Note: Mr Tan will be at Speakers’ Corner this Saturday, 5pm to 7pm.
Tan Kin Lian / Columnist
I have received many questions on my request to collect 100,000 signatures of support to contest in the next general election or presidential election. I wish to give my answers below.
1. Why is there a need for a petition?
I want to give an opportunity for the people of Singapore to state if they wish to see an active contest for the next general election or presidential election. If a large number of people sign the petition, it will encourage more people (not just me) to come forward to take part in the contest.
In several past elections, there were no contests for many constituencies, as capable candidates were reluctant to come forward to contest under the alternative parties. Most of the candidates from the dominant party were not elected, and won by walkovers.
I hope that this situation can be changed. If there is a contest, the elected leaders will know that they have earned the support of the voters. This will give them a mandate to represent the voters.
2. Why 100,000 signatures? Would 10,000 signatures be sufficient?
100,000 signatures is for greater impact. It may take a longer time and more effort to achieve this high target, but it will be worth the effort. It allows a large number of people to be involved in this exercise. It can be like a referendum.
The person signing the petition is just expressing a wish for me to contest the election. It does not imply that he will vote for me.
3. Do you wish to contest in the general election or the presidential election?
I wish to keep this option open. Based on the first 220 signatories of the online petition, the majority (67%) want me to contest both elections.
4. Why do you ask for the e-mail address and telephone number of the signatory?
I wish to contact them by e-mail to keep them briefed about my future plans. I also hope to ask some of them to step forward and help me in my effort, or to get more people to sign the petition.
5. What changes do you wish to see in the political climate in Singapore?
I like to see the elected leaders understand and reflect the aspirations of their constituents and be their voice in Parliament. They should play an active role in debating and passing laws that are beneficial for the people. The elected leaders should be in touch with the people and should ensure that their concerns are adequately considered, before laws are passed.
I also hope that the economic and social policies will create a more just and equal society. These are two key values in our national pledge.
Many people find life to be too stressful in Singapore. The cost of living is too high and their wages are inadequate. They have to work hard just to survive. We need to implement policies that can give a better life for all the people, and not just for an elite few. I prefer our society to be more egalitarian.
6. Many people think that these changes require a strong political party. Will you be forming a new party? How about joining an existing political party?
If there is strong support, as reflected by a large number of signatures to the petition, and if more people are willing to step forward, then it is possible to set up a new political party.
I will also keep the option open to join an existing political party. I hope that the smaller parties can get together to cooperate with each other and perhaps, one day, to merge into a larger party.
7. Is it better for Singapore to have a multi-party system?
It is more important that the elected leaders should reflect the aspirations and wishes of the constituents. The leaders should be freely elected in a contest.
We should have two or more political parties with different platforms – for example, to be free market or regulated, to be pro-business or pro-people, to achieve higher growth or lower growth (and a better quality of life).
8. What is the deadline to achieve 100,000 signatures? What will you do, if you do not achieve this target within the deadline?
I do not have any definite deadline. I understand that the process of educating the public to be more politically-conscious can take a few years. We must be prepared for the long haul.
We need to educate the people that they have a say in determining the values of our society. They have a vote and their vote counts. They should elect leaders that they can trust to look after their interest.
9. Will you be able to attract sufficient high calibre people to join you?
It is more important that the elected leaders should have the passion to serve the people. They should be honest, fair minded, courageous and have a strong sense of right and wrong. They do not have to be highly educated or of high calibre. In fact, it is better if they are more in tune with the people that they represent.
10. Some people say that you have political ambition all along, and that you used the minibond crisis to promote your agenda. What are your comments?
Actually, it is the other way round.
After a few weeks on the minibond crisis, I was shocked with the approach of the government in handling this matter. They were not interested to listen to the investors who have lost their hard-earned savings and understand their anguish. Instead, they appear to have taken the side of the financial institutions. I find it so unjust to the affected people.
11. What is the key message that you wish to give to the people of Singapore?
Help me get 100,000 signatures.
——
HELP keep the voice of TOC alive!
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http://luntan.zaobao.com/viewthread.php?tid=127603&extra=page%3D1&page=1
《陈钦亮发起100万签名请愿竞选总统》
作为一个公民，应该了解自己国家的政治制度，知道政府是如何产生？如何行使权力？更重要的，是知道作为公民，我们有什么权利和应该如何保护自己的权利？
知道这些，我们才能够更好的作出判断 － informed decision. 就好像是否要支持陈钦亮先生的请愿书？我们就大概要了解MP－ member of parliament, 和EP－ elected president 的区别。
国会议员的职权大家比较清楚。现在说说民选总统的职权，民选总统的职权主要有：
（1）准许内阁动用历年来的储备金
（2）批准重大人事案 － 最高捡察长，大法官，公务员首长，贪污调查局局长，三军总司令，陆 海 空军总长，政联公司董事会主席，公共服务委员会主席，stat board 首长。
（3）签署国会通过的法案成为法律
（4）批准预算
也就是说， 民选总统可以否决总理的重大决定， 包括拒绝人事任命，拒绝批准会用到过往的储备金的预算。这是有形的职权。
无形的影响力，在于总统是全民选举出来的，所以某种程度上来说，是得到了全国人民的委任，可以直接诉诸民意。如果总统对于政府的政策有强烈的反对意见，就算他没有权力阻挠，也可以通过他的影响力形成民间的舆论和压力。
当初设立民选总统就是为了限制总理的权力。
Hi Tan Kin Lian,
Thank you Tan Kin Lian for your reply @ 14) Tan Kin Lian on November 27th, 2008 12.10 pm to my question @ 5. I am sorry, I still dont understand your reply.
(1) Do you mean to say you are retracting your original stance towards anon commentators?
(2) Or do you mean, as long as no one anonymous person “attacks” you online you are fine?
(3) Or you mean your original stance towards online anonymity stands?
I am sorry. I remain thoroughly confounded.
——————————————
Moving to another topic.
FYI. I did sign the petition. But retrospectively, when I think back if your intention for requesting this info was just for briefing purposes why couldn’t you have done it online?
Now I seem to be having second thoughts. its nothing personal. Just that I have been doing alot of thinking and I feel it not worth the risk. And I really wish to withdraw my original support. Its nothing personal. Only I have spoken to a few of my close friends and they have informed me in the absence of a clear and unequivocal commitment on your part that the names in the petition will always be kept confidential and circulation should only be limited under permission, then I really dont know who will be thumbing through the names, addresses, IC no’s and IP’s etc.
If there is a level and fair playing field, then I dont have too worry so much. As I have signed many petitions in the US before and no one has ever accused me of interfering with US domestic politics etc. But I seen alot of disturbing things happening / Malaysian pilots who suddenly just get their PR revoked and their wife and kids kicked out within 24 hours / promising writers who just lose their livelihood as a journalist overnight (Mr Brown & Mr Miyagi) bc some minister didnt like what they wrote/ people being hauled up to court just bc they wear T shirts with cartoon characters and it goes on and on.
I am sorry, could you please provide me with a way to retract my name from the petition. I would well much better and I would really appreciate it, thanks.
Many thanks
Hi Lecturer (#53)
I have a lot of things to do. I hope that you understand that I do not have the time to read long postings and reply to individual questions in detail.
If you send me your particulars, I can ask my volunteer to withdraw your name from the petition. But to be fair to us, is this necessary? Why are you giving so much trouble to my volunteers?
My preference is for people to post with their real name. If they have reason to post with an assumed name, it is okay with me, so long as they give honest view. Anyway, this is just my view – and it does not deserved to be attacked.
I think that it is improve to attack any person under anonymity. It is unnecesary to attack any person, even if done under a real name.
As I said, if we have a level and fair playing field, then there is nothing to worry abt. As I see it what we have here is a bunch of people who change the rules whenever it suits them and even if they lose everything, they can even throw away the rule book.
I dont think, I want to play, its not worth the risk.
But I seen alot of disturbing things happening / Malaysian pilots who suddenly just get their PR revoked and their wife and kids kicked out within 24 hours / promising writers who just lose their livelihood as a journalist overnight (Mr Brown & Mr Miyagi) bc some minister didnt like what they wrote/ people being hauled up to court just bc they wear T shirts with cartoon characters and it goes on and on.
Do singaporeans have to go through all these shits? Obviously, this is something going very wrong in our country, this is definately not something being painted to the world outside there and of course, this is illegal.
I wonder what the fuss is all about?
If an educated guy can be so afriad of the authorities by doing something right and ethically feasible, what about the ah soh and ah pek?
This is something very worrying and frightening in a first world country like ours.
It is a system of fear that we operate in. I am very disturbed.
Change must come or else…
Gilbert!
Sometime I just wonder what will all those working or serving the police and the army force would be thinking in their mind on all these doing what is right and just as they too have parents like us. We are all the same citizens of singapore, living and working here in this tiny red dot, facing each and everyday of our lives in fear all these years, fear of being threaten, fear of being harrassed, fear of being followed, fear of being targetted, and worse, fear of even doing the right things for ourselves and for the people around us, its real sad such things still exist in this modern world we are living in.
“57) Gilbert Goh on November 28th, 2008 10.51 am
This is something very worrying and frightening in a first world country like ours.”
So what do you think. Is our system more empowering for the general benefits of all or more self-serving for the benefits for some annointed group.
The feared are advicing other feared how they go about fearing the fear.
As I said, if we have a level and fair playing field, then there is nothing to worry abt. As I see it what we have here is a bunch of people who change the rules whenever it suits them and even if they lose everything, they can even throw away the rule book. – Lecturer (#55)
But if Singaporeans don’t retaliate by uniting together to re-establish a level playing field, we will always remained bullied and no MP will give us a listening ear to take our concerns to parliament. By the time PAP has finally squandered all of Singapore’s fortune, it would be too late to retaliate already. Hence, I find it hardly surprising that many abled Singaporeans rather emigrate than contribute to reforming the political climate of Singapore.
“58) tiredsingaporean on November 28th, 2008 11.16 am Gilbert!
Sometime I just wonder what will all those working or serving the police and the army force would be thinking in their mind on all these doing what is right and just as they too have parents like us.”
You are almost there. Read The Anatomy of the State by Murray N. Rothbard. It will be an eye opener about the different forces being employed.
i do not understand why some of you here are so adamantly convinced that singaporeans are despotically suppressed, and feel that you should be the liberators, or how your unfounded fears of tyranny from the authorities came to be.
let me just ask a few questions: are singaporeans truly deprived in our this situation? is the governing body just a bunch of autocrats seeking to benefit only themselves?
some of you cite the clamping down on political dissidents (kangaroo shirts, contempt in court, bloggers, blah blah blah) as an example of fear-mongering, of a system of fear, where all are trapped and forbidden to express opinions. have you not for a moment thought about how is it possible that this website, with your dissents against the government, is still allowed to operate amid all these censors? let us just talk about the kangaroo-trios for a bit. imagine if a guy on the street points a middle-finger at you, and you have to have a respond, what will your reaction be? malicious actions only invite malevolent reactions, action reactions. go figure smarties.
you people here think that a political superman will break in to save the day, chanting the mantra of ‘change change change’. did you think for one second that the citizens on the streets care? they may complain about severals inconveniences here and there, but ultimately, deep in their minds they know that singapore cannot be any worse than our neighbours. in fact, as compared to these places, we would rather be in here than anywhere else.
get real, political ideologies will not get the country to greater heights. what difference does it make if we are under communism or democracy? had usa failed economically under their democracy-ruled governance, would any of you be so supportive of the ideal now? if the citizens get a good life and are not suppressed, then why should there be a need to change?
63) eiro: “if the citizens get a good life and are not suppressed, then why should there be a need to change?”
This is a good question.
The crux of the matter for most posters here are:
Not good life + suppressed life = need to change.
Get it?
“i do not understand why some of you here are so adamantly convinced that singaporeans are despotically suppressed,’
By saying this alone, we know that you do not understand at all. It only tells us that you must be someone still wet behind your ears. Am I right.
“imagine if a guy on the street points a middle-finger at you, and you have to have a respond, what will your reaction be? malicious actions only invite malevolent reactions, action reactions. go figure smarties.”
Then you should get ‘whacked’ lah. Is this the same as getting ‘whacked’ for telling the other fellow that he is pointing a middle-finger at you. go figure smarties.
“you people here think that a political superman will break in to save the day, chanting the mantra of ‘change change change’. did you think for one second that the citizens on the streets care?”
Then why are you here ? To tell us again that we have heard so many times already.
“get real, political ideologies will not get the country to greater heights. what difference does it make if we are under communism or democracy?”
No difference ? In some countries, people die just because of this.
what do i not understand that so many of you here do? and to what extent of dryness must i achieve to be capable of expressing an opinion here? you pride yourself upon your pseudo conviction that only you have the answers, that only you understand enough to make a comment. do you truly believe that if the country is run by your terms you can make this a better place than it is now?
and are you telling me that the judiciary system here should have humbly accept that they are incapable of passing judgements? that we should allow public dissents just because some people are complaining? you want a revolution, but will a revolution be beneficial to the citizens? you want a revolution, how do you suppose you can achieve it without converting the people on the streets to your ideology? you want a revolution, do you also want us to be like thailand, or taiwan?
“In some countries, people die just because of this.” in some countries, like singapore, people survive happily under such a vague distinction.
our actions are controlled by strict enforcements, but our minds are not. what can you achieve if all you want is a public display of civil disobedience? sure, singapore has not achieved the political freedom you people so adore, but has that prevented us from thinking freely? you voice your opinions, you criticise the government, but can you tell me that you rather live in a country like taiwan (a full-fledge democratic country)?
i care because although i respect the values which are driving you guys, i shudder at the angry-mob rhetorics you display.
63) eiro on November 28th, 2008 1.28 pm
You have good life, you have good wealth. Ah you are the best example of take care of yourself. That’s why political change is foreign subject to you. Why bother right? Life is good for you. As long as people in your social circle are happy and have good life. Stay there. Not need waste your words telling what people here are doing. :)
“sure, singapore has not achieved the political freedom you people so adore, but has that prevented us from thinking freely? you voice your opinions, you criticise the government, but can you tell me that you rather live in a country like taiwan (a full-fledge democratic country)?”
Sure enough that you are able to think so freely and yet able to quote Taiwan as a example only ? So in this world, Taiwan is the only country beside Singapore exists ? So did you ever fall into the trap of gov deliberately highlight Taiwan’s plight to show how fortunate Singaporeans are ? You can think but yet can’t see the smokescreen ? Why not choose other positive country , and why regurgitate what MSM tell and illustrated ?
We have so many Chen ShuiBian who pays millions and yet don’t know the fart thing. Answer just like Chen ShuiBian’s “I don’t know”. Compare to Taiwan ? We are disgracing Taiwan to make us feel proud ! Use the brain to question why Ah Loong now have to go latin Amercica, why not Swiss, Finland, and better managed economically country. Our clowns love to discredit Taiwan just to please China.
66) eiro: i am fine. on November 28th, 2008 3.01 pm
Aiyah you watch too much Mainstream News, always showing so much violence from Taiwan government – throwing chairs and exchanging blows. How come you don’t complain to the News about showing the violence? And to you this type of violence is good enough to say full democracy is a no-no? Like you know them really well. Maybe you can look for so foreign talent Taiwanese in Sg and ask them.
In Singapore the MP doze off in parliment, i guess that is how you like them, sleeping on subjects?
“you pride yourself upon your pseudo conviction that only you have the answers, that only you understand enough to make a comment. do you truly believe that if the country is run by your terms you can make this a better place than it is now?”
Really ? Are you being thrown in jail for having your own comment. I did not know that holding such emotional qualitative conviction could be labelled as pseudo. Who do you think I am ???? Some superman here to save the world or Singapore ??? Any terms must be one that is collectively & democratically evloving one – not some pseudo (thank you for letting me borrow this term) democratic process.
“and are you telling me that the judiciary system here should have humbly accept that they are incapable of passing judgements?”
Are you referring to matters which are politically loaded ? You have to ask yourself this question which there will be no lack of past examples.
“i care because although i respect the values which are driving you guys, i shudder at the angry-mob rhetorics you display.”
angry-mob rhetorics ? You said it yourself, rhetorics. Yes, mere rhetorics. Do you think this could be worst than being thrown in jail or heavy fine ? If you really care, probe even harder why good decent people are behaving the way they are behaving. There are plentiful in the blogosphere – some of whom are respectable people who have the guts to reveal their true identities (my salute to them).
Good afternoon #63 eiro @ 1.28 pm
What are we really seeing here? Its not about good vs bad / PAP vs the planet of the apes or even whether Taiwan is better than Timbuktu. Or whether Mr Tan is a better contender than Donald duck.
Do you even UNDERSTAND my question eiro? WHAT ARE WE SEEING HERE? I am not asking what is right or wrong or even whether what “lecturer” feels is real or imagined. I am asking what are we seeing here right now at this very moment in time?
UNDERSTAND this! Fear is no good. Doesn’t matter what form it comes in. Its no good. That is why the ancients often reply when asked, how do you govern a country, the wisest of them all will say, very carefully like frying a small fish – this is easy to share, but it is not so easy to understand. Many people live and die and they know not what this means.
You see it is very simple – when people fear; it just doesn’t come around, if you are a salaried man and you fear, you will die a salaried man, you will never venture into the blue yonder and do your own business – if you are a minister and you fear; then you will stick your neck out only conventionally, that way even if you fail, you will have the defense of failing conventionally and if you are a citizen and you fear, then you will never be able to turn the wheel of life gainfully, you will spend many hours chasing shadows and battling imaginary demons – how can you move forward when you are looking at the rear mirror all the time?
Do you UNDERSTAND eiro now what is the terrible cost of fear? Nothing comes around. Fear is the mind killer. Fear paralyses, it obliterates everything and that simply means there can never be any UNDERSTANDING – look at lecturer, I said look at him! LOL he’s a wreck now only a few days ago, he was a fire brand, the mind game has had his fill with him and now he’s incapacitated; his mind is filled with all sorts of nonsense; he is probably hiding underneath his desk this very minute trying to get a passport to Bolivia. As he is imagining all sorts of things such as what is the purpose of gathering this petition list? Who will thumbing through it? Did I take it hook, line and sinker.
Do you UNDERSTAND what a great diffusion of energy that must be? Can you even contemplate what a great waste that might be and how it fails so miserably to redeem the cause of what it means to even be alive or to be a human?
If ONLY you know the real cost of fear, then you would shaddap and not write the things you do; as you will be filled with UNDERSTANDING instead of ignorance.
To understand this, you don’t need to learn anything NEW; you just need to unlearn many OLD things; then you will be able to destroy the secret policeman in your head; once you put him into a nice citrus smelling pine box; then fear will go away; and only you will remain and you will be filled with UNDERSTANDING.
Do you UNDERSTAND?
SD (Internet Liaison officer of the brotherhood)
Singaporedady,
Bingo
63) eiro on November 28th, 2008 1.28 pm
If you came in here as a concerned citizen to voice your opinion, whether it is out of personal interest or the fear of your current happy living being threatened by how vociferous readers and posters here give their perspective of the current ruling party, I can see your point and respect your view point. Every one of us will have our rights to voice our opinion and be heard.
When you started to make sweeping statements like “you people” to announce your entrance, then I would welcome you to stay on and continue the discourse. fair? Have you ever consider the fact why is this so? Why some posters’ view can be so extreme? What constituted people to react in such manner?
I take offence in your kind of sweeping statement as I am a regular visitor here. Yes, I do not deny the fact there are views that may have gone over-board, but I am a staunched believer in free speech and I do respect other people’s opinion and if I decide to counter their opinion I will make a direct response to that particular poster. You are not force to take in their view and you could simply ignore and disregard. The choice is entirely yours to make.
We don’t have to compare to any country as we are strictly speaking in terms of the Singapore context (there is none so unique in the world to compare to Singapore). Singaporeans for Singapore. But, if you want to pick a country to compare, I think it is only fair that you had live in that country long enough to know enough of their culture and people and understand how their policies evolved and not just regurgitate from what you heard or read from the main stream media or even reading from other news source. One or a few incidences do not translate to a failure of their policy or governing rule.
Bluntly put, you are not the only educated person who may hold a stable job and good income, great exposure and may have many living experiences in different countries. There are no shortage of such intellectuals here, but the major difference is that we do care for our less fortunate fellow Singaporeans who are working their butts off trying to make ends meet, our dire straits fellow Singaporeans who are yearning and hope that someone is willing to lend them a listening ear to voice their fear and anxieties and yet our current government continues to be deaf ridden and some excessively paid mediocre nincompoops MP and high ranking civil servants even displayed their arrogance and ignorance. So, please, don’t try to lecture us here (I will forgive you if you are as young as partner92, he is only 16 and yet to experience the reality of society), but remember my fellow Singaporean, respect is earned and not a given. If you understand mandarin 冰冻三尺，非一日之寒. I assumed you do as an intellectual and since most Singaporeans are multi-lingual.
you speak about fear, you speak about the dire consequences one will face when fearful, you speak about fearing your back and checking the rear-mirror constantly and cautiously.
why do you sell fear when fear is not wanted? what do you mean by real fear? do i not understand because i am fearless or are you ignorant because you are fearful? fear is in the mind, what do you have to fear if there is nothing to fear? you fear the authority because you fear that you may be wrong. you fear the constitution because you are in dissonance with the established ideals. you fear because you, within your mind, body and soul, created that fear. and now you try to instil it in the rest of us.
what do you mean when you asked what i see at this moment? i see a peaceful country, a progressing nation, albeit with less freedom then ideal, but still a comfortable restriction. i see the blurring of distinctions, i see the opportunities for greatness, i see possibilities. what do you see then, singaporedaddy?
all right then daniel, if taiwan is not a good example, where is? shall i compare us to the united states? do you want 30% of our nation to not know where our country is on the map? or shall we say britain? where the income gap between the poor and the rich would qualify any projects to bridge the gap a “bridge to nowhere”. do you prefer higher taxes in return for a ideally-aligned government? you seem to like the swiss do you not? have you seen what happened when their banking system collapsed?
should one be thrown in jail for freedom of expressions? i do not know. but instead of political freedom, why can’t you think upon the threads of political sensitivity? words have power, they have the power to influence, think of stalin, hitler, in assuming that they have the answers to their countries ideology-deficiency, they have become the axis of evil.
you are arguing for the truth of your values, so am i. it just happens that i do not believe that you are truer than i am; you believed the same too.
Erm okie lets not fight over words or believes or ideas. If you like to see better changes for our country…
Please signed the pettion ..
“should one be thrown in jail for freedom of expressions? i do not know. but instead of political freedom, why can’t you think upon the threads of political sensitivity? words have power, they have the power to influence, think of stalin, hitler, in assuming that they have the answers to their countries ideology-deficiency, they have become the axis of evil.”
Yes, words have power. That is why certain people are afraid of it and do not want you to talk too much.
Political sensitivity? mutual my friend, it has to be mutual. Lay people like us do not possess much resource & influence to launch the first ferocious bite of insensitivity and become ‘non-sensitive’ out of the blue. Have you for once considered that it is the very sensitivity of the lay people that has been arrogantly attacked all this while. Wake up my friend,
“you are arguing for the truth of your values, so am i. it just happens that i do not believe that you are truer than i am; you believed the same too.”
Agreed. In this respect, we are safe. At least, we cannot throw one another into jail.
Good afternoon again #75) eiro: i understand, perhaps in my own terms, but i understand. @ 4.18 pm
“why do you sell fear when fear is not wanted?”
Think about what you’re writing. LOL how can I possibly be the one who markets fear? Did I sue anyone and cripple them with mountains of debts? Did I bend the law to suit my own nefarious ends by kicking out ppl just bc they may harbor a difference of opinion from me?
The question is simply this: is the perception of fear prevalent within the general public? The rest of what you written is a sterile debate unless you can answer this ONE question successfully – so you have to forgive me, if I know not why, you;re going around the world.
Real or imagined doesnt matter here – we are not talking about reality as it remains the perception of reality – its conceivable what you may need to UNDERSTAND is fear when it sits somewhere between reality and fiction is often heightened to a state of psychological warfare. Go and do your reading and you will discover that to be the case.
Why do think in Mr Tan’s petition there is a outstanding deficit of some 99,500 who havent signed up yet?
The difference between you and me is when I look at a spade I call it a spade; nothing more or less. I dont try to color it with sweet happy sounding doggy bites to pull the wool over the eyes of the audience like what you’re trying to do; or add in things which arent even there – you on the otherhand have printed out for the entire blogosphere to read that there is NO SUCH THING AS FEAR in the context that I’ve highlighted; but tell me how would that in any way change the reality that we might already be a state of fear real or imagined?
Maybe you choose to he see the world as you want to see it; maybe that is why you see the wisdom of insisting that we should all eat cake? Or maybe you just dont UNDERSTAND – and If that is the case; it is people like you who are the real purveyors of fear.
As for your second question – it is irrelevant. If you dont even have the capacity to UNDERSTAND, then all I would be doing is throwing pearls at swines – you must forgive me if I remain fearful of indulging in such a worthless enterprise.
Good Day
SD (Internet Liaison officer of the brotherhood)
yes, you may be right. for the powerful, sensitivity of the insignificant is the thing they use to ransom the lay man and the weak. this weapon they strike people with is the very weapon that must be used to protect. it must be a delicate balance. but does sensitivity make one weak? those who exploit it are weaker.
i do not wish to lecture any of you on what to think or what to do, it is not my position. it is for selfish reasons that i commented in here: to seek clarification. only with clarity then can one see further.
“all right then daniel, if taiwan is not a good example, where is? shall i compare us to the united states? do you want 30% of our nation to not know where our country is on the map? or shall we say britain? where the income gap between the poor and the rich would qualify any projects to bridge the gap a “bridge to nowhere”. ”
If you can’t even think of a proper way to compare then stop comparing the way MSM want you to compare. Simple as that. You could only see bad side of Taiwan and yet cannot see the good side of Taiwan’s system, which is exactly what MSM and gov want to do anyway. Now you quoting the negative aspect of other countries to make good your argument. If that is the case then stop comparing and stop quoting other countries then, just focus on how Singapore governing system can be improved without referencing other country. Start with accountability, transparency and responsibility of the gov.
“All right then daniel, if taiwan is not a good example, where is? shall i compare us to the united states? do you want 30% of our nation to not know where our country is on the map? or shall we say britain? where the income gap between the poor and the rich would qualify any projects to bridge the gap a “bridge to nowhere”
You know what I really consider incredulous? That you even have the temerity to compare us with equal standing to countries that:
(a) Have a higher standard of living.
(b) Where the workers are one of the most innovative and productive in the world.
(c) Where they also happen to hold one of the highest per capital / to populace ratio in term of registered patents and innovations.
(d) Where their industries are classed as world class – in terms of manufacturability and delivery reliability e.g Royce Rolls Aerospace division
Hello – I hate to burst your bubble lah – but is it even possible: there is no basis for comparison. Tell me when was the last time we put a man on the moon? Have we developed any jet engines lately? That more or less puts it all in the right scale and perspective – if you want to compare the merits and the demerits of nations, the least you could do is try to put apple against apples, don’t delude yourself by comparing ciku’s with pears – there’s no basis for a comparison.
No wonder they have to moderate an a bent playing field just s o you could kick the ball into the goal – if it were a free and fair fight – you dont stand a chance, but I forgot that’s your definition of good isnt it?
LOL
SD (The Internet Liaison officer of the brotherhood)
Good afternoon again #75) eiro
“why do you sell fear when fear is not wanted?”
Think about what you’re writing. LOL how can I possibly be the one who markets fear? Did I sue anyone and cripple them with mountains of debts? Did I bend the law to suit my own nefarious ends by kicking out ppl just bc they may harbor a difference of opinion from me?
The question is simply this: is the perception of fear prevalent within the general public? The rest of what you written is a sterile debate unless you can answer this ONE question successfully – so you have to forgive me, if I know not why, you;re going around the world.
Real or imagined doesnt matter here – we are not talking about reality as it remains the perception of reality – its conceivable what you may need to UNDERSTAND is fear when it sits somewhere between reality and fiction is often heightened to a state of psychological warfare. Go and do your reading and you will discover that to be the case.
Why do think there is an outstanding deficit of some 99,500 who havent signed up yet?
The difference between you and me is when I look at a spade I call it a spade; nothing more or less. I dont try to color it with sweet happy sounding doggy bites to pull the wool over the eyes of the audience like what you’re trying to do; or add in things which arent even there – you on the otherhand have printed out for the entire blogosphere to read that there is NO SUCH THING AS FEAR in the context that I’ve highlighted; but tell me how would that in any way change the reality that we might already be a state of fear real or imagined?
Maybe you choose to he see the world as you want to see it; maybe that is why you see the wisdom of insisting that we should all eat cake? Or maybe you just dont UNDERSTAND – and If that is the case; it is people like you who are the real purveyors of fear.
As for your second question – it is irrelevant. If you dont even have the capacity to UNDERSTAND, then all I would be doing is throwing pearls at swines – you must forgive me if I remain fearful of indulging in such a worthless enterprise.
Please come back to me on this point.
SD (Internet Liaison officer of the brotherhood)
My answer to your reply @ # 75 is currently under moderation by the webmaster here – pls free to reply to it – I will be most glad to take us the issue with you. Till then.
SD
aiyoyo
this statement very appropriate!
“Many people find life to be too stressful in Singapore.
The cost of living is too high and their wages are inadequate.
They have to work hard just to survive.
We need to implement policies that can give a better life for all the people,
and not just for an elite few.
I prefer our society to be more egalitarian.”
“what do you mean when you asked what i see at this moment? i see a peaceful country, a progressing nation, albeit with less freedom then ideal, but still a comfortable restriction. i see the blurring of distinctions, i see the opportunities for greatness, i see possibilities. what do you see then, singaporedaddy?”
You really want to know what I see? Are you sure? Let me tell you since you asked in such prosaic terms – I see a bunch of cheap pirates (useless half wits) who have no exceptionally whatsoever (that means if they go out in the free market, they can’t even get a decent job that pays them $2,000 max, no one will hire them except their own clique of course) squeezing hard working people of their sweat and brow tax monies – if you must know – that is what I really see and I kid you not.
You want to know what else I see? I don’t see General Motors, Baker McKenzie or even John Hopkins University making a bee line to hire any of these super men and why not? I mean if they are so good why aren’t these people being sought after by businesses – I mean it’s a very simple assumption – so what do I see at the end of the day?
I see a con job very much in the way the Samurais once banned fire arms to perpetuate their class politics – nothing more than a attempt to mythologize and legitimize a lie – that is what I see.
What else do I see?
I see a whole lot of people here, who simply see exactly what I see!
I didn’t start this, but you came after me, so as you can see I don’t fear and I will take it to the next level _ and as you can see I have taken it to the next level.
And that is another thing I see. You have made the situation worst.
SD
all right, so you want to stop comparisons. then by whose standards shall we measure our society? you talk about transparency, responsibilities, accountabilities, using what do you measure transparency? if there is no basis for comparisons, where do your standards come from?
further, in comparing, compare the whole pear with the whole of another pear. you criticised the appropriateness of only using the bad points to illuminate our good, but you forget that these issues are inseparable. let us talk about innovation for one: taiwan has undoubtedly more creativity and innovations than singapore, but the foundation of it is freedom of expression. and look where has absolute freedom led them to.
“You know what I really consider incredulous? That you even have the temerity to compare us with equal standing to countries that:
(a) Have a higher standard of living.
(b) Where the workers are one of the most innovative and productive in the world.
(c) Where they also happen to hold one of the highest per capital / to populace ratio in term of registered patents and innovations.
(d) Where their industries are classed as world class – in terms of manufacturability and delivery reliability e.g Royce Rolls Aerospace division
Hello – I hate to burst your bubble lah – but is it even possible: there is no basis for comparison. Tell me when was the last time we put a man on the moon? Have we developed any jet engines lately? That more or less puts it all in the right scale and perspective – if you want to compare the merits and the demerits of nations, the least you could do is try to put apple against apples, don’t delude yourself by comparing ciku’s with pears – there’s no basis for a comparison.”
do you suppose that we are too inferior to be compared against them? why is it that we must be a pioneer in those areas to be considered equals? must we come up with a singapore nasa, put somebody on mars, before we are to be equals? why do have such low self-esteem, i ask?
so why, instead of me providing with flawed arguments for you to trample on, would you not provide me with something more substantial than a mere rebuttal?
“Do you suppose that we are too inferior to be compared against them? why is it that we must be a pioneer in those areas to be considered equals? must we come up with a singapore nasa, put somebody on mars, before we are to be equals? why do have such low self-esteem, i ask?”
Did I say that we were “inferior?” I simply stated a veritable fact. That if you want to make a comparative, then you would do well to ensure there is equanimity in what you use as a basis for comparison – do I dispute that the Taiwanese parliament is a zoo? No, but that does NOT preclude the fact the despite it being so:
(1) In relative terms since the decampment from the one party KMT rule, Taiwanese free enterprise has prospered exponentially; things are better today than what it used to be under one party corseted KMT rule; power and empowerment of that power has devolved to the people; private enterprise in Taiwan is booming; so there you go; that is a “good” no matter how you cut and splice it – don’t get confused by what happens in the Taiwanese Parliament, that matters little just as organized crime doesn’t bother about two drunks slugging it out the back alley ; my point is simply this contrary to what you forwarded, Taiwan remains an economic powerhouse that surpasses us by leaps and bounds. Do you have any idea how many industries they have compared to us; so wacca you telling me now they didn’t do something right?
No it is not a matter of self esteem – once again it is a matter of scale and perspective which you seem content to elide at every turn and opportunity by disparaging no end what is good about the US or for that matter any country – my point is to illustrate the obvious; that the USA is country where people continue to enjoy one of the highest standards of living and affordable health care – it is also a place that has assumed primacy in the field of technology and the sciences and it is also a country where there is a working democracy and if you want to make a comparative between what produces good and what doesn’t ; then you would also have to take the full gamut of not only what is bad about the US, but how it may even produce the good that may simply reflect on our deficits to follow suit – and why didn’t you do that? And if you didn’t even bother to scale it accordingly – then pray tell how can it even be a comparative?
You get real – we are not the center of universe and it is dangerous to propagate the lie that we are when we are not – truth remains we have a lot to learn from other countries and it begins by first seeing what is good about them.
SD
That shut you nice a proper didnt it?
Have you ever traveled the world?
Well I have and let me tell you something, no one cares what happens in Parliament except maybe in Singapore– I’ve got news for you no one even care what politicians have to say in those countries except perhaps during election time – and while I am at it, let me fry your brains further; its even conceivable there’s nothing wrong with that either – au contraire, it could even be healthy that its so; that’s to say when the populace cultivates a state of terminal ambivalence towards politicians and even come to believe what they may think or do has the least bearing on shaping events and outcomes– for one it would put an end to the corrosive cult of veneration and infallibility; that we so often see these days; I personally dont consider that healthy; not when even newspapers and even ordinary folk acquiescence whole sale to their agendas without ever bothering to ask whether they are doing the right thing; why do you think we lost so much money? And we will lose more money with this attitude.
Neither do I buy into their clap trap about world best either; you know why in countries where they regularly manufacture planes, particle accelerators, nuclear reactors and decent automobiles no one cares about politicians, because that is the clearest testament of power devolving successfully to the people; I cannot think of a better litmus test for the empowerment of people power; and why is that; how can I be so sure fire about what I just said; because if you go to Kowloon central and stop anyone in the streets and ask them who they most want to be its never going to be Donald Tsang, not even under a vermillion sunset; 99 out of a 100 its going to be Li Ka Shin – that’s why Hong Kong is Hong Kong and we are not – if you stop someone in Madison Ave in NYC and ask anyone who you most want to be; it will never ever be George Bush; it will be always Bill Gates or Steve Jobs possibly even Britney Spears; you see that is the difference when you fry a fish well; it browns just so right; now you need to ask yourself what happens when you stop someone in Orchard and ask them who they really want to be?
Dont be surprise if all they want is to aspire to land a scholarship and hopefully get themselves earmarked for a creamy ministerial post.
You see the difference between me and you is simply this; you dont consider that a waste; I do; a criminal waste.
To all those who loves to pour cold water on Mr Tan Kin Lian, [---deleted----]. Go join PAP or get a date since you so free to talk nonsense.
People who dare to write rubbish and being anonymous have no right to ask real people to state their stance. I am anonymous too, so i wont ask (lecturer) to state his or required him to ask Mr Tan to state his. Anyway, Mr Tan has given a clear stand. I know being real requires a good amount of courage but i am still willing to support Mr Tan to make a change from this regime.
I hope that singaporeans no matter how busy u are, please spare some time to print the form out and fill in your names and with a sincere heart n hope for the best for your country. Change will come if you dare to hope!
Comments edited by moderator.
Fever Guy, please don’t get too personal. Tks.
eiro,
I can c u are happy with your current status quo, so nobody ask you to fill up the form so that superman can fly in to save the day. You hope there is no superman, they exist only in USA(superbama). In Singapore, we have liangpopo and PCK they dont make a in anyway seem super politically or intellectually. You can remain in your comfort zone, but remember that the rest are not and will not remain status quo with this political system.
Nobody can force you to support Mr Tan but there is no need for a sweeping statements as if everything we must thank our dear super expensively talented to the near demi-god status gahmen for our dear lives and our children lives and after theirs. We own our existence to ourself and hard work. We dont owe the gahmen or wit for him to feed me or my family. There is no minimum wage or even social safety net to talk about.
Mr EIRO, your life must be comfortable and thankful towards the biggest job provider in singapore but that’s your story. I am and many commentators here know what we are talking about and surely we are no dumbs when we say what we mean. Please stop talking as if you know best and sounded so much like our current crop of highly paid rarely tested unproven and has proven to be weak in leadership, financially incapable, and stupid leaders.
As for standards, please take a good look at Hong Kong for a start. We are no where ahead of them except that we are a sovereign nation, but does it make us any different in terms of quality of life, modern city, wages, social safety net and many others? Please see how an efficient government like HK runs its civil service and police force. They fight AK47 criminal gangs, we singapore let loose a MSK from a high security prison and yet to be found even after mobilize nearly entire police force, army and gurhkas. Can the joke be any bigger? Can see or not? Even our transport system is always one step behind them, they have cashless card 8 years ahead of us, their frequency is so much shorter. Their transport is very efficient. Our gahmen throw money at transport for many years, it is not money all the time, use some brain and get feedbacks from people and sincerely get the problem solve. Money cant solve the problem all the time. Their housing is more expensive but of course they are in a rich neighborhood with japan taiwan china korea nearby, we have a host of poor neighbours and economically despair.
Luckily GOD is fair, he let HK survived well to show the world that Singapore is a sad cousin of HK where a gahmen runs a country like a corporation. Where leaders talk about numbers more than a genuine heart. And money is always the core of the problem n solution. Singaporeans well being like digits to them, and foreigners are like long lost prodigal sons that this country must woo with all costs. Run at all cost even if it means hyper inflation and cuts at all cost when recession is looming.
Is this the singapore you hoped to pass on to your children? High pressured cooker and everything is about money and success? I pity my own children and of others that they have to live a stress life like that so much different from mine.
I never believe in self praise gahmen, highly paid leaders, poor leadership shown n always use history to portray the present and even future. As if they have godly powers to predict present and even future up to 30 years. Very powerful wizard.
FG
Dear TOC,
Fly a kite also banned? My vocab for all this is getting shorter, harder to express now than last year. Sometimes dont over censored lah!
Thanks anyway!
FG
I watch with great interest as Mr Tan Kin Lian steps forward with a political intention. I make no claims to representing any side – I suspend my judgment as to whether I would like to support, or not support, Mr Tan. I am more predisposed to observe and analyze the rhetoric which goes on around this issue.Allow me, then, to humbly share my observations:
1) A non-affirming intent: When Mr Tan speaks of his interest in running for political appointments, he emphasizes the link between his lack of ‘need’ and his ability to retire comfortably. It seems like Mr Tan, as one would expect in a technocratic state like Singapore, views political office as a means towards material wealth. I acknowledge and respect his opinion that he is not doing it for the money but it is interesting to see how he acknowledges the equation of political office leading to a high salary. I would have expected a person, who has an intent to run for an esteemed appointment, to transcend such views and instead focus on affirming his belief of wanting to represent the people, as is the function of political office in a democratic system. Nonetheless, there is a lack of an affirming tone in his rhetoric.
2) 30 Years in PAP: It would be interesting to note that Mr Tan has also been heavily involved in the PAP apparatus. In what capacities, I am unable to speak at length here but in a recent Straits Times interview(http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_305814.html), it was revealed that he had been a PAP member for 30 years before quitting earlier this year. 30 years is an extensive period to have held political views which Mr Tan now proclaims to reject. While the mini-bonds saga provides a platform for a change of view, I fail to see how somebody can go through 30 years of involvement without actually subscribing to the core belief system of the PAP. It was also noted that he quit because he was increasingly inactive and was increasingly disagreeable with the shift in the values of the PAP throughout the years. Unfortunately, to my knowledge, and possibly to the agreement of a few political observers, the values of the PAP has not changed from ‘people first’ to ‘pro-business’ throughout the years, as was implied by Mr Tan. The PAP government has always been a pro-business government. That is how we get the wealth we have today. Singapore is a classic developmental state run by a pro-business regime dominated by a single powerful party. One may argue that initiatives such as HDB are pro-people initiatives but looking back, the focus was on how to take care of our most valued ‘resource’ – people. We are,and have always been, viewed as a ‘resource’. These initiatives are minded on business sense and it is merely coincidental that they add some social value. There hasn’t been any shift in fundamental values since the inception of the PAP till today. Mr Tan’s perception of a shift is admirable, but questionable. The observable shift is on the PAP’s democratic authoritarian stance. Which brings me to the next point:
3)Co-opting Dissent: While many Singaporeans view the easing of regulations of speaking at Hong Lim as a step towards liberal democracy, few have made the connection, or spoke about what could be transpiring behind it. I don’t mean to be a conspiracy theorist, though it would be good to question everything we see and not simply accept mainstream, or ‘alternative-mainstream’ opinions. As I see it, ‘alternative-mainstream’ opinion views the opening up of Hong Lim as an plus point and, similar to the mainstream argument, views it as a step towards liberal expression. However, one has to question the intent and circumstances behind the government’s willingness to allow dissenting voices at Hong Lim. Was there really a shift to more liberal values, or is this, like many other initiatives, a calculated move? Co-opting dissent, which means accommodating opposing views but channeling it towards a restricted space, is a strategy for maintaining power. It is a 2nd-level strategy – one level up from simply putting down opposition through fear. It creates an illusion of having the ability to oppose, but in effect,nipping change at its bud. It allows the opposition to believe that they are being heard – allows for a pseudo-perception of liberalism. The reason why I comment at length about his is because I can’t help but link the mini-bonds saga, to the opening up of Hong Lim to the political intention of Mr Tan. I make no accusations, nor any claims, but would it be possible that Mr Tan’s political expression is yet another way of co-opting dissent that our dear leaders are using? 30 years making buddies in a party is a long time, isn’t it? Would it be possible that our leaders are not as ‘out-of-touch’ as we make them out to be? And don’t we have our opinions monitored? As I said, I do not make any claims or accusations. These are merely questions and questions are not statements. Question everything, never stop questioning.
QE (short),
Your long essay comes up two important striking points.
1) You doubt Mr Tan shift in position on future important matters when he is in this pap machinery for so damn long. You questioned his motive?
2) Whether more democracy will force gahmen to co exist and work out singapore ‘s future together with the opp or it is just a show to trick all of us into believing change and you still hold to the idea that our leaders are still in touch with the poor?
Firstly, do you want a country or a corporation?
If you wanted a country, then there is an answer: Believe and Change it.
If a corporation, there is nothing to change you are in it already just keep the production line going.
I really believe Mr Tan will be a good opp leader and even if possible a good president. Did anyone believe Mr Ong T C a pap supoorter all his life became one of the best president for the people and become the first president without a state burial for all his good honest works for singapore all these years. Dont be a doubter! PAP wont want to be seen lousy in leadership and they are fighting fires everywhere this year alone, no time to bother with mini bond issues at all. Let alone come up such a brilliant plan to use Mr Tan as a double agent. I dont think anyone can stoop so low to be a double agent to smoke people.
Hong lim park is to me no different than hong lim park before it. Just less paper work and more freedom. If not for the mini bond cases, there wont be more than a hundred people there any day of the time. The PAP smart alecks thought opening up HLP is a good positive move, so that western press have nothing to say about freedom of expression. I think the authorities now must have regretted to make such a move. Probably PM Lee cursed himself for doing that 3G speech and boasting more freedom for singapore.
About the “Out of touch”
Only when people complained very hard, their cold heart turns warm slightly to pass the little help around to the needy. Growing at all cost has turn our gahmen into supervisors that runs the production line that churn out big GDP numbers which is very very important to them more than the workers in the line.
They think they know best, are the best and the best everything you can find. Is it the best? Look at the results this year, best? You be the judge.
because :
and this is merely my personal views, nothing more.
Political parties may or may not come and go, with time.
But the country and People are here to stay.
Political parties are Political parties, if you know the meaning.
They do their work related to politics.
They have members. Their members are chosen by their leaders. They have a duty towards their party.
We need to be neutral as the electorate.
We need to stay objective and unbiased as long as we are not members of any political parties.
Past performance is history but important.
We need to look forward.
We need to look at things from a National Interest point of view.
We need to know what the country now needs the most for it to PROGRESS.
Which party to support depends in a way on what kind of Progress we want or need the most now.
I have seen enough of the current levels of
Transparency,
Accountability,
Responsibility,
Democracy,
Service & Conservancy,
Complacency.
If my left bicep is weaker than my right one,
I will try to beef up the left bicep even though my right bicep looks better and is more competent because it is given the resources to develop. Now, its TIME I beef up the weaker side, to BALANCE the Body. This is the right way to go.
Else, the Ying does not Balance with the Right and leads to complacency.
I must hold myself Accountable to make the right decision. Must not wait for another 10000 years to deny my left bicep the chance to develop. Must develop now or it will be too late.
I feel I need to respond to Fever Guy, not because I enjoy the nature of debates that ensue in such comment ‘threads’(it’s not intended to be a forum thread I suppose), but because I would like to clarify some of my positions which he may have interpreted in a different light.
I don’t think, at the policy level, that the government is totally ‘in-touch’ with the people’s plight and suffering at the bottom of the pyramid. I don’t mean to say that they don’t have the knowledge that it is happening. I’m sure they know, more than you and me, what’s going on at the grassroots level, they know very well how much some Singaporeans are struggling – the state,afterall, is very ingrained in Singapore society. It’s power derives not simply from coercion, but also from its ability to monitor and observe. I doubt it has much deficiency in informational power. TOC is rather popular, I’m sure it serves as a source of information. So they are not ‘out-of-touch’ at the informational level, but perhaps ‘out-of-touch’ in the ‘emotional’ sense.
What I tried to offer in my previous comment was an alternative view, which seeks to transcend common prisms of understanding. It is easy to think that the government is ‘regretting’ the decision to open up Hong Lim due to the increase in dissenting opinions being expressed there, but that is like saying they have not rationally calculated what’s there to lose in such a policy. We have had bad policies,good policies, and we have had shrewd policies. Politics is not as simple as ‘give and take’, which many people perceive it to be. They may appear to ‘give’, when in fact, it was designed ultimately for them to ‘take’. People, including the Straits Times, cheer the freedom of expression in Hong Lim. I cheer for it,as well, but at the back of my mind, I wonder if we are the only ones cheering. I’m sure the officials are cheering too.
The late Mr Ong Teng Cheong was a people’s president. At the same time, he was not exactly a PAP hardliner. He was the only person in Singapore’s history to have sanctioned a worker’s strike. He was,very much, a rebel in the machinery. Some academics do believe that he was made the first elected president so that he could somehow be ‘relieved’ from significant legislative and executive positions. A reading of the constitution and the laws regarding the elected presidency would show that the president is pretty much a figure-head, a mere symbol. What effective opposition, besides to issues regarding our reserves, could a non-PAP president afford? But that is not my main point. What I have tried to say is that there is a possibility, judging from the historical patterns and tendencies, that what we are hearing now, of the possibility of a non-partisan president, is not exactly what it is. It could be a form of co-opted opposition. Reality is not as simple as its appearance.
2) jy on November 27th, 2008 9.18 am
Hello My Fellow-Singporean,
You said: “If you have the passion, with or without 100,000 petitioners, come what may, you still go ahead.”
Your statement shows you up to be politically infantile. Forgive my expression but I have to be forthright in this instance. However I can’t really blame you for your political naivety as you probably belong to the post 1960 generation who were cerebrally scrubbed clean of anything that smelt even remotely ‘political’. You grew up in a totally depoliticised Singapore. You don’t go into battle knowing too well you are going to be defeated, do you? Nobody fights to lose and so does Mr. Tan K L. This is my presumption given that Mr. Tan KL is a sensible person. The bull-dozing tactics of some of the pig-headed Opposition Leaders both in the past as well as those who are still around proved nothing to anyone. So now you understand the meaning of that 100,000 signatures? It’s intended to serve as a signal gesture that he should not be underestimated. And if we know the PAP, they are long enough in the game to know that anyone who can single-handedly garner anything up to 100,000 signatures to back him cannot be dismissed with wave of a hand.
I support TKL. He’s not a bad person, having done so much for those who made much losses under Lehman minibonds.
“all right, so you want to stop comparisons. then by whose standards shall we measure our society? you talk about transparency, responsibilities, accountabilities, using what doou talk about transparency, responsibilities, accountabilities, using wh you measure transparency? if there is no basis for comparisons, where do your standards come from?”
Mr EIRO,
when you start asking this question, it already show thatt you cannot even think properly and independently. You can only think in the way just our gov want you to think pragmatically and rationalizing the way our pathetic gov has been rationalizing the policy. You want to make a comparison, at least, make a fair comparison and not “selective” comparison just for the sake of proving your point. No one says you can’t make a comparison but If you can’t make a decent comparison then stop using comparison to prove your point.
Hi Rushking (#44)
I will ask for the next petition to have some of the particulars shown as optional. Thanks for your suggestion.
Hi Murf (#37)
40K usd monthly is more than sufficient, thank you.
“52) singaporedaddy on November 4th, 2008 6.16 pm
Hi whatever you are, you wrote: “But since I last checked up Donaldson is an Anglo-Saxon name and Ho CS is merely a common name that originates from China.”
Indeed ‘singaporedaddy’, my name is a common Chinese name and not a ‘local, straits-born, culturally miscegenated’ label such as ‘singaporedaddy’ connotes of. By the way, the label you hide behind also shows you up to be likely an anglophile, a devotee of everything white and western, and a cultural banana to boot.
Since the day I join this site I’ve been following what you have been writing, quite closely, and all you have shown yourself to be capable of is nit-picking, name-calling and parading your ‘imagined’ literary skill to no real purpose.
Incidentally are you also the one who has admitted to being a self-confessed blogger-supporter of the WP? You would have redeemed yourself somewhat if you had tried explaining to readers of this site what it was that Dr. Teo Ho Pin did wrong, or what the minibonds were about and why it was unwise of the TC’s to have invested in such bonds.
Perhaps the real reason is that those issues are beyond you and so you continued with your infantile linguistic ‘Tom foolery’ in your misguided attempt to play to the gallery. Please lah, ‘singaporedaddy’, we are not an audience at a circus show and your deluded efforts at trying to impress your audience amounted to nothing more than an exercise in futility, sadly.
So don’t demean this site further with your unwelcome nonsense. If you don’t know what to do here perhaps I could suggest that you ask the honourable MP’s of the WP to say sth. meaningful at this site about the current financial crisis and their suggestions as to what could be done by the Govt. to help the people who have been badly affected by this unfortunate episode.
Indeed it has struck me that whilst there has been an avalanche of criticism aimed at the PAP, nobody has yet taken the Opposition MP’s in Parliament to task for having nothing to say to-date. This current crisis offers an excellent opportunity for the Opposition MP’s to show the People that if they were the Govt.of the day they would have had come up with the solution to the problem which till now appears to have eluded the Establishment as well as many other people. After all the elected Opposition MP’s have been paid a monthly remuneration of no less than $12,000+ for quite awhile. So they have equal responsibility as the Govt. of the day to share their ideas as to what could be done to help alleviate the severity of the financial maelstrom.
I’m sure it’s not because the elected Opposition MP’s are so small-minded as to deliberately keep quiet inorder to prove to the People the incompetence of the PAP to be the Government of the day. The real reason, I suspect, is that they do not know what the hell is going on. So since they are ignorant, then silence is bliss.