Originally posted by sgdiehard:

From the invasion of Poland by the Nazis, the attack on Pearl Harbour, operation Barbarossa against the Soviet Union, to the invasion of South Korea, the war for Falkland, .....and the invasion of Kuwait, which one do the people or the government knew they were about to be invaded??

You singaporean? have served NS?  

 There have been instances when the government were aware of the threats, but were simply bogged down by either self-denial or indecisivness - and allowed events to overwhelm their decision making process

Nazism had reared its ugly head not in secrecy or overnight before the invasion of Poland, and the military build-up of Germany under Hitler was not in total secrecy either.

Even PM Chamberlian was deceiving himself by expecting Adolf Hitler will come to his human senses after he negotiated with Hitler to stop the military adventurism.

In 1937, it was a very public affair when Adolf Hitler broke up the Treaty of Versailles that ended WW-1 and defanged Germany with the many clauses that prevent any military build-up.

This should have created alarm throughout Europe but the European countries were not of one mind, and Hitler even pressed England and France to an agreement that resulted in the dismantling of the Czechoslovakian State in 1938.

Poland had at least 24 months to prepare her defenses, when Adolf Hitler tore up the Treaty of Versailles that brought peace to Europe after a long and destructive WW-1 experience.

Poland and Europe had even a longer warning time when Hitler's Nazism ideology began to take route in Germany with a strong military overtone that began in the 1930s. [See reference below]

According to Historians that were able to accessed opened up Official Archives - the shocking discovery was that the Roosevelt Government was aware of the "better then possible" attack on Pearl Harbor.

The British and Dutch Intelligence services, as well as the US Code breakers had all broken the Japanese Communication Codes, and were aware of the impending plans for the Japanese Ambassador to submit the final letter that Japan is declaring War on the USA; with this declaration to be timed with the arrival of the Japanese fleet aircraft to bomb Pearl Harbor.

As events would have it, Roosevelt and his Military Commanders were silent, or had directed the warning to be sent to Pearl Harbor on a non-urgent basis, leading one disaster after another. [See reference below]

With "Operation Barbarossa" - it was a battle between two devils.

Do you seriously think that Stalin was not suspicious - or at least apprehesive - of Hitler's ambitions  when the Peace Treaty was signed with Hitler and which allowed Hitler to invade Poland ? For Stalin to allow Hitler to take Poland is very surprising, as Poland was part of the 18th Century Russian Empire. [See Reference below]

Even before the German launched "Operation Barbarossa" - Stalin was already expecting the temporary truce with Hitler to break-up, and was preparing for the worst to happen. Stalin was actually preparing to attack Hitler and draw the Germans into a well laid trap that was supposed to annihilate the bulk of the German force.

It was Hitler's own suspicion and distrust of Stalin, and Hitler's own decisiveness to act on the advise of his own intelligence services, that allowed Hitler to launch "Operation Barbarossa" attack on the Russians. [See Reference below]

In the Korean Peninsula, the 1950 "surprise" North Korean attack on the South was already known as early as 1949 by Military Intelligence Operatives that inflitrated into the North Korean political and military establishments.

Yet, the attack came as a surprise due to the political priorities of the US Civilian Leadership, which had its focus on Europe.

For North Korea to invade the South with a large military force, early preparations have to be made and such preparations will include road axis, logistic resupply bases, and military staging areas. All were noted and documented by the US Military Intelligence before the invasion occurred. [See reference below - second half]

Similarly, the Falklands War did not simply happen from any surprise Argentinian invasion - as the talk was getting more boisterous 

As for the invasion of Kuwait by Sadam Hussein, the signs were written on the wall, and the intelligence services must have picked up all the nuances of an invasion, except for the complacency of the US Administration and the Kuwaiti Government.

After the first Desert Storm War - it was discovered that Sadam was spoiling for a fight to resettle the political landscape in the Middle East, which arose from his taking the lead position in preventing the Iranian Revolution from spreading and affecting the Regional Rulers in the Middle East.

Perhaps about the only invasion that was so cleverly hidden and executed was probably the Egyptian crossing of the Suez Canal that led to the Yom Kippur War - resulting in Egypt regaining its title to the Sinai Peninsula.

There maybe lessons to be learnt in how best to avoid such surprises; and this can range from the careful gathering of intelligence, its interpretation by Human Specialists, or by way of technology assisted intelligence gathering.

The Civilian and Military Leadership will have to be more diligent in the gathering and interpretation of intelligence information; as well as the intelligent and timely inter-facing of equipment and manpower.

 

1.0 ‘Adolf Hitler – Rise of Nazism’  

2.0  ‘Pearl Harbor – Mother of All Conspiracies’  

3.1 ‘Cultural History of Poland – its History of Ethnic Relations’  

3.2 ‘New Evidence on the 1941 ‘Barbarossa’ Attack : Why Hitler Attacked Soviet Russia When He Did’  

4.0 ‘Two major Intelligence Failure in the Korean Peninsular – 1950s’  

5.0 ‘Several Reasons Why Saddam Hussein Invaded Kuwait’  

6.0 ‘Predicting the Probability of War During Brinkmanship Crises : The Beagle and the Malvinas Conflicts’  

 

There is no "in the long run" if Singapore were to go to war.  If we win the jungle war, the town war and whatever wars outside Singapore, we will not need to fight an urban warfare, the type that is only fought in Singapore, with the towering HDB.

While we can plan for Singapore not to be sucked into any "long running wars" - we must also prepare for the worst case scenario that the island may face a strong counter-attack that can overwhelm and break up our front line forces.

In such a case, the urban warfare will take on the lines of war in downtown Beirut in Lebanon.

City roads will have to be blocked, to form defensible axis and killing zones, and this will require the strategic demolition of specific buildings so as to achieve the strategic plans of defending Singapore.

 

 

With the Foreign Reserves managed by the GIC and Temasek, and invested in the many questionable high risks ventures as publicly seen since 2006, can there be any left to help Singaporeans ?

Even prior to all these investments made since 2006, the Government had been reluctant to open the Reserves to help Singaporeans during the recession of 2002, 1997 currency crisis, and 1987 economic downturn.

This current recession has been brought about by this Government since 2007, as much as its appearance had been accelerated by the events unfolding in New York's Wall Street.

With GST of 7 per cent implemented on 1 July 2007, the economy had turned more sluggish when it was already trending downwards since 2006.

With the cost of living worsening as shown in the published consumer price index, it was already causing a tightening of domestic consumption, as well as causing business costs to go up - even when wage increases were kept under control by a Government controlled Wage Council.

To make matters worst, despite a healthy Balance Sheet and Profit Performance for the preceding year - with healthy reserves - the Government Linked Companies had to feed their greed by demanding increases in all the various rates charged for the consumption of essential services and utilities that are all controlled by these GLCs.

Singaporeans should ask ourselves whether we can believe our Ministers are the Top Talent that the PAP has claimed to be deserving of the Million Dollar paid for their supposed talent - when they are mis-managing our political system, as much as they are mis-managing our economy.

It is easy to operate and manage a political system that mirror the image of the Stalinist-Communist Political System with the aid of Internal Security Agents; while claiming to be operating in an Open Market Economy.

The Singapore "Open Market Economy" is heavily dependent on the heavy hand of the government - with legislations to prevent local private investors from competing with the Government Linked Companies, or to legislate laws allowing these pseudo-Private Companies to charged the rates necessary to make the returns to the capital provided by the Government.

Under such circumstances, it is not surprising that Singapore take the pole position in experiencing recession before even Japan make any declaration to such a state.

 

 

Before the bear hibernate in winter, it has its fill of different kinds of food to allow its body to continue through the harsh winter period.

Even the smaller animals like the squirrels will gather sufficient nuts into its nests before autumn sets in to be followed by three months of winter without food of any kind.

The spider will find a new nest and appear again when spring appears.

Can the human spirit and mind return to any active state after being starved of information and fed constantly with a flow of "specially formulated food" for the brain that will train it to respond to some specific impulse only ?

When the human muscle is starved of nourishment, it will enter into a state of atrophy.

What do you think will happen to the Human Mind when it is left in a constant state of stress, and its creative application is merely to find the means for the physical survival of Human existence ?

It is sad that after our 51 years of independence, this PAP Government has kept us all in a constant state of struggle, making everyone of us to be dependent on a system created by them that will demand that Singaporeans tow the line, or pay the price if we step out of their system.

Instead of withdrawing into deep hibernation without any preparation, it maybe better to either top up your tank with the fuel for your intellect, or support the likes of CSJ - {now that JBJ has gone ahead} - in his bid to breakout of the system that the PAP had created to keep Singaporeans under bondage.

 

Originally posted by 4sg:

What he meant by making the population bigger is that, in the event of a recession, the domestic market has to drive the economy. Generally, he means large enough local consumer demand to soak up the excessive supply.

But wait a minute, this Song falla is another FT from Sarawak. What he said is only half-truth and not all the whole truth.

For a domestic market to drive the economy during a recession there must be (1) horizontal diversity within the economy (2) vertical diversity within the economy (3) diverse consumer base. Simply increasing the population without considering these factors will not make us better off.

(1) Horizontal diversity, ie presence of primary, secondary and tertiary industries. One such country is China. For example, if the tertiary industry such as Banking and other service sectors are down, the government can relies on the primary and secondary wings.

In Singapore, we don’t have primary industry. Our manufacturing sector is sun setting and the first to suffer in a recession. If we bring in more FT, it has to be those with tertiary skill-sets.

Increase FT with tertiary skill-sets that are comparable to the locals makes no economic logic as far as stimulating domestic consumption is concerned.

(2) Vertical diversity. Currently, most of our industries are small, linked or related.

Construction is not a stand-a-lone but linked to service and manufacturing. Massive infrastructure construction to stimulate the economy is getting fewer as the country gets built-up.

Newer industry such as Biotechnology is too small to stimulate other sector.

We lack economic diversity and industrial decoupling. We bring FT in the name of supplementing our skills when we should only bring them in the name of driving economic diversification and helping us kick start those economic wings that we covert but lacking.

Without strong economic diversity and industrial decoupling, bringing in more FT will only exacerbating the problem of recession, albeit on a larger scale than before.

(3) Diverse consumer base. Most Singaporean and FT have similar skill-sets such as IT, banking and broking servicing. In a recession, all will be affected in the same way.

If the locals or the FT are retrenched, all would be looking for the same type of jobs.  All will be clamouring to stay afloat by tightening their belt.

What is this nonsense about increasing the FT to stimulate the economy? Except for the F1 session, will the tycoons want to settle here and stimulate our economy?

I wonder if the Song fella has agenda when he gives such swiping statement. Is he a mouthpiece of the government?  

 

Great observation.

Singapore lack the critical mass for economies of scale - even for the sake of security, where there is lack of depth in defense towards any aggression and require us to dictate an alternative defense posture.

This weakness in size had LKY worked feverishly to create an opportunity to be independent from Colonial Rule, as the British were willing to give independence to the Federation of Malaya, and keeping Singapore as a Jewel that is too precious to be given up.

It was LKY's idea in creating Malaysia consisting the Federal States of Malaya, merged with the British Colonies of Sarawak, Sabah and Singapore - so as to secure Singapore's independence without upsetting the sensitve racial numbers that exist in the Federal States.

All this scheming was done to achieve LKY's ambitious plans for an independent Singapore with the pooling of manpower and resources in larger setting.

Unfortunately, a young LKY could not contain himself in the politics of the 1960s, and resulted in the constant friction that resulted in Singapore being kicked out of the Federation of Malaysia.

This Song fella could be given the benefit of speaking his mind on a personal basis, but perhaps done so without giving time for a wider and deeper analysis - during an on-the-spot interview.

 

 

 

It was quite ironical that having sued every single cent from JBJ, the PAP beneficiaries had donated the bulk of it to charities.

The only ones that came out the winner in the court battles are the lawyers.

 

 

 

LKY and the PAP are simply too insecure to allow any better person to stand shoulder to shoulder with him to offer any ideas that are as superior and creative as his or that of the PAP.

Since the 1950s, LKY has seen many talents whom he feel are more capable then himself, and have praised them publicly.

One such person was Lim Chin Siong, whom LKY introduced to then Chief Minister David Marshall as the most able Singaporean to lead Singapore into independence - being a great orator able to convey ideas and motivate the masses, especially the Chinese educated.

When LKY had to tussle for political power in the in-fighting between LKY's Western-educated political philosphies against Lim Chin Siong's Eastern-ideas of people's welfare, LKY attempted to use the British Colonial Government to exercise the ISA to arrest Lim Chin Siong's group on the pretext that they were Communist agents.

Amazingly, the British Colonial Government declined to be used in LKY's politics - and had instead allowed the "Free Competition of Political Ideals" to flourish in Singapore in the 1950s.

It was during the competition of political wills during Singapore merger with Malaysia, that saw the Lim Chin Siong's Group split from the PAP, to establish the Barisan Socialis Party. 

In order to prevent the Lim Chin Siong's group from derailing LKY's ambitious plans in the merger process that Operation Cold Storage was put into effect, and almost the entire top echelon of the new Barisan Socialist Party were all put into detention without trial. This time the Internal Security acted on the instructions of the Internal Security Council - {formed by representatives from the UK Government, Singapore self-ruled State Government, and the Malaysian Government Representative, and with the Council being dominated by the PAP members}.

After a few years languishing uselessly in ISA confinement, Lim Chin Siong negotiated for his own exile from Singapore - without being forced to sign any declaration that he was a Communist propagating armed revolution to overthrow the legitimately elected government of Singapore.

The other leaders of the Barisan Socialists were jailed for over ten years, each being released when the political environment stabilised for LKY and the PAP - and with the World's longest Political Prisoner Chia Thye Poh being released after 32 years of ISA imprisonment that created an anomaly and a political embarrassment to LKY and the PAP Government in the 21st Century.

This insecure political philosphy of self-preservation and self-centredness has been developed by LKY and the PAP - putting themselves above Singaporeans - resulted in countless other politicians being struck down. Since the politics of the 1960s, these included Dr Lee Siew Choh, J.B.Jeyaratnam, Francis Seow, Tang Liang Hong, and Chee Soon Juan.

There were also many others who were younger and had the potential to have developed as leaders in the political scene for the Alternative Parties, but these were incarcerated and persecuted based on dubious charges.

These included tertiary educated persons from the NUS - and not from the supposedly hotbed of communist infested Nanyang University claimed by LKY to one during the 1950s. These included Tan Wah Piow {the NUS Student Union President}, Ms Teo Sur Lung {a trained lawyer from NUS, a keen social worker}, Ms Tang Hong Har {trained lawyer from NUS} - both ladies being part of the "Marxist Conspiracy" in 1987 - and there must be countless others who are capable but had their political interests turned off.

Can there be any Communists in Singapore, when the tools of a Stalinist-Communist state is firmly in the hands of a State firmly in the grip of LKY and the PAP ?

In such a political environment where Stalinist-Communist politics is shamelessly and unapologetically practised by LKY and his PAP, while constructing a thin veneer of Capitalist style open market economy - can Singapore ever hope to grow into a full fledge mature First World that LKY can only dream off in his remaining years ?

 

‘Marxist Plot : Catholic Church vs LKY’  

‘The 1987 ISA Arrests and International Civil Society responses to political repression in Singapore’  

‘Singapore Founding Fathers – Part 1 : History of PAP’  

‘Lim Chin Siong vs Lee Kuan Yew : The true and shocking history’  

‘Lim Chin Siong – A comet in our sky’  

‘Was Lim Chin Siong really a Communist ?’  

‘Singapore : Road to Independence’  

‘Marxist Conspiracy’ – 20 years on  

 

 

Singapore growth prospect great: Lee Kuan Yew

  Saturday, 12 July 2008

Channel NewsAsia - Saturday, July 12

SINGAPORE: The coming decade could be the most promising for Singapore, says Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew. But to achieve progress, Singapore must have a top—class government.

Mr Lee shared his views about Singapore’s growth and challenges during a dialogue session hosted by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Economics Society of Singapore (ESS) on Friday.

Barring any serious global recession, Mr Lee said Singapore could achieve growth of up to 7 or 8 per cent over the next 10 years.

The optimism sprang from the evolving economic landscape as Singapore adjusts itself to stay competitive. However, in order to make progress, Singapore must have a first—class government.

Mr Lee said the current team will last for two terms, within which they will have to seek and groom talent with energy and integrity.

He said: "The system is there, but the system cannot run with inadequate, mediocre men; you need top men, able men to choose able people to join you, to make sure that at every level you have the most able, the most meritocratic (people) in charge.

"So what is it (that) we are trying to do for the opposition? We are not trying to block them, we are trying to force them to collect a group of MPs or candidates that will equal us in integrity and competence, so that when the time comes, if we fail, they have a team that is equal to us, who can take over."

On whether liberal democracy is needed to bring about economic success, Mr Lee said different people seek different solutions to problems. What Singapore is doing is to create a system which will have the strongest team in place to lead.

Minister Mentor Lee said: "We are not stupid people, they give us all these advice... International Bar Association, human rights, whatever it is. Who are they, what are they? Have you run a country? Have you ever done a community and created jobs for them, gave them a life? We have, and we know what it requires."

One requirement is to continue to attract foreign talent, integrate them and build up Singapore’s labour force.

On the whole, Mr Lee said Singapore has not done too badly. But he said he would always be worried about Singapore’s long—term future, because there is little room for mistakes, given Singapore’s population and resources.

The dialogue was held with over 800 guests at the 7th MAS—ESS Essay Competition Awards presentation ceremony. They included economists, industry players from the financial sector and government officials.

The competition focused on growing income disparities in Singapore, and 146 entries were received, which was more than double last year’s submissions.

Organisers said this reflects growing interest among students to analyse and debate socio—economic issues. — CNA/ir

RECESSION looms for Singapore : Economists 

SINGAPORE, Oct 8, 2008 (AFP) - Singapore appears headed for its first recession since 2002 as the city-state suffers from a US economy wilting under its worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, economists say.

Southeast Asia's wealthiest economy in terms of GDP per capita is heavily dependent on trade, which makes it sensitive to hiccups in developed economies, particularly key export markets the US and Europe.

The crisis that began last year in the US subprime, or higher-risk, mortgage sector is now infecting European shores, and Singapore may very likely find itself in an extended downturn, economists said.

They expect this Friday's release of preliminary economic data for the third quarter to confirm Singapore is in a technical recession, generally defined as two consecutive quarters of quarter-on-quarter contractions in economic output.

"We are pencilling in the worst for Singapore.... We might see two straight years of (economic) contractions (from 2009 to 2010)," said Song Seng Wun, a regional economist with CIMB-GK Research.

While the last technical recession came six years ago, the most recent full-scale recession was in 2001 when the economy contracted 2.4 percent during the year.

After years of growth, signs of a slowdown emerged with recent disappointing trade data and contractions in the important manufacturing sector, which includes the country's export-dependent electronic and pharmaceutical industries.

In August, key non-oil domestic exports fell for the fourth straight month, with electronic shipments continuing a decline begun in February 2007, and manufacturing dropped by 12.2 percent.

The August fall in output followed a 21.5 percent decline the previous month.

In the second quarter to June, Singapore's economy contracted 6.0 percent on an annualised, quarter-on-quarter basis and the negative trend likely extended into the third quarter, said economists.

"Things are bad globally," said Kit Wei Zheng, Citigroup's vice president for regional economics and market analysis.

"There are a lot of downside risks and in such a scenario, one cannot hope for a quick recovery," he said in Singapore.

Kit is optimistically forecasting a fourth-quarter recovery, with full-year growth at 2.8 percent.

Song said his revised 2009 forecast would likely be for negative growth.

He said that given the rarity of the global crisis, "the numbers we may be looking at may be once in a century for Singapore."

According to economists' calculations, more than two-thirds of the country's economy, valued at 243.17 billion Singapore dollars in 2007 (166.46 billion US), is driven by external demand.

The island nation has no significant domestic economic drivers to lean on because its market of almost five million is simply too small, said economists.

"If the world is in a recession, there is little that we can boost," said Song. "Our plan B is really to try to make the local population bigger."

Economists from Credit Suisse also see Singapore's economy slowing further next year.

"Signs that growth will be lower in 2009 than in 2008 are everywhere... lower job and income growth, falling asset prices, and flat to negative export growth," they said in a report.

"By sector, the global financial turmoil could hit financial services growth hard, exports are likely to drag down manufacturing, and the biomedical sector is expected to remain under pressure from competition from generic drugs."

In early August Singapore's government cut its forecast for economic growth this year to between four and five percent.

But Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam warned this week that the country could be stuck in an economic downturn that may last "several quarters" as the global crisis evolves.

"It is now an economic crisis," he was quoted as saying Monday in The Straits Times.

"So globally the economy is slowing down. This is a fact that we cannot escape."

 

‘Source : AFP, Wednesday, 8 October 2008’  

 

It seems that MM LKY must have got his sights skewed in making a 10-Year positive outlook for Singapore, when events are still whirling uncertainly around Singapore even before his daringly speculative statements on 12 July 2008.

Now, what will this Better than World-Class Singapore Government intend to do to pull Singaporeans out of this morass, after allowing the increase in GST to 7 per cent on 1 July 2007 - before Singaporeans even got ourselves fully out of the 2002 recession; and continuing with public transport fares increased by 0.1%, pump prices increased by 15%, and utilities costs to 21% - when our wage increases are kept to single digit.

The Singapore Cabinet Ministers have claimed themselves to be the best talent that Singapore can produce, and deserving the wages that are even higher than the Presidents and Prime Ministers of Super Powers - and yet they are hapless to steer clear from all the negative external events that can affect Singapore.

Our Cabinet Ministers have habitually claimed that world events that negatively affect Singapore are beyond their control; but will unabashedly make self-congratulatory claims when the Singapore economy recovers due to the same external factors - AND when these external factors are largely influenced from positive actions taken by Presidents and Prime Ministers who acted with wages that are one-third paid to the Singapore Ministers.

Towards the end of 2007, researches have already shown the relentless rise in the Cost of Living - based on a Year-on-Year comparison to 2006.

Further researches in February 2008, had similarly shown the Cost of Living conitnuing to rise, and by the end of the Q2 in 2008, the Consumer Price Index had risen a whopping 7.5 per cent.

Amazingly, the August 2008 Consumer Price Index declined to make any Year-on-Year comparison similar to the 2007 report.

Despite these unfavorable situation, this Government had the gall to allow increases to our Transport Fares by 0.1% on 1 October 2008, Electricity charges has been allowed to be increased by 21% on 1 October 2008, and fixed phone lines will also see increases by January 2009 for each call made.

 

‘Relentless rising Cost of Living in Singapore - 2007’  

‘Overview - The Singapore Economy Second Quarter 2008’  

‘Dept of Statistics : Consumer Price Index – August 2008’  

 

Originally posted by tohelp:

I brought the book and finished the book. Hey folks it is a very good book. I initially tot Chee was a mad man but after reading the book I have a second thought.

If you find his book interesting, you should try reading also his other books:-

"Dare to Change : An Alternative Vision for Singapore" - 1994

"Singapore, My Home Too" - 1995

"Your Future, My Faith, Our Freedom : A Democratic Blueprint for Singapore" - 2001

"The Power of Courage : Effecting Political Change in Singapore Through Nonviolence" - 2005 

After reading the book written in 1994, you will note that some of his views - concerning Singapore Education and Employment - saw parallel policy changes adopted by the PAP Government in 2001.

The changes had to happen as the Economic Review Committee formed and headed by then DPM LHL after the first economic recession in 1987 refused to adopt some of the recommended policy changes produced by several sub-committees.

DPM LHL had then attempted to convince Singaporeans that all stones will not be left unturned, and then insisted that some stones are best left alone.

With the second economic downturn that slammed into Singapore in 1997, left the Government with no choice but to adopt drastic changes that were almost identical to the recommendation in CSJ's book written in 1994.

If CSJ is perceived to be mad by some skeptics, perhaps those who are insane has the better ability to see and speak the truth as it is, while those who are sane are tempered by self-preservation and self-interest.

 

 

Originally posted by skythewood:

very good, you have found the source to back up your ideas. but can you just let go of the cancer thingie? it doesn't really contribute to your argument one bit.

Indeed, singapore's aproach to social welfare is different from other nations. it is based more on CPF, where the government and the boss will contribute money towards your retirement, and you can draw this money when you are old. than they change it to annualties, stuff like that.

unlike US, there is no welfare cheque. or australia, where the government gives you allowance if you are unemployed,  the people in singapore has to earn their retirement funds. there are still various charities you can draw upon, study bursaries, but they are more like for student, children, people with disabilities. in short, people who can't really work.

i think that is the picture i am seeing.  

Right or Wrong - you will see what you wish to see, and like the old proverbial saying goes : "A thirsty horse can be led to the water, but no one can force it to drink".

If cancer is not something of concern to you, it is certainly to MM LKY - who had commented that LHL is now hung up on meditation to relieve himself of stress - as mentioned in the references in my previous post.

An indication of how serious that the cancer issue is being taken, one need only to look at the set-up of the PM's office during LKY and GCT term as PM.

Do you know that when LKY was in the PM chair, he had only one Minister-without-Portfolio in his Cabinet - {with Ong Teng Cheong the NTUC Sec-Gen being made a Minister without Portfolio in the PM's Office}; and when GCT was the PM, he had two Ministers-without-Portfolio in the PM's office - {then Lee Yock Suan and Lim Boon Heng} ?

In LHL's cabinet, he has three Ministers in his PM's Office - S. Jayakumar as a DPM and holding a new office of Co-ordinating Minister for National Security, Lim Boon Heng and Lim Swee Say are both Ministers-without-Portfolio.

This is quite obvious that LHL's workload is now split amongst three other person to assist him, and leaving him with a less stressful workload - and sufficient time for his meditation - to prolong his own state of health with no chance for the cancer to return.

With the workload under control, all that is left now is to prevent external factors that can put pressure on LHL, and these are the political challenges that can arise outside of the Ruling Party.

The most serious contender that will pose a challenge that can embarrass LHL and the Ruling Party is a vocal maverick such as CSJ and his SDP - if they are allowed to rebuild themselves.

 

If you can see that the government do not pay out any cash or cheques - it is obvious that this Government do not practise Social Welfarism.

Do not mix your views between support from the Charities to the under-privilege with Social Welfare - as they are two different matters.

With regards to your views on 'Social Welfare' in the Singapore Style that you have stated - you must be coming out of some dream land to believe that "it is based more on CPF, where the government and the boss will contribute money towards your retirement...."

Concerning your statement that the government contribute to the CPF - I will ask you how this government contribution to the individual CPF account has helped in any significant ways for the retirement of Singaporeans ?

Do you seriously believe that the miserly few hundred dollars paid out PER ANNUM as Economic Progress Payout - or some other fancy term can be considered as sufficient from this Government, when almost immediately this Government will raise the service charges for some other Government services ?

On the part concerning the CPF contribution made by the Employers - Singaporeans have the wrong view that the Employers' CPF contribution is NOT part of the Workers' Wage.

CPF is a monthly contribution by every Worker at a determined percentage to be deducted from the monthly wage, and with another part being contributed by the Employer directly to the CPF. These contributions from the Worker and the Employer form the bulk of the CPF that is available to Singaporeans who contribute for their own retirement.

This is NOT Social Welfare.

For your understanding - you could simply google for the definition of the term "Social Welfare" - and the main explanation will state that the Government, or some Public or Private entities - is providing sufficient funds to help the under-privilege in a Society; or for the benefit of the society during contingency or extraneious circumstances.

Surely, you will not consider yourself as being an under-privilege person in Singapore when you can contribute to your own CPF Retirement Fund ?

During the extraneous circumstances when Singaporeans were faced with the unexpected economic downturns of 1987, 1997 and 2002 - were Singaporeans allowed to draw on the CPF funds to meet such extraneous contingencies ?

The CPF remains locked, and with no cash handouts being given to support the majority of Singaporeans - many Singaporeans living in the rented HDB One-Room units defaulted on their utility bills, and had their Electrical and Water Supply cut.

Social Welfare in Singapore remains a dirty word and do not exist in the vocabulary of the Ruling Political Party, and they were thrown out from the World Socialist Democrat Movement as early as in the mid-1970s.

This Singapore Government has adopted Stalinist type Communism for political control on Singapore civil society, and Capitalism to manage the socio-economic environment.

 

‘Goh Chok Tong’s Cabinet’  

‘Lee Hsien Loong’s Cabinet’  

 

 

As Temasek is bleeding from their overseas investments, it is selling off some of its assets in Singapore - Senoko and Seraya Power Stations - to foreign investors, and also taking over other more secure money making assets from the Singapore Government.

This evening news had it that the Singapore Government will allow Temasek to operate the Changi International Airport through a new Private Limited Company that will be wholly owned by Temasek as a subsidiary company.

The Singapore Airport will have then two separate bodies - a regulatory body separate from the Changi Airport Management.

Singaporeans will be made to pay for all these changes - as matters stand, Electricity Charges will be going up by 21% when global oil prices are trending downwards, and passengers passing through Changi International Airport will soon be charged a higher service fee from 1 January 2009.

 

Originally posted by skythewood:

how you know these people never believed in social welfare?

the rest of the stuff is debatable, like CSJ has the power to give LHL cancer, but let's just debate on that point for now.

"In Singapore, a society barely above the poverty line, welfarism would have broken and impoverished us….. Since I was first saddled with responsibility…. I have developed a deep aversion to welfarism and social security, because I have seen it sap the dynamism of people to work their best. What we have attempted in Singapore is asset enhancement, not subsidies. We have attempted to give each person enough chips to be able to play at the table of life. This has kept the people self-reliant, keen and strong…. Most have hoarded their growing wealth and have lived better on the interests and dividends they earn."         - Lee Kuan Yew, 1970s.

 

“We have treated welfare as a dirty word. The opposition, I think the Workers’ Party, has called for a ‘permanent unconditional needs-based welfare system’. I think that is an even dirtier five words,”  - PM Lee Hsien Loong in a speech on Nov. 13, 2006

 

Now do you know if they believe in Social Welfarism ? 

 

If you know something about Singapore Politics, you should know that Lee Hsien Loong had suffered from cancer - reported to be lymphoma - and the report had indicated that although he has recovered from an 8-in-10 chance of a cure, he still remains within the 20 per cent group who will get a relapse. It also stated that "even if he does not get a relapse in the first three years, it does not mean that the cancer will definitely never return. BG Lee will have to live with this uncertainty for the rest of his life".

Stress was never determined to be a contributing factor to having cancer, even when Chinese Specialists in Cancer had determined this. 

A Malaysian Lawyer writing to LHL had also informed that after being being cured from cancer and allowed to work by the doctors, the Lawyer felt he was getting worse. The medical condition improved when the Lawyer gave up his practise for a less stressful life. [See reference below]

Do you know that PM LHL has the largest number of Ministers-without-Portfolio in the PM's Office ?

By now you must understand the reasons for MM LKY to hang around and demolish any possible signs of serious threats of disturbance during his son's term as PM ?

Looking back at LKY's efforts in leading the demonish charge to "fix" the Workers' Party candidates JBJ, Francis Seow and Tang Liang Hong after the 1997 Elections - based on the flimsiest reason even at the risk of his reputation being ridiculed. [Read reference below : Singapore Vulnerable Democracy]

The reason was quite obvious, as LHL was about to become the next PM, after recovering from cancer.

CSJ may not have the power to give LHL the cancer, but CSJ will surely have the power to give LHL alot of stress that will result in the return of cancer to LHL.

 

‘Lee Hsien Loong and his battle with Cancer’  

‘Singapore vulnerable Democracy’  

 

Originally posted by Shotgun:

At this point, I can only say we can only agree to disagree.  

Both of us has seen the same piece of information from a different perspective.

What I saw to manpower limitations towards operations in Iraq, you saw it as poor strategy from Rumsfeld instead.  Its fair that Rumsfeld was to blame for not providing more than 2 divisions, however, the way I see it is that, it was only natural for circumstance that followed because 2 Divisions just weren't simply enough.  Rumsfeld did not provide sufficient manpower to manage contingencies.

I am viewing "fault" from a technical operational perspective that there wasn't sufficient manpower, while you view it from a blame-perspective that it was Rumsfeld that was to blame for sending insufficient troops. 

Israel's experience was definitely a surprise for the world. However, there is little that I really know about the actual circumstances.  I have not seen books that were published about it, nor any formal discussion by the IDF. What I saw in it was that, guided anti-armor missiles were deadly in the hands of people who knew how to use them.  

Technology in this case played both teams, emphasizing that SDP's point that technology alone as a force multiplyer supports reducing NSF liabilities to be flawed.  Hence I cannot agree with them.

I think I was misunderstood at this point. The surge involved additional troops to conduct more comprehensive operations as a part of a major offensive to stem insurgency.  I do not thing I mentioned them to be attrition-replacements.

Attrition replacements are more commonly seen in lengthy conflicts where weary frontline units require rotation or reinforcements.   As I mentioned in my first post, conflicts that involved Singapore, were both major wars.  In the first WW, the Emden sailed around Singapore instead of takine a direct route through possibly due to Singapore's rather formidable coastal defense in that period. The 2nd WW was a different story as we all know.

Hence, Singapore has to be prepared to get sucked into a major global conflict, whether we like it or not.  And we will need manpower when we get involved for indefinite periods of time. 

As for the principle of redundancy, I can only again say that, its objective is to keep the army fight-capable by ensuring losses taken can be replaced, and losses taken will not cripple its operational capability.  There is really little more that I can say or argue.  It is a universally accepted principle.  The only question is "how much redundancy?"

The US Subprime situation, and the recent collapse of several major financial institutions, saw both Bush and McCain give the same message that was pretty questionable, "The fundementals of our economy is strong..."  Somebody didn't tell people that the subprime mortgages were gonna blow up in their faces.  If the government didn't know, somebody else did.

I guess what I am saying in conclusion is that, we should not commit Singapore to a course of action that might reduce the manpower available to the SAF.  Manpower is perhaps the hardest component to replace in conflict, and being able to have a good number in reserve is a necessity.   

Your reply is gratefully acknowledged, and there is little that we differ that require us to "agree to disagree" as I see that we have convergence of views on most issues - except perhaps we may have interpreted the printed words differently given our different experiences and knowledge to the events mentioned.

For instance, you and I agree to the "manpower limitation" as a fact based on the limits imposed by Defense Secretary Rumsfeld on the Two U.S. Division allowed to invade and occupy Iraq. Whether Rumsfeld is to be blamed or not, this "manpower limitation" exist according to both of our views.

Where we differed is the interpretation to the events in Iraq - which you saw as a "smaller group of insurgents tying down a larger and more superior US forces", when I saw the situation as the insurgents outnumbering the US Occupying Force of Two Divisions. The supposedly "small group of insurgents" consisted of the Arab Jihadist infiltrating into Iraq and from the dismantled Iraqi Military Force of over 300,000 men.

This combined force - of 300,000+ insurgents and Jihadist - harassed the Two Division of U.S. troops that numbered no more then 50,000 men with support personnels, and were given the impossible task to pacify a war torn Iraq.

The "fault" lies with the wrong strategies of the U.S. High Command given the artificially imposed "manpower limitation" - which the Commanders on the ground must be complemented for their creativity in constantly adapting their tactics and strategies given their handicap. This resulted in the remarkably low casualties encountered compared to their experience suffered in Vietnam during the 1960s.

In the example of Israel's experience, I agree with your stand that it is a nightmare when non-conventional warfare can create frontline situation almost anywhere, and very suddenly at any time.

During the 2006 Lebanon War, the only sophisticated weapon that the Hezbollah guerillas used was the guided missile that severely damaged an Israeli warship and sank a freighter. The Hezbollah guerillas generally relied on roadside IEDs, and crude unguided rockets to bombard Israeli townships in their determined stand-off against the Israelis. 

There was little that Israeli standard doctrine and trainiing could do against these determined non-conventional fighters.

The follow-up analysis of Israeli invasion of Lebanon concluded that poor intelligence, lack of preparation, and the late use of definitive force had resulted in the invasion not accomplishing the objective of neutralsing the Hezbollah. [See references below]

In this instance, the size of the Manpower available is not the answer - even as the Israelis are not lacking in the sophistication of their technology available.

This brings us to the discussion on "the Principle of Redundancy" - which I am also in agreement with you on the need of any Military Force to maintain its fighting capability so as to be able to accomplish its goals.

As was stated in both of my previous posts, there are limitations to any military on this matter, as the number of lives lost in any conflict is always a sensitive issue - even for nations with large populations at the personal and political levels; and even more so for small nations like Switzerland, Israel and Singapore.

Should we ask ourselves the question - "How much is the redundancy ?" - or should we not be asking - "How long can a conflict be sustained by our Military ?" 

In any conflict, manpower alone is not the determining factor in sustaining the Military efforts, as the manpower is also needed to keep the economy running in order to sustain the "military stamina".

Based on the FPDA arrangement, I do not foresee Singapore being sucked into any regional or global conflicts where the SAF will commit our main body of NSF to any UN sanctioned front-line missions.

At best, we may send a token force of some Medical Teams, or a few Naval or Air assets - without depleting our own Defense needs, and with volunteers from the NSF and Regular Service Personnels.

This token force will be done with the objective to give limited exposure to the "real world" scenario within a "safe zone" - as in our deployment of "combat personnel" to support the UN mission in Timor Leste.

While I am in agreement with your concluding concern - that "we should not commit Singapore to a course of action that might reduce the manpower available to the SAF" - this will need to be considered in the present predicament that Singapore is faced with the present manpower limitations and the demands placed on it.

There will need to be a balance between the demands placed by the economy for manpower, as much as there is a need to have a sufficient trained force of manpower for our defense.

This approach has also been recognised in a Rand Publication on the US Military - and in particular for the US Navy's recruitment problems that necessitated them to modify their approach. [See reference below, in particular Page 35 of 54]

As was stated in my last post, whether it is 3-Years, 2-and-a-Half Years, or 25 months of Full Time National Service, it does not make anyone of us a Professional Soldier - that make an NSF comparable to the personnels from the Best Units of Regulars in the "Professional Armies" of other nations such as the USA, UK, Germany, France, India, Korea, Thailand and others.

While our NSF Battalions, Brigades and Divisions are not lacking in sophistication in training, equipment, and organisational skills, tactics and strategies - the "Proficiency Levels" of our NSF Personnel can only be sharpened and developed further during the course of annual Reservist Training.

It is my belief that high levels of proficiency - in maintaning the high military standards in the various trained skills, motivation, pride, commitment to learn and ability to adapt experiences to new situations - will finally determine if the person or the unit has attained "Professional Status".

This can be achieved when the NSF Personnels are motivated with the right dose of inspiration from the NSF leadership developing a trained and keenly mature sense of human management intuition, empathy, fairness and clear decisiveness in execution and planning.

Such a trained manpower base in Singapore is also needed for the Economy.

There is little disagreement between our positons that every man able to bear arms will be required to have military training for the defense of Singapore, and that we cannot depend entirely on a Military based on Regular Career Soldiers given our limited population size.

Unfortunately - as recognised by you and I - there is the present situation of declining birth rates that is made worst by an increasing ageing population. This will place a further pressure in the conflicting demands imposed on the limited Manpower for the needs of the SAF and the Economy.

Surely, the Government is aware and is in an unstated predicament, and has already begun the process of reducing the length of the NS Full Time service to 25 months. 

The NS Full Time period maybe further shortened if their other plan to boost the population with new immigrants create political resentment from those who have made the NS sacrifices end up facing higher competition after their NS period.

The present situation faced by Singapore is also felt globally, as shown in the list of countries cited as examples by SDP / CSJ, and their Report has appropriately brought up this subject to the attention of Singaporeans even as the Government aka the PAP has been reluctant to address this matter publicly.

 

‘The Israel-Lebanon/Hezbollah War in July 2006’  

‘How Israel bungled the Second Lebanon War - 2006’  

‘Hizbullah: Has Israel Met Its Match ?’  

‘Military Professionalism’  

‘Defense Economics: Core Issues and Concerns’  

‘Military Manpower : 1990-1994’  

 

 

The profits from the sale of the book will surely be managed by the Official Assignee - as CSJ is still a bankrupt.

The Official Assignee will ensure that major part of the money will be used to pay the judgement debt to those who have sued him in the Singapore Courts, and the remaining portions will go to support his family.

Those who have successfully sued CSJ included MM, SM and PM - and as had happened with JBJ, all of them were too shy to pocket the money they had won from JBJ - and had donated JBJ's payment to charity of their choosing.

Thanks to JBJ - those charities had received the attention from MM, SM and PM - who never believed in social welfare to support these charities anyway.

The same will apply to CSJ's debt repayment, as MM, SM and PM have all taken too much from Singaporeans in terms of their FAT annual wages, and they will not want to be seen to benefit from CJS's payment.

Their objective is to distract CSJ's efforts to get into Parliament, and buy time for the Ruling Political Party to continue to monopolise Parliament. It is time that is also needed to give PM LHL an easier period without a hard nosed CSJ causing LHL's cancer to recurr due to the heavy politics that must surely surface in any clash with CSJ in Parliament.

 

 

JBJ  has moved on despite having his two middle-aged sons helping him to clear his bankruptcy debts of S$200,000+ that allowed JBJ to return to politics.

It was unfortunate that JBJ's heart gave up on him at the age of 82 years, when the debt was finally cleared.

It is now left to another Singapore maverick - a wild card - to torment the Ruling Party, and prick their conscience with publicly exposed embarrassment - that would otherwise have lie hidden in the closet of bureaucracy or marked as State Secrets.

CSJ has children that are too young to help him, and he does not have the good fortune that JBJ had with two successful sons who had been able to bail JBJ out.

Singaporeans - who believe that we need a "wild card maverick" in CSJ to prick the Ruling Party - can support CSJ by buying his book.

Those who do not know CSJ at all, will do well to buy the book and learn something about him and not depend on the twisted propaganda that painted CSJ in the worst colors possible.

If the sale of books can get CSJ off the bankruptcy hook, it will be even better for Singapore to have him in Parliament to be a more incisive voice than the mild and accomodating voices of LTK {WP} and CST {SPP}.

 

 

Why didn't Minister Mah consider locating the foreign workers in some empty building owned by the HDB or JTC in the Holland Road area ?

The large ground of the old MINDEF opposite the Botancial Gardens would have been ideal.

Better still, why not park them at a disused school next to Fifth Avenue - off Bukit Timah Road - where SM GCT live ?

Maybe just alongside Killiney Road behind MM LKY would be great, afterall he has a contingent of Gurkhas that will keep the neighborhood peace.

Why didn't Minister Mah think of puncturing the astronomical prices of the 6-figure properties in Orchard Road, Holland Road or Bukit Timah areas ?