38% return per annum since 2002

Who can match such a sterling performance by Temasek? Wealth added is $23 bil and net value of portfolio from $129 bil to $164 bil or $35 bil added. Thus the 38% return should be somewhere between $23b and $35b. Is it reasonable to say that for the last 5 years, 2002-7, the average return from investment is about $25b times 5 or $125b? Now this number may look too big. How about a ballpark figure of $100b? And this would mean that in 2002, the net portfolio was only $64b. Reasonable? Just guessing. Not going to crack my head on this.

Non Muslim Minister speaking up

Bernard Dompok, a Minister in the Prime Minister's Dept has spoken up against the Islamic State remark. Obviously Bumi Ministers have totally disregard the existence of many non muslims in East Malaysia and have taken their existence for granted. If Malaysia is an Islamic State, then East Malaysia too will come under Islamic principles. The natives and many East Malaysians are not muslims. Bernard Dompok said many people he knew would be very unhappy and they would 'have to contend with the issue for now.' Did he meant to contend the issue or to be contented with the issue for now? If they are to take on the issue now and fight it then there is hope that Malaysia will not become an Islamic State. If they are to be contented with the situation now, then it is as good as Malaysian becoming an Islamic State quitely and surely.

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?