Browsing Category

Opinion

2753 posts

Snakes, sacrifice and snatching victory from Ridout controversy

In a recent Parliamentary session, the People’s Action Party (PAP) deflected allegations of conflict of interest regarding ministers’ rental of Ridout estates. Augustine Low opines on how PAP, through strategic responses, turned controversy into victory, demonstrating their adherence to stringent standards of integrity and propriety and closing the case.

Why did the Ministers get their wives to sign the tenancy agreements for Ridout Road properties?

Opinion: Despite clearing Ministers K Shanmugam and Vivian Balakrishnan of corruption, questions remain: Why were their wives, who seemingly do not meet the necessary financial criteria, permitted to rent state properties at Ridout Road? According to the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) bidding form, an individual bidder should have an average monthly income at least three times the bid rent. In this instance, Mrs Shanmugam and Mrs Balakrishnan would need to earn $79,500 and $57,000 per month, respectively, to qualify as bidders under these criteria. However, while it appears that both wives fall short of these income requirements, their husbands would meet the criteria. This discrepancy prompts the question: Why did the wives sign the tenancy agreements, and why didn’t the SLA ask the Ministers to be the ones officially listed as the bidders?

Ridout minister predicted that Singapore “will never be the same” without Lee Kuan Yew

Opinion: Post-Lee Kuan Yew’s era, Singapore has witnessed dramatic changes, including numerous scandals and controversies, and an apparent drift from the zero tolerance against corruption policy, marking a departure from the country’s prior decisive leadership.

Dissecting the controversies surrounding the Ministers’ rental of Ridout Road properties from Singapore Land Authority

Opinion: Unraveling questions over rental processes, clearance of land, property improvements, and possible preferential treatment in ministers’ rental of Ridout Road properties from Singapore Land Authority.

Unnecessary fees for public sports facilities and the stifling of grassroots soccer in Singapore

Opinion: The government, by imposing unnecessary fees on public sports facilities, inadvertently hinders the growth of grassroots soccer, a crucial tool for uniting communities and fostering national development, thereby contradicting ‘Goal 2034’.
Satellite image of 26 Ridout Road after Minster K Shanmugam moved in and Ho Ching.

Ho Ching’s natural appeal pitch for B&W houses contrasts with Ministers’ extensive greenery clearance

While Ho Ching highlighted the appeal of B&W houses’ natural setting despite its humble amenities, Ministers Shanmugam and Balakrishnan’s extensive clearance of their rented property’s greenery presents a conflicting scenario.

Are Ministers K Shanmugam and Vivian Balakrishnan abusing the delivery of Ministerial Statements for their personal defence in Parliament?

Opinion: In a twist of irony, it seems that Ministers K Shanmugam and Vivian Balakrishnan could be abusing their positions by using ministerial statements in Parliament to personally defend themselves against allegations.

It’s another sad, sad day when the Ridout findings turn out just as expected

Opinion: In the wake of the Ridout controversy, a pattern of internal investigations clearing officials of misconduct leaves a lingering sense of déjà vu among citizens, gradually leading to a numbness towards outcomes of self-investigation by the People’s Action Party. “Each time, there’s a foul, bitter aftertaste because we could smell what’s coming from a mile away once they are done with their investigation. Over time, we become numb to ownself check ownself and ownself investigate ownself.”

Anachronistic affluence: Time to reconsider Singapore’s Black-and-White bungalows

Opinion: The extravagant refurbishment costs and significantly low rental yield for Singapore’s Black and White bungalows raise questions about their relevance and the People’s Action Party’s approach to state property management amidst pressing land scarcity.

How prudent is it for SLA to take 28.6 years to recover cost spent on Minister K Shanmugam’s 26 Ridout Road property?

Singapore Land Authority’s 28.6-year plan to recover refurbishment costs for Minister K Shanmugam’s 26 Ridout Road property raises fiscal prudence questions despite the reports from Teo Chee Hean and CPIB absolving two PAP Ministers of any impropriety.