Anyway, the recent political whoo haa in Singapore is largely on the Prime Minister’s justification to increase the already exorbitant Member of Parliament (MP) salaries. To put it monetary perspective, this imminent change will increase the annual salaries of MPs from the current SGD$1.2 million to SGD$1.6 million (approx. US$1 million). While the President of the United States, arguably the most powerful man in the world earns less then half - US$400,000.

His reason? To close up the widening pay gap between the government and the public sector to attract potential leaders. Allow me to digress. Is money really a good intrinsic bait for attracting worthy individuals to manage a country? I would suppose if there is a selection criteria for public services appointments, it should not just gauge only on his merits and abilities, but most importantly his desire, willingness to work and make sacrifices to in exchange to improve and help the lives of the people. If money is the only viable method for our governement to attract talents, we must be doing something wrong somewhere. Try to imagine the amount of taxpayers money we spent on national education or national service. Its purpose? Seems more like the intented nurturing didnt quite pay off.

With the racial integration of Chinese, Muslim and Indians, and all its rich culture, our homogeneous grouping in Singapore are unfortunately eclipsed with this money driven - superficial culture. Thought in many ways we are considered a first class nation, this fast-paced modern society is one where people are facing too many choices and values are often conflicted. This, I am afraid is the by-product of the most thriving and economically developed nation. Though living and socials standards have certainly improved, our ethics and purpose in life may have regressed.