HDB flats, babies, productivity

This has been the 3 main topics in the minds of many Singaporeans over this February.

1) Productivity: I've no idea how the government is going to push productivity and eventually efficiency. Truth to be told, our industrial restructuring back in 1980 should be a good role model - recommend for higher wages to make it an incentive for companies and government departments to look at ways be it technology, etc to reduce manpower and increase productivity.

One good classic example: SBS Transit. Back in 1973 after it was formed, it went on straight into looking at ways to improve productivity and efficiency. In 1977, it progressively went One man Operation system (OMO) and started purchased double decker buses. In 1982 it went OMTS together with the progressive introduction of air-conditioned buses. In late 1980s came the Transitlink magnetic farecard. In 1993 came the Superbus. In 2000s came ez-link card, low entry buses into our lives.

But I do not see how efficient or productive MINDEF is since it's the defence minister in charge for the productivity council. Last week's article over ORDed personnel unable to get their marksman reward payout is one fine example. The only thing about MINDEF & SAF is they've big manpower able to plan big events.

2) HDB flats: Newly wed couples can't get to buy affordable new HDB flats. In my personal opinion, there's no land cost for housing since all housing, industrial, recreation land has been allocated. Furthermore is it to the extent people would be forced to live at void deck being unable to afford a proper roof over their head?

I suspect the subsidy is practically the differences of the price of a condominium and how much they're selling for a new HDB flat or rather the opportunity cost in economics. One realistic example is the M'sian fuel subsidy, the amount is practically the amount they could have been able to collect and spent onto infastructure or other developments. Sadly to speak as Malaysia's oil fortune dwindle, Malaysians soon would be forced to pay petrol the same price as we Singaporeans are paying for pre-tax.

However we've to realise two factors: reducing land space available for new HDB development and our developed status. It means to speak in time to come, it's likely the re-sale market that would drive the market in time to come and more developement would push prices higher.

3) Babies: When couples are busy creating working to buy their expensive new HDB flats, how are they going to be able to focus and think of having offsprings? Furthermore with our education system, the kids are only going to suffer. Poor them.

Love your country and she'll love you back

Can't stand whenever I speak of something, people would reply like "why not go join government service" or "like this private can't make money".

Geesh, if one really wants to make profits, it also has to be socially responsible else everyone could make profits from any method. If there's no rule, everyone could start making profits from any method be it legal or illegal. At this point, I'm reminded by what Evergreen Group's founder Dr Chang Yung Fa mentioned about people these days over ethnics.

Some of these people whom I know are simply taking the easy way out, anything find the govt as scapegoat. Little wonders why they mention of issues against government for anything (i.e. cost of living like compare how cheap KFC meal is in M'sia, but I dare them to live and work in M'sia and earn in RM) and even talking to people about migrating.

Next people say I'm patriotic, in reality it's rather they do not care anything about this place. I think simply my younger generation "Gen Y" many are a let down, the hunger factor to improve our lives has died and complacency has set in.

Love your country, take responsibility for her and she'll love you back else who will? Is that very difficult?