My top 10 ungracious acts seen daily

Letter from Lawrence Seow

FOR all our affluence and political clout, we are still in the dark ages where graciousness is concerned. It is difficult to be positive and upbeat when every day, one sees the negative aspects of our people.

Just yesterday, I observed all this, which is my list of the top 10 “ungracious” acts (in no particular order):

• Drivers intentionally accelerating when you signal your intention to switch lanes.

• Drivers entering the yellow box when the lights are red.

• Drivers not signalling when a lane is for both turning and going straight, resulting in those behind getting stuck.

• People smoking in a nosmoking zone and at bus stops.

• People rushing and pushing their way into the train before others can alight.

• A passenger sleeping soundly while occupying a reserved seat in the train but waking up immediately at their stop.

• A dog-owner allowing his pet to urinate in the HDB void deck.

• Pedestrians crossing the road when the lights are against them.

• Allowing children to run, yell and shout in a food court.

• People clearing their throats loudly and spitting indiscriminately.

By the way, these are everyday occurrences. Singapore a gracious society?

I think not.

And  restrIctIng  sUpplIes

I also hope that the tweak in salaries will not result in an increase in patient bills.

I sincerely hope the Government will take into consideration such scenarios when reviewing the health policies.

Public debt, private prosperity for Asia

It’s not inconceivable that some Asian governments might go the way of Greece one day

Simon Tay

Problems in Greece with its second bailout are the most prominent but other problem economies in Europe await.

Across the Atlantic, the US political system is in a deadlock about containing the runaway federal deficit while many cities and states are struggling.

In contrast, most Asian governments have banked away surpluses and now hold comfortable reserves. Things could not seem more different. Trends, however, may be changing and not always for the better.

The recent revelation by China’s auditor-general about debts owed by local governments should be taken seriously. The

Compared to the country’s overall reserves, the problem may not seem so big.

Beijing can issue government bonds, as some urge, or even afford a write-down. But neither will fix the systemic and ongoing problems.

Concerns have to be addressed about transparency, rationality and accountability in government spending. So, too, must allegations about corruption. Such concerns are not limited to China. Stimulus spending and big infrastructure budgets in other countries too can disguise the diversion of funds.

After decades of locking away high savings, Asians find that unlocking and using them wisely can be tricky. Spending is not, however, something to be avoided or simply accepted as inevitable. Indeed, encouraging Asians to spend more is necessary to make growth more sustainable.

Who else can make up for the diminished demand from the West?

A lot now depends on the Asian consumer. Newly-rich Asians — mainly hordes of Chinese — buying up luxury goods are just the most obvious sign. An Asian middle class is emerging which, depending upon definitions, will constitute 500 million to a billion people.

Asia-wide consumption is projected to reach US$32 trillion in 20 years, comprising 43 per cent of worldwide consumption. The fastest growing markets for many firms and products will be in Asia. With this, balancing Asian pocket books will enter a new phase.

Household saving rates in Asia will be lower in future. Governments too will, on balance, save less. Surpluses will be cut as trade balances shift. Add stimulus spending and infrastructure investment and reserves will be depleted. Given these trends, over time, it is not inconceivable that some Asian governments might one day go the way of Greece.

Asia’s current financial systems have only a limited capacity to allocate saving to those who need capital. Many Asian households still keep a large part of their wealth in real estate, gold and other non-financial assets. Many do not have bank accounts because they lack access to banks, or simply do not trust them.

Governments need to create deeper and more effective financial markets. This would help unlock savings and direct them towards firms that need capital to yield higher returns.

Cross-border efforts must also be considered, especially among the smaller economies.

Asians also need to seriously consider creating bonds to provide for investment in infrastructure, education and other needs.

This would help governments raise and direct funds to specific needs. Public bonds could also potentially provide some discipline to government spending.

Otherwise, Asian public reserves will continue to be locked in US Treasury bills, perpetuating pre-crisis patterns, and holding them captive to the value of the US dollar.

Without other and more productive outlets, private savings in Asia are flooding into assets such as housing, creating artificial bubbles.

Yet, even if Asians can avoid such bubbles and bad loans, develop more self-contained economy and self-generating growth, they must guard against hubris about Western folly. The interdependence with developed countries in both economics and politics continues. Asia’s growth will require capital, know-how and skills in such quantity and increasingly higher quality, that exchanges and engagements with the developed economies of the US and Europe will be essential.The world seems awash in public debt.China Daily described the US$1.65 trillion (S$2.02 trillion) of debt as posing a massive peril to the banking system, since 80 per cent is owed to China’s banks.

Simon Tay is chairman of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs. This comment draws on work on a global think-tank panel on the future of prosperity convened by Aviva.

the 5th time in 2011

Under the Education Act, these centres need to comply with regulations such as having a school management committee, and be able to show that their tuition teachers are well qualified, he added.

NG JING YNG

About 320 private schools left in the fray after new rules kick in

NG JING YNG

jingyng@mediacorp.com.sg

SINGAPORE

About 700 private schools have either ceased operations, merged or no longer qualify under the new regulations implemented over the past 18 months.— The number of private schools in Singapore has declined to 328 — about one-third of the original estimated total — due to new private education regulations.

Tan Kin Lian says he was asked to be election candidate twice by PAP

 

Tan Kin Lian

SINGAPORE : Presidential hopeful Tan Kin Lian has revealed on his Facebook page that he was asked twice by the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) to stand for elections.

The first was in 1979 — but he declined, saying it was

" necessary for a MP to be a full—time job."

He said: " I was not able to do this job, and still run an insurance company at the same time."

The second was in 1985, when he was asked by a " very, very senior" person in the PAP.

That time, he again declined, citing unhappiness with the party’s policies on the graduate mother scheme, among others.

The reason for sharing this information, he said, was because many people have asked him about his level of connection with the PAP.

Mr Tan said he was also secretary of the Marine Parade PAP Branch from 1976 to 1979 and he " also helped the Member of Parliament, Mr Goh Chok Tong, to organise the experimental Residents’ Committee" .

In 1979, he became chairman of the Marine Parade Community Centre.

And in 2007, he resigned as a cadre member after his retirement from NTUC Income.

Explaining why he did not resign from the PAP earlier, Mr Tan said: " I did not want to quit earlier as it was necessary for me to preserve good relations with the ministers and the NTUC leaders, for the sake of NTUC Income."

When asked to describe his relationship with Mr Goh, Mr Tan said they kept in contact through social functions after he left Marine Parade grassroots organisations in 1985.

But contact in the last 10 years has dwindled to occasional emails he sends to Mr Goh.

Mr Tan said he would be submitting an application for a Certificate of Eligibility on July 7 to take part in the Presidential Election.

— CNA /ls

Fun Pack Song

Wonder Girls - Nobody (cover)

A full review of healthcare policies

Fundamentals are sound, says Health Minister, though sector faces many challenges

Sharon See

sharonsee@mediacorp.com.sg

SINGAPORE

Health Minister Gan Kim Yong revealed this in his first major speech since he took on the portfolio in May after a Cabinet reshuffle.

Mr Gan said the MOH review “will take some time, as the issues are complex and require close study”.

“Among other things, we will look into the key issue of affordability, and how we can strengthen and widen our safety net in an effective and sustainable way for Singaporeans.”

Referring to the Medisave, MediShield, Medifund schemes, Mr Gan added: “A key area will be how we can fine-tune our existing 3Ms framework to make healthcare costs more affordable. At the same time, we are continuing with our efforts to enhance medical service.”

whIch  is the  devil  ? ? ? ?— The Health Ministry is undertaking a “thorough policy review” to address challenges such as ensuring affordability and the optimal delivery of healthcare services given the advances in medical science.

over ‘uncaring remarks’

TOKYO

The outcry among opposition parties over Mr Ryu Matsumoto’s (picture) comments had threatened to further hinder Mr Kan’s efforts to pass key Bills in a divided Parliament as Japan tries to rebuild from the disasters and end a nuclear crisis.

In meetings with local governors over the weekend, Mr Matsumoto’s words were regarded as arrogant and uncaring, angering local residents and political opponents.— Beleaguered Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan took another blow yesterday when his Reconstruction Minister resigned after barely a week in the job over criticism for remarks that offended victims of the March earthquake and tsunami.