Desmond Keong

People in my profession must endure great emotional labour. We cannot bear any grudge or hatred to those who have done us a great disservice. Deep in the midst of our hearts, there should be forgive and forget — regardless of the how the other party reacts…

Went to Chinatown today to get a feel of the CNY atmosphere. My downtrodden mood was further dampened by the downpour that lasted about 15 min. The number of people was much less than I expected. It might be due to the heavy rain, or the fading of the novelty. I could see expressions of gloominess hung on the stallholders’ faces. This is in stark contrast to the fireworks that lit the sombre skies at the nearby Explanade. Somehow, the CNY festive mood was simply not there…    

During NS, my Company Sergeant Major (CSM) used to say," Don’t Treat My Kindness as My Weakness" in front of the whole company. Frankly speaking, I do not like the way he disciplined the company. But nevertheless, I do not hate him either. At least he could be reasonable sometimes.

This week had been rather busy with two Science practicals. The new timetable was worse than the previous. I have 15 periods on two days. Gosh… Some people just have to sacrifice for the benefit of others.

The way which some teenagers comment on others can be "extremely rude and callous". We must always remember that whatever we say or write, it must go through and be filtered by the brain and not bypass it. If we simply pen down what we feel (is interesting or funny) from our heart, we are actually hurting others unknowingly…

Don’t think I am always kept in the dark on whatever you say or write. Nothing escapes me if I make the effort to find out. If I do not react, it does not mean I am unaware, or oblivious of what you are doing. I am just waiting for the ripe time to strike. You can call me a crafty fox, but this is my means of self-defence. If you are not an aggressor in the first place, you do not need to be afraid of my counterstrike.

I guess I am too kind to others, which often results in others having the misconception that I am too kind, gentle or effeminate. Well, if this is not what you want to see, I can let you see my devil side. I will not even care a damn if I will hurt you, coz you never care if you have hurt others in the first place.

A person’s tolerance has it’s limits. If you happen to see someone being nasty, not because he wants to be nasty, but because you ask for it. (Some people really like to ask for trouble.) For those with foul mouths, may the fleas of one million camels infest your armpits.

不要把自己的快乐建筑在别人的痛苦上. And once again, don’t treat my KINDNESS, as my WEAKNESS… Watch what you write or say. You never know when I am lurking around. I don’t need any informant to tell me. I have my own ways and means.

Wow, I have not blogged for so many weeks. I better write one before I even forget that I have a blog.While I witnessed some people going to the US, Hong Kong, India, Thailand and even Myanmar, there is no holiday for me this year. No money, no time or scared or Tsunami? These are my excuses (or reasons?). 

The report by KPMG on the management of old National ‘Kachang’ Foundation (NKF) revealved some stunning findings. Only about 10% of the funds donated by the public went to the kidney patients. So where did the remaining 90-51 = 39% go to?

(1) Conversion of 70 days leave to pay for ex-NKF CEO: $350 000,

(2) First Class airline trip to Las Vegas to ‘gain inspirations’ on organising charity shows: >$700 000. Gain inspirations or holidays? Don’t use euphemistic terms when using public funds!

(3) Engagement of a private chauffeur + Mercedes Benz + Expenditure on corporate credit card: >$40 000 per month. Why use corporate credit card when the ex-CEO is getting over 25k/mth?

(4) Indiscriminate pay increment and gratia payment for the directors: > 6-digits figure. Which job in Singapore offers you 4 times increment per year? Only old NKF!

(5) Indiscrimate spending and contract with Forte and some other companies: 7-digit figures

and many more unlisted here!

While there is no evidence on the embezzlement or siphoning of public funds, the indiscrimate expenditure by the ex-CEO has totally breached the public trust on the old NKF. Even Mrs Goh CT was initially fooled by him too. To think that she even sided with him (and got herself into trouble) when the matter first gained public attention. In the ancient times, the ex-CEO would have been executed on the spot with all the evidence against him.

The thought of how my donation (albeit ‘peanuts’) has been lavished by the ex-CEO is enough to make me blow my top. In my frugal life, I have been scrimping even to the extent that I will prefer to walk (regardless of rain or shine) a few bus-stops just to save 64 cents (or 38 cents during transfer). When it comes to charitable organisations, I am usually quite generous in my donations. Even though I am still heavily in debt, I still dialed 1900 1126833 on a few occasions to pledge $15 donation to NKF. Now the report revealed that the organisation has severely mismanaged the public funds during Durai’s era. No wonder so many donars feel cheated!

I am now indifferent, or rather desensitisized towards charitable organizations. What I am sure is that in the near future, this perception will not change. Only time can heal my feelings.

For the past few months, I have received many mails in my daisy_hilo@yahoo account asking me to pose as the next-of-kin of some millionaires who were killed either in plane crash or car accident in South Africa. Excerpts…

1) A "solicitor" by the name of Barrister Oliver wanted me to claim as the closest relative of his client whose entire family was killed in a motor accident, so that I can inherit the deceased’s US10.5 million dollars. WTH.

2) An "attorney" by the name of BARRISTER GANI DANJUMA wanted me to pose as the nex-of-kin of his client whose family was killed in a car accident (Can you be more creative?) so that I can receive 40% of the deceased’s US11.5 million dollars in his finance firm.

3) Another guy by the name of BAR WILIAMS MARK claimed that I have won US1 million dollars sponsored by the Canadian government in their promotion for World Cup 2010 to be hosted in South Africa. The lucky draw was held over the world and my email was attached with the winning ticket number B9564 75604545 100 with Serial number 46560. WOW!! AM I DREAMING?

4) This guy, ERIC MANUEL, an "independent financial consultant", wanted me to pose as the next-of-kin of his client (AGAIN???) who has died of heart complications so that I can receive a certain percentage (negotiable) of his US9.5 million dollars from his private bank account. WTF??? AM I A RELATIVE OF EVERY RICH GUY IN THIS WORLD?

5) This lady, Mrs.Gogolo & Frank Molola, wanted me to be their facilitator so that they can use their family fund of US6.2 million dollars to invest in my country as her country of Zimbabwe is currently experiencing some political unrests. I was even promised to receive 25% of this amount. So good deal??

6) The THE PROMOTIONS MANAGER of FLASH FORTUNE LOTTO SOUTH AFRICA, stated that I am one of the 10 lucky winners out of fifty million emails to strike US2 million dollars. My lotto payment order:

(i) winning numbers:  37-13-43-85-67-11
(ii) email ticket number:  51777-0
(iii)batch Number:FFL754/22/76
(iii) lotto code number: FFL09622/SA
(iv) the file Ref number:  FFL/04/736207152/SA

How I wish that is real!

7) Gezi.John. NYERERE from Tanzania, wanted to transfer his father’s fortune of US36.5 million dollars into my nominated bank account. Out of this, I will receive 20%.

Prince Sithole claimed that I was selected out of over 2.5 million emails to win US2.95 million dollars in a FLASH FORTUNE LOTTO.  My email was attached to ticket number 343-221-8756
with serial number 513-10 has drawn the lucky numbers 

3, 8, 13, 22, 27, 41 and Bonus number 12 and consequently I have also won in the Second Category.

Wow, I have not even won 10 bucks in the TOTO draw held locally. Now you tell me I have won First and Second Prize concurrently in South Africa??? Please la, I may be crazy, but I am not stupid. 滚远一点吧！

9) A guy, BARRISTER GREG MARTINS, AN ATTORNEY AT LAW, claimed that his client, together with his family, perished in a fatal accident in Nigeria. This guy wanted me to pose as the next-of-kin so that I can inherit 40% of his US 6 million dollars. he even promised that the deal will be executed under a legitimate agreement such that there is no breach of law. Like real

10) This guy, Barry Onwa, Western District Manager, Union Bank (NIG.) PLC, claimed that one Singaporean guy, Alex Sim (fictitious character??) died in 2001 with no one to inherit his US25.5 million> My job is to provide an account to transfer this sum of money. I can claim 20% if I agreed to it. Why did Alex Sim deposit his money in a country as far as Nigeria? Loopholes everywhere and expect an exceptionally smart guy like me to believe??!!

11) Another guy, Mike Zuma, director of a finance company in South Africa claimed that a military soldier from Rwanda deposited a consignment of US 25 million dollars in 1994 but was later killed in the genocide with no stated beneficiary. If I accede to Mike’s request of transferring this consignment to my country, I will get 30% of the money. But…, I have to keep the matter confidential. Shhh….

12)  This time, a lady, MRS. SUSAN SHABANGU, requested me to become the stand-in beneficiary for a sum of US$30.5 million held in a financial institute by her husband as he, Mr Ndelebe Shabangu, died while he was on an official trip to Trinidad and Tobago in 2002. How can someone curse her husband to die? 真是最毒妇人心 !

13) This guy, DAVIS MOTHA from Cape Town, South Africa is an Executive Accountant with the South Africa
Department of Mining & Natural Resources affiliated
(created) to the Department of Minerals and Energy. The company which he works in has an overdue payment of US$10.5. He wanted me to act as a facilitator for this sum of money to transfer to my country. From this deal, I am "assured" of getting 25% of the money.

How I wish all the above 13 cases are true! However, I will always remember what PM Lee and SM Goh have always advocated," there is no FREE lunch in this world!"

This afternoon, I went to Bishan Junction 8 to watch the audition for School Superstar. (Anyone spotted me??) The place was damn crowded with many teenage boys and girls, not to mention those uncles and aunties who wished to feel young again by immersing in the youthful and vibrant atmosphere. I was taken aback by the number of contestants which numbered to 3000 and above. Many of them, regardless of looks, sizes and talents wished to have a feel of being a Superstar. Some of them were accompanied by friends and classmates while a few brought their whole families (including their grandparents!) to support them.

Due to the great number of participants, each of them was given only 20 - 30 seconds to sing their favourite songs. Participants who displayed potential were given another chance to sing another song. Even though it was very tiring to stand still for several hours, I was fully entertained by some students who either sang completely off tune or forgot their lyrics. A few male participants even acted as if they were already Superstars. Haha…

The intermissions were entertained by Project Superstar semi and finalists such as Derrick, Junyang, Sugianto, Silver, Kelly and a few others whom I have forgotten their names. As usual, my impression of Derrick and Sugianto has not improved since Project Superstar. Derrick was still quite weak in his singing while Sugianto gave me the impression that he was very arrogant…

While I was about to leave, I saw two CGS gals (sec 2s) waiting for their turns to appear on stage. So I thought of staying behind to watch their performance. Before their appearance, the disqualification rate was very high (almost 98%). When the first CGS gal opened her voice pox, her singing 有感动到我. I was correct as she was through to the next round. (Well done!) The second gal was too nervous that she had to "balek" a few times. As expected, she was disqualified.

       I guess I have to end here. I am simply too lazy and tired to type further. Blame the flu virus which has invaded my body some days ago. Tsktsk…    

26 Sep 2005                     4.26 pm

Dear Desmond, are you keen in joining _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ? Need your reply asap. _ _ _    _ _ _ _.

4 Nov 2005                      3.57 pm

Refer to my updated profile at Friendster.

I hope this is not the beginning of my nightmare. 藕断丝连… Haha…

Time really flies! Tomorrow will be the one year anniversary which I went to Night Safari (for the first time) with my colleagues…

Anyway, I have no mood to blog coz I am still kept in suspense! The feeling of anxiety has become feeling of desensitization…

Haha, I am finishing my course soon. From countless assignments in the first semester to two remaining…,  I don’t know how I manage to do all these. Time seems to pass rather quickly. The last time I knew, it was February. Now it’s almost the end of the year…

Anyway, my final posting will be out next week. Kinda keeping my finger crossed. Fate will determine where I go…

对于上一次互联网账单的差错，新电信已经寄信澄清一切，俺不需付任何一分钱。虽然信中没有提到道歉这回事，事情也算圆满解决。俺也大人有大量，既往不咎。

I want to retract what I said in the previous post!

I ended with "surely I will miss you (Singnet)". Yesss, my foot now! I will not miss you for sending me a bill that reflects what I did not use. I am no longer a subscriber now and yet you ask me to pay for the Month of Oct? Wait long long. Worse still, your bill reflects my "entitled" usage time as "excess" usage time. This results in the final amount ballooned to $115.34 — more than ten times my normal usage amount???!!! Does Singtel, one of the best telecommunication companies in Asia (and probably one of the best in the world) impose a hefty fine on those who terminate their service? I have sent two emails and only one was replied — in a 敷衍 manner. I am still waiting for the second reply which they claim in the website, requires 5 working days. I have decided to unleash my wrath in 4 days time. So whoever receives my phone call, I apologise in advance that I have to spoil your day.

Lastly, I do hope that the company does not simply Sing and Tell as claimed by Dr Mahathir (ex-PM of M’sia) some years back.