Alice Cheong

A forum post that is selected by the editor to provoke argument for its extreme stand. Is a female a lesser creature than a male?

Gender equality or old Asian values?

THE population dearth is indeed a desperate situation which requires desperate measures. Are Singaporeans prepared to face the desperate truth, which is that the Singapore identity and culture that we were debating not long ago is fast becoming extinct? In recent years, Singapore has had to ‘fake’ its population by opening the floodgates to foreigners.

I agree with Mr Thomas Ling (‘Tackle the problem not the symptoms’, Aug 20) that upping financial incentives and maternity, paternity or childcare leave is barking up the wrong tree. This illustrates the adage that money cannot buy everything. Much reflection is needed on attitudes to life, career and relationships.

For one thing, young women today are almost totally lacking in fu dao (the way of women), a Confucian ethic. According to Confucius, ‘a woman should serve her family first and herself last‘. Young women today are too arrogant, too loud and don’t even know how to sit properly. It makes one wonder about their parents and shudder at the thought of them becoming mothers.

Give the men a break. Changing nappies is a woman’s job. Men are made for greater things than this. You wouldn’t ask a woman to carry a tonne of bricks, would you? Girls have to be taught their domestic duties and women have to be more hardworking at home. Girls should not grow up thinking the home is not their responsibility.

It is best for women to sacrifice a few years of their working life to nurture their families. Men, too, should be made more accountable on their role as breadwinners. This will create a win-win situation for all parties, including employers and children.

Our neighbourhoods are cold these days because of the absence of chatting mothers and mingling children.

In Chinese philosophy, women are yin and men are yang. They are complementary but not equal. When their energies are not balanced, there is disharmony.

A country that was built on Confucian ethics should perhaps rebuild on Confucian ethics. Unfortunately, this will not create the instant results we need. However, whatever is worth having will not come easily.

Jennifer Wee (Ms)

Article obtained from Straits Times on 28th Aug 2008

We have an excellent comment from Waterbutt, who has written what I am feeling.

Samsui women carried tonnes of bricks.

The Confucian ethics were founded when society was extremely partriarchical. It is unfair to apply these outdated ethics against women today. For years, women have been looked down upon as we are constantly relegated by men to domestic duties. Basically, women have been oppressed for centuries.

It is shocking that a woman in the modern world like Jennifer Wee actually dares to consider the ultra sexist confucian ethics for women as a suggestion to help singapore’s declining birth rate. Frankly, she has disgraced women all around the world, especially women who have fought against all odds for emancipation of their sex.

Just because women have less testosterone (hence less muscles), does that mean they are not allowed the same and equal opportunities as men?

I am still VERY appalled by Jennifer Wee’s suggestion and though it is not very clear from the way it is written, I really hope that she had it written in a sartorical voice. Otherwise, such mentality is a humongous and sad backstep for the ongoing and tough emancipation of women.

Comment obtained from Straits Times on 28th Aug 2008

We have another chameleon breaking news article. Some of the changes can be seen from the following image.

The original article can be obtained from the previous blog post, while the new article is below.

On trial: New ez-link card
By Christopher Tan, Senior Correspondent

FOUND: 10,000 public transport commuters to ‘test-ride’ a new ez-link card between Aug 29 and Oct 28.

Of these pre-selected users, those who clock at least 100 rides with the new card – which will eventually have several non-transit applications – will receive $20 public transport vouchers.

The new ez-link card is the first stored value card here to comply with the new Cepas standard.

Cepas stands for Singapore’s ‘Contactless ePurse Application’ – a secured platform for all non-cash transactions using contactless cards.

Besides train and bus fares, the new ez-link card can be used to pay for electronic road-pricing (ERP), parking and cab charges, as well as a meal or merchandise.

Currently, few outlets other than McDonald’s and 7-Eleven offer this payment option.

The current ez-link card will be phased out by end of next year. There are now about 10 million valid ez-link cards in circulation.

The Land Transport Authority said on Tuesday that it hopes commuters taking part in the trial can clock one million rides.

It said this number would give it ample opportunity to identify and weed out any glitches there might be before the new card is launched by ‘end of this year or early next year.”

LTA deputy chief executive Lim Bok Ngam said the authority has invested some $100 million to roll out the new card. The sum includes development cost, modifying the 22,000 card readers on buses and at trains stations, getting the new cards manufactured and other related costs.

‘We currently have two card platforms in Singapore. One for public transport, and another for cars and other commercial transactions. With the new Cepas-compliant ez-link card, you can make all transactions with just one card,” he said.

The move also opens up the market for new card issuers to enter the transit market, which has so far been exclusive to LTA-owned EZ Link Pte Ltd.

The competition, Mr Lim said, would ultimately be good for consumers. For one, the price of the card should come down (both Nets’ Cashcard and the current ez-link card costs $5 today).

Observers said there is little to prevent a card issuer from giving the card free of charge – like credit cards.

Mr Lim foresees card companies to build in loyalty programmes as well, so as to attract and retain customers.

As for motorists, they can look forward to using the new ez-link card for ERP payments from early next year, when a new-generation in-vehicle unit is installed in new cars.

Owners of existing vehicles who want the new gadget can have it installed, for $150, excluding GST.

Article obtained from Straits Times on 26th Aug 2008

Reading the latest news on the Straits Times, that 10,000 public transport commuters are “WANTED” to ‘test-ride’ the new Cepas-compliant ezlink card, and that “volunteers can sign up at TransitLink Ticket offices located at most bus interchanges and MRT stations”, I enthusiastically along with a friend visited the nearest transitlink office immediately after working hours, expecting that my existing ezlink card will be changed to the new Cepas-compliant card as mentioned in the news.

Sigh. The enthusiastic spirit was dampen with the replies of the officer on duty. There is an unwritten selection process for ‘volunteers’. It is not as simple as just walking up the transitlink office, and volunteering to sign up for the ‘test-ride’. According to the officer on duty, ezlink cards holders will only be notified that they are eligible as a ‘volunteer’ for the ‘test-ride’ when their ezlink card is scanned at the transitlink office counter. The selection criteria is unknown, and only those eligible card holder will be allow to sign up as a volunteer. There is no application form to be a volunteer.

Upon hearing the unwritten selection process, which differs from the news article, we triple checked with the station control personnel, and another transitlink office. The station control personnel has only received a fax on this issue this afternoon, and is not knowledgeable in the exact process, while the next officer on duty at another transitlink office provided the same information.

Personnally, I really wonder why is there a need to make volunteering so difficult. Why is there an omission in mentioning that there is a selection? Why make simple process so difficult?

On trial: New ez-link card
By Christopher Tan, Senior Correspondent

WANTED: 10,000 public transport commuters to ‘test-ride’ a new ez-link card between Aug 29 and Oct 28.

Those who clock at least 100 rides with the new card – which will eventually have several non-transit applications – will receive $20 public transport vouchers.

Volunteers can sign up at TransitLink ticket offices located at most bus interchanges and MRT stations. They will get to exchange their existing ez-link cards for the new Cepas-compliant cards.

Cepas stands for Singapore’s ‘Contactless ePurse Application’ – a secured platform for all non-cash transactions using contactless cards.

Besides train and bus fares, the new ez-link card can be used to pay for electronic road-pricing (ERP), carparks, cabs as well as a meal or merchandise.

Currently, few outlets other than McDonald’s and 7-Eleven offer this payment option.

Public transport commuters and motorists who take buses and trains occasionally should sign up for the trial. This is because the existing ez-link card will be phased out by around end of next year.

There are now about 10 million valid ez-link cards in circulation.

The Land Transport Authority said on Tuesday it hopes commuers taking part in the trial can clock one million rides in total. It said this number would give it ample opportunity to identify and weed out any glitches there might be before the new card is launched by ‘end of this year or early next year.”

LTA deputy chief executive Lim Bok Ngam said some $100 million has been invested to roll out the new card. The sum includes modifying the 22,000 card readers on buses and at trains stations, obtaining the new cards and other related costs.

‘We currently have two card platforms in Singapore. One for public transport, and another for cars and other commercial transactions. With the new Cepas-compliant ez-link card, you can make all transactions with just one card,” he said.

The move also opens up the market for new card issuers to enter the transit market, which has so far been exclusive to LTA-owned EZ Link Pte Ltd.

The competition, Mr Lim said, would ultimately be good for consumers. For one, the price of the card should come down (both Nets’ Cashcard and the current ez-link card costs $5 today).

In fact, the LTA said there is little to prevent a card issuer from giving the card free of charge – like credit cards.

Mr Lim expects card companies to build in loyalty programmes as well, to attract and retain customers.

As for motorists, they can look forward to using the new ez-link card for ERP payments from early next year, when a new-generation in-vehicle unit is installed in new cars.

Owners of existing vehicles who want the new gadget can have it installed, for $150, excluding GST.

Article obtained from Straits Times on 26th Aug 2008

Recently, the Singapore woman table tennis team won the Silver medal during the 2008 Beijing Olypmic game. It is the first medal after an interval of 48 years, since the last silver medal in 1960.

Interestingly, there is a lack of true celebration. In fact, there is visible resentment against the win. We even have forum article, which the writer wrote “I think many Singaporeans would share my opinion that we would rather wait another 48 years for a medal, than celebrate a medal that was not truly won by Singaporeans.”

One of the visible feeling is that the players are, as what one forum writer wrote “Singapore citizens” in legal terms, but not Singaporean in the gut and core. Quoting the writer’s title, “Singaporeans and Singapore citizens: There’s a big difference”.

It is as what one writer says “The perception that the final was between China’s first team and China’s second team”. The three paddlers are in no man’s land. Many locals Singaporeans not only do not embrace the win, but are resentful towards it. Meanwhile, from the China citizens’ viewpoint, they are taken as traitors, who sold their souls for an opportunity to play in the big game.

The Singapore society, although is made up of immigrants since the days of Nanyang, has a large number of locals who are at least the second generation of these immigrants. They are brought up in a different environment and with a different set of values as the first generation immigrants.

Singapore, is the country that they are brought up in the boom years, a place where the guys go for the national service, a place which they knew where mainly meritocracy is recognized. A place where achievements and money talks, and where scholars often are given the golden spoon to rule. A place, where typically the complain-king/queen is also one who is Kiasu, Kiasi and kaimsiap. A place where values and mindset seem to hold no place.

We have cultivated new generations of apathy locals, whom many are often self-centred, while lamenting the lost of their “birthright” to better things and environment without lifting a finger to work for them. Where are the sparks of energy and drive and the willingness to work along with the opportunities that are given? Have we become a society of living dead, where the people keep the CD spinning non-stop on the rising transport cost, food cost, rental cost and the lack of opposition in the parliament, and yet pass the buck when action is called for. Have the people grown away from the ideas of the early fore-fathers, and the dreams of the recent new immigrants who are passionate and eager to succeed.

Perhaps, the real problem is the mindset, rather than just Singaporean vs Singapore citizen. We are too comfortable, after being brought up in the booming years, to embrace challenges and changes. We are like the mouse in the maze, wondering who moved the cheese, and why is the new mouse able the find the cheese and not us. We feel threatened and upset by the change or possible change in status quo. But do we have to feel stressful as if we are fighting for survival and as if the place is one that dog-eats-dog? Or do we feel passionate about this place where opportunities abound for the entrepreneurs? Will we be able to open our eyes and see in a different light?

The Singapore woman table-tennis team displayed an impressive win against the tough South Korean woman table-tennis, bringing Singapore into the final. Singapore would be vying for the Gold medal. However, if the Singapore team lost in this final, the team will still bring home a Silver medal. It is a guaranteed medal – just either a Gold or Silver.

The semi-final match against the South Korean was considered as Singapore drewing the shortest stick, as

1. “Singapore would have preferred to meet China’s semi-final opponents Hong Kong, whom they beat 3-1 in the 2006 Asian Games.”
2. “Also, Singapore’s Feng Tianwei does not usually do well against defensive players like the South Korean choppers.”
3. “It was only in May, at the China Open, that Li and Co lost 1-3 to the Korean team of Dang Ye Seo, Park Mi Young and Kim.”
4. “Kim will be a name familiar to them, as she was the one who beat Li in the women’s singles bronze-medal play-off at the 2004 Athens Olympics.”

However, the Singapore team overcame the odds, and trounced the South Korean team 3-2! Yip yip hurray!

It’s time for celebration! And yes, what best commemoration items, wouldn’t the commemorative “Games of the XXIX Olympiad” Singapore 2008 stamps issue be? They consists of precancelled first day covers (FDC), entire sheets of stamps, and presentation packs. Unfortunately, the first day covers were sold out on the day of issue itself. Like-wise, the rest of the items are really hot. But, if you are really interested to obtain these rare commemorative items, email the item and collector’s princely price you are willing to pay to the email address at “Contact Us”. I do happen to have a very limited number of all items, which will definitely be insufficient.

Precancelled first day covers (FDC). We have the five sports athletics, table-tennis, sailing, shooting and badminton shown on the cover. The date of the stamp is the special 08-08-08, which is the very day that the Olympic flame lights the cauldron in Beijing, China. And do notice that there is an individual date stamp on the table-tennis stamp, the sport that won us our first Olympics medal in 48 years!

Presentation pack. This is the cover of the presentation pack. Within is a set of the stamps for table tennis, sailing, shooting, badminton. (Pictures to be updated with an inter-fold version.)

The image for entire sheet of stamps will be uploaded another day. Happy waiting.

A medal for S’pore finally!

15th Aug 2008
By Jeanette Wang

IT HAS been a 48 year wait, but Singapore has finally clinched their first Olympic medal since 1960.
The Republic’s paddlers, led by two stunning victories by Feng Tianwei, beat South Korea 3-2 in the women’s team semi-finals at the Beijing University Gymnasium on Friday.

The team of Li Jiawei, Wang Yuegu and Feng have advanced to Sunday’s final (to be played at 7.30pm) and are now guaranteed at least a silver medal.

World No 9 Feng finished off as she started, beating world No 21 Park Mi Young 11-7, 12-10, 3-11, 11-9 in 47 mins.

Earlier, she had given Singapore a dream start when she crushed world No 26 Dang Ye Seo 11-5, 11-5, 11-2 in the opening clash of the best-of-five match team event.

The tie was then levelled 1-1 when world No 6 Li lost 11-5, 8-11, 11-9, 6-11, 9-11 to world No 11 Kim Kyung Ah in a thrilling 56 min-long encounter.

It was the same player the Singaporean had lost the singles bronze medal to at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

But Li bounced back from that defeat and partnered Wang to victory over Park and Kim in the doubles rubber, powering to a 11-7, 11-6, 11-9 win in just 28 mins to put the Republic 2-1 up.

The South Koreans levelled it again at 2-2, after Dang beat World No 7 Wang 11-9, 14-12, 11-9 in 33min.

But, finally, with the hopes of a nation on her shoulders, 21-year-old Feng produced a performance of maturity and composure beyond her age to send Singapore’s women’s table tennis team into the record books.

A weightlifting silver in the 1960 Rome Olympics by Tan Howe Liang has stood as the city-state’s only Olympic medal.

Singapore will face the winner of a semi-final to be played later on Friday between China and Hong Kong. If Singapore’s women lose the championship match on Sunday, they would still take home the silver.

Article obtained from Straits Times on 15th Aug 2008

Having been so busy for the last 2 months, with numerous events happening one after another, blogging had taken a hind seat. With the National day public holiday, I took a peep at the online newspaper, ST online. I had the shock of my life. The first thought is, what happened to the website? It is … cough cough… impossible to read any news.

It is such a let-down, especially since ST chose the special date of 08-08-08 for the launch of the redesigned website, which is the day of opening ceremony for Beijing Olympics. Instead of being greeted with the old un-broken, familar and friendly website, a … cough cough… new, tight-lipped stranger greeted with broken links.

The launch of the redesign when it is not ready is a big mistake, and especially when it coincide with high traffic due to special occassions. Though due to the lack of choices, other than online channelnewsasia, which provides equivalent content, this mistake may not be that costly, other than a slight shift of readers to other online news-websites, and irritation to many readers. But, Singaporeans have short memories, isn’t it?

In additional, I really wonder if they did have any beta testers? The top stories resizing of frame is really irritating, especially since it keeps loading a number of different stories. Sometimes, I really wonder, how much does the companies in Singapore care about their customers? Why does such mistakes happens? Is it because, it does not matter to their bottomline, since everyone else makes the same mistakes, or there isn’t any other choice for the customers? Does apologizing matter?