What is $238m to educate foreigners?

The amount that our MOE spent on foreign students, as mentioned by OYK in Parliament, was $238 million annually. (or was it $340m or was it $680m, after reduced b 50%?). By any standard, that is alot of money especially when this comes from our precious hard-earned tax dollars and are not from some lottery windfall or inheritance wealth.

We should play our part as a responsible member of the international community by taking in and sponsoring some international students. But this PAP government must forever be mindful that Singaporeans are not suckers and the government is not a Santa Claus.

I suggest that our budget for foreign student’s scholarships and tuition grants be capped at S$100 million annually and adjusted for inflation. The leftover balance can be used comfortably to help our struggling families lighten their financial burdens and give their children a better shot at life, instead of their children starting out in life with educational debts to pay.

My daughter is an undergraduate at NTU, and I know the sad reality in Singapore is that many working class families got themselves into big debts even as OYK so eloquently put it that “all Singaporean students who meet the standards have been admitted” and that “no Singaporean is ever displaced from institute of higher learning because of an international student” etc....

Posted by Simon Lim in TRE 

All I can say is to ape some of the super rich here by uttering, What is $238m? Or shall I say it is peanuts. Remember the $200m overspent on the Youth Olympics and the hundreds of million spent annually on the F1? After all spending OPM does not hurt one's own pocket. Spend lah, what is the problem? 

Today Hsien Loong said they are thinking of reducing fees for part time students to reduce education cost for working adults. What mercy! How long have working adults and our students been suffering for paying high fees while foreigners' children were and are still having a whale of a time with our free money to enjoy our world class education without a sweat?

Maybe we need to have GE every year and more such goodies would be made available to benefit out tax paying citizens.

India – the next terrorist country

For the last few decades, the USA has been the number one terrorist country in the world unchallenged. It has been bullying and terrorizing countries all over the world, allies and foes, doing whatever it likes with impunity. It commited murders, assassinations, regime change, sanctions, bankrupting govts by economic sanctions and war crimes by killing the innocents in the tune of millions all over the world. The sickness of all these wanton killings and destructions is that the whole world have to pretend that the Americans are the most peace loving country, the protector of peace and human rights. But all the countries know very well that the Americans are the number one terrorists in the world today. I stand corrected on this as some silly Asian countries really believe the Americans are godsend angels to save and protect the world.
 
Today we are also witnessing the emergence of another terrorist country, the next number one terrorist country in the making and would be the worse the world would see in the future, outdoing everything the Americans have done if left to its own device.
 
India is a struggling third world power with big power ambition, wanting to be the next super power, to take over the reign from the Americans. But this is still a far and distant dream. However, though basically a third world and dysfunctional country, it does not behave as one but a regional hegemon, believing that it can do as it wants like the Americans.
 
Its immediate neighbours have been suffering from the oppression of Indian hegemony. Pakistan has been regularly on the receiving ends of Indian hostility and war. Sri Lanka was not spared either. Even China came under attack by the Indians in the 1962 border war, and recently in the border with Bhutan, when the Indians arrogantly and brashly thought they could seized Chinese territories that were stolen from China by the British. They are claiming everything the British raj handed over to them, lands belonging to China, Pakistan, Bangladesh and its other neighbours.
 
Bhutan, Nepal and Sikkim have become Indian protectorates and controlled by the Indian govt in New Delhi and restrained from becoming independent countries, economies suffocated by India and condemned to underdevelopment, foreign relations controlled and determined by India, their people de facto subjects of the Indian Empire.
 
The ruthlessness of the Indians to use force against its neighbours unilaterally could be seen by the recent attempt to take over disputed Kashmir from Pakistan and China. This was with total disregard to a region that is mainly populated by Muslims. The separation of India and Pakistan was mainly because of this religious divide, the inability to coexist as one people because of different religions. But India does not care and wants to annex Kashmir into a Hindu population that is hostile to Muslims.
 
And on the eastern front in Assam, with the state already under Indian control but with a huge Muslim population, India arbitrary decided to disown the Muslim population, all 2m of them and rendering them stateless. India officially announced that it would not be a recipient country for refugees, and would not want the Muslims in Assam. Where would they end up with is not India’s problem.
 
This uprooting of 2m people who have settled down in Assam, some historically have been there, or moved from India to East Pakistan during the division and declaration of independent India and Pakistan from the British Empire, is a harsh and cruel decision on the fate of the Muslims in Assam. India just wants the land, not the people. The saddest thing is that even Muslim Bangladesh did not want them, like they did not want the Rohingyas.
 
The Muslims in Assam would become stateless, boat people, refugees that would flow over to neighbouring Myanmar and Asean. And these neighbouring countries would end up being hosts and recipients of the refugees, not wanted by India and Bangladesh and would come under attack by the West for not taking them in.
 
Singapore may be the only country that would benefit and welcome them with open arms as increase in population is an easy way to increase economic growth, regardless of the adverse long term implications to its citizens. Just paste a talent tag on their foreheads and Singaporeans would be clueless of what is going on.
The same fate would fall on the Muslim people in Kashmir if India succeeds in annexing it into the Indian Empire. They would likely become stateless like the Muslims in Assam and become the new refugees to flood the neighbouring countries.
 
This is the India of the future. While still basically a third world slum country, it is displaying how ruthless and brutal it can be should it become more powerful militarily to exercise its military might over its weaker neighbours. India is the next terrorist country in the making in the likes of the Americans.

Education for our children

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPKIs0ryYz0

Hsien Loong in his National Day Rally talked about the importance of educating our own children and also about the slew of measures and subsidies to reduce the cost of education for our children. These were well received and were cheered by his audience at the rally. 

On the other hand many who knew how much had been spent on the education of foreign children here would at best said better late than never. The financial burden of providing a good education for our children for the past decades was fully on the shoulders of parents with some pawning or selling their homes or emptying their savings just to do so. And while making these financially very painful decisions, they were seething with anger at the free millions and billions being thrown at children of foreigners that have not contributed a single cent to our economy and country, people that have nothing to do with us.

The parents of children that are in schools and tertiary education could now breath a sigh of relief somewhat at the recent announcements of additional subsidies for our children. No matter what, every dollar saved is a dollar saved and in terms of education fees, this can come to hundreds and thousands of dollars.

I have posted a link above to a video clip of Lim Tean's views on what the new education subsidies are all about and a different take on this issue. It gives a completely new and contrasting perspective of things from another angle.

It is only 10 minutes. Happy viewing.

Hong Kong- Free enterprise

The 3 months of street demonstration and warfare have show how enterprising the Hongkongers were and how free is the economy of Hong Kong. While the western news media were churning up all the news about an oppressive police force, the threats to their political freedom and human rights, the reality is that the Hongkongers have never have life so good to them in their entire history. Under the British colonial masters, they did not have political freedom or human rights. They did not suffer much oppression then, saved from such brutal colonial oppression simply because they were too docile, accepted the rule of their colonial masters without protesting or rioting. They accepted the cramp and expensive housing that they are protesting today, the corruption of the colonial masters and the lack of political freedom and human rights then.

Today, the Hongkongers have many more times the political freedom and human rights under the Hong Kong govt. If they were to protest against the British colonial masters like they did today, they would have been machine gunned down like the British did to the Indians in India.

The grievances against poor housing were not the doing of the present govt, but the legacy of the colonial rule. This can be easily resolved by a massive resettlement programme with new cities in the neighbouring provinces. With the improvement in high speed trains they could be in Hong Kong in less than half an hour, free from the jams in crowded Hong Kong and living in spacious and reasonably priced housing. Their quality of life could take a quantum leap for the better, and they could have all the economic freedom and the new political freedom and human rights under a China that is racing ahead in economic growth and prosperity. They could travel the world freely like the Chinese and enjoy the growth and prosperity of a new China. But they chose to protest, to riot, to get themselves criminalised, harmed and maybe killed or deported eventually, when the good life is theirs to make.

I have digressed from the topic of free enterprise in Hong Kong today. Look at the following pictures of the police riot wear and those of the rioters. Both are equipped to the best they could get, money could buy, in free enterprise Hong Kong.

Hong Kong riot police wear. Pic from CNA

Rioters' riot wear.  Pic from SCMP

Another rioter very well equipped and protector from tear gas and other material thrown at them by the police. Pic from SCMP

From the above pics, the rioters are just as well equipped and protected as the riot police. I can't call them protestors anymore. They have turned into rioting and bordering on being terrorists. They could buy all their protective gears easily from the streets of Hong Kong. There is apparently no control on these items. Even the dangerous laser lights could be purchased freely to be used against the police.

Where else would a govt allow such equipment to be sold on the streets like toys, easily available to the rioters, to be used against the police? Oops, someone told me another story. The rioters could get their gears easily because some parties are supplying them and the police or some quarters of the govt are closing an eye to this business.

What is real? Is the Hong Kong govt so stupid to allow these gears and dangerous equipment to be made available so easily, in abundance to the rioters? Is this free enterprise in Hong Kong or a conspiracy involving some parties in the govt, and the whole thing is a big wayang?

The best thing for China to do is to declare an emergency and remove all the colonialists in the govt. The Hongkongers are Chinese and should not be ruled by foreigners that filled the bench in the Supreme Court to rule against the interest of Chinese people, Hong Kong and China. This is the time for China to clean up Hong Kong from colonial rule. Hong Kong is not ruled by Hongkongers but by foreigners, with high court judges that are not Hong Kong citizens, not Chinese citizens, some holding dual nationality, some simply foreign citizens. This shameful existence of foreigners in the Supreme Court has to be cleansed immediately. Hong Kong is China and not a part of the British Empire.

What defines a Singaporean? Principles or Pragmatism

Funding target met for appeal to Appellate Court

Ms Ten Leu Jiun Jeanne-Marie has on Monday (26th Aug) informed TR Emeritus (TRE) that she has managed to secure enough funding to bring her case before the Appellate Court.
On 10th August, Ms Ten had made an appeal for funding on her blog and TRE for a sum of SG$20,000 being costs for an appeal she intends to file with the Appellate Court. [ LINK ]
Ms Ten has been involved in a lengthy 12-year legal battle with the National University of Singapore (NUS) over a Master’s Degree which she has earned but has been withheld by the university. [ LINK ]
Of the $20,000 required, an interest-free loan of $6000 was offered by a student with the balance met by proceeds from the online crowd-funding and her own savings.
Representing herself, Ms Ten filed the Notice of Appeal at the very last minute on Monday (26th Aug).
Ms Ten would like to express her appreciation to all those who have contributed and/or offered encouragement.
The Team@TRE wishes Ms Ten all the best.

The above article is posted in the TRE. Ten Leu Jiun is fighting NUS for her masters degree which she claimed was due to her but NUS refused to confer to her because she was a whistle blower on the misconduct of her professor. It has been a long 12 years battle and she is going to court again after raising enough money to fight for what she thinks is right and hers. You can't find justice in Singapore if you can't pay for it like this case. I have contributed my small part to her legal fund.

Some have dejectedly told her to give up as it is too costly both in time and money, like most Singaporeans would do, being practical or being hapless. Some have told her to fight on on the grounds of principle and ideals. It is tough fighting the establishment and hope she gets her justice she deserves. Big question, principles and values more important or being practical more important? This question defines what a typical Singaporean is like.

Below are a few comments on her case in TRE.

Rabble-rouser:

August 27, 2019 at 9:10 am  (Quote)

Nothing to say except good luck! I hope that you find what you’ve been pursuing all this time worthwhile!
A 12 year legal battle takes a lot out of your productive lifetime. And a lot of money went to feed the lawyers & the court system in the process.
The legal mechanism is an unproductive industry where everyone loses except for the ones holding the court proceedings & their legal players. The only other such industry I know are the casinos.
Would wish you all the best but my gut feeling is that there will be more to come after you take on a system which is not only authoritarian but also unaccountable to public opinion. There can be only one outcome!
Court of Appeal judgement cost are even more prohibitive! If the appeals judges awards 100% cost to the defendants ie. NUS. Methinks that $20k deposit wouldn’t be enough to settle the final sum on the appeal on top of the earlier court judgement amount mentioned which is yet to be settled.

patriot of TUMASIK:

August 27, 2019 at 11:12 am  (Quote)

You deserve to WIN…(12 years is a long time and your patience is God-Given)… even if the odds look bad with the current system in place…May the Hand of God & Fair Justice be upon whoever that sits on that Panel and may he/she have the CONSCIENCE of Mind and NOT the CONviction of man to come to a JUSTIFIED decision

Self Check Self:

August 28, 2019 at 4:57 am  (Quote)

Bernard:
My own experience shows there are Principled and Morally upright Judges.
Hope you get appeal Judges with these values.
Importantly, provide facts with evidences.
These facts can’t be twisted.
Only hope that the appeal Judges don’t say “it’s not the mandate of this Appeal Court” for what ever reason.
Stay strong, be focus, be and have patience, never loose your cool, be graceful and nice to all including the Appeal Judges.
You can’t go wrong.
May God Almighty guide, enlighten, bless and Justice will prevail
Merdeka

This is the belief that led to the mess she is now.
Your experience is not worth a dime and costly outside the familee.
Wake up.