Presidential Election 2011

[concern2]

Strparent:

concern2:

Anyway, I showed my son a row of the wives' photos, and a row of the potential presidents' photos, and asked him to choose based on who he thinks has the kindest face. Guess what? He chosed TCB and wife! And his second choice is actually TT! :rotflmao: :rotflmao:

hi concern2,

is that what they meant by ' pian gin nar ' ? :siam:

:rotflmao: It's about judging someone by their looks loh. To certain extent, it may be true (相由心生）, but a lot else can be done these days (touch ups and image consultants etc), so you really can't tell. If you want to look, then surely body language also count right? So there goes for the thumbs up handshake (insincere) and lop-sided sitting position during the forums (overly relaxed, can be interpreted as over-confident - or worse, arrogant). The rest of candidates sit upright, looking more sincere I would say. Maybe it is a result of being in high position for a long time...

[concern2]

matrix0405:

http://theonlinecitizen.com/2011/08/how-much-of-the-reserves-has-been-really-used/



by: Leong Sze Hian/

I refer to the article “Past reserves tapped on to fund land reclamation and Sers” (ST, Aug 7).

It states that “President S R Nathan’s office has been approving the use of past reserves to fund land reclamation projects since 2001 and land acquisition for the Selective En-Bloc Redevelopment Scheme (Sers) since 2002”.

To the best of my knowledge, I do not think anyone in Singapore knew about the use of the Reserves in the past.

Was this ever disclosed in Parliament or reported in the media?

When the Resilience Package was announced in 2009 to combat the recession, I believe Singaporeans were given the impression that it was the first time ever that the Reserves were being used.

Reserves for Sers?

I cannot understand the logic of using the Reserves for Sers.

Since the HDB sells flats which recovers the cost of land as well, wouldn’t the revenue from the redeveloped Sers land sold to private developers or used to build new HDB flats, be more than sufficient to recover the Sers’ land costs in the first place?

Hence, why the need to use the Reserves?

Budget surpluses and land sales?

Also, since the Budget has been in surplus like about nine out of every 10 years, and land sales amounting to around $10 billion a year are not counted as revenue in the Budget, why was there a need to use the Reserves?

Why didn’t the Auditor-General pick up these anomalies?

Sers flats for foreigners?

Since about 800 of the 2,000 Sers flats awaiting redevelopment have been rented out to non-Singaporeans at market rates for profits, is not the Reserves in a sense being used to benefit foreigners?

Reserves to Temasek?

As to “Mr Nathan and his advisers have judged that these projects do not deplete the reserves because the resulting increases in land value ultimately add to the reserves”, I would like to point out that the revenue derived from the use of reclaimed land and Sers, may have gone to the Government which may ultimately end up in the books of Temasek and the Government Investment Corporation (GIC).

For example, the land on which Changi Airport sits, if some of which is reclaimed land, has been privatized to Temasek for a paltry $3.3 billion.

Surely, the unfetted utilization of the 1,300 hectares of Changi Airport land, is akin to a ‘raiding’ of the Reserves.

Privatisation = moving Reserves?

Since “According to the Constitution, all state land and buildings are considered part of past reserves”, any privatization of state assets that contain land and buildings, may in a way, also be a ‘raiding’ of the Reserves.

With regard to “Before 1999, such projects were funded out of current reserves, even though the government of the day would usually not benefit from them. Mr Nathan noted that infrastructure projects often span across terms of government, which may disincentivise the government of the day to undertake them using current reserves, even though they benefited Singapore in the long term”, was this significant change debated in Parliament and reported in the media?

Booking current surpluses?

In my view, another side to the revelation now of the justification for the use of the past Reserves, may be that the Government may be incentivised to report surpluses every year, when in reality there may have been a deficit, since in a way, by a mere slight of the hand it has used past Reserves to spend instead of current Reserves.

In the corporate world some may liken this to a “cooking of the books”, as it is somewhat like reporting more profits, simply by booking current revenue and spending retained earnings or accumulated capital as expenses instead.

I would like to suggest that the “set of guidelines for processing all such cases of land development”, “agreed upon”, by “the president’s office and the relevant government department” be made public.

In respect of “Such projects include Sers and land reclamation”, does it mean that there may be other projects whereby the Reserves were also used?

How much used?

Finally, I am rather surprised that with this explosive disclosure now, no one has asked or answered the obvious question – how much of the Reserves has been used?

Well, media used to be controlled by TT, so will be status quo if TT becomes president. Still think we should go for looks and \"looking presentable\"?

[DesertWind]

Strparent:

Something to add - I must said TCB really subscribe heavily to the mass mailer method of reaching to the voters. First, the personal mail to our homes, and today morning, I received a SMS to think Singapore first, and to vote for TCB.

Impressed with his ingeniuty to reach out to all due to time constraint, but smacks of campaigning via agencies and advertisers. Wonder if he will hold any rallies like some of the others ? A personal touch is always more sincere.

I did not receive any SMS today but did receive a mailer to vote for TT in the mailbox! Seems like quite a last minute thing, not so well-prepared like the TCB letter.

[concern2]

hquek:

verykiasu2010:

HDB should investigate WP claims: Tony Tan

okay, now I'm so coming up with my conspiracy theory....

Attempt to create sense of unfairness, then come in as a hero to show everyone he can make justice by helping WP and win the 40% vote from the opposition, making himself look like he can 'unite' the people?

[DesertWind]

Strparent:

concern2:

Anyway, I showed my son a row of the wives' photos, and a row of the potential presidents' photos, and asked him to choose based on who he thinks has the kindest face. Guess what? He chosed TCB and wife! And his second choice is actually TT! :rotflmao: :rotflmao:

hi concern2,

is that what they meant by ' pian gin nar ' ? :siam:

I must agree it is a good choice! Kids can be more sensitive to such things ya?

[hquek]

DesertWind:

Strparent:

[quote=\"concern2\"]
Anyway, I showed my son a row of the wives' photos, and a row of the potential presidents' photos, and asked him to choose based on who he thinks has the kindest face. Guess what? He chosed TCB and wife! And his second choice is actually TT! :rotflmao: :rotflmao:

hi concern2,

is that what they meant by ' pian gin nar ' ? :siam:

I must agree it is a good choice! Kids can be more sensitive to such things ya?[/quote]but they are the ones to have to face the pictures daily in school?

[DesertWind]

Strparent:

I personally can't believe we are still talking about choosing the EP based on the candidate's looks or his spouse's appearances. We cant be seriously that shallow right ? :xedfingers:

Haven't you heard the saying: \"Before 40 yo, you can blame your parents for your looks. After 40 yo, you are responsible for your own looks?\"

A person's character and what is inside him can affect his outer appearance. Likewise when we take a look at the candidate and his spouse's appearances, it is this \"Xiang\" that we are instinctively looking for. It goes beyond just the coiffured hair or the make-up. The smile especially and how it lights up the eyes etc.

Not really so superficial after all although definitely not by looks alone!

[DesertWind]

hquek:

but they are the ones to have to face the pictures daily in school?

Ya! Imagine they have to look at the couple everyday in the hall! I can still remember the pictures in my school hall leh. And I used to wonder why the President's wife's picture is also up there!

[concern2]

hquek:

DesertWind:

[quote=\"concern2\"]
Anyway, I showed my son a row of the wives' photos, and a row of the potential presidents' photos, and asked him to choose based on who he thinks has the kindest face. Guess what? He chosed TCB and wife! And his second choice is actually TT! :rotflmao: :rotflmao:

I must agree it is a good choice! Kids can be more sensitive to such things ya?

but they are the ones to have to face the pictures daily in school?
[/quote]@ hquek: :rotflmao: so true. I asked him which photos would he like to have the current ones replaced with.

@ DesertWind: It is quite true, children's senses can be more acute than adults' who think too much.

[Strparent]

insider:

When one is near/among the herd, he has a choice to keep following the herd regardless of where the herd is heading; whether right or wrong he just follows since following the herd usually gives one a sense of security and probably a great sense of 'power' too.

If he feels that the herd direction maybe wrong and may stain his hands with blood and yet he knows he cannot change the herd's direction, then the next logical thing to do is to quit. I respect such courage not to follow herd instinct and be guided by own conscience.

Nothing coward to quit if a situation calls for such. Quitting may require more wisdom and courage than those who choose to stay...

Insider,

point very well explained. Well noted :celebrate:

my personal choice would be first to continue objecting strenueously until all avenues exhausted.