helping third world countries

Corruption is a dirty word used in whatever context. Even mentioning it will draw ire from those who think it is meant for their ears. Corruption generally happens in third world countries or badly managed countries. When we are talking to third world countries, or trying to advise them on how to beat the plague of corruption in their countries, it may be better if the word corruption is not mentioned. We may talk to them about how to cap the income of their civil servants. Everyone works, in whatever capacity, to make a living. All the civil servants in the third world countries is no exception. They also have the same aspiration and motivation of developed countries' civil servants. And they want to earn more to live a better life. But they find it very difficult to raise their official salaries and thus have to resort to other modes of income, officially or unofficially, legally or illegally. It is a case of lack of ingenuity to justify how to pay themselves well. Basically all they need to do is to cap corruption among their civil servants to an acceptable level and make it legal and transparent. After that, put them on a firing squad if they resort to corruption again. It is a carrot and stick solution, and important to make it transparent and understood. The only headache is to determine their appetite.

staying together, moving ahead

During the election the PAP's stand is 'Staying together, moving ahead.' After the election, PAP won the votes of 66.6% of the voters. The election cries and campaigning are over and everyone has gone back towork. The 33.4% who voted for the PAP have also accepted the PAP as the ruling party and govt. The people have come together and set aside the politikings for another 5 years. It is time to remember the election calls and campaign and promises. Will 'Staying together, Moving ahead' means something to all the people regardless of political inclination or affiliation? Hsien Loong has also made his speech that it is time to close ranks and to look after everyone, those who voted for the PAP and those who voted for the oppositions. This is what PAP promised, though not sure if the inclusiveness includes those who voted for the opposition. No more divisive politics and no more 'vote for me and get upgrading,' or vote against me no upgrading? Can the people now be assured that there will be upgradings when needed regardless of constituencies and the MPs? We shall now wait and see how theelection pledge is being carried out.

poor sitoh and eric, a little consolation

Poor Sitoh and Eric After the postmortem the PAP has concluded that all that they had done in Hougang and Potong Pasir will not work. And poor Sitoh and Eric had sweated for 4 long years, pulling every trick out of thier bags and still failed. You cannot blame them for being dejected and a sense of helplessness. Green and fresh faces appeared, come and go into Parliament. Some walking in without having to say a word practically, walkover. And these two workhorses, smelt of sweat, hands callous through preparing and serving porridges, could only resigned to their corners, embarassed and empty handed. It is not an easy feeling to know that they are heading to a dead end while others could waltz into Parliament effortlessly. It is only proper that they be rewarded with a GRC seat in the next election. For sheer effort, they deserve a seat in Parliament provided by the PAP through train.

a little warmth, a little kindness, a little hope

Last Sat's article on the plight of the disadvantaged youth and families must have dealt quite an emotional blow to many readers and the elicited many to write to the ST forums for more help for these children at the fringe of society. We have a $500 million Comcare. Good. But how is this administered? I am not saying that this is badly administered. I only hope that the fund is not there to make sure that the poor can have just enough to eat and tie over for the next few days or months. Our govt can do more. There are enough money and resources to do that little more to make the lives of these children at the fringe that more bearable. A little warmth, a little kindness, and a little hope. A Margaret Louis asked, 'What are we going to do about poverty problem?' It is not simply giving them some food and financial assistance. Another forumers suggested a surrogate family system for the better off children pairing off with the less fortunate. The idea along this kind of thinking means taking this problem a step further. More thoughts can be put into it to offer these kids what children of a normal family would enjoy. The simple joy of parents being around, a little birthday present, a small little treat of having dinner at a foodcourt or an outing. Some of these dysfunctional families would never experience such simple joy of a normal family. More can be done to give some meaning to these pathetic children and families.

Post election survery, Bread and Butter not main concern?

The survey by the Institute of Policy Studies(IPS) pointedly claimed that bread and butter issues were 'not the main concern' of voters. I tend to look at the findings from the context that it was done immediately after the general election and what were important to the voters during the election were freshly imprinted in their minds. And their current mindset and preoccupation would greatly influence the results of the survey. Bread and butter issues will always be important. But during the hustings, the issues of fairness and a good govt became very important. The people saw the need for an alternative voice as more urgent when unfairness was perceived. There was a feeling of an uneven playing field. And the way the ruling party dealt with the opposition, the upgrading etc called for a greater demand for checks and balances in Parliament. The survey clearly pointed to the real concern of the voters. They want more checks and balances to ensure that there is fairness in govt policies. They want different views in Parliament when they felt all these were threatened. Upgrading becomes a non issue as the survey showed. The billions of dollars being waved and offered were of lesser significance. Perhaps, on hindsight, the money set aside for upgrading should be reviewed and cut down and used for some other better purposes.