The Cabinet reshuffle has led to speculation that the general election, due by January 2017, could be held early, according to a TODAY report. Plus, the PAP G can reap an “LKY dividend’’, from the goodwill demonstrated by the populace in the aftermath of the first Prime Minister’s death. It’s a minor reshuffle, with Mr Masagos Zulkifli elevated to full minister and becoming second minister in both the Home and Foreign ministries and Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew taking on a second portfolio. Messrs Lim Swee Say, Chan Chun Sing and Tan Chuan-Jin have done some portfolio swopping. Me, I am still tickled by the idea of our multi-tasking Cabinet, who are members of the A team, said the Prime Minister.
So I went furniture shopping…
Me: I’m looking for some cabinet…can you advise me please?
Salesman: What sort you looking for? Kitchen cabinet? Shoe cabinet?
Me: Actually, something more multi-purpose…can put shoes, books and all kinds of knick knacks. Maybe for the living room…And maybe another for my bedroom with drawers for underwear and cold weather clothing.
Salesman: For living room ….how big?
Me: Ah…something adjustable, stackable. In case, I accumulate more stuff over the years…Somethings I just cannot throw away, you know…last forever.
Salesman: You want with glass panels or open shelving? Glass can show off your ornaments….Or you want them covered so you can hide stuff …
Me: Hmmm…open shelving must dust everyday…But very good to show off my Lee Kuan Yew books. But maybe put at the bottom because they are very heavy. Some glass doors for me to show off stuff I’ve bought from abroad or some sg50 mementoes…
Salesman: Different size compartments? All same size? We can stack small ones and some got double the size. Or we can have separators within compartments. Everything adjustable…
Me: Maybe some have two separators so I can put stuff of different colours in one stack…Hmm…your cabinets come in white? Difficult to maintain or not? Can get rid of stains easily?
Salesman: Don’t worry Ma’am. We have all sorts of cleaning fluids. Just dab and like bleach, stains go off. Case-trusted and CPIB-approved. But don’t use too much or the wood will get rotten…
Me: What? Your cabinets all made of wood? I thought something stronger…
Salesman: Ma’am, then you looking for filing cabinet – we have cast-iron one…
Me: Don’t need filing cabinets…got computer. Just sell me one living room cabinet, soft compressed wood, white, with big and small compartments and shelves that can adjust up and down. Some got glass panel, some don’t. Do you have shoe cabinet?
Salesman: Of course! Very cheap. Very good. But stock only come in October.
Me: Aiyah, I think don’t need then…I buy from NTUC.
Salesman: Okay ma’am. I have a Class A type living room cabinet for you. Very good to display, very multi-purpose. People see …sure to go waaah…I can also offer you Class B type cabinet for your bedroom. For your socks and all that…Sometimes, can put in living room as well if living room cabinet suddenly collapse because you put too many things….
Me: Your stuff so lousy ah???
Salesman: Not lousy. Very good. Don’t believe me you just ask people…they will all kee chiu…
Me (dubious): Hmm…how much and when can you send over?
Salesman: Depends on how many compartments and how big each compartment. But don’t worry, still below market rate. Let me calculate…
Me: I don’t mind paying if you sure it’s good quality…so when delivery?
Salesman: Arhh Ma’am, you have to carry home yourself and assemble yourself. Got instructions…very easy to follow….Ma’am! Ma’am…don’t run away…Still haven’t shown you our kitchen cabinets!
An ex-journalist who can't get enough of the news after being in the business for 26 years
