Hot topic of the moment - RUBBISH!! Lots of it
A lot has been said on this subject by many and I concur with those that said Singapore is still a very dirty place. The only reason it looks clean is due to the many paid cleaners sweeping and picking up the litter everywhere. This has been going on for many years and now, it has worsened.
I do not wish to sound racist or condescending but I have seen many "new" residents who have little knowledge of living in a small country like Singapore going about their daily activities without thought to public cleanliness.
In the last decade, many new citizens and permanent residents came from China, India and Malaysia. These nations were developing at a lower rate than Singapore. And to many of their citizens, the lack of public hygiene is not seen as a problem. Hence there is a lack of education on littering among other issues. I have personally seen a number of these residents polluting the parks and also the playgrounds in between the public housing apartments.
It is also true there are many local Singaporeans who does not think about cleanliness and will simply discard their litter everywhere. This is a problem that education will help. But what level of education is required. Singapore has been educating the young for the past many years about the need to keep the place clean. Yet, the abundance of litter everywhere is well known.
In some things, the government is willing to pass a law when everyone is against it telling the population that the law stands as it is good for the nation e.g. the ban on smoking in open spaces like the bus stops and food stalls. Yet, on the subject of littering, the government says they prefer to use education and not legislation.
The people who litter are simply both lazy and disrespectful of others. And many of them do not consider littering is an antisocial behaviour. The antisocial behaviour should be treated as it is. If graffiti is not tolerated well, why are we tolerating litter bugs. If we are willing to throw the books at graffitis then we should do the same for littering.
Old folks home should not be in isolated places.
Singapore is one of the many nations that are aging at a rapid rate. And there are a lot of talks about the need to free up more lands to build more old age homes for the senior citizens. I think this is not correct.
The senior citizens should not be build separately away from the bustling areas. In order to keep the senior citizens sharp and not be forgotten, such homes should be built within the housing estates. If it is possible to build kindergartens and child care centres amongst the blocks of apartments, it is also equally possible to build such centres for the aged.
In some cases, what is needed is a day care facility for those aged and staying with their families. The facility should cater for these senior citizens by having the proper healthcare advisors and provide the aged with some activities.
In other cases, a facility can be built to cater for those that need to stay in and be cared for. If the government can build multi-level car parks, they can also build some low level buildings for the aged to stay in. Infact, they can convert some four-storey apartments into homes for the aged. These can be managed by various groups including the private sector.
The aged could be let out to sit around and watch the children play, interact with others in the housing estate, help keep watch on children, other apartments, etc. The main benefit is that these people are not segregated from society but are integrated into the daily life and actitvities of each housing estate. For those that are infirmed, they may get more visitors from the housing estate people especially from students who may volunteer freely because they do not have to go far to do any volunteer work.
The government should review their plans for the aged and change according to the times. It is no longer true that the aged are all infirmed and senile. Many are able to live fruitful life and they can continue to contribute to society in many ways.
Micro-chips Heist in Malaysian airport.
Malaysia is welcome to one new Malaysian record...largest heist at an airport. Intel lost close to US$13 million early this week when robbers drove into the airport cargo complex and made off with that amount in computer chips and computer motherboards. The items were scheduled to be air freight to various destinations within a few hours after arriving into the airport.
Now, that is one of the highest value products to be lost in one swoop. And this is happening in Malaysia. Why am I not surprised?
Malaysia is one of the fastest developing nation in the world. This is good as the standard of living grows. There is also a huge potential for this nation as there is an abundance of land, minerals and argiculture.
Unfortunately, that is just it. There is the potential; nothing more. At least not until the government get off their chair of wanting the cake and eat it too. The government allows mediocrity to grow and actually lowers the standard to ensure that one particular race catches up to the others within the nation. And to ensure that no other races will grow faster, there is the requirement that the one race must have so much (30%) of the economic pie and so on.
Ultimately, when you set the bar low, you get monkeys working for you. Of course, there are some diamonds and some gold nuggets that will surface. Unfortunately too many fools gold are dug up and it is unfortunate that these are the ones that will continue to hound and bay for financial support in order to make it in the world. To them, the world is Malaysia and nothing else.
If it sounds like the dark ages, do not be surprised. Where else but in Malaysia can you find politicians saying that it is perfectly alright to build buildings without permits (when it is the law) and then indicate the others has vengence on their mind when this is discovered. And that such buildings should not be penalize because everyone else is doing it.
Imagine, it is alright not to pay taxes since everyone else is doing it. It is alright to drive without a care because everyone else is doing it.
I do not see myself visiting Malaysia anytime soon. It is too dangerous. Anarchy is coming.
Singapore Christmas Decorations - nothing new
Over the weekend, I was with a group of tourists (a total of three families) and we spent the day in Orchard area. They decide to take in the sights of Christmas decorations that abound at this time of the year in Singapore. Within a short time, they were disappointed and decided to return to their hotel rooms.
Inside Ngee Ann City, there was a huge tall Christmas tree. But the tree is the same feature for Ngee Ann for the past many years. Is there nothing else that the shopping mall can offer? I tried to think how long that tree has been shown and I actually forgot when it was first put up. I remember seeing that tree some time in the late 1990's.
At Tanglin Mall, the group saw the 'snow' machine and the tree with the 12 days of Christmas decorations. Again, this is not something new. The same equipment blowing soap bubbles has been around for more than five years. And it is the same every year. It looks like more places are hopping onto this scene - I hear Faber Hill is suppose to come alive with snow as well.
We decided to head to Raffles City and found the same Christmas tree that was seen for the past seven years outside facing North Bridge Road. While some decorations have change, it is cosmetic in nature. The same tree is setup and only the trimmings are different from yester-years.
By now, the entire group felt there is nothing new in Singapore. And looking at the various products and stores in some of the shopping malls, there is nothing new as well. Many stores have not changed their layout or merchandise. Once they have bought something some time ago, there is nothing Singapore offers the group I was with.
The above is a real surprise to me. I have not been visiting Orchard Road for a while as I tend to prefer other places outside of Orchard due to both parking and ERP charges. If this is the best Singapore can do, then I am afraid we are going to lose our credibility as a shopping paradise much faster.
School holidays are here again
OH! What a feeling! The sound of screams and shouts of joy from school children could be heard all over Singapore – school holidays are here again.
Many pupils were enjoying themselves in school yesterday (Friday, 17 November 2006). It is the last school day for this academic year. They will enjoy a six-week break before heading back to school early next year for a new academic year. Some pupils would be going on to different schools (primary to secondary, secondary to polytechnic or junior colleges, etc) and some would be moving on to a different phase of their life.
(If you are planning to purchase a new house, check if you are within the vicinity of a school. You are guaranteed an wake up call (alarm clock) if it is so). Each morning, the pupils in the school next to my block would sing the Singapore National Anthem; recite the National Pledge followed by the school song. Then there would be several announcements such as the success of some of the pupils in some competition or another, a visit, alerts, etc. before the pupils are sent to their classrooms). How do I know this? Well, each weekday, I would wait for the announcements to end before leaving for work. For the next few week, the morning will be peaceful – at least for the next six weeks.
The roads would be easier to negotiate. There will be fewer pupils on the roads, the buses would be empty and there are more seats available for those who venture out early in the morning either to work or other leisure activities. The elevator would be easier to call for. There is less people vying for them.
GST does not help lower income Singaporean
The Singapore Prime Minister wants to increase the GST (Goods & Services Tax) from the current rate of 5% to 7% and use the added income to provide help schemes to the lower income Singaporeans. While it is heartening to note that the government is now willing to consider more concrete help schemes instead of hodge-podge schemes, financing such help schemes by increasing GST is counterproductive.
GST is a consumption tax. People are taxed on the income they spend. The lower income would spend a larger proportion of their income on necessities and with the added GST, they would be paying more tax for the same amount of goods or services.
The Prime Minister is saying that this would not happen as the added income gain from the tax would be return to the lower income via subsidies so they would not be paying less. But in order for the lower income to pay less, the amount of subsidy provided has to be much higher - it has to take into account that the amount will have to include the amount added and this has to go on perpetually as once the amount of subsidy is reduced, the impact would be that much more harder for them. After all, it is expected that these lower income will not be able to gain much increase in their salary.
The Prime Minister has also said the income tax for businesses may have to come down to make Singapore more attrative for businesses. If this happens, the amount of GST would then help to cushion the government from the amount of tax it is expected to lose from the lower income tax. So how much more income is the government expecting from GST alone and how much lower will the new business income tax be.
Another issue with GST is that there are almost no exemption. Hospital charges and other necessities are charged GST. The government should review this and exempt those lower income from GST. For example, all 3-room HDB units could be exempted from paying GST for their light and water supply. This would immediately provide at least a 5% savings (current GST rate). This can also be implemented for the town councils conservancy charges.
We are all trying to help but we need also to make sure that in helping, we do not rob Peter to pay Paul. We must also continue to provide them a helping hand so they can break away from their current state.
But having said all this; there will always be those that are less than you and there will always be those that are better than you.
What price citizenship?
Singapore continues to encourage foreign talents into Singapore providing them with permanent resident status as well as citizenship. A number of such talented people arrived with help from the various sports groups like Soccer, Table Tennis and Athletics. Are these sporting talents really ready to put down their roots into Singapore? Are they really Singaporean or are they simply paid assassins.
As an example, Egmar Goncalves, a soccer player, is said to be looking at returning to Brazil where he hailed from. He gave up his Brazilian passport to carry a Singaporean passport. He has represented Singapore in many matches and helped Singapore win a number of trophies. He has indicated he may return to Brazil as he is unable to secure further lucrative deals with teams playing in the S-League.
Is there a problem with Singapore that he cannot continue to stay on after the end of his playing days? Is he also planning to retire away from Singapore? Why not try his hand at coaching or helping out in some local Singapore schools to raise the level of skills for Singapore? After all, he is now a Singaporean. Surely he would clearly love to see future generation of players playing on the world stage.
It is not just him but a host of other players and from various sport organizations. Why is it that so many choose to leave Singapore after their playing years is over. Then there is the player who chose to try his luck in Europe after agreeing to a deal with an Indonesian team. What are the criteria for a Singapore citizenship? Would these newly minted Singaporean be willing to defend Singapore defend Singapore when the need arises? Or would they run back to their original country?
I am also further surprise that these citizens are able to return to their countries and stay on so easily. I am not aware that there are so many countries that will provide a foreigner citizenship rights even if that person was born there. Would Singapore welcome back to its fold any and all previous Singaporean after they have spent their youth and value shoring up their wealth elsewhere and returning home to retire. Perhaps most of us have a chance to retire in many other places – just check out the countries these foreign talents came from. If they can get citizenship so easily, we have a real chance ourselves.
But I think this is not so. Those born in Singapore will have to look for alternative – upgrade (or downgrade) their skills and try to adapt to the fact that their spending power has shrunk. While these foreign talents can retire in their original countries taking their money (including CPF) with them, many other Singaporean will have to learn to survive on less money. Maybe it is time for me to learn to bend it like Beckham. At least, I know I can retire anywhere I like. Hey, I can even play where I like.
2nd Link Bridge Run
Everyone in the family is still sound asleep but I. Today is the day. Heading out to Jurong East via the MRT network, I was surprised to see that it was rather empty of the usual crowd. There is none of the usual crowd wearing the same t-shirts; proclaiming they are part of the crowd joining in the Singapore-Johor 2nd Link Bridge Run. This sight was common during the Benjamin Sheares Bridge Run and also for the Terry Fox Run for Hope. Either I am running late or the number of participants is lower for this race than those mentioned.
This run is unique as it takes the runners over two countries: Singapore and Malaysia. As a paticipant, I saw a number of foreigners taking part (by foreigners, I meant non-Singaporeans and non-Malaysian as both the countries are joint organizing partners). And this is good because the run could be enlarged and provide some good publicity for both the countries.
But to do so, the current format should be changed. Right now, it is a 10km run. It should be made into a full marathon and if this is not possible; at least a half marathon. Of course, the shorter distances like the 10km and the 5km run should also be included to encourage mass participation allowing citizens to mingle during the run. The shorter distance could target the children of both countries allowing them to run together. The 10km could retain the current format and the half marathon or full marathon for the competitive runners.
The run was fantastic. The road condition was superb. However, I would like to see more of Malaysia than just turning almost immediately after crossing over the sea separating the two nations. It would probably allow me to better appreciate I actually am running from one country into another. Perhaps, the half marathon or full marathon would allow this.
One thing I cannot understand: why are the road marshalls always standing around and not cheering or encouraging the runners on. They were always busy waving the runners to stay within one lane when two lanes were blocked off for the runners. They do not even speak out to inform you to stay within the lane. They simply use their hands to "shoo" you into the lane. I am not a cattle nor a sheep to be shepherd into the lane. If we are out of the lane, a word out loud will be better. We may be running hard but our hearing are still good. A word of encouragement is always welcome especially for those that are coming in later. I even saw a marshall dancing in the street while joking with her colleague across the road. This is not good.
I noted a lot of casual runners clapping the front-runners on the way to the finishing line when they were running on the way over to Malaysia. There were shouts of encouragement to these runners to go all out. This is something I would like to see a lot more: encouragement. After all, I am one of the casual runners and I would welcome the occassional clap and encouragement to continue especially if I am almost tired out.
Here we go...
The MPs say what they want…They think they know what is good for everyone. The truth is that they know only what is good for them.
This is shown clearly by one of the MP’s daughter. Her infamous quote, “...get out of my elite face…” Does the daughter really believe she is elite in Singapore? And if so…why does she believe it so.
Is it because she is part of the wealthy? Or that she attends one of the marquee schools in Singapore? Or could it be the system telling her she is one?
I hope it is only a childish prank and nothing more. The words were written on the spur of the moment. It is not meant to hurt; it was in jest. The pen is mightier than the sword. And she has learnt the lesson how the written word can hurt...herself.
But what about the father….an elected leader. How did he manage the situation? Her father may have apologised but that is insufficient. I want to know if he feels he is one of the elite
Apologises he tried…but was it an apology? No, it was simply an excuse he gave. An apology is simply, “Sorry, I was wrong.” Instead, what we hear is, “Sorry! She should not have been so direct with her words.” And the unsaid words, "She is correct."
How can he continue as a leader? How can we allow such a person into the Parliament? And this is from the Prime Minister’s electoral ward – AMK GRC. The same team that won with less than 68% of the votes. The team that was touted to win by at least 80%. The team that won against young unknown candidates.
The words by Abraham Lincoln during the Gettyburg Address should be read by Singaporeans as well; especially the last sentence. It is similar to the history of Singapore.
We need to eat humble pie and eat it often lest we think ourselves as God.
http://showcase.netins.net/web/creative/lincoln/speeches/gettysburg.htm
