Crude prices

Crude oil price is at a near record price of close to US$140.00 per barrel. This is causing hardship to a lot of people all over the world. Blame it on speculators, tight supply and demand situations or OPEC cartel manipulations. What to do now.

The only way to bring oil price down is to reduce usage - conserve energy. This must be a world-wide concerted effort. Governments must make effort to cut down on the consumption of oil. Legislation can be introduced to limit usage of motor vehicles, eg. no car Sundays. Limit airline flights. Cut production of non essential goods. Go on 4 day work weeks and etc. The situation is bad and it calls for drastic measures.

The other way to reduce dependence on fossil fuel is to develop alternative or renewable energy. Bio-fuel is good provided it does not take over land meant for the cultivation of food. Go big scale on solar, wind and wave energy. Better still, go nuclear. New nuclear power plants that are safe and non-polluting should be built to supply the energy needs of big cities.

Everybody has to cooperate to fight the rising price of oil.

Where is the logic?

The salary of the Prime Minister of Singapore is 5 times that of the President of USA. It is 44% more than the combined salaries of the head of state of USA, UK, France and Germany. More glaringly, it is 25 times that of the President of Russia.

The GDP of Singapore is only about 1% of that of USA. Population wise, it is about 2% of that of USA. In terms of land area, Singapore could not be more than 1% of USA (never bother to check).

So, how do you figure out the proportions?

Don't need opposition MPs?

The main function of the parliament is legislative i.e. the making of laws. Opposition MPs are needed to provide a robust argument to any proposed legislation. Ideally, the opposition should form at least 1/3 of the house so that it is not so easy for the ruling party to pass any new legislation.

Question time is just an accompanying function of the House. Opposition MPs are more free to raise questions, especially those on the policies of the government. Furthermore, what is said in Parliament carries more weight as it is the privilege of only the elected few. Ruling party MPs are not allowed to question government policies.

In Singapore, the number of opposition MPs is very small. The government there has resorted to apoint nominated MPs so as to have a more lively debate in the House.

Airlines good business?

MAS made a profit of RM242 million in the quarter ended December 2007. Not to be outdone, Air Asia reported a profit of RM246 million in the same period. One up is SIA which made S$610 million. That must make you think that airlines is a good business.

All of this happened in a period of stiff competition where some airlines were literally giving away free tickets. This is also the period where crude oil hit new highs. High demand has also pushed up the salary of pilots and other staff.

So, it makes you wonder why MAS was losing hundred of millions of dollars a year before mid 2006. MAS was virtually a monopoly in the domestic market then. Fuel prices were much cheaper then. So the problem must lie with the management. Were they utterly imcompetent or were they working for their own interest. You think about that.

Is Suharto good or bad?

The man has died. But his legacy is controversial. During his rise to power in 1966, there was a massacre of communist and ethnic Chinese. Then, there is the ample corruption and nepotism during his rule. Yet, there is a clarion call for him to be pardoned and made a hero in his home land. LKY has said that he is no given enough recognition. To be fair, he did bring stability and progress to his country during his 33 years rule.

So, can his good deeds obliterate his sins. It is said that you are remembered for your mistakes but your good deeds are all not recognised. This is certainly not true here. Rather, it is the short memory of the human being that is at play. Or is it his stature that the people are unable to regard him any ill.

This phenomenon is also prevalent in society at large. Fledgling business people used unscrupulous means to make money. After they have got rich, they become philantropic. It is as though they are seeking atonement for their past deeds. Very often, they are able to change their image for the better.

Taiwan people not Chinese?

For years now, the present Taiwanese government has been trying to dissociate itself from anything Chinese or China related. From history to language to official monuments, they try to obliterate any linkages or connections to the Chinese mainland. It is as though they really hate the Chinese.

But the reality is different. Taiwanese are investing heavily in China. They are reaping in the profits. Many of them stay in China to oversee their businesses. I don't think they hate China that much.

So, if you are born yellow, that means you are yellow. Painting yourself black or bleaching will not change that fact. In fact, it is not so so bad being a Chinaman. One quarter of the world's population is Chinese. Number means power. This will eventually prevail.

Election gimmicks

"Come the general election, there is an unusual degree of tolerance and flexibility in matters of race, language and religion as politicians try to woo the people. Why can't it be like this every day?" Wrote WCW in The Star.

Yes, election is near and the UMNO politicians have become especially nice. Suddenly, people are granted leases to the land they have been cultivating on for years. Chinese and Tamil schools are given funds to renovate their premises. The existence of the Chinese schools is reassured. Chinese schools with low student populations are allowed to relocate to urban area where the demand is greater. The politicians come down from their high pedestal, dressed down and greet & exchange niceties with every voter.

Once the election is over, as happened before, they would become arrogant and self-serving. At their annual party assembly, their would become racists and extremists. Don't expect free lunches then.

So, it is left for the voters to decide. Do we want hypocritical politicians who used small baits to hookwink voters. Think and act correctly. The decision is important for the future of the country.