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Tag: minority

  • Deepavali vs Diwali Debate Explains Singaporean Tamils’ Unhappiness With Foreigner Influx

    Deepavali vs Diwali Debate Explains Singaporean Tamils’ Unhappiness With Foreigner Influx

    A Channel NewsAsia’s Deepavali special got my attention today for two reasons. One the news presenter said: “Deepavali also known as Diwali”, and secondly because the presenter also referred to Deepavali as a “Hindu New Year”.

    (You can view the entire segment here: http://bit.ly/2e3oc2T)

    Just like a friend who commented on my Facebook post on the topic, I too have an issue with our national broadcaster needing to translate Deepavali (as it is said in Tamil) into Diwali.

    My friend said: “Tamil is one of our National Languages. I would rather they stick to Deepavali. I am not Tamil myself but grew up with it. I know many don’t see it the way we do and that is their right, But i would like the media to stick with Deepavali.”

    I think my friend is absolutely right when she added: “I don’t think the sudden use of Diwali has anything to do with the considerations of the Singapore bred North Indians…It has to do with the new citizens from North India who have come here.”

    Responding to my post, another friend asked if it was offensive to say ‘seng jia jiu yi’ instead of ‘xing nian kwai le’ (Happy Chinese New Year). I think it is different.
    2Yet another friend chimed in and said that CNA did mention ‘Deepavali’ as well as ‘Diwali’ and so it is ok. He said that if an organisation totally replaces ‘Deepavali’ with ‘Diwali’ it would be wrong and that Jurong Point Shopping Centre has done precisely that.

    Considering that Jurong has Tharman Shanmugaratnam as its anchor-Minister for the constituency, I am surprised that Jurong Point Shopping Centre has done that.

    Some in the Singaporean Tamil community have felt unhappy and sidelined by the non-inclusion of Tamil in certain prominent spaces (like the Changi Airport), which has also made international news. CNA’s production has got to be called out at least for that – because if we keep quiet then it may be accepted as a norm.

    My friend Gangasudhan writing on the same topic last year said that he felt like a second class citizen in his own country.

    “In recent days, many in the Tamil community have had their panties in a bunch because some shopping centres and even Changi Airport have started putting up Christmas decor even though Deepavali is right around the corner – in other words, not a single F was given for this festive occasion. While there is good reason to feel marginalised by this callous attitude in multiracial Singapore that champions racial harmony – complete with a special day each year to wear ‘costumes’ and ‘celebrate’, I am surprised that anyone is surprised by this.”

    The larger issue of course is how uninformed the majority in Singapore is despite 50-years of the Government promoting multi-racialism and multiculturalism. If the national broadcaster can be confused if Deepavali is a Hindu New Year, is it any wonder that local websites like The Smart Local will try and tease a laughter out of its audience by comparing laddoo (a popular Indian sweet) to diarrhoea?

    Yes CNA, Even if the Marwari, Gujarati, and Nepali of the Indian community celebrate their new year around Deepavali they are not the majority even in India.

    Deepavali is not a Hindu New year.

     

    Source: http://theindependent.sg

  • Former Journalist Ismail Kassim: PAP Should Nominate Strong Minority Candidate For Upcoming Presidential Elections, Not Amend Constitution To Stifle Competition

    Former Journalist Ismail Kassim: PAP Should Nominate Strong Minority Candidate For Upcoming Presidential Elections, Not Amend Constitution To Stifle Competition

    A note to PM

    Dear Prime Minister

    By now you ought to know how divisive your proposal to amend the EP system has become. I cannot think of any issue in the last three decades that has caused such a wide and deep division within the electorate.

    The tragedy is that your aim to ensure that members from minority communities too have a chance at becoming an EP is commendable, and has its merits.

    Unfortunately, the way and timing of your move have also prompted considerable misgivings over your real motive:

    Is it really to ensure minority representation or is it to prevent an independent-minded citizen from being elected EP in 2017?

    Because of suspicions and emotions aroused over motive, it has become very difficult, even for those in the middle ground, to look at the proposed changes in a calm and objective manner.

    And any rush to implement a system that is deemed unfair may have adverse repercussions on the EP itself.

    Reserving the post for a particular minority is fundamentally flawed and goes against the grain of multiracialism and meritocracy. Likewise, the obsession with higher qualifications without giving due weight to strength of character and integrity is both elitist and undemocratic.

    Will any good arise from foisting a minority candidate in a closed race open only to members from that community on the nation; in all likelihood too, it is likely to become a farce, reminiscent of a past EP election, when a businessman was forced to compete to give the semblance of a democratic race.

    Such an EP is unlikely to command wide respect, and in all probability will be regarded as a ‘kayu’ (wood) by significant sections of the people, including members from his own community.

    There is still time for you to salvage the situation; just make sure that whatever changes that will be adopted will not come into effect in the 2017 presidential election.

    In this way, your protestations that they are not aimed against any individual will instantly become more credible.

    The minority community that has not yet produced an EP for the last 47 years will not mind waiting a little longer.

    As far as I know, they have grumbled over a lot of things such as continuing discrimination in the military and national service for their males and the unfair banning of their tudung-clad females from becoming nurses and policewomen.

    But over the EP, there is none.

    The PAP, notwithstanding its faults, is a great party with a sterling record.

    If you feel strongly, you should nominate a minority for the coming EP and use all the powers at your disposal to get him elected.

    If you think it is too risky, you can always field a stronger candidate. There is someone with impeccable credentials from your ranks who cannot become PM because of his ethnic origins. I think he will be unbeatable in any contest.

    These are the heroic options, which a party with a solid reputation to protect, should choose.

    Do not stoop so low now as to amend the Constitution out of fear, just to exclude opponents and independent-minded citizens.

    So Mr Prime Minister, I hope you will reconsider all your options, and choose one that will unite the people, and not divide them further.

    Ismail Kassim
    14th November 2016

     

    Source: Ismail Kassim

  • Andrew Loh: Forget Presidency, Why Has There Never Been Malay DPM?

    Andrew Loh: Forget Presidency, Why Has There Never Been Malay DPM?

    With the government expressing concerns that we may not have a minority-race Elected President if the current election laws are not tweaked, here is another similar concern – but this time regarding the position of deputy prime minister.

    In post-Independence Singapore, we have had 11 DPMs.

    And here is the interesting thing, the 11 have been:

    8 Chinese.
    3 Indians.
    0 Malay.
    0 Eurasian.

    Lee Kuan Yew’s Cabinet had one Indian DPM – S Rajaratnam.

    Goh Chok Tong’s Cabinet had no minority-race DPM.

    Lee Hsien Loong’s Cabinet has had 2 Indian DPMs – S Jayakumar and Tharman Shanmugaratnam.

    But all have not had any Malay as DPM.

    Is it a concern? Should it be a concern?

    In this era, it seems race and religion have taken on more prominence, and perhaps also more importance.

    While the PAP itself may rationalise its way out of why Singapore is not ready for a non-Chinese Prime Minister, how about a Malay DPM?

    Or has there never been a Malay minister deemed capable enough to be DPM – in all of our 51 years?

    Maybe something to think about?

     

    Source: Andrew Loh

  • 7 Things You Should Know About S R Nathan

    7 Things You Should Know About S R Nathan

    S.R. Nathan to some Singaporeans, was characterised as the unassuming man minding his own business on a park bench. Photo by Alwin Lim

    He was anything but.

    Things you should know about the late S.R. Nathan:

    1) He worked for the Japanese during the Japanese Occupation.

    So he knew first hand how much it sucked to work for bosses you think might kill you any other day. During the Japanese Occupation, Mr S.R. Nathan worked for the Japanese Civilian Police as a translator. It takes guts to go in to work everyday under those circumstances and Mr Nathan had plenty, as we will talk about next.

    2) He’s actually a hero.

    No exaggeration. We all know this by now. Not just a regular hero. He volunteered to lead the team. At the time of the ferry hijacking, he was the Director of Security and Intelligence Division. The Director. But this is S.R. Nathan we are talking about. He wasn’t going to just send a team in. The man led by example. He volunteered to go.

    3) He didn’t get to finish school before he had to start working.

    What is your excuse? Too difficult to manage work and study? S.R Nathan had to start working before he could finish school but is something like a war going to throw Mr Nathan off his tracks? No way. After the war, he completed his secondary education via distance learning with Oxford while working. Yes you read that right. Before computers were even a thing, Mr Nathan completed his secondary school education via a correspondence course. He then went on to graduate with a Diploma in Social Studies with a distinction in 1954 from the University of Malaya. So again, what’s your excuse?

    4) He made mistakes too.

    Mr. Nathan made mistakes growing up too, but they did not stop him from having an illustrious career his whole life. Sure, it may sound like your typical rags-to-riches story, but why is this story different? He didn’t care for being rich. After his father committed suicide when he was 8, Mr. Nathan went wayward for a couple of years, running away from home, getting expelled for school, even living on the streets for awhile. Eventually he would find work as an office boy and drift from job to job, working as a postman, a hawker’s assistant and even a tuition teacher. He had help along the way, and this was probably the reason why he saw how important it was to help others less fortunate. He learnt it first hand. There are many many stories of how Mr. Nathan helped his colleagues and friends to put their kids through school and find them jobs upon graduation.

    5) He started the President’s Challenge.

    In 2000, he started the President’s Challenge and in 11 years, it had raised more than S$100 million. More than 500 organizations are beneficiaries. He also co-founded SINDA.

    6) He had to be asked to be a Presidential Candidate.

    The Late Mr. Lee Kuan Yew and several others had to ask Mr. Nathan to run for office. Everyone says he only became President because he was the only candidate. We think he became President because everyone unanimously agreed he was the right man for the job.

    7) The next time you hear somebody say S.R Nathan was a useless fella, you can refer this list of accolades to them.

    Career timeline
    1940–1941: Office boy and various odd jobs
    Feb 1955–Mar 1956: Almoner, Medical Department, Singapore General Hospital
    Mar 1956–1962: Seamen’s Welfare Officer, Marine Department
    Jan 1962–Jan 1964: Assistant director, Labour Research Unit
    Jan 1964–Jan 1966: Director, Labour Research Unit
    Jan 1966–Apr 1988: Member, board of trustees, Labour Research Unit
    Feb 1966–Jan 1971: Assistant secretary; later deputy secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
    Jan 1971–Aug 1971: Acting permanent secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs
    Aug 1971–Feb 1979: Director, Security and Intelligence Division, Ministry of Defence
    1973–1986: Chairman, Mitsubishi Singapore Heavy Industries (Pte) Ltd
    Feb 1979–Feb 1982: First permanent secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
    1980–1988: Director, Singapore National Oil Company
    1982–1988: Director, New Nation Publishing Bhd
    1982–1988: Director, Times Publishing Bhd
    Jan 1982–May 1983: Chairman, Hindu Advisory Board
    Feb 1982– Apr 1988: Executive Chairman, Straits Times Press (1975) Ltd, and concurrently director of Singapore Press Holdings Ltd from December 1985 to April 1988
    1983–1988: Director, Times Business Publications Ltd
    1983–1988: Director, Singapore Mint Pte Ltd, London
    May 1983–Apr 1988: Chairman, Hindu Endowments Board
    1984–1988: Director, The Times of Singapore Pte Ltd
    1985–1988: Director, Marshall Cavendish Ltd
    1986–1988: Director, The Straits Times Press (London) Ltd
    1986–1988: Director, The Times Press Foundation (Singapore) Pte Ltd
    Aug 1991–Aug 1999: Founding member and term trustee of Singapore Indian Development Association
    Apr 1988–Jul 1990: High commissioner to Malaysia
    Jul 1990–Jun 1996: Ambassador to the United States
    1996–1999: Director, Singapore International Media Pte Ltd
    Jul 1996: Appointed pro-chancellor, National University of Singapore
    Jul 1996–Aug 1999: Ambassador-at-large
    Jul 1996–Aug 1999: Director, Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies (now known as the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies), Nanyang Technological University
    1997–1999: Member, board of governors, Civil Service College
    1 Sep 1999–31 Aug 2011: President of Singapore; concurrently chancellor, National University of Singapore

    “I’ve done the best I can. If it’s good enough for some people, fine. If it’s not good enough for some people, and there will always be noise in the environment, you can’t stop it. You don’t do it because you want to leave a legacy. You do the best you can.” – S. R. Nathan

    You did Sir. You were outstanding.

    #WeAreMajulah

     

    Source: Syabab SG

  • State Funeral For Former President S R Nathan On Friday

    State Funeral For Former President S R Nathan On Friday

    The late former President S R Nathan will receive a State Funeral on Friday (Aug 26), announced the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) after he passed away on Monday.

    In a statement, the PMO said: “The Government has accepted the wishes of the late Mr S R Nathan and his family in making the following funeral arrangements. The Government will provide all the necessary assistance.

    “As a mark of respect to Mr Nathan, the State flag on all Government buildings will be flown at half-mast from Tuesday, Aug 23, to Friday, Aug 26, 2016.”

    The body of the late Mr Nathan will lie in state at Parliament House from 10am on Thursday, Aug 25 to 12.00pm on Friday, Aug 26.

    In its statement, the PMO said the public can pay their last respects at Parliament House from 10.00am to 8.00pm on Thursday, Aug 25. On Friday, Aug 26, members of the diplomatic corps and other officials can pay their last respects from 9.00am till 12.00pm.

    A State Funeral Service will take place from 4.00 pm on Friday, Aug 26, at the University Cultural Centre (NUS). It will be attended by Mr Nathan’s family, friends and former colleagues, the President, Cabinet Ministers, MPs, civil servants as well as Singaporeans from all walks of life.

    The State Funeral Service will be followed by a private cremation at Mandai Crematorium.

    Condolence boards will be available at Istana for those who want to pen tributes to the late Mr Nathan from tomorrow morning at 6.00 am. Condolence books will also be opened at all Overseas Missions for overseas Singaporeans and friends.

    The PMO added that the public can express their condolences and share their memories of Mr Nathan at the official website, http://www.remembering.sg/srnathan and/or the Remembering S R Nathan Facebook page.

    The public can call the hotline at 6336-1166 with queries, or visit http://www.remembering.sg/srnathan or the Remembering S R Nathan Facebook page for more details, the PMO said.

     

    Source: www.channelnewsasia.com