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Chee Soon Juan: PAP Running Scared, Doesn’t Want Genuine Political Contest

I have often pointed out that the PAP is never sincere in ensuring that there is genuine political contestation, it always raises the bar just when its opponents come close to beating it at its own game (think GRC, Cooling-off Day, Public Order Act, etc).

The most recent example is the tweaking of the EP. Ostensibly, it is to ensure minority representation in the presidency. The reality is that alarm bells went off when Dr Tony Tan won by just 0.34%-point over Dr Tan Cheng Bock.

As usual, the government goes through the exercise of conducting a “study” of the issue. “Expert” views are then sought to substantiate the recommendations in the study. http://www.todayonline.com/…/mixed-race-teams-presidential-…

The process goes like this. Step 1: Frame the issue, set the parameters. Step 2: Gin up debate in the local media and through various panels (within prescribed parameters, of course). Step 3: Legislate it.

Much time, effort and money is expended to legitimise a course of action on which the PAP has already decided. Remember the discussions about whether to have 9 or 12 NCMP seats or 3- or 6-member GRCs or which race Singaporeans prefer their presidents?

As Noam Chomsky points out: “The smart way to keep people passive and obedient is to strictly limit the spectrum of acceptable opinion, but allow very lively debate within that spectrum.”

What is troubling in this instance is that at a time when our country faces complex and enormous challenges – challenges where open and intelligent debate is so desperately needed – the PAP devices yet another scheme to further control the political process.

There is a price, a steep one, to pay for all this.

Source: Chee Soon Juan 徐顺全

August 25, 2016
7 Things You Should Know About S R Nathan

S.R. Nathan to some Singaporeans, was characterised as the unassuming man minding his own business on a park bench. Photo by Alwin Lim

He was anything but.

Things you should know about the late S.R. Nathan:

1) He worked for the Japanese during the Japanese Occupation.

So he knew first hand how much it sucked to work for bosses you think might kill you any other day. During the Japanese Occupation, Mr S.R. Nathan worked for the Japanese Civilian Police as a translator. It takes guts to go in to work everyday under those circumstances and Mr Nathan had plenty, as we will talk about next.

2) He’s actually a hero.

No exaggeration. We all know this by now. Not just a regular hero. He volunteered to lead the team. At the time of the ferry hijacking, he was the Director of Security and Intelligence Division. The Director. But this is S.R. Nathan we are talking about. He wasn’t going to just send a team in. The man led by example. He volunteered to go.

3) He didn’t get to finish school before he had to start working.

What is your excuse? Too difficult to manage work and study? S.R Nathan had to start working before he could finish school but is something like a war going to throw Mr Nathan off his tracks? No way. After the war, he completed his secondary education via distance learning with Oxford while working. Yes you read that right. Before computers were even a thing, Mr Nathan completed his secondary school education via a correspondence course. He then went on to graduate with a Diploma in Social Studies with a distinction in 1954 from the University of Malaya. So again, what’s your excuse?

4) He made mistakes too.

Mr. Nathan made mistakes growing up too, but they did not stop him from having an illustrious career his whole life. Sure, it may sound like your typical rags-to-riches story, but why is this story different? He didn’t care for being rich. After his father committed suicide when he was 8, Mr. Nathan went wayward for a couple of years, running away from home, getting expelled for school, even living on the streets for awhile. Eventually he would find work as an office boy and drift from job to job, working as a postman, a hawker’s assistant and even a tuition teacher. He had help along the way, and this was probably the reason why he saw how important it was to help others less fortunate. He learnt it first hand. There are many many stories of how Mr. Nathan helped his colleagues and friends to put their kids through school and find them jobs upon graduation.

5) He started the President’s Challenge.

In 2000, he started the President’s Challenge and in 11 years, it had raised more than S$100 million. More than 500 organizations are beneficiaries. He also co-founded SINDA.

6) He had to be asked to be a Presidential Candidate.

The Late Mr. Lee Kuan Yew and several others had to ask Mr. Nathan to run for office. Everyone says he only became President because he was the only candidate. We think he became President because everyone unanimously agreed he was the right man for the job.

7) The next time you hear somebody say S.R Nathan was a useless fella, you can refer this list of accolades to them.

Career timeline
1940–1941: Office boy and various odd jobs
Feb 1955–Mar 1956: Almoner, Medical Department, Singapore General Hospital
Mar 1956–1962: Seamen’s Welfare Officer, Marine Department
Jan 1962–Jan 1964: Assistant director, Labour Research Unit
Jan 1964–Jan 1966: Director, Labour Research Unit
Jan 1966–Apr 1988: Member, board of trustees, Labour Research Unit
Feb 1966–Jan 1971: Assistant secretary; later deputy secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Jan 1971–Aug 1971: Acting permanent secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs
Aug 1971–Feb 1979: Director, Security and Intelligence Division, Ministry of Defence
1973–1986: Chairman, Mitsubishi Singapore Heavy Industries (Pte) Ltd
Feb 1979–Feb 1982: First permanent secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
1980–1988: Director, Singapore National Oil Company
1982–1988: Director, New Nation Publishing Bhd
1982–1988: Director, Times Publishing Bhd
Jan 1982–May 1983: Chairman, Hindu Advisory Board
Feb 1982– Apr 1988: Executive Chairman, Straits Times Press (1975) Ltd, and concurrently director of Singapore Press Holdings Ltd from December 1985 to April 1988
1983–1988: Director, Times Business Publications Ltd
1983–1988: Director, Singapore Mint Pte Ltd, London
May 1983–Apr 1988: Chairman, Hindu Endowments Board
1984–1988: Director, The Times of Singapore Pte Ltd
1985–1988: Director, Marshall Cavendish Ltd
1986–1988: Director, The Straits Times Press (London) Ltd
1986–1988: Director, The Times Press Foundation (Singapore) Pte Ltd
Aug 1991–Aug 1999: Founding member and term trustee of Singapore Indian Development Association
Apr 1988–Jul 1990: High commissioner to Malaysia
Jul 1990–Jun 1996: Ambassador to the United States
1996–1999: Director, Singapore International Media Pte Ltd
Jul 1996: Appointed pro-chancellor, National University of Singapore
Jul 1996–Aug 1999: Ambassador-at-large
Jul 1996–Aug 1999: Director, Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies (now known as the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies), Nanyang Technological University
1997–1999: Member, board of governors, Civil Service College
1 Sep 1999–31 Aug 2011: President of Singapore; concurrently chancellor, National University of Singapore

“I’ve done the best I can. If it’s good enough for some people, fine. If it’s not good enough for some people, and there will always be noise in the environment, you can’t stop it. You don’t do it because you want to leave a legacy. You do the best you can.” – S. R. Nathan

You did Sir. You were outstanding.

#WeAreMajulah

Source: Syabab SG

August 25, 2016
Osman Sulaiman: PAP Must Stop Using Malay Community As Political Pawn, Cease Affirmative Actions

If the PAP thinks that a Malay president is important periodically, and has always been confident of its party’s credibility and branding, then it should support a Malay candidate to contest in the coming presidential election as how it supported Tony Tan in the last election.

Often times, the ones who made the Malays feel that they are of sub-par quality is the PAP itself. Creating GRCs and justifying it that without GRCs, a Malay candidate cannot stand on its own worthiness.

GRCs were introduced in 1988. It was the last election that a Malay candidate stands in an SMC under the PAP banner. Mr Abdullah Tarmugi contested in Siglap SMC and garnered 73.7% of the popular votes. One of the highest achievers among the slates of candidates being fielded by PAP. It definitely showed no signs that a non-Chinese candidate cannot stand on its own merits.

After the 1988 general election, no other PAP Malay candidates contested in an SMC. Between then and now, the PAP continues with its narrative that a Malay candidate cannot win an election in a Chinese majority electorate.

I remembered when Masagos was promoted to a ministerial position, the PAP highlighted that the promotion reflected the progress of the Malays. It simply meant that the promotion was given on account that the community now deserves to have a minister while previously it didn’t as we are considered second best as compared to the non-Malays.

Today, the PAP again uses the Malay community as a pawn for its political agenda. Knowing how close the results of the last presidential election between its endorsed candidate and the independent candidate Dr Tan Cheng Bock (TCB), the PAP is playing the racial cards again by tugging at the heart strings of the Malay community.

It seems that it now wants a Malay figurehead to counter the possibility of Dr TCB winning the presidential election. And rules have to be tweaked to accommodate this.

I will be elated if ever we were to have a Malay president again after Yusof Ishak. But there will be no honour in winning a contest when the favours are heavily tilted for a certain individual/race to win it. And when indeed a Malay president is elected under those conditions, then it will further affirm the unfounded theory that the Malay community cannot stand on its own calibre.

I would rather we secure the presidential role fair and square. The PAP will need to walk the talk rather than just paying lip service. If it values the contribution of the Malay community and treats everyone as equal, show it by supporting a Malay candidate without tinkering with the system. The Malay community doesn’t need charity of this kind.

The principle that all citizens are equal, regardless of race or religion, means we have to do away with affirmative actions.

Source: Khan Osman Sulaiman

August 25, 2016
S R Nathan Banyak Sokong Usaha Masyarakat Melayu

MUIS mengirim surat takziah kepada isteri dan keluarga mendiang Encik Nathan.

MUIS melahirkan rasa “kesedihan yang mendalam di atas pemergian seorang pemimpin yang sangat dihormati”.

Ia juga menganggap Encik Nathan sebagai “Presiden berjiwa rakyat” dan pemergian beliau merupakan satu kehilangan besar kepada negara.

Menurut MUIS, mendiang Encik Nathan menghadiri banyak acara yang dianjurkan masyarakat Islam.

Ini termasuklah inisiatif Cabaran Presiden Beriani Amal yang dipeloporinya.

Dalam laporan berikut, Pengerusi Masjid Khalid, Encik Allaudin Mohamed berkongsi pengalamannya dalam menyediakan beriani amal itu.

“Encik Nathan kalau pasal beriani, cakap di mana ada jual beriani, kata orang sedap sahaja, dia hendak cuba.Kalau dia makan beriani ada sistem dia sendiri, rasa nasinya dulu, apabila sudah hidu aromanya, letak masala, lepas tu campur daging. Apabila semua sudah cukup, baru makan dengan acarnya. Selagi ada beriani di rumah dia, di peti sejuk, nanti dia akan minta ‘Ada lagi beriani Allaudin?’,” Encik Allaudin memberitahu BERITAMediacorp.

Selama 16 tahun, Encik Allaudin adalah ‘orang kuat dapur’ yang memasak beriani untuk acara tahunan Beriani Amal.

Walaupun Encik Nathan tidak lagi menjadi Presiden, Pengerusi Masjid Khalid ini pastikan setiap bulan beliau akan menghantar sebungkus makanan kegemaran Encik Nathan itu ke rumahnya.

Di sebalik hidangan istimewa ini, sebenarnya tersirat satu lambang.

Lambang Beriani Amal Cabaran Presiden ini, beliau membuka satu ruang untuk masyarakat kita. Masjid ini bukan satu tempat untuk orang Islam sahaja.

Selama berinteraksi dengan mendiang Encik Nathan, Encik Allaudin menyifatkannya sebagai seorang yang peramah, mempunyai budi pekerti yang tinggi dan sentiasa prihatin terhadap setiap lapisan masyarakat.

“Selalu pesanan beliau adalah untuk masyarakat kita dan agama. Akhir-akhir ini berapa kali beliau bercakap mengenai agama sebab terdapat pergolakan Islam di dunia sekarang, beliau banyak prihatin dalam masyarakat Islam Singapura. Satu cerita yang beliau bilang dengan saya, “Allaudin, orang Melayu ini orang paling baik dan mereka senang. Mereka orangnya ‘simple’, tapi orang Melayu ini ada kekuatannya yang kita tidak nampak, cuma mereka terlampau baik jadi mereka tidak menggunakan kekuatan yang ada pada mereka itu untuk mempertengahkan kemahuan mereka.

“Mereka lebih berkompromi. Mereka selalu mengalah, dan cari jalan yang lebih baik. Itu satu budi pekerti pada orang-orang Melayu yang lain masyarakat tidak ada. Pesanan beliau dengan saya, dan keluarga saya, bila saya bawa anak-anak saya, dia akan bicara tentang persekolahan. Tiap kali. Mesti mahu belajar pandai-pandai, kita dulu mak bapak tidak pergi sekolah, sekarang mesti pergi sekolah pandai-pandai. Jangan malas. Pendidikan adalah jalan menuju kejayaan dan menaik taraf masyarakat,” tambah Encik Allaudin.

Tambah Encik Allaudin, kehadiran mendiang Encik Nathan dalam acara-acara kemasyarakatan seperti acara Beriani Amal menunjukkan komitmen dan penghargaan beliau kepada masyarakat Islam Singapura, sekali gus membina sebuah masyarakat penyayang.

Source: http://berita.mediacorp.sg

August 25, 2016
Mrs Umi Nathan: I Hope Singaporeans Remember My Husband As A Self-Made Man

When I first met S R Nathan, I was very young – so young I can’t remember him as a small child. But I remember him vividly when we were both in our teens. He would cycle up and down the street to catch my eye, when my family lived in a shophouse in Muar.

I didn’t realise it then, but after 16 years of trials and tribulations, I would be rewarded with the happiest day of my life, the day I married him.

My husband has always worked. I am used to it, and I find it difficult to imagine a time when he is not going out each day dressed for the office and carrying a briefcase. On more than one occasion, I thought he had reached the end of a successful career and could look forward to retirement. Each time a new call has come and he has responded. We both feel that in answering the summons we are repaying a debt to Singapore, and also more personally to Mr Lee Kuan Yew, who has always been willing to put trust in my husband. I am also aware that, like many people of our age, if he were sitting around the house with nothing to do, he would soon go downhill. His mind has to be active.

If anyone had ever suggested that one day my husband would be President, I would have responded with utter disbelief. And yet the challenge came, and the day he was appointed was the proudest day of my life. It was a blessing from God. When the possibility was put to him, he consulted the family and we all supported him in accepting. My only condition was that the family should be kept out of the public eye. After all, status is only temporary, and we must all keep our feet on the ground.

I hope Singaporeans will remember my husband as a self-made man. He started out with nothing, literally, and reached his lofty position through ability and hard work. There is a lesson in his story for all young people, however competitive the world may seem.

Mrs Umi Nathan

Source: S R Nathan: An Unexpected Journey – Path To The Presidency

August 25, 2016