Tag: parliament

Senior Civil Servant Resigns, Hints At Entering Politics

The Second Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), Mr Chee Hong Tat, has indicated that he is leaving the civil service to enter politics in the coming general election.

The 41-year-old, whose resignation was announced yesterday, told The Straits Times: “I hope to have the opportunity to continue serving Singapore and Singaporeans.”

In response to whether he was leaving to enter politics, he said that he enjoyed public sector work. “I find it is very meaningful.”

The Public Service Division, in announcing his departure, said his last day of work is Aug 11.

Public servants are required to resign before they can enter politics, so they are traditionally the last to be unveiled as election candidates by political parties.

The announcement of Mr Chee’s exit from the civil service came ahead of a meeting of People’s Action Party (PAP) branch secretaries from across the island at the party headquarters in Bedok last night.

Though they meet regularly, sources told The Straits Times that last night’s meeting had a decidedly election feel.

For example, the branch secretaries – the men and women who run ground operations in the PAP’s 87 branches – were told by party leaders to “expect momentum to pick up after National Day”.

They were urged to ensure that logistics, like activists’ roles during the campaign period, are settled soon. The branch secretaries also discussed where opposition parties had been sighted, and potential problems that could arise during the campaign.

One branch secretary, for example, feared that his team may suffer burnout before the polls take place, as they have been in “election mode” for a while.

The ruling party looks to be in the final stages of electoral preparation, with Mr Chee likely to be the last of its public sector candidates to tender his resignation.

The others include Ms Rahayu Mahzam, 35, the outgoing deputy registrar of the Syariah Court, and teacher Shamsul Kamar, 43, who is also serving out his notice period.

Another high-flier likely to enter politics is Chief of Defence Force, Lieutenant-General Ng Chee Meng, 47, who announced last Friday that he will retire from the Singapore Armed Forces on Aug 18.

Mr Chee has recently been attending community events with Bishan- Toa Payoh GRC MP Hri Kumar Nair, who is expected to retire from politics at the next polls.

An officer of the elite Administrative Service since 1998, Mr Chee graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with degrees in electrical engineering and computer science as well as in economics. He has held various appointments in such ministries as Home Affairs, Finance, Transport and Education.

He was Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s principal private secretary in 2008 when the late founding Prime Minister was Minister Mentor. He was also chief executive of the Energy Market Authority (EMA) from 2011 to April this year.

Mr Chee was appointed Second Permanent Secretary at the Trade and Industry Ministry last year.

His responsibilities included international trade policies, tourism, competition policy, entrepreneurship and enterprise development.

The Public Service Division said he was active in promoting a business-friendly environment and helping small and medium-sized enterprises, or SMEs, to raise their competitiveness through innovation, market access and developing their capability.

Source: www.straitstimes.com

August 5, 2015
Are The Opposition In Politics For The People Or For Personal Gain?

Dear Political Aspirant(s),

It is not enough to say that you want to champion transport issues without offering any alternatives. The current government is aware that transportation is a cause of concern and is addressing it through various ways such as buying more buses and experimenting with distributing the peak hour load by offering free services up to a certain time in the morning. One must understand the intricacies of the public transport system and policy here in Singapore and offer alternatives to that model instead of just recognising it as an issue and expect the government to resolve it independently.

It is not enough to say that you do not agree to the population increase and yet do not offer alternatives on how Singapore is to sustain itself as the population is ageing drastically. What plans do you have for Singapore to sustain its growth and ensure that Singaporeans are competitive as compared to citizens of other nations? In regards to foreign workers and talents, what is your stand on it? Should it be stopped completely or should it be left open as before? If you opine that it should be somewhere in the middle, then it’s no different from the government’s stance which seeks to calibrate the influx of foreign workers and talents so as not to upset the economy, especially the SMEs, and ensure that Singaporeans continues to have a job with the presence of the multi-national companies here.

If we want an alternative view in the Parliament, it must credible. In my opinion, that alternative view can come from within the ruling party and not necessarily just opposing for the sake of doing so. Above all, politics is not a game nor a competition. It is a calling – a high and noble one. One must not go into politics with the intention to just overthrow an existing government. What happen nexts? What are your plans? At the heart of politics, it must be about serving the people and if you do not have the people in mind, then your intentions are baseless.

I fear the day that Singapore politics would go down the gutters and end up with a parliament that does not enact new laws but is too absorbed with internal squabbling and fighting amongst parliamentarians. But if that is what Singaporean wants, then there is nothing much we can do but to pray that such a day would not come in our life time.

Thank you.

Source: Adam Hudzaifah Al-Yaman

August 5, 2015
Opposition Parties To Meet Again On Thursday For More Talks

A meeting held by eleven opposition parties yesterday evening (Aug 3) ended with party representatives saying that most issues have been resolved.

Talks lasted for about two and a half hours. Another meeting is scheduled for Thursday.

The meeting was conducted to negotiate where each party will field its candidates for General Elections to avoid multi-cornered fights.

National Solidarity Party’s (NSP) acting secretary-general Hazel Poa said: “We’ve reaffirmed our commitment to avoid three-corner fights and that’s what we’re working towards on Thursday.” She added that the outcomes of today’s discussions would be kept confidential.

SingFirst’s Fahmi Rais said in Malay that “almost all is settled”, when asked for a ballpark figure on issues that have been settled.

The People’s Power Party (PPP) chief Goh Meng Seng said he is confident about his party members standing in Chua Chu Kang GRC, and added the “NSP and PPP are like brother parties”. Mr Goh was the former secretary General of the NSP.

Following yesterday evening’s Opposition meeting, SingFirst’s Tan Jee Say also said most issues have been resolved, adding that “everyone goes in with the spirit of give and take”.

Source: www.todayonline.com

August 4, 2015
Election On 12 Sep? Last Day Of Hungry Ghost Month

FENGSHUI MASTERS: BAD LUCK?

The chatter on everyone’s lips seems to be: Will the General Election be held on Sept 12?

While nothing has been announced so far, “The Date” has been widely suggested and discussed in text messages and social media.

Even veteran MP Inderjit Singh agreed that Sept 12 looks likely in a Straits Times report earlier this month.

The date is the last Saturday of the week-long school holidays, which frees schools to be used as polling stations and teachers to be tapped to man these stations.

It is also the last day of the Hungry Ghost month.

For those who are superstitious or who believe in fengshui, the date may not be a good day to hold an election.

Master David Tong, 40, told The New Paper: “Sept 12, according to the Tong Shu (the Chinese almanac), is a bad day. It’s a Month Breaker day. Hence, it is a bad day to carry out any important activities.”

A Month Breaker day is a day where the energies of that day are in conflict with the energies of the month.

DIFFICULT TIME

Master Kevin Foong held a similar view.

He said: “If election is truly in the September period, the energy suggested by the planetary movement (based on astrology) or Chinese metaphysics based on the lunar calendar both suggest it is going to be a difficult time for the Government to fully convince the voters in their favour.

“The Government has a high chance of retaining control, but may have certain districts having unexpected results.”

Understandably, those who are superstitious may not want to plan important activities during the Hungry Ghost month and risk upsetting the souls of the dead, who are said to roam the earth during this time.

But one fengshui master told TNP that there is nothing to worry about.

Master Goh Guan Leong said: “The rumoured date of Sept 12 is very interesting. It is basically a day of Metal and Wood elements, with the strength of Metal being overwhelmingly strong and in favour of the incumbent party.”

In past general elections which coincided with the Hungry Ghost month – 1972, 1988, 1991 – the People’s Action Party (PAP) performed fairly well.

In 1972, PAP won all 65 seats. In 1988, it gained 80 out of 81 seats while in 1991, PAP won 77 of the 81 seats.

Sept 12, according to the Tong Shu (the Chinese almanac), is a bad day. It’s a Month Breaker day. Hence, it is a bad day to carry out any important activities.

– Fengshui master David Tong, 40,

POLITICAL OBSERVERS: Good mood?

Judging ground sentiment is more important when calling for a general election, said political observers.

Dr Gillian Koh, senior research fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies, said it was natural for the ruling party to want to learn the extent to which government policy has made the “ground sweet”.

She said: “In a way, the public may not care what the policy is called. They care that their lives are better.

“The politicians will also want to see if the social mood is a positive one.”

Associate law professor Eugene Tan of the Singapore Management University agreed.

Aside from judging ground sentiment, being able “to show a good report card” to the electorate is also important, he said.

Other considerations include whether the party calling the date has its people, talent and manpower ready.

Said Dr Koh: “So it won’t just be about the mood of the voters. It’s also about the mood of the rank and file of the party. The candidates themselves have to be ready as well.”

Nevertheless, despite the hype about Sept 12, Prof Tan does not think that the General Election will fall in September.

He said there may be “competition for the use of open fields” if campaigning clashes with getai events.

Candidates would also be busy at getai events as special guests.

The former nominated MP suggested November or December as better months.

“This would then give the longest lead-up time. So any accusations of unfairness and lack of time would be severely diluted,” he said.

Source: www.tnp.sg

August 1, 2015
Workers’ Party Lee Li Lian Mooted Idea Of More Aid For Single Mothers In 2013 By-Election Rally

Social and Family Development Minister Tan Chuan-Jin’s new agenda for his ministry is to put vulnerable children high on the priority list of those to receive help.

Currently, a review is being conducted by MSF so that unwed working mothers may soon get the same benefits as married ones.

This was revealed in an interview with Channel News Asia on July 29, 2015:

REVIEWING BENEFITS FOR UNWED MOTHERS

Besides vulnerable groups in society, Mr Tan also revealed that unwed working mothers may soon get the same benefits as married ones under a review being conducted by MSF.

It is the lament of unwed mothers that they do not get the same benefits as married mums. And that just because they are single, why should their children be penalised, is their argument.

Among the differences is how unwed mothers get eight weeks of maternity leave paid for by their employers, while married mothers get 16 weeks. Unwed mothers do not benefit from the Handicapped Child Relief, nor the Baby Bonus cash gift.

The minister asked for a review of current policies: “My sense is that the public understands and sympathises with single unwed mothers; I see it on the ground. When I came in, I asked my colleagues to see whether we can review some of these things. Some of the differentiation that exists, could we harmonise it?”

SINGLE PARENTS STILL NOT THE NORM

It has been a long-standing principle of the Singapore Government that policies should support and encourage parenthood within the context of marriage. But as traditional family structures change, policies too need to be re-looked, he said.

But Mr Tan said he is mindful about the kind of signalling any change in policy sends: “Is it an indication or signal that we condone single-parenthood? That is something that you bear in mind. I do believe that society is sympathetic to single mums but we also need to be careful not to appear to encourage it as something that you could do.

“We do see in other countries, individuals choosing as a matter of lifestyle: ‘It’s ok, I’m not married, but I don’t mind having a child.’ I don’t think we are there yet as a society. I’m sure there will be individuals and some who may disagree, but I don’t see that as a norm and I don’t personally feel that some of these changes would open the floodgates if you will, for that particular lifestyle to develop.

“But be that as it may, it remains one consideration. But recognising that single mothers do have vulnerabilities, how best do we support?”

Mr Tan said the review involves a whole-of-Government approach, bringing together agencies that take care of housing and manpower policies.

He said the help rendered needs to be holistic: “The support provided for single parents, single mothers, unwed mothers really isn’t just about that Baby Bonus – I know there are differences, but actually the help extended needs to be much more extensive.

“It’s about healthcare availability, it’s about education opportunities and the support that comes with it. So, on the one hand, while there are some differences that exist today the help isn’t just in those areas. Actually the more fundamental issue is that broader extent of help.”

For example, all mothers, including unwed ones are currently eligible for infant care and childcare subsidies. Government-funded education programmes are also extended to all children.

“I’ve not met a single child who is not going to school because they couldn’t pay school fees,” said Mr Tan. “Schools fees are provided for. Uniforms are provided for. School books are provided for. Pocket money. Consistently. And that has been really encouraging for me.”

Mr Tan did not say when the review will be completed, just that an announcement will be made soon and it will likely be before Budget 2016.

However, the idea that single parents should receive same benefits as married ones was mooted by Workers’ Party Lee Li Lian in 2013 during a rally speech for the Punggol East SMC by-election:

Our inclusive society has also forgotten the 2nd group, single parents, who are Singapore citizens and whose daughter and son will bear and nurture future generations as well as serve National Service.

Did you know that single parents can only purchase HDB BTO Flats only when they are 35 and above? Regardless of marital status, all parents love and want to provide their children with the best they possibly can. Some single parents need caregivers too, but they are excluded from working mothers’ child relief, grandparent caregiver relief and foreign maid-levy relief.

Babies from single parents are also not eligible for Baby Bonus.

While having children outside of marriage should continue to be discouraged in our society, children born to single parents should not be denied the benefits that children of married parents receive. The children are innocent parties and should not start life being disadvantaged. Single parents should receive the same parenthood benefits packages as married parents.

Allow me to quote our pledge, ‘happiness, prosperity and progress for our nation.’ How can there be actual progress when stay at home parents and single parents are being left behind! We, the citizens of Singapore should move together as one people under one Flag!

Currently, the Parliament is made up of 80 PAP MPs vs 6 elected Opposition MPs. There is a great imbalance in Parliament right now. That is why there is an urgent need to vote more Workers’ Party candidates into Parliament.

Source: http://mothership.sg

July 31, 2015