Daily Lesson from Life 03 September 2008

"Tang jailed a day

Judge said Tang's extreme ill health made it inadvisable to jail him for the long term. -Wed, Sep 03, 2008 The Straits Times

RETAIL tycoon Tang Wee Sung, 56, was on Wednesday jailed for a day and fined $10,000 for making a false statutory declaration to get approval for a kidney transplant. He was also fined $7,000 for organ trading.

District Judge Ng Peng Hong said Tang's extreme ill health made it inexpedient to impose a long jail sentence.

Last Wednesday, Senior Counsel Cavinder Bull informed the court that Tang suffers from a host of medical problems, which range from kidney failure and heart disease to sleep apnoea."

Mr. Tang is the main shareholder of listed retailer, CK Tang. A very old retailer in Singapore. Relatively wealthy. He is suffering from kidney failure and need a transplant. He tried to buy a kidney for transplant but the plan was blown out of cover and since organ trading is still not legalized in Singapore, he is in this predicament.

Lessons for me:

1. health is the most important ingredient for wealth creation. Without health, you cannot reasonably enjoy wealth! So it is critical that we watch our health as we make our wealth! i.e. work hard and smart and also eat right and exercise! Do not allowed excuses!!;

2. the organ trading bill will probably be undergoing a review as it should be legalized as long as proper safeguards are introduced and strictly observed to ensure that the donors are NOT being EXPLOITED. Also, all safety precautions and procedures are implemented to ensure the life of the donors are not compromised. This will need courage and good faith to execute successfully;

3. the arguments that donors will be exploited is too negative and is not a good reason why when the donors are willing and getting compensated reasonably by the recipients, why cannot the two mutually consented parties conduct the trade? So, risk taking and good judgement must be exercised. This is what separate a great leader from a so-so one! Leaders make decision that will be acceptable to most people with reason!

Work hard and smart and stay focus on keeping your health. We can then move on from here to any heights!!