Category: Singapuraku

19 Year Old Student: Why I Will Vote Opposition

Dear fellow Singaporean,

I am just a student who is 19 this year, hence I am not able to vote for this upcoming General Election. I come from a very average family and my parents do not have any diploma certificates but just O’ level certificates which you can roughly estimate how much they earn. My dad works from 6am to 6pm daily just for the family. Have got to admit that I am not political type of person and I am not well with my language too, however I do want to stand up for my friends, my families and myself. The government says that we are the future of Singapore but as a student now, I am already being stressed up with my academic and as well as my future and yet the PAP says that they care for everyone in Singapore but in truth, do they really put themselves in the shoes of a teenager as well? As a 19 year old boy, I calculate my daily expenses which is just food and on average, I spend at LEAST $15 in school every day due to 8am – 5pm class. So how much do you think I can save now? The government urge Singaporeans to have more babies to increase the population of Singapore, however, how are supposed to have babies when starting a family would be a problem for most of the average income families now? Also, we still have to at least have a degree certificate in order to survive in this society right now. With all these calculations which includes National Service, how old would we be in order to have a baby which we are capable of raising him/her up?

My family does not own any cars but whenever I meet up with relatives, they would complain over cars expenses, work, studies etc. The government came up with policies for cars such as COE and ERP now, raising a car (for 10 years only) is near to the price of having half a HDB flat and according to the government, the reason they gave was limited area within Singapore. A place to stay is very important but transportation to destination is also important as punctuality, efficiency is affected. From what I can see, instead of making full use of the whole Singapore, I can only see houses being built everywhere every day, but traffic jam still remains everyday on my way to school. Some days on my way to and fro the interchange, I would see cars being jammed along the small road and the reason of the car jam is because of the barrier of the car gantries not able to function well at times. Sometimes, I could even see broken barriers at the side of the road, cars horning most of the time and sometimes I would even see people quarrelling just because of the gantry. (Is this your so called understanding of Singaporean?) Is the barrier of the gantries to collect money or the harmony of Singaporeans more important?

Alcohol and Cigarettes are really bad for health, (no offends to alcoholics or smokers) but with the high taxes of it does the amount of Singaporeans stop drinking or smoking? I know E-cigarettes are harmful to health and banned in Singapore, but honestly speaking would E-cigarettes be more healthier for the surrounding people of the smoker or the normal cigaratte and does that mean that normal cigarettes is not harmful to health? (this is the point which I don’t understand as a Singaporean though I am not a smoker) Medical expenses is another problem, with the weather in Singapore, even the yearly haze and not having sufficient rest due to work, stress just leads to illness. The government came up with policies which help the pioneer generation but teenagers like us would spend an average of $40 just for an MC and a couple of types of medication in a clinic. Are the pioneer generation the only Singaporeans?

Do you think the recent policies would help the future generation? Honestly speaking, as a student now, I myself would find that these policies does help but doesn’t remove the root of high expenses still in Singapore. I have watched these few days rally shows on television and made me realized that the PAP likes to dig out the past of opposition parties unpleasant past, as a leader of Singapore, I think winning with glory is needed. The Opposition parties pinpoint problems in Singapore, not problem with your opponents past. How do even trust our votes to you when what you doing is for Singapore, the country itself, not the Singaporeans living in Singapore.

I am really very worry of my future and as well as the future of Singapore because this is the country which I am going to spend for the rest of my life. I had managed to convince my parents to vote for Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) for my area, I really hope that many of us would vote for the opposition party as I really think that our future generation is at stake if our expenses continues to go up.

Opposition Seah
A.S.S. Reader

Source: www.allsingaporestuff.com

September 6, 2015
GE2015: Meet The Aunty Killers

At any electoral race, you can’t discount the benefits of putting your best faces forward. While it doesn’t guarantee a victory, a photogenic politician’s confidence and presence can sometimes change the tides in his or her party’s favour.

Even if voters don’t get to meet these politicians in person, their video interviews can strike a chord with the electorate.

Of course, anything can happen between now until polling day. Current Marine Parade MP Tin Pei Ling for instance, found that out the hard way at the last elections in 2011.

Then 27, Tin was fielded by People’s Action Party (PAP) in hopes that a younger political voice might win the votes of the younger electorate. But the plan backfired, when netizens and voters criticised the young candidate for her inexperience and conduct at interviews.

Will the coming elections become a battle of personalities? From the new faces to current members of parliament, we play our hand at predicting the likely ‘aunty killers’ and charismatic politicians that might just steal the show at the coming elections.

Darryl David

Image: Yahoo Singapore

He’salready a recognisable face to many Singaporeans. His claim to fame: he hosted The Pyramid Game, a popular television show in the 90s.

The 44-year-oldwill be contesting the Ang Mo Kio Group Representation Constituency (GRC), as part of the People’s Action Party (PAP) team led by incumbent prime minister Lee Hsien Loong.

Although apolitical newbie, the photogenic PAP candidate’s media savvy (he has 22 yearsof experience in media and communications) could come in handy in tricky interviews.

His abilityto speak in Mandarin and Hokkien might just endear him to the older Chinese voters as well. The politician, who is of Indian and Chinese descent, told The Straits Times that he learnt the dialect from his maternal grandmother.

Currently the deputy director of Temasek Polytechnic’s School of Design, the educator has served as District Councillor for the North-East Community Development Council since 2009. He has also volunteered his time at Red Cross and other charitable non-profit groups.

Desmond Choo

Image: Yahoo Singapore file photo

In 2012, the Financial Times called this boyish-looking former policeman an ‘auntie killer’, who might just win the Hougang seat at the by-elections that year.

He didn’t; the PAP candidate lost to current MP Png Eng Huat from WP. He was also defeated at the 2011 elections when he contested for Hougang.

Choo’s persistence however, might finally pay off outside of the opposition stronghold in Hougang. For the coming elections, the 37-year-old will be fielded for Tampines GRC. As they say, the third time might prove to be the charm.

Choo has also been working the ground in Tampines,since his appointment as second adviser for the Tampines East grassroots in 2014. Outside of his political involvement, Choo also works as director of youth development for NationalTrades Union Congress (NTUC).

Chen Show Mao

With his credentials, the opposition politician was seen as the Workers’ Party (WP) trump card at the 2011 elections, when he won with 54.7 per cent of votes as partof the WP team for Aljunied GRC.

The corporate lawyer also came across as down-to-earth and sincere at walkabouts. At rallies, the 54-year-old is known to speak in English and Mandarin, withbits of Malay and Hokkien in his speeches.

Fluent in Mandarin as well as English, Chen’s language abilities have also helped the WP win over the older Chinese heartlanders; Chen was born in Taiwan and has been a Singapore citizen since 1986.

One of the most immediate challenges for Chen and the WP team includes the ongoing Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council (AHPETC) financial saga. As one of the key WP figures, how Chen handles the situation in this upcoming electoral race may just sway or turn the voters in his favour.

He will defend his Aljunied seat at the coming elections.

Dr Lily Neo

Image: Lily Neo/ Facebook

Polished and articulate, this PAP politician has been vocal in her support for financial schemes for low-income families and the elderly. The 62-year-old currently serves as MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC.

Her outspoken stance for such bread and butter issues could continue to win her support for the next general election. One parliamentary session in 2007 even saw the usually calm Dr Neo flare up against minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan’s comments that increased funds for public assistance scheme might erode the incentive to work.

At the coming elections, Dr Neo will contest the Jalan Besar GRC with Communications and Information minister Yaacob Ibrahim.

Baey Yam Keng

Image: Baey Yam Keng/ Facebook

He’s got young fans on Facebook and Instagram, plus a reputation as an ‘auntie killer’.Could that work to his benefit at the coming elections too?

The 44-year-old has served as MP for two terms thus far; his first term in Tanjong Pagar and his second as one of the current MPs for Tampines GRC.

He is also one of the most active Singapore politicians on Instagram. His selfies even made the news in 2013, when local culture and entertainment website Popspoken crowned him its current ‘selfie crush’. To date, the politician has over 10,500 followers on Instagram and over 13,800 fans on Facebook.

At the last election, the 40-year-old was elected into the Tampines constituency, as part of the PAP team which won 57.22 per cent of total votes cast, beating the team sent by National Solidarity Party (NSP).

He will be defending his seat in Tampines GRC.

Teo Ser Luck

Image: Teo Ser Luck/ Facebook

This 47-year-old PAP politician is also a big fan of ‘group-fies’ (self-timed group photos), winning him support among the younger electorate.

On Facebook, the Pasir Ris-Punggol MP is oft pictured in the midst of taking a self-timed group shot with students and residents. He’s also known for his humorous hashtags, peppered with Singlish phrases and self-deprecating remarks.

And like Baey, Teo is also a fitness enthusiast. Teo however gained brief notoriety in March this yearfor the workout he dedicated to Singapore’s first prime minister Lee Kuan Yew. Some netizens saw the gesture as inappropriate in light of Lee’s passing.

Teo, who is also the Minister of State for Trade and Industry, has served as a MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol for two terms. He will contest in PAP’s team for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC.

Joan Pereira

PAP candidate Joan Pereira (left) with a resident from Bukit Merah. Image: Joan Pereira/ Facebook

Here’s another photogenic PAP candidate: Joan Pereira is one of two new faces to be fielded for the Tanjong Pagar GRC at the coming elections.

The 48-year-old has worked as a director at People’s Association for 25 years, before stepping down earlier this year. She is currently an assistant general manager at Temasek Cares, a non-profit charitable organisation founded by Temasek Holdings.

Pereira will be contesting for the Tanjong Pagar GRC, alongside incumbent MPs Indranee Rajah, Chan Chun Sing and Dr Chia Shi-Lu.

He Ting Ru

He Ting Ru (right) with a shopowner at Geylang Serai. Image: He Ting Ru/ Facebook

She’s young, photogenic and a corporate lawyer who comes across as thoughtful and articulate through her posts on Facebook.

He Ting Ru is one of the newest members from WP and has been active on the party walkabouts at Geylang Serai and Katong on Facebook, as of early August. These areas fall under the Marine Parade constituency, which the opposition party has said that it will contest for.

She currently serves as the secretary of the WP’s Youth Wing.

The 32-year-old has been unveiled as a WP candidate but has not been officially named as candidate for any specific constituency.

Kevryn Lim

NSP members Eugene Yeo and Kevryn Lim. Image: National Solidarity Party/ Facebook

As the youngest new member of National Solidarity Party (NSP), the 26-year-old been heralded as the possible new ‘Nicole Seah’, the ex-NSP member that made waves at the last 2011 elections.

To date, the former part-time model has also drawn online buzz for the sexy photos from her modelling portfolio. She currently runs EM.DM, an events management anddigital marketing company.

Although she has been seen on earlier walkabouts in the Marine Parade and Tampines constituencies, NSP has declined to comment on whether she will be fielded for the coming elections. Lim was notably absent at walkabouts recently due to a business trip.

Source: https://sg.news.yahoo.com

September 6, 2015
Elections About Singapore’s Future Not About Petty Squabbles Between Parties

These few days I have seen many election posters being defaced by childish individuals, who might think that if they draw on a candidates’ face or make fun of their names they would lose them a few votes and hopefully cause them to lose the election. Such immature behavior is happening on both sides of the divide, with opposition supporters defacing many People’s Action Party (PAP) posters and PAP supporters responding in kind.

This needs to stop right now.

Singapore is a country for ALL of us. We may not always agree on the way to go forward. Some might think having zero foreigner growth is good, others might feel that a complete halt would paralyze the economy. Both are not wrong, but the question is how do we reach a suitable compromise? Do we try and force the other party to swallow our views and demoralize them by drawing on their election posters? Is that truly the way to bring peace, prosperity and progress for our nation?

Always remember that this is our home and that fellow Singaporeans, regardless of blue, orange, yellow, or white political banner, are your countrymen. If we cannot even come together to discuss our future, I think we as a country and people are doomed.

Gurmit
A.S.S. Contributor

Source: www.allsingaporestuff.com

September 6, 2015
Quah Kim Song Opens Up About Girlfriend, Sylvia Lim

To many, it is an unusual relationship, astonishing even.

He is a former footballer, and she, an opposition politician.

He prefers privacy and she cannot avoid public scrutiny.

Quah Kim Song, a widower, is a grandfather. Sylvia Lim has never been married.

He is 63 and she, 50.

Both are celebrities in their own right.

His is a household name, famous for being fleet-footed and light on his feet.

She draws thousands as a speaker at Workers’ Party (WP) election rallies. Her speeches draw roars of approval from supporters and ridicule from detractors.

Defending her Aljunied GRC seat against the People’s Action Party (PAP), she is in the driver’s seat of her party’s political ambitions.

And he is her personal chauffeur.

Who would have expected them to be an item?

He was a bright student at Naval Base Secondary School and Raffles Institution, but he devoted his energy to football after his A levels.

The Manchester City fan held several corporate jobs before retiring early.

Ms Lim – politician, lawyer and academic – had her early education at CHIJ Our Lady of Good Counsel, CHIJ St Joseph’s Convent and National Junior College.

She graduated with a law degree and was called to the Bar in Singapore in 1991. She is a senior associate with Peter Low LLC.

Ms Lim was not a sportswoman, but she enjoys watching sport.

And Quah, from a famous footballing family, was once one of Singapore’s biggest stars.

It has been more than two years since they met and, as Quah says: “We are very happy just going with the flow without any preconceptions about what the future might bring.”

Ms Lim, the WP chairman since 2003, adds: “As both of us are not spring chickens, we accept each other totally and do not change the other.”

Quah, who had to be persuaded to grant this interview, was put in the spotlight when Ms Lim, who has been extremely busy with the hustings, revealed at a rally that Quah “will act as her driver, ferrying her to rally sites and other places”.

Quah says he enjoys doing that, adding: “When people see us, they do come up to say ‘hello’ or take pictures with us.

“I must say that the police at the rallies have been quite nice to me.”

Quah’s chauffeuring job is a way for them to see each other during the election campaign period, when Ms Lim is swamped with party matters.

The affable Quah loves watching the rallies, but prefers to be low-profile, usually standing behind the stage but inside the barricades.

FAS ISSUE

The talk about town is that Quah encouraged Ms Lim to raise the issue of the Football Association of Singapore being run by PAP Members of Parliament, a move she said had stifled Singapore football.

To that, Ms Lim replies: “No, he did not alert me. I have raised the issue of Singapore soccer slipping down the Fifa rankings in Parliament before I met Kim Song.

“In the Workers’ Party manifesto in 2011 and earlier, we had already proposed that sports associations be led by persons from the fraternity (rather) than by politicians.”

So what is it that attracts the star footballer, who speaks with a measured, soft tone, to the steely politician who is often known for making fiery speeches?

The answer: Common interests in music and football.

It was in January 2013 at a WP variety concert that love between the two blossomed.

Mutual friends had coaxed Quah to sing and his rendition of Keith Locke & The Quests’ Don’t Play That Song impressed Miss Lim.

Later, they danced on stage. A new romance was born.

Quah, who loves the oldies and lists American icon James Taylor as his favourite singer, says: “I practise the guitar every day to familiarise myself with the chords to widen my repertoire.

“I also have a guitar at Sylvia’s family home. We enjoy listening to live music and occasionally sing at home over some drinks.”

These sessions help Ms Lim relax from the stress that comes with politics.

She, too, enjoys the oldies and is a big fan of US singer-songwriter Carole King.

As for their other passion, football, Ms Lim would make it a point to attend social matches when Quah is playing. He remains a drawcard among fanatical fans.

Recently, at a social match at the Marina Floating Platform, Ms Lim made her presence felt by cheering for Quah’s team.

Hers is not a new craze. She watched Quah during his heyday at the National Stadium, accompanying her brother Arthur to Malaysia Cup matches.

So what is life like away from the heat of the hustings?

“I am a retiree, so I have more freedom with my time. Sylvia is a busy person, so we occupy different time slots,” adds the grandfather of twins Renee and Ryan, three, from his daughter Leonora, 31.

Quah, who was married to Madam Shirley Wang, a bank manager with OCBC, also has a son, Leon, 35, who is married but has no children. Madam Wang died of cancer in 2007.

Quah adds that Ms Lim has a special relationship with his children and siblings and “she joins social gatherings involving my children, and my brothers and sisters”.

When he was once asked how he feels about dating one of Singapore’s most prominent women politicians, Quah replied: “I know her as Sylvia Lim, and not Sylvia Lim, chairman of Workers’ Party.”

For him, more importantly: “We are enjoying our time together and hope to be together for a long time.”

But no, while they are a “couple”, marriage is far from their minds.

In a newspaper interview recently, Ms Lim said: “People do ask us when we’re getting married. But we have discussed this and he’s already a grandfather.

“We’re enjoying our relationship as it is now, so we have no plans to get married at this point.”

Source: www.tnp.sg

September 6, 2015
Goh Meng Seng – The Ah Beng Politician

Goh Meng Seng describes himself as a “street fighter”. SIX-SIX.COM caught up with the 15-year opposition politician to find out just what drives him to carry on.

Not every politician might be flattered to be called an “Ah Beng politician,” but People’s Power Party (PPP) Secretary-General Goh Meng Seng, sees no shame in this moniker.

“I’m still a street fighter to the core. I’m a hands-on man,” he says, highlighting his commitment to speaking to everyday Singaporeans like the Ah Ma and the Beer Uncle.

According to him, the incumbent People’s Action Party (PAP) has lost touch with these folks due to the high salaries they earn as Ministers. There should not be such incentives to join public service, he thinks.

If you were to go by what Goh says, this apparent materialism is akin to a malaise that has infected not just Parliament but society.

People have lost values, he says, with severity. “We have to talk about bread and butter issues, livelihood and cost of jobs, but what about morals?”

“Morals” and “values” are buzzwords that pop up whenever he talks about his foray into politics.

All in the family

Politics is “in his blood,” says Goh Meng Seng. As a boy, he would read the newspapers with his father.

“Whenever he spotted something wrong, he will scold the government.”

This exercise with his father sensitised him to social injustices. It seems the interest in current affairs has not just rubbed off on him but his daughter too.

Speaking about politics at the dinner table is not rude in the Goh family and is in fact encouraged. “She likes current affairs like her father,” he says with a tinge of pride.

However, while his daughter is quite aware about local politics, she studies in Hong Kong. Goh says he sent her there to prevent her from being “indoctrinated” by Singapore’s political system.

Nevertheless, he gets her to travel to Singapore every now and then so that she would not lose touch with her country.

On one of those trips back this year, his daughter had expressed scepticism over the National Day songs played repeatedly during this year’s SG50 celebrations to mark Singapore’s Golden Jubilee.

“Papa, why do they keep repeating these songs. It’s like brainwashing,” Goh says, imitating his daughter’s tone.

His daughter lives with his wife in Hong Kong. When asked if his political career affected his family, Goh says that his family understands.

“I think I am blessed. I cannot sustain my political career without the support from my family.”

The noble economist

Goh is a Chinese-educated student who graduated with an Honours Degree in economics. His perspective on politics is informed by this background.

He says the sacrifice one has to make for public service is rooted in Chinese values. He feels that in order for those in power to stay honest, they should serve only two terms in office before stepping down — a seeming jibe at Singapore’s Prime Ministers who have stayed longer in office than that.

Goh considers himself a democratic socialist and uses economics jargon to explain his political goals. On the topic of maids in Singapore whose rights have been violated, he says the difficulty they face is due to the “asymmetric positioning” between them and their employers.

He acknowledges, though, that social justice and economics do not always go hand in hand. A balance must be struck somehow, he says.

When he is pressed about what specific policies he would like to implement to tackle such issues, he seems to dodge the questions at first, though later, he says the difficulty opposition politicians face when proposing alternative policies is the lack of figures by the government on current policies.

On the hardship he has faced championing issues for the underdog, Goh says being a politician “is a painful process”. He then pauses for a perceptible moment before saying the “ROI (Return of Investment) is actually negative”.

He says, though, that it’s bo pien — not a matter of choice — that he carries on in politics.

“There are a lot of people around me who encourage me to carry on because they feel I am already in it with a certain political capital. It’s not easy to groom people (for politics) in the Singapore context.”
*This article was corrected after Goh Meng Seng’s party affiliation was wrongly reported. We apologise for the error.

Source: www.six-six.com

September 6, 2015