Chitchat Why Jamus Lim join Workers' Party ?

[jw5]

Jamus discusses char kway teow.

Jamus Lim​

11 h ·
Malaysian-style char kway teow (fried rice noodles) tends to vary a little relative to our local version. It is often less heavy-handed on the dark soy sauce (some variants, like that in Penang, omit it altogether), and the noodles are usually slimmer (in Johor, they are more akin to the ones you see in pad thai). Some use duck eggs instead of chicken, and may selectively include or omit meat items like smoked sausage (lap cheong or other forms), fish cake, shrimp, and cockles. What is common is the importance of wok cooking over high flame—to secure the smokiness of wok hei—and the liberal use of oil or lard.
Char kway teow—which I’m having for brekkie as we commence our one-day #SengkangGRC fruit farm tour in Johor—may strike some as a decadent way to start the day. But the portion was mercifully modest, with a generous helping of bean sprouts to balance the richness, and free of most meat (there was one lonely see hum). Hence it wasn’t that terrible (so I tell myself), and a little reward for having to crawl out of bed at four in the morning to catch the early bus. #teamsengkang

 

[jw5]

Jamus is saddened by the loss of his mother-in-law.

Jamus Lim​

2 d ·
No matter how many funerals and wakes you attend, one never quite gets used to it. Each is heartrending in its own way. Sometimes, it’s a young parent, taken away suddenly, leaving behind children who will never get to know their father or mother. Sometimes, it’s a friend or colleague, who has left an influence on one’s life in ways beyond what they themselves may have known. Sometimes, it’s a beloved grandparent, who lived a long and fulfilled life, but was forced into a prolonged battle with a painful illness at the end.
And sometimes, it’s a family member.
A fortnight ago, we lost my mother-in-law. She was 73. She had lived a rich and eventful life, and was a beloved mother, wife, and teacher. As a bilingual studies teacher, she touched the lives of hundreds of young children, many of whom grew up in immigrant households of modest means. She became a pillar in the community, having taught at every single elementary school in the small town she lived in. She also raised two children—one of whom would become very special to me—often with limited help at home, since my father-in-law was a trucker who had to be away for days at a time.
There are two broad directions one may take in response to death. One could collapse into mourning and sorrow. Or one could celebrate life. Neither is more appropriate than the other, and the choices offer relief in different ways. For us, after a period of mourning to allow the grief to sink in, we held a small and simple memorial at her home, where her closest family and friends shared memories of who she was and the legacy she left behind. Life goes on, as it is wont to. But we will miss her joie de vivre all the same. Descansa en paz, mamá.
Here’s an obituary that my wife wrote, that was published in the local paper:
https://www.ldnews.com/obituaries/mpa117484

 

[jw5]

Jamus will be hosting a town hall conversation.

Jamus Lim​

2 h ·
This coming weekend, He Ting Ru 何廷儒 and I will be at our quarterly #SengkangGRC Conversations town hall (Chua Kheng Wee 蔡庆威 is traveling). We will be headed to #Rivervale this time, and our discussion will touch on the recently-concluded #Budget2024 debates, along with the usual estate matters. In addition to the town council, event partners include Morningstar Centre, the Cat Welfare Society, and Lifeline Clothing, who will host booths. Refreshments will be served, so we’re looking forward to seeing you there! #TeamSengkang

 

[jw5]

Jamus discusses switching jobs.

Jamus Lim​

3 d ·
Like many young millennials, my sister has frequently switched jobs. Part of this has been because her talent has been in great demand. But another big part of it has been a greater comfort level with embracing change, in search of opportunity. For one-or-two-jobs-per-lifetime folks like my mom, this seize-the-day approach to professional development seems crazy and disloyal. But evidence suggests that job hops (or at least alerting the current employer of one’s outside options) is a way to advance one’s career.
Job switches can also have a positive impact on the economy, in the aggregate. Labor market churn, while uncertain, promotes efficiency by as talent shifts to more productive firms, which are able to pay more. Knowledge sharing across firms also improves productivity. But churn is not without its downsides. Firms may hold back on investing in training their workers, if they fear that they’ll leave more easily, taking the company’s proprietary knowledge or trade secrets with them.
That’s where noncompete clauses can play a positive role. These are stipulations in a contract that prohibit those who leave a firm from joining a competitor, for a certain cooling-off period. This can range from several months to as long as a few years. The problem with noncompetes is that they are effectively a restriction on what a worker can (or cannot) do as a job, even after they no longer work for the company. It can also suppress wages, by reducing employee bargaining power (since their outside options are more limited). My sister, who is in middle management, faced precisely such a noncompete in one of her earlier jobs. Even though most clauses of this nature are unenforceable in Singaporean courts, it nevertheless gets inserted into contracts.
Noncompetes, when applied to middle and lower-level employees, are especially pernicious. Such employees don’t usually know business-defining trade secrets, nor do they make a critical difference to the bottom line. They also have less resources to ride out a period of transitional unemployment. And even when they aren’t enforceable, noncompetes have a chilling effect on workers seeking outside opportunities. I know my sister stressed out about how, were she to switch jobs, she could face legal action, which she couldn’t afford to contest.
The #workersparty takes the position that the government should either offer strong guidance or outright ban noncompetes for non-senior employees. There are clean ways to define such positions (say, by a salary cap or job scope). If one worries about casting too wide a net, specific carve-outs can be introduced, such as when the job specifically deals with high-value proprietary information. The key is to remove boilerplate noncompetes from labor contracts, as a default. This will go a long way toward not just protecting worker rights, but also improve the overall vitality of our local labor market. It is both equitable and efficient. #makingyourvotecount

 

[jw5]

Jamus thanks volunteers.

Jamus Lim​

19 March at 08:05 ·
Our 7 buses of residents, drawn across all divisions in #SengkangGRC (with some coming from further afield) enjoyed Saturday at a fruit farm, village, and shopping mall in Johor. For some, especially our younger friends, it was the first time in a truly rural setting. For others, it was an opportunity to enjoy some Instagrammable moments at an old temple or bamboo grove. And for yet others, there was shopping therapy, made easier by the 1:3.5 exchange rate of the Sing dollar to the ringgit.
Thanks to all our tireless #TeamSengkang volunteers for taking in the responsibility of being bus captains (as well as those who helped make it all happen in the background), to our tour partners JQ Travel, and of course, to the residents that took the time out of their weekend to join us. Here is a collection of memories from the trip—hope others will consider coming along next time!

 

[jw5]

Jamus stopped by a pop-up grocery.

Jamus Lim​

3 d ·
Last Friday, I stopped by a pop-up grocery at 350 #Anchorvale, set up by Allkin Singapore, in partnership with Food from the Heart (Singapore), MSF Singapore Comlink+, and others. The effort is a collaborative one. While initiated by the ever-capable Mabel at Allkin, it ropes in residents for collection and distribution.
The “grocery” model—in quotes because residents still get the items for free, since they are donated—allows them to choose the specific items they need. This returns agency to the less-fortunate, as they actively identify their household needs, instead of passively receiving a pre-selected care package. It also avoids waste, since each family may have idiosyncratic circumstances, such as a preference for brown versus white rice, or opting not to have meat in the diet. By involving residents directly, the setup also gives them ownership—making them vested in its success—which also makes the model more sustainable.
One of the major challenges that keeps families mired in poverty is often the feeling of being trapped. This may be financial, since living hand-to-mouth often means higher costs (think of how having insufficient money to purchase goods in volume or services via bulk plans relegates one to higher per-unit costs, or how one is forced to rent rather than build equity through homeownership). But it could also be mental and emotional, perhaps emanating from a lack of belief that one can rise above one’s current station. Pop-up initiatives such as this help restore that confidence, and potentially launch a virtuous cycle for the disadvantaged and downtrodden. #SengkangGRC

 

[jw5]

Jamus continued house visits.

Jamus Lim​

22 March at 08:32 ·
Our #TeamSengkang house visits this week allowed us to wrap up the last few floors of 311B #Anchorvale, before we made our way through about half of 311D. Many families opened their doors and invited us in for conversation, but one—on our educational system—was particularly noteworthy.
The resident shared that the current approach pursued by the Ministry seemed to be focused on resolving immediate issues—such as excessive stress experienced by young students, or emphasizing “efficient” educational spending by keeping classrooms large—but, paradoxically, introducing more chronic conditions later on.
This results in an almost schizophrenic approach to public education. For example, the choice to eliminate midterms, which indeed does reduce pressure on children transitioning into the public school system at a tender age, may leave them ill-prepared when they are eventually forced to confront high-stakes exams in the later years of primary school.
Another instance has to do with homework. The parent shared that guidelines prohibited students from keeping completed worksheets and exercises at home. This may, ostensibly, be to encourage students to look beyond schoolwork after school. Unfortunately, this also robs parents of the opportunity to gain insight into areas of weakness, which is filled anyway with third-party assessment books and mock exams.
For me, the solution isn’t to eliminate testing or homework, per se—there is a need to be able to gauge a student’s knowledge and understanding—but rather, to take continual assessment seriously, with multiple small quizzes (each with low weightage) as we go along, and exams into garnering a fraction of the total grade. Stop testing for skills that rely on memorization and regurgitation, but on application and creativity. And assessments should be multimodal; not just via classroom tests, but evaluated against their performance in oral presentations, written and nonwritten homework, and engagement in terms of answering as well as asking questions.
Yet another concern—something that the #workersparty has repeatedly stressed—is the number of students in our classrooms. While larger class sizes undeniably make the most of the educational dollar, there is little chance that overloaded teachers are able to ensure that the weakest students stay on track. Such students inevitably fall behind, which necessitates additional private tuition (if parents can afford it), after school hours. So they go from a class of 40 in the morning, to a class of 1.
Again, the solution here isn’t to ban the race-to-the-bottom practice of seeking out tutors. It is to recognize that it is far better in the long run to spend more resources to have classrooms of manageable size. Equip teachers better, perhaps an aide or assistant, to ensure that students truly grasp difficult concepts in the classroom context. Allow teachers to truly teach, rather than simply be a delivery mechanism for the prescribed syllabus. #SengkangGRC

 

[jw5]

Jamus asks the government to step in.

Jamus Lim​

3 d ·
If you’re a parent of a young child, you’ll be keenly aware of how frequently they fall ill (a friend of mine used to call childcare centers “germ factories”). Sick kids need to recover at home, so this usually means one parent being forced to take leave. Such leave entitlement is enshrined in the Child Development and Co-Savings Act, which grants parents up to 6 days a year of paid childcare leave (many have quibbled this should be per child, rather than in total, but that’s another story). But family care leave is currently only available in one direction. While families with kids have paid time off for taking care of their children, families with elderly members have no such leave entitlement.
For those who live with their mom and/or dad, you’ll know that care needs for older parents can quickly add up. This includes routine appointments (dialysis, physiotherapy) as well as those of a more occasional nature (falls, COVID). This will become ever-more important as demographic changes in our population mean that the number of elderly in our midst will only increase, even as small family sizes also mean a higher likelihood that these parents live with their children.
For families with greater means, caregiving may be rendered by live-in domestic help. But those without will need to take time off. This is especially for singles who live with their parents, since they are the primary point of contact. To be fair, some companies do offer flexibility for their workers to take time off to provide parental care. But this currently relies on the largesse of employers. Yet eldercare leave can be a win-win for all. Employees become less stressed about their parent-care duties, which makes them happier and more productive workers. And such workers enjoy better mental health due to a better work-life balance.
If it’s such a good thing, why don’t all employers do so, regardless? One possibility is that employees are often not in a good bargaining position to ask for such leave from employers. But more likely, it is a coordination failure. Until mandated by law, it’s too easy for one or two bad eggs to not offer such leave. Bad bosses can get away with it, since jobseekers aren’t in a position to bargain for eldercare leave. Poor employer behavior gets normalized, and the workforce is then worse off as a whole. It’s time for the government to step in and correct this state of affairs, and eliminate the asymmetry between elder and child family care. #makingyourvotecount

 

[jw5]

Jamus discusses bagels.

Jamus Lim​

2 d ·
As a graduate student in the United States, it’s common to encounter bagels for breakfast. At some level, it’s not the healthiest—these things are calorie-dense—but for some (including myself), the mix of crunchy seeds and chewy dough pairs amazingly well with the smooth richness of cream cheese. Add the freshness of sliced cucumber and tomatoes, topped with a dusting of sea salt and cracked black pepper, and you’ve an unusually satisfying way to start the day.
During my grad school days, I spent many a weekend morning with this combination, before settling down to a long day of reading at the cafe (it’s not unusual to be expected to read a book or more a week, along with a half-dozen articles—and that’s not even counting the problem sets and undergrad grading assignments that occupy the rest of the workweek).
But despite the seemingly-insane schedule, I look back at those days fondly. A major part of it was the simplicity of it all; what more luxury can one ask for, beyond immersing oneself in the world of ideas, day after day, without the responsibilities that would inevitably come along later in life? But it also meant learning to appreciate how simple things in life can bring so much joy, if we take a step back to appreciate them. Like the laughter of a parent, or the wide-eyed wonder of a child. Or the breathtaking beauty of a sunset, or the crest of waves as they approach the shore. Or the yummy treat of bagels with cream cheese.

 

[jw5]

Jamus visited the Ramadan Bazaar at #Rivervale.

Jamus Lim​

1 d ·
Over the weekend, #TeamSengkang visited the Ramadan Bazaar at #Rivervale, which is located along the street beside the Mall (not the Plaza, as we had initially thought). There is a whole range of stores, from food to trinkets to even furniture. This little video provides a quick walk-through tour; do check it out if you’re in the neighborhood! #SengkangGRC
Postscript: we’ve been informed that, while there are many Muslim-friendly options, not al

 

[jw5]

Jamus participated in an Iftar meal at #Anchorvale.

Jamus Lim​

18 m ·
This past Saturday evening, #TeamSengkang participated in an Iftar meal at #Anchorvale, held for lower-income households, and distributions of Buka Puasa meals at #Compassvale. Here are some highlights from the event. Thanks to all who took the time to join us, and of course, to our donors and volunteers, whose contributions and efforts are what makes such events possible. #SengkangGRC

 

[jw5]

Jamus had a busy weekend.

Jamus Lim​

25 March at 08:37 ·
It was a busy weekend for #TeamSengkang, which started with a coffeeshop visit at 338 #Anchorvale, followed by an estate walk around that cluster, before we headed over to 124E #Rivervale for our quarterly #SengkangGRC Conversations.
We had many interesting discussions and points of view shared during our townhall (please do keep them coming), while also having an opportunity to learn about the great work done by our community partners. I was delighted to learn that one booth, Lifeline Clothing—you’ll see their bright yellow upcycling booths dotted across the town—was even led by an Anchorvale resident!
The evening took us to the community Iftar at Al-Mawaddah Mosque, Sengkang-Singapore, where we were able to fellowship with Muslim residents and congregants as they approach the halfway point in the holy month. We even had a brief guest appearance by Pritam Singh, who shared stories of his visits to the various mosques across the various #workersparty constituencies. To all our Muslim friends, we wish you a continued Ramadan Kareem.

 

[jw5]

Jamus connects and reflects.

Jamus Lim​

2 d ·
The past weekend was one filled with connection and reflection. On Saturday, #TeamSengkang organized our Hari Raya Iftar dinner at #Anchorvale, following the distribution of bubur, buka puasa meals, and Raya cookies at #Compassvale. As always, it was wonderful to spend some time with residents as we broke bread, and of course thanks to our guest ustaz for the brief sermon before sunset.
Then on Sunday, I joined He Ting Ru 何廷儒 at St Anne’s church in #Rivervale, manning a cotton candy stand at their annual Easter fair. Easter celebrates the end of a period of denial, much like how Eid al-Fitr does the same at the end of Ramadan. Either way, for the faithful, these events are characterized as much by the lead-up as they are by their culmination.

 

[jw5]

Jamus invites you for a wee jaunt.

Jamus Lim​

6 h ·
It’s the first Saturday of the month again, and notwithstanding our cancellation last month, we’re going ahead with the #SengkangGRC #RiverRun this weekend. Join us for a wee jaunt down the Punggol River, and let’s get those exercise juices flowing!

 

[jw5]

Jamus continues house visits.

Jamus Lim​

3 d ·
Last week, #TeamSengkang house visits wrapped up 311D #Anchorvale and, coupled with an additional push on Saturday morning, we were able to also complete 312B. We had many engaged discussions, but one—on the affordability of housing—made me think.
The resident we spoke to shared her concern over how high flat prices meant that her children may be unable to buy a place of their own. This concern went beyond having a roof over one’s head. Not having a place also lends uncertainty about how independent one truly is, and may also lead to delays in deciding on whether one should start a family. Since the 1990s, the price of HDB flats have stretched the budgets of more and more households.
The government’s stated target is a house price-to-median income ratio of about 4 (so, for median incomes of around $10K, this means a flat that sells for about $480K). Arguably, the government hits this target, using a combination of grants and subsidies for both resale and BTO (the ratio is even slightly lower when comparing to BTO rather than resale, because additional grants are available for such buyers). Yet even if we are willing to set aside the fact that this multiple is still regarded as unaffordable by some housing analysts, there remain problems with blithely accepting the current state of affairs.
First, the ratio is computed using household incomes, assuming two working adults. In most other cities, it is calculated with median individual income; if we were to do so, the ratio will rise to the mid-5s, going into seriously unaffordable territory. Second, those living in other countries often have options besides living in highly-sought-after locales, such as moving to the countryside. For most Singaporeans, this isn’t even remotely an option.
But the third issue strikes me as most problematic. Recall, the ratio is computed relative to the median family. This means that for at least half the population, housing is even less affordable. And unlike other things people buy, it’s far from straightforward to find substitutes if one is lower income. I mean, one can cut back on restaurant meals in favor of hawker meals, or take the bus and MRT instead driving a car. But the rental market here is small and typically even more expensive than a mortgage, and a young family can only downsize that much before the place becomes uncomfortably cramped.
The bottom line is this: housing, unlike many other purchases, is much more essential to one’s quality of life. With limited affordable alternatives, high HDB prices threaten this quality of life. And despite the current slate of grants and subsidies, homes remain expensive for many Singaporeans, and all the more for those in lower income brackets. Even as elevated house prices are great for supporting the retirement incomes of those already on the housing ladder, the same can’t be said for our young families. #SengkangGRC


https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbi...LO-GYr9HGpC8j3NIN1TQlTRMnlzoZOQX&__tn__=*bH-R

 

[Bad New Brown]

WP MP are hardworking and we are all waiting to see if WP can still win to Sengkang GRC in the next coming GE

 

[k1976]

Is it time for Mister Jamus to step up?

 

[k1976]

Time for a new Era and a new style?

 

[Bad New Brown]

Is it time for Mister Jamus to step up?

If WP can hold on to all the seats it won previously, he should be the new WP chief and the Leader of Opposition

 

[k1976]

Jamus is saddened by the loss of his mother-in-law.

Jamus Lim​

2 d ·
No matter how many funerals and wakes you attend, one never quite gets used to it. Each is heartrending in its own way. Sometimes, it’s a young parent, taken away suddenly, leaving behind children who will never get to know their father or mother. Sometimes, it’s a friend or colleague, who has left an influence on one’s life in ways beyond what they themselves may have known. Sometimes, it’s a beloved grandparent, who lived a long and fulfilled life, but was forced into a prolonged battle with a painful illness at the end.
And sometimes, it’s a family member.
A fortnight ago, we lost my mother-in-law. She was 73. She had lived a rich and eventful life, and was a beloved mother, wife, and teacher. As a bilingual studies teacher, she touched the lives of hundreds of young children, many of whom grew up in immigrant households of modest means. She became a pillar in the community, having taught at every single elementary school in the small town she lived in. She also raised two children—one of whom would become very special to me—often with limited help at home, since my father-in-law was a trucker who had to be away for days at a time.
There are two broad directions one may take in response to death. One could collapse into mourning and sorrow. Or one could celebrate life. Neither is more appropriate than the other, and the choices offer relief in different ways. For us, after a period of mourning to allow the grief to sink in, we held a small and simple memorial at her home, where her closest family and friends shared memories of who she was and the legacy she left behind. Life goes on, as it is wont to. But we will miss her joie de vivre all the same. Descansa en paz, mamá.
Here’s an obituary that my wife wrote, that was published in the local paper:
https://www.ldnews.com/obituaries/mpa117484

Condolences to her family