Dear Administrator,

                             SM Goh was reported to say (Sunday Times, Dec 16) to quote "if we do not adjust our salaries, these people will say: If I go outside, my pay will be much more than this immediately"- unquote.

                             With due respect to SM Goh, if money is the top priority for any aspiring national leader or top civil servant career, Singapore is really blessed that he goes 'outside'.

                            Most Singaporeans will not begrudge salary or  pension rises  for the present and two past prime ministers, and some very good ministers and permanent secretaries(PS) both present and past as they have within 40 years time, brought Singapore from a third world to a first world country. These outstanding political leaders, I believe did not think of money as their first priority when they decided that politics would be their career choice. Their priority, I am also sure are their passion to advance the interest of Singapore and its people.

             As such it is difficult for most of us to believe that salary adjustment will be the main attraction for outstanding individual to join politics and civil service.

              If our political leaders and top public servants of old, and some are still in services have this mindset as mentioned, our country  will never be able to reach the status of what it is today namely, upper half of First World nation and 17th wealthiest country in the world in terms of GDP per capita.

             Undoubtedly, salary is one of the most important factors of choosing a career for many people. But for the present and future generations of Singapore, what we want are leaders who have passion, long term vision, discipline, responsibility, humility and perseverance for the long term interest of Singapore and its people.

            People who only purse higher salaries will not be thinking deeply for the  people. They will as a Chinese idiom says "ge zi wei zheng" (meaning each administrates in his own way and interest) The pitfall of such administration has been demonstrated over and over again in human history the downfall of individuals, private/public institutions, and even nations.

            Therefore, I strongly believe that career happiness and those who have deep desire to serve the nation will go beyond dollars and cents. Their priority, I believe is to see in what ways they can do to help the weak and the poor out of perpetual poverty livelihood, improve general standard of living and address injustice. They will work passionately to bring Singapore forward further. They will feel extremely glad and at peace with themselves if they have achieved their objective.

           These are the qualities and attribute that Singaporeans want for their leaders. And it is the responsibility of our elected government to find them.

Raymond Lo Wan Mou

I used to travel from Clementi to Hougang in 50 mins and 60 mins during evening peak hours. Nowaday, it takes 60 mins and 100 mins during peak hours. I travel on SBS Transit buses. These buses are really travelling at a very slow speed. Sometime the drivers waste time by driving into the bus bay when the bus stop is empty and no passenger is alighting. Very often buses from its competitor over takes these buses and disappear in sight after a few minutes. Just yesterday, while the SBStransit which I was travelling in, was turning from Thomson Road to Marymount Lane, a bus (from its competitor) manages to overtake it at the cross junction.

A check from the SBStransit website states that the drivers drive slowly to keep to schedule. I think too much time was given in the schedule. Is there anyone to audit these time?

教育幼少智多星.

栽培少壮赛孔明.

精英种, 栋梁材, 后可依?

仁义礼信可有价?

尽忠尽孝啥话题?

骄不驯, 钱财奴, 堪明理? 

廉政作则保八五.

人心齐应共前进.

心志坚, 老不屈, 飘温情.

时尚宠物宣不弃.

难道贫劳老来时,

尊严丧, 狗猫鼠, 皆不比!?

Subject of Compulsory Annuity cooling off by 6 months’ “quarantine” period, this is an another attempt to wave the broad sentiments over the net;