Saturday, May 14, 2011
Meeting Singaporeans in Sydney
Four Singaporeans contacted me by e-mail and offered to meet me in Sydney. I met a family for dinner this evening. They migrated to Australia 40 years ago, but still maintained close ties with Singapore and visited their family in Singapore regularly over the years. They are able to give me an interesting perspective of the difference in the thinking, values and way of life between the people and government of Singapore and Australia. They were very proud of Singapore in the old days and ask now, "What is happening in Singapore recently?" I shall write about this matter over the next few weeks.
I will be meeting other Singaporeans or talking to them over the telephone over the next few days.
Tan Kin Lian
I will be meeting other Singaporeans or talking to them over the telephone over the next few days.
Tan Kin Lian
Prepare for an increase in population
On the plane to Sydney, I saw an article in The Australian newspaper. There was some discussion about a proposal to increase the population of Australia. The government did not specify a numerical target but stated that the increase in population should be built based on the capacity of communities to cope with a larger population, i.e. the housing, schooling, medical and other facilities.
This is a different approach taken from Singapore - where the floodgates were opened and the inadequate facilities became evident caught the leaders by surprise. We should replace our old style of governance, which is based on behind the door planning by a small group of elites, who are out of touch with what is happening on the ground. We need to change our system of governance to be more open, transparent and participative. It will lead to better planning for the future, and reduce the negative impacts of bad planning.
Tan Kin Lian
This is a different approach taken from Singapore - where the floodgates were opened and the inadequate facilities became evident caught the leaders by surprise. We should replace our old style of governance, which is based on behind the door planning by a small group of elites, who are out of touch with what is happening on the ground. We need to change our system of governance to be more open, transparent and participative. It will lead to better planning for the future, and reduce the negative impacts of bad planning.
Tan Kin Lian
Friday, May 13, 2011
Buying a life annuity
Here are some tips to retirees on how to select a good life annuity, i.e. one that gives good value to consumers. Ask Mr. Tan
A better transport system
We can build a better transport system in Singapore, rather than wait 10 years for new MRT lines to be ready. TKL website
Blogger is now back
I did not make any posting for the past 24 hours as blogger was out of action. It is now back in action. But I am now in Sydney.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
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