Sunday, 16 December 2012

New Rules (Singapore) ...#4

1) Fire people from fucking up, not fucking around.

Who cares if Michael Palmer had an affair? That has got nothing to do with his job as speaker of Parliament. Same thing with the Workers Party MP a few months ago. They did nothing wrong.

What should one be fired for? Over budget on MRT and YOG by billions; flooding situation in Orchard, HDB prices too high, going on youtube and say that Singaporean live on streets etc...


2) Give recognition for a job well done.

Our football coach Raddy Avramovic is going off soon. He has won more national glory than all other coaches combined, amd yet Singaporeans and our media seem to have a good riddance attitude with him. Be careful what we wish for, because I do not see anyone being better.

3) When trying to get something, never play race card.

I initially had sympathy for the "strike" China workers, but the moment they start comparing themselves to Singaporean Malays, I got a problem there. This is Singapore. We may be majority Chinese but we are multi-racial and multi-religious. You do not like it that way, you can leave.

4) If you give one, you give all.

Again on the strike issue, if the SMRT is to give in to the strike workers demands for better lodging, then they better be prepared to do so for the other nationalities at other companies too. I agree that conditions were bad, but it would be even more unfair if only one particular nationality gets better stuff because they demand for it.

5) We have a Mr Singh International for Sikhs, where is it for our Kaurs sisters?

Sunday, 9 December 2012

My Hypocritical stance on bearskin helmets and tying of beards


As a practising Sikh, I did not have to wear a helmet over my turban during national service. I do not wear a helmet when I ride my friend’s bike.

 

So many people might assume that I would defend the right of a fellow Sikh in the UK to wear a turban instead of a Bear Skin hat when doing some parade in the British Army for the Queen of England. I do not.

 

Before I make my case, I would like to list the reason why Sikhs would not wear bear skin hats or helmets in Army and for motorcycles. It is not because Sikhs cannot do so. A Bear Skin hat can easily cover a Sikh’s turban. Sikhs in Guru Gobind Singh Ji (Our Tenth Master) time wore special helmets. And a helmet for Sikhs can be easily made for motorcycles.

 

But why do these Sikhs not want to wear helmets or any other thing on their head other than a turban. The reason is fear. If people start encroaching on Sikhs imagery with a turban, what else can they go after? Some feel that if you make Sikhs wear helmets today, will Sikhs be forced to wear a beret tomorrow which definitely would not cover a Sikhs hair?

 

I do get why they do it. In fact, I would use this sentiment in a similar manner in the second part of this blog-piece. But when it comes to this helmet philosophy I disagree.

 

Here is why. Sikhs are required to keep their hair uncut. Sikhs need to keep this hair covered. On these principles we should not compromise. Other than that, I feel we should be able to decide and apply discretion. Helmets are not meant to enslave a society, it is meant to save lives. Guru Gobind Singh Ji understood it, and had it in his army.

 

And at times, as long as we keep our hair covered and uncut, we should be able to do our jobs. What is wrong in wearing a bear skin hat over a Patka? Nothing! Wearing a bear skin hat in the parade would not make the soldier less a Sikh or more. It just means that that Sikh is doing his or her job.

 

My second stab at hypocrisy in this article is when I use the same sentiment on why Sikhs feel not the need to use helmets on motorcycles; on why Sikhs should not tie their beards. Many of my family and friends think that my reason for doing so is religious, but it is actually not.

 

Like what we do for our hair, practising Sikh men do not trim our beards or shave. However, it is a common practise for many Sikh men to tie their beards in a knot, gel the sides and put a net over it and make it look as small as possible and in their words, “making it look neat and clean.”

 

My first problem is with the phrase “making it look neat and clean.” Why, a Sikh who leaves their open their beard is not? If it is so simple in making a knot and putting some net over it was so clean and tidy, do these people not think that our Gurus would have come up with that idea?

 

Hygiene was an integral part of the Khalsa code. You wake up, you bathe first then you pray. Your body is your first place of worship you got to keep it clean and neat. And you think that our Sikhs then would not have made it a requirement if having a beard open if it was neat and tidy? Please!

 

Secondly, it is also psychological. If we are to allow someone to say that having a beard open is untidy, are we also opening up to other interpretation. A family member once told me that he cuts his beard having gel on your shirt would make it look untidy. There are entire industries where Sikhs cannot be put forward because they have turbans on their head, at times with the boss being practising Sikhs themselves. Where does the buck stop?

 

We should only tie our beards when we have to. If you are a surgeon, please tie your beard. If we need to tie our beards when handling radioactive material, we should. If you are having brain cancer and need surgery, please shave your head.

 

I have also felt the same way about people tanning or bleaching their skin. Black women should not be wearing weaves for work. It is not what on your head, its what in it that matters.

Friday, 30 November 2012

Please take down 377a

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/gay-couple-files-377a-challenge-in-high-court-114540383.html
I am grateful to be living in a country where we accept and respect all religions; where we have free thinkers and not aethists, where different religions and races can come and harmoniously create a great environment to live in. One of the best things about this is that we are governed by a secular law that is respects religious believes cultural and traditional practices and customs. 

This is the reason we have free thinkers who live harmoniously with others on this island. We do not have a problem with Chritmas, Hari Raya, Chinese New Year or Deepavali lightings and decorations. This is why roads can be closed for Thaipusam and Sikhs be allowed to serve in our army with turbans on our heads despite being minorities. Many "Westernized" countries do not share these priveleges that Singapore does.

In Western countries, most are open or are opening up to issues of same sex relations ships and marriages. In Singapore, whilst we are not closed and we do not openly hate gays like many of our fellow Asian coutnries do, we still lag behind these Western countries.

Many seem to be satisfied not to activele pursue and arrest someone for being gay. I liken this to saying that we are not actively investigating someone for being Jewish or to close our eyes to the Muslim practise of Korban. It should not be wrong in the first place. People should never be judged by the way they are (Jewish) or things they practise in private (like Muslims do during Korban).

There also comes the point that being gay is okay. I used to think that being gay was wrong too. This changed when I went to NS. There were two gay guys in my company named Aziz and Sophian in my Company. Whilst their actions were "girly" and they talk different and all, I realized that they were just like everybody else.

They were not the sex-hungry-sissy-perverts that I thought of gays to be before entering NS. Gays I meet later are like that. Singaporeans also treat gays just like any member of the society. We are no longer afraid of gays. Gays are no longer queer to us, they are just different. Just like being Malay is different from being Chinese, being gay is different from being straight.

Personally, I do not get why people want to be gay, and I also do not believe that people are born gay. But if some people are gay, so? You smoke, I get second hand smoke, increase my chance of cancer; you drink, you drive, I can die; but if you are gay, what do I lose?

Lastly, to people whose religious believes dictate that people should not be gay. I think if you think that way, then you yourself not be gay. I am a Sikh, in my religion, we do not cut hair or eat meat. So should Singapore ban barbers because of my religious beliefs? Should non-Halal stalls be banned? Should Pork and Beef be banned? Or how about meat and spices?

Lets live and let live. I think that government should really take down this 377A law. We are an inclusive society. We do not need to be scared..

Monday, 19 November 2012

Cut the BS out Sleeper

Dear Mr Sleeper,

Let me get straight to the point. Your latest article in the Huffington Post is well just full of Crap.

As this name blog suggests, I am a Singaporean. I take to heart some of the offensive things that you have posted.

1) You have got to understand that Singapore is a country that takes zero tolerance to racial insensitivities. Even though you may have different intentions, your article can inflame some idiots who think otherwise. We already have Malaysia wanting to condemn Israel latest actions and let me guarantee you that your article, in all its inaccuracies, would all but be used as proof by some Malaysian Politician to condemn Singapore for political gain. Happened before and will happen again.


2) It is not a secret that Singapore got military training from Israel in the 1960s. It may come as news to you, almost every Singaporean son knows this. Your so call research claimed that Singapore only went to Israel, India and Egypt for help; in actual fact we asked other countries for help too. My elders were amongst the many who were trained by Singaporeans under the watchful eyes of the Isrealis. India too helped Singapore prop up our Airforce back then.

No one wanted to help Singapore. Reasons include not wanting to incur the wrath of Indonesia, a large country who had issues at that time and was having a campaign in Singapore called Konfrontasi. Another reason might have been the fact that the world did not know whether Singapore had rooted the Communists out and whehter they could make a comeback. But the reason, that I believe is most credible, is that Singapore was too small a country to care about.

Israel chose to help Singapore on one condition, that Singapore recognizes Israel. And we did. Hence the military partnership.

3)  You failed to mention in your post that Singapore has chosen to stay neutral in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. What that demonstrates is that we do not interfere in affairs that do not concern us and that Israel is a friend, not an ally.

4) Singapore issues with our neighbors is nowhere close to Israel issues with hers. We have no one shooting rockets over. Singaporeans go regularly to Batam (Indonesia) and Johor Bahru (Malaysia). Many Indonesians and Malaysians work here. I personally have family in Malaysia, one of my grandmother was born there. How you equate us is beyond belief. Majority of Malaysians do not go about claiming that Singapore should not exist.

Please Mr Sleeper, as the Singlish saying goes : You better wake up your idea!

Wednesday, 1 August 2012

Something Sikh women should know

                   Ask anyone who knows me, I never intend to get married. Its nothing religious, customary and I am not gay; its just a personal preference. I rather live single happily than risk that for an unhappy marriage.

                   But I do get it that there are some practising Sikh men out there who are having trouble getting ladies. Why? Firstly, the men themselves are not the confident sort. Amongst my cousins, the most suave one is the person that wears a turban and a beard, not those who cut their hair.

                    Secondly, there is a problem amongst Sikh women that they do not want to marry a Sikh turbaned man. I do not need to go far. Some of my most beloved cousins have told me that they would never want to marry a practising Sikh, even though their own fathers are practising Sikhs.

                  There are forums online dedicated to this topic. And there are some good points that some make. There would be many Sikh men that would not even consider marrying ladies who choose to wear the Sikh Turban. I know as a matter of fact that this is true. I do not think that these people are right at all. There would be some who would not want to have women that are vegetarians. I think that this is less likely, but yes I do know that these people exist.

                    But there are other things that are utterly not true and baseless. Here are some.

1) Men do not like it and make fun of me if we have "hairy hands" ( as in hair on the skin (dermis) of the arm).

2) Men do not like it if we have hairy legs.

3) Men like plucked eyebrows, not  "bushy" ones.

These two are very common mistruths and let me tell you it is utter bull! Unless you have super long, gorilla-length-hair caused by Hypertrichosis (Werewolf Syndrome) on your arms and legs; nobody is going to give a shit. Trust me, I am a guy. Like girls talk about guys, guys talk about girls, and no one and I mean no one; ever say or think that hair on hand or legs are unattractive. And, men do not even notice your eyebrows! Unless they are gay or creeps.

4) Men do not like hairy armpits.

No. Again, if you have very long armpit hair that will be issues, but majority of the time no one gives cares! Ok. I would say that this is not as unanimous as the earlier issues, sometimes associating it with bad smell. But that can be doused down with perfume.

However, there are some guys that are "turned on" by armpit hair, those are creeps; Stay away from them!

5) Men do not like hairy privates.

I am not even going there but just to say that it is utterly not true. Also, we do not care how fair or dark it is.

6) Men think that drunk girls are fun, and girls who do not drink are a bore.

If you are fun, you are fun. Regardless if you drink or not. It is a personality trait. If guys tell you that they prefer women drunk, they are looking for trouble.

7)  Men like woman in heels / lipstick / ear rings / bangles/ nose rings / etc.

No, they grab attention, but not attarction.


Okay. Now that all these stuff are covered, what do men really see first? They would see your face first, and then move gaze down to your legs. Thats it. Then its you and your personality. If they notice you from the back, there is only slight difference in the manner that they gaze.

And ladies please do not say that I am not going to go out with that dude because the dude has a Turban or has short hair. Similarly for guys, do not care if girl is wearing a Turban or has short hair. Its really superficial. In the long run, its the both of you and how you are going to live together and all those stuff that your mum can explain it to you better than me.

My mum did not choose my dad, her brother did. If he were to be as judgemental as many people were at that time, and not see my dad for what he was rather than him having short hair, I would not be here today.

Tuesday, 3 July 2012

New Rules Singapore Version (Part 3)

1) There is record heat and cyclones in the US and India, with very hot weather in Singapore, please do not ever mention that there is no Global Warming. At least we can then move the discussion to whether its man made or natural which can also be proven with simple experiments.

2) When I say why marriage is nothing but a choice, do not look at me as if I am crazy. There are some marriages where the woman stands by her man despite being beaten to a pulp, raped or even having her kids raped; but she still stupidly stands by her man. And there are others that divorce over toothpaste. Whether its arranged or "love", its just a choice. There is no such thing as a romance or love. Best example, the Reverend Moon marriages in Korea, where people marry the person that this pastor chooses; some "couples" do not even speak the same language. Some find this romantic or right; to me its just crock.

3) Just because you are not good in the small picture; it does not mean that you do not look at the big picture. If we can overlook extramarital affairs of a CEO as long as he rakes in the cash, I see why we cannot get the man in the street to start talking about politics, economy and so on. Its with discussion that we improve. Listen, but never heed right-away.

4) " The strong in the community are men, the strength is in the women of the community." (For Sikhs) I feel that this is the single biggest drawback that we have in our religion. If we do not go out and reach out the women, still forcing them to carry out abortions, practice dowry, not inculcate Sikhi in them, then we would be in the trouble.

5) Even if you do something that another loved one does not approve of, please do not just ignore the person outright or intentionally block the person from communicating with you. That hurts more. Its as if the action that you took changes you and the relationship that you have with that person. And to that person, if in the one in a million chance you are reading this, I still love you too bro.


Tuesday, 27 March 2012

New rules (Singapore Version) #2

1) Never ever try to mass preach an individual on beliefs and not expect the individual to be defensive and volatile. Even if you think your group and you are right, you are still being the thought-rapist forcing things down another's throat.

2) No matter how one twists it, if you go after an unarmed person and you shot that person, honey you are guilty of something, at least provoking the death of that person. At worst, Zimmerman killed an innocent kid, Treyvon Martin and should kiss the noose for that.

3) Coming to how this case became famous, there are people who claim a double standard as to why the Treyvon Martin case garnered a lot of media attention and to the murder of a Muslim mother of 5. Whilst this is also a hate crime, also heinous, the bad thing about the Treyvon Martin case is that that individual did get away with that law and could get away with it again. In the Muslim mother crime case, if the criminal is caught, he or she is going to jail, going to get life or kiss the noose. So stop whining and complaining that America or the world is unfair to you.

4) If there is Peace in Syria as a result of his work; Kofi Annan deserves the Nobel Peace Prize; no questions asked. It shows how a man of esteem and respect can make anyone change the minds of the worst amongst us. Also what was the reason that they gave the Prize to US President Obama, don't know if that was a great decision in hindsight.

5) Back home in Singapore, we need to get a fucking wet weathered plan for the roads. I mean, rain and sure there is a jam one ( written in Singlish Slang here). Knn! If we have Wet-weather-plans for schools, Army and events why not one for the road? It is just not sane to expect that we come to work / school 1 hour late when it is raining or 1 hour early when it is not. Have we forgotten that we are in the tropics and that it rains more than 1/2 the year here?

Friday, 24 February 2012

New Rules (Singapore version) ... #1

NEW RULES : (Inspired by Bill Maher New Rules; but please we are Singapore, do not say things that Bill Maher can, especially when it comes to weed or religion)

1) Singaporean men should not complain about Singaporean women being too high standards when we are going around marrying other nationalities. It is not only degrading to our Singaporean women to say such false things; but what does that mean. Singaporean men go for lower standards? Foreign women are of a lower standard or are less ambitious then Singaporean women?

2) NO MORE ERP! With ERP, got Jam. No ERP, also got Jam. So why should we pay for some policy that is not working. Would you buy something that is always not working?

3) Lets not make Mother-Tongue an examinable thing. It is rather shameful to fail in a subject that you speak in all the time!!!

4) Whilst STILL on Mother Tongue, lets learn all 4 official languages of Singapore and more. Its a great way to break down barries! But do not make them examinable. It is bad enough to fail in 1 language.

5) If Hougang gets a by-election, WE GET A HOLIDAY!!!