Too much time and money?

Zimbabwe only has $217 in the bank

HARARE — After paying public workers' salaries last week, the balance in cash-strapped Zimbabwe's government public account stood at just $217, Finance Minister Tendai Biti said Tuesday.

"Last week when we paid civil servants there was $217 (left) in government coffers," Biti told journalists in the capital Harare, claiming some of them had healthier bank balances than the state.

"The government finances are in paralysis state at the present moment. We are failing to meet our targets."

Zimbabwe's economy went into free-fall at the turn of the millennium, after President Robert Mugabe began seizing white-owned farms.

The move demolished investor confidence in the country, paralysed production, prompted international sanctions and scared off tourists.

After more than a decade -- in which the country suffered hyper-inflation of 231 million percent and infrastructure that crumbled as quickly as prices went up -- the situation is now more stable.

But public finances remain a mess and local business battles against unstable electricity supplies, lack of liquidity and high labour costs.

Zimbabwe's government has warned it does not have enough money to fund a constitutional referendum and elections expected this year.

Biti said that left no choice but to ask the donors for cash.

"We will be approaching the international community," he said.

The country's elections agency said it requires $104 million to organise the vote.

Government's national budget for this year stands at $3.8 billion and the economy is projected to grow 5.0 percent.

The mineral rich country is now using the US dollar and the South African rand.

AFP: Zimbabwe has $217 in the bank: finance minister

[GPGT] 2 for 1 deal!!!!

Changing Ter Bu to Chio Bu

Photoshop: Kenneth Jeyaratnam

Power of vegetable shampoo

Courtesy: Somewhere in facebook

[BREAKING NEWS] GERALD GIAM MIGHT LOSE HIS NCMP SEAT IF ANY OPPOSITION PARTY WIN!

Sent from a self-proclaimed Workers' Party Supporter:
We don't think its true, its just want to make the PAP look bad, but if it happens we are ok also. Apparently his lawyers checked it and it might be true... and it make sense

Under PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS ACT, if Lee Li Lian is voted into Parliament. Mr. Gerald

The NCMP formula is as follow:

Maximum of 9 NCMP seats - ( total elected opposition members )

In the General Election, We say 6 seats taken up by the opposition, they are 1 from Hougang (Yaw Shin Leong), and 5 from Aljunied (Sylvia, Chen Show Mao, Pritam, Faisal and Low) hence
9 - 6 = 3

The 3 are
Mr. Gerald Giam (45.17%)
Yee Jenn Jong (48.98%)
Ms. Lina Chiam (49.64%)

The the Hougang By-Election, we saw there was no change in makeup, Png Eng Huat taking over Yaw Shin Leong.

If Desmond Choo would have won, then (9-5) = 4, and the next best loser will be elected as NCMP.

Punggol East By-Election
So if Dr. Koh from the PAP won, there would be no change. 9-6 = 3
However if Lee Li  Lian or any other opposition (Desmond Lim or Kenneth Jeyaratnam) won,

Then 9-7 = 2
The top two losers are currently:
Yee Jenn Jong (48.98%)
Ms. Lina Chiam (49.64%)

Gerald Giam will cease to be a NCMP.

This is a very shrewd move by the PAP. No matter the opposition win or lose, doesn't matter, because they would have the same number in parliament. And I personally feel that Gerald Giam is better then Lee Li Lian (Or Desmond Lim the Joker, or Kenneth Jeyaratnam the fake)

- From
XXXX
Workers' Party Supporter