Questions etc.

Had an interesting morning today, did a questionaire, which I thought was very good. So i shall post it up. Any comments, please just add them to my comments list. Hopefully, huiwen would have more views so she can finish her work:)

Thanks to huiwen for the thought provoking questionaire:

Many Singaporeans think of Singapore as pragmatic, materialistic, and so on. But, after the tsunami response, do you think that there's another, more positive, side to Singapore?

I think there has always been a positive side to Singaporeans in general, be it the cab driver who helps open the door, the guy at the bus stop giving directions, the gal on the street who returns a wallet. But most Singaporeans are generally of the “mind-your-own-business” kind. Even in New York/London etc. people tend to mind their own business more, mainly because the place is so densely populated and there is a lack of community feeling unlike small suburbs and towns.

So answer is: Yes.

Has the humanitarian effort been good for our "nation-building"?

Definitely. Nation building in terms of social responsibility, psychological defence and a good way to show the nation that the SAF can actually DO something (esp. engineers). 

Do you think the Singapore media has overemphasized Singapore’s efforts instead of focusing on the disaster itself? {the media used as a tool for inculcating national pride?}

My feel is that the media itself is given TOO MUCH of a role in the coverage of the tsunami. I have friends on the ground at Aceh, in fact I volunteered to go. But from reports there, when Kofi Annan, or some diplomat arrives, all humanitarian needs stop. And the VIP is given the free play to roam around with like an entourage of 2 million security people. Come On. It’s a humanitarian effort for goodness sake. Let the people on the ground do their work.

Plus media itself is given priority when deciding plane schedules and helicopter flights (quoting a Colonel from the SAF). Although information is priority at that point in time, you must remember that Singapore is down there to assist firstly, and then to report secondly.

My 2 cents.

Do you think the aid offered by our country is sufficient, too little or too much? And why?
(FYI: S’pore pledged conntribution of 15 million US dollars; relief operation involves more than 1200 military and civil defence personnel - of whom 900 are in Aceh, Indonesia. The humanitarian assistance provided by its military, medical and rescue teams is estimated to cost SGD 20m.)

No. It is the country with the most aid in terms of assistance. Again, I must point out the myth that is “aid” to countries. Most of the aid is just PLEDGED aid. i.e. US pledges and receives at a later point. Sometimes the aid money doesn’t arrive at all (as stated in media about some country. Can’t remember which one). And sometimes, the aid is just in the form of low interest loans that take ages to repay (and act as a asset to the nation itself). When you study economics and such, take note that countries such as US are in MASSIVE BOP deficits, debtor nations that can pledge 650 million dollars? Where are they going to get the money from?

And in Singapore context, we were the first ones in Melauboh. Remember that it is not money that counts, it is the help actually reaching the people in Indonesia, the work done, the facilities built, the comfort offered to a fellow human being; in short, the intangibles. These are the things that truly matter in human relationships.

And frankly, humanitarian aid always gets routed into the hands of bureaucrats and aid agencies who spend the money to entertain Kofi Annan when he arrives. Of every dollar of aid given, not everything gets to the people in need. In fact, only a small miniscule percentage arrives in the form of aid. And don’t get me started on aid in kind (clothes, bags, amenities etc.) Sometimes, these even end up in the tourist markets! Being sold off as tourist paraphernalia in the cities (yes, it’s true) read Jim Rogers’s Adventure Capitalist for more information and the evidence.

Do you have any worries about donor fatique?

No. I don’t donate. I prefer to let actions do the talking. And Singaporeans in general are generous, simply because we are rich. You have to be rich to even have enough money to donate.

How about concerns regarding corruption, mishandling of donations?

See above.

Last/ additional thoughts about this issue??

Nil. Tsunami was a great tragedy, but we must not forget the other tragedies in the world. It is easy for the US, for me to say, “ok, we have a tragedy now. Let’s donate $5/$500 million dollars.” Other ongoing tragedies are Iraq, Israel VS Palestine, Aids in Africa, Corruption in Russia, Muslim extremism in neighbouring countries, Cancer in affluent societies (due to overeating, conspicuous consumption of cigarettes, fatty foods.) The problem with the world is not the lack of money and food. It is a the lack of an equitable distribution of money, food and resources.

And of course, it is very easy to just talk about it

Interesting isn't it? You can comment too, maybe it'll have an impact. Or at least, have a differing view will ya? Don't be an apathetic Singaporean, we have too many of them around.

On another note, that was a nice V-day gift from B to J:). (I went on friendster dope). And i shudder to think what B was doing when he was photographed wearing his pants. haha. well, you just have to prove the critics wrong bruddah, and frankly, it is cool (kinda). Best of luck to you 2:)



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ranting