Over billing is not overcharging and is not an offence

I keep pondering over this statement and keep asking myself if it makes any sense? Is over billing overcharging? And why is overcharging an offence and over billing is not?

The Sunday Times gave nearly one page to Salma Khalik’s article with the title, ‘High court slashes SMC’s claims, calling them EXORBITANT, UNREASONABLE’.  I like the big fonts and bold treatment of the words exorbitant and unreasonable. I wonder if there is a deeper meaning to it. Other than slashing down the high bills, there were no penalties for overcharging. Oops, correction, it is over billing, not overcharging. I am so tempted to look at all the dictionaries to see if there is any difference or similarities between the two words.

Susan Lim was found guilty for overcharging the Brunei royalties $24.8m for 7 months of work. She was fined $10,000, suspended for practice for 3 years and to pay cost to SMC. SMC took Susan Lim to task for overcharging. And Susan Lim’s husband took the SMC to court for overcharging. Sorry, it is over billing. The word overcharging keeps bugging me and I could not shake it off. 

Ok, Susan Lim did some work for her client and sent her a bill for her services. In the SMC case, they took Susan Lim to court and won and sent her a bill, not for services rendered but for time and effort spent on the case. So it was not a case of charging a client for services. I think this is the difference between over billing and overcharging.

Now, how much did the SMC over billed? Four cases were highlighted in Salma’s report. 1. from $900,000 to $180,000, 2. from $235,000 to $22.000, 3. from $42,000 to $5,000 and 4. from $150,000 to $70,000. These add up to $1,327,000 and cut to $277,000.

In the same report, Salma mentioned that last year a bill of $1m was cut to $370,000 and last month a bill of $1.3m was slashed to $317,000. I will not try to rationalise the numbers but just using the last two numbers, the two bills came to $2.3m which ended up as $687,000 or an over billing of $1,613,000, or about 220% of $687,000.

In Susan Lim’s case, the court ruled that there is ethical ground not to overcharge a client. I quote, ‘Overcharging can still occur even if there is a prior agreement on fees as ethical obligations of a doctor must “prevail over contractual obligations”. I am not sure if a court would make a similar ruling on overcharging when lawyers over billed or overcharged their clients.  Would ethics be an important factor in legal billings? The decision by the court is between the SMC and Susan Lim.

Would it be over charging if the case is between the SMC and their lawyers when it becomes the lawyer billing the SMC for services rendered? So far the most authoritative body, the Law Society had made a statement that over billing is not overcharging and is an acceptable or normal practice. There is no wrongdoing involved. So the court just slashed the bills and end of story. No penalties or fines or suspension of practices are warranted.

Would the SMC sue its legal representatives and those who stood as witnesses for overcharging? If these parties accepted the court’s decision, there is no more case to follow up, I think, end of story. What if these parties continue to demand payment from the SMC?

Kopi Level - Yellow

In praise of animal life

Singapore is stepping up its effort to care for and protect animal life in the city state. You can go to jail for ill treating animals but not ill treating your parents. The laws to punish animal abusers have been enhanced to increase the punishments that can be meted out.

It is the first time that a minister, Khaw Boon Wan, came out publicly in praise of a group of MPs, Yeo Guat Kwang, Alex Yam, Gan Thiam Poh, Edwin Tong and Vikram Nair, for jointly putting up a bill in Parliament to protect animals. This is only the third time after an MP, Christopher de Souza tabled a bill last year to combat human trafficking and in 1994 when NMP Walter Woon tabled one for Maintenance of Parents.

The importance of animals and their protection are getting more credence and publicity especially with the high profile recruitment of an animal lover by the PAP, with a likelihood of being a candidate in the next GE.  This animal mood seems to be like a prevailing fad and the media is giving wide coverage on animals daily.

If only animals could vote, the PAP will definitely have its majority votes increased overwhelmingly. I hope no one is proposing to change the constitutional rights to allow animals to vote in a general election down the road.

Not only that, dogs and cats are also have a great time in cafes specially catering to their whims and fancies. But this is only a natural trend after having taken good care of the people, especially the senior citizens’ welfare. The senior citizens are now all happily working and enjoying a very dignified life. When people’s problems are solved, there will be time, money and resources and the luxury to entertain animals and animal welfare. This is something only a first world country can indulge in when not only human beans are important, animals are important too.

This is progress as the people become more civilised.

Kopi Level - Yellow

PS: Writing about dogs and cats is about the safest thing on a Sunday morning. And for those reading about cats and dogs, it is free and not having to pay for it. Maybe Sundays I shall write about what I eat, what toothpaste I used, where did I go walking the dogs, examine the colour of dog poo.

South Korea – A pathetic semi American colony

In 2012, when the South Koreans thought it was time to take back military control of their armed forces from the Americans, a queer incident happened. The South Korean warship Cheonan was torpedoed and many South Korean soldiers were killed. The blame was simply pointed at the North Koreans. Subsequent investigations and evidence proved that the North had nothing to do with its sinking. It was a black operation, a false flag incident. But it was a good enough reason for the Americans to say No to return control of the South Korean armed forces to the South Koreans. Unbelieveable, but it is still happening. A sovereign state has its military forces under the control of an occupying foreign power. South Korea is anything but an independent state. It is a semi colony of the USA, just like Japan. The Americans’ military forces are still stationed in the two states.

Now you know why the North Koreans have to be the ‘mad country with mad leadership’ and always harped as a threat to the South Koreans. The Americans would keep on harping on this threat, keep on provoking and instigating the North Koreans to react, to retaliate and then to tell the pathetic South Koreans that the USA forces must remain in South Korea and in command of all the South Korean armed forces. Do the South Koreans have any choice that their soldiers are controlled by the Americans and the American bases and soldiers are in their soil?

Apart from reacting with vitriol to the repetitive provocations by the American war games along its shores and sanctions, what are the hostile acts of the North that are raising tension, so the Americans told the South Koreans?

According to the South Korean Defence Minister Han Min Koo, ‘The security situation on the Korean peninsula is more precarious than ever…North Korea is continuing to launch new types of provocations, including an additional nuclear test, development of new tactical missiles, infiltration by miniature UAVs and machine gun fires.’ He should have also said the face of Kim Jung Un is appearing in South Korean media daily and he could not sleep. And South Korea’s military is still not ready or incapable of defending itself against the North and needed the Americans to be there and to have operational control of the joint military forces.

With such pathetic military forces that cannot defend itself against the North, the handover of military control of the South Korean forces back to the South Koreans is further delayed. Yes the Americans are not going to return control to the South Koreans. Hagel said yesterday, ‘While this agreement will delay the scheduled transfer of operational control, it will ensure that when the transfer does occur, Korean forces have the necessary defensive capabilities to address an intensifying North Korean threat.’ With this statement, the handover is pushed back to 2020. And it would be pushed back further after 2020 and further into the future and decided by the Americans.

The reason, the South Koreans would never be able to defend itself against the North, but funnily will continue to provoke the North with more military war games and flying propaganda balloons to the North to provoke them in order to raise tension.  The game is to ensure that there will always be tension and the Americans would be stationed in South Korea with effective control over the pathetic and useless South Korean forces, and to make South Korea a perpetual semi colony of the Americans.

One can easily detect many contradictions in the positions of the South Koreans. Would the South Koreans be crazy to be provoking the North if they cannot defend themselves? Would the South Koreans be happy to be a semi colony of the Americans and allowed its armed forces to be controlled by a foreign power and with bases in their own country, and deciding all the military matters for them? Do the South Koreans have any pride in themselves to want to be an independent country, free from foreign domination and control, free from the Japanese and free from the Americans?

Who is benefiting from the drumming up of tensions in the Korean Peninsula? The US said that ‘an improved missile defense system for South Korea would be a prerequisite for handing over command’. What does this mean? The South Koreans must pay if they want back the command of their armed forces. And the media reported that the South Koreans are reviewing the need to buy the Lockheed Martin Corp’s Terminal High Altitude Area Defence system, THAAD. South Koreans would also be buying the ultra expensive but troubled plagued F35A, 40 pieces from the Americans. These are only the money reason.

This is the price the South Koreans have to pay for being a semi colony of the American Empire. Forever under the control of the Americans, forever under a siege mentality created by the Americans by provoking the North, and forever having to pay for American hardware, and forever be a semi colony.

PS: How could the South Koreans live with the truth that the Cheonan sinking and the death of their soldiers, the bringing down of President Kim Dae Jung and the assassination of President Park Chung Hee were the works of the Americans?

Kopi Level - Green

Hong Lim Affair - Latest news

Reported in ST today 25 Oct 14

'She(NParks spokesman) said NParks did not cancel the approval given to Ms Han's "Return Our CPF" event on Sept 27. One of the charges Ms Han and Mr Ngerng are expected to face on Monday is of organising a demonstration without approval.'  Rachel Au Yong

Is there a fine distinction between having a free speech, protest rally and demonstration without approval?

Kopi Level - Green

What would Singapore be like without the true blue Singaporeans?

The true blue Singaporeans built this place from Independence to a prosperous first world country. Now they are deemed as redundant, obsolete, lazy and don’t have the skills to fit in. So they are now systematically being replaced by hungry 3^rd world talents and rogues from the West.

The question, what would Singapore be like in the future if the true blue Singaporeans become insignificant? Would Singapore still be a safe, rich and attractive place for the foreigners to come here to live and work?

Would the island still be a good and safe place to bring up children, low drug problems, women and children can go home safely in the early hours of the night without being raped, mugged or robbed?

Would the streets be clean and safe? Would the housing estate be rundown and turn into slums? 

Would there be law and order, rule of the law?

Would the businesses and industries continue to have the same vitality and productivity?

Would the foreigners turn this island into a better place or into hell? Would Singapore return to the 3^rd World like where the foreigners came from?

Kopi Level - Green

 

Below are two video clips of what Singapore is turning into if lawlessness rules the day.

VIDEO: Debt collectors behaving like loanshark thugs harassing and threatening a debtor at his HDB flat

VIDEO: Coffee shop patron beaten up by a group of unruly PRC gangsters operating in Hougang

 

New recommendations for protesters at Hong Lim Park

All protesters planning to hold a protest or even a party at Hong Lim should take note of the charges against Roy Ngerng and Han Hui Hui. Both have been charged for   “disrupt(ing) the YMCA event and caused annoyance to the public” and having committed the following acts:

1. marching around the general vicinity of the YMCA event
2. shouting loudly
3. chanting slogans
4. waving flags
5. holding placards
6. blowing whistles loudly
7. beating drums

I think the above charges are relevant when there is another event with participants in the Park. I am not sure if the above charges can be levied for annoyance to the public nearby. What if the hotel or hotel guests complained of the noise and disturbances? This point needs further clarification.

So, in view of the above, may I offer a few suggestions to protestors so that they would not be charged for the same offence by committing the same crime and doing the same things as Roy and Hui Hui. The Hong Kong Govt can learn a trick or two from Singapore and charge those students for causing annoyance to the public and all the 7 points above plus misuse of umbrellas and pitching tents at the wrong place.

Let me concentrate on the Singapore scene so that protesters in the future would not get into trouble with the law. Yes they can protest at the Speakers’ Corner but must get a permit first from the NPark. What about the provisions in the Constitutions and the POA? What about them? I am not a legal expert.

The protesters must observe the following:

1.  Check if there is another event in the Park. If there is, speak to them nicely and beg them not to report to the police if they are disturbed by the noise make by the protesters or offended by the placards, slogans, flags etc etc.
2.    Do not march around in the Park close to the participants of another event. I am not able to advise how close is close. This point must get clarifications from NPark or the Police.
3.    Don’t shout loudly even if it is a protest. Speak in a normal tone like talking to someone in a kopitiam. I think loudspeakers are definitely out now. Too loud and very disturbing.
4.    No chanting of slogans.
5.    No waving of flags even if it is the national flag.
6.    No placards, especially those with not nice things on them.
7.    No whistles ok. This is not a football match and Hong Lim Park is not the National Stadium.
8.    And also no beating of drums. What do you thing, a protest rally is not a dragon or lion dance ok.
9.    The best is to ask NPark and the Police what can or cannot do for additional safety measures. Perhaps the two agencies could come up with a Can Do and Cannot Do list to help the protesters not to break the law.
10.     And make sure it is not an illegal assembly even if the Park is designated for public assembly and protest. It can still be illegal.

I think protesters would be able to protest in peace and would not be heckled or harassed by other park users if they observe the above 10 Commandments. Good luck.

PS: The above should be read in conjunction to my other recommendations posted earlier.

Kopi Level - Green

Must say something good about the Courts

Credit must be given when it is due. There was a report in the ST on 22 Oct titled ‘SMC witness accused of overcharging’. A Dr Hong Ga Sze, ‘an expert witness for the Singapore Medical Council (SMC) to the high profile disciplinary hearing two years ago that saw Dr Susan Lim convicted of misconduct for overcharging the Queen of Brunei’s sister, had his claim of $42,000 for appearing as a witness sliced to $5,000 by the High Court.
 
Another expert witness, Dr Tan Yeow Oo, had his bills reduced from $12,145 to $9,000. These two cuts were the latest after the Court slashed the legal fee of Wong and Partners from $1.3m plus to about $300,000.
 
What is strange is that the SMC case was all about overcharging and now the experts have also been accused of overcharging and had their bills slashed by the Court. OK, I stand corrected, though it was reported as overcharging, or like overcharging, or something like overcharging, it may not be overcharging at all. So it is not exactly right to say it was overcharging as according to the Law Society, just because the Court reduced the legal fees by $1m, it did not imply or say that there was overcharging.
 
The correct version could be that no one was overcharging. Susan Lim also did not overcharge and neither the two expert witnesses. They just submit an excessive sum in their bills and it was the Court’s prerogative to slash the sum to a more realistic or reasonable level. And the sums decided by the Court just happened to be a fair amount in the eyes of the Court, not because anyone had overcharged. Or is it like that? No?
 
I rest my case. But must say that the Court has done a great service in assessing what were fair amounts to be paid by the parties. If not, the cost of everything will keep going up and inflation will hit the roof and those on the wrong side of the equation would be paying very, very much more than they should.
 
Thank God, or thank the Courts, to deliver justice to those who needed justice.

Kopi Level - Green

Mark Zuckerberg - Why my Mandarin listening ability so bad

Mark Zuckerberg won over many Chinese fans when he met them and spoke to them in Mandarin while in China. They enjoyed his casual style and personal snippets like when he asked his Chinese wife why was his Mandarin listening ability was so bad.

His wife, 'You're also bad at listening in English'.

My answer would be, 'You are American'. The Americans have very serious problem listening to the Chinese even when the Chinese speaks in English.

Kopi Level - Green

Where is the hottest bed breeding terrorists?

The cuckoo has come back to nest. It all comes full circle. No, the answer is not Malaysia or Indonesia or the Philippines. The hottest terrorist bed is UK. The United Kingdom is producing 5 terrorists every week to fight in Syria. Looks like it’s free immigration policy is bearing fruits, a lot of fruits in the form of terrorists, and very deadly ones.
 
This is a section of a report from The Telegraph.
‘Ben Farmer
Oct. 22 (Telegraph) -- Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, says 'the drumbeat of terrorism in the UK' had become 'faster and more intense'

Five young Britons a week are travelling to fight in Syria alongside jihadists, joining hundreds already thought to have left, the country’s most senior policeman has disclosed.

Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, said “the drumbeat of terrorism in the UK” had become “faster and more intense” because of the conflict. Jihadist activities were “not just the horrors of distant lands”, returning fighters posed a terrorist threat, he said.

His warning came as research led by a former director of GCHQ suggested that shopping centres, sporting events and public gatherings could be vulnerable to chemical or biological attacks by terrorists using unmanned drone aircraft. The drones could be turned into flying bombs using improvised explosives.

Sir Bernard said: “We know that over 500 British nationals travelled to join the conflict. Many have returned and many will wish to do so in the coming months and perhaps in future years….’
Please note the dangers posed by drones and what the drones are capable of doing in an open air event like in a stadium or Marina Bay Platform where large numbers of people are present.

Kopi Level - Green

Ho Kwon Ping – A Rebel is also a human bean

Ho Kwon Ping delivered his first Nathan Series lecture under the roof of the Institute of Policy Studies in a much unexpected tone. He was a young rebel turned business tycoon and many people were wondering what his thoughts were over the years and the changing role and lifestyle he has taken on. How much of the rebel is still in him or left of his youthful idealism of the past.
 
His lecture was on the next 50 years of the PAP. I could not see any trace of a rebel left in the man but so much deference to the PAP, and, saying all the right things. Maybe he was trying to be polite, after all he was giving a lecture as a fellow of S R Nathan lectures. Anyone expecting some flashes of fire and some unwitting snipes must be disappointed. It was all so tame and so familiar.
 
First, he expects the PAP to be still a dominant force and still be in charge in the next 15 years, untouchable. Of course it was only his opinion and gazing at his own crystal ball. No one is wiser what tomorrow shall hold for the PAP. But this is a pleasant note to the establishment.
 
His second point, no opposition party would want to wake up the next morning winning 80 seats in Parliament, even if in a freak election. This is a strange thought in my view. This is a moment that all oppositions will relish and have been waiting for all these years. And why should a winning by the opposition party be called a freak election? Are the people all freaks when they choose the opposition and all sane when they choose the PAP? Of course this is classic establishment rationale. The people are smart when voting for the ruling party but mad if they vote otherwise.
 
And more, the opposition party would be booted out duly in the next election. The assumption of course is that the opposition is not ready or did not have able leaders to run the country and cannot do good for the people. Only the PAP can. This is also very establishment thinking and very condescending. Only the PAP is able to run the country. Opposition leaders are half bakes and can only drum and make a lot of noise, no substance really. Even after winning an election they would fail miserably and would be kicked out by the people summarily in the next election, as sure as the sun will rise. Really?
 
And the PAP will play by the democratic rule. The soldiers will not be marched out of their camps to seize power in the event of a freak election. Smell the deference stench? Of course not. This is a democratic country and everyone will play the democratic game, no cheating, no abuse of power, no gerrymandering, no fixing of opposition. And the soldiers will stay out of politics, and a new party will be welcome to rule by the will of the people.
 
We cannot be worse off than the Indonesians can we? Yudhoyono is the perfect gentleman of a politician. He has shown all the 3rd world leaders how to hand over power gracefully in a democratic system. Are we up to it to learn from the Indonesians, to admit defeat when the people have decided? Or we can be the scoundrels of a 3rd world pretending to be 1st world polity but behaving with the predictability of 3rd world thugs when the time comes.
 
And, this is classic PAP mantra. No one wants to change the govt. Really, really, really? Ho Kwon Ping said he has spoken to many people and no one really wants a change of govt but everyone wants to vote the opposition. What does he mean by that? I have spoken to many with a totally different set of answers.
 
There is no trace of rebellious blood left in this senior citizen. Maybe he was just trying to be nice and saying all the right things that people want to hear. Let’s forget about Ho Kwon Ping the young rebel. Everyone grows old with time, very few exceptions. Rebels grow old too.

Kopi Level - Green

Return My CPF - Ravi's demand letter to NPark

Below is an extract of M Ravi's demand letter to the NPark to withdraw its cancellation of the permit for this Saturday's protest rally at Hong Lim. The full article is posted in TRE.

'In response and acting on behalf of Hui Hui, lawyer M Ravi wrote to the Commissioner of Parks and Recreation of NParks, Dr Leong Chee Chiew, today (23 Oct) to voice his objection to the cancellation.

Mr Ravi told the Commissioner that the reason given by NParks for the cancellation – to assist the Police with investigations into an incident which occurred during #ReturnOurCPF event on 27 Sep – constitutes a breach of Hui Hui’s rights of freedom of speech and assembly.

Such rights, explained Mr Ravi, is guaranteed under Article 14 of the Constitution, and is ultra vires Regulation 8(3) of the Parks and Trees Regulations (Cap. 216. R 1). That is, Article 14 of the Constitution is beyond the legal power of Regulation 8(3) of the Parks and Trees Regulations.

Mr Ravi further explained that the act of assisting the Police “does not constitute nor can it be construed as an implication, assertion or proof of guilt of any offence, nor does it constitute evidence of a breach of any law or of the terms and conditions of approval for the Return Our CPF Event”.

“There is therefore no rational basis for the revocation and it is wholly unreasonable as being based on irrelevant considerations,” Mr Ravi said.

“Furthermore, our client emphatically rejects your characterisation of the fact that she has been interviewed by the police and has been assisting them in their enquiries as constituting a ‘case‘ against her, and it is submitted that this is in itself an error of law that vitiates your decision,” Mr Ravi said to the Commissioner.

The restriction for Hui Hui to speak is likewise a breach of her rights of freedom of speech and assembly under Article 14 of the Constitution, Mr Ravi said.

“Depending how long the Police investigations take, the restriction may last indefinitely. It is an indeterminate, wholly disproportionate and oppressive ban (on Hui Hui to speak),” he argued.

“The purpose of Speaker’s Corner is to provide an arena in which free speech is allowed to be exercised and it appears wholly out of keeping with this purpose for the residual authority given to a Commissioner of Parks and Recreation under Regulations to effectuate the Parks and Trees Act to deny and place a ban on free speech in the very place where it supposed to be allowed.”

Mr Ravi emphasized again that the ban, essentially for an indeterminate period of time, is in principle, a profound threat to Hui Hui’s Constitutional rights.

As such Hui Hui, through Mr Ravi, is formally requesting that the ban by NParks be lifted immediately.

Mr Ravi told the Commissioner in the letter that if the ban was not lifted by 1600 hours tomorrow (24 Oct), his client, Hui Hui, reserves the right to apply to the Court for relief without further notice to NParks....'

Kopi Level - Yellow

No more ‘hanjians’ for China and Hong Kong

The history of China has been peppered with many traitors(hanjians) through the various dynasties. In the early days of the Republic of China and the dying Qing Dynasty, hanjians were everywhere, thinking only of their selfish interests and willingly selling off country and their fellow men.
 
Many hanjians were killed or purged when the Communists took over and reunited a poor and tattered country that was more like a bag of bones. In less than 60 years, China has recovered and risen to stand shoulder to shoulder with nations of the world. Do not for a moment think that this is easy. China is even challenging the USA as the Number One super power and as the richest economy in the world. Under the present trajectory, these two goals are not wishful thinkings and could be a reality in the near future. Anyone thinking of these notions 30 years ago will become a joke himself as the prospect of such an eventuality was practically nil.
 
Today, the Chinese people as a civilization have never been looked at in the same light as before in the last two centuries. Some may still grudgingly sneered at the progress and richness of China, but no one would think that the Chinese as a people are daft, stupid, mindless, inscrutable, useless, faceless and unproductive peasants. China has stood up. The Chinese people have recovered their dignity as equals among equals. Even the poor communists are now courted by the West as rich communists and welcomed with red carpets.
 
There is still a long journey for the Chinese people as a civilization to regain its ancient richness, culture and refinement. Many are still boorish, ‘lao tu’ and very unrefined in mannerism when they travelled the world. What can you expect from a people of peasant origins, growing up in communes, were poor yesterday, to behave like the rich bourgeoisies and aristocrats of the West? Give them time to learn the finer things about living a good life that money can buy. The West took a few centuries to turn from pirates, robbers and mass murderers to gentlemen.
 
What is all these all about? The success of China and its continued growth and prosperity is hitched to the country remaining as a strong and unified nation. The country must not break up and return to the times of turmoil, internal strifes and civil wars. The country must not be distracted to spend wasteful time and money to deal with insurgencies and fake democratic movements led by hanjians.
 
If China is allowed to be messed up by hanjians and broke up like the Soviet Union, and ruled by warlords all over again, the Chinese as a civilization would be turned into rubbish and assigned to the rubbish dump all over again. The Chinese as a civilization will become a laughing stock of the world, to be spitted at, despised and kicked around, even become victims of racial discriminations and genocide.
 
The Hong Kong students should wake up their ideals and know how good life has become and how good life can be and not be misled by hanjians, to bring down China and the Chinese civilization as a whole. Hong Kong has more democracy than Singapore. Sinkies would never be able to demonstrate like the Hongkies, in the main streets, in large numbers. Our democratic right to demonstrate is confined to a small field in Hong Lim. And demonstrators would need to apply for a permit and the permit can still be cancelled. Have any of the demonstrators in Hong Kong been subject to long hours of police interrogations for illegal assembly?
 
What is this nonsense about electing the Chief Executive? Sinkies also did not have the right to elect their Prime Minister. Many democracies also did not elect their Chief Executives. Singapore’s Prime Minister is elected by the party. The Hongkie students must see through the façade of deceit initiated by foreigners and hanjians with a bigger agenda. If China is in trouble and break up, the Hongkies could be subjects of colonial powers once again. And yes, some will be happy to be knighted as Sirs and Dames, but with no rights to determine what is good for their little island and people. Democratic rights could also be withdrawn and the highest police officer would not be a Hongkie Commissioner but a sergeant Ah Sir. The Commissioner and all the senior officers would be kweilos. And the Chief Executive will be a governor appointed by Her Majesty’s Services, another kweilo. Chris Patten may come back to rule Hong Kong.
 
No more hanjians for China. No more hanjians in Hong Kong. The Hongkies must not become the sinners that caused the break up of China and destroy the Chinese civilization, and bring down the Chinese people to become the pariahs of the world. The issues at stake are not some idealistic democracy norms. Do not become the pawns of foreign powers and bring about your own humiliation and destruction.

Kopi Level - Yellow

Roger Zhang – Is he pro PAP or against PAP

To many of the netizens reading TRE they must be familiar with the name of this blogger called Roger Zhang. He claimed to be a foreign talent, a grassroot leader and intensely supportive of the Govt and the PAP policies. He is all praises and would argue and challenge netizens of a different view.

I have read some of his postings and comments and am having second thoughts as to the real person behind this Roger Zhang. Is he really pro PAP or indirectly saboing the PAP Govt?

It is true that he is always saying good things about the Govt and its policies, particularly those in favour of foreign talents that he claimed to be one. But if one is to read carefully what he is saying, without saying, his deliberate attempts to sound funny and silly, and his half past six English, one begins to wonder where is he coming from. Is he trying to tell the people that the quality of foreign talents is like what you see in him which is quite a joke really. He can’t be serious and can’t be a good poster boy for the Govt to wave at the people saying, this is the type of foreign talents we are bringing in to replace you.

I am really not sure. Perhaps you can read what he posted and make your own conclusion on this Roger Zhang and unmasked him to see who or what he really is. Below are a few samples of his writings. There are plenty more in TRE. The first is an article he wrote and the latter are two comments he made in TRE.

1. Stupid for Singaporeans to chase FTs out of S’pore
October 21st, 2014
Sporeans who chase FTs out are stupid because if the FTs go out & work for other countrys, those other countrys will become stronger & better than spore.
So in end, spore is the one suffer. How can spore compete with world if we got no foreign talent inside our economy?
That day IMF already warning our economy can suffer if we stop foreign talent coming in. SM Goh also say same. Actually is true foreigners here never take sporeans’ jobs. The jobs are not want by sporeans since they want high pay and easy job.
Companys can’t pay too high salary because they will become not competitive. I got read many books of economy, business invest & leaderships, there is only one person we can blame for so many foreigners work here inside sg: GLOBALISATIONS!
The world change & become smaller, so foreign talents from other countrys can easy enter our economy.
Roger Zhang


2. Roger Zhang:
October 21, 2014 at 6:03 am (Quote)
As grassroot people, the writer shd not anyhow pass rumors. Minister Chan is new, just only in politic 2011, so he need go visit all part of sg slowly, one grc this time and then another grc next time.
His purpose & agenda is meet more residents there, get deep understanding of residents’ problems & wishs, honest feed backs of policies & ideas how improve their lifes and living environments.
So woodland residents please pass the good news round, make sure residents aware Minister Chan going visit them. He still young and got alot future & opportunties infront him!
Woodland is happy place & got little complains since they got all the good facilities build there already. But if you all got hear any big unhappy complains of some residents, please don’t shy, just bring up for Minister Chan attentions. He already solve many problems bring to him when he visit other grc.
 
3. Roger Zhang:
October 21, 2014 at 6:36 pm (Quote)
This why I invite by my company here: CONTRIBUTE MY TALENT HERE.
Not only I contribute in my company, I also contribute in grassroot as VOLUNTEER without take any salary.  My wife who only a PR citizen (not a true blue sporean like I) also contribute in a spore’s famous school WITHOUT take any salary!  I & my wife also even help CCC organise cooking contest of residents for them taste other countrys’ foods so that true blue sporeans can integrate with foreigners here. Just only free help, we never take money from PA or gov.  So my talent is not only just doing job in company, I also got talent integrate our true blue sporeans & foreigners. This not easy. I last time from China & since China people are friendly, good temper, patiently & open mind kind people, we know how integrate with any foreigners anywhere. We come here just want help sg successful & compete other first world countrys.

Kopi Level - Yellow

Tan Jee Say – A poignant letter, a challenge to hard truths

Jee Say has written a letter to the President, Tony Tan, to address “the very serious charge” that “the Internal Security Act had been used for political purposes”.
 
He was referring to the Operation Coldstore and the charges that the Barisan politicians were communists and is using declassified British documents kept at the British National Archives in Kew, London to prove his point. The details of his letter can be found in TRE under the heading, ‘Mr President, I urge you to seek the truth about Operation Coldstore and Battle for Merger during your State visit in the UK’. Below is an example of his quotes:
 
‘I referred to recently declassified British Government documents relating to Operation Coldstore which revealed that Lord Selkirk, the UK Commissioner to Singapore at that time, reported to Duncan Sandys, secretary of state for the colonies, that:
 
‘there is no important new evidence of subversive activity on which arrests at this juncture can be justified. We could not substantiate a charge that they are planning to use violence. In the absence of specific evidence of subversion the arrests would be construed as an attempt by HMG to stifle legitimate opposition.‘ (Geoff Wade)’
 
He is demanding that the President gives him a reply following the President’s challenge issued during the 2011 Presidential Election TOC TV Forum that Jee Say must back up his charges against the Govt. Jee Say also said, ‘You(President Tony Tan) owe it to the people of Singapore to do so particularly when you asked for evidence to prove that the ISA had been used for political purposes.’
 
Would there be a reply or would nothing be said? The charges by Jee Say are very serious indeed and could change historical facts in our history books. And criminals could be set free while their accusers could be put behind bars. Black will become white and white becomes black.
 
Whatever that would happen following this open letter, one thing is clear, Jee Say is not a stooge and he meant business. He is going for the jugular.

Kopi Level - Yellow

Quote of the Day

Alex Au is now in court to defend his contempt of court charges. One phrase that the AG mentioned in Au’s blog was highlighted. Au was quoted to have said, ‘the courts were as “limp as a flag on a windless day”’.

The AG says that the metaphor of the flag implies that the court needs ‘wind’ from outside the facts of the case to determine an outcome.

I vote this as the most ingenious interpretation of the phrase, “limp as a flag on a windless day” I am impressed.

Kopi Level - Blue, Thank you.

Return My CPF protest rally on 25 Oct cancelled by NPark

Just read from TRE that the protest at Hong Lim Park this Sat has been cancelled on the advice of the Police. The reason, both Roy Ngerng and Han Hui Hui are under investigation for illegal assembly. So they cannot apply for a permit.

Do they need a permit in the first place? Could they and the protesters just go to Hong Lim on Sat and have a party there? Is it illegal to gather at Hong Lim Park, a public park designated for free speech? Must there be a permit to make free speech? If that is the case, then it is no longer free speech.

Is the cancellation for a protest rally against the Constitution? Is NPark acting unconstitutionally?

So far Roy Ngerng and Han Hui Hui have held 3 such protest rallies and the attendance could not be anything near hysterical numbers. Why is there a need to curb this protest rally? Is the rally really something to fear, something like the netizens have been saying, disclosing an unpleasant truth about the CPF money?

By banning the next protest, the govt is sending out many negative signals to the people. There is nothing positive about this banning of a small peaceful protest in a confined park designated for such a specific purpose.

Would this act make the protesters angrier and turn up in full force despite the ban? What would happen this Sat? Would there be a bigger turnout instead at Hong Lim?

What is happening?

Kopi Level - Blue, Thank you.

GE – More intriguing news and development

The dominance of the PAP is waning since the last GE and the two disastrous by elections. Joining as a PAP candidate is no guarantee of a free ticket to Parliament today. There is a new sense of fear among the candidates, ministers included, that suay suay it would be their last election, ala George Yeo and his team in Aljunied.

Aljunied GRC, Punggol East and Hougang would be the tiger’s lair that no candidate would want to be in. The fear is obvious and understandable. Any opposition ward is not a nice place for the ruling party to contest. It took nearly 20 years for the PAP to take back Potong Pasir, but more by default rather than by merit. The SPP made a big blunder by fielding the wrong candidate. Otherwise Potong Pasir would still be safely in the hands of the SPP. Having said that, other than those wards won by the WP, Potong Pasir is still a touch and go thing and a strong opposition candidate would have a very high chance of wrestling it back from the PAP.

The news of Chan Chun Sing appearing in Sembawang and Khaw Boon Wan moving to East Coast is sending out a new signal that both Tanjong Pagar and East Coast GRCs might be vulnerable battle fields. How’s that? Chan Chun Sing is the PM heir apparent and moving him away from the PAP’s stronghold in Tanjong Pagar is as good as saying that it is no longer safe. PAP would not want to risk this PM potential in a risky ward. Putting him in Sembawang must be seen as lifting him up to safety.  They would not be a need to move him from Tanjong Pagar if it is safe. The safer the better to ensure that Chan Chun Sing would still be around after the next GE.

Khaw Boon Wan is still seen as a strong minister in the books of the PAP as there are not many such ministers left. Moving him to East Coast is like confirming the rumour that Lim Swee Say is either resigning or East Coast is at high risk of falling. Of course there are several GRCs that are obviously very weak and highly likely to go the opposition way. And there are also ministers that are highly vulnerable in the eyes of the public and have lost their drawing power. Some ministers are clearly a liability and would not be able to hold on to their forts in the next GE.

This explains the other two fear factors of PAP candidates. Many would be very uncomfortable being fielded in constituencies or GRCs that are seen as weak. Given a chance they would not want to go there. And many would also be worried about being fielded in GRCs helmed by very weak or unpopular ministers that have very high possibility of losing. It is now not that comfortable being a PAP candidate when winning is no longer a given.  To be in a winning team they must be in safe constituencies and in the company of reasonably safe ministers.

In fact in opposition wards it is like fighting a losing battle from the start for PAP candidates. And this same lousy feeling can now be applied, to a lesser degree, to being field in weak wards or with weak ministers, like being sent for the slaughter.

The rules of the game have changed and now it is a matter of how many would not make it in the next GE. Wearing white to do battle is not like it was before. The confidence of sure win or 90% chance of winning would not be the case anymore. In most cases, it is like a 50:50 case. And in high risk or opposition wards it is an uphill task with losing a better certainty.

Kopi Level - Blue, Thank you.

Happy Deepavali

It is quite a nice feeling to see this word Deepavali appearing on the streets again. Most Singaporeans have grown up with this word and it is part of our local culture. Last year it disappeared and a new word Tiwali took its place. I also used it here since it was everywhere.

Reading from some of the sites the word Tiwali is used by northern Indians while Deepavali is a southern Indian word or a Tamil word. Our daft Sinkies have this habit of adopting anything that is new without thinking to replace the old. New is good, old is bad. In Mandarin, many words are now pronounced in the way the new migrants used them as if they are cute or better.

Let's hope that in out imbecile way, we would not rub away our origins and things that have been dear to us and a part of us and embrace everything that is new without thinking. Our National Heritage Board is exactly for such a purpose, to preserve and retain our heritage for posterity and not to destroy everything for things that are new.

Happy Deepavali to all.

Kopi Level - Blue. Thank you.

Bambang Yudhoyono - The humble President and a great man

‘Please forgive me if in the 10 years of my leading this beloved country, I have said/done anything that hasn’t pleased you, the people of Indonesia. In truth, with all our flaws, we wanted to do the best for the people and the country. With love.’ SBY
 
This is the final Twitter message by Bambang Yudhoyono to his 5 million twitter followers. The message speaks for itself, a selfless man full of humility, and a perfect gentleman politician. He did not say a word about his achievements or what he has done for the people and his country. But what he has done is for the people to see and judge him. No amount of gloating could make any difference as the people are able to see for themselves.
 
And prior to his departure, he ensured that the incoming President would take over the baton with the full dignity and grace that a President should deserve. And he took the task upon himself to make all the final arrangement for Joko Widodo to assume his post as the 7th President of Indonesia in style.
 
Yudhoyono is a President that would be honoured by the Indonesian people, more so after he has left his office so magnanimously. He left his office in high notes and ensured that his successor will take over without a hitch despite all the challenges placed in the latter’s path.
 
A great man knows when to depart and be loved by his people forever

PS: When a country is on the rise, it will be blessed with great leaders. Yudhoyono is succeeded by another President in Jokowi with great potential to turn Indonesia into a great nation..

Kopi Level - Green

Animal lover joined PAP

ACRES founder Louis Ng, an activist for the protection of animals, has joined the PAP. There is a one page article in the Today paper devoted to him. This could be a sign that he is going to be a candidate for the next GE. It is good news for the animals that now they could have a real champion in Parliament, with voting rights, to look after their interests. Previously what we have were NMPs to represent such interest groups like arts or special needs groups. But they were appointed members and not elected members of Parliament.
It would be good that some dogs and cats lovers are picked to join the PAP. Then the dogs and cats would also have champions looking after them in Parliament.
 
We have many champions looking after the foreigners and foreign talents. Can there be some champions to look after Singaporean PMETs in Parliament? This pathetic group somehow is not represented and no one seems to want to bother with their plight. At the rate it is going, this group can only think of driving taxis and be security guards while their jobs are taken over by the highly rated foreigners.
 
I really hope there will be some activists who care for the Singaporean PMETs be invited to join the PAP to look after the interests of this group of citizens. Their well being cannot be worse off than animals, dogs and cats. And don’t forget, they can vote too. And they have their family and friends who would show sympathy for them and may vote the same way as them.
 
Any activist or champion of Singaporean PMETs out there standing up for them? Any political party wants to recruit them for a good cause?

Kopi Level - Green