Tan Jee Say: S$500k is enough for me

[Scoots]

Yes, the key word is about "Balance". For this, we do not coined TJS as an extremist. He merely aired something that is probably unpleasant to some and offended someone along the way . To have an outspoken EP (not confrontational) on policies affecting the countrymen is still better to pay 4m to someone to perform ceremonial job and just keep quiet.

 

With an EP keeping numb, people would have the inclination to think that he agrees with all the policies imposed by the ruling party and not showing any concerns to the commoners.

 

If an independent person is voted as an EP, it will send an even stronger signal to the govt to come out with more effective corrective measures not merely imposing some quick fixes. Some of these measures are actually implemented that affect you an I without us knowing it, just too high handed.

 

My 2 cents worth.

 

Regards,

 

My 2 cents:

While I won't go so far as to label him as extremist, from what's he's been saying even prior to the outburst on ISA, I see that he has issues with PAP. Unfortunately, my expectation of an EP is that he needs to be able to recognise that the people he will be working with is the Government fo Singapore, NOT PAP.

[Joseph22]

What industry are you working in now?

 

 

 

I cited Tuas as an example with the biggest area of large factories. Definitely there are other indistrial areas like Woodlands and Changi.

I'm previously working in the manufacturing industry, and decided to make a jump out of it when I saw the up up down down whether it is never stable.

Now in the service industry, I got a much better pay compared to had I stayed on. I've a relative who is also doing manufacturing, having his factory here up till the mid 90s when he decided to relocated to M'sia and now finally to Vietnam. Cost is the number one factor. Now is business is doing well and he never regretted his decision to move out. And during my home renovations, my contractor told me if I get the carpenter works done in M'sia, it'll be cheaper than getting the local carpenter. I opt to get it done in M'sia and till now there's no compromise in quality and the cabinets are still as good, minus wear and tear.

 

Manufacturing is very related to demand and supply. When customers have too much inventory, they'll not place further orders. The fall of USD means adding up more costs to manufactuers here who trade their products in USD since salary here is paid in S$, like my former company.

 

Anyway, TJS recommended moving towards a service based industry and not one that shuts down manufacturing overnight. Both will still co-exist with other industries, but we must be relasitc to the future. Manufacturing will not last long here, back in the 70s or 80s, robotics were used to have less reliance on labour. Eventually manufacturing will decline here. It'll be too late to push for other industries when manpower needs to be trained. As for those in the manufacturing line, the government had been advocating for retraining and upgrading. I did that before moving off to another industry.

 

[Cerano]

So are you advocating that such indutries should be phased out?

 

Hong Kong and New York are ahead in SIngapore in the financial sector, let's phase that out too.

We're definitely no weapons maker or developer by a long shot ... so let's shut down all the DSTA and STEngineering groups too...

We've been hearing complaints about Singapore service standards definitely not up to par when measured against countries like Japan. So lets phases out all the F&B and hospitality industry while we're at it

So I'd guess thae leaves us all applying for a job in Changi Airport since it's voted #1 airport for quite a number of years already?...of course, should it get overtaken then I think the whole nation will be out of a job already then.

 

As a fellow forumer tried to educate you phasing out manufacturing will start a chain of events.

 

Citing semicon manufacturing as an example

 

Warehousing, logistics/transportation industry will see a dip with no equipment move-ins and parts storage/movement

Vendors/Equipement makers will lose business. Sales, admin, field service jobs are on the line

Supporting industry like cleaning companies, suppliers of consumables ( shoe covers, face mask, hair nets ...) will be left with no customers

And don't forget, every manufacturing company wiill have it's own set of admin, facilities, sales, etc ... functions. All will be lost should a manufacturing company close down.

 

There is always someone better.

 

The key phrase is ability to compete

 

With our prime geo-location, we are a shoo-in to compete with the big boys like NY as we have Asia under our fingertips.

Thats why we can afford to go up against them.

 

Do you know how much it costs to buy an external DVD drive in Shen Zhen? Let me tell you USD 2.86.

 

Note to buy not to make. Think of how much a comparable one would cost to make here.

 

 

In the face of that I would like you to tell me how is it then that we are able to compete with them who can do it better, faster and cheaper?

 

 

 

As for the defense industry, you do realise that they cater to our very specific defense needs that even established firms such as Lockheed martin, Thales are unable to provide our indigenous forces with with? As for the rest of your other arguments, they are not cogent at all.

[Cerano]

Yes I acknowlege the fact that removal of manufacturing will inevitably lead to the loss of many other sister industries but it is inevitable given the lack of our ability to compete.

It is only a matter of time

[Joseph22]

Brother are you sleeping for the past few years? Based on the total number of manufacturing jobs in Singapore, how many are held by Singaporeans? I look at your reply, i want to laugh.

 

 

reading from your respond, i really want to laugh too.

 

i come from a manufacturing industries background. i can safely say. there are still a lot of local in manufacturing jobs. you think all company dont need to fulfilled the min local employee quota??

 

think about it.. those vast foreigner you are talking about are hard labour. those local i am talking about are engineers.

 

speak objectively dont just blar out for the sake of blaring..

 

have you though what are those engineer in the 40s going to do?

[Joseph22]

In manufacturing, it is all about cost. Can Singapore compete with China, Vietnam, Indonesia? To be able to compete also means that if you are in the Singaporean manufacturing sector, your pay will be lower than your average Chinese, Viet and Indonesian counterpart because of the higher overheads in Singapore.

 

Are there Singaporeans willing to take on this kind of job with low salary? The answer is obvious, as most engineering personnel and manufacturing workers in Singapore are from PRC, Malaysia and India. Singaporeans don't want the low paying job anyway.

 

If want to keep manufacturing the only solution is to go hi-tech. This will also mean lots of layoffs and retrenchment of human labour, in order to keep costs down. Same same.

 

 

yes i agree with you. go high-tech.. but that is not what Tan SJ is proposing.

[Joseph22]

You have a point there. It is the entire supply chain, even finance companies will be indirectly affected.

 

Maybe that is why the Govt emphasises re-education, skills improvement, etc. In case of any turn of events, such as manufacturing MNCs pulling out of Singapore to go to greener pastures, these complementary businesses in the manufacturing supply chain can morph their businesses into providing services to other industries.

 

But these complementary SMEs will die a natural death anyway because manufacturing in general in Singapore has lost its competitive edge for years already. Too bad, these SMEs up and down the supply chain have to live and learn (or re-learn).

now you are talking sense.

 

as Yew pointed out. Manufacturing do not just provide jobs for engineers. also for Financial ppl. its not as simple as saying remove it. then what?? do they have so many job for ppl??

[Davidklt]

Sadly, this is how most Singaporeans and forumers vote. Sad society.

 

Yep. And I totally agree with that

 

People

You are voting for a President. Not hiring the chaepest local talent possible!!... Please don't let your anger with the current administration and fustration with the crowd of 'FTs' cloud your reasoning!

 

[Joseph22]

most MNCs keep regional HQs here. Not manufacturing bases. The only exception to this would be Global Foundries

 

Some of the OnG spares provider are also keeping their manufacturing bases here.

 

do note, some Aerospace and OnG spares do not allow 3rd world country products.

[Joseph22]

Sadly, this is how most Singaporeans and forumers vote. Sad society.

that is why i am saying. this EP is becoming a jokes.

[Cerano]

Sadly, this is how most Singaporeans and forumers vote. Sad society.

 

PE: Conscious efforts needed to integrate new citizens, says Tan Cheng Bock

Posted: 21 August 2011 1919 hrs

 

SINGAPORE: Dr Tan Cheng Bock continues to promote multi-racialism, by opening an Indian restaurant, Mahaa's Spicy Corner, in Little India on Sunday.

 

However, he said it had nothing to do with the Facebook movement "Cook and share a pot of curry day" after a misunderstanding between a Chinese and Indian family over the smell of curry.

 

The movement was started following reports that a family from China sought mediation because they could not stand the smell of curry coming from the home of their Singaporean Indian neighbours.

 

Commenting on the movement, Dr Tan said conscious efforts are needed to integrate new citizens into the community.

 

Later at the Jurong Country Club, Dr Tan held a briefing for some 400 counting agents.

 

He also touched on the President's veto powers, saying they must be used carefully to safeguard the reserves without disrupting the government's operations.

 

-CNA/ac

 

still wanna go with TCB?

Edited August 21, 2011 by Cerano

[Cerano]

Some of the OnG spares provider are also keeping their manufacturing bases here.

 

do note, some Aerospace and OnG spares do not allow 3rd world country products.

 

OnG is what? Agreed but for volume products which constitutes the bulk of manufacturing, they are unable to compete

[Kelpie]

My 2 cents:

While I won't go so far as to label him as extremist, from what's he's been saying even prior to the outburst on ISA, I see that he has issues with PAP. Unfortunately, my expectation of an EP is that he needs to be able to recognise that the people he will be working with is the Government fo Singapore, NOT PAP.

 

Government of Singapore is formed by the majority, who is still PAP right? Unless, the cabinet comprises of members from the Alternative Party.

 

The next EP still needs to work with the PAP led government. This will not change until 2016 GE.

 

Regards,

 

 

[Viceroymenthol]

OnG is what? Agreed but for volume products which constitutes the bulk of manufacturing, they are unable to compete

Oil and gas

[Kelpie]

yes i agree with you. go high-tech.. but that is not what Tan SJ is proposing.

 

Just curious, in case I missed out somethings. What you guys have mentioned, was it stated in the agenda for his EP campaigning or during 2011 GE?

 

Regards,

[Joseph22]

OnG is what? Agreed but for volume products which constitutes the bulk of manufacturing, they are unable to compete

 

Oil and Gas industries.

 

yeah this sort of industries have quite a reasonable amount of local...

[Cerano]

Oil and Gas industries.

 

yeah this sort of industries have quite a reasonable amount of local...

 

ok oil and gas no doubt. however, oil and gas also depend alot on R&D which is conducted here.

 

High-tech manufacturing yes but for low end manufacturing no hope

[Joseph22]

ok oil and gas no doubt. however, oil and gas also depend alot on R&D which is conducted here.

 

High-tech manufacturing yes but for low end manufacturing no hope

 

this i agree.. unless they are supporting High-tech manufacturing. which there is a need to. you dont want to get everything from oversea especially when the lead time is long and the item become critical.

 

that is why we cannot do away with manufacturing.

Edited August 21, 2011 by Joseph22