Congo Legend

This is a painting that tells the story of Congo, its warriors, womenfolk, animals, beasts, social activities etc etc. It weaves a story waiting to be told.

Chen Show Mao, is one of us

He was born in Taiwan but came here when he was a kid. He went through our local schools like any Singaporean kid, not in one of those international schools. He served his National Service and did not twang. He served diligently to become an officer. Chen Show Mao is truly one of us. And he was a foreign talent of sort but chose to be a Singaporean and did what every male Singaporean will do, to serve the country in uniform. At a young age, before aspiring to be a politician, he has already made his choice. This is the biggest test of his commitment to this country. He has done everything that is expected of him as a Singaporean. I had a glimpse of him and I am impressed. He is sincere and nothing pretentious. He has proven that he can achieve and do well professionally, on his very own in an MNC. And he has a presence. I wish him and WP well. I pray that no injustice will before him. Singapore can be better with more talents like him standing up to serve. He has a presence. Show Mao, Vincent and Benjamin should be given a fair chance to be in Parliament. The electorate owes a duty to send them to Parliament. Failing to do so will be doing an injustice to themselves(the people) and the country. This is not only a good choice from the opposition camp. They are excellent choices for the future and the well being of the country.

Some can speak more and some can speak less

The United Nation is an organization where every country, big or small, is treated as an equal member and treated with the same protocol. Of course still a few big powers are accorded some special privileges to sit in the Security Council as permanent members and with veto rights. Other than this, every country is equal and can speak as much as they like or for as long as they like in the UN. What if the big powers decide to adopt a system whereby the big powers who contributed more in membership fees are given time to speak proportional to their strength in financial or military clout? I know, some of you are still blur like sotong as to what I am saying. Ok, let’s say in the UNGA, the USA and China will be given 3 hours and 2 hours to speak respectively, and the G8 members be given 1 hour while the rest of the third world countries be given only 15 minutes each to address the assembly, would that be fair? And when there is a forum, meet the press or whatever, the same allocation of time will apply also. At the same time the UN Charter can still be written that all countries big or small shall be treated as equal in the UN. Is this acceptable? Is there any hypocrisy?

Which oldies to go next?

Who's next among the biggies and oldies that will follow Boon Heng and Jayakumar? My guess, the only last two biggies will follow suit. Yes there will be a new team this time. No more oldies left other than Charles Chong. Even then, he too may be taking a break from Joo Chiat after the election. So I am seeing a younger party with Hsien Loong as the oldest left in the team. Just my take.

Two fine young men leaving PAP

Sin Boon Ann and Ong Kian Min are probably two of the finest young men in the PAP team. It is a pity that they have to retired so early when their political careers have just started. Are they finding the political climate too stifling, or the route of advancement too slow given that senior ministers are chopping their seats and ‘pah si buay chow’ no matter how thankless the job is? The latter could be the reason why Chok Tong is flying the kite that future ministers may only stay for two terms. This position is quite conflicting given the official position that there is a dearth of talents. How could the party dispense with their precious talents after only two terms? Or is it that really, deep down, there are plenty of talents available to make renewal a non issue. What is probably more controversial is that in other countries, the limitation to two terms is often on the top job, the President or PM, to avoid a President or PM becoming too comfortable for the job. But Chok Tong’s kite is that the ministers should change every two terms while the top job can stay longer. Uniquely a Singapore phenomenon. Yet I digress. Could the leaving of two fine young men from the Tampines GRC be more than what is reported? Personally my feeling is that Tampines is the number one hot potato to fall. I could be grossly wrong as the reading is that housing is no longer a problem, fully solved and well. Heng Swee Kiat may find his ministerial dream taking a longer time should this happen. And he might have to move to another GRC in a future GE to enter Parliament.