// PSI reads 73 but I think it's like 150//

Recently, there is this highly publicised suicide case involving a man jumping off the platform at Chinese Gardens MRT.
Sad, I would say, when financial help begins to pour in only when a person dies.
This just brings attention to the issue whether the government is doing enough to help the poor.
Usually, only after a case garnered such media attention, community self-help groups or other agencies would come out to defend themselves, saying that they did not receive any application for help from the family.
Another case I would think of is the incident whereby an undergraduate resorted to robbery to pay his university school fees.

There are 2 good reasons I can think of why people are reluctant to approach the respective self-help groups.

1. They are too ashamed of their situation and do not want others to know.
Many articles on this particular suicide case have cited this reason. Doesn't it mean that there is no care in this society?
Everybody doing their own business do not even bother about other people. You have no idea what your neighbour is doing and you have never been to their home. As long as you have your leather sofa, LCD TVs, home theatre systems, who cares about what your neighbour has? Thus, I think the blame should not be blamed solely on the family who have failed to gather help. Instead of the government heaping more help on the poor, relationships between neighbours should be promoted. However this may be difficult as even the family unit may not be as closed-knit nowadays.

2. Singapore, as one of the world's most uncorrupted countries, values evidence and proofs.
However, there may be certain loop-holes as it would be hard to prove that you are so penniless that you have been surviving on instant noodles everyday for who knows how long. If i'm not wrong, there is certain regulations that make it easier for people to upgrade their homes, say for example, from a four-room to a five room flat, and harder for people to downgrade. Well, this sort of regulation probabbly exist for a good reason but it certainly would not do the poor any justice. Many financial helping schemes probabbly requires a look at the size of your home. In addition, there are so many requirements to meet, they probabbly serve to deter people from getting the approval, rather than to serve as a platform for the poor to receive help.

// A little rain to clear the haze //

People say that when you have done your best, you will have no regrets.
Can anyone tell me what is best?

Received mel's e-mail some days ago.
I understood it fully.
It is something I'm trying to deceive myself of.
People are always superficial in front of others.
So why do I expect others to be true to themselves and other people?
It is definitely an impossible task.
Accepting superficiality of people would probabbly be a better choice.
I wish I can be less idealistic.

//haze-reduced visibility to under 5 km//

Silence is golden.
But what can gold buy?
Gold can buy smiles and laughter.
But it cannot buy happiness, nor an A level cert.

PM Lee calls for responsible journalism which will help improve the lives of people

Mr Lee was speaking at the 7th Asian-European Editors' Forum.
Citing Japan, Mr Lee said that it has been very successful at improving people's lives without an aggressive media.
He said: "Their approach is different from the Western one but it suits Japan's culture and circumstances and has contributed to Japan's success. As with the political system, in the media too, each country will have to evolve its own model of the media that works for it."
Mr Lee said that even in this Internet age, there will still be a role for serious journalism.
That's because people still want information sources which are reliable and insightful.
Using Singapore as an example, Mr Lee said that the government manages the Internet with a light touch but still applies the same defamation and sedition laws to it.
And the government is mindful of the increasing impact of the new and changing technology.
Mr Lee said: "Our position will evolve as we feel our way forward, but we do not believe that we should just drift with the tide. We still need anchor points that reflect our values, our vulnerabilities and our ambitions.
"The media in Singapore must adapt to these changes, do their best to stay relevant and continue to contribute constructively to nation building."
As economies develop, Mr Lee emphasised the need for good governance.
Mr Lee added that as new generations come of age, they will want to have more say in their countries' affairs.
"Leaders must be able to respond creatively to this new situation and political systems must evolve to remain effective. Each country, including Singapore, will have to make changes in its own way and strike its own point of balance, taking into account its unique circumstances," he said.
Mr Lee said Asian countries face major challenges despite the positive economic outlook.
But groupings like ASEAN and the Asia-Europe Summit Meetings can help establish greater relations and encourage dialogues.
Mr Lee said: "ASEAN aims to be the centre of these networks of cooperation both within Asia, between Asia and Europe, as well as the Pacific with the US. But to play this role, ASEAN must also be a strong and cohesive organisation, able to partner China and India effectively."
Mr Lee was addressing some 40 international editors from countries like China and France.
When asked during a question and answer session about Temasek Holdings' deal with ShinCorp, Mr Lee said it was a commercial decision which also reflected Singapore's confidence in Thailand's economy.
He added that Temasek complied with the rules and requirements of Thailand when inking the deal.
On Mr Lee wanting to build a more open society, a German editor asked why that was not reflected in Singapore's treatment towards civil society organisations during the International Monetary Fund-World Bank Meetings here recently.
Mr Lee said Singapore allows views to be articulated, at the same time, ensuring a stable and honest political system.
He explained why certain civil society representatives were barred from entering Singapore, citing one who had run-ins with the law in other countries.
He said: "There was one chap who had broken into the World Bank offices in Washington and stolen confidential documents and had gone to Seattle and broken some other laws. And he had every intention of coming here to do no good.
"Why should I allow him in? So we said, these, we have to vet one by one. It became an issue so we said, 'all right, if you vouch for them, I'll let most of them in but these last 5, I want to make absolutely sure they're not going to cause trouble here'. I think that's quite reasonable.
"I don't mind anybody coming to have a dialogue, debate, conversation. But I don't see why I should have a riot as happened in Prague in 2000 or in Hong Kong in 2005, last year, at the WTO Meeting. That's not democracy." - CNA/ir

//evaluation//
-erm...fret not, I think the media here is very loyal to the govt. haha.
so there will still be the so-called "responsible media" for years to come... that is discounting online media and printed newsletters by WP and CSJ.
-oh..sure we are all so lucky to have such a kind govt who protects our peace and stability so much... but one wonders if such policy has made s'poreans become frogs in the well...
-as stated, riot is not equal to democracy? hmm... then it means that we are the best example of democracy?

// hazy but can still see the moon //

Mooncake festival!
Quite dumb, but when I was eating mooncake just now I was thinking about Zhu Yuan Zhang, and the history of mooncake.
Thanks to this great man, we got to savour mooncakes on this day.
Ok lah, no holiday, but it's something to look forward to every year.
Well.. I can't make a choice between traditional skin or iced skin, can't live without both =p

Anyway, enough said about that...
prelims results were back last week and I got CDE C5
an improvement from mid yr but no change from promos..
ok, it's impossible to get to uni with this kind of results..
so just got to work harder and cross my fingers.
Either I get into uni or try appealing into MI.
At worst, just be a private candidate next yr.
No fear.