Lin Xue Ling interviewed Ngiam Tong Dow

Thank god, it was not Xue Ling Lin interviewed Tong Dow Ngiam. At least CNA got it right. Otherwise it would be Ms Xue interviewed Mr Tong. Lately all the Ah Beng Lims and Ah Lian Tans seems to have disappeared for a while, or taking cover. Or there will be a new surname, Mr Ah, to take note of. The gist of the interview where Ngiam Tong Dow was so fortunate to serve under two great pioneering leaders, Goh Keng Swee and Hon Sui Sen, was his comment on compassion. He said that in any system, there would be the 5% that would have problems and not making it and needed help. And the govt must have a little compassion to help these people. Yes, these are the lazy, useless people to some. To the kinder ones, these are the people that are less endowed, less gifted, handicapped or under privileged that have too many chains around them to run forward. Though it is the brutal truth that the able should be amply rewarded and be given the biggest share, such thoughts are very ungenerous. Coming from private individuals is ok. But from people in public offices is bad. Anyone in public service and thinks about how many more millions he should be getting and constantly trying ways to make sure that he will not be short changed should not be in public service. The public sector cannot have room for money minded individuals who have little compassion for the less able. Being in public service, they are expected to look at the whole picture and their policies, thinking and decisions must be inclusive of everyone in the country. They should not be thinking only of themselves and their great and clever friends. Compassion in our society today is showbiz. It is only for display over the big screen, to be seen but does not mean anything.

What is the US doing to help the S Koreans?

Are the US helping or doing the contrary, telling the Afghan govt to stand firm, stay the course and not give in to the Taleban demands? Are South Korean lives unimportant to the Americans? Aren't the South Koreans part of the Coalition of the Willing and deserve to some help from the Americans? If there is another death due to lack of American initiative to free the hostages, this will be like the Americans burning their bridge with the South Korean govt. And they will be kicked out of South Korea. There could be a mass outcry and uprising to kick the Americans out. The Americans better do something fast or be seen as abandoning their closest ally in the war.

The profit motive

When everything is about profit, nobility, idealism, selflessness, charity etc are no longer meaningful concepts. As we move towards a new century of selfish interest and wealth accumulation for the sake of wealth accumulation, we much stop teaching our children about charity, about noble deeds and acts of love, compassion or charity to fellow beans. We should not be hypocritical. These are only useful occasionally to give the public a false impression that one is generous, just a PR exercise. The professions of teaching, of healing the sick, when transform into money making machines, will lose their intrinsic meaning and nobility. Teachers will only teach more and put in more effort if the parents are willing to pay more. Medical professionals will only heal the sick and dying if they are willing to pay, and pay at a ransom. There is no qualms when making money is the only reason to do an act. And no one needs to apologise for it. It is the culture and mentality of the 21st Century. Sorry, can you afford to pay?

Prime Car Rental and Taxi Services

What is this Ginny comes lately trying to do? To spoil the market and make other companies look ridiculous? They are going to charge lower fare, by lower ing flag down rate. And any cost savings will be passed to drivers with lower rentals and flag down rates when they go into compressed natural gas which is cheaper and more efficient. But I don't mind. I will only flag for their taxis in the future. That's the way to go Prime.

Numbers to justify higher fares

SBS Transit quoted $67.4 mil needed for cost increases and rolling out of 100 new buses. SMRT quoted $9.6 mil increases in electricity and fuel and another $11 mil in GST and CPF contributions. The reported quarterly profits of the two companies were $16.4 mil and $32.4 mil respectively. These can be translated to an annual profit of $65.6 mil and $129.6 mil or thereabout. In the case of the SBS, the cost for the 100 buses can be spread over a few years and the profit would still put them in very good shape. In the case of SMRT, wow, $129.6 mil still not enough. Maybe they are right, without this privatisation for profit, they will remain inefficient and the services will be bad. Now with the emphasis on profit everything is good and bright, high profit, high efficiency and on the way towards a world class transport service organisation. If Singaporeans want good quality world class services, they must be prepared to pay more for it. And what is 1 to 3c? Surely these are nothing. And the increases are for their own good. It would be better if the increases are more, then the quality of the services will be better. They may get pipe in music, cold face towel, and pretty hostesses to say 'good morning sir', 'have a good day sir', in the future. And there will be no rushing or pushing or squeezing. Everyone will have a comfortable place to sit and read the papers, or maybe have a cup of tea also. Now that will be nice to pay for a little more.