More leeways may not be good

Khaw Boon Wan is allowing more money to be used from the Medisave to pay for the high medical and surgical fees. Is this a good thing? Like the use of CPF for a running away price of HDB flats, this is will only lead to the depletion of the people's savings. At the end of the day, everyone's saving in the CPF will be minimal. When are the authorities going to look at the problem truthfully and cut down on the cost that is eating away at the people's savings? More leeways is like more wayangs. Disagree? For goodness sake, deal with the problems of cost and market pricing. Don't distract the issue by talking about the fat ladies and the irrelevants.

Celebrating Singaporeans - The Lien, Tsao, Shaw and Khoo

The Lien, Tsao, Shaw and Khoo The Straits Times also listed the above families and their foundations for charity and it is only rightful to mention them here. Dr Lien Ying Chow donated almost half his wealth to the Lien Foundation. And Khoo Teck Puat was reported to have 'left 30 per cent of his wealth or some $2 bil to the foundation after his death in 2004.' And the old great philantrophist like Tan Kah Kee who donated practically all his wealth to education, building of schools and universities here and in China.

Celebrating Singaporean - Chew Hua Seng

Chew Hua Seng In a way Chew Hua Seng is more remarkable for the amount he has donated to his foundation. $100m! His is new money that he has made recently. And he may not be as rich as the old rich. But his $100m foundation is a handsome sum of money relative to his wealth. Cheers man.

Celebrating Singaporean - Wee Cho Yaw

Wee Cho Yaw and the Wee Foundation The Wee family has set up a $30m foundation for charity, to help the less privileged, to promote the Chinese language and culture, to foster greater community spirit and social integration. The Wee have joined the other prominent Singaporean families like the Lee of Lee Rubber, the Lien, the Shaw and the Tan of Tan Chin Tuan Foundation. These are the contributions of people who have succeeded in their enterprises and returning something back to society. But what is more remarkable is not just this act but for a man who builds a business that has 500 offices in 18 countries. And he did it on his own, his way, without needing foreign talents. Wee Cho Yaw has proven that you don't need foreign talents to do what he has done.

No frills HDB flats?

Lim Wee Kiat and Lee Bee Wah are asking HDB to build no frills flats that are really 'affordable' to the young people buying their first flats. I can foresee a reply. If they cannot afford it, go for rental flats. Those are 'affordable' for sure. Both were talking about covered walkways and parks and quality of tilings. The intent is good but the direction is wrong. We can do away with some of the frills but the quality of the flats should not be sacrificed. The quality of the tile in HDB flats are not that great for a start. Going back to the 70s when flats came with cement screed is a big no. There is no need to cut down on the quality. It is all about costing and pricing. The most glaring example is the Pinnacles. When HDB could make profits selling them at the first launch prices, why is there is need to jack up another $200k each! This is profiteering at the expense of the people. And the mentality is that this is good! Just look at the costing and review the objectives of the HDB flats. Are HDB flats built just to maximise profits or for the people, for nation building? Some people have been intoxicated with too much fine wine to think that more profits is good. Think again. The prices of HDB flats need not be so high without even cutting down on quality. No need to price at market prices. If we mix up public polcies with private enterprises reason to exist, then we are no longer a country governed by the people for the people.