Posted by theonlinecitizen on September 10th, 2007

This open letter was written by Otto Fong (see insert picture) who is currently teaching in the Raffles Institution. In this letter, he openly shares his sex-orientation of that being gay which he published in his blog.

And incidentally, his story was featured on the frontpage of today’s The New Paper.

This is a good read for us to better understand the struggles, pressures and thoughts of a gay growing up and living in Singapore.

AN OPEN LETTER FROM OTTO FONG

I am Otto Fong. I have been teaching Science in Raffles Institution for the last eight years.

Being a teacher has been the most rewarding part of my professional life thus far. My students continue to amaze me daily with their wit, maturity, independent thinking and leadership. It is very fulfilling that I am a part of an institution that moulds the future generation of Singapore’s leaders.

Leaders are people who can rise above the tide of popular opinion, people who are guided by the conviction of rightness and justice and in being so guided, lead others towards that right path.

Read the rest of Otto Fong’s letter here>>>

Former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad was interviewed by Malaysia’s fortnightly political tabloid Siasah on Aug 9. This is an extract from the interview published in the current issue of the tabloid

Recently it was featured in The Straits Times (dated Sep 5) . This ‘must-read’ interview provides a very insightful view on the love-hate relationship between Singapore and Malaysia.

SIASAH: The Iskandar Development Region (IDR) is a massive and expensive project that is said to be very beneficial especially to Johor in the long run. But various quarters – including you, Tengku Razaleigh, PAS members and international financial analysts based in Singapore – are sceptical about whether the project will run as smoothly as planned.

Tun Dr Mahathir: We can develop our territory anywhere we like. But the problem is Singapore’s involvement in this project. Why must there be a special joint ministerial committee to decide on the development in Malaysia?

Why must we depend so much on Singapore’s participation to develop the IDR? As we know, Singapore is not a good neighbour, and even if it agrees to be involved in the IDR, Singaporeans will eventually buy houses or factories and reside here.

Singapore reportedly has plans to increase its population to eight million to 10 million (sic), a large part of which will be imported from mainland China. As Singapore can only accommodate up to five million to six million, the rest of its population will probably be placed in the IDR….. (con’t)

Read the rest of this exclusive interview here>>>

As expected, positive and upbeat news on Premier Lee Hsien Loong’s National Day Rally speech on Sunday were splashed all over the papers the next day.

And my personal verdict: Life (depending on your definition) does not look to good ahead for Singaporeans.

In my opinion, he has yet again raise the bar with his vision of Singapore being a “City of Possibilities.”

Not that I am against our nation from progressing econmoically, but this comes at a time where Singaporeans are already playing the ‘catching-up game’ in order to get by with the ever-increasing cost of living. This vision easily translates to us, Singaporeans having to study, work and serve even harder then before.

Notwithstanding that this is further compounded with many having to defer retirement plans and continue contributing to “nation building” plans till 67.

So the initiatives and incentives seems to be contrary of solving the widening income gap and our greying population if you ask me.

Is building this city of possibilities possible?

Singapore boleh (can in Malay)… 

Frankly, not only do I believe it is possible, but I know it will happened one way or another as it has been the case over these passed 42 years since we, Singaporeans are a bo bian and bo chap ‘can-do’ and ‘never-say-die’ bunch (=p).

However, as some would reply to their bosses when receiving instructions, “You talk very easy, but work who do?” (Ho ho…)

One of the mornings I noticed this long queue near a bus-stop along the AYE where I usuually board the bus to work. 

They were definitely not queueing for Gwen Stefani’s live concert tickets nor for Singapore’s latest local musical production- “881” getai movie tickets. They were queueing to purchase units from a freehold condominium property! 

This property frenzy is really taking Singapore by storm at this moment.  

And apparently it looks like Singaporeans these days getting richer and richer (and more, poorer and poorer).

Why?

Cos the very next day I saw that all the units were snapped away like hot cakes and sold out (!?).

Last Saturday was the Handicaps Welfare Association (HWA) Flag Day!

As they were in dire need of manpower, I decided to volunteer and lend a hand. This was my first time doing this! =)

Indeed I was blessed with the time spent in the heartland of Yishun “begging” for loose change from passer-bys near the MRT station. Blessed cos I got to work on the ground and serve the community in some way.

As having worked in the marketplace over time, my heart can become abit oblivion to the needs of others in Singapore. So this was somewhat a great exercise for my heart.

It was also quite heartening to observe that generally, Singaporeans are a giving bunch. Approximately 60% of whom I had approached gave cheerfully.

Of cos, there would be the ocassionally act-blur types that would just whizzed by me as though I didn’t exist even when I was clearly in front of them. Haiz…

But one passer-by stood out from the rest. While I was doing my pitch and asking this elderly guy, “Sir, you want to donate and support the physical disabled?” (in Mandarin)

He didn’t reply but gave me a face by squinting his eyes and pluckering his lips each time I asked.

I don’t think my Mandarin that bad rite?! Ha ha ha….

“The second reason is economic. When the birth rate drops below replacement, the population ages. With fewer working people to support more retired people, it puts a crushing tax burden on the smaller group of working age people. As a result, young people delay marriage and having a family. Once this trend starts, the downward spiral only gets worse. These countries have abandoned all the traditions they formerly held in regards to having families and raising children.

The U.S. birth rate is 2.0, just below replacement. We have an increase in population because of immigration. When broken down by ethnicity, the Anglo birth rate is 1.6 (same as France) while the Hispanic birth rate is 2.7. In the U.S., the baby boomers are starting to retire in massive numbers. This will push the “elder dependency” ratio from 19 to 38 over the next 10-15 years. This is not as bad as Europe, but still represents the same kind of trend.

Western civilization seems to have forgotten what every primitive society understands; you need kids to have a healthy society. Children are huge consumers. Then they grow up to become taxpayers. That’s how a society works, but the post-modern secular state seems to have forgotten that. If U.S. birth rates of the past 20-30 years had been the same as post-World War II, there would be no Social Security or Medicare problems.”

Excerpt from an article- A Global Intelligence Briefing for CEOs by Herbert Meyer

Just a few days ago, CNA reported the impending change in the CPF policy to permit Singaporeans to withdraw their CPF minimum of $100K only when they have reached the age of 65. This is another increase from 62 with the original permitted age being 55.

Read full story here>>>

Mr Lim Swee Say was quoted in the report saying:

“25 years ago our life expectancy was less than 70 years old. Today, 25 years later, our life expectancy is about 80 years old. I’m very sure that 25 years from now, our life expectancy could be 85 or 90 years old. So we have to ask these very tough questions… will Singaporeans have enough savings and earnings to see him or her through this longer life span? If the answer is yes, then none of us need to worry, but I don’t think the answer is yes.”

Personally, Mr Lim’s statement gives the impression that the gahmen is doing us a favour by extending the age policy in order we can save enough for our lives. But since when has it been the gahmen’s priority to be concern if we are saving enough for our lives? 

And to be honest, Mr Lim’s reasoning in favour of the impending policy change isn’t all that convincing:

“If you continue to have an income, you can defer drawing your CPF by another two to four years. This way, by the time you really stop working, there will be more money in your CPF. You can also earn interest in your CPF account.”

Duh….

If we relate our situation with Herbert Meyer’s theory from the excerpt, then the rational behind this impending policy change could be due to the lack of babies that Singaporeans are producing. More Singaporeans equal more taxes. So in order to ease the tax burden on the younger age people which might be us or our children, the retirement age is extended.

As the US are navigating their way through a social security crisis with their baby boomers and 401K , I believe our gahmen are watching them closely and taking steps to avoid a similar plight. Hence, this highlights the gahmen’s changed of stance in 2004 to encourage more babies in Singapore. 

Read related article here>>>

I wonder what would the response be from the Singapore baby boomers if they knew the real reason behind the reason?

Here are some interesting comparisons in the light of PM Lee Hsien Loong’s disclosure on increasing top ministers’ salaries…  

Annual salaries of heads of government:

1. Singapore Prime Minister US$1,100,000 (S$1,958,000) a year 
2. United States of America President: US$200,000
3. United Kingdom Prime Minister: US$170,5564. Australia Prime Minister: US$137,060

Annual salaries of Ministers of government: 

1. Singapore Minister: US$819,124
2. UK Minister: US$146,2993
3. US Cabinet Secretary: US$157,000

Source: Asian Wall Street Journal 10 Jul 2000 taken from SDP website

Participate in this quick poll here>>>

Little wonder he’s smiling from ear to ear… ha ha… =P

As most are aware, the popular topic hawking the local headlines since last week had been the upcoming raise of the GST to 7%.

On the news front, we have have been reading and hearing primarily from our ruling party who have been presenting their points of justifying this move.

Now let’s hear from the other sides (Opposition Parties) and what they have to present for us to have a more balance view on the GST rise …

From the Worker’s Party (WP):

Parliamentary Speech- 28 February 2007

Budget Speech

By NCMP Sylvia Lim

Sir, the Second Finance Minister has outlined increased social spending in the years ahead. This is to be expected of any government faced with an aging population, an increasing income gap and the threat of an underclass developing if the income gap is unchecked. Looking at the Budget offerings, I support the principle behind supplementing low wages and keeping our low wage workers employed.

Read full speech here>>>  

From the Singapore People’s Party (SPP):

An excerpt from a MP’s dialogue session on 4 February…

We will like to propose to the Government, the humanitarian ways of helping the poor that without the need to increase the GST.

1.          To tax the rich to help the poor and not tax the poor to help the poor.

2.          To scrap the idea of lighting up the City skyline

3.          Put various  departments that are from same Ministry under one roof

4.          Cut down Government expenditure

5.          Stop or reduce assistance to neighbouring countries

6.          Stop spending too much money on fireworks  Ha ha ha ha!!! (laughter my own insertion =p) 

7.          Tax collection from IR, to be only use for helping the poor

8.          Optimize the land usage and release it to private for development

9.          Last but not least, exempt essential items that are necessary for our daily life from the GST.

 

View full details of dialogue session here>>>

Some time last week a friend of mine made this remark as we were admiring a horizontal view of Singapore from Sentosa Island:

“Ain’t we fortunate to be able to enjoy the fruits of our government efforts from over the years?”

Wow… to be frank I was rather taken a back by his remark/statement as I am somewhat used to mulling over the gahmen faults and imperfections from time to time =p

But to be fair, our government despite with its shortfalls such as being overly economic-driven has done a fabulous job in shaping our nation to where it is today and working hard in positioning us for the future.

The fruits we are able to enjoy are the quality living that most Singaporeans are able to indulge; able to get ‘top-class’ education and a global integrated network for social or business purposes.  

On my recent visit to one of our neighbouring countries, I was appalled of hearing the atrocious crime rates that were mounting in the city. Worse was that learning the police were mainly made up of a corrupted bunch who didn’t give a hoot about serving their community except for lining their pockets.

This is just one of the negative issues. This situation really dampens the people’s confidence in living in that particular country and building a life there.

However I had observed that though most have become ‘numb’ to any hope of a reformity within the country, somehow they have learnt to adapt and survive living there.

Therefore in my opinion, being a small nation like ours though with limitations, has its advantages like being able to better lead more effectively. But still credit has to be fully given to the relentless work from our visionary leaders.

Hmmm… indeed we are blessed being a Singaporean in one way or another, and it is up to an individual how we utilise our privileges as a citizen.