Since when has Pakistan become the 52nd state?

George Bush and many US officials categorically said that if need be, the US will send their military into Pakistan to wipe out the Al Qaeda. And they is no need to inform or seek the permission of the Pakistan govt. Hmmm, when has Pakistan become a state of the US and the Americans can do anything they want in that country? Unwittingly, the US is doing a great disservice to their strongest one man ally in Pakistan, Musharraf, by undermining his standing in the eyes of Pakistanis. What kind of leader is Musharraf that the Americans can ignore him completely to operate military forces in Pakistan? Or is the US intentionally doing so to discredit him and has someone more congenial in mind to replace him? Or is Pakistan already in the complete control of the US? One thing for sure, the resistance of the Pakistanis and their anti American feelings will only grow with this kind of American rhetorics. How not to sow anti American sentiments when they do not have the slightest respect for the sovereignty of a nation?

Can bus captains think?

We have upgraded our transport system to world class quality, and going to get better with more improvement in services. Have we also been thinking about the upgraded title of bus captain and making them behave and act a bit like a captain? Though there is nothing much to expect from such captains, at least they should be able to think a little and be empowered a little to make simple decisions instead of behaving like unthinking labourers. Or they are trying to provoke the commuters to thrash them? A school girl in uniformed was made to pay adult fare insisted by the bus captain just because she forgot to bring her student pass. Even if there is an error of judgement, assuming the girl put on school uniform to cheat the bus company, how much would the bus company lose? Given the way things are, no right minded youth would want to put on a school uniform if they don't have to. And what flimsy excuse did the bus CAPTAIN gave to make the school girl pay more than she needed to? Maybe it is time to re designated bus drivers and call them something more appropriate, like bus drivers.

A different sacrifice

What is this foreign worker statue being honoured by the side of Raffles? From the look of it, it looks like a recent foreign worker with the hard hat. If this is the case, we are over exaggerating the contribution of these foreign workers to our economy. And do we owe them a debt? Who were the real workers who sacrificed their blood, sweat and tears to build this little island? The famous red hat samsui women immediately came to mind. And there were many of the living testaments still haunting the streets of Chinatown and some heartlands. Those were the real pioneers that we have taken for granted and forgotten. The Singaporean labourers and construction workers as well. Just because we are hyping about the greatness of foreign workers and foreign talents, let's not get carried away and forget our forefathers who sweated and bled for what we have today. It may be an ominous sign that the statue was knocked down as an appeasement to our forgotten and belittled forefathers, the people who really sacrificed for this island and got very little in return. They missed the good times and the millions that should be rightfully theirs. Spare a moment of your thoughts to those pioneering men and women.

You want to eat in restaurant?

The beggar asked for another dollar as $2 could not buy him a bowl of noodles. Prices of everything have gone up. The giver was annoyed. What, $2 not enough? You want to eat in the restaurant like me? Beggars cannot be chosers. They should know their station in life. Got things to eat is good enough. If they want to eat at restaurants, they must be real smart and earn smart money. Then they can snap back at beggars who ask for $1 more. Who ask them to be beggars and not smart alecs?

Old formula of success

When the economy is doing well. When there is full employment. When income is going up and up, the old formula that nothing is for free, that all govt services and essential services must operate on a profit basis seem so logical and so effective. But can the same formula continue unabated, without ill effects? The economy is still doing well, jobs are aplenty, so they said. But are the income going up and up? Yes, if one is in the top 20% of the workforce. But for many, the income increase is too little, and to many, hardly any increase, to keep up with all the increases and inflation. In fact many at the bottom are experiencing a shrinking income. The lemon has been squeezed to the point of becoming a pulp. The income of the lower end, even the self employed, have been hit by either lower revenue or higher cost. Even the taxi drivers are being squeezed by the higher cost of rental and petrol. This is a last choice occupation when all else fails. Workers, even professionals, who cannot find employment will find driving taxis and other self employed occupation as a way out. Occupations that they have to work to pay themselves. But as these people keep downgrading, lowering their expectations, they are still being constantly squeezed and their income shrinking while expenses only go up and up. The quality of life of the people at the lower end has been stagnant for many years. There were growth years and improvements in the 70s and 80s. Since the 90s, one can hardly see any betterment. All are struggling to live day to day, trying to make ends meet. And all the public services only think of nothing but hike in their fees and charges. Squeeze them dry, every drop counts.

The Malaysian Pandora Box

Abdullah Badawi came out to say that Malaysia is neither secular or theocratic. What does that mean? Najib and Mahathir said it is Islamic. PAS wants it to be Islamic. The MCA and MIC and the eastern Malaysian states claimed that the founding fathers of Malaysia wanted it to be secular. Would Malaysia be formed if it was to be an Islamic state? The answer is obvious. And the British colonial govt will not allow it. During its conception, it was plain clear to everyone that it was meant to be a secular state with every Malaysian being treated equally except for some special rights to the natives, not just to the Malays. Over the years the Bumis have shifted the goal posts gradually on the threats of another May 13 should the minorities dare to open their mouths. So what we have in Malaysia today is a state running on two principles, Islamic principles and Malay dominance. It is good that the issue is out in the open. Malaysia shall categorically state its position. If it is an Islamic state, a Malay state, or whatever, let it be clear for all and no need to beat around the bush, and everyone guessing. Once the official position is stated and adopted in the Constitution, then so be it. Those who accept it stays. Those who cannot agree with it leave. Only then will Malaysia be allowed to progress in its own chosen path without threats of racial or religious bloodbath. The Malaysians must know what kind of constitution and state principles they are supposed to live by.

NKF story - Knowing shame

The scripture says, 'fearing God is the sign of wisdom.' In life, knowing shame is a sign of honesty. Richard Yong is the first member of the old NKF Board that has apologised, according to his new lawyer, and he is also asking the gullible public, who were betrayed and hurt in the course of events, to forgive him. For a person who has done wrong and asking for forgiveness is a way of acknowledging his wrongs and feeling guilty about it. At least Richard Yong has come about to know that what he had done were wrong and shameful. It is now left to the victims to forgive him. For those who have done no wrong, there is no need to apologise nor any need to ask for forgiveness. It is the fault of the gullible public to be snooked. So do not blame the clever from cheating the public. This reminds me of what the Japanese told the Sick Man of Asia that it was China's fault for being weak. For weakness invites one to be raped. It was China's fault that Japan invaded and tried to colonise it. There is no need to apologise for the invasion.