When the people trusted the govt

There was a time when the people trusted the govt. Believe me, this is true, was true, in those days the people totally trusted the govt and would support the govt in many of its hard policies. That is history now, but it is good to reminisce and recollect how and why the people trusted the govt then. Some silly buggers are out there decrying that the older generations were stupid to trust the govt and they are to be blamed for the shit that the new generations and future generations are facing and going to eat going forward. I would say that this blame is partially right in the sense that many of the oldies could not see the change or did see the change but unable to change their mindset to change the govt of today that is very different from the govt of yesterday. The transition was initially slow, and like the proverbial frog, the pioneer generations are slowly being cooked to death.
 
What kind of govt then that could gain almost absolute trust from the people? In the first place the PM was getting a salary of $7,500 pm or thereabout while a minister was getting $5,000, and MPs were getting very much lesser. And the people could buy HDB flats at really subsidized prices, $6,800 for a 3rm flat, $27,500 for a 5rm flat. Anyone earning a 4 figure salary, ie $1,000pm could buy a simple car that cost $6,000. Anyone earning a 4 figure salary, ie $1,000 or $2,000 could get married and raised a family quite comfortably, even owning a car.
 
Anyone in the uniformed services, to serve and die for the country, would have priority in getting a subsidized HDB flat. The govt went further, and built flats exclusively for the uniformed services. And more, the most important factor, the govt then trusted Singaporeans and looked after Singaporeans, not looking after foreigners and giving good jobs to foreigners.
 
Under such circumstances, there was unspoken trust, trust that was given by the people to the govt without being demanded, without being asked. It was voluntary and involuntary trust, at times unquestioned trust.
 
Today the trust for the govt is in doubt, in question, and they have no clue why the trust was lost. Sure, the income has gone up, people are earning 5 figure salaries. But what can the 5 figure salary buy? Many earning 4 figure salaries are struggling to bring up a family, all in debt for the ‘highly subsidised’ half a million or more HDB flats and cars, expensive medical and education and high cost of living. In fact many could no longer afford to buy a simple car costing more than $100k. And things are spiraling downhill in double speed. Many have to sell their properties to spend their twilight years, not to hand down to their children. And once sold, nothing is left.
 
Still trying to figure out why the trust is gone? Millionaires, natural aristocrats, immortals have no clue? How about more theatrics?

Singtel replied to my complaint

I was having second thought on the title of this post. I saw a headline in thenewpaper, ‘SMRT updates app to give more accurate train timings’ and thought this would be more appropriate for this post instead of Singtel’s reply. You will see the relevance of why the SMRT headline later.
 
One guy from Singtel called asking to talk to me. I confirmed who I was. Then he turned into ‘machine mode’, that he needed to verify who I was. I told him this was a silly thing as it was he who called me. The natural thing would be for me to verify who he was. It is like I called up Hsien Loong and then tell him, wait, wait, I need to verify who he is. Then I will go on and ask, what is the name of his father, how many brothers and sisters he have, where did he live? Don’t you think Hsien Loong would be furious? He should be verifying me, the caller instead.
 
Anyway the guy was angry and cut off the call. Then I received a sms saying my account was transferred to a new platform and I can go online to check. Then I received an email reply confirming that I only used 36MB and got 60+MB balance. And I could call or go to another site to check my usage. Until today, the erroneous data in my mobile is still there and saying I have only 10MB left of my data plan.
 
See, there is nothing wrong about the data monitor in my mobile, a Singtel app, giving me false data. Is Singtel happy with the data monitor that cannot tell the real data but corrupted data, telling subscriber false data and confusing subscriber? And subscribers have to live with it? I was thinking that I may have no choice and need to upgrade to a bigger data plan if Singtel app data is going to be charged into my data plan.
 
How can Singtel provide its subscribers with an unreliable data monitor and simply tell the subscribers to call or go to another site to check for more accurate data? Might as well not to provide the data monitor when it is not helpful, not telling the real data, but fake data.
 
My reply to the email is that this is unacceptable practice and this must be brought up to the CEO’s attention. Now you understand why the SMRT wanting to provide more accurate train timings to commuters is relevant here? It is service, reliable service to the commuters/subscribers. Has Singtel degenerated into a third world service provider, providing a data monitor that is not telling the data that subscribers need and be happy with it? What kind of quality standard is Singtel setting? If this data monitor is what Singtel wants to provide, then I would tell Singtel to scrap it. It is useless if it cannot tell the actual data usage of subscribers.
 
I am waiting for my next bill to come to confirm that I am not charged for over usage, for exceeding my data plan though I am told that I did not exceed my data plan. You can bet left hand and right hand may not know what each one is doing or saying. I am keeping my finger cross.

More taxes to build boldly

This is what Lawrence Wong said. More money for mega infrastructure projects. For what, to bring in another 5m foreigners to create more jobs for Singaporeans to drive taxis?
 
How about building a castle in the air, like another city above the present city? This would be necessary for a 10m population. Singapore has a mission to provide good jobs and homes to the people of the world. If I am not mistaken, listening to the great thinkers, Singapore could be planning to bring in another 10m foreigners to share the good life in the island. And to serve such a population, there will be a need to build a high speed train running in circles, from the city to Changi, Punggol, Woodland, Tuas, Pasir Panjang and back to the city. This running in circles high speed train would definitely cost billions but not to worry, just raise taxes to build boldly. It is good for the economy. Wah, with 15m population, Singapore would become a vibrant and flourishing island of the future. Just not sure what is the economy and industries the island would be depending on to support such a population? More hawker centres, more shops, more HDB flats?
 
Please do not question the wisdom of growing population by importing foreigners to share this little island. After all this island if for everyone, not just Singaporeans.
And we can build another airport in Tuas and passengers can fly from Changi to Tuas and vice versa. Make it budget, cheap and good. No need to buy Boeings, can buy from China, Russia or India. Their planes are good and would not need billions.
 
Now with a castle in the air, a high speed training running in circles, a 10m population, and two civilian airports, one international and one domestic, what else is needed, what other mega projects can be built to turn Singapore into a fine city, the most expensive city in the world? How about building roads that lead to nowhere like what the Aussie woman said? Nope, bad idea, such roads would be too short and would not cost much.
 
Maybe build a virtual city and Singaporeans can buy virtual properties, big good class virtual bungalows to park their virtual limousines like Rolls Royce and Bentleys since they could not afford to buy real cars anymore.
 
Dreams are made of these. Big dreams, fanciful dreams, can be built with more taxes. The people will love it. After all their big CPF savings need to be spent wisely for the good of the country. Singaporeans, this is National Service. You need to pay boldly in taxes for a fine city to live in. Taxi drivers are not exempted from high taxes.
 
Yes, yes, build boldly, keep building, and keep taxing boldly.

Tharman must be on standby and be ready to take over

The 4G young turks are still not sure of themselves and not sure who should be the crown prince to take over the premiership. Hsien Loong said they needed time to feel for each other. The big question is how much time do they have and need to choose a new leader? And the assumption is that the new leader will be better than the two DPMs or other senior ministers today. Is this assumption valid, that the young turks would make better PM than the not too old senior ministers? Is the system of renewal, to appoint young turks to succeed a PM, by passing existing ministers, cast in stone and good for the country?
 
While some may think that time is on the side of the young turks and they can take their leisure walk pondering and musing who should be the next PM, there is also another saying that time waits for no man. A situation may crop up against the will of man, that a new PM have to be appointed quickly before the young turks knew what is happening, assuming that they are the one to make this decision, the two DPMs would be the natural choice to assume the premiership or like in most cases, be acting premier for the time being. And if historical precedents are to go by, taking the example of Thailand, an acting premier is not going to give up the premiership and would want to continue with the premiership himself.
 
Should such a situation become a reality, those people that wish to see Tharman as the next PM, and those people that fear Tharman becoming the next PM, would have their wishes and fear fulfilled. In all probabilities, Tharman is the most likely candidate to stand up to the plate when there is uncertainty and a power vacuum. He has crafted a fine image as the most desirable candidate for the next PM. None of the young turks has that credential, no achievement to their credits that can be used to justify their rise to the premiership. Their current position as potential crown prince is based on a system designed by the PAP, not based on merit in the sense that the best man should be the PM, regardless of age or seniority.
 
Given the current scenario, Tharman should prepare himself just in case. Saying no is one thing, but the forces of nature may push him into the ring despite him saying he is not interested in the job. Many things in life are unpredictable. And Murphy’s Law may prove that it is still relevant and real. Whatever can happen will happened. The longer the young turks dilly dally, the more remote would be their chances of becoming the next PM. It only proves that they are not ready or could not decide who should lead…and the natural choice is….
 
Singaporeans must brace themselves for an Indian PM if God chooses to dispose the schemes of man.

Fendi chooses Singaporean celebrities to parade its fashion wear

The famous Italian fashion house has roped in Zoe Tay, Rebecca Lim, Fann Wong and Jeanette Aw to parade its latest fashion at a store opening in Ion Orchard. This recognition that local celebs are in, saleable and marketable is a new trend in this former British colony where everything white is good, and local is pariah. Many advertisements are still selling the idea that only the rich and fashionable are the whites and locals are poor and tasteless.

A good life is an angmoh strutting around with a local lass sticking by his side, looking so happy and pleased to be the sex toy of a successful angmoh. Compares this to American ads when the good life means a black hulk strutting his physique and success and a white woman by his side, adoring being beside a successful black man. What is the story of the choice of candidates for such ads?

The Koreans and Japanese did not have this queer taste for angmohs. They are proud of being who they are and their ads would be Koreans and Japanese. It is not just a matter of wasting foreign exchange, but a national pride, a people being proud and confident of themselves, secure, and not a sub standard specie compares to the angmohs.

When would Singaporeans be proud of themselves as a people and give up this colonial western hangovers? Our local celebs need to be celebrated, be the choice for such ads and to make the money that for some stupid hangovers would simply go to the angmohs.

Fendi is confident that local celebs can sell and is the way to go. Would other fashion houses follow suit? Would other local companies also follow suit instead of portraying our local women as the sex subject and angmohs as the successful dominant half with his prized collection?

In this Asian Century it is about Asians and a diminishing western civilisation. The rise of China and India have also set this trend rolling. The Chinese and Indians are also flaunting their own celebs, the other Asean states too, except this proud colonial outpost in the far east of the British Empire. And we are going to celebrate the bicentennial of the colonisation of this outpost in a big way. Maybe some would be dressed to their nines in British garbs, in hats  and headdress and flowing flocks, and drinking tea, and waving the Union Jack.

With their followers and fans, Fendi is going to sell well here with the local celebs.