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From TV To Politics, PAP Candidate Darryl David Relishes Chance To Serve

Most Singaporeans would remember him as the host of popular television game show “The Pyramid Game”, and Mr Darryl David, 45, believes the skills which he had picked up as a media personality would be useful in serving residents should he be elected as part of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s Ang Mo Kio Group Representation Constituency (GRC) team.

In all, Mr David spent 22 years in the media and communications industry, and the experience of working as a team under pressure would stand him in good stead in the political arena, he said. So, too, would the interpersonal skills that he had acquired, he added.

Mr David was among the new candidates introduced by Mr Lee today (Aug 15) at a press conference. “I have spent time understanding (residents), trying to understand the issues they’re dealing with… working with grassroots leaders. And I believe that through what I’ve learnt… I have built up a series of experiences that will allow me to help and contribute to the community and society at large,” he said.

The formal introduction of Mr David as a People’s Action Party (PAP) candidate makes him the first well-known ex-media personality here to enter the political fray. Nevertheless, he was also quick to point out his experience as deputy director at the School of Design in Temasek Polytechnic, and his involvement in grassroots activities and several national committees.

Mr David started community work as a district councillor with the North-East Community Development Council in 2009. Over the past two and a half years, he has been active in Sengkang West, Kebun Bahru and Ang Mo Kio-Hougang. He will be succeeding Mr Yeo Guat Kwang in the Ang Mo Kio-Hougang division. Mr Yeo will be redeployed to another GRC.

Apart from English, Mr David is able to converse in Mandarin and Hokkien as well. This has helped him establish rapport with residents, especially the elderly, and understand the issues they are facing, he said. “As an educator, I’ve learnt that it’s only through patience and empathy that you’re able to realise the potential of the student because every student learns differently. So likewise when you deal with residents and their problems, you have to appreciate that every problem is unique to every resident,” he added.

If elected, Mr David, the father or two children aged four and seven, said he would champion issues related to childcare and the ageing population. Adding that he has seen first-hand the quality and calibre of polytechnic and Institute of Technical Education (ITE) students, described himself as a “big supporter” for skills-based education – and this was something that he hoped to push for at the national level, he said.

Source: www.todayonline.com

August 16, 2015
PAP Has Lost My Vote. Permanently. Forever
Would the Amos Yee Saga have an influence on our Singaporeans’ voting choices?

And how significant would be this impact be, to our upcoming elections?

This is the last interview Offbeat Perspectives will be posting to close off the collection of audio interviews we took @ the Free Amos Yee Rally on July 5 of 2015. Feel free to “like” us on our Facebook page – Offbeat Perspectives Facebook Page if you hope to receive updates on our upcoming street interviews where we seek on-the-ground opinions towards GE 2015.

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1) The articles of any online sites using quotes from our interviews are not representative of Offbeat Perspectives vision, mission, and aims, nor are we affiliated to any website. We are independently run as simply, Offbeat Perspectives.

2) We respect the opinions expressed by our interviewees, but it should not be interpreted as that of Offbeat Perspectives. Our role is to act as a platform to share the diverse views of people.

3) I didn’t ask nor require interviewees to provide their names 🙂

Profile
- 57 Years Old
- Female
- Chinese
- Retired
- Atheist
Regards to public response towards Amos Yee

“The use of his words, his behavior, his audacity is something Singaporeans are not used too and they somehow feel offended by it, which I don’t understand but; it’s not something that they have seen before and that’s something they don’t understand, maybe they fear.”

On the openness of Singaporeans

“I don’t think is just the older generation. The younger people are reacting, and some of them themselves are very offensive to Amos Yee so I don’t think is a generation thing.”

How the authorities should have handled the matter

“They should have just ignored or give him a warning. It would have all died down and it wouldn’t have all these hoo haa.”

When asked if people might start to follow in Amos Yee footsteps

“What will happen? What do you think? They will overthrow the government? I don’t think so.”

Amos Yee charges

“I don’t think the issue is to do with religion in the first place. [So you see it as the political side?] And yes, the timing also you know? One week after LKY’s death. [So you see more it as a political move?] Oh definitely. And I think they are using him as an example of – there’s a line that Singapore should not cross.”

If she felt the Saga would impact the upcoming GE 2015

“Definitely. PAP has lost my vote. Permanently. Forever. Actually before this, I had voted PAP but not the last election. [Was there any reason?] The same reason as now, but now, I’m even more sure. Now I just see them as being really evil, cruel, and they should not do this to their own people. And the government should take care of their own citizens and not instill fear and intimidate, and personally I don’t like bullies.”

Whether she sees’s Singapore as a democratic country?

“(Chuckles) I mean, I don’t understand the question, I mean if you want to talk about elections and vote – each one has a vote, that is democratic but I don’t understand democracy anymore. I don’t know what it means. All I know is that I want people to treat each other right, take care of each other. Do not bully or intimidate and be cruel, especially to your own people, to each other, that’s all.”

If she agrees with western perspectives that deems Singapore as an authoritarian state

“Yes, definitely. [What is one change you would like to see in Singapore?] I would like to see this not happen, and that people be given a voice to recognize we have a right to question, and that nothing and nobody is above criticism – full stop.”

“Good government includes pursuit of national interest regardless of theories or ideologies. Good government is pragmatic government.”

– Lee Kuan Yew
- The way the government handled the matter, are they going to gain or lose more supporters?
- It can really go either ways as some rallied the government’s decisions, while some felt Amos treatment was too disproportionate. Only time will tell. Vote wisely.
- Are we going to let one incident waver our vote? Are we going to let one incident change our vote? The next 4 years is going to be a very long one if we do not vote wisely. Do we want to place stability over change? Or do we want to place change over stability?
- The ball is in our hands. It’s time to head into the playing field, the score will be out in a due. Let’s weigh our outcomes wisely and vote for what we think will do us well for the next 4 years
Source: https://offbeatperspectives.wordpress.com
August 16, 2015
HDB Tells Irate DBSS Owner To Fix Own Problem As Defects Liability Period Over

Ms Wee, one of the residents at the Design, Build and Sell Scheme (DBSS), The Peak at Toa Payoh filed a complaint with the Housing Development Board (HDB) after having a huge long crack appearing on her balcony door.

Ms Wee wrote to the HDB, “My balcony door has a huge long crack that suddenly appeared without any impact of any sort. I am worried that it will break further and hurt my toddler and preschooler.”

The reply by HDB is as followed,

“Our inspection on 11 Aug 2015 revealed that there is a crack on the bottom left area of 2nd panel master bedroom glass sliding door towards the master bedroom balcony area. We wish to explain that the flat purchasers have entered into a Sale and Purchase (S&P) agreement directly with the developer.

We wish to inform that the defects liability period under Clause 17 of the Sale and Purchase Agreement is 12 months from the date you receive the Notice of Vacant Possession. The defects liability period for your flat has since expired on 4 Jun 2013.

We understand that the developer has replied to you pertaining to your feedback on the master bedroom sliding door. To address your safety concerns, you may engage own contractor to proceed with the replacement accordingly.”

Frustration due to multiple defects

In Ms Wee’s reply to HDB, she claimed that the developer has yet replied to her query. She also exclaimed that despite living in her former flat at Toa Payoh Lorong 2 for more than 2 decades prior to moving, she never had a sliding door glass or any of her windows for that matter, crack in this manner for no rhyme or reason.

She therefore thinks it is probobly either there was a hairline crack in the window, not visible to the human eye (just like the MBR toilet’s ceiling’s waterproofing was broken by their worker whilst installing the brackets) or the material is not good.

“These are things I cannot figure out before the DLP is up right? But the built of it definitely has issues IMHO. It’s been less than three years since we moved in. Call me baffled.” said Ms Wee.

She added that she thinks it is terribly unfair that residents have been charged an arm and a leg for the DBSS flats, and then realize that lousy materials were used and then have to further pay to fix the issue.

“I frankly cannot afford to fix it with three kids on a single income. We never imagined this sort of incident could happen neither did could we possible imagine that the DBSS flats are of such inferior make and quality. HDB must not assume if people live in DBSS flats, they must be rich and be able to afford such repairs. Financial circumstances can change.” said Ms Wee.

She asked HDB to advice me on how she can request for further assistance in this matter as she is not willing to have to take on the burden of replacing this glass door.

Referring to the existing defects in her HDB flat, Ms Wee lamented, “We already have so many things to replace in less than two years – cabinet doors have warped, bathroom fixtures were not working slightly after a year, kitchen tap is rusting after the 1.5 years mark. The cost to replace all that is already phenomenal for a single income family.”

The recent cases of DBSS’s defects have been a hot topic among citizens in the past few months.

For example, Pasir Ris ONE, drew national attention for its narrow corridor, badly designed ceiling of the corridor, and for its poor workmanship within the units.

In June, and in response to these complaints, the HDB said most of the flaws were “surface imperfections”.

Minister of National Development, Mr Khaw Boon Wan has so far not said much about the complaints, except that homeowners can send their feedback to MND and the HDB, and they would see if they could assist homeowners after looking into the cases.

Source: www.theonlinecitizen.com

August 16, 2015
Myanmar FT Looks For Own Countrymen To Fill HIgh-Paying Job At Yishun EC

Dear ASS,

I really hope that you can share this with our fellow Singaporeans and show our Ministers this is the problem happening in Singapore. It is real, it is happening, whenever we bring in foreigners to this country, they will bring in more of their own countryman in.

This is the reason why we Singaporean find it hard to find jobs even though we have the skills for it. This Myanmar FT is looking out for his own countryman and looking to hire a Residential Technical Officer (RTO) for $4,000 salary. That is good money and shouldn’t such better jobs be given to Singaporeans before being farmed to foreigners?

Are you saying that no Singaporean is willing to do the job for such good money? Impossible lah! Sigh… now its all FTs helping FTs and Singaporeans are losing out. Govt if you see this, can you do something? This is for an Yishun Executive Condominium project.

A Frustrated Singaporean
A.S.S. Contributor

Source: www.allsingaporestuff.com

August 16, 2015
Has Lee Hsien Loong Changed Our National Pledge?

In August 2009, Lee Kuan Yew suggested that the pledge was just an aspiration to the dismay of NMP Viswa Sadasivan who had sought to move a motion to reaffirm the tenets enshrined in our National Pledge.

Now 6 years on, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, not to be outdone by his father, has gone one step further. He concluded his recent National Day message with a chilling desecration of the pledge.

50 years on, on our Golden Jubilee, we will gather again at the Padang. We will sing “Majulah Singapura” proudly, and recite the National Pledge. We will rejoice in the success of our last five decades, and commit ourselves anew to work together as one united people, regardless of race, language or religion, to build Singapore, so as to achieve happiness, prosperity, and progress for our nation.

(See http://www.pmo.gov.sg/mediacentre/prime-minister-lee-hsien-loongs-national-day-message-2015-english for the full transcript.)

In case we have forgotten, here is what every Singaporean child pledges daily in school:-

We, the citizens of Singapore, pledge ourselves as one united people, regardless of race, language, or religion to build a democratic society based on justice and equality so as to achieve happiness, prosperity and progress for our nation.

Were the substitution of “democratic society” with “Singapore” and the eradication of “based on justice and equality” a cunning sleight of hand or a mere careless omission?

When a leader changes the pledge in a manner which diminishes the importance of “democracy”, “justice” and “equality”, it spells trouble and augurs badly for us all and requires some deep soul searching on our part

Will we ever know or forever be left wondering? How does one form a reasonable judgment as to the intentions of the Prime Minister? Short of a clear and unambiguous statement from the PM’s office, are we left only to speculate or can we form a legitimate opinion based on his actions in recent months and years?

The omission of “democracy” and “justice” appear to be consistent with the acts of an individual who has proceeded with the defamation charges brought against Roy Ngerng or the treatment of Amos Yee by the state for calling his father a “horrible person”.

As for the notion of equality, speaking in 2013 at an inaugural DBS Asia Leadership dialogue, the Prime Minister had this to say:

In fact, if I can get another 10 billionaires to move to Singapore and set up their base here, my Gini coefficient will get worse but I think Singaporeans will be better off...

(http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/pm-getting-politics-right-critical-spore)

Perhaps for the Prime Minister, equality is no longer a consideration given the focus on getting “billionaires to move to Singapore”. Could the elimination of “equality” in his message also shed light on his recent comments on the need for a “certain natural aristocracy in the system”? Should we the citizens of Singapore therefore resign ourselves to the sight of large number of our old folks carrying cardboard, cleaning toilets and wiping tables with their hunched backs and trembling hands whilst being shouted at by patrons, stall-owners and managers of food courts?

Is it truly possible for our nation’s leader to forget the pledge? Could it justifiably be argued that the speech was merely a paraphrase of the pledge which would be a difficult argument to accept given that the pledge was inserted almost word-for-word into the speech except for the elimination of the most critical phrase which anchors it and gives it impetus – “to build a democratic society based on justice and equality”.

Then again, perhaps, we need to take a hard look at the last 50 years and wonder if the Prime Minister was like his father merely stating a reality which we the citizens of Singapore have chosen to ignore – that ultimately this is what the last 50 years of nation building by the PAP has been about – a Faustian bargain between the Party and the People – one in which democracy, justice and equality has been sacrificed for happiness, prosperity and progress.

It is time for a drastic change and for us to inform the Prime Minister that we, the citizens of Singapore, intend to cash in the promissory note enshrined in our pledge of a “democratic society based on justice and equality” at GE2015 regardless of what he or his father thinks of our National Pledge.

JN

* Submitted by TRE reader.

Source: www.tremeritus.com

August 16, 2015