Haze: Names of suspect companies withheld

I think many of us aren't surprised that the Indonesian government will not be releasing the names of the suspects.

Thucydides commented that the strong do what they can, the weak suffer what they must.

Indonesia isn't strong and neither is Singapore weak, but imagine if we do not try to keep tilting the balance in our favor, the future could be very difficult for us. Sure, publicly we wish them well and that they will prosper. Privately, realism dictates that a weak but stable Indonesia is easier for us to live with.

Therefore we must bear in mind the opportunity cost of the haze. That is a consequence of a weak Indonesia. We mustn't tolerate a repeat of this year's haze but neither is it in our long term interest to see this problem completely solved.

Unless the Indonesian mindset is transformed, a weaker rather than stronger Indonesia is better for us. Unless the relationship between them and us is similar to that between France and Monaco, a dominant and able Indonesia will threaten out sovereignty. I don't see that happening for generations if ever.

Indeed Singapore must always be exceptional especially when we are surrounded by unpredictable clowns in our neighborhood. What they understand is not soft but hard power. In other words the SAF.

Saving lives: China adopts 2 kids policy

We caught this news on TV while having dinner this evening. I said this will not help to reverse the ageing population in China because raising a child in China is now as expensive as Singapore, HK etc.,

Later in the evening other thoughts surfaced. I remember the Chinese authorities brutally forced women to endure abortions if they have a second child. This policy will save many lives! Especially the lives of baby girls.

Finally good practical tips from Kishore

So good to finally come across such ideas and analysis from Kishore Mahbubani. So simply stated too. That government should own public transport because we need to recognize that the ideas leading to its privatization are now old and tired. To me, the pendulum swings from one end to the other. Some day, we shall need to privatized it again. Why? No system is perfect and once we have subscribed to one, its negativity accumulate over time until it become counter productive to stay with the status quo.

He also aptly recognized Singapore existential stake in a constructive relationship between the US and China.

Haze: The rains have arrived

This morning thunderstorm didn't just brought rain to us but to Indonesia as well. So odd that I should read about it from the NYT than our own media. More rains are expected but not consecutive days.

Relief is coming!

Poland's elections: Huge lessons for us

I feel it is best to begin this post with quoting the opening lines of the article.

How can a government with the best economic record in Europe (indeed in the entire OECD) be humiliated at the polls by a Euroskeptic, nationalistic, and economically illiterate opposition – one deemed unelectable only a year ago? That is the question many Poles, and friends of Poland, are now asking, following the defeat on October 25 of the Civic Platform government. If creating jobs and boosting incomes can’t get you re-elected, what can?

Through our lenses, the Poles have voted for themselves a freak outcome of the sort we would have feared. Fortunately the Singaporean voters are far smarter than the Poles. The PAP and WP are also smarter then their Polish counterparts. Question is how do we keep this up? There is nothing we can do about the voters here except for the very long term. That take place in families, our schools and NS. On the other hand politicians must carefully study and dissect the lessons of the Polish experience and I hope not tragedy. Poles have signed up to learn a lesson the hard way.

Lao Zi was wrong. He said,

A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves.

That was a mistake the governing party made.

DAP: Bilahari Kausikan had warned you

Link to article.

I didn't know when this would happen. I wrote I had agreed with Bilahari Kausikan analysis of the political situation in Malaysia.

I also said in Malaysia, all political vehicles once on the road eventually end up in race destination, an ugly and unhappy place. Why go there? It might already be too late. It was already before Mr. Kausikan warned them.

MCA is feckless corrupt and the DAP aren't very smart idealists. Meanwhile Malaysia's institutions are being eroded before our eyes.

Wrong Sin Kee Chicken Rice returns

I was puzzled when earlier this year Sin Kee quit the business. I thought they had punted on the Chinese stock market which if so, they could easily get burned and so must return to this business.

I went to the Mei Ling St food centre to check this afternoon. So I was right Sin Kee is returning but I was also wrong because this is not the same Sin Kee which left. This one is far inferior to the original even if both parties once served together on the upper floor of Margaret Drive hawker centre.

Well, we shall confirm by trying their dishes. They begin business on the 30th, i.e., this coming Friday.