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DPM Teo urges scholars to stay focused on serving the nation
July 24th, 2012 |
Author: Editorial
Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean pose for a group photo with the EDB scholars (Photo Mediacorp).
DPM Teo Chee Hean has called on government scholars to stay focused on serving the nation.
Speaking at the Economic Development Board’s (EDB) annual scholarship ceremony, he said, “Remember, when you study, and you work, you’re not working just for yourself, or your company, you’re working for Singapore and Singaporeans.”
“That’s the most important and the most satisfying bottom line that anyone can have. As you leave for your overseas studies, keep an open mind to new perspectives and horizons, but stay focused on why you are there.”
It’s not known what DPM meant by “satisfying bottom line”?
It is a fact that the ruling PAP eventually picks its Ministers and top politicians from the large group of government scholars in the civil service. Those who are lucky to be “chosen” indeed, become instant millionaires after a few years of service:
.
Amongst the EDB scholars at the ceremony is Rovik Jeremiah Robert.
Mr Robert said, “It’s not just about GDP. It’s also about creating happiness. When you go to work, you want to be happy about going to work so it’s about creating jobs that Singaporeans actually like.”
Meanwhile, with several embarrassing incidents involving government scholars in recent years, the word “scholar” is fast being associated with values of “decadence”, “incompetence”, “complaisance” and “insensitivity”.
President scholar Mah Bow Tan was forced to step down as National Development Minister when he caused great unhappiness in the ground over the sharp rises in housing prices [Link]. Even on the eve of GE 2011, he kept insisting that HDBs were still affordable when they were not. When the new MND Minister Khaw took over from Mah, Khaw promptly slashed prices for the new HDBs and increased its rate of construction.
Chef Tan Yong Soon
Another government scholar and former perm sec of the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Tan Yong Soon, was reprimanded by DPM Teo for his “insensitivity”. Mr Tan spent close to $50,000 to go to Paris to learn cooking for 5 weeks. The amazing thing was that when he came back to Singapore, he could write an article and “brag” about it on the newspapers.
Another 2 government scholars, ex-CNB Chief and ex-SCDF chief were charged with corruption charges involving women and sex recently.
One MOE scholar slated to be a teacher, Jonathan Wong, was even convicted of 17 counts of child pornography while still studying in UK [Link].
It remains to be seen if more of these scholars, whether they are Ministers or high-level civil servants, can do their jobs properly as they continue to get big salaries and bonuses.
As the saying goes, “complacency breeds mediocrity”.
.
Join our TRE facebook page here: http://www.facebook.com/TREmeritus
KNN! Donch I look dead serious in being against complacency?.
DPM Teo Chee Hean has called on government scholars to stay focused on serving the nation.
Speaking at the Economic Development Board’s (EDB) annual scholarship ceremony, he said, “Remember, when you study, and you work, you’re not working just for yourself, or your company, you’re working for Singapore and Singaporeans.”
“That’s the most important and the most satisfying bottom line that anyone can have. As you leave for your overseas studies, keep an open mind to new perspectives and horizons, but stay focused on why you are there.”
It’s not known what DPM meant by “satisfying bottom line”?
It is a fact that the ruling PAP eventually picks its Ministers and top politicians from the large group of government scholars in the civil service. Those who are lucky to be “chosen” indeed, become instant millionaires after a few years of service:
.
Amongst the EDB scholars at the ceremony is Rovik Jeremiah Robert.
Mr Robert said, “It’s not just about GDP. It’s also about creating happiness. When you go to work, you want to be happy about going to work so it’s about creating jobs that Singaporeans actually like.”
Meanwhile, with several embarrassing incidents involving government scholars in recent years, the word “scholar” is fast being associated with values of “decadence”, “incompetence”, “complaisance” and “insensitivity”.
President scholar Mah Bow Tan was forced to step down as National Development Minister when he caused great unhappiness in the ground over the sharp rises in housing prices [Link]. Even on the eve of GE 2011, he kept insisting that HDBs were still affordable when they were not. When the new MND Minister Khaw took over from Mah, Khaw promptly slashed prices for the new HDBs and increased its rate of construction.
Another government scholar and former perm sec of the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Tan Yong Soon, was reprimanded by DPM Teo for his “insensitivity”. Mr Tan spent close to $50,000 to go to Paris to learn cooking for 5 weeks. The amazing thing was that when he came back to Singapore, he could write an article and “brag” about it on the newspapers.
Another 2 government scholars, ex-CNB Chief and ex-SCDF chief were charged with corruption charges involving women and sex recently.
One MOE scholar slated to be a teacher, Jonathan Wong, was even convicted of 17 counts of child pornography while still studying in UK [Link].
It remains to be seen if more of these scholars, whether they are Ministers or high-level civil servants, can do their jobs properly as they continue to get big salaries and bonuses.
As the saying goes, “complacency breeds mediocrity”.
.
Join our TRE facebook page here: http://www.facebook.com/TREmeritus
KNN! Donch I look dead serious in being against complacency?
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