Opinions

On her own Facebook post, Ho Ching, Wife of PM Lee who controls Temasek Holdings claims that without GIC, MAS and Temasek our taxes would have been raised long ago. 

Should we thank her for her "brilliance" and "contributions" to Singapore? I wonder why is it that even with the GIC, MAS and Temasek our GST is still going to rise to 9%. Or is 9% considered low to them? Are they only happy if our taxes get higher and higher each year until they hit ridiculous amounts? There are so many rumors of Temasek losing moneys in investments. Why can't she open up the books and be transparent to Singaporeans? If she claims that she is earning money, show us. It's not that hard.

Until then, to all of us, you people will always be the greedy pigs we think you are. Hope that we can put you bunch of people in your places in the upcoming GE. Singaporeans deserve better.

Editors note: Do you feel the same way as the author? Why are they always not transparent with us?

In a recent online post on the NTU Confessions FB page, one NTU female student admitted that she engages in a Friends with Benefits relationship with another male NTU student, but claims she has fallen for him. It has drawn a lot of flak, with most replies urging the girl to get out of the relationship, as it benefits the guy only.

The girl claims the relationship transpired because the guy actually liked her at first. But by the time the girl had feelings for the guy, he had fallen for another girl already. The first girl confessed her feelings for the guy, but the guy, sensing an opportunity too good to miss, started a friends with benefit relationship with said girl, while he still chases after the girl B. So girl A feels that over time, even though they are just Friends with benefits, the guy started caring for her, and was gentle with her and understands her feelings. So, she cannot understand wen one day he got angry at her for taking up too much of his time, and thus ruining his chances of going after Girl B.

If this is the kind of shenanigans NTU students got up to, engaging in friends with benefits relationship while going after another girl, then where are the morals? 

A resodent who had just moved in to the Tampines Green Ridges BTO, which had just newly opened got so pissed off at the amount of neighbours doing renovation works on a Sunday that he has threatened to report his new neighbours to the authorities if they do not stop carrying out works on Sundays.

In an online post in the Tampines Greenridges BTO FB page, the man, named as Jerry Choo wrote down his frustrations, as he stated that some of the neighbours do not understand basic courtesy. This came about after the neighbours houses were still undergoing renovation works even on a Sunday. Jerry Choo had indicated that he had approached these neighbours, and while some obliged, others just did not care and continued doing works. To these people, Jerry Choo wrote that this was the last warning, and he will report them and let the law deal with them.

So much for a neighbourliness start to life in you new abode. That will not happen for Jerry Choo. 

The National Transport Workers Union suggested that commuters can be roped in to help front-line staff during train breakdowns or emergencies. This was one of the many suggestions given to the advisory panel.

Why should we, as commuters who pay for the service, who has always been against fare hikes, VOLUNTEER for a profit-driven company? Train breakdowns might also last for a few hours. Does that mean we have to volunteer my family time away so that I can help them when they make a mistake? How is this fair for us commuters? We have always complained about the various fare hikes and lapses in service and yet nothing has been done. Now they even want us to chip in our time and effort to help them?

Also, even if there were volunteers, when there is an emergency, wouldn't it be even more confusing if everybody claims to be a volunteer? Isn't it about quality over quantity? Why don't SMRT train up their staff more so that they can provide everybody some adequate service. Or even do more to prevent train disruptions.

I think the idea is absolutely ludicrous. They should not be turning to the public for help but should turn to themselves and ask what's wrong with themselves.

Credits: Facebook

The author is obviously very angry with SMRT.

Previously, we discussed the need for Singaporeans to start to be more socially-aware and conscious this new year. It looks like for some, the new year has not started well.

We are a giving society. We dig deep into our wallets when the need arises to help our fellow Singaporeans. 

However, it does not make us a warm and welcoming society. Not among the adults. And apparently, not among the young.

A mother shared, with considerable anguish, the experiences of her mildly autistic son. The son studies in a mainstream primary school. Due to his condition, he has some trouble connecting and communicating with his peers. It is something that the mother is trying to help her son overcome.

While her son is trying to reach out, his peers are not welcoming of him. His drawing revealed the emotions of someone who is feeling alone, marginalised, rejected, and mocked at.

Should any child, regardless of whether he or she has autism, be made to feel this way in a school environment. There has been so much education about online bullying but what are MOE and the schools doing to about bullying within the confines of schools?

Children are a reflection of the upbringing and the values that their elders and teachers impart to them. Is developing compassion and empathy missing from the syllabus? It is not their fault that they do not accept the autistic boy. It is ours.

This change needs to happen now, in their formative age. By the time they get to secondary school, some attitudes, values, and bad habits become so ingrained that it becomes almost impossible to reverse them. The education needs to be holistic. Success can only be considered when the children can empathise with those who are a little different from them.

The writer, Faith, is judging the MOE.

So a Tampines resident who built a koi tank at the steps outside his house did not apply for a permit when he installed it. Even its MP, Baey Yam Keng, noted that there has been no complaints from the residents since it was installed. Now, after the man retroactively tried to apply for a permit, HDB has instructed for its removal citing safety concerns in relation to its materials and structure.

Firstly, why does HDB or the Town Council consider the steps on which the tank was built as a public area? Isn't it a part of the house and as such, needs to be regarded as a private space?

Secondly, any safety concerns that may arise can be easily remedied by working with the homeowner, not working against him. Indeed, if there are exposed electrical wires, or the glass may shatter, what HDB can do is to provide recommendations to the man. Instead, what they are doing is just lazily executing a policy, applying the rule of law fully. 

By all accounts, including by the MP for the area, since it was built, there have been no complaints. If HDB is worried about people falling into the tank or crashing into the tank, then they should ask for the man to put up signs and posters to warn or educate others.

We are trying to build a creative society full of entrepreneurial spirit. Such a black and white application of the law will surely is not conducive to fostering that spirit.

The writer, Faith, loves kois.