GE, the Silver Brigade fighting back

It is quite a surprise, quite shocking, to see the Pioneer Generation, PG, fighting back against daft govt policies. The PG has always been the staunchest supporters of the PAP. They were the backbone of the PAP and the building of this modern Singapore. They fought and slogged with the PAP/Govt for the last 50 years and are synonymous with the PAP/Govt. They have always given their votes to the Govt and the PAP always counted on them for their votes. And they are feeling betrayed.
 
There is an article in TRE by a PG calling all PGs to stand up to fight for the future of our children and grandchildren. The call, it is not too late to fight, and probably the last battle before this country is lost to foreigners, to aliens. The title of the article ‘Elderly SG: Why I’m worried about population growth!’ was prompted by a rude and callous remark, very likely by a silly IB, called @ Why you worry?:

November 12, 2014 at 10:45 am (Quote)
“At 70 you are 4/5 of your legs in the coffin why are you so worry about population growth? You yourself have seen the benefit of population growth since WWII and why you so worry? You better worry about yourself!”
 
This insulting remark from a young and unthinking man has drawn all the PGs together in defence of their position and the future of Singapore. The attack was uncalled for and expected from shallow young people misled by a false mission that everything is fine and any critics of govt policies and the direction the country is taking must be attacked and thumped down.
 
In a way, these silly Internet Brigades are doing more harm to whoever are behind them. They really came out as empty heads and blindly charging at anyone in their way. One such asshole came to my blog to threaten my life, thinking that he had all the power behind him to harm anyone with impunity.
 
It is good that the Silver Brigade of the Pioneer Generation picks up the cudgel to do battle for their children and grand children. They should rightfully take the lead. With the years of wisdom behind them and their perspective of history, where we were and where we are going, the Silver Brigade is a voice of wisdom. Their voice will be heard. Their concerns for the future of Singapore and the children and grand children must not be ignored. They may not be book smart but they are street wise and are very clear in their vision.
 
To the Internet Brigade, the Silver Brigade is sending you a warning. They are going to take you head on and whack the daylight out of your numbskull. They are going to hantam you until you wake up and think of the future of this country, your own future and the future of your children.
 
The agenda and mission are very simple. We are the owners of this island. We must take back this island. We must stop the reckless influx of foreigners. We must take back the good jobs for ourselves. We must take back the university places for our children. We must take back our CPF. We must take back our dignity and not be called daft, treated as daft and to be replaced by fakes and the real daft from the 3rd World. We must take back our dignity not to work till we died in old age but to be the owners of our country, to put our heads high with pride. We must not allow politicians to gag us and think they have the right to do so. We must take back our freedom to be who we are, our freedom of speech, to elect our representatives to represent us and our interests in Parliament. We must not elect unthinking parrots to Parliament.
 
Let the Silver Brigade show the way, shine the light to a brighter future for our children and grand children. Here is your destiny. The Silver Brigade is not washed out silly old men and women, like dried prunes. They are still strong and healthy and must be treated with respect. They will show the way to the young and the blind on what is installed for us and our future generations.
 
The Silver Brigade has spoken and has stood up.

Kopi Level - Green

Unethical business practices are still legal

‘Mr Iswaran said that he agreed that the sales tactics employed (by rogue merchants) are unfair to buyers and that "we must not let such unethical practices tarnish Singapore's hard-earned reputation". He said that he was glad that many have spoken up against such behaviours, and that some have even come forward to help the victim, referring to a crowdfunding effort initiated by Mr Gabriel Kang to buy the Vietnamese tourist an iPhone 6.
 
However, Mr Iswaran went on to say that "some have gone too far", revealing that the police are looking into reports regarding the alleged cheating case as well as "a related report on harassment".
 
Mr Iswaran urged the people to "exercise restraint and do not take matters into your own hands". "Let due process take its course," he wrote.’
 
Above is copied from AsiaOne Singapore. 9 Nov 14.
 
So, is Iswaran going after the rogue merchants like Jover Chew or after netizen vigilantes who shamed him? Who is the rogue that the police would deal with and who should be protected? This Jover Chew seems to be very important or may have good connections that his acts are touted as legal and clever and instead of punishing him, the netizens are warned not to go too far.
 
Law Minister K. Shanmugam was reported by The Straits Times to have said that Chew's actions were "completely unacceptable", and that "bad conduct should be dealt with strictly". He said: "My own view is that there are laws which can deal with that kind of conduct. I know the police are looking into it, and I know AGC (Attorney General's Chambers) is working with the police."
 
This must be a very complicated case that the police and the law are scratching their heads on how to deal with it. It must have just happened after 50 years of independence, something new and no one knows how to handle it.
 
May I suggest try heckling. If it doesn’t work, try harassment. If it still doesn’t work, try public nuisance. I think the last one sure to work.
 
What do you think? Can or not?

Kopi Level - Green

Disrespectful to think LKY does not deserve to be an MP?

There have been many critics of LKY with some making derogatory remarks about him in the social media. These have drawn out this letter from a PAP Supporter expressing his disgust at the ungrateful Sinkies. A few paragraphs of his post in TRE are attached below.
 
‘I refer to the article: “WHY ARE WE PAYING $16K TO AN MP WHO CAN’T EVEN STAND AND ATTEND MEET-THE-PEOPLE SESSION?”
Despite his health conditions, I personally think this man deserves more than a measly $16k a month. Considering what he has done for our country. Thats worth more than money. No amount of money can equate his contribution to singapore!
How would you feel if you are already in the nineties and you still can’t rest? Give the man a break! The contribution that he has given to sg is immeasurable. I applaud him and hope that he can live out his remaining life in peace.
You’re a little petty aren’t you. Seriously, at this age do you think LKY is still working for money or trying to be “giam siap” to earn “easy money” as you insinuate. Just think.’
 
I must say that I agree with this PAP Supporter. LKY deserves more than to be an MP. An MP is a very demeaning position for one of the living founders of modern Singapore. LKY deserves more than to be just an MP. Even Chok Tong is given the title ESM. LKY should be given a proper title if he is to remain in political office. By calling him an MP and putting him up on a high pedestal in breach of protocol only makes LKY looked bad.
 
The govt has failed in its act to accord LKY a proper title and role in the govt. If the govt wants to keep him in politics, for goodness sake, accord him a proper title. It draws many smug remarks and sneers for an MP to sit in the front row in Parliament. It makes people make unsavoury comments for an MP not doing the job of an MP. And there are those questioning why he should be in the Istana when he is only an MP. It looks bad on him and on the govt.
 
The PAP is not short of talent to come up with a good title or position to give credit and credibility to LKY as a senior politician in the govt. If they are unable to assign him a rightful place in the govt then don’t keep him in politics. He should be given some big title as honorary elder statesman or whatever to befit his stature and importance in the govt.
 
I think it is very inappropriate to call him an MP and to expect him to work like an MP, to contribute like an MP. Making LKY an MP makes him look funny and attracts funny comments. That is more disrespectful to him. Hear people said, MP come already and ministers must stand up.
 
For those who are in support of paying him a big sum of money instead of an MP’s miserable allowance of $16k, it would be better to give him an honorarium of whatever amount, accompanied by a respectable title for protocol purposes, definitely not an MP. (Note: He is being paid a life long pension that is based on his last highest pay) The MP title is a misfit in every sense of the word.
 
Appoint a world class consultancy to come up with a title that would accord LKY what is due to him. And make sure the consultancy did not come back with the title MP after paying them a huge sum of money.
 
Now who is being disrespectful? Want to show respect also dunno how to and anyhow kpkb. Really boh liao, no talent.

Kopi Level - Green

Talking Point – A new comedy TV serial

Was watching the topic on Rogue Shoppers in Sim Lim Square on Talking Point last night and couldn’t help thinking that it was a comedy programme. No fault of Steve Chia. He handled the discussion well and the topic was current and of great interest to the public. For this particular episode I was kind of wanting to laugh but it was so painful to laugh at the jokes and the jokers. This episode is highly recommended. Please watch the replay and get some enlightenment as to why this city state is turning into such a God forsaken place. You will find all the reasons to clear your doubts that things could only get worse and who were contributing to the black comedy. Pay attention to spot the jokers.

Some of the things highlighted would keep your eyes popping out in disbelief. The statistics on the cheatings and scamming of shoppers were hopelessly spastic when the truth is out. It was all under statements, under reporting and unreal. The rogue shop keepers simply changed the name of the shops when they were getting too many complaints to start all over again on a clean slate. Many complaints were simply unreported especially when the cheated customers were tourists.

And the law, you would wonder what law is there to curb such rogue behaviours. And mind you, unethical doesn’t mean it is a crime. All the cheatings are never regarded as crimes. The law only go after the shops and not the workers or salespersons. So the rogues could keep on doing the same scams and immuned from the law. And the rogue shop owners were happily changing the names of the shops every six months. And the regulators were not really concerned. CASE’s main concern was not to deprive the rogue shoppers of their livelihood. This is very important consideration and you would know why after watching the comedy.

And don’t ever believe anyone who is telling you there were only a few cases and the cheatings only happened yesterday, and the Vietnamese case was only one such case and did not justify changing the law for a one case incident.

One thing was clear, the problems need to be addressed and it is so difficult to do so. No one knew how to solve this complicated and sophisticated problem of rogue traders cheating unwary customers. So Gabriel Kang, in all sincerity, perhaps the most rational guy other than the expert speaking from the TV screen, suggested bringing in some bright guys and locked them up in a hack-a-thon to brainstorm for a solution. Another suggested forming a committee or BOI, the most clever problem solving method of the super talents, to try to find an answer. Give them a little more time and they would likely suggest bringing in a foreign talent as the locals were too daft to find an answer.

I said it was a comedy. But I must warn you that it would be so painful to laugh. Luckily no one utter the phrase, ‘the customer is king’. In Sim Lim Square and a few of the notorious shopping centres, the rogue shop keepers are the king. And shoppers must be prepared to go down on their knees to beg for mercy.

After viewing the programme, I bet nothing concrete or useful will come out of it. It was all a bad joke, but highly recommended to watch and get sick in the stomach. Get a sick bag handy just in case.

Kopi Level - Green

A taxi uncle from Curtin University

Below is an extract of an article posted by a taxi uncle in TRE. If daft Sinkies still want to remain daft their fate will be no better than this taxi uncle. Look around the local banks and financial institutions and find out how many ‘chapalan’ university graduates from God knows where are employed, even in top management positions.

The next GE is likely to be the last chance for daft Sinkies to change their fate for the better. If they still blindly cast their votes against their interests, more foreigners, from ‘chapalan’ universities and fakes will come in to take over their jobs. And no, they will not become taxi drivers or security guards. Those are luxurious jobs compare to the alternative. In one or two generations they will end up as dalits. So will their children if they did not stop this foreign madness. The bright Sinkies will end up like daft and got not proper jobs while all the shitty foreigners will be employed in good jobs that rightfully should be going to the citizens.

As an ex HR practitioner, I make it a point to scrutinise the qualifications of the top management staff of GLCs and it is very shocking from what I have seen. Yes many came from ‘chapalan’ universities that are unheard of, would not be recognised by the PSC, and compared to Curtin, my goodness, I cannot believe those people could be better than Curtin graduates. I have known of kids whose academic results were all red but came back with straight As as graduates from ‘chapalan’ universities.

All I can say is good luck when you cast your vote in the next GE. Please read the full article in TRE. You will be like this taxi uncle in a matter of time when you are past 40, if you are young and employed today. The smug IBs are thinking that their fate will be different. Just you wait. The retribution will hit you sooner than you think. If you cannot empathise with the fate of taxi uncle, no one will cry for you when your turn comes. Think for your children and what kind of life they will be leading, what kind of jobs they will be doing.

Below is the letter.

‘When I went abroad to study in 1990. I had to go to the British Council to check whether my university I applied for (Curtin University in Perth) was an accredited one with the Commonwealth Accreditation System.
After graduation, I tried applying for any kind of finance or Banking job but couldn’t even get a single interview. My NS colleague was the HR Mgr in a foreign bank and saw my job application. He privately told me in confidence then in the job interview that my Curtin degree was not that “recognised” and that was why I couldn’t get any banking job whatsoever.
What an irony. Nowadays I think u got any college or diploma qualifications from any rotten universities, whether genuine or dubious or not, from India, Philippines, Myanmar, Vietnam or Timbuktu also now suddenly “recognised”.
As long u are foreign, any employer, Bank or MNC will take you and MOM will approve or EP or SP within 3 days. Also, its got nothing to do with age. My pinoy friend with college qualifications as me is also above 50 and had his SP approved within 3 days. He has a desk job paying him well over $3K.
For me, I could even get a look-in applying for 1.5k salary jobs, even as a theme park operator or car park valet with MBS and RWS. In the end, only available jobs for me is to drive taxi or work as security guard.’ By taxi uncle.

Kopi Level - Green