Tag: PAP

Roy Ngerng: Don’t Let The PAP Change The Law On Lee Kuan Yew’s Image Rights To Protect Their Own Interests

Now is the time to make fun of Lee Kuan Yew before they make it illegal. For goodness sake, he is not my founding father.

“We’ve built a nation with our hands, the toil of people from a dozen lands” – this was what the National Day Song in 1990, One People, One Nation, One Singapore, started with.

So before we go all crazy over one man, let’s not forget that it is the hard work of each and every Singaporean that made Singapore happen. And unless we are going to protect each and every Singaporean, there is no need to change the law to protect one single individual, especially not a dead one.

Do you know what this means? This means that in future, if anyone wants to write a book or make a movie to talk about Lee Kuan Yew and the atrocities that he had done, they wouldn’t be able to do so and the PAP can criminalise them if the PAP wants. This law would allow the PAP to whitewash the truth about what Lee Kuan Yew did.

Don’t let the PAP pass or change the law to cover their own ass.

If the PAP so believe in self-reliance, then let’s stop relying on the over-glorification of one man and please start running the country.

There are more important things to do, like reducing poverty and income inequality, and increasing wages for Singaporeans, rather than spend meaningless time evangelising over one man. It’s mortifying.

The man is dead. Dead. For crying out loud.

Source: Roy Ngerng Yi Ling

May 25, 2015
Amos Yee: Singapore Government Sucks But Opposition Also Manipulative

My mother, upon reading what Vincent had done to me, was absolutely horrified and disturbed, contacted Terry Xu of TheOnlineCitizen, to confirm that the moments I had mentioned concerning her in lieu of the Vincent story, was true, and to perhaps express it to the general public.

However, as of now, Terry has yet to reply to my mother, even though he had been prompt in replying to her before, and voluntarily offering to write an article, explaining and showing the true nature of my mother’s police report.

And Roy Ngerng who initially condemned me for my actions towards making molest allegations to Vincent. Now chooses to remain absolutely silent about the affair, after I had revealed the emotional abuse Vincent had inflicted on me.

I asked him if he could assist in helping me confirm that the altercation he witnessed between Vincent and I, when we went to Public Enemy was true. But he refused to do so, still claiming that it’s to protect Vincent from any further harm.

So Roy Ngerng thinks that hiding the truth, is advantageous for Vincent. Ahh… I see now why they are very good friends.

But I think really, the true reason why Terry and Roy have refrained from talking about all of this, is simply because people just don’t like to admit that they have changed their opinions once further evidence have surfaced, because that might indicate that when they made their initial hasty judgement, they were wrong.

And this is the reason, why PAP is able to rule the country for so long.

The government in Singapore really fucking sucks, but then again, the opposition are manipulative too.

Source: Amos Yee

May 19, 2015
Goh Meng Seng: Entry Of People’s Power Party Will Not Divide Opposition Support

Many people show concerns about “multi-corner” fights among Opposition with this formation of new party, People’s Power Party. But let me put it this way, most of the people who are involved in this PPP are not new faces but experienced activists. For those slated as candidates under PPP, either they stand under PPP or other political party. The net number of people participating in the next GE will not be more or less!

Thus, as I have said, don’t worry too much about multi-corner fights even with this new party. This new party will not field too many candidates and most importantly, these are known faces.

Those WP people and supporters somehow have this apprehension about PPP because they think that I will definitely go into 3 corner fights with WP! Some even think that I may just go and contest in Aljunied GRC since WP is now facing confidence crisis over there. I can safely tell you guys that I am not someone who will rob the victims when there is a fire.

But I can foresee that WP may go into a lot of multi-corner fights because of its expansion plan. i.e. if they increase their number of candidates, it may just be inevitable that they will clash with other opposition parties. I sincerely hope not but apparently, this is unavoidable. I hope PPP will not be involved in such contests.

PPP is formed basically because we do not want to DISRUPT other existing party’s management. Most of us have been through the difficult times of integration when different groups of people come into one party. We do not want to waste energy and time on such matters again.

Secondly, we have to agree with PAP Minister Masagos that all political parties in Singapore do not have strong philosophical and political ideological grounding. PPP will not disappoint him in that sense.

Last but not least, we are seeing worrying signs which are working against opposition as a whole. The tightening of internet and new media space, with the never ending Town Council saga eroding voters’ confidence in opposition as a whole. We hope to re-establish the lost confidence by doing our part in making sure that our selection of candidates are worthy ones.

I hope the above will address some of the unwarranted concerns that most opposition supporters have.

Source: Goh Meng Seng

May 19, 2015
MND: Most Wiling To Pay More Than Average Price Of Flats
In a recent survey of nearly 1,500 residents, MND said it showed that majority of prospective flat buyers are willing to pay more than the current average prices.

However, the survey also showed that people continue to view the new BTO flats as expensive. The survey was conducted in November last year.

Last year, the average price of a 4-room HDB flat in a non-mature estate was $295,000. Eighty per cent went for under $350,000.

MND said a third of the respondents did not know how much such flats cost, while 40% overestimated the price. The most common estimate MND said, was between $300,001 and $400,000 for a 4-room unit.

That estimated price range was higher than the average $295,000, MND said.

The survey also found that those who intend to buy a flat in the next 1 to 2 years are willing to pay as much as or more than actual BTO prices in non-mature estates:
- 3-room flats (avg price $186,000 in 2014) – 58% willing to pay more than $200,000
- 4-room flats (avg price $295,000 in 2014) – 61% willing to pay more than $300,000
- 5-room flats (avg price $391,000 in 2014) – 51% willing to pay more than $400,000
However, it’s not known if MND is aware that a person willing to pay more does not necessarily mean he is happy to do so. The 2 matters are not the same.

In any case, the better approach to measure affordability of a flat is to take the ratio of the price of the flat over the annual household income of the owners.

Many BTO HDB flats still remain unaffordable

After Mr Khaw Boon Wan took over the job as National Development Minister from Mah Bow Tan in 2011, Mr Khaw told Parliament that more would be done to reduce BTO flat prices relative to income, so as to reduce the financial burden of housing on the young. He said [Link]:

“Many are now clamoring for the HDB to return to basics and its original mission of helping Singaporeans own a basic home. But what does ‘returning to basics’ mean?

The primary mission of HDB to offer an affordable flat for the majority of Singaporeans will remain unchanged. Fortunately this is within our control as we set BTO prices and HDB is the largest housing developer.

We have stopped BTO prices from rising by delinking them from resale prices. We can now pause and see what else we can do to bring BTO prices in non-mature estates to, say, around 4 years of (annual) salaryas it was before the current property cycle started.

One thing is clear. We are committed to restoring and maintaining the affordability of new HDB flats to the vast majority of first-timer Singaporean households. Their Singapore Dream of owning their own flats, like their parents’, is safe. We will make sure of that.”

Note that Mr Khaw used the term “restoring” the affordability of new HDB BTO flats, which implies that in his predecessor’s time (i.e. Mah Bow Tan), the HDB BTO flats were already unaffordable.

In the 70′s, a graduate’s starting pay was around $1,000 per month. Then, in Marine Parade HDB estate, the price of a new 3-room, 4-room and 5-room flat was $17,000, $20,000 and $35,000 respectively. A young graduate could easily afford a 5-room flat at a Price-to-Annual Income Ratio, also known as the Affordability Ratio (AR), of slightly under 3 (i.e. 3 years of annual income to match the price of the house). Even households earning $500 a month could easily afford a 3-room flat priced at $17,000 (AR under 3).

The World Bank considers a ratio of 5 or under as affordable for local residents, while the United Nations has set the bar lower, at 3 (see Link). In any case, anything above 5 is considered unaffordable by both the World Bank and the United Nations.

By 1990, the average price of a new 5-room flat was $70,000 and a young graduate earned about $2,000 a month. The AR then was still under 3 – very affordable.

Examining the affordability of current new HDB BTO launches

TRE took the opportunity to examine the affordability of new HDB BTO flats launched in November last year. A total of 7,568 flats were launched by HDB for sale in a mix of mature and non-mature towns on 25 Nov 2014 [Link]. This was HDB’s final sales exercise for 2014.

Sembawang Sun Breeze

Typical 2-room (I):
- Nett selling price less grants = $30,000
- Applicants’ median monthly household income = $1,600
- Price to annual household income = 1.6
Typical 2-room (II):
- Nett selling price less grants = $50,000
- Applicants’ median monthly household income = $1,600
- Price to annual household income = 2.6
Typical 3-room:
- Nett selling price less grants = $115,000
- Applicants’ median monthly household income = $2,500
- Price to annual household income = 3.8
Typical 4-room:
- Nett selling price less grants = $240,000
- Applicants’ median monthly household income = $4,200
- Price to annual household income = 4.8
Sengkang Anchovale Fields

Typical 2-room (I):
- Nett selling price less grants = $45,000
- Applicants’ median monthly household income = $1,600
- Price to annual household income = 2.3
Typical 2-room (II):
- Nett selling price less grants = $70,000
- Applicants’ median monthly household income = $1,600
- Price to annual household income = 3.6
Typical 3-room:
- Nett selling price less grants = $135,000
- Applicants’ median monthly household income = $2,500
- Price to annual household income = 4.5
Typical 4-room:
- Nett selling price less grants = $270,000
- Applicants’ median monthly household income = $4,200
- Price to annual household income = 5.4
Yishun

Typical 2-room (I):
- Nett selling price less grants = $30,000
- Applicants’ median monthly household income = $1,600
- Price to annual household income = 1.6
Typical 2-room (II):
- Nett selling price less grants = $45,000
- Applicants’ median monthly household income = $1,600
- Price to annual household income = 2.3
Typical 3-room:
- Nett selling price less grants = $115,000
- Applicants’ median monthly household income = $2,500
- Price to annual household income = 3.8
Typical 4-room:
- Nett selling price less grants = $240,000
- Applicants’ median monthly household income = $4,200
- Price to annual household income = 4.8
Typical 2-room (I):
- Nett selling price less grants = $30,000
- Applicants’ median monthly household income = $1,600
- Price to annual household income = 1.6
Typical 2-room (II):
- Nett selling price less grants = $50,000
- Applicants’ median monthly household income = $1,600
- Price to annual household income = 2.6
Typical 3-room:
- Nett selling price less grants = $115,000
- Applicants’ median monthly household income = $2,500
- Price to annual household income = 3.8
Typical 4-room:
- Nett selling price less grants = $235,000
- Applicants’ median monthly household income = $4,200
- Price to annual household income = 4.7
Conclusion

For 2-room and 3-room BTO flats in Sembawang and Yishun, they are considered affordable at 4 years of applicants’ median annual salary or less. However, for 4-room flats, the AR is 4.7 to 4.8, way above Mr Khaw’s own target of 4.

In this case, 4-room BTO flats should be priced around $201,600 (4 x $4,200 x 12) instead of the current $235,000 to $240,000 in Sembawang and Yishun (i.e, prices after grants).

For Sengkang, the situation is worse. 2-room flats are priced below AR of 4 but 3-room and 4-room flats have ratios of 4.5 and 5.4 respectively, again, above Mr Khaw’s own target of 4.

In fact, Sengkang 4-room BTO flats (AR of 5.4) are considered unaffordable by the standards laid down by the World Bank and the United Nations. Sengkang 4-room flats, instead of selling for $270,000 (after grants), ought to be selling at $201,600 (4 x $4,200 x 12). They are overpriced by 34%.

One can only conclude that Mr Khaw has yet to fulfill his promise of bringing down ALL the BTO prices in non-mature estates to 4 years of annual salary, especially for first-time Singaporean buyers. The middle-income group appears to be squeezed by the higher new HDB flat prices for 4-room and above. For mature estates, the AR of new BTO flats would naturally be even worse.

So, regardless of what MND is trying to say in its recent survey, the fact of the the matter is, new BTO flats remain expensive and not affordable even by Mr Khaw’s own measure, generally speaking.

Source: www.tremeritus.com
May 18, 2015
Chee Soon Juan: I Call Upon Lee Hsien Loong To Lead With Courage And Wisdom In Amos Yee Saga

Mr Amos Yee’s video and his prosecution has grabbed the attention of Singaporeans, evoking strong emotions among many people.

Amos’ remarks must have hurt PM Lee Hsien Loong deeply. After all, Lee Kuan Yew was the PM’s father and no one enjoys having their loved ones criticised, especially at a time when one is still grieving and in the manner in which it was done. Amos’ video was offensive and ill-advised.

But this is where we need leadership to come through. Mr Lee is not an ordinary citizen. He is the leader of the country. Difficult as it may be, he must separate his personal feelings from his public ones.

Clearly, there are laws that empower the state to prosecute the teenager. But life’s lessons impart to us that just because we can, it doesn’t mean that we should.

Amos, as it has been repeatedly pointed out, is still a teenager and as teenagers go, so goes all the emotional complexities that adolescence brings.

As parents, we must seek to influence and mould rather than proscribe and punish. Our instinct must be to coax the best out of our children whatever their talents and frailties. As leaders, should we act any differently towards our youths?

From his Facebook posts, Amos seems to be undergoing a complex time in his development. He is undoubtedly endowed with exceptional talent. We should also recognise that he is not a hardened, let alone common, criminal deserving of shackles and imprisonment. For all his precociousness, he is still a child who needs guidance.

Given the situation, the state should provide Amos and his parents assistance rather than make life more difficult for them.

In the bigger picture, how we deal with youths like Amos – and there is a rapidly growing number among the younger generation who are frustrated with the current political system – will determine how we progress as a nation.

If all we are intent on is to shut our youths up by prosecuting and imprisoning them, then we are creating a dangerous situation for ourselves. We will rue the missed opportunity to bring them into public process and harness their intellect and exuberance if we hope to progress.

It is imperative that this Government deals with the emerging situation with greater sophistication than it has demomstrated thus far. To do this, we need more discussion and nuanced conversation, not prosecution.

As for Amos’ comments on Christianity, there are many in the SDP who are Christians and we are not offended by the video. Neither do we wish to see Amos prosecuted for his views – our faiths are not so shallow as to punish a boy for criticising it.

It is, therefore, incomprehensible to see the state media mischievously suggest that it was the SDP who had influenced Amos to make his video. It is such kind of irresponsible journalism that causes national discord.

If the PAP is offended by Amos’ words, then I would like to remind it that I have been called worse things, much of it by Lee Kuan Yew himself. I choose not to harbour any grudge for a burdened heart cannot truly serve the people.

In this vein, I call on the Prime Minister to step up and lead. With courage and wisdom.

Source: Chee Soon Juan

May 11, 2015