YSL's Whereabouts...

Ever since news of his sacking from WP last Wednesday filled our mainstream media columns, the man himself at the centre of the storm and furore, has been away from the spotlight and is said to be out of the country to escape the media glare. Some reports have said he was relocating. I will not disclose my sources but he has jetted off to Vietnam. What he is doing there is still a mystery, whether to get away for a holiday or really settling down there and starting life anew. We will update accordingly once our sources can confirm his intentions...

NSP Unveils Its Latest Vision...

The National Solidarity Party (NSP) has unveiled its vision for new Singapore:

“To be bold and beautiful in our thoughts, our words and our deeds,” said Secretary-general Ms Hazel Poa.

She was speaking at NSP’s outreach event, titled ‘Own Your Future – Tomorrow Starts Today, last Sunday at Hotel Royal @ Queens. The event, which proposed to be a team-building/recruitment exercise, featured party members introducing the various committees within the party and setting the goals and objectives these committees and the party as a whole hopes to achieve. The conference saw a turn-out of around eighty people which included party members, volunteers and members of the public who wanted to know more about the party’s agenda.

Ms Poa, kick-started the three hour long affair by setting the new party mission, goals and direction. She reflected that the past General Election dispelled the notion that all Singaporeans are politically apathetic and called Singapore, since that period, a “country in transition, a nation of people ready to take a bigger role in shaping the future course of our country.”

However, she questioned, what is the future course of Singapore?

“If we move along the current trajectory, what can we look forward to? A bigger population? Higher GDP? 1% real wage growth? Rising costs of living? Greater income inequality? Pushing our children to get better grades, so that they can be more competitive in finding a job, then spending more and more time to make more and more money to pay for more and more expensive roofs over our heads?”

“Singaporeans are not mere economic digits”, affirmed Ms Poa, “We are human beings with diverse needs beyond the physiological and financial. We need a country with a balanced system that recognizes our needs in other areas instead of pushing us along a path of greatest economic efficiency in the immediate term.”

So, keeping this in mind, what is the kind of future that we want for Singapore? One whose people are bold and beautiful, declared Ms Poa.

To be bold is to speak up, stand up and not fear failures, she elaborated, while beauty is categorized as balnce, compassion, respect and contribution to society. In keeping with this vision, Ms Poa released the NSP’s revised mission statement, core values and policy positions of the 24-year old party.

New policy positions

The NSP, as evidenced by its mission statement and core values, proposes to be people first, uphold national interest over party interest and be ‘bold and beautiful’. Ms Poa said that their policy positions, though still works in progress, will support this vision of a bold and beautiful Singapore.

“To encourage a society to be bold, we need a solid foundation of physical and financial security”, she stressed, “For only when basic needs are met, can we aspire to be more. A thriving economy is thus still very important but not the only thing that is important.”

NSP new policy positions are as follows;

Ensure that economic policies that promote free enterprise, reward individual effort and aim for better quality of life for all;

• To review laws to achieve a better balance between public order and civil liberties;
• Ensure that manpower policies protect both employers and employees from abuse and ensures fair compensation and practices;
• Ensure that the education system offers greater diversity and opportunities, and adopts global practices;
• Offer subsidies in education, healthcare and housing to ensure affordabilty and peace of mind for the lower-middle income population;
• Taxation system: strike a better balance between encouraging enterprise and reducing inequality.

“Our policy committee will be developing our positions and proposals more comprehensively over the next four years.”, Ms Poa added.

“The future is what we make of it.”

Besides the policy committee, NSP also used the event as a platform to introduce their other working committees which include the law committee, the outreach committee, the Malay bureau, the Indian bureau, the communications committee and the party’s youth wing.

Mr Tony Tan Lay Thiam, head of the policy committee, commented that his team will be looking into reviewing current and proposed policies as well as formulating the party’s responses to them and proposing alternatives when necessary. He emphasized that the committee will ‘think long-term and act long-term’.

The policy committee plans to hold various activities from June 2012-March 2013 such as policy debates and mock parliamentary debates.

Likewise, the outreach committee, which aims to engage citizens and render assistance to those in need, has several projects lined up such as rice distributions, garage sales, a free haircut drive, and grassroots level outreach events in addition to their weekly walkabouts and other activities.

The communications committee, on the other hand, is designed to handle operations between the media and party members. This includes public relations, coming out with internal media, such as newsletters, and marketing and branding, which Mr Praveen Velu, head of the team, candidly admits “lags behind other political parties” such as the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) and Worker’s Party, who have their own “style and swag”.

The Malay and Indian Bureaus, as their titles suggest, will take care of addressing problems faced by their respective ethnic groups, while the youth wing aspires to educate the public on political youth wings and, obviously, engage the youth themselves.

The law committee debuted at the event as well. Headed by the Vice-president of the party, Ms Jeannette Chong Aruldoss, the law committee intends to provide information on the intent, effect and implications on law and legislature, spark public interest and engagement on laws as well as provide legal advise for Singaporeans who cannot afford the costs, through a free legal clinic.

These goals will be achieved, Ms Aruldoss expressed, by reviewing current and proposed laws, and by providing a rounded commentary and supplying informative written materials. She added that her team will undertake the necessary legal research and will also look at the legal framework of other countries for a more balanced perspective.

Ms Aruldoss concluded the session by echoing her secretary-general’s parting words and the slogan for the day: “The future is what we make of it. Own your future. Tomorrow starts today.”

Article credits: The Online Citizen

Multiracialism??? Start with LKY, then PRCs!!!

You should first change the mindset of the person who looked down on the Malays in the first place (LKY), the very natives of this country. Then you ram down this fact on tolerance on the pesky PRCs to accept the various cultures and practices of all the races here in Singapore...  

*********************************************************************************

Presidential hopeful Dr Tan Cheng Bock will champion multiracialism if he is elected.

Dr Tan Cheng Bock & wife

Speaking on the sideline of a walkabout at Geylang Serai yesterday, Dr Tan told the media that, if multiculturalism is not emphasised, it will be taken for granted.

According to Dr Tan, multiculturalism is not limited to just the four races in Singapore but may include new citizens.

When asked by the media if this was possible given that the President can only act as advised by the Cabinet under the Constitution, Dr Tan said there were several ways of promoting multiculturalism without pursuing a policy agenda.

“Outside of the Constitution … I can champion causes, such as charities and sports. For me, I love football … Football is very important. Football gels us together. When you watch the Malaysia Cup or the recent matches in Singapore, you find that everybody is so engrossed, they shout as one voice. I think we must promote the multiracial element very strongly in our country.”

Source: Temasek Review

President Should Not Be Pulled By The Nose!!!

My thoughts precisely after I read Shanmugam's statement...

*******************************************************************************

Presidential hopeful Mr Tan Kin Lian has hit back at PAP Law Minister Shanmugam for his narrow ‘interpretation’ of the roles of the Elected President as according to the Constitution.

Shanmugam has earlier acknowledged tacitly that the President is nothing but an expensive ‘puppet’ of the PAP regime by proclaiming unashamedly “that all public acts by the president – including public speech – can only be made on the advice of the Cabinet, except for the powers specifically vested in the office.”

“The president cannot reject advice given by the Cabinet And he cannot engage in public debate with the government,” he said during a forum on the Presidency yesterday.

In a press statement released on his blog today, Mr Tan Kin Lian wrote that while he agree with the Law Minister Shanmugan on the duties of the President and how they are to be carried out, in so far as they are stated specifically and clearly in the Constitution, he disagree with his view that the President cannot speak about anything else without the approval of the Government.

“I find the Law Minister’s interpretation to be too narrow. It seemed to give the President less freedom of speech than an ordinary citizen of Singapore.”

Mr Tan Kin Lian added sarcastically that there is no provision in the Constitution which requires the President to be ‘dumb’:

“I have looked at the constitution earlier about whether the President can be the voice of the people to bring issues to the Government. I do not find any requirement that the President should be “dumb”. I have also received advice from a lawyer who looked at the constitution and he confirmed my understanding.”

He reiterated his commitment to be the ‘voice’ of Singaporeans:
“I also pledge to the people that I will bring up issues that are legitimate and affect large numbers of people. I will be “the voice of the people” in conveying these issues to the Government. I urge the Government to adopt a more open approach towards the issues of the people. There is no need to politicize these issues. If they are legitimate issues, let us adopt an open and constructive approach to solve them.”

In the meantime, the PAP-endorsed presidential hopeful Tony Tan continues to parrot the PAP’s official stance that the President cannot have ‘executive’ powers:

“The President is not a power centre, the President cannot have executive powers, but the President has knowledge and experience and he can share these with the government officials. And I know them every well – all the ministers – and maybe they will listen to me because I worked in this field for many years.”

Singaporeans should ponder seriously whether they want to pay $4.2 million dollars a year to a President to be their voice or to be the PAP’s voice.

Read Mr Tan Kin Lian’s press statement in full here

Source: Temasek Review

Mainstream Media A Reflection of PAP

I apologise first and foremost, for the lack of updates since Good Friday. I was away in Canada on a business trip and hardly had the time to update this blog till I reached home last night. Well a lot of things have happened over the past week or so, and things have definitely heated up ever since last Wednesday when Nomination Day answered a lot of questions with regards to who will be contesting where and what are the stakes at hand.

The media in general, both mainstream and new media have been carrying news, views and commentaries on the daily hustings. Contrary to what has been reported on Singaporeans being politically apathetic before this, I believe over the past few days, interest have piqued to a level where even those who used to say they don’t care, have been inclined to attend the daily political rallies across the country, just to soak in the atmosphere and getting to know what plans the contesting parties and candidates have to offer.

However, what still irks me when I read the mainstream news, especially The Straits Times and of late, The New Paper, two publications who are under the state-controlled Singapore Press Holdings, is that they continue to give more coverage on the ruling party and even publish forum letters which continue to discredit the opposition even when the voices on the ground seem to reflect a possible change in the political sphere of Singapore is about to happen come 7 May 2011.

When I watched the hour-long news Singapore Tonight on Channelnewsasia (which my wife had kindly taped for me over the past few days I was away), I can say that more than half of the news coverage and rally excerpts favour the ruling party as well. And what is this I hear of The New Paper misreporting on what actually transpired at the Singapore Democratic Party’s rally on Friday night at Jurong East Stadium? I will not repeat what happened. If you’re interested, you can click on this link: http://theonlinecitizen.com/2011/05/on-the-topic-of-loose-cannons/

This kind of gutter news reporting is reminiscent of the ruling party’s approach towards this election, with scare-tactics, fear-mongering, character assassination attempts and smearing of opponents whom they know would give them a run for their money and able to dislodge them from their lofty pedestals. And what’s more, we have an irrelevant Minister whose past by his sell-by date claiming on Nomination Day that the opposition who were supposed to contest in his GRC were nothing more than “feeble”. Such arrogance coming from someone who was made to cry like a wuss, in front of a live television audience, when Malaysia kicked us out back in 1965.

Not only that, he now regards himself as a deity who can do no wrong, an almighty God who can dictate and invoke fear into the hearts of the people he has ruled with an iron fist, silencing those who had come to engage him in battle with exiles, defamation suits, bankruptcies and imprisonment. He plays God now saying the electorate, notably the people of Aljunied GRC, should repent for the next five years should the Workers’ Party win their seats in Parliament.

He denies that the Malay or Muslim population will not continue to support him even after he made the gross mistake of disrespecting them and literally spitting on their faces, claiming that they should be less strict with their observances and that they owe it to the ruling party for taking care of them all these years. Your kind of politics Lee Kuan Yew, is outdated. It has no place for despots like you in these current times. Same goes for your lackeys like Goh Chok Tong, Vivian Balakrishnan, George Yeo, Zainul Abideen Rashid, Khaw Boon Wan, Mah Bow Tan, Lim Swee Say, Raymond Lim & Yaacob Ibrahim.

The only ones who should fear for their futures are those in white and white. Most definitely when the time comes for Singapore to seek a fresh mandate and that mandate does not belong to your ruling party is the time you should really start to repent for the mismanagement and uptight rules you have enforced on the people since this country gained independence. That will be the time the PAP steps down and learn to savour the rich taste of humble pies…

PAP Has Truly Lost The Malay Votes Now...

Taken off TheOnlineCitizen website:

TEACHING Malay as a foreign language rather than a mother tongue could be one way to halt the decline in fluency among the community, Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Yaacob Ibrahim said yesterday. He said this suggestion might apply to Malays who grow up in an entirely English-speaking environment.

Dr Yaacob was addressing more than 200 Malay-Muslim pre-university students gathered at a theatre in Ang Mo Kio for a dialogue session aimed at sharing ideas to benefit the Malay-Muslim community. The other panellist was Madam Moliah Hashim, chief executive of self-help group Mendaki.

Innova Junior College student Ahmad Muslim, 17, asked what could be done about the decline in Malay fluency among the community. Dr Yaacob said everyone in the community has a role to play in keeping the language vibrant, but the challenge lies in keeping it relevant to the younger generation.

He added: ‘We are not in Kelantan or Kedah, where everyone speaks Malay in and out of the classrooms… it may be timely for us to teach Malay as a foreign language rather than as a mother tongue.’

The student also asked if the tide of foreign talent might eventually replace local workers. Madam Moliah said a change in perception was needed: ‘Instead of thinking of how you are going to compete with local and foreign talents for the job, reimagine that you are also a world competitor… that you can become a foreign talent yourself elsewhere.’

My goodness!!! What has Mr. Yaacob been smoking of late??? And what a time to say it, just a day after Parliament has dissolved. I came to work yesterday to the sounds of my Malay colleagues grumbling that they are now regarded as “Foreign Talents”. To them and I believe to the majority of Malays, the comments made were another tight slap to their faces to go along with the ones made by a certain octogenarian in his recently-published book with regards to integration and being less strict on practising their religion..

After what happened within these first four months of the year, I am definitely sure now that the Malay and Muslim community in general will think twice about supporting the People’s Action Party (PAP). From time to time, I hear my Malay colleagues and friends complain that they are being marginalized, from important posts in the military, to the madrasahs not getting enough recognition as compared to SAP schools and so on and so forth and what have the Malay leaders in the PAP been doing? They have just kept quiet, happy to keep the status quo going and afraid to standup to their paymasters. And now you have another in Zainal Sapari who is just another yes-man.
 

Like Mandarin, Tamil and English, Malay is our national language. Our anthem, though most Singaporeans do not understand its meaning, is in Malay. Our uniformed groups’ commands are in the language. Heck, even our day-to-day conversations are laced and peppered with bits and pieces of it. To treat the language like a foreign language would reduce its value and place in this country’s rich heritage where the indigenous are Malays.
 

It has been well-documented that the oldest person to contest this General Elections do not like the Malays, especially our neighbours. But to hear these sort of comments coming from the so-called Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs is completely irresponsible and even harder to digest. I hear Malay teachers out there complaining their hard work has gone to waste all these years and they are now being treated like an afterthought. But what do you expect from a so-called minister in charge whose kids learn Mandarin in school and has no regard for his own mother tongue?
 

The other day I watched the news and renowned political analyst and associate professor at NUS, Dr Hussin Mutalib, cryptically said one of the factors that would affect the way the votes go, will be down to the Malay-Muslim votes. I think he was the first political analyst who actually dared to say and admit it where others have just brushed aside or think it is not worthy to mention it. And these comments came out a day or two later to just confirm that this time round, the ruling party can expect the second-highest race population in this country to have a big say in how it will pan out come 7 May 2011.

Common Sense Prevailing Within The Opposition

This past weekend showed that common sense seems to be prevailing within the Opposition ranks when a few parties who were possibly locked in three-cornered fights at the upcoming General Elections, chose to make way for others in their straight fight with the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP). All cited “for the sake of Opposition unity” for their decisions in pulling out.

On Saturday, the National Solidarity Party (NSP) announced that they were giving up Moulmein-Kallang GRC and Yuhua SMC. Instead they will focus on Choa Chu Kang GRC, Jurong GRC, Tampines GRC, Pioneer, Radin Mas and Whampoa SMCs. The party has also said they are interested in contesting at Marine Parade GRC as seen by their presence at a walkabout in the area the previous weekend. This moves allow the Worker’s Party (WP) to contest Moulmein-Kallang GRC and the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) over at Yuhua SMC.

On Sunday, the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) announced that they will focus their efforts at Holland-Bukit Timah GRC and the single member constituency wards of Yuhua and Bukit Panjang, giving up Whampoa SMC in the process. The Reform Party (RP) has also decided to give way to other opposition parties in two SMCs and one GRC, paving the way for the NSP in Jurong GRC, the SDP in Yuhua SMC and the Singapore People's Party (SPP) in Hong Kah North SMC.

Questions still remain on the possible three-cornered fights being faced between the PAP, NSP and RP over at Pioneer and Radin Mas SMCs, or the rumoured four-cornered fight at Sengkang West SMC One of the opposition parties would have to give up on certain wards, if they want to remain true to their pledge for opposition unity or harmony. My personal take is that based on history, when his late father Joshua Benjamin was the MP for Anson back in the early 80s, the head of RP, Mr Kenneth Jeyaratnam, will go after Radin Mas SMC and giving up Pioneer for NSP. This makes a lot of sense since the NSP is also contesting Jurong GRC, which is next to Pioneer.

However, there is so far no news nor concrete plans to contest Sembawang, Ang Mo Kio and Tanjong Pagar GRCs, the latter two being the strongholds of the Prime Minister and Minister Mentor respectively. Rather than worry about three-cornered fights elsewhere, I call upon all Opposition parties to unite under one banner and contest at these areas to show the ruling party that it’s not a walkover by any means. I am sure there are unhappy citizens in those constituencies and they would want to show their unhappiness through their votes.

What have the Opposition got to lose? In 2006, even the so-called “Suicide Squad” by the Worker’s Party team garnered a third of the percentage. That says a lot on the sentiments being felt by the people on the way the ruling party is governing this country. A show of solidarity and unity would go a long way in making the voice of the people heard. And that could only mean one thing: That the Opposition have truly arrived!!!