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Yaacob Ibrahim And Laselle College Of The Arts Should Shoulder Some Responsibility On Wine Bottle Debacle

Admin,

For the record, I condemn what has been made of Yaacob Ibrahim’s photo at a Laselle College of the Arts function. It was mischievous and tried to paint him, the Minister-in-Charge of Muslim Affairs, in a very bad light. It was in very bad taste and is very unbecoming of a Muslim, if the person or people behind the photo is or are indeed Muslims.

Yaacob has been quick to condemn the photo and had even called on WP’s Faisal Manap to condemn the act.

He should be reminded of the saying, there is no smoke without fire.

As a Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs,he should not have been caught in that situation. There are many confetti poppers so why does one that looks like a wine bottle had to be used? If it hadn’t been used, it wouldn’t give people the opportunity to milk it for political mileage. I’m sure his assistants or even he himself would have been briefed about the programme. Or maybe they weren’t thorough enough?

Then you also have the event organiser Laselle. It is a secular arts school but it does not mean that they cannot be aware of the sensitivities of a Muslim politician holding a wine bottle(even though it is a fake). Again, confetti poppers come in all shapes and sizes so why the need to go for one that looks like a wine bottle? Are they really that ignorant?

What this incident shows is that there are people who are still unaware of racial and religious sensitivities, We cannot take for granted that everyone undersands Islam and the obligations of its adherents. As a Muslim, it is our duty to be mindful of such matters and advise the people of a better way to do things.

Unwine

[Reader Contribution]

September 6, 2015
More PAP Candidates Spoted At 7th Month Festival Getai, Despite Police Warning

Despite clear warnings from the police that election rallies and Seventh Month Festival getai shows are to be kept separate, three PAP candidates were seen appealing for support at a getai show on Saturday evening.

Getai, which literally means “song stage” in Chinese, refers to variety performances which entertain both the living and the dead staged during this month.

The police had issued a statement on August 14 which said:

Getai performances and other forms of stage performances and entertainment are strictly not allowed before, during or after election rallies.

It also placed a burden on organizers of getai performances not to allow candidates to canvass for support.

Festival event organisers should ensure that no speeches intended to canvass support for election candidates and/or political parties are delivered (at) Seventh Month Festival events.

Last evening, at a getai Show organised by YYD Tuition Center, PAP candidates Teo Ser Luck, Gan Thiam Poh and new face Sun Xueling were present.

An invitation to the event

A reader sent in photos of their faces being projected on the stage.

The PAP candidates’ faces projected on stage

Not long after their faces were shown, the PAP candidates appeared in person.

In what appears to be a clear breach of the warnings by the police, the candidates were then seen to make their way around the hall to meet the audience.

Canvassing for support around the hall

They were also on stage to give away prizes to a crowd of at least a thousand people.

The audience for the event

The event had all the making of a 7th month Getai show with altars set up behind a a large crowd coming to watch a free show.

TOC has written in to the police to notify them of a possible breach of law and we are currently awaiting their response.

On 4th September, another PAP candidate, Lee Bee Wah, also made an appearance at a getai in Nee Soon, where she is contesting in the elections.

Ms Lee was photographed on stage, and was reported to have been promoted by the emcee of the event. A member of the public who was there told TOC that the emcee had urged the audience to vote for her in the election. This would be a clear breach of election rules and police warning issued in August.

Source: www.theonlinecitizen.com

September 6, 2015
19 Year Old Student: Why I Will Vote Opposition

Dear fellow Singaporean,

I am just a student who is 19 this year, hence I am not able to vote for this upcoming General Election. I come from a very average family and my parents do not have any diploma certificates but just O’ level certificates which you can roughly estimate how much they earn. My dad works from 6am to 6pm daily just for the family. Have got to admit that I am not political type of person and I am not well with my language too, however I do want to stand up for my friends, my families and myself. The government says that we are the future of Singapore but as a student now, I am already being stressed up with my academic and as well as my future and yet the PAP says that they care for everyone in Singapore but in truth, do they really put themselves in the shoes of a teenager as well? As a 19 year old boy, I calculate my daily expenses which is just food and on average, I spend at LEAST $15 in school every day due to 8am – 5pm class. So how much do you think I can save now? The government urge Singaporeans to have more babies to increase the population of Singapore, however, how are supposed to have babies when starting a family would be a problem for most of the average income families now? Also, we still have to at least have a degree certificate in order to survive in this society right now. With all these calculations which includes National Service, how old would we be in order to have a baby which we are capable of raising him/her up?

My family does not own any cars but whenever I meet up with relatives, they would complain over cars expenses, work, studies etc. The government came up with policies for cars such as COE and ERP now, raising a car (for 10 years only) is near to the price of having half a HDB flat and according to the government, the reason they gave was limited area within Singapore. A place to stay is very important but transportation to destination is also important as punctuality, efficiency is affected. From what I can see, instead of making full use of the whole Singapore, I can only see houses being built everywhere every day, but traffic jam still remains everyday on my way to school. Some days on my way to and fro the interchange, I would see cars being jammed along the small road and the reason of the car jam is because of the barrier of the car gantries not able to function well at times. Sometimes, I could even see broken barriers at the side of the road, cars horning most of the time and sometimes I would even see people quarrelling just because of the gantry. (Is this your so called understanding of Singaporean?) Is the barrier of the gantries to collect money or the harmony of Singaporeans more important?

Alcohol and Cigarettes are really bad for health, (no offends to alcoholics or smokers) but with the high taxes of it does the amount of Singaporeans stop drinking or smoking? I know E-cigarettes are harmful to health and banned in Singapore, but honestly speaking would E-cigarettes be more healthier for the surrounding people of the smoker or the normal cigaratte and does that mean that normal cigarettes is not harmful to health? (this is the point which I don’t understand as a Singaporean though I am not a smoker) Medical expenses is another problem, with the weather in Singapore, even the yearly haze and not having sufficient rest due to work, stress just leads to illness. The government came up with policies which help the pioneer generation but teenagers like us would spend an average of $40 just for an MC and a couple of types of medication in a clinic. Are the pioneer generation the only Singaporeans?

Do you think the recent policies would help the future generation? Honestly speaking, as a student now, I myself would find that these policies does help but doesn’t remove the root of high expenses still in Singapore. I have watched these few days rally shows on television and made me realized that the PAP likes to dig out the past of opposition parties unpleasant past, as a leader of Singapore, I think winning with glory is needed. The Opposition parties pinpoint problems in Singapore, not problem with your opponents past. How do even trust our votes to you when what you doing is for Singapore, the country itself, not the Singaporeans living in Singapore.

I am really very worry of my future and as well as the future of Singapore because this is the country which I am going to spend for the rest of my life. I had managed to convince my parents to vote for Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) for my area, I really hope that many of us would vote for the opposition party as I really think that our future generation is at stake if our expenses continues to go up.

Opposition Seah
A.S.S. Reader

Source: www.allsingaporestuff.com

September 6, 2015
GE2015: Meet The Aunty Killers

At any electoral race, you can’t discount the benefits of putting your best faces forward. While it doesn’t guarantee a victory, a photogenic politician’s confidence and presence can sometimes change the tides in his or her party’s favour.

Even if voters don’t get to meet these politicians in person, their video interviews can strike a chord with the electorate.

Of course, anything can happen between now until polling day. Current Marine Parade MP Tin Pei Ling for instance, found that out the hard way at the last elections in 2011.

Then 27, Tin was fielded by People’s Action Party (PAP) in hopes that a younger political voice might win the votes of the younger electorate. But the plan backfired, when netizens and voters criticised the young candidate for her inexperience and conduct at interviews.

Will the coming elections become a battle of personalities? From the new faces to current members of parliament, we play our hand at predicting the likely ‘aunty killers’ and charismatic politicians that might just steal the show at the coming elections.

Darryl David

Image: Yahoo Singapore

He’salready a recognisable face to many Singaporeans. His claim to fame: he hosted The Pyramid Game, a popular television show in the 90s.

The 44-year-oldwill be contesting the Ang Mo Kio Group Representation Constituency (GRC), as part of the People’s Action Party (PAP) team led by incumbent prime minister Lee Hsien Loong.

Although apolitical newbie, the photogenic PAP candidate’s media savvy (he has 22 yearsof experience in media and communications) could come in handy in tricky interviews.

His abilityto speak in Mandarin and Hokkien might just endear him to the older Chinese voters as well. The politician, who is of Indian and Chinese descent, told The Straits Times that he learnt the dialect from his maternal grandmother.

Currently the deputy director of Temasek Polytechnic’s School of Design, the educator has served as District Councillor for the North-East Community Development Council since 2009. He has also volunteered his time at Red Cross and other charitable non-profit groups.

Desmond Choo

Image: Yahoo Singapore file photo

In 2012, the Financial Times called this boyish-looking former policeman an ‘auntie killer’, who might just win the Hougang seat at the by-elections that year.

He didn’t; the PAP candidate lost to current MP Png Eng Huat from WP. He was also defeated at the 2011 elections when he contested for Hougang.

Choo’s persistence however, might finally pay off outside of the opposition stronghold in Hougang. For the coming elections, the 37-year-old will be fielded for Tampines GRC. As they say, the third time might prove to be the charm.

Choo has also been working the ground in Tampines,since his appointment as second adviser for the Tampines East grassroots in 2014. Outside of his political involvement, Choo also works as director of youth development for NationalTrades Union Congress (NTUC).

Chen Show Mao

With his credentials, the opposition politician was seen as the Workers’ Party (WP) trump card at the 2011 elections, when he won with 54.7 per cent of votes as partof the WP team for Aljunied GRC.

The corporate lawyer also came across as down-to-earth and sincere at walkabouts. At rallies, the 54-year-old is known to speak in English and Mandarin, withbits of Malay and Hokkien in his speeches.

Fluent in Mandarin as well as English, Chen’s language abilities have also helped the WP win over the older Chinese heartlanders; Chen was born in Taiwan and has been a Singapore citizen since 1986.

One of the most immediate challenges for Chen and the WP team includes the ongoing Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council (AHPETC) financial saga. As one of the key WP figures, how Chen handles the situation in this upcoming electoral race may just sway or turn the voters in his favour.

He will defend his Aljunied seat at the coming elections.

Dr Lily Neo

Image: Lily Neo/ Facebook

Polished and articulate, this PAP politician has been vocal in her support for financial schemes for low-income families and the elderly. The 62-year-old currently serves as MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC.

Her outspoken stance for such bread and butter issues could continue to win her support for the next general election. One parliamentary session in 2007 even saw the usually calm Dr Neo flare up against minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan’s comments that increased funds for public assistance scheme might erode the incentive to work.

At the coming elections, Dr Neo will contest the Jalan Besar GRC with Communications and Information minister Yaacob Ibrahim.

Baey Yam Keng

Image: Baey Yam Keng/ Facebook

He’s got young fans on Facebook and Instagram, plus a reputation as an ‘auntie killer’.Could that work to his benefit at the coming elections too?

The 44-year-old has served as MP for two terms thus far; his first term in Tanjong Pagar and his second as one of the current MPs for Tampines GRC.

He is also one of the most active Singapore politicians on Instagram. His selfies even made the news in 2013, when local culture and entertainment website Popspoken crowned him its current ‘selfie crush’. To date, the politician has over 10,500 followers on Instagram and over 13,800 fans on Facebook.

At the last election, the 40-year-old was elected into the Tampines constituency, as part of the PAP team which won 57.22 per cent of total votes cast, beating the team sent by National Solidarity Party (NSP).

He will be defending his seat in Tampines GRC.

Teo Ser Luck

Image: Teo Ser Luck/ Facebook

This 47-year-old PAP politician is also a big fan of ‘group-fies’ (self-timed group photos), winning him support among the younger electorate.

On Facebook, the Pasir Ris-Punggol MP is oft pictured in the midst of taking a self-timed group shot with students and residents. He’s also known for his humorous hashtags, peppered with Singlish phrases and self-deprecating remarks.

And like Baey, Teo is also a fitness enthusiast. Teo however gained brief notoriety in March this yearfor the workout he dedicated to Singapore’s first prime minister Lee Kuan Yew. Some netizens saw the gesture as inappropriate in light of Lee’s passing.

Teo, who is also the Minister of State for Trade and Industry, has served as a MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol for two terms. He will contest in PAP’s team for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC.

Joan Pereira

PAP candidate Joan Pereira (left) with a resident from Bukit Merah. Image: Joan Pereira/ Facebook

Here’s another photogenic PAP candidate: Joan Pereira is one of two new faces to be fielded for the Tanjong Pagar GRC at the coming elections.

The 48-year-old has worked as a director at People’s Association for 25 years, before stepping down earlier this year. She is currently an assistant general manager at Temasek Cares, a non-profit charitable organisation founded by Temasek Holdings.

Pereira will be contesting for the Tanjong Pagar GRC, alongside incumbent MPs Indranee Rajah, Chan Chun Sing and Dr Chia Shi-Lu.

He Ting Ru

He Ting Ru (right) with a shopowner at Geylang Serai. Image: He Ting Ru/ Facebook

She’s young, photogenic and a corporate lawyer who comes across as thoughtful and articulate through her posts on Facebook.

He Ting Ru is one of the newest members from WP and has been active on the party walkabouts at Geylang Serai and Katong on Facebook, as of early August. These areas fall under the Marine Parade constituency, which the opposition party has said that it will contest for.

She currently serves as the secretary of the WP’s Youth Wing.

The 32-year-old has been unveiled as a WP candidate but has not been officially named as candidate for any specific constituency.

Kevryn Lim

NSP members Eugene Yeo and Kevryn Lim. Image: National Solidarity Party/ Facebook

As the youngest new member of National Solidarity Party (NSP), the 26-year-old been heralded as the possible new ‘Nicole Seah’, the ex-NSP member that made waves at the last 2011 elections.

To date, the former part-time model has also drawn online buzz for the sexy photos from her modelling portfolio. She currently runs EM.DM, an events management anddigital marketing company.

Although she has been seen on earlier walkabouts in the Marine Parade and Tampines constituencies, NSP has declined to comment on whether she will be fielded for the coming elections. Lim was notably absent at walkabouts recently due to a business trip.

Source: https://sg.news.yahoo.com

September 6, 2015
Elections About Singapore’s Future Not About Petty Squabbles Between Parties

These few days I have seen many election posters being defaced by childish individuals, who might think that if they draw on a candidates’ face or make fun of their names they would lose them a few votes and hopefully cause them to lose the election. Such immature behavior is happening on both sides of the divide, with opposition supporters defacing many People’s Action Party (PAP) posters and PAP supporters responding in kind.

This needs to stop right now.

Singapore is a country for ALL of us. We may not always agree on the way to go forward. Some might think having zero foreigner growth is good, others might feel that a complete halt would paralyze the economy. Both are not wrong, but the question is how do we reach a suitable compromise? Do we try and force the other party to swallow our views and demoralize them by drawing on their election posters? Is that truly the way to bring peace, prosperity and progress for our nation?

Always remember that this is our home and that fellow Singaporeans, regardless of blue, orange, yellow, or white political banner, are your countrymen. If we cannot even come together to discuss our future, I think we as a country and people are doomed.

Gurmit
A.S.S. Contributor

Source: www.allsingaporestuff.com

September 6, 2015