50 Years - Longest surviving ruler in the World ?
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Saturday July 11, 2009
Kuan Yew's half-century
INSIGHT: DOWN SOUTH WITH SEAH CHIANG NEE
Despite his advancing age, the world’s longest surviving national leader has become more assertive at home and abroad in the last two years, averaging one overseas trip every two months.
WITHOUT any official fanfare, Singapore has just crossed a historic mark that few Singaporeans are even aware of.
The Lee Kuan Yew “era” reached its 50-year mark on June 5, making Lee the longest surviving national leader in the world.
It was on this day in 1959 that the Cambridge-trained lawyer was sworn in as the first Prime Minister of a self-governing Singapore.
Lee is, of course, no longer the head of government after having given up the post in 1990. He now serves as an “advisor” in the Cabinet, with the title “Minister Mentor”.
Having his say: Lee speaking during a dialogue session at the 65th annual general meeting of the IATA on June 8 in Kuala Lumpur. — AFP
For the last half-century, Lee has been Singapore’s undisputed force, shaping events, irrespective of who the designated leader is.
Whoever the Prime Minister – be it Goh Chok Tong (1990 - 2004) or the present Lee Hsien Loong – no one in Singapore doubts that it’s Lee Kuan Yew who still calls the shot.
At 85, this national leader has outlasted all others by a wide margin.
He shared the record with President Fidel Castro who led Cuba for 49 years until Castro retired last year.
The next nearest, President Omar Bongo Ondimba, had ruled Gabon for 42 years until his death recently in Paris.
Lee’s historic half-century, however, has not come at the best of times. Singapore is in the middle of one of its worst recessions – and Lee is getting more public brickbats by the day.
Economic hardship to the middle class, the bedrock of his support base, and huge losses of public money in several ill-timed global investments are causing discontent – and are being partly blamed on him.
“I think public confidence in the government has sapped somewhat in the past few years,” one commentator said.
It is evident that Lee is very worried. Since the crisis, he has become more assertive at home and abroad, often displaying energy of someone half his age.
Locally, he has adopted an active public role, commenting on almost every facet of life in the country.
Despite his advancing age, Lee has been making an average of one overseas trip every two months, the last being a hectic eight-day official visit to Malaysia in June.
A month earlier, he spent three days in Japan before flying off to China for four days.
For the whole of 2008, he travelled to seven countries, including China, Britain, France, and some Arab nations.
The globe-trotting habits of leaders here are based on Lee’s perception of Singapore’s survival needs.
Minister Mentor Lee explained it this way: Singapore has got to where it is today by riding every tide that comes its way, and using the world as its hinterland.
With Internet, satellite, and air travel, growing interaction between countries and people was not a world that he could have imagined – but one that his country had to be part of, he said.
So why is the image-conscious government so reticent about Lee’s political longevity?
Party insiders say it is because he is bent on avoiding doing anything that will promote a personality cult.
“There’s been no road, statue or street named after Lee Kuan Yew,” a community leader noted.
Critics, however, give a different reason. One said the government would rather not mention the subject for fear it would renew calls for him to leave.
In a Yahoo online poll, 53% of Singaporeans said they wanted their founding father to quit politics either immediately or very soon – and that was five years ago.
In 2004 when he celebrated his 80th birthday, he told an interviewer that he would remain a senior minister for as long as he could contribute to the nation.
“You don’t have to tell me. I can feel it when I am no longer making a contribution,” Lee said then.
In recent years, the political icon has become noticeably slower both in speech and movement – but his global perceptions remain sharp.
It is the younger Singaporeans who want him to go. Unlike the previous generation, they are not beholden to him for his contributions to the republic.
Still, some admirers believe the nation should listen to his advice, but only after he has left the Cabinet or Parliament.
One such admirer, Tracy Tan, said: “Lee Kuan Yew is an exceedingly strong leader and a very intelligent man. These qualities have made him a strong asset – as well as a liability – to Singapore.”
Should Singaporeans not be surprised that this historic moment in half-a-century rule was passed without any fanfare ?
Is there an awareness of the growing negative sentiments that borders resentment amongst Singaporeans towards all the boastful claims of superior talents that have not make any marked difference in Singapore with the rest of the World ?
Still we spend the biggest amount of money on Government wages - on Ministers and the Civil Servants - than any country on this Globe.
Certainly the population is aware of the globe-trotting habit of the Government Ministers since the last election was over in Year 2006.
One trip every 2 months for MM ?
The cost of which will have to include for the entourage of newly minted Ministers, Ministers of State, Permanent Secretaries, and Members of Parliament.
This does not include the count for the President, Senior Minister, Prime Minister, and the occassional trips by the Deputy PMs.
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wow!
great hero~!
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yeah..give the man a tiger
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Not bad for a peranakan baba bastard ruling over dialect chinese, malays, tamils and others.
But has to pretend to be hakka chinese, otherwise if revealed baba, things will be more complicated.
So baba bastard, when is Singapore going to have hokkien prime minister?
When?
You minority baba rule over us for 50 years already, lets give the majority groups a chance.
Can't say we biased or racist or chauvinist hor, you baba bastard already sit up there for 50 years?
I say we give the other majority groups a chance, like the malays, indians, teochews, cantonese, hokkiens and others.
Last time got jew, two peranakans in power so far no one from dialect chinese, malay or tamil is prime minister. Goh Chok Tong I won't count him in.
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Originally posted by Ah Chia:
Not bad for a peranakan baba bastard ruling over dialect chinese, malays, tamils and others.
But has to pretend to be hakka chinese, otherwise if revealed baba, things will be more complicated.
hakka baba chinese, all can mix up, famous for rojak -
Celebration soon~~
me go drink kopi with him
at raffles hotel later liao
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Originally posted by angel7030:
hakka baba chinese, all can mix up, famous for rojaktts true.
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hakka baba chinese, all can mix up, famous for rojak
All can mix up why never say he is hakka baba chinese?
Why say he is hakka chinese?
Why the baba disappeared?
You call this "mixed up"?
Oh, sorry I miss out the baba.
sorry hor, make you confused that I am hakka chinese.
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In conjuction to this thread, it will be good if those who have read this thread will also move the mouse and click on :
‘The Crisis and Reforms’ – by lotus999.
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LKY should not taught SG people English and built up economy so far.
Then SG teachers and nurse would work in overseas as maids,
artichect trained graduate would work in overseas as foreman .
Have u guys seen enough examples right here?
2.with this kind of GDP growth like developing country,i dunt mind
PAP rule us 100 years more!!ha ha!!Cheers!!
Statistics Singapore - Historical Data on GDP at 2000 Market Prices
3.BTW,can u ask
SEAH CHIANG NEE of MY The Star mind the life of
Malaysia people.I think they deserve his attention more than SG people.
Where are the fxxking billions dollars in the Wat Port,wat Funds,
series of corruptions(SG pple know too well-----u are speeding!),
crimes (SG pple know too well),........Top Chinese student cant go in
MY Uni,or Uni inform thousands of students that they are admitted.In fact,
they are not.Sorry......
Thank you for your attention,Mr Seah.
http://www.thestar.com.my/
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LKY should not taught SG people English and built up economy so far.
Then SG teachers and nurse would work in overseas as maids,
If Lee Kuan Yew did not impose english on us, we may be going to philippines as maids instead of them coming over here as maids. But at least we can communicate in english with them.
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Longest surving ruler in the world but also the most childish, corrupted, thick skin and hypocrite ruler in the world.
LKY also teaches his PAP supporters to tell those people who are not happy with him to migrate.
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万�万�万万�。
Lee will live on.
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Why be so worked up by a journalist, worse still, one from the racist nation and their bootlickers collaborators up north, who cannot even differentiate between LEADING a nation and ADVISOR to a nation?
Hey, I know they have a problem with their english standard, I myself aint that good anyway, but hell, I am sure even an eight year old would know the difference!
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Originally posted by Ah Chia:
If Lee Kuan Yew did not impose english on us, we may be going to philippines as maids instead of them coming over here as maids. But at least we can communicate in english with them.
I thought you anti-english 1? why change stance already? -
Originally posted by lionnoisy:
LKY should not taught SG people English and built up economy so far.
Then SG teachers and nurse would work in overseas as maids,
artichect trained graduate would work in overseas as foreman .
Have u guys seen enough examples right here?
2.with this kind of GDP growth like developing country,i dunt mind
PAP rule us 100 years more!!ha ha!!Cheers!!
Statistics Singapore - Historical Data on GDP at 2000 Market Prices
3.BTW,can u ask
SEAH CHIANG NEE of MY The Star mind the life of
Malaysia people.I think they deserve his attention more than SG people.
Where are the fxxking billions dollars in the Wat Port,wat Funds,
series of corruptions(SG pple know too well-----u are speeding!),
crimes (SG pple know too well),........Top Chinese student cant go in
MY Uni,or Uni inform thousands of students that they are admitted.In fact,
they are not.Sorry......
Thank you for your attention,Mr Seah.
http://www.thestar.com.my/
Is it LKY or is it the efforts and hardwork of the people who build up Singapore's economy?Singapore's GDP growth since 2000 is the result of PAP's open door policy of opening the floorgates to foreigners. These foreigners served as cheap labour to MNCs and businesses in Singapore.
From 1999 to 2008, Singapore went through 3 recessions including the current one, is that a track record to be proud of? With such track record, would you still want PAP to rule for another 100 years bearing in mind that there may be at least 3 recessions for every 10 years period?
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Lee Kuan Yew is the only one and only perfect politician in the world.
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Originally posted by lionnoisy:
LKY should not taught SG people English and built up economy so far.
Then SG teachers and nurse would work in overseas as maids,
artichect trained graduate would work in overseas as foreman .
Have u guys seen enough examples right here?
2.with this kind of GDP growth like developing country,i dunt mind
PAP rule us 100 years more!!ha ha!!Cheers!!
Statistics Singapore - Historical Data on GDP at 2000 Market Prices
3.BTW,can u ask
SEAH CHIANG NEE of MY The Star mind the life of
Malaysia people.I think they deserve his attention more than SG people.
Where are the fxxking billions dollars in the Wat Port,wat Funds,
series of corruptions(SG pple know too well-----u are speeding!),
crimes (SG pple know too well),........Top Chinese student cant go in
MY Uni,or Uni inform thousands of students that they are admitted.In fact,
they are not.Sorry......
Thank you for your attention,Mr Seah.
http://www.thestar.com.my/
Looks like you have not sent your brain for repair
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Longest in modern times probably, but about a decade more to go before having a chance to be longest in all history.
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Originally posted by lionnoisy:
LKY should not taught SG people English and built up economy so far.
Then SG teachers and nurse would work in overseas as maids,
artichect trained graduate would work in overseas as foreman .
Have u guys seen enough examples right here?
Unfortunately, despite LKY having "taught SG people English and built up economy so far" - we still get noisy pussies making simple grammatical errors that even little kids know that "LKY should not TEACH SG people English" in the manner so poorly learnt by the noisy pussy.
If LKY had built up the economy - why will the noisy pussy remain so bitter about OZ not accepting his application to emmigrate ?
Could it be the unique Singlish that the noisy pussy hope to pass for Oz English ?
As matters stand, despite the LKY supposed success with "SG...built up economy so far" - it is surprising that LKY will want Singaporeans to spread our wings and venture abroad to take on jobs in China, Middle-east, India, supposedly to spread our Singapore values.
If the SG economy is so built-up - as claimed by the resident noisy pussy - is there no need for the trained manpower that LKY want them to go overseas ?
With the brain drain - is it not happening now that Singapore require the graduates from Brunei, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, and even Vietnam ?
In the statistics produced by the Government Department of Statistics - Singaporeans are lumped with the Permanent Residents for the purpose of all kinds of statistical studies.
Is it not ironical that this is for the purpose of hiding the increase in the real numbers of foreigners taking up Permanent Residentship and confuse Singaporeans about the real numbers that are Citizens ?
2.with this kind of GDP growth like developing country,i dunt mind
PAP rule us 100 years more!!ha ha!!Cheers!!
Statistics Singapore - Historical Data on GDP at 2000 Market Prices
Why will the noisy pussy depend on historical data to the GDP that is based on 2000 Market Prices ?
Is there something that the noisy pussy is too shy to place in the spot light ?
From the CIA Fact Book on Hong Kong and Singapore the following comparison can be made:-
Hong Kong - GDP (Purchasing Power Parity)
$307.6 Billion (2008 est); $299.5 Billion (2007 est); $281.5 Billion (2006 est)
Singapore - GDP (PPP)
$240 Billion (2008 est); $237.2 Billion (2007 est); $216.4 Billion (2006 est).
Hong Kong - GDP - Real Growth Rate:
2.8% (2008 est); 6.4% (2007 est); 7% (2006 est)
Singapore - GDP - Real Growth Rate:
1.2% (2008 est); 7.7% (2007 est); 8.2% (2006 est)
Hong Kong Labor Force: 3.67 million (2008 est)
Singapore Labor Force: 2.96 million (2008 est)
Hong Kong - Inflation Rate (consumer prices): 2.1% (2008 est)
Singapore - Inflation Rate (consumer prices): 4.3% (2008 est)
Hong Kong Public Debt: 14.5% of GDP (2008 est)
Singapore Public Debt: 113.7% of GDP (2008 est)
Hong Kong Exports: $362.1 Billion f.o.b. including re-exports (2008)
Singapore Exports: $235.8 Billion f.o.b. (2008 est)
Hong Kong Imports: $387.9 Billion (2008 est)
Singapore Imports: $219.5 Billion (2008 est)
Hong Kong Current Account Balance: $22.44 Billion (2008 est)
Singapore Current Account Balance: $28.42 Billion (2008 est)
Hong Kong Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $165.9 Billion (31-Dec 2008)
Singapore Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $168.8 Billion (31-Dec 2008)
How did the PAP Government create so much in the Reserves when Singapore export numbers are less than Hong Kong's ?
We should consider that the value of the Singapore Reserves are not the full amount that is publicly declared, as we know that the true amount is much larger that allowed LKY to overlook the loss of US$100 Billion by GIC and Temasek Holdings.
If the noisy pussy will learn to be more discerning perhaps he can be trained to perform more credibly in an Oz zoo.
3.BTW,can u ask
SEAH CHIANG NEE of MY The Star mind the life of
Malaysia people.I think they deserve his attention more than SG people.
Where are the fxxking billions dollars in the Wat Port,wat Funds,
series of corruptions(SG pple know too well-----u are speeding!),
crimes (SG pple know too well),........Top Chinese student cant go in
MY Uni,or Uni inform thousands of students that they are admitted.In fact,
they are not.Sorry......
Thank you for your attention,Mr Seah.
http://www.thestar.com.my/
Again, the noisy pussy is only interested in making more noise then offer facts - when claiming that Seah Chiang Nee is a Malaysian.
Seah Chiang Nee is a true blue Singaporean - who was the editor of the Singapore Monitor before it was closed by the PAP Government.
He had worked overseas with several different news agencies, one of which was in Ozland that we all know have rejected the noisy pussy.
In 1985, he became the first South-east Asian to have a heart transplant, and this was well published in the local media as the first Singaporean to have such an operation.
Who donated that heart that beat inside his body is immaterial, we know that this is a World Class Singaporean that the noisy pussy can hardly even qualify to lick his boots.
With regards to the "the fxxking billions dollars in the Wat Port,wat Funds, series of corruptions" - these have been well published in the Malaysian Press, with the ACA investigating the matters, as much as the different political parties digging deeper into the scandals.
If this was to happen in Singapore, will there ever be any independent investigation, or will the culprits be allowed to abscond as in the case of PAP MP Phey Yew Kok ?
Will any alternative Singapore Political Parties be as aggressive to demand the investigation to the loss of the US$100 Billion by the super talents at the helm of the GIC and Temasek Holdings ?
In any case, the loss of the Malaysian funds are in hundreds of millions in RINGGIT, compared to the US$100 Billion lost by MM LKY - Chairman of GIC and daughter-in-law as the CEO of Temasek Holdings.
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Originally posted by xtreyier:
Why be so worked up by a journalist, worse still, one from the racist nation and their bootlickers collaborators up north, who cannot even differentiate between LEADING a nation and ADVISOR to a nation?
Hey, I know they have a problem with their english standard, I myself aint that good anyway, but hell, I am sure even an eight year old would know the difference!
When one is employed as an advisor, one will normally sit in the background.Even when LKY became SM, was he sitting is the background when he threatened the leadership of Singapore Airline Pilot Union (ALPHA-S) in a face to face showdown in 2008 ?
Even PM LHL had to retract his claim that there will be no holy cows in the economic reviews during the crash of 1997 - as he claimed that there are some stones that had been turned up, carefully studied, and found best to place the stones back in their original positions that were laid by PAPa.
Is LKY an Advisor, or has he not retired from the Leadership role ?
A leader can handover the reins of power, but not the horses at the end of the reins.
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Originally posted by Stimulatedfib:
Longest in modern times probably, but about a decade more to go before having a chance to be longest in all history.
He may not last a decade if the implanted pacemaker service life fall short and give problems earlier then intended. -
Like it or not, you have to salute the man, after all, we got 50 years of peace and harmony, you cannot take that away. He brins prosperity to most, and most important education , without PAP preschool, I could be nothing
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Originally posted by Atobe:
Unfortunately, despite LKY having "taught SG people English and built up economy so far" - we still get noisy pussies making simple grammatical errors that even little kids know that "LKY should not TEACH SG people English" in the manner so poorly learnt by the noisy pussy.
If LKY had built up the economy - why will the noisy pussy remain so bitter about OZ not accepting his application to emmigrate ?
Could it be the unique Singlish that the noisy pussy hope to pass for Oz English ?
As matters stand, despite the LKY supposed success with "SG...built up economy so far" - it is surprising that LKY will want Singaporeans to spread our wings and venture abroad to take on jobs in China, Middle-east, India, supposedly to spread our Singapore values.
If the SG economy is so built-up - as claimed by the resident noisy pussy - is there no need for the trained manpower that LKY want them to go overseas ?
With the brain drain - is it not happening now that Singapore require the graduates from Brunei, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, and even Vietnam ?
In the statistics produced by the Government Department of Statistics - Singaporeans are lumped with the Permanent Residents for the purpose of all kinds of statistical studies.
Is it not ironical that this is for the purpose of hiding the increase in the real numbers of foreigners taking up Permanent Residentship and confuse Singaporeans about the real numbers that are Citizens ?
Why will the noisy pussy depend on historical data to the GDP that is based on 2000 Market Prices ?
Is there something that the noisy pussy is too shy to place in the spot light ?
From the CIA Fact Book on Hong Kong and Singapore the following comparison can be made:-
Hong Kong - GDP (Purchasing Power Parity)
$307.6 Billion (2008 est); $299.5 Billion (2007 est); $281.5 Billion (2006 est)
Singapore - GDP (PPP)
$240 Billion (2008 est); $237.2 Billion (2007 est); $216.4 Billion (2006 est).
Hong Kong - GDP - Real Growth Rate:
2.8% (2008 est); 6.4% (2007 est); 7% (2006 est)
Singapore - GDP - Real Growth Rate:
1.2% (2008 est); 7.7% (2007 est); 8.2% (2006 est)
Hong Kong Labor Force: 3.67 million (2008 est)
Singapore Labor Force: 2.96 million (2008 est)
Hong Kong - Inflation Rate (consumer prices): 2.1% (2008 est)
Singapore - Inflation Rate (consumer prices): 4.3% (2008 est)
Hong Kong Public Debt: 14.5% of GDP (2008 est)
Singapore Public Debt: 113.7% of GDP (2008 est)
Hong Kong Exports: $362.1 Billion f.o.b. including re-exports (2008)
Singapore Exports: $235.8 Billion f.o.b. (2008 est)
Hong Kong Imports: $387.9 Billion (2008 est)
Singapore Imports: $219.5 Billion (2008 est)
Hong Kong Current Account Balance: $22.44 Billion (2008 est)
Singapore Current Account Balance: $28.42 Billion (2008 est)
Hong Kong Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $165.9 Billion (31-Dec 2008)
Singapore Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $168.8 Billion (31-Dec 2008)
How did the PAP Government create so much in the Reserves when Singapore export numbers are less than Hong Kong's ?
We should consider that the value of the Singapore Reserves are not the full amount that is publicly declared, as we know that the true amount is much larger that allowed LKY to overlook the loss of US$100 Billion by GIC and Temasek Holdings.
If the noisy pussy will learn to be more discerning perhaps he can be trained to perform more credibly in an Oz zoo.
Again, the noisy pussy is only interested in making more noise then offer facts - when claiming that Seah Chiang Nee is a Malaysian.
Seah Chiang Nee is a true blue Singaporean - who was the editor of the Singapore Monitor before it was closed by the PAP Government.
He had worked overseas with several different news agencies, one of which was in Ozland that we all know have rejected the noisy pussy.
In 1985, he became the first South-east Asian to have a heart transplant, and this was well published in the local media as the first Singaporean to have such an operation.
Who donated that heart that beat inside his body is immaterial, we know that this is a World Class Singaporean that the noisy pussy can hardly even qualify to lick his boots.
With regards to the "the fxxking billions dollars in the Wat Port,wat Funds, series of corruptions" - these have been well published in the Malaysian Press, with the ACA investigating the matters, as much as the different political parties digging deeper into the scandals.
If this was to happen in Singapore, will there ever be any independent investigation, or will the culprits be allowed to abscond as in the case of PAP MP Phey Yew Kok ?
Will any alternative Singapore Political Parties be as aggressive to demand the investigation to the loss of the US$100 Billion by the super talents at the helm of the GIC and Temasek Holdings ?
In any case, the loss of the Malaysian funds are in hundreds of millions in RINGGIT, compared to the US$100 Billion lost by MM LKY - Chairman of GIC and daughter-in-law as the CEO of Temasek Holdings.
1.Gross exports v net exports
can i focus on exports figures.Let me show u how to read between the lines.
wat u quote are Gross Export figures.Hk and SG are heavely re--export countries.
Wat u read every month abt SG non--oil export figures are referring to gross
exports.Becos they did not say it is a net export figures.
In SG abt 80 % exports are re--exports.
Refer to HK,there are not too many factories,so how can they produce
so much goods locally?
[PDF]
HONG KONG'S ECONOMY IN THE FINANCIAL CRISIS
-Fig 9--exports of goods or page 11
2.
Why will the noisy pussy depend on historical data to the GDP that is based on 2000 Market Prices ?
oh dear,ask your stats or maths teacher lah.Constant prices make comparsions
meaningful.understand?
3."If this was to happen in Singapore, will there ever be any independent investigation, or will the culprits be allowed to abscond as in the case of PAP MP Phey Yew Kok ?"
Yes we have The President.Ok?
Besides,The 50 years ruling PAP will clean up itself automatically,thanks
to the very high salary.Peanut is just for monkey.Meat for lion.
Oh SG has a happy problem that we have too much $$ in GIC and Temasek.
So a little up and down make a hot topics for Opposition to shout!
4..ONE DAY.JUST one day,if the life in the north is better than SG,wat do u think
SG pple will do?They will Q up at MY Embassy in Singapore to apply
migration visa lah.There is no need for Mr Seah to tell us how bad
the life in SG.we know,like our grand/parents,how to choose.
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Originally posted by lionnoisy:
1.Gross exports v net exports
can i focus on exports figures.Let me show u how to read between the lines.
wat u quote are Gross Export figures.Hk and SG are heavely re--export countries.
Wat u read every month abt SG non--oil export figures are referring to gross
exports.Becos they did not say it is a net export figures.
In SG abt 80 % exports are re--exports.
Refer to HK,there are not too many factories,so how can they produce
so much goods locally?
[PDF]
HONG KONG'S ECONOMY IN THE FINANCIAL CRISIS
-Fig 9--exports of goods or page 11
Whatever happen to HK, they got their big father CHina to take of them, we got nothing, that is the biggest differences.
