Comments on Khoo Swee Chiow's Latest Record Breaking Feat
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Was nosing around other forums and came across this particular thread.
http://info.channelnewsasia.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=19805
What pipped my interest was the appalling level of ignorance in some of these forumites.
Is it just me or do these people think that the meaning of life lies in getting a decent job (in SG context, it usually means filling a need that pays) and nothing else?
I dunno...you be the judge of character here. -
i understand where u're coming from, that there is more to life than just job, that such things as spiritual wellbeing, pursuit of dreams are important as well.Originally posted by BillyBong:Was nosing around other forums and came across this particular thread.
http://info.channelnewsasia.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=19805
What pipped my interest was the appalling level of ignorance in some of these forumites.
Is it just me or do these people think that the meaning of life lies in getting a decent job (in SG context, it usually means filling a need that pays) and nothing else?
I dunno...you be the judge of character here.
no offence but i feel that this guy is feeding off his fame once too often. if he uses his own resources and money to pursue his own glory, then i have no qualms. but he is using public funds! a cooped-in-a-tank record isn't exactly the kind of human struggle that we all look up to. it's time his over inflated ego be cut down to size and he should get back to the reality of holding a proper job. no one's gonna support his hobbies for the rest of his life ... -
if he is doing it with his own funds or with donations from some rich individual it is fine.
but public funds is another story altogether. -
relax...it wasn't a huge amount.....in any case, we do need blokes like him to liven things up in singapore...he belongs to the less upper stiff types that we are typically known as...he claims he's making a living off doing talks and etc....naturally he has to have some 'experience' to back him.....you may ask so what's the point in breaking some record? i too wonder but at times we do need some colour....some years ago, people were asking to do away or cut back on the orchard light-up to save money....they did and that year x'mas was dull.....we can't always go for the pragmatic...so let's kick up and enjoy life...even if the person next to us doesn't conform to our mold....
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we dont support dont mean he cant do it.
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it may not be large when divided by a large base but its still a sizezble amt.Originally posted by countdracula:relax...it wasn't a huge amount.....in any case, we do need blokes like him to liven things up in singapore...he belongs to the less upper stiff types that we are typically known as...he claims he's making a living off doing talks and etc....naturally he has to have some 'experience' to back him.....you may ask so what's the point in breaking some record? i too wonder but at times we do need some colour....some years ago, people were asking to do away or cut back on the orchard light-up to save money....they did and that year x'mas was dull.....we can't always go for the pragmatic...so let's kick up and enjoy life...even if the person next to us doesn't conform to our mold....
the christmas example isn't good..... for one is it really dull?? do the lights help? 2nd the lights if it did liven up things, increases tourist or/and spending dollars and the enjoyment of the general populance. what did his hobbies do? i doubt it really brought in droves of spenders and i seriously doubt it bring repute to singapore.
don't ge t me wrong while i do not support breaking records, i do not mind or would even give affirmative if the attempt was done by private funds and do not inconvenience me and others around me. -
Reading all the threads, I think we all agree on somethings......
1) Pursuit dream if you can, our life should not be confined or defined by the jobs we hold.
2) But for his case, he doesn't seem to know when to stop. He seem addicted to such venture. Pursueing one after another, even to the extend of the deepest dive. He should do it with private fund and not public fund. -
There are many ways to make a buck to survive in this competitive world.
Some beg and live off the charities of the kind hearted Public.
Some have bigger ambitions, and are more creative and industrious by seeking out the charity of bigger corporations - by capitalizing on the need of the bigger corporations for mega publicitiy.
Khoo hit a jackpot by feeding on this need of the big corporations, and got a kick in achieving his life's pursuits and with publicity to boot.
Can one fault him for the creativity in finding a niche for himself ?
Can anyone beat him at his own game ?
He certainly would not mind some competition and companionship in reaching the ends of the World. -
I fully agree that use of public funding for such a venture is wrong technically and should not be practiced.
But is he unscrupulously using public monies for these tasks? I think most people have brought hearsay to a new level by simply believing the word of other forumites who have a bone to pick with him before bothering to confirm exactly what sort of sponsorship he is tied with. -
If he wanna break a record, why didnt he break "Longest Distance for Rolling an Orange with the nose"?
Easier and all he needed is an orange -
For those of you who missed his response to Robert Yeo's previous claim:
Dec 16, 2005
How adventurer Khoo sees his many feats
IN RESPONSE to Mr Robert Yeo's questions in the letter, 'Why spend $150,000 on Khoo's trivial pursuit?' (ST, Dec 13), let me explain why I believe in North East Community Development Council (CDC)'s Dare to Dream Fund.
I do not depend on charity and public funds for a living. My income is derived from giving motivational talks (to corporations and schools), book royalty, sponsorship and product endorsements.
Sponsorship is not a donation. I have obligations to sponsors in return for their investments. In receiving sponsorship, the same business principles apply - marketing and sales, cash flow, crisis management and customer satisfaction. For major expeditions, there are legal contracts involved.
North East CDC has been very supportive of my endeavours, partly because I live in the North East district. By doing what I do best, I hope to inspire residents of the district to step out of their comfort zones, try something they have never dared to do, learn to take some setbacks and, in the process, become stronger people.
Standing on the summit of Mt Everest and reaching the South and North poles were some of the proudest moments of my life. I was proud to be a Singaporean. The reward was extremely enriching and spiritual.
Did I do it for self-glorification? The answer is yes if it means trying to prove to myself and pushing my own physical and mental limits.
But if it is thought that I was out to make a name for myself and to be famous, it would be the secondary outcome. There are many easier ways to be famous than risking my life. There is no gold medal or cash reward waiting at the summit or the South Pole.
When I die, I want my son to be inspired by me. I want him to know that his dad is a person of courage who dared to stand up for what he believed in, and one who did not give up easily. I also believe that this is my way to contribute to the Singapore I love.
Khoo Swee Chiow
Reference: http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/storyprintfriendly/0,5578,359204,00.html -
maybe he should do it for a cause.
like raising funds. -
$150K could have gone a long way to pay for basic food / utilities for very poor residents living in NorthEast CDC.
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but they wasted it in sponsoring something that benefits nobody.Originally posted by charlize:$150K could have gone a long way to pay for basic food / utilities for very poor residents living in NorthEast CDC. -
A tank filled with water and scuba diving equipment requires $150K?Originally posted by dragg:but they wasted it in sponsoring something that benefits nobody. -
Whao, I just did some searching and came across this New Paper report:
http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/printfriendly/0,4139,98553,00.html
Apparently, out of 100 people, 94 didn't think too much about the stunt. -
i really dont see how his feats can have impact on fellow singaporeans.
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I suppose nothing satisfies the typical Singaporean.
Always thinking the good fight...but zero action.
Then along comes someone who actually does something, and people b i t c h about the 150K...that it could have been better spent on other things and conicidently streamlines it with a lack of respect for charity.
Damn if you do and damn if you don't isn't it? Might as well just fold our arms and do nothing, wait for the next hero to put SG on the map, then chastise him for wasting sponsorship funds.
No wonder we are such a despondent lot. -
it is true there is nothing in this world that can satisfy everyone.
no big deal that there are people for and against what he is doing. -
so does this stunt put singapore on the world map ?
who else in the world give a damn abt this record being broken ?
its a big joke and waste of public funds.
soon ppl will realise that khoo is taking the public for a ride.
just look at wat Durai did in NKF. -
Evidently, you still blindly believe that he 'used' public funds.Originally posted by crazy monkey:so does this stunt put singapore on the world map ?
who else in the world give a damn abt this record being broken ?
its a big joke and waste of public funds.
soon ppl will realise that khoo is taking the public for a ride.
just look at wat Durai did in NKF.
Have you established the facts for yourself or are you contend to believe what others simply sprout?
Are you like many others so eager to crucify him over something he DID NOT DO?
Check the details of the North east CDC fund he 'used' instead of simply following the mass condemnation. Again, draw the distinction between actual sponsership vs charity funding.
The original purpose of my thread was to illustrate the fact that people never bother to ascertain the facts before conveniently jumping on the 'flame him' bandwagon.
Now it seems you people are ready and poised to do the same. -
Seriously, i don't know why he got funded for doing a thing like staying under water. What does it prove? It just boasts his ego, that's all. And what? that he has good lungs? If he is doing this out of his own pocket, then fine, but keep in mind, he is doing this using public funds, and the money could have been used for better use, such as giving it to sports association like gymnastic. They won gold medals for singapore, despite it not being a core sport. And now, they can't even go Asian Games.
The 'feat' done by Khoo is all about personal glory, rather than bringing glory to the nation. For that, i see no reason why we should celebrate his accomplishments. -
damn bo liao
if he is so gd, tell him to do it in the open seas, then it won't waste our money n he can break all the stupid record he want -
Again, where is the 'public funds' he used? Are you so smitten by Robert Yeo's claim that you so eagerly chastise him for it without determining the facts?Originally posted by nanren4ever:Seriously, i don't know why he got funded for doing a thing like staying under water. What does it prove? It just boasts his ego, that's all. And what? that he has good lungs? If he is doing this out of his own pocket, then fine, but keep in mind, he is doing this using public funds,.....
Or is this more sentimental angst that spilled over from the NKF saga? -
Originally posted by BillyBong:
errr, please correct me if i am wrong, North East Community Development Council (CDC)'s Dare to Dream Fund -> where is the source??
Again, where is the [b]'public funds' he used? Are you so smitten by Robert Yeo's claim that you so eagerly chastise him for it without determining the facts?
Or is this more sentimental angst that spilled over from the NKF saga? [/b]
Taxpayer money distributed by the govt?