Dialogue on Budget 2010

Finally after months of gathering ground feedback by the various agencies, Budget 2010 was unveiled by our Finance Minister Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam on 22 Feb 2010. Prior to minister’s speech in parliament,  all eyes were on what type of budget would roll out and whether there were goodies. The closely guarded state secret was officially out on Monday and “productivity” became a buzz word. Some defines productivity as doing more works or more overtime works, some disklikes “productivity” as productivity means head count reduction etc It is interesting to listen to what people has to say.   

By now, I think many would have known at least some details of the Budget 2010 and I would not elaborate.  Well, some $7 billion are allocated to transform the economy. With this substantial sum of money, if it is successfully implemented, Singapore could see a big leap forward in term of higher incomes and higher standard of living. Are these not what we are looking for?

Nonetheless, when I scanned the discussion threads in various forum pages, it seemed to me that many people did not really understand the intent and the long term strategic value of  Budget 2010. Many in the discussions were examining the Budget from the perspective of “what is in there for me? No tax cut, no this and no that and henceforth Budget 2010 is budget that does not cater to the ordinary folks. Many also issued threats at ballot boxes.

I must admit that there are few goodies in this year budget.  Though I may not benefit directly from the budget, the good thing is that the implementation of the budget if it is successful would indirectly benefit many Singaporeans including I. In all fairness, any decision taken or thing we do or do not do would make some happy and upset some. Even decisions make in the family would also at times create happiness to some family members while some would be upset.

We knew about the state of economy last year, therefore Budget 2009 was about keeping jobs to remain employed thereby helping families to weather the economic crisis and investing in the future.

In essence, Budget 2010 is about building superior skills to produce quality jobs and thereby generating higher incomes for Singaporeans.  With a better forecasted economic outlook, we need to move beyond merely keeping jobs while other economies especially our immediate neighbour is moving in fury to knock us out of the competition the sooner the better. Remember, Singapore was one of the 4 dragons in Asia and we need to keep this advantage. Otherwise, we would be migrant workers one day  in  foreign lands. By then it may be too late to reverse our fortune.  It would take many years to recover.

To implement the intent of the Budget 2010 (superior skills, quality jobs and higher incomes), three main thrusts were identified.

                a.Raising productivity through skills and innovation

                b.Growing globally competitive companies

                c.Helping Singaporeans to grow 

Within the thrusts, there are strategies which I will not go in details as they are already available in the media reports .

The budget may be out, however, the implementation phase of  the budget may pose challenges. To smoothen the implementation phase, a dialogue was arranged by the Changi Simei Citizens’ Consultative Committee on 24 Feb 2010 at Changi Simei Community Club.  The objective of the dialogue was to seek clarifications, provide feedbacks, suggestions, concerns and  personal views on Budget 2010 to Ms Jessica Tan, our Member of Parliament for East Coast GRO and Adviser to East Coast GRO GRCs. Participants had chosen to participate in the dialogue to shape the future of our country.        

The dialogue was well attended by more than 120 grassroots colleagues, community partners and businesses from the Industrial Park Associations.  The session was a vibrant and passionate sharing. Many of the participants took turns to speak on the Budget, their ideas, ideals, pitfalls and ways to help SME to reap the benefits of the budget etc for cabinet’s considerations when the budget is ready to roll out to the ordinary folks on the street.  During the dialogue, concerns and doubts  raised were also being clarified by Ms Jessica Tan. I enjoyed the session and more importantly the session provided better clarity on the budget rather than second guessing and hearing from grapevine which at times are highly distorted or a complete twist of reality.   

At the end of the dialogue, those who attended appreciated the government’s intention and strategy to bring Singapore to the next S-curve. Without the long term vision, how long will Singapore survive on its own with no natural resources and no hinterland? Our $billions in the national reserves may not last long either. I urge readers not to be quick to condemn but take a closer look at the budget to understand what the budget is all about.

Remember, we plant a rain tree for its shade, but we may not have the shade for many years to come as the tree takes time to grow and mature. When the shade is ready, we may not be around to enjoy it. Does it mean that we don’t plant that tree now?  We would be very selfish if we do not care about the future but focussing on short term gains only. The Budget 2010 strategises the future of Singapore by laying the foundation now instead of procrastinating it to the future just because of unhappiness from some quarters and there is no perfect timing or perfect window of opportunity. Just do it. 

God bless us.

A New “Tiger” Year….Our Celebration

The Lunar New Year dated from 2600 BC, when the Emperor Huang Ti introduced the first cycle of the Chinese zodiac. Therefore Year 2010 is Year 4708  in the Chinese Lunar Year Calendar.  The Chinese zodiac sign for Year 2010 is the  Tiger. Tiger is said to be lucky vivid, lively and engaging. Another attribute of the Tiger is its  incredible bravery, fearless evidenced in its willingness to engage in battle and its undying courage. The tiger year symbolises also our resolve to weather in all adversity to make the year a better year.  

To share the joy of the Lunar New Year of the Tiger, Changi Simei Citizens’ Consultative Committee continues to innovate to bring in fresh and new ideas to celebrate the festival with residents. 

Last year 2009, we had a mass raw fish salad “lo hei” where advisers join in with about 888 residents to toss for good health and good luck. We also created a Singapore Book of Records. We created the Chinese word  春 and residents gathered around the 春 for a mass “lo hei”. It was interesting to see other races joining in the “lo hei”. Besides the 888 residents who participated in the “lo hei”, there were another 2000 residents joining the fun in the carnival style.   For those who had purchased tickets, a variety of yummy food were provided. Residents without tickets also participated in games in the carnival. For those who were lucky, they were selected to participate in a game to grab tokens to exchange for cash. It was a job well done for the organising committee co-chaired by RC Zone 3 and Melville Park NC as every one had a good and enjoyable time.

 2009 celebration

The organising committee for the 2010 celebration was co-chaired by RC Zone 1 and Sunbird Apollo NC  brought in a variety show with a carnival for all ages. The celebration kicked off with the welcoming of our Adviser, Ms Jessica Tan, Member of Parliament for East Coast GRC and Adviser to East Coast GRC GROs by the lions on her arrival. The 财神爷, the God of Fortune also presented her with two mandarin oranges symbolising luck and prosperity for Changi Simei. “HUAT”

In her short address to residents estimated to be around 2000 residents, she told them that as she was driving from her home to Changi Simei, it was raining very heavily along PIE. The wipers of her car were not effective to swipe and clear off the rain of her car’s windscreen. She was concerned on the welfare of residents as the heavy rain would dampened the spirit of celebration. Her prayer was answered as when she reached Eunos area, the sky began to clear and when she reached Bedok, PIE was dry. On her arrival at Changi Simei, it was blue sky, a perfect evening to celebrate the Year of the Tiger.   

However, there was a very light drizzle at Changi Simei at about 6.15 pm when I arrived.  Though there were rain clouds threatening a heavy downpour, but the sky was holding well although I could feel few droplets of rain but the residents continued with the games in the carnival. The droplets symbolised  “有 水”  meaning good luck and wealth in the coming year for residents. No wonder, one of the residents won 2 of the 5 top lucky draw prizes.

On stage, Ms Jessica Tan with key grassroots leaders launched the light up at the glass globe. On the count of 3, coloured lights came on and the greetings “Happy New Year” 恭喜发财” appeared and rotated in the globe. Residents cheered and applauses. The God of Fortune also made his appearance by dishing out sweets to residents. Residents who were brave enough took the opportunity to touch the God of Fortune as it was believed that touching the God of Fortune especially his abdomen bring wealth to whoever touches him.  I guessed a couple of residents were doing just that to increase their luck in the coming year.

Ms Jessica Tan greeted as many residents as she could by mingling with residents from those in the tentage watching the variety show, those at the food queue, those at the carnival games stalls, those at the children trains etc in the next two hours. There were about 50 Chinese workers watching the variety show, Ms Jessica Tan greeted and exchanged handshakes of good luck with them. Besides the migrant workers, other races also joined in this year celebration.

The celebration ended at 9.48pm with the top lucky draw prize being drawn.

Credits must be given to both the Chairmen, Mr Mohd Said (RC Zone 1) and Mr Steven Lau (Sunbird Apollo NC)who spent much time planning, executing and delivering the positive experience this evening for all the grassroots leaders and residents. To support both chairmen, all the grassroots organisations in Changi Simei pitched in to work as a team to ensure that the show would go on as planned. All these grassroots leaders (wearing red polo, the colours of Changi Simei CCC) did an excellent job to bring programmes and activities to engage our residents in social, recreational, major festivities and sports events. Do watch out for details and come to join us to have fun and at the same time to support the efforts of grassroots leaders.

The verdict…. it was a celebration well organised and feedback from residents indicated that they enjoyed the programme and company of other residents. Many residents also brought their family along to join the celebration. In view of positive experience, the CCC would continue organising the Lunar New Year Celebration next year.

May I wish all readers the Year of the Tiger brings to you and your family lots of joy, cheer and good health.

Rental Flat… please not at my backyard mentality

HDB announced in early February 2010 that it would be building another 8000 units of rental flats over the next three years at various HDB estates. Tampines and Pasir Ris were identified as two of these locations. Almost immediately, a couple of Singaporeans who own homes near to these proposed sites for rental flats were upset and demanded that the rental flats not build these rental flats near their homes but it is alright if these rental flats are built at some other part of their estates.

It saddens me when Singaporeans adopt the mentality of “not at my backyard”. Not too long ago, there were protests on no foreign workers dormitory and then it was no childcare centres at my backyard. This time it is about rental flats. Worst still these minority stereotyped these tenants of rental flats as drug abusers, gangsters, gamblers, smokers, drunkards and other social undesirables and their main pre-occupation is to create social problems in their neighbourhoods.  These minority had also painted a picture of quite and peaceful neighbourhoods and these rental flats would change the equation.  

A housewife was quoted in the Straits Times (14 Feb 2010) as saying that “she moved out of her old neighbourhood to get away from the rental flats there and only to find out that she will be living next to them again”. There was also a report from Straits Times on home owners fretting about not being consulted or being told about the use of the open plot of land in front of their homes as it is their rights to know”. Yet one of the residents was quoted as saying “They shouldn’t build a towering block of 14 storeys right beside our 12-storey block. It doesn’t really make sense. It will cut off the light and cut off the ventilation. If there is a need to build, we don’t object to it, but build a lower block”. If we examined this statement, what about those residents living at the lower floors? It is liked as long as my view is not block, who care about those living at the lower floor? Unhappy residents had also met their Members of Parliament to complain about privacy and safety if rental flats were built near their homes.  

All these conversations boiled down to one point, self interests of “my interests come first”.  I can empathise with you for being poor but the value of my flat comes first”.  When I login into blogs and forums on rental flats, I find it unbelievable on what bloggers have to say. There were swearing and threatening at the ballot box, poking fun at our political leaders and even the wife of PM is depicted as a Dracula. These bloggers also shared policies that are factually inaccurate and they also cited rejected cases to justify the so called injustice done to Singaporeans. All these are shared without understanding the rationale behind the rejection of applications like PR, rental flats  etc.  On the surface, everyone will think that they have a case and the government agencies are not sympathetic to them. I can only say that it is not as simple as it make up to be. Many people will tend to blame the government agencies if their demands are not met and will have some thing to say about the government agencies. Fortunately, I think, Singaporeans are sensible to distinguish the facts from myths, actual from  perceived and what is and what is not.

Come back to the rental flats. In the last couple of years, the prices of HDB flats have risen by more than 40% in the resale market. Many home owners have hoped to make quick bucks from their flats’ value appreciation and are afraid that their homes will be devalued in view of its proximity to rental flats. Therefore, a few home owners may try to achieve what they desired by citing privacy and safety of their precinct. This is calculated to create anxieties to drum up support and hopefully the voices of protest is strong enough to exert pressure on HDB to scrap its plan. It is hardly surprising that those involved may have now started a petition to gather signatures. I have dealt with petitions of not wanting this and that started by just a few residents with hidden agendas but it corrupted and coloured the perception of others.  I have another petition on hand. It seems to me petition is on the up trend these days.   

On the issue of the value of their flat taking a nosedive is perhaps more psychological and a perception than real. Potential home buyers look for amenities and facilities. Besides these, they also look for the design of the flat, its orientation, availability of lifts or lift openings should not open directly into their front entrance, who are their potential neighbours, whether the common corridors are obstructed, cluttered with flower pots, tell tales sign of illegal money lenders etc. If theses additional factors are not met, I have my doubt on any potential buyers who will be willing to fork out big bucks to buy the flat even in a choice location. In a buy and sell market, buyers have the final say and the sellers merely hope buyers will buy at high price. Therefore the value of a flat is not determined by a single factor like in this case, rental flats in close proximity.  

On the highlights by residents on social problems (quoted in the Straits Times report “Are rental flats that bad?” on 14 Feb 2010)  like spitting, pungent smell, drunkards, gambling at void deck,  graffiti at lift lobbies and stairways and common corridors, litters, crimes like robberies, snatch thefts, house breaking, molest etc are not uncommon in other parts of Singapore. Therefore it is unfair to portray tenants in rental flats as some one who are more likely to commit these acts.  These tenants may be poor but  they too have their pride and they too are Singaporean trying to make ends meet. Why do we, who are average Singaporeans want to stereotype them and cast a social stigma on them? For those who harbour the thought of these rental flat tenants as outcasts should be ashamed of themselves. Let show our compassion to them as we need to understand their struggles and being poor is not a crime.  I came from a very poor family. At times, my mother brought back leftovers for us to eat. Well, my siblings and I pulled through and break out from the poverty cycle through education and  working hard. Having travelled the journey, I understand and appreciate what is being poor like. Please give the poor a chance to level up instead of stereotyping them.             

I used to hear about blocked view when a building is constructed at the open plot of land in front of their blocks. I think any Singaporean needs to know better that any open plot of land would not stay vacant for long. These plots of land may have been identified for development in the long term master plan or eamarked as reserve land for future developments. It is a common sense and Singaporeans who challenge the right to be informed on the use of vacant land is preposterous as the land in the first place does not belong to them. It is state land and they have better to know that land scarce Singapore is about optimising every inch of available land for development to meet the needs of Singaporeans. What I find it ridiculous is the few individuals who demand that the rental flats should not be of higher floors than their current flat. In any case, they are entitled to their views.  

Who are the occupiers of rental flats? There are currently 42000 rental units across the island with occupants from the low-income families, elderly and singles. Their monthly rents ranges from $26 to $275 for one room or two room units. Do we know how many Singaporeans are in the HDB’s queue for rental flats?  While I don’t have the figures but I know of families of young children who live in tentage at one of our coastal parks as they cannot afford an HDB flat. They are also others who fall into bad times and find difficulties in servicing their HDB’s mortgage thus have to vacate their flat but they too need a roof over their heads. I also know of a family who business failed and has to sell their homes to pay off creditors but he has a family of 5 including mother- in-laws.  Without the availability and affordability of rental flats, where do we expect these Singaporeans to live and start their lives again? Go and pitch tents at HDB void deck or sleep in rubbish collection centres are not viable options. We need an interim solution in the form of rental flats.  

To ‘kay poh”, I “goggled” the proposed rental site at Pasir Ris. I noted that the proposed site is a stone throw away from Down Town East, the site is also near to Pasir Ris Park and Hai Sing Secondary School. Pasir Ris Bus Interchange is within walking distance. It is a premium area so to speak.   

Give the poor a chance to  re-build their lives. Good deeds will be rewarded some where in time. Live and let’s live.

15 February…total defence day

In my earlier blog on 11 Feb 2010, I have recounted the last battle before Singapore fell to the Japanese on 15 Feb 1942. Unless we travel back in time, we may not be able to fully appreciate the sufferings and pains under occupation and the atrocities committed by invading troops. 

 Since the end of the war, the post war generation, pre and post independent generation and Gen Y have lived in relatively peaceful environment. Though there were wars in other parts of the world in the last 68 years but Singapore was largely being spared. The confrontation with Indonesia from 1962 to 1966 was the nearest undeclared war we had but the fight was away in East Malaysia less the explosion at MacDonald House at Orchard where the perpetrators (Indonesians Commandos) were caught and hung after a trial in our court of law.  Collateral damages of 2 killed and 33 injured during the bomb incident. 

It has been a long time, so much so that in these days we generally take peace as given and peace is to be secured by the various security agencies. My observation is that we are now rather complacent and prefer to “mind my own business”.

                  An infiltrator being arrested at West Coast        

In the past, conflicts between countries were generally settled through conventional military warfare with heavy losses of properties and lives. In today context, miliary warfare is just one of the dimensions. Potential aggressors can wage a war of attrition in non-conventional ways to mask their intent. The non conventional ways of causing destruction includes the creation of social disorder by exploiting differences in race, language, religion, culture, social or wrecking the economy through trade boycotts, trade sanctions or economic sabotage. Destruction can also come in the form of psychological warfare using fears to create distrusts to weaken our national resilience. Since 911, terrorism has gained prominent to create fears and distrusts through collateral damages. The recent terrorists attacked in Mumbai was one good example of mindless and senseless killings of innocents.    

Nearer home, remember the President who labelled us as the Little Red Dot out to create trouble in the mid 1990? About the same time, we had another Prime Minister who wanted us to subscribe to the “Abang and Adek” framework of state to state relationships and threatened to turn off the tap when we refused his proposal to increase the selling price of water. In the 1980s, another Prime Minister who threatened to send warships to Singapore  when we decided to impose canning to control the rising illegal workers population and it so happened that the thousands of them were from his country. 

In recent years, sands which we need most for our construction industry became an issue with countries refusing to sell sands to us citing exporting sands hurt their eco system. Well, these countries are not far away countries but our immediate neighbours. In the current political climate, many politicans will like to  trivalise issues for their own political gains. A miscalculated decision will adversely affect our livelihood.

The threats and treating Singapore as their bogey man will not go away in view of the geo politics in the region. It is made easier because of our small geographical size and a small population. It is also easier to blame us for their woes vis-à-vis our country’s wealth as we have the highest per capita income in the region. We cannot choose where to locate our small island on the world map but we can choose how to respond to these threats to reduce our vulnerability.

At home, just last week, we woke up to a rude shock to read from our newspaper that a pastor was hauled up by our security agency for his inappropriate comments on other religions during his pulpit and his comments were posted on-line.  Such is the thin line that we are treading. If we are not careful, such trivialisation can destroy our social fabric and cohesion in a pluralistic society. Race, language, religion and culture are sensitive topics which can weaken our national resilience and such irresponsbile loose talks may still occur in the future.  

Learning from our domestic experiences and the experience from others involving in conflicts, the concept of Total Defence (TD) was launched on 15 February 1984.  TD aims to draw on the different strengths and abilities of Singaporeans to play their part in the defence of Singapore. The date 15 February is significant as it reminds us that on this day, 1942, Singapore fell to the Japanese. To prevent such scenario from being repeated as the world is evolving, it encourages everyone to play a part in defending the country from conventional and non conventional conflicts.   

But what is Total Defence? Total Defence provides the framework for a comprehensive and integrated response to deal with all kinds of threats and challenges. Whether it is a security threat such as global terrorism, or a national crisis like SARS, H1N1, TD brings together all relevant government agencies, private sector organisations and all Singaporeans in a coördinated effort to deal effectively with these threats and challenges. It is when we take personal responsibility for and get involved in the defence of Singapore that we are playing our part to help keep Singapore safe and secure. Gone is the idea that the defence of Singapore rests with the SAF.  

There are 5 pillars that represent every key sectors in our society in Total Defence are military, civil, economic, social and psychological defence .

Military Defence is the mission given to the SAF to secure Singapore’s continual peace and security through deterrence and diplomacy and should these fail, to secure a swift and decisive victory over the aggressor”. SAF maintains a high state of operational readiness 24/7.

 

Civil Defence is about ensuring Singaporeans know what to do in times of an emergency. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) supports this aspect of Total Defence. Hence, it is crucial to rope in Singaporeans to help their neighbours in time of emergencies as emergency resources are scarced.   To reinforce the numbers of SCDF regulars, volunteers are needed and trained in first aid, rescue and evacuation procedures and shelter management.

Economic Defence is the continual maintenance of our economy to compete with other countries. This is done through remaining relevant in the global economy and implement economic systems to make sure that the Singapore economy does not collapse in times of crisis.

Social Defence is about keeping the social fabric strong and ensuring that Singaporeans live in harmony regardless of race or religion. This is important because Singapore is a multi-racial and multi-religious society.

Psychological Defence is about loyalty, commitment to Singapore, and having the will power and resilience to overcome challenges. This is the component that would determine if Singaporeans will stay to fight or abandon the country when it is in trouble.

The Total Defence Concept is now on its 26 years of implemenation since 1984 where each and every Singaporean has a part to play to keep our country safe and secured. However, no matter how powerful the Total Defence concept is, it will come to nought if we do not embrace it and adopt the “who cares” attitude. Today is 15 February, it is time for us to reflect on how we can keep our country safe and secured without war, terrorism and domestic conflicts in race, language and religion.

PAssion Card aka “Privileges Abundance Card”

    

PAssion Card ……… The word PAssion is synonymous with emotion, enthusiasm or interest in a person.  When I first received the PAssion card, I thought it was an excellent idea “the passionate People’s Association” therefore the PAssion Card. To be frank, I have not used the wavy PAssion card even for once. My wavy card was sentenced to be incarcerated in a “dungeon” without trial by me, the judge. The card was guilty because of its wavy looks although the master of the card thought the look and feel were great during the consultation stage. Nonetheless, the plausible reason was perhaps I had no use for the card. I don’t need the link points as I have other cards to meet my personal needs.

Recently, I received another PAssion Card. My 1st impression was at long last the look and feel of the 2nd generation PAssion card was pleasing to at least my eyes. Compared to the more restricted and wavy 1st generation PAssion Card, the new card offers more new features, more benefits and a loyalty programme.  

The new PAssion Card is also now a transit card for your MRT, LRT, bus travel and even it can be use as ERP cash card (only for the 2nd generation ERP), a discount cards at more than 900 PAssion Merchant outlets and the numbers of outlets are still growing, earn ez Rewards Points at over 5000 participating outlets, it also earns us loyalty points (from Apr 2010 onwards) at Cold Storage, Shop and Save, Giant Hypermarket,Guardian, Timezone, SMRT, Donut Factory and many more participating outlets.

The new PAssion Card can also be used at the community clubs for discounts on courses and activities and other PA outlets like Water-Venture Outlets and Outward Bound School .  For a list of participating ez-merchants,  login at www.ezrewards.com.sg for details.

Indeed, the new PAssion ez-link Card or if I can coin a new nick name  “Privileges Abundance ssion” Card  (PAssion) has more reasons for us to possess one.  It is convenient and very affordable at $12 membership for 5 years which is $2.40 a year or 3 cups of cuppa at some $0.80 a cup coffee shops. For the upfront investment of $12, you can be assured of drinking more than 3 cups of cuppa a year at coffee shops or save more to have your coffee at your favourite up market coffee joints. Let me share with you my recent experience with the new PAssion ez Card.

Upon receiving the new PAssion ez Card, my wife suggested that I should bring it along to the cinema (Cathay Organisations) at Downtown East. At the ticket counter, my wife showed the ticketing staff  3 cards including PAssion ez Card. The ticketing staff picked the PAssion ez Card and charged $7.20 for a ticket for a weekend movie which costs $10 a ticket. It was a $2.80 discount per ticket. When I entered the theatre hall, I noted in the pre-movie advertisement that a mini size popcorn would given free with 4 purchased tickets.  It was a “steal” to watch one movie with a family of 4. The total cost saving is $11.20 per family. Just watch one movie and the investment is almost recovered……a very high rate on return on investment.

With more new discounts and earning of ez Rewards, my personal experience is that it is worth the effort to apply for the PAssion ez Card and the $12 investment would bring in more savings to stretch each disposal dollar to the maximum. I have not used the former PAssion card even once and if I am convinced of the new “Privileges Abundance” PAssion ez Card and carry the card in my wallet now, I think it is a worthwhile investment for you too. Don’t trust what I have written, experience it yourself.

Unless you get me wrong. I am not advertising for the PAssion ez Card or am paid to write this blog but since there are potential savings to stretch our dollars, I thought it will be good if I share this piece of good news arising from my recent personal experience with the new card.

If you are interested please click this link     www.passioncard.com.sg  to celebrate with Passion.

No Chinese New Year Reunion Dinners 68 Years Ago….

68 years ago, the eve of Chinese New Year fell on 14 Feb 1942 but there was no celebration but sadness and anxiety. The streets were empty as there were no one on the street. Shops with shutters were rolled down. There were no re-union dinners,  families were separated or broken and deaths were imminent. These scenes were described by my late mother. Bombs destroyed her neighbour’s home but she and her family members were safe, otherwise I would not be here to blog. 

1 million people sought shelters at the city to await for their uncertain future as 14 Feb 1942 was the day the last battle for control of Singapore was fought at Pasir Panjang area. Earlier  the Japanese had already controlled the Bukit Timah Road’s approach into the city. For the people in Singapore then, there was little hope for the year but fear and trepidation. This is what the new generations cannot understand on the need to treasure peace and not to take peace for granted.

We knew the outcome…. the Great Imperial British Empire surrendered to the Japanese. That signalled the start of the Japanese occupation of 3 years and 6 months. It was not living happily ever after but massacres of civilians after the fall of Singapore. The Japanese changed the name of Singapore to Soynan-to (In Japanese: 昭南島 Shōnan-tō, literally Light-of-the-South Island) and ruled with martial laws.

Although, the British troops was supposed to defend us but the last battle to defend Singapore was not fought by British soldiers but by members of the “C” Company,1st Malay Regiment.  The company was led by a 2nd Lieutenant (2LT). 2LT Adnan Saidi, a platoon commander was entrusted to defend Pasir Panjang Hill. He and his men fought a 2 days running battles with the Japanese from 13 Feb 1942 to 14 Feb 1942.

The battle for Pasir Panjang Hill was one of the fiercest battles that took place in Singapore. The battle was remembered for patriotism, loyalty, bravery, fighting spirit and courage in adversity which were displayed by the soldiers of the Malay Regiment. These soldiers fought till the last man standing instead of surrendering even though they were out-numbered and out-gunned by troops from the Japanese 18th Division.   

The fall of Singapore started to unfold on 8 Feb 1942 with 13,000 Japanese troops making an amphibious landing at Saribum area (North West Sector) and Pulau Tekong (East Sector). The Australians defending the East Sector successfully replused the Japanese’s diversionary attack to mask the main thrust at the North West. The main attacking force, after landing at Saribum, the Japanese advanced force advanced rapidly south towards Pasir Panjang and Bukit Timah with the defending troops withdrawing from their successive defence lines. These troops could not find the motivation to fight but flight to stay alive.

With light resistance, soon the Japanese troops reached Pasir Panjang area. They regrouped and planned to launch the final attack at the city just in case Lt General Percival would not surrender.  I wondered what would be the numbers of casualties if the Japanese really launched the attack. It might be very high as there were 1 million people in the city.

To gain access to the city, the ridge of Pasir Panjang was of strategic important. The capture of the ridge offered another corridor into the Alexandra area  and into the city. Besides offering an unimpeded movement southward, the Japanese would have also overran the British Military Hospital at Alexandra and their supply and ordances bases which would further sink the morale of the defending troops. The hospital and logistical facilities were the last remaining military pride of the defending troops. Therefore, the ridge would be defended at all costs.

The task of defending the ridge was assigned to 2LT Adnan and his men from “C” Company. The company prepared their defensive positions at Pasir Panjang Village. They fought the Japanese 18th Division and held them at bay with rifles and without supporting artillery fires from the nearby British or the Australians. The Britishs and Australians witheld their artillery fires to conserve ammunitions and they were more interested to defend their own defensive positions.  The relentless Japanese’s assaults of a ratio of 10 Japanese to 1 Malay soldiers resulted in high casualties in “C” company in return for delaying the Japanese troops entering the city. After the 1st day battle on 13 Feb 1942, the Malay Regiment’s positions were untenable and 2LT Adnan and his men retreated to Bukit Chandu or the Opium Hill (the name was derived from an opium processing factory at the foot of the hill). Bukit Chandu was their last line to fight for another day. (photo left. source from Yahoo.com)

2LT Adan and his surviving men understood their mission and perhaps they also realised that the next battle would be their last.  Nonetheless, they dug in, ready to defend without fearing deaths.

The Japanese troops made two assaults and 2LT Adnan and his men repulsed the first assault while taking hits and heavy casualties. The second Japanese assault was of greater intensity and it was the beginning of a total destruction for the Malay Regiment. The Malay soldiers were by then had run out of ammunitions. When the Japanese broke through their defence line, soldiers of  the Malay Regiment fought in hand-to-hand combat with bayonets. They fought bravely as one by one, they fell. 2LT Adnan who was injured was captured during the final battle.  The Japanese did not treat his injury or given him the PoW status. Instead, they tied him to a tree and tortured him for putting up a stubborn defence. 2LT Adnan was excuted by the Japanese for his courage to stand against the Japanese troops.    

The Japanese Occupation of Singapore begun on 15 Feb 1942 shortly after 5.15 pm with the hoisting of a the Japanese Rising Sun Flag over the tallest building in Singapore, the Cathay Building. The Japanese flag was to maximise the psychological impact of the official surrender. All hostilities were ceased at 8.30 pm on 15 Feb 1942. The Japanese were now the conqueror and they now could do what they liked without fear of anyone and not even the United States.

After the surrender, the Japanese massacred  many Chinese whom they were suspicious of being anti-Japanese and those who had supported China in the Sino-Japanese War in the Sook Ching Operations. Other races in Singapore were also not spared and the residents suffered great hardships. Basic essentials were rationed.

My late mother accounted her experience during the Japanese Occupation. One account which etched in my mind was the atrocities committed by the Japanese troops of killing infants and expectant mothers. Those who steal were shot without trial and their corpses’ were displayed to warn others. I may not have seen these brutal acts, but the imagination caused discomfort and what if these victims were my kins?  I counted myself lucky for not being there on 15 Feb 1942. 

I have taken the defence of Singapore seriously till this day. I do not know how the Gen Y’s thinking on serving national service. Many would prefer to be left alone and let others defend the country for them while they pursue their interests, lifestyles and wealth. The first Iraq-Kuwait war in the 1989 was one such example, where the Kuwaitis’ defence buckled in a couple of hours against the onslaught of the Iraqis as there was no motivation to fight to defend the country. It may happen to us again as after three generations, the mindset of the new generation on defence our country may have changed in relations to societal and environmental changes. My mother who had witnessed the war had passed away at the age of 82 and soon the post war generation which is my generation are counting our days. We could only leave the defence to the next generation.

I leave it to reader to ponder over lives under occupation by a foreign power.

Watch out for Part 2 on 15 Feb 2010.

你的看法，你怎么想？

On 4  Feb 2010, during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s hearing to confirm the next United States Ambassador to Singapore, a question was thrown to the Ambassador (Designate) by Virginia Senator Jim Webb on his views on the Singapore’s political system as Singapore is not highly ranked for press freedom etc.    

Mr David Adelman was quoted as saying “My view is the United States must engage Singapore on these issues. You identified the area where, quite candidly, Singapore needs the most improvement if it were to live up to the ambitions Americans have for democracy. Make no mistake, currently Singapore is not a multi-party democracy, and I intend, if confirmed, to use public diplomacy to work towards greater press freedoms, greater freedom of assembly and ultimately, more political space for opposition parties in Singapore to strengthen Singapore into a multi-party democracy.” However, he did not elaborate more on how he will achieve his aims, perhaps a politically correct answer for seeking confirmation at the hearing?

How did the honourable Ambassador (Designate) came to such a conclusion on us? Did he do a thorough research on Singapore or he had read from articles published by institutions or persons who had at one point or another run fouls of Singapore’s laws or media which write commentaries or editorial based on hearsay? 

Are our record so poor that others would want to change us from the inside? Perhaps. Remember the vandalism case involving an American teenager in 1994? When our court sentenced the teenager to jail, a fines and 6 strokes of canes, there was an uproar in the US. I could remember even the then US President, Bill Clinton got involved by calling the punishment extreme and mistaken and sought clemency for the teenager to exempt from canning. We did cut the 6 strokes to 4 strokes of canes not for fear of the US’s power but perhaps in our Asian culture we believed in giving “face”.   

In addition, we were also being threatened to prevent the WTO from holding its ministerial meeting in Singapore. There were also newspapers in the US that ran editorials and articles asserting the negatives of Singapore. I remembered one article published by one US newspaper which is still in operation today that quoted its interview with a person who claimed to have saw a public canning in Singapore and “bits of flesh fly with each stroke”.  These were fictions to boost the sales of the newspaper but it’s caused the American public to believe that our country was governed by dictatorship like a police state. 

As a Singaporean, I had never witness a public canning and how was it possible for a foreigner to have witnessed such public canning?  There were also commentaries in the American media of a clash of civilisation between Asian values and the human rights in liberal western cultures.  Do we called this press freedom without accountability?   

If the media reports without accountability, the readers would never know the truth. I believe in accountability and any inaccurate reports should be taken to task. That was why a couple of periodicals were taken to task for inaccurate reporting as press freedom does not mean anyhow report. Look at the many political publications and digital media or new media we have in Singapore, these are empirical examples of press freedom. Did these political publications or digital or new media get into troubles with the authority and police? The police would intervene to maintain harmony if these publications deliberately create religious,  racial hatred and insinuations. We are a multi racial and religious society and our constitutions protect the rights of the various races and religion freedom. 

On more political space, I am not too sure whether the Ambassador (Designate) understands that political democracy evolves over time and not forced upon. The US style of democracy was not developed overnight but through many generations, a revolutionary war from 1775 to 1783 and a civil war that lasted from 1861 to 1865 with a loss of more than 600,000 lives. What were the causes of the civil war between the confederate states and the union? The people living in the north and the south fought over economic and social differences, state versus federal rights, slavery, abolition and the election of a new president which the southerners feared for being too close to the northerners and not hearing them when policies were made.     

The American’s democracy evolved during the American Revolutionary War against the Kingdom of Great Britain to break away from the later control. Similarly, we too sought independence from Great Britain in 1965 but less the bloodshed of the American Revolutionary War. We had riots which resulted in a loss of lives but not like the American Civil War that killed more than 600,000 people. With more than 200 years of evolution, the US is what it is today while Singapore achieved independent 45 years ago. We are not in the same class as the 200 years old American’s history to talk about democracy. Therefore, the Ambassdor (Designate) who proclaimed that his mission as an envoy was to push for more press freedom and  more political space may not be aware of the histories of  US and Singapore. On the contrary, I would like to thank him for raising awareness of Singapore in the US media once again. Well, not every Amercian is aware of where Singapore is located. I spoke to one visiting American years ago. His answer shocked me. His impression was a backward Singapore with no modern facilities. It was an eye opener for this gentleman that I spoke to.    

On multi party democracy, the Wikipedia listed many political parties in the US.  But how many of these parties are represented in the US’s House of Representatives and the US’s House of Senate? I thought I only saw two parties, the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. With almost non-existent of representatives in both houses from the other parties, does it mean that there is also no political space in the US? Perhaps our political climate is better, we have elected opposition Member of Parliament in our own style of democracy although I must concede that not all seats in our parliament are contested in each general election. The non contest is not equal to no political space but the election strategy adopted by our opposition parties to allow the ruling party to win enough seats to form the next government and thereby encouraging voters in the contested seats to vote for their candidates to increase their chance of winning those contested seats. Well, in each general election in Singapore, a third of voters would cast votes in favour of the opposition candidates. 

I remembered a Presidential Candidate named Ross Perot in the 1992 US Presidential Election. Ross Perot did well winning about 19% of the total votes compared to Bill Clinton and the incumbent President George Bush 43% and 37% respectively. However, the American political system of electing the President is through electoral college votes. It means that a candidate could win the majority popular votes but still lose the presidency. Such scenario was played out in the 2000 US Presidential Election where Presidential Candidate Al Gore secured 48.4% of popular votes against the 47.9% for George Bush. George Bush eventually won 271 electoral votes against 266 for Al Gore  to become President.  Is this democracy, yes to the Americans in view of their own political system. To me, it may not be as the candidate with the majority of popular votes lose.

There lies the difference in defining democracy from different perspectives.  I would like to urge the Ambassdor (Designate) to focus on state to state relationships, trades and others and not coming here with a mission of changing our political and social landscape.  

His remarks was well intended, nonetheless, please let Singaporeans decide on our future and the direction we would want to take instead of imposing the American’s ideals and values on us.

Clean and Green Living

Together with 4 others grassroots leaders, I attended a National Environment Agency (NEA) South East Regional Office Workshop on 30 Jan 2010. Though we spent more than half a morning at NEA, I thought the session was worth the time.

Instead of the usual “you talk, I listen” type of workshop, this workshop was organised differently. The learning on how to protect and save the earth was carried out through 5 different types of games, like 30 general questions on climate change and energy efficiency and environmental games to stimulate learning. Everyone who attended was a winner as at the end of the day, NEA had created an awareness on climate change.  

The next part of the programme was the released of performance indicators on the works South East District and Changi Simei in 2009. 

On dengue fever, SE District was the second lowest among the 5 Districts in numbers of occurences. A few years ago, SE District had recorded the highest numbers of occurrences of dengue fever. Over the years, with the focus of Mayor Mr Mathias Yao to reduce the high occurrences, NEA and the grassroots organisations swung into action. The result speaks for itself in 2009 as compared to 2007 with 2006 as the worst.    A significant observation from the workshop is that dengue fever is on the rise in many countries in SE Asia but  there is a significant decrease in Singapore largely due to proactive works carried out by the various agencies and grassroots leaders.  

Our dengue cases were low was attributed to the hard works put in by NEA, Town Council in collaboration with the grassroots organisations. It is through this collaboration that grassroots leaders had established a working relationship with NEA and town council to create a safe environment to keep the residents safe. 

In Changi Simei, there were 57 dengue cases in 2009 as compared to 52 cases in 2008. Of the 5 constituencies in East Coast GRC, we were the 2nd highest in term of occurences of dengue fever in 2009. These numbers inferred that we need to work harder to reduce the figures in 2010.   

There is no clear-cut pattern on the type of dwellings in the 57 dengue cases. These cases were evenly spreaded among HDB units, condo and land property. We know the danger, pains and discomfort the virus can cause to our body. We should resolve to keep our estate clean and dry. 

To enhance the effectiveness of dengue control, NEA, Town Council, Grasroots Leaders and residents need to collaborate and work together. Should only the first 3 collaborate, the success rate is at most 75%. Theoretically, the remainder 25% can cause 100% of pains if residents adopt an attitude of “it won’t happen to me” thus bo chap. 

We need a concerted effort to be driven by the Dengue Task Force to wipe out the Aedes mosquitoes.  The Task Force plans, co-ordinates and execute the plan with  Town Council. To increase our effectiveness, our residents could help by making sure that there are no water trapping receptacles like flower vase, picking up receptacles containing water at common areas, call the hot line of NEA to report breeding areas etc. Please help yourself to help others.

In the workshop, the present of rats’ burrows were also highlighted.  At Simei estate, many residents have also raised the issue to our town council. From what I understand, East Coast Town Council is sparing no effort to destroy the habitats of rats. Wiping out these rats will take time as rats are highly mobile pests. The grassroots leaders will continue to watch the rat situation. Please call the town council hot lines to report of rat burrows.

To keep our estate clean and green and free of viruses, is our business and not that of the cleaners alone.

We should remember the painful SARS lessons in 2003 and the recent H1N1 where lives were lost. We should be ready and not let our guard down. We live in an uncertain society and will not know what will happen especially what types of viruses would hit us next. The scout’s motto “Be Prepared” is the way to go for us.

Nurturing Grassroots

I have posted a blog on opening of PA at about 1 am this morning, 31 Jan 2010. After reading the article in the Straits Times (31 Jan 2010) in the late morning, I took the opportunity to reflect on the article and to give my thoughts.

In the last 50 years, PA has been charged with the responsibility to keep Singaporean united as one Singapore transcending across racial, religious and social fault lines. Without doubt PA has delivered. That is why PA is still around 50 years since 1960 and for an organisation to reach the 50th years with the same brand or name is already an achievement.   

With the advent of IT, we now live in an interconnected world and in a global village. Whether we like it or not, the reality of the global citizens is that they do not need a face to interact, transact or chat as all these could be carried out online. Therefore, engaging these global citizens would need a new approach to connect to them. 

In the article, one of the initiative mentioned is PA has stepped up its efforts to engage Singaporeans through the PAssion Card memberships. I like the idea of PAssion EZ-link card and the 720,000 membership base  is a  good indication on the wide acceptance of the card. Nonetheless, are these members being fully engaged is every body’s guess. They could have subscribed to the card because of the perceived value of the card ie, convenient on travel and good discounts offer by businesses?   

On leadership renewal, I shared with CED that grassroots leadership renewal is one of the key strategy to move PA up to the next level on the S curve. To do that, PA introduced the policy to cap the leaderships’ tenure of office bearers at the GROs to 3 terms or 6 year. I subscribed to the policy but have my reservation on the ease of its implementation.  It is easier for office bearers to step down in key GROs’ posts than to find replacements which fit the shoes of the incumbent office bearers. It is not as straight forward as it is thought.   

With Singapore becoming more affluent, there will be louder voices on disagreements. These vocal Singaporeans though are in the minority challenge policies and  decisions of government or grassroots leaders. They will not take “No” for an answer. The grassroots leaders especially office bearers will have to deal with them. These office bearers need to match these vocal minority in every aspect like oratory skill, knowledge and be able to articulate rationale to convince them or buy them over.  I have dealt with a few of these vocal residents who are insistent that they have the rights as citizens and they stood by their views no matter what as long as they are the affected party. Therefore, I beg to differ on capping the tenure of office bearers to force a succsssion.  I am not talking about not stepping down as key office bearers but at the appropriate time.  

Many grassroots leaders would like to contribute but they would prefer to stay as ordinary executive members. Their main discomfort lies with the commitment of time in relation to their career and spending quality time with family. The delegation of works once done by civil servants in the context of more efficiency and effectiveness and being closer to the ground serve to deter younger grassroots leaders to commit their time. When they look up at the hectic pace the older grassroots leaders are going through, they can do their calculation. Examples are the new citizenship presentation ceremony, house visits to invite new citizens to community events, firefighting issues which our office-bounded civil servants drop when they have not managed well etc. These top down driven events peeved many grassroots leaders.  Thus the calls by many grassroots leaders to be given an allowance to compensate for their time spent to organise events which in the first place should be organised by the civil servants. Grassroots leaders are practical people and they have to juggle with time while civil servants are paid for not doing their jobs.        

I agreed with CED that grassroots leaders should not be paid an allowance and we should hold dear the spirit of volunteerism. If allowance is given, the all volunteers’ grassroots framework is going down the slippery path as there will be no end to search for higher allowance in time to come. Then what is enough?  It would  end up in mockery of our volunteer grassroots leaders model. I believe that grassroots leaders volunteer out of passion and belief that they can make the difference to the society but the amount of works and activities are generally on the increase. All thanks to the GROs’ Star Recognition Programme as no one wants to occupy cellar spot. It is a vicious cycle and ultimately, the loser is the community. There is a need to balance family life and grassroots works.

Having recognise the spirit of volunteerism, the issue is how could PA recognise long serving grassroots leaders? The current recognition framework of an award at every 5 years is no longer exciting and it may be obsolete. Medals may not be valued as only military men  pin their medals on their uniforms. I have yet to see grassroots leaders pin their PA long service award on their civilian clothes. Nonetheless, PA has continued to keep the current system year after year, perhaps a process that if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.

I have the following suggestions for the new recognitions framework.

1…I thought it would be ideal if PA HQ reviews its recognition framework to better recognise the contributions of grassroots leaders. One example is perhaps gazette a new State level long service medals for grassroots leaders who have served for 25 and 35 years while still keeping the PBM and BBM as separate recognition system. With only two National Day medal to be awarded to local grassroots leaders a year, they are many who would not be awarded medal when they step down due to mandatory requirements.

2…The other is perhaps organising appreciation dinner for  volunteers once in two years with a special fund allocated from PA HQ. This suggestion is costly and I can second guess the answer from PA HQ. But we should at least try.

3…An award on overseas tour can also be carried out. The tour may take the form of study trips to countries with similar grassroots leaders’ network. The aim is to allow grassroots leaders to be exposed to what others are doing overseas. The sharing of such trips by grassroots leaders will open a new perspective of grassroots works in Singapore.  

4…On a smaller scale, a pair of movie tickets or entrance tickets to any places of attraction could be offered in the recognition framework. A small gestures mean true appreciation and you will never know the emotional feelings of grassroots leaders who are being appreciated. I have started a process to send out individual birthday cards to all members of the GROs to wish them well on their birthday. My adviser and I did receive  notes of  thanks from my grassroots leaders on receiving their birthday cards. What is significant in this year birthday card is that a special need student in METTA School designed and printed the birthday cards which the CCC supported for a good cause.

5…Create a facebook equivalent for all grassroots leaders to net work and share best practices

These are low hanging fruits which may not be costly to carry out. Nonetheless, we will let PA fights the strategic battle while we on the ground will continue to fight the tactical battle.