Dr Goh Keng Swee

Last Sunday (16 May 2010), I went to 48A Dunbar Walk to give my last tribute to Dr Goh Keng Swee. I have known Dr Goh from Chinese Newspaper since young. My impression is he is the only minister that can run the office from Finance to Defence and then to Education. But after his retirement, we can't find a single news about him from the Newspaper. That's has kept me from wondering what happen to our great leader for years since I was 21. When I heard about him again, it was the departure time.

I was very touch and tearful when I read the stories and the contributions he had made for Singapore. When I asked my younger friends now, actually not many youngster know about him. After I have read the newspaper report about his life contributions to Singapore, I think our social study or morale study should include the introduction of Dr Goh's words and life, so that our new generation will learn the spirit and the passion of Dr Goh. Don't let his legendary legacy die with him.

Dr Goh, I want to solute you, you are our nation's treasure. Thank you.

Lucky Plaza toilet entry on Sunday

In Singapore, the foreign workers from different entices group will have their regular meeting place every Sunday. Burmese will meet at Penisular Plaza; Indian will meet at Serangoon Road Little India; Thai national will meet at Golden Mile Tower at Beach Road; while Phillipines will meet at Lucky Plaza.

Lucky Plaza is crowded with Philiphines on every Sunday. Almost all those domestic workers who can rest on Sunday will come to Lucky Plaza to meet friends for lunch, remitten of money, visit the tropical phillipines provision store, cut hair, manicure, padicure, even picnic along Orchard Road.

Every Sunday, the lady toilets have long queue because of the crowd. All shopkeepers have to follow in the long queue , causes the shopkeepers lots of inconvinences. Finally, from last Sunday, the building management specially made the second floor toilet solely for the pass holders only. It is a good change, and it is welcome by all the shopkeepers because the queue is short and the toilet is cleaner.

The management put up a sign shown that strictly for toilet pass holders only. And the security gurard was there to guard the entry too.

Today, after I have finished the padicure, I hold the backet of dirty water headed to toilet without the pass. The lady security gurard whom I never seen before said to me, "Withoug pass? You go back to take your pass!" I told her I won't go to the toilet then, I just want to throw the water into the basin which is outside the toilet. I felt she was unreasonable and unpassionate, doesn't the purpose of the closure to the public is to convinence the shopkeeper? Hence I insisted my way to the basin to clean up the backet.

She followed me and raised her voice, "I don't care, my management told me to see the pass, without the pass you can not enter! What you want? You want me to call my big boss here to talk to you." I felt so agnoring, I said,"Can't you see I am the worker here? If you need the pass to get in the toilet, I can don't go into the toilet now, I just want to clean up my backet!"

After almost 40 minutes later that afternoon, we all heard the big boss which the security guard referring to, shouted loudly across the corridor to another fellow security guard, "I don't want to hear sorry, you just do what I tell you to do!............"

Anyway, I returned to the toilet with the pass later.

I think nowadays everyone is under tremendous pressure in work and in life.

Maid

My friend daughter's maid took her time off to go to the Manpower office to file a complain that she was asked to do head massage for her employer after 10pm.............

My friend is an 74 years old lady with lots of wisdom. She teach her daughter to go for the interview if she was asked by the authority. Her arugment is they didn't operate a spa or massage parlor, the maid was not asked to work either of these place. The employer was so busy whole day outside, when the employer asked the maid to do some massage on her head because she got headache, what is the problem? This art is considered as abuse?

Insurance

Every years we have ford out a couple of hundreds dollars to buy insurance through CPF deduction or cash payment, but do I really know what am I buying? Do I know when can I claim? What can I claim if I was hospitalised? What is the cash portion do I need to responsible? Cover till what age? Is it enough coverage for anythings happened? Frankly, recently I had spoken to an insurance agent, I think I am blind, I don't know much about the insurance, I don't know the details, I am negligence. I don't know it is because I stupid or I pretent everythings is ok as long as I have brought some insurance which the government has recommended.

I have brought Incomeshield (Medishield) and Eldershield for myself, as well as Incomeshield for Dependant for all my three children. I will sort out the matters in a more clearer picture later.

I must not be so negligence.

Durian Tour to JB

On 12 August 08 Straits Times has introduced the Durian Tour to JB from June to August. I have to take this down so that next time if I want, I will know where to go.

Tour Agency : Chan Brothers Travel (Tel: 65336119)
Luxury Tours ( 67332808)
Maxpac Travel (67848568)

Itinary :

• Visit to a durian plantation which near the town of Tangkak in Ledang district, to sample unlimited portions of durians and other seasonal fruits
• Shopping at Aeon Tebrau City mall in JB
• Seafood dinner

Fees: $53 for an adult, $47 for a child

By air-conditioned coach

Garden Festival in Singapore

I have visited the Garden exhibition in Suntec City on 25 July 08. The admission fee during weekend is S$12/- instead of S$6/- during the week day. Although all the master piece are nice, I don't understand why I feel bored when I browsing the 2 halls. I only took a few pictures for memories of the trip.

This is the wall decor from one of the great design of Garden.

This is the stand for Green Culture Singapore - Singapore's No 1 Gardening Website & Discussion Forum. I have taken notes of how they use the natural or cut paper leave to decor the boring wall.

Their web is http://www.greenculturesg.com/ GCS is more of an interest group of hobbyists with a cyberspace presence and they ranked the #1 website in the Lifestyle - House and Garden category for 2007 by Hitwise. People with great interest in gardening or plant, this site should be able offer a lot of very practical advice and knownledge. You must visit this site if you love to grow somethings.

Hanging the big leaves on the wooden fan with some garden light is very nice too.

Special floral design on the wall with some crystal hanging with the ribbon.

This design use the difference glass colour shade to create the very attractive and special effect regarless of days or night.

Do you know where to take a romantic Dinner Cuisine in the Garden set up in Singapore? One of the place to go is Halia, their address is 1 Cluny Road, Ginger Garden, (enter via Tyersall Avenue) Singapore Botanic Gardens, Phone : 65-64766711

The Floriculture Association (Singapore) at 3 Coleman St, #03-16 Peninsula Hotel Shopping Centre Tel: 63386194 offer Certificate WSQ Courses for Gift, Corsage, Hamper, Bouquet, Arrangement, Wedding, Venue, Funeral, Celebration, Display, Image etc.

The official launch of the WSQ Floristry will be on 13 Sept 08 at Toa Payoh Town Park.

Their web site is http://http://www.tropifame.net/ This website seems to be stilll under construction till date. You can check again later.

Plastic surgery

My friends have sent their twin for plastic surgery for their jaw before they serve their National Service. The operation was done in Mount Elizebeth Hospital. Each operation cost more than 20K. After the operation, the boys can chew their food better than before. Their look have become more attractive. The result of the operations are very positive except the money has spent. These lucky boys must thankful to their parents for their sacrify and willingness to part this sum of money for the better of their future.

Boy No 1 , before the operation.

Boy No 1, after the operation. The boy immediate transformed to a handsome and smart looking boy.

Boy No 2, before the operation.

Boy No 2, after the operation. Once again, the maggic of the plastic surgery. No pain no gain.

Reading Habit

Look at this family! The moment this family on board this MRT, after setting down on the seat, without second thought every one of them took out their book and read in the MRT. You see them so engross in their reading. Their big sister even standing without the seat also read.

I was seating just next to their parents. I heard the father discuss or highlighted some points from the bible enrichment book with the mother. They didn't waste any time in the MRT. Reading is so natural to them.

Nail Studio

Last Saturday, my friend has an grand opening of her Nail Studio at People's Park Complex, on 3rd Floor above the hawker centre. I think this hawker center has just gone through the renovation work. This place used to be the shopping center of the older generation. After the renovation, this place looks very promising to be the next shopping location for the younster like Far East Plaza, and the Bugis Village. The addition of the escalator and the location is above the MRT station, made this place seems has very bright future though not many people has known about this "new" place yet partly also because the exterior wall has not changed.

There is lion dance and buffet lunch for more than 30 relatives and friends. My friend took over this place from a lady who successfully tender the 2 units, got the place and after the renovation, then got pregnant and then realised that she was not capable to run the studio because she could not stand the smell of the Acrylic nail.

Their friends not only sent them flowers, they came for the service and at the same time buy the package from them, very supportive. Their social network is very good.

This place got very high ceiling. My friend install a beautiful crystalised lighting. They also installed 2 aircon, I think the monthly electricity will be very high. The nail dryer is about 300W, it is not 50W like fan! The total area of this place is about 400 sq ft. This shop renting from HDB direct does not mean cheap rent. It is about the same price as you rent a shop at Lucky Plaze in Orchard Road. I believed my entrepreuner friend are able to do a prosperous business here.

I like this picture that adhered to the front door. The tip of the nail is the design of the US dollars, very creative.

Very simple painting and lighting, without any blockage and the black and white setting made this place very cosy.

The 2 tables for the nail station. They install an computer there so that they can serving the net while in the shop. This computer keep the children present there from their bordom. The pictures at the wall were specially ordered from OPI from the States, cost S$28/each.
The entrance and the cashier counter. Behind the counter are four seats for the Padicure and Manicure. This place has no water output in the unit. They overcome the problem by getting a mobile barrel like the picture below and a big container that contain all the waste water, very brilliant.

Behind this wall is the small storage place to put the staff handbags, water supplies, tea preparation area. The colour scheme and the 风水 (the feng shui) was follow the advice of their paster from the Thai temple. Their paster came to pray for them that evening.

Noble price nomination for this giant fan?

First time I ever seen such a giant fan! This fan is installed inside the Bugis Village, at the centre of the mall. The length of each leaf at least 3m long. It helps to circulate the air inside this congested mall. You feel cool when you are inside the mall in the dame hot day. I believed the electricity consumption of this fan is a lot cheaper than the air conditioning. The fan allows the open concept of the mall. If it is air conditioning the whole place, the mall has to be closed up. So, I feel strongly that the designer of this gaint fan should be awarded some kind of innovative award. The team should be commanded and rewarded. Great design! Hope to see more of the creative design!





This is the packaging design from Japan. Japanese always take great pain to design their packaging. Look at this box, it has the shape of peanut, it is actually the biscuit inside wrap with red bean paste. The biscuit is the design of giant peanut. It is great to be a gift when you return from Japan.

The pink swim suite for men

I love to watch the show "Appentics" which was showed on every Sunday on Channel 5 at 11pm. The Appentics are group into 2 teams. They are given 14 projects over the 14 weeks periods. Every week there will be winning team and the lossing team. The winning team will enjoy a lot of fined things in life. For the lossing team, some members from the lossing team will be sent to the boardroom to let Mr Trumpt decide who will be out of the game, and out of the coperate race.

Last Sunday show that 2 teams were asked to design the swim suites, they will put up a stage in the beach, and the team will show case their swim suites through cat walk. The team that sell the most swim suites will be the winning team, and the team that collect the less order is the lossing team.

At the end of the show, the winning team win about 1000 US dollars of sales. Some things like 19000++ versa 20000++.

When came to the boardroom, the data revealed that the lossing team only sold about 3 men's wear, with the sales of about US$300++. The reason of lossing was due to the men's wear. So, who supposed to responsible for the failing design?

They argued that one of the reasons was the pink swimming trunk like the one above contribute to the failure. Another reason was the tight design, as not many men has the nice buttock to wear the suite.

At the end, Mr Trumpt gave the pink trunk to the guy who design the men's wear and sent that guy home because he insisted that pink trunk is alright with men.

The Privileged Customers

I attended an marketing course today. There was one session we touched on the privileges customers or rather how the difference big coperations treat their privileges customers. The tropical company is not other than SQ (Singapore Airlines). Some one shared their experience with SQ. Once this privileges customers of SQ has some urgent matter at home, needed to return back to Singapore urgently from Taiwan. He called the SQ hotline. The operator said," sorry we are fully booked!" As usual, this man started to demand for it. The operator asked, " Sir, are you the member of XXXXXX card?" Once he confirmed he is the member, the operator said, " Give me a moment....." and after checking the computer, he come back and confirmed that, "Sir, we can confirm you will have a seat in economical class to fly home by tomorrow. We will check for you if there is any business class......"

Well, when said about SQ, someone shared another story. Once, a maid and a businessman were flying by SQ in 2 separate days. The maid supposed to leave one day before the master. On that day, the SQ was overbooked and needed to off load some passengers. The maid was asked to delay till the next day flight. She was compensated S$500/- cash and the next day, she was placed seated in the business class. Don't you think it is great to be off loaded by SQ!

The interesting big drain along Kembangan

Can you see the interesting part of this picture? There is one single wave kept pushing forwards. Only one wave.

The water infront of the wave was still water.

Sometimes, you will see the small waterfall was formed from the step. If there is more steps, I think you will see a more interesting waterfall.

Along the drain, some times you can find white crane looking for fishes.

Hike in Gasoline

Today I place order for the gasoline for cooking. I was shocked that the price went up so much, it used to be at S$24/- for 12.5kg, yesterday the price is S$33/- for 12.5kg, or S$37 /- for S$14.5kg.

Hawker has increased their price due to raising cost of rental and raw materials. So, some smart one would suggest "want to save money, cook at home la!" Now it seems like even you cook at home is not cheap anymore.

God, help............................. Money, more Money come...............................

A true friend - MM Lee flies to Jakarta to visit Suharto in hospital

I felt so touch when I hear what MM Lee recounted the former Indonesian presiden Suharto's contribution to Indonesia.

Mr Lee said:"There are very few people of his age and my age who can remember the past. If they remember the past, they will kow that in the 1960's , Indonesia was in very dire economic difficulties, mired in hyperinflation.

In 1965, he acted decisively. He saved Indonesia from further going down that slippery road. From 1967, when he became president, right up to 1997, the economy grew and Indonesia was on the point of taking off.

The Fact this had failed to happen should not be blamed on Mr Suharto. Recalling tumultuous events of 1997, Bank Indonesia had interest rates too high then, so companies borrowed in US dollars for low interest rates.

And then when confidence was lost after the Thai baht crisis, people wanted to pull their money out, and the whole thing collapsed.

It was not his fault. Yes, there was corruption. Yes, he gave favours to his family and his friends. But there was real growth, real progress.

Indonesia were lucky to have had Mr Suharto, a general, at the helm, and drew comparisons with Myanmar. Both countries experienced mulitary coups in the 1960s - Indonesia in 1965 and Myanmar in 1962 - and were subsequently led by generals.

But while Mr Suharto had picked a team of competent administrations, including a very good team of competent administrators, including a very good team of economists, to build up Indonesia, Myanmar's General Ne Win "did it his own way" and looked to socialism.

If Suharto had been like Nu Win or like the president generals, Indonesia would be like Burma. But it is not. Ten years after the financial crisis, the economy is steadying, growth rate is returning. (Burma is the former name of Myanmar)

Just compare Indonesia to Burma, Look, same time, 1962 Ne Win, 1965 Suharto, both well -endowed and rich countries. Well, you compare. Who is better off? Who deserves to be honoured? What is a few billion dollars lost in bad excesses? He built hundred of billions of dollars worth of assets."

Mr Lee stressed that much credit should go to Mr Suharto for what he had done for Indonesia and the region. "He gave Indonesia progress and development. He educated the population. He built roads and infrastructure. And from Sukarno's Konfrontasi and other foreign policy excesses, he stabilised international relations.

Mr Suharto cooperated with Asean, allowing for the emergence of a stable South-east Asia today. The younger generation, both in Indonesia and the world, do not remember where Indonesia started from. I do. That is why I came here to visit him," said the Minister Montor.

"I want to pay this tribut to him, and I came here. It is sad to see a very old friend, with whom I worked closely over the last 30 years, not really getting the honours that he deserves."

Note : Post your comments online at http://www.straitstimes.com/

"Oversea Begger"

Singapore is a nice place to stay, and most people love to stay here no matter what cost to pay. This China woman brought her daughter along and become begger in Singapore street. That is what she wrote : "I have not yet an PR, hence, I can not get a job, please help my daughter and I. Thank you."

One thing she did not know, "Begging" in street is illegal in Singapore. If she is caught, she will be fined, or most likely she will be sent back to where she come from.

Most people love Singapore's strict rule and regulation, and the ability to implement the necessary to safeguard our nation. Imagine if the woman succeed living in Singapore by professional begging, other weman will think that this is a new way of living in Singapore. You will see more weman carrying their child and be begger in the street of Singapore. The worst scenario is that the bad man will force more woman to the street to be begger. Have you heard of syndicate of beggers in Thailand? I heard they purposely make the handicap people mute, or deaf and clipped, so that people will sympathetic to them and contribute more money to them. At the end of the day, the money did not go to the handicap but go to the syndicate.
Our very own local beggers are forbited in Singapore, "oversea begger" is definitely not what Singapore want to invite.

Christmas at Orchard

Every night, there are christmas performance along the hot spot in Orchard Road.


In front of C.K.Tang is one of the hot spot for performance.

Singapore attract people from all over the world to celebrate Christmas here. Our performers also were invited from all over the world, Indonesia, Philiphine, Taiwan, Hawaii, Spain, ...............................................etc,etc.

On Christmas Eve, about 8.30pm to 9pm, after I finished my purchase in Takashimaya, on my way to Orchard MRT, as the passage way between Wisma and the station is too narrow due to construction in progress, people coming and going altogether, it was so crowded that I was practically push forward to the MRT.

This year's Hari Raya Hazi was falled on 22 Dec 07, one of my friend who owned a shop in Lucky Plaza, said, they were unable to come to their shop because the traffic was jamed from Novena to Orchard. Festive session better take MRT than driving when you coming in Town in Singapore.

Robbery in Singapore?

Today, our shop came a young lady from UK who works in New Zealand, she has travelled round the world for three consecutive years, and she is only 23! She is staying in Singapore for 2 days. Unfortunately, when she departed from Changi airport, and arrived at Desker Road in Little India, she wanted to go to Embassdor Hotel, she was robbed! The robbery snap her bag which contain S$2000/- and all her credit cards. She reported to the nearby police station, she was grateful to our police, because at the end of the session, the police gave her S$20/- to take a taxi to UK Embassy, so that her mother in UK can send some money to her, and she can collect it from the Embassy.

Singapore supposed to be a safe country, don't know since where, the robbery dare to robbed in the day light. She has travelled to 36 country, and the robbery happened in this "heavenly country"!! Could this robber a foreigner? I hope the police able to catch this robber in due course. Singapore police is very efficient, and Singapore Law is tough, hence, we pride ourself a safe country. We always advice the visitors, "Singapore is safe, you can walk outside at night, it is ok, it is safe even for girls!" I hope we no need to change our "common understanding".

Robbery, please get out of our country!!! Get lost!!

Price hike in Singapore

Since June this year, when the lease of those shops in Lucky Plaza are due for renewal, they will have a hefty increasement, ie from S$3000/- to S$5000, from S$4000/- to S$7000. Those shop belonged to the private owner will have moderate increasement from S$3000 to S$4000/- after much negotiation. Almost all food store raised their price, the Nasi Lemak from S$3/- to S$3.30/-, the fish noodle from S$3.50 to S$4/-, the Meesiam from S$2/- to S$2.50, even the desert from S$1.50 to S$1.80/-.

The society nowadays has full of greedy people, and mean organisation. I heard the landlord will tell the tanents take it or leave it. They rather leave the unit empty then lower the increments to the existing tanents. Hence, you see shops which operate for 6-8 years in the same trade either end their business, forget about the business altoghter or move to other place and start all over again.

Nowadays the small business is very hard to survey, it is not because there is no business, it is because the rental make the business seems impossible.

Today, I heard someone goosip, the food store at the ground floor of Penisular was raise from S$7000/- to S$13,000/-. The store are selling Malay food average S$3-S$4/- per dish, and the old lady has to ford out money every month, because the rental is too high. Although the food is good, but no one know how long can the old lady survives by fording out money every month.

In good old day, the bread cost S$0.50/- , now the same things will cost at least S$1.50/-. Why? Because the rental is high! The businessman has to pass the cost to the consumer, whereesle can they get the money from?

Some said it is an unavoidable situation, because today you get a nicer and better infrastructure, you enjoy cosy aircon, the shop has beautiful display that make the consumer easiler and confortable to shop. Yes, it is unavoidable, the fitter will stay, right! See, you go every corner, you will see This Fashion, Breadtalk, Mcdonld, KFC, Kopitian, Old Change kee.................. They have the right formular for business, they not only survive, they expand.

You want to be an entrepreneur, it is not impossible but it is very difficult. If you want to get a proper place before you start your business, there is no gurantee of success, because before you make money, you have to cover the overhead and the expenses. You have to have initiate capital outlay, the running cost and the cash flow.

Of course, if we compare ourself with some other countries, we will be grateful that their GST is 17%, our GST only 7%, their income tax is 40% while ours is 20 -t0 30%.....

Life is a challenge not only in Singapore, I think every where in this world. We human created the competition, whether you like it or not, we are all involved one way or another.

Can you help me to extend my stay here?

Today, a stranger from China came in to our shop. He thought I came from China as well. This is his first visit to Singapore. He came with a group of friends. They got traveling visa for one month from Singapore immigration. He said he would like to extend his visa for a few more months, so that he can survey how to set up a business in Singapore. I told him he can check with agent whom business is to help them relocate here. He said he afraid these people might be a swinger, take the money but can never deliver the promise. He showed me a name card, he has talked to the agency, they demand S$5000-S$6000/-, and promise able to settle his wife and child here. I asked him, how old is your child? He said the younger one is 3 year old and the older one already working. Both are boys.

I asked, "What business you want to do in Singapore?" He said he want to sell "Ginseng" to Singapore. I said, "Did you bring any sample with you?" Apparently he didn't. He actually already tried to offer to some of the Chinese Herb Shop in Singapore. But they only agreed to pay about 50% of the market price, some even offer 40%. He said he can sell that kind of offer price in China. So, he thought must well I open a shop in Singapore and earn all the profit. I think he has the vision of becoming a millionaire soon in Singapore if he can sell the mountain full of "Ginseng" to Singapore.

I did not mean to discourage him. I said, "Singapore is a capitalise country, if you have money and you want to earn more money from Singapore is possible. But if you don't have money, and you want to make money from here, it is not easy." "You see our this tiny little shop cost almost S$4K every month, hasn't included electricity bill, telephone bill, Internet line, and the salary........ it is not easy to set up a shop here." I said, "Why not you try to find a job in Singapore..........but you don't have any skill and education, you don't have much option here. I saw Singapore lately recruits Chinese workers here as cleaner, last time, I only see cleaner from Bangladesh, and Sri-Lanka. But, now they recruits Chinese, you can try. I warn you, the salary won't be high, but you have a lot of spare time after work so that you can survey the market here."

He replied, his group of friends who are visiting Singapore together with him, all have the desire to find a job in Singapore. He wants to be a businessman, and bring his wife and children to settle down in Singapore, and his wife is doing Amway in China, she can do Amay in Singapore. I said,"If you want to bring "Ginseng to Singapore, you better check is there any requirement of import licence? When the stocks arrived, is it necessary to send to certain authority eg Primary Productivity Board for checking? Any taxation to bring in such item" "You must do a lot of checking and homework before you come here." I suggest to him,"If you really have goods stuff, you no need to think of Singapore market only, you can sell to other country as well. It is easier for you to start at under develop country than here." But, Singapore is such a organised, efficient and safe country to stay that people from all over the world are flying in. I know he prefers to stay in Singapore than going elsewhere.

He said, "May be you can also help me!" I don't see this as business opportunity, I smell trouble, frankly. He was fined 8000 china money(equivalent to S$400/-) when he landed in Singapore Airport because he brought in 2 packs of cigarette (12 pcs/pack) from China. He didn't know he can't bring cigarette with unpaid tax to Singapore. He said despite his plead, the custom is very firm with him, either pay the fined or deport from Singapore and go back to China straight away. He finally chose to pay the fine and stay in Singapore. He said he brought the cigarette on behalf of his friend in China. In order to save the S$800/- he walked from Great world area to People's Park Centre!

Finally, I direct him the way to our Immigration Dept at Lavender Street to check the possibility of extension his visit to Singapore.