Is it naive or stupidity or something else?

I heard over the news on the IPO listing of CitySpring and how the fund managers were paid more than $60 mil in about four months on a scheme based on the stock's performance in the market. And the amount was almost double the whole years profit of the company! The payment was due to a contractual agreement and formula and perfectly transparent and aboveboard. So no hanky panky stuff. The comments I heard was that we were a young economy, can't believe that, so we are ignorant or naive or immature, and signed an open ended performance formula. Stupid is a word that was not used. Being conned was not said. So it is excusable for a first world country, with so many talents, local and foreign, to get into such an agreement. Would the CitySpring owners feel good about it? Any average middle manager will know that one cannot have an open ended formula for performance bonus, bonuses for staff or senior management. There must be a cap, a French cap will be quite appropriate, to prevent exorbitant payouts. It is so elementary and after so many years of progress, it still happened. What a joke!

Dwindling purchasing power

At the rate the prices of things are shooting up, whatever subsidies will quickly be eroded away. Those lower income earners, including all under $5k household income, will feel the squeeze. The purchasing power of their dollar is getting smaller by the day. The only people who can cushion against a lost of income from a dwindling dollar will be those who can command a 20% or 30% salary increment. I have yet to read in the media how much has it cost the people with all the increases taking place, the 2% gst, housing, food, medical fees, transportation, etc etc. How much of the dollar has already been wiped away without the people spending the money?

The pragmatic and professional leaders

In Malaysia, we have seen a new approach towards inter state relations and a pragmatic approach towards economic development under the leadership of Abdullah Badawi. He has single handedly changed the whole mindset of his cabinet, from one of bickering, politiking to one of getting work done in a rational and professional manner. In Indonesia, under the leadership of Yudyoyono and the likes of its Defence Minister Juwono Sudarsono, the picture is very similar. The professional men are in charge and wanted to do so much for their countries. Unfortunately both are facing the same problems of tribal chiefs at the peripheral doing their best to undermine their authority at the central. What the central govt tries to do, the local chieftains will try to destroy. The arrest of Singaporean barges and Singaporeans in the Karimun case was nothing but piracy. And the tone and acrimony against the Extradition Treaty and DCA were just polemics with little substance. And in Malaysia, the opposition to the IDR were in the same vein. They would be lucky if Singapore participates and make the IDR a success. For the IDR can be the most competitive region vis a vis Singapore and can take away a lot of businessess from us. Once it has established itself as a reliable and credible economic zone, it will simply be irresistible for investors not to be there. It has so many comparative advantages if the tribal chiefs could be gagged and prevented from spilling or over turning the pot. The two countries are being held at ransom by the retards of their countries, the 'chiat liow bee' politicians.

Trees are attacking Singaporeans

The trees are striking at Singaporeans, killing 3 in a row. And so is our water. Wild water and safe water, they are still life threatening. It is time to cut down all the trees and warn Singaporeans not to go near them or the water. The building of dykes would come in handy to keep the water away. And all pools should be covered up to be used only as water containers. What have we done to the trees and water that they are picking on us? Is there any infidelity on our part to deserve the wrath of nature? It is very strange for trees to attack people. And swimming pool incidents should not have happened again and again. We are now so experience in picking dead children bodies from the pools. Do we want to continue to do so?

myth 141

Peasants are inept to understand This is a glaring fact and is proven everyday. The latest call by Lim Hwee Hua to raise taxi surcharge is the most effective and practical solutions to get taxis running on the road again. Peasants just cannot appreciate the real meaning behind the proposal. How so? The current rate is too low, so too many calls and all the taxi drivers have no problem taking one call and follow by another in quick succession. So why should they be so stupid to drive around and burning petrol dollars? The surcharge should be raised to $50. Then only those few who can afford to pay for the surcharge will call. Bet you, the calls will drop to 1%. And all the taxi drivers who think that they will can get continuous calls will think twice. For they may not even get one call a day. tan ku ku. And when the calls are not coming, and when they have to pay the rentals, oh yes, the rentals must go up also, they got no choice but kuai kuai ply the roads and rush for passengers. Then they cannot afford not to drive the taxis and wait at home for calls. It will create a real buzz on the roads with taxis zigzaging every where for passengers. I support the $50 per call surcharge.