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The Government “should re-evaluate” its viewpoint on “advocacy, activism and dissent”, particularly concerning discourse among Singapore’s youths and their involvement in activism and advocacy, said Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) Anthea Ong in Parliament on Mon (7 Oct). Following up on fellow NMP Walter Theseira’s comments during an adjournment motion titled “A Liberal Education and Corruption of the Youth of …

Yale-NUS College’s cancellation of the “Dissent and Resistance in Singapore” programme has attracted much controversy and criticism from academicians, as well as practitioners in media and the arts. The programme, which has been since renamed “Dialogue and Dissent in Singapore”, was scheduled to be run by Alfian and programme manager Tan Yock Theng of NUS. It was originally slated to …

The Breast Cancer Foundation (BCF) kick-started the annual Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM) with a nation-wide launch of a new audio-visual breast self-examination campaign entitled ‘Molly Monkey Sings and Saves’ at the Pink Ribbon Walk 2019 last Saturday (5 Oct). The BCF also made its mark in the Singapore Book of Records for the largest display of paper Camellias at …

Local playwright Alfian Sa’at is “a loving critic of Singapore” and “one of our most talented playwrights”, said veteran diplomat Tommy Koh. In a Facebook post on Tue (8 Oct), Prof Koh stressed that Alfian “is not anti-Singapore”, adding that freedom of speech should not only be limited to views that concur with the establishment, but also those that are …

by Jerome TAYLOR / Pak YIU Hong Kong democracy protesters arrested for defying a new face mask ban appeared in court on Monday following a violent weekend of unrest which saw bloody clashes with police and widespread vandalism that crippled the city’s train network. The international finance hub convulsed with three straight days of rallies and riots after the city’s …

by Jerome TAYLOR / Jasmine LEUNG Thousands of masked protesters marched through Hong Kong on Friday as the government readied to use emergency powers to ban face coverings in a bid to put an end to months of violent protests. Large crowds of mostly office workers hit the streets during the workday lunch break over the pro-Beijing regime’s expected use …

by Jerome TAYLOR / Jasmine LEUNG Ripped-up paving stones lay scattered around the graffiti-scarred streets of Hong Kong after one of the most violent days in a summer of rage, as protesters ready for fresh clashes on Tuesday’s 70th anniversary of communist China’s founding. The protest-wracked financial hub witnessed its fiercest political violence in weeks Sunday as riot police spent …

Progress Singapore Party (PSP), the newest party in the Singapore political scene, paid a visit to residents of all 29 constituencies across the island last Sun (29 Sep). Calling the “29 on 29 Walkabout” a “success”, PSP on its official Facebook page yesterday said that nearly 300 party members and supporters walked the ground, meeting Singaporeans “from all walks of …

The “foreign interference” narrative is “a time tested tactic” allegedly utilised by the PAP government as a prelude to clamping down on political dissent in Singapore, said civil rights group Function 8 on Thu (26 Sep). Director Teo Soh Lung, in a Facebook post today, cited how allegations of foreign interference was “used in a massive and destructive way” in …

Hong Kong’s embattled leader said Tuesday more than 20,000 people have applied to take part in a dialogue session with her and “vent their anger” at the government after three months of huge pro-democracy protests. It is the government’s first attempt to reach out to the protestors since millions took to the streets in the biggest challenge to China’s rule …