#98 🚢 “As a family of four, we’ve grown up with Disney dreams — movies, music, and moments that shaped our childhoods and now our children’s. 🌏 Sailing on a magical Disney Cruise would be our chance to step inside the stories we love, explore new worlds together, and create memories our 13-year-old and 10-year-old…
It began with a simple administrative mistake — at least, that’s what the authorities would call it. A reader close to my heart and family discovered that she had been wrongly classified as self-employed by the tax authorities since YA2022. Despite having no employment income, this error triggered a cascade: But as we dug deeper,…
🏠 When “Housing for All” Becomes a Mirage Singapore’s public housing program has long been hailed as one of the world’s greatest social achievements, a shining model that other nations admire. But for those caught in the system’s cracks, the reality is not one of pride, but quiet despair. A reader recently shared a story…
中文版在英文刊文下方 “Dad, why did Minister Ong Ye Kung walk over to greet us?” My eldest asked this as we were walking through Canberra. I grinned. “Because Daddy is notorious. Daddy does things most men fear to do.” Even with a mask on, Ong Ye Kung, Singapore’s Health Minister recognised me as we walked past each…
中文版在英文刊文下方 Singapore markets itself as clean, fair, meritocratic and technologically advanced. But story after story shows how branding diverges from lived reality; and how calls for transparency are too often met with silence. 1) Training & certification that feel closed A professional trying to earn a Workforce Skills Qualification (WSQ) credential; specifically the Advanced Certificate…
中文版在英文刊文下方 Taiwan is an island often tested; earthquakes, typhoons, and unrelenting geopolitical pressures could have broken its spirit. Instead, they forged a culture of resilience and ingenuity. This character has long been recognized in semiconductors, with TSMC racing to 2nm chips even as the US and China tussle for influence. But beneath the spotlight of…
As I reflect on Singapore’s journey during the 120th anniversary of my alma mater, the National University of Singapore, I am reminded of the four generations of leadership that carried this island from vulnerability to affluence. From post–World War II industrialisation, to high-value manufacturing in petrochemicals and pharmaceuticals, to finance, STEM, AI and sustainability, our…
September 13, 2025 Today, our family of four joined our grassroots community for an outing to the newly opened Singapore Oceanarium in Sentosa. Despite the pouring rain, spirits were high. Special thanks to Mr. Jackson Lam, our new MP, who personally sheltered attendees with umbrellas, alongside the many dedicated volunteers who kept everyone comfortable and…
September 10, 2025 中文版在英文刊文下方 1. Origins: LKY’s Hakka Roots and the Cantonese Alliance Singapore’s founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew (LKY) traced his ancestry to Dapu, Guangdong, a Hakka heartland. In Singapore, Hakkas were a minority. To consolidate political power, LKY had to look beyond his dialect kin. He worked closely with the Cantonese (广府)…
Glad to be invited for the fourth time, and this round with the company of secondary school boys from Anglo-Chinese School (Barker Road). Had a good time catching up with familiar volunteer faces, as well as interacting with the parents of the children through games and activities. The Barker Road campus itself carries a rich…
