poor buggers - indon quarry workers

1500 quarry workers in Karimun out of jobs and running out of money. There could be another few thousands in Batam and Bintang in the same state of despair. Thanks to their govt for looking after them so well. Their govt is trying to get them a better deal, a better price for their granite and sand by demanding that buyers must pay the price they want. This is how they think business should be done, a seller's market. They do not need to read economics to know that the price is determined by demand and supply and needs to be negotiate and not shaft down the buyer's throat. For the time being the quarry workers can go hungry for all they care. Poor pawns in a big corruption game. Any price increase will not translate to any increase in their pay but go to someone else's pocket. The people deserve the govt they get.

ERS/NSS and new citizens

We are now being given ERS/NSS shares as citizens. Does anyone know whether there is a qualifying period for new citizens to be given these shares? Or if one becomes a citizen yesterday one will immediately be qualified for such shares? The payout of ERS/NSS were from revenue made from funds accumulated and contributed by citizens in the past. New citizens or very new citizens, eg those who are less than a year, an arbitrary figure, do not contribute to the cumulative national reserves that generate this revenue and it is unfair that they be given these shares immediately. (To newsgean: this is an issue that questions the right of new citizens to benefit from national reserves which they have not contributed to. It is like some countries that rule out citizens not by birth from holding top govt offices.)

A minister or a bank CEO?

A minister or a bank CEO? What drives a man in his choice of a career or his mission in life? Which is more attractive between being a minister that pays him $1m and a bank CEO that pays him $7m? In America, many big earners gave up lucrative jobs just to be in the govt. And they continue or go on to earn much more after their stints in the govt, not in the govt but in the private sector. Obviously the two jobs have different motivations and people consciously choose what to be according to their callings. Some even choose to earn barely enough when the calling is from God. Are these jobs to be compare under the same set of factors? Should national leaders think that they are bankers and bankers think that they are national leaders? Are they one and the same? Or should national leaders compare their income with sportsmen and artistes who earn millions by the hour?

Are we Sparta or Athens?

Are we Sparta or Athens? When I caught sight of this heading by Lim Cheng Tju I immediately burst out laughing. I instantly recalled the jokes that an invading army would be stalled by the massive traffic jams in Bangkok while another invading army would laugh itself to death when starring down at our soldiers. Now comparing ourselves to 300 Spartans who fought themselves to death, without asking for a cent more, or the creativity and imagination of Athens, a vibrant and intellectually stimulated city, are we having a drink too much? In a country that is driven by monetary rewards, when every decision is made on monetary terms, when citizenship rings hollow, when the citizens are happily being replaced by foreigners that have little emotional attachments to this island, where can one find the passion like the spartans or the creativity of Athens? The callous input of foreigners to boost up our population is as good as undermining the whole foundation of nationhood. The immigration patterns of today, the motivation, and how the immigrants would immerse themselves and set roots in a new country are very different from the past. To use our immigrant historical background as a justification for more immigrants is a dangerous starting point. We were created out of accident, out of a historical past where nationhood was not our choice. Even the USA was a historical accident. But to try to repeat the same formula is a very simplistic approach to nation building. We are just thinking about numbers and ignore the social glue that needs to bring the diverse people together as one. We have tried that for 40 years and still without much success. The influx of foreigners would only weaken whatever we have built in nationhood. There must be value and passion in the people. Philip Yeo was angry that Singaporeans, especially the young scholars, did not have any value with regard to being a citizen of a country. They think self and money. And in his fit of dismay he said to the effect that money would be better spent on better foreign talents. This is true when value and passion are not important. Just buy talents. And talents that can be bought with money can also be bought by others. That is what foreign talents is all about. It is about their market value and which country offers the best value. We are heading towards a society that has no root, no value, no passion, but only money. Yes, we are creating a culture of mercenaries. Or should we ask, where is the passion?

nkf story - just a thought

Just a thought If the court finds Durai innocent of all the charges, or the one charge that they can frame against him, then rightfully Durai should be reinstated as the CEO of NKF to continue his good work. He could even counter claim for wrongful dismissal and loss of salary and claim compensation for the sufferings he went through, including tarnishing his reputation. Actually the one and only charge of a $20k payment speaks for itself, that there is nothing criminal in what Durai had done. After spending so many hours of expensive investigation time, this is the only thing that came near to a crime and still got thrown out by the court. We shall be proud of the transparency of our legal system and how the rule of law is upheld in our country.