What is more
interesting is that Hsien Loong did not go on a study trip to Japan. He was on
leave, on holiday. And he learnt something useful for Singapore. He went on a
cycling trip on a disused railway track in Kushiro, Japan. So sad that he could
not find a good bicycle track to cycle in Singapore. And eureka, something good
came out from it, a brilliant idea dawned on him. Our disused railway track can
also be converted to a bicycle track for cyclists. See the numerous advantages!
For the cycling community, they would finally have a track of their own, safe
and very long and exciting. And if they were to line the track with blossoms
all the way, it would be an amazing sight for the cyclists.
Imagine cycling for miles and miles of orchids, then hibiscus, and the next change could be cannas, and then lantanas, ixoras, cassias, flame of the forest, maybe tulips and daffodils also. But be careful on this. Singaporeans have this craving for planting everything in a plot and you will be seeing a jungle of different flowers that you can’t make out what is what, just like the integration of foreigners from all over the world on a piece of rock.
And the cyclists
would be safe from the dangers of our narrow roads with bulldozers and fast
cars and irritating motorists. Children and grannies can all participate in
this spot. And not only for leisure, people can go green by cycling from the
North to the South and vice versa, to and from work. What a great idea!Imagine cycling for miles and miles of orchids, then hibiscus, and the next change could be cannas, and then lantanas, ixoras, cassias, flame of the forest, maybe tulips and daffodils also. But be careful on this. Singaporeans have this craving for planting everything in a plot and you will be seeing a jungle of different flowers that you can’t make out what is what, just like the integration of foreigners from all over the world on a piece of rock.
And this
idea came practically free, while Hsien Loong is on vacation, paying for
everything from his own pocket. I think this is more productive than sending
entourages on study and learning missions on Ah Kong’s money.
This gives
me another good idea and I hope Hsien Loong also got the same inspiration. No
more study and learning trips. Ministers going overseas to learn are unlikely
to learn much on official trips. It is the relaxing mood of a vacation that the
creative juice will flow and they can learn more. Maybe an incentive is to pay
them for any great idea they brought home after a vacation. Those going on
overseas cooking trips would definitely have plenty to share and can be rewarded.
What do you
think? Should we encourage more ministers to go on leave and be productive?