Tag: Singapore

  • Osman Sulaiman: Changes To EP Entrenches PAP In Our Political System

    Osman Sulaiman: Changes To EP Entrenches PAP In Our Political System

    The civil service certainly has no dearth of talent. If it decides to gather people of talent, Im sure it can put up a few good men.

    Sadly, the civil service serves not the nation but panders to political influence.

    Recently, the 9-member Constitutional Commission formed to review Elected Presidency system had made some changes to our elected presidency.

    On the surface, it looks like a tweak but these changes to the presidential system are actually monumental. It ravages our democratic rights.

    To be the president, the requirement for private sector candidate is that the person must have been heads of companies with paid-up capitals of $500 million in shareholders’ equity on average over three years

    The rationale is that the candidate must have experience managing big amount of money to safeguard our national reserve.

    The above policy is ill fitted.

    Point 1, it disqualify a huge majority of the people from becoming the President. Nowhere in the world has such a policy existed.

    Now comes the second part:

    The President will have to consult Council of Presidential Advisers (CPA) on ALL fiscal matters and key public sector appointments. Disagreement between the two, will have to be brought before parliament.

    If President acts agaisnt CPA’s advice, Parliament can then reject president’s veto power with a majority.

    With the above system, the President would no longer have any discretion to decide on important matters. Its decision can be overridden by CPA or when it disagree with the CPA, its veto power can be neutralized by parliament.

    Let’s revisit point 1. Why then set the bar so high to $500 million? What difference does it make between a hawker stall holder and a CEO of an MNC after becoming president, making important decisions but thereafter, all decision made, has to be consulted upon or can be vetoed?

    Why waste $2 million dollars of taxpayers’ monies paying the president’s salary? These are the kinds of policies that cost us as a nation.

    Where the gov is a real scrooge on welfare, it finds no problem to bleed taxpayers money unnecessarily to entrench its hold on power.

    So this whole episode of forming the 9 member commission to review the Elected Presidency system is all but a comical exercise to hoodwink the public of the need to protect the system.

    What it actually does is to dupe the populace into believing that the nation is in need of these changes. Upon closer inspection, its deception is crystal clear.

    And we have not even started to discuss the policy of reserving the presidential election for Malay candidates. That will open up more cans of worms.

     

    Source: Khan Osman Sulaiman

  • Driver Accidentally Hits Car, Receives Victims Claims Of Almost $7,500 For Legal And Medical Fees

    Driver Accidentally Hits Car, Receives Victims Claims Of Almost $7,500 For Legal And Medical Fees

    A driver who was involved in what he thought to be a minor accident was shocked when he received the other driver’s claim of almost $7,500 for medical bills and legal fees.

    The man’s story was shared by a Facebook user in the Singapore Taxi Driver group today (Jul 24).

    In the post, the man said that he had “accidentally kiss[ed]” the back of a Toyota Wish a few months ago.

    He said that after the accident, the two motorists parked by the side of the road and established that “nothing so serious” had happened.

    However, he recently received a letter informing him that the other driver was claiming close to $7,500 for injuries and legal fees, including a $2,500 claim for neck sprain and $2,000 for back sprain.

    He claimed that he wanted to settle the matter privately but since the other driver wanted to claim insurance, he has no choice but to slowly pay the amount.

    He added that fortunately, he only had to pay the excess fee at the car repair shop as the car he was driving was not seriously damaged.

    He reminded all other drivers to “be safe and stay safe”.

    From the post, it is believed that both motorists are Grab drivers.

     

    Source: http://stomp.straitstimes.com

  • Masih Ingat Mahadi Shor @ Obek Didi?

    Masih Ingat Mahadi Shor @ Obek Didi?

    Sejak tahun 1976 beliau membuatkan orang ketawa dengan lawaknya yang lucu dan bersahaja. ‘Slang’ atau telor percakapan bahasa Bawean beliau sering dimanfaatkan untuk menggeletek penonton dalam sketsa lawak.

    Sebagai pelakon, banyak drama TV, sandiwara dan persembahan pentas yang sudah beliau jayakan. Malah beliau boleh berbangga kerana pernah menjadi seorang pelakon filem – iaitu filem Puteri Gunung Ledang. Pelawak yang kami maksudkan itu ialah Mahadi Shor. Atau lebih mesra dipanggil Obek Didi.

    Kini Obek Didi, yang berusia 66 tahun, tidak sihat. Badannya semakin kurus. Beliau yang nama sebenarnya ialah Mohamed Shor, mengalami pelbagai penyakit seperti sakit jantung, darah tinggi, kencing manis dan sebelum ini diserang angin ahmar.

    Dalam wawancara dengan BERITAMediacorp ini, Mahadi Shor, yang pernah berkongsi pentas dengan legenda lawak seperti Benyamin S (Indonesia) dan Yahya Sulong (Malaysia) menceritakan bahawa kerana faktor kesihatan yang teruk pada tahun 2005 memaksanya mengenepikan pelibatan seninya. Beliau perlu menjalani pelbagai rawatan serta pembedahan demi merawat penyakitnya itu.

    Obek Didi bersama para pelawak terkenal dari Indonesia dan Malaysia iaitu Benyamin S dan Yahya Sulong.

    KATA DOKTOR: MAHADI SHOR BOLEH HIDUP 6 BULAN SAHAJA

    Tidak ramai yang tahu bahawa pelawak yang kelakar dengan wajahnya yang garang itu, pernah didiagnos oleh doktor bahawa beliau hanya dapat hidup enam bulan sahaja kerana komplikasi teruk yang dihadapinya. Ini setelah beliau dimasukkan ke hospital dan pernah koma selama seminggu.

    Isteri beliau, yang mahu dikenali sebagai ‘Rozi’ sahaja menceritakan, suaminya juga menjalani pembedahan angioplasty atau ‘ballooning’ sebanyak 2 kali kerana saluran darahnya tersumbat. Memang ajal maut di tangan Tuhan. Kini 12 tahun sudah berlalu selepas ramalan doktor itu, Mahadi Shor masih lagi meneruskan kehidupan.

    “Bila doktor cakap Obek Didi boleh hidup untuk enam bulan lagi, saya langsung tidak percaya dan terus mencari jalan lain untuk mengubatinya. Saya yakin segalanya terletak di tangan Allah. Manusia atau doktor hanya boleh merancang, tetapi Allah yang menentukan segalanya. Setelah meminta semua resit dan ubat-ubatan yang Obek perlukan, saya yang menjaganya sendiri.

    “Alhamdullilah, walaupun tidak sembuh sepenuhnya, Obek masih lagi bernyawa dan boleh meneruskan kehidupannya walaupun tak sesihat dahulu. Saya menganggap ini semua dugaan, dan saya menerimanya dengan reda dan penuh tawakkal,” ujar Cik Rozi yang sudah sekitar empat dekad berumahtangga dengan Mahadi Shor.

    Obek Didi menceritakan pengalaman beliau.

    Kini, walaupun pertuturan Obek Didi agak perlahan, beliau masih boleh lagi berbicara dan mengingati zaman-zaman ‘kegemilangannya’ dulu bersama pelawak-pelawak mapan yang lain.

    MENANGIS, HATI OBEK DIDI BAGAI DIHIRIS-HIRIS 

    Seorang pelawak memang pandai menyembunyikan perasaan sedih atau kesusahan yang dialaminya. Bagaimanapun Obek Didi tidak dapat menyembunyikan perasaannya tentang peristiwa yang berlaku tiga tahun lalu.

    Bukan, bukan tentang sakit tubuh yang beliau alami. Tetapi apabila anaknya yang bernama Ibrahim Yusof, meninggal dunia pada usia 42 tahun akibat barah hati Tahap 4. Hati Obek Didi bagai dihiris-hiris.

    “Ibrahim memang anak yang baik. Tak pernah meninggikan suara. Bila dia meninggalkan kami berdua, Obek rasa amat sedih sekali. Lagipun beliau meninggal di pangkuan ibunya. Obek tahu Allah menyayangi beliau, walaupun sedih tapi kami reda atas pemergiannya. Kami berdua masih merinduinya, terutama sekali isteri saya,” katanya sayu kepada BERITAMediacorp, sambil menahan air mata.

    Kini ayah kepada tiga orang itu mengaku masih lagi menangis bila teringatkan anaknya itu.

    TIDAK BEKERJA & MASIH PERLU BAYAR DUIT RUMAH 

    Menceritakan lebih lanjut tentang kehidupannya suami isteri, Cik Rozi berkata suaminya pertama kali diserang pelbagai penyakit selepas hanya enam bulan menutup warung menjual nasi padangnya di Ang Mo Kio dulu. Kedai bernama ‘Warung Obek Didi’ itu terkenal dengan jualan Mee Rebus dan Mee Soto terpaksa ditutup kerana kerja-kerja ubah-elok dan kos sewa yang melambung tinggi.

    “Bayangkanlah, hanya dalam masa 6 bulan kedai kami ditutup dan Obek mula duduk rumah, macam-macam penyakit mula menyerang. Semasa berjualan, kami bangun seawal 4.00 pagi dan terus bersiap-siap untuk masak dan kami membuat semuanya berdua. Dari pergi ke pasar, masak, cuci pinggan-mangkuk, layan pelanggan, semuanya boleh dilakukan. Namun kini setelah sakit, sejak lebih 12 tahun yang lalu, Obek Didi tidak boleh bekerja hingga kini,” jelas Cik Rozi sayu.

    Obek Didi kini memerlukan sokongan tongkat untuk berjalan kerana kakinya terlalu lemah.

    Cik Rozi, 64 tahun berkongsi kepada BERITAMediacorp bahawa segala perbelanjaan mereka seperti kos untuk ke pusat terapi boleh memakan ratusan dolar setiap bulan. Subsidi yang diterima hanya untuk mendapatkan ubatan di poliklinik sahaja. Itupun tiga bulan sekali. Semua pembayaran lain perlu ditanggung sendiri dan dibantu oleh dua orang anaknya.

    Flat 2-bilik mereka di Blok 32, Balam Road juga masih perlu dibayar setiap bulan secara tunai. Walaupun tidak mendapat apa-apa bantuan dari mana-mana badan setempat, Cik Rozi mengatakan teman-teman pelawak dan rakan artis yang lain, kerap juga menghulurkan bantuan kewangan untuk mereka berdua. Ini katanya meringankan sedikit beban kewangan mereka berdua.

    “Secara terus-terang, kami tidak mahu menyusahkan orang lain dan meminta-minta. Siapa yang tahu Obek sakit, tahulah, jika tidak, saya tidak pernah menghebohkannya. Bagi saya, rezeki itu Allah yang jamin, kalau ada rezeki kita, adalah di situ…Kami hidup dalam serba sederhana, tetapi kami amat bersyukur kepada Allah,” ujar Cik Rozi, nenek kepada 7 orang cucu.

    MAHADI SHOR INGIN KEMBALI MENGHIBUR, BERLAKON

    Walaupun kakinya kini agak lemah dan perlu bertongkat, kemahuan ingin berlawak dan menghiburkan para penonton masih utuh di sanubarinya. Obek Didi terharu kerana teman seangkatannya, seperti Husin Saaban pernah menjemputnya untuk menjayakan rancangan komedi, walaupun berkerusi roda dan berperanan kecil.

    Obek Didi bersama seorang lagi pelawak veteran, Husin Saaban.

    “Terakhir Obek berlakon komedi mungkin lebih dua tahun lalu, Husin (Saaban) yang menjemput. Obek memang teringin sangat nak berlakon lagi cuma, kaki yang tak kuat. Hendak juga jejakkan kaki di ofis (bangunan) Mediacorp yang baru,” kata Mahadi Shor menyuarakan rasa hatinya.

    “Walau apapun, Obek ingin mengucapkan terima kasih pada teman-teman artis dan teman-teman pelawak dan juga peminat yang banyak membantu. Seperti Husin Saaban, Ahmad Stokin, Hamzah Adon, Alias Kadir dan ramai lagi yang tak pernah melupakan Obek yang sakit ini dan terus bertanyakan khabar dan memberikan sumbangan yang ikhlas,” jelasnya dengan perasaan terharu dan penuh pengharapan.

    Obek Didi bersama Alias Kadir.

    Mahadi Shor sudah banyak mewarnai dan mengisi ruang lawak dan seni Melayu Singapura. Ketawa besar Mahadi Shor yang sudah menjadi ‘trademark’ beliau sama ada dalam iklan, drama komedi ataupun drama bangsawan, akan sentiasa dikenang para peminatnya.

    Cuma kini, dalam keadaannya sekarang, Mahadi Shor atau Obek Didi mungkin bertanya di benak hatinya, apakah peminat seni atau dunia seni Melayu Singapura, masih ingat dan akan terus mengingati beliau.

     

    Source: http://berita.mediacorp.sg

  • Provocative Korean Drama ‘Man Who Dies To Live’, Is Offensive To Muslims

    Provocative Korean Drama ‘Man Who Dies To Live’, Is Offensive To Muslims

    A Korean comedy drama series, Man Who Dies To Live, has earned the ire of Muslims throughout the world because of scenes that many netizens say are offensive to Islam and portray a false image of Muslims.

    The drama, which was broadcast on MBC TV in Korea since 19 July, tells the story of Jang Dal Goo, who travels to a Muslim country in the Middle East, becomes wealthy and lives a decadent life under the name of Saeed Fahd Ali. The story follows his exploits and his return to Korea to reunite with his long-lost daughter and husband.

    In some scenes, Jang, who is dressed in stereotypical Arab thawb, headscarf and black robes, is openly seen meeting women dressed in hijabs and revealing swimsuits. He is also shown in one scene drinking wine for breakfast. In one of the drama’s posters, he also poses with his feet raised and placed near a book, which looks like the Quran.

    Twitter and Instagram users have raised a storm over the drama. Muslims netizens have instituted a boycott campaign and several movements to stop MBC from airing the show. They have also created a #JusticeForIslam and x-marked the drama’s posters as a way of showing their displeasure.

    Twitter user, @Sarw_Dope, wrote: “Never place the Quran that way next to a man’s foot. Stop disrespecting Islam and Arabs.”

    MBC has been forced to apologize on its official social media accounts, but defended the airing of the drama and said that all characters and events in the film were entirely fictional.

    “MBC has no intention in distorting any particular religion, culture or people,” its statement said in Arabic, Korean and English. “And we sincerely apologise for any harm that may have caused to the viewers in regards to the drama.”

    MBC said it would take “extreme caution in production from now onwards”.

     

    Source: www.allsingaporestuff.com

  • Dr Tan Cheng Bock’s EP Appeal To Be Heard On 31 July

    Dr Tan Cheng Bock’s EP Appeal To Be Heard On 31 July

    Former presidential candidate Tan Cheng Bock’s appeal against the High Court’s decision to dismiss his legal challenge on the timing for the reserved presidential election will be heard on July 31.

    In a Facebook post on Sunday (July 23), Dr Tan wrote that the hearing in the Court of Appeal will also be open for members of the public to attend.

    “I look forward to a final judicial clarification on whether the Government had correctly picked President Wee (Kim Wee) as the first of five presidencies to trigger a Reserved Election for 2017,” he said.

    After his legal challenge was dismissed on July 7, Dr Tan said his lawyers have advised that “the judge may have misconstrued the relevant constitutional provisions”, and proceeded to file an appeal to the apex court.

    Dr Tan had earlier challenged the Attorney-General’s Chambers’ (AGC) findings that Dr Wee was Singapore’s first elected President, which formed the basis for the Government to trigger a reserved election for Malay candidates for the coming polls in September.

    After changes to the Elected Presidency scheme were passed, a reserved election will be triggered for a particular race that has not seen an elected representative for five consecutive terms.

    The Government, on the advice of AGC, started counting the five terms from Dr Wee’s presidency. The late Dr Wee was the first President to exercise powers under the EP scheme, after it was introduced in 1991 while he was in office.

    But Dr Tan said it was unconstitutional to start counting from Dr Wee’s term, and the Government should have started counting from the popularly-elected Mr Ong Teng Cheong instead, who succeeded Dr Wee. This would make it four terms since the Republic has had an elected Malay President.

    Earlier this month, Justice Quentin Loh dismissed the appeal. He ruled that after amendments to the EP scheme were passed, Parliament was “entitled… to specify President Wee’s last term in office as the first term” of office of the President to be counted under the relevant article for a reserved election.

    He found that “on a plain reading” of Article 164, Parliament is not limited to choosing a particular term of office of the President as the “first term”. There was also nothing in the text or textual context of Article 19B that limits Parliament’s power by requiring it to start the count from the term of office of a popularly-elected President, said the judge.

    Dr Tan said on his Facebook page on Sunday that the legal case has allowed him “to express a different legal view”, adding:  “The case will end on 31 July 2017. But it is good to let our conversation on these national issues continue.”

     

    Source: www.todayonline.com

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