Showing posts with label Singapore. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Singapore. Show all posts

Nov 10, 2008

Singapura belum sedia pilih PM bukan Cina – Hsien Loong


SINGAPURA 9 Nov. – Perdana Menteri Singapura, Lee Hsien Loong berpendapat republik ini yang mempunyai penduduk berbilang kaum berjumlah lebih 3.5 juta orang, belum bersedia untuk memilih Perdana Menteri bukan Cina dalam tempoh terdekat.

Hsien Loong membuat kenyataan itu semalam semasa dialog dengan anggota masyarakat Melayu di sini sebagai menjawab soalan sama ada pemilihan Barack Obama sebagai Presiden kulit hitam pertama Amerika Syarikat (AS) bermakna anggota kaum minoriti di negara ini juga berpeluang untuk menjadi Perdana Menteri.

“Kemungkinannya ada, ini bergantung kepada cara penduduk mengundi dan siapa yang mendapat keyakinan rakyat.“Adakah ini akan berlaku tidak lama lagi? Saya tidak fikir begitu kerana seseorang perlu memenangi undi,” kata Hsien Loong menurut laporan akhbar Sunday Times hari ini.Beliau berkata, sentimen yang mendorong seseorang mengundi calon tertentu akan memakan masa yang lama untuk hapus sama sekali.

Kira-kira 75 peratus daripada 3.64 juta penduduk tetap Singapura ialah kaum Cina, sementara hampir 14 peratus merupakan kaum Melayu dan sembilan peratus lagi kaum India.Jawatan Presiden Singapura yang tidak memiliki kuasa sebenar disandang oleh seorang yang berketurunan India.

Seorang daripada dua Timbalan Perdana Menteri Singapura serta tiga menteri dalam Kabinet Hsien Loong juga daripada kaum India.

http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2008&dt=1110&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Muka_Hadapan&pg=mh_02.htm
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Other Perspektif :---

Tidak terkejut mendengar kenyataan berikut drpd PM Singapura. Inilah bakal jadinya pada Malaysia jika Hak Keistimewaan Org Melayu dihapuskan. Sedih melihat negara yg mempunyai 14% Kaum Melayu dinafikan hak utk sama2 memerintah negara. Tidak seorg pun Menteri Kabinet daripada Kaum Minoriti. Jika dibandingkan dgn Malaysia kaum minoriti lebih bertuah. Disamping mempunyai ramai yg memegang portfolia Menteri mereka juga memegang banyak jawatan dlm badan kerajaan, Kerajaan negeri & lain-lain. Mestipun MP kaum lain (BN) kalah teruk dlm PRU-12 kerajaan masih tidak mengusik kuota kaum atas dasar semangat setiakawan. Tetapi madu dibalas tuba.

Kerajaan singapura juga tidak sebebas yg disangka. Disamping mengamalkan ISA di negaranya juga (targetnya byk kepada org Islam) negaranya juga tidak mengamalkan hak kebebasan bersuara. Tgklah bagaimana JB Jeyaretnam (seorg Opposition fighter) telah beberapa kali bankrup di saman oleh kerabat2 LeeKuanYew. Tetapi apakan daya itu cara mereka. Tetapi sekarang dengan bangganya menjadi ikutan pula oleh sesetengah MP di Malaysia sendiri (yg kononnya fight for fredom of press)..

Akhir kata.. Renunglah kata2 PM Singapura & inilah sepatutnya jawapan PM Malaysia jika ditanya soalan serupa. Kepada non-malay friends, maaf kerana terpaksa bersuara soal ini. Tetapi inilah hakikatnya & inilah yg ditakuti oleh org melayu.

Seorg melayu Singapura pernah berkata kepada saya "Lihatlah kami seperti menumpang di negara sendiri, jgnlah jadi begini di Malaysia"... "Walau apapun pun jangan sesekali pergadaikan hak anta di Malaysia!!"
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Oct 16, 2008

What Singaporean Says .. Part 2


Well, still some more comment on Singapore. There's stuff that i want to highlight here just to share with other blogger. Especially comments by normal citizen's of Singapore. How they think about the their country, our country, our current politic situation & other stuff.

Its normal for me to have a chit-chat with Taxi Drivers during my stays overseas. Especially friendly ones. Just to make it simple let me highlighted some of the chat or opinion point normally occurs.

Malaysian Politics:-
-"So how's Anwar doing". "When will Anwar take over the government".
-"Opposition quite strong in Malaysia". "How can Malaysia allow racial statement been taken lightly, in Singapore u'll be in ISA if such comment took place."
From "Other perspective" its shows that most of the Singaporeans knows about recent politic development in Malaysia. Majority of them quite supportive to current situation of Malaysia but most of them says that the current check & balance between the government & opposition will benefit the people. However, most of them view politic development as unhealthy & some also view Malaysia Risk level increased.

Singapore Politics :-
- "Its such a loss to Opposition from the loss of JB Jeyaretnam."
- "Yes the government give u money before elections with all the good stuff etc2. However, after the election they take back from you double or triple on what u get in the 1st place".
- "The opposition actually have 40% vote by the people. However, due to the constituency or boundary of the electrol system been control by PAP they manage to get only 2 -3 seat in the Parliament".
- "Quite a lot of China citizen flocking to Singapore. Government policy of openness will hinders the working opportunity for local citizens."
- "JB Jeyaretnam was a fighter for the poor people of Singapore. He's been declared bankrupt 3 times even so he gets back on his feet to fight back. Hopefully more parliamentary will be won next election."
Other Perspective observation shows majority of the Singaporean view quite unhappy with current economics, political & freedom in Singapore. Most of them expressed view hoping a check & balance government & more policy to protect Singaporeans. More & more concern on economic wise.
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Oct 15, 2008

Singapore Taxi's...


Back & forth again. Been to the neighbouring country for work purposes. Well, there's several feeling when i across the border but this time through a taxi cab from Johor. I don't know why but everytime when i reach Singapore borders my feelings are different. Maybe due to the fact that during those Sept 11 i encountered a not very good Singapore entry experience. Uncertainty, not relaxed & insecure that's how i feel.

As usual my normal means of transportation were Taxi's. There's city cab, yellow cab & other small ones which i can't remember the names. Quite a lot though. Its really a lot. One of the drivers claimed that it reached 20,000-30,000 cabs throughout Singapore. A lot huh'. Well, how to they make profit by having such a numbers of cabs. The answer is they don't. They've been through hard times trying to make decent money. Why ? Let me list out some of the problems they're facing.

- Stiff competition between cab companies. (numbers too great)
- Tolls are everywhere. ERP, MTP etc (I'm not what the correct names is). These will hinders local users to used cabs due to the charges will be bourned by the riders. Imagine to use a short stretch of a road 1km in the town will cost u $1-$1.50 dollar dependent on entry time.
- Taxi driver do not own the car. They rent the car. The rent are estimated between $180-$250 Spore Dollar per day. It means the car must be on the road & earns more than that to gain something. Not to include fuel etc2.
- Most of the taxi driver works on shifts. Which is 12hours per shift. So it means that the taxi nearly works 24 7. That's the reason why taxi's will be scrap after 5 years.
- Other means of transportation is cheaper & faster. Locals tend to used other means of transportation due to this. So there's only left foreigners, high income people & tourist like myself using this mode of transportation.

In comparison, i will compare service of Singapore Taxi's Vs Malaysian Taxi's. These are the things which Malaysian taxi's may want to copy & used it in Malaysia. Or what i must say improvement.

- Prompt billing & meter used no matter what. Receipt is printed not sign by hard copy.
- Friendly ambient & helpful. One taxi driver come to the extend showing me the HDB apartment of my friends i visit.
- Will asked the passengers permission to used tolled route or whatever route. (This will be charged to passengers accordingly)
- Automatic surcharge will be imposed to passengers during peak hours or at night. But the surcharge will be known to passengers on the meter once u get in. Its not something they asked. Its a procedure or guideline they must follow.

I really hope that one day our taxi standards will be at par to Singapore taxi's. Why? Taxi's is actually as our tourist guide. Impression to them reflects impression to the country's image.
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Jun 12, 2008

What the Singaporean Says

I was in Singapore for few days for business purpose. Within that few days I've use 4 Taxi's for travelling purposes. Most of the time i will take that opportunity to let say talk a.k.a interview them regarding any issues.

Among the words that still in my mind are..

Taxi 1 (Airport-Hotel)
Fuel & Malaysia:-
- "Malaysian are being pampered to much, its about time malaysian government rid this subsidy. Only the rich people benefit with the subsidy"
- "Abdullah is not as smart as Mahathir. He is a burden to the country"
Opposition Singapore declare bankcrupt & Singapore story:-
- "Malaysia is lucky. At least they have strong opposition. In Singapore u will die if u become the opposition. Because the Lee family wont give you face. We also want opposition. But who can fight? , All declare bankcrupt. They will find fault in you untill u die."
- "I cannot say that Lee is smart. Its quite easy to manage Singapore because its small. Try let him rule state of Johor. It will be difficult for him."

Taxi2 (Hotel-Workplace)
Fuel :-
- "All political party is the same. Its a global effect nothing that malaysian government can do. Just that is it unpopular choice. What choice do they have. I think if the opposition rule also will be the same. Even here is also expensive. We taxi driver also dont dare to increase the price. We have to live with it or face the consequences.
Singapore Country:
-"Singapore is a Law country. Nobody fight. Or dare to fight because you might end up bankcrupt. No point. Just live with it".
-"Singapore is really smart. They always plans 10 year ahead. Do you know that fuel we bought 10 years in advance. It means that fuel now is actually the price purchase 10 years back.
Singapore plan 10 years in advance. In everything & anything."

Taxi 3 - (Workplace to Airport)
Fuel story :-
- "Why need subsidy, only the rich will use it largely. The poor does not benefit from it. Same like singapore.
Their opposition being declare bankrupt story :-
-"That guy is stupid. He know the government control everything why he try to fight. Its like throwing an egg to a rock. You cannot win. Even if u rich also will be declare bankcrupt if he tries to fight.
Singaporean & Government :-
-"Singaporean are very sellfish ppl. They dont care about others when they are rich. As long as they can live happily.
-"You are lucky to live in Malaysia. In singapore we work till we die. Example are like puchasing a apartment. You take loan for 30yrs for 200k apartment. And then after 20yrs the government will say that they want to demolish the house. At that time you still have money owing the goverment yet u need to buy a new house which wil cost you maybe 250k-300k.. You will end up living thru your entire life living to pay your debts. It never stops."
-"Taxi driver do not have EPF (i cant remember the term in singapore). So we need to really safe money"

Taxi 4 - (KLIA-House)
- "Itu demo tadak bagusla. Akan bg perspektif tak baik utk negara. Teksi effect jugak. Tapi itu naik minyak juga is to drastic. Mmg itu dunia harga minyak sudah naik. Ini teksi tak effect sgt. Sbb kita pakai NGV. Sekali isi penuh dalam 120km & RM 7-8.
Saya punya abg pun mau beli motor. Mmg org malaysia hidup mewah & senang. Jadi mmg terasa la itu minyak naik. Apa bole buat".
- "Sammy velu punya kawasan sebenarnya dia jaga betul2. Sudah ada university sudah ada kemajuan. Tapi dia silap. Dia ckp besar "Tentera turun pun takdak takut". Jadi semua org benci sama BN. Dia harap itu postal vote. Tapi semua tarak turun. Semua turun bangsar & Rembau. "
- "Kerajaan sama saja BN or PR. Itu janji2 pun tadak tunai. Rakyat pun bukan bodo. Boleh pikir." comments