6 years gone... thank you very much.

Man accused of murder freed after 6 years in jail
By Selina Lum

IN A dramatic twist yesterday, an odd-job labourer was released from prison after he was cleared of murdering an elderly housewife six years ago.

Mr Ismil Kadar - who spent six years in prison including two years on death row - was acquitted by the Court of Appeal, which issued a strongly worded judgment highlighting 'serious lapses' by police and prosecutors.

Describing the case as 'extraordinary', Justice V. K. Rajah said the 42-year-old's confessions were obtained 'in troubling circumstances' which appeared to be deliberate breaches in procedures rather than mere carelessness.

He added that investigators had been 'less than thorough' and said there was a 'startling lack of any objective evidence' that tied Mr Ismil to the crime.

Mr Ismil - who has an IQ of only 73 - had been in jail since May 2005, when he 'confessed' to murdering Madam Tham Weng Kuen, 69, in her Boon Lay flat. The IQ level of a normal person is between 90 and 110.

The housewife was stabbed and slashed 110 times in the brutal attack while her husband, who was bedridden from a stroke, was in the bedroom. He heard what was happening but could not do anything about it. Madam Tham's body was discovered a few hours later when their only child - a daughter - checked on them.

Firtly Kudo to the lawyer Mr R. Thrumurgan.

Now this is scary.

The screw up by police and the prosecutors wasted 6 years of a man life and nearly cause the death of an innocent man.

Note that Mr Ismail Kadar was force to confess 'in troubling circumstances' probably being abused physically and psychologically.

This could very well happen to you and me.

I believe the police and the state own Mr Ismail Kadar an apology and are going to offer him some compensation.

More importantly it should also investigate and make public what when wrong and how to prevent in the future. And also please find out is there any similar cases now.

Question I can come up with:

Why did the police force a confession out of Mr Kadar who is low in IQ? What method did they used that can cause a man who confessed in a crime that has the death penalty?

Was there a KPI to be met then? Were they trying to take the easy way out by closing the case when they can’t find the real culprit?

Who was responsible for this lapse and is anyone being held responsible for it?
What is being done to prevent it from happening again?

Was Wong Kang Seng the Home affair Minister then? (OK a cheap shot)


It is sad that this sort of thing is happening in Singapore where the police and State prosecutor pride themselves for fair and efficient.

I personally had heard other stories similar to this case regarding the Men In Blue so I am really sceptical about the efficiency of the Police.

Not very clever statement from the $3million man. (Note with Potential pay cut)

PM Lee: Water priced such that S'poreans value it
By Joy Fang

WATER is a valuable and limited resource, and Singapore needs to price its water at a level that would make people understand its worth, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said yesterday.

"You have to get the price right so that people understand that this is a scarce resource and will value it," he said, adding that producers of water should also be able to get economic return on their investment.

"If you make it free, nobody will bother to turn off the tap... They can leave it on since somebody else is paying."

Today, water tariffs are about three times those charged before 1997.

When water tariffs were raised yearly from 1997 to 2000, the Government was worried that people would not accept it, Mr Lee said.

"But one reason people accepted it was because, at that time, regularly, there were reminders from various quarters in neighbouring countries that if we were not compliant, they will threaten to cut our water off," he said.

Still, low-income families will not be left behind, he said.

There are schemes, such as the U-Save subsidies, to make water affordable for them.



This is not a very clever plan coming from the Prime Minister.

Price water expensive just to make Singaporean understand its worth? Bullshit lah! Education is more important then anything.

Pricing high is only for the Gahment to profit more that’s it.

I paid so much for the Cabinets and I still don’t think its worth it.

Well done Mr Prime Minister, you just shown us your true worth.

Election over! We are back folks!

Chan Chun Sing, the Minister who never wins a single vote, is showing how stupid and disengaged he is by blabbering such nonsense.

Whenever his name came up, I forever have a picture of him taking over LKY bodyguard job during his speech on nomination day 2011.

He sure is one of the best ass kisser around.



Chan Chun Sing: Offer ideas, instead of attacking gov’t

MG Chan Chun Sing urged young people to ask themselves whether their ideas could move the country forward.

Should you see litter on the ground, you have three options, according to Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Chan Chun Sing.

Pick up the litter and throw it away, write to a government agency and complain that the foreign workers are not doing their jobs, or take a picture of the litter and post it on citizen journalism portal Stomp, declaring that "Singapore is a dirty place!"

What if you picked up the litter and there are 10000 more? What if you are charge $80 a month by the town council but only a small percentage of it go to the cleaner while the rest goes to the town council sinking fund where they happy used your money for investment and hold parties during Nation Day for VIP?

Explaining his analogy, Major-General Chan said the third option is to "tear down", the second to "outsource the problem" and the first is to "take charge of your destiny, control your environment".

I tried to take care of my destiny by voting you out. But you came up with the stupid GRC system to ensure people like Chan Chun Sing and Tin Pei Ling get to be Minister and MP.

It is the third option MG Chan recommended, reported The Sunday Times (ST).

He was speaking at a two-hour dialogue organised by the People's Action Party's youth wing, where MG Chan dealt with questions ranging from liberalising the rules on civil society to more transparency in managing the national reserves.

He urged the 100-odd young people present to ask themselves whether their ideas could move the country forward, rather than just "throw stones, cast doubt and tear down institutions", reported the paper.

Yeah you still have not answered the question. How much of our money are still in the reserves and how much GIC has lost over the years. Ordinary Singaporean the opposition parties has came up with some good ideas for making Singapore a better place buy what have you done to them? Police had harassed them. You already has the idea of “either you are with us or you are all against us”. Too proud to hear anything and only like to hear what you want to hear so how go give you suggestion?

Instances of youth energies being ill-utilised during the General Election saddened him, said the 42-year-old.

He said, "They were caught up in the heat of the moment, attacking the government or attacking the opposition. I want to know ... after you attack, do you have better ideas to bring the country forward?"

Did they attacked for the sake of attacking? Did you listen to what are they trying to say? Do you know these things may already been there long before the election and you only realised it during your campaign? Hell your PM even apologised and admitted some of you mistakes and even some senior MIW cried!

He repeated often his conviction that young people must ask less what the government can do for them and more what they can do for themselves, reported ST.

But you are paid a lot of money for doing nothing if everyone do the job for you Ah Chan.

MG Chan said he would rather see young people telling the government: I believe in this, give me some help and I will do it.

I believe many have tried and will still try but are you willing to listen? Ask yourself that.

When asked about the tenor of social media discourse in Singapore, MG Chan urged the audience to "go and reclaim the space for reasoned discussion" after only two people indicated they were proud of the discussion that dominates local cyberspace.

MG Chan also dealt with policy suggestions.

Asked why Singapore cannot have a welfare system like in Australia, he replied, "We can. But are you willing to pay for it?"

Will you accept an Australian MP salary?

He later told reporters he did not want to give the participants any solutions but to "work through the solutions with them so everybody understands the choices, the consequences the trade-offs".

Own self also don’t know what to do still dare to give lecture to the people.

"Even if they don't agree with a decision at a point in time, they will understand the considerations behind it. So in the future, when circumstances change, they are in a better position to make those new decisions."

I kiss your ass now and I hope someone will kiss mine when I retire.

Tributes pour in for President S R Nathan
Sun, Jul 3, 2011

President S R Nathan, who will not be seeking a third term, receives high praise from present and former government …

Following President S R Nathan's announcement that he will not be seeking re-election after his term ends on 31 August, current and former government leaders paid tribute to the President.

They called him a people's President who served Singapore with dignity, care and charm, reported Channel NewsAsia (CNA).

Environment and Water Resources Minister Vivian Balakrishnan described Mr Nathan as "a very active people's president". As a former social worker, Mr Nathan helped uplift the status of these workers and showed the importance they played in bringing society together, he said.

Mr Nathan also "paid special attention" to integrate the different religious and ethnic groups, added Dr Balakrishnan. "In his sincere way, he reminded all of us of our common humanity and our need to get together and in a sense, he exemplified one crucial role of the President, as a unifying factor for all segments of society."

Dr Balakrishnan said, "He also showed me the true meaning of humility."

"The one point which will always stick with me is his reminder that political office is temporary. It is not something you grasp but it is a responsibility that you temporarily have. You do your best and you do it sincerely and honestly and then you leave quietly. This is a man who has done so much in a quiet and effective way," he noted.

Former Speaker of Parliament Abdullah Tarmugi commended Mr Nathan for his contributions, reported CNA.

"I know him personally and how he really puts in everything in his job. ... He is one President that we can call easily to be Singapore's President. President for all, in that sense. He has contributed a lot and he deserves to rest," he said.

Mr Nathan served with "dignity, with lots of care, charm", said former Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Zainul Abidin Rasheed. "He will be well-remembered, not only by Singaporean's as the people's President but indeed by all those whom he has visited in countries overseas."

Former Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Lim Hwee Hwa echoed Mr Zainul's views.

She said, "President S R Nathan is really a people's man and he's got wonderful love. He is very giving, he has a very special touch for every strata of society. I can't help but notice his special way with people and I think he has in a way shown what a wonderful President is and I wish him all the best."



OK he may be a nice guy but I did tried very hard and google what SR Nathan did for the people of Singapore (Note not for the men in white) and I can only come up with one thing.

He started the President Challenge to challenge the people of Singapore to raise fund for charity.

That’s it!

When S R Nathan announced that he will not be running in the coming President Election, suddenly we see may “tributes” from the men and women in whites and heck they even got a few Ex-men in women in whites giving their 2 cents worth.

Funny that there is no comment from the opposition parties or the ordinary Singaporean on the street. Maybe the media think our comments are worthless.

These people make me sick will they ass kissing.

Also please don’t forget he is paid $4miilons of tax payer's money every year for “his job”.

Did S R Nathan did a good job?

Let me asked you, if the very person he suppose to check on are singing praises for him, what do you think my friend?

PAP best campaign ever

Many of you may not have seen this poster before and I guess it has been a no no for it to be shown again in public by our government these days. Ironically this may be one of their best campaigns ever.

However this also proved that the government do make mistakes and it took them about 10 years to realise it and 20yrs trying to reverse it with no success.

The stop at two campaigns was launched by the Singapore government in 1972 to limit population growth. Singaporean was pressured to stop at two and those who have 3rd child or more are made to pay heavily financially. Couples who did not stop at two enjoyed less income tax relief, paid more in hospitalisation fees and had maternity leave reduced.

My parents came from big family and I guess the mindset of Singaporean in the 60s and 70s were to have a big family as well. But due to measure put in by the government then people have to settle with 2 kids max. I can just imagine how many abortions took place because the parents cannot afford to have the 3rd kid then.

So why are Singaporean not production? Even top mind and scholar from the Men-in-whites camp cannot solve the problem. Or should I say they don’t want to solve the problem with sacrifices to the national economic growth and hence their own bonus.

To me the solutions are not that difficult. You just have to make the cost of living in Singapore low and have a pro family society.

In the 70s HDB flat are not so expensive and heck even car and food are not that expensive. Although wages are low but I still remember my family of four still are able to survive with the single income from my Dad. Mum was a full time housewife that took care of the household chores and kids. Life was simple and fun.

So all the government have to do today to improve birth rates is to lower the cost of living in Singapore, revamped the education system to make it more fun rather then stressful, have a pro family work places and things will take care of itself.

You just have to scarify a bit of your GDP and stop treating Singapore as a company where money is everything. A country is more then money, it is a place where people live, work, play and nourish the next generation.

I guess money really cannot buy everything.

The never learn.

30 cops, dogs in 6-hour hunt for... parking offender
Mon, Jun 27, 2011

The offences he committed were only parking ones.

But when he failed to pay the fines and didn't turn up in court after several summonses were sent to him, a warrant of arrest was issued against him.

Lawyer Luke Lee said a court can issue an arrest warrant if the person fails to answer a summons and does not turn up in court.

When two Aetos auxiliary police officers went to his flat to arrest him on Thursday, the offender, known only as Nic, fled while being handcuffed.

That sparked off a six-hour manhunt around Hougang Street 51. Surrendered
More than 30 police officers, several sniffer dogs, five police cars and four red Special Operations Command riot vehicles were activated to search for the man, according to Shin Min Daily News.

He surrendered to the police that evening.

At 2.20pm on Thursday, two Aetos officers turned up at Nic's four-room flat.

As they were handcuffing him, Nic, 28, struggled violently, broke free and ran down the stairs, with the handcuffs dangling from one arm, reported Lianhe Wanbao.

The police were called in and they mounted an extensive search of the area lasting almost six hours.
Besides Hougang Street 51, the housing estates in Hougang Street 52, Avenue 5 and Avenue 8 were also searched.

The hunt covered carparks and a construction site, Shin Min Daily News reported.

Pictures of Nic were put up in public places, such as staircase landings and coffee shops.
Around 8pm the same day, Nic turned himself in at the Ang Mo Kio North Neighbourhood Police Centre.

Yesterday, The New Paper visited the neighbourhood. Madam Jessica Toh, a 45-year-old housewife who lives with her family two doors away from Nic, described his parents as "very friendly".

She said they would exchange greetings when they met each other. According to Madam Toh, the couple looked to be in their 50s. They have two other adult children - a son and a daughter.
She added: "They look educated. They also dress tidily and are well groomed."

Two floors down, a resident, who has been living at the block for more than 20 years, thought that a "murder case" was under investigation.

The resident, who declined to be named, said: "There were two or three police cars and a big group of both uniformed and plainclothes police officers. I knew something was not right."

He added: "They kept a low profile. I observed them for one to two hours but no body was carried out."

When The New Paper visited what is believed to be Nic's flat, the door and windows were shut and remained so despite repeated knocks.

There were potted plants and a rack full of shoes outside the flat. There were also poles with clothes hung out to dry.

Police said investigations are on.

For escaping from legal custody, the suspect faces up to two years in prison, or a fine, or both.



30 police officers, several sniffer dogs, five police cars and four red Special Operations Command riot vehicles cannot find a handcuffed man for 6 hours.

In the end he surrendered himself.

Think SPF did not learn much from Mas Selamat case.

PAP backed Tony

Tony Tan will be unifying figure if elected: PM Lee
25 June 2011

SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said he has no doubt that former deputy prime minister Dr Tony Tan will be a unifying figure for all citizens and will bring honour and credit to Singa¬pore if he is elected as Singapore's next president.

Mr Lee said this on Saturday in response to questions from the media on how he sees Dr Tan as a candidate. Dr Tan had announced on Thursday that he would be running for president.

In response to a question on whether Dr Tan had informed him of his decision, Mr Lee replied that Dr Tan had informed him, as Chairman of the Government Investment Corporation (GIC), that he would be resigning from GIC to contest the Presidential Election as an independent candidate.

Mr Lee said Dr Tan did not need his permission, nor did he ask for it.

To a question on how he sees the upcoming Presidential Election, Mr Lee replied that the president is a key person in Singapore's system of government.

Mr Lee said that as Head of State, the president represents the country and all Singa¬poreans. He also has important constitutional functions, especially through his custodial powers over reserves and key appointments.

Mr Lee added that the president must carry himself with dignity and discharge his duties with judgement and integrity.



I think it is not right for the Prime Minister to openly back any Presidential candidate.

On paper the President of Singapore should be impartial and are not in favour of any political party.

But as you and me know, Tony has been a linked closely with PAP for many years and now we have the secretary general of PAP openly backing him therefore the independency of Tony are in doubt.

Of cause we hope he could be another Ong Teng Cheong who did a great job and was also a ex-PAP member and coincidental has been a DPM before.

On the good note, Tony can save the government the 56 man years for providing the figure Ex-president Ong failed to get.

We are a Hot country.

Check out the screen grab from Yahoo Weather page on Singapore.

Official temperature is 32C but feel like 39C.

Gosh we are really hot man.

Hopeless MOH

Shocking scenes at nursing home

Secret video of mistreated woman sparks outrage

THE Health Ministry has ordered the Nightingale Nursing Home to stop accepting new patients after secretly-filmed video footage showed its staff mistreating a woman resident.

The clip - recorded by a resident's relative using a hidden camera - was broadcast by MediaCorp on its television news bulletins on Thursday.

It immediately went viral online, circulated on various forums, and drew angry comments from viewers outraged by what they saw.

The clip first shows the woman seated unclothed on a chair, in full view of everyone in the room. Two women staff members are then shown flinging her onto a bed. And when she groans, one of them slaps her.

Last night's TV news said the clip was handed over to MediaCorp in March this year and the government broadcaster then alerted the Ministry of Health.

But neither the contents of the footage nor the ministry's subsequent checks and action were revealed until Thursday



That’s it? MOH only ask Nightingale Nursing Home to stop accepting new patients and told us that the staffs have been disciplined.

So this is the crap Health Minister Gan Kim Yong only capable of I wonder will he do the same if it is him mum. The public should know what are the punishments given to the staff too, maybe just a verbal warning? The head of the Nursing home should also be punished and the victim and her family should be compensated.

This could happen to anyone and I am disappointed it actually happened in Singapore.
This is disgusting and to the staffs (who look like foreign trash) if you are not happy working you can always look for an alternate job.

I hope these two will ends up being treated the same when they are old.

Why I think George will run for President.

As usual, I believe PAP already has a person in mind long time ago which they well back as the next President.

Then up cam Ex-MP Tan Ching Bock and ex NTUC income CEO Tan Kin Lian which express their interest in running for the President seat.

I think the person PAP had in mind are not as qualified as the above 2 so to prevent another Aljunied GRC they are asking George Yeo to run.

My 2 conspiracy theory.

Wrong Priority in Life.

Teen in China sells kidney to buy iPad 2

A TEENAGER in China reportedly sold one of his kidneys for 22,000 yuan (S$4,185) so he could buy an iPad 2.

The Global Times said the 17-year-old high school student, identified only as Zheng, had confessed to his mother after she noticed the gadget and a deep red scar on his body, which was from the surgery.

Zheng had travelled from his home in Anhui province to the city of Chenzhou without his family's knowledge, where his kidney was removed at a hospital under the supervision of a kidney agent.

The Global Times said Zheng's mother took him back to Chenzhou to report the incident to the authorities, but the contact numbers given by the kidney agents were not working.

Zheng also bought an iPhone and a laptop with the proceeds from the sale of his kidney, his mother said.

The Chenzhou hospital where the boy had his surgery denied any connection with the kidney removal, but admitted that it had contracted out its urology department to a businessman.



This is sad. I wonder what he will do when Ipad 3 come out.

Jokes aside, this is what had become of our society, people value material wealth over anything else, even their own body for this case.

There was a report a few day ago that majority of youth today rather give up their sense of smell then technology.

This survey is a global one but a break down on Singaporean youth states that :

“Singapore youths in particular increasingly reject material possessions such as the five Cs of cash, credit card, car, condo, & country club……their wants and needs are different from previous generations. They are a lot more laid back when it comes to the work place, what they look for. They are looking for somewhere where they can socialise, where they can have a bit of fun as well as work so they are driven in different ways.”

In another word, Singapore youth are becoming bum which don’t really like to have the 5C but must not live without their I-phone, I-Mac, I-Pad and all other gadgets.

Although technology is a big help to the human race by doing more things more efficiently and help us save time. But looking at it how many more time are we spending entertaining our self with them?

People rather spend time “socializing” on facebook then to go out have a meal of meet up with friends. They rather play online games then to have a real game of soccer.

My points is you must differentiate you wants and needs.

Lots of time we buy things out of wants.

Its not that bad if you have the extra cash but when you need to sell your kidneys or works as a prostitute to get what you want then it is really stupid of you.

Korean Movie "Hello Ghost"

Watch this on my flight back from Taipei

Great movie! One of the best I have seen.

Highly recommends it. I love the ending. Super touching. Am looking out for this Writer/director Kim Yeong Tak.

“Sang-man (Cha Tae-hyeon) starts seeing four annoying ghosts after a failed suicide attempt. Carrying out their individual wishes, he finds the pleasures of daily life and forgets about his loneliness and depression. Directed by writer-turned-director Kim Yeong-tak”

Post Election thought.

Now election is over and although I am glad WP had capture Hougang and Aljunied. I am sad that other then this the rest of Singapore still belong to the MIW.

Even more angry that sub-standard people like MBT, WKS and TPL got elected and one of the better Minister around George Yeo has to go.

Even more angry that stupid MM start to talk cock.

Yeah yeah… go back to your era. We have the right to choose who we want in parliament.

I advice to you is please stopped! You already did George in and please don’t sabo your son.

I am also disappointed with those Singaporean that voted for the 3 clowns. Why they do that? I tried to figure it out but cannot.

The only 2 reasons I can think of is:

1) People who don’t care about politic and just wan status quo
2) People who are afraid they will be punished if they vote against PAP.

If you look carefully, I think the only GRC who increased in favor of PAP is AMK under PM Lee.

Note AMK neighbours, Pasir Ris-Pungol and Aljunied carved some territories to AMK resulting AMK PAP’s vote went up and PRP and A both dropped resulting a loss in Aljunied.

I wonder is this deliberate?

As the Gen-Sec of the ruling party I am sure PM will want to do better then his last election so did the redrawing of GRC purposely scarify George and hurt Teo CH a little (He know he is still ok as the area has history of challenge by screwed up party).

Nevertheless, GE 2011 has made history with the most number of elected opposition in parliament. I do hope that the politic in Singapore will mature and bring healthy debates into the parliament and make this unique country a nice place to live in.

We shall see how the new MPs performance in the next 5 years.

What to do on cooling off day.

Cooling off day which is on 06 May is a day when all campaigning and election advertising are disallowed .

This is to, I quote from the Election Department,

“let voters reflect rationallyon various issues raised at an election before going to the polls”

In another words, after days of rallies when emotion ran high, this day is for you to think about the threats by the PAP and hopefully makes you so frighten to vote for the opposition and you will vote for the MIW.

Only political broadcast will be allow this day and there is no prize for guessing who will get the most airtime.

In fact, I think all news and newspaper will be spreading messages for a certain party and there I shall skipped all this on the cooling off day.

So what I suggest you to do this coming Friday is to boycott all the newspaper and television. (You need to be cooled you know).

Instead use the new media.

Go to the website of all parties and see for yourself what are the trying to tell you.

Go to watch speeches by all parties at the rallies, judge for yourself how good or bad or how convinced you are by them. I suggest you watch Teo Ser Luck 1st rally for a good laugh.

So my fellow Singaporean.

Vote with you head and mind and have the courage to do the right thing.

Majulah Singapura! (Not Majulah PAP!)

The game PAP play.

These are the headlines I have seen around on the news regarding Singapore GE 2011 by PAP’s propaganda machine the SPH.

PM Lee: I'm sorry for our mistakes

GE: PAP recognises concerns of all segments of society, says PM

Yeo: Aljunied residents being used by WP

If PAP loses GRCs, it will weaken Government

GE: PM Lee urges Aljunied GRC voters to think carefully about their vote

George Yeo crucial to a first-rate government: SM

GE: People "being made use of" for a larger game: George Yeo

George Yeo 'too important' for Cabinet to lose: SM Goh

Tears fall during Khaw Boon Wan’s wet rally

NSP candidate accused of indiscretions

DPM Wong Kan Seng defends track record

Opposition will form ‘rojak’ government: Lim Swee Say

GE: Be careful when tinkering with system that has worked, says PM Lee
‎
GE: MM Lee says Singapore is not Disney World‎

PAP's Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC team: SPP doesn't know how to run town councils



You see that PAP is frighten…I meant really frighten.

They are again treating Singapore as a stupid child. And the headlines are more or less the same.

First they threaten us.

Telling us if we vote for the opposition. It’s the end of the world.

Then they go on praising themselves on what they have done for us in the last 50years.

After that they start to discredit the opposition even resolved to personnel attacks.

Suddenly they start to cry and share with us their sob stories.

Then they again tell us how important they are and they are not irreplaceable and if George losses it will be the end of the world, again.

Suddenly they start to throw in more goodies for Singaporean.

And finally, PM start to apologies.

Geez… this is like some Taiwan soap opera man and frankly I am sick and tired of all these PAP threats.

I quote Vincent Wijeysingha’s speech on 2nd May:

“If you go into a dark room, and you see what looks like a snake, you will come out of the room. All you do is switch the light on, and then you realize it’s not a snake, but a coil of rope. The PAP’s threats are like a coil of rope.

They are terribly frightened that you will put the lights on – the lights in your heart and in your head, and then you will see that those threats are harmless, and will be harmless after the 7th of May.”

Dumb thing to say PM Lee

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's open admission that PAP wards are favoured for HDB upgrading exercises has touched a raw nerve among netizens…..

"The answer is that there has to be a distinction. Because the PAP wards supported the Government and the policies which delivered these good things."

"Between the people who voted and supported the programme and the government, and the people who didn't, I think if we went and put yours before the PAP constituencies, it would be an injustice"


Pritam Singh from the Worker party summed in all up in his 1st May Rally speech.


“It lies in the PAP’s policy of linking votes to upgrading. This is despicable. All this policy does is to divide Singapore and Singaporeans.“

“My friends, the residents of Hougang and Potong Pasir pay the same income tax as all other Singaporeans. If war comes to Singapore tomorrow, we will be standing shoulder to shoulder with each other, regardless of race or religion or constituency.“



Singapore has always been a multi-languages and multi-religion country. I had classmates from all races and religion while I was growing up.

No one should be discriminated according to his race nor religion.

And now we have this idiot opening telling us PAP are discriminating people in opposition ward.

WTF!

You just kissed your reputation or whatever is left of it goodbye Hsien Loong.

The young one had learn from the Old ones.

PAP's Tin Pei Ling helps MacPherson residents cope with rising prices
Apr 24, 2011

SINGAPORE - Merchants and hawkers in MacPherson will keep prices stable for the next six months, according to People's Action Party (PAP) candidate Tin Pei Ling.

Ms Tin, a member of the Marine Parade Group Representation Constituency (GRC) team for the General Election, announced this while speaking to reporters after visiting a hawker centre at Aljunied Crescent yesterday.

The PAP team members spoke with residents and stall owners together.

Ms Tin said she had spoken to the MacPherson's Merchants Association on the matter, and added that she hoped the move would help residents cope with the rising cost of living.

When asked for her response to those who feel she is the single factor that could drag votes down for the entire team, Ms Tin said the election is being fought as a team.

"We should let the voters decide the outcome," she said.

Over the past few weeks, videos posted online of Ms Tin have stirred controversy.


Jeanette Aruldoss quote a stall holder in Old Airport Road compliant that that NEA raised his stall rent by 35% so how too keep price stable as per Tin Pei Ling promised to the resident.

Yesterday report ask Tin Pei Ling and the answer from her is Old Airport Road Hawker center not under MacPherson.

Good Tai Chi skill.

Nice work SDP!

Love this! Talk about creativity!

So be it!

PM Lee: No by-election if PAP loses a GRC

ST Online 27 Apr.

IF A GRC is lost at the May 7 General Election - and a Minister along with it - Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong does not plan to call a by-election to try and get him elected and back into government, he told the Lianhe Zaobao Chinese daily.

'Elections are a serious thing,' he said in an interview published on Tuesday 'The voters have decided, and we will accept the voters' decision.'

He added that voters, too, would have to live with the consequences of their choice to turf a Minister out.

'There are no safety nets in real life. So it's best not to take the risk.'



Personally I won’t mind dropping a few Ministers.

They are dead woods.

I wonder what will PM think if he himself lost his AMK GRC?

Also I am sick of these PAP people tell us Election is important, we must vote carefully, think of the future, look at past track record…etc etc,

Damned it! We are doing that and is that why you are afraid?

Best joke on nomination day

This is priceless! From Yahoo SG.


126PM: DPM and PAP MP Wong Kan Seng @ Deyi Secondary School addresses crowd on SPP contest at Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC:"You know what we have done for the last five years. I know you will choose wisely." Crowd chants "Mas Selamat... Mas Selamat."

The first Fear Card from PAP.

The old man has spoken again preaching that he knows more then any of you out there and he is the way to great prosperity and progress for our nation.

And as usual he is playing the fear card.

"In a statement issued just two days before Nomination Day, he reminded Singaporeans not to risk their assets, property values, and job opportunities."

Talking rubbish? So only if PAP must stay in power else our assets are will suddenly become worthless, our property price will crashed and suddenly we will be jobless and our women will be maid in another county. Hmm …. Sound familiar.

PAP is not Singapore. PAP is only a political party in Singapore who are given the opportunity to form the government by the people of Singapore.

"He said the People's Action Party is fielding 24 new candidates of proven character, of high calibre, and with a track record of performance that showed they will not fail in taking on responsibilities."

Check out my entry on these new candidates.

"Furthermore, his successors and their teams built on the foundations and they too had Ministers of integrity and high quality."

Wong Kan Seng? Mah Bow Tan? Vivian Balakrishnan? Yacoob Ibrahim? High quality?

"Mr Lee said young couples are impatient waiting for their homes. And nowhere else in the world can a couple getting married, look forward to a home well below market price and after five years of occupation, sell their homes at a significant premium. "

Major flaw here.

So where to stay after five years when you have that significant premium? You can’t downgrade unless you buy if from the open market or you have to upgrade to private housing. So all your “premium” are gone and you are further enslaved in this country to pay your housing loan. For GOD’s sake just price the bloody HDB flats at a cheaper rate!

"The Minister Mentor reminded Singaporeans they are not living in Disney World."

Yes we only have clowns not Mickey and Donald but we have Woody.

"So his message to the electorate - vote for men and women of proven character and track records of high performance and make the right choice, to secure the future of their children and grandchildren. "

I will certainly do that but I can’t find this person from the PAP yet.

Look like MM is really "trapped in time warp".

Vivan scored own goal.

Vivian Balakrishnan makes me sick!

He is despicable to have sunk so low as using this kind of back end smear tactic against his political opponent.

To me his action has back fired. His behaviour has shown us what PAP Minister is made of.

He has no balls to accept an open debate with the SDP where he can asked SDP straight in the face regarding Vincent Wijeysingha stand on gay cause. In fact he didn’t even have the balls to say what he wanted to say.

This little episode shows that PAP has no style, does not treat opposition parties with respect and will not hesitate to use dirty tactic just to win. So how do you think they will treat Singaporean?

In their eyes it is for them or against them.

Fear from the PAP camp

I was watching the news over the long weekend and Singapore GE 2011 was indeed the top news at the moment.

I couldn’t help sensing some fear from the PAP camp.

Probably because this year the Oppositions are fielding more credible candidates and also because PAP know they had screwed up for the pass 5 years.

Its not easy to know where are the PAP weak links are, they are given lots of air times on national TV.

Almost everyday I see Mah Bow Tan, Wong Kan Seng and Goh Chock Tong’s face on TV and suddenly Vivian Balakrishnan and Liu Tuck Yew join in the parties via the internet.

Crunch time is coming on 07 May and it’s quite interesting to see these people blabber nonsense to defend themselves.

In fact I find the more they say the more they are discrediting themselves.

Mah Bow Tan statement of HDB pricing is both defensive and proved that he don’t know what the hell he was doing.

Wong Kan Seng said he took responsibility for Mas Selamat escape was a joke of the year.

Vivian has to sink so low to personnel attacked and brushed aside his YOG screwed up.

Liu Tuck Yew is famous now on facebook for being too proud to listen during his walkabout.

Its funny to hear the Lee Kuan Yew himself who said the result of the pass election got the country to where it is today.

I think I have to agree with him on this point.

Today our country is overwhelmed by cheap foreigners, public housing price is all time high, cost of living is getting unbearable, we are paying GST from 5 – 7%, we have the world most expensive cabinets who have no gut to take account in their mistakes, we got a government who are so proud that they are refusing to listen to the people and call us “stupid” and “lessor mortal”, a GIC that is screwing with our money, many town councils that are screwing with our money, public transport system that is like shit, health care are only for the rich as public health care is like from the 3rd world…….etc etc…

Vote wisely my fellow Singaporean.

PAP newbies Parrots

Labour candidates criticise opposition

TWO new People's Action Party (PAP) candidates from the labour movement on Wednesday criticised opposition parties for introducing candidates only now, after the announcement of Nomination Day, and for using the elections as training ground for young suicide squads they are sending to GRCs helmed by senior ministers.

NTUC assistant secretary-general and PAP candidate for Aljunied GRC Ong Ye Kung said Singaporeans will have less time to get to know opposition candidates, as a result. By contrast, the PAP introduced its new faces earlier and let the public 'scrutinise us upside down', he said.

Mr Ang Hin Kee, chairman of NTUC's Employment and Employability Institute and a PAP candidate for Ang Mo Kio GRC, responded to a Singapore People's Party idea to send a suicide squad to Ang Mo Kio GRC, to take on a PAP team helmed by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

Mr Ang said the opposition should consider if their aim in contesting was to serve residents or to use Ang Mo Kio as a training ground.

He added that response to the PAP manifesto has been good as residents are happy that the PAP wants to build a future for their children.
ST 20 Apr



I was waiting for the PAP newbies to talk rubbish and presto. These two started the ball rolling after Tin Pei Ling.

Firstly there is seriously wrong with the Union being so close to PAP. Union represent the Singapore workers and their leader work for PAP?

Does not make sense at all. What about conflict of interest my friends?

This 2 parrots are saying that the opposition should name their candidates sooner so the PAP can “scrutinise them upside down”.

Hello does it matter?

It is still a week to nomination day and so what when PAP introduced their candidates earlier? Many people still don’t know who the hell are these newbies and what have they done to make them the special one.

Think Tin Pei Ling is the most famous among the PAP newbies. The rest does not ring a bell to me.

In fact we don’t even know much about some of the existing PAP MPs nor what have they contributed to our nation.

I only know who is Ex Ang Mo Kio’s MP Wee Siew Kim after his famous Elite daughter Wee Shu Min incident.

Christopher De Souza? Hawazi Dapi? Heng Chee How? Hri Kuma Nair? Lam Pin Min? Ong Ah Heng? Zaqy Mohamad?

Who the hell are these people?

These 2 jokers even criticised the opposition for sending “young suicide squads” to GRC helm by Senior Ministers.

So? What is wrong with this?

If the people decided they prefer Sweet Young Things then some Old Farts to represent them in parliament then who are you to say anything? You two have not even win a single vote yet and already you talk like a MP.

Moreover some of these GRC are not tested and until recently we only know only 66% of the people in Ang Mo Kio love the Secretary General of PAP.

Singaporean deserve to have the right to vote and for this I have to thanks all Opposition parties.

Quick get me into Parliment!

PAP candidate first to collect nomination papers
By Jessica Lim & Melissa Pang

FORMER army chief Chan Chun Sing, 42, who is expected to be fielded in the People's Action Party's Tanjong Pagar GRC team, was the first candidate to pick up the nomination papers at the Elections Department on Prinsep Street on Wednesday morning.

He also collected a CD containing the eligible voters in the GRC, which is helmed by Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew. The other PAP candidates are likely to be Ms Indranee Rajah, Mr Baey Yam Keng and Dr Lily Neo.

Major-General (NS) Chan told reporters later: 'We just have to fill up the forms. I didn't know I would be the first... I didn't want to squeeze with the lunch crowd.'

The second earlybird to turn up at the Elections Department was Mr Abdul Rasheed Abdul Kuthus from the National Solidarity Party . He was there to collect the application forms for the certificate for Malay, Indian and other minority communities candidates.

Shortly after, NSP campaign manager Tan Chee Kien arrived and picked up what looked to be 10 GRC and 10 single-member constituency forms. He was followed by another NSP member Noraini Yunus.

All candidates must submit their applications to contest the May 7 General Election by 1 pm on Saturday, April 23, ahead of Nomination Day on April 27



This is interesting.

Look like MG(NS) Chan is quite free as he is jobless now since he retirement so he has all the time to run errant for his boss.

Being the newest member of Tajong Pagar GRC, I guess he is being tasked to collect the nomination papers for them. Well you can’t expect the emperor to collect the paper himself right?

Er… I didn’t know the Elections Department too will be crowded with “lunch crowd” according to MG(NS) Chan.

The only places that always full with lunch time crowd are at the eateries, banks or poly clinics. Either Singaporean always visit the Election Department for God’s know what reason or MG(NS) Chan has lost touch with Singaporean since he been eating at Officer’s Canteen for the past 20 years.

We are good they are Bad.

The WP has expressed interest to stand in the GRC again in the coming election and is likely to field a strong team, helmed by its chairman Sylvia Lim and included its star candidate, corporate lawyer Chen Show Mao.

Dr Chen has degrees from Harvard, Oxford and Stanford.

Mr Yeo acknowledged that Dr Chen has good credentials but would like to know more about him.

"I think it's important that we hear more from him and have a sense of how much he feels for the people of Singapore and what his views are. I think it's a very interesting CV," he said.

CNA 16 Apr

George Yeo was one of a few people in PAP that I quite like. But I thinkg his comment above is a little bit of a cheap shot.

But this is opening up a big can of worms.

Look at PAP’s own camp.

Janil Puthucheary, came to Singapore in 2001 only became a Singaporean in 2008 after being spotted by PAP. I question his motive.

Foo Mee Har living in Singapore since 1989 and only became a Singaporean in 2010. I too question her motive.

PS: Its difficult to find out the true date when these PAP newbies became Singaporean as the data has mysterious disappeared from the new PAP website.

And last but not least. Look at Tin Pei Ling credential.

Gosh it’s a joke. The most attractive part about her CV is her marriage.

I also think it's important that we hear more from them and have a sense of how much they feel for the people of Singapore and what their views are. I think it's a very interesting CV too.

PAP newbies by PM Lee

I may be missing some point when I read the following articles about PM giving his take on the 24 PAP newbies.

I have to read it a couple of times trying to understand what PM Lee is trying to say but finally I conclude it is an amazing speech of saying something without saying anything.

He did not say what make these PAP newbies special.

If PM Lee truly are impressived by these newbies by the following he said then I am slapping for forehead.

See my inserted comments in Blue.

ST 18 Apr IN HIS speech at the 25th anniversary celebrations of Young PAP on Sunday, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong gave his take on the 24 new People's Action Party candidates.

Here's what he had to say:

Desmond Choo: 'He started out as a police scholar. He's no stranger to tough battles.'

So being a police involved lots of tough battles. With bosses?

Ong Ye Kung: 'He's now the executive secretary of the NTWU (National Transport Workers' Union) and also chairman of NTUC's e2i, and he will work hard for workers.'

Then why are you taking up additional job as an MP?

Janil Puthucheary: 'Janil grew up in Malaysia but married a Singaporean and made Singapore his home. He's a paediatric intensivist, which means he takes care of the sickest babies and children in KK Hospital.'

Huh? Taking care of sickest babies make you a choice of PAP candidates? Can tell how much he is being paid to do this job?

Foo Mee Har: 'She's worked in China and Thailand other than in Singapore so, truly an international experience.'

Er ok. So working in China and Thailand will make you have truly international experience. I went to Thailand and Taiwan for Army training so I also have true international experience.

Desmond Lee Ti-Seng: 'He was doing very well in the legal service, we spotted him, we asked him, he agreed to stand as a candidate because he wanted to improve the system that he had benefitted from.'

????

Steve Tan: '(His) father used to work for the PUB so he lived in a one-room flat in PUB quarters at Woodleigh, which is in the Potong Pasir area. Later on his parents bought an HDB flat, also in Potong Pasir and they still live there. He still lives in Potong Pasir too.'

He stay in HDB. Er.. so? Most Singaporean does. Maybe its is a novelty for the people in PAP but not to the rest of us PM Lee. Get in touch with the people please!

Zainal Sapari: 'He knows about hard work because his father used to hold three jobs. He was a cleaner, a security officer and also a gardener, all at the same time, and he did this to feed the family.'

Another novelty for PAP. Think most don’t know hard work.

Gan Thiam Poh: 'The father was an odd-job labourer. As a young boy, he was going house to house selling home-made popiah. Now he wants to give back to society.'

More hard works.

Tin Pei Ling: 'She may be young but I think she has steel in her and she knows how to connect with people and that makes all the difference on the ground.'

Huh? Steel by keeping her mouth shut and need Ministers to come to her defence. Connect with people? Make difference on the ground? I am lost.

Vikram Nair: 'He speaks Tamil and Malayalam which is quite useful for connecting with older residents.'

This is hardly a choice for choosing new candidates. Most people I know speak 2 languages.

Ang Hin Kee: 'Hin Kee introduced himself as a repeat student because he took the O levels twice but eventually he made it, he went to NUS. So he knows what failure and disappointment means but also how to pick himself up and succeed the second time.'

How man time PAP has failed Singaporean? Hope Mr Ang know how it feel and tell PM Lee that.

Ang Wei Neng: 'Wei Neng knows a lot about transportation because he works in SBS Transit and manages 1,600 public buses but that's not so hard. What is tougher is managing 3,000 staff, including 2,800 bus drivers.'

Does he take public transport everyday? If not its “talking about army on paper”

Edwin Tong: 'Very quiet and modest person but I am confident that as an MP he will care for his residents and look after their interests.'

.....

Low Yen Ling: 'At first she started working in a bank, then she left to join a start-up, the start-up didn't do well. Subsequently she worked for EDB.'

Cannot make it so join EDB then join PAP?

Tan Chuan-Jin: 'He served as army attache in Jakarta for one year, learnt Bahasa Indonesia, got in touch with the Indonesian senior officers and later he commanded the SAF tsunami mission in Meulaboh in Aceh, where this experience proved invaluable. When I visited Meulaboh during the tsunami, he showed me around and he was on top of the situation.'

Good tour guide makes you a MP.

Patrick Tay: 'Patrick believes in volunteering. He's been involved in grassroots work for 25 years although he's only 40 years old and he comes highly recommended by Prof Jayakumar.'

Good connection also makes you a MP.

Intan Azura Mokhtar: 'We interviewed Intan before and after her latest baby. She was a lecturer at Abu Dhabi University so she's quite adaptable and I'm very happy to have her in the Jalan Kayu branch in Ang Mo Kio GRC.'

Thank you for kicking out Wee Siew Kim. Glad to know you are still the same after your baby.

Lawrence Wong: 'Served in various ministries. In Finance, he implemented schemes to help Singaporeans cope with restructuring. In the Ministry of Health, he helped Khaw Boon Wan to improve the Medishield system with the Medishield reforms. Most recently he was CEO of the Energy Markets Authority.'

Failure in all ministries.

David Ong Kim Huat: 'He grew up in a two-room flat in Queenstown but made himself a successful businessman, running his own publishing firm.'

……

Alex Yam: 'Grew up in a well-to-do family but has believed in community service from young.'

Now we all know he is a rich kid! And I am sure more money for him soon.

Heng Swee Keat: 'Grew up in a kampong but made it to Cambridge.'

Geez… the way they choose candidates is getting weirder. Growing up in Kampng can be rich too mah if my father is the landlord.

Ong Teng Koon: 'He introduced himself as a heartlander because he grew up in Ang Mo Kio and still lives there with his extended family nearby, so he's one of my reliable voters.'

Gosh! Now heartlander can also a good candidate. 2 millions of us can be MP already.

Sim Ann: 'Both parents Chinese educated and herself, as you have heard, completely bilingual and represents a new generation of bilingual Singaporeans, like Gan Thiam Poh and Tin Pei Ling.'

Hey bilingual is a key now. We all can are bilingual but how competent in both langueages are us?

Chan Chun Sing: 'Another RI boy with humble beginnings. He preferred to join the Scouts for his CCA but he hesitated because the Scouts had to pay for their uniforms whereas NPCC uniforms were free. But finally he did become a scout and he picked up navigating skills which proved useful when he went to NS.'

I am speechless. RI boy! Stingy to pay uniform made him hesitate for a while and navigating skills help him in NS? So what else he does make him special?

Money Money Money!

To highlight how obscene our MIW are getting from taxpayer.

In 2008 we pay $1,924,300 annually for entry level Minister. So I can assure you we are working with a very conservative figure.

This work out to be about $160,000 per month!! $5000 per day! $666 per hour! And we are not talking about the Prime Minster, the SM, the MM nor the President yet.

This is a mind bogging number bearing in mind these are tax payer money. If this is not greed I don’t know what it.

Lets try to see how much can I spent on my $160,000 pay check.

Monthly installment for my house - $20,000

Monthly installment for my other house and condo - $80,000

Monthly installment for my Ferrari - $5000

Monthly installment for my BMW - $3000

Monthly installment for my Benz - $3000

Utility fee - $10,000

Family maintenance - $15,000

Food and Petrol - $20,000

Geez I still have $4000 left for that Chanel bag.

I want this job!

The $3M man.

Can't believe this acutally come out of our PM mouth.

“When you have to make a choice on who goes first and who goes second, then I think that one has to pay attention to who supported the Government more, and who didn’t,” he said.

This shows that PAP already had the mind set that they are the government. They think they are Singapore.

Let us not forget the PAP is only a political party elected by the people who happened to have the majority in the parliament therefore are handed the authority by the people of Singapore to be the government until the next election.

PAP is not Singapore.

Addressing concerns about the lack of private-sector representation in the new batch of PAP candidates, Mr Lee acknowledged that it was tough drawing those from the private sector into politics.

He added that money cannot be used as an incentive to attract them. “If you want to make money, you won’t become a minister. Be a lawyer, be a doctor, be a banker, you’ll do far better.”

What a Joke! In 2008, the annual salary for entry-level ministers was $1,924,300. Persons who have reached the age of 50 years and retired as MPs and who have served in this capacity for not less than nine years may be granted a pension for the rest of their lives.

Looking at Michael Page’s survey average top dog with 10-15 years experience in the Finance Sector earn about $300-400K annually.

This is way below the pay for our entry level ministers.

I think I will rather be a minister even if I am doing far less better per PM Lee.

Responding to a comment from grassroots leader Khartini Khalid, who noted that people have not been pleased with the new candidates, Mr Lee said: “I think there are double standards: people expect less of the opposition; people have higher expectations of PAP candidates. Some candidates are like lightning rods, they attract attention.

That is because none of the new PAP candidates are standing in any of the Single Constituencies and they are most likely getting a firm ticket into Parliament by riding on the GRC system.

“But I have confidence in our candidates. We went through the process very carefully...but I would say, let them prove themselves...If they don’t prove themselves, they will be dropped.”

Meanwhile these newbies are drawing $15K per month of tax payers money and even if they are crab since day one, we have to face with it for the next 5 years. Period!

That is a total of $900,000 without considering service increment and bonuses my friend. I suggest paying newbies MP step up salary. Say paying them 20% of $15K and stepping it up every year until they get the full $15K after they had proven themselves.

Last night, Mr Lee also cleared the air over speculation that the Goods and Services Tax will be raised after the election, saying that “I very much doubt that” the Government would do so.

Yeah right!

When complacency sets in

My company has been utilising the service of a service provider since day one which was a long time ago.

Reason being that they were the only one providing the service then and they did a pretty decent job at a reasonable price.

Many moons have passed and things had changed.

Today there are many companies out there providing the same service at a much more competitive price. But why my company is not switching? Well I guess there is just too much emotional package between the top management.

They will quote relationship, synergy but to me I think it is also because bosses had been moving between my company and this service provided so nobody wants to rock the boat. Things are like that since day one so don’t try to do different thing.

So what do we get? We are getting average service at a premium price and customer support is like shit.

This is because the service provider knows we will use them no matter how bad the treat us.So they see us like a fat cow providing them a stable profit and meanwhile they concentrate to give top services to their new customers.

This is exactly what is happening to PAP.

They started off being a good political party with a good ideology but after being in power for too long they have changed and become complacent.

The think it is their birth right to be running the country and they start to think that the votes they get during elections are their rights and not given by the people.

So they start to do things that benefit themselves rather then for the people.

This is what I call blinded by pride and being too comfortable and therefore getting complacent.

Think its about time they get a wake up call from the people.

How you know when some Big Shot is coming.

My block was being invaded by throng of painter over the weekend.

I meant really invaded!

There were like at least 8-10 painters touching up the entire ground floor for the past 2 days and gosh they even changed all the lights at the lift lobbies.

Guess I will be expecting the Minister to do his walk about really soon.

I was having trouble getting my town council sending his sweeper down for the 2 years but suddenly everything is sparkling clean when election is near.

Think we should have Election every year.

Best Job in Singapore is to wear White.

Young PAP chairman Teo Ser Luck said it "takes a while to convince" potential candidates to step up to the plate.

Mr Teo said: "What I try to do is let them see the bigger picture of why they are needed if they have the capabilities and the skills set, why that sacrifice on their part could be necessary. For example, family time and for some even more drastic, their career - you are bound to sacrifice a part of your career."

CNA 06 Apr 2011

Here Teo Ser Luck is talking rubbish.

These people who ends up as MP get at least $15000 a month for doing part time work and when you get into the cabinet it is better then striking the lottery as you are paid millions every year.

Sound like a good sort of drastic sacrifice to ones career here.

Family time scarified, Yes!

Career? Its sure look like a promotion to me.

GST

“Mr Tharman said the bulk of GST is collected from higher-income groups and foreigners, so cutting the rate would benefit them more.
He said that based on 2010 collections, the bottom 20 per cent of Singaporean income earners contribute only about 4 per cent of all GST paid, while the bottom 60 per cent contribute roughly 16 per cent.”
ST Mar 03 2011

Last Saturday on the CNA political forum Finance Minister Tharman again argued that GST for staple should stay as it is to help the poor echoing his parliament speech on 03 March and by PM Lee statement when he was Finance Minister in 2003.

Up till now I still cannot make sense to this argument put for by these two multi millionaires who are suppose to be quite bright.

Firstly how much collected from GST are channel back to the poor? Nobody know.

Secondly it is only logical to cut GST for Staple product. Rich people don’t eat more rice then the poor. Yes they do eat better food at high end restaurants but the money spent on basic necessity should be the same for all, both rich and poor.

We are not asking for the GST to be cut across the board but let it remains for luxury item like air tickets, restaurant, branded goods and be eliminated from the staples.

So since the riches spent lots and lots on high ends stuff then the high income earners are indeed paying more GST.

Tharman argument for foreigners paying for GST is not 100% too especially if the go the GST rebates before the leave the country.

New Purchase

My hoot from Seoul last week.

The Spring 2011 Converse Spec Hi by John Varvatos. Loving it!

Spend you money oversea my friends the GST is going up to 10% after the election.

Walking the Ground

I have been staying in Pasir Ris for the past 5 years and not once did I see my MP nor any of his sidekicks do his walkabout.

The only time I did see DPM Teo was during the pre-election in 2006 when he stand around Paris Ris MRT station to gather support. Still remember clearly as he leg was in a cast due to some badminton accident. Haha…

So seriously how will the person I elected to be in Parliament know my plights if they don’t even bother to reach out the people by walking the ground.

Walking the ground is very important if you really want to know what the problems in your estate are. I meant the real walk the ground not those sterilized by the grass root leaders before the Minister arrived.

If I am the MP I will always do in prompt to walk about so my grass root leaders will not censor the things they don’t want me to see.

Sometime it may not be the MP fault as the grass-root leaders are anticipating too much in advance. But still there is no excuse when you are paid million of dollars a year if you still chose to act blur in how your estate are being run by these useless power craze people in your RC.

At the end of the day if the resident are not happy with your grass-roots then you will not be getting their votes and in the worst case you will not be elected but even so these people in the RC will still keep on working for the next MP.

Vote for the person and not the party.

This is precisely why there should not be GRC. Frankly I like some individual in PAP and absolutely hate some in there. Same goes for the opposition parties.

GRC is a ploy by the incumbent to select those they like and not whom the people like into the parliament for reason they can always create the majority so PM will have to spent time fixing the opposition.

So tell me how to vote if I like some and hate some in my GRC? Remembering that I am paying their salaries for the next 5 years is sending me to the direction of forgoing one good one rather then to let 4 idiots into the parliament.

GRC sucks!

Just came back from my wonderful holiday in Seoul. Anywhere out of Singapore is heaven to me.

When I surfed around the net after I came back I noticed lots of activities and comments against the PAP newbies.

This proved to me that there are no shortages of underlying hatres against the ruling party. I just can’t help to think what is the percentage of Singaporean that are really love with PAP, hardcore hate them, don’t like but afraid to vote against and finally those who simply bochap.

To be honest I think each politician should be represent himself/herself when he or she is standing for election. No cheapskate should piggy back on to some established politician in a GRC and get a free ride into the parliament where we have to pay them tax payer money.

In another word, GRC sucks!

Let say there are 6 persons in the GRC and you only like one or two. Note this goes both way with PAP and opposition. How are you going to vote? You may like person A and B in PAP team and person C and D in the opposition team.

For me I just won’t vote for someone who has not proven him or herself nor anyone I don’t like. Period!

I see a sign!

I watched George in the news yesterday and he said:

"Libya and the Middle East (unrest), Japan.....I think the world is entering a new phase and we have to be very alert and not take things for granted and not be too confident about our own abilities."

Somehow it fits nicely as a comment to PAP. Hmmm……

A Strong Reminder

A couple of day ago I received this 31 pages high quality super colorful brochure from my town council.

Basically it’s all self praising messages inside. A sort of report cards reminding people in the GRC what the incumbent had done for you over the last 5 years. Naming all the new Malls, parks upgrading, roads, etc etc and many more upcoming projects.

Inside there are many pictures featuring in lots of activities surrounded by lots of people and I swore I never seen so many happy faces in my life.

There are also many comments from the residents and needless to say they are all happy.

I wonder where they find these people when they wanted comments. Probably they are RC members or relative of RC members I guess.

Over the years I had several complaints regarding the cleanliness of my estates and to date the situation still has not improved. Also I have witness many close shaves involving cyclist on walkways with pedestrians. It is illegal but somehow I have never seen a law enforcer in my entire stay in Pasir Ris.

I can’t help to wonder how much money used to publish this propaganda brochure and they should use the money to hire more cleaners instead. I note they have about $116 million in their sinking fund base on their 09/10 annual reports. Gosh that’s lots of fat if you ask me.

So did they did a good job in the last 5 years? Everyone will have their own views and I don’t believe a last minute effort of an expensive colorful brochure will change a person mind.

I can sense a tingle of fear from the incumbent this time.

A proud nation.

Yesterday I happened to watch a little of the daily Parliament’s Highlights on TV and I can’t help to notice that several of key cabinets members are missing from the session.

This is not the first time I notice it and if my memory served me well I remember it states somewhere it is not compulsory for them to be in every parliament’s seating.

If this is so then there is something seriously wrong with the system.

Don’t forget each and everyone in the cabinets or Member of Parliaments are in there because the citizen of Singapore voted you in there (well most are voted in anyway) to represent them!

You are there to listen and talk on behalf for the people in your constituency. You are sitting in that seat because of the people so for God’s sake do what you are supposed to do or maybe you are too proud to listen to the people anymore.

This is what happened when people are too comfortable in a job for too long and let complacency set in. A high and mighty attitude just make me sick.

A fake fake world

I don’t know whether is me being sensitive or not but suddenly I notice a surge in air-time by our Ministers.

Hsien Loong was busy with some events on Saturday and Sunday and Teo Chee Hien was in some opening ceremony on Saturday.

Gosh I swore I never seen the Ministers or MPs work so hard in the pass 4 years. So its like you skived in your company for 11 months and suddenly power up in the month before your appraisal is due by going into overdrive and hopefully your boss will notice your “Hard work”.

In a way it is quire true as I attended a course which states people always remember the beginnings and the ends and nothing in-between.

Today I heard a type of laugh when the big boss tried to crake some joke. It is a kind of spontaneous laugh where everyone suddenly burst out when the boss hit the punch line and it died down quite fast as well.

Gosh this sound so fake and sickening and I remember hearing it around the Minister over the weekend.

Wahahahahahaha……

Mindef Reserve. Finally!

Attended my Mindef Reserve (MR) ceremony last Saturday, 26 Feb 2010 which spelled the end of my military life which begun on 24th June 1993.

So 14 years plus in the army exchange for a certificate, a photograph, a watch, a medal, a pin and one final meal in the canteen.

As I have blogged before, I am just glad to be out of the system.

Looking at Singapore nowadays, I don’t know whether it is worth protecting anymore. The influx of foreigners, elites and governments who has lost touch of the ground etc etc.

Look like the security of the nation now lies in the hand of another generation which have never done more the 20 push up in a row.

Good bye SAF.

Budget 2011

Most people are talking about the Budget 2011 after the Minister's annoucment last Friday.

Guess most people are interested in how much money the Gahment will give them.

Honestly I have already reached the "Can't be bother" state.

Just remember, whatever they give you now they will take it back more after the election.

So remember to vote wisely my friends.

An Experiment

Tried an interesting experiment today.

I did an image search on Google on my name and the result is pretty interesting

Uncannily they are quite related to me in one way or another.

Ok mostly I get lots of old kung-fu actor pictures…haha… I have been involved in martial arts since my teenage days of this is quite close.

Hey I got Jackie Chan and Jet Li as Wong Fei Hong pictures as well.

I also see some engineering drawings and I am an engineer by training so this is quite close too.

Some are quite funny thought.

I got a few Lee Teng Hui pictures, guess I that is because we got the 2 similar name out of 3.

I also got some soft porn HK actress pictures! Hahaha….

One thing I can’t understand is why I got a Sponge Bob picture in there? Hmm…


Can try this if you are bored. Interesting.

Singapore

Came across a blog entry "10 things I miss about Singapore" by a Singaporean woman living in South Africa.

I stayed in UK for about 2 years and I can tell you the only things I missed about Singapore are my family and friends and maybe cheap food. Thats all.

Now here is my list of :

10 things I hate about Singapore:

1. Weahter. We get Hot, Hotter, #@$!%$!@# Hot.
2. Lousy and expensive public transport system. Trains take forever to come and are always crowded even on weekdays off peak hours and good luck with the buses. Taxis are good a disappearing just before midnights and the fare structure can be in teh Guinness book of record for being the most complex.
3. No freedom of expression and Goverment controlled media.
4. Wold most expensive cabinets who still need 2 senior Ministers and 1 Minister Mentor to teach them what to do and they still don't take responsibility for their own mistakes.
5. Automatic 10% service charges for ZERO service. If you want tips you better earn for it.
6. People who can blooddy stand to the left side of the escalator.
7. People who can #@#%@ let you out of the lift and trains first.
8. Tissues reservation system (Must be a world first)
9. No protection of privacy law. Your name and contacts are being sold out there to banks and housing agent and all those @!#!$ spammer who keep sending you SMS.
10. Embracement of useless "Foreign Talents"

Food for thought

Got this in an Email today. Not very accurate but it does remind us how greedy the goverment is and the significant gap between the rich and the poor in Singapore.

A minister takes home on average approximately $1,500,000 a year or $125,000 a month. A peasant akes home on average approximately $30,000 a year or $2,500 a month.

As 20% of the peasant’s pay has to go into CPF, the peasant is left with $2,000 in cash.

Assuming the peasant saves 10% of his cash for rainy days, he would be left with $1800.
If the peasant spends every single cent of his $1,800 and is taxed at the rate of 7% in form of GST, he will have to pay $126 in GST every month.

From here, we can conservatively gauge that it takes approximately 1000 peasants to feed one minister every month just from paying GST.

We have 20 ministers, which means about 20,000 peasants working their asses off to feed them every month.

Welcome to Singapore.

2011

First workweek of the year just in case you guys don’t know the electric fee has gone up in January. (Just a reminder). We are in a new decade already!

So what do I expect in the year 2011?

Globally I think we are still in the recovery process since the financial crisis in 2008. I expect gone case US economy and China is the where investors are heading. Economy growth will definitely be slower then before and I predict it is a good year to invest and the system will reach it peak at 2013 before it starts crashing again.

Now for National issue.

Well guess there will be a presidential and General Election this year. I certainly hope I will be able to vote for the very 1st time! I also hope there will be more opposition being voted into the parliament to provide alternate views in National issues.

I also guess we will be have a new President and Nathan will be retiring to enjoy life finally.

Cost of living in Singapore will definitely continue to rise this year and do expect to see some “goodies” before the elections but everything will be taken back tri-fold after that as Singaporean are proven to have short term memories. I like to remind all out there remember the old NS guys got shit from the $10K pay out due to our expiry dates.

Personally I hope I will be moving on doing a different job scope. Hopefully within the company but shall not rule of new opportunities.

Will be going for my Aikido Shodan grading this year. After 10 years of training and “nua” I guess I will be stepping up my skill.

I will also be officially on Mindef Reserve this year! Still have not received any letter on my actual day but I think it will be by March as this is MINDEF closure of a financial year. Yipee no more MODS Manning and calling the stupid notification center every time I travel.

Mobile Phone contract will ends this year so will be getting a new phone as well! Andriod or Apple?

If I get a good bonus this year will be getting a new watch as well. (or 2?)

I will also put in extra effort to keep fit and will be watching my diet a little. (Only apply when I am in Singapore hehe…)

Will be continuing with my 八卦掌 training and hopefully will have some new discoveries in the martial world. : P

I also promise myself I will make more time for families and friends. Some friends I have not met for 10years!

Its time to catch up.

Goodbye 2010 an Hello 2011!

Yes it come to the last post for the year again!

Another year and passed and overall it is not such a bad year for me.

Went for my health check and over all I am good still the same as 2 years ago my Triglyceride is a bit high at 178 (should be below 150) but it had gone down from over 400 in 2008! And my good cholesterol is dropping so need to workout more.

So my new year’s resolution is be Healthier, Exercise more and eat moderately.

There is nothing more important then good health.

This year I travelled to Fukuoka in Feb, Taipei in March and May and Tokyo in October. Managed my 4 trips a year target. Next year will be the same planning for Tokyo in Feb, Taipei in March, Seoul in May and Tokyo in Nov.

Did my 2 ICTs this year. One in Jan and my last in Nov. A chapter of my life closed here. Good grief, but I still have not got my MR notice yet.

Need to wish all my friends and families a healthy 2011 ahead and remember to enjoy life. You only live once!

A day disconnected

I forgot to bring my phone out today. I only realized that I left it in the other bad when I boarded the bus in the morning on my way to work.

Immediately there is a sense of panic and I even contemplate to go back home to get it but the logical side of me told me it is not worth it and I will be late for work.

The I got into the “self scaring” mode, what if someone need to fine me urgently
? What if I need to call someone urgently? What if I won a million dollars and the need to contact me…. Blah blah blah….

But after calming down and think carefully, actually how many of us use our phone as a phone? We normally used it to SMS our friends, play games or facebooking. The mobile phone is just a social gadget these days.

It almost the end of the day now and my life did not change drastically without my mobile phone with me today. Yes I do feel a little awkward often checking my imaginary phone in my right pocket only to realize it is at home but at the end of the day it is not too back to live disconnected for a day.

Most of us are so used to be connected to the Internet and phone that we had became a slave to technology. We actually have to put in effort to remain disconnected these days.

I am challenging myself to spend a day without TV, Internet, Phone. It may sound difficult and the harder you think you cannot do it meant you are deeply rooted to technology but nevertheless it should be quite interesting, thefore why don’t you join me?