Category: Singapuraku

Vote Ravi Philemon For Hong Kah North SMC

We first met back in 30th December 2009 when my family and i was homeless. We were spending nights camping on Sembawang beach. On that very night, he and Andrew Loh was distributing biscuits to every one and i never knew who the heck they were back then. But with their help, my family and i now have a proper brick roof over our head.

And he did not stop there.

Over the years, he has contributed significantly to my social entrepreneurial endeavors. Without even asking for it, he introduced me to those in business whom i had garner knowledge, gain so much wisdom from, motivates and inspires me on my journey now. Just imagine someone who were once homeless, just a GCE ‘O’ level holder, feeling all useless and hopeless is now embarking on a journey that could provide employment and hope to others. Ravi Philemon is one of that big contributing factor to this positive change in me.

My mother ever once said in Malay, “Ravi tu bagus ar. Dia tak pernah lupakan kau dan apape, dia akan tolong.” Which translate “Ravi is good. He never forgets you and in anything, he will help.”

It’s been a few years now, acting on the various opportunities to contribute side by side with him in voluntary works. I am grateful.

Though it’s pretty new to me as it has been just sheer few days of supporting him in his walkabouts and campaigns, yesterday particularly was different. It was a wholesome new experience and i strongly believe that it was just the beginning.

Yesterday (Saturday – 22nd August 2015), Ravi Philemon was unveiled as the candidate for Hong Kah North SMC.

I am supporting him not because he is a close friend. I am supporting him not because he have once helped me. I am supporting him not because he is in an opposition party.

I am giving him my fullest support for i have witnessed how he relentlessly help in person, on the ground (using his own pocket money everytime), raise issues which other normal Singaporeans dare not raise and go all out for the benefit of others. I believe he can be an astounding leader and be a great representative for us Singaporeans.

Someone who came from such humble beginnings, gave back to the community in so many ways and are now fighting for a seat in parliament so that he may come forward to be Singaporean’s voice. Doesn’t he deserve your vote?

‪#‎RaviForHongKahNorthSMC‬

Source: Liyana Dhamirah

August 24, 2015
Jeanette Chong-Aruldoss: Give Me A Fair Chance To Win Your Votes

ENCOUNTER WITH A GRASSROOT LEADER

(Yesterday morning, 22 Aug at Blk 17 Old Airport Road Food Centre)

Smiling broadly and holding up my J4M flyer, I approached a man aged about 40 sitting alone.

He glared at me and motioned that he did not wish me to approach him.

Thinking he might not be local, I asked in English “Are you a Singaporean?”

Staring at me for a couple of seconds (to the point that I thought he might indeed be a non-Singaporean), he then answered in a stern tone, “Yes, I am a Singaporean and I have already decided who to vote for.”

Astounded, I said “But how can you have decided when elections have not even began yet?”

Him (with hostility): “I am a grassroot leader.”

Me (thinking that grassroot leaders are community-minded): “Oh may I know your name?”

Him: “No.”

Me (realising that my thinking could be wrong): “Why would being a grassroot leader mean that you already decided who to vote? Does it mean that all grassroot leaders are …..”

Him (sensing where I was going, cut me off in mid sentence): “I know who you are. You are a lawyer and so am I. You are engaging me the wrong way. I am here to have my breakfast. You are engaging me the wrong way.” He clearly wanted me to go away, so I went away.

I am really puzzled by the man’s response. Many Singaporeans join the grassroots to serve the community, and not to serve politicians or the political ambitions of the ruling party. This grassroot leader had made up his mind who to give his vote to. He was not interested to meet me or to even hear me out. He made it very clear to me that I have zero chance to win his support.

Well, can’t say I didn’t try. If you’re reading this, I want you to know, no hard feelings. To everyone else who is reading this, I’m going to keep trying to work for your support, regardless of affiliation.

All I ask is for you to judge me on my merits and give me a fair chance to win your support.

Source: Jeanette For Mounbatten

August 24, 2015
Benjamin Pwee: No Rifts Between DPP And SPP

There have been no disagreements between the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and Singapore People’s Party (SPP) as they decide on members of a joint team to contest Bishan-Toa Payoh Group Representation Constituency (GRC) together, said DPP chief Benjamin Pwee.

“Everything is hunky-dory. We’re all happy,” Mr Pwee told reporters before the start of a DPP-SPP walkabout at Toa Payoh Lorong 7 on Sunday morning (Aug 23).

SPP’s Bryan Long added that there is a “positive working relationship” between the two parties and that “DPP brings a good bunch of people to the table”.

Both Opposition parties had agreed to jointly contest the five-member GRC under the SPP banner and have been conducting walkabouts together. However a week ago, Mr Pwee had said his party was prepared to fight for Bishan-Toa Payoh on its own if it could not get agreement with SPP on the five joint-team candidates. SPP chairman Lina Chiam had indicated that her party would like to take three slots in the joint team and in turn, Mr Pwee asked that SPP be “open to discussing who will stand on both sides and not insist on a certain number”.

On Sunday, Mr Pwee said both parties’ central executive committees have narrowed down their picks. “We will reveal the best five on Nomination Day. Every person here is a potential candidate,” he said.

Accompanying Mr Pwee and Mr Long were DPP members Ms Juliana Juwahir, Mr Mohamad Hamim Aliyas, Mr Abdul Malik Rahmat, Ms Nadine Yap, and Mr Robin Low, as well as SPP members Mr Abdillah Zamzuri, Mr Law Kim Hwee and Mr Eman Lim.

DPP secretary-general Benjamin Pwee greeting residents at a coffee shop in Toa Payoh during a walkabout on Aug 23. (Photo: Gayathiri Chandramohan)

SPP member Bryan Long and DPP’s Benjamin Pwee and Nadine Yap speaking to patrons at a Toa Payoh coffee shop on Aug 23. (Photo: Gayathiri Chandramohan)

Both parties have said they will put out a joint manifesto for Bishan-Toa Payoh. Mr Pwee, an ex-SPP member, pointed out that the core team in DPP came from the SPP and that they had similar concerns on “larger, national issues”. “When we took over DPP, we basically brought across a lot of the same shared concerns,” he said.

The DPP-SPP team will go up against the People’s Action Party’s team for Bishan Toa-Payoh made up of incumbent MPs Ng Eng Hen and Josephine Teo and new faces Mr Chee Hong Tat, Mr Chong Kee Hiong and Mr Saktiandi Supaat.

Source: www.channelnewsasia.com

August 24, 2015
More Support For New Parents A Welcome Move Says Observers

The enhanced support for having a child in the form of a bigger Baby Bonus, additional paternity leave and a bigger Medisave Grant for babies was welcomed by parents and parents-to-be, while sociologists said the measures could help nudge society into becoming more supportive of families with children.

Mr Marcus Lai, whose wife will give birth to their first child next year, said the added support would ease some of his worries. “My wife and I have been discussing how much we should put aside for our child, and how to manage our finances … These (initiatives) would definitely make things easier for us,” said the 31-year-old manager of Winefield’s Auctioneers Asia.

Housewife Josephine Low, 36, welcomed the doubling of paternity leave to two weeks, but was sceptical on whether companies would offer it voluntarily. “If the company doesn’t allow us, then we might have to use our annual leave, which means that we are at the losing end,” said the mother of four, who felt it should be mandated by the Government.

SHIFTING ATTITUDES

A study released by the Institute of Policy Studies early last month showed the enhanced Marriage and Parenthood Package announced in 2013 was less conducive in nudging Singaporeans to marry and have more children, compared with the previous package.

Dr Kang Soon-Hock, head of the Social Science Core at SIM University, felt the enhancements, while appearing “purely financial” on the surface, play the bigger role of shifting attitudes. Referring to the extended paternity leave, he said: “Parenthood isn’t about mothers, but about fatherhood, too. It’s a gentle nudge for fathers to rethink their role, and see it in a different light.”

Asked if he felt the enhancement would boost birth rates in the long run, National University of Singapore sociologist Tan Ern Ser said raising children is a long-term commitment. “My view is that they are helpful, and may raise TFR to 1.3, slightly above the current 1.2 or 1.25, but not much more, unless more is done. Whatever the case maybe, such policies also serve a symbolic value. They reflect the priority the Government assigns to fertility and children,” he said.

NUS sociologist Paulin Straughan said the policies also ride on the Golden Jubilee wave. “I think birth rates are on the rise … and (these policies) are geared towards catching this feeling of optimism of Singaporeans towards their country.”

Commenting on the additional Government-funded paternity leave, Singapore National Employers Federation executive director Koh Juan Kiat said companies would likely need to restructure leave benefits to provide the additional days for fathers. “Hopefully, the incentive can be applied to flexible paternity leave, taken over say one year … this will encourage SMEs to consider the initiative,” he said.

Source: www.channelnewsasia.com

August 24, 2015
Good Ministers Can Advanced Singapore’s Interest Abroad

Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Vivian Balakrishnan and Manpower Minister Lim Swee Say were singled out by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong as examples of how good ministers can advance Singapore’s interests abroad.

At the United Nations Climate Change Conference in December last year, Dr Balakrishnan not only represented Singapore, but took on the role of an “honest broker” to bridge gaps among different countries to put together a deal agreeable to all, said Mr Lee.

On top of Dr Balakrishnan’s competence, his effectiveness in excelling at the role was aided by the support from a strong and cohesive team of officials from different ministries. And Team Singapore helped the conference reach a successful outcome and advanced the Republic’s interests in the process, Mr Lee said.

He also recounted how Mr Lim turned around the “miserable mood” during a dinner discussion among labour ministers at the International Labour Organisation Conference (ILO) in Geneva this year. In a manner that “only Swee Say knew how”, Mr Lee said — in reference to Mr Lim’s inimitable style — the Manpower Minister first acknowledged the common challenges faced by various countries, then talked about the kinds of opportunities that all countries wanted. Mr Lim then seized on the opportunity to share about the importance of strong tripartite relationships in achieving the desired solutions, based on Singapore’s unique approach.

“When Swee Say had finished, the mood in the room had lifted. Everyone was discussing solutions and not moping. The (ILO) director general … proposed ‘Three cheers for Singapore’.”

Both ministers, he said, demonstrate the quality of leadership the Republic must maintain as it strengthens the economy and defence so Singapore can hold its own on the global stage.

Source: www.todayonline.com

August 24, 2015