tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44344991850275170262023-12-17T07:16:14.410+08:00Frugal Introvert's DiaryMusings from a peasant living in Overworked, Overconsumption & Time-Starved Sillypore.Xianlonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18126812922321444916noreply@blogger.comBlogger535125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434499185027517026.post-27382172677641685972015-09-30T23:56:00.003+08:002015-09-30T23:56:48.030+08:00Making It Harder to Measure So Customers Spend MoreA disgraced local director has produced a movie 'Money not Enough' in 1998 to portray the financial problems in this now the most expensive city in the world.<br />
<br />
Besides wages being suppressed by massive influx of foreign workers, corporations are using discreet ways to wring more profits out of people. They are pretty successful in making more profits by making consumption hard to measure.<br />
<br />
I'm an old-fashioned guy when it comes to washing myself. I still use soap. Many people have switched to shower foam which is costlier. Not only is it costlier, people use more of it since liquid form squeezed onto their palm are hard to measure.<br />
<br />
The container of shower foam is often opaque as well reducing consciousness. End result: Hard to measure so use more(spend more). Along the same reasoning behind more spending via credit cards (not seeing cash) than cash(more prudent).<br />
<br />
I'll bring a small sized soap(cut to size if necessary) with me during overseas trips on budget accomodations. Is more practical than packing a small bottle of shower lotion which the bottle might spill inside the luggage.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi29we3JZEHsOiF9U0wPed4pyqWDQeqx5Pc2CBQp1HKCDRwIHvYD-tj1Z7qsQSnf8RLdnSffTEF4Jrg-F9zhz9QEy8Wk1FMVlsOP3ghZw6nvYUocCaAXAmKlSH_4cim6k4wXv2YZQa1WPQ/s1600/SoftDrinkSoap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi29we3JZEHsOiF9U0wPed4pyqWDQeqx5Pc2CBQp1HKCDRwIHvYD-tj1Z7qsQSnf8RLdnSffTEF4Jrg-F9zhz9QEy8Wk1FMVlsOP3ghZw6nvYUocCaAXAmKlSH_4cim6k4wXv2YZQa1WPQ/s1600/SoftDrinkSoap.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1.5l plastic bottle = 4.6 cans of 325ml aluminium cans</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1.5l @ $1.40 (sale)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
48cans @ $17.90 (sale)</div>
<br />
Did you realise there's less & less aluminium can drinks sold in 24 pack-cartons at supermarkets? The plastic 1.5l bottle has become the de-facto way by which drinks are sold. I very seldom order drinks even when eating at hawker centres due to the absurd markups. I might buy natural drinks like sugar cane but not the others.<br />
<br />
Drinks are often sold in 1.5l bottles at supermarkets instead of aluminium cans for the same reason - people don't measure when pouring unlike a limited can. End result: pour more to drink so spend more.<br />
<br />
The thoughts of others be it not-close friends, acquaintances, coworkers of me being so hard-up on not spending money on a drink during meals doesn't bother me. In the journey to financial security, hard choices have to be made. It doesn't make much sense for me to pay for a severely mark-up drink with ice when i drink to my heart's content(still find it hard to do so) by buying a large bottle or a few cans more for the same price at the supermarket.<br />
<br />
If one succumb to peer pressure to look good by spending money on too much unnecessary stuff early on, the financial journey will be even tougher ahead.Xianlonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18126812922321444916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434499185027517026.post-45026343477154845982015-09-28T23:39:00.000+08:002015-09-28T23:39:05.354+08:00Winners Create/Play by Their Own Rules - Indonesia's Haze WeaponHazardous air quality in western part of the island during the afternoon today before a thunderstorm brought a bit of respite. For a reminder of how terrible the visibility is at hazardous air quality do refer to a 2013 <a href="http://frugalintrovert.blogspot.sg/2013/06/worst-haze-decline-of-condensed-milk.html">blogpost: <u>Worst Haze, Decline of Condensed Milk & Emergence of Creamer</u></a>.<br />
<br />
The worst is on last thursday night(hari raya haji) when the haze reached hazardous zone leading to the closure of primary & secondary schools the next day on friday. Thus it became a 4 day long weekend for pupils.<br />
<br />
Here is how it is at very unhealthy levels when i took the photo during the thursday afternoon before it worsened to hazardous levels at night:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Kw9cJI04rruPNRM7dFsJ0inwa0N2D5tlBLf-8OACiK1i1CHaBxmr3oVzjNCEQ9yAhY87-kNsb514L4qWC7SqS2qNCLrjRchzC1AcNY-tIp8gzMr0cJXcuWFLdJ5mH048is-HzlYULsY/s1600/Haze24Sep15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Kw9cJI04rruPNRM7dFsJ0inwa0N2D5tlBLf-8OACiK1i1CHaBxmr3oVzjNCEQ9yAhY87-kNsb514L4qWC7SqS2qNCLrjRchzC1AcNY-tIp8gzMr0cJXcuWFLdJ5mH048is-HzlYULsY/s1600/Haze24Sep15.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
For a clear day comparison please look at <u><a href="http://frugalintrovert.blogspot.sg/2015/08/dismal-few-flags-displayed-in-2015-for.html" target="_blank">Dismal Few Flags Displayed in 2015 for Singapore's 50th Birthday</a></u> (open in new window)</div>
<br />
<br />
The hybrid regime spends a whopping amount on defense. In the elections earlier this month, its gargantuan machinery printed rebuttals to S'pore Democratic Party's policy proposals. Massive manpower are mobilized to distribute those rebuttals to peasants. Among which is that it is dangerous for SG to cut defense spending by 40%.<br />
<br />
I've already blogged just days before the election campaigning start that <u><a href="http://frugalintrovert.blogspot.sg/2015/08/south-koreas-vietnam-war-era-aircraft.html">South Korea's Vietnam War Era Aircraft Shows How Absurd Singapore's Defense Budget Is</a></u>. Unfortunately, many peasants believed the hybrid regime's drivel. Few realize that the opponent might not follow rules as what we peasants are trained by the hybrid regime's education system to be obedient rule followers.<br />
<br />
<b>Why Play By the Winners' Game?</b><br />
Using the haze to damage SG without mobilizing a single armed soldier is the smart way to do things by Indonesia since their armed forces are so much weaker. Get creative & no absurd military defense budget needed.<br />
<br />
History is replete with examples of the underdog who is outgunned/outnumbered who win by refusing to play by the game rules of their strong opponents:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Impressive Maginot Line built at enormous costs - Hitler simply invaded neutral Belgium & then thrust into France(surrender after 6 weeks).</li>
<li>Vietcong refuse to fight conventionally with US forces during the vietnam war as much as possible. They resort to guerrilla warfare.</li>
<li>Sept 11, 2001 - Terrorists using their creativity in turning jetliners into flying missles.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
Winners are winners because they are good at playing the game in a particular way. Why engage them in ways they are good at?<br />
<br />
<b>Majority of Peasants Playing a Losers Game Set-up by Hybrid Regime</b><br />
Foreign workers are to a huge extend very obedient in following instructions. Why would they risk rocking the boat? Just shut up & earn as much S$ to retire back home. Their strong obedient trait coupled with their cheaper salaries is very appealing to bosses. Locals attempting to outcompete them by being even more obedient are a wishful thinking lot.<br />
<br />
If competing with obedient foreign workers by being even more obedient is not enough, there's machines as well which would do a person in - <u><a href="http://frugalintrovert.blogspot.sg/2015/04/being-obedient-follow-instructions.html">Being Obedient & Follow Instructions Mindlessly = 'Die' Even Faster</a></u> (blogpost)Xianlonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18126812922321444916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434499185027517026.post-84977606168737601842015-09-19T23:11:00.000+08:002015-09-19T23:11:05.665+08:00Swing Voters Not Thinking Logically & Long Term in Singapore 2015 ElectionI volunteered as polling agent(am shift) for S'pore Democratic Party(SDP) in the general election held last week. Although i don't support lebian/gay, the policy papers published by SDP is better than the Workers Party which is the preferred alternative party among peasants. Manifesto 2015 of the Workers Party(WP) has improved over its 2011 but i still consider SDP's proposal better than WP's.<br />
<br />
Another reason i chose to volunteer for the SDP is they are the best hope in the west for winning parliamentary seats.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">History Repeat Itself</span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEaJCLCrCGfGwurKNZGr2wt5vTiv-0xFPoLcJ5BKhMxQzWRucJO5J7QfW2wvpbPnSTyU_HQWHBOk64Tx9YC6Uxl9aM6khoduhMPupjjRoy5iFG6jGaYtAsoFKdJzqDBahdsLAMDDZvgx0/s1600/CaoCaoOnBlindPplFull01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEaJCLCrCGfGwurKNZGr2wt5vTiv-0xFPoLcJ5BKhMxQzWRucJO5J7QfW2wvpbPnSTyU_HQWHBOk64Tx9YC6Uxl9aM6khoduhMPupjjRoy5iFG6jGaYtAsoFKdJzqDBahdsLAMDDZvgx0/s1600/CaoCaoOnBlindPplFull01.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Duties of Polling Agent (am shift)</b><br />
I was the only polling agent(am shift) at the polling station i was assigned to. The hybrid regime has 4 polling agents & they rotated once during my 6 hour shift, hence there's 8 of them. All the hybrid regime polling agents are busy with their work of striking voters name out on their list by referring to the polling coupon number called out by the presiding officer. eg. 001 Tan Ah Kow called --> Strike out 001 from list.<br />
<br />
Alternative party polling agents don't have the list(required to buy). This is an uneven playing field besides shortage of manpower by alternative parties (1 vs 8).<br />
<br />
I was dressed in party colors(red shirt & khaki pants) as we're told to do so. The presiding officers who are from the civil service all wore neutral colors. To my surprise the hybrid regime polling agents also wore neutral colors as i read from forum on a thread calling for volunteers that they are all 'white'(previously). Perhaps they themselves are prepared about the reduction in votes for the hybrid regime hence is better to wear neutral colors.<br />
<br />
The most important task of a polling agent is to arrive early at 7:30am to inspect the ballot boxes to make sure they are empty prior to sealing at 7:50am. Thereafter the work of an alternative party polling agent is akin to an invigilator during exams. Polling agents can listen in to presiding officers explaining voting procedures to their 'blur' people. Nobody is supposed to tell voters who to vote in the polling station.<br />
<br />
During the slightly more than 6 hours i was there, i didn't go to toilet(emptied before start). Preferably there should be 2 polling agents(alternative party) at a polling station. I had to watch over 4 ballot boxes & luckily all 4 boxes are in straight row.<br />
<br />
My shift ended when a girl(red shirt) relieved me. At end of my morning shift, around 75% of voters have voted. Went back to my constituency to vote.<br />
<br />
For the pm shift polling agent, the most important task is that there are no fake boxes on the transport bus. Witness the proper sealing of the box slot. If possible, board & accompany the transport bus to the counting center.<br />
<br />
<b>Dismayed at 70% Voting for Hybrid Regime</b><br />
Even though Singfirst is the alternative party standing in Clementi, i voted for them anyway. I went to bed early due to sleepiness as i didn't get much sleep in the hours leading polling agent duty.<br />
<br />
It is to my shock the morning i wake up to learn that practically all the swing voters voted for the hybrid regime.<br />
<br />
The rot in the country is there for everyone to see (blogposts):<br />
<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><u><a href="http://frugalintrovert.blogspot.sg/2015/08/dismal-few-flags-displayed-in-2015-for.html">Dismal Few Flags Displayed in 2015 for Singapore's 50th Birthday</a></u></li>
<li><u><a href="http://frugalintrovert.blogspot.sg/2014/01/cancerous-gdp-growth-in-singapore-has.html">Cancerous GDP Growth in Singapore Has Reached Terminal Stage</a></u></li>
<li><u><a href="http://frugalintrovert.blogspot.sg/2014/10/rot-decay-in-orchard-road-shopping.html">Rot & Decay in Orchard Road Shopping Enclave Beside Istana</a></u></li>
<li><u><a href="http://frugalintrovert.blogspot.sg/2014/04/jcube-reactor-core-meltdown-cum.html">JCube - Reactor Core Meltdown cum Cancerous GDP Growth</a></u></li>
</ul>
<br />
And yet these fencesitters chose to give a strong mandate to the hybrid regime! How daft can they be?<br />
<br />
Even the hybrid regime itself doesn't expect such a landslide win as they:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>field a suicide team in Adjunied & yet they lost by a thin 1.9% (1% swing & they would recapture)</li>
<li>carved out sacrificial small areas such as Fengshan, Macpherson, Bukit Batok (yet win handsomely)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
I would say the fencesitter voters are daft. They are not thinking logically & not looking at the bigger picture. Why?<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Those rot & decay i mentioned earlier.</li>
<li>Manifestos/policy papers by SDP & WP are better than the hybrid regime's picture book with little details.</li>
<li>WP contesting 28 seats out of 89 parliamentary seats. Even if win all, still need another 2 seats to be captured by another party to form 33% alternative voice in parliament. Hence hybrid regime with majority seats would still form the government.</li>
</ul>
<br />
So with these logic, i don't see a reason not to vote for alternative party to reduce the popularity of the hybrid regime. Yet practically all the middle ground vote for the hybrid regime...<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">Repeat in 2015 election</span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQRyxuk6kHbFF-N53d8w0UEPhFLMmDrxbaNT2Pu4pYqICbVBUulpYYyzTx0y76UvPc8iI5F7GovQHvefJWbJRlK12vDxmuo1V8Cj4rPVopemioVkVGERT6dEZT0g7l_7q8ex7mN5qtfuQ/s1600/KenJayaFuckDaftSinkies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQRyxuk6kHbFF-N53d8w0UEPhFLMmDrxbaNT2Pu4pYqICbVBUulpYYyzTx0y76UvPc8iI5F7GovQHvefJWbJRlK12vDxmuo1V8Cj4rPVopemioVkVGERT6dEZT0g7l_7q8ex7mN5qtfuQ/s1600/KenJayaFuckDaftSinkies.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
......but even more despicable are those swing voters' blind devotion.</div>
<br />
<b>Why Swing Voters Ought be Prioritized for Retrenchment</b><br />
Imagine you are a boss/supervisor. Would you want to have daft workers working for you despite all those logically reasons presented to him/her & yet they still chose to be bullied by the vendor/supplier by giving a strong mandate?<br />
<br />
All these kiasu(scared lose) , kiasi(sacred die) & daft workers who are not thinking logically & not looking at the bigger picture would eventually give you more trouble. The single engine dominated jetliner is performing poorly & the daft passengers still don't want to have an alternative engine as backup.<br />
<br />
How can you compete if your competitors are hiring & surrounding himself with workers who are better able to think long-term for themselves?Xianlonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18126812922321444916noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434499185027517026.post-82729323125467391012015-09-09T15:05:00.000+08:002015-09-09T15:05:27.820+08:00Why People Who Take Pictures with Highly Unpopular Minister Are DangerousToday is the last day of campaigning for the general election before polling day on Friday. The hybrid regime knows it is a sure win in Jurong constituency where i live. Same goes for West Coast constituency so they don't bother holding rallies in both. Hottest contest are raging in the east against the Worker's Party challengers.<br />
<br />
The closest contest near where i live is Holland-Bukit Timah constituency which is a few hundreds metres away. I have mentioned in 2 blogposts about the US embassy inviting Chee Soon Juan of SG Democratic Party to their independence day celebrations. So far i would say the american diplomats are right on in their ground sentiment assessments of SG.<br />
<br />
The first day rally video of CheeSJ have gone viral with over 500,000 views on youtube(1 of duplicate video is now removed). It is a marvelous comeback for CheeSJ who has been cast as a baddie by the hybrid regime & many sinkies are brainwashed into thinking so.<br />
<br />
Many have awoken from the brainwashing after watching the Day 1 video as the audience for SDP's rallies grew day by day by day. During the early days of the campaign, the hybrid regime has concentrated its guns on Worker Party in the east over the town council issue. As the audience for SDP rallies surge over the days, the hybrid regime found another headache in the west & thus turned most if not all their guns to SDP in the west.<br />
<br />
To show how scared shitless the hybrid regime is towards CheeSJ & his team, one just need to watch 2 videos of the 2(out of 4) defending hybrid regime candidates.<br />
<br />
Vivian Bala fled from CheeSJ on Sunday morning at Bukit Timah hawker centre.<br />
<ul>
<li>At 4:11 he scared take pics facing CheeSJ (he turned his back).</li>
<li>Made his escape at 5:40.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wCsrn-BpgnU" width="640"></iframe>
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Why People Who Take Pictures with Highly Unpopular Minister Are Dangerous</b><br />
<br />
Vivian Bala is infamous for:<br />
<ul>
<li>$104M budget for Youth Olympic Games but overspent to $387M</li>
<li>You want 3 meals in a hawker centre, food court or restaurant? as reply to request for $1 extra in allowance a day for the needy.</li>
<li>Only rich or corrupt people work for free (how the heck does Wikipedia succeed then?!)</li>
</ul>
<br />
With these 3 obnoxious stains on him, it bewilders me that peasants would want to take photos with him. Even the US embassy would rather invite CheeSJ to their national day celebrations than associate with Vivian Bala.<br />
<br />
Imagine you are a supervisor, boss, friend, acquaintance & saw a person you recognize taking photo with Vivian Bala. Would you dare give that person higher responsibility and/or promote him? If he/she can betray his/her conscience just for a photo, he/she can betray the boss/company, friendship.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU7QAJDN0S2N2XUsDknTQbtweB6ePemejV4YOJM262xozk_pYMu6IkIfR9cYVKH7R9w54GO5-I_NjMFS-M1zulby38SUHw2kZekMLQ8ZDiDYgZskyG37IgDX-6FztLjGAT4x4gG8IE57k/s1600/CaoCaoOnBlindPplFull01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU7QAJDN0S2N2XUsDknTQbtweB6ePemejV4YOJM262xozk_pYMu6IkIfR9cYVKH7R9w54GO5-I_NjMFS-M1zulby38SUHw2kZekMLQ8ZDiDYgZskyG37IgDX-6FztLjGAT4x4gG8IE57k/s1600/CaoCaoOnBlindPplFull01.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Blind devotion from peasants who still associate with that obnoxious minister by taking photo with him.<br />
Do those blind devotees know they just took photo with a coward who fled when phototaking is done?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkbUbZHSI01njLOcImXVH5NIbz81wFH7s9QlGobGsiaXxKfA1SanfKNnhpQm4bFwk-hm85JDSLt17oJ-kmf7TM8JR7xGegufyMWQrwlbAbOY9ogTpzs-_lqwJEm4CEP8tYD88biQDpN6U/s1600/CaoCaoOnCaiMaoFull.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkbUbZHSI01njLOcImXVH5NIbz81wFH7s9QlGobGsiaXxKfA1SanfKNnhpQm4bFwk-hm85JDSLt17oJ-kmf7TM8JR7xGegufyMWQrwlbAbOY9ogTpzs-_lqwJEm4CEP8tYD88biQDpN6U/s1600/CaoCaoOnCaiMaoFull.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
If those blind devotees can disregard their conscience by taking photo with an obnoxious minister, what else can they disregard with respect to their supervisor, company, friends? It also shows those peasants are emotional if they still proceed to take photo to be "associated" despite Vivian Bala being an obnoxious minister.<br />
<br />
<br />
Now, let's go on to his constituency teammate- Sim Ann. I'm sure glad she shoot rubbish out of her mouth to boost her chances of losing in the election. It shows how desperate the hybrid regime is having resorted to gutter politics.<br />
<br />
She represent the epitome of gutter politics for the hybrid regime- "......pattern more than badminton. Orh hor hor hor ;) "<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oORzQ8eW3pQ" width="640"></iframe>
<br />
For this general election, the hybrid regime is clueless. Their manifesto is pathetic compared to workers party & democratic party manifestos which are fleshed with details.<br />
<br />
What the disarrayed hybrid regime do is:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>a picture book manifesto with little details.</li>
<li>harping on town council issue against worker's party.</li>
<li>legacy of the dead lee kuan yew</li>
<li>dangle carrots like swimming pool, childcare centres, hawker centres</li>
<li>gutter politics</li>
</ul>
<br />
It will be a close contest in Holland-Bukit Timah. Peasants & rich folks(a major area) in this constituency ought to vote out these 2 aristocrats who look down on peasants.Xianlonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18126812922321444916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434499185027517026.post-31162074278928369572015-08-30T23:51:00.000+08:002015-08-30T23:51:37.000+08:00Slow Construction Time for Extra MRT Station Entrance/ExitOvercrowded tiny island. Construction for an extra entrance/exit for Clementi station has just completed. There are other stations along the line like Commonwealth station with this addition as well.<br />
<br />
Oh gosh! It took at least 15 months. I just took the completed photo & went back searching for the early construction photo & found the picture file dated back to June 2014.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkY7pkibLrOu16M3V7PdH3GosH1XrA3DDsBAgnD48ySJ_G0zTV-Rxy5FSsrbiXfmP_eiK8vMsUl53HX3Cky8KGZzr6XMuFxkRKly0Q2MJLbE9jGDVw7U8V1W7xLBPrj9JIRQRVfh6nh30/s1600/CLEMRTXten2015_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkY7pkibLrOu16M3V7PdH3GosH1XrA3DDsBAgnD48ySJ_G0zTV-Rxy5FSsrbiXfmP_eiK8vMsUl53HX3Cky8KGZzr6XMuFxkRKly0Q2MJLbE9jGDVw7U8V1W7xLBPrj9JIRQRVfh6nh30/s1600/CLEMRTXten2015_1.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
At least 15 months to be done up for for this simple addition compared to 4 years for 2 super expensive casinos to be completed. Clearly the completion time ratio of the 2 indicate the hybrid regime does not consider it an urgent task to relieve the peak hours congestion.<br />
<br />
With the slow construction speed of a simple addition, the aristocrats would prefer the peasants to have more clusterfucks during rush hours:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA4_dawhqM4bEw1ogY7Kc1FYIVeC2sL8JklfEGHkXDm4WyIdtyHzJo1Cv-_3uNisNXNWREd2ofQt1ganIaS0fWvZhFp8Cm_qdTD5ncbG3rjyDQeih72w1rzAE7mbByG4CHWpHOX0j985s/s1600/LakesideMRTTetris.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA4_dawhqM4bEw1ogY7Kc1FYIVeC2sL8JklfEGHkXDm4WyIdtyHzJo1Cv-_3uNisNXNWREd2ofQt1ganIaS0fWvZhFp8Cm_qdTD5ncbG3rjyDQeih72w1rzAE7mbByG4CHWpHOX0j985s/s1600/LakesideMRTTetris.gif" /></a></div>
<br />
With the frequent breakdowns & clusterfucks going on, the hybrid regime has to sacrifice the transport minister(sacked) in addition to gerrymandering the constituency he is in for the upcoming election scheduled to be held in slightly less than 2 weeks time.<br />
<br />
The green patch of grass parallel to the road has been sacrificed for the building of the extra bridge linkway. Notice the road curving to the right.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPE3E6Xen7GgSKG0klsBGFKSZ2sX22thmmRnPpiS89OvY27tvqpwppiLAtLcRRhTge2P705gXsBKjCud6BMgKRSNMUTbsGcDWSaazTwfuiYoNPHrkNDYHVo3Nyk_bqwRgx57ovdeWNi_E/s1600/CLEMRTXten2015_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPE3E6Xen7GgSKG0klsBGFKSZ2sX22thmmRnPpiS89OvY27tvqpwppiLAtLcRRhTge2P705gXsBKjCud6BMgKRSNMUTbsGcDWSaazTwfuiYoNPHrkNDYHVo3Nyk_bqwRgx57ovdeWNi_E/s1600/CLEMRTXten2015_2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ramp on the left is for the wheelchair disabled/ babies on prams.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Notice the other bridge linkway further up ahead.</div>
<br />
The bridge has to be high enough for double decker buses to pass under. Then peasants have to walk just under the elevated train track on the bridge linkway to the extra entrance/exit.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_miuDtqFE1tQ5Sj81lS9JeKM-sOnHHbIP6b0cogYwySrzPw9NHOhHSZua0FzYuETVv0S5hbVVRuGg04-1NA8u7w2M7DQ8JkSL-NRopm6e9Q5KPJ6bJAr4Il83EgdNg7krxF2XhEod-U/s1600/CLEMRTXten2015_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_miuDtqFE1tQ5Sj81lS9JeKM-sOnHHbIP6b0cogYwySrzPw9NHOhHSZua0FzYuETVv0S5hbVVRuGg04-1NA8u7w2M7DQ8JkSL-NRopm6e9Q5KPJ6bJAr4Il83EgdNg7krxF2XhEod-U/s1600/CLEMRTXten2015_3.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
You can see a security camera on the ceiling. Monitor traffic. Detect/deter terrorist? There are plenty targets of opportunity such as infested shopping mall. A determined suicide bomber terrorist can detonate himself/herself on the moving train, blow up a supporting track column or just blow him/herself up on the stairs under the elevated track.<br />
<br />
Is a waste spending excessively on defense. A smart enemy would utilize asymmetrical/unconventional methods to cause damage/cripple infrastructure. Why play by the rules of the much richer opponent? The sept 11th 2001 event showed the world how terrorists used 2 hijacked airliners as flying missiles.Xianlonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18126812922321444916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434499185027517026.post-8372571351207844292015-08-29T23:51:00.000+08:002015-08-30T23:52:21.974+08:00South Korea's Vietnam War Era Aircraft Shows How Absurd Singapore's Defense Budget IsSouth Korea held a live firing exercise earlier this month. What shocked me is that they are still using vietnam war era weapons such as F-4 fighter-bombers & Cobra helicopter gunships.<br />
<br />
We all know how serious a threat the north korean hermit kingdom is with its provocative shelling & its massive artillery force within striking distance of Seoul.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdYxkrGQ7R1r0IFSxocH7Setn4nwpOM2cjIl0HWiB4WmzXPfIknDX4Ml-738McOYiP2jlN9czinveEAog6uKUQUrLxNLwYWh9j3BzrrA0nR0fnSJNPq-wRScfeP9KtWm8uJ4v437Jb3Zs/s1600/SKoreaVieEraWeapons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdYxkrGQ7R1r0IFSxocH7Setn4nwpOM2cjIl0HWiB4WmzXPfIknDX4Ml-738McOYiP2jlN9czinveEAog6uKUQUrLxNLwYWh9j3BzrrA0nR0fnSJNPq-wRScfeP9KtWm8uJ4v437Jb3Zs/s1600/SKoreaVieEraWeapons.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Yet despite facing a serious threat, South Korea still spend prudently with their defense budget. In the early days of S'pore, we had a prudent defense budget as well. Our <u><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AMX-13">AMX-SM13 light tanks</a></u> were upgraded a few times. Ditto for A-4 Skyhawks instead of buying latest expensive weaponry.<br />
<br />
South Korea sent substantial troops to assist the US during the vietnam war. However their subsequent South Korean governments psyche were not affected by greed due to their political structure. In S'pore however, the hybrid regime mutate into the present greedy one.<br />
<br />
As greed comes into play, defense spending shoots up. Much of taxpayers $$ are channeled into the government linked defense companies. Hence taxpayers $$ flow into the private shareholders of which the sovereign wealth fund(SWF) benefit the most. There's nothing wrong with keeping the money inside S'pore. Problem is that the SWF lost substantial sums in overseas investments.<br />
<br />
<b>How ridiculous is our defense spending?</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp90QEEdBiSwtzC_d9_mJZnn5c0aiiHgfMTCNMpIBdOSsCm4oTCMzueTd9FkxWQE9maYqbI5QoFqq3VlDxiMvv4GEWAeCiZSxB6ekw0lzsP-VSXKE8oLX5nknTmgD-oC8PmeKhUCg2GVc/s1600/SGDefensePerCap08.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp90QEEdBiSwtzC_d9_mJZnn5c0aiiHgfMTCNMpIBdOSsCm4oTCMzueTd9FkxWQE9maYqbI5QoFqq3VlDxiMvv4GEWAeCiZSxB6ekw0lzsP-VSXKE8oLX5nknTmgD-oC8PmeKhUCg2GVc/s1600/SGDefensePerCap08.gif" /></a></div>
<br />
According to Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, we spend 3x more than South Korea per capita. And we are not even facing a hostile North Korea.<br />
<br />
<b>Tax Increases? Just Reduce Defense Spending & Reallocate</b><br />
There have been rumors about GST 10% should the hybrid regime win the upcoming elections. People question the alternative parties about how to fund citizen-centric policies without increasing taxes.<br />
<br />
The answer is simple. If South Korea still have vietnam war era weapons in its arsenal, there's certainly no need for the latest weaponry for this tiny island. With reduction in defense spending, the $$$ can be diverted to spend in discounted travel for our soldiers on public transport, educational grants for financially struggling students etc...<br />
<br />
With a 3x difference in spending compared to South Korea, there is certainly room to improve citizen's well-being through reallocation. The key is to have a different political party at the helm. Forget about the hybrid regime changing for the better due to its heavily entrenched self-interest over decades of rule unless it suffer a major defeat the polls.<br />
<br />
New ruling party, new mindset, new priorities.<br />
<br />
Lastly, <u><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVXQlkpaC5k">enjoy watching South Korea's 10min youtube clip August 2015 Living Firing Exercise</a></u>.Xianlonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18126812922321444916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434499185027517026.post-44251080997786901292015-08-28T23:56:00.000+08:002015-08-29T00:02:06.587+08:00Dismal Few Flags Displayed in 2015 for Singapore's 50th BirthdayI slacked a lot in blogging this month. With SG50 & election being announced this month, this blogpost will attempt to highlight what i consider significant about these 2 events.<br />
<br />
First of all, the 50th birthday of the country. As usual i can't be bothered with watching the parade cum propaganda on tv. Despite the incumbent ruling party throwing the kitchen sink like pioneer package, merchandise on SG50 discounts & all the SG50 hype, the number of flags displayed is again appalling.<br />
<br />
Throw out so much SG50 hype, how many flags can you see on this photo taken on national day? Does a different coat of paint make more citizens fly the flag?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjouGIodxW4yGCEKpBTasOgJlFC_7LHpV0uiPKbnTZn2yeLwDyCMVJcfJqNrd6Md6aM57HS92v64wvx-bWLRqxsudmtanur2-HYm5nOcrbvUUNkqy0irNnGskmOHZTVzX14oS971HiY9PM/s1600/FewFlagsNDP15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjouGIodxW4yGCEKpBTasOgJlFC_7LHpV0uiPKbnTZn2yeLwDyCMVJcfJqNrd6Md6aM57HS92v64wvx-bWLRqxsudmtanur2-HYm5nOcrbvUUNkqy0irNnGskmOHZTVzX14oS971HiY9PM/s1600/FewFlagsNDP15.jpg" /></a></div>
Compare it with last year(2014) - <u><a href="http://frugalintrovert.blogspot.sg/2014/08/record-low-flags-display-in-2014-before.html" target="_blank">Record Low Flags Display in 2014 Before 50th Anniversary</a></u> (open in new window)<br />
<br />
<br />
Before the 50th national day celebrations, hordes of sinkies are leaving the country for a rare 4 day long weekend. It's supposed to 3 days but the hybrid regime declared an extra public holiday & urge the peasants to stay behind & join in the celebrations.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinFhZIdZ__1F99pd7JdpKGszHQyh4MxyGZzej69c3mqUV-g1vIHqHQNGvgtunWtj_hwTz1eG_iNoxu3yc0OLw-mZLBUzRDWLrAfHMs1PJIgoLt1XCYeItJijCNhqcIiCTktHL6k8ykKpo/s1600/SG50Exodus06Aug01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinFhZIdZ__1F99pd7JdpKGszHQyh4MxyGZzej69c3mqUV-g1vIHqHQNGvgtunWtj_hwTz1eG_iNoxu3yc0OLw-mZLBUzRDWLrAfHMs1PJIgoLt1XCYeItJijCNhqcIiCTktHL6k8ykKpo/s1600/SG50Exodus06Aug01.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
When taking precious leave for a short vacation becomes a terrifying thought with the fear of being replaced by a cheaper foreign worker, the 4 day long weekend provide a nice respite out of the overcrowded island. Only ordeal are the horrible jams through immigration.<br />
<br />
<br />
Then to the announcement of election 2015 to be held on 11th Sept & their candidates rollout. Which white scums get my blood boiling most?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgafhg_ebxe0j1MXoGIytKiUbvzB1K5MALVe7ls_3WECzcKExqT8876-oehUpoh6o4EUEUl1lMBnIx03_yE2t4PO0NGbcvYFUkMWNOX3HUYhy5o3h_cxppJSQI_C45rD36R1yxTZza-_ug/s1600/SembScumsGE15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgafhg_ebxe0j1MXoGIytKiUbvzB1K5MALVe7ls_3WECzcKExqT8876-oehUpoh6o4EUEUl1lMBnIx03_yE2t4PO0NGbcvYFUkMWNOX3HUYhy5o3h_cxppJSQI_C45rD36R1yxTZza-_ug/s1600/SembScumsGE15.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
斯文败类 when hospital beds not enough.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My mum & dad(passed away) were victims of insufficient beds.</div>
<br />
Coming down from his ivory tower & pretending to empathize with peasants. End up getting easily exposed - his fox tail revealed.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AXcLZcQIN2Q?t=21s" width="640"></iframe>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
狐狸尾巴漏出来 at 21st second.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Almost said Tan Payoh, then said Toa Payoh mall when no such place exist. Only a normal coffeeshop.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
伪君子.</div>
<br />
<br />
I'm somewhat disappointed that Workers Party is contesting 28 seats which is just 1 seat short of 33% parliamentary seats needed to veto toxic policies. They are playing the safe route to get those fence-sitter voters to vote for them. Why the safe route? The blame is on those daft fence sitters who are kiasu, kiasi(scared lose, scared die) when the rot(some of which i've blogged about) in the country is already staring them in the eyes.<br />
<br />
As for the S'pore Democratic Party(SDP), i hope they win at least 1 seat. With 1 seat serving as a base, SDP can then follow the route of WP's initial Hougang base spreading out to capture more.<br />
<br />
For the other alternate parties, it is unlikely they would win but it is imperative for voters to decrease the hybrid regime's vote % to as low as possible.Xianlonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18126812922321444916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434499185027517026.post-40476936951360633972015-07-31T23:23:00.000+08:002015-07-31T23:23:18.561+08:00Email Marketing from a Cinema Chain Done RightWas clearing out old emails & came across this marketing email from MBO Cinemas, a malaysian cinema chain. I do catch a movie or two when leaving the country to have haircuts from traditional barbers - <u><a href="http://frugalintrovert.blogspot.com/2014/03/chop-passport-to-cut-hair.html">Chop Passport to Cut Hair blogpost</a></u>.<br />
<br />
The email is something done right in the sense that it offer something for free with no strings attached. You can redeem the medium sized popcorn without watching a movie but the cinema chain already bet that most would naturally buy a movie ticket.<br />
<br />
Title of the email is: Enjoy a complimentary popcorn on us!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaUzjmnPGaFZznmx-6lkbo2BAY8a3PotWD-WVjg24V7igMeBNzvf-20F0y7iGnv2UGF-dqdqOjD3DQ-o_N3o-voezGnPYYzH9dlZ24TZIU-H5xZ13-i6HTAEqSC3YsLOjij11fJJLk8jQ/s1600/MBOEmailDoneRight.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaUzjmnPGaFZznmx-6lkbo2BAY8a3PotWD-WVjg24V7igMeBNzvf-20F0y7iGnv2UGF-dqdqOjD3DQ-o_N3o-voezGnPYYzH9dlZ24TZIU-H5xZ13-i6HTAEqSC3YsLOjij11fJJLk8jQ/s1600/MBOEmailDoneRight.gif" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Top of email also display my loyalty reward points. - Nice touch of personalization.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Unfortunately it disappeared when i reopened the email 2+ months later.</div>
<br />
<br />
With no strings/ gimmick attached, it breaks the cycle of the promotional emails being deleted without being read. Many times i delete emails from eBay, Aliexpress, Qoo10 without opening to read. Why? Because their emails are focused on selling more stuff to the reader. As time goes on, the reader is 'conditioned' to ignore these 'selling emails' - thus delete without opening to read.<br />
<br />
Another issue is frequency. I find the promotional emails from MBO Cinemas is like fortnightly to once a month so i don't find it irritating. Coupled with its freebie email thrown in to break the vicious cycle, i would commend on the current MBO email marketing team on a job well done.<br />
<br />
Not too many & not too frequent. Freebie thrown in once in a while to 'train' people to open their emails. They got the right mix for the formula, something which unfortunately is lost among many companies.<br />
<br />
A few pennies on free popcorn to keep customers to continue opening to read their emails. A cheap investment considering the dreadful scenario of customers being trained to 'no need read their stream of selling emails; just delete'.Xianlonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18126812922321444916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434499185027517026.post-33181066899355198092015-07-30T23:54:00.000+08:002015-07-31T00:04:33.327+08:00Gerrymandering of Jurong GRC in 2015 ElectionIt's been close to 2 months since i last blogged. The upcoming election is speculated to be 12th Sept during the 1 week school holidays.<br />
<br />
Attention are focused on the eastern parts of the tiny island where the hybrid regime's territories are weak & expected to fall for some. What is neglected in the gerrymandering news is the western part where i stay which is a stronghold area for the incumbent.<br />
<br />
Apparently the hybrid regime has thrown the 'Mickey Mouse' area out of Jurong Group Representation Constituency(GRC) due to mickey mouse infestation late last year. Throw out the weak support area & then gerrymandered in much of Clementi.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsneCMOFPKB6vgj6p8OJbNREC3YfWM2iHgYP12acbNfoVu3K1G81vC_wZY3LSYjSea2j9xITkt1rs7I6Gtf85tUjhyRkHM0J-v7RN22wtXswZS5gRRXF1qvaWNzXiAAz3Ed1ybMsuUisE/s1600/JurongGRCGerrymander2015.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsneCMOFPKB6vgj6p8OJbNREC3YfWM2iHgYP12acbNfoVu3K1G81vC_wZY3LSYjSea2j9xITkt1rs7I6Gtf85tUjhyRkHM0J-v7RN22wtXswZS5gRRXF1qvaWNzXiAAz3Ed1ybMsuUisE/s1600/JurongGRCGerrymander2015.gif" /></a></div>
<br />
As such i now belong to a different GRC. Nevertheless i will still vote against the incumbent to bring down their vote %.<br />
<br />
Daft sinkies have to understand that even though the incumbent would still win in the area, it is important to bring their vote % down to keep the 'Mafia In White' on their toes & to boost the hopes of alternative parties in future election(eg. eastern sg)<br />
<br />
For gerrymandering comparisons:<br />
- <u><a href="http://sgmaps.blogspot.sg/p/electoral-map.html">SG Electoral Map 2011</a></u><br />
<br />
- <u><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?usp=sharing&mid=z7C8bz0UE1gI.krC3FB2j12gk">SG Electoral Map 2015</a></u><br />
<br />
Why 'Mickey Mouse' area thrown out? Refresh back to late 2014:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoFZp8qI-qnJEIltCZ0Hxe3dCq8dP-ZQiqF2xF6GebUBMTlKbzvDVbCdUpNSlD4q9g3acLg6HKebsNFWo9_hU-9qFGgHEbN0k4d6BbeFmc36Ml50Wl4qAO0R1oEG_CIERlAPyU8BEeA-g/s1600/BBRatHill02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoFZp8qI-qnJEIltCZ0Hxe3dCq8dP-ZQiqF2xF6GebUBMTlKbzvDVbCdUpNSlD4q9g3acLg6HKebsNFWo9_hU-9qFGgHEbN0k4d6BbeFmc36Ml50Wl4qAO0R1oEG_CIERlAPyU8BEeA-g/s1600/BBRatHill02.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thank you Mickey Mice!</div>
<br />
<br />
Rewinding further back to 1991 when i was clueless about politics - too young:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg75J4jGM83NRtVoPe0qjOW62QY7PEvINBwPtcyFUsEfF36761NhlfGvCoyfgiEpqyKwHyUFHPk3CtmNidLrRDhQ6xm0VKRDsMRxiwR1Fenw3Go4szEEuTa7PEEA2leX3aT20ZY2dJZ0uI/s1600/SDPOnBktBatok1991.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg75J4jGM83NRtVoPe0qjOW62QY7PEvINBwPtcyFUsEfF36761NhlfGvCoyfgiEpqyKwHyUFHPk3CtmNidLrRDhQ6xm0VKRDsMRxiwR1Fenw3Go4szEEuTa7PEEA2leX3aT20ZY2dJZ0uI/s1600/SDPOnBktBatok1991.gif" /></a></div>
<br />
Despicable tactics by the Mafia in White. When close to losing, make the single area disappear by absorbing it into a group constituency. Now when support is low due to 'Mickey Mouse', the area is carved out to be discarded. Nevertheless, it would be wonderful if SDP could win the area & establish a foothold in western SG.<br />
<br />
Whatever the reason/rationale spewed out by the Mafia in White, you can bet that's not the main reason. It is more of a secondary reason brought to the front & sold to the masses.<br />
<br />
Examples are:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>GRC are to ensure minority race representation(secondary reason) when primary real reason is to parachute useless MPs in to remain as dominant party.</li>
<li>Increase public transport fares for better service(secondary reason sold to masses). Primary real reason is to fatten the regime's pockets. Breakdowns getting more & more.</li>
<li>Foreigners create good jobs for sinkies(secondary reason sold to masses). Primary real reason is to collect more levies & taxes nevermind that more & more locals are displaced from their jobs.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This year, the American Embassy invited Chee Soon Juan & his wife again to their independence day celebration. They were invited last year. Perhaps they were invited in 2013, 2012? Even the americans working in the embassy can see the rot in SG. They know the hybrid regime's days are numbered so is better to make friends with people from other parties.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_5pEoEYyAk7ZpgleccDaXycxVg8KP3lJjlda0gZp77lWsOAExo_4wu5fJ6iLSpA9awk0oMEfwx9djl2LTjDWpVlSWAxsQQ2nWxJHssMGuOPiea5Zy9laLl2m0IcIvQ_Xn_qhh-WlL2Io/s1600/CheeSJ4thJuly2015.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_5pEoEYyAk7ZpgleccDaXycxVg8KP3lJjlda0gZp77lWsOAExo_4wu5fJ6iLSpA9awk0oMEfwx9djl2LTjDWpVlSWAxsQQ2nWxJHssMGuOPiea5Zy9laLl2m0IcIvQ_Xn_qhh-WlL2Io/s1600/CheeSJ4thJuly2015.gif" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
For Chee Soon Juan's picture in 2014's 4th July USA embassy celebration, see</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><a href="http://frugalintrovert.blogspot.sg/2014/08/record-low-flags-display-in-2014-before.html">Record Low Flags Display in 2014 Before 50th Anniversary</a></u></div>
Xianlonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18126812922321444916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434499185027517026.post-50248729900048921472015-05-31T23:58:00.001+08:002015-06-01T01:05:55.424+08:00Lessons from reading Monkey King comic series<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
After finishing the 3 kingdoms comics,
I proceeded to devour the Monkey King comic series which is published
earlier by the same comic publishing company.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I'm not too familiar with Journey to
the West. Like the Romance of the 3 Kingdoms novel which I have not
read, I didn't read Journey to the West as well. My understanding is
from the 1<sup>st</sup> drama series many years ago (ok forgotten
enough) & a movie last year starring Donnie Yen as the Monkey
King wrecking havoc in heaven & Chow Yun Fat as the jade Emperor.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It is harder to borrow this Monkey King
comic series from libraries as people find it easier to understand
due to fewer characters (5 travelers) & unique demons compared to
the hundreds in 3 kingdoms which people tend to avoid.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5PTNsow1OmRP75c8ylwM53d00u8nrdqX0RCldm9pSaYRzLAqrcDFSEOiJF0kHinx4b-E1FcTD8fm7kMreodiT14yQ6PehYhcJwM2wSFJZkJtf_EXjzcfopwlgMH6OwjqEFTqp-AtzeYE/s1600/MonkeyKingComics02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5PTNsow1OmRP75c8ylwM53d00u8nrdqX0RCldm9pSaYRzLAqrcDFSEOiJF0kHinx4b-E1FcTD8fm7kMreodiT14yQ6PehYhcJwM2wSFJZkJtf_EXjzcfopwlgMH6OwjqEFTqp-AtzeYE/s1600/MonkeyKingComics02.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Again I like the themes at the end of
each volume which try to extract the lesson..</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #cc0000;">The Meaning of the Journey – Volume
20</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;">The Mahayana sutras have been referred
to throughout the story as the textual key to mankind's salvation.
The sutras of law, discourse & scripture are powerful texts &
they will provide humanity with the tools necessary to escape the
suffering of the world. But Buddha expresses reservations about the
sutras power to change the world right at the moment when one expects
the journey's end to be greeted triumphantly. The supreme being
believes that humanity has descended so far into a living </span><span style="color: #cc0000;">hell that it will be unable to
understand the message of the sutras. </span><b><span style="color: red;">Simply providing the answers
doesn't mean that people will be able to comprehend them.</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Reminds me of Warren Buffett's advice:.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
"Rule No.1: Never lose money.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Rule No.2: Never forget rule No.1."</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
As simplistic as it is, I didn't
understand the concept until recently. A tortoise making slow &
steady gains would trounced the many rabbits of the world striving to
get rich quick which in the process end up poorer.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Losing $$$ is one thing, losing time
which the $$$ is earned is another which is irrecoverable.
Nevertheless I still have no regrets as earlier setbacks sought to
make the learning of Buffett's free advice sink into me.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;">This is why it was essential for
Sanzang & his disciples to go through what they did. Over the
course of the journey, Sanzang, Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie & Sha
Wujing & Yu Long have each confronted situations that tested
their courage, wisdom, empathy & will to succeed. Each of them
has had to reconsider everything he thought he knew about himself &
the world around him. Each of them has to confront what it means to
live in a world meaning meaning or purpose, a world bereft of
morality or </span><span style="color: #cc0000;">a sense of justice. As a result of
this, </span><b><span style="color: red;">the 4 travelers who arrive at the gate of West Heaven are
not the same 4 travelers who came together a decade earlier; they are
each wiser & better able to understand</span></b><span style="color: #cc0000;"> a scripture that
speaks to the need of every individual to be selfless, courageous,
patient & intelligent about how to navigate the path to
enlightenment. Of course, not every single person in the world could
make the journey to the West; but when these 4 friends finish their
mission, their experience will help them convey the true meaning of
the sutras to those who would have no way of knowing what it took to
bring them back to China.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
This is what I consider the most
glaring flaw of the hybrid regime's concocted Group Representation
Constituency(GRC) scheme which allows newcomers to be 'parachuted'
into parliament by hiding behind a minister.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Without going through groundwork with
the peasants, we now end up with a bunch of ministers & MPs who
have little idea of what the peasants are going through.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
No baptism of fire:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>Wiser? Definitely not.</li>
<li>Better able to understand? Another no.</li>
</ul>
<br />
A thing that puzzled me since young when i watched the drama is how come the travelers must travel laboriously across vast stretches of dangerous terrain when each of the disciples can simply & quickly arrive at the West by 'riding clouds'? The answer in bold:<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;">The journey to the West began with a
clearly stated objective: to recover the Mahayana Sutras from India &
return them to China so that mankind could be saved from madness &
suffering. But what is clear by the end of Journey to the West is
that recovering the sutras is only part of the journey's larger
purpose; in order for the wisdom of the sutras to be understood, 5
unlikely companions had to journey both to the farthest reaches of
the world & to the very edge of existence. Their success or
failure would determine whether the sutras would ultimately save the
world, because </span><span style="color: red;"><b>understanding the path of</b> <b>enlightenment requires making a
remarkable journey</b></span><span style="color: #cc0000;">.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
GRCs need to be dismantled – Workers
Parrty manifesto & S'pore Democratic Party manifesto</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Parachute into parliament through GRC.
No journey needed & thus no enlightenment:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>$1000 can buy a flat.</li>
<li>A couple both working to pay 30 years
housing loan is affordable.</li>
<li>Overcrowding not an issue with 7M
population target</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1AtN84i3vnJIKz-lwIa2c7o6V2rJCBIN_mRRQn7hrfap2mvEoCoqElhqVUcjAh5gDOdl825R4jaBQ8P452ddeCGZ1T_9Fn4EFVdHfKaG7YSvrAEI9YPgjWakYxOZDACiuDstzVdlHNZQ/s1600/MonkeyKingComics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1AtN84i3vnJIKz-lwIa2c7o6V2rJCBIN_mRRQn7hrfap2mvEoCoqElhqVUcjAh5gDOdl825R4jaBQ8P452ddeCGZ1T_9Fn4EFVdHfKaG7YSvrAEI9YPgjWakYxOZDACiuDstzVdlHNZQ/s1600/MonkeyKingComics.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
US$9.99 per volume</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
US$199.80 for 20 book series.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Save $$$ & shelf space by borrowing from library.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Ha ha ha. The answer to what puzzled
me. How come the Monkey King needed help to defeat certain monsters
when he was practically invincible against the heavenly beings, their
weapons & magics.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Where Monsters Come From ---Volume 19</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;">All of the monsters encountered by
Sanzang & his disciples fit 1 of 2 groups. The 1st group consists
of the monsters who originate from the natural world, who evil deeds
stem from an animal urge to rule the land & hunt prey. These are
the monsters that Sun Wukong can identify when others can't possibly
because as the product of the collision between the earth & the
heavens, he can sense a natural-born monster, even in disguise. These
monsters tend to be weaker. Sometimes Wukong can kill the monster
with a single swing of his staff(the White Bone Goblin). Other times,
the monsters are destroyed through a battle of wits (Tiger, Sheep &
Elk Oracles). In either case, Wukong & his companions are able to
defeat the monsters on their own. And since the 'evil' impulses of
these monsters have been with them since birth, once the monsters are
defeated, the natural forces of evil die with them.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;">The other & far more dangerous
group of monsters usually go undetected by Wukong. Once detected by
Wukong. they are almost impossible for him to defeat without help.
These monsters began their lives in the heavens, usually as servants
to one of the major Buddhist deities, & their evil deeds stem
from a misplaced sense of ambition; most of these monsters became
envious of their masters & decided to escape their servitude &
come to earth, where they exercise dominion over people using magic &
the threat of violence.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;">The heavenly origins of these monsters make
them difficult to fight, since they tend to have weapons infused with
heavenly energy- for instance, the Rhino Kings armor makes them
impervious to attack from anyone other than the heavenly guardians
who are their sworn enemies. Also when these monsters are defeated,
they often are not killed; they are subdued by the heavenly beings
whom they once served & returned to the heavenly kingdom to atone
for their crimes. For these monsters, killing innocent people is not
a crime punishable by death. This complicated sense of justice in
turn complicates the standard understanding of evil. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;">When it comes to
the monsters of heavenly origin, their evil is not innate; it's an
acquired condition. In other words, it is possible for virtuous
beings to do evil things. Understanding this is important for Sanzang
& his disciples, because to save the world from evil, the 4
chosen travelers will have to know the nature of the evil they are
fighting. In the case of the heavenly monsters, evil cannot be met
merely with death; it must be met with a knowledge of its origins,
which lie outside the life of the monster & will continue to
exist even if the monster is destroyed. In these cases, the monster's
life can be, & often is spared.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;">Sanzang & his disciples have
encountered a wide variety of monsters on their journey to the West,
but the nature of the evil they have confronted tends to fall into
one of two categories: innate evil & acquired evil. Successful
completion will require understanding how a virtuous being doing evil
can create an even more dangerous monster.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Pros & Cons of this Monkey King
comic series:</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Pros:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>More colorfully illustrated than 3
kingdoms</li>
<li>5 travelers & a bunch of unique
monsters compared to 3 kingdoms</li>
<li>Brief intro of characters at start of
each volume.</li>
<li>Covers practically everything from the
drama (I suppose novel as well)</li>
<li>Dose of humor (taunting by Monkey King & monsters):</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
- Oh, don't wet yourselves.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
- You moron.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
- You filthy slug.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
- If this mountain is sacred, then a
cockroach is a butterfly!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
- You were the cretin wiping horses'
rears before being buried under a mountain! Ha ha ha!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
- You rabid oaf!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
- You must be the buffoon.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
- Hey! Slum dog! Rise & shine!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
- If that's a human being, then i'm the
Goddess of Mercy! She's a monster!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
- Where is that miserable fleabag?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
- That stupid baboon.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Cons:</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>Book binding kinda poor.</li>
</ul>
Xianlonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18126812922321444916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434499185027517026.post-36625675922461395762015-05-26T22:57:00.000+08:002015-06-01T01:06:39.016+08:00Even 3 Kingdoms Comic Themes Spell End of PAP<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It's been a lull in blogging for me.
Part of it is i've become a comics maniac binging on comics since
last month. I've never read so many comic books in my life & 3 kingdoms is just the start.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Stumbled upon the comic series from the
library's online catalogue. There's a company in China publishing the
classics in color. However the names of the characters are all
inverted during the translation which sucks. eg. Yu Zhou(wrong)
instead of Zhou Yu(correct).</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In order to read them in sequence, i've
to go to 3 libraries to get them. This is my 3<sup>rd</sup> comic
series reading on the 3 kingdoms. I borrowed the bulk of it at Queenstown library - isolated library helps a lot.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I have never read the 3 kingdoms novel.
I just find the voluminous text too overwhelming. All I did was
reading 2 different comic series, watching 2 drama series, its
cartoon & playing the games. With these one can grasp around 90%
of it.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Romance of the 3 Kingdoms offer
many lessons although it happened close to 2 thousand years ago. I've
used several of its cutscenes from the drama to make my point in
blogposts when necessary.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihueGoEtoM6YlONNsN_nkuxnLgjthvnlQ5zaennICRVqNHXIIYUsHicPMg3ox7ndtzmg3A-Mj7CMTg2ERMy043Uw19Sfryk7MTOZAC61qNkvZrn3poF1pt0_-peScySt0vhR6C3Hrkq0E/s1600/CaoCaoOnCritics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihueGoEtoM6YlONNsN_nkuxnLgjthvnlQ5zaennICRVqNHXIIYUsHicPMg3ox7ndtzmg3A-Mj7CMTg2ERMy043Uw19Sfryk7MTOZAC61qNkvZrn3poF1pt0_-peScySt0vhR6C3Hrkq0E/s1600/CaoCaoOnCritics.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I find the themes in the last 2 volumes
interesting as i related it to the founding prime minister(dead) of SG's hybrid regime.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #cc0000;">The Solitude of Zhuge Liang -
Volume 19</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;">It is common & accepted wisdom that
Liu Bei would not have achieved what he did were it not for the
unshakeable trust he had in Zhuge Liang. This trust was established
because Zhuge Liang filled a very specific gap in Liu Bei's abilities
as a leader: Where Liu Bei was a man of passion, committed to a
dream, Zhuge Liang was a man of logic & shrewdness, committed to
victory. Once they had formed a partnership, Liu Bei's fortunes in
the ongoing war for the throne of China took a dramatic turn for the
better. As was apparent to anyone who witness this startling turn of
fortune, passion alone was not enough to achieve Liu Bei's dreams.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;">But now that Liu Bei is gone, a very
unexpected truth reveals itself, that as much as Liu Bei's passionate
dream depended on Zhuge Liang's shrewd tactics, those tactics alone
cannot achieve the dream unless paired with a similar passion. Only
after it's too late does Zhuge Liang realize that he needed Liu Bei
as much as Liu Bei needed him.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
A individual cannot achieve much
without help from others. There's way overdose of credit splashed out
regarding the old man who passed away 2 months ago. He hasn't reach
the highest 5<sup>th</sup> level of leadership as i've blogged about
in <u><a href="http://frugalintrovert.blogspot.com/2015/03/5-levels-of-leadership-where-does-lee.html">5 Levels of Leadership. Where Does Lee Kuan Yew Stand?</a></u></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;">The problems are apparent soon after
Liu Bei dies. Where once he could call upon advisors & generals
who shared Liu Bei's dream, Zhuge Liang now finds himself surrounded
by a new generation of men, most of whom have no memory of the Han
Dynasty that Liu Bei fought so hard to restore. These men are far
less likely to put a selfless cause before their own interests,
particularly when they have no appreciation of the cause. This makes
it very difficult for them to comprehend some of Zhuge Liang's
strategies which have always been carried out by men for whom the
goal of restoring the Han Dynasty was worth being confounded by
Zhuge's plans.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The issue with the passing of the old
guards. Connecting the dots back to SG, we can similarly relate to
the decline when the old guard ministers are gone or 'retired early'
by the old man in order to consolidate his family power and/or hoard
the glory.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
With independence from Malaysia, the
cause among the old guards was to create better lives for the
populace......</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;">Wei Yan & Ma Su are examples of
this. Both men are eager to wage war on behalf of Shu Kingdom, but
neither acts with the focus or clarity or purpose that Liu Bei &
his brothers did. They may have sworn an oath to figth for Shu, but
their greatest fidelity is to themselves. This is why Wei Yan cannot
understand Zhuge Liang's hesitation to launch an attack that would
cost innnocent lives. This is also what seals Ma Su's doom. Zhuge
Liang's execution order seems quite severe - he pardoned Guan Yu when
he spared Cao Cao's life but the truth is that Zhuge Liang had no
choice. When he pardoned Guan Yu, he knew that the legendary soldier
would never betray Liu Bei's cause again. There are no such
assurances with Ma Su.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
with the old guards gone &
replaced, we are seeing a bunch of people whose greatest fidelity is
to themselves -self serving greedy ministers.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;">When Zhao Yun tells Zhuge Liang of his
mortal wound, the latter weeps for several reasons. For one thing,
he's losing the last connection he has to Liu Bei's generation, the
last person who can recall what it was they fought so hard to
preserve. But he also weeps because he understands that once Zhao Yun
is gone, he will be well & truly alone. Zhuge Liang was never
vain enough to believe he could carry on Liu Bei's dream by himself.
However, once the last of the 5 Tiger Generals has passed away, he
realizes that he relied on others for more than most will ever know.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwPFgwi-iJuMx4iREAk14EM7-3yZZmfC95eNioXR9vn36b3iZKAj-Cuqio8HAwCuiGLXDox950Qt4AegLwKSwO4b71ebbudYft56A581ozeG5buWf2zK4BUhhXz93TYtbsuse1Z4EAGy4/s1600/3kcomicsblackbkgrd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwPFgwi-iJuMx4iREAk14EM7-3yZZmfC95eNioXR9vn36b3iZKAj-Cuqio8HAwCuiGLXDox950Qt4AegLwKSwO4b71ebbudYft56A581ozeG5buWf2zK4BUhhXz93TYtbsuse1Z4EAGy4/s1600/3kcomicsblackbkgrd.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
US$9.99 per volume.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Saved US$199.80 through library.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Not to mention shelf space at home.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #cc0000;">A Matter of Time – Volume 20</span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;">During the century-long contest for
supremacy that was the era of the 3 kingdoms, an epic array of
characters have come & gone, a tyrannical despot, two devious
kings, 3 sworn brothers, several puppet emperors, dozens of noble
bloodlines, hundreds of battle-tested generals & scheming
advisors, thousands of soldiers & countless innocent civilians.
All have endured a seemingly endless conflict marked by the constant
rearrangement of battle lines & alliances, most have fallen at
precisely the moment when they believed they had transcended the
conflict & became invincible. Ultimately, only 2 opponents are
left to determine how history will remember Liu Bei's efforts to
restore the Han Dynasty.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;">But they are not Zhuge Liang & Sima
Yi.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;">Zhuge Liang is one of the adversaries,
certainly, but his true opponent at the end of the story is not Sima
Yi. It's time itself. From the moment Liu Bei died, Zhuge Liang was
struggling to impress upon a new generation of citizens &
warriors why it is important to continue the selfless work of
restoring the Han Dynasty. This task is hard enough when there are
still people in the world who can remember the Han Dynasty. But as
time drags on, fewer & fewer people are left who can remember the
ideal Liu Bei strove to restore. Thus the final conflict is Zhuge
Liang versus time. The longer the battle drags on, the less likely he
is to honor his pledge to carry out Liu Bei's dream. Zhuge Liang's
sense of urgency increases with each failed campaign to conquer the
northern territories, but not because he fears that Sima Yi will
become stronger than him: he knows that Sima Yi will never deafeat
him. But that doesn't matter, because Sima Yi needs only to outlast
him to emerge victorious. Thus Sima Yi is but an accomplice, the
beneficiary of decades of stalemate, a few sudden moments of
tremendous fortune, & time's unceasing ability to replace the old
with the new.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
As time drags on, fewer & fewer of
the pioneer generation are alive. The hybrid regime recognizes this
crucial vote bank which is why this week we have the announcement of
free entry to zoo, night safari, bird park, gardens by the bay for 2-3 months this year, $50
transport vouchers.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Thus the final conflict is PAP vs time.
The new citizens while enamored during their early years would turn
against the regime at the polls after suffering the same policies
inflicted on the natives. I supposed the dead old man saw this point
too as he said the coming election is the last time his party would
win.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;">There is much to learn from this, As
time marches on, many struggles to maintain lifestyles & ideas
that have fallen by the wayside because of progress. For those
children who have ever sat on a grandparent's lap & heard them
speak about their childhood, the events & places & people
they describe can seem as strange & distant as ancient myths.
Ultimately, this was Zhuge Liang's greatest challenge: ensuring the
restoration of something long past while the true opponent, time,
moved relentlessly forward, evermore obscuring the necessity of what
he was fighting for, & clearing a path for an altogether
different order to be built.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><br />
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;">Ultimately, it was only a matter of
time.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
As the pioneer generation are
dwindling, tales of struggle during the country's formative years are
disappearing as well. Children & grandchldren are concerned with
crushing levels of housing debt, stagnating real income levels,
overcrowding & job insecurity.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Ultimately, it was only a matter of
time(for PAP).</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Pros & Cons of this Comic Series:</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Pros:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>In color.</li>
<li>Offers theme thoughts at end of each
volume (which I used in this blogpost)</li>
<li>Brief summary of characters at start of each
volume as introduction for 1<sup>st</sup> timers.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Cons:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>Book binding is kinda poor.</li>
<li>Inverted names in translation.</li>
<li>Many parts of novel left out in order
to condense to 20 volumes</li>
</ul>
Xianlonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18126812922321444916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434499185027517026.post-87624163737239282532015-04-15T23:47:00.001+08:002015-04-15T23:47:31.691+08:00Probably My Last Ride on Original Changi Airport Park ConnectorCycled to a bikeshop at Changi Village to buy a 8speed chain as standby replacement on the morning of the last weekend of March. I rode all the way there because it is sold at $13.50 Treated the long ride there as a morning workout.<br />
<br />
It is probably my last time riding back on the changi coastal road park connector (airport park connector) as there are many dump trucks on that stretch of road & into the reclaimed Terminal 5 area.<br />
<br />
On the journey back, i saw trees being chopped down for Terminal 4 expansion. The ground where i stand to take the pictures is soon going to be runway/taxiway or some airport infrastructure.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsfqESAJAOmg2WUhQ4ok0A83546EYPazWSI_TI1k7jF7p0zrfxVR2-c4U9ezvVa9j3BInmXt6F81qUdM26Ze1DJqMde9YFeeEY_G4jWPtPgvdRzOr6tVlHra48XgFMvS65JXriZRZtXHI/s1600/ChangiAirpotDevelop01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsfqESAJAOmg2WUhQ4ok0A83546EYPazWSI_TI1k7jF7p0zrfxVR2-c4U9ezvVa9j3BInmXt6F81qUdM26Ze1DJqMde9YFeeEY_G4jWPtPgvdRzOr6tVlHra48XgFMvS65JXriZRZtXHI/s1600/ChangiAirpotDevelop01.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Look at the brown patches remaining where no grass grow. Trees block sunlight before chopped down.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgul2Y7u5xYuShg13ArHu-2oP_VOjSTzL81Awcpvcc7KgL-Ek1BROnZIyiCYXRM5iaBvByrDqhY_Icmd3L19Up9DUIj4NNzepQeBDaB8Nh_27x52z7HSAFCJ88wxz2bRm1QiNXBX1yyIEM/s1600/ChangiAirpotDevelop02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgul2Y7u5xYuShg13ArHu-2oP_VOjSTzL81Awcpvcc7KgL-Ek1BROnZIyiCYXRM5iaBvByrDqhY_Icmd3L19Up9DUIj4NNzepQeBDaB8Nh_27x52z7HSAFCJ88wxz2bRm1QiNXBX1yyIEM/s1600/ChangiAirpotDevelop02.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Changi Coastal Road parallel to the runway.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A plane belonging to Tiger Airways on the runway.</div>
<br />
According to Urban Redevelopment Authority's plan for the airport expansion:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Changi Coastal road to be demolished & relocated further east.</li>
<li>Same fate awaits the airport park connector cycling path.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ierDA5B6LHzPTm90t3Fq-iWajv0LumkXdpAXwpvETSpNI1Ot_0yTJifzztQlR2q6ZvVIw_fB1114fXK3gmY2OTc3cLzaiQcggpksFCdOwsVFo82q78AGxRKP2HavHhblbPMPO087Gns/s1600/ChangiFutureT45Plan.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ierDA5B6LHzPTm90t3Fq-iWajv0LumkXdpAXwpvETSpNI1Ot_0yTJifzztQlR2q6ZvVIw_fB1114fXK3gmY2OTc3cLzaiQcggpksFCdOwsVFo82q78AGxRKP2HavHhblbPMPO087Gns/s1600/ChangiFutureT45Plan.gif" /></a></div>
<br />
Trees are being cleared for Terminal 4. And yet the reclaimed land is also being cleared for Terminal 5. This just shows that when it comes to the hybrid regime's profit they are far thinking. Isn't it too far fetched building Terminal 5 when current 3 terminals combined are not full capacity?<br />
<br />
Why Terminal 5 when terminal 4 is not even finished? It puzzled me for a while before i recall that the regime plans to close Paya Lebar airbase & shift it to Changi. Then Paya Lebar airbase can be cleared for squeezing more peasants onto the island. With building height restrictions around the airbase gone - again more squeezing of peasants.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNZ3xWOsTJNZMmDrIr20pnFedtXdbi4zNL3fJO2WbiWXvAuf_ZIIXYwJtfpQQAC0UVro57LAnsyx55whLx2yjl44BRQgib0fwZJ1vO7Lph0v0WFBiEBktVgQ5qqxvKJMvPwrgLmxEKxyY/s1600/ChangiAirpotDevelop03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNZ3xWOsTJNZMmDrIr20pnFedtXdbi4zNL3fJO2WbiWXvAuf_ZIIXYwJtfpQQAC0UVro57LAnsyx55whLx2yjl44BRQgib0fwZJ1vO7Lph0v0WFBiEBktVgQ5qqxvKJMvPwrgLmxEKxyY/s1600/ChangiAirpotDevelop03.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Look at the trees being chopped down beside the airport park connector. Entire stretch is deforested.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmF-CwmvJQ07HVOMY591BzDN16lCabUyD34mQN_ssFFlkpQXaWsKQwglQ0uL7p7OYfwH7918cyi6vGJy-7ljGw_H4vjNL3njAm8ZniaP6XwmT16Yrg0j9GotchQun4x5T6hoIkUYYu4yw/s1600/ChangiAirpotDevelop04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmF-CwmvJQ07HVOMY591BzDN16lCabUyD34mQN_ssFFlkpQXaWsKQwglQ0uL7p7OYfwH7918cyi6vGJy-7ljGw_H4vjNL3njAm8ZniaP6XwmT16Yrg0j9GotchQun4x5T6hoIkUYYu4yw/s1600/ChangiAirpotDevelop04.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
More trees 'killed'.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The land beyond the fence is reclaimed land slated for Terminal 5 & the relocated airbase.</div>
<br />
<br />
I will stress again that the hybrid regime is very far-sighted when it comes to matters affecting its profit be it airport expansion or water supply.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0443RfvzesCWfY2FMc55qeB1rYzHyXWO6OBZXQiI8REuB8HcRmRgcStmN1NFBC8-aTEZ6dtKefd9S4mHnnEY0v0ISrQA96nlJxZiSsoVNGKTymQf95RMJgA-A6Et9sv0aNOA14gee1e8/s1600/SungeiPandanY01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0443RfvzesCWfY2FMc55qeB1rYzHyXWO6OBZXQiI8REuB8HcRmRgcStmN1NFBC8-aTEZ6dtKefd9S4mHnnEY0v0ISrQA96nlJxZiSsoVNGKTymQf95RMJgA-A6Et9sv0aNOA14gee1e8/s1600/SungeiPandanY01.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Population explosion = Increased water consumption.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Look at the light yellow mud stains. That's how much water level drop in canal leading to Pandan reservoir.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
For a few more pictures please refer to <u><a href="http://frugalintrovert.blogspot.com/2015/03/dredging-of-sungei-ulu-pandan-dry-spell.html">Dredging of Sungei Ulu Pandan & Dry Spell</a></u> blogpost.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
Peasants don't experience electricity nor water shortages because the elites need these critical resources. However when it comes to hospital beds for the peasants, we have bed shortages. Same for housing shortages to induce astronomical prices to suck dry the peasants retirement funds.<br />
<br />
It is a deliberate act over the years. It amazes me so many fools still adore the old man (senior minister & then mentor) who just passed away last month when he is the mastermind behind all these acts to screw the populace.<br />
<br />
A good man in the early years of independence who turned bad after prolonged cling to power.Xianlonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18126812922321444916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434499185027517026.post-1211740991104698382015-04-12T23:26:00.000+08:002015-04-16T00:00:27.743+08:00Being Obedient & Follow Instructions Mindlessly = 'Die' Even FasterI collected my new passport from the passport collection machine last month. Even though i received the reminder letter to apply for a new passport last year, i dragged it on so as to use up a bit more pages. I also don't foresee myself away on further destinations which require >6 months prior to expiry.<br />
<br />
My last usage was 5 weeks prior to expiry on a daytrip of Johor, Malaysia. As it was still more than a month, i consider it okay else i'll just persuade the malaysian customs officer to let me through one last time. No word from the officer & i was let through.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKF18OTkqfKN2LYyRy5QrWFOyqPbRzmFTBs0vtWoVYhUk0ydpKTQkU4UAk4GiXMZYgLKAuG04sJBJKVaKndofIbDcFAXQY_Yuop__7JIvQtv8Ccpyjim_l4m8rLXkR6RGcDaWQtLzeFDc/s1600/PassportCollectMachine01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKF18OTkqfKN2LYyRy5QrWFOyqPbRzmFTBs0vtWoVYhUk0ydpKTQkU4UAk4GiXMZYgLKAuG04sJBJKVaKndofIbDcFAXQY_Yuop__7JIvQtv8Ccpyjim_l4m8rLXkR6RGcDaWQtLzeFDc/s1600/PassportCollectMachine01.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
The amusing thing after i collected my new passport from the machine was that a staff came up to me & asked for my old passport. She then proceed to punch holes to void my old passport.<br />
<br />
Ha ha ha. Civil serpent reduced to hole puncher. The hole punching part is the only part that isn't replaced by the machine which can be done if the authorities want to further streamline the process.<br />
<br />
Those civil serpents and those who think that by being obedient & follow instructions mindlessly would be safe are just deluding themselves. Exception are those elite serpents who are very good in Yes Yes Yes to their political masters. For the peasants the formula is:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Being obedient & follow instructions mindlessly = 'Die' even faster</b></div>
<br />
Being obedient & follow instructions mindlessly =<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Hire a cheaper foreigner who is even more obedient zombie. Remember what the bus driver hired from China who led the strike said: <span style="font-size: large;">"他们认为他妈的中国人真多,去一趟就能招来几百号人,用完了,不听话了就滚蛋."</span></li>
<li>Automate it.</li>
<li>Move the work overseas where it is cheaper.</li>
</ol>
Although the PRC bus driver was fired, i consider him a leader who is not easily replaced with automation. How to automate leadership trait? His inspiring speech to his comrades is valuable that i archived a copy at <u><a href="http://frugalintrovert.blogspot.com/2012/12/leadership-of-lowly-educated-bus-driver.html">Leadership of Lowly Educated Bus Driver Vs 3 Star General's</a></u>.<br />
<br />
<u><a href="http://frugalintrovert.blogspot.com/2013/11/dangerous-cog-labor-mentality.html">Dangerous Cog Labor Mentality - Inflexibility</a></u> whereby a worker follows instructions mindlessly also invites complaints instead of being safe.<br />
<br />
Since the passport is an important document, it is foolhardy for the hybrid regime to hire cheaper foreigners. It cannot be moved overseas so that leaves automation. More productive compared to civil serpent who need toilet breaks.<br />
<br />
Right now there are 2 self-collect machines which are launched 2 years ago in 2013. They are situated on the ground level. Like bank's atms & coin deposit machines, more collection of passport & ICs through machines is an eventual trend.<br />
<br />
The 2 civil serpents stationed near the machines as hole punchers also provide some guidance to those unsure users & those who fail facial recognition(rare). I reckon they are former counter staff or staff rostered to do duty downstairs. Further costs can be cut as the jobscope can be done by a retiree.<br />
<br />
Why waste taxpayers' $$$ to pay decent salaries to civil serpents who are there mainly to punch holes?Xianlonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18126812922321444916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434499185027517026.post-412865771754390682015-03-31T23:23:00.000+08:002015-03-31T23:23:11.633+08:00Which Business I Consider Profited the Most from Lee Kuan Yew's FuneralFlorists are doing a roaring business with the demise of the old man with peasants buying flowers as tribute. However i don't think the florists profited the most because of the competition among florists.<br />
<br />
The business that profited the most is one that i suspect many didn't take notice of. Before i reveal what i consider is the most profitable, let's first take a look at the BreadTalk bakery spam chain.<br />
<br />
<b>Make Sure their Bread Cannot Talk! Boycott!</b><br />
The BreadTalk bakery spam chain got into hot soup from selling an overpriced bread (eat & shit out) commemorative of the old man. Many netizens consider BreadTalk to be a crony business because the boss support the hybrid regime's high salaries (see search results below). The boss like to hire pinoys as cheap workers instead of locals.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sell overpriced bread + cheap workers = Laugh all the way to the bank</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMyk18ESjFY1mJhOgwADak37mMj8jqlLd7Hy7SW01FqAeXftFMSt8eSUJ5oo0NKX6fiB43q4KrSV86LTXIx1ZzabLXfhAcnJ7_jmTLBx4XtjsN31XeiiCEQQ-TcuRxZq6SfqRrKzUTT2Y/s1600/BoycottBreadTalkReasons.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMyk18ESjFY1mJhOgwADak37mMj8jqlLd7Hy7SW01FqAeXftFMSt8eSUJ5oo0NKX6fiB43q4KrSV86LTXIx1ZzabLXfhAcnJ7_jmTLBx4XtjsN31XeiiCEQQ-TcuRxZq6SfqRrKzUTT2Y/s1600/BoycottBreadTalkReasons.gif" /></a></div>
<br />
Personally i have never bought nor eaten any bread from that overpriced & pro-pinoy bakery spam chain. The spam chain open its outlets in shopping malls marketing itself as an upscale bakery business. When their bread business open in shopping malls, it disqualify itself from my wallet because i loathe paying for the killer rental component of an item.<br />
<br />
Later on due to the hybrid regime's massive population influx, the boss hired many cheaper pinoys in his outlets which had led me & many others to detest the BreadTalk bakery spam chain even more.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, many gongkias(fools) still support the overpriced & pro pinoy spam chain else it would not have spam so many outlets islandwide. The likely reason i would use to explain is they love to show others they can afford to eat overpriced bread just like Starbucks coffee. To malaysians working here, they would certainly consider those sinkies buying overpriced bread as stupid which i will write about in another blogpost.<br />
<br />
For others, they boycott. They vote with their wallets. Boycott the business & its associated business & the group will close shop.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Closed shop = those foreign workers can go back home countries.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lesser foreign workers = Less crowded trains/space for populace.</div>
<br />
Those who loathe BreadTalk spam chain would patronize those neighborhood bakery chains that hire locals & sell at a lower price, This is the right way to vote. In fact we vote practically everyday. No need to wait until the general election.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Barricade Fences Business Is Best During Lee Kuan Yew's Funeral</b><br />
I first took notice of the company S-Lite during the Chingay at Heartlands. The last performance is supposed to be in the north but the old man passed away so the performance was canceled. However the profit is certainly not canceled due to the contract with the government.<br />
<br />
Is highly likely that this barricade fence company, S-Lite is the contractor to go to for events like marathon, F1 since they are relied on for a big event like Chingay. As i cannot run a marathon nor attended F1, i never heard/notice this company until the Chingay at Clementi 2 weeks ago.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrqHmw8RM_sPEDrCzyeegeShMXYJEXGtP-sfEKJdqfBUioQxOLN4vWdp4xyGR_pZNoW56q4538bEYZa04vcUHKzO43ovjUd1EzYUIhmfajV6CmYFmcoOifdbLQdVhaOht1LR98IZtTAnY/s1600/BarricadeCompyHuatSiao.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrqHmw8RM_sPEDrCzyeegeShMXYJEXGtP-sfEKJdqfBUioQxOLN4vWdp4xyGR_pZNoW56q4538bEYZa04vcUHKzO43ovjUd1EzYUIhmfajV6CmYFmcoOifdbLQdVhaOht1LR98IZtTAnY/s1600/BarricadeCompyHuatSiao.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Why Being In a Boring Business/Industry Helps a Lot</b><br />
Florists got many competitors but it seems to me this barricade fence company got very few. Such is the great thing about being in a business/work that is boring/unglamorous as very few people notice it. Keep a low profile & continue to rake in the profits - this is something Warren Buffett certainly likes about 'hidden gems'.<br />
<br />
I reckon profits come from the distance or number of fences deployed so the more the merrier. It is labor intensive loading & unloading the barricade fences from the lorries. But hey it is a grand funeral for the founding prime minister so being pressed for time, the army boys activated to load, setup the barricades.<br />
<br />
S-Lite boss delighted because:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Charge higher price to govt(us taxpayers) due to very urgent & few competitors.</li>
<li>Plenty of free labor from army boys to do the barricade fences.</li>
<li>Sterling reputation being able to provide so many fences for massive operation.</li>
</ul>
<br />
Instead of that crony bakery spam chain boss that earn more detest from the hybrid regime's supporters, this barricade fence boss is in a much better position as very few notice his business.Xianlonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18126812922321444916noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434499185027517026.post-82478229087699085412015-03-30T23:34:00.001+08:002015-03-30T23:34:42.039+08:00Unprecedented Carpet Bombing of Propaganda in Singapore with Lee Kuan Yew's DeathYesterday's funeral procession marked the end of a week of massive bombardment of the old man's greatness. Even though i don't watch tv, it is hard to avoid the propaganda when the tv at neighborhood coffeeshops are playing video clips of the old man.<br />
<br />
On train stations, there's pictures of the old man on monitor screens. On buses, the bus numbers are partially obscured with a phrase dedicated to the old man. At libraries, a special table was setup with books by you guess it - the old man.<br />
<br />
Even at POPStation which is a parcel self-collection kiosk which i passed by, the screen shows the old man.<br />
<br />
Grassroot volunteers distributed papers of the funeral procession route & slipped it under the doors. My mum picked it up after waking up in the morning & naturally chucked it into the malaysian newspapers pile - she doesn't read propaganda & msian papers are cheaper. The funeral procession route is already pasted on the noticeboard near the elevators. Being kiasu(scared lose), the grassroots went further by slipping the leaflet under the doors hoping to gather more peasants to line the funeral route.<br />
<br />
In order to gather more peasants to see the old man while lying in state at parliament house, civil serpents are given time off work to go pay their respects. You can bet there's peer pressure involved being in the civil service.<br />
<br />
I didn't inform my mum about the old man's passing away when i read about it online. She naturally found out as she went out. There is no sadness after having been through insufficient hospital beds at A&E(1 reason among others). Insufficient hospital beds amid a massive population influx situation which we are suffering now can be traced to the old man as he still rules behind the curtain. Unfortunately this fact has been forgotten as the regime hype his greatness to unprecedented levels.<br />
<br />
How unprecedented is the carpet bombing online?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWmtvTEFH0SaRcbMctZO-raZa2fOXwQdYaT7Fuc6lRTNp_MB2AFlEgZzwniiEHqTn6P3f5urk8OQ40R9mXXVcrdEiX2Zx8RhnIkwlx6pWURcfiNtqQodAWgKP1mwlnMdW0QcXMhcADJzk/s1600/OldManBombardmt01.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWmtvTEFH0SaRcbMctZO-raZa2fOXwQdYaT7Fuc6lRTNp_MB2AFlEgZzwniiEHqTn6P3f5urk8OQ40R9mXXVcrdEiX2Zx8RhnIkwlx6pWURcfiNtqQodAWgKP1mwlnMdW0QcXMhcADJzk/s1600/OldManBombardmt01.gif" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Just a small sample. The list could stretch on...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
All govt ministries/stat boards - U guess it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Many govt-linked companies - U guess it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
Among the govt-linked companies websites which i've checked not succumbing to the hype:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>S'pore Airlines, Tigerair<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Dun have</li>
<li>Neptune Orient Lines<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Dun have</li>
<li>Singtel<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Dun have</li>
</ul>
<br />
I consider the elevation of the old man's greatness to be overly done be it offline & online. He's considered to be a level 4 good leader according to Jim Collins' criteria in 'Good to Great'. Not yet a level 5 great as i've written in my earlier blogpost.Xianlonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18126812922321444916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434499185027517026.post-49634982274049549362015-03-24T05:58:00.000+08:002015-03-24T05:58:50.495+08:005 Levels of Leadership. Where Does Lee Kuan Yew Stand?Too much credit is given to old man Lee Kuan Yew for building up the country. With his passing away, the media be it online or offline are presently filled with plenty of stories to shore up his legacy.<br />
<br />
He has also written many books & while i have not read any book written by him from front to back, i would say his mind is still clear & sharp as i flipped & quick read a couple of pages of his 'One man's view of the world' published in 2013 at a bookstore. The only book i read in its entirely is an interview book done by Tom Plate.<br />
<br />
How does Lee Kuan Yew rank as a leader?<br />
<br />
According to Jim Collins, author of 'Good to Great', there are 5 levels of leadership.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq2ZXY86WwK4bxB33ie5cwKZbLZprdgjK-BsB1rJ69eZiAPb3WrTvvyzcx_xUJ4eXbN_SJiuiHHn7C0-AvjiKdzsZbUyQSC1vlyf-coKiuZWVkqKzzmr8qVm8gTb_KA6SrY-vKEoN8Er0/s1600/JimCollin5LvlLdrship.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq2ZXY86WwK4bxB33ie5cwKZbLZprdgjK-BsB1rJ69eZiAPb3WrTvvyzcx_xUJ4eXbN_SJiuiHHn7C0-AvjiKdzsZbUyQSC1vlyf-coKiuZWVkqKzzmr8qVm8gTb_KA6SrY-vKEoN8Er0/s1600/JimCollin5LvlLdrship.gif" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Why Lee Kuan Yew Has Not Reached Level 5 Leadership</b><br />
I consider him to be a level 4 leader. Why not level 5? Because there's no enduring greatness for the company/country as we can see in the problems of insufficient hospital beds, frequent train breakdowns, declining productivity level from the result of the current 3rd generation management.<br />
<br />
If you look at the commitment/sense of belonging from the number of flags flown for national day last year- <u><a href="http://frugalintrovert.blogspot.sg/2014/08/record-low-flags-display-in-2014-before.html">Record Low Flags Display in 2014 Before 50th Anniversary</a></u> blogpost, it is dismal.<br />
<br />
1st generation -- greatness in uplifting the masses lives.<br />
2nd generation -- greatness wanes as greed among the leaders sets in.<br />
3rd generation -- greatness bank account more or less empty.<br />
<br />
Many peasants are brainwashed through the state controlled media that the old man is hugely responsible for building up the economy. A netizen used the example of the big budget overruns for the 1st Youth Olympic Games showing that the minister/scholars ain't got a clue. Likewise the old man ain't got a clue to running the economy at the beginning & scared the economy can't support the country's population & thus the 'Stop at 2 births' policy .<br />
<br />
<b>A Level 4 Leader He Is</b><br />
His pursuit of his garden city vision is a legacy the peasants & tourists enjoy today.<br />
<br />
On the economic front, economist Albert Winsemius provided advice on massive industrialization. In executing the advice, the old man is able to catalyze commitment from his 1st generation ministers & stimulates them to high performance standards.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_VBn4hSuTyrbwBms7Ae8KpeEg8UdOzzZs-fBdCPYN7ZxkwDx_aGuR5W_Vsav7kCka7A_DWcOPkrgIDzlTk28I5yJxxM36Yb3ga9ZGky6sFEaBDWuq4D3mv_GuWW5DYrGpTsss1Axio-I/s1600/AWHistoryJurong01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_VBn4hSuTyrbwBms7Ae8KpeEg8UdOzzZs-fBdCPYN7ZxkwDx_aGuR5W_Vsav7kCka7A_DWcOPkrgIDzlTk28I5yJxxM36Yb3ga9ZGky6sFEaBDWuq4D3mv_GuWW5DYrGpTsss1Axio-I/s1600/AWHistoryJurong01.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNObLrlreJNRxkyuGwf9vZytiuich0MHgGI_f8IzAme1CPUCJ90PfmDL0U-1RqfV2WGjg-gWXXh80E_9LYG4mzayUCj5RGRkylg0TNJ5lGvahItoioHU3lXyeHAq647CerECAjosXP1f4/s1600/AWHistoryJurong02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNObLrlreJNRxkyuGwf9vZytiuich0MHgGI_f8IzAme1CPUCJ90PfmDL0U-1RqfV2WGjg-gWXXh80E_9LYG4mzayUCj5RGRkylg0TNJ5lGvahItoioHU3lXyeHAq647CerECAjosXP1f4/s1600/AWHistoryJurong02.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
There's a few historical signboards on the history of Jurong a few meters outside CashConverters at Jurong East Central. Have a look if you passed by the area.<br />
<br />
<br />
Albert Winsemius provided advice for free for 25 years. How's that for his economic contribution to our country? Yet his valuable contribution is something that is not registered in the minds of most peasants who are brainwashed into thinking that the old man is hugely responsible for the country's economic development.<br />
<br />
Certainly the old man is good at harnessing commitment & stimulating the ministers to high performance on acceptable salaries. The same cannot be said for the 2nd & 3rd generations despite highly paid & obscene salaries respectively.<br />
<br />
Where got enduring greatness(level 5) when after relinquishing premiership, the country started to stagnate & then decline(not in gdp terms though)?<br />
<br />
After getting used to the power of premiership, he was hardly willing to let go of the reigns. He stayed on in the advising roles of Senior Minister & Minister Mentor. Does greatness endure despite a change in premiership?<br />
<br />
By Jim Collins's criteria, Lee Kuan Yew is a good leader who hasn't made the leap to great.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>A level 4 leader is often more bothered about his greatness than his company/country's greatness. </li>
<li>Level 5 leadership is attained when the company/country continues to be great even after its founder is absent/dead.</li>
<li>Level 5 leaders expect their organizations to be even better after they leave. (he didn't even dare to leave.)</li>
<li>A level 5 leader accomplish great things for their organizations but they seldom take credit (doesn't this resemble Albert Winsemius?)</li>
</ul>
Xianlonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18126812922321444916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434499185027517026.post-5486580402612185452015-03-23T23:58:00.000+08:002015-03-24T02:15:52.065+08:00A New Chapter Begins with the Death of Singapore's Strongman<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The govt controlled mass media is doing
a carpet bombing of propaganda with the passing away of the old man
who died at age 91 at 3:18am today. One of its news media has audio
automatically playing upon loading the website - hard to escape.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The hybrid regime has given ample time
for its traditional news machinery to prepare articles as his
condition deteriorates. There are still those old conservatives who
are still deluded to the old man's past achievements despite the rot
taking place over the last couple of years in the country.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4DnbGmG640SvTGd7uID0quaZ8lEmMoyJgyp4ebwTlOJs7bVIga3CfWwF385N0Y3uAaLLeLI-YIyQOdt_IZxwfhHC5GEIMmVNm2sH7w7AOVZENYVp8sb-eYfH4Wm-MtPnn090gjpHf06I/s1600/SunJianDead01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4DnbGmG640SvTGd7uID0quaZ8lEmMoyJgyp4ebwTlOJs7bVIga3CfWwF385N0Y3uAaLLeLI-YIyQOdt_IZxwfhHC5GEIMmVNm2sH7w7AOVZENYVp8sb-eYfH4Wm-MtPnn090gjpHf06I/s1600/SunJianDead01.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
No doubt he achieve spectacularly with
the 1st generation ministers following the advice of dutch economist
<u><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Winsemius">Albert Winsemius</a></u>. They are a bunch of folks who care more about the
welfare of the populace compared to the current bunch consumed with
their obscene paychecks.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
My mum said that the old man started
off being good but turned bad & badder as power has corrupted
him. Among his policies that my mum hate are the 'Stop at 2 kids' &
graduate mothers give birth more. The stop at 2 kids disastrous
policy is being felt today with massive importation of immigrants
into this tiny island to shore up the demographics.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
On 19 August 1977, a newspaper article on the old man:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><b><span style="color: red;">'we must lower our birth rate in order to absorb foreign workers on a permanent basis'</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="color: red;">'annual intake of many thousands...... expected to marry a singaporean & add to population'</span></b></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwMD0zJcEvUU01pGs0g-UqxoP3kBHb2jXAKHnXcD0WvxulbRcFfR9GuEJ-JBkHnxgxow0C3mZdVrcg7OYe4_IFcAOkiSU0xoBRpYeUW6vImZVHyPgj0zkJg4NIzDwwGOOYVQvZOaypLQ/s1600/LKYPlanReplaceSinkies77.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwMD0zJcEvUU01pGs0g-UqxoP3kBHb2jXAKHnXcD0WvxulbRcFfR9GuEJ-JBkHnxgxow0C3mZdVrcg7OYe4_IFcAOkiSU0xoBRpYeUW6vImZVHyPgj0zkJg4NIzDwwGOOYVQvZOaypLQ/s1600/LKYPlanReplaceSinkies77.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Article screenshot from <u><a href="http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19770819-1.2.69.aspx">national library archives</a></u>.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
which originated from <u><a href="http://www.tremeritus.com/2015/03/19/lkys-idea-to-replace-sgs-with-fts-started-40-yrs-ago/">LKY's idea to replace us with foreigners on TRE</a></u></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQWrVArj23oGT71nwFZoZNYJ9_16a7w46U1fJ32eHzHYTU9AuxtbB4DTmEzEqPAO5NRLCxP-tUXFAXvJAg8VGc-Tfw0klWoEuImEAgk2T5xeGsY2Zj4h9TncXcIUrql2lVvXK3biDs6o/s1600/LKYVsHitler.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQWrVArj23oGT71nwFZoZNYJ9_16a7w46U1fJ32eHzHYTU9AuxtbB4DTmEzEqPAO5NRLCxP-tUXFAXvJAg8VGc-Tfw0klWoEuImEAgk2T5xeGsY2Zj4h9TncXcIUrql2lVvXK3biDs6o/s1600/LKYVsHitler.gif" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Some people call him a Sith Lord. To a
young kid who has never watched Star Wars & he start watching
from Episode I then II. He would think the chancellor(prime minister)
is a good guy. In episode III, it was revealed that he is actually a
bad guy -sith lord concentrating power in the Republic to himself.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
Whatever respect i have for the old man's earlier achievements have been cancelled out by the policy mishaps of the current greedy bunch of his regime.<br />
<br />
Neutral it is not(yoda style), for i hold negative view of the incumbent hybrid regime he controls. A reason why......<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhha2BL7TM96oC-MF-DPAzariD8-hAZLA9F7sn4CTeyUG3tycjKxt7c8-KHEE2F7WG7WPZvCrlPJAt2osKfbb2i-NoRPdaqzkRT6wQEIedVooIr0qRd5i4hqyhCsDbaRYziVCtrEkqakFw/s1600/HospBedCrunch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhha2BL7TM96oC-MF-DPAzariD8-hAZLA9F7sn4CTeyUG3tycjKxt7c8-KHEE2F7WG7WPZvCrlPJAt2osKfbb2i-NoRPdaqzkRT6wQEIedVooIr0qRd5i4hqyhCsDbaRYziVCtrEkqakFw/s1600/HospBedCrunch.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Tentages holding area & patients
lying on trolley beds. This is something in 1<sup>st</sup> world SG
that the ministers are paid world's highest salaries because they are
the best?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The greed of his political party has
led to suffering among the peasants. I am not spared either
especially when it comes to insufficient hospital beds. Patients have
to wait 8-12 hours for a bed in the ward to be available as I have
experienced.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
My mum & dad suffered when they
were hospitalized in 2013 & 2014. If the old man has to wait for
a bed like the peasants he would already have died!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
As for now, the hospital bed shortage
is still ongoing. It is a deliberate attempt by his party to screw
the peasants. I've written earlier using the water issue to make my
point in <u><a href="http://frugalintrovert.blogspot.com/2015/03/dredging-of-sungei-ulu-pandan-dry-spell.html">Dredging of Sungei Ulu Pandan & Dry Spell</a></u> blogpost.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfqzCzvnu6E0zAvBV8rL4nc1Nu3mcz4wMEogL-inNk0c7d34wWNG_Daj5bS3yavK3kRyM1MC6aOYJlo9tzWTCTciWYf13FHKcnJIPMDj011Sc1ajhz6vbL1s9YARNTo8kA8VB2nLIrln4/s1600/SunJianDead03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfqzCzvnu6E0zAvBV8rL4nc1Nu3mcz4wMEogL-inNk0c7d34wWNG_Daj5bS3yavK3kRyM1MC6aOYJlo9tzWTCTciWYf13FHKcnJIPMDj011Sc1ajhz6vbL1s9YARNTo8kA8VB2nLIrln4/s1600/SunJianDead03.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
Think about those patients suffering due to insufficient hospital beds...</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
those who lost their jobs to foreigners with fake qualifications...</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">
those squeezing in crowded public transport with increasing breakdowns...</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Yesterday(Sun) late afternoon had a
strange weather phenomena. Prolong continuous thunder amid dark
skies. Is as though Heaven is angry. And guess what? Several hours
later, it is over for the old man.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It is the 1<sup>st</sup> time this year
such prolong thunder occurred. Normally heavy downpours are not
accompanied with such prolonged continuous thunder.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJDNWcQcKLLmy_vLKzd523mTG5TZ-N1NBKRMIPcIizFfy97x2sZudxygdxWCkriLalIIh2ZMc5MHFYva0HUt-Ly4X25QynzMXnb5ixqu5ym3rR81EdvwMqsjRAe_OsvtaylbaCJwZ97PE/s1600/SunJianDead04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJDNWcQcKLLmy_vLKzd523mTG5TZ-N1NBKRMIPcIizFfy97x2sZudxygdxWCkriLalIIh2ZMc5MHFYva0HUt-Ly4X25QynzMXnb5ixqu5ym3rR81EdvwMqsjRAe_OsvtaylbaCJwZ97PE/s1600/SunJianDead04.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
While the old man is around, nobody in
his party dares to defy him. He is the glue that holds the party together &
the person controlling affairs from behind the curtain. Now the glue
is gone.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
With the performance of the current
bunch of ministers lagging far behind the 1<sup>st</sup> generation
ministers, they are now ripe for defeat in the coming election.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Hence a new chapter begins... There's
much work to be done to repair the damage done by the incumbent
party. The current issue in the spotlight is the collapsing retail
sector due to the regime's bloodsucking rents.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Xianlonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18126812922321444916noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434499185027517026.post-87110053227322654042015-03-22T23:49:00.000+08:002015-03-30T23:43:44.963+08:00My Thoughts on Chingay Heartlands 2015 at ClementiChingay at Heartlands passed by clementi last night(sat). It was the 1st time the peasant residential areas got such procession & my 1st time viewing it live. Started on the 1st sat of this month & this coming sat will be the last with the procession taking place in the north.<br />
<br />
Initially i thought the heartland procession had taken place before but the man beside me whom i struck up a conversation told me it is the 1st time. Indeed his claim is right as i google 'chingay heartlands'. I must have mistaken the heartland procession with the national day heartland procession which i can't be bothered with.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD7jKiKKvH7krhc62JRhLEXvgTwYQ4WdDixcUkreU3UAVw-uvExA1GAWPjekfta-i7qBtkGXebrwF6koJNjhHIaaToJ1J8WypHaSaRHROdK7ifnWoO4oa2oP4a85Ws5hgtXDdYU9gocHw/s1600/ChingayCLE15_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD7jKiKKvH7krhc62JRhLEXvgTwYQ4WdDixcUkreU3UAVw-uvExA1GAWPjekfta-i7qBtkGXebrwF6koJNjhHIaaToJ1J8WypHaSaRHROdK7ifnWoO4oa2oP4a85Ws5hgtXDdYU9gocHw/s1600/ChingayCLE15_1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My digicam is crap when it comes to taking night pictures.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Vanguard of the floats. 'We Luv SG' - a prelude to hybrid regime's propaganda</div>
<br />
Indeed the chingay procession which i initially thought to be a neutral event has become a propaganda tool for the hybrid regime as i heard the names of the regime's member of parliaments(MPs) for west coast district mentioned 2-3 times by the emcees.<br />
<br />
I couldn't see the MPs as i was some distance away a few floors up at a nearby peasant block to get a better view. My eyes are focused on the floats & not on the damn bus which they are on.<br />
<br />
Indeed, the MPs were on board the sightseeing bus behind the vanguard float. Look at the pictures below taken by the MP for my area whom i didn't vote for in the last election. The MP for my area can't be bothered with doing house visits which is a very tedious process. It is far simpler & easier to spend taxpayers $$$ to expand Chingay to the peasant heartlands as part of celebrating 50 years of independence & at the same time using the neutral event as a hybrid regime event.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_h0O7ddRpmgST0NGBAYzk_jsrPo1XvRQomIsxFeMtfsM657Ss-Cavwt6Dm9MhUt1BSgj3H4J3prAgdQDxTVBkTwhA_bU-Tk2E3SX50RyBY5zD8anguMq15yn1botg7c6Ad8pRKkow7eI/s1600/ChingayCLE15_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_h0O7ddRpmgST0NGBAYzk_jsrPo1XvRQomIsxFeMtfsM657Ss-Cavwt6Dm9MhUt1BSgj3H4J3prAgdQDxTVBkTwhA_bU-Tk2E3SX50RyBY5zD8anguMq15yn1botg7c6Ad8pRKkow7eI/s1600/ChingayCLE15_2.jpg" /></a></div>
If it weren't 50 years of independence + election coming, i doubt the hybrid regime would bother bringing Chingay to the peasant heartlands for the 1st time.<br />
<br />
<b>Spectators Less Than I Expected</b><br />
You can see the spectators lining the roads from the MP's pictures above. However i consider the peasants turnout to be disappointing. Perhaps it has to do with the rain earlier but it has stopped & there's 30-45mins before the floats finally arrived.<br />
<br />
Emcees did their best in keeping the atmosphere alive & attracting people living a bit further away. There are free finger food & 'light wands' distributed to spectators at the tentages. The 'batman beam lights' shining into the night sky & nearby blocks serve to announce that's activity going on. Before the floats arrive, there are performances from the community center.<br />
<br />
If the fence barricading the people from the roads is any indication, there is certainly plenty of empty space where peasants could have lined up to see the procession in this overpopulated tiny island.<br />
<br />
<b>Last 2 Floats are China Related</b><br />
Last float is Tianjin Eco-city float & the 2nd last is its breathen Suzhou Industrial Park. Both are joint ventures the hybrid regime did with China. The Suzhou Industrial Park is a humiliating experience for the hybrid regime as they got outplayed by the local chinese authorities.<br />
<br />
What has these 2 china related floats got to do with SG50? My guess is their usage is use to garner votes from newly minted citizens from China.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKANLMox4fVaeRwTbNmxBAzcNJNahdFoBvYV1UlF8TwWPo5oY2LBMSO4TwGXVC7hXTRVltQMZpsJR-lH8y0TfpeKHNlVFgpTmm6COpYqfwoIuKbhivI9BO5CeRKU8_1uQXeKFf7GBBE0A/s1600/ChingayCLE15_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKANLMox4fVaeRwTbNmxBAzcNJNahdFoBvYV1UlF8TwWPo5oY2LBMSO4TwGXVC7hXTRVltQMZpsJR-lH8y0TfpeKHNlVFgpTmm6COpYqfwoIuKbhivI9BO5CeRKU8_1uQXeKFf7GBBE0A/s1600/ChingayCLE15_3.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Digicam crappy at night shots. You can barely see the spectators.</div>
<br />
As the floats procession draw to a close, the ending part turned out to be an attempt by the hybrid regime to endear itself to new citizens.<br />
<br />
Logistics & safety wise, it is very well executed. There's a tow truck at the rear with the usual police on motorbikes escorting the convoy. I would grade it 10/10.Xianlonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18126812922321444916noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434499185027517026.post-90112409978673419632015-03-14T22:51:00.000+08:002015-03-14T22:51:26.999+08:00Chopping Down Many Trees After Rat Infestation at Bukit Batok HillCycled to West Mall's library to borrow an item. Haven't been there for at least 3 years. That area was in the headlines in december last year due to rat infestation on Bukit Batok hill.<br />
<br />
The rat infestation was exposed & quickly ignited into a firestorm online by someone on the train platform taking a video of the rats running amok.<br />
<br />
I'm aghast that the hill is becoming 'botak' due to so many trees being chopped down as i rode passed. Oh gosh to mother nature!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgpBiJtZQiJVPsJGZR-oBKKJumXjD-fD5wN0ORIzkO_iROQL9hGUQid1_fjT8JVajVXiJ91LusgmYmNvYpdVjYMwzAIhXdNHT2Xbszxsj4-xQb3YsoAOijDjqQ_H6ibeLnUf7GuyOvjwo/s1600/BktBatokRatHill2015_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgpBiJtZQiJVPsJGZR-oBKKJumXjD-fD5wN0ORIzkO_iROQL9hGUQid1_fjT8JVajVXiJ91LusgmYmNvYpdVjYMwzAIhXdNHT2Xbszxsj4-xQb3YsoAOijDjqQ_H6ibeLnUf7GuyOvjwo/s1600/BktBatokRatHill2015_1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A 'stitched' photo.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Train station on the left.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A lorry(bottom left) is hauling away fallen trees with its boom extender arm.</div>
<br />
<br />
I went to examine the perimeter fence & found that it is old & rusty. To double-checked, i enquired with a resident & she said that the perimeter fence surrounding much of the hill is already there before the rat infestation.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoFZp8qI-qnJEIltCZ0Hxe3dCq8dP-ZQiqF2xF6GebUBMTlKbzvDVbCdUpNSlD4q9g3acLg6HKebsNFWo9_hU-9qFGgHEbN0k4d6BbeFmc36Ml50Wl4qAO0R1oEG_CIERlAPyU8BEeA-g/s1600/BBRatHill02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoFZp8qI-qnJEIltCZ0Hxe3dCq8dP-ZQiqF2xF6GebUBMTlKbzvDVbCdUpNSlD4q9g3acLg6HKebsNFWo9_hU-9qFGgHEbN0k4d6BbeFmc36Ml50Wl4qAO0R1oEG_CIERlAPyU8BEeA-g/s1600/BBRatHill02.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pest busters on the slope beside the train station.</div>
<br />
<br />
The rat infestation has been resolved by pest busters hired by the authorities at a rather hefty price per rat. How come still need to 'raze' the hill? Razing the hill to become barren to make it easier to spot rats should those pests reappear again?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo8-q-fyNQr7xxsA5S6r8oWPOF59FEswh-gftJESusc5wl9Y3EK2KTAQXP32vhe0zHOst2KE-nwsxuvW4rLyTeuI921Acv-T2gp16m32OFbyboBeBs3J1fbnrOnfWcyO3XXEnJ_DHCkUU/s1600/BktBatokRatHillLumberjacks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo8-q-fyNQr7xxsA5S6r8oWPOF59FEswh-gftJESusc5wl9Y3EK2KTAQXP32vhe0zHOst2KE-nwsxuvW4rLyTeuI921Acv-T2gp16m32OFbyboBeBs3J1fbnrOnfWcyO3XXEnJ_DHCkUU/s1600/BktBatokRatHillLumberjacks.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Look at the lumberjacks & workers clearing the forest on the hill.</div>
<br />
<b>Leveling the Hill?</b><br />
As the land is right beside the train station, it is a very valuable real estate worth hundreds of millions. Perhaps the hybrid regime intend to level the hill in order to sell it for development especially for a condominium as you can see one on the stitched photo above.<br />
<br />
There is already a flurry of construction mania going on in this tiny island. The hybrid regime is selling as much as possible before it losses power & my guess is that this hill razing & leveling is another of their greed projects.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Iw0jwrWqOKI" width="640"></iframe>
Down with the man-in-white in his ivory tower.</div>
<br />
Remember the man-in-white wizard Saruman in Lord of the Rings? Too bad there's no Ents to protest against the deforestation & march against the man-in-white elites.Xianlonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18126812922321444916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434499185027517026.post-49199891439524204532015-03-13T23:56:00.001+08:002015-03-14T00:31:31.993+08:00Dredging of Sungei Ulu Pandan & Dry SpellExperienced a reprieve from the dry spell when there's rain for 3 consecutive days (Mon to Wed). This is the 2nd year where the dry spell has occurred after making its presence felt last year. The dry spell last year was particularly bad as grasses are wiltering. Evergreen tropical season become like autumn where grasses/flowers are dropping/dying.<br />
<br />
I'm a believer of climate change. There are environmental limits to economic growth. All fishes from local fish farms are wiped out in this year's dry spell.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZW-cZIFv4YiHZke16oqzSriEKKNvueoOSOYbe6N5dAv3ozcGu2P3HUj95h7rj4RIbJyRvTlSr7JmAVnPNuScF4nOFEffyHIshzB_4nFS3EDXENbmzh6yUdxreELE7aGvsO0VLEhZgmY/s1600/DrySpell2014Kranji.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZW-cZIFv4YiHZke16oqzSriEKKNvueoOSOYbe6N5dAv3ozcGu2P3HUj95h7rj4RIbJyRvTlSr7JmAVnPNuScF4nOFEffyHIshzB_4nFS3EDXENbmzh6yUdxreELE7aGvsO0VLEhZgmY/s1600/DrySpell2014Kranji.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Field opposite Kranji mrt. Pictures taken in March(dry) & April (back to normal)</div>
<br />
Such expanse of green fields are increasingly rare on this tiny island as the hybrid regime is obsessed with selling & developing the land to grow the gdp at all costs like cancer.<br />
<br />
Last year the land vegetation is impacted more but this year the effects of the dry spell impacted the seawaters more as <u><a href="http://www.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/environment/story/plankton-bloom-causing-fish-deaths-likely-recur-20150309">Plankton bloom causing mass fish deaths likely to recur</a></u><br />
<br />
The <u><a href="http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/singapore-s-3rd/1708758.html">hybrid regime is going to build a 3rd desalination plant at Tuas</a></u>. When it comes to benefiting the elite's profits be it shopping malls, factories etc, they are quick to plan ahead. However for amenities like simple-to-build hawker centers to benefit the peasants, the building schedule can stretch for 10+ years. Even Bukit Panjang, a town built in the 1980s, still has no polyclinic for the peasants.<br />
<br />
Before the recent announcement of the 3rd desalination plant this year, the hybrid regime is already planning ahead to increase water supply. We'll have to rewind back a bit to October 2013 with the example of the dredging of the canal in Clementi that leads to Pandan reservoir.<br />
<br />
- Oct 2013 Dredging of Sungel Ulu Pandan.<br />
- 1st Qtr 2014 Dry Spell hit land vegetation hard.<br />
- 1st Qtr 2015 Dry spell wipe out fish farms due to algal boom.<br />
<br />
Rewind to 2013.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuE1XfSzH0DgfAfOwezBERQnRk4YKp2vZDDW0EtZnlqf9K9ZRXu4fzfuL5DlVSr0Hq0nlWPjKdXGA3CUaJJ-yOI8S4n7LRVLELTMAp539wL06jLESflPTslWkf-vQhvhG86ftcRc4SR-M/s1600/DredgingCLECanal01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuE1XfSzH0DgfAfOwezBERQnRk4YKp2vZDDW0EtZnlqf9K9ZRXu4fzfuL5DlVSr0Hq0nlWPjKdXGA3CUaJJ-yOI8S4n7LRVLELTMAp539wL06jLESflPTslWkf-vQhvhG86ftcRc4SR-M/s1600/DredgingCLECanal01.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Very 'Energetic' when Elite's Self-Interest at Stake</b><br />
Very proactive in deepening the canal so as to hold more water as well as to mitigate sudden flash floods. There are no separate water pipes for the elites so of course the elites are proactive.<br />
<br />
The elites have:<br />
<ul>
<li>separate hospital beds (can afford 'A' class)</li>
<li>their cars (no squeeze with peasants on public transport)</li>
<li>their high class eateries (book separate room for privacy)</li>
</ul>
<b>But 'Switched-off' when it comes to peasants</b><br />
Meanwhile instead of being proactive the elites adopt a fuck care attitude toward the peasants in regards to insufficient hospitals beds, public transport & hawker centers. On the issue of public housing, the hybrid regime deliberately build very little so as to make the prices shoot up sky-high. Sky-high public housing prices provide the elites a perfect opportunity to suck dry the retirement accounts of peasants.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzC23dX_UvWwhwr8ybT2sxmQxX52bJgsV6WP_kB5GqfNPnYrcWOA_D9N3-wvb_li5UGyYpaq6wojLDzIhxzNctQXuAp-8znyMAMGVaAHkJCRneNpEJye5ltenf07db5dyxIWjDrzDqvd0/s1600/DredgingCLECanal02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzC23dX_UvWwhwr8ybT2sxmQxX52bJgsV6WP_kB5GqfNPnYrcWOA_D9N3-wvb_li5UGyYpaq6wojLDzIhxzNctQXuAp-8znyMAMGVaAHkJCRneNpEJye5ltenf07db5dyxIWjDrzDqvd0/s1600/DredgingCLECanal02.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Small boat attaching rope to pull dredged soil/mud to ......</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNvLuM2dNeTVLzoDCkEgMPeTKuAxZ3VG3tWWf7dofVAOetchMsJkoNVNXerg5eIRr0UIFG0tXE_gmn2PP5FPGgn_xqyjK1FLq1AreaUxitLGpZoHZFsXo-fSRgqL4hY6ioOXQHGHZ7tRs/s1600/DredgingCLECanal03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNvLuM2dNeTVLzoDCkEgMPeTKuAxZ3VG3tWWf7dofVAOetchMsJkoNVNXerg5eIRr0UIFG0tXE_gmn2PP5FPGgn_xqyjK1FLq1AreaUxitLGpZoHZFsXo-fSRgqL4hY6ioOXQHGHZ7tRs/s1600/DredgingCLECanal03.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Scooping up the soil/mud to the dump trucks to be transported away.</div>
<br />
When joggers, cyclists see the machines in action or docked by the canal banks, how many will ask themselves "How come so proactive in water issue but when it comes to peasant issue, i'm fucked by the elites?"<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzV1Eko7hw5pfIOXEZ2PHyjszMdTmeUVdATO9tUCxvMCs00ESPZGMKE03oMubhKkDd5TprG-mZJ_7Jr-ZZhsztDz7kpKMz55MWAJG7GVrnbWqb2fxPS33L0ZlolHbuJAERnCnmRACzAUw/s1600/DredgingCLECanal04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzV1Eko7hw5pfIOXEZ2PHyjszMdTmeUVdATO9tUCxvMCs00ESPZGMKE03oMubhKkDd5TprG-mZJ_7Jr-ZZhsztDz7kpKMz55MWAJG7GVrnbWqb2fxPS33L0ZlolHbuJAERnCnmRACzAUw/s1600/DredgingCLECanal04.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
To get an idea of the water level before the dredging, look at the drainage leading to the canal. There are 2 colors - dark & lighter tone at the hole. The exposure of the muddy bank also indicate the drop in water level.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglQzZRlVyBpsDQGazmhmZQDMtAKcc5XZwzvVP2Okhfzh7ZerWwt7xzaFGVmMM5t9JDIe8C04jHcb9svhW1EJwWcyndz1gnFNZsxit8ptIKMyTRteDB0zxG4TAc1OfWf7yje3D2LFPuYZs/s1600/DredgingCLECanal05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglQzZRlVyBpsDQGazmhmZQDMtAKcc5XZwzvVP2Okhfzh7ZerWwt7xzaFGVmMM5t9JDIe8C04jHcb9svhW1EJwWcyndz1gnFNZsxit8ptIKMyTRteDB0zxG4TAc1OfWf7yje3D2LFPuYZs/s1600/DredgingCLECanal05.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Water level in the canal leading to the reservoir has actually dropped quite an amount due to increased population consumption. Dredging it make it drop even lower. The support column of the bridge has a brownish taint which indicate the water level before the population explosion & then dredging take its toll.<br />
<br />
<br />
Again, the evidence is out there for people to see. There is no water shortage despite population explosion + dry spell. Is a matter of how many peasants bother to ask themselves:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
"How come so proactive in water issue but when it comes to peasant issue, i'm fucked by the elites?"</div>
Xianlonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18126812922321444916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434499185027517026.post-3351066534369220512015-03-05T23:44:00.000+08:002015-03-05T23:44:14.793+08:00Why Accepting Lowest Bid Blindly Often Lead to More ProblemsProductivity & retirement funds (CPF) are the talk of town lately. With the hybrid regime practicing state capitalism, the mentality of choosing the lowest bid infects the govt-linked companies as well other than just the govt agencies.<br />
<br />
Govt-linked companies(GLCs) = Pretty much the Govt. Thus mentality pretty much the same which is to play safe, don't make mistakes (risky) & collect their somewhat iron ricebowl $$$ for the top echelons. Middle & low level peasants working in GLCs playing safe & don't take risk is as good as waiting to be replaced by cheaper, younger foreign workers who excel in obedience nevermind their hidden costs.<br />
<br />
The german economic model with their dominance of small & medium enterprises is a better route for us to emulate than the govt-linked companies dominance which resemble monopolies. SMEs are generally more open to innovative approaches than the big lumbering giants.<br />
<br />
In order for state capitalism PAP style to end, the incumbent regime needs to take a severe beating at the polls. There is far too much conflict of interests be it parachuting its cronies like paper generals to top positions/directors & making profits high in priority than providing a reliable public good/service(eg public transport).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiVdpyNih_NfInBoAnhC2MEPLUAEX7hmqicG9AEY0YXMgxm_zbIy7JmHoOBY8ubylkPlA4kYOVNVcSPRz3Lr9jPnUS_ZFyrraT3LifaDvFZy5WNjTsSpYUz_4e7xMIL_-GVFq_DrdSdZU/s1600/CastratedCivilSerpents01.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiVdpyNih_NfInBoAnhC2MEPLUAEX7hmqicG9AEY0YXMgxm_zbIy7JmHoOBY8ubylkPlA4kYOVNVcSPRz3Lr9jPnUS_ZFyrraT3LifaDvFZy5WNjTsSpYUz_4e7xMIL_-GVFq_DrdSdZU/s1600/CastratedCivilSerpents01.gif" /></a></div>
<br />
Like what the writer wrote, many of those civil serpents are pretty braindead - just choose cheapest without looking at overall value and/or hidden costs. I like his suggestion of incorporating key performance indicators of business process improvements to 'move' those serpents. His point of net customer satisfaction is something i can relate to. No point choosing the cheapest vendor for a product if it ends up the customer ends up wasting time with an unfriendly interface.<br />
<br />
<b>How Andrew Higgins Increase Profits with Change-Resistant US Coastguard</b><br />
Speaking of civil serpents, i was reminded of Andrew Higgins in how he deal with those civil serpents. He is the man credited for making the D-Day landings on Normandy possible with his beach assault landing craft carrying the soldiers.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8rveqiE2m1M" width="640"></iframe>
10min video. If you are impatient then watch 3:28 - 4:00 for how he increase sales/profits.<br />
<ul>
<li>sell fast boat to US coastguard.</li>
<li>sell faster boat to smugglers. Hahaha</li>
<li>sell fastest boat to scared shitless US coastguard.</li>
</ul>
<br />
If those civil serpents don't buy the fastest boat to catch the smugglers, they would lose their jobs. Being scared shitless, that is a strong enough reason so they can continue to have their jobs. Double-headed snake entrepreneur. Have to admit he is damn good. Is advisable to watch the whole video for his contributions to the war effort.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-5l_xPTmHrKVt4C5_4wqEjOJ40EvWYLK6txLFqOdsoORSmF3lsf3XET5u7Mo5M4dkOGK7avBDx3Pc9vzrLcS24ae3245MnwUwbZ9dTUyd8uWxloWLMqUy1esYcdJ4DFsVvziHBevdsmQ/s1600/PAPDestroyTourism01.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-5l_xPTmHrKVt4C5_4wqEjOJ40EvWYLK6txLFqOdsoORSmF3lsf3XET5u7Mo5M4dkOGK7avBDx3Pc9vzrLcS24ae3245MnwUwbZ9dTUyd8uWxloWLMqUy1esYcdJ4DFsVvziHBevdsmQ/s1600/PAPDestroyTourism01.gif" /></a></div>
<br />
Another case of cheapest will do nevermind the hidden costs of poor communications with customers. Such scenarios are rampant in the service industry(bus drivers, nurses, waiters etc). Short-term cost savings but damage to long-term profitability.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyynuCsdX0iaRIXH5giU6XcDdaWfFYXJGoypVVGhmseZO0tdvyT_yylN02cDVBBTIYkoN_TSe3CgQdl3Jw2w-2TvBljAHUUU2Uz4K9EkCPl2ujD8gSk606qBjSIjNVKK_-YrhAVU5JNIU/s1600/LowestBidHighestRisk.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyynuCsdX0iaRIXH5giU6XcDdaWfFYXJGoypVVGhmseZO0tdvyT_yylN02cDVBBTIYkoN_TSe3CgQdl3Jw2w-2TvBljAHUUU2Uz4K9EkCPl2ujD8gSk606qBjSIjNVKK_-YrhAVU5JNIU/s1600/LowestBidHighestRisk.gif" /></a></div>
<br />
A response was triggered in which LTA countered that they list out the project's requirements & they weed out companies unable to meet them. Then they go on to choose among the vendors who have passed the requirements. Your guess is as good as mine in how they choose in the 2nd stage.<br />
<br />
Despite LTA's rebuttal that Lowest bid doesn't mean highest risk in how govt & govt-linked companies select vendors, my recent experience at the museum(govt agency)'s SG history exhibition which is riddled with typos tell me otherwise - <u><a href="http://frugalintrovert.blogspot.com/2015/01/hidden-cost-of-cheapest-bad-advertising.html">Hidden Cost of Cheapest - Bad Advertising to Tourists & Locals</a></u>.Xianlonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18126812922321444916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434499185027517026.post-63296226201002910422015-02-22T23:59:00.000+08:002015-02-23T14:30:54.638+08:00Large Numbers of Yesmen Cog Workers = Fucked up ProductivityThe 4.5 days long Lunar New Year cum weekend is coming to an end today. There are visitors & i have to restraint myself from talking about politics since they are the incumbent leaning relatives from my mother's side. My dad's side is alternative parties leaning but none came since my dad passed away last year. I hardly have contact with them over the years.<br />
<br />
Why the restraint from talking about politics since the elections is likely to be held this year? Is mainly to keep my mum happy as relative visits keep her in good mood. She has quarrels with a few of her siblings & as the younger generation i have no wish to be involved in the elders quarrels.<br />
<br />
The exodus of malaysians is at its peak at the eve & before the eve of the lunar new year. Whole expressway leading to immigration complex is flooded with motorbikes of malaysians heading home. Looking at the horrendous jam, is likely it'll take at least 2 hours to clear both SG & Msia customs.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2WqB037U6TYhZ-aDYt0GMINyX7HVtLj1j6-fsXtn574iIV7PZlcJ0hjljSkw48Tr-PDEHH_388mDw1R68DdS6JA-rOqs_VXhPNA1GpIzUfxDMLwTeXVwXWJTz6x9aIRhuwyZBZc8PUE/s1600/Msians170215GoBak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2WqB037U6TYhZ-aDYt0GMINyX7HVtLj1j6-fsXtn574iIV7PZlcJ0hjljSkw48Tr-PDEHH_388mDw1R68DdS6JA-rOqs_VXhPNA1GpIzUfxDMLwTeXVwXWJTz6x9aIRhuwyZBZc8PUE/s1600/Msians170215GoBak.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Helmets taken off to 'cool' heads in the insane jam.</div>
<br />
Imagine being stuck in this type of horrendous jam everyday to work in SG just to earn S$. The jam may not be as horrendous on normal working days compared to eve of public holidays but still nevertheless toxic to personal & family life. 1 thing i admire about these malaysians is that after going through this type of tortorous commuting daily, they do not resort to retail therapy for example - <u><a href="http://frugalintrovert.blogspot.com/2013/01/no-starbucks-addiction-for-johoreans.html">No Starbucks Addiction For Johoreans Unlike Sinkies</a></u>.<br />
<br />
One can imagine the savings in their bank accounts & automatic pay raises every year.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaTlkmm-0rTPkIhSnyC10y8NPEd6EXSchs6BY8IH4Y8BbJBSd3vbVwTZLG7KJ38KRE-udOkKNSjead28-EbQbb8SzbO91C2kRIjRNnQz-QiIh10wLXPOsQlvGwK6BVzcRQ1o2yzNVW-r0/s1600/SGRinggitRate022015.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaTlkmm-0rTPkIhSnyC10y8NPEd6EXSchs6BY8IH4Y8BbJBSd3vbVwTZLG7KJ38KRE-udOkKNSjead28-EbQbb8SzbO91C2kRIjRNnQz-QiIh10wLXPOsQlvGwK6BVzcRQ1o2yzNVW-r0/s1600/SGRinggitRate022015.gif" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A malaysian working from 2011 to 2015 have automatic 11% pay raise due to exchange rate.</div>
<br />
Daily torturous commuting + Automatic Yearly Pay Raise + Yearly Pay Increment = Obedient 'Yes' worker<br />
<br />
<b>Danger of Too Many Yesmen in a Company</b><br />
Look at the 3 ingredients & one can easily understand their psyche. <span style="color: red;">Just do as told by supervisor/boss even if it is a meaningless/unnecessary/stupid task. 要听话, don't make noise</span>. Isn't it any wonder why the country's effort to raise productivity is fucked with all these 'Yesmen'?<br />
<br />
Remember the ruling party's motto revealed by a PRC bus driver:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">"他们认为他妈的中国人真多,去一趟就能招来几百号人</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">用完了,<span style="color: red;"><b>不听话了就滚蛋</b></span>."</span></div>
<br />
<u><a href="http://frugalintrovert.blogspot.com/2013/10/bus-driver-punished-for-using.html">Bus Driver Punished for Using Initiative to Correct Mistake</a></u>. 要听话, wait for instructions to be given & then follow. Being a 'Yesmen' robot is more important than acting human with initiative to restore productivity. The company is sending a message to the rest of the workers that it is better to be a 'mindless robot'. Industrial age top-down command & control mindset.<br />
<br />
<b>Saying Yes Yes Yes to Dumb Instructions to Avoid Being Fired. How can Productivity Grow?</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic6ZiEka3iXuq-cKPYfQafTqhPH4t85AVP_cdSgDC82PvDmSV17vXyBbMoIqfuJ-QEIaqsYJjfpmXFJvzlnfjteZ_6lXkjZdRHdyHFaHya8WAJ3gRbkJLOZxUTvr6LfizvRF22Y4_XMGo/s1600/LHKOnProductivity15_1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic6ZiEka3iXuq-cKPYfQafTqhPH4t85AVP_cdSgDC82PvDmSV17vXyBbMoIqfuJ-QEIaqsYJjfpmXFJvzlnfjteZ_6lXkjZdRHdyHFaHya8WAJ3gRbkJLOZxUTvr6LfizvRF22Y4_XMGo/s1600/LHKOnProductivity15_1.gif" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Is now 2015, still falling</div>
<br />
Just put up with 20-25 years of being a 'Yesmen' even if the given instruction is bad in the long term & is retirement at 40+ years old in their home country compared to sinkies slaving their asses off till 65 & still not enough for retirement in high-cost SG. Malaysians aside, the formula also applies to workers from developing countries with the main difference being the commuting part replaced with the need to recoup the cost of their airplane tickets.<br />
<br />
The industrial age require obedient workers to shut up & do what they're told to do - consistent inputs in a steady environment. Such workers are still needed in the post-industrial age though they are increasingly at risk.<br />
<br />
Why mindless cogs increasingly at risk?<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Can replace expensive mindless 听话 cog with cheaper one from overseas?</li>
<li>If can't replaced with cheaper from overseas then automate it.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<u><a href="http://www.extremetech.com/electronics/185960-foxconn-is-attempting-to-replace-its-human-workers-with-thousands-of-robots">Foxconn wants to replace those pesky workers with ten thousand robots</a></u>.<br />
<br />
<br />
On a personal note, i know 3 malaysians who can easily work in SG if they want to but they didn't. They are all self-employed in Msia. Obviously being self-employed & having a voice of their own is more important to them despite earning ringgit. Their values are different from those being treated as just another shut-up & be obedient cog in SG just to earn S$.<br />
<br />
The difference in value system also explains why the current ruling party is having much difficulty attracting good men despite offering sky-high salaries. $$$ alone is not enough. There are other ways to make $$$. Some people's value system have self-respect, own voice higher than $$$.<br />
<br />
Same for those who stay behind in Johor to work instead of working in SG for like double the salary. They value their personal & family life more.Xianlonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18126812922321444916noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434499185027517026.post-67336102797179358772015-01-31T23:40:00.000+08:002015-02-01T00:02:39.893+08:00Unexpected Discovery from Attending 2015's 1st Hong Lim Park ProtestToday's immigration protest at Hong Lim Park supposedly come after 2 years since the sparkling of the main protest in 2013 which is the largest protest in SG. I guess the organizer held it today due to Lunar New Year drawing near as people might be busy with spring cleaning & stuff.<br />
<br />
I don't see the major socio-political sites promoting the event way in advance so the awareness was only known to me via the comments posted by others.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_uGHPsZu74bVMrRUjmrkRtj2DygK0UJ3UP_8Qvy4HiNlVMsx8XC2ygE_ps3QezdmE1rt6rjXcjKRTZ1mK_4Nq9ODzkMvYJRxkOjniM-Cht5UwLKqJTFL4s5krMhr8_NrJ8e24wV-XEx4/s1600/HLProtest310115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_uGHPsZu74bVMrRUjmrkRtj2DygK0UJ3UP_8Qvy4HiNlVMsx8XC2ygE_ps3QezdmE1rt6rjXcjKRTZ1mK_4Nq9ODzkMvYJRxkOjniM-Cht5UwLKqJTFL4s5krMhr8_NrJ8e24wV-XEx4/s1600/HLProtest310115.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Turnout at 5pm. Not many people.</div>
<br />
<br />
Sinkies are a pragmatic bunch. Getting them to attend the protest is tough. I have that 'voice' in my head telling me why bother waste time go down to Hong Lim park?<br />
<br />
To quell the 'voice' inside & to make the trip worthwhile:<br />
<ul>
<li>I dropped in to a bicycle shop to check out its business. Hanging on with its fingernails due to high rent & e-commerce. There isn't much accessories there due to online stores.</li>
<li>Cycled on to library to drop off 4 unwanted books(free up space at home) onto unwanted shelf.</li>
<li>Stayed at protest site for 45mins. Then rode on to check out newly opened restaurant at Marina Barrage before nightfall. It's been vacant for many months since the prior restaurant went bust.</li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisYXpqdKHHi-XwYbxptTxKNKYEkTfejk6gKD76jCsbVcDQFyPyXFlGZoOYoEhIxuz4YmpAh2xLAHtBfcgLFKe3GDpRnNJCmBjRdE-bGK3na91gVlrgcdoVln9_xxJBGjfKfycM7BzNKTM/s1600/BarrageRestoran012015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisYXpqdKHHi-XwYbxptTxKNKYEkTfejk6gKD76jCsbVcDQFyPyXFlGZoOYoEhIxuz4YmpAh2xLAHtBfcgLFKe3GDpRnNJCmBjRdE-bGK3na91gVlrgcdoVln9_xxJBGjfKfycM7BzNKTM/s1600/BarrageRestoran012015.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Preferred seats are those with sea view.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
At 6:30pm, do you see any diners at this seafood restaurant at Marina Barrage?</div>
<br />
The biggest catch which is an unexpected discovery of today's trip however turned out to be HavelockII - a building for office & retail. This building is opposite Hong Lim park. I went up the overhead bridge to snap a picture of the protest turnout, turned my head & noticed many vacant spaces.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_uumsapO9k6RJFha5_Un1uzx-1gig879qKCGV4axKAG0MQUOq5cFELJzdDBQPHKzLPBcu2nzzHWwZHgD1LcoVGohdHvyqxgNh0GBrGSkpZ2tdfmeME34GkFHLtYXf0Mj5Waz2HaFQx7o/s1600/HavelockII012015_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_uumsapO9k6RJFha5_Un1uzx-1gig879qKCGV4axKAG0MQUOq5cFELJzdDBQPHKzLPBcu2nzzHWwZHgD1LcoVGohdHvyqxgNh0GBrGSkpZ2tdfmeME34GkFHLtYXf0Mj5Waz2HaFQx7o/s1600/HavelockII012015_1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
All the shops on the ground floor went bust.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2nd level is vacant too. Other higher levels looks deserted as well.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVsL4jtHkto56PQw1BNCgr9sF9fw6RtxZbNAF_Tw12NubfS0ma4RaoS-1vEcejsiNrBq_mbvwvsll_aGxZ0CkdA65nm6gHp1-7WSo8wKbbMXsCeARxRjpFlBdvRP6zC1cMCFA0QpVrhg4/s1600/HavelockII012015_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVsL4jtHkto56PQw1BNCgr9sF9fw6RtxZbNAF_Tw12NubfS0ma4RaoS-1vEcejsiNrBq_mbvwvsll_aGxZ0CkdA65nm6gHp1-7WSo8wKbbMXsCeARxRjpFlBdvRP6zC1cMCFA0QpVrhg4/s1600/HavelockII012015_2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Zoomed-in-view of the 2nd floor. Can see through to the other side of the building.</div>
<br />
Exterior of HavelockII looks nice but is a totally different story for the interior.<br />
<br />
Speaking of businesses dying, i've written about the <u><a href="http://frugalintrovert.blogspot.com/2014/10/rot-decay-in-orchard-road-shopping.html">Rot & Decay in Orchard Road Shopping Enclave Beside Istana</a></u> where many shops inside Orchard Plaza went bust last year. Here is an update on the exterior. I'll let the pictures do the talking.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj058I94c5T3pjAPeHeD_A3Vee3-6980BwjEaIq5nBXBZOC86Wp201Ir7h4jHukw8iGXdgMAsezj9EWYwwYfg0Ma2JJCHoRJWR88ttm3OWhKy2es0X69pQTbNno-pLbOvvfTSE3tA82PYQ/s1600/OrchardPlaza01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj058I94c5T3pjAPeHeD_A3Vee3-6980BwjEaIq5nBXBZOC86Wp201Ir7h4jHukw8iGXdgMAsezj9EWYwwYfg0Ma2JJCHoRJWR88ttm3OWhKy2es0X69pQTbNno-pLbOvvfTSE3tA82PYQ/s1600/OrchardPlaza01.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Taken in Oct 2014. 1 down.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih0v3ZqFwcCVN6xgYsWiLfUuvGktKlGSYaw5kTpjbukfnvNssMjTXiWIDd637Tx838mPMe-O86RXSnW_f7XfoUjVYMQWF60FakO7ALphWzUakuPSsvH9_Gd7ni8yJv0S4vj_Ejh9Qvcqs/s1600/OrchardPlaza01_012015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih0v3ZqFwcCVN6xgYsWiLfUuvGktKlGSYaw5kTpjbukfnvNssMjTXiWIDd637Tx838mPMe-O86RXSnW_f7XfoUjVYMQWF60FakO7ALphWzUakuPSsvH9_Gd7ni8yJv0S4vj_Ejh9Qvcqs/s1600/OrchardPlaza01_012015.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Jan, 2015. 2 neighbors went bust as well - contagion</div>
<br />
Cancerous gdp growth.Xianlonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18126812922321444916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434499185027517026.post-90818721280457912562015-01-26T23:59:00.000+08:002015-01-27T00:51:58.995+08:00Hidden Cost of Cheapest - Bad Advertising to Tourists & LocalsSimple things also can't get right. Govt boards & related companies very often choose the cheapest bid. Well the cheapest turn out to be not so cheap in terms of fixes to rectify the errors & lost productivity. Extra hours worked - very hardworking indeed!<br />
<br />
<b>From Banner's Typo</b><br />
The first spelling mistake to catch my attention was the Xmas & New Year banner which surfaced online last year.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDbOyoXZ5hA11BCuEVbDnZ3nhsYzOb6ArOxmdXQw1G7s9c97En7A7Gps_6zEJu5USAvJLepspLtvdjWwuulFHAeMKR38E5AJCJOUG3bIt0K_WemXVjFpmdAZNCbMgVRhlVmbzALqJ3lZ8/s1600/MtbattenXmasMsgFlunk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDbOyoXZ5hA11BCuEVbDnZ3nhsYzOb6ArOxmdXQw1G7s9c97En7A7Gps_6zEJu5USAvJLepspLtvdjWwuulFHAeMKR38E5AJCJOUG3bIt0K_WemXVjFpmdAZNCbMgVRhlVmbzALqJ3lZ8/s1600/MtbattenXmasMsgFlunk.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Marry instead of Merry.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
'Splendid' advertising.</div>
<br />
<br />
It led people to wonder what kind of cheap foreign worker the winning bidder employed? Such a simple word that even a sinkie with primary school education would know the correct word is Merry. We can see that nobody cares. No checking as it goes to the printers to the people putting up the banner.<br />
<br />
Bochup, bochup, bochup is the order of the day.<br />
<br />
<b>To Leaking Roof & Grass Problem at Expensive Stadium</b><br />
Then we have the opening of the S$1.87B national stadium. The hugely expensive stadium though expensive is likely to be won by the cheapest bidder as is often the case for govt-contracts. New stadium was plagued with grass problem & a leaking roof.<br />
<br />
Again what kind of advertising message being sent to the outside world?<br />
<br />
<b>To Typos at SG Exhibition at Museum</b><br />
Then i have my own experience of seeing it with my own eyes as i go to the National Museum after the Philatelic museum since they are close to each other. It was reported last year around the opening of the exhibition that <u><a href="http://news.asiaone.com/news/singapore/showcase-spore-history-marred-typos-errors">Showcase of S'pore history marred by typos, errors</a></u>.<br />
<br />
Mistakes include:<br />
<ul>
<li> Perak's Slim River appearing as "Grim River"</li>
<li>Singapore Symphony Orchestra as "Singapore Symphonic Orchestra".</li>
</ul>
<br />
Again the workers involved such as museum staff, printers, setting up etc are bochup, bochup & bochup. There's something wrong with the management as the staff are 'bochup'. It took a Briton visiting the museum to point out the mistakes.<br />
<u><br /></u>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitV5CDOKMCB9J-iW9KVneT5bTtBC8ND2e3_aF55GS31Tx5QJqAguO37sKuq9GaZxu722xoJYk6YuTdxp42HEXdFAMYeApVjIaryleJdntAtlZ8ABFYHBXetPNvH-bWnxm3q-N_yFv_GE4/s1600/MuseumJapMisspells.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitV5CDOKMCB9J-iW9KVneT5bTtBC8ND2e3_aF55GS31Tx5QJqAguO37sKuq9GaZxu722xoJYk6YuTdxp42HEXdFAMYeApVjIaryleJdntAtlZ8ABFYHBXetPNvH-bWnxm3q-N_yFv_GE4/s1600/MuseumJapMisspells.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
These mistakes are spotted at the WWII section of SG700 years exhibition at the museum. I may have missed out the pasted over corrections at the earlier periods as i walked through the exhibits corridor but the WWII section sounded the alarms for me.<br />
<br />
What do these mistakes tell you? Well it tell me it is highly likely to be done by a foreign worker.<br />
<br />
<b>SG surrendered on 1st day of Chinese New Year</b><br />
How likely is a sinkie not to know this easy to remember fact? Alarm bell - likely done by a foreigner.<br />
<br />
<b>6 August</b><br />
1st atomic bomb is 3 days before Nagasaki bombing on the 9th which is SG's national day. Pretty easy to remember.<br />
<br />
6 Aug - Hiroshima atomic bomb.<br />
9 Aug - SG National day(3 days after), Nagasaki atomic bomb<br />
<br />
Easy reference using SG national day & mistake made. Alarm bell - likely done by a foreigner.<br />
<br />
<b>15 Aug</b><br />
Japanese emperor announces surrender. Ok i don't remember this date. With wikipedia today, the fact can be easily obtained without the outdated memorizing approach still taught in schools.<br />
<br />
Bochup, bochup, bochup. Didn't bother to check date of surrender.<br />
<br />
<b>The Light of the South</b><br />
Likelihood is that sinkies would know that SG is renamed Syonan To, the japanese word for 'The Light of the South' in history classes in compulsory secondary school.<br />
<br />
Alarm bell - likely done by a foreigner.<br />
<br />
<b>Terengganu</b><br />
Ok we can sort of rule out malaysian workers as how can they don't know how to write their 'Terengganu' state.<br />
<br />
<br />
With the clues of these pasted over corrections, i would deduce that the work is done by a non-sinkie & non-msian.<br />
<br />
This kind of work can't be done by a sinkie being paid decent wages? Must rely on cheaper foreign worker & end up spending more to fix & time wasted?<br />
<br />
How to inspire confidence with these kind of advertising to foreign investors, tourists & locals with the way the current hybrid regime is doing things?Xianlonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18126812922321444916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4434499185027517026.post-72000528820503704672015-01-22T22:59:00.000+08:002015-03-14T22:52:03.221+08:00Pelangi Pasar Malam - Small Brother to KSL Pasar MalamThe pasar malam at Pelangi neighborhood is another malaysian chinese dominated night market. This tuesday night market is much shorter than the one held outside KSL mall on mondays. Some of the hawkers can be seen at KSL pasar malam as well.<br />
<br />
If you have to choose one malaysian chinese theme night market in Johor, go for the KSL pasar malam for ease of accessibility & variety.<br />
<br />
Sundays – <u><a href="http://frugalintrovert.blogspot.sg/2014/12/larkin-pasar-malam-kids-tag-along-while.html">Larkin Pasar Malam blogpost</a></u><br />
Mondays – <u><a href="http://frugalintrovert.blogspot.sg/2014/10/ksl-pasar-malam-why-tourists-shun.html">KSL Pasar Malam blogpost</a></u> (long pink line on map below)<br />
Tuesdays – Pelangi Pasar Malam (shorter pink line on map below)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbPu8ya4LIIh4tolhzjDvGxmbTwEIqdLLY4U4MIZ0tHgVVbBbJA6YFDm0D3J6gEVIprFrCAPrffo8Jttbf8FUF2skjjX39jXUw2mLLIZUalla0JBEatldwhL8IgO8AIO_M_h2f1sU74Zg/s1600/PelangiPasarMalamMap.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbPu8ya4LIIh4tolhzjDvGxmbTwEIqdLLY4U4MIZ0tHgVVbBbJA6YFDm0D3J6gEVIprFrCAPrffo8Jttbf8FUF2skjjX39jXUw2mLLIZUalla0JBEatldwhL8IgO8AIO_M_h2f1sU74Zg/s1600/PelangiPasarMalamMap.gif" height="256" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Click to view bigger map.</div>
<br />
As usual, my mobile phone is switched off. Taking a break from phone addicted 'zombies' in SG.<br />
<br />
<b>Getting there by bus</b><br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Board any bus heading to Ulu Tiram/Kota Tinggi at JB Sentral.</li>
<li>Alight at bus-stop after T- Junction of Pelangi Plaza.</li>
<li>Cross overhead bridge.</li>
<li>Head north till you see an open field.</li>
<li>Turn right at end of shophouses & walk through the residential area.</li>
<li>Upon exit from residential area, you'll see 3 petrol stations & a mosque.</li>
<li>Walk in direction of mosque to reach pasar malam.</li>
</ol>
<br />
Total walking distance is around 1.1km. It is better to leave before night fall due to the walking distance.<br />
<br />
<b>Hygiene Issue Again</b><br />
First of all I want to address the hygiene issue that was raised by commentators in previous pasar malam blogposts. As i've mentioned, eating at higher class eateries doesn't equate to better levels of hygiene.<br />
<br />
You don't know what's in the kitchen until the food is served to you. Some find that the street hawkers are unhygienic with their 'open cooking' but at least there is transparency. You see what it is like & if you don't like it you can don't patronize them.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2qpnHSjrvwc6k1sXMWJJOMhD1g-hvjBjd4Qa3Up9ty0jjOzjd4s0UB5neHb5gQ5fBJQ3MfPTZIhKmEk-5H83zdXPYPfP4b_AWhfMn4epOm9z42eAoufpqAXjyE4jUgBd4C-pLVwUz5bU/s1600/RatInFood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2qpnHSjrvwc6k1sXMWJJOMhD1g-hvjBjd4Qa3Up9ty0jjOzjd4s0UB5neHb5gQ5fBJQ3MfPTZIhKmEk-5H83zdXPYPfP4b_AWhfMn4epOm9z42eAoufpqAXjyE4jUgBd4C-pLVwUz5bU/s1600/RatInFood.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Hahaha, now i've got a frontal view of this mobile penang rojak hawker. I snapped a picture of him from the back as he is making his way to his spot at KSL pasar malam.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Penang style rojak + penang registered motorcycle = authentic feel.</div>
<br />
How can johorean hawkers compete with this type of authenticity? The term for this type of edge in economics is called 'comparative advantage'.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDyMftcKrzI-QVeFZJxjs1wt39ln7Ozh9543e95_GbeXe369TUQ9TkqW3rBqizRoEg_oBAbVtBpl2Vij9AMphDQ5HwAtE8rF80FCVC-54lmriIAmriLTlwoTK8O9Jfts8ekpLpAVAGzoA/s1600/MobileRojakPelangi01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDyMftcKrzI-QVeFZJxjs1wt39ln7Ozh9543e95_GbeXe369TUQ9TkqW3rBqizRoEg_oBAbVtBpl2Vij9AMphDQ5HwAtE8rF80FCVC-54lmriIAmriLTlwoTK8O9Jfts8ekpLpAVAGzoA/s1600/MobileRojakPelangi01.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A glove on his left hand to handle food.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Full blown transparency unlike a closed kitchen.</div>
<br />
There's another hawker on motorcycle. He sells Chwee Kueh(steamed rice cakes). Such food hawkers on motorcycles are eradicated by Sillypore's hybrid regime as the regime loves to spam shopping malls with those spam eateries like McDonalds, Subway, food court etc.....<br />
<br />
How can those spam eateries in shopping malls be tourist attractions?<br />
<br />
Local bred natives + self employed selling native food + wear whatever you like = food with pride<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR9WV0sJBy6ZEJYP3PuIhm8cCvJ4L9aMQlSzpwyx8cVs5ayEvQFa1Vq5yPSrApAF9q02JrxDwS6f11jvY15vTH5ss0fcExIMTG8QMVbVmQ0FasUxoOtoJ_b2wOFXBJB0QScwSfi1eWEoA/s1600/ChweeKuehHawker01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR9WV0sJBy6ZEJYP3PuIhm8cCvJ4L9aMQlSzpwyx8cVs5ayEvQFa1Vq5yPSrApAF9q02JrxDwS6f11jvY15vTH5ss0fcExIMTG8QMVbVmQ0FasUxoOtoJ_b2wOFXBJB0QScwSfi1eWEoA/s1600/ChweeKuehHawker01.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Look at the gas cylinder at the rear of his sidecar motorcycle.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He has a glove on his left hand as well like the rojak hawker.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
These hawkers on wheels can move around to better business locations - flexibility.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigcrMBacNudyT1FKoQCtOuIfafjnV9lJ7kY1mr6T1njpcXAOkJtklVxV-XfxOZyzl7i7tbm0gfq2ztNvH_cab1OZ2GGzPwDaUT6bhRHHQs5bHNIAqPtavoQsO44NYLJMyKOCOuVUb3LPI/s1600/PopiahHawkerAtMosque.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigcrMBacNudyT1FKoQCtOuIfafjnV9lJ7kY1mr6T1njpcXAOkJtklVxV-XfxOZyzl7i7tbm0gfq2ztNvH_cab1OZ2GGzPwDaUT6bhRHHQs5bHNIAqPtavoQsO44NYLJMyKOCOuVUb3LPI/s1600/PopiahHawkerAtMosque.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Entrance to pasar malam - mosque is behind the popiah hawker operated from a van.</div>
<br />
I had 2 rolls of popiah after eating carrot cake. Would prefer the popiahs to be sweeter. As for the carrot cake, i still prefer the carrot cake hawker at KSL pasar malam.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-FqSPsnDITAPNAK4EUY_y_lQ7jJyr7vDjakduZ-h9avoBdYhpz18xTClZQSntBCwxLi_YRmZmEIJbYAtvEy0YFrcjLNsEOOaAPKba2JSsenqHO1SlgITcAdXN7aLPWfQnbZDP1iMvXtQ/s1600/PauHawkerPelangi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-FqSPsnDITAPNAK4EUY_y_lQ7jJyr7vDjakduZ-h9avoBdYhpz18xTClZQSntBCwxLi_YRmZmEIJbYAtvEy0YFrcjLNsEOOaAPKba2JSsenqHO1SlgITcAdXN7aLPWfQnbZDP1iMvXtQ/s1600/PauHawkerPelangi.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Steamed chinese buns which are normally eaten at breakfast.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1PRSqBpWSU3E3TONoOs6b2HU7Wfj5I4wU_9a39VykuGi7GSJq0YXWt5-A2CoP9ilPpkZu52YxP3hSKn6CNSKk-d7P0tZf7cUWsaEc1NJj40S-1Fgx0X2EcrHvS_9HKsLoAqhYc7O9dW4/s1600/MalayGrannyHawkers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1PRSqBpWSU3E3TONoOs6b2HU7Wfj5I4wU_9a39VykuGi7GSJq0YXWt5-A2CoP9ilPpkZu52YxP3hSKn6CNSKk-d7P0tZf7cUWsaEc1NJj40S-1Fgx0X2EcrHvS_9HKsLoAqhYc7O9dW4/s1600/MalayGrannyHawkers.jpg" /></a></div>
Malay grandparents tending to grandkid. Selling only vegies from their simple stall setup, it is likely that they reside in the countryside.<br />
<br />
Do we ever see 3 generations of a family doing business at a shopping mall in SG?<br />
<br />
At least when buying from these hawkers, you'll know you are mostly benefiting grandparents, grandkid. In Sillypore, much of the price goes to paying a faceless landlord.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg456Pq_gLnGk7ZjfBtoRd9xRX924465OX6ZoB4i2Y2O-ZhscBexLOLclchiPcpZGLBSZ1NT8zertmZLdtU0QTY6dj2djb29pApPDmpD0PhpDP9pWo0FjXDPIa_nIpc9qEm0CrlPzyoDhY/s1600/SugarCaneHawkerPelangi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg456Pq_gLnGk7ZjfBtoRd9xRX924465OX6ZoB4i2Y2O-ZhscBexLOLclchiPcpZGLBSZ1NT8zertmZLdtU0QTY6dj2djb29pApPDmpD0PhpDP9pWo0FjXDPIa_nIpc9qEm0CrlPzyoDhY/s1600/SugarCaneHawkerPelangi.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Unload everything from the truck & prepare at their stall – fresh.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzqCjpeoBT2ADhMOtHhY20LP1BwTgrLy3XCav5zeD139v7FOgPE3DxIezoTHFKRrQvV-TATh2L_pCG5TfMTmupckeXn_2dbVlFGyjNvDz6Fkj65ZZ3g9JYFC_P3gXZ_mH7o0-CVylH_Rk/s1600/OpenCookingPelangi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzqCjpeoBT2ADhMOtHhY20LP1BwTgrLy3XCav5zeD139v7FOgPE3DxIezoTHFKRrQvV-TATh2L_pCG5TfMTmupckeXn_2dbVlFGyjNvDz6Fkj65ZZ3g9JYFC_P3gXZ_mH7o0-CVylH_Rk/s1600/OpenCookingPelangi.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Open air cooking. Such pictures leave a distaste on some readers in previous pasar malam writeups.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWholuxqrj1A4nmNJvtBBt2Kf6Cn4yNSi5MhNj7h5TOaoSFkvUic0x9fSLLtb2GEesdLL3XHKMQuwiYTd4_3k-EDB4dv7aIB_W35TbwQ0T1U0QxFtkg-ClFWuWS32hheSj2Ohy_FBNyTs/s1600/RattanFurniturePelangi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWholuxqrj1A4nmNJvtBBt2Kf6Cn4yNSi5MhNj7h5TOaoSFkvUic0x9fSLLtb2GEesdLL3XHKMQuwiYTd4_3k-EDB4dv7aIB_W35TbwQ0T1U0QxFtkg-ClFWuWS32hheSj2Ohy_FBNyTs/s1600/RattanFurniturePelangi.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Rattan chair for toddler & small table. Such artisan-made rattan furniture are practically extinct from local furniture shops. Don't see them in local pasar malams as well.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlPPydQRyXgi8_K51thblTu19ivulTBRkKO2v055fnzI6Xmxzm1OJ791F06IqVFzXmANA_i2NH_QjmtCquhm1rry1EAVYR9Ar8TTFyhlY3hy5N9_urzy4jinOW9mBrPYpXWEee76Yu9us/s1600/PelangiClothesHawker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlPPydQRyXgi8_K51thblTu19ivulTBRkKO2v055fnzI6Xmxzm1OJ791F06IqVFzXmANA_i2NH_QjmtCquhm1rry1EAVYR9Ar8TTFyhlY3hy5N9_urzy4jinOW9mBrPYpXWEee76Yu9us/s1600/PelangiClothesHawker.jpg" /></a></div>
[Left] Look at how the clothes hawker set up his tentage with his van inside.<br />
[Right] Another hawker selling clothes with tentage<br />
<br />
Pasar malam hawkers in Malaysia are very hands on in setting up their stalls contributing to a sense of personality for the site.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7zEldPKSgZQ7ofhthJTbETf97iopMEZ67rnHdaAlNBOblxnfaD-nEX9mryMcMGRC9VrN4rBWYBAval7oNX2wp9Q5NY8J_OzUqGMSQjwjLfHijopCpzP-dsocDp5iIX_wSAmMkYFkjpAg/s1600/FishCrabJackfruitDuck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7zEldPKSgZQ7ofhthJTbETf97iopMEZ67rnHdaAlNBOblxnfaD-nEX9mryMcMGRC9VrN4rBWYBAval7oNX2wp9Q5NY8J_OzUqGMSQjwjLfHijopCpzP-dsocDp5iIX_wSAmMkYFkjpAg/s1600/FishCrabJackfruitDuck.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
This is the 3rd pasar malam writeup on my blog. My focus is mainly on the personality of them. I don't showcase much food as this is not a food blog. With regards to food at a pasar malam, the better approach is to eat a bit of different food(smaller servings) in order to sample more.<br />
<br />
Pasar malams in Johor, Malaysia are a nice break from the cookie cutter shopping malls in SG.<br />
<br />
Is more human there with not so many zombies addicted to 'opium' aka mobile phones.Xianlonghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18126812922321444916noreply@blogger.com0