I refer to the news article ‘Ho Ching to remain Temasek CEO’ (CNA, 21st July 2009)
In the reason given earlier this year about Mr Charles (“Chip”) W. Goodyear succeeding Ms Ho Ching as Chief Executive Officer, Chairman S. Dhanabalan said, ‘The team has already embarked on a different stance since mid-2007, and has begun to review its long-term plans under different scenarios prompted by the economic downturn … If we are to bring in new leadership, it would be just as good a time as any to involve a new leader in this review."
Therefore it is notable that 4 months was what it took for differences regarding certain strategic issues to surface, which are severe enough for both parties to decide that it is in their mutual interests to terminate the leadership transition process and executive relationship with effect of 15th August 2009. Not surprising, Mr Goodyear will also step down from the Temasek Board on the same day.
There are three concerns:
Firstly, it is in Singapore's interests for Temasek Holdings to be transparent about the crux of the strategic differences, which resulted in the dramatic premature ending of a consummate former CEO of BHP Billiton, a global leader in the resources industry.
Secondly, this raised questions about the robustness of Temasek’s human resource selection and recruitment process, especially at its highest level. Did Temasek make a hasty decision to recruit Mr Goodyear in the first place? Why weren't strategic directions (at least in broad strokes) discussed prior to his recruitment? Why the haste then in announcing Mr Goodyear as the CEO-designate when such important issues were not sorted out in the beginning?
Lastly, with the departure of Mr Goodyear, the very considerations that Temasek originally gave, which resulted in having Mr Goodyear appointed as CEO-designate are now in disarray and possibly left dangling. What would be Temasek’s next strategic responses? This is highly important as the appointment of Mr Goodyear was meant to involve a new leader in the review of Temasek’s different strategic stance, which began in mid-2007.
With Mr Goodyear’s sudden departure, how would Temasek’s current review of different strategic stance be compromised (if any)? This is especially so when billions have already been lost. Compounded now by the issue of a departed ex-CEO-designate, Temasek’s top leadership succession and renewal issue remain unresolved.
Singaporeans have reasons to be very concerned. Naturally we will be following Temasek's developments very closely.
News Links:
Ho Ching to remain Temasek CEO (CNA, 21st July 2009)
Temasek CEO Ho Ching to leave; replaced by ex-BHP's Goodyear (Reuters, 6th Feb 2009)
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
What Is Your Ideal Singapore?
On 9th August 2009, Singapore will be celebrating her 44th National Day. As each year passes, the youth of our young nation becomes ever more poised to take ownership of the future of Singapore.
To mark our nation’s 44th birthday, the Workers’ Party (WP) Youth Wing is organising an essay writing competition for Singapore’s youth. The theme of the competition, “What Is Your Ideal Singapore?”, will enable you and your fellow students to articulate your hopes and dreams for our nation.
This is a competition with a difference. Using Facebook as a platform for scoring the essays, members of the public have a vote in the final results. Facebook ‘likes’ will make up 40% of the total score, while the rest of the scores will be from a panel of judges.
The competition is open for submissions from 20th July to 9th August 2009. Simply submit your essays at essay@wp.sg and stand a chance a win the top prize of $150 worth of Borders Gift Vouchers! You can find more details in the document enclosed. We look forward to your participation in this competition.
If you have any enquiries, please feel free to contact Nathaniel Koh (Project Lead) at essay@wp.sg. Do visit us at http://www.wpyouth.sg and our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/wpyouth.
To mark our nation’s 44th birthday, the Workers’ Party (WP) Youth Wing is organising an essay writing competition for Singapore’s youth. The theme of the competition, “What Is Your Ideal Singapore?”, will enable you and your fellow students to articulate your hopes and dreams for our nation.
This is a competition with a difference. Using Facebook as a platform for scoring the essays, members of the public have a vote in the final results. Facebook ‘likes’ will make up 40% of the total score, while the rest of the scores will be from a panel of judges.
The competition is open for submissions from 20th July to 9th August 2009. Simply submit your essays at essay@wp.sg and stand a chance a win the top prize of $150 worth of Borders Gift Vouchers! You can find more details in the document enclosed. We look forward to your participation in this competition.
If you have any enquiries, please feel free to contact Nathaniel Koh (Project Lead) at essay@wp.sg. Do visit us at http://www.wpyouth.sg and our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/wpyouth.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Our Fight against H1N1
I refer to the news reports ‘Last leg of H1N1 fight’ (Straits Times, 12th July 2009)& 'Flu jab for all Britons'(TODAY, 13th July 2009).
Posturing Singapore’s fight against H1N1 as a ‘last leg fight’ is terminology-wise confusing, though I believe it was meant to convey the seriousness of the current situation.
According to Health Minister Khaw, he said that his three priorities are: to focus on high-risk groups, to reflect on the lessons learnt so far, and to prepare for the next wave. He added Singaporeans have done well in combating the virus and urged Singaporeans not to be complacent.
In the initial phase of the outbreak, temperature screening was implemented at the border checkpoints to contain virus spreading into the community. However the usage of thermal scanners & thermometers has proven to be only partially effective. Several cases were not detected by airport thermal scanners, as carriers were not feverish at the point of crossing the scanners.
Realizing the above, coupled with the challenge of rising localized community spread in Singapore, Ministry of Health (MOH) has discontinued temperature screen measures at the borders with effect from 11th July 2009.
Thermal scanners & thermometers usage has definitely kept Singaporeans part of the vigilant regime against the symptoms of flu and possibly H1N1. The only problem is in the course of deploying partially effective measures, might ironically cause complacency to arise.
This is because checking one’s temperature has become so much of an institutionalized routine for ministries, corporations and organizations that people run a risk of ‘doing it' for the sake of keeping established preventive measures in place. As such this is an area which Singaporeans must constantly be aware and reflect on.
Overall Singaporeans have done well. Our Health Ministry can certainly further improve on its strategies and measures. This can be done via the studying of measures taken by other countries in their fight against H1N1.
For instance, it is reported today that plans are now underway to vaccinate all 60 million Britons against the virus. Being a much smaller country, Singapore’s MOH can certainly take cue.
News Links:
Flu jab for all Britons (TODAY, 13th July 2009)
Last leg of H1N1 fight (Straits Times, 12th July 2009)
Posturing Singapore’s fight against H1N1 as a ‘last leg fight’ is terminology-wise confusing, though I believe it was meant to convey the seriousness of the current situation.
According to Health Minister Khaw, he said that his three priorities are: to focus on high-risk groups, to reflect on the lessons learnt so far, and to prepare for the next wave. He added Singaporeans have done well in combating the virus and urged Singaporeans not to be complacent.
In the initial phase of the outbreak, temperature screening was implemented at the border checkpoints to contain virus spreading into the community. However the usage of thermal scanners & thermometers has proven to be only partially effective. Several cases were not detected by airport thermal scanners, as carriers were not feverish at the point of crossing the scanners.
Realizing the above, coupled with the challenge of rising localized community spread in Singapore, Ministry of Health (MOH) has discontinued temperature screen measures at the borders with effect from 11th July 2009.
Thermal scanners & thermometers usage has definitely kept Singaporeans part of the vigilant regime against the symptoms of flu and possibly H1N1. The only problem is in the course of deploying partially effective measures, might ironically cause complacency to arise.
This is because checking one’s temperature has become so much of an institutionalized routine for ministries, corporations and organizations that people run a risk of ‘doing it' for the sake of keeping established preventive measures in place. As such this is an area which Singaporeans must constantly be aware and reflect on.
Overall Singaporeans have done well. Our Health Ministry can certainly further improve on its strategies and measures. This can be done via the studying of measures taken by other countries in their fight against H1N1.
For instance, it is reported today that plans are now underway to vaccinate all 60 million Britons against the virus. Being a much smaller country, Singapore’s MOH can certainly take cue.
News Links:
Flu jab for all Britons (TODAY, 13th July 2009)
Last leg of H1N1 fight (Straits Times, 12th July 2009)
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