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Podcasts didn't decide GE2025Podcasts didn't decide GE2025 I refer to the CNA’s Commentary: Podcasts didn't decide GE2025, but they changed how Singaporeans engage with politics (May 9). The 2025 General Election has several features/characteristics that deserve our attention, discussion and reflection: In today era, technological revolution, innovation and advancement...

GE2025: Stunning victory for PAPGE2025: Stunning victory for PAP I refer to the CNA’s report, “GE2025: Stunning victory for PAP, winning 87 of 97 seats with higher national vote share in PM Wong's first electoral test” (May 4). GE2025 has clearly delivered the following key messages/notes from the vast majority of voters: The Workers’ Party (WP) has done a fantastic good...

This is not a game of cardsThis is not a game of cards I can appreciate parties wanting to hold their cards close to their chest, but the smoke and mirrors games on nominations day, the shuffling of the DPM from a seat he had openly been declared to be defending, and other ministers shuffling constituencies leaves one feeling the PAP thinks it is playing a game of cards. Constituency...

Is a Parliament full of PAP MPs really better for Singaporeans?Is a Parliament full of PAP MPs really better for Singaporeans? I refer to The Online Citizen GE2025 news report, “Lee Hsien Yang: Is a Parliament full of PAP MPs really better for Singaporeans?” - (April 14), and “The Straits Times’ report, “GE2025: Singaporeans will go to the polls on May 3, Nomination Day on April 23” (April 15), and The Online Citizen GE2025 report,...

𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝... Is the PAP of today exceptional, with unmatched competence and delivery? Afterall, that is their justification for the highest salaries in the world. Let’s look at its more recent track record. Large numbers of NRIC numbers were recently unmasked, leaving Singaporeans exposed to identity theft, fraud, abuse and scams....

GE2025: Red Dot United to contest in Holland-Bukit TimahGE2025: Red Dot United to contest in Holland-Bukit Timah I refer to the CNA news, “GE2025: Red Dot United to contest in Holland-Bukit Timah GRC but may make way for Singapore Democratic Party” (April 10), “More opposition 'star catches' are emerging. Is Singapore's political scene maturing?” (April 10) and “PSP says government response to Trump tariffs 'overblown',...

GE2025: Why Singapore's high-flying bureaucrats are recruited into politicsGE2025: Why Singapore's high-flying bureaucrats are recruited... I refer to CNA’s news, “GE2025: Why Singapore's high-flying bureaucrats are recruited into politics” (Mar 28). It is not surprised to notice that in recent weeks, two NMPs and top ministry officials have resigned, fuelling speculation they could be fielded as potential candidates for the ruling People's Action...

More than 2.75 million Singaporeans eligible to vote in GE2025More than 2.75 million Singaporeans eligible to vote in GE2025 I refer to The CNA’s News, “GE2025: More than 2.75 million Singaporeans eligible to vote” (Mar 25). As Singapore’s General Election is due to be held within this year, the following factors will more or less influence the election situation this year: A)The general mentality of voters Voters are generally...

How the end of Ukraine war could be secured, even with waning US supportHow the end of Ukraine war could be secured, even with waning... I refer to the CNA’s commentaries, “How the end of Ukraine war could be secured, even with waning US support” (Mar 4), “Lessons from the Trump-Zelenskyy meltdown- for friends and foes” (Mar 1) and “Will Trump tariffs push China to change economic tack?” (Mar 3). Foremost, we need to recognise the reality...

Singapore Army Recruits Deserve a Minimum WageSingapore Army Recruits Deserve a Minimum Wage Singapore Army Recruits Deserve a Minimum Wage: National Service Should Not Come at the Expense of Opportunity Costs Singapore’s National Service (NS) has long been a cornerstone of the nation’s defense, requiring young men to dedicate two years of their lives to military, civil defense, or police service. While...

Trump-Putin deal on Ukraine will be Europe’s moment of reckoningTrump-Putin deal on Ukraine will be Europe’s moment of... I refer to the CNA’s Commentaries, “Trump-Putin deal on Ukraine will be Europe’s moment of reckoning” (Feb 20) and “Ukraine can survive with the ‘least worst’ peace” (Feb 22). Now, In the eyes of European Union, they have lost trust and confidence in the United States, it is solely due to the flip flop...

From Deepseek to Huawei, US tech restrictions on China are backfiringFrom Deepseek to Huawei, US tech restrictions on China are... I refer to the CNA’s Commentary, “From Deepseek to Huawei, US tech restrictions on China are backfiring” (Jan 31). Would it be practical, useful and effective for the United States to continually pursue an aggressive containment strategy to hobble China’s tech push? Undoubtedly, the answer is obviously not. There...

Don't get distracted by Trump's outlandish Cabinet picksDon't get distracted by Trump's outlandish Cabinet picks I refer to the CNA’s Commentary: “Don't get distracted by Trump's outlandish Cabinet picks” (Nov 25), and “'No one will win a trade war’, China says after Trump tariff threat” (Nov 26). As everyone knows, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump will return to power on January 20, 2025. Trump has dismissed...

Putin escalates Ukraine warPutin escalates Ukraine war I refer to The CNA’s Commentary: “Putin escalates Ukraine war by a step, not a leap, with missile experiment” (Nov 23). Foremost, Zelenskyi’s intention to join Nato has greatly threatened the security and survival of Russia. Hence, Zelenskyy has offended Putin and Putin has no choice but to launch a war with...

Will PM Wong address the astronomical ministerial salaries?Will PM Wong address the astronomical ministerial salaries? I refer to The TR-Emeritus opinion article, “Will PM Wong address the astronomical ministerial salaries” (June 14) by Mr Yoong Siew Wah. It has always been a controversial topic which concerns about our top political leaders who receive their salaries that are many times higher than those foreign political leaders. Our...

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Editorials
Strong hailstorm strikes China's Xi'an causing airport...

Strong hailstorm strikes China's Xi'an causing airport...

On the evening of May 8, Xi’an, the capital city of China’s Shaanxi Province, was struck by a powerful...
Four parties lost their election deposits in GE2025

Four parties lost their election deposits in GE2025

A total of four opposition parties, the Singapore United Party (SUP), People's Power Party (PPP), People’s...
Level 16 super typhoon devastates multiple cities in...

Level 16 super typhoon devastates multiple cities in...

Northern China was hit by an extreme weather event on Thursday as a massive cold front swept south, colliding...
Level 15 winds destroy buildings rooftops and cause...

Level 15 winds destroy buildings rooftops and cause...

On April 30, northern China was struck by an extreme weather event as a massive cold vortex surged southward,...
TR Emeritus to 'shut-up' on 2nd May 2025

TR Emeritus to 'shut-up' on 2nd May 2025

Please be informed that TR Emeritus (TRE) will shut down its comment function site-wide at 0000 hours...
Chaos in China as extreme storm destroys homes and...

Chaos in China as extreme storm destroys homes and...

Beijing’s 22 million residents were asked to stay indoors on Saturday, as powerful winds swept across...
China, Thailand, and Myanmar in ruins after devastating...

China, Thailand, and Myanmar in ruins after devastating...

On March 28, 2025, a devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar near Mandalay, causing...
Myanmar 7.7 earthquake collapses buildings in Thailand,...

Myanmar 7.7 earthquake collapses buildings in Thailand,...

A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on March 28, 2025, causing widespread panic...
Beijing shocked by earthquake and mega sandstorm

Beijing shocked by earthquake and mega sandstorm

Since March 24, 2025, northern China has been battling extreme weather as a massive sandstorm swept through...
Mega hail causes mass destruction in Fujian and Guangdong

Mega hail causes mass destruction in Fujian and Guangdong

An unexpected and severe hailstorm struck multiple cities in Guangdong and Fujian between March 3 and...
Extreme weather struck multiple regions in China

Extreme weather struck multiple regions in China

On March 2, 2025, extreme weather struck multiple regions in China, with parts of Henan province experiencing...
Happy Chinese New Year 2025

Happy Chinese New Year 2025

Wishing all our Chinese readers:     Team@TR Emeritus  
Huge snow caused numerous disruptions on China's major...

Huge snow caused numerous disruptions on China's major...

As the Chinese New Year approaches, millions of people across the country are making their annual journey...
The rapidly spreading HMPV virus you haven’t heard...

The rapidly spreading HMPV virus you haven’t heard...

Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) is making headlines as cases surge, especially among children and vulnerable...
4.1 magnitude earthquake shakes Shanxi's Linfeng city

4.1 magnitude earthquake shakes Shanxi's Linfeng city

On the evening of January 10, 2025, Linfen City in Shanxi Province was struck by an earthquake. The tremor,...
7.8 magnitude earthquake devastates Tibet

7.8 magnitude earthquake devastates Tibet

A magnitude 7.1 earthquake has hit Tibet, in the region of Shigatse, which is near the border with Nepal. According...
Outbreak of mystery virus in China

Outbreak of mystery virus in China

China is r eportedly facing a new health crisis as the human metapneumovirus (HMPV) outbreak rapidly...
Unknown Virus Rampages in China; Hospitals Utterly...

Unknown Virus Rampages in China; Hospitals Utterly...

A blogger in China has shared a video, claiming that this isn’t China’s Spring Festival travel rush;...
Opinions
The three of threes about DPM Heng Swee Kiat

The three of threes about DPM Heng Swee Kiat

The first part of the threes is about the when, the how and the why? And it is about his retirement...
我们是否该重新思考国防开支的优先顺序?

我们是否该重新思考国防开支的优先顺序?

新加坡政府近日宣布将采购两艘额外的“无畏级”潜艇,引发了一个重要问题:我们的国防力量,到底需要多强? 毫无疑问,一个强大且可信的军队对于保障国家主权与威慑潜在威胁是不可或缺的。新加坡地处战略要冲,国土面积有限,因此需要一支现代化的武装部队。然而,当我们对比邻国——马来西亚拥有两艘潜艇、印尼正逐步扩展至十二艘——新加坡在水下战力上已处于领先地位。这不禁让人质疑,我们是否正引领着一场无声的区域军备竞赛? 问题在于:当威慑的需求被满足后,继续扩军是否已经超出必要? 一艘“无畏级”潜艇的估价超过十亿新元,还不包括长期的运营与维护成本。这两艘新潜艇的资金,若能转用于迫切的民生需求,例如医疗保健、老龄化支援、教育及弱势群体扶助,或许对社会的整体韧性更具意义。 政府一再强调国防开支是经过审慎规划的,但当生活成本日益上升,政府却仍需将消费税(Gst)提高至9%甚至更多,这种矛盾不禁令人困惑。如果某些战略性国防项目能够延后或循序推进,节省下来的资源是否可以用于社会发展呢? “全面防卫”不仅仅是硬件实力,更是要赢得人民的心与信任。让人民感到安心、有保障、受到重视,这种安全感无法靠潜艇来衡量,而是通过每一位国人的生活实感体现出来。 这并非是在呼吁削弱我们的国防,而是呼吁我们重新思考国家的优先事项。当我们继续推进军事现代化的同时,也不要忽视同样重要的任务——巩固社会契约、增强国民凝聚力。   Cwc-Ai  
Cutting down reliance on US military equipment

Cutting down reliance on US military equipment

There is a rampant rumor going around that claims Egypt has ordered 48 J10C with a price tag of USD$25B...
2025大选—明确授权,变化中的政治格局

2025大选—明确授权,变化中的政治格局

2025年大选结果无可争议,政府再次赢得了强有力的授权,稳固了其在新加坡政治格局中的主导地位。尽管选举结果并不令人意外,但胜利的过程却并非没有争议和复杂性。 值得注意的是,选区划分的变化在本次选战中发挥了重要作用。陈清木医生与徐顺全医生等资深反对派人物,因选区重划而受到显著影响——传统支持基础被分割或并入他区,无疑左右了某些关键选区的最终结果。虽然选区调整在新加坡选举历史上并不罕见,但其公平性与透明度仍持续引发讨论。 工人党虽稳守东北区的传统堡垒,但未能在本届大选中攻下新的选区。不过,该党仍获得两个非选区议员(Ncmp)席位,虽属安慰性质,却在象征意义上维持了国会内多元声音的存在。 更值得关注的是,本届大选所处的人口背景正经历剧烈变化。新加坡人口从2000年的约300万增长至2025年的超过500万。考虑到多年来出生率持续偏低,这一增长几乎可以肯定主要归因于移民流入,尤其可能在华人群体中增长显著。这一趋势对国家的社会结构和政治生态产生了深远影响。 展望2030年大选,各政党不仅要面对一如既往的选区调整与突发的全球事件,更需正视一个不断演变的社会结构。随着越来越多新移民成为国民,选民构成日益多元,政党在政策制定与信息传递上必须更具包容性与前瞻性。他们必须同时争取老一代公民与新加坡新公民的认同,回应共同关切,并跨越代际与文化差异的鸿沟。 在新加坡持续向前迈进的过程中,其政治也必须与时俱进——反映日益多元的人口现实,同时坚守国家的核心价值观:团结、韧性与务实。 Cwc-Ai
A jaw-dropping election

A jaw-dropping election

This is a jaw-dropping election. For the opposition. SDP’s Dr Chee and PSP’s Leong were deeply disappointed....
The Nation has rejected multi-party Parliamentary representation

The Nation has rejected multi-party Parliamentary representation

Our party suffered great losses and I personally have suffered the greatest hit. But these personal losses...
A False Analogy That Insults the Intelligence of Singaporeans

A False Analogy That Insults the Intelligence of Singaporeans

Minister Ong Ye Kung’s recent assertion that a “co-driver” bears no responsibility if a car crashes...
There is a cost to losing

There is a cost to losing

There is a cost to losing. At least in PAP’s books. And one of the costs is a policy of priority. That...
Hougang Belongs to the People

Hougang Belongs to the People

Thank You for the Reminder, Mr Marshall Lim. It is with no small measure of amusement that one reads...
Its all about trust

Its all about trust

Dr Ng Eng Hen from PAP has pointed out the most important key point about this General Elections, it...
Misunderstanding What Singaporeans Truly Expect from...

Misunderstanding What Singaporeans Truly Expect from...

The government's repeated assertion that it is "easy for the opposition to ask the government to give...
Punggol GRC

Punggol GRC

Punggol GRC is without question one of the most hotly watched, followed and contested constituency in...
Should Singapore Be Concerned About David Neo’s “Action-Takers,...

Should Singapore Be Concerned About David Neo’s “Action-Takers,...

Singaporeans should pause and reflect on the recent remark by PAP candidate David Neo, who said that...
Why Singaporeans Must Reconsider the Dismissal of SDP’s...

Why Singaporeans Must Reconsider the Dismissal of SDP’s...

The Singapore government’s blunt assertion that the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP)’s proposals...
Expect the exchange of barbs in politics

Expect the exchange of barbs in politics

In a political contest, expect the exchange of barbs. And we do not lack any of it in the rallies held...
Don't Be Swayed by the Noise—Think Critically Before...

Don't Be Swayed by the Noise—Think Critically Before...

In recent weeks, the political buzz in Singapore has reached a new high. Massive crowds at opposition...
We vote whoever is deserving of our vote

We vote whoever is deserving of our vote

I am surprised that Lee Hsien Loong chose to remind us of the 1997 shameful episode when he, his father...
The Case for a Diverse and Balanced Parliament

The Case for a Diverse and Balanced Parliament

The Singapore government has recently stated that "Good government needs good people" and cautioned against...
Letters
Podcasts didn't decide GE2025

Podcasts didn't decide GE2025

I refer to the CNA’s Commentary: Podcasts didn't decide GE2025, but they changed how Singaporeans engage...
GE2025: Stunning victory for PAP

GE2025: Stunning victory for PAP

I refer to the CNA’s report, “GE2025: Stunning victory for PAP, winning 87 of 97 seats with higher...
Is a Parliament full of PAP MPs really better for Singaporeans?

Is a Parliament full of PAP MPs really better for Singaporeans?

I refer to The Online Citizen GE2025 news report, “Lee Hsien Yang: Is a Parliament full of PAP MPs...
GE2025: Red Dot United to contest in Holland-Bukit...

GE2025: Red Dot United to contest in Holland-Bukit...

I refer to the CNA news, “GE2025: Red Dot United to contest in Holland-Bukit Timah GRC but may make...
GE2025: Why Singapore's high-flying bureaucrats are...

GE2025: Why Singapore's high-flying bureaucrats are...

I refer to CNA’s news, “GE2025: Why Singapore's high-flying bureaucrats are recruited into politics”...
More than 2.75 million Singaporeans eligible to vote...

More than 2.75 million Singaporeans eligible to vote...

I refer to The CNA’s News, “GE2025: More than 2.75 million Singaporeans eligible to vote” (Mar...
How the end of Ukraine war could be secured, even with...

How the end of Ukraine war could be secured, even with...

I refer to the CNA’s commentaries, “How the end of Ukraine war could be secured, even with waning...
Singapore Army Recruits Deserve a Minimum Wage

Singapore Army Recruits Deserve a Minimum Wage

Singapore Army Recruits Deserve a Minimum Wage: National Service Should Not Come at the Expense of Opportunity...
Snippets
Singapore’s Sports Industry: A Rising Powerhouse...

Singapore’s Sports Industry: A Rising Powerhouse...

Singapore’s sports industry is on the cusp of greatness, leveraging cutting-edge infrastructure and...
What are the most popular hobbies in Singapore in 2025?

What are the most popular hobbies in Singapore in 2025?

As work-life balance remains a constant talking point in the fast-paced city-state of Singapore, residents...
10 Most Popular Mobile Games in Singapore

10 Most Popular Mobile Games in Singapore

Singaporeans can't get enough of their phones these days, spending tons of time battling opponents, building...
Langkawi to Koh Lipe Ferry: Complete Travel Guide

Langkawi to Koh Lipe Ferry: Complete Travel Guide

Planning a tropical escape from Malaysia to Thailand? The journey from Langkawi to Koh Lipe offers a...
This is not a game of cards

This is not a game of cards

I can appreciate parties wanting to hold their cards close to their chest, but the smoke and mirrors...
𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝...

𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝...

Is the PAP of today exceptional, with unmatched competence and delivery? Afterall, that is their justification...
The sleep science revolution in elite sports

The sleep science revolution in elite sports

Professional sports have entered a new era where recovery science directly impacts performance outcomes....
Sports Betting in Online Casinos as a Way to Improve...

Sports Betting in Online Casinos as a Way to Improve...

In today's world, online sports betting has become not only a popular form of entertainment but also...
Sticky & Recent Articles

Where is everyone?

Where is everyone?

I’ve just come back from a night out with a colleague who had just come back from a trip in India. We decided to celebrate the evening as the “only boys” in the company and ended up at Hooters in Clark Quay to enjoy a few beers (buy two get one free). While Hooters is best known for its very politically incorrect uniform for waitresses (the place is called Hooters for a reason), what struck me about tonight’s evening was the fact that the restaurant is suffering from one of the most acute issues facing businesses today – a shortage of labour. The situation was such that they had to close their indoor section and for the first time in my life, I saw this sign on the door (pic right): While Hooters in Singapore is clearly an extreme case, its not the only place. The problem of finding staff is not limited to the blue-collar sector. I had to hold in the vomit when my current employer asked me to put documents in a file today because, well, even white-collar professional businesses are finding it a challenge to find labour. This is strange in as much as one would imagine that current conditions favour employers. Covid restrictions have loosened and along with it, borders have reopened. Prices have started rising and “leaders” around the world have been talking about a looming recession. Geopolitical tensions like the Russian invasion of Ukraine and wider economic conflict between Russia and the Western powers have made people wonder if a recession will be the mildest of our worries. So, you would imagine that with so much going on, sensible people will hang onto the jobs available for dear life (bad job being better than no job) and unemployed people would be rushing to the available jobs. However, this isn’t happening and instead of complaining about employees being spoilt and choosy, we need to ask why aren’t people choosing to work when market indicators point to a situation where people should be clinging onto whatever work they have. While I am not an economist, I believe that the answer is fairly simple. The “normal” of the pre-Covid world was not actually working. However, instead of focusing on ways of building a more sustainable, less toxic system better suited for the 21st century, everyone rushed to “return to normal.” Since my primary income comes from a white-collar professional firm, I will start with the “professional” sector of the economy. In this way, this should have been the sector to lead a revolution in creating a new normal. The information age has done for white-collar work what the industrial age did for the manufacturing sector. Things that required various departments can now be done with software and if you think about it, work can be done anywhere as long as there’s a working internet connection. Some people would call be strange but I enjoyed life as a freelance media consultant, far away from the hustle and bustle of being in an agency. Worked of the lap top at home or in cybercafes. If I needed to bash out a press release when I was out and about, I’d just go into an internet café, pay a few dollars and bash it out within an hour or so (nothing like paying a few dollars for that hour to make you focus on using that hour or two productively). I could write emails to clients and reporters, chase for money, invoice and so on as long as I had computer access. These days, life is actually simpler. I have a smart phone, which allows me to check whatever I need to check on line and the lap top is only necessary whenever I need to sit down and write something at length. I don’t need to be sitting in front of a desk staring at a screen and the only movement I get is from one cubicle to another. Sure, there may be cases where you need certain documents but the truth is, these days documents can be accessed digitally and remotely. I do get that there are times when you need to meet face-to-face but let’s be honest, how many face-to-face meetings are anything more than a session for ego maniacs to jack off over their self-importance. When you’re freed from the need to be stuck to one place for a third of your life, you also have greater choice on who you interact with. The old hierarchical model of “me employer and you employee” will change. Rather than paying someone a set wage for set hours in a day in which you are obliged to do whatever your employer ask of you, the employee and employer relationship will be more like a buyer-seller relationship. For example, an employer will pay so much for certain task, which the employee will deliver. Outside those tasks, the employee would be free to look for other people willing to pay for those said task. By freeing people from their desk, you can move the employer-employee relationship to being more like a buyer-seller relationship rather than a marriage. This is healthier for both sides. If you’re happy you stay, if not, you move on. When the relationship between employer and employee is like a marriage, you risk a situation where sides choose not to show each other love but then when it reaches the obvious conclusion, they have like jealous lovers, which is not healthy for the individuals or the organisation. This hasn’t happened. Throughout the pandemic we got bombarded with all sorts of articles about the benefits of being a certain location for a set number of hours. You get organisations that think it’s a sign of intelligence to insist that people only have lunch from 12 to two. So, we’re back to traffic congestion, pointless meetings that are akin to masturbation sessions and unless you count greater pollution, stress, gossip, petty power plays and obvious limitations of the public transport system as positive, very little actually gets done. Instead of more productivity, you get more people masturbating over their self-importance. How is this beneficial to anyone? Things are a little different in the blue-collar sector. Unlike the professionals, you actually need to be present to do the job on hand. Technology has not reached the stage where rubbish collection cannot be done remotely. However, we’ve also failed to move beyond our “normal” thinking of shoving the people who do these jobs into a dark hole and then complaining about how ungrateful they are when they complain about getting diseases as the reactions to the following story from the Financial Times indicates: [LINK] If the dorms are so safe – why does the Minister of Manpower feel obliged to be in a hazmat suite when visiting? If the people running the white-collar section of the economy are too fond of masturbating over their self-importance, the people running the blue-collar sector have lost their ability to feel human urges and thus their humanity. Let’s look at the constant debate on the minimum wage. Singapore, a nation which thinks nothing of paying its ministers more than their global counterparts, has a problem even considering looking at what is the minimum a worker needs in order to survive. Apparently, there’s a fear that this will scare away foreign investors and cause inflation, which would negate the benefits of such a consideration. The government, instead, prefers to point to the occasional hand out as being beneficial to the poor (which they usually give just before raising taxes that have the largest impact on the poor). The answer to the problem in this sector is twofold. The first point and the one most likely never to be implemented would be to limit the number of parties benefiting from the system of labour supply in the blue-collar sector. It’s unlikely because the government has a stake here in the shape of foreign levy, which is in theory meant to disincentivise discriminating against the locals (as one MD of a shipping company says – “foreign workers are not cheap”) but is in practice a protection racket collected by the government on those that need to hire foreign workers. The system, as it stands, ensures that the cost of the employers is high and the wages actually received by the workers are low. While employer and employee get screwed, a host of other parties like dormitory owners (a business that members of the ruling party do enter) benefit. The second point would be to give workers greater freedom to change employer. As things stand, permission to stay in Singapore is tied to the employer, which means the worker is at the mercy of the employer. The problem is most visible in a liquidation scenario where the employer goes bankrupt and can’t pay the wages. However, the non-payment of wages has usually started six months prior. Unlike the professional employees who can move to a new employer the moment the current employer starts defaulting on wages, the foreign worker cannot. I’ve been involved in a liquidation of a construction company, which had left equipment on the site until plants were growing on the equipment, left the workers on a site with no running water, barely enough fuel for a generator, no wages and no food, while the directors sat in a private clubhouse drinking cognac on a daily basis. Normal was not normal and the opportunity to restructure that was provided by Covid was wasted. Going back to normal will only lead to stagnation on an economic and social front. It’s too bad the pandemic didn’t bite harder.   Tang Li *Although I’ve been based mainly in Singapore for nearly two decades, I’ve had the privilege of being able meet people who have crossed borders and cultures. I’ve befriended ministers and ambassadors and worked on projects involving a former head of state. Yet, at the same time, I’ve had the privilege of befriending migrant labourers and former convicts. All of them have a story to tell. All of them add to the fabric of life. I hope to express the stories that inspire us to create life as it should be.      Read More →

The S$1.33 billion Singapore Sports Hub

The S$1.33 billion Singapore Sports Hub

Come december, a chapter will close on the Public Private Partnership (PPP) for the S$1.33 billion Singapore Sports Hub (SSH). SSH was officially opened in 2015 and under the PPP arrangements, a private sector consortium would finance, build, operate and then transfer SSH to the pap government after 21 years but yesterday's announcement bring forward the transfer date by 13 years. Looking back, the SSH PPP was destined for failure from the beginning. Both partners were strange bedfellows. One has put in large amount of investments and were resolute to drive profits while the other has many social missions to fulfil with mostly charging very modestly. It had over the years scored both hits and misses and it will be too lengthy for me to mention them in this commentary. In this commentary, I will list 2 highly visible embarrassing misses. In an international football match between Japan and Brazil in 2014, the poor condition of the pitch drew flaks from the Brazilian coach and even our own SG Sports CEO Lim Teck Yin criticised the 'sub-standard of the pitch'. Singapore's international image was dented. Pap government, I clap for you again. Many people must still remember this. Before the construction completion of the SSH, pap ministars were alearly boasting and telling Singaporeans that the floating platform was only a temporary NDP venue and once completed, all future NDPs will be held at the new SSH lalala... So, what happened? Why did they now changed their mind and make the Floating Platform our permanent NDP venue? SSH only hosted 1 NDP in 2016. The one and only NDP that was held there. Why only once and no more and where were those loud talking million dollars earning pap ministars such as Vivian Balakrishnan? What happened was a huge disappointment, an anti-climax and a big slap to the faces of the pap ministers and the pap government. On rehearsal and the actual NDP days, much of the audience inside the stadium were only able to hear but unable to see the Chinook helicopter with our state flag and its escort Apache attack helicopters fly past. They could again only hear but not see our fighter jets roared above too. SAF free fallers were unable to land inside the stadium due to the small roof opening, mobile columns were unable to go inside the stadium and when fireworks were displayed, there were almost a stempade of people rushing out to watch it etc...All the NDP crowd favourites were absent. To add insult to injury, about 40 million SGD of our tax money were spent. Some 3G but especially the 4G pap ministars are a very lucky lot. They survive at the polls again and again on the back of people's respect for and memories of the old guard pap leadership and a meek, indifferent, gullible, easily manipulable and also a very forgetful suckerporean electorates. It is a correct decision for the Singapore government to take back ownership of SSH except that I do not know how much financial penalty was involved. It is a business deal with their private partners and I do not believe that it is financially penalty free. I do not know who called it quits but if it is the pap government, then that is yet another of the many reasons why GST must go up. I wish SSH well. I really do. I hope that the new management has the vision and energy to make it a success for the benefit of our people. If they are merely doing more of the same activities and promotions like many other malls, community clubs and SAFRA are doing such as having more food courts, retail shops, tuition centres, fast food, bowling alleys, cinemas, child/infant care businesses etc, then they will only cannibalised other businesses and will eventually become just another bigger mall, period! It is important that our schools and our polytechnics must collectively chip in to help and support them in various possible ways. Think.   Simon Lim      Read More →

A Political Asset Turning into Mega Time Bomb – HDB -CPF

A Political Asset Turning into Mega Time Bomb – HDB -CPF

I am most probably the very First Opposition Politician who have deliberated extensively on the topic of HDB - CPF links and issues. But apparently this topic is very much technically complex that even most MPs and Ministers couldn't really understand it thoroughly. For those smarter and technically competent Ministers, they are basically not interested to "rock the boat" of their million dollar annual income as they can continue to milk the HDB political dividends for another decade or two, years before this Mega Time Bomb will implode. When it does implode in the future, it is really none of their business or responsibility anymore. No need to be accountable to the imminent mess ahead. It is just like the unbelievable PSA SICAL port operation saga. Whoever put up that bid, sign that stupid contact, are either retired or long gone! They have earned their hefty bonuses for a "job well done", some even got their promotions thereafter, who cares about the mess happening later? Same for HDB CPF mega time bomb. There is no political will to defuse this mega time bomb now because it will affect their political agendas. Recently a precinct in AMK Ave 10 has been picked for enblock redevelopment. Unlike in the 1990s or even 2000s, many residents are actually UNHAPPY! WHAT? Unhappy for getting enblock and a new flat in return? WHY? These flats are most probably over 30 years or even 40 years old. Imagine if the residents bought their flat when they are in their 20s or 30s, they would be 60 to 70 years old already! They have spent much of their CPF in their purchase of these flats. At this age, they are either in retirement or retiring. How do you expect them to fork out another $100K to purchase another similar 3 room or 4 room HDB FLAT which are in fact SMALLER in size? The only option left is for them to DOWNGRADE from 3 room HDB to 2 room HDB, 4 room to 3 room HDB which are EVEN SMALLER in size! So you see, the so call "Asset Enhancement Scheme" has eventually turned into "Asset Depletion Scheme", HDB UPGRADING turning into HDB Downgrading! Isn't it ironic? Can this be foreseen or predicted? Yes, it could. For those youngsters who think this only happens to old folks and not them, think again. You will get old one day. If you have paid over a million for your HDB flat, good luck to you.   Goh Meng Seng      Read More →

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