craps of Temasek Review
Whoever wrote the article for the Temasek Review is not of importance. He could be a mercenary writer or someone who had been deceived into believing that ‘the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence’.
Before proceeding, I would like to correct the writer’s oversight, “Lee’s ruling PAP has won 10 consecutive elections from 1959 till 2006, a feat not seen or achieved in any other democracies in the world”.
Is he implying that Malaysia is not a democratic country or he simply lost his memory? How many elections UMNO and associates have won?
“For all his diatribes against Dr Mahathir, Badawi and Najib, Lim should consider himself fortunate that he is still able to speak his mind relatively freely in Malaysia. Lee would never tolerate such public show of dissent against him”.
Does he not know that Malaysian leaders after Hussein Onn have had so many skeletons to hide? Taking the opposition to court may open up a can full of worms and like it or not, keeping ‘mum’ is the better part of valour. After all, Malaysians are a forgetful lot. Come election time, my poor relative in the village will again vote for the ruling party even though the PPRT home promised by the UMNO politicians during the last election campaign will remain just that.
As an ordinary Malaysian who have no education or background in politics, and who still believe that ‘politics is the root of all evil’, I would like to share my experience of seeing life on both sides of the Causeway.
From 1965 until 1978, I was with the Royal Malaysian Navy based in Singapore. Being an impatient young man that I was, I could not avoid committing minor traffic offences. One particular case was overtaking a slow moving tractor on a stretch of double line on the way to Sembawang. In my haste to reach the destination, I did not realize there was a police car waiting in ambush. As I was flagged down a couple of kilometers away, I was ready for the worst. Two policemen, one Malay and the other a Chinese came out of their car ready to issue traffic summons. After listening to my reason, and to my relief, they let me go with an advice “Don’t do it again”.
After I left RMN, and representing my employer during an expo at Changkat Pavilion in August 1978, I went inside to inspect the booth, leaving my car properly parked outside a locked gate. When I returned a few minutes later, a Malay policeman waited beside my car with his book and pen. With the same politeness that I used when I was in Singapore, I showed him my ‘pass’ bearing my name, designation and company hoping that he could understand the reason why I was there. His reply is all too familiar now “Kalau saya saman, encik boleh kena denda…” Although the incident happened during the holy month of Ramadan, it did not deter the policeman from instantly reducing the cash in my wallet.
Many of my Chinese and Indian friends who opted to leave after serving the minimum of thirteen years (they were the neglected lot with brains) preferred to work in Singapore instead of seeking employment in Malaysia. One of them, an Indian, is now a wealthy marine businessman.
While in Singapore, I used to visit an Indian family in Jalan Hikayat, Sembawang. He was a state engineer in Negeri Sembilan and a devout Hindu. Realizing that he will have to ‘sacrifice’ his principle to survive in his country of birth, he decided to migrate to Singapore. Soon after, he was parting his knowledge to the youths of his adopted country, lecturing in Singapore Polytechnic. His wife, a Perakian and a Kirby-trained teacher was also parting her knowledge to the children of Singapore. A big loss to Malaysia
My Chinese neighbour has been driving taxi in Singapore for the last twenty years. In spite of the island’s strict law enforcement on errant taxi drivers, he is content to ply Singapore roads instead of driving on the streets of Kuala Lumpur where lawlessness is the order of the day. He travels by bus every other week to Singapore and makes enough money to support his family in Malaysia.
In retrospect, how many Singaporeans are working in Malaysia or have migrated to this country which, according to the writer is better off than his country of birth?
I was in Singapore when it introduced the anti littering campaign in 1968. It was so effective that not even a matchstick can be found in public places. The habit of keeping used matchsticks in its box, cultivated out of sheer no-nonsense enforcement by the authority in Singapore stuck with me for the rest of my smoking life (I have stopped smoking many years ago).
When Dr Mahathir lambasted city hall for failure to keep Jalan Bukit Bintang clean during the visit of a state head in the nineties, I could not help but compare the way laws are enforced in both countries.
In Singapore, a lone policeman can act on wrong doers because the element of fear simply does not exist. In Malaysia, policemen may face possible reprimand or end up manning remote outposts if they prosecute the ‘wrong group’ of law breakers. There are so many ‘untouchables’ that fair law enforcement is virtually impossible.
In Singapore, how long does it take to clear consignments from the airport or the port? Compare the time needed to get things done here, right from the customs to the SIRIM, you will soon realize that proper documentations alone are still insufficient to clear consignments on schedule. More often than not, you have to resort to unethical approach to get things done on time.
“Singaporeans slog hard day in and out for their entire lives just to earn enough money to pay for inflated public housing after which they are probably left with little money for their retirement”.
Not only Singaporeans, but the underprivileged Malaysians are also slogging for a decent living. My children who have all graduated from the local university are slogging to pay PTPTN loans and the ever increasing prices of daily needs. If I had the right connections, they would have been awarded scholarships on silver platters. So much for being a Bumiputera.
The list of improprieties is much longer than the opposite.
To the writer of Temasek Review, do not blame your countrymen who are content to be governed by a no nonsense government that believed in clean environment and clean governance.
Most Malaysians would not want to try the uncertainties of a new government if the present can give us hope for a better future. As it is, we are groping in a long dark tunnel with no end in sight.
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December 27th, 2009 at 10:46 am
Dear Sir,
I read the same article and had the same ridiculous feeling as you, Sir.
Then I read the comments, and replied / debated.
To my surprised, some of the “posters” who claimed to be “Singaporeans” are not Singaporeans.
The one I replied to, the one accusing DAP of “anti-Islam / anti-Malay” sounded so familiar that I have to conclude that that “Singaporean” is actually someone from the north side of the crossway.
And I wouldn’t be surprised, Sir, if the author of that ridiculous article, turned out to be someone from the Northern end of the crossway too.
December 27th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
This is what happens when you have corrupt people running the country. I would leave Malaysia too if given a chance. It’s important that your children to have a level playing field. Unfortunately I’m too ‘broke’ to migrate.
December 27th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
I see two different sets of comments. In M2Day, there are a few who seems not to understand what the writer is trying to potray.
I totally agree with Penang that the Singaporean is probably someone in Malaysia. That Jit Dharma who defends the Singapore writer in his comment in M2Day, I don’t think he understands the full contents of both articles. Maybe he also cannot understand his own writing. I want to suggest to him to read again and again. The Temasek Review didnot focus on pollitics alone but he also covered the people of Singapore…the hardships of owning houses. Rightly, the Malaysian writer replied that in Malaysia it is also as hard.
Mr Jit, please get out of that one track mind of yours. Or are you a BN fellow?
December 27th, 2009 at 3:28 pm
keep writing. Ur way of expression is very unique. It is like hitting with a soft touch button with the same effect. e.g. U did not accuse the policeman of taking ur money but instead “it did not deter the policeman from instantly reducing the cah in your wallet”.
December 27th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
Sir, I fully agree with your facts in this articule. I am a Malaysian. I have two children both UK Master Degree holders and both now work in Singapore. My 24-yr old son is an engineer. He enjoys working and living in Singapore. He told me Singapore is clean, safe and he feels a great sense of security there and he is always rewarded for his work and responsibility - the same with my daughter.
Slogging for a decent living? Yes if they were to be working in Malaysia. I have noticed that workers’ salaries in Malaysia have changed little from almost a decade or so ago whereas cost of living has been increasing by leaps and bounds. Even professionals here feel the pinch not to say ordinary workers.
Well, whether my children are slogging for a decent living or not in Singapore I don’t know. But judging by the way they can afford to travel abroad for leisure, anytime or even monthly if their work schedules permit, perhaps this answers a bit of the question.
December 27th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
First of all what’s the big deal about the clean street when you have only a few meters of road? Singapore is not a country, it’s a city! A cop won’t even need to use a motor bike to chase an offender. He’ll just walk it! And when you are “proven” to break the street laws, when in fact you had badmouthed the Temasek Royal family, they could hang you for murdering John Doe. And of course then governance is unquestionable in Singapore!
Efficiency? The Nazis were very efficient. Maybe they’re not as good as the Singas!
OK, so you have to live in an affordable tall house and not a long house and you can’t ever own an inch of land except a lot of air. That’s fine and that’s very valuable. You can’t live without air, can you!
Of course, the Singapore Military is more efficient than the Malaysian Military. They couldn’t even capture a one legged alleged terrorist hopping around on one leg whilst there’s not even much road in Singapore. On the other hand, maybe Malaysian military is the best. Even with fighter planes without engines, they caught the one-legged alleged terrorist.
So what else is not good about Singapore? None! They have even made “ikan todak” extinct!!!
December 27th, 2009 at 4:21 pm
in malaysia jet engines went missing and the authorities are confused and not able to take action . national security is comprised and where is the accountability. Do you feel safe on the streets in kl or pj. Snatch thieves are a common occurance and housing estates are now employing private security services . so much for safety and security standards in malaysia. You hardly hear of this in singapore. Mega scandals and corruption cases are reported in the media . Is there any mega scandal in singapore ? urban poverty is rising in most towns and high unemployment among graduates is common. So let us be honest and humble to say singapore is well run with little or no corruption> singapore economy and GDP is miles ahead of malaysia. Let us learn a few lessons from Singapore. Be humble and do the necessary. our nation economy is now stagnant according to a senior minister. correct, correct, correct
December 27th, 2009 at 10:17 pm
Thanks a lot to those who can understand what I was trying to say.
J.Y.,
At first, I thought you are my former neighbour whose three daughters are also oversea graduates and two of them are now working in Singapore. But he has no son. So, I may be wrong.
Ikan Yu,
I don’t disagree with you when you wrote, “In singapore, a cop won’t even need to use a motor bike to chase an offender”
In case you did not understand what I wrote…the cops that caught me overtaking on a stretch of double line used “a patrol car” and not motorbike.
To those who misunderstood or could not comprehend what I wrote, also a big thank you because we are entitled to differ in opinion.
December 27th, 2009 at 11:21 pm
Ikan Yu, perhaps you have forgotten that the Malaysian Police caught the fugitive Mas Selamat with the information of his whereabouts provided by the Singapore Police. Come on, don’t be so sour, give credit where it’s due.
December 27th, 2009 at 11:40 pm
Hello to All,
I know my country is bad. I have no power to rule the country using my own formula. Jews are the one who in control through the FreeMason society.
Malaysia will be under FreeMason control sooner or later when PKR win the general election.
To those who doesn’t know what is FreeMason, please search the information on the net.
Thank you.
Best Regards,
Mr President
December 27th, 2009 at 11:48 pm
That our neighbour across the causeway is in all respects better than us needs not be argued. Almost the whole world recognised that, with exception of some of us who, like the saying goes, are none so blind than those who will not see. I speak for myself, if I had to sacrifice some so-called “civil liberties” for what some had called materialistic comforts to be Singaporean, I gladly will do so. I am Malaysian, and would like to be truly proud, and we do have the resources and capabilities to build a country that we can be proud of, but with what Malaysia is right now, after all these years of independence, I truly can’t be. For those Singaporeans who had taken their good fortunes for granted, I really wish we can swap places. You are welcome to my country of birth where I felt unwelcome.
December 28th, 2009 at 12:05 am
Motor bike not needed? they are still around for other reasons. no road too? You can do a search on SG news just few days ago in the press, a driver without a valid driving licene was stopped by 2 traffic police officers on bike, instead of stopping, the driver speed off which started a police chase along the road and the car even ran into the wrong direction of the road. In the process, while thinking that he (the driver) can outwit the officer, swerve his car in the process, knocking off one of the officer with serious injury. Eventually, he was caught and surrendered himself as he realised he could no longer able to escape
December 28th, 2009 at 10:12 am
I was in Singapore in the 60s thru 80s and married a Singaporean. I only came back to Malaysia after my wife succumbed to cancer.
After staying more than 20 years, I cannot disagree with the writer. In Singapore, if you try to bribe the authority, you will not only be punished for the first offence, you will also end up paying for bribing. Mind you, most of the policemen are non Muslims and yet they know what haram is all about.
Singapore taxi drivers will not simply stop to pick passengers as they like. They are very afraid to flout the rules. In KL, not only taxis but Metro buses will stop as they like, they even stop and wait for pasengers oblivious of the jam they cause. I think the policemen also scared to issue summons to this bus company. I don’t know why.
Along the PLUS highway, If you drive within the speed limit of 110kmh, you will soon be overtaken by express buses displaying speed limit of 90kmh. And after accidents, the authority will be busy talking about speed limit enforcement. Porrah.
On weekends and public holidays, as you approach Senawang from the south, the emergency lane will be full of cars. Occasionally, you can see a policeman stopping a car or two to issue tickets. That won’t deter drivers from going back to the same lane immediately after. Sometimes, I wonder why can’t the authority use a bit of the ‘grey matter’ and place cameras at 500 metres apart to record the offenders.
Come to think of it, are they really serious? Or they need Singapore cops for help.
December 28th, 2009 at 10:51 am
Mr Santalingam is a holder of a PHD in software engineering.
He was headhunted by the Singapore Government and induced to leave his native India and his beloved Hyderabad to work in the academician’s paradise.
After 5 years in Singapore, suddenly our Indian friend decides to take a job offer in Cyberjaya, Malaysia.
Alarmed by this development, the Singapore government sent someone to find out the reasons for his leaving Singaopore.
-Are we not paying you well Mr Lingam?
- Well… I cant complain about that.
-Is our working environment to stressful?
-Well.. I cant complain.
- Is there any problem relating to our security?
- I cant complain.
- Have we not provided you with excellant housing?
- I have no complains.
Then may we know what ’s your reason of moving to Malaysia?
- Ah… There, I CAN Complain
December 28th, 2009 at 11:21 am
Wau, sounds like script from an Indian Movie produced by the ‘Wilderness Films India Limited’ based in New Delhi.
May I know who is the producer?
December 28th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
4 people would have been left struggling in the mediocrity of working class or middle class if they were Singaporeans .
WINSTON CHURCHILL
Born of a maverick old-money class politician father who had high hopes for the son only to see him failing in every examinations he ever took.
The father had to beg and use his old school network to get poor Winston a place in a prestige school.
His father was worried over his incompetence. (Winston lack of academic excellence made him very incompetent in most of his endeavors whilst in the Cabinet except the PMship during WW2).
Worst still for Winston,his father was a type of politician that rub noses on the powers that be so he was doubly handicapped.
He had no choice but to join the Army and was given the glam posting of the calvary (which by then was a sunset part of the army very dashing but served no useful purpose).
But Winston had the gift of the gab and managed to con future people of the UK to make him great even though he had no MERITOCRATIC credentials. THey still voted him as the Briton of the last millenium.
Could he make it in LKY’s Singapore?
STEVE JOB
Adopted sons of working class non graduate parents who promised his biological mother to send him to college.
Steve Job went to college and found the academic pursuit boring and actually couldnt keep up with lessons.
Steve quit college before they sacked him.
Liberated, he took up classes he liked during his spare time. He learned calligraphy and all its font (sans serif, gothic, Times Romans etc) all not very lucrative pursuits and he probably become a sign post engraver and make a decent living instead he allowed me to type his story in any font I want.
Would he get a scolarship or even a job at Temasek if he is born in Singapore?
TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN PUTRA AL-HAJ
Born with silver spoon and a prince.
A playboy whilst studying in England.
According to LKY (1st Class honour Student) Tunku was the person who took the longest time to pass his Bar. and they gave it to him out of generosity in his 30’s.
Joined the civil service with nothing much accomplishments to boot.
Love life. gambling, drinks and dancing eveything LKY was not.
When he was PM of Malaysia he had this to say to Dr Tan Chee Koon in Parliament when Lim Yew Hock (LKY’s detested rival for CMship) and malaysian ambassador to Australia was caught in flagrant delicto with a lady not being his wife:-
Tunku: Dr Tan why are you calling for Lim’s blood? Havent you ever had an incline or a moment of weakness for a beautiful woman?
Dr Tan: No.
Tunku: Havent you ever had a slight stirring?
Dr Tan: Never.
Tunku: Oh Dr Tan, I dont envy you , I pity you ( the whole house roared with laughter).
Would he ever make it if he was Singaporean? Who would you prefer as a PM, the Tunku or LKY?
December 28th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
The fourth person is mak jun yeen.
Tunku had the distinction of deleting the word ‘Malaya’ from this earth.
Winston Churchill contribution was the dismantling of the British Empire.
Lee Kuan Yew for building Singapore that was on the bring of collapse after Tunku kicked the island out of Malaysia.
December 28th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
If I were Singaporean.
I’ll probably be only a bank teller in DBS bank or a the hawker selling tomato sause wan tan mee. (yucks)
Better prospect would I become a Phua Choo Kang, lots of money doing contracting work.
Alas I didnt have the good fortune. If I were Singaporean, my mom would have pack me off to England to stay with my relatives as with my grades, I wouldnt survive in Singapore.
And I would be probably be driving the Clapton omnibus now.
December 28th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
The writer’s neighbour is only a taxi driver with, I think, very little education other than the ability to speak English and yet he has been driving in S’pore for 20 years or so. Why?
Think of it, it is not merely education or extremely high IQ but more of resilience.
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