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Tag: Indian

  • Increased Religiosity In Asia-Pacific: Islam And Hinduism Projected To Make Greatest Gains In Singapore

    Increased Religiosity In Asia-Pacific: Islam And Hinduism Projected To Make Greatest Gains In Singapore

    A trend of increasing religiosity is taking hold in the Asia-Pacific region, while North America and Europe are experiencing the reverse with a projected spike in the proportion of people unaffiliated with any religion, showed a recent report by Washington-based think-tank Pew Research Centre.

    In Singapore, Islam and Hinduism are projected to make the highest gains, with Muslims replacing Christians as the second-largest faith group by 2050. The report, The Future Of World Religions: Population Growth Projections, 2010-2050, was published on Thursday.

    Pew’s researchers took six years to analyse information from about 2,500 data sources, including censuses, demographic surveys, general population surveys and other studies. Demographic projections made in the report were also based on the current size and geographic distribution of the world’s major religions, age differences, fertility and mortality rates, international migration and patterns in conversion between religions.

    The report projected that in the Asia-Pacific region, the proportion of freethinkers is projected to decline from 21 per cent in 2010 to 17 per cent in 2050. Over the same period, the proportion of this group in Europe and North America is expected to increase from 19 per cent to 23 per cent, and from 17 per cent to almost 26 per cent, respectively.

    “Atheists, agnostics and other people who do not affiliate with any religion — though increasing in countries such as the United States and France — will make up a declining share of the world’s total population,” it added.

    The report also projected that the number of Muslims, a comparatively youthful population with high fertility rates, will nearly equal the number of Christians by 2050, if current demographic trends continue. As of 2010, Christians made up nearly a third of all 6.9 billion people on Earth. Muslims were the next largest group, comprising about 23 per cent.

    The report projected Singapore’s total population to reach 7.9 million in 2050. The proportion of Muslims is projected to increase from 14.3 per cent in 2010 to 21.4 per cent in 2050, overtaking Christians as the second-largest group behind Buddhists. Over the same period, Singapore’s proportion of Hindus is expected to rise from 5.2 to 10.0 per cent. The report said the increases were “mostly because of migration from India and Malaysia”.

    By 2050, freethinkers will make up 16 per cent of the total population, down slightly from 16.4 per cent in 2010. Over the same period, the proportion of Christians and Buddhists here will decrease from 18.2 to 17 per cent, and 33.9 to 27 per cent, respectively.

    Commenting on the report, observers here questioned the assumption that migration patterns will continue over the next few decades.

    Dr Mathew Mathews, a senior research fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), pointed out that the Government had previously said it wanted to preserve the current racial balance. “Muslims and Hindus in Singapore usually are Malays and Indians, and if their racial composition is supposed to stay the same as currently, it will be unlikely that Islam and Hinduism in Singapore will grow substantially considering the current population plans,” he said.

    The Pew report acknowledged that estimating future migration is challenging because the movement of people across borders is dependent on government policies and international events that can change quickly. “And because many migrants follow economic opportunities, migration patterns are also dependent on changing economic conditions,” it added.

    Nonetheless, Pew said it has developed a technique to estimate recent migration patterns and their religious breakdown, in collaboration with researchers at Austria’s International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis.

    In Singapore’s case, IPS senior research fellow Leong Chan-Hoong and Chua Chu Kang GRC Member of Parliament Zaqy Mohamad said it cannot be assumed that people migrating from Malaysia are probably Muslims. Stressing the challenges of migration projections, Dr Leong said migrants could come from different countries or involve different races or religions within a particular country.

    Mr Zaqy said any increase in the Muslim and Hindu populations could also be because of a higher number of interracial marriages.

    Should the projections come to pass, Singapore Management University law don Eugene Tan said Singapore may also have to look into building more places of worship for Muslims and Hindus. Likewise, there would also be an impact on the relative influence each religious group has on changes, where bigger groups could feel their views should carry more weight, for instance, he added.

     

    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
  • Thaipusam Shows Sensitivities Of Race And Religious Issues Remain

    Thaipusam Shows Sensitivities Of Race And Religious Issues Remain

    There have been recent instances where individuals had refused to heed attempts by police officers to keep the peace during the Thaipusam foot procession, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said today (Feb 13), in setting out why it imposes restrictions, including on the playing of musical instruments, for the religious event.

    In 2013, nine people were arrested after they ignored advice to stop shouting secret society slogans and playing drums within the procession route, it said in a press statement. This year, one person was arrested for possessing offensive weapons, apart from the three men who are being investigated for disorderly behaviour and assaulting a police officer, it added.

    In a separate statement, the Hindu Endowments Board (HEB) also said it had received complaints over the years of “disamenities and disorderly behaviour that impede the progress of devotees in the procession and detract from the spiritual experience”.

    The arrests at the Thaipusam procession this year have been in the spotlight recently, with a woman accusing police officers of pushing her at the event and a petition being started for the Hindu festival to be reinstated as a public holiday. The petition has garnered more than 19,500 signatures.

    Cabinet ministers have come out to speak on the matter, with Second Home Affairs Minister S Iswaran urging calm over the incident, and Law and Foreign Minister K Shanmugam saying Hindus are given a special privilege not enjoyed by others, instead of being discriminated against.

    Today, the MHA said the reactions to the incident in this year’s Thaipusam “show that race and religion continue to be sensitive issues”.

    Noting that there have been misrepresentations and rumours circulating around relating to the Thaipusam procession, the MHA said today: “If such activities are deemed to incite enmity between different communities and races, the police will investigate and take firm action against anyone responsible for such offences.”

    Investigations are ongoing on allegations that have surfaced after the arrests this year and on the woman’s allegation, it added.

    The HEB also said it did not believe conditions for Thaipusam need to be tightened and that it had never asked the authorities to do so, contrary to misperception by some.

    Separately, the Manpower Ministry said any move to reinstate any one festival as a public holiday will invite competing claims.

    “Balancing the wishes of each community will not be a simple matter,” said its divisional director of workplace policy and strategy division Alvin Lim.

    Although it is “impractical” to make all important festivals of all faiths public holidays, he encouraged employers to show understanding and flexibility in allowing workers to observe their respective religious festivals.

     

    Source: www.todayonline.com

  • Woman Lodges Police Report Against Three Police Officers For Pushing Her To The Ground During Thaipusam Fracas

    Woman Lodges Police Report Against Three Police Officers For Pushing Her To The Ground During Thaipusam Fracas

    A woman in Singapore has reportedly lodged a police report alleging three police officers of pushing her onto the ground during a scuffle that led to three men, including her husband, arrested for rowdy behaviour.

    The men were arrested during the annual Hindu Thaipusam procession last Tuesday, and charged with disorderly behaviour.

    The incident, where the woman was at as well, allegedly occurred at the junction of Serangoon Road and Desker Road, when three men were arrested for allegedly disrupting, in a rowdy manner, police efforts to stop a group from playing music to accompany kavadi carriers in the area.

    A video clip of the incident, uploaded by sociopolitical site The Online Citizen, showed a woman falling to the ground at one point.

    Responding to media queries about the report filed, police reportedly said in a statement that a 30-year-old Indian female had lodged it on Wednesday.

    “(She) alleged that three officers had hit or pushed her on 3 February 2015 at Desker Road, during the Thaipusam procession,” the statement said while confirming that she is the wife of one of the three accused of disorderly behaviour at the scene, as quoted by Channel NewsAsia.

    “Police take a serious view of any allegation against its officers and will investigate each case thoroughly,” the police continued. “However, if the allegations are found to be false, appropriate action, in accordance with our laws, will be taken against any persons found to have furnished false information to the Police.”

    Read more about the scuffle that took place at the Thaipusam festival procession here.

     

    Source: https://sg.news.yahoo.com

  • Former Customs Officer Handed 5-Year Imprisonment Sentence For Corruption

    Former Customs Officer Handed 5-Year Imprisonment Sentence For Corruption

    A former Singapore Customs officer on Thursday (Feb 5) was sentenced to five years’ jail and ordered to pay a penalty of S$673,084.80 for corruption and abetting four Indian nationals to fraudulently claim Goods and Services Tax (GST) tourist refunds.

    Of the amount, S$11,400 was for corruption offences and S$661,684.80 was a penalty of three times the amount of GST defrauded.

    Mohamed Yusof Bin Abdul Rahman, 67, pleaded guilty to seven corruption charges, while another 26 charges were taken into consideration.

    He also pleaded guilty to 25 GST tax evasion charges, and 78 similar charges were taken into consideration. The offences were committed between January 2013 and January 2014.

    As a customs officer, Yusof’s main duty was to process GST refund claims made by tourists leaving Singapore, at Changi International Airport.

    In late 2013, the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore noticed suspicious claims made by foreigners via the Electronic Tourist Refund Scheme (eTRS).

    Investigations revealed that Yusof helped approve fraudulent GST refund claims of four Indian nationals amounting to S$493,858.67. The claims were approved even though the jewellery produced did not match the description on the receipts.

    In return, Yusuf received bribes in cash totalling S$11,400.

    The prosecution called this the “most elaborate, sophisticated and pre-meditated GST fraud case since the introduction of the GST electronic tourist refund scheme in August 2012.”

    Last year, the four Indian nationals were sentenced to jail terms of between 36 and 48 months, and ordered to pay penalties amounting to three times the tax defrauded.

    The case of another accomplice, 50-year-old Lim Pheck Aun, has not been dealt with yet.

    At the time of the offences, the sales executive at Soon Huat Goldsmith is believed to have accepted bribes, in return for generating eTRS tickets to those who were not the actual buyers of jewellery.

     

    Source: www.channelnewasia.com