Tag: Singaporeans

Najib Razak: Singaporeans Should Not Judge Malaysia Based On Social Media Postings And Politically Motivated Statements

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said that amidst the time of opportunity between Malaysia and Singapore now, it was hoped that Singaporeans would not judge Malaysia by what they read on social media, or by politically motivated statements from certain quarters running down the country.

In a posting on his blog Najibrazak.com titled “Moving Forward In A Spirit Of Mutual Benefit”, the prime minister said both countries were enjoying the results of closer relations as seen in projects such as the High Speed Rail that will benefit the peoples of both countries.

“I am pleased with the results of our closer relations, and look forward to achieving more. The construction of the High Speed Rail linking Kuala Lumpur and Singapore will certainly transform the way Malaysians and Singaporeans interact with each other, facilitating travel between both capital cities, enhancing business linkages and improving people-to-people ties.

“At this time of opportunity between our nations, I urge Singaporeans not to judge Malaysia by what you may read on social media, or by politically motivated statements from certain quarters running down our country,” said Najib in a posting written in conjunction with Singapore’s 50th national day yesterday and 50th year of diplomatic ties between Malaysia and Singapore.

Najib said the changed approach between the two countries has been emphasised soon after he became Prime Minister in 2009, and it had led to breakthroughs in ties between the two neighbouring countries.

“The win-win solution of the Points of Agreement in 2010 – after a 20 year deadlock – was an example of how we chose to move forward in a spirit of mutual benefit, and put a longstanding stumbling block behind us.”

Najib said that he and his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong had agreed that both countries should not be encumbered by any issues associated with the past.

“The days when some considered agreement to be a form of weakness are gone. Our future is as partners. Indeed, recently there have even been suggestions that our two countries should formulate an Olympic bid together.”

While admitting there had been differences before this, Najib said both countries managed to achieve the most when they worked pragmatically together.

“In 1967, we were among the five founders of Asean, an organisation that has kept peace in the most ethnically and religiously diverse region on earth.

“We came together in the Five Power Defence Arrangement in 1971; we cooperated closely at the United Nations in the 1980s to ensure a settled future in Indochina; and today we are linked in so many ways,” he said.

Source: https://sg.news.yahoo.com

August 12, 2015
Housing, Jobs And Healthcare Concerns Weigh Heavily On Singaporean Minds

Are Singaporeans happy with life as a whole now – and do they feel confident about the next 10 years?

According to a survey commissioned by MediaCorp’s Current Affairs Unit, 66 per cent of residents said they are happy while 14 per cent said they are not. Asked whether life is close to ideal, five in 10 said yes.

Many expressed concerns over issues ranging from transport to housing and security. But even more people said they expected to be more worried about these issues 10 years down the road, reflecting a sense of uncertainty about the future.

Overall, six in 10 residents think economic conditions here will allow them to reach their personal goals.

CONCERNS OVER NEXT 10 YEARS

With the buzz of a General Election in the air, what weighs heaviest on the minds of Singaporeans?

The affordability of healthcare, availability of affordable housing, and the loss of potential jobs to foreigners were the top three concerns of respondents. All three were hot-button issues in the last General Election in 2011.

Concerns about elderly needs and the availability of integrated healthcare came in fourth and fifth, respectively.

The survey involved 2,000 citizens and permanent residents from the ages of 18 to 65, across all races and income groups. Half were surveyed via email while the rest were interviewed face to face.

HEALTHCARE

Despite more state funds being pumped into healthcare and subsidies such as the Pioneer Generation Scheme, as well as Medishield Life starting on Nov 1, healthcare affordability topped the list of respondents’ concerns, with 83 per cent saying they were worried about increasing healthcare costs.

Low-to-middle income workers (earning S$3,000 to S$5,000) were more worried about rising healthcare costs than low-income earners, who are on the receiving end of heavier subsidies and aid.

One respondent said: “Healthcare costs have increased exponentially over the years, notwithstanding the increase in subsidies.”

Associate Professor Paulin Straughan of the National University of Singapore’s sociology department said these are real concerns as life expectancy increases. “This quote sums it all. When you ask an individual to project their anxieties to the next 10 years, the only thing they can think of is the trend,” she said.

“This is one area we’ve been worried about because of the rise in costs. We are living much longer now, and we anticipate that we will be spending a significant portion of our life living with disabilities.

“And there’s nothing more worrisome than being ill when you don’t have an income any more.”

HOUSING

Despite HDB resale and private housing prices falling since early 2014, 78 per cent of respondents said they were concerned about the affordability of housing, with 47 per cent “extremely concerned”. The concern was greater among those aged 18 to 24.

78% of residents surveyed are concerned about the affordability of housing.“I think it would take at least 2 general elections before people actually change their attitude towards housing,” says cultural critic Nazry Bahrawi. Also hear from sociologist Paulin Straughan and social changemaker Rebekah Lin.Watch the full episode at http://video.toggle.sg/en/series/talking-point/ep24/338939.

Posted by Talking Point on Friday, August 7, 2015

Mr James Chia, a financial educator from Innervative Learning, said: “Ultimately you expect the trend to go up, especially with population increasing. It’s demand and supply, so the concern will always be there.”

Respondents, especially the younger generation, expressed worries about the difficulties of buying their own home.

Miss Rebekah Lin, co-founder of 50 For 50, a social enterprise, said: “The prices of property have risen much faster than an increase in salary. It is increasingly harder for young couples and singles to afford.”

Mr Chia said: “Housing is the biggest ticket item you’re going to buy in your life, so there will always be a concern.”

LOSS OF POTENTIAL JOBS TO FOREIGNERS

Since the 2011 General Election, the Government has scaled back foreign worker numbers and employment passes. It has also introduced initiatives such as the Jobs Bank, closer scrutiny of companies’ hiring practices, and even a wage subsidy if companies hire unemployed Singaporean professionals, managers and executives aged 40 and above for mid-level jobs.

But respondents said they are still worried that they will lose out on potential jobs to foreigners over the next five to 10 years.

Said Assoc Prof Straughan: “I’m not denying the fact that there are tension spots, but certainly we shouldn’t accept these as broad strokes to describe the implications of having immigration.

“Because truth of the matter is we don’t have enough of ourselves with a sustained low-fertility rate, (and) we’re not able to maintain the kind of buzz in our labour market.”

Mr Chia noted: “I think the concern runs deeper than the issue of foreigners.”

He said foreigners may be an easy target in terms of loss of jobs, but innovation, too, has the potential to displace jobs as Singapore gears towards being a smart nation.

Agreeing, Assoc Prof Straughan said that this boils down to being “future ready”.

She said: “You need to be able to future-proof your skill set so that you will always remain relevant no matter who is with you in the competitive arena.”

“The real issue (concerning foreigners) is really about a disparity that people perceive,” said Dr Nazry Bahrawi, humanities lecturer at Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD).

“I guess the PMETs are probably the ones that feel these most. And some find a bogeyman that is easy to seek,” Dr Nazry added.

“What we should do then is to look at how we can develop the groups that are caught up in this disparity rather than shape the discourse towards blaming a certain group that may not be the real concern here.”

Source: www.channelnewsasia.com

August 12, 2015
Lui Tuck Yew To Step Down From Politics, Will Not Stand In Coming Elections

With the General Election (GE) around the corner, the Prime Minister’s Office unexpectedly announced today (Aug 11) that Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew will step down from politics and not stand in the coming elections.

In a letter dated today, Mr Lui wrote to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to confirm his decision, which he said was taken “with deep regret”, not to stand for re-election in the coming GE — having broached the subject with Mr Lee “early this year”.

In his reply to Mr Lui, Mr Lee praised Mr Lui’s work as Transport Minister and said he accepted the decision “reluctantly”. He added that he was disappointed that he failed to change Mr Lui’s mind and persuade him to stay on. “My senior colleagues share my view that you have more to contribute, both in transport and in other areas in government. We discussed the matter with you several times, but could not persuade you to continue,” he said. “So I have no choice but to accept your decision not to stand for election again.”

Mr Lee pointed out that Mr Lui has “done very good work” helming the transport portfolio. “You put your heart and soul into the task. As a result, we made significant progress over the last four years”, he said.
Mr Lee said Mr Lui has “contributed crucially to this progress”, citing his role in setting policies, implementing major projects and supervising the public transport network’s operations. Mr Lui has put in place many improvements whose benefits can be seen only in the coming years, Mr Lee noted. “The job is not yet complete, as we are reminded from time to time when train services break down. But despite these incidents, I am confident that we are heading in the right direction, to get the public transport system that Singaporeans deserve,” the Prime Minister said.

In his letter, Mr Lui acknowledged that Mr Lee and several senior members of the Cabinet tried hard to persuade him to change his mind.

Mr Lui said: “You reminded me that the responsibility of Government was a collective one, and no minister carried difficult problems like public transport alone. I deeply appreciate the reassurance and support. But having thought the matter over carefully, I have decided that I should stand by my original decision.”

He noted that Mr Lee had conveyed the intention to re-appoint him as a Cabinet Minister if he was re-elected. But the GE “also provides an opportunity for me to step back from politics without causing any major disruption to Government at the end of its term”, Mr Lui said.

‘I HAVE PUT MY UTMOST INTO FULFILLING MY RESPONSIBILITIES’

Mr Lui, who was formerly Chief of Navy and chief executive of the Housing and Development Board, entered politics in 2006 and was elected as a Member of Parliament for Tanjong Pagar Group Representation Constituency (GRC), where the People’s Action Party (PAP) had a walkover.

In the 2011 GE, he was part of the PAP team which won Moulmein-Kallang GRC with 58.6 per cent of the votes, beating off the challenge of the Workers’ Party. Soon after the 2011 GE, where transport was among the hotly-debated topics during the hustings, Mr Lui was appointed Transport Minister, taking over from Mr Raymond Lim.

About six months into the job, Mr Lui had to handle two massive breakdowns on the North-South Line on Dec 15 and 17, which led to the setting up of a Committee of Inquiry. Between then and now, the rail system has continued to be dogged by disruptions. The disruption early last month, deemed Singapore’s most serious rail disruption, halted both the North-South and East-West Lines for about three hours during the evening peak, affecting some 250,000 commuters.

Under Mr Lui’s charge, the Ministry of Transport (MOT) and Land Transport Authority (LTA) ramped up capacity for buses and trains. Under the Bus Service Enhancement Programme, 550 buses were injected, with 450 more to be added by 2017.

More new trains and new rail lines have been introduced. For instance, the Jurong Region Line and Cross Island Line will be ready by 2025 and 2030 respectively. The entire Downtown Line will open by 2017.
In his letter, Mr Lui made reference to these improvements, pointing out that train delays and withdrawals across all lines have been reduced, and waiting times for buses have dropped. But he acknowledged that they have “had some setbacks”.

“Large-scale or prolonged disruptions still happen more frequently than is acceptable,” he said. “We have embarked on major upgrades and initiated further efforts in the last quarter to identify additional areas that need systematic renewal and strengthen overall maintenance practices. Given the nature and scale of our rail network, these improvements will take time,” he added.

“But the measures we have put in place will allow our problems to be progressively dealt with and resolved. I am proud of the good work my team and MOT and LTA have done. I have put my utmost into fulfilling my responsibilities.”

LUI ‘SERVED WITH HONOUR AND DISTINCTION’: DPM TEO

Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, in a statement, thanked Mr Lui “for serving, and being ready to take on challenging tasks”. Mr Teo said: “I have known Tuck Yew for more than thirty years, since he was a young officer. He has served with honour and distinction, and has brought commitment, an analytical mind, and compassion and concern for people to every responsibility he has undertaken.”

Mr Teo – who has known Mr Lui for more than 30 years and had encouraged him to enter politics – noted that since Mr Lui was elected in 2006, he has served the residents of Moulmein division and in a number of different portfolios.

“As the Minister for Transport since 2011, he has put all his energy into improving our transport system. The programmes he implemented have begun to show results and will in time improve our transport system significantly,” said Mr Teo, adding that he spoke to Mr Lui “to ask him to continue” but was unable to change his mind.

“I understand and respect his reasons,” said Mr Teo. “Tuck Yew has much to offer in whatever he pursues. I wish Tuck Yew, Soo Fen, and their family good health and much happiness.”

Source: www.todayonline.com

August 11, 2015
First Class Degree Holder Cannot Find Job Because Of Competition From Foreigners

I am a Singaporean degree holder who has graduated with first class honours from an established university. I even got a first position in my whole entire class for my thesis.

My CV is pretty ‘attractive’, according to the interviewers at the interviews I’ve attended, coupled with the 3 years of working experiences I have in the same industry.

However, till now, I am jobless despite applying to everything, even to jobs outside of my industry. You know why? The reason is simple – FTs are spoiling the market.

I was feeling really depressed when I couldn’t get anything.

So I went to Jobstreet and applied for the jobs there. Good thing about the site is you can actually see who else applied to the same job as you and what industry they come from, as well as the pay they are asking for.

To my dismay, I see 13 foreigners who have higher qualifications applying for the same job – a job that is willing to pay SGD $2,500 to 4,000.

Out of curiosity, I went to check it out. Guess what? All 13 of them are Masters holder and they are asking for WAY LOWER pay than me. I don’t mean $200-300 lower or anything like it.

One of them is a fresh grad with Masters and he/she is asking for RMB 3,500. That is only SGD $1,200+, mind you! Absurd right? That’s even lower than an ITE graduate’s pay.

Another one of them who has a Masters and 10 years of experience is only asking for SGD 2,500, which is the minimum that the job is paying for.

If these people are not spoiling the market, then I don’t know what else they are doing.

And it’s times like this that you start to doubt the credibility of their academic papers.

Because if they are indeed holding onto degree certs from credible institutions – ones whose school fees are expensive – they wouldn’t even be asking for these amount of pay. You don’t need to be genius to figure this out; it’s just common sense.

So @Just A Guy, perhaps you don’t feel it because you are not born here.

But let me tell you, for Singapore citizens who were born and lived here their whole entire lives, listening to their parents and teachers who tell them that if they study hard and get good results, they would get a good job and earn a lot of money, they would feel incredibly disappointed and letdown by Singapore’s current system.

And most importantly, they would actually be dismayed by the government’s lack of interest in protecting the citizens over the foreigners.

As a PRC, I’m sure you are currently enjoying life with a well-paying job – one that pays way better than what your home country has to offer.

Put yourself in our shoes before you post such a lengthy post because you do not understand our situation here.

Jes

Source: www.transitioning.org

August 11, 2015
Walid J. Abdullah: 10 Facts About Singapore

10 facts about Singapore:

1) Raffles did not find’ Singapore. Singapura already existed and thrived as a trading port which was a part of the Malay World.

2) Raffles did not come to modernize the country; he came to colonize it.

3) We are probably one of the few countries in the world that glorifies our colonizers: other people spew vulgarities at their colonizers, we build statues of Raffles.

4) Singapore was not a ‘fishing village’ in 1965. We were already of the best-performing economies in Asia by then.

5) While Singapore strives to be multiracial in intent, in reality we are not that multiracial in content. 77-14-8-1 (roughly) is the population make-up (CMIO). It is no surprise then to hear that majority of Singaporeans firmly believe there is zero racial discrimination whatsoever; because 77% of the population have never experienced it.

6) The UN special rapporteur on racism/xenophobia concluded after a visit to Singapore in 2010 that “while there may be no institutionalised racial discrimination in Singapore, several policies have further marginalized certain ethnic groups.” The government swiftly refuted the findings of the report.

7) Singapore is one of at least four countries that uses the Party Block Vote (GRC) system as part of its electoral system. Yes, we always like to think that we are ‘unique’ and ‘exceptional’, but sometimes reality tells us otherwise.

8) Many Singaporeans feel superior to their neighbours; so much
so that they are obsessed about defining themselves in opposition to these countries.

Sad, but true.

9) Both the government and opposition have their sets of hardcore supporters (though the former probably outnumber the latter). If PM Lee put a status ‘The sky is blue, ‪#‎sg50‬‘, or Chee Soon Juan wrote ‘Democracy bla bla bla tyranny bla bla bla’, both would have many ‘likes’ and comments stating ‘what a great observation. We need leaders like you. Majulah Singapura!’

10) Many Singaporeans who are critical of the government at home, defend the same policies when they are abroad and foreigners raise these questions. Yes, this is not entirely rational, but nationalism is irrational anyway.

***************

We do not need to be intellectually dishonest and/or to rewrite history to be patriotic.

Oh. Happy birthday, Singapore.

Source: Walid J. Abdullah

August 11, 2015