PAP LUMBER 1 PORLUMPAR, ALBERT NG YA KEN aka NG AH KAN - dossier ad nauseum

[brocoli]

Battle to save vanishing values

http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/OnlineStory/STIStory_728828.html
Published on Oct 31, 2011

MR DAVID Mason offers a good review of Singapore's success but concludes with a stark but well-intended reminder that Asians have a tradition of respect for their elders and Singaporeans are in danger of losing it; and if they do, they will put Singapore at risk ('Singapore's success: An observer's take'; last Thursday).

The vanishing tradition of respecting elders is just the tip of the iceberg and Mr Mason has diplomatically skirted the other Singaporean values which are also in danger of extinction.

How many of us have ever taken a serious look at the issue and linked it to Singapore's long-term survival?

Are we still unaware of the potential danger and do we need foreigners like Mr Mason to remind us not to part with our Asian traditions?

We, young and old, should do some soul-searching ourselves.

We must rethink the relevance and importance of mother tongue languages and their role in conveying traditions and values to the young.

Ponder why our first prime minister Lee Kuan Yew sent his three children to Chinese-language schools and what he wanted them to learn when they were children.

Re-examine our current approach of exposing and teaching mother tongue languages to our young and look for better ways for them to achieve the twin objectives of mastering the languages and acquiring traditional values.

Traditional values across our multi-cultures should be taught in English so that everyone can acquire them regardless of race and level of proficiency in one's mother tongue.

Ng Ya Ken

 

[lee6100]

Re: Battle to save vanishing values

He obviously depends on the system to survive, hence sucks up to it big time. What a way to make a living. What a way to live a life. To wake up every morning and look in the mirror and see a jellyfish without a backbone.

 

[moolightaffairs]

Re: Battle to save vanishing values

He obviously depends on the system to survive, hence sucks up to it big time. What a way to make a living. What a way to live a life. To wake up every morning and look in the mirror and see a jellyfish without a backbone.

he use cold hard sgd as backbone...

 

[scroobal]

Re: Battle to save vanishing values

These are the type of chaps if the Govt introduced policies that are completely opposite, they still can explain how "good and applicable" it is.

 

[Bigfuck]

Re: Battle to save vanishing values

These are the type of chaps if the Govt introduced policies that are completely opposite, they still can explain how "good and applicable" it is.

All policies are good in the ideal world when we put resources, time and physical space limitations to infinity. But the real world is otherwise and even in the virtual world
of complexity theory, there are problems and algorithms too infinitely complicated to define at all, even with infinite time and resources. Every house having a diesel generator with their power grid or every HDB unit have a pool of 5* 5*1.5 is not a bad thing, in principle, till you turn the generator and the tap on. Then you see the logical conclusion and if the logical conclusion in weighing between other options in priority of pros and cons put a choice at the bottom of cons and low in pros, you call the choice a disaster. But at the ideal, in principle and before running simulations to their logical conclusions stage and without other choices to compare with, every policy is actually excellent, ground breaking, infinitely applicable and though provoking. We are talking about singularity here, ladies and gentleman.

 

[brocoli]

Resorting to 'check' and omitting 'balance' is wrong

http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_731901.html

ST Forum
Published on Nov 9, 2011

WAS the overuse of the phrase 'check and balance' as a campaign promise during the recent presidential election a factor in confusing the public over the president's role ('Many confused about job of president: Poll'; last Wednesday)?

Understandably, in a general election, 'check and balance' is a popular phrase. Unfortunately, while it is easy to 'check' or question a policy, MPs sometimes forget the other half of the phrase, the balance, thus leaving their task incomplete and confusing the public.

MPs must not only check policies but also balance the factors, views, concerns and options, as well as offer an articulate and fair assessment of a policy.

They should not cherry-pick and amplify vulnerabilities. If they do not have better options, help fine-tune the chosen option and avoid casting doubt about it and confusing the public.

Proper checks and balances are especially vital in debating policies that require firm consensus and acceptance by the public for effective implementation later, such as the policy on population growth.

Active participation by giving observations and suggestions, besides passive questioning, would add more value to the discussion.

Also, the gesture of showing appreciation to the speakers helps raise the image of Parliament and our nation. It is a part of the 'check and balance' process as well.

Ng Ya Ken

 

[CakeLengKia]

Re: Resorting to 'check' and omitting 'balance' is wrong

PAP didn't ask this chap to contest in GE?

 

[freedalas]

He and Lionel De Souza are all losers who will kiss the ground that those in power walked. In other words, if the WP or any opposition parties is in power, the two ball-lickers will be praising and defending their policies too and turn against the PAP. Scrums of the earth spineless creatures these two.

 

[brocoli]

Bilingualism fund

http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_739458.html

MR NG YA KEN: 'Former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew has launched a $100 million fund to help children become bilingual early ('Mr Lee launches fund to boost bilingualism';

yesterday). It would probably take some time for preschool educationists to improve the syllabus and method of teaching the mother tongues. In the meantime, preschools could offer classes that use mother tongue as the main language of instruction, especially for kids from English-speaking homes.'

 

[brocoli]

Re: Bilingualism fund

he will be number 1 in the queue to suck ah gong cock....

 

[laksaboy]

I have never witnessed a person who has done a more exquisite and comprehensive por lum par.

Clearly, Ng Ya Ken wants to be one of the Devils in White.

2016?

 

[brocoli]

I have never witnessed a person who has done a more exquisite and comprehensive por lum par.

Clearly, Ng Ya Ken wants to be one of the Devils in White.

2016?

unlikely given he is even older than PM liao

a farking disgrace to all Nanyang University graduate and alumni

 

[brocoli]

Don't take good growth for granted

http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/OnlineStory/STIStory_742749.html

MOST Singaporeans who were born after World War II have no idea what an economic recession is like ('1%-3% GDP growth may be norm: PM'; Wednesday). We were lucky in the past 50 years to have not experienced a slowdown of more than two years, not to mention a depression, where unemployment rates run into double digits.

The growth forecast of 5 per cent for this year is still a reasonable one. Yet slight setbacks in some industries in the second half have already caused some workers to worry whether their bonus would be affected, and trade unions to anticipate a 20 per cent rise in retrenchments.

Our open economy is vulnerable to upheavals in the rest of the world. A slight negative growth in 2009 required us to dip into our reserves to mitigate the effects.

But do we really appreciate and treasure good growth when we achieve it?

One important condition for appreciating good growth is to understand how it was achieved in a country with no natural resources and a serious manpower shortage. That would help us reconcile better with the side effects brought about by good growth - such as the influx of foreigners, increased congestion, more competition and price increases.

The other important condition is that economic well-being could be shared fairly among all segments of society, including the non-working sick and the elderly.

If global conditions become worse and low growth becomes the norm for us for a couple of years, forcing us to dip deeper into our reserves, many of us would suddenly realise that they might have taken good growth for granted in the past.

I hope we do not have to wait until that happens to fully appreciate the prosperity we have achieved all these years, as well as the people, both local and foreign, who made it possible.

Ng Ya Ken

 

[brocoli]

Conduct research in language teaching and learning

http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/OnlineStory/STIStory_746384.html

DR YIK Keng Yeong observed that students do not speak Mandarin or English well though they may have passed or even scored well in examinations ('Bilingual proficiency is about attitude'; last Wednesday).

If he is right, we have been wasting a great deal of our money and time in schools and tuition centres on learning languages all these years.

To find the root of the problem, let us do a thorough and objective research and review our teaching, learning and using of languages here.

As an international business hub, maintaining a good command of languages, especially English, forms an important part of our competitive edge.

Also, with thousands of foreigners coming here yearly to learn English or take up courses taught in English, we are in a very strong market position to have an English research and teaching centre here - and perhaps later for other languages as well.

Let us go one step further by turning language research and teaching into an industry.

We could set new national standards for ourselves, and develop specific learning methods for specific targets.

We could design and produce teaching materials, provide translation and proficiency certification services, and promote writing, literature, drama and music along the line. The scope is endless. The benefits would spill over to a revival of our interest in our history and cultures.

The Government can provide the initial drive, recruiting native speakers and language experts from overseas to help develop the industry.

Ng Ya Ken

 

[brocoli]

S'pore cannot opt for slow growth

Letter from Ng Ya Ken
04:45 AM Dec 26, 2011

http://www.todayonline.com/Voices/EDC111226-0000020/Spore-cannot-opt-for-slow-growth

MR Steven Rattner's commentary "Will China stumble? Don't bet on it" and Mr James Lamont's "India's economy at a turning point" (Dec 5) show a blunt contrast in the economic policymaking process between the two Asian giants.

The former said "the unusual mix of authoritarianism and free entrepreneurship" has worked well for China.

The latter said India has been dragged down by its split Parliament, with the impasse in the proposal to allow foreign retailers into the country as an example. If India turns inward-looking, it may go into "impoverished isolation".

In contrast, Singapore has a very open economy, with one-third of its workforce coming from abroad.

However, the Government is under criticism over immigration issues and faces pressure to reduce the influx of foreign workers and slow down the economy.

There are dire consequences if our population stops growing. Population ageing would speed up and we would lose our dynamism as a people and our external competitive edge.

Decades ago, as long as Singapore could maintain its lead in South-east Asia, we would prosper. But the competition has changed.

Years ago in Asia, only Tokyo, Osaka, Seoul, Taipei and Hong Kong had a city Gross Domestic Product (GDP) larger than Singapore's.

Now, Shanghai and Mumbai have surpassed us. Two decades ago, their GDPs were less than half of ours.

Beijing would overtake us within three to five years; Guangzhou, within eight years; Chengdu, within 25 years - if they grow continuously by 10 per cent or faster, while Singapore grows by 4 to 5 per cent.

Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur-Klang Valley could overtake us within 25 to 40 years if they could grow 2 per cent faster than us.

By 2050, there would be about 20 regional cities, mainly in China and India, with the same or a bigger GDP than Singapore's.

With limited land, Singapore can only survive as a modern city, unlike Switzerland or New Zealand. We must survive as the "New York" or "Shanghai" of South-east Asia.

If our growth is relatively slow, we would lose out not only in the vibrancy and attractiveness needed to clinch big business deals but our international standing, political influence and bargaining power in trade pacts would also weaken.

Economic growth and population growth are interdependent. We need both to stay in this pack of top 20 regional cities.

The pace of the race is not set by us. Once we turn sluggish, we would be out of the pack and out of the race.

 

[brocoli]

Re: S'pore cannot opt for slow growth

can some1 skinned this bastard alive......????

 

[brocoli]

Slow growth comes with its own perils

http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_748947.html

SOME experts have opined that slow growth may not be bad, especially if it allows the Government to tackle some of the nation's woes ('The slow and steady way to grow'; Dec 16).

However, a drop in economic growth from 6 per cent to 3 per cent or 4 per cent would mean zero or negative growth for many companies. Employees of these companies may suffer a pay freeze or retrenchment.

Low growth would cause a multiplier effect in subsequent years. Future investments may be put on hold or trimmed.

When growth slows, there would be less government revenue for welfare services or for subsidising workers' training. One economist said some Western countries grow only at around 2 per cent and yet have good welfare systems. We can have that too, but are we prepared to pay higher taxes?

Also, unlike those countries, we have no natural resources.

A labour leader said that when the economy slows down, workers would have more time to go for training. If the setback the companies face is not a temporary one, would the companies still sponsor the training, and what purpose would the training serve?

An economist said that slow growth may not be bad if it helps narrow the wage gap. A manager with a $10,000 salary, who used to get a $500 salary increase, may now get only $200 because of the slowdown. But the tea lady who earns $800 is unlikely to get a similar increase. The income gap would still widen but perhaps at a slower pace.

Another expert opined that inflationary pressures could ease with slower growth. But when our economy slows down, our export earnings would drop and our exchange rate would suffer, causing imported goods to be dearer. The relationship between growth and inflation is not that straightforward.

It is unrealistic to expect the high growth of 8 per cent to 10 per cent to repeat in the future. On the other hand, slow growth of 3 per cent or lower over the long term would bring about new problems and constraints.

The most serious consequence is: Singapore would slowly lose its international standing and attractiveness as a modern city.

It would be a grave mistake if we voluntarily opted for slow growth when other regional cities might be striving for a growth of 8 per cent or higher. We could lag behind them, but must not be too far off.

Ng Ya Ken