It was reported in the Straits Times dated January 12, that a 70 years old Chinese Ah Pek was murdered just because he stole a swig from the assailant's mug of beer.
From the report it seems that the poor man was desperate for a beer and the events that led to his demise was sad indeed. The deceased must have been an unemployed person, hence short of cash and a desperado.
The cost of liquour, beer and cigarettes in this country has been rising steadily and every year there is bound to be a rise in the price of beer or tobacco. The Government keeps trumpetting that the rise in the price of alcohol and tobacco products is not so much for monetary gain but an act most noble as they (the Government) truly cares for the health of the people.
The older generation like the deceased and many others have no avenue left but to indulge in a beer or two and smokes. They may have been doing so for a long time. It has become a habit to them. Sadly today, they cannot pursue this past-time any more as the price of beer, hard liquour, cigarettes and even local Orang Tua and Ngo Kar Pee have been out-priced and far beyond their reach. This may have led to such acts of desperation.
It is common to see some old folks going around tables at hawker centres and gulping whatever remains in the glasses of departed clients. It is also common to see them smoking the much deadly and stinking "Beedi" or reef-cigarette, which at one time these same people frown upon. Also common are scenes at hawker centres of elderly folks begging for some money or a stick of cigarette. Why has this happened? Why have we allowed our older folks to lower themselves to this level? Don't we ought to lift them out of their present misery? What we can do is to offer direct help to these people? Our help in this manner may be limited as we too are struggling to survive in a nation where food is and other essentials are becoming expensive day by day. The best people are those in control of our coffers.
LKY may have given up on cigarettes long ago but this was not the case with Toh Chin Chye, the late Rajaratnam, EW Barker and many more.
Now we have a cabinet filled with non-smokers and drinkers (though some of them may be taking expensive wine and champagne). Possibly, these could be the reason why there is always a hike in the price of hard liquour and cigarettes but not wine and champagne.
Let us call upon the government to lower the tax on hard liquour, beers and cigarettes. At the end of the day, when anyone fall sick due to excessive drinking or smoking, it is they or their families who pay for the hospital fees and NOT the government.
The new cabinet has people with "super-brains". Why can't this people think of a way out for these desperate old folks. I am sure their "intelligent-minds" can think of something better. Maybe we, ordinary person like Boxer should stand up and tell Napoleon (characters from George Orwell's Animal Farm) to open a kiosk in all community-centres or RC centres selling duty-free booze and cigarettes to the old folks. Issue these people with ration cards and make the packages in such a way that there cannot be an abuse.
Our older people deserve self-esteem and respect. After all, it has been said that Singaporeans are a filial lot. It was these older folks that made our country what it is today. They ought to be taken care off.
From the report it seems that the poor man was desperate for a beer and the events that led to his demise was sad indeed. The deceased must have been an unemployed person, hence short of cash and a desperado.
The cost of liquour, beer and cigarettes in this country has been rising steadily and every year there is bound to be a rise in the price of beer or tobacco. The Government keeps trumpetting that the rise in the price of alcohol and tobacco products is not so much for monetary gain but an act most noble as they (the Government) truly cares for the health of the people.
The older generation like the deceased and many others have no avenue left but to indulge in a beer or two and smokes. They may have been doing so for a long time. It has become a habit to them. Sadly today, they cannot pursue this past-time any more as the price of beer, hard liquour, cigarettes and even local Orang Tua and Ngo Kar Pee have been out-priced and far beyond their reach. This may have led to such acts of desperation.
It is common to see some old folks going around tables at hawker centres and gulping whatever remains in the glasses of departed clients. It is also common to see them smoking the much deadly and stinking "Beedi" or reef-cigarette, which at one time these same people frown upon. Also common are scenes at hawker centres of elderly folks begging for some money or a stick of cigarette. Why has this happened? Why have we allowed our older folks to lower themselves to this level? Don't we ought to lift them out of their present misery? What we can do is to offer direct help to these people? Our help in this manner may be limited as we too are struggling to survive in a nation where food is and other essentials are becoming expensive day by day. The best people are those in control of our coffers.
LKY may have given up on cigarettes long ago but this was not the case with Toh Chin Chye, the late Rajaratnam, EW Barker and many more.
Now we have a cabinet filled with non-smokers and drinkers (though some of them may be taking expensive wine and champagne). Possibly, these could be the reason why there is always a hike in the price of hard liquour and cigarettes but not wine and champagne.
Let us call upon the government to lower the tax on hard liquour, beers and cigarettes. At the end of the day, when anyone fall sick due to excessive drinking or smoking, it is they or their families who pay for the hospital fees and NOT the government.
The new cabinet has people with "super-brains". Why can't this people think of a way out for these desperate old folks. I am sure their "intelligent-minds" can think of something better. Maybe we, ordinary person like Boxer should stand up and tell Napoleon (characters from George Orwell's Animal Farm) to open a kiosk in all community-centres or RC centres selling duty-free booze and cigarettes to the old folks. Issue these people with ration cards and make the packages in such a way that there cannot be an abuse.
Our older people deserve self-esteem and respect. After all, it has been said that Singaporeans are a filial lot. It was these older folks that made our country what it is today. They ought to be taken care off.
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