HOW MUCH IS QUALITY LEADERSHIP WORTH IN DOLLARS AND CENTS?

Former Singapore PM Lee Kuan Yew, gives his views. From Straits Times

"Right pay will help ensure quality leaders in future," says PM Lee Hsien Loong.


In the Youtube video below, he puts forward his case in the debate on ministerial pay in Parliament two days ago. Worth listening to if you have an hour to spare. Well-reasoned and presented, and without any need to resort to threats and rhetoric.

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ARE WE PREPARED FOR THE CHALLENGES OF AN AGEING POPULATION?

Consider these facts:

Fact 1: Everyone ages. This is indisputable.
Fact 2: Both the birth rate and the elderly mortality rate are slowing down, resulting in a net gain of older people. For the first time in history, adults aged 60 and above outnumber the young.
Conclusion: The world is ageing, and the trend is likely to be irreversable.

So what does this mean? It depends on whom you pose this question to.

To the individual, it means you must be prepared to have the financial means and good health to live an extra 20 years after you retire.

To the government, it means policies must be implemented and action taken to make the towns and cities age-friendly.

To welfare organizations and charities, it means they must expect to look after large numbers of elderly folks who may need shelter, food and counselling among others. This would be a tremendous drain on their resources.

To the corporate sector, it means they must be ready to absorb older workers as the pool of young workers may be in short supply.

The above is only a small fraction of what needs to be done to be ready for the silver tsunami.

But there's also this other side of the coin. Not all is doom and gloom as the above letter from a Straits Times reader suggests.

If you are an entrepreneur who is quick to see the huge potential in the emerging silver-haired market, you stand to reap huge profits by catering to the needs and demands of this growing segment of the population. Apply the blue ocean strategy.

According to United Nations figures, Malaysia will be an ageing country by 2035 when 15% of the population is aged 60 and above. Singapore is now the fastest ageing country in Asia, and the percentage of people above 65 will increase from the present 7% to 19% in 2030.

How prepared are we to face the challenges of an ageing population?

Click on the link for more details of the upcoming 3rd Ageing Asia Investment Forum.

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BEWARE OF THE LOVE TRAP

If you are single, lonely, depressed and yearning for companionship, this video below is for you. Beware of whom you befriend online when you visit online dating or friendship sites.

Older adults, especially women in their 40s and above, please take heed. You are the main target of online scammers who will charm ('worm' is a better word) their way into your heart, and then tell you a sob story to fleece you of your money.

Don't even think about accepting requests to befriend strangers on Facebook and Skype. Getting your heart broken is one thing, but when you are also swindled of your life savings, that's a double whammy that may take you years to recover from.

So take note, and protect yourself and your money.



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FROM SPAM TO SCAM

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A CENTRE LIKE NO OTHER FOR SENIORS

Photo: AUTORR

I first visited the AUTORR centre in February 2009 after reading about it in The Star. Now three years down the road, what is the latest progress on Asia's first rest and recreation centre for senior citizens?


Lin Chua (Photo: AUTORR)

A small group of us decided to make a trip there yesterday to see for ourselves. We were given a guided tour by the ever so gracious and humble Lin Chua (Yap Swee Lin), founder and chairman of the AUTORR foundation. This grand-daughter of Malaysia's last kapitan, Kapitan Yap Kwan Seng, donated four acres of prime land in Ampang to build a centre where senior citizens could come and enjoy activities specially planned for them.

AUTORR's pamphlets now carry the new logo of a pentagon representing the five elements of feng shui: metal, water, wood, fire and earth that together symbolizes balance, harmony and success in life.

What inspired this bold vision to build the Rm8m AUTORR centre?

Explains Lin, "With their children all busy with work, old folks are often left at home with nothing much to do except watch television. They feel lonely, neglected and unappreciated. This centre provides an opportunity for them to come together during the day to enjoy activities with their peers.

One of the lecture halls. Once furnished and equipped, it can be rented out for seminars and other functions.

A classroom where the elderly can learn arts and crafts and other skills.

Some of these activities include workshops and classes where the elderly can pick up new skills and knowledge. Or they can choose to simply relax and enjoy the company of their friends.

We will also be inviting young people, including orphans, to visit and spend time with the elderly here. One of our objectives is to work towards bridging the gap between the two generations by encouraging core values like filial piety and respect for the elderly."

As Lin showed us around the different buildings, I could see the many changes that have taken place since my last visit, from the beautiful landscaping of the grounds to the tasteful furnishing of the centre.

For the many friends who have been enquiring about AUTORR, and for all the kind people who have donated towards making the AUTORR centre a reality, here is a pictorial account of the centre as of 10 January 2012.

At Happy Cafe, visitors can enjoy a cup of tea as well as a panoramic view of the hills surrounding the centre.

The kitchen - equipped at a cost of RM50k, thanks to generous donors.

A cosy tea corner. The wooden benches made by the orang asli (natives) are donated. Many benches like these line the corriders providing a place for the elderly to sit and rest their feet.

The reception area.

Volunteer Tracy Wan helps to run the air-conditioned office. Note the use of the stand fan. The volunteer staff know they have to work under tight budget constraints.

The meditation cave where the elderly can retreat to for some quiet moments and solitude.

Whether it's the willows, water fountains or little figurines dotting the garden, it's all about generating serenity and positive qi. The care given to details to ensure comfort and safety truly reflects the depth and breadth of Lin's concern and love for the elderly. There are ramps everywhere for easy wheelchair access, and more than 45 toilets for the convenience of the elderly.



Top: The Lotus Lodge provides accommodation for invited guest speakers. Above: the living cum dining room at the lodge. Every single piece of furniture here, and elsewhere in the centre, is either donated or sponsored.



Top: The centrepiece of AUTORR. The silver and golden pillars (not in photo) outside the hall symbolize the elderly enjoying their golden years. Above: The cavenous hall. AUTORR is hoping for generous donors to sponsor the construction of a movable stage.

The Year of the Dragon will see the opening of the AUTORR centre to senior citizens in the Klang Valley. Once in operation, the centre will accept registration from senior citizens irrespective of their age, race or religious background. Do note, however, that AUTORR is not a daycare centre.

In the meantime, the AUTORR foundation is continuing with its efforts to raise funds for various projects. Top on the list of priorities is the urgent need to clear the clump of trees adjoining the main entrance to make way for a much-needed car park for visitors. Any volunteers or sponsors for this?

For those wishing to donate money or items, please contact Simon Gan for more details at 012-233 9836 or +603 4295 2261. Email: autorr@streamyx.com. Website: http://autorrfoundation.com/

Crossed cheques should be made payable to: AUTORR FOUNDATION. For direct credit, it's AUTORR FOUNDATION, CIMB Bank A/C No. 1427-0007982-05-8. All donations are tax-exempted.

As evident from the photos above, every ringgit donated is accounted for and put to good use. AUTORR practises strict accountability and transparency. Let us give whatever we can, whether it's our time, energy or money, to such a noble and deserving cause as AUTORR.

Click on the link below to view more photos of AUTORR.

FROM VISION TO REALITY

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SINGAPORE'S MILLIONAIRE MINISTERS

Figures in S$. (Source: Straits Times)

Figures in USD

Based on their salaries alone, Singapore's top civil servants are millionaires. The ministers are among the highest paid in the world. Even with the 36% cut, Singapore PM Lee Hsien Loong's paycheck is four times more than that of US President Obama.

The pay review was announced last May shortly after the General Elections that saw the governing PAP party retaining power but with the lowest majority since independence in 1965.

An 8-member committee was appointed to review ministerial salaries. After seven months of deliberation, committee chairman Gerald Ee revealed the recommendations at a press conference. According to the Straits Times report, and I quote here, "The committee kept three principles in mind in determining political salaries: competitive salaries to attract people of good calibre; the ethos of public service which entails sacrifice; and a clean wage with no hidden perks."

It recommended that political salaries still be pegged to top private-sector pay, but that there be a new benchmark based on a larger pool of top earners who are Singapore citizens.

Source: Straits Times

The new salary scale will be backdated from 21 May 2011 when the new government took office. There is no official comment yet from former PM Goh Chock Tong who had called for a ministerial pay rise in 1993.

These are massive pay cuts. Would it mean a drastic drop in the lifestyle of Singapore's ministers? But aren't civil servants supposed to live frugally as a good example to the people they serve? Shouldn't they be in politics in the first place because of a desire to serve the country, and not because of high salaries and perks?

It would be interesting to see whether the new salary scale would see a smaller pool of talented leaders who are prepared to make personal and financial sacrifices for the good of the nation.

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A NEW METAPHOR FOR AGE/LIFE

I have never been a fan of Jane Fonda (she just turned 74), but what she says in this recent TEDtalk video resonates with me. Life should not be viewed as an arch where "you are born, you peak at mid-life and decline into decrepitude". That's just the physical aspect.

As we approach our third age (some of us are already there), it's time for a new metaphor and a more inspiring one at that.

Life (or age) is a staircase. Each passing year is a step up that staircase. Along the ascent, we pick up experiences that make us wiser, stronger and more at peace with ourselves.

What lies at the top of the staircase? That would depend very much on what each of us is hoping to find, wouldn't it? And whether we have been preparing ourselves for it.

What are your thoughts on this?

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THE POWER OF SMILING

A new year means a new beginning, although as someone has pointed out, the only difference between an old year and a new one is a mere second when the clock is about to strike midnight on 31 December. So what is all this gloom and depression about getting one year older, and one step closer to kicking the bucket? We are only as old as we feel.

If we look at ourselves in the mirror when we wake up on 1 January each year, and see only sagging skin and greying hair, you can bet we will be seeing more of that before the year is out. The secret is to switch our focus, to look beyond, or deep inside that reflection in the mirror. We will see that youthful, playful spirit still dwelling within all of us. Try it. I have, and I can tell you it works!

Begin each day with a SMILE at yourself in the mirror. Say 'Hi!' to that person smiling back at you. Not only does smiling make you look younger, it also brightens up the day. Then share that smile with the people you come into contact with during the day. Start with your family, then your neighbours, your colleagues, your clients, the waiter who serves you your lunch, the cashier who gives you your change, the security guard at the gate. And that nice stranger who smiles at you first.

Or would you rather wake up grouchy and whining about your aches and pains, and complaining about how the world owes you your happiness? Do you want to spend the whole day spreading misery to those around you, and looking for people to wallow in self-pity with? What an utter waste of precious time!

It's really all up to us, isn't it, how we want to live each day, each year.

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