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Category: Politik

  • DPM Teo: Important For Chinese Community To Supports These Provisions, So That Minority Communities Always Feel Assured..

    DPM Teo: Important For Chinese Community To Supports These Provisions, So That Minority Communities Always Feel Assured..

    Singaporeans have questioned the need for the reserved election, as well as for the group representation constituencies (GRCs) and ethnic integration rules in Housing Board estates, since the country already enjoys racial and religious peace and harmony.

    But the reason Singapore enjoys such harmony “is because we have been far-sighted enough to put in place these provisions”, said DPM Teo at the 100th anniversary dinner of Lorong Koo Chye Sheng Hong Temple in Paya Lebar.

    He added: “It is particularly important that the Chinese community supports these provisions, so that our minority communities will always feel assured.”

    In 1988, the GRC system was introduced to ensure Parliament will always have minority MPs. A year later, the Government put in place the Ethnic Integration Policy which mandates a quota for all communities in HDB estates, to prevent racial enclaves from forming.

    Most recently, changes were made to the Constitution to reserve presidential elections for a racial group not represented for five continuous terms.

    In making the various changes, DPM Teo said, Singapore has avoided situations in which HDB estates are segregated by race, or where minority communities worry about representation in Parliament or the presidency.

    “These provisions have helped us achieve the precious harmony that we have.

    “We all hope that one day we will not need them,” he added.

    But not right now, he indicated.

    “In the face of growing racial and religious strife in our region and the world, it is wiser to have these provisions in place to maintain our harmony,” he said, reiterating a point he spoke about earlier in the day at the National Security Conference.

    DPM Teo urged Singaporeans from all communities to give their support to Madam Halimah Yacob, Singapore’s first Malay President in 47 years since President Yusof Ishak, who died in office in 1970.

    She was declared President in a walkover in the country’s first reserved election this month.

    DPM Teo noted that Madam Halimah was a strong unifying figure. “All communities have supported her nomination. Let us give her our full support.”

    He said Singapore’s pioneer leaders had laid the foundation for promoting racial harmony and urged all Singaporeans to continue with the work.

    “We must continue to reach out to each other, adopt inclusive practices and social norms that allow all Singaporeans to interact freely, and enlarge our common space,” he said.

     

    Source: http://www.tnp.sg

  • Pesta Maksiat Better Beer Festival 2017 Cancelled Due To A Possible Militant Attack

    Pesta Maksiat Better Beer Festival 2017 Cancelled Due To A Possible Militant Attack

    The Better Beer Festival 2017 could not be allowed to go on because of the fear of a possible attack by militant groups, says Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun. The Inspector-General of Police said that Bukit Aman had received intelligence indicating that a militant group was planning to sabotage the event. “We also received information that a few parties planned to cause trouble during the event, and that it might also turn into a serious security matter,” he said in a statement on Thursday.  The IGP said Bukit Aman has to be proactive in sounding its objection against the festival to prevent any untoward incident from occurring.

    “Our stand against the hosting of the event is also aimed at preserving the safety and security of the people,” he said. On Monday, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) said it had rejected the organiser’s application to hold the event after receiving an application for a permit on Aug 28. The DBKL announcement came a week after PAS central committee member Dr Riduan Mohd Nor spoke out against the event, calling it a pesta maksiat (vice party). He claimed that it would turn Kuala Lumpur into the “largest vice centre in Asia”.

     

    Source: The Star

  • Najib Razak: Although My Father Or Grandfather Isn’t From Kerala, I Am Known As The Father Of Indian Development

    Najib Razak: Although My Father Or Grandfather Isn’t From Kerala, I Am Known As The Father Of Indian Development

    In what may be another attempt to court ethnic minority voters, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has declared himself a champion of development for the Indian community. He highlighted that he insisted on appointing a senior civil servant to head the Customs Department, despite objections to the candidate’s ethnicity.

    Addressing the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) general assembly yesterday, the Prime Minister said: “Although my father or grandfather isn’t from Kerala, I am known as the father of Indian development.”

    It was a sarcastic broadside against his mentor turned critic Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who is now chairman of the opposition Pakatan Harapan coalition. The former premier’s lineage includes ancestors from the southern Indian state.

    Mr Najib told the 2,000 MIC delegates that the opposition is merely trying to confuse people by labelling Malaysia a failed state.

    “The question is, what have they (the opposition) done for the Indians compared with what BN (Barisan Nasional) has done, more so after I took over the leadership of the country from Abdullah Badawi,” he said.

    “With his (Mr Abdullah’s) permission, I initiated (a) Cabinet committee on Indian affairs to further develop the Indian community because I realised that without intervention and political will, Indians would be neglected, marginalised and left behind.” The MIC is a component party of the ruling BN coalition.

    Mr Najib said he also prioritised Indians in the selection of the new director-general of Customs. “I do not mind telling you, even the appointment of the new director-general of Customs was difficult. I received petitions not to pick an Indian for the post,” he recounted.

    “I said no, he (Mr T Subromaniam) deserves the post because he is the most senior. I stood my ground.”

    In March, Mr Subromaniam was appointed to head the department. His appointment came despite grassroots efforts to petition for the post to go to a Malay candidate.

    However, some Indian community leaders were sceptical about Mr Najib’s comments. “When he held many important posts in the government prior to becoming the prime minister, what has he done for the Indians? Basically nothing,” said Mr A Rajaretinam, president of Malaysian Indian group Rapat.

    The Premier is believed to have been wooing the Chinese and Indian minorities, fuelling speculation that the general election could be held later this year.

    In July, Mr Najib said the government will study a request from the Indian-Muslim community to be recognised as Bumiputera. Earlier this month, he said he wanted to see a “stronger Chinese representation in the BN government”.

     

    Source: http://www.todayonline.com

  • Commentary: I Think Halimah Has What It Takes To Be People’s President

    Commentary: I Think Halimah Has What It Takes To Be People’s President

    I can understand the unhappiness expressed by some Singaporeans with the Presidential Election, as they felt that they had been deprived of a choice (Hundreds protest against reserved Presidential Election; Sept 16, online).

    A contest would have been good, as it would have given Singaporeans the opportunity to vote for someone they believe in, who can represent them on the world stage.

    With the decision made, however, perhaps we can now give Mdm Halimah Yacob a chance to prove herself.

    A dynamic politician or leader is one who shows empathy and is willing to speak out on an issue, no matter how thorny it is. To the best of my knowledge, Mdm Halimah is one such person.

    During her tenure as a union leader, Minister of State and Member of Parliament, she often spoke up for workers’ welfare and supported the marginalised in our society.

    While I was a volunteer for six months with Club Heal, a voluntary welfare organisation helping Muslims and other Singaporeans with mental health issues, I could see that she felt for those facing adversities in life.

    Despite her busy schedule, she found time to attend Club Heal’s events and mingle with patients and their family members.

    She is a people person, as she is humble and mixes with Singaporeans from all walks of life.

    I am confident that with her positive energy, she will also become the people’s President.

    The two other applicants had mentioned that they wanted to serve all Singaporeans, but were disappointed not to have been able to contest the election. They can still serve Singapore by considering setting up a charity each to help the needy.

     

    Source: Raymond Anthony Fernando from http://www.todayonline.com

     

  • Commentary: Tharman’s Six Principles Of Political Communication That’s So Sigh Pie

    Commentary: Tharman’s Six Principles Of Political Communication That’s So Sigh Pie

    Off the top of my head, Tharman’s six principles of political communication:

    1. Timing: Wait till the worst of the storm of public dissatisfaction blows over. Don’t go into the thick of it. Wait for heads to cool.

    2. Deflate the elephant: Point to the elephant in the room, acknowledge it, and everyone goes “finally!”. Tension is released. Elephant gets smaller, people can breathe easier.

    3. I am one of you: Acknowledge and even agree with the sentiments on the ground, then reframe to “in spite of this… must recognise reality… and so must do that”. Classic rhetorical technique. Throw in own background of activist etc. for added legitimacy.

    4. Be general: He said he doesn’t agree with every tactic of everyone of his colleague. Broad obvious statement. In a large org like PAP that’s bound to happen.

    But this allows people to fill in what they *think* he means. Or what they *want to believe* cos he’s likeable. Still, people may not be wrong, but it gives wiggle room should the need ever arise in another context.

    5. Provide hope: Things are better now than before. We will continue to be better. Let’s work towards that.

    6. Be likeable: People listen to you cos they like you. This factor anchors all the above.

    Also, he didn’t comment on the process, and the legitimacy of a president who came into office with so much controversy on the ground. Does the President really have a mandate then? Maybe no one asked. And why should he bring it up of his own accord?

    Skilfully done. All the more’s the reason I think he should be the next PM. (#TharmanForPM!) But oh well’s, we’re not ready for a non-Chinese PM and he has ruled himself out. Sigh pie.

     

    Source: Md Suhaile