Rilek1Corner

Tag: MInister

  • Commentary: PE2017 Experience Leaves One With A Bitter Aftertaste. What A Shame She Wasn’t Allowed To Fight A Fair Fight

    Commentary: PE2017 Experience Leaves One With A Bitter Aftertaste. What A Shame She Wasn’t Allowed To Fight A Fair Fight

    As Halimah Yaacob thanked her supporters for waiting for her under the hot sun, someone yelled something I couldn’t catch and she laughed. It wasn’t forced or rehearsed. It was one of the few times I saw a Singaporean politician being natural. And I thought, what a shame.

    As the camera panned to a group of makciks laughing along with her, looking so happy and proud as if thinking, yes, one of us made it. And I thought, what a shame.

    As hashtags of #notmypresident popped up online, the trolls gleefully bash their keyboards, making fun of her for selling nasi padang because that’s so Melayu. And I thought, what a shame.

    What a shame that this capable woman wasn’t allowed to fight a fair fight, that the odds were placed so ever in her favor that her presidency was seen as a sure thing, was tainted, even before she threw her name in the ring.

    It’ll be interesting to see if history will gloss over the details of how she became President. 20 years from now, articles will be written and documentaries will be made about how she was the first Malay (?) female (hijab-wearing at that!) to be president – how she started out with the trade unions and worked her way up to be an MP, how she was a beloved MP for her constituency, how she became the first female Speaker and then eventually the President.

    For me, I’ll remember the acute anger and disappointment of how this came to be. Of how the G insisted that the Malay community wanted a Malay president so they were just giving what the people wanted. Of how arrogant the G was to say that they were willing to pay the political price – because they think 4 years is long enough to make us forget, because come 2021, there will be an onslaught of goodies to succumb to.

    I once asked my mom if she ever felt disappointed that my sister and I are not high-flyers and hold ordinary jobs. She said no and after a pause she said, “But I wouldn’t mind if one of you became a Minister.” I just hope if that ever happens, she won’t be thinking, “What a shame.”

     

    Source: Junaini Johari

  • Minister Koh Poh Koon Say Water And Other Rising Costs Set To Have Only “Small Impact” On Inflation

    Minister Koh Poh Koon Say Water And Other Rising Costs Set To Have Only “Small Impact” On Inflation

    Recent adjustments to water and carpark prices may contribute to a “temporary increase” in inflation, but any impact is expected to be “small”, said Minister of State for Trade and Industry Koh Poh Koon.

    Dr Koh said the various price adjustments will contribute around 0.2 percentage points to inflation this year. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has projected prices to be higher this year than they were last year, with the consumer price index (CPI) to come in at 0.5 to 1.5 per cent.

    Dr Koh said the main driver of the increase in prices this year is the expected increase in the price of electricity and “other energy-related components” such as petrol. This, he said, comes against a backdrop of increases in global oil prices.

    Dr Koh was asked by MP for Chua Chu Kang GRC Zaqy Mohamad if the increase in water, electricity, transport and carpark prices would impact inflation and to what extent. Mr Zaqy said his residents have voiced concern on the “slew of government announcements” of such increases.

    “Does the Ministry proactively monitor this and coordinate with agencies so that we can smoothen the impact in anticipation of some of these potential increases that we know … for example the energy prices you mentioned? Could we have smoothened some of these increases as well to make it more affordable for citizens?” Mr Zaqy asked.

    Dr Koh said the Government takes price increases seriously and wherever possible, will smooth out increases although he said it is difficult as oil and gas prices are not within the Government’s control. These will have to be adjusted when prices fluctuate.

    But he said for households receiving the GST Utilities-Save (U-Save) vouchers, the impact of inflation will be much less. That is because rebates are not included in the calculation of CPI.

     

    Rilek1Corner

    Source: http://www.channelnewsasia.com

  • Shanmugam: Trust The Govt To Be Efficient With Its Use Of Money

    Shanmugam: Trust The Govt To Be Efficient With Its Use Of Money

    As the Government spends more in areas such as healthcare, it also needs more revenue, said Home Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam at a dialogue with residents on Sunday (March 5).

    “Money is not going to come from the sky… We have to pay for what we use, and we just have to trust the Government to be efficient with its use of the money,” he said.

    He was responding to a resident’s question about what would happen if the Government received less net investment income than what was projected.

    The resident was one of about 160 women who attended a health talk organised by Nee Soon GRC, in collaboration with the National Healthcare Group Polyclinics, to mark International Women’s Day on Wednesday (March 8).

    Mr Shanmugam and Nee Soon GRC MP Lee Bee Wah spoke about the Budget 2017 announcements before the health talk.

    Mr Shanmugam added: “As a family, you have to spend less than what you earn. As a country, we have to learn to spend less than what we have. With all the rising costs and rising expenditure, we need to look at where the extra money (needed) is going to come from.”

    He also explained the need for the 30 per cent increase in water tariffs – the first in 17 years – which was announced last month.

    He pointed out that one- and two-room HDB households will not see any nett increase at all, while for most other HDB flats, the nett increase will only be between $2 and $11 per month.

    During the health talk, residents learnt how to manage their food intake and exercise, to stay healthy even as they age. Ms Lee said: “Women are the centres of many workplaces, families and communities, but they can only do so if they stay healthy. I hope this talk (provides) our female residents the information to protect themselves against diseases, and live a happy and long life.”

     

    Source: ST

  • Martyn See: Did K Shanmugam Make An Illegal Party Political Film?

    Martyn See: Did K Shanmugam Make An Illegal Party Political Film?

    Did Law Minister K. Shanmugam make an illegal party political film?

    Dear K. Shanmugam,

    On the 10th of May 2015, you uploaded a video entitled “A Day in the Life of a Minister”, which features a camera crew tracking your activity of the day. It was an unscripted video shot and edited in the style of a reality-TV programme.

    You stated that the 12-minute long video was made by “volunteers”. By that, one would assume that this is not a government-sponsored production. As such, may I inform you that this video is not exempted under section 40 of the Films Act and therefore in possible violation of section 33 which criminalises “party political films”, the penalties of which are a fine not exceeding $100,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years.

    I cite the following clauses of the Films Act relevant to “A Day in the Life of a Minister”.

    “Party political film” means a film —

    (a) which is an advertisement made by or on behalf of any political party in Singapore or any body whose objects relate wholly or mainly to politics in Singapore, or any branch of such party or body; or

    (b) which is made by any person and directed towards any political end in Singapore;

    For the purposes of this Act, a film is directed towards a political end in Singapore if the film —

    (a) contains wholly or partly any matter which, in the opinion of the Board, is intended or likely to affect voting in any election or national referendum in Singapore; or

    (b) contains wholly or partly references to or comments on any political matter which, in the opinion of the Board, are either partisan or biased; and “political matter” includes but is not limited to any of the following:

    (i) an election or a national referendum in Singapore;

    (ii) a candidate or group of candidates in an election;

    (iii) an issue submitted or otherwise before electors in an election or a national referendum in Singapore;

    (iv) the Government or a previous Government or the opposition to the Government or previous Government;

    (v) a Member of Parliament;

    (vi) a current policy of the Government or an issue of public controversy in Singapore; or

    (vii) a political party in Singapore or any body whose objects relate wholly or mainly to politics in Singapore, or any branch of such party or body.

    None of the following films shall be regarded for the purposes of this Act as a party political film:

    (e) a documentary film without any animation and composed wholly of an accurate account depicting actual events, persons (deceased or otherwise) or situations, but not a film —

    (i) wholly or substantially based on unscripted or “reality” type programmes; or

    (ii) that depicts those events, persons or situations in a dramatic way;

    Exemptions

    40. —(1) This Act shall not apply to —

    (a) any film sponsored by the Government;

    (b) any film, not being an obscene film or a party political film or any feature, commercial, documentary or overseas television serial film, which is made by an individual and is not intended for distribution or public exhibition; and

    (c) any film reproduced from local television programmes and is not intended for distribution or public exhibition.

    (2) The Minister may, subject to such conditions as he thinks fit, exempt any person or class of persons or any film or class of films from all or any of the provisions of this Act.

    (3) An exemption granted under this section may be withdrawn at any time.

    I put it to you that the video “A Day in the Life of a Minister” may constitute an illegal ‘party political film’ under section 33 of the Films Act because :

    1. It is an advertisement made by or on behalf of a political party in Singapore whose objects relate wholly or mainly to politics in Singapore.

    2. It is made by a person and directed towards a political end in Singapore – by featuring a Member of Parliament.

    3. It is a film that is substantially based on unscripted and “reality” type programmes, and it also contains dramatic elements.

    4. It is not a government-sponsored film.

    Of course, the Minister may opt to exercise section 40 of the Films Act to exempt your film from the Act.

    In the interest of upholding transparency in the application of the Rule of Law in Singapore, this letter will be made public. I look forward to your reply on this matter.

    Yours sincerely,
    See Tong Ming

    The above was emailed to K. Shanmugam on 11 May.

     

    Source: Martyn See

  • Malay And Muslim Community Leaders Happy With Promotion For Masagos Zukifli

    Malay And Muslim Community Leaders Happy With Promotion For Masagos Zukifli

    Malay and Muslim community leaders yesterday welcomed news of Mr Masagos Zulkifli’s promotion to full minister, the first time there are two Malay members of Cabinet.

    Mr Masagos, 51, will be sworn in as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs today. He has been Senior Minister of State in both ministries since 2012.

    Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said of his promotion: “It is the first time we are having two Malay full ministers, which reflects the progress of the Malay community.”

    Communications and Information Minister Yaacob Ibrahim, who is also Minister- in-charge of Muslim Affairs, said: “I am happy that Masagos has been promoted to a full minister.”

    Association of Muslim Professionals chairman Azmoon Ahmad said the promotion is further proof that “Malays can stand tall in this meritocratic nation”.

    “It will create impetus for the community and encourage us and give us the confidence that Malays can succeed,” he added.

    Former Nominated MP and political watcher Zulkifli Baharudin said the appointment debunks the long-held idea in some quarters that there could be only one Malay minister. The move shows “we have moved forward, progress has been made”.

    Mr Masagos told The Straits Times that having two Malay full ministers for the first time in the nation’s history “reflects the trust and recognition the Government has on the good progress made by the Malay/Muslim community”.

    “However, our value system puts meritocracy above all when appointments are made. That gives us the assurance that appointment is based on merit, not favour,” he added.

    “It’s a good system that ensures confidence and respect for whoever is appointed.”

    Mr Masagos was chief executive officer of Singtel Global Offices before he entered politics in 2006. He was also a respected community leader, chairing Muslim welfare group Perdaus, and starting its humanitarian offshoot Mercy Relief.

    After the 2006 General Election, he was appointed Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Education, and later for Home Affairs as well. In 2010, he was promoted to Minister of State, and the following year, gave up his Education portfolio for Foreign Affairs.

    He became Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs in August 2012.

    Fellow MPs were not surprised at his promotion, citing his diligence and commitment to the job. He has been actively involved in the fight against drugs and extremism, among others. He chairs a multi-agency task force that tackles youth drug abuse, and led a Singapore delegation to the White House Summit on Countering Violent Extremism in February this year.

    His promotion also means there are now two second ministers at Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs.

    Mr Hri Kumar Nair, who heads the Government Parliamentary Committee (GPC) for Home Affairs and Law, said it was good to have three full ministers for a key portfolio like Home Affairs. He noted Mr Masagos’ work in reshaping the rehabilitation systems for prisoners and drug offenders.

    Mr Alex Yam, deputy chairman of the GPC for Defence and Foreign Affairs, said as a small country, Singapore placed a lot of emphasis on good relationships with neighbours and partners.

    “Mr Masagos has established a wealth of contacts. His role as Second Minister will give additional clout when he negotiates on behalf of Singapore,” he added.

    BACKGROUND STORY

    MERITOCRACY AT WORK

    It would seem apparent that the Malay community would celebrate having two full ministers in the Cabinet for the first time, but this is also how Singapore runs on the basis of meritocracy.

    That you get the post, and are rewarded for your performance and contributions because of the impact you have made. Not because you are close to a particular person or that you are the son of somebody.

    This is important because it gives you the credibility to the people you serve as well as your colleagues. And I’m glad that this is the system that we have.

    – Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Masagos Zulkifli on meritocracy

     

    Source: www.straitstimes.com