Tan Kin Lian's Blog: Fearful about speaking

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Fearful about speaking

Hi Mr. Tan,
I am sure, there are many who quietly hope that you would, when the time comes, volunteer yourself for election into Parliament.

Whilst some may wish that you avail yourself for the chair of the Presidency, however, I personally feel your entry into Parliament can contribute more to the betterment of the Singapore society. Time for a change in the way how our lives is governed.

In the meantime, dear Mr. Tan, I hope to see you and your fellow cohorts in Hong Lim Park as often as it possibly permit.

It is a shame to suggest that you tread carefully in your speeches, and hence I hope you do not take offence to this reminder which I am sure you are also fully aware of.

I wish you well, dear Mr. Tan

REPLY
Thank you. It is shameful that in Singapore, we cannot speak honestly and have to be fearful.

9 comments:

G C said...: Though I am not a Singaporean but I follow your blog with keenness especially on the issues of losses suffered by the retail investors in the structured investments.

I believe that Mr. Tan has a point and a course to fight for. Can you imagine those retiree who has been some how misled into these investments and now they have loss all or most of their hard earn saving.

It is only right that a caring and responsible country like Singapore should act in its upmost honesty and responsibility to get at least part if not all of the money invested by the innocents investors.

While saying that I do hope country like Singapore will set as a good example that follow what Hong Kong is doing it now.

May God bless all those who has suffered not because of their faults.; October 16, 2008 8:32 PM
Anonymous said...: Warn all your family and relatives--don't trust whatever the bank sales people say. Don't understand, don't buy.

Not happy, go to the bank and make noise. As long as you don't bring big group, it isn't illegal assembly. Voice your displeasure about misleading sales pitch. Even if it doesn't bring your money back, it will turn off other potential customers. That will teach them that making a customer unhappy is a costly mistake.

DBS has been acting like a king for years. They can choose to ignore customers. We have to exercise our power--to take our business elsewhere.; October 16, 2008 10:34 PM
Anonymous said...: Many of my fellow investors are very kiasi. They dare not go to the talk last Sat!; October 16, 2008 10:42 PM
Anonymous said...: Expect Singaporeans to be kiasi lah, with the type of "penalty" given if you don't obey the rules.
Even if you sleep on the bench in the park, you can be fined $200 if you are caught as shown in a recent court case.
That's why PAP is very strong, because people are kiasi. Or rather they make people kiasi.; October 17, 2008 12:42 AM
Falcon said...: I am not fearful anymore. I think even in the slammer it cannot be tougher than National Service days. Furthermore, there is free food so do not have to pay ever escalating prices for food and lodging. Also free medical services and medicine. Come to think of it, the slammer may be the answer to many a retiree final resting place.; October 17, 2008 12:49 AM
Junyang said...: Kudos to Mr Tan! You've my full support for doing a great public service!; October 17, 2008 2:17 AM
Anonymous said...: Kudos to Dearest Mr Tan, i fully understand that in Singapore, we can't speak our mind and have to be careful with our word when we speak in public. So pls take care and be careful. I fully support u and thank you so much for your help. See u this saturday.; October 17, 2008 11:02 AM
Anonymous said...: Can't agreed much that S'poreans are very Kaisi. Credit goes to our garmen. One warning from the FI and the whole arrangement, which shown the first step as a collective group just cancelled. Ironically and silly to say that the FI on the other hand has already prepare for a meeting room of 100s to expect to receive us. And it turned out to be reports + staff of FI > than the investors. I was intially looking forard to the meeting and was disppointed when received an SMS that it was eventually cancelled due to some Kiasi suggestion. We know jolly well that we are not there to create trouble but just to get our concerns / agony across, This is really like the chinese story "wolf is coming" story! If we as a collective group not intend to unite and go as a collective force to have our justice redress and grievances heard, nobody will bother or care! And eventually, this saga will ends up quiely, especially for us HN5 investors which are in a smaller no as compared to the Minibonds. At the end, who will be most happy, use your backside to think also know that answer! Pardon me for being crude but is really upset, hope we are not justing venting our greviances in this blog cos' the FI / authorities may lose interest in reading all our comments, show it in action!!; October 17, 2008 9:52 PM
Chenghao said...: its a systematic fault of the reward system , the banking relations with their representatives and an ignorance of the product depending on trust instead.

the banks can change the system , the banks and representatives can change the way things work.

Trust can be used to negate transaction costs for various situations but in this , trust shouldn't be the main factor as compared to the understanding of the product itself; October 22, 2008 1:03 PM