Andrew Loh
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Friday that the current downturn Singapore is facing is nothing quite like what the country has experienced before.
Speaking to the Singapore media at the end of his visit to Latin America, Mr Lee said that while there is still bitter medicine to be taken, the Singapore government has put a bit more sugar coating on the pill. (Channel NewsAsia).
The above report was on the 28 November 2008, less than two months ago. The Prime Minister was seeking to assuage Singaporeans’ concerns about the worsening economy and particularly about job losses. In the last few weeks, several companies have already started to lay off staff, including DBS and Panasonic.
The PM, as reported in CNA’s report above, even spoke about Singaporeans having to accept “ bitter medicine” in these bad times.
Thus, it was with much regret, to say the least, when two reports came out in the Straits Times on Tuesday. The first was about the former CEO of Seksun Corporation, Mr Felix Ong, who spent $50,000 of his own money in having calendars made for himself. The calendars had pictures of him assuming various personas. He had also employed models for the calendars. (See picture below).
The second article in the Straits Times, perhaps, is the more controversial one. It was a piece written by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources (MEWR), Mr Tan Yong Soon. In it, he described his attendance of a cooking class in Paris, at the renowned Le Cordon Bleu, as part of a 5-week holiday. The basic course, which he signed up for, costs 7,750 euros (S$15,500).
Perhaps a little too self-engrossed, he said:
Taking five weeks’ leave from work is not as difficult as one thinks. Most times, when you are at the top, you think you are indispensable. But if you are a good leader who has built up a good team, it is possible to go away for five weeks or even longer.
While not many Singaporeans can afford to take 5 weeks off work to go on a holiday, or afford the price tag for such a holiday (especially to a place such as Paris), one would not normally chide the rich for doing so either. After all, they do work hard for their success and rewards and are entitled to enjoy them. However, Mr Tan is no ordinary, rich Singaporean. He is a senior civil servant. And he is one of those who just had his pay cut in the recent announcement by the Public Service Division.
In short, he is seen as part of the governing elite – and one who would be able to empathise with ordinary Singaporeans who are going through tough times. Indeed, the PM is preparing Singaporeans for some belt-tightening and ‘bitter medicine’.
Mr Tan’s revelation, in a national newspaper, at a time of anxiety for most, is insensitive, to say the least.
And this coming on the back of the People’s Action Party town councils’ nonchalant attitude towards the loss of millions of dollars in investments in discredited financial products.
Perhaps it is true – in fact, I feel it is – that the rich in government has lost touch with Singaporeans and lost it totally. For anyone who has any sense of empathy for the average working person struggling to survive would not be splashing his story of luxurious holidays in full spread in a national newspaper. Least of all a senior civil servant.
While I applaud the government for the pay cut, I cannot but be entirely disappointed that, as Mr Tan has shown, it is only cosmetic.
How else can it be if one is willing to spend thousands on a cooking course on a 5-week holiday and then boast about it in a national newspaper?
Where is the empathy and sensitivity among our elite for the average Singaporean?
Finance Minister Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, when asked about whether civil servants would lead by example and take a pay cut, said, “We are not here to grandstand.” (Straits Times)
One can only hope that someone will tell Mr Tan that while it may be true that “if you are a good leader who has built up a good team, it is possible to go away for five weeks or even longer,” Mr Tan should realize that sometimes a little empathy and sensitivity goes a longer way.
Ditto Mr Ong.
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Picture from Straits Times report.
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P.S. @Tsktsktsk #98 NOTABLE Sarcasm. I like it!
Hi gemami & joshua,
reading through what you have wrote really brings up to my mind what lincoln has said in the past.
firstly is “You may fool all the people some of the time, you can even fool some of the people all of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all the time.” and that’s happening right now. there are more and more people that are realising the truth of what’s really going on, and before long, they won’t be able to prevent the inevitable avalanche.
regarding what gemami says “The true picture of Singapore and the social, economical and political thermometers of living in Singapore will be the true measure that help to formulate policies that are holistic; and serve the general and greater good of all.”
this reminds me of “Public sentiment is everything. With public sentiment nothing can fail; without it nothing can succeed. He who molds public sentiment goes deeper than he who enacts statutes or decisions possible or impossible to execute.”
and that’s the exact case of what is happening in singapore. how often do they mold or follow public sentiments?
and finally, my favorite quote “We, the people, are the rightful masters of both congress and the courts – not to overthrow the constitution, but to overthrow men who pervert the constitution.”
And i believe this is what gemami and Zefly and many of us wants for Singapore. Now of course, i am not implying that they are perverting the constitution *cover my a..* but if we are unhappy with what they have done, then we the people must stand up and voice out. and those who can lead us, should do so. because everybody are the masters of this country.
Hi SZ,
Honestly, I wasn’t thinking along those lines you mentioned. I was just reflecting on why panter believed, in what he belives in, so strongly, strong enough to rebuked us the way he did.
But reading your comments makes me realise that, yes, what you say is actually true, and this is what we want for our beloved Singapore. There must be constancy and consistency in keeping faith with the people so that the people can in turn keep faith with the govt.
The bitter pills that are constantly being driven and forced down our throats have to stop. There must be other solutions besides bitter medicines. No matter how much sugar-coating they may come with, they are still bitter in the tummy.
“I was just reflecting on why panter believed, in what he belives in, so strongly, strong enough to rebuked us the way he did.”
He’s young, believes he is smarter than his cohorts because he reads more, and somehow believes that his knowledge entitles him to be better than most people. He forgets that most people read up helluvalot too but chose to keep it to themselves. (But it is not really how many books you read but how widely you read. Whether you also read stuff that contradicts your viewpoints.)
He’s also probably quite insecure, and I just see most of his posts not a reflection of his convictions, but more of just wanting attention and affirmation. And when he doesn’t get them he scoffs and pouts and throws tantrums disguised as intellectual rantings.
But we all were young once, so… we should just smile and give him a hug.
cut and paste and post again. sometimes it works. :)
Hi Gemami,
Actually what i post before is just a collective of my thoughts after reading your comments from the past. I have been reading Gilbert, Zefly and your comments most of the time.
Yes, the bitter medicines keeps coming and i am quite sick of it. and the way they have been doing things, is just like “he who enacts statutes or decisions possible or impossible to execute” and i feel that there should by other ways other then this. I feel that the quotes i have taken from Lincoln really fits our country’s situation.
Zefly, well, panter seems to have a lot of pride, but you know what they say about it. prides comes before a fall, so be careful panter. Well, i will follow Zefly, here you go panter, a hug for you!
I am going to take your advise Joshua. (shh.. I actually did the c&p thing but it also went into moderation); so here goes another c&p…..
….we should just smile and give him a hug..
Well, I have to be careful who I hug coz the last time I tried that, I got a real slap on the face.
I actually reflected quite a bit yesterday evening and I do not know about you guys but I got this impression (and for the record, I am not trying to be funny here) that panter could possibly be heavily influence by someone in his life, perhaps a mentor he looks up to; like his dad, perhaps? Many thoughts raced through my mind, for example, could his dad or mom be one of the senior civil servants we so like to bash?
Whatever or whoever it is, I believe the impression it is making on him is blinding him without his realising it.
As a friendly word of advise, I suggest, panter, you heed the advise of Joshua to put your knowledge to good use by using it with wisdom. And this wisdom can only be acquired if you can bring yourself to listen, sincerely, to voices that speak a different language to the one you are accustomed to hearing.
After that, you can make up your own opinions, and you can then call yourself wise. The trick is to do it with an honest and sincere heart, not for anyone’s sake but for your own. Be true to yourself. Good luck.
I am going to take your advise Joshua. (shh.. I actually did the c&p thing but it also went into moderation); so here goes another c&p…..
………. ha! ha! ha! …….. it went into moderation again ! ! ! ….. 3rd time already ! ! !
I am out of here.
panter,
Just something you may wanna try… I read that you are very keen on this social justice thing. It’s a good goal. Most other people want to be the next Bill Gates without trying. Ok. Someone very wise once said something the line of ‘if you want to lead, you must be the servant of all.” So, while it is very nice of you to go library and widen your mind, you may also want to try widening your eyes beyond the world of books and Three Kingdoms. Once a week spend some time doing some social work. No need to help old folks bath and change their diapers, no need so drastic. No need go Cambodia dig land mines also. Just do something simple, like help out distribute foodstuff to the needy, that sort of thing. Won’t take more than two hours of your weekend. Then your character can be moulded to be someone who not only leads with brains but with heart. Ok? Can? Hugs.
Dear Friends,
I like to thank panter and I say hereby Thank You Panter!
Panter has provoked many Commenters, especially gemami, Zefly, SZ and Others here to think hard and come up with wise, meaningful and persuasive arguments against his(Panter).
This Thread is so much more interesting and meaningful than the one about Palestinians and Israelis. It is so much more pertinent to our livings and worries.
How I wish that TOC was around two decades or even just ten years back, but
better late than never.
Thank You all, I enjoy reading all your posts here.
patriot
amidst the widespread goodwill, i will like to add in that thinking that you read more or you know more isn’t going to help your cause. what is going to help your cause is the ability to shape your arguments according to what you’ve read, and the ability to question what you have read. that means questioning the very books you read, including romance of the three kingdoms and your social studies textbooks.
and that really, if people wish to hit on the government, there’s nothing much you can do. and insulting them wouldn’t make any difference.
Panter:
Li Ao was actually describing people like you: unthinking individuals who believe everything the government throws at you. I suggest that you actually read what he said in the full article before attempting to even post a comment. Essentially, what he said is true. People like you are sad, pathetic and ultimately the reason why the country is so messed up right now.
@Zefly #110 Very good suggestion for Panter! But only ppl who don’t need financial help themselves can help others. Been there done that.
I am not so active in community work anymore because I am needed by my family.
My heart is willing but the physical part of me is difficult!
dun worry kelly,
do your part for your family gao liao! :)
p sec not politician right? as in no need stand for election ?
Felix Ong is a Hokkien-peng made good. From the old rusty dusty metalwork shops he rose and became Chairman & CEO of a respectable factory that made products for the world. Class or crass he’s now got the money to do what he likes and so he should be touted as an example of the Singapore Dream. Afterall, Hokkien-pengs have a tougher time making it here where the PAP Govt seem to want to be in every enterprise that makes money. He made his money the hard and smart way.
On the other hand, that Perm Sec Mr Tan Yong Soon is really a sore eye in the landscape. Spending that kind of money on cooking lessons in Europe, and boasting about it as well, man, that’s more crass than Felix Ong. He should’ve have had his story told in Tatler or Prestige magazines which circulate among just the few snooty people, not in the every-day mainstream media.
Folks, you just gotta read the piece by Seah Chang Nee which appeared in “The Star” newspaper, which incidentally, is from up north country. Ain’t gonna win him a Pulitzer but man, it drills deep, and I mean way deep, into the psyche of what we’ve been suppressing inside ourselves for the longest time!
Whenever I see Raffles and Anglo students, my first natural instinct is to wish a Freddy Kruger on them. Yeah, that’s how I feel about them friggin elite school SOBs.
Remebering these friggin pricks and their friggin bratholes who think they own this place because of their privileged status gained from, of all places, our hard earn money, the taxpayers money! is just that kind of bitter ironical medicine and reality check we need right now. Build up the resentment in you folks, let it grow and gnaw inside you from now till the day they call the polls. Because when that day comes, there gonna be a revolution!
Apparently panter got do some volunteer community work as I found out. So it was my mistake to assume he didn’t and adviced him to. So I will apologize for being too presumptious in this aspect. My bad. Keep it going, spread the love! :)
118) 253SA
We shouldn’t stereotype Raffles and Anglo students as not all are as bad. if we stereotype in this way, then we might not be as different as the bad one.
I have already seen ONE badly-behaved self-proclaimed Rafflesian in Youtube, calling everyone she hates or detest CCB. But it does not mean all Raffles graduates are like her. So yeah, please “NO STEREO-TYPING”.
I’m an ex-Rafflesian. Just want to point out that 20+ years ago, the Raffles brand was not elitist. Sure there were the district 10 folks, but majority were HDB heart-landers born to working class parents. We are at or near the dreaded “unemployable and need re-skilling” 40′s. In all honesty, a significant proportion of us (including some professionals, executives and managers) are also struggling with life in Singapore under the PAP policies.
Please do not slam all Rafflesians or whatever “elite” school-leavers. We are in the same boat.
Folks, if you have read Seah Chang Nee’s story, you would notice his reminder on an incident that happened in 2006, just after the GE when a member of a certain school (have to be careful now, them moderators are watching…sheesh!) said something about us ordinary folks being over-reliant on the government. For those with short memories, I got the link right here to refresh your memory :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wee_Shu_Min_elitism_scandal
Now, for those of you from that school, you are guilty by association because a member from your clan has chosen to denigrate. This is the albatross around your necks. I would expect someone from that school to show a piss of common sense. And to top it all off, I don’t remember anyone else from that school rising to condemn her. If thats not clannish, I don’t know what is.
And as for students of the other school, well, it ain’t no secret who their folks are, where they live, and who they move around with.
I am Anonymous at #122.
To #123 253SA on January 11th, 2009 6.43 pm:
“Now, for those of you from that school, you are guilty by association because a member from your clan has chosen to denigrate”.
What sort of justice are you proposing? Are you proposing to retrograde to the old Chinese dynastic rule? If someone is a thief, are all his family members thieves? If someone is a traitor, are all his family members (including maids and servants in old Chinese dynastic rule) traitors?
“And to top it all off, I don’t remember anyone else from that school rising to condemn her. If thats not clannish, I don’t know what is”.
I have read online comments from WSK’s schoolmates who stated that WSM is notorious for her conceited and overbearing behaviour even in the school and they did not agree with her views. If you’ve missed the comments, here’s an online entry which consolidated the various commentaries.
http://weikiatblog.blogspot.com/2006/10/looking-back-home.html
I have personally posted various anonymous comments online to condemn WSM’s actions too. The difference is, I make my comments as a fellow human being, thus there was no need to identify myself as an ex-Rafflesian.
There are reasons why ex-students from the so-called-elite schools do not divulge their school background online. Just take a look at your comment of “guilty by association”. What you have written is typical of the reverse prejudice that we face when our school background is inadvertently revealed. In life, I have learnt it is wiser to let my words/deeds speak for themselves rather than my school background. FYI, I am a HDB 3-room heartlander born to working class parents who are also HDB heartlanders. Please do not taint all black with the same stroke of the brush.
Lastly, I find the Singapore societal obsession with one’s primary or secondary school background silly. What does it matter 20 or 30 years down the road, where one studied when he/she was 10 or 15 years old? Is this societal obsession a reflection of the public sector’s recruitment policy? From my experience in the private sector, no one gives 2 hoots where your papers come from, the ultimate question is “can you deliver?”.
253SA
By stereotyping them this way, I hate to say it, then you are of no difference compared to them.
Those people who stereotype ordinary folk as stupid, leeches, coward etc are just a minority. and now you are just like them, stereotyping Rafflesian and ACS without sparing a thought for those who are different/innocent. must you stoop to such a low level like those minority? I for one will not. If they treat me like this, i will return the evil with kindness to prove them wrong.
And without gathering proper evidence, you just proclaim that all her schoolmates condone her act, and that’s certainly unfair. It is just like her, without trying to know more about the ordinary people, straight away pass judgment on us.
In short, My advice will be if you don’t want to be stereotype, don’t do it to others. If not, you will be just like them.
I mean no offense 253SA, so here’s an examply of Zefly Hug Campaign. A hug from me. And one thing, I am not from raffles or ACS, but was from a neighbourhood school and i study in poly. however, i will not criticize those unless they really deserve it
to anonymous #122, I completely agree with your stance. I am an ex-rafflesian and the Wee Shu Min scandal broke out before I joined the Rafflesian family. I am proud to have been from RJC but comments such as the 253SA’s are very undeserved.
Just because I got the grades good enough to make it into one of “elite” schools, I am guilty by association of elitism?
well, i am sorry for achieving one of my dreams.
Most of my schoolmates from RJC are rather grounded and in fact my classmates seemed disgusted by the Wee Shu Min scandal scandal when the topic was discussed in GP.
and oh yea.. I am from a middle-class family, not that it should matter just like the fact that I used to be from “that school” matter either.
SZ
I am not an unreasonable person and in the spirit of the board here’s a *fist bump* from me to you
(as you can see, I’m not much of a new age touchy-feely person)
I can’t talk much now because I’m off to watch United-Chelsea, but I’ll be back after the game.
Hi 253SA,
I believe you when you say that . And i will apologize as I compare you against the like of Wee Shu Min, which is a terrible insult to anyone, so I am sorry.
Maybe i should have put it as we should give the rest a chance.
Gemami/Joshua/Pather
I once worked in a govt organisation (CDC) and was chatised by writing to the press regularly despite warnings. I also spoke up in meetings openly voicing my opinion and was often knocked down by the manager. All of us ultimately kept quiet during meeting and she passed over the meeting smoothly much to her relief. For speaking out, i was labelled by my colleague as a trouble maker and up to much mischief! Those who often get promoted spoke very less during meeting, follow the rules oand does what the boss requires in work and does little to improve what the organsiation has to offer.
I proposed three proposals to the organisation three months after I joined and two were implemented by the boss. She got promoted after one year helming the organisation and I was later warned by the top brass in the company that my performance was below par and given three months to buck up! I was speechless and shocked.
I later resigned in disgust.
Nevertheless, my heart ached at the progress of the govt organisation as if it is presided and ruled by one woman. How can it improved over time i wondered? Is it not the same as how our govt governs here?
Let’s learn to speak up more even if we are being penalised by a autocratic boss or organisation. We can only improve if we learn to articulate what is on our heart and mind.
Though I resigned from the govt organisation, I knew full well that my short contribution there has left an indelible mark by the programmes that I have proposed and successfully implemented. The programmes also helped many who are unemployed and depressed.
If i have followed the rest and kept quiet, I would have left in disgrace and shame.
Hi Gilbert,
Thanks for sharing.
We all know about the NTUC guy who stood for election under the opposition banner and who was subsequently sacked by NTUC for being anti-PAP. It’s quite similar to your CDC account, isn’t it?
I, too, have a similar story to tell. The reason why I have so much time to ‘hog’ TOC, is because I am now taking a laid-back attitude toward my job. In a way, I think (in all humbleness) that I am quite like you.
I do contribute immensely to my work, and the contributions I am making to the department can never be measured in monetary terms. I shall spare you the details but just to say that it is by no means an easy task, to balance one’s own perspective against what is required of you by the bosses.
It is unfortunate that panter has decided to go missing once again, after sending his scud missile to ‘enemy’ teritory. It would be good for him to share with us his views, after reading the postings here. This will enable us to understand the minds of those who still believe in the PAP brand, and what it is that makes them cling to it, when it is clear that the boat is sinking by the minute.
Just to bring some folks back to the original intention of the post, about civil servants and whether they’re in touch with the common folks….
I still think the man can spend his salary however he wants to – he deserves the right, but his tone was a little bit gloating when he said he can take 5 week break.
BUT…most of all, i’m smelling a conspiracy. Now, there is a belief that ST is an instrument of the govt, that articles are all vetted and cleared before they go to print.
Now – this article would CLEARLY peeved off the common folk- from its content, down to the style in which it was written. The timing couldnt be any worse.
An astute editor would immediately know it and probably either touched up the article or not print it at all. They would know whether a piece is appropriate, timely, or needs to be re-written.
Some theories come to mind:
1. Life! pages really had no other story to run, so they ran this story.
2. Part of an civil servant executive profiling to show their cosmopolitanism, to show their worldly sophistication. Was there a series of previous articles all based on govt officials and senior civil servants?
3. Specifically done to promote his publicity- i.e. to promote his sophistication. They have some plans for him – so they want to put him out there.
4. Intention was to get a huge reaction from the public on his lack of sensitivity – thus using the reaction to “control” this civil servant, or even to remove him.
5. ST and Life! editors themselves are SO out of touch with their readers and the internet, and didnt expect this tide of disapproval from the public.
I have a feeling its either #4 or #5… because a good editor would know that this article would be insensitive.
Aygee (at #131) your observation is accurate! No editor is insensitive to gloating or arrogance! I think they did it for a reason. To promote him or to allow people to throw a tirade of negative comments at SEKSUN’s ceo?
No the PS does not deserve to be paid so much. Can all civil servants take 5 weeks off too? or only if they are as good a leader as him so that others can do the job without him around?
what is his wife doing? what university is his son going to? Do we need to know?
I like the anecdote about a leeches getting fat by one of the posters.
it is the pinnacle of insensitivity when daily predictions of doom and job losses are being printed day after day in our main stream media. the end is nigh after the chinese new year holidays. then all hell breaks loose and many will be out of jobs. no iron ricebowl eh?