Comments on: The Prime Minister’s National Day Message http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/08/the-prime-ministers-national-day-message/ Singapore's #1 Socio-Political Site Thu, 24 May 2012 15:26:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Lai CF http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/08/the-prime-ministers-national-day-message/comment-page-1/#comment-1692 Lai CF Sat, 18 Aug 2007 07:25:16 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/08/08/the-prime-ministers-national-day-message/#comment-1692 Aygee..will it last during post-Lee Kuan Yew era? or ended up like Tito's Yugoslavia? Aygee..will it last during post-Lee Kuan Yew era?

or ended up like Tito’s Yugoslavia?

]]> By: Lai CF http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/08/the-prime-ministers-national-day-message/comment-page-1/#comment-1674 Lai CF Sat, 18 Aug 2007 07:23:16 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/08/08/the-prime-ministers-national-day-message/#comment-1674 Such incidents prompt developed societies to scrutinise the effectiveness of their safeguards, as happened in Britain in the early 1990s. A committee concluded in 1995 that while the majority of people in public life met the high standards sought by citizens, there were weaknesses in the procedures for maintaining and enforcing those principles. Public officials, it determined, should be imbued with selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership. The rules on declaration of property, assets and interests were subsequently altered. While the inquiry was held in Britain, its conclusions can readily be applied to all societies. People in public life the world over should have the seven attributes it outlined. Extract from MAcauDailyBusinessBlog on "MAcau Offcial Transparency". ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Will he talks about this SEVEN ATTRIBUTES come 19-August-2007? Such incidents prompt developed societies to scrutinise the effectiveness of their safeguards, as happened in Britain in the early 1990s. A committee concluded in 1995 that while the majority of people in public life met the high standards sought by citizens, there were weaknesses in the procedures for maintaining and enforcing those principles. Public officials, it determined, should be imbued with selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership. The rules on declaration of property, assets and interests were subsequently altered.

While the inquiry was held in Britain, its conclusions can readily be applied to all societies. People in public life the world over should have the seven attributes it outlined.

Extract from MAcauDailyBusinessBlog on “MAcau Offcial Transparency”.

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Will he talks about this SEVEN ATTRIBUTES come 19-August-2007?

]]> By: aygee http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/08/the-prime-ministers-national-day-message/comment-page-1/#comment-1693 aygee Tue, 14 Aug 2007 10:35:51 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/08/08/the-prime-ministers-national-day-message/#comment-1693 I think, if everyone juxtapose PM Lee's statements of our achievements as a nation, with the history of how Singapore was born, then maybe you can understand why PM Lee said those things for his speech. Let us remember that in 1965, we were thrown out of Malaysia. It was not something that LKY wanted. He and PAP had to form a nation, in the midst of the Confrontation with Indonesia, the Communist threat, and with the British colonials moving away. If we look at it from this aspect, i think in 42 years we've achieved quite a lot. Of course we cant compare ourselves with older nations, but still, as a city-state, without the backing of a European nation (such as Hong Kong), we've done a lot in 42 years. I think, if everyone juxtapose PM Lee’s statements of our achievements as a nation, with the history of how Singapore was born, then maybe you can understand why PM Lee said those things for his speech.

Let us remember that in 1965, we were thrown out of Malaysia. It was not something that LKY wanted. He and PAP had to form a nation, in the midst of the Confrontation with Indonesia, the Communist threat, and with the British colonials moving away.

If we look at it from this aspect, i think in 42 years we’ve achieved quite a lot. Of course we cant compare ourselves with older nations, but still, as a city-state, without the backing of a European nation (such as Hong Kong), we’ve done a lot in 42 years.

]]> By: Cs2 http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/08/the-prime-ministers-national-day-message/comment-page-1/#comment-1675 Cs2 Tue, 14 Aug 2007 09:14:17 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/08/08/the-prime-ministers-national-day-message/#comment-1675 It will be hard to justify the 3million pay package after the next elections. That is if the opposition can get their act together properly. In fact, they should start their challenges early rather than wait till the last minute or some 'event'. Newspaper columns and opinion articles are a good way. My two cents. And by the way, its normal to win medals. Afterall, we are the ONLY free business center in Singapore without the islamic stigma our neighbours suffer from hence the only safe place in this region for foreign investments. So of course we are doing well now. Like a company with a monopoly, so even if the Johnson and Johnson CEO isnt very good, he is able to pay the directors to make them perform. So opposition, the good times in Singapore wont last long. The only time PAP will loose is when the economic environment is compromise and 'directors' feel their pay package is also compromised and leave. Honestly, i dont think they REALLY love Singapore to want to make it a better place. Hence the reason why Singapore govt increased their minister's pay. It will be hard to justify the 3million pay package after the next elections. That is if the opposition can get their act together properly. In fact, they should start their challenges early rather than wait till the last minute or some ‘event’. Newspaper columns and opinion articles are a good way. My two cents.
And by the way, its normal to win medals. Afterall, we are the ONLY free business center in Singapore without the islamic stigma our neighbours suffer from hence the only safe place in this region for foreign investments. So of course we are doing well now. Like a company with a monopoly, so even if the Johnson and Johnson CEO isnt very good, he is able to pay the directors to make them perform. So opposition, the good times in Singapore wont last long. The only time PAP will loose is when the economic environment is compromise and ‘directors’ feel their pay package is also compromised and leave. Honestly, i dont think they REALLY love Singapore to want to make it a better place. Hence the reason why Singapore govt increased their minister’s pay.

]]> By: Robert Teh Kok Hua http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/08/the-prime-ministers-national-day-message/comment-page-1/#comment-1687 Robert Teh Kok Hua Sat, 11 Aug 2007 14:57:35 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/08/08/the-prime-ministers-national-day-message/#comment-1687 Keith, I am glad you have recognized that there is no such thing as retirement for most elderly. This is despite the fact that citizens have been sacrificing their own material and other wellbeing for years to support a government which at the end only looks after itself its own interest and giving itself its own report cards without really caring for the citizens' plight. Keith,

I am glad you have recognized that there is no such thing as retirement for most elderly. This is despite the fact that citizens have been sacrificing their own material and other wellbeing for years to support a government which at the end only looks after itself its own interest and giving itself its own report cards without really caring for the citizens’ plight.

]]> By: Keith http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/08/the-prime-ministers-national-day-message/comment-page-1/#comment-1680 Keith Sat, 11 Aug 2007 06:10:50 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/08/08/the-prime-ministers-national-day-message/#comment-1680 It will be an exciting place for the rich and foreigners; unfortunately not so for the poor, low income and elderly. The elderly who have toiled all their lives, will have to work longer so that they do not become a burden to the govt. There is no such thing as retirement in S'pore for them. It will be an exciting place for the rich and foreigners; unfortunately not so for the poor, low income and elderly. The elderly who have toiled all their lives, will have to work longer so that they do not become a burden to the govt. There is no such thing as retirement in S’pore for them.

]]> By: lesile http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/08/the-prime-ministers-national-day-message/comment-page-1/#comment-1685 lesile Sat, 11 Aug 2007 05:24:39 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/08/08/the-prime-ministers-national-day-message/#comment-1685 Amend: "No wonder gov does not want to let us know how much they profit from us" Remember it takes 52 years even for president to know Singapore's reserves. For Singaporean, it take infinite time to know how much gov profit from Singaporean. Amend:
“No wonder gov does not want to let us know how much they profit from us” Remember it takes 52 years even for president to know Singapore’s reserves. For Singaporean, it take infinite time to know how much gov profit from Singaporean.

]]> By: lesile http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/08/the-prime-ministers-national-day-message/comment-page-1/#comment-1684 lesile Sat, 11 Aug 2007 05:22:34 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/08/08/the-prime-ministers-national-day-message/#comment-1684 Even if want start with People’s Self-Help Fund (PSF), gov will find way to get money from it in the form of admin cost. Any money fund will need to register with gov. Case in SDU, gov disband SDU, and nowswhoever want to do dating service will need to pay money to gov for admin cost. Such is our money-loving gov. PayAndPay mentality is very entrenched in gov. No wonder gov does want to let us know how much they profit from us. Who will ? If a company make tons of money, they will not let employees know how much the executive profit from it. It is just natural for even an extraordinary gov leading an extraordinary country. Even if want start with People’s Self-Help Fund (PSF), gov will find way to get money from it in the form of admin cost. Any money fund will need to register with gov. Case in SDU, gov disband SDU, and nowswhoever want to do dating service will need to pay money to gov for admin cost.

Such is our money-loving gov. PayAndPay mentality is very entrenched in gov. No wonder gov does want to let us know how much they profit from us. Who will ? If a company make tons of money, they will not let employees know how much the executive profit from it. It is just natural for even an extraordinary gov leading an extraordinary country.

]]> By: a whole loot of hooey « For What It’s Worth http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/08/the-prime-ministers-national-day-message/comment-page-1/#comment-1681 a whole loot of hooey « For What It’s Worth Sat, 11 Aug 2007 05:18:25 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/08/08/the-prime-ministers-national-day-message/#comment-1681 [...] are so many things to pick at his speech, I don’t know where to [...] [...] are so many things to pick at his speech, I don’t know where to [...]

]]> By: Robert Teh Kok Hua http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/08/the-prime-ministers-national-day-message/comment-page-1/#comment-1688 Robert Teh Kok Hua Sat, 11 Aug 2007 01:14:20 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/08/08/the-prime-ministers-national-day-message/#comment-1688 In PM Lee's National Day Message,he has not addressed the problems faced by hundreds of thousand of citizens who are so poor that they cannot have three meals per day and the middle class who are squeezed by rising costs unable to keep up with mortgage payments etc. People should start a People's Self-Help Fund (PSF) to help themselves instead. The PSF is needed because it provides an alternative solution to help the poor and middle class (the new poor) who are unable to survive the economic game with a government obsessed with building up the country for the rich and foreigners. Many who cannot retire or get three meals a day will have help from such fund which in return will be served and supported by such people who receive help to pay back in whatever way they can once they are put back on their feet. In this way PSF will go on and generate growth as a way to work for the majority of citizens in whatever way and means they can. In PM Lee’s National Day Message,he has not addressed the problems faced by hundreds of thousand of citizens who are so poor that they cannot have three meals per day and the middle class who are squeezed by rising costs unable to keep up with mortgage payments etc.

People should start a People’s Self-Help Fund (PSF) to help themselves instead.

The PSF is needed because it provides an alternative solution to help the poor and middle class (the new poor) who are unable to survive the economic game with a government obsessed with building up the country for the rich and foreigners.

Many who cannot retire or get three meals a day will have help from such fund which in return will be served and supported by such people who receive help to pay back in whatever way they can once they are put back on their feet.

In this way PSF will go on and generate growth as a way to work for the majority of citizens in whatever way and means they can.

]]> By: Robert Teh Kok Hua http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/08/the-prime-ministers-national-day-message/comment-page-1/#comment-1683 Robert Teh Kok Hua Fri, 10 Aug 2007 12:39:35 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/08/08/the-prime-ministers-national-day-message/#comment-1683 Ok, it is not closed except that my earlier post did not go through. Ok, it is not closed except that my earlier post did not go through.

]]> By: Robert Teh Kok Hua http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/08/the-prime-ministers-national-day-message/comment-page-1/#comment-1682 Robert Teh Kok Hua Fri, 10 Aug 2007 12:38:02 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/08/08/the-prime-ministers-national-day-message/#comment-1682 Is the above post by Sean Curtin the last post allowed on this topic? I do not seem to be able to post a reply to this post. Is the above post by Sean Curtin the last post allowed on this topic?

I do not seem to be able to post a reply to this post.

]]> By: Sean Curtin http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/08/the-prime-ministers-national-day-message/comment-page-1/#comment-1677 Sean Curtin Fri, 10 Aug 2007 08:36:05 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/08/08/the-prime-ministers-national-day-message/#comment-1677 As a potential overseas resident in Singapore, it gives me great comfort to know that there is such strength and dedication behind the government responsible for all the fantastic lifestyle now made possible in Singapore. Having met my girlfriend at University, who is Singaporean, we have talked about the potential of living in Singapore and I for one am glad to hear your sincere words. My girlfriend took National day very seriously and with much pride and it's this display of patriotism, that reflects the greatness that is Singapore and it's embracing of world wide culture. What a great monumental achievement to be celebrating 42 years of Singapore. Much success and good fortune for Singapore yourself and all it's great residents, Sean A. Curtin As a potential overseas resident in Singapore, it gives me great comfort to know that there is such strength and dedication behind the government responsible for all the fantastic lifestyle now made possible in Singapore.
Having met my girlfriend at University, who is Singaporean, we have talked about the potential of living in Singapore and I for one am glad to hear your sincere words.

My girlfriend took National day very seriously and with much pride and it’s this display of patriotism, that reflects the greatness that is Singapore and it’s embracing of world wide culture.

What a great monumental achievement to be celebrating 42 years of Singapore.

Much success and good fortune for Singapore yourself and all it’s great residents,
Sean A. Curtin

]]> By: Seeking Salvation http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/08/the-prime-ministers-national-day-message/comment-page-1/#comment-1686 Seeking Salvation Thu, 09 Aug 2007 13:28:23 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/08/08/the-prime-ministers-national-day-message/#comment-1686 42 years there may be more millionaires created However plse come to a realisation that there are also many more who are not who are just putting and trudging on with a honest day work. More sacrifices. Is there a quality of life do you still have to be in debt when your ten year old car is due for scrapping. Its worse that owing money to the tai yu long - loanshark or mafia. ha ha ha swiss standard of living for who 42 years there may be more millionaires created
However plse come to a realisation that there are also many
more who are not who are just putting and trudging on with a
honest day work. More sacrifices. Is there a quality of life
do you still have to be in debt when your ten year old car is due
for scrapping. Its worse that owing money to the tai yu long – loanshark or mafia. ha ha ha swiss standard of living for who

]]> By: Lai CF http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/08/the-prime-ministers-national-day-message/comment-page-1/#comment-1689 Lai CF Thu, 09 Aug 2007 04:55:06 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/08/08/the-prime-ministers-national-day-message/#comment-1689 “Looking ahead, we are poised to take off. Many projects are already underway. In Marina South, we are building the integrated resort, the banking and financial centre, and soon the new botanic gardens. There is buzz and excitement in the air, as our city changes before our eyes day by day.” ------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Poised to take-off.."? in our current booming construction industry? For Korean, Japanese and Mainland Chinese contractors? For Mainland CHinese, Indian, Blangadeshi, Flippino, Myanmarese, Vietnamese, Nepalese, etc workers? “Looking ahead, we are poised to take off. Many projects are already underway. In Marina South, we are building the integrated resort, the banking and financial centre, and soon the new botanic gardens. There is buzz and excitement in the air, as our city changes before our eyes day by day.”

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“Poised to take-off..”? in our current booming construction industry?

For Korean, Japanese and Mainland Chinese contractors?

For Mainland CHinese, Indian, Blangadeshi, Flippino, Myanmarese, Vietnamese, Nepalese, etc workers?

]]> By: Robert Teh Kok Hua http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/08/the-prime-ministers-national-day-message/comment-page-1/#comment-1690 Robert Teh Kok Hua Thu, 09 Aug 2007 03:26:52 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/08/08/the-prime-ministers-national-day-message/#comment-1690 [quote]Originally posted by hloc: [b] Well said :!: :!: [/b][/quote] As bear wisely said, we do not even know what to be united for. Therefore we must put up a good plan in a simple manner to identify what they want and commit them to accept change with a practical alternative to existing top-down autocracy. This is the most difficult issue. If people keep talking about their doubts and their own points of views without any reasonable direction and process they will fail again. Even when we find very vocal and outspoken and able demogogues who could shout slogans, people may still have doubts whether they could implement their slogans. So New Practical Implementation Leaders must be found who could unite the people with not only visions but true and objective representation of their desires and needs for change in sequence of committed project management activities like: "Outline, Schemes, Details, Final and Process". We need objectives and directions to be drawn up on a front-end agenda but we still need implementation processes to be put up and accepted for all to be committed to their implementation. A group of citizens must eventually be found to keep working on such objective-processing program till people can see real and concrete program being implemented then they could accept them as viable. Where there is a will there is a way. Only determined optimists are qualified to be involved in such change. [quote]Originally posted by hloc:
[b]

Well said :!: :!:

[/b][/quote]

As bear wisely said, we do not even know what to be united for. Therefore we must put up a good plan in a simple manner to identify what they want and commit them to accept change with a practical alternative to existing top-down autocracy.

This is the most difficult issue. If people keep talking about their doubts and their own points of views without any reasonable direction and process they will fail again. Even when we find very vocal and outspoken and able demogogues who could shout slogans, people may still have doubts whether they could implement their slogans.

So New Practical Implementation Leaders must be found who could unite the people with not only visions but true and objective representation of their desires and needs for change in sequence of committed project management activities like: “Outline, Schemes, Details, Final and Process”.

We need objectives and directions to be drawn up on a front-end agenda but we still need implementation processes to be put up and accepted for all to be committed to their implementation.

A group of citizens must eventually be found to keep working on such objective-processing program till people can see real and concrete program being implemented then they could accept them as viable.

Where there is a will there is a way. Only determined optimists are qualified to be involved in such change.

]]> By: Robert Teh Kok Hua http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/08/the-prime-ministers-national-day-message/comment-page-1/#comment-1691 Robert Teh Kok Hua Thu, 09 Aug 2007 00:46:49 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/08/08/the-prime-ministers-national-day-message/#comment-1691 I was invited by NTUC last month to post in its website. My reply was since government has been ignoring people's feedbacks, what is the point of my posting more on their website. But I will take a look at the site you mentioned. I was invited by NTUC last month to post in its website. My reply was since government has been ignoring people’s feedbacks, what is the point of my posting more on their website. But I will take a look at the site you mentioned.

]]> By: MRT Suicides http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/08/the-prime-ministers-national-day-message/comment-page-1/#comment-1678 MRT Suicides Wed, 08 Aug 2007 17:27:01 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/08/08/the-prime-ministers-national-day-message/#comment-1678 Hello Robert, Maybe you can contribute here: http://forums.hardwarezone.com/forumdisplay.php?f=17 Hello Robert,

Maybe you can contribute here: http://forums.hardwarezone.com/forumdisplay.php?f=17

]]> By: Robert Teh Kok Hua http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/08/the-prime-ministers-national-day-message/comment-page-1/#comment-1679 Robert Teh Kok Hua Wed, 08 Aug 2007 14:33:22 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/08/08/the-prime-ministers-national-day-message/#comment-1679 Absolutely spot on, Thiam. This is the 42nd national day for the leaders to continue to blow their own trumpet of their own pretentious success. They are perhaps celebrating their success in capturing the whole electorate by fair or foul means for the 42nd years. For the majority of citizens life is getting harder and they are not able to cope with rising costs created by our relentless leaders' self-centred system of running the government. Yesterday there was yet another casuality of such a system of relentless system with one more citizen jumping onto the MRT track. There were countless citizens getting out of jobs because businesses could not survive the non-stop fee and tax increases to build government surpluses without any thought for the citizens. Majority are not getting better lives as of what they earn they had to pay 40%-60% to necessity like utility, service charge, transportation, education with nothing left for three meals or retirement. Yet our successful leaders are getting all their self-rewards of one kind or another without sparing a thought of such citizens. I pray that there will be an honest government one day perhaps next year or perhaps next election so that such hardship sufferred for long by the citizens will be recognized or relieved. Let us pray that we will celebrate next national day without such pretences and there will truly be more good years for the ordinary citizens instead of only for the ruling elites to blow their own hollow trumpet. Absolutely spot on, Thiam. This is the 42nd national day for the leaders to continue to blow their own trumpet of their own pretentious success. They are perhaps celebrating their success in capturing the whole electorate by fair or foul means for the 42nd years.

For the majority of citizens life is getting harder and they are not able to cope with rising costs created by our relentless leaders’ self-centred system of running the government.

Yesterday there was yet another casuality of such a system of relentless system with one more citizen jumping onto the MRT track. There were countless citizens getting out of jobs because businesses could not survive the non-stop fee and tax increases to build government surpluses without any thought for the citizens.

Majority are not getting better lives as of what they earn they had to pay 40%-60% to necessity like utility, service charge, transportation, education with nothing left for three meals or retirement.

Yet our successful leaders are getting all their self-rewards of one kind or another without sparing a thought of such citizens.

I pray that there will be an honest government one day perhaps next year or perhaps next election so that such hardship sufferred for long by the citizens will be recognized or relieved.

Let us pray that we will celebrate next national day without such pretences and there will truly be more good years for the ordinary citizens instead of only for the ruling elites to blow their own hollow trumpet.

]]> By: thiam http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/08/the-prime-ministers-national-day-message/comment-page-1/#comment-1676 thiam Wed, 08 Aug 2007 13:36:36 +0000 http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/08/08/the-prime-ministers-national-day-message/#comment-1676 "Looking ahead, we are poised to take off. Many projects are already underway. In Marina South, we are building the integrated resort, the banking and financial centre, and soon the new botanic gardens. There is buzz and excitement in the air, as our city changes before our eyes day by day." Hello can someone pls do me a favor and check and see whether the plug is properly connected to the socket? This is not what I want, it may be someone elses idea of what is good but it is not mine. I just want cheaper transport, more affordable milo etc and to have enough money to retire with a bit of pride and dignity. This is not too much to ask, instead of having to live my silver days in Malaysia while I have to travel every 3 months to see my grandchildren. Something is very wrong somewhere when the govt puts money over people and something is even wronger when they try to sell that as life without having to work non-stop. That's all I want this National Day. pre65 “Looking ahead, we are poised to take off. Many projects are already underway. In Marina South, we are building the integrated resort, the banking and financial centre, and soon the new botanic gardens. There is buzz and excitement in the air, as our city changes before our eyes day by day.”

Hello can someone pls do me a favor and check and see whether the plug is properly connected to the socket? This is not what I want, it may be someone elses idea of what is good but it is not mine. I just want cheaper transport, more affordable milo etc and to have enough money to retire with a bit of pride and dignity. This is not too much to ask, instead of having to live my silver days in Malaysia while I have to travel every 3 months to see my grandchildren. Something is very wrong somewhere when the govt puts money over people and something is even wronger when they try to sell that as life without having to work non-stop. That’s all I want this National Day.

pre65

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