Marching with 220,000 Hong Kongers (七一遊行)

July 2, 2011 1 Comment

Hong Kong celebrated her 14th Handover Anniversary with the biggest march turnout in 7 years (500,000 in 2003). While Donald Tsang was staging a big celebration at Queen Elizabeth Stadium last night, a record of more than 200,000 protesters turned up on the streets to vent their anger and frustration against his government and major social issues.

Many of the protesters were unhappy about the skyrocket property prices and the growing gap between the rich and poor. Pegged with the falling US currency, Hong Kong dollars have fell sharply since the day I arrived. Property prices are ridiculously high and young families can never afford the down-payment. (The young generation of Hong Kong is going to slog their entire life just to pay for a pathetic small roof to sleep at night!) Many called for greater democracy and demanded Chief Executive Donald to step down. Large printed banners of characterized “Devil” Donald and “Blood Sucker Vampire” billionaire tycoon Li Ka-shing marched down the streets – the protesters accused the government and property tycoons for manipulating the property prices.

Tracy and I decided to lend our voices and joined the evening march from Wanchai to Central.  There was a commotion at Wanchai where police were out in force handing out warnings about “illegal public gatherings” (according to protesters) and closing off a ballpark.  This is the first time I took part in a march. It was an eye-opener for me to “see and feel” the passion and frustration of the Hong Kong people. Streams of protesters stopped traffic and won supports (waves and cheers) from the bystanders along the streets. It was a powerful united force.

Sadly, the property issues cannot be addressed or solved overnight. Property is one of the most abused necessities that should never be allowed to be speculated for greed. Already, some protesters are crying that it may take them 2 generations to pay off their housing debts. Real estates should never exhaust the value of one’s life. The high cost of real estates are adding significant cost to the food we eat, clothes we wear and the space we nurture our next generation. Freedom in this perspective doesn’t exist. It will take many years of fundamental and political changes before the Hong Kongers can break away from their current “property slavery”.

Filed under Jo's Thoughts, Life in Hong Kong

5 Golden Years

June 30, 2011 Leave a comment

(Photo Taken: Receiving my 5th Anniversary Gold Coin – on 100th David Ogilvy Day at Crowne Plaza Hotel, Causeway Bay. The extraordinary experience and lifelong friendships made over these 5 years weigh beyond this gold coin. A golden memento to remind me of the good times I had out here. Simply priceless and very very rewarding.)

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VIIV – 22 years later

June 4, 2011 Leave a comment

Today is the 22nd Anniversary of bloody June-4th Incident. Many people in Hong Kong remember this day. Last night at 10:30pm (the exact time when the crackdown happened 22 years ago on 3rd June 1989), a group of artists “painted Causeway Bay yellow” with their expressions to remember this solemn night. (Read my past blog: “Learning from the Past”)




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Taxi Problems in Singapore

May 27, 2011 6 Comments

The availability of taxis in Singapore is becoming a big problem. For someone like me who has been away for a while, I could tell the difference. There is simply no “Comfort” in our taxis anymore. Getting from point A to point B can be frustrating  and confusing. Not just for the locals but also for tourists who rely on our taxis to get around. To make things worst, there are new rules regulating where passengers can alight from a cab. Taking a cab to CBD is like taking a bus – the passenger can only alight at designated taxi stands. This is the stupidest rule someone in the authority came up with. If it is to prevent taxis from jamming the traffic and endangering other motorists, we can always introduce inlets or special lanes for taxi to stop. To create standard taxi stand for all flag-downs is fair and good, but to restrict where a passenger can alight is absolutely senseless. It hinders the convenience of taking a cab, especially on a rainy day.

One of the most common problems is our call-in system and the “mystery of disappearance and appearance of taxis at specific hours”. Any taxi driver with common sense would figure out that it is less-profitable to pick up any passengers 30 minutes before the “peak hours” (example: midnight). Why pick up flag-down passenger when there is a call-in mechanic that will earn them more money? Of course, there is no rule to restrict how our taxi-drivers should do their business. It is simply a “work smart and not hard” policy. But this is the root of the problem as many cab drivers are capitalising on the call-in “bonus cash”. Seriously, our cab companies must look into this as this is becoming a black spot in our “near perfect” tourism image. Profit mongering activities should never be encouraged.

Another confusion is the different tiers of surcharge for different types of taxis. I welcome the newer and bigger cabs but I totally detest the confusing “creative” charges (peak hours, CBD, ERP, midnight, special cabs). At some point, I gave up trying to understand when and how my meter fare ran. Gone were the days when things were simpler and straight-forward. If these are the things we have to compromise for comfort and bigger space, I rather go back to old days when we had decent clean taxis but a standard fare. Surely, what’s the point of having more bigger and newer taxis when more and more of them aren’t available?

When I was in Shanghai, taxi drivers gave discounts for midnight fare. And in Hong Kong, many taxi drivers give discounts if you do special booking. Getting a taxi in Hong Kong is relatively easy (just like how we saw it in those typical Hong Kong drama series). Strangely, Hong Kong is even more congested than Singapore but I don’t see much jams that justify ERPs or peak hour charges. In Singapore, we implemented so many tolls and surcharge to smoother traffics but I don’t see much improvements to the jams in CTE or Orchard Road during the peak hours.

Seriously, if Singapore wants to attract and bring in more tourists, we have to fix this problem. Taxi is one of the most important means of transport for our foreign guests. Taxis are the first point of contact for our visitors. And for these poor tourists, they have to start paying surcharge the minute they leave the airport – not to mention paying the additional peak hours and ERP charges if they landed during the wrong hours. Soon, the same group of tourists may find themselves stranded out there during peak hours (and they are not familiar with our bus or MRT network). It can be a frustrating and painful experience for them. Perhaps our new transport minister should get out of his cozy sedan and spend more time trying to get a taxi (or listening to the repetitive background music of our taxi hotline) in CBD during a freaking hot or wet weather.

Filed under Jo's Thoughts, Life in Singapore, Travel

Another Sad Goodbye

May 9, 2011 1 Comment

It is one of those sad goodbyes when we kept tears in our hearts. All 3 of us share the same type of life. We are lonely in our own ways. But our jovial personalities helped us overcome all these. Elkan loves us a lot. He enjoys “family hug”. Whenever Felicia and I are walking on the streets, he likes to pull both our hands together. He is always reminding us to be lovely, dropping us love notes from time to time.

We hate to shed tears during goodbye. Because tears can be brutally more contagious than yawn. Today was another familiar scene at the departure gate. It wasn’t my son’s tears which broke my heart. It was his innocence, sensitivity and maturity that moved me.

I saw that coming. In fact, I tried many times refusing Elkan to send me off at the airport. I even tempted him with toys and other distractions. He insisted sending me off. While we were in the airport, he just wanted me to play with him. “Daddy, give me maths questions or anything we can do together.” In the end, we were folding paper planes and throwing them across the concourse. He was very happy.

When it was time to go, Elkan fought hard not to cry. He showed me an expression that I only see in adults. Big watery eyes, putting on a sad smile. There was no need for words. We hugged tightly. I left. Between the thin glass wall which separated us, Elkan wanted to tell me something. But I couldn’t hear him. He quickly condensed the glass wall with his warm breath. On the misty screen, he wrote “I love you Daddy” and waved goodbye.

There were we. Father and son…standing by each other, separated by a wall of glass. I felt so so sad. Unable to watch his teary eyes, I walked towards the immigration counter with red teary eyes. The officer saw what happened. She gave me a smile and offered me some kind words.

Perhaps God has a special way to make us cherish each other. My absence builds strength in my boy, my wife and myself. We appreciate the simplest form of enjoyment – as long as all of us are together as one family. No material gains would bring this depth of happiness. We recognized the true value of family. Yes, this may not be the usual typical “everyday family life” but every second bring joys to our hearts. All these reunions and separations taught us the importance of kinships and love. And I have the best wife, best son and best life. I love you guys very very much.

Filed under Family, Jo's Thoughts, Life in Singapore

I Love SG

May 9, 2011 1 Comment



Simply beautiful – My Family, my Friends, my Singapore, my Home. Sad to say goodbye to my loved ones again. Looking forward to come back home soon.

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Goodbye Aly

April 30, 2011 Leave a comment

Saying goodbye to Alice wasn’t easy. After all, she was our first hire and she has been with me thick and thin, through good times and bad. After spending 3 years in our team, Alice left last Thursday.

On her last day, Alice wore this black blouse – the same piece that she wore when we first met back in May 2008 (her interview) at Leighton Hotel. I was very very touched. It was a emotional goodbye for both of us. I was very moved by her parting words at the lift. We gave each other 2 tight hugs and exchange farewell tokens. (When she passed me the medal, I melted inside). It was difficult to say goodbye to someone you love and hate. She was the spice and pillar of our team and things won’t be the same without her. Alice played a crucial role in our team in the early days and that allows us to settle down quickly as one. Her contribution was well-known to many. Her spiciness precede her name (and terrorized a couple).

3 weeks ago, I promised to write her a good farewell note. And I wrote her my feelings on the same night. Like I said, this is not goodbye forever. And she left me a void that not many could fill. I am sure we will be happier friends outside the office. Thanks again for everything, my friend.

Filed under Jo's Thoughts, Life in Hong Kong

It’s Time for Election

April 28, 2011 2 Comments

I have been very disturbed lately. Election is coming but this time, it is different.

Thanks to presence of Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, we are now seeing and reading more election information. But due to the diversity of media, I am getting fragmented information about the future of my country. Election information is sensational confusing, messy and unclear.

You see much footage of candidates going to the market, HDB homes shaking hands. You see new young faces. You have many camps of people citing change. You heard talks in coffee shops (and now on MSN, Facebook, Forums) how we should have an opposition voice in the parliaments. Yes, we do have opposition voices in the parliaments since 1980s. But can someone point to me a summary of “significant improvements / changes” that these oppositions had achieved in the last 2 decades?

Before we decide to put our faith (or bet) on either party, can someone show me the results of PAP and oppositions for the past 5 years? What were those promises made back then? Have we got all the ticks or crosses in the box? (Perhaps, we can get Steve Jobs to teach our candidates how to do a simple Keynote to summaries their past achievements). People need facts to make a decision. Not debates and digging up old woes. This is not a renewal of unfulfilled promises and fresh pretty faces.

Somehow, I feel it is a lousy predictable boring show. Same plot every election.

Opposition is quick to point out how badly PAP has done and how they can fix it. PAP reminds us how fragile our future will be and we need to stick by them cos’ they are the best ones with the talents and know-how to bring us to those “wonderful times”. Then, you have court cases and ugly scandals surfacing. 2-3 months after the Election, life goes back to normal. We still go back to our coffee shops to grumble about the increasing cost, hardship and limited job prospects in our country.

Maybe we should turn the rallies like a season of American Idol. Every week, we have candidates presenting their vision, their plans. Each week, we get Singaporeans to vote out the “blah-blah”, the “emotional” ones.

When I do a tender, I can cast vote to the winning vendor as I know what exactly I am getting from the vendor. There is a clear and simple list of deliverable. I can do my comparison and interview the people who will be working for the project. At the end of the project, I can even measure the success and reward my vendor. If the vendor fail, I can even fire them or even ask them for compensation. How we get to measure our government’s success. Can we ask the MPs to refund their pay to us if they have failed us?

At least, when I work for a company – the company gives me a clear list of benefits I get to enjoy. I can see what’s coming and what’s ahead. I can easily type you a page of benefits and perks. Being a Singaporean, I find it difficult to type a “standard page of basic perks and benefits” for my countrymen because we change policies and perks every year.  And even if we do have this page of standard basic benefits for being a Singaporean – who in this Election is going to safeguard my interests and extend it longer for my future? They are extending our dads and mums to work beyond 60 – that is fine – but what about giving our old folks free transport and medical after 60?

We live in times of contradictions. The government used our money to build expressway to ease jams during peak hours. Yet they create ERP to collect money from us when we use it. The government is kind to give us money from time to time yet GST has been on the rise since 2000s.

This morning, I tried surfing the PAP and Worker’s Party Websites, the only clear thing I got is a list of their next-generation candidates (names and photo).  To me, this is like a number game – all parties are only interested in securing their territories. Look, this is only a small island. I don’t care what the residents are going to get in Potong Pasir or Marine Parade – all I need is a party with a single mind and plan how they can make change and difference to improve lives for our people. Reminder: We aren’t a big country with many issues. Please do not seduce voters with another “HDB Upgrade” teasers.

You see, I am very proud of my country and her achievements. For this election, I need a leader who walk the talk and someone who can really bring good change and improvements to the country. For the least, deliver what you promise.

Filed under Jo's Thoughts, Life in Singapore

Buy an Island

April 10, 2011 1 Comment

Tired of being a slave to your expensive pigeon hole? There is another retirement plan you can aim for. Trade off your small HDB Flat and be the king of your own island instead. For the same price (USD700K) of a 140sqm 5-room flat in Marine Parade, you can exchange it for a 1.25 acres paradise (above photo) out there in the Caribbean. Yes – all yours under a million sing dollars – freehold and you get to name your island / roads / beaches / trees etc! Think about all the possibilities!

Check out some of these sales here at http://www.privateislandsonline.com. Some of these islands are priced as low as USD30,000! (Of course, you won’t want to spend your holidays or retirement out there with the piranhas in the Amazon River!) If you are lucky, you may bump into a “chance-of-a-lifetime” sale. In 2009, after a failed romance, a 48-year old island owner in Brazil sold his white-sand-crystal-clear water idyllic “love island” (See Photo Left) for only USD12,500! He was blaming the island for his bad luck and lost love – and he just wanted to get rid of it at a cheap price. What a pity to sell that beautiful island for such a low price. All he need is a Fengshui Master to give him some tips to improve his luck.

Filed under Cool Stuffs, Jo's Thoughts

The World of Bureaucracy

April 7, 2011 Leave a comment


2 very good “must-watch” documentaries to recommend. Both films display the hardcore facts of an eroding America. Shocking, mind-blowing and compelling. “Inside Job” exposed the ugly and wicked side of the dark investment world. This film will prompt you to rethink all the stories and pictures your loyal “Financial Planner” painted about your retirement plans. “Waiting for Superman” is a touching film about kids suffering under the education system of America. It reminded me of the cruel “lottery game” our own Singapore educator plays every year for primary school enrollment. The fate of your child lies on a simple game of ballot. Thankfully, we have many good public schools in Singapore. Of course, I am not a firm believer of the notion “good school = good future” but education should be fair and open for all. Why do we allow our educators to determine our child’s future in the game of a “lucky draw”?  Sadly, bureaucracy is king. And Bureaucrat doesn’t need brains.

Filed under Jo's Thoughts

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