Category: Singapuraku

  • How About Political Reform For Singapore?

    How About Political Reform For Singapore?

    The National Day Rally is going to be held this coming 23rd August. I have no doubt for sure that perhaps in the week after or so, parliament will be dissolved and we will begin to see political parties campaigning to win the hearts of the voters to put them into parliament for the next 5 years.

    All parties have been working hard at looking for new candidates whom they feel can best represent the party and the people they seek to serve at the respective wards that they are contesting for.

    And as how the last elections has shown, Singaporeans are less interested in the affairs of the Town Council but are more concerned at what happens at the national level. Elections, is no longer just about municipal issues but national issues.

    More than just that, we need the right candidates who can represent the people at the national level.

    If anything, I believe that we need to have a political reform in terms of how elections are held. It should no longer be about representing wards alone. It should be about representing the people. What we need is a parliament that works like council members, elected not by wards but by the entire nation or by the community that they seek to represent.

    For example, to have a good representation in parliament, we should perhaps try to work on this:

    ALL Singapore Malays vote for a selected number of Malay Candidates who have been nominated by their organisations or have chosen to step forward to represent the community.

    For instance, AMP, MUIS, MENDAKI, PERGAS, PERTAPIS, etc.. each nominates one member from their organisation whom they feel can best represent the Malay community. If these guys accept the nomination, then they go on to campaign to win votes of the Malay community for the available number of seats and these guys will represent the Malay-Muslim Community.

    Let’s say there are 14 seats available for the Malay-Muslim Community and there are 30 guys contending for the seat. Voters can mark the ‘X’ on 14 of these names/faces who they want to represent them.

    This way, no candidate shall be subjected to party politics and will truly represent the people and they can represent the people best because there will be diversity in terms of opinions and alliances. These guys, are then the Malay Members of Parliament.

    For those individuals who are not nominated, they can campaign as well to win votes. Campaigning can be managed by the Election Department who will organise the ‘Campaign Tours’ to the different neighbourhoods to allow candidates opportunities to speak. Each candidate given a specific amount of time for their speeches. This puts additional pressure on candidates to be concise with what they want to campaign for and not beat around the bush.

    Now, after they win and what about the choice for a Minister of Malay Muslim Affairs. The candidates representing the Malay Muslim community can discuss amongst themselves as council members and elect a person whom they feel best fits the job.

    What about Town Councils?

    Leave the Town Council management to private firms who have no political affiliation or interest. Town Council managers will have to submit their bids and proposals on how they wish to improve the town to the Ministry for National Development who can issue tenders.

    In assessing the suitability of the Town Council to be issued or recontracted, MND can have a KPI or checklist or even conduct household surveys to assess performance of each Town Council. Town Councils that fail to meet a certain percentage gives a good red flag that they are perhaps undeserving of a contract extension.

    And what then of the People’s Association and it’s CC Advisers?

    Leave that to the staff and passionate volunteers of People’s Association. In doing so, we can eradicate party lobbying where volunteers feel obliged/indebted to help/vote their Advisers/MPs or are interested to volunteer because they’d like to be able to receive benefits (whatever that may be). 

    I know I’ve only mentioned an example for the Malay-Muslim community but this can be replicated for the rest of the communities and causes as well because at the end of the day, we really want to vote for someone who knows the community really well, is committed to serving the community WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOUR, FOR JUSTICE AND EQUALITY (Borrowed this from the Singapore Police Force pledge).

    I certainly do not want to vote for someone whom I know eventually is bounded by party politics and has their hands and mouth tied from speaking up, when that is exactly what they should be doing.

     

    Source: https://abdillahzamzuri.wordpress.com

  • Female Malay Officer LTA Nur Atiqah Trains Officer Cadets

    Female Malay Officer LTA Nur Atiqah Trains Officer Cadets

    LTA Nur Atiqah currently serves as an Instructor in the Officer Cadet School (OCS) in SAFTI MI.

    Previously, she was a Platoon Commander in 9 SIR, an Infantry Battalion.

    “Being in the SAF has helped me in my character-development as it is a very people-oriented career. Having to manage and work with people has helped develop me to be a better team player and to manage expectations. Being in the force has taught me how to manage my time better, adapt and react to situations on the ground”.

     

    Source: Ng Eng Hen – Defence Minister

  • MAJ Md Noor Ehsan Handled Foreign Dignitaries During NDP

    MAJ Md Noor Ehsan Handled Foreign Dignitaries During NDP

    MAJ Md Noor Ehsan, was in charge of a team which was tasked with the handling of the foreign dignitaries during NDP as well as the handling of local VIPs during the rehearsals.

    He shares his thoughts about his job for this year’s NDP, ” I think this is a very interesting job as we had to work very closely with Minister of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in the handling of the foreign dignitaries and the local ministers to ensure that both parties were accorded the due protocols.”

     

    Source: The Singapore Army

  • Chee Soon Juan: When The Reserves Go, The Economy Tanks And Everyone Goes With It

    Chee Soon Juan: When The Reserves Go, The Economy Tanks And Everyone Goes With It

    Dr Chee Soon Juan casted doubt on the PAP government’s ability to guard Singapore’s financial reserves during their house visits on Sunday, 16 August. Dr Chee contended, “Our message to [the voters] is that what we need is to make sure our reserves are being monitored [by a strong opposition].”

    The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) conducted their afternoon door-to-door visits at Bukit Timah. SDP activated more than 30 members and volunteers in cars and bicycles to cover a wide area of landed properties.

    While acknowledging the different concerns those staying in this area may have, Dr Chee noted everyone will suffer together when the government “does not know what is going on” with the financial market. This is because of a lack of opposition presence in parliament.

    Dr Chee cited the 2008 global financial crisis triggered by the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers. “Between GIC and Temasek Holdings, we lost close to $120bn -$140bn,” he said.

    He continued, “This is where I worry. In spite of the fact there were so many warning signals of the subprime crisis that was developing ahead, the government did not know what was going on and continued to plow in money to banks like Citigroup, Lehman Brothers, Bank of America, [and] Merrill Lynch.”

    Dr Chee contended the opposition’s role is “to question and make sure every one of our investments in the Sovereign Wealth Funds is transparent and well-managed.”

    Emphasizing the common destiny of Singaporeans of all income groups, Dr Chee encouraged the voters of Holland-Bukit Timah to support the SDP. “This is not about income. When the reserves go, the economy tanks. Everyone goes along with it.”

    Ms Chong Wai Fung

    Dr Chee also took the opportunity to introduce Ms Chong Wai Fung to the media despite being coy about whether she is running for office.

    Ms Chong is currently the treasurer of SDP and heads the Women Democrats. She is a healthcare research analyst and holds two master’s degrees in Clinical Epidemiology and Business Administration.

    Ms Chong noted that due to her job, she needs to be careful when commenting on healthcare issues publicly. Nevertheless, she had spoken at the “Free My CPF” rally and also actively champions women’s rights and issues.

    Coverage in the mainstream media

    Speaking exclusively to The Online Citizen, Dr Chee urged the mainstream media to report on its extensive policies because it is what the residents need to know. Dr Chee expressed his disappointment with the mainstream media’s lack of coverage on SDP’s proposals and alternative policy papers.

    Rather than being solely focused on which areas the parties are contesting and which candidates might be fielded, the media should spend more time talking about reasons why each party should be voted.

    Since 2011, the SDP has published annual shadow budgets, and presented several alternative policy papers on issues like population, housing, the economy, healthcare, and education. However, little of these were highlighted by the mainstream media.

     

    Source: www.theonlinecitizen.com

  • 4 Anak Melayu/Islam Jadi Kohort Pertama Mahasiswa Di Sekolah Perubatan NTU

    4 Anak Melayu/Islam Jadi Kohort Pertama Mahasiswa Di Sekolah Perubatan NTU

    Empat anak Melayu/Islam bakal menjadi doktor perubatan ‘perintis’, setelah diterima masuk ke Sekolah Perubatan Lee Kong Chian (LKCMedicine).

    Mereka boleh dianggap istimewa kerana menjadi perintis bagi doktor-doktor Melayu yang dihasilkan Sekolah LKCMedicine kendalian Universiti Teknologi Nanyang (NTU) dan Imperial College London.

    Sehingga kini, para pelajar Melayu yang berjaya menjadi doktor, lulus dari fakulti perubatan NUS, ataupun universiti luar negara.

    Namun Shafiqah Shahrin, Muhammad Fadzil Kamarudin, Bureau Nicolas Khairul dan A Johan Saiful Mizra membentuk kohort mahasiswa Melayu/Islam yang pertama untuk mengikuti pengajian perubatan di Sekolah LKCMedicine.

    Mereka bukan sahaja mencatat keputusan cemerlang iaitu sekurang-kurangnya 3A dalam peperiksaan GCE ‘A’ , tetapi mereka juga berjaya mengharungi lapan sesi temuduga yang mencabar.

    KOHORT PALING RAMAI

    Empat mahasiswa Melayu/Islam itu boleh berbangga kerana dipilih setelah ‘bertarung’ dengan lebih 800 pemohon lain. Kesemuanya, 90 mahasiswa dipilih untuk kursus tersebut tahun ini.

    Jumlah itu kenaikan 67% berbanding hanya 54 mahasiswa yang diterima masuk untuk kohort pertama LKCMedicine pada 2013.

    Kohort mahasiswa pada tahun ini adalah yang paling ramai sejak Sekolah LKCMedicine ditubuhkan. Kini sekolah itu mempunyai 222 mahasiswa perubatan.

    Hari ini (17 Ogos), kesemua mahasiswa baru Sekolah LKCMedicine menerima jubah putih yang sering dipakai para doktor, dalam satu upacara khas, sebagai simbol permulaan pengajian mereka.

    Kohort ketiga mahasiswa perubatan NTU membaca perisytiharan pelajar perubatan baru. (Gambar: Universiti Teknologi Nanyang)

    Siapakah anak-anak Melayu tersebut? Mari kita kenali lebih dekat empat mahasiswa Melayu/Islam yang boleh dikatakan menempa nama dalam sejarah Sekolah LKCMedicine.

    Lebih menarik lagi, kesemua mereka datang daripada keluarga yang tidak mempunyai latar belakang perubatan.

    Ini bermakna apabila tamat pengajian kelak, Shafiqah, Fadzil, Nicolas dan Johan akan menjadi yang pertama di kalangan anggota keluarga masing-masing, untuk berkhidmat dalam industri perubatan.

    SHAFIQAH SATU-SATUNYA MAHASISWI MELAYU/ISLAM

    (Gambar: Universiti Teknologi Nanyang)

    Shafiqah Shahrin, 19 tahun merupakan lulusan dari Maktab Rendah Victoria.

    Sejak kecil lagi, Shafiqah memang sudah berminat untuk membantu orang lain. Beliau semakin yakin terhadap minatnya selepas mengikuti “internship” selama sebulan di Hospital NUH awal tahun ini.

    “Saya memang mengagumi doktor dan mendapat inspirasi daripada mereka melalui pengalaman ‘internship’ saya. Saya faham kerapian kerjaya itu namun saya rasa bahawa apa yang boleh mendorong saya ialah minat saya,” kata anak bongsu dalam tiga beradik itu.

    Dan kini Shafiqah menjadi satu-satunya mahasiswi Melayu/Islam yang berjaya masuk ke Sekolah Perubatan NTU.

    “Tiada kerjaya lain, selain dalam perubatan untuk saya dan saya rasa sangat bersyukur kerana pada akhirnya, saya diterima masuk ke dalam kursus yang saya mahukan.

    “Sepanjang pengajian lima tahun ini, saya akan meluaskan ilmu pengetahuan dalam bidang perubatan supaya dapat bantu masyarakat Melayu/Islam,” kata Shafiqah ketika dihubungi BERITAMediaCorp.

    FADZIL: PENTING DIANJAKKAN BILANGAN DOKTOR MELAYU

    (Gambar: Universiti Teknologi Nanyang)

    Muhammad Fadzil Kamarudin, 22 tahun muncul sebagai salah seorang lulusan terbaik dari Maktab Rendah Pioneer.

    Fadzil berasa terharu menjadi salah seorang mahasiswa perubatan Melayu yang pertama di NTU.

    “Tidak ramai doktor Melayu di Singapura, nisbah doktor Melayu kepada pesakit Melayu adalah tidak sama,” kata Fadzil kepada BERITAMediaCorp.

    Beliau menambah: “Saya rasa adalah penting untuk mempunyai doktor Melayu kerana mereka boleh memahami masyarakat Melayu dengan lebih baik, adat dan kepercayaan yang unik. Dan oleh itu, menyampaikan jagaan yang lebih baik kerana perubatan bukan tentang sains sahaja, tetapi juga mengenai hubungan antara pesakit dan doktor mereka.”

    Pada tahun 2007, bapanya pulih daripada penyakit angin ahmar selepas menetap di hospital untuk satu bulan. Tempoh itulah yang mengukuhkan tekad Fadzil untuk menceburi bidang perubatan.

    “Saya lihat tugas doktor dan jururawat setiap hari dan saya tertarik kepada pengorbanan dan dedikasi mereka terhadap tugas mereka. Hasil usaha mereka, bapa saya dapat sembuh sepenuhnya.

    “Saya berharap satu hari nanti, saya akan dapat melakukan perubahan yang sama dalam kehidupan pesakit-pesakit saya yang akan datang, dan keluarga mereka,” ujar Fadzil.

    “Saya harap untuk menjadi sumber inspirasi dan motivasi kepada para pelajar Melayu, yang walau datang daripada keluarga yang bukan doktor, untuk percaya dalam diri dan kejar impian mereka,” ujar Fadzil.

    NICOLAS FASIH BAHASA MELAYU, PERANCIS, INGGERIS & PERUBATAN

    (Gambar: Universiti Teknologi Nanyang)

    Namanya begitu unik bagi seorang anak Melayu. Bureau Nicolas Khairul, 19 tahun mempunyai darah kacukan Melayu dan Perancis. Ayahnya berasal dari Perancis dan ibunya orang Melayu.

    Nicolas mengambil bahasa Melayu sebagai bahasa ibunda, di samping juga fasih dalam bahasa Perancis dan Inggeris.

    Lulusan ACS(I) itu juga ‘fasih’ dalam bahasa perubatan, terutamanya mengenai fungsi organ-organ dalam tubuh. Sejak kecil lagi, beliau sudah mendalami mata pelajaran biologi.

    “Saya inginkan tugas yang mana ia tidak rasa seperti tugas kerana saya melakukan apa yang saya suka. Dan saya suka membantu orang.

    “Jadi saya pilih perubatan kerana ia menggabungkan dua minat saya (biologi dan membantu orang). Saya mahu berinteraksi lebih dekat dengan pesakit secara ‘firsthand’,” Nicolas memberitahu BERITAMediaCorp.

    JOHAN: TUGAS DOKTOR LEBIH ISTIMEWA

    (Gambar: Universiti Teknologi Nanyang)

    A Johan Saiful Mizra, 19 tahun merupakan lulusan Maktab Rendah Raffles.

    Johan sebenarnya berbelah untuk menerima tawaran daripada NUS dalam bidang undang-undang, atau perubatan di LKCMedicine.

    “Saya membuat keputusan untuk memilih perubatan kerana ia menawarkan kerjaya yang lebih memuaskan dalam jangka masa panjang.

    “Tugas sebagai doktor lebih istimewa kerana terdapat kepercayaan yang unik antara pesakit dan doktor. Doktor yang bagus memainkan peranan istimewa dalam hidup seseorang,” kata Johan.

    Anak sulung dalam dua beradik itu berkata, beliau mahu membantu orang ramai, terutamanya masyarakat Melayu/Islam.

    “Tumpuan saya sekarang adalah untuk menjadi seorang doktor yang sangat bagus supaya saya boleh menyumbang kepada masyarakat. Itu matlamat saya sekarang.”

    Source: http://berita.mediacorp.sg

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