Letter to The Straits Times: Constructive ideas from the people make for a better S'pore

 My letter on the above subject is published today in the Straits Times, Monday 26th February 2018


To make Singapore a far better place, we must actively encourage constructive opinions and suggestions.

I am in agreement with the points raised by Mr Dillon Lim in his letter (Singaporeans mustn't be afraid to voice opinions; Feb 22).

Singapore, like many other countries in the world, faces huge challenges, and it is impossible for the Government to resolve every problem.


The ordinary man in the street who mingles in the community can see things much more clearly, and with the right attitude and mindset, will be in a good position to churn out useful suggestions and ideas that can help the Government to make Singapore the best home to live in.


While there will always be people who criticise everything and anything, there are also citizens who have a burning desire to improve the lives of all Singaporeans, especially the less well-off.

When constructive ideas are used by the government of the day, our nation can take on the toughest challenges.


Clearly, the recent Budget announced by Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat has taken into account useful feedback from ordinary Singaporeans, and it is heartening to note that some of these opinions have come through several Forum letter writers.


Let us rally around the Government and all Singaporeans to build a far better Singapore, and not be discouraged by people who do not believe in active citizenry, bearing in mind what the late Martin Luther King once said: "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."

 Raymond Anthony Fernando
http://www.straitstimes.com/…/constructive-ideas-from-the-p…

Opinion: To make Singapore a far better place, actively promote constructive opinions and suggestions: An open proposal to the Singapore Government

I am in total agreement with the salient points raised by Dillon Lim in his letter to The Straits Times Forum Page (Singaporeans mustn't be afraid to voice opinions; February 21, 2018).

Singapore, just like many other countries in the world faces huge challenges in an uncertain world, and it is impossible for any government (Our country included) to resolve every problem. 

The ordinary man in the street who mingles in the community can see things much more clearly, and with the right attitude and mindset will be in a good position to churn useful suggestions and ideas that can so easily help the government to make Singapore the best home to live in.

While there will always be people who criticise everything and anything, there are also citizens who have a burning desire to improve the lives of all Singaporeans, especially the less well off. 

When constructive ideas are used by the government of the day, our nation can take on the toughest challenges.  Clearly, the recent budget announced by Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat has taken into account useful feedback from ordinary Singaporeans, and it is heartening to note that some of these opinions have come through from several forum letter writers – with the unflagging support of the Straits Times.  We must build on that and promote active citizenry. To stifle creativity will be doing a great disservice to Singapore.

So, let’s rally around the government and all Singaporeans to build a far better Singapore and not be discouraged by people who do not believe in active citizenry, bearing in mind what the late Martin Luther King once said: “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

Taking the cue from King who has always inspired and motivated me, I drew up a proposal which I carefully analyzed and provided concreate solutions to stamp out misused of funds obtained from anyone in future.  A case in point was the funds that was obtained improperly by some leaders of the City Harvest Church who were eventually convicted.    Here’s my proposal:

Implement civil forfeiture laws to seize back money and assets obtained through criminal breach of trust (CBT): A public suggestion to the Law Ministry and the Singapore Government

http://rayhope8.blogspot.sg/2018/02/implement-civil-forfeiture-laws-to.html

My proposal was sent to Mr Shanmugam, our Law Minister on 6^th February 2018.  I am glad that my views/suggestions to the Minister for Law submitted on 6^th February 2018 was well received following a reply I got from a Jeremy Yeo Shenglong from the Ministry of Law on 15^th February 2018.  Yeo mentioned that the government is reviewing the law and will take my feedback into consideration.

 

Raymond Anthony Fernando

It is a Celebration - A Lunar New Year Special

There are many traditional festivals celebrated by different dialect groups within the Chinese community. These include: The Lantern Festival, the Qingming Festival, the Dragon Boat Festival, the Moon Cake Festival, the Bak Chang or Rice Festival and the Spring Festival.

The Spring Festival otherwise known as the Lunar New Year is the grandest and most popular of all these festivals. It is celebrated for 15 days. Each year is related to a Chinese zodiac animal, and this year it’s the dog.

To many pet lovers this animal is man’s best friend. Thus, I am confident that in 2018, friendships and relationships will be further strengthened with new-found friends helping to forge a much wider community outreach.

The run-up to the Lunar New Year

During the run-up to the Lunar New Year, homes celebrating the Lunar New Year will be bustling with activity – spring cleaning, getting rid of unnecessary items and making various types of cookies.

There were many moments in my late wife’s (Doris) growing up years when doing things with her mother whom Doris had a special bond with, was so delightful. Moments when they were baking Chinese New Year cookies and snacks for the joyful and colorful festival.

 

It was always a fun time for Doris cracking and beating the eggs, spooning the flour and adding sugar to help her mother make some of her mouth-watering cookies. Doris and her eldest sister were really good at making love letters, kueh bahulu, bangkit cookies and pineapple tarts.

I recall during our courtship days how her late mother would smile away as Doris waited impatiently for the cookies and pineapple tarts to cool down. Pineapple tarts and love letters were Doris’ best -loved Chinese New Year snacks.

I learnt so much about the Chinese traditions during my frequent dates with Doris. The other plus was that our different cultures forged a unique bond.

According to Doris, for the Chinese, it is a tradition to thoroughly clean their homes to “sweep away” any ill fortune so as to make way for good luck.

“No one must sweep the house on the first day of the Lunar New Year because by doing so, you’ll be sweeping away good luck,” her father who was born in China cautioned his children. Being a traditional Chinese, he followed the Chinese customs faithfully.

 

In the spirit of family unity, Doris’ parents taught their children to love and serve one another. Everyone in the family would buy new clothes for use during this grand festival. New clothes are worn to signify the start of a brand-new year.

Her mother would bring Doris to Chinatown as the atmosphere there was electrifying!

Chinatown, a big tourist attraction, is always bustling with activity, but it will be ten times busier during the Lunar New Year season. The colourful lights, hanging red lanterns and all sorts of decorations would go up weeks before the Lunar New Year, with the climax of festivities going full swing on the eve of the big day.

The lively atmosphere that Chinatown offers – even in those early days, will get everyone in the mood to ring in this unique festival. There will be lion dancers; fire eaters and female dance troupes armed with giant paper fans and intricately patterned umbrellas delighting everyone with their splendid performances.

Food, food, glorious food

On the eve of the Lunar New Year, the whole family gathered around the dining table for the traditional, “Family Reunion Dinner.” Doris’ dad and mom would give separate Ang Pows* (*red packets filled with money) to the unmarried children in the family. The Ang Pow is supposed to bring good fortune throughout the year.

Her mother would then prepare a sumptuous spread that included chicken, prawns, fish, salted vegetable soup cooked with duck, ngo hiang and fried vegetables. Although making ngo hiang is rather tedious and time consuming due to the varieties of ingredients used, her mother loved making this Teochew specialty dish because she knew her children all craved for it.

Nian gao, a sticky rice pudding cake (dark brown in colour) is also given to people to help them "advance toward higher positions and prosperity step by step." Throughout our marriage, Doris will ‘insist’ I consume a piece of this cake during the Lunar New Year, although I didn’t quite like its taste. But I still ate it –anything to please my lovely wife.

After tucking in all the delicious dishes, the whole family got ready to welcomethe God of Fortune – staying late throughout the night, playing fire crackers and snacking on a variety of tidbits and cookies.

The relationship between myself and her parents blossomed after they discovered I did not neglect caring and loving Doris during periods when she suffered relapses of her mental illness. I was treated like a VIP during the Lunar New reunion dinner with her mother taking pains to make Sambal Balacan for me as she knew I am a ‘Chilli King.’

 

Let’s keep the traditions alive and in typical Chinese language, I wish one and all “Xin Nian Kuai Le.”



Raymond Anthony Fernando

https://www.zinniaafternote.com/it-is-a-celebration-a-lunar-new-year-special

Implement civil forfeiture laws to seize back money and assets obtained through criminal breach of trust (CBT): A public suggestion to the Law Ministry and the Singapore Government

Like many Singaporeans, I too was upset that City Harvest Church (CHC) got a light sentence for the millions which they have obtained improperly. 

However, it heartening to know that the Law Minister, Mr Shanmugam is taking concreate measures to ensure that legislation will provide for higher penalties for directors and other senior officers who commit criminal breach of trust

Although there has been much disquiet over the CHC case, I agree wholeheartedly with Mr Shanmugam that the ruling on the Apex court’s decision has to be respected and that there should be no personal attacks on the judges and the defence counsel (“Govt disagrees with court decision on City Harvest case, will amend CBT law: Shanmugam, 5 Feb, Today newspaper)  

Possibly, most people are upset because after Pastor Kong Hee and the five others who abused the trust given to them serve their sentences, they will be able to enjoy the money they took improperly and have luxurious homes to live in.

 

There are thousands of Singaporeans, mainly the marginalised who are struggling with daily living and the high cost of medical expenses.

 

Perhaps as a strong deterrent to prevent others from siphoning money, it would be timely for the law ministry to implement civil forfeiture laws whereby upon conviction, the authorities can seize the assets and money obtained through CBT.

 

Thus, the next step is for the government to study and consider whether the monies /assets obtained by CHC or anyone in the future who obtains money through improper means can be placed in a state general fund.  Through this state general fund, financial support could be offered to some of our needy Singaporeans and the voluntary welfare organisations who are in dire need of funds to carry out their various programmes and to support their clients.

 

It’s somewhat of a bold suggestion, but worth considering.

 

 

RAYMOND ANTHONY FERNANDO