The CPF Dialogue – The people taking the initiative

Roy Ngerng and his concerned Singaporean friends held a protest at Hong Lim Park to demand for more transparency and accountability on the people’s savings in the CPF. Other than demanding the return of the CPF savings, they also demanded for better interest rate, how the CPF savings are being invested, abolishing minimum sums, and a list of other things.

This is the first time the people are initiating the conversation, a public conversation on a very important issue affecting every Singaporean. Would the Govt make an effort to respond to the issues and demands raised by the speakers at Hong Lim? Or would this be another monologue, the people talking to themselves just like the Natcon initiated by the Govt, talking only to the convert? In the Natcon it was like the Govt telling the people these would the things they would do to the CPF. The people mumbled and grumbled and that was it. Last Saturday was like the people rising up to tell the Govt what they wanted, what they agreed and disagreed. It is so funny that we have two national conversations but there were no meeting of minds, like two people talking talking but not wanting to talk to each other.

Did the Govt invite critical views like those from the opposition parties or Govt critics to join in the Natcon? Did Roy Ngerng and Hui Hui invite the Govt to Hong Lim Park to speak as well? Apparently up till last Saturday, both sides are keeping each other at a distance or at arm’s length. There was supposed to be a press conference at the end of the rally. When the media were invited to speak, none spoke as if the media were not even there to cover the event. Were the local media present? The foreign media were there.

Hri Kumar is holding a public dialogue with residents of Thomson and Toa Payoh next Saturday to talk about the CPF. Hri Kumar called his public dialogue ‘CPF, An honest conversation’ and invited his residents to register their attendance.

Kenneth Jeyaretnam, Roy Ngerng and Ariffin Sha were reported to have registered for the public dialogue. It would be an interesting dialogue when the two camps met to have a serious and in dept discussion on this very important matter. I think many people from other constituencies would also like to attend. Maybe I should also register my attendance to get enlightened by the two very informed parties on the CPF issues. This initiative by Kenneth and Roy, to make an effort to talk to the other camp, could address a lot of issues and misconceptions about the CPF. It would definitely benefit all Singaporeans.

The avoidance to meet and discuss cannot go on while keeping on a wayang of talking and listening. A healthy exchange in a constructive manner would be a good start to a real dialogue. Now many have doubts whether such a dialogue would be possible, would really take place. Would Hri Kumar welcome Kenneth, Roy and his friends to this dialogue? Or would they be ruled out of order, not qualified to attend?

Kopi Level - Green

First Gen and present Gen PAP solved problems

When the first generation PAP leaders took over this country, the job was cut out for them. Everything needed to be fixed. Unemployment and growing population, lack of industries, lack of housing, healthcare, schools/universities and good jobs, the uniformed services to defend the country, the civil service etc etc. Everything needed to be done and to be done fast.

Everyone in the leadership rolled up their sleeves, including all the civil servants, to get things done. They did it. Housing, industrial parks, good jobs, full employment, good medical services, our own armed forces and police force, an efficient civil service etc etc. They practically solved every existing problem of the day. The people were contented and gave their full support to the leaders.

The present generation of PAP leaders also solved a lot of problems. Housing problem is more or less solved except that the price is still sky high and some Singaporeans still not allowed to buy HDB flats and thus no stake in the country, expensive medical care is waiting to be solved, influx of foreigners is slowing down a bit, high property prices falling, jam packed trains will become better, traffic jams also improving. Not bad huh? This present generation leaders are also great problem solvers. Give them any problem they will solve it.

The only difference between the first generation leaders and present leadership is that the first generation leaders solved problems they inherited or were existing. The present leaders solved problems they created. And as they go along, they will create more problems to solve. The CPF is one of them, high cost of living, high property prices, high population growth from immigration, congestion, all are waiting to be solved.

And when they have solved these problems, they will pat their back and said well done, so clever. 

Kopi Level - Red

CPF Protest Rally at Hong Lim Park

There were no 10,000 crowd, but not 200 supporters either. About 5,000 t0 6,000 people were at Hong Lim to support Roy and Hui Hui in this protest asking the Govt to Return Our CPF money. Many well wishers were there with cash to donate to Roy but could not find a donation box. The organisers were told that no donation box was allowed. But somehow the money still found their way to Roy and Hui Hui who had came out with her own money to erect the tents and sound system.

The speakers, Tan Kin Lian, KJ Jeyaretnam, Ariffin Sha, Vincent Wijeysingha, Leong Sze Hian, Hui Hui and Roy took the stage. Chee Soon Juan's message was read out by Ariffin as he was away. The crowd was appreciative and cheered their hero in Roy Ngerng.

Below are some of the photos I took which would give a better feel of what happened yesterday.

The top 4 pics were the speakers followed by some pics on the messages that were carried around by the supporters of the event. The bottom few pics were the crowd and the last pic, strolling back home after the rally.

Kopi Level - Red

Singapore is a democracy

Yes, Singapore is a democratic state. It has all the forms and institutions of democracy. The funny thing is that many Sinkies still think that they are living in a dictatorship or a kingdom of sort and living in fear of the authority. At least this is the impression that I get after reading the comments in the social media and main media.

Every four or five years the people will march to the polling stations to vote for their representatives in Parliament. And they did this after attending the election rallies and hearing the candidates making promises on how they will serve them as their representatives. And when they vote, there seemed to be this fear hanging over their heads that eventually determined who they should vote.

After 50 years of independence and living in a democratic system, the people somehow did not believe so. Did they know that in every general election they could vote in a new political party to run the country? Do they know that if a political party failed to serve their interest, they could simply vote in another one? There is nothing wrong with changing the political party in govt. That is what democracy is all about.

By their hesitant in changing the govt gives those in govt to think that they will be the govt forever and even plan to be in govt like a career, with promotions, performance bonuses, career training and development, and even talking down to the people. And the people tremble in fear, wetting their pants just by thinking of it. As least this is what some of the pathetic Sinkies are behaving.

The people must believe that this is a democracy and if they are not happy with any govt, they should just vote them out. And the people in govt must also know that if they don’t serve the interest of the people they would be booted out in a GE. This sequence of changing govt is a check on the politicians to behave like politicians in a democracy and not in a dictatorship or an unending dynasty.

We have a democratic system. Unfortunately the electorate doesn’t think so and doesn’t act as one, and the elected representatives also don’t think so and don’t act as one. After 50 years, it seems that everyone, electorate and elected still think otherwise and behave accordingly.

This is uniquely Singapore. And the people are highly educated, widely travelled, but become ‘gong gong’ when come to exercise their right to elect the people that would serve them best. They fear the people they elected to serve them. They elected people to be in govt so that they can live in fear of them.

Is this a joke? Or the Sinkies are a joke?

Kopi Level - Green

CPF Protest Rally - Today is the Day

The CPF Rally is today, 4 pm at Hong Lim Park. Singaporeans who want to know more about what is happening to their CPF savings would be briefed by at least 7 speakers, including Tan Kin Lian, Leong Sze Hian, Vincent Wijesingha, KJ Jeyaretnam, Han Hui Hui, M Ravi and Roy Ngerng. Yahoo reported that Reform Party speaker would be Prabu Ramachandran. He may have replaced KJJ.

These speakers will be talking about the CPF from the people's point of view, like looking at a coin from the other side. The young Singaporeans and those reaching 55 must want to know what is going to happen to their money when they reach 55.

A big crowd is expected today, rain or shine.

Kopi Level - Green