TR EMERITUS – Untold Hard Truths From Around The World – 淡马锡评论 – formerly Temasek Review

Allianz offers to buy a stake in Income Insurance

Allianz offers to buy a stake in Income Insurance- 18 July 24, Straits Times. Allianz has done its homework and if it successfully acquires at least a 51% stake in NTUC Income, it will be good for them, however, I ask if Singapore loses its only insurance cooperative, is it good for our country and our citizens too? We mustn't forget the original purpose and objective of NTUC Income's founding, ie, to meet the common needs of its members such as providing insurance services at competitive costs rather than profit maximisation. Allianz along with all other insurance companies in Singapore except NTUC Income do not have such a societal mission or obligation to our country and/or our people. Their offer price of $40.58 per share is indeed attractive and provides a golden opportunity for Income shareholders to cash out at a handsome premium but as a country, our considerations about its offer must be more far sighted and more nationalistic in our national and nation building interests. We in Singapore still have millions of our fellow citizens who belong in the lower strata of society and earning very modest wages and NTUC Income has a very useful and important role in serving them. This, NTUC Income and its top management must never, never forget, lose sight of or go soft and yielded to temptations. I urge the relevant decision makers and pap politicians not to be blinded by short term profits and greed which I understand and concede is very tempting. Think. Simon Lim Read More →

I am not a ‘woke’

I am known to be a Democratic Socialist. Democracy comes before Socialism. Traditionally, people regard us as "Leftist" or "Center-Left" politically. In recent years, more people come up to me and ask me whether I am a "Woke". They thought all leftists are Woke. They are mistaken. Interestingly, somehow, people start to identify Wokeism with Marxism. Wokeism is loosely defined as an attitude which is extremely sensitive to "discrimination, social and political unfairness" with a strong sense of self righteousness in their beliefs so much so that they would in turn end up in activating a Cancel Culture. On the extreme of Wokeism is ironically, authoritarian or dictatorship. They would dictate to everyone what is right and what is wrong. It's ironic that Wokes didn't voice out against the unscientific and high handed discrimination of Unvax due to Vaccine Mandates. Their self righteousness in getting what they want overwhelmed their pseudoe narratives of "Respect, Inclusiveness, Social Injustice and Inequalities". Nope. I am a highly awaken person but definitely not a Woke. Wokeism is easily manipulated by people with different agendas who may not really believe in the Core Values of progressive humanity. Goh Meng Seng Read More →

Assassination attempt on Donald Trump

I strongly condemn the assassination attempt on Donald Trump, the United States Republican presidential candidate. Singapore is a relatively safe place but we live in an unsafe world and people resort to violence for all sorts of reasons, still, whatever it is, it cannot be tolerated much less when weapons that are potentially fatal are used. Many people might have forgotten by now but we in Singapore do have our share of attacks on politicians too. In 2011, pap MP for Yio Chu Kang constituency Seng Han Thong (SHT) was poured thinner and set alight by a disgruntled resident who was not selected for financial handouts for needy elderly as revenge. His face, neck and back were burnt. Even earlier in 2006, the same SHT was punched in the face by a 74 years old taxi driver for not helping him get his revoked licence reinstated. Both cases involved money and the latter case involved the livelihood of an elderly cabby. I repeat, the latter case involved the livelihood of a 74 years old cabby! I wonder how many of us bothered or could empathise with the plight of that 74 years old taxi driver, however, I want to make it clear that I am not condoning or defending the action of that old cabby. What he did was definitely wrong. Period. Times are hard for more and more people in Singapore due much to the greed and mediocre performances of the pap government. I do not see much respite for the majority of our citizens going forward. Once those CDC vouchers and cash handouts taper off, the cost of living bites will be painful and lasting for many fellow citizens. I do not advocate or support violence but I do want our know how to pay themselves million dollars political salaries leaders to be able to truly feel how growing numbers of our struggling fellow citizens feel and fear going forward living in the world's most expensive country. Please do not ask them to eat cakes. Think. Simon Lim Read More →