Feed Me To The Fish

The Sin Of CPF

2012-01-26T23:33:00.001+08:00

I am sick. I'm very sick of the continual submission, gratitude and fear that PAP expect of us, the poor commoners of Singapore.

I just read about the sinful extortion of $3.14 on the poor sick by CPF here. [Link] Being an old fogey with a heart condition who visits Polyclinic regularly to stay alive, I too am a victim of such humiliation and financial loss. When I asked the the Polyclinic staff why I'm being penalised, she told me that it's CPF, not MOH, that gets to keep the admin/processing fee. Whoever gets to keep the $3.14 does not matter.

Imagine: I have been beaten up with parangs by CPF and/or MOH. They have chopped off my legs and left me incapacitated. (Make me pay CPF and Medisave). With no legs, I cannot walk. (I withdraw the $100 from Medisave to pay for my Polyclinic charges) CPF/MOH then forces me to rent crutches from them so that I can walk (Pay admin/process fee of $3.14). Yes, I may sound like a Drama Grandpa, but baby, the truth hurts!

When I started worked in the 60's, I was told that I had to surrender 25% of my hard earned salary to CPF. Likewise, my boss bitched that he had to part with the same 25% too. However, we were comforted in knowing (then, not now!) that I'd be receiving and enjoying a lump sum in saving when I retire at age 55.

Fat Hope!

From the 1960's till now, the leeching CPF has changed the goalpost so many times that most Singaporeans (apart from Lim Swee Say [Link]) do not know where their CPF saving is going to. It used to be 'getting it all when you retire at 55' but now we are fooked by the following scamming schemes (or is it scheming scams? ):

Ordinary Account:
Special Account: (You Can't Touch This Till They Say You Can!)
Medisave Account: (You Can't Touch This Till They Say You Can!)
Retirement Account: (You Can't Touch This Till They Say You Can!)
Minimum Sum: $131,000 (1 Jul 2011) (You Can't Touch This Till They Say You Can!)
Medisave Required Amount: $32,000 (1 Jan 2012) [Link] (You Can't Touch This Till They Say You Can!) When can, you fooking pay them a processing fee of $3.14!

We are such peaceful blokes that we do not question the actions but it is kind of jarring to note that decision makers in CPF simply suka suka decide the amount and time when we can enjoy what is due to us. It is only when we read in msm (usually in December) that we know that we've been fooked! Just who the fook are these decision makers anyway?

They tax you through your income, GST, ERP, levies on maids and what-have-you! They belly ache and make a song and dance of their ministerial salary "sacrifice" [Link]. Isn't that enough? Why the need to tax on the sick?

I may be wrong but this #$3.14 Medisave Outpatient Treatment Processing/Admin Fee can be a scam to discourage us from using CPF Medisave, hence prevent us from depleting lee funds that lee investors in Temasek and GIC can play with. Possible?

If Health Minister Gan or any of his cronies is reading this, please be kind. $3.14 may be chicken shit to you but it means much to others! I hope you can hear the people sing. [Link]

Looking back, it was this CPF "unreasonableness" and the contemptible character of Ng Eng Hen *[Link] in 2007 that got me started in blogging. Time flies!

feedmetothefish

UPDATE:
# If CPF Board is operating like bank or credit cards companies to maximise its profits, just who is benefiting from it? Below extracted from Health Promotion Board [Link]
Q22.Will I have to pay a fee for using Medisave for my treatments under the Chronic Disease Management Programme?
Ans: You may be charged a fee for the processing of each Medisave transaction by the CPF Board. As with all billing, credit card or banking transactions, it costs money to process each Medisave transaction. This fee is levied on all institutions, which may choose to absorb them as part of their running costs. If they are charged to patients, CPF Board requires that it be itemised clearly in the bill. This processing fee has to be paid in cash and is not deductible from Medisave. For more information, please check with your clinic.

* For the benefit of non-soccer fans, the last para of [Link],"My problems may have been less if the returns in my CPF had been on par or better than Malaysia’s EPF. Maybe part of the interest that could have been mine has ended up in the purchase of Manchester City Football Club. Am I a co-owner now?" please note that Temasek Holdings lost much in ShinCorp and this was followed by then Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra buying Manchester City Football Club.

Corruption? What's That?

2012-01-26T00:58:00.000+08:00

The MHA has stated that Commissioner of the Singapore Civil Defence Force, Peter Lim Sin Pang, and Director of the Central Narcotics Bureau, Ng Boon Gay, have been relieved of their positions and were being probed by the CPIB over “allegations of serious personal misconduct” though a Chinese daily has reported it as a case of "money and women" or "greed and sex".

Just what is corruption in Singapore?

Is it succumbing to an uncontrollable greedy itch caused by the perceived lack of remuneration that one must scratch to line the pockets with more illicit money?
Is it surrendering to an uncontrollable libido caused by excess of power that needs to be satisfied by unlawful sex?
Is it accepting 'special' discount given to one and his familee members by luxury condo seller? [Link]
Is it accepting an additional egg given by char kway teow hawker because one is a poleetician of regal position? Or
Is it merely a case of "personal misconduct"?

It can be one, none, some or all of the above. As mentioned by DPM Teo Chee Hean in the ministerial salary debate, it may just be a "judgement call". But who makes the call? When to make the call and when to announce the call?

If the Commissioner of the Singapore Civil Defence Force and Director of the Central Narcotics Bureau lost their lucrative jobs because of mere "allegations", they deserve my sympathies. Not unlike the sympathies I have for the "Marxists Conspirators" like Vincent Cheng and Teo So Lung and other political detainees like Chia Thye Poh, Lim Hock Siew, Said Zahari and others for being "not agreeable" and victims of ISA. However, if Peter Lim Sin Pang and Ng Boon Gay are investigated and found to be guilty by a court of law to be guilty of "alleged personal misconduct" (whatever that is), then both Peter Lim Sin Pang and Ng Boon Gay deserve their just deserts!

In view of the recent Parliamentary debate of the Ministerial Salary Review, I am less than hopeful of knowing the reasons why the Commissioner of the Singapore Civil Defence Force and Director of the Central Narcotics Bureau were relieved of their positions. In replying to why the exact figures of ministers salary should not be revealed, the DPM & Minister of Home Affairs said that he is all for transparency but he could not be too transparent as he has to respect the privacy of individuals. In other words, transparency sounds good but privacy of ministers must be protected at all cost because of the cost!

With that, what will come out of the investigation is anybody's guess. The respect for ex-Commissioner of the Singapore Civil Defence Force and Director of the Central Narcotics Bureau's privacy may override the transparency that we hope to see.

Till then, we can only guess the color of white. I doubt it can be any 'whiter' or 'shadier' than the absence and delay of this "Breaking News"! Why this "Breaking News" did not break during or before the Ministerial Salary Debate is telling!

feedmetothefish

Could A Public Figure Figured It Wrong?

2012-01-22T15:56:00.008+08:00

Poor Sod. The decision by his boss to appoint Gerard Ee to do a "Capable and Committed Ministers' Salary Review may not be something he figured when he quit the Energy Market Authority to become a politician. Pay Cut!

I thought I had my last words on the "Capable and Committed Ministers" Salary Review and am looking forward to welcome the Dragon Year with a sense of joy, peace and gratitude for another 'bonus' year lived - without major hiccups to my health.

However after reading of Straits Times' report for 2 consecutive days, "PAP: Further shift in Workers' Party's stance" [Link] on Lawrence Wong's unhappiness and refusal to accept closure on the subject after the parliamentary debate, I thought I would share some to end the year.

The parliamentary debate is over and I would thought that politicians especially ministers would start working for their money and stop arguing and lamenting their financial losses and self-perceived sacrifices. What's worse and more deplorable is trying to "play politics" and get more "political mileage" out of it, as condemned by none other than Teo Chee Hean.

After reading about this young "public figure" [Link], I perceive that some people may believe that they are god's gifts to mankind. They are the "chosen ones" and they deserve better. They should not deserve a pay cut!

On this last day of the lunar year of the rabbit, I offer my condolences to PAP ministers and MPs for their loss. I'm sorry for your loss. As some of you may go through the 5-stages of grief namely, denial; anger; bargaining; depression and acceptance. I do hope that you'll reach the 5th stage of 'acceptance' very soon.

Remember, you still have a job to do. To build and inclusive society with your heart and make a better life for all Singaporeans. However, if you think that it is a thankless job, I humbly suggest that you plan your exit by volunteering to be selected as PAP candidates in Aljunied GRC in the next election. Meanwhile, just grin and bear.

I'd like to dedicate Eagles's "Get Over It" [Link] to help some of you overcome your sorrow.

For whatever that's thrown at us

We can choose to be bitter

Or choose to be better

Better is the only option

I choose to be better by not moaning and bitching about the "Capable and Committed Ministers' Salary" anymore. Not till the next review and I hope Lawrence will do the same ;)

Last words:

PM Lee must be congratulated for having kicked the ball to Gerrard Ee and can now have the "moral" high ground to say that the fat pay came from "Review Committee" and not from him as in 2007!

Happy Chinese New Year & Happy Holidays!

feedmetothefish

PAP's Debacle - An Exercise In Fooltility.

2012-01-21T12:01:00.006+08:00

If they are not going to let it rest, they will embarrass and hurt themselves further.

The Ministerial Salary Review followed by Parliamentary Debate recently is a debacle for PAP. It shows that PAP members, especially the newer ones, did not do much except to "make an appearance" to be seen and heard. Most of them, not all, tried to defend the indefensible; to say what is expected to be said; to defend one's boss and party for self-preservation!

In saying that it is a privilege rather than a sacrifice to serve the people of Singapore, regardless of the salary, Workers' Party's Chen Show Mao hammered home the excesses, arrogance, callousness and hubris of PAP. In highlighting the stupidity of "inflating a minister's salary, then giving it a discount of 40%" to show the artificial "graciousness" and "sacrifice" of PAP Ministers, Chen Show Mao has put PAP to shame; to silence! It is dense, damn stupid, of PAP MPs and Ministers to not (or try not to) understand where Chen Show Mao is coming from.

The nitpicking and bullying of less experienced by PAP is not putting PAP in a good light. However, Gerald's and Jenn Jong's baptism of fire has put them in a good stead with their sincerity and honesty and respect for the house. Pritam was unshakeable and was able to paint himself out of a corner even the mean DPM (watch his face in the video [Link]) and Puthucheary tried to corner Pritam simultaneously [Link] shows that there is hope yet for a 1st World Parliament in the country I was born in and too poor to get away from.

However shamed and silenced, PAP had to make some noise to salvage some respectability. In so doing, we see PAP MPs like Puthu [Link] and Vikram going through the motion in parliament to justify their annual allowance of $192,500. For the effort that Gerald Giam puts in, though he's a NMP (NCMP?), please note that Gerald Giam is only paid a $28,900 annual allowance. Compared this to the 'sacrificial belly aching' of BG Tan Chuan-Jin [Link], you'll be stumped!

With all that has happened so far, PM Lee may be regretting the futility of it all. In one fell swoop, he reduced members of his cabinet members to "poorer millionaires". Worser (thanks to what I have learned from Lim Swee Say), he has made them "lose face" especially MsGraceFU and BG Tan Chuan-Jin.

We now have Lawrence Wong, PAP Publicity and Publications Sub-Committee Chairman, calling on Workers' Party to explain to the public its change of stance on ministerial salary [ST 21 January 2012]. Pardon my language but I can't resist my alcohol spirited retort. "Yo, what about the fooking change of stance of PAP? You Pappy fookers paid yourselves millions (plus added obscene pensions to boot) since 2007, after increasing GST, to hurt the poorest of the poor. After saying sorry and all that shit, why the fook did you change your stance, after 2011 Election, to ask Gerrard Ee and Co. to come up with a Salary Review with fookin' restrictive terms of reference?. Bro, never throw stones whilst living in a glass house! You on grass, Ecstacy or what?"

Now having got it off my chest, I must say if Loong is not going to reign in his barking/lapping dogs like Lawrence, he is going to pay and pay (PAP) big time! Singaporeans are fooking sick and tired of the deprecating and patronizing attitude of the Pappy leeders and their cronies.

Baby, we are 'daft' no more! We are sick and tired, very very sick and tired of the game you are playing on us. A good example is the bleeding belly-aching of your fookin' sacrifice [Link]. It has reached the point of causing nausea and ulcerative colitis to many Singaporeans!

If PAP is not going to resist and desist in its hypocrisy, its bullying and "cho hee" [wayanging/play acting], the Chinese saying of: "A fortune will not last 3 generations" will come to pass. In PAP, we had Lee Kuan Yew, we had Goh Chok Tong, we now have Lee Hsien Loong - Father, Son and Holey Goh? Sooner or later, 2016 or after, the Lee Marble Dynasty [LeeGohLee Dynasty], like all dynasties, will disintegrate.

Meanwhile, for the benefit of Lawrence and his ilk, may I humbly suggest that an exercise in futility is a fools' work. Like the Review of Capable and Competent Ministers' Salary that has come to naught, we now know that ministers are losers for having earned less than previously and commoners are losers for having learnt that there is no minimum wage for themselves but a maximum wage for PAP ministers!

Instead of scoring points to please ourselves and our boss, would it be more fulfilling to do what is right, what is honest, what is truth, what is pure, what is charitable to one and all, especially our fellow citizens?

I don't know.

But we can try in the year of the dragon!

But will the hubristic PAP try?

Your guess is as good as mine.

May the Dragon of the Year Love And Take Good Care Of You!

feedmetothefish

The Mother of All Sacrifices?

2012-01-19T20:01:00.018+08:00

Seriously, I think most MPs and ministers of PAP are making a sacrilege of the word "sacrifice"! The latest came from a Brigadier-General. It's profane! It's sad to see the word "sacrifice" so badly hacked and desecrated.

When Minister of State Tan Chuan-Jin, choking over his words said: "I'm pained by the knowledge that I'll miss the many moments when my children are growing up and time with my family. My parents are not getting any younger. Those moments missed do not return. Ever... In time I will look back and there will be gaps. But that's life. I'm not sure how one considers it a privilege to miss these precious moments. It trivialises all of us who do cherish these." [Link].

So bloody sad! Blind me! For a moment, I thought he was describing the job of the Security Guard who works 12-hour shift followed by another 6 hours washing dirty dishes at the hawker centre just to make ends meet. Or was he talking about the sacrifices made by foreign domestic helpers who come to work in this 'red dot soon to be a black spot'? No, my dear readers. He was lamenting the job he's holding!

To be paid millions and have the privilege to serve and to come up with a rhetoric like, I repeat,

"I'm pained by the knowledge that I'll miss the many moments when my children are growing up and time with my family. My parents are not getting any younger. Those moments missed do not return. Ever... In time I will look back and there will be gaps. But that's life. I'm not sure how one considers it a privilege to miss these precious moments. It trivialises all of us who do cherish these." almost takes my breath away.

Such rhetoric does trivialise real work done by real people. Get real, man! Worse, it denigrates all hardworking men and women who work long hours, missing their children and neglecting their aged parents, just to put food on the table, pay the bills and put their kids in school. Do these poor souls consider it a "sacrifice"? I doubt so. They are merely doing what needs to be done to survive without an inkling of what high-falutin' sacrifice is about!

It is often said that PAP ministers sit in their ivory towers unacquainted with the harsh realities of commoners. It is sad to know that newly minted Minister of State is also ignorant of commoners' daily struggles. Or has this "callous sickness" affected top elites and honchos in the Armed Forces too?

I'm at a loss for words to describe the hubris and audacity of the Brigadier-General. Some English vulgarities come to mind but I shall desist using them. However, a Hokkien "KNNBCCB" and/or a Mandarin "Neow nee ma de chee pee" (I learned from a Nanyang graduate while serving NS in 1969) does help to lift the pain off my chest.

I just don't get it. Why the PAPies keep harping about their sacrifices is really beyond me. They are, even after the salary cut, still the highest paid in the world. Yet, they are still belly-aching that their sacrifices are not recognized. To bitch that he misses his mama, papa, wife and kids while he works to earn his millions is no better than Wee Shu Min, daughter of ex PAP parliament member Wee Siew Kim saying, 'Get off my elitist uncaring face"!

Denise Phua, one of the more decent PAP MPs whom I respect for her guts and candour, did a Drama Mama with a glass half filled with water. She was driving the point on "perception" and I caught her drift. I'm at a loss at just what Brigadier-General Drama was trying to prove with his Thank You Card. That we should appreciate his "SACRIFICE" by sending him more cards? Thanks but no thanks. Self praise leads to much disgrace. No?

Lee Hsien Loong and his team decided in 2007 to pay PAP ministers millions. In so doing, they made a mockery of National Service and Reservists' Training. They killed the sense of service and loyalty to one's country. It left a bitter taste in the mouths of millions of $ingaporeans. In trying to mitigate the "Mother Of All Excesses", he directed Gerard Ee (was it Gerrard's privilege or sacrifice & was he paid?) to do a review.

Wise after te Event:

I, like everyone else, have a 20/20 vision after the event. So does WP when they improved on Gerrard's recommendation. Likewise, PAP's sight was on the target trying its best to humiliate WP for its genius.

My observation:

The Review hurts PAP bad. Very bad. Having reduced his and his "kah kia's" salary, Lee Hsien Loong must be very 'hsien'. He should have let the old salary ride and not try to be a "popular" politician. PAP has prided itself in not succumbing to the popularity poll for decades and now PM Lee has gone against the grain. Instead of healing the nation and make people understand (so as to have more dragon babies, pun intended), he has wreaked havoc. Throughout the 3-day debate, after Chen Show Mao's speech, PAP was on the defensive. The silly attacks they made on WP especially on Gerald, Pritam and Jenn Jong shows the bully that PAP is. Instead of scoring brownie points, PAP has scored its own goals.
Workers' Party is no longer OMO (one man operation) and PAP knows it is a Party to be reckoned with. WP has shown through Chen Show Mao, Pritam Singh and others that PAP does not have the exclusive hold of political talents and leaders of Singapore. It proves that talents with passion and willingness to serve Singapore need not be bought with million dollars salary. In fact, many more may be willing to serve without being affiliated to or tainted by PAP. The cross may be too hard to carry as shown by George, Hwee Hwa and Zainal Abidin.
1st World Parliament: The performance of the PAP Ministers and PMs left much to be desired. The jibes and insinuations on the opposition's "insincerity" and making "political mileage" out of the debate shows the quality (or lack of) of PAP members. After decades of watching the bullying tactics against gentlemen like JB Jeyaratnam and Chiam See Tong by PAP, it's neat to note that such tactics do not work anymore. It brings shame and disrespect to PAP. It's tiring to see such stupidity at work and hopefully we'll see less.
Lee Kuan Yew had to write a letter to msm, "Don't underpay our ministers" [Link] to defend the high salary. His son, the Sec-Gen of PAP spoke. DPM Teo Chee Hean spoke. So did other top guns from PAP. So far, not a word from the Sec-Gen Low Thia Kiang and Chairman Sylvia Lim of Workers' Party. It is enlightening to note that the top 2 in WP need not involved themselves in this debate while PAP needed all the support fire, including that of ex-MM Lee, to flog a dead horse. Does it tell you that "A rose by any name smells as good"? OR , a greedy self serving deed, no matter how revised, stinks to high heaven?
My most striking observation is the fact that PAP members do not see (or purposely refuse to see) Chen Show Mao's distinct differences from Gerard Ee's recommendation:

WP recommends a base pay instead of artificially bringing it up and giving a 40% DISCOUNT. Thus not having a charade of putting up ministers on a pedestal and showing their sacrifice and graciousness of accepting a pay cut. Worse than hubristic stupidity, it is a 'mootherfooking disgrace' to upsize the pay, then give a 40% Discount to make the ministers look good!

As much as Loong said that he never mentioned pay when he recruited his "kah kia's", his subordinates may be in pain. If not, words from MsGraceFu and BG Tan Chuan-Jin on (pardon my expression) his childrenless. wifeless and parentless sacrifice would not have seen the light of day.

When a DPM can say something like, "We need transparency but we must respect the privacy of individuals" Singaporeans know we are pwned!
However, let's take the glass from Denise Phua and see it as half-full instead of half-empty. With PAP's continuing "don't get it" or "refuse to get it", we know they will pay dearly for it in the next election. Hopefully, in 2016, we'll have more leaders and less Sacrificers!
Worrisome thought: Now that the deed is done - ministers' pay cut - will my mother, wife, sister, daughter and grand daughter end up working as maids in foreign countries sacrificing like Brigadier General Tan Chuan-Jin does without the million dollars salary? Heaven forbids.

Yeah, I'm sitting here typing away on my keyboard, tickling my brain to come up with something good, neglecting members of my family, writing this blog without a single cent in financial reward . . . So is it my Sacrifice or Privilege? Neither.

Therapeutic, may be.

feedmetothefish

Note:

"KNNBCCB" = Go check with any Hokkien Peng for this vulgarity.

"Neow, Neow, Neow nee ma de chee pee" was the favourite phrase used by my NCO colleague (Nanyang University grad) when we did NS in '69 . He loved to used it on arrogant recruits who talked cock and complained often. The words in Mandarin means something like "disturb/complain/tickle, mother, female genital skin". It sounded classier and more refined than the ubiquitous and harsh "KNNBCCB" .

The Demise of Incapable and Uncommitted Ministers in Singapore

2012-01-18T08:51:00.005+08:00

So what good has come out of the Debate on Salary Review so far? How has it impact Singaporeans, the taxpaying paymaster of so called "servant leaders'?

I guess most of us are not blind and we would not spend time touching any of the 8 parts of a male elephant: body (wall), leg (tree), trunk (snake), tusk (spear), ear (fan), tail (rope), penis or testicles. [Link] But lift we must the elephant with a salary based on the top 1000 in the private sector with a 40% discount. If that is not bad enough, we have to listen to crap of poor elephant (highest paid in the world) lamenting his lack of a White House and Air Force One. I thought being 'different' in a little red dot, he should be grateful that he has his 'Istana' and his SIA first class which he may convert to an airbulance should there be an urgent need.

The whining justification of the loss of salary is a 'rallying call' by LHL gone awry. However, with a whip and a house majority and the princely position of deciding the size of the bonus of those working under him, the recommendation of mintsters' salary in Parliament will come to pass.

It's been a ruckus but I have learned some.

There is no "right" pay for minister, not even a ball park figure. It's a "judgement call" said the PM and DPM. You can pay millions and still get a lemon. That is why some PAP ministers were put down, some self-destructed and others demoted in 2011.
If the purpose of PM Lee for this review is to get people to understand and support him and his PAP and to show how transparent they are, they need to do and not just talk. Opening a can of worms can lead to shit hitting the fan! It is a shame that he has now caused the drop of salary of poor MsGraceFu and her ilk and done zilch in "healing the land", "Come What Pay" - Quotes stolen from Denise Phua's speech.
$3.7million or $2.2million for PM. $1.5million or $1.1million for others. Who cares? Except for ministerial recipients and Grace Fu who's standard of living may drop (but will definitely be able to afford $10 XO sauced Chai Tow Kway) [Link], who cares? Commoners like us just get a little wiser in knowing that the ivory tower is for real and not a figure of speech. Whatever money from our taxes that's paid to the elitist ministers is no different from the money we have in our CPF. We can't touch it, but they play with it, one pocket to another!
The wrapping up by Teo Chee Hean is nothing more that another "run down the oppo" rhetoric in nitpicking CSM's proposal and other opposition members' remarks. He 'don't' get it or does he? Why can't those PAP numbskulls understand that WP's position is not to make a "song and dance" about DISCOUNT and SACRIFICE! It is the PRINCIPLE of paying it like it is and not artificially putting minister on a pedestal with a HUMBUG DISCOUNT due to their BLEEDING SACRIFICE! [Link]
Don't do half-arse. If transparency is what it is about, simply list the pay and pension (if any) of each and every minister and MP annually. Do not come up with vague range of salary figures that serves no purpose other than spicing up the wayang. And the mother of all reasoning is: "We want to have transparency but we must respect the privacy of individuals". Is this the position of a self-respecting minister who sacrifices himself? Who can have the cake and still eat it? Another pathetic case of "Chui Kong, Lumpar Song" = "Mouth Talks, Testicles Thrills" = "Talk cock sing song"
The fact that Teo C H went to the extent of priding himself and PAP that no mention was made of corruption is amazing. The "silence of corruption" is so deafening that it is puke inspiring. Self praise is such a fooking disgrace!
His attack on Pritam Singh that Pritam was making a "political speech" when speaking about "dental benefits" shows the hubris of Teo C H. With his derogatory and sarcastic laughter at Pritam's comment (why PAP leaders have such crafty laughs is beyond me), the little respect I had for him is going to the lokang. Do not throw stones at glass houses if you live in one. Holy smoke! With his long yapping up the debate, if he is not making a "political speech" to up PAP and run down WP, just what was he doing? To nitpick Lina Chiam's increasing numbers is another venom that is uncalled for hit under the belt. Was Teo C H making a "political speech" or is he only working hard for his money!

All this time wasting wayang which PAP hopes will put them in a better light is has unfortunately worked to their own detriment. They have sunk deeper in the quagmire. With all their expressions and justification of their selfless sacrifices for Singapore, they have become a joke.

After all is said and done, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Talk is cheap. There are those who are willing and there are those who are not. There are those who join PAP for the money. There are those who already have enough materially but join PAP for the power, status and grandiosity, running with the self-deluding idea that they are sacrificing themselves and members of their family because they are earning less.

Truth be told, I do not know if Chen Show Mao joined Workers Party for the same reasons. All I know is Chen Show Mao and others in opposition parties take the road less travelled and stand up, without fear, against a callous and arrogant party of elites. I honour and respect him for that! He has proven that talents do not belong only PAP alone. He and other members of his team has shown the 'quitting' qualities of PAP with the giving up of politics by George, Hwee Hua and Zainal.

The speech by Chen Show Mao is is my favourite. It was short, sharp, succinct and put some to shame.

The debate got tiring and I'm glad it over.

Enough of moaning, mourning and demise.

Whatever hit or hurt us,

We can choose to be bitter,

Or choose to be better,

Better is the Only option.

To all, have a good one this dragon year!

feedmetothefish

Another Day of Mourning in Parliament.

2012-01-17T21:28:00.009+08:00

I just saw PM Lee's *"bway ko yok" speech [Link] & [Link] in defending Gerrard Ee and his committee's recommendation on "competent and committed" ministerial salary and I am sad. Serious. Very sad.

At the end of his long long speech, he said he hopes Singaporeans understand what he's doing. Sorry, as a Singaporean, I don't understand. I'm 60% dazed and 40% confused by this waste of time.

All in all, Lee's speech is nothing but a rehash of of what his deputy Teo Chee Hean said yesterday, albeit, with more venom and sarcasm (both in words and facial expression) when he remarked: "And I'm encouraged to see the Workers Party also accept these basic principles although they have a different formula and a different notion of what the number should be, in the same ball park as what the committee has recommended but of course slightly lower 'cos having looked at the committee's report, they decided that as an opposition party surely they must recommend something a bit less"

In justifying what he and his team gets (clean or dirty millions), he went about saying, "no one owes Singaporeans a living" and "we are different from them". Without any sense of "decorum" but same sarcastic tone and face, he went about denigrating systems of Italy, Japan, and other ministers, presidents and MPs of UK, USA and countries in EU like Finland and Belgium.

His grudge on the money earned by USA ex-presidents as public speakers was damning. Why he mentioned examples of "revolving system", "conflict of interest" and "gesture politics" of others is amazing. HIs remarks were so cringe-making that I had to rewind the video and see it again, to make sure that this guy said what he said. He did. What about his dad who wrote memoir after memoir? I've been told he's paid pretty well as a public speak especially in overseas circuit? If I've been told lies, please correct me.

Does Singapore has the "revolving system" of directorships and other cushy positions for MPs and ex-ministers?
Is there "conflict of interest" when father, son and daughter-in-law, each holding the highest positions in Temasek, MAS and PM's office simultaneously?
Damned! If this Review of Capable and Committed Ministers' Salary is not "gesture politics", then what is?

This "gesture politics", a "public spectacle" or what most of us prefer to call Wayang to LHL may be an earth shattering sacrifice, an altruistic performance to ensure that capable leaders will come forward to serve as ministers in this generation and next, but . . . but . . . but . . . To poor commoners like us, it just another whitewash to appear whiter-than-white and win more votes in the next election!

Other cringe making quotations from our dear PM Lee:

"Singaporeans have reaped a Singaporean dividend . . of carrying a pink IC", like the shirt he was wearing during the speech, "And therefore your value in the world has gone up . . people want to hire you". But we are losing jobs to FTs!
"We should be careful not to lose what we have already gained." PAPay Govt?
"We are different from them." They have complicated wage system we have "clean wage" But leeders get more hum when when they buy Char Kway Teow. So said One. No?
"... on the opposition side, Mr Chen Show Mao has come in, aged 50 after a successful career, now he is ready to do public service. . do pro bono work . . they can serve 1 or 2 term years . . ." But there's One in Singapore who served since 1965 and still refuse to give up!

Poor PM Lee. He found it difficult to recruit "top lawyer Shanmugum" who took substantial pay cut and "Ng Eng Hen, a successful surgeon" and had to "raid SAF and the Civil Service" to get his prize catch.

Sheesh, was it difficult for WP's Low Thia Khiang to recruit politicians like Sylvia Lim, Chen Show Mao, Pritam Singh, Yaw Shing Long, Muhamad Faisal Abdul Manap and Gerald Giam? Money, money, money, it is a (rich man's) PAP's world!

Duh . . . how much is enough? Enough for What?

"Men, the don't get it!' Heard that before? I must add that neither does the PAP! From PAP's Amy to Alvin to Sam to Zagy and others, they harped about WP's Chen Show Mao's, "WP plans differ little from recommendations: PAP MPs", Straits Times [Link]. Please read Chen Show Mao's and you will understand why those in PAP don't get it. Don't they know the difference between privilege and sacrifice? Don't they understand that you do not have to give a DISCOUNT to ETHOS? Which I last checked means: character, moral nature.

Duh . . .

Read Chen Show Mao's speech here. [Link]

feedmetothefish

*"bway ko yok" in Hokkein = "sell medicine"= "sell snake oil"

Mourning in Parliament

2012-01-16T23:14:00.010+08:00

Oh Blimey! Or is it blind me? It's only the 1st day of debate on the Review of the PAP's "Capable and Committed" Mintsters' Salary and it sounds like a bloody funeral for some in the PAP camp.

PAP MP Lee Bee Wah said in Parliament, "The salary cut should not be in anyway be viewed as an indication of demotion or penalization or an admission of anything amiss. Dedication and service to the country and its people is priceless. Such service can never be measured let alone be equated to a monetary value. Rather this pay reduction should be regarded as a pledge of further sacrifice that the leaders are willing to commit in the interest of our country and our people." [Link] With such high falutin' altruism, how dare an old bent jackknife cleaner with a bad back at the hawker centre complains that her salary was cut from $750 per month to $600 due to competition from foreign talents! Geez, I'm reminded of "Pledge" = "Aspiration" again! Thanks Viswa!

Denise Phua of PAP says the perception of each individual on the salary of the "committed and capable mintsters" is like any one of the "6 blind man and the elephant". I must agree: To each, his/her own! [Link]

Poor me, I'm the 7th blind man holding on the penis of the elephant and thought I "giok tio gu lan" when the PM apologised, promised to be a "servant leader" and commissioned a PAPay Review. Blind me, with the latest "clean wage" hype and the talents of Gerrard Ee, Mercer, et al, why does the simple proposal from Chen Show Mao of WP makes more sense to me? [Link ]

No, it is not because CSM is in WP and I'm biased against the PAP. It is because I'm so sick and tired of being sick and tired of the PAP's "DISCOUNT'! Please see blind-man-holding-the-prick-of-elephant examples below:

They insult us when they raise the price of HDB flats and still say we are getting it at a "subsidy", a "DISCOUNT".
Even way back in 2007, it was contemptible of them to raise the GST and then offer us a relief package as a "DISCOUNT" to help us get by.
It is a joke when they pay themselves millions for years and now come up with a new "DISCOUNTed" Salary and make a song and dance about it!
To add insult to injury, they peg the "New Normal" "Judgement Call" Mintsters salary and give a it a 40% DISCOUNT for it to appear all prim and proper because it came from Gerard & Gang and not PAP's Ministers. The "ETHOS Of POLITICAL SERVICE" [Link] so mentioned by DPM Teo Chee Hean may be the taller 8th blind man touching the balls of the elephant's perception of what "Ethos" may just be balls!
They "DISCOUNTED" us when we should be "Better, Faster and Cheaper" when the FAT CATS (that's you, ministers!) need a Committee to take 7 months to justify the 'new normal' salary. Hey! It just go to show the stupidity, greed and shame of the prior payout! Painfully, the poor Aunty with a bad back may think she'll at least get a "Minimum Salary" if the rich MIW ministers' pay has been "justified". My heart goes to the Aunty but I possess only DISCOUNTED optimism where PAP is concerned!
A spade is a spade and it is a shame that the PM had to waste the time and consciousness of so many to help put himself and PAP in a good light! Being the mathematical genius that he is, he should have come up with something as good if not better than Chen Show Mao's recommendation and get the house to approve it without any "discount". With the Whip and the seats that they own in Parliament, it's "Pow Chiak!" But no, the wayang goes on and the result is still: What he wants is what he gets! Albeit the song and dance! Servant leader indeed!

Fair is fair and I admit I'm guilty of moaning and bitching too. And why not? With the msm doing whatever it takes (holding the trunk, tail and all 4 legs of the elephant) to paint a whiter than white picture of the ruling party's "Clean Wage" and sacrificial DISCOUNT, this blind old man holding the prick of the elephant has to do some to level the playing field.

Holy phoenix, may the "loong" year bring more love and sincerity and less hype and contempt to loving citizens of Singapore!

Cheers,

feedmetothefish

PS: "giok tio gu lan" in Hokkien = "picked a bull's prick" = "found something precious"

"Pow Chiak!" in Hokkien = "sure eat" = "sure win" or "sure tasty" as used by durian sellers

“bo tua bo suay” in Hokkien = “no big no small” = “showing no respect”

PPS: Denise Phua, I love you in “healing the land” and “Come What Pay‘! Your Drama Mama holding the glass of half full water [Link] may seem corny to some but your thanking the PM for his pay increment to charity sounds a little upsucking There are many like Sister Theresa who do “good in secret”. I’m not a fan of PAP but I’m with you on the crazy tuition industry showing how ‘fookup’ our education system is. Yes, the 3rd and 4th Casino may be as good as Vui Kong bringing drugs to Singapore! Vui Kong must die but Resort Sentosa and Marina Bay Sands??? The perception of sin is as good as the each of the 7 blind men touching the elephant.

Pardon my “bo tua bo suay” to a PAP MP but I’m just the blind man touching the prick of the elephant.

I appreciate and respect your taking the road less travelled, as a PAP MP, in telling it like it is but then again, I’m just the 7th blind man touching the prick of the elephant living with “come what may” perception of my truth.

PPPS: "In fact, if the maximum bonuses were awarded, the reduction in entry grade minister pay would be 8% and not the 31% calculated by the committee." Chen Show Mao [Link ]. Thank you Show Mao. It's worth "regretting and repenting" when we learn how white the "clean wage" can be.

PPPPS: If the 8 blind men were touching a female elephant, then it's not the Ministerial salary that we are talking about.

Friday 13, 2012 - TOC 5th Birthday & Awards Night

2012-01-13T23:21:00.022+08:00

The above video shows the intro of Catherine Lim's speech after receiving TOC Lifetime Achievement Award from guests of honour Mr & Mrs Chiam See Tong.

Wearing a black cheongsum with white trimming laced with beautiful flower over her bosom, Catherine Lim looked gorgeous. Looking good is only a minor part of her forte. If you enjoy Catherine Lim's writing, you've got to hear her speak!

That's the highlight of an evening well spent. Speaking off the cuff, without any prepared note in front of her, she spoke of the "political fatigue" of PAP. A friend of mine once told me years ago, she was a student of Catherine Lim. All I know is when you are with Catherine, you learn English, the language! Or at least, where I'm concerned, she reminds me of words that I've almost forgotten. Until you see her on video, I'd like to share some:

"Oxymoron" - when she described PM Lee Hsien Loong's proclamation of being "servant leeder" and asking his PAP followers to do the same and not "lord over us". LOL! Yes, we (the audience) did laughed out loud, very load!
It was "touche!" when Catherine said that PM Lee and his PAPies missed the opportunity to "come clean" when he and his cronies rejected a petition by 16 ex-political detainees to have a COI on their detention. According to her, the Commission of Inquiry on Mas Selamt jalan; the MRT Fiasco COI; and even the Ministerial Review, though helpful, cannot match the importance of a COI on Political Detention. If done properly, it was a chance for PAP to regain its reputation and, more importantly, to demolish the 'divide' and hopefully build a more united people based on justice and equality.

It is a shame that due to the fear of losing their power and their disrespect and/or inability to accept the citizens' intelligence (no, we aren't 'daft' after all), the ruling party is adamant in not opening up and be transparent of their 'mo ngan thye' [no eyes see] doings, past and present.
Her reminder of the scare tactics of ISA and defamation suits used by PAP and how it may not work anymore
Her gut feel that the young with the new normal mainstream media of internet and facebook etc. (no longer Straits Times or CNA,) will be a force to be reckoned with.

It's an evening well spent. Apart from being in the good company of Mr Chiam See Tong and his dear wife Lina, History making personalities including Teo So Lung, Gerald Giam, Tan Jee Say, "Aspiration" Viswa, Rachel and lawyer M Ravi who do much for 'dead man walkin' recipients of mandatory death sentences.

Though the crowd wasn't anything like what you see in a WP's election rally, it was an entertaining and enlightening evening.

With Joshua and his band playing for Vui Kong to end the evening's gathering, let's be strong at Speakers' Corner this Sunday at Hong Lim Park at 4pm for a decent cause of lovin' life! [Link] & [Link].

Watch out for TOC [Link] posting of Catherine Lim's awesome speech in TOC and/or youtube.

feedmetothefish

Sense of Proportion? Sense Of Justice? Sense of Equality?

2012-01-11T23:08:00.005+08:00

Anyone read , "Apex court clears air on A-G's power"? If not, please check this out [Link].

Extract from [Link]:

"IT IS not unlawful for the Attorney-General to artificially reduce the amount of drugs specified in a trafficker's charges, to differentiate from those of his accomplice.

Nor is it unconstitutional, the Court of Appeal ruled yesterday, in dismissing the case of Ramalingam Ravinthran, who faces death for trafficking in cannabis.

His accomplice, Sundar Arujunan, escaped the same fate because he was charged with trafficking in a shade less than the quantity that brings the mandatory death penalty. He was sentenced to 20 years' jail and 24 strokes of the cane.

Ramalingam, represented by lawyer M. Ravi, had accused the Attorney-General (A-G), as Public Prosecutor, of violating his constitutional right to equality before the law.

Even though they were involved in the same crime, he was prosecuted for capital offences whereas Sundar was accused of non-capital offences.

Ramalingam wanted his charges amended so there would be no difference in their punishment.

On July 13, 2006, the two men met at a temple in Sungei Kadut Avenue. Sundar placed a sports bag on the back seat of Ramalingam's car. Both were arrested separately shortly after by Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) officers. The bag was found to contain 5,560.1g of cannabis and 2,078.3g of cannabis mixture.

Sundar was charged in June 2007 with two offences of trafficking in not less than 499.99g of cannabis and 999.99g of cannabis mixture. Those quantities were about 0.01g below the mandatory death penalty threshold. He pleaded guilty.

When Ramalingam was dealt with later, the quantities of drugs in the charges against him meant the death penalty on conviction.

Sundar was called as a prosecution witness at Ramalingam's trial. Although he turned hostile on the stand, the trial judge convicted Ramalingam based on the men's statements to CNB officers.

Ramalingam's appeal against conviction and sentence was dismissed in September 2010. Although he had exhausted his avenues of appeal, he filed a motion in an attempt to reopen his case.

Yesterday, the Court of Appeal dismissed his motion in a 48-page written judgment delivered by Chief Justice Chan Sek Keong.

He said the court decided to hear out Ramalingam as the motion concerned a constitutional point that needed to be clarified in the public interest.

CJ Chan said the prosecutorial power vested in the A-G was constitutionally equal in status to the power of the court, and the courts were expected not to interfere with the A-G's prosecutorial discretion unless it had been exercised unlawfully.

In other words, the courts should presume that the A-G's prosecutorial decisions were constitutional or lawful until they are shown to be otherwise".

Having recommended this [Link] & [Link] to the Law Minister Jayakumar, I guess no one will be surprised by the latest judgement by CJ Chan.

Alan Shadrake's "Once A Jolly Hangman", Anybody?

And we

'pledge ourselves as one united people,

regardless of race, language or religion,

to build a democratic society

based on justice and equality"?

Oops, 'Aspiration' doesn't mean squat!

Oops again, "two offences of trafficking in not less than 499.99g of cannabis and 999.99g of cannabis mixture" Pardon my English but shouldn't "less" be "more"?

While I'm still learning, it is sad that Ramalingam may end up like Vui Kong [Link].

feedmetothefish

How Much Is Enough? Enough For What?

2012-01-10T23:45:00.004+08:00

"IF SUCCESS could be measured, by any standards, Ms Teresa Hsu was one of the most successful persons anywhere ('Singapore's 'Mother Teresa' dies at 113'; Wednesday).

She achieved all she set out to do and more. She was a leader par excellence. She was a chief executive officer who was paid a pittance, had no car, posh office, a bungalow or a country club membership.

She may not have travelled first class but she was a first-class person. Her charity was immeasurable and crossed colour and creed. She is the role model for Singapore and I hope our children will read about her and emulate her selfless attitude.

She went as quietly as she arrived humbly into this world. She lived a great life and passed on in greatness.

She gave love, her example inspired many and her love changed lives."

Murali Sharma

[Link]

Someone once said that Singaporeans do not have a "sense of proportion" when they grudge their Ministers their million dollars salary.

"I say you have no sense of proportion; you don't know what life is about," he said last month. "The cure to all this talk is really a good dose of incompetent government," Lee said. "You get that alternative, and you'll never put Singapore together again."as reported in New York Times [Link]

What is this "sense of proportion'? Does Gerard Ee and his Committee for “Salaries for A Capable and Committed Government” have this "sense of proportion? By cutting the salaries of the mintsters, does the committee "know what life is all about"?

This "sense of proportion" got me thinking and comparing the work done by Sister Theresa Hsu [Link] & [Link] on one extreme and Grace Fu [Link] on the other. While one, without any fanfare, generated loving kindness, the other created unnecessary resentment.

Who did Sister Theresa worked for? Who does Grace Fu work for? Did Sister Theresa worked for the poor? Does Grace Fu works for the rich? Did Sister Theresa care for the down trodden commoners? Who does Grace Fu care for?

Before I get slammed and asked to "get off someone's elitist face" and get a life instead of getting the elephant off my chest, another thought came to mind.

Fans of PAP Mintsters Obscene Salary often state that PM Lee deserves 4 or 5 times President Barack Obama's pay because PM Lee doesn't have or use Air Force One. My question is: Does PM Lee pay for his 1st class air travelling out of his own pocket? If not, please make it clear that Air Force One doesn't belong to Obama. He's just using it like his predecessor did. Sure he can use it for medical emergency should any of his relative falls ill in London but hey, SIA can do the same for PAP politicians! A sense of proportion indeed!

Their thought that less than a king's ransom will lead to corrupt ministers in Singapore is awe inspiring! Shamefully no minister so far has come forward to challenge this denigrating insult! The thought that only the rich are incorruptible, committed and capable of good work may be leading Singapore to the road to Hell!

Then again, what the heck. The year is 2012 and some believe that time is nigh.

Thank Heavens for Sister Theresa and her ilk. How Much Is Enough? Enough For What? She wasn't rich like PAP elitists but Sister Theresa had Much More Than Enough. Enough for Everything to do peace, love, laughter, kindness and happiness!

"I hope our children will read about her and emulate her selfless attitude."

Aye!

feedmetothefish

The Fraud of Discount and Subsidy

2012-01-08T22:48:00.011+08:00

Is a spade really a spade in PAP's Singapore?

There is always an element of "you are getting a good deal" from PAP. Aren't you lucky to have such altruistic politicians? That there is always a sacrifice on their part in anything that they do. They are always providing a 'subsidy' or a 'discount'. They always project themselves as altruistic, incorruptible 'sacrificial lambs' serving the nation but not themselves. But the truth is a leopard would not change its spots nor a tiger its stripes! For PAP, the inborn notion to 'buy and fix', come hell or high water, is and will always be the name of the game!

After reading the report of “Salaries for A *Capable and Committed Government” by Gerard and his committee, I'm tickled pink with this point: [Link]

63 We have noted the feedback that Singaporeans expect their leaders to demonstrate the ethos of political service and sacrifice. Similar to the discount under the current benchmark, Ministerial salaries should not match private sector levels fully. There is no scientific method for striking a balance between paying competitive salaries and taking a discount to signify the political service ethos. It is a judgment call. On balance, we recommend applying a significant discount of 40% off the salaries of the group of people we intend to benchmark against. The formula, which will be used to determine the salary of a new Minister who enters service at the grade of MR4, is thus as follows:

60% of the median income of

the top 1,000 Singapore Citizen income earners

This 'Judgement Call' is a humbug. It is such a fraud! A shell game to pull wools over the eyes of innocent commoners. Why the committee has to put up such disgraceful proposition is beyond me. Pardon my forthrightness but if you think the MR4 deserves $1.1 million, just go with the flow. Don't come up with the pathetic crap that they should earn more but have altruistically sacrificed 40% of what they should deserve. Such cheap self-glorification induces nausea!

They can come up with more ways to bankrupt Chee Soon Juan further and denigrate him as a 'psycho' or even a clown but any decent fair minded bloke would think that this article [Link] shows that the "40% DISCOUNT" is nothing but a fooking sham!

With thanks to Botak Siew Kum Hong, I've learned that the tricky self serving terms of reference was a nothing but a mee siam mai hum HUMBUG! [Link]

This crazy logic of 'discount of ministers' pay' and 'market subsidy of HDB flats' is a joke gone too far!

The *"Please Release Me, Let Me Go"-to-my-rightful-Owner-at-55 CPF is a crime committed against those who cannot get by and get a job at 55!

The "Admin Fee of $3 plus' for using one's CPF Medisave to pay Polyclinics for chronic illness consultation and medicines is so fooking sinful that it makes loansharks appear better than angels! Yes, $3 is chicken feed to some but to others, it's enough food to survive for a day!

No Sir, we are not 'daft'! We have enough of the' spurs stuck to our back'. We are sick and tired of being 'fixed' and though we do not have the millions that you have, you CANNOT buy us! Our worth and integrity is NOT FOR SALE!

*Capable and Committed Government that is responsible and accountable to:

"Ponding" in Orchard Road and other parts of Singapore
Mas Selamat jalan to JB
Higher cost to public transportation that sucks big time
Sucking commoners dry with expensive "affordable?" HDB pigeon holes
Opening Gambling Dens aka Casinos in Sentosa and Marina Bay

Keep your subsidy, do away with your discount and please "Delay No More" (try reading out loud as it is in Cantonese) . . . STOP treating us like idiots. Sorry, we are not that daft after all!

If you wish to be paid and treated like God

You had better have the power of God

If Singapore is anything less than Shangri La

You can't blame us for shaming and fooking you lah!

When in your job you slack

Don't expect us to cut you some slack

For the obscene pay you get

What do you expect?

feedmetothefish

Now We Know This Grace Fu

2012-01-06T14:18:00.007+08:00

"When I made the decision to join politics in 2006, pay was not a key factor. Loss of privacy, public scrutiny on myself and my family and loss of personal time were. The disruption to my career was also an important consideration. I had some ground to believe that my family would not suffer a drastic change in the standard of living even though I experienced a drop in my income. So it is with this recent pay cut. If the balance is tilted further in the future, it will make it harder for any one considering political office." Grace Fu [Link]

This was followed in Today [Link] where she said, "I realise my last posting could have been misunderstood. The committee has done a thorough job with a substantial recommendation over a fairly emotive topic. I accept and respect the recommendations," she said, adding she is "honoured to be given the opportunity to serve the people".

"However, it may not be wise to call for the trade-offs to be tilted further to an extent that it dissuades good people from coming forward in future," she noted.

Dear MsGraceFu,

This is what I understand from your exposé.

If pay was not a key factor in your decision in joining politics, why write the above in your facebook?
If you wanted privacy for your goodself and your family members and fearful of public scrutiny, why did you jump into the 'pond' to be a politician? It's a no-brainer.
Loss of personal time? I'm at a loss as to how many hours you work a day. Ever try a 12-hour shift plus another 8-hour overtime as a Security Guard to earn less than $1500 a month?
I doubt the tilted 'trade-offs' will dissuade good people from coming forward. In fact, it will separate the dregs from the cream. The greedy scums who join politics for money, power and grandiosity compared to the real McCoys who truly serve with their heart. Heard of the lady who quit her lecturer's job in order to be fair to her employer as well as the constituents she represents? Loss of personal time? She's looking forward to be self employed so that she's in charge of her time.
Career disruption? So which lightning rod caused you to change job?
Drastic change in the standard of living? How much do you want? How much is Enough? Enough for What? Caviar, Champagne, Truffle for your pet dog/cat/chameleon at every meal?
The choice to be a politician was yours to make. For whatever reasons, you chose to give up your lucrative job to take the political path. Now that Gerard has jolted your rice bowl, it is good to know where you are at.
Seet Ai Mee left. Lim Hwee Hua left. If you want to, I'm sure you are free to go. With your talents (as endorsed by LKY's PAPgotTALENTs), I'm sure you'll easily get another job that will pay you millions! Don't worry, should you (and the rest of PAP mintsters) leave, I doubt that my mother, wife, sister, daughter and grand daughter will end up as maids in other country.
If you find it a chore and a loss of 'personal time' in bringing less privileged physically challenged people to places like Garden by the Bay, [Link] you know what you should do.
Whether you wrote above for your own pecuniary interest or for the benefit of others seeking political office is for us to wonder and for you to know.

Sorry for having taken your precious 'personal time' to read this.

Sleep well.

Goodnight.

feedmetothefish

Note: As I have stated often, the day they suka suka paid themselves millions (with dumbass justifications), they made a mockery of national service and nation building. They sold their respectability and honour and became a joke!. Sacrifice, my foot! Sadly so, the damage done is beyond redemption!

Sad

2012-01-05T01:56:00.004+08:00

I felt a sense of loss when Jack Lalanne died. A fitness Guru who inspired me so much till today since black & white TV in the 60's. [Link]

I miss Sister Theresa Hsu when she passed on recently at 113-year-old. This selfless lady did not even want to have a funeral so as not to inconvenience those who love and respect her. The simplicity and humility of this angel knows no bounds! [Link]

The death of Christopher Hitchens shook me some. His use of the English language, his elephant memory and his integrity to stick to his guns (though I may not totally agree with him on some subjects) without fear or favour makes me think of him while I write this blog. [Link]

The death of these personalities (icons?) brings to mind service, discipline, kindness, integrity and even love!

And what have they to do with the Ministerial Salary Review?

Much.

Service doesn't mean squat when leaders need to be kept upright instead of being upright
Discipline doesn't mean much when suka suka pay was increased when prior salary was already astronomical
Kindness to rulers at the expense of commoners is deplorable
Integrity is fooked when one increases one's pay at his own pleasure but gets a committee to justify it (albeit a reduction) to prevent loss of future votes (fat hope?)
With love in one's heart, would one condone racist remarks, detention without trial, and mandatory death sentence?

Yes, I've mentioned that poor Gerard is between the devil and the deep blue sea when he accepted the job in the Ministerial Pay Review Committee.

It's been said that if one cannot dazzle you with brilliance, he'll baffle you with bullshit. Not unlike the current taxi fare with all kinds of surcharges that confuses you but you must finally pay, the new mintsters' pay with all the confusing bonuses (without telling you the exact figures that was paid, being paid or going to be paid), we the commoners in Singapore are still treated as 'dafts' to 'regret and repent' for being peaceful and obedient subjects of the Party Against People.

With all the talk of transparency and all the accolades showered upon Gerard for his hard work, what I wish to know is: Is Gerard and his team paid for the work done? If they are paid, how much each? If they are not paid, I 'salute' them for being good servants of you know who.

It's delightful to note if after the PAPpy apologies, regrets and near tears, will the Wayang and Humbug continue?

Well, we don't know till we know.

To the highest political leeder in the world, I humbly ask these questions:

Just how much is enough? Enough for what? Enough to go against the grain of the people you lord over? After Gerard and his team's work, does it make you sleep better with your new pay?
Is it orgasmic to be the highest paid politician in the world?
With the power vested in you, why did you not cut the salary without making a song and dance about it?

We don't know but you must know.

Goodnight.

feedmetothefish

The Real Quitters!

2012-01-02T21:19:00.003+08:00

The younger generation in Singapore have often been criticized and ridiculed for being spineless and taking soft options when faced with challenges. I think this general perception is not fair. Young or old; rich or poor, black, white, yellow or brown; people of different or no religion; there are those who are spineless wimps who quit easily and there are those with fortitude to take challenges and do whatever it takes to pick themselves up again whenever they fall. So that they do not fail themselves and forsake their faithful followers!

Remember the bloke who promised us Swiss Standard of Living? The same guy who insulted Singaporeans by calling them 'quitters' and 'fair-weather friends' because they decided to reside elsewhere. Funnily, this man was put to silence when he realised that he was putting his own daughter in a bad light!

If I were a PAP supporter in Aljunied GRC, I would be most dejected and disillusioned by the disappearance of George and his company of 'fair weather politicians'. What happens to the spirit of stand up and fight? They say, "old soldiers never die, they just fade away'. Sadly so, the Brigadier General, Minister and Mayor in Singapore are different. They simply throw in the towel after losing one round! They deserted their supporters by not sticking around and preparing for the next election in 2016. Are they wrong in abandoning ship? Are they right? I honestly don't know.

However 3 thoughts come to mind:

They are not really politicians
Their passion for politics has waned
They realised that they are in bad company and grateful for this escape route

What has happened tells me something about

The culture of politics we have in Singapore
The meaning of service and loyalty
The Moral and the Compass that will detrimentally or positively impact us as a nation

My writing here is not to criticise George and his company for quitting. If I were him, I may just do the same if point 1., 2. or 3. of above applies.

So why did I write what I wrote here? To keep my brain at work and to find out if thoughts like mine are in the heads of others.

Thank you for sticking around and may 2012 bring you enough to be in flow!

feedmetothefish

Annus Mirabilis?

2011-12-31T01:29:00.003+08:00

Or are Singaporeans mere gullible 'ikan bilis' to the power that is?

Someone asked why am I so anti-PAP? Is it the hubris of PAP that gets my goat?

No, it is not only the arrogance. It is more than that. It includes but not limited to the following:

Disrespect for Singaporeans: How on earth can a PAP leader justify the obscene salary paid to his 'Kar Kiahs/Kakies' by saying that my mother, wife, daughter and even grand daughter will end up as maids in other countries if ministers are not paid by the millions!
Surprisingly, they have realised their grave mistake and Junior is now in damage control with Gerard Ee's help. Whatever the outcome and how much mintsters will be paid, the damage is done!
Gerard has just cleared the hurdle and has passed his Report to the PM. Now let's see if PM is happy with Gerard's work? Or is it going to be another time wasting "Much Ado About Nothing" Wayang of "Dad, should I cut our pay and pensions?"
Faking Democracy, Meritocracy & Transparency:
When the Election Department is under the control of the Prime Minister;
When grassroot leaders are defined and selected by Peoples' Association and PA is chaired and boarded by PAP's top brasses;
When the savings in our CPF can only be withdrawn on the whims and fancies of blokes we don't really know;
When Temasek and GIC is so 'transparent' that it's like Peoples' Money being moved around like chips in gambling dens in Marina Bay Sands and Resort Sentosa,

it is time to wake up to the fact that a joke can only go so far . . .

Very Difficult to Pardon Comments:
When "I stand corrected" silenced all and sundry after bad and wrong examples were made of Muslim/Malay's inability to integrate, unmarried Malay teenage pregnancy [Link], and most painful of all, Muslim family not sharing rice with other races.
When someone said that the National Pledge is nothing but an "aspiration", we aspire to know, "Then why the fook are the school kids wasting their time every school going morning reciting it?"
Expose, Expose & Expose:
Dr Lim Hock Siew's detention [Link] & [Link]; Teo So Lung's book, "Beyond The Blue Gate"; Vincent Cheng's tortured non-torture; Alan Shadrake's "Once A Jolly Hangman" [Link] and his stay at Prison Singapore and Chia Thye Poh being honoured recently [Link] show that we are slowly arriving.
Their Creme de la Creme MPs:
'Kate Spade' leg stompin' "I don't know what to say" comes to mind. 'Janil Puthutcheary who never did a day of National Service but ‘I’ve spent the last 10 years saving kids’ lives.’ [Link] is another. But the one I love most is 'he' who refused to appear for PAP in the last election and caused a "oops... who to replace him?" at Tampines GRC! What's his name?

I'm sad that a caring and decent politician like Chiam See Tong and his wife Lena were not voted in in the last election. I'm thrilled that Low Thia Khiang and his party retained Hougang and succeeded in Aljunied GRC. The photo-finish win of Tony Tan as President of Singapore shows Singaporeans may not be that gullible after all.

With the loss of Aljunied; the admission that Minsters' Pay sucks big time that led to a review; the wayang apology that doesn't mean squat (what with the ever increasing population that continues to find it difficult to breathe in trains and every where else; the crazy unaffordable pigeon hole called HDB flat; the distressful increase in taxi/bus fares and the comical but possibly dangerous SMRT Fiasco; the once-in-50-years-flood that happend many times in 2011, I must say 2011 is the Annus Mirabilis for PAP! Or is it Annus Horribilis? Whatever turns you on ;)

Will it get better in the year of the dragon?

We'll see.

Meanwhile, I'll pick up my guitar and learn how to sing the Ballad of Chia Thye Poh. See the [Link] here and learn how to sing here. [Link]

And when I thought I was getting serious, I got to see this! [Link]. If anyone thinks Malays do not know how to share their rice with others or accept advice from others on unmarried teenage pregnancies, they've got to watch "Gemuk Girls"! Apart from other virtues they possess, they have talent!

Let's respect races and religion (or non-religion) other than our own!

We, the citizens of Singapore,

pledge ourselves as one united people,

regardless of race, language or religion,

to build a democratic society

based on justice and equality

so as to achieve happiness, prosperity and

progress for our nation.

Malay version

Kami, warganegara Singapura,

sebagai rakyat yang bersatu padu,

tidak kira apa bangsa, bahasa, atau ugama,

berikrar untuk membina suatu masyarakat yang demokratik,

berdasarkan kepada keadilan dan persamaan

untuk mencapai kebahagiaan,

kemakmuran dan kemajuan bagi negara kami.

Chinese version

我们是新加坡公民，

誓愿不分种族、言语、宗教，

团结一致，

建设公正平等的民主社会，

并为实现国家之幸福、繁荣与进步，

共同努力。

我們是新加坡公民，

誓願不分種族、言語、宗教，

團結一致，

建設公正平等的民主社會，

並為實現國家之幸福、繁榮與進步，

共同努力。

Wǒmen shì Xīnjiāpō gōngmín,

shìyuàn bù fēn zhǒngzú, yányǔ, zōngjiào,

tuánjié yīzhì,

jiànshè gōngzhèng píngděng de mínzhǔ shèhuì,

bìng wèi shíxiàn guójiā zhī xìngfú, fánróng yǔ jìnbù,

gòngtóng nǔlì.

Tamil version

சிங்கப்பூர் குடிமக்களாகிய நாம் இனம்,மொழி,மதம்

ஆகிய வேற்றுமைகளை மறந்து ஒன்றுபட்டு,நம் நாடு

மகிழ்ச்சி,வளம்,முன்னேற்றம் ஆகியவற்றை அடையும்

வண்ணம் சமத்துவத்தையும்,நீதியையும்

அடிப்படையாக கொண்ட ஜனாயக

சமுதாயத்தை உருவாக்குவதற்கு

உறுதி மேற்கொள்வோம்!

For more than 4 decades, I've been doing my utmost to do and live it! But it is just an aspiration for some.

Happy New Year!

feedmetothefish

Singaporeans' Sense of Humour and Forgiving Trait!

2011-12-24T21:43:00.008+08:00

This picture comes from from AsiaOne [Link].

In terms of photoshop funny, it is cute. But it is hard to come to terms that she really sat on a sedan chair carried by half-naked men during SMRTs dinner and dance event. Apart from the sense of disgust from commuters, I wonder if Cleopatra would be flattered by such excesses?

On the subject of humour, to really ROFL (roll on floor laughing?) you must visit mrbrown here [Link]. His clarification on on the SMRT Breakdown cracked me up! Still does! His command of English is awesome and his white shirt is so MIW!

To every life, a little rain must fall. Seng Han Thong [Link] is paying the price now for a TV appearance that he wished would disappear. Honestly, I do not know if Seng Han Thong is a racist. I mean, who knows?

Remember Lee Kuan Yew went about, “Well, we make them say the national pledge and sing the national anthem but suppose we have a famine, will your Malay neighbour give you the last few grains of rice or will she share it with her family or fellow Muslim or vice versa?”[Link]

Can you recall LKY saying, "To persuade Malay parents to look after their daughters more carefully and not to have teenage pregnancy which leads to failed marriages, subsequent marriages also fail and delinquents . . . ? [Link] Are there no teenage unmarried pregnancies among other races like the Chinese (the race I belong to)? Admittedly, he's trying to show that cross race advice from MPs (and mintsters) of other races may not be easily accepted. But why target the Malays? I would have expected a 'Leeder' of Chinese descent to use Chinese race as a example. That would have been more sensitive and less racist!

What about LKY's posture on 'I stand corrected' for saying the 'Hard Truth' that my Malay/Muslim friends cannot integrate? Hello, I know a Malay/Muslim prayed at my Chinese friend's house and never in my 60-year-old life did any of my Malay/Muslim friends reject an offer to eat on the same table with me. Even when I'm having Char Siew Wanton Mee, my Malay friends just tell me, "Don't you try to be fooking funny and offer me the 'char siew' just to prove LKY is wrong!" Maybe there is a difference between real friends and patronising 'friends' of obscenely rich and powerful ministers.

Question: Compared to the current slaying of SHT especially by PAP MPs including Halimah, why wasn't much noise made about Dear Leeder's objectionable comments on race and religion previously?

Why is SHT is getting more flame than LKY for the same kind of 'not so nice' comments. Is this a case of never bite the hand that feeds you? Even the hand has insulted your race and religion? There is a Chinese saying in Hokkien, "Kuah tio sen, tio pai. Kuah tio ter, tio tai". Roughly translated, it means, "See God, kneel down and pray. See pig, take out knife and slaughter" (Pig here can mean any animal good for its meat for food - lamb [mutton] and cow [beef]).

Yes, respect those that can mess you up (even if they suck big time!) but walk all over those that you know cannot harm you ;)

So do we forgive some and not others?

Can we forgive what's done to Chia Thye Poh?

Life does scale to a balance . . . sometimes. In this year end festive season, it is good to know that Chia Thye Poh is awarded for something other than being the longest held (32 years) political detainee. Not from Singapore but Malaysia! It's a shame to miss this Video [Link] and report [Link].

Season' greeting and Happy Holidays to all!

feedmetothefish

So how many COI's do we need?

2011-12-23T21:55:00.009+08:00

SMRT is having a PROBE to be headed by Ong Ye Kung for their mess in their Mass Rapid Transit Fiasco.

LTA is having it's own INVESTIGATION.

PM Lee has ordered a COI.

Pardon me for being lost but how many COMMITTEES OF INQUIRY do we need???

Or how many hands (jobs/jerks) do we need to fix the light bulb?

Being in the little red dot that we reside in and the little MRT system that we have, do we need an ORGY of PROBE, INVESTIGATION and COI? For the sake of everyone, why can't they do it FASTERER, CHEAPERER AND BETTERER? (Ya, English here that is no better than announcements heard in MRT stations, but still can, lah!)

Productivity? My foot!

It seems to me that instead of all hands on deck, most are working with only one hand. The other hand is needed to cover the backside!

Self preservation at its best!

Oops, or is it wayang at its best?

feedmetothefish

Another after thought: Will we be surprised if, one day, one of the SMRT trains ended up lost and then found in Johor Bahru . . . like Mas Selamat Kasturi? Possible?

Why sometimes I feel bad being a born and bred Singaporean of Chinese descent?

2011-12-22T00:32:00.005+08:00

When another Singaporean of Chinese descent said, “I notice that the PR mention that, some of the staff, because they are Malays, they are Indians, they can’t converse in English good, well enough, so that also deters them, from but I think we accept broken English.” when sharing his thoughts on the SMRT FIASCO. [Link]

I hope PAP MP Seng Han Thong won't be flamed again for what he said. Fair is fair and I must emphasize that MP Seng only quoted what the PR mentioned. He did not specifically said that Malays and Indians can't speak English well. Only Chinese and Other Races in Singapore speak good English, meh?

So who is this racially biased PR?

Innocent but unnecessary words when wrongly perceived can lead to much anger. Worse, it may generate racial tension.

If the PAP guy is worth his salt, he would have said, “I notice that the PR mention that, some of the staff, they can’t converse in English good, well enough, so that also deters them, from but I think we accept broken English.” excluding the words, "because they are Malays, they are Indians", an issue would not arise.

Why in heavens MP Seng repeated "because they are Malays, they are Indians" is beyond me. Regardless of race, language or religion, wouldn't it be lovely if VIPs in PAP can be more sensitive to the sensitivities of others? I feel like shit when my Malay and Indian friends are deprecated or marginalised with stupid statements like above!

To my fellow citizens of Malay and Indian descent, I hope you are forgiving enough to know and accept that there are insensitive idiots and nincompoops in our mist. I thank you for your kind understanding.

feedmetothefish

"WE HEAR YOU; WE'LL CHANGE, AND IMPROVE YOUR LIVES"

2011-12-12T00:41:00.005+08:00

Yes, brothers and sisters, the words above are PAP Party Chairman KHAW BOON WAN'S at 2011 PARTY CONVENTION held on 27 NOVEMBER 2011.

Until the next election in 2016, there's not a hope in heaven that Singaporeans can have the opportunity to change the PAP government. Meanwhile, I'm grateful to KBW and PAP for the following changes (& non-changes):

The increase of bus fare (after Lui Tuck Yew started taking buses?)
The increase of taxi fare (has Lui Tuck Yew been taking taxis lately?)
The still very expensive and unavailable HDB flats that my first-time applicant child still cannot get after several applications. Bo pian (no choice), the child will have to camp with in-law after her wedding in January.
The casinos in Sentosa and Marina Bay and the social problems generated by such gambling dens.
The wonderful parks and park connectors (no satire here, I'm sincerely grateful to NParks for the green breathing spaces)
The older-than-me (I'm 60 going on 17) aunties and uncles cleaning the Hawker Centre tables and other aunties and uncles collecting toilet entrance fees of 10/20 cents from high-tide customers who need to pee/crap.
Not forgetting those hunch-back old folks competing with foreign talents in collecting paper cartons and aluminium cans to make a living!
Or the "Poor In Singapore Can't Afford Food?" [Link]

No, Khaw Boon Wan should not be held responsible for the above. However. being the Chairman of PAP and having stated, "WE HEAR YOU; WE'LL CHANGE, AND IMPROVE YOUR LIVES", he's The Man!

Honestly, with the way things are in Singapore, my First-World-Singaporean life may improve if I retire and spend my old age in JB! Then again, satire aside, if Tengku and Lee Kuan Yew had done it differently, JB would have been part of my homeland! Or did someone give credit to Goh Keng Swee for the separation? [Link]

Since 1969, I have served NS and did my Reservist's duties. I married, fooked and stopped at 2 because I was a loyal Singaporean who thought that overcrowding tiny Singapore with more than 2 million was irresponsible.

Fookin' Hell! How was I to know that we would end up with more than 5 millions now!!! For the sake of GDP and Mintsters' obscene salary?

"WE HEAR YOU; WE'LL CHANGE, AND IMPROVE YOUR LIVES".

Until the lives of Singaporeans (I mean all Singaporeans, not just PAP sucker-ups and their affiliates, PAP MPs and PAP Mintsters) improve, Talk is Cheap!

Cheaper than a $8 CABG (Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery including A1 class ward, Agiogram etc.)! [Link]

Based on this [Link], I hope I won't be cursed to Hell!

feedmetothefish

Based on Justice and Equality?

2011-12-09T23:57:00.005+08:00

Right is right and wrong is wrong. Or is it?

Sistic got fooked, I mean fined, so did some modeling agencies for price fixing.

Is taxi company like ComfortDelgro (part of NTUC?) capable of price fixing? Who knows?

Interrupting his physiotherapy, Lee Kuan Yew said in Parliament [Youtube Link] that our National Pledge is nothing but an aspiration. If that is so, is justice and equality in Singapore just an aspiration?

Different folks . . . different strokes!

Do we do the time for our crime?

Or do we only get punished for who we are not and who we are not affiliated to?

But what is criminal in Singapore? Could it be a 'noisy cowboy' [Link] who blogs with heart?

Read the following and you may have a thought worth pondering.

In the 80's, the so-called Marxists Conspirators including Vincent Cheng and Teo Soh Lung [Link] were detained under ISA.

"SINGAPORE: The Internal Security Department (ISD) has arrested an ex-lecturer whom it said had made plans to pursue "militant jihad" in Afghanistan. Abdul Basheer s/o Abdul Kader, 28, was arrested in February this year, said a Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) statement on Friday. He is a "self-radicalised Singaporean", said the statement." [Link] This happened in 2007.

As recent as last year, 20-year-old full-time NSman Muhammad Fadil Abdul Hamid was detained under ISA for being "self-radicalised" [Link]

Just who the fook (in ISD or anywhere else) decides who deserves to be detained and who does not? Just who deserve the slammer, solitary confinement and torture? [Link]

With the sensitive race/religion hullabaloo on Jason Neo, Christian Eliab Ratnam and Donaldson Tan, I wonder the outcome and fate of the 3 facebookists? For what they did, will they end up like Muhammad Fadil Abdul Hamid and/or Abdul Basheer s/o Abdul Kader?

Or will they end up with just a slap on the wrist just because it's been claimed that someone said that Islam is a "venomous religion" [Link].

So does Justice and Equality apply to Who We Are and Who We Are Affiliated To . . . or What We Did? (or did not do as in the Marxists' Conspiracy?)

feedmetothefish

And Every Mother's Child Is An Altruist!

2011-12-08T22:40:00.004+08:00

Isn't it nice and cozy for Comfort Delgro to fook their customers (taxi passengers) by raising the taxi fares with all kinds of complicated and confusing surcharges? Oh, they are doing it with their hands on their hearts to improve the lot of their taxi drivers! Or are they?

If my memory serves me well, we were told that the increase in GST (was it 2006 or 2007?) to 7% was to help the less fortunate in Singapore. Surprisingly, the mintsters' salary were increased instead! Yes, it's as good as ministers were minting their own money!

It sucks when "holier than thou" leaders (political, taxi company management or whatever) use irreverent justification to achieve their selfish objective. Hey, I'm all for taxi drivers to have a better, more comfortable life! However, I'm also against scheming taxi drivers who "kheng" and hide themselves from passengers during "no surcharge" period. But I don't blame them. The may have learned 2 out of 3 from their NTUC Chief to be "faster and better" but not "cheaper"! Hell, 'productivity' may be a dirty word for some!

If ComfortDelgro cannot dazzle me with their brilliance in justifying the fare increase, they should not baffle me with the bullshit of demand and supply.

The reason why we are what we are in Singapore is due to the fact that the culture of 'kiasu', 'kiasi' and' kia chenghu' has been entrenched for too long. Until we are able to change, the "new normal" will be "same same". All the crap about being sorry for the misgoverment (housing & transportation woes, breathlessness due to overcrowding, etc.) is nothing but . . . crap! And the sucks continue . . .

Meanwhile, hopefully till the 2016 election, Embrace The Sucks!

In order to prevent a heart attack or end up with depression, you have to . . . Embrace The Sucks!

feedmetothefish

Sacrifice For The Greater Good

2011-11-19T11:39:00.002+08:00

I appreciate Dr Lily Neo. I perceive her as an extraordinary PAP MP who works with a heart, caring for the needy and less fortunate. Who could forget Dr Balakrishnan's famously callous remark: “How much do you want? Do you want three meals in a hawker centre, food court or restaurant?“ to Dr Lily Neo’s calls for the government to increase public assistance to the poorest of the poor. Or Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon gunning her with: “How far you want to cover? You want to cover up to 30 per cent, 40 per cent or 50 per cent (of the population)?”

The other MP who speaks a little different from standard PAP suck-up drivel and fights for the underdog is Ms Denise Phua. It's reported that she's helping Rochor residents affected by the North-South Expressway get higher compensation for the demolition of their homes "after a tense hour during which more than 200 residents aired their grievances at the launch of an exhibition of the new flats they are being offered in Kallang." ST Nov 19.

I sincerely hope that Ms Phua will not get a: "How much you want to pay them for their flats? 30 per cent, 40 per cent or 50 percent more?" from the minister of the "Singapore-is-Shangrila-&-Happier-than-Bhutan" fame, when she asks for more compensation for the Rochor residents.

It is more than money that the Rochor residents lose. They get uprooted. Their lives get disrupted. They lose their way of life. They lose the convenience they now have. They lose their freedom of choice, to be where they want to be, to stay put.

"I hope they understand that their sacrifice is for the greater good," said Ms Phua in Straits Times.

I hope so too. But greater good for what and for who? For more economic activity and better GDP so that ministers (or is it Gerard Ee now?) can justify their million dollar salary and bonuses?

Sacrifice for greater good? While we are at it, how about knocking some houses off the numbered avenues in Bukit Timah to lessen the jam in Bukit Timah/Dunearn Road and PIE? Or make Oxley Rise a more public road?

It is sad that common Singaporeans like Rochor residents serve as sacrificial lambs while gloriously rich and powerful gluttons are served lamb chops!

feedmetothefish

Monopoly No More! Happiness Here To Stay?

2011-11-01T22:15:00.007+08:00

It was more than five years ago that this article in New York Times [Link] was written. Time flies! If all the justification for the indecent salary were valid, poor Gerard Ee would not be in such a hard place now. With the crap that's thrown at him as 'the man in charge' of the Ministers' Salary Committee, he's between the devil and the deep blue sea! While on the subject of money and salary, may I ask if Gerard is paid for his effort? Is he just paid an honorarium or do the taxpayers have pay a king's ransom for his unique service? Or is he doing it gratis, for charity?

Braggarts who lamented that there isn't enough talented Singaporean politicians/political leaders must be wondering where did parliamentarians like Chen Show Mao, Pritam Singh and other non-PAP politicians come from. The arrogant notion that only PAP has an inalienable right and monopoly to political talents in Singapore has proven to be false after we hear and see the opposition MPs spoke recently in Parliament and during the hustings in May. The PAP politicians of the LKY kind (who must be paid well) may be good but most Singaporeans must be happy to know that the better and the brave, not tainted by the 'kiasu', 'kiasi' and hubristic PAP, are in other parties!

LKY threatened in May 2011 that should voters of Aljunied voted for WP, they would have 5 years to repent for their 'misplaced' courage and contempt for PAP. With the demise of PAP in Aljunied GRC, Singaporeans are less afraid and more vocal in voicing their unhappiness caused by the policies of PAP. PAP may consider it unnecessary 'noise' but the expensive and inefficient transportation; ongoing changing of goalposts in CPF resulting in members not able to own and use what's rightly theirs; nonsensical 'market subsidised' HDB housing that costs a bomb; tough competition in jobs and low salary caused by the relax immigration and foreign talents policy and the deadly inflation are causing much unhappiness amongst my fellow Singaporeans.

Coincidentally, while the Bhutan King is visiting Singapore, another Bhutanese, Passang Tshering (Pen name: PaSsu) has written a an interesting reply in his face book (read here) to Khaw Boon Wan's retort to Sylvia Lim's take on Bhutan's happiness.

I thank PaSsu for adding several notches up my happiness index with what he wrote! He has taught me some. I hope our ministers can learn some too!

Lesson 101: "Mai keh kiang. Mai how lien. Mai sia sway!" (Hokkien)

. . . translated in English: "Don't act smart. Don't show off. Don't create shame!"

feedmetothefish

"I'm at a loss for words to describe my feelings inside . . "

2011-10-25T22:49:00.009+08:00

In the my last post, I linked a letter written by Peter Low (above) to ST, [read here]. Unfortunately, the particular letter is no longer there and neither is it at Singapore Law Watch when I googled here.

For those who missed and are keen to read what Peter wrote I hope the reproduction above helps.

Union Chief Lim Swee Say's loss for words in parliament recently speaks volume of how distant he is from us workers. With his time spent on checking his CPF statement in his ivory tower, he may be too busy to know Singaporeans' perception of PAP ministers. So are PAP ministers taking care of their own interests at the expense of the people? Swee Say asked. Was he 'at a loss for words' because he did not actually know the answer?

Gee, who would know the answer? Not me. I guess no one would know except the ministers themselves. Is it the inherent nature of human beings to brag about their self worth by harping on their sacrifices? Ever hear of the insurance agent who keeps harping and bragging about his selflessness. That he lives in this world to take care of your interests, not his!

I still love a particular insurance agent who when asked if he was selling insurance to take care of the interests of his clients or his own commission, said, "My dear client, it works both ways. If I do not sell any policy, I won't have money to pay my bills and take care of my wife and kids, to feed them, to house them, to send the kids to schools. If you buy an insurance policy, you are helping yourself to take care of your family should you not be able to do so due to disability or premature death. You pay a premium for the insurance and I get a commission off the premium to make a living, to take care of my family. If I serve you well and you are happy with what I do, I look forward to your continuing support and hope that you will recommend me to those who may need my service. Honestly, while taking care of your interests, I'm also taking care of mine. So whose interests come first? I guess it's mine because I'm the one who initiated this transaction," Blunt, direct but honest and respectable. If only PAP ministers were as humble, candid and honest as this insurance agent, PAP may not have lost to WP in Aljunied GRC!

Lim Swee Say claims that "cheaper, better & faster" was meant for 'products & services' and not for the 'workforce'. His exchange with Low Thia Khiang of WP here seems different from what's written here!

If only ministers did not pay themselves so excessively and make a mockery of national service and nation building, Swee Say would not have to be in such a pathetic state. "Let's put Singaporeans first," Swee Say said. Yes, but which Singaporeans? Ministers, elite PAP-connected Singaporeans? Or the real Singaporeans especially the ones who were denied upgrading of their flats because they did not vote PAP? Or the old and feeble whose days of
'cheaper, better and faster' went with the policemen who wore khaki shorts?

Singaporeans do not need politicians to worry for us. We need sincere and caring politicians who say what they mean and mean what they say . . . and do what they said they would do. We are sick and tired of having wools pulled over our eyes and treated like daft idiots with spurs stuck on our hide. Talk is cheap and the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Apologies don't mean squat when arrogance comes back to bite after the objective of a 60% mandate is achieved. The disgrace of denying duly elected WP MPs from being invited to grassroots gathering leaves much to be desired. I'm 'at a loss for word' too for such lack of graciousness and ungentlemanly behaviour.

LKY tried to sell the 'greatness' and 'worth' of PAP ministers by scaring us that our mother, wife, daughter and granddaughter may have to go overseas to work as maids if the ministers did not get what they want - Obscene Salary! Now I get the feeling that Lim Swee Say is selling the "sincerity" of the ministers! Though PM Lee has finally woke up to the idea that their obscene salary is a huge bugbear that Singaporeans loathe, it may be a little too little and too late to set up a salary review committee headed by Gerard Ee. The damage is done! Whatever Gerard comes up with, he is not going to please anybody! Some will still complain that it is too excessive while others will bitch that it's too paltry and will lead to Singaporean womenfolk ending up as maids in other countries!

The slippery slope is getting more slippery for PAP and unless words and apologies are matched by honest actions and caring policies, the mudslide may end up in a tragedy!

feedmetothefish

Dignity, Human Rights and ISA

2011-10-22T21:28:00.005+08:00

Instead of my usual rest after a hectic physical class of rebounding, circular strength training and joint mobility exercise on an early Saturday morning, I took a quick bath and rushed down to Bras Basah Complex to learn more about ISA from the legal experts.

I arrived just before the proceedings started and I numbered 50 plus when I registered at the entrance of the meeting room. Fortunately, there was no notice to say that the meeting was cancelled like the previous forum I attended at the Verge [Link].

Jack Lee, the first speaker, brought us through the birth of ISA, subsequent amendments and what the future holds in ISA. I'm not going through the details that Jack shared but what caught my attention were the "pow chiak" changes that put the government in a sure-win position in dealing with detainees through the years.

Peter Low, the second speaker, shared with us his experience in defending detainees of ISA and his frustration of representing them at the Advisory Board review. It so flabbergasted him that, weeks earlier, he wrote a letter to ST [read here] which surprisingly was published and I'm sure will enlighten many.

Due to some unforeseen circumstances, the third speaker, Choo Zheng Xi could not make it. Ex-NMP Siew Kum Hong took his place and spoke to us instead.

In attending this forum, I've learned that Teo Chee Hean's version of ISA and why it must continue to be a sacred cow is just his and/or PAP's way of continuing the sure-win status quo.

What I found ironic is that ISA (in its technical details) is supposed to protect the integrity of freedom and human rights. It is a shame that it is used for other purposes.

For those who want to get nearer the truth about ISA, especially on the Marxist Conspiracy, the forum attendees struck gold with the presence of so-called "Marxist conspirators" Vincent Cheng and Teo Soh Lung. They shared with us the indignity they suffered under detention. When asked if he was tortured, Vincent said he did not have his genitals electrocuted nor his finger nails extracted by pliers. However, he was interrogated in a shivery cold room for many hours with sleep deprivation, was slapped, continuously struck on his chest and back by the forearm of his interrogator and also punched in his abdomen. Soh Lung, "Beyond the Blue Gate", said that apart from the cold room treatment, they took away her underwear and her glasses and she was also slapped by her interrogator. The way she described the warmth on her face when slapped sent a chill to my spine.

I understand that 'Maruah' in Malay means 'Dignity'. Though I had the opportunity to chat briefly with Vincent and Soh Lung, I did not have the chance to ask them if their dignity was negatively impacted by the atrocity inflicted upon them by ISA.

During the 60's under Operation Cold Store detainees like Lim Chin Siong, Chia Thye Poh, Dr Lim Hock Siew, etc. were tagged as 'communists'. During the 80's, detainees like Vincent Cheng and Teo Soh Lung were tagged as "Marxist Conspirators". Today, detainees like Mas Selamat Kastari and others are tagged as "terrorists" [Link].

With ISA where the PAP government can lock up anyone by tagging anyone as a 'security threat', can we blame Singaporeans for being fearful in not speaking up for justice, democracy and righteousness?

Fear may be the standard operating procedure used in Singapore to govern and browbeating helps make the job easier [Link]. ISA for what it is worth is an instrument that that serves this purpose. That is why we have:

Media reporting about Martyn See of SFD being called up by the police for organising a human rights forum [Link]
Media reporting about SDP being investigated for having a tele-forum with Francis Seow and Tang Fong Har[Link]
Police warning people not to be at Raffles Place on a certain Saturday afternoon [Link]

Though the above messages are intimidating, Siew Kum Hong said at the Maruah forum that he hasn't been arrested for speaking what he spoke and doing what he did. With that, I'm hopeful that we are arriving . . . to be a better Singapore!

Having personally met Vincent Cheng and Teo Soh Lung and hear them speak of their loss of freedom and rights, I've come to understand that it is the fear of the loss of power (kiasu?) that makes leader use ISA to create fear to enhance and ensure their overpowering despotic power. With the current revelation and challenges [Link] from living detainees, the sound of silence from those challenged will ultimately damage their reputation and integrity.

I salute detainees like Vincent Cheng, Teo Soh Lung, Said Zahari, Dr Lim Hock Siew and many others who have written and spoken of the atrocities committed against them through ISA. I salute Peter Low for his fortitude in sharing his experience with us. With such exposure, eventually, fear will diminish and truth will prevail.

On a lighter note, my attending the forum gave me the opportunity and thrill of rubbing Kum Hong's botak head. Based on what I wrote on 8 July 2009 [Link], I should have kissed the Botak Head :)

feedmetothefish

A Case Of Premature Ejaculation?

2011-09-17T22:14:00.005+08:00

Everybody seems to be celebrating the decision by Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak (‘Malaysian PM to scrap ISA’ – ST, September 16, 2011) to repeal the Malaysian Internal Security Act, remove the need for annual press and publication permits, and review the law on public assemblies. Until it becomes law in Malaysia, I'm holding on. Holding on to my orgasmic joy :)

It may just be a premature ejaculation like what we just had in Singapore!

Aha ;) No, it's not about sex. It's about lightening up and having a good laugh this Sunday morning!

Remember PM Lee's saying 'sorry' [Link] just before Election Day in May 2011 and talking about how he needed to change himself and his PAP to connect with people like us, the ordinary citizens. Talk is cheap! After gaining 81 (out of 87) seats in Parliament with only 60% of valid votes, he jumped to his high horse again, cocked us another snook and went back to his old hubristic PAP ways!

Examples of his haughtiness after winning the election:

Putting Kate Spade Tin in the Law & Home Affairs Select Committee [Link] while Salah Palin was being investigated for breaking the "Cooling Off Day" Rule. Calm On . . . (come on?)
Asking Gerard Ee to review and justify his salary. Fook! It hurts everybody's libido when someone had the temerity to up his and his cronies' salary to millions at the expense of taxpayers but did not have the balls to reduce it himself when he realized that people have become aware of the MOCKERY he created. He made a mockery of nation building and National Service by giving himself and his cabinet members such decadent and self-indulgent privileges!
By allowing HDB to lease 26 "community spaces" to Peoples' Association in Aljunied GRC constituency to the disadvantage of Workers' Party's (rightfully elected) MPs when he is the Prime Minister and also Chairman of PA.
He added insult to injury by saying, "I cleared those letters so I think that is the position" when asked if he agreed to the 2 letters written by PA Director Ooi Hui May on the 1st-out-of-this-world (1st world?) justification in unashamedly fooking his political opponents in WP [Link].

Director Sanjir Shah, 46, said, While the messages were nothing new, "the thing that struck me most was the humility. (PM Lee) comes across as sincere." [Link] Interestingly what comes across as humility and sincerity may just be a mirage after 60% have been conned.

To my fair-minded friends in Singapore, Malaysia and everywhere else, let's not uncork the champaign bottles yet. Unless the law is passed in Malaysia's parliament and the judiciary does its part, we may just be fooked . . . like poor Singaporeans who thought that life would be better after the PM's apology.

I sure hope the PM of Malaysia is more trustworthy than the PM of Singapore. Let's hope he walks the talk ... Lest many will be disappointed again.

And for Singaporeans who think that what was said 20 years [Link] by a 39-year-old-bloke can be trusted, dream on . . .

feedmetothefish

PA (And Everything Else in S'pore?) Belongs to PAP. Triple Confirmed!!!

2011-09-11T21:55:00.007+08:00

WE ARE FOOKED!

PA grassroots adviser works with the Govt' [Link] Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Saturday defended the practice of appointing candidates from the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) as grassroots advisers for local People's Association (PA) organisations. Referring to the letters written by PA's Director Ooi Hui Mei [Link] and [Link], he said, "I cleared those letters so I think that is the position".

For the life and sanity of Singapore, I can't, I just can't believe this guy! Having admitted and apologised that he's screwed up for the past years for not listening to the ground, this guy now has the audacity to say: "I cleared those letters so I think that is the position"? Just how insincere and weak can one be? Try as I might to give him the benefit of the doubt that he is a good man, he keeps making it difficult for me. Well, can we now conclude that he's just what he claimed to be? Nothing but a Fixer and a Buyer! [Video Link]

This is the guy who is asking us to help him unite and bring solidarity to Singapore with his right politics and the right policies? How? When he keeps scoring his own goals! It is shameful for a man (any man let alone a PM) to sacrifice integrity, fairness, justice and equality to serve his self interest. It is deplorable for a leeder to so blatantly misuse his power (Chairman of PA) to create an uneven playing field to stifle his political opponents. The underhanded way which HDB willy-nilly leased community spaces to PAP members (through PA) in Aljunied/Hougang GRC shows the contempt LHL and his cronies (HDB and PA) have for the residents in Aljunied/Hougang in particular and the populace in general.

Politics may be dirty. But it cannot be so dirty that one has to buy, fix and sell away one's core moral values just to achieve one's despotic ends.

Human makes mistakes. Human has flaws that can be corrected. However, it's nigh impossible to correct the character flaws of a person who has no moral compass.

It is a shame when a despotic politician behaves like a compulsive gambler, a drug addict and/or an alcoholic. In their uncontrollable state, they would even sell their own mother to get their fix.

Singaporeans, we need not repent for voting WP into Aljunied GRC but we may have to for the PM that we have. We need all the luck we can get for the next five years to get unfooked!

feedmetothefish

Shocked And Dafted, Will Joan End Up Like Wei Ling?

2011-09-10T00:56:00.010+08:00

Does it hurt a very old man to be haunted by arrogant and heartless decisions he made decades ago? We were told to take our time to say "Yes" to marriage. We were taught to fook with Birth Control Pills, Coitus Interruptus, Condoms, Rhythm Method, etc. We were threatened that we were too poor and too daft to procreate. Lest we get dafter children! Our genes just couldn't make it! Singaporeans were even encouraged to get sterilised like dogs and cats to enjoy financial incentives! Whose fookin' idea was it? Now he wants more babies??? I can't find a better word but to borrow from Jack Lord's Steve MacGarrett of Hawaii-Five-O's famous two words . . . "Fook him!"

Or was it "Book him"?

In the same way that Goh Chok Tong sucker-punched himself by calling his daughter a "quitter" for not residing in Singapore, is Lee Kuan Yew now shooting his own foot by advising Joan Sim not to end up childless like his daughter, Wei Ling?

In a forum at NTU [Link], Joan Sim, 27, asked Ex-MM Lee a question about social cohesiveness. Instead of answering the question, he urged the doctoral student, who is single, to get married and have children soon. Why he had to embarrass the young lady with personal questions like age and relationship status is beyond me. Why can't he just give a straight answer and respect the wish of ladies like his own daughter who wish to remain single and childless? Unless I'm missing some, what has social cohesiveness got to do with sex and babies? Or does 'social cohesion' in new-fangled English mean sex in the fooking sense?

In the same forum, "Pressed by undergraduate Muhammad Farouq Osman, who cited a Straits Times report on how Singapore has a "Third World wage structure, Mr Lee dismissed the report with a laugh, saying: "It is easy for an editor of the Straits times to write that. But if he is in charged of the economic policies and he has to consider the long-term consequences of changing the policy, he will have to think very carefully through it."

He then asked Mr Farouq what he thought should be done for the lower and middle-income groups. When silence ensued, Mr Lee said patiently: "Think over it carefully, then you ask me the question the next time we meet."

Wouldn't it be orgasmic if Farouq answered, "Hey, you the man! You are the expert here fielding the questions. I don't get the obscene millions every year like you do, the bodyguards and the 5 secretaries and office help you get for free! You asking me?" Yes, it would be priceless if Farouq had retorted . . . like what Reuter's Melanie Lee did! [Link]

Why are NTU students so easily bullied by ex-MM who is past his best-by-date. I don't understand why they asked questions of an old man and ended up being made fools of without doing the slightest to protect their self esteem and honour! Or is getting ridiculed by ex-MM in front of a 1700 audience equivalent to receiving a badge of honour? Are they masochists to please the sadist? Or is NTU Students' Union, part of NTUC? Part of PAP? To glorify the man at any price . . . before he bites the dust?

I hope not. I honestly think that Farouq and Joan are young decent Singaporeans doing right, asking pertinent questions that impact the well-being of all Singaporeans. It is just unfortunate that the man fielding the questions is an arrogant, callous bullying prick.

There was a write-up on the same shit that happened 2 years ago at NUS [Link]

May be what the old man said is correct: "We haven't been brighter as a population; we have become more educated, that's all". Is that why we have MPs like Kate Spade in Marine Parade and Kee Chiu in Tanjong Pagar!

I simply don't understand why NTUSU and other organisations enjoy inviting this old man. To get more publicity, more eyeballs? Like his son who left him out of the Cabinet, why not let the old man walk into the sunset with honour and respect. Why let him cause havoc to his stature as an ex-statesman by belittling others and losing self-respect for himself? In the same breath that he described university graduates as educated but not bright, would one describe him as a brightly educated and experienced old man who is past his use-by-date?

I do not understand what the Ex-PM-Ex-SM-Ex-MM wishes to achieve by scoring against the young ones in such condescending and reprimanding manner? He did his son and George Yeo (and other ex-PAP Aljunied MPs) no good when he threatened residents of Aljunied GRC that they will have to repent for the next five years if they voted WP. The residents have decisively voted against his wish! Residents there have cocked him a snook which he so richly deserves!

"So being politically aware after the election means you just got excited for the election and voted for one party or the other does not mean you are politically aware. If you are politically aware, your vote must have been much wiser." [Link] So the 40% in the May GE were daft while the 35% in the recent PE were wise?

Oops, excuse me while I go repent in my daftiness . . .

What is written above is meant to tickle your funnybones. Now comes the serious part: My grandparents and parents taught me that respect cannot be commanded. You need to work and earn it. "Bo Tua Bo Suay" works both ways. "Being old" does not equate to "being wise, respected or honoured". Hubris, contempt for the less endowed, false pride, insensitivity and senior age do not make one "old and wise". Locking up one's opponents without trial for decades does not make one "old and wise". Writing memoir after memoir in whatever language to validate one's being does not make one "old and wise". Ultimately, we die. The legacy one leaves behind is left to the perception and interpretation of each individual who cares enough to seek. Most don't even give a fook!

feedmetothefish

PA Belongs To PAP. Double Confirm??

2011-09-03T23:51:00.007+08:00

In justifying the appointment of only PAP members to be grassroots leaders/advisors of PA, Ooi Hui Mei's first replied on behalf of PA's Chief Executive Director, Yam Ah Mee [Link]. She's now deeper in the sewage trying to mitigate the damage by replying on behalf PA's Deputy Chairman, Lim Swee Say. [Link] As it confirms (double confirm?) that we are paying taxes for PA to help PAP divide and rule Singapore, I doubt she'll write another piece on behalf of the Chairman of PA, Lee Hsien Loong. Though I had expected LHL to stand up as a PM to do right by correcting the untenable position of PA, the sound of silence from him is deafening!

By using the good name of "Deputy Chairman", Mei has worked "faster and better" to make the image of PA and PAP "cheaper"! Is she doing it because she receives CPF Statement every month like her boss Swee Say? [Link]

If the 2 replies from Ooi Hui Mei on behalf of Yam Ah Mee and Lim Swee Say speak volumes of People's Association's "Integrity", it speaks worse of PAP!

Another PA Member, Chan Chun Sing said in ST (4 Sept 2011), "We must remember not to plant stakes in the ground to circumscribe others' actions. We must constantly work to enlarge and defend the common space that we all enjoy today." He cautioned, "Peace and stability not a given. Need to ensure polarisation of beliefs, globalised economy and social media do not threaten harmony." It is a crying shame that he and his keeps flogging the idea that the social media threaten the peace and harmony of Singapore. Why are they so blind to the fact that it's the bullying, the unfairness, the injustice and the fear-mongering created by PAP that's creating the divide! The use of tax payers' money in PA to serve the selfish political ends of PAP is one stark example of the hubris, the bullying and the injustice!

SINGAPOREANS FEAR NO MORE!

For what it is worth, it's good to note that courageous political victims, especially the elders, are no longer afraid to stand up to face their nemesis. I salute Said Zahari, Tan Jin Quee, Francis Seow, Vincent Cheng, Teo Soh Lung and many others who have stated the facts and the ills inflicted upon them. With their revelations in books and videos, Singaporeans are enlightened. That power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely! I also salute Martyn See for his undying effort in waking up Singaporeans with his videos and research in his blog Singapore Rebel.

Where courage is concerned, I also salute Dr Lim Hock Siew [Link]. President Tony Tan has yet to preserve his good name from Dr Lim's challenge. Then again, Patrick's 12-year-NS-disruption has done much to denigrate the President's reputation. Silence to some means consent. To others, silence is the best defence! Just shut the fook up and pray and hope that the social media do not bring it up again.

On 10:13 of this video [Link] we learn from Dr Lim Hock Siew of the "cruel and inhumane deception ... and vindictiveness of the tyrant, Lee Kuan Yew...". With the silence from Lee Kuan Yew and Tony Tan, do we conclude that Dr Lim Hock Siew and hundreds other detainees were nothing more than examples (sacrificial lambs) set forth to frighten righteous citizens from doing right? From articulating (in blogs, coffeeshops, pantry rooms or otherwise) about the injustice, the pseudo-democracy, the decaying 'anything-for-money' and 'sell-your-soul-to-the-PAP-devil' state of sycophancy in Singapore?

Thank goodness, more Singaporeans are no longer afraid to tell it like it is and vote according to their conscience!

feedmetothefish

2nd REPLY OF OOI HUI MEI

I REFER to Thursday's letters ('PA must stay neutral' by Mr Chong Yew Mun; and 'Why are PA's appointed advisers exclusively from the PAP?' by Mr Tan Si An), as well as recent letters relating to the issue of neutrality of the People's Association (PA).

The Government appreciates the public's interest in the role of the PA and the considerations in appointing advisers.

Our priority is to fulfil the PA's mission of building social capital. PA connects people to people as well as people and government. As a statutory board, it performs its duties in accordance with the policies of the elected government of the day. Like other public sector organisations, the PA is not involved in party-political activities.

To fulfil its mission, the PA and the grassroots organisations gather public feedback to help improve policies and initiatives, and explain government policies and programmes to citizens, so that they can benefit from them. The PA and the grassroots organisations also help to implement government social programmes for social cohesion and social safety nets.

Advisers to grassroots organisations guide them in carrying out these functions. It is not possible to appoint opposition MPs as advisers, because we cannot ask opposition MPs to help the Government to connect better with the people.

Nor can we reasonably expect them to help the Government explain, implement or improve its policies. This is especially true of policies which they oppose, such as restructuring our tax system when we introduced the goods and services tax, and relying on ComCare instead of unconditional welfare.

However, the Government does involve the MP, whether People's Action Party or opposition, when he has a role to play, such as on town council matters and HDB upgrading projects, where the MP has substantial and important responsibilities.

Ministries also keep all elected MPs informed of developments which are relevant to their work, such as change of bus routes or payment of U-Save rebates.

This way, even if the adviser is not the MP, the two will complement each other in serving residents and the community, despite any differences in their political views, principles and philosophy.

Ooi Hui Mei (Ms)
Director, Corporate Communications
On behalf of Deputy Chairman
People's Association

Dear Prime Minister, Are Singaporeans Fooked?

2011-08-31T21:46:00.003+08:00

Dear Prime Minister, Are Singaporeans Fooked?

Dear Prime Minister ,

If the PA has the audacity to write this letter below [Link] and SPH finds it wise to publish it in the Straits Times, I think we are fooked!

WE REFER to Mr Muhammad Yusuf Osman's letter yesterday ('Advisers to grassroots bodies should be elected MPs').

The mission of the People's Association (PA) and its grassroots organisations (GROs) is to bond the community and connect people with the Government. PA and its GROs serve all residents regardless of their political affiliations in fulfilling their role.

Grassroots advisers are appointed by PA, a statutory board. Besides connecting people to people, grassroots advisers are required to help the Government connect with people and help promote government policies and programmes such as anti-dengue and active ageing.

Hence, the Government has to appoint grassroots advisers who support its programmes and can play this role well. Opposition MPs cannot be expected to do this and thus cannot become advisers to GROs.

Ooi Hui Mei (Ms)
Director
Corporate and Marketing Communications
For Chief Executive Director
People's Association

As Chairman of PA and also the Prime Minister of Singapore, you have spoken so many times of solidarity and unifying Singaporeans. Does this letter help? I don't think so. "The mission of the People's Association (PA) and its grassroots organisations (GROs) is to bond the community and connect people with the Government. PA and its GROs serve all residents regardless of their political affiliations in fulfilling their role... Hence, the Government has to appoint grassroots advisers who support its programmes and can play this role well. Opposition MPs cannot be expected to do this and thus cannot become advisers to GROs." A statement like this does not help to "bond". It is divisive! It breeds resentment! It makes "cowboys" in the "lunatic fringe" of Singapore puke and come out with words like "fook"! Hell, this is the worst fookin' sales pitch that I've ever heard. A snake oil salesman can do better!

"Lunatic cowboys" may bitch, may wisecrack, may rant, may tickle. We may even be discourteous but we are peaceful. We are law abiding. In our own way, in our crude, unpolished English, we are letting you know that you (and those connected to you) may be pushing the envelope too far. What is done to WP's Chen Show Mao and the elected MPs of Aljunied GRC and Hougang is disgraceful! PA and HDB have treated Singaporeans especially those of Aljunied and Hougang GRC with contempt!

I could just shut the fook up and let it pass but the disappointment, the sadness and the worry I have as a a Singaporean, as a father, as a grandpa makes me angry enough to ask, "Are Singaporeans Fooked?"

I do not know if the job you are doing now is what you love to do or was it forced upon you by your parents? Whatever the reason, you the man! For the next 5 years, you'd better keep this little red dot as one united people, regardless of race, language or religion to build a decent democratic society so as to achieve peace, happiness and progress for our nation. Yes, it's one fooking tall order but you've got to do man, 'coz you the man!

Hell, I'm working my butt off trying to survive in this expensive country (city) and who am I to tell you what to do? I believe the reason why I did not die from my cardiac arrest is because my job ain't done. I guess my job is to be a "lunatic cowboy" to let you know that enough is enough.

Please Mr Prime Minister, please rein in your 'cowboys and cowgirls' to not come out with silly letters like above. It is divisive. It is oppressive! It denigrates your chairmanship of PA! If you sincerely wish to unify, be big! Be magnanimous! Be fair to the opposition! Be willing to share! Instead of being kiasi and kiasu, you can have the balls, have the gumption to do what's right. You have done 'good riddance to bad rubbish' of your dad and your uncle Goh in the Cabinet. The One who wants repentance from Aljunied GRC residents and the oNe who aims to create slums for those who voted against PAP. Shame! Shame! Shame! Times, they are a-changing and the disgusting ways of your dad and uncle Goh are passe!

You have apologised for the previous fook-ups like the obscene ministers' salary, overcrowding FTs, transportation and housing woes of common Singaporeans. Good Job! Why not go the whole hog? Step right up and continue to do what you say and say what you do. As much as "lunatics in cowboy towns" and "cowboys in lunatic fringes" are treated like "boat rockers" by you and yours, you'd be surprised that "cowboys and lunatics" actually care . . . for ourselves, our families, our friends, our country, our Singaporeans and . . . even you! Care enough to let you know our sentiments which your balls-carrying sychophants are to scared to reveal to you!

You are lucky that your job has been made easier with Tony as President. You, the man! Please go back to basic. Be Sincere! Be Honest! Be Trustworthy! Be Honourable! For the next fookin' 5 years, if you are not, then not only you, but all Singaporeans will be fooked!

Singapore is peaceful. Keep it so! With more Singaporeans not having enough to eat and not having a decent shelter and not enough space to breathe, hell may break loose! As much as we detest and despise the arrogance and self-serving ways of PAP, we do not, I repeat, we do not want an Arab Spring in Singapore! You have the power, you have the riches, please not break Singapore asunder. Be kind!

Thank you.

Sincerely,

feedmetothefish

Lest We Forget - A Politically Apolitical President

2011-08-29T01:42:00.018+08:00

PRESIDENTIAL BAGGAGE:

I would like to congratulate PM Lee Hsien Loong. With the ascent of Tony Tan as 7th president of Singapore, he can sleep easier. Had Tan Cheng Bok won, he would have to look for a new office! Heck, if Tan Jee Say won, the next National Day Parade would most likely be re-orchestrated or even cancelled! Can you imagine LKY, GCT and LHL standing and waiting (all in white) for President Tan Jee Say to arrive at NDP . . . the thought is hilarious (priceless?) to "cowboys in the lunatic fringe" but must have caused much insomnia to those whiter-than-white!

As much as PE is over, I'm sure Singaporeans especially those from the "lunatic fringe" in "cowboy towns" are still anxious to know why Patrick's NS was disrupted for 12 years. [Link] Instead of burying the case, I believe that the statement by Tony's 3 sons saying that the allegations are lies [Link] has created more resentful indignation. If only they had make a police report of the lies, they would have reminded me of the sad departure of Tang Liang Hong from Singapore. [Link] and [Link]

Remember Pianist Melvin Tan?

According to Teo Chee Hean,"Melvyn Tan left Singapore at age 12 in 1969 to study music at the Yehudi Menuhin School in England. In 1974, when he was 17, he won a Foundation Scholarship, jointly funded by the Straits Times Press, Nanyang Siang Pau and the Lee Foundation, to further his music studies at the Royal College of Music. As the course would take him beyond the enlistment age of 18, he applied for and was granted deferment from National Service for three years, after his parents furnished a bond of $30,000.

However, Melvyn Tan failed to return after his deferment period ended. Instead, he requested further deferment to pursue a Masters degree in music. The request was rejected, as we did not allow further deferment for postgraduate studies. When Melvyn Tan failed to enlist for full-time National Service after his deferment period was over and his exit permit had expired, the bond his parents furnished was forfeited and he was gazetted as an NS defaulter." [Link]

If the treatment accorded to Patrick Tan "preserve(s) its fairness and equity", I would expect MINDEF to be forthcoming in answering the following:

If "we did not allow further deferment for postgraduate studies", why was Patrick Tan (the son of the then Minister of Defence) treated so special?
Apart from Patrick, was there any other NSman given a 12 year disruption in Service?
Apart from Patrick, was there any other NSman given the same vocation?
What was the vocation code of Patrick when he was serving his NS?
How many months did Patrick actually do his NS in a typical Army Camp?
Did he serve his RT in normal army camp and, if he did, how many cycles did he do?
Compared to peasants and heartlanders who risked their lives and limbs for Singapore, was the treatment accorded Patrick Tan "fair and equitable"?

In the same [Link] as above, Ministerial Statement on National Service Defaulters, Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean stated: "Mr Speaker, Sir, National Service remains critical for our national survival. Singaporeans serve willingly out of a sense of duty, and also a sense that the system is fair. Every citizen does his part, and nobody can dodge his responsibility to serve without severe legal and social sanctions. The Government will strenuously uphold the National Service system, and preserve its fairness and equity. This is essential to maintain the commitment that Singaporeans have shown over four decades of National Service."

PRESIDENTIAL FAIRPLAY:

If the President is apolitical, is HDB apolitical? Is PA (Peoples' Association) non-political too?

Are the heads of HDB and PA civil servants? If they are, it is revulsive that they would throw away their integrity and degrade their position to bring dishonour to the civil service of Singapore just to please their masters and preserve their jobs! What HDB has done in granting 26 sites in Aljunied Hougang GRC to PA without informing the rightful MPs of WP amounts to daylight robbery! Threatening not to upgrade HDB blocks if residents voted for opposition to win votes by GCT was repugnant but to 'steal' (lease) 'community activities' sites from a legitimate Town Council to PA by HDB is criminal! [Link]

Tony Tan has mentioned that he would look into this matter and we hope he does. The PEC has stated that he is "of integrity, good character and reputation". Come 1 September 2011, he has to walk the talk. If we hear 'the sound of silence' from him on this matter, we would then know that the sense of justice, equality and fairplay that's the core values of decent human and/or society is not with him!

"Fools", said I, "You do not know

Silence like a cancer grows

Hear my words that I might teach you

Take my arms that I might reach you"

But my words, like silent raindrops fell

And echoed

In the wells of silence . . .

Simon & Garfunkel

feedmetothefish

Tan Jee Say for President!

2011-08-26T00:01:00.005+08:00

As I put my hand on my damaged heart, I will put a cross beside the heart for Tan Jee Say.

Victory must go to a courageous Peoples' President who knows his job. One with knowledge and gumption to provide checks and balances on the government. One with empathy and the fortitude to say that a pay $500,000 per annum is rich enough for the highest office in Singapore!

We do not need a PAP's President as it is equivalent to voting for a mouse to protect our cheese. Or a cat to protect our fish!

feedmetothefish

Is it tIme for Ignoramus, Blatant Liar to Defend his Integrity Again?

2011-08-23T11:05:00.008+08:00

Dr Lim Hock Siew while paying tribute to fellow detainee Mr Tan Jing Quee called presidential candidate Tony Tan an "ignoramus or blatant liar!" Dr Lim was detained for 19 years as a political opponent under ISA.

When asked of his defamation suit against Tang Liang Hong [Link], Tony Tan said recently that he had to protect his good name and integrity. In so doing, he and his demolition team (including LKY, GCT, LHL and TCH) bankrupted Tang Liang Hong and forced him to flee to Johore and later to Australia. JB Jeyaratnam was also badly hurt financially and politically in this episode.

If Tony Tan had realised the quagmire he is in now, would he have put up his name for this Presidential Election? The revelation of the whiter-than-white-12-year-disruption (AWOL?) of his son Patrick's National Service has brought contempt and cynicism to his integrity. The accusation of him being responsible for the losses in GIC is painful. The boos and heckle he received at the nomination centre [Link] for what he represents cannot be music to his ears. Being called an 'Ignoramous', worse still, a 'Blatant Liar' by Dr Lim must give him sleepless nights. Should he sue Dr Lim, I'm sure judges in court will be losing sleep too. No decent judge with a conscience (and wants to keep his job) would like to adjudicate this case!

As much as the members in power wish to rubbish and treat alternative voices as nothing more than "noise in the environment", political detainees like Tan Jing Quee, Said Zahari, Dr Poh Soo Kai, [his speech in 1975 Link] Dr Lim Hock Siew and younger victims like Teo Soh Lung and Vincent Cheng (amongst many others) have bravely come forward to state their case (in books, videos and audios) of how their freedom, dignity and rights were stripped from them. I salute their courage for enlightening us on the cruelty inflicted upon them.

With the latest bullying of Workers' Party by PA and HDB on the use of public areas [Link], reasonable Singaporeans are getting more and more agitated by such unfair practices. It is very sad that after apologising and preaching unity and urging Singaporeans to be as one, PM Lee Hsien Loong would allow PA and HDB to practise such self-serving and disgusting acts!

In every National Day Rally speech we are told and encouraged to work as one, heal the drift and do our part in unifying Singapore. In one fell swoop, we now know that the such politically correct speeches are nothing more than wayang. Unfortunately, the "fixing and the buying" style of Lee Hsien Loong is still alive and kicking! It may no be his doings, but his cronies and lapdogs in PA and HDB are creating "gridlocks" to the detriment of solidarity in Singapore.

Lately, anti -government movements seem fashionable. Arab Spring is sweeping the Middle East. Egypt, Syria and even Gaddafi's Libya is cracking up. In China where dissent can be met by tanks and beheading, the Jasmine movement is still palpable. Fortunately, Singaporeans are peaceful and are not into violent riots. Instead of taking up arms and rioting, those that are disillusioned by PAP's repulsive bullying peacefully voted for opposition in May 2011. To pay back the PA and HDB for disgustingly violating the use of taxpayers' money to suck up to PAP, they will peacefully vote for a People's President with a Heart that is not tainted by the PAP on 27 August 2011!

feedmetothefish

Presidential Candidates Review

2011-08-20T22:07:00.011+08:00

If it is already part of the Constitution, why is there still so much confusion over the role of the Singapore President? My understanding is the Elected Presidency was primarily initiated to prevent a rogue government from using the past reserves of Singapore. To me it means, providing check and balance to prevent the government from taking advantage of its people for its own benefit.

With such confusion aided by the comments from the Law Minister, I humbly suggest that the parliament go back to the drawing board to make sense of what the EP is all about. If not, the embarrassment will reappear before every Presidential Election!

Now let's take a good look at the picture above. Remember the old school troublemaker who bullied everyone but was never caught? Remember the bully sitting behind you. He kept hitting you on your head during class while the teacher was not watching. He continued to irritate you with his knocks even though you quietly turn around to tell him don't. Worse, he cocked you a snook with a snigger. When you've had enough of his bullying and turned around to confront him, he yelled, "Teacher, teacher . . " In the eyes of the teacher, you end up being the culprit instead of him. While you were being punished, he made you more "tulan" (fookin' mad with anger) by having the smug look on his face. Does the face of Tony Tan above reminds you of the bully that you had to deal with? And yes, Viswa looks like the teacher and poor Tan Jee Say, the poor innocent you, asking for fair play and justice!

So let's watch this video [Link]!

How does one vote for a president? Unless one is related to or know a candidate personally, how is one to judge the character, the ability and integrity of a candidate. Does one judge each candidate and vote for him based on the following factors?

His Connection/Affiliation
His Track record
His Ability to carry himself well (Appearance and Mannerism including the ability to speak well)
His Sharpness
Our Perception of his Honesty/Integrity
Our Perception of his Trustworthiness
Our Perception of his Courage
Our Perception of his Care and Concern for his fellow citizens

I guess one's decision also depends on one's gut feel.

It is good that we no longer need to depend only on SPH and MediaCorp to find out what we need to know to make an informed decision. We have Singapore Window, The Online Citizen, Temasek Review Emeritus, Singapore Daily and many others to help us know better. I believe if not for the advent of internet, ex-Foreign Minister George Yeo and his team may not have lost Aljunied GRC!

Based on the factors above and the video I have watched, I will not vote for Tony Tan. I will encourage my friends and relatives not to vote for him too. The reasons are simple:

Morally and mortally, he cannot provide the 'check and balance' as he will be checking on himself. He is the immediate past Vice Chairman and Managing Director of GIC.
He is related to the Lee Family [Link]
He wasn't forthcoming in answering the special treatment his son Patrick received while doing NS and ICT. 12 years disruption of National Service sounds like AWOL to me! [Link Pt 1], [Link Pt 2 ] and [Link Pt 3]
His constant threat of impending financial crisis and how as president he can solve the crisis sounds cheap. If he cares so much for Singapore and Singaporeans, he should have stayed as DPM and not quit the cabinet. He quit the Cabinet not once but twice!
When asked if political detention is justified, I find his comparison of Norwegian Andre Brevik to Teo Soh Lung and Vincent Cheng (plus 20 other alleged Marxist Conspirators) distasteful! His shiftiness in answering a straight question shows the man that he is.
While mainstream medium plasters Tan Jee Say for his 'outburst', no decent medium has the guts to slap Tony Tan for his lack of decorum and rudiment of good manners. Since when is it decent to interrupt and threaten someone when someone is given the floor to speak?
The PAP 'group think' in Tony Tan is impossible to erase. Try as I might, I cannot see another Ong Teng Cheong in Tony Tan. My gut feel tells me Tony just doesn't have the essence that President Ong Teng Cheong possessed.

Whatever reasons each has to run for President, only each knows. The rest are mere speculations. Only Tony Tan knows why he quit his comfortable GIC and SPH positions to run for President. In so doing, he had his son's special treatment in NS exposed and has himself and his wife booed for what he represents!

Speculation . . . . . . . Could it be that Tony has to go for the presidency to further the opaqueness of our sovereign wealth funds? To ensure that the stink and skeletons remain where they are and not leaked to the "unconnected" and the public at large?

Meanwhile let's hope that the Establishment will not do a Tang Liang Hong on Tan Jee Say. If they do, we are fooked, big time!

feedmetothefish

Ridiculous Untruths?

2011-08-19T16:03:00.003+08:00

Bloggers are referred to as lunatics belonging to a "Lunatic Fringe" [Link]. Now we've been promoted to be in a "Cowboy Town" [Link] by PM Lee. According to Ng E-Jay, Singapore is Cowboy Town belonging to PAP. If so, maybe we bloggers are Red Indians :) PAP and their posse have big Gatling guns like CNA, SPH and others to blast their self-serving truths while we are still shaving wood to make arrows to hit the truths that they try so hard to ridicule and suppress.

Before I "lead more people astray" with my ranting I wonder if they speak with fork tongue when they accuse bloggers of spreading "Ridiculous Untruths"? As far as I'm concerned, I write to get it off my chest [see About Me on the right;)] to release my mental tension so that I remain sane and ease my bodily tension to prevent another heart attack. Talking cock or sing song, I just enjoy cocking a snook at the elites especially those who think that they are so fookingly pristine just because they wear white. People trust you when you do what you say and say what you do. No need to wear White!

Maybe the Truth is: 'Truths of the commoners are "ridiculous untruths" of the PAP - Party Against People'!

Pray tell if the following is another"ridiculous untruth" that "leads people astray"?

Tony Tan said:

The first role of the President is to be the Head of State. At home, the President stands for

all Singaporeans. He has to be independent and above politics. He must be fair,

knowledgeable and balanced, especially when called on to resolve disputes between

different organs of the state. Abroad, the President is Singapore’s face to the world. He has

to carry our flag with confidence and dignity. He must have the stature to stand with world

leaders and represent our country.

The second important role of the president is to protect our nation’s financial reserves —

which is our country’s savings. This responsibility is what makes our Presidency special and

is why we are having an election.With the present economic uncertainties, it is very likely that the next President will be involved in decisions about Singapore’s financial health. These decisions will affect the future of all Singaporeans.

Today, I ask you to put your trust in my years of experience. I ask for your vote. I will

represent our nation with confidence, dignity and a steady hand to protect our reserves.

Red Indian 'Broken Heart' asks:

How can you "be fair, knowledgeable and balanced, especially when called on to resolve disputes between different organs of the state" when you can't even answer to why your simqua 'precious organ' son Patrick was given a NS disruption for 12 years while you were the Defense Minister. Why did he do only 3 months BMT plus 3 months OCS and ended up a 3rd Sergeant playing with test tubes in an aircon room while other mothers' 'expendable' sons are risking their lives doing the real thing, national service? Where is the "fair"ness?
How can I put my trust in your experience after what you did to Tang Liang Hong? What did Tang Liang Hong do to you and your Demolition Team that he ended up as a refugee and had to pay you and your Defamation Team $8,000,000? Just because he made a police report to deny that he's an anti-Christian and chinese chauvinist? Hell, he didn't even ask his Indian neighbour to stop cooking curry! Ok ok, it's the judge's decision that TLH was guilty of defamation. Can you please tell me what exactly did Tang Liang Hong say or do that got you so riled up that you had to gang sue him? [Link] and [Link]
It is difficult to accept you as a President when you were caught in Cheng San GRC Polling Centre [Link]
"With the present economic uncertainties, it is very likely that the next President will be involved in decisions about Singapore’s financial health."
Until you decided to run for President, you were the Vice Chairman and Executive Director of GIC. While in GIC, only you and your Demolition Team (and other kah kee nung) know about the financial health of our sovereign wealth. As it is getting more and more difficult for Singaporeans to retrieve their CPF (what with the ever-increasing Medisave, Minimum Sum and delayed withdrawal from 55 to 62 to until you die?), daft Singaporeans are thinking that losses incurred by GIC may be the reason why we can't touch our CPF savings. Some cleverer daft Singaporeans even think that CPF is just another form of tax! Ridiculous? It may be the Truth!

We are sick and tired of being played by those in white. With you as president, it will be the same auld lang syne - same old, same old again. With facts (ridiculous truths?) I see above, we need someone who can really provide the real check and balance.

We have had enough of wayang, enough of sandiwara. George Yeo had to go because Singaporeans want 1st World Parliament. I hope you will go too because we want a 1st World President! Not another, 'you scratch my back, I scratch your back; you take care of mine, I take care of yours while we let the daft people suffer' kind of President!

Honestly, if you wanted to do a job that you say you are good at, you should have stayed in GIC. Then you would not have brought unto yourself and your family such vile revelations! Or as some cleverer daft Singaporeans suggest, "He's asked to hold on to the shit hole cover. Someone has to prevent the skeletons from falling out of the sovereign wealth fund cabinets. With an independent President, the truth about the SWF including GIC and Temasek may stink to high heaven." Touche?

While you lament that you are 'deeply disappointed' with the booing , heckling and the revelation of Patrick, please understand that commoners are 'deeply disappointed' with you too. Even though you are rich and powerful and well connected while they are barely getting by, disappointment works both ways!

People trust you when you do what you say and say what you do. No need to ask!

What we need is a President with a heart!

Meanwhile if any reader wishes to be led astray further, visit this "kah kee nung/ chee kah ngin' relationship link. [link]

Have a happy weekend!

feedmetothefish

aka 'broken heart'

Presidental Election: The Heat Is On!

2011-08-18T00:35:00.005+08:00

It’s amazing! It’s even better than the National Day Parade!

With the chorus of “Chiak Liow Bee” (Good for nothing), “Bullshit” and “Patrick Tan”, Tony could still walked off the stage smiling. He could be hard of hearing, insensitive or simply doesn’t give a fook!

Though Patrick’s special NS treatment is an issue on integrity and fairplay, I hope many will google on the 'Escape from Cheng San' [Link] and the defamation of Tan Liang Hong [Link] & [Link] to gain more knowledge of the presidential candidate. From the links, we may understand better the reasons for such outburst!

Singaporeans are often accused of "rocking the boat", of being "disruptive", 'daft", "divisive" and even "disloyal" when they disagree with the power that it. For the prudes who feel that the "noise" of "Chiak Liow Bee", "Bullshit" and "Patrick Tan" are uncouth, stupid or disrespectful, my question is: If not this, how? If not now, when? With the stifling oppression and suppression freedom of speech and peaceful demonstration in Singapore, how else can unhappy Singaporeans be heard? It is better this than than gunning down innocents (as in Norway) or self-immolation as in Tibet.

Times, they are a changin’. Singaporeans are waking up to the idea that “enough is enough”. Singaporeans want to live by the National Pledge – ‘to build a democratic society based on justice and equality – and not treat it like another “talk cock sing song” aspiration where well-connected elites get “white horse” treatment while ordinary citizens get spurs hooked and bleeding on their backsides!

Nobody would like to be in the position of Tony and his cronies on the stage at PA HQ today. Unless you do not have a beating heart, unless you are a thick-skinned puppet or a heartless mercenary, you would have been emotionally and negatively impacted by such unhappy “noise”.

However, we live, we die. We reap, we sow.

Maybe, just maybe, which ever station we are in, it evens out!

feedmetothefish

ps: It is indeed honourable of Jee Say to admit that his supporters may have created the 'noise' but I'm not surprised that supporters of TKL and TCB or even Singaporeans without any affiliation to any candidate have joined in the Celebration Cheer! Celebration Cheer? How often can you make such "noise" to such a powerful and rich elite?

Let's Vote With Integrity For Integrity!

2011-08-15T20:57:00.006+08:00

The President of Singapore!

According to the Law Minister of Singapore, we are voting for a Man of Influence who sometimes cannot speak without the permission of the Cabinet [Link] and [Link].

I am confused.

And the Man of Influence will be one of the following Tan (in alphabetical order):

Cheng Bok
Jee Say
Kin Lian
Tony

Unlike previously, the PAP is not endorsing anyone (openly) at the moment. However, the towkays in Clan Associations and Union Chiefs under NTUC are openly endorsing Tony Tan. Of all the unions, I'm most surprised that the Teachers' Union is supporting Tony Tan. "Singapore Teachers' Union general secretary, Edwin Lye, said: "Given Dr Tony Tan's vast experience in holding public office as well as his experience in the private sector, we think he's the best person for the job and he would make a credible Elected President." [Link]

Teachers are moulders of dreams. They are moral compasses that their students look up to. Through them will come the new leaders of Singapore! As much as their Union general secretary has endorsed Tony Tan, I would earnestly urge teachers to know more about Tony Tan before blindly casting their vote just because Edwin said so.

Does Edwin Lye and those in MOE know about:

The Great Cheng San Escape [Link]
Case Against Tang Liang Hong [Link] and [Link]
The 12-year deferment of Precious Patrick who served NS in air-con comfort [Link] and [Link]

Though the "Presidential Election Committee (PEC) said it is satisfied the four are "men of integrity, good character and reputation", fulfilling Article 19(2)(e) of the Constitution." [Link], some may have doubts.

To each, his/her own.

feedmetothefish

How Dare You, Penny? (Part 2)

2011-08-14T22:24:00.003+08:00

Author's warning: If you are offended by sexy adjective or adverb, please do not read further. Thank you.

_______________________________________

She fooked up! Then she fook you!

"I was so caught up in the wonderful NDP 2011 and felt so proud of being a Singaporean, that I wanted to capture that moment of pride, at the very tail end of the anthem, to share on FB with my residents. If in my enthusiasm I offended anyone, please accept my apologies. NDP is a time to unite not divide. Majulah Singapura." [Link]

In his "Singaporeans First" National Day Rally Speech 2011, PM Lee asked Singaporeans to be useful and work with him (PAP?) to make Singapore a better place. I'll try to be useful here by sharing on how to say, "I'm sorry" with sincerity! For Fook's sake, why can't his subordinates be humble. Even after having fooked up, they still have to act and sound smart! In so doing, they generate more unhappiness and end up being more despicable!

Why can't she come up with, "It was stupid of me to do what I did. I screwed up. I'm sorry I have offended Singaporeans especially residents of Punggol/Pasir Ris GRC who voted for me. I beg for your pardon." instead of, "If in my enthusiasm I offended anyone, please accept my apologies. NDP is a time to unite not divide. Majulah Singapura." to her supposed remorse.

Hello! Unless you really feel sorry, don't say you are sorry. Just STFU (Shut The Fook Up!) If you are, then apologise sincerely without qualification. If you know you have offended, just admit it. Don't qualify by saying "If I have offended" when you fooking well know that you have seriously offended. When holding the shit end of the stick after fooking up, don't smear shit on others, especially those you have hurt. After having fooked up, how dare you insinuate that others are being divisive, not united.

It is interesting to note that PM Lee mentioned the worst case of the "demanding, rude and self-serving" Singaporean who gave hell to the front-line staff and asked of Singaporeans to be kind and respectful of others, especially civil servants. Maybe PM Lee (jobless after he has his job taken away by a FT) should be standing in the queue for 45 minutes to ask for help to restore the power supply to his house and be told, "Why you again! Still broke, izzit?? What you want now?", he may not have said what he said. There is always two sides to a coin!

There are feedback and there are feedback. Some stories are worth telling but others aren't! Unless one comes off the ivory tower and walks the ground on a regular basis, one would never know the sentiments of the average Singaporean Joe, Ali, Ah Seng or Muthu. Just like Patrick (son of Tony Tan) may not know what "Chiong Pengkang Hill at night is all about when live bullets were fired by your Section mates who could not run straight"!

Bloggers (anonymous or not), concerned Singaporeans, who have the guts to question and voice alternative views and not accept the PAP's status quo are accused of being "daft", "rocking the boat", "divisive", 'disloyal" and "noise in the environment" belonging to the "lunatic fringe".

If not for the technology and internet; if not for the "daft bloggers", the "boat rockers", the "disloyal and divisive noise makers" and the "lunatics in the fringe", we, Singaporeans would still be thinking that Teo Soh Lung, Vincent Cheng & Co. were Marxist Conspirators. We would not have known how much JB Jeyaratnam, Tang Liang Hong and Chee Soon Juan has/had suffered, We would not have known of the freedom lost by Chia Thye Poh (31 years) Lim Hock Siew (19 years) and Said Zahari (17 years) amongst others! [Link].

In my last blog I wrote, "Right is right and wrong is wrong. Though victor can write history, truth will always prevail!" The skeletons are coming out of the cabinet and very soon with the fortitude and revelation of ex-detainees like Dr Lim Hock Siew, Said Zahari, Teo Soh Lung, Vincent Cheng and others, we will know if the "few good men" were actually evil.

We live. We learn. The link on Dr Ang Swee Chye by Singapore Rebel has taught me more.

feedmetothefish

How Dare You, Penny?

2011-08-10T23:53:00.003+08:00

Such disrespect!

I stood at attention and sang 'God Save the Queen.' I then stood at attention and sang 'Negara Ku'. For the past 46 years, When 'Majulah Singapura' is sung at any occasion, even if I do not sing, I still stand still. Call me an old fogey with this thingy about respect for country but for a PAP MP to fook around with her mobile phone at the National Day Parade while the National Anthem is playing (tail end or not) is simply unacceptable!

It is a fooking shame!

With ex-MM Lee saying that the National Pledge is nothing but an "aspiration", I guess the National Anthem is also losing its currency! Monkey see, monkey do. If Grand Leeder does not respect Pledge, monkey MP can also not respect anthem! With this video [Link], school principals and teachers will have a hard time disciplining their students when the kids start misbehaving during the flag raising ceremony!

With the PTC allowing PTOs to increase bus and MRT fares; with the Election Dept and Police not taking action on Tin Pei Lin's heat on 'Cooling Off Day'; with Tony not being able to explain why Patrick's 12-year-deferment was not AWOL; with Shanmugam's twisting-and-turning hogwash on the elected presidency and now with Penny's mobile national anthem, the clock is ticking against the PAP. And should the PEC decide not to allow Tan Cheng Bok, Tan Kin Lian and Tan Jee Say to run for the elected presidency, the frustration and sense of hopelessness of the 40% (and growing) Singaporeans will be palpable!

If PM Lee Hsien Loong continues to condone such despicable acts by being dumb, I fear for my country, Singapore. Fair is fair and double standard in administering justice will lead to chaos! Talk is cheap! To have apologised to Singaporeans for the lapses for the past 5 years just to win votes is self defeating. To tell his cronies and subordinates to 'serve and not over lord' appears hollow with what's been happening lately. While PM is at it, he may want to tell his Law Minister to just 'shut the fook up' to prevent more jeopardy to PAP and, worst still, the country!

Times, they are a changin'. If PM Lee is reading this, I hope that he will come straight out to let Singaporeans, especially the young, know that there are certain decorum that you just can't fook with! If Salah Peiling and Penny Mobile can get away with what they did, we would know the integrity and true character of, not only the culprits, but their leader!

You fooking SEDIA (not senang diri, not moving, not messing with anything, let alone your mobile phone) when the National Anthem is sung! That's what we learned in school, Inche Shamsudin and Tiger Hong while we were in SAFTI and/or Beach Road Camp!

I pity the constituents in Punggol/Pasir Ris GRC. They have an arrogant male MP who did not serve NS at all and a lady MP who played with her phone when the National Anthem was sung on the National Day of 2011.

I hope "Stand up for Singapore, play the phone if you can!" will not be the feel-good Singapore song.

It's a pity that by blogging the way I do, I'll be accused of trying to divide the country and not help to unite Singapore. It is so sad, so bloody sad that if anything negative is mentioned or written of PAP or any of its members or cronies, we are accused of being divisive, of being disloyal to Singapore. When will they ever learn that Singapore is not PAP and PAP is not Singapore!

Right is right and wrong is wrong. Though victor can write history, truth will always prevail!

feedmetothefish

Population:Why Singaporeans Cannot Maintain The Replacement Rate?

2011-08-09T17:29:00.002+08:00

Today we celebrate Singapore's 46th birthday!

Looking back, did the "Stop-At-Two" Policy of late 60's pioneered by LKY cause the lack of born-and-bred Singaporeans today? Even with the “Have Three Or More If You Can Afford” and the silly "Graduate Mothers' scheme later, we still could not procreate enough. Now we are importing like crazy to keep the GDP up.

With the current sad state of affairs in Singapore, I doubt it'll get better.

Here's why!

Smile and have a Happy Holiday!

feedmetothefish

A Few Good Men?

2011-08-08T00:22:00.011+08:00

It is silly. It is embarrassing. It hurts!

We are taught by our parents to respect the dead. Don't say or write things about them in a negative manner. I shall now write about the living . . . A Few Good Men?

How can a man be good when:

He worked for the Japanese during the Occupation.
"Having taken Chinese and Japanese lessons since 1942, he was able to find work transcribing Allied wire reports for the Japanese, as well as being the English-language editor on the Japanese Hodobu (報道部 – an information or propaganda department) from 1943 to 1944." [Link]
He took freedom away from Chia Thye Poh for 31 years [Link]
He took freedom away from Lim Hock Siew for 19 years [Link]
He took freedom away from Said Zahari for 17 years [Link]
He insulted Singaporeans by calling them daft [Link]

How can another man be good when:

He threatened Singaporeans that they will be living in slum (no HDB and lift upgrading) if they did not vote for PAP in 2006 [Link] & [Link]
He insulted the character of Tan Jee Say when TJS joined the SDP to run against the PAP in 2011 Election [Link]
He is dumb on the Tin Pei Lin's heat on Cooling Off Day [Link]

How can the third man be good when:

During the Japanese Occupation of Singapore, he worked for the Japanese Kempeitai as a translator. [Link]
He sucks more than $4,000,000 per annum from the taxpayers while keeping dumb on all that was happening for the past 12 years. As Head of State, he should have expressed his concern for the citizens when their livelihood were affected by the high cost of living namely, HDB; transport; food; utilities and other essentials. The influx of foreigners that has been a detriment to the well being of Singaporeans is an issue that he should have corrected (privately or publicly).

In its sychophantic enthusiasm to bootlick these 'three' as "A Few Good Men", I think CNA has not only embarrassed itself but also Singapore and its citizens. If any of the 'three' is worth his salt, he would have been ashamed by such self-aggrandisement in his life time and demands that the silly show(off) be taken off before damage is done!

I look forward to see Martyn See of Singapore Rebel [Link] doing a documentary on the Real "A Few Good Men and Women" of Singapore. The heroes who who fought the occupiers instead of selling away their souls to benefit themselves!

Mr Lim Bo Seng [Link]

Mr Adnan Bin Saidi [Link]

Ms Elizabeth Choy [Link]

May the heroes rest in peace and Happy National Day to all!

feedmetothefish

Dumb President Plays 5 Stones and PAP Paints Itself Into A Corner!

2011-08-06T22:50:00.010+08:00

Imagine . . . 9 August 2012. The MIW (men & women in white) are all seated at the NDP. They waited. The Parade Commander shouted, "Baris Sedia!" The band started to play and everybody including PM Lee, his father and SM Emeritus stood at attention. In came the limousine carrying the President of Singapore. And the President is * Tan ___ ___.

'The president can only act and speak as advised by the Cabinet,' Mr Shanmugam said, while stressing that this does not mean the president cannot be 'highly influential and effective' [Link].

'The president,' he added, 'can speak on issues only as authorised by the Cabinet; and he must follow the advice of the Cabinet in the discharge of his duties.' [Link]

So let's give a break to President Nathan (the one who hit the biggest Big Sweep plus Toto Jackpot of all time). For the last 12 years, he's only been made dumb by the Cabinet. I haven't had the pleasure of shaking his hand but I bet he is a better hand-shaker than Tony Tan [Link]

Since the days of President Yusof Ishak till President Wee Kim Wee, we were happy with a ceremonial head of state who's a person of "integrity, good character and reputation". The Parliament (or was it LKY) appointed the President and that was that. However, in 1991, PAP amended the constitution to have an "Elected President" to play 5 Stones:

Blocking the government from spending of past reserves
Appointment of key public sector leaders
Internal Security Acts detentions
Authorise CPIB investigations
To maintain religious harmony

Honestly, with the interpretation by those in power, our perception of the Law regarding the popular elected presidency may not be what it is. Remember the joke of TT, GCT and LHL at Cheng San Polling Centre? [Link]. That interpretation of "in" is not "within" shows that Law in Singapore may not gel with the perception of an average person's understanding of English. By the way, a Presidential pardon or clemency doesn't come from the President. It was only through the Yong Vui Kong's case [Link] that we learned that the Presidential pardon comes not from the President but from the PAP Cabinet!

If a President is as dumb as Shanmugam wants him to be, then let's not make Singaporeans dafter than ex-MM declared Singaporeans to be. This Wayang has to stop! Why waste time, effort and money to vote for a Dumb President?

We are grateful to President Ong Teng Cheong for his integrity and reputable character in standing up against all odds to fight for what's right and help a nation see the opaqueness and bullying attitude of a power gone awry, went mad with hubris! Now we see the stupidity of the same arrogance put forth by the current power that is.

It was President Ong who through his courage and his sense of righteousness that forced the PAP to realise that you cannot bluff all the people all the time. The job of the Elected President was made clearer after his public announcement and interview. It was embarrassing then [Link] and I think Shanmugam is making it more embarrassing for the PAP now!

When you hear your ex-MM perpetually insulting you by calling you daft and that you will repent if you vote against PAP for 1st World Parliament (WP for Aljunied GRC); when he continues to say that foreigners are better than you [Link]; when he interrupted his massage by his physiotherapist [Link] to declare that the Singapore National Pledge in nothing more than an "aspiration" in Parliament, you know that something is just not right.

When you have a PAP MPs calling you "lesser mortals"; another saying that ministers' atrocious salary equate to their dignity [Link]; when you have another PAP MP breaking the "Cooling Off Day" Rule set by her boss PM Lee (with no response so far from the ruler); when you have a newly minted male citizen (who did not serve NS but boasts of his work in KKH saving children's lives) become your PAP MP, you know it starts to stink.

When you have Shanmugam saying what he just said - We vote for a Dumb President to follow the instructions of Cabinet Ministers - you know that it is time for Singaporeans to wake up and take a stand!

For Fook's sake, if PAP wants a Dumb PAP President, why can't they just appoint one like they did in the early days. We had no problem with Yang Di Pertuan Negara President Yusof Ishak, President Benjamin Sheares, President Devan Nair and President Wee Kim Wee.

If they sincerely want a popular Elected President with mandate from the people, then dismantle the President Election Council and let the people choose the President that they want. Why can't they have the spunk to face up to a People's President who has the conscience to do good for the nation instead of getting rubber stamp from the same clique?

Please stop insulting citizens of Singapore with the PEC to pre-select the candidates for us. We are not that daft! Stop treating us like idiots. We are not what ex-MM thinks we are!

Let's hope that Eddie Teo, Chan Lai Fung and Sat Pal Khattar of PEC will do what their conscience, not their boss, tells them to do! Let's hope that Tan Cheng Bok, Tan Kin Lian, Tony Tan, Tan Jee Say, Andrew Kuan and Ooi Boon Ewe will have a go at it!

Let's have an active vocal President with a conscience and moral compass to fight for the common people . . . not another Dumb Rubber Stamp to "Yes Sir, Yes Sir" to his PAP Master!

The headache that PAP is having now is a good example of the universal truth - we reap what we sow! In their selfish greed to hang on to power, they are now in limbo. They have painted themselves into the corner . . . again!

* Price increase of Kopi C ($1.00 to $1.30) 30 cents

Increase of MRT and bus rides 2 cents

Anybody but TT to be President Priceless!

feedmetothefish

Tony & Patrick 'Fooking Did It'!

2011-08-01T21:47:00.004+08:00

The story of the father and son is getting interesting. No, not the Lees but the Tans.

Presidential Wannabe Tony Tan and his son Patrick are deeply disappointed with a 'rumour'. Now every mother's son (except white horses) who did and do National Service is even more disappointed. In fact, some are seething with anger. Here's someone who is pretty upset [Link]. Others , like me, are rather bewildered and amused.

The 'rumour' was a question asked of the father if preferential treatment was given to Patrick Tan when he did his NS and Reservist Training. Instead of getting a straight answer, we get this [Link] and this [Link].

Having served my NS in the late 60's and ROD'ed (since when was ORD use?), I'm amazed that Patrick was enlisted in 1988 and could be in the USA from 1988 to 2000. Deferred for more than a decade! Hell, for any son other than Tancho's, that would have been AWOL!

What agitate most is not the 'deferential' (preferential?) treatment that he received in MINDEF. What REALLY sucks is the fact that Patrick is so damn proud of his ability to avoid ('elak' / 'siam') the rite of passage (24 months, 30 months or 36 months depending on your rank and time of enlistment) that all able bodied male Singaporeans went through - serving national service in an army and field camp (not in aircon comfort)! Most would find the way he went about blowing his own horn of his achievement and his specialty in 'meliodosis' puke inducing!

In Singapore, we do not have CORRUPTION. We do not have NEPOTISM. We only have an ASPIRATION of 'building a democratic society based on justice and equality so as to achieve happiness, prosperity and progress for our nation'. While aspiring, we live in MOCKERY!

MOCKERY of NATION BUILDING and NATIONAL SERVICE by paying greedy ministers $$$millions$$$!
MOCKERY of DEMOCRACY by banning freedom of speech and peaceful demonstration of even one person [Link]
MOCKERY of JUSTICE by saying "IN" is not "WITHIN" [Link] & [Link] and "Cooling Off Day" is "Hot" for certain individual [Link]
MOCKERY of EQUALITY when opposition wards are served last in HDB and Lift Upgrading
MOCKERY of SERVICE TO SINGAPOREANS when PROFITEERING is the mainstay of the ruling party ($$million$$$ ministers), the public transport operators and even the HDB.
MOCKERY of HAPPINESS, PROSPERITY and PROGRESS for our nation when the over-crowdedness caused by the free inflow of foreigners by PAP has caused much unhappiness, more so for those who have lost jobs due to the crazy influx.

Disappointed with the Tony/Patrick story? We are more concerned with the cavalier "I'm smarter than thou"attitude of the ruling party and their cronies in not taking seriously our concern of the over-crowding and the ever-escalating high cost of living that the average Singaporeans are victims of.

In the words of NTU Valedictorian Trinetta Chong, [Link Hit 5:15 for the punchline] I think Tony and his son Patrick 'fooking did it"!

feedmetothefish

Is Salah Tin Pailin Salah?

2011-07-29T01:14:00.002+08:00

It's been many weeks since a police report was made against Tin Peh Lin [Link] on what happened to her facebook on "Cooling Off Day".

Is the law in SIngapore working? Is justice at work? Why was there such a whole shebang on James Gomes five years ago and not a whimper on Tin Pei Lin in the main stream media today? They were snapping away at the Opposition then. Why are they so quiet on PAP now?

If we know history like we know history, I think there will not be even a case against Pei Lin, She won't be caught 'salah'! It is difficult, very difficult for MIW to be 'salah'. I remember the case of Lee Hsien Loong, Goh Chok Tong and Tony Tan at a polling station at Cheng San where WP and SDP claimed that they were not supposed to be. Workers' Party made a police report but the AG then reported to the Law Minister and the whole incident did not see much of the light of day except here.

Alas, now we know why Lee Kuan Yew said that our national pledge, "To build a democratic society based on justice and equality" is nothing but an aspiration! As much as this video touches more on racial equality, I think we wish to see justice and equality for all, regardless of race, language, religion and, more so, political affiliation. white or otherwise.

Going through the letter from the AG to the Law Minister [below], let's not be surprised if we hear nothing more from the heat generated from the 'Cooling Day' by Salah Tin Pailin.

A precedent has been set more than a decade ago.

feedmetothefish

Unauthorised persons inside polling stations: Attorney General's letter

Text of a letter from Singapore's attorney general to law minister S. Jayakumar on the presence of unauthorised persons inside polling stations. The minister summarised the attorney general's opinion when he replied to a query in parliament from non-constituency MP and Workers' Party chief J. B. Jeyaretnam July 30.

The Workers' Party had complained to the police that Mr Goh Chok Tong, Dr Tony Tan and Brigadier-General (NS) Lee Hsien Loong had been inside a Cheng San GRC polling station on Polling Day.

But the Public Prosecutor recently advised the police that the PAP leaders had not broken the law.

21 Jul 97

Prof S Jayakumar

Minister for Law

PRESENCE OF UNAUTHORISED PERSONS INSIDE POLLING STATIONS

On 14 July l997, THE Workers' Party issued a press release expressing "amazement" that the public prosecutor had advised police that no offence was disclosed in the reports made by it leaders against the prime minister, the two deputy prime ministers and Dr S Vasoo that they had been present inside polling stations when they were not candidates for the relevant constituencies. The Workers' Party queried why such conduct was not an offence under paragraph (d) or (e) of section 82(1) of the Parliamentary Elections Act.

2. On 15 July 1997, the Singapore Democratic Party also called on the attorney general to explain his "truly befuddling" decision and to state clearly if it was an offence for unauthorised persons to enter polling stations.

3. You have asked me for my formal opinion on the question raised in these two statements. My opinion is set out below.

Opinion

4. The question is whether it is an offence under the Parliamentary Elections Act for an unauthorised person to enter and be present in a polling station.

5. For this purpose, the authorised persons are the candidates, the polling agent or agents of each candidate, the Returning Officer, and persons authorised in writing by the returning officer, the police officers on duty and other persons officially employed at the polling station; see section 39 (4) of the Act (quoted below)

Activities Outside Polling Stations

6. The relevant sections of the Parliamentary Elections Act to be considered are sections 82 (1)(d) and 82 (1)(e). These provisions were enacted m 1959 pursuant to the Report of the Commission of Inquiry into Corrupt, Illegal or Undesirable Practices at Elections, Cmd 7 of 1968 (hereinafter called "the Elias Report)"

7. Section 82 (1)(d) provides that - "No person shall wait outside any polling station on polling day, except for the purpose of gaining entry to the polling station to cast his vote".

8. Plainly, persons found waiting inside the polling stations do not come within the ambit of this section. Similarly, those who enter or have entered the polling station cannot be said to be waiting outside it. Only those who wait outside the polling station commit an offence under this section unless they are waiting to enter the polling station to cast their votes.

9. Section 82 (1)(e) provides that -

"No person shall loiter in any street or public place within a radius of 200 metres of any polling station on polling day."

10. The relevant question is whether any person who is inside a polling station can be sad to be "within a radius of 200 metres of any polling station". The answer to this question will also answer any question on loitering inside a polling station.

11. Plainly, a person inside a polling station cannot be said to be within a radius of 200 metres of a polling station. A polling station must have adequate space for the voting to be carried out. Any space has a perimeter. The words "within a radius of 200 metres" ' therefore mean "200 metres from the perimeter of" any polling station. This point is illustrated in the diagrams in the Appendix. (Editor's note: Diagrams not available).

12. The above interpretation is fortified by the context of the provision. The polling station, as a place, is distinguished from a street or public place. It is not a street or a public place. Hence, being inside a polling station cannot amount to being in a street or in a public place. By parity of reasoning, loitering in a street or public place cannot possibly include loitering in the polling station itself and vice versa.

13. There is no ambiguity in section 82 (1)(e). If the legislature had intended to make it an offence for unauthorised persons to wait or loiter inside a polling station, it could have easily provided for it. It did not. The mischief that section 82 (1)(e) is intended to address is found in paragraph 99 of the Elias Report. It reads:

"In order to prevent voters being made subject to my form of undue influence or harassment at the approaches to polling stations, we recommend that it should be made an offence for any person to establish any desk or table near the entrance to any polling station, or to wait outside any polling station on polling day except for the purpose of gaining entry into the polling station to cast his vote; and that it should be an offence for any person to loiter in any street or public place within a radius of 200 yards of any polling station on polling day ."

14 . Paragraph 99 of the Elias Report appears under the heading "Activity OUTSIDE POLLING STATIONS". The Commission of Inquiry was addressing the possibility of voters being subject to undue influence and harassment as they approach the polling stations. There is therefore no doubt whatever that this provision was never intended to cover any activity inside the polling station as there would be officials and election agents in attendance.

15. The legislative history makes the provision so clear that it is not even necessary to consider the application of an established principle of interpretation that any ambiguity in a penal provision should, whenever possible, be resolved favour of the accused.

Activities Inside Polling Stations

16 Activities inside polling stations were made subject to a different regime under the Act. Section 39(4) provides that -

"the presiding officer shall keep order in his station and shall regulate the number of voters to be admitted a time, and shall exclude all other persons except the polling agent or agents of each candidate, the Returning Officer and persons authorised in writing by the Returning Officer, the police officers on duty and other persons officially employed at the polling station."

17. Under section 39(7), any person who misconducts himself in the polling station, or fails to obey the lawful orders of the presiding officer may be removed from the polling station by a police officer acting under the orders of the presiding officer. If an unauthorised person refuses to leave the polling station when told to do so by the public officer, he commits an offence under section 186 of the Penal Code for obstructing a public servant in the discharge of his duty.

18. There is a consistency in the rationales of the regulatory schemes governing activities inside and those outside polling stations on election day. Waiting outside a polling station is made an offence because it gives rise to opportunities to influence or intimidate voters: see paragraph 99 of the Elias Report. Hence, the Act has provided a safety zone which stretches outwards for 200 metres from the polling station. In contrast, the possibility of a person inside a polling station influencing or intimidating voters in the presence of the presiding officer and his officials, the polling agents etc was considered so remote that it was discounted by the Act.

19. I therefore confirm my opinion that the Parliamentary Elections Act does not provide for any offence of unauthorised entry into or presence within a polling station. Accordingly, those unauthorised persons who only wait or loiter inside a polling station on polling day do not commit any offence under the Act.

20. You are at liberty to publish this opinion.

Signed:

Chan Sek Keong

Attorney General.

Why this, MOF?

2011-07-27T00:57:00.006+08:00

It's just been reported in the Ministry Of Finance that:

A misperception is that the late President Ong had not been provided with sufficient information for him to effectively protect the Past Reserves. In fact, he was given full access to the information of the reserves during his term of office. This information included the value of all the Government’s financial assets, as well as a listing of physical assets, such as buildings and land.
[Link]

We are taught to respect the dead. To let the dead rest peace. To have a better perception of the misperception, one should read President Ong's interview [here].

ASIAWEEK March 10, 2000.

'I Had a Job to Do' Whether the government liked it or not, says ex-president Ong

ONG Teng Cheong will go down in history as Singapore's first elected president. But for twenty years before that, the Chinese-educated, foreign-trained architect was a stalwart of the nation's People's Action Party government led by its first PM Lee Kuan Yew. Ong, now 64, was minister of communications, of culture, and of labor; he was also deputy PM, secretary-general of the National Trades Union Congress, and chairman of Lee's PAP. By common consent, he was the man who kept the Chinese ground loyal to the party; indeed, his command of the language was such that Lee always asked Ong to accompany him whenever he visited China. In the 1980s, Ong was one of the party's four senior 'second echelon' leaders who were considered as possible successors to Lee. It was Ong's longtime friend, Goh Chok Tong, who got the nod for the job. Ong, who was diagnosed as suffering from lymphatic cancer in 1992, chose instead to run in the first elections for the presidency the following year.

He won -- and soon became embroiled in a six-year long festering dispute with his former colleagues in government over how much information he should have in order to fulfil his role in safeguarding Singapore's prodigious financial reserves. The altercation came to a head last year when Ong and his mentor Lee and friend Goh clashed publicly and rancorously in a rare display of disunity among PAP heavyweights. He decided not to run for re-election as president -- but not before he had spooked Goh's men by leaving the announcement until the last moment. He has now returned to the private architecture firm he set up with his late wife, Ling Siew May, and which is now run by one of his two sons. His doctors have given him a clean bill of health after a debilitating bout with lymphatic cancer -- though he still wears a cap to cover the baldness caused by chemotherapy treatment. Last week, he gave his first in-depth interview about his presidency to senior correspondent Roger Mitton in a nearly two-hour long talk. Extended Excerpts:

It's now six months since you stepped down. How do you feel about your time as president?

I am satisfied with what I did. I hope it was all for the best. I was elected to do a job. And I had to do that job whether the government -- or anyone else -- liked it or not.

It seems that often they did not like it, but let's go back: How did you first get into politics?

In the early 1970s, Lee Kuan Yew asked me for an interview to get me involved to stand for election. I stood in 1972 and I won and became a PAP backbencher. A year later, Lee asked me to take up ministerial office but I turned it down because my younger brother was dying of cancer. I had to assist him and to settle his affairs after he died at the age of 25. Then Lee Kuan Yew approached me again and this time I agreed to take up office. Lee is very persuasive.

He must have been impressed to make you a minister so quickly -- you were a young architect with no experience of politics.

Yes, I was not trained to become a minister or a politician, but you learn on the job. Whenever I went to a new ministry, I always asked myself basic questions: What is this job all about? What am I supposed to do? That's what I did in 1980, for instance, when I became minister of labor, in addition to being minister for communications. I went through all the legislation and I decided that the trade unions should not just be designed to organize and finance strikes, but instead should help improve the workers' social and economic wellbeing.

You became head of the NTUC and also remained a cabinet minister -- and Singapore remained strike free.

Yes. But in January 1986 I did sanction a strike, the first for about a decade. It was in the shipping industry where the management was taking advantage of the workers. I did not even tell the cabinet about santioning the strike. And some of them were angry with me about that. The minister for trade and industry was very angry, his officers were very upset. They had calls from America, asking what happened to Singapore? -- we are non-strike. I said: if I were to inform the cabinet or the government they would probably stop me from going ahead with the strike. It only lasted two days. Then all the issues were settled. It showed that management was just trying to pull a fast one. So I believe what I did was right.

It marked a trend -- that you have never been afraid of doing something your ministerial colleagues might disagree with?

No. If they don't like it, I can always come back here to my architecture firm.

Around this time you were discussing the succession to PM Lee?

Lee Kuan Yew had been discussing this since about 1983. At that time, the second echelon was Tony Tan, S. Dhanabalan, Goh Chok Tong and myself.

Were you a candidate for the top job?

I was considered as a member of the group. At that time, we did not know who would be the successor to Lee. We finally made the decision to pick Goh Chok Tong. He agreed on condition that I agreed to be his number two. So I was the second DPM; he was the first DPM. In 1988, Lee asked Goh to take over, but he was not ready. He said: two more years. So two years later, he took the job.

Lee did not agree with your decision to pick Goh.

No, he did not disagree. He said he would leave it to us. His own first choice was Tony Tan. Goh Chok Tong was his second choice. I was his third choice because he said my English was not good enough. He said Dhanabalan was not right because Singapore was not ready for an Indian prime minister. That upset the Indian community. There was quite a bit of adverse reaction to what he said. But he speaks his mind. He is the only one who can get away with it.

Personally, you felt Goh was the right man?

Well, among the four of us, he was the youngest. Tony Tan said no. I said no. And he sort of accepted being pushed into the position, on condition that we stay on to assist him.

Soon after taking over, Goh called a snap election in 1991 -- but the PAP's vote slipped and there was talk he would quit.

Well, we did discuss about that. But he didn't indicate that he wanted to step down.

At that time, you were no. 2 in the executive after PM Goh.

Yes. Well, no. 2, no. 3, doesn't matter.

So why run for president?

The elected presidency was Lee Kuan Yew's initiative. He came out with the idea way back in '82, '83. After parliament passed the measure in 1991, I considered it seriously. At that time, after 20 years in politics, I was thinking of a way to ease myself out, to exit the political arena. I wrote to the prime minister twice to say that I'm prepared to go.

You saw the presidency as a way to do that?

Yes, the unionists egged me on. They came to see me a couple of times and they suggested that I take it on. I discussed it with the prime minister, being old friends, and he gave me his support.

The well-known oppositionist J.B. Jeyaretnam wanted to run against you?

Yes, but he was not allowed to because he did not qualify under the stringent criteria. Maybe too stringent.

You were glad Jeyaretnam could not run?

No, it's okay. I think it would have been more fun.

Some of your colleagues did not think it was much fun when your only opponent, a former accountant-general, Chua Kim Yeoh, got so much support?

Yes, all of them were quite worried. Some ministers even called me to say: Oh, we are worried about the outcome. At first, we were quite confident about getting over 70 percent of the vote. But there was a swing of support over to my opponent's side, especially in the educated class -- civil servants and the Shenton Way group. The issue was whether they wanted a PAP man as president to check on a PAP government, or whether it would be better to have a neutral independent like Chua. That's why they voted against me because I had the PAP government support. I would have been happier without the PAP's open support. I think I would have been better off with just the unionists' support and the Chinese-educated heartlanders. Without them I would not have been elected.

But you did win and you had to figure out how to do this new job as Singapore's first elected president.

Yes. At the first opening of parliament after I was elected, I was given a speech prepared by the government. I read the speech carefully. Besides ceremonial functions, it said that I'm supposed to safeguard the reserves and to help society become more compassionate and gracious. So I decided that, well, if that is what is said in the speech, then that's going to be my job. And I am going to do it. That's what I tried to do. In fact, during the six years I was president, I was very busy.

Doing what?

Well, I got involved in a lot of things. The Istana presidential palace and other places had to be renovated. All this had to be planned and these places got ready one by one, so that ceremonial functions and other business could go on as usual. I had to press the government to finalize the procedures for the protection of the reserves. A lot of the teething problems and misunderstandings were because there was a lack of clearcut procedures ofwhat to do. Towards the end of my term, I pressed the prime minister for a White Paper to be tabled in parliament that would set out all the principles and procedures for the elected president. Then I will announce my decision to step down. I want to get the job done.

Initially, he did not want to do that?

It's not that he did not want to do that, but it had been dragging for a long time. They produced a White Paper eventually, tabled it in parliament last July, and that made the future president's job easier. We have already tested out many of the procedures during my term, except for asking the president to approve a draw on the past reserves during a deep economic crisis. That was never done. It's that part of procedure that was not tested. How to do it?

It was this issue that caused the dispute between you and the government?

Yes. But I don't want to go into details and upset everybody. The thing is that the elected president is supposed to protect the reserves, but he was not told what these are until five years later. From the day the Constitution was amended in 1991 to provide for an elected president, he was supposed to fulfil that role. My predecessor, Wee Kim Wee, although he was not elected, was supposed to play that role during the last two years of his term. But he did not actively check. So, when I came in in 1993, I asked for all this information about the reserves. It took them three years to give it to me.

The holdup was for administrative reasons?

Either that or they did not think there was any urgency. You see, if you ask me to protect the reserves, then you've got to tell me what I'm supposed to protect. So I had to ask.

Why did they not want to tell you?

I do not know. Don't ask me, because I don't have the answer. I've been asking them. In fact, in 1996, exactly halfway through my term, I wrote prime minister Goh a letter. At that time, everybody was expecting a general election in December or January. After the election, a new government would be sworn in. When that happens, all the reserves, whether past or current, become past reserves and are locked up on the changeover date. As president, I have to safeguard them and they can only be drawn upon with my permission. So I said to Mr Goh: It's already halfway through my term, but until today I still don't know all these figures about the reserves.

So the government had been stonewalling you, the president, for three years?

Yes. What happened actually was, as you know, in accounting, when you talk about reserves, it's either cash reserves or assets reserves. The cash side is straightforward: investment, how many million dollars here and there, how much comes from the investment boards and so on. That was straightforward -- but still we had to ask for it. For the assets, like properties and so on, normally you say it's worth $30 million or $100 million or whatever. But they said it would take 56-man years to produce a dollar-and-cents value of the immovable assets. So I discussed this with the accountant-general and the auditor-general and we came to a compromise. The government would not need to give me the dollar-and-cents value, just give me a listing of all the properties that the government owns.

They agreed?

Well, yes, they agreed, but they said there's not the time for it. It took them a few months to produce the list. But even when they gave me the list, it was not complete.

It seems the Singapore government does not know its own assets?

Yes. It's complicated. It's never been done before. And for the assets of land, I can understand why. Every piece of land, even a stretch of road, is probablysubdivided into many lots. There are 50,000 to 60,000 lots and every one has a number. If you want to value them all, it would take a long time. In the past, they have just locked everything up and assumed it is all there. But if I am to protect it, at least I want to know the list.

When they eventually gave you the list -- the incomplete list, did you have enough staff to do the checking and other work?

No, I did not. I only had one administrative staffer and two part-timers from the auditor-general's office. For things like approving the budget of statutory boards, the auditor-general's office would normally go through that for me. They are very good. They check on everything. And they query and ask for information.

For government financial policy matters that you had a veto over, did you get all the details?

They finally came with an executive summary to say that they had checked through all this, and that this is what they have, this is how much they are going to spend, and that it won't need any draw from the reserves -- or that there's likely to be a draw. There never was a draw during my time, but there were instances where it was a bit dicey whether the budgets of one or two statutory boards would require a draw. But finally we resolved that.

Eventually then, with the list of properties and the executive summaries, you were kept informed?

I wouldn't be able to say that. Even in my last year as president, I was still not being informed about some ministerial procedures. For example, in April last year, the government said it would allow the sale of the Post Office Savings Bank POSB to DBS Bank. In the past, when there was no elected president, they could just proceed with this kind of thing. But when there is an elected president you cannot, because the POSB is a statutory board whose reserves are to be protected by the president. You cannot just announce this without informing him. But I came to know of it from the newspaper. That is not quite right. Not only that, but they were even going to submit a bill to parliament for this sale and to dissolve the POSB without first informing me.

What did you do?

My office went to tell them that this was the wrong procedure. You've got to do this first, do that first, before you can do this. It was question of principle and procedure. We had to bring all this to their attention. That they cannot forget us. It's not that we are busybodies, but under the Constitution we have a role to play and a responsibility. Sometimes in the newspaper I came to know of things that I am responsible for, but if it had not been reported in the newspaper I would not know about it.

You must have been pretty angry that this was still happening in your last year as president?

Yes, I was a bit grumpy. And maybe not to the liking of the civil service. They did not like what I said. But I have to be a watchdog all the time, you see. So this is where they are supposed to help me to protect the reserves. And not for me to go and watch out when they do right or wrong.

Under the Constitution, you have the right to all the information available to the cabinet.

Yes. That's right. And I sourced much information from the cabinet papers. But they are not used to it. So I said: I understand, it's something new, and I know you don't like my interference and busybody checking up and so on. But under the Constitution it is my job to do that.

Despite all this, it was widely believed that you wanted to run again for a second six-year term as president?

No, I'd been telling my friends since late 1998 that my inclination was not to stand for re-election. But of course, life is unpredictable. In March last year, I went to Stanford and my American doctor confirmed that my cancer was in complete remission. He is very experienced, a world authority on my sickness. So I was fine after my treatment. I gave a complete report to the prime minister and we discussed it. I told him that my inclination was not to stand, but that I'd make the announcement later on. Then the cabinet met and they decided that if I were to stand again, they would not support me.

You had been given a clean bill of health, yet your former colleagues would not support you. Did that annoy you?

I told the prime minister over lunch: Well, I don't need your cabinet support. If I want to stand, whether I do or not, it will be my personal decision. And I'll make that decision nearer the date of the presidential election -- because I have another checkup in June, July, and I want to know my latest position. Also my wife was sick with cancer and we knew that if she died, it would be difficult for me to stand without a first lady. She felt very apologetic and that was another reason why my inclination was not to stand. I hoped that if I stepped down I would have more time to be with my wife, because her prognosis was not very good.

By waiting until July to announce your decision, were you ruffling the government for the way they had treated you?

Maybe so. Maybe it was my miscalculation that my stated inclination not to stand again had not been good enough for them. But I had been telling that to all my friends. And I did not want to tell people my wife was dying, either.

But the government worried that you might suddenly decide to run again.

No, I made it very clear and I called a press conference in July to tell everybody. But I believe some people were still afraid that I might turn up on nomination day. Even friends asked me if I might do that. How could they? I had given my word that I would not stand.

A straw poll apparently indicated you would beat the government's candidate, S.R. Nathan, if you had stood.

Yes. But I gave my word that I would not run. And I don't think it's right. I'm a very old-fashioned man. Also, my wife passed away in September. And I became more sceptical about all these medical reports. Well, not sceptical, but certainly I find life more unpredictable than I thought. Full of uncertainties.

In the end you were happy to stand down?

Yes, I'd been preparing for that psychologically since late 1998. I was quite happy when the decision was made, happy to return to private life to do the work that I enjoy.

How are your relations with PM Goh these days?

They are okay. I just had lunch with him last week. I can't invite him now, so he invited me. When I was president, we took turns to invite each other for lunch in the Istana.

Did Senior Minister Lee join you?

No, we did that separately.

Lee spoke out against you last year. How are your relations with him now?

We've never quarrelled.

It's said that your recalcitrance upset him and your former colleagues, leaving you estranged and bitter?

I would not call it recalcitrant. I mentioned some of the problems -- or many of the problems -- that I faced. If they regard that as an attack on the government and on the civil service, then that is for them to interpret. The prime minister and I spoke at my farewell reception. We agreed that we would say what we have to say. I think it came out well. He said that my statements, and his rebuttal in parliament, were probably a good thing. They showed the transparency of the system. I stand by what I said.

Published in the ASIAWEEK March 10, 2000.

Return Home

feedmetothefish

"Tuck You" Logic

2011-07-14T22:05:00.003+08:00

Singapore - The Workers' Party's (WP) suggestion to nationalise public transport "might seem like a very attractive idea" but it has "serious downsides" in reality, Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew said yesterday.

Chief among these "downsides" is that "commuters and taxpayers - yes, even those who don't take public transport - are likely to end up paying more, and possibly, for a poorer level of service over time", Mr Lui added.

Mr Lui's remarks on his Facebook page came a day after the WP reiterated its call for a National Transport Corporation.

The Transport Minister pointed out that, an entity that depends on Government funding and which operates on a cost-recovery basis, "would have little incentive to keep costs down".

Said Mr Lui: "Cost increases will be passed on to commuters. Over time, this will lead to higher costs for the same level of service, which means commuters pay higher - and not lower - fares. Not only would people have to pay more, nationalising the operators could result in a stagnation of service quality or efficiency over time." TODAYOnline [Link]

If an organisation does not wish to make profit, the services they provide will be 'tucked up", meh? It makes no sense to me that a non-profit organisation will hurt a commuter/taxpayer more than a greedy profit making company. Is it the same old logic of, "If you don't pay your ministers millions, your mother, wife and daughter will end up as maids in other country!"?

Yeah, each of us need to make a buck, to make a living. But how much is enough? Enough for what? Where health care, pubic transport and education is concerned, I believe that the average man-in-the-street and those below deserves a fair deal! It is a sin to ensure that shareholders in public transport companies and their CEOs rake in the $,$$$,$$$ at the expense of the ordinary people.

It is interesting to know that PM Lee allows ex-MM and the SM EMERITUS (Expired Minister Enjoying Ridiculous Income & Title that's Unusual & Superfluous) 5 Secretarial Staff each at the expense of taxpayers. With their pensions, I would have thought that the MM and Emeritus would pay for their own keep. I wonder if USA still pay for Clinton's or Carter's secretarial staff's salary? What about UK's Blair or Major or Thatcher's? Or is this the Uniquely Singaporean way of taking care of the obscenely rich and powerful???

The rationale on Tuck Yew's statement speaks volumes! Now I know why we pay through taxpayers' pants ($,$$$,$$$) for services from ministers, which unfortunately, is worse than what comes out through the crack of our buttocks! It is scary when the "greed for money" overtakes the "honour of duty"! Maybe there is hope yet in politicians who are willing to give up their lucrative jobs to sincerely serve the people. Heard of Mr Chen Show Mao [Link] or Sylvia Lim [Link], anyone?

The 4 K's of Kiasu, Kiasi, Kiamsiap and Kaykiang has been enshrined in the PAP for so long that it will take a while for it to disintegrate. The fact that they want us to perpetually Kia-PAP (5th 'K') is hurting them much since the last election!

What is important to one may be rubbish to another. For what it's worth, the "Tuck You" Logic may be the kingpin of what PAP is about.

It is sad that only the "downsides" of the common people can be the "upsides" for the rulers?

Can't they rule with empathy and compassion? Maybe I'm asking for too much . . .

Most of the time we wonder. Are they just 'tucking' thinking of themselves and their jobs or are they serving Singapore and its people?

feedmetothefish

Hokkien in 5 Ks:

Kiasu= Afraid to lose

Kiasi = Afraid to die

Kiamsiap = Stingy

Kaykiang = Act smart

Kia PAP = Afraid of PAP

Have we lost the virtue of doing good in secret?

2011-07-06T00:56:00.001+08:00

As one heart attack patient to another, I would humbly advise Khaw Boon Wan that "If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen! No point getting another AMI over it. Believe me, the best gift that you can give to those who love you and those you love is to stay healthy!"

Why would a a guy who is paid millions bitch about his job? Having said that he wished to be more "useful" by being a mintster of national development, [Link] I can't understand why he'd write, "I have been in MND for 5 weeks, and not sleeping well. I am working my guts out to try to calm the market, for the good of all Singaporeans" in his blog [Link].

Some people think that they do great things! Others simply move on doing things to make ends meet without any avenue to "cowpeh cowbu"! Can KBW spare a thought for

the bus driver who moonlights as a delivery driver
the security guard who moonlights as a bouncer
the housewife mother of four who moonlights as a beer promoter at the coffee shop
the aunt who has to tie her nephews so that she can work to eke out an income

before he tells the whole world of how he's losing sleep and working his guts out!

The people listed above are those who have insufficient sleep to heal and recuperate. They are the ones who work their guts out for pittance, compared to what the ministers are getting!

Damned! What does he expect? To be paid millions and have the luxury to sleep on the job? Or does he want a therapist to massage him in between parliament sittings?

There is no free lunch. Not even for a heart attack patient! I know because having been there and done that (hit by AMI), I have had my fair share of, "You are a heart attack patient, so what? You want sympathy?"

With their kind of heavenly remuneration, why can't they just STFU and get the job done without whining like a cry baby! Don't they know that there is virtue and joy in doing good in secret?

Or is doing good in secret alien to them?

Meanwhile, excuse me while I go get some sleep because I've been working my guts out writing . . .

feedmetothefish

Have you had enough of "Kee Chiu"?

2011-07-04T23:44:00.005+08:00

Oh, mothers of all Generals, is this for real?

When I first saw this video [link], I cringed and asked myself, "This guy was the Chief of Army of Singapore? How did he lead? By asking soldiers to raise their hands?"

When "General" had to stage-manage uncles and aunties [Link] with food and transportation to support his boss in Ang Mo Kio like a "Runner", it confirmed my suspicion that the whiter-than-white was at their old trick of "buying and fixing".

Now I hear that the Acting Minister telling his audience in a dialogue session about bloggers, "No point complaining that it’s dominated by the lunatic fringe and we leave it as such. If you have a point of view, go forth and do something." [Link]

Well, well, well. . . There are those who "Kee Chiu" (raise hands). . . And there are those who are "Seow" (crazy). Sticks and stones may break my bones but I guess words will not hurt bloggers in the "lunatic fringe". As much as I blog to get the elephant off my chest, I must admit that blogging with a point of view that is contrary to 'papspeak' (that's a dime a dozen in msm) helps me stay sane and keeps me away from Alzheimer's!

To add insult to injury, the General said in his monologue at the dialogue, "Small problems or big problems, we always ask: What is the Government doing? There is a certain mentality (that makes me) worry. We can do much more to take charge of the destiny of our life than to ask, what is Government doing?". Aha, so for a start, shall we take charge of our destiny by having a demo (Egypt style, anyone?) to have our CPF back to where it belongs - the people?

Mothers of mothers of Generals, there is indeed a certain mentality that makes me (a "lunatic"?) worry. With all the tea parties, interviews and fine-toothed comb scrutiny in selecting 'whitest of white cream', how on earth did this guy get to be a Minister in the Singapore Givenment? In terms of humility, sincerity, connectedness and EQ, from 1 to 10 (1 being the worst and 10 being the best score), in my personal perception, Nicole Seah would have scored 9 and the arrogant General scored 2!

If this is a member of the "new leadership" that PM Lee has faith in to lead Singaporeans as "servants and not masters" [Link], then we are screwed. Big time! If idiots believe that alternative views are nothing more than "throwing stones" at PAP, very soon, 60% would become 40% and vice versa!

Apart from power corrupts, power also breeds hubris. Give a poor boy some power for a few years and he may just lord all over you! I know it takes time to change the essence of a man. However, if he cannot change in time, it may be time for "kee chiu"general to "lo tai".

It is such a waste that while the PM is learning and urging his subordinates to be less arrogant and more "human" [Link], some still continue to "kee chiu" to lord over the people!

"lo tai" English equivalent of Hokkien = "come down from stage"

I know it's safer for bloggers to throw stones [Link] and educate the ivory-tower-elites than to do an 'Egypt' that kills and maims.

feedmetothefish

Kee Chiu For Wife and Kids!

2011-06-27T00:50:00.006+08:00

The following is written for those who can read Hokkien in English. It is tongue-in-cheek and I hope the translation lives up to the standard. If not, "I don't know what to say" stomp . . . stomp . . . stomp . . . [Link]

“Singaporeans should not wait till ‘all the stars are aligned’, such as owning an HDB flat or a car, before they get married. This is because it is impossible to have the perfect conditions for getting married or having a child.” [Link]

But is it possible to have the perfect condition to be an MP through the back door and have instant promotion to the position of an Acting Minister?

Is this the way to highlight one's bragging rights as a new acting minister? For one who claimed to be from a humble background, such insensitivity leaves much to be desired.

It impels me to kee chiu and ask,

"Sir, lu kong simi lancheow?

Bo lui, how to chua bor?

Bo chu, how to siopu?

Bo siopu, how to see kiah?

Kong mien lui.

Chui kong, lu lumpar song, sibo?"

Hokkien Peng (soldier) Translation to English:

"Sir, what cock you talking?

No money how to marry wife?

No house, how to have sex?

No sex, how to have child?

Talk is cheap.

Mouth talk, your balls feel good, izzit?"

Maybe time has changed. Can we have cheap tents put up at Changi Beach and Sembawang Park and allow married campers to live and procreate at such romantic "all the stars are aligned" surroundings [Link] instead of boring yet expensive HDB flats?

So, kee chiu! Go forth and multiply . . . [Link]

feedmetothefish

It's Uncool to Act Cool on Cooling Off Day!

2011-06-24T21:46:00.007+08:00

I'm referring to the Kate Spade Special! The Salah Peilin's warming up on Cooling Off Day! The [Link] here shows Nicole Seah's interview with reporters after her complaint to the Election Dept and the [Link] here tells about the police report lodged by Kimberly Chan and the response from SPF so far.

Some bright spark came out with the idea of Cooling Off Day so that everyone can chill on the eve of Polling Day. So that they can vote wisely for 1st World Parliament? With the majority that they have they, suka suka, make that Law. Now we are awaiting to see if they are making a joke of that chilling Law. So far, it has been rather amusing! It is ridiculously funny when:

The Election Dept is not interested in dealing with Nicole's complaint unless an official police report is lodged. This "Bo Chap" attitude speaks volumes of the "Can makan, makan lah" attitude of supposedly responsible guardians of law, justice, integrity and election foreplay. Can we expect fairplay when the Dept reports to a PAP PM?
It gets hilarious when there is still 'no picture, no sound' from the Singapore Police Force.

As mentioned by Nicole in the video, would it be handled differently if the alleged law-breaker was an opposition member? When complaint was made against James Gomes in 2006, the whole machinery - the PAP, the police, election dept, the main stream media - went into a frenzy, behaving like a lynching mob! Read this insightful 2006 Rockson's post It'll tickle you pink!

Well, I guess they have different strokes for different folks! Some are treated with indifference while others (the well connected) are treated with deference!

Well, with the new media, the good old strategy of just "STFU and hope they forget" will not work anymore. Singaporeans with 'free spirit' without 'groupthink' will continue to do what is right to seek 'justice, equality and progress for our nation'.

So you can . . .

Count on me Singapore

Count on me to give my best and more

Together Singapore Singapore . . .

Must watch this nationalistic song [Link]

Lagi must watch this Sylvia Lim Interview [Link]

Have a good weekend!

feedmetothefish

$$$$, DBSS or DUMBASS?

2011-06-22T23:28:00.006+08:00

I'm dazed. So when is public housing public housing?

Is there a difference between public and private housing? I would have thought public housing means selling or renting of houses (flats) by the government and/or their agencies to the average guy and his family at a reasonable/affordable price. So is $880.000.00 for a 99-lease 5-room 110sqm HDB flat reasonable/affordable?

Or is it plain profiteering? It's daylight robbery if we compare this to the $200,000.00 (same 110sqm 5-room) Sembawang/Sengkang/Punggol flats offered 7 years ago!

So the guy who recommended us to get sick and die in JB is asking Singaporeans not to buy those DumBaSS flats if it is beyond their means. In so doing, he has pressured the DumBaSS developer to reduce the selling price [Link]. Bravo! But at $685,000.00 (the cheapest of the 5-room offered), is it what Public Housing is about?

Well, it's all about money, money and money! The material and money culture in Singapore is turning into a monster! Or is it becoming an earthquake or a tsunami? Will it kill many as in a disastrous nuclear leak? Have we reached a stage where we "Kwa tio sen, chiu pai. Kwa tio ter, chiu tai!" (translate: See gods (any god), pray. See pigs, slaughter!" Have we become a people where making money (GDP?) is the sole reason of our being? Well, with the horrendous example set by the PAP ministers obscenely enriching themselves with millions of dollars in their salary, how can we blame the DumBaSS developer for not lining their pockets with as much as they can? Monkey see, monkey do! Looks like everyone who can should make excessive profits from the 'ikan bilis'. If they complain, just reduce the price or get Gerard Ee in another newfangled Committee to bravely adjust and justify!

Do we have to take advantage of the less endowed, the less fortunate and milk them dry to enrich and empower ourselves? Can we be a little better than being the "big fish that eats the small fish that eats the ikan bilis"?

It may be universally accepted that it sucks to be poor! However, it gets worse when you are trampled, manipulated and treated like pigs by the the ones (the gahmen) who are supposed to take care of you! The CPF and the HDB has been trumpeted since time immemorial as PAP's greatest gifts to Singaporeans in housing and retirement. But the truth is: We are screwed! Prices of HDB flats are sky rocketing and CPF is simply 'untouchable'! Any which way but lose. . . That's how PAP plays it. Damned, we are the losers! Can you imagine the audacity they have to call us 'daft' when we question the immorality of their obscene pay? And asked us to 'repent' when we voted for a 1st world parliament?

Lest I be accused of being a negative crybaby and always bitching about PAP, I wish you to know that I'm on top of the world celebrating the 12th anniversary of (only 3 out of 100 survived a cardiac arrest on the road) my revival ;)

Having been there and done that (knocked on Heaven's door with heart attack & ventricular fibrillation), I'm just so pleased to know that a Beggar can be happier than a Prince. There are those who forgot to die (thanks Sister Theresa Tsu) [Youtube Link 1 of 5 ] and those who refuse to.

I'm grateful to Sister Theresa who taught me that being poor doesn't necessarily sucks if you're in the 'flow'! It's all in the mind! Below is a happy picture Theresa Tsu, a "beggar who forgot to die".

The size of the pictures below does not denote how great they are. It is the facial expressions that say it all! The 'cunningly calculative', the 'truly happy' and the 'arrogantly atas'

feedmetothefish

Is 'Sorry' The New PAP Buzzword?

2011-06-11T23:22:00.003+08:00

"Love means never having to say you are sorry." That's just a story, a "Love Story". [Link]

To really repent and say "sorry" to a nation for past sins [Link] takes courage and sincerity. But it would stink to high heavens if it was just a ploy to buy votes and fix opposition. [Link]

Now we have the Health Minister, Gan Kim Yong "apologise to the family who have seen their mother subjected to the treatment at Nightingale Nursing Home" [Link]

The whole incident takes a new twist when "Mr Toh also described the slap as a "gesture of affection between friends" after having stayed at the home for four years, reported the Straits Times." [Link].

This incident aside, is 'sorry' the new mantra of PAP? Whatever the hype, 'sorry' or any other buzzword doesn't mean squat if it doesn't come from the heart, if it is not sincere. Or are some powerful elites demeaning the word, 'sorry'? It'll be a sad day when "sorry means never having to say you are sorry but say sorry because your boss said so"!

Straits Times was aware of this incident way before the Polling Day of May 7 but it was never reported. In the same vein, will the result of Commercial Affairs Department's (CAD) investigation of Kong Hee of City Harvest Church come to light after election too?

Till we know, we'll never know.

feedmetothefish

Does 40% Count?

2011-06-06T00:25:00.006+08:00

I cringed when the PM said sorry. I felt I was in Twilight Zone when he put the blame on his MPs instead of PAP grassroots leaders for their arrogance and ignorance [Link]. I had vertigo when he announced a committee to review ministers' salary!

I was amazed that Transport Mintster Lui took bus and MRT to prove that he deserve his millions. I was shocked that Vivian was at the flood drowning site [Link] and Tanglin Mall when it flooded yesterday [Link].

Are these for real? Or is this another way to "fix and buy"? [Link]

While they are at it, I strongly suggest that they pay attention to CPF. Many Singaporeans are pissed with CPF's management riding roughshod over its members. I trusted them but when I celebrated my 55th birthday, I realized that I've been screwed big time. Until then, I did not know that CPF have shifted the goalposts so many times to prevent me from getting my hard earned savings. In fact, they have made the "goalposts smaller that the ball"!

I know "You Can't Touch This" but brudder, it's time to "Set Me Free Why Don't You Babe? Get Out Of My Life Why Don't You Babe?

Who give them the right to delay our CPF withdrawal?
Who give them the right to increase the minimum sum?
Who give them the right to increase Medisave?
Who give them the right to charge an admin fee for use of Medisave?
Who give them the right to start the CPF Life Annuity?
When a Singaporean dies, will the nominee get the balance of the deceased's CPF balance in cash or will it be credited to nominee/s CPF?

Just who give them the right to come up with all those weird (I have lost count) schemes (Medisave, Minimum Sum, Annuity, etc.) to leech on to our money, to mess with our old age, our dignity?

I have been told by friends and relatives to lay off. To take a break from 'agitating' and 'antagonizing' the power that is. They say it would do me no good to be picked up by ISD as "there is no broadband in prison" and better not to "kowpeh" [Link].

Then again, if we just keep quiet and not have the courage to speak , write or blog, what's going to happen to our future? Who is going to help build a democratic society based on justice and equality? Who is going to make the millionaire mintsters work for their money? To wade through floods on Sunday morning and smell some sweaty armpits in MRT and buses during peak hours.

Does 40% votes that went against the PAP (Proud Arrogant Party) wake up their bloody ideas and not take us for granted?

I hope so.

feedmetothefish

Another reminder to Proud Arrogant Party MPs!

2011-05-28T14:30:00.005+08:00

Proud Arrogant Party MP's are reminded again by their Boss of the do's and dont's. [Link]

Maybe the PM should also remind MPs that being late when invited as guest of honour in community events is disgusting!

I attended a health/fitness event at VivoCity last year. The guest of honour, a Mayor was 45 minutes late to declare the ceremony opened. When he finally arrived, a gentleman beside me said, "Bloody hell, big-shot come so late and the stupid MC still want us to stand up, clap and welcome him. Screw him lah!" I seconded his emotion because the GOH was so "atas" that he did not even offer a reason, or an excuse or an apology for being so late.

Maybe being PAP, proud arrogant people, they know no wrong! And do no wrong! They wait for no one but expect everyone to wait for them. The worst part is they don't give a damn that the scheduled programme went haywire because of their being late. And they never apologise! I love the way MCs play their part when tardy GOHs turn up for community events late, very late.

Apart from being late, it'll be nice if PAP MPs can be less plastic? If you don't have time for me, please don't pretend. Please don't force smile, shake my hand and move on before I can even say hello. If you think my status is too inferior for you to engage, please don't even bother to smile and extend your hand.

Sincerity. Sincerity to serve? The word "serve" has become meaningless in Singapore the day ministers paid themselves millions! I believe each of us has sincere qualities within us. However the application of sincerity is what matters. Ever see the change of a smiling face to one that says, "Boy, I'm glad it's over. Job done!" impatient face? You know what I mean;)

I was hopeful that the Proud Arrogant Party has learned some humility when PM announced the formation of a committee to review ministerial salary. But having thought through, the orgasm some may have over the transparency of political salary may be another sham. If there was sincerity in reducing ministers' pay, why not just bite the bullet, make the decision and just cut it! Why hide behind the skirt of Gerard Ee & Co. Why was there no Salary Review Committee when king's ransom were paid to ministers? Salary Review Committee. Why now, not then?

Happy weekend!

feedmetothefish

I'm grateful to all who voted for Singapore!

2011-05-21T23:28:00.011+08:00

As much as I have been vocal and resentful of the arrogance of PAP leaders, especially that of Lee Kuan Yew, I have to give credit where credit is due. From the video below, we can see the difference of a man who 'was' and the man who has 'become'.

It's old (as in long, long ago) and it's 52:48 long but you'll be thrilled by the presence of familiar political faces and the hard facts from the man who was! His take on Goh Chok Tong's responsibility in locking up Vincent Cheng and so called 'Marxist Conspirators' and on religion and ISA is worth the time spent watching this video.

Today, we hear from new Education Minister, Heng Swee Keat talking about review of Mintsters' salary. Immediately after, PM Lee announced that a "Salary Review Committee" will be headed by Gerard Ee. If PM Lee is sincere in this project, he should co-op Low Thia Kiang, Chiam See Tong and even Nicole Seah to sit in the committee! Please not a 'wayang committee' filled by a bunch of 'what's-in-it-for-me', ball-less, 'fear-of-MIW' yes-men who are more concerned about their own well-being than that of Singapore!

Times - they are a'changing! As a 60-year-old-born-and-bred Singaporean, I have never been more exhilarated than on the early morning of 8 May 2011. With the 40% of votes going against PAP and the ascension of WP gaining 6 parliamentary seats through GRC in Aljunied and SMC in Hougang, I, my children and my children's children can look forward to a "Singaporeans' Singapore" instead of a repressive "PAP Singapore"!

If not for the brave, 'tak bolen tahan' can't-take- it-anymore 40% who voted for dignity, self respect, democracy and the good of Singapore, those millionaire ministers would still be resting on their laurels and treating us like dafts and kicking spurs on our butts as and when they like.

40% have voted with this message: "All I want to say is that they (PAP) don't really care about us!' [Link] & [Link] As much as we have heard from PAP so far, let's hope there won't be a repeat of 2006's sham of: "Let's Raise GST to help the Poor (Increase Ministers' Salary)".

Is it time for us to see SINCERITY replace ARROGANCE and SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS in PAP? Are we there yet?

The proof of the pudding is in the eating, and if they don't learn now, they never will.

Where have all the flowers gone, long time passing?

Where have all the flowers gone, long time ago?

Where have all the flowers gone?

Young girls have pricked them everyone.

Oh, when will they ever learn?

feedmetothefish

"Beat me, hate me
You can never break me
Will me, thrill me
You can never kill me
chew me, sue me
Everybody do me
Kick me, kike me
Don't you black or white me

All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us

Tell me what has become of my life
I have a wife and two children who love me
I am the victim of police brutality, now
I'm tired of bein' the victim of hate
You're rapin' me of my pride
Oh, for God's sake
I look to heaven to fulfill its prophecy...
Set me free"

Thanks to Michael Jackson

Paptism No More!!!

2011-05-15T00:52:00.010+08:00

So the Millionaire Mentor and the Senior Millionaire figured it's time to go. However, the Prime Millionaire has not decided on their resignations. Well, if Eric Tan has left Workers' Party, I'm not surprised that Lee Kuan Yew and Goh Chok Tong are leaving the cabinet. Anyway, the cabinet is already broken by the careless handling of the hammer in Aljunied!

The reasons for their quitting will be debated to death but I figure:

MM has to go because of his stubborn callousness. His smug reply to Charlie Rose after he said he "stand corrected about the Malay/Muslim community not able to integrate in Singapore society" shows the sincerity of the man. Can a human arrogantly hurt a community, said he "stand corrected" under pressure, then add salt to the wound of the community by asking Charlie Rose, "Go ask the average person if I'm right?". He doesn't need spurs but if he's not harnessed, he is capable of causing a race/religious riot in Singapore!

"Regret and repent"? I think most are "rejoicing" at a broken cabinet without MM and SM!

Another reason he has to leave the cabinet is he has to "kee chiu" to an ex-Army chief.

SM has to go because the relationship between the Prime and the Senior is currently as good as that of Low Thia Khiang and Eric Tan. Furthermore, SM has to babysit Kate Spade Salah Peilin for the next 5 years!

Environmentally we are are getting the haze but isn't it great that since 8 May 2011, we are having a breath of fresh political air at last! The self destruction of the redundant (chobolan) and over-priced MM and SM may just be the beginning of the depaptism of Singapore! Since 1965, we have been brainwashed and paptised by those in white.

With the demise of the positions of MM and SM, (yes, its sheer stupidity to carry on with these despotic costly "bo leow" appointments) I would like to see the depaptism of the following in due course:

NTUC
HDB
CPF
PA & Community Clubs
Residents' Committees (RC) and Citizens Consultative Committees (CCC)
PCF and other educational institutions and schools
GIC and Temasek
All Statutory Boards
All Sports Organisations
Election Department
ISD and
WhateverTheyHaveTheirHandsOn

Sedikit sedikit lama lama jadi bukit! I'm an optimist! The above will be depaptised and become transparent and independent if we the citizens of Singapore push on with our voice and our votes! Don't keep quiet just because the election is over. Keep reciting our pledge daily and feel in our hearts the injustice and inequality the bullies have imposed upon us! Isn't it sad that they got pension while still on the job at 55 while we cannot even encash all our CPF when we are 55!

Question: Apart from the $3mil salary plus 8 months bonus, does the Prime Millionaire also currently receive:
1) Pension of a Prime Minister or a Finance Minister
2) Pension of a Brigadier General?

Actually, with all the explanation given by Teo Chee Hean and the PMO Office by the msm today, would it not be simpler if they just call a spade a spade and let us know the exact millions that PM Lee gets every year!

Or am I being too optimistic?

feedmetothefish

From whence I came? Here I am, Grateful!

2011-05-13T01:35:00.000+08:00

We could have more opposition members in parliament but we have only 6. As far as I'm concerned I am grateful. Grateful for the following reasons:

The way the various oppositions spread themselves out in the various constituencies to fight at every GRC (except Tanjong Pagar) and SMC shows they got their acts right.
The hustings of the opposition parties put the miws on the defensive all the time and the many times PAP (especially MM & SM) shot themselves on the feet show that they have truly lost the ground.
The gay trick by Vivian Balakrishnan shows the kind of a man he is - a flaw in character.
The "regret and repent" will prove to be "jubilant and rejoice" if miw in PAP plays fair.
Young Nicole Seah asking PM Lee: "Who pays your salary, Who pays for upgrading? Who pays for 'Grow and Share?'" Ouch! Too bad PM could not do a "Chee Soon Juan" on Nicole like what Goh Chok Tong did when CSJ asked GCT of the money lent to Suharto. With Singaporeans no longer fearing PAP like dear Nicole Seah, the use of judges to intimidate with charges like defamation and the likes is coming to an end.
The loss of George Yeo and the ascent of "Kate Spade" Salah PeiLing and "Kee Chiu" ex-army Chief as MPs shows the stupidity of GRCs.
The racially blind erection of Michael Palmer as duly elected MP of Punggol East goes to prove that GRCs were created to protect PAP's turf and not to protect the minority.
I'm grateful to see if PAP through Lee Hsien Loong will say what they mean and do what they say. I will have the chance to see if saying "Sorry" was just another trick to buy votes.

Even as we will miss our "Son of Singapore" Mr Chiam See Tong in this coming parliament, I'm grateful to know that he is more loved by Singaporeans for his gentlemanly demeanour, his fortitude, for his love of Singapore and Singaporeans. Without doubt, Mr Chiam has put a political thug, a ruffian leader of Singapore to shame.

Of course, I am grateful, I'm most grateful that I live to see 6 opposition members in Parliament in 2011.

Give me blue

Give me red

Give me orange

Give me yellow

Give me any colour

But tricky white that sucks!

feedmetothefish

Trinity No More?

2011-05-03T14:08:00.003+08:00

It looks like the Father , the Son and the Holey Goh is not working like a Trinity any more.

When SM suggested that ministers serve only 2 terms, PM dismissed it. [Link]

When MM commented that if PAP were to lose Aljunied GRC, it would not be a major setback, PM made it clear that as PAP secretary-general and chief of its election campaign, he held a different view. He said, "Well, I'm running the election, MM is expressing his views. My view is this is an important fight, that's why I put a strong team here, that's why I came to support Ong Ye Kung." ST May 3, 2011.

To have a cranky father throwing spanners at your work is tough. To pay him $3 million (or more?) plus 8 months bonus a year to mess his son's plan is crazy! Or is the old man so full of himself that he must ensure that his son does not outshine him? Who knows? May God has finally answered Singaporeans' prayers?

After the perfidious "Hard Truths" outburst of "Malay/Muslims not integrating", he said later that he "stand corrected". It is so sad that he did not seem to mean it when he spoke to Charlie Rose on March 28, 2011 at the Istana. In that interview, he laughed off saying though his PM son is right in disagreeing with him, he still believes that average person will agree with him that Malays/Muslims cannot integrate. He even challenged Rose to ask the average person. [Link] & [Watch video Link 26:10 onwards]. How incorrigible can one get? Does he wish to stand corrected again?

Meanwhile, Project2011 [Link] has done an awesome series of videos regarding GE2011. Please visit and share.

Thank you.

feedmetothefish

Corruption At it's Best! (Worst!)?

2011-05-02T10:30:00.011+08:00

If you are allergic the the 'f" word, please do not read further.

In my previous blog, I wrote to the Prime Minister addressing him as Prime Millionaire. In it, I shared with him why PAP sucks and for him to take care of his health. On hindsight, I may have wasted my time sharing my thoughts with him. If he read it, he would most likely treat this writer as a daft, complacent, maladjusted old ingrate who do not know how lucky he is to be a Singaporean under PAP! He, like his father, like any rich tricky dick in PAP would simply say, "Look At Our Track Records"!

I saw the Straits Times( 2 May 2011) this morning. It read: "Job creation is what matters most: PM" on the front page with this picture.

I just went PHUI! PHUI!! PHUI!!! I had to get the vomit off my system. Just what heavenly rights does Lee Hsien Loong has to use Singapore's Labour Day Rally to serve his fucking political career!

He and his previous prime ministers came up with tricks like GRCs. They change electoral boundaries and kill electoral constituencies (Cheng San, etc). Lately, Prime Millionaire Lee makes use of our money in "Grow and Share Package" to buy votes for PAP! As peaceful forgiving Singaporeans, we have rolled with all their below-the-belt punches so far.

However, it is wrong; it is unforgivable; it is corrupt to use May Day Rally as a PAP Election Rally. It is just too much!!!!

I'm voicing as a Singapore citizen and I bet all the alternative parties will be asking the Prime Millionaire to explain what he has shamefully done!

MP Lee and his father have proven what Lord Acton (1834-19020) wrote to be true.

"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men"

Like father, like son, shame on both of you!

People of Singapore. If you are reading this, I beg of you to vote for the opposition. With such corrupted misuse of power, we need another voice to represent us, to speak for us. We need real caring MPs to prevent abuses and bullying tactics of the PAP. I'm a 60-year-old fogey but I have children and grandchildren whom I care about and love. If those self-serving pricks in PAP continue down this slippery slope, I fear for their future. You should too.

I do not know whether it is legal for PAP and NTUC to degrade Singapore workers and usurp their Big Day for the benefit of PAP. I just feel it is damn wrong to sell their party to buy votes in a Labour Day Rally. The all white uniform with the lightning badges in the May Day Rally tells us what fucking cheap sleazeballs they are!

PM, Fucking shame on you for degrading the Biggest Day of the workers of Singapore!

feedmetothefish

ps: Please visit here [Link] to compare this kind gentleman to those pricks in power

pps: Please, please visit here [Link] to vote against the PAP with confidence

ppps: "Look At Our Track Records"!

PAP takes care of us Singaporeans by:

Making our lives more miserable today than 5 years ago. Everything from food to transport to housing has become more and more expensive!
Taking away our money through CPF and put it in their pockets to play at their whims and fancies. Eg. Delaying withdrawal age with Minimum Sum Scheme and other scamming schemes so that there's no money to collect at 55.
Keeping the reserves worth billions (actually nobody knows how much) away from us and tell us we are to stupid (God bless Ong Teng Cheong) to understand what our "reserve " is about
Fix the HDB prices until the Millionaire of National Development is now at a loss as to what the real cost of HDB flat is
Telling you that GST was raised to 7% to help the poor when Ministers actually wanted to raise their own pay
Bringing in foreigners to compete with Singaporeans for jobs, housing, space in buses, in trains. Making average Singaporeans' lives more difficult.
Giving Mas Selamat Kasturi a JB holiday through the toilet
Taking $400 million from Singaporeans' collective pockets to have a ball with YOG condoms
Ensuring that the poorest of the poor had an increase of $1 a day (through Public Assistance) so that they can have 3 meals a day in "a hawker centre, food court or restaurant"
Saying that "Flooding happens only once in 50 years" in Singapore
Telling us we are "daft, complacent and not having spurs stuck in our backs"
Creating racial tension by belittling our Malay/Muslim citizens that they do not know how to integrate in our "Hard Truths"society
Continuing to invite trouble by harping that Singapore is a "prized trophy" for "terrorists"
Allowing vice like huge gambling dens to mushroom in Singapore and camouflage them as "integrated resorts" leading to more social problems
Changing "May Day" to "PAP Day"

Honestly, PAP's track records show that we have been abused, bullied and fixed up real good. Sorry PAP dudes, don't tell me about the pride of the red passports or the safe environment or the nice parks and other stuffs you wish to gloat about. Dudes, if you are paid the best, you fucking well deliver the best. Anything less than perfect, you are fucked! That's the price you pay for being fucking greedy. That's the price you pay for making a mockery of national service. That's the fucking price you pay for making a joke of all the NSMen who sacrifice their time and lives for Singapore.

Shame on you!

Dear Prime Millionaire (Pt 2)

2011-05-01T12:24:00.006+08:00

Dude,

Have you and your A-Team lost the plot in this GE?

Your SM (Senior Millionaire) said that Millionaire (Minister) should not serve more than two terms. You responded by disagreeing with him. [Link]
Millionaire Lim Swee Say said he may want to quit after another term in office. You replied by saying that you're "The Man" to decide, not him [Link] and [Link]
You guys got too hung up and hot and bothered by Worker's Party's "1st World Parliament" and "Co-Driver"
Your Trade and Industry Millionaire did not sit too well with SDP's Tan Jee Say's economic proposal and of course, candidates like NSP's Nicole Seah and SPP's Benjamin Pwee were well beyond PAP's expectation.
Your YOG Millionaire's tricky insinuation on damned subject like "gay agenda" and "paedophile" is a sore point with decent SIngaporeans
PAP's suicide mission of putting Michael Palmer on SMC at Punggol East
Knocking off Steve Tan and replacing him with 'TioBehPio' Chia Shi-Lu
Getting caught ferrying aunties and uncles to make your PAP rallies look good
and, last but not least
Letting the old man out to mess up the chances of your candidates may be the death knell of PAP! Unless you leash him up, he'll make you lose more votes than the 2006 James Gomez booboo. By insulting the electorate, especially the young, he's not doing you and your party any good.

The Sunday Times has nothing but the Millionaire Mentor on its front page today. If the PAP newsletter ST and your election strategist knew better, they should not flog this old horse to death!

Statements (below) uttered ad nauseam by the old horse and appeared again in Sunday Times today are alienating the electorate so much that whatever respect he gained in the 60's and 70's is attracting the middle finger now!

"Where is Low Thia Khiang Shadow Cabinet?"
"The trouble is young Singaporeans don't know the past"
"It is a footloose generation that has not experienced the past . . ."
"Let's have no hypocrisy about this: Every political party sets out to win, and win a majority - and they are setting out from a single seat constituency to a GRC, and to expand to more GRCs and to take over."

Bro, if a political party like WP is not campaigning to win then, what on earth is it all about? For heaven's sake, where was the Mentor's shadow cabinet in 1959?

For your dad to think of Singaporeans as "daft" and stupid is his prerogative but to talk stupid like he does is detrimental to your career, your party and worst of all, your health! Stress, bro, stress. It's a pity that your mum is not here to hold him back.

Though rumour has it that you slapped Dhanabalan [Link] and [link] which led to the resignation of Richard Hu, Tony Tan and Dhana, I do not think you are as mean as the old man. As far as we know, you have yet to lock up your political opponents through ISD.

I'm writing not because I want PAP to win more votes. In fact, I wish for PAP to lose so that

Singapore can be a better place to live with decency and democracy
Singaporean can stop being "digits" but be human again
Singaporeans can have a 'life' instead of working 12 to 16 hours day to make a 'living'
Singaporeans will not be Kiasi, Kiasu and KiaChengHu
PAP Millionaires and their cronies will be humbled and learn that they can't win and have their ways all the time
Singaporeans can have affordable housing
Singaporeans can have decent jobs with decent wages and decent spaces
Our National Pledge is a pledge that we truly live not a masak masak aspiration
That pork barrel goodies like Grow and Share are not used in votes buying
We get nearer to our CPF, GIC and Temasek money and understand our reserves better.

I'm writing also because it's embarrassing to see a frail old man making a fool of himself calling young Singaporeans 'footloose'. For your dad's information, majority of the younger generation in Singapore are committed and responsible sons and daughters who cares about their country and their loved ones. Unlike your son who moves from one university/country as and when he feels like it and still not decided on what career to take up, other young adults have to slog to take care of themselves and their families. So please, have some respect for the less endowed! Unlike your super duper wealthy family background, most young adults are too poor to be footloose and fancy free!

The way MM went on the "Hard Truths" about the Malays was most dangerous. Like me, I'm sure you are aware that irresponsible utterances like, "Malays do not integrate" could lead to riots that we experienced in the 60's.

So please, jaga diri, jaga bapak kau!

Take care of your self, take care of your dad.

No point in winning a political battle and losing your health.

Sharing and learning to let go is not a sin.

feedmetothefish

Punggol East SMC- A Test of GRC

2011-04-30T13:39:00.002+08:00

The candidates for Punggol East SMC (Single Member Constituency) are:

Mr Michael Palmer of PAP
Lee Li Lian of Workers' Party
Desmond Lim, Secretary General Singapore Democratic Alliance

So why did PAP throw Michael Palmer to contest in a SMC?

Is Michael Palmer used as a sacrificial lamb to prove PAP's claim that GRC (Group Representative Constituency) was created by PAP to protect minority rights and representation?

If PAP's claim that Singaporeans vote only those of their own race is true, Palmer would definitely lose in Punggol East due to the distribution of races there.

Of course, Singaporeans know better. History shows that David Marshall, J B Jeyaratnam, Othman Wok, S Rajaratnam and E W Barker were voted in without the help of GRCs.

Whatever the outcome on 7 May, the result will show either:

If Palmer Wins: Reason for GRC to protect the minority races or fear of racist voting by citizens is nothing but a scam to protect PAP's interests [Link]

If Palmer Loses: Hallelujah! PAP loses one seat but proves that Singaporeans do vote on racial line.

Interesting!

feedmetothefish

Dear Millionaire Mentor (Pt 2)

2011-04-29T23:40:00.009+08:00

Dear Millionaire Mentor,

You have walked over Tanjong Pagar GRC's residents without a fight (especially for your toto winner Dr Chia Shi Lu who 'tio behpio' without even putting up an ante) and now you are helping your 'bo beh chow' National Development Millionaire Mah and his team in Tampines GRC. [Link].

I guess you are fearful that the demise of NSP's David, Goh Meng Seng's brother, who died of heart attack while helping the NSP's team in Tampines may win sympathy votes for NSP. Your presence at Tampines do not come as a surprise and we expect you to be Aljunied GRC soon to provide support fire to the Millionaire of Foreign Affairs.

Dear George has the "gloss and panache" to look good on TV but I'm sure you'll do your best to add on his credibility and scare the shit out of Aljunied GRC's voters by saying, "Oh, look at the awesome track records of George Yeo. He is our Foreign Minister. How can we lose him? He even understood and had good words for the deplorable behaviour of his actor friend Jack Neo when Jack was messing with his female employee. You want to lose a guy like that?"

Well, for the future of my children and my grandchildren, George and his team must be voted out for they are getting soft and did not deliver what they promised in 2006. To date, they just cannot match the sincerity and the fortitude shown by Low Thia Kiang, Sylvia Lim, Chen Show Mao, Pritam Singh and Muhamad Faizal bin Abdul Manap. It's time for the hubris and overlording of the PAP millionaires to be humbled!

It's a crying shame that you have to defend and explain the weaknesses of your candidates who can't speak like a lady or gentleman in public. Hey, I thought you so often said that PAP has only the best of the best! Isn't that the reason why they are paid the best in millions of dollars? So that my 'daft' mother, my 'complacent' wife, my 'spurs got stuck on their backs' daughters and granddaughters do not have to work as maids in other countries? Now you tell us that it's alright if your crony mintsters and MPs lack the 'gloss and panache' when appearing on TV? Hey, we are not complaining, we just switch off the TV when our skin crawls with the sight of your ex-Chief of Army and MP Wannabe Chan Chun Sing. He really hurts his audience with his oratory skills and 'howlian' body language. What happens to guys with "gloss and panache" like Winston Choo?

Sir (in respect of your age, not your deeds), you are sinking into a quaqmire when you keep harping of the track records of political candidates. For heaven's sake, there's just no political track record of newbies, PAP's or opposition's. Apart from Chiam See Tong , Low Thia Kiang and Sylvia Lim of the opposition, what freaking track record of politicians are you talking about? Sir, are Singaporeans daft or are you?

I know you are hurting bad with the progress of PAP so far due to:

MCYS Millionaire's hurtful insinuation of paedophile and gayness of SDP's member
Millionaire of National Development running out of excuses for the unaffordable HDB flats for Singaporeans
Transport Millionaire's inability to explain the high transportation costs and the over-crowded roads, trains and buses.
Tan Jee Say's revelation of Cabinet meetings of Millionaires (ministers) drinking coffee while listening to the dialogue of the Father and the Son or monologue of One. (Oh please, don't do a Tang Liang Hong on him like charging him with Official Secrets Act or whatever that's convenient to shut him up.) [Link]

Just look at this painful [Link] and howlian face [Link] Compared with this enlightening [Link], you'd realised that Time, they are a'changing. For the better. Not for PAP but for SINGAPORE. With your tea invitation and your many rounds of fine-tooth comb scrutiny, how did this dude and Steve Tan make it?

I light the candle above for the sad demise of Mr David Goh. "He led the entire machinery of our campaign in Tampines GRC”, says Mr Goh Meng Seng. “The stress of the campaign trail killed him. But I don’t want the demise of my brother to side-track NSP from our mission in this GE. My brother’s last wish was also that the fight should go on”, he adds. [Link]

I also like this candle below for the demise of FEAR of Singaporeans of you and your PAP!

In the words of Nicole Seah, "We are not scared anymore and we will not be afraid! [Link]

To everything, turn, turn, turn

There is a season, turn, turn, turn

A time to live, a time to die

And a time to every purpose under heaven.

Majulah Singapura!

feedmetothefish

The True Singapore Girl

2011-04-29T20:56:00.004+08:00

For complete speech. please visit here [Link]

Dear Miss Nicole Seah,

I am proud of you! So are thousands and thousands of other Singaporeans!

You are a Singaporean girl who did no NS but you have the balls that most NS males and reservists wish they had including I must shamefully admit, myself.

For the courage you possess and the fortitude you've shown at your rally speech, you have indeed put the Prime Millionaire and his stooges to silence! This is what you said,

"PM Lee, whose money are you using for the upgrading?"

"PM Lee, who is paying your salary?"

"PM Lee, who is funding the Grow and Share Package?"

You have shown that there is nothing to fear to stand up for our rights, to stand up against PAP. You have started a wave that will break the heart and spirit of a senile Millionaire Mentor who wants people not to love him, but to fear him. You have shown us "Fear No More, Singaporeans!" Vote NSP, vote any party. Just don't vote the PAP bullies!

It is a shame that Singaporeans have been so brainwashed by the MSM especially Straits Times and Channel News Asia that most have been confused and do not know the difference between the government and PAP. It is worse so when PAP thinks of itself as the "forever government" of Singapore! The audacity of the Prime Millionaire and his "stooges" who so often talk of "freak election result" and their "succession plans of next prime minister and leaders" takes for granted that they will win at every election. It is time to show them that it's time for them to be humbled by true leaders who are in politics not for money but for the love of their country and fellow citizens! Definitely not a Kate Spade or Sarah Peilin!

Thank you for reminding the PAP bullies that Singapore's reserves is not theirs to play with but rightly belong to Singaporeans. Thank you too for telling them that their promises of 2006 were nothing more than tricks to buy the votes!

As an elderly Singaporean who has daughters around your age, I'm sure your loving parents will be most proud of you for telling it like it is, as it should be! I can also understand their concern for your safety and your future. With the perpetual tricks up the sleeves of PAP, I pray (I'm sure many others do too) that the filthily powerful do not do a Tang Liang Hong on you.

The campaign trail is a tiring and taxing journey and with the weather as it is, please take care of your health, especially your throat. We need your voice of truth to tell everybody of

the contempt the PAP Millionaires have for us
the way they ride roughshod over us
the way they bully and cheated us of our CPF by changing the withdrawal age as and when they like
the way they treat us as if we are "daft" as described by the Millionaire Mentor

You have thrilled thousands and thousands of Singaporeans for causing PAPies especially the Senior Millionaire to lose sleep over you! Please stay cool and keep up the good work! I thank you from the bottom of my damaged heart for speaking out for me and my fellow Singaporeans.

We are so proud of you as the True Singapore Girl.

We pray for your safety and well being and hope those tricky dicks will not do anything to hurt or harm you in any way.

God bless.

Sincerely,

feedmetothefish

Dear Prime Millionaire

2011-04-28T23:17:00.004+08:00

Dear Prime Millionaire,

In running down your opponents, with your million dollar smile, you ridiculed them by "making the point that opposition candidates are often announced at the last minute." Now isn't it orgasmic that your "Dr Chia Shi-Lu went from not being on PAP's General Election slate to an overnight MP in Tanjong Pagar GRC." He wasn't announced at the last minute. Hell, he wasn't even announced at all! The picture of the derogatory smile on your face and that of WKS while making the statement is . . . priceless!

Chua Lee Hoong reported on Page A7 of ST on 28 April 2011, "Mr Lee made it clear that voters in wards won by opposition could not expect to constituency improvement plans promised by PAP candidates."

Just when will you stop fixing and buying? In your last husting in 2006, you openly declared that any more than 2 opposition members in parliament would lead you to fixing the opposition and buying votes [Link]. If my memory doesn't fail me, the next day, your press secretary immediately controlled the damage by announcing that you retract that stupid statement.

Boo to you PrimeMillionaire, a leopard can never change its spots! In your insidious way, you are still at it. Your Health Millionaire announced recently [Link] that $500 million will be spent to upgrade Sembawang GRC. So what you are saying is residents in Sembawang GRC are entitled to this upgrade only if Millionaire Khaw and his team retain their seats in parliament If this is not vote buying in the worst pork barrel sense, I don't know what is! You are using taxpayers' money to hold us ransom to vote for you. Deplorable! Don't you tricky dicks have any sense of fair play? Shame on you!

I totally agree with you that Singaporeans had better vote wisely. Vote to secure a safe future for our children and grandchildren. Vote responsible leaders. Do not vote for useless riff raffs. Vote for representatives that serve us and not lord over us!

I thank you for your reminder. With the performance of your A Team thus far, we are taking your advice. Vote anyone but PAP!

Btw, opposition members are not freaks! If they win more than 2 seats, it not a freak election result. Do not be so arrogant as to think that only the freaking pappies know how to govern. It is such a shame that even professors and well educated idiots think that if PAP loses, the result is freak! Freaking English, do they need a dictionary or is it another brain washing trick?

Some say that good political fortune cannot last more three generations. Not even with the son, the father and the holey Goh. The truth may come to pass in this General Election.

feedmetothefish