Choo Zheng Xi / Editor-in-Chief
TOC recently published a template request for information that Singaporeans could send to their MPs to ask their Town Councils (TCs) specific questions on TC investments.
TOC reader Roland Soh sent an email to his MP, Dr Ahmad Magad of Pasir-Ris Punggol GRC. He was shocked with the reply: instead of giving him a comprehensive answer, the reply contained an email to a person called Wei Kin. This, we believe, is the General Manager/Secretary of the Pasir-Ris Punggol Town Council, Ms Kwok Wei Kin ( See here and here.)
In the email, Dr Magad seems to tell his Town Council General Manager not to reveal any more information “beyond what we have already uploaded on-line…”
The email is reproduced here:
Wei Kin
Further to this, at the meeting with Minister yesterday it was decided that we will NOT disclose any further details beyond what we have already uploaded on-line and will be publishing in our Vibes newsletter.
Additional follow up queries should be replied with politeness, indicating that our disclosures are and will be consistent with Corporate Governance Standards. Pls follow up accordingly.
Thanks.
Best Regards,
Ahmad Magad
Could it be that Ministers are giving different instructions in private than they are in public? Which minister was Dr Magad speaking to?
If it was Mr Mah, this will be a disturbing about-turn considering he told The Sunday Times on November 23: ‘Each town council has the duty to explain to its residents how it invests its funds, what is its philosophy, what are the risks it takes’.
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I would like to think that this goes beyond the high pay issue.
There have been numerous attempts by this PAP govt to paint itself as having the highest level of integrity built along the reputation it declares itself to possess and having the mandate to do what it does, from the people who voted for them, because they are the best in the land.
To give an example of what I mean, let’s hear Vivian Balakrisnan’s own words on transparency being the key to Singapore’s success:
Vivian: ““Everything we do is under public scrutiny. In Singapore there are no secrets, if I cock up you will know. At least within the PAP, we select on the basis of merit, and we are also totally unsentimental about dropping people. It’s almost a samurai code. We’re not a group of friends who got together one night and decided we want to run Singapore and enrich ourselves.”
Now tell me, how not to hold him to these words. He has spoken on behalf of PAP, the party. How not to hold the PAP accountable to these words?
When you are good, no need to advertise, action counts. Its when too many advertisement to show how good you are, usually its no good, and thats what our elites are good for.
Well, if that is what they call samurai code, lol, the samurais of old will have to commit Seppuku.
and that’s a nice quote…so there is no secret in SG? now we know that’s true…no secret but there is a hush hush and vague answers + beating around the bush and tai chi…
It is an art where all PAP enlistees have to be put through to attain perfection.
When caught with food in the mouth, discreetly cover it with your hands, make no eye contact and hum a tune. Try to make your getaway with small steps.
Where is the samurai sword to live by the samurai code?
If there is one, Wong Kan Seng would have been chopped for MSK’s escape.
LHL would have to go for bringing in the minibombs.
GCT would have to go for allowing these minibombs to explode in our faces.
LKY would have to go for the mentoring that produced these imbeciles.
The list goes on and on and on. In short, the whole PAP has to ( as you’ve said it) commit Seppuku.
Dare to talk integrity when there is none.
I believe that, too. Sometimes its when tough times hit you that you begin to re-evaluate your life. Looking back, the most difficult moments in my life were like wake-up calls for me to embrace changes. I wouldnt be where I am today, running a small business, if not for the difficult times Ive been through.
I perform tons of number analysis for these types of games because I think that the past will usually give us an idea of what may happen in the future. As you know it may be really hard to know the winning team in the NFL. This is why I like using trends for sports.