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Tag: Lee Hsien Loong

  • Halimah Yacob Calls For Proper Parliamentary Debate On OxLee Drama

    Halimah Yacob Calls For Proper Parliamentary Debate On OxLee Drama

    Speaker of Parliament Halimah Yacob on Saturday (Jul 1) said that she hoped issues would be “properly debated” in Parliament on Monday, when Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is set to address allegations by his siblings against him.

    “There will be of course a lot of speeches, but I do hope that we can see that the issues are properly debated and hopefully, if we can have some finality, that would be ideal. But I really leave it to the debate,” she said when asked on the sidelines of a People’s Action Party (PAP) event what she hopes to see during the debate.

    “As the speaker, my task is to ensure that it’s a fair, open, transparent debate that goes on on Monday.”

     

    Source: www.channelnewsasia.com

     

  • SDP: 21 Reasons Why Tharman’s Call For Confidence In Lee Hsien Loong’s Team Is Misplaced

    SDP: 21 Reasons Why Tharman’s Call For Confidence In Lee Hsien Loong’s Team Is Misplaced

    In his Facebook post, DPM Tharman Shanmugaratnam called on Singaporeans to “have confidence” in the present system of governance, adding, “You can count on PM Lee Hsien Loong and all of us in his team for that.”

    To have confidence in the government, Singaporeans need transparency. So before the DPM asks for trust in Mr Lee Hsien Loong’s team, the PAP must first account for and explain:

    1. Price hikes
    Why the Government announced a slew of price hikes, including a drastic 30% increase in water fees, only after the 2015 general elections and at a time of economic uncertainty for the people.

    2. Asset enhancement
    Then PM Goh Chok Tong’s assurance in 1992 that HDB prices will “continue to rise” only to be told in 2017 by National Development Minister Lawrence Wong that prices will “come down” until the flats are eventually returned to HDB.

    3. AGO report
    The Auditor-General’s 2016 report that PAP Government lacked “principles of good governance and financial controls” which resulted in a large number of instances where there was a “breakdown in the controls.” This included the construction of a rubbish centre for $880,000.

    4. GIC losses in UBS
    The GIC’s loss of nearly $6 billion this year in its investment in UBS despite the SDP’s repeated warnings about the problems with the Swiss bank, and the subsequent refusal of the Government to account for the loss.

    5. Elected Presidency
    The sudden decision to change the rules – and the contorted reasoning for the change – to restrict candidacy for the EP after Dr Tony Tan nearly lost the election in 2015.

    6. Hep-C outbreak
    Health Minister Gan Kim Yong’s refusal to release correspondence such as emails, memos, minutes of meetings between officials at MOH and SGH over the Hepatitis C outbreak in 2015 as well as the refusal to openly identify the officers who were at fault and the penalties meted out to them.

    7. Cracks in new MRT trains
    The failure to inform the public of cracks in brand new MRT trains and the secretive nature of the way the trains were shipped back to China for repairs.

    8. Deteriorating infrastructure
    The Government’s inability to deal with constant breakdown of MRT services, HDB lift mishaps (which have caused death and injury), falling slabs of HDB blocks, and flooding of our roads whenever it rains heavily.

    9. Productivity decline
    The stagnant productivity levels despite the more than $20 billion the PAP Government has thrown at the problem. The situation has deteriorated to the point where PM Lee now admits that our economy has “maxed out” after easy gains in recent years.

    10. Future economy
    The lack of direction and rehash of old ideas from the Committee on the Future Economy despite the involvement of five ministers and one full year of work.

    11. Online gambling
    The introduction of online gambling despite widespread public objection.

    12. Foreign labour
    The continued influx of foreign workers despite falling job vacancies and increasing unemployment among Singaporeans.

    13. China relations
    The mishandling of relations with China leading to Mr Lee Hsien Loong’s exclusion from the OBOR summit in Beijing.

    14. Zika and TB
    The explosion of Zika infections and the increase in new cases of active TB in Singapore in 2016.

    15. Money laundering
    The discovery of money laundering in our financial system last year despite SDP’s warning since 2008 that Singapore was becoming a haven for tax evaders and money launderers.

    16. Neptune Orient Lines
    Mr Ng Yat Chung’s appointment as CEO of SPH despite his running aground the NOL (losing $1.5 billion in the process) and which resulted in the company being sold to the French CMA CGM in 2016. The new owners turned NOL’s fortunes around registering a US$26m-profit in less than one year.

    17. Keppel and SembMarine
    The deep financial troubles of Temasek-owned Keppel Corp and Sembcorp Marine amidst charges of corruption against the companies in Brazil following the bust in the oil-rig industry.

    18. Shortage of engineers
    How, after more than 50 years of uninterrupted PAP rule, Singapore now finds itself short of engineers, a situation which “poses a national risk”.

    19. Ailing retail
    The shuttering of retail shops and empty shopping centres. This is epitomised by a dying Orchard Road.

    20. Closing of JCs
    The controversial closing down of neighbourhood Junior Colleges in which MOE provided dubious reasons.

    21. GIC/Temasek non-transparency
    The non-transparent manner in which the GIC and Temasek Holdings are managed and the related issue of the retention of CPF funds through the Minimum Sum Scheme.

    This list does not, of course, include the allegations of impropriety by Dr Lee Wei Ling and Mr Lee Hsien Yang against PM Lee and his team which necessitates even more accountability. Mr Tharman’s call for confidence in the current administration is desperately  misplaced.

     

    Source: http://yoursdp.org

  • Osman Sulaiman: Will CPIB Investigate Allegations Against Lee Hsien Loong?

    Osman Sulaiman: Will CPIB Investigate Allegations Against Lee Hsien Loong?

    Do we have to wait for someone to lodge a complaint to CPIB before they would investigate the allegations made by Lee Hsien Loong’ brother?

    In other functioning democracies, the CPIB would have already begun their investigations. But then again, the inaction by the CPIB is to be expected. The CPIB reports to the PM.

    This problematic arrangement has been highlighted by the people before.

    If CPIB reports to the PM, what happen if the PM himself is embroiled by allegations of corruption? Would it investigate? Or would it act independently without fear or favour?

     

    Source: Khan Osman Sulaiman

  • Pritam Singh: In The Interest Of Fairness, Let Lee Wei Ling And Lee Hsien Yang Speak In Parliament Too

    Pritam Singh: In The Interest Of Fairness, Let Lee Wei Ling And Lee Hsien Yang Speak In Parliament Too

    Some Singaporeans have asked about Parliamentary Select Committees. What are they?

    Parliament hosts powers to appoint Select Committees of MPs to look at issues in depth, including calling for evidence and summoning witnesses if necessary. My WP colleagues and I have filed a number of parliamentary questions that relate to allegations of the Prime Minister abusing his powers in the matter of 38, Oxley Road. The Prime Minister has announced he will make a statement in Parliament and welcomes vigourous debate. There is one problem though. Unlike the Prime Minister, Mr Lee Hsien Yang and those who support him will have no opportunity to clear the air on 3 July 2017.

    In the interests of fairness, Mr Lee should be allowed to tell his story to Parliament too. A Select Committee would allow MPs the opportunity to call up any witness, including the Prime Minister or anyone else to get to the truth of the matter behind the allegations of abuse of power.

    By way of a parliamentary question, I have asked the Prime Minister to support the setting up of a Select Committee to look into the serious allegations made against him. The use of Select Committees for such a purpose is nothing new. The PAP have used Select Committees to look into allegations made against the Government in the past.

    On 21 Mar 1996, Parliament resolved to appoint a select committee to verify the Government’s healthcare expenditure, amongst other reasons, to verify statements made in the Singapore Democratic Party publication, The New Democrat and in a speech made by SDP MP Ling How Doong in Parliament where he said, “healthcare costs are not subsidised at all.”

    One submission to this Select Committee defined the role of Select Committees perfectly:

    “The public has every right to know the facts and to receive from the Government the fullest possible information….The Select Committee serves a useful and informative field of public education and members of the Select Committee would seek to produce agreed reports in the best interest of the public.”

    In a voluminous report (hyperlinked below), the Select Committee on Healthcare Subsidies published all the questions MPs put to various witnesses who were asked to give evidence to the committee. But things did not stop there. In view of the replies given to the Select Committee by Mr Chee Soon Juan and other witnesses, then Minister of Health George Yeo filed a complaint of contempt of Parliament to the Committee of Privileges against several witnesses arising out of the Select Committee hearings. I remember watching clips of the Select Committee hearing on TV, with PAP MPs relentlessly questioning Chee Soon Juan.

    Like many Singaporeans, no one knows how long the current episode is going to drag on for with new information and allegations coming out almost on a daily basis, and perhaps even after 3 July 2017.

    The allegations of abuse of power by the Prime Minister need to be looked into. A Parliamentary session as a forum to hear only one side of the story will just not do. After all, it was the late Lee Kuan Yew who said:

    “No government in this part of the world will open willingly when it need not open a problem like this and take it out, whether a Commission of Inquiry, debate in Parliament, Select Committee, or even a prosecution if a case could be made out.”

    Useful links:

    30 Sep 1996 – Report of the Select Committee on Verification of Healthcare Subsidy of Government Polyclinics and Public Hospitals: goo.gl/zgk6ie

    22 Nov 1996 – Report of the Committee of Privileges: Complaint against Representors from the Singapore Democratic Party: goo.gl/xG6ER3

     

    Source: Pritam Singh 

  • Open Letter To Lee Wei Ling And Lee Hsien Yang From Non-PAP Voter: Enough Is Enough

    Open Letter To Lee Wei Ling And Lee Hsien Yang From Non-PAP Voter: Enough Is Enough

    Enough is enough please. This is my final posting ever on this family dispute that should have never gone public, and should either be in the court, or just private.

    Yes, you both seem to be on the Singaporeans side recently. You spoke out against the evil government, and stated your stand that you have lost confidence in your brother, and also in his capacity as the Prime Minister of Singapore.

    Firstly, where were you both, when Singaporeans needed people of immense influence like you both? Where were you both when your own late father tried to fix the opposition figures, and did many things, which may not be as democratic as we want him to be? Now, you appear to be on the side of people who once you never even bothered (at least from the public sphere). We were told you both intended also to bring up this issue during the previous General Elections, but you both did not? Why? Didn’t you say you were on the side of the Singaporeans, and in this case, people who are against such “evil” government? Why now? It is a little too late. I cannot see, feel, or understand the sincerity or genuine concern for Singapore or Singaporeans. I only feel you are doing this for selfish reasons which got nothing to do with Singapore or Singaporeans. You felt the heat like any other who went against the government. Just because you have the luxury of being associated as LKY’s children, does not mean, you will be spared from the same treatment as any other people who are opposing the government. So, please leave the kitchen, if you can’t bear the heat.

    Secondly, how can you both do this to your elder brother? If you feel you are afraid of him, and his misuse of the state’s organs, and you really want to leave Singapore, then leave Singapore. Why bring us into this family dispute? You certainly did not do this for Singapore or Singaporeans. So you should have left Singapore, or go to a Court in Singapore, and settle this. Then, today, you brought up Mdm Ho Ching (a very respectable woman who I admire her humble ways) as someone representing the PMO. Isn’t she also the daughter-in-law of LKY and the wife of the Prime Minister of Singapore? If this is how you both younger siblings behave when you have a family dispute, I can only imagine how bad it could be to be your eldest brother for both of you to turn against him. It is so shameful for all of us Singaporeans, that now, the children of the late LKY are doing this in public and on the world stage. You both may not be politicians or statesmen, but can you think for Singapore and Singaporeans a bit? Your father chose to be the first prime minister of Singapore, and he was so successful that today, we are having these issues because of how inspiring and successful he was as our first Prime Minister. Whether, he manipulated the laws, the media, or whatever, he succeeded to make Singapore what it is today. I always feel so proud of the Singapore he and our pioneering leaders have built. Yes, I never voted for PAP, because I want the government to do more. They have the best people, and they should do even more for the people, and I simply want them to do that. It is like a teacher not wanting to give full marks to a child, because the child is not maximising his potential.

    Thirdly, do you know where your brother live? Can you pay him a visit? Have a cup of tea, play the chinese chess again, and speak to him. I do not think he is such a bad person. Yes I know he at times fixes the opposition, does all the dirty politics, but he is a politician, isn’t he? Most important thing to ask is, did he at least try to do his best for the country? Yes I think he did. His team did, but of course, nobody is perfect. I still cannot understand why the three of you all cannot just sit down in a room, and talk like you three are actually born from the same pair of parents. The most saddening part is, you three are the children of a man, not only I respect and deeply appreciate a lot, but many people around the world do too! When you take this public, for whatever reasons, you are slowly eroding the legacy left behind by your dad. It is sad for him to watch this from above – watching you both going against your eldest brother. I know, yes, PAP government can be “evil” at times. It was worst during LKY and Mr Goh Chok Tong’s tenures as PM. I would say your eldest brother is milder, and he is opening up more, and I would say, even though, this is not the best leadership we have, they have their strengths and weaknesses. For me, I only care for what’s best for Singapore and Singaporeans. The politicians can do the politics as much as they want. PAP is not the only party with undesirable politicians. I can fairly say, all political parties share the same features.

    Lastly, I would rather you both leave Singapore, than to remain in Singapore and do this to Singapore. Do you seriously believe suddenly the government of Singapore is going to change, and suddenly you no longer feel the heat? Do you not know the government of Singapore enough? They already decided everything before they bring out any issue to discuss in Singapore. Now that you are on the receiving end of this government, you want to save us from this government? Sorry. No thanks. I still prefer this government that I am opposing for issues that I think they should work on. The government is not perfect, will never be. Your brother, our Prime Minister, is not perfect, will never be. But at least, he has given his life to politics, what have you both done for Singapore lately? Posting on Facebook information which should be in the court now. Your actions have swung me more to the side of your eldest brother though. Poor him.

    Side Note: I had sent an email to the three siblings, Mr Lee Hsien Loong, Dr Lee Wee Ling and Mr Lee Hsien Yang. Only PM has responded, through the PMO staff that he had received the email. The other two siblings, did not respond. My email was sent with the intention of getting you all three to be a family again. Do you not want to deal this as a family, than this mess? I think highly of your parents’ children. They had a part to play to make this wonderful Singapore. And they I know have raised you three siblings well, and for me to witness this, is breaking my heart into pieces, simply because I am a human being who cares for harmony in a family. What more your family.

    Source: Mohammad Nizam Abdul Kadir