Tag: Singapore

Catholic Girl: Children To Be Raised As Muslims, So Why Boyfriend’s Family Still Oppose Our Union?

I understand you’re also a malay but I hope you can allow me to share my broken heart on this platform and I really wish for more religious tolerance and consistency from MUIS and Darul Arqam in applying islamic religious laws here!

I am a Catholic girl who has been dating a malay muslim guy for the past 5 years and we were about to get married after reaching a consensus that I can remain a Catholic while our children will be raised muslim and follow their dad’s religion as per the allowance of the prophet muhammad.

But we afterwards faced fierce objection from not only his relative’s side who obtained a fatwa stating that I must convert or our marriage will be considered “haram” by MUIS and Darul Arqam.

Sharlene Tan
A.S.S Contributor

Source: All Singapore Stuff

June 2, 2016
Study: Kids From Rich Families More Likely To Attend IP And GEP

Children from higher socio-economic backgrounds are more likely to attend Integrated Programme (IP) secondary schools and their affiliated primary schools, as well as those that offer the Gifted Education Programme (GEP).

This was a key finding of a recent study that examined class stratification in schools and if students from different schools had different levels of educational aspirations.

The study was done by Ms Ong Xiang Ling, its principal investigator who is a Singapore Children’s Society research officer, and Dr Cheung Hoi Shan, a post-doctoral fellow at the National University of Singapore.

Their work pointed to a disproportionate number of students from affluent backgrounds in IP and GEP schools.

In the study, schools were divided into three groups and about 200 students from each group were polled. Type 1 were IP schools, their affiliated primary schools, as well as primary schools which offered the GEP. Type 2 were government-aided schools and autonomous schools which did not offer the IP, and Type 3 were government schools.

Data showed that nearly 41 per cent of Type 1 secondary school students came from families with a monthly household income that exceeded $10,000, compared to 7 per cent in Type 3 schools. About 31 per cent of Type 1 students lived in private homes, compared to 2 per cent in Type 3. About 54 per cent of Type 1 students had at least one parent with university education, compared to 17 per cent in Type 3.

The fact that there is a significant disparity in secondary schools, where entry is supposed to be by merit, points to a possible perpetuation of class differences in schools, said the researchers. Dr Cheung said: “The observation from many news reports… does point to some form of social stratification in our schools; so in elite schools you tend to have families represented by higher socio-economic status (SES) and in other neighbourhood schools you tend to have the reverse.”

She added: “We see SES differences also in secondary schools, where entry is supposed to be determined in large part by the children’s results in the PSLE. Entry is not about distance or alumni associations, yet we also see marked SES differences in elite secondary schools. So it may point to a perpetuation – if you started off with high SES, chances are because you have more resources, you are better prepared for PSLE, so you are more likely to get into good secondary schools.”

Said Ms Ong: “Higher SES children are more likely to be in Type 1 schools, and being in Type 1 schools makes them more likely to have high confidence in attaining at least a university degree. Then it would mean that there could be a perpetuation of class differences, because research has shown that if you have high confidence of attaining a university degree, you are more likely to actually get a university degree.”

Source: www.straitstimes.com

June 2, 2016
Low Thia Khiang: I Don’t Have Autocratic Style

Dismissing views that the Workers’ Party (WP) is ruled in an “autocratic” manner, party chief Low Thia Khiang maintained that majority of members are in agreement with his direction for the party, even as he acknowledged some discontentment with his leadership.

Speaking to the media before his Meet-the-People Session at Hougang Ave 6 on Wednesday (June 1), Mr Low said there “ample opportunities and avenues” for members to raise feedback internally.

“I have been a politician for many years, people know my style. I can’t please everybody, that is part and parcel of life … But as a political party, we will have to decide, at the end of the day, who can be the best person collectively to lead the party forward. I think that has been clear,” said Mr Low, referring to the fact that he had retained his secretary-general post with a 61-45 win against fellow Member of Parliament for Aljunied GRC Chen Show Mao at the party’s internal elections last Sunday.

Speaking in Mandarin, Mr Low also said that not everyone would be “comfortable” with the decisions he makes for the party. “This can cause discontent, some may feel it is autocratic, but it isn’t. Each cadre has the opportunity to express their view and show whether they support me. I am prepared to justify the decisions I make,” he said.

Mr Low was speaking after TODAY reported on rifts within the party, believed to be triggered by members who wanted to see changes in the way the party is run.

Some of the members who identified with the “reformist camp” said Mr Chen was urged to contest for the secretary-general position because he advocates a more “consultative and inclusive” leadership approach, compared to Mr Low. They also felt there is a “lack of transparency” on how individuals are appointed cadre members and selected as election candidates, and a bias towards “professional” candidates.

On Wednesday, Mr Low, who did not dispute the accusations, maintained that he welcomes a diversity of views. “Some (cadres) did (raise issues) at the conference on Sunday and I did address it,” he said.

Adding that decisions must be made amidst differences, he said: “Some may not accept (the) decisions but I have reasons to make (them) and am prepared to explain if (members) bring it up and be specific about it,” he said.

As for the claim that the party prefers white-collar professionals for its younger slate of leaders, Mr Low said: “How the WP develops and progresses depends on voters and the public, not only the members in the party. So we have to look at the big picture rather than a very narrow kind of view on who should be in the party’s leadership positions.”

Noting that some dissenters may be using disagreements within WP to paint the party in a negative light, Mr Low said the situation reflect a healthy democracy.

Asked if the strife will adversely affect the party’s growth and credibility in the eyes of Singaporeans, he said: “If a political party can accept competition…and in diversity we move on together as a party, I think Singaporeans should be more confident in the WP. So I think it should be the contrary.”

He acknowledged that the new leadership team will have to look into the misgivings aired, but said its foremost priorities are to ensure that the party’s leadership renewal process proceeds smoothly, and prepare the party for the next General Election. “I hope the WP will be more well prepared the next round,” he added.

Source: www.todayonline.com

June 2, 2016
Abdul Salim Harun: Can’t Singaporeans Have Differing Views From PAP?

Fixing the Opposition, Fixing the activists. They do it fast in a lightning speed. Harassments, threats, fear… That’s how they treat the people now…

But when it comes to the Whites, they sweep everything under the carpet. Police reports made, it take ages for them to react, or they will just sleep on it.

The sad state of the rotting country we are living in today. But there’s no other way since 70% approved of their despicable and dirty tactics… In cahoot with the Big Bullies just because of differences in views and opinions.

“To build a DEMOCRATIC society, based on JUSTICE and EQUALITY…”, the pledge taken by the White HYPOCRITES. FALSE promises, to the blinded Sheeps by the wolves in disguise!

Source: Abdul Salim Harun

June 2, 2016
Are SPF And ELD The Lapdogs Of PAP?

I have a very poor opinion of Roy Ngerng. I think most of the things he writes are senseless drivel and some of the things he writes are dangerously incendiary. I thought that it is not entirely without reason that he got his ass handed to him in court for writing stupid things about PM Lee.

All that said, I am abhorred by the way he was treated by the police recently. A police report was made against Roy Ngerng and Teo Soh Lung by the Elections Department Department (ELD). I had earlier written that I, as well as many others, were baffled by that action.

For their alleged offence, Roy and Ms Teo were interrogated by the police for hours. Worse, the police went to search their homes. You can see the brave men-in-blue (though they are in plainclothes here) in action:

So the two of them posted things that could possibly be in contravention of ELD’s cooling off day regulations. And we can’t even be certain if they did. They are individuals writing about their personal political views. Something which isn’t prohibited by the cooling off day restrictions.

But let’s say that there is a prima facie case against them. The police therefore need to investigate to see if there is sufficient reasons to charge them. Fine. But is there a need to search their homes? Is there a need to take their laptops, computers and mobile phones? And to mobilize so many people to do it? A tad excessive no? And an utter waste of state resources isn’t it?

Here’s Roy’s account of the abhorrent ordeal that he had to go through:

What is more abhorrent and disgusting is the inconsistency. Let’s say that Roy and Ms Teo were both guilty of contravening ELD’s regulations. Let’s say that the police really had to do what they did to establish guilt. Then why the hell weren’t they as rigorous in investigating other alleged breaches of ELD’s regulations?

What other breaches you ask? These other breaches:

Here you see Minister Shanmugam’s face plastered all over a hawker centre. That was during the GE2015. If you scrutinize those posters, you will realise that none of those posters “bear the bear the official stamp issued by the Returning Officer.” Worse, they are in a hawker centre! That is a clear violation of ELD’s regulations!

So what has the police done to investigate the report made by Mr Daryl Teng? Don’t know. Were they as rigorous? Did they search the home of Minister Shanmugam? Highly unlikely. Why this inconsistency? God (if you are the God-fearing type) knows! It is no wonder that many people are of the opinion that the SPF and ELD are lapdogs of the PAP.

Now SPF and the ELD has one chance to redeem themselves. A fresh complaint to ELD was made on 30 May. It was made against the site Fabrications against PAP. It alleges that the page shared a post on cooling off day that made specific reference to DPM Tharman’s speech at PAP’s rally that called people to vote for Murali.

The nature of that post and those that landed Roy and Ms Teo in trouble appear identical. If Roy and Ms Teo were subjected to such treatment as a result of what they posted on cooling off day, then the people behind Fabrications about PAP ought to be subjected to the same treatment. Otherwise it would confirm the opinion of many people – SPF and ELD are lapdogs of the PAP. Lapdogs that would snap and bite people when they speak against the PAP, but would loyally and doggedly defend those who speak in favour of the PAP.

And that would be really sad. And ironic. Ironic because just this Monday,DPM Tharman said that there is now more freedom of speech today compared to a decade ago. He said:

“We have evolved into a society that has more freedoms, but it has some restrictions and they serve a purpose.”

It seems that our evolution is proceeding at a glacial pace. And sometimes seem to be a Sisyphean evolution. Or perhaps he meant to say that there is freedom, up until you dare to threaten PAP’s stranglehold on power?

Source: https://crazyrandomchatter.com

June 2, 2016