It took me a long time to decide on this adventure, to venture into alien territory on a Saturday morning. I have never done this for decades and whatever memories of this place were from the time when I was a kid. Finally, with much reluctance, I bravely trotted into this corner of Singapore that I have never treaded for a long time.
I arrived just about a quarter to 10 in the morning. I was a bit lost with the geography of the land and had to ask to get to where I want to be. I was shown this queue machine and got my Q number. There were quite a lot of people and also ample staff to guide the new visitors like me. I waited for 10 minutes before my Q number flashed on the big screens. I registered and the customer relations officer was all helpful and friendly. What a pleasant start on this adventure. She even explained to me the procedure to save waiting time. I could make an appointment from home by logging into the system. She apologetically said I would have to for an hour before my appointment for just walking in.
To me, recollecting on my childhood experience, an hour of waiting was fair game. I went for coffee and still had a lot to time to take a look at the waiting area and the Q numbers called. Wow, another 100 numbers ahead of me. Now how to kill one hour of time doing nothing? Ok, visited the restroom. My, another big surprise, spanking clean, dry and odourless, as good as home. Because it was so comfortable, because I had one hour to spare, I took my time. I thought I had more than half an hour and strolled out casually only to find I just missed my turn. Spoke to the customer relations officer and she took up my case and yes, I was called immediately to see the doctor.
I have this blurring or clouding of vision on one eye for a couple of years. After the preliminaries he asked which hospital would I want to get the cataract done. I told him to get me the cheapest. He broke into laughter. Ok, the most convenient is Ng Teng Fong Hospital. What about the fees? Not to worry, they charged the same rate. It was a quick appointment. And I also asked for some medicine for my flu and cough. All over in less than 5 minutes.
I went to the Pharmacy and collected my medicine in less than 5 minutes and happily wanted to leave the place. Then I remembered her saying to go to the counter behind. Oops, I got to pay for my medicine. I could have just gone home without knowing that I got to pay for it.
At the payment counter the cashier said three eightty five. I said, uh, so expensive. She was apologetic and explained that I had two kinds of medicine. Ok, gave her $10 and got my change of $6.15. There was GST but absorbed by the govt, ie not GST.
My next stop was for an appointment for my ops. The cashier said go to counter 10 and press 3 on the machine. A bit puzzled but just did as told. Found the counter, found the machine, and yes there was a button for 3. Press it and was wondering what’s next. Oh, a Q number. That was wbat the button 3 was for. Took the Q number and wait. This time waited for 15 minutes, the longest wait in the whole process.
When my turn came, the customer relations officer entered my particulars and said Ng Teng Fong Hospital would contact me for the appointment. And that’s it, all over in less than an hour, without making an appointment in advance.
This was my adventure to a Polyclinic on a Saturday morning. It was simply not the same as decades ago when waiting time was long and waiting unnecessarily was the norm. Everything was so organized and befitting for a first world experience. I could not find any fault with the organization, the set up and the staff. It was clockwork precision, too efficient that I almost missed my appointment when I thought I would have an hour to wait but actually half an hour.
Every staff was professional and courteous, and, you don’t believe this… I thought I was entering alien land, at least that was what I was told. If I am not mistaken, all the staff, including the doctor, was Singaporean. At least their names and the way they sounded when they spoke. No aliens!
Whoever reinvented the Polyclinics, the organization, the processes and procedures, and the staff operating them, one could not ask for better. This is the standard to be copied by all the ministries. My adventure was in a way a very pleasant experience and a very comfortable one, for $3.85, inclusive of consultation and medicine.
This is my Singapore, the Singapore Singaporeans are proud to call home, the efficiency and quality of service that made Singapore a hallmark and model for the rest of the world.
Please keep Singapore this way. I must say I was happily surprised that the Polyclinics are still Singaporean territory and in tip top condition.
10/30/2016
10/29/2016
Asean – The Obama foul up
Asean was originally an organization built by its founding fathers to be a neutral and independent regional organization free of big power interference. Over the years, willingly or otherwise, some members started to lean closer with the Americans, even signing military alliances to be part of the American Empire. Though Asean still maintained its neutrality, and the American allies played their American card close to their chest, gradually the mask came off, and they openly took sides with the Americans and fronting up for American interests. On the Chinese camp, a couple of new Asean countries joined the organization wearing their historical ties with China on their chests.
The expansion of Asean also led to the transformation of Asean with two opposing camps and allies strutting around with pride that they are allies of big powers. The veneer thin Asean neutrality was history and no longer touted as the key principle of what Asean stood for. The myth of a neutral Asean, built on the cardinal principle of neutrality has become bullshit.
As recently as the beginning of the year, the Americans were boasting about their pivot to Asia, a veiled expansionist move to stay in Asia by relocating their military hardware into the region. This move was generally supported by some Asean countries, namely Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore and to a certain extent Thailand. The rest of the Asean states were neutral except for Laos and Cambodia that were traditionally China’s close neigbours. Asean totally ignored the interest of Indonesia as the big brother and brought in a monster to rule the region, making Indonesia looking like a part of the Empire.
Obama was riding high and American projection of military power in Southeast Asia was as good as done with the Philippines and a few hardcore Asean states openly and covertly egging the Americans to stay in the region. Obama had 5 aces in his hand in Vietnam, the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. And the Americans agitated the SCS dispute to its full advantage, encouraging these countries to confront China and to make counter claims on Chinese islands.
All this is history. The aces in Obama’s hand have turned to 2s. The Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand have switched sides. They refused to provoke China on the SCS claims, choosing to court China for economic development and trade and opting to talk and negotiate with China for a peaceful solution. The tension and threats of war in the South China Sea fizzled out. Obama is now left with only Vietnam and Singapore as the two aces in his hand.
China on the contrary have turned around and now holding 5 aces in Laos, Cambodia, the Philippines, Thailand and Malaysia with the rest of Asean states remaining neutral other than Vietnam and Singapore. Vietnam is looking like making a U turn as well with China waving the carrots of more trade and economic development, with no interference in their domestic affairs.
Obama’s hand is now weak, as weak as his last few days in Office. There is an Asean Revolution against the Americans. The stoking of tension and probability of war in the region failed. What Ash Carter said about isolating China has backfired. It is the USA being isolated and the last nail onto this coffin would be the killing of the TPP, the futile American attempt to isolate China.
Bye bye America. Or as Duterte has said, America, you lost. Southeast Asia would not be dragged into a war and turmoil at the will of the Americans. The Asean leaders are not that stupid (there are exceptions) to be at the becks and calls of the Americans to destroy their countries and the lives of their people. They want peace and progress for their people, not war, not death and destruction.
The American nightmare is just beginning.
PS. Happy Deepavali to all our Indian brothers and sisters.
The expansion of Asean also led to the transformation of Asean with two opposing camps and allies strutting around with pride that they are allies of big powers. The veneer thin Asean neutrality was history and no longer touted as the key principle of what Asean stood for. The myth of a neutral Asean, built on the cardinal principle of neutrality has become bullshit.
As recently as the beginning of the year, the Americans were boasting about their pivot to Asia, a veiled expansionist move to stay in Asia by relocating their military hardware into the region. This move was generally supported by some Asean countries, namely Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore and to a certain extent Thailand. The rest of the Asean states were neutral except for Laos and Cambodia that were traditionally China’s close neigbours. Asean totally ignored the interest of Indonesia as the big brother and brought in a monster to rule the region, making Indonesia looking like a part of the Empire.
Obama was riding high and American projection of military power in Southeast Asia was as good as done with the Philippines and a few hardcore Asean states openly and covertly egging the Americans to stay in the region. Obama had 5 aces in his hand in Vietnam, the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. And the Americans agitated the SCS dispute to its full advantage, encouraging these countries to confront China and to make counter claims on Chinese islands.
All this is history. The aces in Obama’s hand have turned to 2s. The Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand have switched sides. They refused to provoke China on the SCS claims, choosing to court China for economic development and trade and opting to talk and negotiate with China for a peaceful solution. The tension and threats of war in the South China Sea fizzled out. Obama is now left with only Vietnam and Singapore as the two aces in his hand.
China on the contrary have turned around and now holding 5 aces in Laos, Cambodia, the Philippines, Thailand and Malaysia with the rest of Asean states remaining neutral other than Vietnam and Singapore. Vietnam is looking like making a U turn as well with China waving the carrots of more trade and economic development, with no interference in their domestic affairs.
Obama’s hand is now weak, as weak as his last few days in Office. There is an Asean Revolution against the Americans. The stoking of tension and probability of war in the region failed. What Ash Carter said about isolating China has backfired. It is the USA being isolated and the last nail onto this coffin would be the killing of the TPP, the futile American attempt to isolate China.
Bye bye America. Or as Duterte has said, America, you lost. Southeast Asia would not be dragged into a war and turmoil at the will of the Americans. The Asean leaders are not that stupid (there are exceptions) to be at the becks and calls of the Americans to destroy their countries and the lives of their people. They want peace and progress for their people, not war, not death and destruction.
The American nightmare is just beginning.
PS. Happy Deepavali to all our Indian brothers and sisters.
10/28/2016
The Asean Revolution
The Duterte
Revolution in the Philippines has set about a rethinking of the Philippines
history, the colonization and massacres of Pinoys and the pathetic state of the
economy under so called American aid, and the unending rebellion in the South
the Americans claimed to be quelling but instead fuelling and financing. The
Pinoys have woken up to their sorry state of affair after more 100 years of
American domination. The Philippines are one of the poorest and least developed
Asean countries and still dependent on foreign aid, ie American junks and crumbs
and expected to be grateful.
Look at
Indonesia and Malaysia and Thailand, all three economies have surged past the
Philippines in economic growth and have higher quality of lives for their
people. But the Revolution in Asean did not start in the Philippines. The Asean
Revolution started a few months prior to Duterte’s ascendency as the President
of Philippines, right in the heart of Malaysia!
Unbelieveable,
but the Chinese are moving into Malaysia in a very big way. Duterte was
successful to clinch $24 billion of contracts for the Philippines in 4 days, a
very good result. The Malaysians have an earlier start. 4 major projects in
Malaysia, some started a few years earlier, are worth at least $100b, from the
Forest City in South West Johore, the Greenland development in Johore Bahru,
the megacity in KL that would be the new transportation hub for high speed
trains linking to Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Myanmar and onwards to China
and Europe, and the newly commissioned Malaysia China Kelatan Industrial
Park.
Malaysia is
getting an economic boost from the Chinese investment and would take off way
ahead of Indonesia and the Philippines. If
you have not heard about it, the Chinese have started production of high speed
trains from their factory in KL in preparation for the building of the high
speed trains in Malaysia. Najib is
visiting China to raise Malaysia China relations to a new height.
What is
happening in Malaysia could be the things that the Philippines could also be
expecting in the Duterte Revolution. Philippines could go the same path as
Malaysia, for economic growth and development and not be made the quarrelsome
barking dog of the Americans, everyday dying to fight a war, raising and
provoking tensions in a conflict that it can never win except to drain its
limited resources, the lost of more Pinoy lives and forever be dependent on the
Americans to dole them with junks and crumbs. What are the Americans offering,
more military training to fight a green monster, selling of weapons and stoking
rebel activities in the South.
With
Malaysia taking the lead, showing the way, the Thais and the Philippines
tagging along, Asean is going to see rapid economic development and growth
while the world economy goes on a downward swing. Singapore got to be very
careful not to lose out in this Chinese stimulus and miss the train, literary
and otherwise. Yes, if the high speed train linking to China and Europe just
ends in KL, KL will be the new transportation hub, replacing Singapore or at
least taking away half of the transportation and logistic business. With all the goods between Europe and China
travelling by train, by passing Singapore, you can expect a drop of 50% of sea
traffic calling at Tuas. Oh, before I forget, Thailand would be the biggest
land transportion hub in Southeast Asia with high speed trains linking to
China, Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam and Malaysia.
The Asean Revolution has started and hundreds of
billions will be injected into the Asean economies to drive the needed growth
to keep Asean countries afloat in a world economy shrouded by dark clouds and
uncertainties. The poor Americans did not have the money to finance such huge
projects at an international scale. Worst, they could not think of it, unable
to conceptualise such an intercontinental idea and lost the initiative to the
Chinese. They forgot that money can be made in other economic enterprises other
than inciting wars and selling weapons.
10/27/2016
Duterte making the Americans in panic mode
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10/26/2016
Duterte's Independent Foreign Policy Not Subject To USA Dictates
Duterte's Independent Foreign Policy Not Subject to USA Dictates.
Duterte"s visit to China brought positive results. China agrees to help Philippines build mega infrastructure projects like roads, railways, ports, airports and many other good deals.China will also help Philippines in its fight against drug traffickers and in building drug rehabilitation centres. Philippines need to turn to China for help because USA did nothing to elevate Philippines development even after almost a century of its rigid colonial rule . The Philippinos must now fully support Predsident Duterte and ensure the country is no more subservient to America as a subservient little brown brother. America will definitely try to sabotage the badly needed infrastructure projects from taking root and prevent China's aid from taking a foothold in the country through the use of legal loopholes and other pretexts and arm twist Philippines law makers to overturn Duterte's independent foreign policy.
The Philippines had been invaded three times by foreign powers. First it was invaded by the Spanish in the 17th Century. Then in 1898 USA booted out the Spaniards and ruled the Philippines until the late 1940s. Finally during the Second World War, the Philippines was invaded by the Japanese with tragic consequences for the Philippinos. Now the Americans and the Japs are colluding again to bring the Philippines into bondage into America's New World Order of a One World Government under USA full control and total hegemony. The Philippines should be wary of the Americans and the Japanese and not fall into their traps.
The Philippinos must come down hard on USA and its CIA and Pentagon operatives and on its influence in the mass media as well as its insidious influence in the judiciary, senate and congress . Duterte must destroy CIA's hidden underworld operatives where it is allied with gang leaders trafficking in drugs and as hitmen for CIA assassination purpose. Also many of the drug traffickers are under the CIA's payroll. Thus is there any wonder why America is dead against Duterte's war against drug traffickers? CIA is the world's biggest Drug Lords and is making billions of dollars from drug trafficking.
USA will never leave the Philippines alone because it is of great importance geostrategically and is used as a lynchpin to American evil scheme of pivoting to Asia to create choas, destability and wars and to contain China's peaceful development. The Philippines must be prepared to bravely and strongly resist America's interference in her internal affairs and trample on her sovereignty.
CIA will use its underlings and 5th columns in the country to block Duterte's independent foreign policy not subjecting to USA dictates and coercion.Duterte must quickly nib this problem in the bud. To delay putting away the 5th column and CIA's agents can be disastrous to Duterte's government and administration.
In 1898 USA invaded the Philippines . It was able to bring the Philippines under US bondage only after it had killed and massacred a few hundred thousand patriotic resistant fighters. America's intention has always been to keep an independent Philippines weak and poor so that it will forever be subservient to US control and dictates and accede to US demands like allowing US to build military bases in the Philippines.
US interferes in every Philippines administration and ensure that a weak central government will never be able to carry out reforms essential for the development of the country. It frequently tramples and violates Philippines sovereignty with impunity. Below is what one of former Philippines president , Mr Estrada bemoaned of US travesty of Philippines sovereignty. The remarks are lifted from China's Global
"October 23, 2016 at 12:01 am, Manila Standard
"FORMER President Joseph “Erap” Estrada backed President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to separate foreign policy from the United States, saying it is high time the US government be stopped from its meddling in the country’s internal affairs. But the 79-year-old Estrada, who was ousted from office in 2001, feared that Duterte’s unpopular pronouncements might have severe consequences, such as his possible removal from office similar to what he had experienced in 2001.
The former leader recalled that when he was president, the US government would always try to coax him into doing what they want, like when US Defense Secretary William Cohen wrote him demanding a stop to Estrada’s “all-out war” against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front which was believed to be behind several terror attacks.
“They meddled in my fight with the MILF. They stopped me,” said Estrada, who is now on his second term as mayor of Manila. “When they suddenly removed me, they neglected the MILF which continued in their bombings,” he pointed out. “Just because the US is helping us [through official aid] that does not mean they can meddle in our internal problems. We are a sovereign country. We have our own Constitution,” Estrada said. “President Duterte’s action is right. Why are they meddling?” he added, referring to the US.
Asked if he supports Duterte’s move to realign the Philippines with China, Estrada replied: “Yes. Because China doesn’t meddle with us, with our independence.”
Estrada said he understands where Duterte is coming from when he announced the country’s “separation” from the US. “I feel what President Duterte is feeling.” He stressed it was a difficult decision for the President, one that might expose him to political risks such as the US moving to oust him from office. “That is my fear because they did that to me,” Estrada said."
There is thus always a peril to friendship with the Evil Empire, USA. President Duterte is visiting Japan this week for three days from 25th to 27th October. US will pressure Abe, the Japanese warmonger PM to persuade Duterte to make an about turn in Philippines relation with China and force Duterte to get back into the warmongering American-Japanese alliance . The Japs are pledging Duterte 48 million dollars in aid as compare to China's 24 billion dollars to build the philippines infrastructures like roads, railways, ports, airports and power stations and a further huge sum for Duterte's war on drug traffickers and for building drug rehabilitation centres.
The Philippines must be able to strongly and bravely tell the two trouble makers the Japs and the Americans to get lost and to respect the Philippines independence and sovereignty.
Southernglory1
Wednesday, 26th October,2016Duterte's
Duterte"s visit to China brought positive results. China agrees to help Philippines build mega infrastructure projects like roads, railways, ports, airports and many other good deals.China will also help Philippines in its fight against drug traffickers and in building drug rehabilitation centres. Philippines need to turn to China for help because USA did nothing to elevate Philippines development even after almost a century of its rigid colonial rule . The Philippinos must now fully support Predsident Duterte and ensure the country is no more subservient to America as a subservient little brown brother. America will definitely try to sabotage the badly needed infrastructure projects from taking root and prevent China's aid from taking a foothold in the country through the use of legal loopholes and other pretexts and arm twist Philippines law makers to overturn Duterte's independent foreign policy.
The Philippines had been invaded three times by foreign powers. First it was invaded by the Spanish in the 17th Century. Then in 1898 USA booted out the Spaniards and ruled the Philippines until the late 1940s. Finally during the Second World War, the Philippines was invaded by the Japanese with tragic consequences for the Philippinos. Now the Americans and the Japs are colluding again to bring the Philippines into bondage into America's New World Order of a One World Government under USA full control and total hegemony. The Philippines should be wary of the Americans and the Japanese and not fall into their traps.
The Philippinos must come down hard on USA and its CIA and Pentagon operatives and on its influence in the mass media as well as its insidious influence in the judiciary, senate and congress . Duterte must destroy CIA's hidden underworld operatives where it is allied with gang leaders trafficking in drugs and as hitmen for CIA assassination purpose. Also many of the drug traffickers are under the CIA's payroll. Thus is there any wonder why America is dead against Duterte's war against drug traffickers? CIA is the world's biggest Drug Lords and is making billions of dollars from drug trafficking.
USA will never leave the Philippines alone because it is of great importance geostrategically and is used as a lynchpin to American evil scheme of pivoting to Asia to create choas, destability and wars and to contain China's peaceful development. The Philippines must be prepared to bravely and strongly resist America's interference in her internal affairs and trample on her sovereignty.
CIA will use its underlings and 5th columns in the country to block Duterte's independent foreign policy not subjecting to USA dictates and coercion.Duterte must quickly nib this problem in the bud. To delay putting away the 5th column and CIA's agents can be disastrous to Duterte's government and administration.
In 1898 USA invaded the Philippines . It was able to bring the Philippines under US bondage only after it had killed and massacred a few hundred thousand patriotic resistant fighters. America's intention has always been to keep an independent Philippines weak and poor so that it will forever be subservient to US control and dictates and accede to US demands like allowing US to build military bases in the Philippines.
US interferes in every Philippines administration and ensure that a weak central government will never be able to carry out reforms essential for the development of the country. It frequently tramples and violates Philippines sovereignty with impunity. Below is what one of former Philippines president , Mr Estrada bemoaned of US travesty of Philippines sovereignty. The remarks are lifted from China's Global
"October 23, 2016 at 12:01 am, Manila Standard
"FORMER President Joseph “Erap” Estrada backed President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to separate foreign policy from the United States, saying it is high time the US government be stopped from its meddling in the country’s internal affairs. But the 79-year-old Estrada, who was ousted from office in 2001, feared that Duterte’s unpopular pronouncements might have severe consequences, such as his possible removal from office similar to what he had experienced in 2001.
The former leader recalled that when he was president, the US government would always try to coax him into doing what they want, like when US Defense Secretary William Cohen wrote him demanding a stop to Estrada’s “all-out war” against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front which was believed to be behind several terror attacks.
“They meddled in my fight with the MILF. They stopped me,” said Estrada, who is now on his second term as mayor of Manila. “When they suddenly removed me, they neglected the MILF which continued in their bombings,” he pointed out. “Just because the US is helping us [through official aid] that does not mean they can meddle in our internal problems. We are a sovereign country. We have our own Constitution,” Estrada said. “President Duterte’s action is right. Why are they meddling?” he added, referring to the US.
Asked if he supports Duterte’s move to realign the Philippines with China, Estrada replied: “Yes. Because China doesn’t meddle with us, with our independence.”
Estrada said he understands where Duterte is coming from when he announced the country’s “separation” from the US. “I feel what President Duterte is feeling.” He stressed it was a difficult decision for the President, one that might expose him to political risks such as the US moving to oust him from office. “That is my fear because they did that to me,” Estrada said."
There is thus always a peril to friendship with the Evil Empire, USA. President Duterte is visiting Japan this week for three days from 25th to 27th October. US will pressure Abe, the Japanese warmonger PM to persuade Duterte to make an about turn in Philippines relation with China and force Duterte to get back into the warmongering American-Japanese alliance . The Japs are pledging Duterte 48 million dollars in aid as compare to China's 24 billion dollars to build the philippines infrastructures like roads, railways, ports, airports and power stations and a further huge sum for Duterte's war on drug traffickers and for building drug rehabilitation centres.
The Philippines must be able to strongly and bravely tell the two trouble makers the Japs and the Americans to get lost and to respect the Philippines independence and sovereignty.
Southernglory1
Wednesday, 26th October,2016Duterte's
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