A new begining, risky but rewarding

Yes! I am now in Melbourne.

I unabashedly proclaim myself as a QUITTER (a term coined by SM Goh).

Good riddance then.

I may not have found a job yet. Yeah, I am taking a big risk which makes no sense in a Singaporean culture/thinking where everything has to have a bottom-line dollar and profit or positive financial figure tied to it (yes, I know I am worth just a figure to you).

If everything is to be spelt out and given on a silver platter, where is the sense of adventure then? How do you 'teach' creativity, thinking out-of-the-box? How do you encourage the entrepreneurial spirit, the dare-discover-the-unknown factor in a venture? The first move is always to step out of your comfort zone.

And we wonder why there is the brain drain.

Anyway, this draft was in my blog for at least 4 months. I hardly even have time to publish it! So here goes:

"Did the government ever cared that for the past 4+ months (the Dec holidays included), I have been working my butt off?!!

I have been going home late after 9pm approximately 3-4 times a week! I hardly see my daughter (now that she goes to pre-school for >3 hours) because she sleeps early by the time I reach home.

I have also noticed how she began to distance herself from me. I come home weary, tired and grumpy. Think a bear with a sore head. I shout at the least bit of irritation or when things don't work out well for me.

Let me spell it out to you clearly: Your labor law sucks! So do your pro-creation carrots-dangling-with-sticks-behind-your-backs policies! Even if I have the means and finance, I will not have another child. And it's not that I don't have the means.

Go figure."

Come to think of it, instead of having really good pro-creation benefits (see Japan, France, etc.) to increase the birthrates and to encourage mothers to stay at home, foreign talent becomes the Singapore answer - to fill in the gap of low birth rates and 'cheaper' labor.

And the result? Singaporean citizens will pro-create less!

Why? It's a chicken and egg thingy.

The more the government employs foreign talent (no offense, rather I feel they do contribute to the society. Personally, it is not the foreign talent issue but the policies supporting it. Anyway, I digress...), the less secure a citizen feels. The less a citizen feels secure, the less he will think of raising a family in Singapore.

And the government brings in more foreign talent. They will pro-create more than a Singaporean couple. This in turns make a Singaporean citizen feel unworthy.

And so he leaves.

So it goes on in an endless cycle.

Except that the foreigners will take the money and leave. 10 out of 10 colleagues I have asked and know of don't want to take Singaporean citizenship.

Well, I have taken the blue (or is it red, but who cares) pill. Let's see how it works in AU. The only thing that matters is - I have more time for my family.

This is something Singapore cannot provide me.

Questions, little answers

Article from ChannelNewsAsia:

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Parliament raises President's pay — Derrick A Paulo

PARLIAMENT has approved increases to the President's pay and household expenses at the Istana, but lowered the amount budgeted for personal staff and other services.

Minister of State (Finance) Lim Hwee Hua told MPs yesterday that the increases were "in view of higher bonuses and higher expenditure on utilities".

The President's pay, also known as the Privy Purse, has been revised to $2,661,700 from $2,507,200, while his entertainment allowance for the fiscal year 2006 is now $132,000, up from $117,000.

The amount set aside for expenses at the Istana also rose to $1,301,500 from $1,108,500.
As part of the adjustments, expenditure on personal staff and special services was lowered. This went down by $8,800 for personal staff, and by $28,300 for special services such as the purchase of cars and office equipment.

The changes passed without questions or debate.
---
Questions with few answers:

1. Is the GST hike really used to help to the poor? Or is it part of the whole picture that I have not seen - pay hikes?
2. Are the ministers pay going to follow suit?
3. Has anybody's pay increase by so much a margin?

Like it or not, when the government gave the bonuses to the public, I have already prepared myself that the ministers' pay will be next.

Also, I've decided to remove the p65er blog link. It's going nowhere. Neither are my feedback or the public comments.

Can you handle the truth?

What is the truth? The government says you can't handle the truth. It's like these diggings (thanks to Mr Brown) that make X-Files episodes interesting.

Can you see the discrepencies in the report? See how the article was 'conveniently' snipped by the ChannelNewsAsia.

1. CNA (using search engine) article

Now see other reports:

1. International Herald Tribune article
2. The Edge article

Even more scarier:
The ChannelNewAsia 'article' in the search list cannot be found anymore in the 15 Jan, or even 16 or 17 Jan archives! It was 'conveniently' un-archived.

Another good read with the same very questions burning in my heart:

1. theonlinecitizen

Talk about mee siam mai hum episodes:

• Mai-Hum #1
• Mai-Hum #2

*shiver*

Christmas mood. Empathy.

Merry Christmas!

Oh, it's a wee bit early, but I'm getting into the mood. I have been so busy at work for the past 1+ months, coming home at least after 9pm nearly every night.

To some, it might be usual. But I choose not to - my family comes first.

However the year end activities are piling up, and everyday there are meetings after meetings to attend, issues after issues to settle.

I am SURE glad the Christmas weekend is finally here. And I thank God for Christmas. Makes me re-think my priorities, my purpose, my destiny.

Thank you Jesus.

---
Wrote this earlier in draft, but never had the time to publish.

Read this report:

• More women in politics, please says Madam Minister
  By Clement Mesenas, TODAY Posted: 18 December

Queries that will never be answered:

1. Both her husband and she probably are high income earners, whereby if anyone of them quits temporarily, they still have much leftover savings for the single income earner to survive the next 5 years.
   
   How many of us have this kind of luxury?
   -
2. She did not mention the number of maids to help out in the house.
   
   Again, how many of us can be single income earners, have a maid(s) and also focus on the kids after work?
   -
3. Probably she had the spending power to bring in tuition teachers (among the best) to tutor her kids, I assume?
   
   How many readers here know that they had to go through the exams with their kids in today Singapore?
   -

Please don't ask any of the women to be like you, Mrs Lim. You are definitely not the role model I like my wife to emulate.

There are many women who are struggling to find balance being a wife, accountant, mother, employee and citizen. Many do not hold directorships, nor have 6 months bonuses, or even pay increase/adjustments peg to the top 5 earners.

All I ask is for you to have empathy and compassion when you implement policies. Be aware that not many are blessed like you.

Be humble.

All I want for Christmas is my PS3

Was reading an article in the Home Section from the elite newspaper, The Straits Times.

Avid gamers willingly pay more for these PS3s
by Leung Wai-Leng & Lim Yee Hung, 12 Dec 2006

Spring Singapore is going to fine (jail and/or S$10k) the retailers for selling parallel-imported PS3s because (quoted):

"And they may pose an electrical hazard to users, warns Spring Singapore, the agency that manages the Consumer Protection (Safety Requirements) Registration Scheme."

The gist is the scheme requires suppliers of high-risk electronic products to register their products with Spring.

It also reported that this did not damper the roaring trade in the consoles.

---
This is another case of NUTS (No U-Turn Syndrome) - you need to see the U-Turn in order to U-Turn.
The questions that will never be answered:

• Knowing that PS3 has been released (but not in Singapore yet) and it will be a hot Christmas gift, why is Spring Singapore so slow in approving the sale and usage in Singapore?
• Isn't this a setback in trying to push the local gaming industry as cited during the recent games convention held in Singapore?

I totally understand and agree on the 'safe standards' for electronic products. I repeat, I am not against it.

But to put the stop just because Spring Singapore has not gotten round to approve it in time is just moot.

So Spring Singapore take heed - this is globalization for you. If I can't get it locally, I'll go e-Bay, Amazon, etc. It's akin to the Foreign Talent policy.

I will get my PS3 for Christmas.

PS. I am an avid non-console gamer. I understand how a gamer feels. Long live World of Warcraft!

One Elite, One Non-Elite, One Singapore

Was reading the speech by MP Jessica Teo on Beware of Politics of Envy (Dec 7).

Here are my comments to another commenter named Yeo Joey and also to her speech.

---
“Elites must be humble and be sensitive on when will confidence cross over and be perceived as arrogance; non-elites must strive hard and believe in themselves. ”

Do you know why there is such a divide? Becoz many of the policies implementions came from the ‘elites’. The results affect the ‘non-elites’. And it always seem that the policies favor the ‘elites’, ‘white-horse’, upclass, whatever you call it. Ask a common man on the street.

Take $200 dollars from a common man is different from the $200 taken from a rich man. It’s still the same amount, but it is relative.

Whom do you think were affected the most in the CPF cuts?

Now the economy is displaying strong growth, will there be a restoration as promised? If not, why promise it when there is no intention to fulfill it?

Individual character? More like perception of how society ‘grades’ you based on your achievements in life - scholarships, cars, salary grades, academics, etc. Like it or not, people change to the perception others place on you.

Need more? See WSM, and know the significant divide is already happening in the mindsets of people. Just a rant from a kid? I think not.

—
On a side note:There are people who don’t take home 150k annually. For the non-elite, to strive hard without a good wage increase as compared to the increasing living cost seems unfair? Perhaps you should look at the household income percentile over the years.

How do you expect one to believe in oneself when the opportunities are limited, and people place a non-elite stigma on you?

Oh yes, the non-elites strive hard, work overtime, while the government asks the common man to pro-create and then increase the cost of living? How to? More GST hikes?

What makes you think the new poor does not work and strive hard? Do you know many of them takes up 2 jobs - day work and night shift to feed their families? And yet their take home pay may be less than even 1/4 of even my salary?

As the society moves on, these people don’t have degrees or academic backgrounds to push them through the ‘new’ globalization (everybody blames it on globalization. I have no idea why).
And then they face retrenchment at the magic 40. Will another company employ them? Did not these people also contribute to the society and economy of Singapore in the past?

Whose fault? Of course it’s not the government. Yet neither theirs.

I hope to bring you and MP Jessica to attention that not many people have the luxuries and opportunities perhaps like you do. There were many who left secondary school education in the past to work to provide for the family, ultimately contributing to the economy of Singapore. They are now 40-50+ of age. Can they and their family make it to the next 10 years?

Re-training? LOL.

Whatever happened to One People, One Nation, One Singapore?

Perhaps it can be changed to One Elite, One Non-Elite, One Singapore (forgive my satirical humor).
"

HK vs SG

HK lowered its coporate tax. SG followed suit.

HK booted the 5% GST proposal. SG followed with Singapore Budget 2007 Feedback. Which is no feedback at all in my entire life living in Singapore.

My gut feel is that it's going ahead, whether you feedback or not.

Well, the government can take this opportunity to win some votes over by being compassionate.

Let's wait a see.

Good read by Yawning Bread:
http://www.yawningbread.org/arch_2006/yax-688.htm

Confused and disappointed

To quote:
"ST Nov 29, 2006
Ministerial pay 'lags behind benchmark'
But decision on whether to relook salaries rests with PM, says SM Goh

By Sue-Ann Chia

BRATISLAVA (SLOVAKIA) - MINISTERS' salaries are pegged to that of the private sector, but they still lag behind the benchmark.

It is therefore likely that when civil service pay is reviewed, ministers' salaries will also be looked at, said Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong yesterday."

You must be joking, right? First transport prices are raised, then ERP, then GST, and now MPs pay?

*applauds*

I must admit, I never even dare think about it; considering the predictions of post-election hikes.

Look here, I have a few questions:

1. Does it make sense to compare our ministers' salaries with that of the private sectors?
2. Should not a minster's pay be compared to his counterparts in other countries?
3. The US president annual pay is US$200,000, while my Prime Minister's annual basic salary is US$1,100,000.
   - Source from Asian Wall Street Journal 10 Jul 2000

Someone tell me again. Is this a joke?

1. Firstly, how can a minister's pay be pegged to the private sector or top earners? See the flaw here.
2. Secondly, it's not apple-to-apple comparison!
3. Thirdly, how can a minister pay himself so much when:
   - the US GDP (in 2005) is $ 12,310,000,000,000
   - Singapore GDP (in 2005): $ 126,500,000,000 (figures from CIA website publications)?
4. Salaries of a general citizen are pegged to their productivity determined by the National Wage Council. How is it that my Ministers are benchmarked to the salaries of the top earners in the private sector?

Doesn't take much common sense that this whole minister salary increase is wrong. Totally wrong!

Who determines how much they get? Themselves? National Wage Council (who also consists of themselves)? Benchmark against the top earners in the six profession? Sheesh. Shouldn't it be the public who decides?

Why aren't the ministers assets declared? Or even their directorships holdings made known with declared takings each month/year?

To declare 2% GST hike and then tell me that they intend to increase the ministers salaries? Oh, the cheek of it.

As if they do not have enough money already. How many in Singapore actually bring home an annual pay package of $150k?

Sometimes I wonder - wouldn't it be better to have lower pay salaries and risk the corruption?

I don't know... I'm just confused.

And sorely disappointed.

PS. And the civil servants 2.2 months bonus is just a one-time. Ministers salaries are not. Why not increase the salaries of the lower-income group?

The Finn who loved Singapore (propaganda)? Help the poor? Fishy.

Read up some interesting article on the Finn (Mika Sampovaara) who praised Singapore model. However there were some 'hidden' stuff about him, which as usual the Straits Times did not publish:

• SPH Spreads Propaganda
• The Finn who loved Singapore aka The Finn punched a Singaporean woman

Goodness. The cheek of it.

Putting character assassination aside, there are only 2 questions that will shed more light about his intent:

• How much does Mika the Finn earn per year? Does he fall into the 'elite' category?

I bet he does. He's a derivatives trader. So of course he will sing praises on the elite model.

• Has he converted his citizenship to that of Singapore?

Do you think the Finn is here because he loves Singapore? Or is he grabbing what he can here in Singapore (by paying lesser tax and other benefits) and then retire back in Finland?

I wonder who is the idiot now? SPH? Government? I can only say it's us, Singaporeans.

PS. A lot of my foreign friends do the same thing. Ever ask them about converting their citizenship? Heh.

---
Todayonline.com informs us:

• You'll pay more, but you'll be earning more as mentioned by Defence Minister Teo

Fishy.

I don't know Econonics, but I know what regressive tax is. Thanks to the information I gather from the internet.

There are lots of articles about the 2% GST hike. And many have shown how it will affect a Singaporean.

Listing a few that I thought would shed some light:

1. Robbing Peter to pay Peter
2. Low income and corporate tax = more investments?
3. Can an increase in GST help the poor?

Thus saith the government. Just printing an article on a minister supporting the motion ain't going to get anyone far these days.

I just will like to remind the government that the citizens are more well-read than before. Information abounds in the Internet (and also blog) world.

---
A comment I've written in the P65er blog in response to Lim Wee Kiak's comments on the GST hike:

"Hi WK,

From your replies:

It seemed the GST hike will be coming, no matter what the majority of the population says. It was as if the hike was decided some time ago, and when it was announced, the word was to 'diffuse' the tension with counter measures and lots of discussion.

Then there will be a confirmed announcement in Feb’07, with rehashed reasons cited in Oct’06.

Like it or not, the government has decided on the 2% GST hike.

Sounds familiar? I draw you to the Casino (let’s call a spade a spade) debate. If there was a debate at all.

The reasons provided for the GST hike till today does not convince any man on the street.

“Your concern is mine too when I learned about the GST increase. I am not an economist but from the papers I read, globalisation is one of the key drivers. ”

Again globalisation? That means to say it’s also alright to migrate or leave one’s country to work elsewhere too? *read sarcasm*

Politicians have used this word too flippantly, in my honest opinion.

It’s akin to weird weather changes and blaming it on El-Nino, Global warming, Ozone depletion, etc. It’s like telling the masses, what can we do? It’s bound to happen. Take it, accept it. Once you get past the first stage, it won’t hurt so much. Afterall, it’s the bottom line dollar that matters.

So we have transport fare hikes, ERP hikes, GST hikes. Again I’ve said in Zaqy’s blog, what’s next? Conservancy? Utilities?

“Face with an aging population, changing demographics, increased competition from other countries such as Ireland and Hong Kong (with lower taxes) for foreign direct investments and retention of our high net worth individuals, I see we don’t have much choices. I welcome any suggestions that can help Singapore in the long run.”

There will always be other countries who are doing this and that. So must we follow suit? If yes, I don’t see their citizens doing NS?

Ok, I may be off the mark in NS point, but the principle is the same. Following other countries just because they had revised some changes is not going to get us far.

Investors just don’t disappear overnight. For the government to be reactive to such changes and also giving (in)valid reasons for hikes - yes, citizens will disappear overnight.

$0.02"

Why the alternate views. P65ers blogsite and comments.

It happened during my honeymoon and maiden trip to Europe in 2000. Missus and I were traveling with the Contiki Tour to 10 European countries. Exhilarating fun!

During our rest in the hotel room in Paris (nearing the end of the journey), I switched on the television. As usual I liked to channel-skip. (Women swear they find it irritating. Men still do it anyhow.)

The news of the day was about a group of illegal Chinese migrants who were packed into a container tanker and shipped to France like cargos. Many of them died during the journey due to overcrowding, poor ventilation and sanitation and sicknesses. They were just anchored offshore, awaiting their fate.

Being a typical Singaporean, the initial thoughts going through my head were:

1. They deserved it for being illegals. (I didn't know how blessed we were in Singapore)
2. Nobody's fault. They knew the risks.
3. Can't blame the French government if they refuse entry to the illegals.
4. Surely you can't account for people dying? At least not of your own nationality. Thousands die everyday anyway, etc.

What surprised me while switching the different channels were the various alternative views/perceptions/reports of how the media portray the French government!

One channel showed the ministers backing the government with their laws (probably ruling party owned); another side showed the opposition claiming the migrant laws were not good enough (probably opposition owned).

Then you have the human-rights group bashing the government for not taking them in first so more would not have died; then you have the people protesting outside the government house; then...

You get the picture? Or pictures? Yeah just a simple event triggered a lot of activities, discussions, alternative views and no-holds-barred bashing of government.

Initial reaction was: Great, how can this be? Can't the government take action against these 'jokers'? This IS your government after all! How can you fault them in front of the world?

Yet I was thrilled, fascinated.

Only then I realised how backward and isolated my mindset was. Mental constipation. I was not thinking out-of-the-box and all these years, it was 'cooped' up to think ONLY what the main newspaper -The Straits Times told me. I was 'boxed up' to view the pictures the SG government want me to see, the stories they wanted me to hear.

So there you have it. Just a simple exposure triggered me to see issues from different angles, perspectives. Which let me to read into politics, speak about it, acknowledge it. And not fear it.

After all, we do have a choice, don't we?

---
An encouragement to my readers:

Do take a second look at the P65s-blogsite. Their maiden speeches are there. Comments have started to trickle in, and yes, the new MPs do respond.

Er, just ignore the blogsite theme. It's painful to look at. But do visit and at least read their speeches.

See some of the comments I've posted below. It's a start at least.

Zaqy Mohamad:

1. November 15th, 2006 at 1:48 pm
   I've tried to publish the comments below but it failed somewhat yesterday. However, after knowing about the GST hike and also hearing some other speeches, I do not think our comments matter.
   
   Coz I didn’t think your speech (or any others made an impact). It was as if the die had been cast, the plot determined. I feel disappointed. Maybe sorry for you too and even more so for the general public/common man.
   
   ---
   Here were the initial comments:
   Nicely done, Zaqy. Been waiting in anticipation to hear what you will speak on. I’m glad you have brought up some ‘current’ issues, eg mrbrown, malay community, disquiet among S’preans, etc. Glad you did your research and groundwork.
   
   Let’s hope it wasn’t just a speech (I truly don’t, coming from you), where it will be minuted down with no real action items. Many new MPs come into PH, highlighting real issues, bringing ‘connection’ with the man on the street... more

Michael Palmer:

1. October 12th, 2006 at 6:29 pm
   If you want to ‘connect’, sit in the stands during the Chingay with your family among the common people. Not in some VIP seats and also not surrounded by a whole lot of plainclothes policemen and reporters.
   
   Sit there and ENJOY as a COMMON S’porean. See the procession from a citizen point of view.
   
   Know what? The word will get around and will spread faster than a speeding bullet.
   
   That’s what I call ‘connect’... more

Hri Kumar:

1. November 15th, 2006 at 4:26 pm
   “Singapore is a philosophy, a state of mind. It will not be fully appreciated unless we understand our past, what we are today and where we stand in relation to our neighbours and the world.”
   
   Kudos to you for bringing this out. Very thoughtful words. May I add “Not only our past, but our future too.”
   
   Currently, the state of mind on the ground ain’t good with the surprise GST hike (actually no surprise to me. I kinda expected it. It hasn’t changed all these years, has it?).
   
   A country’s identity, loyalty is a state of mind. The government has been trying to instill National Education to the citizens. I do not know what the success rate is (reports and newspaper can be skewed), but I am sure it was a failure, having talked to campmates, friends who are/were teachers, students. And that’s just my outer circle. Even I, myself, don’t quite believe in it... more

So there you have it. Give it a shot. Alternatively.

Alternative: The Stoic Singaporean. ShinCorp Deal.

A very nice read (arty-farty) about the plight of a Singaporean citizen.

• Soothing Brute

My comments to the author?

Nicely put.

For the uncouth me however, it's not stoic. It's the stupid/dumb/moronic Singaporean who does not fight for the alternative, or even make a stand for what he believes in.

Every 5 years, he does not make his national decision with his heart and conscience but with a 'kayu' (Singlish; meaning thick or stupid; incompetent) and fearful judgement - thinking it might just get a litte better the next phase.

So he deludes himself.

Each time he hopes someone from the other wards will make a stand and decide alternatively. For him, he only thinks for his ward (more likely himself) to benefit from the handouts.

And he deludes himself again. Year after year.

So finally, he says 'I've had enough'. And he packs up and leave. For good.

---
Alternative viewpoints: Temasek-ShinCorp Deal

• Madame Ho's Temasek still in the firing line after Thai coup
  Eric Ellis is South-East Asia Correspondent for Fortune magazine
• New kick in the Shin for Thaksin
  The Australian - Business (Peter Alford, Tokyo correspondent)
• Is Temasek complicit in scandal?
  Bangkok Post (Associate Prof Thitinan Pongsudhirak)

vs

• Temasek's Shin Corp deal clean and guided by Thai legal experts
  Tharman's assurance (Dominic Loh, Channel NewsAsia)

Also note: using today’s exchange rate, the paper loss of 23 billion Baht is equivalent to S$968,735,546.40, or US$616,126,398.90.

I wonder how come reports are so vastly different?

Get out of my elite uncaring face

• Say 'No' to GST Hike Petition

Will it change anything? Nah... but I sure get a kick in voicing my disgust and disappointment.

---
Funny that 2/5 of my predictions about the upcoming hikes after the last General Election came true. And all within 4 months. Not bad, eh?

Actually I don't need to be an economist or rocket-scientist to do the maths. The truth is - those items listed within are basic necessities that every citizen in every country needs. Read it here:

• Hikes after General Election

I'm going to monitor it under the Fav Stuff section in the right column.

---
In my honest opinion, this should be the 'read-in-between-the-lines' summary speech by PM to the citizens of Singapore:

"Thank you for voting for us - here is 2% GST hike as your gift...

...oh did I also mention, I have this very comprehensive package to help you tide the GST hike. Do read the fine prints below though I doubt you will because your eyes will always be on the nice 'sweeties' you are going to get.

Oh, thank you, thank you!"

*gives the mega smile and the famous world-leader's wave to the cameras*

Fine prints:
1. There is no such thing as free lunch. This is the e*lee*t economy. Life will kick you in the balls. If not, I will.
2. All profits are belong to us. All your monies are belong to us. You owe us a living, a life, an existence. There will be winners and losers. You are definitely not the former.
3. The government will recover the cost of this comprehensive package sooner than you expect. And even more. Let's say 2008 10% GST? That's an idea for thought.

*turns to scholars and lackeys*
Now, find me a reason by end of year why I should increase to 10% GST. Your bonus will be tied to it, understand?

4. If you are not an elite, get out of my elite uncaring face.

---
Jeez, to think so many ministers (I don't know if they are just 'wayang', or selling 'ko-yok') speeches, including the president (eversince someone revoked his mandatory budget approval, I have no idea what he is there for), bloggers, stories, articles, studies, highlights, programmes, what-have-yous, etc have mentioned these things in common:

• The new poor. Help them.

The feeling I get after hearing PM's speech is:

• Thanks but no-thanks. This is my agenda. Take it or leave it.

Already many people have the general consensus confirmation that the government is uncaring, unresponsive to feedback, clinical, business-minded, profit-oriented, cold.

Just to prove their point - Oops!... I did it again.

So thanks those who sold their souls for progressive packages/payouts during the last General Election.

Thanks.

To quote someone:
"'Now get out of my elite uncaring face."

---
About Vivan Balakrishnan's speech about 'Many helping hands'. I had a darn good laugh. Really.

Some of the blogs that summarized my thoughts:

1. The Million Dollar Difference
   He expects free help to come from volunteers who need to be passionate , committed. Yet the ministers are paid in millions to be passionate, committed (if not they go to private sector or become corrupt)?!!
   
   Common man says: what talk you?
   .
2. Mr Wang Is Skeptical
   I will be too, unless I'm paid millions.
   .
3. Funny comments by Lunatic Fringe:
   
   MIW (men-in-white): "Do what I say, do not do what I do…"
   Peasant: "Yay….Majullah MIW!… MIW is the greatest, tax from me GST and give back to me as workfare!"
   Robin Hood: "I thought it should be rob(tax) the rich, give to poor? We have the royalty that tax (GST) the poor and giveth to the rich (tax breaks/concessions)? Did they not consider zero-rating essentials?"
   Peasant: "Huh???!!!"

LOL

Fishy business

I smelt a fish when I noticed the way how the Straits Times and Today portrayed the resignation of the WP (Workers' Party) member Goh Meng Seng.

It was as if the WP has dissension within. Crap.

For me, there were too many loopholes and many questions not answered. It was as if the media wanted to blot out the whole truth of the matter. The newspapers only chose to publish the 'juicy' bits that made the WP look bad.

Nothing beats hearing out of the 'horse's mouth'. Read it and make your conclusion.

• My Resignation from Workers' Party

Sheesh... talk about media transparency. What a load of bull!

PS. This is to all those who only read the ST reports. Please grow up.

Why I will emigrate

This blog post literally hits the nail on the head. Read it:

• Emigration Essay

If I ever leave, gosh, I'm going to miss my:

• Late-night suppers
• Night-walks with missus
• Roti prata, satay, mee goreng
• Coffee-shop coffee
• Cheap hawker food
• Durians
• Pineapple tarts, etc.

*sobs silently*

Baby killings. 'Victim' muslims. Tit-for-tat?

Read from The Straits Times a few days ago on the article about "active euthanasia" of newborns. As usual, I can't find the article online in the if-you can't-afford-to-pay-then-don't-read Straits-Times. So I've linked reports from other sources instead:

• (Times Online) Doctors: let us kill disabled babies by Sarah-Kate Templeton, Health Correspondent
• (Mirror.co.uk) Doctors: let us kill disabled babies by Jon Clements

I can't imagine killing those babies. I mean do they have a voice or choice? Can someone speak for them? The parents? Who gave them the right? The law? The country? I can understand when an adult, who has had lived his/her life, feels it is necessary to end the pain and/or spare the guardians and loved ones from carrying the 'burden'.

But a vulnerable baby who cannot utter even a protest when its life get "snuffed out"?

Yet there is also another part in one of the reports:

"The college is arguing that "active euthanasia" should be considered for the overall good of families, to spare parents the emotional burden and financial hardship of bringing up the sickest babies.

"A very disabled child can mean a disabled family," it says. "If life-shortening and deliberate interventions to kill infants were available, they might have an impact on obstetric decision-making, even preventing some late abortions, as some parents would be more confident about continuing a pregnancy and taking a risk on outcome."

It can be very trying on the family - both in terms of emotional and financial burden. Which parents do not want a healthy child? Whose fault is it?

Side note: It's definitely not God's fault as some fault Him for the tsunami disasters and many other natural causes, sicknesses and deaths. Neither is it God's will or is He glorified.

Coz' if it's really God's will or for His glory, then they should gladly accept it. They shouldn't even be seeing specialists and surgeons to 'fix' those 'glorified' problems. Unless I'm wrong, in many cases, they still visit doctors and take medications. I feel it is just man's religion/self-righteousness/pride or blaming God for questions they cannot answer.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son... If He didn't love, why bother even to give? Why would a loving Father bring sicknesses or disasters to His children, only to heal them later? To teach them?

Do one as an earthly parent even do such an evil thing, less so God? To burn one's child only to apply medicine later and then tell the child, "Papa (or Mama) did it because I love you. I want to teach you about my love."

Goodness, the theories people come up with. As Singlish puts it - What talk you? (translation: You are not making any sense)

But I disgress.

Does having a blind eye label one as disabled? What about a hole in the heart? What about a deformed arm? Where do we draw a line?

Many questions, few answers. That happens when we play God, or try to fill His shoes.

---
Another interesting article:

• Bishop attacks 'victim' Muslims by Christopher Morgan (Times Online)

Just the other day, I was talking with my Aussie friend. He was telling me about the new policies in Australia to tighten the controls of Muslim immigrants, especially the radical ones. The claim is that most of them don't assimilate well into the country's culture and society.

I don't blame the lawmakers. Wearing a veil is one thing. Having to talk to someone behind a veil is another. Imagine teachers behind veils, or insurance agents or even cashiers. Or even in a face-to-face-veil boardroom meeting.

A picture can paint a thousand words, a face can launch a thousand ships. Wearing a veil is not even required for a Muslim (as confirmed by my Muslim friend and also written in the article). How do you expect me to sign a deal with you if I cannot even see your face?

I mean wouldn't it be downright rude if Christianity (hypothetically) requires all believers to turn-around, wiggle their bottoms at you as a form of greeting? Who cares if it's your religious greeting? Who cares if it's your religion even?

You are bloody insulting me, that's what only matters. So if the world ostracize you because you need to shake your butt at me, then don't blame me for doing likewise.

On the same train of thoughts, we as Singaporeans when we travel to other countries should not believe ours is a superior system. Yes we may be efficient, yes we may be meticulous and well-planned, yes we may expect a certain kind of customer service from our service providers, retailers to respond within the next hour (eg. signing up for a broadband internet).

People don't always work like you think they do. People don't suit you. A shopkeeper in Europe may take time to chat with you as a form of friendly greeting. It is not slow service, mind you.

Just ask Wes&Jo - a Singaporean couple living in Paris. It's a whole new experience. And I'm sure, they have a whole lot to tell... and share.

My point is:
Most people in general can tolerate other views. But when it gets inconvenient and pointless for them in daily affairs, there is usually an attitude of ostracism.

Including a backlash of criticisms.

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Another article in the elite Straits Times (hardcopy) mentioned that an Indonesian radio station has held a drawing and coloring contest to portray Denmark's royalty as pigs - in retaliation against the publication of cartoon of the Prophet Muhammed in a Danish newspaper.

The prize? 5 million rupiah (S$860).

I don't see the Danes running out the streets burning flags, chanting anti-Muslim slogans, boycotting of Indonesian products, vowing to kill those radio presenters, etc.

So where does it end? What are you trying to prove? Do you have to stoop so low?

Two wrongs do not make a right.

Duh.

More about me

Just decided to keep a list of stuff I like or will like to have.
(Legend: italic grey - completed/bought)

Songs/MP3

1. That Thing You Do - The Wonders and other artistes
   I dig all the songs in this album
2. Needles and Pins - The Seekers
3. Castles in the Air - Don McLean
4. The Very Best of Jane Monheit - Jane Monheit
   Underrated Jazz/Swing singer
5. Norah Jones Jazz albums

MobilePhone

1. Sony Ericsson K610i (red)

Cartoons

1. Full suite of Calvin and Hobbes comics
   I have 4 of them only.
2. Far-side Gallery comics

Books - Fantasy

1. DragonLance Chronicles - Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman
   I bought the three books.
2. DragonLance Twins Trilogy - Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman
   Ditto, see above.
3. The Erevis Cale Trilogy - Paul S. Kemp
   - Twilight Falling (#1)
   - Dawn of Night (#2)
   - Midnight's Mask (#3)

Books - Politics
(always 2 sides of a coin)

1. From Third World to First : The Singapore Story: 1965-2000 - Lee Kuan Yew
2. Lee's Law: How Singapore Crushes Dissent - Chris Lydgate

Trip to Malacca

Went with missus and a couple (QQ*librarian and her hubby) over the weekend (27 - 29 Oct) to Malacca... minus Rachel. Yeah I missed the bubbly princess, especially on the 2nd day.

But I shouldn't be concerned as we had planned for Rachel to enjoy herself with her cousins while we were away. I bought her a princess watch (Ariel) which she had always wanted.

Anyway, this is my second trip to the town since 4 - 5 years ago (before Rachel was born). The city is slowly losing the 'sleepy'-late-70s feeling, with the constructions of new high-rise buildings dotting the coastal landscape and the developments of new shopping malls within the city center. By and large it still managed to retain part of the Straits-Chinese heritage charm in certain areas (that's why tourists come), especially when we took a walk down Jonker Street area.

The journey took about 3 hours using the second link, coupled with two short stops for bios break, leg stretch and lunch. We reached the Hotel Equitorial just before 3pm for check-in. After that, we headed down to Jonker Street for some sight-seeing, shopping and mingling with the tourists/locals in the night market. Took a short rest at the Geographer Cafe.

Missus shopped and shopped. She must have enjoyed herself tremendously. Probably she never had her personal space to shop without Rachel drawing her attention away. Indeed Rachel can sometimes be a handful in shopping centers - running around, trying on clothes, shoes, accessories, girl-stuff, etc.

The next day, we visited the Peranakan Heritage museum/town house. The entrance is RM8 per pax. It was very reasonable as we got to see the deep history up to 4 generations of the family who owned the museum, the traditional customs and culture of a pure Peranakan family.

This is a must-see, make-your-money-worth tour. The valuable antiques and furniture inside are well-preserved. I was still awed by the deep history of the Peranakans, being a half-Peranakan myself (late mum's side). Even the tour guide was the same lady who had brought us the first time round. She didn't change a bit, even! I know it's her because of the monotonous, 'mechanical' voice (as if reading from a script) while she was conducting the tour. It was as if she had been saying those words for a millionth time. Probably...

We had the famous chicken rice-balls for lunch in the shophouse by the bridge. Still tasted as good since the first time I had it 4-5 years ago. Not those commercialized restaurants trying to emulate the original. You'll know the shophouse is the original, authentic, good-tasting one when:

1. It is always crowded.
2. It opens only during noon time. By 4pm it closes, while the other restaurants are still open.

We had it with the lime-chilli sauce. Yum yum! Don't ever miss it! Thinking of the chicken rice-balls right now makes my mouth water.

We ate at Jonker 88 eating house. Tried the nonya laska and chendol. Absolutely delicious too!

Then it was more shopping (all hail the missus) at the Mahkota shopping center till mid-afternoon. We took a swim back at the hotel and had our dinner at the Banonya Peranakan Restaurant nearby. And then more shopping into the night. *groan*

We headed back to the hotel at 10pm as I wanted to catch the match between Man United and Bolton Wanderers. Final score: Man U 4 Bolton 0. Sweet!

I never knew Missus missed shopping so much! It was non-stop into the night till the shops in the shopping center started to close. I thought the 4-letter word that most women wanted to hear was 'LOVE'. It must have changed to 'SHOP' and 'SALE' after marriage. Sheesh...

Next day was the trip back home. We missed Nog-nog (Rachel's pet name) very badly. I only wanted to see her expression when I present the princess watch to her.

Rachel went absolutely crazy about the watch. She even slept with it! I'm a proud father. *smiles*

Overall, I enjoyed the trip (7.5/10). But I think missus enjoyed it more. Must have been the shopping factor.

In summary, the must-do in Malacca:

• Jonker 88 eating house cum museum - 7.5/10
• Jonker Street night market (opens from Friday - Sunday every week) - 7/10
• Peranakan Heritage Museum - 8/10
• Shophouse selling chicken rice-balls at the bridge - 8.5/10
• Authentic Peranakan Food (either Banonya or Ole Sayang Restaurant) - 7.5/10
• Pineapple tarts - 7.5/10
• Shopping (for me) - 6/10
• Shopping (for her) - 12/10

Did they really say that?

Quotes compiled by an anonymous blogger:

"Retrenchment is good for singapore. If there is no retrenchment, then I worry." - SM Goh

"I don't think that there should be a cap on the number of directorship that a person can hold." - PAP MP John Chen who holds 8 directorships

"It's not for the money because some of the companies pay me as little as $10,000 a year." - PAP MP Wang Kai Yuen who holds 11 directorships

"If you want to dance on a bar top, some of us will fall off the bar top. Some people will die as a result of liberalising bar top dancing... a young girl with a short skirt dancing on it may attract some insults from some other men, the boyfriend will start fighting and some people will die." - Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports

"I would want to form an alternative policies group in Parliament, comprising 20 PAP MPs. These 20 PAP MPs will be free to vote in accordance with what they think of a particular policy. In other words, the whip for them will be lifted. This is not playing politics, this is something which I think is worthwhile doing." - SM Goh

"If you sing Jailhouse Rock with your electric guitar when others are playing Beethoven, you are out of order. The whip must be used on you." - SM Goh again, on a dramatic u-turn, rethink or backtrack, whatever you call it

"Save on one hairdo and use the money for breast screening." - another gem from Lim Hng Kiang

"We started off with (the name) and after looking at everything, the name that really tugged at the heartstrings was in front of us. The name itself is not new, but what has been used informally so far has endeared itself to all parties." - Mah Bow Tan on the $400,000 exercise to rename Marina Bay as *gasp* Marina Bay

"Having enjoyed football as a national sport for decades, we in Singapore have set ourselves the target of reaching the final rounds of World Cup in 2010." - Ho Peng Kee

"Only 5% are unemployed. We still have 95% who are employed." - Yeo Cheow Tong

"Singaporean workers have become more expensive than those in the USA and Australia." - Tony Tan

"People support CPF cuts because there are no protest outside parliament." - PM Lee

"No, it was not a U-turn, and neither was it a reversal of government policy. But you can call it a rethink." - Yeo Cheow Tong

"...I regret making the decision because, in the end, the baby continued to be in intensive care, and KKH now runs up a total bill of more than $300,000..." - Lim Hng Kiang, regretting the decision to save a baby's life because KKH ran up a $300,000 bill

No prize for guessing who said this recently:

"Army will intervene in freak elections" - 15 Sep 2006

Eliteness, Peeves and People need people

Sigh. Eliteness at its worst.

RJC College student Wee Shu Min, a daughter of MP Wee Siew Kim, literally blew herself up. And her father's career too. I'm not too sure if he will get elected for the measure. Not at least by the common people.

A certain blogger by the name of Mr Derek Wee blogged about his concerns on Singaporean workers and the competition from foreign talents and the lack of job opportunities from older workers. (See his full article)

She dismissed his views and commented:
"Derek, Derek, Derek darling, how can you expect to have an iron rice bowl or a solid future if you cannot spell?"

"There's no point in lambasting the Government for making our society one that is, I quote, 'far too survival of the fittest'... If uncertainty of success offends you so much, you will certainly be poor and miserable."

She told him to 'get out of my elite uncaring face' in a concluding comment. (see her full comments)

To top it off:
"Mr Wee Siew Kim said he stood by his daughter's 'basic point', but added: 'As a parent, I may not have inculcated the appropriate level of sensitivity, but she has learnt a lesson.' "

As one blogger puts it:
You will be disconnected too if you eat 'mee siam' with 'hums'.

---
(Newsflash) SBS Transit launches 'Flag the Bus Early' campaign

Duh. How stupid can we get? Peeves:

1. Since when has the bus not stopping at bus-stops became the fault of commuters?
2. Why call bus-stops if it is not for buses stopping? Maybe we should change 'bus-stops' to 'bus-maybe-stop-but-not-for-you'.
3. Why don't bus compaines have 'Bus-drivers slow down and stop at bus-stops' campaign? Or have a 'Big number signs on buses' campaign? Just an example, have you ever tried flagging down a 160, 166 or 169 bus which has all three buses running at the same bus-stop?
4. Why don't bus compaines have 'Stop wasting money on lousy campaigns' campaign and direct profits to 'Decrease fare hikes' campaign?
5. Why do bus companies post high profit earnings but increase fares due to whatever excuses they can think of? Maybe we should also have another 'Stop giving us lousy excuses' campaign.
6. Why bloody have a campaign at all? Do we need one? Did we ask for one? Aren't we a mature and developed society? Must we need campaigns to think for us?

---
I was touched by the financial help poured in for the family who lost the husband and father. He committed suicide by jumping in front of an oncoming MRT train. A couple of thought-provoking reads:

1. Turning Away
2. What exactly constitutes “financial difficulty”?

These are real life issues. How low can a man go before the help he needed ever came?

1. How ever can a poor person (who is usually illiterate) know that he can receive help? How will he ever know there are 'vouchers' for him? If he had 80cents to buy a newspaper, wouldn't he be saving that for more important matters like food, basic necessities - soap, toothpaste, water, etc, which we often take for granted?
2. How many people, who had given up their studies (in the late 60s, 70s) to work so that they can bring money for their younger siblings, find themselves lost out in the rat race to be elite? Re-training? *LOL*
3. How many more of such people exist (with suicidal tendencies thinking where/when their children next meal will be) in Singapore? Must a suicide wake Singaporeans up? Must a death snap us from our Singapore dreaming?
4. Are we too ingrained in pursuing academics, elite-ness that we forget who we are - humans who need humans? Just a touch, a simple gesture and kindness can turn a family around. Or can it?
5. How come his relatives and friends never came to help? Now the family is 0.5 million dollars richer through the kindness and help poured in from the public. Will they suddenly appear to 'help' and become close to the family? Where was your loving back then?

---

Guess some questions will never be answered.

Wait...

Perhaps God is telling me the answer to the haze. Perhaps it's my life, the search for a deeper meaning. Perhaps it's all the answers to the questions I've asked and the answers I'm longing to hear.

Perhaps. Just wait.

One thing I know - when I see His faithfulness, He sees my faith.
---
This poem written was by a missionary after a 2-month illness.

Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried:
Quietly, patiently, lovingly God replied.
I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate,
And the Master so gently said, "Child, you must wait."

"WAIT? You say 'wait'," my indignant reply.
"Lord, I need answers. I need to know why!
Is Your hand shortened? Or have You not heard?
By faith I have asked and am claiming Your Word.

My future and all to which I can relate
Hangs in the balance, and YOU tell me 'Wait'?
I'm needing a 'yes', a go-ahead sign,
Or even a 'no' to which I can resign.

And, Lord, You promised that if we believe
We need but to ask, and we shall receive.
And, Lord, I've been asking, and this is my cry:
I'm weary of asking! I need a reply!"

Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate
As my Master replied once again, "You must wait".
So I slumped in my chair, defeated and taut,
And grumbled to God, "So I'm waiting....for what?"

He seemed, then, to kneel, and His eyes wept with mine,
And He tenderly said, "I could give you a sign.
I could shake the heavens and darken the sun.
I could raise the dead, cause the mountains to run.
All you seek, I could give, and pleased you would be.
You would have what you want...but you wouldn't know Me.

You'd not know the depth of my love for each saint;
You'd not know the power that I give to the faint;
You'd not learn to see through clouds of despair;
You'd not learn to trust just by knowing I'm there;
You'd not know the joy of resting in Me
When darkness and silence were all you could see.

You'd never experience the fullness of love
As the peace of My Spirit descends like a dove;
You'd know that I give and I save (for a start),
But you'd not know the depth of the beat of My heart,

The glow of My comfort late in the night,
The faith that I give when you walk without sight,
The depth that's beyond getting just what you asked
Of an infinite God, who makes what you have last.

You'd never know, should your pain quickly flee,
What it means that "My grace is sufficient for thee".
Yes, your dreams for that loved one overnight would
come true, But, Oh, the loss!
If I lost what I am doing in you!

So be silent, My child, and in time you will see
That the greatest of gifts is to get to know Me.
And though oft may My answers seem terribly late,
My most precious answer of all is still, "WAIT".

---
When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.