Last Day of 2012!

Its the very last day of 2012.

Lets do a nice and entertaining review of 2012.





Youtube - One of the great things in life.


This one is good too.



Happy End Of 2012!

Uniquely Singapore- Red Dotters

Uniquely Singapore- National Education for Red Dotters

I have learnt recently that

1) in Singapore, you can get the death penalty for just 15g (heroin) of drug trafficking, but you just need to pay a fine if you kill someone via drunk driving (Motorist fined and banned for causing fatal accident)

2) Whenever there is by-election approaching, suddenly our Prime Minister got many national issues to settle.

3) When opposition MP got affair, it is the Opposition Party's integrity and credibility that is quesitonable. But when it is our beloved PAP MP, it is actually the girl's fault (according to our mainstream media)

4) When beloved MP quits because of his mistake, it is a "right and honourable" thing to do. Not just because he lan-lan because all the media gonna leak his mistake liao.... (Palmer resignation 'right and honourable')

5) Mr Low Thia Khiang of Opposition Party confirm arm-chio at this turn of events.

6) there is probably a god, and he sure has a wicked sense of humour ka-chiao-ing Michael Palmer

7) Not doing chores nor finish up your work coz its Doomsday on 21st Dec mean you really very doomed on 22nd Dec when the world proceed as normal.

8) Myanmar has allowed private newspaper to bypass state censors, effectively making Singapore's newspapers to finally clinch the #1 Top Spot in ASEAN's Best States Times of the Year.

9) When our billion dollars Telcos give very poor services in 3G, giving them $10,000 fine is more than enough to wake them up. I am sure they very heartpain now.

10) The COE (a piece of certificate that grants permission to buy a car) alone is enough to buy an aeroplane in some countries. (COE = $81,889... who is the joker who spoil the $88,888 figure?)

11) No one really wants to work when u have Xmas on Tuesday, Xmas' Eve on Monday, then you just waiting for weekend because New Year's Eve on next Monday with another New Year holiday on Tuesday. (If you reading this on Monday afternoon in office, when whole Singapore got half-day off liao, then... HAHAHAHA)

12) Corruption is not corruption if it 'follows regulation' (YawningBread). Maybe because it is also 'right and honourable'.

13) Maybe CPIB (Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau) also suddenly has many 'national issues' lately.

14) Singapore Sports Council really should take all the money for our Singapore's 'China' Team table tennis, and give to FOOTBALL. Coz Football win AFF Suzuki cup whole Singapore happy. But Table Tennis win Olympics Silver medal, then our China player suddenly wanna go back China retire... (Li Jia Wei going home)

Cherub is a proud Singaporean who loves Singapore.

Li Jiawei- We invested in her, now she's going home!

BEST QUOTES REGARDING OUR FOREIGN TALENTS-

A family consisting of parents and kids live on an island,
parents started training kids for competitions,
but when their kids did not perform to expectations,
the parents went out to adopt other high-performing kids to win medals for the family and ignored their own kids,
then the adopted kids won medals, and their own kids did not cheer loudly enough,
so the parents though maybe it's the language, and insisted the adopted kids to learn English,
but still their own kids did not cheer loudly enough, the parents wonder why?
when the adopted kids do not wanna play anymore and wants to leave,
the parents then goes out and finds them a new home,
coming home, the parents continue to flaunt the medals won by their ex-adopted kids and see their own fresh-and-blood kids unhappy,
and the parents continue to wonder why.
LBW, do you understand why?
Stop importing talents, use the money to train/promote the sport locally.
Nevermind if their fresh-&-blood kids do not win medals, let them represent the family.
p/s imo, FTW is a realli good TT player.

Notice that pple like Li Jiawei and Feng Tianwei, when questioned whether they would consider themselves a Singaporean would never admit to being one, all they would say is
"I will always be a Singapore PLAYER and i am grateful to be given so many opportunities here."They wouldn't even call themselves a Singaporean for christ's sake, what is there to talk?

if Li Jia Wei had not come to Singapore at all, she would never have made it to the China Olympics team. Now after coming here, she got the chance to play in Olympics, get paid few tens of thousands dollars to say the least, get a Singapore passport that allows her to travel worldwide freely without having to apply visa each time she travels, and she's going back to China after all these goodies??
Good job Singapore!
123, 321, Singapore number 1!

[Source: EDMW thread]

Our FT- Feng Tianwei, throwing flower to her China side during olympics

And now, the fit and proper news from our beloved mainstream media

A grateful Li bids farewell (Source: Today Online)
Veteran table tennis star decides to call it a day after almost two decades

SINGAPORE - In the course of her long career, Singapore table tennis star Li Jiawei became affectionately known as the "ice queen" of the national women's table tennis team.
But the tears flowed freely yesterday as the 31-year-old announced her retirement after a successful competitive career that has raked in two Olympic medals, one World Team Championship winner's medal and numerous other titles.

During the press conference at the Singapore Table Tennis Association (STTA) headquarters in Toa Payoh, during which it was also revealed that pregnant team-mate Sun Beibei is retiring as well, the world No 21-ranked Li struggled to contain her emotions.

"I have been here for about 18 years and I feel a lot of gratitude towards the STTA and Singapore," she said as tears streamed down her cheeks. "I may be leaving the STTA but I will always be a member of the association and I hope they can continue to groom the young talents."

Once ranked as high as world No 3, the Beijing-born Li cited her knee injury as one of the reasons for her decision to quit. She could still be involved with the STTA though.

She will now be based in Beijing with her businessman husband Li Chao and three-year-old son Tianrui. According to STTA President Lee Bee Wah, the STTA are trying to link Li up with potential employers, Singapore companies with offices in the Chinese capital, and her work is likely to involve young children.

Li first arrived in Singapore under the Foreign Sports Talent Scheme and began her competitive career in 1996. A graduate of Beijing's prestigious Shichahai Sports School, whose alumni includes former world No 1 Zhang Yining, Li was a key member of the 2008 Beijing Games team that clinched the women's team silver, Singapore's first Olympic medal in 48 years.

In February 2009, she took a year-long break to prepare for the birth of Tianrui, who was born in October. A year later, she was part of the women's team that stunned China to claim a historic World Team Table Tennis Championships title for Singapore.

But Li said: "For me, the most satisfying moment was at the 2012 Olympic Games because that was after I gave birth to my son. Competing in the final crucial match in London (against South Korea) and playing so well is the most proud and satisfying moment for me. Unlike the 2008 Games, this was a bronze medal but this one is the most significant and meaningful for me."

The five-time Sportswoman of the Year added: "Whatever job I take on in future, I will be contributing to Singapore and that is my wish. I want to continue to repay Singapore for supporting and nurturing me all these 18 years."

Also joining Li and former team-mate Wang Yuegu, who stepped down after the London Games, in retirement is Sun. The 28-year-old, who is expecting her first child in June, has been appointed coach of the youth players in the STTA's School Within a School programme at the Singapore Sports School. Yesterday, Sun said she would consider returning to compete professionally if her recovery goes well.

Lee said the national women's team face a tough road ahead of the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. "Our immediate plan is to raise the standards of younger players like Isabelle Li and Yu Mengyu to reach that of the seniors. This is not an easy task but I have great faith in these young players and our new women's team head coach Jing Junhong."

Questions for AIM - PAP Saga

1) How can a political party owns a company that is allowed to convert an essential resource funded by the public to a private one by buying it at a ridiculously low price?

Taxpayers money is used to fund a public system that is sold to a private company. A company owned by a political party.

Nope, you are not in a 3rd world country. You are not in African nation.

2) How can a public resource, essential in daily town services, be subjected to a company which is owned by a political party, to be utilised by the party to terminate its services to a town council operated by an opposition party?

3) How does this sales of a public resources be beneficial to the Town Councils? How can it be justifiable? Were the interests of the residents considered? How can such a move be in the interest of the residents and Singaporeans?

[Source: POcomics]

13 months for profits. 

4) Why is the PAP mixing into business when its only mission should be a political party?

[Source: thecartoonpress]

5) Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

(Latin phrase - "Who will guard the guards themselves?")

Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau
Incorporated within the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau is headed by a director who reports directly to the Prime Minister. CPIB is therefore independent from the Singapore Police Force and other government agencies to prevent any undue interference in its investigations.

In Lee Hsien Loong we trust.

In Singapore we trust.

SMRT-Army hybrid Logo

Continuation from previous post: SMRT- Public Transport, Army or Retail company

[Source: Cartoon Press]

SMRT- Public Transport, Army, or Retail company?

[New post- SMRT-Army hybrid Logo]

Maybe as a non-scholar, I won't be able to appreciate the talents and skills involved, would someone tell me what has running a military to do with running with a public transport company?

In the military, you want to get stuff from Point A to Point B, regardless of the cost.

VS

In public transport, you want to get people from Point A to Point B at the most efficient way.

SMRT CEO'S new team: 4 were high-ranking SAF officers"Yes, some were from the military... but they have been selected because they have the right attributes and experience for the tasks at hand," - Mr Desmond Kuek

Deputy director of workers liaison and industrial relations Michael Chua, 48. Lieutenant- Colonel Chua has 27 years' experience in the SAF dealing with special operations and industry relations.
Director of buses Tan Kian Heong, 45. Colonel Tan spent 15 years with the SAF, with his last appointment as head of its land operations faculty.
Director of human resources Gerard Koh, 42. Col Koh spent 16 years with the SAF, with his last post as head of national service affairs.
Director of train operations Alvin Kek, 45. A 14-year SAF veteran, Col Kek's previous position was formation commander, chief engineering officer.
-StraitsTimes 24th December 2012.

So why is our new CEO of SMRT, Desmond Kuek, bringing ex-army officials from SAF?
What is it that they have learned and experienced in the army that is so relevant and useful, that it would enhance SMRT, a public transport company, to be more efficient, and less prone to breakdowns?

Instead of hiring more engineers and technicians to improve the stability of the train system, or urban planners to improve the bus route works, or even to increase bus drivers' fares, we have Desmond Kuek spending more money on management. Out of the 8 new key managers, only 1 is to replace someone who left. The other 7 are all new appointees to beef up management.

----------------------------------------------------

SMRT announced yesterday (18 Dec) that it is forming a joint venture with NTUC to manage the commercial retail space in the new Singapore Sports Hub. SMRT will own 70% of this new venture called SMRT Alpha.

Two months ago (Oct) when LG (NS) Demond Kuek took over from Saw Phaik Hwa as the new CEO of SMRT, he said, “What is certain is that we are first and foremost a public transport operator. This is the core business that we are responsible for and must excel in.”

When you insist that the company is going to be, first and foremost a public transport operator, and you still branch out into irrelevant profit-making sectors, would that not dilute your goal?

And while your core specialisation of "public transport" is still unstable, with numerous breakdowns frequently, with your bus drivers going on strike, and photos and reports of unfair wages, unfavourable living conditions for your drivers out in the newspapers, how can you justify branching into retail, NOW?

(Why our beloved National Trade Union Congress [NTUC is forming this venture with SMRT] is moving deeper into retail deserves another blogpost on its own)

You don't even need PSLE to know that the very name, "Public Transport", means it is for the PUBLIC.

Trying to get a private, profit-maximising company to run a public transportation company.... I think we are not paying our government politicians enough.

The previous CEO was too lucky to escape unscathed.

Xmas season- Remember to take a taxi if u drink

If have to drink, take a taxi.
Happy Holidays!

Victoria's Secret Angels Sing 'Deck the Halls'

Victoria's Secret Angels Sing 'Deck the Halls'

Merry Christmas 2012!! May these eye candies bring a smile to your day!

Town council spat puts spotlight on PAP

Town council spat puts spotlight on PAP

Questions are being raised over how computer and financial systems of an opposition-run town council were placed under the control of a little-known firm linked to the ruling party.

In a post in his blog Yawning Bread on Friday, Alex Au said the issue “has the potential to be a big story, causing enormous damage to the People’s Action Party (PAP)”.

Controversy first erupted earlier this month when the Ministry of National Development (MND) released its latest town councilmanagement report, singling out the Aljunied-Hougang Town Council (AHTC) with a “red” rating for its handling of service and conservancy charge (S&CC) arrears.

The council was not rated for its corporate governance due to its lateness in submitting its auditor’s management letter “material to the banding of the corporate governance indicator”, the ministry said.

WP’s response 

Responding to the report, AHTC chair Sylvia Lim, who is also chairman of the Workers’ Party, noted the fact that the town council’s audit took longer than expected because of its need to develop a new computer and financial system from scratch.

In a statement released on 14 December, the same day the town council management review was published, she explained that as her party was taking over the town council in the wake of the their success at last year’s election, it was informed that its existing computer and financial systems would be terminated from 1 August 2011, “due to material changes to the membership of the Town Council”.

She pointed out also that the systems, having been developed collectively by the 14 PAP town councils over a period of more than 15 months, were in January last year sold to a company called M/s Action Information Management Pte Ltd (AIM).

The town councils then leased the systems back from AIM, paying the company fees every month for the usage of the computer systems — and a report from online socio-political site TR Emeritus said these payments would have to come from the S&CC paid by residents.

When the sale and lease-back occurred, AIM was empowered by its prevailing service agreement to terminate the systems contract with any of the town councils within a single month’s notice in the event of a “material change” to its composition, which is what happened with AHTC.

Given the circumstances, Lim said in comparison to the “more than 15 months” that the 14 town councils spent collectively developing a finance and computer system, the AHTC was left with a two-month timeframe to develop its own equivalent systems.

Describing it as a “near-impossible task”, Lim said her town council had to prioritise the development of its financial system into phases, resulting in a delay for its audit.

Firm's directors

Details about AIM and its make-up then came to the fore. Lim noted in her statement that the company was in fact a dormant one. TR Emeritus reported that AIM had been operating out of an office which allegedly shares its address with more than 1,000 other businesses, apart from the actual company that operates from that address — one KCS Corporate Services Pte Ltd.

Further, a second report from the alternative news website noted its discovery that AIM consisted of just three people, all of whom were former PAP Members of Parliament — its chairman, S Chandra Das, and directors Lau Ping Sum and Chew Heng Ching. 

The company had a total paid-up capital of just $2, with $1 held in shares by Chandra Das, and the other $1 owned by Lau, according to the report showing the firm's business filing with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory  Authority.

“As (Lim) pointed out, the questions have to be: Why did the PAP Town Councils relinquish ownership of the computer and financial system, and how much did they sell it to AIM for?” asked Au. “It was probably developed with taxpayer money by the 14 town councils, with much input and support from taxpayer-paid town council staff, unless — and it is hard to believe — the PAP paid for the development of the system.”

Terms used in contract

Another issue that was raised involved the nature of the contract signed when the town councils collectively sold the computer systems to AIM, allowing the firm to terminate the contract with just a month’s notice “should there be a material change to the composition of the town council”.

Chandra Das later responded a few days later in a letter saying that if the AHTC had sought a longer extension of the contract (beyond 9 September 2011), AIM would have agreed to it, but pointed out that the town council had not sought a further extension.

In reply, Lim said the first extension was obtained through a party who “fought for” it on their behalf.

“We were certainly not given to understand that there could be any extension after this,” she said. The second extension was given to the previous town council’s managing agent, which needed time to audit some of its processes, Lim added.

“As (Lim) asked: ‘How is it in the public interest to have such a thing (the contract terms)?’” wrote Au.

“What price was it sold to AIM for? How was that price arrived at? Was there competitive tendering?” he asked in succession.

Au added further the questions of how acting for partisan advantage is in the best interest of the residents of the constituency, as well as whether or not the priority should be to ensure that the systems in the town councils continue accordingly.

He also argued that if the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau and Attorney-General’s Chambers are independent institutions, “we should expect them to mount an investigation immediately”.

[Source Yahoo News]

2012 Apocalypse is a Marketing Campaign by Mayans

Best video about doomsday.

Im not a model, it just happens.

Why the World Didn't End Yesterday

NASA is so sure the world won't come to an end on Dec. 21, 2012, they have already released this news item for the day after.

Dec. 22, 2012: If you're reading this story, it means one thing:  The World Didn't End Yesterday.

According to media reports of an ancient Maya prophecy, the world was supposed to be destroyed on Dec. 21, 2012.

Apparently not.

"The whole thing was a misconception from the very beginning," says Dr. John Carlson, director of the Center for Archaeoastronomy.  "The Maya calendar did not end on Dec. 21, 2012, and there were no Maya prophecies foretelling the end of the world on that date."

The truth, says Carlson, is more interesting than fiction.

Carlson is a hard-nosed scientist--a radio astronomer who earned his degree studying distant galaxies.  He became interested in the 2012 phenomenon in the early 70s  when he attended a meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and learned about the lost civilization of the Maya.

Where the rain forests of Mesoamerica now stand, a great civilization once flourished. The people of Maya society built vast cities, ornate temples, and towering pyramids. At its peak around 800 A.D., the population numbered more than 2,000 people per square mile in the cities -- comparable to modern Los Angeles County.  The Maya mastered astronomy, developed an elaborate written language, and left behind exquisite artifacts.

Most compelling to Carlson was the Maya's expansive sense of time. "The times Mayas used dwarf any time scales currently used by modern astronomers," he explains. "According to our science, the Big Bang occurred 13.7 billion years ago.

There are dates and time references in Mayan ruins that stretch back a billion billion times farther than that."

The Maya Long Count Calendar was designed to keep track of such long intervals. "It is the most complex calendar system ever developed by people anywhere."

Written using modern typography, the Long Count Calendar resembles the odometer in a car.  It's a modified base-20 system in which rotating digits represent powers of 20 days. Because the digits rotate, the calendar can "roll over" and repeat itself; this repetition is key to the 2012 phenomenon.

What caused the fall of the Maya? Using NASA data, one archeologist believes he has found the answer.

According to Maya theology, the world was created 5125 years ago, on a date modern people would write "August 11, 3114  BC."  At the time, the Maya calendar looked like this: 13.0.0.0.0

On Dec. 21, 2012, it is exactly the same: 13.0.0.0.0

In the language of Maya scholars, 13 Bak'tuns or 13 times 144,000 days elapsed between the two dates.   This was a significant interval in Maya theology, but, stresses Carlson, not a destructive one.  None of the thousands of ruins, tablets, and standing stones that archeologists have examined foretell an end of the world.

Modern science agrees. NASA experts recently gathered in a Google hangout to review their own findings with the public.

Don Yeomans, head of NASA's Near-Earth Object Program, stated that no known asteroids or comets are on a collision course with Earth. 

Neither is a rogue planet coming to destroy us. "If there were anything out there like a planet headed for Earth," said NASA astrobiologist David Morrison, "it would already be [one of the] brightest objects in the sky. Everybody on Earth could see it. You don't need to ask the government, just go out and look.  It’s not there.”

Lika Guhathakurta, head of NASA's Living with a Star Program, says the sun is not a threat, either. "The sun has been flaring for billions of years--long before the Maya even existed--and it has never once destroyed the world."

"Right now the sun is approaching the maximum of its 11-year activity cycle," she added, "but this is the wimpiest solar cycle of the past 50 years. Reports to the contrary are exaggerated."

What would an ancient Maya think about all this hoopla?  Carlson believes he knows the answer.

"If we could time warp a Maya to the present day, they would say that Dec. 21, 2012, is a very important date.  Many Maya believed that their gods who created the world 5125 years ago would return.  One of them in particular, an enigmatic deity named Bolon Yokte' K'uh, would conduct old rites of passage, to set space and time in order, and to regenerate the cosmos."  The world would be refreshed, not destroyed.

"I have been waiting to experience this day for more than 30 years," he says.

For him, "experiencing Dec. 21, 2012" means visiting the Maya homeland in the Yucatan, and thinking back to the height of Maya civilization, when ancient humans contemplated expanses of time orders of magnitude beyond modern horizons.

And, of course, appreciating the fact that The World Didn't End Yesterday.

[Source]

Squeezing breasts could prevent cancer

Squeezing breasts could prevent cancer, best study ever says

Getting to second base, the holy grail for hormonal boys, is now science: New research has shown that squeezing breasts could prevent malignant breast cells from causing cancer. This doesn’t give pervy dudes license to grope you on the subway, ladies, but it does mean boob-grabbing should be a regular part of your self-care routine (yes, absolutely try it DIY-style). Experiments found that physical pressure led cells back to normal growth patterns, and that even after compression was no longer applied, the malignant cells stopped growing. Spread the word, boob-lovers of the world.

[Source]

[Taken from MSN news]


For all the single ladies out there, no worries, you can always call/text/email/find me out. I am always happy to help.

Today is Doomsday!

Doomsday 2012 Fact Sheet

[Source]

Donate to SETI Institute

David Morrison
Director, Carl Sagan Center for the Study of Life in the Universe
NASA Senior Scientist
There is widespread and unnecessary fear of doomsday on December 21, 2012. Some people worry about a Maya prophesy of the end of the world, others fear a variety of astronomical threats such as collision with a rogue planet. Opinion polls suggest that one in ten Americans worry about whether they will survive past Dec 21 of this year, and middle-school teachers everywhere report that many of their students are fearful of a coming apocalypse. Following are brief facts that address these doomsday fears.
Mayan Calendar: The Maya calendar, which is made up different cycles of day counts, does not end this year. Rather, one cycle of 144,000 days (394 years) ends and the next cycle begins.
Mayan Prophecy: The ancient Maya did not predict the end of the world or any disaster in December 2012. Such doomsday predictions are a modern hoax.
Planet Nibiru: Nibiru is probably the minor name of a god found in ancient Mesopotamian writing. There is no planet named Nibiru, and the fictional books by economist Zecharia Sitchin about a civilization on this planet are a hoax.

Artist concept of rogue planet Nibiru. Credit: gilderm / sxc.hu

Rogue Planet Headed for Earth. For the past decade there have been reports of a rogue object (Planet X, or Nibiru, or Hercubolus, or even Comet Elenin) that will collide with Earth in December 2012. These claims are not true. If such a threatening world existed, it would be one of the brightest objects in the sky, and astronomers would have been tracking it for years. If it existed, its gravity would be distorting the orbits of planets, especially Mars and Earth. Astronomers know that it does not exist.
Planet Alignments: There is no alignment of planets in Dec 2012. There is an approximate lining up of the Earth and Sun and the center of our Galaxy in late December, but this happens every year. In any case, planet alignments have no effect on the Earth.
Pole Shift: There is nothing strange this year about either the magnetic poles or the rotational poles of the Earth. The magnetic polarity changes every million years or so, but that is not happening now, and it probably takes thousands of years when it does happen. A sudden change in the rotational axis has never happened and is not possible. If there were any change in the Earth’s rotation, it would be instantly apparent by failure of our GPS systems.
Increasing Disasters. Our planet is behaving normally in 2012, although we see more and more news stories about natural disasters. There has been no increase in earthquakes or volcanic eruptions. There has been an increase in extreme weather, including both droughts and floods, which are partly attributable to global warming, but this has nothing to do with a 2012 doomsday.

Solar flares. Credit: Steele Hill/SDO/NASA

Solar Outbursts: The Sun’s ongoing 11-year activity cycle is expected to peak in 2013, not 2012. Solar outbursts (flares and CMEs) can damage orbiting satellites but will not hurt us on the surface. The strength of the 2013 solar maximum is predicted to be lower than average, not higher.
Bunker Conspiracy: Accusations of a massive government cover-up are nonsense. No government could hide an incoming planet or silence hundreds of thousands of scientists. Rumors that huge bunkers have been built in the U.S. or elsewhere to shelter the elite are lies. Apparently a few people are building private shelters, but their fear of 2012 is misplaced and they are wasting their money.
Scaring Children: The group most vulnerable to doomsday claims is children. Teachers report that many of their students are frightened and some are even considering suicide. This is the most tragic consequence of the 2012 hoax.
The End of the World: The idea of the sudden end of the world by any cause is absurd. The Earth has been here for more than 4 billion years, and it will be several more billion years before the gradual brightening of the Sun makes our planet unlivable. Meanwhile there is no known astronomical or geological threat that could destroy the Earth.
Cosmophobia: Many young people write to me that they are scared of astronomy. When they read about some new discovery, the first thing they think is that it might hurt them, even if it is happening in a distant galaxy. There is no reason for such fears, which I call cosmophobia (fear of the universe). This rash of concern seems to be the result of too many conspiracy theories and sensational stories featured on the Internet and irresponsible news outlets. Astronomical objects are so distant that they cannot threaten the Earth. Please don't be afraid of the Sun or the planets or comets or asteroids. The universe is not your enemy.

White-washing Michael Palmer Affairs

White-washing! every newspaper is doing it....
(many sources from various threads in EDMW- my thanks to many citizens there)

From Today: Palmer resignation 'right and honourable'

Former Speaker of Parliament Michael Palmer "did the right and honourable thing" by resigning, Minister of State (Health and Manpower) Amy Khor said yesterday.

"Like many others I am very shocked and saddened by the news of Michael Palmer's resignation under such circumstances," she said.

"In fact my heart goes out to the family but I think he did the right and honourable thing to resign because MPs and politicians must uphold the highest standard of integrity in personal conduct in order to earn the respect and trust and confidence of people who have elected us to represent them."

From TNP:- Why affairs are no big deal.

Affairs are really no big deal in this age and time.
That's what heartlanders have told our Ground Zero columnist, over two days after Mr Michael Palmer quit abruptly over an extramarital affair on Wednesday.

To take a lighter side of things, watch this wonderful hilarious video by MrBrown.
Damn lots of jokes inside. Again, I believe his many sources of jokes from EDMW (arm-chio... statue in Punggol East...)

"I love you, and miss you loads, more than I sometimes show...."

Best Love line of 2012.

Rewind YouTube Style 2012- Year end Special

If you only want to watch 1 youtube video a year, this should be the youtube for 2012....



Wow. I have no idea how long did Youtube take to gather so many Youtube stars, to get them all together for this special "Rewind" youtube style... gangnam style.

There are so many Youtube stars, so many viral trends inside, I bet i only spotted less than 50% of them. If you can recognise any of them, please comment.


I recognise FreddieW as Master Chief, and of course the Harvard "Call me Maybe" spoof, Ryan higa, Smosh, Destorm, Alphacat, Chester.... and so on..... :D

Thumbs up for Youtube! Great of the guys to think of Youtube.com/rewind

Facebook vs Google Jobs Benefits

Working for Facebook or Google must surely be a cool thing.

Google has been so famous for a great place to work, with tons of extra benefits, so great that I've devoted a blog post for them.
(Google Awesome Job Benefits)

Facebook is not that far off either,
At facebook, even the interns make more money than you - $65,000 to $75,000 a year.

Labour rights- Respect for our ex President

Thank you sir, for fighting for the rights of workers. =)
May many follow your footsteps.



Meanwhile.... at present...

China President and India Prime Minister sure very happy to hear his logic....

Go Out and Play

On a lovely day, if you are in your room, surfing internet mindlessly and reading my blog (btw, thank you for reading! u can facebook share on the right column), GO OUT AND PLAY.

It's a beautiful day. We really ought to play outdoor more!

Ellen Funny and RSA Intellectual

Saturday Funnies! I thought this video of Ellen is really funny.



And if you like something intellectual to think for the weekend, RSA is a great place.

[Previous- Laura Ong Hui Hoon- PAP Michael Palmer]
[Previous - By-elections due to PAP MP Michael Palmer's Resignation?]
[Previous - MM Lee 1977 Wise words]
[Previous - PAP MP Michael Palmer's other woman]

Low Thia Khiang reacts to Michael Palmer's resignation

Low Thia Khiang gives his personal reaction to the media. I have to say he gives a very fair opinion, even praising Michael Palmer's past work as Speaker of Parliament.

No mud-slinging, no pointing of fingers.

There was no blasting of the ruling party. (Recall how when WP MP Yaw Shin Leong was involved in an affair, the WP was blasted by the PAP and the mass media).

WP fired its MP and gave the residents of hougang a by-elections.

Would PAP allow a by-election this time? I am guessing that PM Lee would say that by-elections are a national distraction.... and let's move on.

Don't miss 5:48. Low Thia Kiang give a cheeiky smile as he reminds us how hard it is to please everyone... haha!

Laura Ong Hui Hoon- PAP Michael Palmer

[Update: Low Thia Khiang reacts]
[Previous - By-elections due to PAP MP Michael Palmer's Resignation?]
[Previous - MM Lee 1977 Wise words]
[Previous - PAP MP Michael Palmer's other woman]

Madam Laura Ong Hui Hoon, the other woman of PAP MP Michael Palmer.

Is it because of her, that the PAP may face a by-election and lose another SMC? 

The article reported that the "whistle blower" went into silence since Sat after emailing the materials (screenscaps of SMS exchanges, Swissotel room booking confirmation email, photo of Dior bag which Michael Palmer bought for Laura Ong Hui Hoon)....

I suspect the "whistle blower" is Laura herself for these reasons:

(1) who else has access to such very confidential materials (screenscaps of SMS exchanges, Swissotel room booking confirmation email, photo of Dior bag which Michael Palmer bought for Laura Ong Hui Hoon) other than Mr Palmer and Laura themselves.
(2) the "whistle blower" must be somebody is closer enough to Palmer to know Palmer already confessed to PAP on Sat evening, hence decide to let things take its own course. Otherwise, the "whistle blower" would not have stay silence after sending in these materials to TNP and didn't see it on news after so many days.

prime suspects for "whistle blower" is Laura Ong, Cindy Ong, Diane Palmer (she is the least likely as she has more to lose compared to Laura when this matter comes to light).
People outside this triangle is unlikely as it is not easy to gain access to phones to do screencaps, even has copy of Swissotel room booking confirmation email, photos etc. Unless of course either Laura Ong or Mr Palmer has lost the phone and somebody picked it up.(Source: EDMW Forum)  

Unfortunately, when you get involved in extramartial affairs, especially with a politician, either from the ruling party or the opposition party, this will really get you in deep trouble and glaring unwanted publicity.

It may be immoral affairs or innocent love.... unfortunately, the whole village is talking about you.

PAP MP Michael Palmer's other woman

[Update: Low Thia Khiang reacts]
[Update- Laura Ong Hui Hoon- PAP Michael Palmer]
[Previous - By-elections due to PAP MP Michael Palmer's Resignation?]
[Previous - MM Lee 1977 Wise words]

Laura Ong Hui Hoon-  the other woman in the affair.

The People's Association has confirmed that Ms Laura Ong, a constituency director of Pasir Ris West Constituency Office, has quit.

In a statement on Wednesday night, it said she tendered her resignation on Dec 10, citing family commitments.

"The People's Association has accepted her resignation," said the spokesman.

Ms Ong is understood to be the woman whom former Speaker of the House Michael Palmer had an extra-marital affair with.

(Source- Straits Times)

BTW. if you are curious about that guy, he is not his husband, but politician Teo Ser Luck.

Teo Ser Luck is a Singaporean politician. A member of the country's governing People's Action Party, he is currently a Minister of State at the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Mayor of the North East District of Singapore 

(Source: Google)

MM Lee- 1977 wise words

[Update: Low Thia Khiang reacts]
[Update- Laura Ong Hui Hoon- PAP Michael Palmer]
[Update- PAP MP Michael Palmer's other woman]
[Previous - By-elections due to PAP MP Michael Palmer's Resignation?]



"I am not saying: 'No, let us be celibate. I am not even asking that all be faithful to our wives. Let us have no divorces. I do not ask that.
All I ask is, please do not misbehave yourself.
Anybody who has a paternity suit against him, he is out and there will be a by-election."

- Lee Kuan Yew in 1977, Parliamentary speech

Full Speech at Docstoc

Yes, I know.

damn.

By-elections due to PAP MP Michael Palmer's resignation?

[Update: Low Thia Khiang reacts]
[Update- Laura Ong Hui Hoon- PAP Michael Palmer]
[Update- PAP MP Michael Palmer's other woman]
[Update - MM Lee 1977 Wise words]

Another MP embodied in a sex scandal!!





From InSing,

Michael Palmer, who is the Speaker of Singapore Parliament, has quit following an improper relationship with a staff member of the People's Association.

The staff member, who was working in the Pasir Ris Punggol GRC, has also resigned. Palmer is also Member of Parliament (MP) for Punggol East Single-Member Constiuency (SMC).

Channel NewsAsia reported that at a press conference today, Palmer said: "I have resigned to avoid further embarrassment. I have to take full responsibility for the grave mistake.”

In a report by TODAY newspaper, Palmer added: "My conduct was improper and it was a serious error of judgment.

"While the individual did not work with me directly, Punggol East used to be part of the Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC and continues to work with it.

"I am deeply sorry, and apologise unreservedly to constituents and family."

Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, who was also at the press conference, said the ruling People’s Action Party first came to know about the matter on 8 December and Palmer offered his resignation that night.

Teo said in the TODAY report: "I am sorry we have let the residents of Punggol East down. I assure you we will put things right and continue to look after you.

“We should try to move forward and see what best we can do for Punggol East residents. What is important is when such events occur, we have to act properly, openly, decisively, responsibly.

“MPs have a duty to perform and can only do so if they do not mix up personal, professional relationships. We try our best to choose people carefully, but no selection system will be foolproof.”

Palmer did not take reporters’ questions on his marriage and his wife's reaction.

Deputy Prime Minister Teo said there was “no need to go into such details”, TODAY reported. "Those involved are suffering much hurt from this episode. They need time and space for the healing to take place."

Charles Chong, who is MP for Joo Chiat and Deputy Speaker of Parliament, will now be acting Speaker of Parliament.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will nominate a new Speaker for consideration at the next sitting of Parliament, and will decide if there will be a by-election. Teo said.

By-elections!! For Singapore!

Foreigner Pinoy say Singaporeans are rotten and bitter

I think the anti-foreigner feeling is really strong in Singapore. I really blame the government for allowing so many foreigners in without consideration for locals. As someone who has many foreign friends, I feel a little uneasy that Singaporeans are getting very xenophobia.

But then, as Tanya Chua says....

“I felt like a stranger in my own country.” (source)

Here's the new saga by another foreigner lambasting Singaporeans as "rotten" and "bitter"

Within hours, it has spread wide on the internet. Doesn't Pinoy know better, after the Amy Cheong got fired by NTUC for anti-malay rants on facebook?

Eventually TR Emeritus wrote to Philipines Embassy.

[The letter was sent to the Philippines Embassy and copied to PM Lee, DPM Teo, Minister Shanmugam and TRE]

Your Excellency,

On behalf of the people of Singapore, I want to file a protest to you about one of your countrymen working here, Mr. Carlos R. Pestano III alias Kaye Pestano. As you can see from the attached screenshot, he had been posting inflammatory messages about Singaporeans on his Facebook wall where the whole world can see it. A foolish act like this can only inflame tensions between locals and the Filipino community and undermine the good work you have done so far to promote bilateral ties.

Please remind your people living and working here that they are our guests, and as guests they should respect our people as hosts and not create trouble by behaving in such a disrespectful manner and by interfering in our country’s domestic politics.

.
Respectfully yours,

Vladimir Tepes (Mr.)

Spread to Our PM Lee's facebook page

AND the internet remembers.

It found out that this guy who insults Singaporeans works at Seagate.

WITHIN HOURS, Seagate receives tons of email on this saga, with CC to ministers and government ministries. 

And not to mention, tons of replies on Seagate facebook pages.

Seagate has no choice but to reply swiftly.

And finally, the main stream media has published this saga.... i won't be surprised to read this in the Straits Times tomorrow.

AsiaOne
Tuesday, Dec 11, 2012
SINGAPORE - Seagate has posted a statement on its Facebook page saying that it will investigate a Facebook posting by one of its employees which allegedly labelled Singaporeans as 'rotten'.
The statement read: "It has come to Seagate's attention that one of our employees has posted an update on his personal Facebook page that is derogatory.

Seagate to investigate employee for Facebook post"We deeply apologise for this and would like to make it clear that he was speaking in his individual capacity and the post does not reflect Seagate's policy of inclusion and respect for communities in every country we are present in."
The post has since garnered 252 comments, 206 'likes' and 36 shares.
In the Facebook posting by the Seagate employee, the employee allegedly labelled locals as 'rotten' and that Filipinos 'are here to stay'.
The employee also said that most of these 'rotten' locals are working under foreigners 'while they are in their own country' and that was why 'they are bitter'.
Seagate said that it is treating the matter very seriously' even though the employee posted the comment on his personal page.
"We are looking into this matter immediately and will take the necessary disciplinary measures where needed," the statement read.