Take care of Singaporeans too, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan
August 23rd, 2010 | 
Author: In his zeal to impress foreigners on how efficiently and smoothly he can run the Youth Olympic Games (YOG), Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Dr Vivian Balakrishnan has been quite happy to sacrifice the daily necessities of Singaporeans.
Take, for example, the temporary closure of bus-stops. The Land Transport Authority has ordered that buses cannot stop outside the YOG venues such as the one at the Toa Payoh Stadium. Two SBS bus inspectors are stationed at the stop to wave buses on and prevent commuters from getting off. Is such a measure necessary?
Could security concerns be the reason that the LTA is doing this? The answer is no because anyone can walk into the vicinity of the stadium and competition halls. There is no security personnel to check visitors.
A likelier reason is that the organisers don’t want the entrance of the carpark jammed by vehicular traffic which would prevent YOG athletes and officials from coming and going with ease.
But how can this be? Buses typically stop for no more than a minute or two to allow passengers to alight. Can the YOG coaches ferrying the young athletes not wait momentarily for the SBS buses to pull clear before proceeding?
Alternatively, could the traffic wardens on duty not halt the SBS buses to let the YOG coaches leave the vicinity first? Why the need to shutdown down the bus-stop for two weeks?
Has Dr Balakrishnan considered that there are elderly persons and pregnant women who might have difficulty walking from the next bus-stop back down the road to their destinations? What about parents with infants and toddlers?
Grandparents escorting their young charges to take the bus to school were seen arguing with officials at the bus-stop.
Were alternative arrangements made to ensure that they are helped?
Were residents given adequate notice that the stops would be closed? Apparently not because even the bus drivers had to be cued not to stop. If the drivers don’t know that the bus-stops are closed, how would residents be expected to know? The LTA couldn’t even be bothered to explain why the bus-stops needed to be closed.
Such callousness is unacceptable especially in light of the fact that the minister spent $7 million on chartering an executive jet just to ferry the YOG flame and $9 million to publicise the Games. Could he not allocate a tiny portion of the budget to ensure that bus passengers, especially the elderly and the young, are taken care of?
Then there are reports that students who were “selected” to attend the games were not given refreshments and were instructed to bring their own money to buy their own food and drinks.
The Government can build elaborate stage sets which cost millions of dollars to set up to hold concerts that attracted hardly any audience, concerts that were not even central to the Games. And yet it cannot even buy our students drinks?
And while the athletes were treated to buffet spreads, our local volunteers were given meagre portions of rice, fish and green beans. Why such a gulf in treatment? Because they are talent and we are not?
To add injury to insult, volunteers now find themselves suffering from food poisoning. Thirty volunteers were reported to have come down with diarrhea and abdominal pain after they ate the food provided during the triathalon competition at East Coast Park last Sunday.
(The incident happened on 15 Aug 10 but was not reported by the Government media until three days later. Even then, the news first broke on the Internet. Were the journalists asleep? Probably not.)
Recently, Mr Goh Chok Tong took another swipe at Singaporeans, saying that they liked to gripe, that is, to complain about things trivial. It’s another indication how removed from the real world PAP ministers are.
The YOG failings which Singaporeans are pointing out are not gripes. They are serious shortcomings of a Government that has long ceased to pay attention to the grievances of the people.
Singaporeans are not an unreasonable lot. They will put up with and suffer inconveniences if they know that these inconveniences benefit our nation. But many know that the YOG was staged as a PAP-glorification exercise – one, it must be added, that has gone horribly awry.
Dr Balakrishnan wants to show the world how well he takes care of an international sporting event. While he is at it he should perhaps think about taking care of Singaporeans too.
By the Singapore Democrats
Posted in 
This statement has been used over and over again in any given situation:
“WE TAKE CARE OF SINGAPOREANS”….
My view is its “NONSENSE.”
Next statement is “SINGAPOREAN COME FIRST.”
Again its nonsense.
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[...] closure of bus-stops. The Land Transport Authority has ordered that buses [...] Read more on The Temasek Review // Filed under Great Products Click here to cancel [...]
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LOL that’s true. and to almost every other policy set in place. are we consulted before hand? no. they do whatever they like. we just couldn’t do anything. for those who voice up, they live in fear of law suits and possible detention without the chance to be judged.
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NABEI CCB….IS THAT A NEED TO CLOSE THE BUS-STOP? MY MUM NOW GOT TO WALK MORE FAR DISTANCE BACK TO KIM KEAT LINK? F**K U.
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MCYS and the Organising Committee are going overboard in some of the measures they implement. Some were obviously not well thought through and were implemented in haste, going overboard in trying to impress the visitors without due consideration to the inconvenience caused to Singaporeans.
Being gracious host is fine. But going overboard and being kiasu is not.
I urge MCYS and the Organising Com to learn from these mistakes
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MY VOTE TO OPPOSITION. MR CHIAM, WELCOME TO TOA PAYOH BISHAN GRC.
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Hmmmm………
Some live in ivory towers immune to all concerns of the common man.
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Take care of Singaporeans? Fat hope! All this bloke knows is to plan a budget and then expand it by almost four times! This is enough for us to sack him with our votes!!!!!
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PAP’s first priority is taking care of themselves, then foreigners, then maybe Singaporeans.
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Take care of singaporeans???? Hahahahahahahahah . . . .. . hahahahahahahahahah. . . . . . . . . . ……..hahahahahahahahahahaha…………… I keep laughing, dunno why . . . . . .hahahahahahaha. . . . .. . . . .. . .. papies stooges taking care of singaporeans ???? …….hahahahahahahahahah!!!!!!!
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You know…when CEOs make investment decisions, they have to account for the capital outlay to shareholders. Clearly and in definite terms.
In this case, we paid our taxes and were forced to give our time and effort towards this shit only to be told that the YOG will put us in the limelight. There’s no proper accounting for the money spent and then to rub it in, they make “shareholders” (us) slog for some ambiguous airy-fairy ideal.
Besides, for heavens’ sake, it’s enough limelight already! We have a bloody casino fronting our skyline, you see that monstrosity?
I dont trust this country anymore. It’s all been give,give,give from us. We took the pay cuts and CPF cuts when the times were bad. Then we were told not to expect full restoration of our salaries. We were told to be prudent, realistic, humble in these economic times.
Then $400 million went into these kiddie games…I rest my case.
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There are now so many instances of Singaporeans now being downtrodden by the Pro Alien Party in favour of foreign talents, PRs, new citizens and foreign workers.
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Taking care of Singaporeans too? An amazing statement indeed.
When there was an issue as to whether or not to increase by a merely S$1 a day to needy Singaporeans two or three years ago, it was this Minister who rejected during the House debate brought up by one of the lady MPs in Parliament.
Being a man in the street, I will never forget this incident as most of the leaders have claimed they have our interest at heart, is that so?
Uniquely Singapore! Indeed.
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The “MIW Ministers” have been enjoying their “Millions In Wages” for so long that they believe themselves to be self-made talents, and have forgotten the support given by generations since the 1950s.
Even the patient attitude of a usually compassionate GCT has changed to a less tolerant and more defensive in his views about Singaporeans.
Clearly, this coming General Elections will have many issues that will be aired and the “Trial of the Pro Alien Party” will be prosecuted by the People at the Ballot.
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[Quote: Take care of Singaporeans too, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan.]
He is talking cock and bullshit alot. Already the PAP Government has destroyed our indigenous people. Now, his dirty mouth comes out all sort of sweetners to please them. Don’t forget about him that he uses 10-million dollars to welcome the new citizens while our natives were thrown to one corner as we are stupid, ignorant and third-class citizens. Even the foreigners also take away our good jobs that our indigenous people wanted. Shit!
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prostitutemothefuckershitforbrains, you are NO TALENT. You are just a WORTHLESS PARASITIC GOOD-FOR-NOTHING MOTHERFUCKING BASTARD IDIOT SON-OF-A-WHORE
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prostitutemothefuckershitforbrains, you are NO TALENT. You are just an INBRED DEGENERATE USELESS WORTHLESS PARASITIC GOOD-FOR-NOTHING COCKSUCKING MOTHERFUCKING ASSHOLE-SELLING BASTARD IDIOT SON-OF-A-WHORE who CANNOT MAKE IT in your own country. If you want to talk about taking charge of your own life, then WHY don’t you put your money where your mouth is and VOTE the Barisan Nasional OUT of office since you complain about discrimination back home?
People, THIS is the true face of the miws’ foreign pets, HYPOCRITES who COMPLAIN of DISCRIMINATION back home and yet expect us locals to ACCEPT being DISCRIMINATED against just because THEY BENEFIT from the discrimination. People, REMEMBER your SACRED DUTY to PROTECT our beloved homeland from all enemies internal and external like this BASTARD. REMEMBER WHO made it possible for this WHORE-FOR-A-MOTHER who FUCKS HIS OWN MOTHER to come here and bash us locals.
MAKE THEM ALL PAY AND PAY.
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singapore has long since sacrificed its socialist agenda (under the old guard) and have shamelessly embraced free markets (under the children of the old guard) to the detriment of the people.
Privitization of Transport, telcoms, utilities are simply ways to maximize shareholders returns by squeezing citizens for more profits.
screw them and their right wing ideas of small government. The republicans are wrong.
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take care of singaporeans too ? citizens come first ? my foot lah !cut the crap pls , it not what you say but what you do dose matter !!!
singaporeans come first when gst , erp , fine , cut cpf , retain cpf , lower expectation , bite the bullet , swallow bitter pill etc etc . when economy are good , pm can’t wait to invite few hunderd thousand of foreigners to enjoy the fruits . we heard enough of those empty promises don’t we ?
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@PR CITIZEN.
On the contrary!!
Singapore is for Singaporeans. We are the ones who build
this nation to what it is today!
You, OPPORTUNISTS will be kicked out as soon as PAP is voted
out by the people!…GET THE PICTURE, IDIOTS????
Cheers
PAP SURE LOSE
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Take care of Sporeans?. Maybe the new “cheaper, faster and younger Sporeans. Certainly, not the old, jobless and the poor Sporeans. Indeed, they take care of themselves and their cronies first, then the newer citizens. Well, I can only say, Sporeans asked for it. We gave them the mandate and now this is the reward we get. They don’t care a hoot about its own citizens. But will do anything to impress the FTs/FWs and other foreigners.
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chiam welcome to toa payoh bishan grc!
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throw the question, you want S$10.00, S$1,000.00 or S$1,000,000.00 per year for salary?
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Lady Boy ViVi likes foreigners’…
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The ONLY thing this neh VB is take care of is his own STINKING ARSE.
Astroturfing all MOE, SAF and whatever crony organisations he can get hold of to smoke screen this YORGY as his “success”, where in actual fact this non-event is receiving scant/practically zero mention in internal media.
Haha..try to use this YORGY to advance his fledging career ?! good try VB, this will be your first and last “mega” event. Catastrophic flop, failure for you !!!
After the YORGY, the ppl will be going after you to account for the mammoth 4 times over budget. Till now, NOBODY (except your cronies) have any inkling where the $xpenditure goes to ?!
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The ONLY thing this neh VB is take care of is his own STINKING ARSE.
Astroturfing all MOE, SAF and whatever crony organisations he can get hold of to smoke screen this YORGY as his “success”, where in actual fact this non-event is receiving scant/practically zero mention in international media.
Haha..try to use this YORGY to advance his fledging career ?! good try VB, this will be your first and last “mega” event. Catastrophic flop, failure for you !!!
After the YORGY, the ppl will be going after you to account for the mammoth 4 times over budget. Till now, NOBODY (except your cronies) have any inkling where the $xpenditure goes to ?!
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N WE ALL KNOW MCYS MINISTER VIVIAN BALAKRISHNAN IS A LIAR.
Quote-
“If you were a poor person, anywhere on this planet, Singapore is the one place ………,
where you will have food on the table. EVEN IF YOU CAN’T AFFORD IT, WE WILL HAVE MEALS DELIVERED TO YOU.”
(Minister Vivian Balakrishnan)
http://zh.sgforums.com/forums/10/topics/394784?page=1
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@ Y-0-R-G-Y:
Sad thing is after blowing the budget to $400million, there are still hiccups happening left, right, centre which our Dear Dr Vivian Balakrishnan coined the term as glitches. I dun know about other singaporean living here but a $300million overblown budget is termed as a glitch, i dont dare to see what he term as a major problem.
After all this clowning of the YOG event, its sad to say, singapore is the biggest laughing stock hosting this circus whilst paying the bill of $400 millions… a sad day for the nation of Singapore
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So that the reason why the bus didn’t stop.
I thought maybe all the bus driver saw something “unclean” gathering
there
and refuse to stop.
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Another case of a highly-educated, but incompetent piece of crap.
He is a disgrace to all the doctors in Singapore.
Maybe, he should just be a doctor and stay out of politics. It’s not for him.
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VVN you look so Gay. I can give you a talisman to make you look ‘macho’, how about it?
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What is he talking about?
Seriously…..
I thot his only job is to take care of Singaporeans. Thats it. There is nothing else he should be doing.
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PR CITIZEN self masturbating in TR again.. hahaha…
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“YOG was staged as a PAP-glorification exercise” are u guys kdding me? do you guys not see what the YOG is about? how can you write it off as SIMPLY a “PAP-glorification exercise”?!?!
Singaporeans indeed have real concerns when it comes to the YOG. and yes, if we are talking about people having fallen sick or having been terribly inconvenienced then yes it is something that needs to be feedbacked to the organizing committee.
I find so many of your comments so baseless.
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This moron of a minister, this self-serving wolf – had he not turned his back on the needy and the poor in MYCYS??), he would have been hoisted on a pedestal and nevermind the cock-ups or not, he would have been accorded support and Singaporeans from both sides of the ”fence” would have given their whole-hearted support lah.
If today it seems otherwise, it is cos the most of them are discontented with the incumbents. The blame can be fairly apportioned on the incumbents” talk down-stance,arrogance, nepotic,condescending and elitist ways.
It is going to take more than this YOG to close the chasm,bridge the social divide cos trust has to be earned, respect has to be earned. Sadly, only ethical people know that.
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To You guys are unbelievable: August 23, 2010 at 5:14 pm
The problem here is the PAP can spend 300 – 400 millions on YOG but are “unable” able to help the poor and displaced.
The priorities are there for you to see…are the people of singapore important or some “uppity” folks more important.
Enuf said.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-u0uhTGGfc&feature=related
What does it mean to be human?…a number of key facets is the humane ability to have a conscience, true passion, real wisdom and an affirmed ability to empathized those of any walks of life around. Without these facets and other attributes…the human being is just an empty shell as well as a souless one too.
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Vivian must have written a wonderful story and painted a very good picture of hosting YOG. That’s why he can convince LHL for hosting YOG that just can’t create international attention.
I think he said “Can can, can do it in 100million” to LHL but in the end he can’t deliver both in terms of containing the budget and getting international attention, and in terms of well organized events, etc.
After next election, I think government is trying to get an SG indian to fill the second deputy prime minister. Maybe he is eying for it. Our health minister is sure a better choice but unfortunately he won’t fit the bill.
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@Can Can Can but…who said: That’s why he can convince LHL for hosting YOG that just can’t create international attention.
Allow me to correct you there, only ONE person made the decision to host YOG after this sorry excuse of a Millister hog wash and wayang him with the rosy pictures and that person is certainly NOT Puppet Millister Lee Hsien Loong.
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His recent comments about how successful the YOG is shows that he is not credible. How can we then have a non credible MP in parliament?
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YOG is a flop. I don’t feel part of it and never will. If PAP wants our support please look after your own people first. Singporeans are fast-becoming 2nd grade citizen in our own country.
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Vivian only cares about his salary and bonus
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Aiyoh! Why u keep hammering poor Dr Viv for trying to impress foreigners? Kim Kong Il also treats foreigners better than citizens! It’s normal what, for a fascist gov’t.
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vivian siad : will take care singaporean too ? sure or not ? i can’t believe my eye leh !
vivian , why can’t you give extra $30 a month to help our poor senior citizens ? you really know how to BS … you are not interested about sports or the ppl . stop pretend becoz i wanna puke liao
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Why are we bashing the ministers.
They say they are taking care of Singaporeans and they are.
They just did not tell you which group of Singaporeans they are taking care of !!. They themselves are also Singaporeans.
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Quote-
“If you were a poor person, anywhere on this planet, Singapore is the one place ………,
where you will have food on the table.
EVEN IF YOU CAN’T AFFORD IT, WE WILL HAVE MEALS DELIVERED TO YOU.”
(MCYS Minister Vivian Balakrishnan)
http://zh.sgforums.com/forums/10/topics/394784?page=1
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VIVIAN change for the worse whem he became minister.
it is indeed not only a loss to common singaporeans,it is a greater loss for the PAPies for having one good critic less.
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$300 million is just about right to host this international event – the initial budget was foolish to think that would suffice. Anyway, that is what PAPies are good at – miscalculations.
Is this a good government? I highly think so yes, because the majority vote for what they wanted. Isn’t that right? Honestly, I think SGers do not have the right to complain; vote for PAP and bear the consequences like a man. Many people said they have no faith in opposition. So they rather suffer under a dictatorship while trying to stay alive than to go for other options? Wow.. just wow.
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This is really “doing it overboard”. Doing it for a show “for the Youth” but forgot all about considerate and care for elderly and pregnant woman or women with kids….utterly shameful indeed ! On Moral grounds alone,I think he should not be a Medical Doctor anymore.
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Aiyo, this Viva the Diva only cry wolf before he was “selected” by the MIW to “join” them. Diva was whining to seek attention on why she no join them so pretend to criti-sai the gah-men hoping for a white spot in gah-men service pay big big money you like Sir? Kena Sai. Oldest trick and profession in the world like Prostitution. Nothing new.
So now see the diva legs spread wide apart for foreigners no surprise ma. Foreign Trash screw Diva, Diva srew us. Normal Food Chain.
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its so important to have a minister and government that is in touch with the ground and have a bilateral learning experience.
the learning goes both ways.
people listen and learn from government
and government listen and learn from people
like a good marriage
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