You’re running ministries, not the military

Lee Hsien Loong’s thinking in managing his team of ministers is, sadly, a reflection of his military background. “Negligent or dishonest ministers will be sacked but ministers who do not perform well despite their best efforts will be moved to a less demanding portfolio, or, if necessary, phased out discreetly,” he said. But he added… Read More »

Hong Kong street view

Evening street view along Hennessey Road at the junction of Canal Road West in Wanchai. The colourful neon signs are something that you don’t get to see in Singapore. Same goes for the electric cables dangling overhead for the trams. Photos taken last year in early December, several days before I left Hong Kong.

10 things I’ll miss about Hong Kong

So I’ve left Hong Kong before the 7-year itch bit me. Here are 10 things I’ll miss about the territory. 1. Cantonese2. Winter3. Trams (or “ding ding” as the locals called it) – HK$2.30 gets you anywhere on the line in HK island.4. Getting to the other side of the Victoria Harbour via ferry5. Standing… Read More »

GFW

Not “Going For the Win”, damn it! But going behind the Great Firewall of China was an equally damning experience for those who are used to the free and easy information superhighway of the Internet. Things were moving along quite nicely in the Philippines for me that at one stage I was thinking of getting… Read More »

It’s been 6.5 years

I left Singapore back in 2005, perhaps a little disillusioned by the socio-political landscape at that time. It was a hard decision, leaving family, friends and a host of support systems, especially when my next stop wasn’t exactly an expat paradise. Life in Manila wasn’t a bed of roses, but my limps were holding up… Read More »