Ever since his latest book, Lee Kuan Yew: Hard Truths to Keep Singapore Going, came out, Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew and the People’s Action Party (PAP) has had to deal with irate Muslims who took offence at his remarks that Malay-Muslims are in Singapore are “distinct and separate”.
Since then, various PAP politicians had tried to put out the fire but to no avail. With a General Election (GE) coming up, I guess the PAP finally decided that enough is enough. Explaining that he made the remarks 2-3 years ago, MM Lee Kuan Yew now says he “stands corrected” on the issue as the Malay community has made special efforts to integrate with other communities in that time.
Now I know Muslim groups wanted an apology from the MM over the comments but this is Singapore and the PAP is famous for not admitting mistakes. This is as good as you are going to get. In a way, the MM is backing down…sort of.
However, I’m afraid it’s too late. Doing it now with a GE coming up…let’s just say the image of the MM over the Malay community is now set.
Frankly I don’t blame the MM on this. A man has the right to his view and he had done so much for Singapore, he has the right to say what he wants. However the PAP could and should have done better to handle the fallout of the comments. The PAP should have made the MM do this when the book first came out. If the MM had this “stands corrected” stance immediately after the protests from the Muslims groups, this would have been a non-issue. The MM is so respected that people would have just let it go, but doing it now is a matter of it being too late due to the timing of the GE.
This will help dampen the reactions from the Muslim community but it won’t stop it. The timing is bad, it is months too late.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Using Common Sense
So a scientist from NASA claimed that he found tiny fossils of alien life in the remnants of a meteorite. So what?
Frankly I don’t see what the big deal is on Richard Hoover’s claim of that he found the fossils of microscopic earthworm-like creatures. There are hundreds of thousands of planets out there, so I don’t understand why some people are still skeptical of alien life.
Mind you that’s just planets, not including moons, meteors, comets etc. Even if you believe in god, it would take supreme arrogance to believe that Earth is the ONLY planet to have life.
Yes, I admit arrogance is something of a human trait but then so is common sense. And common sense tells people that in term of sheer numbers, odds are that there are life out there beyond Earth.
Frankly I don’t see what the big deal is on Richard Hoover’s claim of that he found the fossils of microscopic earthworm-like creatures. There are hundreds of thousands of planets out there, so I don’t understand why some people are still skeptical of alien life.
Mind you that’s just planets, not including moons, meteors, comets etc. Even if you believe in god, it would take supreme arrogance to believe that Earth is the ONLY planet to have life.
Yes, I admit arrogance is something of a human trait but then so is common sense. And common sense tells people that in term of sheer numbers, odds are that there are life out there beyond Earth.
Monday, March 7, 2011
About Time
After a week of talks, all the major opposition parties in Singapore have finally confirm one thing; they will contest all the seats in the coming General Elections. I only have one thing to say to this: “About bloody time!”
It’s amazing that after over 40 years, this is only the first time the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) will have to contest all the seats in a General Elections (GE). In the grand scheme of things, it might not be worth that much as the PAP is expected to win the GE easily but for the first time, everyone in Singapore has an actual chance to cast his/her vote.
That is a step in the right direction. I just hope there is no screw-up on Nomination Day and for the first time, every Singaporean has a chance to vote.
It’s amazing that after over 40 years, this is only the first time the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) will have to contest all the seats in a General Elections (GE). In the grand scheme of things, it might not be worth that much as the PAP is expected to win the GE easily but for the first time, everyone in Singapore has an actual chance to cast his/her vote.
That is a step in the right direction. I just hope there is no screw-up on Nomination Day and for the first time, every Singaporean has a chance to vote.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Sorry for your loss but...
Last week, 2 S-chips stocks were suspended over what was called “accounting irregularities” on the SGX. Now for those of you who do not know what it is, S-chip stocks are companies based in China who are listed on the Singapore Exchange (SGX).
Now some of you in the know will probably be wondering, “So what’s new? S-chip stocks getting suspended is almost expected.”
You are right. It is nothing new. There are around 10-15 S-chip stocks who were suspended for one reason or another since Chinese companies began listed on the SGX. So much so that I, and many others, don’t even bother to look at S-chip stocks anymore. The suspension of the 2 companies barely made news in the market.
So frankly those people who lost money on the 2 suspended S-chip stocks; sorry for your loss but you guys should have done your homework.
The truth is this; winning and losing money is part and parcel of stock trading and trading in S-chip stocks is more dangerous than most other stocks. No one can stay they don’t know the danger of trading in S-chip stocks. If they do, then it’s a case of they not doing their homework. And if you go into the market blind, not knowing what stocks you are trading in…sorry but you can only blame yourself if you lose money on them.
Ultimately, it's your fault.
Now some of you in the know will probably be wondering, “So what’s new? S-chip stocks getting suspended is almost expected.”
You are right. It is nothing new. There are around 10-15 S-chip stocks who were suspended for one reason or another since Chinese companies began listed on the SGX. So much so that I, and many others, don’t even bother to look at S-chip stocks anymore. The suspension of the 2 companies barely made news in the market.
So frankly those people who lost money on the 2 suspended S-chip stocks; sorry for your loss but you guys should have done your homework.
The truth is this; winning and losing money is part and parcel of stock trading and trading in S-chip stocks is more dangerous than most other stocks. No one can stay they don’t know the danger of trading in S-chip stocks. If they do, then it’s a case of they not doing their homework. And if you go into the market blind, not knowing what stocks you are trading in…sorry but you can only blame yourself if you lose money on them.
Ultimately, it's your fault.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Comics this week
Annihilator #1- First thing, pick up The Thanos Imperative: Devastation #1 first before reading this issue. The epilogue of The Thanos Imperative also served as the prequel of Annihilators and you really need that issue to understand this one. Writers Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning jumped into the story headfirst with the Spaceknight Ikon challenging the Annihilators saying they are too powerful to function as a team. For fans of Guardians of the Galaxy, there is a backup story on Rocket Raccoon and Groot. I had been looking forward to this mini-series as The Thanos Imperative was a high point in comics last year. Unfortunately, I’m a little disappointed by this issue. Neither story grabbed me (though the Rocket Raccoon story did better). For a team called the Annihilators, we needed the team to be bad-ass. Instead the opening has the team getting beaten by a mere Spaceknight. Yes, I know the reason about the team members being too afraid to use their full power but this is the first issue of a new mini-series featuring a brand new team. That is not an opening we need!
First Wave #6- Pulp is a difficult genre to get right. Writer Brian Azzarello does it better than most and this issue show why. I found First Wave to be underwhelming so far but this last issue may have saved it. In the final showdown against Anton Colossi, all the heroes were given their time in the sun with Cheng from the Blackhawks and Doc Savage shown to be combat specialists. As with #5, there was a lot of action here. But unlike issue #5, the pacing here was perfect. The action did not overwhelm the story and Azzarello even managed to drop hints on the lack of teamwork Doc and Batman has with other members. This was an excellent finish to the mini-series.
Secret Six #31– One of the first missions in this series was the “Get Out of Hell” card the team was racing other villains to get about 20= issues ago. The card is back and the team implodes again as Ragdoll and Scandal went after each other for the card. After a few issues on crossovers, I am glad to say the Six is back! Writer Gail Simone had her hand on the pulse as this issue went effortlessly from hilarious to dark. The opening where the Six was shooting the promotional video was one of the funniest things I read in a while and then it turned with the fight between Ragdoll and Scandal (where did Ragdoll get those monkeys?). The trip to hell was a little quick but welcoming party that greeted the Six...now that was a scene.
First Wave #6- Pulp is a difficult genre to get right. Writer Brian Azzarello does it better than most and this issue show why. I found First Wave to be underwhelming so far but this last issue may have saved it. In the final showdown against Anton Colossi, all the heroes were given their time in the sun with Cheng from the Blackhawks and Doc Savage shown to be combat specialists. As with #5, there was a lot of action here. But unlike issue #5, the pacing here was perfect. The action did not overwhelm the story and Azzarello even managed to drop hints on the lack of teamwork Doc and Batman has with other members. This was an excellent finish to the mini-series.
Secret Six #31– One of the first missions in this series was the “Get Out of Hell” card the team was racing other villains to get about 20= issues ago. The card is back and the team implodes again as Ragdoll and Scandal went after each other for the card. After a few issues on crossovers, I am glad to say the Six is back! Writer Gail Simone had her hand on the pulse as this issue went effortlessly from hilarious to dark. The opening where the Six was shooting the promotional video was one of the funniest things I read in a while and then it turned with the fight between Ragdoll and Scandal (where did Ragdoll get those monkeys?). The trip to hell was a little quick but welcoming party that greeted the Six...now that was a scene.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Strange New Rule
Ever since Workfare came into being, there had been a lot of criticism from Singaporeans. Now I have to add my voice to it.
I know someone who earned about $800 a month. The way Workfare work is that if he managed to find work for 3 straight months, he is entitled for the Workfare. Seem easy enough right? It used to be, but not now.
According to him, his Workfare didn’t come in this month and when he called the CPF, he was told he is now considered a self-employed person. Why? The CPF say he is a self-employed person because he has a bus-driver vocational license. As he only speaks mandarin, I thought he made a mistake. I don’t have the exact numbers but there must be at least 50,000-60,000 people in Singapore who has a taxi or bus license, surely the CPF can’t consider all of them to be self-employed!
So I made a call on his behalf to CPF. Ho and behold, he was right! The CPF do consider him a self-employed person because of his bus-driver vocational license. In fact I was told he had to go to LTA and get a letter from LTA stating he is not self-employed.
That is just weird. How is LTA supposed to do that? LTA is in charge of roads and stuff like that; how are they supposed to know a man’s employment history? What’s even stranger is that this guy I know can’t own a bus. Buses can only be owned by a company or business in Singapore, it cannot be under a person’s name. So even if he is using his bus license, he can’t be self-employed because he cannot own a bus! He must be working for someone.
Why does the CPF think that just because a guy has a bus license, he is a self-employed? I know of many people who get a taxi or bus license as a “just in case” policy. They get it, they renew it, but they don’t use it. Are they ALL self-employed?
That’s insane! Why is the CPF making it so difficult for people to get Workfare, a scheme that isn’t really well-loved in the first place! Who in the CPF thought up this special insane new rule? The CPF should get rid of this new rule as well as the genius who thought it up.
I know someone who earned about $800 a month. The way Workfare work is that if he managed to find work for 3 straight months, he is entitled for the Workfare. Seem easy enough right? It used to be, but not now.
According to him, his Workfare didn’t come in this month and when he called the CPF, he was told he is now considered a self-employed person. Why? The CPF say he is a self-employed person because he has a bus-driver vocational license. As he only speaks mandarin, I thought he made a mistake. I don’t have the exact numbers but there must be at least 50,000-60,000 people in Singapore who has a taxi or bus license, surely the CPF can’t consider all of them to be self-employed!
So I made a call on his behalf to CPF. Ho and behold, he was right! The CPF do consider him a self-employed person because of his bus-driver vocational license. In fact I was told he had to go to LTA and get a letter from LTA stating he is not self-employed.
That is just weird. How is LTA supposed to do that? LTA is in charge of roads and stuff like that; how are they supposed to know a man’s employment history? What’s even stranger is that this guy I know can’t own a bus. Buses can only be owned by a company or business in Singapore, it cannot be under a person’s name. So even if he is using his bus license, he can’t be self-employed because he cannot own a bus! He must be working for someone.
Why does the CPF think that just because a guy has a bus license, he is a self-employed? I know of many people who get a taxi or bus license as a “just in case” policy. They get it, they renew it, but they don’t use it. Are they ALL self-employed?
That’s insane! Why is the CPF making it so difficult for people to get Workfare, a scheme that isn’t really well-loved in the first place! Who in the CPF thought up this special insane new rule? The CPF should get rid of this new rule as well as the genius who thought it up.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Stay Away
As unrest in Libya continues, the U.S. has now moved naval and air forces closer to Libya and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said that all options were open. Some of the options include imposing a no-fly zone over Libya and flying aid into areas of Libya controlled by forces opposing Libyan President Muammar Gaddafi.
Are they insane? What we have in Libya is a brewing civil war and after the mess that is Iraq and Afghanistan, the U.S. still want to enter a civil war that pits them against Gaddafi?
Seriously, Gaddafi might be an ass but he has been president of his country for a long, long time and seen to have support in certain sections of the Libyan people. He is still holding the capital of Tripoli and reports has pro-Gaddafi forces taking back parts of the country which had fallen to the opposition. (Which may be why the U.S. want to enter the fray now as the tide seen to be turning in favor of Gaddafi)
However, entering now is a mistake. Like I said earlier, the tide seen to be turning; if the U.S. openly help the opposition now, then the opposition will never beat Gaddafi. Even if Gaddafi gets overthrown, any government that comes after him will not be accepted by the people. Instead of a victory by the Libyan people over Gaddafi, it will instead be a U.S. victory over Gaddafi.
By helping the opposition now, the U.S. may be hindering the opposition later if they managed to oust Gaddafi. Admittedly, that’s a big “IF” but for the long-term good of Libya the U.S. need to continue to do what they are currently doing. Stay the hell away from the country. Let Libyans sort the mess out themselves.
Are they insane? What we have in Libya is a brewing civil war and after the mess that is Iraq and Afghanistan, the U.S. still want to enter a civil war that pits them against Gaddafi?
Seriously, Gaddafi might be an ass but he has been president of his country for a long, long time and seen to have support in certain sections of the Libyan people. He is still holding the capital of Tripoli and reports has pro-Gaddafi forces taking back parts of the country which had fallen to the opposition. (Which may be why the U.S. want to enter the fray now as the tide seen to be turning in favor of Gaddafi)
However, entering now is a mistake. Like I said earlier, the tide seen to be turning; if the U.S. openly help the opposition now, then the opposition will never beat Gaddafi. Even if Gaddafi gets overthrown, any government that comes after him will not be accepted by the people. Instead of a victory by the Libyan people over Gaddafi, it will instead be a U.S. victory over Gaddafi.
By helping the opposition now, the U.S. may be hindering the opposition later if they managed to oust Gaddafi. Admittedly, that’s a big “IF” but for the long-term good of Libya the U.S. need to continue to do what they are currently doing. Stay the hell away from the country. Let Libyans sort the mess out themselves.
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