Politics

Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing (Chan) has called for Singapore be "aware of its weaknesses and strengths, which include its long-term perspectives and strategies, as well as rule of law and predictable business environment where people can thrive". While I agree broadly with with the sentiments of his words, I wonder what he really means? Surely for Singapore …

Former Chief Economist at GIC and former adjunct professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, Yeoh Lam Keong has criticised Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing's statement regarding collective responsibility in easing the effects of social mobility and globalisation. Mr Yeoh, in his Facebook post on Friday (30 Nov), raised the question as to why the …

I vehemently disagree with Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong's broad brush generalisation of equating levels of competence with salary amounts. He asserts that if ministers are not well paid, we would end up with "very very mediocre" ministers in the future. So is he suggesting that lawyers are more competent than social workers or that bankers are cleverer than …

At The Straits Times' annual Global Outlook Forum on Wed (28 Nov), Minister Chan Chun Sing advised Singaporeans to understand the region better in order for Singapore to add value as a springboard or gateway when partnering those who want to enter the South-east Asian market. "Many people like to say, use Singapore as a platform to the region, as …

The ingredients that create trust are not secret or control. Rather, it is simply transparency and consistency.  People relate well to consistency because they know where the boundaries lie. People also appreciate transparency because there will be much less suspicion that they are being lied to. No one likes to be taken for a ride and no one likes to …

Last Tue (20 Nov), Senior Minister of State for Law Edwin Tong blasted Facebook in Parliament for refusing to remove a post accusing Singapore of corrupt dealings. He denounced Facebook's refusal to remove a post by sociopolitical site States Times Review, which alleges Singapore is involved in corrupt dealings in the 1MDB scandal. The decision, he said, shows Facebook allows …

Speaking to Channel NewsAsia on Monday (26 Nov), Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong noted that Heng Swee Kiat “hasn’t quite been exposed to the mobilisation of people, working with the PAP, the NTUC, and working with the PA”. “Chan Chun Sing has that,” He added. He thought both would complement each other. Goh’s comments came days after Heng was …

The recent news of Heng Swee Kiat assuming the position of 1st Assistant Secretary-General of People's Action Party while Chan Chun Sing assuming 2nd Assistant Secretary-General has Singaporeans talking about how Heng would naturally become the next PM of Singapore. However, going through the history of PAP, this may not necessarily be so. In fact, among the second generation PAP …

From businesses to politicians and even charities - everyone wants a platform in which to push their agendas out. Everyone wants a voice and a means by which to get their messages out. Yet, as with everything, there will always be a negative side to the plus and that's where we are with social media. In the spotlight of late …

"Willy Sum", the author of an article titled “The take away from Seah Kian Ping’s [sic] Facebook post” published on TOC on 4 Sep was called in by the police for questioning over alleged "criminal defamation". Freelance journalist Kirsten Han, in her Facebook post on Monday (26 Nov), revealed that "Willy Sum" (not his real name) was interrogated twice on …