Celebrating Singaporeans - Liew Mun Leong

Finally we have a Singaporean that could command a multi million dollar salary, getting closer to the talents in Wall Street. Liew Mun Leong of Capital Land was paid a performance bonus of $20.52 mil for year 2007. His total pay packet came to $21.7 mil as reported in Today. Can I presume that his annual salary is $1.18m or less than $100k pm? If that be the case, how many months of bonuses will his $20.52 mil equate to? 205.2 months! I am beginning to doubt my arithmatic. Did we have another world record? Well done Liew Mun Leong.

What is going on?

Tuesday, March 24, 2009 This blog is down until further notice. a. Regular CNA forumer JohnLaw who first reported on the CDC bonus has not been seen. b. Wayang.Party has been shutdown by ISP. c. Blogger PoThePanda was investigated by the police & ISD for his articles. I receive a few emails that a number have been followed. Something may be on. I'll be back once the picture is clearer Posted by LuckySingaporean at 3:24 AM The above was posted in Diary of a Singaporean Mind. What is happening? WayangParty reported that it is now back online and is investigating the cause of the breakdown. They suspected foul play. Coincidently Redbeanforum was also out on Monday evening. Are we thinking the same thing that something sinister is brewing? Who on earth would want to do such a damn thing? Lucky Tan's post makes one thinking of some forces at work, that we are being watched like the Communist countries or the days of Gestapo. I think it is all our imagination. Our security personnel are paid by public money and have better and more important things to do than to stoop so low and become petty pawns in a political game. The only reason for them to act will be threats to national security or terrorism. I don't think bloggers belong to these two categories. Should my postings be interpreted as a threat to national security, please email me or give me a call. I shall cease posting. Or maybe I shall post about lingeries and underwear, or which celebrity is sleeping with who. Or maybe I shall write about cookings, or better still write a cook book. That should be safe enough for good Singaporeans. Then I shall write about the most intellectual pursuit of Singaporeans, writing cook books. Then we will become the most intelligent

A Govt in a Forbidden City

Over the years we have seen more liberalisation in the economy and financial industry. The reverse is true after new and more stringent laws were enacted yesterday on Film Acts and Control of Public Demonstration, in the political arena. Why is there a need to keep increasing govt control of the people and public demonstration? Is there a perception that there will be more demonstrations and the demonstrations will become more serious? The new laws point to such a scenario or perception. Will we see more barriers be erected around the Govt or Parliament House and the Istana? Would these eventually lead to a physical wall around them and even guns and barb wires? A govt that keeps protecting itself from the people, and barricading itself behind laws and walls will end up holing itself inside a forbidden city. When such an eventuality becomes a reality, it is a sign that the govt is no longer with the people. It will be a govt that is afraid of the people. And the fact is that no govt can hide itself behind high walls and barricades even protected with guns. The most powerful wall that can protect and safeguard a govt is the Wall of Hearts and Souls of the people. Such an invisible wall does not divide but protects the govt by the people. It is not a govt against the people but a govt with the people. In the past, our ministers could walk around and mingle with the people freely. Today, the body guards are everywhere, shoving and pushing the people with their hostile looks, very familiar with the outings of a triad boss. And even ordinary MPs are being threatened by the people and attacked by the people. How and when have we reached this state of being when ministers and MPs are afraid of the people? They are the representatives of the people, elected to look after the people and should be loved and respected by the people. Why the protection, news laws to control the people, dishing out freedom to the people as if the freedom of the people is for the govt to give? Who is the govt representing? Who elects the govt? Where are we heading?

Buangkok East Drive saves 7 minutes

Buangkok East Drive saves 7 minutes The openinging of the Buangkok Drive extension has made travelling to the city that much faster, by 7 mins. Wonder how much was spent to save that precious 7 minutes. And there is great expectation that this new road will make travelling on the KPE more popular. I will probably agree if the ERP charges are not too prohibitive. A lot of planning and resources have been invested into this new road. And many more resources and planning will be invested building more new roads and extensions to improve traffic flow. The thing that motorists must know is that we are in a phase of diminishing returns. With so many vehicles on the road and a limited number of roads, this is the best that can be done. A few hundred millions more may save another precious few minutes as we explore more space for roads.

An end of a legacy and a new one in the making

I did not sign up for the opening ceremony of the new Kent Ridge NUSS Guild House, which was also an occasion to listen to LKY in person. Neither did I read his speech in the media except glancing over a few key points. Nothing unusual actually. But in a bigger perspective it marks a change and a new beginning. LKY has created a legacy for what he has done to this little island. He used to hold his audience in awe when he spoke. Two generations of Singaporeans grown up under this spell. Even foreigners looked forward to hear him speak. After last Friday, that chapter was closed. Somehow, though he came through on the TV as still very forceful and lucid, he looked like a man out of time and out of place. LKY did not say anything new. He reiterated old values that have been flogged over the years. Saying those things to wide eyed and young eager beavers may make some sense. I am just wondering how many people were with him when he said those things, or how many were just twiddling their thumbs and rolling their eyeballs at the new meanings of those values and virtues. As what the elites are for the past years, they will listen and just shut up. If there were anything they want to say you will know hear them unless one is in their circle of confidante. The views in cyberspace were more robust and direct. And the views expressed, if they are anything to come by, is an indication of an old legacy forgotten and a new one in the making.