"Don't talk much, just do what you can"

K Shanmugum in Straits Times:

One whole page (Straits Times Page A35 of 2 Nov 2012) was dedicated to Law and Foreign Minister K Shanmugum, headlined "Tempering the law with compassion". 

At the end of the piece, Shanmugum was quoted, "Don't talk much, just do what you can". I find it amusing that one who "doesn't talk much but let the work speaks for himself" would allow himself to be interviewed and take up a whole page in Straits Times.

Would listening to what he said here help us understand what law, compassion and the AG office in Singapore is all about?

George Yeo in Straits Times:

According to ST again, George Yeo is a businessman? I thought he's employed by the Kerry Group in Hong Kong. Or has he bought much shares with his past minister's salary and pension to be part-boss of the company? When George spoke of being "in the flow", was he referring to "sacrificing integrity, beliefs, friends and supporters to enhance one's personal well-being without a thought or care about the core value of trust and loyalty"? To be "in the flow" is to be in a "in the zone" which is to be "in a positive state". It is a shame that George has belittled a good phrase. I would not like to be in his flow! Neither would his supporters in Eunos GRC. In my book, if one is "in the flow", one would not have given up so easily and forsake one's followers and supporters!

Seah Kian Peng (this is not news in Straits Times):

If you have not read or heard about Seah Kian Peng's intervention in a traffic warden's job, it is probably due to the fact that ST does not think that it is newsworthy ... or ... they'd better be "in the flow" like George Yeo. PAP MP Seah Kian Peng of Marine Parade instructed a traffic warden not to issue summons to cars that were parked illegally at Jalan Riang [Please don't ask me how Jalan Riang in Serangoon ends up as part of Marine Parade GRC. Go ask PM Lee Hsien Loong as the Election Department comes under his jurisdiction]. 

In this so-claimed First World Singapore, do we have mini warlords telling enforcers of traffic rules to close one eye and neglect their duty? I cringe every time Singaporeans talk bad about our neighbours up north for their lack of integrity and their corrupt practices. Eg. How their traffic wardens or policemen can be bought by as little as 20 ringgit to close an eye on our speeding and other offenses. Or how their VIP politicians walk all over their citizens, milking and taking advantage of Malaysians without any respect for rule and order for the politician's personal benefit?

With the action of Sean Kian Peng are we, Singaporeans, any different? If a PAP MP can instruct a traffic warden to bend the rules, can a PAP Minister ask AG and judges to bend as well? I hope not. The thought is too scary to contemplate! What with the sex-for-contracts-blow-but-never-come-out episode that is causing much taxpayers' money and time in court!

When PAP MPs and Ministers are ballooned and pumped up, especially by our ex-MM to be creme-de-la-creme, beyond corruption and anything less desired, it's good to stick a pin into the balloon to wake up the humility in all of us! Can we stop this aksi borak first world crap and live humbly like real decent human beings?

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