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The working poor

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Speech delivered by Dr James Gomez at the SDP`s pre-election rally on 13 Nov 2010 at Hong Lim Park.

Fellow Singaporeans, friends, ladies and gentlemen.

Today we are here to launch SDP’s Economic Programme – It’s About YOU.

I am so happy to see so many of you here today. This clearly shows that we can effectively use new media to reach out directly to you. The power of internet and social media has given us this opportunity. So, thank you for being here.

In these few minutes with you, I want to speak about why SDP’s Alternative Economic Programme is all about YOU.

In this context, there are two issues that I want to highlight that concerns all YOU;

One: “What is troubling Singapore now?”

Two: “How the current economic circumstances will affect Singaporeans moving forward?”

For the first question, the answer is very clear: it is the way the economy has been mismanaged by the PAP.

Let me explain: in the last few years, we have been blindsided by the PAP mishandling the economy. This has resulted in:

– rising cost of living

– and the depression of wages through the influx of foreign workers in Singapore.

This mismanagement of the economy by PAP is unacceptable and has hurt all of us, -the hardworking Singaporeans. The hurt is painful. So, what do we do?

My second issue is “How the current economic circumstances will affect Singaporeans moving forward?”

My answer: Sad to say: Is that it will affect us very badly. With this rate of damage done to the economy by the PAP and with no one effectively standing up and speaking out against the PAP it is going to get worse.

As you know, Singapore is built by immigrants. Our forefathers worked tirelessly to build a better future for their children and their generations to come. We owe them our respect, love and gratitude and to look after them in their old age.

After the British colonialists left Singapore, and now nearly under 50 years of PAP rule, we have become poor. We have nothing to show for in terms of a better quality of life and all indications are that it will get worse.

50 years of PAP rule has made YOU and me POOR in many ways.

For instance;

You may have a roof over your heads, but you are poor because YOU do not own your homes and because YOU are forever in debt. Otherwise you rent or you are literally homeless which is worse.

You are poor in spirit because YOU live in fear. The PAP has sets up laws to restrict YOUR freedoms and lifestyles and keeps YOU poor in terms of political participation.

You may possess the key features of modernity such handphones, computers, cable TV and other household goods, but YOU are struggling to pay them. Every month the bills keep getting higher. Under the PAP, You Pay and Pay!

You use a modern transport system of roads and public transport that you have paid for through your taxes, but your experience on this system is poor. Transport in Singapore keeps getting more expensive and overcrowded. We worry often about how much credit we have on our EZ-link card.

When we talk about being poor let us not forget the fairer sex, our mothers, wives, daughters, sisters and female relatives. They too have to work and yet many of them have to be homemakers at the same time. In some cases they have to bring up children alone without child support. Women in many ways have been made poorer than men in PAP`s Singapore.

We have a CPF scheme that YOU and I have to pay into, yet at the end of the day it is not enough to retire on. Retirees these days constantly worry about how to cut their daily living costs to survive. The PAP, instead of allowing YOU to accumulate reasonable surpluses for a peaceful retirement, is making YOU poorer with age. That is to say: the PAP makes you work hard when you are young and healthy, but they lets YOU die poor as you get older.

Our fore fathers did not come to Singapore to die poor. But with the PAP mismanaging the economy it is making us all die poor.

My fellow Singaporeans, YOU deserve better!

PAP has turned Singapore in a place where it is no longer viable to live, to raise a family and to live in prosperity.  The PAP is pushing Singaporeans out of their own country to seek these basic desires overseas. This is not right!

When I first considered going into politics in 2001, I highlighted the idea of The New Poor and how it was affecting Singaporeans.

Back then, the New Poor were Singaporeans who could no longer afford a middle-class lifestyle the PAP had promised. Many people around their 40s started losing their jobs and had to look for other alternative employment at much lower rates and with ever increasing living costs. At that time the PAP said there was no such thing – that is, there were no New Poor in Singapore.

Fast-forward ten years, the situation has become worst because the situation has changed from The New Poor to The Working Poor.

We have a situation now where there are individuals and families who maintain regular and intermittent low paid employment but remain in relative poverty. This is due to the depressed levels of pay and the high living costs associated with an urban environment like Singapore.

This is the result of the PAP`s mismanagement of economy. It has resulted in creating the Working Poor among YOU.

Under PAP continued rule, Singapore’s standard of living and quality of life has dropped and will drop further. The quality of living in Singapore is no longer comparable to first world standards.

YOU, the hard working Singaporeans continue to work harder, yet YOU are now caught in a new poverty trap.

A principle reason for this is the large influx of foreign workers. The PAP says they are cheap labour. The PAP also insists that we Singaporeans must acknowledge that these foreign workers are harder working than us. However, their numbers are getting bigger and bigger. It has gone out of control and this has to stop.

Further, the sad truth is some of these foreign workers are better off than YOU, the real Singaporeans. Why? Because, YOU, the real Singaporeans have become the Working Poor in your own country.

This poverty trap will continue to be a huge problem in the years ahead. That is why we are here today in this rally so that we can make this problem go away. YOU do not deserve to be the Working Poor. YOU are Singaporeans. YOU are hardworking. YOU deserve better.

That`s why SDP`s economic programme is titled `Its About YOU`.

So, how can we solve this poverty trap of the Working Poor?

My answer: Minimum wage – combined with the other recommendations in SDP`s economic programme.

Unfortunately, PAP does not believe in this.

Many countries, have applied Minimum Wage to combat this poverty trap and from time to time adjust it to match the rise in inflation. But, sorry my friends, the PAP doesn’t think minimum wage is the way to go for our workers. Instead they spend time thinking about the maximum wage for themselves.

We have spent over 50 years under one party rule that is PAP. That’s a very long time. And it has been too long that it has become unsuitable for modern day Singapore.

Further we must stop the PAP from paying themselves millions of dollars from your tax payments while they continue to keep YOU poor.

There needs to be a change if we want to move forward

So do you want change? Do you?

Good….so, then the PAP has to go.

My dear friends and fellow Singaporeans, today SDP is launching its Economic Programme.

With this programme, it will help improve Singapore’s economy and introduce better management in government.

More importantly, we can protect ourselves from the consequences of PAP’s bad policies that are turning YOU and YOUR families into the Working Poor.

Ladies and Gentleman, YOU know how the PAP has mismanaged the country and the economy.

You also now know how PAP’s bad policies are affecting YOUR future.

But you also need to know who will stand up for YOU to raise legitimate issues against the PAP.

And that is the SDP.

So, if there is one message I want YOU to take home tonight, it is this:

The SDP will speak up and work for YOU, the Working Poor. Because the PAP has made you poorer in so many ways –

Poor in spirit

Poor in health

Poor in self-esteem

Poor in old age

Poor in death

You can no longer afford to let the PAP ruin YOUR life.

YOU must take ownership of YOUR own future.

And as a member of SDP, I am here to be YOUR voice.

YOU are important because YOUR future is at stake.

Let me ask how many of you want to have a better future? Please put up your hands.

Good……because YOU deserve it!

Share with me your concerns. And let me carry YOUR voice for YOU.

Remember: YOU can make the difference.

The future is YOU.

So, let’s start NOW!

S-D-P  OUR Voice.

Thank you and good night!

______________________________________

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Indonesia

Miss Universe cuts ties with Indonesia chapter after harassment allegations

The Miss Universe Organization severs ties with Indonesia franchise due to harassment claims. Malaysia edition canceled.

Women allege body checks before pageant. Investigation launched. Safety prioritized.

Indonesia winner to compete in November finale. Height requirement controversy.

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WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES — The Miss Universe Organization has cut ties with its Indonesia franchise, it announced days after allegations of sexual harassment, and will cancel an upcoming Malaysia edition.

In the complaint, more than a half dozen women said all 30 finalists for Miss Universe Indonesia were unexpectedly asked to strip for a supposed body check for scars and cellulite two days before the pageant’s crowning ceremony in Jakarta.

Their lawyer said Tuesday that five of the women had their pictures taken.

“In light of what we have learned took place at Miss Universe Indonesia, it has become clear that this franchise has not lived up to our brand standards, ethics, or expectations,” the US-based Miss Universe Organization posted Saturday night on social media site X, formerly known as Twitter.

It said that it had “decided to terminate the relationship with its current franchise in Indonesia, PT Capella Swastika Karya, and its National Director, Poppy Capella.”

It thanked the contestants for their bravery in coming forward and added that “providing a safe place for women” was the organization’s priority.

Jakarta police spokesman Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko said Tuesday that an investigation into the women’s complaint has been launched.

The Indonesia franchise also holds the license for Miss Universe Malaysia, where there will no longer be a competition this year, according to the New York-based parent organizer.

In a lengthy statement posted to Instagram, Indonesia franchise director Capella denied involvement in any body checks.

“I, as the National Director and as the owner of the Miss Universe Indonesia license, was not involved at all and have never known, ordered, requested or allowed anyone who played a role and participated in the process of organizing Miss Universe Indonesia 2023 to commit violence or sexual harassment through body checking,” she wrote.

She added that she is against “any form of violence or sexual harassment.”

The Jakarta competition was held from 29 July to 3 August to choose Indonesia’s representative to the 2023 Miss Universe contest, and was won by Fabienne Nicole Groeneveld.

Miss Universe said it would make arrangements for her to compete in the finale, scheduled for November in El Salvador.

This year’s Indonesia pageant also came under fire for announcing a “significant change in this (year’s) competition guidelines” with the elimination of its minimum height requirement after it had crowned a winner.

In its statement, the Miss Universe Organization said it wanted to “make it extremely clear that there are no measurements such as height, weight, or body dimensions required to join a Miss Universe pageant worldwide.”

— AFP

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Malaysia

A Perodua service centre in Kuantan, Malaysia went viral for its strict dress code, Perodua responds

A dress code for vehicle servicing? A Malaysian car brand’s service centre dress code signage has puzzled netizens, raising queries about the need for attire rules during a routine service.

The manufacturer responded with an official statement after a flurry of comments, seeking to clarify and apologize.

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MALAYSIA: A dress code signage positioned at a service centre belonging to a prominent Malaysian car brand has sparked bewilderment among Malaysian netizens, who question the necessity of adhering to attire guidelines for a simple vehicle servicing.

The signage explicitly delineates clothing items that are deemed unsuitable, including sleeveless tops, short skirts, abbreviated pants, and distressed jeans.

The car manufacturer swiftly found itself flooded with comments from both inquisitive and irked Malaysian netizens. This surge in online activity prompted the company to issue an official statement aimed at clarifying the situation and extending an apology.

In a post that gained significant traction on the social media platform, politician Quek Tai Seong of Pahang State, Malaysia, shared an image to Facebook on Monday (7 Aug).

The image showcased a dress code sign prominently displayed at a Perodua Service Centre in Kuantan. Within the post, Quek posed the question: “Is this dress code applicable nationwide, or is it specific to this branch?”

The signage reads, “All customers dealing with Perodua Service Kuantan 1, Semambu, are requested to dress modestly and appropriately.”

Adding visual clarity to these guidelines, the sign features illustrative graphics that explicitly outline clothing items deemed unacceptable, including sleeveless tops, short skirts, short pants, and ripped jeans.

Delineating the specifics of the dress code, the signage stipulates that male visitors are expected to don shirts accompanied by neckties, opt for long pants, and wear closed shoes.

Conversely, female visitors are advised to don long-sleeved shirts, full-length skirts, and closed-toe footwear.

Perodua’s dress code sparks online uproar

Following the rapid spread of the post, Perodua’s official Facebook page found itself inundated with comments from both intrigued and frustrated Malaysian netizens, all seeking clarifications about the newly surfaced dress code policy.

Amidst the flurry of comments, numerous incensed netizens posed pointed questions such as, “What is the rationale behind the introduction of such regulations by the management? We demand an explanation.”

Another netizen expressed their dissatisfaction, arguing against the necessity of the rule and urging Perodua to take inspiration from the practices of other 4S (Sales, Service, Spare Parts, and Survey) automotive dealerships.

A concerned Facebook user chimed in, advocating for a more lenient stance, asserting that attempting to dictate customers’ clothing choices might not be in the company’s best interest.

Someone also commented in an angry tone, “Oi what is this? Going there for car service, not interview or working, right.”

As the discourse unfolded, it became evident that while some inquiries carried genuine weight, others chose to inject humor into the situation, playfully remarking, “If I wanted to buy a Myvi, I should buy or rent a formal attire first.”

“I sell economy rice at a hawker centre, I have never worn a long sleeve shirt and a tie… I guess I will not buy a Perodua car then.”

“I guess they will not serve those who wear short pants.”

Perodua addresses dress code controversy

As reported by Chinese media outlet Sin Chew Daily News, the manager of Kuantan’s Perodua Service Centre had acknowledged that the images on the dress code signage were misleading.

In response, the manager divulged that discussions had transpired with the head office, leading to the prompt removal of the signage to prevent any further misconceptions.

The manager clarifies, “We do encourage visitors to adhere to the dress etiquette, but we won’t go to the extent of restricting their choice of attire.”

He also revealed that currently, no complaints have been directly received from the public.

However, feedback from certain customers was relayed through Perodua’s agents.

Perodua also released an official statement by chief operating officer JK Rozman Jaffar on Wednesday (9 Aug) regarding the dress code on their official Facebook page.

The statement stated the dress code etiquette is not aligned with their official guidelines and they are currently conducting an official investigation on the matter followed by corrective measures to avoid the same incident from happening.

Perodua also extends its apologies for any inconvenience caused.

 

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