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I’m Not Pro-PAP, I’m Pro-Singapore

If you have read my “About Me” page, you would probably have realised that I am pro-government.

“And if you ask me: why politics? Well, I have an unabashed deep admiration for my Singapore government…”

It was probably a risk to have made that statement in my introductory page. Fervent opposition party supporters would probably have blacklisted my blog or swore never to come by again. (Not that I’ve actually ever blogged about politics.) Yet, being the passionate person that I am, I had no qualms in professing my ardent support of the incumbent government, albeit not explaining why.

Today, on the 50^th birthday of this country that I love with all my heart – that in order to protect it, (if need be) I’m willing to die on the battlefield – I will endeavour to justify my utmost support for the government: not with political arguments but with day-to-day experiences.

To begin, I confess that I used to be a naïve – critics call it “brainwashed” – supporter of the PAP. I would volunteer at the local Meet-the-People Session religiously every week. I would read the news and take the ministers’ words as it is. I would aggressively defend against irrationalised opinions of government policies. I chose to study Politics with a great intent to understand the psyche of politicians, to be well equipped to combat any accusations of the government that were poorly thought of.

I completed my freshmen year as a Politics and International Relations undergraduate in the United Kingdom (University of Manchester). What I learnt in university turned out to be different from what I had expected. Instead of reinforcing my beliefs, it made me more critical. Liberal democracy, checks and balances, free press, freedom of speech… The more I studied, the more I realised how my government was under the attack of the prodemocrats. However, at the same time, something else seemed to be invigorating my allegiance to the Singapore government. It wasn’t what I was learning in university. It was my everyday experiences – the long walks down the streets of Manchester, the trips to the Underground Tube in London, and the interaction with friends from all around the world – that bolstered my faith in how Singapore is being run, and my sense of pride to be called a Singaporean.

I walked to college and back every day, saddened by the sight of homeless men and women begging for spare change. I visited the city center every weekend to immerse myself in the vibrant city life, only to be tainted by the ugly streets plastered with splotches of unwanted gum. I tried my best to go home before the sun went down; otherwise, I would be jumping at every alarming sound that could possibly have been a gunshot or a violent attack. I ran to the bus stop on Sunday mornings, hoping and praying that I didn’t missed the bus (for I would never know when the next one would come). I walked to the nearby Underground Tube when I was in London for the weekend, half expecting the station not to be operating on that day. I learnt about the concerns of my peers in finding a job back in their home country upon graduation. I heard about their plans of not returning to their country, in search of better prospects elsewhere.

All of these are things I would rarely – if not, never – experience in Singapore. And on one of the occasions when I sought the opinion of a European friend of mine on Singapore’s lack of freedom of expression, his reply took me by surprise. “Who cares? You have money.” His reply brought things into perspective. I’m not saying (and I believe that’s not what he meant) that such freedoms aren’t important. What I’m saying, reader, is that compared to the people living in many other countries, in fact even in most of the 1^st world countries, we are very fortunate to be living in Singapore. Before the anything-but-PAP supporters rebut with their arguments on how we – the average citizen – “technically” don’t have money, or that money isn’t everything, I would like to remind them that despite how financially handicapped you are, you still have the freedom to food security and personal safety that more than a handful of Europeans do not even have. My point is simply: do not take it for granted.

On the 23^rd of March this year at about 9p.m., I was on a trip to London, waiting for my scrumptious dinner to be served at the very sought-after Burger and Lobster. While waiting for my platter of steamed lobster to appear in front of me, I was scrolling through Facebook. That was when I first caught sight of PM Lee’s official statement on the passing of former MM Lee Kuan Yew. My first instinct told me that his Facebook account was probably hacked, again. Denial. It was only after confirming with the various sources that I finally came to terms with reality. I, along with my fellow Singaporean friends who were on holiday with me, continued dining as though nothing had happened. Yet, deep inside, we all knew that something had changed. There was an extremely unsettling feeling within me – a subtle amalgamation of grief and anxiety. I was tempted to pour out my feelings in a blog post a few days after his death; to lament the death our dearest founding father, to vent my anger at those who were disrespectful, to express the innumerous worries that I was harbouring for the future of Singapore. However, I abstained from doing so in order not to pass off as non-objective and emotional.

Today, more than 4 months after the death of Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, I vindicate the anxiety that I had harboured and I restore the right to write this blog post. The general elections are coming. There are speculations that it would be in September. If that is the case, I wouldn’t get to vote – I would be a month late. Yet, I hope that through this post, I would convince at least one person to consider where Singapore is right now, in the light of what is happening in the world – what is happening to our neighbours, what is happening to our former colonial authorities, what is happening to the supposed 1^st world. In the light of all these, there is a reason to be grateful to our government. There is a reason to rejoice for your birth in this blessed nation. There is a reason to stay and fight for the country amidst its challenges.

I do not want to sound over-optimistic. There are a myriad of issues and policies that I have started to question ever since I have been exposed to liberal democracy outside the country. I hate the inequality; my family struggled for more than a year with the meager earnings of my father’s small business. I do not believe in gerrymandering; I reckon that a capable party should compete based on fair elections. I don’t think that ministers should be paid so much; a genuine servant of the country ought not to be motivated by money. I disagree with certain aspects of how the public service is being run; more than 2 years in the Armed Forces have showed me more than enough flaws to convince me of the inefficiencies of the public service. Yet, unlike many who turn these frustrations into blind hatred for the government, I choose to accept that no government is perfect.

I’m no longer pro-PAP. I’m pro-Singapore. I love my country and I would support the party that proves its mettle and worth. For taking care of my country for the past 50 years and nurturing her to whom she is today, I’m grateful to the PAP. However, if there comes a day when the country is being wrecked in the hands of this party that I have placed my trust in, I will not hold back my vote for the opposition, if there be a more capable one.

And on a final note, to the Singaporeans who claim that they hate the country (especially because of the huge influx of foreigners) and are eager to leave for another country: by doing so, you are a hypocrite and you are no different from the foreigners in our country that you so very hate. You are not welcomed in another country either.

Source: www.melodysim.com

August 11, 2015
What Singaporeans Can Be Thankful For This SG50

Dear Singapore, as you celebrate your annual “We’re so glad we’re not part of Malaysia” celebration, let’s see what you can be thankful for.

If you were part of Malaysia your 100 dollars will be in ringgit and would have shrunk to a third of its value to $35.45.

Your national airline SIA is world renowned and rated for many years as #1 in the world as compared to our MAS which happens to be bankrupt.

Your Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is smart and can even find time to program a sudoku solver in his spare time whereas Najib Razak is making a fool of himself on the world stage.

Your police and government pride itself as being corruption free, whereas our Malaysian Anti-Corruption officers have no recourse but to pray to Allah to protect them from the police.

As you watch the fireworks tonight let every spark represent one of the 2.6 billion reasons why you should be glad you’re not part of Malaysia.

Happy SG50 Jubilee Singapore. May you prosper for many more years to come.

Source: MGAG

August 11, 2015
Habib Hassan, Hj Mohd Alami Dan Iskandar Jalil Antara Penerima Anugerah Pingat Jasa Gemilang

Mei lalu Imam Masjid Ba’alwie Habib Hassan Muhammad Al-Attas menerima kejutan manis apabila jasa beliau kepada usaha Pertubuhan Antara Agama (IRO) diberi penghargaan dalam satu majlis di Istana.

Semasa sambutan Hari Kebangsaan baru-baru ini beliau sekali lagi menerima kejutan manis apabila disertakan dalam senarai penerima Anugerah Hari Kebangsaan tahun ini.

Habib Hassan merupakan salah seorang daripada 13 jasawan awam yang dikurniakan Pingat Jasa Gemilang.

Turut menerima pingat itu tahun ini ialah Presiden Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (Muis), Haji Mohd Alami dan pakar tembikar, Encik Iskandar Jalil.

Anugerah Hari Kebangsaan mengiktiraf jasa dan sumbangan warga kepada negara.

Tahun ini, seramai 3,888 individu menerima Anugerah Hari Kebangsaan yang dibahagikan kepada 15 kategori anugerah.

Source: http://beritaharian.sg

August 11, 2015
DJ KC Tidak Mahu Campur Tengkarah Antara Adik Dan Pelanggan

Tengkarah yang melibatkan seorang pelanggan dengan seorang perancang majlis walimah mengenai wang yang tidak dikembalikan, kini membabitkan seorang deejay setempat.

Akibatnya, deejay KC, atau nama sebenar Abdul Karim Sadali, 34 tahun, menulis dalam akaun Facebooknya mengenai kes itu dalam usaha menjelaskan kedudukannya.

Dalam Facebooknya semalam, deejay KC menjelaskan yang beliau tiada kaitan dengan perjanjian yang dibuat antara pelanggan tersebut dengan perancang majlis walimah itu – yang kebetulan adik kandungnya.

Ini selepas pelanggan berkenaan, Cik Sharifah Nur Shahirah Hussien, 25 tahun, menyatakan dalam Facebooknya bahawa deejay KC ialah abang penyedia khidmat walimah itu, Encik Muhammad Kadir Sadali, 32 tahun.

Ini dilakukan Sharifah Nur Shahirah sebagai usaha mendapatkan semula wang pendahuluannya berjumlah $2,350 daripada Encik Muhammad Kadir yang didakwa telah membatalkan kontrak dengannya.

Akibatnya, bermacam-macam komen yang dilemparkan dalam laman sosial Facebook (FB) sehingga membabitkan nama deejay KC.

“Sememangnya adalah patut dan adalah hak pelanggan (dalam hal ini) untuk minta balik wang iaitu hak beliau dari penyedia khidmat itu tetapi apa yang sungguh menghampakan sikap pelanggan yang tidak bertanggungjawab itu.

“Persoalannya kenapa mesti dalam posting anda harus menggunakan dan membabitkan nama saya ye? Walaupun sekali dia adalah orang terdekat adik, mak, nenek, abang sedara, kakak sedara dan sebagainya itu adalah urusan anda dan dia. Kepada pelanggan tersebut saya tidak ada kena-mengena dengan masalah anda berkaitan penyedia khidmat yang tidak bertanggungjawab itu kerana:

1. Itu bukan syarikat saya

2. Saya tidak ada share (kongsi)

3. Ketika beliau tandatangan kontrak bersama penyedia khidmat yang tidak bertanggungjawab saya bukanlah saksi dan guarantor

4. Saya tidak dapat sesen komisen darinya

5. Dia bukan 15 tahun. Pada usia 32 tahun dia bertanggungjawab atas perbuatannya sendiri.

6. Saya sendiri kena delete (padamkan) dari FB-nya dan block dari WhatsAppnya.

7. Sudah bertahun tidak berjumpa dan tidak tahu mana dia tinggal,” kata deejay KC.

Sehingga lewat malam semalam, wartawan hanya mendapat jawapan ringkas daripada deejay KC melalui WhatsApp menyatakan bahawa beliau telah menjelaskan kedudukannya dalam FB-nya, “ia hanya perkara kecil tapi saya perlu jelaskan”.

Sementara itu, Encik Muhammad Kadir, yang juga dikenali sebagai deejay Shaboy, mengakui beliau tidak dapat memulangkan wang berjumlah $2,350 itu kepada pelanggannya itu buat masa ini.

Cik Sharifah Nur Shahirah menulis dalam laman FBnya bagaimana Encik Muhammad Kadir yang sebelum ini diambilnya selaku perancang majlis walimahnya memutuskan mahu memulangkan wang pendahuluannya itu dan enggan lagi menawarkan khidmatnya kepada wanita itu.

Encik Muhammad Kadir pernah menggunakan sebuah syarikat perancang majlis persandingan, SB Entertainment and Wedding Services, di bawah nama bekas isterinya, namun telah menarik diri daripada syarikat itu selepas mereka berpisah.

“Kalau nak bayar sepenuhnya, ia bak membayar seluruh pendapatan saya untuk bulan itu,” katanya yang kini bekerja dengan syarikat perancang perkahwinan lain,” katanya semasa dihubungi.

Beliau mendakwa pelanggannya itu telah “beberapa kali mengubah jadual persandingannya” sehingga menjejas perancangannya untuk mencari bekalan bagi segala keperluan majlis tersebut.

Sementara itu, Sharifah Nur Sahirah yang dihubungi pula berkata yang beliau telah membuat perjanjian dengan Encik Muhammad Kadir pada September tahun lalu bagi khidmat katering, hiasan, andaman dan deejay. Kos keseluruhan dianggar sekitar $10,000.

Beliau mendakwa telah pun membuat dua perancangan bagi dua tarikh berbeza – akhir tahun ini untuk majlis nikah dan tahun hadapan majlis persandingan.

“Deejay Shaboy kemudian tidak puas hati apabila saya hubungi beliau dan bertanyakan mengapa saya tidak diberitahu tentang perubahan pada syarikat yang akan mengendalikan majlis saya nanti. Ini penting kerana invois pembayaran juga akan berubah,” kata paramedik itu lagi.

Beliau serta pasangannya, Encik Mohammed Zaki Salamat, juga 25 tahun, kini mendapatkan syarikat lain untuk mengendalikan majlis mereka itu, katanya, yang mendapat tahu tentang khidmat Encik Muhammad Kadir menerusi FB.

Mengenai pembabitan nama deejay KC, Cik Sharifah Nur Shahirah menjawab:

“Saya minta maaf sekiranya saya babitkan nama beliau. Yang penting saya tiada hasrat libatkan beliau dalam tengkarah ini.

“Yang penting kini, saya dapatkan semula wang pendahuluan saya. Itu saja,” katanya lagi.

Source: http://beritaharian.sg

August 11, 2015
Qantas: 23-Hr Flight Delay Due To Jubilee Celebrations

Australia’s national airline Qantas yesterday blamed Singapore’s Jubilee celebrations for the 23-hour delay of one of its flights which left dozens of passengers stranded here on Sunday night.

Flight QF36 had been due to depart from Singapore for Melbourne at 7.55pm on Sunday but did not leave until 6.54pm yesterday.

Singapore’s airspace was closed from 6.25pm to 7.10pm on Sunday during the National Day Parade (NDP) aerial displays over the Marina Bay area.

Qantas said this meant that its inbound flight from Brisbane had to be diverted to Batam.

The Straits Times understands that the plane had to re-fuel on the Indonesian island, around 20km away from the Republic.

But before it could take off for the short flight to Singapore, its cabin crew had exceeded their maximum flying hours.

The plane was forced to remain there until a new crew could be flown over. It arrived in Singapore only at 4.39am yesterday.

The delay held up Flight QF36, as well as Flight QF6 – a Qantas flight to Sydney that had been due to depart at 11.50pm on Sunday, but finally left at 10.18am yesterday.

The airline did not say how many passengers were affected by the delays, but a spokesman said that they were due to “congestion at Changi Airport as a result of the airport’s closure for SG50 flyover celebrations”.

The Straits Times counted more than 50 people in the queue for the retimed QF36 flight yesterday. One passenger estimated that about 300 had been affected.

The retimed flight was also unable to fly directly to Melbourne and had to transit in Darwin, although Qantas did not say why.

The airline gave those affected accommodation at hotels or the airport lounge and meal vouchers, although this was considered meagre compensation by many.

Australian housewife Melanie Dobson, 42, was due to fly home on QF36 with her husband and four-year-old daughter and said they were not told until 1.15am yesterday that they would have to spend the night in a hotel. “We are just exhausted,” she said.

Her husband Andrew, 49, had to sleep on the floor so that his wife and daughter could share the bed. “It’s a bit of a disappointing end to the (Jubilee) weekend,” said the businessman.

Other major airlines also had to reschedule flights in advance due to the NDP.

A Singapore Airlines spokesman said: “Several Singapore Airlines and SilkAir flights were retimed as Singapore’s airspace was closed.”

A Cathay Pacific airport duty supervisor said that while the airline had experienced some minor delays on Sunday, these were “all operational” and the flights affected by the airspace closure were “rescheduled months ago”.

Meanwhile, yesterday’s QF36 flight to Melbourne was also delayed – and retimed to depart at 3pm today. A queue of confused passengers formed at the Qantas customer service desk at 5.30pm.

Singaporean Adly Mohd Sham, 26, said he and a friend had arrived at the airport at 4pm, only to discover their flight was delayed.

The customer service officer, who will miss his transfer flight to Tasmania, added that nobody had explained to him why the delay had arisen. “So far we’ve had no e-mail messages or calls, nothing.”

Source: www.straitstimes.com

August 11, 2015