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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 #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?”.

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.

Please do not slam all Rafflesians or whatever “elite” school-leavers. We are in the same boat.

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.

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!

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.

do your part for your family gao liao! :)

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!