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| Durian Cleaners Roger Smith 2009 |
Showing posts with label 2009. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2009. Show all posts
Saturday, 12 November 2011
Tuesday, 22 February 2011
What is a politician worth?
This chart from CNN makes an interesting comparisson between the leaders' salaries in the Asia Pacific region. (Click on the chart to see the larger version).
According to unsubstantiated reports Singapore politicians hold the top thirty places on the world's pay scale for politicians:
1. Elected President SR Nathan – S$3.9 million.
2. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong – S$3.8 million.
3. Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew – S$3.5 million.
4. Senior Minister Goh Chok Thong – S$3.5 million.
5. Senior Minister Prof Jayakumar – S$3.2 million.
6. DPM & Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng – S$2.9 million.
7. DPM & Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean – $2.9 million
8. Foreign Affairs Minister George Yeo – S$2.8 million.
9. National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan – S$2.7 million.
10. PMO Miniser Lim Boon Heng – S$2.7 million.
11. Trade and Industry Minister Lim Hng Kiang – S$2.7 million.
12. PMO Minister Lim Swee Say – S$2.6 million.
13. Environment Minister & Muslim Affairs Minister Dr Yaccob Ibrahim – S$2.6 million.
14. Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan – S$2.6 million.
15. Finance Minister S Tharman – S$2.6 million.
16. Education Minister & 2nd Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen – S$2.6 million.
17. Community Development Youth and Sports Minister – Dr Vivian Balakrishnan – S$2.5 million.
18. Transport Minister & 2nd Minister for Foreign Affairs Raymond Lim Siang Kiat – S$2.5 million.
19. Law Minister & 2nd Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam – S$2.4 million.
20. Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong – S$2.2 million.
21. PMO Minister Lim Hwee Hwa – S$2.2 million
22. Acting ICA Minister – Lui Tuck Yew – S$2.0 million.
23 to 30 = Senior Ministers of State and Ministers of State – each getting between S$1.8 million to S$1.5 million.
The Singapore government would argue that to get if you pay peanuts you get monkeys.
Looking at some of the 'monkeys' we have had in NZ under the MMP system and the money we have paid in salaries and benefits, the Singaporeans may have a point.
That said, the above list would seem rather excessive in remuneration in these recessionary times, if proven to be accurate?
All of this has been put into sharper focus with the release of the 2011 budget which the Singapore government hopes will bridge the wealth gap.
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1. Elected President SR Nathan – S$3.9 million.
2. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong – S$3.8 million.
3. Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew – S$3.5 million.
4. Senior Minister Goh Chok Thong – S$3.5 million.
5. Senior Minister Prof Jayakumar – S$3.2 million.
6. DPM & Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng – S$2.9 million.
7. DPM & Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean – $2.9 million
8. Foreign Affairs Minister George Yeo – S$2.8 million.
9. National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan – S$2.7 million.
10. PMO Miniser Lim Boon Heng – S$2.7 million.
11. Trade and Industry Minister Lim Hng Kiang – S$2.7 million.
12. PMO Minister Lim Swee Say – S$2.6 million.
13. Environment Minister & Muslim Affairs Minister Dr Yaccob Ibrahim – S$2.6 million.
14. Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan – S$2.6 million.
15. Finance Minister S Tharman – S$2.6 million.
16. Education Minister & 2nd Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen – S$2.6 million.
17. Community Development Youth and Sports Minister – Dr Vivian Balakrishnan – S$2.5 million.
18. Transport Minister & 2nd Minister for Foreign Affairs Raymond Lim Siang Kiat – S$2.5 million.
19. Law Minister & 2nd Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam – S$2.4 million.
20. Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong – S$2.2 million.
21. PMO Minister Lim Hwee Hwa – S$2.2 million
22. Acting ICA Minister – Lui Tuck Yew – S$2.0 million.
23 to 30 = Senior Ministers of State and Ministers of State – each getting between S$1.8 million to S$1.5 million.
The Singapore government would argue that to get if you pay peanuts you get monkeys.
Looking at some of the 'monkeys' we have had in NZ under the MMP system and the money we have paid in salaries and benefits, the Singaporeans may have a point.
That said, the above list would seem rather excessive in remuneration in these recessionary times, if proven to be accurate?
All of this has been put into sharper focus with the release of the 2011 budget which the Singapore government hopes will bridge the wealth gap.
Thursday, 25 November 2010
It Pays To Advertise
There is much debate in the Singapore media about the new design of the men's water polo team's swimming togs.
An unfortunate juxstapostion of the crescent moon and the bodily location has got the government agency in charge of communications buzzing:
The Ministry of Information, Communication and the Arts (Mica), which governs the use of the national flag, revealed that the team did not seek its advice or approval for the design.
'We would have told them that their design is inappropriate as we want elements of the flag to be treated with dignity. This is because many Singaporeans recognise these elements as representing the Singapore flag,' said Ms Carol Tan, director of Mica's resilience and marketing division.
Manhood and virility were key elements of a popular water polo base drama that played on Singapore's television but real life emulating art is a step too far for some.
The designers who were meant to have the flag elements placed more to the side than full frontal clearly misundertstood their brief, or should that be briefs?
An unfortunate juxstapostion of the crescent moon and the bodily location has got the government agency in charge of communications buzzing:
The Ministry of Information, Communication and the Arts (Mica), which governs the use of the national flag, revealed that the team did not seek its advice or approval for the design.
'We would have told them that their design is inappropriate as we want elements of the flag to be treated with dignity. This is because many Singaporeans recognise these elements as representing the Singapore flag,' said Ms Carol Tan, director of Mica's resilience and marketing division.
Manhood and virility were key elements of a popular water polo base drama that played on Singapore's television but real life emulating art is a step too far for some.
The designers who were meant to have the flag elements placed more to the side than full frontal clearly misundertstood their brief, or should that be briefs?
Monday, 26 July 2010
Fauvist Fervour - Lucky Plaza
A tropical deluge, a 2 megapixel phone camera and a taxi queue outside Orchard Road's Lucky Plaza were the starting point for this image. The "wild beasts" of the shopping belt in action!
Wednesday, 16 June 2010
A Whale Of A Tale
that whale poo
according to the pundits
can clear the world of CO2
so lets have it
in abundance
Roger Smith June 2010
Source: Sperm whale faeces 'helps oceans absorb CO2'
Saturday, 17 April 2010
The Morning After
This morning I awoke with the realisation that I had handed in my notice the day before and had made a commitment to return to New Zealand by mid year.
After four years it is time to re establish ones roots and to do so before one qualifies for the pension.
So I leave a job that I have thoroughly enjoyed with the British Council, as well as the many friends that I have made in my time here.
Naturally there is a feeling of sadness but this is tempered by the reality that one day I would have to return and it is probably better to do so while being still 'hearty in mind and limb'.
Today we ordered a new Dell laptop and I paid an unexpected visit to the dentist - total cost well over $2,500! This is the sort of thing that always comes out of the blue at a time when you are facing financial pressure.
I can also never work out why a one way airfare is so expensive compared to a return ticket? Singapore Airlines is no exception to this rule.
We will cope nevertheless, having been frugal in our habits during our time in Singapore.
On the subject of returning home I note in today's paper that the PM is hoping Singaporeans based overseas will realise the country's developments and economic growth particularly after the financial crisis and return home soon.
To be frank I doubt if this inducement will work to any great degree. Many of the Singaporeans I have talked to yearn to live and work overseas but they are unable to do so due to family commitments.
After four years it is time to re establish ones roots and to do so before one qualifies for the pension.
So I leave a job that I have thoroughly enjoyed with the British Council, as well as the many friends that I have made in my time here.
Naturally there is a feeling of sadness but this is tempered by the reality that one day I would have to return and it is probably better to do so while being still 'hearty in mind and limb'.
Today we ordered a new Dell laptop and I paid an unexpected visit to the dentist - total cost well over $2,500! This is the sort of thing that always comes out of the blue at a time when you are facing financial pressure.
I can also never work out why a one way airfare is so expensive compared to a return ticket? Singapore Airlines is no exception to this rule.
We will cope nevertheless, having been frugal in our habits during our time in Singapore.
On the subject of returning home I note in today's paper that the PM is hoping Singaporeans based overseas will realise the country's developments and economic growth particularly after the financial crisis and return home soon.
To be frank I doubt if this inducement will work to any great degree. Many of the Singaporeans I have talked to yearn to live and work overseas but they are unable to do so due to family commitments.
Saturday, 5 December 2009
A Fashionable Orchard Christmas
All decked out for Xmas - Orchard RoadSome interesting facts about the name 'Orchard Road'. It was named after the orchard of one of the earliest planation owners who lived in Singapore in the 19th century - William Scott.
Scott's Road is also named after Scott. His luxurious residence, which was called 'Hurricane House, was subsequently bought by His Majesty Somdetch Phra Paramindr Maha Chulalongkorn, the supreme King of Siam who visited Singapore often in the late 1890's.
It is now the Thai Embassy on Orchard Road and the royal connection and reverance for the monarchy is why the Thais will never sell it to the Singapore government nor any other party.
Sunday, 7 June 2009
A Rapturous Success
DinoTrails - Plaza SingapuraIt's the Great Singapore Sale, a legendary shopping experience that draws visitors from far and wide.
Unfortunately the term "Great" is rather overplayed this year and, as several tourists have observed, the bargains are not immediately obvious.
Not that one can blame the retailers, many of whom are struggling to survive in the depths of the current recession and of course, there are only so many 'new suitcases' that one needs to buy.
From the upper level of the 111 bus going down Orchard Road I noted a feeding frenzy in the Gucci shop in Paragon Shopping Mall. Apart from that the place seemed quiet especially for a weekend.
Malls are resorting to other attractions to draw in the crowds. In Plaza Singapura a large dinosaur display had its young audience in raptures (a rather unfortunate pun). The Singapore Science Centre Explainers were excellent in the manner they entertained and educated the children.
Nearby in the Capitol Theatre, the teenage audience were queuing up to audition for Singapore Idol 2009. Many had camped out overnight to be first to get on stage.
Reports in the evening news said that 4,000 people turned up to the auditions and such was the demand that the judges are going to be subjected to a second day of excruciating auditory abuse.
This is bad news for those of us searching for some quality entertainment on local television if the previous years standard are anything to go by.
Not that all local talent shows are bad. Earlier in the year there was a series on local bands and some of these were excellent with deft musicianship and tight harmonies.
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