So what’s new? Lim Heem Wei became the first gymnast from Singapore to qualify for the Olympic Games and only one of two from South-east Asia who have confirmed their places in London. Wait a minute. Lim Heem Wei? Not Lin Zhongqian, Zhang Lu, Chen Ping or Wang Badan? Congratulations from a fellow Singaporean. Now this is one Olympic event worth watching apart from table tennis.
Of course, let’s not forget our heroes in the Paralympics too. Remember swimmer Yip Pin Xiu and rider Laurentia Tan?
Finally, the proposals on ministerial pay will be “debated” in Parliament on Monday. Previously, I’ve said that the committee has done a good job and it’s a good “first step” in drawing up ministerial salaries that won’t look so obscene whether from a domestic or international viewpoint. But then, many members of the public and the opposition voiced a similar concern. This may be a “final cut” before things start going up. If that happens, the the first and final cut must be set quite low.
Curiously, the opinion of that prof from SMU is still being sought! In his usual condescending tone, he said that perhaps “there is too much of a focus at this point among Singaporeans on the price tag, rather than looking at the value of a good government, made up of talented and committed Singaporeans”.
Huh? Yao mo gao chor ah, Prof. If it’s only the value that is important, then why the high price tag? The whole argument is based on the fact that the public does not agree that you need a high price tag to attract value in public service. I’m glad that my kids are unlikely to qualify for SMU.
And talking about education, Dr Denisa Kera, the co-founder of Secret Cooks Club, which made headlines last year when they organised a dinner eating sushi off a naked woman has apologised to her neighbours. You can read more about it over here. But lecturers (who teach mature adults) throwing wild parties ought to be the least of my concerns. We should perhaps be more wary of teachers of teens who quietly sms them for some sexual tryst.
Yes, teachers are getting younger and the teens are maturing faster. Will the right and wrong of it start to shift? Or are we sticking to the guidelines just to make everyone feel that at least something is done to stem or deter “inappropriate” relationships? We live in a highly complex and “inconvenient” age. So let us deal with things conveniently by branding, labelling and condemning.
