Tag: Singaporeans

  • Singaporeans Furious That ‘China Chiobu’ Got NDP Tickets But They Didn’t

    Singaporeans Furious That ‘China Chiobu’ Got NDP Tickets But They Didn’t

    Many watching the National Day Parade from home yesterday remarked that Mediacorp coverage tended to focus on a certain lady in the crowd, and were eager to find out who the chio bu (pretty girl) was.

    Well, it seems that the chio bu in question is known as Emma Lee, and she shared on her Weibo social media account that her birthday falls on August 9.

    And she’s a China national.

    That’s when anger began mounting amongst the Singaporean public, with many questioning why foreigners get to watch the parade live, when they couldn’t get tickets despite years of balloting.

    redwire-singapore-china-chiobu-national-day-parade4
    Said Amat Yabar:

    “I LIVED HERE FOR MORE THAN 3 DECADES AS A LOCAL BORN AND SERVED MY BLOODY NS AND I HAVE NEVER EVEN ONCE GOT THE CHANCE TO GET TICKETS TO TSEE MY OWN COUNTRY NDP, AND THESE BLOODY FOREIGNERS CAN GET TICKETS LIKE NOBODY BUSINESS!!!”

    Edwina Teo is disappointed that Singaporeans couldn’t get a seat to celebrate the nation’s golden jubilee year.

    “If for some reasons they got it through friends or buy it somewhere, it’s ok. But if otherwise, then it’s isn’t fair. Many Singaporeans out there are trying hard to get hold of tickets to this year NDP but are downcasted and disappointed because they didn’t managed to get them. Why aren’t these allocated to Singaporeans instead? Afterall, its Singapore’s 50th Golden Jubilee and isn’t Singaporean be given priority? What do they know about the history, the significance, the essence when the themes are played? They only know how to woos and wahs! Sad indeed. My opinion.”

    So too, Caroline Xeranella:

    “My husband has applied it ever since he is young until now he already had a daughter, also didn’t managed to get the tickets.”

    Lionel Koung apparently missed the boat again this year, and was disppointed that he got leap-frogged by a foreigner.

    “I have been trying to get tickets to watch Ndp for years and I don’t even get one and yet all this foreign talents are there watching. Don’t you feel that it’s so ironical???”

    But Adelene Bek offered a more balanced perspective.

    “Honestly, I dun suka em too. However, anyone in sg can go see the parade – incl a tourist if he/she is given a tix.”

    redwire-singapore-china-chiobu-national-day-parade3
    The Singaporean public has to ballot online for tickets to watch the National Day Parade.

    They will have to choose during the balloting processs if they want tickets to watch the actual parade, or one of the NDP previews.

     

    Source: http://redwiretimes.com

  • PAP In Crisis As More MPs Resign

    PAP In Crisis As More MPs Resign

    In a press conference today (August 12), the PAP Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC team sees 3 more PAP MPs resigning signaling a succession crisis with the ruling party. MP Hri Kumar, MP Zainudin Nordin and Ex-Minister MP Wong Kan Seng have all announced their resignation today.

    Photo from Facebook

    The slew of resignations from PAP MPs started after the death of former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and the current headcount is at 10, with more PAP MPs to announce their resignation before the National Day Rally speech next week.

    1) AMK GRC MP Inderjit Singh
    2) Tampines GRC MP Irene Ng
    3) Tampines GRC MP and Ex-Minister Mah Bow Tan
    4) Moulmein-Kallang GRC MP and current Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew
    5) Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC MP Hri Kumar
    6) Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC MP Zainudin Nordin
    7) Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC MP and Ex-Minister Wong Kan Seng
    8) Sembawang GRC MP Hawazi Daipi
    9) AMK GRC Seng Han Thong
    10) AMK GRC Yeo Guat Kwang

    Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is currently having a manpower shortage filling in these resigned positions and especially for the Transport Minister position as no PAP MP volunteered for the job.

     

    Source: http://statestimesreview.com

  • Elitism Is Good For Everyone

    Elitism Is Good For Everyone

    If ever there was a letter placed in the Straits Times to justify the status quo in Singapore, and just a month after the prime minister proclaimed the societal benefits of a “natural aristocracy” in the conservative citystate, it is this remarkable missive by Mr Russell Tan Wah Jian.

    Having graduated from Raffles Institution (RI) last year, I have witnessed the transformation of the school and would like to share my thoughts on the matter (“RI now a ‘middle-class’ school / ‘Make RI a better school for S’pore’” and “RI population less diverse now, say many alumni“; both published on Aug 4).

    Singapore is a society built on the core tenets of meritocracy, fairness and equity. However, in recent years, we seem to have collectively confused equity with equality.

    Equality is making everyone stoop down to the lowest common denominator of society – everyone does the same thing and all are given equal probabilities. Equity entails everyone doing what their abilities allow them to do, and everyone being given equal opportunities to succeed; only the most outstanding grab those opportunities.

    Often, what constitutes equality does not equate to equity. If we take a modern society and reduce it back to an agrarian one, where everyone puts in equal effort, we achieve equality but not equity – because we are taking people with the capability to be, for instance, lawyers and doctors, and making them do the same menial tasks as everyone else.

    RI’s principal, Mr Chan Poh Meng, highlighted the pursuit of equality – but what for? It is a natural consequence that students from affluent backgrounds get into better schools because their parents are likely more well-heeled and can afford better-quality education for them.

    There is no point aiming for equality for the sake of equality, and giving up equity.

    Elitism, in reality, is just the darker side of meritocracy. What has come about is a natural consequence of meritocracy – when we stream students according to their abilities, it is only natural that students whose families can afford better quality education make it to better institutions.

    It is no fault of the school or the students or the precedence that previous principals have set. If anything, it is the fault of meritocracy.

    But maybe that is not a fault at all. A natural consequence that stratifies society does have its own purpose for the well-educated, critical minds to mingle together to build Singapore up to greater heights. Intelligence is an asset; and we cannot allow ourselves to prioritise equality over intelligence and equity.

    RI is often touted as a factory for future leaders – why would we want to draw resources away from the nurturing of our future leaders, or worse still, level the playing field?

    We should relook the way we go off the well-trodden path, and ensure that we do not shake up the status quo just for the sake of doing so.

    Just in time for elections…

    The comment thread makes for interesting reading too, and not all were as supportive as Mr Kevin Lee, who intoned: “You’re a bloody cunt for writing this piece of hot steaming shit.”

     

    Source: www.mumbrella.asia

  • ‘Bukit Timah Belt’ Schools Breeding Elitist Students

    ‘Bukit Timah Belt’ Schools Breeding Elitist Students

    I am glad Mr Chan Poh Meng, principal of Raffles Institution, has challenged the school to do something about its problem (“RI now a ‘middle-class’ school / ‘Make RI a better school for S’pore’”; Aug 4).

    Unfortunately, there are many other “elite” schools in the Bukit Timah belt, and I feel sad that many of their students have not been taught proper values.

    I have stopped patronising the Starbucks outlet in Coronation Plaza as the place has been overrun by students from the nearby schools.

    The students will hog the seats for the whole day, often leaving their things unattended for hours, thus depriving others of the use of the space. While it is encouraging to see our students studying so hard, it is sad to see their selfishness manifested in their ugly behaviour.

    Students who can afford to drink expensive coffee every day do not understand the value of money.

    It saddens me that these schools will continue to churn out top scholars who are self-centred and lack an appreciation of the basic necessities of life. One day, some of these elite students will grow up to be leaders of our country and they will never appreciate that their one cup of coffee is equivalent to two meals for some people.

    I hope the school principals in the Bukit Timah belt will learn from Mr Chan’s words and inculcate the right values in their students before it is too late. As a start, they should consider providing study facilities with free beverages for their students, so that they will stop hogging the Starbucks seats.

    Jessie Loy Sze Nah (Madam)

     

    Source: www.straitstimes.com

  • Jangan Sekali-Kali Berputus Asa Dengan Singapura

    Jangan Sekali-Kali Berputus Asa Dengan Singapura

    Pada suatu pagi yang indah, saya mempunyai salah satu detik kehidupan sebagai seorang ayah muda apabila saya terpaksa menjawab soalan falsafah anak saya yang berusia empat tahun yang bertanya, “mengapa orang meninggal dunia.”

    Selepas saya menjelaskan bahawa semua orang akhirnya akan menemui kematian, beliau mengagumi saya dengan soalannya lagi. “Jika semua orang meninggal dunia, siapakah yang akan menjaga Singapura?” katanya lagi.

    Untuk seketika, hati saya berdebar-debar dan debu seolah-olah berkumpul di mata saya (saya menangis sebenarnya). Setelah mendengar soalan mendalam ini daripada anak saya yang berumur empat tahun, saya berkata: “Umar, kamulah yang akan menjaga Singapura sebagaimana ayah telah menjaganya.”

    Barulah saya faham mengapa datuk dan nenek saya sentiasa bersemangat ketika mengingatkan kami bagaimana kami harus menjaga negara ini dalam semua aspek kehidupan. Ia bukan sekadar menurunkan negara ke generasi akan datang.

    Ia adalah untuk memastikan orang yang tercinta dapat terus mencari makna dalam hidup, mengoptimumkan potensi mereka ke tahap tertinggi dan menyedari sifat kemanusiaan dalam diri kita adalah untuk kebaikan dan kegembiraan kepada dunia ini.

    Menjaga Singapura bermakna menjamin masa depan di mana orang yang kita sayangi boleh terus mengamalkan dan mengekalkan nilai-nilai kebaikan, keindahan budaya dan untuk orang-orang seperti diri saya, pengertian iman dan unsur-unsur tamadun yang hebat untuk generasi akan datang.

    Sejak kebelakangan ini, kita terdedah kepada segelintir rakyat Singapura yang tidak berpuas hati terhadap pelbagai dasar. Walau bagaimanapun, hakikatnya adalah, kita mampu memberikan komen, kritikan dan juga menyumbang kepada penghalusan dasar tersebut.

    Ia adalah satu rahmat tersendiri. Sebagai seorang warga Singapura, saya penerima kepada dasar-dasar tersebut – baik dari segi perumahan, pengangkutan, sosial dan lain-lain.

    Ada kalanya saya mengaku saya salah seorang daripada rakyat Singapura yang tidak berpuas hati. Walau bagaimanapun, kita masih boleh memilih sama ada terus menyebarkannya tanpa memberi jalan keluar, ataupun kita boleh berkongsi fikiran yang dapat memberikan idea-idea praktikal dan wajar untuk memperbaiki, meningkatkan atau mengkaji semula dasar-dasar.

    Apa yang saya pelajari daripada soalan anak saya adalah kita tidak boleh melepaskan tangan terhadap Singapura. Ia adalah dengan rahmat Allah, nilai dan kepercayaan ini yang dapat menyatu kita supaya dapat mencapai kejayaan yang kita saksikan hari ini.

    Peningkatan kesedaran sivik , dialog dan percambahan pertukaran dalam talian dan luar talian mengenai dasar, mutu dan makna hidup ialah penunjuk penting bahawa masyarakat semakin matang. Ia adalah bukti aspirasi rakyat agar Singapura terus diperbaiki. Ia perlu dipupuk dan berpandukan kebijaksanaan, belas kasihan, empati dan kemurahan dan tidak boleh dihancurkan oleh penghasut dan komen negatif.

    Biar suara kita didengari dan pandangan kita dipertimbangkan secara serius oleh semua. Untuk itu, kita perlu mengemukakan pandangan yang meyakinkan, rasional dan praktikal – yang boleh dicapai dalam jangka masa pendek dan panjang untuk dan oleh Singapura.

    Saya yakin terdapat cabaran baru global dan serantau yang memberi kesan kepada ekonomi dan landskap sosial.

    Cinta kita antara satu sama lain sebagai rakyat Singapura lebih mendalam daripada apa yang kita sangkakan.

    Pengalaman saya berada di hospital menjaga bapa saya selama 11 bulan membuatkan saya melihat sebahagian rakyat Singapura yang penyayang dan bersatu padu.

    Dalam wad pergantungan tinggi selama empat bulan, keluarga yang menjaga, tanpa mengira bangsa atau agama, berkongsi cabaran dan memberi sokongan emosi untuk satu sama lain.

    Kami juga menangis bersama-sama apabila merempuhi cabaran untuk orang yang kita sayangi.

    Ibu saya yang berada di sana setiap hari membangunkan hubungan rapat dengan penjaga yang lain.

    Begitulah semangat kampung yang terserlah di depan mata saya, selama ini hanya dapat saya dengar, memandangkan rumah pertama saya adalah sebuah flat HDB.

    Ia memberikan saya harapan dalam masa krisis kerana identiti warga Singapura yang dikata-katakan itu kuat dan ada di dalam kita.

    Sebagai seorang Muslim Singapura, saya yakin bahawa peluang untuk terus membuat pengalaman hidup agama masyarakat saya dan masyarakat Singapura lebih bermakna semakin kita bergerak ke hadapan sebagai sebuah masyarakat yang matang.

    Selamat Ulang Tahun ke-50 saya ucapkan kepada Singapura dan rakyatnya, semoga makmur untuk bertahun-tahun lagi.

    Majulah Singapura.

    • Penulis, Ustaz Irwan Hadi Mohd Suhaimy, Ketua Pejabat Mufti.

     

    Source: http://beritaharian.sg

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