7 million population a working target

The news were splashed across the main media that the mass rapid transport system would be further enhanced with a couple more lines across the island, the Cross Island Line and the Jurong Region Line, plus the extension of a few other lines in progress. What are these expansion and upgrading for? Are they being developed to ease the problems of public transportation today or are them meant to cope with a bigger population in the future?

A White Paper would be discussed for a population of 7m, not 6.5m. Is this the main reason for the big news on the future MRT lines? If this is it, then the congestion and all the problems the commuters are facing today will become a matter of normal discomfort and commuting using public transportation. The commuters just need to get used to them. Nothing much is likely to change if the population is to hit 7m. And the 7m million is not going to be the final stop.

When 7m is hit, and the economy stagnates, the call for an increase in population to stimulate growth will become another no choice option. Sinkies need to prepare for 10m or more people in this island, to build more flats and other supporting facilities, roads and to sell more COEs.

Japan, revival of the monstrous barbaric Imperial Power

Japan is trying to revive its role as the number one military power in Asia. It is talking about rearming itself, about militarism, about war. It has just completed a tour of Southeast Asian countries, visiting countries that it thinks will support its militarization and military role in the region. It visited the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam and Myanmar to drum up support to be the top military power and leader in the region, to take on China in a war if needed. These countries are expected to support a neo militant Japan, as the cronies of a new Japanese Imperialism.

The irony of it all is that all these countries were victims of Japanese aggression, conquered and colonized by the Japanese, and ruled by the Japanese during the Second World War. Now the Japanese want these countries to come under its influence once again, willingly, and to fight China, the biggest investors and the biggest market for their exports.

Are the Japanese in delusion, that these countries are blind or crazy? Some are, for short term benefits and interests. What would the leader of Asean, Indonesia, do with the flirtation of Japan? Should Asian countries welcome the return of this evil and barbaric power? Are the memories of the suffering from the Japanese Imperial Army so easily forgotten?

People’s Power in Sin City

People’s Power has been an alluring phenomenon around the world since the days of President Aquino. The People’s Power swept her to the Presidency of the Philippines, to overthrow the Marcos family. People’s Power has filled the streets of other Asian and African countries where people took to the streets in demonstrations against their govts. The Arabs have had their Arab Springs. The Hongkies, Taiwanese and the Malaysians have had their mass demonstrations. Even in PRC, mass demonstrations are quite common.

In Sin City, you are not going to see such a public outcry against the govt. The laws forbid it. 4 persons together in a public area is illegal assembly except when approved like in Hong Lim Park. The only public demonstration of a similar nature was the spontaneous celebration of the by election victory in the last Hougang election.

Would there be a surge of People’s Power in Sin City in the same mould as those happening around the world? It is not going to be under the present govt and legal constraints. The kind of People’s Power that is showing signs of life is likely to be of a different nature. It would be the voices of the people, to be heard and listen to. We have just witnessed a nascent stage of People’s Power last week when strong views of the netizens were recognized and acted upon by a political party, the SDP.

The SDP was quite adamant to throw in the gauntlet in the by election. The voices of netizens were loud and clear, get out or you will be history. Much as SDP would like to contest the by election, rational voices in the party understood the ground sentiment and voted against those who wanted to join in a multi corner by election that would spoil the chances of the opposition parties. Yes, the voices of the people, the voices of reasons are echoing loud and clear. Dismiss them at your own peril.

The same voice was and is very harsh on the Presidential candidates that led to a candidate that most did not favour while the favourite candidate was ousted. The people were angry and still harping on the missed chances. They find it very difficult to forgive and would take every opportunity to lambast those they felt have cheated them of the right to choose their President.

The Sinkies have found a new power tool to let their voices heard and be taken seriously. They will not walk down the roads to confront the forces of power. But that did not stop them from telling the power of the day, the political leadership of what they want. This is a new kind of People’s Power in Sin City. And this Power is going to be stronger and louder by the day. The Sinkies have found their way, a measured and effective way to be heard and to be noticed and be taken seriously. The people matter and the Power is with the people.

Listen to the voices of the people or court your own doomsday.

RAR art in Chinese ink style - Untitled

This is a piece of rar art done in Chinese ink style. It is untitled.

Diaoyu/Senkaku, the gloves are off

The latest official statement by Hillary Clinton telling China to respect the islands as under Japanese administration is as good as an open declaration of hostility towards China. The deceit and treachery of the Americans over the last 60 years is finally out in the open. It was the Americans that handed the Chinese islands to the Japanese and claiming neutrality. China was not able to do much then as it was a very weak nation in all fronts. China today is no longer the weak and bankrupt country that can be kicked around and be the victim of gunboat diplomacy. China is very capable and able to defend its own national sovereignty and territorial integrity. China will show its middle finger to the Americans and will go all out to reclaim its territories lost during its dark days as a poor and military weak nation.

The Japanese have been escalating the tension in the island dispute. It started by nationalising the islands as if they belonged to Japan and wanting to create a fait accompli. The old China could not do anything to respond to such aggressive acts. Not today, when China could run all over Japan if hostility starts. The Japanese still think it is the unchallenged military power of the past and China is a minnow, waiting to be invaded again by Japan. They used their patrol craft to harass Chinese civilian ships in the area, scrambled fighter jets to threaten Chinese civilian aircraft. China is responding might for might, with every escalation made by the Japanese, the Chinese is returning the courtesy. China is also scrambling its fighter jets to meet the Japanese. If the Japanese continue to raise the tension level, it is only a matter of time before hostility breaks out.

In the meantime Japan is visiting some Southeast Asian countries that it once conquered and colonised, to ask for support against China. It wants to involve its ex colonies, the countries it plundered and looted, the people it raped and killed, to come to its assistance in its fight against China, for wanting to keep a piece of war loot belong to China. Some of the silly ex colonies have received their ex colonial masters with open arms. Are they serious in wanting to be on the side of the barbaric colonial master in a matter that does not concern them?

The Evil Empire has made its hostile intention very clear. And China cannot back down anymore. The stage is set for a military confrontation in East China Sea.