Saturday, May 30, 2009

Temasek's 6-year report card shows $56b gain

From: makapa May-29 11:43 am

While ignoring that they are the BEST PAID in the world and how Sporns could have benefitted from these $58B! And god knows how they compute these gains, which probably are derived from sucking from Sporns' CPeeF!

Published May 29, 2009

Temasek's 6-year report card shows $56b gain
This is in spite of last year's setback that wiped out half the gains of 5 preceding years in just 8 months

(SINGAPORE) Temasek Holdings's portfolio grew $56 billion since March 2003 - as its $58 billion loss last year came after 'a much greater gain' of $114 billion in the five preceding years.

Providing these figures in Parliament yesterday, Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam said that Temasek has 'performed respectably', and that 'the only reasonable way' to evaluate its performance was to see 'how the losses and gains add up, and how its overall portfolio performs over time'.

Responding to MPs' questions on Temasek's recent loss-making divestment of Bank of America (BoA) shares, Mr Tharman also said that its early exit does not detract from its position as a long-term investor.

The Real Political Change That Singapore Needs

From: "truth"
Date: Sat, 30 May 2009 07:36:29 GMT
Local: Sat, May 30 2009 3:36 pm
Subject: Re: The Real Political Change That Singapore Needs....

That the selfish and greedy pap are not prepared to change for the
good of Singapore and Singaporean, does not mean that Singaporeans
should stop fighting for CHANGE.
No body can stop this CHANGE which is sweeping the world.
Whether the pap and LKY likes it or not, the pap days in Singapore
are numbered. They will be destroyed the moment LKY up the
lorry.

"baldeagle" wrote in message

> http://www.sgpolitics.net/?p=3161

> The Real Political Change That Singapore Needs
> By Dr Wong Wee Nam
> 29 May 2009

> When the President opened the new session of the 11th Parliament last
> week,
> he said, "Our political system is not set in stone. Singapore politics
> must
> evolve over time, as the world and our society change. It must respond to
> new circumstances and goals and continue to deliver good government to
> Singapore."

> For the optimists, this statement gave a glimmer of hope that our
> political
> system is evolving for the better.

> A few days later, Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong gave a glimpse of what is
> to
> come when he outlined three principles that will guide the changes to be
> made to the political system. One, they must be fair to all political
> parties. Secondly, they should result in a strong and effective Government
> after an election; and thirdly, they must ensure that diverse views are
> represented in Parliament. Without the details, all these sounded
> reasonable.

> However when Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong fleshed out the details in
> Parliament, anyone who had wished for a more democratic system and a
> system
> that could produce better political leaders ended up with nothing to
> celebrate about.

> True, the number of seats for the opposition would be increased to nine
> with
> the extension of the NCMP scheme, 3 more single seats will be up for
> grabs,
> and the size of some 6 member GRCs would be reduced. But these are not
> drastic changes. They are mere tweakings of the existing system. However,
> the media and the PAP would like Singaporeans to see these as huge
> concessions.

> Why the Change?
> On the surface of it, the PAP government appears very magnanimous. Losers
> now get to have 9 seats when previously they could only have three.
> Smaller
> parties and independents now get to contest 3 more single seats. And the
> sizes of the GRCs are going to be reduced when all of us thought that they
> would be increased. Nevertheless, all these are nothing but to tell the
> skeptics to stop complaining about the unevenness of the playing field
> since
> the PAP has become so generous.

> The PAP has never been known to give concessions to the opposition. With
> draconian laws still in place and demonstrations by even one person now
> illegal, and filming of such acts could lend one into trouble, it is
> obvious
> they are not becoming more democratic than what they were before.

> However, recently there has been a lot of public discontent on various
> issues and the grumbling citizens feel that their problems are
> inadequately
> aired. People now feel that there is the need for more opposition voices
> in
> Parliament. The PAP is probably thinking that by giving all these token
> concessions, the voters, particularly the younger generation, who are now
> more outspoken and more ready to make changes, would be appeased.

> Whether the voters will buy into this or not is left to be seen.

> Recently, there too has been talk of opposition unity and a lot of
> discussions on the ground to get the opposition parties to come together
> and
> contest the election as a united front. In fact the focus of many
> opposition
> members has been on winning a GRC in order to make a psychological
> breakthrough. The opposition parties realise they are too small in terms
> of
> resources, manpower and candidates to take on the PAP effectively without
> coming together.

> Now with these changes, it is probably the PAP's hope that all the small
> parties would stop talking about opposition unity and go it alone. Perhaps
> the stronger candidates from the various opposition parties will now go
> for
> the single seat wards, leaving the GRCs to be contested by weak teams. It
> is
> better for the PAP to have nine fragmented NCMPs in Parliament than to
> have
> five strong, duly-elected, unified opposition Members of Parliament.

> Will these changes halt all the talk about opposition unity and send the
> opposition parties back to their fragmented stage? It is difficult to say.

> What the Opposition Parties Need To Realise
> However one thing is clear. The opposition parties must realize that they
> are like small market stalls struggling to make a living by scrambling
> against each other for morsels and yet have to compete against a giant
> hypermarket at the same time. With such an uneven contest, it is
> inevitable
> that Parliament will end up overwhelmingly dominated by the PAP with a
> motley bunch of 9 opposition MPs/NCMPs each with his/her own disparate
> views
> acting as discordant accompaniments - just like bells and cymbals in an
> orchestra.

> In such a parliamentary composition, the PAP will always look like the
> only
> party capable of governing and the opposition will always look fragmented
> and not capable of providing an alternative.

> No matter what, NCMPs and NMPs will always be seen as objects of PAP's
> creations. They will never have the status and dignity as elected members
> of
> Parliament.

> The last Malaysian General Election should serve as a good lesson for our
> opposition parties. In the past, they were fragmented and bickered against
> each other and did not make much headway against the ruling party. Then in
> the last GE, they decided to fight the Barisan Nasional as a united front.
> Now they are truly an alternative, capable of ruling the country should
> the
> time come.

> Thus, these changes that the PAP intends to introduce will not change the
> status quo. In fact, it will entrench the PAP even more. Unless the
> opposition parties realize this and get their act together, they would be
> consigned perpetually to the role of political bridesmaids.

> The Change that is Needed
> Sadly for Singapore and Singaporeans, the changes proposed will do nothing
> to improve their democratic aspirations. The lives of Singaporeans will
> not
> be less controlled, the climate of fear will not go away, and our citizens
> will remain politically immature and apathetic.

> Rather than tweaking the electoral process to appease voters as opposed to
> giving them a choice, what Singapore needs is a system that can help us
> produce plenty of good political leaders and not worry about the dearth of
> it all the time.

> Instead of constantly stressing of the need for "our leadership team"
> (read
> PAP) to continually self-renew by inducting new leaders and mollycoddle
> their entry into Parliament, we should create an environment where young
> people with leadership qualities can bloom and come forth naturally.

> For Singapore to succeed in future, we need to have strong political
> leaders, and strong political leaders can only be forged and emerge by
> fighting the electoral battles by themselves. Strong leaders will provide
> strong governments. For this reason, GRCs should be done away completely.
> Any political worth his salt should not be afraid to face the electorate
> and
> try to carry the ground by himself.

> The right change to be made then is to provide an environment where the
> young are taught to have a sense of service to the country, to have a
> sense
> of justice, to have an independence of mind and to be imbued with a spirit
> to right wrongs and to allow ideas to contend so that leaders will
> naturally
> surface. The right change to be made is to remove the climate of fear that
> discourages political participation so that all these idealism can be
> expressed freely.

> Another change that is needed is to make sure that people with leadership
> qualities will be able to fight an election fairly and not ostracized fro
> his political conviction. For this you need a free and fair press, a civil
> service that is neutral and an electoral process that does not catch a
> candidate by surprise by not giving him ample time to prepare.

> How about fairness to the young candidates who wish to contest the general
> election? Would the hefty election deposit required be reduced to allow
> more
> young people, who are yet to be settled in their career to join in the
> fray?
> Would the government set up a Political Arbitration Court, so that
> employees
> who are victimised by their employers for their political affiliations can
> get their problems redressed? How about the Political Donation Act? Not
> only
> is a young candidate hampered by hefty deposits, victimized by employers,
> he
> would also will have difficulty getting donations. It does not need a
> clever
> man to know which party's candidate will get donations easily now that
> donors can no longer remain anonymous.

> We should be fair to all candidates who are willing to come forward to
> serve
> in what I consider to be the highest form of national service. If we can
> encourage the growth of political talents by treating everyone of whatever
> political affiliations fairly, there would not be any need to feel anxious
> about strong political leaders emerging in future.

> Then there would not be any need to keep thinking about how to keep the
> PAP
> in perpetuity in order to save Singapore.

An excellent analysis by Dr Wong....but it is no more than
just naive talks only.

Man are selfish and greedy by nature....No politician would
willingly implement the changes in Dr. Wong's postings.

Thio Li-Ann Not Fit To be NMP

From: "Seet KH"
Date: Sat, 30 May 2009 18:06:28 -0700
Local: Sun, May 31 2009 9:06 am
Subject: Re: Thio Li-Ann Not Fit To be NMP

I did not undertand what the NMP meant. I thought she was affirming what her
mother stood for. For whatever it is, it is not good in Singapore. Except
forhousing, we observe that are concentrations of employment where one race
or the other choose to be in. For lack of opportuinities or the comfort of
commonality, this is fragile arrangement.

The schools is one area where you can observe how 'team work' organises
along such lines after dismissal time. For the good of Singapore, the Pledge
is the guiding principle. REGARDLESS of race, language or religion....... WE
should stand by this principle. When mman is equal, no fautlibes are
created.

As for religion, keep it out. It is like dying for honour. You choose what
you want and the other can do likewise.

On May 30, 9:32 am, b...@b.com (Polar Bear) wrote:

> Thio Li-ann with her bigotry viewpoint makes her completely unsuitable to
> be an
> NMP to speak for broader group of people. She is only fit remain in the
> Church
> compound and never venture out of the little compound.

I agree with you. The parliament must not be converted into a
religious ground.

PAP SHITTING IN THEIR PANTS

From: "JT"
Date: Sat, 30 May 2009 21:40:15 +0800
Local: Sat, May 30 2009 9:40 pm
Subject: PAP SHITTING IN THEIR PANTS!

The PAP knows that even if a dog, cat and kangaroo stands for election
tomorrow, these animals will be voted in.

They are shit scared of the angry young elctorate who find their jobs taken
away by Indians and the uncle and aunties who lost their cleaning jobs to
the Chinese.

Worst, every SINKaPOOReans see our Ah Kong money goes up in smoke because
Lau Lee trying to be an investment banker at 85.

These Billions of Dollars which were lost, would make a HUGE difference to
the lives of every SINKaPOOReans, including his dogs, cats and kangaroos!

Evil HDB profiteering at HDB owners' woes

From: "Fabriz"
Date: Sun, 31 May 2009 00:25:41 +0800
Local: Sun, May 31 2009 12:25 am
Subject: Re: Evil HDB profiteering at HDB owners' woes.

If not for this, where do you think Temasek got the money to "throw away" ?

"truth" wrote in message

> truth comment: to the pap leegime money is everything. singaporean
> welfare and life is nothing to them.

> Is the HDB profiteering from flat owners' woes?
> Saturday, 30 May 2009, 12:28 pm | 819 views

> Leong Sze Hian

> One out of every seven HDB flat owners have problems paying their mortgage
> loans. This seems to be what the statistics have revealed. Last year, the
> HDB visited 60,000 flats which had problems paying their loans and gave
> financial counseling to 35,000 households.

> This is 14 per cent of the estimated 420,000 HDB loan mortgages - or one
> in seven.

> As of October last year, 33,000 HDB loans were in arrears over three
> months. This is about eight per cent of the total number who took HDB
> loans.

> In both instances, the numbers are a cause for concern, especially at this
> time when Singaporeans are facing job insecurity and spiraling costs.

> The number of flats which have been repossessed or surrendered to the HDB
> because of non-payment of mortgage loans is another worry.

> According to a Berita Harian report, 1,350 HDB flats were surrendered to
> the HDB in the last four years.

> In February 2007, Parliament heard that 360 flat owners had voluntarily
> surrendered their flats from 2002 to 2006.

> This means that the average number of flats surrendered per annum has
> increased from 72 (2002 to 2006) to 318 (2005 to March 2009).


> This is an increase of about 342 per cent, or about one flat a day now.

> This figure, however, does not include HDB flats on bank loans which are
> reportedly being foreclosed at about 60 a month. It also does not include
> those in arrears who have sold their flats in the open market.

> HDB profiteering from flat owners' misery?

> When the HDB sends a notice of Compulsory Acquisition to flat owners, they
> are only given one month to vacate their flats, and only 90 per cent of
> the flat's valuation is used to offset the loan arrears.

> It is hard enough to lose one's home. Why does the HDB still want to make
> a profit of 10 per cent of the valuation?

> Why not give them a bit more time to find alternative accommodation?

> As a public housing authority with the mission to provide affordable
> housing for Singaporeans, is the HDB not in a sense, in breach of its
> fiduciary duty, in this arbitrary practice of eating up 10 per cent of the
> valuation?

> Are there any public housing authorities in the world that takes an
> additional 10 per cent profit on foreclosure?

> Parliamentarians may like to raise this issue with a view to refunding the
> "eaten up" valuation to all past foreclosed flat owners.

> What is the view of bodies like the Law Society of Singapore in this
> regard?

> In view of the above statistics, and with unemployment at a 5-year high of
> 4.8 per cent, 95,600 unemployed locals, and the record GDP contraction of
> 19.7 per cent in the first quarter, I would like to suggest that the HDB
> temporarily freeze asking those in arrears to surrender their flats.

> After all, as long as HDB flats appreciate at an average annual rate of
> more than the HDB concessionary loan rate of 2.6 per cent, every HDB flat
> may eventually be worth more than the outstanding loan and arrears,
> particularly when the current 13-year property bear market turns around.

Friday, May 29, 2009

NO jobs created to help the unemployed …NO help to prevent business failures !

From: baldeagle
Date: Thu, 28 May 2009 20:59:57 -0700 (PDT)
Local: Fri, May 29 2009 11:59 am
Subject: PM spoke in parliament…A big disappointment for those who expect him to be an on-the-ball PM… ! NO jobs created to help the unemployed …NO help to prevent business failures !

According to PM Lee, The GDP has shrunk 10% last year,…..it will sink
further by 9% (magic figure) this year...companies have suffered
severe loss of business...they received NO new orders for goods from
June 2009. This is serious...and very bad news for Singaporeans

Apparently, PM Lee asked EDB, MTI and the Union.... They did not give
him the bad news. The people in USA, Europe and Japan will not be
buying goods from us soon.
Any fools would know this fact,.... need he to ask !?

Singapore is like Japan, its economy depends mainly on the export of
goods and services. Japan has suffered a whopping loss of 45% in
export...and economic experts predicted, Japan would see a further
drop in export orders..in the next 2 years.
Companies in Singapore will suffer similar loss of business...in the
coming months. More business will be closed and more workers will be
unemployed.

So far, PM Lee has done NOTHING positive... to create new jobs for
Singaporeans...has no clue at all ...to turn the economy around.
His excuse ..."It's not just Singapore, but all countries have been
hit. Even large economies with big domestic markets - Germany, Japan -
are expected...". We don't need the PM to give
excuses. We expect the PM to be pro-active, like Obama. (who is paid
far less)

What is PM doing....apart from giving excuses for his inaction ?

Crisis management team! Yes. A Crisis Management Team(CMT) was from,
led by FM ...and he called them the champion crisis managers !
So far, what has the crisis managers done to create jobs since Jan
2009. ZERO. Has the crisis managers done anything to prevent our
business from going bankrupt..since Jan 2009. Again ZERO.

Repeat,...What is our PM doing....apart from giving excuses for his
inaction ?

Zero.
-----------------------

From: "Zai Zai"
Date: Fri, 29 May 2009 04:23:32 GMT
Local: Fri, May 29 2009 12:23 pm

PM said this is new to him too, so please be paitence with him. His daddy
told him he is not going to interfere, because he need to fend for himself
and would be a good expereince for him, although his daddy is still
receiving multimillion salary from the state. He is still not going to help
his son because he believe this is a very good experience for him to learn
from, of course you people will just need to bear with his son. Old man
believe very strongly that his son will rise from this economic turmoil and
be like him full of experience and stronger to face more problems and
turmoils ahead. There is no one medicine that can cure all illnesses, like
your body, it will slowly build up immunity for each illness it had gone
through. Similarly, if you people do not support his son in this difficult
time, when one organ fails the entire body will soon die. So, MM advise for
all of you is, you have no choice but to stand together, otherwise you are
free to leave this country, we can easily replace you and there are many
waiting inline to take over and willing to join the rank and support his
son. So, if you're not with us then you're against us and we would strongly
advise you to packup your bags and leave.
-----------------------------

From: superb...@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 28 May 2009 21:42:25 -0700 (PDT)
Local: Fri, May 29 2009 12:42 pm

This is a case whereby the previous rules for success had become
obsoleted.

Singapore was successful based on the MNC, High-Tech, Manufacturing,
and some Service areas like SIA.

How, MNCs moved to other more attractive area; High-Tech had mature
and companies like Creative are stagnant. Manfucaturing had migrated
to much lower cost regions, e.g. China. One of the government major
lapse was ignoring the local SMEs, now they back paddle but it is too
little, too late. Too much dependency on MNC formula; so when they
move out, a vacuum is left behind.

Singapore can move to Education, Health Care, Hospitality industries;
But in terms of Service attitudes of its citizens, there need to be a
major mindset change. Alot of Singaporeans only know how to receive
good service. But they themselves will not know how to provide good
service. As such our Service industries such as those in the Nursing
homes are staffed by foreigners.

Areas Singapore can go into Water Management, Renewable Energy, City
Management/Planning (for other countries), Biomedical, Robotics (not
sure, may be further away), eGoverment (for other countries, if they
wish to adopt Singapore's forumulas).

One area is Branding Singapore to be high Fashion / LifeStyle - So it
can command a higher premium like French / Italian designers; or Japan/
Korean movie industries.

Another area is the Elder Care - It is something that Singapore need
and if it an tackle the problem properly, it can turn it into a
profitable enterprise (local and overseas).
-----------------------

From: Dalai Baru
Date: Fri, 29 May 2009 15:16:02 +0800
Local: Fri, May 29 2009 3:16 pm

He only needs to take care of his chummies....... fuck others

-----------------------
baldeagle View profile
More options May 30, 7:58 am

Newsgroups: soc.culture.singapore
From: baldeagle
Date: Fri, 29 May 2009 16:58:45 -0700 (PDT)
Local: Sat, May 30 2009 7:58 am

On May 29, 12:23 pm, "Zai Zai" wrote:

>--
> So, MM advise for
> all of you is, you have no choice but to stand together,..
>--

Singapore is NOT being invaded by Malaysia or Indonesia
when every one should forget about politics and stand together
to defend our nation.

Singapore face crisis because PM Lee is not doing
anything positive...to create jobs, to help business survive.
Instead, PM Lee is changing the political system in Singapore..
PM Lee is neglecting his role as PM ....ie to create jobs
for poor unemployed Singaporean.

He deserve to be criticised...If he is unable to be an
effective PM, then he should step down and let others
do the job.

-------------------------
From: baldeagle
> Another area is the Elder Care - It is something that Singapore need
> and if it an tackle the problem properly, it can turn it into a
> profitable enterprise (local and overseas).

You are right. There are other ways to create jobs for
the people..than what we are doing now.

Just look at how high labour cost nations survived the
competition from China...or to see how Hong Kong
can survive better than us.
It is necessary to re-tooled our economic structures...
get down to do the basics...

In order to do so, PM Lee MUST take the lead...
not just pass the buck ...to a "Crisis Management
Team".

PRC workers in Marina Bay Sands Casino strike over pay

From: Zanzibar
Date: Fri, 29 May 2009 09:13:11 -0700 (PDT)
Local: Sat, May 30 2009 12:13 am
Subject: Re: PRC workers in Marina Bay Sands Casino builders strike over pay

On May 29, 6:58 pm, "kingkong" wrote:


> PRC workers working in Marina Bay Sands threatened strike action for poor
> working condition and pay.
> The US$3000 monthly salary not enough for them ??

The new law that put in place last month had forced local media not to
report any strike or protest without an approval, showed that now the
news of them had to be reported by others outside of this country.

It is strange that this means Singaporeans are now denied of knowing
what was going on in singapore on a slective basis and now have to
read foreign news in order to know what was on in their own country.

Eventually, no Singaporeans including PRs and foreigners will be
reading foreign news in order to know what was on in this country. The
local news media will have to close down as they bgin to distrust the
local media from it.


Next time even shitting and eating also need approval.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

SMU - Unrepentent Ass

From: superb...@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 27 May 2009 21:53:19 -0700 (PDT)
Local: Thurs, May 28 2009 12:53 pm
Subject: Re: SMU - Unrepentent Ass

On May 28, 12:02 pm, b...@b.com (Polar Bear) wrote:


> This arrogant and unrepent SMU still think refuse to acknowledge it was bad
> judgement on their part to go New York.

> If H1N1 spread inthe community, the Dean should foot the bill of all MOH effort
> to combat H1N1

They are a profit entity ... no trip means no money.

Minimum 9 Opposition MPs in Singapore

From: "truth"
Date: Thu, 28 May 2009 02:33:37 GMT
Local: Thurs, May 28 2009 10:33 am
Subject: Dr. Chee Soo Juan forced LHL's hand

http://www.yawningbread.org/

There will be a minimum of nine opposition members of parliament from the
next general election on, announced Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, 27 May
2009. Why nine?
There will be twelve Single-Member Constituencies (SMC), up from the current
nine. Why twelve? Why not thirteen? Why not twenty?

There will be fewer six-member Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs),
he said. Why "fewer"? How many exactly? Why not none?

On the whole, the proposed changes to Singapore's electoral system moves in
the right direction, towards more non-government voices in the legislature
and a slightly lower hurdle for opposition parties, but the thing that
struck me was how arbitrary the changes were.

One should always disapprove of arbitrariness. When something is not
grounded in clear principle, it is very easy to change it tomorrow when it
does not work to the ruling People's Action Party's (PAP's) advantage.

Specifically, the changes announced were:

1. The Constitution and the Parliamentary Elections Act will be amended to
permit a maximum of nine Non-Constituency MPs (NCMPs) the exact number in
each Parliament to be equal to the difference between the number of
opposition MPs elected and nine. No more than two NCMPs may come from the
same GRC ward.

2. Nominated Members of Parliament (NMPs) will be a permanent feature of
Parliament from now on, with the number fixed at nine.

3. There will be fewer six-member GRCs and a few more smaller ones, such
that the average GRC will not have more than 5 members.

4. There will be 12 SMCs. He did not say whether the additional three (up
from the present nine) will be carved out of existing GRCs, or if they will
be newly created constituencies. Lee's reference to "voters numbers
increase" seems to suggest that they will be new constituencies.

As I said, the announced changes move in the right direction. But many
unsavoury features remain.

Why are some voters lumped into GRCs, while others get to be in SMCs? On
what basis? Now, adding to that, why some voters in gigantic GRCs and some
other voters in slimmed-down GRCs? On what basis?

It will be up to the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee, said Lee. This
body is appointed by the Prime Minister and reports to the Prime Minister.
It has never publicly justified why some precincts are GRC'd and others
SMC'd. Or for that matter, why the geographical shape of some constituencies
look like elongated salamanders.

The system for selecting NMPs is also opaque. A committee of mostly-PAP
parliamentarians invites certain civic groups to submit names (why those
groups and not other groups?) and then makes a decision behind closed doors.

A more principled structure needed
True reform would require a more principled structure for elections and
Parliament. There should be clear formulae for the minimum number of
opposition voices instead of an arbitrary nine. He should have reduced all
GRCs to no more than three members, if not abolished them altogether.

The Prime Minister should have announced plans for an independent Electoral
Boundaries body and an independent Elections Commission.

He should have stipulated a minimum of six months between any announcement
of boundary changes and the calling of elections.

The election period should also be longer than the present nine days, which
is too short for voters to connect with and know their candidates.

Media liberalisation is also essential for the true spirit of democracy to
flourish. In this regard, the recent changes to the Films Act, tightening it
under the guise of "liberalisation" is a sick joke.

And as for the NMP scheme, I've always disliked it. The selection method is
unfixable.

If Lee likes the "magic number" of 18 non-PAP voices in Parliament, he
should have instead provided for up to 18 NCMPs. If he is really sincere
about a future where there is a healthy, responsible opposition with the
ability to be a government-in-waiting, then allowing opposition parties more
parliamentary experience through greater numbers is better than restricting
them and filling up the seats with NMPs.

But why?

The really interesting question is: Why did Lee make these concessions at
all?

To be honest, there was no groundswell of pressure to change the system. The
PAP's grip on Singapore is as tight as ever. He didn't need to make these
changes.

One possibility is that Lee is sincere in wanting to give Singaporeans more
space to "learn democracy". His approach is still as paternalistic as ever
in the way he doses out his step-by-step learning modules to children, but
he is trying to prepare for the day when the PAP may really cock up,
anti-government feeling surges up, and instead of the electoral system
absorbing and channelling the demands for change, the system proves so rigid
and therefore brittle, it collapses altogether.

Another possibility is that his PAP's ears on the ground have indeed
detected a rising disaffection with the ruling party, and he is gambling
that it is better to provide the safety valve of more NCMP seats than risk
losing a GRC or two to the opposition altogether.

He may hope that a typical fence-sitting voter's calculation goes like this:
Since it is likely that in my GRC, opposition support is high enough for
opposition candidates to get one or two NCMP positions, it's good enough to
meet my desire for a check on the PAP, so I can guiltlessly throw my vote to
the PAP now.

The third possibility is the most interesting of all. Perhaps he is
concerned that there is a rising sympathy for those who denounce the system
as beyond saving, and who would use civil disobedience. Perhaps out of
frustration that alternative opinions and parties will never get a fair
shake under the electoral system, the politics of the street may be gaining
traction. This cannot good for Singapore's future stability.

Lee's hand is forced. He has to allow more opposing voices into Parliament
before the street becomes more attractive than elections and the stuffy
chamber.

If you take a step back and look at these electoral changes in the context
of the new Public Order Act that clamps down even harder on street protests
as well as the recent amendments to the Films Act outlawing filming of
unlicensed street activity, you begin to think that Possibility Number Three
is, by a whisker, the most plausible. All these changes tie in together as a
carrot-and-stick scheme: A big stick for those protesting in public; sweet
carrots for those who would play by the rules.

If so, to whom should we credit these small steps to greater liberalisation?

You can go and jump for all I care - MOM official said to workers

From: "truth"
Date: Thu, 28 May 2009 07:07:30 GMT
Local: Thurs, May 28 2009 3:07 pm
Subject: Inhumane MOM officials

truth comment: the luxurious lives of the pap leegime and
those around them including those in the civil service have
turn these people into sub-humans, devoid of human feelings
and compassion. 50 years of pap rule give us this deplorable
situation.

Quote:


26 May 2009
Dear ST Forum,

I refer to the report 'Jailed for 10 weeks' (ST, 25 May 2009), in which a
Chinese national was jailed for attempting suicide at the Ministry of
Manpower (MOM).
While not condoning rash and dangerous acts, it remains critical to
interrogate the circumstances that drive individuals to such drastic
measures.
As a citizen concerned about the wellbeing of workers, I have spoken to
many China workers embroiled in work-related disputes. A common thread in
many accounts is the apathy they encounter from MOM staff and the multiple
barriers to procedural justice.
On one occasion, a construction worker from Jiangxi recounted how, after
countless attempts to seek assistance for unclaimed wages, he commented (in
frustration) that he may as well just jump because it seems pointless. The
MOM officer said: "You can go and take a jump for all I care." The worker
asked, "Just to be clear, you are saying you do not care at all about our
affairs?" The MOM officer replied: "Yes, you can say that."

Another worker, a farmer from China who speaks no English, went to the MOM
with a severe injury, which his employer did not report. He was given a
scrap of paper with a URL scribbled on it, with no other explanation. The
worker was thoroughly confused and asked me if it was the address of a
hospital.
I have also heard stories where MOM officers have mocked, ignored and
talked down to workers. I have personally witnessed an MOM officer yell at
workers for daring to seek assistance from 'outsiders', and the same officer
refusing to allow workers to speak during settlement meetings.
A worker driven to attempt suicide is most likely an individual who is
desperate rather than criminal-minded. While risky acts that endanger public
safety must be deterred, it seems misguided to punish Mr. Zhao without
giving due recognition to the underlying factors that drive one to such
acts.
From my experience of speaking to China workers in distress, bureaucratic
indifference compounds the frustration for debt-laden workers under immense
pressure to resolve disputes swiftly, often living in poor conditions and
with dwindling financial resources. My guess is that much more than a jail
sentence, empathy, professionalism and sincere efforts to ensure procedural
justice will go much further in ensuring worker justice and public order.

Ms Stephanie Chok Juin Mei

PAP lower its standard

From: "truth"
Date: Thu, 28 May 2009 08:20:58 GMT
Local: Thurs, May 28 2009 4:20 pm
Subject: Such low pap standard

After losing $58 billion, Temasek is still considered to be
doing well. That is the assessment of the finance minister
Tharman.
What fucking low standard these pap multi$million nincompoops
set for each others.
That is why the core is rotten and will only get worst if they
continue to lower their own standard in order to make themselves
appeared to be doing a good job.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/432341...

SINGAPORE: Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam has said it is not
realistic to expect Temasek Holdings to outperform in every cycle or to
avoid losses on every individual investment, or its overall portfolio when
the markets go through sharp corrections.

Speaking in Parliament in response to MPs questions on Temasek's sale of its
Bank of America (BoA) shares, Mr Tharman said Temasek saw a S$58b decline in
value between March and November 2008.

But this was after a much greater gain of S$114b in its investment portfolio
over the preceding five years, from the time the market cycle began in 2003.

He told the House that even after taking into account the recent sharp
market declines, Temasek's portfolio had in fact grown by S$56b based solely
on returns from investments made.

The Finance Minister described Temasek as a long-term investor, and stressed
that that by being so, did not require Temasek to be locked into every
individual investment, regardless of major changes in the environment or a
new investment proposition.

He told Parliament that Temasek has performed respectably compared to any
relevant market indices, and even other reputable institutional investors
with its total shareholder returns of an average of over 15% per year.

Mr Tharman added that Temasek has operated successfully over the last six
years, and it will continue to keep to its discipline, maintain a
diversified portfolio, and keep its sights on achieving long term returns.


From: "kingkong"
Date: Thu, 28 May 2009 17:33:03 +0800
Local: Thurs, May 28 2009 5:33 pm
Subject: Re: Such low pap standard

Stock markets worldwide are already up 40% since Nov 2008, so.....the
question Singaporean should be asking is have Temasek Holdings made some
money back ? Or are they still losing billion ?

Stockmarket will rally another 10% from now til year end.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Our political system to be changed for the better or for the worse ?

From: baldeagle
Date: Tue, 26 May 2009 15:53:03 -0700 (PDT)
Local: Wed, May 27 2009 6:53 am
Subject: Our political system to be changed. A change for the better or for the worse ?

"Our political system is not set in stone, we must change with the
times" so said the President.

Is it going to be a change for the better or for the worse ? Taking a
hint from past,...previous changes have always been a change for the
worse. (Examples: the GRC and NMP were changes against the very basic
principles of democracy) Would it be any different this time ?

SM say: "Changes must be fair to all contesting political parties".
This guiding principle was in place in the past...but it didn't stop
the government from turning almost all constituencies into large
GRCs.

He added: "The changes must give all parties an equal chance to
contest and win."
This sounds good. Is it just a political spin...mere words to fool
Singaporeans ...or real changes will be made, this time.
Will the government remove the serial numbers on the ballot.. allow
other parties to have TV time and newspaper adequate coverage to reach
the Singaporeans, so that voters will have all the info needed to make
a balance choice at the voting booths.... or stop denying HDB
upgrades to those constituencies who voted for the opposition ? VERY
UNLIKELY.
There is no way...that the leaders in power.. would give all parties
equal chances to contest and win.

The leaders dare NOT fight and win on merits. Without these unfair
and devious 'election schemes'...Singaporeans may just vote
differently. Too big a risk...the present bunch of leaders are not
THAT brave.

Chia Ti Lik is a Singaporean Hero

From: "truth"
Date: Tue, 26 May 2009 03:08:41 GMT
Local: Tues, May 26 2009 11:08 am
Subject: Chia Ti Lik is a Singaporean Hero

truth comment : i salute chia ti lik. singaporeans pls give him
your full support as he take on the evil pap leegime on your
behalf.

Lawyer Chia Ti Lik stood his ground today when he told a district judge that
"as a citizen of this country, I have to stand up against the law that
violates the principles of democracy and freedom".

Mr Chia made the defiant statement when he was asked by Judge James Leong if
he had anything to say before sentence was passed.

Earlier, Mr Chia, one of the Tak Boleh Tahan (cannot stand) protesters, had
pleaded guilty to two charges of "illegal assembly and procession" in front
of Parliament House to mark World Consumers Day on 15 March 2008 where
nearly 30 people had gathered to protest against the escalating cost of
living.

This afternoon, Mr Chia pleaded guilty to the charges due to work
commitments.

Before he was sentenced, Mr Chia read out a statement in which he told the
judge: "I am not in defiance or disrespectful to the court. But because of
my political conviction I can't say this will be the only offence."

Hearing this, Deputy Public Prosecutor Mr Isaac Tan noted that Mr Chia had
shown "no remorse".

Agreeing, Judge Leong said: "Chia is unable to ensure the court that he will
not do it again."

The judge then fined Mr Chia, $800 for each offence, making a total of
$1,600 or ten days' jail in default. For his "unremorsefulness", the lawyer
was fined $400 more than the amount meted out to Mr Chia's co-defendents who
had siimilarly pleaded guilty also because of work commitments. The maximum
fine for each offence is $1,000.

Another accused, Ms Suraya binte Akbar, a 26-year old housewife with three
young children also pleaded guilty at the same court to the two charges and
was fined a total of $1,200 or eight days' jail in default.

Meanwhile, the trial involving thirteen other protesters continues at
Subordinate Court 5 tomorrow at 9.30 in the morning.

From: oonlook...@gmail.com
Date: Wed, 27 May 2009 14:54:50 -0700 (PDT)
Local: Thurs, May 28 2009 5:54 am
Subject: Re: Chia Ti Lik is a Singaporean Hero

I do not agree.

All of their acts in protesting and now pleading guilty to the charge
is a carefully synchronised play to arouse public sentiment to make
PAP look bad, and to buy sympathy vote.

With talks of the election coming up, now is the perfect time to be
martyed by the regime, and derive an identity for being the "hero"
that stands up for the people.

Do not be fooled. This man is one clever and ambitious fox. Like Dr
Chee, if they can't go mainstream, they choose alternative routes such
as such guerrilla tactics to launch their political warfare.

I am not a supporter of PAP, I agree that they have lost touch and are
being unsympathetic to the plight of the people, but pushing another
man/party forward,, which is insincere with truly helping the people,
but merely using these as tactics for political capital is not the
answer either.

I don't think the protest was for the people, it was for attention.
For media coverage. Just as the other protests for cambodia was. I do
not believe these people to be sincere.

For the protesters, Chia and Go, a mother of 2 children have been
having an affair since October 2006.
That was how Chia got started with SDP anyway.
Divorce proceedings is underway for Chia.

The protests, the on-going bombardment of PAP, the "fight" with the
courts, is what he has left to derive an identity from.
After having lost all from a single mistake he has made.

These people are not sincere with the fight, and are pretty messed up
in the personal lives to be responsible individuals to run/govern a
nation.


From: baldeagle
Date: Wed, 27 May 2009 16:05:15 -0700 (PDT)
Local: Thurs, May 28 2009 7:05 am
Subject: Re: Chia Ti Lik is a Singaporean Hero

On May 28, 5:54 am, oonlook...@gmail.com wrote:

> I do not agree.

Who cares whether an idiot agree or disagree !

You talk cock... you are a brainless idiot.

> All of their acts in protesting and now pleading guilty to the charge
> is a carefully synchronised play...

The law that prevent people from demonstrating against
the rising cost of food and other essential (for the poor
Singaporeans) ...is UTTERLY wrong.
The poor Singaporeans who cannot pay the high prices of
essentials,... who suffer hunger in private...have a right to
demonstrate....to voice their pains and sufferings in public.

The law is evil, the law is wrong to gag them. NO one, no
law...certain no elected leaders should force the people to
suffer in private ...in silence.

When no one seem to care, when the government allow
the price of food and essential to rise without control...
the poor have no recourse...

Chia is doing the right thing... to demonstrate,... to tell
the government ....that the law need to be amended...
to allow poor Singaporeans to voice their pain and
suffering...caused by high prices.

For this, I applaud Chia. He is doing a great service
to the millions of poor Singaporeans.


From: "truth"
Date: Thu, 28 May 2009 07:11:15 GMT
Local: Thurs, May 28 2009 3:11 pm
Subject: Re: Chia Ti Lik is a Singaporean Hero

> All of their acts in protesting and now pleading guilty to the charge
> is a carefully synchronised play...

U r wrong. These people make big sacrifices for the
sake of Singaporeans. I don't see how they are benefitting
personally.

They are anytime more sincere than the pap people
and those who lick their arses and suck their cocks.


From: baldeagle
Date: Tue, 26 May 2009 13:55:09 -0700 (PDT)
Local: Wed, May 27 2009 4:55 am
Subject: Re: Chia Ti Lik is a Singaporean Hero... He is not a hero...but he is an honest politician...I will vote for him.

Is Chia a hero ?
I don't see him as a superman, a male mother
Teresa, or a Md Gandhi.

What has he done?
He was arrested for street demo, and has been
fined. I don't think this can be considered as a
heroic deed.

However, I respect him, for standing up to his belief...
that Singaporeans have the right to demonstrate....against
rising prices in Singapore and is prepared to be jailed
for it...
He punishment was unjust...the law in this instance was
unjust. His action (the demo) has clearly demonstrated to
us that some unjust laws in Singapore should be changed.
An honest man has been unjustly punished by our law.

If he stood in my constituency, I would certainly vote for
him.... to change the unjust laws in Singapore.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

LKY licked arses

From: "truth"
Date: Tue, 26 May 2009 14:05:38 GMT
Local: Tues, May 26 2009 10:05 pm
Subject: LKY licked arses

http://young-pap.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Por Lumpar
May 26, 2009
MM LEE'S VISIT TO CHINA
Talented leaders impress MM
He singles out Chen Deming, the Commerce Minister, as an example of the
many capable people in key jobs in China
By Peh Shing Huei, China Bureau Chief
SUZHOU: - China is a country with lots of talented people, said Minister
Mentor Lee Kuan Yew yesterday, singling out Commerce Minister Chen Deming as
a shining example. He praised Mr Chen, saying that Singapore would be
fortunate to have such a talented man.

'Chen Deming is very capable. Singapore would be lucky to have one Chen
Deming. But China has many such talents,' he told Chinese Vice-Premier Wang
Qishan as they met here, according to a spokesman for the Singapore
delegation.

I have always thought of myself as a capable running dog. But after reading
what he said, I feel very ashamed! The old dog is even better at carrying
balls and licking asses! Just look at his skill!

From: Zanzibar
Dont worry. This guy won't last long. China often replaces its
ministers.

It is bad omen to be "praised". History has shown that those who were
praised vanished into a subdued mode. Many subsequently went into
isolation mode.

Those who were named as successful entrepeuners were often ended in
losses or liquidation, or even business closure. Those who were
cheered as future leaders were later dumped.

Temasek dumped BOA shares when its share prices was at the lowest?

From: Siansiansian
Date: Tue, 26 May 2009 07:17:48 -0700 (PDT)
Local: Tues, May 26 2009 10:17 pm
Subject: Temasek dumped BOA shares when its share prices was at the lowest?

Report saying that Tamasek dumped the Bank Of American shares during
1st quarter in which its share was at the lowest. Temasek must have
lost billion at today's share price.

I am not an fianancial expert, but I bought just 1 thousand BOA
shares in 1st Quarter, and I made about US$10,000 in less 2 months.

I am not sure those "expert" in the GIC and Tamasek deserved to be
paid millions of dollars and months of performance bonuses?

From: "Zai Zai"
This is to let you people know that you should be very appreciative of madam
Ho while she was the CEO, at least she wouldn't make such harsh decision and
wouldn't lose so much. Since you people complain and complain and again you
want to complain about this new CEO.

Singapore in the beginning of the 21st century becomes a Frontline of the Chinese National Defence Strategy

From: the Fucking Boudha
Date: Mon, 25 May 2009 21:37:19 -0700 (PDT)
Local: Tues, May 26 2009 12:37 pm
Subject: Singapore in the beginning of the 21st century becomes a Frontline of the Chinese National Defence Strategy together with the Spratlys and Pakistan

Singapore in this beginning of the 21 st century has
become a FRONTLINE of the CHINESE NATIONAL DEFENCE Strategy when
the PetroChina manages to control Singapore Petroleum in these
next few years .

Singapore Petroleum will be Chinese main strategic partner in
Chinese oil and gaz search and procurements in ASEAN and in the
Middle East.

Singapore Petroleum will serve as the Chinese main supply
conduit for oil energy security to Chinese nation , Singapore Petroleum will
serve as the Guard Dog of the Chinese oil supply from the Middle
East , together with new Chinese New Naval seaport in Hambantato in
Sri Lanka , and the Spratlys in South China Sea .


Singapore government will be the guard dog of the Chinese oil
route from the Middle East , and Singapore Petroleum will be
Chinese main Strategic Partner for Chinese Oil and Energy Security
throughout ASEAN .

Singapore now in the beginning of this 21 st century
is a FRONTLINE of the CHINESE NATIONAL DEFENCE STRATEGY in the fight
for OIL and GAZ supply for China .

Singapore ' s Chinese are finally showing their CHINESE TEETH .

From: Monster
Date: Tue, 26 May 2009 03:17:26 -0700 (PDT)
Local: Tues, May 26 2009 6:17 pm
Subject: Re: Singapore in the beginning of the 21st century becomes a Frontline of the Chinese National Defence Strategy together with the Spratlys and Pakistan

Hey Fucking Failure Fuckhead Paedophile Monkey Screwer Komin!

You're just jealous that you're not Chinese!

Hey Fuckhead. Joke, right? A E&P company with a market cap of US
$2.25 billion is a MINNOW. Even mid-sized independents like BHP and
Woodside are 10 -20 times larger. What assets does SPC have and how
much production?

Sam Tan is a disgusting person

From: "truth"
Date: Tue, 26 May 2009 14:01:13 GMT
Local: Tues, May 26 2009 10:01 pm
Subject: pap mp Sam Tan is a disgusting person

truth comment: singaporeans can u pls spit or throw
rotten eggs at this sam tan for his sub-human comment
on suffering singaporeans.

http://singaporemind.blogspot.com/

Sam Tan : Singaporeans are mollycoddled....

Wow. Singaporeans are so pampered by their govt according to MP Sam Tan. Sam
Tan gets about $217K a year for his part time MP job and probably much more
for his full time job. Sam Tan is not mollycoddled, it is the thousands of
Singaporeans hired in the volatile manufacturing sector, temp jobs who have
to struggle to make ends met that are mollycoddled. It is the $800 cleaner
who has to go to the govt for help when she loses her job because it was not
possible for her to save any money given the rising cost of living that is
mollycoddled. It is not the job the govt to help all these people, MP Sam
Tan is saying the govt should walk away and that will toughen up
Singaporeans.

This is all very interesting especially when Sam Tan has a safe job in the
CDAC which is recession proof and a part-time MP job that pays $217K - Sam
Tan is not mollycoddled, ordinary Singaporeans who lose their low paying
jobs easily and have no choice but to seek help are the ones who are
mollycoddled. Sam Tan who got into parliament in Tanjong Pagar GRC thorugh a
walkover on the coattails of MM Lee is not a mollycoddled politician but the
Singaporeans who have to compete against the foreign workers who come in by
the thosands are mollycoddled.

Ordinay Singaporeans who have no safety net and have to work until they are
old are mollycoddled. But Sam Tan who will get pension after serving as MP
is not mollycoddled. The old ladies digging the trash for aluminium cans and
collecting cardboard boxes for a living are mollycoddled but Sam Tan is not
mollycoddled. The thousands of ordinary Singaporeans who squeeze like
sardines in the public transport, struggle to pay for the costliest public
housing in the world and the non-stop hikes in fees, fares and rates of govt
agencies are the ones who are mollycoddled but MP Sam Tan who makes more
money in his part-time MP job in one month than many Singaporean workers in
one year is not mollycoddled.
.
MP Sam Tan who never have to feed his family with less than $2000 a month is
qualified to say that ordinary Singaporeans are mollycoddled. It is not the
job of govt to help the poor and needy....what is the job of the govt? To
squeeze ordinary Singaporeans so that can barely breathe to ensure that the
people struggle ? Sam Tan says this will 'toughen' Singaporeans up. Yes, Sam
Tan is one tough person who has never worked in the private sector and has
never been retrenched to tell us all that.
-------------------
The Straits Times May 25, 2009 8:00 PM
We're too mollycoddled [Link]
.
MANY Singaporeans see Government help as an entitlement, something they
would tap on as a first port of call rather than as a last resort, said a
backbencher in Parliament on Monday.
.
Mr Sam Tan, MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC, is worried that Singaporeans might
have been so mollycoddled by the Government that they have become 'practised
at the craft of recession cushioning', and so accustomed to the government
largesse. '
.
Each time the economy shows signs of slowing down, we've the NTUC and the
e2i coming out to the forefront to job match, provide training, reduce
retrenchment,' he said in his speech on the President's address. 'We've
Ministry of National Development pump-priming with infrastructure projects.
.
We've, of course, the Ministry of Communications, Youth and Sports and its
numerous help schemes.' Making clear that he is 'not diminishing the
efforts' of civil servants and unionists, Mr Tan added: 'I am, however,
wondering what the true impact of all these efforts are.
.
'Suppose you're the father of an eight-year-old boy who wants to learn how
to cycle. Do you line the streets with cushions so that he would not hurt
himself if he loses his balance? '
Do you brace his knees, and every conceivable part of his exposedbody with
padding? You might, if you were an extremely protective father.
.
But a commonsensical approach would be to let the boy have a go at it
himself, and take the knocks and spills as they come.
.
'A boy who's mollycoddled is a very different person from the one who is
physically tough and take the spills without fear, and whining.
.
The latter, I think could be the approach that we take towards helping
Singaporeans during tough times.' Citing an example to back his point, Mr
Tan said recently he has seen many residents, especially the elderly, come
and see him at meet-the-people sessions.
.
'The difference is that while in the past, many of them would be hesitant to
do so, and would rely on their children first. Today, many see the
government help as an entitlement, something that they should tap on as a
first port of call, rather than a last resort.
.
'I want to spare my children the burden of caring for me', they tell me. I
am frankly astonished and dismayed, for my traditional Confucius values tell
me that it is the natural obligation for children to look after their
parents, and for the parents to be cared for by their children when they
grow old. 'I would sometimes tell them 'You should let the children care for
you, not the state, not because this is a good public policy (although it
is), not because society expects it (although it might), but because it is
the right thing to do. 'It is filial piety, one of the most fundamental
values of the human race.'

Monday, May 25, 2009

Sam Tan is a very selfish pap mp

From: Siansiansian
Date: Mon, 25 May 2009 08:42:23 -0700 (PDT)
Local: Mon, May 25 2009 11:42 pm
Subject: Re: Sam Tan is a very selfish pap mp

On May 25, 10:10 pm, "truth" wrote:


> http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20...

> pap politicians are heartless and very selfish.
> When they are having such good lives they tend to
> forget that average Singaporeans are really facing
> difficulties.
> That they continued to lecture Singaporeans who
> seek the government help in these difficult times
> show how insensitive they are.
> What is the government there for if not to help those
> of their citizens who are struggling ?
> If they cannot do it or find it abhorent to do it then
> they should step down and allow others who are
> more capable to do the job better.

Don't blame him. This PAP Govt way of ensuring top officers receive
highest salary package and many more months of performance bonuses
than lower ranked officers. This is so the top officers will have to
fight hard to protect the regime.
-----------------------------------------

From: "Zai Zai"
Date: Mon, 25 May 2009 15:46:18 GMT
Local: Mon, May 25 2009 11:46 pm
Subject: Re: Sam Tan is a very selfish pap mp

These people just one sided view only lar, just like our pm can single
tasking only. They worry this and worry that, but when come to their own
salary increases and bonuses they don't worry at all but expect more and
more. They are just giving excuses not to help the poor and needy. This is
partly the works of lky also, he doesn't want to standout and speak, so he
uses one of his cronies to do the dirty work for him. In this way, he won't
dirty his hands and it gives the public an understanding that it is not only
his view alone.

Pap changing GRC to prevent defeat

From: "truth"
Date: Mon, 25 May 2009 15:53:14 GMT
Local: Mon, May 25 2009 11:53 pm
Subject: pap Leegime changing GRC to prevent defeat

The GRC was initially conceived by LKY to ensure the pap
stranglehold on power and US$billions remains forever.
However with the tide rapidly changing with huge % (internal
polling 80%) of Singaporeans very angry and frustrated with
the pap Leegime. They are so pissed off with the pap that
they are now no longer afraid of the LKY and his gangsters.
Many are suffering to the extent that life in jail will be a better
option.
As such there will be massive losses for the pap thru the GRC
system. So the pap is now changing the system to stamp this
huge anti-pap tide from sweeping the LKY and his gangsters
to their graves.
Do not be taken in by the pap Leegime selling this reorganisation
of Singapore political system as a progressive move with the
time and sentiment of the world. It is purely a desperate survival
move by the pap Leegime.
Their internal calculation has proven what I have foreseen which
is the pap to lost power after 2 more ges

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Have FEER accused LKY and PM Lee of corruption or misgovernance ?

From: baldeagle
Date: Fri, 22 May 2009 20:26:42 -0700 (PDT)
Local: Sat, May 23 2009 11:26 am
Subject: Have FEER accused LKY and PM Lee ....of corruption or misgovernance ?

Last September, Justice Woo granted the summary judgement to LKY and
PM Lee against FEER....for defaming the two top Singapore leaders in a
July 2006 article.

According to the lawyer for FEER, the articles did not say LKY or PM
Lee were corrupt. The article merely say LKY and PM Lee have
misgoverned...like the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) case, referred
to in the article, which was about abuse of trust and financial
impropriety, not corruption.

Was the CEO or management of NKF charged and found guilty of
corruption ?

Any one can clarify this.


Newsgroups: soc.culture.singapore
From: "truth"
Date: Sat, 23 May 2009 13:30:12 GMT
Local: Sat, May 23 2009 9:30 pm
Subject: Re: Have FEER accused LKY and PM Lee ....of corruption or misgovernance ?

How can there be corruption in Singapore when the
pap Leegime has proclaimed that there are no
corruption ?

$23m to help workers

From: Politikus
Date: Sat, 23 May 2009 09:13:22 -0700 (PDT)
Local: Sun, May 24 2009 12:13 am
Subject: $23m to help workers

Yippee! You and me will get something..? ;-p

=====
$23m to help workers

THE labour movement has raised more than $23 million to help needy
union members and their families.

The funds will beef up existing help schemes and support new ones to
give immediate relief to the retrenched and those on a shorter work
week, labour chief Lim Swee Say told reporters on Saturday.

Our Singapore girls conquered Mt Everest. Well done!

From: baldeagle
Date: Sun, 24 May 2009 02:04:23 -0700 (PDT)
Local: Sun, May 24 2009 5:04 pm
Subject: Our girls...conquered Mt Everest. Well done!

The female Mt Everest team, Lee Li Hui, Esther Tan and Jane Lee
stood on the world's tallest mountain in the world (at 8850m) this
week... A feat not many Singaporeans could equal.

Well done.

They are the inspiration to us all.


From: "Zai Zai"
Date: Sun, 24 May 2009 10:56:43 GMT
Local: Sun, May 24 2009 6:56 pm
Subject: Re: Our girls...conquered Mt Everest. Well done!

This time they didn't forget to bring the camera?
However, this time seems like they forgotten to bring the Singapore flag.

From: baldeagle
Date: Sun, 24 May 2009 05:51:01 -0700 (PDT)
Local: Sun, May 24 2009 8:51 pm
Subject: Re: Our girls...conquered Mt Everest. Well done!

On May 24, 6:56 pm, "Zai Zai" wrote:

Why bring a flag ?
Someone has already planted the Singapore flag on the
top of Mt Everest several years ago.

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Why Temasek sold its stake in BoA : Temasek explained

Why Temasek sold its stake in BoA
I REFER to recent reports and commentaries on Temasek's divestment of its Bank of America (BoA) stake. We would like to clarify some of the points raised.
Temasek invests with the objective of delivering sustainable returns over the long term. This means our investment strategy is not aimed at delivering target returns on a year-by-year basis. This is why we report our portfolio returns not just for a single year, but for various time horizons in our annual Temasek Review.

To achieve our investment objectives, we constantly review our portfolio and rebalance it from time to time. We may choose to divest an investment, even at a loss, to optimise our risk or portfolio exposures, or if there are better opportunities elsewhere or later. We may also choose to hold or increase our existing investments.

Ultimately, the aim is to ensure that our portfolio delivers returns that are higher than the cost of capital employed on a risk-adjusted basis, or what we call Wealth-Added.

Our investment in Merrill Lynch was made in December 2007. This was exchanged into BoA shares in January this year following BoA's completion of its September 2008 offer to buy Merrill.

Our investment thesis had changed from Merrill's specific businesses to the more diversified BoA linkage to the broader US economy. The risk-return environment had also changed substantially.

We decided to divest our BoA stake after considering all relevant factors.

This move to balance risks against opportunities is part and parcel of our discipline of investing and divesting to deliver sustainable long-term returns on our entire portfolio.

We are mindful of the risks we face as we invest. We reinforce this risk-return balance through a compensation framework which puts the institution above the individual, emphasises long term over short term, and aligns employee and shareholder interests for both the upside and downside, over the medium and long term.

While we do our best to mitigate risks, the reality is that not every one of our investments will be equally successful. We recognise that only time will tell if we have made the right decisions to deliver sustainable returns on our portfolio as a whole.

Myrna Thomas (Ms)
Managing Director,
Corporate Affairs Temasek Holdings


I referred to this report for explanations on why Temasek dumped BofA's shares. And I literally vomitted blood reading this whole load of cr4ps. It seems like this Managing Director has totally forgotten the how much risk Temasek is taking when they dumped billions into this investment bank...

Just read this article from CNN dated NOV 2007
Quote:


Merrill under the microscope
Merrill Lynch, for example, predicted a $4.5 billion subprime loss for the third quarter, then jolted investors and analysts three weeks later by announcing that its real deficit was $7.9 billion - or 76% more than the initial estimate. (Oops!)

In fact, Wall Street banks are sitting on rotting piles of highly suspect, thinly traded securities no one wants to touch. "Whenever the market turns against you, you take the biggest losses in illiquid securities," says Richard Bookstaber, former head of risk management at Salomon Bros. "Because there are so few buyers, you're forced to sell at a discount that is both huge and highly unpredictable."

What really spooks investors is the fog surrounding the future. One problem is that they can't trust management's estimates of future losses. Citi, for example, says it will take additional write-downs of $8 billion to $11 billion in the fourth quarter.

But it's impossible to know whether those numbers have any relation to reality. Presumably, they are based on a theoretical model, but such models have proved highly unreliable. When Citi actually brings the securities to market, it may have to slash their prices to unload them, forcing it to take a much bigger write-down.

The banks are also far from forthcoming with detailed information on their positions, making it difficult for analysts to assess what the future holds. "The risk to investors is far greater because we're getting so little information," says Michael Mayo, an analyst at Deutsche Bank.

Backed by Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, Bank of America, Citi, and J.P. Morgan are trying to establish a giant fund that would buy distressed debt so that investors who own it don't have to unload it at fire-sale prices. The hope is that the market will rebound before too long and that the bonds will regain much of their value. But there's no guarantee that the bonds will ever bounce back, and the bailout fund may simply delay the day of reckoning, pushing losses further into the future.

Just how big could those losses be? Both Mayo and analyst Meredith Whitney of CIBC project that write-downs could total $50 billion or more by the end of the year. Longer term, Mayo sees losses climbing to $70 to $100 billion. The wide range simply underscores the uncertainty surrounding subprime. "This will take two to three years to play out," says Mayo, explaining that it will take that long for lenders to foreclose on troubled mortgages and sell the collateral - in this case, hundreds of thousands of homes - to recoup part of their loans.

Saudi and China's businessmen cannot get visas into Sg but KTV hostesses from China Vietnam can?

From: Politikus
Date: Sat, 23 May 2009 09:21:05 -0700 (PDT)
Local: Sun, May 24 2009 12:21 am
Subject: Why genuine Saudi and China's businessmen cannot get visas into Singapore but karaoke hostesses from China and Vietnam can?

Heard recently from business communities that many genuine Saudi and
China's businessmen visa applications into Singapore rejected for no
reason, but karaoke hostesses from China and Vietnam can? :-(

Why push for growth which don't benefit average Singaporeans

From: "truth"
Date: Sat, 23 May 2009 02:43:40 GMT
Local: Sat, May 23 2009 10:43 am
Subject: Why the pap Leegime push growth which don't benefit average Singaporeans

That over the years, the pap Leegime has been pushing for
economic growth which don't benefit the average Singaporean.
The question is why are they doing such silly thing and still
continue to do it.
Very simple.

These growth benefitted the pap Leegime and their elites.
You see the higher the economic growth the more bonus
they will pay themselves and those around them. The higher
the economy grow the higher the profits of the GLCs and
TLCs which in turn benefit the pap Leegime in two way.
One they are majority owner of these companies. Two
their salaries are tied to the ceos of these companies.

So we can now conclude that the pap Leegime is very selfish.
They pursue polices which benefitted themselves and those
around them even if these polices are hurting Singaporeans.

Case in point is allowing the huge number of foreigners into
Singapore.

Stress exposed weakness in government departments

From: "truth"
Date: Sat, 23 May 2009 06:40:58 GMT
Local: Sat, May 23 2009 2:40 pm
Subject: Stress exposed weakness in government departments

We are now seeing that the pap Leegime has so much problems
in their system. Under stress we see that the Ministry of Home
Affairs are full of holes all over the places. From prison security
to airport security, from border security to intelligence on the
ground, we are seeing that not only are the people running it not
up to standard but the systems are not reliable.

Under stress, the MAS has failed on various fronts. From allowing
dubious products to be sold to highly questionable sales and
marketing tactics, the MAS has been caught sleeping on the job.
Under stress we are now seeing more weaknesses in the Education
Ministry. The Ministry of National Development has been caught
short on many areas. So has the Ministry of Environment. Other
Ministries are also caught short.

The PM has been caught hiding
on many occassions. Those incharge of our investments have
failed us, losing a huge chunks of our wealth. LKY has been
caught wrong on so many occassions. His proclaimation of a
golden era was followed by depression. His proclaimation that
Asia will not be affected by the problems in America was dead
wrong. His insistence that our investments in Western banks were
followed by Temasek liquition of our investments in BoA at huge
losses.

How can we ever trust this bunch of bumbling and greedy idiots
again ?

This recession is good for Singapore

From: "kingkong"
Date: Fri, 22 May 2009 16:37:34 +0800
Local: Fri, May 22 2009 4:37 pm
Subject: This recession is good for Singapore

I think Singapore can benefited from this recession.

Without this recession, no one can be sure where our CPF and foreign
reserves gone to.

And it has also exposed the rampant greed of our rich and powerful elite.


From: Zanzibar
Date: Fri, 22 May 2009 12:19:19 -0700 (PDT)
Local: Sat, May 23 2009 3:19 am
Subject: Re: This recession is good for Singapore

On May 22, 4:37 pm, "kingkong" wrote:

> I think Singapore can benefited from this recession.

> Without this recession, no one can be sure where our CPF and foreign
> reserves gone to.

> And it has also exposed the rampant greed of our rich and powerful elite.

It also revealed how they had mermerized people with deceptive
perception of themselves on how talented they are and how birilliant
were.

Building bridges to improve relationship between Malaysia and Singapore

From: baldeagle
Date: Fri, 22 May 2009 18:03:14 -0700 (PDT)
Local: Sat, May 23 2009 9:03 am
Subject: Building bridges....to improve relationship between Malaysia and Singapore

Najib, the new PM of Malaysia has completed a two-day official visit
to Singapore.

He is a different PM from all his predecessors. He came...NOT to seek
quarrel, not to open up old wounds, not to see what Singapore has
achieved (for copying later) ,....... but to improve the co-operations
in economic activities, in security matters ....and to build bridges
to improve the relationships between Malaysian and Singapore.

Among his proposals, is to build a bridge, not only metaphorically,
but building a real bridge connecting the eastern part of Johor with
the east of Singapore.

An East bridge is an excellent idea. It is a timely move to ease the
congestion at the causeway (provided the charges for its use is
reasonably low.) With increasing flow of people and cargo traffic,
the congestions will get even worse.
For Singaporeans living in the east, those living in densely populated
areas (including Sengkang, Ponggol, Pasir Ris, Tampines, Bedok and
Marine Parade), it would shorten their journeys to tourist resorts
located in Eastern peninsula Malaysia.

For Singaporean and foreigner investors who have factories in Malaysia
(to take advantage of the cheaper labour, land and operating costs),
it is a direct link to Changi Airport. It will improve their
operational efficiency as their goods trucks could avoid the long long
queues at the causeway and it will significantly cut the delivery time
of goods to the Cargo complex in Changi airport. (Not only for
electronic parts, but new perishable products like cut flower and
fresh sea food could be exported by air).

Najib is proving to be a practical man...one who can get things done.

------------------------------------

When the malaysian govt is 'weak' back home.........they are very
receptive toward neighbours.........but, once the malaysian govt is
'strong' ( ie. Mahathir time ) they tell neighbouring to 'fuck-
off'......or 'no deal'
--------------------------------------
The Malaysian government was NEVER strong...or WEAK.

They were all corrupt...but many used Singapore as a
whipping boy....to hide their corruption acts.
Najib...is refreshing and is different. Corruption aside,
he made some attractive proposals...good for Singaporeans
and Malaysian...during his first trip to Singapore.

For this, he deserved to be complimented.

--------------------------------------------
Without Singapore participation, IDR will not be successful. Plain simple.

Friday, May 22, 2009

Malaysian News about Singapore First Public Gay Rally

According to Malaysian news, the "Island of Kiasu" or Singapore held its first public gay rally undisturbed. Some 2,500 supporters of gay rights dressed in pink-attires and gathered in a park in Singapore on Saturday, to form a pink dot.

The organisers of the event, pinkdot.sg, say the event was held to commemorate love in all forms and between people of every orientation. Currently Singaporeans can hold any gathering that does not touch on topics of race or religion.

According Malaysian news, Jack Soh of pinkdot.sg, there was no overt political message being sent to the government. It was not a protest or a political rally. The event was for Singaporeans in general - to affirm our respect for diversity and the freedom to love, regardless of sexual orientation. It is an inclusive event that would reach all Singaporeans, straight and gay.

Many picnicked, danced and clapped to cultural performances from Singapore's various ethnic groups.

For many Singaporean gays getting together with in the rally is empowering and liberating. Stage actor Ivan Heng, the rally is really a landmark event for Singaporeans. [source:bbc]

So, what about Malaysian gays? If ever there is a public gay rally here, probably we should call the event as "One Malaysia Gay"! What say you?

Temasek sells BoA stake

Posted: Sat May 16, 2009 9:49 am Post subject: Temasek sells BoA stake

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Temasek would have lost in the region of a total of US$5Billion in this venture.

Recalled that there were comments that the previous leader was commended to have brought value and huge contribution to Temasek and Singapore. How do you reconcile this now?

This loss dwarfs the economic package to pull singapore around and infact any other major projects as far as I can recall.

Can those in charge please come and explain this and how if it will impact ordinary Singaporeans like their CPF etc. plus whose head is going to roll for this or is this another of those "honest" mistakes.

Posted: Sat May 16, 2009 7:28 pm Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

i recalled that a few months back, when the citi, merril lynch, etc crashed, it was reported that temasek might have lost a few tens of billions. and then the govt came out and defended that these are long term investment...up to 15 years or more. so why sell now and loose our hard earned money ?

Posted: Sat May 16, 2009 9:14 pm Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Are we going to continue to act dumb? Time and again, our money gone down the drain. Money which is due for us for retirement is deferred over and over again.

It is time ppl should not be so dumb by acting decisively in your constituency when the time comes. For goodness sake, don't use trivial matters such as lift upgrading for decision making. It just make us look stupid in the eyes of our neighbours, such as Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand.

If ppl don't act smart and bold, then nobody in this world going to help us. Are we going to follow the path of Junta country where ppl has to flee to neighbouring countries to look for a living while the junta drinking XO and Cognac brandy like water.

Posted: Sat May 16, 2009 11:14 pm Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The problem has almost always been that non-conformist views from non SG sanctioned think tanks are not taken (seriously) when making decisions. Besides, rewarding those who make decisions (irregardless of merit/profit consideration(s)) when making deals/proposals etc should not be condoned. These people should only be rewarded for their efforts when their decisions result in increased net profit (and improved competitiveness) without (majorly) negatively affecting the livelihood of Singaporeans.

Anyway, the probability of Singapore taking no action to "recoup" the losses is negligible. Therefore, expect the cost of living to go up as well as other measures designed to generate/extract more revenue (e.g: CPF limit or CPF withdrawal age to go up, increased GST/bus/taxi/mrt/petrol/edcation etc costs). Singaporeans would be pleasantly surprised if Singapore's cost of living drops (instead of increment).

Posted: Mon May 18, 2009 1:41 pm Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Temasek Holding had lost 2 IR to the US, what to do let face it? i envy people going to reach 60, at least they still have some leftover for them in the CPF.

By the time i reach 60, everything will be different. I wonder will our CPF like the Japanese Pension Fund or the US Security Assurance fund being (misuse) squeeze till the last drop. By then I will get nothing from my CPF account.

Can i stop contribute to the CPF?

Posted: Mon May 18, 2009 1:59 pm Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hmm... i'm beginning to doubt the think tank in Temasek... are they really top notch or worst than the 5th grader?

Lehman Brother can fall i can understand... but BOA... if this giant bank falls... i think the fall of US as a country is not far behind... Since Temasek has already suffer such a huge paper loss... why not wait for it to recover especially after a frenzy plunge in equity which bound to have a technical rebound...?

Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 6:56 am Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To be fair, no one could predict it...no one in the investment community. So why are you so quick to shoot our own guys when things don't look good! In investment is like in business, is about how well you do relative to the market.

The only ones that made money were the short funds...

Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 9:55 am Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What's the use of having billions of dollars in our reserve when people managed it lost billions in investments?

Singaporeans work so hard for years and contributed to this huge reserve and we lost few billions so easily in a matter of months.

Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 5:25 pm Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

guys,

its an honest mistake.. lets move on..

Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 11:23 pm Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Singapore is well known for cautiousness and pragmatism. Before it buys a combat plane it went thru rigorous process 3 to 5 years before it buys it.
When people offer you something on a plater and so eagerly, any seasoned people would be able to smell a rat miles away. Mind you, these people are men of worldly experience, some are ex-ministers and some current ones. Yet, they invested Singapore hard-earned money on a whim and lost billions.
In China, they would have being executed by firing squard but here in Singapore, they are still enjoying million dollars salary.
In commercial world, heads will roll like ten pins.
In USA, they have the decency to resign or force to quit.
Here, they behave as if nothing has happened.
Here, they have audacity to charge Durai for his mischief but I am sure if the authority wants to dig, they will find some monkeys are up to some mischief-makers and causation.

Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 12:00 am Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When a top gun is involved, it is an honest mistake but when a small fry makes a silly mistake, he is given a walking certificate like staff involved in Selamat escapade. To me, he makes an honest mistake by trusting Selamat. Would you buy it? Of course not!
Anyway, an honest person would never indulge in complicated, shaddy and risky deals as it goes against his nature.
A mistake is a mistake. no question about it.
When I was working government service, I did make mistakes and were punished for them in spite of quoting my favourite phrase in all myexplanation:
"To err is human and to forgive is divine" No divine intervention was fore-coming.

Old Man Harry, then it seems that you don't much about investments....loss of money does not always mean professional mistake, lack of knowledge or competency. The decision is made with the information available at the time. Investment is not "make money" but "win money" because every $ earned, someone loses it. Do you see investment bankers, brokers, fund managers in China being executed by firing squard? or being punished in any other way around the world except for having their bonus cut???

Investment is part art, part science...it is about how many more times you get right and earn money than lose money. Not about zero losses.

Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 8:16 am Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I thought I heard someone saying buying into American banks was a long term investment.

Why let go at loss now? Long Term? WT....

I truly believed them when they said long term investment as it made perfect sense, but now... ai...

They are sure going to get back what they've lost thru the usual way... from the citizens... one way or the other.

Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 1:38 pm Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bank of America’s shares up 74% after Temasek sold its stake.

Could it be that the real reason for BOA's troubles is "Temasek"'s leader's bad luck or bad judgment?
Buy A, A's previous owner kuna kick out due to a coup, but B, B close shop etc etc

Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 3:28 pm Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sad. it's either "we go in too early"....or " we sold to early"..... what happen to the super brains we are supposed to have running our government corporations.?

Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 11:52 pm Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I agree I dont care or know much about investment. I do know it is a form of legal gamble, buying of shares is another form of gambling although you may beg to differ.
You may try to disguise investment as a form of art and science, but in actual fact it speculative gambling like placing your bet football.
Just like football bettings, you need an element of luck and speculative skill and how many times you get right.
What I find hard to stomache is that these worldly experience investment specialists could be conned into investing billions of hard-earned money, saved over a long time, without firstly do a due deligent study of banks concerned. They based their judgment on banks' past reputation.
I was surprised at the speed of the decision.
If your friends always driving RR cars and living in prime bungalows, suddenly pop up at your humble HDB door step to ask for loans or investments to pop up their finance, don't you smell a rat?
There should be accountability irrespective of whether the decision is made by humble Ah Kow or mighty minister. If you made the wrong decision, you should have the moral courage to be counted and punished. Take resonsibility for your action and not hookwink the public by claiming it is long term invetsment when you off-loaded it within a year at a loss.
I do know of a case in China where the poor guy was packed off to heaven for investing his provincial money in speculative shares and properties, resulting a great loss.
In any case, the ex-boss of China Aviation Oil or whatever its name, was packed off to jail for his wrong speculative investment.
Just like a football coach, if your team always lose your game you will be sacked as happened in the English Leauge.
NO DOUBLE STANDARD!

Posted: Fri May 22, 2009 7:42 pm Post subject:

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Another way of looking at investment is doing BUSINESS. You buy an asset from someone then sell it to another person at higher price and make money. If you choose your asset or goods wrongly, then you lose money. Simple. Its just business.

You can also add value by buying then change the business and resell at higher price...like Lone Star. Just different way of doing business.

Posted: Fri May 22, 2009 8:54 pm Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The way the transactions opened and then closed abruptly, it is no different from those old aunties and uncles in the hawker centres buy and sell shares - buy high sell low - and end up with lots of debts and loan sharks chasing after them.

Only difference is in the value of the money lost.

Frankly , I am confident I can do a much better job than these people. All my investments are in tact, I have not sold out during the down turn, and have accumulated more when near the bottom.

Shame , Temasek, really Shame.

Changi Prison is worst than Guantanamo

From: "truth"
Date: Thu, 21 May 2009 15:10:02 GMT
Local: Thurs, May 21 2009 11:10 pm
Subject: Changi Prison is worst than Guantanamo

At least in Guantanamo they have decent beds for the prisoners.
In Changi and the prison in the police station, u have to sleep on
cold cement floor.
In Guantanamo there are interested parties to conduct checks to
ensure that Prisoners are no abuse. Nothing of the sort in Changi.
Infact no check and balance in the whole Singapore pap system of
government. One man decides everything with plenty of little
Harry running around behaving like the old man.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Oei Hong Long lost $1 billion in trading

From: "." <....@home.com>
Date: Thu, 21 May 2009 22:29:17 +0800
Local: Thurs, May 21 2009 10:29 pm
Subject: Re: Oei Hong Long lost $1 billion in trading

How much did you make?

"truth" wrote in message

> Someday ago it was reported that in court documents, it was
> revealed that rich Indonesian residing in Singapore, Oei Hong
> Long lost $1 billion trading thru Citi.
> Wow that is a lot of $ to lose.
> Lucky his family is very rich having taken the consortium of
> banks financing their global size pulp business for a good
> ride.

Singaporeans told "long term investments" while Temasek secretly liquidating

From: "truth"
Date: Thu, 21 May 2009 06:04:31 GMT
Local: Thurs, May 21 2009 2:04 pm
Subject: Singaporeans told "long term investments" while Temasek secretly liquidating

This is hilarious. While the pap nincompoops from LKY to Thaman
to that woman minister were telling Singaporeans that our investments
in Western Banks are for the long term of up to 30 years, Temasek
was quietly liquidating their BoA shares and there are speculations that
they have also liquidated their Barclay Bank shares.
We know the pap Leegime is obsessive with secrecy but for the left hand
not to know of what the right hand is doing is symptom
of rote at the core of government. Dysfunctional disease has set in.