The Claim by ESI that Singaporeans are the Happiest People in Asia (Online)

Calvin Chu Yee Ming, a partner at Eden Strategy Institute. "He has advised over a hundred Fortune 500 clients in more than 20 countries" [ESI]

Background

Eden Strategy Institute (ESI) made headlines by claiming that Singaporeans are Asia's happiest people online.

Citations

Eden Strategy Institute

"Singaporeans are Asia’s happiest people online"

Today Online

"Contrary to perception — backed up by a Gallup poll last year that claimed the fewest number of adults here experienced positive emotions — a survey based on what people are saying on social media claims that Singaporeans are among Asia’s happiest people."

Jentrified Citizen

"Eden Strategy Institute (ESI) made a flawed claim that Singaporeans are the Happiest in Asia using a survey based on what people are saying on social media."
"Essentially, this survey was done without interviewing anyone for their views on whether they are happy or unhappy."

The Heart Truths

A rather comprehensive rebutal
"When I first saw the article, ‘Singaporeans among Asia’s happiest, says social media survey’ in the Today newspaper, I did not know which part of the article to pick on, because every part could be easily refuted."
"only 5 countries were surveyed in this index and they are all in the South and Southeast Asian region."
"Eden Strategy Institute is actually based in Singapore"

Comments

I think this survey result will make people even angrier than they already are. They will probably be even more vocal to voice out their dissatisfaction fearing that their grievances have not been heard.
I now also have much less respect for ESI and the associated people due to this very dubious Happiness Index Score. This issue does not reflect very well on the abilities of Singapore companies.

The Claim that Sarawak Dirty Money is Hidden in Singapore

Background

Global Witness, an international NGO, has caught on video, a conversation with a Kuching-based lawyer, Alvin Chong who claimed that transactions have been done in Singapore to avoid real property gain tax.

Citations

Global Witness

Video of the sting operation.

Yahoo! Singapore

"GW: Is there no communication between Singapore and here?
Chong: That's why we choose Singapore. The Singapore government has a China Wall... a firewall. They will not tell the Malaysian government nothing.
GW: Is that because the Malaysian government don't ask them?
Chong: They ask them but they've been turned down. Sorry, it's none of your business... They are the new Switzerland. We operate Singapore accounts too, both personal and corporate entities."

New York Times

"For $650 more, A&P offered to open a bank account to stash my fledgling operation’s money in Singapore — a country, the Web site also noted, that “cannot gather information on foreigners’ bank accounts, bank-deposit interest and investment gains under domestic tax law.”"

Comments

In long term, it is politically unwise and economically unsound to allow criminals to stash their money in Singapore. The reputation of Singapore as an orderly, law-abiding country is being damaged.

The Wikileaks Revelation of Singapore

Thanks to Wikileaks, we know what the diplomats were thinking

Background

"The United States diplomatic cables leak, widely known as Cablegate, began in February 2010 when WikiLeaks—a non-profit organization that publishes submissions from anonymous whistleblowers—began releasing classified cables that had been sent to the U.S. State Department by 274 of its consulates, embassies, and diplomatic missions around the world." [Wikipedia]

Citations

Wikileaks: Singapore Embassy

Original Wikileaks cables

Diary of Singaporean Mind

Summary of interesting facts about Singapore from Wikileaks. "Deliberate lack of transparency in Temasek Holdings", "Govt does not want more Singaporeans to have degrees", "Lack of independence of Singapore judiciary in political cases", "Sustainablility of Singapore economic model", "Singapore's uncaring elite", "Frustration among Singapore journalists over govt control"

Comments

The content of the cables indicate that the 'internal' policies can be different than 'external' policies which are known to the public. The cables also suggest that public perception is affected by the lack of information available to the masses.

The Freedom of Press

A group of Singaporean independent activists held a demonstration outside the Singapore Press Holdings’ News Centre building on May 3 2008 via TOC.

Background

"2012 Freedom of the Press report"..."classified Singapore’s level of press freedom as 'Not Free'”. [TRE]

Citations

The Guardian

"The media is largely state-owned. Defamation and contempt laws threaten dissent."

Yahoo! News Singapore

"WikiLeaks: Significant gov’t pressure put on ST editors"

TR Emeritus

"At 149, Singapore’s ranking is worse than countries like Cambodia (143), Congo (142), Ethiopia (137), Zimbabwe (133), Libya (131), Angola (130), Algeria (125)."

Comments

I pity the journalists working at SPH having to work under such strict control. It is also very difficult for SPH to regain the trust and credibility lost which causes it to lose some readers.

The AIM Town Council Saga

Issue broke after Aljunied-Hougang GRC was taken over by Workers Party

Background

"Ms Lim also asked earlier why the 14 PAP town councils, which had developed the system, had transferred the ownership to AIM, a third party. In fact, it was revealed by Ms Lim that the system was sold to AIM in Jan 2011 and the TCs would then lease back from AIM which was registered as a $2 company"..."AIM offered to buy the software for $140,000 and manage the system for a monthly fee of $785 per TC or $10,990 for the 14 PAP TCs:" [TRE]

Citations

Yahoo! News Singapore

"Which party wanted to terminate AIM contract first?"

The Real Singapore

"Interesting History of AIM Pte Ltd"

TR Emeritus

"Hence, in the current 5-year Govt term till 2016, AIM would stand to make $10,990 x 60 months = $659,400. It’s not bad for a $140,000 initial investment, giving a return of 371%!"

Comments

Questions are being asked about transparency in Singapore. Businesses will also worry about the perceived disadvantage in finding business opportunities while competing with companies such as AIM.