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A Guide To Being The PM’s Wife By Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali

KUALA LUMPUR, July 9 — A prime minister’s wife is there to support her husband in his duties and must resist competing with him for attention, according to Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali.

In words that epitomised her position as arguably the most recognisable wife to a Malaysian prime minister despite her low profile, the spouse to Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said such virtues were among those needed to perform the unofficial role, in an interview published by Malaysiakini today.

“As the prime minister’s wife, do not compare (yourself with anyone). Generally, you have to support your husband, you have to be knowledgeable, you have to know what is happening around you and you have to make sure that you are together with your husband to meet with the people,” she said in the interview.

“People like to know that this is the PM’s wife and that they are together, they are family-oriented. So you have to support your husband, definitely. But don’t compete with him,” she advised.

The soft-spoken medical doctor by training explained that the wife of the prime minister was often an unofficial intermediary between the public and the head of the government.

But despite the seeming power this conveyed, Dr Siti Hasmah said it was imperative that a prime minister’s wife avoid taking an active role in matters that are within her husband’s powers to decide.

“They (the people) cannot see the PM. So, they want to see the wife, and then for no reason, they will ask for anything. Never promise anything. Just say that you will convey the message to your husband to consider.

“You have no part in telling people that ‘yes, I will make sure you get this, you get that, you get the contract’,” she said further in the interview with the news portal.

As part of her general tips, which she insisted was not directed at any person in particular, Dr Siti Hasmah pressed on the need to be humble, regardless of one’s station in life.

She said she learned this lesson during her days as the first female Malay doctor in Kedah, where she treated the poor.

“You may be a doctor or you may be a minister’s wife but if you are arrogant, they (the people) won’t accept you,” she said.

Source: www.themalaymailonline.com

July 10, 2015
Lui Tuck Yew Takes On 2nd Portfolio As Second Minister For Defence

Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew takes on a second portfolio today, replacing Mr Chan Chun Sing as the Second Minister for Defence.

His new appointment was announced yesterday as part of the latest round of Cabinet changes.

Commenting on it yesterday in a Facebook post, the former chief of Singapore’s Navy said he looked forward to renewing his interactions with the Defence Ministry.

“Will do my best to contribute to both transport and defence portfolios. But you can be sure that I will still continue to pay particular attention to matters related to public transport,” he added.

Mr Lui’s links with the military go back to the 1980s, when he joined the Navy as a Singapore Armed Forces scholarship holder.

He rose to become Chief of Navy in 1999 and served in the position until he left in 2003 to join the Maritime and Port Authority and later the Housing Board as chief executive.

Mr Alex Yam, deputy chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Defence and Foreign Affairs, said that with Mr Lui’s experience, he would be “well-attuned to the requirements of service and is also known to many of the men serving in the Singapore Armed Forces as well as the other services”.

Mr Lui entered politics in 2006 and has since held posts in the Education and Foreign Affairs ministries as well as the former Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts. He became Transport Minister in May 2011.

Mr Chan will be the new secretary-general of the National Trades Union Congress and a Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office.

Source: www.straitstimes.com

July 10, 2015
Goh Meng Seng: My People’s Power Party Has Been Officially Registered

The People’s Power Party (PPP) has officially been registered, said its head Goh Meng Seng on Thursday.

This means that its candidates can contest on its ticket in the next general election, which must be held by January 2017.

Mr Goh, an opposition veteran who was formerly from the National Solidarity Party (NSP) and the Workers’ Party (WP), said: “I am glad to announce that Registrar of Societies has been quite efficient this time round and our registration of People’s Power Party has been approved.”

Mr Goh applied to register the PPP in early May.

He told The Straits Times at that time that the PPP will champion greater separation of powers and a more active role for the President.

It will also advocate a less “lopsided” development approach for Singapore, said Mr Goh, focusing not so much on economic growth but more on achieving a better balance in social, cultural, political and economic growth.

Source: www.thestraitstimes.com

July 10, 2015
SingFirst: Marine Parade, Tampines Here We Come

Stepping up our door to door visits

It was definitely a fruitful night for SingFirst on their walkabouts in both Tampines and Marine Parade GRC’s yesterday. We were warmly received in all the six wards that we went to, especially in Chai Chee where 4 members of the public spontaneously joined in our door to door visits.

The majority of the residents who were at home gamely took our pamphlets. Some even asked if election is around the corner and when is the exact date. There were also residents who invited us into their home for a chit chat. A lot of introduction about SingFirst was also communicated in different languages and dialects.

With these visits, more voters are now aware of and familiar with the name and logo of our party, what we stand for and what we intend to do for Singaporeans when we get into Parliament. We will step up our walkabouts in the weeks and months ahead.

Here are the photos of our walkabout.

Source: www.tremeritus.com

July 9, 2015
Did Otters Eat Koi Worth $80,000?

Otters that are being spotted more often in local bodies of water in recent times may have won over many hearts here with their antics.

However, they may have treated themselves to some very expensive meals – courtesy of a resort and a home in Sentosa. They are suspected of having feasted on ornamental koi, reportedly costing more than $80,000, in April this year.

Mr Ben Bousnina, vice-president of resorts at Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, did not reveal the exact cost of the koi. He said they went missing at the Rasa Sentosa Resort and Spa about the time otters were seen on the island.

The resort has relocated the koi from its pond temporarily.

“As the safety of our guests as well as colleagues is our highest priority, we are working closely with Sentosa Development Corporation to ensure that the otters will not be attracted to the resort,” he said.

A report in My Paper last week said that the resort lost about $20,000 worth of koi.

It also reported that a Sentosa Cove resident lost about $64,000 worth of the ornamental fish overnight in April .

The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) told The Straits Times it has received feedback on only four occasions from people about otters preying on ornamental fish since the start of last year.

Meanwhile, wildlife rescue group Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres) said it was normal for otters to prey on ornamental fish.

“They can’t differentiate wild fish from koi and will go for the easier option,” said Acres wildlife manager Kalai Vanan Balakrishnan.

His advice for people with fish ponds in areas with otters about is to either fence the ponds or cover them with wire mesh. They should also not leave leftover food around or feed the otters.

Wild otters are a fairly common sight at the Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, Pasir Ris Park and the Punggol Waterway, but it was only late last year that they were spotted in Sentosa Cove.

Mr Koh Piak Huat, divisional director of operations at Sentosa Leisure Management, said that while otters are not aggressive, residents are advised to keep their distance.

The semi-aquatic mammals – which can survive in both fresh and sea water – may be expected in some coastal areas.

Hence the island’s management is engaging experts to understand the mammals’ behaviour.

“We welcome them as part of the island’s wildlife,” he said, adding that the management will work to ensure the safety of both the otters and guests.

An AVA spokesman said the public should not approach, disturb or feed any wild animals they see. Trapping them is also illegal. The public can contact AVA at 1800-476-1600 to give feedback on wildlife.

Source: www.straitstimes.com

July 9, 2015