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Tag: Singapoerans

  • 2 Suspects In Shangri-La Incident Remanded Another Week, One Faces Additional Charges

    2 Suspects In Shangri-La Incident Remanded Another Week, One Faces Additional Charges

    The two suspects charged with drug trafficking in the car that crashed through a checkpoint near Shangri-La hotel last Sunday will be remanded for another week for further investigations, while an additional charge has been pressed against one of them on Monday (June 8).

    Muhammad Syahid Mohamed Yasin, 26, and Mohamed Ismail, 31, were first charged last Monday with jointly trafficking about 9g of a substance believed to be diamorphine, also known as heroin.

    Muhammad Syahid is now also accused of instigating Mohamad Taufik Zahar — who was shot dead by the police after he accelerated the car towards police officers in the hotel’s direction — to act rashly and endanger the personal safety of Mr Mohamad Zahid Suhaimi and Mr See Toa Chew Yin, whom TODAY understands are police officers.

    Court documents showed that Muhammad Syahid shouted “jalan, jalan” in Malay which means “Go, go!” in English to Mohamad Taufik, causing the latter to drive in a fast manner towards the direction of Mr Mohamad and Mr See Toa, and in the process of doing so, crashed into a concrete barrier.

    Deputy Public Prosecutor Yang Ziliang has asked for Mohammad Ismail and Muhammad Syahid to be remanded for another week as investigations are still ongoing. They face possible further offences, he said. Both will be back in court on Jun 15.

    If found guilty of drug trafficking, they each face five to 20 years in jail and five to 15 strokes of the cane. If convicted of acting rashly to endanger personal safety of others, Muhammad Syahid may be jailed six months or fined S$2,500.

     

    Source: www.channenewsasia.com

  • SNEF, Unions, Urge Companies To Show Recognition Of Workers In Celebration Of SG50

    SNEF, Unions, Urge Companies To Show Recognition Of Workers In Celebration Of SG50

    The Singapore National Employers Federation and unions here united to urge companies to show special recognition to workers in celebration of Singapore’s 50 years of independence.

    Speaking on Friday at a media briefing on the National Wages Council’s annual wage guidelines for the year ahead, National Trades Union Congress president Diana Chia called on companies that are doing well to reward workers for their contributions toward Singapore’s economic progress.

    SNEF president Robert Yap also said his organisation “would like to encourage companies that do well to recognise the contributions of their employees in their own ways”.

    Mr Yap noted that DBS Bank has given all employees ranked vice-president and below a $1,000 cash bonus, while in May SMRT gave all employees $500 worth of shopping vouchers.

    NTUC’s Social Enterprises will also be giving its employees gifts. NTUC FairPrice announced that it’s 10,000 staff will receive vouchers of between $100 and $200.

    The government is considering appropriate ways to recognise public officers’ contributions, said Manpower Ministry permanent secretary Loh Khum Yean.

     

    Source: www.straitstimes.com

  • Muhammad Fadli Mohammed Fawzi: Religion-based Ideas In Public Sphere Must Face Scrutiny

    Muhammad Fadli Mohammed Fawzi: Religion-based Ideas In Public Sphere Must Face Scrutiny

    The writer of “Don’t let secular fundamentalism be the norm” (May 15) makes a simplistic argument for the unqualified acceptance and veracity of ideas based on religious or moral convictions in the public domain.

    While we can accept that religious sentiments have a role to play in public discourse, this does not mean that all views based on religion or morality are therefore legitimate and deserving of consideration.

    First, to play a constructive role, religious claims must be transparent and not be hidden behind vague assertions of common good, public interest or family values. Second, religion-based views must be subjected to the same analytical rigour and scepticism we extend to non-religious claims.

    The writer seems to agree that any value, religious or otherwise, “must be open to scrutiny and critiques once they enter the public domain”. This is often difficult, however, since many of the proponents of religion-based views would allege offence against their faith when these views are criticised.

    Third, we should distinguish between making a religiously inspired contribution to public discourse and simply making a religious demand.

    For example, the former involves articulating support for certain policies in line with one’s religious convictions but simultaneously being cognisant enough to offer other public reasons in support of said policies.

    These public reasons are those that people from different faiths and backgrounds could endorse, whereas making a religious demand limits itself to translating religious dictates into public policy demands.

    Such demands are generally articulated in a non-negotiable manner and usually seek to confine the scope of freedom for others. This approach impedes further conversation and can potentially be divisive.

    The role of religion in the public sphere is indispensable. Many progressive causes in history, such as the abolitionist and civil rights movements, have been spurred by religion.

    We should also realise, however, that not all religious views are legitimate for public discourse, even if religion is dear to many people.

    It is thus simplistic to rail against “secular fundamentalism” when the greater danger comes from those trying to narrow public space and conversation with their religious demands.

     

    This article written by Muhammad Fadli Mohammed Fawzi, was published in Voices, Today, dated 19 May 2015.

    Source: www.todayonline.com