The twists and turns of the crooked bridge.

Mahathir More shocks 'Twas Malaysian side which offered to sell 1billion sq.m of sand that could make Singapore 50% larger with 10m population. Blogger kTemoc The above post can be found in Littlespeck.com What is interesting in the post is that Mahathir said that it was the Malaysian side who offered the airspace and sand to Singapore. This is totally different from the press story that Singapore demanded that Malaysia offered airspace and sand to Singapore as part of the condition for building the bridge. Why is Singapore been blamed for something that it did not initiated? And why Singapore did not stand up to defend itself and clear its name? It is strange that Singapore preferred to take the blame and keep quiet about the whole affair. Looks like Singapore was caught in the Malaysian's domestic politics and for goodwill, just let the water flow under the bridge. And hopefully, after spanking us for something we did not do, and gaining a lot of face for it, the Malaysians will quietly say a word of thanks behind closed doors. Isn't politics interesting? The details of the sordid saga is in the blog of kTemoc and can be read in Littlespeck.com. So don't read what is in the press. And don't listen to the politicians. You just don't know what is truth, half truth and lies.

cha hern keng's passion on managing the stock market

I share Chia Hern Keng's passion in pushing for Asian govt to work out some system of intervention in the stock market before another crisis hit us. His reasons are very similar to mine, the ability of huge mutual funds to wreck havoc in any small Asian markets. He contributed another article on this today in Today paper. It seems that lethargy has set in after the last financial crisis. During those dark hours, all kinds of plans were suggested but subsequently put aside when the dust settled. All the dust will settle after every disaster. And all the carnage will be removed and forgotten. Since then, the slow and painful recovery has taken shape while everyone either have gone to sleep or have short memories of those frightening times. And the fruit is just about ripe for another bout of attacks. It is sad and disgusting to know that the more advanced Asian countries who should be taking the lead have lapsed into a stage of self delusion. It would not happen again. Unexpectedly India has rose to the occasion to close down its Bombay stock market for a day under a panic sell down situation. And when it reopened, it gained 4%. And the Indian govt did not stop at that. Investors were assured, and banks were told not to pull the plug with making margin calls and selling off clients positions. In fact banks were told to provide the liquidity needed in such a crisis. And of course, the govt also rounded up the mutual funds to sort out the problems that these funds could create. As Chia Hern Keng said, billions of dollars could move in and out of a market with a few pushes of the button, not forgetting programme selling and buying. 'What would be questionable is a govt's inept response to such a crisis. If a govt just sit back and says all the upheaval and panic going around is just the work of market forces and the result of other countries' economic mismanagement, it is like an army general spouting philosophy when his country is being ravaged.' Chia said. The govts set up stock markets as a business concern for businesses to raise funds, for investors to invest in stocks all for good intention. What the govt did not ask for, and neither did the investors and companies listed in the exchange ask for it, is for mutual funds to push their stocks either way, recklessly beyond logic and fundamentals. And these actions would, if left unchecked, drive a herd down the cliff without them knowing why. The mutual funds are only concerned with their profits, with no responsibility to the destruction of investors or a stock market. And it is sinfully irresponsible for a govt to wipe its hands clean and say it is part of the game and nothing they can do about it. I would like Chia Hern Keng to continue his crusade in this forum if the paper is not giving him enough space and recognition of the severity of the problem.

lonely voice of marina mahathir

She is a champion of a sort. A lonely voice in a world where women are supposed to be wrapped up, unheard and unseen. But she is fighting to be heard, to champion the cause of women in society. She wrote an article on the sentiments and attitude of believers and how they would react when their faiths are questioned. She pointed to the contrasting responses of Christians towards Dan Brown and the Da Vinci Code and the Muslims deadly threats towards Salman Rushdie and his Satanic Verses. Both authors and their books touched on issues that challenged the major doctrines of the respective religions. And the way the believers reacted simply lead the world to stereotype them as either rational or prone to violence. But her main objective is to call for her sisters in Islam to stand up and present another face of rationality and moderation. Would she find enough believers to take up the challenge and shed the shackles placed on them?

the story of ike see

When I read the story of Ike See, my immediate response is that another prodigy going to waste. Another case of rigid application of rules that puts up more obstacles to the few rare talents we have. It is tough being a Singaporean. But to be fair to Mindef, it is a tough decision to make. It is an exception that if seen positively, people will say Mindef is flexible. On the other hand, for those who cannot appreciate such musical talent, they will criticise the decision and say so what? In situation like this, someone has to make the decision. And either way, there will be those who agree and those who disagree. The bottom line, it points out one very important thing about being Singaporean. You have a big obligation and responsibility to the nation. And this is also a personal burden that all male Singaporeans have to bear. So please treat the male Singaporeans, or all Singaporeans who have to perform national service better. Please do not take this personal sacrifice for granted and opt for more foreign talents.

citizen reporting

There was a proliferation of blogs and forums reporting on the recent election. There was a sudden surge of interest on social and political issues among the people. The people are no longer apathetic and apolitical. The people are concerned and interested in social and national issues concerning them. Now isn't this a good thing? Isn't this what the govt wants, a maturing people who care for the nation. Or will we see more curbs to cut off such exuberance of the people? That the people should not get too nosy and should quietly go back to their lives, to the rat race, earning a living, now that they have chosen a reliable and competent govt comprising honest people with unquestionable integrity. I have been interviewed by one of the press and among the issues raised is the role of citizen reporting. Should the traditional media engage the citizens in cyberspace or should they ignore them? Like it or not, the citizens are not going to shut up. They will continue to express their views, colourful and even extreme views. And they will challenge the traditional media in reporting events and issues in the way they see it. And these are the views and feelings of the people. Not doctored views of the traditional media seen through specially coated lenses. The reporting scene will no longer be the preserves of the traditional media journalists. And the citizen reporting will grow in leaps and bounds as more people flock to the net to hear alternative and refreshing views and voices. News and news reporting will never be the same again.