Presidency of Reservations.

Its been a long time since I wrote anything here. And I really wish I can "not need" to write any more "complains" against the PAP. Keeping quiet through all the nonsense over the past 2 years, this one is really one that I cannot take it.

Halimah is President.

The problem however is not with her. The problem is how she is "elected".

It is virtually absolute in sentiments on the ground that the entire "reserved presidency" was created by the PAP to bar Tan Cheng Bock from running. From how they count Wee Kim Wee as the "first elected President" to how they raised the bar to half a billion in managed asset - it created an unassailable criteria that left virtually no Malays being able to qualify for, barring a small handful.

Across all the social media channels, almost no one is celebrating and no one is happy about this. This election had been easily 10 times more gloomy than SR Nathan running uncontested. A great number is calling this election "Kelong". How can the PAP "defend" with the sort of "dignity"and "righteousness" by saying that took a political risk to do they right thing?

Not even the Malays are happy that they are a recipient of an affirmative action that they were taught all their lives that we are better than Malaysia; that we are better than this - that the Malays do not need more than what they already getting - they have the pride to tell their Malaysian counterparts that they made it on their own. But no longer.

If this racial representation is so important, why do we not have the same rules for the Prime Minister's position? Why the insistent that Singapore is not ready for a Non-Chinese Prime Minister? Everyone knows we would choose Tharman over any of the candidates for the next Prime Minister.

Halimah, serving as the "Deputy Secretary General, Director of the Legal Services Department and Director of the Women's Development Secretariat, of NTUC", does not put her in charge of the finance of NTUC. How is she qualified to be the President when the main job is to manage the country's reserves?

What if there is a billion dollar MNC, creating a position call "Director of Jokes", whose job is a executive role of just entertaining everyone in the boardroom - then run for the Presidency - he/she would still be qualified!

What is the point of an elected Presidency when all the PAP want is just to place their own people on the seat? If that is really the case, then why not just scrap the entire Elected Presidency and just appoint anyone that's qualified. Seriously, Singaporeans don't really care; we are not "democratically starved" - we just want to be treated with dignity and respect - not all these condescending political moves that treats the people of Singapore like as if we are idiots. We do not care if its appointed or its elected, we just want qualified people on it.

The same as for the General Elections, we do not like the PAP's attitude, but we nevertheless elect the best candidates in our respective wards that we believe can bring our country forward. We are pragmatic and meritocrats ourselves, the people. But to pull this reserve presidential elections joke on us, just to bar a popular choice for President from running, man... PAP, you just gave up much more for too little. 因小失大。

The strategic mistake for this Presidential Election, the fumble, is the same nonsense the mars the legacy of LKY for all the stupid reasons given not to tear down the 38 Oxley Road; its the same missteps that caught us in the crosshair of China; its the same mistake that caught us out in the open when Philippines left us for dead when we tried to speak for them.

This 1 stupid move is going to cost PAP, and Singapore, greatly, in the near future. The people are not happy - it could very well spawn the birth of a new political party that would surpass even the Worker's Party. I do not know who this new party is - but I'm sure there will be Singaporeans, very qualified Singaporeans, that could not stomach things anymore.

We shall see.

ANSWER TO WHY HDB SO EXPENSIVE

The biggest problem is that while HDB thinks that they are pricing to the market price, the market is actually looking at HDB prices to price their Real Estate.

Imagine I am the real estate company, and my condo is priced at 125% of what a similar size apartment by HDB (meaning HDB would cost 80% of the condo). And then HDB happen to decide that HDB apartments will be priced at 85% of the price of the condo. <--- so who win? both will just keep increasing their pricing to match their reference price.

Developer: Okay, my condo will cost 100k since the HDB apartment is 80k
HDB - 80k
Condo - (new) 100k

Garmen: Wah, market price increase liao. Cannot cannot cannot, we need to peg to market price!
Condo - 100k
HDB - (new) 85k

Developer: Wah, cannot lah... HDB already at this price liao. We need to adjust accordingly.
HDB - 85k
Condo - (new) 106.25k

Garmen: Wah, market price increase again. No choice.
Condo - 106.25k
HDB - (new) 90.3k

Developer: CCB.... this HDB want to push us out of business is it? HIKE HIKE HIKE!!!
HDB - 90.3k
Condo - (new) 112.9k

Garmen: We are very concern abt the housing situation, and we will be monitoring the real estate prices closely. (hiu lan lah, set to the market price!)
Condo - 112.9k
HDB - (new) 95.9k

Fiance to Fiancee: I think we can call of the wedding liao...

Developer: wah lao eh... HDB very tmd.... keep increasing, my show room no one come liao. But we cannot degrade our brand and lower the price. CHIONG AH!
HDB - 95.9k
Condo - (new) 119.9k

ChannelNewsAsia: The Singapore Property Market had yet raised for the 8th straight months since the start of the years. Market Analyst are expressing deep concern with the possibility of the housing bubble developing in Singapore.

Garmen: We will be implementing various cooling measures to control the housing prices, and we will continue to monitor closely in the coming months (must do something liao, set the HDB price to 84% of the Condo)
Condo - 119.9k
HDB - (new) 100.7k

Developer: We will not surrender! HDB 100k, we must go higher!
HDB - 100.7k
Condo - (new) 125.9k

Singaporeans: lets vote for the Opposition... cannot tahan liaoz.....

ChannelNewsAsia: PAP had lost Aljunied GRC to WP. This marks a new beginning in Singapore politics, and for the first time in donkeys years, we have more than 5 Opposition MPs in the Parliament.

Garmen: Law by Law.
Condo - 125.9k
HDB - (new) 105.7k

Singaporeans: ..........

[Youth Quake Reaction] Youth Parliament in Singapore?

I attended the Youth Quake discussion on yesterday at the WP HQ, titled: "Youthquake: Is there Space for a Youth Parliament?"

I came in pretty late, but still managed to catch at least 30 mins of the "debate".

There were talks and issues raised about how the youth MP should be elected, what segmentation should be used to select the youths to be represented, many emphasis on representation, talks abt how it could be a grooming ground for future MPs, whether it should be held at the actual parliament house, etc...

I did not speak, as I thought I might raise the same questions as someone else or issues that is already discussed while I was still on my way there. But one stark problem about the discussion persisted and disturbs me the entire time I was there listening: the lack of fundamentals.

Running a country in a macro-scale (read: actual government) involves the most important pillars of life: food, shelter, clothing, healthcare, leisure/rest, education and transportation. As long as all these pillars are fulfilled: meaning everyone can earn enough to pay for food, shelter, healthcare, transportation and lastly clothing and leisure as well as good access to good education- you can be assured you will be in power for a long time to come (thats how PAP under LKY, and subsequently inherited by GCT and now LHL had managed to dominate the Singapore Politics for so long).

Thus for every policy and initiatives set out by the government, its MUST fulfilled one of the above mentioned pillars (meaning it will benefit the citizens) or it must help to boost the economy of Singapore (which in turns boost the earning of Singaporeans - theoretically). So where does having Youth Parliament stands in this context?

If its like what I heard in the discussion - its really nothing more than just a political brainwash of the youth to become more "political" (than politically aware) and for that handful to become egoistic because of their perceived "power" in holding that Youth MP seat (which, in accordance to what was discussed, likely to end up having the same group of youth dominating those seats).

Someone quoted an example of how a Youth Assembly was tested in Malaysia, which was dominated by the youth from the various political parties; to avoid it becoming to partisan, the rule changed it to be non-political - the same group of youth turned up, this time round, representing their schools. <--- this is exactly what will happen if we go down the route of having a Youth Parliament without a anchoring fundamental - What is the purpose of a Youth Parliament?

Some had argued that the Youth Parliament is to give power to the youth, to give the youth the voice to speak out and be heard; for the adults to take the youth more seriously and allow the youth to contribute to the proceedings and policy shaping in the Real Parliament, etc... - I totally DO NOT concur with this "fundamental" of having a Youth Parliament. It does not do economical good, does not keep food price or housing price low, does not make transportation better and cheaper, does not earn Singaporeans more money, does not pay for our ever increasing healthcare cost.... so whats left is education. But what kindda education is there in the above mentioned "purposes" - it more likely to create more Chee Soon Quans than Low Thia Kiangs or Lee Kuan Yews.

But also because the establishment of a Youth Parliament cannot apply to any of the pillars except Education; THEN EDUCATION MUST be the focus of having a Youth Parliament.

So what do you want to educate the youths of Singapore, through having a Youth Parliament?

To me, there are several things youths can learn through a sitting in a Youth Parliament: 
- Critical Thinking (to above to see thru the haze and be constructive)
- Understanding how policies are made and shaped
- Understanding the hidden currents and hidden costs behind every policies that is crafted
- To allow the youth to think for the greater good
- To tap on the youth's creativity, thus to propose creative solutions that can be implemented by the government
- To allow the youth to become more politically aware (not becoming more political. its different)

Youth Parliament should be like what Internship for students are. It should be to experience what it is like to be in that position, understand the difficulties, the hidden problems - all in all, as an education.

Any talk abt electing the kids to the youth parliament, giving them power, telling them to discuss national issues which they would not understand the magnitude at their age, without guidance from actual MPs that were elected into the real parliament - would be prematured.

And if this is to be implemented, the Youth Parliament should be a mass participation initiatives, that every week or every session, the youths that fills up the seats are always changing and different. We do not want clouts or the same individual turning up all the time - it should never be a place to be grooming politicians. Perhaps it can be run by the People's Association or the Ministry of Education. It can also be run according to educational level, where you will not have a 14 year old (sec 2) debating against a 22 year old (undergrad).


IN CONCLUSION: Any establishment of the Youth Parliament must be of the right reasons and fundamentals. As long as it does not fulfill any pillars of life or of economic good - its can only be of the wrong reasons: of individual/partisan interest <--- which we must avoid at all cost.

National Day flagcounts...

Its the National Day, but looking out from my window, at all the HDB flats - look at the number of household whom got hang the national flag, you know something is wrong....

Someone (a friend) commented, "if singaporean only hang during the national day, so does it mean they love the country only for a day?"

But is the question so simplistic?

There is 2 "simple" explanation: Either ppl dun bother to put (in an innocent way, like what happened to my household), or in a more political sense, ppl arent "thriving" nowadays.

"is the question so simplistic?"

To suggest that what was mentioned by my friend: is to move the entire talk down to a specific that is not debatable and is presumptuous on that the only reason ppl hang is because they love the country. I sincerely believe most Singaporeans loves Singapore a lot.

I'm making the statement (my status update) because it is something I have been observing closely over the years (as I'm a super patriot); from the days we first started having this flag hanging thing in the 90s, where everybody hangs up the flag (literally everyone voluntarily) - coincidentally a time where people are generally very happy with the government, and people are happy in general.

"This year is the one of the worst I observed, where on National Day, only 5% of the ppl are hanging the flag"

But over the years, are things start to get gloomier, prices rises, life get more difficult, incomes/salaries are stiff... you noticed less and less ppl starting to put up the flags. (although we cannot deny the every possibility that in the 90s, hanging flag is popular because of it novelty or maybe because there are too many foreigners nowadays whom dun really care, living in the hdb estates).

This year is the one of the worst I observed, where on National Day, only 5% of the ppl are hanging the flag (based on my vantage point outside my house). Those which have near 100% hanged are always because the RC members come and hang themselves (and they stole my flag when they collected all their flags, along with my one I hanged myself - a few national days ago...)

"and they (RC members) stole my flag when they collected all their flags, along with my one I hanged myself - a few national days ago..."

Something is obviously wrong. The question that beckons is, what's wrong?

PAP's GE2011 PR Catastrophe

PM Lee's Day Rally Speech

"I feel sad for the PAP... literally.

....I was expecting much more from our Ruling party."

Today, our Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong apologised for the mistakes made by the PAP over the last 5 years, ranging from Mas Selamat's escape to the floodings and also the shortage of HDB flats built. And overall, it wasnt a bad speech either!

Objectively, its wasn't a bad thing, to apologise and admit one's mistake is admirable and respectful. But what is wrong, is the timing. He cannot choose a worse time to admit to PAP's imperfection and existence of gaffes & mistakes.

"what is wrong, is the timing. He cannot choose a worse time to admit to PAP's imperfection and existence of gaffes & mistakes."

Throughout the past 5 years, for every big incident/disaster, PAP's ministers kept quiet; pushing the blame away, and blatantly unrepentant about the problem that absolutely made under their jurisdiction. None of these PAP ppl admit to any mistakes and none of them, astonishingly, apologised at all.

Fast forward to today, in the red hot middle of the Elections period; of all the time and days in the world, PM Lee decided to apologise today. What a big mistake....

PAP's ministers kept quiet; pushing the blame away, and blatantly unrepentant about the problem that absolutely made under their jurisdiction. None of these PAP ppl admit to any mistakes and none of them, astonishingly, apologised at all.

Now, all the Oppositions jumped on his admission and trampled all over his effort to pull those former PAP supporters back to supporting the PAP.

There can only be 2 good time to apologise. FIRST, and as always the best policy, is to apologise IMMEDIATELY when the disaster strikes, regardless any investigation had been made or whether the fault is on "him" (as to the person in charge) or not. Which the PAP did not...

The only other good time, is when PAP returns to power on Election Day, re-elected once again, gaining the mandate of the people. PM Lee could have triumphantly thank the People of Singapore for keeping faith in the PAP, despite all the mistakes and gaffes that the PAP had made, and to promise the Singaporeans that PAP will do better this term.

PM Lee could have triumphantly thank the People of Singapore for keeping faith in the PAP, despite all the mistakes and gaffes that the PAP had made, and to promise the Singaporeans that PAP will do better this term.

But no........... he chose today.


This entire incident, together with all the other "self foot shooting" speeches/interviews, poor understanding of what will tick the heart strings of the people and gutter politicking shows that the PAP is poorly prepared for this General Elections, despite being the one deciding when it would take place.

PAP is the most powerful, richest and most resourceful Party in Singapore. They are the people who run the show in Singapore and the leaders whom are supposed to lead Singapore to a brighter future. But General Elections, probably the most important event on any PAP calendar, had suffered with such poor PR strategies and skills (public relations).

The various PAP teams do not seemed to be sharing the same ideology or election message; SM Goh shoots Wong Kan Seng just to protect George Yeo's butt (which at the same time, shoot every single other ministers); Every PAP speech sounds so scripted, too much macro talk, little substance and many fails to touch the heart of the people. Not to mention, failing to provide the plans and solutions for the problem they created themselves (which they in turn blame the world for it).

As a Singaporean, I totally concede that no matter what happen at the polls, PAP is definitely going to return back to power as a Majority. But the abysmal PR by the PAP highlights how weak, unprepared and disorganised PAP could become; especially in the face of such brilliant PR and organisational abilities shown by virtually all the Oppositions parties.

And thus, with the prospect of another 5 years under the PAP leadership, I'm really worried how well PAP could do, especially for the People of Singapore, when they can't even give a good clean fight against the Oppositions...

"the abysmal PR by the PAP highlights how weak, unprepared and disorganised PAP could become; especially in the face of such brilliant PR and organisational abilities shown by virtually all the Oppositions parties."

I really hope PAP would buck up... They had disappointed me in the way their fight had gone (despite me backing the Oppositions); I was expecting much more from our Ruling party.

I feel sad for the PAP... literally.

(Doesn't make sense since I'm taking the Oppositions' side, but really... I feel genuinely emotionally sad at the state of affairs of PAP)

The Regime of Fear and its Toll.

Posting in support of the Opposition here, and on a personal level of Facebook apparently taken its toll on the people around me, and the people who cares for me.

The amount of pressure and risk taken by the Opposition candidate are thus beyond what I can imagine.

Just still 5 days from the Polling Day, my love one already pleading me to stop my campaigning for Opposition support. I do not fear (since I do not attack personalities thus dun run the risk of lawsuits), but fear strikes those who cares of those that are campaigning against the Ruling Party.

This regime of fear, and the perpetration of the fear of the PAP had reached a point where, it suddenly felt like the 1960s and 1970s all over again. It reminds me of the time where Mr Lee Kuan Yew consolidates his power through amazing political maneuvers as well as hard stances/actions against its opponents. Although I'm not in irk with what was done, because all along history, great leaders make hard and difficult decisions for the good of the majority. Churchill sent Allied Troops up the Normandy against one of the most fortified regions in Europe; Emperor Han Wu Di consolidated power thru his patience and foresight, making countless tough decisions.

But in today's context, the existence of the "fear factor" is disappointing. And to think that we are in a democracy, the existence of fear of the PAP is ridiculous and at the same thing, distraughting.

PAP will come back to power at the end of Election Day, that is for sure. I can only hope that PAP will take a bit more effort, fill in the gap that left behind in their pursue of revenue and GDP growth and get back some of the lost trust Singaporeans have had in them.

At least 1/3 of the Singaporeans are disappointed with the PAP, despite I know PAP do not need their vote (PAP only need 51% to win); I hope PAP would do the right thing, a good political party would do.

Who should the one providing the Future Plans of Singapore?

Honestly, I'm very disappointed with the way how the election is going so far because until today, just 5 days from Polling Day, I still dunno what are the macro plans PAP have for Singapore. I still dunno HOW PAP is going to tackle of the issues that had arise from PAP's last 5 years in power.

What more joke-able, is that so many People of Singapore are scrutinizing the plans and proposals from the Opposition... Do you know that MM Lee, SM Goh and PM Lee might be laughing at this "game" thats happening, and we the Singaporeans are really as daft as they believe?

"MM Lee, SM Goh and PM Lee might be laughing at this "game" thats happening, and we the Singaporeans are really as daft as they believe?"

I can't really stress enough: NO OPPOSITION PLANS WILL GET THE GO AHEAD FROM THE PAP (if PAP returns to power as a Majority Party).

I repeat again: PAP WILL NOT GIVE POLITICAL TOKENS TO THE OPPOSITION TO FULFILL THEIR ELECTION PROMISES.

I still have to say again: OPPOSITION PLANS MEANS NOTHING WITHOUT PAP'S BLESSING!



SO... why the hell are you still reading and finger pointing the proposals and points made by the Opposition which you think will not work for Singapore? Dun you think its a bit too early to scrutinize the Opposition for a credible alternative plan when everyone knows that the PAP will return to power with a massive majority ultimately in this election?


ONLY THE PAP's PLANS WILL GO THROUGH. And so, this question beckons: What is PAP's future plan for Singapore? How are the PAP going to deal with all the issues that faces Singaporeans today?



...........* silence *.............

"Why would the PAP stop what they had been doing for the past 5-15 years when their plans are planned up to 25 years in advance and had been working extremely well for them and their "report card"?"

Honestly, you know why PAP is so quiet? Because they CANNOT reveal their plans to you.... because...
- they intend to continue to bring in more foreigners
- increase the population in Singapore to 6.5 million
- continue to build more ERPs
- continue to raise their salary
- continue to raise GST to 10% for some stupid reason
- continue to let HDB prices balloon
- continue to control the number of HDB built to create a scarcity to push the prices up
- continue to give more scholarships to foreigners together with allowances
- continue to set up work fairs in China to attract for Foreigners
- continue to raise transport fees to keep the transport companies profitable
- continue to allow medical fee to increase to keep the hospitals profitable (or more profitable)
- etc...

You get my drift? Why would the PAP stop what they had been doing for the past 5-15 years when their plans are planned up to 25 years in advance and had been working extremely well for them and their "report card"?

Nothing will change under PAP in the next 5 years. Mark my words. NOTHING will change.

The Addiction of the "Cheap Foreign Labour" Drug

The latest hoo-ha for the recent days had been about the 2011 Budget, as well as the fierce debate about the relentless dependant on Foreign Labour in our work force.

On one side of the debate, "supporters" are saying things that are inline with what the PAP is advocating: that we Singaporeans should up one ante and go up the value chain instead on stagnating at our comfort zone.

One example I quote: "If more jobs are going to foreigners, we should reflect on why we are getting less competitive in the job market, compared to complaining about the government policies. The demand comes from the companies as there is a lack of talent almost everywhere. Why is the debate always centered around foreign talent being "cheap"? Closing the door is only going to lead us to death."

"The demand comes from the companies as there is a lack of talent almost everywhere. Why is the debate always centered around foreign talent being "cheap"? Closing the door is only going to lead us to death."

But on the other side (which I'm probably on), people are arguing that the Government's tweaking of the economy is causing things to go haywire and that its just an "easy/lazy" solution to pump up the GDP.

I quote: "If so, all the more PAP should not interfere the labour market. Let the labour market correct on its own based on supply and demand. If local engin supply is low, firms will have to increase wages to a level to attract back the supply, which will also allow Singapore to build its own local talents accordingly in that niche area. Instead of spending efforts to make engineering a more lucrative career, the PAP takes the shortcut, importing cheap labour from China and India, suppressing the local engineering wages. There's a limit to how many ppl u can fill up in this little island and the result is over-reliance on foreigners- a habit once addicted cannot be kick. And, once the foreigners made enough, they move back to their country while there are firms abusing this cheap foreign labour policy. What's the point of having locals in managing role whom only knows how to "talk" but cannot do real work? My view is such economic model may not be sustainable over the long run. What innovation hub can u create out of a labour system like this?

Go take a look at the welders, the technicians, the construction workers in Australia, for example. Why they can gets locals to fill up and why Singapore can't. It's addiction."

"My view is such economic model may not be sustainable over the long run. What innovation hub can u create out of a labour system like this?"

The thing is that, the existence of Cheap Foreign Labour is similar to the use of Drugs. Its an addiction thats difficult to kick, and had been served by the PAP for the past 10 years. Today, many of companies today are addicted and very dependant on Cheap Foreign Labour, and locals whom are doing the same job are relegated to excepting the "inevitable" and had to accept stagnation or even decrease of salary just to keep up.

I'm not too how much "upgrading" can do to actually increase your salary in most of the industry. Take my profession as a designer. I'm competing with foreigners whom are willing to take up lower than market-rate pays, just to secure a job and hopefully gain PR status very soon (many of them graduated in Singapore). And take your imagination on a ride, how different can a designer's job be or "advanced"; as an employer, you are given a chance to hire a cheaper worker - you would do it!

"And take your imagination on a ride, how different can a designer's job be or "advanced"; as an employer, you are given a chance to hire a cheaper worker - you would do it!"

A company or business owner have little incentive to "invest" in human resource when the margins can be increased just by sacrificing local workers and hire foreign ones (despite the increase is very little). The decision to not invest in the people would also mean that the company would not lightly be embarking on a strategy of offering higher value products and services (since they wont have the people to do it, nor the courage to take up such a risk) nor taking a serious look at improving "productivity" - since you cant expect newbies and PR-wannabes to perform extraordinarily.

"The decision to not invest in the people would also mean that the company would not lightly be embarking on a strategy of offering higher value products and services"

Remember, foreign talents, especially those PR-wannabes' focus is to keep their job until that get PR and thats it. Most of them do not have the mindset of excellence or have a look at advancement. The life and death of the company they are working is of the least of their concern. As such, cheap foreign workers and PR-wannabes have little loyalty or pride in their job and given the chance to slack, they would probably take it. (I'm not guessing, its based on conversations with business owners whom hires foreign workers and from observations)

The most disastrous thing now is that, Singapore is already addicted to this drug. We are now hooked by the ready and steady flow of cheap labour; and the government seemed keen and determined to continue on this short-term policy.

----

This reminds me of the story of our water supply in Singapore. Its purely because of our lack of water resources that Singapore decided to invest and develop our own water resources and technologies. Its because that water is in short supply that we innovate for solutions and increase it. If Singapore had taken the easy path of only importing cheap portable water from Malaysia and decided not to develop our own source of water supply like Desalination and NEWater, the future would not be as certain as it is...

And if we had not depend so much on Foreigners for labour, our industries would have innovated to make better use of the increasingly more expensive workers than the current situation of sticking to the same "proven" formulae; and our workers would have increased their productivity purely because of the companies initiatives to make better use of them, and not get criticised and humiliated by our PAP leaders whom thought they knew better.

FAS disband National Team Saga - A inside view of our Gov's belief system.

For local football supporters, the past month had been the worst nightmare since Singapore was trashed by Malaysia at our National Stadium some donkeys years ago...

All local club competitions are won by foreign teams, Singapore kicked out of Asian Cup when they just required a draw to get through, Singapore knocked out of the group stage of the ASEAN Championship (Suzuki Cup), and many other bad press that still persisted till today.

But the biggest news (one that spread across all possible medium in Singapore) is the disbandment of our very own National Team.

In an interview with Channel News Asia, FAS President Zainudin Nordin (also MP for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC and the Mayor for Central CDC) said, "We have analysed the reports on what happened in 2010 and realise that for the good of football, I think, we have a major revamp of the national team. What is going to happen is that we are going to have a new slate of players, that means players that will be totally taken from ground zero.

"...means all the (existing) players will be dropped and the national coach and the technical team will do a (new) selection based on merit." - this literally mean that the coach and the FA had been selecting players without basing on merits and their performance for the clubs in the S-league."

"That means all the (existing) players will be dropped and the national coach and the technical team will do a (new) selection based on merit. From all the assessments, we believe this is the best thing to do, for the good of the future of Singapore football."

The problem with this 2 paragraph in the interview highlighted a previously unknown and unacceptable fact for a country pledge to meritocracy - "we are going to have a new slate of players, that means players that will be totally taken from ground zero. That means all the (existing) players will be dropped and the national coach and the technical team will do a (new) selection based on merit." - this literally mean that the coach and the FA had been selecting players without basing on merits and their performance for the clubs in the S-league.

Not to mention, FAS also uses a Foreign Talent Scheme which they basically "buy" the allegiance of certain "outstanding" players so that they can represent Singapore (which is why Mr. Goh Chok Tong was confident of "buying Singapore into the 2010 World Cup" with Goal2010.

The revelation confirmed what the fans had been obeserving and feared that the National Team is not selected based on merit. The finally revealed "truth" shocked the entire local football supporters community and quickly gain countless criticism from a huge cross section of the Singapore population.

"it is becoming obvious that this is quite self-serving and may reflect the bigger picture of what the PAP's belief of the method to achieving success is."

If in football, the organisation led by PAP leaders have the beliefs that importing foreigners and trashing out everyone except changing the management and leadership is the way to do things - it is becoming obvious that this is quite self-serving and may reflect the bigger picture of what the PAP's belief of the method to achieving success is.

Since all the messed ups in 2010 by PAP leaders, none had stand up to apologise and admit that the cock ups are their fault. This very public disbandment of the National Team just further show that the leadership will just keep protecting their own butt and will put the blame to the people below them whom had actually worked very hard but still fail because of the poor strategic and organisational decisions made by the leadership.

Gazetting of TOC - a sign of weakness?

"The first reaction I had was that the Ruling Party is attempting to "shut down" TOC."

The breaking news yesterday was the announcement of the gazetting of The Online Citizen.

Based on the article, the TOC is required to reveal all the ppl behind the site as well as being gazetted as a political association - thus cannot receive any fundings for overseas at all.

The first reaction I had was that the Ruling Party is attempting to "shut down" TOC.

TOC, is infamous for their extremely one-sided and anti-PAP stance; to register with MDA, gazette as a Political Association and at the same time revealing everyone's identity is as good as opening themselves to potential lawsuits and even the controversial National Security Act.

"...revealing everyone's identity is as good as opening themselves to potential lawsuits and even the controversial National Security Act."

I personally do not endorse the sort of reporting by TOC, but do give them credit for doing a pretty good job at revealing the plight of fellow Singaporeans and mis-doings under the current Government's imperfect rule.

But on the other side of this developing story, the leadership of the PAP apparently had revealed indirectly of their vulnerability ahead of the coming election. They apparently know that their profit and GDP driven rule for the past 4 or more years is rated very badly by the people. In addition, last year (2010) was the worst ever year for PAP for as long as any Gen Y babies (1983 and later) can ever remember.

"They (the ruling party) actually knew that they had pushed the envelope too much."

They (the ruling party) actually knew that they had pushed the envelope too much; they finally realised that they can actually and possibly sank into their worst ever performance in an General Election since our nation's independence; they are afraid the status quo will no longer be able to be maintained. The gazette of TOC reveals all this.

The PAP had, since under Mr Goh Chok Tong's rule, started to play with carrots like HDB upgrades, Lifts Upgrade, Before-Election-Cash-Payouts, and many other less than impressive ideas... They assumed that most Singaporean are daft and will not be able to tell that they are manipulated through the use of these carrots; that even if they knew, they would still vote the PAP in because the oppositions just cannot make it...

"...a new Generation of voters (the Gen-Y) that a high percentage are expected to vote nay to PAP."

But the coming General Election is different... it would going to go down in history as the first election in a long time to be fully contested without a single walk-over. It is going to happen at the back of the worst ever "living-condition" and happiness level since independence... as well as a new Generation of voters (the Gen-Y) that a high percentage are expected to vote nay to PAP.

I just wonder, if TOC refuse the register, what is going to happen? =\

CPF becoming Income Tax

CPF was originally conceived as a mechanism to help Singaporeans save money for their retirement, in case they didnt do it themselves - a very legitimate and right thing to do, like many of the other policies created during the time when LKY is still in his prime, thinking clearly, connected to the ground and when the government is serving the people.

But over the years, after the government changed their philosophy from "serving the people" to "economic growth over everything", good intended policies starts to get corrupted and perverted.

"...the government changed their philosophy from "serving the people" to "economic growth over everything""

In recent times, the Government had announced that the retirement age will be raised from the original 55 to 65. As a result, the CPF will be freeze for another 10 years. That also mean that my mother whom is approaching 55, whom should be retiring soon, CANNOT retire and have to work for another 10 years. I wonder where...

In a country where prosperity was promised to be shared among everyone to make everyone's life better, it can't be further than the truth.

By raising the retirement age to 65, it effectively made CPF a form of Income Tax. And the payout, a form of welfare system which.... you actually paid it yourself - like Insurance with minimum interest rates.

"By raising the retirement age to 65, it effectively made CPF a form of Income Tax."

According to the statistics (http://www.singstat.gov.sg/stats/keyind.html), only less than 20% of the people at the moment now can live to the age of 65. It should increase in the near future BUT think abt this: in the modern day of polluted world, increased stress, increase health problems, and curse of diseases - how many can actually live past that 65. How many can still enjoy their life of retirement at 65?

According to Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retirement), even in European countries, almost all the countries have less than 50% of the people past 60 still working in the work force. These are countries which also had their normal retirement age set at 65.

"...almost all the countries have less than 50% of the people past 60 still working in the work force. These are countries which also had their normal retirement age set at 65."

As a boss, would you want to hire even a 50 year old employee to work in positions in the lower rang of your company hierarchy? In the new economy (post 2010), the world is going to be increasingly competing through the use of innovation and design - in such a world, how does the older workforce find employment when everyone is looking for creative and trendy thinkers. Must a former director really go to be a taxi driver or a former manager become a kopitiam worker to fulfill that 65 retirement age?

What is retirement?
Retirement is the moment when people stop working and enjoy the fruit of their labour after over 30-40 years of toiling and struggling.

Even if I'm just 27 now, the thought of working to 65 is scary. CPF means nothing to me but just another name for a separate Income Tax (its based on your income isnt it?) and retirement age of 65 is simply the "marker" to qualify you for the welfare system camouflage as "CPF" (which the government kept saying they dun want to be a welfare state).

"...its just a branding exercise to make a 2nd Income Tax sounds NOT like an Income Tax."

Its simply the same thing as another country, setting a higher Income Tax level but have a welfare system to ensure you have money to stay alive after retirement - just that the government make it sounds like its doing it for you, but its just a branding exercise to make a 2nd Income Tax sounds NOT like an Income Tax.

Response to "Young PAP on Budget 2010"

The "Young PAP on Budget 2010" is available at Young PAP's website or at this link - http://www.youngpap.org.sg/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=143:young-pap-on-budget-2010&catid=24:political-discussions

The reproduction of the article:

Young PAP on Budget 2010
Written by YP Activists from the North (Singapore)
Tuesday, 02 March 2010 08:45

A lot has been said about Budget 2010. We'd like to share our personal thoughts on some of the hot debate topics to date:



1) "Minimum Wage - why isn't this in Budget 2010?"
Some have asked for Singapore to have a Minimum Wage -- a mantra thickly repeated but thin on substance. Any Minimum Wage proposal needs to be clear on at least 2 questions. If the proposal hasn't answered them, you should ask why this information has been left out.
- Will a Minimum Wage be restricted to Singaporeans only?
- What is the level of Minimum Wage being proposed?

But even without these important details, one can see how a Minimum Wage policy would hurt ordinary Singaporeans.

If Minimum Wage is only for Singaporeans, it will encourage employers to fire Singaporeans and hire foreign workers -- because foreign workers will become even cheaper compared to Singaporeans.

If Minimum Wage is applied to both Singaporeans and foreign workers, mobile businesses will move their operations abroad, to places where the cost of labour is cheaper -- again losing Singaporean jobs.

It's clear: Minimum Wage would harm Singaporean workers - especially low skill workers whose jobs can easily be replaced when the employer relocates overseas.

Minimum Wage would hurt small businesses and SMEs with thin margins. Because these businesses have difficulty moving abroad -- so they may have to close shop instead.

Minimum Wage would disadvantage charities and social enterprises that hire Singaporeans and are trying to help fellow Singaporeans.

Yet despite all these bad effects, Minimum Wage would do nothing to help workers up-skill, retrain and find a new job.


2) "Shouldn't we reduce taxes and fees on the less well-off?"
Yes, that's precisely what Singapore has done through a progressive income tax system -- where high earners pay more income tax.

Furthermore, Singapore has a progressive system for redistributing the fruits of economic growth. Tax revenue comes from all taxpayers in Singapore regardless of their nationality. But Singapore's Budget transfers are aimed at Singaporeans. This gives more subsidy and transfers to less well-off Singaporeans.


3) "We should privatise Temasek and GIC and give the equity to Singapore citizens."
This is, in essence, a proposal to deplete Singapore's Reserves and give them away as a handout. It is good to help Singaporeans but wrong to squander Singaporeans' future away!

In recent times, some First World countries have seen financial difficulty, e.g. Greece and Iceland. Even the British Pound Sterling was attacked by currency speculators in the Black Wednesday incident of 1992 -- speculators later described as those who "broke the Bank of England".

Any proposal to drain Singapore's Reserves dry, no matter how carefully disguised, must be seen for what it is -- lowering Singapore's economic defences.


4) "Can't we get the private sector to do low cost housing? We can just give away the land for low-cost housing."

Low cost housing, without responsible stakeholders, can cause a race to the bottom in quality and safety.

There is also the problem of causing property prices throughout Singapore to fall. This will undermine the major investment of most Singaporeans who are homeowners.

Any "cheap deal" to create low cost housing out of nowhere in Singapore must be studied carefully. Will it compromise housing quality for less well-off Singaporeans? Will it destroy the value of Singaporeans' homes?

Last Updated on Tuesday, 02 March 2010 08:52

--------

The article is written by a group of PAP activist, whom call themselves "YP Activists from the North", whom shared their personal thought on certain "hot debate topics". Unfortunately, after reading what they got to say,they seemed to turn out to be a very shallow group of activists - single faceted and totally lack of the sensing of the ground temperament. At best, they are simply trying very hard to "back" the governing party's party lines. In summary, its simply a poor attempt to dismiss what the Oppositions got to say and encouraging ppl to resist "change for the better".

And I'm extremely unimpressed by their lack of "pride" to show their names and identity. And for their article to be published on the official youth wing of the PAP is, what i deem, a big SNAFU and a pathetic reflection what the Youth Wing of the biggest and more powerful political party can offer.

In a immediate response thru the facebook, this is the comment i made (in case they "censor" it):

-----------

all i can say is its a matter of perspective and how you gonna commit to our beliefs.

1) Just as a minimum wage you guys claim will hurt ordinary Singaporeans, the lack of minimum wage is already hurting "ordinary" Singaporeans. Aren't the foreigners already taking up a lot of jobs that Singaporeans were used to be doing. Just check out your neighbourhood Kopitiam. Minimum wage is not a single economic instrument that works on its own. It should be coupled together with immigration policies as well as other economic and social policies.

Just as i'm on immigration policy, why is the immigration so slack to the point where "unqualified" immigrants are taking up jobs that originally belonged to our less educated population?

To become PR or Citizen, one must be at least very rich, or they have to be skilled workers in order to be able to stay in Singapore. Now all these unskilled workers are taking up the jobs of our unskilled population (because they can accept even lesser pay as opposed to what is already very low pay)

2) I have no complains abt the taxation as the less well off already do not pay income tax.

3) Privatising of the SWFs does not mean it would deplete the Singapore's reserves. At the same length, you might as well close down the stock exchange as it would "bankrupt" all the floated companies. Your "fuller explanation" is in fact more dilute than the "summary".

4) I'm sure there is a much more "complete" plan towards whatever solutions or suggestion there is. I personally do not see a benefit of leaving building of low cost housing to private sector.

I'm sorry, i have to dismiss with your "analysis". I'm disappointed if this "article" is what Young PAP (Official Youth Wing of the ruling party) can come out with. Its extremely shallow; either its irrelevant or its single faceted.

---------

Additional comment towards their article:

They do not provide solutions and suggestions, but just pure dismissal of what the public is concerned abt. Their dismissal of these debatable topic is also done is an extremely one sided and bias approach - tanishing what "respect" one might held for the YP before reading the article.

If this is the quality of the "young leaders" within the Youth Wing of the PAP, there is no wonder why the PAP kept looking for talents beyond their own party hierachy, from the private sector. And it also re-assured my decisions not to be associated with them nor joining their youth wing, is correct.


With the election looming, this article is a pure political snapshot at the Opposition, which missed by a million mile unless the reader is really really shallow and have a total lack of sensing of the ground.

Childish; Disappointed; Disgusted.

Locals lost again to "foreigners talents"; this time in football

In the press conference held just hours ago by S-league, they announced the identity of the 12th team for the new season.

To the surprise and amazement of all the S-league fans, the winner of the coveted final spot went to Beijing Guo-An, rather than the highly committed and motivated, successful in previous 2 season, and now going ALL LOCAL, Yishun Super Reds (Super Reds).

Being a member of the hardcore local football fan forum, KallangRoar.com , the anger and disbelieve is evident.

I understand that this blog, is meant as a political blog, but I cant rub off the connection of how Football Association of Singapore (FAS) & S-League is ran, with how the Singapore Government works.

This probably "unnoticable" saga (very few Sleague fans) is in my opinion, a bigger indication of our government policy and how foreigners and money is rated way higher of the development of our local and very own Singaporeans.

If any one from the media whom read my this post; I strongly urge you to condemn the selection of 2 foreign teams over a local team.

Its just all wayang....

Refer to the article by CNA below.
(just for info, i'm a hougang kid through and through, although i dun stay in the WP's ward, but Hougang nevertheless)

Its seems like all the "services" done by the PAP candidates is just for show; purely with the intention of getting the votes than to really serve from their heart.

According to the report below, Eric Low slapped a fee on the free medical check up, stopped his "meet-the-people" sessions and canceled the popular free breakfast for the needy - to describe this in a stronger tone - a retaliation against the what was perceived as a betrayal by the Hougang ppl in the last election. As for Sitoh Yih Pin, he just simply stopped everything and disappear like a wisp of smoke.

And now, as elections looms, our dear Mr Eric Low is "up-ing the ante". Launch a wheelchair loaning service, considering of resuming his "meet-the-people" sessions and day-care center for the old soon...

I say, COME ON LAH! Thats really way too fake.

Only at the impending election that he springs into action. Since when service to the people (for someone whom "really cares") get to rest (for reportingly a year) and refuse to "meet" the people whom sought for his help. If someone wanted help from you and approach you, do you tell them: "Wait after National Day can? I may consider meeting you..."

Does the people whom need help get to put their problems aside for a year able to wait for you???

I say, if you are really sincere abt making all this wheelchair loan thingy and the day care center thingy... you wouldnt wait till now and it should have a clear way of funding these stuff so that it can last forever.

My fear is that, this may just be another "political" move just like the free breakfast for the needy thingy. So you lost the election, then our needy no need to be taken care of and the free breakfast thingy should stop?

WTF is, "not to be taken for granted"??? [getting personal and emotional liaoz...]

You decide that this is a way to service the people and help the needy; THEN, it should never be considered into your plans that this is going to be a component in your election plans.

What is our Dear Mr Eric Low treating the Hougang Residents as??? Casino Chips? Chess Pieces? Dispensable Commodities?

DEAR POLITICIANS, Please serve from your heart and with sincerity. If you are sincere in serving the people and wanting the best for the people; you wouldnt care if you get elected or not - since if you can serve without being a MP, whats stopping you to continue serving even if you lost the election.

If Eric Low still want to fight in Hougang, I am confident he is going to lose again; and possibly with an even bigger margin.

Mark my words. People remember your words and actions!

---------

source: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/282914/1/.html

Eric Low gears up for the fight again
By Loh Chee Kong,TODAY | Posted: 18 June 2007 1123 hrs

SINGAPORE: A year ago, a despondent Mr Eric Low fresh from a second straight morale-sapping electoral defeat at the hands of Workers’ Party (WP) chief Low Thia Khiang — decided that he would stop being taken for granted by Hougang residents.

So, he slapped a fee on his previously free health-screening programme and stopped his Meet-The-People sessions and popular free breakfast service for the needy.

But on Sunday, the 59-year-old Cisco Security general manager and defeated People’s Action Party (PAP) candidate told TODAY he was ready to up the ante again, in the Opposition stronghold.

“Since the elections, I have completed a renewal of my grassroots leaders and launched a few new programmes. And now that I’ve had one year’s rest, I’m considering recommencing my Meet-The-People sessions very soon,” said Mr Low.

He is expected to make the announcement at the constituency’s National Day dinner. The Hougang grassroots adviser, who gets a handful of letters each month from residents seeking help, said: “There has been quite a number of requests to see me. I may consider seeing them ... We shall see after National Day.”

In the General Election held in May last year, his WP opponent not only successfully defended his parliamentary seat, but also stretched his winning margin to more than 62 per cent of the votes in Hougang.

There have been doubts cast over Mr Low’s candidacy in the next polls, due by 2011. But the PAP stalwart, who entered the political fray in 2001, said he was encouraged by the enthusiasm of his new grassroots leaders and would “continue to do what I can”.

There are signs that he is stepping up his game: On Sunday, he was out and about with Minister of State for Finance and Transport Lim Hwee Hua, spreading the anti-dengue message to Hougang residents.

Last month, he launched a “wheelchair-for-loan” programme; next up is a day-care centre for senior citizens. He has also drawn up a five year activity workplan aimed at forging a “kampung spirit” in Hougang, despite not having been given any signal by the PAP leadership that he will be contesting the ward again.

Said Mr Low: “You do what you can as long as you are at it. Nothing is permanent in life.”

Over at the other Opposition-held ward Potong Pasir, however, Mr Sitoh Yih Pin — who also made his debut for the PAP in 2001 — has been keeping a low profile since his loss to Mr Chiam See Tong.

Resident Melvin Tan, 28, remarked: “It has been very quiet as compared to in the past. I’ve not seen Mr Sitoh or his people around.”

When contacted, Mr Sitoh said he had “no immediate plans” to resume his activities, including meet-the-people sessions, in Potong Pasir. According to grassroots leaders, residents have probably seen the last of the famous $2 shark’s fin soup and abalone porridge dished out at community events in the past.

Mr Sitoh’s right-hand man Chua Kian Meng said no community outreach events have been held since the elections. “So far, there’s been nothing. There’s also nothing planned,” he said.

But Mr Chua, who had earlier told the press he might resign as chairman of the Citizens’ Consultative Committee, now says he is staying on.

Shortly after the PAP’s defeat in the two single-seat wards, Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong — who had thrown his political weight behind the two candidates - announced that both would cut back on their services to residents. They would also “act like an opposition” by pointing out faults in the two constituencies, Mr Goh had said.

Mr Low emphasised that he “didn’t want to be seen as a watchdog”, adding: “It’s best for residents to judge rather than for me to point out the faults.”

WP chief Low could not be reached for comment on Sunday, but Mr Eric Low’s perseverance has not gone unnoticed by Hougang residents. Said 60-year-old Mr Ng: “He is still working very hard. We still see him making his rounds regularly.”

A neighbourhood shop-owner added: “When you lose, you should continue to work hard, not less. You cannot abandon the people, especially those who need help.”
- TODAY/fa

Learn from Obama's administration | Singapore needs CHANGE

I just caught a LIVE broadcast online of Obama's speech to the students of United States. Feeling inspired, to the point, i wish to go back to school tomorrow and study like no tomorrow.

But as it ended, I ask myself: Why can Obama do all this "logical" things the moment he is president; knowing and understanding ppl's hardship, taking steps to elevate EVERYBODY's life... while in Singapore, the Government seemed to be reluctant to take steps to go "micro"; vehemently avoiding the OBVIOUS.

I can tell you guys today: The Opposition is going to win at least a GRC in the next election. And prepare to lose even more single seats

Its getting too obvious nowadays that EVERYONE is not happy. People are getting more vocal and more willing to talk abt their unhappiness abt the situation in Singapore. Seriously, I cant really see how PAP can defend their position any better in the next election, this term is probably the WORST term in the history of PAP's governance.

Connectivity had opened our eyes to the honest and truthful rule by Barack Obama, with all his goals and changes totally in line with what a politician SHOULD DO. On the other hand, Japan's election result sending shockwave throughout the world, especially to countries like Singapore, with their Opposition victory. With Logic (make sense policies of Obama) + Hope (of a victory against powerful incumbent) , the keyword "CHANGE" is become more impactful with the passing days.

Mr. Teo Ser Luck posted on his facebook status: "Change. Nothing will stand still. The outcome of the Japan election results really got me thinking. If we don't change, we will be changed. Whether in life or in career, we have to keep up with the pace of change. The environment would not change or wait for us. Like it or not, it is a never-ending race. We can never be complacent."

Even this major PAP politician knew that the wind of change in coming. But seriously, is PAP changing better or for worse? (based on that status update, it is suggested that PAP might had been changing, just not fast enough) Seriously, PAP HAD changed over the years, since Mr Lee Kuan Yew was Prime Minister; just that PAP seemed to change to become more "greedy" financially... It reaches a point where, all those giant reserve and huge government incomes that made Singapore rich, no longer had a link to the fortunes of Singaporeans.

Is it not logical that medical fees should be lower?
Transport companies do not need that much profit, as their purpose is to serve our people?
Town councils do not need to invest money?
Old folks should be taken better care of with better facilities and lower rents since they are the people whom built our nation to what it is today?
That Singaporeans should have more spare money to spend and save?
Students should be banned from dropping out and better policies to make sure we dun lose this potential talents?
That better policies and ideas should be made and executed to ensure more babies are being born and reduction in the cost of raising a kid?
etc...

Why can Obama do the obvious and PAP cant? Why PAP have to make it always seems so complicated and changes be sounded so treacherous?

Haiz...

Oppositions, the same question is posted to you: What can you do for the country and the people?

Learn from Obama, stop closing one eye and play politics.

(p.s: The moment politics stops, like how Obama treated his Israeli ally on the Palestinian issue, the world just stop and applause.)

[RECOMMENDED READ] Level the playing field for locals and foreigners in employment?

I would like to recommend this read from The Online Citizen

http://theonlinecitizen.com/2009/08/level-the-playing-field-for-locals-and-foreigners-in-employment/

Its about the inequality between Singaporeans and Non-Singaporean when comes to employment and certain "rights". The implications is that, it would cause business owners to have preference in employing foreigners than Singaporeans.

It also created a question, which is always on my mind... And its NOT "What it meant to be a Singaporean" (as in being proud of being Singaporean)... BUT, "What differentiates us Singaporeans from non-Singaporeans?"

Although, it can also be questioned as "What it meant to be a Singaporean" (but as in, why the fuck Singaporeans arent treated like we from this country).

Seriously, I have no idea whats the diff between PR and Singapore Citizen... NS and Polls? Somemore?

Singaporeans underpaid?

For those whom had followed Majulah! (this blog) closely, you would have noticed that I am very concerned and conscious abt the lack of "development" in the amount of our pay for the past 10 years+...

This issue had become glaring in the latest survey by UBS on wage levels and living cost in major cities across the world.

Read abt it here: http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/sub/news/story/0,4574,346842,00.html?

Singapore is the SECOND MOST EXPENSIVE CITY IN ASIA after Tokyo. But workers in Tokyo are earning MORE THAN TWICE of what we earned in Singapore. And this is happening while Singaporeans are working longer hours (2088 hours per year) than people of Tokyo (1997 hours per year).

Thats is pretty astounding.

So even when Tokyo people are facing the most expensive living cost in Asia, they can easily deal with it because of their pay. But in Singapore, the case is extremely different. While we had to work harder, pay more for our daily expenses or for entertainment; we are actually "enjoying" only 50% of what the Japanese are enjoying.

And no wonder Singapore ranked so low for happiness and people in "The Online Citizen" hates PAP so much... = \


But for those who read: Dun start criticizing. Think of solution. Complaining is like solving an algebra by chewing bubble gum. So dun comment without thinking thru how can we make it better. Thanks.

Singaporeans = Contemporary Coolies???

This was an article link which was posted on Facebook by Reform Party's General Sec, Kenneth.J. Then after i read it... i have to say, it resonates with every common man and I want to reproduce it here.

source: http://singaporeanskeptic.blogspot.com/2009/07/is-this-life-you-want-your-children-to.html

THURSDAY, JULY 23, 2009
Is this the life you want your children to have?

More than a hundred years ago, some of our ancestors were coolies. These peasants had a hard life working for little pay. At the end of each hard day's work, they would go home to their cramp squalid accommodations to rest and prepare for another day of back-breaking labour. Life was hard but they were powerless to do anything to change. No one helped or protected them. They had no labour union to protect them and they lived in constant fear of losing their only means of survival- their jobs.

Now in the 21st century, this coolie mentality is still prevalent in our society. We wake up every morning from our cramp HDB dwelling so that we could squeeze inside a tight MRT train to get to work. Because of the recession, we no longer work from 9 to 5 but 8 to 7. The hours are longer because of the unfortunate souls who got retrenched. But what can we do? If we complain, we could be the next to lose our jobs. Our unions are ,for all intents and purposes, non-existent. Why should our NTUC chief care? He receives a fat pay-check for being a minister and pleasing the government.

But we do nothing because it is in our cultural legacy to suffer. We only know how to endure suffering and not how to enjoy life. We learn it from our parents and they learnt it from their parents all the way back to the coolies. Nothing has changed except that instead of being ruled by an overseas master, our masters are now fellow Singaporeans who are overseas educated.

Yes, for some of us, our lives are miserable and this has to stop. Do you want your children to inherit this cultural legacy of servitude? Do you want them to break free from this cycle of lower wages and endless skills retraining? Do you want them to not go through what you have gone through.

If you want the best future for them, then educate them. Educate them not for the purpose of serving our PAP masters. Educate them to give your children the resources/skills to leave this Island. Imagine how much happier your son (and his sons) would be if he doesn't have to serve NS. Imagine how happy your daughter would be because she wouldn't need to work in a stressed out environment or live in a cramp HDB apartment.

Educate them so that they can leave. Because if they don't leave, some day they may have to explain to their own children why their manager father had to become a taxi driver.

After all, what is the point of your suffering if they have to experience it themselves when they grow up?


Excerpt from The New Paper. July 22 2009

--- quote ---
THE man had a simple question for his MP: I will be a security guard if I must, he said, but how can I encourage my children to do well in school if I can't find a good job despite my (tertiary) education?It was a statement that shook even a battle-hardened MP like Madam Halimah Yacob (Jurong GRC).'When he responded in that manner, I also started thinking,' she said.

Madam Halimah was raising this example with The New Paper last night after a hotly-debated Parliamentary discussion on how to help retrenched Professionals, Managers, Executives and Technicians (PMETs).The man, a former manager in his 50s with an engineering diploma, was retrenched late last year. Unable to find a job, he became a taxi driver.

Madam Halimah said she told him to look at the positive side and show his children that despite the setbacks, he is still doing his best.'Look, this is reality. In life, there'll be ups and downs,' she said. 'It is important not to lose hope, to do our best, stay on course, and try to improve ourselves.'
--- quote ---

The Original TNP Article that inspired the above post.

PICKY? GRAD EXPECTATIONS IN DOWNTURN

TRICKY
- We focus on those willing to be helped, says Minister
- PMETs aren't simply being choosy, say MPs. This recession has hit them especially hard
By Ng Tze Yong and Ho Lian-Yi
July 22, 2009

THE man had a simple question for his MP:

I will be a security guard if I must, he said, but how can I encourage my children to do well in school if I can't find a good job despite my (tertiary) education?

It was a statement that shook even a battle-hardened MP like Madam Halimah Yacob (Jurong GRC).

'When he responded in that manner, I also started thinking,' she said.

Madam Halimah was raising this example with The New Paper last night after a hotly-debated Parliamentary discussion on how to help retrenched Professionals, Managers, Executives and Technicians (PMETs).

The man, a former manager in his 50s with an engineering diploma, was retrenched late last year. Unable to find a job, he became a taxi driver.

Madam Halimah said she told him to look at the positive side and show his children that despite the setbacks, he is still doing his best.

'Look, this is reality. In life, there'll be ups and downs,' she said. 'It is important not to lose hope, to do our best, stay on course, and try to improve ourselves.'

Is enough being done for PMETs like him? MP Ho Geok Choo (West Coast GRC) told Parliament that she had received feedback that PMETs who do not go to job interviews arranged by career centres are given warnings that they will not be considered for future job vacancies.

'I'm wondering how we can guide the career centres to do a better job,' she said.

Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong replied: 'There are a lot of workers we need to help, and we need to be focused on workers who are prepared to be helped.'

He told Parliament that the Government has taken effective measures to reduce unemployment.

Tangible results

In just six months since Spur (Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience) started, more than 19,000 jobseekers have been placed in jobs, he said.

He said the Spur-Jobs scheme, implemented in May, saw 50 companies committed to hiring 1,200local workers in various industries in just one month.

He pointed out that, as of end-May, the Professional Skills Programme (PSP) had about 36,000 PMETs and fresh graduates trained or committed to training.

But the sense on the ground is that this is an especially tough recession for PMETs.

MP Liang Eng Hwa (Holland-Bukit Timah GRC) noted: 'Whereas in the past, PMETs may be more nimble and adaptable, the same does not hold true this time around.'

He added that nowadays, everything has a shelf life - even a degree.

Madam Ho urged more to be done for PMETs.

For example, she said retrenched PMETs can be teamed up to carry out stock checks and review procedures in companies.

'PMETs have the experience and they can return to the workforce as consultants,' said Madam Ho.

She also feels better training will be useful for staff helping with job-matching at government agencies.

'A bit of psychology training may help them understand how to handle someone who has just lost his or her job,' said Madam Ho.

Asking the right questions

They can also be trained on how to ask the right questions and phrase them the right way, and have the tenacity to follow up on the cases.

'It cannot be just a clerical staff telling people we have a vacancy here and a vacancy there,' she said.

Peter (not his real name), a grassroots leader who works closely with retrenched workers, said that 'people are not being genuinely helped'.

Government agencies like the Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) and the Workforce Development Agency (WDA) are 'too focused on the numbers, because numbers equal more funding' from Spur, said Peter.

It has resulted in a lot of frustration on the ground, he said.

Instead, government agencies should be working more closely with employers to find out the nature and number of jobs that are available, to make their training more targeted, suggested Peter.

'After all, WDA and e2i have a lot of resources and a wide network of contacts in various industries,' said Peter.

'But they are not listening. Instead, it is always about training, training and training because that's the easier thing to do. What is the point of training thousands of people without knowing where the jobs are?'

Peter added that there are many organisations, such as the self-help groups, that want to help but are unable to 'because all the training is put under one roof, which is e2i.'

'Is this the many helping hands approach we always talk about?' he asked.

I will have my personal follow up post on this issue.

political disillusioned...

Although we cant be sure if the conspiracy abt the NTU case is true or not, but somehow, I got a sense of disillusioned as regards to politics; the fakeness and wayangness of it...

This even which most likely going to cause a big stir is the trigger, but the thought is a result that had laid layer over layer over a period of time. Somewhat similar to my disillusion with SAF's wayanging routine; but this is worse, because i cant quit it. Its part of my heritage in fact.

Somehow, i kindda understand the frustration behind some infamous opposition dudes like JBJ, Chee Soon Quan, Low Thia Kiang and those frustrated ah peks(still i am no sympathizer with Chee Soon Quan; i still think he is an idiot); the feeling of seeing injustice or crappiness, but you have no power to change or stop anything.

Like how our ah pek and ah mm started digging the rubbish bins for aluminium cans; how living cost had been rising non-stop while the basic pay remain largely the same; how nurses are underpaid even when their course in poly is so much more demanding than most of the other course, which ironically pays much higher; how town councils can have so much money till they can go do investment on their own while at the same time still can collect even more money; how useless our oppositions are; how elitism is practiced to unassailable levels; how the fuck can certain officers can even become officer; how certain great guys have to salute those fuck up officers; how officers pay can keep increasing while specialist remained stucked; how our minister suggested that we should send the people who helped to build this country to what it is today, to the slums of Johor to see out their final years; how money-minded our government had become; how Mr Lee Kuan Yew isnt stopping and changing all of the above i mentioned; etc...

I ever thought of going into politics, but also discouraged myself from doing so, as it does not really serve much of a practical purpose; because i believe that if you want to serve, you do not need to be a minister or a MP, as long as you can have the money, you can do your part in improving the society...

But now, i cant even see the point of going into politics or even staying in Singapore...

To be able to see what many cant also means to see more crappy stuff than most ppl can.

I want to make Singapore a better place, but I just cant see Singapore surviving for another 100 years... Greed will probably consume our nation one day. And that day, no one in Singapore would want to pick up arms and defend the elites that are enjoying the privileges of being up there, and the country they called home. Because home do not seem to fight for them, thus the lack of the need to fight for home as well.

When we have so much money, and yet our ppl have to work till 65 in order "have enough money to retire"; come on... something must be wrong somewhere. And I still cannot pardon the thought by a certain elite that our old folks should be sent to Johor's old folks home because its cheaper....

THEY ARE THE ONES WHO BUILD THIS NATION. and this is the way we pay our gratitude...


Fuck off....



I dun believe in our leaders anymore. Not PAP, not WP, not SDA, not SDP.

I believe its up to the new generation to CHANGE what is wrong. I dun question the need to be financially power; but not at the expense of our old folks whom build this country and pledge their loyalty to PAP and Mr Lee K Y, for those puny amount of money and land, that is PEANUTS to the elites.



Dear Government, Ministers, MP, and leaders: Please ask yourself why you serve. And if its money and power with no regards for Singaporeans; Pls quit and go into the private sector.

For now, i will just blame myself to be so poor and powerless in changing my country.

NTU tragedy - Got cover up???

The official Straits Times article abt David Hartanto Widjaja's death is here: http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_347185.html

There is a comment made on the Strait Times' website, i copy and paste it here, in case it got deleted for whatever reason, as it suggested a cover up and intentional mis-reporting by the media:

ladiesman217
Today, 04:04 PM
I can see that Singapore's Strait Times has again stated prejudiced and false allegations concerning Mr. David Hartanto Widjaja. Now I can truly see the ignorance of Singaporean people and newspaper. Mind you all Strait Times reader that DAVID HARTANTO WIDJAJA'S DEATH WAS NOT CAUSED BY SUICIDE BY HIM CUTTING HIS WRIST, IN YOUR SINGAPORE POLICE REPORTS IT IS CONFIRMED THAT HE DID NOT HAVE ANY SLITWOUND WHAT SO EVER ON HIS WRIST. WHAT HIS FAMILY WITNESSED INSTEAD WHEN THEY ATTENDED THE REVEALING (NOT THE AUTOPSY) OF DAVID'S BODY, WAS THAT DAVID SUFFERED SLASH WOUNDS ON HIS NECK (THROAT) AND ALSO ON HIS BACK

THE STORY OF HIS DEPRESSION FROM LOSING HIS SCHOLARSHIP WAS ALSO A LIE. STORIES SAYING "HE KEPT HIS PARENTS IN THE DARK ABOUT IT" WAS ALSO A LIE GENERATED BY YOUR SINGAPOREAN MEDIA.
DAVID HAS ALREADY INFORMED HIS PARENTS OF HIS PROBALE CONDITION OF LOSING HIS SCHOLARSHIP SINCE 3 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE DAY HE DIED. AND HIS FAMILY BEING A MIDDLE CLASS FAMILY HERE IN INDONESIA HAVE EXPRESSED CASUALLY WITH DAVID THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE A PROBLEM IN PAYING HIS LAST SEMESTER TUITION FEE.

STATEMENTS STATING THAT DAVID GOT ANGRY AT PROFESSOR CHAN KAP LUK FOR GIVING BAD GRADES FR HIS FYP, CANNOT BE FARTHER FROM THE TRUTH , SINCE HIS PAPERS WERE NOT YET DUE, NOT YET SUBMITTED, AND NTU HAS NO POLICY IN INFORMING STUDENTS REGARDING THEIR GRADES BEFORE THE OFFICIAL ISSUE.
This link is a record of the interview made with David's father and brother by a reputable Indonesian Television RCTI in Seputar Indonesia. They have not been permitted to see David's body immediately, and was disappointed to see how the crime scene - professor Chan KapLuk's office was wiped clean from any evidence and blood spatters in as soon as 7 hours after the incident.

WITH ALL DUE RESPECT I DEMAND THAT SINGAPOREAN PUBLIC AND MEDIA REFRAIN FROM MAKING SUCH PREJUDICED STATEMENTS, ONE SUCH AS THIS ONE

"On Monday, David Hartanto Widjaja, 21, an Indonesian student whose scholarship was terminated, stabbed Associate Professor Chan Kap Luk, 45, in the back during a discussion in his office at the NTU campus, then slit his own wrists before fleeing and falling four floors to his death shortly after.
Prof Chan, who suffered injuries to his back and right hand, has been discharged from hospital and is on medical leave."
IT IS ALREADY MARCH 7 2009, AND A TOP MEDIA SUCH AS STRAIT TIMES HAVE NOT INDEED GET THEIR FACT STRAIGHT. WHEN WE INDONESIANS HAVE ALREADY BEEN AWARE THE EMERGING TRUTH SINCE THE DAY AFTER DAVID'S DEATH. (2/3/2009)

AND CEASE ALL ATTEMPTS TO CONCEAL NEW FINDINGS AND EVIDENCE SUCH AS THE KNIFE (WHICH HAS LOST IT'S HANDLE MIRACULOUSLY-CONVENIENTLY OBSCURING WHO'S FINGERPRINTS WAS ON IT), DAVID'S WOUNDS, AND PROFESSOR CHAN KAP LUK HIMSELF, WHOSE WORD HAS BEEN SOLELY TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT ON WHAT REALLY HAPPENED THAT DAY.
http://video.okezone.com/play//2009/...uh-kejanggalan

AND FOR ALL OF YOU TO KNOW, CLAIMS OF DAVID BEING A DEPRESSED LONER, AN INTROVERT ON THE VERGE OF LOSING IT, A POTENTIAL KILLER - WERE ALL LIES.
ASIDE FROM HIS POSITION AS PRESIDENT IN ONEOF NTU'S MATH GROUP (THEREFORE HE HAS TO BE POPULAR AMONGST HIS PEERS), HE WAS ALSO REMEMBERED BY ALL HIS FRIEND BE IT IN HIS GAMING COMMUNITY OR HIS HIGHSCHOOL, ANDEVEN AMONGST NTU STUDENTS THEMSELVES TO BE A POSITIVE, CHEERFUL, OUTGOING FRIEND. ONE OF HIS FRIEND AT HIS GAMING FORUM, PEOPLE WHO HAS NEVER KNOWN HIM IN REAL LIFE DESCRIBE HIM AS A BRIGHT SOUL BEHIND THE USERNAME "MAJIN" (IN COMPLETE TERA MAJIN= EARTH DEMON IN JAPANESE)
DONT BELIEVE ME? ENTER THIS LINK:
http://destiny.enjoymmo.com/forum/vi...age%3D1&page=1

I understand that you singaporeans are reasonable and a proud nation, please do not tarnish your international reputation by obstructing justice here. Show that you are a true Singaporeans by pushing your government to COMMENCE A THOROUGH AND TRANSPARENT INVESTIGATION REGARDING DAVID'S DEATH. SINGAPORE MEDIA HAS INDEED INFLICTED PAIN BEYOND IMAGINATION TO DAVID'S FAMILY BY THEIR FALSE REPORTS, and I encourage you to challenge them for TRUTH! Any less would be humiliation and disgrace for the departed.

Also, start an investigation on Chan Kap Luk! for goodness sake he is the only living link to the whole thing!

source: http://comment.straitstimes.com/showthread.php?t=17551&page=2

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this thingy as opposed to what the papers are publishing, is creating a big stir among NTU students (also as opposed to "going back to normal")

other links regarding the conspiracy theory:

http://www.gabrielsai.com/blog/2009/03/a-conspiracy-theory-on-deaths-in-ntu.html
http://justlimz.blogspot.com/2009/03/david-case-high-profile-crime-not.html
http://wayangparty.com/?p=6028

http://mistabird.wordpress.com/2009/03/06/ntu-stabbing-brother-of-dead-student-wants-indonesian-police-to-investigate/

news report in indonesian media:
http://video.okezone.com/play//2009/03/05/236/7951/keluarga-nilai-kematian-david-penuh-kejanggalan

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Apparently, this is getting so huge (online) that its hard to ignore. If the family of David as well as the Indonesian media is having a totally different story, and Indonesians getting angry at the way how Singaporean media is publishing this story (the wrongness of facts); i am quite sure this is going to be the BIGGEST controversy, shrouding all previous tabloid stuff like Wang Na, the Mongolian Model's murder, Chee Soon Quan, etc...

And the latest news that another death, a suicide by NTU Officer Zhou Zheng, came just less than a week and in the same campus (not to mention the 3 "victims" are related); its hard not to feel that there is something fishy about this.

My GUESS (pls reminded this is just pure speculation, dun sue me), that Zhou Zheng might have something to do with the slashes the prof and David received, and thus committing suicide for his crime or something... This is pure speculation i say again.

I am now interested to see how this tragedy is going to pan out (i wasnt fazed at first by this news of NTU student stabbing his prof and die kindda thing).



I have to say, one controversy after another (referring investment loss, Ho Ching's quitting of Temasek, now this)... the government's fengshui really need a change.