Mayor - why we need Mayors? Why MPs can't do the job?

 [03/10, 11:32 pm] : https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSbm7gSLj/

Mayor referendum?

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSbmKEY5P/

[04/10, 12:02 am] @Babe:

1 Mayor handles 3 to 5 GRCs and 1 to 6 SMCs - to achieve Economies of Scale.

This go way beyond what MPs in GRCs can handle.

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[04/10, 12:13 am] @Babe:

Source :- Google Gemini AI 

Written by :-Joel Wong’s

Last published Aug 8, 2026

Cutting through the noise, one myth at a time. Singapore politics, unpacked with facts, flair, and a little bit of bite.

Why Singapore Has Mayors : The TLDR version

Joel Wong

I recently published a detailed piece explaining what Mayors do and the scope of their work. Some friends found it a little long, so I decided to create this shorter TLDR version. :) If you want to read the longer piece, yoiu can read it here

Every few years, during elections or Budget debates, someone will ask: “Why do we even need Mayors? Isn’t that a waste of money? Can’t MPs just do their jobs?”

It’s a fair question — but also one that often misunderstands how Singapore’s governance structure works today. 

Here’s a clear, fact-checked breakdown so you don’t have to plough through a 100-page report.

1. MPs vs Mayors vs Ministers: Different Jobs, Different Levels

MPs (Members of Parliament) are inward-looking at the constituency level.

They manage your local Town Council (estate maintenance).

They help individual residents at Meet-the-People Sessions (MPS).

When you go to MPS, the first thing they ask is whether you live in the constituency — because MPs are responsible for individual citizen casework.the last line of help for individual citizens

Mayors are inward-looking at the district (CDC) level.

They lead Community Development Councils (CDCs), which cover multiple GRCs and SMCs.

They focus on programs that benefit groups of citizens collectively — such as job fairs, SkillsFuture workshops, community aid, and voucher distributions.

Ministers are outward-facing at the national level.

They are responsible for the overall welfare of Singapore — designing national policies, managing ministries, and safeguarding Singapore’s long-term interests on economic, security, and social fronts.

In short: MPs defend individuals. Mayors coordinate programs for communities. Ministers shape policies for the entire country.

[04/10, 12:15 am] @Babe:

2. What Exactly Do Mayors and CDCs Do?

They organize district-wide initiatives like:

CDC Vouchers: Over S$1.3 billion distributed since COVID-19, supporting households and heartland businesses.

SkillsFuture Advice Workshops: Helping residents plan career paths and learn new skills.

Local financial support programs: Meal schemes for needy students, family funds, health screenings.

During COVID-19 (Feb-Oct 2020):

CDCs ran nearly 100 initiatives.

Reached over 676,000 beneficiaries.

Raised S$8.39 million in cash and kind.

The government often calls CDCs “the hands and legs” for rolling out national help to the ground. One MP cannot do all this alone — especially when initiatives cover entire districts.

[04/10, 12:16 am] @Babe:

3. About $660,000 Mayor Salary

The benchmark salary for a Mayor is S$660,000 a year.

It’s not a second salary — it’s a single clean wage under Singapore’s “no hidden perks” system.

It sits smack between an MP’s allowance (~S$192,500) and a full Minister’s salary (~S$1.1 million).

Why? Because the Mayor’s responsibilities are bigger than a single constituency, but not national like a Cabinet Minister.

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@Babe:

Only 2 Mayors out of the 5 Mayors received the full Mayor pays.

3 Mayors are MOS and Senior MOS and hence received no Mayor pay.

====

04/10, 12:15 am] @Babe:

Singapore Mayors are covering the districts run by WP Opposition MPs - to achieve Economies of Scale.

That is why WP MP Pritam Singh is complaining - no face, want to abolish Mayors that benefit many Singaporeans.

- imply WP MPs are not good enough as they are unable to exploit Economies of Scale.

Singapore Mayors function as regional coordinators for Community Development Councils (CDCs) - that cover districts operate by WP MPs.

Role of Mayors vs. MPs

CDCs and Community Work: Mayors chair the five CDCs (Central, North East, North West, South East, and South West) and focus on local community bonding, mobilising volunteers, and administering national assistance programs like CDC vouchers. 
They focus on programs that benefit groups of citizens collectively — such as job fairs, SkillsFuture workshops, community aid, and voucher distributions.

SkillsFuture Advice Workshops: Helping residents plan career paths and learn new skills.

Local financial support programs: Meal schemes for needy students, family funds, health screenings.

====

入定，涅槃。Jhana Samadhi, Nirvana.

 https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSb5d9T8V/

@Babe:入定，涅槃。

@Babe:Jhana Samadhi, Nirvana.

@Babe:

Non-arising is nibbana.

Non-occurrence is nibbana.

@Babe:

“不生”即是涅槃。 

“不现起”即是涅槃。

1. @Babe:1. A Mediator sitting in Alpha position observe (or silent chanting of a Buddha name) One’s breath – in tandem of the in & out of the nostril. With sustained mindfulness of the in & out of the breath until, serenity & calmness of the mind is achieved. Any distraction of the mind – eg. Drifting of mind, pain or itch in the body – will be tagged with mental noting of the respective phenomenon. This ensure the meditator is “detached: - from his body phenomena or mental state – but merely as another party “observing” his own body phenomena or mental state.
2. 2. When sufficient Concentration developed through this “sustained Mindfulness”, a sharp pointed “bright light” – which is known as “nimitta” sign emerge near the proximity of the nostril – in which sustained mindfulness and Concentration is directed.
3. 3. When the nimitta appears – it means that Concentration of the Mind is near to perfection – and further directed Mindfulness on the nimitta – to achieve “one pointedness of concentration”.
4. 4. When a pointedness of concentration emerged – the nimitta becomes an intense bright light – unwavering, sharpness and brightness.
5. 5. If mindfulness and concentration iis deepen on the intense nimtta – a strong absorption, suction into the intense light will occur.
6. 6. Rapturing will follow that cause the body to quiver with “goose pimples” erupting under the rapturing of the body. In a short instance, the whole body seems to have vanished.
7. 7. The ear consciousness will be suddenly shut out – and only muffle noise of the background will be heard.
8. 8. Following, happiness arises.
9. 9. Serenity arises.
10. 10. Equanimity arises.
11. 11. Silencing of the mind.
12. 12. Only one pointedness bright light become the only dominant visible phenomena – plus the 4 other mental phenomena.
13. 13.This is said to have achieved the “Jhana state” – Chang Ding or Zen state !

@Babe:Attained 1st to 4th Jhana Samadhi !

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@Babe:

1. 禅修者采取特定姿势（Alpha position）坐定，观察呼吸（或默念佛号），紧随鼻孔处的吸气与呼气过程。通过持续觉知呼吸的进出，直至内心达到宁静与安详。若出现任何干扰——如思绪游离、身体疼痛或瘙痒——禅修者会对这些现象进行标记（即在心中觉知并确认该现象）。这确保了禅修者与自身的身体现象或心理状态保持“抽离”——仅作为旁观者“观察”这些现象或状态。 

2. 当通过这种“持续觉知”建立起足够的定力（专注力）时，鼻孔附近会出现一道尖锐集中的“明光”——即所谓的“相”（nimitta）；此时，持续的觉知与定力便集中于此“相”上。 

3. 当“相”出现时，意味着心之定力已近乎圆满；此时需进一步将觉知集中于该“相”上，以达到“心一境性”（定力的高度集中）。 

4. 当心一境性显现时，“相”会转化为一道强烈明亮的光芒——稳定不动，既锐利又明亮。 

5. 若觉知与定力在强烈的“相”上进一步加深，便会产生一种强烈的“吸入感”，仿佛整个人被吸入那道强光之中。 

6. 随后产生喜悦（法喜），身体随之颤动，并因这种喜悦感而起“鸡皮疙瘩”。转瞬间，整个身体似乎消失了。 

7. 听觉意识会突然切断——只能听到微弱模糊的背景噪音。 

8. 紧接着，快乐（乐受）生起。 

9. 宁静（轻安）生起。 

10. 平静（舍心/平等心）生起。

 11. 心归于寂静。 

12. 此时，那道明亮的光芒（心一境性）成为唯一主导的视觉现象，并伴随着另外四种心理现象。 

13. 这便被视为达到了“禅那”（Jhana）状态——即“禅定”或“禅”的境界!

@Babe:初禅定 - 至 四禅定。

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@Babe:1. Meditator will bask on the one pointedness bright light for a while and enjoying the 4 happy mental states of happiness, serenity, equanimity and silencing of the mind.

2. After a while the one pointedness bright light (the first concentric circle) expand outwards like an expanding balloon in the 10 directions – filling up the space around the meditator.

3. Again the expansion of the light – will continue to project and expand outward – farther and farther as it to fill up the space around us, the district, the country, the world, the earth and still continue into the space – the solar system, the galaxy, the whole universe.

4. The first concentric circle of yellow light will then stabilize – and stop expanding. This first concentric circle – characterize as “no-self” – Void – thus it can expand outwards with no barriers or obstacles.

5. As long as as the space or void is not fill with the yellow bright light, the first concentric circle of bright light will then expand again – due to the pulling of a “flickering: 2nd concentric circle of flickering bright circumference – characterize by Compassion. (Vows to liberate all sentinent beings of 10 directions).

6. Until and unless all spaces have been covered by the 2 concentric circles – characterizing of liberation of all sentinent beings of 10 directions – will the 2 concentric circles stop.Only then the 3rd concentric circle – a robust 3rd concentric circle form a “body mass” around the 2 concentric circle.

7. When this happens, no more stray thoughts will arise within the 3 concentric circles.Stray thoughts that attempt to penetrate the 3 concentric circles will be strongly defended and protected by the 3rd Concentric circle of “body mass” – characterize by “Panna Wisdom”.

8. When this happen, the meditator is experiencing what is called “The Supreme Bliss” – everlasting “Silencing of the Mind” – that will go on for hours, an hours, an hours --- never before experience in any human beings – or it believe by any 6 realm states of sentinent beings.

@Babe:

5 Mental Aggregate Emptiness.

4 Great Element Emptiness.

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@Babe:

1. 禅修者将沐浴在“心一境性”的明亮光芒中，享受快乐、宁静、平等舍（心境平和）以及心念止息这四种喜悦的心境。 

2. 片刻之后，这道“心一境性”的明亮光芒（即第一个同心圆）会像膨胀的气球一样向十方扩散，充盈禅修者周围的空间。 

3. 光芒继续向外投射与扩展，越传越远：从我们身边的空间，扩展至所在区域、国家、世界、地球，并进一步延伸至外太空——涵盖太阳系、银河系乃至整个宇宙。 

4. 随后，这第一个黄色光芒的同心圆会趋于稳定，停止扩张。这一同心圆的特质是“无我”与“空性”，正因如此，它能够毫无阻碍地向外扩展。 

5. 只要空间或虚空尚未被明亮的黄光充满，那道代表“慈悲”（即誓愿度化十方一切众生）的、闪烁着的第二重明亮光环，便会产生一种牵引力，促使第一重明亮光环再次向外扩展。 

6. 这两重光环——象征着十方一切众生的解脱——会持续扩展，直至覆盖所有空间方才停止。唯有此时，第三重光环才会形成；这是一重强劲有力的光环，在上述两重光环周围构筑起一个“光体”（body mass）。

7. 当这一状态达成时，这三重光环之内便不再生起任何杂念。若有杂念试图穿透这三重光环，便会遭到那代表“般若智慧”（Panna Wisdom）的第三重光环——即那个“光体”——的强力防御与阻挡。

8. 此时，修行者正体验着所谓的“至高法乐”——一种永恒的“心之寂静”——这种状态将持续数小时之久，绵延不绝；这是人类从未有过的体验，亦被认为超乎六道众生所能经历的境界。

@Babe:

五蕴皆空。

四大皆空。

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@Babe:Pali Canon description:-

Non-arising is nibbana.

Non-occurrence is nibbana.

[Mental and physical] arising is conditioned phenomena.

[Mental and physical] occurrence is conditioned phenomena.

This Pali quote shows that the nature of nibbana is the complete cessation of conditioned phenomena, expressed in terms of the cessation of arising, occurrence, sign, accumulation, and rebirth.

Nibbana is said to be the cessation, liberation, non-arising, or nonexistence of conditioned phenomena.

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@Babe:巴利圣典中的描述如下—— 

“不生”即是涅槃。 

“不现起”即是涅槃。 

[身心的]生起属于有为法。 

[身心的]现起属于有为法。 

这段巴利语引文表明，涅槃的本质是有为法的彻底止息，具体表现为生起、现起、相、积聚与再生的止息。 

涅槃被描述为有为法的止息、解脱、不生或不存在。

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@Babe:

入定 - 有禅相。

一心不乱。

@Babe:必须出现一种“一心专注”的禅相（nimitta）——即一道非常明亮的光。

@Babe:四禅定。

@Babe:

There must be a single pointedness concentration nimitta - a very bright light.

Then it is the 4th Jhana Samadhi - 1 pointedness concentration equanimity.

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https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSb5qryEQ/

缘起性空。

Arising from conditions, phenomena are empty of inherent nature.

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https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSbHcSv4F/

There are 10 stages of practice 修行。

We can benchmark which stage we are in as what it describes here.

It accurately rate how well we progress towards Enlightenment.

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Report School Bully & Discrimination

 [01/10, 5:08 pm] : https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSbUnYeEQ/

[01/10, 8:10 pm] @Babe:School authority must be informed so that they can step in to investigate.

If the bully and discrimination are found to be true,

1. Appropriate punishment must be administered.

2. Follow by counselling.

3. Ensure rehabilitation are effective and the 3 students genuinely repent.

4. Their parents informed about their bad behavior and the subsequent corrective measures.

Singapore will not tolerate such behavior and discriminative mindset.

[01/10, 8:10 pm] @Babe:

必须通知校方，以便其介入调查。 

若证实存在欺凌与歧视行为，则必须： 

1. 实施适当的惩处。 

2. 安排后续的辅导。

3. 确保矫正措施有效，且涉事的三名学生真心悔过。 

4. 将学生的不当行为及随后的矫正措施告知其家长。 

新加坡绝不容忍此类行为及歧视心态。