SIngapore - We Won't Be Held Hostage By Malaysia And Indonesia

[johnny333]

Even in the 70s SAF were touting themselves as having the best & most well armed 10 men section in any infantry company in the region, this was before the time of massive spending on military hardware. When RSAF bought AWACs, neighbouring countries complained like mad & raised a stink, asking why SG needed AWACs when even in SG airspace, they can see what's happening across the border. The reason is simple, SAF is there as a deterrent to anyone having ideas but if it really came to a fight, i wouldn't trust the majority of SAF soldiers becos even in warmongering countries like US & UK, the number of friendly fire cases is high.

Bro Johnny333, you raised an important fact that "While our neighbours are focusing on their citizen", if SG is not careful & there is disquiet amounting to anger in the population, no matter how well armed SAF is, you're going to end up with a rotten apple in the barrel syndrome.

Back then we were using plenty of 2nd hand equipment e.g. A4, AMX13, Howitzers,..
I have to admit that I was proud the 1st time I saw the brand new F5E's:o

We all don't know how much the Lee's & their cronies are making the arms from the black market but obviously it's never enough since they have moved on now to casinos. So we should all be asking whether Spore's defence is about profit$$$$$ or defence

 

[johnny333]

Its good and wise to prepare for war in peace time. Buying those weapons could sent two strong signals. One is to tell the enemies we are ready for any future attacks. So dont try anything funny. But at the same time ur neighbours may interprete differently. There will be an arm race.

Next...even by acquiring such costly sophisticasted weapons, we hope its not juz for show. Its not cheap. End of the day, the one who man/operate it must have the WILL to fight and protect the citizens/country!

I leave u guys to ponder over it....

We had good leadership in the past. They were responsible for putting together an economical & credible deterrent force by buying good 2nd hand equipment & tapping into the local labor source.
Back then they knew the value of money because they were SINGAPOREANS.

Instead of wasting $$$ I am a believer in spending within our means because I am still hopeful that when the opposition wins the GE, there will be something left in our CPF.
Back then even LKY was sensible. I remember what he said about people willing to defend & protect own roof.

 

[cowbellc]

Have you forgotten the power failures just a couple of years ago because the gas flow was interrupted? For the whole country to depend upon a single pipeline from a muslim country is foolhardy and extremely short sighted.

so we pay top dollar for this foolhardy and short sighted?

 

[Thick Face Black Heart]

I disagree with the statement, "While our neighbours are focusing on their citizens." Which of these countries are focusing on their citizens? Name me one country.

Roadrunner's point is that other countries seem to pay more attention to the welfare on their citizens than does Singapore's government. On that score, I agree.

My only bone of contention is that we should not compromise on defence just to satisfy some libertarian ideal. Increased social spending and better manpower policies can most certainly be achieved without compromising defence. Our annual budget is over $40 billion!

 

[jubilee1919]

Roadrunner's point is that other countries seem to pay more attention to the welfare on their citizens than does Singapore's government. On that score, I agree.

My only bone of contention is that we should not compromise on defence just to satisfy some libertarian ideal. Increased social spending and better manpower policies can most certainly be achieved without compromising defence. Our annual budget is over $40 billion!

The only country that provides many perks for it's citizens is Brunei. Yet Chinese born and raised there cannot be a citizen. I am still wanting to know which country focuses on welfare on their citizens. I discount Indonesia as their people are poor, Malaysia a fair bit on bumis but not for other races and their people are still poor. The aborigines in Borneo are badly treated, their homes and hunting grounds destroyed systematically. Politicians including those in Singapore are busy lining their pockets. Whatever is dished out to the people are peanuts and enough to ensure a resounding victory in the next elections. After which back to the same old story of broken promises and excuses about the bad global economy that is the cause of our misery.

Oh yes, I am not blind nor cannot see through the hypocrisy, yet I must live and prosper and you bet I will prosper come what may. Whinging and grumbling is not my style, I will not let circumstances beyond my control be an impedance for I take it in my stride. No matter which country we live in, the local governments makes rules and regulations in order to milk us. This is the norm. How we go about eking a living and profiting from it is within our control.

 

[greedy and cunning]

Dear Singaporeans, this is why you pay top dollar for your leadership.

The issues of the day that are discussed on line are secondary to the prime responsibility of govt which is to keep the country secure and viable for the long term.

While netizens whinge and whine about the number of Tiongs and Pinoys in town, the govt is quietly going about the business of dealing with issues that really matter.

hi dickhead,
it's me again.

Singapore's solution to Malaysian water threat was to gather the world's water management scientists who later identified desalination and recycled water as practical means to meet its sufficiency goal, by which relevant facilities were then built and the government injecting million of dollars every year targeting the research and development (R&D) for both.

any uni graduate could have think of the same thing without being paid an arm and a leg.
in the first place sillypore came to this situation because of the arrogant and demanding manner of your master.

 

[ray_of_hope]

The only country that provides many perks for it's citizens is Brunei. Yet Chinese born and raised there cannot be a citizen.

Here are the names of some senior officials (including a minister) in the Brunei Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

Minister II [Second] YB Pehin Dato Lim Jock Seng
Permanent Secretary Dato Lim Jock Hoi
Permanent Secretary Datin Paduka Tan Bee Yong

http://www.mofat.gov.bn/index.php/the-ministry/organisation-structure

 

[jubilee1919]

Here are the names of some senior officials (including a minister) in the Brunei Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

Minister II [Second] YB Pehin Dato Lim Jock Seng
Permanent Secretary Dato Lim Jock Hoi
Permanent Secretary Datin Paduka Tan Bee Yong

http://www.mofat.gov.bn/index.php/the-ministry/organisation-structure

Ethnic Chinese in Brunei
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Ethnic Chinese in Brunei Total population
43,000
10.5% of the Bruneian population (2006)[1]
Regions with significant populations
Bandar Seri Begawan
Languages

Hokkien • Hakka • Teochew
Mandarin • Malay
Religion

Predominantly Buddhist • Taoist • Christian[2] and a small number of converts to Islam.[3]
Related ethnic groups

Overseas Chinese

Ethnic Chinese in Brunei form roughly 15% of Brunei's population. As of 1986, it was estimated that over 90% were unable to obtain Bruneian citizenship despite generations of residence in the country.[4] They constitute one group of Overseas Chinese and represent one of the more smaller groups of Overseas Chinese in Southeast Asia. Ethnic Chinese in Brunei were encouraged to settle because of their commercial and business acumen. The biggest dialect group is the Hokkien; many originated from Jinmen, Republic of China(Taiwan) and Xiamen in Mainland China. The Hakka and Cantonese represent a minority of the Chinese population. Despite their small numbers, the Hokkien have a considerable presence in Brunei's private and business sector, providing commercial and entrepreneurial expertise and often times operating joint business ventures with Malaysian Chinese entreprises.[5]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethnic_Chinese_in_Brunei

 

[jubilee1919]

Will it not be better to use the country's wealth to improve the lives of it's citizens than for a dictator's personal gratification?


Any sane person will consider this as extremely excessive. How many cars can be driven by one man?

 

[GoldenDragon]

Will it not be better to use the country's wealth to improve the lives of it's citizens than for a dictator's personal gratification?


Any sane person will consider this as extremely excessive. How many cars can be driven by one man?

I doubt the Sultan knows exactly how many cars he owned. Steal one or two he also won't know.

 

[zhihau]

I doubt the Sultan knows exactly how many cars he owned. Steal one or two he also won't know.

bro,
just don't pick his favorite when stealing

 

[ionzu]

My only bone of contention is that we should not compromise on defence just to satisfy some libertarian ideal. Increased social spending and better manpower policies can most certainly be achieved without compromising defence. Our annual budget is over $40 billion!

no need to touch dfence spending. increase income taxes and make all ministries and stat boards return all unused reserves etc etc. if they genuinely wanted to increase social safety nets, they could do so in a heartbeat. but there is no political will to do so until they lose their 2/3 majority in parliament.

 

[ionzu]

Oh yes, I am not blind nor cannot see through the hypocrisy, yet I must live and prosper and you bet I will prosper come what may. Whinging and grumbling is not my style, I will not let circumstances beyond my control be an impedance for I take it in my stride. No matter which country we live in, the local governments makes rules and regulations in order to milk us. This is the norm. How we go about eking a living and profiting from it is within our control.

capitalism allows you the freedom to prosper come what may. but yet it imposes no duty upon you to help others when you have prospered and succeeded (other than what you pay in taxes). how can this be desirable?

 

[jubilee1919]

capitalism allows you the freedom to prosper come what may. but yet it imposes no duty upon you to help others when you have prospered and succeeded (other than what you pay in taxes). how can this be desirable?

There is no ideal form of government that allows for an utopian society. Humans are naturally competitive and want to outdo one another and stay ahead of the pack. There is a quote about the game of life "In this game of life, have you started playing?"

 

[Leongsam]

capitalism allows you the freedom to prosper come what may. but yet it imposes no duty upon you to help others when you have prospered and succeeded (other than what you pay in taxes). how can this be desirable?

Why should that duty be imposed in the first place? If I put in a 90 hour week to grow my business to the point where I become very wealthy, why should I then be expected to help some lazy lout who has done absolutely nothing to get ahead in life?