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Saturday, October 13, 2007 

Politics of Money - Action over Words

Well, just to annouce that I am still alive. It has been such a long time that I last wrote anything. It was also the same time that I last used the "busy" excuse. Guess that is with all Singaporeans that life is a list of priority of priorities. We will just keep listing of important thing over another important thing. Are we a soul-less nation? Yes, I think so.

Before the finger starts pointing at the most usual and convenient suspect (more like convict since people's judgement is without trial), the PAP, we should think of it as human evolution. Every nation now, is and will be economic driven to ensure survival (less Myanmar).

I do read the comments posted in the last round and sure, we will always keep to the idealistic world but how many can match their actions to words?

Just weeks after I wrote the last blog, I was confronted with a situation where I can walk out of my team, which is depleted in number and moral, and join a rival for 40% more pay. Well, this team has taught me everything I know in my line, and to walk out on them is a tough call. Anyway, I sure you will not be interested in the full story. Eventually, I stayed on the same team and forgo the 40%. I am not saying I am a saint or role model. I am not and never will be.

But any Singaporean, confronted with temptations of higher pay, will you always choose the moral high ground? Easy to say yes, when you are not the one on the spot. But when every you are on the spot, make sure you do what you preech.

"He, who is without sins, cast the first stone"

What's wrong with you? Rejecting an offer for 40% greater pay than your current position has nothing to do with morals. F that. Work is work. Life is life. When you are able, get top buck all the time.

As for Singapore being a nation without a soul. Of course it does not have a soul. The country was built on the idea of becoming a stable tax haven for multi-national corporations. This requires smart and highly skilled work force. Yet, it also requires sheeps who do not question. Thats how you maintain status quo (the stable part). For example, only in a backwards quasi-democracy like Singapore would there be a mandatory death penalty for possessing 500G of marijuana. What kind of true freedom loving democracy would stand for such a thing?
Anyways, if your going sweat during the year round muggy Singapore days, go make as much money as you are able. That is why Singapore is there. To make money.

One more thing. If you need more evidence that Singapore is a souless nation of narrow minded sheep look no further than the gross censorship rules that may result in prision. They should just call the below law, "the speech curtailment act in the furtherance of PAP interests". Throw the monkey off your backs.

Party political films
The controversial Section 33 of the Films Act bans of the making, distribution and exhibition of "party political films", at pain of a fine not exceeding $100,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years. The Act further defines a "party political film" as any film or video which

(a) which is an advertisement made by or on behalf of any political party in Singapore or any body whose objects relate wholly or mainly to politics in Singapore, or any branch of such party or body; or
(b) which is made by any person and directed towards any political end in Singapore
Exception are, however, made for films "made solely for the purpose of reporting of current events", or informing or educating persons on the procedures and polling times of elections or referendums.

T, I really think you should just get on with other topic.

If you asked a qn, but wanna stick to your own thinking, why ask? Hahaha...

It's very like PAP. Many smart alecs asked things which they already have their mind made up.

Just because one has never come across a good guy doesn't mean there isn't any good guys, and doesn't mean you need to push the last good guy to become as evil.

The way I see about you is pretty simple... That's what you are trying to do.

Is this a souless city? Is that what we wanna know? It's a souless city we know. So what are you gonna do about it?

In the fuvking army, nobody enjoyed craps. But those 'brave heroes' simple 'bravely' endure like all cowards really do, who in the fuvk have raised their OWN concerns? Who in fuvk have made any attempt to do something?

None.

Politics is not office politics. Singapore is no INC. People DIE because of crappy governance and leadership in a SMALL terroriotory. Now... If one is not good enough for such topic, it's very funny we go further into it.

It's just like a recent report about MM's talk about '伪装意图'. He mentioned senior ministers shall know... but you know, Mr Khaw defended Durai... so had Mr Lim Hng Khiang. One new, one old.

Not only so...

Anyway, what I wanna say is... I doubt you are in a position to make judgement on this topic.

No. I mean offence. My humble 1ct view.

Correction: I mean no offence.
You know... I usually have many typos. But I am sure you'd understand that.

See ya.

aye T,

Long time no see!

Hmmm looks like u are busy building your career. But do blog once in awhile though, especially when u have some insider news! ;)

well if you want to maintain a govt blog, comment on current govt issues; annuity was big news earlier; decriminalizing homosexuality more recent

in fact, since you claim to have insight from inside, identify topics that are about to be big news soon; dont disappoint us again

sgsociety.com

HI Elfred, At82, sgsociety and anonymous,

Well, thanks for the comments as usual. Been struggling with the lack of time to be able to pursue things I wish to write. Anyway, I am planning to write on Goh Keng Swee. Hopefully that is not too long before I can post it up. Afterall, there is lots to write on GKS. Many too much info. As for the issues on Section 377a, it is overblown and oversensationalised. Perhaps the point to note that this will always be any issue of the vocal minority vs the silent majority.

Regards
T

I wont be so dismissive; the gays achieved an unusual feat of actually generating a mass (by singapore standards) movement, and the authorities had to deny permission for particular activities on a number of occasions; I dont recall other groups showing comparable organizational effect recently

as for GKS, there was a biography out already, which appeared to have the approval of his widow but not his daughter from the previous marriage

sgsociety.com

you did not mention the annuity issue; is that also to be dismissed as another "silent majority versus vocal minority" issue?

Hi,

I think most Singaporeans are obsessed with earning lots of money. So much that they forgo a fulfilling life for monetary benefits. Why are we having a greying society? people are too busy advancing their career or making more money to think about the benefits (non-monetary of course) of a family life.

Well, after a long thinking session with the wife, I decided to drop out of the rat race (more like monopoly race). I decided that staying in Singapore will never allow me to concentrate on my family. SO I made the big move. I left the country to work with less pay in a remote area in Australia, where I need only work for 40hrs a week.... not more.

We had a tough time getting adjusted to the remote area. No shopping. No cinemas. No restaurants. No friends yet. and lots of time on our hands. It took some getting adjusted to.

I would say that I do not regret it at all. I've had a great 2 years here. I've grown closer to my wife and son. We have a baby gal now and I actually have time, every day, to cuddle her and watch her grow. Something I did not get to do with my son when we were in Singapore.

Well, I think there are many Singaporeans like you, Thrasymachus, who are no longer interested in just money. The problem is that we are constantly bombarded by society to "succeed" monetarily. But we know that success is measured in many different ways. And people like you probably have a different value of success.

Good on you.

Roach

Hey, T???
Where the hack you gone to???

Kena arrested?????????

Elfred.

Hi T, I tried to send an email to you but failed, is there an email address that I can reach you?

Hi guys,

Sometimes I do wonder... With the numerous blogs, forums, websites, etc commenting on the "pitiful" plight of SG & their country man. Why do we still allow such things to snowball instead of putting a "stop" (at least temporary) to voice our displeasure during "E" time? Or have we tend to turn absentminded when goodies are dangling?

Guess the majority of our fellow countrymen felt comfortable in this way. Haiz...

TNewbieT

Wow a very cool and informative blog I found. :)

Hey I am half suspecting that the email address you have is not really working or something. I wonder if its possible to add you online on msn for a chat or something. You have very good blog on the politics of Singapore and such.

My email is Beracahvalley@gmail.com

If you dont mind you can contact me or something. I think it would be cool to discuss and learn stuff from you.

Becky

Decades ago, the Singapore government delivered manufacturing jobs to doorsteps of Singaporeans with a polytechnic diploma, which was then sufficient.

Singapore like the rest of the world embraced globalization.
Then came India and China.

Manufacturing is no longer Singapore's bread and butter.
Forced by Globalization, Singapore tapped into niche high-end industries to deliver jobs and complement manufacturing.

Niche high-end industries require niche expertise to be competitive on the globalized arena.
Only 10% of Singapore workforce have university degrees (and not all of them are in Singapore).
The Singapore workforce is not competitive.

Then came foreigners.

Beaurocracy can reduce its effects, but the law of supply, demand and salary will still prevail.

End of debate.


You should instead be thankful to your government who has successfully promoted good governance, minimal corruption, low crime rate, cleanliness, and good infrastructure to compensate for Singapore's only negative - uncompetitive workforce.

Well, you guys have two options -

(1) Fight to remove elitism in your education system, and encourage the rest of the population to reach the same level of education as the rest of the 1st world countries.

If Singapore only produces less than 100 computer science university graduates each year, no amount of beaurocracy will control the demand for high-end IT skills, and hence, influx of foreigners with computer science degrees.

This is not to say that diploma holders have no skills. But this is a biased globalized world.

We need guaratees that people are up to the job before we give them high salaries.


(2) Continue what you are doing and expect government hand-outs in form of beaurocracy in job distribution.

So you want the 101st computer science job given to someone who has not passed his A-levels, and expect a salary as high as the first hundred who had earned their degrees?

Well, your government is not listening to you.

To be very frank, moral consistency is a very silly idea in order to redirect the focus of an argument.

Simply because people are hypocrites (and philosophically, most of us are, as a simple philosophical introspective questioning would determine), doesn't in any way diminish the veracity or the importance of what they say.

Where is the justice in Singapore???
I can see that Singapore's Strait Times has again stated prejudiced and false allegations concerning Mr. David Hartanto Widjaja. Now I can truly see the ignorance of Singaporean people and newspaper. Mind you all Strait Times reader that DAVID HARTANTO WIDJAJA'S DEATH WAS NOT CAUSED BY SUICIDE BY HIM CUTTING HIS WRIST, IN YOUR SINGAPORE POLICE REPORTS IT IS CONFIRMED THAT HE DID NOT HAVE ANY SLITWOUND WHAT SO EVER ON HIS WRIST. WHAT HIS FAMILY WITNESSED INSTEAD WHEN THEY ATTENDED THE REVEALING (NOT THE AUTOPSY) OF DAVID'S BODY, WAS THAT DAVID SUFFERED SLASH WOUNDS ON HIS NECK (THROAT) AND ALSO ON HIS BACK

THE STORY OF HIS DEPRESSION FROM LOSING HIS SCHOLARSHIP WAS ALSO A LIE. STORIES SAYING "HE KEPT HIS PARENTS IN THE DARK ABOUT IT" WAS ALSO A LIE GENERATED BY YOUR SINGAPOREAN MEDIA.
DAVID HAS ALREADY INFORMED HIS PARENTS OF HIS PROBALE CONDITION OF LOSING HIS SCHOLARSHIP SINCE 3 WEEKS PRIOR TO THE DAY HE DIED. AND HIS FAMILY BEING A MIDDLE CLASS FAMILY HERE IN INDONESIA HAVE EXPRESSED CASUALLY WITH DAVID THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE A PROBLEM IN PAYING HIS LAST SEMESTER TUITION FEE.

STATEMENTS STATING THAT DAVID GOT ANGRY AT PROFESSOR CHAN KAP LUK FOR GIVING BAD GRADES FR HIS FYP, CANNOT BE FARTHER FROM THE TRUTH , SINCE HIS PAPERS WERE NOT YET DUE, NOT YET SUBMITTED, AND NTU HAS NO POLICY IN INFORMING STUDENTS REGARDING THEIR GRADES BEFORE THE OFFICIAL ISSUE.
This link is a record of the interview made with David's father and brother by a reputable Indonesian Television RCTI in Seputar Indonesia. They have not been permitted to see David's body immediately, and was disappointed to see how the crime scene - professor Chan KapLuk's office was wiped clean from any evidence and blood spatters in as soon as 7 hours after the incident.

WITH ALL DUE RESPECT I DEMAND THAT SINGAPOREAN PUBLIC AND MEDIA REFRAIN FROM MAKING SUCH PREJUDICED STATEMENTS, ONE SUCH AS THIS ONE

"On Monday, David Hartanto Widjaja, 21, an Indonesian student whose scholarship was terminated, stabbed Associate Professor Chan Kap Luk, 45, in the back during a discussion in his office at the NTU campus, then slit his own wrists before fleeing and falling four floors to his death shortly after.
Prof Chan, who suffered injuries to his back and right hand, has been discharged from hospital and is on medical leave."
IT IS ALREADY MARCH 7 2009, AND A TOP MEDIA SUCH AS STRAIT TIMES HAVE NOT INDEED GET THEIR FACT STRAIGHT. WHEN WE INDONESIANS HAVE ALREADY BEEN AWARE THE EMERGING TRUTH SINCE THE DAY AFTER DAVID'S DEATH. (2/3/2009)

AND CEASE ALL ATTEMPTS TO CONCEAL NEW FINDINGS AND EVIDENCE SUCH AS THE KNIFE (WHICH HAS LOST IT'S HANDLE MIRACULOUSLY-CONVENIENTLY OBSCURING WHO'S FINGERPRINTS WAS ON IT), DAVID'S WOUNDS, AND PROFESSOR CHAN KAP LUK HIMSELF, WHOSE WORD HAS BEEN SOLELY TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT ON WHAT REALLY HAPPENED THAT DAY.
http://video.okezone.com/play//2009/...uh-kejanggalan

AND FOR ALL OF YOU TO KNOW, CLAIMS OF DAVID BEING A DEPRESSED LONER, AN INTROVERT ON THE VERGE OF LOSING IT, A POTENTIAL KILLER - WERE ALL LIES.
ASIDE FROM HIS POSITION AS PRESIDENT IN ONEOF NTU'S MATH GROUP (THEREFORE HE HAS TO BE POPULAR AMONGST HIS PEERS), HE WAS ALSO REMEMBERED BY ALL HIS FRIEND BE IT IN HIS GAMING COMMUNITY OR HIS HIGHSCHOOL, ANDEVEN AMONGST NTU STUDENTS THEMSELVES TO BE A POSITIVE, CHEERFUL, OUTGOING FRIEND. ONE OF HIS FRIEND AT HIS GAMING FORUM, PEOPLE WHO HAS NEVER KNOWN HIM IN REAL LIFE DESCRIBE HIM AS A BRIGHT SOUL BEHIND THE USERNAME "MAJIN" (IN COMPLETE TERA MAJIN= EARTH DEMON IN JAPANESE)
DONT BELIEVE ME? ENTER THIS LINK:
http://destiny.enjoymmo.com/forum/vi...age%3D1&page=1

I understand that you singaporeans are reasonable and a proud nation, please do not tarnish your international reputation by obstructing justice here. Show that you are a true Singaporeans by pushing your government to COMMENCE A THOROUGH AND TRANSPARENT INVESTIGATION REGARDING DAVID'S DEATH. SINGAPORE MEDIA HAS INDEED INFLICTED PAIN BEYOND IMAGINATION TO DAVID'S FAMILY BY THEIR FALSE REPORTS, and I encourage you to challenge them for TRUTH! Any less would be humiliation and disgrace for the departed.

Also, start an investigation on Chan Kap Luk! for goodness sake he is the only living link to the whole thing!

I feel the goverment keep saying must improve the birth rate of locals but how we going to start a family when the housing is so expensive. when we don have a home, we cant have a family !!!

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The Idealist

  • Thrasymachus
  • Propagating In: Singapore
  • The Critic, The Philosopher, The Pragmatist, The Moralist, The Egalitarian, The Confused, The True-Blue Singaporean
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