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Opinion

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SLA’s million-dollar refurbishment of ministers’ houses at Ridout Road: Economically justifiable and politically defensible?

The report on the Ridout Road rentals by two Singapore ministers unveiled extensive SLA refurbishment costs, surpassing two years of rent collected and raising questions about financial viability. These arrangements seemingly contradict the Ministers’ Code of Conduct’s spirit, warning against any apparent conflict of interest.

URA says building a 25-metre swimming pool a “minor work” but ChatGPT says it’s a major undertaking

The Urban Redevelopment Authority classified the installation of a swimming pool at the Ridout Road bungalows rented by ministers K Shanmugam and Vivian Balakrishnan as “minor work”. Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean found no wrongdoing in their rental transactions. However, typically, pool construction involves substantial planning and resources, contradicting this “minor work” classification.

Is CNA downplaying and omitting key issues in ministers’ Ridout estate rentals?

Opinion: CNA’s coverage of Ministers’ black-and-white house rentals raises questions due to noticeable omissions regarding potential code of conduct violations and property modifications.

The Singapore president should be truly independent

Toh Han Shih discusses the growing debate among prominent figures, including Ho Ching and presidential hopefuls, about the role and independence of the Singapore President ahead of the forthcoming elections, with Lee Kuan Yew’s historical perspective adding more complexity to the issue.

Power has corrupted the PAP and they need to be checked

The article by Foong Swee Fong critically analyzes the People’s Action Party’s governance in Singapore, exploring instances of conflicts of interest and questionable morality, citing Lord Acton’s axiom, ‘Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

What is the matter with Singapore electricity market?

Opinion: The deregulation of Singapore’s electricity market has led to concerns over power price volatility and potential profiteering. The recent dramatic increase in wholesale electricity prices, due to a convergence of factors including fuel costs and gas supply shortages, has raised questions about the market’s sustainability and fairness.

George Goh needs to understand what building trust truly means

Opinion: Trust in government is not surrender; it is a belief in governance’s reliability for citizens’ good, earned by acting in the governed’s interest – a principle George Goh, a president aspirant in Singapore, must comprehend.

Are the Ridout road rentals in breach of the Ministers’ Code of Conduct?

Jeannette Chong-Aruldoss, in a follow-up piece, asks about potential conflicts of interest concerning the rentals by Ministers Shanmugam and Balakrishnan of Singapore Land Authority-managed state-owned properties. Noting that Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean’s review aims to determine whether appropriate processes were followed and if there’s a perceived conflict of interest under the Minister’s Code of Conduct, she questions whether the committee’s findings will clarify whether the Code of Conduct prevents ministers from engaging in similar actions in the future.

Would President Tharman also permit Lucien Wong to remain in office till 75 years old as AG?

Opinion: As Lucien Wong, Singapore’s Attorney-General, is set to conclude his third term in 2026, the question arises: will potential future President Tharman Shanmugaratnam permit Wong a fourth term, extending his tenure past 75 years?

SLA statement on Ridout Road rentals raises more questions than answers

In a piece by Jeannette Chong Aruldoss, numerous questions are raised about the Singapore Land Authority’s statement on May 12 regarding the two properties on Ridout Road. She questions why these properties remained vacant for years before being rented by the ministers, and calls for further transparency from SLA.