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by Bruno Giussani, Lunch Over IP
by Julia Ng, Channel NewsAsia
by Pamela Almeda, Channel NewsAsia
by Channel NewsAsia
by Oxford Analytica, Forbes
A new dimension in cross-border disagreements is emerging that may prove far more damaging for SIngapore's long-term future.
by Chio Su-Mei, Channel NewsAsia
by Reuters
Temasek Holdings, the Singapore state investment agency, has sought the Indian prime minister's intervention in a dispute over new rules on the allocation of mobile phone spectrum, the Economic Times said on Friday.
by John Jannarone, Wall Street Journal
Many observers have long expected Mr. Tharman to become finance minister, and they don't expect significant policy changes at the ministry.
by Ishaan Tharoor, Time
It is one of the most delicious working of karma that Singapore, which criminalizes homosexuality, should have as its leading young poet an openly gay man.
by BothSidesOfTheJohorStraits
Like my Singapore Indian friend told me, everything is meritocratic in Singapore, until an Indian/Malay gets rejected in an interview because he can't speak Mandarin.
by Blowin' In The Wind
On the whole, Singapore has done well with Tharman Shanmugaratnam as education minister.
by Heng-Cheong Leong, MyAppleMenu
This article by Jon Swift, Journalism 101, is meant to be a satire.
The exercise, dear readers, is to identify how many of these "rules" are official Straits Times policies.
by Reuters
Singapore Technoogies Telemedia, a unit of state investor Temasek Holdings, said it will not sell its stake in Indoensian telecom Indosat and would contest a controversial ruling by Indonesia's anti-monopoly agency to protect its investment.
by Bernama
by Bernama
After opening the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore route to low-cost airlines, the governments of both countries are to look into allowing them additional routes from other destinations in Malaysia to the island republic, transport minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy said today.
by Singapore Democrats, Singabloodypore
The controversy over a mistake made by the prosecution team deepened on the third day of Dr Chee Soon Juan's and Mr Yap Keng Ho's trial at the Subordinate Courts.
by Joseph Yadao, Today
In June, StarHub discontinued its Surf For Free dial-up service. Now, SingTel is following suit, having announced it would shut down its subscription-free mySingTel Internet service on March 31 next year.
by Choo Zheng Xi, Straits Times
Are we going to be a society that is blindly tough on crime at the expense of the famous dictum, Let the punishment fit the crime?
See Also:
That Capital Punishment Saves Lives Is Not Enough, by Paul E. Staes, Straits Times. It takes more than a good effect before we can justify an extreme remedy, something that could be used 'for the worst of the worst'.
Misleading Evidence In Support Of Death Penalty, by Clement Wee Hong En, Straits Times.
Personally, I am opposed to the death penalty as it assumes the justice system never makes a mistake, honest or otherwise. There is no chance of reversal, of correction, of misjustice.
by Ng Kim Yong, Straits Times
See Also:
Too Many Tuitions, by Xu Aiyun, Lianhe Zaobao.
by Chong Chee Kin, Straits Times
But Chua, 38, was cleared by district judge Francis Tseng of any role in a share-rigging scam.
by Straits Times
A breif statement from the PM's office said Mr Tharman will continue concurrently as minister for education until after the budget debate and committee of supply next year.
by Rosie Milne, Telegraph
Expat wives in Asia are often derided as birdbrains with a great love of parties, but no time at all for cultural life. A group of women in Singapore is challenging this stereotype.
by Singapore Democrats, Singabloodypore
Readers can judge for themselves whether the DPP was prevaricating or not.
by Tim Passey, Telegraph
If you have the chance to work in Singapore, take it, it's a great place to be.
by Zul Othman, Today
by Ng Pei Ling, Kopitiam Group Of Companies, Today
by Today
In the latest clarification of its policy that has caught some travellers unawares, the United States said it requires passports issued or renewed from Oct 26 last year to be biometric — if the holder is to enjoy entry under the visa-waiver programme.
by Koh Yong Fong, Singapore Cruise Centre, Straits Times
by Channel NewsAsia
by Heng-Cheong Leong, MyAppleMenu
The Human Development Index, as described by Wikipedia, is the "measure of life expectancy, literacy, education, and standard of living for countries worldwide. It is a standard means of measuring well-being, especially child welfare." Three dimensions are measured: health (life expectancy), knowledge (literacy), and decent standard of living (GDP at purchasing power parity).
The 2007 report, which measures data from year 2005, has been released, and Singapore maintained its 25th ranking while improving in terms of the value of the index, scoring a 0.922 as compared to 0.916 the year previous.
Singapore has been ranked behind Iceland (#1), Norway (#2), Australia (#3), Switzerland (#7), United States (#12), and Hong Kong (#21).
by Bernard Leong, Simple Is The Reason Of My Heart
Getting some bad publicity in exchange for publicity was not a bad idea.
by Alex Dunnin, Financial Standard
While the only official lever Australia uses to slow down an overheating economy is raising interest rates, in Singapore they sometimes use the CPF contribution rates.
by The Keropok
by Teo Xuanwei, Today
Answering charges of speaking in public without a permit for the third time, Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) chief Chee Soon Juan and party supporter Yap Keng Ho yesterday accused the police of "selective enforcement."
See Also:
Witness Might Not Have Called Police If SDP Event "Had A Roof", by Singapore Democrats, Singabloodypore.
by Amarjit Kaur, Straits Times
by Leow Zi Xiang, Straits Times
I would urge the police to substantiate their comments properly instead of impugning my integrity, suggesting that I had not been completely honest in my account of events.
See Also:
Police Action On Protest Necessary For Security, by Audrey Ang, Singapore Police Force.
by Joel Tan Cheng Chye, Straits Times
by Channel NewsAsia
by Presenting The(new)mediaslut!
Ignoring email complaints is a very risky thing to do in the field of communications these days.
by Laura Vanderkam, Gifted Exchange
by Melvin Tan, Shaun Lee, and Andrew Loh, The Hammersphere
by Smoot
by Xu Aiyun, Lianhe Zaobao
by Straits Times
Fuelled by the robust economy and abundant job opportunities, Singapore's employment rate continues to rise to a new high, driven mainly by more women and older people joining the workforce.
by Danielle Teutsch, The Age
Singapore and Emirates set the standard for the rest of the pack. Here's how they measure up.
by Alicia Wong, Today
Taking a bus, getting on the MRT or having dinner in a Chinese restaurant - everyday activities that we hardly think twice about. Yet they may cause damage to y our hearing, according to the results of a Reader's Digest test released on Monday.
by Catherine Lim
For to offer an unabshedly honest, even if idiosyncratic, view is always a useful starting point in any discussion or debate.
by The Rot Within
Koo Tsai Kee demolishes straw men and makes glib leaps of reasoning in order to deliver his three messages.
by Andrew Ong and Andrew Loh, theonlinecitizen
Government ministers have said, when defending their pay hike, that there never is a good time to increase salaries. That may be so but there also should be consideration for moral leadership.
by New Zealand Herald
by Today
Singapore may be gradually losing its competitive edge to regional rivals like Hong Kong as the rising cost of living deters expatriates from coming here.
by Radha Basu and Theresa Tan, Straits Times
It marks the first time that guidelines have been spelt out for all registered charities in Singapore.
by Au Waipang, Yawning Bread
by Salim Osman, Straits Times
Indonesia's business competition watchdog is blaming the government for the case against Temasek Holdings. It said the government should have exercised its veto rights over top mobile phone operator Indosat to prevent the Singapore company's dominance in the telco.
by Jeremy Au Yong, Straits Times
Worried that a study on new media would be too focused on expert views, bloggers are getting together to make themselves heard.
by William Tan, Building And Construction Authority, Straits Times
by George Pasqual, Straits Times
We do not need more hotels and chalets to denude whatever remaining greenery we have on this fast-urbanising island.
by Julia Ng, Channel NewsAsia
The Charity Council says Ren Ci Hospital could have run foul of three guidelines in the Code of Governance for Charities and Institutions of a Public Character.
by Ken Jones, Jamaica Gleaner News
Lee fearlessly introduced a number of other far reaching solutions, despite the fact that certain of them were unpopular and caused "endless letters to the newspapers by would-be car owners."
by A. Lin Neumann, Asia Sentinel
There is a reason why Singapore has a reputation for being unutterably boring. Watch the video and you'll see what we mean.
by Sim Bak Heng, New Straits Times
by Gerald Giam, theonlinecitizen
The bottm line is that elections are still always fought on bread-and-butter issues.
by Nor Faridah A. Rashid, Bernama
Malaysia hopes the decision on the sovereignty dispute case over Pulau Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks and South Ledge between Malaysia and Singapore will be known in six months.
See Also:
Public Sitting, Held On Friday 23 November 2007, At 3 p.m., Acting President, Presiding, In The Case Concerning Sovereignty Over Pedra Branca/Pulau Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks And South Ledge (Malaysia/SIngapore). (Note: PDF document.)
by All And Sundry Singapore
by Lim Wei Chean, Straits Times
The principle of paying for good people should apply to charities, senior minister Goh Chok Tong argued last evening.
by Au Waipang, Yawning Bread
Many other countries' hate speech laws include ethnicity, national origin, cultural markers, etc within their ambit. It's striking that Singapore's does not, despite our civil servants having spent 3 years relooking at the Penal Code.
by Nur Dianah Suhaimi and Shuli Sudderuddin, Straits Times
Happy-hour sessions disturb residents, but police say workers are breaking no laws.
by Economic Times
by Isabelle Chan, ZDNet Asia
Although some companies and government agencies have embraced open source, the level of adoption in Singapore is still low by most counts, industry observers say.
by mrbrown
If the Singapore public transport system is so stretched now, I can't wait when our population hits 6.5 million people.
by KL Confidential
I would personally be more reassured if our Malaysian representatives had not kindly decided to first put one foot, and then the other foot in our nation's mouth, landing us squarely on our internationally battered bums.
by Nor Faridah A. Rashid, Bernama
Malaysia reiterated its stand that it has no wish to change the status quo concerning the operations of the Horsburgh Lighthouse on Pulau Batu Puteh but it was Singapore which wanted to redefine its status on the island by claiming sovereignty not only over the island but also Middle Rocks and South Ledge, the International Court of Justice heard Friday.
See Also:
1979 Map Issued To Set Out Malaysia's Territorial Waters - Kadir, by Nor Faridah A. Rashid, Bernama.
Pedra Branca: KL Repeats Earlier Allegations In Wrap-Up, by Lydia Lim, Straits Times. Malaysia wrapped up its Pedra Branca arguments by repeating its charge that Singapore was out to upset longstanding maritime arrangements.
Judgement On Pedra Branca Expected By Next September, by May Wong, Channel NewsAsia. Whatever the judges decide, Singapore and Malaysia are glad the issue has been brought to an international court.
ICJ Adjourns Pulau Batu Puteh Sovereignty Dispute Case, by Nor Faridah A. Rashid, Bernama. The court did not speicfy when judgment would be delivered but on the average, it normally takes about six months to hand down the verdict.
by Pauline D Loh, Today
Ms Ho's decision to be known as more than the PM's wife has certainly raised eyebrows. But then again, perhaps she is just a product of the times, where women no longer feel they have to apologise for pursuing separate lives from their politician-husbands.
by Seah Chiang Nee, The Star
Cracks are already appearing between Singaporeans and the new settlers who have come as permanent residents, not just between different ethnic groups, but also within races.
by The Star
by theonlinecitizen
There is a need for ordinary bloggers — and filmmakers who intend to put video material on the internet — to get together and organise a submission to the relevant bodies, putting across the perspective of practitioners.
by Sheralyn Tay, Today
by Koo Tsai Kee, Straits Times
Singapore is a place where everybody can do well.
See Also:
Parents Gave Top PSLE Scorer A Head Start, by Ho Ai Li, Straits Times.
Maths Formula GOes Wrong As A+B+C = D/E, by Cara van Miriah, New Paper. After only 8 in class of 20 pass maths, school says: Things could have been handled better.
by John Rachmat, Straits Times
Singapore has to decide whether it wishes to join the 21st century, or whether it wishes to cling to 'traditional values'.
See Also:
Rapping Does Not A Cool Person Make, by Sylvia Toh Palk Choo, New Paper. Taxpayers want substance, not style.
by Liew Kai Khiun, Straits Times
by Adrian Tan, Today
Temasek's ongoing investment woes over its stakes in Indonesia's two biggest mobile telcos bring to mind some simple, eternal facts of corporate life.
by Li Xueying, Straits Times
Dr Lee Boon Yang, minister for information, communications and the arts, believes the mainstream media can stand up to the challenge of new media with what he sees as its 'strongest value proposition' to consumers: professionalism and objectivity.
by Reuters
by Singapore Democrats, Pseudonymity
by Asha Popatlal, Channel NewsAsia
In one of the most long-awaited announcements, low cost carriers have finally been given the green light to operate the lucrative Singapore-Kuala Lumpur route from 1st February next year. However these will initially be limited to four flights daily - two from each side.
by ES Subong, PIA
by AFP
Singapore state-linked investment firm Temasek Holdings, whose purchase of Thailand's Shin Corp last year strained relations between the two countries, will try to avoid nationalist obstacles when investing abroad, a newspaper reported Friday.
by Thomson Financial
Singapore's consumer price index in October rose 3.6 percent compared to a year ago as soaring fuel prices boosted the cost of transportation as well as housing, the Department of Statistics said Friday. The rise was faster than the 2.7-3.0 percent annual increase forecast by economists polled by Thomson Financial.
The cost of transportation rose 4.3 percent in October compared to a year ago due to higher car price, petrol and bus fares.
by Violet Lim
Even thought there are many errant cab drivers out there, there are many that are very nice too! :)
by Jiayu
Okay, I did badly for my PSLE. Oh god, I didn't take PSLE seriously. Last minute than I study. Zzz.
by Antara News
An Indonesian lawmaker said on Thursday he had the impression that Singapore's Temasek Holdings was trying to abide by the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU)'s ruling that it had practiced monopoly in the country's mobile phone business.
"I think Temasek is showing its intention to bow to and abide by the KPPU's decision by exercising its right to appeal the ruling," Andreas H Pareira, a member of the House of Representatives Commission for defnese, information and foreign affairs, said.
See Also:
President Did Not Discuss Temasek Issue With Singaporean PM, by Antara News.
by DPA
The Burmese Buddhist temple in Singapore has stopped activists from using the venue to stage pro-democracy activities on behalf of their homeland, officials said Friday.
by AFP
by The Star
While Malaysia has proven its case that Pulau Batu Puteh was not terra nullius (No Man's Land), Singapore has merely rested its claim on the inference that the island belonged to no one when it took possession of it in 1847 to 1851, the International Court of Justice heard.
Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail said Malaysia, however, has demonstrated that Johor consented to the constructio of the Horsburgh Lighthouse, as evidenced by the permission letters of Nov 25, 1844 from the Sultan and Temenggong of Johor.
See Also:
Rebuttals By Malaysia Turn Out To Be A Surprise, by Straits Times. In its final pleadings on Pedra Branca before an international court, Malaysia surprisingly rebutted few of the fresh points raised by Singapore earlier this week. It chose instead to restte its chief argument that the Johor sultanate possessed the original title to Pedra Branca.
Malaysia Says Johor Government In 1953 Didn't Have Right To Disclaim Disputed Island, by May Wong, Channel NewsAsia. Malaysia's Attorney-General Abdul Gani Petail zoomed in on the 1953 letter, pointing out that Johor's Acting State Secretary then did not have the authority and no legal capacity to renounce, disclaim or confirm ownership of any of its territories.
Johor Official 'Had No Legal Authority To Disown Island', by V. Anbalagan, New Straits Times.
Singapore's Claim On Pulau Batu Puteh Flawed, by Nor Faridah A. Rashid, Bernama.
Public Sitting, Held On Thursday 22 November 207, At 3 p.m., At The Peace Palace, Vice-President Al-Khasawneh, Acting President, Presiding, In The Case Conerning Sovereignty Over Pedra Branca/Pulau Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks And South Ledge (Malaysia/Singapore). (Note: PDF document.)
by Diary Of A Singaporean Mind
by Walter Lim, Cooler Insights
by Marilyn Ho, Singapore Sports Council, Today
The Sports Hub is more than a replacement for the existing National Stadium. It will be Singapore's premier sports, entertainment and lifestyle destination for Singaporeans as well as tourists.
by Tan Hui Leng, Today
While internet discussions and blogs contribute to the democratisation of societies, there is some way to go before online chatter becomes "real", said Malaysian newspaper columnist and activist Marina Mahathir.
by Lin Yanqin, Today
Pass rate for subject not much different from previous year, says a director from examinations board.
by Pseudonymity
"The actions of the police in the mentioned incident is a grave violation of our constitutional rights, individual liberties and personal security."
by Au Waipang, Yawning Bread
I believe the taxi problem reflects 3 of the biggest ills of Singapore: Elitism, over-regulation, and protection of government-linked companies. I suspect it's been hard for the government to solve the taxi problem precisely because the problem has grown out of their own worst instincts.
by Chang Kay Hoi, Straits Times
by Bernama
by Mr Wang Says So
Even if you are very rich and can easily afford the cost of sending your children to an international school in Singapore, you generally won't be allowed to do so... if you hold a pink NRIC.
by AFP
ASEAN's handling of the Burmese crisis has shattered the regional bloc's credibility and deeply embarrassed Singapore, the host of this week's southeast Asian summit, analysts and activists say.
by Sandra SDavie, Straits Times
by Reuters
by Reuters
by V. Anbalagan, New Straits Times
Spirits are high in the Malaysian camp ahead of the second round of oral submissions before the International Court of Justice today in the Pulau Batu Puteh case.
by Mergawati Zulfakar, The Star
Singapore officials were caught red-faced again Wednesday after the official car prime minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was travelling in punctured on the way to the airport.
by The Musings Of An Opinionated Sod
by Mun Fitness Blog
While I applaud Singapore government has taken the initiative to ensur eits new generations are healthy, it has probably underestimated kids' feeling.
by Thomson Financial
Fitch Ratings said a final decision on a likely appeal by Temasek Holdings Pte Ltd — against a ruling by Indonesia's anti-monopoly watchdog — could take a year or more in arriving, and also noted a precedent of Indonesian courts ruling against the competititon authority's decision.
by Sam's Thoughts
by Bill Guerin, Asia Times
The recent decision of Indonesia's anti-monopoly watchdog to sanction and fine Singapore state-owned investment vehicle Temasek Holdings for breaking local competition laws has sparked new foreign investor concerns and marks another setback for the Singapore government's regional investment drive.
See Also:
Trouble Mount For Temasek, by Asia Sentinel.
by Leong Sze Hian, theonlinecitizen
I would like to suggest that a detailed breakdown be given of what and how the estimated $1.5 billion from the GST hike will be used to help the poor.
by Ong Jiin Joo
See Also:
Battle Of The Snarks: On MDA's Mindnumbing Rap Music Video, by Theory.IsTheReason.
by Asha Popatlal and Gamar Abdul Aziz, Channel NewsAsia
See Also:
New And Bigger Terminal Needed, by Anna Maria Samsudin, New Straits Times.
by Kor Kian Beng, New Paper
The Myanmar community has been allowed to peacefully protest its situation back home. Who's allowed to speak out on what issues here?
by Associated Press
by Welcome To Mad
Try to think of a prominent figure that has caputred the hearts and minds of the Singapore population, and you realise that you'll draw a blank.
by Lin Yanqin, Today
by Today
Singapore says it never discussed DCA issue with Indonesia at Asean meet last week.
See Also:
Singapore Refutes Indonesia Claims On Two Agreements, by David Boey, Straits Times. Mindef says it is not true that MM Lee opposes talks on treaties as a package deal on two extradition, defence pacts.
by Simply Jean
by Salim Osman, Straits Times
See Also:
Temasek's Experience Not New To Business People, by Jeffrey Law Lee Beng, Today. If a well-known Singapore investment firm such as Temasek Holdings could face harassment there, what more do we expect from smaller enterprises?
by Straits Times
by Chua Hian Hou, Straits Times
Some dealers are pssing off high-end counterfeits as the real thing.
by Alicia Wong, Today
The Media Development Authority (MDA) is getting ready to launch mobile TV services (MTVS), a technology that allows users to view TV and audio channels, as well as broadcast data services, over an electronic device such as a mobile phone.
See Also:
MDA Seeks Public Views On How Mobile TV Should Be Regulated In Singapore, by Media Development Authorithy of Singapore, Singapore Government. (Note: PDF document.)
by Karyn Low, Certis CISCO Security Pte Ltd, Straits Times
by Tan Chek Wee, Straits Times
I appeal to the Ministry of Health to come out with guidelines on pastoral care for all the community hospitals so that the religious affiliation of patients is respected and protected.
by Martyn See, No Political Films Please, We're Singaporeans
by Habiburokhman, Jakarta Post
Among the controversy a very important suspicion has arisen: there may have been at least two legal violations in the case by the KPPU. These violations not only have criminal consequences, but could also completely cnacel KPPU's case against Temasek.
by Michael Tan, CNET Asia
by Mollymeek
by Heng-Cheong Leong, MyAppleMenu
There are talks — such as this — that ask the government to do more to ensure taxi drivers can earn a decent living. Unfortunately, I feel that this sentiment is misplaced.
Being a taxi driver is, ultimately, a private business deal between the taxi driver and the taxi company. The cost of rental and the selling price of the taxi service are set by the taxi company. The government has rightly, in my opinoin, deregulated this aspect of the business, and shouldn't interfere or subsidise.
It may seems harsh, but if one finds that one cannot make a decent living driving a cab, one should get out of this business. Do another business, or, perhaps, work for others. The government should create enough jobs for everyone. The government shouldn't need to create enough taxi-driving jobs for everyone.
To solve the taxi shortage problem, in my opinion, requires the government to do something that many taxi drivers will probably object: give more taxi licenses. De-regulate further by reducing the barrier to entry. Remove most of the current regulations such as call-booking minimum standards, fleet sizes, etc, so that more players can come in with innovative ideas. The LTA shouldn't dictate how to run a taxi company.
by Random Thoughts Of A Free Thinker
by AFP
Activists in Singapore challenged the city-state's tough laws on public demonstrations at a regional summit Tuesday, with three separate incidents including a gathering of 40 Myanmar protesters.
by May Wong, Channel NewsAsia
On the final day of its rebuttal, Singapore Tuesday strung all its arguments with facts and evidence to prove that it has sovereignty over Pedra Branca, which is also known as Pulau Batu Puteh in Malaysia.
Singapore's ambassador-at-large Professor Tommy Koh maintained that Peda Branca was no man's land in 1847, when the British went there to build the Horsburgh Lighthouse. He said Malaysia has failed to produce any evidence to show that it owns the island.
See Also:
Public Sitting, Held On Tuesday 20 November 2007, At 10 a.m., At The Peace Palace, Vice-President Al-Khasawneh, Acting President, Presiding, In The Case Concerning Sovereignty Over Pedra Branca/Pulau Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks And South Ledge (Malaysia/Singapore).
by Jeffrey Law Lee Beng, Straits Times
by Kenneth Er, National Parks Board, Straits Times
We are working out a sustainable busienss plan for the Gardens, while mindful that we need to keep it accessible to all Singaporeans.
by Leow Zi Xiang, Straits Times
Surely, I had a right to know why my freedom of movement was being proscribed. It is alarming that all I got in response were subtle threats and pure assertions of authority, without proper explanation.
See Also:
Two Singapore Democratic Party Leaders Arrested, Police Refuse To Give Reason, by Singapore Democrats, Singabloodypore.
by Nazry Bahrawi, Today
See Also:
In Singapore, Myanmar Activists Keep Within The Law, by Zakir Hussain and Tracy Sua, Straits Times.
by Today
It has just become much more attractive to own an Executive Condominium (EC).
by Dominique Loh, Channel NewsAsia
by theonlinecitizen
See Also:
Peaceful Protests Cut Short, by Straits Times.
by Hoe Yeen Nie, Channel NewsAsia
by Jemauvals
I have always known that Malaysian courtroom tactics were a joke, but I never thought they'd sink so low in an international court.
by Reuters
Singapore's central bank said on Tuesday monetary policy was appropriate that it was monitoring the city state's economy and underlying inflation.
by AKI
by Wanderings, Musings And Happenings Of Ian
by David Soh Poh Huat, Today
by Tan Hui Leng, Today
by Au Waipang, Yawning Bread
Are PAP MPs even interested in engaging the people on issues? And to answer this question, we need only to ask how many of them maintain a blog.
by Gladys Tay Hui Fang, Straits Times
It is ironic that an organisation which is supposedly an expert in security services is so lacking in its own processes.
by Teo Xuanwei, Today
It was Day One of the new and harsher penalty regime against rogue taxi drivers.
by Christine Loh, Today
The investment firm had some strong words to protest against the verdict of KPPU.
by May Wong, Channel NewsAsia
Singapore has described Malaysia's statements on Singapore's claim over Pedra Branca as "baseless allegations and insinuations."
See Also:
Singapore Claims Malaysia's Allegations WIthout Foundation, by Bernama. SIngapore opened the second round of its oral pleadings before the International Court of Justice today, contentding that the allegations made by Malaysia were without foundation. Singapore's deputy prime minister S. Jayakumar outlined the allegations and insinuations against Singapore made by Malaysia which he claimed were serious and if not rebutted would diminish the country's integrity.
See Also:
Malaysia's Claims Baseless, Singapore DPM Tells Court, by V. Anbalagan, New Straits Times.
Public Sitting, Held On Monday 19 November 2007, At 10 a.m., At The Peace Palace, Vice-President Al-Khasawneh, Acting President, Presiding, In The Case Concerning Sovereignty Over Pedra Branca/Pulau Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks And Soth Ledge (Malaysia/Singapore). (Note: PDF document.)
by Stephanie Phang, Bloomberg
The three protesters were followed by 19 reporters and photographers in an area of the city surrounded by 1,000 armed police and soldiers.
by Mollymeek
If an additional surcharge causes a temporary drop in demand, then taxi drivers may be further driven to make money through dishonest means.
by Singapore Angle
by Leong Sze Hian and Yeo Toon Joo, theonlinecitizen
by Antara News
Indonesia must be smart and not let Singapore become too dominant in ASEAN as the association is becoming stronger in the global political and economic competition, a political observer said.
Hermawan Sulistio, a political scientist at the Indonesian Institute of Sciences made the statement here on Monday in response to a call by SIngapore prime minister Lee Hsien Loong for economic integratio in ASEAN.
by The Nation
by Thomson Financial
The Indonesian anti-monopoly watchdown known as the KPPU ruled Monday that the Singapore government's investment arm Temasek Holdings has violated Indonesia's anti-monopoly laws because of its cross-ownership in the country's two largest cellular carriers.
The KPPU also ruled that Temasek must divest its state in one of the two cellular operators — PT Telkomsel and PT Indosat — to remove its cross-ownership within two years.
by May Wong, Channel NewsAsia
Singapore and Malaysia have presented their arguments at the International Court of Justice in support of their claims over the sovereignty of a disputed island and its two outcrops.
Singapore will start off with two days of rebuttal from Monday, whle Malaysia will get the next two days from Wednesday.
by John Ekundayo, Today
From my experience, most Singaporeans could earn a Third-World rating in their treatment of foreigners.
by Theresa Tan, Straits Times
Venerable Ming Yi's resume says he holds a PhD in philosophy from a 'Mannin University' in Ireland, but checks by the Straits Times with the British COuncil, the Irish Emabssy here and the Irish education authorities showed that neither the university nor its qualifications were recognised there.
by Chia Boon Beng, Straits Times
Our budget airlines continue to practise with impunity two to three of hte five examples of misleading practices cited by the European Uion (EU) consumer affairs watchdog.
by Hedirman Suplan, Today
MP Seng Han Thong has suggested an additional sum for busy places like clubs, pubs, hotels, shopping malls and Raffles Place.
by Margaret Perry, Channel NewsAsia
by Margaret Perry, Channel NewsAsia
Human rights activists in SIngapore called for changes to the ASEAN Charter at a public forum held on Sunday.
by Xinhua
Singaporean prime minister Lee Hsien Loong said Sunday that his country supports the one-China policy and opposes "Taiwan independence."
by Associated Press
Chinese premier Wen Jiabao and Singapore's prime minister agreed Sunday to jointly develop an environmentally friendly city in northeastern China. The city will be a model for sustainable development, a Singapore government statement said.
by Thomson Financial
See Also:
ASEAN Rejects US Senate's Call To Suspend Myanmar, by Associated Press.
by Mahaguru58
If Malaysians can just copy 20% of the Singaporeans work ethics and sense of commitment to their jobs, our country will improve by leaps and bounds as far as development is concerned.
by Singapore Kopi Tok
by Chemical Generation Singapore
by Au Waipang, Yawning Bread
by Au Waipang, Yawning Bread
A whole culture of utter disregard for freedom of expression has arisen here.
by Bad News On The Doorstep
by Xtralicious
One great man cannot be replaced even by a big team of mediocrity.
by Enterprise Resilience Management Blog
Clearly, despite doing many things right, Singapore still has some lessons to learn when it comes to dealing with those at the bottom of the pyramid if it is to rmeain the development model that other countries should follow.
by Bernama
The map of Singapore showing Pulau Batu Puteh as part of the country was only published in 1995, 15 years after the critical date of the sovereignty dispute over the island between Malaysia and Singapore, the International Court of Justice heard Friday.
See Also:
Public Sitting, Held On Friday 16 November 2007, At 10 a.m., At The Peace Palace, Vice-President Al-Khasawneh, Acting President, Presiding, In The Case Concerning Sovereignty Over Pedra Branca/Pulau Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks And South Ledge (Malaysia/Singapore). (Note: PDF document.)
by Cara van Miriah, New Paper
Every day, more than 200 express buses carrying thousands of passengers depart from Singapore to Malaysia. Yet, thre is no central coach terminal here and passengers wait for their buses at carparks and along roads like Beach Road.
by Mr Wang Says So
How shameful — and stupid.
by Andrew Loh, theonlinecitizen
by Gillian Wong, Associated Press
Southeast Asian countries must jointly build a cohesive economic community to compete with China and India — but not at the expense of the environment — Singapore's prime minister said Saturday.
by Tan Hui Yee, Straits Times
Newly-weds who find it hard to get a flat amid buoyant property market are putting off their weddings.
by Noelle de Jesus, Today
by Goh Meng Seng, Singapore Alternatives
by Bernama
by Koh Gui Qing, Reuters
Singapore has banned all outdoor protest at a summit of Southeast Asian natios and rejected an opposition party's request to stage a Myanmar pro=democracy protest, police and activists said on Saturday.
by Leung Wai-Leng, Straits Times
In a reversal of its earlier decision, the Media Development Authority (MDA) has decided to allow role-playing game Mass Effect to be released here under an M18 rating.
by Sujadi Siswo, Channel NewsAsia
International experts say allegations by Indoensia's anti-monopoly agency against Singapore's Temasek Holdings and its units underline legal uncertainty in the country.
by Shamim Adam, Bloomberg
Singapore's economy probably extended its longest expansion since 1991as the island's burgeoning financial services and construction industries countered a manufacturing slowdown.
by Chemical Generation Singapore
by Wong Mun Wai, Channel NewsAsia
by Notes From A Not So Young Mind
by Heng-Cheong Leong, MyAppleMenu
Shanghaiist: Singapore's People's Action Party (PAP) which has held a virtually complete hold on government since the tiny city-state gained independence, has been said to be the case study most of interest to the Communist Party of China (CCP). In words that look like it could be lifted straight out of a PAP paper, the white paper explains what this "multi-party cooperation system" is all about: "...[It] replaces confrontation and contention with cooperation and consultation, effectively avoiding political instability and frequent changes of regime resulting from discord among political parties, thus reducing internal frictions of the society to the maximum, and safeguarding social and political stability and solidarity."
by Urbanrant
The cynic in mee seems to think that this is a 'blatant' attempt to uproot opposition voters and disperse them in places where there is more PAP support.
by Today
Singapore's activities and works on Pedra Branca Island were merely those expected of a lighthouse operator, lawyers for Malaysia told the International Court of Justice yesterday. Malaysia said that the conduct of a lighthouse administrator does not serve as sovereignty over the island.
See Also:
Britain Has No Intention To Claim Sovereignty Of Pulau Batu Puteh, by Nor Faridah A. Rashid, Bernama. Britain has never expressed any intention to claim sovereignty over Pulau Batu Puteh when it sought permission from Johor to build a lighthouse on that island some 150 years ago, the Intenational Court of Justice heard today.
Singapore Should Demonstrate Sovereignty Individually, by Nor Faridah A. Rashid, Bernama. Counsel Nico Schrijver who represented Malaysia said Middle Rocks, South Ledge and Pulau Batu Puteh were three separate and distinct maritime features and as such, Singapore must demonstrate sovereignty in respect of each feature individually.
Singapore Merely Lighthouse Administrator, ICJ Told, by Nor Faridah A. Rashid, Bernama.
Public Sitting Held On Thursday 15 November 2007, At 10 a.m., At The Peace Palace, Vice-President Al-Khasawneh, Acting President, Presiding, In The Case Concerning Sovereignty Over Pedra Branca/Pulau Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks And South Ledge (Malaysia/Singapore). (Note: PDF document.)
by Channel NewsAsia
by Straits Times
by AFP
Singapore will stick to its tough laws governing public protests when leaders from around the region meet in the city-state next week, police said Thursday.
by Word Of The Cze
by Reuters
Singapore has banned a Microsoft Corp video game which contains a scene showing a human woman and an alien woman kissing and caressing each other, a local newspaper reported on Thursday.
by AAP
by Kamal Mamat, theonlinecitizen
In Singapore, the word protest and demonstration are taboos which have to be avoided at all costs. The Malaysian experience has proved that it is not necessarily so.
by Liew Hanqing, New Paper
We are sorry for what we did. So says one of the British tourists caught int he middle of an internet controversy involving an elderly Singaporean trishaw rider.
by Perspective Unlimited
Political considerations aside, the parliamentary answer is essentially sound.
by Cecilia Yip, MDA, Today
Topics on sex can be discussed, but scheduling is important.
by Today
Malaysia has dismissed Singapore's claim that Pedra Branca was terra nullius (no man's land) when the British built the Horsburgh Lighthouse on the island in 1847.
Malaysia's international legal counsel James Crawford told the International Court of Justice that reference to Pedra Branca could be found in historical records. The earliest map, dated 1595, marked it between Britain and the Malayan Peninsula — "within the domains of Johor," he said, as quoted by Bernama news agency.
See Also:
Two 1824 Treaties Confirm Malaysia's Original Title To Pulau Batu Puteh, by Nr Faridah A. Rashid, Bernama. Malaysia's counsel Professor Nico Schrijver said that an analysis of the two treaties namely the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824 and the Crawfurd Treaty of the same year and subsequent practice based on them demonstrated the original title of Johor as a sovereign entity.
Pulau Batu Puteh Is Not No Man's Land - Malaysia, by Nor Faridah A. Rashid, Bernama.
Pulau Batu Puteh 'Either Johor's Or No-Man's Land', by V. Anbalagan, New Straits Times.
Public Sitting Held On Wednesday 14 November 2007, At 10 a.m., At The Peace Palace, Vice-President Al-Khasawneh, Acting President, Presiding, In The Case Concerning Sovereignty Over Pedra Branca/Pulau Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks And South Ledge (Malaysia/Singapore). (Note: PDF document.)
by Teh Joo Lin and Carolyn Quek, Straits Times
by Singabloodypore
by Jakarta Post
by AFP
The harsh glare of the international spotlight has recently turned to Singapore's business and alleged banking ties with the secretive junta.
by Along Leery
The first time I met Lee Kuan Yew I was under strict orders not to open my mouth. It was 1987, I was a wire-service reporter, and Singapore's patriarch was in the middle of one of his periodic campaigns to show the Western press who was the boss in his city.
by All And Sundry Singapore
The minister's statement makes me feel so disillusioned. We have worked hard hoping for a better standard of living but now the government tells us to switch to cheaper alternatives?
by Singapore Democratic Party, Singabloodypore
by Han Liang Yuan, Press Secretary To The Minister For National Development, Today
Mr Low Thia Khiang was disputing the statement in the Straits Times report on Nov 10, which stated: "Mr Mah pointed out the CIPC funds had always been there for opposition MPs to make use of." This was not what the minister had said.
by Au Waipang, Yawning Bread
Come to think of it, by imputing an abdication of irresponsibility, lack of commitment and untrustworthiness, when the facts don't support it, the prime minister may have defamed the Workers' Party candidates.
by Koh Siew Yuen, Straits Times
Although this was an isolated incident, it reminded me that our society still has some way to go towards being more accepting of people with special needs.
by Today
Malaysia told the United Nation's highest court yesterday that Singapore was seeking to enlarge its sea border by claiming sovereignty over Pedra Pbranca, Middle Rocks and South Ledge — islets close to key shipping lanes.
"Singapore seeks to disrupt the longstanding arrangements in the straits. Singapore is endeavouring to create for itself a maritime domian," Mr Abdul Kadir Mohamad, an adviser for foreign affairs to Malaysia's prime minister, told the International Court of Justice, which started hearings last week into the territorial dispute between the two countries.
See Also:
No Evidence From Singapore To Support Claim Of Sovereignty, Says Malaysia, by Bernama. Malaysia's counsel Sir Elihu Lauterpacht said that although Singapore had repeatedly stated that its conduct after 1851 merely confirmed and maintained a title already acquired, there was no contemporary documentation of any kind which implicitly specified that the island was or had become British territory.
Johor Government Letter Disclaiming Ownership Of Batu Puteh Irrelevant, by Bernama.
KL Accuses Singapore Of Trying To 'Subvert' The Status Quo, by Lydia Lim, Straits Times.
Public Sitting, Held On Tuesday 13 November 2007, At 10 a.m., At The Peace Palace, Vice-President Al-Khasawneh, Acting President, Presiding, In The Case Concerning Sovereignty Over Pedra Branca/Pulau Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks And South Ledge (Malaysia/Singapore). (Note: PDF document.)
by Straits Times
Several public projects in the pipeline worth some $2 billion are to be pushed back by at least two years to 2010 and beyond, as part of a government move to ease pressure on construction resources in Singapore and the capacity crunch.
by Bernama
Malaysia opened its oral arguments before the International Court of Justice today dismissing Singapore's claim of sovereignty over Pulau Batu Puteh, saying that the island state was merely allowed to operate a lighthouse there.
by Mr Wang Says So
In summary, what is minister Lim's advice to you? To deal with inflation, lower your standard of living.
Wow, and for telling you that, he even gets a world-class ministerial slary. I bet inflation doesn't bother him much.
by Mollymeek
by Associated Press
Singapore's third-largest telecommunications company MobileOne Ltd, or M1, is looking at overseas acquisition targets as its domestic market is already saturated, its chief executive Neil Montefiore said.
In addition, M1 is in discussions with Apple Inc. to bring the iPhone to Asia, Montefiore said.
by The Star
The government has been urged t stop Singaporeans from filling up their vehicles with subsidised petrol and diesel in Malaysia. Khalid Mohamad, Umno Youth chief for Johor Baru, said that the government should not allow foreigners to enjoy subsidised petrol any more.
by Nor Faridah A. Rashid, Bernama
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) will hear Malaysia's oral arguments on the dispute over the sovereignty of Pulau Batu Puteh, the Middle Rocks and South Ledge, on Tuesday.
See Also:
Pedra Branca Hearing Resumes With Malaysia's Presentation, by May Wong, Channel NewsAsia.
by theonlinecitizen
If people are complaining about higher prices, it is no answer to tell them to find cheaper goods. The point of the complaint is that people are finding it difficult to find cheaper goods.
No bread? Eat cake!
by Malar Velaigam, TheLawyer.com
by Bernama
There is a need for better connectivity via land and sea between Singapore and the Iskandar devleopment Region (IDR) as investments into the economic corridor start pouring in. Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman said ministers from both sides had agreed that there should be more efficient transportation linkages in place between the IDR and Singapore to enable both parties to reap mutual benefits.
by Yaw Shin Leong
The way how PAP's troopers reacted and how Mr Lee responded merely exposed their genuine concerns of PAP's support erosion in Aljunied GRC.
by Maria Almenoar and Jessica Lim, Straits Times
From March next year, commuters will need to find a taxi stand if they want a cab in the Central Business District. The Land Transport Authority yesterday announced the new rule, and said that it is meant to improve road safety. Commuters will have to get a tax from a taxi stand - and even if you book one, it must pick you up at a stand.
by Leong Wee Keat, Today
From Monday, taxi drivers who solicit for, overcharge or refuse to pick up passengers will face higher fines, more demerit points and immediate suspensions of their vocational driving licence of two to four weeks.
by Julia Ng, Channel NewsAsia
Minister for the environment and water resources Dr Yaacob Ibrahim told parliament Monday it is best for each stallholder to decide on the extent of insurance coverage he deems suficient to cover the value of his goods and belongings.
While the non-stallholders will have to buy a compulsory insurance just in case we live too long? :-)
by Tan Hui Yee, Straits Times
The Sin Ming area will not be a "funeral parlour hub" despite plans by the government to pilot a purpose-built funeral parlour there. Minister of state for national development Grace Fu assured MP Hri Kumar in parliament on Monday that her ministry would take residents' concerns seriously when planning for this development.
The apparently unanswered question is, what constitutes a 'funeral parlour hub'? How is the present development not a hub?
by Claire Huang, Straits Times
Rising food prices recently may have worried many, but the government has stepped in to assure Singaporeans that this phenomenon will tail off in the second half of 2008. Minister for trade and industry Lim Hng Kiang said that the GST effect will wear off by the second half of 2008.
See Also:
Singapore Expects Inflation To Rise, by Associated Press.
by Tan Hui Yee, Straits Times
The withdrawal of the deferred payment scheme for property should not unduly affect genuine homebuyers as they can continue to get home loans from banks, national development minister Mah Bow Tan said in parliament on Monday.
by Straits Times
An Iras statement on Monday said the average Annual Values (AVs) will be 20 per cent for 1-room and 2-room flats, 25 per cent for three-room units, 18 per cent for four-room flats, 20 per cent for five-roomers and 18 per cent for executive flats. But it said the increase 'does not translate to proportionate increase in property tax actually payable, due to the property tax rebates that have been granted by government'.
by Mollymeek
Misdefinition from the start.
by Aaron Ng, Hear Ye! Hear Ye!
There are many disadvantages to having kids early, or even having kids at all. This is probably not what the government wants to hear, but it's reality for young couples.
by Melanie Lee, Reuters
Income inequality is nothing new in free-market Singapore, but two years of blistering economic growth and a government policy of attracting wealthy expatriates have created a new class of super-rich, while a string of price increases for everything from bread to bus fares have made life harder for the poor.
Despite sporting a first-world GDP per capita of US$29,000 — second only to Japan in Asia — Singapore has an income inequality profile more in line with third-world countries.
by Susan Kurosawa, The Australian
Singapore's newest resort sits in a wonderland of glossy vegetation.
by Simply Jean
From the outlook of the cost of living in Singapore, I highly doubt whether this is really feasible.
by The Anti Neo-Democracy Theorist
If the PAP is sincere about winning the hearts of the voters, they have to remove the chains from the ankles of all political parties. Only then, can apathy to the PAP and the political system be combated more effectively.
by Mollymeek
One wonders if the media is being secretly subversive by reporting the worst bits of the convention or if it already tried its best to report the best ideas that came out.
by Jeremy's Little Blog
by Mollymeek
by John Burton and Amy Kazmin, Financial Times
As the US leads efforts to increase the financial pressure on Burma's ruling military junta and its supporters, that practice has put Singapore in an uncomfortable spotlight.
by Simply Jean
by Kumkum Seth, Today
I find it very disturbing to hear the increasingly prejudiced views expressed in public about foreign workers, especially construction workers.
by Au Waipang, Yawning Bread
It is not the prime minister's job to entrench discrimination. It is his job to compensate for irrational social attidues and behaviour, in order to give substance up to the promise of equality. The reason that the state extends a helping hand to Malays and Indians is precisely the same reason why it should towards lesbians and gays.
by Li Xueying, Straits Times
"They want me to listen to them, have more democracy, more protests like Taiwan - that's a democracy. But you calculate yourself, do you want us to make them happy or to have the investors have confidence in us? Which is good for us?"
by Keith Lin, Straits Times
Being a member of the People's Action Party (PAP) does not mean you cannot be critical of the government, said Mr Sam Tan, MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC.
Just make sure you vote the same when you are in the parliament. Whip!
by Holden Li King Ho, Nanyang Technological University, Straits Times
by Loh Chee Kong, Today
In a candid interview in the People's Action Party's latest Petir newsletter, Mr Ngiam — while stressing that "my role is to give an alternative, not an opposing view, to government policies" — questions the rationale behind the new target. Singapore doesn't need numbers, it needs talent, he said.
by Loh Chee Kong, Today
More than 18 months have passed but the rank and file of the People's Action Party (PAP) is apparently still coming to terms with last year's bruising electoral battle in Aljunied Group Representation Constituency — even as the party leadership gears up for what it predicts would be a tougher fight in the next elections.
by Straits Times
Opposition MP Low Thia Khiang has disputed national development minister Mah Bow Tan's statement on a fund that can be used to improve estates in a constituency.
Mr Low, the MP for Hougang and the Workers' Party leader, said that while the funds have always been available, they were for potential People's Action Party (PAP) candidates and not elected opposition MPs.
by Straits Times
Prime minister Lee Hsien Loong on Sunday took to task the Workers' Party (WP) candidates at Aljunied GRC for disappearing after last year's general election.
'Our (People's Action Party) five men are working hard, but the opposition's five have scattered like monkeys when the tree fell,' he said in Mandarin, using a Chinese proverb.
by Straits Times
by Margaret Perry, Channel NewsAsia
by Mr Wang Says So
Contrary to what minister Lim Swee Say recently said, job-hopping is neither necessarily greedy nor necessarily short-sighted. In fact, it is the far-sighted people who would regularly review their career plans, options and strategies.
by Julia Ng, Channel NewsAsia
Singapore can tackle and solve these issues better than other countries because the ruling party has been 'doing the right things,' said prime minister Lee Hsien Loong.
by Bangkok Post
Have just returned from my annual excursion to Singapore. A few days of sanity in the Lion City makes a pleasant break from the relative chaos of Bangkok. But daft though it might sound, after a while you kind of miss the chaos. Singapore is so orderly that even the giant container yards at the docks look neat and tidy.
by Deborah Loh, New Straits Times
There is no shame in co-operating with Singapore on the development of the Iskandar Development Region if it benefits both sides, the prime minister said.
Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said those who feared that the Iskantar would sell out Malay rights and economic autonomy were wrong. "We cannot continue to doubt our capabilities to make our corridors a success."
by Salma Khalik, Straits Times
THe Ministry of Health yesterday refuted the head of Ren Ci Hospital and Medicare Centre's remark that the ministry's probe into its affairs 'is not a big problem."
A ministry spokesman told the Sunday Times yesterday: "When financial irregularity in a charity is uncovered and is not properly explained by management, it is necessary to conduct a proper inquiry to get to the bottom of the matter. The amount of money involved and the ability to repay is not the issue here."
by Jamie Ee Wen Wei, Straits Times
Englishman is one of 900 permanent residents who volunteer at grassroots groups, and the number could rise with more foreigners becoming PRs.
by Wong Kim Hoh, Straits Times
Ren Ci's honorary CEO confounds most people's views of what a Buddhist monk is like.
by Mollymeek
Erm, willing to pay the price? Oh, minister, do you mean the money you need to pay as a deposit before contesting in the general elections? Or do you mean to pay the price via debilitating defamation suits if one happens to step on the wrong political toe? Or both?
by Huichieh, Singapore Angle
by All And Sundry Singapore
by Channel NewsAsia
The Singapore Land Authority is making 284 state fields available for publi cuse, and more than half of them are located near housing estates and within easy reach of the public.
by Seah Chiang Nee, The Star
Low — with leadership style a mixture of heartland appeal and good grassroots organisation — could just pull off a surprise. For one thing, he has succeeded in attracting a number of young articulate professionals.
What Low does has already had an impact on the level mainstream politics. Gone are the days of demonstrations and heated quarrels over race and religion.
by Today
Charities and other grant-making philanthropic institutions will not need to disburse a minimum percentage of funds annually. And they will be given five years, instead of two, to disburse donations.
These two changes to the government's proposed philanthropy initiatives are being made after 23 responses were received from the public following the release of a consultation paper in July.
by Au Waipang, Yawning Bread
There were 3 notable — to me, at least — moments in the wake of the unsuccessful parliamentary petittion to repeal Section 377A of the Penal Code. Amidst the sound and fury, readers may not have seen their significance, but I have a funny feeling they're straws in the wind — indicators of what the future may bring.
by Daniel Koh Kah Soon, Straits Times
Any MP - and any thoughtful Singaporeans - should be free to share his views without fearor favour, and none of them should be subject to any threat.
Huh? Why restrict to only MPs and "thoughtful Singaporeans"? Anyone — thoughtful or otherwise, Singaporeans or otherwise — should be able to express themselves freely. No threats. Even if we say we don't want to enforce the threats.
by John Lim Meng Fong, Straits Times
Road signboards can be confusing and should be amended.
I agree. :-)
by P N Balji, Today
Looking at its performances in the three very close GRC fights in the last 20 years, the Workers' Party appears to have a fighting chance. Political watchers think so, too.
by May Wong, Channel NewsAsia
Singapore's deputy prime minister S Jayakumar said the dispute over the sovereignty of Pedra Branca is a straightforward case. He said evidence clearly points to Singapore's ownership of the island, as he concluded four days of oral argument at the International Court of Justice.
See Also:
KL's Claim At Odds With Its Actions, Jaya Argues, by Lydia Lim, Straits Times.
See Also:
Public Sitting, Held On Friday 9 November 2007, At 10 a.m., At The Peace Palace, Vice-President Al-Khasawneh, Acting President, Presiding, In The Case Concerning Sovereignty Over Pedra Branca/Pulau Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks And South Ledge (Malaysia/Singapore). (Note: PDF document.)
by Mollymeek
So sleep-inducing that I think I can do without sleeping pills tonight.
by Melissa Kok, Straits Times
Responding to the gesture by the two PAP representatives, Mr Mah pointed out the CIPC funds had always been there for opposition MPs to make use of.
by Maria Almenoar, Straits Times
by Associated Press
Politicians want to built Indonesia's first casino on an island near wealthy Singapore - a potentially lucrative but highly sensitive venture in mostly Muslim Indonesia.
It remains to be seen whether Bintan island's local government will be able to push the plan through.
by Channel NewsAsia
by AFP
Singapore Airlines and the city-state's Temasek Holdings have signed a final agreement to buy 24 percent in China Eastern Airlines, the nation's third-largest carrier, the firms said Friday.
The agreement is seen as a key move in the battle for Shanghai, a city with a population of 17 million which, next to Beijing, is the most important aviation hub in the rapidly expanding Chiense market.
by Straits Times
The first of three waterfront gardens broke ground on Friday morning, setting in motion Singapore's bid to create the world's premier public gardens in the tropics.
by Illusio
Astonishingly for a legal experts charged with educating the nation's future lawyers, there is not a bit of legal theory in it.
by Leong Sze Hian and Yeo Toon Joo, theonlinecitizen
by Mollymeek
by Mollymeek
I don't mean to be harsh on Prof Thio here. To threaten her or to play a prank with a letter threatening her is wrong. But even though she is the victim, her words and actions regarding the threat still raises questions for me. And being a victim does not make her flawed arguments about homosexuality any better.
by Shree Ann Mathavan, New Paper
by Leong Sze Hian, Today
Since the inquiry will take three months, why not let Ren Ci's IPC status continue for another two-and-a-half months, before deciding once the inquiry has been conducted?
See Also:
Ren Ci Charity Under Investigation, by Alice In Wonderland.
Maintain Ren Ci's IPC Status Until Inquiry Is Completed, by Leong Sze Hian, theonlinecitizen.
by Li Xueying, Straits Times
About 7,300 Singapore citizenships were granted in the first half of this year, deputy prime minister Wong Kan Seng told the Straits Times. If the trend continues, Singapore will have 14,600 new citizens this year.
The figure is about 10 per cent higher than the record 13,200 citizenships granted last year.
by Straits Times
From next week, it will be a full-fledged breakfast paper, seven days a week. On two days of the week, it will produce two editions of the paper: the usual mrning edition and a noon sports edition.
Like it or not, we are moving straight into a 24-hour news-cycle.
by Channel NewsAsia
In day three of the hearing at the INternational Court of Justice (ICJ), lawyers acting for Singapore said the republic had consistently carried out activities and maintaine dpublic works on the island since the 1800s. Malaysia did not react to all this work.
See Also:
Singapore Had 'Control Of Island Sicne 1851', by V. Anbalagan, New Straits Times.
No Protest From Malaysia On Singapore's Activities On Island, Court Told, by Bernama.
Public Sitting, Held On Thursday 8 November 2007, At 10 a.m., At The Peace Palce, Vice-Preisdent Al-Khasawneh, Acting President, Presiding, In The Case Concerning Sovereignty Over Pedra branca/Pulau Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks And South Ledge (Malaysia/Singapore).
by Sok Hwee and Julia Ng, Channel NewsAsia
Some big charities in the healthcare sector have urged the public not to jump to conclusions over the health ministry's probe of Ren Ci Hospital and Medicare Centre.
by Mao Yafan, Funscreen.com.tw
by Sandra Davie, Straits Times
NUS' low score on staff-to-student ratio affected its ranking.
by Stephanie Gwee, Straits Times
From Friday, a free high-speed mobile broadband service will be available on 12 bus routes, with more to come.
by Gamar Abdul Aziz, Channel NewsAsia
by Today
by Joyce Teo, Straits Times
Singapore's office space crunch is spilling over to tenants in office districts such as Raffles Place.
by Leong Mon Wai, Straits Times
by Kuek Chor Ling, SMRT Corporation Ltd, Straits Times
Can't SMRT just be honest? Why can't SMRT just say, sorry, the air-con was spoilt and we didn't notice in time. Why must SMRT go through all these nonsense in the letter before getting to the heart of the matter?
by Siew Kum Hong
by Li Xueying, Straits Times
by Straits Times
Singaore spent day two of the hearing on the sovereignty of Pedra Branca producing evidence of ownership dating back 160 years and arguing that Malaysia's proof paled by comparison.
See Also:
Lawyers For Singapore Liken KL's Case To Shooting Blanks, by Lydia Lim, Straits Times.
Singapore Says No Evidence To Say Pulau Batu Puteh Belongs To Malaysia, by Bernama. Prof Alain Pellet, representing the island state, argued that it was impossible to find any evidence or confirmation that the original title to Pulau Batu Puteh belonged to Johor.
Public Sitting Held On Wednesday 7 November 2007, At 10 a.m., At The Peace Palce, Vice President Al-Khasawneh, Acting President, Presiding, In The Case Concerning sovereignty Over Pedra Branca/Pulau Batu Puteh (Malaysia/Singapore). (Note: PDF document.)
by Wong Mun Wai, Channel NewsAsia
by Channel NewsAsia
Note that Ren CI is probably one of the major customers of MediaCorp, the owner of Channel NewsAsia which reported this story.
by Mr Wang Says So
If PAP ministers can't be expected to serve out of a sense of loyalty to the nation, why would we expect people like Mr Kalaichellvan to serve out of a sense of loyalty to a steak restaurant.
by Straits Times
by Karamjit Kaur, Straits Times
Singapore and Canada have inked a new air pact that allows for unlimited flights between the two countries, but it falls short of what Singapore Airlines was hoping for.
by Jakarta Post
by mrbrown
No! We give them a raise!
by Straits Times
To argument the supply of rental flats, the Housing Board has started a pilot project to lease out flats vacated under the Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme (SERS) to the public on a short term basis.
So, HDB forced people to abandon their homes so that it can collect rent for three to six years?
by Diary Of A Singaporean Mind
If SAF doesn't want to keep older workers, why should profit-oriented companies in the private sector even bother?
by Crystal Chan, New Paper
Fro over 20 years, two magazine shops were an iconic part of Holland Village. But financial problems have forced one of them to shut down.
by Foo Biao Da, Today
While I was impressed with the proposed designs for the Sports Hub, I feel disturbed that it should sit on a veritable mine.
Well, if an entertainment venue like the Esplanade can sit on prime land, so too can another entertainment venue like the Sports Hub.
by Channel NewsAsia
by Kog Yue Choong, Today
by Esther Fung, Today
If a group of Singaporeans have their way, budget 2008 would see more money being spent on fostering a spirit of innovation in schools and businesses; and on encouraging environmentally-sustainable practices.
by Lydia Lim, Straits Times
Delivering the key speech on the opening day of a three-week hearing, chief justice Chan Sek Keong began by saing that there was 'not a shred of evidence' to suggest that Pedra Branca was ever a part of the old Johor Sultanate.
Malaysia's claim amounted to no more than 'vague and barren assertions' that further 'glossed over' important but inconvenient historical facts, he charged.
See Also:
Hearing On 28-Year Pulau Batu Puteh Dispute Begins, by New Straits Times.
Island Battle, by Asia Sentinel. If the court follows the precedents established in the earlier cases, the SIngaporeans should handily win the Pedra Branca case.
Public Sitting Held On Tuesday 6 November 2007, At 10 a.m., At The Peace Palace, Vice-President Al-Khasawneh, Acting President, Presiding, in the case concerning Sovereignty Over Pedra Branca/Pulau Batu Puteh, Middle Rocks And South Ledge (Malaysia/Singapore): Verbatim Record. (Note: PDF document.)
by Peh Shing Huei, Straits Times
Opposition MP Low Thia Khiang finds the $100,000 offer from his PAP opponent to improve Hougang for the elderly and handicapped 'grossly insufficient'. He urged the government to spend $381,000 - an estimate which his town council believes is necessary for building ramps and handrails in the ward's HDB estates.
by Irene Lim Ai Lin, Straits Times
by Fong Hoe Beng, Straits Times
A car is a car is a car. Whether it sits 1 person or 5 people, it still take up as much space and cause as much congestion. No, I do not agree that cars with more people should pay a reduced ERP rate.
by Ansley Ng, Today
If carried out, the threats are serious enough to be treated as offences causing grievous hurt. And the anonymous letter writer even threatened her family.
by Leong Wee Keat, Today
After the spectacular success of the National Day celebrations on the platform at Marina Bay, revellers can look forward to a smaller — and movable — version on the Singapore River.
by Channel NewsAsia
by May Wong, Channel NewsAsia
by Bernama
Malaysia hopes to sign a bilateral agreement with Singapore by end of this month that will allow budget airlines, including AirAsia Bhd and Tiger Airways Pte, to ply the route between the two nations.
by Veronica Uy, Inquirer.net
For many Filipinos, Singapore is another land of opportunity. The growing number of Filipinio professionals working in the city-state attests to this reality. But another reality exists: Filipino women are being deceived into sex jobs there.
by Associated Press
Singapore, a major global and logistics hub, ranked first in a new World Bank survey of countries' capacity to ship goods.
by Kamal Mamat, theonlinecitizen
by Catherine Lim, Journalism.sg
It does not matter to me if these ideas don't meet with agreement or even approval, but it does matter that they are shared with as many fellow Singaporeans as possible.
by Mollymeek
by Peh Shing Huei, Straits Times
by Henry Minjoot, Straits Times
by Irene Ngoo, Straits Times
"There were also increases in the proportion of Singaporeans who felt that it was possible to win lots of money if one had the right gambling skills, that one must not be afraid to take risks when gambling and that it made sense to continue gambling to win back the losses after losing money in gambling."
by Reuters
China Eastern Airlines said its Shanghai-listed A shares were suspended from today because it was about to sign a previously announced deal for Singapore Airlines to take a stake in it.
by Sonia Kolesnikov-Jessop, Newsweek
Singapore has basically two kinds of real estate—luxury, or state-run.
by Catherine Lim
Here's where this idealised picture falls apart: it ignores the ineivitability of change through time.
by Choo Zheng Xi, theonlinecitizen
Moving forward: optimisim tempered with harsh political pragmatism.
by Simply Me. Simply Jean.
by Ong Yong Keat, Today
by Muhammad Hazique Salahudin, Straits Times
by Webs@Work
In the domain of civic media, Singapore is a poor cousin to its Third World neighbors in South East Asia. Given the hype of its First World onlien opportunities, the city does not have a single professionally-run, stand-alone website delivering local news.
by Myanmar Media, Education & Development Watch
We got this piece of news from some reliable sources in Burma that these 2 are major suppliers of small and medium arms and weapons.
by Darshini M. Nathan, The Star
The opening up of the route is expected to have a profound impact on AirAsia's bottomline although the low-cost carrier will only be allowed to operate two flights a day during the off-peak hours of 11am to 7pm in the first year.
by The Keropok
You [got] to look out at both the Arrival and Departure hall while you are 'doing the thing'.
by Peh Shing Huei and Jeremy Au Yong, Straits Times
The Workers' Party (WP) aims to achieve a breakthrough in Singapore politics by winning a GRC in the next General Election, said its leader Low Thia Khiang last night.
The task is 'a must, said the Houngang MP, if Singaporeans want its parliamentary democracy to function properly.
by Telegraph
The Singaporeans' attempt to land the deal smoothly may yet veer off course.
by Singapore Life And Times
I don't know how much direct influence MM Lee has over the running of government nowadays, and about the setting of policies, but some people still do associate him with the government.
We do still pay him a lot of money every month, so he better make himself useful in the cabinet. :-)
by Taking Up The Challenge
by Ling Woo Liu, Time
Asia does have a gambling problem — and because the industry is expanding rapidly throughout the region, mental-health workers and researchers fear pathological gambling could reach epidemic proportions in coming years.
by Mr Wang Says So
Duh. Sometimes the world really tires me. So much low-IQ prejudice, everywhere I look.
by Seah Chiang Nee, The Star
Singapore's fast growth is beginning to be expensive. Increasing prices in just about everything has overshadowed the city state's prosperity in the last four years.
by Lionel De Souza, Today
by Cheong Suk-Wai, Straits Times
Singapore is a global business centre with room for 'social business', according to Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.
That is what the Bangladeshi economist and a pioneer of micro-credit calls not-for-profit businesses and programmes set up to generate jobs and other opportunities to help those trapped in poverty.
by Straits Times
"I'm old, maybe slower. The younger ones will be faster, so we have more younger ones, perhaps, maybe the Workers' Party will move faster. So those people who think that we are slower, well, come and join the Workers' Party to make it faster."
by Lee U-Wen, Today
WHen it comes to public dealings, Singaporeans have no qualms about voting for a prime minister, or approaching a policeman, who is of a different race from them.
But on issues relating to their personal lives, the "race" card still plays an important hand — with most baulking at the thought of marrying someone of another race or even inviting friends of other races to join their wedding celebrations.
Now, shouldn't we set up laws that we don't enforce, so that our Penal Code correctly reflect our racists behaviour?
by Simple Is The Reason Of My Heart
The best way to help technology start-ups in Singapore is to do it via the micro-financing model.
by Singapore Kopi Tok
Ultimately, resale HDB flat prices should be determined by market forces.
by AFP
Malaysia said Friday it was ready to win a legal tussle with Singapore over sovereignty of rocky outcrops in the South China Sea as the two sides prepare for a clash at the International Court of Justice in the Netherlands.
by Julia Ng, Channel NewsAsia
Many people do not know there are now digital speed camerasoperating 24 hours a day in the tunnel. And many motorists are not fully aware that the speed limit in the tunnel is 70 kilometres per hour, not 90 kilometres per hour as in some expressways.
by Singapore Democratic Party, Singabloodypore
by Kevin Anderson, The Guardian
Three British tourists who posted a video of themselves laughing at their elderly trishaw driver in Singapore have set off a firestorm of criticism and abuse in the net savvy nation.
by China Review News
More and more people gain Singapore's Green Card for children's education, tax advantages, and retirement.
by Donald Aw, Young PAP Blog
It is timely to re-look at the way the HDB resale market has evolved to and to create a system that will not penalize the genuine buyers who are unable to afford to buy these sort of units in matur eestates at such prices. We should send a clear signal that those who stay in these public housing in mature estate are privileged and not that only those who are financially privileged can stay in these public housing.
by Urbanrant
To hear Low's lack of ambition loud and clear is a blow to his supporters.
I'd say he is definitely right to set expectation low. Under-promise and over-deliver is what every sales man (whatever you are selling) should do. The question is: can WP over-deliver?
by Terence Lee, Journalism.sg
Singapore is now experiencing an "Online Media Vacuum", where the lack of easy online access to credible local journalism is driving readers to the next best alternatives - blogs and foreign newspapers.
by Leong Sze Hian, theonlinecitizen
by The Void Deck
by Simply Me. Simply Jean.
by Au Waipang, Yawning Bread
Why does our state make this distinction between offending race and religion and other types of offence?
by Azmi Hassan, Utusan Malaysia, Straits Times
Singapore has been able to survive and thrive in the Malay archipelago because its leaders have been most pragmatic in fostering bilateral ties with its neighbours. It is time for Singapore leaders to use four decades of experience as an independent nation to advise Israel and the US that a biased strategy will not bring a solution to the Palestinian issue.
by Lee U-Wen, Today
ASEAN members should 'step up discussions' to free up the skies in the region, so as to better ride on the rapid growth in air travel, said prime minister Lee Hsien Loong.
by Readings From A Political Duo-ble
by DPA
A top London-based banker predicted that no single city will emerge as Asia's undisputed financial hub in the next decade, a news report said Tuesday.
by Bernama
See Also:
Talks With Singapore On Firefly's Request Next Month, by Bernama.
by The Two Tigers
When I read that the two things that SIngaporeans love to do were eating and shopping, I should've known that this is the city for me.
by The Universe Within
by Singapore Angle
by I Have Succumbed To Peer Pressure
I think the inherent fear in most of the MPs is that if the majority of the electorate really does not condone homosexuality, but their MPs are seen to hold a position contrary to theirs, it might affect which way the votes of said electorate swing in the future.
by Elysa Chen, Liew Hanqing and Tan May Ping, New Paper
by Sirinya Wattanasukchai, The Nation
Long hailed as a shopper's paradise, Singapore has decided that shopping alone can no longer bring in the tourists - at least no more than once. The island-state's tourism board is instead now touting "52 Uniquely Singapore Weekends".
by Lim Wei Chean, Straits Times
Busineses are cheered by the $40 million overhaul to Orchard Road's pavements, street furniture and lighting, but they are also asking: 'Is that it?'
by Alex Tan Tuan Loy, Straits Times
by Jan Lai Yoke Wah, Straits Times
Instead of air-conditioned cool air, hot air came down on the commuters!
Maybe this is the 'revenge' SMRT pulled after its fare hike request for trains was not approved. After all, the coolness of the air-con is not part of the service agreement. :-)
by Today
Secretary-general Low Thia Kiang wants WP to be respected and reliable first.
See Also:
Greater Openness Here Now, Says WP Chief, by Straits Times.
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