11/22/2008
A home song - 3
45 years and more
The crowd came, hungry and lost
Pleading that I be their boss
I led, they follow, no question ask, not a single doubt
For they trust, I the boss
For the hungry, they I fed
For the jobless, work I gave
The uneducated, schools I built, an education they got
Most of it all, it's dignity they had
My hair grows white, my hearing fails
My eyes weaken, so my sight
No longer do I think, nor see the things I see
Never will I need to hide
Where are they who came to fight
Where are they who crumbled, left in flight
They made me mighty as they humbled themselves
And trembled at my sight
Chorus
For 45 years, I'll said it all
Things need done, I'll done it all
Take me on, I'll beaten them all
45 years on, I am waiting for more
The above is copyrighted by redbean
Tripartism taken a body blow
Tripartism is the cornerstone of our labour management relation. Its existence and being part of the institution of Singapore Inc have been going on for too long and maybe forgotten. Union was claiming that they got only 3 days notice of a big retrenchment. And I wonder how many days did the MOM got. MOM had to rush out a new set of guidelines on what a corporation should do before drawing out the butcher knife. And the Union is crying foul. The rhetoric is getting stronger by the day. Last night we heard Swee Say talking about cooperation to confrontation if management took the Union for granted.
How could our labour management relation suddenly took a plunge? Someone sleeping or someone thought that they are also the govt or the Union was not consequential? Maybe it is forgiveable if decisions were made by FTs who are new to our unique brand of tripartism.
Incidently, were locals let go at the expense of retaining FTs? There was this motherhood statement that the foreigners will be the first to go and the jobs of the locals will be protected. How many were locals and how many were foreigners that were retrenched?
11/21/2008
Is it complacency or stupidity, or simply too clever?
The last few days more views were out in the old media about the merits of a one party political system. Two writers, Dr Tan Wu Meng, the Organising Secretary of Young PAP and Tim Mou Hui put their views on the merits of a one party system in the ST today and pointed out the shortfalls of a two party system as mentioned in Gilbert Goh's letter. Against all conventional wisdom, or it is their new wisdom, that a one party system is the way to go. They have thrown away all caution of how treacherous is this path if we are not careful. It is a path of no return.
Singaporeans have already flirted with the danger of a one party rule with more than 2/3 majority in Parliament all these years. This is no small matter as it means that the majority party can do whatever they like. They are given a blank cheque to even change the constitution to their likings. In a worst case scenario, a rogue govt can simply amend the constitution and change a democracy into a dictatorship.
Singapore is lucky that we have a kind of benevolent dictatorship as coined by Chua Mui Hoong, and survives, prospers and progresses over the last 45 years. In different hands, we will be in dip shit. Definitely this is no justification that things will be the same going forward.
Should Singapore really go all out to embrace a single party system or even a dictatorship? I try to appreciate the reasoning of this new wisdom. But my instinct and old wisdom say this is highly dangerous. It is thoughtless and senseless. And to think that thinking people even clamour for such an eventuality is really frightening.
11/20/2008
It could be worst
The ungrateful Singaporeans are complaining again. This time for the loss of a miniscule $18m from Town Council fund, which is so small compares to the $2 billion it has hoarded. And if the $2b is not enough, they could easily raise the conservancy charges and build the reserve to last 20 years for a rainy day.
Singaporeans did not realise that this is the best team handling their money. It could be worst, and all the money could have been gone if a lesser team was in charge.
Please count your blessings and be grateful, and thankful. Your money is in good hands.
A home song
I was in a karaoke room with some friends and I could hear the songs that they belted out with gustos after a few drinks. Hotel California, Bridge Over Trouble Water, My Way, Heartbreak Hotel, Leaving on a Jet Plane, I don't want to talk about it, etc etc. All the all time favourites were foreign and bears no relation to what we are or to home.
Instantly many song titles flashed through my mind which will make great home songs for Singaporeans. Songs that we can sign and share with emotions. Let me share some of them here.
Money in My Mind
More Good Years
Let's Move On
45 years and more
I punch an MP
No charity at home
Say Yes to more leeways
It's only peanuts
Help is on the way
Highway to Paradise
Twilight in golden years
There were many more which I were unable to recall at the moment. I shall try to put some lyrics to these songs if I can find the inspirations some day.
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