posted by LuckySingaporean at 6:59
PM 
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Wow MHA solve problem by punishing the people who were facing
the problem.
Now wonder Mas Selamat can escape so easily for more than 1 year
now.
By 
Onlooker, at 7:28
PM
hmm... filming an illegal event is criminalized, borrowing money
from illegal loansharks may be made a criminal offense.. What's
next? Maybe they'll penalize victims from rape, theft, murder.. etc
in future.
By Anonymous, at 8:14
PM
This reminds me of those Hong Kong period soaps where corrupt
and lazy magisrates would whip a complainant first before he gets
to present his case - for disturbing the magistrate. Sigh...
By Anonymous, at 8:29
PM
Brilliant idea indeed. Only the highest paid ministers in
Singapore can come up with such brilliant ideas!
By Anonymous, at 8:39
PM
I liken this to "blaming female rape victims for dressing
sexily" it is their fault and we should make it illegal for victims
to dress sexily.
By Anonymous, at 8:47
PM
Worse FT(esp those with the dish washing talent) killing Locals
Got reduced Sentence.
Soup Spoon. Remember.....
By Onlooker, at 11:00
PM
Everytime i see wong kan seng, it reminds me of mas selamet.
Truely a very competant guy, manage the 'great escape'.... pushing
the blame all the way down...
By Anonymous, at 12:07
AM
dont you envy ministers salary now?
not that they are better people. they just pay themselves well
enough so they don't get into trouble with the laws they have
brilliantly carved on stones for ....lesser imortals
just beat people up with laws and everything solved?
brilliant
By Anonymous, at 1:42
AM
Why not extend this superb idea to all cases?
Make everyone who makes a police report post a bond of $10k. It
will be returned to the victim only when the perpetrator has been
found guilty by the courts.
A more brilliant solution is to charge a fee for using law
enforcement services. Want that robber caught? Pay $3k to the
police. Want loanshark caught? Pay $5k. Can pay by CPF and
installments also.
These solutions will reduce the official crime rates and make
Singapore the safest city in the world!
By John,
at 1:50
AM
Gotta be careful who you borrow money from next time ... later
your friend betray you and say he is loanshark then you kenna
sai.
By 
Chee Wai Lee, at 2:11
AM
As long as there is 50% walkovers, 66% mandate and 98% seats for
PAP, you can expect even more brilliant solutions in future.
Not just from Wong Kan Seng but also other ministers to solve other
problems.
Because the people and opposition are brilliant to give them this
opportunity.
Or is it they are brilliant to make you people and opposition to do
this?
By Anonymous, at 2:15
AM
Dr Ong Seh Hong who borrowed 60K (the equivalent of an annual
pay of an ordinary Singaporean) from Ming Yi. He probably delayed
the payment to the hospital until he knew he has been exposed by
Ming Yi.
Bravo of Ming Yi to drag this greedy PAP MP into the dirt. He knew
that the PAP wants to take over his hospital organization to
service the lucrative healthcare tourism (same reason for Khaw to
want to kick old Singaporeans out to JB).
Ming Yi should do the next best thing: to declare himself as a
loanshark who cannot say 'NO' and kill this greedy MP Ong once and
for all.
By Anonymous, at 3:04
AM
Had the impression that in the majority of these cases, the
loansharks were harassing the wrong people?
They have this weird habit of identifying debtors not by name, but
by their addresses.
By HanSolo, at 3:54
AM
Lets be honest.
Every time you see or hear about Wong Kan Seng, you DO NOT think of
Mas Selamat.
You just think of the toilet bowl.
By Lim Chin
Siong, at 4:16
AM
Every time I see WKS I'm reminded of Snow White and The Seven
Dwarves. He's the one named Dopey.
I wish there was an eighth dwarf named Stupid Idiot. Then I'd pick
him and save Dopey for Khaw Boon Wan.
Grrr!
By move along
please, at 7:49
AM
It is like curing the disease by killing the patient!
By skeptic, at 9:40
AM
thanks for picking this up. i din think of this angle, the
suggestion seemed innocuous enough.
gosh, i must be a simpleton. which makes me wonder, is the
multi-millionair minister a simpleton or a hard hearted person
oblivious to our plight?
By Anonymous, at 10:03
AM
Yo Lucky
Sinkees consistently rant against CSJ.
The one madman who dares speaks up.
Sinkees getting what they deserve no?
By Anonymous, at 10:12
AM
i think, hor, the gahmen think sinkies borrow $$$ only for fun
e.g. buy air-con, buy handphone, go french cuisine holidays.
therefore to help us save money, they make it illegal to borrow
lor. oso help police save some work.
watch out for 154th spin on why sinkies borrow money fr loan
sharks
By Anonymous, at 10:35
AM
PREVIOUSLY:
Borrower: Please give me more time to pay up.
Loanshark: Pay up now or there'll be trouble for you !
Borrower: Better leave, or I'll call the police.
(Loanshark runs away)
NOW:
Borrower: Please give me more time to pay up.
Loanshark: Pay up now or I'll call the police !
(Borrower pays up immediately)
By Anonymous, at 10:35
AM
i have a good idea.
reduce the workload and most importantly make big money by imposing
a service fee for calling the police. they can then employ more
staffs to collect the fees; a brillant win-win idea, yes?
By Anonymous, at 10:49
AM
Making borrowing from loanshark illegal, I see.
What a clever way to free PAP from its responsibility to the
society without finding out why more and more are resorting to this
type of credit.
Better solution for Wong Kan Seng is since loansharks are doing a
roaring business, lets beat them to it ... just like PAP beats
illegal 4D operators hands down.
Well if you don't remember, in the 70's illegal 4D operators were
rampant and PAP constantly raided them. Then a brilliant idea came
to PAP, lets create state-run 4Ds betting franchises.
Now you can see them all around. And PAP and some critics are
worried the IRs will bring a gambling scourge to Singapore.
Open ya eyes! For that matter, these 4D outlets partly or even
largely explain why loanshark business is booming in
Singapore.
So you see that's how PAP "resolved" the betting problem by making
it legal, hehe. No wonder it is praised around the world for being
such a great government.
So I am sure PAP with its brilliant advisers will come up with
something like that.
The news already reported that permits have been issued to high
interest money lenders when formerly such permits were
refused.
PAP just have to impose a high licence fee or even get DBS into the
same act to reap from this business and thus PAP will also have
"resolved" this loanshark problem.
Hey in the US it was such high-interest loans through credit cards
that did their economy in; here PAP might well think otherwise.
By Anonymous, at 11:05
AM
Simple but yet brilliant analysis by lucky ! lol
And perhaps PM,MM and SM should pool their wealth and start a
scheme that provides loans to PAP MPs and grass-roots supporters.
Their combined wealth should be more than 200M $ ! The other multi
Million $ ministers can also contribute to make loans available to
all PAP members. Such loans should be interest-free, repayable over
20 to 30 years and of course whilst serving party interests.
This is a lot better than having PAP members borrowing from monks
or loansharks which is not good for PAP's image and it is perfectly
LEEgal. lol
By PAP golden
loan, at 11:30
AM
Whether or not it is a good idea depends on the composition of
borrowers. Are they mostly irresponsible spenders/gamblers or
genuinely needy people?
If it is the former, then I support criminalizing borrowers. As for
the needy, once they borrow from loan sharks, it is very unlikely
they will be able to repay. In fact, I would imagine the debt will
grow because of the ridiculous interest rates (correct me if I am
wrong). So, this source of borrowing should not be encouraged in
order to prevent them from falling further into the pit.
However, for the needy, criminalizing them is no fair because loan
sharks are probably their last resort.
So, if there is a way to separate the irresponsible ones from the
needy, it would be great. Also, more thought has to go into how to
prevent the needy from borrowing from loan sharks or helping them
repay the sum.
As for existing borrowers, if it is possible, maybe they can decide
on a cutting-off date, so only those who borrow after the
implementation will be charged.
The only concern I have is that loan sharks may resort to trickery
to trap people into borrowing because they have to keep their
income channel alive.
By Anonymous, at 11:54
AM
I actually support the idea of making borrowing from
loansharks an offenseJust recently, a neighbour of mine
had his window poured with red paint. He claimed he lost his IC and
it was used to make an illegal loan with the loansharks.
What have we here in this senario?
1. Vandalism
2. People not relating to the borrower suffering from the
consequences
3. People related to the borrower suffering from the
consequences
If I'm in charge of passing this law, I'll pass it instantly
without blinking an eye.
About people suffering in silence? They are already suffering
whether or not they report to the police.
How about preventing more people in the future suffering in
silence?
By Parka, at 11:56
AM
there must be plenty of money to be made in the loansharking
business.
then it is more reason for this greedy govt to catch these
loansharks who have failed to declare their real source of income
to Inland Revenue Dept.
afterall these buggers are the ones who are cash rich, right
?
just give better incentives to our SPF / men-in-blue. lol
By Anonymous, at 12:11
PM
Anon @10:49 and Parka ... exacta!
I have a better idea ... the police can help collect for a
percentage of the fees.
The poor gets their loans!
Loansharks get their profits!
No vandalism!
MHA turns a profit and meet their KPIs!
thats what i call "win-win" :-)
By Anonymous, at 12:26
PM
"If I'm in charge of passing this law, I'll pass it instantly
without blinking an eye." - Parka
No so fast, Parka, try the Resident Committee first.
By Anonymous, at 12:28
PM
In the US, there's all kind of money lending/borrowing business,
such as payday loan. Just that in Singapore, the credit market's so
tightly controlled that avenues for credit do not flourish
aboveground, and you have to go underground sometimes, in times of
need.
Parka wants to criminalize PAP MP Dr Ong Seh Hong without blinking
his eye. He's on the same boat as me.
By Anonymous, at 1:16
PM
Maybe MHA did not do enough research before releasing this
news.
Drawing a decision tree will help to know possible decision that
will be made by the people who is directly or indirectly
involved.
This policy, I think it will make matter worse.
For example, if I am in deep shit and need money, what would I do?
Borrow first then decide what to do next.
Next, if I do not report my ”crime”, there won’t be any case on me.
I believe my family will not report loan sharks cases to the police
because I will get into trouble. What’s next? Suffer in
silence.(Just think that most families won’t want their members to
put in jail.)
Lucky, by now the loan sharks must be celebrating!! There is no way
or hardly a way the police can track them down without the
borrower's family reporting it.
The loan sharks will just have to pick on the right family. I think
this is obvious.
Lesser number of loan sharks case might just be an illusion. The
number of loan sharks might increase. The only difference is, the
cases are not recorded.
Nail down the loan sharks and eliminate them should be the only way
to solve the problem.
Agree totally agree with lucky's post.
By tiredman, at 1:17
PM
Tiredman said "Maybe MHA did not do enough research before
releasing this news."
I am wondering if any research was carried out at all by the
incompentent MHA ! PAP policies have time and time again proved
they lack due diligence, and we are paying millions to these elite
for doing what morons also can do !
By Anonymous, at 1:35
PM
similarly. set up casinos as stumbling blocks for people who
want to bet for instant riches. but then, how do you deal with
social problems that may arise from gambling?
the authorities have to decide...how to make more money and avoid
being blamed for social problems
make money is still the government chief priority than social well
being.
so same tactics. let people walk into these places of temptations.
enact laws to punish people who failed to contain themselves and
become social liabilities than use laws to slam them
in other words, for money, they'll tempt the people within the
legal boundaries.
what they are saying is: i want to stroke your cock for money. but
if you cock stand up, i am going to use the laws to cut off your
cock.
By Anonymous, at 2:20
PM
this reminds me of another recent law from MHA.
There's been a rise in contraband cigarettes in singapore. So
instead of better policing at the borders, they decided to mark
every single cigarette in Singapore with the duty paid logo.
Citizens, well smoking ones, get punished, instead of working
harder to to catch the smugglers.
Now we'll likely go into a slippery slope argument.. if borrowing
money from loansharks is illegal, then we should then make
everything that leads to debts illegal too eg addictive gamblers
should be fined or jailed.
or every form of vice in our society should also be made illegal
like alcoholism.
it must be the MHA - the same people who say that ONE person
gathering can be deemed an illegal gathering.
absurd, absolutely absurd.
By Anonymous, at 3:53
PM
Wow, now I can sabotage anyone by scribbling their unit no. on
the wall "O$P$ #-----", and then call the police saying that this
person has borrowed from loansharks.
So instead of using their precious resources to catch real
criminals i.e. loansharks, police now have to waste resources
investigating innocent victims.
Maybe this is what they want because sitting ducks borrowers are
easier to catch than elusive loansharks. They can justify their
hefty salaries and bonuses by increasing the number of "solved
cases".
By Hurray!, at 4:32
PM
Wow, now I can sabotage anyone by scribbling their unit no. on
the wall "O$P$ #-----", and then call the police saying that this
person has borrowed from loansharks.
Donch be so "aw sim" lah.
Anyway, who will be so "jia ba ka eng?"
Only those with a never ending axe to grind.
What if you get caught for sabotage? Will be joke of the year
:D
By Anonymous, at 6:30
PM
"...if I am in deep shit and need money, what would I do? Borrow
first then decide what to do next."
That is the most vulnerable state (desperation and panic) for the
loan sharks to exploit and after that you might regret. Might be
better for you to be stopped from falling into the pit.
"...if I do not report my ”crime”, there won’t be any case on
me."
The loan sharks will use it to blackmail you to extort more until
you tak boleh tahan and report yourself.
"Nail down the loan sharks and eliminate them should be the only
way to solve the problem."
Definitely, this should be the priority. I believe making borrowing
a criminal act in meant to be supplementary.
By Anonymous, at 6:39
PM
And it will only get worse when the IR open kopishop.
All the loanshark will flock under their skirt.
By Anonymous, at 8:55
PM
Btw, Lucky, are you going to write about this editor who got off
from killing (due to dangerous driving, she was talking on the
phone while driving)?
some more, the learned judge said this was to be a "one-off"
sentence, not to be used as precedent.
got such thing one meh? seems like one rule for elites, one for
peasants.
By Anonymous, at 8:56
PM
to people who support this idea feeling that irresponsible
people should not be saved:
what if u borrow ah long and ur daughter or wife was forced to or
out of love sell herself secretly help u pay off ur debt???
don't be too quick to condemn other people ok?
the fact that many people actually support it shows singaporeans
really have no compassion.
By Anonymous, at 11:37
PM
Just got this feeling that everything the people in SIN does
will become offence against the State one day !
By Anonymous, at 11:49
PM
Lucky, you called this brilliant solution? Pls take a look at
this video clip :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLLBJ8ZCnhc. If you
were right Ah Nan can be our cabinet minister.
By Anonymous, at 12:37
AM
LUCKY,
This has been happening for a very long time;
Under the Act, if the Ministries send you a bill for $XXXXXXXXX
dollars, you have to prove to them why you didn't owe the money.
HOW TO?
If the Income Tax Department revalue your property, or claim you
made a few millions last year when you did not, you have to pay
first and argue later. You have stashed funds?
Where to get the money to pay first? borrow from the
loanshark?
If you do not want your organs and skin remove from your temporary
diabled body, you better opt out.
Criteria for confirming brain dead,
1. your pupil does not response to light (temporary lose of
eyesight pengsa).
2. your fingers does not response to needle pricking (temporary
paralysis pengsa).
3. 2 doctors confirms you are brain dead (pengsa if some
politician/millionaire has matching requirements).
Where are all the modern equpments?
The passport of the Pathetic Singaporean is the only valuable and
useful object of being a Pathetic Singaporean!!
By Anonymous, at 6:52
AM
"what if u borrow ah long and ur daughter or wife was forced to
or out of love sell herself secretly help u pay off ur
debt???"
It is your irresponsibility that causes your wife's or daughter's
"suffering" and you blame others for being heartless?
No wonder they have to criminalize borrowing - some people just do
not have conscience and they expect everyone else to tolerate that
(including being victims of ah long's debt collection tactics when
you do not pay up and waste of police resources that can be
deployed for better uses).
By Anonymous, at 7:49
AM
"I am wondering if any research was carried out at all by the
incompentent MHA !"
They purposely don't do it, throw the idea around and let
netizens/citizens debate and do research for them?
Because they have no idea?
By Anonymous, at 7:53
AM
the way i see it: the main reason is to protect innocent pple
who are harassed by the loansharks when real borrowers clear out of
the old place. however even with the new law, the loan sharks will
still continue to harass the new owners what.
the question is why polic cannot catch these loan sharks - why are
they so elusive even when security cameras are installed by the new
owners? the police shld tell us.
the other angle we can do, is for hdb or relevant authorities to
keep new owners advised of the new hdb address of the real
borrowers. this transparency is only fair, not just in the case of
loan shark harrassment. it also helps if there is a hidden defect
in the unit for which the previous owner is accountable for.
if you ask me, the real reason why wks wants this is because of the
coming ir. they anticipate a lot of social problems, and they
simply want to wash their hands of it. this is "you die, you
business" - the same strategy in healthcare, housing and law and
order.
By Anonymous, at 9:46
AM
I got a better solution lah.
Death penalty for loan sharks.
Guarantee all the wannabes will be shocked out of the business. The
die-hards maybe will switch to smuggling drugs since they figure
both will get death anyway. Pronto, problem solved.
By DanielXX, at 11:34
AM
Actually I don't see what's wrong with making borrowing from
loansharks an offense. If providing an illegal loan is an offense,
why shouldn't taking the illegal loan be an offense as well? For
those people afraid of this new law, here's a simple solution:
Don't take money from loansharks.
By Ghost, at 5:25
PM
"If providing an illegal loan is an offense, why shouldn't
taking the illegal loan be an offense as well?"
You may make anything illegal and there are always good selective
l
