:
To achieve all these we must equip ourselves with the right skills
and attitudes to thrive in the face of uncertainty and change.
Hence our emphasis on a first class education system. Every
Singaporean ?and not just a select few ?must receive the best
education that he is capable of. So we are investingence oHeHH
heavily in polytechnics and ITEs, and not just in universities. We
are paying attention to Normal stream students, and not just those
in the Express and Special streams. We are emphasising lifelong
learning, and not just pre-employment education.
With the education system that hamstrung a high performing
student with the boogey of having to pass Chinese Language, is
there any will from the Government for a revamp on the education
system ?
Does 'lifelong learning' also require a retired person at 75 years
old to continue to work out a living by himself.
Will there be changes to the the NUS, NTU, USIM, SMU admission
policies that require at least two years working experience from
Polytechnic graduates before being accepted for a job ?
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We also need to remake our city, so that it is vibrant,
cosmopolitan and throbbing with energy, with our own distinctive
X-factor that makes us stand out from other cities. Global cities
like London, Paris, New York and Shanghai are continuously
re-making themselves, so all the more must we. This is the deeper
reason, beyond attracting tourists, why we are developing
integrated resorts.
Our own distinctive X-factor ?
Did the Government discover our X-factor so soon after complaining
that Singaporeans and Singapore lack a certain X-factor to give the
BUZZ that is so desparately needed ?
Remaking ourselves seems to be a catch word to justify the pouring
of billions of dollars [of taxpayers' money] into taller buildings
with even more grand designs, and opulent finishing. Will there be
more NKF type of scandals ?
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Last month, the International Olympic Committee met in Singapore,
to choose the city for the 2012 Olympic Games. Eventually London
won. For a few days, under the international spotlight, Singapore
played the gracious host. We did well, and must do even better on
future occasions, for example next year, when the IMF and World
Bank hold their meetings here. This is part of our transformation
into a leading city, a first class environment for talent and
enterprise, and a home for Singaporeans of all races and
faiths.
PM LHL certainly have much to showcase of the succesful
Singapore story, with the glorious hard assets built up by the
sweat and sacrifices of Singaporeans, and for the Ruling Elite to
bask in their self-assumed success, while Singaporeans continue to
listen, obey, and slave.
While the numbers game continue with each international convention
held in Singapore, how will the $$$ from these conventions will
actually 'trickle down' to finally reach into the pockets of the
Singaporean minions ?
:
Economic growth is the best social welfare programme. Prosperity
provides us the resources to tackle many difficult challenges. One
challenge is the widening income
gap. We cannot reverse this worldwide trend, but we can help
lower income Singaporeans to keep up and find new opportunities. We
are training them in useful skills, re-designing their jobs to pay
better, educating their children well, and helping them with their utilities and transport
bills. And we have the ComCare fund, which helps the needy
to get back quickly on their feet again.
Is economic growth considered to be social welfare programme
?
'Prosperity certainly provides us (the Government) the resources to
tackle many difficult challenges' - by accumulating the monies
collected from income taxes, and from charity fund raising.
At last, for the first time - the challenge of the WIDENING INCOME
GAP - has been acknowledged, but it is blamed on the worldwide
trend, and is not considered to be a unique Singapore aberrations -
where Ministers are paid MILLION DOLLAR ANNUAL SALARY, while the
bulk of the work and sacrifices are performed by the Singaporean
Citizen minions paid at Third World Salary.
PM LHL certainly sounded generous in mentioning the assistance
given to the lower income group - helping with their utilities and
transport bills.
Unfortunately, he fail to mention that the lower income group will
have to use PRE-PAID CARD that allow utilities to be supplied
according to the amount that the lower income can afford. Also not
mention, is the fact that most lower income minions do not even
know of the existence of the help that is available, as the
administrative work involved is too mind boggling for the
Singaporean minions.
It is too embarrassing to mention NKF on such an auspicious day, so
there exist a 'ComCare Fund' to help the needy to get back on their
feet; but what is the proportion of Government funding compared to
that received from Public Charity and Donations ?
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A second challenge is our aging population. Singaporeans must keep
active, stay healthy and work for as long as possible, so that as
they age they can enjoy financial security, afford good medical
care, and live more fulfilling lives. Senior citizens are valued
members of our society, and we must tap their collective experience
and wisdom.
Can the aged Singaporean minions have any financial security,
when the bulk of their life savings in the CPF is used to purchase
an overpriced HDB unit ?
Can the meagre Medisave and Medishielf Funds be sufficient to pay
for any unforeseen hospital and surgical expenses ? After one such
event, will there be any funds left for any subsequent repeat stay
in the hospital ?
So "Senior Citizens are valued members of our society, and we must
tap their collective experience and wisdom" - is this to justify
keeping on a longer basis, all the retired Ministers and
co-operative MPs from the Ruling Party ?
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Third, we must continue to look after the health of all
Singaporeans, young and old. I know many of you worry about your
medical expenses. But our healthcare system delivers a high
standard of care for all. We will strive to make healthcare
services more affordable for all income groups. But you must do
your part too, to look after yourself and keep fit and healthy,
because staying well is the best way to keep medical costs
down.
With so little information available to Singaporeans, who will
know how much of the medical bills are inflated before being
subsidised by the Government - as claimed so proudly ?
If only a few fall sick, will there be sufficient numbers for the
hospital to achieve 'economies of scale' - so as to make the cost
lower, and more affordable to Singaporeans ?
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These are hard issues with no quick and easy solutions. But we will
learn from the experience of other countries and avoid their
mistakes, and I believe that we can manage these
challenges.
After two change-over of leaderships, have we not learned
accumulated enough experience and knowledge from the past, in order
to chart our path into the future ?
