1974 – The last supper

1974 was the year the British pulled out of Singapore to wave goodbye to their Empire and one of the last colonies left in the Far East. 1974 was the 1997 of Hongkong, the last vestiges of the British Empire. What the British did here, though in a small scale, was similar to what they did to Hongkong in a huge scale.

In Hongkong, the Treasury was open to the British to help themselves. And they spent and spent, on anything they fancied, for the good of Hongkong or for good of Westminister. The Hongkong Treasury had a lot of cash waiting to be emptied and the one holding the key, the British of course, would make it easy for Chris Patten to do the necessary.

In Singapore, by 1974 we were already an independent country and the Treasury was out of bound to the British. We were an independent country and governing ourselves except for the military bases that were still in operation.

I was a young officer in RAF/RSAF Tengah. All military units under the British tradition have this thing called Officer’s Mess where the officers dined and wined. Though the beer and liquor were tax exempted, still the Mess was able to have a nice  surplus over the years, including revenue from the jackpot machine.

What would the British want to do with the money? They have contributed a big chunk to it by their drinking in the bar. They are not going to leave it behind for us to inherit. They are going to spend it one way or another.

That December of 1974 was a grand last supper before the British packed up and leave, leaving behind nothing in the Mess kitty. They organized an opulence party to celebrate for one last time. It was not so much as to have a good time. It was how to finish off the money in the kitty. The spread of food and drinks was not only generous, but wasteful and very unnecessary. There were less than a hundred of them left and about a similar number of us locals taking over the Mess.

What the British did was to open up three dining areas for the night with all kinds of food, Asian and European and what not. As if this was not enough, there were, if I can remember, three separate bars, with free flowing of beer and liquor, on the house of course, like the food. And that was not enough, I think there were three bands playing in three different areas.

It was like money everywhere and money to be spent to make everyone happy. They were throwing the money at everyone, at themselves and to us, to partake everything in that one evening. They were still in control, in control of he money, the money soon to be OPM, no longer theirs if they didn’t spend it. It was so easy to spend money that was OPM and had a good time.

When the curtain is about to fall, why not? At least they made themselves happy and emptied the kitty at the same time. They are not looking back. They know that the money would not be theirs anymore to spend. It was like ‘It’s now or never’.

That was 1974, the last day of the Empire. We never see them again. Or we never allow them to take control again, not with our money.

American Pivot part 2

In part 1, I gave a broadbrush treatment of what a new Asia will be if the Americans succeeded in implementing and enforcing its American Pivot strategy and objectives in East Asia. With willing allies like Japan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Australia, possibly Singapore, the Americans would first want to have a combined force to launch a war with China. They may even have the Europeans on the sideline ready to join in the fray. It is the same formula of divide and rule, signing up all the willing gangsters to take China alone and tear it apart, piece by piece and to share the loot among the gangster nations. This is the standard formula of the western powers in taking Asian and African countries one at a time.

This time the game may be a bit more complicated. China is not alone. And there are other countries that would come to the side of China, knowing that not doing so would they end up the same fate as a defeated China. For their own interests, they would have to take sides with China. Russia, Iran, Pakistan, North Korea, Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia, would be left with little choice unless they are willing to come under the domination of an unfriendly and bullying Emperor.

Before the Americans and its allies, Japan, the Philippines, Australia and Vietnam could roll out their military plans to deal with China, China would not sit idly waiting to be shot. What would be the likely option or options for China? Taking on the Americans alone would put it in a severely disadvantaged position and defeat would be the likely outcome. Trying to take on the Empire alone would encourage the fence sitters like the Europeans to feel more comfortable to join the side of the Empire.

A better option would be to link up with Russia and North Korea, plus Taiwan and possibly South Korea to replicate what the Americans are doing, ie ganging up. And the target would be Japan. The combined forces would be too much for Japan to take on alone and to survive they must bring in the Americans. The question is whether the Americans would come in when faced with China and its formidable allies. China and its partners all have issues with Japan, including territorial disputes and the humiliation by the Japanese in WW2.

Japan has been the Number One military adventurer and invader in Asia. The genie of Japanese Imperialism was bottled up by the Americans after WW2 and not allowed to create more mischief in the region. Now that the Americans are so happy to release the Japanese Imperialist genie out from the bottle, the Japanese have started to behave predictably like their former self, creating mischief and edging to go to war.

China and its allies would have all the same reason to want to put this genie back into the bottle. A combined force to invade Japan would be a piece of cake and could lead to the break up of Japan into concessions by them. Russia could take hold of not only the four disputed islands but also Hokkaido. China could be generous and be contented with Kyushu and the Ryukyu island chains. The rest can be offered to the Koreans to let the Japanese have a taste of what it is like under brutal colonial rule, in the way they ruled over Korea. The Koreans would love to return the courtesy to rule the two main islands of Japan.

The dismantling of Japan would be a key factor to keep the Americans out of Asia and to bring their pivot home. Asean would be able to enjoy the same peace and stability without the Americans inciting some of their members to adventurism.

The Americans have not seen or faced with a combined force of a number of nations against them. It has always been the Americans and Europeans joining hands to attack other countries. And they are doing it again in East and South Sea. They have the advantage and the initiative to decide when they want to harasss or provoke China. The gangsters are calling the shot and the initiative to start a war with China at their own timing and choosing.

The China/Russia/Korea alliance would be a force to contend with. They must regain the initiative, to call the shot instead of letting the Americans and Japanese to call the shot when to start a war. The China Russia Korea alliance should put on the pressure to harass and provoke the Japanese, put them on the defensive, and be the one to decide when to declare war on Japan. Then both sides can play the game on a more level playing field. Japan would for once be faced with a combined force to keep its wild Imperialistic ambition in check. They would think twice about adventurism in the South China Sea. Open up a new theatre of tension the North, in the Sea of Japan. Haul back the Japanese to be on the defensive. An attack, breakup and occupation of Japan would put an end to this menace of war in Asia for good.

The map of Asia would practically be unchanged except for the division of Japan to be ruled by Russia, Korea and China. This thought would make the Japanese go crazy. So far they have only been thinking of doing it to China and Korea. They cannot imagine that the same fate can happen to them if they continue to adopt an aggressive and war mongering policy. Japan could be the new Middle East of Asia, fighting an unending war against overwhelmingly superior forces till the end of time. The Americans would stay at the peripheral of Asia and remain a super power unchallenged in the eastern Pacific Ocean. They would not risk a nuclear war with the China  Russia Korea alliance. They would not be so scatter brain to think they can station hundreds of tanks along the Russian border to threaten Russia.

There will be a new peace and a new Asia. With the genie of Japanese Imperialism put away for good, peace would return to Asia for another century or more. And the bigger menace, the American Empire would have to contend to remain in the Americas.

Why must it always be the Empire and the Japanese Imperialist threatening and attacking other countries?

Amos Yee - latest developments

Roy Ngerng is making a public call to Free Amos Yee in his Facebook with a dedicated  yellow and red sticker, ‘FREE AMOS YEE – PROTECT OUR CHILDREN’.

In the main media it is reported that the  UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Bangkok has called on the Govt for Amos Yee’s IMMEDIATE RELEASE.

http://bangkok.ohchr.org/files/ROB%20Press%20Statement%20220615.pdf

 I dunno what to say.

PS. This just came out.
For Immediate Release

Singapore: Exonerate 16-Year-Old Blogger
Uphold Amos Yee’s Free Expression Rights, Child Protections

(Bangkok, June 23, 2015) – Singapore authorities should exonerate a 16-year-old convicted for a blog and video post about the death of Singapore’s founding prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew, Human Rights Watch said today.

Should Malaysia use the ISA on Mahathir

Malays could suffer the ‘fate of Spore Malays’ if Najib stays on: Dr M.

Such a statement if quoted by someone in Singapore would be seen as inciting racial unrest. In Malaysia it would be the same if the speaker is not Mahathir. No one would see this as a very racist comment and could incite racial violence when uttered by Mahathir.

Mahathir again is rumour mongering to strike fear among the Malays, that they would be marginalized like Singapore Malays. How true is this statement? There is always a saying that one must compare apple with apple and orange with orange to make a good case on what one is talking about. It is a demographic fact that the Malays in Singapore is a minority race and relatively lesser of them would be in the Who’s Who list. But in general, are the Malays in Singapore less well off than the Malays in Malaysia without the bumiputra policies of affirmative actions in favour of the Malays?

The second point, can the Malays in Malaysia ever lose their dominance and control of the country and wealth given the disproportional distribution of power in the country? There is the Constitutions that enshrined Malay dominance and power that is unchallenged, cannot be challenged. There are the political powers sanctioned in the institutions of the Malay Rulers that are also unquestionable to protect Malay rights and dominance. And the hard realities, the Malays are holding absolute power in the govt, in the civil service, in the military and police forces. The Malays are in control of the economy and in politics. How could the Malays be marginalized under Najib or any Malay PM and govt? To quote a Sinkie saying, even if a dud is the conductor, the orchestra would go on playing and no one would miss the dud.

Mahathir’s assertion is that the Malay as a race is inferior to the other race and needs protection forever. After 4 decades of NEP and the continuation of affirmative policies, priority in education and economic opportunities, are the Malays still inferior to the other races? If this is the truth, then God helps the Malays. I really dunno what to say.

This assumption of Malays as inferior needs to be proven or rebutted. Even on a general basis it may appear so if the Malay poor is highlighted as an example. But there are poor in other races as well. Among the Malays there are many very able and brilliant people that are as good as the other races. And if there is a good core of talented Malay leaders, and with political dominance, absolute majority as a race, and control of the country, there is no way for the Malays in Malaysia to be marginalized. The Malay elite in Malaysia are in control of everything to ensure their continuous rule of the country and a bigger share of everything.

Mahathir is just stroking the fear of the unthinking masses to go against Najib in particular and the non Malays in general. Mahathir has never changed in playing racial and religious cards to divide the people of Malaysia. How many will believe in this latest claim by Mahathir? How many would believe the Malay majority in Malaysia will suffer the ‘fate of Singapore Malays’? Presumably the Malays in Singapore are in a worse off state than the Malaysian Malays. Compare apple to apple, put a Singapore Malay elite next to a Malaysian Malay elite and see the difference. Who is the better half, excluding state given largesse.

The best man for the job, not about nationalities

‘Running a business means the best man for the Job

Japanese companies such as Sony and Nissan are taking the first steps to hire foreigners for top management positions.

In 2011, the firm with the largest number of foreign professionals in South Korea was Samsung, with 16 foreign executives, followed by LG Electronics, with nine.

These expatriates were recruited for their experience and innovative thinking, to help the companies develop their international presence….

In Singapore, our ageing population means that baby boomers in top positions are going to retire, causing companies to lose lots of experienced talent.

Unless our universities have better training schemes, our locals will not be able to compare with expats. Companies will find it hard to get replacements locally, and will have to import foreign talent.

It is time to address the mismatch between what schools are producing and what companies need.

Competition for talent will force companies to cast their nets wider. We must come to terms with this reality as this is what globalisation is all about.’

Francis Cheng

 

The above is part of an article by Francis Cheng posted in TRE. It does not take much effort to see the flaws in this simplistic view and trying to be clever by quoting empirical data with superficial understanding. Japan is starting to hire foreigners, and did the author know that this is the beginning of Japan’s trouble in the car and electronic industries? The number of faulty cars being recalled is staggering and costing the Japanese car companies hundreds of millions of dollars, and the reputation of Japanese Made cars. And did he know that Sony and a few Japanese consumer goods makers are going broke?

Then look at the figures of the Koreans, 16 foreign executives in Samsung and 9 in LG. What is the workforce of Samsung and LG? Samsung has a workforce of half a million. What is 16? Did the author know the percentages of foreigners in our GLC, especially in banking and ITs? Here the 16 and 9 are in terms of percentages. In fact, the percentage could be even higher in top and middle management, going to 70% or more. What do these figures mean?

In the Japanese case, they are bringing in the wrong talents that instead of helping are destroying their companies. In the case of the Koreans, they are very selective and going for the best or hiring foreign executives in very specialized jobs. That is why there are 16 and not 50% or 70% foreigners.

In Singapore, we are hiring all the shits, from the top to bottom and called them foreign talents. This also means that we are empty of talents from the top to the bottom. And what is the cause? Our ‘baby boomers in top positions are going to retire, causing companies to lose lots of experienced talent’. Is this a reasonable comment? Does it mean that our universities are capable of producing one generation of talents and subsequently went to sleep and not producing anything except shit?

The universities are educating and producing talents every year. What happens? Suddenly no more talents? So now the schools and universities must wake up and start to train the needed talents? What cock is that? Our best education system and universities did not know what they are doing, did not know what to produce and their products cannot match the daft and cheats of dysfunctional education systems and universities from the 3^rd world?

So our universities must start to work? Heng Swee Kiat, what do you think? Your MOE is a dud for all these years, wasting precious dollars from the taxpayers, and allowing the schools and universities to produce duds and mismatch? Would you care to comment?

Globalisation is not so simple as the best replacing the not so good. Theoretically that can be the case. In our case, we are replacing our best with fakes and cheats and half bakes. And our daft Sinkies did not know, could not see the truth, and believe that our best cannot compete with shit, cheats and fakes.

My God, what is happening? Maybe it is true, our education system and universities are sick to the core, producing duds that cannot think, did not know what the hell is going on. Must hire the best man for the job and the best man must be a foreigner no matter how shitty or even cheats. This is the thinking of fuckheads who believe that they are thinking and very clever.

Tomorrow when another fuckhead were to tell them to cull their parents because they are no longer productive, they will do so as a matter of fact. No need to think.