award of sentosa ir becoming a pr execise

The award of the Sentosa IR could turn out to be the biggest PR exercise facing the govt. Handled brilliantly, we will get a really fascinating IR to brag about and more international friends and recognition. Handle it badly, rigidly, play by the book in a no nonsense way could still get us a very good IR but may cost us friends and a tarnished reputation. The 3 bidders are putting everything they got into their proposals. They are extremely serious and have spent an enormous amount of money for their bids. Though eventually only one will come out the winner, there could be two sore losers to lick the wounds. And with Najib joining the fray by rooting for Genting, it complicates the matter with political implications and cross border relations in the yo yo. How could the award of the Sentosa be turned into a happy ending for the bidders? Two IRs being awarded, or allowing the two losers a second go at the development of the southern islands with their current bids being treated as a pre qualifications? It would give the unsuccessful bidders a little sweetener to go home with and a lot of goodwill to kick around.

no need for charity shows anymore

Move aside Charity shows Now who said charity show is the most effective and efficient way to help the poor and needy? Now the most efficient way, with minimum cost, is through GST. This is really brilliant. So with a stroke of the pen, all Singaporeans have done their donations for charity. No need to risk the lives and limbs of actors and actresses, no need pathetic looks on tv, no need to dial the mobile. And how much is raised? How many billions? And no need to pay for telecom and mediacorp production cost. Now who can beat this kind of innovative idea?

myth 98

Wisdom of Aladdin, Solomon and Saul Aladdin ruled Greenland with a crooked sword. When he is angry or about to cut off the head of anyone he will kiss his sword. And whenever he kisses his sword, Greenland goes white with fright. His elite ministers were all behind Aladdin and live by Aladdin’s wisdom of righteousness. And all his elite ministers were afraid to flaunt their wealth though everyone knows that they are very well rewarded in many ways. Openly flashing their wealth is a sign of having too big an appetite and were frown upon. All the people know but they could not do anything, for the elite will not change the way they are being rewarded by the system. Blueland under Solomon was different. They pride themselves as true elite. And they make no pretense about rewarding themselves. They gave themselves fanciful titles for doing nothing but paid like a king. And they made sure all their titles and high incomes are in their name cards to be flashed around as a recognition of their talents and abilities. The greater their incomes the more righteous they are deemed to be as plenty means no urge to steal anymore. The people too accept the system and pretend that all is well under enlightened leadership. They, like the people in Greenland, knew they could not do anything as the elite will not change the system to cut down on their loot. Redland under Saul is slightly different. The elite live fairly comfortably but not as wealthy as Greenland and Blueland. They were slightly better off than the people but any excesses will be dealt with by severe punishment All three lands under Aladdin, Solomon and Saul functions as effectively as they can be. All were perfect models on their own, living under the wisdom of their own rulers. Another common thread among the three elites is that they all frown upon the other’s wisdom but not saying anything.

buddy buddy appointment! goosh!

Buddy buddy appointment It has taken so long for the independent directorship system to show its flaws and to be recognised that it is flawed. Geez, are people, intelligent people, that blind? Any layman would be able to see through the fallacy of such a system when friends and relatives were appointed as independent directors to be watchdog over corporate misconducts. It is as good as appointing robbers to be security guards. SIAS has finally acknowledged that this buddy buddy system must be changed and a neutral third party body is important in the appointment of independent directors. Now will the rightful authority do the necessary? Or will the farce continue? I am waiting for a call from David Gerald after such a long wait. Maybe my proposal has gone down the rubbish chute and lost. I am going to send him a reminder on this.

giving more than gst increases!

7% GST So far cyberspace has been characterised by widespread criticisms and attacks on the govt's intent to raise GST by another 2%. The attacks were callous and at times very wild. The moderates, very few, would look at it with a lot of scepticism and were cautious about how it would turn out. Then of course there will be the blind faith followers who will just say good, good. To look at the issue from a neutral perspective without jumping the gun, the people may want to give the govt the benefit of the doubt. Wait till the details are out. Some said it will be too late. Late or never, good or bad, it is a decision the govt has to make and has to answer to the people. They can't keep getting away with things that they think are good but the people think otherwise. Yesterday Choktong gave a little hint of what the GST package will be like. He mentioned that 'the govt was likely to plough more into the offset package than it would receive from raising the GST.' Now this is something to think about. Raising $1 but giving back more than $1 to the people. Is this for real? If this could materialise eventually, and the lower income group really become better off because of the GST increase, many critics would be slapping their own faces. Then again, everyone is watching and would want to scrutinise carefully what is taken and what will be returned to the people. Whatever the formula, the left side of the equation must equal the right side. Now the magic equation is that the right side is going to be more than the left side. Where is that money coming from? Who will ultimately foot the bill? From profits or from other citizens? The other question is whether it is a one time payout but a continuous taxation?