The primary roles of an Opposition for a developed economy
August 31, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
Written by Sammyboy.com forummer kakowi
31 Aug 2008
The primary roles of an Opposition for a developed economy are:
(1) to deny the ruling party the 2/3 majority. If there is a 2/3 majority then all their policies will get through Parliament. This can be unhealthy to Singaporeans.
If they do not have the 2/3 majority, it does not mean that their policies cannot get through Parliament. Rather they will now have to convince the Opposition that their policies have merit. This act of convincing will lead to greater rigorousness in policy formulation.
Malaysia’s opposition slams budget
August 31, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
It says Budget is overly dependent on oil revenue to finance record spending
By Hazlin Hassan
Kuala Lumpur – Malaysia’s opposition yesterday criticised the government’s 2009 budget for increasing expenditure to a record high without outlining any measures to boost revenue.
It says Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi has failed to show plans to attract much-needed foreign investments, and is overly dependent on oil revenue to offset the tax cuts and finance the spending.
Are they really needy?
August 31, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
Spotted in rental flats: plasma TVs, laptops, pets. But MPs say majority are deserving cases
By Jamie Ee Wen Wei , Gracia Chiang
Just who are ‘really needy’ among those living in heavily subsidised rental flats?
Should those who own a car or plasma TV set, employ a maid or install air-conditioners be ineligible?
Just can’t say NO to SEX
August 31, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
Psychiatrists here are seeing more sex-addiction cases, mostly men. Stress can be a trigger for such urges
By Shuli Sudderuddin
Just three years ago, psychiatrists here hardly saw what may be described as sex-addiction cases.
The situation today is different.
AIMS’s paper on Engaging New Media — a summary of their position on online political content, and my take on it
August 31, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
29 Aug 2008
The Advisory Council on the Impact of New Media on Society (AIMS) has released a paper entitled “Engaging New Media – Challenging Old Assumptions”. This objective of this paper is to provide a review of the increasingly complex social, ethical, legal and regulatory issues have arisen as a result of the rapid growth of new media such as the Internet, and recommend appropriate changes to legislation.
In the paper, AIMS dealt with four time-sensitive issues:
- e-engagement (or how the Government can use new media to better interact with the public),
- the regulation of online political content,
- the protection of minors, and
- intermediary immunity for online defamation.
Uniquely pro-choice Singapore
August 31, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
By Lynn Lee
ST Political Reporter
BEST known for its conservative stance on a host of civil liberties, it might surprise some that the Republic stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the world’s most liberal nations for its pro-choice stance on abortion.
It’s pretty ironic. But the numbers speak for themselves.
Singapore is among 54 countries – including France and the US – where an abortion can be performed regardless of reason, according to the US-based non-profit group, Centre for Reproductive Rights.
Sweet budget for Malaysians
August 31, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
Govt to spend record RM207.9b on people-friendly goodies like tax cuts
By Carolyn Hong
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi yesterday unveiled a record spending budget packed with tax cuts and other people-friendly measures, as the government moved to quell unhappiness over the rising cost of living.
The government plans to spend RM207.9 billion (S$86.7 billion) next year in a budget that will help ease political pressure on Datuk Seri Abdullah, as he faces a resurgent opposition capitalising on the disenchantment of ordinary Malaysians.
How just our meritocracy?
August 30, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
Singapore needs to find a better balance so that social inequality does not become entrenched
By Lydia Lim
ONE of my friends was shaken to the core when he realised recently what his daughter thought of poor people.
They were stupid, obviously, she told him.
Lee Bee Wah: I’m sorry, singapore
August 30, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
By Lin Xinyi & Terrence Voon
‘I SINCERELY apologise.’
Ms Lee Bee Wah, the president of the Singapore Table Tennis Association (STTA), had those words for the country last night.
Her comments last weekend, that she would replace the Singapore table tennis team manager, unleashed a storm of criticism and calls for her resignation.
Sylvia Lim opposed motion to revise Parliamentary Elections Act because the motion sought to entrench GRCs
August 30, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
NCMP Sylvia Lim made a speech in Parliament on Wed 27 Aug on the issue of by-elections and GRCs.
She said that she was unable to support the motion tabled by Nominated MPs Thio Li-Ann and Loo Choon Yoong for amendments to the Parliamentary Elections Act because this motion sought to entrench the GRC system, which WP is opposed to.
Sylvia Lim also pointed out what she thought were flaws in the motion tabled.
Firstly, the motion proposed that the moment a Minority member left a GRC, a by-election would be called. Sylvia Lim asserted that it is unjustified for by-elections to be triggered by the departure of a single member, including a Minority member, because elections are won or lost by GRC teams not necessarily on the merits of any one member.
Foreign workers DO depress local pay at the lower end of the salary scale
August 30, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
27 Aug 2008
The issue of foreign workers depressing local salaries has cropped up again in Parliament. Acting Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong attempted to dismiss this view on Tuesday in his reply to a question from Non-Constituency MP Sylvia Lim.
Sylvia Lim had reiterated the point that wages for the lowest income earners for the last 10 years had stagnated, due to the presence of foreign workers. (ST, “Simplistic to say foreign workers depress local pay”, 27 Aug).
K. Shanmugam’s remarks on acquittals in law could open a pandora’s box
August 30, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
27 Aug 2008
Law Minister K. Shanmugam has reiterated a stand made previously by Attorney-General Walter Woon that “not guilty in law” does not mean “innocent”. In other words, a person may not be factually innocent even if the law acquits him.
My immediate comment is: What is the point of reiterating and repeating this? Isn’t it a matter of common sense that no judicial system in the world can ever perfect, that sometimes guilty persons go scot free and innocent ones can be unjustly convicted?
Liberalization of Speaker’s Corner: Let’s see whether the authorities truly use a “light touch”
August 30, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
26 Aug 2008
On Monday, at a press conference, the Police and National Parks Board released a set of new rules governing the activities that can and cannot be held at Speaker’s Corner. These rules take effect next Monday, 1 Sept.
Now, demonstrations can held at Speaker’s Corner, and these can involve holding up placards, waving banners, and using hand-held loudhailers.
Demonstrations can also be conducted round the clock. Loudhailers, however, can be used only from 9am to 10.30pm.
The Reflection of the Moon
August 30, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
Written by Chia Ti Lik
19 Aug 2008
When i was young, i had a number of recurring dreams.
Many of the dreams did not make much sense, probably a mixture of fact and fiction enmeshed together by a subconscious imagination and left to play when the psychological conditions permit.
As i grew older these dreams disappeared. Probably hidden by being thrust into adulthood. Little time left to think and maybe to sleep. These dreams disappeared. These days sleep is a rare commodity.
Who needs Speakers’ Corner?
August 30, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
THE POST-65ERS
By Hong Xinyi
YOU may have heard: The Government has loosened the regulations for Speakers’ Corner.
The administration of this famous little patch of land in Hong Lim Park will soon be the responsibility of NParks rather than the police, and demonstrations will be allowed there.
Sleepy, oops, Speakers’ Corner
August 29, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
It’s now up to citizens to respond to the chance given by Government
By Chua Mui Hoong
SO SPEAKERS’ Corner is set to become Demo Corner.
At least, if activists and citizens make use of the space.
Abortion law remains unchanged
August 28, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
By Lynn Lee
ALTHOUGH Singapore now needs more babies, the country’s pro-choice abortion law will not be changed.
Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan gave two main reasons for it.
Sylvia Lim’s speech in Parliament on by-election
August 28, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
Sir,
The motion filed by 2 Nominated Members calls for the electoral system to be “fine-tuned”.
We in the Workers’ Party are unable to support the motion for the simple reason that we have never accepted the Group Representation Constituency system, and the motion attempts to entrench it.
The motion is also flawed in some respects.
PM Lee’s speech in Parliament on issue of by-election
August 28, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
MR SPEAKER, Sir, I rise to oppose the motion. The issue of when to call a by-election has been discussed in this House several times over the years. Opposition MPs have raised it, including Mr Chiam (See Tong). Each time the Government has given a full explanation. Nevertheless, I’m grateful to Professor Thio Li-ann for having raised it again and giving the House the chance to debate it afresh with a fresh team of MPs, and giving me a chance to explain comprehensively the Government’s position on this matter.
A House enthralled (electoral reform issue)
August 28, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
Arguments and barbs fly in by-election debate; an attempted hijacking of motion and failure of equipment also add spice
By Jeremy Au Yong
NOMINATED MPs Thio Li-ann and Loo Choon Yong thought they were taking aim at by-election laws.
