Happy Birthday Present

DEAR my daughter,

How is the real life of our world after one month from arrival? Hope everything goes right with you there despite you dad is not nearby. I am sorry for failing to send birthday present on your one month birthday which is fallen on couple days ago. I miss you so much because I haven't see your progressive photos for more than 2 weeks. On your birthday, I told your mum to send me your latest photos as soon as possible and today I am enjoying to see your photos through internet. I was pleased to see you bigger by days. Knowing you are in good health makes me feel quite comfortable and seeing your health like photos definitely make me free from worry. Anyway I can't put behind the feeling of homesick since you have entered our world.

Today, I went to expo convention center as I read one advertisement on newspaper regarding to a huge discount sale by Robinson. Robinson is a well known departmental store in Singapore and I believe in the items they are selling in term of quality and design. So I decided to go there and look for baby wear for you. I was not feeling well once I was told by my friends that they already bought a present (dress) for you. I have been too busy with my work and classes to go out for shopping. So I haven't purchased any dress for you although it's always in my mind. Today I fulfill my feeling of this and I want to share my first ever experience with baby wear.

Once I arrived there, as usual, so many people are crawling and busy with their searching. Every time I was paying attention on men wears for myself and ladies wears for your mum. But this time, my eyes are just busy with searching baby/kid wears label so that I can get through there quickly. I luckily found nursery department that sells a lot of baby & child's related wears. I was thinking of your size and just try to choose from ton of kid wear items. In fact, baby size are hard to get this expo. So I approached nearby staff for their suggestion on your size by telling your age. They would laugh at me when I am telling your actual age, one month, because most of dresses are designed for one year old and above. Some staffs say between one and two. It meaning hard to find your size.

I understood only when one staff gave me a good explanation. What she said was, sorry sir, your baby is too young to be worn a dress and most of designers paid attention to one year old and above because baby can start to try walking and dress can be magnificent when they are put on the walking baby. I was enlighten by her and I made assumption that you won't be stop at this age and will definitely grower by days. So bigger size doesn't matter to me and I decided to buy a one year old size as I really don't know what time I can go back home and see you as well as when can I give all these to somebody who return my country. Finally I bought 13 pieces of baby dresses for you and it cost me about S$70.

I don't feel stingy to pay this amount once I paid to casher despite I never shop such expensive when I bought for myself. I was surprising the loving kindness of the parent toward their biological children. I was not happy to see you on the same dress despite different photos of different days. I always asked your mum and aunt if you have been enough dress or not. But they ever keep answering "yes" but the photos of same dress make me worry. It's worthy to spend some considerable amount of money compare to satisfaction of my mind. Now I can able to start dreaming of dispatching your dress as soon as possible and guess how would you be beautiful on them.

I hope you may like it once you see them as they are bright in color and the funny cartoons are drawn on it to attract you and your friends. I bought dresses for different purpose i.e. for summer, winter and rainy season so that you can enjoy the benefit of wearing a right dress on the right weather. They include swimming suit, skirt, short pant, gown, jean, etc. I am sure you would love to have them and hope you would understand the depth of my love by the time you use them. I just expect your remembrance to me when you are wearing them. I'll keep sending the various dresses to suit your age and body in time.

I can't wait to give them and believe so can't you. I'm dreaming to wear them on you by myself and we go out together for strolling in the park or by the river side. What a great family life is it? Are you expecting these amazing days to come? I understand to read your eyes when I see your photos. Unfortunately, I can't stay with you more than 10 days as I can't get long leaves and to be worse, I have to bring back your mum when I go back Singapore. I don't want to think about this nervous and sad days to come. I just expect your mum will have enough resistant to this sorrowful moment as well as you. It really doesn't mean your parent don't love you. We try to swallow our pains to give you a safe and flawless life in future. We promise you a day we united being a family as soon as possible. I don't know which way exactly, it might be either we both come back home permanently or you follow us here. It would be uncertain tomorrow and we don't want to wast my valuable time by thinking these uncontrollable things in future. Lets try to get a valuable family life time when we are living together regardless of time frame.

I, your daddy, wish you possess a simple, happy, good, wealthy, successful, prosperous life together with your family. Happy One Month Birthday to you, my princess.

Your beloving dad,

150810

Sunday.

2A + 2B

SINCE end of July, we, all course-mates, are much expecting our first semester result as the result is suppose to come out end of July according to the course administration source. Last week the revised time table come out for the addition of supply exam dates. Of course this new time table makes me feel worry with the expect of failure in some subject. Despite I felt I was answering well in exam, I am not much confident by the time I heard that some students failed in the exam from the pretty sure source. My answer couldn't hit the target and it can goes wrong.

This become hot topic among fellow classmates especially this week. We even greet each other by asking "have you known the result?" rather than "how are you". It show everybody concern about the result and it can severely hit anybody major set back if the result goes wrong against us. No matter how hard studied or not during academic time, it's universal truth that all student wants to pass when the result come out. It won't change by time and I hope every student will accept this. Of course I also want to pass it even it is not a great honourable result that was originally set by myself secretly.

Couple days back, one of my fellow classmates emailed to me with one contact number to enquiry the result. Since then I keep calling the office but nobody answer my call. What wrong is it? I was upsetting to learn that experience from management. But some of my classmate also encounter the same experience with me. No wonder I can't make it successfully. Finally I relax myself that the result can't be hide for ever and even joke at my peers that don't worry the later the merrier. They seem agree with me but still can't hide their eagerness at their faces.

Surprisingly I found a letter on my living room counter with attention to my name. I immediately know it must be the exam result letter once I see the logo of my academy. Imagine how much I feel excited. To date, I have come across so many exams and subsequently saw results. But never receive the letter to know the exam result in my country. We don't have that practice and we just simply go and see the result or just call administrative office for result. No other way. I felt it was long time to me to cut and open the envelope. The confidential envelope come with 3 sides tear here lines and I carefully tear accordingly. The closer time to open, the faster beat in my heart. What an exciting moment is it? This is my first ever study in a oversea country and I don't know how does it look like. Just wish not to see unwanted result inside.

Finally I gradually open just like a person who play cards. WOWWWW,,,,,Luckily I got the result I wanted and I am so pleased to see it and never satisfy to see continuously. This one page letter able to relax my tiredness accumulated during the semester period. It's worthy to know the result of our effort on time as well as money. I immediately called my wife and family who are living in my country to share my good news for enjoyment. Of course, I can't be here today without my wife's contribution. She supported me all the ways during my preparation and exam time. I want to dedicate this to my newly born baby girl. Coincidently, my result come out at the one month Birthday of my princess. So it make me double joyous upon feeling good of my daughter's one month birthday.

The result read as follow:-

Specialist Diploma in Building Cost Management - 2nd Intake

Semester 1 Main Examination Results

Course: 74051

S-CODE SUBJECT GRADE/STATUS RESULT

BCM105 Cost Control Technique A Pass

BCM106 Project and Risk Management A Pass

BCM107 Facility Cost Management and Building Law B Pass

BCM108 Principles of Valuation B Pass

Legend:

A-Excellent, ABS-Absent, B-Very Good, D-Pass, DE-Debarred, Disq-Disqualified, EXPT-Exempted, F-Fail

Productivity

I HAVE BEEN HEARD about productivity in the country I am working now especially in the wake of recession period. The world had suffered from probably worst recession in its history on 2008 and most of countries are still trying to heal this wounds. Of course the country that does rely on export products like Singapore was affected from that bitter experience. Luckily it happened to this island state for a while and they were able to maintain their momentum as soon as possible with the group of world's best salary earners. No wonder they have earns such incredible salaries since they all are above from the rest and gave their fully efforts at work. I don't mean only top levels in Singapore are working hard. A country's economy depend not only government's policy but its people rate of productivity.

Few months back, one research group highlighted the productivity in Singapore is one third of those in Japan and half of those in Australia. Consequently the government allowed several budget to introduce skill upgrading program through various institute and varsities. All Singaporean enjoy that if they are willing to learn to upgrade their existing skill through these program. The tuition fees can be discounted up to 90% based on the course they attend. What an amazing experience to taste? We can't imagine to get the same experience the locals taste here by our own government despite we paid the world's highest income tax. I was so upset to read double taxation agreement between Singapore and Myanmar government through ICA website few days back. I have been hearing about this long time before but I actually read it now only. Seeing is believing and I deny my suspect on if it was rumour. Anyway we are obliged to support our country's will as long as we maintain our citizenship. No other choice but accept.

Let it be. I just want to focus on this post is the attitude of our country's government staffs regarding to the productivity. When other countries keep talking about this productivity through skill upgrade training and funds that support SMEs to afford in buying latest and modernized equipments to reduce severely rely on man power. As we all known that our government staffs seems don't want to do anything they are suppose to do during working time. They always expect something from the people who are coming for their services. We can easily see this manner if we go any govt related office in our land. I think nobody will deny that. I can't blame them if they give me reason for not enough wages to support their daily life's expenses. But this happened to those who earn more than enough in life.

I have never worked in government service since I was graduated. So I don't know the feeling of govt staffs in real life. But all my siblings are govt staffs and they always struggling to survive in real life because they are not high ranking officers. Being a normal staffs, they can't expect so much apart from their salaries. On the other hand, they don't need to work so hard. At some points, it's clear they have nothing to do in office. As a result, they go to work so late (about 10:00am) and return home early (about 4:00pm). Where got productivity to boost our country's already weaken economy? I don't know what is actual data for our GDP. Probably the govt have announced for that without much paying attention to let people know or I misreading those news.

Once I was studying my first diploma course in Chauk, I was staying at my Aunty's quarter who is working for fertilizer factory at Salay. I have some cousins who are also working in this factory and I knew they all staffs are taking factory products at the night shift by illegal ways. According to them, some very top management level even take them out by false consent paper at day time. So from low to high ranking levels become thieves of the factory and it make factory always negative cashflow at the end. My Uncle was working in Accountant department of that factory and he sometime explained the situation of factory in term of financial view. The government is operating this factory to maintain jobs for all workers despite every month lose. I just can't understand at that age why the government keep operating if they are really lose from operation. In fact, most of factory running in Myanmar are not making profit. Probably the report show profit to ministry, the actual figure you may not know exactly. It really happen in my country.

One day, this factory break down and the official report the status of the factory regarding to repair. The response from ministry level read that the factory remained stop operation means less lossing to our government and so the ministry prefer to import required fertilizer for cheaper price. Meaning this factory never contribute our government economy when it's was under service? I think everybody know the problem but no taking into consideration and action. There are 2 factories within the same compound and one able to produce 50 T and another 75 T of fertilizer. There are thousand workers to run this 2 old factories. One news understand me that the factory that produce same capacity in oversea would need man power for about 25 to 30 only. Then how much have we waste public money by leaving these factories without necessary upgrading. The govt might have been prefer to save in capital cost for expensive operation rate. In term of productivity, the govt would be a loser as long as the factories are running. Then what is purpose for industrializing in this world? No point, right? May be such stories only happening in the poor country that don't have a proper leadership and management.

Today I read a news regarding to public health care domestically. Nowadays more and more people are going oversea for their health care purpose. It's not only for highly rated disease but for normal ones because the local health care quality had been declined significantly and they are losing customer's confident on their services. What a bad experience to our industry? There are a lot different sad stories related to the unprofessional medical treatment experience that sometime cost patient's life without effecting the offender's career. The medical staffs are liking the license killer and they should have aware of patient's safety.

On the other hand, people are upsetting to find the lack of taking care in the public hospital. What's look like hospital when they have no doctors? I don't see a hospital without doctors or physician more than a building. Recently my wife gave our very first child at the central city of Myanmar's private hospital. We are needed to pay 300,000 Ks deposit by the time we register. After my wife admitted, we need to top up this deposit when the staff come and remind us. Meaning we have to leave hospital if we failed to top up this deposit money. Where got the original philo of studying medicine? I was surprising to see so many physicians in private hospital during working time. Does it mean they don't need to go their duty? Only they and authority will know the answer of this simple question. The power of money remain unchanged in the self claim buddhist country. It's shameful to treat badly to patient who are not afford to pay their medical bills. I can't just imagine how do they settle once they come cross such bitter experience.

I simply believe that a country can't develop without productivity. If our people are lacking in this, we have to find the way to settle by changing educational system or the likes. I am sure the govt leaders are quite genius and they will definitely know what they have to do next with immediate action. I am just itching to learn once poorer countries in region over taken our country recently, for instance, vietnam, cambodia and loas. Where gone the spirit of our forefathers? How do we catch and get back on the right track to breast our neighbouring countries? Just wondering it and I'm willing to serve my country where and when I am needed by govt. Hopefully I can able to contribute my country one day sooner or later.

CGTI Family Gathering, Singapore

YESTERDAY (080810) I went and attend 2nd time CGTI Gathering with the prospect of seeing my ex-institute friends. According to plan, the program is supposed to start at 2:00pm and I get there on about 4:00pm because I needed to wait one of my friend who wanted to join this event. When we arrived there, the program is already started and MC is taking mice and asking attendants to come out front and introduce themselves with the rest. Since my institute was established 4 decades ago and there are so many batch had been generated. So it is not possible to know every ex-students from this institute. So the purpose of introducing is a must under agenda and I have no objection on it.

But I saw a lot people seems shun to do so and even keep staying away from MC and the place supposed to gather. MC keep calling and some people still reluctant. I myself is type of shun person, but I tried to follow their rule. Once I get in place, one committee member come and asked me to register. So I just go out and write my data in registration book followed by introducing to audience. In term of quality, we can't expect good as the committee members have no spending power and also ton of jobs to make this happen. I understood how difficult it would be to arrange because we all are poor in time as well as financial concerned. I salute their able to keep this event alive.

I was a little bit suspect once the lucky draw section come out. I noticed that most of lucky draw winners are from the committee members. I guess it is just coincidence. But they keep giving explanation that they are not theirs. They are for those who are buying tickets from them but didn't attend event. According to MC, he previously announced to redraw if the winner doesn't attend event. But he seem doesn't bother when his fellow committee members take price on behalf. In fact, the lucky draw is included for fun only and the items are not expensive too. They arranged to ask winner to perform randomly before collecting price. But no winners failed to perform well. But it's up to them and hope nobody aware that.

The penultimate section is to select new committee members and again people seems naive. I don't raise my hand to take this opportunity because I am currently studying and find it hard time to attend planned meeting of group. So I considered it is better not to register as committee member if I can't attend meetings regularly. Luckily nobody chose me as a member of new committee. The last section was eatery section that everybody long awaited. They arranged some foods for dinner for all attendants. The foods included fried rice, vermicelli, fried vegetable, pork and chicken associated with fresh drink. I enjoyed food together with my old friends and chatted some funny things during eatery time.

At 8:00pm I return home with nothing special things in my memory. But I am pleased able to meet some long time no see friends at the event and upgraded some hand phone numbers of them. It's solely benefit to me from this event. I didn't give any comment once MC asked for some suggestion regarding to this committee. I realize this year gathering attendant is only half size of last year. Hopefully next year, the attendants cannot be lesser any more and can make it sense and more meaningful gathering to all attendants.

Baseless that FT/FW are lazy

RECENTLY PM Lee announced that island state would need to import 100,000 foreign workers in 2010 fiscal year. What a good sound to migrant workers and those who are trying to go and seek a place to work in? Being a migrant worker myself, I welcome such news, no matter the less or much quantity and frequency. The government keep saying foreign talent and workers are contributing the Singapore's booming economy and are part of maintaining this success. Meanwhile this news significantly makes some locals upset especially those who are jobless and less qualified people. To me, no wonder upon both parties announcement. Recent research say 2 in 3 of locals are not happy with the foreign influx. Meaning 65% of locals are not agreeing with the government's plan. Anyway it's their matters and I don't want to make any comment on it. I will try to be a optimistic upon the good news.

Few months back, one research showed that the productivity in Singapore's construction industry is one third that of Japan and one half that of Australia. Consequently the locals voice out by pointing the skills of foreign workers rather than reviewing themselves. They might be right for handful percentage of FT/FW because we migrant workers need to give our best at work so that we can survive amid a challenging workplaces. I have been working 3 years in Malaysia and another 3 years in Singapore. So I have gained some working experiences in oversea that help me teach how to work as a team together with locals. Luckily I am able to work at the office in both countries and understood the nature, behavior, cultural and language of the locals than my peers who are working in the site.

Basically the locals are willing to work at the office because they are mostly educated and want to avoid 3D jobs as much as possible. It makes me learn the working-style of them in real work. They are rarely trying to work hard unless they are share holders or boss. I see only boss and director level work hard as the company's output will affect directly to their assets. Apart from these top level group, the rest local work force will not match the workdone of foreign talents I think. Generally, the FT are well experience in work despite they don't have recognized certificates as the locals does. But certificates are not all about work as well as languages. There are so many other factors to make job successful and I find most of these are lacking in locals.

Last time before I worked in oversea, I thought foreign university graduate would be a readily available to job market to start. In fact, they also need to learn after joining real world after their graduation. Probably they might have been learned better and latest theory to apply. But in real work, we seldom use these theory and I remember one of my superior said to me that we may need to use only about 10% of what we have learned in University. I was told by my ex-boss from Malaysia and I was instantly agreed with him without delaying.

I am currently working in SMEs at Singapore and there are few Singaporean in the work force. I was surprised at the first time to learn on less ingredient of locals. Mostly are from Malaysian Singapore PRs. At the office, there are three Singaporean who are working in two different department. One is working as admin staff who is supporting to MD and she used to come work after 10:00am. Then she'll be busy with making her breakfast for about half hour. Later on she'll keep complaining for so many jobs need to be done but she keep coming late. I was surprising nobody dare to tell her despite she is not a share holder. Wonder what if she is FT/FW. No choice in real life if you are a FT/FW to follow her steps.

Another local is working as an assistant accountant and she would take half day leaves on every couple days. What she say is due to her son's health reason and boss forgive her probably because of her long service. There are altogether four staffs under account department. The head is indonesian who has just converted to Singaporean and he will never deserve proper respect from his inferiors. Unfortunately he oversee my jobs despite he is not an Engineer nor QS. Account people are talking about their family during working time and they keep say there is never enough man power to finish their jobs. On the other hand, they take on leave alternatively. Where is a good attitude to work? How do we produce a good productivity that this government always encourage to its people with such people?

Another local colleague is a guy who is also working under account department. He will always want to play online game and sometime work. I always need to help him in basic work such as filing as he is lazy to do his job. Being QS, I need to know previous payment amount once I prepare for monthly claims. I am given a ton of jobs and I silently make it finished on time. As a QS, I have to work under specific time frame meaning I got to work under pressure as my work is related to money. Whatever I make wrong mean losing money to my boss and it is disgrace to me. I always want to try my best and sometime I need my collages to cooperate in jobs. But they seems they don't want to help me once I need them. If I ask for their help, they will reask me to do it myself. On the other hand, I will be asked by them to help their job. I know it's not fair to me and I try to help them as I don't want to create a bad weather around me.

Sometime I strike back to them once I felt their manner was so bad and unfair to me, they'll easily point me and label me disrespect man. All superiors will come to me and ask me to do their jobs. My customer will include from boss to admin staffs, all ranking. People would angry at me if I can't do their job without short period. They will never asked me if I am free or busy to give their jobs. I don't know exactly what is my real jobs in fact. I need to help PM, accountant, MD, admin, while I am working all QS works. Top of that I was so disappointed to learn one real thing among staffs recently.

Few months back, my SMEs was purchased by UK based international company. The new boss asked MD to maintain existing management team for at least first 3 years and we all continuously work without any significantly change in organization. But of course we need to do extra works such as reporting for weekly and monthly. The new boss want to know what are we doing and as well as he want to know how does job going here by seeing our reports from Europe. At one point, the new boss demanded to report for who is doing what. In that case, my senior who is also working as a CFO adjust all responsibilities so as to save all's job and reputation. Of course some part of my jobs are done by other lazy local colleagues in his report. Is it fair to me then? It'll definitely affect once they consider for promotion and raise. I was so upsetting to know this but I can't protest for that.

That's why I want to smile by the time I read the comments made by locals in media that these low productivity came due to low skills of FT/FW. It's most likely because of themselves because they always take maximum leaves and MC within allowable frame. How can we increase our productivity with the attitude of such people? This is collective effort and we may have to take all responsibilities given to us properly. Meanwhile we have to upgrade our skills by attending new training course that introduce latest technology. The government is offering very good subsidies to its locals on upgrading skills training courses, but some locals are not interesting on it as they see it is useless but waste time. Being FT, I am currently attending one skill upgrading course and need to pay full tuition fees without discount while my local class-mate enjoy about 90% of course fees discount. So I am surprising when I read the locals accuse on their government that they are not well taken care by government. I don't know how much they expect their government to do for their life. It is up to them and totally non of my business. My attention is to work as hard as possible and keep my job for my family and country. I'll go back my home land once I collect enough money to invest in my home country. At the moment, I'll try to swallow my home-sick for the sake of my newly born daughter.

Happy 45th Birthday Singapore

SINGAPORE got independence on 1965 and now he has been maturely grown up after 45 years in self governing. Both government staffs and people are gearing up to hold their National Day Celebration now. August 9 is Singapore's National Day and we can see a lot of sign board, bill board & flags everywhere. They intend to make this year national day parade special because their first ever host for major sport event, Youth Olympic Game, 2010, would be followed the National Day Celebration. They will use the floating platform as a venue for both special occasion and now already set up in preparation so that they can make everything goes right as per planning. I believe in Singapore's management that they will make it flawlessly as they have gained a lot international level events holding. For instance, they held Asia Youth Game successfully. In fact this youth Olympic Game is fist time in history and Singapore is lovingly selected by Olympic Council and they are proudly organizing it. I am very sure they will make it as better as they can to generate an outstanding event.

Today Olympic torch will arrive in Singapore after touring 5 world's cities from different continents. They are practicing in so many area to make it great event, not only in sport but organizing well through volunteer from school, institute, poly and universities. Singaporean are walking on the moon as their National Day is at the corner. They all seems proud to be a citizen of this tiny island state. They know well about their country's able as they have set several milestones and also broke a lot of records in various sectors and industries.

They seem don't mind about adapting talents from other countries if their country's image can be better among world's community. For instance, there have been a lot adaption in sport to make Singapore's dream alive to become sport power nation in region if it is not enough for the whole world. In fact, Singapore is a dare dreamer and full of objective in every angles. They always target to become the world's best. Again, in sport, their table-tennis, yachting, swimming & bowling are world standard. They have world standard facilities and already set up a world standard sport complex to train locals and foreign talents from the world by giving full scholarship. No wonder this small country able to create a successful nation despite lack of natural resources.

"Live our dreams; fly our flag", it is this year national day's philosophy. We can see it on the billboard by the roads. They are proudly flagging at their homes as well as in their cars. The flags are effectively used as a decoration and to show their spirit to their nation. Do we have the same spirit as Singaporean have in our back in home? It's ashamed unable to find such sense in our country's big days. My country got independence on 1948, meaning 17 years earlier than Singapore. But nowadays we can't compete Singapore in every department. What makes us different totally? We have vast natural resources to save our lives while Singapore has nothing. They even need to import drinking water from Malaysia. But they still can find a solution to maintain this state in prosperity.

They only have human resources and they effectively use them. They always have a master plan for future and try to make it true. The law is strictly governing and crime rate is relatively low. They have no government rivals to oppose existing party. The stability of politic make their economy stable and boost economy at highest level. The GDP is about 500 billion dollar from this tiny state. Once I glance my country's GDP, it is less than 10 billion. What a huge gap is it? We mainly make our GDP from selling our natural resources. The agriculture items are not much expensive as natural gas or oil. Then how many years can we able to produce them? Probably only technician will know it.

I, myself, is currently working in this island state and able to support my family better than when I was working in my home land. Thanks my good faith and Singapore government to allow me working a good paid job here oversea as a migrant worker. We can't expect so many good things from other country being migrant worker. If our own government don't take care us enough, it won't be fair to expect fair treatment from other country. It's very much realistic to face in life and we will have to accept it. As long as we are working in this land, we owe our commitment to this government in any area we can do for them. I hope all my fellow citizen who are working in lion city will agree with me.

Lets salute their founding fathers as a genius.
Lets congratuate their leaders to maintain this success.
Lets show our thanks to locals for understanding our lives.

Happy Birthday, Singapore, I'll keep wishing for your bright future with your able and dynamic generation.

Is power a dangerous toy?

I REMEMBER the day my lecturer told us the definition of law at his very first class. He gave us so many definition of a law and we noted it for our knowledge. We understood it by the time he taught us but only one thing last in my memory. That's law is non-sense for ordinary people despite it can be explained to so many ways. If you are inferior, it's likely to be lose in all matters related to law. As we have one Myanmar saying, law favor superior, we have to agree it. It's most likely happening in the countries where law are not governing. It's not necessary if a country is poor or rich to strict law and apply as it is. In fact, it's easier said than done.

Today I read a news from local media website and I just thinking how does the power of law is apply to this. The media highlight the case to people by publishing despite they can't give comprehensive ground. But to me it's good enough to understand the case generally and I have to credit to EMG for their brave. We all know that how difficult it is to publish the truth stories for media industries especially for private own. Thanks for drawing such case for the sake of people's knowledge digest and able to understand the situation of our land.

As per some high-profile writer highlight, this case is enlightening the level of our standard in term of law governing. Every country has their own customize law that can suit their cultural and background and people are suppose to adhere to. It apply not only its people but also those who are staying for the purpose of visit or work. The news that make me surprise is about retrieving one particular book without consent of publisher & author. It can be understandable if they make it with the consent of owner and pay compensation for all cost incurred to related parties. But the case is much like bully to inferior than defensing image of their leader. The book cannot be published without a permission of an authority and some group of foreign people do something against law is something all kind of citizen would condemn. But the people is living amid afraid and lack of knowledge of right as well as confident in law governing if they sue them through court.

As a common sense, people should be covered by a proper law that is set up by government. People should have some places to file their unfair matters freely. But sometime in somewhere, this is never happening to do so. Then who are going to suffer from insufficient protection of law? Definitely the poor people who are always struggle to survive in life. The law makers will come out and protest for it if it was happened in a country that respect the law. In fact, alien people dare to do such things might have shown there has been something wrong in our system. I wondering if they dare to do the same act if it is happening in other country. I swear they won't.

It's really pity to learn that our law is not protecting our people in a proper way. Who'll take responsibility if something goes wrong or against our state's benefit? I read one particular head news under world section these days regarding to the PLA's serial military drills. What's original of it? According to report, it started from ARF meeting held in Hanoi of Vietnam couple week ago. During that Asean Regional Forum, the US's state secretary made a comment that read all territory dispute in this region would be considered as an interest of US. It instantly angered at China Foreign Minister who is also attending the same forum and he walk out of room to show his protest. Consequently the China hold several unplanned military drills of navy, army & air to signal outside world how much they are serious if their benefit are destroyed or affected by outside countries. PLA's official magazine stated that they'll not hesitate to counter strike if China's profit are destroyed by any other country and they just want other countries know that they have enough power to hold them back at any time by showing these high-tech military drills within a time frame of couple weeks.

What I want to draw here is other country like China clearly know what they should do to protect the image of their country. It doesn't matter it is a words of a person or action-ridden manner. They instantly react to show their aggressive mind by making some physical drills. You know action speaks louder than words. The world media's leading columnist are writing from a lot of angles. Some say it's to show their concern to the recent joint military drill between US and South Korea against N-Korea. Anyway anyhow, the government should be strong enough within their own power to protect its people and nation. It's necessary to show your power to avoid some bully by some neighboring countries or big super power nation. That's why every country has defense minister to arrange necessary action to protect possible threat of national security. I am neither an analyst nor a politician. So I don't know the complication of world's game and strategy. But I clearly know what is fair and what are unfair things to us by common senses. Being a civilian, we just expect a peaceful and developed nation where everybody enjoy their lives and their dream effectively come true. Hopefully my country's days are coming sooner or later among world's community.

Photos courtesy of online magazines.

The Victims of System

My dear daughter,

TODAY I want to tell you the life of migrant workers in here. The local call us FT or FW. FT mean foreign talent and FW represent foreign worker. Most of local here don't want to see FT/FW come and working here as their job are putting on the stake. The government keep giving reasons to its people why they need to import FT/ FW. But the local always think of us as a burden on here rather than helpers. Being an immigrant worker, I need to work more than local with lesser wages. We came here to work and enjoy a life of here as a better community. Meanwhile we try to save money so that we can go back home as early as possible.
Since we earn less, we can't spend as local and resulting our behavior and life-style become distinguish to locals. Here locals are mostly tired of chasing the modern things to compete with their peers both in work and life. This is their life-style and I don't want to critize on it. But the problem is they are pointing FT/FW's weakpoints rather than praising on what they have been contributing for them to comfort in their daily life. As a developed and rich country, they don't want to work 3D works because they are shun to take those jobs. That's why their government need to import foreign workers to fill these gap left by its shun people. Everyday I can see FW are sweeping the roads, collecting the garbage, trimming the trees, clearing the drain on the way to my office. I don't think there are some locals involved among them. Even the role of supervisor level would be hard to find local for these odd jobs.
This country is as small as our country's biggest city. But they are proud of cleanliness and renown of its city state. They may probably manage on how to maintain it. But this is collective efforts from lowest ranking workers to minister level. Only white-collar workers cannot complete a job successfully without FW especially in these manned demanded odd jobs. But I am upset to read the news read locals don't like to see FT/FW around. Some are retrenched on last year recession and they find it hard to find a new job again and easily pointed out at FT/FW as a reason of jobless. Their consideration cannot be truth totally I believe as there are always other locals who keep their job through difficult times. Probably those who accuse others easily are likely to be lazy or unqualified to compete others in the job market.
If even FT/FW are dare to find a job here, why not for them if they are really qualified and advanced people as they claimed every time. They might give me other reason that they can't work with the lesser earn as FT/FW can accept due to their high living expenses. In fact, they are quite lucky to have such a good government compare to other countries especially in this region. At one point they even blame their government for not taking care enough its people as well as for praising FT/FW for their contribution to Singapore's economy. It's funny to read some of their comments sometime as they rated their government as a blind state. In fact, Singapore is an ideal state for most of the countries in this world because of its genius leaders. But locals still can't satisfy on the efforts of their leaders and always demand for greater height.
One local even advised to the authority and employers to avoid Myanmar workers citing our poor English language skill. What a shameful to comment like this by stating particular country's name? This comment was severely critized by his fellow citizen. It's good remedial effort by his peers so as to save Singapore's reputation. This is not first time to highlight our country men's lack of English language efficiency. To be fair, their comments are not wrong to actual situation. But I would appreciate if they encourage to us in going training for the sake of better communication in work and life adaptation.

Doubtless that our country men are poor in English compare to other countries men. I don't this language is everything about making somebody professional as long as he/she can speak reasonably. For instance, Japanese and Korean are also bad at language skill other than their own mother tongue. But they are leading country in the world and nobody dare to look them down for this single flaw. We, Burmese workers, can maintain our jobs because we are expertise in other areas. They forget to see our strength in jobs and easily pointing at our solely weakpoint is not a manner of a mature community.

We maintain our jobs not because of only low paid workers but because we are honest and super hard-working people compare to our counterparts from other countries. In fact, my country's workers are educated and easy to understand work's condition and adapt life quickly. Other country's worker are mostly non-educated who are from rural areas of their respective countries I think. Because the educated people from other countries don't need to go out of their country for a good paid salary. They can easily encounter a good job within domestic market. It makes difference us from peers from other lands.

In view of above, we know the situation of ourselves including background and we tried our best to anchor the post we settled in here. So we rarely complained for any unfair matters encountered in workplace. We have to overcome a lot of unfair matters while we are working in here. We can't expect a smooth workplace since we came from a poorer country and we are rated by locals as a low paid workers. Everybody from the world knows about our country and it makes our life sometime difficult. They know how difficult to find a proper job in our country and they know how bad our English skill was. As a result they want to pay as low as they can and they want to treat us unfairly. I have come crossed a lot occasion of these unfair case. We can't complain due to lack of English proficiency. We keep quiet doesn't mean we are always agree with what they have treated us. I even myself unsatisfy in this universal language.

My English is worse than a primary student of this country. Believe it or not, my daughter? It's really truth and I can't catch them as I have no practice on this and didn't have a proper education system when I was studying in my country. It is happening to all my fellow citizen, not only happening to me alone. So I can't complain for that, just accept the karma of ourselves for being a person in such country. But luckily I still manage to get here at the age of optimum. Hopefully I can give you the best education heir so that you can compete with them in future. I swear I will give you my best effort and hope you can fulfill my dream come true.

Your beloving daddy
Singapore

A dad's dream

SHE CAME to my world on less than 3 week ago and is growing day in day out. I am viewing her through the photos that were sent to me through internet. I enjoy to see her whenever I view her on photos. I feel sad whenever I think I am not dutiful to her. Despite she still unable to see and hear this age, I tried to understand the feeling of her when I see her photos. I think she is more resemble to her mum compare to me. But I don't mind for it as they both are most important person on the world for me.

The more I try to forget about her, the more my thinking is with her there. What can I do when I feel home-sick? No way but I just see her photos and console my mind. Once I see her charming face, I am so pleased. When I see her crying, I wanna go and comfort her. When she express her disgust, I keep guessing what has made her wrong. By the time I hear the sound of her crying on phone, I was shocked to sense that. I never felt satisfying to hear her sound as well as seeing her photos. I think all happening to me now is typical experience to all newly crown parent. I might have been a bit more as I am unable to stay by her during her very first days in this planet.

Sometime I ask myself if it is worthy to find money away from family. It's bitter experience to new family not to live together. But we can't afford to stay in wherever we want to stay in life for a specific reason at one time. So the best thing would be try to adapt new environment and cool our mind in actual life. It's universal truth that we have to give something if we want to take one thing in life. Being a person who came from a poor family, I hate to be a poor man and of course I don't want my daughter feel the same experience I suffered when I was young. I am relatively successful compare to my peers in term of work and saving money.

But being immigrant worker, my life is always uncertain and much depend on several factors that are out of my control. It's alike a trees on the bank of a river. It can be fallen or destroyed at any time without prior notice. That's why I have to be smart for the sake of my family. I don't think my daughter is additional burden to my life. I assumed she makes my life more meaningful in chasing money by hard working. What's purpose of finding money in oversea if we have no idea to use it? Now my thinking totally changed from previous since my daughter arrived to my family.

She automatically became privileged and I put myself third place after my heiress and wife. What drive me change my value? Nothing could change my life-style but my daughter. At couple weeks old, she is too small to go school but I already started thinking her educational ground between my native land and oversea. My wife and I always wanted to give our child the best education as we can and we would be pleased if we can make it real. I hope every parent's desire would be the same with me even if they can't afford to choose from. I would do my best to raise her life. Being a father, what else can I do her, I always considered that. Sometime I asked my superiors about the art of childcare.

I more paying attention to child's behavior on road or public transport. Once I see parent-child's happy relationship on my sight, I dreamed to own mine one day. Once I see some mum taught their child, I would like to copy them. By the time I see children are playing happily, I worry if my daughter can have such environment in my native town. I was sad once I realize I couldn't be able to tell some child stories to my daughter so that she can sleep on my tight or chest. What an amazing method to bond between a dad and daughter?

Coincidently, today I saw a dad and a daughter on the MRT. Daughter is sleeping on her dad's tight soundly and dad is touching his daughter's skin gently. What a great sense for a newly dad and make me really remember my daughter and suddenly felt home-sick. I tried to change my eyes direction to other but failed to do so. I see another mum-daughter relationship beside my seat. I thought my eyes has been auto focus on childs rather than normal people. Probably something might have changed the way I see or attention to public.

Everyday, I walk to my office and have to pass one primary school and one nursery school. So every morning I can able to see children are playing under the guidance of their teachers. Also I can view some people are bringing their kid to nursery home. Once I go back home on the evening, again I can see them some days. I may think once I see one small girl on sight, what if she is my daughter. At the moment the most I frequently wish to our Buddha is to help keep my daughter fine with everything. I am worry on if she can speak and hear when the time come right. First time I received my daughter's photos, the most I carefully see was her leg and hands if they all are fine and complete. Once I saw they all normal, I sighted and relax. Now I am worrying for next step if she can speak and hear properly on the right time.

Do I act over to my child? You may never know if you have never been a role of a dad/ mum. I of course understand the loving kindness of my parent more than before. I hope my child would be fine as my wife and I always treat to our parents nicely and gracefully. In view of this, we just expect for the good karma following to our very own child and we wish to find a best solution in near future to able to live family life under a roof regardless of places in this beautiful planet.

010810

Singapore