Even if these men fail…
Wednesday, 16 July 2008, 8:37 am | 3,390 views
Andrew Loh
Reading about the Venerable Shi Ming Yi being charged for 10 counts of impropriety in handling funds collected through the Ren Ci charity organisation makes me very sad indeed. (Yahoo News)(CNA)
Venerable Ming Yi’s case follows that of Catholic priest Joachim Kang and the National Kidney Foundation’s (NKF) Chief Executive TT Durai. All three were trusted by members of the public and had collected millions in donations. Ren Ci and the NKF are two of the biggest and well-known charity organisations in Singapore.
While the monk’s guilt is yet to be ascertained, Durai and Kang were found guilty and were given prison sentences.
What is happening to our society, when even such men fail?
On 7 July 2008, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong called for more Singaporeans to “donate according to their means and from their heart”. He revealed that charitable donations to non-profit organisations (Institutions of Public Character) increased by more than 50 per cent to S$820 million last year. (PMO)
PM Lee said this tradition of philanthropy and volunteerism is needed to “keep our social fabric strong and vibrant”. However, with these recent cases of impropriety by the heads of charity organisations, one wonders if the ‘social fabric’ is being torn apart. Will Singaporeans’ generosity now be curtailed voluntarily? Will Singaporeans be more stingy in giving? Can we blame them if they are?
Part of that ‘social fabric’ is the trust and faith which the public places on the people who are responsible for handling public donations – donations which are meant for the needy.
Perhaps what is more significant, and which we should pay attention to, is whether these cases indicate something more deep-seated – that we have become a society where money is cherished above all else, even above the trust and faith which is freely and readily given.
But looking at things in perspective, there are many charity organisations in Singapore who are doing selfless work in helping the needy, the sick and the poor. Thus, it would be sad and inappropriate to tar all these organisations with the failings of the few.
Singaporeans should continue to give and support these organisations.
At the same time, the government and the relevant authorities should be ever vigilant in keeping an eye on these Institutions of Public Character. Here, I would like to commend the Health Ministry for its timely intervention and investigations into the affairs at Ren Ci last November, leading to the present charges against Venerable Ming Yi. The Health Minister, Khaw Boon Wan, should also be commended for his impartial handling of the case in its earliest stages. He had called for patience and fairness for Ren Ci and the individuals involved until the investigations were completed.
“It is important to let the investigators do their job. Let’s not speculate or jump to conclusions because that would not be fair to Ren Ci and the individuals involved”, he said. (Straits Times)
“I wanted to get to the bottom of it because if you leave it hanging and leave questions marks, it’s not fair to Ren Ci. Then people would jump to their own conclusions.” (Today)
Ren Ci’s two medical facilities - one at Buangkok View and the other at Jalan Tan Tock Seng - have a total of over 400 beds. A third hospital, being built near Tan Tock Seng Hospital, is due to be completed in September. The hospital is reported to be $4 million short of its target for the funds needed for this third hospital. The Straits Times said that “MOH is funding $21.04 million of the hospital’s construction costs, which come up to $30.8 million, according to previous reports.” (Straits Times)
While we may feel betrayed or angry over these cases, let us not forget the very good work which the other volunteers and staff at these organisations are doing, and there are many of them.
Yes, the heads of these institutions may have failed and abused the trust of the public but let us not forget that when we give or donate to these organisations, it is the needy, the sick and the poor that we are thinking of.
The onus is on the government to correct the shortcomings in the system which allows such abuse. For us, the public, we should question those who ask for our donations when we are approached.
But we should not stop giving.
For even if these few men fail, we ourselves must not fail those who need our help still.
———————–
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Philosophically, it says that humans are that - humans. Even religious figures can fail, because we are human. It is a reminder of our humanity and our failings.
Politically, though, the culture of money shines through. Why are these leaders, those which garner public faith, all charged of misappropraition? And, when even religious leaders get charged, people who supposedly represent a being which transcends humanity, one should start looking at the authorities representing something which is purely human - the politicians.
In the words of Cicero: quo usque tandem abutere, Catilina, patientia nostra?
i read with the news with some dismay in Today…although somehow i wasn’t too taken aback about the charges. as you have noted, perhaps our society has become materialistic. but on a lighter note, at least this case has been brought to light by government intervention…. unlike the last time (NKF saga).
While i do agree that the government’s handling of the case thus far has been even-handed…..let’s not go overboard with our praises.
i dont think it was government’s intervention that did Venerable Ming Yi in….rather as with most of such abuses, by whistle blowers, internal audits, etc.
anyways, it is still a work in progress….
re above article, my 2 cents is that good ole saying still is as always applicable here….”power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely”
where were the checks and balances????
Dear people,
What this shows is that checks and balances are needed. That NO ONE is above the trappings of power.
Can anyone guarantee that the PAP will remain clean post-LKY - if even religious people fall for such things ?
It makes us wonder what is in store for Singapore over the next 20 years…….Scary isn’t it ?
These incidences of misappropriation, fraud, betrayal of trust, deception and psuedo corruption are largely the by-products in the absence of transparency and accountability. The public’s trust is largely deceived through pretentious integrity and patronage.
Do we need more earth shattering cases before we demand for the paramount requirements of management of public/private companies/institutions/charities, religious organisations and government?
To the ruling party, especially LKY, can you understand (OF COURSE YOU DO!)why we, Singaporeans, are pressing for transparency and accountability? TRUST AND SUPPORT can only be given through full transparency and accountability.
Anything less than that is as good as a SUSPECT!
it seems the whole thing started when MOH auditors started questioning certain mil-dollar transactions in a general review exercise….so is it fair to say this particular case is largely due to government intervention? if someone has read something to the contrary, i’ll be interested to hear about it.
i just read from Yahoo that MOH will still continue to support Ren Ci. After all, it’s just the head + 1 (or 2) middle-management staff who are suspected of being rotten, not the whole board. unless of course, something else shows up. Right now, what people need is change and hope for the better, not to see bad history repeat itself.
but on a personal side, being Buddhist, i feel so ashamed suddenly. i started thinking of the various well-endowed temples and associations, and wondering where my family’s donations actually go to.
6 - I have known him although not very firmilar. Everything begins with passion and compassion to help the under privilige. However, things get out of hand when greed, hatred and delusion sets in.
when absolute power sets in, things just get out of hand. It sadden me as a buddhist that the figure representing buddhism failed on what his teacher had forewarned all his follwers.
There is seriously something wrong with our society when greed, money and materialism invades and underpins many aspect of our life. Money is always not enough for those who find it easy to exploit easy money through faith and religion.
I do applaud the government for exposing such deed even though it affect the social fabric of society and make Singapore look bad. Yes, for government to admit such problems rather than doing coverup (it will be naive to deny that NKF, RenCi did not receive moral support from gov officicals) is a first step in building better society because it allows one to study the root of the problems of why such thing occurs in country that is said to have minimal corruption, and hence able to learn from mistake.
Will majority of people ever donate again ? Not before the society become gracious and not worship money for the greed of money is the root of all evil.
It is unbecoming of society when even moral organization no longer can be trusted without accountability and transparency.
my comment wil lbe a bit OOT here, but would just like to say this: No wonder people immerse themselves in another world sometimes…like fantasy sci-fi, anime, online gaming etc..because there are no Heroes in this reality. At least, not the ones we think exist. the song american pie suddenly comes to mind too.
just want to ask if anybody here has harboured a slight suspicion about the way Buddhist insitutions operate here? i read from Yahoo comments that the “Buddhist clergy” have a good life vs their counterparts in e.g. Thailand….
Faith and trust are the prime ingredients when systems fail. They always start their journey with good intentions and somehow got misdirected halfway. This is the so called “complacency” which exists within all of us. Yes, I agree with Harrison that the government will need to understand our curiosity over our State funds too. It can happen to the best laid intentions. I only suggests faith when dealing with our religions.
Hi Andrew,
I find it very interesting the way the press reports about the case :
“Like the NKF, Ren Ci ran big annual fund-raising shows which reaped millions of dollars in donations, ..”
How does “reaped millions” sound?
It also is interesting to note that although unrelated to the case, the press reported yesterday and today a 27 year old student’s possession of adult films in his private home. Can anyone be a follower of the religion if he chooses to? Yes. Can the Reverend accept help from a student who wants to help out in Monastery? Is it weird for a 27 year old man to watch adult movies ? Which 27 year old does not? majority or minority do that? Can an adult watch such things when married couples use that to make babies or improve lovelife?
My point is, why the constant bringing up of an unrelated incident?
And I like to respond to Andrew that, your article seems to be in full support of the press and you sound like you already have sentenced the Reverend even when he is only accused of somethings that are under investigation.
Today, I am kind of disappointed with TOC.
Hope this response of mine is not deleted.
regards
Lydiam Lim Moi Moi
slohand2,
for all we know, it already happen. It doesn’t take a rocket science and intelligent people to recognize that. When ministers give moronic reasons for price hike without concrete evidence but based on their absurb claim, you know it already happen.
So why does these people feels unguilty ? Because of human nature that if left unchecked will succumb to the ways of society. Read about how little boy is degraded in the adverse environment in Lord of the Files (http://www.amazon.com/Lord-Flies-William-Golding/dp/0399501487)
No one can escape the temptation of the world without check, prevention and correction from others.
From http://online.sfsu.edu/~rone/Buddhism/BuddhismAnimalsVegetarian/Buddhist%20Diet.htm :
“The Buddha further warns that in the Dharma-ending Age (the age in which we are now) there will be an abundance of false prophets, or ghosts and demons who will appear as Bodhissatvas.”
Guess it’s the same for the other religions.
Dear Lydiam,
I am surprised that you find my article in ‘full support of the press’. I am not sure how you arrived at that conclusion from what I wrote.
As for me “already have sentenced the Reverend even when he is only accused of somethings that are under investigation”, I have not. Please read my article again. I said, at the beginning, that : “While the monk’s guilt is yet to be ascertained, Durai and Kang were found guilty and were given prison sentences.”
The part about the 27 year old man watching adult movies is what the press reported, not me. So, I am not sure where the relevance is to my article.
I do commend the Health Minister for his handling of this case. I am not ashamed to say that as that is my personal view. However, that does not mean I support his handling of other health issues - including the NKF fiasco, which I feel he failed to address adequately.
Regards,
Andrew Loh
No one is whiter than snow. Equality means the need for checks and balances, plus a healthy degree of transparency. Otherwise, it is hypocrisy.
By the way, Lydiam, your comments will not be deleted or disallowed if they adhere to the issue, and do not contain personal attacks, vulgarity and outright disparaging of other fellow commenters.
So, no worries there.
I welcome your disagreement with the views in my article.
Regards,
Andrew Loh
Since the NKF, i told myself not to donate any $$ to any charity, even the president’s star charity or the china quake charity. I wonder how they put the $$$ in use. Now this. hahaha!!!!
Comments edited by moderator.
Hence what all these show is that the Singapore system has not been doing its job properly. How can it be then when all along we were told that we are world class, when in truth we never had the proper mechanisms and heartware to evolve and growm, hence we ossified. This is the same thing as PN Balji’s editorial in Todayonline a few mornings back.
Same old same old.
Dear Andrew Loh
I suggest that your article title is in error. No offence. No man cannot not fail - it’s like saying even ‘honest mistakes’ are impossible.
Cheers.
Ming Yi ’s action is for the good of the Ren Ci patients. His pay is not that high as compare to TT Durai’s pay. It is for the sake of the patients that he climbed the high rise tower, ask Durai to climb, he will faint straight away. I feel that as long as money is not pocketed into his personal acc, then it is not misuse of fund. Looks like the govt wants to take over the running of Ren Ci Hospital. It put in a pap MP to be the chief. Pls correct me if I am wrong, Nia seng!!!
Hello,
Oh, what can I say about this case?
erm….
What To Do?
Its Happened.
Lets close Ranks,
and
Move on?
Hi Andrew,
How does “reaped millions” sound?
regards
Lydiam Lim Moi Moi
Andy / Lydiam,
I’m sorry but I don’t get your point.
Even if these man fail….. there will be others
http://simplygab.blogspot.com/2008/07/there-will-be-others-response-to-andrew.html
So ? Move on again? how many time must we keep moving on when issue like this happen again and again.
Let presume that one is not guilty until proven otherwise, still the issue here is always pple get tempted when they see a opportunity to reap gains when big sum are involved.
That y i always advocate that for certains work such as that of a charity organisation, politician etc, the focus should not be on how “qualify” one is ; instead it should be how “good a heart one has”
I would rather have a 2nd best candidate who has a “good heart” to run the post than a most “qualified” one who will start saying that he deserve to be paid “mkt” rate.
I have stop donating more than 15 years ago to charities ; nevertheless I occassionally do give $5 -$10 to those needy and handicap beggers I saw on the street. At least, I don’t need to feel shit when incident such as the NKF Saga surfaced.
If the PAP needs to pay its ministers million to prevent them from commiting fraud, does this payment of million dollar salary itself constitute ‘authorised’ fraud?
I do wonder what MM Lee and SM Goh does on a monthly basis to justify their pay? They do not even hold a portfolio….what is their KPI?
Staying alive?
In the light of all these scandals in charitable organisations, it is important the authorities audit the accounts of town councils vigorously to ensure public funds are not misused. I understand these funds, to the tune of billions of dollars, are managed by a committee, comprising of volunteers from the grassroots who are heavily dependent on contractors (estate managers) in the issuance of payments to service providers. These are done through purchase orders that can be easily manipulated and abused by the issuing authority. Many of these issuing authorities are staff of estate managers whose salaries are below S$2,000.00 per month. With due consideration to those who are from wealthy families, where do they get the money to drive a luxury car, stay in a condominium with a family in tow. Think about it!
The town councils must also form an audit committee to audit the type of workers employed by cleaning contractors in the respective estates if they are serious in supporting the government’s call for the use of locals in cleaning town councils estate. As it is now, 90% of these workers are foreigners and many of them are non-bonafide workers from Bangladesh and PRC.
In recent months, instead of employing more locals into this job, contractors are replacing them with more PRCs and Bangladeshis. in the few estates I frequent often eg. Sin Ming/Shun Fu, Eunos/Ubi many PRCs were spotted cleaning these estates.
It has been many years now when the WDA (workforce development agency) was formed to look into employment for locals, in particular, the cleaning industry. To date, nothing much has happened on the ground . All the efforts initiated by MOM (ministry of manpower) has gone down the drain. Town councils leave the employment of workers to the contractors who are prepared to risk using cheap non-bonafide labours to maximise profits.
Unless town council managers are held responsible for the use of non-bonafide
foreigners in their respective estates, by penalising and charging them in court, together with the contractors, this problem will never go away for the next 30 years likened to when it started 30 years ago. Strange is’nt it! Is there a scam about “kick-backs involving staff of estate managers? I leave this to your imagination.
FCO
I do not share the view that the Ministry or Khaw did a good job. The fact remains that several people started whistle blowing on Durai and lost in a civil suit. Only after the NKF saga did the ministry wake up from its slumber and the accompanying minister, who was defending Durai right before the court case and including the wife of the then PM, ‘peanuts’ remember?
With so many big charities having such probes and dubious activities, how can one possibly say the very people who are supposed to vouch for these organizations did a good job?
I agree that there is a problem in our society. We are just solving every problem with - MONEY. Everything is about money here. Values are being eroded and it is a deep seated problem. We are rotting to the core.
[...] More Clarity! - A L V I N O L O G Y: Venerable Shi Ming Yi going the way of T.T. Durai? - TOC: Even if these men fail… - The Void Deck: What Others Are Saying: Ren Ci Monk [...]
I only donate to beggers and those in need. This way I can see the money channel to the correct person
The SS,
I am not sure if the previous whistle blowers lost the civil suit as much as ‘cannot afford to keep going’.
The SS,
this time the govt hasn’t screwed up about this case…yet.
what they did in the NKF belongs to the recent past.
if i’m not wrong, NKF saga happened in july 2005, Durai arrested in april 2006.
MOH did the general review exercise and found Ren Ci accounts dubious in july 2006 (source: yahoo). the CAD was called in; after investigations, the rev. was arrested this year in 2008. incidentally, he was on long leave b4 arrested; could he be reflecting on what was to come?
all things considered, the govt has tried to do balance and checks after NKF, hence we have this case.
it is what happens from here that matters, because it will affect accountability and transparency issues.
and it is about donations and public trust of charitable organisations that will be at stake.
so i don’t think is fair to pass any absolute verdict on MOH or on the monk in question until everything is over.
Leaders need to be paid top dollars, as it is said.
This shall prevent Kang / NFK kinds of fiascos?
Maybe that is what the people want?
Maybe that is not what the people want?
Who set their own salaries?
Accountability for one case or all cases?
Most people may not be aware that
the Reverend / his family donated at least tens of millions of their private estate to help the needy people.
Most may not be aware that MP Ong is the RenCi director.
Who are those involved in the approval of funds usage?
regards
Wong Cum Singh
Without understanding the actual circumstances of the case, the question to ask ourselves is : should we jump to conclusion to pre-judge that he is guity ?
For all we know, he could be made used by those around him ?
Or maybe he is made a scapegoat because of some political agenda.
Until and unless the actual circumstances are revealed to us, none of us
are really be in a position yet to really comment on the matter. At best, our
comments are nothing better than gossip.
Credibility of any religious leader or any organization for charity is “earned” through their actions. Their lifestyle provide the clues to the discerning public.
It is human folly to be overly trusting, and I absolutely agree with fellow netizens that it is imperative to have check and balance.
Health Minister Khaw made the mistake of defending TT Durai when the NKF scandal was first exposed. And so did Ho Ching and Mrs Goh CT, wife of the incumbent PM and wife of ex-PM respectively. All 3 are very high profile personalities. The main difference between them is that Khaw admitted to his mistake and the 2 women have yet to do so.
The clearest example is right before us, the political system in Singapore.
Where is the check and balance when you have 82 PAP MPs versus 2 opposition MPs. We need to ask ourselves whether there is conflict of interest. The MM is chairman of GIC, wife of PM is CEO of Temasek, PM is son of MM or MM is the father of the PM, whichever way. LOL
Please tell me who is checking who ? Can some smart PAP supporter please enlighten the readers ?
Do you think president Nathan is checking anyone ? Will someone please ask him whether he has any idea about our country’s reserves if you so happen to get the chance to shake his multi million dollar hand ? Thanks in advance.
i think the bigger issue is should the government be ceding its responsibilities and asking non profit organizations to take on a bigger role in health care and social welfare.
if the government were the sole financers of the health care and social welfare system we wouldn’t have to worry how much money was raised on a yearly basis.
moreover the question is not how much money is raised but how much money eventually ends up providing the tangible benefit. you could raise billions of dollars but if out of every dollar only 20 cents ends up benefiting the patient then this should be considered a failure as well.
finally a question i don’t think ren ci should be totally absolved in this situation. a few bad apples maybe but why would a charity start constructing a hospital if they had not raised the necessary cash already. it is hubris for a charity to spend money that doesn’t exist. (i may have missed some details so do correct me if im wrong)
@27) Frusco
I second that. Here’s a a scenario.
High level town council official having mahjong game with contractors A,B and C. Nothing improper in that, don’t draw false conclusions. The following could be the normal bantering.
CONtractor A: ” Aiyah, don’t know why leh! Everytime your luck so good, today I loose $20,000 already.:
CONtractor B: ” Yah loh, me too man. Eh boss, my friend hah, he now very chialuck, need to sell his 60″ LCD TV brand new for $500, interested or not.”
CONtractor C: ” Today I lucky man loose only $19500. Eh boss, did you drop this 4D ticket? Wah low! this ticket won $12,000 man. Why want to test me is it.”
In the two years that I have participated in the Blogoshere, there were many occassions where I called through my comments that donors should avoid donating into the ORGANISZED COMMERCIAL CHARITIES(organizations). In fact I will also call upon the devouts of all religions to do the same with their RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS. DO NOT DONATE TO ENHANCE THE OPULENCES OF THE INFRASTRUCTURES AND THE LEADERS(preachers) OF YOUR BELIEF.
I made and am making this call based on a very glaring; anybody can see it for yourself, superficialities and these are the OPULENCES of the PLACES OF WORSHIPS of the various Religions. In the cases of Bhuddhist/Taoist, even the Deities are in themselves opulent and made of costly materials. Bhuddhist Monks, Toaist priests, temple staff and temples themselves are resplendent with MATERIALISM. It is very difficult to detect and feel the slightest sense of spiritualism. Materialism overpowers and overwhelms the spiritual feels to zero.
Spiritual men are to be austere, simple and ascetic, but today we see the opposite ad in the case of Singapore, the Police Records show that some of our top clergies are convicted.
In any case, I personally do not see the needs for the creations of so many ‘commercial charities’, other than the propensities to frauds, the accountabilities of funds themselves are hardly transparent, maybe one leads to the other. ON TOP OF IT ALL, the welfares and wellbeings of citizens in any country are PRIMARY DUTIES OF ANY REGIME. There is no reason for citizens to be responsible for the Duty of the Government, though it is good for the better off citizens to help. THE DUTY OF THE GOVERNMENT should never be replaced by the Citizens, this will lead to the Government neglecting and abdicating its’ Primary Function.
THE LEADERS (collectively theGOVERNMENT) MUST AND SHALL ALWAYS BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE WELLBEING AND WHOLESOMENESS OF THE COUNTRY THEY RULED. Otherwise; why are they leaders?
Singapore, I want to say, is one of the most highly materialistic society as it is run by a bunch of highly materialistic, technocratic leaders. We were just told that China and Russia want to learn from our leaders, how to ‘run’ their countries. This must the greatest joke I ever get to hear and do not expect any greater one in the rest of my life. Imagine the two largest nations in the World with their documented histories running into thousands of years, claimed by our tiny dot leader to want to copy our system of governance.
TO THE CONCEITED MATERIALISTIC LEADER IN SINGAPORE; MAY I IMPLORE YOU TO CREATE THE SENSE OF NATIONHOOD IN THE LAND YOU RULE, JUST A LITTLE SENSE, A LITTLE FEELING OF NATIONHOOD WILL CONCLUDE YOUR LEADERSHIP AS A SUCCESS. OTHERWISE, OUR COUNTRY SHALL BE AT BEST JUST A HOTEL, AKIN TO A MARRIED MAN WITH SPOUSE, CHILDREN, GRANDCHILDREN BUT NO FAMILY.
People talk about check and balance need in Singapore.
I was wondering in the US where there are check and balance, Risk Management etc …. still the Freddie and Fannie case still happen !!!
That why I am always suspicious of committees. I dont like committees not even the IC3 precisely because of this sort of nonsense. It looks good, but when you peel open the lid, its full of worms. I prefer to put my hopes in good checks and balances. Rather than in good people. That is why I always take the trouble to study the fine print for big ticket items like cars, insurance and endowment plans. Once you sign on. You are committed for better or worse.
Cannot comment on Ren Ci directly, but this will not change my view abt them. They are a good and compassionate charity. This incident will not deter me from giving what I have always given. What I cannot understand is how come some churches can go into property development and build a shopping complex in Beuno Vista and they never kena, but here these ppl get it so teruk teruk?
“I was wondering in the US where there are check and balance, Risk Management etc …. still the Freddie and Fannie case still happen !!!”
The main problem in the US sub-prime crisis is caused by GREED. CEOs are paid according to the business volume and profits that the companies made. In order to achieve and earn more for themselves, CEOs will direct their charges to go all out to garner the necessary results.
No surprises here. Anything and everything goes. Loans are extended to people who are not qualified, without jobs, etc. It was a financial nuclear bomb that has been built up and on the verge of mass destruction soon. The current situation in the US is akin to a leaking nuclear facility only.
When an organisation is run by an authoritarian person, system or government, everything can be manipulated because the people in there are installed by the one who calls the shot.
All these cases can be considered peanuts until proper audits are done in GIC, Temasek, town councils, etc. Possible titanic shocks may be revealed when the opposition gets to rule.
Even then, it’s still hardly surprising to me.
To Conjob,
No body knows our reserves, except a few persons u mentioned. It is not transparent. For Renci ,a nd NKF, at least the ministry can check on them, but for Temasek, GLC, nobody dare to check on them, you can’t say they misuse the fund, they misappriote the fund because you don’t have evidence. Even the president also dun know, what is the use of president, collect money only !!! [deleted]
Comments edited by moderator to remove cussing.
All this boils down to the lesson that human beings need other human beings to keep them from falling as none is perfect, none is above temptation.
Blind faith and blind trust is both foolish and dangerous.
Tewniaseng ,
you been kind enough giving the benefit of doubt of Singapore government due to lack of evidence but tell us where in the history of the world a dictator is not corrupted and doesn’t abuse power and authority ? Just name us one. The problem with Singaporean is that the government always tell you to provide evidence but yet it is the government that suppress evidence. Without evidence, Singapore gov knows that you are helpless and useless against them. That is reason why the coffers always talk want you to produce evidence which you can hardly get. Try to get ? Over their body with millions and one reasons.
Please exclude the self-righteous and power-hungry refused-to-die old man that clutched power to no end. He is not only pathetic dictator but a world-class clown, a disgrace to Singapore.
Dear Readers;
I have said Spiritual Wellbeings many times though I am an atheist.
Spiritual Wellbeings are for everyone, believers and non believers, it is a feeling of contentment, peace, comfort and goodness etc. In short, the emotional and mental states are wholesome and feeling good.
patriot.
Tewniaseng ,
Does anyone know where is the evidence that shows a few people know exactly what is the amount in the reserves?
Chua Mui Mong
hi Harrison,
“The main problem in the US sub-prime crisis is caused by GREED. CEOs are paid according to the business volume and profits that the companies made. In order to achieve and earn more for themselves, CEOs will direct their charges to go all out to garner the necessary results.
No surprises here. Anything and everything goes. Loans are extended to people who are not qualified, without jobs, etc. It was a financial nuclear bomb that has been built up and on the verge of mass destruction soon. The current situation in the US is akin to a leaking nuclear facility only.
When an organisation is run by an authoritarian person, system or government, everything can be manipulated because the people in there are installed by the one who calls the shot. ”
U did mention human being above! I just wonder why none of human being being held responsible for the crisis of US sub-prime. Dont they have audit to do check and balance and advise from Risk Management Consultant ? If this happen in Singapore, we will demand Mininster to resign. ha ha …
Maybe US is different from Singapore … Singapore is viewed to be corrupted..
The SS ,
On the kidney case, Khaw said the law cannot be broken.
Recently, he said maybe this can be changed.
I must be an idiot not able to understand his excellency.
/// What is happening to our society, when even such men fail? ///
1) When elites will only serve if there are big bucks to be made.
2) When success is measured by how much your pay packet is and material possessions.
3) Anyone in the same job dealing with large sums of money will sooner or later succumb to the temptations.
All these are normal con job but there is an even bigger con job in singapore. Right ? Old Fart.
I am shocked that he is charged. I hope the cases against him are solid. I hope there is no religious bias involved in the investigation and prosecution of this case.
If monks can failed, why not others? I think they better check all big churches too. I bet there are so called “disciples” of some huge churches who may be guilty as the monks too when put under scrutiny. Health ministry should check their books as well. Also all religious institution should also go through throughout checks on their books. Humans are not never holy and they are the most unreliable creatures on Earth. The same with the SELF PRAISE gahmen, who can do no wrong, mistakes and never made bad judgement, lastly blameless just like my dear GOD. Please take a good look at your the share price of citibank, UBS and Merril Lynch all are down 40% to 60% thanks to our stupid arrogant gahmen who invested in them when the turmoil started and ignored advise from all quarters. Now in their desperation, MM Lee even say good years ahead for Singapore. I cant imagined any good can come from the gahmen anymore. I have totally lost faith in them. Just like our Health Minister who praised Durai and Mingyi before their names become as smelly as shit. Mr Kwan also has no eyes to see, only blind leading blind to their downfall. Do we want to follow them? Sinkies asked yourself this question.
FG
Comments edited by moderator. Fever Guy, please refrain from posting sexual references which are irrelevant to the issue.
Since the equation, Singapore = PAP
“Now in their desperation, MM Lee even say good years ahead for Singapore. ”
rephase it into
“Now in their desperation, MM Lee even say good years ahead for PAP. ”
Therefore LKY is right. Despite all the blunder and stupidness, LKY and his coffers still get yearly salary increment and perks whether inflation or not, ineptness, bullshit, nonsense or not. There will more ERP, more price hike, more foreigner to charge levy, more money-making scheme coming on its way, more excuse to increase hike to help the poor.
Now who dare says there isn’t more good years ahead ?
Singapore = PAP = More Good years !
The perfect equation !
TOC,
Truly Sorry. just too much anger when reading her article. makes my blood boils. Thanks for the reminder.
FG
One of the primary responsibilities of the government is to look after the old, poor and the sick. If it had carried out its responsibility properly, voluntary welfare and charitable organisations like the NKF and Ren Ci would not have to carry out big fund raising campaigns or charity shows to raise large funds. And with big money involved, there will be more temptations.
The NKF saga drew alot of criticism on the government. And therefore, they have to do something to demonstrate to the public that they are now “on the ball” and in so doing aim to recover the loss in public trust. Therefore, I anticipate there will be more cases exposed.
I hope that this government should now realize that they must do enough to look after our old, poor and sick. Please do not turn your citizens into beggars and beholden to your meagre handouts. The people had worked hard to build this nation and now is not the time to turn your back against them.
Hi Andrew,
A well written and balanced piece that reminds us to not forget the good that they have done as an organization. People are prone to failure and corruption simply because no one is perfect.
The poor and needy in Singapore are still highly dependent on religious and non profit organizations to meet their needs (eg, provide food, friends, activities…). Many of these organizations are very tight on cash and are badly hit by inflation, so they would need the support of the public as well as government funding for their operations.
The social service sector in Singapore is not getting the recognition it deserves for the hard and thankless (and obviously non profitable) work that they do. The demand for such services keep growing with an aging population living from hand to mouth, an with a growing number of at risk youths. Social workers are underpaid and their intangible (invaluable) contributions to the society often goes unrewarded–financially. The reward they get is the satisfaction of seeing a life that is helped, but that does not put food on the table.
Unfortunately, such episodes will undermine the public’s confidence in VWOs and would affect the donations that are so necessary for their continual service and survival.
Wow !!! nowadays a search warrant so powderful, all inclusive, anything incriminating can kena. This guy must be very suay to be caught with his pants
down, with so many obscene stuffs. How on earth the movies were discovered. Must have been caught watching them or the whole house turned upside down. Lucky , no illegal 4-Ds found or drugs or illegal foreigners or This search warrant must be a ’search anything’ warrant…or ‘ cannot leave empty handed’ search warrant.
First you have guilty until proven innocent and now you have this.
(fill in the blanks)
It takes a _____ to catch another _____.
The problem with people if left uncheck is that they succumb to the conventional thinking that as long as they do something good, it doesn’t matter if they just take money for personal use.
“U did mention human being above! I just wonder why none of human being being held responsible for the crisis of US sub-prime. Dont they have audit to do check and balance and advise from Risk Management Consultant ? If this happen in Singapore, we will demand Mininster to resign. ha ha …
Maybe US is different from Singapore … Singapore is viewed to be corrupted..”
Luckiman,
Hoped that you have been following the US crisis closely. Many of the CEOs of the banks involved had been fired since besides those lower down the hierarchy. Furthermore, many tens of thousands had lost their jobs and many hundreds of thousands more job losses are in the pipeline.
This is leading to a severe US recession which is playing out and the full blown effects will surface before the end of 2008. If anyone preaches that Singapore or anywhere else will suffer minimal side effects from this crisis, it’s a damn lie and probably, to mask something that must be hidden at all cost.
By the way, human or system is practically the same. It is the former that creates the latter or the latter being created by the former. In other words, it’s a rotting systemic system that creates the crisis and the ultimate price will be paid by the masses.
“I made and am making this call based on a very glaring; anybody can see it for yourself, superficialities and these are the OPULENCES of the PLACES OF WORSHIPS of the various Religions. In the cases of Bhuddhist/Taoist, even the Deities are in themselves opulent and made of costly materials. Bhuddhist Monks, Toaist priests, temple staff and temples themselves are resplendent with MATERIALISM. It is very difficult to detect and feel the slightest sense of spiritualism. Materialism overpowers and overwhelms the spiritual feels to zero.
Spiritual men are to be austere, simple and ascetic, but today we see the opposite ad in the case of Singapore, the Police Records show that some of our top clergies are convicted.”
We can’t afford to expose the greatest hypocrisy in our affluent society without repercussion to its ‘greater good’.
To preserve the ‘greater good’, we need to keep some powerful people corrupted or leave them to their hypocrisy?
it’s a universal problem isn’t it….look at what’s happening in the US and others. The televangelists preachers like Jimmy Swaggart, Jerry Falwell, et el. SG is not exempt from abuses stemming from greed. they usually start out with good intentions and with the passage of time, self-interest takes over.
so what’s the moral of the story….take ownership of your works of charity. at risk of overgeneralising, singaporeans take the easier way out..kinda of like outsourcing compassion. To give up because of some bad hats is throwing the baby out with the bath water….now that would be more tragic.
in the name of ‘good’, some people get to practice ‘evil’ on others. i suppose, anything is justifiable under heavens as some are more ‘equal’ than others perhaps?
in life, though all are sinners - it’s easy to nail anyone with religious and secular laws and the powerful are the most vulnerable - but because of the pursuit of wealth, some have been made ’saints’( ahem, whiter than white) by virtue of their state protected and approved immunity - no one can touch them lah like one poster said here. how to when when the president also don’t know the state of our reserves etc .
apparently, the richer or more powerful you are, the ‘holier’ you become. can a society built on this kind of hypocrisy stand?
a HIGHER standard and demand on the poor, disadvantage and weak( beating them up with our use of laws/policies if necessary to contain them) to live the ‘religious life’ or obedient life but our ‘uncorrupted’ system make it very hard to impute the rich, powerful and ‘TALENTED’ of their greater SIN?
a case of double standard?
Very sensitive issue. Going after people clad in monk robes can create the impression that the Govt is anti-religious.
Besides charitable organisations, the bigger fish to fry is the religious organisations where people contribute % of pay whether out of piety or the fear of going to hell and other various reasons.
It is easy to say Gahmen must do this and do that but the contributor is not absolved of all responsibility too.
Having been one of stupid suckers who went around asking for donations for NKF to fund the golden taps and first class executive trips in the guise of study trips, I’ve learnt my lesson. My sincere apologies to those who had contributed via me.
For myself, I’m currently sticking to contributing to the community chest.
There is one thing which I like to add - to those who feel sad… and those who wonder why people like such (NKF chief, Ren Ci chief)commit those offences they did, actually, I would say these people have coloured vision or they are myopic.
The one central thing is in ourselves - its our expectations that failed us. ‘We are expecting this never to have happened’,
‘we don’t expect who and who or so and so to do this, do that’.
Where is there written such and such should not happen this nor that cannot have had happened etc etc?
One fine day, will we be surprised, very very surprise, again,if say news that another personality of great standing and popularity commit this wrong that wrong????
Very basic, no need rocket science - any, and all man are greedy and selfish at heart no matter who they are, what position they stand (besides being, kind, patient etc, and other traits). Its only how we exercise self-control - positively or negatively.
everyone is subjected to temptations in life. some go weak in the knees when they see branded bags. some go weak when skirts rises. others yield to stealing because of lack. yet there are those who can’t resist to raise their salary to stratospheric level by exalting self importance.
when the weak /lacking/poorly paid / poorly educated gives in to vices or sins sometimes because life has been hard on them, you can be sure our moral laws will come knocking at their doors if not, some self righteous holier-than-thou will feature these losers in the newspapers or on ‘behind closed doors’ .
but for the ‘winners’ or successful in life with plenty of money to spare, hey, they can buy ‘temptations’ and satisfied their wanton lusts in any form, anywhere and any time - no need to steal beg or borrow and get caught lah.
don’t get me wrong, i am not against the rule of laws. but let’s face it. in life, it’s always the regular folks who get into trouble with the laws isn’t it? the poorer they are, the more crime or wrong they seem to commit. but the richer and more powerful they become, well, who dare speak against them without getting sued or risk losing one’s job(money and livelihood) and possibly, future?
so the higher up you climb, it seems that one must learn to abide by a certain code of conduct. at that critical level, one must know to utter sweet words and not offend important people in society even it is obvious to you they behave like hypocritical crap? the better educated holding critical position in society, the more a monkey sees not, hears not, and speaks not evil of some people you become?
let’s face it, some people have earn the rights to call others liars, cheaters or even psychopaths if they choose to. likewise, even in religious institutions, sheeps are taught not to touch ‘god’s anointed’. why? because they are special mah. so special that they can command wealth be sucked from the bottom up. easy money for these talkers who make others pay from their sweat lah.
for the rich talkers/masterminds to enjoy the high life, many have to suffer the indignity. now if the lower or middle class indignant grumble, the biblical laws in which they enact will be handy to keep them at bay.
and the moral of the story?
if you don’t have money and screw around, you may contract fatal chicken diseases . but if you are rich, virgins are for your picking and at your death bed, many shall sing your praises!
ahh..the wisdom of the prosperous clergy!
but if you are weak,
That reminds me of this story:
A turkey was chatting with a bull.
‘I would love to be able to get to the top of that tree’ sighed the turkey, ‘but I haven’t got the energy.’
‘Well, why don’t you nibble on some of my droppings?’ replied the bull. They’re packed with nutrients.’
The turkey pecked at a lump of dung, and found it actually gave him enough strength to reach the lowest branch of the tree.
The next day, after eating some more dung, he reached the second branch.
Finally after a fourth night, the turkey was proudly perched at the top of the tree.
He was promptly spotted by a farmer, who shot him out of the tree.
Moral of the story:
Bull Shit might get you to the top, but it won’t keep you there.
Even monks can be corrupted in the hands of money. This shows that money is root of all evil. I also wonder why he has so many posts ie boss of this and that?
The man did not have enough political power not to be corrupt. The best criminals, the best practitioners of corruption, remember, are those who are never caught. These are those who have caused a great deal of harm to other persons and society in general, or who have at least profited in some illegitimate way. So I say he is a criminal only because he was caught. There are plenty of persons in influential positions who have done worse. But I’m only saying something that everyone knows.
I read the 154 today - and it says Ren Ci will stop giving loans to other organisations. I hope GIC and Temasek will also stop using our hard earned money and give loans to UBS and Citibank and Barclays. Really, what is the difference between the 2 orgainsations. Now I am unable to collect my pension (or what is termed central provident fund) at 55 years.
And again we are told there will not be any transparency to the citizens and we quietly suck thumb.
Or follow Chia Ti Lik and go to jail, go directly to jail, do not pass go, do not collect $200.
I am so happy that the board of inquiry has absolved Kwek Siew Jin and other members of any blame for the tragedy. Although the international chapter indicated that life vest must be worn, the local chapter has disregarded the vest rule and allowed this to happen.
Again in any inquiry from the govt bodies, all the top people are whiter than white. And in the UBS / Citibank fiasco, it was a judgemental error. (Best we cannot see this error until 30 years later, so say Lord KY) - no one is to blame and the MD and board in GIC / Temasek will collect their X number of bonus, while the little people cannot retrieve a cent of their CPF at 55. Cos your minimum sum was not enough to cover the losses??
What a systemic rotten management system!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Ren Ci chairman’s startling revelation about loans being extended to other parties was evidence of flawed management of donors’ well-meaning intention. To effect a thorough house cleaning, the roots of the problem must be extricated.
There is no doubt that the whole system is flawed right from the begiining when the chairman confessed that “more transparency and accountability will be practised.”
Lets not be myopic. The entire management is in fact liable for this by-product.
What is the Board for ? What has it been doing? Why is it there on the first place?
If the whole Board is embarrassed and shameful, they should all step down immediately and reconstitute a brand new one (like the previous hugh fiasco).
But before that, for accountability sake (even though asssuming they are non-paid volunteers, I’m not sure, anyone can verify on this)and for organisation decency, THEY SHOULD APOLOGISE, perhaps not for wrong doing, if any, BUT FOR NON-FULFILMENT OF DOING A PROPER JOB, THUS ALLOWING THINGS to happen such.
Reflecting on this - how can anyone have full confidence and trust in all of our nation’s institutional/commercial Management Boards???? (sounds more like cup-Boards, ironing Boards, wash-Boards!!!!)
I feel for those who are worried that their CPF will be untouchable when it’s time to retire. Please be prepared. The truth of the matter is MC Hammer is right, “You Can’t Touch This!”
Doublejeopardy is so right when he states, “let’s face it, some people have earn the rights to call others liars, cheaters or even psychopaths if they choose to. likewise, even in religious institutions, sheeps are taught not to touch ‘god’s anointed’. why? because they are special mah.”
He ended with, “and the moral of the story? if you don’t have money and screw around, you may contract fatal chicken diseases . but if you are rich, virgins are for
your picking and at your death bed, many shall sing your praises!”
A very sexual example . . . So sad but so bloody true!
So the poor shall be celibate and the rich celebrates!
Some are even led to believe that corruption is good. “Yes, there was corruption. Yes, he gave favours to his family and his friends. But there was real growth and real progress. I think the people of Indonesia are lucky.” . . . “I feel sad to see a very old friend with whom I had worked closely over the last 30 years, not really getting the honours that he deserves. He deserves recognition for what he did.” So said MM Lee of ex-President Suharto of Indonesia.
Doublejeopardy wrote: “and at your death bed, many shall sing your praises!” How apt!
Thanks again Andrew for this piece and thanks to doublejeopardy for lightening me up with the above.
“Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Great men are almost always bad men.”
John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton, first Baron Acton (1834–1902)
feedmetothefish
The Government has to relook at its approach towards welfare and charity. Due to inadequate welfare spending, charities are encouraged to raise funds to help the needy.
There is no control over the amount of money that can be raised. Some organisations raised more money than is needed by their beneficiaries. It got out of hand.
Excessive funds have to be managed prudently. The governance structure of charities does not allow control to be handled efficiently.
I wish to suggest some immediate practical mesures:
1. Set a limit on the funds that can be raised yearly by each charity. It should meet their operating needs, which is measured by the number of beneficiaries, and a small reserve for the future. They should not be allowed to raise more money.
2. The funds raised by the charity should be managed by an independent trust company, and not be the charity.
Schools should not be allowed to get their students to raise funds for these charities. They can only raise funds for the school. Some teachers have complained that fund raising is adding a further burden to their teaching load.
Dear Dragon Boat,
I think your linkages and line of thinking has it all wrong, I mean specifically CPF minimum sum at age 55. What has this CPF moneys which is your moneys in your very own CPF a/c lodged onto the CPF Board got to do with GIC or Temasek?
GIC/ Temasek are separate bodies/entities…. to the CPF Board which is a body set up by statue/Parliament. Your CPF moneys when you reach age 55 is divided into OA/SA/Medisave/Retirement a/cs. Your CPF moneys earned interests as stated in the CPF Act and guaranteed.
Surely, many people can/cannot meet the desired Minimum Sum because of many varied reasons BUT this has nothing to do with GIC/Temasek making profit or losses.
i thought there is a even bigger corrupted organisation in singapore??? NKF & Ren ci is only the tip of the iceberg. go read more shit times to know who. anyway, singaporean deserve it for being so divided.
Dear Oscar Choy.
I do not write well. But I recommend this post.
http://feedmetothefish.blogspot.com/2007/09/before-i-die.html
Yes, for all purpose, CPF has nothing to do with GIC / Temasek losses with Suchou, Citibank and UBS. I really don’t know.
Then again, how do you know if the govt will not tell us? And pointedly tells us that they will not give an account to the citizens - or 1) we will clamour for more returns for CPF 2) Be angry at the losses.
Suck thumb.
Even the misdeeds of someone totally unrelated to the government and when caught by the government, can spark off an anti-government tirade! Well-done, losers!!
Well Done! You have all proven yourselves to be so very credible, when one day you have actually real proof against the government. You would have lots of other like-minded fools who will agree with you anyway.
If I ever leave Singapore one day, it would not be because of the government. It’d be because of how exceedingly stupid its people are.
I dont find this news suprising at all. looking at our society now, all young children are orientated to monetary and luxury rewards when learning. Even our government are comparing our civil services pay package to top private sector, for fear of losing talents.
It’s going to set a very bad and dangerous precedent in my own naive view. Occupation in serveral sector should be promoted with enthusiasm, pride and patriotism and not monetary rewards. Top civil services, teaching, social servicies, uniform group,legal, medical services etc. should never be associated with monetary returns.
Imagine that all the above and many more professional are all now attracted financially, who would be serving the country with patriotism, who would teach for love, who would do social works for that little return, who would want to protect the country one day when opportunities and payroll in private sector are more lucrative, who wants to be a judge when you can be a top QC charging top $, which doctor would treat the poor??????
This place is one of the world most liveable place in my view, if you can afford the luxury… cause everyone talks about money. We seen so many religious leader cant even resist the temptation!!!!
This good government in its attempt to bring Singaporean to the First World have made many of us lost our love, enthusiasm and passion for our work..
“80) Disgusted on July 20th, 2008 4.50 pm Even the misdeeds of someone totally unrelated to the government and when caught by the government, can spark off an anti-government tirade! Well-done, losers!! ”
Well, if you like to claim credit for all the good that happens here whether directly or indirectly. Naturally, when bad happens, you should know where the finger will be pointed at, again whether directly or indirectly.
Remember the following : -
“” This could happen if voters became bored and decided to give the ‘vociferous opposition’ a chance - out of ‘light-heartedness, fickleness or sheer madness’.
‘In five years, you can ruin this place and it’s very difficult to pick up the pieces,’ he told 650 participants of a dinner forum at the Shangri-La Hotel. “”
http://www.straitstimes.com/Free/Story/STIStory_251688.html
Want to know the secrets of Ming Yi Monk?
Want to know the secrets of Ren Ci and the blue films?
Want to know the secrets of… …
Hahahahahaha…
Man… always a disappointment.
They love to play god when Buddha plays man.
Human rights. Yeah yeah…
Kang showed that though he preached for people to do good,
even he can commit the ultimate sin.
Kang served his sentence and is not repenting ….I hope.
oops! typo typo , paiseh paiseh…
I meant Kang served his jail sentence and is noW repenting…
81) Disgusted on July 20th, 2008 7.40 pm
“If I ever leave Singapore one day, it would not be because of the government. It’d be because of how exceedingly stupid its people are.”
Looks like this writer needs to visit IMH and stay there for a couple of weeks to stabilise emotion and frustrations. Leaving Singapore would be doing Singaporeans a big favour though.
Either you are not coming to terms with this fact or you simply freak out over this incident.
Something tells me that this will not be the last we hear of such failures. It is a systemic problem that has roots in how several public funds are managed even by the government.
While some funds do trickle down to those that need it (per the original intent of the funds), it is totally unacceptible that the few that has been entrusted with custodial functions are more focussed on accumulating personal wealth.
Yeh, accumulating personal wealth is the nation’s pastime …………see how much they earn