Excerpts of LKY's interview with IHT

This is a good read, to understand the ideas in the guy who made Singapore what it is. That's not to say I totally agree with him, but some salient points are made, and I guess that it's good to know how our government (and our Prime Minister's father) thinks.

One thing that has been dissed around in the blogosphere for the longest time yet and one that I take issue with is, why China and Hongkong have accepted gays (officially), and Singapore is still like a little backwater village with its archaic laws (against homosexuality) made by some uneducated village heads. The Singapore government's stance is that the law is there, but we're "taking an ambiguous approach". So while you are "free to be gay", you might want to watch your back. The government can so choose to label you as one and throw you into prison simply cos... you're homosexual. But then, did they not read that, laws that are not enforced (and/or are not enforceable) only serve to weaken the legal system. So we might as well rid our system of it.

For me at least, although I don't like homosexual behaviour, I do not think that society will denigrate to the level of the slippery slope arguments that seem to be the reasoning of choice with politicians in Singapore. Because if you look at China, although homosexuality has been "approved" by their Communist government, that kind of behaviour and being is still frowned upon in society, even being laughed at, because China is and always will be an Asian society (read: conservative.) Ditto to Singapore, so I think PAP is worrying too much.

I've no time to read the whole article yet so I'll come back to this some time later.

Expats and the rising cost of living

Mr Brown highlighted the rising costs of living in SG in a recent article, which can be linked from above. My heart goes out to expats working in Singapuraaaaa oh Singapuraaaaaaaa now, since I know that rent can be the most headache part of living in another country now, having experienced it for myself.

But one of the forum posts that he highlighted struck a chord with me.

not a dollar chaser:

Singapore Inc is all about money. The people are obsessed with it, and you can't do anything without spending some of it. Most conversations here involve money and you will find that even if you think you came here to experience the "culture", your life will be consumed with the thought of money. We're going home too. I don't want my kids growing up in a place that values cash and "prosperity" over all else.

So now it is one person's voice (I might consider squeaking a little too). If you don't take steps to nip it in the bud, (and I don't mean by sending this guy to jail/ censorship of any form), soon it will be an avalanche of voices in unison, agreeing to a mass exodus of talent, foreign or not, from Singapore's shores.

Yes, isn't it? When you see the government glamorizing awards they receive from financial companies and other agencies - like AAA ratings, busiest port, best airline, biggest telecoms company in SEA (which is so small as compared to the rest of the world), a ever-increasing stockpile of foreign reserves - and rate this as more important than the average livelihood of citizens by downplaying the plight of the less fortunate, you know that somewhere, somehow, something has gone wrong. Unknown unknowns - as some minister put it. Whateverrr.

The hardware has been set in place, we are now first-world in more ways than one. But the heartware is not installed properly. That may be the singular factor to cause a spectacular crash in our smoothly running hard(hearted)ware.

The modern allegory of teaching a man how to fish

Straits Times Online: Help the poor to start businesses: Nobel winner

Grameen Bank's business model is being copied all over the world. I think it's an excellent idea and there is no doubt that the founder of this bank deserves his Nobel Prize. Wonderful stuff.

Poverty, a thing of the past in Singapore?

A masterful piece by Martyn See... of the poor and the old. A must-watch, especially for the people at the top who are trapped in their cotton-candy world that poverty is history in Singapore.

Imagine yourself at that age, collecting cans and cardboard. I would do it so as to recycle stuff in the environment, but not cos I need to eke out a living out of it. This film is moving, to say the least. Kudos to See, for bringing out the harsh reality we all knew but chose to ignore.



Link to Google video

Martyn's blog

Happy National Day Singapore

On this very joyous occasion, I am not in Singapore.

Before I launch into an endless tirade about nothing in particular, three simple words: Happy National Day! Yes, it's once again, 9th August. This is probably the first National Day I'm not on home soil, but I'm guessing it won't be the last. Strangely enough, I am missing home as I write this. More on this later on (or not, we'll see...)

I remember...

In primary, secondary and junior college, where we had to sing the National Anthem and recite the pledge everyday. And of course, when we went to do our NS too. Majulah Singapura!

In the army, where our respect for the flag (both National and the SAF one) was increased because of the almost God-like status. Saluting the flag, ah yes, like we do to officers. Hmm, I vaguely remember we salute officers only cos they carry the Singapura insignia on their shoulders. (Sidetrack: But whatever lah, I hate officers with the yaya papaya attitude.)

I remember the time when I got punished, because I offered to take over my junior's duty of flag-raising (when I was in the army). The flag's tip merely brushed the ground, and a staff sergeant who just woke up and was blurry-eyed, accused me of dropping the WHOLE FLAG on the ground. Needless to say, I“had committed” the worst sin during peacetime (besides AWOL and taking drugs, that is.) It became one of the camp's biggest issues of the day (and no, I had no illusions of grandeur of being one of the most famous then – or should I say, notorious.) For that, I had restriction of privileges (it could have been worse) and my bookouts became more irregular than the number of times a person with constipation went to shit in the toilet. So much for offering to help. Bahhhh.

The first time I was away from Singapore for an extended period of time – my student exchange in Finland. Really tested me a bit, but haha, I didn't really miss home cos I was having too much fun partying away with my ang moh friends. Spent my first New Year, Chinese New Year and Labour Day away from home during that period. Man, I sure missed the ang baos. Hahahahaha.


Now I'm working in China, I miss the familiarity of places that I always visit. Suntec City, where my company's Singapore office is; town, where I meet my friends for lunch; the clubs, where I get to party away with equally crazy friends; the comfort of having TRUE friends around; my uni gym, where I got the most value out of (cos it's "free" and I'm used to the equipment there); Geylang, where I hang out for suppers with friends (sometimes); driving around at night, when the night wind is cool and refreshing; getting lost on streets and turning around in circles, albeit still knowing I'd be safe no matter where I am.

The place I'm in now has lots of shady characters, people of dubious backgrounds, some who are out to look for a quick buck, others who patiently cultivate your trust in them and wait to make a lump sum at your expense, others who belong to some Mafia and whatnot.

Bahhh, the imaginings of my mind. How I wish. Right now, I'm just on alert everywhere I go. Contrast this with back home, where I could be walking on the streets at 2 or 3 am, with nary a care (maybe I'd be careful not to step on snails that occasionally stray onto pavements.)

The culture, the feel, the environment in each place is... just so different. Uniquely Singapore is unique in more ways than one.

Once again to my brothers and sisters in Singapore, and all over the world, let us rejoice on this day and sing the National Anthem with gusto. I won't be joining you guys in person, but in spirit, I'm always with you.


*sob sob* --> (ya right!)


See also: Choo Zheng Xi on TOC - How Do I Love Thee, let me (not) count the ways

Funny blog

Of satire and laughter... and not to be taken seriously!!

Presenting to you, Singapore Donkey.

Definitely takes the Monday blues away!