Tan Kin Lian's Blog: Pointing fingers

Monday, March 14, 2011

Pointing fingers

I saw a letter in Today about the experience of a resident who lodged a complaint with the Police about a noisy motorist in the early morning. The policeman referred the resident to the Land Transport Authority (if this is a traffic offence) or to the National Environment Agency (if this is a noise pollution). This is finger pointing carried out to the extreme. It is an extremely bad culture that has developed in Singapore - following the examples of our ministers who also point fingers at each other. Why has Singapore reached this shameful state?

Tan Kin Lian

11 comments:

sgcynic said...: Simply because that's what happens when people see their leaders or rather those in leadership positions not taking ownership of problems and appear to get away with it.

In the past, Singapore had the "can do" spirit when leaders rolled up their sleeves and worked togther with the people. It was reflected in our national songs. For example:

We have a vision for tomorrow, just believe, just believe
We have a goal for Singapore, we can achieve, we can achieve
You and me, we'll do our part, stand together, heart to heart
We're going to show the world what Singapore can be
We can achieve, we can achieve

There is something down the road that we can strive for
We are told no dream's too bold that we can't try for
There's a spirit in the air, it's a feeling we all share
We're going to build a better life, for you and me
We can achieve, we can achieve

Yet now, we have the prime minister saying "What to do. It's happened"; the president wondering why he's here (will he be wondering why he is getting a $900k pay increment); an old man telling all that the pledge contains high falutin aspirations; an armchair politician telling the people to be stoic and self-reliant and not depend on the government, never mind that that the government pays itself so "well", never mind that government institutions, quasi government organizations (like NTUC and case) and government l\\-linked companies sink their roots across society and impact every aspect of the citizens' lives so much so that the individual has so seek governmental intervention at every turn and yet the same organizations are the ones that shirk their responsibility (examples: think MAS and MCYS).

So the police officer is simply a reflection of our "world class" system.; March 14, 2011 8:42 AM
Singapore's 5 Minute Investment Diary said...: No need to re-invent the wheel like maybe try to actually solve the problem.

Let's be cheaper, better, faster. Let's use verbal tai-chi. (Americans call it kicking the can down the road). Let's use some responses we have seen before:

a) It's happened. What to do? Let's move on.

b) It's a once in 50 year event. No need to over-react

c) “You want to have quiet streets. Who is going to make your streets quiet?"

d) “How much do you want? Do you want three DECIBELS OF NOISE in a hawker centre, food court or restaurant?”; March 14, 2011 9:47 AM
Tan Hwa said...: Police man is to ensure law is adhere by all citizen.He can book the culprit and tachi to LTA not
calling us to contact LTA.
Policeman is like a MP in the army
where in the parade ground he can book official; March 14, 2011 11:53 AM
yujuan said...: Actually we could buy the argument that the Govt need to pay top money to attract and keep top talent in governance, but they conveniently forget that we the citizens also demand tip top work performance in return, otherwise we would be duds like what our MM Lee make us look.
How could our Govt insist they have the talent and thus deserve all that world top pay when:-
1. They could not jaga and nab a
well-known and dangerous
terrorist, when our
neighbouring countries could.
2. Could not even calculate the
costs of staging a world event
like the YOG.
3. Lost billions of our hardearned
moneys in overseas investments
like the Childcare Company in
Australia, for reasons beyond
comprehension, of all things
childcare, as if there is
nothing to invest in. And to
rub salt into our wound, still
sit on the chair without even
blushing.
4. Etc., etc., the more said the
more angry we would be, as our
Sovereign Fund still losing our
money overseas.
5. Could not control flash floods,
and yet without blushing, blame
Almighty God, no amount of
engineering, once in fifty
years time.
The Taichi Cartoons depict the picture vividly, much better than a thousand words here.; March 14, 2011 1:07 PM
Lye Khuen Way said...: Yes, monkey see, monkey do ! If only we pay peanuts... Sad culture that developed not too many years back with "soft touch" / " if there is no rules against it- do it " ..... Good to be guided by specifics, but not this type of petty - narrow-minded PGO ( police general orders, for those not too familiar); March 14, 2011 3:08 PM
StocksKeeper said...: there is no service culture in this country.

instead of asking the resident to feedback to other agencies, why can't the policeman helps to do it for the resident? ie contact the relevant agencies on behalf of the resident?

this is very common here. making us do the job and they do nothing as long as it is not within their responsibilities. tai ji masters, just like in our workplaces. it makes me look stupid to help others but it doesn't matter to me.; March 15, 2011 8:52 AM
StocksKeeper said...: http://yoursdp.org/index.php/news/singapore/4663-anger-in-japan-at-mfa

another tai ji master at work!

"With regard to your other queries, for visa, you will have to take it up with ICA in Singapore."; March 15, 2011 9:17 AM
Vincent said...: They say "Pay peanuts and you get monkeys"

Siingaporeans are paying top dollars, and yet we still get monkeys. Tell me where is the logic?; March 15, 2011 9:41 AM
Tyona said...: Look at China pinning the blame on New Zealand for aggravating the grievance of those parents who are under their one child policy. New Zealand did not asked China to implement the one child policy nor do can New Zealand prevent what happened in Christ Church. I wonder who should pay more for those parents for the policy they make - New Zealand? or seriously China. Isn't China cash rich? I can't help to see the similarity here in Singapore. Two is enough and now Singaporean are blamed for the forseeable aging issue which somewhat unjustly justify the flooding of foreigners.; March 15, 2011 10:17 AM
cd-rom said...: Police Force's Mission - "To protect life and property."; March 15, 2011 9:35 PM
Unknown said...: If your valuables get stolen in the army camp, the MP asks you to report to the police for investigation. When you reports to the Police, the Police asks you to ask the MP to investigate. At the end no one investigate!Taichi at the highest level, no one wants to do any work, may be they are under staff.; March 16, 2011 10:45 AM