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Supporting Chee Soon Juan's caféSupporting Chee Soon Juan's café I refer to The Independent Singapore’s news, “Singaporeans urged to support Chee Soon Juan's café despite their political preferences” (July 16). The underlying objective of doing any business is to ensure it is viable and profitable. Otherwise, there is no point of undertaking risk for it. It is natural for...

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...

Steering with stability in transition timesSteering with stability in transition times I refer to The Straits Times’ Editorial, “Steering with stability in transition times” (May 16). Let us analyze and interpret this specific subject from a broad perspective, how Singapore should respond and adapt to the evolution of the entire international situation and formulate its foreign policy that is extremely...

We will lead in our own wayWe will lead in our own way I read with interest The Today’s report, “'We will lead in our own way': : Lawrence Wong takes office as 4th prime minister of Singapore” (May 15). We can get some inspiration or enlightenment from the story of the 108 heroes in Water Margin: they originally had their own abilities, aspirations and ambitions. They...

Chinese villagers living on cliffsChinese villagers living on cliffs In the Liangshan Mountains of Sichuan Province in China, there is a small isolated village on a cliff 1,400 meters above sea level. This is the village of Atuler, known as the Cliff Village with 72 families who has been living there for almost 200 years. All travel is by a ladder that leads to the sky at almost right...

Ukraine will cease to exist thanks to the westUkraine will cease to exist thanks to the west Scott Ritter is a former Marine intelligence officer who served in the former Soviet Union, implementing arms control agreements, and on the staff of General Norman Schwartzkopf during the Gulf War, where he played a critical role in the hunt for Iraqi SCUD missiles. From 1991 until 1998, Mr. Ritter served as a Chief Inspector...

Bride's family asked for RMB 500,000 in bride priceBride's family asked for RMB 500,000 in bride price Contrary to popular beliefs, many couples in China are unable to afford to get married. With the exception of rural villages, those in the cities mostly asked for hundreds of thousands in bride price (聘礼/彩礼). According to our techie who has been in China for over a decade, the bride price may include monies intended...

Higher salaries lead Singapore to become top pick for Asian workers looking to moveHigher salaries lead Singapore to become top pick for Asian... I refer to the Independent Singapore’s Featured News SG Economy, “Higher salaries lead Singapore to become top pick for Asian workers looking to move” (Feb 22). In this era of rapid technological advancement, all countries are faced with the dilemma of being hungry for talent. Therefore, top talents in respective...

Where Romance Meets FinanceWhere Romance Meets Finance Sugarbook was launched by Darren Chan in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is a luxury dating website designed to resolve financial issues through emotional support. It provides a platform to grow your relationships through mutual benefits that are not restricted to mentorship, companionship, wealth and emotional support. It...

Marriage, children and practical concernsMarriage, children and practical concerns A couple bows before their parents and offers them tea, as is traditional in Chinese weddings. I refer to The Straits Times’ Editorial “Marriage, children and practical concerns” (Feb 5). Since the history of human civilisation, the formation of individual family and the issue of procreation have become two...

Not in my backyardNot in my backyard I refer to the TODAY’s Commentary, “'Not in my backyard' — when some groups can protest more loudly, the most vulnerable ones suffer” (Jan 25, 2024). A few good points from the article are worth to be probed further and discussed. In December 2023, the announcement of plans by The National Environment Agency...

Opposition parties seek to strengthen parliamentary presenceOpposition parties seek to strengthen parliamentary presence I refer to The Independent Singapore’s SG Politics column, “Opposition parties seek to strengthen parliamentary presence” (Nov 29, 2023). As we know, Singapore political scene has been firmly dominated by the PAP since 1959. Thus, the opposition parties in Singapore have to face and withstand many challenges ahead...

Educating the next generationEducating the next generation I read with interest the Straits Times’ Editorial, “Educating the next generation” (Jan 5, 2024). Any form of spontaneous learning should provide you with a happy, positive, and memorable experience. However, only a small number of children are in exception. Therefore, based on this, parents should realize the...

GST increase in 2024GST increase in 2024 On 1 Jan 2024 GST rises 1% from 8% to 9%; this is a 12.5% increase in GST. I am not convinced that this is necessary. It will contribute to inflation, and cause economic hardship. The handouts to mitigate this are temporary and the increase is permanent. In 2015, when the possibility of GST rising was an election issue...

Race relations in SingaporeRace relations in Singapore I refer to the Today’s “Commentary: In 1954, David Marshall spoke about race relations in Singapore. Have we made real progress since then?” (Dec 15). For any country to be prosperous and powerful, it must first achieve political and social stability, and its people must live in harmony and be united. Only in this...

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Editorial
Rare typhoon-like storm hits Singapore

Rare typhoon-like storm hits Singapore

Strong winds that people called a mini typhoon hit Singapore on Tuesday evening, September 17, toppling...
Super typhoon Bebinca hit the city of Suzhou in Jiangsu...

Super typhoon Bebinca hit the city of Suzhou in Jiangsu...

After hitting Shanghai on Monday (17th Sept), Typhoon Bebinca hit the city of Suzhou in Jiangsu province....
Why storms and typhoons are wrecking havoc in Asia...

Why storms and typhoons are wrecking havoc in Asia...

Typhoon Bebinca has made landfall in China on Monday (16th Sept). Shanghai has been slammed by the city's...
Super typhoon Bebinca wreaks havoc In Shanghai

Super typhoon Bebinca wreaks havoc In Shanghai

The mega city of Shanghai was brought to a standstill on Monday (16th Sept) as residents at home had...
Severe flooding wrecks havoc in Europe

Severe flooding wrecks havoc in Europe

Severe flooding continues to wreak havoc across central and eastern Europe, following days of torrential...
Iran poised to launch mega-retaliation against Israel

Iran poised to launch mega-retaliation against Israel

Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Naqdi, a high-ranking IRGC commander, has announced that Iran will soon...
Super typhoon Yagi batters Hainan island in China

Super typhoon Yagi batters Hainan island in China

Heavy rains and strong winds swept through Hainan province Friday as a powerful typhoon, dubbed Yagi,...
Putin visits Mongolia despite ICC arrest warrant

Putin visits Mongolia despite ICC arrest warrant

Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in Mongolia for a visit, despite the risk of arrest under...
Axis of Resistance vows to escalate attacks on Israel...

Axis of Resistance vows to escalate attacks on Israel...

The Axis of Resistance groups in Iraq have escalated their threats against Israel and the US. They have...
Russia pounds Ukraine for the second consecutive day

Russia pounds Ukraine for the second consecutive day

In one of the biggest air attacks launched by Russia, hundreds of missiles and drones were launched targeting...
Russia pounds Ukraine in retaliation for invasion of...

Russia pounds Ukraine in retaliation for invasion of...

Russia unleashed a massive missile and drone assault on NATO-backed Ukraine amid rising tensions over...
Houthis ready to strike Israel

Houthis ready to strike Israel

Houthi-installed defence minister in Yemen has warned that his forces are ready to strike Israel. Major...
Israel imposes restriction on media to hide damages...

Israel imposes restriction on media to hide damages...

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah is set to present proof or videos of attacks near Tel Aviv. Israeli...
Hezbollah hints at 'full response' after major rocket...

Hezbollah hints at 'full response' after major rocket...

The Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah launched hundreds of rockets and drones towards Israel on...
How strong is Singapore's fighter jets?

How strong is Singapore's fighter jets?

Singapore's fighter jets are supposedly the most advanced force in the entire Southeast Asian region. What...
Major escalation fears as Hezbollah pounds Israel with...

Major escalation fears as Hezbollah pounds Israel with...

Hezbollah and Israel both have announced large-scale military operations against each other. Israel is...
WHO Declares Global Health Emergency

WHO Declares Global Health Emergency

Covid Done, New Virus Emerges: 100s Killed, WHO Declares Global Health Emergency. The World Health...
Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to step down

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to step down

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was seen as a safe pair of hands when his party installed him three...
Opinions
A random thought on the comedy of error

A random thought on the comedy of error

The comedy of error that is circling around in Singapore although mind-boggling but amuses Singaporeans...
The Great America, No More

The Great America, No More

America was propagated as the Great Nation in the last century when I was born, even though the world...
A glimpse of the obscurantism of Singapore society

A glimpse of the obscurantism of Singapore society

This is not an attempt at self-exaltation but to give a glimpse of the obscurantism of the Singapore...
Excess Deaths in Singapore

Excess Deaths in Singapore

I applaud ST journalist's effort in pursuing this issue of Excess Deaths in Singapore (which is one of...
Throwing out the baby with the bath water

Throwing out the baby with the bath water

Mr Shanmugam says Singapore has laws and policies to prevent riots like those seen in the UK recently...
Let dead dogs lie

Let dead dogs lie

Alas, Pritam should have let dead dogs lie. I am surprised that he is making a bid to have his case...
Total Policy Reset

Total Policy Reset

Lawrence Wong talked about "reset" but up till now, I am still not quite sure what is installed in his...
The divination of a self-exaltation myth

The divination of a self-exaltation myth

The euphoria that accompanied the appointment of Lawrence Wong as prime minister is understandable.because...
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's (LW) National Day Rally

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's (LW) National Day Rally

I have more praises than criticisms for Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's (LW) National Day Rally. He...
Build Our Core

Build Our Core

On this very day of celebrating our 59th National Day, we as a people, a country and the Singaporean...
More Singaporeans eligible to vote in next General...

More Singaporeans eligible to vote in next General...

More Singaporeans eligible to vote in next General Election (GE)- CNA online 22 July 2024. There are...
Excess Deaths Comparison Chart

Excess Deaths Comparison Chart

This is the Excess Deaths Comparison Chart that MOH has neither disputed nor commented on. It...
Focusing on frail, senior patients

Focusing on frail, senior patients

Tan Tock Seng (TTS) focuses on frail, senior patients as it celebrates 180th anniversary- ST online,...
Who is replacing us?

Who is replacing us?

My fellow Singaporeans,we face an existential threat,that is exacerbated by PAP policies. The number...
Attempted Assassination of Donald Trump

Attempted Assassination of Donald Trump

We first thought the attempted assassination of Trump was a "Lone Wolf" incident. However, there are...
Allianz offers to buy a stake in Income Insurance

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...
I am not a 'woke'

I am not a 'woke'

I am known to be a Democratic Socialist. Democracy comes before Socialism. Traditionally, people regard...
Assassination attempt on Donald Trump

Assassination attempt on Donald Trump

I strongly condemn the assassination attempt on Donald Trump, the United States Republican presidential...
Letters
Supporting Chee Soon Juan's café

Supporting Chee Soon Juan's café

I refer to The Independent Singapore’s news, “Singaporeans urged to support Chee Soon Juan's café...
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”...
Steering with stability in transition times

Steering with stability in transition times

I refer to The Straits Times’ Editorial, “Steering with stability in transition times” (May 16). Let...
We will lead in our own way

We will lead in our own way

I read with interest The Today’s report, “'We will lead in our own way': : Lawrence Wong takes office...
Higher salaries lead Singapore to become top pick for...

Higher salaries lead Singapore to become top pick for...

I refer to the Independent Singapore’s Featured News SG Economy, “Higher salaries lead Singapore...
Marriage, children and practical concerns

Marriage, children and practical concerns

A couple bows before their parents and offers them tea, as is traditional in Chinese weddings. I...
Not in my backyard

Not in my backyard

I refer to the TODAY’s Commentary, “'Not in my backyard' — when some groups can protest more loudly,...
Opposition parties seek to strengthen parliamentary...

Opposition parties seek to strengthen parliamentary...

I refer to The Independent Singapore’s SG Politics column, “Opposition parties seek to strengthen...
Snippets
Singapore Tightens Casino Regulations to Combat Money...

Singapore Tightens Casino Regulations to Combat Money...

In a move to strengthen its position as a well-regulated financial hub, Singapore is set to implement...
The All-Time Top Singaporean Poker Players

The All-Time Top Singaporean Poker Players

Poker is one of the world's most popular games with games being played recreationally and professionally....
How to Increase Image Size without Compromising Quality

How to Increase Image Size without Compromising Quality

In our digital world, crisp, top-notch images make your content pop, whether on a website, social media,...
Chinese villagers living on cliffs

Chinese villagers living on cliffs

In the Liangshan Mountains of Sichuan Province in China, there is a small isolated village on a cliff...
Ukraine will cease to exist thanks to the west

Ukraine will cease to exist thanks to the west

Scott Ritter is a former Marine intelligence officer who served in the former Soviet Union, implementing...
Bride's family asked for RMB 500,000 in bride price

Bride's family asked for RMB 500,000 in bride price

Contrary to popular beliefs, many couples in China are unable to afford to get married. With the exception...
The fall of Alibaba's Jack Ma

The fall of Alibaba's Jack Ma

The story of how Jack Ma betrayed everyone that helped and gave him what he has today. The video also...
中國唯一的一妻多夫制的地方

中國唯一的一妻多夫制的地方

A land enshrouded in spirituality, Tibet is home to distinct cultural traditions and astounding natural...
Sticky & Recent Articles

Would you change places with him?

Would you change places with him?

I remember catching up with my oldest friend, who had transitioned from a corporate law career into teaching. She mentioned that in the course of new job, she actually had to “sweep” the school she was teaching at. She then reminded me that back when we were kids being a “sweeper” was something that parents always used as a “threat” – “If you don’t study hard, you’ll end up as a street sweeper.” I think of this conversation that I had with my oldest friend because it hit upon the topic that is a hot topic for discussion but one which nobody wants to do anything about. That is the topic of work. My friend had a point in as much as she reminded me of how professional middle class families use the threat of a future as a manual worker to get their children into what they considered “proper” jobs, which inevitably involved needing paper qualifications and sitting in an office. This mindset isn’t particularly limited to those who are “born” into working professional families. My former father-in-law put two kids through university by selling eggs. His pride was having two kids who were joining professions (my ex is a teacher and her brother works at DSTA) and not taking over his business. My former brother-in-law in particular was regarded as something of a star in the family because he had the “ultimate” job working in a government related job that paid very well and had the prestigious label of being an “Iron Rice-bowl.” I knew I was probably not fit for mainstream Singapore when at the last meeting with my ex, I told her that her family had the wrong hero. Instead of idolising her brother for doing what everyone else does (thus betraying my middle-class background), the one they should have admired was her dad who put his kids through school by selling eggs (how much does one make on an egg). Now, I do get the value of “professions.” Houses, for example, do need to be designed by architects and engineers are needed to get them up. Should one ever need surgery, one would want the person holding the knife to have studied everything there was to possibly know about surgery. The same can be said of lawyers – would you want to face a law suite without a lawyer who knew the law like the back of his or her hand? As the pace of technological pace speeds up, the importance of continuous learning will only become more important. The adage that the best investment that one can ever make is “education” is not only true, its going to be more so as things progress. Having said what I’ve just said, I believe the majority of us in the “professional sector” need revalue our perception of the world. Too many of us grew up with the idea that work outside the office was not “real work” or that it was only people who were not going anywhere in life. To be fair, I believe this attitude is generally true in just about every place on the planet. However, in Singapore, it becomes especially when you notice the fact that people in manual-labour tend to be darker skinned and from other parts of Asia. The fact that I took a waiter job in my late thirties put me at odds with mainstream thinking. As mentioned on a few occasions, one of the great pick-up lines I ever received was “Are you a Yellow Ribbon Criminal, you’re working here and the way you speak don’t gel.” Then, when I joined a proper profession in the insolvency trade, I remember a lawyer telling me “Oh you do the easy part,” when I mentioned that I do the running around whilst my boss does the paper work. I don’t dispute that my boss has the harder job. I am very clear about what I want and don’t want to get involved in based on my situation in life. However, I find it strange that people who sit in airconditioned offices think that manual work is easy. It hit home today, when I went out in the afternoon. May 2023 has seen some high temperatures and today was no exception. Even in a short distance, I made it a point to stay under shelter. Then I noticed a construction worker behind me and noticed that he had come from the sun. Then I noticed a group of them across the road working. These guys were out in the sun working on a Saturday, whilst I was avoiding the sun on what is officially my “off day.” Then I asked myself – where do people sitting in airconditioned offices staring at screens get the idea manual workers get it easy? If manual work is “easy,” why aren’t people rushing to do it? Surely, if the manual workers are having it easy when compared to the office workers, you would find people who would be willing to do it. Yet, this clearly isn’t the case. I know people who are considered “long-term” unemployed from their last office job. Instead of taking on manual work to supplement their income, they prefer to stay at home. It’s a case of having too much pride to be seen doing manual work but plenty of pride to beg friends and family for money to smoke. Why don’t people want to change places with manual workers, since manual work is not real work? Some would argue that it’s the pay. I mean, I earned from a single press release than I did in a month at the Bistrot. So, assuming that manual work paid the same as office work, would people still want to change places with the manual workers since manual work is not really work? I know I don’t want to change places with the construction workers. I like the comfort of not being in the hot sun on a Saturday. I have the privilege of being flexible with how I make my living. I can hang around the periphery of Cubicle Land and on occasion wait tables here and there. I might even get a few cents in advertising for this blog piece. It’s not that me and the rest of middle-class doesn’t have struggles. However, if you look at everything we do, we are the ones who have it relatively easy and our work, is well, not real. We are not the ones out in the sun on a Saturday. I can think of a number of construction workers who would happily take my place. I wouldn’t want to take theirs. So, the next time someone gives you the idea that manual work is not “real work,” you should perhaps ask them if they’d happy to change places with the manual workers.   Tang Li *Although I’ve been based mainly in Singapore for nearly two decades, I’ve had the privilege of being able to 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 →

Why are scammers active in Singapore

Why are scammers active in Singapore

I received several scam calls each week, sometimes several a day. These calls were purported to come from ICA office, or from a bank, and asked me to press a button and talk to a person. I ignored these calls, but they are disturbing. I often had to answer the calls, in case they were genuine calls and the message was important. After some time, I would be ignoring all incoming calls, including genuine calls. I suspect that the scam calls are happening more in Singapore, than elsewhere. I do not have the actual evidence to prove my suspicion, so this is just a hunch. If I am right, the next question is - why is Singapore getting so many scam calls? Here, I think that I know the answer. It probably arose from a strategic mistake made by some security experts in the Ministry of Finance or the Monetary Authority of Singapore. These experts stated that it is dangerous for business and government organizations to send e-mails to their customers, as the emails are not secure. They encouraged the practice for these organizations to store their replies or regular communications in their servers, and asked the customers to login to the websites to retrieve the replies. It is not practical for the customers to be logging in to several dozen websites to retrieve their answers. They do not do so. These organizations send emails to their customers to tell them that they have messages to be read. They provide the link to these websites. The scammers found a loophole. They send fake messages from these organizations and a fake website to capture the login credentials. This is the root of the problem, i.e. the practice for organizations to store their replies in their websites. To solve the scams, we have to get rid of the root of the problem, namely to stop organizations from asking customers to get replies from their platforms. This is a bad practice and should be stopped.   Tan Kin Lian      Read More →

Her ignorance and detechment from the ordinary Singaporeans

Her ignorance and detechment from the ordinary Singaporeans

I was initially reluctant to post this commentary because this commentary will expose and shame Denise Phua (DP) about her ignorance and the level of her detechment from the ordinary Singaporeans whom she is supposed to represent in Parliament but the level of her ignorance and stupidity are simply too much for me to bear and let pass without calling her out! In reply to NMP Leong Mun Wai regarding the affordability of some Tengah flats, among other thing, DP said that if Tengah flats cost about S$140,000/, then it would just take the buyer 1 to 2 years of his/her annual salary to pay it off. ( Please watch and listen carefully to the attached clip and read this paragraph again). I will be blunt. Shame on you DP. You are not only an ordinary MP but a pap mayor of Central Singapore too and you have obviously forgotten that not all Singaporeans earn as much as you or even half of what you earn annually. In our local lingo, too many working Singaporeans can't even smell your annual salary. You forgot that you are supposed to represent your constituents and speak up for them in Parliament instead in that speech, you were obviously taking reference and talking about yourself. I congratulate you for doing financially well on one hand and Singaporeans by and large, on the other hand, are a pitiful lot under the current pap government and having MPs such as you. Need I say more? Think.   Simon Lim      Read More →

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