Tag: Singaporeans

Shyam Anand Singh: Logic And Empathy Should Guide LGBT Discourse

I refer to Mr Walid Jumblatt Abdullah’s letter “Don’t let secular fundamentalism be the norm” (May 15), and Mr Hairol Salim’s letter “Efforts of Pink Dot ambassadors should be lauded, not condemned” (May 13).

Although I agree that each of us possesses a unique code of values that conditions our moral beliefs, I contend that Mr Jumblatt has misinterpreted the context of Mr Hairol’s letter, which does not state that all religious beliefs are based on emotions.

Mr Hairol’s statement about not letting religious-driven emotions cloud our judgment was made in relation to personal attacks on Pink Dot ambassadors based on their religious affiliations, and was not a wider critique of the state’s secular principles.

Despite the fact that religious mores play a role in societal discourse, it is critical to distinguish between ideas rooted in logic and sentiments based on emotions, especially when discussing an issue as complex as LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) rights.

Given that religious doctrine has traditionally been wielded over centuries as a tool of persecution, it is vital to underscore that religious-driven emotions can often double as hate speech against LGBT individuals.

This is distinct from religious perspectives grounded in logical thinking. While the line between the two may be thin, the former has a tendency to vilify the self-worth of sexual minorities.

Religious views guided by logic, conversely, facilitate dialogue with a greater degree of self-reflexivity and openness to accommodating alternative notions of sexuality.

Such an approach would benefit religious sexual minorities facing difficulties reconciling their sexual orientation with their faith.

Often, these individuals encounter double discrimination: From religious groups for their sexual orientation and from segments of the LGBT community for their religious convictions.

Ensuring that religious perspectives refrain from mischaracterising homosexuality as a moral hazard would aid in the personal and social struggles of LGBTs, religious or otherwise.

Exercising logic and better empathising with the struggles of sexual minorities would therefore be a positive reflection on the progressiveness of our public discourse and be a harbinger for a more inclusive society.

*This article written by Shyam Anand Singh, was published in Voices, Today, dated 19 May 2015

Source: www.todayonline.com

May 19, 2015
Amos Yee: Singapore Government Sucks But Opposition Also Manipulative

My mother, upon reading what Vincent had done to me, was absolutely horrified and disturbed, contacted Terry Xu of TheOnlineCitizen, to confirm that the moments I had mentioned concerning her in lieu of the Vincent story, was true, and to perhaps express it to the general public.

However, as of now, Terry has yet to reply to my mother, even though he had been prompt in replying to her before, and voluntarily offering to write an article, explaining and showing the true nature of my mother’s police report.

And Roy Ngerng who initially condemned me for my actions towards making molest allegations to Vincent. Now chooses to remain absolutely silent about the affair, after I had revealed the emotional abuse Vincent had inflicted on me.

I asked him if he could assist in helping me confirm that the altercation he witnessed between Vincent and I, when we went to Public Enemy was true. But he refused to do so, still claiming that it’s to protect Vincent from any further harm.

So Roy Ngerng thinks that hiding the truth, is advantageous for Vincent. Ahh… I see now why they are very good friends.

But I think really, the true reason why Terry and Roy have refrained from talking about all of this, is simply because people just don’t like to admit that they have changed their opinions once further evidence have surfaced, because that might indicate that when they made their initial hasty judgement, they were wrong.

And this is the reason, why PAP is able to rule the country for so long.

The government in Singapore really fucking sucks, but then again, the opposition are manipulative too.

Source: Amos Yee

May 19, 2015
Goh Meng Seng: Entry Of People’s Power Party Will Not Divide Opposition Support

Many people show concerns about “multi-corner” fights among Opposition with this formation of new party, People’s Power Party. But let me put it this way, most of the people who are involved in this PPP are not new faces but experienced activists. For those slated as candidates under PPP, either they stand under PPP or other political party. The net number of people participating in the next GE will not be more or less!

Thus, as I have said, don’t worry too much about multi-corner fights even with this new party. This new party will not field too many candidates and most importantly, these are known faces.

Those WP people and supporters somehow have this apprehension about PPP because they think that I will definitely go into 3 corner fights with WP! Some even think that I may just go and contest in Aljunied GRC since WP is now facing confidence crisis over there. I can safely tell you guys that I am not someone who will rob the victims when there is a fire.

But I can foresee that WP may go into a lot of multi-corner fights because of its expansion plan. i.e. if they increase their number of candidates, it may just be inevitable that they will clash with other opposition parties. I sincerely hope not but apparently, this is unavoidable. I hope PPP will not be involved in such contests.

PPP is formed basically because we do not want to DISRUPT other existing party’s management. Most of us have been through the difficult times of integration when different groups of people come into one party. We do not want to waste energy and time on such matters again.

Secondly, we have to agree with PAP Minister Masagos that all political parties in Singapore do not have strong philosophical and political ideological grounding. PPP will not disappoint him in that sense.

Last but not least, we are seeing worrying signs which are working against opposition as a whole. The tightening of internet and new media space, with the never ending Town Council saga eroding voters’ confidence in opposition as a whole. We hope to re-establish the lost confidence by doing our part in making sure that our selection of candidates are worthy ones.

I hope the above will address some of the unwarranted concerns that most opposition supporters have.

Source: Goh Meng Seng

May 19, 2015
Berilah Bantuan Kepada Golongan Rohingya Muslim Yang Berkeperluan

Alhamdulillah 360 Operations membantu golongan Rohingya di Malaysia. Sdra Tahar Jumaat (FB TJ Mohd), bekas petugas (man on the ground) Mercy Relief sedang berusaha membantu golongan Rohingya di Aceh.

Kita akur tidak semua dari golongan ini akan diterima Indonesia. Hanya Allah swt yg mengetahui rancangan Nya. Bukan kuasa kita utk memahami pekerjaan Nya. Mari kita berganding-bahu membantu golongan yg kurang bernasib-baik ini. Tiada jumlah yg dikira sedikit kerana mata wang kita di antara yg tertinggi di Nusantara ini.

Yang berkemampuan bolehlah salurkan derma anda ke POSB Savings 406188922. Harap dapat catit “Rohingya” di dalam derma anda.

Insyaa Allah “status update” akan disiarkan di halaman FB beliau dari masa ke semasa. Terima kasih. Jazaakumullahu Khairan Katheeran.

Source: Zait Ismail Halimah Masa’ed

May 19, 2015
Ngalirdjo Mungin: When I First Started Selling Satay, It Cost 2 Cents A Stick!

Three individuals, whose stories are featured in the book Living The Singapore Story: Celebrating Our 50 Years 1965-2015, tell GAO WENXIN ([email protected]) what life was like in the early years of independence

He has been in the satay business for 70 years and knows the exact flavours that appeal to the locals.

“Singaporeans feel that sweet satay tastes better. I know because I sell,” said Mr Ngalirdjo Mungin, 94, in Malay.

Although Singaporeans have enjoyed the same taste of Mr Ngalirdjo’s satay for decades, things have not always been the same for the satay man.

Before he set up his stall at Sims Drive Market And Food Centre in the 1970s, he used to peddle his satay as a street hawker.

“Back then, I had to look for customers. Now, my customers come to me.”

Mr Ngalirdjo came from Java just after World War II in 1945.

AVOIDED BEING SOLD

“Many immigrants here would be sold to Malaysia as farmers but I did not want to be sold,” he said.

Instead, he lived with other Javanese satay sellers at 97, Jalan Sultan, and was paid 10 cents a day to make satay.

There, he learnt the tricks of the trade and later sold his own satay.

He would carry two huge baskets of ingredients and a portable charcoal grill, and cover the area between the Esplanade area and Geylang.

“I also sold satay at Jalan Besar because I would get more business when there was a football match on,” said Mr Ngalirdjo, who occupied a space at the back entrance of the stadium.

Satay was sold at two cents when he first arrived, then five cents in 1947 and 10 cents in the 1960s.

Fifty sticks a day was considered good business but the jovial man said he was quite blessed to get orders of hundreds of sticks from towkays.

He met his late wife, Madam Kamisah Dadi, thanks to his satay trade. She was selling her mother’s kuih (Malay for cake) at the time.

After they got married, Madam Kamisah also helped him make satay.

His current stall is named after her.

The couple have 11 children and one of their sons runs the stall. But Mr Ngalirdjo still keeps an eye on the food quality.

“I still haven’t retired. I hope my story will encourage people to do their own business and to work for themselves,” he said.

Source: http://news.asiaone.com

May 19, 2015