Financial services in Australia

Here are the changes to the legislation on financial services in Australia. Payment of commisison to financial advisers will be banned, to ensure that they put the interest of their clients at the forefront.

Developer familiar with C++

I am looking for a developer who is familiar with C++ to be trained to work on the Qt language that can be used for many mobile platforms. If you are interested to work full time, send a resume to kinlian@gmail.com.

Public Opinion on the Mainstream Media

Bryan Ti said that my article on "An Accountable Parliament" contained a hidden suggestion that the mainstream media is biased against the "opposition" candidates. He asked me to provide evidence to substantiate my point.

I am voicing an opinion tht is shared by many people. The public see what is going on and form their opinion. If you want the public to form a different opinion, you have to give them the reason to change that opinion. After all, this is what public opinion is all about.

I want to share a story. Twenty five years ago, I invited a retired Englishman, and a good friend, to stay in my house for three months. After a week, he told me, "Kin Lian, what kind of rubbish is the ST producing". I was taken aback. He said that the ST presented only the favorable aspect of government policies. It is not possible for any policy to have only one side; there is always another side. In the UK, the papers will write both sides and let the public make their judgement.

Many Singaporeans may not be aware about the hidden bias in the reporting of the mainstream media. I hope that Bryan Ti is right that the mainstream media is now more balanced in their reporting. However, this has to be an opinion that is made by the general public on their own volition.

Tan Kin Lian

A corrupt system

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/26/opinion/26krugman.html

Long distance bus routes

Here is the reply from the Government about the change to the long distance bus routes.
http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_519120.html

My comments
I prefer a system of express buses that operate from one interchange to another. It can travel a long distance and have a few stops. Commuters can take the feeder bus to catch the express bus at the interchanges and the limited express stops. The travelling time will be reduced. Although the commuter has to make some transfer, it is good exercise and is similar to transfers to catch the train.

General election - TV debate

This writer suggest that a debate on TV for the political parties contesting in the general election.
http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/OnlineStory/STIStory_519057.html

My comment
It is a good suggestion.

Key priorities for Singapore

It is important for the next Parliament to have elected leaders who can reflect the wishes of the people. The key priorities, as expressed through various channels, are:

1. Job opportunity for young and mature workers
2. Lower cost of living
3. Affordable housing
4. Better wages and job security
5. Higher interest rate on savings
6. Better work-life balance
7. Lower transport cost, more comfort and convenience
8. Affordable health care
9. A less crowded environment

I hope that the candidates will campaign hard to provide solutions to these key priorities.

Tan Kin Lian