Legally right but morally wrong?

The issue of life long pensions in the millions is going to bug the govt and the people for a long time to come. Though everything has been above board, approved and passed in Parliament, something seems to be missing. Why are the people so unhappy about this pension scheme for the ministers and political office bearers?

Recently two ministers and an office holder lost their parliamentary seats. Several senior ministers were retired from the cabinet for good or not so good reasons. What is shocking is the revelation that they will all be receiving million dollar pensions for life, even if they are no longer ministers or office holders. What is more shocking is that many are already receiving million dollar pensions on top of their multi million dollar salaries when they hit 55, or have been receiving them for umpteen years. Some have been collecting the huge pensions for more than ten years.

What irks the people more is that the age for CPF withdrawal and retirement age for the public at large have been pushed further back. CPF savings can now be withdrawn partially at the age of 62. And the political leaders, with their huge salaries, are getting their huge pensions at 55.

Is this a case of legally right and morally wrong? Of course in cases of morality, everyone has his moral standards and everyone can claim to be on moral high grounds. The only hint of morally wrongdoing is that when the guilty party is afraid to stand up on the high box of morality to state his case. If it is morally right, everyone will jump on it to pronounce their innocence and that they are on high moral grounds for what they are doing.

Would the political leaders stand up and say that the high pensions are not only legally right but morally as well? Would they be able to tell straight in the eyes of entry level superscale admin officers in the H Grade, who are working their guts out, and drawing a couple of hundreds of thousand in annual income while they are receiving millions for life for doing nothing? Would there be a full disclosure on how many political leaders are already on the pension schemes and how many more will qualify and the cost to pay for these pensioned leaders? Even if it is going to cost only 2 plates of char kway teow, it is of public interest that the people should know.

It would be nice if this is reported in the next parliamentary sittings to clear whatever doubts and wrong perceptions there may be among the people. Political leaders must be seen to be standing on high moral grounds, not just legally. This issue has to be raised in Parliament and buried for good as the doubts and uneasiness are spreading quietly. Or would it ever be closed?

The Rise of Asia Forum at NUSS

Professor Kishore Mahbubani, would be speaking live on 27 July 2011 from 7.30-8.30pm. The event will be webcasted live through the dedicated website (http://ualive.nus.edu.sg) and also includes an interactive forum that allows viewers to send real time comments and questions to the speakers via Facebook, Twitter or MSN messenger while watching the live show. Viewers can watch the seminar live on Wednesday through the URL (http://ualive.nus.edu.sg).

In addition to live participation, we are also trying to encourage interested viewers to post and vote questions here (http://www.google.com/moderator/#15/e=a18b6&t=a18b6.40&f=a18b6.4e0cbe) from now till the actual event. These too will be addressed by the Professor.

Awesome Red Lions!

Watching the Singapore Malaysia soccer match on Saturday was so satisfying and with a sense of pride. For once, don’t have to shake the head so often for silly passes and silly mistakes. Wow, we played like a real contender for a place in the World Cup. All the Singaporeans supporters walked with a special air around them after the game.

I was cheering and screaming, ‘Go Qiu Li, Go!’ or ‘Go Jia Yi, Go!’ Then the two great goals by Duric, the old war horse, at 40, still beats every young lion to shame. But he scored. We may missed the 2010 deadline to be in the World Cup. But what the heck if we can make it in a couple of years later. The World Cup is where we are going.

Singaporeans are all so proud of our national football team.

Temasek Review unable to access

Whenever I hit the forum I will end up at some used car site or something else. Don't seem to be able to get in. Anyone able to get in? Something fishy eh?

The new meritocracy

Regardless of race, language or religion, regardless of one’s background, worker or RMS, everyone who is good can aspire to be the best he can be in paradise. Through education, everyone can change his station in life and rise to the top of his profession or calling.

For several decades, many Singaporeans have lived their dreams, many become successful and living well. Singapore is a land of opportunities. If one is good, one can do well. There are no serious false ceilings to talk about, except one or two.

The country is run on meritocracy. No favouritism. This meritocracy has taken on a new meaning, regardless of nationalities. We welcome foreign talents and they can find their dreams here based on meritocracy. Membership has its privileges but meritocracy is paramount. Citizens that are no good will be discarded based on merits.

The new National Day Pledge may need a little modifications like the Gaga Song. We the people of Singapore, regardless of race, language, religion or nationalities….The National Day Message must be one where we acknowledge that we welcome foreign talents based on meritocracy. Maybe they can become political leaders and run for PM and the Elected Presidency as well.

One more thing, all the restrictions against foreign talents owning or buying properties must be removed. We cannot discriminate against our foreign talents. And so are all the unjust policies where foreigners should pay more for this or that. Let this be a truly meritocratic country where talents are welcomed from across the world, to help the daft Singaporeans and to give them a lift to better life.