My lack of interest in the presidential election

 https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=5746

Taking care of seniors in financial need

https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=5743

Giving a view on another person's writing

 https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=5741

Wisdom of the Crowd - New Issues

1. How do you describe China
2. How do you describe America
3. Will there be a contest in the presidential election 2023?
4. Will Lee Hsien Yang participate in the presidential election in 2023?

Vote in
https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/vote.aspx

Make a proper introduction

 Often, a stranger would come up to me and said "Hello, Mr. Tan. Nice to see you".

I could not recognize him and wondered if he was a former colleague, neighbor or business associate.

I asked him, and he said "I followed you on Facebook".

It would have been better if he had introduced himself properly, and do not presume that I know his background. It would only be fair to me.

A 76 yo person sent me a private message to suggest that I should contest the presidential election. He introduced himself as being 76 yo and a complete stranger to me. It was proper for him to introduce himself in this way.

I find it easier to reply to a person who made a proper introduction.

I often get private messages from strangers who asked "Are you free to chat" or "Tell me about yourself". I delete all of these requests for being presumptions.

The girl from Angola send me an email and a private message from Facebook. She explained in fair detail about her family circumstances and requested for a donation that would allow her to study a course and get a job. She sounded sincere. I asked a few follow up questions and decided to help her in a small way (smaller than what she asked for).

It is important for a person to make a proper introduction before engaging with another person.

I hope that this advise is useful for you.

Tan Kin Lian

Wisdom of the Crowd - New Issues

1. How do you describe China
2. How do you describe America

Vote in
https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/vote.aspx

Delivery from Shopee

http://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=5735

Overcharged by travel agent

 I asked my friend's secretary in Jakarta to arrange return train tickets from Jakarta to Bandung.

As she was not familiar with purchase of train tickets, she approached a travel agent in Jakarta.

The travel agent overcharged me by loading 150% to the actual cost of the tickets, i.e. they charged IDR 1 million (S$85) when the actual tickets cost IDR 400,000 (S$37). Furthermore, they did not give me the full train schedule and only offered an inconvenient time for both trips.

I learned later that I could have searched online for the tickets, get the actual price and select the most appropriate departure time. If I needed to reserve the tickets in advance, it could also be done.

I do not blame the secretary because she was not familiar with the purchase of train tickets. I guess that this is how travel agencies make a quick buck from unsuspecting travelers.

Tan Kin Lian 

Lava bands

 A tout sold me three lava bands at the volcano in Tanghuban Perahu Nature Park in Bandung.

He spoke English and followed me for a while, giving useful information about the volcano crater and the site. He was not intrusive, unlike the other touts.

He asked for a higher price but I bargained it down to RM 200,000 (S$17) for 2 pieces. He gave a smaller piece as an "extra".

He said that the lava band helped to reduce stress. I did not believe him at that time, but it did not matter. Later, I checked Google and found that the lava stone absorbed negative ions, and did have that effect of reducing stress.

My Indonesian friend, who accompanied me to the volcano, suggested that I should allow him to do the bargaining and get a better price as a local.

I thanked him for his offer, but told him that I do not mind paying a higher "tourist" price to help the local vendors, who had to make a living.

Tan Kin Lian

Angola girl (2)

I helped a family in Angola
 http://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=5734

WOTC - Tharman S

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 36% of respondents have a favorable view of Tharman S as president of Singapore.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2914

WOTC - George Goh

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 76% of respondents are positive about George Goh as president of Singapore.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2915

Facebook page could not load due to "technical error"

 My problem with the Facebook Page.

https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=5732

Twitter

 I will be using Twitter more often to provide updates to my activities and investments. 
Go to this page and click on Follow

https://twitter.com/kinlian

Wisdom of the Crowd - Presidential election, 2023

 65% of respondents said that they would vote for Tan Cheng Bock, while 35% said that they would vote for Tharman Shanumgaratnam, if these were the two candidates for the Singapore presidential election, 2023.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2912

Corporate bonds

 Here are my notes about investing in corporate bonds.

https://fisca.sg/ArticleDisplay.aspx?ID=1336

Wisdom of the Crowd - New Issues

1. Who will you vote as president (3)
2. What are your views about Tharman as President of Singapore?
3. What are your views about George Goh as president

Vote in
https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/vote.aspx

WOTC - Presidential election - PAP, Non

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 85% of respondents said that they will vote for a non PAP endorsed candidate for change and accountability.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2909

Sharp increase in Tesla stock price over the past month

 https://fisca.sg/ArticleDisplay.aspx?ID=1335

Presidential election, 2023

 Previously, a private sector candidate for presidential election has to meet the requirement (3 years as CEO of a large company) within 15 years prior to the writ of election.

I do not qualify because I have passed 15 years since my service as CEO of NTUC Income.

For some strange reason (which I do not know why) this has now been changed to 20 years. By this new criteria, I would have qualified.

Is someone playing tricks on TKL? Hehehe.

I think Tan Cheng Bock would also qualify. So, I will give way to him.

I also think that Lee Hsien Yang will apply also, although many people think that the selection committee will reject him. (I don't think that they will).

A few people have asked me to join in, in case all the other candidates, including George Goh, are disqualified.

I think that there will be a contest, as the PAP does not want a walkover.

I have no interest in participating in this presidential election for personal reasons.

I hope that one of the alternative candidates will qualify and give a strong competition to the PAP endorsed candidate.

Tan Kin Lian