Month September 2007

CPF: What Is The Real Truth?

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When someone comes to me and shares a conflict or some unpleasant encounter with another party, I try my best to keep an open mind by not concluding based on all that he/she tells me. 

I will, at least maintain that till I have found out the facts from the whole situation and after listening also from the other parties involved. That way I would have a balanced and complete picture in order to make a good and wise judgement or conclusion. 

In regards to the CPF tweaking plans in implementing the complusory annuity for all Singaporeans, most of us have heard a plenty from our government’s side of the story through their our mainstream media. But what about the other side of the story- the people?

Here’s an extract of a comment made from a fellow Singaporean in this blog that should set us to think alittle bit more about what the new CPF plans spell for us ahead.

What is the real truth? You decide…

If I remember well, when I started work as a teenager in 1968, I was told by my boss that 25% of my pay will go to CPF. He will contribute 25%. My boss said, “That’s law, don’t worry. Government guarantees you’ll get it all back when you retire at 55”.

On reaching my retirement goal- age of 55, I was shocked that they have moved the goalposts many times since I started work at 1968. My money wasn’t my money anymore. Yes, there’s Special, Medisave & Retirement Account – SMRA – “You can’t touch these!” A hip hop/rap song?

For those who “catch no ball” about the CPF system and latest Longevity Insurance Scheme, read here>>>

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My Doodling:

This year is a memorable Mid-autumn Festival for me. With loads of mooncakes being readily offered at work, I have been gobbling them till i got sick and was on medical leave! =p

Wah lau… Eat Mooncake also can get sick!? CMI…

Be An Agent of CHANGE

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Watch this stirring clip!

As a saying goes… “The only constant is CHANGE; we need to change ourselves, in order to change this world”

The question that now begs to be answered by us: Are we willing to be that agent of CHANGE?

Changing The World

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Last Sunday I watched Evan Almighty. I was expecting a cheesy and lame movie, but instead I found the movie a good watch and value-for-my money!

It was particularly moving to watch the relationship between “God” and Evan. I think the producer did well in portraying God as one that is personal.

What I was reminded…

Many of a times we (like myself) want to do great things for God like changing the world by building His Church or extending His kingdom or running for office or doing humanitarian works. 

And all these by themselves isn’t wrong, but it becomes warped when we want to determine and persist the way we want to achieve it when we say it is for God.

Like Evan Baxter who ran for Congress office, he saw his politician position as the means to change the world. But after a prayer, God re-directed him to His way in changing the world- by building an ark (!?).

What I have learnt…

If I want to change the world for God, I have to do it His way (and not my way). Even if His way seems foolish at the price of losing popularity or status, I will have choose to obey Him all the way too.

God Is Advancing His Kingdom

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Jesus also said, “The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens.

The earth produces the crops on its own. First a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens. And as soon as the grain is ready, the farmer comes and harvests it with a sickle, for the harvest time has come.”

Mark 4:26-29 (New Living Translation)

When Globalisation Hits Home…

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From The Sunday Times on 16th September 2007

Everywhere in the United States (including Singapore- my own insertion), workers are being hurt by the migration of jobs to lower-cost countries. Paul Zach looks at how life has changed in Michigan after companies shifted their production abroad and workers found themselves jobless at close to retirement age.

NANETTE and Gerald Holden poured a combined 56 years worth of sweat and blood into working for one of the countless factories that fed Detroit’s ‘Big Three’ automakers – Ford, General Motors and Chrysler.

Now tears are almost all they have to show for it.

Just four days before Christmas last year, the plant they both worked at in Elsie, a town of about 1,000 people not far from Lansing, Michigan’s state capital, closed.

‘They pretty much just sat down and said we’re gone,’ said Mrs Holden. ‘It was devastating.’

Read the full article here>>>

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My Doodling:

Its amazing how you can read the bible over and over again, and always learn something new. Recently I am reading the book of Mark, one of the four Gospels. I am in awe all over again how Jesus came and literally turned an upside-down world right-side up! He is the HOPE of the world and HE STILL IS!

Just like how today’s news of Jose Mourinho’s resignation as Chelsea’s manager had sent shock waves in the sports world, Jesus’ life and ministry sent shock waves in Israel and now all over the world. The vast difference between the two- Jesus’ impact saves and transforms lives!  

Playing an active part as Singaporeans

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Posted by theonlinecitizen on September 15th, 2007

Recently I decided to be a part of TOC by being one of their writers. I thought this would be a great avenue or platform to do my part in being a NERVE in our country.

I strongly believe TOC has the potential to be a credible and qualified representative for Singaporeans from the ground up.   Hopefully TOC would eventually, one day be recognised by our government as a partner in policy-making decisions towards re-making our country a better home for Singaporeans to live, work, play and grow old.

After casual exchanges with friends over some local socio-political issues, I have to say that generally, majority of us Singaporeans take a very passive if not an apathetic approach when it comes to Singapore socio-political issues.

I think this can be largely due to us Singaporeans ‘taking for granted’ the strong leadership and efficiency of our government.

Personally, I think this is not very healthy for us as a country and has to be addressed as it might pose a grave danger for all of us.

 Read the rest of my debut article here>>> 

High Prices

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THE costliest place in the world to get high is Japan, according to the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime’s annual World Drug Report.

The street price of a gram of cannabis weed was $58.30 in 2005, over twice as much as in the next most expensive nation, Australia. Americans pay nearly twice as much as Canadians.

Similar disparities occur in Europe. Although the Netherlands is the only Western country where cannabis can be bought legally, punters pay more there than in Germany or France. Prices are cheapest in developing countries, where enforcement is less strict.

Taken from Economist.com (dated 12 September 2007)

Thank God For HOPE

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HOPE Singapore turned sweet 16 over the weekend and that accounts to 7 remarkable years with this church family and counting more ahead!

I can still recall the first time that I ‘blur blur’ stepped into a Hope service which was held at the Kreta Ayer Theatre.

My initial thoughts were, “Is this a church or some cult??” (=P)

I guess back then I was accustomed to the concept that a church service was to be held in some churchy building and not a shoddy and run-down theatre hall =p

But back again to my first step-in experience. Well, I think I can candidly say that life for me has never been the same again!

Why? Cos here I not only met God, but grew to know and love Him even more.

But of cos, Hope does have her shortcoming and imperfections, but one cannot doubt her commitment towards God, His word and His vision. And this can be consistently observed through our leaders’ lives especially our Pastors.

Thank God for their sacrificial lives! Cos without Hope, I dare to say that I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Thank God for Hope, for touching and changing my life!

NOTE: This is not a Hope membership recruitment exercise. Ha!