released a joint consultation paper setting out proposals to
strengthen the securities market in Singapore.
The proposals follow an extensive review by MAS and SGX of the securities market in Singapore. The review concluded that while the securities market remains sound, there were three areas for improvement:
• promoting orderly trading and responsible investing;
• improving the transparency of market intervention measures; and
• strengthening the process for admitting new listings and enforcing against listing rule breaches.’
It is timely that MAS and SGX finally find a need to take a look at the health of the stock exchange and are inviting feedbacks on what needs to be done to make the stock market a more resilient and sustainable institution for the long haul. The objectives of this exercise are posted above, copied from SGX.
For all intent and purpose, this is a move in the right direction, a sign that things are not doing well and to take a serious look at the problems before it falls apart. On the other hand, this exercise tells another depressing story. The proposed changes and the need to ask the layman public on such serious and technical issues that require the technical knowledge of experts and thinking people in the industry says that MAS and SGX do not know what is wrong with the stock market. It is doing fine, just a little cosmetic changes and it will look pretty again.
Or, it may be that they know what is wrong but are turning the other way, not wanting to face the uncomfortable truth and wishing that everything is fine. There is no elephant in the classroom.
The public, even the stakeholders, if they are not willing to put on their thinking caps to look seriously into the problems that led to the current pathetic state of the stock broking industry would at best scratch the surface of a systemic problem and would make a few cursory or casual remarks and suggestions and thinking the problems will go away. From my experience, many are still totally ignorant of what is happening and the real causes of the failing market.
The stock market is in the critically ill stage and needs immediate resuscitation if it is not to collapse into a coma. And the proposals made by MAS and SGX are not encouraging. It is like a patient dying of syphilis and the doctors are recommending treatments for measles, for acne, and for insect bites. Unless MAS and SGX are serious to want to save the stock market from its certain demise, this exercise would be a waste of effort and time.
To be able to come up with effective measures to save the stock market, it is paramount that they know what is wrong with the market. What are the causes that are contributing to a market in distress. If they are chasing after the shadows, what good would come out of it? If they don’t even know what is wrong with the market, what is there to do to right the wrongs?
Another very important factor that can make this exercise real, if real solutions and tough measures are to be taken to revive the market, is professional expertise. You need people who know what they are saying, to know what is wrong and what needs to be done, and most of all, have the credentials and authority to tell the SGX that these things must change. Recommendations made by the public, or the stakeholders, could simply be ‘pooh pooh’ away by the SGX for obvious reasons and by the authority vested in them as the incumbent officials. They would flash their badge of professionalism and expertise and simply claimed that they know best and what they are doing are the best, and nothing meaningful will be accepted. Who is in a better position to go against the gods?
What can the other stakeholders do when authority and power are vested in the office bearers at SGX to make them change a flawed system?
The MAS should engage foreign experts that have the knowledge and authority to tell the SGX what needs to be done to save the industry. Here we are talking about real talents, people like Paul Volcker and the critics of the NYSE, of how the NYSE has been turned into a scam, a casino instead of a stock exchange. The western model stock markets, including SGX, are no longer stock markets for investment but for pure gambling, not even for speculations.
Now who is saying that we should not encourage a gambling mentality in the stock market when the stock market has been redesigned into a casino? There is no elephant in the classroom if one does not want to look at it.
This is just my general comments on this exercise. I will submit my views on what is wrong and what needs to change, and I will submit it to MAS and SGX even knowing that it would likely end up in the thrash bin. No one, not even the broking houses, would be in any position to make serious and important changes to the right the wrongs in the stock market if the authority in MAS and SGX do not want to see the wrongs and do not want to make changes to a system they think is doing fine.
For real changes to be effected, you need the pros that could speak to the MAS and SGX on equal terms and have the clout and confidence to make them do the right changes against their objections. The govt must spend this money if they do not want to see the worse from happening.
The few proposals put up by MAS/SGX would have little impact on the general health of the stock market, and some would actually hasten its demise if implemented. It just shows the level of thinking and understanding of what is happening to the stock market. They are refusing to remove the blinkers and are trapped in an old mindset programmed by the so called experts, to see and say the right things that are really frivolous.
The proposals follow an extensive review by MAS and SGX of the securities market in Singapore. The review concluded that while the securities market remains sound, there were three areas for improvement:
• promoting orderly trading and responsible investing;
• improving the transparency of market intervention measures; and
• strengthening the process for admitting new listings and enforcing against listing rule breaches.’
It is timely that MAS and SGX finally find a need to take a look at the health of the stock exchange and are inviting feedbacks on what needs to be done to make the stock market a more resilient and sustainable institution for the long haul. The objectives of this exercise are posted above, copied from SGX.
For all intent and purpose, this is a move in the right direction, a sign that things are not doing well and to take a serious look at the problems before it falls apart. On the other hand, this exercise tells another depressing story. The proposed changes and the need to ask the layman public on such serious and technical issues that require the technical knowledge of experts and thinking people in the industry says that MAS and SGX do not know what is wrong with the stock market. It is doing fine, just a little cosmetic changes and it will look pretty again.
Or, it may be that they know what is wrong but are turning the other way, not wanting to face the uncomfortable truth and wishing that everything is fine. There is no elephant in the classroom.
The public, even the stakeholders, if they are not willing to put on their thinking caps to look seriously into the problems that led to the current pathetic state of the stock broking industry would at best scratch the surface of a systemic problem and would make a few cursory or casual remarks and suggestions and thinking the problems will go away. From my experience, many are still totally ignorant of what is happening and the real causes of the failing market.
The stock market is in the critically ill stage and needs immediate resuscitation if it is not to collapse into a coma. And the proposals made by MAS and SGX are not encouraging. It is like a patient dying of syphilis and the doctors are recommending treatments for measles, for acne, and for insect bites. Unless MAS and SGX are serious to want to save the stock market from its certain demise, this exercise would be a waste of effort and time.
To be able to come up with effective measures to save the stock market, it is paramount that they know what is wrong with the market. What are the causes that are contributing to a market in distress. If they are chasing after the shadows, what good would come out of it? If they don’t even know what is wrong with the market, what is there to do to right the wrongs?
Another very important factor that can make this exercise real, if real solutions and tough measures are to be taken to revive the market, is professional expertise. You need people who know what they are saying, to know what is wrong and what needs to be done, and most of all, have the credentials and authority to tell the SGX that these things must change. Recommendations made by the public, or the stakeholders, could simply be ‘pooh pooh’ away by the SGX for obvious reasons and by the authority vested in them as the incumbent officials. They would flash their badge of professionalism and expertise and simply claimed that they know best and what they are doing are the best, and nothing meaningful will be accepted. Who is in a better position to go against the gods?
What can the other stakeholders do when authority and power are vested in the office bearers at SGX to make them change a flawed system?
The MAS should engage foreign experts that have the knowledge and authority to tell the SGX what needs to be done to save the industry. Here we are talking about real talents, people like Paul Volcker and the critics of the NYSE, of how the NYSE has been turned into a scam, a casino instead of a stock exchange. The western model stock markets, including SGX, are no longer stock markets for investment but for pure gambling, not even for speculations.
Now who is saying that we should not encourage a gambling mentality in the stock market when the stock market has been redesigned into a casino? There is no elephant in the classroom if one does not want to look at it.
This is just my general comments on this exercise. I will submit my views on what is wrong and what needs to change, and I will submit it to MAS and SGX even knowing that it would likely end up in the thrash bin. No one, not even the broking houses, would be in any position to make serious and important changes to the right the wrongs in the stock market if the authority in MAS and SGX do not want to see the wrongs and do not want to make changes to a system they think is doing fine.
For real changes to be effected, you need the pros that could speak to the MAS and SGX on equal terms and have the clout and confidence to make them do the right changes against their objections. The govt must spend this money if they do not want to see the worse from happening.
The few proposals put up by MAS/SGX would have little impact on the general health of the stock market, and some would actually hasten its demise if implemented. It just shows the level of thinking and understanding of what is happening to the stock market. They are refusing to remove the blinkers and are trapped in an old mindset programmed by the so called experts, to see and say the right things that are really frivolous.
2/09/2014
Les Miserables – A Singapore musical
The latest talk in town is about the two musicals
commissioned to write about the life of LKY in time for the 50 year celebration
next year. This has created a buzz unseen and unheard of in the arts scene for
a long time. Even the winning of several awards by Anthony Chen with his Ilo
Ilo movie pales in comparison. I just feel like dabbling and smoking about this
new fuzz, oops, I mean buzz, and Sunday morning is about the best moment for such an intellectual or artistic pursuit or whatever you call it.
No, I don’t think I am up to it to write a musical. It is
Greek to me and you need to be very talented individuals to do such a piece of
work. Maybe Anthony or Jack Neo can have a go at it. Wait a minute, Jack Neo
is Channel 8, so will be out of contention for sure unless the musical is to
cater for the Chinese educated audience. That would put Ivan Heng a top
contender for such a luminous project for his Channel 5 viewers.
The plots for the two musicals may have already been
scripted by now. There must be plenty of plots and sub plots in the life of LKY
to interest the audience. His life is the history of modern Singapore.
Let’s hope the producers are not going to write about the founding of Singapore
like they have done in every National Day or about the multi racial society.
Have something new and novel. They are after all a musical and some fictions
and dramatisation would be acceptable.
I think a musical in the likes of Les Miserables, Singapore
version, on how LKY fought to liberate the people from poverty would be a nice
one. We can see him taking to the streets fighting alongside the Hock Lee bus
drivers or the port workers and with a finale showing how the lives of the
workers have improved and become millionaires. And we can have Fish humming his
favourite tune, ‘Do you hear the people sing’, with gusto in the background.
Did I hear ‘No’, I can feel so many people shaking their
heads and giving me a dirty look. Why is that so? Ok, ok, let me try another
title, ‘Showdown at the Cul de sac’. How about this, LKY taking his opponents
one by one and coming out triumphant every time. We can bring in Donnie Yen or Sammo
Hung to choreograph the fight scenes. The pinoy pacman would be in awe to see
how the opponents were taken down and KO for good, while some simply fled the
scene.
What? No good? Too
much violence? I thought violence sells. You people are hard to please. Or you
prefer more mushy stuff like how he courted his wife and the never ending
romance?
Ok, let me attempt another title, Fist fights in Parliament?
This one would have historical values and history students would have a chance
to see all the parliamentarians battling out in Parliament House. We can add
some pepper and salt by introducing some fictional scenes of brawls and chairs
throwing ala Taiwan
style. Our celebrity MPs and ministers could also chip in, like Zorro with his
whip or sword. Won’t that be dramatic and with a little comical distractions
and reliefs?
Oh, the objections for this one is not so violent. Looks
like I am getting somewhere. I hope the musicals would not make LKY look too
wussy or less macho. Talking about this, I am sure the crying scene would be a
must have. How to weave this into the plots? Should be no problem if the time
frame goes back to the days of Malaysia.
Can even include the singing of Negara Ku since musicals must have a lot of
songs.
The possibilities and the amount of material available are
so immense that two musicals would not do justice to this great leader. This
reminds me of another possible title, ‘Dear Leader’. Ouch! Don’t you people
have any sense of humour? Musicals can have many themes, sad, joyous, comedy,
satirical, romance, corruption, injustice, oppression, historical or simply a musical with a lot of good music and theme
songs. As long as the moral of the musical is good and a good ending. Better still if it can draw out the emotions of the people, with some having their hankies wet from tears, laughing or crying.
I can still hear Fish singing, ‘Do you hear the people sing,
singing a song of angry men. It is the music of a people, who would not be
slaves again…’ How nice if LKY and Fish could sing this song together in the
musical before the curtain falls and sing again for the encore.
Kopi level - Yellow
Kopi level - Yellow
The flawed concepts and designs of the F35
Anyone
who wants a clear understanding on why the F35 is a conceptually flawed and
very expensive piece of junk can listen to the opinions of experts aired this
clip attached. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=mxDSiwqM2nw
Basically
it is all about the same concept that someone was pushing a few decades ago,
multi tasking and ended with everyone becoming jack of all trades and master of
none. The assumption behind this concept is that everyone is a super talent so
can be taught to be an expert in many tasks and roles. In reality multi super talent
is a rarity.
The
F35 is supposed to do everything, close air support for the infantry, carries a
lot of payloads/bombs, a good interceptor fighter, and a stealth aircraft. It
is like trying to put a Bentley, a Ferrari, a Landrover and maybe a motorcycle
into one machine. The result is obvious, and that is what the F35 is all about,
rojak.
Not
only that, you would expect to have pilots that can perform like a super robocop
in the cockpit to operate the aircraft to its maximum capability it was
designed for. You need a machine to fly that machine.
Another
silly problem is that instead of paying the same money for 10 specialised
aircraft that are good in their respective tasks, one will be buying one such
compromised aircraft for the price of 10 and can be used in one theatre of
operations at a time when 10 aircraft can be deployed in many areas. The
presumed saving is that you need to train one super robocop instead of 10
different specialisation pilots.
The
flaws of the F35 are infamous and known to all the players in the industry. It
is really very funny, maybe not funny anymore, that we are so adamant to buy
this aircraft as a must have. All the experts in the world are finding this
aircraft a lemon except our experts. They said the difference between a genius
and insanity is only a fine thin line.
We
shall wait patiently to see if this aircraft is bought to be our top of the range
multi purpose multi tasking fighter/bomber/GD aircraft.
Happy
viewing the video clip.
Kopi level - Yellow
Kopi level - Yellow
2/08/2014
Tan Cheng Bock - I invite, I disinvite
There are many ways to look at this comedy. I like to call
it so and I am going to drum about it. What I am saying is pure drumming as
there is no element of truth in it. Just for a little giggle.
Think that this invite could be real, intentional, carefully
choreographed. I invite you to this grand party. I know you like to be there as
it is the right place to be at this time of the year. Then I disinvite you.
This is like telling the guest, see, you could be there. All I need is to send
you the invitation. But you must know which side is your bread buttered. Now I
am letting you know that you could be there but I decided not to let you be
there.
The above of course is based on the assumption that there is
no mistake in the invite. But it could be a simple mistake. It could happen in
several ways. One way is that the junior executive that sent out the invite was
just doing a routine job. Get the list compiled which is an annual exercise and
sent it out with the clearance of the immediate boss. They have been doing this
every year. It is like second nature.
Then the bigger boss read the list and decided that
something is amiss and decided that some must be dropped. And the order came
down and someone has to do the job of telling the unpleasant truth of the
disinvite.
Or it could be a genuine mistake like the CIA using an
outdated map to bomb the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade.
It was a genuine mistake that the loser must squeeze his balls and accept the
explanation as genuine and it came with a sincere apology.
The stature of Cheng Bock has risen since he came so close
to be the President of the country. Many believe that he is the President but
somehow was robbed of the post by many funny reasons. And many believe strongly
that he would definitely be the President if there is a reelection.
For being such a near miss President, would it not be nice
and respectful to invite him to the Istana that could be his, or he could be
the host for the party? Would his presence make people feel uneasy and be
confused as to which one is the real people’s president? Thus it is better to do the disinvite to
avoid any red faces even knowing that Cheng Bock would not be there to claim
that he could be the party host that night.
What do you think?
Medishield Life – No need to pay one, it is free
‘'Mr Gan said that working adults should not
need to fork out any extra cash to pay for the new MediShield Life. That is
because the Govt intends the individuals to pay the higher premium entirely
from his Medisave.
He said that the individual’s annual Medisave contributions should be enough to pay for it.’
The above is everything you want to know about
the Medishield Life Scheme. It is everything but nothing but your savings in
your Medisave saving accounts, in the minimum sum. No matter how much you have,
it will be just enough to feed this scheme. And it will be painless because you
don’t see it and don’t feel it. They just quietly drain the money in your
Medisave Account for you to pay for this Medishielf Life scheme whether you
like it or not, whether you need it or not.
I remember in the past many people used to say,
it is free, when they bought HDB flats or stay in the hospitals, all because
the payment comes from their CPF savings. I think this will be a better
promotional catchphrase, ‘Medishield Life is Free, no need to pay’. No cash
needed to be paid up front. Everything will be just on papers, like what is
being printed in your CPF statements. There is a lot of money there and there
will be a lot of money being transferred compulsorily from your account when
Medishield Life is enforced.
And every daft Sinkie can go around happily
saying that Medishield Life is so good, or the govt is so good. It is free. No
need to pay one.
Our retirement saving scheme in the form of CPF
is so unique that despite setting aside so much for our retirement, many will
end up without any money left or not enough for retirement. The trick is that
the public housing scheme and the impending Medishield Life Insurance scheme
will have first charge to draw down from the CPF, all designed to draw as much
as they could without drawing blood and causing immediate pain. The way the CPF
savings are spent is so ingenious that the daft Sinkies don’t even know what is
happening to their savings. Simply brilliant and deserving to be paid in the
millions! It does not hurt your pocket, only what is put into your CPF, your
life time savings.
So, is it free or not free?
Singapore’s political scene – We have a situation
Judging
by the volume of anti govt diatribes in the social media, if it is true and
reflects the sentiment of the majority of the citizens, the ruling govt’s days
are numbered. It appears that they have outlived their welcome and usefulness.
Their one trick economic policy of growing the GDP based on population increase
and selling land and properties has reached a point of no return. Any curbs on
population growth will lead to a collapse of the property market on top of
other international factors, and will bring the majority of the people on their
knees.
The
cry of VTO or Vote Them Out is deafening. It is the cry for change. Is it real
or just a few lunatics in the fringe beating their drums? Who is wiser? Assuming
that it is real, that the next GE will bundle the PAP out, lock, stock and
barrel, there will be a vacuum of leadership that badly needs to be filled. The
country cannot go on without a team of able leadership on stand by to take over
in such an eventuality.
We
have a situation!
The
various opposition parties are too small, weak and fragmented to assume
political leadership on their own steam or even as a coalition. There is an
urgent need for the opposition to come together, to be led by an able leader.
At the moment there is unfortunately no one to fill this shoe. One of the
activists and potential leaders, or available leaders, Low Thia Kiang, Sylvia
Lim, Chen Show Mao, Chee Soon Juan, Tambiah, Kenneth Jeyaratnam, Chiam See Tong,
Jeanette etc etc would have to stand up to be the ONE to lead the country in
the event of a dramatic PAP KO. On the sideline there are Tan Jee Say, Tan Kin
Lian or maybe Tan Cheng Bock or perhaps a few breakaways from the PAP that may
rise to the occasion. Could he be the Chan Chun Sing, Tharman, or the return of
Goh Chok Tong? Chok Tong is still young and has many years to go before he hits
100. Would any one of these politicians be able to rally the rest and the
people behind him to form the new govt?
There
is a crisis of leadership if the PAP falls in 2016. The possibility may be
remote but not really impossible. It could happen. Maybe in time of crisis,
some unknowns or dark horses could surface, just like destiny, to bring
together the loose and disconnected political forces into a new force to lead
the country. History often throws up true leaders or new champions as if a
natural order of things. Singapore would be lucky if it
happens quick and fast or it would be thrown into turmoil for lack of a leader.
We
have seen such situations in the histories of nations. We are seeing a similar
situation happening now in Thailand, when there is no
anointed one to rise above the dusts to be acknowledged as the ONE to lead.
We
have a situation and how would this be overcome? Who would be the ONE to lead Singapore into the next leg? So far
no one is in horizon and this is bad.
PS,
after reading the disinvite of Tan Cheng Bock, maybe he can be a good candidate
to provide the glue for the opposition parties. We not only did not have an
Anwar Ibrahim, we don’t have leaders who would take a step back for a bigger
common good even if we can find an Anwar Ibrahim.
2/07/2014
A time to face reality, we are just a red dot
“There’s no need to change [the ship’s name],” he told The Jakarta Post.
“The Indonesian government has its own rules, procedures and assessment criteria for determining whether to honor a person as a hero. This cannot involve any intervention from other countries.”
The Today paper quoting Indonesian Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister, Djoko Suyanto on the naming of an Indonesia frigate about two terrorists for bombing MacDonald House in 1965.
Our ministers have registered the govt’s concerns and respectfully told the Indonesians of the feelings of the victims’s families and ‘to consider the implications and consequences of the move.’ What are these implications and consequences? Obviously the Indonesians are not bothered with them. So?
What would be Singapore’s next move, or would there be any next move, or would the case be closed?
In a situation like this when our govt finds it necessary to put forth our objections, the reactions of the other party and our follow up actions will show what we are made of. Are we just a little red dot to be brushed aside or are we able to punch above our weight? If we can’t punch above our weight, it is best not to blow up matters that would not be beneficial to our interests.
We are in a little sticky situation now, aren’t we?
“The Indonesian government has its own rules, procedures and assessment criteria for determining whether to honor a person as a hero. This cannot involve any intervention from other countries.”
The Today paper quoting Indonesian Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister, Djoko Suyanto on the naming of an Indonesia frigate about two terrorists for bombing MacDonald House in 1965.
Our ministers have registered the govt’s concerns and respectfully told the Indonesians of the feelings of the victims’s families and ‘to consider the implications and consequences of the move.’ What are these implications and consequences? Obviously the Indonesians are not bothered with them. So?
What would be Singapore’s next move, or would there be any next move, or would the case be closed?
In a situation like this when our govt finds it necessary to put forth our objections, the reactions of the other party and our follow up actions will show what we are made of. Are we just a little red dot to be brushed aside or are we able to punch above our weight? If we can’t punch above our weight, it is best not to blow up matters that would not be beneficial to our interests.
We are in a little sticky situation now, aren’t we?
Shawn Tan - A man of 3 seasons
I would like to repeat this story of a man, full of himself, that
visited Confucius to have an intellectual discourse with him. During his
visit Confucius was having his meditation and could not see him
immediately. So he engaged Confucius’ disciple on his theory of 3
seasons. He told the disciple confidently that there were only 3 seasons
and not 4. They had a furious discussion and both could not agree
obviously. To this man, there were only 3 seasons, but 4 to Confucius’
disciple.
When Confucius came to the room, his disciple explained to him what the commotion was about. Confucius nodded and agreed with the man to the astonishment of his disciple. How could that be when everyone knew that there were four seasons? After the man left, the unconvinced disciple confronted his master. Confucius explained that the man was like a kind of insect that lived only till autumn and would die before winter. In the insect’s lifespan it was good for only 3 reasons and would never know what winter was all about. And he was right.
My post on the interest rate for Medisave Minimum Sum received some ridicules from this Shawn Tan in TheRealSingapore site. Shawn Tan was confidently sure that I was talking nonsense on two points. There is a Medisave Account and no Medisave Minimum Sum Account. He was also very sure that the Medisave Account pays 4% interest rate and I got my facts wrong and posting rubbish without getting my facts right.
I just sent a reply to the CPF telling them that based on my statement in the CPF online record, the sum paid to me for my Medisave Minimum Sum was 1.92%. I got the numbers using a calculator. The amount of interest paid to my Retirement Account was 5.1%. Both numbers are facts, not guessing and have been sent to the CPF. Shawn Tan may choose to believe that I was talking rubbish still, with no facts or wrong facts. He is entitled to his belief.
In his post, he confidently said that there was only a Medisave Account and no such things as Medisave Minimum Sum Account. Let me quote from the CPF site on this.
‘What is Medisave Minimum Sum (MMS)?
The Medisave Minimum Sum (MMS) is the amount you need to retain in your Medisave Account (MA) for your healthcare needs. You may withdraw any excess Medisave savings on or after 55 subject to the applicable withdrawal rules after meeting the CPF MS requirement.
If you have set aside the CPF MS but are unable to meet the MMS requirement when you make a CPF withdrawal, you would need to top up your MA with all or part of the balances from your Special Account and Ordinary Account to meet the MMS prevailing at the time of withdrawal.
Since 1 July 2013, the MMS is $40,500.’
The MMS is only known to those who reached retirement age, or those who are in the know when what is left in the Medisave Account will be the MMS. For the young and not in the know, they will only know that there is a Medisave Account but no MMS. The quote from CPF site above explained clearly what MMS is. Let’s hope Shawn will understand that there is a MMS when he reaches retirement age. For the time being he can be confident that he is right, that there is no MMS.
A man of 3 seasons.
When Confucius came to the room, his disciple explained to him what the commotion was about. Confucius nodded and agreed with the man to the astonishment of his disciple. How could that be when everyone knew that there were four seasons? After the man left, the unconvinced disciple confronted his master. Confucius explained that the man was like a kind of insect that lived only till autumn and would die before winter. In the insect’s lifespan it was good for only 3 reasons and would never know what winter was all about. And he was right.
My post on the interest rate for Medisave Minimum Sum received some ridicules from this Shawn Tan in TheRealSingapore site. Shawn Tan was confidently sure that I was talking nonsense on two points. There is a Medisave Account and no Medisave Minimum Sum Account. He was also very sure that the Medisave Account pays 4% interest rate and I got my facts wrong and posting rubbish without getting my facts right.
I just sent a reply to the CPF telling them that based on my statement in the CPF online record, the sum paid to me for my Medisave Minimum Sum was 1.92%. I got the numbers using a calculator. The amount of interest paid to my Retirement Account was 5.1%. Both numbers are facts, not guessing and have been sent to the CPF. Shawn Tan may choose to believe that I was talking rubbish still, with no facts or wrong facts. He is entitled to his belief.
In his post, he confidently said that there was only a Medisave Account and no such things as Medisave Minimum Sum Account. Let me quote from the CPF site on this.
‘What is Medisave Minimum Sum (MMS)?
The Medisave Minimum Sum (MMS) is the amount you need to retain in your Medisave Account (MA) for your healthcare needs. You may withdraw any excess Medisave savings on or after 55 subject to the applicable withdrawal rules after meeting the CPF MS requirement.
If you have set aside the CPF MS but are unable to meet the MMS requirement when you make a CPF withdrawal, you would need to top up your MA with all or part of the balances from your Special Account and Ordinary Account to meet the MMS prevailing at the time of withdrawal.
Since 1 July 2013, the MMS is $40,500.’
The MMS is only known to those who reached retirement age, or those who are in the know when what is left in the Medisave Account will be the MMS. For the young and not in the know, they will only know that there is a Medisave Account but no MMS. The quote from CPF site above explained clearly what MMS is. Let’s hope Shawn will understand that there is a MMS when he reaches retirement age. For the time being he can be confident that he is right, that there is no MMS.
A man of 3 seasons.
KRI Usman Harun - Indonesia’s Yasukuni Shrine
The Chinese and Koreans are incensed whenever the Japanese paid tribute
to their war heroes enshrined in the Yasukuni Shrine. To the Chinese and
Koreans, and this should also apply to all the Southeast Asian states,
the war criminals in the Shrine were criminals and nothing else.
The Indonesian marines that bombed MacDonald House in 1965 killing 3 and wounding 33 Sinkies were terrorists as far as Singapore is concerned. To the Indonesians, the marines were their heroes. And they are naming a naval frigate KRI Usman Harun in their names to honour their heroic act.
This has drawn immediate reactions from Chee Hian, Eng Hen and Shanmugam who called their Indonesian counterparts to register our misgivings. The Indonesian stand, across their leadership, is consistent. It is their right to recognize their heroes who died in the course of duty to country even if it meant bombing and killing people in enemy countries that are now friends.
The KRI Usman Harun will be a rude reminder of what the Indonesians did to Singapore like the Yasukuni Shrine is to the Chinese and Koreans. We do not see or feel the significance of the Yasukuni Shrine and the visits by Japanese leaders to the Shrine and its implications. Other countries too would not understand or appreciate why we were aggrieved by the naming of KRI Usman Harun. It would become extra sensitive if this ship were to visit Singapore waters or if our naval ships were to engage in joint military exercises with the Indonesians.
Now we have a sore wound to rub with the Indonesians whenever KRI Usman Harun is seen or heard just like what Yasukuni is to the Chinese and Koreans. Maybe we can now appreciate why the Koreans and Chinese reacted that way and the mindset of the Japanese for their unfriendly and insensitive ways, like what the Indonesians are doing in this case.
No doubt they have the right to honour their heroes that are terrorists and executed by us after their attacks on our soil. The Indonesians have said the protest by Singapore is noted and the case is closed. Let’s move on.
How would Singapore react to this insensitivity of the Indonesians and our sensitivity to the act going forward? Should we erect two stones at the site of MacDonald House for Sinkies to throw stones at them?
The Indonesian marines that bombed MacDonald House in 1965 killing 3 and wounding 33 Sinkies were terrorists as far as Singapore is concerned. To the Indonesians, the marines were their heroes. And they are naming a naval frigate KRI Usman Harun in their names to honour their heroic act.
This has drawn immediate reactions from Chee Hian, Eng Hen and Shanmugam who called their Indonesian counterparts to register our misgivings. The Indonesian stand, across their leadership, is consistent. It is their right to recognize their heroes who died in the course of duty to country even if it meant bombing and killing people in enemy countries that are now friends.
The KRI Usman Harun will be a rude reminder of what the Indonesians did to Singapore like the Yasukuni Shrine is to the Chinese and Koreans. We do not see or feel the significance of the Yasukuni Shrine and the visits by Japanese leaders to the Shrine and its implications. Other countries too would not understand or appreciate why we were aggrieved by the naming of KRI Usman Harun. It would become extra sensitive if this ship were to visit Singapore waters or if our naval ships were to engage in joint military exercises with the Indonesians.
Now we have a sore wound to rub with the Indonesians whenever KRI Usman Harun is seen or heard just like what Yasukuni is to the Chinese and Koreans. Maybe we can now appreciate why the Koreans and Chinese reacted that way and the mindset of the Japanese for their unfriendly and insensitive ways, like what the Indonesians are doing in this case.
No doubt they have the right to honour their heroes that are terrorists and executed by us after their attacks on our soil. The Indonesians have said the protest by Singapore is noted and the case is closed. Let’s move on.
How would Singapore react to this insensitivity of the Indonesians and our sensitivity to the act going forward? Should we erect two stones at the site of MacDonald House for Sinkies to throw stones at them?
The future is bright for Sinkies
Try reading the titles of the two articles below to get a grasp of the
direction and the opportunities available for young Sinkies.
‘PM Lee assures young Singaporeans future is bright opportunities are plentiful – Singapolitics.sg’ and ‘Singapore government looking to encourage young Singaporeans to become carpenters with training and “rebranding”’.
This is no joking matter, serious. It was reported from as far as China and by China.org.cn and I quote, ‘The NTUC, the Singapore Workforce Development Agency and the Singapore Furniture Industries Council also jointly launched a 3.5 million dollar program to train 180 carpenters in the next two years. The funding will cover their training and salary subsidies for employers. They are also considering efforts to rebrand carpenters as creative craftsmen to woo the young people.’
With the launch of this scheme they might bring in Chinese carpenters, oops I mean creative craftsmen masters, to train our young in creative carpentry. And this is not the first time ministers are talking about retraining our young. Some have been encouraged to become hawkers and crane drivers. Some have been encouraged not to pursue a tertiary education.
I wonder who Lucas Film are recruiting if young Sinkies are not encouraged to do tertiary education or IT related staff but to be hawkers and carpenters. I am too used to call a carpenter a carpenter and still have difficulties calling them creative craftsmen. There may be a rebranding of our hawkers to something like Tropical Alfesco Chef. Sounds great right? Hope it will be attractive enough to lure our young into making hawking a career.
‘PM Lee assures young Singaporeans future is bright opportunities are plentiful – Singapolitics.sg’ and ‘Singapore government looking to encourage young Singaporeans to become carpenters with training and “rebranding”’.
This is no joking matter, serious. It was reported from as far as China and by China.org.cn and I quote, ‘The NTUC, the Singapore Workforce Development Agency and the Singapore Furniture Industries Council also jointly launched a 3.5 million dollar program to train 180 carpenters in the next two years. The funding will cover their training and salary subsidies for employers. They are also considering efforts to rebrand carpenters as creative craftsmen to woo the young people.’
With the launch of this scheme they might bring in Chinese carpenters, oops I mean creative craftsmen masters, to train our young in creative carpentry. And this is not the first time ministers are talking about retraining our young. Some have been encouraged to become hawkers and crane drivers. Some have been encouraged not to pursue a tertiary education.
I wonder who Lucas Film are recruiting if young Sinkies are not encouraged to do tertiary education or IT related staff but to be hawkers and carpenters. I am too used to call a carpenter a carpenter and still have difficulties calling them creative craftsmen. There may be a rebranding of our hawkers to something like Tropical Alfesco Chef. Sounds great right? Hope it will be attractive enough to lure our young into making hawking a career.
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