Where is the problem?

The basic in problem solving is to identify the problem, acknowledge the problem, then works towards removing or overcoming the problem. If all else fails, just avoid the problem or pretend that there is no problem.

The SDP has worked very hard, putting a team of professionals together to try to solve the high property price problem. They have come out with a very detailed proposal called Non Open Market Scheme to solve the problem that is on everyone’s mind. Actually I am wrong to say this. It is only in the minds of those who see high prices as a problem. Some are jubilant and celebrating the high prices. Where got problem?

LKY had said that his party has delivered the goodies to the people, built and sold housing at cost or below cost, and the people are now happily enjoying the high value of their properties, inflated 5x, 10x or even 20x. Such a great achievement, to make the people so rich cannot be a problem. It is something admirable to brag about. And the people are so grateful. This is even better than the savings in the CPF that put a smile on Swee Say’s face.

Come on where is the problem? If it is a problem, LKY would not be bragging about it. If it is a problem, Boon Wan, would have solved it. His remedies so far were not meant to bring down the high property prices, but to allow continue appreciation of property prices. The reality of price shooting through the roof may be a bit unexpected. But does anyone see any panic, any panic measures being taken to prevent the prices to go further up? They may be quietly celebrating the huge success of a housing programme where all buyers can look forward to more asset enhancements and appreciation of values.

Now, when the govt does not see this as a problem, don’t expect the govt to do anything. Only some people, mostly the younger people and those who have no properties, are crying out loud that high property price is bad. So, one say got problem, one say good thing to have. What will happen to the SDP’s NOM Scheme then? Redundant, unnecessary, uncalled for, unwanted!

Only when the SDP is in power, or when a think alike opposition party comes to power would the SDP’s proposal be considered. To the incumbent power, where got problem? Don’t come and ‘ka cho’ with unnecessary solutions that are not needed. Don’t be too clever when there is no problem to start with.

Alvin Tan’s punishment by NUS confidential

NUS Disciplinary Board has dished out their punishment to Alvin Tan, an Asean scholar, for posting his private sexual pursuits in the youtube. This has caused a furore among sinkies and taxpayers are up in arms wanting to know why public money was wasted on such a person that obviously have values and lifestyle that are unconventional and incongruent to the social norms of the day. Many were asking for the withdrawal of the scholarship and a return of all money dispensed to Alvin Tan.

NUS conducted its disciplinary inquiry and had since announced that punishment had been meted out but this was kept confidential. Is this acceptable, just by hanging a confidential placard over this case? This is no ordinary case and is of great concern to the public whose money is being spent on this scholar? Do the people, the public, have a right to demand to know what is going on, what kind of punishment was handed to Alvin Tan? Does NUS owe the public an explanation?

Or this is a confidential matter, a student disciplinary matter, an NUS internal matter? Is the gag order justifiable? Personally I don’t think this is a confidential anymore. Not disclosing the disciplinary action will only create more anger. The veil of secrecy or confidentially cannot be suka suka used to hide the ugly truth from a more vocal public that demands for more transparency.

Obama just said these in his victory speech

What is politics and what is political campaign? It is about America for Americans. It is about no Americans having to fight for a job with foreigners. It is about equality. It is about American children being given the best opportunities to be in schools and colleges.

Politics is all about the well being of American citizens. He is still speaking. He is still on the air as I type these few words.

Obama added that all Americans must have hope for a better future, that as long as they are willing to reach out, to work for it, there is hope for every Americans, better jobs for every Americans. That is what politics and running for the Presidency were for Obama, to better the lives of Americans, not foreigners.

Benghazi killing a just retribution

Now that the dust has settled and the war cry has died down, let’s revisit the killing of the American Ambassador Chris Steven in Benghazi, Libya. The Americans were angry, horrified by the bombing of the American Embassy. Actually it was chicken feat compares to the bombing of the country by the European and American military war machine. It is just dessert to pay back a little for the bombing of someone’s country because they wanted a regime change, and leading to the killing the Libyan President Gaddafi. Does anyone bother about Gaddafi’s death and the death and destruction of a country?

The attack on Libya was not provoked; a unilateral military campaign in violation of the UN Resolution Which only authorized the prevention of the Libyan air force from attacking the rebel positions. There was no UN permission to conduct air strikes into the country. The Americans and the Allies chose to attack another country for their secret agenda.

What about sending a cruise missile to attack the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade and killing several Embassy staff? A totally unprovoked evil and hostile act. Only the Americans could commit such aggression and get away claiming it was a mistake, a wrong map or outdated map provided by their deadly CIA. The Americans were not remorseful in the missile attack against the Chinese Embassy. Neither were they remorseful about the invasion of Libyan and Iraq.

The bombing of the American Embassy in Benghazi was just retribution for the Evil Empire. Just a token of retribution for the enormous harm and damage to other countries and the toll of human lives. Evil deeds will return to the wrong doer, one day, most unexpected.

My eye balls rolling

The MOM is tightening rules for the PEP or Personalised Employment Pass for top tier foreign talents working in Sin. According to the media, this pass was introduced in 2007 to attract highly skilled foreigners to Sin. Pardon me for the pun. The terms of the PEP are so generous and liberal that it must be a privilege to qualify for one. Now the change, effective Dec 1, only those who earn a fixed annual income of $144k qualifies. Well, for such an exclusive pass and privileges, this should be the case.

Why are my eye balls rolling? Oh, it was also reported that when the PEP was introduced, this group of highly skilled foreign talents needed only $3,400 monthly income to qualify. Wow, must be some kind of exclusive talents doing charity works here. A new lousy local graduate’s starting pay is already more than $3000. So all our local graduates must be exceptionally qualified talents ya?

Now I can understand why Sin is so attractive to millions of highly talented FTs, all queuing up to Sin. My eyeballs haven’t stop rolling. We have 174,000 employment pass holders working here. I don’t have the number of PMETs that are unemployed, underemployed, or upgraded to become cleaners and masseurs and nurses. I am sure these PMETs, if health is ok, would not mind being reemployed for $3,400 instead.

The Human Resource professionals need a rethink, to look at the local PMETs as a trove of national treasure. Many are well qualified, highly experienced, and would be willing to take less, the same as cheap FTs, for a job. The HRs must be able to convince their bosses that this group of PMETs is value for money. They must not forget that they are paving a way for their own future and the future of their bosses who would very soon join the Dad’s Army and become redundant PMETs.

The strange thing about the HR profession is that they never grow old. The top management also never grow old. So growing old and becoming redundant will not be their problem. They will live forever young.