Tag: Singaporeans

Kahar Hassan Pulled Out Of Kaki Bukit, May Be Redeployed

Dear Friends & Residents of Kaki Bukit,

It is with a heavy heart that I have to bid you farewell as today will be my last day in Kaki Bukit. The Party leaders have made the decision last Saturday, for me to step down as Chairman of PAP Kaki Bukit Branch.

I am indeed blessed to have so many residents who appreciated my presence and efforts in Kaki Bukit for the past 16 months. You have showered me with so much warmth, love (and hugs!), I feel like you are family to me now. It is you, who have given me a rare and memorable experience to this tight-knitted Kampung Spirit of Kaki Bukit!

In addition, I would also like to thank our grassroots leaders and community organisations for their kind support these past months. It has been enriching working alongside all of you.

I will also miss all my Kaki Bukit PCF principals and teachers who have displayed such deep dedication and passion for the children under their care. Children of PCF Kaki Bukit, I know I have promised you that I will see you at the Sports Day and your Graduation Concert, but it looks like I can no longer fulfill that promise anymore. I hope that you can continue to grow up healthy and strong, and one day achieve all the dreams that you have shared with me.

Last but not least, I would like to take this opportunity to thank my team of dedicated Branch activists who have spent so much time with me in helping the residents here. Without you, my efforts would be limited. I was a lone stranger when I came into our PAP Branch on the first day. It is very sad to have to leave you after forging such tight camaraderie.

To everyone in Kaki Bukit, thank you for the great memories!!

I will miss you!

May our paths cross again in future.

Source: Kahar Hassan

August 1, 2015
Singapore Watching Developments In Malaysia Closely

The Republic is watching political developments in Malaysia closely, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who expressed his hope that the country remains stable.

“When something happens which could cause either a political upset or social or security worries, I think we have to watch very carefully,” said Mr Lee today (July 31). He was interviewed by Ambassador-at-large Chan Heng Chee for A Conversation with the PM: Our Future, Our People, which is airing on Channel NewsAsia and Channel 5 on Sunday (Aug 2).

Professor Chan, who is also chairman of Lee Kuan Yew Centre For Innovative Cities at the Singapore University of Technology and Design, had asked Mr Lee whether the political developments in Malaysia would affect Singapore, and how.

Mr Lee noted that Malaysia is Singapore’s closest neighbour, not just geographically, but also linked by “very big trading ties and investments”.

“We have a lot of people who live and work in Malaysia, a lot of Malaysians work in Singapore…and so when something happens in Malaysia, we watch very carefully and are very concerned how it affects us,” he said.

Malaysia has been in a state of political turmoil of late, with Prime Minister Najib Razak under fire over some US$700 million allegedly funnelled from companies linked to state-owned firm 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) into his personal bank accounts. Earlier this week, he sacked his deputy Muhyiddin Yassi — who had called on Mr Najib to explain the scandal engulfing 1MDB — as well as four other ministers, and replaced the Attorney-General.

Mr Lee reiterated that Singapore has very good relations with Malaysia. “I personally have very good relations with Prime Minister Najib, so we hope that Malaysia will remain stable, that we will be able to have a Government there which we can do business with and cooperate with, as we have been doing the last few years,” he said.

Foreign Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam, who was separately responding to media queries on Malaysia’s recent developments, said when any two countries are as close as Malaysia and Singapore, they will want stability in each other.

“Malaysia and Singapore are linked by an umbilical cord…The total trade between Singapore and Malaysia is S$111 billion and we are amongst each other’s top trading partners and top investors,” said Mr Shanmugam, who reiterated that Singapore is following developments very closely.

He said: “Any instability in Malaysia will also deeply affect Singapore, both economically and in other ways. We depend on Malaysia for water everyday, protected by a treaty. You really don’t want any instability. We hope that there will be stability that is good for Malaysia and good for us.”

Source: www.todayonline.com

August 1, 2015
Election On 12 Sep? Last Day Of Hungry Ghost Month

FENGSHUI MASTERS: BAD LUCK?

The chatter on everyone’s lips seems to be: Will the General Election be held on Sept 12?

While nothing has been announced so far, “The Date” has been widely suggested and discussed in text messages and social media.

Even veteran MP Inderjit Singh agreed that Sept 12 looks likely in a Straits Times report earlier this month.

The date is the last Saturday of the week-long school holidays, which frees schools to be used as polling stations and teachers to be tapped to man these stations.

It is also the last day of the Hungry Ghost month.

For those who are superstitious or who believe in fengshui, the date may not be a good day to hold an election.

Master David Tong, 40, told The New Paper: “Sept 12, according to the Tong Shu (the Chinese almanac), is a bad day. It’s a Month Breaker day. Hence, it is a bad day to carry out any important activities.”

A Month Breaker day is a day where the energies of that day are in conflict with the energies of the month.

DIFFICULT TIME

Master Kevin Foong held a similar view.

He said: “If election is truly in the September period, the energy suggested by the planetary movement (based on astrology) or Chinese metaphysics based on the lunar calendar both suggest it is going to be a difficult time for the Government to fully convince the voters in their favour.

“The Government has a high chance of retaining control, but may have certain districts having unexpected results.”

Understandably, those who are superstitious may not want to plan important activities during the Hungry Ghost month and risk upsetting the souls of the dead, who are said to roam the earth during this time.

But one fengshui master told TNP that there is nothing to worry about.

Master Goh Guan Leong said: “The rumoured date of Sept 12 is very interesting. It is basically a day of Metal and Wood elements, with the strength of Metal being overwhelmingly strong and in favour of the incumbent party.”

In past general elections which coincided with the Hungry Ghost month – 1972, 1988, 1991 – the People’s Action Party (PAP) performed fairly well.

In 1972, PAP won all 65 seats. In 1988, it gained 80 out of 81 seats while in 1991, PAP won 77 of the 81 seats.

Sept 12, according to the Tong Shu (the Chinese almanac), is a bad day. It’s a Month Breaker day. Hence, it is a bad day to carry out any important activities.

– Fengshui master David Tong, 40,

POLITICAL OBSERVERS: Good mood?

Judging ground sentiment is more important when calling for a general election, said political observers.

Dr Gillian Koh, senior research fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies, said it was natural for the ruling party to want to learn the extent to which government policy has made the “ground sweet”.

She said: “In a way, the public may not care what the policy is called. They care that their lives are better.

“The politicians will also want to see if the social mood is a positive one.”

Associate law professor Eugene Tan of the Singapore Management University agreed.

Aside from judging ground sentiment, being able “to show a good report card” to the electorate is also important, he said.

Other considerations include whether the party calling the date has its people, talent and manpower ready.

Said Dr Koh: “So it won’t just be about the mood of the voters. It’s also about the mood of the rank and file of the party. The candidates themselves have to be ready as well.”

Nevertheless, despite the hype about Sept 12, Prof Tan does not think that the General Election will fall in September.

He said there may be “competition for the use of open fields” if campaigning clashes with getai events.

Candidates would also be busy at getai events as special guests.

The former nominated MP suggested November or December as better months.

“This would then give the longest lead-up time. So any accusations of unfairness and lack of time would be severely diluted,” he said.

Source: www.tnp.sg

August 1, 2015
Malay Commando LTA Extends NS To Take Part In NDP

LTA Hafizuddin bin Mohdar’s Operationally Ready Date was originally on 11 Jun.

However, the NSF Commando officer voluntarily extended his NS to 10 Aug – all so that he could march in this year’s NDP.

“I was first involved in NDP in 2011,” he said, and nothing was going to stop him from joining this year.

He was a flag raiser back in 2011 for the National Cadet Corps (SG NCC).

Source: Ng Eng Hen

July 31, 2015
Workers’ Party Lee Li Lian Mooted Idea Of More Aid For Single Mothers In 2013 By-Election Rally

Social and Family Development Minister Tan Chuan-Jin’s new agenda for his ministry is to put vulnerable children high on the priority list of those to receive help.

Currently, a review is being conducted by MSF so that unwed working mothers may soon get the same benefits as married ones.

This was revealed in an interview with Channel News Asia on July 29, 2015:

REVIEWING BENEFITS FOR UNWED MOTHERS

Besides vulnerable groups in society, Mr Tan also revealed that unwed working mothers may soon get the same benefits as married ones under a review being conducted by MSF.

It is the lament of unwed mothers that they do not get the same benefits as married mums. And that just because they are single, why should their children be penalised, is their argument.

Among the differences is how unwed mothers get eight weeks of maternity leave paid for by their employers, while married mothers get 16 weeks. Unwed mothers do not benefit from the Handicapped Child Relief, nor the Baby Bonus cash gift.

The minister asked for a review of current policies: “My sense is that the public understands and sympathises with single unwed mothers; I see it on the ground. When I came in, I asked my colleagues to see whether we can review some of these things. Some of the differentiation that exists, could we harmonise it?”

SINGLE PARENTS STILL NOT THE NORM

It has been a long-standing principle of the Singapore Government that policies should support and encourage parenthood within the context of marriage. But as traditional family structures change, policies too need to be re-looked, he said.

But Mr Tan said he is mindful about the kind of signalling any change in policy sends: “Is it an indication or signal that we condone single-parenthood? That is something that you bear in mind. I do believe that society is sympathetic to single mums but we also need to be careful not to appear to encourage it as something that you could do.

“We do see in other countries, individuals choosing as a matter of lifestyle: ‘It’s ok, I’m not married, but I don’t mind having a child.’ I don’t think we are there yet as a society. I’m sure there will be individuals and some who may disagree, but I don’t see that as a norm and I don’t personally feel that some of these changes would open the floodgates if you will, for that particular lifestyle to develop.

“But be that as it may, it remains one consideration. But recognising that single mothers do have vulnerabilities, how best do we support?”

Mr Tan said the review involves a whole-of-Government approach, bringing together agencies that take care of housing and manpower policies.

He said the help rendered needs to be holistic: “The support provided for single parents, single mothers, unwed mothers really isn’t just about that Baby Bonus – I know there are differences, but actually the help extended needs to be much more extensive.

“It’s about healthcare availability, it’s about education opportunities and the support that comes with it. So, on the one hand, while there are some differences that exist today the help isn’t just in those areas. Actually the more fundamental issue is that broader extent of help.”

For example, all mothers, including unwed ones are currently eligible for infant care and childcare subsidies. Government-funded education programmes are also extended to all children.

“I’ve not met a single child who is not going to school because they couldn’t pay school fees,” said Mr Tan. “Schools fees are provided for. Uniforms are provided for. School books are provided for. Pocket money. Consistently. And that has been really encouraging for me.”

Mr Tan did not say when the review will be completed, just that an announcement will be made soon and it will likely be before Budget 2016.

However, the idea that single parents should receive same benefits as married ones was mooted by Workers’ Party Lee Li Lian in 2013 during a rally speech for the Punggol East SMC by-election:

Our inclusive society has also forgotten the 2nd group, single parents, who are Singapore citizens and whose daughter and son will bear and nurture future generations as well as serve National Service.

Did you know that single parents can only purchase HDB BTO Flats only when they are 35 and above? Regardless of marital status, all parents love and want to provide their children with the best they possibly can. Some single parents need caregivers too, but they are excluded from working mothers’ child relief, grandparent caregiver relief and foreign maid-levy relief.

Babies from single parents are also not eligible for Baby Bonus.

While having children outside of marriage should continue to be discouraged in our society, children born to single parents should not be denied the benefits that children of married parents receive. The children are innocent parties and should not start life being disadvantaged. Single parents should receive the same parenthood benefits packages as married parents.

Allow me to quote our pledge, ‘happiness, prosperity and progress for our nation.’ How can there be actual progress when stay at home parents and single parents are being left behind! We, the citizens of Singapore should move together as one people under one Flag!

Currently, the Parliament is made up of 80 PAP MPs vs 6 elected Opposition MPs. There is a great imbalance in Parliament right now. That is why there is an urgent need to vote more Workers’ Party candidates into Parliament.

Source: http://mothership.sg

July 31, 2015