ST evaluates the government
While Parliament takes a breather, The Straits Times has surveyed more than 500 Singaporeans to get a sense of how Singaporeans think of key issues since the 2011 general election. The survey covered policy issues related to healthcare, housing, education, transport, the elderly, the poor and foreign workers. While a generally glowing report card, the survey indicated that about a quarter of Singaporeans, or less, were satisfied with the government’s policy efforts in housing, the elderly and the poor, which close to half felt transportation was the government’s worst failure.
 

Government takes on biggest communication challenge yet: Explaining PGP
Members of Parliament opined that the government was undertaking it’s biggest communication effort in the Pioneer Generation Package, due to language barriers and different levels of understanding of the scheme. The complexity of the healthcare schemes often require face-to-face interaction particularly for seniors. Associate Professor Foo Tee Tuan, deputy director of UniSIM Centre for Chinese Studies, was also of the view that the package also concerns the younger generation.
 
Man drops case to declare workplace discrimination against gays unconstitutional
Mr Lawrence Bernard Wee, who earlier sought a court declaration that Article 12 of Singapore’s Constitution, which provides for the equal protection of the law, prohibits workplace discrimination of homosexual men, decided to withdraw his case. Wee, 40, had sought the court declaration after failing in a suit against former employer Robinsons for “constructive dismissal” – where an employer deliberately makes life difficult for an employee – arising from alleged homosexual discrimination. The Attorney-General wanted to strike out the case on grounds that it was “not sustainable in law, was frivolous and vexatious or was otherwise an abuse of the Court process”, reported media. No reasons were reportedly given by Wee or his lawyer.
 
Police: Organisers of Philippine Independence Day event did not apply for permit
The police has announced that it has yet to receive an application from the organisers of the Philippine Independence Day event at Civic Plaza. This follows the controvercy that surrounded the event, where a small number of Singaporeans wanted the event to be held at the Philippine Embassy grounds. The police statement, posted on its Facebook page, is as follows:

Police would like to clarify that as at 10am on 22 Apr 2014, no permit application has been received for the 116th Philippine Independence Celebration on 8 Jun 2014 at Ngee Ann City. Neither have the event organisers shared any plans related to the event with the authorities.
Police wishes to remind all organisers of public events, local or foreign, that under the Public Order Act, a permit is generally required to hold any public assembly or conduct any public procession, regardless of the number of participants, the purpose of which is:
1. Demonstrate support for or opposition to the views or actions of any person, group of persons or any government;
2. Publicise a cause or campaign; or
3. Mark or commemorate any event.
All events must be conducted in accordance with Singapore laws. Police will assess every application on its own merits, taking into account potential public order and safety risks.
Police may reject applications or impose additional requirements on the organisers if it is deemed necessary to safeguard public order and safety.

 
Singaporean biker dies in accident in Malaysia
Mr Esa Badri, a 53-year-old Singaporean motorcyclist, died in an accident along a Malaysian highway at about 1.50am on Tuesday. His wife was also seriously injured. Early investigations by the Malaysian police showed the motorcycle skidded during a turn, media reported. Mr Esa was riding as part of a convoy from Krabi, Thailand to Singapore.

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