Politics

MINDEF announced yesterday (29 May) that China and Singapore have agreed to revise a defence pact so as to “deepen defence ties and step up bilateral engagements on various fronts” for both countries. During a meeting between Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen and his Chinese counterpart General Wei Fenghe in Singapore yesterday, both welcomed the conduct of Exercise Cooperation involving …

The secretary-general of the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) Chee Soon Juan has released a video criticising the People’s Action Party’s (PAP) ministers’ high salaries in light of findings by the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP) at the National University of Singapore, which suggested that retirees need at least S$1,380 monthly to get by in Singapore. In reference …

On Sunday (26 May), the People’s Voice Party (PVP) visited the Choa Chu Kang GRC and Pioneer SMC in order to get in touch with voters in the area while distributing bread to them, as part of their “Bread for All” program. While speaking at the Keat Hong market in Choa Chu Kang GRC, party leader Lim Tean revealed some …

While I understand the need for a strong and stable government, I would have to disagree with former Prime Minister, Mr Goh Chok Tong when he disagrees that the role of the opposition should be one of “check and balance” as he feels that means the government is not doing things right. This opinion seems rather contradictory to me. Firstly, …

The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) has proposed a single-payer universal insurance scheme as a more financially viable alternative to the current 3Ms – Medisave, Medishield, and Medifund – for all Singaporeans. The proposed National Health Investment Fund (NHIF) –  which was presented by the Party’s Chairman Paul Tambyah and its Central Executive Committee member Khung Wai Yeen at the SDP …

It was reported in the media that after Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat came back from his Switzerland “study trip”, he wants to look to the Swiss for lessons to take care of the welfare of Singaporean workers. Wrapping up his five-day work trip there, Heng said Singapore companies can learn from their Swiss counterparts when it comes to …

Do away with the 3Ms (Medisave, Medishield and Medifund) and introduce a single-payer insurance scheme for Singapore’s healthcare system. This was the main proposal by the SDP which launched its healthcare plan at its office this afternoon. Presented by its Chairman Professor Paul Tambyah and CEC member Khung Wai Yeen, the SDP said that the 3M system did not meet …

Malaysia’s 14th General Election went down as one of the most iconic – if not the most iconic – election in the country’s history, as the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition rose to power on 9 May last year, toppling a 61-year-old Barisan Nasional regime in the wake of Najib Razak’s scandal-laden administration. Yet, the most recent survey by research firm …

Senior Minister of State for Law and Health Edwin Tong wrote an article for ST today (‘Small group crying wolf, but most citizens want strong laws‘, 6 May 2019). In the article, he claimed that only a small group of people are “crying wolf” over the recently proposed Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Bill (POFMA), which the government is …

In his first interview with the local media after he was appointed the new Deputy Prime Minister on 1 May, Heng Swee Keat spelt out some of the challenges Singapore may face. And the biggest “unknown” challenge is the “nature of politics” in Singapore, he said. He noted that Singapore has had “very constructive politics” for the past 50 years …