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Tag: Chinese

  • NTU Chinese Major Graduands Raise Disappointment Over Inability To Nominate Valedictorian

    NTU Chinese Major Graduands Raise Disappointment Over Inability To Nominate Valedictorian

    Chinese major graduands from Nanyang Technological University have raised a stink over their inability to nominate a valedictorian this year — believed to be a first in seven cohorts.

    The reason that the option has been taken away from them: They are collecting their scrolls with those graduating from the School of Art, Design and Media (ADM), from which the valedictorian will be chosen because its cohort size is bigger.

    Because a single convocation ceremony cannot accommodate all the graduates from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS), who number about 700 each year, one of its divisions joins another school’s ceremony. The Economics division held theirs with ADM last year, but had a valedictorian chosen from among them due to the larger Economics cohort. This year is the Chinese division’s turn to have their ceremony with ADM.

    But with the slight by HSS’ 2013 valedictorian’s speech still fresh in their minds, the Chinese graduands are discontented with the university’s decision to deny them a valedictorian nominee.

    That year, Sociology major Darren Woo made disparaging remarks about the language abilities of Chinese majors in his valedictorian speech, creating a stir.

    One Chinese major graduand, who declined to be named, said: “We feel this is an unfair arrangement and it might send a signal to the public that Chinese division graduates are not as capable and the school stereotypes us.”

    In an email to final-year HSS students yesterday, the school’s assistant chair of communications and student life Tan Joo Ean broke the news that due to the extremely large cohort size, the graduation ceremony for Chinese majors — 109 in all — will be held separately from that of the other HSS divisions.

    In the email, Dr Tan also announced the valedictorian nominees from the Sociology, Psychology, English, Economics and Linguistics and Multilingual Studies divisions. These graduands were chosen for their academic performance, leadership qualities with participation in activities outside school, and good public-speaking skills, said Dr Tan.

    In a separate email that was sent only to final-year Chinese majors, the head of the division I Lo-Fen reassured students that the school does not discriminate against them, noting that HSS’ valedictorian last year came from their division.

    She also urged students to speak with university officials instead of contacting the media to seek redress.

    Responding to TODAY’s queries, a HSS spokesperson said it is a common practice for schools with a large graduating cohort to hold more than one convocation ceremony for practical, logistical reasons.

    “This year, it is the Chinese Division’s turn and the valedictorian will be from ADM, since the majority of graduands at that ceremony are from ADM,” he added.

    Unhappy with the reason, the 2015 class are mulling over starting a petition to the university. They also hope that the university can address their concerns over the potentially discriminatory effect on future cohorts.

     

    Source: www.todayonline.com

  • A Look Inside The Most Expensive City In The World!

    A Look Inside The Most Expensive City In The World!

    Singapore was just named the world’s most expensive city by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).

    The cosmopolitan city-state is one of the most densely populated areas in the world, but it’s also one of the wealthiest, with about 105,000 millionaires living there — and that means that it has prices to match.

    The EIU reported that Singapore is the most expensive place in the world to buy clothes, but the upscale malls of Orchard Road are still bustling as shoppers vie for designer goods.

    And there are deals to be had: Singapore is world-famous for its inexpensive street food. And driving may cost a fortune, there’s no need to own a car since the city has one of the most efficient and cleanest metro systems in the world. There are also dozens of free parks to wander in — Singapore is called the “garden city” for a reason, after all.

    Downtown Singapore’s skyline is dominated by massive modern towers.

    The Marina Bay Sands isn’t necessarily the top hotel in the city, but it’s now become one of the most recognizable landmarks of the Singapore skyline.

    It’s most famous for its rooftop pool, which overlooks the city from the 57th floor.

    But the more traditional Raffles Hotel is probably the real most iconic hotel in the city. It’s where the city’s signature drink — the Singapore Sling — was invented, and it still embodies Singapore’s old colonial-era elegance.

    The symbol of the city is oddly a Merlion — half lion, half fish — a mythical creature that was created by the city to generate tourism.

    Much of Singapore is comprised of reclaimed land. The island was so tiny that it has nowhere to expand but up and out. Gardens by the Bay is a 250-acre park that’s built on reclaimed land.

    The whole park is sustainable. Its artificial “super trees” power everything from the Flower Dome to the Cloud Forest.

    Every year, the Formula One Grand Prix race is held in the city. Bystanders don’t just get a view of the race. They also get a great view of the skyline.

    Even though the city is filled with massive towers, it’s easy to find peaceful respites. Singapore is called “the garden city,” after all.

    The Singapore Botanic Garden, which is open to the public for free, is incredible. Singaporeans often come here to picnic and relax on the weekends.

    There are also tons of walking and jogging paths all over the city — assuming it’s not too hot to work out.

    Shopping seems to be the national pastime in Singapore, judging by the sheer amount of shopping malls, most of which are filled with designer shops. Meanwhile, the EIU reported that Singapore is the most expensive place in the world to buy clothes, with “the malls of Orchard Road offering a price premium that is over 50% higher than New York.”

    Source: EIU

    Most of the shopping centers around Orchard Road, and ION Orchard is perhaps the nicest shopping mall.

    Because the city is so densely populated, traffic can be bad. Driving is also incredibly expensive. But Singapore makes up for it with one of the most efficient and cleanest metro systems in the world.

    But Singapore isn’t all modern. Traditional Chinese culture still reigns in the bustling Chinatown.

    And Indian culture is alive and well in Little India.

    The food — perhaps Singapore’s strongest suit — reflects the cultural mix of the city, which is mostly comprised of Chinese, Indian, and Malay people. All of these cultures and cuisines come together at Hawker Centres, which are essentially government-regulated food courts.

    At these Hawker Centres, you can try iconic Singaporean dishes, like the famous Chicken Rice.

    Chili crab is another famous (and delicious) Singaporean dish.

    Many people travel to Singapore just for the food — and we don’t blame them.

    Of course there are fine dining restaurants here too, like Jaan Restaurant at Swissotel the Stamford.

    There are lots of swanky restaurants along the river at Clark Quay. It’s the place to be at night.

    Boat Quay is another hotspot for nightlife. This area is also popular with expats.

    Dempsey Hill, which was once the base of the British military, is another popular area with expats. Today it’s home to cool shops, bars, art galleries, and restaurants, all of which are located in the former British army barracks.

    Meanwhile, the hipsters hang out in Tiong Bahru, a neighborhood with cool coffee shops, bars, and vintage shops.

    Singapore’s Changi Airport is regularly named “the best in the world,” and the international transit hub’s amenities include a butterfly garden, rooftop pool, movie theaters, hotels, spas, and showers, and even a four-story slide.

    Source: www.businessinsider.sg
  • Malaysian Minister Urged Malays To Boycott Chinese Businesses

    Malaysian Minister Urged Malays To Boycott Chinese Businesses

    A minister’s call for traders to lower the price of goods in line with the drop in oil prices took a racial tone when he called on Malays to boycott Chinese businesses, singling out the Old Town White Coffee franchise because of its alleged DAP links.

    Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob in a Facebook post (pic) said Malay consumers had a role in helping the government to fight profiteers by using their collective power to lower the price of goods.

    “Forgive me for sharing my views, but besides the Ministry of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism, which uses the Price Control Act and the Anti-Profiteering Act to act against traders who raise their prices indiscriminately, the greatest power lies with consumers.

    “The majority of consumers are Malay, Chinese are a minority, if the Malays boycott their businesses, they will surely have no choice but to reduce their prices,” he said in a Facebook post.

    Ismail, who was the former domestic trade and consumerism minister, confirmed to The Malaysian Insider that the statement was made by him on his Facebook account.

    The post has been shared numerous times by other Facebook users and several also congratulated him for being “bold” in his statement.

    He also singled out the Old Town White Coffee chain owned by OldTown Bhd, saying Perak DAP chairman Datuk Ngeh Khoo Ham owned shares in the company.

    “Malays are still refusing to boycott (Old Town White Coffee) what more when its owner is said to be the DAP Ngeh family of Perak who are known to be anti-Islam.

    “As long as the Malays don’t change, the Chinese will take the opportunity to oppress the Malays,” said Ismail.

    Ismail told The Malaysian Insider that his statement was directed at Chinese businesses whom he said were “reluctant” to lower their prices.

    “I am referring to Chinese traders who are reluctant to reduce the prices of goods even though the price of petrol has come down.

    “What I want to emphasise is for people not to depend solely on the government to ensure the price of goods comes down because as consumers, they can use their power to pressure businesses,” he said.

    In his post, Ismail took Malay consumers to task for continuing to patronise Chinese outlets “even though their halal certification is suspect” and even though some of these outlets have had action taken against them. He did not specify which businesses these were.

    “Imagine, many Chinese eateries have no ‘halal’ logo and they have been raided a few times and caught because their ‘halal’ certification is suspect, (but) Malays continue to crowd these restaurants, when there are thousands of Malay restaurants which genuinely ‘halal’,” he had said.

    He then cited Old Town White Coffee as an example and claimed that it was owned by Ngeh’s family whom he said were “anti-Islam”.

    Besides Ismail, other ministers who have insisted that traders must lower goods because oil prices had dropped are Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Ahmad Maslan and the current Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Haslan Malek, but Ismail was the first to call for Malay boycott of Chinese businesses.

     

    Source: www.themalaysianinsider.com

     

  • Malay Primary School Student Makes Racist Rant Against Chinese

    Malay Primary School Student Makes Racist Rant Against Chinese

    Dear Editors,

    After STOMP reported incident where inconsiderate incense burning cause the fire at Geylang Bahru lift lobby, I saw this netizen Shahrul Pendekk who study in Lakeside Primary School. (Shahrul Pendekkchanged his FB profile to Shahrul Pendeq)

    He make very racist comments about the Singapore Chinese community and call them bastards and pigs. Why he have to make such bad racist comments? What happen to racial harmony?

    Will the authorities do anything about this case? Remember last time when stupid insensitive Chinese make racist comments about our Malay friends, they all get warning from police, the woman even get fired from job.

    Will the police also talk to this boy and give him warning for his racist comments? If never teach him properly when young, when older will become worse?

     


    Source: www.allsingaporestuff.com

  • Chinese Nationals Using Malaysia As Transit Point To Join Islamic State

    Chinese Nationals Using Malaysia As Transit Point To Join Islamic State

    PUTRAJAYA — More than 300 Chinese nationals have used Malaysia as a transit point on their way to join the Islamic State (IS) militant group in Syria and Iraq, Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi revealed today.

    They had moved on to a third country from Malaysia prior to entering Syria and Iraq, he said, adding that this was disclosed to him by China’s Vice Minister of Public Security Meng Hongwei at a meeting at his office here today.

    Ahmad Zahid said Kuala Lumpur and Beijing viewed seriously this security threat and were committed to curbing it in a more comprehensive manner.

    “Although there exists an arrangement between Malaysia and China to combat terrorism through counter-terrorism measures, this problem is serious.

    “This is because ties exist at the international level between terrorists in China and those in other countries in the Southeast Asian region,” he told reporters after Meng had called on him.

    Asked about the possibility of these Chinese nationals having ties with Malaysians, Ahmad Zahid said no information had been received on that.

    On another matter, the minister said there had been no proposal or discussion yet on the issuing of visas free to tourists from other countries besides China.

    When announcing measures to strengthen Malaysia’s economic resilience yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had said visas would be issued free to tourists, including from China.

    Ahmad Zahid said tourists from China visiting Malaysia still had to apply for a visa but they were exempted from having to pay the fee of 80 yuan (RM46.45).

    He said the Cabinet decided that an official announcement on the free-visa measure would be made after all rules and conditions had been refined by the Malaysian Immigration Department.

    “We will make an official announcement at the Malaysian embassy and consulates general in China,” he said.

     

    Source: www.themalaymailonline.com