FIFA World Cup 2014 - The Ecstasy & Agony.

It has been a "samba" soccer so far in the FIFA World Cup 2014.  There are goals galore - that is why fans have unequivocally endorse it as "the beautiful game".  The "knock-out" stage begins on 29th June 2014 12am.  The top news of the day is that Uruguay's striker Luis Suarez has been suspended from four months of football-related activity and nine-game ban for his " infamous bite"of Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini's shoulder. Controversies of such behaviour are not unheard of if you will only recall instances like Maradona's "Hand of God" goal and Zidane's head-butt.

It is interesting to note that five South American countries - Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Uruguay, Argentina - are playing in the "knock-out" round.  Nigeria and Algeria are the only African countries left standing tall.  I admire the African teams including Cameroon and Ghana for their spirited and passionate style of playing - never-say-die attitude and "playing like men possessed".  Consequently the referees may interpret their actions as intimidating and aggressive.  I have witnessed instances of their players being wrongly "red-carded" for their enthusiasm and high-energy playing.  There is talk and rumours of "conspiracy theories" and favouritism.

Towering  above Rio De Janeiro watching all these activities and going-ons is the statue of Christ, The Redeemer with his outstretched hands saying to one and all "Come to me, cast all your cares and burdens on Me; fear not, I will prevail; I am your Refuge, your strong Tower; I am the Sovereign Lord, everything will be alright."  Yes, He sees and knows all things; man may plan and contrive but it is the Lord's will that will be done!

Well, coming back to World Cup 2014, I foresee a Brazil versus Argentina Final playoff.  What is your prediction?  All predictions are as Singaporeans like to say are "tikam, tikam, only".  Ha, Ha!  Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole......................................................................Ole, Ole!

World Cup 2014 - The Beautiful Game.

The Fever is already in the air.  If you are clueless, let me enlighten you.  Yes, the once-in-4 years World Cup Soccer is now being played in Brazil up to 13th July 2014.  It took a whopping $13 billion dollars to organise the fiesta.  In Singapore you can watch all the games for free in many of our Community Centres. In my constituency the residents are privileged to be served by the staff and volunteers of the Fengshan CC - above are photos of the good samaritans.  At the CCs drinks, beverage. cakes, buns, biscuits ,etc are provided fob while you watch the live telecasts.  It is not surprising crowds are packing the halls on mornings when exciting teams (like the contest between Spain and Netherlands) are playing.  Here are my first impressions of the some of the Teams I have watched so far:-

1) Brazil - favourite to win this World Cup as they are the host country.  Just watch Oscar as he is my-kind-of- player.

2)  Spain - the 5-1 drubbing by Netherlands must be very humiliating for the current World Champion.  The  team is aging and it needs new blood.

3) England - It is nice to see many more young players in the team.  Many of the senior players are over-rated and overpaid because of the English Premier League.

4) Italy - The maestro of the team is Pirlo.  This team is now playing a more attacking game as opposed to a more "defensive" style of yesterdays.

5) Argentina -  Their star player is of course Messi - I am always mesmerize by his acceleration speed; although he stations himself in the half-line, he can accelerate himself to a menacing forward in a twinkle of an eye.

6) Germany - A very tactical and compact team.  When they attack they move in formations - like armoured tanks.

Hope you enjoy and are inspired by this World Cup.  Ole Ole Ole!

Hong Lim Park Rally "Return Our CPF"

I was at the Rally on 7th June 2014.  Above are some of the photos I have taken .  As they say, a picture is more than a thousand words.  According to the organizers there were 7,000 attendees.  This is not surprising as every citizen has a CPF account.  How monies in the CPF funds are managed and invested is a concern for every one.  It took the self immolation of Tunisian Mohamed Bouazizi to be the catalyst for the Arab Spring Uprising on 18.12.10,  Will a defamation suit ignite a "new political awakening" in the Singapore scene?  It is everyone's guess.   It is imperative for the Government to deal with the "CPF issue" fairly and competently.  Otherwise, it is not inconceivable for a "tsunami" effect to take place in the 2015 General Election.

Ode To My Mom.

Love as wide as sea

Ever forgiving and caring

Love divine love fine.

Never raise a hand

To discipline or confront

Always trust and give.

Elder to all below

Hardly given to overpower

Humble are her ways.

Strong as a patriarch

Stoic and hardy all can see

No grumble or plea.

My Mom extraordinary

Always in my memory

Peace and heaven to thee!

Professionalism Vis-A-Vis Deception.

Time has indeed accelerated.  It is approaching 40 days since the disappearance of Flight MH370.  For the loved-ones, relatives, friends and colleagues of the 239 passengers on board, the wait for information is getting exhausting, mentally-draining and emotionally-crippling.  I can only think of 2 words to describe the continued search of the missing plane - professionalism and deception.

1) Professionalism - There was a refreshing change when the search switched to the southern Indian Ocean near Perth.  Unassuming retired Australian defence chief Angus Houston who spearheaded the search this time was a stark contrast to the Malaysian incompetents fronted by their acting Transport Minister.  At his news conferences, he came across as an engaging and communicative person who knows what he is talking.  He answered reporters' questions crisply and pointedly at times providing every one listening an education of the difficulty of ocean search, sea currents, etc.  An honest man who takes his duties seriously and competently.  I wish him the best of luck.  Australia can indeed feel proud to have such a patriot and an honest citizen.

2) Deception - The label should be shamefully affixed to the Malaysian authorities with their cheerleader acting Transport Minister.  At the onset of the tragedy, in fact in the first few days of the search the Malaysian authorities had taken the whole world (including Singapore who provided a submarine search) for a ride by deluding them to confine their search in the South China Sea when actually the Malaysian authorities knew the radar had detected a 'turn back" of the plane towards the Straits of Malacca.  That is why China had to release satellite photos of so-called debris near the Vietnamese coast to test Malaysian's true intention and deception.  To date there are no updates on Police investigations on the 2 pilots, 2 Iranians who travelled on forged passports, etc. One cannot help but speculate probably they are playing the waiting game sitting on their hands doing nothing.

3) Consequences - The Visit Malaysia 2014 Year is now just a dead slogan.  Travel agents estimated 30,000 visitors from China will probably boycott or forgo their trips this year.  How will history judge Malaysia on this tragedy?  The answer is obvious if you consider the incompetence and deception of their leaders.  The truth is in the plane's "black box".

Search For Flight 370 Plane - A Case Of Dereliction Of Duty & Incompetence.

After about 2 weeks there is still no sign of the plane.  I can only express my sympathy and pray for the families of the 239 passengers who are at present undergoing unimaginable suffering, agony, pain and angst.

Here are my thoughts:-

1) Dereliction of Duty - This charge should be laid squarely on the shoulders of the Malaysian authorities.
When Malaysian Air Force detected the u-turn of an unidentified air plane on its radar, why was there no Air Force plane scrambled to check on the plane and if necessary to take the plane down.  If such preventive action had been taken in the first place, the saga of the last 2 weeks would not have emerged.  So far the Authorities have not given the world specifics of what action they are embarking such as the number of Malaysian planes, ships, personnel and equipment deployed in the search; the specific areas they are combing, etc.  One wonders whether "they are dirtying their hands working on the ground" or "they are sitting on their hands" for the cows to come home!  Only God knows!

2) Incompetence -  The Police did not zoom its investigation on the 2 Pilots until after 1 week when the Senior Pilot's self-built simulator was dismantled and carted away for investigation - later they found out that vital items in the simulator were deleted.  There was no word on the 2 forged passports used by the 2 Iranian passengers.  All these suspects and suspicious behaviour should be addressed by the authorities to clear any doubts and hanky-panky businesses.

3) What the Authorities want to portray/project - The acting Transport Minister who is concurrently the Defence Minister is always immaculately dressed for the News Conferences.  So also are their Police and Armed Forces Chiefs with their impressive breast-decorated metals on their uniforms.  All for show and no substance!  On Fridays the Minister will appear in his Friday-prayer garb.  How sickening!  He looked into the reporters' eyes and vomitted out his lies and deception!  How sick can one be!

4) What the Authorities are certain - The News Conference must end in half an hour time though the there are tons of questions yet to be answered.  Their local press can be hook-winked and conned afterall their questions are mostly "stupid", "commonsense" or "irrelevant" compared to the probing ones from the foreign press.

5) What Can We Learn From This Tragedy - A country needs capable and competent Leaders.  Otherwise, its citizens and the country will suffer immeasurably.  It is equally important that a Crisis Management Team should always be on stand-by to tackle any emergency!!

Status Quo Is Not Tenable.

I have always believed that the status quo - not doing something to relief people's cost of living especially health-care costs in Singapore's political life - is not an option.  More of the same - patchworks and tweaks in policies here and there - is not a viable answer since the momentous conclusion of our last GE 2011. So the Pioneer Generation Package just announced in the 2014 Budget is indeed ground-breaking vis-a-vis the Government's anathema of "welfare-mindset".  Singaporeans have for many years being complaining to the Government of the truism "you can die but can't afford to get sick".  As is the norm the present generation can only build only on the foundation of what the previous generation had already assiduously worked and set up.  The Package is only a small recognition of their contribution and sacrifice of the past 50 years.

What is next?  Is this the beginning of the Government's show of "benevolence" - a Confucian value.  I certainly hope so.  It can certainly welcome, encourage and nurture more competitive and different viewpoints from the people.  The mainstream media has largely been pro-government and all citizens know it.  There should be a free media now that the internet is ubiquitous.  May I suggest as a show of its magnanimity the Government can consider to grant amnesty to all political exiles who are presently overseas and welcome back those who have migrated overseas and now wish to come back home.  This will be a meaningful-all-is-forgiven gesture as we celebrate our 50th Anniversary of Nationhood in 2015.

Wishing You A Blessed And Prosperous Chinese New Year!

My Family and I wish everybody "A Blessed And Prosperous Chinese New Year!"  May our living God be your Guard and Guide for the Year and Forever!  May we keep in our hearts the words of Psalm 40:4:

Blessed is the man

who makes the Lord his trust,

who does not look to the proud,

to those who turn aside to false gods.

 

"GONG XI, GONG XI.  HE JIA HUANLE"

My "Haiku/Senryu" Moments 6

 

 

 

A New Year New Clothes

Horoscopes and fengshui

A lot of hogwash.

 

No Love, no mercy

A heart very hard and steely

Pray no retribution.

 

Public relations

Exercise in full rations

Will hearts give decision.

 

Nothing is static

Circumstances rustic

Old habits like weeds.

 

Monopoly in news

Views, propaganda mews

Internet overrules.

 

Statusquo deadwood

Variations disguise

As good and to look.

 

Man may plan and plot

With evil intention and more

God will justly roar.

 

 

 

Immanuel - God With Us.

1. The Light shines in the darkness
2. Salvation for all.
3. The Holy for the crudeness
4. Love divine and more.
5. The imperishable for the perishable
6. Eternal for the ephemeral.
7. Miracle unimaginable
8. God with us!
9. 
   
10. My family and I wish everybody a BLESSED CHRISTMAS & A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The Last Time For Everything.

Have you ever comtemplate that this will be the last time you will be engaging in whatever activity that you enjoy doing - be it enjoying reading a book, watching your favourite television show, playing with your children or grandchildren, chatting with a close friend, etc.?  A famous philosopher says " All things human are short-lived and perishable."  Buddhists believe in the impermanence of things.

Thus, it is healthy and prudent to keep in mind that all things valueable and precious will one day be lost to us.  Things can be taken away or our own death will deprive us of such things.  For some such talk may sound morbid and unpleasant to the Asian psyche.  However by comptemplating the impermanene of things and recognising that this may be the last time we are doing the thing we are more appreciative and cognizant of the blessedness of the moment.  We will not be sleep-walking through our life.  We will cherish more every moment of our life for such moments may never be repeated again!

May God bless and keep you and your family always!    

My "Haiku/Senryu" Moments 5.

• 1) A  Public Company
• Used as a Public Relations
• Body for a Dynasty.
• 2)Ubiquitous face
• On newspapers & TVs
• No one is interested!
• 3) Talking heads on TVs
• Vomitting their expert comments
• Confusing everyone.
• 4) The most powerful man
• In the world cannot govern
• Intransigent fools!
• 5)Trust betrayed trust lost
• Trying to repair the damage
• Possible, anyone?
• 6) Human capital
• Country's rich resources
• Politicians must know!
• 7) Americans ask for
• It: a sitting duck President
• Dysfunctional Leg.
• 8) The Leader knows it
• It pierces his heart centre
• "Hatred" it is!

Our God Of Comfort.

Our God is a God of Comfort.  He says "I will never leave or forsake you and I will be with you to the end of times."  I have listed below few verses from the Bible which I hope you will find comfort and useful at the crucial time of your needs.  I hope with the comfort that you receive you will help to comfort those who are in need.

1) Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand .... Isaiah 41:10.

2) I will redeem you with an outstretched arm .....Exodus 6:6.

3) When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers,they shall not overwhelm you;  when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.......Isaiah 43:2

4) He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty .....Psalm 91:1

And last but not least he warns us of false teachers and prophets:

5) But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will  be false teachers among you.  They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them - bringing swift destruction on themselves.  Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.  In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up.  Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping .......2 Peter 2:1-3.

A New Social Compact.

There is much "hurrah" for the PM's National Day Rally Speech.  The mainstream media went into a frenzy by bombarding the people with the new intiatives that the Government were embarking in the areas of education, affordable public housing, health care, caring for our seniors, etc.  The measures were described as epoch-making and were launched to achieve a fairer and just society - a new compact with the citizens.

Wait! What had taken the Govenment so long to really feel the angst and unhappiness on the ground.  The drop in the majority votes in the 2011 GE and the subsequent loss of 2 By-elections in Hougang and Ponggol East would have raised all the red flags.  Not convinced the Government in typical kiasu Singaporean style embarked on a 1 year "Our Singapore Conversation" exercise to seek Singaporeans' view on what they really want and their grievances.  The conversation involved 50,000 participants conducted over 660 sessions (I wonder how much money was spent on this exercise).

Everyone knows a new social compact has to evolve for the status-quo is not tenable.  In more matured Democracies the buck would have stopped at the PM's desk and a new incumbent would have emerged.  I see the current iniative taken by the Government as preparation for the GE in 2016.  The jury is still out whether the Government will regain much needed support.  Let's wait and see.  The new compact has to be managed carefully and wisely if the Ruling Party does not want to see more losses in SMC and GRC wards in 2016.