Crumbling of Singapore?

[Candide]

Indeed it was a great post. Yes, LKY's scheming and evil wiles can only bring ruin to SG in the long run. Singaporeans must wake up and resist LKY's schemes

In my opinion, Lee Kuan Yew is no saint. I reckon he has skeletons in his closet. How many skeletons has he accumulated over the years and decades, I don't know. I am neither him nor a direct victim of him. My biggest impression of him is that he is a big-time bully and I won't even object that he is possibly the biggest "gangster" in Singapore history. However, to label him evil or to push all the blame of our problems onto him is hard for even a non-pap supporter like me to concur and reconcile with. Like it or not, to be fair, Lee Kuan Yew, in my opinion, has possibly played the most important role in transforming our Singapore into what it is today. The Singapore system (education for example) did allow us to be ahead, especially of our neighbouring peers. It is just the matter of whether we, as individuals, are able to capitalize what we have acquired.

Honestly, if Lee Kuan Yew is truly the wise man I reckon he is, he should have washed his hands of the running of our Country by now and leave this responsibility wholly to the present administration (his son and co.). I believe he is wise enough to know that he must let the "bird" learn to fly on its own as he can't be with the "bird" forever. And I think he knows that too, especially when I see the number of books he has written over recent years and his presence in numerous local and international seminars. All these would have taken up a lot of his time and with good reason too (to further cement his legacy in Singapore history and folklore). A wise old man would do such thing.

Also on a lighter side note, I reckon old lee wants to spend more time keeping himself healthy and alive, at least till he sees his "nemesis", Mahathir in the grave first before he is willing to finally call it a day. People like him tend to want to win till the very end.

 

[GoldenDragon]

I wonder how the pap ministers and leaders are able to sleep peacefully at night. Dont they have nightmares?

More like sweet dreams. Wet ones too.

 

[Conqueror]

PAP Voter ?

If they do suffer from insomnia, it's because they love the country and its people and are constantly thinking of ways to improve the lives of Singaporeans.

It's not easy being a Minister. The workload is heavy and the rewards are few and far between. The satisfaction comes from knowing that they are helping to make Singapore a better place for future generations to come.

You, PAP ah ? Do you guys think that Mark Lee is also a pro-PAP.

 

[freedalas]

. However, to label him evil or to push all the blame of our problems onto him is hard for even a non-pap supporter like me to concur and reconcile with. Like it or not, to be fair, Lee Kuan Yew, in my opinion, has possibly played the most important role in transforming our Singapore into what it is today. The Singapore system (education for example) did allow us to be ahead, especially of our neighbouring peers. It is just the matter of whether we, as individuals, are able to capitalize what we have acquired.

You're obviously among the 60% that had been taken in totally by the myth that PAP has created. S'pore was able to get ahead of our neighbours is due to our very small geographical size as compared to the others. S'pore is a city-state whereas all our neighbouring countries have an expanse of rural areas to contend with and with a host of issues/problems that S'pore was spared. Now after 46 years, they are catching up slowly but surely, just look at Indonesia. Not only that, what people like yourself think are visionary and policies by LKY, are now all cracking up for all to see. As I mentioned at other thread, all policies look to work well in the short term, the real test comes at the middle-term and long-term. There is no need for me to elaborate what are those policies that fault lines have been surfacing, it's all over this forum.

And oh! another demonstration that you are politically naive is to think that LKY is letting go. When people start commenting that he can't even work properly nowadays, he had his daughter do up a full page in Sunday Times to explain his medical condition, but that was the purpose of that article. It's whole purpose was to state that despite his condition, he will continue to contribute to S'pore politics. Moreover out of a sudden after stepping down as MM, he starts appearing at all sorts of forums and writing all sorts of books. Isn't obvious that he still wants to have a visible presence such that the public will never forget him. It is also to tell us what his thoughts are on major policies such that we can accept his son's cabinet for not changing anything. It sure looks like that a lot of people still need to be educated in S'pore politics, or more specifically LKY's politics

 

[Nice-Gook]

.

It sure looks like that a lot of people still need to be educated in S'pore politics, or more specifically LKY's politics

Spot on.Well written.Literacy these days is defined as an ability to read between the lines.In that respect not many among us are literates.

 

[freedalas]

Spot on.Well written.Literacy these days is defined as an ability to read between the lines.In that respect not many among us are literates.

I have been following your posts and I would say u certainly qualify as a literate. Just to add to what I posted earlier. Another reason why S'pore was ahead of our neighbours was really due to the misfortune of others. During the 60s to 70s, countries of Indo-china were having civil wars eg Vietnam and Cambodia. Hence, MNCs from the west looking to invest in south-east asia had to avoid these countries and as a result, their investments went to S'pore instead. Moreover, the North-east Asia countries like China and Korea were also unstable at that time. If these countries were all not having to sort out their legacy problems from their colonial masters, they would have been chosen first by the MNCs. But into the 80s and especially the 90s where stability arrived in such countries, foreign direct investments had been pouring into them. And that's why the PAP who is clueless what to do had to open the floodgates to foreigners and casinos to boost GDP.

 

[Leongsam]

Sam...

Oxford Dictionary definition:
"Reward" - something given or received in return for what is done or for service or merit.

so is money a reward?

You have a very narrow understanding of the word...

http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/compensation

3 chiefly North American the money received by an employee from an employer as a salary or wages: send your CV and current compensation to Executive Search Consultant

Used in investor speak too...

http://www.investorwords.com/5466/compensation.html

compensation

1. Generally, something received in return for something else.

2. Wages and other financial benefits earned from labor.

The term "compensation" describes the ministers' salaries very accurately. They give so much of themselves for the sake of the nation. Money alone simply isn't sufficient to quantify the sacrifices they have to make. They receive a relatively measly salary in return to "compensate" them for the hardships of the office.

 

[Candide]

. However, to label him evil or to push all the blame of our problems onto him is hard for even a non-pap supporter like me to concur and reconcile with. Like it or not, to be fair, Lee Kuan Yew, in my opinion, has possibly played the most important role in transforming our Singapore into what it is today. The Singapore system (education for example) did allow us to be ahead, especially of our neighbouring peers. It is just the matter of whether we, as individuals, are able to capitalize what we have acquired.

You're obviously among the 60% that had been taken in totally by the myth that PAP has created. S'pore was able to get ahead of our neighbours is due to our very small geographical size as compared to the others. S'pore is a city-state whereas all our neighbouring countries have an expanse of rural areas to contend with and with a host of issues/problems that S'pore was spared. Now after 46 years, they are catching up slowly but surely, just look at Indonesia. Not only that, what people like yourself think are visionary and policies by LKY, are now all cracking up for all to see. As I mentioned at other thread, all policies look to work well in the short term, the real test comes at the middle-term and long-term. There is no need for me to elaborate what are those policies that fault lines have been surfacing, it's all over this forum.

And oh! another demonstration that you are politically naive is to think that LKY is letting go. When people start commenting that he can't even work properly nowadays, he had his daughter do up a full page in Sunday Times to explain his medical condition, but that was the purpose of that article. It's whole purpose was to state that despite his condition, he will continue to contribute to S'pore politics. Moreover out of a sudden after stepping down as MM, he starts appearing at all sorts of forums and writing all sorts of books. Isn't obvious that he still wants to have a visible presence such that the public will never forget him. It is also to tell us what his thoughts are on major policies such that we can accept his son's cabinet for not changing anything. It sure looks like that a lot of people still need to be educated in S'pore politics, or more specifically LKY's politics

Hi freedalas. Allow me to push you a bit if you don't mind.

How is our geographical size got to do with the education system (an example) that was adopted which in turn allow Singaporeans like us to stand out globally? I am also curious if you are suggesting that there is no substance in the pioneer team led by LKY that transformed Singapore into what it is today.

I believe LKY has been writing books way before he stepped down as MM.

I can accept that I am politically naive, but pray tell, are you suggesting that LKY is still cringing on to power behind the scene? If so, pardon me, I thought the basis for your rationale is weak. You may read LKY's antics as cringing on and not letting go. Others, however, may see it as a form of cementing his legacy in Singapore history. In my humble opinion, reading between the lines is at best, subjective.

Last but not least, in my humble opinion, I find it absurd to link everything to Lee Kuan Yew. It is too simplistic and convenient. That is the reason why I decided to express my perspective in the earlier post as I agree with what you and Nice-Gook have written about contributing our thoughts in this forum for the many silent readers out there (that includes me) so that the ideas formed from all sides of perspective can be compiled, analyzed and determined by the respective readers.

That being said, do let me know if my views are not welcomed here. I will gladly moved back to being just a silent reader. Peace.

 

[Leongsam]

Yup, particularly likes to pound on people who uses american spellings as in "advice vs advise".

"Advise" and "advice" has nothing to do with American spelling.

"Advice" [noun] and "advise" [verb] is spelled the same way on both sides of the Atlantic.

 

[Leongsam]

Literacy these days is defined as an ability to read between the lines.In that respect not many among us are literates.

Very few who have participated in this thread over the last few days can be classed as "literate" if we go by your definition.

 

[Leongsam]

Further proof that Singapore isn't crumbling. It's BOOMING!!!! The opportunities are there. It's up to each individual to make things happen.

*****

http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/sub/storyprintfriendly/0,4582,471118,00.html?

A disproportionate number of S'poreans are among the world's wealthiest. So why the blues?

By JOYCE HOOI Business Times

LAST month, if Singapore had been a person, it would have stood above the unwashed tableau of Occupy Wall Street (OWS), watching from its penthouse and laughing into its cognac. But it has spent the year being a little down in the mouth, preoccupied with property prices, taxi fares and faulty trains.

This gloom is hard to explain in the grander scheme of things. When OWS's gross simplification of the one per cent trampling on the 99 per cent is contemplated, Singapore is practically part of the world's one per cent.

This is a country where, every single day, 25 people bought either a Mercedes-Benz or a BMW for the first 11 months of the year. In the same period, every four days, someone drove away from the Ferrari showroom with a big smile on his face. (One assumes that, each time, it's a different person.)

Says Mizuho economist Vishnu Varathan: 'Being disgruntled is always a relative thing. More often than not, it is the middle class who tend to be more disgruntled. They tend to be slightly more educated and upwardly mobile, so they are frustrated when they see the guy earning the $1 million salary.

'They might not be badly off. They might be getting their $80,000 or $100,000 a year, but they're disgruntled because they think, 'Hey, I know almost as much as that guy does. Why is he getting the $1 million salary?'

 

[TracyTan866]

read you own post.... whar is your point do you have 1?

did you read the first post?

 

[TracyTan866]

"The defunct TR arised above this pettiness which was quite refreshing but to the detriment of PAP……For which PAP had to invoke a mole planted within who eventually destroyed TR.


I speculate a moniker named kojakbt is the culprit. I also speculate it’s the very same people who running the this newhttp://www.tremeritus.com"

good to know that TR is refreshing

 

[TracyTan866]

More like sweet dreams. Wet ones too.

hahahaha..probably. that's why they are asking for more pay so that they get more wet dreams. I wonder who among them have a conscience

 

[TracyTan866]

Re: PAP Voter ?

You, PAP ah ? Do you guys think that Mark Lee is also a pro-PAP.

There are many pap moles. with keen contest expected at the next GE, the pap will send in more moles to destroy opposition solidarity, distract, dis-unite, confuse. so Opposition Parties must be wise and super alert in the next few years. dont fall into the pap scheme

 

[TracyTan866]

. However, to label him evil or to push all the blame of our problems onto him is hard for even a non-pap supporter like me to concur and reconcile with. Like it or not, to be fair, Lee Kuan Yew, in my opinion, has possibly played the most important role in transforming our Singapore into what it is today. The Singapore system (education for example) did allow us to be ahead, especially of our neighbouring peers. It is just the matter of whether we, as individuals, are able to capitalize what we have acquired.

You're obviously among the 60% that had been taken in totally by the myth that PAP has created. S'pore was able to get ahead of our neighbours is due to our very small geographical size as compared to the others. S'pore is a city-state whereas all our neighbouring countries have an expanse of rural areas to contend with and with a host of issues/problems that S'pore was spared. Now after 46 years, they are catching up slowly but surely, just look at Indonesia. Not only that, what people like yourself think are visionary and policies by LKY, are now all cracking up for all to see. As I mentioned at other thread, all policies look to work well in the short term, the real test comes at the middle-term and long-term. There is no need for me to elaborate what are those policies that fault lines have been surfacing, it's all over this forum.

And oh! another demonstration that you are politically naive is to think that LKY is letting go. When people start commenting that he can't even work properly nowadays, he had his daughter do up a full page in Sunday Times to explain his medical condition, but that was the purpose of that article. It's whole purpose was to state that despite his condition, he will continue to contribute to S'pore politics. Moreover out of a sudden after stepping down as MM, he starts appearing at all sorts of forums and writing all sorts of books. Isn't obvious that he still wants to have a visible presence such that the public will never forget him. It is also to tell us what his thoughts are on major policies such that we can accept his son's cabinet for not changing anything. It sure looks like that a lot of people still need to be educated in S'pore politics, or more specifically LKY's politics

well said and well analysed

 

[TracyTan866]

I have been following your posts and I would say u certainly qualify as a literate. Just to add to what I posted earlier. Another reason why S'pore was ahead of our neighbours was really due to the misfortune of others. During the 60s to 70s, countries of Indo-china were having civil wars eg Vietnam and Cambodia. Hence, MNCs from the west looking to invest in south-east asia had to avoid these countries and as a result, their investments went to S'pore instead. Moreover, the North-east Asia countries like China and Korea were also unstable at that time. If these countries were all not having to sort out their legacy problems from their colonial masters, they would have been chosen first by the MNCs. But into the 80s and especially the 90s where stability arrived in such countries, foreign direct investments had been pouring into them. And that's why the PAP who is clueless what to do had to open the floodgates to foreigners and casinos to boost GDP.

looks like the pap survived on zero sum games. no more such luck now as Indonesia, under SBY, has grown to be discerning. He has very much sidelined and ignored LHL. Regionally, SG under LHL, has become less important and less visible in SE Asian

 

[TracyTan866]

You have a very narrow understanding of the word...



.

It was Oxford's definition, not mine. Are you now saying the Oxford dictionary has a narrow understanding? are you saying you know the definition of "reward" better than Oxford?

 

[TracyTan866]

Further proof that Singapore isn't crumbling. It's BOOMING!!!! The opportunities are there. It's up to each individual to make things happen.

*****

http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/sub/storyprintfriendly/0,4582,471118,00.html?

A disproportionate number of S'poreans are among the world's wealthiest. So why the blues?

By JOYCE HOOI Business Times

LAST month, if Singapore had been a person, it would have stood above the unwashed tableau of Occupy Wall Street (OWS), watching from its penthouse and laughing into its cognac. But it has spent the year being a little down in the mouth, preoccupied with property prices, taxi fares and faulty trains.

This gloom is hard to explain in the grander scheme of things. When OWS's gross simplification of the one per cent trampling on the 99 per cent is contemplated, Singapore is practically part of the world's one per cent.

This is a country where, every single day, 25 people bought either a Mercedes-Benz or a BMW for the first 11 months of the year. In the same period, every four days, someone drove away from the Ferrari showroom with a big smile on his face. (One assumes that, each time, it's a different person.)

Says Mizuho economist Vishnu Varathan: 'Being disgruntled is always a relative thing. More often than not, it is the middle class who tend to be more disgruntled. They tend to be slightly more educated and upwardly mobile, so they are frustrated when they see the guy earning the $1 million salary.

'They might not be badly off. They might be getting their $80,000 or $100,000 a year, but they're disgruntled because they think, 'Hey, I know almost as much as that guy does. Why is he getting the $1 million salary?'

You used the SG media, SPH, Business Times to back up your point!!! How laughable. Might as well use PETIR as your source of information and say that it is the gospel truth

 

[TracyTan866]

Further proof that Singapore isn't crumbling. It's BOOMING!!!! The opportunities are there. It's up to each individual to make things happen.

*****

http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/sub/storyprintfriendly/0,4582,471118,00.html?

A disproportionate number of S'poreans are among the world's wealthiest. So why the blues?

By JOYCE HOOI Business Times

LAST month, if Singapore had been a person, it would have stood above the unwashed tableau of Occupy Wall Street (OWS), watching from its penthouse and laughing into its cognac. But it has spent the year being a little down in the mouth, preoccupied with property prices, taxi fares and faulty trains.

This gloom is hard to explain in the grander scheme of things. When OWS's gross simplification of the one per cent trampling on the 99 per cent is contemplated, Singapore is practically part of the world's one per cent.

This is a country where, every single day, 25 people bought either a Mercedes-Benz or a BMW for the first 11 months of the year. In the same period, every four days, someone drove away from the Ferrari showroom with a big smile on his face. (One assumes that, each time, it's a different person.)

Says Mizuho economist Vishnu Varathan: 'Being disgruntled is always a relative thing. More often than not, it is the middle class who tend to be more disgruntled. They tend to be slightly more educated and upwardly mobile, so they are frustrated when they see the guy earning the $1 million salary.

'They might not be badly off. They might be getting their $80,000 or $100,000 a year, but they're disgruntled because they think, 'Hey, I know almost as much as that guy does. Why is he getting the $1 million salary?'

SPH has been so discredited in SG now that very few of us read their news. Foreigners, not Singaporeans, believe what SPH papers say.