My friend recently bought a car. I asked hime enviously how he can afford it. He told me he is involved in "network marketing". Since we were friends for many years, I asked him how it worked. I had already reduce the frequency of my CFD trading, these days not so busy so perhaps can take up another job. He told me that I can go attend a seminar after that can get started.
Seminar was in some mini auditorium tucked away in one corner but quite packed about . Young man of 30s came and start talking - "Any body here LOVE MONEY!?!!!". "ANY BODY HERE WANTS TO BE RICH?! ANYBODY HERE WANTS TO MAKE $10K, $20K, $30K a month!!!". The whole crowd very soon all pumped up. Next he showed film clip of his house - 30 yrs old already own landed property, drive BMW, next toy to buy was a yacht. ...yes, yes I also want. "What is the secret? I asked myself". Coincidently, the next speaker came up to talk about the secret. ..the secret is WATER.....
Another young man looking super fit came up to talk. 75% of your body is water. Your blood is water, your cells are filled with water, your liver, kidney, even your brain will be damaged if you don't drink sufficient water. Next he explained that the water we drink is poisonous - acidic, full of toxins. Just look at people nowadays all so haggard at age 40, so many cancer cases, infertility, so many sudden death - why??! Because the water we drink is full of toxins. So how to prolong your life - live until 90 or 100+? How to rid your body of toxins. Next part shows Japanese village where average age of people is 100+ years old, highest concentration of centenarians. What is their secret? They drink natural water from a stream that passes through the village. Video shows the stream with fishes- really freash clean feeling when you watch the video. Japanese scientists study the water stream for many years finally cracking the secret of this "fountain of youth". The water is alkaline and has a special combination of minerals and is low in toxins.
The speaker claimed that his body was unhealthly fat and he was perpetually tired/sick until he started drinking this special water. After that he felt so good, he started going to gym that is how he become so muscular. Next video clip show a water purifier machine that will reproduce the special stream water in Japan - verified and proven by hundreds of doctors in Japan. Then computer graphics to show the inside of this water machine, 8 plates, multi-process. Then more research to show can cure gout, heart disease, liver problems, kidney disease, prevent cancer ..etc etc.
After the talk, they are to break to smaller group of 3 to discuss. I was with this group with a young woman. She said previously worked as engineer but this business changed her life and health. Told us mission is to spread good health to as many people as possible to help them remove toxins from their body. But first we must cure ouselves by drinking this water otherwise others will not belives if we turn up to talk to them looking sock and unhealthy with black bags under our eyes and haggard looks. So we must first sign our self up for one-set and sign up for marketing course to teach us how to sell the product to help others. Starter package is $5000K (discount of $4K given for that day) - machine itself cost $5K. The 2 other person in my group immediately sign up using credit card. Guoded with others to another room to pay up.
The young woman took me to another room that is painted red look at me, so how..? I told her I don't have credit card because I'm not qualified need a few days to go back and think. She suddenly shouted at me, "You not serious!!. Then she bang the table 2 times with her fist. Then she look like she calm down. She said, no credit card never mind, if I have ATM card can go to ATM downstairs to withdraw $2K, the company will let me pay by instalment the rest of the $3K. That time I really under pressure but I told her my bank account only have $300, my money is in my trading account with IG Markets. She said by right the discount was only for that day, however, since I was sincere, she could talk to manager and extend it for me for 3 more days. She walk out of the room, came back with some form....smiling and looking very relief form me. She said she talk very hard with the manager to persuade him to grant extension just for me. All I needed to do was sign 2 forms..... I looked at the form...it was some kind of "agreement to purchase" legal document. I was thinking if I refused to sign, the woman would fly into a rage and say that I was "not serious...." blah blah. I got up, pressing my stomach said needed to go toilet ...stomach acting up. The toilet was just outside. I got out of the office, ran off and never looked back.
A few days later I called up my friend to meet up after I did some research on the product. I found out that it was all nonsense and such water machine only cost less than $1K - you can easily find and buy one online. I wamted to get some answers from him. I met him and started asking questions. He said the quality of the machine he was selling is superior in quality. Other machines won't give the same benefits. I found one that had exactly the same specs as the old his company sold for $1K - almost identical except for the logo. He said imitation so something. After talking for quite long, and I was not getting satisfactory answers. I told him sincerely as a friend that I really only could conclude that he was working as a con-man selling overpriced products to other people. He said didn;t matter what I thought - it was all willing buyer and will seller so how could I say he was a con-man. If the water prevented the person from getting just one type of cancer savings on medical would be $50K to $100K so what is price tag of $5K for the machine - nothing! I told him that the customers were not getting value for money because there were identical alternatives around. He replied that his conscience is clear - "This is Singapore hor one piece of paper to buy car costs %90K, but a flat cost $400K-$500K. Everyone is also squeezing everyone else for money - what is $5K for good health...is no big deal. There are lots of buyers ...I already sold 100 sets". His commision was at least $1.5K per set ..go figure. After hearing that statement, I was not sure if I wanted to keep him as my friend.
I went home to reflect on the whole episode. Something is wrong. So long as you can convince people to give you the money, you can just take it? Isn't that Kong Hee's ruse? How come young people in the 30s can think this way to justify their way of making money. ....something is very wrong with our society, the value system is broken, people have no qualms about acting unethically.
Thursday, 30 August 2012
Wednesday, 29 August 2012
XENOPHOBIC is a BIG WORD!!
I look up dictionary to really understand:
Xenohobia an unreasonable fear or hatred of foreigners or strangers or of that which is foreign or strange.
It is UNREASONABLE fear and/or hatred.
So if you fear foreigners come and take your job, is it REASONABLE or UNREASONABLE?
If you fear foreigners come and cause housing prices to be less affordable, is this reasonable or UNREASONABLE?
If you HATE foreigners because they have been INCONSIDERATE to you, is this reasonable?
Please don't hate them for no reason. In fact the guy from PRC working at my nearby coffeeshop is quite hardworking and honest. I actually like to chat with him about his home in China. But the guy who pushed me on the MRT the other day was not so nice - pushed me harder than any Singaporean has ever pushed me. I don't like him, he happened to be a foreigner so that makes me XENOPHOBIC. If he is a Singaporean than it is alright no to like him? If I shout at an Indian for not giving seat to elderly, I'm xenophobic but if I shout at a Singaporean, it is okay?
If I scold my fellow Singaporeans for their inconsiderate behavior and bad manners, it is okay because they are Singaporeans. But if I scold foreigners for exactly the same thing, I am xenophobic?
The so called minority of ugly Singaporeans scolding vulgarities on the internet have existed since the 1990s when Internet first appeared. When they flame and scolded their fellow Singaporeans, our leaders said nothing....but when they turned their attention to foreigners suddenly our leaders very kan-cheong scold them to stop, call them xenophobic ...used big negative words on them.
So the foreigners are so valued by our leaders and we are worth nothing. Singaporeans can be treated any which way but it is no big deal to our leaders. Some angry words in some corner of the Internet against foreigners,, our leaders will berate us on television - tell the whole world some Singaporeans are xenophobic, have no heart, inconsiderate.
They call us daft, lesser mortals and all sorts of ugly names themselves. We are worth nothing, but for the foreigners they must be protected. The PM publicly tell the whole world including the International media that we, Singaporeans, are "one-eye-dragon"...in English this phrase has a meaning that makes me feel sick. My PM , my leader called me this, what have I done to deserve it.
Tuesday, 28 August 2012
20 Ideas - A challenge for PAP govt to implement...
In response to the govt call for ideas, here are 20 ideas. These are many ideas Singaporeans want to have implemented over time but the PAP due to its extreme right wing ideology has refused to implement any of them. But will the PAP be able to change? Come show us that it can overcome its own ideological barriers otherwise this whole national conversation will be just a national farce.
1. Get rid of ISA and ISD....Malaysia already done so. Replace the broad powers with anti-gang and anti-terrorist act. No democratic developed country under various security threats has ISA because it can be abused and causes fear among the populace.
2. Reduce defense spending to proper level. Singapore's defense spending to too high compared with neighboring countries. Various countries spend different amounts on defense ranging from zero to 6% of GDP. Singapore's defense is among the highest and very high relative to its neighbors. Experts estimate that the spending substantially lower is sufficient to protect Singapore. We have to make a proper trade-off between defense and the social needs of our citizens especially the elderly who have insufficient to retire and the sick who shoulder high cost of medical care.
3, Get rid of GRCs. This system has skewed the results of elections 40% vote against the PAP but is represented by 7% in the parliament. This system is worsen the problem of FPP (first past the post) election system vs an proportional representation system. A country can be strong and cohesive under proportional representation system because everyone's interest in properly represented such as in Israel. Skewing the representation in parliament is not inclusive.
4. Get rid of votes for upgrading priority scheme. It is undemocratic pork barrel politics.
5. Hard limit the number of foreigners now!!! Singaporeans already feel we have too many but businesses will always clamor for more. None of our competitors need to resort to the level of foreign influx to compete so why should we? It has gone well past the point that is good for ordinary Singaporeans.
6. Give more in scholarships to Singaporeans than to foreigners.
7. Implement minimum wage. Malaysia has done it so has Hong Kong. Hong Kong's study shows that while cost has risen for some businesses, this has been beneficial for workers and as a whole Hong Kongers welcome minimum wage. The PAP cannot be so right wing that it is more capitalistic than Hong Kong that existed in modern history as a colony not a nation.
8. Allow independent unions allow workers to form unions to protect their own rights. The main reason is with the union controlled by a PAP minister, we have undertaken a long journey of unbalanced policies than have undermined our workers especially low wage workers that need the most protection.
9. Adhere to UN Human Rights Declaration. Why is respecting human rights so difficult in Singapore? In the recent National Day speech, our PM claimed that the ungracious anti-FT of a small number of netizens is bad for Singapore's reputation. What about the PAP's human rights record? At the govt level refusing to adhere to UNHCR is bad for Singapore's reputation as the UNHCR establishes only basic protection for us as human beings - civilized developed countries go further than UNHCR.
10. Full transparency and accountability for GIC and Temasek. This is billions of tax payers money who is it so hard to let citizens know what is going on. Large part of it is our CPF money. This is what the citizens want and why are they denied. In many developed countries, the freedom of information act (FOIA) is established to give ordinary citizens full access information so long as it does not compromise national security. Why does the PAP govt want to operate in secrecy? How can there be greater trust when the PAP govt does not want to give citizens full access to information?
11. Implement universal healthcare scheme - preferably single payer system - so that every Singapore is well treated and no need to worry about medical financing. Every developed country now has it why not Singapore? Singaporeans shoulder the heaviest healthcare burden out of their pockets as a % of total expenditure compared with all developed countries.
12. Stop linking HDB price to market. It creates a vicious loop especially when the PAP govt insists on importing people in such large numbers. The upward pressure on public housing is enormous and high housing cost put Singaporeans into heavy debt.
13. Implement unemployment insurance to reduce worries of unemployment.
14. Supplement CPF so that elderly Singaporeans who contributed so much to Singapore can retire properly. The elderly were part of a generation that build Singapore to an economic power house. Many suffer today and do menial jobs because they earned low wages in the past and were unable to save when Singapore was a developing nation to help build Singapore. Seeing so many elderly workers doing menial back breaking work tells us there is a cold-heartedness and harshness that exists in our society yet in his National Day Rally, PM Lee spoke nothing about treating the old better but instead asked us to treat foreigners graciously - his can start by treating our old graciously. His attitude shows he value foreigners more than his own people even those who are now old and have contributed so much to the success of Singapore.
15. Reduce Income gap by reducing GST and increasing corporate and high income earners' tax. The relative share of wages in our GDP is low vs corporate profits - this is a result of pro-business policies pursued by the PAP. It is an fallacy to thing that an easy environment for big business equates to competitiveness. It does not and has not - it has breed constant demand for cheap labor and long term declining productivity.
16. Stop parachuting elites to state own enterprises. It is incestuous and result in conflict of interests. This is a perversion of meritocracy that has to stop. By deliberately allocating so much resources and opportunities to small group is not meritocratic but elitist in nature. It destroys the element of competition which is necessary to keep meritocracy healthy.
17. Stop the low wage, low productivity cycle by cutting employers from source of cheap foreign labor.
18. Revamp the transport system so that there is no compromise between quality of service and profits....get rid of Saw's legacy once and for all.
19. Get rid of all anti-democracy laws such as restoring our rights to protest, assemble and speak. We are now left further and further behind as more countries democratize and liberate its people.
20. Revamp our education system to "test less learn more". Stream less, less pressure, to create all round individuals with heart for our society. The system has it is puts to much emphasis on exams and does not cultivate a love for learning. The intense competition to get into various streams, secondary schools, results in unhealthy negative outcomes.
1. Get rid of ISA and ISD....Malaysia already done so. Replace the broad powers with anti-gang and anti-terrorist act. No democratic developed country under various security threats has ISA because it can be abused and causes fear among the populace.
2. Reduce defense spending to proper level. Singapore's defense spending to too high compared with neighboring countries. Various countries spend different amounts on defense ranging from zero to 6% of GDP. Singapore's defense is among the highest and very high relative to its neighbors. Experts estimate that the spending substantially lower is sufficient to protect Singapore. We have to make a proper trade-off between defense and the social needs of our citizens especially the elderly who have insufficient to retire and the sick who shoulder high cost of medical care.
3, Get rid of GRCs. This system has skewed the results of elections 40% vote against the PAP but is represented by 7% in the parliament. This system is worsen the problem of FPP (first past the post) election system vs an proportional representation system. A country can be strong and cohesive under proportional representation system because everyone's interest in properly represented such as in Israel. Skewing the representation in parliament is not inclusive.
4. Get rid of votes for upgrading priority scheme. It is undemocratic pork barrel politics.
5. Hard limit the number of foreigners now!!! Singaporeans already feel we have too many but businesses will always clamor for more. None of our competitors need to resort to the level of foreign influx to compete so why should we? It has gone well past the point that is good for ordinary Singaporeans.
6. Give more in scholarships to Singaporeans than to foreigners.
7. Implement minimum wage. Malaysia has done it so has Hong Kong. Hong Kong's study shows that while cost has risen for some businesses, this has been beneficial for workers and as a whole Hong Kongers welcome minimum wage. The PAP cannot be so right wing that it is more capitalistic than Hong Kong that existed in modern history as a colony not a nation.
8. Allow independent unions allow workers to form unions to protect their own rights. The main reason is with the union controlled by a PAP minister, we have undertaken a long journey of unbalanced policies than have undermined our workers especially low wage workers that need the most protection.
9. Adhere to UN Human Rights Declaration. Why is respecting human rights so difficult in Singapore? In the recent National Day speech, our PM claimed that the ungracious anti-FT of a small number of netizens is bad for Singapore's reputation. What about the PAP's human rights record? At the govt level refusing to adhere to UNHCR is bad for Singapore's reputation as the UNHCR establishes only basic protection for us as human beings - civilized developed countries go further than UNHCR.
10. Full transparency and accountability for GIC and Temasek. This is billions of tax payers money who is it so hard to let citizens know what is going on. Large part of it is our CPF money. This is what the citizens want and why are they denied. In many developed countries, the freedom of information act (FOIA) is established to give ordinary citizens full access information so long as it does not compromise national security. Why does the PAP govt want to operate in secrecy? How can there be greater trust when the PAP govt does not want to give citizens full access to information?
11. Implement universal healthcare scheme - preferably single payer system - so that every Singapore is well treated and no need to worry about medical financing. Every developed country now has it why not Singapore? Singaporeans shoulder the heaviest healthcare burden out of their pockets as a % of total expenditure compared with all developed countries.
12. Stop linking HDB price to market. It creates a vicious loop especially when the PAP govt insists on importing people in such large numbers. The upward pressure on public housing is enormous and high housing cost put Singaporeans into heavy debt.
13. Implement unemployment insurance to reduce worries of unemployment.
14. Supplement CPF so that elderly Singaporeans who contributed so much to Singapore can retire properly. The elderly were part of a generation that build Singapore to an economic power house. Many suffer today and do menial jobs because they earned low wages in the past and were unable to save when Singapore was a developing nation to help build Singapore. Seeing so many elderly workers doing menial back breaking work tells us there is a cold-heartedness and harshness that exists in our society yet in his National Day Rally, PM Lee spoke nothing about treating the old better but instead asked us to treat foreigners graciously - his can start by treating our old graciously. His attitude shows he value foreigners more than his own people even those who are now old and have contributed so much to the success of Singapore.
15. Reduce Income gap by reducing GST and increasing corporate and high income earners' tax. The relative share of wages in our GDP is low vs corporate profits - this is a result of pro-business policies pursued by the PAP. It is an fallacy to thing that an easy environment for big business equates to competitiveness. It does not and has not - it has breed constant demand for cheap labor and long term declining productivity.
16. Stop parachuting elites to state own enterprises. It is incestuous and result in conflict of interests. This is a perversion of meritocracy that has to stop. By deliberately allocating so much resources and opportunities to small group is not meritocratic but elitist in nature. It destroys the element of competition which is necessary to keep meritocracy healthy.
17. Stop the low wage, low productivity cycle by cutting employers from source of cheap foreign labor.
18. Revamp the transport system so that there is no compromise between quality of service and profits....get rid of Saw's legacy once and for all.
19. Get rid of all anti-democracy laws such as restoring our rights to protest, assemble and speak. We are now left further and further behind as more countries democratize and liberate its people.
20. Revamp our education system to "test less learn more". Stream less, less pressure, to create all round individuals with heart for our society. The system has it is puts to much emphasis on exams and does not cultivate a love for learning. The intense competition to get into various streams, secondary schools, results in unhealthy negative outcomes.
PM Lee's National Day Rally...
He tells us to speak up,
Have home, hope, heart.
Our voices they want to hear,
We should speak up without fear.
But we have not forgotten the tyranny,
How they took away our democracy,
They punished people for opposition,
Bankrupted and put in prison..
They still keep the ISD,
Say wrong words scully lim-kopi.
He scold us for being anti-FT,
Online voices spewing vociferious fury.
Why are you so bloody angry,
We should be open and friendly.
But how to be when jobs taken from me,
Make life so tough for my family.
Compete with me for opportunity,
Even pushed me in the MRT,
Life is certainly not getting easy,
Hard to pretend to be happy.
Some days I'm just downright grouchy,
Go online to let go of frustration,
Its not xenophobia but desperation.
I don't expect our leaders to understand,
In their ivory tower they stand,
They don't have to suffer indignity,
Our mortal fears and insecurity.
That drives us to act ungraciously,
Can't help but be anti-FT.
2 more universities,
will come too late for me.
But I cheer for our children,
This opportunity for further education.
Education is not just about jobs and earnings,
Educating is not the same as training.
It will help one find meaning in a life of passion.
Culture, experience and universal comprehension.
We shall not view this so narrowly,
To equate university to job opportunity.
We shall bring every child to the highest enlightment,
Every life towards the best fulfilment.
More talk on fertility rate,
Paternity leave spark debate.
Cause employers to favor FTs,
Without reservist duties.
HR benefits cannot be implemented
Companies don't want locals disrupted.
Project cannot deliver due to baby,
'Cause father to be absent from company.
PM's 3 no-worries is really terrifying,
Jobs, education and housing.
While a job is always available,
Wages can be so low it is miserable.
Workfare given to supplement,
In the end a lifetime of torment.
We need better wages to live comfortably,
First world minimum wage to raise family.
Housing he say is always available,
Govt shelters and flats on rental.
Expensive housing is a lifetime of trouble,
Debt slavery due to housing bubble.
Lose job debt I cannot service,
Banks chase me into crisis.
A house is not a home you see,
If you can't sleep in it soundly
So don't tell us it is no worry,
High stress is a S'porean reality..
Have home, hope, heart.
Our voices they want to hear,
We should speak up without fear.
But we have not forgotten the tyranny,
How they took away our democracy,
They punished people for opposition,
Bankrupted and put in prison..
They still keep the ISD,
Say wrong words scully lim-kopi.
He scold us for being anti-FT,
Online voices spewing vociferious fury.
Why are you so bloody angry,
We should be open and friendly.
But how to be when jobs taken from me,
Make life so tough for my family.
Compete with me for opportunity,
Even pushed me in the MRT,
Life is certainly not getting easy,
Hard to pretend to be happy.
Some days I'm just downright grouchy,
Go online to let go of frustration,
Its not xenophobia but desperation.
I don't expect our leaders to understand,
In their ivory tower they stand,
They don't have to suffer indignity,
Our mortal fears and insecurity.
That drives us to act ungraciously,
Can't help but be anti-FT.
2 more universities,
will come too late for me.
But I cheer for our children,
This opportunity for further education.
Education is not just about jobs and earnings,
Educating is not the same as training.
It will help one find meaning in a life of passion.
Culture, experience and universal comprehension.
We shall not view this so narrowly,
To equate university to job opportunity.
We shall bring every child to the highest enlightment,
Every life towards the best fulfilment.
More talk on fertility rate,
Paternity leave spark debate.
Cause employers to favor FTs,
Without reservist duties.
HR benefits cannot be implemented
Companies don't want locals disrupted.
Project cannot deliver due to baby,
'Cause father to be absent from company.
PM's 3 no-worries is really terrifying,
Jobs, education and housing.
While a job is always available,
Wages can be so low it is miserable.
Workfare given to supplement,
In the end a lifetime of torment.
We need better wages to live comfortably,
First world minimum wage to raise family.
Housing he say is always available,
Govt shelters and flats on rental.
Expensive housing is a lifetime of trouble,
Debt slavery due to housing bubble.
Lose job debt I cannot service,
Banks chase me into crisis.
A house is not a home you see,
If you can't sleep in it soundly
So don't tell us it is no worry,
High stress is a S'porean reality..
Saturday, 25 August 2012
Something happened to me at a coffeeshop 3 weeks ago....
There is a coffeeshop I go to most days for lunch.
3 weeks ago, I noticed 2 men drinking and chatting at the coffeeshop. The each hold a Blackberry and are always typing text on it. Rather odd as these 2 man dress like HDB uncles using Blackberries. Occasionally, one of the 2 men, the older one would get so drunk, he would slough on the chair high from alcohol. Then the younger man will take over his Blackberry to text.
One day while heading for the toilet, the older man and myself bump into each other. The man pushed me and starting hurling vulgarities loudly at me. I could smell the alcohol in his breath so I thought to myself better keep quiet and not provoke him anymore. The younger man rushed over and said, "Sorry hor, he a bit drunk".
2 days later, I was at the same coffeeshop and saw the same 2 men. This time both of them were sober. The older man watched me for about 20 minutes. I tried not to look back as I suspected he might still be fuming over the incident 2 days ago. I tell you it was a long uneasy 20 minutes....I tried to concentrated on eating my chicken rice quickly so that I could get up and go. All of a sudden, I saw the old man stand up and walk towards me. I told myself "opps...gone case". The guy had tatoos all over. I was thinking of running but my legs weakened a little.
The man sat down at my table. Now my heart racing a bit. Then he said, "The other day shouted at you...sorry hor". He then asked me what I do for a living since he had been seeing me at the coffeeshop. I told him I had not been working for quite some time. He then asked me, "So you need money?". I was thinking maybe he is loan shark or something. Since he was speaking to me quite nicely, I joked a bit, "Need money. Of course need money lah, I have mother to support hor. But don't try to lend me money lah, I don't borrow one".
He then said, "I have job for you. You want?". "Can make $50-$100 a day, only spend less than 2-3 hours. You wan?", he asked. I told him that I was not sure because I didn't know what the job was about. He then described what he wanted me to do. Every morning, I would have to go to a list of 3 to 4 apartment addresses to collect money stated next to the address. I interjected "no, I'm not going to be loanshark runner". He said, "Stupid. Shut up and listen first". I would have to go to these apartments knock on the door, at each apartment a woman would open the door and give me an envelop full of money. I can go in to count it. Once verified correct, I would go to an ATM and deposit the money using one of 5 Maybank account he would give me then keep the receipt as proof that I had collected and deposited the money. He said it was money from some kind of rental scheme for foreign workers and paid everyday roughly $2-$3K at each apartment. If I'm willing to also to buy and deliver food to those apartments he can give me additional $20 over the cost of the food so I can make total $70 per day for collecting money and delivering food. He asked me, "How? You want the job?". I was thinking the whole scheme looked very mysterious but nothing illegal....not too sure. I told him I needed time to think and lied that I had another job offer pay me $3K for full time job. He told me to get back to him within 2 days for "can forget it".
I went back to think about the "job" for a while. The part that I couldn't understand is why I needed to buy and deliver food for women in the apartment. Why couldn't they buy food for themselves. Another thing is why can't he collect the rent himself...why must it be done everyday...never heard of people paying rent everyday. Anyway, I still don't need money badly yet and without a car going to these places not so convenient. Without full understanding of what was going on, I thought best to give it a miss. A few days later after the job offer, I noticed the 2 men were no longer around....I couldn't even turn down the job personally. I asked another drinker if he saw the 2 men. He told me they were both arrested by police right at the favorite spot where they were using often seen using their Blackberries. I asked the drinker if he knew why they were arrested....he replied he also dunno, all he knew was they were jolly good fellas who didn't have to work.
I think they were most probably habouring illegal workers luckily I didn't get involved otherwise will be in Changi chalet for a few years.
3 weeks ago, I noticed 2 men drinking and chatting at the coffeeshop. The each hold a Blackberry and are always typing text on it. Rather odd as these 2 man dress like HDB uncles using Blackberries. Occasionally, one of the 2 men, the older one would get so drunk, he would slough on the chair high from alcohol. Then the younger man will take over his Blackberry to text.
One day while heading for the toilet, the older man and myself bump into each other. The man pushed me and starting hurling vulgarities loudly at me. I could smell the alcohol in his breath so I thought to myself better keep quiet and not provoke him anymore. The younger man rushed over and said, "Sorry hor, he a bit drunk".
2 days later, I was at the same coffeeshop and saw the same 2 men. This time both of them were sober. The older man watched me for about 20 minutes. I tried not to look back as I suspected he might still be fuming over the incident 2 days ago. I tell you it was a long uneasy 20 minutes....I tried to concentrated on eating my chicken rice quickly so that I could get up and go. All of a sudden, I saw the old man stand up and walk towards me. I told myself "opps...gone case". The guy had tatoos all over. I was thinking of running but my legs weakened a little.
The man sat down at my table. Now my heart racing a bit. Then he said, "The other day shouted at you...sorry hor". He then asked me what I do for a living since he had been seeing me at the coffeeshop. I told him I had not been working for quite some time. He then asked me, "So you need money?". I was thinking maybe he is loan shark or something. Since he was speaking to me quite nicely, I joked a bit, "Need money. Of course need money lah, I have mother to support hor. But don't try to lend me money lah, I don't borrow one".
He then said, "I have job for you. You want?". "Can make $50-$100 a day, only spend less than 2-3 hours. You wan?", he asked. I told him that I was not sure because I didn't know what the job was about. He then described what he wanted me to do. Every morning, I would have to go to a list of 3 to 4 apartment addresses to collect money stated next to the address. I interjected "no, I'm not going to be loanshark runner". He said, "Stupid. Shut up and listen first". I would have to go to these apartments knock on the door, at each apartment a woman would open the door and give me an envelop full of money. I can go in to count it. Once verified correct, I would go to an ATM and deposit the money using one of 5 Maybank account he would give me then keep the receipt as proof that I had collected and deposited the money. He said it was money from some kind of rental scheme for foreign workers and paid everyday roughly $2-$3K at each apartment. If I'm willing to also to buy and deliver food to those apartments he can give me additional $20 over the cost of the food so I can make total $70 per day for collecting money and delivering food. He asked me, "How? You want the job?". I was thinking the whole scheme looked very mysterious but nothing illegal....not too sure. I told him I needed time to think and lied that I had another job offer pay me $3K for full time job. He told me to get back to him within 2 days for "can forget it".
I went back to think about the "job" for a while. The part that I couldn't understand is why I needed to buy and deliver food for women in the apartment. Why couldn't they buy food for themselves. Another thing is why can't he collect the rent himself...why must it be done everyday...never heard of people paying rent everyday. Anyway, I still don't need money badly yet and without a car going to these places not so convenient. Without full understanding of what was going on, I thought best to give it a miss. A few days later after the job offer, I noticed the 2 men were no longer around....I couldn't even turn down the job personally. I asked another drinker if he saw the 2 men. He told me they were both arrested by police right at the favorite spot where they were using often seen using their Blackberries. I asked the drinker if he knew why they were arrested....he replied he also dunno, all he knew was they were jolly good fellas who didn't have to work.
I think they were most probably habouring illegal workers luckily I didn't get involved otherwise will be in Changi chalet for a few years.
Thursday, 23 August 2012
Fertility rate : Its the QUALITY not QUANTITY....
The PAP wants us to up our fertility rate to increase the QUANTITY of people.
But what matters is the QUALITY of life. If we have QUALITY, quantity does not matter. But if our quality of life is poor, then there will be no QUANTITY anyway.
My suggestion to the PAP is try to catch up with Malaysia in terms of quality of life:
1. The amount of debt to own a home in Singapore relative to income is more than double (almost triple) that of a median income Malaysian. Malaysians face less financial burden. We are also comparing landed property vs apartments in Singapore.
2. More than 80% of Malaysians can own a car to drive their families around compared with 30% of Singaporeans hard limited by COE quotas. Imagine pushing strollers and bring toddlers up crowded buses. If more families have cars, then life is much better. Cars in Singapore are 5-10 times more expensive than in Malaysia. Petrol & taxes not included in computation. Having better transport for families is important and in Malaysia it is much better.
3. Make medical care more affordable. Medical care in Singapore is 6-8 times that in Malaysia and for elderly we are infinitely more expensive because elderly see doctor for free in Malaysia. Also, many of our medical staff are from Phillipines and even doctors from China so our medical care is staffed by 3rd world train manpower.
4. Make retirement possible in Singapore for majority. Most of my relatives in Malaysia stop work at 60+ some even 55yrs stop but in Singapore work until 70+ also have.
5. Less stress less working hours, more balanced lifestyle. Singaporeans work much longer hours and in more stressful work environment. There is also heated competition from foreigners to add to the stress. If the work environment can improve, it will also help the situation.
If we can match the quality of life in Malaysia, we may be able to push up our fertility rate. In Malaysia the fertility rate is more than double that of Singapore because people have more time for the families, less debt burden, bigger homes, better transport and access to cheaper medical care.The gap between Singapore and Malaysia is very big in terms of quality of life...hopefully Singapore govt can help us to catch up with Malaysia.
But what matters is the QUALITY of life. If we have QUALITY, quantity does not matter. But if our quality of life is poor, then there will be no QUANTITY anyway.
My suggestion to the PAP is try to catch up with Malaysia in terms of quality of life:
1. The amount of debt to own a home in Singapore relative to income is more than double (almost triple) that of a median income Malaysian. Malaysians face less financial burden. We are also comparing landed property vs apartments in Singapore.
2. More than 80% of Malaysians can own a car to drive their families around compared with 30% of Singaporeans hard limited by COE quotas. Imagine pushing strollers and bring toddlers up crowded buses. If more families have cars, then life is much better. Cars in Singapore are 5-10 times more expensive than in Malaysia. Petrol & taxes not included in computation. Having better transport for families is important and in Malaysia it is much better.
3. Make medical care more affordable. Medical care in Singapore is 6-8 times that in Malaysia and for elderly we are infinitely more expensive because elderly see doctor for free in Malaysia. Also, many of our medical staff are from Phillipines and even doctors from China so our medical care is staffed by 3rd world train manpower.
4. Make retirement possible in Singapore for majority. Most of my relatives in Malaysia stop work at 60+ some even 55yrs stop but in Singapore work until 70+ also have.
5. Less stress less working hours, more balanced lifestyle. Singaporeans work much longer hours and in more stressful work environment. There is also heated competition from foreigners to add to the stress. If the work environment can improve, it will also help the situation.
If we can match the quality of life in Malaysia, we may be able to push up our fertility rate. In Malaysia the fertility rate is more than double that of Singapore because people have more time for the families, less debt burden, bigger homes, better transport and access to cheaper medical care.The gap between Singapore and Malaysia is very big in terms of quality of life...hopefully Singapore govt can help us to catch up with Malaysia.
Wednesday, 22 August 2012
National Day Rally 2012 Expectations...
National Day Rally,
PM will speak frankly.
Need higher fertility,
To save this country.
PAP gives more incentives,
Make more babies please...
But Singaporeans think like this,
Why bring one more to their service
Feed our children to this Singapore Inc,
Another life of slavish working.
Make our current lives better then see,
Solve our problems we'll have bigger family.
Stop the endless foreign influx,
Bigger better housing for a start.
Medicare, retirement, safety nets,
Job security we expect...
Otherwise don't waste your time,
Your rally not worth a dime.
PM will speak frankly.
Need higher fertility,
To save this country.
PAP gives more incentives,
Make more babies please...
But Singaporeans think like this,
Why bring one more to their service
Feed our children to this Singapore Inc,
Another life of slavish working.
Make our current lives better then see,
Solve our problems we'll have bigger family.
Stop the endless foreign influx,
Bigger better housing for a start.
Medicare, retirement, safety nets,
Job security we expect...
Otherwise don't waste your time,
Your rally not worth a dime.
Minister K Shanmugam's racist complainant
Here is Shanmugam expressing shock that one of resident complaining to him in an email is making racist remarks at another neighbor of a differnt race:
Mr Shanmugam wrote: “He then listed other Indians whom he found unpleasant - the Indian man smoking in the lift, the Indian woman with her dog, and his daughter’s Indian neighbour who walks around in a sarong, and said that he didn’t want his grandson growing up looking at Indian men in sarong.”
If I say I have an Chinese neighbor stinks does not bath every day and is untidy...likes to take of his shirt and show his bare-body or goes around in singlet...I hate another Chinese feller smoking at the stairwell all day. Then there is another Chinese feller who walks his dog everywhere and the dog pees here and there. Because I'm also Chinese, I'm not racist....but if I'm a non-Chinese, my complaints becomes racist.
Looks like the racist accusation in itself is racist!!!! There is a presumption of racism simply because a person of one race complains about a person/people of another race....if both are same race and the complaints are exactly the same, the complainant is not racist. The writer did not say all people of such a race have such a behavior but that specific behavior of people of certain people who happen to be of the same race around his neighborhood.
I would like to ask the Shanmuggum to wake up his idea....opps am I now a racist because I'm speaking against an Indian minister...sorry I didn't even notice his race just his lack of logic !
Mr Shanmugam wrote: “He then listed other Indians whom he found unpleasant - the Indian man smoking in the lift, the Indian woman with her dog, and his daughter’s Indian neighbour who walks around in a sarong, and said that he didn’t want his grandson growing up looking at Indian men in sarong.”
If I say I have an Chinese neighbor stinks does not bath every day and is untidy...likes to take of his shirt and show his bare-body or goes around in singlet...I hate another Chinese feller smoking at the stairwell all day. Then there is another Chinese feller who walks his dog everywhere and the dog pees here and there. Because I'm also Chinese, I'm not racist....but if I'm a non-Chinese, my complaints becomes racist.
Looks like the racist accusation in itself is racist!!!! There is a presumption of racism simply because a person of one race complains about a person/people of another race....if both are same race and the complaints are exactly the same, the complainant is not racist. The writer did not say all people of such a race have such a behavior but that specific behavior of people of certain people who happen to be of the same race around his neighborhood.
I would like to ask the Shanmuggum to wake up his idea....opps am I now a racist because I'm speaking against an Indian minister...sorry I didn't even notice his race just his lack of logic !
CPF Good or Bad Scheme?
The Japan Times
Singapore's paternalistic government is unappealing to many Americans — media restrictions, one-party rule, harsh penalties for gum-chewing. But Singapore's retirement system is a model of honesty and transparency compared with U.S. Medicare and Social Security. In 1984, then-Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew redesigned his country's retirement system to, as he later wrote, "avoid placing the burden of the present generation's welfare costs onto the next generation." Singapore makes no promises but instead requires all citizens to save up to 36 percent of their income for their own retirement and health care. The government invests the savings in stocks and bonds; the money is not used for current expenditures. The result? Singaporeans have comfortable retirements. Their health care system delivers better outcomes while costing 80 percent less than America's, according to 2010 findings from the World Health Organization, and all of it is financed without imposing debt on the next generation. Singapore even reported an uptick in medical tourism last year.
source : http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/eo20120821a1.html
Because some countries face funding issues with their pension schemes, they tend to see our system in which the full retirement responsibility rests on individuals with a favourable bias. However, they forget that their own schemes have been such as the US Social Security (started by Roosevelt in 1930s) has been in place longer than the existence of Singapore! Because they face funding issues in recent times and have to overcome them, they look to Singapore believing that we have a more sustainable and better system in place. This is a fallacy!!!!!!!
The CPF system under the current rules is in place for only 30-40 yrs. People place fully under this system started to retire in larger numbers only 10ys ago...that is when we start to see the emergence of working eldrly who can't retire. More than 50% of CPF members will not have enough minimum sum and are likely going to be forced to work without retirement or have a poor quality of retirement. Under the CPF scheme sibgapore will have the biggest proportion of "unable to retire people" among all developed countries....this is why so many of our elderly have to work. This is a failing scheme...the onky thing good is it keep taxes very low for the rich but it is extremely painful for the poor. The PAP created the most unequal economic system among developed countries then force the poor to save for their retirement...this is a bad system..
A retirement scheme that only has one good attribute that it does not burden the govt finances and keep taxes low but does not ensure that everyone can retire comfortably can't be good. It extends the harmful effects of our super high income inequality to the retirement phase of one's life has a divisive effect on our society. We cannot be so arrogant to believe this scheme is good and sustainable when it is around for only a few decades and the people under this scheme is only beginning to retire in large nunbers. We are in fact observing the signs of failure of this scheme as a growing number of Singaporeans are working into old age unable to retire at the same age as people in other countries. How can a retirement scheme be good when it does not ensure people can retire?!
Govt should not concede to demands of cyclists for own lane!
70 have died in past few ys this translate. to 1.5 per month because of this cyclists. demand govt spend money to build cycling. lanes. this. is an absurd demand. many. of the. cyclists. died on. the open road when they cycled for recreation ...it is their choice they. dont. use park connectors and cycle. at our parks like East Coast
...they choose. to endanger themselves.
Every month tens if not hundreds of singaporeans find they have late stage terminal cancer because they cannot afford screening checkups to detect the cancer early and the govt does not spend money to help them yet the cycling.ommunity want tax players to foot the bill for their choice of taking more risk on open roads...this is absurd.
...they choose. to endanger themselves.
Every month tens if not hundreds of singaporeans find they have late stage terminal cancer because they cannot afford screening checkups to detect the cancer early and the govt does not spend money to help them yet the cycling.ommunity want tax players to foot the bill for their choice of taking more risk on open roads...this is absurd.
The govt has already built 300km of park connectors for cyclists yet these cyclist choose to risk cycling on the open road. Other vehicles like cars and motorcycles have to pay ERP, road tax and COEs to go on the road. It is blatantly unfair to set aside special lanes on our roads in land scarce Singapore to meet the demands of these cyclists who contribute nothing to the costs.
Oh come on, the PAP does not need anymore feedback!!!!
The PAP govt is asking for more feedback:
http://www.facebook.com/REACHSingapore.
Singaporeans have been giving feedback for so many years. Why does the govt need some more feedback?!
http://www.facebook.com/REACHSingapore.
Singaporeans have been giving feedback for so many years. Why does the govt need some more feedback?!
What they need to do is solve the problems faced by Singaporeans. High housing costs, low pay and jobless PMETs in their 40s. We really appreciate if the govt can stop importing people and causing our problems to worsen.
The problem is not feedback but the PAP govt itself that does not want to do what the people want them to do. We want to know what is going on in Temasek and GIC - please let us know, we have the right to know. We want the PAP to stop increasing our cost of living - utilities bill, conservancy charges, bus fares - why does the PAP need feedback to get these things done. It is just common sense.
Tuesday, 21 August 2012
An Old Lady's Story....
Yesterday while having breakfast at the hawker center, I saw my neighbor talking to a group of elderly ladies. Rather animated like they were discussing something very dramatic.
Later in the evening I saw my neighbor asked her what were they discussing. She said one of the elderly woman in her sixties had just returned from China and had lots of stories to tell everyone. The elderly woman stayed at the rental block next to mine. So what happened to the woman in China, I asked my neighbor - "kena robbed is it?". My neighbor said "sort of, but not quite".
20 years ago the woman received a letter from China from a woman who said she was the sister of her late father....separated by the World War. The China woman wrote that her family was very poor and the family lived in poverty. The Singapore woman who was not rich and living in a flat too pity on her china relatives. She verified with other relatives that the China woman was indeed her aunt and really her father's sis. She decide to send $100 to her auntie to help her. 5 years later this auntie died, her nieces in China took over and corresponded with her. Told her china family situation had to gotten worse - hard to find jobs living from hand to mouth. To help she continued sending $100 to the family when when she get year end bonus she would send half to the family. She was very happy to get letters expressing gratitude.
3 months ago, the Singapore woman who was working as a coffee shop helper retired. The Singaporean boss whom she had been working for for 20 years, gave her $20K ask a retirement package. The Singaporean boss now owns 3 coffee shop, had kept all his Singaporean workers is one of the rare "good bosses" - he would give elderly workers $1000 for every year they worked for him when they retired. The woman delighted with her new found wealth decided to book a tour to China to visit her China family personally. A Singaporean nephew who is a regular traveler offered to accompany her the trip - perhaps worried she would get lost in China.
To make a long story short. When they for their way to the China address she had corresponded with for years, they saw a 2 storey concrete house with 2 SUVs parked in the compound. When she introduced herself, nobody knew who she was. They knew her late Chinese auntie but claimed they didn't know they had a cousin or auntie in Singapore. The Chinese auntie had 2 children now in the sixties living in the house. They claimed their mother never told them they had a cousin in Singapore - the person she wrote to apparently did not exist or nobody admitted being that person. They told her since she is a relative she can stay with them for a few days - they were okay with that. She found the family was rather rich by Chinese standards and seemed to live quite well - so where did the $100 she sent every month go? Nobody knows. But they treated her quite okay when she was there but she decided to stop giving them any more money....she felt a bit cheated but didn't tell them that.
Later in the evening I saw my neighbor asked her what were they discussing. She said one of the elderly woman in her sixties had just returned from China and had lots of stories to tell everyone. The elderly woman stayed at the rental block next to mine. So what happened to the woman in China, I asked my neighbor - "kena robbed is it?". My neighbor said "sort of, but not quite".
20 years ago the woman received a letter from China from a woman who said she was the sister of her late father....separated by the World War. The China woman wrote that her family was very poor and the family lived in poverty. The Singapore woman who was not rich and living in a flat too pity on her china relatives. She verified with other relatives that the China woman was indeed her aunt and really her father's sis. She decide to send $100 to her auntie to help her. 5 years later this auntie died, her nieces in China took over and corresponded with her. Told her china family situation had to gotten worse - hard to find jobs living from hand to mouth. To help she continued sending $100 to the family when when she get year end bonus she would send half to the family. She was very happy to get letters expressing gratitude.
3 months ago, the Singapore woman who was working as a coffee shop helper retired. The Singaporean boss whom she had been working for for 20 years, gave her $20K ask a retirement package. The Singaporean boss now owns 3 coffee shop, had kept all his Singaporean workers is one of the rare "good bosses" - he would give elderly workers $1000 for every year they worked for him when they retired. The woman delighted with her new found wealth decided to book a tour to China to visit her China family personally. A Singaporean nephew who is a regular traveler offered to accompany her the trip - perhaps worried she would get lost in China.
To make a long story short. When they for their way to the China address she had corresponded with for years, they saw a 2 storey concrete house with 2 SUVs parked in the compound. When she introduced herself, nobody knew who she was. They knew her late Chinese auntie but claimed they didn't know they had a cousin or auntie in Singapore. The Chinese auntie had 2 children now in the sixties living in the house. They claimed their mother never told them they had a cousin in Singapore - the person she wrote to apparently did not exist or nobody admitted being that person. They told her since she is a relative she can stay with them for a few days - they were okay with that. She found the family was rather rich by Chinese standards and seemed to live quite well - so where did the $100 she sent every month go? Nobody knows. But they treated her quite okay when she was there but she decided to stop giving them any more money....she felt a bit cheated but didn't tell them that.
A Malay ex-neighbor I met yesterday....
This Malay neighbor of mine got married 4 yrs ago. Know him well enough to be
invited to his wedding party. Malay wedding for me was quite an eye opener... so
colorful. After he got married he stayed at his mom's 2-room flat with 2
unmarried brothers, his mom and dad ...and wife. Altogether 6 people in one
small flat but everything was quite alright.
His first child was born 3 years ago and 2nd child was born 2 years ago. Working as a dispatch rider his pay was $800-$1000. When his 2nd child was born, really too crowded so his wife and his mom started quarreling. So he decided to move out because cannot "tahan" anymore. He tried to rent a place from HDB but there was a queue so he apply and wait. In the meantime how? He tried to look for place to rent but his $1K after pay rent not even enough to buy milk powder. Quite frustrated he move his whole family to JB since the 2 young kids didn't go to school, it was no problem. Rented an apartment for RM$400 then everyday commute to work like Johoreans working in Singapore.
One year ago he got his taxi license and decided to drive taxi. However, he worked out that if he moved his family back to Singapore, will be too financially stretched so he continued staying in JB. Taxi driver also need a period to ramp up their earnings....initially might have to make losses because not familiar with road and strategy. Everyday he would park his taxi at a place near Woodlands then take the bus into JB to be with his family. If he drive the taxi into JB, he would have to pay RM$30 per direction so he decided to save this cost. So everyday for 1 year, he took bus to Woodlands to drive his taxi and then every evening...late at night, he left his taxi in Woodlands and take the bus to JB..to save the RM$30. Sometimes we go into Malaysia, we complain customs and immigration too slow and time consuming...imagine doing it everyday for 1 whole year.
After 1 year he was able to save $13,500 and his skill in driving taxi and looking passengers improved. With this confidence, he took his family back to Singapore where his heart belongs so that he could be back near his extended family. HDB also granted him a rental flat so he has a place to stay.
In our society, we like to say certain races don't work hard and so on. Some believe people are poor because they don't work hard enough. We like to stereotype people....we only make these conclusions out of prejudice and ignorance. The fact is the poor works harder than most of us, they are poor because they are in jobs that underpay for their labour...we don't understand the pain they go through and their struggles.
His first child was born 3 years ago and 2nd child was born 2 years ago. Working as a dispatch rider his pay was $800-$1000. When his 2nd child was born, really too crowded so his wife and his mom started quarreling. So he decided to move out because cannot "tahan" anymore. He tried to rent a place from HDB but there was a queue so he apply and wait. In the meantime how? He tried to look for place to rent but his $1K after pay rent not even enough to buy milk powder. Quite frustrated he move his whole family to JB since the 2 young kids didn't go to school, it was no problem. Rented an apartment for RM$400 then everyday commute to work like Johoreans working in Singapore.
One year ago he got his taxi license and decided to drive taxi. However, he worked out that if he moved his family back to Singapore, will be too financially stretched so he continued staying in JB. Taxi driver also need a period to ramp up their earnings....initially might have to make losses because not familiar with road and strategy. Everyday he would park his taxi at a place near Woodlands then take the bus into JB to be with his family. If he drive the taxi into JB, he would have to pay RM$30 per direction so he decided to save this cost. So everyday for 1 year, he took bus to Woodlands to drive his taxi and then every evening...late at night, he left his taxi in Woodlands and take the bus to JB..to save the RM$30. Sometimes we go into Malaysia, we complain customs and immigration too slow and time consuming...imagine doing it everyday for 1 whole year.
After 1 year he was able to save $13,500 and his skill in driving taxi and looking passengers improved. With this confidence, he took his family back to Singapore where his heart belongs so that he could be back near his extended family. HDB also granted him a rental flat so he has a place to stay.
In our society, we like to say certain races don't work hard and so on. Some believe people are poor because they don't work hard enough. We like to stereotype people....we only make these conclusions out of prejudice and ignorance. The fact is the poor works harder than most of us, they are poor because they are in jobs that underpay for their labour...we don't understand the pain they go through and their struggles.
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