MP Penny Low must have wished that she was not the one in the photograph taken during the singing of the national anthem at the national day parade last evening. In a very direct way, this episode shows how social media can be a boon and a bane for modern society.
For purists, doing anything other than singing our national anthem is a very solemn affair and it should be. For the moderates, surely she could be looking at her mobile for many possible reasons.
I say Enough Already - we are bombarded by so much information today - both on and offline - and not just by way of text but also audio-visually. I am not exactly what netizens would regard as PAPies or PAP troll - but I have to say we must surely guide how this inevitable political maturation process ought to evolve.
I say let us really filter what is truly important. What is even more importantly, the truth. My way of responding to half-truths, speculation or just net gossip (i.e. it is not important other than for yakking) is to just read, laugh and move on.
This process is important - we need to take ownership of what is really vital to us and act on them. Equally, we need to stop being the audience of those who seek attention by making irresponsible comments hoping they will sound intelligent.
Human nature, alas will always be the same - no matter how technology has evolved. We need to develop in tandem - that would be the mark of civilization.
I am reminded of what the late Dr David Marshall said once in a forum when describing a prominent opposition politician - (paraphrased as I cannot recollect his exact words) - he is so dead set against the PAP that even if he sees one sitting with the angel, he would deny his presence by insisting that the glowing lights of the angel has blinded him.
In the same vein, many have commented that while the social media offers many good ideas, there is of course much noises (meaning=nonsense) hiding behind the veil of anonymity. I say show faith - act on those good ideas that were expressed non-anonymously - and people will respond accordingly in order to be taken seriously.
Just some thoughts :-)
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Marriage Certificate of Parents
We found the marriage certificate of our parents. They were married for more than 59 years. The cover is red with the wordings Marriage Certificate printed in gold. Red of course is an auspicious color. It is made of hard board with blanks for the various names and dates. From right to left - the village (county) that our parents came from, their ages based on date/time of their birthdays - were 'introduced by' at the location (resident) 'witnessed by' to be married - our parents' signatures with the other signatories as witness, introducer and our paternal and maternal grandfathers as presiding over the ceremony.
An interesting snippet - our maternal grandfather's name is quite rare (as in not commonly used or found in dictionary). I was told that if we were to visit the Registry of Marriage today, we might be able to have an official copy - since our parents were married during the British colonial period. This copy must be even more official though ;-p
A piece of history for posterity ;-)
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Why George Yeo should not stand for the Presidential Elections in August 2011
Fresh (and for many raw) from the very heated General Elections in May 2011, Singaporeans are bracing themselves for the Executive Presidential Election due in August.
Dr Tan Cheng Bok has offered himself as a candidate and this afternoon, collected the forms for this purpose. Understand from news reports that 7 sets of forms were collected. Other than Dr Tan who went with his wife, Cecilia and his team of supporters, there was Mr Ooi Boon Ewe - a failed independent candidate in the recent GE. A Mr Lee collected on behalf of someone whom he mentioned is a businessman.
Dr Tan Cheng Bok has shown himself capable of standing up to the government even while he was a PAP MP. He has over the years won much adulation with his openness and directness. He also clearly has Singapore in his heart. I hope there will be a contest - and I hope it will be one that is clean, spirited and deserving of this high office - more so, I hope it would be one befitting of the evolving Singaporean electorate.
Former Aljunied GRC anchor Minister George Yeo has also posted on his Facebook that he is reconsidering his earlier decision not to contest in the Presidential Election following much support expressed by friends and others.
I think Mr Yeo should not contest. He has just emerged from a bruising political battle. He remains closely associated with the PAP too as a CEC member. I feel those who encourage him have good reasons to do so but their respect and love for him might be misplaced. He had, with the exception of those comments made 3 days before polling day, not been really 'independent' though he might have been viewed by many as being capable of it. We all recognize ala Nicole Seah that the number of Likes on Facebook do not necessarily translate to - ditto the opposite for Tin Pei Ling. The risk of losing in this election too cannot be ruled out.
Furthermore, he had expressed that he would be ill-suited for this position given his free-spirited temperament. Though he was defeated in the GE, he left office on an exceptional high moral ground- he displayed true gentlemanliness during the hustings and was magnamous in his loss.
I would like to add that he is far too young for this post. His potential for greater things would be better served in other capacities - out of the trappings (pun unintended) of this august office of Singapore. He would do very well to garner the positive energies of the young as well as the wisdom of like-minded Singaporeans to influene the vision of a new Singapore compact.
He is obviously enjoying his 'freedom' after 23 years in politics. Perhaps, he can bring to fruition his undertaking made during his exit press conference, that he would be willing to lead the cause for change in a new Singapore. I think he should keep this promise. Singapore will benefit greatly from his high intellect, and personal conviction in this role.
Perhaps when he is much older (say, in 20 years' time?) the elected presidential candidacy would still be up for contest.
Well, until all the cards are shown, - just my thoughts :-)
Dr Tan Cheng Bok has offered himself as a candidate and this afternoon, collected the forms for this purpose. Understand from news reports that 7 sets of forms were collected. Other than Dr Tan who went with his wife, Cecilia and his team of supporters, there was Mr Ooi Boon Ewe - a failed independent candidate in the recent GE. A Mr Lee collected on behalf of someone whom he mentioned is a businessman.
Dr Tan Cheng Bok has shown himself capable of standing up to the government even while he was a PAP MP. He has over the years won much adulation with his openness and directness. He also clearly has Singapore in his heart. I hope there will be a contest - and I hope it will be one that is clean, spirited and deserving of this high office - more so, I hope it would be one befitting of the evolving Singaporean electorate.
Former Aljunied GRC anchor Minister George Yeo has also posted on his Facebook that he is reconsidering his earlier decision not to contest in the Presidential Election following much support expressed by friends and others.
I think Mr Yeo should not contest. He has just emerged from a bruising political battle. He remains closely associated with the PAP too as a CEC member. I feel those who encourage him have good reasons to do so but their respect and love for him might be misplaced. He had, with the exception of those comments made 3 days before polling day, not been really 'independent' though he might have been viewed by many as being capable of it. We all recognize ala Nicole Seah that the number of Likes on Facebook do not necessarily translate to - ditto the opposite for Tin Pei Ling. The risk of losing in this election too cannot be ruled out.
Furthermore, he had expressed that he would be ill-suited for this position given his free-spirited temperament. Though he was defeated in the GE, he left office on an exceptional high moral ground- he displayed true gentlemanliness during the hustings and was magnamous in his loss.
I would like to add that he is far too young for this post. His potential for greater things would be better served in other capacities - out of the trappings (pun unintended) of this august office of Singapore. He would do very well to garner the positive energies of the young as well as the wisdom of like-minded Singaporeans to influene the vision of a new Singapore compact.
He is obviously enjoying his 'freedom' after 23 years in politics. Perhaps, he can bring to fruition his undertaking made during his exit press conference, that he would be willing to lead the cause for change in a new Singapore. I think he should keep this promise. Singapore will benefit greatly from his high intellect, and personal conviction in this role.
Perhaps when he is much older (say, in 20 years' time?) the elected presidential candidacy would still be up for contest.
Well, until all the cards are shown, - just my thoughts :-)
Spike in Foreign Purchases of Private Properties in Singapore
This is another unpublished letter to ST Forum sent on 29 May 2011.
Hi
Please refer to the recent reports and commentaries regarding the spike of foreign buying of local private properties. I would like to seek clarification from MAS and the lending institutions how the loans of such purchases are granted. What guidelines are used in allowing such purchases. How do lending institutions check that these buyers are able to service their loans? In the event of any default, besides re-possession of the property involved, what recourse do these institutions have to recover the outstanding loan amounts from these buyers? If any collateral was listed as the basis for these loans in the first place, is there legal provision and enforceability across national boundaries to undertake such debt recovery?
If the safeguards are not in place, are lending institutions undertaking unnecessary risks to encourage a property bubble looming in our own backyard?
Hi
Please refer to the recent reports and commentaries regarding the spike of foreign buying of local private properties. I would like to seek clarification from MAS and the lending institutions how the loans of such purchases are granted. What guidelines are used in allowing such purchases. How do lending institutions check that these buyers are able to service their loans? In the event of any default, besides re-possession of the property involved, what recourse do these institutions have to recover the outstanding loan amounts from these buyers? If any collateral was listed as the basis for these loans in the first place, is there legal provision and enforceability across national boundaries to undertake such debt recovery?
If the safeguards are not in place, are lending institutions undertaking unnecessary risks to encourage a property bubble looming in our own backyard?
Ambulance Blocked From Parking Near Bedok Polyclinic
This is an unpublished letter I sent to Sunday Times on 29 May 2011. Three photographs were attached to support my comments.
Hi
I would like to share some photographs I took at the carpark near Blk 212 Bedok North Street 1, where the Bedok Polyclinic is located. It shares the same building as an NTUC Fairprice Supermarket. This is also the clinic many elderly residents visit. As the photographs show - an ambulance's way was blocked by many vans/trucks doing delivery to the Fairprice outlet. This was in the afternoon - and in the morning, there are even more delivery vehicles. As you can see, the medical crew had to push the stretcher by foot to get to the polyclinic. I had to reversed all the way out as my car was also blocked by other lorries in the front.
I had some months ago written to HDB, NTUC and the Polyclinic to raise this concern. Each department had referred to each other organization. Finally, HDB mentioned it was going to discuss with the other two parties on how to resolve it. Obviously, this has not progressed. In the light of the recent discussion regarding the failure of motorists to give way to emergency vehicles, I thought it is timely to also re-surface this.
Perhaps the various organizations can now see how this situation can be quickly resolved before lives are endangered by the behavior of selfish vehicle owners.
Friday, May 20, 2011
The (hopefully) useful guide to borrowing ebooks from the library on your ipad
How to set up your iPad to borrow e-resources from the National Library
1. Go to www.nlb.gov.sg
2. On the left panel - click on 'eResources'
3. On the next page - see Login - click on Register (if you do not have an account yet).
4. Once it's done - login to the website ( it's the same page as (3).
5. Next select 'Browse' - choose view by 'e-books'
6. You will be brought to the various collections - many of these are borrowable for PC/Mac or mobile gadgets.
7. The last I checked - go to no. 5 in the list (Overdrive Media Collection).
8. You need to download an app Overdrive Media Console onto your iPad. This app will allow you to read the e-content (ebooks, audiobooks, or videos).
9. Once it is downloaded, you need to authorize it by activating your Adobe account (built into Overdrive) - if you do not have an adobe ID, register one. Once it is activated - your Overdrive can be used.
10. Now back to NLB - you can start to view the collection of e-content for your loan- remember only the 5.Overdrive Media Collection is workable for iPad for now.
11. Those available are listed with the Add to cart button. Those unavailable you can Place a reservation or Wish list.
12. The latter is for them to email you when the copy is available and for the library to make them available online.
13. You are allowed to borrow up to 4 titles for 21 days. No need to return or be fined because you just cannot read once they expire.
14. Once you are done selecting, you can Proceed to checkout. The Download buttons will launch the Overdrive Media Console and you can start reading. The various settings on OMC allow font size change, brightness adjustment, and also book marking.
15. If you want to see your borrowings etc, these are listed in the 'My digital account '
Hope this is more structured and helpful :) enjoy ! No more yellowing pages or dirty used books ;p
1. Go to www.nlb.gov.sg
2. On the left panel - click on 'eResources'
3. On the next page - see Login - click on Register (if you do not have an account yet).
4. Once it's done - login to the website ( it's the same page as (3).
5. Next select 'Browse' - choose view by 'e-books'
6. You will be brought to the various collections - many of these are borrowable for PC/Mac or mobile gadgets.
7. The last I checked - go to no. 5 in the list (Overdrive Media Collection).
8. You need to download an app Overdrive Media Console onto your iPad. This app will allow you to read the e-content (ebooks, audiobooks, or videos).
9. Once it is downloaded, you need to authorize it by activating your Adobe account (built into Overdrive) - if you do not have an adobe ID, register one. Once it is activated - your Overdrive can be used.
10. Now back to NLB - you can start to view the collection of e-content for your loan- remember only the 5.Overdrive Media Collection is workable for iPad for now.
11. Those available are listed with the Add to cart button. Those unavailable you can Place a reservation or Wish list.
12. The latter is for them to email you when the copy is available and for the library to make them available online.
13. You are allowed to borrow up to 4 titles for 21 days. No need to return or be fined because you just cannot read once they expire.
14. Once you are done selecting, you can Proceed to checkout. The Download buttons will launch the Overdrive Media Console and you can start reading. The various settings on OMC allow font size change, brightness adjustment, and also book marking.
15. If you want to see your borrowings etc, these are listed in the 'My digital account '
Hope this is more structured and helpful :) enjoy ! No more yellowing pages or dirty used books ;p
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Healthcare and Insurance
I was watching the movie "Jumper" the other night - and this dialogue caught my attention - "Everything has consequences!"
About a decade ago - I started both Dad and Mum on the medishield scheme - long before the private insurers took over with their offering of various enhanced schemes.
I had started them on the Medishield Enhanced Scheme (or something along that line) and at their age - I was only paying around S$600 plus annually each for Class A. Over the years - we were blessed with their good health and consequently almost nil claim. With the years - and with the privatization of the medishield schemes, the premiums for their coverage went up - it was S$1400 or S$1500 at Class C (the lowest category) - so there is a downgrade of the class.
Anyway, with Dad's recent hospitalization up till his demise - we had placed him in a Class A ward - because we wanted privacy so visitors would not disturb the other patients if it was a shared one - and also we wanted him to be comfortable - the total bill came up to almost $22,000 or thereabouts. Covering him meant that almost 48 percent was paid by the insurer - so we paid about 53%. If he had been placed at Class B1 or B2 - the co-payment or reimbursements would have been lower.
The point of this posting is this - if you do not currently have any medical/hospitalization cover - do it. If you do not incur any claim - count yourself lucky - and based on the principle of pooling in insurance - you are 'helping' those who might unfortunately need to incur the increasingly high healthcare costs.
(A side point - and this is not my reason for posting - :p - a nephew recently joined an independent financial advisory - after some years with a local insurer - so he can sell products across the industry. lewis_law@hotmail.com - if you want another option to consider).
Always,
About a decade ago - I started both Dad and Mum on the medishield scheme - long before the private insurers took over with their offering of various enhanced schemes.
I had started them on the Medishield Enhanced Scheme (or something along that line) and at their age - I was only paying around S$600 plus annually each for Class A. Over the years - we were blessed with their good health and consequently almost nil claim. With the years - and with the privatization of the medishield schemes, the premiums for their coverage went up - it was S$1400 or S$1500 at Class C (the lowest category) - so there is a downgrade of the class.
Anyway, with Dad's recent hospitalization up till his demise - we had placed him in a Class A ward - because we wanted privacy so visitors would not disturb the other patients if it was a shared one - and also we wanted him to be comfortable - the total bill came up to almost $22,000 or thereabouts. Covering him meant that almost 48 percent was paid by the insurer - so we paid about 53%. If he had been placed at Class B1 or B2 - the co-payment or reimbursements would have been lower.
The point of this posting is this - if you do not currently have any medical/hospitalization cover - do it. If you do not incur any claim - count yourself lucky - and based on the principle of pooling in insurance - you are 'helping' those who might unfortunately need to incur the increasingly high healthcare costs.
(A side point - and this is not my reason for posting - :p - a nephew recently joined an independent financial advisory - after some years with a local insurer - so he can sell products across the industry. lewis_law@hotmail.com - if you want another option to consider).
Always,
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