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  • Three Possible Reasons That Can Lead To A Walkover Election And Win For Mdm President Halimah Yacob

    Three Possible Reasons That Can Lead To A Walkover Election And Win For Mdm President Halimah Yacob

    1. No signs of preparation for the election

    Knowing that the PE2017 would involve the whole nation to be at the voting booths, it is very unlikely that the government will mobilize its civil service officers at a short notice without any prior briefing. Has there been any information from sources in the civil service about blocking of leaves?

    2. PAP candidate might lose if there is a straight contest between candidates

    Therefore there is a high possibility that the two non-PAP candidates Salleh Marican and Farid Khan will be disqualified by the Election Department, making this upcoming reserved election for Malays a walkover victory for Halimah Yacob who is walking into Istana with her status as former Speaker of Parliament, and not as a CEO of a company with $500 million shareholders equity.

    3. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is not his father

    There are rumors going around saying that there would not be an election, but some questioned if the PAP administration dare to fix the presidential election so blatantly enough to appoint its chosen candidate. Some argued that it will not be let off easily if it did so happen.

    Again, many Singaporeans may have lost interest in the upcoming reserved elections due to the amount of tasteless drama and conspiracies surrounding it. Yet, despite the outcome of the election, no matter who the president is, we need to think about one important thing, “Just how far is the PAP willing to go to protect its monopolistic stranglehold on political power?”

     

    Rilek1Corner

     

  • 1 Family Plans To Do Crowdfunding For Legal Fees After 2 Singaporean Men Jailed For Crossdressing In UAE

    1 Family Plans To Do Crowdfunding For Legal Fees After 2 Singaporean Men Jailed For Crossdressing In UAE

    Mr Fadli Rahman, 26, a fashion photographer, and Nur Qistina Fitriah Ibrahim, 37, were arrested on Aug 9, with an official court document in Arabic saying two Singaporean men were caught for wearing women’s clothes in public and for behaving indecently.

    The Straits Times reported that Nur Qistina is a transgender person who had legally changed her name but has not undergone gender reassignment surgery to become a woman.

    The pair, who had arrived in the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Aug 8, were arrested while out buying lunch at a shopping mall and were sentenced on Aug 20.

    Cross-dressing, homosexuality and transgender behaviour are crimes in the UAE.

    Mr Fadli was in Abu Dhabi for a photo shoot. He had previously worked on TV show Mongolia’s Next Top Model, and fashion magazines Her World and Men’s Folio.

    The New Paper spoke to Mr Fadli’s brother, Mr Saiful Rahman, 32, yesterday. The property officer said the family last had contact with Mr Fadli when he sent a selfie on Aug 9.

    Mr Saiful said the family then heard of the arrest from Mr Fadli’s friends on Aug 14.

    When asked how his parents reacted to the news, he said: “My parents were crying and worried about him over there.”

    He added: “We just want him back. We want him back safely. They can even deport him.”

    The two men have until Sept 4 to appeal against their sentence.

    When contacted, a spokesman from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told TNP: “MFA is aware of this case and is rendering the necessary consular assistance. We are also assisting the family to seek legal advice.”

    Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, in an e-mail to the family seen by The Straits Times, said: “I’m sorry to hear about this. Rest assured that our consular and mission colleagues will do their best to assist your brother. I understand that they are already in contact with you and your brother. Please let me know if you need further assistance.”

    Mr Saiful said the family have reached out to a lawyer in Abu Dhabi, Ms Stephanie Mouanes, an associate at Al Suwaidi & Company Advocates & Legal Consultants.

    Speaking to TNP over the phone yesterday, Ms Mouanes said she had been in contact with the family but would not be able to furnish any details about the case until they officially appoint her.

    Mr Fadli’s family and friends are planning to launch a crowdfunding campaign to raise money for his legal fees.

     

    Source: http://www.tnp.sg

  • Australia Is The Perfect Place For Me; 2 Singaporeans Chase Aussie Dreams With New Visa Scheme

    Australia Is The Perfect Place For Me; 2 Singaporeans Chase Aussie Dreams With New Visa Scheme

    Tutor Amira Rahmat, 24, had always dreamed of working in the fields of nature and wildlife conservation, but the chance to do so did not come along – until now.

    For the next year, she will work in wildlife and nature conservatories, including one in Tasmania, while pursuing another interest close to her heart – learning about coffee and taking barista courses.

    The avid nature lover plans to leave her job and go to Australia in October.

    Ms Amira, a National University of Singapore life sciences graduate, is one of two Singaporeans to receive a Work and Holiday visa under a new scheme.

    She said: “Australia is the perfect place for me. It will allow me to follow my passion and give me the opportunity, for the first time in my life, to work in my dream field. I will have easy access to activities I love, such as camping, diving and immersing myself in nature and wildlife.”

    Also off to Australia is advertising account manager Deborah Yap, 29. The diving enthusiast said she cannot wait to spend her time in a place where she can easily access dive spots and places like the Great Barrier Reef.

    She said: “It was really surprising to hear I was granted the visa. It is such a blessing.”

    Part of a bilateral agreement between Singapore and Australia, the visa will allow Singaporeans to spend up to 12 months in Australia, and allow Australians to do the same in Singapore.

    And, for the first time, it will allow Singaporeans to hold jobs in Australia for up to six months each time under a single employer.

    Singaporeans can also take up short courses for up to four months at a time.

    Ms Amira and Ms Yap are the first two candidates to be granted the visa under the scheme. The initiative was launched in June, and applications opened on Aug 1.

    The 125 spaces offered in this first round were taken up within an hour of the launch.

    There will be a total of 500 spots each for Singaporeans and Australians each year.

    Australian Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Steven Ciobo, speaking to the media in Singapore yesterday, said: “We knew that this visa programme was going to be popular, and the response just confirms it.”

    He said that Singapore and Australia are linked by investments, trade and defence, among other things.

    The visa scheme, he said, will help to build personal ties and allow Singaporeans and Australians to get some exposure to each other’s cultures.

    The application for the next batch of visas will open on Oct 2. The scheme is open only to Singaporeans between the ages of 18 and 30, and who have completed at least two years of tertiary education or the equivalent.

     

    Source: http://www.straitstimes.com

  • Trump To Meet PM Najib On Sept 12 At White House

    Trump To Meet PM Najib On Sept 12 At White House

    US President Donald Trump plans to meet Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on September 12 at the White House.

    In a statement on Wednesday, the White House said Trump is looking forward to discuss ways to further strengthen and broaden US-Malaysia bilateral ties and expand regional cooperation with one of US’ closest partners in Southeast Asia.

    “President Donald J. Trump will welcome Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak of Malaysia to the White House on September 12.

    “President Trump looks forward to celebrating the 60th anniversary of United States-Malaysia bilateral relations and discussing ways to strengthen and broaden our bilateral relationship and expand regional cooperation with one of America’s closest partners in Southeast Asia,” said the statement.

    The Wall Street Journal, which first reported the plan for a meeting, said Najib has been eager to emphasise his friendship with Trump.

    US relations with Malaysia, which the United States sees as an important partner in standing up to China’s extensive territorial claims in East Asia, had improved under former President Barack Obama, who in 2014 became the first US president to visit the country in 50 years.

     

    Source: https://www.nst.com.my/

  • Animal Cruelty: Man Wrapped Up A Stray Cat In Masking Tape, Another Woman Abandoned Her Cat

    Animal Cruelty: Man Wrapped Up A Stray Cat In Masking Tape, Another Woman Abandoned Her Cat

    A man was fined S$6,000 for animal cruelty, after he wrapped up a stray cat in masking tape, the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) said on Wednesday (Aug 23).

    Li Xiaojing, 30, admitted to wrapping the stray cat in masking tape after it entered his home.

    He claimed the cat had urinated in his home, and that he had taped it so that it could be taken away.

    The cat – with its entire body taped up tightly – was found by a member of the public at Ubi Avenue 1, community group Yishun 326 Tabby Cat said in a Feb 1 Facebook post appealing for information.

    The cat was taken to a veterinary clinic, where it had to be anaesthetised before all the masking tape could be removed.

    The cat did not sustain any physical injuries from the incident and has been rehomed.

    In a separate case, Noorfazanah Abdul Salam, 32, was fined S$3,000 for abandoning her pet cat.

    Noorfazanah said she had taken the cat to the vet on Nov 22, 2016, but took it back home as she could not afford the treatment for it.

    Later that same day, she abandoned the mixed-breed cat in a pet carrier at Sumang Walk in Punggol.

    A member of the public found the cat and AVA was alerted to the case the following day.

    The cat was in need of urgent veterinary attention at the time, AVA said.

    The cat has since been treated and rehomed, it added.

    Those who abandon their pets could be fined up to S$10,000 and/or jailed up to a year. Anyone found guilty of animal cruelty can be fined up to S$15,000 and/or jailed up to 18 months.

     

    Source: http://www.channelnewsasia.com