It one thing to talk about countering terrorism. It is another to know
who are the terrorists. It is even more serious to know who is the
world’s number one terrorist and who is funding, training and support
the terrorist organizations of the world.
Do the Asean countries understand this? Do they know? How many Asean
countries are sleeping in the same bed as the world’s number one
terrorist and even working with the world number one terrorist in
terrorist operations?
What is terrorist operation? It is not just about indiscriminate suicide
bombers. It is indiscriminate bombing of innocent people, invading a
country, conducting regime change, and killing them in the thousands,
hundreds of thousands. It is inciting wars, provoking wars, threatening
wars. These are the operations of terrorists.
The Americans are fabricating another lie that the Syrians are using
sarin gas and like WMD, would justify its military operation and
occupation of Syria. It is increasing threats against North Korea to
demand the latter to give up its nuclear weapons while it is upgrading
its nuclear arsenal, the biggest in the world, to become more deadly. It
is adamant to provoke a war between the two Koreans. Who is the real
terrorist?
Would Asean be working against the real terrorist or be working with the
real terrorist to create more fear and destruction around the world? If
Asean do not know or refuse to see the real terrorist behind all the
terrorist organizations, it is pure theatrics at best when it is talking
about fighting terrorism.
What a joke? So pathetic?
Is Asean becoming a joke? The only good sign is that Asean is starting
to see that China is a friendly power in the region and unanimously
supported more joint military exercises with China. This is Asia and
Asians must not continue to be ruled by the slayers of Red Indians,
Africans, Arabs and Muslims. Asians have grown up and are capable of
looking after themselves in peace. There is no need for war and for the
world’s number one terrorist from across the world to start wars in Asia.
2/08/2018
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?
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?
2/07/2018
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.
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.
2/06/2018
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.
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.
2/05/2018
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.
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.
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