7 days to end my crowdfuning for my book

Hi,

7 days left before I wrap up this crowdfunding project for Mysingaporenews Collection book. As it stood the order book is not healthy. I will have to decide to proceed or not by the end of March.

This book is not an ego trip and I started it in response to several requests for it. Unless there is a demand for it, that the book serves some purpose, I may have to decide otherwise or if I can find a sponsor for it.

One more week to decide and depending on the orders coming in.

Cheers

Redbean

A Tribute to Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew

By MIKOspace

Obituary

  

LEE KUAN YEW

[16.9-1923 – 23.3.2015]

First Prime Minister of Singapore (1965-1990);

Global Statesman, Visionaire Extraordinaire,

Nation Builder, Community Integrator,

People’s Leader, Democratic Socialist,

Ardent Socialist, Pragmatic Capitalist,

Cautious Democrat, Fearless Corporatist,

Friendly to all Nations,

Champion of Workers, Friend of Business,

Advocate of Tripartite Social Dialogue,

Social Peace-maker with Justice,

Anti-Corruption, Anti-Communist,

Builder of Racial Harmony;

Unshakeable Multi-racialist and Multi-culturist,

Builder of Public Housing;

Defender of the Weak, Poor and Vulnerable,

A Family Man;

Grandfather, Father, Husband, Lover, Brother, Uncle,

Friend of the Environment;

Garden City Initiator, Clean and Green Ambassador,

The Father of Singapore;

Without Lee Kuan Yew, there is No Singapore.

A Decent Human Being.

  

Read Original here.

A chapter closed, a new chapter begins

Singapore marks today as the end of an era dominated by the presence of LKY. Singapore will celebrate SG50 in honour of him in August. He left his mark and it is a deserving ending to a good time, to the golden years. What is left for Singapore is to wish that the next 50 years will be just as golden but not like the phrase ‘all that glitters is not gold’.
 
On the other side of the causeway there is also a new beginning. The Sultan of Johore will be crowned today and there will be a grand celebration in a different way. And a day prior to his coronation, the Sultan has invited our PM to visit him and have tea and decide on ways to go forward for the good of people from both sides of the causeway.
Singaporeans should be grateful that the Sultan of Johore is building new residential estates for Singaporeans to escape from the exorbitant prices of homes in the city state. Where on earth can you find a head of state from a neighbouring country doing just that? It is a very generous gesture that Singaporeans should take note of and reciprocate. Just hope the federal govt will not levy more taxes and impose more rules that make buying homes and living in Johore less attractive and not worth the trouble. Putting that aside, Singapore and Johore can build a symbiotic relationship for the benefits of both states and their people. Ya, win win for all.
 
There is a breath of fresh air in the new Sultan. He is pro development and pro good Singapore Johore relations. He can see how both sides can reap all the rewards in moving ahead together, with more cooperation instead of unproductive bickerings.
 
A new era has dawned on both sides of the causeway starting on 23 Mar 15 with promises of more golden years if both sides are positive, say and do all the right things. The sun is shining bright after a long and wet downpour last night. Good signs for a fresh new start.

Lee Kuan Yew – 1923 to 2015

Another titan of post war 20th Century departs early this morning, at 3.18am official time. Not many of these giants of the late 20th Century are left now. After LKY perhaps only Kissinger is the one left alone to hold the fort in an era of great changes to rebuild nations after WW2, the struggles for independence and economic reconstruction and growth. And there was the big contest between the forces of West against Communism, the Cold War and détente and the rise of China. These were the events that consumed much of the time and life of the titans of the post war years as the 20th Century gave way to the 21st.
 
LKY and Kissinger were two of the men that were thickly involved in the happenings of world politics involving China and the USA. Now only one is left standing. The departure of LKY will put an end to an era with the final curtains drawing to a close, and a new beginning in Singapore. Before the new pages are filled, world leaders would descend upon this little island paradise to show their respect to one of the last few movers and shakers of the 20th century.
 
The SG50 Celebration will go on as planned without the architect that makes it possible. He would not be there to soak in the atmosphere like he used to do in every National Day Parade. There would probably be a minute of silence in his memory. After the party is over, it will be a real new beginning, the dawn of a new era for Singapore, a Southeast Asia without the shadow Lee Kuan Yew. And world leaders may not be seen at the Istana that often, looking for the oracle to see into the future and to be enlightened by a dose of his wisdom.
 
There is a lightness in the air, when dust returns to dust. The city state will take one week to mourn the departure of its first Prime Minister, the man credited to be the founder of modern Singapore.

SG50 - One suggestion to keep Singaporeans home

Halimah had made a plea for Singaporeans to stay home to celebrate the SG50 National Day. Knowing how practical Singaporeans are and what a great opportunity to have a very long weekend to get away, the call must be in vain. Shouldn’t have declared 7^th Aug a holiday. Not thinking surely.

The latest from the grapevine, overseas tours are 700% overbooked. Now, how many Singaporeans would be left behind to attend the National Day Celebration, this would now be a serious issue. But not to worry as the seats can always be given to foreigners, especially the foreign workers who have no where else to go. The ICA can even set up a few tables to offer instant citizenship application if the 6.9 million target is falling behind.

It would not be funny if the seats are half empty at the Marina Bay platform. It would not be funny if the SG50 Celebration is celebrated by foreigners instead and all the money spent to make the foreigners have a good time while the citizens are all overseas.

Quick, quick, come up with a solution or alternative plan. The Celebration must go on. The holiday cannot be cancelled. So how? How to keep the Singaporeans in the island short of closing down all the exit points for a week?

Let me offer a solution. Hold the GE on 7 Aug. And since voting is compulsory, they would have to cancel their holiday trips. Would they? Some would say who cares, my holiday more important. But there is a risk as the more wealthy and thus more pro establishment would be away leaving the ‘money not enough’ at home to vote. And you can guess who they will vote for. This is no good.

Anyway, just a suggestion only mah. Who is the smart ass who suggested that 7Aug should be a public holiday? Not the President for sure. He simply announced it.