Dear all,
It is interesting to note there is still so much angst, chatters after ministerial salary review. This exercise is probably one kind of its own in the world. At least there are now more scientific explanations to the new scheme. We can argue till the cows come home on why benchmark top 1,000 or why 40% discount from the median to derive at $715,000 ‘confirmed’ annual package or 13 months of $55,000 per month.
There is still the altruist who believes in service before salary and expecting capable and competent candidates to step forward, volunteer to serve, never mind the ‘opportunity cost’. It’s simplistic a view.
Bringing down the President’s salary is a given although I feel somewhat sorry for MPs whose allowance is cut 3%.
Then, there are plenty of half-truths, mis-informations, gossips going on and on in cyberspace. This reminds me of a story and it goes….
A lady falsely accused her neighbour, of playing hanky-panky with her, went round the neighbourhood with a tall story subsequently confessed to her priest. She asked for forgiveness for lying. “Not so fast”, said the priest.
“I want you to go home, take your pillow and a knife to your balcony. Stab it as many times as you would to vent your anger on your neighbour when you first concocted this story. Then after, come and see me”.
She went back to her old priest as instructed. “Did you stab the pillow with your knife?” he asked. “Yes Father; many times” said her. “And what happened?” asked the priest. “Feathers, feathers everywhere” she replied sheepishly.
Now I want you to go back home, gather every single feather and put it back in that pillow.
“But it’s impossible, Father”, she protested. “The wind took most away.” “And that my dear”, said the priest, “is gossip”.
Once out, how to retrieve? Now that we have puffed the pillow, can we move on? There is still spring cleaning to do before Chinese New Year.
By Han Jok Kwang HP Alumni’s President
