KOH'S SPACE

Politics Is A Dirty Word.

2016-10-17T15:58:00.001+08:00

With the final lap before the US Presidential Election on 8 November 2016, there are already much mud-slinging going on. The Wikileaks of Clinton's e-mails scandals versus sex-scandals expose of Trump. Audiences have much to gloat about in all of these shenanigans. Everyone is asking what is happening to this Super Power's political system.

Fox-News network (which is pro-Trump) has labelled the mainstream media such as CNN. ABC, NBC, etc. as "corrupted media" in collusion with the Clinton camp. Words used were "cover-up", "conspiracy with the Department of Justice, the White House, FBI, etc.", "stooges", "banana republic", etc. A quirky quote from Obama: "If I watch Fox-News, I wouldn't vote for me".

A quote from Hillary Clinton: "Politics is like sausage being made, it is unsavory and it always has been that way, but we usually end up where we need to be." A quote from Donald Trump: "The system is rigged." A quote from Michelle Obama about Bill Clinton's sexual indiscretion when her husband was locked in battle with Hillary Clinton for the Democratic Presidential nomination: " If you cannot run your own home, you cannot run the country."

Politics is indeed a dirty game. What are the lessons Singapore can learn? Four thoughts come to my mind:

1) We must reject a "rigged system".
2) We must reject a "banana republic".
3) We must reject a "corrupted media".
4) We must reject "inappropriate collusion between Government institutions/bodies with private companies.

Disgusting Observation: A mainstream newspaper is propagating a "personality cult worship"- this person's photos appeared in this Sunday's publication no less than 6 times in its pages. It is worth keeping in mind ours is a Parliamentary Democracy, not a Communist country or a Dictatorship.

Note: With immediate effect please go to my Google+ Account to see my views and comments on current issues of the day. Thanks for your many years of your visit to this blog.

Brainwashing Moments.

2016-09-14T22:06:00.001+08:00

(More photos - Singapore Garden Festival 2016)

Rated 154th

Our MSM juggernaut

A brainwashing machine!

Free-to-air channels

To attract eyeballs in every home

Incessant propaganda!

His rhetoric only matters

Preempt Commissions's report

Wasting everybody's time!

Every few minutes

Constant babble on TVs

Worst than communist!

EP like GRC

Mechanisms to institutionalize

Political dominance!

A Parliamentary Democracy

Bastardize and abuse

Morped to oligarchy!

A near fatal collapse

Time to step down gracefully

Forget succession plan!

First time invoke the

Name of God, God cannot be mocked

He sees knows everything!

Empty Political Slogans.

2016-08-17T21:04:00.001+08:00

(Above photos are for those who have missed the Singapore Garden Festival 2016 - feast your eyes on the beauty).

The American Presidential Election campaign is now in full swing. The political leaders have imaginatively come up with their respective slogans to capture the electors' votes. Here are some of them:

1) Make America Great Again - Donald Trump.

2) Stronger Together - Hilary Clinton.

3) Political Revolution - Bernie Sanders.

Our own political leaders have some famous slogans that are identifiable:-

1) Swiss Standard of Living - GCT - Our bottom 10% of population are still struggling with their daily living expenses, etc.

2) More Good Years - GCT - Immediately after this slogan was uttered the country went into a recession.

3) Inclusive Society -LHL - This is currently the trending slogan as the Government now wants to actively engage the disabled and disadvantaged in our society. What about being inclusive to welcome diverse, opposing and positive viewpoints from all people of all political stripes.

4) Cheaper, Better, Faster - LSS -This simplistic slogan entrap our workers in a spiral of low wages and shrinking jobs.

Moreover these infamous quotes from our leaders will make you sick:-

1) We are our own check - GCT.

2) GST hike is to help the poor - LHL.

3) People support CPF cuts because there are no protest outside parliament - LHL.

4) Our funds are accountable to the Government. I would not believe that transparency is everything -LHL.

5) Only rich or corrupt people work for free - VB.

Politicians are like chameleons. They can change, twist and turn their viewpoints in an instant moment. We citizens need to watch them whether they walk the talk or they just talk, talk and talk.................................

The Power Of Your Vote.

2016-07-04T17:35:00.001+08:00

The Brexit has dominated the news lately. Do you know the enormous power you have in your vote:

a) With your vote, you can tell the politicians to walk the talk and not to just talk and talk. They need to fear and respect your vote. You need not fear them.

b) With your vote, you can send a strong message to the elites living in glass towers not to throw stones. Their smugness and hubris has engineered income inequality, job losses, shrinking the middle class, etc. Glare at them if you want to discharge your anger.

c) With your vote, you can tell the big banks and businesses not to con us anymore. Some of them need to be incarcerated for their crimes and misdeeds.

d) With your vote, you can tell the mainstream media to fly kites. We can vote whichever way we like. We do not want to fall into their self-serving traps and propaganda. We do not want to be brainwashed.

e) With your vote, you can say "no one is indispensable". Prime Minister comes and Prime Minister goes. No dynastic rule for me.

f) With your vote, you can tell the civil servants to wake up and do the proper job. No need to look over your shoulders to get the bosses' pats.

P.S. - With such an enormous power your vote can muster, do you think Singaporeans will get to vote in a referendum on the 2 contentious issues that the nation now faces:-

1) The Elected Presidency - whether it should be an Elected or Appointed Presidency or a completely new model, etc.

2) The projected Population Target of 10 million people.

Your guess is as good as mine.

"Trojan Horse" Moments.

2016-06-01T15:46:00.000+08:00

An " Invisible" Party

Our Opposition Parties

Need to shadow-box!

This Monster machine

Our mainstream media/pods

To spin capture minds!

Elections time wild

To lie, twist, concoct, play tricks

Slay the dragon!

A trojan horse

Ready to spin, brainwash minds

In every home!

Newsworthy camouflage

Hidden agenda covered up

Subservient to detract!

Boycott, jettison

Stop the dissemination channels

Cut the propaganda flow!

Social media help

Expose the lies, falsehoods all

"Truths must prevail"!

Opposition rise

Lies, fictitious truths to confront

Call a spade a spade!

Rally the citizens

To shut the siren calls

And to stand steadfast!

The battles are long

Hard, treacherous, demanding

Persist to victory!

Truth Moments.

2016-05-01T14:55:00.000+08:00

Good Politics

In words, in action repressive

Semantics of shrewd minds!

Politics Policies

One is skewed the other patronizing

Spin wins the day!

Meritocracy

The parody of Democracy

Managed, twisted, fixed!

Capitalism

Corrupted, abused, disavowed

Subsumed under Cronyism!

An ubiquitous face

On mainstream media galore

Primed for cult worship!

Trying hard on world stage

A boy in body language

A clown on parade!

It's the family tree

Not forgiving ever vengeful

It's in the genes!

A Minister

Speaking of grassroots' independence

Joke of the half century!

Honour is pure gold

Not corruptible, not fake

False facade shit!

Insinuations

Distortions, character kill

Stop such detractors!

B. Batok residents

The choice is as clear as stars

Reject the indiscretion!

Spin Moments.

2016-04-04T23:31:00.000+08:00

Brain washing machine

Mainstream media camouflage

Minds incarcerated!

Overseas Business trips

Entourage follows to spin

Comeback spitting shit!

Spam Spam Spam and Spam

Day in day out 24/7

Will it ever stop!

Budget 2016

Surplus Deficit Balanced

NIR to play!

Spin misfired

Even daughter disagrees

"Balls carrying" expose!

Minds in captivity

Struggling in sinking mud

Wakefulness to hold!

Aristocracy over peasants

Higher mind overshadows

Beware mind programme!

A Company bleeding

Chairman blaming every one

But his performance!

Sophistry Moments.

2016-03-05T22:49:00.000+08:00

Holding court expertly

Judge, prosecutor, defender all

Like a smart aleck!

Black is black surely

White is white definitely

Grey out of the blue!

Facts are truths

Some are half-truths in disguise

Some are twisted truths!

Information deems

As falsehoods with motives

Integrity triumphs!

Information denied

Explanation transpose

Timely news answer all!

Silence is better

Truth crying out for answer

Explanation late!

Silence pretends good

Silence unsettles the heart

No answer from silence!

The sound of silence

Good for the heart and soul

Mind argues otherwise!

Year of the Monkey - Monkey Business.

2016-02-16T18:43:00.000+08:00

It is the year of the Monkey and I think it is appropriate to talk of "monkey business". Last month at the opening of the new Parliament the P.M. announced among other things he would ask Parliament to amend laws in the following areas:-

a) NCMP (Non-Constituency Member of Parliament): The provision of 9 members will be increased to 12 members in the next General Election. These members will now have voting rights, etc. I have always viewed these MPs as pseudo-MPs - these are the losing Opposition Parties' candidates who garnered the most votes in the election. Many view the NCMP Scheme as a ploy by the ruling party to ensure "political dominance".

b) GRC (Group Representation Constituency): P.M. has said he is in favour of smaller GRCs.He did give us some smaller GRCs in the 2015 General Election. I wonder when will his 6-members AMK GRC and his deputy's 6-member Pasir Ris-Ponggol GRC be reduced in accordance with his rhetoric. You may like to know that the following PAP candidates were elected on the coat tails of the GRC Scheme in the 2015 GE:
Mr Ong Ye Kung (Sembawang GRC) - lost in 2011 GE in Aljunied GRC; Mr Desmond Choo (Tampines GRC) - lost in 2011 GE in Hougang SMC; Koh Poh Koon (AMK GRC) - lost in Ponggol East SMC 2013 By-election. Many Opposition Parties view this scheme as one among many "to make life difficult for them" - a mantra that the ruling party is not shy to admit. Ever wonder why after 50 years our Opposition Parties are still playing "second fiddle". Sometimes you cringe for them for the many mountains they have to climb. I salute them for their undaunted spirit and perseverance.

c) Elected Presidency: A Constitutional Committee has recently been appointed to review this institution. One of the functions of the Presidency is to ensure proper custody of our reserves.As billions of dollars of our reserves have been invested here and overseas, I have a question whether our President has powers to look into how and whether these investments are judiciously and properly made and whether accountability and liability on the part of those doing the investments are clearly spelt out, etc.

For "good politics" to prevail in Singapore we need the following:-

a) An independent Electoral Commission so that there is no accusation of gerrymandering, etc.
b) Free and non-partisan mainstream media so that every body is free to make and decide issues for himself/herself; we should not condone communist-like propaganda, grandstanding, etc
c) Grassroots organisations and Government agencies should be open and be fair to all citizens of all shade of political beliefs/colours, etc.

My humble wish is for a more vibrant and all-embracing political culture in this our great country!.

.

Chinese New Year of the Monkey Greetings!

2016-02-07T14:17:00.000+08:00

Wishing one and all a Prosperous and a Blessed Year of the Monkey!

Volatile Moments.

2016-01-10T19:07:00.000+08:00

(Above Final instalment of photographs of Yunnan-Shangri-la trip for your enjoyment)

Markets rise and fall

Buy low sell high the mantra

Animal spirits reign!

Economic woes

Slow and low growth the forecast

Monetary juggling?

Policy makers

Market participants

Will they see eye to eye?

When Shanghai sneezes

The whole world was jolted

Even U. S. shaken!

Currencies defile

Currencies adjustments

Value is what counts!

"Talking Heads" expound shit

Confusing investors with guesses

Blind leading the blind!

In a nutshell

There are unknown unknowns

Predictions are hogwash!

In volatile times

My anchor is my Lord God

My fortress my hope!

Pivotal Moments.

2015-12-15T16:12:00.000+08:00

(ABOVE ARE MORE PHOTOS OF YUNNAN-SHANGRI-LA TRIP)

Years of comradeship

Wrapped in false pretences

Friendship abandoned abruptly!

A stupid fool

Feigning knowledge and wisdom

Spitting shit all around!

Tolerance friendship

Misread as advantages to exploit

Abuse of carnal minds!

A deadly habit

A puff at every moment

A step closer to grave!

What of human heart

Evil pretense goodness entwined

Who can understand it!

Was lost naive

Jesus Christ my salvation

My light in the dark!

A step of no return

Engulfed in treacherous acts

Light for the righteous!

Idiosyncrasies

Prejudices quirks and all

Reflections of heart!

Finding God, Finding Oneself.

2015-11-29T18:32:00.000+08:00

Just returned from a 8-days Yunnan Shangri-la conducted tour a few days ago. Personally, the highlight of the trip was to reach the Shika Snow Mountain by cable-car. At 4500 meters above sea level the air was thin and breathing was hard work. We had only a canister of oxygen to help us to breath easier. Nevertheless many in our tour group managed to complete the challenge. At the start of the cable-car ride, I was quietly praying to God to give me strength and stamina to complete the challenge before me. I was not a fitness buff and you could consider me "unfit". But our God is great and He answers our prayers(See me with the victory sign in the photo above). On the way down from the mountain I was alone in one cable-car cabin (see the photo above) and I said heart-felt prayers of thanks and gratitude to our God of the Mountain. In finding God I find myself in my weaknesses and strengths. I discover I need to continually minimize my weaknesses with God's help.

Ageing Moments.

2015-10-21T16:35:00.000+08:00

I want to remember

Multi-tasking the culprit

My memory leaves me!

A maid attentively

Holding an old lady's armpits

Taking a morning walk!

Sans thinking Sans memory

Pills to take incessantly

Aid for remembrance!

Aches and pains

Bruises unconscious knocks

Haste needs to slow down!

Mind playing tricks

Don't know don't remember

Memory short or lost!

Manual electric chairs

Fighting for spaces moves

Folks enjoying outings!

To enjoy oneself

Solitude to cultivate

Secret of old age!

Exciting learning

Continuous learning

Old no more imposing!

Enlightened Moments.

2015-09-16T19:47:00.001+08:00

You and I voted

Nobody knows who why

Secrecy secured!

Post-Election view

Swing New Tactics Strategy

You conclude!

One third pro-Government

One third pro-Opposition Party

One third swing away!

Goal posts changed uprooted

Uneven playing field

'Kelong' 'Kelong' shout!

Cruel mainstream media

Pro-Opposition views now publish

Brave after Election!

Shame on you academia

Sharing shit on social ills

Educating after Poll.

GE2015 - Time To Make A Historic Decision.

2015-09-05T12:20:00.001+08:00

In many established societies there are occasions when its citizens were asked to make important decisions of how it wanted to see its political development. I think Singapore is as this juncture of its history. Come 11 September 2015 its citizens will get to choose its 89 Members of Parliament.

Now we are at the half-way stage of political hustings. I shall group the politicking so far under the following headings - the good, the bad, the ugly and "kiasu and kiasi". I shall start with:

The bad: The ruling party started badly by putting posters of the PM's photo across all constituencies of the island. It clearly testifies to its arrogance. Some questioned whether any electoral law has been breached as the PM is only contesting in the Ang Mo Kio GRC. In the hustings, PAP candidates were found to to be denigrating others and calling Opposition Parties all sorts of names like "nomads", "mouse", etc. It also practices "pork barrel" politics promising million dollars master plans and upgrading of townships, building of polyclinics, markets, etc even a swimming pool.

The Ugly: Poison letter regarding an Opposition Party candidate by an anonymous writer was circulated to mainstream media. The candidate had to make a police report to put a stop to such underhand tactics. "Character assassination" insinuations of Opposition Parties' candidates also come quick and fast.

The Kiasu And Kiasi: You know how the PM held closely to his chest the date of the Polling date - 11th September 2015 when every one knows it should rightly be one day later i.e. 12th September. By his choice he is telling every one "I don't want to lose to you". Then there is a so-called PAP "party stalwart" coming out to stage "a wayang show" keeping every one in suspense as to whether " he is" or "he is not" contesting in the Aljunied GRC on Nomination Day. In the end he disappeared from the scene altogether.

The Good: These are the candidates who are passionate about their beliefs and causes they are fighting for. They stand on their convictions and articulate their competitive views and ideas to bring Singapore forward.

GE 2015 will be a "landmark" election. Many of the Opposition candidates this time round are equally if not more qualified than their counterparts in the ruling party. Credible Opposition parties in sequence of voters' popularity rankings are the Workers' Party(WP), Singapore People's Party(SPP), Singapore Democratic Party(SDP), the Singaporeans First Party(SingFirst), National Solidarity Party(NSP), etc. Will you give them a chance to break this dominance and juggernaut (Ms Sylvia Lim of the Workers' Party has termed it as a "Machinery that can eat you up" )of the ruling party. This is a historic occasion to make a historic decision. May God bless our beloved Nation!

GE 2015 - Vote For A More Vibrant Political Development, Culture And Transparency.

2015-08-26T00:29:00.002+08:00

The worst-kept secret has finally been revealed. The President has issued a Writ of Election - Nomination Day for GE 2015 is 1 September 2015 and Polling Day will be 11 September 2015.

PAP's domination in Singapore politics is evident for the past 50 years. The PM has just detailed for us the country's achievements in his National Day Rally Speech on 23rd August 2015. Voters may wish to step back and reflect on how Singapore politics can evolve for our benefit in the following areas:

Political Development - Some people has termed our democracy as "autocratic", "dictatorial", etc. We have Government-created institutions like Nominated Member of Parliament (supposedly championing special public interests, etc.) and Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (losing Opposition Parties' members who garnered the most votes). Many named them pseudo-Members of Parliament as they do not have powers to vote on certain Bills, etc. Are these measures initiated to maintain political dominance? Many believe our political development has not kept in step with our economic success. This has engendered call from the Opposition Parties for a "First World Parliament".

Political Culture - There is no visible culture of give and take in political discussion. The sledge-hammer of defamation suits against political opponents or critics is not uncommon. Some people were bankrupted and some had to seek exile overseas. Will this hard-line approach ever moderate to welcoming more diverse discussions/views and competitive ideas?

Political Transparency - The AHPETC and the People's Association's lapses as reported by the Auditor-General's audit could be better explained to the public. Each side tried to score political points. The former issue was duly debated in Parliament and the latter was found to be above board (newspapers reported that the grassroots leader involved (there were monies changing hands and receipts issued and not issued, etc.) later resigned.

Our mainstream media is ranked 153rd position for being a free press. Its role in educating our people in political education has been inadequate and lacking. It seemed to be assuming the role of a Public Relations entity of the ruling party. The next day after the PM NDR Speech on 23 August 2015 the PM's photographs were strategically published in five pages of the newspaper (one photograph on one page).

The media is also criticized for painting the Opposition Parties in a bad light - reports of in-fighting, etc. It is seen by some as the propaganda machine of the ruling party.

The voters are the only ones capable of engineering change in the Singapore polity. With the Opposition Parties facing an uneven playing field, biased media, etc., it is obvious who are the underdogs.

Cast your vote wisely on Polling Day, 11th September 2015. If you believe in a more vibrant, fair and democratic society, your rooting for the underdogs is appropriate and paying it forward for our future generation.

TIP - Switch off reading, listening or viewing the mainstream media from now up to Polling Day - there will an avalanche of propaganda from the ruling party. Go to social media, attend Opposition Parties' Political rallies, etc. to get diversity of perspectives/views, etc.

What You Should Do From Now Until Polling Day.

2015-08-02T19:23:00.000+08:00

It is not a secret anymore. The strong speculation in every one's mind is that 12th September 2015 will be Polling Day for GE 2015. To help you make a better decision of how you should cast your vote on that day, here are my humble few suggestions:-

1) "Switch off" reading, hearing or watching reports in the mainstream media regarding the coming GE2015. If you cannot avoid such an avalanche of propaganda, then treat such reports with a cynical and questioning mind. Do not forget our media has been rated 153rd position for being "a free press".

2) I find it remarkable that our mainstream media has morphed to become the PR machinery of the ruling Party. The incumbents' plans, speeches, moves, etc were faithfully and strategically reported, filmed and projected to achieve the maximum impact; such as who and who is standing in which ward, SMC or GRC. Sometimes you wonder whether "campaigning" or "electioneering" has actually started although the Writ for Election has yet to be issued.

3) Mainstream media reports on Opposition Parties at best are minimal and sketchy. In some instances such reports are packaged in such a way to put them in a bad light. Being wary of such tactics by the media the Parties think it is best talking to them less.

4) You on your part can resort to social media to access a more balanced perspective and diversity of views, etc. You can go direct to Opposition Parties' dedicated websites or social political websites such as The Online Citizen, The Middle Ground, Mothership.sg, Inconvenient Questions(IQ) and blogs like 2ECONDSIGHT, My Singapore News, Likedatosocanmeh, etc just to name a few.

5) The ruling Party will leverage on the National Day and SG50 Celebrations to extract maximum advantage for their campaign. Videos capturing our Pioneer Generation of Leaders' speeches, ideologies, etc. will be re-broadcast, re-telecast and re-cycle to win back peoples' hearts. One thing they forget to highlight is the many of our ordinary citizens' co-operative sacrifices, hard work, sweat and tears, etc. which have contributed to the successes of the past 50 years of nation building.

Change is the only constant. I hope in the next 50 years our Singapore politics will evolve to becoming more democratic, more vibrant, less divisive, less polarizing and more inclusive. The electorate can only bring this about by casting their votes wisely on Polling Day.

Over to you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cringing Moments.

2015-07-14T16:08:00.001+08:00

SG 50 -

Celebrations Galore

Waste Not, Please!

A Tussle -

Goliath glaring David

Goliath won!

Policy Talks -

Roadshows accompany

Propaganda in short!

Leaders, Leadership -

Words and more words

Action speaks louder!

Honorary memberships -

Backs scratching non-stop

Meaningless hogwash!

Master, servant -

Aristocracy, commoners

Servant is greatest!

Empty Vessel -

Noises, complaints molecules

Jarring to the ears!

A desert stay -

Fear not, oasis is Our Lord

Almighty and Grace!

Final Instalment of Photos on Zhanjiajie's Beauty.

2015-06-23T16:29:00.000+08:00

In our travels we look for beauty in the Scenery, Food, Shopping, Culture, Experience, etc. But there is one intangible quality we need to have in us to really experience this beauty. Ralph W Emerson says it best - "Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not." You may be interested to view a video I recorded and uploaded in Google+ entitled "A slow boat ride in a lake in Zhanjiajie, China".

More Photographs on Zhanjiajie's Scenery.

2015-05-26T20:33:00.000+08:00

Let yourself enjoy the views captured in the photographs. I happen to chance upon a book in the National Library entitled "Remade for Happiness" by Fulton J. Sheen. Talking of the joys of travelling the writer says "You looked forward to the joys of travel, but when weary feet carried you home, you admitted that the two happiest days were the day you left home and the day you got back." Read the book to discover many more "gems".

Note: You may also wish to see a video I uploaded in Google+ taking you on a bus ride to be closer to the majestic mountains.

Views With The Hassle.

2015-04-27T16:32:00.001+08:00

Just returned from a conducted 8-day tour of Phoenix City/Zhanjiajie in China. Above are some of the photos I have taken. If queueing and waiting for more than three to four hours just to get into the so-called world heritage sites is not your cup of tea, just forget about making a trip there. There are other negatives:-

1) Smog - Changsha city - a gateway to the sites - is covered in smog. You can hardly see the blue sky. The industrial pollution and the cigarettes smoking among the Chinese people make the situation worse. You can feel the hoarseness in your throat after a while.

2) Language - If you do not speak and cannot read Chinese, you will be in a disadvantage position. You may not be able to communicate and get the information you need. Note that the guide speaks only the bare minimum of English Language.

3)Massive crowds - China is a massive country. Many of their own local tourists from other parts of the country also come to visit many of their own tourists' destinations. I spoke to people who came from as far as Mongolia and Xinjiang. It is worth noting that the Chinese are notorious for queue-jumping and pushing. At times there are awkward scenes of shouting and altercation.

4) Tour Guide - Our tour guide is a sweet-talking lady. In one afternoon we visited a tea joint, a medical shop, a jewellery emporium, a silk store and a miscellaneous goods shop.

I was just ruminating whether travelling can be different - where there is time to admire the sights, breathe in the fresh air, smell the place, imbibe the uniqueness of the locality, etc..............................................Sigh!

A Tribute To A Great Leader.

2015-03-23T17:28:00.000+08:00

A man called Lee Kuan Yew

A legend in every one's mind

There is none like him.

A great Leader

For a Singapore Nation

A giant himself.

A man of his time

Appropriately born here

To guard and to guide.

A visionary

A strategist extra-ordinary

A helicopter view.

Love for his country

Love for its citizens' wellbeing

Death will not deter him.

Wishing One And All A Blessed And A Prosperous Chinese New Year of the Goat!

2015-02-14T15:31:00.000+08:00

Wishing one and all a Blessed and a Prosperous Chinese New Year of the Goat! Gong-Xi

Gong-Xi, Nian Nian Jin Bu!

PROSPEROUS MOMENTS

Chinatown Light-Up

Trooping goat lanterns forming

Coin-shaped lanterns dangling.

Street-lined stalls selling

Chinese goodies sweets

Red buntings fluttering.

Re-union dinners

Customary gatherings

Families in bliss.

Loh Hei, Loh Hei Huat

Yusheng Tossing around table

For Good Luck God's blessings.

Tranquility rest

Whatever out there appearing

Stillness within me.

Lion City roars

Fifty years many more

Long live my country!

Post 2011 And The Coming 2015/2016 General Elections.

2015-01-22T22:19:00.000+08:00

The Propaganda machine has started cranking . The ruling party's chief has marshalled the mainstream media - the newspapers, television, radio, etc. - to put out what I term "a hidden manifesto" for the coming election. Ever wonder why the ruling party's members need not go out to sell the party's newsletter. Well, you have guessed it right - the dirty job is all done by the mainstream media.

I watched the US president, Mr Obama's State of the Union Address on TV on 21 Jan 2015 Two phrases in his speech strike me as useful and relevant to our beloved country: "Better Politics" and "Middle-class Economics".

Better Politics -1) Singapore polity has dramatically changed post 2011. Voters have indicated preference for more fairness and transparency in political processes. Indiscriminate re-drawing of electoral boundaries and creating of GRCs should not prevail. Many have called for the setting up of an independent Electoral Commission.
2) High Ministerial salaries has been a hot topic. Bench-marking the salaries to the top ten professions in the private sector is flawed. Demands in the private sector differ from performance in governing a country. A CEO can be fired or bankrupted if his company performs badly or his company goes bust. In the Cabinet there is collective responsibility. High Ministerial salaries conjure all sort of unintended consequences: self-interest; jealousies and envies of people lower in the organisation. I was flabbergasted when I read in the news that China's President Xi Jinping's basic monthly salary was recently revised to only $2440 pm.

Middle-class Economics - I will re-frame it as "Low and Middle-class Economics" in Singapore's case. More can be done for such families in areas of child-care, health-care, housing and retirement. Families are struggling with increasing high costs of living. Citizens' well-being is of paramount importance and deserves Government's continuing concern.

The ruling party must allow itself an ideological transformation so that the country can embark into the next stage of development.The new narrative should be what is good for the country no more dogmatic elite-style governance refusing to give way to democratic contest and political competition. Our politics must be less polarizing, less divisive and less paralyzing.

Voters ultimately have the last word. Will your voice ring loudly in the coming 2015/2016 General Election.