Category: Singapuraku

  • M Ravi: I Will Not Stand In Upcoming GE

    M Ravi: I Will Not Stand In Upcoming GE

    Following my presence in a recent walkabout in AMK GRC with the Reform Party (RP) and a short interview I gave, speculation has been rife that I will run as a candidate for the RP.

    I knew Mr J B Jeyaretnam, the founder of the RP, both as a friend and a colleague at the Bar. He was a man who always fought for the common man and dedicated a life of service to his fellow man. I am indeed honoured to have worked with him. He set up the Reform Party before his passing and it’s indeed wonderful to see his work and vision carried on by Kenneth in trying circumstances.

    I am grateful that Kenneth allowed me to volunteer my services in some small way. I have seen his dedication and commitment to the people of AMK GRC.

    I see the same spirit in Roy Ngerng in wanting to serve the people and being the voice for the under-privileged in society.

    I have been a lawyer for 18 years and I have always tried to serve my clients to the best of my ability. It’s a calling I take very seriously.

    These few days, I have given considerable thought as to what my role and service to society must be. It is to the calling of service to the legal and judicial system but most of all a calling of service to my clients who depend on me to fight for them.

    It is therefore prudent and crucial that I continue to maintain my focus on this and serve my clients diligently when I resume my legal practice shortly. It is here that my focus and service must lie.

    Accordingly I have decided that my service now is best rendered in this role.

    I thank the Reform Party for allowing me to witness its work and outreach up close.

    I wish them, and Roy Ngerng, well in their service to the public.

    Thank You

     

    Source: Ravi MRavi

  • Elitism Is Good For Everyone

    Elitism Is Good For Everyone

    If ever there was a letter placed in the Straits Times to justify the status quo in Singapore, and just a month after the prime minister proclaimed the societal benefits of a “natural aristocracy” in the conservative citystate, it is this remarkable missive by Mr Russell Tan Wah Jian.

    Having graduated from Raffles Institution (RI) last year, I have witnessed the transformation of the school and would like to share my thoughts on the matter (“RI now a ‘middle-class’ school / ‘Make RI a better school for S’pore’” and “RI population less diverse now, say many alumni“; both published on Aug 4).

    Singapore is a society built on the core tenets of meritocracy, fairness and equity. However, in recent years, we seem to have collectively confused equity with equality.

    Equality is making everyone stoop down to the lowest common denominator of society – everyone does the same thing and all are given equal probabilities. Equity entails everyone doing what their abilities allow them to do, and everyone being given equal opportunities to succeed; only the most outstanding grab those opportunities.

    Often, what constitutes equality does not equate to equity. If we take a modern society and reduce it back to an agrarian one, where everyone puts in equal effort, we achieve equality but not equity – because we are taking people with the capability to be, for instance, lawyers and doctors, and making them do the same menial tasks as everyone else.

    RI’s principal, Mr Chan Poh Meng, highlighted the pursuit of equality – but what for? It is a natural consequence that students from affluent backgrounds get into better schools because their parents are likely more well-heeled and can afford better-quality education for them.

    There is no point aiming for equality for the sake of equality, and giving up equity.

    Elitism, in reality, is just the darker side of meritocracy. What has come about is a natural consequence of meritocracy – when we stream students according to their abilities, it is only natural that students whose families can afford better quality education make it to better institutions.

    It is no fault of the school or the students or the precedence that previous principals have set. If anything, it is the fault of meritocracy.

    But maybe that is not a fault at all. A natural consequence that stratifies society does have its own purpose for the well-educated, critical minds to mingle together to build Singapore up to greater heights. Intelligence is an asset; and we cannot allow ourselves to prioritise equality over intelligence and equity.

    RI is often touted as a factory for future leaders – why would we want to draw resources away from the nurturing of our future leaders, or worse still, level the playing field?

    We should relook the way we go off the well-trodden path, and ensure that we do not shake up the status quo just for the sake of doing so.

    Just in time for elections…

    The comment thread makes for interesting reading too, and not all were as supportive as Mr Kevin Lee, who intoned: “You’re a bloody cunt for writing this piece of hot steaming shit.”

     

    Source: www.mumbrella.asia

  • ‘Bukit Timah Belt’ Schools Breeding Elitist Students

    ‘Bukit Timah Belt’ Schools Breeding Elitist Students

    I am glad Mr Chan Poh Meng, principal of Raffles Institution, has challenged the school to do something about its problem (“RI now a ‘middle-class’ school / ‘Make RI a better school for S’pore’”; Aug 4).

    Unfortunately, there are many other “elite” schools in the Bukit Timah belt, and I feel sad that many of their students have not been taught proper values.

    I have stopped patronising the Starbucks outlet in Coronation Plaza as the place has been overrun by students from the nearby schools.

    The students will hog the seats for the whole day, often leaving their things unattended for hours, thus depriving others of the use of the space. While it is encouraging to see our students studying so hard, it is sad to see their selfishness manifested in their ugly behaviour.

    Students who can afford to drink expensive coffee every day do not understand the value of money.

    It saddens me that these schools will continue to churn out top scholars who are self-centred and lack an appreciation of the basic necessities of life. One day, some of these elite students will grow up to be leaders of our country and they will never appreciate that their one cup of coffee is equivalent to two meals for some people.

    I hope the school principals in the Bukit Timah belt will learn from Mr Chan’s words and inculcate the right values in their students before it is too late. As a start, they should consider providing study facilities with free beverages for their students, so that they will stop hogging the Starbucks seats.

    Jessie Loy Sze Nah (Madam)

     

    Source: www.straitstimes.com

  • Average-Looking Indonesian Man Marries Beautiful British Girl

    Average-Looking Indonesian Man Marries Beautiful British Girl

    The date 8th of August is probably one of the happiest in Bayu Kumbara’s life, as he married the love of his life — a woman from United Kingdom.

    His wedding caused quite a buzz on online sites as Bayu is Indonesian and and is not conventionally handsome.

    According to website Sembang Info, Bayu has a “funny face”, while the woman who stole his heart, Jennifer Brocklehurst, is stunning.

    The wedding also attracted attention after Jennifer appealed for donations online on tilt.com in order to foot the cost of their big day.

    Her targeted amount was 2,500 pounds (approximately S$5,502), but in the end, she managed to raise about 1,000 pounds (approximately S$2,200). Through donations, she had hoped to buy flight tickets for her parents.

    Despite the lack of funding, both parties decided to go ahead with the wedding. Photos of the ceremony were uploaded onto their social media accounts and were quickly greeted with a slew of congratulatory messages from their friends and ‘followers’.

    Jennifer reportedly met Bayu while she was on holiday in Sumatra and since their fateful encounter, they have fallen in love.

    The report also states that Bayu is a graduate in Anthropology, from Andalas University in Indonesia.

     

    Source: http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg

  • Terus Terang Hal Ehwal Kewangan Dan Elak Berhutang

    Terus Terang Hal Ehwal Kewangan Dan Elak Berhutang

    Lelaki harus berterus terang kepada keluarga bakal isterinya mengenai kemampuan kewangannya dan elak berhutang untuk mengadakan wang hantaran.

    Keluarga perempuan pula tidak harus menggunakan wang hantaran semata-mata untuk majlis perkahwinan gah. Ia harus digunakan bagi kelengkapan kediaman pasangan baru berumah tangga itu.

    Demikian gesaan beberapa naib kadi yang diminta mengulas mengenai adat wang hantaran.

    Ustaz Dr Firdaus Yahya berkata masyarakat harus memberi keutamaan pada perkara wajib, misalnya mas kahwin, daripada berlumba-lumba meletakkan wang hantaran tinggi hingga memaksa pihak lelaki berhutang atau bakal suami isteri berbohong mengenai wang hantaran.

    “Masyarakat kita mewajibkan perkara tidak wajib dan memandang remeh perkara wajib. Ini perlu diperbetul.

    “Jika kita berlumba-lumba dalam soal wang hantaran, ditakuti perkahwinan tidak membawa berkat kerana melibatkan hutang dan sebagainya,” ujar beliau.

    Beliau menekankan dalam perkahwinan Islam, yang wajib ialah mas kahwin atau mahar, bukan wang hantaran.

    Kadar minimum mas kahwin di Singapura ialah $100, walaupun ada pasangan lelaki memilih memberi $150 atau $200 atau dalam bentuk barang kemas bernilai lebih daripada kadar minimun itu.

    Seorang lagi naib kadi, Ustaz Syakir Pasuni, berkata pemberian wang hantaran serta hadiah “berdulang-dulang” hanya sekadar adat.

    “Kita harus sedar bahawa wang hantaran bukanlah tuntutan agama. Ia hanya hadiah dan memberi hadiah sangat digalakkan agama Islam. Wang hantaran juga boleh membantu meringankan perbelanjaan,” ujar beliau.

    Beberapa naib kadi berkata jumlah wang hantaran sekarang antara $8,000 dengan $15,000 biasanya bergantung pada faktor seperti kelulusan mempelai wanita, keadaan ekonomi keluarga, dan apakah wanita itu pernah berkahwin.

    “Wang hantaran ialah adat kebiasaan orang Melayu, bukan tuntutan agama. Jadi kalau wang hantaran sampai memaksa seorang lelaki meminjam bank atau berhutang, itu tidak elok dan tidak mengikut ajaran sebenar Islam,” ujar Ustaz Noor Rawi, 60 tahun.

    Beliau menggesa pihak lelaki berterus terang tentang kemampuannya kepada pihak perempuan agar tidak sampai berhutang untuk memberi wang hantaran di luar kemampuan.

    Naib kadi berpengalaman 30 tahun itu menambah bahawa wang hantaran sebenarnya bagi keperluan mempelai membeli kelengkapan rumah seperti katil, almari, perabot lain dan sebagainya bagi kegunaan mereka.

    “Ada ibu bapa perempuan menggunakan wang hantaran untuk makan minum majlis perkahwinan. Ini tidak patut kerana duit hantaran ialah bagi keperluan pasangan pengantin,” kata Ustaz Noor.

    Ustaz Syakir turut menasihatkan ibu bapa supaya usah terpengaruh oleh orang lain mengenai wang hantaran.

    “Kadang-kadang ada saudara-mara sibuk memperkata tentang wang hantaran hingga menjejas ibu bapa mempelai dalam membuat keputusan dan menyusahkan pengantin.

    “Ibu bapa perlu mempunyai pendirian sendiri dan bijaksana dalam membuat keputusan,” kata beliau.

    Seorang lagi naib kadi, Ustaz Muhammad Zahid Mohd Zin, 31 tahun, berkata idea mengadakan wang hantaran memang ada baiknya dan ia boleh jadi satu komitmen bagi pasangan kepada perkahwinan mereka.

    Ini juga boleh menggalak amalan menabung bagi lelaki yang hendak berumah tangga.

    “Cuma, perkara ini disalah tanggap hingga ada orang menyangka ia satu kewajipan. Ada ingin menunjuk-nunjuk kepada orang lain atau kononnya tidak mahu keluarganya malu. Apabila ini terjadi dan mereka terpaksa mengambil pinjaman, ia satu perkara yang dikesalkan.

    “Mendapatkan pinjaman bagi wang hantaran tidak sepatutnya terjadi,” kata Ustaz Muhammad Zahid.

    Ustaz Syakir juga berkata mendapatkan wang pinjaman bank adalah langkah kurang bijaksana kerana ia berpotensi besar meruntuhkan sesebuah rumah tangga ekoran masalah kewangan dan persefahaman.

    “Saya harap ia tidak dijadikan satu perlumbaan dalam masyarakat kerana berlumba-lumba dan menunjuk-nunjuk dalam soal ini berdosa.

    “Kedua, wang hantaran tidak harus dijadikan ukur tara status wanita kerana ini bukan soal menjual anak. Keluarga perempuan pula tidak harus meminta-minta wang hantaran tinggi.

    “Rasulullah saw berkata yang paling berkat ialah wanita yang rendah maharnya, maksudnya yang paling sedikit wang hantarannya,” kata Ustaz Dr Firdaus.

    Mengenai tidak menggunakan wang tunai bagi wang hantaran, Ustaz Noor berkata: “Saya nasihatkan pengantin perempuan, kalau lelaki nak kasi cek, minta perintah juruwang, atau cashier order, sebab ini lebih selamat daripada cek memandangkan wang sudah ada di dalam akaun.

    “Kalau cek, jika ia cek tendang, macam mana sekalipun awak pangkah, wang tetap tidak ada. Baik-baik nak bersilaturahim, jadi pergaduhan pula nanti.”

     

    Source: http://beritaharian.sg

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