Immature thoughts

We're tax payer

2012-02-16T00:45:00.000-08:00

I was appalling to know the status of my application for car permit last night. The buyer of my car permit told me that the application is still pending after couple weeks. He shared a insider news with regard to delaying car permit. He is close to a former army general who is currently take a top position of one resourceful division. He said, currently our civilian government busy with the peace making mission to ethnic minority group. In exchange of halting weapons, the government have to provide thousand car permits to those group who sign peace treaty. Previously, all ethnic fighting group are using illegal cars for their internal transport. After making peace agreement with government, they may not be able to ride such illegal cars on the roads and demanded the authority to give them free car permits. So, the government provide them car permits more than what they need so that they can resell extra permit to generate funds to raise their region's development projects.

As a result, the government hold the application of car permit by tax payers who are sea job and shore job workers like me. If the news is right, it's not a correct move because the authority should have known who deserve such permit more. We paid income tax for government's development. The ethnic groups were fighting government forces for centuries for their political believe. They occasionally purposely destroy public infrastructures to cut government's reinforcement to frontiers. Regardless, their destructive activities are not welcomed by all people who love peaceful life. But now, suddenly after they signs on cease-fire agreement, they are being given several opportunities by government. I don't jealous with the situation that favour ethnic group. But I want authority to understand our feelings.

It's not definitely right to halt our permit application without reason to pave a way for ethnic car permits. Since there are a lot ethnic fighting groups, the government will not afford to use double standard on this issue. Once they give one ethnic group, others may also raise their chance. Then the government will find it difficult to handle. At the same time, pressing the civilian who are not trouble-maker is not wise. It should be level play ground unless tax payers are getting more chances. Such rumors will make our permit attract no buyers. At the end of the day, we're going to be suffer from the wrong movement of authority. As a member of public, I just want to expect for a fair justice generated by our civilian government. The government should not give promises easily if they are not realistic. It's better keep quiet than giving smell of waves to people. In the long run, people will condemn such unfair activities. In general, our political and office holders should keep their words as it'll make them different from the rest.

Is China a good or bad friend for us?

2012-02-14T20:45:00.000-08:00

WE have seen a lot of assurance by China that we have been a good relationship for so long history back and want to maintain this whenever they have a chance to express. Is it really reflect the attitude of China toward our nation? I personally doubt with that statement. Let me draw some evidence with regard to China's action in past and present.

Our first ever empire, Bagan, was established in AD1044 and was destroyed by Mongol from China at the end of 13th century. Like any war that time, they purposely destroyed our culture, people to influence their power within region. That took us another 2 centuries to regain strength when 2nd empire was formed in Bago under the King of Bayintnaung. This history said major set back for our nation's development by Chinese invader.

We are geographically located between world's biggest nations, China and India. Fact say that India has no history of invading its neighbor countries. It bold China's incursion mind on its regional smaller and weaker nations. That behavior still alive to date. The territory dispute for South China Sea Islands is a good example to proof my opinion. China's unstoppable rise on its military build up have made regional nations feel extremely insecure. It prompt the Asian nations to increase their military budget visibly. Most recent survey on military expenses suggest that China's total military expenses is bigger than total regional countries expenses. China aims to raise its already high military budget to US$ 238.20 billions. It raise all analysts eyebrows. The only nation which has higher budget is US only with US$ 525.4 billion for next year. While US government is busying with where and how to reduce its defense budget to save its economy, China continue to increase its military budget to boost its military power.

Few days ago, China's one state back media's editor show their worry with regard to current economy open up of its major allies. They are Pakistan, North Korea and of course Myanmar. It show China don't want to see its allies to open up and welcome to western society. Bad enough to rate China an enemy instead of friend country. The editor also emphasis on Myanmar's open to US lead nations that could bring US army to the border of China with Myanmar at worst scenario. Coincidentally, Myanmar military chief has shown its interest to participate in US led world games to get value experience. These all combine news might have made China extremely worried about Burma.

My question is why China needs to worry about Myanmar's attempt to develop nation if they are suppose to be our friend nation as they constantly claim. The unhappiness on our reforms nature suggest the China has dirty tactic toward Burma. They clearly know that they'll not able to influence Burma if we make our progress alive and got west's assistance in future. The democratic new government might not follow the footstep of its predecessor as they know what people exactly want. In brief, it's more likely to rate China as a bad friend than good one. May our leaders aware the attitude of China who is nearest enemy to our democratic development.

Melting Dream

2012-02-14T01:40:00.000-08:00

MY hometown has a university of medicine and I open a hostel for male medical students. In Myanmar, medical profession is considered top career and only top scorers from matriculation exam could get a place of those rare university. Myanmar has 4 medical universities in 3 different cities including my hometown. Being medical professional, one can expect a successful work-life balanced career. Thus, most of students as well as their parents are dreaming to become a doctor. Some top students don't interest in medicine due to certain reasons such as fear of seeing bloods. However, they sadly can't afford to against their parent's wills. As a result, they have to go medical university without interesting. In fact, those students eligible to enter medical university can select other professional universities like engineering, law, economic, etc.

Last month, I visited my hometown as we got week long CNY holiday. We usually stay at a room of hostel. I was shocked to learn that there were 3 medical students from our hostel getting kicked out of university for failing their exam as well as supply. What a disappointing news is it? In fact, it's quite expensive to study at medical university. I spoke with a mum of one medical student who accompany with her first year student son at our hostel and ask how much they have to spend for a student. She replied, 3 lakh (USD 353)per month because her son is considered a clever student who doesn't waste money. I was surprising to know such amount to be spent as a student. In Myanmar, that amount can be considered huge for an ordinary family. Under this expensive circumstance, all students should have studied hard, I think.

However, the behavior I witnessed from the students of my hostel make me feel disappointing. They are not serious in studying. They look like coming to the university for leisure. They're spending much of their time at internet, football station, hanging out with girl friend, playing some sports, etc. Most of students need to attend tuition conducted by their lecturers. It's costly to pay tuition fees. Perhaps they think they can pass exam easily if they are attending their lecturer's tuition. May be last time was right that attitude. Now, everything is changing in Myanmar together with reforms. The education sector is not exceptional. Probably it might have affected to those bad students who are not dutiful with their assignments.

As a young school goer, we tried hard our study with the prospect of a place in the medical university. Likewise, the parent invest most of their saving in the education of their child to fulfill their aim. No parent would like to see their child get low grade. The parent and eligible student for medical university are deemed as ideal within their region. They would be awarded by the regional body so as to recognize their continuous efforts to success. Seeing them failed at the early years of medical university will not be expected by all concerned people around them back home. It's really look like their dream eventually become melted to shit.

May all student be able to understand their duty and fulfill their life-dream.

Inferior Permit

2012-02-13T22:47:00.000-08:00

WHAT had made shore job car permit relatively cheap compare to 40 years old car exchanged permit? This question is being asked quietly by sea and shore job men despite no official answer. Perhaps the weak policy might have made this happening to us. We all know that old car permit is worth as much as 15 million Kyat. We're surprising to know that our car permit which is considered more advance by condition is valued at around 2 million Kyat only. Then how do they different in real?

The old car permit only can import the car which is not lower than 1995 model and more than 2002. Also the capped the car priced at USD 5,000 CIF that make people afford to buy. The USD 5,000 is exclusive of custom duty and registration fees (175% on CIF price). And those permit holders are real owner of existing old car and got instant permit. It makes potential buyers prefer against shore job permit.

On the other hand, shore job permit has a long journey to go through government offices. Since the permit only allow recent model cars (2007 and above), the importer will have to use much more investment in purchasing cars. Those car can easily cost USD 30,000 in CIF alone. It meaning the shore job worker must have paid USD 6,000 to the government. In real world, it's quite impossible for most of shore job workers because people have avoided their taxes by showing false information. At worse, some have gone through agents to minimize the tax amount to related embassy. Local elites don't afraid of buying expensive cars. The problem is there is not enough tax to boost car permit fees permission.

Another thing is lack of few ten thousands of USD to deposit in the foreign bank account. It make shore job workers fall in trouble. As I mentioned in previous post, one must open bank account and deposit required amount of foreign money before he can apply car permit to authority. So it's compulsory he must find sponsor person to go through this process. It make the permit unpopular among buyers. In contrary, the buyers are quite cautious to sponsor in depositing other's foreign bank account unless he knows him detail. It make another dimension of difficulty for seller to get a successful deal.

Besides, there had been one bad news with regard to seaman car permit. It state, the application of car permit for seamen has exceeded the ceiling of 3,000 cars. Thus, the authority is currently holding for those permit beyond 3,000. It make buyers extremely cautious in buying shore job car permit with the prospect of similar condition despite no announcement had been made. As we all know, in Myanmar, everything can happen without prior notice. Finally these all situation contribute our dream of owning a car or selling a good permit destroyed. At the moment, rumor said shore job car permit has been decreased to less than 2 million in which there are only sellers in the market. That make buyers become upper hand in market status and double sink shore job workers who had loyally paid income taxes to the government.

May our policy makers able to realize the plight of shore job workers and change accordingly to ease those unwanted problems.

V-Day fever

2012-02-13T17:46:00.000-08:00

TODAY is February 14 which is better known as "Valentine Day". In the media, there has been V-Day related activities dominating several weeks in advance. The young people might have been impatient for this day and busy with the best idea for their loved ones. As a commuter who travel about two and half hours a day from and to between office and home, I notice that my fellow commuters are today more beautiful and smart compare to other usual day. Perhaps they all might have been a special appointment/date with their loved one this evening after work. Anyway, it's fabulous to see nicer people around and definitely they could make our work a better living place for a day unless it is for every day.

We could smell love in the air today. We could see happy couples around. We could see busy vendor of roses. No other make people happier than Love, I think. Love makes people motivate, beautiful, younger, brave, success, healthy, etc. Who else doesn't wants to see love? Probably nobody. It's expected that some friendship would be promoted to love-affair by tonight. Likewise, some relationship would be brought forward to tie a knot. Today would be a milestone day for some singles who might get green from their loved ones. Anyhow, seeing love is better than seeing divorce/ disputes/ angers around.

May all lovers have a good V-Day without destroying its original meaning. Love is in the air, try to taste it because it comes once a year. You don't need to be single to taste the love. Show your love to your soul-mate as well as your beloved child if you are married. For those singles who has no girl/boy friend also can show their love to the parent or relative. I hope V-day is not only meant to unmarried couple alone. May this year V-day able to fulfill with tremendous couples of love.

Trying to own a car ? 4

2012-02-13T17:13:00.000-08:00

LETS say we got an approval from the authority of permit controlling department, we have to go our new capital city for final step. You'll need to bring along all relevant original documents to proof if the officer in-charge has any questions in last minute. To be honest, this is the phase I didn't go through due to time constraint. I just sharing this from the words of my GP who continue processing on behalf of mine. Nobody knows how long processing take to pass and it make us hard to estimate the total duration time from A to Z. Again, assume we receive car permit from Naypyidaw and we need to follow up the consequence. For those who want to sell permit, the journey can end here. But for those who want to buy a car himself, he may need to explore the market to find potential car within his/her budget.

Being lack of experience ? Don't worry, there are several car agents who are opening the door to such customers who has occupied a car permit. They may show several options to be chosen if you approach them. They have some car catalog to explain potential customers. There are two major options, I think. One is choose a car from catalog and pay 1 million agent fees over car's valuation from auction. The agent will find and buy from Japanese resale market for you with his oversea bank account. Servicing fees 1 million Kyats cover from auction stage to Yangon port. The rest is your duty to clear any official clearance. Another simple option is surrender your car permit to preferred agent and take one of their already imported cars at discounted price. You may view the physical condition of their cars at the show compound. The price tag are stick at car wind mirror so the customer can straight away judge.

The below is sample list of the cars above 2007 models with the estimated prices for your perusal.Hope the above I have shown here are in order and able to help you make major decision with regard to the car permit. Wish you may able to import/buy your own dream car sooner than later.

V-Day fashion

2012-02-13T00:23:00.000-08:00

VALENTINE Day is at the corner and young couples are busying with the preparation for the love-prone day. It's understandable that couple considered this day as special. Also it can be considered a special day for those who intend to step up relationship to their loved ones. Regardless of purpose, the aim is to pay attention on loves which can make people crazy. The small word but powerful enough to make young people mad. In fact, not only young but old ones. This culture secretly infected to the whole world, even to the dignity-centric nation like our country. There seem no preventive pills to counter the growing trend of this V-day. The young are counting the day while some conservative people are worrying with the news and witness of some activities.

Being Buddhist majority country, our country didn't afford to prevent this ill-affected day celebration as the country started to open up its economy and politic. We have to accept that the global cultural would be entering sooner or later. It will subject to the wisdom of our authority. Today, I read an article written by famous writer in the domestic media website. He highlighted the danger of openness we currently face. He brought an example to emphasis his attention. It is an advertising for a V-day entertainment show by local media agent. They lured the potential audience by boosting that the lucky winning couples will be given lucrative package such as free meeting with astrologer, free bundle of roses, pack of chocolate, fully sponsor holiday package.

He was shocked to learn such advertisement openly to the public especially to the last holiday package for couple. In Myanmar, couple are not encouraged to go silent place before they tie the knot. Also it's discourage to single woman to go alone at night time. Amid such society, a frank advertisement like that can lead our young people think of wrong-doing. He even accused the organizer that they are like legally doing prosecution business by doing so. Free hotel-room for couple means a lot to our people to understand. Imagine what if the woman is your daughter/sister/relative. I'm sure nobody would like to face such answer and will support with the writer's comment. The writer also urged authority to censor such anti-law activities. Some activists urged to boycotts this V-day celebration and threaten to take photos of participants and upload in social media website like Facebook to shame/ downgrade them.

Regardless of purpose, it's not fit with our traditional ways. We all should abandon such challenging activities within our social cycle. Meanwhile, parent and teacher should play their role in guiding what is right and wrong to their children and pupils. Otherwise, weak law-governing will quietly encourage such ill-culture and eventually our country has a risk of becoming a prosecute country as our national hero, General Aung San, said 7 decades ago. It should be seen as not a one organizer's problem but our national identity threat.

May our authority able to foresee the real threats coming to our society to prevent the bright future of our young generation. May our young people be free from dirty-minded business world. May our young students gain a necessary education/wisdom to make them classify what's right and what's wrong for them. In my opinion, the activities of V-day are more likely to become period of hells rather than dream paradise day especially for our minors.

Trying to own a car ? 3

2012-02-10T01:33:00.001-08:00

AFTER getting foreign bank account and depositing, you needs to register at ministry of labour under title of foreign worker. It'll cost you FEC-100. Make sure you bring along FEC (Foreign Exchange Currency), not USD because our government office won't accept world's best recognized currency. FEC can be bought in roadside currency traders. After that, you compile the following data in order to able to apply car permit

-passport photo
-bank passbook original/copies (2 sets)
-income tax slip original/copies (2 sets)
-passport original/copies (2 sets)
-national identity card original/copies (2 sets)
-evidence of working in foreign countries original/copies (2 sets)
-pay slip to proof FEC-100 already levied
-speicail power / general power if you are busy to come back for collection

Below is car permit application form duly filled in.To be continued.

Cruel and Deadly Disease

2012-02-09T05:44:00.000-08:00

I recently was reading one diabetic related article sadly. She is just 4, but needs at least 5 insulin shots a day to keep her alive. Does it cruel to little babies alone? Not really. One in 9 nine adults in Singapore is diabetic. Not shock enough? The IDF (the International Diabetes Federation) data showed that, as of 2011, 366 million people had diabetes, and that the number would rise to 552 million by 2030 if no urgent action is taken. Diabetes caused 4.6 million deaths worldwide last year. The World Health Organization predicts that diabetes will be the seventh leading cause of death in the world by 2030. Total deaths from diabetes are projected to rise by more than 50% in the next 10 years.

The figures say much more than words. They are the fact that really happened to our world. We all only take care to HIV, Cancer, Hyper-B, etc. Why I am so concern these fact? My mother died of diabetes. My young elder sister is currently suffering from this disease. She cannot control her health by taking pills. Thus she needs to jab insulin shot herself daily in order to maintain her health at normal. She is poor at eating. Most of the foods are not suitable for her. It's look like hell in the live. Then there should be no reason why not prevent this killer disease. As they said, we know the value of health only when we fall in sick. It's not really wise to do so.

I glance other related facts that happening in the regional countries. Among Asean countries, Malaysia has the highest national prevalence of diabetes, with 11.7% of its adult population afflicted. Singapore comes a close second, with a national prevalence of more than 11%. Thailand and the Phillipine are next with 8.2%. Worldwide, China remains the country with the most number of people living with diabetes - 90 million. IDF president Jean Claude Mbanya said, "In every country and in every community worldwide, we are losing the battle against this cruel and deadly disease". If this disease is happening to the most developed countries, no wonder our country's people are suffering despite there are no relevant official data. If we have a system to record, perhaps we are one of the highest in the region because I have heard a lot cases around my reach alone. Since prevention is better than cure. It'ld be wise to take care ourselves before we are not diagnosed with this cruel. How do we know/detect if we have diabetes? The IDF website lists the following warning signs that someone could have diabetes:

-Frequent urination
-Excessive thirst
-Increased hunger
-Weight loss
-Tiredness
-Lack of interest and concentration
-Vomiting and stomach pain
-Tingling sensation/ numbness in hands/feet
-Blurred vision
-Frequent infections
-Slow-healing wounds

May all human being be able to free from Diabetes.

Trying to own a car ? 2

2012-02-09T01:29:00.000-08:00

ASSUME you have compiled necessary documents to apply foreign bank account. You are supposed to submit by hand and wait until your name is being called. No surprise if you see Myanmar's sole foreign trade bank staffs are still using Leger instead of widely recognized computerized system. It's really happening to our office that is anti-productivity. The premise to handle those submitting forms are relatively small space packed with about 10 counters back to back. Applicants are squeezed amidst those wooden counters. There are no battery run loud speakers to call right person. It make people unable to leave counters after submitting their application form to open account. Sadly, one table cannot finish things to be done and will ask applicant to go around the office manually. Another headache to lines up while keep questioning each other. No air-conditioned room make people get easily sweat. But still cannot deter people to go there with the prospect of getting a car permit. In brief, it take me about two working days for preparation and another one working day for processing. After getting account, next step is to deposit US Dollar to the brand new bank account. The amount will be calculated by bank staff based on income tax slip.

The formula is 10 times what we have paid taxes to government. Then, the applicant could expect to get 50% of those multiplying amount for grant in ceiling. The rule said shore job workers can import car not less than 2007 model. Above 2007 models are considered recently produce cars and expensive. It make shore job workers unable to afford to buy themselves. It leads them to sell permit to rich people who want to buy new car. It's understandable that shore job workers are mostly from poor family background and their earnings have been used in the daily needs of their family's expenses. Since they are low paid workers, where got few thousand US Dollar in their saving? It's impossible for majority of shore job workers. Thus it's inevitable to sell back rich people in order to make some profit from the rare opportunity.

While exchanging car permit is valued at 100 to 150 lakhs Kyats, shore job permit can draw only 20 to 30 lakhs due to its high model rule. In order to get a good car, the amount can go as expensive as 50,000 USD. It means bank saving have to get 100,000 USD and one have paid income tax for 10,000 which is pretty much and not realistic to most of shore job workers. For instance, I have been working in foreign land for 7 years now and I have paid income tax loyally to date. Even for me, I could able to sum up for about USD 2,500 which mean I need to deposit 25,000 USD and will get USD 12,500 permit if everything goes right. In fact, that amount can purchase for small cars with 1300 cc engine power. I cannot buy luxury car with that amount. Do not misunderstand with that. I can't afford to deposit even USD 12,500 myself. Thus I sell my permit to a rich man and let him deposit for me. I just get some amount for using my tax slips and signature.

(To be continued)

Trying to own a car ?

2012-02-08T23:01:00.000-08:00

RECENTLY, our government allowed shore job workers to import a car per head if they have paid duly income taxes loyally to date. The news is welcomed by all shore job and sea job workers. As usual, things related to our government offices are not easy task. Those shore job workers who intend to import a care have to apply car permit first. The problem begins there. The president changes policies to ease people's lives. But the character of government staffs is not match with the attitude of our president. It's understood that the applicant has to compile relevant documents before he/she goes to the office. First of all, the applicant has to open foreign bank account at MFTB (Myanmar Foreign Trade Bank) which is solely place for those who want to get car permit from all over the country. There are some requirements to open bank account at MFTB as follow:-

1) application form duly filled in - attention to MD
2) appointment letter
3) company contract
4) income tax slip up to date
5) passport copy
6) leave form
7) national identity card (to copy front and rare page on a same page)
8) introductory letter by existing MFTB bank account holder (need 2 recommendation)
9) passport photo 2 nos
10) NRIC copy of intended joint account holder (optional)

The form has to be pasted with a 3.00 Ks stamp from internal revenue office. Out of 10 documents required above, only item no.8 is out of reach and easily can find sponsor at nearby platform shops. But it will cost you 30,000 Ks per head. They'll offer full service for 300,000 Ks if you have no time to go long journey of documentation. Regardless of sense or non-sense, you have to entertain those document required by MFTB if you want to get a car permit. This is just the beginning of long journey. You have to be patient, friend. This is Burma.

this piece of paper can be found front counter of MFTB for those who wanna open bank account.

(to be continued)

World's Forgotten Dynasty

2012-02-08T20:20:00.000-08:00

LAST week, one survey conducted revealed its discovery under the title of "forgotten destination for tourists". Myanmar's ancient city Bagan was ranked 4th out of 10 forgotten places, mostly from Asia. While our country secure a place of bottom in most of survey in term of every good aspect. I am happy to see our ancient city was ranked within top five worldwide. What a good news to our people. Amid opening economy, I believe the latest survey will bring more tourists to our nation and help our tourism sector.

Bagan is situated on the bank of Irrawaddy river and ideally sit on the heart of Myanmar. It was Burma's first ever dynasty by historian. I was founded in 1044 and sacked in end 13th century by mongol invaders. During its peak time, our prosperous Kings and people were building a lot temple, pagodas to show their admire in Buddhism and wealth. Myanmar was top in the mainland of south east asia until mid 16th century. I am reading a book of famous historic traveler, Marco Polo right now and proudly to know that he reached Myanmar during his discovery trip to Eastward. He drew a map of his traveling later and it become an important book for world's historians. The book was named "the description of the world" and I am very proud to see my country in his map. Other than Myanmar, only Cambodia can be seen in his map. Because anchor is another famous from south east Asia region.

What a deep historian are we? We have deep long history. We're not born recently just like some nations. We have century long history, culture. Our forefathers built temple and pagodas as big as Europe's biggest churches. The different is we made them few centuries earlier than they did. The remain of ruin pagodas in today Bagan suggest how civilian from this region been developed in past. It show how had our people been excel in Architecture, Mathematics, Geography, Building construction, etc. To be realistic, today we are like a forbidden nation. The world sanctioned us like an alien nation. In fact, we should proud of our forefather's achievement and should maintain this rich history to brought forward. Otherwise the soul of our forefathers won't be comfortable from the heaven.

May the world able to explore the beauty of our country and realize the wisdom of our people in past unless it's not for current generation. For this reason alone, I'm really proud of being Myanmar citizen. No matter how poor or least developed nation. The history cannot be changed. It's our heritage and we have to value it properly. May our leaders value those historic structure and make restoration effort to make it eternal.

Ambitious Burma

2012-02-08T19:53:00.000-08:00

IT's delightful to know that our leaders increasingly becoming ambitious people. Yesterday, our famous lady who is widely considered people's leader expressed his simple ambition about her country. She admits that we are being behind in the region and will try to get advantage from being behind by taking lessons from the mistake of our neighbours who are already ahead of us. She bravely declared that she hopes her country to be ahead of ASEAN member countries within a decade. Sound hilarious? Let it be. Time will say the truth.

Likewise, our president urged mayor of our biggest city, Yangon, to transform dilapidated city to green city like Singapore. again, hilarious joke? Let it be. At least, he has desire to improve our living standard. It's better to have an ambition than lacking. We all have to support his sincere ambition to come true. Being citizen, it's our obligation to help our mother land keep move forward. Stop blaming each other. It's time to unite and open up.

Who can deny one day Burma can overtake regional nations in term of development? Given condition especially in geopolitical and natural resources which are ideal to develop a nation, it's possible to become everything if we have a strong wills. In a half century time since independence, we never heard such ambitious speeches from our leaders to date. What a good sound to our people even there is still no blue print to fulfill our ambition? Never mind, there is a will, there might be a way. International community are eager to help our weakness in various sectors. We can gain their technological know how and obviously save our valuable time in building our nation. It'll help us mitigate the gap within a relatively short time.

Being immigrant worker myself, I can't stop to count down the day I could able to return home land as I can smell the changes everyday. I can read good news regarding my country which I had no chance to read in past. I can imagine the opportunity being awaits in near future. I can dream doing the job for mother land. I can dream of living together with family. I can dream..............What a good sense is it? Now we all can see a time to return home. In past, we are look like futureless people. We didn't know when we will return home in past. Now, we can able to number our day in alien country.

Thank you, our leaders. Hopefully I could be given a chance to serve my nation one day in near future. Wish you find 2012 is a remarkable year for you and our nation.

Pay hike

2012-02-08T00:54:00.000-08:00

WITH the effort of transforming clean governance, our parliament had agreed to review civil service's salaries and increase them so that government staffs are able to focus on their respective job. The new civilian government acknowledged that current salary is not enough to survive daily expenses now. The news follow a good news of limited sanction lifted by US. The government has gained trust gradually both from international community and our people. As a human being, our people might know what is good and what is bad. At the same time, the government introduced the draft law of anti-corruption. The international watch-dog ranked Myanmar as a worst law country to protect FDI that is not a good sign to encourage incoming foreign investment companies. Anyway, we believe that this momentum won't be derailed as long as our leaders are willing to keep political and economical reform. Exceptionally, our rich natural resource and cheap labor will become magnet to those investment companies from outside world.

If we are supposed to go on the way of development, we have to raise our people's lifestyle. Without income rise, it'ld be hard to see immediate impact. Raising wages to civil service will be the best form of pumping money to the market so that their spending power become better. It'll certainly help our cooling economy and investor will find it reliable to domestic 60 million people market. Hopefully, this good news will draw unlimited cheers from our people as well as critic. May our people able to live their lives as comfortable as possible under the guidance of wise leaders.

Vulnerable UN ?

2012-02-06T23:55:00.000-08:00

I personally sometime think that who has real power when it come to global concern situation between UN and its permanent security member states. Currently, the western countries are unhappy with the situation in Syria and last week UN security council decided to take action against Syria to protect its innocent citizen. However that decision was barred by Russia and China by its veto power. So what does UN do with its decision when communist minded permanent states disagree with it? Nothing to do but showing their displeasure. This week, Russia and China foreign ministry issued response toward those displeasure with their veto using. Anyway it's sign of vulnerable on UN's power. Who else can deny this?

Next, Iran's nuclear related case. UN constantly showed its objection with regard to Iran's secret attention to become another nuclear power. It doesn't matter what is the reason to hinder Iran's nuclear program me. US, as usual, is producing loudest voice and clearest concern by moving its powerful navy nearby gulf. Regardless of international community's concern, again Russia and China are supporting Iran with the sake of its lucrative oil production. China is energy hungry nation and import visible amount of oil from Iran and don't want to spoil their relationship. Thus, China will not delay to support Iran if they are in need to protect their own business interests. On the other hand, China seems trying to persuade anti-US nations worldwide to enhance its power as far as possible from its shores.

Yesterday, Israel announced to commence its attack to Iran on the ground of their nation's security. No nation nor organisation can stop them doing that as it is considered highly dangerous. It's not just a war between two nation. It's a war of religious as well. If Israel attacks Iran, other Muslim world countries will enforce to Iran to counter Israel. For instance, Pakistan announce that they'll not hesitate to support Iran if Israel attack. Thus, world is concerning that nuclear weapon possession nation like Pakistan will enter the war and it could go beyond control.

On the economic world, EU is trying to survive from its current crisis. If Israel and Iran enter to war, there will definitely affect oil production in middle east particularly in Iran who is one of most oil exporters in the world. It'll prompt the oil supply shortage in market and will inevitably make oil price up. Subsequently, the EU will find themselves falling into the recession, even its strongest industrialization nation, Germany will not able to avoid it. What's good for war? Almost nothing. Who can stop war then? Apparent UN. Does UN has ability to stop those potential wars? Doubtful. Then who else will control those dangerous games? Probably US and its alley NATO. Hopefully some organization able to stop those unwanted wars to save our world regardless of where and reason.

May the world able to stay peacefully by the power of UN authority.

Welcoming News

2012-02-06T22:16:00.000-08:00

YESTERDAY, US lifted one of its many sanctions against our country with the recognition of recent positive moves by newly elected civilian governments. In the recent visit to Singapore by our president, he told media that he had committed whatever he can and the rest is for US to lift their sanctions. Does US hear our president's voice through international media. Following our president's state visit, Singapore urged US to lift sanction against us to acknowledge once military rule country's newly elected government effort. It doesn't matter, which sound do US law makers heard to ease sanction against us. The limited sanctions will allow assessment mission and limited technical assistance to be conducted by financial institutions such as World Bank, the Asia Development Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

I simply believe that this limited sanctions release news will encourage our leaders to keep reform going in our country. Our leaders might have feel the fruitful result of their tirelessly work done since they took highest office in our land. It's undeniable that everybody recognize with the improvement of our country's situation even the most critic previously. Now I could able to read some good news with regard to my country in the foreign media frequently. This condition cannot be imagine in recent past. But it has been real and happy to view the positive news of our mother land.

Wish our leaders may able to keep positive changing on the ground of our people's best benefit.

Open up, Burma

2012-01-10T00:24:00.000-08:00

CHANGE is in the air of my country. Our new civilian government is busying to meet incoming several ministers from the west and region. Myanmar's leaders are experiencing this new trend like never before. Foreign investment companies are trying to seek an opportunity in our land. Some are cautious while some think no better time to invest in Burma. Some government are sending several delegates to assess our improvement. The oldies like China and Thailand may have worried with the flow of westerner to gauge our reform. Anyway, anyhow, nobody can deny that Myanmar is on the road of democratic. It make some companies and countries rush to engage with our authority to get permit for their investment. It's obvious that no government could able to create enough jobs without FDI. Thus, our government would pave a way to welcome such investment if they are right and worthy investor.

Today, there is a news related to Myanmar's development. It states that Asian firms in pole as Myanmar beckons in title. The news highlighted that Singapore-listed Yoma Strategic Holdings last week announced plans to develop a project known as Star City, near Yangon, that will include housing estates and shopping malls. One head of Singapore law firm commented that "Myanmar presents a relative low-risk, high-return proposition that is hard to ignore". He continue to say that "I've had queries from corporate clients in infrastructure and construction who are keen to explore Myanmar for the simple reason it presents a compelling high investment growth strategy". Japanese businesses are among those looking to expand, and the two governments agreed last month to start talks on an investment pact.

What a good news for my country is it? I am pretty happy to see such positive news. Usually I could able to see my country news as a negative one. This time, the local newspaper is highlighting a good part of our country. I hope our leaders will able to magnet FDI so they can decrease our human resource loss to neighboring countries in future. Who will want to go outside country if they can find a proper job within home land? Being foreign worker myself, it is hard to see educated workers from Thailand, even Vietnam here. It suggest that their educated workers are able to find a good job in their country and no need to go out abroad. For us, it's inevitable to find greener pasture in abroad as it's not possible to get a suitable job. I do believe, we all could return our homeland sooner than later if our government keep changing policies in positive way to lure potential foreign direct investment both in technology and dollars.

May our leaders wise enough to choose the best possible business partner from apparent opportunist ones.

Pay matter to all politician ?

2012-01-09T20:05:00.000-08:00

TALKING focus has been on recent salary review statement by government and still in its people mind. Just like Singaporean, I also quietly curious in how much their millionaire minister's wages are above the rest of the world. As I stated in previous post based on top 10 world leaders who got highest salaries. Now I'm wondering how much Asian leaders receive for their role in policy making. As a part of finding true answer in people's concern, I wanted to know if the salary matter to other famous regional leaders whose performance are highly recognized just like Singapore's minister do. The following standing might have told us some dimension of answer.

Top 10 Asia Pacific Leader's annual salary in USD

1. Hu Jintao (China) - $10,633
2. Manmohan Singh (India) - $36,200
3. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono - $124,000
4. Lee Myung-bak (South Korea) - $162,000
5. Ma Ying-Jeou (Taiwan) - $184,000
6. John Key (New Zealand) - $310,000
7. Yoshihiko Noda (Japan) - $316,000
8. Julia Gillard (Australia) - $495,000
9. Donald Tsang (Hong Kong) - $550,000
10. Lee Hsien Loong (Singapore) - $1,650,000

Finally, I can't stop thinking our leader's salary to compare against regional counterparts. To the best of my knowledge, our president earn Kyats 50 lakhs per month. Thus I could able to convert it to USD to compare apple to apple. Assume 1USD is equivalent to 800 Kyats. Our president's salary can be calculated as follow:-
Basic salary : 5,000,000 Ks
Exchange rate: 1US$ = 800 Ks
Thus salary in US$ = (5,000,000/800) x 12 = $75,000

WOW, not bad, even higher than China & India counterpart. Exactly, 7 times to China's president and 2.7 times to India's PM. If we calculate based on GDP per capita, the figure might have gone further. Since our country was once one of wealthiest country in Asia, the pay is right to our newly elected civilian president. As the pay come better, the leader should be expected to perform better. Hopefully our president is doing his work by showing the world how he is trust-worthy with the serial reform. For sure, our ministers are never mind on the salary issue as the perk behind might have been the best in the world. May our leader able to please with their salaries. May our ministers able to have enough salaries to put corruption at bay.

Vegetarian Friend

2012-01-09T19:40:00.000-08:00

I everyday take my lunch box to work and enjoy home made food. One Indian colleague also brings his own food like me. So we became lunch-mate and have been together eat lunch for more than 3 years now. Thus, he notices that I am everyday having meat lunch. He is vegetarian and everyday eat rice and bean soup only. I am surprise to see him everyday enjoy standard curry which is bean-soup. He cannot eat my food but he always give me his curry.

Besides, we sit side by side work desk and he can see whatever I do. I take at least one medicine after lunch and he also notice that. I have assorted medicines both English and Myanmar in my workplace drawer. As time goes on, we become more friendly and one day he asked me frank question. He raised, "I see you are eating meat, vegetable everyday and also eat medicine". I said "yes". He don't take any medicine with regular basis like I do. It make him puzzle why I needed to take medicine everyday while eating a lot curry. I also sometime asking myself that why I still need to take medicine. Perhaps, I am too much concern about my health. Or my immune system is vulnerable compare to my Indian friend. Anyway, my daily routine has been long practiced and became habit. So I find it hard to change it and keep doing the same.

My Indian friend might have understood that I will keep my daily procedure as usual despite his suggestion and never told me the same again. Strange thing is I still encountering sickness more frequent than my Indian colleague does. Am I able to rid of taking medicine in future? My answer is probably no since I became older and older. I simply hope that hectic life style in lion city and insufficient nutrient will keep me taking multivitamin supplement tablet. Myanmar has a saying that " Our live could be guarded by only wisdom".

Forbidden Country

2012-01-09T19:18:00.000-08:00

VERY often, I am disappointed to learn Myanmar is not in the list of worldwide countries at the commercial ground. Recall one day when I was taking haircut at the local barber which is run by Japanese saloon. The hair-dresser guess I am a foreigner and ask me where am I coming from. I answer her shortly as "Myanmar". Surprisingly, she don't know my country despite she is from the region. She even added, she never heard such name before that prompt to explain by referring famous neighbour countries. I asked her if she knows Thailand, China, India. Easily she said yes and I explain that my country is located amid them.

Every time, I read airline's boasting advertisement, again I am upset to see there is no Myanmar destination in the long list. Even Cambodia's Siem Reap could be found in the list. Why like that? Only our authority may know the reason. What I know for sure is we suffer paying much higher from limited airlines. It's look like some type of monopoly is happening in our country's nature. Why our country leaders are not concerning about its citizen? If they are thinking themselves of civilian government, it's their obligation to try all possible way to ease our people's life. Otherwise they will never gain people's eternal love and trust.

Most recently was happening on yesterday to me. I was at the Mustafa shopping center to buy a prepaid sim card. The staff was needed to register my sim card to activate. But he was encountering difficulty to make it successful because there is no Myanmar under country list. He needs to fill up online form which require personal data such as Name, NRIC No, Nationality, DOB. While the rest is Ok to fill up, we couldn't go through as we can't find Myanmar in the drop down box. The problem is we are not allowed to manually key in. Eventually, we take Malaysia wrongly and luckily it is successful. Why not Myanmar in the list?

Above some matters in mind, I asked myself in the way back home, "Are we from forbidden country?" Only the God will know. May our country be recognized by world's society soonest possible following democratic reform recently.

Salary Matter ?

2012-01-05T22:51:00.000-08:00

FOLLOWING the recommendation for Singapore's minister's salary, there have been a lot opinions on local newspaper and online. Senior minister Grace Fu posted on her Facebook wall and got several hundreds comments, mostly are negatively response. She recalled her days before she joined politic from her successful career with PSA in 2006. She reiterated that it wasn't salary that make her thinking to enter political world. I'm quite agree with her statement on her Facebook page. To be honest, I didn't think of government office holder's feeling. Her short brief can make me sympathize of politician at least. To make her opinion alive in my memory, let me share how did she face difficult junction before she skip her successful career for political office. Her original controversial respond to the salary cut recommendation could be found in her Facebook as follow:-

"When I made the decision to join politics in 2006, pay was not a key factor. Loss of privacy, public scrutiny on myself and my family and loss of personal time were. The disruption to my career was also an important consideration. I had some ground to believe that my family would not suffer a drastic change in the standard of living even though I experienced a drop in my income. So it is with this recent pay cut. If the balance is tilted further in the future, it will make it harder for anyone considering political office."

The above her opinion appeared some warning words in the end. We have to be realistic in thinking things especially for those affect policies. Some may not be agree with her opinion while others may agree. I would like to be in the latter group because Singapore has only human resource to rely on. Besides, republic may find it difficult to maintain its momentum if they fail to attract highly talent people to join politic. We cannot expect all politician to work passionately regardless of their pay. Some might be while other think other way.

In fact, I am just foreign worker in lion city whose application for SPRs had been rejected for twice. However I cannot assume recent minister's salary review is non of my business. Because without able cabinet ministers, Singapore will fail to create enough job opportunities that may affect us our current jobs. It's obvious that Singaporean come first when the government consider employment. Thus we have to pray a goodness of Singapore's economy if we are to work for longer term. Otherwise, it would be real risk of loosing job sooner than later.

May Singapore find an excellent solution with regard to current salary cut review so that its ministers can enjoy their public service absolutely.

Number Game

2012-01-04T21:37:00.000-08:00

MYANMAR is busying with filtering who should they put in the list of serial amnesty. Analyst are tiring with how many political prisoner are included in the latest clemency. Likewise, Singapore has been busying for 7 months to review their million dollar earning ministers' salaries. It's hefty assignment for the 7 men plus 1 women committee. Eventually, the recommendation of month long research disclosed to public. PM wrote to chairman of salary review committee that the government is willing to agree with their encounter and will forward the message to parliament for final setting. What a good match between authorities and makeshift committee that is also assigned by authority?

We all knew that Singapore's political figures are getting world's highest salaries. The government have their own reasons for making this happen while the opposition always highlight this as a weak point. Some lowest income Singaporean also show their unhappiness on the always keep going up of live expenses. They seem not enough with government subsidies as they earn very little. The government may not cover all they needs as they want them to take some responsibility to ease their own difficulties. Let it be. This is the matter of republic's government and its people. Nothing to do with a foreign worker like me.

Where does it source that make Singapore's ministers millionaire? I read on a book of MM Lee with regard to this matter. He found that it'ld be difficult to attract talented people from going MNCs if there is not a good payment structure in the government office. He noticed that the successful professionals can make million dollar a month in their respective career. Also he understand that without highly rated talent in office, there would be slim chance to maintain the momentum of Singapore's economy. Perhaps, such thinking drive him find a formula that offer an attractive salaries to those who intend to join government service. However he didn't apply the formula during his day in PM office up to 1990. He drew his successor's attention regarding adjustment of public salaries by introducing his formula. Mr. Goh passed the formula to apply. The current formula must be same with MM Lee generated or discovered. How does it work?

It based on the median income of the top eight earners in six professions, including banking and law, with a one-third discount. The salary review committee has recommended the formula be changed to the median income of the top 1,000 Singaporean income earners, with a 40% discount. The committee also recommended a new national bonus to replace the GDP bonus that ministers currently receive. The proposed national bonus is to be decided based on four measures: GDP growth, unemployment rate, real growth in median incomes and real growth in the incomes of the bottom 20% of wage earners. Despite the steep cut in current salaries, republic's political leaders remain at the top of salary competition. Have a look at world's top political leader's salary by country as at 2010.

1. Lee Hsien Loong (Singapore) : $2,183,516
2. Donald Tsang (Hong Kong) : $513,245
3. Raila Odinga (Kenya) : $427,886
4. Barack Obama (United States) : $400,000
5. Nicolas Sarkozy (France) : $302,435
6. Stephen Harper (Canada) : $296,400
7. Mary McAleese (Ireland) : $287,900
8. Julia Gillard (Australia) : $286,752
9. Angela Merkel (Germany) : $283,608
10. Yoshihiko Noda (Japan) : $273,676

When it comes to what a leader is really paid, a distinction must be made between base salary and additional stipends. Leaders may receive free residences or residential stipends, free healthcare, free travel and other perks. They may be permitted expenses that most people would have to pay for out of pocket. Those figures are more difficult to come by, especially in the murky world of political influence. The hidden perks behind salaries might have been reason for why tiny city state's ministers are earning most against their counterparts from the world. Once MM Lee told that Singapore government let ministers decide themselves in spending their earning which is all inclusive. The government provide no other allowance like other political leaders enjoy with their relatively less salaries.

Our new civilian government should learn this competition as if they are to become clean government. Without enough salaries, it would be impossible for public officer to ban any incoming brides. In order to minimize the visible corruption, our new leaders must be wise in adjusting our public servant's wages. Otherwise, it'ld be mission impossible to make their pledge to become true. May our government leaders find a relevant formula with regard to salary of our public workers.

source: data from investopedia.com

Hello 2012

2012-01-04T00:15:00.000-08:00

It's widely recommended that 2011 was a good year and turning point for our country's modern history. We all see a serial changes in which most of changes are deemed positive. Some are optimistic while others seem impatient with pace of changing. As our president said, we're in the transition stage and we can't compare with the mature nations of democracy in term of pace. It's agreeable that baby democracy state couldn't move very fast. Since Rome is not built by over night, our new civilian government won't be able to build with the rapid rate. They may need adequate time to construct our nation to escape from its own trap.

At the same time, people are busying with guessing the outlook of our political landscape in new year 2012. Some great world leaders thought it's irreversible in politic now. Who know for real challenges? We should welcome as long as new government is willing to change with regard to the development of our nation. However, 2012 is treated by unexpected clemency in which president used his power to cut imprisonment of inmates. People were much hope of freedom for political prisoner this time as by-election date had been set on April 1. The most beneficial prisoners from this amnesty are those who offended general criminal rather than political. Anyway, it's good for anybody to get freedom in the day of our independence.

For me, I had a good happy new year day on the very first day of 2012 with my close friends. We all went and see the famous MBS casino. The service they give are amazing to convince gambler keep coming their casino. No wonder Singapore's just over one year old casino over take once world's famous Lavegas casino, one spot behind China's Macau. We were impressing with the touch of interior decoration. We didn't test our luck during our first ever visit to casino. But we're enjoying to study how people are crazy with gambling. We noticed that most of people are senior citizen in which more than half are women. We agreed that women are more determined in gambling than their men.

After touring casino, we continue to walk around shoppe at marina for just window-shopping. Then we decided to climb famous sky-park at the top of marina hotels. It is located in the level no. 56,57 & 58. The lifts are super fast and we reach top within 1 minute. It cost us S$20 per minute. We were informed by ticketing counter staff that we are allowed to tour for limited area. We couldn't able to enjoy swimming pool area which are meant for their guest who stay at hotel. Perhaps, it's because they manage to protect their guest's privacy or avoid excessive human traffic at peak tourist season. Regardless, we're not allowed to access the famous swimming pool area. We got bird eye view from level 56 & 57. We took few hundreds photos to last our good memories. Luckily, the weather was good enough and excellent for dwellers. An hour later, we climb down for home.

In return, we took water-taxi from MBS to merlion park. The original round trip cost S$17 per pax. It begins at the foot of art-science museum and end the same point. The route stretch up to Boat Qwey. We bought one way ticket to merlion as we are so tired to walk back peninsular plaza for dinner. It cost us S$4.00 per pax. It's quite worthy to ride water taxi as we could get different perspective view from the centre of reservoir. The night sense gave us additional bonus. We could have a great happy moment at least for half day in the happy new year day. More importantly, we meet our long time no see friends and together make it a day to remember. My wife and I are especially happy for having a good metropolitan view photo for our little daughter. We'll save those beautiful photos in her digital album so she could feel keep in touch with us and remember her parent.

May year 2012 keep us have such happy moment.

Family Union Holiday

2012-01-03T23:34:00.000-08:00

WITHIN 7 months from last visit home, I got another chance to go back home with the help of long CNY holiday. It has been full of excitement since we decided to buy air-ticket without being granted for leaves. My wife is very determined this time as she haven't seen her baby girl since she left her for Singapore. As I attended our daughter's one year Birthday celebration alone, I was less serious on buying risky air-ticket online. It cost us facing expensive ticket. We're now able to sight after acquiring a much needed couple weeks long CNY leaves grant from our respective job. In foreign land, it's not an easy task to ask leaves for very often. Most possibly once a year holiday grant could be considered a good job. Fortunately, I got a chance to go back home twice in 2010 & 2011.

As usual, we cannot simply go back home. We're busy with present-thinking and shopping. The cold winter in mother land will welcome us and it make us additional planning. When the chilly winter come to mind, it's a must to bring a warm-giving jackets and accessories. Meanwhile, we can't stop thinking how to convince our little daughter after long time no see especially for my wife. Being mother, her love is visible and always dreamed of daughter. She started to worry on whether our daughter would recognize us or not. Such irrelevant thought make her go through sleepless nights. Luckily, I met our princess 6 months ago when I held her one year Birthday ceremony. My wife was unable to get leave as she just joined new company when our daughter's B'day come. I knew she swallow her desires for the good sake of our princess.

The time seem going fast to us now. Our little baby girl able to walk herself. She could able to speak by short cut phrases. She could understand people's command. She is absolutely making progress obviously. Unfortunately, she fall into sick frequently and we're aware of her good health. We can't be happy if we know she is sick back home. Thus, we are required to give her calls. Now calling home even more meaningful as she can greet us "Phay Phay, May May" with her little sharp sound. Which parent don't want to listen their child especially when they are being apart? We are not exceptional and we all equally adjust our stingy attitude on spending telephone cost.

Last night, we were being told that our daughter and her guardian aunty who is my elder sister will come and meet at airport. Thankfully, we don't need to wait until we reach our home town to see our princess. Once we land our homeland, we will able to see our delightful daughter. That news keep us thinking through night. My wife and I are thinking of what should we buy for our daughter so as to grab her attention. The time is limited and we'll have no time to waste in family bonding. On the other hand, I remember one of my friend's reminder that we shouldn't make so friendly with our child as it'll suffer her more when we go back foreign land at the end of holiday. I'm cautious with the advice of my sisterhood friend and I'll remember it whenever we meet our little princess with the temporary basis.

Hopefully, we could able to return home permanently sooner than later so that we could enjoy family life to its fullest. Our country starts changing and opening up now. May our dream come true soonest possible.

Little knowledge is dangerous

2011-12-29T23:42:00.000-08:00

EARLY yesterday, our biggest city, Yangon, was being blazed by unusual fire. There are a lot claims saying their opinions. In my country, the authority used to point electrical shock as a reason of fires. In fact, it is generated by the owner of the initiating place to mitigate their offense. Unlike the past this time, the serial photos uploading online almost immediately and public able to access it. It probably make our authority a bit hard to express what they think as there are evidences available online. More thoughtful people upload their opinion or comments by judging on the photos. It benefit others by reading their judgement rather than reading state paper just saying wire shock every time.

We knew from the report that the fire started from the state warehouse in which a lot chemical stored. Those chemical substances make fire uncontrollable for few hours and even claim dozens dead and several dozens injured. Some photo suggest, our outdated firemen are helpless but seeing at blazing. The unexpected exploration did surprise them and they might have got distraught. I understand from some books that not every fire can be extinguished by water. There are other materials such as foam, chemical, to kill fire. Of course, such knowledge may not come cheap and I am not sure our fire-fighter are well equipped or not. Anyhow, it's regrettable to learn some fire-fighters were killed by exploration and fire. Perhaps, such fire is first ever experience for them. The poor is never good in any perspective. The poor society may not afford to equip our fire department well. It had claimed our people's lives when it come without prior notice like this incident.

Finally, the root of all problems back to authority. Why our authority allow people store such dangerous chemical amid residential quarters? Does it mean they don't foresee the potential risks like this? Does it mean they don't value our people's life? Does it mean our business men could do anything regardless of lawful or lawless. Does it mean there are some elite society that can do everything what they like. Does it mean the sign of corruption condition. There must be some people behind to take responsible for this tragic. I don't know if our authority will take necessary action so that our people may not encounter such tragic again in future. Sometime, knowing little make us our life extremely put dangerous. It's understandable that ordinary people are not aware of such thing. However, the authorities should have aware of such case because it may cause our people's life on the edge. Hopefully, our authority able to uncover the real reason of this incident as they are obliged to protect our people's life.

Victim of Greedy agent

2011-12-29T23:06:00.000-08:00

IT's been relatively long time I am unable to turn my blog. Coincidentally, during that period, there were a lot head line news with regard to our community. Cheating Agent from Peninsular Plaza hit top most amidst several adverse news because we all migrant workers rely on them to send our hard earn money back home. We all knew that this business is not legal. But we have to use their service because no choice. We don't have banking service like our counterpart from other countries enjoy. Again, we all have to risk our hard earn money by using those agents.

Being Buddhist person, our people are quite optimistic until they are being cheated unfairly. Eventually, disaster news had arrived to us mercilessly. What happened to our unknown fellow citizen agent? They have made a good return business due to this illegal money transfer market. They may not survive without our help. Likewise, we may not be so easy to send back our money without their service. So we are inter-dependent. In such scenario, we keep put our faith in each other. We know that it's not a perfect route. We occasionally found some bitter taste with regard to unsuccessful money transfer which mostly can be settled later.

However, this time, it's not resolvable due to huge amount involved. The report said there are 4 to 5 million Dollar taken away by a greedy person. The problem is victims are unable to file at police due to illegal business. I never thought there would be such huge amount circulating by our agents. There were some news suggests that the Myanmar agents from peninsular plaza may not be survive without illegal effort. They cited the expensive rental fees of downtown plaza which is reported about SGD 5,000 per room. Some analyst guess they are part of money laundering coming from Myanmar's generals back home. Some shops were founded by some Myanmar tycoons and generals. No matter the shops are making profit or lose for them so long as they can make some legal money source for them in order to avoid possible future prosecution against them.

Since, the wide spread biggest cheat story, there have been most scare in money transfer through our agents. Some are still crying for their lost hard earn money. In mitigation of their grief, some got back half amount. Those who escape from this incident became more cautious when money transfer time is getting in mind. At the same time, there are news saying Myanmar government is planning to set up some bank to help it citizen transferring money without worry. It's good news and it follow the most interesting news of income tax free policy. Fortunately, our government have thought of our plight oversea and we welcome such news with both arms. It's impossible for us and even we don't believe the new first come out by thinking just rumors. Anyway I am sure it may ease our life in foreign land. Meanwhile, I read news saying MFA will audit on the shops of peninsular plaza in the wake of shock cheat Burmese stories.

May all my fellow citizen able to transfer their hard earn money without worry.

People on the go

2011-12-20T00:36:00.000-08:00

NOWADAYS is information age. Those who know earlier info got stand ahead of the rest. It make people in the rush mode regardless of places. In the past, people have to rely on desktop to access information world. So they need to stay at home or office to enable them access. Now, technologies make our life easier and closer at the fastest pace. We don't need to wait until we reach work or home to know what's happening to the world. Everybody nowadays use mobile phone that empower them keep in touch with others. Business people used smart phone that can access internet from anywhere. It mean, they can work anywhere, no matter where they are. They can keep relationship with their loved ones while they are working. Now, there are a lot things can be done on the go.

It's nothing new to see around that people are talking, playing games, watching video, sending email/sms, reading noble, capturing a good photo, listen music/radio, etc nowadays. People seem do not have enough time to do things properly. They are working on the go, eating on the go, drinking on the go, even apply make-up on the go. Recently I read and saw a news showing Hong Kong's working adults are putting their uniform on the MRT in the sight of fellow commuters. What happen to our world so far? But it's unstoppable and continuing. Who dare to stop as modern people quietly accept it and follow. Finally we may have to rely on our religious practices as well as quality education which more emphasize on EQ rather than IQ alone. Without them, I believe there are no way to tame our people especially to younger generation.

Train Headache

2011-12-18T21:45:00.000-08:00

SINCE last Thursday train breakdown, the public have been experiencing serial disclosure/disruption of the similar cases on the route to/from work. Most of head line news in the local newspaper are taken by train related incidents news and voice of commuters. Since, Singaporean are easy to complain, they started to voice out so that authority and responsible party could hear their displeasure. The government initially seem silent and later look into the matter after SMRT CEO admit they didn't prepare for such large scales incident. The transport operator failed to oversee such unwanted incidents despite they started train operation in 1987. The train driver and MRT staffs fail to update the latest status to the panic commuters stuck in the underground trains and it put SMRT's handling skill from bad to worse. As usual, the opposition party started to raise their concern to grab people's votes in the expense of other party.

The government privatized the train operating service and awarded to two major operators, SMRT and SBS. The reason making public property to privatizing is to create competition which can improve quality of service at lower wages. However, the commuters are facing the opposites as the two operators are doing business on separate lines. It make people little choice on choosing their public transportation. Thus some residents voice out to accuse monopoly business by two big operators. The train operators admit on their flawed service and continuously pledge to improve their service to better satisfy public. In the meantime, the PM and LTA step in to make full investigation on what had wrong and the found are reported in local newspaper with the hope of seeking commuter's sympathy.

As a person from third world country, I find republic's public transport is world class and satisfy with servicing as I had witnessed the worst back in home land. As a people of poor country, we have no choice to blame on public transport but use alternative routes. In here, SMRT arranged free shuttle bus ride for affecting commuters. But that is not enough to please those people from demanding society. I need to spend about 2 hours a day on board train to bridge between work and home. As I am living in northern part of city and my work is located at the eastern part, it's inevitable to use public transport. Everyday I have to pass city area with the full stretch of underground route.

Unfortunately, all recent incidents were happened in underground section and I'm aware of tasting that. Today paper state that train speed must be necessarily reduced by half from maximum 80mph to 40mph especially in the section of underground. Meaning, commuters need longer travel time to reach their destination. Since public safety cannot be compromised, people have no choice but leave home early to ensure they get work on time. Last time commuters are much aware of terrorist threat and now the breakdown of train is overtaking this. Everybody cautious in listening any announcement from speaker now with the prospect of stuck in the train. For me, it's praying time when the train start through underground until escape from it. What a good practice is it for me? I believe, all religion people will act the same with me for the safe of all lives. In this perspective, we all should thank to SMRT rather than blaming them.

May all commuter enjoy safe ride to work and home.

Myanmar Generals & LKY 4

2011-12-18T00:55:00.000-08:00

I had called on Ne Win when he visited Singapore for medical treatment a year earlier, in 1994. He talked about his peace and serenity of mind through his practice of meditation. For two years after he withdrew from government in 1988, he had been in torment, fretting and worrying about what was going on in the country. Then in 1990 he began to read about meditation. He now spent many hours each day, in the morning, afternoon and evening, in silent meditation. He certainly looked much better than the sickly person I had met in Rangoon in 1986.

He was in Singapore again in 1997 to see his doctors. At the age of 86, he looked even better than on his last visit. This time he spoke only about meditation, giving me advice on how I could improve my meditation. I asked if he did not worry about the sickness of his loved ones, like children and grandchildren. Yes he did, but he could control, reduce and forget these sufferings through meditation. Did he not worry when his old generals asked for his advice? No, he replied; when they did this, he told them never to talk about their work because he had retired from the troubles of this world. However, diplomats told me he commanded respect and authority within the military and could still wield influence.

The West, especially the United States, believed that economic sanctions could force the government to hand power to Aung San Suu Kyi, who had won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991. I did not think this was likely. The army has been Myanmar's only instrument of government since Ne Win took power in 1962. The military leaders can be persuaded to share power and gradually civilianize the government. But unless the United States or the United Nations is prepared to send in armed forces to hold the country together, as it is doing in Bosnia, Myanmar without the army would be ungovernable. The West is impatient with Asean's constructive engagement and was puzzled when its leaders admitted Myanmar as a member in July 1997. But what better way is there to have the country develop, open up and gradually change? In Cambodia a UN force that supervised elections could not install the winner into government because the de facto government under Hun Sen controlled the army, the police and the administration.

The generals will eventually have to adjust and change to a form of government more like their Asean neighbors. This will come about sooner if their contacts with the international community increase.

source: from third world to first by LKY.

Why are we blogging?

2011-12-18T00:30:00.000-08:00

THE EVERYTHING blogging book introduce top ten reasons to blog at their introduction and they are herewith share for fellow bloggers who might not aware previously.
1. To express yourself
2. To publish online easily and quickly
3. To market something-especially yourself
4. To establish yourself as an expert
5. To conduct research
6. To build an informational resource for others
7. To connect with like-minded people
8. To build an online community
9. To be entertained or to entertain others
10. To share content, photographs, and other media with friends and family.

Since I have been blogging for couple years, I really don't know what's the reason for blog posting by myself to be honest. I, with the help of one mutual friend, am exposed to view one of our friend's blog one day and I got idea to share my life experience to date as a form of diary. Beside, I wanted to practice my English writing skill by blogging with foreign language. For sure what I getting from blogging is I had to read with a greater care so that I could withdraw something special for my blog. That make me a cautious person because if I just read and forget easily will make no point.

Now I might have been addict in blogging while it's not helping to improve my career advancement. Anyway, I am happy to tell over computer how do I feeling against a particular case and share with my friends. It doesn't matter how respond I receive, at least I could able to read my writing post when I am retired and hopefully it will help me not feeling loneliness. As long as I could access internet, I may keep posting to share my opinions. Sometime I feel scared to post politically oriented ones as we are not suppose to express our feeling in our country. Some evident had make us think twice. I think, it is universal right to express what we feel and hopefully our authority will respect on other feeling sooner or later. May all blogger able to express their opinion without worry.

Salary Competition

2011-12-15T21:46:00.000-08:00

TODAY news state the pay rise for Australia PM make their leader earn higher than America's Obama. Surprisingly, the new salaries of world's most advanced two countries leaders still far below than their counterpart from Singapore. Perhaps the reason behind huge gap must be other remuneration package allowed to those leaders. The news added some pecks would be cut from politicians after new salaries is effected. I believe that government staffs salaries is much related to how they corrupt in any given countries. The least corruption countries have happy staffs who earn a good salaries and they don't need to expect for any bribe. Like a good salary they are given, the stretcher law is already there to prostitute any offenders. No wonder, such countries are always leading in the list of good governing ranks.

Let me share a real story shared by MM Lee in his book. He was once accused at the parliament for taking high salary by his opposition party leader. The accuser highlighted how high his salary is compare to regional leaders. That time, republic's leader's salary is S$29,000 a month while Malaysia PM receive S$ 10,000 but he take only S$9,000. Opposition leader added that Philippine president was only S$1,000 a month and Indonesia's president was about S$2,500. Also he highlight that Singapore's population was far less than Indonesia which has 250 millions that time. It's quite interesting to read how MM Lee respond to opposition leader's question.

He admit he's getting highest salary amid regional counterparts. However, he explained that he is taking no other pecks or remuneration by government. He stayed at his home as well as drive his own car. His salary come lump sum basic. Likewise, all ministers also got the same way. He let all minister levels staffs decide themselves on how they want to spend their wages. Moreover, he said how other PM enjoy their remuneration package over their salaries. They include, travel allowance, cars, houses, medical insurance for himself and their family members, their child education, etc. He added, how Malaysia PM is given an official house, motorcar with driver, even a good chef for his kitchen. He also pointed that Malaysia PM are given a land plot to build their own house after they got retired. Likewise, Indonesia president would be given state house after they step down. Those all beneficial are not given to republic PM. Thus, MM Lee asked his accuser to take all benefits into account and make comparison.

We should take lesson from such cases when we approach to review our government staff's salary to match with sky rocket commodities prices. Otherwise, the corruption will never be combat due to system wrong. Singapore is 4th least corruption country in the world while their cabinet ministers and PM earn probably world's highest salaries. Lets glance some world's leading country's head salaries by Singapore Dollars. The salary is meant for annual one.

US President Obama : S$ 517,656
Australia PM Julia Gillard : S$ 622,000
Singapore PM Lee : S$ 4,000,000
Myanmar President Thein Sein : S$ 98,360
Cambodia PM : S$ 12,000

Myanmar Generals & LKY 3

2011-12-15T05:33:00.000-08:00

WHEN his prime minister, Maung Maung Kha, visited Singapore in September 1986, I tried to interest him in tourism, telling him of an article Ihad read in the Singapore American (a publication of our American community), in which two teachers from the American School described their visit to Rangoon, Mandalay and Pagan. They had hitchhiked for part of the journey and found it a fascinating adventure. I suggested that he open up Burma, build hotels and get safe aircraft to fly from Rangoon to Mandalay and Pagan. He would get large numbers of tourists and considerable revenue. He listened quietly but said little. Nothing happened. Ne Win did not want foreigners in Burma.

Only in 1993, when Lieutenant-General Khin Nyunt, one of their key leaders, saw me in Singapore did I find a leader who was responsive, probably because Ne Win had had a change of heart. Ne Win must have told him that I was an old friend because he listened quietly as I explained that Myanmar had to adjust to the post-Cold War world, open up its economy and develop the whole country. I pointed to China and Vietnam, two examples of former closed countries that were developing their tourism and inviting foreign investors to create jobs and wealth.

Khin Nyunt was then in charge of intelligence and the strongman of the junta or SLORC (State Law and Order Restoration Council). I asked him to reconsider his policy towards Aung San Suu Kyi, the daughter of Burma's hero and first prime minister, Aung San. She had married an Englishman but had returned to Myanmar to lead a movement against the military government. They could not lock her up forever; she would be a continuing embarrassment to their government.

Myanmar had to improve the lives of the people, coopt capable people with experience abroad into the government. A government of military officers could never get the economy going. I suggested he should make it possible for Singapore to engage and help Myanmar economically. Singapore could defend its position internationally, if this engagement was to help Myanmar return to normalcy, not to maintain the present system. My note-taker, a ministry of foreign affairs desk officer for Myanmar, was fearful that he would react strongly and was surprised when, at the end of the discussion, he thanked me for my "valuable opinion".

When General Than Shwe, the Myanmar prime minister and chairman of SLORC, visited Singapore in June 1995, I suggested that he visit Indonesia to learn how it had changed from a military leadership, with General Suharto in charge, to an elected presidency. The Indonesian constitution gave the army a direct role in government, with representation in the legislature under a system called dwi-fungsi (two functions). The Indonesian army had a constitutional role in ensuring the security and integrity of the country. Elections for the president and the legislature were held every five years. Myanmar had to go in that direction if it wanted to be like the other countries in Southeast Asia.

(to be continued)
source: from third world to first - the Singapore story : 1965-2000

Good Environment

2011-12-14T21:55:00.000-08:00

ONE DAY, I was talking with one PR friend whose the whole family is also staying in lion city. We got a good long conversation. He is a medical professional and has two daughters who are studying in lion city. In the middle of talking, my friend suddenly questioned me that when will I bring my one year old daughter here. I was lost to immediate answer but pausing with uhhhhhhh. He, without waiting my answer, continued to emphasis his question by saying, the given environment in home land is not suitable for a children. I able to response by saying "yes". He is quite candid in talking with me and seem enjoy family life in republic. He is now already early 40s, but he still learning new skill by attending serial course in different varsities & polytechnics. I am impressed by his encouraged words and felt guilty. He added, in Singapore, there is good environment for young learner. I was completely agreed with him and almost silent. I know he friendly advised me as he knows my family condition well. He may be a family man and encourage me to enjoy what he had tasted in his life.

My wife and I were always discuss how can we reunited our own family without affecting our work-life balance. We realize that we can't afford to stay away from our child for long period. It prompt us to seek a possible solution if there are chances back home. Unfortunately, we are not SPR who can afford to stay legally in republic without working. It make our family apart and suffer a bit. We know there are some option that allow us to bring our child here. They are expensive and we don't like our child adapt the wrong attitude from the local nanny. That's why we both agreed to leave our child at home land with the aid of my elder sisters. We hope our daughter may not feel for being apart from parent until she recognizes who is who.

One fine afternoon, my wife and I went to national library nearby our house. Since I enter membership in two months ago, that is the first time my wife accompanied me. She is not a good reader and I teased her to explore in the kid section so she can find a suitable books. We two went around kid section and met a lot of children there busy with searching an interesting books to hire. Some children are silently reading on the chairs of designated places. Some very young kids were reading by the guidance of their parent. The circumstance make us remember our child of course. We both imagine to visit the library together with our child if we are allow to live together in lion city. We continue to explore the book shelf and found the standard of English for 10-12 years old is good enough for our graduates. We both agree that we should hire some stories books so we could able to story telling when we visit home in coming CNY holiday. In fact, those books meant for young children are relatively difficult for my wife despite she is an engineer degree holder from my country. We no wonder why Singapore's education is one of the best in the world.

In return from the library visit to home, we both wanted to live our child in such environment. Coincidentally, one of my friend present us kid books for our child despite she is still 15 months old. It drive us to start collect some good books when there is a chance to buy. I silently remember what my friend once told me and agreed with him that what's a good environment mean. May we have a chance to provide our child a good environment regardless of home or abroad.

Myanmar Generals & LKY 2

2011-12-14T05:42:00.000-08:00

My one unforgettable conversation during that visit was with the butler at the Strand Hotel - an Indian in his late 50s, with greying hair and beard. He brought in breakfast looking forlorn and dejected, and said in English, "Sire, this is my last day, I shall not be here tomorrow." He did not know whether his Burmese assistant would be able to serve me the same breakfast: British-style tea with milk and sugar, toast and scrambled eggs. I asked why he wanted to leave. He replied, "I have to leave. I was born and have lived here all my life, but the government wants all Indians to leave. I cannot take with me more than a small sum of money and my personal belongings." Where was he going? "India." Did he have relatives there? "No." His grandparents had been brought in by the British but the government wanted to send him back. He was right about my breakfast. The next day the tray was not as neat nor the toast as crisp.

That afternoon, Ne Win played golf with me at the former British Rangoon Golf Club. It was an extraordinary game. On both sides of every fairway and surrounding us, the four players, were troops with guns, facing outwards. When not swinging a club Ne Win wore a steel helmet. I hesitated to ask why. His minister, one of the players, murmured something about an assassination threat.

When Ne Win visited Singapore in 1968 and played golf, he was not security-conscious and did not wear a steel helmet. When he next came, in 1974, I suggested we should coordinate our policies to get the United States, China and the Soviet Union to maintain a presence in the region, so as to have some power balance. He was not in the least interested, preferring to leave these matters to the superpowers.

I last visited Rangoon in January 1986. Ne Win's new wife was a doctor, well-educated and much younger than Kitty, who had died. Ne Win had an excellent recall of events that happened 15-30 years ago. Over dinner, I found that despite Burma's 20 years of economic stagnation, he was as distrustful of foreign powers as ever. He spoke of being locked in a "battle of wits" against elements outside Burma who wanted to make as much as they could at the expense of his country.

It was sad to see Rangoon worse than it had been since my 1965 visit. There were no new roads or buildings. Everything was in disrepair and there were potholes in the main roads. The few cars were of 1950 or '60 vintage. There was nothing any of his ministers could do, given his policies. The English newspaper was a single-leaf, four-page tabloid. The Burmese paper was slightly less skimpy. The people in attendance at their famous Shwe Dagon pagoda looked shabby and poor. From my car, the shops looked empty.

(To be continued)
source: From third world to first-the Singapore story by Lee Kuan Yew

Unwanted New Year Present

2011-12-13T20:44:00.000-08:00

IT's displeasure to read our government is preparing to increase electricity tariff by one fold affected from the 1st day of 2012. It's not welcoming news to our struggling people and definitely shouldn't welcome new year this way. We understand that the world economy is in the downturn spiral currently and most economist suggest that next year economy outlook also not in favorable way. Regardless of world's economy ups and downs, our people would have interested in their daily routine on how to survive their lives amid uncertainties. Under this circumstance, the new civilian government's frequent policy change make our people to shoulder additional burden. How can they absorb such unwanted burdens initiated by their elected government unless there are some helpful efforts from the same source? Our people might have know how to survive in the broken places as they have come cross a lot similar situation in past.

The news come out together with the reason behind which is announced by minister of electricity. He highlighted how does it cost the government to generate and distribute electricity for its people. He also urged people's understanding in increasing the rate of electricity as his department has been long losing business in favor of people's ease. He added how our tariff is low in the region that we are placed in 13th cheapest even with the revised rate. But he concealed how low we are in the standing of GDP per capital. He might have thought our people are not as wise as they are. Unfortunately, our relevant EMG media subsequently make a news by drawing all related facts among region. It's helpful for our people to fully understand the situation we stand at the moment.

In fact, the government should not count on whether the state is making lose or profit against its people. Because the government is collecting variety of taxes from people as well as selling natural resources which is belong to our people. Then they should have made those assets in trying to subside expensive things for our people. All government around the world doing that way. Digging from the people's pockets should have been put the last chance to opt. But they seems the last option come first. If they are not competent in handling such case, they should have handled the power to other able men. Doing such things without people's consent might have cost their votes in at least next general election. Of course if there are no more advanced votes system as they enjoyed in the 1st election.

They repeatedly announced that they were elected fairly by our people in media front. If they are considered themselves as people's party, then why are they keep doing policies that suffer people? It's really questionable. Recently, the authority allowed the railway ministry to increase ticket fees by ten folds. Where got such things in the world? sudden increase for 1000%, what a crazy act is it? But such things are happening in our homeland. Never mind, lives keep going on. People tried to avoid expensive route as much as possible. Recently, Singapore's leading taxi operator amended their fares after decade long fixed. Their people started to make noise around the media for those changing. In fact, the changing is just a fraction of 1% only. But they still show their unhappiness to relevant authorities. Why not our leaders take lessons from our neighboring countries? They would draw facts that favor their ways. It's not really right to do so if we are about to change the whole system to go ahead.

Let me conclude this post by Singapore's founder LKY's pledge to its people in his early days speeches. "You vote me and I take responsibility for ensuring your life as comfortable as possible". What a good promise is it? The attitude of any leader should be that way if he/she is suppose to be a good one. How can we say they are a good party so long as they never stop irritating our people by keep changing policies. In the meantime, we welcome some policies that may ease people's difficulties in life and credit to current leader and his association. May our people free from worry in new year.

Do you understand our plights ?

2011-12-11T21:32:00.000-08:00

I AM really sadden by the news of Myanmar maid's tragic incident. She is as young as 27 years old. Late 20s is deemed the best part of a person in life. Perhaps she had been here with the prospect of getting a domestic worker. I don't know what make her do such crazy thing. We, Burmese, wouldn't do such escape unless it's too much to cope. Our religious way prevent us to do such case. But I'm sure she might have been face tremendous pressure after landing lion city. She may have been persuaded by Myanmar agent for getting a good paid job. The report said she is a runaway girl from the maid agency. I don't think she run away for digging opportunity. I am pretty sure she run away due to either she understand her dream will not be fulfilled or cannot bear the unfairness/bullied by her agent. Who would want to jump of the pedestrian bridge if she has a good life with a job? Fortunately she failed to meet her expectation and got broken right arm and left leg only. For the time being, the hospital is still assessing if she got serious injury on head or not. I am wondering if our consular step into the case or not.

In the back home, our leaders are busying with reforming. They know our country is losing the best brains to neighboring countries due to lack of job creation. We welcome the news of development in Myanmar with their endeavors. It'ld be pretty good if they aware the plight of our nationalities oversea. I want our leaders to understand that we all are missing our home land and it's unfortunate to be accused as a traitor by some of uneducated officials. We're temporarily working oversea due to circumstance. I'm sure we all will come back home when our mother land has a greener pasture. Because no other place is better than home. May our authorities sympathize our plights.

Myanmar Generals & LKY

2011-12-11T00:35:00.000-08:00

I AM currently reading a book written by Lee Kuan Yew. The book is made of memoirs by world's best known state man and named "from third world to first". He recalls the days he and his old-guard colleagues who together made possible to transform tiny fishing village to incredible metropolitan city state which is widely respected by even world's biggest nations today. I am always curious how do they transform this resource-less island to first world country. Fortunately I found this book in the national library stands and it could able to answer my queries.

The book is too good to ignore for those who study modern political science because its contents are not only this tiny city state but the trends of regional countries as well as world's most developed countries nowadays. I could able to realize why Singapore's founding father is so powerful even he had stepped down from his top post. He has been reference for some world's leaders to get advices in coping their struggles. Since my country had a golden days while Singapore got its independent on 1965, their founding leaders couldn't able to afford to ignore our leaders. Therefore LKY's part of memoirs contain my country's history which is probably the reason why Myanmar have been upside down since Military cope in 1962. Mr. Lee Kuan Yew has shared his peak days of experiences and I see it valuable to understand for our citizen to know the real story. It prompt me to post this Myanmar section before I return the book to library so I could able to read it in sometime in future. I am grateful to MM Lee for his sharing the past of our history especially in the range of 1962 to 2000 period. I sincerely hope you'll find this story interesting especially if you are one of my fellow citizen. I believe knowing our own history as it is might be our universal right and hope you'll find it valuable sharing.

My first visit to Rangoon (Yangon) was in April 1962. Prime Minister U Nu of Burma (as Myanmar was called before 1989) had asked General Ne Win to take over in 1958 because his elected government could not contain the insurgencies and rebellions of the many minority groups. After 18 months of military rule, a general election was held. When U Nu's party was returned, Ne Win handed back power. But soon U Nu was in difficulties again, and Ne Win seized power in March 1962, just before my visit.

Unlike Colombo, which I visited in 1965, Rangoon seemed dilapidated and run-down. It had been under Japanese occupation, and although spared the worst when the British fought their way back from Bengal, the damage had been considerable. Ne Win received Choo and me warmly at his house. I was disconcerted to see it ringed with guns and tanks. Obviously he took no chances. My visit was to counter the propaganda of Indonesia's President Sukarno that Malaysia was a neo-colonialist plot. Over lunch, Ne Win listened to my explanations, but was not attentive. He was preoccupied with maintaining law and order, keeping down insurrections and holding Burma together.

He lived in a medium-sized bungalow in the suburbs. He was friendly, as was his wife, Khin May Than (Kitty), a former nurse and a vivacious lady. Both were English-speaking and intelligent. Burma was one of the better-endowed countries of Southeast Asia, a rice and food exporter before the war. However, the democratic system of government did not work. The people were not of one race, speaking one language. The British had brought together into one country a whole host of different races occupying different parts of this mountainous country.

"The Burmese way to socialism" was Ne Win's motto for the Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma. His policy was simple: achieve self-reliance and get rid of the Indians and Chinese who had come into Burma with the British. The Chinese had started to leave even under U Nu, many settling in Thailand and Singapore. The larger number were the Indians, whom the British had recruited into the government service. They were slowly squeezed out.

My next visit to Rangoon was in May 1965, after attending a conference for Asian socialists in Bombay. Ne Win liked that part of my speech where I had said, "If we approach Asian problems of poverty and underdevelopment through the rosy spectacles of the Western European socialists we are sure to fail." I did not realize at that time how determined he was to be self-sufficient, to have little to do with the outside world and to return to a romantic, idyllic past when Burma was rich and self-sufficient.

(to be continued)

Know the lines

2011-12-08T23:50:00.000-08:00

7 months ago, one Indian worker got injury at work site. He sustained some fracture at arm and is allowed to stay away from his job. He was paid basic salary plus 2 hour OT for every working day by company. However, company treatment seem not good enough for him because he secretly hired a private lawyer and tried to sue company. The lawyer and he initially approached MOM to express his frustration on not getting compensation by his current employer. The MOM subsequently informed HR to take action on the worker's concern. So, the worker is asked to come office to negotiate. I see him like a normal man. He is employed through labor agent and his agent is also present when he came in.

I personally thought, getting 7 months salaries is already good for him. Moreover, he don't need to worry for losing the job. Perhaps somebody might have suggested him to chase for compensation. I understand from my Indian colleague who perform as an interpreter during negotiation. Eventually, the worker agree on that company will chase on insurance company and will pay if the application is successful. As a return, he will have to withdraw his filing to MOM against company. I was surprising to learn the case initially.

I asked my office Indian staff how dare he sue the company in the expense of his job. My friend explained that the worker needs to hire a lawyer first before he can approach to MOM. Again wondering how can he afford to hire expensive lawyer for uncertain case. My friend explained me that there are some lawyer firms at the little india area and those who has work/injury related problems could consult them for free first. They will need to explain the story they are facing and get advise upon. Then it is up to them whether to continue or not. If they think is less chance, say No and needless to pay. If they want to continue, they will have to sign on agreement that allow lawyer to cut a certain percentage of winning amount. He said usually lawyer firm charge about 2% for their service. I ask what if they lost the case. My friend said, the client have to agree on minimum payment had they lost the case. It cost them usually about S$500 and subject to case. I understood why they dare to sue against master.

I'm quite sure that my fellow citizen won't choice the same way Indian workers do. We are too much hesitating even for the case of sure win due to our keep quiet environmental background. They said "silent is gold" and would it be really gold for every single case? I don't think so. It's likely to be bullied if you are too much silent especially you are working in abroad. Lacking in language proficiency skill might have deter us from potential confrontation against our superiors. Another reason might be that we were grown up in where justice are hard to find. In our native land, we know that money conquer almost everything, not only judge of court alone. May the law able to protect the interest of the poor in this planet.

Know your rights

2011-12-06T21:56:00.000-08:00

LAST month, one of my friend fallen down to the floor while he is working OT at his office. The incident happened on 8:00pm and even in front of his own boss. He has been working in the company for more than 4 years since he landed in lion city. So he could be considered one of senior staffs. He got nothing for doing OT every night. But he keep doing OT since he has always more than good enough assignment. It's fine for a worker to devote his/her time to employer.

After falling down, he was unable to stand up himself and boss suggested to call ambulance. He raised his hand to show his disagreement on calling ambulance. He knows hows much the hospital bill is going to be if he is admitted to any hospital. Calling ambulance mean he would be brought to nearby hospital. With the fear of hospital, he blocked the boss's suggestion by asking him to try with nearby clinic first. He felt pain but he alter the best option to cheaper one. In fact, he's going to get marry on coming CNY and he is afraid of postpone due to his medical condition. So he tried not to get himself in the uncontrollable situation.

Later, he understands from clinic doctor that his kidney is not functioning well. The doctor again advised him to go hospital but he refused. My friend requested the doctor to try other methods rather than sending hospital. The doctor with the consent of my friend tried to prescribe few medicine to wait and see condition. However, the doctor reminded him that he will have to go if the condition is not better after prescription is finished. He easily agreed and prayed not to get bad outcome. One week later, the result came out and he feels a bit better and again he urged the doctor to continue medicine. He only took few days medical leaves despite the doctor asked him to rest longer days.

He is such loyalty to his company. However those all worthiness turned appalling once he is told by company HR manager that he cannot claim medical expenses which is about S$500 only. He thought his boss would allow his bills because the boss saw he collapse during working at the office. But he finally understood that he had to bear those all bill by himself. He had bought medical insurance from one local bank 6 months before this incident. Thus, he went to the bank to know if his insurance could cover the bills or not. But he found out that the bank is demanding so many documentation that are not easily sustainable in his view. Once he shared his experience me, I encourage him to chase the documents to provide insurance. His answer is that he don't want to take any more leaves because he'll have to take leave if he wants to chase those required documents.

We all were told by insurance company staffs how would it be cover when we fallen into sick before we decided to buy their insurance. It's disappointing to know it is hard to re-claim medical expenses once we need their help to settle our case. In fact, it's easier to cheat those potential clients who are lack of legal knowledge by agents. Despite we are working in oversea now, we all don't take care enough local laws when everything goes right with us. It is our fault that we are not prepared for those stormy days ahead. It really makes us vulnerable people compare to our counterparts from other countries. I'm writing this post to share other case involved by other foreign worker. We'll learn how they all prepare to protect their interest in the foreign land. Hopefully you'll want to wait to read my next post. Stay tuned in. I'll be back soon.

Obama's letter to our president

2011-12-05T21:43:00.000-08:00

His Excellency
Thein Sein,
President of the Union of Burma,
Naypyidaw

Dear President Thein Sein:

I am pleased we had an opportunity to see each other in Bali (Indonesia), at the US-Asean Leaders Meeting two weeks ago. I am encouraged that under your leadership your country has undertaken several encouraging steps on the path toward reform.

I have asked Secretary of State Clinton to visit your country to discuss your vision for reform, explore how the United States can support and advance your efforts to transition to democracy and promote protection of human rights, and talk directly to your government and citizens about prospects for enhancing relations between our two countries. To that end, she will engage your government about our continuing concerns in the spirit of mutual interest and mutual respect. There is much work to be done, and as Secretary of State Clinton and I have said previously, the United States stands ready to serve as a genuine partner in your effort to achieve lasting change.

I appreciate your government's help in planning and preparing for this milestone visit. I look forward to hearing the tangible outcomes of Secretary Clinton's discussions, which we all hope will put us on a path to a new phase in our bilateral relationship.

Sincerely,

Barack Obama

Obama's letter to our lady

2011-12-05T21:35:00.000-08:00

Aung San Suu Kyi
Rangoon, Burma

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi:

It was a pleasure and an honor to speak with you recently. As I said during our conversation, I have long admired your brave and unwavering struggle for democracy, and I consider our conversation a highlight of my recent visit to Asia.

I am pleased that the Burmese government has taken several encouraging steps in the direction of democracy and reform. Secretary of State Clinton's visit will explore how the United States can support efforts to foster political opening and respect for universal human rights, as well as demonstrate the seriousness of our commitment to helping the people of Burma achieve their democratic aspirations.

I thank you for your welcome of the Secretary's visit, and look forward to speaking to you again. Thank you for the inspiration you provide all of us around the world who share the values of democracy, human rights, and justice. We stand by you now and always.

Sincerely,

Barack Obama

No U turn, please

2011-12-04T22:14:00.000-08:00

WE only need one able person to pull our nation from the misery. South Africa had Nelson Mandela to raise their profile in the world. Luckily, we have our lady who has similar quality with Mandela. They both were imprisoned by their respective government for their peaceful expression. Mandela was freed and succeeded the nation. Now our lady had been freed and no doubt that she will follow the way her fellow noble peace price winner's way. Good news is already there that our election commission had passed NLD's application for re-register as a political party. The constitution has been amended to allow our lady eligible for participation in upcoming by-election. People are out of patient to vote her party win. Probably our president and his soft-liners ministers are trying to persuade their hard liner colleagues at the parliament.

We all believe that the soft liners will eventually win after our lady enter to the area of parliament. It'ld be incredible force for soft liners group to draw people's attention. Also we sincerely believe in our lady that she will fully represent the feeling of our people. Also we trust in her ability of handling the sensitive issues such as ethnic minority peace talk and healing wounds with international communities. We are very much itchy to see her sit presidential seat one day in near future. We all want to follow her leadership toward the same goal. We all want to give everything we possess in life if she is suppose to be a leader of us. Finally, we all wish together that our dream may become true sooner than later. The dawn is already in Myanmar's sky and the brighter future is smellable now. May our nation unable to return to regime again.

Are we ready enough to move forward?

2011-12-04T21:53:00.000-08:00

SINGAPORE has been surrender their top spot to other nations who do better in term of least corruption. Recently 2011 least corrupt data come out and Singapore is placed at 5th falling from its previous spot, first. What had made Singapore dropped in position? Some Singaporean show their unhappiness for the news. It's human nature that people want to possess the best things in the world. Thus, Singaporean are not exceptional. It don't bother me really as I'm just a foreign worker here.

What matter most is the position of my country which stand at position 182, third from the bottom. The survey covered 185 nations worldwide. Only , North Korea, Afghanistan & Kazakhstan got behind us. What a disappointing result to know that. Perhaps it's difficult to digest for all Myanmar citizen especially those who love their country. It's really alarming and we have to review our worsening policy and attitude of our people. How do we compete with other nations without having a good attitude in mind. It doesn't matter we are republic or communist. Let me draw one example here. Why India is still poor despite they are the biggest democracy country in the world? Why China is prosperous despite they are still communist? It might highlight us what the most important thing to develop our nation is our mind, attitude and loyalty.

Enough is enough. lets not bring our past attitude to the present because it's not match with our brand news democratic government. The big question to ask ourselves here is "Are we strong enough to rectify our bad attitude that can block our progress to a developing nation?" First thing first and the rest would be orderly followed to generate a prosperous nation sooner than later, I do believe. May our nation rise graciously amid world community.

Ambitious China

2011-12-04T21:30:00.000-08:00

As a layman, I never fully understand why China is aggressive in overseas investments until I read a statement by Mr. Gao Xiqing's remark, a vice-chairment and president of China Investment Corp (CIC), the world's larget sovereign wealth fund. He clarified that China aims to make profits and build influence from its overseas investments and not just give away money. How simple is it by him to understand all confuses? Yes, such message should have been relay to our leaders so that they can realize China's secret aim behind their mouth-watering policy for Burma.

We all know that currently US and Europe are facing financial crisis for a relatively long time and unsettled yet. China is the biggest creditor to US as they were investing in US exchange reserves for over US$3 trillion. When China is being approached by European countries to buy their debts recently in order to ease their crisis, what do you think of China's response? As usual, China won't do business unless there is some benefit for them. Look what they said, Beijing is willing to invest in their debts if EU fulfill their three key demands. They are

1) More influence at the International Monetary Fund
2) Market economy status in the World Trade organization and
3) the lifting of a European arms embargo

Following China demands, EU withdrew their seeking for help from Asia's Giant. Mr. Gao told one summit in Hong Kong that "In the process of investing overseas, we have to be rational and profitable". He added, we frequently meet with foreign regulators whose attitude is that we should give them money and leave everything to them. Nothing comes for free in this world, he insisted.

Our policy makers should take every FDI proposes to them carefully in order to get right investment. Currently our trade ministry got a lot approached by several companies from not only regional but the world. They have to be long-sighted people to generate maximum profits for our people. Some big companies are just coming to dig our gold opportunity with little return from them. We have to choose based on national interests, not personal. We all hope that our republic government officials are good enough to pick up an excellent choice from several offers for a particular development. Unlike our past, we are getting much opportunities to choose from. In brief, it's time not to depend alone on China. Lets be wise in order to avoid China's dirty trap.

Your progress Our Happiness

2011-12-02T17:46:00.000-08:00

AS a stay-away parent, we can't afford to live worry less for leaveing our only one daughter back homeland. She seems a little bit uncommon from her age of peers. Despite her specialist doctor repeatedly tells us it's not a problem, we as a parent, do worry in a thought of something have been wrong in her. We could able to wish and provide the best support we could in lure of her good health. We keep in touch with her guardian aunty so we could able to know her condition. In general, she is developing slowly at all steps. She was born relatively small and can be considered undersized. Then failed to receive finest milk from her working mother. As a formula baby, we cannot hope for the best granted, I think.

Once she didn't have teeth when she reached the age she is supposed to have some. She didn't sit when she have the age of sit. Also she didn't walk when she should have been enjoy walking around. Fortunately, these all came to her with delay and make us relax. Since she is only 1 year and 4 months, this is time to expect her to start walking and speaking. Again she is not confident in walking herself independently. She only walks with the help of others. She in fact didn't rely on other help to walk. What other people need to help is just giving their finger so she can hold it on. She would be immediately stop and sit down if her aid release their finger. As long as they keep holding her, she would enjoy walking, even running ahead. Eventually, a good news of her arrived few days ago I called to my eldest sister. She gladly told me that my little princess has gained confident in walking herself now. What a good news to us? Once I shared my wife this news, she was visibly happy and insists that our daughter knows we're coming home soon in CNY holiday. Thus, she tried to walk herself before we arrive so she can show her new skill to her beloving run away Dad and Mum.

My guardian sister predicted that this time union of our family would be very hard to depart again as our daughter is speaking cutely now and even relatives find it difficult to forget a good time with her. Anyway we'll try to enjoy our family time once we reunite in coming CNY days. Time is ticking and of course we can't wait to witness our little princess walking together with us. What a wonderful family time would it be? Perhaps I have no proper words to express exact feeling. Thanks my daughter for making our life more meaningful.

Congratulation Young Lion

2011-11-21T21:36:00.000-08:00

WITH One day left to finish SEA Games competition, Myanmar stands no.7 in the overall medal tally. It's disappointing to see the result compare to 626 strong contingent. However, Myanmar's young lion grabbed a bronze medal from football competition. Last night, my wife and I was so much enjoying the atmosphere to witness our boys defeated regional football power Vietnam heavily. It's unbelievable to see our young boys lead by 4:0 till very last minute. Our people dearly hope to see them progress final match on last Saturday while they are playing with defending Champion Malaysia. They narrowly lost to Malaysia by 85min goal. They have reached beyond our expectation in this tournament and they deserve people's praise. I'm happy to learn that our tycoons have awarded them USD 150000 immediately after they won bronze medal match. They already collected USD 100000 from the group match winners. It's desperately need in our sport to encourage our talented young people if we are to dominate in 2013 SEA games. There is nothing to be granted without taking necessary efforts.

I hope our people would have been satisfied by our football bronze medal despite we are being down in other sport arena. At least we stand third in the football within ASEAN at the moment. This alone can make us happy I am sure. Congratulation our national football team for your tirelessly effort to make our nation proud. Wish you grab the gold in the next SEA games when we host the region's best talented athletes in 2013 at our brand new capital city, Napyidaw. Keep your composure as high as possible before that time.

Make our nation proud, please

2011-11-15T21:41:00.000-08:00

THE 26th sea games is currently holding in Indonesia from Nov 11 to 22. Since the opening ceremony in Nov-11, I watch the daily highlight on the local TV channel with the prospect of seeing my fellow citizen winning some games. My wife and I was so happy to see strong Myanmar contingent on the opening ceremony of the game. In total, there are 626 athletes being sent by my country for this game. It's obvious my country wanted to get medal as much as possible in order to raise our nation's profile. In addition, we are the nation that will host next edition of sea games in 2013 and probably this time is the biggest Myanmar contingent ever in away sea games. Myanmar won overall games when she hosted the sea games in earlier 70 and late 60. But the time has changed things to reflect the will of its people.

Now the sea games is already in 5 days time and Myanmar yet to grab even a single gold. As at yesterday which is 4 days on, Myanmar is standing third from the bottom. Even Cambodia and Laos stand above us. Against the total athlete (626) sent, the medal we acquired is really disappointing. I know we are no longer sport nation in the region at the moment. However, being citizen, I would love to see my nation flat being placed in the flag pole of ceremony stage. In real, I even struggling to see my compotrait in the final matches. Because most of final matches are being transmitted on local TV and I couldn't see my national players on the finalist. How do they get medal if they even fail to reach final? So I glance at medal tally on the official website and found that Myanmar is closed to bottom. Only Brunei and Timor Leste is below us.

However, I have to credit our young national football team for reaching semi-final. Nobody would have predicted Myanmar is going to escape group stage. May be it's surprise for the sport analysts. Anyway, it's good news to all Burmese. Our people may easily forget other sport division's failure by this winning stake. As football gold is the most valuable one to all competing nations, I hope our authority would be pleased by getting one football medal. I was amazed to know that some people who are working in Singapore plan to go Indonesia for Myanmar's semi final match. We are such a football crazy nation. Our people never fail to support national team regardless of their performance. Of course, the go wild once the team do well. This year term, region's super football power, Thailand and Singapore are about to go back home from group stage. I simply hope my national team would go final to upset host nation.

Good luck boys. The nation is behind you and can't wait to welcome you all back home. Keep our dream alive since our people's golden days has been gone away so long. You all can turn our new chapter at least in the football. You make us happy that is disappearing among our society. Take something special from this game. You are only savior to alive our dream. It's going to be easier for you next term as we're going to host the game. Anyway let me have my word for your achievement. Congratulation.

Killer Rain

2011-11-14T21:38:00.000-08:00

RAIN,,,the essential thing in their life as the whole region rely on this for their daily needs as well as their traditional agricultural works. The collection of rain from upstream hilly regions birth a wild steam that travel all the way across the region and combine in the river of Irrawaddy. One of so many villages on the bank of the beautiful steam is my wife's native land. I only reached there about 3 years ago for our wedding celebration. The village is located by the steam and surrounded by mountain ranges. The village is generating the hydro-electricity from the steam. The steam water was quite clear as I reach there on winter season. There are so many farm plots on the bank of the steam. It was so colorful and make the curvy steam even more attractive and beautiful. It was unforgotten memory to go down in the steam for bathing. The water is knee-high and crystal clear.

However those beautiful places has been eroded by an angry rain. It took only over night. Everything gone in the next morning. We all know that these day adverse weather news are no longer strange to us. There are continuous disaster news regardless of places on this planet. Some are bearable while other are tragic. Some claims lives while other claim properties. Some get help from authorities while other have to survive by themselves. Fortunately, I have never experienced such disaster to date.

Month after failing to make successful call to said beautiful village, my wife managed to make a call last night. She was visibly happy to hear her parent's voice. However those happy couldn't be able to long as she was greeted by the sad news. As usual, she started her conversation by asking the status of cultivation as this time is to collect all the crop to home. She was surprised when she is told by his father that they have no longer farmland to cultivate now. Her father continued that the serious rain swept their farmland away for ever. Every year in the rainy season, they got experience of losing some friction part of their lands. The villagers would busy with the refurbishment of their lands once the water level downs to prepare next cultivation. However, this year disaster make them retire from their traditional jobs. They are helpless but to see the lost land. Their fertile lands had been transformed to complete sandy bed of the steam. It's really nightmare for all villagers. They don't know what to do next because they only know how to do those agricultural jobs.

They have done the same job since they born. There is no way to get further land as the village is rightly located amidst mountains. I initial thought that they only lost their current crops and able to replant later after the water level goes down. I am distraught when my wife explains me the real case. She said those lands are their heritage and invaluable. She is very much grateful to land as those farmland sent her school as well as university. Without those land, she couldn't have been educated woman. She is the proud of her family as she managed to escape from the rural village and now able to work at the one developed country. She was saddened by the news and I tried to console her all the night.

She always wanted her parent to retire from those tiresome agricultural works. So I take this opportunity to highlight her will to fulfill. However, they seem not happy to retire as this is part of their daily life. Without this, they may feel lonely or feel time goes very slow. Of course unless they found a good substitute such as meditation or any form of religious way. For the time being, I could able to sympathize their feeling with regard to this recent tragedy. In past, every morning they can be happy by seeing the blossoming field from the bank of the steam. Instead, they can see now empty sandy dry steam in their eye sight. It might take some time to cure their wounds. I hope they can find a happy life again sooner than later despite it's easy said than done.

626

2011-11-03T22:51:00.000-07:00

626 is the number of member who represent Myanmar contingent. Yesterday I was surfing the website of 26th SEA games 2011 in Indonesia and surprised to know my native land has huge number of athletes this time. I remember opening ceremony of latest Asian game held in China, my wife and I wait for Myanmar contingent turn. We were disappointed to see very small group once they come out eventually. It was only about 10 athletes. That's why I am surprising this time to see more than 600 numbers athletes in SEA game. Later I understood why a bit. It might be because we are next edition host in 2013. Thus our delegates will have to take sport flag and bring back home in upcoming close ceremony. Probably, Myanmar might have a secrete plan to greet all visiting athletes by some form of entertaining.

I was upsetting yesternight for unable to see opening football match between Laos and my country. Watching soccer match is one of my favourite entertainment and of course I would like to watch my country playing. I tried to access all official TV website from all ASEAN countries but failed. Local TV also not active as their national team were not playing yesterday. I am happy to learn the result of yesternight matches this morning. 10 men Myanmar defeated 11 Laos by 3:2 is a good news to all my fellow citizens. We're likely to upset when we watch our national team playing. We'ld blame them from TV screen when they play badly. However we all cannot stay away from TV when the SEA game match come in. This is a good way to unite among people and the government should encourage this sport, I think. Anyway, taking full points from opening match is a good move by our U-23 team which is under supervised by foreign coach. Tomorrow, our team will meet Group-B favourite Vietnam and it's going to be uphill task for our boys. But our coach is confident in beating hotshot Vietnam. Time will tell us truth and lets hope our coach is a man of his word.

PCC

2011-11-02T01:25:00.000-07:00

PCC....? Pure Cars Carrier, a giant ship which can carry a lot of motorcars. Just now I read on local EMG website and never seen this word before. The news said today first PCC will arrive our port with mostly used cars. There would be another 2 PCC within this month. Anyway we have to welcome such news as the ship will bring some prosperity to our society. These days, there have been some noisy with regard to cars importing. The authority keep busying to create a good industrial practice to block unfair trade. The official car show-rooms are in the pipeline and people are already walking on the moon. Some middle class people might have kept their dream of owning a car sooner or later. The prospect of owning a car become more realistic now compare to our past time. In past, it's considered luxury and look like a product for super rich only. The ordinary people can't imagine to own a car in our country. Now our beloved president changed those dirty minded business to a well orientated policies.

I am surprising to learn that Myanmar's demand on used cars has affected to Japan's used car market. At the same time, I am worried to read recently news that Japanese authority has detected some car with radioactive infection that can harm human beings. They found those radio active affected cars are beyond allowable limit. So they are trying not to export such cars to prevent Japanese reputation. Anyway there would be some escaping from the inspection due to dirty minded business people. Hope those escape radioactive cars won't go to Myanmar which is already in the mode of car-hungry land. Like Japanese authority does, our authority should have aware to block such car from importing. May our authority able to detect such unwanted cars without bribing to protect our people's interest.

Gaddafi lesson

2011-10-21T00:06:00.000-07:00

WHO have been thought few years ago that Gaddafi will have such horrible life end? Definitely will answer NO to this question since he has been in the power for more than 40 years. He might have thought he'll never encounter such tragedy in this life. However time has shown us what's been to this world. Everything can be happened at any given time. We have to aware that. Otherwise we are more likely to suffer when we are falling in life experience. Now we have witnessed regimes are falling to the hell one after another. The universal law will not always favor the iron-fist rulers. If there is up time, also there will be down time. We should take lesson from it. This incident might have shaken other regimes who are still in the control of power.

The US has shown the world that they can pursue what they want if a particular region is not dealing with their people. People from some communist countries might have accused US for interfering other countries' internal affair. At the same time, some countries desperately need US to get internal security because there are some neighboring big countries who intend to bully them. With US presence at the territory, they can feel the sense of security and free from potential bullies from the big boys. In general, we need to balance any rising power in order to maintain peaceful situation regardless of place in this planet.

May all regimes able to change their hardline policies in order not to follow Gaddifi's way.

Arab Spring

2011-10-18T22:43:00.000-07:00

"ARAB SPRING", the new word to reflect recent middle east countries revolution. I also don't fully understand the meaning of this beautiful word until I see a cartoon in the straight time newspaper. I always love to see the cartoons drawn by ST's core cartoonist "Miel" which is usually published on the reverse side of the front page. This section is mostly for editorial's article or commentary by some well known columnists. In order to attract readers and bore, the cartoon illustration was put with regard to article's highlighting. Miel is really talented cartoonist from Singapore I think since he can make people easily understand and remember the article by one block cartoon. The area given is relatively small but the value of its part is invaluable. I appreciate the way he think on drawing cartoon. I can rate him the Awpikyae of Singapore.

As I said above, one of his cartoon enlighten me to understand Arab Spring few months ago. Yesterday I read an article on local popular website, EMG of Myanmar. I surprisingly found Arab Spring again in that article. However, this time the translation of writer is far different from the original meaning of Arab Spring. I'm not 100% sure with the meaning of this. But I could feel that Miel's translation is better reflect to actual situation of middle east. Then, how my fellow citizen professional writer did translate it. He repeatedly mention that word by Myanmar language rather than as it is by English. His translation is easily correct at first word which is "Arab" where the revolution come out. The latter word "Spring" might have been translated wrongly as per his article.

I take Oxford Dictionary and find an exact meaning of Spring and found as follow:-
1) Spring (Verb) : Move or jump suddenly or rapidly upwards or forwards.
2) Spring (Noun): the season after winter and before summer, in which vegetation begins to appear, in the northern hemisphere from March to May and in the southern hemisphere from September to November.

From the definition of above, Arab Spring's original intention might have been first rather than second, I think. Because the Spring represent here is the demonstration of people from middle east nations with the prospect of ending their iron-fist regimes. Thus, I do believe the possible of second definition has no chance to stick with the Arab Spring. However, the writer used generously the second meaning in his article. It'ld be more safe and good for readers if he use original English word in his article if he is not very sure with translation. Because giving wrong message to readers can be deemed dangerous I think. I admit again that I also didn't understand the meaning until Miel's cartoon as shown in this post. One day I got Miel's blog address in the newspaper and now I am following his blog at www.blogtoonistmiel.blogspot.com.

May our professional writers able to write as it is to give true message to their fans.

Disclaimer: I am not writing this post to offen my fellow citizen writer. As I admit in this post, I also not sure with the meaning of original Spring. I just wanted to feel something wrong and share with my friends only. Nothing more. If there is something wrong with my idea, I am solely responsible for that.

Maid Story

2011-10-17T02:03:00.000-07:00

I AM so concern whenever I read DWs (domestic workers) related news here. In the Asia-pacific region, Hong Kong and Taiwan become dream lands to work in as a maid among young women of maid exporting countries. Recently, the decision made by Hong Kong judge that allow the maids who have been working in HK for more than 5 years eligible to apply permanent resident status became hot news among Hong Konger. Hong Kong make another history by showing it's openess and lawful manner despite there were some protests and unhappiness among its people. We have to appreciate for such decision since maids are also human being.

In Singapore, there have been some voices with regard to maids since maid agency demanded better salaries and one day off by their respective countries. The maids might have thought they deserve better paid since inflation make their earning less worthy now. Moreover, they want a condition of their right to be given one day off in the employment contract. On the other hand, the employers got reasons to block those unwanted demands. Among others, security and social problems might have been raised should they allow them one day off. Currently S$300 to S$400 salary for the service of domestic helper is deemed already heavy burden for them and they are cautious to increase. Those circumstances changed the existing maids their mind to shift other better paid countries like Hong Kong & Taiwan by refusing to sign new deal.

In Malaysia, the most troublesome country for the maids among the region. However still one favorite country who need to import most of DWs for their 75% households especially from neighboring Indonesia. But frequently horrible news destroyed Malaysia employer's reputation now. I read a lot news that was so cruel to maids. It include rape, cage maid and leave her alone without foods, bullying, fail to pay their wages, abuse human right, breach contract, locking in a tiny room, etc. As a result, Indonesia had imposed a law to ban its women going Malaysia to work as DWs since 2009 and yet to lift now. Malaysia tried to replace the gap with other nationals within region. The found new resources from Cambodia and Myanmar. Now Cambodia is necessarily imposed to ban its women to export Malaysia following several abusive reports from civil right group reports. The reports highlighted some horrible case that cost 5 Cambodia domestic helpers that prompt Cambodia authority to review their export.

It's encouraging steps to see how other governments are taking measure to protect their citizen's right even for domestic workers. Now Singapore and Malaysia is facing severe shortage of maids and urgently looking for a replacement. I worry that they will find Myanmar as a cheap and easy resource to fill the gap being left by Indonesia and Cambodia resources. It's not problem to go work oversea if they have proper employment contract that can able to prevent their right. The problem for our fellow citizens abroad is our counselors are not reliable. It make us vulnerable people. When the employer knows the weak points of our embassy, our workers are more likely to be abused/bullied. It's inevitable if our authority is not wise enough or ignore our people flowing outside country.

Yesterday, I found a news saying that Malaysia embassy will not issue working visa if the applicants fail to attach OWID (Oversea Worker Identification Card) from our Ministry of Labour. It might have made our people more difficulty in getting Malaysia visa/job. However we have to see, on the other hand, that our government is trying to control labour movement especially outside country. I hope our authority could able to minimize the potential risks that all migrant workers suffer. At the same time, it would effectively bar agents cheating their innocent clients especially from rural areas.

May our leaders able to protect our female citizen from going to the unlawful country to work. If Indonesia, Philippine and even Cambodia can take action to boost the chance of their workers, why not us to do the same exercise? I don't see any reason to say "NO" for this particular matter. May my fellow citizen able to find suitable job within our territory sooner than later.

Are we grasses between bull fighting ?

2011-10-17T00:46:00.000-07:00

US is trying to create new policy at their parliament. The unfair trade surplus and jobless rate prompt them urgently create new law. US citizens blamed their government for failing to create enough job domestic. The US government pointed China's undervalued yuan as a reason of their crisis. US constantly urged China to appreciate their currency to match their development. However Beijing was so cautious to follow US's concern and only marginally appreciate its currency. I'm not trained as economist and I really don't understand how does it related. Being layman, it's macro and hard to understand such worldwide issue.

China's export sector got competitive edge from the advantage of undervalued yuan because yuan depreciation make their products considerably cheap against their rival products from worldwide. On the same time, they make all imported things become expensive and effectively block the consumer spending power. By this way, they became upper hand in any bilateral trade world against any country. No other country able to compete the China product in term of manufacturing and market price if the quality of the products is same. At some point, China could sell the better quality product at low price due to their advanced mass production as well as low labour wages. No wonder, China overcome Germany and Japan to gain world's 2nd biggest economy in the world. Only US is sitting on the top spot and this place also now shaken by China's rapid progress in all area.

US feel it's totally unfair China government subsidy its currency stay at lowest possible to generate their products remain competitive. Being layman, I couldn't understand why China are so refused to appreciate their currency. I thought every government would happy to see their currency appreciate against world currencies. I was definitely wrong when I try to understand the trend a bit. Finally the circumstance forced US to come out with double standard policy which need to take more import tax to products from China and similar country if any. This news make China angry and China are quick to respond the unwanted news. Some economist guess it can lead to trade war between US and China if the parliament pass the draft law to reality. Last week Upper house already passed and only lower house vote is needed to pass the law now. At the same time, US secretary Hillary urged other countries to join US in the mission to force China take necessary measure to appreciate yuan. She was so confident that devalued yuan is not only American problems but other countries. It contributed all exporting countries become loser in the long run.

At the moment, Europe is struggling to cope their own problem in saving the euro. US is also facing their problem with the own version. The middle east is uprising and going to increase fuel price at the market which make things expensive. Then what China is doing while other are struggling? China is trying to take advantage from troublesome countries around the world. China is investing almost every country across 5 continents. Of course, my country is another core target by big boy since my country rich natural resources. In real life, we are still relying on Chinese cheap products since we are one of the poorest countries. China export their almost rejected things to our country and import the best natural resources from us. However, they still enjoying trade surplus from doing business with us. It seems we are exchanging our best with their worst. It's disgusting to understand the real things as we seem being semi-colonial by China. It's arguably truth that China has a big influence on our leaders.

Let me get back on the track of this post. US is urging China to appreciate yuan. What if China follow US's demand. For sure, China products will no longer cheap and our people will suffer from that change. Then, is it good for most countries if China remain depreciate? Probably yes for poorer countries like us. May be Europe and US won't like to see China currency remain unchanged. Anyway, we are more likely to bear the consequence of fighting between those two giants.

May the world able to find win-win situation to save our world's economy and prevent from potentially falling into new recession.

Where are we looking?

2011-10-14T01:20:00.000-07:00

IT's always truth that coastal cities are most developed cities in any given country. Look history, also the same since we can find world's ancient cities are situated on the banks of their rivers or next to the sea if any. It's obvious that coastal cities have advantage from the easy access of trading with their counterparts from other countries in macro or cities in micro. Thus, it's undeniable that coastal region become first and most developed zone once a country starts its developing process. After that, the attention of governments would be shifted to less developed regions which are most likely to be landlord area.

In view of above, China has transformed its coastal cities to world class metropolitan cities such as Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Macau, etc. Now, World's second biggest economy has changed its focus on inward land provinces which are left far behind. So China began to change policies to pull their less developing provinces from western part. Since its western provinces are bordered with Myanmar & India, they have been land lock area and less developing. So China's now famous policy is "Look West" in which China is trying to give its aforesaid provinces access to ocean via neighbour Myanmar. They see us transit nation to get their dream come true and now we are witnessing several projects such as deep port, natural gas pipeline and rail net work, etc. These all are China's afford to unlock its inward land provinces with the expense of Myanmar.

On the other hand, India government has similar policy with China. What they said is "Look East policy". It's the attempt of India government in making its land lock province getting access to sea of Myanmar. Now we all are witnessing the development of sea port at Sittway township by India investment. Again, India is trying to improve their province at the expense of Myanmar. May be Myanmar can gain some development in trade and get commission from transit trade done by those two Asia giants. Our leaders should have review all existing and incoming agreements whether they will bring in much needed technologies as well as jobs.

Since our nation is located geopolitically well in the world map, world's super powers are starring at us with huge interest. No other nation is more promising than Myanmar within ASEAN. In this circumstance, our leaders may have variety of choice in partnering new nations in the wake of some political openness. It's not necessarily need to deal just only China, India & Thailand today. We are swiftly becoming recognized nation by world society and plenty of MNCs are already making the survey on potential trading and investment. No past time has been better than current one. So I want to urge our leaders to make fruitful decision that favor our people's interest when they are being approached by several developed nations. If China is looking west & India is looking east with the interest of their own people, there is no reason to make our policy to generate our people's benefit. Perhaps our policy would be "Looking Up".

Life'll never ever be constant

2011-10-13T22:55:00.000-07:00

THIS week, I'm busy with shifting to the new office and failed to pose new ones. I needed to shift my belongings from the old office to new one which is just one level up. The common office belongings were being shifted by some Indian site workers. Seeing immigrant workers shifting office things make me recall my nightmare days of previous job. I was working in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia between early 2005 and early 2008. Fortunately I was assigned to do quantity surveying job at the head quarter. There are some fellow citizen working together with me at the office. I don't know it's proud thing or not that only Myanmar workers are selected to work at the office. Thus, we are the sole immigrant workers at the vicinity of head office. All other colleagues are locals.

In Malaysia, all employment pass to foreign workers are the same called work permit which is deemed for low skill workers imported from less developing and poorer countries of the region. I reached there by the help of agent as a site engineer. However, the formal document suggest that we were employed as a construction worker. We didn't understand what the government's IPA letter show because they all are written by Malay language. Let it be. As a result, we all are treated as the same class regardless of our post assigned. No matter where we came from. No matter what are we doing at work. We are deemed underdogs and we are not suppose to complain anything to our colleagues who are sometime less educated locals.

Since we are the only foreign worker group at the office, we were automatically assigned for those work which need to be carried or shifted around the office. Everyday, we need to carry construction materials supplied by supplier from ground floor to 3rd story store. Also we need to bring down those materials from the shafts of store to ground floor every morning. Even local drivers of lorry cars considered those carrying jobs are not theirs. What they need to do is just parking and inform to HR only. Then HR staffs will inform to all Burmese staffs to help them carrying things. They won't carry anything while we all are sweating out by carrying those heavy things. They just supervise us to ensure right things are placed in the right place only. In fact, those supervising staff are just office staff. We all are Engineers and working engineering jobs at the office. No matter, what post we are doing, we have to follow their instruction. It's very obvious we were bullied by locals. The problem is we were forced to sign employment contract as soon as we land KLIA and we were not allowed to go back home before fully entertaining those unfair and unlawful contract.

Sometime, we are fully concentration in the work we do while we received calls from those office staffs. We are suppose to act swiftly to all instructions. Otherwise we would be fined by those supervisor who will inform lady boss secretly. What a bitter experience is it? But we have to swallow those stupid things everyday. We sometime protest for early release by citing unhappiness at the work. We know that they won't agree with us and won't return our passport such easy. Despite we continue to show our unhappiness, they have no intention to change our relationship. The keep bully us and press by time. Sometime we even think that we were brainwashed by the horrible lady boss. She is so sweet in appearance, but so fox in her mind. We got life time lesson from the work of KL and it make us feel more comfortable in the workplace of city state.

That's why I said before that seeing Indian workers shifting office common things make me recall my past days. I was in the same position of them. I tried to escape from that prison alike workplace and seek a job in city state. Now I can enjoy fairer work environment in Singapore without being treated terrific. I am now able to feel that republic make me feel more security in term of lawful. I thank to my previous employer making me stronger man by setting a workplace of hell. I understood from this experience that life is ever changing as long as we do not stop moving forward. We have to believe that every single trouble is temporary and solvable. May all my fellow citizen able to find a comfort zone at their workplace.

Change is in the air

2011-10-11T01:54:00.000-07:00

TODAY our president has issued the statement of amnesty for 6359 prisoners which will be affected from tomorrow. It is coincidence with the end of 3 months holy period of Buddhist people. This amnesty make this year thadingyut celebration more meaningful and bring happiness to the people of Burma. Since this is exactly reflect to the will of international community, I have no doubt on lifting sanction against us soonest possible. The only unfinished task the current civilian government need to tackle is reconciliation of our ethnic races. I believe, we'll find the best solution on the table through meetings. We all have seen several very good changes recently which are strongly recognized by both local and international society. The government is gradually building people's trust by showing their meaningful steps which were impossible in the past year.

I personally hope the media censorship also would be freed sooner than later so that our people can know the activities of government on time. Also guess, those prisoners will fully understand the will of current government and will not pose any threats against government's interest in building nation's development. Even they'll happily participate in the role they are profession. If seeing is believing, then we have to believe in the ability of our civilian government, at least on our beloved president. He's making big big decision which people never expected before. He keep making people wow almost everyday. I am sure he'll be remembered in the history of new civilization of Burma. Thanks Mr. President, for transforming our sky from the cloudy to sunshine. We all are getting smell of changes and feeling some comfortably due to your big decision. We all will remember you for at least by generation.

Relocation Story

2011-10-11T01:15:00.000-07:00

OUR office is suppose to shift to bigger office tomorrow. Unfortunately, it is the same building and just different level. Following the gradually increase of man power, the company was needed to search an office with wider floor area. In the new renovation office, there are some extra rooms created for future employees. We're expected to start work in new office from tomorrow. Thus, we all are informed our new workstation by HR today and also urged to take responsibility in shifting our own computer and its accessories by this evening. The seating layout plan was needed to revise repeatedly by several senior staffs. Eventually we know the confirm workstation just hour away from actual shifting things. I don't know how our management is handling this matter. For me it's just a simple task.

As usual, I feel there are some unfair in the seating plan which is strongly linked to personal. The account personnel take full back row seats by citing they are handling top secret matter in office. I am not agree with that reason because it's not compact work environment. People from the same department should be placed together in order to generate better productivity. The person who need to use most system files should be given workstation next to file cabinet. Likewise, the person who print most should be placed next to printer. I don't know what is the real idea behind the sitting plan. I wonder as if it was based on service in which most senior are being placed behind rows while junior in front.

With regard to the seat plan, I heard some noisy complain from my colleagues. Some are vocal while some are silently disappointing. I might be latter group. Wonder why I'm not being put behind row which is next to cabinets. I need to use most files among fellow QS since I handle most projects both in running and unclosed past ones. Moreover I am only one QS who involve in the tender processing. It need me to use variety of files and my current workstation is being over loaded by colorful files both on and under table. I have limited place to work and it sometime make me work improperly position which lead me wrist pain at night. I wanted to complain with this but keep silent because I am always first to response senior management in the office. I felt we are treated differently. Perhaps I have been pessimist against my colleagues.

But I do believe it doesn't matter where to work for those who work hard. In this perspective, I console myself by trying to silent in this case. But it's long journey and once we are placed, it's going to be affected till we finally resign from company. In view of it, everybody should have been treated fair way. In brief, it is small matter and I just trying to record my feeling through the process of our office relocation. May all my colleague enjoy with the place they are being offered by management.

Grab opportunity as it never come twice

2011-10-10T02:10:00.000-07:00

I'm very pleased to see positive news on the international media with regard to our government. Previously, I could able to see bad news about my country. I disappointingly thought as if there would be no good news come out of my mother land. Following the constructive movements made by our newly elected civilian government, there are several improvement tie with the outside world. In past, we can't reach beyond China, India & Thailand and occasionally among ASEAN countries. I felt that we were treated by different category. Of course, we being migrant workers from such underdog country too are being treated by double standard policies. It's better late than never. Now we all believe that our country is on the right track in achieving democratic country.

I am happy to see a lot delegates from various countries for possible investment. I believe, the more investor we can attract, the more jobs would be created for our graduates and people. More importantly, we are about to gain much needed technology to leap frog neighboring countries. It look like mission impossible to leap frog our neighboring countries. But why not if we move it as a unit since our country is the most promising country in the region. We are the place where world's biggest country China meet India. We are look like a cross road country in the Asia. Some advanced countries such as US, Germany and Japan are getting trouble in dealing with China's unfair trade policy which are mostly self centered. They cannot invest freely because they are required to make joint development with local companies. They know that such policies is about to get their technologies to Chinese SMEs. Finally they will make similar products with copycat technology and kick them out of their land. But they find, at the moment, it is not easy to find solution if they want world's biggest market.

Since our country is situated between China and India, I believe they'll come and invest in our land if our FDI policies open to them. We don't need to worry about losing our natural resources because they'll bring in technology that we need and can help us building industrialize nation in future. In reality, we can't build an industrialized nation ourselves without their help. They are seeking a chance to invest this time especially in the wake of our government's meaningful movement. If the world's leading countries come in, we don't need to rely on Chinese's cheap and outdated products. Once we allow them to come invest in manufacturing factories, our people would enjoy good paid jobs that can make their life easier than ever before. I hope the government will grab the best possible chance this time.

There is no point by retaining political prisoner as long as the government is doing good work. Since NLD is giving credit to President and its people, there is no risk in freeing such politician. Just one step away to lift unwanted sanction. Please release them and get biggest opportunity offered by the world's community. Otherwise, the China would be happy from behind. We should have understood the China policy since we have been their client country for few decades. The past is finished and we have no time to regret. What we can do now is making good decision that can really change our lives. We never seen government and people are united as this time as before. Irrawaddy had again made us united and time has reached to change our future. Lets make it together, Mr. President. We'll be happily come back and serve our country's building as a part of obligation.

Flawed world-class education

2011-10-09T22:59:00.000-07:00

DEAR my daughter, if we fail to send you study abroad, please do understand there are reasons behind our decision as a parent. Their education can be world class but there are missing something special in it. For one instance, character teaching is desperately miss on their curriculum. As a result, I read a lot of terrible news in which students are involving. At first, I was shocked to learn the sexual relationship between teacher and student. Later, I myself seem don't bother since such news arise frequently. It doesn't matter to be male teacher, sometime it is relationship between female teacher and male student. How do we value such education then? In term of physical, they might be one of top education system in the world. Let me draw other example to get your attention.

At US court, a criminal judge was asking a student on why he did committed the offense. The student's answer shocked the whole world. What could it be? His answer was "Crime is the way to fame". I don't know what did he study in his school. But it's obvious that he has been thinking wrongfully. May be it's extra-ordinary story among student communities. How would you excuse me about the cases of student involve shooting spree in a class. Such incidents seem increasingly become a fashion among western countries. It is sign of disobedient and may be part of depression.

I have a couple friend who has a kindergarten student daughter. I was shocked when I heard their daughter's incident at the school campus. One day, their daughter complained her mother that her private part was touched by fellow classmate. Can you imagine how her mother feel once she is being told? Of course, she see nothing but blue. They went and complain to school administration and they are told that it's not possible. I wonder what if it's happening to Singaporean student. Unable to speak fluently could make my friend couple lose in their report to authority.

But I believe the child are not lying. She might have suffered from those unexpected bully by big classmates. What make me don't understand is why are they doing such adult chapter? Let it be. I also read a news in which one kindergarten school daughter's parent admitted their shock once they are being told by their daughter. One fine day, he brought her to school and she strangely told him who is bf of who and who is gf of who. He was definitely concern seriously. He is Singaporean native and can't imagine how come those very young age child are talking about bf, gf things. They decided to withdraw their daughter from that school and tried to shift another.

Frankly, I don't think it's inevitable as long as they are living in this society. Their society is quite copycat to western developed countries. Since IT technology make people easy to access almost everything what they want to do in virtual world. It would be strange to see a primary school student using mobile phone in our country. But it's no longer the case in our neighbouring countries. The parent cannot deny and prevent their child using mobile as it's part of their life. Also IT gadgets are essential for today students to activate their school matters. They make homework through internet. They need to do project by searching required data from internet. The problem is they are not mature enough to identify what is good and what is bad for them. Internet is a data base in which everything can be reached regardless of good or bad. It's up to user's will.

So I understand from those life time experience that sometime it's good to be less developed because it's more likely tot pass our life based on real world. Here most of students are spending most of their time through internet which is virtual world. They can make friends without seeing in person. It doesn't matter how far away each other, technology can make people feel near and touchable. Here, students are more confident and independent compare to our child. However sometime overconfident is dangerous to them as they ignore the advice of their senior. The way they wear is sometime awesome. But they see themselves fashionable and parent are helpless but see. There are so many things that come cross to my eyes and I'll share you once you understand my words. You are still too young to understand some of my words now. There are much time ahead to share you and I'll give you the best of our life with my best endeavor. Believe me, we'll never give you unhealthy education and let you grow amid self-centered society. At the moment, please try to keep exercise to walk.

Your worrisome dad.

Transparency is crucial in charity exercise

2011-10-09T00:01:00.000-07:00

I'm pleased to see CGTI fund allocation table in excel sheet as it should have been before to attract potential donors among our family members. Previously I am disappointed to find myself unable to access the link they refer to. I asked myself why CGTI family fail to attach easy documents with excel, words or pdf format. Now my wish eventually fulfilled by family and thanks to those who make this real.

However, I'ld like to suggest that it could be better revealed by graph rather than long listed table. I believe that the hectic life of Singapore might have forced us unable to read long listed & complicated report. Thus, it'ld be wise enough to present by graph/pie/chart for those who are not interested in table and hard to find enough time. At the same time, I hope the nice presentation will prompt the members getting notice on a glace and can change their mind with regard to donation. I herewith attached two sample graph based on the data available by CGTI family.

Since more educated people become more cautious, the competitive style of fund allocation chart based on major, year, number of member would help them understand the updated situation and make quick decision. As we are running non-profitable organization, transparency is the most crucial step to maintain existing members and attract new potential members. By letting all members knows the financial status, it will boost their already generous minds in sharing their wealth to a meaningful event like CGTI family keep doing.

I welcome for publicizing CGTI bank account which will allow those who want to transfer the fund instantly via internet. Since the mind has a thousand eyes, it's a must for a firm to ensure its member having easy access to donate. I review myself with regard to this, I wanted to donate monthly funds for teacher tribute. But I find it hard to contact fund collection person. This make me feel cool and change mind. So my experience teach me that we have to do good things on the spot while our mind is in good mode. Otherwise these good mode can be easily gone away by time. So, by putting bank account on CGTI website, any member can donate easily once their mind become generous and feel responsible to our ex-teacher's plight. Moreover, people cannot make it excuse for unable to reach fund collector. It can make them easy access to donation box regardless of where they are. I see this as a good step forward and hopefully our CGTI family able to do such meaningful steps in near future to strengthen our unity.

My Walking Princess

2011-10-07T21:32:00.000-07:00

IT has been the focal point of conversation among family members since my daughter started to walk with the aid of other. Since this is very early attempt, she cannot walk by itself confidently. Thus, she needs somebody to help her to exercise. It's obvious she loves to walk because she never complain for walking regardless of time & distance. Luckily she has several Aunties around her and she is able to afford to ask one after another. As she is living away from her parent, everybody loves her and try not to annoy her. It make her to become a bit stubborn girl as she has lost her cool whenever things go against her will. She still unable to speak but can manage asking people around to do what she wants. People around mostly can guess what she means by seeing her behavior and body language. She would throw things if being given wrongly. Being a father, I am of course worry about her becoming a disobedient girl. It prompt me to tell my eldest sister who supervise the nanny around her to make sure there is at least one person she not dare to protest.

As 15 months old girl, she already started to recognize what people around doing and try to copy that. So I think it's important for a baby having a soft & polite manner people around. Otherwise it is look like she is given wrong environment to adapt in her early development. We are worry when she failed to walk while her peers enjoy start walking. We are worry when she is refusing formula-milk to drink following lack of breast-milk. We are worrying when her medicine intake increased to prevent potential diseases. She was born under weight baby and seems easy to get diseases. It prompted her guardians unable to let her play like normal babies in the quarter. Sometime over worry contribute the babies become extra-ordinarily soft and weak at resisting incoming virus, I think. On the other hand, my sister can't afford to test her since her parent are away. We have to understand situation and I needed to convince my wife sometime on some issue because our princess was taken care by paternal Aunties.

Good news for us at the moment is she enjoys walking now with the help of other. She doesn't need to rest when she is walking. Only helping adults become tired and change one by one. She would even run at a point and always in front position. We're happy to learn her improvement. As a result, she can eat more because walking exercise make her feel hungry by increasing digestion rate. At night, she can sleep better than ever before due to this particular physical activity. She walks until the whole body is wet by sweat. We're happy to hear the progress of her walking experience via telephone. A few weeks after she started walking, she can stand independently on her own foot. We all believe that she's progressing considerably and we are about to see her walk alone in soonest time. The nanny old couple begin to feel that it's going to be uphill task for them after my daughter independently walk. Anyway, we all are happy to see them healthy at the moment. Thanks my princess for living well without disturbing us.

AGTI Vs EGTI

2011-10-06T01:44:00.000-07:00

IT has been widely said among GTI graduates that there are two categories so called AGTI and EGTI. I think needless to elaborate why say so. Those who study at day time are considered AGTI and those who study at evening time are verbally called EGTI. I am not sure if this is happening legally or not among GTI society. But for sure is those words are created to divide among GTI graduates. AGTI graduates might have thought that they are better than EGTI graduates while EGTI graduates could feel some hurt once they are being called. I believe this is arisen by an improper step of authority which might have been forced to do by their superior department. In fact, there are more than such major divisive.

I myself joined AGTI through latest entrance exam in 1995. Later the admission was selected based on matriculation exam mark especially on Maths and English. At the same time, there was one particular year (1998 graduate if I am not mistaken) in which those student whose parent are teachers are allowed to join GTI regardless of their matriculation result. Moreover, there was another batch so called teacher training camp in which those students left from first chance are given another chance to become an engineer. No matter what batch a student is studying the course, the authority awards AGTI certificate to those who finished the course successfully. However there has been some bitter feeling that some AGTI students find it difficult to detach, I think. In real working world, we are judged based on personal skill rather than just paper qualification.

It's good to learn that CGTI family seems going to join All GTI family by advertising the upcoming gathering activity organized by All GTI family. In view of above, what make me appalling is there are so many AGTI words repeatedly in the invitation letter. Does it mean only AGTI graduates are warmly welcome to participate? Or does it mean EGTI graduates are not eligible to join? If the above my personal opinion of AGTI and EGTI is the case, the organizer of All GTI family should have used the better words in order to avoid negative impact. Hopefully, the All GTI media department won't have such negative attitude in making the aforesaid invitation letter content.

I'm solely responsible for the thinking of AGTI & EGTI thought and I'll take all consequence arisen from this. Frankly, I am not sure if my opinion is correct or not. If the post has offended you, I'm sorry for that. May all GTI graduates in Singapore transform coming Sunday evening a memorable gathering event life as before.

1997 civil graduate

Goodbye Steve

2011-10-05T22:54:00.000-07:00

BREAKING NEWS everywhere come out this morning with regard to Apple's genius, Mr. Steve Jobs has been passed away from cancer. I'm not fan of Apple's product while everybody is nowadays crazy with the product of Apple company. Without Steve Jobs, the Apple wouldn't have been in this planet. So Mr. Steve Jobs deserve everybody's respect regardless of Apple fun or not. As Mr. Bill Gate of Microsoft who is a bitter rival of Apple quote, knowing Jobs was "insanely great" honor to him. If Jobs is such prominent figure for a genius person like Bill Gate, I can't find a proper word to thank him for ordinary people like us. No wonder everybody on the world show their concern since he has created extraordinary product for the world's citizen.

I'm really surprise to learn this passing news as I thought he could have been treated world's best medicine for his diseases. I even don't know what kind of disease he is suffering. I just know he was struggling for cancer from latest news. We all know that Apple recently employed new CEO to replace the void Jobs left. World media ever wanted to know if there is someone competent to fill the gap since it's quite huge. Soon after the replacement news, he left our planet. It show he was doing his duties until last minute to make us happy. Our world desperately need such person to make this planet more liveable. I never seen him before in person. But I feel I should have some words to pay final respect to his contribution to our world.

The world is sometime funny as it kick out the good people prematurely. Losing Jobs at 56 years is too early for our community. He might not intend to go this early. If I'm being asked what I would do to best honor him, I'ld give him noble price under creativity/innovation. Because no other product have been more popular than Apple's product in the modernize world. It'ld be wise if Noble Judge Panel select Mr. Steve Jobs for his ultimate contribution to our world. May you able to lie at the peaceful heaven under the guidance of the God, Mr. Genius. We'll remember you for at least by generation.

Understanding China's Threat

2011-10-02T22:48:00.000-07:00

AS we all expect, the China has demanded for a meeting to explain why our government has suspended China back mega hydro-power dam project. They pointed the legitimate government should protect the right of Chinese Companies. Also they assured that they'll protect the interest of China's benefit if it come against their way. By seeing this, China has been itchy considerably by the latest movement of our government. Now they are trying to say like they're gentleman and always complying international laws whenever they are trying to make investments abroad. Everybody in Myanmar and world knows what the China is doing in the business. They're trying to make allies with those countries who are isolated by world's society. More accurately, they are making friends with those countries who are anti-US. They know clearly that it's the chance to take by doing so. Because those isolated countries are mostly sanctioned by the world economy and they can get whatever they want from those countries with scrap value which is much lower than market price. Vice versa, the leaders of those countries have very little to choose option since they are being angled by effective sanction. Anyway, for sure thing is China is taking advantage from the plight of those less developing countries by heavily investing to absorb their best possible outcome such as natural resources.

In the past 5 decades, China has taken almost everything from our land regardless of government. They know how to control the Junta since they have vast experience of controlling wild people as a communist country. Our country leaders might have been accept their unfair demand in the effort of reducing poverty or making their own asset increase from huge bribe. They always express how they take care on us as well as how good neighbor country are they repeatedly. Probably, this time suspension of China back project is first ever experience for them in the history and they are feeling hot from unexpected news. Moreover, they might have been worry from the constructive efforts being made by new government including amending ties with opposition parties and western nations. China ever don't like to see us having good relationship with outside world. The more isolated we are, the happier the China would be, for sure. Because they can do anything they like only if Myanmar is isolated from outside world. Otherwise, Myanmar will feel some unfairness from comparison. Now we are trying to change all outdated policies and this latest news is a good signal to China.

I'm surprise to see they are telling us to respect the law. They shouldn't start this project had they respected our priceless biodiversity nature. They shouldn't invest in this project should they sympathize from their own experience of 3 George Dam. They shouldn't favor our ethnic rebels should they feel our good friend. In fact, I personally feel they are just bullying us. They are treating us like their colonial country. They even can't do everything what they want in their own county if the development is not right for long run. They have closed some factories to ease people's angers with regard to environmental effect. Wonder why they are doing such illness things in our land while they can't even do in their own land. It's crystal clear they are only taking care of their interest. It's proofing they are not interesting side effect of the project. Finally things go against them, they started to spark and demand explanation. It's needless to explain as the government has a right to protect their own people's benefit. Do they allow Google search engine freely to use its full capacity? There is nothing to do with outside world but accept if they wants to invest in that particular country.

I recall the incident in which China navy harassed the survey research ship of Vietnam by cutting the cables. It was happening in the South China Sea and Vietnam response angrily. How? Vietnam government allowed its people went out on the street to stage rare demonstration. Some went China Embassy and made prolong demonstration. The authority strangely allowed its people for several weeks. Moreover, Vietnamese government allowed US Navy carrier to visit its ports as they fully understand they cannot along counter China's power. So they tried to make good relation with US and itch China seeing US Navy ship touring around South China Sea territory. At the same time, Vietnam announce to make joint navy exercise together with US marines that make China really annoyed. In fact, China is trying to bully south east Asia countries in this sea dispute case. Before settle the case, they are taking control of those disputable area assuming theirs. They arrest and maintain all incoming fish boats, refinery rig, survey, building mission.

Recently collision of Japanese navy ship and Chinese fishing boat is good example to understand the dirty mind of China. Japanese navy arrested the Chinese captain for deliberately collide coastal ship and Beijing demanded Japan to release their national with immediate effect. Japan sooner released the captain and China dare to ask even appology by Japanese side. In that case, Chinese boat captain is committed the offense and they even asked for appology from Japan. Japan response by telling there is no way to appology in the case since they're fully comply the lawful way. After that, China halted the export of rare earth to Japan. China is a home of more than 90% of rare earth export in the world. The precious metal is used in making most electronic products such as hybrid cars, electronic goods such as mobile, TV, Computer chips, etc. Without this raw materials, it's obvious the technology giant like Japan cannot survive. China cited environmental effect for the halting operation that prompted US and Australia to resume their own rare earth operation sites. By seeing this scenarios, it's sure China has a bad foreign policy if things come against their will.

May our leaders and people able to avoid those dirty tricks from China by the strength of unity. I would like to request our leaders not to waste our money and energy in fighting our own ethnic brothers. Please try to make peaceful reconciliation as fast as possible by means of every effort. It's time to show our unity and we need every single citizen in protecting our country from dirty minded country. May we get win-win situation through peaceful and friendship consultation on the table. We are small compare to China. But we have to believe in ourselves that we can counter the possible threat by uniting people and government. In the mean time, trying to make a good ally with US and India would have made us safer than ever before. I personally trust in the ability of our president to cope with the present issue.

Wake up Myanmar, time to mature and show our strength to the world.

China raps Myanmar over halting of S$4.7b dam project

2011-10-01T23:26:00.000-07:00

BEIJING (AFP) - Beijing has urged Myanmar to protect the rights of Chinese companies after the government halted construction of a US$3.6 billion (S$4.7 billion) China-backed mega dam following public opposition to the project.

Myanmar President Thein Sein on Friday ordered work on the Myitsone Dam on the Irrawaddy River to stop - a decision hailed by the United States as a sign the military-backed leadership was listening to its people.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei on Saturday urged 'relevant countries to guarantee the lawful and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies'.

'The Myitsone power station is a jointly invested project between China and Myanmar' and it has been 'rigorously examined by both sides', Mr Hong said in a statement. Mr Hong called for both sides to 'properly handle' the matter through 'friendly consultations'.

People's Victory

2011-09-29T22:35:00.000-07:00

WHAT a good news is it? Today President has pledged its people that present government will hold the Irrawaddy Hydro-electric power dam project during their term. He cited the power is given by people and they'll not make things that make our people feel sad. I believe, our people will welcome this good news and credit to our president as he deserve. We have heard people's serious concern with regard to this project most recently. All the corner of people participate in this campaign, author, musician, politician, ordinary people.

EMG's recent news suggests that 20% of this project is deemed finish according to the photos taken. People were ignored by not disclosing the professional report by Chinese and Myanmar geologists. Fortunately, the danger of Irrawaddy was suddenly surfaced by some particular reasons. Most noticeably, the recent speech by Minister of Energy effectively sparked people's angers. It probably prompted people both professions and lay men to organize events attempting to highlight how important this river is for us. All come united on the attitude of stopping this project. Another fortunate thing is government's change policy in censorship of media. Our media these days are relatively transparent than past time. They are able to publish most itchy articles which couldn't be imagine in past time. Anyway, those all changing contributed the mission of saving our main river, Irrawaddy.

I am sure the civilian government will get people's trust by making this decision. Alternatively it look like rewarding those who try all the ways in campaigns despite it is highly risky. I also hope it'll help our government's reconciliation effort among our races especially in the northern ethnic region people, Kachin. I would like to request my fellow citizens and domestic media not to hesitate in praising the government for their positive movement. It's not fair to the president and its cabinet ministers if we are only active in criticizing their negative movements. Anyway, our government eventually listen our people voice and take action accordingly. I believe, this is one of so many such positive things to come in near future. It's time to celebrate the people's victory. Lets cheer around.

Thanks Mr. President for saving Irrawaddy which is above anything else in Burma.

Shall we go further?

2011-09-28T23:01:00.000-07:00

CGTI family Singapore was born in 1989 and it has been active in social activities among ex-students who are working in lion city. It's main priority is likely to collect donation from family members and manage to pass them to needy teachers who are in and out service. It has been gone beyond expectation by a family of few hundred members. We have to recognize that CGTI family has been existing in the lion city for more than 20 years is not by default. In other words, it's not easily maintain to alive by itself. Of course, without its CEC members who are also never hesitate in plugging the gap especially in the financial loop, this special purpose-built family would have been disappeared long long ago.

But, I personally think that CGTI family could be able to do more than just a firm of collecting donation for ex-teachers. If they are standing alone for just the single mission, it is most likely to lose its members in the long run. I don't mean the members will go away from family on the stingy ground. I would say it will be more healthy to bond among family members if the family create much more activities. It's boring to learn that CGTI family only do for fund collection and will be seen unattractive unless it has some fun-pack innovative events.

Let me recall a day of Myanmar Engineer Society Forum held in Singapore few months ago. It was organized by RIT family Singapore and they managed to invited Dr. Nyi Hla Nge as a guest of honour. It was relatively success as a first time initiative. I guess why not for GTI families to hold such event if RIT family can do it. At CGTI alone, it has produced so many Engineer who are specialized in four major called Civil, EP, MP & MT. Some of ex-GTI students had gone as far as Ph.D and some are able to work as a white collar worker in Singapore. CGTI family can ask them for sharing their working and educational experience to fellow GTI graduates who are inferior to them. I don't think any option rejected by those successful GTI graduates if they are being asked.

We don't need to have very high standard contents to hold such seminar among CGTI members. Because it would be handful amount of GTI graduates who are working as a design engineer. Mostly we are working as technician such as supervisor, draftperson, quantity surveyor, site engineer, etc. If there are 100 CGTI graduates in Singapore, it means there are 100 options to be shared through members. What we need most now is just start. After that we don't need to worry for attendants because people know what is good and what is bad in real life. The family can put some titles on the website and invite possible candidates to register through online or mobile phones. May be we can do it such event once a month at the early stage. Later we can expand the service to bi-weekly, weekly and so no.

I have crazy idea that those seminar would be recorded properly and try to publish as a book and send them to our mother institute (CGTI) library. I believe it'ld be popular topic among students at institute because it reflect actual working world's difficulties and know-how technology before they are going to actual world. I hope they are also helpful to the in service teachers in teaching their students. We are obliged to share what we have learned oversea and they would be priceless for those engineers who are working in Myanmar. Probably we can buy one projector if the attendance gain by time through funds. I think, this is within our potential and want to urge CEC members to look into this suggestion. Once we succeed in gathering our members regardless of anything, it'ld help family to collect funds as well. So I must say it's win-win situation if this imagination become true.

May our fellow citizen able to share their valued experience to advance our careers and maintain existing job at our own will.

Bad/Good Friend

2011-09-28T21:36:00.000-07:00

TAIWAN is always considered as a part of China's territory by China regardless of other opinions in the world society. As a result, Taiwan is not recognized as a nation in UN despite they label themselves as an independent nation. Perhaps it is sign of China power in the world. Fortunately, Taiwan has US to counter China's continuous threat on potential invasion. Taiwan usually rely on US to improve their army so that they can match China's rising military. The most recently, Taiwan wanted to buy US's advanced warplanes F-16 which might cost them US$5.0 billion and US declined their bid to avoid China's serious concern. China always warn US not to interrupt in their domestic affair while Taiwan asked US for their mercy. In term of human right, I think US has a right to protect Taiwan as long as they got Taiwan's consent. However, US opted to alternative contract to upgrade Taiwan's existing fleet of fighters which are also lower version of F-16. Beijing has shown their unhappiness on the deal despite US avoid their lucrative sale. China set back their military cooperation agreement to show their concern. It's very obvious to understand that China don't want US to assist Taiwan by selling their advanced weapon. Let it be as it's the policies of world's two biggest economies and beyond our control.

What matter most to me is that China is doing the same thing US does to Taiwan against our country, I believe. Since independence in 1948, our government continuously struggling to cope with ethnic rebels. There are several ethnic armies who fight government army for more than 5 decades. Those rebels who are stationing at the border of China are getting weapon from China. Our government might have known that trend but helpless to block China's activities because China has big influence on our government. China always claim that they are our good neighboring country. How can it be true while China is assisting our rebel group by selling weapon they needed to fight government? I'm not happy to learn that UWSA (United Wa State Army) become stronger by time and even they dare to oppose government's proposal on transforming border guard. The UWSA is regarded as Chinese army widely due to their Chinese population background. They have even factory to produce their own weapon. They are taking 4 townships as their territory and government is helplessly look them control that area. It look like they are living there as a separate country and I am very upset to see like that in my country. I'm not pro-government but thing come like that, I'ld support government side. With the help of China, this particular rebel group stronger and seem untouchable.

How do our government address this problem in the long run unless they can press China to stop from assisting them? It's look like China is trying to set their own army on our backyard. Is China trying to make plan-B should our democratic government resist their will in future? Probably yes to this thinking. I would like to request China not to do the act that they don't like US do on their case. Please help our government's afford in trying to reconcile among our races. Then we'll rate you a good neighbor unconditionally. At the moment, we're not happy with the way you are treating us. You take most of our natural resources, then you try to reinforce our rebel force. How can you say yourself that you are our good neighbor by doing so? We hope you'll proof it by taking concrete steps with the interest of our national peace.

China's Signal Lesson

2011-09-27T23:46:00.000-07:00

CHINA has boasted the world by showing its latest acquisition of new technologies. It include manned satellite, carrier, bullet train, etc. They are trying to modify foreign imported technology and announce it as their own. Recently, the news I remember that state the arguments between Japan's bullet train giant Kawasaki and China's state own railway company with regard to train component patent right. I don't know who win in the international court. Let it be as it's non of our business.

Few months after they launch their bullet train route between Beijing and Shanghai, the faulty train signal contributed the collision of two bullet trains in which 40 people were killed. It was happening in last July and it generate people's outrage toward government officials. The government tried to get back people's trust by suspending the on-going railway projects and introduced the safety. Unfortunately, there was another tragic at China's commercial city, Shanghai again in yesterday. This time the victim of the China made technologies was subway trains. Again faulty signal made one subway train rammed another. This time, there were more than 270 passengers injured. The fact is that signals used on the Shanghai subway were made by China Railway Signal & Communication Corp-the same company that was blamed for the faulty signals in the July crash of bullet trains which brought 40 people's life.

The China is trying to export its train technology to less developed countries like ours. It really matter to us while we can ignore their plights regarding to above tragic. The fact suggests us that our country's top FDI come from China. Mostly invested in our natural resources. Now China's railway company is working on the finding potential route for railway line between its deep-port development project city and its boarder city. I am wondering what if China throw their outdated technology to our country's railway lines. It's possible as China always see their profit regardless of side effects. Our country can get long time interest free loan from China for their unused old train technology. It's real threat and can impact on our people severely. I wish our leaders able to see the case seriously for the interest of our people's safety.

May all of my fellow citizens free from Chinese's outdated and copycat technologies. May all our leaders wise enough to protect our people's lives from such threats of bad neighbor.

English Matter-2

2011-09-27T00:20:00.000-07:00

It was early 2005, I was going to Malaysia for my first ever oversea job with the prospect of better paid job. I met some more people at airport who will go together under same agent. There were two agents involved in our oversea job process, one is my fellow citizen and another is Singaporean. We needed to follow Singaporean agent until we reach at KLIA. Soon after landing KLIA, he asked us not to go anywhere from the designated place and left us alone. According to him, our employer is supposed to come and collect us at airport. We were disappointing with the condition but follow. We saw a lot foreign workers around and some of them seem so long waiting for their bosses to collect and even sleep soundly. Luckily, our employer arrived few hours later and brought us to the city.

Since I'm not physically strong man, I wanted to work in office in order to avoid extreme equator sun at work site. But we all understood that we are employed to work at site. I asked Myanmar agent if she can request my employer for office job. She, without hesitating, replied me "no, it's not possible". I later understood that Myanmar agent has no authority or power in dealing with foreign employers. I bear in mind those unrecognized words from my agent, I still wanted to try my luck as much as possible in where got chance. Once we all get out of KLIA compound, we were asked to surrender our passports to the employer. The employer sent two cars to pick us up. One is boss's brother who is director as well and another is foreign workers affair manager.

After they took our passports, they ask if there are any graduates or not. I raised my hand quickly to response the question. Then we departed from KLIA to the city. It was already night around local time 8:00pm. I took front seat beside driver who is foreign worker affair manager. On the way to city, I tried to talk the manager by asking what's the company's specialize in construction industry as well as the number of current running projects. He also asked me few questions on what I could do in my last job in Myanmar. I took fully advantage by explaining him that I'm stronger in paper work and also familiar with computer. He might have noted my words and my wish was fulfilled the next morning. Because, I am selected to work in the head quarter and immediately sent me head office which is located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. I was undoubtedly happy to be sent office as it's definitely where I wanted to work. I think the ability of my spoken English might have contributed me to grab this office job. I understood the competitive edge of language skill for those who are trying to work in foreign land for first time in my life.

Goat Curry

2011-09-20T23:08:00.000-07:00

IT has been new trend to celebrate wedding reception among migrant workers like us. We need to attend such celebration very often as our social cycle is relatively big. Mostly, the newly weds couple select the wedding avenue on the famous Myanmar restaurants so that they can treat their wedding guests by traditional foods. Also they can demand decoration on the tame of Myanmar traditional to restaurant owner. Among others, Inn Lay Myanmar restaurant is quite famous among Myanmar couples who are looking for their wedding venue followed by several monasteries. Most importantly, Myanmar restaurants are located in the peninsular plaza and easy to access for incoming visitors. Perhaps this make us to easily choose those restaurants.

When we celebrate such wedding event, we used to serve by either lunch or dinner to our close friends as well as relatives. We also don't leave our foreign friends from workplace to be invited. Most of foreign friends are attending our wedding event so as they can learn our culture and to show their care on us. It's compulsory to invite our bosses as a guest of honor. Here, one thing we find difficult is to search proper person to greet them and help them in needs. Because everything they see around wedding event could be strange to them and some might want to know further rather than just viewing them. Since the restaurant owners tried their best with the tame of Myanmar's best traditional decoration, they are most likely to catch those foreign visitor's eyes.

At a wedding ceremony of my friend couple, they managed to treat visitors with lunch as usual. The couple is busying with greeting people around the hall. Their bosses coming in, they greeted them and located in one place. Then they transfer one close friend to help their boss in whatever they need. As they see other visitors are queuing for their buffet lunch, they started to queue. Once their turn reach, they ask couple's friend what curry is it by pointing one steel container. The translator-elect friend immediately answer and the foreigner bosses were distraught by the answer. What make them confused is "That is goat curry". In fact, the translator tried to explain them it is mutton sir. It's quite funny to be said now but it was really uncomfortable for the attending bosses amid other visitors.

May my fellow citizen use proper English to prevent their own reputation.

(disclaimer: I didn't write this post to degrade my fellow citizens, just sharing the life's funny case only. Hope your kind understanding)

English Matter ?

2011-09-20T21:25:00.000-07:00

I read a lot voices concerned by Singaporean with related to suggestion of switching to American English from current native English. During recent forum held in NTU, Singapore's former minister mentor LKY hinted to adapt US English due to US's accelerating dominance of internet and social media websites. City state is trying to set up the English hub for those people from the region. As MM Lee's idea is always taken into consideration, MOE seem tend to change its curriculum from current British English to US English. Some insists why need to change while their own Singlish is still can be used to communicate among people. One reason we cannot argue with MM Lee's comment on improving English language skill is to maintain Singapore's competitive edge. He also stressed that Singaporean's effective English performed integral part of City state's long term success. Because of this, more and more MNCs chose this tiny state as an ideal place to set up their new regional head quarter. Let them argue as it's their business.

What concern us is what English are we using in our mother land? Probably it's likely to be English version as most of our curriculum were heritages from English's colony time one. Myanmar was once famous for its English language skill and deemed an ideal place to learn English language in the region. I once heard that in the old days, regional meetings usually selected Myanmar official to chair due to their English proficiency. This can be truth as we have seen our fellow citizen the world's most important post, UN general secretary in the past. Another good example would be our national hero General Aung San who is well known for his English skill, even British official appreciated his ability with handling English speeches. Let it be because it was in past and gone.

Then how is current's situation with us? Frankly, we, Burmese workers, are known for poor in English language skill in abroad. It's hurt to see such news cruelly even published in some media here. Generally, those who come out of country are well educated people and able to speak English better than their fellow citizens who remain works domestically. After they land in foreign land, we find ourselves our English language skill is not enough to compete in the working world. We may be succeed in term of technical. But we have to accept that we cannot expect a top post without mastering English. By this reason alone, we all should try to improve ourselves by taking every chance in polishing our existing language skill.

As we all known, most of Singaporean can speak bilingual which mean a person can speak two languages effectively. Some even trilingual and it make Singaporean stand ahead of their counterparts from other countries. Our education is declining in standard and quality. It become worse and critical when no one seem take care of changing/improving our education system. As a result, our younger generation are more likely to be poorer in English skill and it's absolutely concern that how can they compete with their peers from other country when the time see them as our leaders? I would like to request to our authority to look into it properly and amend accordingly. Please do not hide from truth if you want to really improve the things in country. It'll tell the people how much you are loyal to your country. We'll try to gather working knowledge and language skill here and happily return to mother land once the time is deemed right.

May all my fellow citizens including me speak English effectively by the help of themselves.

Recalling CD

2011-09-19T21:40:00.000-07:00

THEY said "time and tide waits for no man", a famous quote ever true regardless of time to date. As time goes by, it's inevitable we have to grow old concurrently. It's obvious we can't bring back our younger days while struggling in the hectic life especially for the migrant workers like us. However it's still sustainable to recall our campus memories that we all enjoyed to its fullest. No matter our background, we all were enjoying our campus days while we are studying for our first ever engineering foundation course. It's not an arguably story that we can't be today without going through our campus days. In the memoir of campus life, our mother institute is an integral part of it. We label ourselves by citing the famous institute name nowadays. I'm not blaming to do so. It's good to be proud of being the product of this famous institute which is one of few elite institutes in Myanmar's technological institutes.

At the same time, I would like to remind all my fellow CGTI graduates not to forget the driving force behind our famous institute. I admit that I also one of those forgotten group until I watch a video CD given me at the annual dinner. My wife and I found the video able to give mix-emotional feelings, happy and sorrow. Since we both graduated from CGTI, we don't need to explain each other during playing time. All the sense are familiar to us. We found most of things stick to our institute are remain unchanged. We see students going around campus as well as some click of lecturing activities in the variety of classes. The video shooter might have tried to show all angles of our institute as they dangerously climbed RC water tank top through its rusted stairs. It's visible that those cat ladders are rusted and can be considered risky. But it couldn't deny the will of video shooter. We can able to see not only the physical condition of properties but the constructive willingness of our ex-teachers who are still in service.

The video bring us all the rooms available to CGTI. We enjoy some rooms even we didn't reach during our campus days. We noticed some new feature rooms such as audio & computer rooms among others. The video able to draw attention of viewer by showing activities of workshops from all departments as well as some conversation by senior lecturers. We were silent during play time and no complaint despite it is longer than one hour. We know, at the same time, each other what feeling going through our minds and tried to avoid seeing each other. We were unable to control our tearful eyes to roll down on the cheeks when we reach the peak moment of the video. This is the cash-donation to 5 selected senior teachers followed by their acknowledged speech and good willing wishes.

We both clearly understand the quality of contribution made by CGTI family and salute their tirelessly effort to make it happen. We were regretful by looking back our selfishness by staying away from family's activities. We've learned a good lesson generated by CGTI Singapore's family and easily decided to donate by monthly basis through the channel of CGTI family. I sincerely hope this video CD will able to get my fellow graduate's attention and the EC member who made it fully deserve our praise. If the stingy couple can change their mind, why not for you my fellow graduate?

As JFK quoted" my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country". This famous quote enlighten us to understand what's the quality of human being to give back our society. If they can say like that, why not us for saying
If CGTI has done well for us to stand ahead of others, why not us contributing back to her when we're easily afford? Oh my fellow CGTI family member, it's time to feed back our mother institute and its driving force which is our ex-teachers regardless of in/out service. I hope you get my message from the deepest part of my heart.

May CGTI Singapore family exist as long as CGTI graduates working in city state.

A 97 Civil graduate.

A night to remember

2011-09-18T23:45:00.000-07:00

CGTI family Singapore's third annual dinner was held on SCCCI's hall successfully yesternight. My wife and I tried to attend this event despite my wife is not feeling well because we eagerly awaited this gathering. We see it as an opportunity to see our old friends as well as senior and junior product of our mother institute. The CGTI family is systematically formed by a group of CGTI graduates who are working in Singapore more than one decade ago. It was born with the good attitude of active senior graduates. Primary purpose is to set up gathering and build strong relationship among CGTI graduates. At the same time, it also meant to exchange valuable workplace experiences among CGTI products. Later, it expanded its mission by collecting charity funds from graduates and help the ex-teachers who had been retired now as well as providing necessary furniture in the mother institute back.

Since CGTI graduates arrival in City state grow, CGTI family's size has been growing dramatically and able to organize activities more frequently. It has formed EC members who take full responsibilities to maintain this firm as long as possible. It even has media, finance, administrative, marketing division so that everybody can take part their assignments by senior leaders. No wonder CGTI family is famous among other counterparts of its kind in Singapore as well as in Myanmar because the unity among CGTI graduates are unrivaled. CGTI became growing by time while other similar GTI families are struggling with their prevailing group. They used to take CGTI family as a role model when they are out to campaign their own institute products. Probably, it's because we are mostly from upper Burmese people who came from poor family background. Generally most of upper Burmese people are hard working, frank, interest in social activities compare to those from lower Burmese. It might be reason why CGTI family can walk long successful.

The event was fun-package and the live band was entertaining the incoming CGTI family members. People are automatically gathered at the same table by the same batch. It's really pleasure to meet old friends after missing for so many years. Some of us unable to find a proper time to meet despite we are on the same city due to our busy schedules. So I believe, most of us will find it worthy to come by this reason alone. Once we entered the hall, all the graduates we seen are smile, friendly, smart and active. No matter which batch we were graduated, they are welcoming all attending fellow graduates by open arms. The two tables are placed left and right of entrance doors so that everybody come in the hall can notice. Some members from right tables are collecting generous donation for ex-teacher aid programme from attendants. At the same time, some members from the other side are selling CGTI family memorial shirts to attendants. As we all are under mode of fun, most of attendants are buying and immediately wear the shirt to show their spirit. Sooner after program starts, more than half attendants are already uniform with beautiful family shirts.

The uniform family members are moving around to greet the visiting ex-teachers who are in town. We are able to see the teachers of our generation teachers at the event. One senior teacher gave open speeches to audiences emotionally. He elaborated how his teaching career gone surprise and how should we all respect the lectures we gained from our mother institute. He also highlighted the value of being AGTI graduate by citing how AGTI graduates contributed in building our nation from scraps. We all noted his speeches to share our younger generation one day. He concluded his speech by suggesting to set up all GTI family rather than CGTI alone. Then, the visiting ex-teacher gave his gratitude speech to senior members and family for making his trip wonderful.

After that, the much awaited dinning chapter was opened by live band music in which some graduates are trying to entertain their fellow graduates. We all enjoyed delicious chicken biriyani and icy assorted drinks. We all make the hall noisy environment by talking our old days as well as current situation. As you know, old friends never enough time to talk everything they want to chat after long time no seeing each other. The event was followed by exciting lucky draw which selected five lucky winners. Surprisingly one of my close friends got third price and he go back home with a prize in hand. It cost us S$10.00 each and the family gave us more than 10 times worthy back us. There were some special guess from other GTI families with the prospect of witnessing CGTI spirit and probably hope of merging opportunity.

We all have to credit the EC members for their tirelessly efforts to make it true. We all can guess that to make such scale event happening in city state will never come easy. Anyway, CGTI family had shown the strength of unity by making this 3rd time annual dinner successfully. And I sincerely believe, we all have gained something from this unforgettable event and there would be better social activities among CGTI graduates by the guidance of our own family. May CGTI family last long to its eternity.

95-97 Civil Graduate

World-class service

2011-09-16T00:51:00.000-07:00

IT is my surprise to see my driving license renewal process could be done less than half hour. In my recent trip back home, I needed to renew/extend my current driving license. Previously I used to ask agent to change it for me. However this time I am unable to repeat the same as before as there has been law change. The new law requires the holders to go in person for any traffic related services. Just before I return home, I passed Singapore's basic theory test for driving. The officer asked me to extend my current one as it's too close to expire at the moment. That's why I badly needed to change it during my recent trip.

This time trip back home bring three mission for me to be done during a couple weeks which are buying a flat, changing driving license and the most importantly celebrating my daughter's one year birthday in my home town. So I rate this license matter the most minor and didn't want to give much time. It was rainy afternoon and I am stuck in the room. Suddenly I decided to go driving license office for my license on around 3:00pm. With the fear of late, I took a taxi and arrive the office around 3:45pm. The taxi driver advised me how to go and he even guess I won't be able to get by today and have to return on tomorrow. I rushed to a main building through flooded road in the compound of the office. It is 2 storey building and I needed to ask another person for right place and reach license department on almost 4:00pm. I approached to a desk and inquiry to a staff.

Me : I want to renew my license.
Staff: already late, may be you can go and ask there (by pointing at another desk)
Me : Hi officer, am I able to change my license now?
Officer: Hmm,,,we are close on taking application form (by seeing her watch)
Me : How come close while the operation hour ends at 4:30pm?
Officer stars at me as my response is too confident and perhaps strange to her ears.
Me : I see bulletin board infront of the room showing 9:30am to 4:30pm.
Off : Ok, tell me what's your blood type.
Me : A+
Off : Hmmm,,,,what do you mean A+ ?
Me : A-positive
Off : We don't have such type in Myanmar.
Me : well then make it A, lah
Officer takes a form and fill up for me in the attempt of saving time.
Off : give me 5,000
I gave her the amount she ask for.
Me : anything else?
Off : it's done, you may go sit and wait for collection
Me : alright, thanks
I took a chair which is nearby and able to see the officer and read a book. A few minute later I got talking on my handphone with my sisters. People around seems looking at me secretly, I feel. So after I talk, I take a snap by mobile phone camera. I noticed one young staff nearby go and tell officer for my action. I was actually nervous with what I have done and waiting for consequence while I maintain my calmness by reading a dhamma book. A few minute later, officer raised her hand and signal me to come. I approached her and ask for calling. She asked me to sign on my application form of driving license. I asked her if there is any problem with my over due of expiration date. She said no problem and seem hesitation with waiting time. She even told me that she's trying to get director's signature and she'll pass it to me asap. I notice her action is not normal. She might have thought I am someone from authority or intelligent. Anyway, I got advantage from her wrong judging. In real world, there is no such thing to treat an applicants so politely by an officer like her. I am a bit strange in mind and even want to laugh.

A few minute later, she told her staffs not to go back early as all must clean the office today. She told loudly so as I can hear her voice, I think. Then, she went in a room and get out to me together with my new smart card. I was really surprised with my card as I thought I'ld need to come back tomorrow for collection at least. I saw a lot people queuing for their name being called by officer for their card collection. They might have submitted their application form since morning time but still wait. I felt unfair to them being privileged for nothing. Once I receive my card by hand, I ask the officer if I need to pay anything for service. She quickly replied me no need, it's our duty. I said thanks and return home. In my way back home, I keep thinking what did make this officer very helpful and so kind to me.

One thing I can able to find is my very short style of hair-cut. It look me like an army official. Meanwhile, my action of taking photo by mobile phone might have assist me to get express service. I got lesson from this event that those flawed system may lead unnecessary confuses to not only customers but servicing staffs too. May we have a fair system which work base on first come first serve regardless of ranks.

Oldies are goldies

2011-09-16T00:25:00.000-07:00

RECENTLY Singapore and Malaysia made historic agreement on shifting the existing KTM train station from the almost downtown area to the land close to JB. There were a lot of voice with regard to the news. Some are happy with upcoming development while others are unhappy with disappearing of historic icon which is integral part of Singapore's history. Anyway the station eventually had been moved successfully to the designated location. Now some part of railway lines would be reopen to public for the remembrance of history. Just before the final day, some people are going the vicinity to take some picture of historic building as well as railway track. Even some wedding couple are choosing the antique railway line as their pre-wedding photo site. Now people are not necessarily need to rush to get those famous scene after government announce on reopening of some part to public. Perhaps it is another stunt by republic to add one more attraction on the menu of their tourist attraction places. What a clever move is it?

If Singapore could find some value from the scrap, while not for our country, Myanmar? The new government is currently busy with changing some outdated policies. One of them is replacing very old car exercise and the government is exchanging them with with new car import license. As a result, newer cars in the market price declined to 30% while old car price enjoy sky-rocket price due to sudden demands. Anyway, those owners of very old cars are going to surrender their antique cars to authority in the exchange of new car import permission. Then what the government will do with those antique cars? One news read that the authority is going to send those cars to factories where they would be transformed to metal by pressing. If the news is right, it's not wise enough, in my opinion. May be the authority can catagorize to cars based on manufacturing date as well as brands. I'm sure those over 40 years old car factories won't be existing in the world.

So, it should be transformed as a car museum rather than making just scrap metal. I'm sure it'ld be top tourist attraction in the future. Also we can show our younger generation the process of car history. I believe, some of those antique cars cannot be found in the world. The tourist would love to see such grand-father of modern cars. The modern cars are no longer strange to them as they can be easily found in their countries. Meanwhile, those 3 to 4 decades old cars can be seen valuable antique which cannot be bought nowadays. I sincerely hope the authority will take this into consideration to generate a good and attractive car museum for our people.

Be responsible and earn respect

2011-09-15T00:10:00.000-07:00

I frequently read news of recalling cars which has been flaw with some technical system. It's not a small task for respective motor company but they're doing this if it is necessary. It doesn't matter to wait until there is complaints by their customers. They used to make this practice whenever they found out any related flaws with cars already on the market and roads. If they don't know the drawback until complain come out, it's most likely they need to compensate to those victims due to road accidents. It'll definitely lose the consumer's trust on their brand and the sale will follow by declining. Thus, they are always alerting in their R&D to ensure their products are good enough for consumers.

Believe it or not? My country is producing our own brand motorcars through local industrial parks as well as government factories. It's hilarious to learn one of poorest countries in the world is trying to manufacture cars by its own technology. In fact, the producers are importing all spare parts and assemble in their workshops. Some parts of body are being made domestically. It look like computer clone which has several branded components inside. It's still working but obviously dangerous to drive on roads. Because there is no quality control, there is no standard, there is no authority to monitor the product's quality, etc. The producers can sell their products in the market. Of course, they are a bit cheaper than fully imported cars and some locals are using such cars. The sellers always boasted that their cars are brand news cars while imported cars are at least 10 years old. Let it be.

The concern is who take responsibility when such cars go wrongfully and hit accident? It's up to owner's destiny. Our people might have accused their own fake rather than flawed products. Our government is trying to pretend our people by showing such cars and say we are already industrialized nation. Perhaps only uneducated people from rural areas will believe in what they are talking through state media. But it's really happening in my country. Our people need to pay more to get used cars than counterparts from other countries buy new cars. The government effectively control motorcar import license and make sure there is less supply than demand so that they can sell permit with very expensive. The custom fees is about 300% on car price. There are other taxes to be paid if you want to own a car. However there is no insurance, no guarantee on the car. If someone encounter a problem, it's belong to him only. There is no such thing to go court and sue the company or seller. We live in such world while others enjoy their right.

Recently, the government announced to withdraw the old cars which are as old as 40 years on the road and will replace with new car license to those who surrender their old cars. It follow few days after government tell media that they'll allow foreign car dealer to come and open car show rooms. People are happy with the news and the car price has gone done as much as 30% within few days after announce the news. We are seeing the sign of changes and people started to recognize the civilian government. Hopefully our government able to make meaningful policies changes in the benefit of our people. Later is better than never.

A frank lawyer

2011-09-14T23:29:00.000-07:00

AFTER carefully think of consequence, I decided to hire a lawyer for the final phase of my property contract. My cousin sister suggested to get professional advice as we can't see hidden risks before we pay final cash as it's huge amount for me. She recommend a lawyer she always hire whenever she buy property and I finally decided to agree with her. One afternoon, we make an appointment with lawyer at her office. My cousin sister and I went the office to conclude my flat purchasing story. Once we reach her office, my sister introduced me with the lawyer as she is mutual person between us. We gave her a deposit paying agreement letter first before we continue to speak. After reading the content of the letter, she break silent by questioning. This is my first ever meeting with a lawyer in my life and it wasn't gone easy for me.

Lawyer: How old are you?
Me : 34
Lwr: Where are you working?
Me : Singapore
Lwr: What kind of job are you working there?
Me : Engineering
Lwr: YOU, being working as an engineer in the abroad?
Me : yes I'm
Lwr: Wondering how are you surviving there by not knowing even basic one.
Me : hmmmm
Lwr: you failed to put the date of agreement in your letter, first.
Me : hmmm
Lwr: the contents are favoring the seller
Me : hmmm
Lwr: the duplicate and original are not exactly the same
Me : hmmm
Lwr: then, do you understand you're going to lose if anything goes wrong in next phase?
Me : I just used a ready made contract bought from roadside shop.
Lwr: Anyway anyhow, you should have done it better to protect your money
Me : ya, but I did it urgently as it happened just an hour away from departure time of my bus
Lwr: Are you so rich to lose such amount?
Me : Not really, Mdm
Lwr: Don't be stupid next time, OK
Me : Yes, I'll remember this and don't let it happen again in future
Lwr: Don't let people know you are working in abroad.
Me: alright
Lwr: It's your fault to mention it as people can easily cheat at you
Me: alright, I'll remember it
Lwr: Once people ask you why you want to buy, just tell them because I want it, enough ready
Me: Ok
Lwr: There is nothing to do with others for your bank account
Me: Yes, I agree
Lwr: Good, lets go and see seller of the flat.
Me : Alright

The lawyer is driving her own car and it was raining afternoon in Yangon. She continuously talked to me how people are untranslatable these days by giving several stories she had encountered. It also included some stories in which she was victim of greedy people. She is now over 60 years old and she seem quite confident with her job. She waste no time since I'm meeting her. She makes several calls to her partners who are working at the government's home management authorities to check the flat owner's name. In the way to seller's house, she received a call to confirm who is the owner of the subject flat I intend to buy. I've got a big lesson by seeing her and thanks God for letting her to defense my hard-earn money. The rain is heavily falling and I'm exciting with the mission ahead.

Will we finish this case successfully?

To be continue.

Emigration

2011-09-13T23:07:00.000-07:00

WHY do people need to emigrate from one place to another? There might be so many reasons while some of them are quite common. To flee war-prone place, for quality education for their generation, for better healthcare, for better human right, for better living society, etc. These are quite norms among emigrants for their changing. However, I was surprising to learn one of special reason for those Chinese multi millionaires who are seeking a place to emigrate. What should it be? It's just because they wanted to get internal security of their valuable assets. I paused and think it about and able to understand as it's quite similar the condition of my home land's modern billionaires.

One resident highlighted that the land they buy in China will belong to government after certain lease years. So some millionaires are trying to buy land plots in abroad that allow owner to own their property forever. At the same time, they are seeking a chance to get foreign passport so that they can find a place to live in when they are treated unfairly by government. However most of such millionaires can be either retired government staff or business men who made their assets from illegal things. That's why they are afraid of their assets being taken by government in one day of future. Some of them are doing business in China but sending their family in abroad such as US, Canada, Australia, etc. This scenario suggests that Chinese people are not trusting in their own governments and trying to emigrate if any chance given. One report said Chinese people are not trusting in the China product and avoid if they can.

No wonder to see China's famous product like Jet Li and Gong Li were recently surrendered their citizenship for Singapore passports. Some critics said it is part of their attempt to avoid paying heavy income tax. Nevertheless, it show China has a problem with retaining its growing millionaires. How do they get back people's trust? Surely they are fighting corruption among government officials so that they can get people's trust. Also trying to create enough jobs for its people. Today, China has become world's second largest economy just behind US. But still got rooms to be improved such as healthcare and education. China has encountered several tainted foods cases in these years. It effectively damaged China's image among world's society. Most of tainted foods such as milk, pork, egg, now gutter oils are born in China. No other people from the world may not have such dirty minded to generate profit at the expend of other health problem. Hopefully China authority able to cope with such horrible things happening repeatedly in future.

Recently, I read local news of my country that more and more Myanmar's riches are buying in Singapore's properties especially in condo. What a proud news for us if it's happening as usual. But most of us believe that those people who buy such expensive condominium are spending their illegal/black money to hide their assets from government's investigation in future. It cost at least S$ 3million and who is able to afford such huge money with usual business in the one of poorest countries of the world? This is a try of internal security of their assets just like their counterparts from China. Myanmar's people are finding their lives very difficult to survive while those privileges are enjoying luxury flats and sending their children to foreign institutions. The gap of living standard become huge gap and it's major problem for our society.

May the authority able to close such huge gap by taking necessary action.

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

2011-09-10T21:02:00.000-07:00

OH, my mother land, your shape alike a pretty woman who is cradling. Not only such incredible shape you are, but also never failed to give us the best things possible in the world. You are perfectly located in the world map. You have very good cultivated lands in which we can grow most of plants spices. You give us more than enough foods for us as well as drinkable water by having enough rivers and streams. You provide us unrivaled three seasons so called summer, rainy & winter to enjoy the whole year. We have almost everything the world's citizen dreaming to possess in term of natural resources such as oil, gas, timber, gems, optimal weather, foods, fishery, plain cultivated lands, mountains, snow, rain, forest, river, streams, etc. We may not find a better land like you in this planet. You have performed more than a responsible mother. That's why let me label you "The Good" as you fully deserve it.

Oh, our brand new civilian government, you have been changing some outdated policies marginally since you succeed the power from your predecessor. We all loved to see some meaningful changes recently and appreciate that. Changing policies alone is not the duties of ruling party I think. You may have to listen people's voices which reflect their lives. Today, the loudest voice in the country is undoubtedly about the construction of Dam that is going to block the river source of our main river, Irrawaddy. Recently leak secrete report regarding to the research of this project unleash people's concern most. The China and our Junta took fully advantage from the lack of media freedom as well as people's lack of internet access by blinding our people from realistic things.

You, being people's government, are supposed to protect our valuable natural resources with the best interests of our people, not the interests of Chinese. You are buying almost everything to China with considerably scrap value. You better understand what kind of things are sustainable and which are not. Those sustainable things such as forests, gems are quite ok to sell. However, letting China do the project which is killing our life-blood river is not forgivable for our people. You, being a citizen of Burma, should have understood the consequences if the ordinary people even can feel that. What make you feel it right? Is it because you prefer Dollar than our beautiful nature? Is it because you cannot overturn the influence of China power? Anyway anyhow, you are the one who can make different before people's outrage wide spread. You may encounter worse condition if you continue to show green on this terrible project. Please save our essential river by stopping this horrible project. In the mean time, you will get people's heart by just doing this alone. Make it easy, men. At the moment, I would love to rate you "The Bad" to reflect your performance.

Dear China, you always said you are very good neighbor for our country. You always take care of us by using your veto power in the UN meeting to block UN security council's proposed action against us. You might have been our good friend in the past as you have claimed. However we are not happy to learn that you are enable to take all natural resources belong to us with the scrap value. You can do almost everything whatever you want to do within our territory. You took our oil, gas, forest, gems, even young women to fill the void by shortage of bride. Now you come invest for hydroelectricity. We know that you have got very costly lesson from your own version of hydroelectric projects such as 3 George dams. Those mega dam projects had killed your some major rivers in the like of Yangtze river, Yellow river, etc. You know how much does it suffer to your people by making those essential river drought.

In view of above, why are you trying to repeat the same problem in our country by investing heavily in hydroelectric power projects? Is it because it's non of your business with consequence? Is it because you pretend not to know what are side effects by doing so? We are poorer than you in term of money and technology but we can still able to understand what is right and what is wrong. We, people of Burma, are very disappointing with the action of our own government at the moment. We know only you can stop this miserable project with the ground of sympathy. We beg you for your mercy. If you are good neighbor country as you always said previously, please withdraw such cruel projects from our land. Please do consider the lives of residents though you got permission from our lousy leaders. We hope we can maintain this good relationship for long run by making meaningful efforts regardless of civil or junta government. At the moment, let me rate you as "The Ugly".

9/11

2011-09-08T23:46:00.000-07:00

A FAMOUS DATE that shook the whole world and still being remembered after 10 years on. The historic violence by terrorist attack. The ugly for world's citizen and perhaps successful mission by Osma Bin Ladin & his JI extremist. Anyway it's claimed thousand lives of innocent people and outraged among world's citizen regardless of race and nationalities. The US might have thought their internal security was safe enough to protect possible terrorist attack and they got big lesson from this unexpected attack. The even felt they are declared to enter unseen war by underground extremist. Since then they have been busying with finding the master of 9/11 attack by all possible ways all over the world.

During their search mission, the US and its alliance might have lost additional lives of its soldiers as well as huge military mission budget which could lead US economy weaken considerably. The George W Bush lost people's vote for his unsuccessful mission and wrong tactic on the searching mission. However his successor, Obama, also continue to spend few years on the unfinished mission. Eventually US Army caught Osama Bin Ladin recently at Pakistan after almost 10 years on the run underground. The Afghanistan's terrains had been spoiled by a human hunting operation. Finally the world's most wanted person was found in Pakistan's land, surprisingly, the plot next to Pakistan Army Officer Training Center. The US Army made sure there is no clue left from this hero of extremists by cementing and spreading its ash to the ocean.

Some analyst say there is no change in the world 10 years after 9/11 while others said today world is more secure than 10 years before. The republic is doing its exercise in the effort of get-ready to counter any possible terrorist attacks so called 9/11, Mumbai attack, Madrid/London metro attack, etc. Sadly, the republic lose its reputation slightly by letting its native JI member escape from its prison. There was very big human hunting mission but he escaped by its own way. Few years later, Mas Salamat was caught in the territory of Malaysia and handed over to republic on about one year later. It gave city state costly lesson and they are making sure such story won't be repeat in future. The opposition parties took advantage in recent GE2011 by pointing out this failure and tried to steal people's votes. Luckily PAP managed to win and have a chance to amend its possible weak.

Finally, I have to adapt ASSK's words that starting violence end with violence with regard to this 9/11 nightmare. It's unforgettable by people after 10 years on. May world's people able to live peacefully and safely regardless of places.

TFR Vs Immigrant

2011-09-08T00:23:00.000-07:00

IPS has highlighted that Republic will need 60,000 migrants a year to keep Singaporean young and economically active. It's the result of project which the IPS embarked in 2007 in which studied 48 scenarios which examined how the future population of Singapore will look like if the TFR remains extremely low over the long term. There are 4 scenarios submitted to government which reflect the conditions of the study time. They are pretty interesting story for the migrants especially those who are trying to get SPRs. The 4 scenarios could be summarized as follow:-

Scenario 1 : TFR 1.24 & zero net migration => 3.03 million in 2050
Scenario 2 : TFR 1.24 & 30,000 migrants added annually => 4.89 million in 2050
Scenario 3 : TFR 1.24 & 60,000 migrants added annually => 6.76 million in 2050
Scenario 4 : TFR 1.24 to 1.85 by 2025 & zero net migration => 3.37 million in 2050

TFR refer to Total Fertility Rate and current TFR for city state is 1.15 only which is far less than sustainable rate 2.2 if ICA is to close all its doors to migrants. IPS refer to Institute of Policy Studies. I think TFR 1.24 utilized in their projection is expected rate to get favorable figure. If IPS use actual 1.15, the result is likely to become more adverse.

It don't stop on just replacement of declining population, but also healing the trend of alarming ratio between elderly person to working adult. In 2005 research, it show every 8.6 working adult support to 1 elderly person (65 years and above). Working adult is considered the age group between 15 and 65 years old. If Singapore is not opening its doors to migrants, the ratio would decline to 1.9 : 1.0 which mean every 1.9 working adults have to support one elderly person. IPS suggest that in-migration alone would ameliorate this decline. In conclusion, immigration helps to reduce the dependency burden and raise the support ratio.

The figures has enlighten Singapore government and its people. The choice is theirs and to my opinion, it's most likely to opt scenario no.2 by ruling party. If my guess is right, the chance will come back to those who try to get SPR. At the same time I hope Singaporean will understand the trend they are actually face and see newly migrants as the solution of their future. If everything goes per plan, everybody will be happy and of course Singapore will become better metropolitan city to live in.

A flat of my choice

2011-09-07T21:01:00.000-07:00

MY sister and I were so tired after climbing up and down of more than 10 flats which are higher than 4th story. We're going another township with the prospect of finding a suitable one. In fact we are distraught with the manner of talkative agents. We are getting understand the condition of market and the possible flat type we can buy with our budget. We can summarize ourselves that we can't get a normal flat without spending more than 10 millions local currency. The whole afternoon had been spent on one township flats and we could able to satisfy with one hall-type flat which cost us 16 millions Kyat. We continue our hunting journey by taxi and make appointment with a sister of my friend couple who are also working in Singapore.

My friend couple had bought 2 flats in one housing and they strongly recommend me to buy one within their premise. She explained me how their flat look like and how pleasant their surrounding is just before I return home land. I didn't go there first because the flat price of that housing is far beyond my budget. However, after I made some survey around, I understood that the hall-type flats prices also raised and beyond my budget. Thus, I wanted to give a try in those housing in which flat come room-type. The housing is located in a popular township and easily accessible by public transport. It's mature estate and situated amidst of landed property. I guess the price would be sky high even I haven't seen the flat. I see surrounding of the housing when I first time go in by taxi.

The sister of my friend help me arrange with potential sellers to view their flats physically. Firstly I take a rest for a while at her flat and study how the flat is lay out and built. I straight away liked the flat style by seeing their house. It's healthy flat which receive enough natural lighting and ventilation. It come by separate rooms in which 2 bedrooms, living, dinning, kitchen and common bath & WC. One level is composed of 4 flats and all flats are corner. Thus there would be no other neighboring apartment/project to steal our light and air. Since it's done by government's housing authority's supervision, the flats come solid and appear good quality finishing. Each flat has its own balcony as well as wide verandah. My sister and I were happy to see the flat and both agree to buy such flat rather than hall type flat which we saw in previous visit to other towns.

There are two options available, one come without furnish at level 3 for 18 millions while another come with fully renovation at level 4 for 20 millions. We go and sight seeing two flats available for final decision and price negotiating. We met flat owners and it's positive for us not to medium any property agent. In addition, there need not to talk land owner as this housing is owned by government. I asked the sister of my friend for the cost of renovation her house. She said it cost them about 5 millions recently for timber parquet at living room and bed rooms, tiling at bath, wc and kitchen, security iron grilling at all windows and entrance door. It help me to decide on how much we should ask the owner to lower down the asking price. Finally, we choice the furnished flat at level 4 for 19 millions, 10 millions less from asking price. We verbally agree on the case and make appointment for deposit and sign pre-contract. We could able to sight after that. We tentatively finished the mission and it's going to continue until we make final contract within 2 week time. It's not going to be easy as we don't know what are procedure and how to check if the flat seller are real owners and there is no hidden risks.

We consult with my cousin sister if we need to hire lawyer or not. She got a lot experience on local property market and she advise me to better hire layer for further documentation checking and final step of contract. I agree with her and travel to my home town at upper Burmese. We paid 300,000 deposit and make appointment within 2 week time before I return Singapore. What're waiting me ahead? I can't stop keep thinking of this. At the moment, I try to think of joyous moment by meeting my princess in my hometown. It's been about 9 months I haven't seen her and I am back now to attend her 1 year Birthday celebration. I have partially done for one mission attached this time visit. What is going to happen in my final contract. Please stay tune in. I'll be back in next post.

To be continue.

Girl for Gold

2011-09-07T20:20:00.000-07:00

On a pleasant day, I was chatting with a taxi driver on the way to my destination. He suddenly asked me if I'm married or not. When I said yes, he continue to question me whether got child or not. I said the same yes. He curious if my child is girl or boy. I response him mine is girl. He cheer me by telling it's good to have a girl today. I am a bit confuse with the reason he gave me as I know the culture of this society favor the gender of male. Thus, I ask him if he got any reason for his confident answer. He provides me a better picture to fully accept his claim.

Taxi Driver: Do you know 4C.
Me : Yes I know, It is the shortcut for Cash, Car, Condo & Country Club membership
TD : Good, you must have been here for quite long.
Me : Just more than 3 years
TD : Ok, the real fact is you will find it difficult to get a gf unless you have those 4C.
Me : isn't it? then where gone real love among younger couple?
TD : believe me, young girls are more fashionable and they would prefer to choose men who possess 4C regardless of age, handsome.
Me : if it's a case, it's not good for all adult men, I think
TD : Yes, we all Singaporean men found that it's very expensive to marry our fellow women.
Me : Imm I oftenly read such news in the local papers.
TD : So we Singaporean men have to choose alternative plan by opting to marry foreign brides.
Me : No wonder there have been such agent on the paper advertisement.
TD : Yes you are right, it has become a good business for them.
Me : Imm, customer can take their choice for S$4,000 in return.
TD : You must be a good reader.
Me : I enjoy to read daily paper, it's my only source of polishing my English.
TD : It's good anyway.
Me : Thanks for your elaboration.
TD : any time
Me : I once read a quote saying that "my daughter is my daughter until she die while my son is my son until he married."
TD : yes it's correct, we Chinese has a proverb that "my son is my son until he married and he become his wife's son".
Me : Woo, I never heard before. This also reflective of our real lives.
TD : Yes it is.
Me : Thanks for sharing.
TD : So do I.

After we depart, I carefully thought what we have talked on the way and more pleased to be a father of daughter. It look like we're more safety with daughter in future than having son. Despite our culture don't teach us to expect something from our children, we are obviously interdependent as a human beings. Thus, we are less or more depend when we become old and retired. Our culture teach our younger generation how to take care and respect their old grandparent and parent. We don't need to set up so many senior citizen houses as our child gladly take their own parent at their home. It show our culture still valuable to be appreciated.

May all parent love their child regardless of gender.

King & Queen

2011-09-07T02:07:00.000-07:00

ANOTHER taxi driver shared interesting story that he had witnessed. One day a couple took his taxi and talking each other at behind. He notice the couple are not same race. Man is Singaporean and his wife is Thailand. Singaporean husband cannot speak Thai language while the wife can't understand English. But this two person can live together as a husband and wife under the same roof. The taxi driver was itchy to ask his wondering and eventually he frankly asked his fellow citizen husband.

TD : I really don't understand how two of you communicate.
Men: May be you are not, but we still have a good relationship.
TD : How?
Men: This is my wife & I had previous marriage relationship with my fellow citizen.
TD : so how does it split?
Men : She always wants me to treat her like a Queen.
TD : so, you can not bear in the long run?
Men : Yes of course, at first ok, in the long run, I felt it's unfair and even bully at me.
TD : good then you choice to break with her and met Thai wife?
Men : Yes I am.
TD : the are you finding new life is happy enough?
Men : Yes I am because she treats me like a King.

Taxi driver suddenly got an answer himself that people want to be loved, respected and appreciated regardless of race, religious and nationalities.

Lets treat our life partners as a King/Queen....:D

Mum's curry

2011-09-07T01:30:00.000-07:00

I like to talk with taxi driver whenever I use their service. I see it a chance to understand the life of ordinary Singaporean. And they are deemed an informative person. On a fine day, I am going to a meeting which is so far away from my office. The traveling time is more than one hour as the venue and my office is located two extreme end of city state. That's why I got a chance to talk with a Singapore Malaysian taxi driver. He is quite friendly and active in talking. I was quite by thinking about the agenda of the upcoming meeting. He started to ask me by a simple question.
Taxi driver : are you Singaporean?
Me : No, I am not.
TD : Then where are you coming from?
Me : Myanmar
TD : Oh I see, how long have you been here?
Me : More than 3 years.
TD : Are you SPRs ready?
Me : Not yet, my application for SPR had been rejected for 2 time.
TD : Immm, this time may be difficult, I think.
Me : I believe so.

He silent for while and continue with a question....

TD : by the way, what do you miss most when you are away from home?
Me : Ummm,,,,,,,,(I'm just thinking of proper answer for his Q)
TD : he come out with answer by saying "it's mother's curry", aren't you?
Me : Oh definitely yes, brother..I agree with you.
TD : Yes, our traditional women are usually cooking at home for the whole family.
Me : ya it's good for everybody, I think.
TD : But......such traditional is no longer with our women nowadays.
Me : How,,,brother?
TD : Today women even don't know how to cook at home.
Me : So they all enjoy outside foods at hawker center?
TD : Yes it is the way they are passing their life.
Me : Then how is your wife? Is she one of such women?
TD : She also don't want to cook at home. I understand her as she also working and tired enough at the end of the day. She prefer to dine at outside.
Me : So you follow lah?
TD : No, I suggest her to cook at least once or twice a week so that our childs enjoy home made foods.
Me : Imm should be...
TD : It's not I want to save money, it's a way to bond among family members.
Me : You're absolutely right.
TD : At day time, we parent are going work while our children are going school. The home is empty until the bed time because everybody come back home after having their dinner at their convenient places. So home become just like a hostel/ inn. I don't want my family becoming like that.
Me : Imm,,,my wife and I always eat dinner together.
TD : Moreover, one day our children will go out oversea like you do, then there wouldn't be something to be remember at home if my wife fails to cook and serve them now.
Me : Oh it's good attitude, bro. I appreciate that.
TD : Sometime she even complain that some Chinese men are cooking, washing in their household while I don't need to.
Me : Really?
TD : I told her go and marry him lah...I am very upset to be compared like that.
Me : Yes she shouldn't use this as a reason/excuse for don't want to cook at home.
TD : Are you married?
Me : Yes I am
TD : Does your wife cooking at home?
Me : Yes of course, it's our traditional as well.
TD : You are lucky enough man.
Me : Hope so,,,she also working here.
TD : It's additional bonus, my friend.
Me : Am I considered fortunate enough to have cooking and working wife?
TD : Yes of course, it's valuable and appreciate it.
Me : Ok I'll remember that.

We silent again and taxi is approaching the destination. I wonder what if I told him that my wife is earning more than me as well........

May all men possess a cooking wife to shake their hearts for ever.

The Lady

2011-09-06T02:07:00.000-07:00

THE world's media call her the lady, we affectionately call her Amay (mother) Su. She is another quality product from Burma to date. My country has been generating few world renowned leaders to date and she is one of those few elite list. The world had seen first ever Asian UN general secretary from Burma for instance. She is not coming from the ordinary background family. She has blood of our national hero general Aung San who is assassinated by fellow citizen just before the nation independent. Her grand-father was also popular national hero of anti-British in his time. So no wonder she has been politically famous not only in domestic but all over the world for his unrivaled service to mother land.

She set up NLD (National League for Democracy) and won 1990 election by landslide. But her party wasn't handed over to date since then. Instead, she had to make her own house a jail. Since her blood is so red, surrendering is not a word for her dictionary. She keep going and presenting the people's choice. She is never armed any weapon but the million soldier army afraid of her. There must be some kind of powerful in her mind. She is caged for more than decades but Junta never think of relax. She must has possess some magic power. She is quietly staying in her own house but the world has been awarding her several honorable prices. She must have an internationally recognized brain. People are proud of her non-violence activities but she still fail to get a place in our brand new parliament. Recently she went parliament to attend national work shop for business review with the invitation of President. People are too happy to see her in the photo of journals. I can't imagine how much people would be happy if she really acquire the right post in this parliament.

To be honest, I am not admirer of this powerful lady until I listen her question and answer section through video conference with the sponsor of Hong Kong University's 100th years anniversary. I thought she is making herself too safety without recognizing those who died for democracy previously. I thought she is too silent to fight back Junta. I thought she will never get power by non-violent method. I thought she is not as good as world's media stated. I thought world's media over awarded her so that they can involve in our politic more. I thought NLD is taking advantage from the donates of outside world by just branding. In general, I don't have valuable respect to the lady and her party until I listen to her speech.

Coincidentally, I was listening the speeches of 4 candidates of recent presidential election that time. Also I am always listening the PM's national day rally as well as other minister's speech whenever I got a chance in this country. Sometime I listen other leaders of the region in the media coverage. It make me do effectively comparison between the lady and the leaders of the ASEAN. I was overwhelmingly impressed by her answers to the students and lecturers of the Hong Kong University's 100th year celebration recently. The question cover very wide range from politic to religious, from human right to education, from democracy to healthcare, etc. I can't remember everything she speaks as there are so much cover and deep in depth.

I respected the way she speak in English and the way she answer to all questionnaire through video conference technology. It is instant question and answer. There is no room to be thought/ considered. But her answers are smooth and impressive. The lecturers and students are asking her as a genius. They paid her fully respect upon her manner. She seem so charming and so mature as a human being. I fully recommend those Q&A section to you if you haven't listen yet. It can be access via youtube. What you need to do is just type Aung San Su Kyi and thy youtube will suggest a lot related upload with regard to her. I hope you all like it and respect and appreciate the words she spoken. I even decided to do for her in future if I am give a chance. I hope I can get my wish sooner or later.

Sincerely hope Burma will has its version of female President in near future. If Thailand could have female PM, why not for Burma? I tell you it'll come sooner than later. Just wait and see how. Time will tell us the truth story as this land is belong to those who give more than 100% like the lady. I believe people will follow her good leadership when she conquer the presidential house in NPD. We can smell the changing now and sure we will see her wear the national dress and sit on president's seat sooner than later.

Ever Optimistic Property Agents

2011-09-06T01:27:00.000-07:00

IN my country, property agents are not well trained or specialized person to run business. Some perform individually while other set up firm. I think those firm needs to register at government to operate legally. However most of the property agents are moving individual so as to avoid government income tax as well as raise profit. They are mostly considered smart and clever person who has big social cycle. In fact, this is just matter of information only because they gather information of sellers and looking for potential buyers. Then arrange to meet both parties and try to make the business done. From every successful deal, they receive commission from the seller mostly which can cost 5% to 10% of the property price.

Since they are mostly running illegal way, they are on the other hand not taking responsibilities of consequent due to the hidden risks involved. That's why buying a property in my country associate with the in-detachable hidden risks. If everything goes right, there would be no problem. But as a buyer like me who cannot afford to be any mistake need to take extra care and time. The problem is I don't have much time to explore the market. I wish to spend only 1.5 days in searching a suitable flat. It make me taking mission impossible with regard to aforesaid things to be considered.

Believe it or not, my first ever property agent was a taxi driver. How? We took his taxi in going appointment with a property agent. On the way, we are talking about our business and he knows our mission by listening our conversation. He asked us if we are looking for a flat. We said yes and he come out with an information which he claims a chance to grab. After listening to him, we decided to follow him to witness the sale flat. He insist that we'll not like any other flat in that quarter after we see his. In fact, the flat is belong to his friend who is away from the city at the moment. We see physical condition of the flat with the help of him and take note for the asking pricing which he mention for in-discountable price. We took his mobile no and depart for another agent appointment.

The second agent is a woman of middle age who is also resident of that quarter. There are some flats on the market through her links. She continuously showed us one after another. Since our budget is about 12 million, we can't imagine lower flats. Thus, we are shown level 4 and above flats. Some are old but quality of flat is considered good. Some are new but quality is compromising. Some are yet to finish but already on sale and can buy with little upfront. Some are still in the plan but can buy installment with fraction of flat value. Every flat she shows, she is strongly recommend to us. It's obvious that she wants us to buy one flat so that she can enjoy commission from flat owner. We're carefully considering upon the information she provides.

All the flat she shows us are hall type with/ without renovation depend on price. The major withdraw of all flats are not healthy to live in. Because the apartment buildings are being built side by side and they are too close, I think about 1 m apart only. That's why flat windows become meaningless as there is no chance to welcome enough lighting and ventilation to breath. I am not happy to see them all but I can afford such type only. I can get room-type flat only I am afford to buy condo type flat which is far beyond my budget. I'm distraught to make a decision within a relatively short time. I understand the situation of the market and ask agent to let me think and reply later. I asked myself if I can live in such condition in future and my answer is very clear NO. Then I asked if it's good enough to invest in such fragile property to make profit in long term. Also NO. Then I tell myself better don't buy such flat if I am not happy with what I am doing. Then we tried to contact another agent contact for different township. We continue to discover the uncertain flat in the mega city.

We took another taxi and the rain fall down to cool my worry down on the way to another township agent. I quickly thanks to Yangon's famous rain.

To be continue.

Phay Phay

2011-09-06T01:00:00.000-07:00

PHAY PHAY which is meant father in Myanmar language. This is the second word my beloving daughter can speak by clear voice after Ba Ba which is Grandpa in Myanmar language. Unfortunately, I am unable to hear such lovingly voice come out from my princess's mouth personally as we two are an ocean away right now. I'm silently pleased to be told by my eldest sister who take care my daughter via telephone. My sister continued that my daughter shout at Santa Clause figure as Phay Phay. It's delightful for all relatives to hear she say additional word after one year she arrived to this planet.

However, as a father of herself, I think of different way from my relative's thought. Of course, I am mixed feeling to learn that. Because I am happy to know she can speak father in Myanmar language clearly. On the contrary, I am sorry for unable to give her a chance to call at the right person, instead of Santa Clause Image that is pasted to the wall of my house by my niece. My daughter might have thought Santa is called Phay Phay in which she may not clear what exactly does it mean. I can't stop keep thinking of how would it be joyous being called as a father first time by own biological child in life. It's pleasure enough by just thinking, I may not measure if it is happening to me by truth. I silently joined by the message as I don't want my wife upset by my action. As a consequence, I dreamed of my daughter and of course she call me Phay Phay in the dream. It doesn't matter it is dream or not so long as I am please for her lovingly call.

Dear my daughter, let me tell you a good news that your mum and I are planning to bring you here in coming summer for visit. We two can't wait to talk with you and being called Phay Phay and May May by your small mouth. We already started how to celebrate and where to go in mind when you eventually arrive to the the land of our working. We sincerely hope you will forgive us for leaving you alone there. For the time being, I'ld like to request you to learn more words of mother languages there and kindly show us how you have been learned when we all meet in this city state. Also remember to practice how to call May May which is meant mother in Myanmar language so that you can steal your mother's heart all the way. I'm sure you'll fulfill our desire by doing this homework before you fly us.

The clock is ticking and we can't wait to meet you, my dear.