Proper way to wash your hands

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Don't take things for granted

When certain things happened here some people said ‘how can this happened in Singapore?’ Why not, I say?

Unexpected maybe but why cannot happen here? God also cannot guarantee you this. Whether food-poisoning or other mishaps, it just takes someone’s moment of carelessness, inattentiveness or laziness and it could happen.

Even if every stall in a hawkers' centre has an A grade and the centre is cleaned everyday you still cannot 100% guarantee no food-poisoning. Cleanliness is just one thing, personal hygiene and attitude are more important. If just one hawker is too lazy to wash his hands after going to the toilet, you could get food-poisoning already.

I think many Singaporeans are taking things for granted. They have been living in a well-governed Country all along and have not gone through sufferings and pains.

I was thinking of more terrible things that could happen, like a massive blackout, or a bomb exploding.

Cannot happened in Singapore??? I would say probability is very low but not impossible.

Light touch for the internet

Rules for the internet

First, a law is there not just to punish people. It also shows our disapproval of things like anti-social habits or to reflect values of our society.

The anti-littering law is an example. If everyone is considerate and responsible we don’t need this law, but this is not so.

Most litterbugs are not caught but we can’t do away with the law. Otherwise, people will have no second thought about throwing a tissue on the street and young people will grow up thinking it is all right to litter.

It is the same with the jaywalking law or the seat-belt law. Many offenders are not caught but one day they might pay for it dearly as some already had. But these laws are there actually to protect people.

The law that criminalizes gay sex is another example. I believe the police generally ignore such activities. The law is there to reflect our emphasis on family values and that we do not want to encourage homosexual behaviour.

The internet

The reasons I mentioned above apply to the internet too although some people say the rules cannot be enforced so no point having them.

As we have seen, racist and anti-religion remarks are not tolerated. A few people have been punished for this.

Then there are people who tell untruths and some others who are abusive and rant rubbish, all under the cloak of anonymity.

We don’t have to be bothered by people who talk rubbish or use vulgar language because we can pick them out easily. They are like a mad woman cursing loudly on the street. These people are generally unhappy with their life, frustrated with their own problems.

As for untruths, some people say no need to worry, readers can separate the thrash from the facts. But not everyone is so logical or rational or have the knowledge. And many are school students or young people.

There needs to be rules and regulations too, even if difficult or not possible to enforce.

First, it shows we don’t condone certain things. Second, there is always a nagging fear in these people’s mind that their identities could be exposed.

Oral sex

It was reported that a Malaysian politician was being investigated again because he had oral sex. And oral sex is against the law.

Anyway if a couple do it in their room no one would be bothered. The Malaysian police have better things to do then to investigate people’s sexual activities.

Some people think it is an archaic law and should be scrapped. They say oral sex is common.

How common? 80% of couples do it? Is it just common among city folks who claim themselves to be open-minded.

By the way, even if something is common does it mean it is right? I am not just referring to oral sex, for example it could be prostitution, cheating or littering.

Prostitution is illegal in some countries although we know it is common in these countries. How come the law is not scrapped.

I believe the anti oral sex law still has relevance in Malaysian society and will not be repealed.

Three cheers for Singapore

Strong Government, strong economy and strong army – these are crucial for Singapore. Besides for our own well-being, it enables us to deal firmly with pressure and demands from our neighbours, negotiate trade packs and other agreements with other countries and participate in international missions. Which country would want to cooperate with us or help us if we can’t defend ourselves and have little money.

Foremost is an efficient, strong and non-corrupt government. In future if no party can provide that, it is bad omen for our Country. But that doesn’t mean no oppositions in Parliament. But we must have competent ones who put the Country’s interests in first place.

I believe certain things will not change whichever party forms the Government: People who are a threat to our security will still be detained. People who defame others will still be sued. Say-all-the-nonsense-you-like type of free speech will not be allowed. That also applies to controversial issues on race and religions.

If we have a mediocre Government, Singapore will be no different from other Asean countries. There will be strikes, confrontations and even chaos because being a small country, a few incidents could spread and affect the whole country rapidly. Troublemakers might stir up racial tensions. Why then would investors, foreigners or even tourists want to come here. Who would want to become our citizens.

And there must be the rule of law. Some people may think a certain law is silly but a law is made only after careful considerations. You may not agree with it, but I believe there is a reason or purpose for a law to be there.

Cut GST to stimulate spending?

Will people spend more if the GST is cut?

Say a poor family that spends about $2000 or less a month and saves little or nothing. If the GST is reduced by 2%, the family can buy a bit more with the $2000 or it spends less on the same amount of things and save about $40.

Or say another family that spends about $4000 pm and saves $200. If the GST is reduced, probably it will still spend $4000 but I don’t think it will spend more by using the money budgeted for saving.

Also people in the lower-income group might spend more if they are thinking of buying a costly item. But this is not something that happens frequently.

If you take a rich family that spends $8000 or more. The rich is not bothered by GST. If the GST is reduced, it will continue its normal lifestyle. Since prices are lower, it will spend less than $8000.

So I don’t think cutting the GST will encourage people to spend more. Instead the Government will collect much less revenue from the rich, the amount of which can be used to help the poor.