Universal Studios Singapore official opening (May 2011)

Congratulations Universal Studios Singapore on your Grand Official Opening. It was a great party though the weather could have been cooler, but such is our sunny Singapore. Also a very warm thank you to the guests of honour and foreign celebrities,Paula Abdul, Jet Li, Maggie Cheung, Vicki Zhao, etc. who have far travelled to grace the event with your presence. Not forgetting our local stars as well including Denise Keller, Adrian Pang, Michelle Chia, and especially our dear Dawn Yeoh and Sheila Sim who mingled amonst us in the warm humid weather. It was a wonderful party, congratulations once again.

I was a little unprepared and only had my camera phone with me, hence the poor picture quality. (Sorry Dawn for the blurry photo, it really doesn't do you justice.) But nonetheless, thought I'd share some highlights...

For more professionally taken photos of the event... Please follow this link.

Ministerial pay review?

Seems like there is some recognition for a need to review the ministerial salaries to appease the public sentiments of the apparently very high salaries by of the Singapore ministers. I have always professed that Singapore has one of the "lowest" corruption rates around the world largely because there is no need to do so. Our ministers are among the top-notch of the carefully selected "white horses" amongst the "old boys network" and are handsomely promised a stable career with revolving portfolios if deemded necessary. There seems too much at stake to risk and perhaps the rewards are already built in anyway.

With regards to the salary review? I'm a little skeptical about this...

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/ministerial-salaries-effective-21-may-2011-113043431.html

I'm convinced that one way or the other, their nett package may not change too much. Its just about re-structuring it so it seems more "acceptable" and justifiable, giving us less visibility into where the additional income sources may stem from. Anyway, what was promised wasonlya "salary" review, of which the salary could be only part of the overall income.

In any case, if they can justify their deserving rights to the pay I have not much qualms. I am more concerned about other issues particularly cost of living and long term competitiveness of the country's economy, especially how they intend to continue driving growth taking into consideration the welfare of the people.

Growth has its costs if not managed well. As the "almighty" they obviously know that their role is not as a charitable organisation, but it should not be a soley profit-driven corporation as well. We've came a long way the past half a century... what should be our direction for the next half a century? I'm sure if they can promise, quantify, and deliver, pay structures will no longer be an issue to be contested. But that stands to be proven isn't it? No point adjusting ministers' pay just to shut our mouths up when nothing else changes.

They should recognise that the people's dissent stems from our inability to comprehend such high rewards when they have failed to address various needs and critical issues, made grave financial shortfalls, yet maintaining their nonchalant, adamant, and arrogant stance. Sure, they managed to hit certain selectively chosen KPIs for their reporting and news reporting purposes and covered the others by being real hush hush. But taking a look across the population, take some time to listen to the people's voices. Does those numbers reflect what is happening on the ground? Perhaps it is once again a very good marketing campaign to keep foreign investors happy, something the government has been very good at thus far.

Anyway, enough of my rambling...

My point to the "new" government is this:

instead of

I'm sure if they can justify their pay well and convince the people of their justifications, we wouldn't be here today to discuss about this. Food for thought moving forward...