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Rahayu Mahzam Unveiled As PAP Candidate For Jurong GRC

SINGAPORE: The People’s Action Party (PAP) on Thursday (Aug 20) officially introduced its new candidates for the Jurong Group Representation Constituency (GRC) for the coming General Election (GE).

The incumbent party’s five-person team features two new faces, Ms Rahayu Mahzam, 35, and Dr Tan Wu Meng, 40.

They replace MPs Halimah Yacob, who moves over to Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC, and Mr David Ong, from the team in place since the 2011 General Election.

They join Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Mr Ang Wei Neng and Mr Desmond Lee, the remaining members of the team that secured Jurong GRC with 66.96 per cent of the votes against the National Solidarity Party four years ago.

On Thursday, Mr Thaman introduced what he called “a team comprising experienced and fresh hands”. They will likely face the Opposition Singaporeans First party, led by ex-presidential candidate Tan Jee Say.

The five PAP candidates for Jurong GRC are:

Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, 58, Deputy Prime Minister

Mr Tharman is also the Minister for Finance. He formerly served as the Minister for Manpower from 2011 to 2012 and the Minister for Education from 2003 to 2008. He has been an MP with Jurong GRC since he joined politics in 2001, having previously been Chief Executive at the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

Mr Ang Wei Neng, 48, senior vice president of bus operations, SBS Transit

Mr Ang is SBS Transit’s senior vice president of bus operations for the East district, having started his career in the Singapore Police Force. He has been an MP with Jurong GRC since 2011.

Mr Desmond Lee, 39, Minister of State, Ministry of National Development

Mr Lee is a lawyer by training, and was formerly a deputy public prosecutor. He held positions at the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Law, as well as at Temasek Holdings, before moving into politics, winning a seat in Parliament in Jurong GRC in 2011.

Ms Rahayu Mahzam, 35, former Deputy Registrar of the Syariah Court

Prior to announcing her candidacy, Ms Rahayu – also a lawyer by training – volunteered in Tampines and Bukit Batok, where she said she worked with youth and disadvantaged families. She currently sits on the National Library Board, the Malay Language Council and the National Youth Fund Advisory Committee, and has been volunteering with the Malay Youth Literary Association since 1997 and is active with the youth debate activities.

She is currently a Partner at the law firm of Heng, Leong & Srinivasan. Before she returned to private practice, she was a Deputy Registrar of the Syariah Court from 2013 to 2015.

In the course of my professional and volunteer work, I had interacted with many families going through financial and other difficulties. I am passionate to help these disadvantaged families. I feel that it is important to have strong and holistic support for these families so that they can overcome their difficulties. I also worked with many young people and I am passionate about ensuring that the youth, especially those from low and middle income families, are given the opportunity to achieve their aspirations and potential,” she said.

“All of us have a part to play in the community. We should do our best in whatever we do and help others along the way so that we can achieve our dreams together. With a strong leadership and a community of people who are willing to work together, I believe Singapore will continue to prosper and be a comfortable home for all.”

Dr Tan Wu Meng, 40, oncologist

The consultant and medical oncologist at Parkway Cancer Centre is a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the Singapore Society of Oncology and the Singapore Medical Association. Dr Tan takes over the Clementi ward – moved from West Coast to Jurong GRC under the new electoral boundaries – from retiring three-term MP Arthur Fong.

From 2006 to 2009, Dr Tan served with the North West CDC as councillor and vice-chair of the Youth Works Sub-Committee. From 2007 to 2011 he was a member of the Senja-Cashew Youth Executive Committee, and sat on the Senja-Cashew Citizens’ Consultative Committee from 2010 to 2013.

“As a doctor, I learnt early on that life can be fragile and short. My work is a daily reminder that, in our time on this earth, we must strive to do meaningful work and make a difference to our fellow Singaporeans,” he said. “I believe that whatever our personal journey, life becomes more complete when we give back to our communities, uplift those in need, and build a better home for the children of tomorrow.

“In an imperfect world, I’m an optimist. I believe that so long as we pull together, Singapore can continue beating the odds.”

Source: www.channlnewsasia.com

August 20, 2015
Makansutra Founder Questions Vivian Balakrishnan For Comments On Hawkers

Entrepreneur-photojournalist and Makansutra founder, KF Seetoh had commented on a Facebook post that the Parliamentary speech made by Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan on Tuesday, is wrong on many fronts.

Mr Seetoh wrote on his Facebook page,

“I wish his scholarly minders in his MEWR would get their ground facts accurately. This is wrong on so many fronts. Firstly, “ingredients from abt 60% of hawkers cost”, leh yao mo kao chor ah! If your food cost is 60%, eh, you long long close shop liao la. If you cannot do below 30%, go be a highly paid civil servant better la. Also, the “progresseive wages for hawker assistants”.. allo, they are already paid way more than your govt mandated $7+ an hour. No takers. Linda Heng is already offering $100 a day for assistant and take up is sluggish and reluctant. The problem is manpower availability, not just about overpaying them. Mana ada orang kereja !

And please, do not make turn the hawkers into minions out to do community and political favours, they really need to make money too. No wrong there at all. Getting them to feed the poor with low priced meals is ok, many i know will happitly give out free and even big disocunted cost+ meal to the displaced, but offering it cheap across the board to all and sundry, will invariably attract the rich and kiamsiap who will invariably bitch about quality and comfort. Let market rates dictate what they will do, it’s a Sg meritocracy thingie.

Sure, there is a big chunk of hawkers paying under $400 for rents, but these are hawkers from the President Devan Nair days still managing the old rental structure. The new stalls in decent places are all hovering at 4 figure rents. (they pay up to $3k at Maxwell). And lets see how these indie operators can “help bring the cost of food down” and make the place viable and relevant.

I am very sad to see the marginalisation of our beloved food culture struggling to grow in our food centres.”

Mr Seetoh noted that while there is a large number of hawkers paying under $400 for their stall rent, but that is due to the rental structure offered to them during the days of President Devan Nair. He added that the new stalls in prime location are all hovering at 4 figure rents, such as Maxwell food centre at figures up to $3,000.

He also questions how the new food centre operators can “help bring the cost of food down” for diners, make the place viable and relevant for hawkers.

Dr Vivian had said in parliament that over 85% of Singapore hawkers today pay less than $1,500 per month in rent, 41% (2,400) of them are paying subsidised rental ranging from $160 to $384. Half of the successful bids are now below 85% of the assessed market rent and that the tendered rentals have been falling and fell by about 3.4% in 2014, and the lowest successful tendered rental is now $1 a month.

Two appointed hawker operator, NTUC Foodfare and Fei Siong will offer discounted bulk purchasing of ingredients to help hawkers to reduce the cost of raw material. Dr Vivian noted that it is a fact that the cost of ingredients and raw materials is the biggest cost driver for hawkers stalls, not rentals.

Dr Vivian’s full speech posted on his own Facebook account.

Source: www.theonlinecitizen.com

August 20, 2015
$150,000 Worth Of Sexual Enhancement Drugs Seized

If these sexual enhancement drugs (SEDs) had gone on sale in Singapore, those who bought them may have suffered from severe adverse reactions.

Under the Poisons Act, these SEDs contain undeclared and potent medicinal ingredients.

In a joint operation by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) and the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), an estimated 50,000 units of these SEDs were seized from a storage unit in Geylang on Tuesday (Aug 18).

The drugs have an approximate street value of $150,000.

HSA and ICA officers had spotted a man carrying a parcel of SEDs into the storage facility.

They raided the unit and seized the drugs that were intended for resale in Geylang.

Then they detained the man, a 23-year-old Chinese national, who is now helping with with further investigations.

It is an offence to import, sell or possess for sale such products.

Anyone found guilty of an offence under the Poisons Act is liable to a fine of up to $10,000 and a jail term of up to two years.

Source: www.tnp.sg

August 20, 2015
Amalina Ridzuan Dan Ahmad Abdurrahman Hanifah Marican Ditabal Sebagai Jauhari Harapan

MEREKA mencipta sejarah beberapa bulan lalu sebagai dua pelajar madrasah pertama yang berjaya melangkah ke Sekolah Perubatan Yong Loo Lin, Universiti Nasional Singapura (NUS), menerusi laluan politeknik.

Semalam, Cik Amalina Ridzuan, 22 tahun, dan Encik Ahmad Abdurrahman Hanifah Marican, 20 tahun, ditabal sebagai Jauhari Harapan masyarakat Melayu/Islam – kali pertama anugerah yang diperkenalkan Berita Harian pada 2013 itu diberi kepada dua penerima.

Sedang masyarakat memuji dan menjadikan kisah kejayaan mereka sebagai contoh dan harapan, kededua anak muda itu terus berpijak pada bumi nyata.

Mereka sedar, banyak mata tertumpu pada mereka dan ingin melihat mereka berjaya.

“Kami tiba-tiba menjadi contoh kepada pelajar lain, jadi kami perlu berkelakuan dan menunjukkan contoh yang baik. Kami perlu belajar dengan gigih dan kami harus berjaya. Kami perlu menjaga reputasi madrasah dan politeknik kami,” kata Encik Ahmad, bekas pelajar Madrasah Aljunied Al-Islamiah dan Politeknik Singapura.

Beliau, yang lulus Diploma Sains Bioperubatan dengan Mata Gred Purata (GPA) 3.94 daripada gred penuh 4, berharap lebih ramai pelajar madrasah dan sekolah kejiranan kini lebih terdorong mencapai cita-cita mereka.

“Kita boleh menjadi siapa sahaja yang kita mahu asalkan kita bekerja keras,” kata Encik Ahmad yang sedang menjalani perkhidmatan negara (NS) dan akan memulakan kursus perubatannya pada Ogos tahun depan.

Bagi Cik Amalina pula, Anugerah Jauhari Harapan yang mengiktiraf pencapaian dan potensi individu Melayu/Islam bawah 30 tahun menjadi pendorong baginya agar terus melakukan yang terbaik di menara gading.

Beliau, yang sudah memulakan pengajian minggu lalu, berkata ada banyak yang perlu dihafal dan pengajian lima tahun akan datang dijangka ‘berat’ dan mencabar.

“Namun setelah mengikuti kuliah selama seminggu, saya semakin yakin bahawa inilah bidang yang ingin saya ceburi,” kata Cik Amalina, bekas pelajar Madrasah Al-Ma’arif Al-Islamiah dan kemudian lulus Diploma Sains Bioperubatan di Politeknik Temasek dengan GPA 3.98.

Tekanan tidak dapat dielakkan, katanya, lebih-lebih lagi apabila melihat beliau perlu bersaing dengan pelajar lain yang merupakan bekas pelajar sekolah elit.

Namun beliau mempunyai strategi – kekal konsisten sepanjang tempoh pengajian dan usaha lebih kuat jika mendapati dirinya ketinggalan di dalam kelas.

“Bagi saya, jika kita mempunyai minat terhadap sesuatu, kita harus berusaha sedaya upaya untuk mencapainya. Usah biarkan halangan mematahkan semangat kita dan membuat kita fikir kita tidak mampu melakukannya,” kata Cik Amalina.

Beliau dan Encik Ahmad masing-masing menerima trofi dan cek $5,000 sumbangan Institut Pembangunan Pengurusan Singapura (MDIS) di majlis penyampaian anugerah, semalam.

Ini tahun ketiga MDIS menaja sumbangan wang tunai kepada penerima Anugerah Jauhari Harapan bagi meraikan pencapaian cemerlang individu dalam masyarakat Melayu/Islam.

“Di MDIS, kami percaya dalam mengiktiraf pencapai muda (young achievers) dan mendorong mereka agar berjaya dalam kehidupan. Anugerah Jauhari Harapan adalah satu cara memberi pengiktirafan kepada individu muda yang layak yang mempunyai bakat luar biasa untuk mencapai kecemerlangan dalam bidang pilihan mereka,” kata Setiausaha Agung MDIS, Dr R. Theyvendran.

Source: http://beritaharian.sg

August 20, 2015
Mohammad Alami Musa Ditabal Sebagai Jauhari Masyarakat Melayu Islam

KEPIMPINANNYA menyerlah sedang masyarakat Melayu/Islam berdepan dengan masa-masa mencabar.

Beliau mempelopori konsep Identiti Muslim Singapura (SMI) bagi menegakkan hakikat bahawa seorang Muslim itu boleh mengamalkan agamanya dengan taat sambil menjadi rakyat yang setia.

Usaha beliau itu menegaskan, tiada konflik antara kehidupan yang dipenuhi nilai-nilai keislaman dengan kehidupan dalam negara sekular lagi moden.

Hasil kepimpinannya itu, dan dedikasinya berbakti kepada masyarakat sejak di bangku sekolah lagi, Encik Mohammad Alami Musa ditabal Jauhari masyarakat Melayu/Islam tahun ini.

Anugerah yang disampaikan Berita Harian kepada individu atau pertubuhan Melayu/Islam itu juga mengiktiraf pencapaian cemerlang penerima dalam bidang masing-masing.

Encik Mohammad Alami menerima anugerah berprestij itu daripada Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Encik Tharman Shanmugaratnam, dalam satu majlis penuh gah di Pusat Konvensyen Raffles City malam tadi.

Mengulas mengenai pemilihan penerima Anugerah Jauhari itu, Editor Berita Harian/Minggu, Encik Saat Abdul Rahman, berkata:

“Jauhari tahun ini istimewa kerana kejayaan yang dicapai Encik Mohammad Alami juga mencerminkan sumbangan dan usaha masyarakat Islam bersepadu dalam negara yang serba moden dan sekular ini.”

Selain SMI, antara legasi Encik Mohammad Alami termasuk sumbangannya menggalak perpaduan silang agama, semasa menerajui Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (Muis) selaku Presiden eksekutif selama sedekad dari 2003 hingga 2013.

Sebagai Ketua Pengajian Program Hubungan Antara Agama Dalam Masyarakat Majmuk (SRP) di Sekolah Pengajian Antarabangsa S. Rajaratnam (RSIS), Universiti Teknologi Nanyang (NTU), kini, beliau berharap dapat meneruskan usahanya memperkukuh keharmonian silang agama.

Majlis malam tadi dihadiri lebih 300 tokoh politik dan perniagaan serta pemimpin masyarakat.

Turut disampaikan semalam ialah Anugerah Jauhari Harapan yang mengiktiraf pencapaian dan potensi individu Melayu/Islam berusia 30 tahun ke bawah.

Penerimanya ialah Cik Amalina Ridzuan, 22 tahun, dan Encik Ahmad Abdurrahman Hanifah Marican, 20 tahun, yang menempa sejarah menjadi bekas pelajar madrasah pertama ditawarkan tempat di Sekolah Perubatan Yong Loo Lin, Universiti Nasional Singapura (NUS), baru-baru ini.

Mereka menerima trofi dan wang tunai $5,000 sumbangan Institut Pembangunan Pengurusan Singapura (MDIS).

Berita Harian turut menyampaikan satu anugerah khas sempena ulang tahun Singapura yang ke-50 (SG50) tahun ini, Anugerah Jauhari Perintis, bagi mengiktiraf sumbangan tiga warga perintis dalam bidang bahasa, seni dan agama – tiga bidang penting bagi pembangunan masyarakat Melayu/Islam setempat.

Penerimanya ialah budayawan dan sasterawan Melayu, Dr Muhammad Ariff Ahmad; mantan Mufti, Sheikh Syed Isa Semait; dan pelukis batik tersohor, Encik Sarkasi Said.

Source: http://beritaharian.sg

August 20, 2015