Monday, November 28, 2005
Big Brother speaks....
Big brother has
responded to my article.
There is a reason why I wrote to the Straits Times. There is a reason why I risk being
disciplined by doing so. Unfortunately, this is the kind of
standard reply you always get from a civil servant. You attend a 'straight talk' session, you hust them over the same issue, and you'll still get the same
standard reply. As usual, a governmental reply will tend to avoid your questions and views as far as possible, and continue to reiterate their firm stand on the issue of contention.
I read my unit's advisory note in a RO (Routine Order)where it referred us to a list of GOM (General Orders of Mindef) where the rules on info disclosure would apply to blogging. The list was numerous where you had to flip through a number of such GOMs, then search slowly for that particular paragraph. I think less than 10% of SAF servicemen bother to log on to their Intranet system to read GOMs. Hence, I thought it would better if both Mindef and Unit Commanders set the line firm and clear for all, just as Mr Miyagi's CO set the standards for his Ex Wallaby postings. This is more so as different units have different levels of sensitivity.
At least my article forced them to quote that they do act as the Big Brother of all SAF servicemen. If only the MSD was transparent about the number of security breaches, then servicemen would take info security even more seriously. We have to realise that states often police what their people do and think, often invading into their personal privacy. In George Orwell's 1984, there was a mention of the Thought Police. It was a satire to totalitarian states which often punish their citizens for possessing thoughts contrary to that of the state's ideology.
We are hence lucky that we are in a liberal democracy (actually, Singapore isn't a true one) which allows for active evaluation and open criticism of the decisions of the state without getting into trouble. Anyway, Mindef's Public Affairs (PAFF) says that one of its goals was to ensure that the SAF is always painted in a positive light. Well, what if people start to criticise the SAF's doctrine? What if people start to disparage or mock the SAF's Core Values? The recent incident of the pianist-defaulter brings into question the core values of 'Loyalty to Country' and 'Ethics'. The endless discussions online and in the press has indirectly accused Mindef of double standards in terms of its policies.
If you ask me about this issue, I can only tell you that the
gahmen is telling you their philosophy that we must practise
pragmatism and be flexible to the changing needs of our country. Firstly, the pianist is in his late 40s. He would most likely be unfit for combat or techinical vocations. In addition, CPC (Control of Personnel Centre), which helps post servicemen to various vocations based on their physical and mental abilities (after getting info from CMPB), would tell you that their 'establised strength' would be full for this defaulter (assuming we recommend him to go to SAF MDC). On the other hand, the pianist can easily create one specialist letter to fail his FFI for detention! (Given his age) One word from a British doctor and you would know what happens next.
Anyway, life is unfair. The SAF is unfair. It discriminates personnel based on educational levels and talent; and even to the extent of race. Other MNCs and organisations are as discriminating as the SAF or any civil service in the world. Hence, the bottomline is simple. We have no choice, but we lan lan have to serve, have to serve.
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zeligdhilee breaking the MUSIC.
23:00
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Big Brother is watching...
I think some of my sharp-eyed friends and colleagues of mine would have read
this today. Yes, this is not my first time I've written to the Straits Times, but I was really surprised that they really decided to publish it. This is my first article that got published in a public newspaper. As usual, any person whose letter gets published in any newspaper has to accept the fact that their letter will be edited in one way or another... Anyway, below is my original letter. In bold, of course are the edited portions.
I refer to the article "Get Mindef clearance before posting it" (ST, Nov 20 2005) with regards to Mr Miyagi's army postings in his blog. As an avid blogger and reader of his blog, I feel am relieved that Mindef has let him off with a warning, and has even allowed his second blog "Singapore Army Stories" to continue on remain.
I acknowledge the fact that SAF servicemen like myself have to exercise due caution when discussing our NS experiences online lest we unintentionally leak out sensitive information. However, one issue that makes causes me concern is Mindef's statement that SAF servicemen have to seek official clearance before posting military content in their blogs or websites. Technically speaking, thousands of net-savvy NSFs like myself and NSmen have actually flouted military law as we discuss when we discussed our NS experiences in blogs, forums and in other forms of media. Taking this directive into mind, this Seeking official clearance is a time-consuming process for both the serviceman as well as for and Mindef's Military Security Department (MSD), which is already bogged down with greater security challenges than such issues over blogs.
This being so, may I hence suggest that Mindef come up with a set of blogging-specific guidelines to help servicemen like myself to know when we're they’re crossing the line, as well as be transparent on the specific do and don'ts. This is not meant to tighten the grip on bloggers us, but to give us (including Mr Miyagi) peace of mind with sufficient freedom to express our views on the rich NS experience that thousands of male Singaporeans have undergone, as well as to allow for constructive criticism and evaluation of our NS life where necessary. In addition, it might even reduce the need for a serviceman's need to go through the tedious process of consulting the MSD. As we move towards a 3G SAF (which will exploit information and command and control technologies fully to fight battles effectively and efficiently), a 3G SAF not only must we must not only embrace and be accommodating towards 3G technology but 3G policies that help catalyse the SAF towards this goal, being in a swift, and secure way. fulfilling and of course, secure path.
I must first thank the Straits Times not only for publishing my article, but also in helping me in two things. Firstly, they helped me to clean up my rather rusty language expression. (How am I going to be a journalist if I continue to write like this?) Secondly, they made readers go guessing what exactly was my service status (even though Mindef Public Affairs [PAFF] would have figured it out anyway) and hence not lead to further speculations over the varied opinions of servicemen from regulars to NSFs. In addition, they made me sound very tactful in the newspaper, something which I have not been able to master whenever I write such critiques of various issues. They even reduced my usual hawkish and affirmative tone which I often use in my essays back in my JC days. Have they have not done so, I could be awaiting a war of words in both the online and offline arena. Anyway, go read Mr Miyagi’s blog for his take on military blogging which was published in today's TODAY paper.
Now I know why some Singaporeans who possess alternative views do not really fancy papers like the Straits Times. I shall not go into the details lest it affects my upcoming grand designs, but I would suggest that you visit this website called
Singabloodypore . Our local media reports so comprehensively in both the local and foreign arena that we find ourselves ignoring what the foreign press says about us. Hence, if you wanna open your minds further, this website might be a good place to start with. And of course, Big Brother is watching you.
So far, there has been no reaction to my article (quite muted in my camp as all of my superiors are busy with
this. When they return next week, no one knows what they’ll say. If you have any comments, do not hesitate to leave a tag, comment, or even an email if you need some privacy.
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zeligdhilee breaking the MUSIC.
23:01
Sunday, November 13, 2005
Going red
MSN Messenger seem to be taking some time away from my blogging regime. MSN allowed me to check out old friends whom I’ve not have the chance to meet face-to-face. As a result, the things I tend to discuss on this blog tend to end up being tackled at MSN Messenger. A very good example is that of France’s Civil Disobedience. We found ourselves comparing the less-educated logisticians of the SAF to that of the French minorities, which Jigar indirectly created this link. He reminded me not to be elitist, lest these logisticians choose to emulate these youngsters in France.
Anyway, time seems to fly fast. We’re having a scarlet Christmas in Orchard Road, and a musical one. I would say that the light-up is quite average in its outlook, and I have the feeling that a local is behind the design of these lightings. That criticism made by one reader to the Straits Times made me wonder why he was so worked out over whether the decorations had depicted Chinese New Year rather than Christmas. After all, Santa Claus wears red clothes. Singapore is an Asian country. We want to tell our visitors how ‘unique’ our cosmopolitan city celebrates Christmas. Just as the Chinese believe that red is an auspicious colour, why not we infuse this in our unique Christmas celebration? By the way, read the fine print as you walk. There’re stories and song lyrics on the banners. I am waiting to see how Centrepoint and Tanglin Mall decorate their buildings. These two shopping never seem to run out of ideas for their Christmas decorations, unlike the light-up organizers.
And speaking of red, Alpha Company, our fellow JC friends in First Commando Battalion, which has been split into First and Second Company will be getting their red beret this Friday. However, what is more important is the climax of their ten months of arduous training is the 72km Route March coming this Wednesday and Thursday. The 72km Route March is the last and hardest hurdle that a Commando must conquer before he is rewarded with the Stiletto and of course, the prestigious Red Beret. The journey has been very hard, with at least a quarter of the 250 people who enlisted in January already OOC due to injuries. So, if you happen to hovering around East Coast Park on Wednesday night and Thursday morning, cheer them on. The last thing you should say is that you’ve either ORD, or you’re wearing a khaki beret.
However, no one desires to see red in terms of the bloody and gory red. Thank goodness little blood was shed in France, but the damage was horribly devastating. I dare say that this is only the beginning of the next revolution in France’s history. 1789 was the revolution of the marginalized Third Estate, as they sought to bring about social and wealth equity and usurp power from the minority nobility and clergy; under the slogan of ‘Liberty, Equality and Fraternity’. 2005 has told us that the French Revolution of 1789 is now a farce, and that the 1789 slogan is nothing but a utopian ideal. We now have the ethnic and marginalized minorities revolting against the white-dominated society. By destroying property, they’re attempting to destroy the opulent and unfair job practices that the Europeans tend to practice.
Perhaps France might want to take a cue from the Civil Rights Movement that grappled the US in the 60s and 70s. Back then, the African-Americans were fighting against discriminatory practices in terms of jobs and even bus seats (remember Rosa Parks). However, Europe now finds itself in a crisis of confidence. It’s a red crisis which could threaten to put Europe in a state of terminal decline. The Age of Enlightenment was the time where they propagated new ideas like Nationalism, Socialism, Liberalism and so on. Today, they’re betrayed and engulfed by these ideas. Such is the irony of their ideas that if they fail to follow their ideas properly by allowing discrimination, corruption and protectionism to define their selfish personality, they’ll see even more red, in terms of blood, and a declining economic output. Hence, this crisis that Europe faces is going to take years to solve. The US had a very hard time dealing with people with the likes of Rosa Parks and Martin Luther; so Europe can continue to face this problem of integration for a long time. I think it’ll take an entire generation’s worth of changing of mindsets..
So that’s all about going red for now… Anyway I’ve seen enough of red stuff in the newspapers…. I hope I do not have to go red this week thanks to arguments or problems that plague my life in the army….
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zeligdhilee breaking the MUSIC.
17:50
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Of rankings
A/N: Qiong Hui, we'll never know if Mrs Lim ever reads blogs. She admitted that she read the online forums to find out the general sentiments of TJCians about the college as well as their opinions to various issues. Just to tell you something, if you peer through one of Megan's old posts in her blog, you'd realise that she mentioned my OOC from BMT a few days after I annouced it here. When I returned to TJ to collect my A level results, Houston came to me and said,"How are you. Megan told me that you got 'decommissioned' in the army." and hence expressed his concern. Mr Bala also echoed the same sentiment. What does it show? It shows that Megan had told all the debators and Mr Bala everything about me in the army. I wouldn't be surprised if all the TJ tutors read my blog, courtesy perhaps to Megan and Mr Bala. By the way, one of Megan's good friends is in Hendon, so he could be the eye of Megan in Hendon Camp as I busily suffle through my classified documents. By the way, it was Mrs Lim's intention to make TJ run like SMU. She created seminar rooms specially for the IP students. And I would support her for doing that.
I was peering into the newspapers when I came across an article reporting about the Times University Rankings. I found myself glued to that article for it could swimg my decision of whether I should ever stay in NUS in the first place. NUS was ranked 22, and as usual, the Ivy League Schools and Oxbridge were dominating the top spots. In Asia, Tokyo and Beijing were the tops apart from NUS. NUS was ranked higher than the Canadian Universities and all the Australian Universities save Monash. With regards to the sciences, NUS however lags at number 34 compared to the top US and UK universities… It is not in the top 50 in terms of the arts (like history, geography, language studies). Nevertheless, it is ranked no. 13 in the social sciences (like politics, philosophy, economics). The Ivy League, Oxbridge and the London schools as usual dominate the top positions in all categories.
To be frank, I am really at a dilemma as to whether I should even go overseas or not. Scholarship organisations expect their applicants to make an effort to apply to universities of their choice. I don’t intend to go to the US. Heard too much negative news about it, from the degree of discrimination and anarchy to the level of academic work. Even the Commando SAFOS scholar who studied in UC Berkeley advised me not to go to the US. I do not wish to waste my time and money on the new SAT I exams. With regards to the UK, I guess I have overshot e deadline to submit my applications via TJC’s UCAS system, let alone disturbing Mr Thompson over my personal statement. After all, as a cross-faculty student I wanted equal exposure to both the arts and sciences, something which the UK does not entertain, and that NUS may not guarantee. (Despite entry into USP.) So, what’s next? Canada…
Only McGill University, which is Canada’s top university (24) is close enough to that of NUS (22). However, I do not fancy McGill because it is located in the French-speaking state of Quebec. I understand from my mother that French-speaking people are rather snobbish towards Asians compared to the British. That leaves University of Toronto (29) and the University of British Columbia (38). University of Toronto offers an Environmental Management Course in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences which interests me greatly for it integrates economics and politics with the environmental sciences content. The University of British Columbia has an established exchange link with NUS and they even offer an award scheme for students involved in this exchange programme! This university has the strongest link with Singapore among all the top Canadian universities.
Unfortunately, rankings just seem to affect the way I perceive the universities of the world. The Singaporean perception of rankings just seem ironic here. Students curse about rankings because they are forced to do things against their personal interests and self-enrichment in order to bring up their school’s ranking. SAF regulars and DXOs worry about their pay, their rank and their standing in their units thanks to annual ranking exercises conducted by their manpower branches, where their commanders fight to push their servicemen/women to the apex where possible. All of them hate to ‘hentak kaki’. On the other hand, parents complain that the MOE’s scrapping of the ranking system makes it even harder to compare and to choose schools for their children. Our government boasts about its top-ranking economic competitiveness as well as our clean governance when attracting foreign investors, yet attempt to shrug off the fact that we are among the bottom in terms of press freedom. Now I myself, and perhaps other prospective undergraduates and scholars, rely on rankings to make our choices rather than to sieve through patiently the prospectus or bother to make our own judgement. For example, when we look at a UK university, we tend to chase the courses that are rated 5*. The UN HDI indirectly ranks all countries in terms of its social and economic development.
The world of rankings is so ironic. We need rankings so much when we want to make an informed choice, but one we have made our informed choice, we loathe rankings because we feel enslaved by it. We feel paranoid when we see ourselves go down, or when our rivals rise up higher than us. We never seem appeased with rankings. That’s the sad reality of the Darwinian society.
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zeligdhilee breaking the MUSIC.
20:28
