Sunday, July 17, 2005
I had finally turned 25. I would like to thank all my friends who had wished me Happy Birthday in anyway. A sms or a greeting on MSN. I really appreciated it. Thanks. Not sure if I should be happy or worry about turning 25. See, I should be getting more successful in both my career and love when I am at this stage of life but this is not the case. My current job doesn't really let me see much light for the future. As for my love life, I think I will just see what that someone up there had in store for me. Spent my birthday with my colleagues. Went for a very nice steamboat dinner opposite Beach Rd cinema before proceeding to KBox for some singing. Really appreciated it as i am not that into celebration of birthday. Birthday to me is like a reminder that another year had passed and I am still so far away from my dreams.
The main topic that was on everyone mind should be the NKF issue. I am a NKF regular donor. My monthly contribution to them is $15 dating back to 2003 when I was in the army. I was shocked when I first heard the truth follow by anger and now sympathy for the patients. I think this should be a lesson and wake up call to S'poreans that we must have more initative in knowing where are our donations going to. We are kind hearted by nature but in the same time, lazy. What if the article in Straits Times had never appeared? We will just be contributing to a man who seems to have a fetish for golden taps, first class air tickets and a fleet of mercedes benz cars for his usage. I kinda pity that guy now. I have no qualms with the high pay he was receiving. But why the 12 months bonus? Even our Prime Minister and his cabinet never received more than 2 months of bonuses. Having a golden tap that cost $900 is really insensitive. There are familes out there who can't even get a single dip of water out of their normal tap. $900 can help them clear of their debts and move on with their lives. The final straw was the lying of actual patients figurs and number of years the reserves can last. Why do that? There are other charities out there that is crying out for some donations too. The best thing that came out of this episode was the resignation of the whole board(who actually allow all this to go on and to the extent of standing behind their CEO when the whole thing was out in the open) and the CEO himself.
Power and greed goes hand in hand. The more power you have, the more things you will want. NKF is a very good example of this. They had simply grown into one of the biggest organisation in S'pore. With all the power in the hands of one man and a board that have business connection with him, this is a recipe for disaster. Men will never know how much they want. If only we know to be content and satisfied with what we have. The irony of this whole episode is that all these facts will not come to the face of light if Mr Durai had not taken a lawsuit against SPH. Seems like justice still exist in our world.
I think I will be channeling my regular donation to other organisation that need it more. I am not saying I won't donate to NKF ever again. We can't wipe away all the good that they had done just because of mistakes made by Mr Durai and the board. I hope that the new CEO and board will ensure that there will be more transparency in the usage of donor money. They might need some time to recover from this blow but I am sure that they will be able regain donors' trust in times to come.
You can take a picture of something you see. In the future where will I be?
11:10 PM
11:10 PM
