Tag: Singapore

TOC Ordered To Take Down Article

Socio-political blog The Online Citizen (TOC) has been ordered to take down an article again.

The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) issued a take-down notice to the site for an article titled, “Severe consequences for a PAP majority with its underground city for 10m population”.

It was written by a “concerned Singaporean” and published last Monday (Jul 31).

This is the second time in about seven months that the AGC is citing the Protection from Harassment Act against TOC, according to a post on the site yesterday (Aug 5), written by executive editor Terry Xu.

The post had the headline “AGC threatens to use anti-harassment act on TOC – again”.

In a letter received by TOC on Wednesday afternoon, the AGC said the author of the article made a “patently false statement, namely that monies raised from the issuance of Singapore Savings Bonds will be used to finance the construction of an underground city for a population of 10 million”.

This letter was reproduced in full on the TOC site.

In the letter, the AGC said there was no plan to build a city or residential developments underground to accommodate a “10 million population”.

Underground space has been developed for infrastructure such as MRT rail lines, utilities and storage spaces, it said.

“This is intended in fact to prioritise and maximise surface land to create a good environment which meet the needs of our people and their families for work, live and play.”

The AGC also noted that TOC did not check with the Ministry of National Development before publishing the article, and requested that TOC either remove the false statement in the article or include an AGC notice as a preface to the article.

It added that if TOC did not comply with the request by 6pm Wednesday (Aug 5), it would take out an application under Section 15 of the Protection from Harassment Act to obtain a court order restraining further publication of the statement.

As of Wednesday night, the AGC notice was found at the top of the article which AGC had issue with.

TOC was recently issued a take-down notice for publishing a letter from teen blogger Amos Yee’s lawyer Alfred Dodwell, which was deemed in contempt of court.

Source: www.straitstimes.com

August 6, 2015
Nightclub Boss Jailed And Fine For Employment Offences

A nightclub boss was jailed for 16 months and fined $35,000 on Tuesday for offences involving 17 foreign workers from the People’s Republic of China.

Lim Leong Chye, 50, pleaded guilty to three charges of illegal importation of labour, four of receiving kickbacks and three of instigating another person to submit false information to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).

Another 29 charges were taken into consideration.

The managing director of Club De Colors solicited payments of between $460 and $10,000 from the foreign workers as a condition of their employment in his clubs.

Lim, who is also the manager of Club GMT, additionally obtained work passes for 11 foreign workers and subsequently told them to find their own jobs in Singapore.

He further instigated 33-year-old Sim Chee Kiang to furnish false information to the authorities in the application for work passes.

Sim, who is the sole proprietor of Club GMT, will be punished separately.

The MOM said it will take stern action.

“The circumstances of this case are aggravating,’ said director of MOM’s foreign manpower management division Kevin Teoh.

“There was no work for the workers, monies were collected, and in some cases, thousands of dollars were handed over.”

Employers found guilty of bringing in foreign workers without the intention to provide work for them will face a mandatory jail term of between six months and two years, and a fine of up to $6,000 for each worker issued with a work pass.

Source: www.straitstimes.com

August 6, 2015
Low Thia Khiang To Contest In Aljunied GRC

The Secretary-General of the Opposition Workers’ Party (WP) Low Thia Khiang has confirmed he will defend his seat in Aljunied GRC for the upcoming General Election.

“I appreciate very much the residents of Aljunied who have given us a chance to serve, who have responded to the call to move Singapore towards a First World Parliament,” he told reporters before his Meet The People session in Hougang on Wednesday (Aug 5).

He said he is “happy” to see that the Government today is “more responsive”. “There are many policy U-turns being made for the benefit of the people and I want to continue to serve residents of Aljunied GRC and I’m grateful for their support,” Mr Low added.

Aljunied GRC is the only Opposition-run GRC in Singapore. In 2011, the WP won 54.7 per cent of the votes in the General Election, versus the ruling People’s Action Party’s 45.3 per cent. The WP team there includes party chairman Sylvia Lim, and MPs Chen Show Mao, Muhamad Faisal Abdul Manap and Pritam Singh.

Mr Low added that it is difficult for the party to move. “Where else can we move? Our base is here. We don’t have the resources to go as far as the West or all over Singapore,” Mr Low stated.

“We make good use of our resources to provide a choice to Singaporeans and to build up a credible Opposition over time.”

When asked if the upcoming election will see the current WP team of Aljunied MPs intact, he said: “We will give you more information about the candidates and all that so let’s be patient about it. But I will stay.”

He added that the WP would still like to avoid three-cornered fights if possible as it is a “waste of resources”.

Source: www.channelnewsasia.com

August 6, 2015
Tan Lam Siong: Respect For 100 Year Old Grandma Who Still Collects Cardbox Boxes

I saw her struggly to push her trolley of cardboards up the ramp at block 113 of Potong Pasir and moved to help her. In a jiff, she was rummaging through the dustbin behind the pillar in the void deck.

I squatted next to her as she was about to empty the contents of a paper box. I asked why she was collecting cardboxes. Her reply was that she needed to support herself. She lives alone in Punggol but collects cardboxes and old clothes from Lorong 8 Toa Payoh to Potong Pasir every day from morning 6am to night 9pm. When I asked her for her age, I could not believe her answer. She is 99 and turning 100 next April. She is undoubtedly the oldest collector of carboards in Singapore.

Her eyesight and hearing are still good but her body is permanently arched as a result of constantly bending down to collect cardboards. She has been doing this for many, many years. Her 3 children have left her and are no longer in touch with her. She has a grandson, abandoned by his parents and cared by her since young, who is in national service.

She makes about $20 a day, and sells about 150 kg of cardboards for a meagre $9. She is not receiving any financial help from the government as she finds it troublesome. She shares a one-room flat with a flatmate and pays her half share of the monthly rent which works out to about $200.

I shuddered at the thought that someone who is almost 100 years old, has to be collecting cardboards for a living and has not received any public assistance. My heart sank at the sight of her wrinkled hands and rugged fingers.

I asked for her permission to wheel her trolley around to get a feel of the weight of her trolley which was fully laden. When I pushed it back to her and asked where she will be wheeling it to, her answer startled me. She was going to wheel it to Lorong 8 in Toa Payoh and said that it will take her half an hour to do so.

Life has been really harsh to this grand old dame but she displays a resilience that puts everyone to shame. When she turns 100 in April, let’s celebrate with her. Granny Chung Siew Ching. Meanwhile, if you get to see her around Lorong 8 Toa Payoh and Potong Pasir, do buy her drink and food. Thank you.

Source: http://tanlamsiong.blogspot.sg

August 6, 2015
Netizens Slam NSP On Facebook Page For Contesting Marine Parade

After news broke about a heated discussion between the National Solidarity Party (NSP) and the Workers Party (WP) during an oppositions get-together meeting on Tuesday, some netizens have gone on to the NSP Facebook page to criticize the party for obstructing the WP’s plans in Marine Parade Group Representation Constituency (GRC).

In the NSP’s latest Facebook posting, pictures of the party’s most recent walkabout at Marine Parade GRC were uploaded for supporters on Tuesday evening. However, the move has been construed by some as a deliberate provocation against the WP, who is also contesting the ward.

According to a report from confidential sources, the dispute between the 2 parties stems from the WP’s claims over Marine Parade GRC, Jalan Besar GRC and theMacPherson single-seat ward, which the NSP also wishes to contest. The WP was reportedly adamant on contesting in Marine Parade GRC, which NSP had previously contested and narrowly lost with 43.4% of the vote against the incumbent People’s Action Party (PAP) candidate during that election.

Although most netizens stopped short of condemning the NSP, many strongly advised the party to step aside so that the party with the stronger chance of winning could come forward.

One netizen, Jane Grant, wrote, “NSP, it was Nicole Seah who won the hearts of the voters; not your party. If you insist on contesting in Marine Parade, it would only show how shallow your thought process is as your party is not thinking about the greater good or the people but your own selfish ambitions.”

She continued, “If you want to win, contest in MacPherson. The WP has a much higher potential and credibility to win in Marine Parade than NSP. Multi cornered fights always and will favor the PAP. This is a no brainer. For the sake of Singapore’s future, leave Marine Parade alone.”

Jane’s words were echoed by another netizen, Joey Kim: “Frankly speaking if NSPwant to win any seat in coming GE, the only solution is to focus on Tampines &Tampines only. Send your best line up to Tampines. If you fight more than 1 grc, my prediction is 赔了夫人又折兵. Mark my words.”

“Seems like NSP today is like Reform Party in 2011. Many high calibre people come in and eventually many more left the party. Perhaps NSP should consolidate their strength and firm up the party’s leadership and direction,” wrote one netizen, RafizHapipi. “NSP has the branding tradition and reputation to once again be a force in Singapore’s political scene. However, the party is injured now. It is a waste to spread the party’s resources thin. Pls do consider putting your best team up in North West region.”

Although many netizens did not appear to be supportive of the NSP, one netizen,Munchi Abd, said that he hoped that “NSP will not back out their fights with other opposition parties and stand for what they fight for.”

Given the state of affairs now, much hinges on today’s discussion between the opposition parties, who will need to iron out these territorial issues before the coming General Elections for the good of all Singaporeans.

Source: www.allsingaporestuff.com

August 6, 2015