Characteristics of a 3rd World country

I would not attempt to define what a 3^rd World country is as the definition would be as controversial, subjective and debatable. But I think many would agree that there are some features that are common to 3^rd World countries that we can agree with. Let me throw up some of these features here and see how many of them are already happening in out 1^st World city.

 

1.     Exceptionally wide income gap or high Gini coefficient number.

2.     High inflation and diminishing monetary value.

3.     High numbers of poor and uneducated people in the population(foreigners included).

4.     Fancy for forms or vanity projects.

5.     Fancy for mega projects that cost billions of dollars.

6.     High crime rate with murders and death happening almost daily.

7.     Cheatings and scams quite prevalent.

8.     Rioting and burning of vehicles in the streets.

9.     Littering.

10.   People eating and drinking on the streets.

11.   Sense of insecurity. This is increasing daily.

12.   Govt leaders only talking cock about grandeurs.

13.   Self serving govt leaders.

14.   Control of the media.

15.   Suppressing dissent.

16.   High corruption, legal or illegal.

17.   Govt squandering public money foolishly on parties after parties.

18.   Top jobs taken over the foreigners.

19.   Govt trusts foreigners more than the locals.

20.   High unemployment or graduates being jobless.

21.   Govt leaders using public money for useless state visits.

22.   Abuse of govt authority and govt offices and officers.

23.   Cronyism and nepotism.

24.   Some kinds of dictatorship or authoritarian state.

25.   Control of media and freedom of expression.

26.   A deep sense of fear of authority.

I think there are many more features but suffice to say that the main features above are adequate to define a 3^rd World country.

Shame on Sinkies

I read three comments in ST Premium or online on the degeneration of the state of affair in the city. A point made by a Pavithran Vidyadharan on our poor social behaviour, and I quote,  ‘Our poor social graces in MRT trains and on the roads may be a result of our material success - we have unwittingly become arrogant and self-centred.’

Though I may take this with a pinch of salt as the majority of commuters are foreigners rather than Sinkies, it still highlighted the fact that social behaviour in trains and roads are much to be desired in this city. In the case of behaviour on the road, we have crazy and rude foreigners thinking that this is their colony and daring Sinkie motorists to run them down with their cars when they rode wildly on the roads. Then we have mad drivers in their Ferraris and Lamborghinis turning the roads into their race tracks.

The second comment was by a Murali Sharma who said, ‘It is appalling
that despite all the rubbish bins around, the tarmac could not be seen for the litter after the New Year countdown party ("After the party ends... there's the rubbish"; Thursday).

Singapore has held cleanliness campaigns for at least 4 decades
and there are anti-littering measures, including fines, in place.

Yet, people still throw vast amounts of rubbish with abandon at mass functions.’

Again I am not sure how many of those littering or throwing killer litters from the flat were Sinkies or foreigners, but it is a strong point that a 1^st World country cannot have people behaving like those in 3^rd World when such things are normal.

And the third writer, a M. Lukshumayeh said that patience and intolerance were lacking in this city and he said, ‘Taking a lift in Singapore really highlights the lack of patience, tolerance and consideration in society.
Many lift users would enter the lift and immediately press the "door close" button.’
I think he has his point. But being new here and coming from somewhere where lifts may not be a common feature, I am presuming, just like him, he needs to understand why people would want to close the lift quickly than to wait for the crowd to squeeze into the lift. There is a safety consideration especially for the women folks who are uncomfortable alone with strangers. There are other factors too that make people want to close the lift quickly. In countries where people are comfortable squeezing with strangers in a crowded lift or train, they may find Sinkie behaviour unfriendly.
What is notable is that the three writers are highly likely to be new here, other than Sharma, and already find such behaviour unacceptable. They must have been living in 1^st World cities and got used to the graceful behaviour of what a 1^st World should be like and take offence at 3^rd World attitude. They may not know that Sin City has returned to the 3^rd World in many aspects as it is not easy to integrate or educate 3^rd World people to behave like 1^st World. And the thing is that Sinkies are integrating and becoming more like the 3^rd World instead of the 3^rd World people coming here and becoming like 1^st World. And in many parts of the island, you won’t even think that you are in Singapore.
I must thank the three writers for their observations and Sinkies must feel ashamed of themselves. And greatly so too when visitors or new residents could find the behaviours offensive and have no place in a 1^st World city. Or shall I say actually the unruly and offensive behaviours are committed by the 3^rd World people here and shitty Sinkies got the blame?

What the future lies for Singapore?

‘Ivan Heng criticised the national broadcaster for a show which he felt was not inclusive of Singaporeans from different races and cultures.

Describing the programme as “cheena”, the Singaporean theatre actor and director also said in the post that he “kept flipping channels to double-check to see if I was watching Channel 8 or CTV (referring to China Central Television)".

He also mentioned that “Malays, Indians, Eurasians, Peranakans and not to mention the dozens of other races and nationalities who today call Singapore their country and home” were left out.’

The above comment by Ivan Heng is a reflection of the type of Sinkies we have here. Some Sinkies have morphed into another breed that is definitely not ‘cheena’ but kind of a half breed, a bit angmoh and a bit dunno what. It is important that Mediacorp understand this development and that not all Chinese Sinkies are Chinese or see themselves as of Chinese origin. In some sense they even feel infuriated to be associated with anything Chinese or cheena. The sensitivities of this breed must be taken into recognition to avoid offending them and their pride as a different breed.

But this is only a small deviation from the norm. What lies in the future is the influx of so many foreigners that would make demands on any national events or TV programming. If we keep on prostituting ourselves and allowed all kinds of foreigners to become citizens, our four official languages or racial groups, now plus a ‘non cheena’ group appearing, would have to be expanded to include PRC or cheena Chinese, Northern Indians and Pinoys and maybe Thais and Myanmar as well. These new citizens would, in a matter of time, demand to be treated equally, and the content of our National Day Celebration or TV programmes or TV Channels must accommodate their existence, and their rights to them.

Is this what we want, more than 4 official languages not enough, more than for major racial groups not enough problems, that we want more and more, especially of the shitty kind? Where are we going as a country, as a nation? Are we being led by the blind or by the daft? Is the silly Pied Piper leading us to the edge of the cliff of no return?

What would PAP be fighting and defending?

The PAP came out of a convention with a new resolution and a new resolve to fight for what they believed in. This was to be the news of the day but eclipsed by the Little India riot.  Everyone’s attention was diverted to the violence on the streets and this great convention just disappeared into thin air without attracting any interest other than Chan Chun Sing wanting to take the war to every corner of the island.  That was the juicy bit that still lingers in the air. The only article on this convention came from Dr Wong Wee Nam but still did not catch too much of an attention when there were so many exciting news event to capture the emotions of the people.

What was the convention all about? Other than the airy ideas of a 6 point resolution which was a brush up of the original resolution, the PAP made a war cry that they would defend what they believe in, their positions and policies. What are these beliefs in concrete terms?

Is the PAP going to defend the high influx of foreigners and the 6.9m population target in 2030?

Is the PAP going to defend the high cost of living, high property prices, high medical fees, high education fees?

Is the PAP going to defend the lost of jobs by local PMEs and being replaced by foreigners?

Is the PAP going to defend the ultra high ministerial pay system that is hanging like a giant millstone on the neck of an albatross?

Is the PAP going to defend the big numbers of scholarships given to foreigners?

Is the PAP going to defend the big numbers of FTs in high places, like CEOs and professorship/lecturers in the academia?

Is the PAP going to defend the diminishing Singaporean core by bringing in more foreigners and issuing them with citizenships?

Is the PAP still going to deprive true blue citizens from buying a HDB flat with all its nonsensical rulings?

How would all the above fit into the 6 point resolution? Or is the 6 point resolution another airy idealistic aspiration to be spoken and forgotten. What is real in the resolution that benefits the true blue Singaporeans? It is very important to use the term true blue as there are many new citizens conveniently given the pink ic to reap the fruits that our parents and forefathers have planted without sweating the small stuff, and got the gall to claim credit for everything here.

Secession in Thailand

This thought must be in the minds of the Thais for a long time but not spoken. Finally it is in their lips and openly spoken as an option to the political crisis. The Yingluck govt may be appearing soft and may be taken for granted by the Democrats and the Bangkok elite. But beneath this apparent weakness and inaction is a very powerful message. It exposes the real thugs and trouble makers and how these people are out to destroy Thailand at all costs. Thailand can be led into turmoil with blood and bodies on the street to achieve their political goals with the support of the minority in Bangkok. The protestors are ignoring all reasons and sensibilities and the welfare of the Thai people. They just want to grab power.

The Yellow shirts are proving themselves to be unreasonable political thugs. The Red Shirts, being the real majority, are now the sensible party, cool, composed, non violent and seeking a govt to be elected constitutionally and democratically by the people. They have been patient and restrained and avoiding a direct and bloody clash with the Yellow Shirts. They are not going to give the army a reason or a chance to stage a coup against a popularly elected govt.

What is the next step or change of event? There could still be a coup or a revolt by the Democrats and the Bangkok elite. What are the options available to the Red Shirts and the majority of the Thais in the rural north? A direct confrontation is possible but this would only lead to more bloodshed and lost of lives and properties. Bangkok and Thailand could be burnt down, shut down. This is an option that the Red Shirts have shown to want to avoid.

A possible option is secession and with Thailand breaking up with the North under the Red Shirts and Bangkok and the South under the Yellow Shirts. Such an alternative could or could not see a civil war. The military could be split and how they would make up is still uncertain. If they are willing to part the country to avoid an open conflict, this secession option could be an ideal option to the impasse. They could still opt to start a civil war that would destroy Thailand and the Thai people. The blood letting would be unprecedented. The cost is huge and would cripple Thailand and not desirable to all Thais.

Which course would the Thais choose if force to decide when the Yingluck govt is forcefully dethroned? The Red Shirts would not take it lightly and would be forced to take a stand. And they are in the majority and have the northern Thaliand on their side. They are playing their cards close to their chest and have so far refrained from posing a direct challenge to the Yellow Shirts. Would the Yellow Shirts believe they have the support of all the Thais and push for a climatic change through the use of violence?

Would Thailand turn into a battle ground for the Thais to fight one another, or would the lesser evil of a parting of the two camps in peace? The Yellow Shirts are stubbornly holding on to an unyielding position, either accept their way or fight. The Red Shirts are trying to negotiate for a compromise without resorting to violence. This only emboldens the Yellow Shirts to dig in thinking that they have the upper hand. Either the Red Shirts be forced to fight or to take the break away path to minimize the casualties on both sides.

What is the greatest blooper of 2013?

2013 shall be remembered as a very eventful year till the very last day with the massive jam caused by the most expensive crooked expressway in the world. This is kind of hard to beat really. But through the years there were several other outstanding events that really shook this little island like a little tsunami.
 
Let me recall, the two high level corruption cases involving top civil servants when money was still not enough to stop them from being corrupt. In both cases it wasn’t money that led them astray. This may call for a rethink on what else is needed to keep officers in public service clean short of recruiting monks and priests for the job.
This was followed closely with a long list of luminaries involved in underage sex with a nymph. Quite shocking that this happened in such a scale and involving so many prominent people, including the scions of famous clans.
 
The courts really were doing roaring businesses with God’s money being passed around in circles that were called round trippings. And poor God had to apologise to his dear messenger for the mess and putting him under the authority of human judges.
The headless body and the numerous crimes were pale in comparison to these events and the Little India riot that saw policemen running for their lives and their vehicles overturned and burnt. It turned out that the culprit was alcohol.
 
Would the challenge by a cleaner threatening to take the PM to court over some acts in the Election Law be considered another great blooper? Or would the Presidential Election when the elected President won by the skin of the teeth and with barely 35% of the popular votes be considered a bewilderment? The discovery of election boxes left behind in a school months after the Presidential Election did raise some eye brows and must surely be a worthy blooper of the year. Or would a top notch talent of the ruling party losing to an unknown ordinary female candidate be earth shaking enough to be included as a big blooper?
 
What about the Rolls Royce equivalent folding bicycles for the comfort of rangers to patrol the parks in the garden in a city? And to top the issue of corruption there was a deputy director of the CPIB being charge for corruption.
 
What else is equally worthy? The contents of a minute about cleaning of hawker centre or a $2 company buying a customized software and selling it at a friendship price may also be good choices vying for the blooper of the year award.
 
What other hilarious or nightmarish events that could draw the oohs and aahs from the people with comments like, ‘like this also can’? Would it be the PWP, Natcon, or the frequency of train breakdowns with the new Downtown Line breaking down on its first day of operation?
 
What do you think? Which event is truly deserving of being awarded the Blooper of the Year Award? I almost forgot about the Messiah, or is it the owl, and the sudden downtime of govt websites for maintenance, the Media Acts to control social media. There are just so many interesting and outrageous events that made 2013 a really eventful and memorable year. And the haze, oh it reminds me of you know what. And the list could go on.
 
What would you think deserve the honour of being the Blooper of the Year?

A lesson from the Rakhine state in Myanmar

There is a documentary serial in Channel News Asia hosted by a Dr Farish Noor called Cross Borders. His last episode was on Myanmar and he visited the Rakhine state where the Rohingyas lived. The Rohingyas are muslims and originated from Bangladesh. They are very different from the Buddhist Myanmese in look, culture, religion and way of life.
 
There is an on going war or persecution against the Rohingyas by some sectors of the Myanmese population. The Rohingyas are not welcomed by both states of Bangladesh and Myanmar. Many are running away, risking their lives as boat people rather than remaining in Rakhine. They are not wanted by Bangladesh as well. And they are lucky if they survived their journey by small fishing boats.
 
What makes the Rohingyas intolerable to the Myanmese is their claim for an independent state from Myanmar. No Myanmese govt is going to carve out a piece of their land for them for sure. They are not Myanmese but migrants from neighbouring Bangladesh, some kind of equivalent to the untouchables of India.
 
At the end of the documentary, Dr Farish expressed his gratefulness for having a country to go back to. The Rohingyas are people without a country.
 
What is the lesson to be learnt? Sinkies better treasure this little island they have and called home. And they deserved to be boat people if they are careless, complacent and disinterested in protecting their rights as citizens of this island. The silliness of inviting so many foreigners as citizens could one day be the source of their own downfall and be evicted out of this island, their homeland.
 
The lesson of Rakhine is that when a group of people becomes big enough, with a critical mass, they are going to demand for more rights as a group. They would demand for recognition for their way of life, language, culture, a TV channel and religion, and in the case of the Rohingyas, a separate state. If we mindlessly and irresponsibly allow so many foreigners to come into our homeland, one day they are going to make demands on us when they are big enough and to stake a claim to this land.
 
By then all the kpkb would be useless, futile. By then, Sinkies would have to fight for every inch of their land and every privilege as citizens of this island with these foreigners turned citizens.
 
Do not be complacent, do not be stupid and give up your rights to this land so easily. Do not be daft. Do not be conned by the daft against your interests. You will pay a very heavy price for it. Your children will curse you for your stupidity and indifference when you can stop the change, when you can stop losing your country to foreigners.

It is not easy to have a country of our own. Bringing in foreigners is as good as giving a part of our country to them, giving our country away. It is not as innocent as you think. The consequences are far reaching and very serious to our own well being.

PS: And don't forget your kopi. According to google my kopi level is at a critically low level. Just spare me 10 sec will do.

Thanks.