ge round 34: Why is NKF an election issue?

I have nothing against Durai. I do not know him and I try to avoid discussing about him if I can. He is just a straightforward case of mismanagement and misappropriation of funds. A case of power getting into his head, and he erred like anyone else. The only difference is that he tripped and he was exposed. Then why is NKF a hot election issue? Isn't it just about some failure in corporate governance of a charitable organisation? The opposition do not see it as such. To them, it is a system failure. They see Durai as part of the establishment. Durai was more or less recommended by the establishment, supported, endorsed and praised by the establishment. He was a role model that was exhibited as a pride of the system. Even when things were starting to go wrong, many from the establishment still came out to support him, to say everything is fine. And if the establishment did not come down hard on Durai, it will give them more bullets to fire. They could use it to bolster their case that he is being protected. That is their trend of thought and election strategy. And it is going to be very effective. It is like taking penalty kicks. All their strikers are lined up and Boon Wan is going to be the goal keeper. We all know what penalty kick is all about. If lucky, the goal keeper may make one or two saves. But most of the kicks will turn into goals. The question is how many goals will get through. Taking spot kicks in front of the goal posts is always a nightmare to the goal keeper and his team.

retirement village

"My personal view is, our land is expensive. But we have nearby neighbours in Johore, Batam and Bintan. The elderly want to reach their doctors within half to one hour. So retirement villages in neighbouring countries is possible, barring the cross-border hassle. It is best to find cheap land on short leases," said Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan. I must say that this is a good concept for the well heeled, rich and famous Singaporeans who want a little paradise before they go to the real paradise. The only reservation I have is the location. We need a place that is really safe for these retirees. We do not want to put them in jeopardy in the hands of unknown strangers that could run them like a Nazi prison camp. Be very careful with the choice of paradise. Indonesian islands are cheap and good provided we have our own people manning the security. Otherwise, don't play play.

mugshots of opposition candidates

After my last article when I did a few mugshots on some of the interesting PAP members I thought I could do a follow up on the opposition candidates. But I have waited for so long as the motivation to write about them is not there. Not only that there are so few of them, but they are so ordinary to the point of boring. If they were to act like some smart alecs maybe I can tickle them a little. Or if they come out and flash a whole string of academic excellence maybe I can praise them a little. I need some material to write about them. But let me try and start with Desmond Lim. I have seen him on tv almost every night as if media corp is trying to market him as the next best candidate after Steve Chia. I used to comment that Khaw Boon Wan has a serene face of a buddha, so honest and calm. Then I look at this Desmond Lim...I can't believe that people can have such a face. How could someone have such an honest looking face? He is so mild and unpretentious and he speaks so innocently. Every time I see him on tv the only thought that came to my mind is how could such an honest looking fellow got himself involved in politics? Steve Chia is quite a different character. I think he likes law a lot and is trying to learn as much as he can by testing the limits of the law. And despite his wide varieties of interests, he makes sure that he mixes them with the law. After all these exposures he should make a very good lawyer. He is another opposition candidate who is well liked by media corp. Maybe the praises he got from LKY still did not rub off yet. Hmmm, he looks like what a PAP candidate should look like. Clean cut, young and suave. Low Thia Khiang, the Hougang Kia. That everyone knows. And very quick witted too. Immediately after LKY threw him a challenge to lead a GRC he replied that he could team up with Chiam if the boundaries are redrawn, knowing very well that it can't be. A clever challenge met with an equally clever answer. And Chiam. He still walks around like a school teacher. Or maybe a schoolmaster. He is anything, but doesn't look like a lawyer at all. He doesn't appear to be one who can twist and turn his arguments around. The honest Chiam. Dye his hair white and get David Gan to give him a LKY hairdo he will look like LKY's younger brother. Sylvia Lim, a very admirable lady. She did not wait to be invited for tea. She invited herself. Probably if there is going to be a female PM, she is the most likely candidate. Better don't praise her too much or the rest of the female politicians will turn green. Her credential is quite formidable. Someone that I would stay way clear of. LkY was only a lawyer. She is a lawyer and a police officer. So scary. Oh the famous Chee. He is famous fighting the PAP as an opposition candidate and also fighting other opposition candidates. Better leave him alone. He has nothing to lose anymore. He still has his strong supporters from the 30% diehard anti PAP voters. He would need to improve on this number to think of a real chance to win a GRC. Not easy for him to stand alone. Who else? Let me ponder for a while before I add on a few more interesting ones. Just a little distraction from the gruelling election.

ge round 33: issues of contention

Issues of Contention The PAP is of the view that there is no issues or the opposition has run out of issues in this election. The opposition is keeping mum and not saying much, keeping the PAP guessing. Allow me to state what would be the likely issues of contention in this election. PAP's version. 1. To attack WP's manifesto on abolition of the presidency, abolition of grassroot organisations, abolition of HDB racial quota. 2. Poor quality of opposition candidates compare to their high achiever candidates. 3. Their track records of achievements. 4. A brighter future by staying together and moving ahead. 5. More upgradings and more handouts. Opposition version. 1. NKF as a reflection of the failure of the system, accountability, transparency and high pay against corruption. 2. High Minister's pay 3. Upgrading is public money and should not be used as a ransom against the people. 4. High cost of livings. High education fees, high transport fares, high medical fees, etc 5. Foreign talents, retrenchment and jobs for Singaporeans. 6. Casinos 7. One party rule is dangerous for Singapore 8. Need for opposition to check the govt. 9. Attack PAP's manifesto as all sound and no substance. 10. CPF money is the people's money, Medisave etc

timebomb in crooked bridge contract

It was revealed that the contract with Gerbang Perdana also stipulated that the government would pay M$1m for each day that the project was delayed. I am amazed that this clause was in the crooked bridge contract. Now who in his right mind would allow such a clause to be included knowing very well that it is not going to be smooth sailing when it is decided by Malaysia without the consent of Singapore? Would the Malaysian govt dig into this and find out why? They can't be that stupid to sign a contract that technically can bankrupt Malaysia. The contractor can simply take it slow, no rush, and got paid by M$1m a day! A normal contract is for the contractor to pay the user/govt compensation for delay.