Silence is not always golden
June 30, 2007
The Straits Times has reported the case of a 20 year old offender who was given 8 strokes of the cane instead of 5 strokes as ordered by the courts. (Link)
As far as the authorities are concerned, all that the report would say so far, is:
“It is understood the Attorney-General Chambers is aware of the case and is looking into the matter.”
While it may be too early to demand explanations from the AG Chambers, I hope that we won’t be given the standard bureaucratic non-replies we have been seeing of late.
The ministries have basically ignored calls for explanations or given vague and non-enlightening answers to issues such as:
Defining the role of government and its component branches
June 29, 2007
By Teh Kok Hua
The Constitution usually sets out the basic rights of citizens and defines the role of government and its component branches.
The constitution of Singapore however has not established or clearly defined the respective rights of citizens and government.
This has allowed the government of the day to interpret its provisions to suit its own convenience, circumventing the rights of citizens and usurping the powers of the other component branches to suit its own private agenda e.g. tweaking of right of citizens to choose the representatives of their free choice to Greater Representation Constituency.
This denies citizens their right to vote for the individuals of their choice as candidates are required to form themselves into blocks or slates of representatives with others before they could offer themselves to stand for election.
CPF - F1 or F9 - Do you know who gets your CPF when you die?
June 28, 2007
By Leong Sze Hian
CPF announced the amendment of the treatment of Special Account savings invested in fixed deposits, and media reports that the CPF Board has reminded three non-bank investment administrators (IAs) that members’ CPF Investment Scheme (CPFIS) money used for investments cannot be parked in cash accounts.
Since the net interest rate currently, and that earned on these cash accounts for last year, was between 2.6 and 3 per cent, is it to the benefit of CPF investors to have these monies sent back to their CPF Ordinary Account (OA), which pays a lower interest of 2.5 per cent?
As fixed deposit interest rates now and since the CPF Special Account Investment Scheme (CPFSA) started about five years ago have never exceeded the 4 per cent interest paid for the Special Account (SA), why would anyone want to invest his or her SA in fixed deposits? So, why does the CPF Board allow SA monies to be invested in fixed deposits?
Should homosexuals be allowed to teach?
June 27, 2007
At first glance, the answer to the question above is obvious. A teacher’s sexuality belongs to a private realm, and has no bearing on his ability to teach. There have been no known instances, for example, where one’s sexual orientation has impaired one’s ability to prepare lessons or manage a classroom.
Yet, imagine a straw poll conducted by a newspaper, with the same question directed at what the local press likes to term the ‘man-in-the-street’. Imagine if the question is raised after prominent media coverage of a male teacher who has been accused of molesting his male students. Imagine also, the leading phraseology: the question reads ‘Should a gay teacher be allowed to teach in schools?’ instead of, say, ‘Should our schools discriminate against a teacher who happens to be gay?’
Homosexuality as a “disorder”: classification denies potential trainee teaching position
June 26, 2007
After a clarification from Alfian Sa’at, who writes for Trevvy, we have decided to only publish an excerpt of this article, as follows. You can view the full article here.
“I watch Francis as he tries to describe how he feels about the turning his life has taken the past few months. He was told being 302 was not going to be a liability in the civil service. He was told that there was nothing wrong with him, and that a psychiatrist would vouch for his suitability. And yet his one dream of teaching Art in schools is now dashed. “I don’t feel like I’m wanted here,” he says.
Read also: Award winning local playwright fired from teaching position
And: Where is the basic common decency?
WP Youth Wing reaches out to youths downtown
June 25, 2007
The Workers’ Party’s Youth Wing held an outreach programme in downtown Singapore on Sunday to celebrate Youth Day with young Singaporeans.
The team of about 20 WP members from the Youth Wing strolled down Orchard Road handing out specially-designed pens and cards to the public.
The team was led by its Youth Wing President, Perry Tong, vice president Abdul Salim and secretary Glenda Han. Salim and Glenda were part of the WP Ang Mo Kio GRC team which challenged prime minister Lee Hsien Loong’s PAP outfit in the elections last May.
The team was divided into two groups, covering both stretches from Orchard MRT station to Somerset station, and from the Marriot Hotel to HMV. Read more
CPF - F1 or F9? Half also cannot withdraw anymore
June 25, 2007
By Leong Sze Hian
On Jan 22, 2007, the manpower minister, Dr Ng Eng Hen, was quoted by the media thus:
‘To a question if the minimum CPF sum of $90,000 would be enough for retirement, Mr Ng said changes are being made so Singaporeans can have more money when they retire. The minimum sum, for example, is gradually being increased and the 50 per cent withdrawal rule will eventually be phased out in 2009.’
According to the CPF Board’s website, the rationale for phasing out the 50 per cent withdrawal rule is as follows:
‘As Singaporeans are living longer, and having smaller families on which to rely, they will have to depend more on their CPF for their retirement. With the cut in the CPF contributions, it has become even more important for Singaporeans to ensure they have enough CPF savings for their old age.
CPF - F1 or F9?
June 25, 2007
Leong Sze Hian looks at 9 issues regarding the CPF.
Half also cannot withdraw anymore
Do you know who gets your CPF when you die?
Poor gets less % than the rich?
Pay up to 22% to use Medisave?
Why cannot choose to make CPF last longer?
Why do Ordinary and Special Accounts pay different rates?
Land of milk and money – and the politics of envy
June 21, 2007
Singapore has changed.
And I am not talking about physical changes such as the new MRT Circle Line or the new shopping malls or even the upcoming Integrated Resorts.
One can almost feel the fundamental changes that are taking place – in the hearts and minds of Singaporeans.
Although economic progress is of course important for our livelihood, it is beginning to become the overarching, some would say over-bearing, force that threatens to consume us into an endless, meaningless cycle.
Leveling the playing field for residents and non-residents
June 20, 2007
By Leong Sze Hian
I refer to the Ministry of Manpower’s labour market report for Q1 2007. (Link)
Minister Lim Boon Heng said on his return from Japan to study its elderly issues that “We should make employment happen. We should not leave people in the situation where they can’t get a job, and yet the (CPF) Minimum Sum draw-down age is raised (from age 62 to 65)”. (Link)
With the latest statistics of increasing unemployment despite record new jobs creation, I agree with his remarks, as it may be quite difficult to ensure that most people can get employment from age 62 to 65.
The resident jobless rate of 4%, seasonally adjusted, in March, is an increase of 14%, from March’s 3.5%.
