26,000 age 85 and above

This is a good piece of information. Now what we want to know is the breakdown by age group to give some idea of the spread and the probability of reaching 90 and beyond. It will also be very useful to know how many are destitutes and needed public assistance. The official figure of people under the public assistance scheme is only about 3000. Now this is way too small. If this number is true, then there is no real need for a compulsory annuity scheme for the whole population. It is too insignificant an amount to warrant such a massive exercise.

Phenomenal growth in population

We are now 4.68 million! Another 1.8 million and we are there, 6.5 million. Not bad. Think we can be there in two years. And we don't even feel the squeeze. Maybe 10 million is a reasonable target.

Singaporeans dying

Ya, I think Singaporeans are suffocating and dying from too much tender loving care. The govt has been so pro active and caring and has been working so hard to improve the lives of Singaporeans that Singaporeans have never got it better. This is a case of too many good things. It is like a dream. Maybe the govt should cool down a bit and don't do so much. Jer lat. Not jiat lat.

Myth 161 Compulsory annuity is good

Compulsory annuity is good It is a hotly debated proposal, well intented, well meaning, and well thought out. But hardly any believe in it except the people proposing it. Who needs $300 in 35 years time when it is as good as worthless. Even double that amount may be worthless. And who wants to hope to live to enjoy this pittance at 85 when the life expectancy age is 80 to 82 years? The compulsory annuity scheme is supposed to provide the money for the survivors to live by. But how, when the money is definitely not enough. This is a classic myth in the making.

Allow public protest

This is what Liew Kai Khiun recommended yesterday. I thought it was an exercise not worth mentioning. But today there were some responses to his remarks. One pro and one against, to provide a balance view by the Today paper. But how many actually wrote in to support or oppose, your guess is as good as mind. By the way, what is the purpose of protest? Sure there are many things that pissed us off every now and then. There are very serious issues and some not so serious. Most went by without any protest. So everyone believes that everything is ok. But no one will know when a Myanmar will visit us, and if it did, everyone will be caught unprepared for sure. For any issue can spark off a major protest when the pent up feelings have been suppressed for too long over the years. And before such a visit, Singaporeans must find a means to express their objections or unhappiness over issues or policies. A public protest or demonstration is the most popular form to show displeasure. But given the current political environment, many would not want to risk the pain. This does not mean that Singaporeans should shut up. KPKB is one means to show displeasure and opposition. Asking questions like school boys in a monologue sessions between school teachers and school childrens, or writing to the media hoping for a reply is exactly what they will get. A reply. And once the reply is given, it is taken for granted that it is explained and accepted, case closed and life goes on. Ya, let's move on. What Singaporeans need is a platform to simply say No. We do not buy your reasons or explanations, and we do not want to go along with it. No need any clever reply whatsoever. That is what a protest is all about. To say no to policies or issues and to tell the authorities not to go ahead with it. And if they do, they can go ahead without the blessing of the people. And sure, that is all the people can do now. And the govt can go on not listening and do what it wants or what it thinks best. But hopefully the democratic forces will play its rightful role one day and a new govt be formed. Protest is necessary and important. But protest for the sake of protest is meaningless if it does not achieve any results. Find a way to say no and for the govt to hear the NO loudly, be it peaceful or violent protest, or just kpkb in the net. The important thing is to get the message across.