Google’s Cultural Revolution and Great Leap Forward

Modern society has 'broad based' almost everything.

Broad basing does not necessarily mean 'cheapening.' However, it has resulted in the exclusive aura associated with prestigious items such as Swiss watches, platinum credit cards or air travel being diluted.

Of course, it is nice that air travel is now accessible to many households. Budget airlines have made weekend shopping trips a privilege for the middle class. Maybe not flying visits to Milan or Paris but at least short hops to Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur (KL) are within reach.

Commuting by train is passé. Today's businessman takes day trips by plane to attend urgent meetings. All the while breathing that fresh tasting aeroplane air and eating that finely prepared designer airline food!

The airport is much like a bus stop or community center. Finding a seat in a Business Class lounge is harder than locating a seat at La Pau Sat food court during lunchtime.

That's how commonplace air travel is nowadays.

How do these people pay for all this travel and shopping? A platinum (or is it titanium now?) credit card of course. Normal coloured credit cards are not issued any more.

It's not the 'democratization' of platinum credit cards, the Rolex watches or the air travel that bothers me. Those are all good things. They reflect the general affluence which much of the world now takes for granted.

It is the transformation of the written word which gives me pause for thought.

Email and the internet make everyone into an author. Many new authors have little regard for grammar or often even spelling. The new 'hip' writing style, including text messaging, is on its way to becoming mainstream. Today's New Media author is busy writing tomorrow's classic novel.

Don't get me wrong. I am not opposed to the trend.

The internet is a free medium. People may write whatever they like. It is up to readers to decide what they wish to read.  

I grew up in an age of long hand letter writing. As a college student I wrote a weekly 'round up' letter to my family. It was the only economical form of communication with loved ones. Long distance phone calls were a luxury.

The written word was sacred. A letter created its own contract between the sender and the recipient. A letter is definitive, final and lasting. It can be referred to in the future and be reread so often it becomes a part of one's memory.

Today we are creating written content faster than burning a hole in the ozone layer. There are millions of new daily blog posts.

What is so sacred about a mass produced product like a 250 word blog post. Yet the words keep flowing. On this blog and the thousands of new ones started daily.

I don't know what keeps me going. Maybe it's holding a conversation with unknown people that keeps me writing. Perhaps it has more to do with a desire to create my own personal Speakers Corner.

Welcome to the New Cultural Revolution as led by Google.

Google's Cultural Revolution is all about freeing up the written word from the shackles of conventional grammar and spelling.

Pepper Crabs in JB, no white card required

The APEC Summit winds down with calls for everything from a new free trade area to a reordering of the world economy. In the context of increasing integration, Singapore - Malaysia relations are worth revisiting.

Despite the tumultuous start to Singapore's nationhood, practical considerations have been paramount in dictating the friendship between the two neighbours.

The Tuas Singapore - Malaysia Second Link was opened in 1978 to ease traffic flows between the two countries

Of course, spats between the two countries erupt from time to time. The causeway, the immigration checkpoints, Pedra Branca islets and the cost of water all have their place in the relationship. They are real issues which bureaucrats must ultimately resolve.

Still, the Pedra Branca dispute resolution underlines the 'matter of fact' ties between the two countries. In a businesslike manner, the territorial disagreement was taken to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at the Hague, Netherlands.

Since the ICJ's decision in early 2008 both nations have responded positively to the judgement and termed the verdict a 'win-win' for both. Quite rightly, neither side wishes to turn the territorial dispute into a protracted issue.

Geography has mandated that the fate of Singapore and Malaysia is connected.

Malaysia is Singapore's largest trading partner, both as a source of goods (imports) and a destination (exports). The value of total trade between the two sides has been above SGD 100 billion since 2006.

Trade is one side of the story. Family, work and leisure linkages complete the picture.

Almost every Singaporean has travelled to Johor Bahru (JB) for food and shopping at some point in their life. To Singaporeans, Johor Bahru is better known by its affectionate nickname, JB. Singaporeans crossing into JB constitute almost 50% of Malaysia's annual tourist flows.

Many Malaysians work in Singapore and commute into the country on a daily basis. It is estimated 300,000 Malaysians work in Singapore, of which approximately 150,000 commute from JB every day.

The Causeway is used by about 60,000 vehicles daily, with additional weekend traffic to cater to Singaporean searching for sea food and shopping bargains.

Undoubtedly, JB's economy is tightly connected to Singapore's growth.

APEC and the region's mandarins are mulling how to deepen regional cooperation and further liberalize trade flows.

Singapore and Malaysia can blaze a trail for others to follow by reducing travel formalities between the two countries. Like crossing a border between two continental European nations, Singapore and Malaysia should gradually do away with the need to fill out forms and have mandatory entry / exit stamps on passports.

Passport checking should be random. Some may argue that illegal immigration or smuggling will increase if the borders were deregulated.

Customs and immigration are two entirely different arrangements. Customs formalities should remain as stringent as presently.

Given the strict punishments imposed on employers for hiring undocumented workers in Singapore, the crime should remain in check. In Singapore, illegal employment is not merely a matter of sneaking into the country. It is more about finding a criminally wilful employer willing to risk fines and jail time for employing illegal workers.

Earlier this decade, during the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) crisis the Singapore and Malaysian Ministries of Health (MOH) treated the two nations as 'One Unit' for the purposes of controlling the spread of the disease. With the extent of travel and trade between the two countries it was impossible to do otherwise.

It is time the Home Teams' of Singapore and Malaysia take a leaf from the MOH book. Increased integration between the two nations is more about easing practical bureaucratic considerations at the Causeway than about photo shoots at APEC Summits.

Temasek Holdings: transparency and accountability

Temasek's transparency won the organisation a perfect score on the Linaburg-Maduell Transparency Index and this is good news.

Transparency, however, is only one aspect of accountability. Corporate accountability calls for an independent board of directors which asks management tough questions about investment strategy and performance.

In Temasek's case, the board of directors comprises nine members, seven of whom have some nature of linkage with the Government. This is not necessarily a flaw per se.

Yet, others may argue that it inhibits their independence as directors. Consequently, the board's contribution to improving Temasek's corporate governance is reduced.

Certainly, one is conscious of the Government's desire to retain control over a strategic organisation such as Temasek. Nonetheless, there are approaches that may satisfy both board independence and government control.

The Ministry of Finance, Temasek's sole shareholder, should consider the structure of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (Calpers) board of directors.

Calpers, a body established by the state of California, has a 13-member board. Seven are appointed by the California government and six are elected independently. Thus, a board majority is retained by the Government.

Perhaps the Temasek board can be expanded in a similar manner. Seven directors appointed by the Government and six nominated by appropriate private sector bodies such as the Securities Investors Association (Singapore), Singapore Investment Banking Association and Association of Banks in Singapore.

It is useful to remember that all board members require the President's concurrence so any unacceptable nominees can be screened out.

Inducting significantly more independent private sector expertise into Temasek's board may not only improve its performance, but also sends a strong signal to Singaporeans that the Government and the people are in Temasek's investment journey together.

The above is the text of my letter published in the Straits Times on November 11, 2009 under the title, "Kudos to Temasek for transparency award - let's take it to next level."

Temasek's response - board members are independent

Temasek Holdings published a response in the Straits Times on November 14, 2009 under the title, "Temasek board members are independent."

The full text of the letter is reproduced below. No name was attached to the letter.

I THANK Mr Imran Ahmed for his letter on Wednesday, 'Kudos to Temasek for transparency award - let's take it to next level'.

Temasek Holdings is a commercial investor. Although the Singapore Government is our sole shareholder, it does not direct or influence our investment or divestment decisions.

Eighteen years ago, the Government initiated and put in place constitutional safeguards to protect the integrity of important Singapore institutions like Temasek. Thus, the appointment, removal and renewal of Temasek board members are subject to the concurrence of the President of Singapore.

Mr Imran's concerns that 'seven' out of nine Temasek board members 'have some nature of linkage with the Government' are also misplaced.

Our board members, comprising reputable Singaporeans and non-Singaporeans, are appointed on the basis of their relevant experience, integrity and the independence of mind they bring to our board deliberations.

A considered examination of their backgrounds would show that they are well qualified in their own right with a majority having independent non-government business or corporate leadership track records.

While the Government may have tapped them for government committees or boards of public institutions, such pro-bono 'linkages' do not make them any less independent or suitable as Temasek board members.

Ultimately, our board has the responsibility to discharge its fiduciary duty with care, integrity and wisdom, and to act in the best interest of Temasek and its stakeholders to deliver sustainable long-term returns.

Of Steve Tyler, grandparents and healthcare

The great Islamic theologian and founder of scepticism Al-Ghazali said that the best way to live is to always have death as the foremost thought in our mind. Death brings life back into perspective. It helps us decide the important from the not so important.

A friend's grandfather passed away recently.

The news got me thinking of my own childhood and recollections of my grandparents. Unfortunately, I never really had the privilege of getting familiar with any of my four grandparents.

I remember my maternal grandmother as a frail old lady who hardly moved from her bed. I could not have been more than a few years old at the time of her death. My family lived in a different city from her and hardly interacted. When she passed away her death was not a major tragedy for me.

My paternal grandmother's passing away was my first exposure to death.

I remember wondering why everyone in our house was crying. Someone told me that grandmother had gone to heaven and we will not be seeing her anymore. Pray for her.

As a child, the death of both grandmothers' did not seem important.

Having seen grandparents 'at play' with their progeny, I now understand that I missed a precious experience. Unconditional love coupled with patience that is sometimes absent even from parents. (I guess parents are concerned with discipline.)

Age and experience does equate to greater wisdom.

Children surely benefit from being around older people. It is not that young parents are unskilled at parenting. Child rearing is an innate talent which humans have genetically developed over centuries. But there must be a difference between a mother in her 20s handling a child and an older woman who has done it all before?

There is a reality attached with being a developing nation, poverty and poor health care. Anyone who has visited South Asia will understand that reality. Despite significant economic progress in the last few decades, life expectancies are still low.

Singaporeans can legitimately complain about many things. One thing that they cannot complain about (or at least not too loudly) is the quality of domestic healthcare. It has pushed life expectancies up to first world levels within one generation.

Living into your seventies and eighties means that kids get a chance to play with healthy grandparents. To me that is important news.

Steve Tyler quitting Aerosmith is also news, but perhaps only important to Liv Tyler and her four year old son Milo!

Applied for your Singapore blogging license yet?

Blogging is a hapless business. Content is served up free for anyone who visits the site, either by chance or intentionally. Often, hours of work is summed up in a few moments by busy readers.

That is, unless you happen to court controversy. Then you pay the price, good and bad, for doing so.

Blogging is part of today's media. It is still finding a viable corner for itself in the media landscape but it is trying hard. Just as the word has entered our dictionary for good, bloggers are here to stay.

Blogging will not go away anytime soon.

Courting controversy as a blogging 'marketing' strategy is dangerous business, especially in strictly controlled societies. Consider the example of 'celebrity' Cuban dissident blogger Yoani Sanchez.

Last week Ms. Sanchez and a colleague were allegedly assaulted by Cuban security agents while walking to a rally. It is believed the objective is to intimidate Ms. Sanchez and fellow bloggers from criticizing the Cuban government.

If you want to help spread an idea then arrest someone. I am sure visitors to Ms. Sanchez's blog have skyrocketed since the assault.

Singapore, of course, is a more civilized society. There is no need to assault anyone. The recourse is via legal means and will uphold the rule of law. Exactly the approach one would expect in any enlightened society.

Singapore's famous Internal Security Act (1963) and laws pertaining to defamation are the weapons which bloggers should fear. Ask the Wall Street Journal or the now defunct Far Eastern Economic review about the efficacies and intricacies surrounding Singapore's defamation laws.

Still, I seem to have missed some dramatic changes in Singapore in the last five years. Singapore's blogosphere is not just vibrant but at time venomously hostile to the establishment. To date, I am unaware of any person sued into bankruptcy for their writings.

My apprehension is that some irresponsible site will cross the government's (unknown) line in the sand. Subsequently, Singapore's super efficient state apparatus will initiate close supervision of even the most obscure domestic sites.

No doubt a licensing regime of some sort will be implemented.

Once that happens many Singaporean bloggers may have to find another pastime. Their raison d'être is habitual government and PAP bashing. Surely, the axe will fall on many bloggers.

Me, I like to think that I can look MM Lee in the eye if he questions me about this site's content. We may not agree on some of my opinions but that is healthy, I hope!

MM Lee talked about the necessity of US engagement in SE Asia. The balance of power has to be maintained in Singapore's blogosphere too. At the very least, we can rely on the US State Department condemning the arrest of an 'innocent' blogger, on human rights grounds.

Still, I wouldn't stand around waiting for citizen journalism to be rescued by US diplomacy; Free trade and APEC diplomacy might just be more important to the US-Singapore relationship?

Locally manufactured versus imported Muslims: Malay-Muslims and ‘other’ Muslims

The life of an idea is never dull. At least the life of those ideas that survive. Many die a natural death. Some linger and transform our lives, often after a charismatic public figure adopts and propagates the philosophy. Like Marx or Mao.

And if you want to spread the word quickly, arrest the person who is preaching the gospel. A fine idea will surely mushroom when forcibly repressed.

That is exactly what happened to the former Mufti of Malaysia's Perlis state. Earlier this month, Dr. Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin was arrested by the Selangor Islamic Department for preaching without authorisation.

The Straits Times headline read 'Maverick cleric arrested for preaching.' Headlines are bait for any reader and I am a sucker for 'maverick Islamic clerics!'  

An unorthodox Islamic cleric has got to be good news for modern Islam. When orthodoxy means whipping a woman for drinking beer then any 'maverick Islamic cleric' fascinates me.

The cleric's arrest appears to be a political ploy to pressure him in one direction.  

Dr. Asri is wanted on both sides of the political aisle in Malaysia, the ruling party and the opposition. The reason for Dr. Asri's popularity is clear. His Islamic pronouncements combine modern realities with the spirit of the religion.

His popularity with me increases the more I read about him.

After all, Dr. Asri is a credible Islamic scholar who lends support to at least one view which is dear to me. That being Muslim does not equate with being Malay – a belief fairly common in Singapore.

Dr. Asri believes a decoupling of being Malay and Muslim is necessary. According to Dr. Asri, Malays have not been 'Islamized' but instead they have been "meMelayukan (to influence with Malay) Islam." While speaking about Malay rights (in Malaysia) he stated, "Do not in your efforts to defend Malay rights relate it to Islam. Islam was not sent down by God to protect Malays but all of humanity."

The statement unambiguously advises against using the terms Malay and Muslims either synonymously or even together, i.e. Malay-Muslims. Of course, one can be a Malay-Muslim but to categorize all Singaporean Muslims as such is incorrect.

Any non-Malay who happens to be Muslim occupies a no-man's land. In my case, is my mandatory contribution to the Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA) or to the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS)? By law SINDA gets my money. But maybe I have more in common with MUIS than I do with Singapore's Tamil community?

It is time to drop the racial prefixes and suffixes which are all too common in Singapore. I am simply a Singaporean Muslim (who sometimes has views not shared by MUIS).

The reality is that if I really wish to understand Dr. Asri's Islamic philosophy I must learn Malay – he is a Malay-Muslim!