1.  The problem:  Problems surface when the government does not monitor statutory “services within its domains”.  (Eg. Maintenance and Refuse Disposal Fees possibly mishandled by Town Councils)

Much like how mystery-shoppers “shop” to ascertain quality of customer service and expertise of serving staff, the government should hire mystery-reviewers for different departments of its statutory boards, public transport authorities, banks, financial instituitions as well as for charities that are ‘under its wings’.

I know of a real-life case involving a child who’s been “bailed out” of a children’s home, to now live with his maternal uncle (natural parents refuse to take him back).  If the social worker (X) had dug deeper into the real reason why his father didn’t want to care for his own son, he (X) would be aghast to know the child had defiantly sat on a 1 year-old baby (amongst other things like cutting up a hamster’s tummy and said it died of other causes).  Had he known about this, he (X) would definitely not have allowed the child to be out of that childrens’ home, to be a danger to other children.

The government has to find a way of keeping some balance:  trust enough for statutory board employees to work with minimal supervision, but yet wise enough to review and gauge employee performance through periodical “mystery employees/reviewers” etc.

2. The problem:  Funny ideas get thrown into the public (eg.  using Sin Ming area to build a funeral hub).

The local government also should retain good staff (even if young and inexperienced) and lay off the bad regardless of excellent qualifications.  (Ref: The only Empress of 7th century China adopted this policy which enabled her to reign China for a good 70+ years.)

3.  The problem:  the ever-increasing costs of utility (power supply for gas, water and electricity) bills

Electricity forms a large portion of a utility bills especially for using air-conditioners and refrigerators.  As such, local government should start using and encouraging the use of solar-powered panels in hospitals, housing, factories, schools, etc (although it has successfully “taught’ people how to save electricity and water).

4.  The problem: companies with fallen profits are facing challenges to tighten their budget, and possible laying off of staff.

The local government should start encouraging barter trades amongst small, medium-sized  to multinational corps (this will ease cash-flow somewhat).  For example, restaurants can offer up to a year of 40% dine-in discounts for all magazine staff in exchange for a  10 monthly quarter-page advertisement in a popular magazine.

Companies should also look for ways to cut costs first before resorting to laying off staff.  Cutting of bonuses is one way but at least employees stay employed in such bad times.

5.  The problem:  the government is respected lesser when their emails are not replied to promptly in under 72 hours.

The local government should start responding more quickly to emails and correspondences, especially pertaining to public complaints and doubts.  Perhaps a more professional autoresponder need to be used.

6.  The problem:  too many badly-processed food are cause of obesity, heart diseases etc.

The government should start to ban processed food/beverage products that does not have any real nutitional value other than carbohydrates (ie. from highly-refined white flour), sugar and artificial proteins.

7.  Problem:  Youngsters starting families before they are ready or are unaware of sexually transmitted diseases.

The local government should also encourage parents to speak up about sex (to their children) as early as 3 or 4 years old.  What children do not know about sex is more harmful than if they had known.

For example, how many parents teach their toddlers that something is wrong if an adult touched them “there” and tell them to keep quiet?  How many parents have secret communicative “keyword” with their children, so they know immediately that their children are in danger (whether a sexual crime or not)?

When parents have given some “sex education” early in a child’s life, it’s also less likely for children (and parents) to feel embarrassed when they talk about human reproduction and abortion issues.  There’s more likelihood of youngsters getting the wrong information if they are not learning the birds and bees from parents and educational books.

8.  Problem:  Maids posing problems for employers and employers abusing maids.

The local government should also discourage over-reliance on maids (to do the things that a parent should do is something that is to be avoided).

Potential maids should also PAY to go through some kind of training programmes in their own countries first; when people self-invest in their own training they’re also more likely to take their jobs seriously.

When the right kind of maids are employed, there will be a reduced likelihood of employers abusing their maids.

And er….stop using the word “maid”, matey!  A proper and more respectable title is “housekeeper”!!

9.  Problem:  Many not eating enough vegetables and are also not aware of hidden sugars in otherwise healthy food.

The local government should make sure that the CORRECT and accurate food pyramid is approved for usage.  Many are dying from diseases due to incorrect information through media or otherwise.

10.  Problem:  Many divorcees and children are relying on government hand-outs.

The local government should be stricter to those who’ve defied Family Court Orders even for the first time.  Those who should be paying for child/ex-spouse’ maintenance but have defaulted should be jailed and/or fined, after first trial of being found guilty.

11.  Problem: Growing number of expatriates given Singapore PR status but doing ‘nuts’ in Singapore!

The local government should probably re-review current immigration practices.  There are cases whereby I have personally witnessed at least 2 foreigners (1 Thai married to a Malaysian with SPR status, and another from China married to a naturalized Singaporean) having gained Singapore PR Status although they have no specific talents nor diploma/degree qualifications, nor business entities within a short one year!  I would like to know the logic behind such approval.

12. Problem:  No option to buy a HDB flats for some Singaporeans

The local government should re-review the meaning of a ‘family nucleaus’ regardless of marital status.  Eg.  women having child/children through artificial insemination or child adoption procedures, to women who have children naturally without marriage ties.  In other words, all single women with children.

13.  Problem: Too many job-seekers still unemployed; economy remains gloomy.

It isn’t enough that “older workers” are seeking to further their education through short courses or other long-term academic courses.  Unemployment rates would still remain if employers’ mindsets are unchanged.

The local government should take action against companies who encourage unethical hiring.  For example, hiring people only of certain races or age when it is clear the race or age does not have a direct impact on the job/career.

A friend of mine come across HR people (famous property agency in Park Mall) in asking questions for a good 10 minutes before they flip to front page and say, “Oh sorry we don’t hire people above 28.”  If candidates looked older than 28 in the first place, I am wondering why the HR person bothered to ask so many questions in the first place.

Employers should learn how to “let go” of inefficient highly-paid officers and to hire talented, enthusiastic and efficient people (even if they are inexperienced and given lower wages).

Many times it’s said that talent is definitely not to be recognised by outer appearance (ref: Tzu Sun’s The Art Of War), but how many HR personnel are going by that adage?

14. Problem: Cost of living rising every now and then

The government should list what directly and indirectly affects the rising costs. If water is to be made in Australia for example, what would be the extra cost per household?

Also, the government should limit grant such increases to say once in 5 years. People rather see a “reasonably large increase” at one go than to face a small increase or “fare hikes” a few times a year!

Read about what OTHER Singaporeans gripe about for the country.