Tag: love

10 Things To Love And Hate About A Government Job

Author’s Note

My interviewee once joined a government agency straight out from university, excited at the prospects of being able to help shape the future of Singapore. He left the organisation a couple of years later, feeling jaded but also thankful for the things he has learnt and contributed to. Following that, he swung to the other extreme to do sales in a fast-paced private MNC environment. Having been on both sides now, he’d like to share his candid thoughts about working in the government.

Note that his experience may differ from others in the public sector, and the culture differs between various government bodies too. This article hence seeks not meant to be a factual generalisation but rather a personal observation based on his limited time there. For ease of reading, it will henceforth be written in the first-person.

“Not for me now; maybe at retirement”

“Will you consider work in the government sector?”

This is the question I posed to 3 fellow Singaporeans recently, all of whom replied with a similar answer, “Not now, but perhaps later when I want a slower pace of life, or if I’m about to retire”. For manySingaporeans, a government job seems to have a strong stereotype of being slow-paced and bureaucratic. But a government position is typically well respected in most countries worldwide; you’d think that this will hold true especially in Singapore which has, undeniably, one of the most efficient government organisation in the world. Why then are so many locals dissing at the suggestion of a government job? Being there, I do agree that there’s some parts that can be better, but to be fair, it’s not all bad.

To set the record straight, allow me to share the 10 things I love and hate about a government job.

5 things I hate about a government job

1. Budget papers and long procurement processes

We have to start the list with the dreaded budget paper of course! To carry out any projects that require spending anywhere above $3000, you will have to write an official budget paper to justify the expenditure to get it approved. A moderate budget requires at least 2 to 3 levels of approval, and the process is dragged if one of the signatories is away. It’s common to have budget papers thrown back for better justification or re-wording (sometimes it’s down to grammatical errors!). It sometimes makes you feel like you’re submitting your communications 101 homework.

Once budget is approved, you’ll still need to launch a public invitation-to-quote on Gebiz*, and evaluate which vendor is the best. The entire whole process takes anywhere between 3 weeks to 3 months, which is a long time (it could take longer with tender processes if much bigger budgets are needed). The entire process is painfully slow and frustrating, and you’d constantly wonder why you’re wasting so much time and effort on the procurement process rather than implementing the project.

*Gebiz is Singapore’s government electronic procurement system.

2. Endless meetings (and minutes to write)

There’s a huge number of meetings that government officers are pulled into; there will always be multiple agendas related to your organisation’s industry that requires an inter-departmental or whole-of-government approach, but there’s only so few officers. Within my first few months in the job, I was already ‘arrowed’ to participate in various task force and inter-governmental discussions. Many a times, I was questioning why I’m part of the discussion, and it’s common to see some officers typing away on their emails instead of participating in discussions.

Then there’s minutes. Most meetings, both internal and external, require someone to document minutes or notes. There is typically a standard template to adhere to, and you may need to have to have your minutes vetted or approved. Writing minutes in this way, in my personal opinion, is a chore and a waste of time. While it’s important to note down key discussion points and next steps, a more efficient way is to send everyone a simple summary email with follow-up items.

3. Hierarchical… and some bosses still expect to be served

While the hierarchical structures are slowly giving way to modern, open-office concept, it may take another full generation to fully change this. There’re many stories of officers being told not to skip the chain of command, or being blamed for approaching another department head directly. I personally had been stopped by the Personal Assistant of my director when I wanted to knock on his door for a quick chat. I didn’t expect to have to schedule a time through the Personal Assistant to meet my own boss..

4. Urgency please?

The most common stereotype of working in government seems to be that things move slowly. It takes forever to start something (remember the budget papers and internal approval processes?), and it takes even longer to get everyone on board to implement a project quickly. Everyone has their own projects on priority, and your project seems to always be on the backburner. It takes numerous discussions for all stakeholders to agree on something, which would already have taken weeks if not months. If you’re a young officer eager to make your mark and shape the future of Singapore, I’m afraid you’ll have to be extremely patient as your enthusiasm is most likely to wear off before any actual work gets done due to the many layers of approvals required.

A side note to this is the way remuneration works in the government: one is sometimes “punished” for doing fast and effective work by receiving more work. On the other hand, if you do what’s expected well enough, you will enjoy a long stable career. Nothing fanciful, but it works. Maybe that explains the lack of urgency. To be fair, this is a common problem in many organisations, but in the government it’s especially prevalent, since hires and fires don’t happen as rapidly, and profits aren’t the only bottom line.

Maybe another explanation for the lack of urgency, is…

5. Strategy overdo

Strategy is a big word thrown out often too many times in the government, though the frequency varies among various organisations. While the job of the government is to develop strategic policies, it becomes frustrating when projects are always stuck at the strategy phase, or when long-term strategies change, ironically, every year. I’ve seen how strategic plans are revised multiple times a year to the point where employees roll their eyes when they hear the big word. It is especially frustrating when your personal performance indicators and projects are part of an approved strategy and is now on hold because management is re-looking into the strategy. With this in place, any form of urgency gets squelched for practicality: let’s go slow and see if they change their mind, again.

5 things I love about a government job

Its not all gloom and doom though, and here are the 5 things I loved about my time in the government.

6. Strategic thinking skills

Ironically, getting involved in strategy work also means that you get to develop your strategic thinking skills. Since any projects or policies you implement will involve taxpayers’ money, you have to make sure that it’s sustainable, fits into the bigger Singapore growth roadmap and pays off in the long run. While it can be frustrating at times, it did force me to think strategically all the time, and over time, it developed me to be more strategic, and think in a big-picture manner. Even the dreaded exercise of writing budget papers trained me to be focused in my thoughts, giving them clarity.

7. Leaving a legacy and making an impact on society

The impact you make in a government body benefits the society you live in. You’d feel good knowing that you’ve contributed back to society in a big way, having satisfied the inner desire to make a difference to the community. You’re not just working towards the bottomline of a company, but sacrificing your time and efforts for the greater good. There’s not many other workplaces where you can say the same thing, and it is deeply fulfilling and meaningful.

If you are in the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), you will be opening industries and attracting MNCs that will employ thousands of people. If you are part of the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA), you will be helping to build a futuristic smart nation. If you are in the National Environment Agency (NEA), you will be creating a sustainable environment for us and our children. And these are just three of the many agencies around. I once established a strategic partnership (during my days in the government sector) that brought revenue contribution to local businesses, and I felt proud knowing that it had contributed to the economy of the country, akin to leaving an important legacy behind.

8. Involved in latest events and community news

Being the champion of an industry (eg. Tourism Board for tourism) also means that you get the first chance to experience new stuff. If you like to be seen as the hipster who’s been to the River Safari first or launch of the National Gallery, then being part of the government is for you.

9. Family-oriented, good benefits, and lunch culture

The public sector is a family oriented environment in general, with generous benefits and family-oriented policies. Leave entitlements in particular trump many private sector companies, which is why it is the pro-baby workplace as most people know it as. It is also not uncommon for employees to take no-pay-leave for sabbaticals, or exam leaves for studies. And on the compensation side, there’s always the sweet 13th month bonus every year and the occasional mid year bonuses.

There’s typically a strong local (food) culture as well (you can trust Singaporeans to love their food!). I always look forward to lunching together in groups, sometimes even travelling out far for the best food. There’s typically no strict lunch hours, and there’ll always be celebratory meals for new joiners or birthday colleagues.

10. Gain global outlook and CEO exposure

Depending on your role and employer, public officers do enjoy quite a bit of opportunities to travel overseas for work. These could be market study trips, meetings or representing Singapore in overseas conferences and seminars. You’ll be exposed to international best practices, different cultures and they all help you develop a global outlook.

As a young, inexperienced employee in many other companies, you may not get a chance to interface with senior leaders in other organisations. However, because you represent the government of Singapore, senior business leaders are willing to meet you for various reasons such as gaining tax concessions for locating regional HQs here or to obtain government grants for their businesses. With the government’s trust in the abilities of its young officers, you could use the experience to develop into a well-rounded professional. For example, EDB is especially known for exposing young officers to senior management leaders of MNCs.

Concluding thoughts

When people ask me what’s the difference between my previous government role and the current private sector role, I have lots of mixed feelings. When I was in my prior role, I was feeling worn-out (and sometimes cynical) by the long drawn processes. I wanted to go faster and do more, but I felt hampered by bureaucracy. But it wasn’t all bad. In retrospect, I realised that the training and exposure I had helped me develop very useful skills that will carry me far. And I do sometimes miss the noble mission that every government officer is set on – the mission to create a better home for us all.

Every sector has it’s good and bad side. I sure have grumbles about working in the government sector, as with many others I believe. But I do admit too that it can be a great place for professionals to develop into an all-rounder and do meaningful work for their country at the same time.

Look beyond the stereotypes associated with a government job, and you may perhaps find your dream job in this sector.

*Article first appeared on www.17wakinghours.com

Source: www.allsingaporestuff.com

November 18, 2014
Gay And Muslim: A Cry For Help

A Cry for Help

I have a question and I really don’t know where to turn. This is something I can’t even talk to my parents or friends about, so I hope you can help me. I am a 19-year-old Muslim girl and I’m sexually attracted to other girls. Please don’t judge me. I know it’s not right to act on my feelings and so far I haven’t, alhamdulillah. But I come from a good Muslim family, and now I live away from home for college and it’s getting more & more difficult to stay away from sin. I’m part of the MSA (Muslim Student Association) & I tried to bring up this topic once (without telling them it was about me); and the Muslims got all upset & some people started making jokes about “It’s Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve.” And I was just asking what someone with these feelings should do to stay away from sin. I didn’t say homosexual acts are okay! Now I’m getting really depressed and feel so alone. I’m even starting to question my faith. I mean, why can’t Muslims with gay & lesbian feelings get advice or help when Muslims have no problem giving advice to Muslims who don’t wear hijab, who drink, who commit zina, and even Muslims who don’t pray! Do you know of any online resources or support groups for Muslims I can join anonymously? I don’t want to lose my faith. Please help me. –Don’t want to be Gay Muslim

How Can We Help?

Undoubtedly, any Muslim who reaches out for help in practicing his or her faith deserves not only help and guidance, but also patience, compassion, and empathy. No believer should be shamed or blamed for simply wanting advice in fighting sin, whether that sin is major or minor, normal or abnormal. None of us is without sin. Prophet Muhammad, sallallahu’alayhi wa sallam, taught us that all of the children of Adam sin, and the best of those who sin are those who constantly repent.

Therefore, as we strive for Paradise, we should help each other in our efforts of repentance, even if the sin is shocking or repulsive, as homosexuality is to many people.

Homophobia: Remaking Religion in a New Image

Ironically, one of the greatest barriers to helping Muslims like the nineteen-year-old Muslim girl above is the alleged fight against homophobia. Literally, homophobia means an irrational fear of or paranoia regarding homosexuality or homosexuals. However, socially and politically, homophobia has come to mean anything that offends gays and lesbians, specifically those gays and lesbians who either reject God and religion altogether or those who wish to remake God and religion in their image.

Unfortunately, the latter group now includes professed Muslims. Some of these Muslims identify with a gay or lesbian orientation while others are merely silent (or vocal) supporters of “the cause”—whose primary goal is to dismantle the moral teachings of the Qur’an under the guise of “new interpretations.”

Gay Struggle vs. Gay Agenda

In the Qur’an, Allah discusses the stipulations of nikaah (Islamic marriage):

“And give to the women [whom you marry] their mahr [dowry or marital gift]…”

—Al-Nisaa, 4:4

However, one lesbian blogger who professes to be Muslim claims that Allah’s instructions are outdated. “I think the concept of nikkah is largely outdated,” the lesbian blogger told me in an email.

She went on to say that Islamic marriage is, for all intents and purposes, a reprehensible financial transaction that involves selling and buying a woman’s sexual organs, a concept that is inferior to her homosexual “marriage”

In the fiqhi discussions, the nikkah contract at its most basic is one whereby the husband purchases with the mahr access to the wife’s sexual organs usually from one of her male relatives. This is why this is little discussion or understanding of marital rape or the wife’s right of consent before engaging in sex with her husband. This concept of purchasing or a contract stipulating access to a spouse sexually is anathema to the relationship I have with my wife. Our marriage is based on more egalitarian principles of mutual love, support and commitment.

Interestingly, this explanation utilizes the same approach used by Islamophobes, wherein they describe praiseworthy Islamic concepts in reprehensible terms to make their “alternative” appear not only logical and justifiable, but also more desirable than anything offered by Allah in Islam.

Clearly, this view is not indicative of a Muslim’s “gay struggle,” wherein one struggles with gay feelings but merely needs support and empathy from believers in striving against temptation to sin. Rather, this view is indicative of a “gay agenda” designed to dismantle Islamic teachings altogether.

As we seek to be supportive and empathetic with Muslims struggling with homosexual desires, it is important that we don’t mistake a gay agenda for a gay struggle. The former is a path to kufr (disbelief) while the latter is a path to tawbah (repentance).

Is a Gay Orientation “Natural”?

In her email, the lesbian blogger argued, “God created us perfectly, irrespective of orientation.” She also said that “a person’s sexual orientation is not a mistake, sinful, or something to feel ashamed about nor hidden or suppressed.”

In other words, Islam’s requirement to avoid acting on our underlying sinful desires (homosexual or otherwise) and the perpetual existence of our underlying sinful desires are somehow mutually exclusive to each other…Or they are evidence that no Islamic law exists to prevent us from acting on our sinful desires as long as we can convince ourselves that our sinful desires stem from a static “orientation” that is part of our “perfect nature.”

Put simply, if we can blame Allah for our ongoing struggles and desires in this world, we are allegedly absolved of any responsibility for following His laws in the process.

This is an interesting argument given that not a single one of us controls the tests we are handed, only how we respond.

Sexual Orientation Argument Debunked

If we use the blogger’s definition of orientation (an underlying consistent sexual desire that the person himself/herself did not choose), then we have to recognize that there are people who have an underlying “orientation” toward animals, inanimate objects, and even children—orientations that they too did not choose. Thus, if we remove acts of homosexuality from the category of sin based on the consistency of the underlying sexual desire beyond one’s control, then we must accept that a host of sexual desires can be acted on without falling into sin.

Though the modern Western world typically uses the “consenting adults” argument to dismiss the validity of acting on sexual desires toward children, the “consenting adults” argument is inherently flawed when approving homosexual acts.

In other words, if you believe homosexual acts are not sinful but you apply the condition of “consenting adults,” then you are agreeing to the same principle that rules homosexual acts as sinful in the first place—that, ultimately, morality trumps desire. The only question is: What is your definition of “morality”?

Muslims, like Jews and Christians, recognize only one ultimate authority in defining morality: God. Thus, any underlying “nature” is irrelevant in discussions of sexual morality. Although many Muslims (as well as Jews and Christians), argue that homosexuality is “unnatural,” this is really a moot point as far as the religious concepts of sin and obedience are concerned.

Islam, as a general rule, is most concerned with sinful acts, not with the underlying desire itself, irrespective of whether or not the desire is rooted in nature (i.e. a man and a woman sexually desiring each other) or a perversion of nature (i.e. a person desiring sexual relations with an animal).

However, viewing certain desires as unnatural (as some desires certainly are) is helpful for those seeking to understand and subsequently root out their perverted desires. But, in the context of religious morality, the categorization of the sexual desire as natural or unnatural is irrelevant when discussing sinful behaviors.

In other words, in Islam, we are not held accountable for desiring something sinful. We are held accountable only for acting on something sinful.

When We Betray Those We Can Help

When offering advice to others about a sinful lifestyle, there are only two possibilities: We frame our advice according to how the sin is viewed in Allah’s Book and the Sunnah; or we frame our advice according to some other point of view.

When we choose the latter approach, we are betraying those whom Allah has entrusted us to help.

Whenever we are given both emaan (Islamic faith) and a severe trial, it as if we are being given an answer key along with a test. And if we are able to share with others the lessons we learn during our tests in life, we are offering a hand to others with struggles like ours. In fact, as believers we have a responsibility to help others during our brief sojourn on this earth, especially if Allah has equipped us with both the life experience and the Islamic knowledge necessary to help others remain on the right path.

I just wish there were more experienced, knowledgeable people to help Muslims like the nineteen-year-old Muslim girl struggling with lesbian desires, help that strikes a balance between not judging her for her struggle and not inviting her to effectively indulge in the very sin she is crying out for help in fighting.

…Or inviting her to leave the very faith she wants to hold onto by encouraging her to replace her gay struggle (a path to tawbah) with a gay agenda (a path to kufr).

Umm Zakiyyah is the internationally acclaimed author of the If I Should Speak trilogy. Her latest novel Muslim Girl is now available.

Source: http://muslimmatters.org

November 15, 2014
Cinta Tidak Kenal Usia, Agama

The first time Don saw his fiancee, Aida, who is also seven years older than him, he thought she was a domestic helper while she saw him as just a ‘cute lil kid’.

Now, eight years on, the couple are poised to tie the knot in the near future.

In his entry, Don wrote:

“I would like to dedicate this entry to my best friend and fiancee, Aida Borhan.

“This is also my Valentine’s Day surprise for her as both of us always felt online contests were a waste of time and she would never expect me to join one.

“Our story is long and complicated, as is everyone else’s, so I shall summarize the important details.

“I first met my fiancee when I was working part time at Orchard Hotel while waiting for my O-level results.

“There, I was promoted to work on the VIP executive floor, where she worked as a guest relations officer.

“I was just 17 while she was 24. We were both single at the time.

“My first impression of her was that she looked like a foreign domestic helper.

“Her impression of me was ‘the cute lil kid’.

“Aida was my supervisor at work but we had good chemistry as colleagues and never had any conflicts.

“One weekend night, we had just finished our shifts so we decided to hang out together, and ended up taking in a late night movie. It was opening night of “The Covenant” back in late 2006.”In the theatre, I jokingly placed my arm around her as I told her I felt more comfortable since I’ve never actually watched a movie with a girl who was just a friend.

“To clarify, I did not have any other intentions towards her, or feelings for her. It was just weird not having my arm around a girl!

“She was okay with it as we had this ‘big sister and lil bro’ relationship.

“Needless to say, we enjoyed the movie and we began seeing more of each other after work.

“While we remained as friends, we felt really comfortable with each other, and we both believed at the time that a man and woman can keep things between us as strictly ‘friends’.

“Boy, were we wrong.

“One random night in Nov 2006, I suddenly kissed her on the lips while we were both sharing stories about ourselves on a bench under the void deck of a housing block in Woodlands.

“Till today, I had no idea why i did what i did.

“We both stayed silent for five minutes, before we burst out laughing.

“As it turned out, we were both developing strange and unknown feelings for each other.

“We didn’t dare to call it love as, well, we had an age gap of seven years!

“We had no physical attraction whatsoever initially!

“However, we mutually decided to give it a shot as we both figured, why not?

“We spent the next year of our lives together, happy for the most part with our fair share of ups and downs.

“We were so crazy in love that we had tattoos of each other’s name done.

“Everything was going well until one fateful day, when I decided to propose.

“She rejected my proposal, saying that I was still way too young, that marriage was not easy and that i was the one making a mistake.

“She felt that I was not old enough to be sure of my feelings and that I would one day change my mind and date a younger woman.

“We argued over this for months.

“We also had disagreements over her dressing and clubbing habits, as well as my temper and trust issues.

“Our relationship couldn’t take the strain of these countless arguements so we broke up in late 2007, after more then a year together.

“I took the break-up pretty hard for she was the first girl whose personality, rather than looks, attracted me.

“Before her, I have never felt this comfortable with anyone else, not even my best friends or sibling.

“It got to a point that I chose take a year off relationships until I was ready to date or have a girlfriend again.

“On the day I enlisted into the army, I sent Aida an email, saying I would always love her, and I finally have the strength to move on.

“I decided to accept the love of another girl, hoping to give love another chance. That was in late 2008.

“My new relationship was good. We were generally happy and I liked her a whole lot, but she was not my Aida.

“I was in the army so the time i spent with my new girl was little.

“Just before I was about to ORD in late 2010, Aida contacted me after 3 years of not hearing from her.

“It was just a courtesy greeting as she had just joined facebook and wondered how i was doing.

“I’m not so proud of the next thing I did after that. I immediately dumped my current girlfriend and arranged a date with Aida.

“To the ex,if you are reading this, I apologise again and wish you all the best.

“The moment we laid our eyes on each other once again after three years without contact, she leaped into my arms and we embraced each other for what seemed like forever.

“We then shared a long passionate kiss, somehow knowing that this felt right, and that everything will be alright.

“It has been more then 3 years since we reunited.

“We still have our ups and down. but the time we spent apart helped us to grow as individuals.

“We have learned to give and take for the greater good, as well as appreciate the various sacrifices we had to make over the years.

“We were finally on the path of building a life and family together, and are now closer then ever before as well.

“We are currently staying together with my parents while waiting for our ROM date (she finally said yes!), and scouting for a matrimonial home.

“Again, this is dedicated to my wife-to-be, my soulmate and my best friend.

“I hope this finally surprises you as it’s really hard for us to keep secrets and surprises from each other since we know one another inside out.

“I have loved this girl and knew I wanted to marry her since I was 17. I thank god we reunited after all that time.”

Source: http://bit.ly/1eQsaBW

February 4, 2014