The attempt by a famous
Singaporean Blogger Roy Ngerng of Heart Truths to associate the
Government investments/CPF to the City Harvest Court case was met with a
quick legal response.
I just wonder if Roy had talked
about gays and their lack of rights, whether he would still be accepted
by the general public. Nevertheless, his heart for basic freedoms,
equality and accountability is something we need for a better
society. However, the mob at speakers corner which Roy frequents as a
speaker could easily turned against gays!
In fairness, the association of
financial misappropriations was very far off, unlike CHC where the
accused have a clear case to answer.
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In CHC Building Fund, payment
is given to the church for the building fund, and the returns (10,
20, 30 folds) were all possible returns not from the church but from
God. There was no capital guarantee. If the capital was lost and
there was no returns, the only person to be blamed is us since we
can't blame God or the church. We must have sinned or lack faith or
not given enough! It takes faith and a miracle whilst the CPF
returns are fixed.
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In CPF, the
capital is guaranteed, and the returns stated very clearly at 2.5%
of Ordinary Account and 4% for Special Account. Compared to the bank
Fixed Deposit, this is a very good rate. The money that is deposited
will be returned one day and is clearly accounted for. For CHC, once
the money is given, you can't go online to check how much the money
that was given, or whether the money is growing with the multi fold
returns. There is no return, not even 1 cent. The returns at best
are spiritual!
Hence, to blame the Government
for financial misappropriations on the same manner as City Harvest
Church is clearly not correct since the money given to City Harvest is
theirs forever with no returns from the church itself. Possibly,
spiritual blessings are received.
In CHC, there was a clear case
where the funds given for the purpose of the building fund was not used
as such nothwithstanding the mitigation arguments. The funds in the CPF
on the other hand is used for investments with returns that is
specified.
The Government is bearing the
financial risk which on a Financial crash can be significant. They have
a guaranteed capital liability. It cannot be compared to the stock
market returns which could go south at any time.
The investment in the Cross Over
in Hollywood has no promise of returns and have low probability of
earthly returns as we could not expect a China Wine performance in
Jamaican dialect by a Chinese to be popular.
There is no similarity since
there is no pastor Kong Hee with the dramatic preaching of why Jesus was
rich, and with tears talking about sacrifice of those who paid tens of
thousands. Equal sacrifice not equal giving. There is no sacrifice
in the CPF since the money will be paid back to us in interests.
The very firm and quick
distancing by the Government from the CHC court case is wise. A secular
Government should not be equated to a messy religious business cause.
The Government should make a strong stand against any religious
fundamentalism especially seeking to enter into public and political
space.
In closing, God is high
above all earthly powers, and He has blessed Singapore with a good
Government, with peace, prosperity and fairness as much as could be
expected when we look at other countries where corruption rules, and
jobs given only to certain races.
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