Last month Hsien Loong mentioned that the Review will be ready in early December. We are nearing Christmas and nothing is seen nor heard. The ST has a report today on the Review Committee and apparently it has yet to submit the Report to Hsien Loong.
What caught my attention is AP Eugene Tan’s comments on what should NOT be done, that is, the cut should not be too deep. He gave two reasons. A too big cut will ‘disincentivise private sector talent to enter politics’. I think this is a very wrong reason for not doing the right cut.
Political office is about serving the people and country. Politics is not about self and self serving. This is exactly the problem with our political scene, where instead of bringing people who think country and people, they are incentivizing people who think self and profit. We are seeing the results and there are coming in straight and fast. The public housing was a happy problem that turned ugly. The efficient transport system that ran for 30 years is now running into trouble. From good to bad.
The next reason is that a too deep a cut will be ‘admitting that ministers have been grossly overpaid for 15 years’. What kind of excuse is this? Two wrongs do not make a right. If it was wrong, admit it, do the necessary and move on. Pretending that it was not wrong is not going to solve anything. The cancer will just grow.
I really hope that this is not the thinking and premises adopted by the Review Committee. If they are, the recommendations can be best forgotten.
12/22/2011
Cheryl Fox - Get Real and hard
I happened to watch this programme hosted by Cheryl Fox on 20 Dec. It was about the housing scheme for the old and lonely. We have this scheme where the oldies are allowed to rent HDB flats at a concession rate of something like $26 pm where two oldies could share a one room flat. They could find their own flat mates or the HDB could fix them up if they could not find one.
$26 monthly rental each is a steal. How to find such low rental when every flat costs several hundred thousand bucks? Even people on public assistance would be able to afford to pay $26 as they get something like $400 pm from the govt.
The programme Get Real, showed a few of the tenants and how they live their lives sharing the flat with strangers. There was a 65 year old guy living with a granny who is more than 90. And there is this guy in his 60s or 70s living with another guy who is much older and have all kinds of oldies problems, unable to control his urine, difficulties in moving, and this guy took upon himself to look after him, feed him, wash him and clean up the mess he is creating, without getting paid a single cent.
The other guy who is with the granny, he just tolerates. The granny is in a world of her own, with poor personal hygiene and her room smells. What to do, there is nothing that the guy could do. He just lives with it.
The two guys were extreme examples of tolerance and compassion. They understand. They know the other parties needed help but were helpless.
I wonder how many of such folks are living on their own in such conditions? Okay, please don’t be patronizing by saying they are losers and deserve to be where they are. With the high cost of living, many will fall into this category in a matter of time, no money, can’t work, weak and feeble, economically useless, and no one to look after them.
The children, if they have, would have serious problem looking after them as well. Our social economic structure is designed to have both average Sinkie parents working. Where are they going to find the time looking after their old folks? And there are also space constraints in the little flats. Where to put the oldies when they have growing up children? Average sinkies don’t live in big 20,000 sq ft bungalows.
So how, put them in old folks homes? You think it is so cheap, so affordable? Many would cost them both their incomes. So how? How much does it cost to upkeep one such loser that is completely dependent on others to help them to live longer?
I think the pension of a minister could take care of at least 1,000 such folks. It definitely would not bankrupt the country to take on this function for sure. It is a case of value. Who shall take care of them and if the rightful caretaker can’t as they too are in dire straits, who else?
Some say depends on Charity Shows and the public for more donations. Some say the President can help to raise funds. Yes, depends on the public and their money to support these people who are blessed with long lives. Is the money in our national reserves not public money?
Where is the dignity to grow old? Shit, people in such state better don’t ask for dignity. It is between a one room flat, a nursing home or the road side. What do they expect?
$26 monthly rental each is a steal. How to find such low rental when every flat costs several hundred thousand bucks? Even people on public assistance would be able to afford to pay $26 as they get something like $400 pm from the govt.
The programme Get Real, showed a few of the tenants and how they live their lives sharing the flat with strangers. There was a 65 year old guy living with a granny who is more than 90. And there is this guy in his 60s or 70s living with another guy who is much older and have all kinds of oldies problems, unable to control his urine, difficulties in moving, and this guy took upon himself to look after him, feed him, wash him and clean up the mess he is creating, without getting paid a single cent.
The other guy who is with the granny, he just tolerates. The granny is in a world of her own, with poor personal hygiene and her room smells. What to do, there is nothing that the guy could do. He just lives with it.
The two guys were extreme examples of tolerance and compassion. They understand. They know the other parties needed help but were helpless.
I wonder how many of such folks are living on their own in such conditions? Okay, please don’t be patronizing by saying they are losers and deserve to be where they are. With the high cost of living, many will fall into this category in a matter of time, no money, can’t work, weak and feeble, economically useless, and no one to look after them.
The children, if they have, would have serious problem looking after them as well. Our social economic structure is designed to have both average Sinkie parents working. Where are they going to find the time looking after their old folks? And there are also space constraints in the little flats. Where to put the oldies when they have growing up children? Average sinkies don’t live in big 20,000 sq ft bungalows.
So how, put them in old folks homes? You think it is so cheap, so affordable? Many would cost them both their incomes. So how? How much does it cost to upkeep one such loser that is completely dependent on others to help them to live longer?
I think the pension of a minister could take care of at least 1,000 such folks. It definitely would not bankrupt the country to take on this function for sure. It is a case of value. Who shall take care of them and if the rightful caretaker can’t as they too are in dire straits, who else?
Some say depends on Charity Shows and the public for more donations. Some say the President can help to raise funds. Yes, depends on the public and their money to support these people who are blessed with long lives. Is the money in our national reserves not public money?
Where is the dignity to grow old? Shit, people in such state better don’t ask for dignity. It is between a one room flat, a nursing home or the road side. What do they expect?
12/21/2011
The Paradise Island Template
By Kopi Lim
Paradise Island, Dec 21 (Roosters)
Buying a train ticket in
Paradise Island may not be a cakewalk anymore.
Under the new commuter-protection rules that take effect Jan 1,
commuters in the tightly controlled island must possess
certain educational qualifications related to taking public transportation or have
relevant train boarding experience to buy train tickets directly.
Those who fail to meet the Transport Authority of Paradise
(TAP) requirements must take a series of on-line tutorials on
the Transport Interchange website, and answer the
questions correctly in order to qualify to buy train tickets.
All commuters are given a grace of one year period to pass this test or they will not be allowed to buy train tickets anymore.
Paradise Island, Dec 21 (Roosters)
Buying a train ticket in
Paradise Island may not be a cakewalk anymore.
Under the new commuter-protection rules that take effect Jan 1,
commuters in the tightly controlled island must possess
certain educational qualifications related to taking public transportation or have
relevant train boarding experience to buy train tickets directly.
Those who fail to meet the Transport Authority of Paradise
(TAP) requirements must take a series of on-line tutorials on
the Transport Interchange website, and answer the
questions correctly in order to qualify to buy train tickets.
All commuters are given a grace of one year period to pass this test or they will not be allowed to buy train tickets anymore.
What’s this, brilliant or what?
There are many ways to skin a cat. One way to stop investors from investing in dangerous/sophisticated products they don’t understand is to make them sit for a test to make them fit or safe for the product. Another way of course is to make sure that dangerous/sophisticated products are safe before selling. Is making investors sit for the test not akin to passing the buck to the investors? This is better than caveat emptor. Disqualifying dangerous/sophisticated products leaves the responsibility with the regulator to make certain they are safe for consumption.
Which of the two methods is more efficient? One involves a lot of investors and potential investors to sit for the test. Now why would a customer want to buy a complicated/dangerous sports car if he has to sit for a test to ensure that he knows the danger of the car and cannot complain later? And why would potential investors want to sit for a test if they are not even sure of investing in the product? Does it mean that whenever a new product is launched, and if not covered by the test, the buyers must resit for another new test?
Would it be more efficient for the authorities to vet the products like the HSA checking edible products before allowing them into the market? Can’t imagine every individual would have to sit for a test before they are allowed to buy a new food product. Or should commuters be required to sit for a test, to know the nature of the train, before being allowed to board a train?
This kind of logic is Uniquely Singapore. The people must qualify themselves ie know the danger of the product they are buying before being allowed to buy it. The seller does not need to make sure that the products are safe. Can a seller sell snake oil if the buyer has passed a test on what is snake oil?
Below is an extract of an article by Kevin Lim of things to come.
By Kevin Lim
SINGAPORE, Dec 19 (Reuters) - Buying a mutual fund in
Singapore may not be a cakewalk anymore.
Under new investor-protection rules that take effect Jan 1,
investors in the tightly controlled city-state must possess
certain educational qualifications related to finance or have
relevant work or trading experience to buy funds directly.
Those who fail to meet the Monetary Authority of Singapore's
(MAS) requirements must take a series of on-line tutorials on
the Singapore Exchange website, and answer the
questions correctly in order to qualify to buy the funds, in
what could be a first for investors anywhere in the world.
Thousands of Singaporeans lost money investing in supposedly
low-risk Lehman Brothers-linked "Minibonds" in 2008. The new
rules follow a review by the country's monetary authorities.
The regulations have been sharply criticised by some fund
managers who fear a loss of business.
" Asking investors to pass a test to
invest could be a deterrent to investing," said Francois Mouzay,
head of fund development and services in Asia-Pacific for BNP
Paribas Investments Partners….
Which of the two methods is more efficient? One involves a lot of investors and potential investors to sit for the test. Now why would a customer want to buy a complicated/dangerous sports car if he has to sit for a test to ensure that he knows the danger of the car and cannot complain later? And why would potential investors want to sit for a test if they are not even sure of investing in the product? Does it mean that whenever a new product is launched, and if not covered by the test, the buyers must resit for another new test?
Would it be more efficient for the authorities to vet the products like the HSA checking edible products before allowing them into the market? Can’t imagine every individual would have to sit for a test before they are allowed to buy a new food product. Or should commuters be required to sit for a test, to know the nature of the train, before being allowed to board a train?
This kind of logic is Uniquely Singapore. The people must qualify themselves ie know the danger of the product they are buying before being allowed to buy it. The seller does not need to make sure that the products are safe. Can a seller sell snake oil if the buyer has passed a test on what is snake oil?
Below is an extract of an article by Kevin Lim of things to come.
By Kevin Lim
SINGAPORE, Dec 19 (Reuters) - Buying a mutual fund in
Singapore may not be a cakewalk anymore.
Under new investor-protection rules that take effect Jan 1,
investors in the tightly controlled city-state must possess
certain educational qualifications related to finance or have
relevant work or trading experience to buy funds directly.
Those who fail to meet the Monetary Authority of Singapore's
(MAS) requirements must take a series of on-line tutorials on
the Singapore Exchange website, and answer the
questions correctly in order to qualify to buy the funds, in
what could be a first for investors anywhere in the world.
Thousands of Singaporeans lost money investing in supposedly
low-risk Lehman Brothers-linked "Minibonds" in 2008. The new
rules follow a review by the country's monetary authorities.
The regulations have been sharply criticised by some fund
managers who fear a loss of business.
" Asking investors to pass a test to
invest could be a deterrent to investing," said Francois Mouzay,
head of fund development and services in Asia-Pacific for BNP
Paribas Investments Partners….
Great opportunity to save the North Koreans
The death of Kim Jong Il is so worrisome to countries in the West, especially the US and its allies. The immediate neighbours living in fear are Japan and South Korea. Soon the Asean countries will be having nightmares too, that the mad North Koreans will be sending their nuclear tipped ICBMs to attack them. Now I am not sure who are the really mad ones.
Other than Mao Tse Tung, no dictator has suffered such a painful and gruesome death than Kim Jong Il. Oh I forgot to add, his father Kim Il Song too suffered a painful and horrendous death. The other dictators like Marcos, the Shah of Iran, Saddam and Gaddafi, all died in circumstances they deserved.
Why are the two Kims different, that the North Koreans are all mourning for their deaths and would even built mausoleums to honour them? The above paragraph talking about their painful and gruesome is just a wild imagination by people who sincerely believed that they were evil and will be punished by their own people or by God. But God is not going to be cheated or conned by the evil human beans who spread lies and misinformation about the two Kims. The two Kims died peacefully and are well loved by their ‘poverty stricken and oppressed’ citizens. Unbelieveable to those who blindly believe the Western media and think they were mad or evil dictators.
They are not. Sure there will be some dissidents who would love to criticize and attack them and think that the country would be better off like the Western countries. Even paradise will have its dissidents.
I have been scrutinizing all the recent photographs and news clips coming out from that country. Tell you the truth, for a picture tells a thousand words. The North Koreans are well fed and well dressed, even the sales persons in the dept stores. They are not like those skin and bones people of the third world. They are very well dressed with fats on their faces.
Please lah, remove your blinkers and look at the North Koreans objectively as they really are. But someone is seeing great opportunities to save and liberate these poverty people, all dying of hunger. Hilary Clinton is having closed door meetings with their two colonies, Japan and South Korea, to move in to save the North Koreans from poverty. I dunno how many countries will be involved. It is a great mission of peace and compassion. Asean and India would probably want to join this noble invasion of North Korea, before it becomes a province of China.
The sad truth is that North Korea will remain as an independent nation to disappointment these evil do gooders. And another truth is that both Japan and South Korea are the real provinces of the US.
While the North Koreans mourn, while China shares its sorrows, the West is whipping up horror stories about how dangerous the world has become because of the death of Kim Jong Il. The world is in serious danger unless they invade this country to keep peace and harmony and to save the North Koreans from another mad young boy in the name of Kim Jong Un. Really frightening man!.
What is mad? Don’t be so gullible lah.
Other than Mao Tse Tung, no dictator has suffered such a painful and gruesome death than Kim Jong Il. Oh I forgot to add, his father Kim Il Song too suffered a painful and horrendous death. The other dictators like Marcos, the Shah of Iran, Saddam and Gaddafi, all died in circumstances they deserved.
Why are the two Kims different, that the North Koreans are all mourning for their deaths and would even built mausoleums to honour them? The above paragraph talking about their painful and gruesome is just a wild imagination by people who sincerely believed that they were evil and will be punished by their own people or by God. But God is not going to be cheated or conned by the evil human beans who spread lies and misinformation about the two Kims. The two Kims died peacefully and are well loved by their ‘poverty stricken and oppressed’ citizens. Unbelieveable to those who blindly believe the Western media and think they were mad or evil dictators.
They are not. Sure there will be some dissidents who would love to criticize and attack them and think that the country would be better off like the Western countries. Even paradise will have its dissidents.
I have been scrutinizing all the recent photographs and news clips coming out from that country. Tell you the truth, for a picture tells a thousand words. The North Koreans are well fed and well dressed, even the sales persons in the dept stores. They are not like those skin and bones people of the third world. They are very well dressed with fats on their faces.
Please lah, remove your blinkers and look at the North Koreans objectively as they really are. But someone is seeing great opportunities to save and liberate these poverty people, all dying of hunger. Hilary Clinton is having closed door meetings with their two colonies, Japan and South Korea, to move in to save the North Koreans from poverty. I dunno how many countries will be involved. It is a great mission of peace and compassion. Asean and India would probably want to join this noble invasion of North Korea, before it becomes a province of China.
The sad truth is that North Korea will remain as an independent nation to disappointment these evil do gooders. And another truth is that both Japan and South Korea are the real provinces of the US.
While the North Koreans mourn, while China shares its sorrows, the West is whipping up horror stories about how dangerous the world has become because of the death of Kim Jong Il. The world is in serious danger unless they invade this country to keep peace and harmony and to save the North Koreans from another mad young boy in the name of Kim Jong Un. Really frightening man!.
What is mad? Don’t be so gullible lah.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)