So, it is taught in the Driving School!

Anyone who have read my previous post “Neither Man nor Machine” will know that I have been taking motorcycle lessons. It is good to know that the Riding Theory books actually acknowledges the existence of bicycles on the road, and teaches motorcycle riders how far to conduct themselves when riding near cyclists. This is because motorcyclists are meant to use the left lane, and are quite likely to encounter bicycle riders.

However, I had a rude shock the other day while attending one of the compulsory Riding Theory Lessons, the teacher was explaining one of the test questions about how to anticipate a cyclist’s actions when riding pass him, when he made a comment that cyclists are on the roads illegally, and should only cycle on cycling paths. I had a right mind to correct him, but I had not brought my proof with me, and wanted to get the lesson over with so I can get a stamp of attendance on my booklet.

So, there you go. They are passing on this misinformation in the driving schools, it is no wonder that we do encounter unreasonable motorists on the road.

I guess it is back to status quo for Singaporean cyclists after the trial of pavement sharing in Tampines. The roads are still to scary for many cyclists, drivers and pedestrians still complain, and there is not enough land in Singapore to build cycle paths. What else is new?

R.I.P. Arthur C. Clarke

R.I.P. Arthur C. Clarke (16 December 1917-19 March 2008)

While I have not been a big fan of Arther C. Clarke, I know that he has been a great influence on science fiction writing and entertainment. Like many great old British former-military personel, there is much to love about Arthur C. Clarke, his gift of mind and his no-nonsense attitude. Yet another Geek God has fallen, but he leaves us with his three laws:

1. When a distinguished but elderly scientist states that something is possible, he is almost certainly right. When he states that something is impossible, he is very probably wrong.
2. The only way of discovering the limits of the possible is to venture a little way past them into the impossible.
3. Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.

I would say that he lived to a ripe old age, but I suspect that he would have preferred to have gone after humans made their first contact with aliens.

Selling out.

It was not so long ago, that the sale of a massive telecommunication empire to a foreign investor, led to a military coup and the ouster of a government and its Prime Minister. The privacy and sovereignty of its telecommunication system and satellites was the reason the usurpers used to start the domino effect that led to the coup.

More recently, forays by the foreign investor into two telecommunication companies of another country, has caused its anti-monopoly agency to cry foul and demand that stakes in one of the companies have to be divested, naturally at a huge loss.

Of course, there are much more underlying motives that have led to the above situations. But the reason for lifting the stick is the same, national strategic assets should not be owned by foreigners. Even the least educated of one’s citizens can grasp that concept and raise their fists in defiance. Perhaps particularly the less educated citizens.

Having been successful in the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) business for many decades, Singapore has found itself in the situation that large nations, particularly the U.S.A and in Europe, are uncomfortable that extremely wealthier SWF from the Middle East and East Asia, their age old “enemies”, are attempting to buy up their strategic assets like ports and banks. Of course Singapore, being a loyal West-leaning country, and more transparent to boot, does not worry these big nations, who have to play a double standards game by welcoming the cash that Temasek Holdings brings, while turning away other bigger sharks.

It has caused Singapore to have to take the lead to instituting some sort of governance principles for SWF, in order to placate the West. Ironically, Temasek Holdings also claimed in another article in the Straits Times on the same day that it is not a SWF. So much for that policy then. Sovereign Wealth Fund Policy

In light of all of these events, I found it rather strange that not a sound was heard after Temasek Holdings announced its sale of Tuas Power to a China company. Sure it is not a sale to an SWF but to a corporatation, but it is a sale of a national strategic asset to a foreign company. It plans to sell the remaining power stations which powers 90% of the country. Sale of Tuas Power

Perhaps it is a gesture they have had to make in order not to appear to have double standards. “There, I have sold a national strategic asset to a foreigner, that gives me a right to buy yours.” A reason for the lack of comments could well be that Singaporeans are quite confident about the shrewdness of Temasek Holdings, and that the buyer must have been hoodwinked somehow. That would have been all well and good if Singapore Power did not announce a hike in its electricity tariffs a few short days after the announcement of the sale. Coincedence? I think not. Singapore Power Tariff Hike