In the United Kingdom of land size 244,110 sq km [1], there are currently 646 elected Members of Parliament, corresponding to approximately one for every 68,000 electors [2]. Of which the governing Labour Party has 350 MPs [3]. Out of this, 126 Labour MPs are in the executive branch of government[4]. This works out to be 36% of all Labour MPs are office holders.
In Singapore of land size 693 sq km [5], there are currently 84 elected Members of Parliament, corresponding to approximately one for every 30,000 electors [6]. Of which the governing People’s Action Party has 82 MPs [7]. Out of this, 39 PAP MPs are in the executive branch of government[8]. This works out to be 47.5% of all PAP MPs are office holders!
Friday, March 27, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
A Teochew Encounter
Yesterday I attended my clan association (Nanyang Pho Leng Hui Kuan)’s AGM. This is the clan association which I have fond memories. During my childhood days, my late father who was its’ committee member, often brought me there for clan-related activities, including story telling competitions where I had my first mandarin public speaking experience at the age of 7 years old. Well, I was literally shivering non-stop then ;)
As such I have been a member of the clan association for some years, but yesterday was the first time I attended its AGM. It was an ‘ear-opener’ for me, because it was the first time that I attended a meeting conducted entirely in Teochew. Not mere Teochew but a distinctive branch of Teochew that originated from the Pho Leng district, in China’s Guangdong Province.
Although I can comprehend simple Teochew, however I grew up with my maternal relatives who are of Heng Hwa origin, a distinctive branch of Hokkien, in China’s Fujian province. Explaining why my mastery of Teochew is anything but good.
The above were the circumstances when a rather hilarious incident occurred. Prior to the AGM itself, I was requested by members of the clan association to assume the duties of its auditor, to do bi-monthly audits on the accounts of Nanyang Pho Leng Hui Kuan’s Welfare Committee which I accepted.
In the course of the AGM proceedings, one of the committee members announced to my fellow clan men about my nomination for the said appointment. However for a couple of seconds, I wasn’t quite sure if the pronounced name ‘Lau Him Leng’ was actually in direct reference for me to stand up, until the same committee member hand-signaled to me to do so!
It was actually a rather embarrassing moment. Subsequently another clan man explained to me about the background of Pho Leng Teochew pronunciations in regard to my name. He smiled, encouraged me and said that soon I will get used to it.
Although the AGM went on without any further teochew language incident, but the hilarious incident reminded me of the comments made recently by Mr Chee Hong Tat, Principal Private Secretary to Minister Mentor Lee that it is foolish to advocate the learning of dialects. He said, ‘It would be stupid for any Singapore agency of NTU to advocate the learning of dialects, which must be at the expense of English and Mandarin’
After experiencing what I experienced, I strongly beg to differ with Mr Chee’s harsh assessments. In this respect, I fully concurred with the views of Deng Chao, who in his excellent article ‘A response to MM Lee’s Private Secretary on Dialects’ concluded that ‘Ignorance and bigotry are foolishness. Recognition of the heritage of our forefathers, and respect for diversity of our nation are not.’
Links:
A response to MM Lee’s Private Secretary on Dialects (TOC, 7th March 2009)
Foolish to advocate the learning of dialects (ST, 7th March 2009)
As such I have been a member of the clan association for some years, but yesterday was the first time I attended its AGM. It was an ‘ear-opener’ for me, because it was the first time that I attended a meeting conducted entirely in Teochew. Not mere Teochew but a distinctive branch of Teochew that originated from the Pho Leng district, in China’s Guangdong Province.
Although I can comprehend simple Teochew, however I grew up with my maternal relatives who are of Heng Hwa origin, a distinctive branch of Hokkien, in China’s Fujian province. Explaining why my mastery of Teochew is anything but good.
The above were the circumstances when a rather hilarious incident occurred. Prior to the AGM itself, I was requested by members of the clan association to assume the duties of its auditor, to do bi-monthly audits on the accounts of Nanyang Pho Leng Hui Kuan’s Welfare Committee which I accepted.
In the course of the AGM proceedings, one of the committee members announced to my fellow clan men about my nomination for the said appointment. However for a couple of seconds, I wasn’t quite sure if the pronounced name ‘Lau Him Leng’ was actually in direct reference for me to stand up, until the same committee member hand-signaled to me to do so!
It was actually a rather embarrassing moment. Subsequently another clan man explained to me about the background of Pho Leng Teochew pronunciations in regard to my name. He smiled, encouraged me and said that soon I will get used to it.
Although the AGM went on without any further teochew language incident, but the hilarious incident reminded me of the comments made recently by Mr Chee Hong Tat, Principal Private Secretary to Minister Mentor Lee that it is foolish to advocate the learning of dialects. He said, ‘It would be stupid for any Singapore agency of NTU to advocate the learning of dialects, which must be at the expense of English and Mandarin’
After experiencing what I experienced, I strongly beg to differ with Mr Chee’s harsh assessments. In this respect, I fully concurred with the views of Deng Chao, who in his excellent article ‘A response to MM Lee’s Private Secretary on Dialects’ concluded that ‘Ignorance and bigotry are foolishness. Recognition of the heritage of our forefathers, and respect for diversity of our nation are not.’
Links:
A response to MM Lee’s Private Secretary on Dialects (TOC, 7th March 2009)
Foolish to advocate the learning of dialects (ST, 7th March 2009)
Thursday, March 19, 2009
An Orchid by Any Other Name
I refer to the article ‘Thein Sein gets an orchid’ (TODAY, 19th March 2009)
When I first read from the TOC (The Online Citizen) that the visiting Myanmar PM will get a new orchid strain named after him, instantaneously I felt rather uncomfortable.
This is because I was trying to reconcile between two viewpoints: Firstly, Singapore should uphold diplomatic necessities in administering formal protocols to a head of state. Secondly, Singapore should not bestow such honour in the first place to a dictator whose military junta committed horrendous acts of oppression against its own people.
Originally, I thought it should be still 'alright', since it is merely to give an unknown orchid a name. BUT when I read from the TODAY’s article that previous foreign dignitaries with orchids named after them include former South African President Nelson Mandela. The implications behind such an honour bestowed upon Thein Sein simply caused my blood to boil.
Especially so when recipients bestowed upon such honours will be equated to a symbolic rung alongside Nelson Mandela. This is simply not right. Dictator Thein Sein characterizes the very oppression which Nelson Mandela spent decades in confinement cell resiliently opposing to.
Disappointedly, our MOFA itinerary team overseeing foreign dignitaries’ visits should have thought of this irony and not had given Thein Sein such honour in the first place.
I am of the view that, the said orchid ought to be given a re-name. This orchid by any other appropriate name should be so much more tasteful than its current one.
News Link:
Thein Sein gets an orchid (TODAY, 19th March 2009)
When I first read from the TOC (The Online Citizen) that the visiting Myanmar PM will get a new orchid strain named after him, instantaneously I felt rather uncomfortable.
This is because I was trying to reconcile between two viewpoints: Firstly, Singapore should uphold diplomatic necessities in administering formal protocols to a head of state. Secondly, Singapore should not bestow such honour in the first place to a dictator whose military junta committed horrendous acts of oppression against its own people.
Originally, I thought it should be still 'alright', since it is merely to give an unknown orchid a name. BUT when I read from the TODAY’s article that previous foreign dignitaries with orchids named after them include former South African President Nelson Mandela. The implications behind such an honour bestowed upon Thein Sein simply caused my blood to boil.
Especially so when recipients bestowed upon such honours will be equated to a symbolic rung alongside Nelson Mandela. This is simply not right. Dictator Thein Sein characterizes the very oppression which Nelson Mandela spent decades in confinement cell resiliently opposing to.
Disappointedly, our MOFA itinerary team overseeing foreign dignitaries’ visits should have thought of this irony and not had given Thein Sein such honour in the first place.
I am of the view that, the said orchid ought to be given a re-name. This orchid by any other appropriate name should be so much more tasteful than its current one.
News Link:
Thein Sein gets an orchid (TODAY, 19th March 2009)
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Taking It Easy
I refer to the articles ‘Opposition parties start getting ready to do battle’, ‘Opposition plans battle formation’ & ‘Electoral boundary changes: Chatter on the ground’ (ST, Insight 14th March 2009)
It is always very interesting to read how the ST political desk does its analysis. For it is never easy to be a political desk journalist in the context of Singapore, trying to de-code the numerous insights from ‘parties insiders’ & ‘sources close to the parties’ type of information. Naturally, it can be fun to read the ST political desk’s insights.
Hence after reading ST's articles today, I made a morning call to Desmond Lim, the Secretary General of Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA). Being friends for over a decade, we were nonchalant about ST reporting that ‘both the SDA & the WP are eyeing Pasir-Ris-Punggol GRC’. More importantly, being comrades on the same side of Singapore’s political divide, we are very certain that the eventual outcome on Nomination day will be beneficial to Singapore’s political developmental process.
On the other hand, the perpetuation of ground chatter by a PAP activist from Ang Mo Kio GRC is rather revealing. This person reasoned that ‘Since the PAP did not do well in Aljunied GRC in 2006, the weakest link there could be moved out and put into Ang Mo Kio GRC – which, no matter what, is still much stronger’. This revelation only goes to show that even the PAP rank & file also acknowledged that electoral boundary changes are politically-motivated. Enough said.
Given the increasing number of voters in the northern and north-eastern corridor, I will not be surprised by the creation of one or two new GRCs. In the past, opposition parties were always held mercy by electoral boundary changes. Post GE2001, the WP leadership restarted the cultivation of alternative grassroots networks deep within PAP-held constituencies, especially within the northern, central and eastern quadrant.
Such alternative grassroots networks cultivation work are spear-headed by WP’s area committees (ac), the northern ac, the north-eastern ac, the eastern ac and the central ac. Working quietly and consistently over the last 7 years, WP area committees have been reaching out directly to constituents and recruiting alternative grassroots volunteers along the way.
Therefore, the present WP is no longer overly concerned whether a particular GRC is to be broken up etc. From Anson SMC to Eunos GRC to Cheng San GRC, we have seen it all. Even if all of our previously contested GRCs are to be broken up, so be it.
The WP is taking it easy .
News Links:
Opposition parties start getting ready to do battle (ST, Pg 1, 14th Mar 09)
Opposition plans battle formation (ST, Pg A26, 14th Mar 09)
Electoral boundary changes: Chatter on the ground (ST, Pg A26, 14th Mar 09)
It is always very interesting to read how the ST political desk does its analysis. For it is never easy to be a political desk journalist in the context of Singapore, trying to de-code the numerous insights from ‘parties insiders’ & ‘sources close to the parties’ type of information. Naturally, it can be fun to read the ST political desk’s insights.
Hence after reading ST's articles today, I made a morning call to Desmond Lim, the Secretary General of Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA). Being friends for over a decade, we were nonchalant about ST reporting that ‘both the SDA & the WP are eyeing Pasir-Ris-Punggol GRC’. More importantly, being comrades on the same side of Singapore’s political divide, we are very certain that the eventual outcome on Nomination day will be beneficial to Singapore’s political developmental process.
On the other hand, the perpetuation of ground chatter by a PAP activist from Ang Mo Kio GRC is rather revealing. This person reasoned that ‘Since the PAP did not do well in Aljunied GRC in 2006, the weakest link there could be moved out and put into Ang Mo Kio GRC – which, no matter what, is still much stronger’. This revelation only goes to show that even the PAP rank & file also acknowledged that electoral boundary changes are politically-motivated. Enough said.
Given the increasing number of voters in the northern and north-eastern corridor, I will not be surprised by the creation of one or two new GRCs. In the past, opposition parties were always held mercy by electoral boundary changes. Post GE2001, the WP leadership restarted the cultivation of alternative grassroots networks deep within PAP-held constituencies, especially within the northern, central and eastern quadrant.
Such alternative grassroots networks cultivation work are spear-headed by WP’s area committees (ac), the northern ac, the north-eastern ac, the eastern ac and the central ac. Working quietly and consistently over the last 7 years, WP area committees have been reaching out directly to constituents and recruiting alternative grassroots volunteers along the way.
Therefore, the present WP is no longer overly concerned whether a particular GRC is to be broken up etc. From Anson SMC to Eunos GRC to Cheng San GRC, we have seen it all. Even if all of our previously contested GRCs are to be broken up, so be it.
The WP is taking it easy .
News Links:
Opposition parties start getting ready to do battle (ST, Pg 1, 14th Mar 09)
Opposition plans battle formation (ST, Pg A26, 14th Mar 09)
Electoral boundary changes: Chatter on the ground (ST, Pg A26, 14th Mar 09)
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Of Hearts, Minds & Votes
The two previous blog posts & the respective authorities’ replies (Refer to ‘Comments’ ) regarding the proposed Nee Soon Dialogue initiative by Northern Area Committee (NAC) best summarized structural challenges faced by opposition parties, preventing us from conducting formal initiatives in PAP-held constituencies.
When I initially received both rejections, I had wanted to re-apply for one more time, in the proposed panelists’ individual capacities (rather than from NAC or WP) to Nee Soon East Community Club for the usage of one of their function rooms, regarding the same proposed dialogue. My original intentions were:
1) To explore & expand activism space as a loosely-organized group of concerned Singaporeans. 2) To highlight ironies of going to such extent of meeting ‘non-political’ requirements vis-a-vis that of 'non-political' activities by PAP affiliated groups in CC. 3) To illustrate obvious inequalities & challenges in Singapore's political processes.
However, after discussing it with some party comrades, we decided to drop the formal dialogue initiative. The reason is, unlike our PAP counterparts (in their various 'non-political' capacities), the proposed Nee Soon dialogue panelists from WP cannot pretend that we do not belong to a political party, for we are indeed from one :)
Therefore we are of the view that it is best to call a spade a spade. Given such constraints, so what should be WP’s next course of action? The solution is simple: To keep working diligently, quietly and consistently, reaching out to residents directly and indirectly through the cultivation of alternative-grassroots mechanisms in WP targeted areas.
Despite the obvious challenges, this is our assurance to fellow Singaporeans that the WP will continue to fight smart and hard, very hard indeed, in this furious battle for Singaporeans' hearts, minds and votes.
When I initially received both rejections, I had wanted to re-apply for one more time, in the proposed panelists’ individual capacities (rather than from NAC or WP) to Nee Soon East Community Club for the usage of one of their function rooms, regarding the same proposed dialogue. My original intentions were:
1) To explore & expand activism space as a loosely-organized group of concerned Singaporeans. 2) To highlight ironies of going to such extent of meeting ‘non-political’ requirements vis-a-vis that of 'non-political' activities by PAP affiliated groups in CC. 3) To illustrate obvious inequalities & challenges in Singapore's political processes.
However, after discussing it with some party comrades, we decided to drop the formal dialogue initiative. The reason is, unlike our PAP counterparts (in their various 'non-political' capacities), the proposed Nee Soon dialogue panelists from WP cannot pretend that we do not belong to a political party, for we are indeed from one :)
Therefore we are of the view that it is best to call a spade a spade. Given such constraints, so what should be WP’s next course of action? The solution is simple: To keep working diligently, quietly and consistently, reaching out to residents directly and indirectly through the cultivation of alternative-grassroots mechanisms in WP targeted areas.
Despite the obvious challenges, this is our assurance to fellow Singaporeans that the WP will continue to fight smart and hard, very hard indeed, in this furious battle for Singaporeans' hearts, minds and votes.
Monday, March 09, 2009
Proposed Dialogue with Nee Soon Residents (II)
NAC's initial proposed venue has been rejected by People's Association (PA). Below is NAC's 2nd venue proposal for a dialogue session with Nee Soon residents, subjected to Sembawang Town Council's approval. Further details about the Nee Soon dialogue will be made known once the proposed venue is secured.
--------------------
From: Yaw Shin Leong
Date: Mon, Mar 9, 2009 at 12:04 PM
Subject: Proposed Dialogue With Nee Soon Residents
To: feedback@sbtc.org.sg
Dear Sir/ Mdm,
Warm greetings from the The Northern Area Committee (NAC)! The NAC is the Grassroots arm of The Workers' Party which oversees Sembawang GRC, Nee Soon Central SMC and Nee Soon East SMC.
We are writing in to enquire about the possibility of using Blk 201 Yishun Street 21 void deck to conduct a public dialogue with Nee Soon residents. Below is our proposal:
Date: 25th April 2009 (Saturday)
Proposed Venue: Blk 201, Yishun Street 21
Dialogue Topic: How's your life in Nee Soon?
Time: 2 – 4.30 pm
Panel Chair: NCMP Ms Sylvia Lim
Panelists: Dr Poh Lee Guan, Mr Tan Kong Soon & Mr Yaw Shin Leong
A brief introduction of the panel chairman & the panelists:
i) NCMP Ms Sylvia Lim, Chairman of The Workers’ Party and WP’s candidate for Aljunied GRC in GE2006
ii) Dr Poh Lee Guan, Chairman of NAC and WP's candidate for Nee Soon East SMC for both GE2001 & GE2006.
iii) Mr Tan Kong Soon was election agent to Mr Lian Chin Way, WP's candidate Nee Soon Central SMC in GE2006.
iv) Mr Yaw Shin Leong, was WP's candidate & team leader for Ang Mo Kio GRC, covering Nee Soon South division during his GE2006 campaign trail.
Kindly advise us of the required permits, fees & procedures.
We look forward to your positive reply. Thank you.
Best Regards
Yaw Shin Leong
Co-Secretary
Northern Area Committee
--------------------
From: Yaw Shin Leong
Date: Mon, Mar 9, 2009 at 12:04 PM
Subject: Proposed Dialogue With Nee Soon Residents
To: feedback@sbtc.org.sg
Dear Sir/ Mdm,
Warm greetings from the The Northern Area Committee (NAC)! The NAC is the Grassroots arm of The Workers' Party which oversees Sembawang GRC, Nee Soon Central SMC and Nee Soon East SMC.
We are writing in to enquire about the possibility of using Blk 201 Yishun Street 21 void deck to conduct a public dialogue with Nee Soon residents. Below is our proposal:
Date: 25th April 2009 (Saturday)
Proposed Venue: Blk 201, Yishun Street 21
Dialogue Topic: How's your life in Nee Soon?
Time: 2 – 4.30 pm
Panel Chair: NCMP Ms Sylvia Lim
Panelists: Dr Poh Lee Guan, Mr Tan Kong Soon & Mr Yaw Shin Leong
A brief introduction of the panel chairman & the panelists:
i) NCMP Ms Sylvia Lim, Chairman of The Workers’ Party and WP’s candidate for Aljunied GRC in GE2006
ii) Dr Poh Lee Guan, Chairman of NAC and WP's candidate for Nee Soon East SMC for both GE2001 & GE2006.
iii) Mr Tan Kong Soon was election agent to Mr Lian Chin Way, WP's candidate Nee Soon Central SMC in GE2006.
iv) Mr Yaw Shin Leong, was WP's candidate & team leader for Ang Mo Kio GRC, covering Nee Soon South division during his GE2006 campaign trail.
Kindly advise us of the required permits, fees & procedures.
We look forward to your positive reply. Thank you.
Best Regards
Yaw Shin Leong
Co-Secretary
Northern Area Committee
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Proposed Dialogue with Nee Soon Residents
Below is a proposal for a dialogue session with Nee Soon residents, subjected to Nee Soon East Community Club’s approval of proposed venue usage.
Further details about the Nee Soon dialogue will be made known once the proposed venue is secured.
------------------
Don_lee@pa.gov.sg
Deputy Manager
Nee Soon East Community Club
Dear Sir/ Mdm,
Warm greetings from the The Northern Area Committee (NAC)! The NAC is the grassroots arm of The Workers' Party which oversees Sembawang GRC, Nee Soon Central SMC and Nee Soon East SMC.
We are writing in to enquire about the possibility of using one of Nee Soon East Community Club's function rooms to conduct a public dialogue with Nee Soon residents. Below is our proposal:
Date: 25th April 2009 (Saturday)
Proposed Venue: Function Room @ Nee Soon East Community Club
Dialogue Topic: How's your life in Nee Soon?
Time: 2 – 4.30 pm
Panel Chair: NCMP Ms Sylvia Lim
Panelists: Dr Poh Lee Guan, Mr Tan Kong Soon & Mr Yaw Shin Leong
A brief introduction of the panel chairman & the panelists:
i) NCMP Ms Sylvia Lim, Chairman of The Workers’ Party and WP’s candidate for Aljunied GRC in GE2006
ii) Dr Poh Lee Guan, Chairman of NAC and WP's candidate for Nee Soon East SMC for both GE2001 & GE2006.
iii) Mr Tan Kong Soon was election agent to Mr Lian Chin Way, WP's candidate Nee Soon Central SMC in GE2006.
iv) Mr Yaw Shin Leong, was WP's candidate & team leader for Ang Mo Kio GRC, covering Nee Soon South division during his GE2006 campaign trail.
We look forward to your positive reply. Thank you.
Best Regards
Yaw Shin Leong
Co-Secretary
Northern Area Committee
Further details about the Nee Soon dialogue will be made known once the proposed venue is secured.
------------------
Don_lee@pa.gov.sg
Deputy Manager
Nee Soon East Community Club
Dear Sir/ Mdm,
Warm greetings from the The Northern Area Committee (NAC)! The NAC is the grassroots arm of The Workers' Party which oversees Sembawang GRC, Nee Soon Central SMC and Nee Soon East SMC.
We are writing in to enquire about the possibility of using one of Nee Soon East Community Club's function rooms to conduct a public dialogue with Nee Soon residents. Below is our proposal:
Date: 25th April 2009 (Saturday)
Proposed Venue: Function Room @ Nee Soon East Community Club
Dialogue Topic: How's your life in Nee Soon?
Time: 2 – 4.30 pm
Panel Chair: NCMP Ms Sylvia Lim
Panelists: Dr Poh Lee Guan, Mr Tan Kong Soon & Mr Yaw Shin Leong
A brief introduction of the panel chairman & the panelists:
i) NCMP Ms Sylvia Lim, Chairman of The Workers’ Party and WP’s candidate for Aljunied GRC in GE2006
ii) Dr Poh Lee Guan, Chairman of NAC and WP's candidate for Nee Soon East SMC for both GE2001 & GE2006.
iii) Mr Tan Kong Soon was election agent to Mr Lian Chin Way, WP's candidate Nee Soon Central SMC in GE2006.
iv) Mr Yaw Shin Leong, was WP's candidate & team leader for Ang Mo Kio GRC, covering Nee Soon South division during his GE2006 campaign trail.
We look forward to your positive reply. Thank you.
Best Regards
Yaw Shin Leong
Co-Secretary
Northern Area Committee
Monday, March 02, 2009
Together We Can
I refer to the articles ‘PM Lee Says’ and ‘Lighting Strikes Merlion’ (TODAY, 2nd March 2009).
I was conducting public outreach together with WP members @ Chong Pang area yesterday morning when my outreach team came across a middle-age man. This man sighed and shook his head as I shook his hand. In mandarin I asked him, ‘What is it? How are you? Have you been fine?’
He replied, ‘A couple of years ago, PM Lee Hsien Loong shook his hand and asked him the same question. He said he replied PM Lee that ‘When his dad (MM Lee) was in power, he wore pants to work, but now he (PM Lee) is in power, he is wearing shorts to work’. He said that was his simple illustration to tell PM Lee that it seems that his life has not been getting better but worse. He also added that previously he drove but now he has to take the public transport.
I offered this man my acknowledgment about the challenges of life but I encouraged him, sharing with him that there are always ups & downs in life. I added, ‘No matter what happens, we have to keep up our hopes and stay positive.’ However this man continued to sigh and shook his head…
On the same day, a friend quipped to me about the bad omen of lighting striking our Merlion’s head. This friend hypothesized that this act of heaven is a sign of things to come, especially when what that struck our Merlion is none other than lightning, which is symbolic of the PAP regime. Well, I merely grinned at this friend’s creativity! (This was also the same friend who highlighted to me about the consequences of The Singapore Flyer initially wheeling in a particular direction and the omen of its recent stoppage.)
That very night, as I was watching CNA, I watched PM Lee commenting about multiple bad news (in the form of job losses’ predictions) and he said the following: ‘There are things happening which are positive, there things which will turn good in time, there are things in the pipeline … (The) two IRs (integrated resorts) are both coming along...’
Personally I am not too sure about using the completion of the IRs as the (only) basis of our positivism. Prior to the decision to construct the IR, I campaigned (within WP) on the opposite side of the IR debate. Although the IR construction (not just 1 but 2) is but a by-gone-conclusion, I still have my reservations about the regime’s decision.
Having said that, my mind is on that middle-age man, wondering with the eventual completion of these two IRs, will it really put a stop to his sighs and head shaking? Or will he be eventually wearing pants to work again? Though I am not sure but let’s hope so…
We all know Singapore is facing one of its toughest challenges to date. Many of us are beginning to feel the pinch of the economic melt down. There will certainly be casualties hurt by retrenchments, no-pay-leaves and salary cuts etc.
Bad Omens or otherwise, this period in history could potentially be Singaporeans’ finest hour. Every one of us has to do our part, in exercising wisdom and self-leadership in the areas of work & family life. Especially in the area of making prudent financial decisions etc.
Liken to harden knuckles of martial arts exponents, who practice their punches on hung sand bags. A society on the whole can only come up stronger when forced to meet challenges head on. Therefore I am certain Singaporeans will come out of this episode very much stronger. Yes, together, we can!
News Links:
Contractors engaged to repair Merlion (CNA, 1st March 2009)
Workers, employers urged to have sense of balance when dealing with retrenchments (CNA, 1st March 2009)
I was conducting public outreach together with WP members @ Chong Pang area yesterday morning when my outreach team came across a middle-age man. This man sighed and shook his head as I shook his hand. In mandarin I asked him, ‘What is it? How are you? Have you been fine?’
He replied, ‘A couple of years ago, PM Lee Hsien Loong shook his hand and asked him the same question. He said he replied PM Lee that ‘When his dad (MM Lee) was in power, he wore pants to work, but now he (PM Lee) is in power, he is wearing shorts to work’. He said that was his simple illustration to tell PM Lee that it seems that his life has not been getting better but worse. He also added that previously he drove but now he has to take the public transport.
I offered this man my acknowledgment about the challenges of life but I encouraged him, sharing with him that there are always ups & downs in life. I added, ‘No matter what happens, we have to keep up our hopes and stay positive.’ However this man continued to sigh and shook his head…
On the same day, a friend quipped to me about the bad omen of lighting striking our Merlion’s head. This friend hypothesized that this act of heaven is a sign of things to come, especially when what that struck our Merlion is none other than lightning, which is symbolic of the PAP regime. Well, I merely grinned at this friend’s creativity! (This was also the same friend who highlighted to me about the consequences of The Singapore Flyer initially wheeling in a particular direction and the omen of its recent stoppage.)
That very night, as I was watching CNA, I watched PM Lee commenting about multiple bad news (in the form of job losses’ predictions) and he said the following: ‘There are things happening which are positive, there things which will turn good in time, there are things in the pipeline … (The) two IRs (integrated resorts) are both coming along...’
Personally I am not too sure about using the completion of the IRs as the (only) basis of our positivism. Prior to the decision to construct the IR, I campaigned (within WP) on the opposite side of the IR debate. Although the IR construction (not just 1 but 2) is but a by-gone-conclusion, I still have my reservations about the regime’s decision.
Having said that, my mind is on that middle-age man, wondering with the eventual completion of these two IRs, will it really put a stop to his sighs and head shaking? Or will he be eventually wearing pants to work again? Though I am not sure but let’s hope so…
We all know Singapore is facing one of its toughest challenges to date. Many of us are beginning to feel the pinch of the economic melt down. There will certainly be casualties hurt by retrenchments, no-pay-leaves and salary cuts etc.
Bad Omens or otherwise, this period in history could potentially be Singaporeans’ finest hour. Every one of us has to do our part, in exercising wisdom and self-leadership in the areas of work & family life. Especially in the area of making prudent financial decisions etc.
Liken to harden knuckles of martial arts exponents, who practice their punches on hung sand bags. A society on the whole can only come up stronger when forced to meet challenges head on. Therefore I am certain Singaporeans will come out of this episode very much stronger. Yes, together, we can!
News Links:
Contractors engaged to repair Merlion (CNA, 1st March 2009)
Workers, employers urged to have sense of balance when dealing with retrenchments (CNA, 1st March 2009)
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