View Full Version : Please post any Election News/Snippets/ Gossips here
Pages :
1
2
3
[
4]
5
6
7
8
9
10
devilplate
28-04-11, 12:06
Got the louder speaker mounted on top or not? Like selling "ko yok" in the old days..haha
GOT!!!
LOUD LOUD SPEAKER!!!
'PLS VOTE PAP FOR A BETTER FUTURE!!!!'
i heard u PAP...LOL
PAP van just pass by!
atmosphere started:D
r u talking abt the boat quay one ? I'm going there also
devilplate
28-04-11, 12:08
r u talking abt the boat quay one ? I'm going there also
i am still at HOME!!!;)
unless register and have licence, then can called Agent, so if not maybe is Agent runner? :D
dont talk so much nonsense, quickly show me the thread where you said i post alot of sales...i want to see them myself..:eek:
i am still at HOME!!!;)
so good, stay at home on weekday...dont need to slog and can own so 100 properties...admire you...
devilplate
28-04-11, 12:19
so good, stay at home on weekday...dont need to slog and can own so 100 properties...admire you...
this is really exaggerating:tongue3:
Wow this election is so HOT!
Looking forward to the wayang. I am from hotly contested GRC Bishan-TP. Yesterday, I was driving from Bishan to Sengkang and following a trail of lamp-posts with election posters. Even got stuck behind the truck with the PAP posters up in Sengkang.
I also saw what I thought might be soil investigation machineries around sites of possible future MRT stations along the way (3 different sites). Suddenly popping up at around this time. ? PAP showing that they can move things?
Going to listen to WP rally tonight.... :spliff:
come n buy does not mean buy from me la...use your brain and dont junmp to conclusion...:D
u all go and buy push the price up..than i let go mine...striaght foward...
just a few comments in the forum expect the price to go up?? whos not using brain :doh:
dont talk so much nonsense, quickly show me the thread where you said i post alot of sales...i want to see them myself..:eek:
have to go dig all your posts, me sianz.... anyway you always talk like you are an agent lah not me alot of ppl think so too.
but now you clarify you are not then you are not lor, we are very nice people very forgiving ones :P
have to go dig all your posts, me sianz.... anyway you always talk like you are an agent lah not me alot of ppl think so too.
but now you clarify you are not then you are not lor, we are very nice people very forgiving ones :P
he should juz admit mah....maybe he can get some biz from the forumers :D
May go to Geylang East tonight to see the NSP rally.
Ya, GY fits his Foreign Minister portfolio, calm mind, his face quite ok and friendly type (not the "kiam pa" - people see want to hate and people type). Wonder if PM Lee loose him, who will he choose to replace as Foreign Minister?
tin pei ling or nicole seah gets my vote :) we need SYTs to charm the foreign diplomats
tin pei ling or nicole seah gets my vote :) we need SYTs to charm the foreign diplomats
Agreed and perhaps these SYT will keep those old cocks awake during parliament sessions...:D :D :D
Well, there will only be one ...TPL will be the one.
(Nicole will get there only via the 'best' loser doorway.)
So all the old hoots will have No Choice - like the rest of us.
Agreed and perhaps these SYT will keep those old cocks awake during parliament sessions...:D :D :D
Well, there will only be one ...TPL will be the one.
(Nicole will get there only via the 'best' loser doorway.)
So all the old hoots will have No Choice - like the rest of us.
maybe those old cocks also want nicole to be in :D they are sick with lao chabo liao.....
maybe those old cocks also want nicole to be in :D they are sick with lao chabo liao.....
Amy Khor is OK rite? Not so lao.
May go to Geylang East tonight to see the NSP rally.
NSP rally not as exciting as WP rally. my GRC is contested by NSP, but i am going to watch WP... NSP can probably watch on youtube, while WP you get good live atmosphere.
this video is very funny "parody of nobody but you" i laugh till peng
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDb3VVp7w20&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Remember not to park your car next to the rally site. Mattar will be taking down car registration no. for security reason.
NSP rally not as exciting as WP rally. my GRC is contested by NSP, but i am going to watch WP... NSP can probably watch on youtube, while WP you get good live atmosphere.
Regulators
28-04-11, 17:31
Nicole seah so much more attractive than tin peiling. Tin's face like a pancake, below average definitely.
tin pei ling or nicole seah gets my vote :) we need SYTs to charm the foreign diplomats
Regulators
28-04-11, 17:38
Wah lau, amy khor already became an old hag years ago, don't even qualify for milf
Amy Khor is OK rite? Not so lao.
Amy Khor is OK rite? Not so lao.
lily neo better
Remember not to park your car next to the rally site. Mattar will be taking down car registration no. for security reason.Can park car along road side at Buangkok coz its PAP's rally. :D OR maybe can park at opp rally coz too many people there and ma tar cannot walk through put summon... :spliff:
Wah lau, amy khor already became an old hag years ago, don't even qualify for milf
What the Damage Cat? Any FR? :D :D
lily neo better
excellent choice of abalone...:cheers1:
http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/wMDwPw6JKR8ZmTFhQdaL2w--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7dz02MzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en-SG/blogs/buzzing/CSTong.jpg
Check out the other posters here (http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/what-is-buzzing/tongue-cheek-photos-general-election-082000838.html).
Haa haa...I think he looks like Magneto of Xmen movies. :D
devilplate
28-04-11, 18:26
Can park car along road side at Buangkok coz its PAP's rally. :D OR maybe can park at opp rally coz too many people there and ma tar cannot walk through put summon... :spliff:
tot today buangkok site only for PAP?
devilplate
28-04-11, 18:28
if bishan+aljunied GRC takeover by OPP....isit a nationwide celebration event? or just a minority celebration?
i wud tink any 1 of them will be quite a achievement liao
Regulators
28-04-11, 18:47
Lily neo too much ici dulux on the face. 15 years ago she would be chio, now she can join amy khor in the hag club
excellent choice of abalone...:cheers1:
Lily neo too much ici dulux on the face. 15 years ago she would be chio, now she can join amy khor in the hag club
Look from far, still look good. Today ST, Page A10, she standing beside MM waving to supporter, low res picture, still ok..., must be quite an eye candy when young. Beauty plus brains....:D
Geylang OKT
28-04-11, 20:34
come n buy does not mean buy from me la...use your brain and dont junmp to conclusion...:D
u all go and buy push the price up..than i let go mine...striaght foward...
Hello Property Agent :D
Hello Property Agent :D
Don't pissed him off, he say he not agent....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvb6O5atIRk&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Tpl making speech n crowd chanting Kate spade
devilplate
28-04-11, 21:32
WP RALLY SUPER HOTTTTTTTTTTTT:hell-hath-no-fury:
Pap not much crowd:scared-4: :scared-4:
Surprise to see so many people at the WP rally.
WP RALLY SUPER HOTTTTTTTTTTTT:hell-hath-no-fury:
Pap not much crowd:scared-4: :scared-4:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvb6O5atIRk&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Tpl making speech n crowd chanting Kate spade
Haa haa TPL is like doing those primary school story telling like that... :doh:
Do you want a fresh coat of paint at your void deck or a fresh voice in parliament asks Nicole Seah
She sure knows how to talk!
Check tis out, quite entertaining, No Money No Money to the tune of Wonder Girls' hit
http://youtu.be/aDb3VVp7w20
Saw this from another forum:
Very brave man in his blog:
"Someone said that LKY rigged Cheng San GRC 1997 election.. See the link below. Brave man. He mentioned that he has prove in his blog as well..."
http://i-came-i-saw-i-solved-it.blogspot.com/2006/10/proof-lee-kuan-yew-rigged-_116208578905665261.html
Geylang OKT
28-04-11, 22:31
Check tis out, quite entertaining, No Money No Money to the tune of Wonder Girls' hit
http://youtu.be/aDb3VVp7w20
The below offering must be from the opposition :D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFDCA482WVo&feature=related
u keep saying GDP is not real. so wat is real? do u need the govt to display all $ on the ground and let u count??
yes PAP was opp with no track record and wat happen? they fight they win they know wat they want!
when ask opp are they ready to take over, they said not ready and they dare to say opp is needed in case the ruling party fail. isnt it contradicting? one moment say need opp should pap fail on the other hand they are not ready to take over. so wat are they trying to do? try to mess up then say they are not ready!!! this is irresponsible :simmering:
Pardon my language, but you r a lackey..period:tongue3:
Geylang OKT
28-04-11, 22:37
Vote Opposition! Vote for lower property prices! :D :D :D
Pardon my language, but you r a lackey..period:tongue3:
Only one word for u.......Fcuk U!!
kingkong1984
28-04-11, 22:43
come n buy does not mean buy from me la...use your brain and dont junmp to conclusion...:D
u all go and buy push the price up..than i let go mine...striaght foward...
Agent Peter
Which unit r u selling? Exclusive?
Geylang OKT
28-04-11, 22:43
Agent Peter
Which unit r u selling? Exclusive?
He say he not agent lah. :D :D :D
I agrees with devil on MBT. Mah poor guy. Right now pty price jumping half due to external factors. Nothing he can do. Dun blame the gov for everything.
Also abt COE. When COE=100k, I think the system worked very well in controlling the jam. The gov relented the system due to popular demand and youngster's aspiration to own car. Now you blame gov for this.
Another lackey. When u r paid million ,you jolly well deliver. Cut the crap. Period:mad:
Geylang OKT
28-04-11, 22:44
Don't pissed him off, he say he not agent....
Maybe he prefer to be called Realtor then? :D :D :D
The below offering must be from the opposition :D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFDCA482WVo&feature=related
Dun understand la...., maybe from msia opposition? Think Babes in Geylang so much more chio....:D
Geylang OKT
28-04-11, 22:47
Nice song :D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfvniO-DWZ8
Vote Opposition! Vote for lower property prices! :D :D :D
Maybe they will landfill bedok reservoir to build more bto and sell more condo land if opposition win aljunied grc haa haa ....:rolleyes:
Geylang OKT
28-04-11, 22:52
Maybe they will landfill bedok reservoir to build more bto and sell more condo land if opposition win aljunied grc haa haa ....:rolleyes:
Maybe we can install 4 wheels at the bottom of our house so that we can move it around to PAP ward when opposition wins :D :D :D
devilplate
28-04-11, 23:09
Another lackey. When u r paid million ,you jolly well deliver. Cut the crap. Period:mad:
i noe GE is near....emotion is high....
control control control:)
devilplate
28-04-11, 23:11
Maybe we can install 4 wheels at the bottom of our house so that we can move it around to PAP ward when opposition wins :D :D :D
vote for opposition if u want CHEAP HOUSING!!:D
after tat, VOTE THEM OUT to let ur house appreciate FAST!!!:hell-hath-no-fury:
haha:p
Vote opposition in for 1 term....
Then get PAP back the next term
Sure get plenty of goodies:cheers6:
Geylang OKT
28-04-11, 23:16
vote for opposition if u want CHEAP HOUSING!!:D
after tat, VOTE THEM OUT to let ur house appreciate FAST!!!:hell-hath-no-fury:
haha:p
Good one! :D :D :D
Good one! :D :D :D
Just nice 5 years, SSD over. :D
Geylang OKT
28-04-11, 23:19
Just nice 5 years, SSD over. :D
Very nice timing indeed :D :D :D
ay123 & AMK,
Sorry abt the remarks,too piss so made that rude posting:scared-1:
Wenqing, and all forumer,
Good job, excellent posting, it give much insights.
Straits time and official media r quite one sided in their report.
Keep it up.
:)
Wenqing, and all forumer,
Good job, excellent posting, it give much insights.
Straits time and official media r quite one sided in their report.
Keep it up.
:)
Relaxed bro, can understand your feeling. Glad you make your stand "corrected".;)
IMHO, being over reactive will give non-OPP supporters a wrong perception on OPP image. I believe these overactings would counterproductive toward OPP's effort to build "A First World Parluament"
Let stay united to "hoot" PAP jialat jialat!!!!
Enough is enough.
Wenqing, and all forumer,
Good job, excellent posting, it give much insights.
Straits time and official media r quite one sided in their report.
Keep it up.
:)
see this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWcpEZO4DCI&feature=share
Thanks,
westman and devilplate ,:doh:
For the timely reminder
Extracted this following writeup from Channelnewsasia Today
Marine Parader
There are 420,000 blue collar workers. Change the collar colour to white n put them in education, health, IT, financial sectors? More IRs perhaps? Easier said than done. Good topic for debate on economic restructuring. But Think before you leap. --- gct
One of the comments:
Yi Zhu Liew
Hi Mr Goh, I read your comment in ST actually but decided to come and post here to give you a perspective.
This is really from my heart because my family wouldn't want any of this out here in this way.
All my family members had voted for PAP throughout every single election. My grandmother was highly active in the women's wing from its formation till her death and had nothing but good words to say abt its leaders and their dedication. We grew up hearing those stories.
I can say my hsehold are white collared folks - well, originally at least.
My mum got retrenched in 2009 after working almost 30 years for the same bank. Right after retrenchment aged in her late 50s, she cannot find any other job. It's almost heartbreaking seeing her waking up every morning at 8am and faithfully sending out PDFs (yes, she is PC-literate and had to learn so much of the gizmos on her own) after PDFs to any employer that she can find on the newspapers, online etc. She had even signed up for e2i, NTUC, NE district..whatever.
NTUC in particular, held a job matching programme and told her to turn up at 10am but saw her only at 5pm..for almost the whole day, she sat there not daring to leave just in case she loses her place in the queue, not eating lunch. Unfortunately, it resulted in nothing.
All that she has yet to do is probably go and see the MP. So for 2 years now, that's her routine.
Initially, she came across adverts put up by hospitals for patient admin clerks..she applied for that but heard nothing from them. When she went to the same hospital for her medical appt, she saw Filipinos manning the very same counter for which the job advert was placed and upon enquiring, found out they were recruited +/- the same time as she had applied.
What are we to think? The only job she could find was a data entry clerk - and this, we are talking of an ex-VP of a bank. So she swallowed her humble pie and took it. To her horror, the supervisor of the data entry pool is a Filipino! What's happening here?!?! You mean to say, there are no Singaporeans who are able to work as a Supervisor? I think therein, my mother felt betrayed and if she doesn't, I would feel so on her behalf. Regardless, she ploughed on. This as a contract staff with no benefits whatsoever such as medical leave (something that's so basic). When she has the flu, a cough, whatever, she worries for her daily-rated job.
I've told her to give up, don't do cos it's so miserly- $4/hr, but she says, she doesn't know what else to do and if she doesn't work, she would really be very bored. For your added benefit, this job was found not thru' any of the aid agencies but on her own. Even so, it's nothing secure. The projects come and go for a few weeks. A sprinkling here and a little there. By the time she takes the bus and MRT to her workplace, I really don't know why she bothers.
Are we the only ones suffering like that? No...my mother also had her peers who were similarly retrenched by the same bank. They too, have found jobs such as night-time taxi driver, food court supervisor (sounds nice but it is actually i/c of clearing tables and spit).
Why are things like that happening? I am sorry for this long rant here but I hope that you do not sugar coat what is happening, the painful examples that abound. So maybe my mother is now the 420,001th blue-collared worker but she at least, would hope that maybe what Mr Tan says has merit so she can continue to work in the capacity that she has trained for.
BTW, this is not abt money - she had left the bank with compensation, but it's abt your sense of worth as a human being...sometimes u wonder if all u are capable for is clearing a plate on the table or punching in mindless numbers.
Therein lies the daily torture. I am finding my feet in the working world but now, I worry alot abt my own future. After a degree and all this, don't tell me one fine day I have to eat the same humble pie and settle for something beyond mediocre? Also, we have nothing agst foreigners per se, so don't get me wrong. We just think that somewhere along the way, a particular govt policy is to be blamed for our predicament. Don't you think so? Why don't you just seriously read what Mr Tan had taken pains to write, contrast it with what your cabinet has set out..find a middle path maybe? Rather than dismiss it immediately like that as something without merit. Please reconsider. Thank you and so sorry once again for the length of this post.[/font]
Subject: Well written by someone who is overseas and can't vote
To the Men-in-White by Neo Yu Wei on Sunday, 24 April 2011 at 22:14
You guys were once my heroes. When I was young, I was so proud that I had a government that was indeed one of the world's best, if not, THE BEST. Although LKY was (and still is) portrayed as a fearsome, if ruthless leader, he was much respected. When he appeared as our PM on the world stage, my heart never failed to swell with pride because it was obvious that he was also someone other world leaders respected.
But not now. The problem is, you are victims of your own success. And the world has changed, yet you remain stuck in the 1960s. This is why your once-fantastic branding is being eroded, why I find it hard to support you like before.
1) You were too successful
First, there was LKY and he was a great leader. He was like a god and still being treated like one. He "miraculously" transformed a small, poor, resource-less little island into a country that now has one of the highest GDPs in the world, where other countries are now trying to learn from. No one can take that achievement away from the first PAP team and indeed, I would guess that this is also the main reason why many in the older generation are still your loyal fans. I may not agree to all the strategies you've used then (and some were downright questionable) but I can't deny that you had some very good reasons to do so. But unfortunately, when you've set the standard of governance so high, every other subsequent PAP team that comes along can only look worse and worse. And it doesn't help that you constantly try too hard to be perfect. The higher the bar is set, the more difficult it is for the PAP teams that come after to match it. In a way, I think LKY only does his own te am a great disservice by publishing so many personal memoirs, recounting again and again how good he was. Because the more god-like he is, the more voters like me will wonder, how can we ever have another "god" like him to lead us? And the answers you propose will always be a disappointment. Be! cause, against a god, everyone will look like a mere mortal. Didn't anyone tell you that you can't replicate a god using your same old cookie-cutter?!! Great leaders are first of all rebels, don't you know (and LKY was one too!)?
2) You were too smart for your own good
No one can or has been able to rival you in terms of your (mostly) rational and well-thought through, sound policies. Especially in terms of our economic policies. You're so darn good with your cost-benefit analyses, your economic forecasts, your financial planning. Every policy you rolled out is justified using very rational arguments that the opposition and the public find hard to counter argue. You are top-notch, because you have a very brainy team, all with impeccable qualifications from world renowned universities. Unfortunately, this made you assume that only you have the brains and everyone else is just an *censored* who needs only to listen and obey. The game of politics cannot be played by cold logic alone. And it certainly can't be won by treating your voters as morons.
An example of this would be the issue of bringing in the IRs. Yes, your cold, rational argument makes very good economic reasons for having casinos in Singapore. No one can argue against that. But not everything can or should be measured by dollars and cents or by the amount of GDP it will generate for Sg. We're no longer the generation in the 1960s that constantly had to worry about money or material matters. We've moved up the Maslow's hierarchy of needs. In fact, most Singaporeans work ridiculously long hours, are constantly too stressed to even go on dates or have *** (hence the low marriage and fertility rate) that we're all very very disillusioned with the constant drive for wealth. Increasingly, we want to slow down, have time to smell the flowers and be with our families. And having casinos that will bring in more crime (organised ones too), encourage more addictive behaviour and increase broken families will not sit wel! l with a population who now values quality of li fe rather than personal wealth. Yet, you bull-dosed these concerns and won yet again with your cold, rational, economic arguments because there wasn't enough opposition in the parliament to stop you.
While people may buy into the cold logic of your policies now, your lack of empathy and human touch are slowly alienating voters. The breaking point may not be now, but you can be sure that the disconnection is getting wider by the day. It's a time-bomb that will go off at some point.
3) You forgot evolutionary laws, history and your own past
While you're very brainy, you're mostly all technocrats and specialists. You've scorned the social sciences and the humanities, you think these are only for sissy people whose A Levels don't qualify them for specialist degrees. Yet, if you had been more well-informed in these areas, you might have learnt some valuable lessons about power. History, for example, is the best teacher that could have taught you that power never ever ever ever lasts forever. Indeed, the more you try to hang on to it, the more it will invite adversity. History would also have taught you that every regime was once in opposition. As Marx could have told you, the history of mankind is all about class (or power) struggles. You may be in power now, but one day you'll be overthrown. However, you have hope of leaving your great legacy behind if you take a leaf from the pages of human evolution, which would have taught you that it's human diversity that has helped the human race to overcome the odds, to sur vive this long. But instead of embracing diversity, you tried your hardest to kill off any form of alternative views, whether these come from within your party or externally. You only wanted to hear your own voice or voices that are exactly the same as yours. This inbreeding will eventually be your demise. Most of all, you forgot your own roots, where you were once an opposition party too. You focused so much ! on hanging on to your power, you forgot your original vision, you forgot your voters and you forgot why you are governing Singapore.
4) Power breeds fear and paranoia
In the beginning, you used power in order to stabilise the political situation so that you can give the masses homes, food, clean water and their livelihoods. That seemed a justifiable use of power even though it involved some ruthless and ugly tactics. But over the years, you started to crave power for itself. Again, you forgot the story of Macbeth (see, I told you the humanities are important!!) - where an originally good leader was so obsessed with his new power that he saw everything as a threat towards it. He became so paranoid that he even killed his best friend whom he thought was after his throne. He only heard what he wanted to hear from dubious soothsayers (which turned out to be half-truths). Needless to say, Macbeth eventually had a tragic end. Like Macbeth, you've become so obsessed with winning overwhelmingly in every GE that you use every weapon you have, every trick up your sleeves to clobber the opposition to smithereens. Smear campaigns, legal suits, changin g electoral boundaries, raising the cost of candidature, forming GRCs, threatening the electorate with upgrading...it's like watching the Brazilian football team beat the Singapore team by 82-2, except in football the rules are fairer and the referee neutral. Why do you need to resort to such gangster-like ways? You could have won overwhelmingly anyway with all the talent you have! I'm not sure how long this bullying strategy can go on but sooner or later you'll become the thug that the electorate can't wait to get rid of.
5) Power corrupts absolutely
Power is not power without money. And in this aspect you've outdone yourselves by pegging your salaries to the private sector. You're the highest paid politicians in the world and your income is >40 times that of the median income of the general population! (only less than Kenya). Of course, you justify it with yet another one of your cold, rational arguments of attracting and retaining the best talents in the government. But seriously, how can you compare public sector salaries to the private sector? In fact, many of your candidates have never worked in the private sector before and one wonders if they'll survive even for a day in a private company. Yet, they are paid private sector salaries, paid not from profits but from taxpayers' money. And though I fully agree that politicians must be paid their worth, don't you think getting 40x the median income is crossing into the lines of corruption? Ok, even if all our Ministers and PM are worth every cent of their $4m annual salary, it also means that they have to perform much much much better than any other government in the world. Again, you have set the standards and expectations so high, you only have yourselves to blame when you cannot meet those expectations from the ground. And the more you fail to meet their expectations, the more the electorate will think you're not worth your astronomical salaries. It's a vicious cycle that you've started and it's going to be very hard to stop now.
You talk about the so-called "crutch-mentality" of the poor, yet this same mentality can be applied on yourselves. When you've used money as the main means to attract people into your party, you've basically recruited people who value money above serving the country in the people's interest. These politicians who are in it for the money will not have the incentive to think independently or to represent the people's interests because they've got millions to lose if they don't toe party lines. Because they're paid millions, what incentives do they have to empathize with someone struggling with 2 jobs to make ends meet? Very soon, the voters will feel that you're just a bunch of corrupt officials, no different from those in many 3rd-world countries.
The way I see it, you only have yourselves to blame for th! is situation you're in. The only way you can somehow reverse these trends is to learn from Madonna (see, you never thought popular culture could teach you anything right?). She keeps herself relevant not by sticking to the same old formula again and again. That would have killed her career long ago as it did to countless of other pop stars. Rather, she keeps re-inventing herself and her image to keep them relevant to the current times. And she pushes the boundaries. She's always ahead of her time and like a true leader, she sets the trends not follow them. She's a rebel. Yet, all you have done is to remain exactly the same as you were in 1960s. The electorate is increasingly tired of your same old scare tactics using HDB upgrading as a stick, tired of you saying that Singapore will go to ruins if the opposition wins, tired of you always using smear campaigns against opposition candidates, tired of your arrogance and la ck of empathy, tired of you giving out inconsequential hongbaos before elections only to increase your own salaries by millions after.
You keep encouraging us to think out-of-the-box, yet you're perpetually stuck in the same adversarial mindset towards the opposition. If you can only start to think of your relationship with the opposition as a mutual symbiosis - you share a portion of power with them in return for your longevity and credibility. Power is always temporary, but your legacy needn't be. Just look at the current Conservative Party of UK which traces its roots back to the Tory Party in 1678. Do you think they could have survived this long without any meaningful opposition, no defeats, no radical internal reforms? Are you so politically shortsighted that you can only see your future in the next 10, 20 or 50 years? C'mon, think further!! And didn't anyone tell you that in other to be the best, you need to have competition? Otherwise, how can the electorate be sure that you're indeed the best, if they can't compare you to any other party?
I'm no military strategist, but I do think that sometimes, you need to lose some battles first in order to win bigger battles later. It will not be a bad thing for you to lose a few GRCs in this GE. In fact, if I were you, I will be celebrating. Because nothing gets people going like failure. Rather lose some small battles now than to wait for the big bomb to explode later. By then, not only will you disappear into the dust heap of history, so too will Singapore. That will be your ultimate betrayal to this country that you so painstakingly and successfully created out of a little red dot on the map.[/font]
devilplate
29-04-11, 09:54
DPM Teo answered y some ppl still unhappy even though singapore economy is on a upswing
i tot its worth mentioning here::)
divide a hall into 2, one side given $100 and the other $20. both sides will still be unhappy and feel unfair (even though $100 camp will be happier of coz...haha) even though they r better off
no one will suggest both sides shd receive $60. instead, both sides will want $100.
DPM Teo answered y some ppl still unhappy even though singapore economy is on a upswing
i tot its worth mentioning here::)
divide a hall into 2, one side given $100 and the other $20. both sides will still be unhappy and feel unfair (even though $100 camp will be happier of coz...haha) even though they r better off
no one will suggest both sides shd receive $60. instead, both sides will want $100.
TRUE! That's why I LIKE HIM SO MUCH! hahaha...
Maybe they will landfill bedok reservoir to build more bto and sell more condo land if opposition win aljunied grc haa haa ....:rolleyes:
no lah, Aljunied GRC will be full of cheap HDB pegged to median income so that GRC will be cheapest for HDB so better dun build condo there else waste of $$ for investment!
DPM Teo answered y some ppl still unhappy even though singapore economy is on a upswing
i tot its worth mentioning here::)
Divide a hall into 2, one side given $100 and the other $20. both sides will still be unhappy and feel unfair (even though $100 camp will be happier of coz...haha) even though they r better off
no one will suggest both sides shd receive $60. instead, both sides will want $100.
Another extreme bad example as gven from PAP....
I think PAP missed the point on why Singaporeans are not happy...
Imagine the hall used to have 3.5millions and within 5 years, number swelled to 5++millions. Worse, PAP plan to make it 6.5mil in times to come....
First of all, if FT policies really bring in good jobs and benefits to all Singaporeans, I think everyone of us would acutually want more FT to come...
What happened now? The hard truth is...Singaporeans unhappy becos PAP really did not do a good jobs to anticipate issues as induced by letting in more influx of FT. Also, most of us do not get to enjoy the benefits wor...
As almost all Singaporeans would agree that
1) MBT failed to ensure sufficent housing to cater for new housing needs.
2)Lemon Lim failed to ensure a good pulic transport network is ready to meet the increasing transportation capacity needs.
3) The Gu Nian Vivian failed to ensure good socal policies to address problems as induced by opening of FT's policies (example: education, healthcare, living costs).
4) The Idioit Ah NEH (Ng Eng Han) does little to ensure SIngaporean First for Univeristy Education (Interestingly, a minister promosied to ensure ITE education will be cater solely for SIngaporeans wor during his speech in CCK ITE a week ago:doh: )
The list is too long for me to go on and i think it's not too difficult for friends here to figure out yourself...
Think carefully, vote wisely..:2cents:
vote for opposition if u want CHEAP HOUSING!!:D
after tat, VOTE THEM OUT to let ur house appreciate FAST!!!:hell-hath-no-fury:
haha:p
Please only vote Chiam (Bishan Toa Payoh) if you want to buy cheaper condo then vote him out next election by then think he already need to retired. WP manifesto is different they want to build cheap cheap HDB.
Please only vote Chiam (Bishan Toa Payoh) if you want to buy cheaper condo then vote him out next election by then think he already need to retired. WP manifesto is different they want to build cheap cheap HDB.
Starbuys for that record breaking bishan plot? :rolleyes:
devilplate
29-04-11, 11:04
First of all, if FT policies really bring in good jobs and benefits to all Singaporeans, I think everyone of us would acutually want more FT to come...
What happened now? The hard truth is...Singaporeans unhappy becos PAP really did not do a good jobs to anticipate issues as induced by letting in more influx of FT. Also, most of us do not get to enjoy the benefits wor...
my own hard truth and worry is: if govt really clamped down on FT, i wonder who am i going to rent my ppty to?:scared-4: :scared-3: :eek:
policies nid to be improved/adjusted....HDB resale really rise too fast too furious this time....
i tink we nid to consider macro economics as well b4 we make sweeping statement:)
no lah, Aljunied GRC will be full of cheap HDB pegged to median income so that GRC will be cheapest for HDB so better dun build condo there else waste of $$ for investment!
Bro Novel, nice try. But wait... take a look at the following example..
For me, I will be benefited with MBT's policies...
I've two kids noww and let fast forward the time to 20 years later...
So , let assumed my asset value was increase by $100K by then thanks to Mah's asset apprecaition policies.
Let further assume my two kids remain single and both of them have intention to buy HDB resale flat of the same type of mine. When scouting the market, they would probably have to pay 100k more for both of them in order to secure a unit.
Thus, I gain 100K, my two kids paid 200k (100k x 2)... My family end up 100k poorer wor... In fact, the higher the price goes up, the poorer we will be...:doh:
Do you think this is good for our future generations?
I think we are profitting from our future generation now wor...
Think carefully, vote wisely:2cents:
devilplate
29-04-11, 11:07
no lah, Aljunied GRC will be full of cheap HDB pegged to median income so that GRC will be cheapest for HDB so better dun build condo there else waste of $$ for investment!
aljunied GRC will become the place to house the bottom 10-20% of our population!!!! help the poor!!!! let them enjoy the reservoir!:D
devilplate
29-04-11, 11:10
Let further assume my two kids remain single and both of them have intention to buy HDB resale flat of the same type of mine. When scouting the market, they would probably have to pay 100k more for both of them in order to secure a unit.
tats not wat the govt wants!
b4 i owned my 1st ppty....i jus started work....I USED TO COMPLAIN THESE! I SERVE NS FOR 2.5YRS!!! I AM WORSE COMPARED TO PRS WHO R ELIGIBLE TO BUY RESALE FLATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TATS THE REASON Y I NVR OWN A HDB FLAT B4....BCOZ I NOT ENTILED TO BUY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I USED TO BE VERY UNHAPPY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bishan Kid
29-04-11, 11:11
Bro Novel, nice try. But wait... take a look at the following example..
For me, I will be benefited with MBT's policies...
I've two kids noww and let fast forward the time to 20 years later...
So , let assumed my asset value was increase by $100K by then thanks to Mah's asset apprecaition policies.
Let further assume my two kids remain single and both of them have intention to buy HDB resale flat of the same type of mine. When scouting the market, they would probably have to pay 100k more for both of them in order to secure a unit.
Thus, I gain 100K, my two kids paid 200k (100k x 2)... My family end up 100k poorer wor... In fact, the higher the price goes up, the poorer we will be...:doh:
Do you think this is good for our future generations?
I think we are profitting from our future generation now wor...
Think carefully, vote wisely:2cents:
Your analogy is property prices should remain constant or lower for your children in the next 20 years and continue to remain constant for the next 40 years for your grandchildren?
A survey report released yesterday show that there is a shortfall of some special FTs in Singapore. We cannot do without them for the growing economy but to cut down on foreign workers.
my own hard truth and worry is: if govt really clamped down on FT, i wonder who am i going to rent my ppty to?:scared-4: :scared-3: :eek:
policies nid to be improved/adjusted....HDB resale really rise too fast too furious this time....
i tink we nid to consider macro economics as well b4 we make sweeping statement:)
devilplate
29-04-11, 11:19
A survey report released yesterday show that there is a shortfall of some special FTs in Singapore. We cannot do without them for the growing economy but to cut down on foreign workers.
YES!! totally agree!;) shd qualify and not quantify....hehe.....den more rental for our condos:hell-hath-no-fury: :D :cheers6:
but den middle income earner or white collar singaporeans will complain no matter wat!
Bro Novel, nice try. But wait... take a look at the following example..
For me, I will be benefited with MBT's policies...
I've two kids noww and let fast forward the time to 20 years later...
So , let assumed my asset value was increase by $100K by then thanks to Mah's asset apprecaition policies.
Let further assume my two kids remain single and both of them have intention to buy HDB resale flat of the same type of mine. When scouting the market, they would probably have to pay 100k more for both of them in order to secure a unit.
Thus, I gain 100K, my two kids paid 200k (100k x 2)... My family end up 100k poorer wor... In fact, the higher the price goes up, the poorer we will be...:doh:
Do you think this is good for our future generations?
I think we are profitting from our future generation now wor...
Think carefully, vote wisely:2cents:
your scenerio is BAD!
Your 2 kids will be earning higher salary (because of inflation) and why buy resale flat instead of getting new flat?
You mean your 2 kids rely on YOU to get the hse for them? I would propose you to tell your 2 kids "wake up your idea, and work hard if you want to buy a hse!!"
Your analogy is property prices should remain constant or lower for your children in the next 20 years and continue to remain constant for the next 40 years for your grandchildren?
No.
I tot asset appreciation should goes along with national income affordability and not purely pushing up for the sake of pushing.
To some 100k is peanut...
To some 100k is out of reach...
The hard truth is...
While our asset value increased, property tax increases as well.
Since we are not selling nor speculating, we ended up paying more to garment coffer.
Even if I sell high to profit the gain, I've to buy high given the same market condition. Do I gained anything from there?
Honestly, I must admit I'm poor financial planner else I would be have no time to TCSS here...:ashamed1:
我们享受，子孙难受。。。。
ur scenario is not only bad, but WRONG.
1) u r assuming ur kids are "entitled" an affordable house. Sorry housing is not an entitlement, you kid is supposed to earn it.
2) u r assuming ur kids, when married, will not be able to afford a new HDB. This is untrue.
devilplate
29-04-11, 11:54
No.
I tot asset appreciation should goes along with national income affordability and not purely pushing up for the sake of pushing.
To some 100k is peanut...
To some 100k is out of reach...
The hard truth is...
While our asset value increased, property tax increases as well.
Since we are not selling nor speculating, we ended up paying more to garment coffer.
Even if I sell high to profit the gain, I've to buy high given the same market condition. Do I gained anything from there?
Honestly, I must admit I'm poor financial planner else I would be have no time to TCSS here...:ashamed1:
我们享受，子孙难受。。。。
bro, its ok to debate hot issues especially GE is HERE!
i oredi expalin yday tat the root cause is HUMAN GREED!
the only way to ensure gradual asset appreciation for HDB flat is to impose a CAP on COV....
on the flip side: we must aso impose a MAX amount below valuation during crisis....
only den we can haf stable HDB resale px which will leads to stable BTO px
[quote=novel]your scenerio is BAD!
Your 2 kids will be earning higher salary (because of inflation) and why buy resale flat instead of getting new flat?
You mean your 2 kids rely on YOU to get the hse for them? I would propose you to tell your 2 kids "wake up your idea, and work hard if you want to buy a hse!!"[/quote
You still think that is feasible given current FT policies?:scared-5:
Also, I'm not suggesting I'll be paying for them. What I'm trying to put foreward forward here was:
Our future generations will pay the bill for what we are enjoying today. I cannot estimate when the bill will come. As a matter of fact, it's not about will it come...but when the bomb will explode!
I seriously hope I'm wrong severely....:ashamed1:
bro, its ok to debate hot issues especially GE is HERE!
i oredi expalin yday tat the root cause is HUMAN GREED!
the only way to ensure gradual asset appreciation for HDB flat is to impose a CAP on COV....
on the flip side: we must aso impose a MAX amount below valuation during crisis....
only den we can haf stable HDB resale px which will leads to stable BTO px
Bro, fully support your view here. ;)
Desire (POWER), Greed (Higher Minister's Salary) and Ignorance (ignore the Noise) are the cause of suffering...
It's long overdue and enough is enough...
:2cents:
Do you think this is good for our future generations?
I think we are profitting from our future generation now wor...
in my parent generation, even a bungalow in prime area only 200k.
my parent is not worrying abt "profiting from future generation".
I work hard to earn my own house. I dun have a 50k HDB price for me. I paid a lot. Should I cry to gov and say all your old folks are profiting from me ?
ur scenario is not only bad, but WRONG.
1) u r assuming ur kids are "entitled" an affordable house. Sorry housing is not an entitlement, you kid is supposed to earn it.
2) u r assuming ur kids, when married, will not be able to afford a new HDB. This is untrue.
The issue here is not "entitled". Also, did I said they are entitled?
What I'm trying to put forward is...
Since asset appreciation policies are good as claimed by MBT, then, can he suggest how much is enoguh for the increase to go?:2cents:
see this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWcpEZO4DCI&feature=shareNice video!!! :D
in my parent generation, even a bungalow in prime area only 200k.
my parent is not worrying abt "profiting from future generation".
I work hard to earn my own house. I dun have a 50k HDB price for me. I paid a lot. Should I cry to gov and said all your old folks are profiting from me ?
Agreed and that was relevant during LKY or early GCT era as income growth rate was exceptionally good.
Now take a look at the past ten years....Do you still get to engoy good increases in incomes year after year? Perhap you are... what about others?
To sum up, our Finance Minister ever pledged to targeting to increase Singaporean's income by 30% in 10 years period. Do you think 30% growth in 10 years is enough going with the current inflation? Real income (after reduction from inflation) would be less than 2% (if not lower) per year...
Regards,:2cents:
The issue here is not "entitled". Also, did I said they are entitled?
I know u didn't say it. but I think u did not realize it. HDB policy, even at its worse shape, ensures newly weds with decent jobs can afford it. You think you kids need to pay 100k more, therefore most likely will not be able to afford it. With a decent income 20ys later, pty price 100k more, new HDB should still be affordable. It's those without decent income will have a problem. More over, you stress your kids "being single". not to sound rude, but really, singles have ALWAYS been disadvantaged. housing needs dual income for average folks.
devilplate
29-04-11, 12:07
You still think that is feasible given current FT policies?:scared-5:
Also, I'm not suggesting I'll be paying for them. What I'm trying to put foreward forward here was:
Our future generations will pay the bill for what we are enjoying today. I cannot estimate when the bill will come. As a matter of fact, it's not about will it come...but when the bomb will explode!
I seriously hope I'm wrong severely....:ashamed1:
bro, lets tok abt govt reserves? how much is enough?
by heavily subsidise housing, medical , tpt etc etc.....whr all these subsidise gona come from??? arent we spending our future generation $$$ if u subsidise and enjoy our reserves now? just spend and spend instead of pay and pay? hehe...i dun mind actually bcoz i dun hf kids yet...LOL
Sg is very different......USA can have budget deficit every yr for duno how many yrs liao and owe trillions of debt and yet they can print as much $$$$ as they want??? WHY??
u noe how many unhappy USA citizens out there? the minute a new US citizen is born, they r in DEBT oredi....:scared-1:
An estimated 2,500 people, many of whom were hardcore party supporters, turned up for the People's Action Party (http://sg.search.yahoo.com/search?p=People%27s+Action+Party&fr=fp-today&cs=bz)'s (PAP) first rally for the 2011 General Election at the field beside Buangkok MRT station on Thursday evening.
That figure pales in comparison to the rallies for the Worker's Party in Hougang (estimated 20,000), in Geylang East for National Solidarity Party (estimated 5,000), in Clementi stadium for Reform Party (estimated 4,000) and near Commonwealth MRT for Singapore Democratic Party (estimated 10,000).
The reason why only 2500 people turned up to listen to PAP is coz most infor are already available and the incumbent has been tried and tested so supporters generally prefer to stay home. However, people are interested to know what Opp has for them so they'll rather go listen to their rallies before making informed decisions on whom to vote! :spliff:
Bishan Kid
29-04-11, 12:13
Bro, fully support your view here. ;)
Desire (POWER), Greed (Higher Minister's Salary) and Ignorance (ignore the Noise) are the cause of suffering...
It's long overdue and enough is enough...
:2cents:
Bro Westman,
There are additional restrictions to affect HDB prices :
1)Must be owner occupied perpetually.
2)Do not allowed the flat or rooms to be rented out.
3)no PRs are allowed to purchase.
4)Very basic amentities and no upgrading.
5) No MRT except bus services.
6)HDB owners are not allowed to purchase private or commercial property.
Now take a look at the past ten years....Do you still get to engoy good increases in incomes year after year? Perhap you are... what about others?
I really think alot of Singaporean are getting better pay job otherwise tell me why so many people going showroom buying above $1000psf condo? :banghead: And why despite recession there are so many people still shopping and buying things (shown in the retail statistics)
An estimated 2,500 people, many of whom were hardcore party supporters, turned up for the People's Action Party (http://sg.search.yahoo.com/search?p=People%27s+Action+Party&fr=fp-today&cs=bz)'s (PAP) first rally for the 2011 General Election at the field beside Buangkok MRT station on Thursday evening.
That figure pales in comparison to the rallies for the Worker's Party in Hougang (estimated 20,000), in Geylang East for National Solidarity Party (estimated 5,000), in Clementi stadium for Reform Party (estimated 4,000) and near Commonwealth MRT for Singapore Democratic Party (estimated 10,000).
The reason why only 2500 people turned up to listen to PAP is coz most infor are already available and the incumbent has been tried and tested so supporters generally prefer to stay home. However, people are interested to know what Opp has for them so they'll rather go listen to their rallies before making informed decisions on whom to vote! :spliff:
supporters do not = voters
ppl go to opp rally becos there is more juicy news than pap boring rally. but come to vote.....shall see :D
Bishan Kid
29-04-11, 12:21
Westman,
Are you aware their requirements for Exxon and Shell from the governments to build their petrol chemical plant in SG?
When PAP proposed to build the MRT in the 80's, do you know who actually
against it?
Agreed and that was relevant during LKY or early GCT era as income growth rate was exceptionally good.
Now take a look at the past ten years....Do you still get to engoy good increases in incomes year after year? Perhap you are... what about others?
To sum up, our Finance Minister ever pledged to targeting to increase Singaporean's income by 30% in 10 years period. Do you think 30% growth in 10 years is enough going with the current inflation? Real income (after reduction from inflation) would be less than 2% (if not lower) per year...
Regards,:2cents:
to have increase in income an individual also need to do his/her part. u cannot expect yr income to keep increasing becos of inflation/asset appreciation. did govt do their to encourage continue skill upgrading to ensure better prospect? do u think setting minimum wage will help? wat is the impact of setting minimum wage? lose competitiveness and company jus pack n go. who is going to take care of ppl tat lose job becos of tat. govt again???
Bro Westman,
There are additional restrictions to affect HDB prices :
1)Must be owner occupied perpetually.
2)Do not allowed the flat or rooms to be rented out.
3)no PRs are allowed to purchase.
4)Very basic amentities and no upgrading.
5) No MRT except bus services.
6)HDB owners are not allowed to purchase private or commercial property.
Great! But what really happened?
Garment reported COV down... Truth: Resale prices up....
Now... How much is enough?
Great! But what really happened?
Garment reported COV down... Truth: Resale prices up....
Now... How much is enough?Never enough coz like what devilplate always say... greed rules the game... :spliff:
devilplate
29-04-11, 12:29
An estimated 2,500 people, many of whom were hardcore party supporters, turned up for the People's Action Party (http://sg.search.yahoo.com/search?p=People%27s+Action+Party&fr=fp-today&cs=bz)'s (PAP) first rally for the 2011 General Election at the field beside Buangkok MRT station on Thursday evening.
That figure pales in comparison to the rallies for the Worker's Party in Hougang (estimated 20,000), in Geylang East for National Solidarity Party (estimated 5,000), in Clementi stadium for Reform Party (estimated 4,000) and near Commonwealth MRT for Singapore Democratic Party (estimated 10,000).
The reason why only 2500 people turned up to listen to PAP is coz most infor are already available and the incumbent has been tried and tested so supporters generally prefer to stay home. However, people are interested to know what Opp has for them so they'll rather go listen to their rallies before making informed decisions on whom to vote! :spliff:
let me share my part of the story last nite.....
i tot i can anyhow park along the rd around PAP rally at buangkok...BUT apparently CANNOT WOR! LOL
i ended up parking at the opposite HDB carpark ....
i was late for the rally and reached there just b4 8pm....to my surprise, the crowd was so so thin....i can even fight a spot close to the speakers.....given whistles....free drink provided.....and yet the crowd so thin....:scared-1:
nothing much exciting at the PAP....we r so accustomed to wat they gona say? hehe....totally no atmosphere at all....
so, i decided to take a train down to Hougang to listen to the WP rally.....to my surprise, the crowd was HUGEEEEEEEEEEE......many push cart selling drinks/icecream....many r buying when they can get it FOC at PAP rally...how ironic....LOL
i cant get close to the stage obviously as i was so so LATE......but manage to hear very clearly wat they tok....great atmosphere over there! the die hard WP supporters r CHEERING! emotions r HIGH.....overall nice experience but really cannot tahan tat CHEN....ops personal issues again....hehe:D
oh ya i saw PCK's wife rosy there too doing her own side show....hehe....she slimmed down ALOT! look very CHIO from behind..:p
Bishan Kid
29-04-11, 12:30
Great! But what really happened?
Garment reported COV down... Truth: Resale prices up....
Now... How much is enough?
I bought my 5 room Bishan flat for $99,200.
Do you why the prices didn't move much after 5 years?
Too much restrictions , little ammenties and No MRT, no school,
no eatery, no Juntion 8 and etc
Great! But what really happened?
Garment reported COV down... Truth: Resale prices up....
Now... How much is enough?
this question should ask U....... everything govt do don seem enough for u :beats-me-man:
is really very easy to pick fault on any policy and stir public anger but has anyone come up with better solution???
devilplate
29-04-11, 12:35
Westman,
Are you aware their requirements for Exxon and Shell from the governments to build their petrol chemical plant in SG?
When PAP proposed to build the MRT in the 80's, do you know who actually
against it?
bro ,
can u pls enlighten ur junior over here?
i really duno wor:o :ashamed1:
let me share my part of the story last nite.....
i tot i can anyhow park along the rd around PAP rally at buangkok...BUT apparently CANNOT WOR! LOL
i ended up parking at the opposite HDB carpark ....
i was late for the rally and reached there just b4 8pm....to my surprise, the crowd was so so thin....i can even fight a spot close to the speakers.....given whistles....free drink provided.....and yet the crowd so thin....:scared-1:
nothing much exciting at the PAP....we r so accustomed to wat they gona say? hehe....totally no atmosphere at all....
so, i decided to take a train down to Hougang to listen to the WP rally.....to my surprise, the crowd was HUGEEEEEEEEEEE......many push cart selling drinks/icecream....many r buying when they can get it FOC at PAP rally...how ironic....LOL
i cant get close to the stage obviously as i was so so LATE......but manage to hear very clearly wat they tok....great atmosphere over there! the die hard WP supporters r CHEERING! emotions r HIGH.....overall nice experience but really cannot tahan tat CHEN....ops personal issues again....hehe:D
oh ya i saw PCK's wife rosy there too doing her own side show....hehe....she slimmed down ALOT! look very CHIO from behind..:p
wah lao go listen rally u go see lao chabo!!!!
actually i agree tat chen quite good but somehow don find him that sincere......
let me share my part of the story last nite.....
i tot i can anyhow park along the rd around PAP rally at buangkok...BUT apparently CANNOT WOR! LOL
i ended up parking at the opposite HDB carpark ....
i was late for the rally and reached there just b4 8pm....to my surprise, the crowd was so so thin....i can even fight a spot close to the speakers.....given whistles....free drink provided.....and yet the crowd so thin....:scared-1:
nothing much exciting at the PAP....we r so accustomed to wat they gona say? hehe....totally no atmosphere at all....
so, i decided to take a train down to Hougang to listen to the WP rally.....to my surprise, the crowd was HUGEEEEEEEEEEE......many push cart selling drinks/icecream....many r buying when they can get it FOC at PAP rally...how ironic....LOL
i cant get close to the stage obviously as i was so so LATE......but manage to hear very clearly wat they tok....great atmosphere over there! the die hard WP supporters r CHEERING! emotions r HIGH.....overall nice experience but really cannot tahan tat CHEN....ops personal issues again....hehe:D
oh ya i saw PCK's wife rosy there too doing her own side show....hehe....she slimmed down ALOT! look very CHIO from behind..:pBiggest winners at these rallies are our ice cream seller uncles and aunties.... hahaha... sell out man... can don't work for next one month.... :spliff:
I drove to WP rally and it is a thorough mistake.... jam all the way... policemen deployed to control traffic... I parked really far and walked about 15 mins to venue...
Tonight is at Serangoon stadium for WP, addressing Aljunied GRC... last year also same venue... can't even walk inside the stadium... :doh:
wah lao go listen rally u go see lao chabo!!!!
actually i agree tat chen quite good but somehow don find him that sincere......Its his looks lah... too commercialized.... typical look in taiwan drama so we feel not sincere? but he tried to speak in all 4 official languages so at least got effort lor.... hahaha!!! :D
devilplate
29-04-11, 12:38
Great! But what really happened?
Garment reported COV down... Truth: Resale prices up....
Now... How much is enough?
i oredi mentioned last time tat as long there is a COV....a positive figure....not negative COV...LOL.....den resale prices will continue to go up becoz valuation will continue to go up as well(govt oredi enforce stringent rules to make sure all sellers declare COV they received)....but duno which fellow argue saying resale px will drop if COV drop....@#$%$:mad:
Bishan Kid
29-04-11, 12:42
bro ,
can u pls enlighten ur junior over here?
i really duno wor:o :ashamed1:
Allow to employ foreigner.
Go to Potong Pasir and ask .
to have increase in income an individual also need to do his/her part. u cannot expect yr income to keep increasing becos of inflation/asset appreciation. did govt do their to encourage continue skill upgrading to ensure better prospect? do u think setting minimum wage will help? wat is the impact of setting minimum wage? lose competitiveness and company jus pack n go. who is going to take care of ppl tat lose job becos of tat. govt again???
Bro, agreed everyone must do their parts.
To tell you what really happened on the ground...
Garment encourage upgrading. True.
After upgrading, can find job with good pay? Questionable.
I'm from manufacturing industry and I've witnessed many upgraded their skills and yet they are not employ by employers.
A subcon of my has a machinist who is core PAP supporter and he take heed of garment's calling to upgrade skill. He upgraded his skills to operate CNC machine and yet he was still replace by a FT who knows lesser than him in work knowledge but with lower wages. This machinist is around 40++ and he has been going thru some rough path now to make sure his schooling younglings are taken care off... I've asked my subcon why he choose FT over this machinist and he said this to me "Since there is alternative option avail for me to increase my profit, why not?"
Nabeh... Hear lah also damn TL... Pressured him for more price discount since he has given me an excuse to cut his price. I donate the money saved from price discount out to charity.
devilplate
29-04-11, 12:49
Its his looks lah... too commercialized.... typical look in taiwan drama so we feel not sincere? but he tried to speak in all 4 official languages so at least got effort lor.... hahaha!!! :D
sorry lor bro...i cant even see his figurine...dun even mention abt seeing his face/expression wor....
speak really like gu niang....especially when he speak in chinese.....GOSH...tat gu niang tone ringing in my mind again:doh:
Bishan Kid
29-04-11, 12:51
Westman,
Empathize with you and do understand your predicament cos I caught in the same globalisation era.
But I keep asking myself, is that the government's fault or can the oppositon do better?
Bro, agreed everyone must do their parts.
To tell you what really happened on the ground...
Garment encourage upgrading. True.
After upgrading, can find job with good pay? Questionable.
I'm from manufacturing industry and I've witnessed many upgraded their skills and yet they are not employ by employers.
A subcon of my has a machinist who is core PAP supporter and he take heed of garment's calling to upgrade skill. He upgraded his skills to operate CNC machine and yet he was still replace by a FT who knows lesser than him in work knowledge but with lower wages. This machinist is around 40++ and he has been going thru some rough path now to make sure his schooling younglings are taken care off... I've asked my subcon why he choose FT over this machinist and he said this to me "Since there is alternative option avail for me to increase my profit, why not?"
Nabeh... Hear lah also damn TL... Pressured him for more price discount since he has given me an excuse to cut his price. I donate the money saved from price discount out to charity.
this is the point. if we impose minimum wage to tackle income increase, this is wat will happen to investor. they pull out to cheaper country. tat will be more ppl losing job. i too sympathy the machinist but in subcon perspective, profit first. u cannot expect govt to intervene and force subcon to emply him right.
devilplate
29-04-11, 12:52
Allow to employ foreigner.
Go to Potong Pasir and ask .
u mean the foreign coy must employ a certain % of our locals? can elaborate more?
u mean the foreign coy must employ a certain % of our locals? can elaborate more?
maybe he meant opp oppose MRT and agree foreigner but now they sing different tone
Bishan Kid
29-04-11, 12:56
u mean the foreign coy must employ a certain % of our locals? can elaborate more?
If needed and of course they will try to employ SG workers.
Petrol chemical plant can't afford to run short of workers.
devilplate
29-04-11, 12:58
If needed and of course they will try to employ SG workers.
Petrol chemical plant can't afford to run short of workers.
so u mean there is no min requirement a petrol coy must employ certain % of our locals?:(
this is the point. if we impose minimum wage to tackle income increase, this is wat will happen to investor. they pull out to cheaper country. tat will be more ppl losing job. i too sympathy the machinist but in subcon perspective, profit first. u cannot expect govt to intervene and force subcon to emply him right.
Since when Singapore is competitive with low labour costs?
Investors have many options such as China/India avail if low labour costs is the prime factor for them. In fact, Foreign investors came here for other reasons such as good financial system, good strategic geographicallocation ect...
Even if we assume this argument is valid, do you think coffee shop would close their shops in Singapore and move to overseas? Do you think our hawker stalls would quit their business in SG and start operating in another country? Do you think SBS would decide to cease transport business in Singapore and focus in another country which can generate higher returns if minimum wages imposed? (this logic also applied to FT policies too)
Wait a minutes, I'm hearing some would probably countered "Hey westman, if minimum wages implemented, don't you think our costs of living is going to shot up even higher and you think minimum wages helped?"
The true is: the bulk of our high living costs is very much artificially inflated by our beloved garment. Our garment can help to counter by lowering rental costs, utilities costs (our electirical bill charges is one of the most expensive among many countries) etc...
I've ever read one NUS research paper about how much Singaporeans are paying to garment associates (can be directly or indirectly)... example as follow
Housing loans/rents: HDB
Transport: SMRT & SBS
Groceries: NTUC
Utilities: SP
MISC services: Education, Healthcare, Insurance (referring to NTUC)...
Food/Clothing/Misc item ((referring to shop rental): HDB/URA
Weekend Shopping : Visiting CapitallMall shops shopping (Shop pay rents to Capitaland and this amount would be recouped from shoppers too..)
The are quite a few more but I can not totally recalled all (quite a big lists)
Anyway, the insight is: Singaporean would pay about 60%++ for each $1 earned from employment goods and services as provided by the above mentioned GLC associates....
The garment knows these group of associates bottomline would be hit if minimal wages applied and worst of all, they cannot openly admit!
So how, very simple, use foreign investors as excuse to tell Singaporeans
"if you want high salary, you will lose jobs becos investor will run away!!!!"
devilplate
29-04-11, 13:39
westman....have u not read my posting earlier on govt reserves?
govt reserves aso affects our currency stability.....which will aso affect inflation and leads to the burning issue: cost of living
devilplate
29-04-11, 13:40
bro, lets tok abt govt reserves? how much is enough?
by heavily subsidise housing, medical , tpt etc etc.....whr all these subsidise gona come from??? arent we spending our future generation $$$ if u subsidise and enjoy our reserves now? just spend and spend instead of pay and pay? hehe...i dun mind actually bcoz i dun hf kids yet...LOL
Sg is very different......USA can have budget deficit every yr for duno how many yrs liao and owe trillions of debt and yet they can print as much $$$$ as they want??? WHY??
u noe how many unhappy USA citizens out there? the minute a new US citizen is born, they r in DEBT oredi....:scared-1:
here u goes bro westman:D
westman....have u not read my posting earlier on govt reserves?
govt reserves aso affects our currency stability.....which will aso affect inflation and leads to the burning issue: cost of living
Bro, sorri, kinda of busy today to reply with so many counters..
Can understand how wenqing feel wor...
Honestly, I've yet to research on that yet thus am not able to comment much. Btw, me manufacturing guy not financial guru, felt so ashame to know so little on $$$$$$$..:ashamed1:
Any expert here to help devil?
here u goes bro westman:D
Bro, your question too chiem for a lesser mortal like me to answer...:D :D :D
BTW, me not standing errection wor.... kana grilled ny many bro here like me standing errection....:scared-2:
westman....have u not read my posting earlier on govt reserves?
govt reserves aso affects our currency stability.....which will aso affect inflation and leads to the burning issue: cost of living
On second tot...
While I'm not able to comprehen fully on the Govt reserves vs Inflations..
I think my previous post can aids to explain why Government can helps Singaporeans to fight Global Inflation.
Garment can exercise some influence over GLC wor...
Since when Singapore is competitive with low labour costs?
Investors have many options such as China/India avail if low labour costs is the prime factor for them. In fact, Foreign investors came here for other reasons such as good financial system, good strategic geographicallocation ect...
Even if we assume this argument is valid, do you think coffee shop would close their shops in Singapore and move to overseas? Do you think our hawker stalls would quit their business in SG and start operating in another country? Do you think SBS would decide to cease transport business in Singapore and focus in another country which can generate higher returns if minimum wages imposed? (this logic also applied to FT policies too)
Wait a minutes, I'm hearing some would probably countered "Hey westman, if minimum wages implemented, don't you think our costs of living is going to shot up even higher and you think minimum wages helped?"
The true is: the bulk of our high living costs is very much artificially inflated by our beloved garment. Our garment can help to counter by lowering rental costs, utilities costs (our electirical bill charges is one of the most expensive among many countries) etc...
I've ever read one NUS research paper about how much Singaporeans are paying to garment associates (can be directly or indirectly)... example as follow
Housing loans/rents: HDB
Transport: SMRT & SBS
Groceries: NTUC
Utilities: SP
MISC services: Education, Healthcare, Insurance (referring to NTUC)...
Food/Clothing/Misc item ((referring to shop rental): HDB/URA
Weekend Shopping : Visiting CapitallMall shops shopping (Shop pay rents to Capitaland and this amount would be recouped from shoppers too..)
The are quite a few more but I can not totally recalled all (quite a big lists)
Anyway, the insight is: Singaporean would pay about 60%++ for each $1 earned from employment goods and services as provided by the above mentioned GLC associates....
The garment knows these group of associates bottomline would be hit if minimal wages applied and worst of all, they cannot openly admit!
So how, very simple, use foreign investors as excuse to tell Singaporeans
"if you want high salary, you will lose jobs becos investor will run away!!!!"
sorry lor bro...i cant even see his figurine...dun even mention abt seeing his face/expression wor....
speak really like gu niang....especially when he speak in chinese.....GOSH...tat gu niang tone ringing in my mind again:doh:HAHA! Taiwanese speaks like that mah.... its their natural speech.... hahaha!!! :D
devilplate
29-04-11, 14:00
On second tot...
While I'm not able to comprehen fully on the Govt reserves vs Inflations..
I think my previous post can aids to explain why Government can helps Singaporeans to fight Global Inflation.
Garment can exercise some influence over GLC wor...
we share share and learn lor...u provide some vy gd on the ground insights too:cheers6:
i aso only noe tat much lor....:o
if govt reserves not strong enuff....our currency will be unstable.....if our currency value drops, everything we import will be more expensive and inflation will rise and utlimately RIOT!
PAPERMONEY!:hell-hath-no-fury:
Bishan Kid
29-04-11, 14:05
On second tot...
While I'm not able to comprehen fully on the Govt reserves vs Inflations..
I think my previous post can aids to explain why Government can helps Singaporeans to fight Global Inflation.
Garment can exercise some influence over GLC wor...
Let's me try to explain in layman's term.
We import everything including water cos we have no natural resources.
Reserve help to stablise and indeed strengthen our S$ against other major currencies mainly US $.
E.g. 1 US $ equal to S$1.20.
One barrel of oil put it US$100.
So we pay S$120 for a barrel of oil.
Assume we have a weak S$
USS1 to S2.50
We have to pay S$250 for a same barrel of oil.
There goes with other essential commodities that are peg in US$ too.
With so much reserve now in Singapore, it'll still never ever be enough therefore it is probably time the govt don't be so aggressive in saving le coz our reserve is decent le... much more than many other bigger countries (and so I read somewhere). I think now its the time to enjoy therefore save less through taxes, erp, coe, etc and give back to the people through bursaries, subsidies, etc.. Unfortunately, our dear Mr Teo CH keeps saying opp trying to take money from reserve. Think they are not... just save less, aka putting less money into reserve, NOT taking money out... unless Mr Teo is saying what they are collecting now from the people just about cover the cost of running the country also???? Don't think so!!! :tsk-tsk:
Westman,
Empathize with you and do understand your predicament cos I caught in the same globalisation era.
But I keep asking myself, is that the government's fault or can the oppositon do better?
Tough choice but tot garment should received some signal from us...:o
With so much reserve now in Singapore, it'll still never ever be enough therefore it is probably time the govt don't be so aggressive in saving le coz our reserve is decent le... much more than many other bigger countries (and so I read somewhere). I think now its the time to enjoy therefore save less through taxes, erp, coe, etc and give back to the people through bursaries, subsidies, etc.. Unfortunately, our dear Mr Teo CH keeps saying opp trying to take money from reserve. Think they are not... just save less, aka putting less money into reserve, NOT taking money out... unless Mr Teo is saying what they are collecting now from the people just about cover the cost of running the country also???? Don't think so!!! :tsk-tsk:
no tat tan jee say's proposal is costing 60b of reserve. and he said like his grandfather money. something like ".....we have like 200 or 300 billion i don know, definitely more than that....my 60b is juz a fraction......" :simmering: so his 60b proposal is a yearly expenditure into our reserve. how long can we sustain his spending??
Let's me try to explain in layman's term.
We import everything including water cos we have no natural resources.
Reserve help to stablise and indeed strengthen our S$ against other major currencies mainly US $.
E.g. 1 US $ equal to S$1.20.
One barrel of oil put it US$100.
So we pay S$120 for a barrel of oil.
Assume we have a weak S$
USS1 to S2.50
We have to pay S$250 for a same barrel of oil.
There goes with other essential commodities that are peg in US$ too.
This I understand.
The issue that I do't understand is Garment must wait till when then decide to get GLC to do something to combat inflation?
The most stupid thing is...
Some idiot MP start to ask Hawkers not to increase prices..
BUT, I would be very delight to see this MP also do something to help those hawkers such as lowering their rents/utilities/etc to meet the ever increasing costs of materials
To my last understanding, not much has been done to help those hawkers who pledged not to increase prices.
BTW, a friend of mine (a hawker) has pledged not to increase prices. When asked how he is going to combat the costs, he said this to me....
"aiya... very easy, for those take away, I just use a much shallower form box instead of those standard one. When packed, customers will tot nothing has changed but indeed it will be lesser than before ...:doh:
no tat tan jee say's proposal is costing 60b of reserve. and he said like his grandfather money. something like ".....we have like 200 or 300 billion i don know, definitely more than that....my 60b is juz a fraction......" :simmering: so his 60b proposal is a yearly expenditure into our reserve. how long can we sustain his spending??
Bro, u are :simmering: when Tan JS mentioned 60B proposal. Fair enough.
So, will you :simmering: :simmering: :simmering: when someone blow the same amount away from failed business ventures?
:scared-5:
Bishan Kid
29-04-11, 14:26
With so much reserve now in Singapore, it'll still never ever be enough therefore it is probably time the govt don't be so aggressive in saving le coz our reserve is decent le... much more than many other bigger countries (and so I read somewhere). I think now its the time to enjoy therefore save less through taxes, erp, coe, etc and give back to the people through bursaries, subsidies, etc.. Unfortunately, our dear Mr Teo CH keeps saying opp trying to take money from reserve. Think they are not... just save less, aka putting less money into reserve, NOT taking money out... unless Mr Teo is saying what they are collecting now from the people just about cover the cost of running the country also???? Don't think so!!! :tsk-tsk:
Our taxes is one of the lowest in the world.
With erp and coe, we are still experience massive jams during the peak hours which many cities has considered to impose similar charges too.
The opportunity cost of time wasted in a hour's jam has definitely exceed erp of $5 for any driver who can afford a car.
Our taxes is one of the lowest in the world.
With erp and coe, we are still experience massive jams during the peak hours which many cities has considered to impose similar charges too.
The opportunity cost of time wasted in a hour's jam has definitely exceed erp of $5 for any driver who can afford a car.Agreed... ERP and COE also not solving the problem... maybe improve a little but still kana jam in traffic daily... :doh:
Bishan Kid
29-04-11, 14:35
Tough choice but tot garment should received some signal from us...:o
Totally agreed with u.
I spoke to other firends in Australia, Hong Kong and brother-in law from Italy, they too faced the same dilemma.
What to do ?
Bro, u are :simmering: when Tan JS mentioned 60B proposal. Fair enough.
So, will you :simmering: :simmering: :simmering: when someone blow the same amount away from failed business ventures?
:scared-5:
anyone has any idea how much did temasek lose on the Australian 'ABC' childcare centre chain investment?
Bro, u are :simmering: when Tan JS mentioned 60B proposal. Fair enough.
So, will you :simmering: :simmering: :simmering: when someone blow the same amount away from failed business ventures?
:scared-5:
Personally, i Think the worst are those town councils investing their funds in risky financial instruments and they get burned....., who is accountable?
anyone has any idea how much did temasek lose on the Australian 'ABC' childcare centre chain investment?
Singapore's Temasek Stumbles Again
http://www.asiasentinel.com/index.php?Itemid=233&id=1549&option=com_content&task=view
The island republic's premier sovereign wealth fund takes another massive writeoff
Although global markets have stabilized at least temporarily over the last couple of weeks, there is no sign of a letup for Temasek, the Singapore sovereign wealth fund that has already chalked up massive paper losses from its exposure to the world’s ailing banks.
Temasek looks likely to have lost its entire S$400m (US$270m) investment in ABC Learning Centres, the recently-collapsed Australian childcare provider, and there are growing concerns that the fund may have to help bail out the Marina Bay Sands casino project in Singapore as owner Las Vegas Sands creaks under a mountain of debt.
If last year, when Temasek built multi-billion dollar stakes in the once mighty Merrill Lynch and the UK banks Barclays and Standard Chartered, was a bad time to be putting money into the financial services sector, then now is not exactly the ideal moment to be pushed into a big investment in Singapore’s nascent casino industry.
Like other investors enticed by the dramatic gains on offer in a late-stage bull market, Temasek - which is run by Ho Ching, the wife of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong - appears to have had the canny knack of buying right at the top of the market and then watching its investments slide in value. Even as the first warning signs of serious problems in the banking sector appeared in the first half of last year, Temasek continued to pump money into the financial services industry, which now accounts for 40 percent of its S$185 billion (US$124 billion) portfolio.
This fondness for the financial services sector may stem in part from Temasek management’s closeness to the bulge-bracket investment banks. Despite the humbling of the one-time masters of the universe over the last year, Temasek has continued to recruit senior executives from Wall Street, bringing in Morgan Stanley investment banker Michael Dee in August and Rohit Sipahimalani, another Morgan Stanley banker, last month.
But the rapid demise of ABC Learning, which is Australia’s largest childcare provider, shows that Temasek’s poor investment decisions are not limited to the banking sector. Temasek bought into ABC in May last year at a punchy A$7.30 a share and the stock soon headed south as the outlook for the over-hyped operator deteriorated. The shares were suspended at 54 cents each in August but equity investors are likely to lose everything after ABC went into administration because of mounting financial problems.
If Temasek were to bail out Marina Bay Sands, it certainly would not be buying at the top of the market. But it would be an investment decision driven less by financial prudence and more by the need for the Singaporean government to ensure that its casino experiment doesn’t fail.
Nervous about the Singapore economy’s narrow reliance on shipping and financial services, the socially-conservative government took the controversial step of legalizing casinos in 2005, prompting an unprecedented public debate in the usually acquiescent city state.
Having staked its reputation on partnerships with the likes of Las Vegas Sands and Malaysia’s Genting (which won the licenses to operate the two casino resorts), the government is desperate not to let the experiment fail. So Las Vegas Sands’ indication last week that it will not be able to meet the requirements of some of its loans unless it cuts spending will have sent shockwaves running through the corridors of power in Singapore.
While Sheldon Adelson, the tycoon behind Las Vegas Sands, has personally confirmed his commitment to completing the Marina Bay Sands resort, analysts now believe it is increasingly likely that the government may have to step in at some stage, probably in the guise of Temasek or one of its linked companies. Adelson’s gaming empire is such bad shape that Sands has had to stop construction in Macau of its huge Cotai Strip development opposite its Venetian complex which is intended to house various 5-star hotels as well as a casino. The Macau government has said -- according to the Financial Times- that it won’t allow any casinos to close and will take them over if necessary. However it seems that commitment does not extend to helping out partly finished projects.
“If Las Vegas Sands cannot cough up its share of equity, the Singapore government is likely to step in,” said Donald Chua, an analyst at local stock broking firm CIMB-GK, in a research note. “A viable option would be a 49:51 joint venture between the Government and CapitaLand, with CapitaLand taking a controlling stake.”
Singapore-based brokerage UOB Kay Hian added that the syndicate of banks providing the S$5.4bn ($3.6bn) debt facility for the construction of Marina Bay Sands could seek a new investor, hinting that they could turn to 40pc-Temasek-owned CapitaLand, a property group that was involved in unsuccessful bids for both casino licenses.
CapitaLand has insisted that it has not held any talks with Las Vegas Sands but, at the same time, it said that it was “strategically watching the situation and studying opportunities related to distressed companies or assets.” And, despite Las Vegas Sands’ assurances, the Singapore Tourist Board stressed this week that it has a number of options should the project fail, including taking possession of the development site.
While Temasek or CapitaLand may be able to pick up a stake in the Marina Bay casino on the cheap, gambling is one strategic industry that the government did not want end up owning. The government originally opted for international gaming companies like Las Vegas Sands and Genting because it thought they had the experience and clout to build world-class casino resorts that would attract gamblers from around the globe. While the Marina Bay Sands is unlikely to be re-branded as the Temasek Casino, whatever happens, gaming analysts doubt whether a government-backed resort would have the same draw.
With the impact of the financial crisis only just starting to hit the global economy, there are likely to be more disappointments ahead for Temasek in the coming months. But Temasek is not required to disclose regular financial results, as it has been given the status of an exempt private company despite being owned by the Ministry of Finance. So the people of Singapore, whose money Temasek is ultimately controlling, will probably have to wait until summer, when the fund is expected to release its next annual review, to find out exactly how badly it has fared over the past year.
Temasek also leaped heavily into one of China's highest profile, and perhaps more vulnerable, property developers, Country Garden. When it went public in Hong Kong in April 2007, Country Garden was the second largest IPO in Hong Kong history, with Temasek joining local tycoons Lee Shau Kee and
Robert Kuok as key investors. According to the mainland financial magazine Caijing, a subsequent S$800 million convertible bond issue in Singapore in February this year was made on terms which suggest the company is very stretched and badly needs to keep its share price from falling. It is now little more than half its initial price and down 75 percent from its peak.
Australia, once seen as a safe if unexciting location for Singapore cash, has also attracted top of the market deals from Singapore Power. Already well-established in Australia, it paid heavily in cash for the eastern Australia assets of pipeline company Alinta but with values in decline they have been unable now to flip them into their 51 percent owned local subsidiary SP Ausnet leaving SP meanwhile saddled with huge borrowings.
temasek also made tons of money during dot coms, so how ?
another sovereign fund lost like 10ys reserve in this financial crisis. :cool:
u can't just look at it this way.
the general mood I get from all the oppositions' proposal is this: PAP should take care of ppl. take care of citizen 1st. therefore should do this, do that, abolish this, add that. totally taking for granted that "SG is 1st world economy". I can tell you this, without a oversize reserve, and an outrageously business friendly government , and a super steady political environment (to the extent of close to 100% predictability), this little place will fall overnite. You are complaining now ppl so poor thing, cannot afford this and that, price so high and that. Wait for the day S$ is worthless and ppl paying each other only in US$. Why GIC invested aggressively overseas ? Why Temasek sometimes even have to do NS to invest in this and that ? This world is never fair.
Bishan Kid
29-04-11, 14:52
Agreed... ERP and COE also not solving the problem... maybe improve a little but still kana jam in traffic daily... :doh:
I find it ridiculous the travelling time of about 13 km by bus need to take about almost an hour.
SMRT should put more trains during peak hours like in Hongkong and reduce the frequency of train to 2mins or less.
Hopefully the circle and other new MRT lines will help to improve the efficiency of travelling time round the island.
for the ABC venture, temasek pumped in another $80+mil to keep the ship floating when holes in the deck started appearing.
in all, make that close to $500mil. if one party proposes to spend $60b on social programs and strengthen infrastructure is akin to suicidal, then why didn't any MP slam temasek for blowing off $500mil of Singaporeans' savings? i didn't slog and work hard to pay my taxes only for a GLC to squander it off without any accountability
Personally, i Think the worst are those town councils investing their funds in risky financial instruments and they get burned....., who is accountable?
if money stay uninvested, there will be question why keep $ not invested. town council invest with good intention to get return right? who want to invest n lose $??? will u?? who will know that lehman can collapse overnite. if lehman did not collapse and investment give return, will u F them??
there are too many tiny issue if really want to pick. are u saying with opp in all this will not happen!!! who can gurantee? if after opp in they misbehave and dry up our reserve, who to blame??
for the ABC venture, temasek pumped in another $80+mil to keep the ship floating when holes in the deck started appearing.
in all, make that close to $500mil. if one party proposes to spend $60b on social programs and strengthen infrastructure is akin to suicidal, then why didn't any MP slam temasek for blowing off $500mil of Singaporeans' savings? i didn't slog and work hard to pay my taxes only for a GLC to squander it off without any accountabilityInvestment is always a risky affair... u lose some, u win some. Actually I won't fault Temasek for losing some :2cents: but at $500mil, its not just lose some... its lose big time... accountability is the key thing here.... :doh: Can Temasek come out and say 'its an honest mistake, let's move on?'
devilplate
29-04-11, 15:09
Agreed... ERP and COE also not solving the problem... maybe improve a little but still kana jam in traffic daily... :doh:
Will work one. Reduce the coe quota further n increase erp to 50 buck
u mean the foreign coy must employ a certain % of our locals? can elaborate more?
shell has the freedom to employ whoever he deems fit. this is the price we pay to get an industry.
another example, for the US to agree FTA with us, we allow them the right to withdraw *all* his liquidity in the fiscal system in case of emergency.
last time when MAS gave out "Qualifying Foreign Bank" licenses, a lot of s'poreans think the foreign banks will queue up to get. The fact: no one is interested. some banks even "returned" the license.
all the voters should really think hard to see how fragile this place is.
Will work one. Reduce the coe quota further n increase erp to 50 buck
of course will work. COE min bid at 100k, ERP start at $50, no car loan for more than 50%, or more than 5ys.
but more ppl will hate PAP, say I can't afford car now, all your fault.:cool:
I believe the gov purposely allow easy ownership of cars.
Bro, sorri, kinda of busy today to reply with so many counters..
Can understand how wenqing feel wor...
Honestly, I've yet to research on that yet thus am not able to comment much. Btw, me manufacturing guy not financial guru, felt so ashame to know so little on $$$$$$$..:ashamed1:
Any expert here to help devil?
you are from manufacturing? But NSP manifesto is to ease out manufacturing sector, so what is your back up plan? :scared-1:
Will work one. Reduce the coe quota further n increase erp to 50 buckThen you'll only see Mercs, BMWs and Royces Rolls using expressways... Then another problem will arise.... all small roads will be jammed packed with vehicles and as years go by, it'll be older and older vehicles... no more new vehicles and this will cause grave pollution coz of older engines.... :doh: Another realm of problems to tackle le... :D
if money stay uninvested, there will be question why keep $ not invested. town council invest with good intention to get return right? who want to invest n lose $??? will u?? who will know that lehman can collapse overnite. if lehman did not collapse and investment give return, will u F them??
there are too many tiny issue if really want to pick. are u saying with opp in all this will not happen!!! who can gurantee? if after opp in they misbehave and dry up our reserve, who to blame??
No need go get so work up. I am sharing my views and I am not here to convince others what I think, but personally, I am of the opinion that Town Council funds should be invested in LOW risk financial instruments if they don't want to out into short term fixed deposit. Am sure, no one forced them to take take, even put in savings accounts, no one can say they are not doing their job, unless instruction from the top which layman do not know.
for the ABC venture, temasek pumped in another $80+mil to keep the ship floating when holes in the deck started appearing.
in all, make that close to $500mil. if one party proposes to spend $60b on social programs and strengthen infrastructure is akin to suicidal, then why didn't any MP slam temasek for blowing off $500mil of Singaporeans' savings? i didn't slog and work hard to pay my taxes only for a GLC to squander it off without any accountability
http://www.reuters.com/article/2008/02/28/abc-idUSSYD8022320080228
Singapore's Temasek tops up stake in ABC Learning
2:10pm GMT+0800
SYDNEY | Thu Feb 28, 2008 1:22am EST
Feb 28 (Reuters) - Singapore state investment firm Temasek Holdings [TEM.UL] has increased its stake in Australian childcare operator ABC Learning Ltd (ABC.AX), whose share price has been slashed in recent days, to 14.7 percent.
Temasek, which bought a 12 percent stake in ABC last May at A$7.30 a share, picked up nearly 12 million extra shares, mainly in February, paying between A$4.20 and A$2.14 a share, it said in a statement to the Australian stock exchange.
Shares in ABC, which operates 2,200 childcare centres mostly in Australia and the United States, fell nearly 70 percent on Tuesday to a low of A$1.15 when it was hit by the forced sale of shares by its founders and another director due to margin calls.
Temasek said its purchases included a parcel of 8 million shares on Tuesday at A$2.14 a share.
ABC is on a trading halt after telling the stock exchange it is has received expressions of interest in part of its business.
The stock last traded at A$2.14 a share. (Reporting by Richard Pullin)
I am of the opinion that Town Council funds should be invested in LOW risk financial instruments
there are a lot of misconceptions here. Lehman bond itself is LOW risk. It's the issuer that defaulted. To be honest this is really bad luck (or bad judgement if you like).
Not only town council suffered, the entire world suffered.
temasek also made tons of money during dot coms, so how ?
.
I am sure those who are employed during that time and Temasek made $ must have been rewarded with good bonuses and maybe career advancement.
But I do believe if Goodyear was still around and he made a few big loss making deals, his neck would have rolled....
I am sure those who are employed during that time and Temasek made $ must have been rewarded with good bonuses and maybe career advancement.
But I do believe if Goodyear was still around and he made a few big loss making deals, his neck would have rolled....
heh, his neck still rolled even when he didn't lose a single dime.
but then how do u know whoever made the decision to invest in ABC did not get fired ? Temasek or GIC are not one man hedge fund. It's easy or even convenient to blame everything on the boss.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2009/05/22/us-temasek-bankofamerica-idUSTRE54L17Q20090522
Singapore's Temasek defends costly Bank of America exit
Kevin Lim and Saeed Azhar
SINGAPORE
Fri May 22, 2009 2:13am EDT
(Reuters)- Singapore's Temasek defended its money-losing exit from Bank of America (BAC.N), saying the U.S.-centric bank did not fit its investment criteria and the risk was perceived to be greater than the expected return.
Deals
The explanation, a rarity for the state investor, came in a letter to major Singapore newspapers after the loss on BofA attracted fierce criticism from the usually muted pro-government local media, investors and independent blogs, which noted BofA shares have rallied more than 70 percent after Temasek's exit.
The losses are also expected to be discussed when Singapore's Parliament convenes next week.
Temasek, which is headed by Ho Ching, the wife of Singapore's prime minister, sold its 3 percent stake in BofA in the first quarter after converting its Merrill shares into BofA in January. Temasek has not said how much it lost in the process, but Reuters estimated the loss was more than $3 billion.
Temasek announced in February that Ho will step down and be replaced by Chip Goodyear, the former CEO of BHP Billiton (BHP.AX), on October 1.
"Our investment thesis had changed from Merrill's specific businesses to the more diversified BoA linkage to the broader U.S. economy. The risk-return environment had also changed substantially," Myrna Thomas, managing director for corporate affairs, said in the letter.
Temasek's aim is to ensure that its portfolio delivers returns that are higher than the cost of capital employed on a risk-adjusted basis, Thomas said.
"We may choose to divest an investment, even at a loss, to optimize our risk or portfolio exposure, or if there are better opportunities elsewhere or later," she added.
Temasek, which like other sovereign wealth funds, plowed billions into Merrill Lynch in the early phase of the credit crisis, saw the value of its portfolio plunge 31 percent to S$127 billion between March 31 and Nov 30 last year during the severe market turmoil.
KEY QUESTION UNANSWERED
Financial investments accounted for 40 percent of its portfolio.
"The letter doesn't give the answer that everybody is asking. How much did they lose?," Leong Sze Hian, president of the Society of Financial Services Professionals, told Reuters.
The exact losses are difficult to quantify because Temasek had also offloaded about 30 million Merrill shares last year in smaller lots, reducing its exposure to the investment bank by the time BofA took over Merrill.
Conraj Raj, editor-at-large at the Today newspaper in Singapore, threw the spotlight on the sovereign wealth fund's stated strategy of taking a long-term view of its investments.
"After all, it has been drummed into us ad nauseam that both Temasek and its cousin, the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation, invest for the long term with a time horizon that could stretch for as long as 50 years," he wrote on May 18.
"Whatever happened to the sovereign wealth fund's (SWF) strategy of taking a long-term view of its investments?"
Singapore's bigger sovereign wealth fund, GIC, on the other hand said it was a long-term investor in Citigroup (C.N) and UBS (UBSN.VX).
"It is difficult to understand why a long-term investor like Temasek was willing to stick with a dud like Australia's ABC Learning centers to the end, but did not try to exercise a little bit more patience with a U.S. government-backed entity like BofA," Png Eng Huat wrote in a letter to Straits Times forum.
"The U.S. government has stated clearly that it will not nationalize BofA even though it is technically the largest shareholder of the bank."
(Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman)
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE54L17Q2...
Geylang OKT
29-04-11, 16:15
Vote Opposition! Vote for lower property prices! :D :D :D
Regulators
29-04-11, 16:17
Vote opposition and they remove ridiculous SSD initiated by MBT
but then how do u know whoever made the decision to invest in ABC did not get fired ? Temasek or GIC are not one man hedge fund. It's easy or even convenient to blame everything on the boss.
I don't know, but many of the public I am sure would like to know. Question is does the public have the right to know since we have a stake in this reserve as we are citizen. And also, how much is the public allowed to know...? Every citizen has invested in our country. And if u are an investor in some shares in listed company and the company lose lots of $, surely u will turn up on AGM and question, and come to voting of directors, u may vote them out. Of course, u may say sovereign is different, but which stakeholders of the sovereign fund is allowed to know then? Only the President?
devilplate
29-04-11, 16:22
Vote opposition and they remove ridiculous SSD initiated by MBT
hmm....they nvr mentioned this wor....may sway my vote leh...HAHA
cooling measure shd only targets HDB resale flats and left pte ppty untouched! HAHA:hell-hath-no-fury: :D
Geylang OKT
29-04-11, 16:24
hmm....they nvr mentioned this wor....may sway my vote leh...HAHA
cooling measure shd only targets HDB resale flats and left pte ppty untouched! HAHA:hell-hath-no-fury: :D
They are all inter-linked. Sell hdb resale flats at lower prices, thench not enough money to upgrade to mass market condo :D
devilplate
29-04-11, 16:25
I don't know, but many of the public I am sure would like to know. Question is does the public have the right to know since we have a stake in this reserve as we are citizen. And also, how much is the public allowed to know...? Every citizen has invested in our country. And if u are an investor in some shares in listed company and the company lose lots of $, surely u will turn up on AGM and question, and come to voting of directors, u may vote them out. Of course, u may say sovereign is different, but which stakeholders of the sovereign fund is allowed to know then? Only the President?
we want more transparency!!!hehe:D
i tried to google more info on our basket of currencies.....but to no avail...
i tink its too sensitive?
devilplate
29-04-11, 16:26
They are all inter-linked. Sell hdb resale flats at lower prices, thench not enough money to upgrade to mass market condo :D
or PR not allowed to buy HDB!
den bo pian but to buy our mass market condos?:D
Geylang OKT
29-04-11, 16:27
or PR not allowed to buy HDB!
den bo pian but to buy our mass market condos?:D
Hahahaha.... good idea! :D :D :D
Regulators
29-04-11, 16:28
Just to side track, just now saw so many old folks queuing up to draw on the money credited into their accounts by government, many of these folks are indeed living from hand to mouth. I personally didn't even bother to check if the money went into my account or not
Geylang OKT
29-04-11, 16:29
Just to side track, just now saw so many old folks queuing up to draw on the money credited into their accounts by government, many of these folks are indeed living from hand to mouth. I personally didn't even bother to check if the money went into my account or not
How come some guys got $700 and others got only $200? :o :o :o
devilplate
29-04-11, 16:29
Just to side track, just now saw so many old folks queuing up to draw on the money credited into their accounts by government, many of these folks are indeed living from hand to mouth. I personally didn't even bother to check if the money went into my account or not
wat u trying to imply?
dunwan den tx to my posb acct!:p
devilplate
29-04-11, 16:31
How come some guys got $700 and others got only $200? :o :o :o
haha...remember wat DPM Teo says? 100 and 20 buck....both sides will want $100!!!:hell-hath-no-fury: :D
we will nvr be happy one lor....hahaha
we want more transparency!!!hehe:D
i tried to google more info on our basket of currencies.....but to no avail...
i tink its too sensitive?
I think many have asked the same. I personally think as sovereign fund, Temasek need to retain some information internally, that need not be shared to the public, and there need to be a balance point, however, current level at which Temasek reveal info to the public is insufficient to satisfy many....,more transparency is needed for citizens....
Geylang OKT
29-04-11, 16:33
Bro, u are :simmering: when Tan JS mentioned 60B proposal. Fair enough.
So, will you :simmering: :simmering: :simmering: when someone blow the same amount away from failed business ventures?
:scared-5:
So this round are you the ARO, SPO or PO? :D :D :D
Regulators
29-04-11, 16:34
I am implying there is no great urgency to check the account but a lot of people draw out and use the money on the day coz they need it badly
wat u trying to imply?
dunwan den tx to my posb acct!:p
devilplate
29-04-11, 16:36
I am implying there is no great urgency to check the account but a lot of people draw out and use the money on the day coz they need it badly
jus kidding wif u la
when i am serving my NS, i aso eagerly waiting for such payouts wor....chun chun on tat day withdraw $$$$ :D ....but hor next few days all gone liao....den complain not enuff! ops:o
jus kidding wif u la
when i am serving my NS, i aso eagerly waiting for such payouts wor....chun chun on tat day withdraw $$$$ :D ....but hor next few days all gone liao....den complain not enuff! ops:o
If u are in Tanjong Pagar GRC, u can do that, MM say he will take care of u for the next 5 years! U can trust him.
Personally, i Think the worst are those town councils investing their funds in risky financial instruments and they get burned....., who is accountable?
These news was before realising all PAP Town Councils was also involved in the losses. It was much bigger than expected.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/390407/1/.html
Two town councils invested S$12m in Lehman-related structured products
SINGAPORE: The financial health of two Singapore town councils remains in the black despite their investments in failed Lehman-linked structured products. Holland-Bukit Panjang and Pasir Ris-Punggol Town Councils invested a combined S$12 million using their sinking funds.
Going forward, the co-ordinating chairman of PAP town councils, Dr Teo Ho Pin, said future investments will remain diversified but will be on the conservative side.
Just like thousands of Singaporean investors who have lost money on failed Lehman-linked structured products, the Holland-Bukit Panjang Town Council may lose its S$8 million investment.
The town council invested 6.7 per cent of its sinking funds available for investment in Lehman Brothers' Minibond Notes, DBS High Notes 5 and Merrill Lynch's Jubilee Series 3 Notes.
It had invested another S$3 million in Pinnacle Notes Series 6, but this investment was unaffected.
For Pasir Ris-Punggol, its S$4 million investments in the Minibond Series 2 and 3 amounted to 2.6 per cent of its funds.
Based on the 14 PAP town councils' latest financial statements submitted to the National Development Ministry, these investments amounted to 0.6 per cent of their total funds of S$2 billion.
Like many others, the town councils are anxiously waiting to see if the Lehman Minibond notes will be making dividend payments next month.
Dr Teo Ho Pin, chairman, Holland-Bukit Panjang Town Council, said: "If there is a credit event that occurs next month for the Lehman Brothers' Minibond, then that will be a default and... there'll be a loss on that investment."
Town councils can invest up to 35 per cent of their sinking funds in financial instruments like equities, corporate bonds and funds.
Holland-Bukit Panjang Town Council said while its investment income will be reduced as a result of the failed investment, its financial status remains in the black and improvement works will not be affected.
During a six-year period starting from 2002, the return on its investments totalled about S$24 million. As of March 31 this year, it also has a total kitty of S$118 million.
Over the last six years, the Holland-Bukit Panjang Town Council made a healthy investment return of more than four per cent every year. This is well above the average fixed deposit return of 0.9 per cent. With the investment income, the town council has been able to deal with the impact of inflation.
Dr Teo continued: "Our assurance to our residents is that the sinking fund is still intact. We have adopted a very prudent approach in terms of investing our funds.
"We have to continue to adopt a diversified investment strategy so we are able to achieve healthy returns for our town council funds, cyclical maintenance purposes and we have to balance between investment risk and returns."
Six other PAP-run town councils also have exposure to Lehman Brothers through their fund managers' investment portfolio.
These investments total some S$4 million and account for less than one per cent of each town council's funds available for investments.
The National Development Ministry said it has no plans to amend the investment guidelines it has put in place as town councils are in the best position to decide how to manage the funds.
Senior Minister of State for National Development Grace Fu told Parliament on Monday it was not practical nor desirable for the ministry to be overly prescriptive in enforcing the guidelines, which seek to achieve an optimal balance between reasonable returns and financial prudence.
Hougang and Potong Pasir Town Councils, the two that are managed by opposition MPs, have earlier said they do not have any investments related to Lehman Brothers products and their sinking funds are not affected by the failed financial instruments. - CNA/vm
http://www.mrbiao.com/blog/pap-run-town-councils-lose-singaporeans-hard-earned-money.html
PAP-run town councils lose Singaporeans’ hard earned money
Last year I blogged about how the Bukit Panjang-Holland Town Council had funds in Creative Technology, a money losing stock.
I wondered why town councils are allowed to put their money into high risk equities. Some time later in late 2007, it became an issue discussed furiously in the blogosphere as well as commented on by MPs and ministers.
All along they have given Singaporeans the assurance that town councils’ funds are only put in low risk investments, and are closely monitored and controlled. However, it has now come to light that several town councils are exposed to Lehman Brothers’ losses totalling millions of dollars.
This topic is already discussed to death in the blogosphere, where plenty of insightful articles can be found on The Online Citizen (http://www.theonlinecitizen.com/)
I also like to point out that in May this year, SM Goh told residents to check on opposition wards’ town council funds (http://www.mrbiao.com/blog/sm-goh-tells-residents-to-check-oppositions-town-council-accounts.html).
Now it seems that residents of all PAP town councils should check on their funds as well. In the first place, town council funds should be put where they should be – saved up for town improvements.
It’s total bullshit to say that they invested in Credit Notes to guard against inflation. Is that what credit notes are meant for? I don’t think so.
In justifying the town councils’ investments, one of the ministers also pointed out that fixed deposits would yield an average of just 0.9% per annum.
That’s bullshit again. I get 1.88% per annum as a small time saver in one of the foreign banks here, and the interest rate goes up with higher deposits.
Another justification was that the town councils earned money on their investments in previous years, enough to cover the losses they incurred this time. That’s not a valid argument.
That’s just to justify that the loss was inconsequential, and not to justify the very decision to put the money into such stupid investments in the first place.
So what if the losses continue to mount, and wipes out previous years’ profits? What excuses would we be hearing then?
In my opinion, heads should roll for these systematic failures – the people running these town councils have lost sight of the town councils’ primary function – to provide services to residents, and not be run like profit-oriented companies.
So what if they get lots of ROI? The bulk of the money would still be kept in their bank accounts and not be used for improving facilities for residents.
So this round are you the ARO, SPO or PO? :D :D :D
hmmm... BBBJ can?
I think many have asked the same. I personally think as sovereign fund, Temasek need to retain some information internally, that need not be shared to the public, and there need to be a balance point, however, current level at which Temasek reveal info to the public is insufficient to satisfy many....,more transparency is needed for citizens....
at least u agree this fund needs to retain *some information internally*. in fact, in my opinion, many foreign investments are highly confidential. Divulging that to the public will not help the fund. I dun see why a bunch of politicians who have no clue on how the market operates need to know the portfolio, let alone making decisions on investing them. (just as an example, for some one who until today still does not understand the GIC Citi deal, it's better for him not to know anything:cool:)
at least u agree this fund needs to retain *some information internally*. in fact, in my opinion, many foreign investments are highly confidential. Divulging that to the public will not help the fund. I dun see why a bunch of politicians who have no clue on how the market operates need to know the portfolio, let alone making decisions on investing them. (just as an example, for some one who until today still does not understand the GIC Citi deal, it's better for him not to know anything:cool:)
Tell that to the journalists.
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/no-other-agenda-vincent-wijeysingha-193456037.html
I have no other agenda: Vincent Wijeysingha
Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) (http://sg.search.yahoo.com/search?p=singapore+democratic+party&fr=fp-today&cs=bz) candidate Dr Vincent Wijeysingha says he has "no other agenda", other than discussing hot-button issues concerning average Singaporeans.
Speaking at the party's rally which saw an estimated 3,000 people gather at an open field located near Commonwealth MRT station on Thursday evening, Dr Wijeysingha said, "Let me assure you all and Singapore from this place. I have no other agenda than your agenda. Why? Because I am one of you."
Citing issues such as rising costs of living and housing prices, Dr Wijeysingha, 40, claimed that he is able to relate with the common man on their grievances.
“I also feel the pinch of rising prices. I also have to think twice about going to the doctor when I have the flu. I also haven’t been able to afford a flat and I also worry about my parents old days,” he said.
“I have spent my whole life working with the underprivileged and it is they who moved me and it is they who moved the members of my party.”
“And if we have any radical idea, if we have any dangerous agenda, it is this, that all Singaporeans deserved to be happy and fulfilled, not just some.”
His statements were a tongue-in-cheek reference to the “gay” video issue raised by Dr Vivian Balakrishnan.
On Monday, the People's Action Party (PAP) (http://sg.search.yahoo.com/search?p=peoples+action+party&fr=fp-today&cs=bz) Holland-Bukit Timah GRC team led by Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports (http://sg.search.yahoo.com/search?p=vivian+balakrishnan&fr=fp-today&cs=bz), Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, had questioned if the SDP and in particular Dr Wijeysingha, will pursue the "gay agenda" in the political arena.
This comes after a YouTube video showed the SDP candidate in a forum on how to further promote the rights of gays and lesbians.
However, SDP chief Chee Soon Juan later responded that neither the party nor its candidates will pursue such an agenda and both parties have since put the matter to rest (http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/dr-vivian-let-not-talk-video-anymore-173058828.html).
Addressing the issue for the first time in public, Dr Wijeysingha who is also an executive director of a social welfare organisation says that he bears no hard feelings and would also like to put the matter behind him.
"I would like to say something from my heart. Some of you may have read the headlines about me the last few days. I would like to say from this place that I have no anger to those who cause me to enter the headlines.
"Politics is a stressful activity, not for me. But having said that, politicians make mistakes, we are human beings, and we say the wrong things," he said.
"Dr Balakrishnan may have miscalculated, these things happen. I want to move on and I want to say from this place. I want to wish my PAP opponents the very best of luck and may the best men and women win."
Meanwhile, other issues raised at the rally included ministerial salaries, accountability for the "overblown" budget of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) and the need for more public assistance.
Coming on as the second last speaker of the night, the loudest cheers were ultimately reserved for Dr Wijeysingha as the crowd chanted "we want Vincent".
When he asked why they attended the rally, the crowd replied, "To see you, Vincent", before they broke into laughter and cheers.
According to the SDP, local celebrities such as actor-director Lim Kay Siu, TV host Denise Keller and local playwright Alfian Sa'at were also spotted at the rally.
However, some people in the crowd were upset with the poor sound system which left many who were standing at the back trying to make out what the candidates were saying.
One of them was 48-year-old researcher James Raj, who complained that he could barely hear a thing from the back of the crowd.
"I was really looking forward to what Vincent was going to say but unfortunately I couldn't hear a thing. Perhaps they should add more speakers at the back of the field," he said.
Follow Yahoo! News on Twitter (http://twitter.com/YahooSG) and become a fan on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/yahoosingaporenewsroom).
This article is published by Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd., 60 Anson Road #13-01 Mapletree Anson, Singapore, 079914.
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/pap-candidate-clarifies-sdp-objection-165504510.html;_ylt=AvWZ2B4IoPGjnaDWHZmZwciCh9t_;_ylu=X3oDMTM5YWtwNGNoBHBrZwNjNWEwZmVkYS02MmY5LTMyMzctOTExOC00NDc4MDU0ZjVhYmQEcG9zAzIEc2VjA01lZGlhVG9wU3RvcnkEdmVyAzZhNzFjMzUwLTcwZWYtMTFlMC1iZmZiLTg1NmM2MDczNmVlOA--;_ylg=X3oDMTFjaTBvcG51BGludGwDc2cEbGFuZwNlbi1zZwRwc3RhaWQDBHB0A3NlY3Rpb25zBHRlc3QD;_ylv=3
PAP candidate clarifies SDP’s ‘objection’
People's Action Party (PAP) (http://sg.search.yahoo.com/search?p=peoples+action+party&fr=fp-today&cs=bz) candidate for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC, Sim Ann, has clarified the objection raised by the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) (http://sg.search.yahoo.com/search?p=singapore+democratic+party&fr=fp-today&cs=bz) over the validity of her candidacy due to her employment status.
The objection by SDP was made after Sim Ann indicated in her Nomination form that she was "unemployed".
It questioned whether she was still able to stand as a candidate as she was still serving out her notice of resignation from her civil service job.
At the Greenridge Secondary School Nomination Centre on Wednesday afternoon, the SDP claimed that since she is still serving out her notice of resignation, Sim Ann was still considered a civil servant. Under the Parliamentary Elections Act (http://sg.search.yahoo.com/search?p=parliamentary+elections+act&fr=fp-today&cs=bz), a civil servant is not allowed to contest in an election.
Sim Ann, 36, was formerly a high-flying civil servant with the National Population Talent Division before she was introduced as a PAP candidate on 14 April. (http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/pap-introduces-final-batch-candidates-20110414-031049-080.html)
However, the Returning Officer from the Elections Department (http://sg.search.yahoo.com/search?p=elections+department&fr=fp-today&cs=bz) "overruled" SDP's objection. This prompted the SDP to seek a reply from the department to explain why the objection was overruled.
At a press conference held by PAP's Holland-Bukit Timah GRC team after nominations closed, Sim Ann said the SDP's objection was "utterly and completely baseless".
She explained that she had tendered the notice of resignation on 18 March and her last date as a civil servant was 3 April.
"Essentially the PSD will require a stipulated time for resignation and if you fall short of that particular period, there may be a penalty to be paid," she said.
"So you can leave the service at any time but depending on how much notice you give, there may or may not be a financial penalty attached to it. And for the record, in my case, there was a financial penalty to it which I have already paid up," she said.
However, she refused to reveal the amount that was paid, claiming that it was a "personal issue".
"My last date as a civil servant was the third of April, so from April 4 this year onwards, I am not employed by the civil service or for that matter any other organisation."
The Public Service Division (PSD) (http://sg.search.yahoo.com/search?p=public+service+division&fr=fp-today&cs=bz) also confirmed that Sim Ann is no longer an employee in the civil service in a statement from the Elections Department hours after the close of nominations, reported Channel NewsAsia.
When informed about PSD's explanation, the SDP said that it "welcomed" the clarification and would put the issue behind them.
Follow Yahoo! News on Twitter (http://twitter.com/YahooSG) and become a fan on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/yahoosingaporenewsroom).
This article is published by Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd., 60 Anson Road #13-01 Mapletree Anson, Singapore, 079914.
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/fresh-opposition-faces-make-their-bow.html
Fresh opposition faces make their bow
http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/o3jxQmxWF3hUMyZOJrye3Q--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7dz02MzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/249/2011/04/28/Ewenpics-011_172914.jpgNSP's Tony Tan spoke with conviction and vigour (Yahoo! photo)
Four fresh opposition faces made their bow on national television during the Party Political broadcast aired on Channel NewsAsia on Thursday night.
The pre-recorded broadcast allowed a representative from each of the six major political parties contesting the General Elections to address a national audience on what the party stood for and its key messages (read full script here (http://www.news.gov.sg/public/sgpc/en/media_releases/agencies/mda/press_release/P-20110428-1/AttachmentPar/0/file/Party%20Political%20Broadcast%20Scripts%20on%2028%20April%202011.pdf)).
Each was given air-time of between 2.5 minutes to 12 minutes to speak (depending on the size of the party).
National Solidarity Party's Tony Tan Lay Thiam, Workers' Party's Pritam Singh, Singapore Democratic Party's Tan Jee Say and the Singapore Democratic Alliance's Harminder Pal Singh -- who have been working the ground but have so far remained out of the full glare of the media spotlight -- stepped up to the plate and delivered.
NSP's Tony Tan, 41, was the most impassioned of the lot as he spoke with conviction about "starting a new chapter" for Singapore on the premise that the current government had failed to provide a "Swiss standard of living."
The ex-government scholar, who studied engineering on a Singapore Armed Forces Merit scholarship and is a Cambridge University alumni, urged voters to ring in a "chapter written by Singaporeans for Singaporeans" come Polling Day.
http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/7HmXTlsX0dKZWQo.O3rE.g--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7dz02MzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/249/2011/04/28/Ewenpics-010_173745.jpgWP's Pritam Singh is on the A-team slate gunning for Aljunied GRC. (Yahoo! photo)
Postgraduate law student Pritam Singh, 34, of the WP stuck closely to his party's slogan of a "First World Parliament", arguing that continued PAP dominance had led to a "bull-dozing of policies."
Singh, who is on the WP's A-team that will contest Aljunied GRC, urged Singaporeans to vote for a Parliament that is "neither a national feedback unit nor a rubber stamp."
http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/KDTPBEVxp3bJMO05MD1DDA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7dz02MzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/249/2011/04/28/Ewenpics-009_173219.jpgSDP's Tan Jee Say, a former civil service high-flier, takes centrestage. (Yahoo! photo)
SDP member Tan Jee Say, 57, who is part of the team contesting the Holland-Bukit Timah GRC spoke on the need to return power to the hands of the people.
The investment adviser and ex-principal private secretary to Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong also called on policies to "remove GST for basic items, healthcare, education and foodstuffs" and "put Singaporeans first in jobs, good jobs, jobs that pay well."
For his part, Singapore People's Party chief Chiam See Tong, despite his age and hunched posture, spoke clearly and confidently asking for greater accountability from the government.
The 76-year-old opposition stalwart who will be gunning for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC asked for greater transparency in the Mas Selamat escape case as well as the "gross overspending" for the YOG, the "investment decisions of Temasek and GIC" and the "use of CPF monies."
http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/3YvBPo_x1d5dmnljwz9Hcw--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7dz02MzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/249/2011/04/28/Ewenpics_173516.jpgSDA's Harminder Pal Singh. (Yahoo! photo)
Harminder Pal Singh of the Singapore Democratic Alliance said his party would raise five burning issues, including the cost of living and the high cost of medical expenses if voted into Parliament.
Singh is on the SDA team that will contest the Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC.
Reform Party chief Kenneth Jeyaretnam urged voters not be afraid of a "freak result" and instead to vote for a two-party system in parliament.
He also promised a "better, fairer and more accountable Singapore" where "the government serves the people and not vice versa" if his party was voted in.
People's Action Party's secretary-general PM Lee Hsien Loong made the final address as he laid out his party plans to double down on education, transport and aid for the less privileged so no one would be left behind.
He also said his party is "tested and proven" and knows how to guide the country in tough times, such as the 2008 financial crisis and the ongoing security challenges posed by neighbours Malaysia and Indonesia.
Related linksThe big Aljunied gambit (http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/one-word-aljunied-120517596.html)We're going after the 'tiger in the mountain': Low Thia Kiang (http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/why-m-contesting-aljunied-grc-wp-low-thia-161827571.html)Let's not talk about video anymore: Dr Vivian (http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/dr-vivian-let-not-talk-video-anymore-173058828.html)
Follow Yahoo! News on Twitter (http://twitter.com/YahooSG) and become a fan on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/yahoosingaporenewsroom).
This article is published by Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd., 60 Anson Road #13-01 Mapletree Anson, Singapore, 079914.
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/dr-vivian-let-not-talk-video-anymore-173058828.html
Dr Vivian: Let’s not talk about video anymore
Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Dr Vivian Balakrishnan (http://sg.search.yahoo.com/search?p=vivian+balakrishnan&fr=fp-today&cs=bz) has called for a truce.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, the Minister said there is "no need" to further discuss a video which shows Singapore Democratic Party's (SDP) (http://sg.search.yahoo.com/search?p=singapore+democratic+party&fr=fp-today&cs=bz) candidate, Dr Vincent Wijeysingha, attending a forum on gay rights.
Dr Balakrishnan, who will contest the Holland-Bukit Timah group representation constituency (GRC) against the SDP team led by Dr Wijeysingha, said that he was satisfied with the SDP's video response to his earlier concerns about a possible "gay agenda" should SDP be voted into Parliament.
"His video statements (by SDP chief Chee Soon Juan) were a response to my question. He's answered the question. Let's leave it at that," said the minister.
When asked if he would bring the matter up again during his team's campaigning, he said, "No. No need. I don't need to go any further with that. Questions were asked, I posed the question, he answered," he added.
However, Dr Balakrishan dismissed claims that he was employing a "smear tactic" when he brought up the issue, saying "No. This is a legitimate question and he's answered it."
In a statement released on Monday evening, the People's Action Party (PAP) (http://sg.search.yahoo.com/search?p=peoples+action+party&fr=fp-today&cs=bz) team for the Holland-Bukit Timah GRC had called on the SDP and, in particular, its candidate Dr Vincent Wijeysingha, 40, to be upfront about his "political motives", prompting a heated war of words between the two parties.
In a swift video response, SDP chief Dr Chee said that while both parties might have disagreements over policy issues, he called on the Minister not to resort to "personal attacks" and adopting "smear tactics" (http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/pap-team-questions-sdp-candidate-political-agenda-191935320.html).
Meanwhile, Dr Balakrishnan also rejected calls by the SDP for a public debate, saying that it would just give the SDP an added platform to engage residents.
Explaining that there are no such "shortcuts", he said, "Personally as incumbents, we've been here, our residents know us, we have walked and knocked on every single door in this GRC.
"A team that has just come together in the last few days and has not done their leg work, the reason they want a debate is because they want a platform to reach out to residents."
Taking a jibe at the SDP's statements that he was rattled by their contest in the GRC, Dr Balakrishnan said, "Do I look rattled?"
Apart from that, he also stressed that the choices made by voters will have an impact on the outcome and opportunities for young Singaporeans over the next 20 years, at least.
"For a young Singaporean who just graduates today, 20 years is half your working life. So there are some very fundamental choices which Singaporeans will have to make up their minds on, over the next nine to ten days," he said.
Chee welcomes Dr Vivian’s remarks
On the other hand, Chee pointed out that there has been a “very stern rebuke online” about the way Dr Balakrishnan brought up the issue on the video.
However, the SDP chief welcomed the minister’s statements that he will not pursue the issue come campaign period. Chee was speaking at a separate press conference on Wednesday afternoon where he unveiled his party’s manifesto.
“It’s very clear the online reaction has been very negative towards him. And we asked him not to continue, not to persist in this line.
“I’m hoping, and we’re all hoping that we can run this campaign in the spirit that it was meant to be, and that is talking about issues that people are concerned about, and not get into personal attacks," said Chee.
“We take Dr Balakrishnan at his word, that he will not pursue this, and it was very distasteful. The internet community has made that clear to him, and we are glad to hear that he will not continue to pursue this matter. We’ll leave it at that."
In addition, Chee also dismissed the suggestion that the party will take advantage of the situation and turn the tables back on Dr Balakrishnan, saying that this is not what SDP is about. Instead, he called on all parties to adopt a “clean fight”.
“This is one thing SDP is not and that we want to go after somebody in a very negative way,” he said.
“We call on every party to take the high road in politics and discuss what’s important for the future of our nation and the people. And when we do that, we’re hoping they will reciprocate.”
Follow Yahoo! News on Twitter (http://twitter.com/YahooSG) and become a fan on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/yahoosingaporenewsroom).
This article is published by Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd., 60 Anson Road #13-01 Mapletree Anson, Singapore, 079914.
Geylang OKT
30-04-11, 00:16
Vote Opposition! Vote for lower property prices! :D :D :D
PAP Michael Palmer didn't even know exactly where his ward is
Summary is like this: SDA Punggol East candidate Desmond Lim suggested building recreational facilities near Serangoon river but Michael Palmer counters that the area stated was not under Punggol East SMC. Turns out that Michael Palmer selfpwned and apologized for his mistake this morning.
Source: Today's wanbao
http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/showthread.php?t=3212617
http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/showthread.php?t=3212237
Man breaks down in tears upon meeting outgoing Chiam See Tong
‘YOU GIVE ME MORE APPLAUSE THAN I DESERVE’
http://satayclub.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/chiam_cryingman.jpg
By Cheryl Chan
Political Correspondent
At the Singapore People’s Party rally at Hong Kah last night, a grown man broke down in tears when he met Mr Chiam See Tong. Looking at the raw emotion that the mere mention of his name is capable of evoking, one could be forgiven for mistaking Mr Chiam for a saint; such is the aura of the man.
Ever since he was elected into Parliament in 1984, Mr Chiam has worked tirelessly against colossal odds to serve the people he so loves. As one of only two opposition MPs in the House apart from a brief period between 1991 to 1997, he has been a lonely voice of resistance against the PAP political juggernaut, speaking up for the underprivileged and oppressed while the government machine steamrolled on in the single-minded pursuit of economic growth.
Mr Chiam’s down-to-earth humility and personal touch is the precise reason why he has been re-elected again and again by the residents of Potong Pasir, even in the face of dirty tactics by the PAP in their attempts to unseat him.
And it was that same trademark humility that marked Mr Chiam’s first speech of what will probably be his final election campaign. Bent over, hunched and walking with a limp, Mr Chiam is no longer the rousing speaker that he once was, thanks to the ravages of age and a crippling stroke that threatened to expedite his retirement from politics. These days, he delivers his speeches slowly and with a slur; yet the adoring crowds still lap up every single word. As he hobbled up to the rostrum to address them, they chanted his name incessantly – with passion, with gusto and with heartfelt adoration.
Thanking the audience profusely, Mr Chiam’s first words were: “You give me more applause than I deserve.”
He went on to emphasise his view that opposition is the essence of democracy. He said that it was imperative that there should be a transparency and accountability in governance, and that the ruling party ought to have its power checked and balanced by opposition MPs.
He paused at certain junctures, however, and at one point a member of the audience called out to him, saying: “Mr Chiam, you don’t have to speak. We will vote for you!”
Mr Chiam also urged more people to step forward and join the opposition cause, saying: “Every one of us can take part in politics. I can assure you that nothing will happen to you; I am a living example you can follow. I really wish that more of you will follow my example.”
He wrapped up his speech with yet more self-deprecation: “I am not actually a brave man. But I love Singapore and I love Singaporeans.”
After the rally ended, some supporters were so moved by his presence that they started to cry. A man in his 60s said to him upon shaking his hand: “I feel so happy for you that I am crying. I hope you win.”
Of course, Mr Chiam is fighting to win, and has even gone as far as saying that he believes he will triumph over the incumbent PAP team in Bishan-Toa Payoh, which comprises two heavyweight ministers in Wong Kan Seng and Ng Eng Hen. Most observers say that the chances of an upset are slim, but Mr Chiam has been an underdog for pretty much all of his dazzling political career.
Whether he wins or loses, Chiam See Tong is guaranteed a place in Singapore’s political folklore for generations to come. However, just about every single person in the country is silently rooting for him to score yet another fairytale victory as he embarks upon his last hurrah.
–
The author is a political correspondent at The Satay Club. She works as an analyst in a leading multinational research firm.
http://satayclub.net/2011/04/you-give-me-more-applause-than-i-deserve/
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/potong-pasir-residents-stand-behind-chiam-see-tong-184657677.html;_ylt=AqRlrLjuWyhlApnGAhTzz2yiqdt_;_ylu=X3oDMTNkbW0xbXJrBHBrZwMwZDEzMTlhOC0wYTZkLTMwZjMtOTY5YS1mOWQxNzRkNGRjMzUEcG9zAzEEc2VjA01lZGlhRmVhdHVyZWRMaXN0BHZlcgMxZWRkMWI2MC03MzViLTExZTAtYmZmZi02YTgzYzZlMjdjMDI-;_ylg=X3oDMTJoNTNpZmhhBGludGwDc2cEbGFuZwNlbi1zZwRwc3RhaWQDZTQ2Yjg2NTEtZTcwMS0zMDA4LWJjZDItYzU2YmJjOWMwZmY3BHB0A3N0b3J5cGFnZQR0ZXN0Aw--;_ylv=3
Potong Pasir residents rally behind Chiam
http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/upvb_ugTzClW1Hxft3WUJA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7dz02MzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en-SG/blogs/singaporescene/630yahoo_spppp.jpg (http://media.zenfs.com/en-SG/blogs/singaporescene/630yahoo_spppp.jpg)Potong Pasir stands behind Chiam See Tong (third from right) as he runs for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC. (Yahoo! photo/ …
Chiam See Tong and Potong Pasir are united as one.
Or so it appeared, based on the proceedings of the Singapore People's Party (SPP) rally (http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/emotions-run-high-spp-rally-202415509.html) held at Potong Pasir on Saturday evening.
Potong Pasir residents were in full force as they cheered loudly and rushed to catch a glimpse of him when he arrived and left the rally, much like the adoring fans of a superstar celebrity.
Despite being physically frail after suffering two strokes, Chiam is determined to carry out his wish for better opposition representation in Parliament, hence his decision to leave Potong Pasir to contest in Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC was a difficult one.
The soon-to-be former Potong Pasir incumbent was explaining his reason for leaving the SMC in his speech, saying, "Some of you don't understand why I am leaving Potong Pasir for Bishan-Toa Payoh." But a section of the crowd interjected, screaming, "We understand Mr Chiam, we understand!"
"In order to have a fair and just government, the opposition needs to be better represented in Parliament," he said.
Acknowledging the cheers and support from the crowd, the 71-year-old said, "Together we can make history in Bishan-Toa Payoh!"
Chiam also admitted that it is a dangerous move on his part to go into Bishan-Toa Payoh, and risking his chances of retaining his seat in Parliament, as residents there do not know him that well.
But his Potong Pasir 'fans' were nevertheless supportive.
"Your dream will come true, don't worry Mr Chiam," added another section of the estimated 3,000-strong crowd.
Benjamin Pwee, a member of Chiam's Bishan-Toa Payoh team, said, "Chiam did not walk out of Potong Pasir, it is the spirit of Potong Pasir that walked into Bishan-Toa Payoh."
Such is the respect and support Potong Pasir residents have for Chiam, who has been at the helm of the single-seat ward for the past 27 years.
"I have to really applaud Mr Chiam. He has been ever present to this neighbourhood the past 20 over years, and even with his health so poor, he still wants to serve the people of Singapore and Potong Pasir.
He has my utmost respect,"32-year-old accountant Joshua Teo told Yahoo! Singapore.
"I feel sad that Potong Pasir is losing such a great leader, but I wish Chiam See Tong well and hope that he can succeed in Bishan-Toa Payoh," added 41-year-old businessman Peter Lee.
http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/4WWCBq8fnhRd.ILvQ_WMEg--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7dz02MzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en-SG/blogs/singaporescene/630yahoo_chiamlina.jpg (http://media.zenfs.com/en-SG/blogs/singaporescene/630yahoo_chiamlina.jpg)Chiam See Tong and his wife, Lina. (Yahoo! photo/ Ewen Boey)
However, with Chiam leaving Potong Pasir, the task of contesting the seat has fallen to his wife, Lina.
She quashed talk of nepotism when Chiam decided to pass the baton of leading Potong Pasir to her, but said, "My husband did not choose me because I'm his wife. He chose me because I have been helping him for more than 20 years in Potong Pasir."
On the note of being unknown to residents in the area, she added that her conservative nature as a wife led to her doing more of the background work, and leaving the spotlight on her husband.
Seemingly having the support of the Chiam faithful, who were loudly chanting her name, some people Yahoo! Singapore spoke to said she will still have to prove herself to residents.
Watch the video of Potong Pasir residents shouting Lina Chiam's name:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4lUPHkUQGA&feature=player_embedded
Madam Tan, 52, an administrative assistant who has been living in Potong Pasir for 19 years, said, "I've seen her (Lina) once in a while, but never really spoken to her at all.
"Chiam See Tong has been a very dedicated MP here, that's why I came tonight to support him and also to hear what Mrs Chiam has to say.
Honestly, I am not sure who I will vote for this time," she added.
With their huge loyalty to Chiam See Tong on one hand, and a relatively unproven successor on the other, will the people of Potong Pasir stick with the Chiam name, or will People's Action Party's Sitoh Yi Pin finally get his break and be third-time lucky?
We will know, come 7 May.
Follow Yahoo! News on Twitter (http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/SIG=11en71tpi/EXP=1305281630/**http%3A//twitter.com/yahoosg) and become a fan on Facebook (http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/SIG=122e70rng/EXP=1305281630/**http%3A//www.facebook.com/yahoosingaporenewsroom).
This article is published by Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd., 60 Anson Road #13-01 Mapletree Anson, Singapore, 079914.
This is scary!!! i really hope it will not happen!!:scared-4:
http://www.temasekreview.com/2011/05/01/will-the-pap-win-all-82-seats-contested-on-7-may/ (http://www.temasekreview.com/2011/05/01/will-the-pap-win-all-82-seats-contested-on-7-may/)
Will the PAP win all 82 seats contested on 7 May? (http://www.temasekreview.com/2011/05/01/will-the-pap-win-all-82-seats-contested-on-7-may/)
http://64.19.142.14/www.temasekreview.com/wp-content/themes/WP_010/images/PostDateIcon.png May 1st, 2011 | http://64.19.142.13/www.temasekreview.com/wp-content/themes/WP_010/images/PostAuthorIcon.png Author: Contributions (http://www.temasekreview.com/author/contributor/)
Next week at this time of the night, the results of Singapore’s 14 general election will be known. Will we see the PAP making a clean sweep of all the 82 contested seats or the opposition making a breakthrough and deny the PAP its traditional two-thirds majority in parliament?
Both scenarios are considered ‘freak results’ at opposite ends of the spectrum, each with widespread ramifications for the future of Singapore. Do we want to progress towards a pluralistic democracy or regress back into a totalitarian state dominated by a single party?
PAP de facto leader Lee Kuan Yew proclaimed confidently that the PAP will win the coming election (hands down) as the only hotspot is Aljunied GRC.
Some may be quick to dismiss Lee’s predictions and slam him for being arrogance, but being an experienced politician who contested in 13 general elections, his words cannot be discounted lightly.
While many expect the PAP’s percentage of votes to fall below 60 percent and even 55 percent, we must not forget that the PAP need only win slightly more than 50 percent of the votes in each constituency to make a clean sweep of all of them.
Lee Kuan Yew is a lawyer and he used his legal knowledge to introduce all kinds of repressive laws to curtail the political rights of Singaporeans. His son is a mathematician – surely he will use statistics to predict his own chances before the election.
The PAP has a ‘research unit’ under the XXX department of a ministry which does the background research on the ground before every general election. It conduct opinion polls, assess public sentiments and analyze voting patterns in the last election.
Even before the election is called, the PAP already knows which are the constituencies they are likely to win easily as well as the potential ‘hotspots’ to take note.
That’s why the electoral boundaries are usually announced a month before the general election not only to throw the opposition’s preparations off guard, but to maximize the accuracy of the PAP’s own predictions. Please remember: The PAP is never known to take any chances, especially when its own political survival is at stake.
Lee Kuan Yew’s response to the strong challenge posed by the Workers’ Party in Aljunied GRC is completely out of his usual character. He appeared almost nonchalant when he said that losing Aljunied GRC does not ‘mean the end of the world’ for the PAP. Will he be still so relaxed if Aljunied is in real danger of falling to WP?
Going by Lee’s temperament, he is likely to fly into a rage if Aljunied GRC is in any danger of falling to the opposition. Let us recall his reaction in three previous elections:
1. 1988: Faced with a formidable challenge from former Solicitor-General Francis Seow in Eunos GRC, Lee attacked Seow relentlessly in the mainstream media and accused him of being a CIA agent. With his moral character demolished and reputation in tatters, the papers ran pages after pages about Seow’s extra-marital affair. PAP only managed to win Eunos GRC by 0.3 percent of the votes, the closest the opposition ever came to winning a GRC.
2. 1991: Eunos GRC was a hotspot again and this time round, it was contested by a WP team led by Jufrie Mahmood, a charismatic speaker who was highly regarded within the Malay community. As expected, the PAP and state media launched a smear campaign against Jufrie, painting him as a racist and ‘Malay chauvinist’. With the Chinese voters hoodwinked by the PAP’s racist rhetoric, the PAP did slightly better by winning 53 percent of the votes. Eunos GRC was subsequently ‘absorbed’ into Marine Parade and East Coast GRCs, disappearing from the electoral map altogether.
3. 1997: The contest in Cheng San GRC was one of the fiercest battle fought in recent history. The WP team led by Joshua Benjamin Jeyaretnam and Tang Liang Hong were able to win substantial support from the voters and there were rumors that Cheng San may fall to WP. For the entire nine days of campaigning, the PAP sent its heavy-weight ministers to Cheng San including Lee Kuan Yew, Lee Hsien Loong and Goh Chok Tong to lend support to the team led by the languid Lee Yoke Suan. Tang Liang Hong was mercilessly attacked in the press and accused of being a ‘Chinese chauvinist’. PAP eventually won by 55 percent of the votes. Jeyaretnam was sued for defamation and bankrupted while Tang fled to Australia where he is residing ever since.
The Workers’ Party won only 43.7 percent of the valid votes in Aljunied GRC during the 2006 general election. George Yeo later revealed that he had expected to win more than 60 percent of the votes if not for the James Gomez fiasco which actually swayed the fence-sitters to the opposition.
With nearly 20,000 voters being transferred to Aljunied from the PAP strongholds of Ang Mo Kio and Marine Parade, it will be an uphill task for WP to defeat the PAP.
Based on Lee’s cavalier attitude towards Aljunied GRC so far, we can safely assume that the PAP is never in real danger of losing Aljunied GRC as Lee did not even bother to visit Aljunied to speak to the voters. WP’s candidates in Aljunied were also ’spared’ being wacked by Lee’s ‘knucle-dusters’ and none of them were singled out for attacks by the state media like in the past.
The truth is: Lee Kuan Yew probably received reports that the PAP is likely to win all the constituencies comfortably which explained his confidence when he predicted boldly that the PAP will not lose the election.
The expected drop in the percentage of votes from native Singaporeans disgruntled with the PAP’s economic and immigration policies are likely to be compensated at least partly by votes from the new citizens who are grateful to the PAP for giving them a second chance in life. Together with votes from the senior citizens, civil servants and conservative voters worried about the values of their properties, the PAP will still be able to win most seats albeit with a lower percentage of votes.
On 7 May, the all too familiar scene is likely to repeat itself – the PAP wins all the 82 contested seats. Scenes of celebration erupt in the PAP headquarters. PM Lee gives a speech thanking Singaporeans for giving the PAP another ‘overwhelming’ mandate. The status quo will remain. For the first time since 1981, Singaporeans will have no elected opposition MPs in parliament to speak up for them.
What kind of future will we be expecting under another 5 years of PAP rule?
Lee Kuan Yew has already proclaimed that Singapore still needs 900,000 foreign workers on work permits and no PAP MP will dare to rebuke him. With no opposition in parliament, the PAP will be able to pass any bills and laws without having to account to anybody. Once Lee opens his mouth, 900,000 foreign workers will be shipped to our shore instantaneously and we will have to welcome them with an ‘open heart’ as exhorted by his son the Prime Minister.
The stakes are very high in the coming general election – it is the last window of opportunity for Singaporeans to reclaim ownership of their beloved nation. Only 57 percent of the population are Singaporeans now. The percentage is likely to drop below 50 percent by the election after the next. Our voices and votes will be diluted and we will be stuck with the PAP forever.
The odds are against the opposition. A freak election result may happen and Singaporeans will end up with 87 PAP MPs in parliament.
Time is running out. It’s NOW or NEVER. We only have one week left to make a difference, after which we will have to live with the consequences of our actions or non-action. Every one of us has a role to play. Think of your future and the future of your children. What kind of Singapore do you want them to live in? Do you want them to pay the price of your indecisiveness now?
The 14th general election will be a watershed election in the history of Singapore. If we lose, we will have absolutely no second chance of redeeming ourselves ever again. The PAP never gives its opponents a second chance. We should not be expecting any mercy from them.
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/sdp-candidate-hits-back-much-did-temasek-gic-013557497.html
SDP's Tan: How much did Temasek, GIC lose?
Singapore Democratic Party's (SDP) (http://sg.search.yahoo.com/search?p=singapore+democratic+party&fr=fp-today&cs=bz) candidate Tan Jee Say (http://sg.search.yahoo.com/search?p=tan+jee+say&fr=fp-today&cs=bz) has hit back at criticisms by PAP Ministers over remarks that the S$60 billion cost to implement his economic plan was "small change".
"Let me ask the honourable minister, did you ask the Government Investment Corporation (GIC) and Temasek Holdings how many zeroes there were in the tens or hundreds of billions of dollars they lost in bad investments?" Tan said, referring to an earlier remark made on Thursday by DPM Teo Chee Hean.
"Till now Singaporeans have not been told the true figures of their investment losses. Whether it was in the tens of billions or hundreds of billions? But their refusal to disclose the figures can only mean that it was not small," said Tan.
"That minister, is not small change, it is lost. But the S$60 billion that I have proposed will remain invested in Singapore schools, hospitals, polyclinics…and many other public ventures to benefit Singaporeans," he added.
Tan -- who was the former principal private secretary to then DPM Goh Chok Tong -- was speaking to an estimated crowd of 3,000 at Jurong East on Friday.
The investment adviser, 57, was defending his National Regeneration Plan, which will cost an estimated S$60 billion to implement, to develop Singapore into a "full-fledged integrated services hub for the region".
He argues that the plan could be financed either by selling a portion of assets from Temasek Holdings or through the national reserves.
Tan also took issue with a remark by Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, that it takes at least a decade to accumulate S$60 billion.
The former civil service high-flier, who spent six years in the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) (http://sg.search.yahoo.com/search?p=singapore+ministry+of+trade+and+industry&fr=fp-today&cs=bz), claims that from 2006 to 2008, the general government finance had recorded a surplus of S$75 billion.
"That is $15 billion more than my proposed S$60 billion fund and that took place in three years, not ten years as you thought wrongly," said Tan.
Instead, Tan hit back at Dr Balakrishnan for the "overblown" Youth Olympic Games (YOG) budget (http://sg.search.yahoo.com/search?p=youth+olympic+games+budget&fr=fp-today&cs=bz).
"Tell us how you overspend the YOG budget by over S$300 million? That to us is not small change. We are waiting for your accounts," said Tan.
"Let me give you a bit of advice, Mr Minister. Manage your own ministry's budget well first before you comment about the figures of other people."
Tan is part of the four-member team that will contest the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) (http://sg.search.yahoo.com/search?p=peoples+action+party&fr=fp-today&cs=bz) team led by Dr Balakrishnan in the Holland-Bukit Timah GRC in the coming General Election.
The rally's last speaker for the day, Dr Vincent Wijeysingha (http://sg.search.yahoo.com/search?p=vincent+wijeysingha&fr=fp-today&cs=bz), 40, also weighed in on DPM Teo's comments that the reserves gave Singaporeans a sense of "comfort".
"The reserves are money; they are not there to give us confidence and comfort. Teddy bears are there to give us confidence and comfort," he said.
"Money is there to be invested for the future of the people of Singapore.
And it is a very basic idea when the business is doing well, when you're strong, when your reserve is large, you invest for the future," said the social worker.
"When you're in a weaker period, you draw back, you close it, you consolidate. We are in a strong period now," he added.
At the rally, the SDP candidates also pressed on the issue of education, reiterating its stand for smaller-class sizes and a change in the mentality of the country's education system.
Related articles
Emotions run high at SPP rally (http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/emotions-run-high-spp-rally-202415509.html)
We will take care of you: PM Lee
(http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/pm-lee-poreans-gov-t-care-200306180.html)
Rallies on Saturday (http://sg.news.yahoo.com/rallies-near-you.html)
Follow Yahoo! News on Twitter (http://twitter.com/YahooSG) and become a fan on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/yahoosingaporenewsroom).
This article is published by Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd., 60 Anson Road #13-01 Mapletree Anson, Singapore, 079914.
PAP Michael Palmer didn't even know exactly where his ward is
Summary is like this: SDA Punggol East candidate Desmond Lim suggested building recreational facilities near Serangoon river but Michael Palmer counters that the area stated was not under Punggol East SMC. Turns out that Michael Palmer selfpwned and apologized for his mistake this morning.
Source: Today's wanbao
http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/showthread.php?t=3212617
FAIL!!! EPIC FAIL!!!!
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/emotions-run-high-spp-rally-202415509.html
Emotions run high at SPP rally
http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/oKZI4N1Y6wskQp3Ow0Lk0Q--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7dz02MzA-/http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/cjDcK.0t5GP__CwtVWMUug--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7dz02MzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en-SG/blogs/singaporescene/630yahoo_cryingman.jpgAn ardent supporter breaks down upon meeting Mr Chiam See Tong, (Yahoo! photo/Christine Choo)
For one man in his 60s, it was just too much to bear.
Moments after the Singapore People's Party (http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=singapore+people%27s+party&ei=UTF-8&fr=moz35)'s (SPP) first General Election rally at Jurong West ended on Friday, he was so moved by secretary-general Chiam See Tong's (http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=chiam+see+tong&ei=UTF-8&fr=moz35) speech that he began to tear.
The man cried as he shook Mr Chiam's hand and said, "I feel so happy for you that I am crying. I hope you win."
Others added more words of encouragement, including one who said, "We need more people like you."
Indeed, many in the estimated 1,200-strong crowd had come just from across the island -- some from as far as Woodlands --just to hear Singapore's longest-serving opposition MP speak.
Crane operator Nizam, 26, who stays in Choa Chu Kang, attended the rally even though he would not have the opportunity to vote for the SPP, which will be contesting only in Hong Kah North SMC (http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=hong+kah+north+smc&ei=UTF-8&fr=moz35), Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC (http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=bishan-toa+payoh+grc&ei=UTF-8&fr=moz35) and Potong Pasir SMC (http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=potong+pasir+smc&ei=UTF-8&fr=moz35).
"I came down to see Mr Chiam, because I wanted to see him in person, to hear him speak. He's a great man," he said.
"He's a legend," added Hanizah Zaini, 27, a customer service officer. "It's amazing that he is still here (and standing for election again), against all odds."
The most poignant moment of the night came when Mr Chiam -- hunched and bowed by old age and the lasting effects of a stroke -- took to the stage.
Even as the audience chanted his name, the Potong Pasir MP for the last 27 years said humbly, "You give me more applause than I deserve."
Explaining his decision why he's contesting another election at the age of 76, the former lawyer said, "I am not actually a brave man. But I love Singapore and I love Singaporeans."
Speaking in a slow, measured voice, he said that the opposition is the essence of democracy and that the government needs to be more transparent and accountable.
Urging the audience to make their vote count, he said, "Every one of us can take part in politics. I can assure you that nothing will happen to you; I am a living example you can follow."
The crowd responded and at one point, a resident called out, "Mr Chiam, you don't have to speak. We will vote for you!" while others applauded to show encouragement.
http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/G8g5.81Z_YjMFlp73KQgVw--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7dz02MzA-/http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/Ha1wkAfTEXJFHwqBdpjL0g--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7dz02MzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en-SG/blogs/singaporescene/630yahoo_sppteam.jpg(Yahoo! photo/Christine Choo)
During the rally, Chiam's wife Lina (http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=lina+chiam&ei=UTF-8&fr=moz35) -- who will be taking over her husband to contest in Potong Pasir -- also delivered her maiden speech.
Acknowledging that she was more well-known as "Mrs Chiam See Tong", she was determined to stand on her own two feet.
"My name is Mrs Lina Chiam, not Mrs Chiam See Tong. I am my own person, and I will do things my own way," she declared to resounding cheers.
Mrs Chiam, 62, also revealed some of the trials Mr Chiam faced as an opposition MP.
This included an incident where Mr Chiam planted a tree that was given to him as a gift, but it was uprooted and killed with acid by unknown enemies—a story that even her fellow SPP candidates themselves were unaware of.
Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC candidate Benjamin Pwee later told Yahoo! Singapore he was "completely touched by the Chiams", while his teammate Jimmy Lee was inspired by the stories shared on the night.
"I now have renewed strength for the coming week," Lee said.
http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/0rpXjFAlEmb2P_mhX9CqmQ--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7dz02MzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en-SG/blogs/singaporescene/630yahoo_benpwee.jpg (http://media.zenfs.com/en-SG/blogs/singaporescene/630yahoo_benpwee.jpg)Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC candidate Benjamin Pwee encourages the crowd to face their fear of voting the opposition. …
Pwee himself took to the podium earlier in the night and spoke passionately about the need for voters to overcome their fear of voting for the opposition.
The former government scholar shared that he had battled fear for the longest time, eventually telling himself that "if (he was) going to step out, it has to be for the people."
Addressing comments made previously that voting for the opposition was akin to making a ship sink, he responded, "Which opposition candidate will put everything on the line to bring this ship down?"
http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/yvGq6UIKxj.dNnX9mAhyvg--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7dz02MzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en-SG/blogs/singaporescene/630yahoo_cheeringcrowd.jpg (http://media.zenfs.com/en-SG/blogs/singaporescene/630yahoo_cheeringcrowd.jpg)
Enthusiastic supporters cheer the SPP candidates on as they speak. (Yahoo! photo/Christine)
Despite the night of drama and rhetoric, however, the question remains how and if residents will be swayed to vote for the SPP or the PAP.
Hong Kah North SMC resident Linda Tan, 30, remains ambivalent despite the events of the night, having attended the rally to translate what was said to her parents, whom she lived with.
"They (the candidates) brought up a few things, but I will need time to digest what has been said here, as well as to listen to what the PAP candidate has to say," she said.
Related General Election articles
WP chief slams GRC system (http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/workers-party-reaches-aljunied-voters-190428837.html)
We will take care of you: PM Lee
(http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/pm-lee-poreans-gov-t-care-200306180.html)
Rallies on Saturday (http://sg.news.yahoo.com/rallies-near-you.html)
Follow Yahoo! News on Twitter (http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/SIG=11en71tpi/EXP=1305281630/**http%3A//twitter.com/yahoosg) and become a fan on Facebook (http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/SIG=122e70rng/EXP=1305281630/**http%3A//www.facebook.com/yahoosingaporenewsroom).
This article is published by Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd., 60 Anson Road #13-01 Mapletree Anson, Singapore, 079914.
FAIL!!! EPIC FAIL!!!!
And this PAP Michael Palmer was MP for Punggol for last 5 years.
This is really hard to believe mistake.
16K Talented Solution.
TPL: we will help install power saving light bulbs for lower income families so they can save money
http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/showthread.php?t=3212887
http://satayclub.net/2011/04/who-is-george-yeo-kidding/
WHO IS GEORGE YEO KIDDING?
By Cheryl Chan
Political Correspondent
Foreign Minister George Yeo has lashed out at the Workers’ Party for acting against the spirit of democracy by fielding all its top guns in Aljunied GRC, where he is the leader of the incumbent team of PAP MPs.
In an incredible tirade, Mr Yeo said that the WP was forcing Aljunied voters to choose between their own self-interest and the opposition cause, adding that this was creating an “emotional dilemma” for his residents.
He further charged that the WP has yet to produce any plans on how it intends to improve the lives of residents in Aljunied.
“It’s an emotional dilemma for many people,” said Mr Yeo in an interview with The Straits Times. “I get many people writing on my Facebook wall who feel very uncomfortable about this.
They said, because of this, even if they vote for the WP, please do not feel that we have anything against you. I find that it’s against the spirit of democracy.”
Exactly who does Mr Yeo think he is kidding?
The ruling PAP has been acting against the spirit of democracy for decades, having gone to enormous lengths to skew the political playing field.
In fact, the odds are so unbalanced that voters have never really had a choice other than to accept the PAP as their government.
Now that the WP has taken a huge step out of its comfort zone in an attempt to offer the residents of Aljunied a real alternative choice, Mr Yeo says they are subverting the spirit of democracy.
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to tell that this is hypocrisy of the highest order.
First of all, the GRC system in itself is against the spirit of democracy because it diminishes the voters’ right to choose their own candidates.
It has allowed weaker, unproven candidates an easy ride into Parliament on the coat-tails of seasoned political veterans, some of whom would stand next to no chance of winning an election on their own merit.
Former Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong has admitted as much, saying that if not for the GRC system, candidates might be unwilling to come forward and join the PAP, since they would not be assured of victory.
http://satayclub.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/000wpaljunied-300x183.jpg (http://satayclub.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/000wpaljunied.jpg)The presence of the WP "dream team", headlined by Low Thia Khiang, has clearly rattled Aljunied incumbent George Yeo
A perfect example of this just occurred a few days ago – on Nomination Day, a complete unknown was introduced as a last-minute substitute in Tanjong Pagar GRC, and became an MP just 24 hours later (http://satayclub.net/2011/04/from-unknown-to-mp-in-24-hours/) thanks to the PAP team winning by walkover.
Dr Chia Shi Lu is now an official representative of the residents of Tanjong Pagar, and he was ‘elected’ before even being saying a word to the media, without a single vote being cast.
Does Mr Yeo think that this is in line with the “spirit of democracy”?
Let’s not even begin to go into the incessant gerrymandering of electoral boundaries, the constant smear campaigns against opposition candidates, the use of state funds to entice voters with municipal upgrading schemes and the spate of defamation suits that have been filed against vocal opposition politicians in the past two decades – the latter being the reason why Dr Chee Soon Juan is unable to contest under the banner of his own SDP at this election.
Are any of these things consonant with Mr Yeo’s idea of the “spirit of democracy”?
If he thinks that having an opposition party fielding a strong team is undemocratic whereas the PAP’s heavy-handed and quite frankly unethical tactics are not, then Mr Yeo must truly be living in cloud cuckoo land.
Mr Yeo is simply unaccustomed to the idea that he actually stands a realistic chance of losing his seat – which is an unfamiliar prospect to just about every PAP minister, seeing as they have never really faced a real contest.
His latest ramblings are a sign that he might be losing his composure under pressure, because even he himself ought to know that no one would take his comments seriously.
The spirit of democracy is all about giving people a choice. And the WP has chosen to take a massive risk – which could yet see them completely wiped out of Parliament – just to give people that choice, something which has been denied them throughout more than 50 years of uninterrupted one-party rule.
–
The author holds a degree in political science from the National University of Singapore and works at a leading multinational research firm.
Uniquely Singapore:
Our beloved late President Ong Teng Cheong, who probed abt the amt of our national reserves was not given a state funeral..
late wife of MM Lee, who was not a public servant, was given a grand state funeral..
WHY WHY WHY!!!!
My prediction:
LHL, will never retire from politics, he will be the next SM, den MM..
i dun understand why pap is so A team, so talented, paid top dollar, need a SM n MM to guide n advise them..
WHY WHY WHY!!!
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/sdp-tan-jee-surprised-sm-goh-comments-174025954.html
SDP’s Tan Jee Say ‘surprised’ by SM Goh’s comments
Singapore Democratic Party's (SDP) (http://sg.search.yahoo.com/search?p=singapore+democratic+party&fr=fp-today&cs=bz) Holland-Bukit Timah GRC candidate Tan Jee Say (http://sg.search.yahoo.com/search?p=tan+jee+say&fr=fp-today&cs=bz) says he was "surprised" by Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong's (http://sg.search.yahoo.com/search?p=goh+chok+tong&fr=fp-today&cs=bz) remarks that he was not capable of being a permanent secretary.
Speaking to a 7,000 strong crowd at the SDP rally on Sunday evening at Clementi, Tan responded to SM Goh's comments, revealing why he resigned from the civil service.
"I want to respond to remarks by a few ministers. In the past few days I've been the target of a lot of criticisms and I think it's only fair that I tell you what my position is."
"I am surprised that he (SM Goh) made such a remark because he had earlier said he would not comment on candidates outside Marine Parade GRC," said Tan.
Tan shared that he had wanted to resign from the civil service after his scholarship bond ended in 1984 but was asked by SM Goh, who was then Deputy Prime Minister, to be his principal private secretary.
He added that his appointment was to assist in the leadership transition from Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew (http://sg.search.yahoo.com/search?p=lee+kuan+yew&fr=fp-today&cs=bz), who was the Prime Minister, to the second generation of leaders.
"I told him I had no intention of staying in the civil service; he said he needed me for only 3 to 5 years, after which I could leave the civil service if I still wanted to do so."
"At the end of five years, I again expressed my desire to leave the service. He replied that since this was the second time I told him I wanted to leave, he would not hold me back but would give me his blessings to leave the civil service," said the 57-year-old investment adviser.
His comments came after SM Goh spoke at a People's Action Party rally for Marine Parade GRC on Saturday evening on why Tan left the civil service.
The Senior Minister added that although Tan was "hardworking", he did not think that he "could make it" as a permanent secretary. As a result, Tan resigned from the public service and entered the private sector to advance his career.
Tan expressed his disappointment that after five years of serving SM Goh, he did not expect him to make such remarks, adding that it was not "his mission in life to be a permanent secretary".
"I have given five of my best years in my career life to Mr Goh. He asked me to be his PPS, I did not ask for the job. I do not expect such comments from him after five years of loyal service.
"It was not my mission in life to be a permanent secretary. I want to be a more complete person with life experiences in both the public and private sectors."
http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/q.NaWbsCoZ.JZ4Zy8dFapg--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7dz0zMTA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en-SG/blogs/singaporescene/400yahoo_sdpcrowd.jpg (http://media.zenfs.com/en-SG/blogs/singaporescene/400yahoo_sdpcrowd.jpg)Tan and his fellow SDP teammates were speaking to a strong crowd of an estimated 6000 people. (Yahoo! photo/ Aeron …
Tan also responded to MM Lee's comments on his proposal to transform the economy, where he suggested that Singapore should divert from the manufacturing sector and progress towards the services sector.
Said MM Lee on Sunday, "He has no qualifications to say that and he is wrong. If you don't have manufacturing, you're going to have trouble with jobs."
In his response, Tan said he was qualified to propose alternative economic proposals, highlighting his educational background and policy-making experiences in the administrative service as supporting testimonials.
"I am surprised; I studied economics at Oxford University and for six years, I worked in the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) where I headed economic and manpower planning.
"So I have knowledge of both economic theory and development economics. In addition, my proposals have been endorsed by Lord Butler who served three British Prime Ministers."
Lord Robin Butler was a Cabinet Secretary (http://sg.search.yahoo.com/search?p=lord+robin+butler+cabinet+secretary&fr=fp-today&cs=bz) to three British Prime Ministers - Margaret Thatcher, John Major and Tony Blair.
On MM Lee's statements that the manufacturing sector is "more steady" than the services sector, Tan argued that an economic study has proven otherwise.
He was referring to a study by three economists from MTI which was published in the Economic Survey of Singapore in 2009, titled "Is Smoother Always Better?
Understanding Singapore's Volatility Growth-Relationship".
Tan explained that the study — conducted over a 30-year period from 1978 to 2008 — concluded that the services sector as a whole has a relatively low volatility. And that a large part of the increased in volatility in Singapore has stemmed from the manufacturing sector.
"It is these conclusions and the experiences of other countries that led me to propose that Singapore be developed as an integrated services hub for the region."
At the rally on Sunday evening, a total of 10 SDP candidates delivered their speeches, focusing on the rising costs of living where they spoke out against the lack of government assistance to help Singaporeans cope with the issue..
Follow Yahoo! News on Twitter (http://twitter.com/YahooSG) and become a fan on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/yahoosingaporenewsroom).
This article is published by Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd., 60 Anson Road #13-01 Mapletree Anson, Singapore, 079914.
wow.. tan jee seng is good n all i hear from the two top men were he was not qualified for this n not good for that..
jee seng replied with solid backings..
wow.. tan jee seng is good n all i hear from the two top men were he was not qualified for this n not good for that..
jee seng replied with solid backings..
This is why Singaporeans need to rely on Internet rather than on ST and CNA for this election.
A leopard never changes its spots.
http://theonlinecitizen.com/2011/05/ge-2011-my-vote-and-my-%e2%80%98child%e2%80%99s-future%e2%80%99/
GE 2011: My vote and my ‘child’s future’
As a mother-to-be and eligible voter, I am, for the first time, considering a) who to cast my vote for, and b) ‘my child’s future’.
This is the PAP’s ongoing mantra – vote for us, think of your children’s future and your grandchildren’s future, not to mention your assets and property values and job opportunities.
Well, I have been thinking hard about my child’s future, and the sort of Singapore I would like him to experience and fully participate in as he grows up.
I have also been thinking about the norms that he will be exposed to, that will have the ability to shape his formation as a young adult. I have also been considering what sort of lessons our current socio-political landscape will be teaching him (and it discomforts me greatly).
I would like my son – yes, it’s a boy, says the doctor – to respect leaders for their integrity, dedication to service and commitment to justice that is not bereft of compassion.
I would like him to be steered by courageous leadership, one that does not succumb to easy appeals to greed and fear in order to secure votes, but inspires him to rise above self-centredness to support decisions that may, potentially, cause him some temporary discomfort, but may ultimately result in a more humane alternative to the current ‘catch up or die’ development model.
I would very much like my child to be able to speak his mind respectfully yet fearlessly if he disagrees with the status quo, without having to hover in the background to remind him: ‘Be careful, son!’ (And then give a long and somber lecture about the existence of the Internal Security Act and how it has been abused in the past to silence and intimidate persons who disagreed and tried to challenge the system.)
I want him to grow up learning that loyalty should be earned, not bought. That if he was ever to become a politician, or even a team leader in his school or manager of a company, that his key strategy should not be to induce obedience through a coercive combination of threats and bribes.
If my son wins – a competition, a promotion, an election – I would like to be proud of how he won it through a ‘clean fight’. That he won the respect of others who have selected him because of his capabilities, his potential, his sincere desire to serve others.
I would like my son to appreciate humility and its power to move others. Genuine humility, that comes from admitting to human frailties and mistakes and taking responsibility for them. Humility that is demonstrated by listening with sincerity to others with differing – even opposing – views, without being dismissive, patronizing or bullying them into silence.
I would like my child to grow up in a country where the ‘good life’ is not merely characterized by GDP growth, but by the measure in which fellow citizens protect and care for each other, particularly the most vulnerable amongst us.
I look forward to him being part of a country where he could, without being a Presidents Scholar, or even a degree holder, be recognized and valued for whatever skills and talents he possesses.
I want him to work in a country where he could excel in a trade if he so chooses – e.g. carpentry, bricklaying, horticulture – and be paid a decent, living wage for an honest day’s work, a wage where he could afford to get married, buy a comfortable (not necessarily luxurious) home and raise a family.
I want my child to be convinced that in this society, there is no shame or crime in being different, that it is important to think critically, imaginatively, and boldly – that the road to success is not through memorizing model answers or mindlessly filling in the blanks with droll answers provided by judicious instructors.
I hope that he can flourish within an education system that genuinely fosters creativity, spontaneity and sparks of harmless mischief, and doesn’t kill enthusiasm for subjects/curricula not perceived as ‘profitable’ – e.g. philosophy and literature, as opposed to engineering or accounting.
I want my child to grow up with a healthier understanding and experience of democracy than I have. I want him to experience a Singapore where it is not accepted as ‘normal’ for Members of Parliament to hold on to their positions for years – even decades – without having ever been voted in; where ‘live’ debates between politicians of different parties over pertinent policy issues are a regular feature; where civil liberties such as freedom of assembly and expression and the right to information are not treated as ‘luxuries’ but recognized as the fundamental rights of mature citizens.
I want him to be able to experience the dynamism of an egalitarian society at its best – one where persons fight fearlessly to protect the principles of truth and justice, yet never forget the beauty of mercy and gentleness.
But most of all, I do not want my child, when he is 21 and no longer a child, but an adult about to vote himself, to ask me, perhaps with some measure of disappointment, maybe resentment, or possibly despair: ‘Mom, why didn’t any of you do anything?’
I am 38 years old this year, and I can finally vote.
And because I’m thinking of my child’s future, I know exactly what I want to say come 7 May 2011 at my local polling station.
————–
Picture from Hands On Communication (http://www.hands-on-communication.yolasite.com/).
AThey act with no accountability, it time they learnt abt "with greater power came greater responsibility", and of course, accountability.
Our late president ong teng chong is a responsible man.
Never ever understand why he didn't get a state funeral.
Juz becos he ask the wrong question?
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/wp-pritam-not-interested-killing-tigers-204216775.html#mwpphu-container
WP’s Pritam: We’re not interested in killing any tigers
http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/xng1zKxMLjy0396VGE2L6A--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7dz02MzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en-SG/blogs/singaporescene/010511_WPrally-1-copy.jpgThe estimated 10,000 strong crowd cheering for WP (Yahoo!/Christine Choo)
Workers' Party (http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/over-15-000-attend-workers-party-rally-221927038.html) (WP) Aljunied GRC 'A team' member Pritam Singh says the party is not looking to kill any tigers during this election.
In his rally speech at Yishun stadium on Sunday evening, Pritam responded to Foreign Minister George Yeo's wife, Jennifer, who said that who dares to kill her tiger would have to deal with her.
He also hit back at Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong's comments, that the quality of the government will go down if Mr Yeo were to lose the election. Said Pritam, "It is as if George Yeo, like all the tigers around the world, is being treated as an endangered species."
Drawing applause and cheer from the estimated 10,000-strong crowd, he said that while Mr Yeo is a good man, he is in the wrong party, and strongly recommended that he stands for this year's presidential elections.
http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/unlasAVfUXaaIa4WOA0Vbg--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7dz0xOTA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en-SG/blogs/singaporescene/010511_WPrally-4.jpg (http://media.zenfs.com/en-SG/blogs/singaporescene/010511_WPrally-4.jpg)WP's Pritam Singh wants to champion minority education issues. (Yahoo!/Christine …
The post-graduate law student also suggested that if Mr Yeo does find himself out of a job, he could become a Non-Elected Member of Parliament (NCMP) as the best performing losing candidate in the elections.
Meanwhile, WP chairman Sylvia Lim highlighted that the possibility of losing five talents in a GRC is a problem that the ruling party had created itself.
In her rally speech, she questioned the PAP for changing the rules and the formation of the GRCs.
"By having GRCs and making them so big, the PAP has raised the stakes and we opposition must contest with these stakes. If the system only has single seats this problem wouldn't exist."
Turning her attention to Labour Day, she also spoke on how the minimum sum for the Central Provident Fund (CPF) has been increasing over the past years.
"In two years' time, the sum would reach almost S$150,000, and as a result, many Singaporeans who cannot meet this required sum are only allowed a withdrawal of S$5,000."
She added that the People's Action Party (http://sg.search.yahoo.com/search?p=People%27s+Action+Party&fr=fp-today&cs=bz) (PAP) constantly change the rules and has delayed the draw-down age for savings from 62 to 65.
Lim told the crowd that the government forgets that it is their money, and there needs to be a reminder to the PAP to respect their right to their hard-earned money.
The WP proposed that the draw-down age be 60 and that Singaporeans facing financial difficulties should be allowed to tap into their CPF savings under strict guidelines, she said.
As unlike the PAP, who "treat Singaporeans like kids", she said, "The WP recognises that the money belongs to the people."
With Polling Day approaching, all eyes are continuing to be on the WP team contesting the Aljunied hotspot. They consists of former Hougang MP Low Thia Khiang, former NCMP Sylvia Lim, the party's "star catch" Chen Show Mao as well as family counsellor Muhamad Faisal Abdul Manap and post-graduate law student Pritam Singh.
They will be up against the incumbent PAP team fronted by Foreign Affairs Minister George Yeo (http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/opposition-mounts-strongest-challenge-133337413.html), Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Lim Hwee Hua, Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Zainul Abidin Rasheed, Madam Cynthia Phua and new face Ong Ye Kung, an assistant secretary-general of NTUC .
Follow Yahoo! News on Twitter (http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/SIG=11en71tpi/EXP=1305281630/**http%3A//twitter.com/yahoosg) and become a fan on Facebook (http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/SIG=122e70rng/EXP=1305281630/**http%3A//www.facebook.com/yahoosingaporenewsroom).
This article is published by Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd., 60 Anson Road #13-01 Mapletree Anson, Singapore, 079914.
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/ordinary-poreans-second-choice-pap-alvin-yeo-203056509.html
‘Ordinary S’poreans are second choice to PAP’s Alvin Yeo’
http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/47lfhadkELs_VyyCARgwvA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7dz02MzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en-SG/blogs/singaporescene/630yahoo_tonytan.jpg (http://media.zenfs.com/en-SG/blogs/singaporescene/630yahoo_tonytan.jpg)NSP's Tony Tan delivers his fiery speech. (Yahoo! photo/ Ewen Boey)
National Solidarity Party's (http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/jibes-come-thick-fast-voters-convinced-034731274.html) (NSP) Tony Tan (http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/nsp-faces-share-plans-singapore-20110413-072422-843.html) has slammed People's Action Party (http://sg.search.yahoo.com/search?p=People%27s+Action+Party&fr=fp-today&cs=bz) (PAP) Alvin Yeo for thinking of himself, and not Singaporeans.
Speaking at the NSP rally on Sunday evening at the Jurong West Stadium, he referred to a Parliament session on 25 May 2009, when Yeo called for a tax cut for the top income bracket while Singapore was still in the midst of a recession.
Tan also responded to accusations made by Yeo, that Choa Chu Kang GRC was only their "second choice" after pulling out of Moulmein-Kallang GRC to avoid a three-cornered fight.
"This is outdated politicking. The election should be a contest of ideas on policies, not about outdated politicking," before adding that "ordinary Singaporeans are Alvin Yeo's second choice."
Tan shared his belief that votes for a candidate should be based on the policies he supports, and voters should make sure the MP's policy ideas are similar to theirs.
"What are your MP's policy positions? Is it for your interests or their own?" said the CEO of a private school, adding that the NSP is inviting the PAP to their rally on 3 May to debate policy ideas.
Jeisilan Sivalingam, Tan's teammate in Choa Chu Kang, also dismissed Yeo's criticism of NSP, saying that the party's policy is very clear: "Singaporeans are number one, not foreigners."
He told the estimated 8,000-strong crowd that Singaporeans do not have a better life despite a 14 per cent pay increment, as this was over a period of 10 years, as compared to the PAP Ministers' increment of 30 per cent over a year.
http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/yO6qGL0VDvwAzkTZ_FgMCQ--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7dz02MzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en-SG/blogs/singaporescene/630yahoo_nspcrowd.jpg (http://media.zenfs.com/en-SG/blogs/singaporescene/630yahoo_nspcrowd.jpg)The crowd at NSP's rally in the Jurong West Stadium. (Yahoo! photo/ Ewen Boey)
The turnout at the rally attracted residents from the NSP-contested constituencies of Pioneer SMC, Choa Chu Kang GRC and Jurong GRC.
This was a sharp contrast to the number of people present at the same location for the PAP rally last Friday (http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/pm-lee-poreans-gov-t-care-200306180.html), which stood at no more than 1,000.
Notably, party chief Goh Meng Seng and crowd favourite Nicole Seah (http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/nsp-chief-nicole-seah-wild-card-015220281.html) were absent from the proceedings on Sunday.
A couple Yahoo! Singapore spoke to, Mr and Mrs Wong, said that they came all the way from the Marine Parade GRC, hoping to catch Seah's speech, but were disappointed when she was absent from the rally.
"We missed the rally in the east the last time, so we wanted to come over to hear what the GE's youngest candidate had to say," said Mrs Wong.
http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/mo36p25.Dka_aGAZIrdVzQ--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7dz02MzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en-SG/blogs/singaporescene/630yahoo_crowdcheering.jpg (http://media.zenfs.com/en-SG/blogs/singaporescene/630yahoo_crowdcheering.jpg)Crowd cheering at the NSP rally. (Yahoo! photo/ Ewen Boey)
Mohammad Ridzuan, 31, a technical officer and resident of Pioneer SMC said, "I came for the PAP rally on Friday, and now I'm here to see what the NSP can offer me and my family. Based on what both sides have presented, I think I have a tough time deciding."
Candidates from NSP's west and north-west wards -- namely Steve Chia from Pioneer SMC, Christopher Neo and Noraini Yunus from Jurong GRC, and Jeisilan Sivalingam from Choa Chu Kang GRC -- also spoke on national issues such as wage policy, foreign workers and Ministers' pay.
Follow Yahoo! News on Twitter (http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/SIG=11ernb07c/EXP=1305483218/**http%3A//twitter.com/YahooSG) and become a fan on Facebook (http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/SIG=122imuj0g/EXP=1305483218/**http%3A//www.facebook.com/yahoosingaporenewsroom).
This article is published by Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd., 60 Anson Road #13-01 Mapletree Anson, Singapore, 079914.
Haven't heard any rally that does not put down the opponents. PAP say opp will destroy the govt and opp say PAP incapable. Won't the end result most likely be a mix of PAP and some opp in parliament? Then does that mean our future parliament consist of craps? I noticed that campaigns always slams the opponents and most are for personal reasons, not interest of the nation.... :confused: But aren't they all trying to fight to serve the people?
So far only heard 2 worthy statements. Someone said even if he's not elected, he'll ensure his SMC gets the much needed lift upgrading. Also, someone said if she's no good, then the people should vote her out. Very honest statements but they are few and far between... :doh:
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/pap-loses-aljunied-voters-5-years-repent-mm-155825423.html
Aljunied has five years to 'repent' if it chooses WP: MM
http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/avjSw_MsxW_nV4bX9tFHYA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7dz02MzA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en-SG/blogs/singaporescene/ap_lky.jpg
Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew (http://sg.search.yahoo.com/search?p=Lee+Kuan+Yew&fr=fp-today&cs=bz) has warned Aljunied voters they will have to live and "repent" for the next five years if they vote in the Workers' Party (http://sg.search.yahoo.com/search?p=Workers%27+Party&fr=fp-today&cs=bz) (WP) team at Aljunied GRC.
Speaking at PAP's Radin Mas branch on Saturday, Singapore's founding father said the PAP will not lose in this election, as the only hot-seat is Aljunied.
But he said, "If Aljunied decides to go that way, well Aljunied has five years to live and repent."
MM Lee added that he does not consider it a major setback if the People's Action Party (http://sg.search.yahoo.com/search?p=People%27s+Action+Party&fr=fp-today&cs=bz) (PAP) loses the the contest, that it would not be "the end of the world" as the PAP would fight to get the GRC back.
"We accept the verdict of the people, but they must also accept the consequences of their actions. You must expect the PAP to look after PAP constituencies first."
His latest comments come hot on the heels of another stern warning to voters on Friday, when he said Aljunied voters will "pay a price, the hard way" if they voted for the Opposition (http://sg.news.yahoo.com/aljunied-voters-will-regret-choosing-wp--mm-lee.html). His remarks then sparked a huge backlash online, with close to 3,000 comments on Yahoo! alone questioning MM Lee's motives.
Netizens have also not taken too kindly to the 87-year-old's latest warnings, calling them a thinly veiled threat to voters.
Yahoo! News reader Secret wrote, "Dear MM Lee, I am a resident of Aljunied... I do not need you to either lecture or intimidate me.
You and your ilk may be the "CEO" of Singapore Inc now, but even the CEO has to answer to the stakeholders -- and we citizens are the stakeholders who have the right to either keep you employed or fire you."
Another reader Jubilant said, "Voters of Aljunied GRC will be intimidated by your threats. Instead you should be the one to repent for insulting the intelligence of Aljunied voters."
Users of micro-blogging service Twitter were also quick to criticise MM Lee.
@SamanthaDelina said, "Quite disgusted by MM Lee's comments on WP. No matter how great PAP is, I don't see a need for them to put others down."
Another user @duncanchew was also appalled and wondered, "How can those words come out from MM Lee's mouth?"
On Saturday, MM Lee also questioned WP's real intentions.
"It's not just to win one GRC. Let's have no hypocrisy about this, every political party sets out to win and win a majority and they are setting out from a single constituency to a GRC and then expand to more GRCs and then take over. It's up to you to decide whether they are capable of running Singapore," he said.
The high-powered 'A' team from the Workers's Party (http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/over-15-000-attend-workers-party-rally-221927038.html) contesting the Aljunied hotspot consists of former Hougang MP Low Thia Khiang, former NCMP Sylvia Lim, the party's "star catch" Chen Show Mao as well as family counsellor Muhamad Faisal Abdul Manap and post-graduate law student Pritam Singh.
They will be up against the incumbent PAP team fronted by Foreign Affairs Minister George Yeo (http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/opposition-mounts-strongest-challenge-133337413.html), Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Lim Hwee Hua, Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Zainul Abidin Rasheed, Madam Cynthia Phua and new face Ong Ye Kung, an assistant secretary-general of NTUC .
Separately on Saturday, Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong also commented on the impact should Mr Yeo and his Aljunied GRC team be voted out of Parliament.
Speaking at a rally in Marine Parade GRC, SM Goh said Mr Yeo has been handling delicate negotiations with Malaysia and Indonesia on border issues.
Describing that Singapore has a "beautiful arrangement" -- with an Indian as President, a Chinese as Prime Minister and a Malay, Zainul Abidin Rasheed, as potential Speaker of Parliament -- SM Goh said that "on the basis of merit we ended up with this, a politically balanced, beautiful picture'.
"You knock out George Yeo and Zainul Abidin. Well, you'll have to look for another Speaker on the basis of merit. Well, that person may not be Zainul Abidin once he's out, or another Malay MP.
"These are the fine points of politics which we in PAP understand, which we try to manage quietly. But the opposition says never mind, George Yeo can be a diplomat. Come off it, that's not the way you build up a first-rate government."
Related news
Aljunied voters will regret choosing WP: MM Lee (http://sg.news.yahoo.com/aljunied-voters-will-regret-choosing-wp--mm-lee.html)
Follow Yahoo! News on Twitter (http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/SIG=11en71tpi/EXP=1305281630/**http%3A//twitter.com/yahoosg) and become a fan on Facebook (http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/SIG=122e70rng/EXP=1305281630/**http%3A//www.facebook.com/yahoosingaporenewsroom).
This article is published by Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd., 60 Anson Road #13-01 Mapletree Anson, Singapore, 079914.
Very strong choice of words. Have only heard of repent from religious leaders...echoing divine warning. But with MM, I suppose he consider himself GOD like status in Singapore. I do think his remarks may pissed younger Singapore voters off and push them to vote WP for Aljunied.....sometimes silence is golden.
Geylang OKT
02-05-11, 08:54
Very strong choice of words. Have only heard of repent from religious leaders...echoing divine warning. But with MM, I suppose he consider himself GOD like status in Singapore. I do think his remarks may pissed younger Singapore voters off and push them to vote WP for Aljunied.....sometimes silence is golden.
Please repent before it is too late. Visit my chicken farms before you regret! :D
Very strong choice of words. Have only heard of repent from religious leaders...echoing divine warning. But with MM, I suppose he consider himself GOD like status in Singapore. I do think his remarks may pissed younger Singapore voters off and push them to vote WP for Aljunied.....sometimes silence is golden.
Someone commented in Yahoo , MM Lee no longer talks like an elected leader but rather talk and have the tone and mannerisms of an Emperor.
Haven't heard any rally that does not put down the opponents. PAP say opp will destroy the govt and opp say PAP incapable. Won't the end result most likely be a mix of PAP and some opp in parliament? Then does that mean our future parliament consist of craps? I noticed that campaigns always slams the opponents and most are for personal reasons, not interest of the nation.... :confused: But aren't they all trying to fight to serve the people?
So far only heard 2 worthy statements. Someone said even if he's not elected, he'll ensure his SMC gets the much needed lift upgrading. Also, someone said if she's no good, then the people should vote her out. Very honest statements but they are few and far between... :doh:
PAP incapable is got track record.
These last 5 years have alot of unprecedented screw ups.
Opposition destroy government has no evidence so it is just fearmongering.
When PAP was Opposition, it destroyed the government ?
Geylang OKT
02-05-11, 08:58
Someone commented in Yahoo , MM Lee no longer talks like an elected leader but rather talk and have the tone and mannerisms of an Emperor.
Are you the eunuch? :D :D :D
devilplate
02-05-11, 09:07
PAP incapable is got track record.
These last 5 years have alot of unprecedented screw ups.
Opposition destroy government has no evidence so it is just fearmongering.
When PAP was Opposition, it destroyed the government ?
tell me more:D
devilplate
02-05-11, 09:08
Are you the eunuch? :D :D :D
unfavoured eunuch turn rebellion:D
Geylang OKT
02-05-11, 09:11
Very strong choice of words. Have only heard of repent from religious leaders...echoing divine warning. But with MM, I suppose he consider himself GOD like status in Singapore. I do think his remarks may pissed younger Singapore voters off and push them to vote WP for Aljunied.....sometimes silence is golden.
I am happy. Opposition will push property prices lower :D :D :D
From CNA's forum.
3 slaps on every Singaporean's face (http://forum.channelnewsasia.com/viewtopic.php?t=429880&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=)
Slap no.1 - National Service
Singapore has the 3rd longest mandatory national service period in the world after Israel and South Korea. Do we need such a long service period?
After basic military training, our Singaporean boys are paid a small fraction of regular pay to take on the same risks and do the same jobs as regular military personnel. Do we really need 2 years to build cohesiveness among male Singaporeans when they could have done so if they had moved on to university straight after A levels?
National service is extremely disruptive to every Singaporean male's progress into tertiary studies either locally or abroad. Not to mention the numerous injuries (some affecting the boys permanently), potential lost income over one's lifetime (which could easily cross $100,000) and the subservient mentality many locals develop when being put through the many mindless punishments and exploitation as cheap soldiers. Many of the punishments are being outlawed only after numerous complaints/injuries but damage has already been done to many.
I say 12 to 18 months is the ideal service period, 12 months for men and 18 months for officers.
Slap no. 2 - IRs instead of Disneyland
Think about it, what has the 2 integrated resorts done for you? Has it made your life better? Are you better off now that it has been built? Are you happy that you have to pay $100 to the government to enter the casino built on your own soil?
As of feb 2011, MBS employs 8500 (85% locals) and RWS employs 12000 (70% locals). Does that sound wonderful to you?
Hong Kong Disneyland employed 18,400 on its opening day, with the number projected to be 35,800 over 20 years. They have committed to hiring almost exclusively locals, even in the top management. No need for foreign talent. Locals will be given full training, even sent overseas if need to. All without the need for a casino. And our govt actually rejected Disneyland in 90s. Hong Kong Disneyland is projected to provide $148 billion in net economic benefit over 40 years. Can our 2 IRs beat that?
http://www.disneylandreport.com/disneynews/050422disneylandsingapore.htm (http://www.disneylandreport.com/disneynews/050422disneylandsingapore.htm)
http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/199911/02/1102137.htm (http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/199911/02/1102137.htm)
Are we better off with a casino with its associated social evils than having a Disneyland on our island?
Slap no. 3 - Obsession with GDP growth and taking short cuts to achieve it
What has the record GDP growth in 2010 done for you? Has it been translated into income growth for every Singaporean? What about per capita GDP? Has it also grown as much?
To see how we got the GDP growth, all we have to do is to look at population statistics and per capita GDP. Let's say hypothetically the current GDP is 300,000 based on 10 persons producing 30,000 worth of goods/services, i.e. per capita GDP of 30,000. To grow the GDP to 600,000, the 10 people can either be made more productive like given training or upgraded to high skill sets (10 pple with per capita GDP of 60,000), or simply import 10 more people to produce 30,000 each of goods/services (20 with per capita GDP of 30,000).
The main contributor to GDP growth as admitted by the GOVT has been in the second scenario, the contribution by imports of foreign talent. Look at our per capita GDP over the last five years, its growth has lagged far behind the population growth The locals has not been trained to be more productive and did not contribute to the majority of GDP growth, leading to stagnant income growth. In fact, wages have been suppressed by the GOVT's approach.
You see as an example, 5 years ago an employer would have paid a local $1,500 a month to produce $30,000 of goods/services for the company. In order to increase profits year after year, the employer now needs the employee to produce S$60,000 worth of goods/services. But the local has not been trained to be more productive. What does the employer do? Employ foreign workers who will accept lower wages to make up the shortfall. This is cheaper to the employer than to invest in training to increase productivity of locals.
So who benefits from the govt's relentless quest for GDP growth by importing cheap foreign labour? Definitely not the salaried man on the street. Thay are the businesses mainly, and the ministers whose KPI are based on GDP and are paid performance bonuses based on GDP growth.
Yes the GOVT has facilitated high GDP growth. But they did so by indiscriminately importing foreign workers and NOT by investing on our local workers. This sudden increase in population has led to a squeeze on our infrastructure; healthcare, education, buses, MRT and housing.
No comment on 1.
For 2, this guy doesn't understand disneyland. It's a loss making venture where HK gov shoulders all the physical cost (and loss) whereas walt Disney collects royalty. Theme park disnyland style is a dying business . No way i would want a disneyland here.
For 3, sufficient to say he doesn't understand economy at all.
devilplate
02-05-11, 10:09
this high GDP growth is gd news for SG but bcoz minister's pay is peg to it.....everyone is not happy!:doh:
i still dun understand y PAP decide to announce pay increase just b4 election? to show tat they r transparent? :confused:
devilplate
02-05-11, 10:10
No comment on 1.
For 2, this guy doesn't understand disneyland. It's a loss making venture where HK gov shoulders all the physical cost (and loss) whereas walt Disney collects royalty. Theme park disnyland style is a dying business . No way i would want a disneyland here.
For 3, sufficient to say he doesn't understand economy at all.
no.1: must continue to haf 2 yrs NS.....i oredi served mine! somemore 2.5yrs..... HAHAHA:hell-hath-no-fury:
jobs for foreigners! NS for singaporeans!
HAHAHAH:hell-hath-no-fury:
so u understand y SAF is so corrupted and many r saddist/losers......human nature.....they suffered last time....so they take revenge:hell-hath-no-fury: :doh:
some mother say NS is good. it toughens up their pampered son..
some say NS is too long and waste of time..
some say NS, after looking back helps u as a person...
whether good or bad, long or short dont need to be slapped righ?
why be so hard on ourself?
devilplate
02-05-11, 10:28
some mother say NS is good. it toughens up their pampered son..
some say NS is too long and waste of time..
some say NS, after looking back helps u as a person...
whether good or bad, long or short dont need to be slapped righ?
why be so hard on ourself?
u oredi said 'some say'....surely got 'some disagree'
jus like this GE: some will take sides while some neutral and some bochup
tink back: NS trained me to wear my social masks very well.....1st class hons in wayang:cheers6:
honest mistake....lets move on:D
Osama is dead... Our dear DPM Wong can continue serving in Bishan le... :D
Regulators
02-05-11, 13:43
WKS's sacking long overdue liao. If I were him, stay so long in the cabinet and did not even come out with a statute for companies to give singaporeans priority against foreigners for low and mid tier jobs. There is also no employment laws to protect workers in mid tier executive jobs as contractual relationships are often unilateral
Osama is dead... Our dear DPM Wong can continue serving in Bishan le... :D
WKS's sacking long overdue liao. If I were him, stay so long in the cabinet and did not even come out with a statute for companies to give singaporeans priority against foreigners for low and mid tier jobs. There is also no employment laws to protect workers in mid tier executive jobs as contractual relationships are often unilateralDon't worry... Mr Chiam's power team is ensuring that!!! :D
devilplate
02-05-11, 16:37
The 24-year-old candidate, who will contesting the Marine Parade GRC, currently has over 46,000 fans on Facebook. (http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=AmvQRqc3EAw3zWm_95vSRXqiqdt_;_ylu=X3oDMTBubDk2ZnZxBHBvcwM0BHNlYwNNZWRpYUJsb2dCb2R5;_ylg=X3oDMTJoaHJkMHEyBGludGwDc2cEbGFuZwNlbi1zZwRwc3RhaWQDZjEwZDRkOTktZjg2NS0zYjM3LThhNDItZDFlYjg5NzRmN2Y3BHB0A3N0b3J5cGFnZQR0ZXN0Aw--;_ylv=3?p=Nicole+Seah+facebook&ei=UTF-8&fr=moz35)Her aggressive, direct and passionate rally speeches have also been a mainstay of NSP rally speeches. Indeed, her instant popularity has even led a chain of watch shops to offer her an endorsement deal (http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=Nicole+Seah+city+chain&ei=UTF-8&fr=moz35).
WOW....got endorsement deal offer!
MISS SINGAPORE GOGOGO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:D
The 24-year-old candidate, who will contesting the Marine Parade GRC, currently has over 46,000 fans on Facebook. (http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=AmvQRqc3EAw3zWm_95vSRXqiqdt_;_ylu=X3oDMTBubDk2ZnZxBHBvcwM0BHNlYwNNZWRpYUJsb2dCb2R5;_ylg=X3oDMTJoaHJkMHEyBGludGwDc2cEbGFuZwNlbi1zZwRwc3RhaWQDZjEwZDRkOTktZjg2NS0zYjM3LThhNDItZDFlYjg5NzRmN2Y3BHB0A3N0b3J5cGFnZQR0ZXN0Aw--;_ylv=3?p=Nicole+Seah+facebook&ei=UTF-8&fr=moz35)Her aggressive, direct and passionate rally speeches have also been a mainstay of NSP rally speeches. Indeed, her instant popularity has even led a chain of watch shops to offer her an endorsement deal (http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=Nicole+Seah+city+chain&ei=UTF-8&fr=moz35).
WOW....got endorsement deal offer!
MISS SINGAPORE GOGOGO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:D
she had already passed the 50K mark...about to beat our MM's record of 55K...
just a few comments in the forum expect the price to go up?? whos not using brain :doh:
use your brain and not jump to conclusion - is indrectly referring to all the threads u have posted so far..not on whether i am agent or not as this is not important to you too whether I am or not...and is not definitely not your concern too...to me you are just a young punk who talk without using brain...
Hello Property Agent :D
hello OKT (oh gui tao - pimp):D
No need go get so work up. I am sharing my views and I am not here to convince others what I think, but personally, I am of the opinion that Town Council funds should be invested in LOW risk financial instruments if they don't want to out into short term fixed deposit. Am sure, no one forced them to take take, even put in savings accounts, no one can say they are not doing their job, unless instruction from the top which layman do not know.
He is a blind staunt supporter...maybe he is a spy or related ...:D I also commented simply on certain subject and this guy worked up and started call me "no brain" and call me agent and nonsense, that is why I started to taunt him back...check all his threads recently... u know what i mean...:scared-4:
Osama is only a man. He has many followers. Not sure will there be more upheaval following this incident. WKS have to be more on guard now. :doh:
Osama is dead... Our dear DPM Wong can continue serving in Bishan le... :D
No comment on 1.
For 2, this guy doesn't understand disneyland. It's a loss making venture where HK gov shoulders all the physical cost (and loss) whereas walt Disney collects royalty. Theme park disnyland style is a dying business . No way i would want a disneyland here.
For 3, sufficient to say he doesn't understand economy at all.
what is wrong with point no.3?
eh.. but disneyland many pple flock there leh, y u say dying business? i would actually prefer disneyland than IRs becoz of social ills..
y u would reject mickey mouse leh?
devilplate
02-05-11, 19:29
eh.. but disneyland many pple flock there leh, y u say dying business? i would actually prefer disneyland than IRs becoz of social ills..
y u would reject mickey mouse leh?
its really a dying biz....
disneyland wud be even worse if built in SG due to our weather
Regulators
02-05-11, 19:47
Went to the disneyland in hong kong, like china town, pay me money to go again I also don't want :doh:
its really a dying biz....
disneyland wud be even worse if built in SG due to our weather
oh yes, our freaking weather..
eh.. but disneyland many pple flock there leh, y u say dying business? i would actually prefer disneyland than IRs becoz of social ills..
y u would reject mickey mouse leh?
government has to provide land to disneyland. Mickey mouse dont want to pay for land.
So it is a raid on government reserves if government give free land to mickey mouse
what is wrong with point no.3?
He equates GDP with direct labor usage. As if u r in mining business, old fashion gold digger last century style, more men digging give u more output. Modern economy generates output via many other means. Labour deployment is the least of it. The primary driver is capital investment. In singapore context that means investment in various industries. So we bring major industries here over the years, which in turn drive the economy. We want these industries to stay. ( btw SDP Tan's proposal is not without merit. We could do both. )
government has to provide land to disneyland. Mickey mouse dont want to pay for land.
So it is a raid on government reserves if government give free land to mickey mouse
They want land, construction, running, transport, labor ,everything. They only give their " intellectual property", that is the various traded mark figures, ideas, shows, etc. And they want 49% stake. In 80s SG did talk abt disneyland in yishun. Of course it wasn't agreed. Thank god we did not give in to the ang mo !
don't you remember? we're disneyland with death penalty:)
government has to provide land to disneyland. Mickey mouse dont want to pay for land.
So it is a raid on government reserves if government give free land to mickey mouse
wow.. many catch phrase come up during election time huh.. fearmongering, raid on reserves..
He equates GDP with direct labor usage. As if u r in mining business, old fashion gold digger last century style, more men digging give u more output. Modern economy generates output via many other means. Labour deployment is the least of it. The primary driver is capital investment. In singapore context that means investment in various industries. So we bring major industries here over the years, which in turn drive the economy. We want these industries to stay. ( btw SDP Tan's proposal is not without merit. We could do both. )
huh.. i know u r trying to tell me somthing.. i catch no ball.. hahahaha
Thanks for replying though, bro..
http://singaporemind.blogspot.com/2009/05/boy-arrested-for-slamming-chair-at-mp.html
Boy arrested for slamming chair at MP Office! (http://singaporemind.blogspot.com/2009/05/boy-arrested-for-slamming-chair-at-mp.html)
FURTHER UPDATE: "There is a clear line between being frustrated or disappointed and being violent. The thrown chair could have killed somebody." - Minister Lim Hwee Hwa on why she rejected the written apology of the 17 year old boy.
I've never heard of someone killed by an aluminium chair and anyone trying to kill someone by slamming it onto a door.
But Minister Lim is not letting these people go....no way to her they are a real danger and have to be contained by the full force of the law.
.
UPDATE: The 17 year old boy will be charged in court on 12 May 2009 (Tuesday). He is now out on bail. I was thinking if it happened somewhere else and the police were called, would they even bother to turn up.
The "rash act" law is very interesting. In this case the boy took an aluminium chair and slam it on the glass door. As I understand from the reports, the door is still intact and nobody was injured....yet there are grounds to charge the boy.
"Physically showing anger " is against the law in Singapore especially if you're in an MP's office. Insulting a public servant is also a crime....the law is heavily stacked against people with short temper but don't hurt others physically.
It is sad that we still need these laws after all the courtesy campaigns, smile campaigns and kindness campaign....yeah I remember we are still in Kindness Month(?)...yes Cynthia Phua was motherly but was she kind to the mother and child...were the grassroots leaders kind to call the police and have him arrested...and was MP Lim or Phua kind not to stop them.
.
A 17 year-old-boy was arrested by the police for slamming a chair against a glass door at a meet-the-people session at Serangoon North. This happened after the boy and his mom walked out of MP Cynthia Phua's office.
It is not clear what transpired in the office to trigger such rage but in an interview with the New Paper, the mother said that Cynthia Phua had asked her son a series of questions : "Who are you? What are you doing? Why are you not working?".
The mother explained that she wanted to answer the questions but was not given a chance. The mother and son said that they felt like they were "being scolded".
The mother was working as a cleaner at $400 a month salary (Singapore has no minimum wage laws) and lost her income when she broke her wrist fixing a ceiling fan.
As there is no comprehensive safety net in Singapore she had to go to the MP office wait in line for help. She goes to the MP office every month for financial aid. In this MPS, she had defaulted on her HDB loan and HDB threatens to repossess the flat and give her a rental unit but she cannot afford the $138 rental deposit & stamp duty.
She was at the MP office to get MP Phua's signature for an appeal letter. Although the request was granted, the mother and son said they walked out of the office feeling like they have been put down.
.
"I had to ask some pointed questions about his employment status to understand the root cause of the problem, so that I can be more effective in helping them" - Cynthia Phua
.
I thought that the root cause of the problem is the govt opening the floodgates for foreign workers to depressed the wages of our low income workers and the refusal to set a minimum wage. ...may be Cynthia should be asking her own party pointed questions instead.
.
"From what I understand, Madam Phua was being very motherly and very helpful inside the room with them" - MP Lim Hwee Hua
.
According to the New Paper, the 17 year old boy has low IQ and suffers from thalassermia which renders him weak and sickly. He may be charged in court for "committing a rash act" which carries a fine of up to $2500 and a jail term of up to 6 months.
.
I wonder what we gain out of making needy people in our society seek aid this way : cutting it into small little pieces and making poor people go all over the place to make multiple requests from many different agencies.
Isn't it clear that a woman making $400 a month with a sick kid will need help with housing, utilities, medical care and food the moment she loses her job?
So she is made to 'tackle' the HDB which threatens to take her flat, Singapore Power which cuts her utilities, go apply for medical aid separately when she is sick and visits the MP for piecemeal financial help every month.
Maybe the govt believes that putting obstacles to help can make being poor so painful people are motivated to get rich - not working lah, the number of poor people have been growing year after year.
For a govt that prides itself for being efficient, they have the most inefficient way of helping the poor euphemistically called the "many helping hands" approach...it is more like "the many obstacles" approach.
.
You would think a govt that pursued policies that resulted in the biggest income gap among east asian economies - by opening the floodgates to cheap foreign labor, regressive taxation such as GST, and allowing state owned monopolies to increase profits by raising prices for transport, utilities etc - would feel responsible for increase in number of people who cannot cope with rising prices and falling wages.
Hong Kong has a comprehsive social safety net, Taiwan has universal healthcare...and poor Singaporeans continue to struggle because its govt cannot overcome its own ideological barriers and doesn't want to fix a problem that it has caused.
i am saddened by this piece of news..
im sure there r countless of such instances where they go unreported..:(
devilplate
03-05-11, 00:40
i am saddened by this piece of news..
im sure there r countless of such instances where they go unreported..:(
many such sob stories....
any of geylangokt's mei mei have their fair share of unhappiness and unjust:p
http://singaporemind.blogspot.com/2009/05/boy-arrested-for-slamming-chair-at-mp.html
Boy arrested for slamming chair at MP Office! (http://singaporemind.blogspot.com/2009/05/boy-arrested-for-slamming-chair-at-mp.html)
FURTHER UPDATE: "There is a clear line between being frustrated or disappointed and being violent. The thrown chair could have killed somebody." - Minister Lim Hwee Hwa on why she rejected the written apology of the 17 year old boy.
I've never heard of someone killed by an aluminium chair and anyone trying to kill someone by slamming it onto a door.
But Minister Lim is not letting these people go....no way to her they are a real danger and have to be contained by the full force of the law.
.
UPDATE: The 17 year old boy will be charged in court on 12 May 2009 (Tuesday). He is now out on bail. I was thinking if it happened somewhere else and the police were called, would they even bother to turn up.
The "rash act" law is very interesting. In this case the boy took an aluminium chair and slam it on the glass door. As I understand from the reports, the door is still intact and nobody was injured....yet there are grounds to charge the boy.
"Physically showing anger " is against the law in Singapore especially if you're in an MP's office. Insulting a public servant is also a crime....the law is heavily stacked against people with short temper but don't hurt others physically.
It is sad that we still need these laws after all the courtesy campaigns, smile campaigns and kindness campaign....yeah I remember we are still in Kindness Month(?)...yes Cynthia Phua was motherly but was she kind to the mother and child...were the grassroots leaders kind to call the police and have him arrested...and was MP Lim or Phua kind not to stop them.
.
A 17 year-old-boy was arrested by the police for slamming a chair against a glass door at a meet-the-people session at Serangoon North. This happened after the boy and his mom walked out of MP Cynthia Phua's office.
It is not clear what transpired in the office to trigger such rage but in an interview with the New Paper, the mother said that Cynthia Phua had asked her son a series of questions : "Who are you? What are you doing? Why are you not working?".
The mother explained that she wanted to answer the questions but was not given a chance. The mother and son said that they felt like they were "being scolded".
The mother was working as a cleaner at $400 a month salary (Singapore has no minimum wage laws) and lost her income when she broke her wrist fixing a ceiling fan.
As there is no comprehensive safety net in Singapore she had to go to the MP office wait in line for help. She goes to the MP office every month for financial aid. In this MPS, she had defaulted on her HDB loan and HDB threatens to repossess the flat and give her a rental unit but she cannot afford the $138 rental deposit & stamp duty.
She was at the MP office to get MP Phua's signature for an appeal letter. Although the request was granted, the mother and son said they walked out of the office feeling like they have been put down.
.
"I had to ask some pointed questions about his employment status to understand the root cause of the problem, so that I can be more effective in helping them" - Cynthia Phua
.
I thought that the root cause of the problem is the govt opening the floodgates for foreign workers to depressed the wages of our low income workers and the refusal to set a minimum wage. ...may be Cynthia should be asking her own party pointed questions instead.
.
"From what I understand, Madam Phua was being very motherly and very helpful inside the room with them" - MP Lim Hwee Hua
.
According to the New Paper, the 17 year old boy has low IQ and suffers from thalassermia which renders him weak and sickly. He may be charged in court for "committing a rash act" which carries a fine of up to $2500 and a jail term of up to 6 months.
.
I wonder what we gain out of making needy people in our society seek aid this way : cutting it into small little pieces and making poor people go all over the place to make multiple requests from many different agencies.
Isn't it clear that a woman making $400 a month with a sick kid will need help with housing, utilities, medical care and food the moment she loses her job?
So she is made to 'tackle' the HDB which threatens to take her flat, Singapore Power which cuts her utilities, go apply for medical aid separately when she is sick and visits the MP for piecemeal financial help every month.
Maybe the govt believes that putting obstacles to help can make being poor so painful people are motivated to get rich - not working lah, the number of poor people have been growing year after year.
For a govt that prides itself for being efficient, they have the most inefficient way of helping the poor euphemistically called the "many helping hands" approach...it is more like "the many obstacles" approach.
.
You would think a govt that pursued policies that resulted in the biggest income gap among east asian economies - by opening the floodgates to cheap foreign labor, regressive taxation such as GST, and allowing state owned monopolies to increase profits by raising prices for transport, utilities etc - would feel responsible for increase in number of people who cannot cope with rising prices and falling wages.
Hong Kong has a comprehsive social safety net, Taiwan has universal healthcare...and poor Singaporeans continue to struggle because its govt cannot overcome its own ideological barriers and doesn't want to fix a problem that it has caused.
This is hooligan act!! So u allow such behavior n think is ok? Isn't downtown east murder is becos of hooligan act? Really doubtful of u as persom
This is hooligan act!! So u allow such behavior n think is ok? Isn't downtown east murder is becos of hooligan act? Really doubtful of u as persom
wow, ay123, u amazes me..
like dat can oso link to downtown east incident..
for downtown east, they set off in mind to slash their enemies..
for this, it's an over-reaction, by a lower IQ boy no less..
i think u have erroneously looked beyond the underlying root of the incident/article..
n wenqing only copy paste the article, why u cast doubt on him as a person?
http://www.sammyboy.com/showthread.php?91275-SDP-posters-being-taken-down-by-a-white-van
SDP posters being taken down by a white van
http://www.yoursdp.org/images/stories/GE2011/lorry-posters.jpg
http://www.yoursdp.org/images/stories/GE2011/busstopoppadmiraltymrtstn.jpg
Singapore Democrats
A resident at the Yuhua SMC alerted us to a lorry that was removing SDP posters (pictured) while leaving the PAP's alone. The vehicle doesn't look like the one that we are using to mount our posters.
This was not an isolated instance. Another resident called to report that a white van (license plate No. PA9224) was spotted in his neighbourhood removing the SDP posters from lamp posts at Bukit Panjang where Mr Alec Tok is contesting.
A third one informed us that at Woodlands Drive 50, after Admiralty MRT station, a number if posters were spotted lying on the floor yesterday as if they were torn down.
Another voter saw an SDP poster at lamp-post beside the bus-stop opposite Admiralty MRT station cut.
We ask our supporters to be vigilant and inform us of such incidents and where possible note the number of the vehicle that is being used.
Poster stickers
Still on the subject of posters. Each poster that is mounted needs to have an Elections Department sticker affixed on it. For the Holland-Bukit Timah GRC the number of stickers issued was 2,000. This works out to only 500 posters per candidate which seems extremely low.
As a result we have an excess of posters that cannot be used because they do not have stickers.
After all the stickers were used and the posters mounted, SDP posters seem to be greatly out-numbered by the PAP ones.
We will query the Elections Department on this and find out if there was a discrepancy in the number of stickers being handed out to parties.
These instances may be why some residents do not see the SDP posters in your constituency.
In the meantime we hope you have received our booklet about our candidates which we have distributed to every household in the constituencies that we are contesting.
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/nicole-seah-apologises-mm-malay-integration-remarks-190858639.html
Nicole Seah apologises for MM’s Malay integration remarks
National Solidarity Party (http://sg.search.yahoo.com/search?p=National+Solidarity+Party&fr=fp-today&sado=1&cs=bz) (NSP) candidate Nicole Seah (http://sg.search.yahoo.com/search?p=nicole+seah&fr=fp-today&sado=1&cs=bz) delivered a surprise apology to the Singapore Muslim community when she apologised for the comments made by Minister Mentor (MM) Lee Kuan Yew (http://sg.search.yahoo.com/search?p=Lee+Kuan+Yew&fr=fp-today&sado=1&cs=bz) in his book, Hard Truths to Keep Singapore Going. (http://sg.search.yahoo.com/search?p=Lee+Kuan+Yew&fr=fp-today&sado=1&cs=bz)
In her rally speech to an estimated crowd of 15,000 at Mountbatten on Monday evening, the 24-year-old said, "On behalf of the Chinese Singaporeans, I would like to apologise to the Muslim community for the comments that MM Lee made."
In his recently published book, MM Lee suggested that Singaporean Muslims should be less strict in their Islamic observances in order to integrate better into the society. However, he later issued a statement and said that he stands corrected on how well-integrated Malay-Muslims are in Singapore.
Seah, who is part of the NSP team contesting in Marine Parade GRC, also addressed the crowd in Bahasa Melayu, touching on the concerns of the Malays.
"I would like you to know that my hopes are for us to progress as one Singaporean regardless of race or religion. I would like to build a community where no one gets left behind."
Seah's words had one of her Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/nicoleseahnsp) followers, Alfian Sa'at, posting a thank you note on her page.
He wrote: "As Malay voter, I wanted to thank you for apologising for MM's remarks although it's not something you have to do. I keep telling my Malay friends that throughout Parliamentary history, the ones who really spoke up for the Malay minority were opposition MPs such as Chiam See Tong."
Seah also touched on the general anger at foreigners in Singapore, saying it may have been "misdirected". She said that the influx of foreigners should not be blamed for Singaporeans' stagnant wages, packed MRT trains and ballooning housing prices.
"No my friends, the real target of our anger is the PAP government," she said, to a thunderous round of applause. Seah criticised the government's policies for allowing foreigners into Singapore which led to a variety of problems.
The advertising executive also shared the policies she champion when elected. She intends to review industries on a case-by-case basis and will continue to allow work permits for foreigners in industries that are unpopular among Singaporeans. She also plans to review the foreign worker levy to encourage businesses to hire Singaporeans.
On a lighter note in her speech, Seah joked that supporters in orange were forbidden from using the toilets at the nearby Mountbatten Community Club. Taking a jibe at the People's Action Party, she said, "I wonder if it was a PAP rally, would they have let us in."
However, there was some drama near the rally when a car with an NSP flag was found vandalised with white paint. Photos of the car has gone viral, with netizens speculating that the culprit could have been supporters from the "other" party.
http://l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/RFQUsz03ZKhs8qZZTk_OwA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7dz0zMTA-/http://media.zenfs.com/en-SG/blogs/singaporescene/400hardwarezone_carvandalism.jpg (http://media.zenfs.com/en-SG/blogs/singaporescene/400hardwarezone_carvandalism.jpg)
A car parked near the NSP rally was vandalised with a dent on the car door and white paint spilled on it. (Photo: …
Follow Yahoo! News on Twitter (http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/SIG=11en71tpi/EXP=1305281630/**http%3A//twitter.com/yahoosg) and become a fan on Facebook (http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/SIG=122e70rng/EXP=1305281630/**http%3A//www.facebook.com/yahoosingaporenewsroom).
This article is published by Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd., 60 Anson Road #13-01 Mapletree Anson, Singapore, 079914.
http://theonlinecitizen.com/2011/05/pap-forgets-its-own-track-record-as-an-opposition-party/
PAP forgets its own track record as an opposition party
In the past weeks, PAP ministers have repeatedly questioned the Workers’ Party’s vision of a First World Parliament.
The main rhetoric used by the PAP has been that the Workers’ Party is using the slogan as a ruse to make headway in the legislature, and eventually form the government.
In the eyes of the current PAP, it is improbable for the opposition to solely want to act as a check against the government. PAP ministers have derided the idea of a ‘co-driver’ – where the opposition acts as a watchdog that supports and advises the government, without jeopardizing the future of the country.
Two weeks ago, Law Minister K Shanmugam spelt out the party’s stance on the issue: “No opposition gets into Parliament in order to remain forever in opposition.
Their primary purpose will then be to try and get into government; and might as well be honest about that”. In a election rally last Friday, the Prime Minister also labeled the idea of a ‘co-driver’ dangerous, and instead implored Singaporeans to put their faith behind the ‘best driver’, the PAP.
It is a line of argument that is most intriguing. Hadn’t the PAP been in opposition, not once but twice?
What were their motives when they sat on the opposition benches in the legislative assembly from 1955 to 1959, and from 1964 to 1965 in the Dewan Rakyat? How did they justify their being in opposition back then?
Did they also set out to ‘crash the car’, as they claim the Workers’ Party will do if they are voted in this Saturday?
The answer is a definite no.
Speaking at the opening of the second Malaysian Parliament on 21 May 1964, then Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Kuan Yew professed the PAP’s position as a ‘loyal opposition’ that “had a vested interest to see that (the Tunku) succeeds in creating a healthier economy and more honest effective administration”.
Lee also mentioned that unlike the opposition in western-style democracies, the PAP would not criticize the government for the sake of scoring political points.
According to Lee, the opposition could play a pivotal role in aiding the Government’s administration of the Malaysian Federation. Lee also added that the PAP would not rejoice if its own clout heightened while the nation floundered.
He questioned: “For what could be worse than that the prospect of sharing responsibility for the running of a Government when both the economy and the administration have sagged?”
For all his present-day misgivings about ‘western style parliamentary democracy’, the Lee of 1964 seemed to have a firm belief in the effectiveness of a government that was checked by a robust opposition in parliament.
In the same speech, Lee lamented that one of the reasons why democracy failed in nascent post-colonial states was because governments lacked the equanimity to think about passing power to the opposition.
Where then has this austere defender of democracy gone? One would not be too out of step to wonder if the PAP and its founder – extremely boastful of their ‘track record’ in the past few days – have forgotten their own history.
The PAP brethren’s irreverence to the idea of a potent opposition in parliament runs in direct contrast to the stance of their Minister Mentor in 1964.
Despite the Workers’ Party’s countless expositions of their ‘First World Parliament’ slogan at rallies and press conferences in the past week, several PAP candidates continue to claim to be unable to comprehend the concept behind it.
What good would a multi-party parliament do, they ask. It would perhaps bode well for the Workers’ Party to simply ask the PAP to look back at their own history for the answer.
Nevermind all the driver analogies that are getting more complicated by the day; Lee had laid it all out quite simply nearly five decades ago.
————
Picture from yesterday.sg (http://yesterday.sg/blogging/the-road-to-nationhood/).
For more TOC news about the general election, please visit our GE website as well. Click here (http://ge2011.theonlinecitizen.com/).
http://mrwangsaysso.blogspot.com/2011/05/property-values-and-your-choice-of.html (http://mrwangsaysso.blogspot.com/2011/05/property-values-and-your-choice-of.html)
Property Values and Your Choice of Political Party
When I read about Low Thia Kiang leaving Hougang to run for elections in Aljunied GRC, I felt fear and dismay.
Low is well-known and very well-loved in Hougang, and if he had chosen to remain in Hougang, his seat in Parliament would be almost guaranteed. However, when Low comes to Aljunied GRC, it's a different ball game, especially with the PAP's gerrymandering tactics.
If Low should lose in Aljunied GRC, then this would be a disaster for Singapore. It would be a very dark day in the history of this nation.
For so many years, Low has been the (almost) lone Opposition voice in Parliament, one man standing up and bravely speaking up against a pack of 80+ PAP MPs.
It takes no courage whatsoever to be a Mah Bow Tan or a Wong Kan Seng in Parliament, but it takes great courage to be a Low Thia Kiang. To his immense credit, Low has done his job and served Singaporeans well, not just for a year or two, but for the past 20 years.
If Low loses in Aljunied GRC, then even that one lone voice in Parliament might be gone, silenced for good. It is possible that parliamentary debate might then degenerate into an utter sham.
Nothing but a puppet show with PAP MPs posing nice, friendly, pre-arranged questions to each other and giving nice, friendly, rehearsed answers to each other.
There would be nobody to challenge them, nobody to act as a check and balance, nobody to ask the tough questions that really need, for the sake of the nation, to be asked.
Honestly, if we come to that stage, Parliament House might just as well shut down. On weekends, the PAP MPs can just gather at Hsien Loong's living room or Kuan Yew's garden to have some cakes and coffee.
There they can plan their next salary increases; chit chat about golf and BMWs; and casually make a few national policies for five million citizens. So much for public accountability and transparency,
--------------------------------------
Regular readers of my blog know that I moved house a few months ago. What I didn't mention was exactly where I moved to. I now live in Tai Keng Gardens, a small quiet residential area near Paya Lebar, and I recently learned that my new address is under Aljunied GRC.
There isn't the slightest doubt in my mind who I need to vote for. After all, I am intelligent, educated, well-informed and concerned.
So effectively I have no choice. I have to vote for the Workers Party. Because I can see so clearly that the PAP's performance over the past five years (http://mrwangsaysso.blogspot.com/2011/04/please-look-at-fundamentals-before-you.html) is just taking this country on a one-way trip into slow deterioriation and gradual collapse.
Things have already reached such a bad stage that I can sincerely say this: if you genuinely support the PAP and want them to succeed, then you must vote for the Opposition.
For the PAP can improve and do better - it has that potential. What the PAP needs is to be shocked out of its own complacency.
The best thing that can happen for the PAP is that they lose 10 seats in this election. Then suddenly they will wake up, remember the people whom they are supposed to serve, and start getting their act together.
The PAP does have some talented, capable people in their midst. It's just that they have lost their way, over the past five years.
------------------------------------
I see from the newspapers that Kuan Yew has been busily making statements to create fear in the electorate. Something about how the Workers Party (if they win) will bring down the property values of Aljunied GRC.
What's that old saying about old dogs and new tricks? Fear-mongering is one of Kuan Yew's favourite tactics.
Woe betide you, foolish Singaporeans, if you do not listen to me, then the sky will fall on your head. Some of his statements are so far-fetched that it's amazing he still has any credibility left.
Remember this stunning proclamation (http://mrwangsaysso.blogspot.com/2007/04/cnn-on-ministers-salaries.html) from Lee Kuan Yew, in 2007?
The PAP ministers were just about to give themselves another fat pay raise, and Singaporeans were questioning this.
Lee Kuan Yew's reply was that if the PAP ministers did not get their increase, the women of Singapore will become "maids in other people's countries".
Oh, come on, Kuan Yew. Can you at least try to keep your fear-mongering a little more .... rational?
Regular readers of my blog know that I am a keen watcher of the property market. I'd like to share a few personal observations on the content of Kuan Yew's latest fear.
LKY's basic point is that the WP is incompetent; that they will mismanage Aljunied; and the area will be so badly run that property values will fall sharply (relative to PAP constituencies).
But let's look at the facts. Low Thia Kiang has been MP for Hougang, for twenty years.
If Low can ruin property values through his sheer incompetence, then Hougang should be a slum by now.
But it is not. It is a clean, vibrant HDB town, with its own lively suburban malls, hawker centres, supermarkets, bus interchange, sport stadium, two MRT stations and more.
I can honestly tell you that, as a person who is familiar with the area. My brother lives in Hougang, my kids used to go for tuition in Hougang, and I still go there with my family quite often to eat and shop in Hougang.
Most Singaporeans wouldn't realise it, but I'll just say it straight out here. MPs do lots of important things, such as debate, discuss and shape national policies in Parliament and meet residents to help solve their personal problems.
MPs and their grassroots supporters also organise community events like Plant-a-Tree Day and Chinese New Year dinners etc, and make appearances at schools' Prize-Giving Day to hand out awards and make speeches.
All these types of MP work have their value and are important in their own way. But none of them has any direct bearing on the value of your property.
In other words, whoever you elect as your MP has very, very little influence on whether your property value will go up or down. May I quickly give you a big bunch of illustrations? Okay, let's go:
Your MP does not look after the roads in your neighbourhood (the LTA does that).
Your MP does not look after the parks (the National Parks Board does that).
Your MP does not look after your public library (the National Library Board does that).
Your MP does not look after your sports stadium or public swimming pool (the Singapore Sports Council does that).
Your MP does not build shopping malls for you (property developers such as Capitaland do that).
Your MP does not manage your MRT line (SMRT does that).
Your MP does not manage your SBS buses (SBS does that).
Your MP does not look after your electricity supply (SP Power does that).
Your MP does not look after your carpark (the URA does that).
Your MP does not investigate crimes (the Singapore Police Force does that).
Your MP does not put out fires (the SCDF and their NSmen do that).
Your MP does not ensure that top schools are near your home (whether a school is top or not depends on the students' efforts).
Your MP doesn't prevent mosquito breeding (the NEA does that).
Your MP does engage the cleaning contractors to clean the neighbourhood (which, in terms of level of difficulty, is not exactly rocket science and shouldn't be a challenge for any self-respecting MP, whether from the PAP or not).
Apart from the cleaning contractors, your MP also builds playgrounds, fitness corners, maybe a couple of covered link ways here and there.
None of these little projects require great ability or vast competence, nor will they have any significant influence on your property value.
There, hope it's all abundantly clear now. Abundantly clear that Lee Kuan
Are the posters removed by some PAP fanatics? The person knew it was a crime so he did it only at night indiscriminately ...
By the way, Nicole Seah is trying really too hard to win votes. Ingeniously using an error of another person to her benefit.... Impressive! :spliff: Sorry to say this but sah kah is not part of politics!!! But she sure is smart to leverage on that and being smart and quick is certainly part of politics!!! :cheers1:
Are the posters removed by some PAP fanatics? The person knew it was a crime so he did it only at night indiscriminately ...
By the way, Nicole Seah is trying really too hard to win votes. Ingeniously using an error of another person to her benefit.... Impressive! :spliff: Sorry to say this but sah kah is not part of politics!!! But she sure is smart to leverage on that and being smart and quick is certainly part of politics!!! :cheers1:
Netizens are speculating.
There is also discussion on the white paint thrown on NSP supporter car.
http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/showthread.php?t=3217014
There is also video posted on other thread of PAP grassroots taking pictures of NSP walkabouts aka Infernal Affairs.
It seems PAP activists are quite fanatical or they got too much vested interests to protect.
People call Nicole's move shrewd and statesmanship.
Win or lose in this election, NS has a bright future ahead of her. If she is in the advertising line, the agencies will be queuing up to sign her on. This is one talented young lady. And the best part of it all is that she didn't go to some fancy "top school" nor is she a scholar. It goes to show that being a scholar doesn't mean you would be a good politician. Everybody knows and remembers NS from this election but who remembers the names of the real "scholars" that PAP has put up?
PAP have always wanted more women MPs. This is one who they wish they had on their side and not the opposite side but with they way in which they select their candidates. she wouldn't have stood a chance. You can judge her against the "best" young/female candidate that the PAP have managed to field this year. Enough said.
Win or lose in this election, NS has a bright future ahead of her. If she is in the advertising line, the agencies will be queuing up to sign her on. This is one talented young lady. And the best part of it all is that she didn't go to some fancy "top school" nor is she a scholar. It goes to show that being a scholar doesn't mean you would be a good politician. Everybody knows and remembers NS from this election but who remembers the names of the real "scholars" that PAP has put up?
PAP have always wanted more women MPs. This is one who they wish they had on their side and not the opposite side but with they way in which they select their candidates. she wouldn't have stood a chance. You can judge her against the "best" young/female candidate that the PAP have managed to field this year. Enough said.
Nicole Seah is scholar I think. I read it on her Facebook. Must read again.
In her introduction interview, she said she use to be stauch PAP supporter until she entered university and do volunteer work then realise reality is different from what she read at ST and CNA.
Don't think she will ever join PAP.
There are leaks that PAP are now worried Marine Parade GRC may be lost too.
PAP in a bind in an unexpected quarter - Marine Parade:
http://www.sammyboy.com/showthread.php?91213-PAP-in-a-bind-in-an-unexpected-quarter-Marine-Parade
SHOCKING STATEMENT : SM Goh suggests Voting out Wong Kan Seng, Raymond Lim or Mah Bow Tan instead, HOW?
George Yeo too important for Cabinet to lose: SM Goh
http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC110503-0000386/George-Yeo-too-important-for-Cabinet-to-lose--SM-Goh
http://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/showthread.php?t=3217291
Quote:
TODAY
03 MAY 2011
SINGAPORE - Foreign Minister George Yeo, who is facing a fierce challenge from the Workers' Party in the Aljunied Group Representation Constituency (GRC), has been described as "too important a person for the Cabinet to lose" by Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong.
Singling out Mr Yeo as one of three "very important" core members in the Cabinet - the others being Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean - Mr Goh said yesterday: "There are other core members but these are the three core members who will be very important ... (Finance Minister) Tharman (Shanmugaratnam) is too new but will be developed into a core member."
Speaking after a walkabout in Marine Parade GRC, Mr Goh said a member of the Prime Minister's core team is picked not only based on the portfolio the minister heads but also his intelligence, competence, ability to deliver results and someone whose judgment can be trusted.
"I've run a Government and I know you need a core team. A core team is four or five people, other ministers are important, but you need a core team," said Mr Goh. "If you lose George Yeo, I think it is a very big loss (for the Cabinet), and to Singapore."
Elaborating, Mr Goh said the Foreign Minister has played a critical role in the Prime Minister's team to formulate and implement policies, and will not be easily replaced in the short term if his team loses in the Aljunied GRC.
Said Mr Goh: "If one GRC is lost, as Minister Mentor (Lee Kuan Yew) said, we can accept the result - I agree with that. Sooner or later we are going to lose one. But my view if we lose Aljunied, that is a different matter."
With Mr Yeo in the middle of negotiating "very delicate agreements" with Indonesia and Malaysia, the loss will even be more telling for Singapore.
Summing up, Mr Goh said: "What mistake has he made? You can take a minister and criticise him for not delivering on perhaps housing and transport.
"Like Wong Kan Seng you can say he let Mas Selamat escape. George Yeo, what has he done to deserve this? And he is a core member."
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.2 Copyright © 2024 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.