I think high HDB price is the result of common practise of young couples purchasing HDB flats. What is the economic rationale of couple buying flat so early at a young age? It makes no economic sense because:

1. They have limited savings. Where does down payment come from?

2. Their combined salary is low and they usually do not have any valuable asset.

From a lenderś perspective, a young working couple would be a risky profile to lend out money too. I won´t be surprised if the bank loans would charge relatively high interest for it.

Worst of all, this make working couples susceptible to bad loan accounting practises, whereby since one started repaying the loan, whereby a big proportion of the repayment would cover and the interest and a relatively small proportion covers the principal. So when it is time for the working couple to re-negotiate the loan contract, they still have a lot of principal remain unpaid.

On the other hand, if you buy a property at a later age, you would have saving and have accumulated other assets which gives you a less risky profile for a housing loan. Also, you have shorter years in your productive period, so it would be in the bank´s interest to ensure you repay the principal as soon as possible.

This article is smack of encouraging extreme materialism, the greatest non-virus plague mankind has ever suffered and it is the only incurable disease that will ultimately destroy all peace in the World. But, this will take sometime, what is immediate will be the meaning of existence. Materialism glorifies greeds, vanities and debilitates the spirit and soul. It breeds jealousy, envy and knock out sensibility

If I understand this article correctly, Sinaporeans should work round the clock, for what? To be more affluent. To be more affluent for what? I am not going to check for the answer here. It is pointless to me.

Time for more meaning pursuits.

patriot

Have you tried the 24/7 schedules in local polytechnics? =P

Dear Jack,

Good take for an IDEAL “New Singapore” in a nutshell. I am in much of agreement to what you have wrote and are in par with your Entrepreneurship but I believe we cannot ignore the host of social issues that may and will surface along with this idealism.

I am more for the following to be fully state control to avoid excessive profiteering that may otherwise overload the common citizenry should your IDEAL New Singapore proposiiton becomes a reality.

1) Public Utilities (water, gas, electricity). There must be a good policy in place to ensure that the charges incurred for ordinary households versus commercial use. Clean energy is keyed to the environment if it is operating on a 24 hours basis. I believe the government can do it and not at the expense of the common citizenry like what the current SP is doing. Bring back the clean, fair and efficient governing rules in terms of pricing.

2) Public Transportation. An area where Singapore may have to build new lines with larger capacity to accomodate the ever growing population (if their target of 6.5 million is realistic and a reality for a tiny 700 sq km). The current system needs renewing to ensure the frequency of schedule helps the flow of human traffic at a reasonable comfort in travelling in an effort to curb the ever increasing population of private atuomobiles in this tiny island. CItizenry need to play their part as well and shake off that Status Quo mindset. Adopt more avenues for public transporting ( they can draw the idea from Hong Kong on this and refine it). The key thing is how affordable is affordable. They have the brains and think tank (hoepfully more people oriented than profit oriented) to brainstorm a resolution. Get rid of the 1.5 times mid-night charging for taxis and make taxis a truly public transport and exempt them fromt he ERP gantry charges. Likewsie, Buses and the likes should be exempted from the ERP charges in central business distrcit area.

3) Public Housing need no further mention. Just hope they can revisit their current policies and come up with more improve version that will be fair and just for the citizenry.

Having said the above, better check and balance must be in place for transparency and accountability. An independent charter ( a combined of civil and public representatives as fair representation of voice) with veto power on price structuring and setting will be ideal (far fetch idea?).

Obviously there will be an increase of social issues like theft, prostitution, touting, drug trafficking, gambling addicts to name a few that may have a detrinmental effect on families. This I think in reality is unavoidable whether you have IRs or no IR, but it does have more impact when you are operating on a 24/7 basis particularly in an open society (I know some will disagree and will be dogmatic with their believes but again, when realities set in, we just have to deal with it). All any government can do is to have more education program and institutions to help address this. Prevention is better then cure, however, we are dealing with complexed Human Beings and there can be no best of both worlds.

Anyway, it is a good innovative piece to read. Tokyo and Hong Kong has always been competitive. China cities like Shanghai, Beijing and more like Korea, Thailand, Vietnam (yes Vietnam) even Malaysia are the ones that you cannot ignore and take likely.

Whatever SIngapore may embark into, please leave rooms for serenity. Nature living do improve city live.

To add to my point posted. If State Control is not desirable and working (as it is now). Then bring in more competitors (i.e. more providers) and the government will govern the rules on price structuring and setting to curb excessive profiteering but I still hope there is (are) an inderpendt charter comprises of civil and public (a good mixture of representation that is accorded with veto power on price structuring and setting as check and balance.

Observer(SG-HK) #5),

We already have 6 electricity retail providers:
1. Keppel Electric Pte Ltd
2. Sembcorp Power Pte Ltd
3. Tuas Power Supply Pte Ltd
4. Senoko Energy Supply Pte Ltd
5. Seraya Energy Pte Ltd
6. Island Power Supply Pte Ltd

The thing is the energy liberalisation thingy isn´t fully function as the EVS has not been implemented nation-wide. Once the EVS is installed in all households and industrial consumers´ sites, we can start trading electricity.

Donaldson Tan (#6)

Is there a check and balance to curb excessive profiteering in place? I don’t think so. That is clearly lacking isn’t it true? (Correct my understanding if I am wrong). There is (are) no Independent Charter (s) of equal representative (civil and public) of voices to veto unreasonable price hike isn’t there?

Having more providers do give a chance on competitive pricing so to speaks but there must be check and balance to curb concerted effort amongst providers to prevent them taking the citizenry and country for a ride.

There is (are) no Independent Charter (s) of equal representative (civil and public) of voices to veto unreasonable price hike isn’t there? – Observe(SG-HK) (#7)

In the UK, there is such thing called the Major Energy User Council, which constantly lobbies the regulator to clamp on high electricity tarriffs or look out for bad market practices. It also monitors for calls for public consulting with the UK Energy Regulator and prepares independent research, analysis and proposals to the UK Energy Regulator. We should have one here to represent all electricity consumers and this organisation should be void of government participation to avoid conflict of interest.

Dear Patriot,

I agree with you to a point on “this article…encouraging extreme materialism” but in reality living in a globalized world (we are no longer bounded by the information disseminated from Singland alone, there a re no shortage of this form of promtion. We just have to deal with it with counter value proposition and hopefully the people will strike a balance of material wealth and spiritual wealth. Let’s give perspective view a chance to flourish.

The world will not stand still and old people like us too have to sometime step back and watch but may from time to time share our traditional thoughts and learning as a form of wisdom for the younger generations to think about. After-all as you have said it many times, the young ones are the future of any country. Their mind-frame are exposed to today’s reality. Historical facts are all but a learnign tool and guidance for their future endeavours.

So, please don’t be and feel discouraged. We are wise enough to diferentiate. Sharing of idealism is one form of engaging oneself to acquire more exposure and learn to cope with the ever changing world here in Singapore and elsewhere. When we stop thinking and asking, then it is time for us to rest in peace (no pun intended).

Dear Observer(HK-SG);

thank You very much for comforting me, much appreciated.

Yes, I accept that I am out of sync with the Era, but I will not believe that we should ‘progess’ deeper into the vicious cycle of materialism, consumerism and what not modern concepts. They run counter to values and spirits.

Ha, You are right, being older is a blessing to me in two ways, one is that I got to experience the human value of humanities and unadulterated foods and philosophies. Two, I will only be exposed to perverted values for a short while. I, maybe we, have sampled the best and there is noting better than the best here anymore. Even this article tells me that man is willing to be slave to his material cravings.

I am not envious of a family of two owning four luxurious cars and living in a eight room bungalow nor the million dollar salaries of our leaders, I just do not see the sensibilities of their livings. Are they not able to see how they drive up the costs of livings and caused unitended hardships to others?

Ah, I am not envious, but some may think that’s because I am jealous.

Okay, go and work like a bull so that the master will give more grass!

patriot

Dear Patriot,

You are most welcome my friend. We may not be as well educated as other posters and/or commenters, but I will take it as we at least are level headed enough to act impartially and see things in a more sensible and objective perspective (most of the time).

I believe somehow we share same perspective pertaining to value in life. Materialism is all but a puff when time is up. Whether jealousy plays a part has no significance and will it affect your bonded values that you treasured and had experienced? Not a tiny bit.

Yes, older generation people like us (particularly those living and growing up in Singapore so to speaks), we had the privileged to witness and experience the making of a fishing village to a metropolis which some other countries touted as a model to copy hopefully they drop something along the way, I mean the bad values. With changing time, I doubted we will get any better than what it had before. Not only with the kind of mindset of the current leaders (not excluding some part of the citizenry). Environmental and External elements beyond control with today’s ever advancing technology do not allow a replication of the process that our time had gone through.

When citizenry had reached our age group, we can honestly say to ourselves, “Don’t take life too seriously, learn to relax and enjoy the remaining of our twilight years regardless of how much material wealth we have”.

As for the world and how Singapore will evolve eventually in the next few generations and beyond, I think this chinese expression is quite fitting: “种其因得其果”. For the younger generations particularly the chinese ethnic group, have some of your spare time to read the older and more traditional teachings like “道德经” ..etc to balance your mindset that was thrusted to you in the current Singapore environment. Modernization is a progressive living building mold where it is mixed with a crux of hidden UNKNOWN that awaits your discovery. Innovative ideas and aspiration may be a good thing for progress, however, when you deviate too much away from the natural course of nature, ultimately, what is left is a pool of robotic and man made mechanically driven ideology that do more harm than good to the human kind.

1) Donaldson Tan on November 1st, 2008 10.46 am
I think high HDB price is the result of common practise of young couples purchasing HDB flats.

Can you please elaborate on your statement?

The objective of a business is to maximize shareholder value thru’ profit. Thus, if there is a profit to be made in operating 24hrs because of demand for its services. A company will not hesitate to facilitate itself towards a 24hrs ops (eg, factories, datacenters, nitespots).

However, I failed to see any link between his slew of reasons on why we need a 24hrs Singapore. If 50% of businesses occupying commercial/industrial spaces do not have the required demand for 24hrs ops, no amount of coaxing or incentives will drive them to operate 24hrs. In the end, the office spaces is still 50% utilised and cannot be leased out to anyone else. A 24hrs Singapore does not solve the problem of the underutilised spaces of the businesses.

So, the questions the writer needs to address are :-
1) Is there a demand for most business to operate 24hrs?
2) Is it possible to stimulate demand to allow business to operate 24hrs?

If after showing that there is a demand or it is possible to stimulate demand, then the 24hrs Singapore will evolve itself without any form of incentives/assistance as businesses is profit-driven and will make a 24hrs ops happen.

Lucky, I voted for PAP.

Dear Patriot,

You are most welcome my friend. Glad to know you are not discouraged.

We may be lesser educated and modernize thinking than most posters and/or commenter here, but I will take it as we are level headed enough to act impartially and see things with a more objective perspective (most of the time). As to whether jealousy plays a part is of insignificance and will it affect your bonded values that you had cultivated and believe in? I honestly do not think so.

Somehow I believe we share the same perspective in the value of life. Materialism is all but a puff when time is up. Old folks like us and people in our generations had the privileged and had witnessed the best of building and making of a fishing village into a metropolis it is today that many countries sort to copy (hopefully along the way, they drop off the bad values within it) and it is on a collaborative effort of all walks of life. I doubted it can be made any better with the mindset of its current leaders (including some citizenry). Environmental and External elements beyond control will not allow a replication of the success as a whole that we see today to better it. Globalization does have a ripple effect. This is not unique to Singapore and Singapore alone.

How Singapore may evolve in a few generations and beyond, there is a Chinese expression where I find it is very fitting “种其因得其果”。However, it will not have a great effect on older folks like us. Even if there are any effects it is not going to be long lasting (like you say, it is only a short period of time before we call it a day). We can honestly say to ourselves without guilt: “Don’t take life too seriously, learn to relax and enjoy the remaining of our twilight years.”

Here are my humble thoughts to share with the younger people.

For the younger generations and particularly those of Chinese ethnic group living in this modernized metropolis. Have some spare time to read some old and traditional teachings such as “道德经” and the likes to enhance and balance your developing mindset in this current environment. Modernization is a natural progression that is good for any developing nation; however, it is not without cause. Modernization will come with a mixture of hidden unknowns awaiting your discovery. If you deviate too much away from the natural course of nature (which indeed we are with the ever advancement of technology), what is left in future may be is a cluster of robotic and mechanically driven ideology filled with nothing but material. What is heart warming to know is that Nature has its mean to recover itself and perhaps when the day comes for nature to do its work, it is the day where and when mankind will suddenly awoke from their dream and ask “Why did I do that for?”. But then, it may be too late to reverse.

P.S.
Patriot, I wrote a somewhat lengthy reply to you but I press the submit key, it just disappeared in thin air and no where to be found. Is Nature at work? So, I re-wrote a similar response as closed to the above as I could with this old and tire brain can recall. So it is true, when we stop “thinking” and “asking”, it is time to go.

I understand that we need 24 hours toilet but I still do not understand why we need to be a 24 hours city. Doing so only drive up operational cost (more security personal, police needed) and offers no competitive advantage. Aren’t that okay that minority services are 24 hours ?

Frankly, the idea seems too far-fetched.
Touring such a timeless city may be interesting but living in it is something i don’t wish to.
Most of all, the demand is not there and we are not robots.
It is a brave & innovative idea after all.

Makes me think of army.

Guard duty. Duty clerk. Duty driver. Duty medic. Duty storeman.

-_-”’

Hi Observer;

In a way, I am taking life at my own pace, friends and family asked me why I called it a day. Burnt-out is one reason, though in my working life I have been much appreciated by my superiors. But I witnessed so-called ‘friendly competitions’ first hand and at times even acted as pacifier. I also saw companies closed for various reasons including friendly competitions again. What is friendly in our society? Nothing, the people quarrel with each others, the people squabble with the leaders, the Leadership claimed the people not productive though most work hard at the expense of family life.

No family means no nation to me, one has to have ethnic pride, one has to be loyal to ones’ country and most importantly one family MUST BE HAPPY.

I recognised that we have a vey rich country, absolutely no dispute. BUT has anyone feel satisfied, happy. How successful are people who are rich but not happy.

Most of us netizens here are self sufficient, likely more than enough, are we happy? Why are we ranting, why are we having much grouses??

Months back, I saw on television, many Chinese(in China) and Japanese (indigenious) Graduates moved into the countrysides to be farmers. When interviewed, none spoke about money. They indicated that they wanted a more rustic and carefree life and be with Nature, are they regressive? Are they ignorant of quality livings. I think not.

Many Singaporeans are being badly misled to believe material affluents lead to happy livings, it can’t be further from the truth. Content is the source of happiness, don’t we put this saying in our own mouths? Or is it just for self consolation?
May I repeat again, materialism leads to decays of the nature of mankind. This statement maybe taken as foolish and nonsensical. But then it is an ancient wisdom that modern man wittingly chooses to ignore.

The Sun goes down for a purpose, think about it.

patriot

I thank all of you for your views. I agree with most of the views anyway.

This idea is of course still an experimental stage and rich discussions is helpful.

I’d like to add the following :

The land scarcity and maximization is one major aspect of the Timeless Zone.

Running 24/7 saves land to build more non-residential buildings and roads. If you run 3 shift, 1 commercial building can do the job of 3 buildings. Only residential properties run on 1 shift.
We therefore frees up land for housing and in turn reduce competition for land and reduces overall HDB prices due to overall efficiency of all land use.

There are many financial and non-financial benefits as well:

On the Green front, we will enjoy great energy savings as current cooling-up and cooling-down cost is no more under the continuous ‘ON’ mode.

This efficiency means lower cost of operation.

No Jet-lag fro tourists from any time zone.

Families stay together in same time zone vs current split family when they work shift.

No traffic jams as traffic is distributed over 3 time zones. Cars population reduces as cars can be used 3 shifts through pooling. Operating cost shared.

People work less rather than more. Currently, they work over-time, but 24/7 means no over-time possible when next shift needs your seat.

No ‘camouflage’ workers as 3 shifts per job exposes those who don’t perform . Auto-check and balance. This especially means “bureaucrazy” will be reduced and transparent government is more likely to happen because office politics can hide itself.

Competitiveness will be ultimate vs conventional cities. When country has more money, people need not be taxed so much. ( This is theoretically true and up to you to see if it will happen).

Lower night-crime as light always ‘ON’ and public surveillance provide safety.

Narrowing social wage gaps. Employers pays 300% salaries to 3 shifts and the staff can sort out pay based on supply and demand. The unions suddenly found they have an important role to play as wage coordinator.

Home operates only 1 shift. So we can enjoy family life and not keep working long hours like what we are doing now.

De-coupling of residential property prices from commercial and industrial properties means high non-residential use cross subsidize HDB prices and keep it low.

International trade connectivity flourish as all time-zones can work continuously with Singapore.

Other innovative business models will emerge fro this new environment.

Other important considerations may be:

Higher suicide rate due to sun-deficit. Similar to Scandinavian countries during winter.
( new industries on solarium and Vitamin D).

Current 24/7 includes hospital, hotel, IR Casino, airport, seaport, food outlets, some offices and factories, etc.

Gradual transformation over time. Cannot be changed too quickly. Starting from Mustafa area.

Initial misconceptions will be plenty as people normally prefer status quo.

Quiet zones needed for those whose wants to opt out from the noise at night.

Political mileage in early stages not apparent but later, it’ll show as economy grows exponentially.

I would not live in such a city, nor raise a family. I might work here, but there’s no way in hell will I give up a holistic quality of life for a 24/7 metropolitan lifestyle that will simply throw more ulcers, consumption related health and wellness challenges that are not needed at all.

I am under 30. And perhaps having lived in Australia and Brunei has made me value the quiet time that I can enjoy, much more.

Sim is being pro business 1st and then something else.
kind of interesting suggestion but mostly pro business.

Agree with 90) that this will make everyone sleepless in SG if you know what i mean.

Good idea for businessmen. Not as good for quality of life.

Why is this article on TOC?

forgot…. 1st Sim has to give idea how to Generate a Real Demand for 24 x 7.
If demand is there it would be no brainer that this model may work on paper but not sure how this impacts our quality of living where day is day and night is still day, if you know what i mean. ;)

Dear Patriot,

Funny that you mention China. My perspective of China Chinese took a 360 degree turn after I have witnessed on Television for 8 straight weeks of live reporting regarding 5-12 the Sichuan Earthquake tragedy as well as the full coverage of Beijing Olympics. This is the one time I say Singaoreans should take a cue to understand what it meant by unity. One of hte expression that Premier Wen said really sink deep in me: “多难兴邦”. This reminds me of the older days of Singapore. A poor nation full of hardworking and disciplined folks. Hardwork indeed and poor but happier because of the warmth of the kampong spirit.

You hit right on the nail when you say “无家那有国”. Conversely, “无国那有家”. May be the following philosophy of life may shed a light or too. This is a leaf taken from Lao Tze’s 道德经.

“致虛極，守靜篤。萬物並作，吾以觀復。
夫物芸芸，各復歸其根，歸根曰靜，是謂復命。
復命曰常，不知常，妄作凶。
知常容、容乃公，公乃全，全乃天，天乃道，道乃久，沒身不殆。”

Loosely translated, we need to strive to maintain our conscience at all times and be composed. We do not have to be overly concerned with others who do not share this virtue value. Let nature take its natural course. Somehow, people will regain their conscience, its a matter of time and space.

Pardon my inability to give a better account of translation. I am still learning by the day after all these years. Perhaps, someone philosophical can help to do a better job.

Hi Pro Business Mentality,

It’s not in our habit to decline to publish views just because we disagree with them. Unless the piece is written as an editorial, it does not represent the opinion of TOC.

Our only threshold for publication is whether the article contributes to debate and discussion of national issues, something which evidently Jack’s piece has done =)

Please feel free to elaborate your disagreement with his piece more thoroughly in the comment boxes, or if you’d like to make them more extensive, send it to us as an article!

Regards,
Zheng Xi

Dear Observer(HK-SG);

indeed, the Wisdom You quoted of the Great Philosopher born two thousand six hundred years ago is as valid today. I somehow feel that much of the ancient wisdoms are forgotten in the pursuit of modernities, very regrettable.

I visited a few provinces in China in the last few years and I can feel how proud the people were of their motherland. Many mainlanders were all praise for Singapore as well. I can’t say it is as good Hong Kong which I visited more than a decade ago, however I enjoyed my travels there.

I watched some of the post Sichuan Earthquake Programme whilst i Hainam (Island) Province, I was very moved too. It was great to see that the Chinese(in China) have preserved the Great Spirit of the Chinese Culture.

#19) Jack Sim
“People work less rather than more. Currently, they work over-time, but 24/7 means no over-time possible when next shift needs your seat.”

I wish this were true, but unfortunately, it isn’t. My colleagues and I used to have to go half an hour early and leave half an hour late in order to hand things over to the next person. And when one person goes on leave, the rest have to fill in. And when there’s any special event going on / busy times etc, still have to do extra shift. And while I’ve never personally experienced the following, I’ve heard of other horror stories where staff ended up doing their work on the floor (because no tables and chairs available), and where meetings were called after the shift ended.

Maybe Sim is looking forward to another award for crystal balling?
nice article.

I am glad to hear the comments coming forth.

As the Timeless Zone is an experimental concept today, it is bound to create controversy, just like any innovation that attempts to break the status quo.

My thoughts are that the Timeless Zone is an inevitable scenario as long as the Singapore government’s drive for higher efficiency, competitiveness and productivity remains like they always have been. This morning press just saw PM Lee said we must work harder than before.

Instead of creating more sleeplessness, I was hoping that if assets work harder, people would not have to work at robotic speed and can retain our humanity. I imagine that higher productivity in our national capital assets like buildings and roads will cross-subsidize a better quality of life to our people.

Since the inevitable will happen, it may be better to prepare for it with discussions today rather than to have it imposed on us by force like the ERP.

Our discussions may eventually shape things into a different form than what I’ve laid out in my article and make this 700sq km piece of island both a place that promises economic survival and also a conducive way to bring up a family.

I am rather worried that the current way of life in Singapore is already too hectic and people are beginning to lose their soul in search for the “scoreboard” lifestyle.

It used to be that Singaporeans were afraid to be living a hectic life like the Hong Kongers. Today, we might have already overtaken them .

Dear Jack,

As much as your ideas are very innovative indeed (that I must agree), but I think the problems are not with the shift work and better utilization of the Assets (as you cited as one of the factor), it is very much the mindset of the Singapore Employers at large (I will reserve my comment for later on the employees at large which is another important factor).

Some have commented market demand. Let’s analyze this for discussion sake.

1) You need a sizeable market to accommodate a 24/7 operation (I am making the assumption that you are not just targeting at the gaming. entertainment, hospitality industry which they may be or are already operating on a 24 hours basis ~ at least the gaming section come 2009 like those Macau or Vegas gaming houses).

Unless the rest in Asia follow suit (that will not happen for god know when), you can only largely trade with Europe and US and it is largely dependent on your geographical market focus based on your businesses. That may be already has quite a huge obstacles to hurdle across.

2) Let’s assumed manufacturing can run operation in 24/7(which some are I think), how many manufacturing are left in Singapore to begin with and whether the remaining manufacturing who are currently not operating in 24/7, do these employers have enough customers base and orders to sustain their business (we are not talking about short term here right)? Bare in mind that you are competing with others as well (not in the same time zone as Singapore)

3) I am making another assumption that granted the remaining sectors (Financial, Banking, Retail…etc) are running on 24/7, how do you think this is possibly done without the government public sectors also operating in a 24/7 mode? So taken your logic, and put off the idea of those non governmental or public sectors (like defense and what not); just take the Parliament, Judiciary and Immigration, if they function like what you say on shift work, that mean we have to triple the number of workforce currently in ops? Where are you going to find these resources? We had enough of high paying public servants. I think the citizenry at large cannot stomach a triple load. Can you?

There are more obviously, but let’s just deal with the above 3 items for now.

Singaporean employers by and large are not as entrepreneur as you might hope them to be (go global? yes, in thinking but not in real action because there are constraint ~ most importantly their mindset). I will be most thankful and delighted to know if they really honored the standard working hours in the employment contract that were signed by the employees and do not penalize them for leaving on time (I heard it often from employees at large that I came to contact with, that your conduct “inclusive of when you leave work” will be a factor during appraisal time). Sound familiar? I think a lot can attest to this.

By profession, I am a Business Consultant focused on Business Process Re-structuring and Re-engineering and have been doing that for years with countless Corporations. To me, working longer hours does not necessary mean you are productive. As a matter of fact, I will question the time management. This also has nothing to do with being competitive. In fact it is very unhealthy not only to the company but also to the employees at large.

I had always had that believe that if you have the skills and quality in place, there is no need to slug overtime unnecessarily. Occasional overtime is acceptable with “real” urgent cases and the employee should be compensated (please do not tell me everyday and all cases are urgent, that is baloney to me and if I come across a senior manager telling me that “if I am engage to restructure their process”, I will have serious doubt of this manager’s management capability or worse this company operational governance and business model. Admittedly, there are no shortage of these experiences and encounter but in the end, that has been corrected to a certain extend as far as those that I had worked with at that time.

Unfortunately, this I believe is not the picture you see in most of employment environment in Singapore. The primary reasons lies with the company management mentality at large, scheming away to make full use of working class employee and more; whether by casual remarks (which by all means are threatening to the ears of employees particularly those that are not really skillful). This mindset needs overhauling but I bet you that if your ideas work, you will have two 12 hours shift (with one salary) instead of three 8 hours shift.

Do not forget, the schools and higher learning institutions are not operated in 24/7, they can’t do that (if you think in terms of those young toddlers in particular) and parents will likely be more deprived of quality time to spend with their kids (as it is already quite a severe issue at moment).

I could go on and on to give you the possible implications of a country wide 24/7 operation, socially and economically but I think that’s enough for now for you to ponder over. Others had voiced their discontent with this Innovative Ideas of yours and it is not without reason. If you had followed the events happening in the last few years in Singapore, it is not hard for you to shelf off your idea for now.

Oh, by the way Jack, don’t take the PM’s message too seriously and I think you mean well and is a concerned & caring fellow citizen. Picture yourself in a low-income home with primary schooling age toddlers, may be working multiple jobs to try to make ends meet and you might see a different perspective of life.

Hello Observer,
Thanks for your long reply.
1. The process is evolution and not revolution and transforms over decades. It’ll start with natural sectors that likes the 24/7 idea. If no government restrictions exists, they proceed. Mustafa did it and I think the district around Mustafa is a potential area for 24/7.

2. The motivation both for businesses and staff are more financial rewards.
3 shifts means 2 shifts of free-rental. The low-income family can earn a higher income if they work night shift: The difference is paid not by the boss but by the free rental income.

3. I used to volunteer on SOS distress phone service and I know the plight of the low-income groups from a very personal level. The whole idea of 24/7 is precisely to re-distribute wealth through maximization of national assets instead of further exploitation of the same human resources. It apparently has been quite misunderstood but as I mentioned earlier, it is expected to be misunderstood initially because the benefits needs some time to be appreciated.

4. You can triple the demand for buildings by not building more new buildings. Currently, we’ve over-built and a serious glut in shopping, offices, homes, and industrial buildings is expected in 2010. This is unnecessary and could have been avoided if we maximize the existing buildings’ use 24/7.

5. When entire family migrate into a same time zone and enjoys all facilities in that time zone, family won’t have to split up like they are doing now, deprived of quality time with each other.

Jack,

The Mustafa model is not new to me neither that can be a model for other commercial area. On a retail basis it may be an added value for surrounding residence as a convenience. Which come first, 7/11 stores or Mustafa? Rather Kopitiam had that 24 hours concept before Mustafa if my recollection serves me right. Did it work well?

You mentioned shift means 2 shift of free rental that is true to a degree but you neglected the operating cost and its probable return. Whether it is worth for businesses to invest in it (this again falls back to the demand and supply issue and the business nature) and I am not too sure that business employers are generous enough to share the fruits with its employees.

Curious to know, what do you think of the general Corporate Employer mindset in Singapore? Why do people currently need to clock an average of 10 hours work a day? Motivation for more financial rewards? I really like to know what are your honest thoughts on this one in particular the mindsets of the Singapore Employers by and large. Might I add, include what these employers think about the older workers and how they are treated. Afterall, your IDEAL NEW SIngapore is for the entire citizenry right?

You said if the entire family move to the same time zone and enjoys all facilites in that time zone, family won’t have to split up like they are doing now and deprive of quality time with each other..I taken you have make the assumption that 24/7 education system will have to be in full force right? You have given a thought to the young ones? Assuming the working members of the family starts work in the midnight shift, is that healthy human living particularly for the kids?

Ever thought of the transistion period? You want the poor kids to ecperience such brutal arrangement? When should the 24/7 start? Just this alone is enough to cause distress in any family. Please do not tell me that given time to adjust that is alright. I will very disappointed if this is the expected reply.

Sometime it is okay to imagine living in a made believe world (good subject matter for a fictional novel), that is one way of releasing overstress from work. When you mixed fiction with reality in an extreme manner, it is time to take a break from work and relax yourself and get in touch with nature again. It is not mistaken with misunderstanding. Coing what my cyber friend “Patriot” wrote a while back, there is a reason why the Sun set. I would like to add, there is also a reason why the Sun rise. Think about it.

Life is not all about material wealth. In general, most human being if they can work on a 5 days week and 9 to 5 and spend the weekends with their family & friends, will I trade in for your “IDEAL NEW SINGAPORE”? Will you?

To: #30) Jack & #31) Observer(SG-HK)
“3 shifts means 2 shifts of free-rental. The low-income family can earn a higher income if they work night shift: The difference is paid not by the boss but by the free rental income.”

With 3 shifts, the rental would become “cheaper” in perspective. Demand would likely go up, and with that, rental would increase too, and wipe out the savings. Perhaps not in the short term, but I can see it happening in the longer term.

Regarding the move of entire families to night shift… well, might not be entirely necessary if there are enough individuals who would be more than happy to take the night shift. I know many, mostly young singles, who would, including me. Still, this is in part due to the advantages of night shift (eg. less crowds and a more serene environment) which would be wiped out by a 24/7 city. Perhaps one considerable advantage remaining is that they would get to enjoy the sun when they’re free. Right now, many of us probably wake in the morning, rush to the office / school. We spend all day working, and by the time we’re off work, the sun has set.

Can you please elaborate on your statement? – pianist (#12)

I can’t substantiate my claim as HDB does not release demographic breakdown of buyers for new and resale flats. However, I made this claim out of personal sentiments and observation that from the Singaporean ritual / life-cycle that many young couples register themselves at ROM early so that they can buy flats. This is an act that has always baffled me because a young working couple still has a risky loan profile even if both are working.

To Donaldson:

No economic sense, yes. But this is due to the policy of singles not being able to buy HDB until 35 years old. And as you say yourself, young couples have limited savings and salary isn’t as high as older ones either. Many can’t afford to buy private housing, and rental comes with assorted problems. It is easy to understand when you look at it as they want to live apart from their parents and other family members, to start a life of their own.

Actually, if Singapore was a larger country, and land cost is low, the 24/7 city will not be viable.
Unfortunately, it is only 700 sq km. The other way is to stop the population growth at some point. Our treasury is one of the highest per capita in the world and the idea was that we can earn enough money to serve our operating budget through an external economy generating continuous income from investment.

It seems to work but the current big losses in UBS, Citibank, Merrill Lynch, equity stokcs and overseas properties investments will set us back for many years, even if we take the looong view.

Singapore needs a new breed of imaginative people to come up with innovative ideas instead of relying on foreign consultants all the time to tell us what we can develop ourselves.

Innovation as always will sound bizarre at first due to the following reasons:

1. The draft version will always be imperfect and many considerations will be missed. That is why I am very happy to hear all the objections because they high-light the gaps to watch out for.

2. Its timing will often be premature and ahead of its time. Look at the inventor of the PC , or TV, or Automobile, etc. These people were all seen as failures at first. Many went bankrupt pushing their ideas just to let the second or third generations make success and money. The idea that time has come is the winner, but someone need to start the thought.

3. Human works on the safety of status quo. If the sun don’t rise tomorrow, what shall we do? This is countered by an equally adaptable human spirit that allows them to live in eskimo condition to desert nomad conditions. Once they adopt the norm, they will again like the status quo.

Please let me have more new objections or suggestions to refine this idea and to debunk it. Either way, it is very useful.

Finally, I have no general opinion of employers in Singapore. There are those who are immature and staff don’t enjoy working for them. There are those that communicate and win the hearts of workers. They excel.
This is a free choice world. We can move to new employer. We also need to love the employer , the workplace, the colleagues and the suppliers/ clients.

We cannot have confrontational stance even if this is justified because it does nothing to make us happy. We only have 80 years to live. We want to live each day with a smile, not always possible but we try our best.

Feeling demoralized is simply a clue to ask you to do the next thing to recover from unhappiness and be happy again. This works the same way a fever helps you recover from an attack.

All things finally lead to death. And knowing we are going to die tells us time is the inly currency of life, not material or money.

28) Jack Sim on November 2nd, 2008 5.36 pm
………..Instead of creating more sleeplessness, I was hoping that if assets work harder, people would not have to work at robotic speed and can retain our humanity. I imagine that higher productivity in our national capital assets like buildings and roads will cross-subsidize a better quality of life to our people. ……..

>> have you not learnt from the fiascos? don’t just say you ‘hope’, ‘pray’ or ‘urge’ or ‘believe’ or ’suppose’ or ‘wish’ or ‘think’ but also give black and white assurance. Else, when things get implemented, the effect would be too great .

does Bush ring any bell?

what i mean is, your crystal balling is all fun and great. and you may even get another award for it but please please give black and white assurance and prove of concept before selling us your dreams. I dream more than anyone. I dream of more good years.

and why are you selling us the idea? does it appear that we can make any decision? Why not you send to LHL?

good good ah , you.

Jack

You are indeed a young and idealistic Entrepreneur. No, the cited examples (PC & TV…etc) did not fail to beign with and it is small scale comparison. Think further what I mean….. Give you a hint. No product is above “**m**” and man is second to nature.

Anyway, my friend, I think there are quite a lot of things in life that needs fixing now (in particular tiny Singapore). Yes, we are world number three in terms of national reserves (SWF). Are you enjoying any bit of it? Are we? I wonder why there are so much sufferings if we are such rich nation.

May be a decade from now, if you inject this form idea again, it may be more receptive (don’t bank on it). I agree we need new breed of people (I reserve my comment on imaginative for it implies a connotation to fictional story writer to me personally), but you have to first change the top 20 percentile mindset. Do you think it is possible and how long do you envisage this happening?

You will have a better chance of success if you inject this idea to some cities in US or even some parts of Tokyo, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam. Funny that I did not mention Hong Kong right? I live in it long, and the people are not so “imaginative” to see a 24/7 operation.Another fine example in the making that you can trial on is Macau. Those Casinos are operating on 24/7 but not many other businesses (particularly non-related to gaming) followed suit. Macua is slightly smaller than Singapore and has the backing of China.

I disagree that sweeping statement that “human works on status quo”; that perhaps is a general statement more applicable to a large segment of Singaporeans.

For my ending note on human living philosophy, everyone has its own means and ways to keep thyself happy. We all knew the moment we came to this earth that someday we will pass on, that’s nothing sad about it. The important thing is, how do you treasure it and make your lifetime worthwhile in your own terms. This is an individualistic choice and no policies, no rules and no person can mandate how you choose to live with it.

Don’t be despaired or discouraged, if you believe you have a good idea and stick to it, you will probably had a better success rate in time to come after many rounds of refinement. Try presenting it as a fictional novel. Who knows someday, some holywood producer may be interested to make a movie out of it and lo and behold, the idea caught on and you fulfill your dream. Afterall, SPACE travelling and sending someone to the moon, starwars defence and a host of other deep space project were deemed cockamamie ideas to begin with.

We have got work to do. Let’s spend our time trying to help the most needy in Singapore in any ways we can. Be it any form of contributions, compassionate sharing, joining a voluntary social group, speak at HLP, sharing constructive advices through this blog or others, forming a brainstorm committee in cyberspace to share ideas, even just a word of thanks to those who are relentless in their efforts to make tiny changes to this unrecognized tiny red dot. Show the world that Singaporean indeed can be united for a good cause (we just need more time than others). Yes? may be? I seriously don’t know and have no answers to it.

I like the idea of doing a fictional novel first and making it easier and non-threatening for people to think of it first.

Maybe if there are some Singapore film makers out there, we can start to do it. I saw the MICA is giving money away for such endeavor.

Strange you mentioned Macau. I am right here in the Grand Waldo hotel in Macau and the whole island almost runs 24/7, but not in the way Timeless Zone suggested.

Tomorrow, we open the World Toilet Summit 2008, with the Crown Prince of Holland, Chair of UN Sec-Gen Advisory Board for Water and Sanitation doing the honor.
24 governments and delegate from world-wide comes together to solve the sanitation problems where 2.5 billion people have NO toilets.

My job is to dream and make the dreams come nearer and eventually come true.

The solutions are to convert the problem into a business that both rich and poor can participate. It is getting traction and even the LKY School of Public Policy is planning a new course for Executives to join the Sanitation Business.

All WTO events are organized at zero cost through a series of leverages. And I work for free.

/// For starters, we can pay lower income earners significantly higher salaries for the same work if they decide to shift their entire families into the night zone. ///

Jack, for this to work, does that mean we will also need to have a night shift for schools?

Hi Observer(HK-SG);

You have expressed much of what I feel and think, my thanks and kudos to You.

Man(kind) exists as a creation of Nature and man is also the only species that turns himself into a machine because of his intelligence, inexplicable but true.

Beings(all species) evolves, but none except humans, want more than it needs.

Humans are not the longest living, they are given average life spans, about 70 years? All for material pursuits? Good results for studies, good money made by non-stop works?

No emotional and spiritual pursuits?

I have friends who rise from the bottom of the heap and are quite well off today, financially speaking. But many told me, they do not know what to do if they are not working. Simple statement but makes me sad, they are lost and losing the meanings of being. No family, no friend? Must have, right? No time for them, got works to do, “BUT DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO WHEN NOT WORKING”. See the Problem?
Something not right lah!

Man wreaks havocs on Nature, upsets the Biological make-up of the Earth, upsets ones’ own BIOLOGICAL CLOCK and claim glories of being industrious, entrepreneurial and constructive contributions. If only Earth has less humans, It will suffer much less.

When the Earth suffers, It will repay the earthlings and in fact we are witnessing the effects of global warming, famine, drought and other natural calamities. We humans brought them upon ourselves!

Spirit of enterprise is spirit too, but, it is not the only spirit. There are spirits of humanities(human relations), joys(happiness-wellbeing of the mind) and love. It is important to have a balance between material and spiritual needs and moderations in the pursuits of both provide the equilibrium.

Please do not damage the Earth and THE SOUL OF HUMANITY TOO MUCH.

patriot

Jack,

You should go talk to people like Jack Neo (the producer for local film “Money no Enough” and the likes about making your dream concept into a film. Whatever, I hope more good is done to give back to society and particularly aiding for the poor and needy. there is no reason why Singaporeans (after slugging through 40 some years to help build the nation should suffer).

Oh ya, I heard of the Macau event. Many would think it’s hilarious just going by the title event “Toilet Summit and Expo”. That is a world issue (mostly relating to African, Ethiopian, Some parts of India and China region). Even some developed countries. I recalled I read a report some years back on this issue. An estimated 1million+ children die annually because of the lack of sanitation. Quite alarming isn’t it?

While you are at this, think of the dumping issues. 24/7 operation means most waste…etc.

Anyway, hope you have a successful outcome of this exhibition and hopefully the world understand a little more of toilet sanitation in relation to health. Being so entrepreneur minded, I reckon you will promote the water sanitation processing that Singapore had become renowned expertize?

I believe you are doing for a noble cause. Not many people like to be associated with Toilets and they think it is joke. But hey, that ’s why you shine and became the founder of the WTO right. How I wished the Singapore rich and successful business people have their conscience and compassion to do something worthy for the public without having to always relate it to profit. The same to be said for our government high paying high flying A-team.

Some things better stay in the realms of fiction.

Or one day you might just find yourself living in the Matrix.

Dear Patriot,

Thank you for those kind words. I am just simply sharing my thoughts as an ordinary folk and by no means trying to lecture others. I think most of us (at least I can speak on behalf of old folks who weathered through quite a fair bit) are less susceptible to material wealth temptation and may be have the yearning for a more balanced life. May be it has got to do with we are lesser educated (you are much better educated than I am. In Singapore term, I am only primary 6 educated) with simpler mindset. Like the chinese expression: “知足常乐”.

It is nothing wrong though for being entrepreneur, but I think the importance is that we must not deviate too much away from the nature of things. You are absolutely right to say that we human beings had created the climatic problem unto ourselves through countless inventions that then everyone have no idea what it does to our planet earth. Without a doubt, those inventions (and are still at works), does create the convenience and improved the living but at a very high price that now we are scrambling to resolve (barring from economic means ~ it is sad that between countries, the top people are still mainly talking about how much it cost to reverse the course of climate warming).

What has been done cannot be undone, but hope is that the world gets to realize that we have got to slow down and think and act globally to save ourselves from extinction. I like the slogan of the One Earth ~ Why are we here advertisment that flashes in the National Geographic Channel. A very strong statement indeed. If people would just stop, slow down and listen to the heart beat of planet earth. There is no other home we have got as an alternative if we destroy it with deforrestation, spew more toxic waste to pollute the climate….etc in the name of progress. At what cost?

For one thing I know, it will not affect you, me, Jack or anyone for now. But as civic and conscience minded people, I think every little bit of our effort do count for the sake of many many more future generations that live on this one and only human home (for now) call Planet Earth.

1) Donaldson Tan on November 1st, 2008 10.46 am
I think high HDB price is the result of common practise of young couples purchasing HDB flats.

“I can’t substantiate my claim as HDB does not release demographic breakdown of buyers for new and resale flats. However, I made this claim out of personal sentiments and observation that from the Singaporean ritual / life-cycle that many young couples register themselves at ROM early so that they can buy flats. This is an act that has always baffled me because a young working couple still has a risky loan profile even if both are working.”

i can’t link your statements. Your concept might be backdated, would be open for discussion or another article if suitable. Depending on which side you stand, risk profile is also upward bound as you grow older, this discounting the calculations of Present value of dollar vs the % rise in HDB prices.

Observer(SG-HK) #Post 31;

the Mustaffa Model has a sister in Geylang(Whoreland), it too operates round the clock and peak after sundown. Not only the toilets there need upgrading, the beds too, so multi-million dollars worth of transactions per year? Or more?
are contributed to our national economy.

And the soon to be in operation Integrated Resorts will operate non stop and likely to peak in the evening onwards too. It is claimed by our planners and leaders that hundreds of thousands of jobs will be created and billions of profits are expected.

Wow, Singaporeans will be richer, have ‘higher standards’ of livings, better leisures and funs, less crimes and more time for families and friends. I hear all these but just can’t believe the wisdoms in them. For all we know in time to come, the opposites happen.

patriot

Dear Patriot,

I think it is not so nice a description of Geylang. If it is meant to humor me or a satirical remark to our friend Jack Sim (the founder of WTO) I can accept that. Those poor souls working in that district will change their profession if they have a choice (not that they enjoy what they are doing now). Let’s not risked being accused of being discriminative.

Anyway, I do not want to further speculate what will really happen with regard to the IRs. Social issues linking to it is not rocket science and i think there will be issues to address and resolve in time to come. Having that S$100 entry barier is not going to stop Singaporean addicts from patronising. Without a doubt, the IRs will yield job vacancies for employment (that is in reality). As to whether how profitable it will turned out to be (be it directly link to the IRs or a leverage “as the government sees it” to lure more tourism dollars it is anybody’s guess with the recession looming ahead).

All I can share (with some of my HK friends working in the gaming industry in Macau, the picture is pretty gloomy. It is a startling difference comparing to year 2007. Nevertheless, it is not jus this industry wil be hit. Industries of all walks fo business will be hit hard.

The recession is very real and it looks like a long hard winter ahead (at least for Hong kong, here we are already feeling it and it has only just begun). As I wrote I just received a call from a friend telling me that she had lost everything she owned including her home and she is jobless with a young schooling toddler. You can only sigh and no amount of consolation or words will soothe the sufferings. Time to do more counselling.

Dear Observer(SG-HK);

My apology to You and anyone disturbed and perturbed by my description of Geylang, I actually wanted to call it Whorerland(to rythme with Wonderland) but the fingers were a little too fast.

Sincerely speaking, I did not think of satiring anyone but to draw some real examples of Sundown(night-operating) Vice Industries with multi-million and multi-billion(projected) dollar turnovers. Because they are vice related, I do not know money made from them will bring comfort and happiness to the people at large. However, I am very certain of their deleterious effects.

It has been a great honour and pleasure to get to know You in this Cyber Highway, your sincere, candid, didactic and wise comments had provided me much enlightenment and I must say I appreciated your kindness very much.

I would like to hereby wish You a healthy and happy good life.

Yours Truly: patriot

Dear Patriot,

It’s okay and I think others will understand as well, don’t take it too hard. I believe it is just an honest mistake. We are only human and we may slip sometime. The difference in we common people is that we hold ourself accountable and stand corrected.

Come now my friend, you flatter this old fart here. I am not as wise as I would hope I like to be. Likewise, your comments posted in many articles had me viewed things in a different perspective and it is too been a pleasure for me to have known you and others in this site. Thanks TOC. There are quite a lot of posters and commenters that I felt are genuinely contributing to a good cause. If only our younger fellow citizenry are to be more proactive in public discourse (I think the scene is changing gradually for the better), we need to encourage them more to participate.

Thank you for your well wishes. I think fellow citizenry will feel happier and the warmth if we are to uncover more of the good side of Singapore. In this very trying time, a very challenging and tough year ahead indeed, the least we can do is to show others that it is not that difficult to show a little compassion and be more sensible to the less fortunate and those who may be or are in dire straits. Let’s be a little more receptive of differing and sometimes extreme views, after-all we are and should be matured enough to differentiate and respect every individual’s contribution. Speaking for myself, I will certainly hope and will try my very best to keep a sober mind when commenting on teething issues that is of my concerns.

My sincerest apologies to TOC and readers at wide for digressing from the subject matter of this article. Similarly, no intention of any disrespect to the author Mr. Jack Sim who contributed this very innovative piece. Cheers!

Sincerely,

Observer (SG-HK)