Anti-trust action against Apple

It is interesting to know that the Government officials are prepared to take legal action against a very big company, like Apple, for potential violation of the law.

http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2012/04/11/the-apple-e-book-conspiracy-three-days-in-january/?section=money_topstories&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fmoney_topstories+%28Top+Stories%29

Singapore follows the example of America in adopting a free market approach. We should also follow their practice of ensuring that the free market continues to be fair to consumers.

A better way to deal with the National Service sacrifice

David Lim, who is a permanent resident, wrote in the Straits Times Forum about "mixed feelings" watching his son, who is a citizen, graduate from National Service. He is worried that the increasing measures to "differentiate" citizens from PRs and the increasing resentment towards foreigners will make people like him feel that they do not belong to Singapore. It will also lead to a more ungracious society.

Over the past many years, I have spoken to many PRs, especially those from Malaysia, to ask them to convert to Singapore citizens. They told me that they had strong family and sentimental ties to their home country and found it difficult to make the change. I respected their choice and did not press them.

I am aware about the sacrifice on our  male citizens who had to serve two years of full time national service and continuing calls for reservist training in subsequent years, and who now have to face competition for jobs with foreigners who do not have this liability.

We need to find an effective way to reduce the burden on our male citizens. Imposing "differentiation" on non-citizens is not the only way, and it has its negative consequences. I wish to quote the saying "Two wrongs do not make it right". We should look for another solution.

I prefer the Swiss approach towards compulsory military service. Like Singapore, they are also a small country and wish to protect their independence. They had found a better way to achieve their goal of national defense without the types of issue faced in Singapore.

The solution in Singapore is to shorten the period of national service (to follow the example of Switzerland) and to give a higher allowance to our NS men, so that they will find that NS is not a sacrifice but is an advantage. There are advantages of molding the character of our young men through NS.

A few years ago, a young man from China told me that only a small percentage of males are called up for national service. It is like "striking lottery" as the call-up will lead to prospects of a better life in the future, e.g. to get Government jobs.

Tan Kin Lian

Economic growth of Taiwan and Singapore

http://singaporemind.blogspot.com/2012/04/tharman-should-get-his-facts-straight.html

Lucky Tan made some observations about Taiwan and Singapore which are quite different from DPM Tharman.

Later, I will also give my observations about Taiwan, based on what I saw during my previous visit and the observations of a Singaporean who lived there.

Excellent customer service in hotel

I stayed at the Golden Happy Hotel in Shantou,China. The services provided by the hotel is impressive. They provide a computer with access the free broadband internet. I removed the LAN cable and connect it to my laptop and it worked without any difficulty. They provide free Wi-Fi in the hotel lobby without password protection. A hotel guest can get a toggle to get free Wi-Fi in their hotel room.

I saw a sign in the lift lobby informing guests that all telephone calls made from the hotel, including domestic long distance calls, are free. They probably use VOIP outside of Shantou. The sign also said that the hotel guests can borrow a mobile phone from the front desk to use outside of the hotel and make free calls.

This is a most impressive hotel. Instead of finding ways to make more money from their guests, they focus on how to save cost for their guests. They provide comfortable rooms at RMB 248 per night (about SGD 50).

Police post in China

I accompanied my friend to a neighborhood police post in Shantou, China, to lodge a report about a missing document.

While waiting, I saw three large framed pictures showing the map of the district covered by the police post, the photos of the personnel in the post and the photos of the officers who perform the duty of audit.

 I find the arrangement to be quite impressive. It improves transparency and accountability. I believe that similar arrangements should be made in Singapore. 

Efficient bank processes in China

I made a transaction at a bank in China. They have more up-to-date practices. The customer has to enter a PIN number, instead of a signature. The documents signed by the customer are captured in a document camera - shown here.

I am not sure if our banks in Singapore already use similar practices. It is time to learn from China on their updated practices.

Look for what is right, and not what is wrong

This was written on 4 April and scheduled to appear when I am in China.

I have seen many instances of Singapore employers who are unhappy with their foreign maids. The employers shout at the maids for being stupid and not obeying instructions. These employers did not realize that the maids are not as smart as them -otherwise, why should they be maids?. Furthermore, the maids have a language problem and are not used to our culture.

I want to encourage Singaporean employers to look at the positive side. Look for what the maid can do for your family, e.g. keep the house clean, watch the house when you are away, act honestly and diligently and do the simple things that make life comfortable for you and your family.

We do not need to focus on what they cannot do - for example, they may not be good cooks or do not have initiative or may not react in the same manner as the employer. 

If we accept the maids for what they can do, we will find that they are indeed helpful to have around. Life will then be more pleasant for everyone - the family and for the maid.

Tan Kin Lian