Terry Xu

1249 posts

Minister K Shanmugam’s contradictory stance on public statements made outside parliament raises questions

In this piece, Terry Xu discusses Minister K Shanmugam’s contradictory stance on public statements made outside Parliament, raising concerns about possible double standards. While Mr Shanmugam criticized Leong Mun Wai for a Facebook post, he later shared Chee Hong Tat’s commentary, which criticised Workers’ Party’s exchange with MPs from People’s Action Party, creating speculation about the Minister’s consistency in applying standards to different individuals.

Edwin Tong says tender for Ramadan Bazaar is to get bidder with best proposal, but price takes up 60% of evaluation criteria

The Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar in Singapore is managed by Wisma Geylang Serai under the People’s Association (PA), with the operating right for the annual event being tendered out in November 2022. A consortium of three companies won the tender for S$2.26m, with the price taking up 60% of the evaluation criteria. The high price of rental for vendors has been criticized, and some have struggled to secure a space due to having to bid high. Edwin Tong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and deputy chairman of PA, stated that the tender is meant to get the bidder with the best expertise, experience, and proposal to manage and run the bazaar, not necessarily the highest bidder. He also noted that a substantial amount of the tender goes back into the event, its programming, and the light-up.

Human rights lawyer M Ravi urges Singaporeans to speak out against Tangaraju Suppiah’s execution

Human rights lawyer M Ravi has called on Singaporeans to speak out against the impending execution of Tangaraju Suppiah, a Singaporean convicted and sentenced to death in 2018 for abetting by conspiracy to traffic 1,017.9g of cannabis. In a Facebook live video, Ravi highlighted several troubling aspects of Tangaraju’s case, including his lack of access to an interpreter and legal counsel during his trial. Ravi also pointed out that Tangaraju did not have access to counsel when his statements were taken, and he suggested that Tangaraju’s case was indicative of broader issues within Singapore’s legal system. Ravi called on Singaporean society to speak out against the execution and argued that it was incumbent on all citizens to stand together to end the practice of the death penalty. He further stressed that the execution would not bring any closure and would be meaningless as the death penalty does not deter drug trafficking. Ravi called on Singaporeans to write to their MPs or the ministers, even the Prime Minister, to stop the execution. Tangaraju’s execution is scheduled to take place on 26 April.

Singapore president’s opening speech reflects what 4G leadership intends to do for their remaining term

Singapore’s President Halimah Yacob called for constructive dialogue and trust in government, addressing climate change and ensuring a more inclusive and open meritocracy. Analysts suggest Mdm Halimah’s speech aims to address the social divide and advocate for more initiatives to facilitate a broader and meritocratic society. However, since Mdm Halimah’s role is custodial and cannot advance her own policy agenda,, her speech should be deemed as a reflection of what the 4G leadership intends to do for their remaining term.

PAP MP commends town council for converting damaged path and a man-made path which has been around for years

Mr Saktiandi Supaat, a member of the People’s Action Party for Bishan-Toa…

Outsourcing of Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar nets People’s Association’s Wisma Geylang Serai S$2.26 million

The Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar has been a long-standing tradition for the Muslim community in Singapore. This year’s event, organized by Wisma Geylang Serai (WGS), has been shrouded in controversy due to the exorbitant rental costs faced by stallholders. The operating right to the annual Ramadan Bazaar was tendered out in November last year and won by a consortium of three companies, S-Lite Event Support, TLK Trade Fair and Events, and Enniche Global Trading, won the bid at an award value of $2.26 million It is interesting to note that despite WGS being listed as the organizing authority for the bazaar, the winning tenderer was responsible for running most, if not all, of the event and paying the tendered amount to the grassroots organization. Essentially, WGS received the S$2.26 million by issuing the tender without doing anything.

Video contradicts Sim Ann’s explanation of disruption at Earth Hour performance

Senior Minister of State (SMS) for Foreign Affairs and National Development, Sim Ann, faced criticism for disrespecting a performer during a live performance at the WWF Earth Hour Festival in March. The organizers of the event took responsibility and apologized for any disruption caused. Netizens criticized the SMS for her lack of social etiquette, while a different story emerged — based on video footage — from Sim’s actions at the event itself, as she actively sought people to greet and shake hands with.

PM Lee, youngest BG in Singapore, said he did not regret joining politics instead of becoming a mathematician

Lee Hsien Loong, who became the youngest Brigade-General in Singapore at the age of 31, said he does not regret going into politics instead of becoming a mathematician. Mr Lee has been in politics for 40 years and shows no indication of stepping down as Prime Minister.

Former Straits Times senior editor suggests Lee Hsien Loong to step down as Prime Minister

Former senior editor of SPH Media, Bertha Benson, has said that it may be a good time for Singapore’s Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong, to step down. Ms Henson cited Lee’s age, the worst of the Covid pandemic being over, and the family affairs becoming a public spectacle as reasons for his potential stepping down. The comment was made amid the controversy surrounding the ongoing police investigation against Lee’s brother, Lee Hsien Yang, and his wife, Lee Suet Fern.

How relevant was the disclosure of police investigations of Karl Liew as to that of LHY and LSF?

How relevant was the disclosure of the police investigation against Karl Liew to the disclosure of Lee Hsien Yang and Lee Suet Fern by Mr Teo Chee Hean?