Monday, March 31, 2008
Han San Gong is not just the name of a character
Went to eat Korean food today. My first time eating Korean food since I came back from Korea last year. I forgot what it was like, but it all came back to me when the food came. Basically, korean dishes come like this. You order the meat to bbq (in this case beef and pork), and it comes with a large plate of lettuce leaves, garlic, chilli and sauce. You wrap the meat in the lettuce. Then there's the side dishes. Something like 5 side dishes per main dish. Side dishes are kim chi. Now the common misconception is that kim chi is just the red spicy veg. But it's not. Kim chi is basically just pickled veg.
Han San Gong offered 10 side dishes with the 2 main courses that we ordered. I remember a lot of veg, there was bean curd, cuttle fish, broccoli, quail's eggs, pumpkin. The beef and pork bbq were delicious. Before we entered the restaurant, we agreed that we would cook our own food. It's more of a personal reason. I feel uncomfortable when someone is standing next to me, cooking my food. It was also the same in Korea. Anyway, the waitresses were very nice. Standing next to us all the time. Cooking and cutting the meats. And of course I made her laugh quite a bit with my question about the bill and .. the mystery liquid at the end. I still maintain that if they give u a bowl of liquid, they should at least tell you if it's for drinking or washing the hands.
Anyway, no pics for this place cause I didn't carry a camera with me. Anyway, the online guides are wrong. They have shifted from Katong (at least we couldn't find that outlet). They are now located at Joo Chiat Rd. The same stretch as Hotel 81. Go give it a try.
Han San Gong offered 10 side dishes with the 2 main courses that we ordered. I remember a lot of veg, there was bean curd, cuttle fish, broccoli, quail's eggs, pumpkin. The beef and pork bbq were delicious. Before we entered the restaurant, we agreed that we would cook our own food. It's more of a personal reason. I feel uncomfortable when someone is standing next to me, cooking my food. It was also the same in Korea. Anyway, the waitresses were very nice. Standing next to us all the time. Cooking and cutting the meats. And of course I made her laugh quite a bit with my question about the bill and .. the mystery liquid at the end. I still maintain that if they give u a bowl of liquid, they should at least tell you if it's for drinking or washing the hands.
Anyway, no pics for this place cause I didn't carry a camera with me. Anyway, the online guides are wrong. They have shifted from Katong (at least we couldn't find that outlet). They are now located at Joo Chiat Rd. The same stretch as Hotel 81. Go give it a try.
Labels: Food
Friday, March 28, 2008
So they have to change the last line of the song..
Saw an article in the papers about a debate/discussion on whether to make Victoria School a co-ed school. The school has been around for 132 years and has always been an all guy school. But now there's talk of merging the school with Victoria Junior College (VJC) and making the school Co-ed. Now this is similar to what ACS has done, RI, Chinese High and what not have done so. Sure the old boys are saying there's tradition and what not.
However, I've always been of the opinion that such gender segregation is un-natural. It's part of social interaction. Males communicate with males differently from that of females. To artificially partition the 2 sexes for a period of time leads to.. well.. inability to relate with people of the opposite sex.
As far as I'm concerned, the only problem they might have is the last line of the song "Victoria, thy Sons are we."They can always use the song that VJC uses ( correction, according to my friend (who doesn't sing the song anyway), it's the same). Anyway if ACS can modify their school song, I don't see why VS can't do the same.
However, I've always been of the opinion that such gender segregation is un-natural. It's part of social interaction. Males communicate with males differently from that of females. To artificially partition the 2 sexes for a period of time leads to.. well.. inability to relate with people of the opposite sex.
As far as I'm concerned, the only problem they might have is the last line of the song "Victoria, thy Sons are we."
Labels: education
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Overheard
Was looking around a few electronic shops on Sunday at Parkway to scout for the price of an ice-cream maker. During my search I overheard this conversation:
Scenario (A group of 3 people talking to 1 salesperson about the said ice-cream maker)
I came in during the middle of this conversation but I can sort of piece together what they were talking about. Basically they were asking about the features of this Ice-cream maker and what's good about it.
Girl: So what other models do you sell?
Salesperson: Well there's this Kenwood and a Phillips. The Phillips is not so good, and the Kenwood is now on offer till 31st March. Normal selling price is $101, currently selling at $89.
Salesperson goes off here for a while. Family has group huddle/discussion
Man: Wah, still quite expensive leh.
Girl: Ya, but now on offer. I think it's because of the speed that it can turn lah.
Man: Maybe if we ask for slower speed one, it might be cheaper?
Salesperson returns
Man: Ah, this model is the best that you have right?
Salesperson: Yes.
Man: What if we don't mind a slower speed, is there a cheaper one? Like handpower one?
Salesperson: (Blank Stare)
Girl: Ya, like maybe 1km/hr only (giggles)
*Face Palm* moment. Singaporeans: redefining stupidity.
Incidently, seems that a lot of Singaporeans are looking into making their own ice-cream. Quite a few people were shopping for ice-cream makers. Could be a new trend.
Scenario (A group of 3 people talking to 1 salesperson about the said ice-cream maker)
I came in during the middle of this conversation but I can sort of piece together what they were talking about. Basically they were asking about the features of this Ice-cream maker and what's good about it.
Girl: So what other models do you sell?
Salesperson: Well there's this Kenwood and a Phillips. The Phillips is not so good, and the Kenwood is now on offer till 31st March. Normal selling price is $101, currently selling at $89.
Salesperson goes off here for a while. Family has group huddle/discussion
Man: Wah, still quite expensive leh.
Girl: Ya, but now on offer. I think it's because of the speed that it can turn lah.
Man: Maybe if we ask for slower speed one, it might be cheaper?
Salesperson returns
Man: Ah, this model is the best that you have right?
Salesperson: Yes.
Man: What if we don't mind a slower speed, is there a cheaper one? Like handpower one?
Salesperson: (Blank Stare)
Girl: Ya, like maybe 1km/hr only (giggles)
*Face Palm* moment. Singaporeans: redefining stupidity.
Incidently, seems that a lot of Singaporeans are looking into making their own ice-cream. Quite a few people were shopping for ice-cream makers. Could be a new trend.
Labels: humour
Monday, March 24, 2008
Cost is Rising, Lies keep Coming (To the tune of Hosanna)
Was talking to Vincent yesterday online and he mentioned how the increase in food prices has become ridiculous. He ordered a spring onion pork rice which was normally $4 and had now increased to $5 (20% increase) Then I shared my experience with fried rice which used to cost $3 but was now $4. (25% increase). It may seem a lot, but to put things in perspective of the rest of Singapore, it's still ok for us. Vincent is working and I still have savings and I rarely eat out (although the cost of that is rising as well). But what about the lower 10% of Singapore? People who are living from meal to meal? It was recently increased to $330 by our "generous" Minister Vivian B. (B stands for? Bullshit?)
I notice that they are made from Coca Cola, Tiger Beer, Guinness Stout and various other soft drink cans. Perhaps he senses that I do not really know what they are (which is quite true), so he explains: “They are vases. See here, you can put flowers in them.” Indeed, with the flowers in them, they do look rather appealing and attractive.
“How much is this one?”, I ask him as I hold up one of those medium-sized vases. “Five dollars,” he says. I survey his collection, finding it hard to decide which to buy. In the end, I choose the Tiger Beer one because of the colour—blue—it looks the best to me.
I hand him a ten dollar note. While he looks for change, I ask if it is ok for me to take pictures of his cans. “Yes, sure,” he says, adding that the local media has been here before. “They interviewed you?” I say. I was curious. But he just smiles and says nothing.
“Did you learn this from someone?” I ask him. “No lah,” he replies in Hokkien. “This is my own creation,” and grins proudly.
He was so reluctant to increase it. Coming up with his famous spiel.."you want eat in hawker,food court or restuarant" with regards to increasing the amount of public assistance being given. Now the fact is, even with the increase, hawker center meals cost an average of $5 per meal (assuming the person gets rice (which is now 70 cents per bowl), veg and meat for a balanced diet and a drink)
Now doing the maths. 30 days x 3 meals x 5 = $450. (Yes I know that breakfast is probably cheaper, so if u remove breakfast from the eqn it's $300. Leaving $30 for rental, utilities, buying necessities?) So they will be skipping some meals or eating unbalanced diets, which will lead to medical problems which will lead to financial problems because of rising health care costs. Thankfully those who are able are working and earning money on their own. I came across this website http://theonlinecitizen.com/ which recently published a few articles on the lower income in Singapore. (I didn't say beggers because according to one of our representative to the UN, Singapore has no homeless, destitude or starving people. They can't possibly be lying right?)
But since a picture paints a thousand words, let me paint just that:
This is what everyone is told. Let me open your eyes, and hopefully like Paul on the road to Damascus, the scales may fall off your eyes as well.
For those lazy to click, let me just post one of the articles up.
"Tucked away in a little corner in the courtyard in front of the Chinese temple at Waterloo Street, an old man sits and works patiently on his vases—vases made out of discarded aluminium cans.
Under the umbrella which shields him from the rather hot Tuesday afternoon sun, he waits for passing customers, hoping to make a few sales today.
As I watch him, I wonder what is going through his mind, as he twists together strands of tin foils he has cut out from the tin cans he collected to make his vases.
I stand up and walk over to his makeshift stall.
He is at first oblivious to my presence, as he concentrates on his work. I squat down to take a closer look at his vases, all neatly displayed in front of him. “These are really beautiful”, I say to him. He smiles and tells me that it takes him several hours to make just one.
Under the umbrella which shields him from the rather hot Tuesday afternoon sun, he waits for passing customers, hoping to make a few sales today.
As I watch him, I wonder what is going through his mind, as he twists together strands of tin foils he has cut out from the tin cans he collected to make his vases.
I stand up and walk over to his makeshift stall.
He is at first oblivious to my presence, as he concentrates on his work. I squat down to take a closer look at his vases, all neatly displayed in front of him. “These are really beautiful”, I say to him. He smiles and tells me that it takes him several hours to make just one.
I notice that they are made from Coca Cola, Tiger Beer, Guinness Stout and various other soft drink cans. Perhaps he senses that I do not really know what they are (which is quite true), so he explains: “They are vases. See here, you can put flowers in them.” Indeed, with the flowers in them, they do look rather appealing and attractive.
“How much is this one?”, I ask him as I hold up one of those medium-sized vases. “Five dollars,” he says. I survey his collection, finding it hard to decide which to buy. In the end, I choose the Tiger Beer one because of the colour—blue—it looks the best to me.
I hand him a ten dollar note. While he looks for change, I ask if it is ok for me to take pictures of his cans. “Yes, sure,” he says, adding that the local media has been here before. “They interviewed you?” I say. I was curious. But he just smiles and says nothing.
“Did you learn this from someone?” I ask him. “No lah,” he replies in Hokkien. “This is my own creation,” and grins proudly.
In my head, several questions are itching to be asked—how old is he? How long has he been doing this? How is business? Does he have problems with the authorities who may consider this illegal hawking?
“I am 80 years old and have been doing this for almost three years already,” he answers. “It’s hard to make a living but I get by.”
“How many do you sell a day?”
“About 2 or 3.”
“Do tourists buy from you? Or locals?”
“Mostly locals, Chinese who come to the temple.”
“It’s quite hot to be here the whole day. How long do you stay each day?”
“I come here in the morning and I leave in the afternoon.”
“But what happens if it rains?”
“Rain how to sell?” he laughs.
“You don’t have a licence for this, right?”
“No lah.”
“What happens when the ti-gu (health inspectors) come? Do they come often?”
“Yah, sometimes they come two or three times a week. Sometimes they ask me to pack up. If they do, I pack up lor. Give them face lah. But sometimes they also leave me alone.”
“I am 80 years old and have been doing this for almost three years already,” he answers. “It’s hard to make a living but I get by.”
“How many do you sell a day?”
“About 2 or 3.”
“Do tourists buy from you? Or locals?”
“Mostly locals, Chinese who come to the temple.”
“It’s quite hot to be here the whole day. How long do you stay each day?”
“I come here in the morning and I leave in the afternoon.”
“But what happens if it rains?”
“Rain how to sell?” he laughs.
“You don’t have a licence for this, right?”
“No lah.”
“What happens when the ti-gu (health inspectors) come? Do they come often?”
“Yah, sometimes they come two or three times a week. Sometimes they ask me to pack up. If they do, I pack up lor. Give them face lah. But sometimes they also leave me alone.”
I find out that he has a daughter and that he used to do “some small business” before he started making vases out of tin cans.
“I have a friend who offered me a shop space in Pasir Panjang without rent for one year. But I prefer to stay here because the shop isn’t at a good location. I don’t know how business will be over there”, he says.
“You’ve been here almost three years. I guess you’re more familiar with the place here too”.
“Yes”.
“I have a friend who offered me a shop space in Pasir Panjang without rent for one year. But I prefer to stay here because the shop isn’t at a good location. I don’t know how business will be over there”, he says.
“You’ve been here almost three years. I guess you’re more familiar with the place here too”.
“Yes”.
As we chat, passersby look curiously at us. A lady stops and looks at his vases. “Buy one lah,” he urges the lady in his gentle, soft manner. She seems interested at first but then walks away.
“Not easy to sell, huh?” I say.
“There was one time some ladies bargained with me. They say how can I sell one for five dollars. They wanted one dollar for each vase. How to survive if I sell one vase for one dollar? One meal nowadays already cost $5!”
“Yah, it would be hard to survive on that,” I replied. “Especially when you invest so much time and effort for each vase you make. And you don’t sell that many either.”
He smiles.
Throughout the entire conversation, he continues to twist the strands of tin foil with his fingers—and ever so patiently, he would apply glue to them and stick them to the main “body” of the vase.
As the afternoon wears on under the hot sun, a family stops at his stall. The mother picks up one of the vases and looks at it. She says something to her daughter. I hear the father utter the word “handmade”.
The old man looks up at them and, as he did earlier, urges them to buy one.
“Not easy to sell, huh?” I say.
“There was one time some ladies bargained with me. They say how can I sell one for five dollars. They wanted one dollar for each vase. How to survive if I sell one vase for one dollar? One meal nowadays already cost $5!”
“Yah, it would be hard to survive on that,” I replied. “Especially when you invest so much time and effort for each vase you make. And you don’t sell that many either.”
He smiles.
Throughout the entire conversation, he continues to twist the strands of tin foil with his fingers—and ever so patiently, he would apply glue to them and stick them to the main “body” of the vase.
As the afternoon wears on under the hot sun, a family stops at his stall. The mother picks up one of the vases and looks at it. She says something to her daughter. I hear the father utter the word “handmade”.
The old man looks up at them and, as he did earlier, urges them to buy one.
This time, his luck is better. The mother and daughter discuss which one to buy and settle on the one with the Hello Kitty sticker. The old man smiles, takes their $10 note and gives them back $5.
I feel happy for him. It is always nice to know that your work is appreciated and that people would pay you for that too.
But more importantly, each dollar from each vase he sells perhaps gives him a little peace of mind about tomorrow – in this ever-changing, fast-paced Singapore that he lives in.
If you happen to be at Waterloo Street, do stop by his little makeshift stall. And if you can afford it, do buy one of his vases.
To me, his vases symbolise and remind me of virtues such as patience, hard work, graciousness - and beauty.
Simple the vases may be—but they are the work of the gentle hands of an affable old man."
I feel happy for him. It is always nice to know that your work is appreciated and that people would pay you for that too.
But more importantly, each dollar from each vase he sells perhaps gives him a little peace of mind about tomorrow – in this ever-changing, fast-paced Singapore that he lives in.
If you happen to be at Waterloo Street, do stop by his little makeshift stall. And if you can afford it, do buy one of his vases.
To me, his vases symbolise and remind me of virtues such as patience, hard work, graciousness - and beauty.
Simple the vases may be—but they are the work of the gentle hands of an affable old man."
Maybe they are blind or maybe it's something more sinister. Maybe they just want these people to "disappear".
Labels: cost of living, food for thought, inflation, Politics, propaganda, stupid policies
Music Improv from Juno
Contrary to what one of my friends think, Juno is not a movie about a pale white face boy who haunts houses.. haha..
Anyway came across these 2 clips on the Juno website showing Michael Cera (Arrested Development, Superbad) and Ellen Page (X-men 3, Hard Candy)
I like how Ellen Page is doing a song on the fly. Very cool. And Michael Cera is riffing off the song (although a bit soft in the clip).
Song about the Scriptwriter
Song about the director
Anyway came across these 2 clips on the Juno website showing Michael Cera (Arrested Development, Superbad) and Ellen Page (X-men 3, Hard Candy)
I like how Ellen Page is doing a song on the fly. Very cool. And Michael Cera is riffing off the song (although a bit soft in the clip).
Song about the Scriptwriter
Song about the director
Labels: humour, music video
Sunday, March 23, 2008
When the craving is finally fed...
You know the feeling you get when the craving/hunger/desire for something is finally fulfilled? Especially you've been craving it a really long time? Well don't let people lead you astray. You won't get disappointed most of the time. Take a look at the Okonomiyaki which I was blogging/craving about weeks/many blog posts ago. Finally ate it. Thanks to Martin who cooked it for me shady cell group members whom I had to share with.. Anyway take a look at the pics.
Labels: Food
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
The Ring: Updated for the 21st Century
Monday, March 17, 2008
NS Song
Friday, March 14, 2008
Funny.. But True
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Congratulations on Your Win!
I wonder if there are pre-prepared templates for certain events. Like political elections for example. Malaysia's ruling party recently lost their 2/3 majority in the election. One would take it as a setback, but I noticed our politicians congratulating M'sia PM for his win and all. It's all very interesting. Makes me wonder what they would have said if the opposition had a clean sweep. "Oh, we were supporting you from the start." "Time for a change. Good riddance of bad rubbish." Well, our side's spineless enough. Same for the upcoming elections. From recent articles in the press that I've read, MM Lee is pretty much pro Republican. So if either of the 2 Democrat candidates win (Obama or Hilary), what will our official statement be? No wonder ball-carrying is a national pasttime..
Labels: bewildered, food for thought
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
What's good for the goose, should be good for the gander right?
PM Lee says JI fugitive Mas Selamat's escape a setback
SINGAPORE : Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has said that the escape of Jemaah Islamiyah leader Mas Selamat Kastari is a setback and is something that should never have happened. Making his first public comments on an issue that has gripped Singaporeans, Mr Lee on Sunday also called on the people to "close ranks and bounce back, chastened but stronger and more on guard".
With Mas Selamat still on the run after 12 days, it is not surprising the hunt for the missing fugitive remains the talk of the town. In his first public comments on the issue, Mr Lee said the authorities are not absolutely sure yet what happened. But they will find out what went wrong and "fix it".
A Committee of Inquiry has been set up to look into how the escape occurred. Mr Lee said, "As Minister Mentor said, we are not infallible. If we are not careful, we make mistakes. When we do, we better find out and put it right. I think that the security agencies are taking it very seriously - ISD certainly. "I think the police and the Gurkha unit and the SAF forces, which are now (trying to) catch him, they are (carrying out) the operation with a lot of resources and close cooperation. I have been talking to the ministers responsible and I think we have a good chance of catching him, provided he is still in Singapore."
When asked if he believed that Mas Selamat is in Singapore, Mr Lee replied, "We have no reason to believe that he has left." However, while security forces will learn and grow from this, Mr Lee said such a mistake must never be repeated. Asked if it has affected the country's reputation, Mr Lee said, "It's not done (any) good for our reputation, but I don't think people believe that we are just like any other place where you can have television sets and other things in jail these days...we are different, this was a lapse. What to do, it has happened." Meanwhile, Mr Lee said it was good to see how Singaporeans of all races had come together to distribute flyers to residents and maintain watch. And he called on the population to overcome this setback and close ranks. - CNA/ms
Ah, our PM's most fave phrase: Fix it. Be it fixing the opposition or fixing a screw up. Anyway I think he's just coined yet another new phrase: "What to do, it has happened." as a cure all, magic bullet, something that absolves all responsibility. So this is what the brilliant spin doctors that they have can come up for him after his 11 days of silence? Smoke and Mirrors -> http://liasing.blogspot.com could have done a better job. I think our PM is like George W Bush. Bush has his Bushism, our PM has .. "Hsienism" ? I wonder if his new tagline can be used when we people commit offences in our daily lives. Somehow I doubt it. We just don't have his charisma to pull off such a line.
SINGAPORE : Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has said that the escape of Jemaah Islamiyah leader Mas Selamat Kastari is a setback and is something that should never have happened. Making his first public comments on an issue that has gripped Singaporeans, Mr Lee on Sunday also called on the people to "close ranks and bounce back, chastened but stronger and more on guard".
With Mas Selamat still on the run after 12 days, it is not surprising the hunt for the missing fugitive remains the talk of the town. In his first public comments on the issue, Mr Lee said the authorities are not absolutely sure yet what happened. But they will find out what went wrong and "fix it".
A Committee of Inquiry has been set up to look into how the escape occurred. Mr Lee said, "As Minister Mentor said, we are not infallible. If we are not careful, we make mistakes. When we do, we better find out and put it right. I think that the security agencies are taking it very seriously - ISD certainly. "I think the police and the Gurkha unit and the SAF forces, which are now (trying to) catch him, they are (carrying out) the operation with a lot of resources and close cooperation. I have been talking to the ministers responsible and I think we have a good chance of catching him, provided he is still in Singapore."
When asked if he believed that Mas Selamat is in Singapore, Mr Lee replied, "We have no reason to believe that he has left." However, while security forces will learn and grow from this, Mr Lee said such a mistake must never be repeated. Asked if it has affected the country's reputation, Mr Lee said, "It's not done (any) good for our reputation, but I don't think people believe that we are just like any other place where you can have television sets and other things in jail these days...we are different, this was a lapse. What to do, it has happened." Meanwhile, Mr Lee said it was good to see how Singaporeans of all races had come together to distribute flyers to residents and maintain watch. And he called on the population to overcome this setback and close ranks. - CNA/ms
Ah, our PM's most fave phrase: Fix it. Be it fixing the opposition or fixing a screw up. Anyway I think he's just coined yet another new phrase: "What to do, it has happened." as a cure all, magic bullet, something that absolves all responsibility. So this is what the brilliant spin doctors that they have can come up for him after his 11 days of silence? Smoke and Mirrors -> http://liasing.blogspot.com could have done a better job. I think our PM is like George W Bush. Bush has his Bushism, our PM has .. "Hsienism" ? I wonder if his new tagline can be used when we people commit offences in our daily lives. Somehow I doubt it. We just don't have his charisma to pull off such a line.
With clever data manipulation, you can make everything seem right...
Singapore still ranked as least corrupt in Asia
The Philippines and Thailand seen as most graft-ridden in survey of expats
By Goh Chin Lian
THE Political and Economic Risk Consultancy (Perc) expects corruption to emerge as a hot-button issue in Asia this year as slowing growth, rising food prices and political campaigns feed a groundswell against graft.
But Singapore is unlikely to be tainted as expatriates surveyed by the Hong Kong-based group once again rank it the least corrupt economy in the region.
The annual survey also rated Hong Kong and Japan highly among 13 Asian economies.
The Philippines was deemed the most corrupt for the second consecutive year.
Thailand, China, Indonesia, India and Vietnam fared poorly too.
The 1,400 expatriates surveyed in January and February this year were asked to grade the extent that corruption detracts from the attractiveness of the business environment they work in.
Singapore scored with its 'no-nonsense approach to corruption', the report said.
Perc said the 100 expatriates polled here were of the view that the Singapore Government is 'doing an excellent job of keeping corruption low'.
'It is not excessively bureaucratic and does not impose onerous compliance costs, but it is strict about regulations and thorough in its monitoring,' the report said.
Perc highlighted the integrity of the public sector as a factor that impresses foreign investors.
It said the lack of corruption also enhances the Republic's credentials as a business and financial centre.
Why in the world are expatriates surveyed to find out if a country is corrupt? Shouldn't you ask the citizens? Who would have a better idea of the corruption than the citizens? Especially in the case of Singapore. Corruption in the country has become legalised. Expats who aren't familiar with the way things are done in Singapore are obviously unlikely to rate it as corrupt. Oh well, once again, the catchy slogan comes to mind: "NS for Singaporeans, Jobs for Foreigners". I sometimes think if they could amend the constitution, they would allow FTs to vote because it would ensure the ruling party a win.
The Philippines and Thailand seen as most graft-ridden in survey of expats
By Goh Chin Lian
THE Political and Economic Risk Consultancy (Perc) expects corruption to emerge as a hot-button issue in Asia this year as slowing growth, rising food prices and political campaigns feed a groundswell against graft.
But Singapore is unlikely to be tainted as expatriates surveyed by the Hong Kong-based group once again rank it the least corrupt economy in the region.
The annual survey also rated Hong Kong and Japan highly among 13 Asian economies.
The Philippines was deemed the most corrupt for the second consecutive year.
Thailand, China, Indonesia, India and Vietnam fared poorly too.
The 1,400 expatriates surveyed in January and February this year were asked to grade the extent that corruption detracts from the attractiveness of the business environment they work in.
Singapore scored with its 'no-nonsense approach to corruption', the report said.
Perc said the 100 expatriates polled here were of the view that the Singapore Government is 'doing an excellent job of keeping corruption low'.
'It is not excessively bureaucratic and does not impose onerous compliance costs, but it is strict about regulations and thorough in its monitoring,' the report said.
Perc highlighted the integrity of the public sector as a factor that impresses foreign investors.
It said the lack of corruption also enhances the Republic's credentials as a business and financial centre.
Why in the world are expatriates surveyed to find out if a country is corrupt? Shouldn't you ask the citizens? Who would have a better idea of the corruption than the citizens? Especially in the case of Singapore. Corruption in the country has become legalised. Expats who aren't familiar with the way things are done in Singapore are obviously unlikely to rate it as corrupt. Oh well, once again, the catchy slogan comes to mind: "NS for Singaporeans, Jobs for Foreigners". I sometimes think if they could amend the constitution, they would allow FTs to vote because it would ensure the ruling party a win.
Labels: Politics, propaganda
Monday, March 10, 2008
Few More Photoshop works
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Also decided to brush up my skills so I helped Cheryl to come up with a banner for her foodblog
just for fun.
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It's not really what I envisoned.. the pictures are supposed to be like billboards and I wanted to add street lamps.. but I haven't mastered that yet.
Labels: photomanipulation
Funny Math Equation
My First Completed Paintwork
Using the photoshop program that Vincent passed to me, I've tried to make better use of my time by improving my PS-ing skills.
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Labels: photomanipulation
Excellent Fried Chicken (EFC)
Went down on Saturday to try this indonesian fried chicken place at Marine Parade. Here are some of the pics at Cheryl's food blog. I highly recommend it.
http://cookingistherapy.blogspot.com/
http://cookingistherapy.blogspot.com/
Labels: Food
Friday, March 07, 2008
All the best to those getting their 'A' Level Results Today
Thursday, March 06, 2008
He might really still be in the country after all
So it's a week since Mas Selamat got out of prison. During that period, we have gotten a lot more information (either not useful, or just released too late). The important stuff hasn't been revealed yet. Once again leading me to make comparisons between the way things are done over here in Singapore and how my company used to deal with crisis. The private sector deals with issues a lot faster. There's no need for some board of inquiry. We were expected to have initial findings within the first 24hr. Full report out to the customer out within the next 2 days. Why must it be revealed within the next 2 days? Because the customer is important. And it shows a sense of urgency. Now Singaporeans can be considered as the customers of the Singapore government. I mean that's why they are called civil servants right? But sometimes they seem to forget the servant part. I mean.. when are the servants paid more than the employers? Anyway like I was telling the fatone the other day, I know how to make sense of their salary. Divide by number of citizens who support them. And if that seems logical to you, you are indeed a typical Singaporean.
Now let's compare what the people involved did. They revealed bits and pieces of information. Like attire and the on-off limp. I've watched enough TV/Movies to know what is normally done. An APB is put out for a suspect with full description : Including last seen location, attire and whatever distinguishing marks. Straight away. Our Home Team? We released it days after.
It astonishes me because we are constantly told that our public sector pegs itself to the private sector on certain things. I see that performance is sadly not one of them. The full report is due to come out in about a month's time. And according to one of the quotes by George Yeo: "We'll reveal what can be revealed." So there's stuff that's going to be covered up? Well at least he's being upfront about it.
And where are the top 3 leaders of Singapore during this period? MM, SM and PM have been surprisingly quiet through all this. One would assume MM Lee at least would have something to comment on this. Since he once commented that to put an end to such talk (referring to people criticising the government), would be a dose of incompetent government. I guess he's keeping his promise after all. How rare, finding a politician who keeps promises.
Anyway, the reason for the title is because I just came across an article regarding how a bangladeshi(spelling?) worker was mistaken to be Mas Selamat because he walked with a limp. Police raided his home and all. This poor man however did not know anything about Mas because he (here's the crucial point) doesn't understand the posters and stuff that have been put up. Which brings up the crux of this post: There are several areas in singapore where Mas can easily hide because the people there do not speak English or what not. The posters will mean nothing to him. Also they may not be keeping an eye out for him. I was at Golden Mile Complex last Sunday and Mas could easily have been hiding there. Lots of foreign nationals. But I'm sure the brain trust already has all their protocols in place.
Now let's compare what the people involved did. They revealed bits and pieces of information. Like attire and the on-off limp. I've watched enough TV/Movies to know what is normally done. An APB is put out for a suspect with full description : Including last seen location, attire and whatever distinguishing marks. Straight away. Our Home Team? We released it days after.
It astonishes me because we are constantly told that our public sector pegs itself to the private sector on certain things. I see that performance is sadly not one of them. The full report is due to come out in about a month's time. And according to one of the quotes by George Yeo: "We'll reveal what can be revealed." So there's stuff that's going to be covered up? Well at least he's being upfront about it.
And where are the top 3 leaders of Singapore during this period? MM, SM and PM have been surprisingly quiet through all this. One would assume MM Lee at least would have something to comment on this. Since he once commented that to put an end to such talk (referring to people criticising the government), would be a dose of incompetent government. I guess he's keeping his promise after all. How rare, finding a politician who keeps promises.
Anyway, the reason for the title is because I just came across an article regarding how a bangladeshi(spelling?) worker was mistaken to be Mas Selamat because he walked with a limp. Police raided his home and all. This poor man however did not know anything about Mas because he (here's the crucial point) doesn't understand the posters and stuff that have been put up. Which brings up the crux of this post: There are several areas in singapore where Mas can easily hide because the people there do not speak English or what not. The posters will mean nothing to him. Also they may not be keeping an eye out for him. I was at Golden Mile Complex last Sunday and Mas could easily have been hiding there. Lots of foreign nationals. But I'm sure the brain trust already has all their protocols in place.
Labels: bewildered, food for thought, law enforcement, mas selamat, Politics, screw-ups, stupid policies
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
If you're a fan of Friends and 80's cartoon
Monday, March 03, 2008
Where's Mas now?
Committee of Inquiry's report will be useful (??) for other countries too
SINGAPORE: The final report by the Committee of Inquiry, set up to investigate the escape of Jemaah Islamiyah leader, Mas Selamat Kastari, will serve as critical knowledge for other countries as well. Mas Selamat escaped last Wednesday from the Whitley Road Detention Centre. He has been held under the Internal Security Act since 2006, as he had allegedly plotted to crash a hijacked plane into Changi Airport.
Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng announced the formation of the independent committee on 2 March. The committee will likely submit a report in a month or so. Retired Judge, Goh Joon Seng heads the 3-member panel. Also on the panel - former Commissioner of Police, Tee Tua Ba and Deputy Secretary of Security at the Home Affairs Ministry, Choong May Ling. Experts said this is an authoritative panel and the members are logical choices. They noted that the retired judge would be able to address legal issues, while the ex-police chief will have knowledge about law enforcement.
Experts said the committee will likely study areas like how he managed to escape from the detention facility, the initial moments when he disappeared and the centre's security infrastructure. The panel will also likely make recommendations on how to prevent such an incident from happening again. Experts also added that other countries would read this final report closely to compare it with their present security practices. Using that report, other regional authorities can tighten their own detention procedures.
Associate Professor Kumar Ramakrishna, member of the Head Centre for Excellence for National Security at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies, said: "The importance of providing such an authoritative analysis and investigation would be certainly to provide what would amount to the definitive view and official view on the subject of this detainee's escape. “It also would help to quash a lot of public speculation and answer a lot of questions which may be in people's minds.“ He added: “I think the commission's work will be very important and useful to not just within the government but to analysts outside, as well as to our counterparts in the region as well.”
In another development, authorities in Johor are assisting Singapore to track down Mas Selamat. Johor's Police Chief, Mokhtar Shariff said his department has distributed photos and details of the wanted man, to its personnel manning all the entry points in Malaysia. He added that the Malaysian law enforcement officers have also "been instructed to arrest the fugitive on sight." The Police Chief said that “Singapore had made an official request for assistance from Johor." -CNA/vm
Useful? Ya, ok. The lesson to be learnt is simple, when escorting a dangerous man, do not let him out of your sight. Follow him to the toilet, help him to pee if necessary. I mean you're already holding him without trial. What are human rights? Stupid things that people say.Labels: bewildered, law enforcement, mas selamat
Yet another spoof movie
