TR EMERITUS

I clearly remember a picture in the ST of Malaysians leaving en masse at the Causeway, and our economy was left stranded as we had depended on foreigners to do the essential work. Today, not only have we gone back to the old ways but are doubling down. About two months ago, the government approved the employment of more foreign drivers as bus companies have difficulty recruiting drivers. Today, we are told that “firms can hire housekeepers and porters on work permits from more locations.” The usual reason is that firms have difficulty employing locals to do these jobs and that it is a temporary measure as firms are looking at long term solutions including upgrading and automation, but we have heard that over and over again, with no improvement. The fact of the matter is that these firms do not wish to raise salaries to attract more workers, but rather maximize their profits by bringing in cheap foreign workers. However, the additional foreign workers comes with a cost to society - congestion, social conflicts, higher cost of living, suppression of wages. But it does not concern the offending businesses. Although the PAP government has the luxury of continuity, it is not taking the long term view, but instead is letting short term profitability take precedence over long term sustainability. Covid would not be the last pandemic. When the next pandemic strikes, we will be left scrambling again to cover the essential jobs. Essential jobs are respectable jobs, but unfortunately they don’t pay enough these days for a Singaporean to cover the cost of living and lead a dignified life. The government will have us believe that these are market forces and Singaporeans unfortunate enough to be doing such jobs have only their fate to blame. But if it really is market forces, essential workers would be very well paid as we are always told that not many Singaporeans want to do such jobs. Economics 101 tells us that when demand is high and supply is low the asking price has to rise to reach equilibrium. But alas, the government as referee between employers and employees has “kelonged” and opened a big back door so that all and sundry foreign workers can come to depress the asking price. So much for free market forces!   Foong Swee Fong      Read More →

Maturing as a young man in Singapore in the early 80s,I always remembered a phrase that Lee Kuan Yew used- “These are the rules of the game”. He was referring to the diplomatic protocol which is understood the world over when leaders meet. A Prime Minister of a host country always has to go to the place where a visiting Head of State is staying, be it a hotel or the official guest house, to meet the VIP. It is important to follow these and other diplomatic rules in order to avoid creating embarrassing situations or offending the opposite side. Like many, I was mortified when Vivian Balakrishnan greeted the visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi without wearing a tie. Wang Yi had turned up in jacket and tie.To his great credit,the quick thinking Wang Yi immediately took off his tie when he saw that Vivian was not wearing one. This was a highly embarrassing incident which could have been easily avoided. For those who follow international affairs,when have you ever seen Wang Yi without a tie when he meets the foreign minister or leader of another country? He is always immaculately turned out in jacket and tie.His appearance projects the power of the country he represents-China.Did Vivian enquire whether Wang Yi would be without a tie before deciding not to wear one? In International affairs,everything is choreographed. Nothing is ever left to chance.Earlier this year,President Xi received President Macron of France in a State Visit in Beijing.President Macron delighted the Chinese leader with certain remarks he made in Beijing. Later,when Macron left Beijing to visit Guangzhou, Xi flew in to join him.They met at a famous garden where they took tea and Xi gave the French leader some lessons on Chinese history and philosophy.Both men were without ties, wearing only jackets. But do you think both men not wearing ties on that occasion was a coincidence? Of course not. Everything would have been planned and agreed by both sides.The informality was intended to convey that each felt at ease with the other and the great friendship which existed between the 2 nations. Vivian has not learnt after all these years. Still remember his remarks at the Kim/Trump summit in Singapore several years ago,that Singapore’s role was to serve tea and coffee? The great Victorian British Prime Minister Disraeli said that prestige is the currency in International Relations. Vivian has never as Foreign Minister been able to project Singapore’s prestige on the world stage.Is it any wonder when he relegated Singapore to serving tea and coffee at such an important International Summit?   Lim Tean      Read More →

I seldom agree with Calvin Cheng over anything, definitely not on Covid Vaccination which now proven that he has got it all wrong. But for this post with regards to the coming Presidential Elections, I must concede he got it right. Click to enlarge PAP Gov has tightened the criteria so much that most probably nobody other than themselves and their own cronies will qualify. However they have missed out my dear friend, Mr Tan Kin Lian! It's clear to me that only Tharman and Tan Kin Lian could qualify for the Presidential race. Ng Kok Song is somewhat in the same situation as Andrew Kuan (AK), who was the CFO of JTC. Andrew Kuan was disqualified because the Constitution stated clearly the criteria is CEO of the company or entity with XXX millions. NKS cannot qualify but if they qualify him, that will be basically inconsistent and differential treatments between NKS vs AK! Similarly for George Goh, he is in the same situation as Farid Khan. Farid Khan was disqualified even though all his companies added together have more than 500m capital. However, the constitution stated clearly that in order to qualify, you need to be the CEO running a SINGLE BUSINESS ENTITY with a paid up capital of 500m! If George Goh is qualified now, then there will also be inconsistency again. Such inconsistencies will be viewed as Rule by Law instead of Rule of Law. Thus, unless PAP wants to be seen as Kelong King, else it is clear that there could be only 2 eligible candidates for this coming PE. In Chinese, we call it, 作繭自縛.   Goh Meng Seng      Read More →