Last December I went for the 2nd company sponsor medical check up and all was well just that I am slightly overweight and has a high Triglyceride level. (Too much oil in blood) and my blood pressure are slightly high.
My triglyceride level last year was like at a border high but it did drop from a high from 2 years ago.
This has partly due to my effort of exercising more and also the reduction of unhealthy food intakes.
My company is promoting a healthy lifestyle this year and for this month we all got free basic health test in the company.
They took my blood and now I am just waiting to see how my Triglyceride level.
My blood pressure was 130/85. A moderate high and it shows a pre-hypertension signal.
This may be due to my family history of hypertension.
It is not serious yet but at least it again reminds me to watch my diet, keep myself stress free and to exercise more.
This health screening findings did not surprise me as I do go for my bi-annual health check which give me a indication of my health level so I can force or motivate myself to eat right and spend more time sweating it out.
But this is not the case for a few of my colleague.
They all look ok and are quite skinny.
One of them blood pressure was like 200+ which indicate a level 2 hypertension. She was shocked as she felt nothing.
Another’s cholesterol level was sky high and he was quite depressed as he can’t enjoy his sea food as much as he wants now.
Funny thing is, even though this health screening is free, many of my colleague did not bother to sign up for it.
A few gave me reasons like no time; they feel fine and some even said they don’t want to know what is wrong with them inside!
I keep telling them that early detection is the best cure for any disease but they just brush me off.
I knew a few colleague and friend’s parents passed away recently suddenly for various reasons but they scary part was they all looked healthy.
An obese person may know he needs to watch his diet but a skinny person may think he is healthy and literally eat his way to the graves.
There are many diseases out there that won’t give us any signal but they all can be cured if detected early.
So I do urge all my friends to go for you medical check up at least once every 2-3 years.
It only cost you a few hundreds dollars and a few hours of your time.
As I always say, health is priceless.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Toothless Tiger
Abercrombie & Fitch ad 'indecent' but will stay for now
Watchdog calls for its removal but has no legal right to enforce decision
The advertisement featuring a topless man that is plastered on the Orchard shopfront of American fashion retailer Abercrombie & Fitch breaches the local advertising code of decency, said a watchdog.
The Advertising Standards Authority of Singapore (ASAS), which made the ruling, has called for the ad - put up after April - to be removed.
But there is a hitch - ASAS has no legal rights to enforce its decision. The picture of a model wearing a pair of low-slung jeans, which spans the entire four-level shopfront, remains on display at the Knightsbridge mall in Orchard Road for now.
Some people who found the ad to be lewd and inappropriate for the prominent location wrote to The Straits Times' Forum page last month, urging for it to be taken down.
Ok firstly I find nothing wrong with the advertisement. If so all topless men in Singapore need to be arrested.
Think the authorities in Singapore are over conservative and think we are virgin. Please lah! Secondary and even primary students in Singapore are already having sex.
Not that I am agreeable to it but I urge the authorities to put their priority right.
They should spend more time improving the moral of our youth then go around calling a picture of a topless man to be removed.
Then again the advertisement has been there like months and if I am not wrong, A&F is due to open in December this year so it has only 3 months max for display so why only now that this ASAS is asking it to be removed. Wayang?
The best part is ASAS has no enforcement rights. So why is it going around comment on things if it has no authority? Something does not gel here.
From the internet:
What ASAS does
• Provides advice and guidance when advertisers, advertising agencies and media owners are in doubt over the acceptability of advertisements – particularly before publication. However, ASAS is not intended to be a clearing-house for the approval of all advertising.
• Handles complaints about advertising practices. ASAS is able to rule on disputes between members of the Singapore Advertisers Association, the Association of Accredited Advertising Agents, Advertising Media Owners’ Association of Singapore and the Association of Broadcasters.
• Advises on any advertisement prepared and/or published by persons or companies outside the four Associations, provided that it is brought to the attention of ASAS in accordance with the procedure of lodging a complaint.
• Issues sanctions:
o Withholding advertising space or time from advertisers, and withdrawal of the trading privileges from advertising agencies. Both these sanctions are applied by the media owners.
o Adverse publicity. ASAS has the option of publishing details of the outcome of the investigations, ie. naming those who may have offended against the code. This is particularly so for recalcitrant offenders.
Seem like ASAS are in charge of handling complaints. So I guess that this advertisement may has received a few complaints and ASAS knowing it can’t do nothing about it just have to go public and ask the advertisement to be removed.
Look like another “jia liao bee” authority.
"The word Authority is derived mainly from the Latin word auctoritas, meaning invention, advice, opinion, influence, or command. In English, the word 'authority' can be used to mean power given by the state (in the form of Members of Parliament, Judges, Police Officers, etc.), by academic knowledge of an area (someone can be an authority on a subject). "
Watchdog calls for its removal but has no legal right to enforce decision
The advertisement featuring a topless man that is plastered on the Orchard shopfront of American fashion retailer Abercrombie & Fitch breaches the local advertising code of decency, said a watchdog.
The Advertising Standards Authority of Singapore (ASAS), which made the ruling, has called for the ad - put up after April - to be removed.
But there is a hitch - ASAS has no legal rights to enforce its decision. The picture of a model wearing a pair of low-slung jeans, which spans the entire four-level shopfront, remains on display at the Knightsbridge mall in Orchard Road for now.
Some people who found the ad to be lewd and inappropriate for the prominent location wrote to The Straits Times' Forum page last month, urging for it to be taken down.
Ok firstly I find nothing wrong with the advertisement. If so all topless men in Singapore need to be arrested.
Think the authorities in Singapore are over conservative and think we are virgin. Please lah! Secondary and even primary students in Singapore are already having sex.
Not that I am agreeable to it but I urge the authorities to put their priority right.
They should spend more time improving the moral of our youth then go around calling a picture of a topless man to be removed.
Then again the advertisement has been there like months and if I am not wrong, A&F is due to open in December this year so it has only 3 months max for display so why only now that this ASAS is asking it to be removed. Wayang?
The best part is ASAS has no enforcement rights. So why is it going around comment on things if it has no authority? Something does not gel here.
From the internet:
What ASAS does
• Provides advice and guidance when advertisers, advertising agencies and media owners are in doubt over the acceptability of advertisements – particularly before publication. However, ASAS is not intended to be a clearing-house for the approval of all advertising.
• Handles complaints about advertising practices. ASAS is able to rule on disputes between members of the Singapore Advertisers Association, the Association of Accredited Advertising Agents, Advertising Media Owners’ Association of Singapore and the Association of Broadcasters.
• Advises on any advertisement prepared and/or published by persons or companies outside the four Associations, provided that it is brought to the attention of ASAS in accordance with the procedure of lodging a complaint.
• Issues sanctions:
o Withholding advertising space or time from advertisers, and withdrawal of the trading privileges from advertising agencies. Both these sanctions are applied by the media owners.
o Adverse publicity. ASAS has the option of publishing details of the outcome of the investigations, ie. naming those who may have offended against the code. This is particularly so for recalcitrant offenders.
Seem like ASAS are in charge of handling complaints. So I guess that this advertisement may has received a few complaints and ASAS knowing it can’t do nothing about it just have to go public and ask the advertisement to be removed.
Look like another “jia liao bee” authority.
"The word Authority is derived mainly from the Latin word auctoritas, meaning invention, advice, opinion, influence, or command. In English, the word 'authority' can be used to mean power given by the state (in the form of Members of Parliament, Judges, Police Officers, etc.), by academic knowledge of an area (someone can be an authority on a subject). "
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Health is Priceless
One in 2 put money and career above health
They ranked other priorities, such as money or their career, above health. -myp
Tue, Sep 27, 2011
About one in two people here rank other priorities, such as money or their career, above health, a survey commissioned by pharmaceutical firm Pfizer and released yesterday showed.
The study had polled 214 people.
50% of these people have their priority all wrong.
To me Health is priceless.
With Health you can live life to the fullest and you don’t need lots of money to enjoy simple things in life.
So what if you are rich but instead are bed- reddened and need a machine to breath for you.
So what if you are going places with you career but you are spending most of your life in the office rather then back home playing with your kids or travel to see the world.
This just remind me of the china teenager who sold one of his kidney for a I-pad2 and I-phone 4.
Sad.
They ranked other priorities, such as money or their career, above health. -myp
Tue, Sep 27, 2011
About one in two people here rank other priorities, such as money or their career, above health, a survey commissioned by pharmaceutical firm Pfizer and released yesterday showed.
The study had polled 214 people.
50% of these people have their priority all wrong.
To me Health is priceless.
With Health you can live life to the fullest and you don’t need lots of money to enjoy simple things in life.
So what if you are rich but instead are bed- reddened and need a machine to breath for you.
So what if you are going places with you career but you are spending most of your life in the office rather then back home playing with your kids or travel to see the world.
This just remind me of the china teenager who sold one of his kidney for a I-pad2 and I-phone 4.
Sad.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Screwed up MRT
Train fault caused 8.5-minute delay at peak hour
Sep 24, 2011
SINGAPORE - A train fault caused an 8-and-a-half minute delay for passengers at peak hour yesterday evening reported the Straits Times today.
The report said about 2,880 passengers were affected by the delay on the East-West line towards Pasir Ris that happened around 7.25pm last night.
An SMRT spokesman said passengers on an east-bound train were asked to alight at City Hall MRT station due to a train fault.
To minimise disruption, passengers on a west-bound train were asked to alight at Bugis MRT station so the train could turn around and serve east-bound passengers, the spokesman added.
SMRT must explain exactly what when wrong and the passenger are to be compensated.
The hint for the fault actually begun much earlier.
I happened to be at Pasir Ris at about 6.50pm and I waited about 10min for the train during peak hour. When I arrived at the platform, there were like already lots of people so I don’t even know how long have the waited.
As usual the train was really packed when it left the station. I have to literally squeeze my way out when I reach Outram Park Station.
So much for world class transport system.
Sep 24, 2011
SINGAPORE - A train fault caused an 8-and-a-half minute delay for passengers at peak hour yesterday evening reported the Straits Times today.
The report said about 2,880 passengers were affected by the delay on the East-West line towards Pasir Ris that happened around 7.25pm last night.
An SMRT spokesman said passengers on an east-bound train were asked to alight at City Hall MRT station due to a train fault.
To minimise disruption, passengers on a west-bound train were asked to alight at Bugis MRT station so the train could turn around and serve east-bound passengers, the spokesman added.
SMRT must explain exactly what when wrong and the passenger are to be compensated.
The hint for the fault actually begun much earlier.
I happened to be at Pasir Ris at about 6.50pm and I waited about 10min for the train during peak hour. When I arrived at the platform, there were like already lots of people so I don’t even know how long have the waited.
As usual the train was really packed when it left the station. I have to literally squeeze my way out when I reach Outram Park Station.
So much for world class transport system.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Mark Up - Improving Self Worth
Currently I am busy doing UAT(User Acceptance Test) for a new software system in my company.
Initially my company sourced for consultant to develop this software and lowest quote they got was like $1Million!
So being a ‘prudent’ company, we told the consultant to go fly kite and got one of our own engineer to do it.
With some external help he managed to develop the system at with a budget of about $10,000.
To me he did a good job! His system work and look great too.
Then it got me thinking, how much profit the consultants tried to mark up.
Ok even minus the fee and overhead, we are looking at a different of $980,000! Branding?
My thought then brings me back to the Singapore Armed Forces.
We all know when we lost of damage some equipment in the Army we have to pay for it. (Yes we have to!) But we also know how ridiculously expensive they are.
I remember once we damaged a rotating light and the cost per unit according to SAF is $400! In the end we got one which is exactly the same from a commercial store at $70.
So is SAF also trying to earn profit by making up their equipment cost to cover loses somewhere else or is it just plain inefficient.
If you look carefully, there are several marked up activities happening around you.
Take you monthly conservancy fee. How many percent of it actually go into maintaining your estate?
Gosh these blood-sucking town councils can even invest your money by over collecting.
Finally we have the mother of all marked up, The Singapore’s cabinets.
These jokers’ performances are nothing to shout about in recent years and yet the command obscene salaries.
We are constantly threatened about the end of the world for us if we don’t pay for top talent and ends up with incompetent leaders.
Strangely live still goes on for us with these idiots around for so many years; I don’t see the end of the world yet.
Most if not all retired minister ends up working for the government. I doubt they can command the salaries they claim they are worth in the commercial world.
Initially my company sourced for consultant to develop this software and lowest quote they got was like $1Million!
So being a ‘prudent’ company, we told the consultant to go fly kite and got one of our own engineer to do it.
With some external help he managed to develop the system at with a budget of about $10,000.
To me he did a good job! His system work and look great too.
Then it got me thinking, how much profit the consultants tried to mark up.
Ok even minus the fee and overhead, we are looking at a different of $980,000! Branding?
My thought then brings me back to the Singapore Armed Forces.
We all know when we lost of damage some equipment in the Army we have to pay for it. (Yes we have to!) But we also know how ridiculously expensive they are.
I remember once we damaged a rotating light and the cost per unit according to SAF is $400! In the end we got one which is exactly the same from a commercial store at $70.
So is SAF also trying to earn profit by making up their equipment cost to cover loses somewhere else or is it just plain inefficient.
If you look carefully, there are several marked up activities happening around you.
Take you monthly conservancy fee. How many percent of it actually go into maintaining your estate?
Gosh these blood-sucking town councils can even invest your money by over collecting.
Finally we have the mother of all marked up, The Singapore’s cabinets.
These jokers’ performances are nothing to shout about in recent years and yet the command obscene salaries.
We are constantly threatened about the end of the world for us if we don’t pay for top talent and ends up with incompetent leaders.
Strangely live still goes on for us with these idiots around for so many years; I don’t see the end of the world yet.
Most if not all retired minister ends up working for the government. I doubt they can command the salaries they claim they are worth in the commercial world.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
We don't trust the Men In White
1 in 3 S'poreans are 'cynics'
Sep 15, 2011
SINGAPORE - A new study has found that about a third of Singaporeans are "cynics" - deemed as those who do not trust politicians. The survey, conducted by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), covered 1,092 Singaporeans, aged 21 and above, and was conducted about nine months before May's General Election.
The study's definition of cynics include people thinking they are often manipulated by politicians. However, the study did not differentiate whether the politician is from the ruling or opposition parties.
Compared to other liberal democracies like the United States - which sees a higher percentage of cynics of between 47 and 73 per cent - researchers say the 30 per cent figure for Singapore is not huge.
Still, they say the data gives politicians food for thought. IPS deputy director Arun Mahizhan, who noted "some disaffection with the delivery of public goods" such as transport and housing, wondered whether these are "permanent features". He added:"To what extent are these immediate reactions? This is yet to be determined. But this survey suggests that there is a significant minority who are cynical and there are ways in which the cynicism could be addressed."
Liberals are seen to be more cynical, but the study also found that there is no significant relation between a cynic and his income or education levels. It says the difference is not a socio-economic one but a political one, which means cynics in Singapore cut across the entire section of the community.
Cynics in Singapore are also not influenced by mainstream media. Rather, 12.8 per cent get their news from alternative new media sites. So experts say policymakers should exploit the Internet and new media in their engagement efforts, on top of deepening relations both online and offline.
"We need to encourage inter-personal discussions directly between politicians and citizens," said Dr Zhang Weiyu, an Assistant Professor at the Department of Communications and New Media at the National University of Singapore. "So it's not just politicians trying to send their message through mass media to the citizens because we find that inter-personal talk has a big influence on your political psychology."
The study though, also showed that mainstream media, including those online and offline, complement alternative new media sites. For example, 72 per cent turn to television for news, while 71.6 per cent read the newspapers for their main source of information.
Another group that needs to be engaged further are those who claim they do not consume any news, be it through traditional or alternative media sources.
They constitute about 14 per cent of respondents.
I am quite surprise that only 1/3 of us are cynical, I was expecting at least ½ but again the date could be manipulated after all it’s the Straits Time.
Actually the survey does not reveal things that we don’t already know.
Of cause cynical person use alternative media for news as all of us know by now that SPH has always been used by the PAP to their own advantages and the same goes for TCS.
The fact is Reporter without Border rank Singapore 136 for press freedom along side with Mexico, Turkey and Ethiopia. Gosh even Cong and Uganda is better then us!
Note the press try to help the PAP by highlighting that the survey did no differential which party the politicians are from who people feel cynical towards.
Well if you have 81 PAP members and 6 WP members in the parliaments then I would say PAP get 93% of the cynics’ votes.
The survey also claims that 71% of get their news from the mainstream media trying to justify the existence of them?
May I ask how many people believe what is written in the newspaper in Singapore?
To me Politician has a lot to do beside wearing whites and counting their millions to win the heard of Singaporean.
Sep 15, 2011
SINGAPORE - A new study has found that about a third of Singaporeans are "cynics" - deemed as those who do not trust politicians. The survey, conducted by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), covered 1,092 Singaporeans, aged 21 and above, and was conducted about nine months before May's General Election.
The study's definition of cynics include people thinking they are often manipulated by politicians. However, the study did not differentiate whether the politician is from the ruling or opposition parties.
Compared to other liberal democracies like the United States - which sees a higher percentage of cynics of between 47 and 73 per cent - researchers say the 30 per cent figure for Singapore is not huge.
Still, they say the data gives politicians food for thought. IPS deputy director Arun Mahizhan, who noted "some disaffection with the delivery of public goods" such as transport and housing, wondered whether these are "permanent features". He added:"To what extent are these immediate reactions? This is yet to be determined. But this survey suggests that there is a significant minority who are cynical and there are ways in which the cynicism could be addressed."
Liberals are seen to be more cynical, but the study also found that there is no significant relation between a cynic and his income or education levels. It says the difference is not a socio-economic one but a political one, which means cynics in Singapore cut across the entire section of the community.
Cynics in Singapore are also not influenced by mainstream media. Rather, 12.8 per cent get their news from alternative new media sites. So experts say policymakers should exploit the Internet and new media in their engagement efforts, on top of deepening relations both online and offline.
"We need to encourage inter-personal discussions directly between politicians and citizens," said Dr Zhang Weiyu, an Assistant Professor at the Department of Communications and New Media at the National University of Singapore. "So it's not just politicians trying to send their message through mass media to the citizens because we find that inter-personal talk has a big influence on your political psychology."
The study though, also showed that mainstream media, including those online and offline, complement alternative new media sites. For example, 72 per cent turn to television for news, while 71.6 per cent read the newspapers for their main source of information.
Another group that needs to be engaged further are those who claim they do not consume any news, be it through traditional or alternative media sources.
They constitute about 14 per cent of respondents.
I am quite surprise that only 1/3 of us are cynical, I was expecting at least ½ but again the date could be manipulated after all it’s the Straits Time.
Actually the survey does not reveal things that we don’t already know.
Of cause cynical person use alternative media for news as all of us know by now that SPH has always been used by the PAP to their own advantages and the same goes for TCS.
The fact is Reporter without Border rank Singapore 136 for press freedom along side with Mexico, Turkey and Ethiopia. Gosh even Cong and Uganda is better then us!
Note the press try to help the PAP by highlighting that the survey did no differential which party the politicians are from who people feel cynical towards.
Well if you have 81 PAP members and 6 WP members in the parliaments then I would say PAP get 93% of the cynics’ votes.
The survey also claims that 71% of get their news from the mainstream media trying to justify the existence of them?
May I ask how many people believe what is written in the newspaper in Singapore?
To me Politician has a lot to do beside wearing whites and counting their millions to win the heard of Singaporean.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Dumb move of the year.
Wong Kan Seng to be special advisor for Economic Co-operation
PM Lee has appointed Mr Wong Kan Seng as special advisor for Economic Co-operation to the Prime Minister.
Mon, Sep 12, 2011
SINGAPORE -Mr Wong Kan Seng has been appointed as a Special Advisor for Economic Co-operation to the Prime Minister.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong appointed Mr Wong to advise him on Singapore's economic co-operation programmes with China and other Asian countries.
In a related announcement, the former Deputy Prime Minister will be made chairman of Sinbridge from Oct 1.
He will take over from former Cabinet minister Lim Chee Onn; Sinbridge is wholly owned by Temasek Holdings.
Mr Wong Kan Seng has been the MP for the Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC since 2007, he also held the portfolios of Minister for Foreign Affairs from 1991-1994 and Minister for Home Affairs from 1994 to 2010.
I am speechless.
Hsien Loong is doing himself no favour by keeping such loser around.
Looking forward to Election 2016.
PM Lee has appointed Mr Wong Kan Seng as special advisor for Economic Co-operation to the Prime Minister.
Mon, Sep 12, 2011
SINGAPORE -Mr Wong Kan Seng has been appointed as a Special Advisor for Economic Co-operation to the Prime Minister.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong appointed Mr Wong to advise him on Singapore's economic co-operation programmes with China and other Asian countries.
In a related announcement, the former Deputy Prime Minister will be made chairman of Sinbridge from Oct 1.
He will take over from former Cabinet minister Lim Chee Onn; Sinbridge is wholly owned by Temasek Holdings.
Mr Wong Kan Seng has been the MP for the Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC since 2007, he also held the portfolios of Minister for Foreign Affairs from 1991-1994 and Minister for Home Affairs from 1994 to 2010.
I am speechless.
Hsien Loong is doing himself no favour by keeping such loser around.
Looking forward to Election 2016.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Talk is always easy.
S'pore needs more informal occasions for family bonding: President Tony Tan
11 September 2011
President Tony Tan Keng Yam says Singapore needs to create more informal occasions for multi-racial and multi-generational family bonding.
President Tan said this to reporters at the Singapore Zoo on Sunday evening where he attended the "Moon Night" celebrations for the Mid-Autumn Festival.
The festival is an occasion for family and friends to gather and admire the harvest moon.
With a host of educational activities about the moon's effect on animal behaviour, the event also raised awareness about biodiversity and nature conservation.
As part of the programme, President Tan released fireflies into the Zoo's mangroves, as part of ongoing efforts to reintroduce the insect into Singapore's mangroves.
He said: "I don't think wildlife is a charity but it's an attraction. I think it's something which is well worth supporting. And of course I'll be very happy to help the Wildlife Reserves in their effort to attract more corporate sponsorship from companies. Not only the Zoo of course, but the Night Safari, and of course the Bird Park. I think all of these are wonderful amenities for Singaporeans."
Tony is correct to say that family bonding is important and there is a need to create more occasions for it.
But he did not mentioned how to achieve it. Talk is always easy.
With a high standard of living, Singaporeans are hard at works putting in longer and longer hours to make ends meet. We have become slaves for the Nation, a digit and contribute to the annual GDP.
Many don’t even have time to make babies; those which do don’t even have time for them. They just leave them to the maids.
The build on family bond, the government has to look at more concrete measure.
Lower the cost of living, have a pro-family work environments, have more public holiday or even have a 4 and a half days working week.
Singapore has one of the lowest numbers of annual public holiday in the region. 11 days.
While in Hong Kong they have 17 days, Indonesia and Malaysia have 19 days, even Brunei have 14 days.
The question is does our government really want to scarify some economic growth for a more family orientated environment? I doubt so. How can they afford the millions dollars pay cheques to the cabinet if so.
Talk is easy my friend.
11 September 2011
President Tony Tan Keng Yam says Singapore needs to create more informal occasions for multi-racial and multi-generational family bonding.
President Tan said this to reporters at the Singapore Zoo on Sunday evening where he attended the "Moon Night" celebrations for the Mid-Autumn Festival.
The festival is an occasion for family and friends to gather and admire the harvest moon.
With a host of educational activities about the moon's effect on animal behaviour, the event also raised awareness about biodiversity and nature conservation.
As part of the programme, President Tan released fireflies into the Zoo's mangroves, as part of ongoing efforts to reintroduce the insect into Singapore's mangroves.
He said: "I don't think wildlife is a charity but it's an attraction. I think it's something which is well worth supporting. And of course I'll be very happy to help the Wildlife Reserves in their effort to attract more corporate sponsorship from companies. Not only the Zoo of course, but the Night Safari, and of course the Bird Park. I think all of these are wonderful amenities for Singaporeans."
Tony is correct to say that family bonding is important and there is a need to create more occasions for it.
But he did not mentioned how to achieve it. Talk is always easy.
With a high standard of living, Singaporeans are hard at works putting in longer and longer hours to make ends meet. We have become slaves for the Nation, a digit and contribute to the annual GDP.
Many don’t even have time to make babies; those which do don’t even have time for them. They just leave them to the maids.
The build on family bond, the government has to look at more concrete measure.
Lower the cost of living, have a pro-family work environments, have more public holiday or even have a 4 and a half days working week.
Singapore has one of the lowest numbers of annual public holiday in the region. 11 days.
While in Hong Kong they have 17 days, Indonesia and Malaysia have 19 days, even Brunei have 14 days.
The question is does our government really want to scarify some economic growth for a more family orientated environment? I doubt so. How can they afford the millions dollars pay cheques to the cabinet if so.
Talk is easy my friend.
Friday, September 09, 2011
PAP is good at self delusion
PM Lee: PAP needs to sharpen its skills
Mr Lee added that the party needs to "sharpen its skills" to listen actively.
Fri, Sep 09, 2011
THE People's Action Party (PAP) needs to adjust its policies to serve people better and improve its engagement and outreach on issues affecting Singaporeans, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
This is despite the strong mandate won by the party in the recent General Election in which it won 81 out of 87 seats and 60.1 per cent of the popular vote.
Making these remarks in the latest issue of Petir, the party's magazine, he said that younger Singaporeans have different life experiences, outlooks and aspirations.
"We must earn their trust by respecting their views, supporting them in their quest to realise their hopes and dreams."
Mr Lee added that the party needs to "sharpen its skills" to listen actively, to build support for policies, to anticipate and counter attempts to score political points by those who do not want the PAP to succeed, and to gain recognition for the Government's good work.
I can’t believe PAP still does not get it after 2 poor election performances.
No wonder, they still think willing 60.1% of the vote is a strong mandates. Gosh this is like a B4 in GCE O Level.
To win people hearts you just have to shut up, listen and show genuine concern for the people. Shutting yourself up in your ivory towers and drawing millions is not helping.
Oh please do more the listen as well. Else it will just become another talk for the sake of talking and listen without action. This is will ensure your votes going southward in the next election.
Mr Lee added that the party needs to "sharpen its skills" to listen actively.
Fri, Sep 09, 2011
THE People's Action Party (PAP) needs to adjust its policies to serve people better and improve its engagement and outreach on issues affecting Singaporeans, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
This is despite the strong mandate won by the party in the recent General Election in which it won 81 out of 87 seats and 60.1 per cent of the popular vote.
Making these remarks in the latest issue of Petir, the party's magazine, he said that younger Singaporeans have different life experiences, outlooks and aspirations.
"We must earn their trust by respecting their views, supporting them in their quest to realise their hopes and dreams."
Mr Lee added that the party needs to "sharpen its skills" to listen actively, to build support for policies, to anticipate and counter attempts to score political points by those who do not want the PAP to succeed, and to gain recognition for the Government's good work.
I can’t believe PAP still does not get it after 2 poor election performances.
No wonder, they still think willing 60.1% of the vote is a strong mandates. Gosh this is like a B4 in GCE O Level.
To win people hearts you just have to shut up, listen and show genuine concern for the people. Shutting yourself up in your ivory towers and drawing millions is not helping.
Oh please do more the listen as well. Else it will just become another talk for the sake of talking and listen without action. This is will ensure your votes going southward in the next election.
Wednesday, September 07, 2011
Easy solution that don't deserve million dollars pay checks.
Low fertility rate, no in-migration will lead to S'pore's population decline
07 September 2011
SINGAPORE: Singapore's resident population will decline and become extremely aged if the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) is extremely low and if there is no in-migration.
This is according to a landmark study on future population growth and change for Singapore published on Wednesday by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS).
The IPS study started in 2007 worked with different scenarios - of constant low fertility with no immigrants, with 30,000 immigrants and 60,000 immigrants.
The study says with TFR at 1.24 births per woman and zero net migration, Singapore's population will decline to 3.03 million in 2050.
With 30,000 migrants added annually, the population projection is 4.89 million in 2050.
And with 60,000 migrants added annually, population projection is 6.76 million in 2050.
The study also looked at a situation where TFR can be raised to 1.85 births per woman by 2025 with no new immigration.
With such a scenario, the study says population size can still only hit 3.37 million in 2050.
If fertility rate remains low, the study also projected that there will be fewer young people in Singapore.
The number of young people under 14 years of age will go down by more than half from 699,000 in 2005 to 274,400 by 2050.
This report has no value. It is just another piece of propaganda by the incumbent to strike fear by announcing our population will be extremely aged if there is no migrants.
So what if its so?
Economy slowing down? Less progress?
I would gladly give these up for a better quality of life.
We were at 2 millions before and we did quite well.
So who is getting the benefit from the influx of migrant? The government no doubt.
Wealth is not equally distributed in this country. The government and elites only want you and me to work long hours, squeeze into smaller buses and train so to generate more profit for them.
If we are facing ageing problem, the government should look into the root cause.
They should ask themselves why we are not producing but instead they choose to do the easy way by letting in migrant. Don’t forget they age as well and will contribute to the ageing population in the future. So what to do then? Let in more migrants?
This is a good example of overpaid idiots doing a crab job and they still dare to talk about unity.
07 September 2011
SINGAPORE: Singapore's resident population will decline and become extremely aged if the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) is extremely low and if there is no in-migration.
This is according to a landmark study on future population growth and change for Singapore published on Wednesday by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS).
The IPS study started in 2007 worked with different scenarios - of constant low fertility with no immigrants, with 30,000 immigrants and 60,000 immigrants.
The study says with TFR at 1.24 births per woman and zero net migration, Singapore's population will decline to 3.03 million in 2050.
With 30,000 migrants added annually, the population projection is 4.89 million in 2050.
And with 60,000 migrants added annually, population projection is 6.76 million in 2050.
The study also looked at a situation where TFR can be raised to 1.85 births per woman by 2025 with no new immigration.
With such a scenario, the study says population size can still only hit 3.37 million in 2050.
If fertility rate remains low, the study also projected that there will be fewer young people in Singapore.
The number of young people under 14 years of age will go down by more than half from 699,000 in 2005 to 274,400 by 2050.
This report has no value. It is just another piece of propaganda by the incumbent to strike fear by announcing our population will be extremely aged if there is no migrants.
So what if its so?
Economy slowing down? Less progress?
I would gladly give these up for a better quality of life.
We were at 2 millions before and we did quite well.
So who is getting the benefit from the influx of migrant? The government no doubt.
Wealth is not equally distributed in this country. The government and elites only want you and me to work long hours, squeeze into smaller buses and train so to generate more profit for them.
If we are facing ageing problem, the government should look into the root cause.
They should ask themselves why we are not producing but instead they choose to do the easy way by letting in migrant. Don’t forget they age as well and will contribute to the ageing population in the future. So what to do then? Let in more migrants?
This is a good example of overpaid idiots doing a crab job and they still dare to talk about unity.
Tuesday, September 06, 2011
Smoke screen by PAP
Lee Kuan Yew cautions against turning political divide into national divide
05 September 2011
05 September 2011
SINGAPORE: Singapore's former Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew has cautioned Singaporeans against turning the current political divide into a national divide.
He said Singapore could achieve high income growth as compared with its neighbours because during its independence, it had an undivided society that was solidly behind a meritocratic system.
Mr Lee was speaking to 1,800 students at a dialogue session at the Nanyang Technological University on Monday evening. The dialogue - also attended by Education Minister Heng Swee Keat - is part of the annual ministerial forum series organised by the NTU Students' Union.
During the dialogue, Mr Lee acknowledged that the one thing which will change in Singapore and which has already happened is the political divide.
He said as long as the political divide does not degenerate into a national divide, it will not have much impact on the growth of the country.
But Mr Lee warned that if the political divide turned into constant bickering, like what is happening between the Democrats and Republicans in the United States, then Singapore will become just "another ordinary country".
Mr Lee also explained that as Singapore grows more segmented with more diverse educational levels, the country will not have the same homogeneous mass of people to rally behind a single policy.
He said: "What's good for the middle income will be seen by the lower income as unfavourable to them. What is good for the higher income will be resisted by the middle income.
"It is a different society that we face and, therefore, the political leaders will have a much more complicated job of getting the society as a whole to accept a programme which is segmented to meet the needs of various stratas of society."
Another subject of concern during the dialogue was Singapore's immigration policy.
Mr Lee emphasised that a major worry for Singapore's leaders is the fast ageing population, coupled with a drop in fertility rates. Last year, the total fertility rate was at an all-time low of 1.15.
He said: "The birth rate today, the fertility rate, is 1.01. In other words, for every couple, you have 1.01 babies.
"Having said that, the Institute of Policy Studies have the grim statistics of 60,000 migrants a year to keep our economy young. We can't digest that. 20,000 maybe, 25,000 - that's a stretch - but certainly not 60,000."
Mr Lee said the answer is to get couples to have a fertility rate of 1.8 babies or better still, 2.1 babies. Then the population can replace itself.
Mr Lee was also asked about the impact of the recent handing over of the KTM Railway land to Singapore. He said it will benefit ties between the Republic and Malaysia.
Turning to the future, the founding father of modern Singapore stressed that his worry is whether Singaporeans will have the best people in the best jobs.
He said: "My worry about the future is whether we'll have the same national solidarity, the same desire to increase education levels and increase performance and having the best people in the best jobs or holding the most important jobs. Once we veer away from that meritocratic system, our performance will drop."
Political divide will turn into National divide if the incumbent political party are attracting only the ELITES which policies does not benefit the poor and middle income of the nation population.
If you look at PAP, their initial policy in the 60s are good, they generally improve the life of most Singaporean then. However it has since lost it main focus and is working for the benefit of it own rather then for Singapore.
Look at the recent People Association saga. PAP is using tax payer money to champion the party goal rather then the goal of Singaporean.
Look at how PAP treats the Singaporean living in opposition wards.
For many years the PAP itself is splitting the Nation by the way they work in Hougang and Potong Pasir.
I totally disagreed with the old man’s statement:
"What's good for the middle income will be seen by the lower income as unfavourable to them. What is good for the higher income will be resisted by the middle income.”
Bullshit!
Lower the standard of living, lower medical cost, shorten working hours and have a pro-family national policy.
This will benefit all Singaporean and even solve your ageing population problem altogether.
And we are not a true meritocratic society my friend.
May I remind you of Tin Pei Ling. I am sure Tan Chee Say can do a better job then her in parliament.
Father's life is good, it will too be for son.
Dr Yaacob Ibrahim's son will serve NS
His press secretary confirmed on Monday that the minister's son will serve NS.
Tue, Sep 06, 2011
SINGAPORE - Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, the Minister for Information, Communication and the Arts, has refuted online speculation that his son will not serve National Service (NS).
Dr Yaacob's 16-year-old son carries dual citizenship in Singapore and the United States. He was issued US citizenship as his mother is an American citizen by birth.
The issue of his son's citizenship was made public when a leaked US diplomatic cable published by WikiLeaks identified the minister's two children as US citizens.
It then made its way into online forums where some netizens speculated that Dr Yaacob's son will not serve NS. Other netizens called for Dr Yaacob to clarify the matter.
Dr Yaacob's press secretary confirmed yesterday that the minister's son will serve NS just as his father did.
His press secretary confirmed on Monday that the minister's son will serve NS.
Tue, Sep 06, 2011
SINGAPORE - Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, the Minister for Information, Communication and the Arts, has refuted online speculation that his son will not serve National Service (NS).
Dr Yaacob's 16-year-old son carries dual citizenship in Singapore and the United States. He was issued US citizenship as his mother is an American citizen by birth.
The issue of his son's citizenship was made public when a leaked US diplomatic cable published by WikiLeaks identified the minister's two children as US citizens.
It then made its way into online forums where some netizens speculated that Dr Yaacob's son will not serve NS. Other netizens called for Dr Yaacob to clarify the matter.
Dr Yaacob's press secretary confirmed yesterday that the minister's son will serve NS just as his father did.
Well I agreed with him this time that people should leave his private life out of the picture as “innocent” teenager has been targeted because daddy is not very popular.
However we should also asked ourselves why there are so much critics and why are Singaporean has so much dissent towards the Elites and PAP?
It is because the Elites has been abusing their power, pulling string and get their relative into favourable positions.
I believe Yaccob’s son will serve his NS and take up Singapore citizenship in the first place.
Hey why not since Daddy is a demi-god in this country and your place in university and the government sectors are all secured!
Lift is good here! While back in US where you are just a nobody.
Then again I am sure Yaccob’s son name is already on MINDEF white horse list.
I bet he will have a great time serving his nation, becoming either an officer, clerk with a 9-5 job or maybe a sergeant working as a defence scientist!
Friday, September 02, 2011
Unity = You suffer I enjoy.
President Tan calls for unity
He urged that we must now move forward together as one people and one nation. -myp
Fri, Sep 02, 2011
NEWLY sworn-in President Tony Tan appealed yesterday to Singaporeans of different political views to be united, and promised to be a unifying figure for the country.
"Whatever your political views, whatever your station in life, I will strive to the best of my abilities to represent you," he said.
The former deputy prime minister was addressing the 220-strong audience, which included Singapore's founding father, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, at his swearing-in ceremony.
Dr Tan, 71, was elected to the office with a 35.2 per cent mandate - just 0.34 percentage points ahead of election runner-up Tan Cheng Bock.
He took his oath with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Chief Justice Chan Sek Keong by his side. Prior to the ceremony, a farewell parade was held for former president S R Nathan.
In his first speech made as Singapore's seventh President - and the third elected to the office - he said that he is "humbled" and "honoured" by the presidency. Calling it the "most challenging appointment in (his) three decades of public service", he pledged to apply himself to his tasks "with all my ability, with all my energy, and with all my heart".
He also said that the office of the President is a symbol to embody all that is good in Singapore and its people.
He reassured Singaporeans that he would strive to strengthen the common bonds of the society "regardless of race, language, or religion".
He noted the recent calls for unity, including those made by other candidates, such as Dr Tan Cheng Bock.
"We must now move forward together as one people and one nation. This is vital for our stability and prosperity," he said.
And as Singaporeans did in 1965, President Tan said that Singaporeans "need to come together as one people to face challenges with confidence and build our future together".
His call for unity was echoed by PM Lee in his speech yesterday.
Mr Lee acknowledged that society is changing and politics here will evolve.
This change, said Mr Lee, is "natural and necessary" to respond to the changing social conditions and aspirations of the younger generation.
He said: "These social and political changes manifested themselves in the recent General and Presidential elections."
The debates during the Presidential Election were intense and "even divisive", he said.
"But now, both elections are over and voters have decided. We need to come together again and move forward," added Mr Lee.
He said that President Tan has an important contribution to make in promoting national unity.
"You are a symbol of our unity and nationhood," he said.
Even though this representation is sometimes described as "ceremonial", Mr Lee pointed out that they are "serious and important" ones, especially in times of uncertainty.
Speaking to reporters after the ceremony, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen also stressed the need for unity in the country.
He said: "The purpose of the elections is to elect leaders to take us forward. Having done that, we must all be focused on moving ahead."
On the new President, he said: "I worked with him for many years. I am sure he will be - in his own words - a president we can all be proud of."
For once I agreed with Tony. Unity.
But how to achieve this?
To these PAP idiots and Elites, Unity is for you to scarify your pays and lifestyle so they can enjoy theirs.
Not once did I see the PAP nor Elites reach out to the people, they still refuse to step down from their ivory towers, not open to suggestion and critics .Damned! They are not even willing to take a pay cut for UNITY SAKES.
Look at the recent People Association Fiasco.
PA is behaving like a gangster who use tax payer money to act as a political tools for the PAP.
Finger to you man!
Best still openly admit it. Arrogant or stupid? Look like more votes down the drawn Hsien Loong.
He urged that we must now move forward together as one people and one nation. -myp
Fri, Sep 02, 2011
NEWLY sworn-in President Tony Tan appealed yesterday to Singaporeans of different political views to be united, and promised to be a unifying figure for the country.
"Whatever your political views, whatever your station in life, I will strive to the best of my abilities to represent you," he said.
The former deputy prime minister was addressing the 220-strong audience, which included Singapore's founding father, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, at his swearing-in ceremony.
Dr Tan, 71, was elected to the office with a 35.2 per cent mandate - just 0.34 percentage points ahead of election runner-up Tan Cheng Bock.
He took his oath with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Chief Justice Chan Sek Keong by his side. Prior to the ceremony, a farewell parade was held for former president S R Nathan.
In his first speech made as Singapore's seventh President - and the third elected to the office - he said that he is "humbled" and "honoured" by the presidency. Calling it the "most challenging appointment in (his) three decades of public service", he pledged to apply himself to his tasks "with all my ability, with all my energy, and with all my heart".
He also said that the office of the President is a symbol to embody all that is good in Singapore and its people.
He reassured Singaporeans that he would strive to strengthen the common bonds of the society "regardless of race, language, or religion".
He noted the recent calls for unity, including those made by other candidates, such as Dr Tan Cheng Bock.
"We must now move forward together as one people and one nation. This is vital for our stability and prosperity," he said.
And as Singaporeans did in 1965, President Tan said that Singaporeans "need to come together as one people to face challenges with confidence and build our future together".
His call for unity was echoed by PM Lee in his speech yesterday.
Mr Lee acknowledged that society is changing and politics here will evolve.
This change, said Mr Lee, is "natural and necessary" to respond to the changing social conditions and aspirations of the younger generation.
He said: "These social and political changes manifested themselves in the recent General and Presidential elections."
The debates during the Presidential Election were intense and "even divisive", he said.
"But now, both elections are over and voters have decided. We need to come together again and move forward," added Mr Lee.
He said that President Tan has an important contribution to make in promoting national unity.
"You are a symbol of our unity and nationhood," he said.
Even though this representation is sometimes described as "ceremonial", Mr Lee pointed out that they are "serious and important" ones, especially in times of uncertainty.
Speaking to reporters after the ceremony, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen also stressed the need for unity in the country.
He said: "The purpose of the elections is to elect leaders to take us forward. Having done that, we must all be focused on moving ahead."
On the new President, he said: "I worked with him for many years. I am sure he will be - in his own words - a president we can all be proud of."
For once I agreed with Tony. Unity.
But how to achieve this?
To these PAP idiots and Elites, Unity is for you to scarify your pays and lifestyle so they can enjoy theirs.
Not once did I see the PAP nor Elites reach out to the people, they still refuse to step down from their ivory towers, not open to suggestion and critics .Damned! They are not even willing to take a pay cut for UNITY SAKES.
Look at the recent People Association Fiasco.
PA is behaving like a gangster who use tax payer money to act as a political tools for the PAP.
Finger to you man!
Best still openly admit it. Arrogant or stupid? Look like more votes down the drawn Hsien Loong.
Thursday, September 01, 2011
Oath of Office of President of Singapore
I hope Tony will meant what he will be saying for the next 6 years.
The Oath:
"I,(name), having been elected President of the Republic of Singapore, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully discharge my duties as such to the best of my ability without fear or favour, affection or ill-will, and without regard to any previous affiliation with any political party, and that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Republic, and that I will preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore."
The Oath:
"I,(name), having been elected President of the Republic of Singapore, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully discharge my duties as such to the best of my ability without fear or favour, affection or ill-will, and without regard to any previous affiliation with any political party, and that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Republic, and that I will preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore."
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