Lesson for paper generals: How an economy fares after a coup

OK it’s Thailand but given the performance of ex-genewrals like BG Yeo, NOL’s CEO and SMRT’s CEO (still can’t fix security issues, let alone get the trains to run on time), if SAF stages a coup after a freak election, we’ll be like Thailand in no time..

Six months after the military coup in Thailand

The latest GDP figures have eked out small increases, leading the government’s economic forecasting agency to predict growth of just 1% this year.

Worryingly, since the coup, tourist numbers have fallen by 20% as travel warnings issued by governments have deterred some visitors.

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-30225826

SAF’s Aerostat System can gather data from mobile phones?

There was a lot of noise from the usual rabid anti-PAP cyber-warriors that the SAF’s aerostat system* was a waste of $ and that it would used to spy on us (Well how can it be a waste of money, if it’s used for internal surveillance? I wish these cybernuts would think before they type.), without telling us how this will happen. But because the PAP IB were rubbishing their opposing cybernuts, this made me suspect the anti-PAP paper warriors had a valid point, even if they had no idea what it was. .

Well this is how the blimp could be used to spy on us: it could carry devices that gather data from mobile phones.

Devices that gather data from millions of mobile phones are being flown over the US by the government, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The “dirtbox” devices mimic mobile phone tower transmissions, and handsets transmit back their location and unique identity data, the report claims.

While they are used to track specific suspects, all mobile devices in the area will respond to the signal.

http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-30054137

This being S’pore there is nothing to prevent the PAP administration from using these devices to gather info indiscriminately. I know, I know: M Ravi will say that such gathering of data is against the constitution. but since when has he won any constitutional challenge? Zero is the answer. But maybe in a galaxy in another universe, his grandfather drafted S’pore’s constitution, assisted by one JBJ, Ravi the Jedi is slaying the PAP dragon, constitution and all.

What such info can be used for:

“destroy, deny, degrade, disrupt enemies by discrediting them”

Nadia Kayyali, writing for the Electronic Frontier Foundation’s blog, Deeplinks, says the King letter could be a page out of the handbook of the British online intelligence unit dubbed the Joint Threat Research Intelligence Group – a group whose mission is to “destroy, deny, degrade [and] disrupt enemies by discrediting them”.

Today, she writes, that translates into rummaging through Facebook chats, embarrassing internet browsing history and emails in order to discredit any leader who threatens the status quo or to blackmail someone into becoming an informant.

Salon’s Marcy Wheeler writes that there are a lot of unknowns when it comes to the intelligence community – including who today’s targets are, if they are at the same level of importance as King or how exactly the National Security Agency or the FBI is getting information about them.

“These are not far-fetched ideas,” she says. “They are the reality of what happens when the surveillance state is allowed to grow out of control, and the full King letter, as well as current intelligence community practices, illustrate that reality richly.”

http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-echochambers-30108043

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*What CNA reported on the Aerostat System in Octber 2014

The Republic will soon have an extra pair of eyes in the sky to look out for aerial and maritime threats. The Aerostat System – a tethered balloon that uses low-level radar to detect threats as far as 200km away – will be deployed early next year.

Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen announced this on Tuesday (Oct 28)…

… with the Aerostat System, the Singapore Armed Forces will save nearly S$30 million in operating costs a year.

The system will complement the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s current suite of airborne and ground-based radars. “Our ground-based radar systems can only operate above high-rise buildings,” Dr Ng said, adding that the urban landscape in Singapore is changing, and more tall buildings are coming up.

“For a small island-state like Singapore, surveillance and early warning to give us sufficient reaction time to respond will always be a challenge but the Aerostat will improve our surveillance capabilities significantly,” he said.

More on when there is a freak election result

(Or “What else can the Thais teach us about military rule”)

Further to https://atans1.wordpress.com/2014/06/15/freak-election-training-manual-for-safs-paper-generals-and-us-40-sporeans-too/ based on what is happening in Thailand, when there is a freak election result (2016 as TRE posters are predicting) and the SAF’s paper generals stage a coup to restore the PAP protect parliamentary democracy, S’poreans will be detained for reading Orwell’s Animal Farm and 1984, and handing out food packets to passer-byes.

In Thailand, a man was detained for reading Orwell’s 1984 outside a shopping mall, while others have been detained for preparing to hand out sandwiches.For some reason, giving out sandwiches is considered a protest against the coup, not other food though.

In S’pore, the public reading of Animal Farm and 1984, will be illegal as well as sharing food. I’m also sure that bloggers who refer to Animal Farm will be prosecuted, and their blogs closed down: for defaming pigs.

But looking on the bright side, the SAF generals may do what the Thai generals are doing: spend money that Thailand may not have

IT DID not take long for Thailand’s ruling junta to discover the first lesson of building popular goodwill: when in doubt, spend. The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), the ruling junta led by General Prayuth Chan-ocha, has occupied itself in its first month in office airing out government coffers with a high-powered leafblower. It paid nearly 92.4 billion baht ($2.8 billion) to rice farmers under a subsidy scheme implemented by the deposed government of Yingluck Shinawatra. It is pondering ambitious transport schemes estimated to cost more than $72 billion.

It has also promised to clear a $21-billion backlog of projects awaiting approval from the Board of Investment (BOI)—of which Mr Prayuth has appointed himself chair. At the BOI’s first post-coup meeting, on June 18th, it approved 18 projects worth $4 billion.

http://www.economist.com/news/finance-and-economics/21606327-economy-cannot-shrug-thailands-political-problems-when-teflon-wears

The bad news is that investors don’t like coup as the above link tells us.

So the news may be that our paper generals may juz except a freak election result: so long as they can play with their toys.

Related: https://atans1.wordpress.com/2013/12/21/thailand-huge-ad-gd-pr-for-pap-govt/

“Freak election” training manual for SAF’s paper generals? And us 40% S’poreans too?

Remember the Hard Truth that the SAF could intervene if there is a “freak” election result?

Could what is happening in Thailand tell us what will happen here when in the near future when the PAP (even with the help of its near clones, the People in Blue) is unable to command a parly majority? And the SAF intervenes?

The paper generals could do worse than to follow the Thai generals and give us, for starters, free World cup footie? http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-27790396 And if its not a WC yr, then free EPL*?

Thailand’s ruling junta has ordered TV regulators to ensure that football fans will not have to pay to watch any matches at the World Cup.

This will be part of  what The military said it was part of its “happiness campaign”, which has seen a number of policy gimmicks, such as free haircuts and concerts. In S’pore, S’poreans would appreciate free hawker food and no PUB bills.

As the Economist reports:

One of their priorities is a push for Gross National Happiness. The day after the coup General Prayuth told diplomats that economic revival was a big priority. Returning happiness to the people is to be counted a separate issue, apparently. A week later, and state agencies have been reported to be working on a Happiness Index. The Nation, a pro-establishment newspaper that has come to read like a Thai variation on one of Vietnam’s Party-controlled papers, reported that under the generals all of the existing economic plans have been amended—in order to boost gross national happiness. Perhaps this is all an allusion to the happiness-minded people of Bhutan, also Buddhists who adore their king? Then try picturing Bhutanese marching through Bangkok in jackboots.

On June 5th the junta organised its first “Return Happiness to the Public” event. Staged at Victory Monument, which had recently been the site of small-scale protests against the coup, it featured dancers in camouflage outfits; a spicy routine by the orchestra of the Royal Thai Army; plus free food, and haircuts. A few hundred or so fans of the army showed up, and its Thai Psychological Operation team says it was pleased with the attendance.

http://www.economist.com/blogs/banyan/2014/06/thailands-military-coup

Related article: http://www.economist.com/blogs/banyan/2014/06/watching-thailand-s-coup-myanmar

The generals could learn about interrupting tv programmes: Since the coup on 22 May, TV programmes have frequently been interrupted by the army listing names of people they’re summoning for questioning. Though not of course footie games.

And making, All those detained … sign an agreement which states they will not criticise the military government.

And for us S’poreans who did not PAP in GE 2011, we can do what the Thais who are unhappy about are doing

— eat sandwiches (State-run newspapers have warned people against eating sandwiches, and a senior police chief said they’re keeping a close eye on the sandwich-eaters. Eating sandwiches is not illegal per se, he said, but if sandwich-eating is being used as a front – when the real intention is to criticise the coup – then that would be.);

— give the three-finger salute

http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-27833824

On a serious note, what the Thai coup is all about: Royalists not happy at who is the heir to the thrown http://m.afr.com/p/world/thailand_secret_story_the_battle_QcvSA6u4clBHmLTFPLFQNJ

What is not reported in the story, is that Thaksin and the crown prince are buddies.

http://www.economist.com/blogs/banyan/2014/05/future-thailands-elite

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*After all PAP PA is showing WC and EPL matches https://atans1.wordpress.com/2014/06/12/paps-new-secret-weapons/

But this TRE poster is unhappy, he can’t bring his own food and drink:

there is a rule which says:

No outside food and drinks are allowed. Tidbits and drinks (hot/cold) are sold in the football loft.

The reader said, “I am very angry at how the PA is exploiting Singaporeans, even politicizing sports and profiteering from the World Cup!”

He said that he can understand if the place is a food court or restaurant whose primary interest is to make money and it demands that no outside food and drinks are allowed. But he cannot understand why PA disallows residents to bring their own tidbits and drinks.

“I am not allowed to bring outside food and drinks but can only buy the more expensive food and drinks directly from PA???” the reader said. “Why can’t I bring my own water from home?”

“Why this kind of small money PA also wants to make? What about the millions of dollars of budget allocated to PA every year? Not enough?” the reader wondered.

The reader was also angry that priority is not given to Singaporeans to watch the free screenings.

“It does not state if priority will be given to Singaporeans. In previous PA events in which I have attended, such as the monthly walk-a-jog sessions, a certain group of nationality will jump at every chance to hog free drinking water or other goodies after the walk-jog,” he added.

The reader then took issue with the limited seating capacity as the venue could only cater to 150 viewers.

“Is this a joke? In GE 2011, there were 27,701 voters in Hong Kah North SMC and today only 150 out of 27,701 voters can watch the matches for free???” the reader asked.

“That’s not even 1% of the residents!” he exclaimed.

He remarked sarcastically, “The PA must not underestimate that only 150 out of 27,000+ voters will go to the CC – this is not a PAP GE rally!”

“Will the PA please stop treating citizens as sheep?” he asked.

The reader concluded by saying he will not bother to write to the PA, REACH or his MP, Dr Amy Khor.

“Because I am afraid Dr Amy Khor would repeat what she has already said in parliament that ‘Singaporeans first’ policy is not good for the economy!” he said.

Gosh, he think S’pore’s his grandfather’s place is it? And he xenophobe to boot?

 

Who let the dogs in? And let them become PRs?

The recent public row over the dogs at Pasir Ris Camp (well described in this TRE article  http://www.tremeritus.com/2014/02/28/all-mindef-said-it-would-only-issue-a-stern-warning/ has been well analysed (example http://www.tremeritus.com/2014/03/02/mindef-bungles-management-of-stray-dogs-saga/).

But what were the dogs were doing in the camp in the first place? When I read the initial reports, I wondered< “If dogs can barrow in under the fence, so can terrorists. Grave breach of security. Worse than SMRT breaches. Why S’poreans not complaining?”. It then transpired that even though Mindef called them “strays”, these dogs were the camp’s PRs (albeit true blue S’poreans, not FTs like PAP MP Lee Bee Wah): Mindef’s silence on the allegation that the dogs were PRs confirms the truth of the allegation, methinks.

So, once upon a time, someone in authority, allowed the dogs in, and camp commandants allowed them to remain as PRs even if this was against military regulations, as I understand them. (Mindef owns them and should be fined for not buying licences?)

Their PR status then explains why the camp commandant (I assume this is the LTC that kanna counseled even though he didn’t abuse the dogs) didn’t call in the AVA to remove the dogs when they started biting people. (BTW, as a dog-owner for 50 yrs, I can assure readers that dogs can sometimes bite people without being aggressive: fear is the trigger)

He didn’t dare ’cause the dogs were there against regulations. He’d have a lot of explaining to do to his superiors and his rice bowl would be in jeopardy. Hence his actions against the dogs and the servicemen who were unhappy with his actions and those of the WO. He was solving the problem the way SMRT was run: fault of true-blue S’poreans.

All to no avail as Mindef is facing the most serious allegation of all, something that goes right to the heart of any society’s compact with its military. As netizens have asked:Where is MINDEF’s values of decency, integrity and honour?

Evidently they’ve gone AWOL or MIA, given Mindef’s continued silence on the allegation that an investigator had promised that the whistle-blower would at most be reprimanded.

Silence can only mean, “What can we say without digging a bigger hole for ourselves?”

Hopefully a PAP MP or Lina Chiam will raise the issue. The co-driver is busy explaining to the Auditor-General how all the problems with the town council accounts (bar one) is the fault of BG Yeo’s team.

Finally, this is my Facebook avatar’s advice to Mindef:

Hey Mindef you are taking on the dog lovers’ community. They have their own minister. He has shown that he is a lot more effective than ministers responsible for Eurasians, Malays and Indians. Be afraid , very afraid. Cannot bully. They not NSmen. They are the DOG Lovers. They got ang moh FT scalp as trophy of their power. Be afraid, very afraid Mindef. Sacrifice the LTC and WO to appease the dog lovers and their minister. Not worth the trouble.

Related post: https://atans1.wordpress.com/2013/10/30/alison-mcelwee-3-bites-tammys-death/

Does SAF really value those who serve NS?: TRE readers respond

TRE republished this and Danny related his experiences both with the SAF and SCDF (who seems to be as dysfunctional as SAF) over his eligibility for a medal (Juz realised I never got one for reservist). The issue was resolved in his favour because he had all his records. I’d hate to have served with such an “on” guy.

Still when it came to vouchers he got short-changed by SCDF. He finally wrote to the PMO who must have shoved a few grenades up some asses. Justice was done. But he shouldn’t have had to complain to PM; given that his records were juz (OK 10 months ago) updated by SCDF and SAF.

I was given NS45 $80 voucher and that bcos I did not complete my NS till age 40.Problem is I did. They don’t have my record? Well, 10 months earlier when I wrote to Army (NS) Centre regarding my entitlement to medals but was old by an officer that I was not eligible for it. On probing further, they said that they had handed my records to SCDF when I was transfered there after my Army unit standown. Calling SCDF (NS) Centre, they claimed that I had only 1 ICT during my term in SCDF thus not entitled to any medals n that I should go back to the Army (NS) to claimed from them n that SCDF did not had my Army records. I was pushed around! On further call to Army (NS) n threaten to go public, the officer claimed that they don’t have my NS records. Bloody hell, they lost my NS records but conveniently lied to me that I was not eligible! Then mindef (NS) told me that unless I can shows or provides evidences n records of my reservist trg, I will not be able to claimed/entitled to any medals! Fucking shit! So I am guilty till I can proof I am innocent? Fart them!

Luckily I still had all my records after ROD for 28 years! KNNCCB,after submit in my records only they emailed me saying I am entitled to just 1 medal! This was bcos to Army (NS) n SCDF, I did not come my reservist up to aged 40! Farting shit! They only interested only the nos of years trg in their own formation and did not take into consideration my combined Reservist training in both SCDF n Army! This is nothing compare to what follows: After having proof and they claimed they had updated my record, the trouble came during the NS45 vouchers. I was given $80 voucher n again claimed I did not complete my full term. I called the Officer which handled my “medal entitlement case” n she promised she will look into it. Days & weeks passed,I wrote in saying that if they wouldn’t get back to me I will go to different avenue to appeal. Since SCDF under Home Affair n Army under Mindef and they seem don’t talk to each other , I have no choice but write to someone who is incharged of both these stupid ministries! I wrote to PM Lee HL and received an email saying that the matter will be look into by SCDF! Back to square one! Two weeks later, an SCDF Asst Director (NS) called to said that its an oversight and I will be given an extra $20 n a year Hometeam Club menbership!! I told him to I wanted it in black & white and also told him that I am more interested in those Reservist (nos in thousands)who had the same problem as me but were shortchanged! He claimed that they are looking into it and assured me that these people will be informed n their entitlement adjusted. My friend, same case as me, will swit n see (2 weeks time) if they will really adjust his entitlement. If not, I will call this AD and gave him a piece of my mind n go public. Anyone out there same case, pls leave amsg…thks.

Then there is this post that alleges that National Service Resort & Country Club allows FTs to join, crowding out those who serve from chalets and other goodies.

whyliketat1:

April 26, 2013 at 10:17 pm  (Quote)

Does SAF value those who serve NS ?

Let get the answer from NSRCC. Read on and you will find the answer NO.

National Service Resort & Country Club (NSRCC) is a golf and country club set up to recognise the contributions of operationally ready NSmen to Total Defence. Its membership is open to NSmen who have performed national service, as well as full-time NSmen.

The first Committee to Recognise the Contributions of Operationally-Ready NSmen mooted the idea of setting up a premium but affordable golf resort for NSmen. The club was officially opened in March 1994 as SAFRA Resort & Country Club. It was later renamed National Service Resort & Country Club (NSRCC) to better reflect the composition of its membership that comprises NSmen from the Army, Navy, Air force, Civil Defence and the Police Force.

http://www.nsrcc.com.sg/about-the-club/national-service-resort-country-club

Now, it even open for Non-Citizen who did not serve national service.

Bungalow and it facilities is open for non-citizen booking. No wander member got difficulty in getting a unit. http://www.nsrcc.com.sg/bungalow/booking-information

I don’t understand why NSRCC need to open our club to Non-citizen.

The club is set up to recognise the contributions of operationally ready NSmen to Total Defence. Its membership is open to NSmen who have performed national service, as well as full-time NSmen and their family. This is spelled out clearly at the website.

Dear MG Ng Chee Meng, President of NSRCC, you owe all Singaporean an explanation.

A gentle reminder, you are only appointed to over see the club. This club does not belong to you. I believe the money used to setup and running of this club is from the tax payer.

You are also an army trained man, same as any NS men, your life long mission is to protect the country and Singaporean.

Please keep a place for Singaporean.

If the PAP wants to win back disaffected voters, it had better realise that because it has been in power since 1959, dumb or lazy bureaucratic actions gets blamed on it. Maybe it’s co -driver should remind it of this too. Otherwise S’poreans may prefer SDP: The Real Deal, Mad Dog and elites notwithstanding

Does SAF really value those who do NS?

There has been plenty of spin in the local media about how much SAF cares about us (example that “safety is a core value”). Well here are three instances in the last few weeks that contradict the spin.

“Combat medics are not fully equipped to handle asthma attacks among Singapore Armed Forces servicemen, a Coroner’s Inquiry into the death of Private (Pte) Dominique Sarron Lee heard”, I read on Tuesday in Today. The death happened during training.where the training team knew smoke grenades were going to be used. Surely the necessary eqpt could have been indented for the medic on duty?

And then there is this:

Defibrillators for all SAF camps soon

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) is planning to put automated external defibrillators in all camps from June this year.

The potentially life-saving devices will be kept in common areas for easy access in emergencies, such as when a serviceman suffers a heart attack.

These include “high human traffic” areas in camps and military bases where physical training is conducted, said the Ministry of Defence.

http://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20130401-412691.html

When I read the above, I was shocked to learn that external defibrillators were not standard equipment in SAF camps*. In developed countries, they are standard equipment in factories, and increasingly in offices. And they are standard equipment in the military.  After all as, “The SAF’s Chief of Medical Corps, Colonel (Dr) Kang Wee Lee, said having easy access to the defibrillators will improve a first responder’s ability to administer basic life support, and is in line with international best practices.”

And to round-off my rant about the uncaring, boh chap, tidak apa attitude bof the SAF, here’s something trivial by comparison to the above but telling in its own way of the way SAF treats us, PRspeak notwithstanding.

Last week, I got my package of vouchers from SAF. I only got $80 and not the $100 that was touted in the local media as the standard. Was I surprised? No, because I had read on TRE that Mindef had told someone “From our records, you have not completed any ICT before reaching statutory age.” It went further to state that “Should you have any documentary proof that you had attended ICT, …please send it to us …”.

I don’t know how many of us were affected by the inability of Mindef to keep proper records, but I find it insulting that Mindef did not keep proper records. Every time anyone goes for reservist training, he is paid a sum based on his civilian pay, or on his NS pay (for those who didn’t want to give or couldn’t give civvy pay details). Where are these records? And where are the copies of the  notices, ordering S’poreans to attend in-camp training?

Worse is the tot that Mindef could be trying to save money by not bothering to check its records properly. After all $20 multiplied by say 100,000 is not “peanuts”.

Never mind, come the next GE, I’m sure no matter how much goodies the govt throws at us at our expense, there will be S’poreans who remember the SAF’s institutionalised uncaring attitude, and attribute it to the PAP.

—

* To be fair to SAF:”Medics already carry the devices to all training activities with risk of drowning or heart trauma. These include physical fitness tests, route marches and river-crossing exercises.”

No wonder S’pore’s productivity so low

Did you notice that last Friday’s front page pix of our defence minister entering a helicopter had three S’porean military personnel pointing the way into the helicopter? Surely two too many?

SMRT mgt failures: What does it say abt SAF?

“The experts questioned having the bus bridging services ply a route mirroring the entire train line as this may not be the most effective way to move people. They suggested that the bus bridging services should ferry commuters to one to three stations, or to the next working station.”

Huh? Having been lucky enough not to kanna caught in one of these disruptions (my 87-yr old mum on her only second MRT outing was at a station when a disruption occured), I’m surprised to learn that this wasn’t done or that it isn’t now SOP?

Given that it is a well-known fact, I believe, that retired SAF officers are given senior jobs at SMRT (presumably because they have the experience of managing large and complex organisations), I’m surprised that foreign experts recommended the following “fairly common sense and not rocket science” command and control procedures:

http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC120510-0000079/Foreign-experts-give-tips-at-SMRT-inquiry

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1200227/1/.html

We need genuine Talents to help us run our public transport systems, not ex-SAF officers, M’sian PRs or PRC bus drivers that we have been getting. And no “ang moh tua kee” attitude when getting Talents please. Hongkies, Japs, Taiwanese and Koreans who speak Inglish should be considered. No PRCs because China’s MRT systems are very new.

As to our defence, are we spending money foolishly on hardware, when what we need are a few good men? The government should be worried. It’s not us “lesser” citizens are at risk. It’s the FTs and rich S’poreans who need protection. An Indonesian pirate chief after reading of SMRT’s failures despite employing retired SAF colonels, may be tempted to raid Sentosa Cove, plunder it and kidnap people.