I am speaking at this public forum organised by The Reform Party at 2 pm today at the Allson Hotel. Please attend for an interesting discussion.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Some views on General Election 2009 (2)
1. I hope can have more than 10 candidates from alternative parties are voted into Parliament
2. The government has long since neglected its role of building a nation. It now only knows to cling on to power and put economic growth above all considerations. Not that it is managing the country or economy well. The longer it stays in complete power, the greater the damage to our country and nation. Like global warming, we may already be reaching a point of no return.
3. Mr Tan should step forward, form a new party and lead a team in the GRC. I am sure many Singaporeans will lend you their support.
4. The change will come when the old man gamble away all our reserves, or the old man die!
5. Singaporeans have a spirit of greatness that have built our country into world class. Tap on this to continue to build. Success is possible. Talent is in us, tap it. The only loss is to think and act we can't.
6. I wish for a truly free & dynamic press instead of the compliant ST/Today and MediaCorp that we have now. Singapore's downhill has been greatly contributed by these people.
7. Many of your questions are crafted in such a way as to discredit the Government.
8. If there are credible opposition candidates ie quality of those PAP introduces I would consider them. However the sad thing is that the candidates from opposition did not meet such expectation. So until that day whereby the opposition becomes more credible and able to offer more constructive ideas I would still go with PAP.
2. The government has long since neglected its role of building a nation. It now only knows to cling on to power and put economic growth above all considerations. Not that it is managing the country or economy well. The longer it stays in complete power, the greater the damage to our country and nation. Like global warming, we may already be reaching a point of no return.
3. Mr Tan should step forward, form a new party and lead a team in the GRC. I am sure many Singaporeans will lend you their support.
4. The change will come when the old man gamble away all our reserves, or the old man die!
5. Singaporeans have a spirit of greatness that have built our country into world class. Tap on this to continue to build. Success is possible. Talent is in us, tap it. The only loss is to think and act we can't.
6. I wish for a truly free & dynamic press instead of the compliant ST/Today and MediaCorp that we have now. Singapore's downhill has been greatly contributed by these people.
7. Many of your questions are crafted in such a way as to discredit the Government.
8. If there are credible opposition candidates ie quality of those PAP introduces I would consider them. However the sad thing is that the candidates from opposition did not meet such expectation. So until that day whereby the opposition becomes more credible and able to offer more constructive ideas I would still go with PAP.
Some views on General Election, 2009
1. With the overall openness of Singapore's economy, it is not surprising then, that its society will soon follow suit. It is not a matter of "whether" but "when", will we enjoy a constitutional democracy where a government is not only brought to power by the people, but also kept in check by the restricting powers of just laws. It may take time, but one thing for certain is that it will come.
2. It is not that I don't want more than 10 alternative parties in parliament, but would prefer the real voice or quality people.
3. I prefer continuity
4. Economy should get worse; PAP will lose greater ground than rally stronger ground support to see the people through this crisis; Credible alternatives to PAP may not emerge just yet.
5. I doubt most if not all of the current elite PAP MPs, had ever gone through any life's difficulties. They have lost touch with the ground.
6. Be strong and don't be naive. We need the change for a better life.
7. Nobody and no party is indispensable. For too long, Singaporeans are fed with the fear that Singapore will go down the drain if the PAP is not the governing party. This is a fallacy.
8. Many other countries like Hong Kong have done well, in fact better than Singapore, in many areas like transport, welfare, tourism, taking care of their elderly, etc. What we are experiencing in Singapore is not exactly booming, what with so many elderly in such dire straits and with a heartless government. Enough is enough.
9. The civil servants are the ones doing the work, NOT the ministers or MPs. If we can manage the civil servants well, any party can be the government.
2. It is not that I don't want more than 10 alternative parties in parliament, but would prefer the real voice or quality people.
3. I prefer continuity
4. Economy should get worse; PAP will lose greater ground than rally stronger ground support to see the people through this crisis; Credible alternatives to PAP may not emerge just yet.
5. I doubt most if not all of the current elite PAP MPs, had ever gone through any life's difficulties. They have lost touch with the ground.
6. Be strong and don't be naive. We need the change for a better life.
7. Nobody and no party is indispensable. For too long, Singaporeans are fed with the fear that Singapore will go down the drain if the PAP is not the governing party. This is a fallacy.
8. Many other countries like Hong Kong have done well, in fact better than Singapore, in many areas like transport, welfare, tourism, taking care of their elderly, etc. What we are experiencing in Singapore is not exactly booming, what with so many elderly in such dire straits and with a heartless government. Enough is enough.
9. The civil servants are the ones doing the work, NOT the ministers or MPs. If we can manage the civil servants well, any party can be the government.
Is it safe to stay with AIA?
Dear Mr. Tan,
I have purchased some investments from AIA including a single premium 10-year plan with guaranteed 3.5% p.a. return.
As you are aware, AIG is seeking to sell some of its assets including AIA. If AIA is finally taken over by another financial instititution, what would you think will be the impact on the investors here like myself and many other policy holders?
Shall we terminate our policies/investments and cash out before the take over materializes?
Does the government's guarantee to cover financial institutions' obligations in Singapore also cover the obligations of insurance companies like AIA?
Many AIA customers are anxiously watching the development in the market concerning the deteriorating financial conditions of AIG and wish to have some advice from people like you as to how to react to such major changes which could affect our investments in AIA. Please share your view with us in your blog (no commitment).
REPLY
I believe that the interest of the policyholders of AIA will be protected in the event that AIA is sold to new owners. You should avoid terminating a life policy, as you are likely to suffer a big penalty.
I have purchased some investments from AIA including a single premium 10-year plan with guaranteed 3.5% p.a. return.
As you are aware, AIG is seeking to sell some of its assets including AIA. If AIA is finally taken over by another financial instititution, what would you think will be the impact on the investors here like myself and many other policy holders?
Shall we terminate our policies/investments and cash out before the take over materializes?
Does the government's guarantee to cover financial institutions' obligations in Singapore also cover the obligations of insurance companies like AIA?
Many AIA customers are anxiously watching the development in the market concerning the deteriorating financial conditions of AIG and wish to have some advice from people like you as to how to react to such major changes which could affect our investments in AIA. Please share your view with us in your blog (no commitment).
REPLY
I believe that the interest of the policyholders of AIA will be protected in the event that AIA is sold to new owners. You should avoid terminating a life policy, as you are likely to suffer a big penalty.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Investing your CPF savings
Dear Mr. Tan,
Like many young Singapore couple, my wife and I plan to retrieve an amount of 20K from my CPF account for other investment before all our money in the CPF is wiped out by HDB for our HDB flat. Basically, the reason for doing this is to save our money for rainy day in case anything happen (i.e. retrenchment).
As we are not a high risk taker, we decided to just invest our money into unit trust. We met up with our insurance agent from AIA and he introduced us to these few AIA funds.
1) AIA Greater China Equity Fund 30%
2) AIA Regional Equity Fund 20%
3) AIA Regional Fixed Income Fund 50%
As such, we will appreciate your expert advice on the following:
1) Is this the right time for us to invest our money into unit trust?
2) Is unit trust the best option for us?
3) Is it advisable for us to invest onto AIA Company in view that they may be took over by other company soon.
4) Please advise if the three funds that our agent introduced to us is suitable for us?
REPLY
I normally advise people to invest in the STI ETF due to low charges. You can get most of the returns. Read the FAQ in my website.
If you buy an investment linked product from an insurance company, you should ask about the charges that are taken away from your investments. This is also explained in the FAQ.
Like many young Singapore couple, my wife and I plan to retrieve an amount of 20K from my CPF account for other investment before all our money in the CPF is wiped out by HDB for our HDB flat. Basically, the reason for doing this is to save our money for rainy day in case anything happen (i.e. retrenchment).
As we are not a high risk taker, we decided to just invest our money into unit trust. We met up with our insurance agent from AIA and he introduced us to these few AIA funds.
1) AIA Greater China Equity Fund 30%
2) AIA Regional Equity Fund 20%
3) AIA Regional Fixed Income Fund 50%
As such, we will appreciate your expert advice on the following:
1) Is this the right time for us to invest our money into unit trust?
2) Is unit trust the best option for us?
3) Is it advisable for us to invest onto AIA Company in view that they may be took over by other company soon.
4) Please advise if the three funds that our agent introduced to us is suitable for us?
REPLY
I normally advise people to invest in the STI ETF due to low charges. You can get most of the returns. Read the FAQ in my website.
If you buy an investment linked product from an insurance company, you should ask about the charges that are taken away from your investments. This is also explained in the FAQ.
Civic Advocator
I invite readers of my blog to visit the Civic Advocator. It is managed by my friend and is aimed at educating the public about social affairs.
High birth rate in France
France has a high birth rate, compared to other European countries. I asked a French friend for the reason. He identified two key factors:
1. The income tax system favours large families. The larger the family, the lower the effective tax rate. Some high income earners does not have to pay any income tax, if they have a few children.
2. There are adequate child care facilities in the community and the workplace. This is supplemented by a system of nannies who take care of children in their homes. The cost of the nany is largely borne by the state.
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