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Coffeeshop Chit Chat - PAPee & Dogs "Pah Chiew Cheng"</TD><TD id=msgunetc noWrap align=right> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=msgtable cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="96%"><TBODY><TR><TD class=msg vAlign=top><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=msghead><TD class=msgbfr1 width="1%"> </TD><TD><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR class=msghead vAlign=top><TD class=msgF width="1%" noWrap align=right>From: </TD><TD class=msgFname width="68%" noWrap>Fkapore <NOBR></NOBR> </TD><TD class=msgDate width="30%" noWrap align=right>5:29 am </TD></TR><TR class=msghead><TD class=msgT height=20 width="1%" noWrap align=right>To: </TD><TD class=msgTname width="68%" noWrap>ALL <NOBR></NOBR></TD><TD class=msgNum noWrap align=right> (1 of 1) </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=msgleft rowSpan=4 width="1%"> </TD><TD class=wintiny noWrap align=right>35742.1 </TD></TR><TR><TD height=8></TD></TR><TR><TD class=msgtxt>How much more shameless can we get?
July 7th, 2010 |
Author: Your Correspondent
Dear Straits Times,
http://www.temasekreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/shame41.jpgI refer to the 30 Jun 2010 article on the new Global Liveable Cities Index that was reportedly designed by the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy and Swiss academics and which puts Swiss cities and Singapore at the top. Imagine designing a list that puts you at the top of the list. How much more shameless can we get? If every city were to design its own list and to place itself at the top of the list, very soon every city will be tops, albeit only on its own list.
One key criterion that was obviously missing or not sufficiently highlighted in the index is housing price. You add that and Singapore’s ranking will plummet straight away. What is the point of having an index that paints only half the picture? What is the point of sitting pretty on a list of criteria that ignores our own short comings? Are we a nation that focuses on superficial criteria while ignoring the crux of what liveable means? What is liveable if it means a lifetime of servitude and endless housing loan payments? Does liveable mean having to slog all your life for a miserable pigeon hole in the sky? Or can it simply be staying in a kampung and living out an idyllic life?
Thank you
Ng Kok Lim
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Dear Straits Times,
http://www.temasekreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/shame41.jpgI refer to the 30 Jun 2010 article on the new Global Liveable Cities Index that was reportedly designed by the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy and Swiss academics and which puts Swiss cities and Singapore at the top. Imagine designing a list that puts you at the top of the list. How much more shameless can we get? If every city were to design its own list and to place itself at the top of the list, very soon every city will be tops, albeit only on its own list.
One key criterion that was obviously missing or not sufficiently highlighted in the index is housing price. You add that and Singapore’s ranking will plummet straight away. What is the point of having an index that paints only half the picture? What is the point of sitting pretty on a list of criteria that ignores our own short comings? Are we a nation that focuses on superficial criteria while ignoring the crux of what liveable means? What is liveable if it means a lifetime of servitude and endless housing loan payments? Does liveable mean having to slog all your life for a miserable pigeon hole in the sky? Or can it simply be staying in a kampung and living out an idyllic life?
Thank you
Ng Kok Lim
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