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by Ko Htike's Prosaic Collection
"Support the people not the dictators... right now."
by Hawkeyejack
Both the Malaysian government and the Singapore government should look into resolving the ordeal of these people who contributes to both the economy of this two countries.
by Jeremy Au Yong, Straits Times
The first day of a freer Speaker's Corner looks set to be a quiet one with no one having registered to stage a protet and only one person signed up to speak.
by Mavis Toh, Straits Times
All kinds of claims are made in mitigation pleas but the jury's out on who should ensure that whatever is presented is not made up.
by Shuli Sudderuddin, Straits Times
Students, academics, freshmen and others weigh in on the sexual slant.
Singaporeans have no creative ideas on how to make orientations meaniful and memorable.
by Jamie Ee Wen Wei, Straits Times
Singaporeans are divided over news that famous China actress Gong Li has apparently become a Singapore citizen.
by Salma Khalik, Straits Times
It's time the committee set out its purpose clearly and unambiguously so its duties and actions are transparent to all.
by Cherian George, Journalism.sg
The paper does not say whether AIMS wants the government to do away with the regulation allowing it to ban sites, or merely to stop using those powers. Keeping these powers in the books would allow a future government to engage in the kind of political censorship that has just been witnessed in Malaysia.
by Seah Chiang Nee, The Star
In Singapore today where diversity is growing and young Singaporeans are becoming more opinionated, almost everything touches on politics, including table tennis.
by Lim Jialiang, The Online Citizen
The incumbent party will only engage the citizens if and only if it is beneficial or along the party lines.
by Mr Wang Says So
The Olypic silver medal is an important showcase for the PAP government's broader foreign talent policy. But now that Bee Wah has gone and mucked it all up. No, her political bosses won't be pleased at all.
by Yong Yin Min, Straits Times
If citizens who emigrate and take on citizenship elsewhere wish to give up their Singapore citizenship, Singapore should respect their decision without condition.
by Tim Begent, Straits Times
Citizenship is a privilege, not a sentence, and NS is a duty for those who want to retain it, not a debt that must be paid before one is released from it.
by Bloomberg
The Singapore dollar has ssen its biggest monthly drop in seven years, as concerns about a slowing economy spurred traders to bet that the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) will rein in currency gains.
by Judith Tan, Straits Times
Subsidised patients in B2- and C-class wards now pay between $1 and $5 more a day. This brings the daily charges in C-class wards to between $25 and $29, and those in B2, to between $50 and $61.
by Ng E-Jay, Sgpolitics.net
AIMS is being overly cautious and is still unable to divest itself of the climate of fear that the PAP has instilled in Singaporeans with regards to the internet and political films in particular.
by Ian Tan, Empty Vesel
Sports may or may not unite a country, but a public dressing down of high-achieving sportsmen and their managers rankles everyone who has a degree of EQ.
by Jeremy Au Yong, Straits Times
The current wide-ranging ban on party political films stifles expression. It also stands in the way of works that could contribute to well-informed, rational and insightful debate on issues. That is the iew of the Advisory Council on the Impact of New Media on Society (AIMS), which says the outright ban must go.
by Valarie Tan and Patwant Singh, Channel NewsAsia
In a special media conference on Friday evening, the Ministry for Community Development, Youtha nd Spots announced that team manager Antony Lee will continue for another three months, to finish up his Olympics reports. He will then move to the Singapore National Olympic Council in November.
President of the Singapore Table Tennis Association, Lee Bee Wah, apologised for causing grievances and stress.
by Jeremy Au Yong, Straits Times
While rle changes may eventually allow Singaporeans to put political films online, that should not translate into leeway for such films to be screened in public without a permit. Aims deputy chairman Tan Cheng Han on Friday exlained why a distinction should still be made between what is permissible online and offline.
by Lee Siew Hoon, Channel NewsAsia
The National Solidarity Party (NSP) said the government could do more to liberalise the political landscape by expanding the platform for greater public participation in politics and parliamentary elections.
by May Wong, Channel NewsAsia
The Advisory Council on the Impact of New Media on Society has suggested that the making and distribution of political films be allowed and also to lift the ban on 100 websites in Singapore.
by AFP
The ASEAN blog will try again to spark investor interest in a much-delayed railway link from Singapore to the Chinese city of Kunming, officials said Friday.
by Gerald Giam, The Online Citizen
Advisory Council on the Impact of New Media on Society (AIMS) sought to walk the middle ground by providing alternatives to an outright repeal of section 33 of the Films Act, which prohibits party policial films. These included narrowing the scope of the law to ban only films which make "scurrilous and false allegations that undermine respect for the government", appointing an "independent advisory panel" to decide on political films, or a classification system for political films.
AIMS also pushed for internet election advertising regulations to permit videos or recordings of election rallies and the use of blogs and social networking tools during the election period. However one of its recommendations to allow party political films, but restirct their release only during a "blackout period" during an election campaign. This is likely to invite the most debate.
See Also:
Engaging New Media, Challenging Old Assumptions, a consultation paper by the Advisory Council on the Impact of New Media on Society (AIMS). (Note: PDF document.)
by Chua Hian Hou, Straits Times
Give limited protection to those running blogs, forums and other publicly editable content sites from defamation lawsuits to help free and responsible speech flourish online. This is the same protection internet service prodiers already get.
Such protection, said the Advisory Council on the Impact of New Media on Society (Aims), will at one stroke solve two problems: unmeritorious lawsuits against content hosts who are not responsible for the defamation to begin with, and overzealous censorship by content hosts worried about such prosecution.
Can we also extend this to the 'real' world, so that printers will also not get sued?
by Andrew Loh, The Online Citizen
When the people of Jurong GRC, and the people of Bukit Batok in particular, feel they are not being adequately represented and wants a by-election, is it right for the government to dismiss their call?
by Heng-Cheong Leong, MyAppleMenu
As a software developer, I've learnt that whenever there is a bug, always assume it's my fault, and start debugging there. If one starts by assuming the fault lies in the operating system or the compiler, one will almost always lose a lot of time and effort chasing down the wrong path.
Similarly, in a debate, whenever you start by assuming that it is the other party that just "doesn't get it", then you're bascially starting to dig a hole to bury yourself. All your arguments, most likely, are simplying attacks on strawmen, and you are, most likely, totally missing out on the other points of views. In other words, your words will simply indicate that it is you, instead, that just doesn't get it.
We see this self-destructing behavior in a lot of pre-internet-crash internet companies, who blamed everyone but themselves of just "didn't get it."
Today, I see this self-destructing behavior in this article, accusing the Singapore government of just "doesn't get it." But read carefully, and you'll discover that it is the anonymous writer who simply didn't get it.
by Ang Yiying, Straits Times
Nature and animal welfare groups in Singapore have banded together againt to oppose the move by the integrated resort on Sentosa to bring in whale sharks for its oceanarium.
by Arul John, New Paper
The majority of parlimentarians voted one way, and heartlanders the other.
by Jessica Cheam, From The Ground Up
We need to first question and redefine this endless pursuit of economic growth.
by Hoe Yeen Nie, Channel NewsAsia
Fighting crime in today's world has taken on a new dimension because of the use of technology by criminals and terrorists, said Singapore's deputy prime minister, S Jayakumar.
by Renewables Report
2008 is the start of a long-term energy crisis. Singapore is completely unaware of it until it is sucked deep into it from next year.
by David Rothnie, Evening Standard
There's a Chinese proverb along the lines of 'a fall into a ditch makes you wiser'. Ho Ching, chief executive at Singapore's giant sovereign wealth fund Temasek will know it well. But has she acted on it?
by Jed Yoong, Asia Sentinel
by mrbrown
by Groundnotes
by Christopher Tan, Straits Times
Singapore's car population continues to rise, although higher fuel prices, parking charges and road tolls were expected to have put the brakes on growth.
by Rita Raagas De Ramos, FinanceAsia.com
The approval involves $3.4 billion already committed by Temasek in July. It does not involve any fresh capital infusion.
by Barry Porter, Today
Although she revealed no numbers, senior minister of state for finance Lim Hwee Hua said yesterday that Singapore's national reserves have been impacted by the recent volatile global markets.
by Li Xueying, Straits Times
If a government is incompetent and corrupt, senior minister Goh Chok Tong said, people are not likely to confine their demonstrations in the park. Instead - never mind what the laws are - they would march down to Parliament House to change the government.
by Jeremy Au Yong, Straits Times
Arguments and barbs fly in by-election debate; an attempted hijacking of motion and failure of equipment also add spice.
by Ng E-Jay, Sgpolitics.net
I think Mr Gan should pay careful attention to what Sylvia Lim was saying. She was referring to wages at the lower end of the pay scale, not to overall wages.
by Channel NewsAsia
Parliament has rejected a motion tabled by Nominated MP Thio Li-Ann for amendments to the Parliamentary Elections Act to allow by-elections to be called in a Group Representation Constituency (GRC) when a member vacates his or her seat for any reason.
Prime minister Lee Hisen Loong, who joined the debate in Parliament on themotion, stressed that there are no practical problems with a vacant seat in Jurong GRC and that the party, which the poeple had voted for, will still take care of residents - a benefit of the GRC system.
However, Jurong GRC citizens will have one less voice in Parliament. More seriously, one less vote in Parliament.
by Lynda Hong, Channel NewsAsia
Health minister Khaw Boon Wan on Wednesday said that one less abortion does not mean one more baby for Singapore.
by Valarie Tan, Channel NewsAsia
Giving employees additional days off on top of their annual leave to care for sick parents will increase business costs and discourage companies from setting up in Singapore, said senior parliamentary secretary for manpower Hawazi Daipi.
by Seen This Scene That
The most difficult to lay hands on at Yishun Park are the durians.
by Simply Jean
by Chia Ti Lik
by John Carney, Dealbreaker
Temasek probably has too much money to invest. It has far more assets than is necessary for hedging government portfolios against cyclical downturns. It would arguably do better to return a large portion of its wealth to the people of Singapore as a dividend, where indivduals at different stages in their lives could spend and invest the dividend to suit their needs.
by Grace Chng, Straits Times
Not only does Apple's 3G iPhone have 100 new features, the craze over it will also up mobile data usage.
by Koh Hwee Choo, Straits Times
Do not blame them or call them 'quitters' for not coming back to Singapore, as they were rejected by our local universities first.
See Also:
Local Universities, Not Students, Decide, by Lim Hui Chin, Straits Times. Not all of us decide against an education in NUS. It is NUS who decides against us.
by Xtralicious
The trust, relationship, partnership, faith, goodwill and morale in question have already been destroyed.
by Nicholas Lazzarus, Young PAP Blog
The opposition seems to have no part in this interaction between the people and their govenment. And there is no need too.
This is an extremely shortsighted view of the role of oppostion, the role of Parliament, and the role of the democratic process.
by Mr Wang Says So
In the psychological landscape of Singaporeans, parenthood has become the equivalent of "CCAs". It's the thing you might really, really love to do. But your kiasu instincts are telling you that you can't take the risk; you might not have the time; you might not have the money; and it's much safer to just concentrate on your final-year exams career.
by Ng E-Jay, Sgpolitics.net
The Law minister's rehashing of the subject could open a pandora's box in which the public is given free reign to speculate on cases already closed and openly challenge verdicts. THat would wreck havoc on the lives of those who are factually innocent but had to endure a trial to clear their name.
by Ng E-Jay, Sgpolitics.net
It is sad that amongst all the voices in Parliament, Dr Lily Neo's is only one of the very few who speakout vociferously on behalf of the poor and lower-income families who have been marginalized by the "growth at all costs" policies of the PAP government.
by Joel Tan, Daily Backtrack
It's just so bizzarre that with all the personal data we have to submit to various databases over the course of our lives, something as simple as proving your student status eludes the power of MINDEF and inter-ministry data sharing.
On the other hand, data privacy is also very important; we really should think carefully about maintaining our privacy before bitching about doing something as simple as asking a document from one body to submit to another.
by Alice Cheong In Wonderland
I really wonder why is there a need to make volunteering so difficult.
I blame this on PR. This 'test-ride', to me, more like a test, not a PR exercise. And any test will need to have selection criteria so that the test is complete. (For example, you'd want commuters on both trains and buses.)
by Heng-Cheong Leong, MyAppleMenu
When I first linked to this Straits Times article, the article said: "The LTA said there is little to prevent a card issuer from giving the [new ez-link] card free of charge."
Now, the article has been edited to, instead, say: "Observers said there is little to prevent a card issuer from giving the card free of charge - like credit cards."
by Julia Ng, Channel NewsAsia
The Lease Buyback Scheme to help low-income households monetise their flats for their retirement needs could be implemented as early as January next year.
by Feed Me To The Fish
by Jean Chua, Bloomberg
Temasek Holdings Pte, Singapore's $130 billion sovereign wealth fund, said full-year profit doubled as sales of energy and Chinese banking assets countered slowing returns from stock market investments. Net income rose to a record S$18.2 billion in the year ended March 31, up from S$9.1 billion a year earlier, Temasek said in its annual report released today. The company sold Tuas Power for S$4.24 billion in March.
by Christopher Tan, Straits Times
Besides train and bus fares, the new ez-link card can be used to pay for electronic road-pricing (ERP), carparks, cabs as well as a meal or merchandise.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) said there is little to prevent a card issuer from giving the [new] card free of charge.
by Lee Siew Hoon, Channel NewsAsia
From next year, all junior colleges and the Millennia Institute will start the school term for Year 1 students with a single intake in end January or early February. To facilitate the single-intake, the 'O' level results, which are currently released late January, will be released early January.
by Carpe Diem
Demonstrations are in essence anti-establishment activities. To then obediently follow the rules that are aimed at controlling scope and nature of such activities revolts against every notion of a demonstration.
by Department Of Statistics, Singapore Government
During the first half of 2008, the inflation rate for households in the lowest 20% income group was 7.4 per cent while the CPIs for the middle 60% and highest 20% income groups rose by 6.9 per cent each.
(Note: Link goes to a PDF document.)
by Jeanette Wang, Straits Times
Sports minister Vivian Balakrishnan yesterday promised a full review of the episode that has left the fate of two Singapore table tennis officials in the balance.
by Carl T. Delfeld, Seeking Alpha
The lesson is that it pays to play as a big boy with lots of cash and negotiating leverage.
by Neo Chai Chin, Today
Minister of state for community development, youth and sports YuFoo Yee Shoon said the ministry already keeps a close eye on Public Assistance (PA) rates. "We will monitor the cost of living, we will monitor every item... We should also bear in mind that we should not overdo it."
This from the person whose salary is automatically pegged to the richest people in Singapore.
by Lim Wei Chean, Straits Times
Neighbourliness has evaported at Laguna Park, the East Coast condominium now split by the prospects of a collective sale.
by Ananda Perera, Straits Times
After the broadcast I rushed back to meet Mr Lee in the make-up room. He asked if the broadcast went live without any technical hitches. I said it went flawlessly. He said good and I lived to tell the tale!
I am curious on what was originally scheduled for channels 5, and 8, and what was the 'competition' on channels 3 and 10..
by Bryan Lee, Straits Times
Inflation hit low-income families hardest in the first half of the year although richer households were barely better off in the face of a global onslaught of surging prices.
Barely better off? I don't think so. Forced to skip luncheon meat for lunch is a totally different deal between low income and higher income folks.
by Low Ching Ling, New Paper
Is it time to say goodbye to some other sacred cows?
by Hoe Yeen Nie, Channel NewsAsia
The opportunity came in March when Parliament decided to expand Vasantham Central into a standalone Tamil-language channel.
Hopefully, it will not have a big and ugly bug on the top right of the screen. (And I have no idea how to pronounce okto. Okay-Too?)
by Au Waipang, Yawning Bread
On all these fronts, the government was faced with an embarrassing gap between what the law said and what was do-able without losing moral force. And that was the whole point of civil disobedience: to create a gap that can only be closed by the government making an accommodation.
by John Ang, The Online Citizen
If we take this round of liberalisation as a victory and grow comfortable walking hand in hand with the government down the path of being liberal in spirit but not in our laws, we could end up losing more freedom than we've actually gained.
by Ng E-Jay, Sgpolitics.net
Let's see whether the authorities will be truly unbiased and transparent about the whole process of applications, approvals or rejections, and their conduct towards peaceful demonstrators at Speaker's Corner.
by Sgpolitics.net
by Asia Sentinel
In an extraordinary move, nearly two years after Singapore's ruling Lee family filed a defamation suit against the Far Eastern Economic Review, a high court judge let it be known to the Lees' lawyers that he was 'searching for a higher defamatory meaning" that would allow the charges to be broadened. Last week, the lawyers took hom up on it and amended their complaint to allow for greater penalties.
by Vivian Yeo, ZDNet Asia
SingTel will strengthen its foothold in Singapore's IT services market with a controlling stake in Singapore Computer Systems (SCS), but it remains to be seen if SCS can lend weight to the telco's regional expansion plans, according to analysts.
by News Clips
At some point, when due process has been exercised, there must be resolution, and there must be closure. And all that should matter is that factually, guilt was not proven and so he is not legally guilty. And that's a fact.
by Zakir Hussain, Straits Times
Some 150,000 Singaporeans abroad could potentially be eligible to vote in the next General Election, under changes to the law passed on Monday.
by Satish Cheney, Channel NewsAsia
Acting manpower minister Gan Kim Yong on Monday said that the decline in productivity in 2007 is partly due to the record employment growth of 234,900 jobs - and not due to an influx of foreign workers.
by Maila Ager, Inquirer.net
A congressional inquiry into the worsening cases of Filipino trafficking in Singapore has been sought by a lawmaker at the House of Representatives.
by mrbrown
Maybe the headline too long for the revamped ST font, so must change.
by Alice Cheong In Wonderland
We have cultivated new generations of apathy locals, whom many are often self-centred, while lamenting the lost of their "birthright" to better things and environment without lifting a finger to work for them.
by Channel NewsAsia
Plans have been laid out to make it easier for young entrepreneurs to go into business.
by Straits Times
Acting law minister K. Shanmugam in Parliament on Monday said: 'It is entirely possible for a person to have committed acts which amount to a crime and yet, there may be no conviction. No serious lawyer will question this possibility."
This is a dangerous statement from the government, and, no matter how K. Shanmugnam defends it, definitely undermines the principle of "innocent until proven guilty."
Look, it's "innocent" until proven "guilty". If the procesecution cannot prove "guilt", then it must be "innocent". It's a binary concept: Either one is innocent or one is guilty: there can be no in-between.
I definitely do not want the government to start drafting laws for people who are not "legally guilty" but "guilty in fact". We do not want the government to start, for example, lock up people who have not been proven guilty in the courts.
(I am not denying the fact that people do get away under the legal system, escaping the consequences of committing crimes. But it is not up to the government to claim "guilt in fact". As far as the government is concerned, if it cannot prove the guilt in a person, then the person must be innocent in the government's eye.)
by Imelda Saad, Channel NewsAsia
Singapore citizens may organise or participate in demonstrations at the Speakers' Corner without having to obtain a police permit from September 1. The demonstrations may relate to anything except matters concerning race and religion.
by Jan Dahinten, Reuters
Singapore Telecommunications said it has bought a 60 percent stake in Singapore Computer Systems for S$140 million as it seeks to boost its IT business.
by Channel NewsAsia
Singapore's inflation rate in the first half of 2008 increased 7.1 per cent compared with the same period a year ago. Food, housing and transport and communications were the three main groups contributing to the surge in inflation for income groups across the board.
by Marc Lim and Shing Huei, Straits Times
Team Singapore officials in Beijing told The Straits Times that while Ms Lee Bee Wah may have the interests of the players at heart, they questioned the timing of her revelation that team manager Antony Lee's services were no longer required by the Singapore Table Tennis Association (STTA).
See Also:
Ms Lee Bee Wah: A New Broom Sweeps Indiscriminately, by The Online Citizen. The lesson for our political leaders is this: due process in ascertaining guilt or exoneration matters more than well-publicized fist thumping.
Something Is Seriously Wrong Indeed, by Yaw Shin Leong. It is most disturbing for fellow Singaporeans to hear the STTA president does not want to disentangled in 'this whole issue', when 'this whole issue' was started by the very same person in the first place. Her action speaks volume about her leadership precepts.
Singapore Table Tennis Break Up - Management Vs Team, by Saga's Den. If a MP can turn around her words, I will not have confidence in her at all.
by Amelia Tan, Straits Times
Three brothers, born to a Norwegian father and Singaporean mother, want to give up their Singapore citizenship. But the Ministry of Defence has said no. Not until they do their national service.
by Nazry Bahrawi, Today
More early intervention schemes needed?
by Au Waipang, Yawning Bread
In every one of these issues, the stumbling block is not concern for the wellbeing of the child, but luddite moralism, plain and simple.
by Associated Press
The biennial Singapore Theatre Festival, which wraps up Sunday, showcased how artists here are taking advantage of relaxed government censorship to explore once taboo subjects — even, to some degree, the highly charged issues of race, religion and politics.
by Goh Chin Lian, Straits Times
Rules on what can and cannot be said and done at Speakers' Corner in Hong Lim Park will be made public tomorrow. Besides those typically imposed at parks in Singapore, the list will also include rules to ensure the country's multiracial and multi-religious society is not put at risk. This was disclosed by national development minister Mah Bow.
by Singapore Life And Times
Frankly, if you want to do something that will make a difference, it is no point taking 'baby steps' by just upping by a month more.
by Robert Such, Architectural Record
by Tan Pin Pin, Notes From Serangoon Road
The re-look into the Film Act wouldn't have happened if the filmmakers hadn't persisted. My hats off to Martyn for being so steady throughout the whole police interrogation process. There is definitely a place for civil disobedience in Singapore.
by Seah Chiang Nee, The Star
The surprise is even greater when measured against the strong criticism levelled only five days earlier by Lee Kuan Yew at the younger generation's enchantment with "multi-party democracy".
Now his 56-year-old son has announced moves that could — if properly implemented — lead to more active multi-party politics or even loosen the ruling People's Action Party's hold on power.
by K. C. Vijayan, Straits Times
The recent decision to shelve construction of two new clusters at Changi Prison Complex raises a question: Was the decision to tear down the historic Changi Prison a mistake?
by Jeremy Au Yong, Straits Times
PM Lee has indicated that the latest trio of changes will not mark the end of the political liberalisation proces, pledging to 'progressively open up our system even more'. But those in charge of Singapore will 'continue to feel our way forward', not copy others blindly, he added.
The pace at which such change will come remains to be seen, even as conservatives and those who hanker for greater freedom continue to pull in different directions.
by Peter H L Lim, Today
Back in 1971, it was only after Mr Lee Kuan Yew had finished talking that we were able to receive urgent messages from our respective newsrooms that the entire speech had been telecast live.
by Esther Ng, Today
In response to queries, the Ministry of Homse Affairs said that the police and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority have "no objection to members of the Myanmarese community in Singapore pursuing their political activities so longa s they abide by our laws."
However, it said that, unlike other groups which have conducted their activities in a lawful manner, the "OBP has chosen to do so in open and persistent defiance of our laws."
In other words, before we welcome you as Foreign Talent, you must agree with PAP's policy of restricting freedom of expression and freedom of assembly. Otherwise, I let you in, and you vote for Chee Soon Juan, how can?
by Mohd Yazid Sallim, Today
Perhaps the government through the Housing and Development Board could provide rented studio apartments in a purpose-built singles commune.
I don't think this is a good solution, but this does highlight that every single piece of additional policy implemented by the government will have many unintented consequences.
by Au Waipang, Yawning Bread
By putting their lives at risk, the Singaore government is as callous as the junta when they blocked foreign aid to Cyclone Nargis victims. By penalising anyone who has spoken out against generals, the Singapore government is aiding and abetting those generals in their continuing crime against humanity.
by Daryl Loo, Reuters
Singapore's prime minister Lee Hsien Loong has raised the stakes in a libel suit against the Far Eastern Economic Review, now saying an article in the magazine implied he was corrupt, court documents show. The amendment this week by lawyers representing Lee adds a more serious charge to an earlier claim that FEER implied the prime minister was unfit for office because he had condoned corruption by his father, former premier Lee Kuan Yew.
by AFP
by The Sometimes Damsel In Distress
Some photos of the madness...
by Richard Seah
Why is The Straits Times waging a vociferous campaign against alternative therapies for autism - and singling out biomedical treatment?
by Derrick A Paulo, Today
The only blogger in Singapore's cabinet gives the thumbs up for media diversity from the new media, even if it means there could be more 'false truths' out there.
It simply makes it more important for the government to react quickly to rumours, which "can happen anywhere" and in any medium, foreign minister George Yeo told Channel NewsAsia in an interview.
by Straits Times
Online political discourse will benefit from a significant if measured relaxation of rules governing such content.
by Kimberly Spykerman, Straits Times
The rediscovery of 'extinct' wildlife serves to motivate nature enthusiasts.
by Judith Tan, Straits Times
A check with six private kindergartens and nurseries reveals that hundreds of one- and two-year-olds have already been 'booked' for the headstart in education.
by Lee Siew Hua, Straits Times
The government has brought forward the start date for the new parenthood perks, in response to parents-to-be who appealed for the change.
by Singapore Democratic Party
Even distributing flyers are now not allowed.
by Chua Hian Hou, Straits Times
I think there might be more burly security men than customers.
by Deirdre Hipwell, Property Week
by New York Times
Temasek, the investment fund run by the Singapore government, is nursing a big loss so far on its investment in Merrill Lynch. But the fund, already Merrill's largest shareholder, might consider buying even more, Temasek's chairman said Thursday.
by Chua HIan Hou, Straits Times
Mr Pan, who works for an American technology firm had taken half-day leave, arriving at SingTel's Comcentre building at about 12.30pm in hopes of being the first in the queue.
See Also: Not Quite A Gold Medal, by The Panegyrist. Follow me via Twitter if that's your thing. I bring you a covert photo from the iPhone queue at SingTel ComCentre.
by Mr Wang Says So
We might summarise as follows - the hallmarks of a Singaporean are suffering and struggle.
By Mark's definition, males are more Singaporean than females. And those who failed Chinese are more Singaporean than those who aced it.
by Kevin Lim and Saeed Azhar, Reuters
Singapore sovereign fund Temasek's assets were worth S$185 billion (US$131 billion) at the end of March, Temasek's chairman S Dhanabalan said on Thursday, up 13 percent from a year earlier.
He said Singapore and Asia account for nearly 75 percent of Temasek's investments, down from 78 percent reported a year earlier.
by Gerald Giam, Straits Times
It remains to be seen whether the government will continue to meet citizens on its own terms using portals such as Reach (the government feedback unit), or venture into engaging citizens on their turf by responding to articles on blogs. Should they choose the latter, it will signal a higher level of political openness and engagement that many Singaporeans, both young and old, have long been hoping for.
by Christopher Tan, Straits Times
Higher pump prices, Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) rates and parking charges have persuaded motorists to ease off on the throttle, going by how much fuel is being guzzled.
by Elena Chong, Straits Times
by Rosie Milne, Telegraph
The Banker, the Little Darlings and I have just had breakfast with a pregnant organutan - and that's not something you can say everyday, is it.
by Sumner Lemon, IDG News Service
Singaproe Telecommunications (SingTel) will start sales of Apple's iPhone 3G handset at midnight local time Thursday, but users who buy the phones won't get support for visual voicemail or access to videos and music sold on the iTunes Store.
by Aaron Ng, Hear Ye! Hear Ye!
The bottom line is that while there are no financial disincentives, there are other personal reasons not to have kids.
by Muhammad Farouq Osman, Straits Times
This is a manifestation of greater elitism being built into the education system, where the same elite minority continue to receive value-added education throughout their schooling years at the expense of vast amounts of public funds.
There is no doubt that a high colleration exist between household income and academic results. That is only natural. But to burden the scholarship system to also target closing of income gap and increasing social mobility will ultimately fail the scholarship system.
by Ng E-Jay, Sgpolitics.net
The government's singular focus on economic progress without adequate attention paid to nurturing a more open society, and a society that pays attention to the intangibles in life such as culture, values, and a community spirit, is also to blame for the current state of affairs.
by Siew Kum Hong
There is no paradigm shift. So even though we inch a little further up, we still fall very far short of what I believe the ideal position to be.
by Glass Castle Blog
The neighbours who complained should be given a special prize for blinkered selfishness, in valuing the "ambience" of their neighbourhood over the provision of a safe housing space for victims of rape and employer abuse.
by May Wong, Channel NewsAsia
Recommendations on how new media should be managed would be posted online for public feedback. According to the Advisory Council on the Impact of New Media on Society, this will be done later this month on its new website. The council was appointed in March last year.
by Nicholas Fang, Channel NewsAsia
Singaporeans became less positive about spending because of soaring inflation and rising prices of basic necessities.
by Hasnita A Majid, Channel NewsAsia
From next month, the government will co-fund half of the treatment cycle in public hospitals, for up to three cycles.
by Megawati Wijaya, Asia Times
The government of this island state, seeking to keep the economy globally competitive, is driving a shift in the country's population make-up. This carries with it the political risk that locals will object to the influx of white-collar foreign workers who in droves are taking up the island state's highest-paying corporate jobs.
by Chan Eu Imm, Channel NewsAsia
A survey by the the manpower ministry has found that more employers have embraced pro-family policies. But some employers have concerns about how the enhanced package will impact their operations.
by Theresa Tan, Straits Times
Two-third of Singaporeans surveyed have considered moving to another country to retire. A slower pace of life and the lower cost of living are key reasons why they have thought of moving.
And you won't easily get kicked out of your apartment by the government or your neighbours.
by Astron's Notebook
If free speech must be sacrificed for the sake of national unity, then hurrah for patriotism, Singapore-style.
by Random Thoughts Of A Free Thinker
I cannot help but feel doubtful that political films critical of the local political establishment would be easily allowed.
by Chua Hian Hou, Straits Times
The Apple iPhone 3G, which goes on sale this Friday, will be given out free to those willing to commit to a two-year, $205-a-month SingTel contract.
by Zuradiah Ibrahim, Straits Times
You can't vote for an avatar, said Mr Lee Hsien Loong at the National Day rally on Sunday. "He has to be here in real life and you have to feel the person and then you will know. So that's how poltiics has to be done."
Well, he did eventually showed up, but where was our prime minister when an alleged terrorist escaped from our prison?
by Lee Sui Yi, Straits Times
I urge the government to consider a two-pronged approach to boost birth-rates. It is already bending over backwards for the working mums and should consider stay-home mothers too.
by Edmund Ng Say Eng, Reform Party, Today
Small and medium enterprises will probably be hit hard as they would need to cater for a replacement for another month.
by May Wong, Channel NewsAsia
Many are anxious to see how rules on new media such as podcasting will be relaxed. They said it defeats the purpose if the committee studying this comes up with another level of restrictions.
by Benjamin Cheah, The Lionheart
by K. C. Vijayan, Straits Times
Settlement has been reached on the amount of compensation for an ex-inmate who got three more strokes of the cane than he was supposed to. A brief statement issued by the Tan family's lawyer oseph Chens aid both parties were bound not to divulge details of the settlement and sum agreed on.
Should the government be able to make secret deals like this?
by Andrew Loh, The Online Citizen
While we may be skeptical of or criticise the government's foray onto the internet, the more important question I feel is directed at the opposition parties; what are they going to do now to engage the new generation of potential voters who haunts cyberspace?
by Singapore Democratic Party
Singaporeans must always remember that our right to protest peacefully is not for the government to give but for the citizens to exercise, and not just at a pathetic little corner on the island but also on the busiest thoroughfares of the country.
Now is not the time to celebrate or gloat. Now is the time to press ahead with our demands for our fundamental freedoms of speech and peaceful assembly to be fully returned to the people. TOkenism and meaningless concessions get the PAP nowhere.
by Peter Ritter, Time
Like every nation in the world apart from Iran, Singapore law forbids the buying or selling of human body parts. But with an acute shortage of donated kidneys and hundreds of ill people stuck on waiting lists, that could change.
by Au Waipang, Yawning Bread
The right solution isn't allowing the "letting off steam" at the playpen that is Hong Lim Green. It should be a more liberal granting of permits for outdoor festivals, demonstrations and marches anywhere in the city subject to genuine considerations of obstruction and chaos. THe default should be to permit unless there are clear reasons why not.
by Deadpris
The sin is not on them, but on us. We elected our government and gave them the authority to make these choices. Don't push the blame on these people that are here for the exact same reason why you and I are here.
by Jane Ng, Straits Times
To help ease the shortage of places in interntional schools due to the booming expatriate population here, the government has set aside seven state buildings and land parcels for use as foreign schools.
by Lioness In Japan
Because we are just ordinary people in life.
by Martyn See, No "Partisan Stuff" Political Films Please, We're Singaporeans
Since the debate over the Films Act began with my film Singapore Rebel, I will seek to end it by re-submitting Rebel and Zahari's 17 Years, both offiically banned, to the censors for re-appraisal. If it is not sheer stupidity to continue enforcing bans on these films when they are viewable at a click of a mouse, I don't know what is.
by Mr Wang Says So
I think that our education system still heavily emphasises regurgitation over real undertanding.
Real understanding does not mean no memorization.
by The One Dimensional Island
by Lin Junjie, Journalism.sg
Strangely the one challenge that remains for the PAP government—that it would not be able to refute misinformation as easily as it could with the print media—which it has consistently highlighted in its arguments against allowing political films, received no attention in the prime minister's address.
Could the PAP have found a solution to it when the prime minister said political films will adopt censorship and classification standards by a panel, just as how they have been dealing with non-political ones? Would this then mean that the government will remain the arbiter of political films?
by Groundnotes
Commercial? Partisan stuff? Slanted impression? That's pretty damn big and potentially covers anything and everything!
by Word Of The Cze
by Blowin' In The Wind
One suspects Lee Hsien Loong will do even better if he allows critics to speak up and engages in debates with others.
by Bernama
Learning from the recent political experiences of many countires including Malaysia, Singapore has decidd to remove some of the shackles that have restricted freedom of expression of its citizens.
by Ani Dinasan, Nets, Straits Times
In line with the prevailing market practices, the arrangements that Nets has with its merchants could vary in some instances according to the buisness environments in which the merchants operate, hence making comparisons less meaningful.
In other words, "we can do what we want, because you have no bargaining power."
by Mark Wong, Straits Times
It is time to put forth the argument that being a Singapore citizen is not the same as being Singaporean.
This, to me, is a very dangerous argument to make. There are some Singaporeans who is more Singaporean than other Singaporeans? How Animal Farm this is.
by Yeo Ghim Lay, Straits Times
Car owners are not losing out despite paying higher Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) charges, said prime minister Lee Hsien Loong, who backed this up with figures. On balance, motorists in fact gain because a recent cut in vehicle road taxes outweighs the extra that they have to fork out in higher ERP charges.
by Au Waipang, Yawning Bread
As an opponent of capital punishment, I should be pleased if it's true that the government is stepping back from its longstanding policy in favour of it, but hte way it is going about it leaves me more concerned than ever.
Are we doing the right thing in the worst possible way?
Is the PAP government afraid of 'losing face' if they do an U-turn on the death penalty issue, or are they more afraid of losing votes?
by Choo Zheng Xi, The Online Citizen
Instead of being lulled into complacency by the siren song of multimedia slideshow and Mr Lee's jovial smile, it is all the more imperative that we seize the advantage to broaden the platform for civil and political rights, continue to bring into focus strong and principled arguments for freer information, and highlight the relevance of these issues to improving the lives of ordinary Singaporeans.
by Ian Tan, Empty Vesel
"Oh yes, don't forget to turn up for reservist where you won't see your wife and newborn for the next month or so."
Reservist duties is going to be a sore point in many of the nation's debates, from immigrants to, well, babies. The National Service issue is ripe for exploitation by oppositions. It's just a matter of time.
by Neil Chatterjee, Reuters
Singapore, which currently bans political films and demonstrations, may ease curbs on both to keep up with the spread of video and other free expression on the intenret, its prime minister said in remarks released on Monday. "We've got to allow political videos but with some safeguards," said prime minister Lee Hsien Loong in a televised address recorded on Sunday. "I think some things should still be off limits... there will be grey areas."
by AFP
Singapore's main exports tumbled for the third straight month in July, hurt by weak demand for electronic goods in key markets including the United States, the government said Monday.
by Straits Times
Another $700 million will be spent on new ways to encourage Singaporeans to marry and to have babies. In all, the government will spend $1.6 billion a year, announced prime minister Lee Hsien Loong.
by AFP
Malaysia said on Monday it has issued an official warning to Singapore over its territorial claims surrounding a disputed rocky outcrop, in the latest quarrel between the neighbours.
"Singapore's claims of up to 12 nautical miles of their maritime borders and an EEZ for Batu Puteh is unacceptable and unreasonable and contradicts the principles of international law," foreign minister Rais Yatim said.
by Goh Chin Lian, Straits Times
The higher-than-expected inflation and uncertain economic outlook have made it necessary for the government to give $256 million more in aid, said prime minister Lee Hsien Loong who announced the higher payouts at the National Day rally at the University Cultural Centre on Sunday.
by Lian Cheong, Channel NewsAsia
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) will review the rates for the five Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) gantries around the Singapore River in October - a month ahead of its usual quarterly review. The ove came in response to recent feedback that busineses in nearby Chinatown have seen a slump in sales since the ERP charges were introduced in July.
by Channel NewsAsia
My gut feeling is that we will be seeing higher peak-hour fares soon.
by Asia Sentinel
The bull market tide goes out, leaving the lion city's sovereign wealth firm gasping on the shore.
by Alicia Wong, Today
by Tan Wei Zhen, Straits Times
by Today
Chinatown Complex needs to be more disabled-friendly.
by Andrew Loh, The Online Citizen
Why the discrepancy? What happened to the 15,000 jobs? Was the projection wrong?
by Channel NewsAsia
Inflation, foreign workers and parenthood issues featured prominently in prime minister Lee Hsien Loong's National Day rally speech to the Chinese community on Sunday.
by Esther Teo, Straits Times
Ang Mo Kio GRC MP Inderjit Singh said: "Net has enjoyed a near-monopoly and it will be good for the government to actively look for new players so that competition will bring costs down for businesses and consumers."
by Hong Xinyi, Straits Times
A proposed paint job for Tiong Bahru estate's iconic art deco flats has upset some residents, some of whom feel the area will look too loud or cartoonish.
by Mollymeek
Let's not harp on the point that minister is merely saying something a few million others could have said. What "more" does he think that the education system can do?
by Ho Peng Kee, People's Action Party, Straits Times
On important political issues we cannot just agree to disagree, and treat all views as being equally valid. We have to debate the issues thoroughly, to reach a conesnsus and make the right choice for the country.
by Paul Jacob, Straits Times
Shouldn't the onus really be on the opposition to raise the level of their game - and compete on the basis of ideas and a vision for the country rather than acquiesce to a scheme like the NCMP which gets them into Parliament as also-rans?
One way to think about this: ask yourself, how does the PAP benefit from NCMP and NMP schemes?
by Seah Chiang Nee, The Star
Lee's forceful character and his historic role in Singapore has marked him as the real power, whatever the title he chooses to call himself.
Lee's hold on power — especially the nation's finance, military and the mainstream media — is almost unbreakable and his authoritarian leadership, a little softened through the years, is still evident.
by Imelda Saad, Channel NewsAsia
The English language telecast of the prime minister's National Day rally, scheduled for Sunday night, will be postponed to Monday, a statement fromt he prime minister's office said.
This is so that Singaporeans can watch the women's table-tennis team take on China in the finals at the Beijing Olympics.
by Yeo Ghim Lay, Straits Times
Efforts to get drivers to ditch their cars for public transport appear to be working.
More work, of course, still awaits us to make Singapore greener and commuter-friendly.
by The Times
by Chris Guillebeau, The Art Of Nonconformity
This is the story in which I am provided a geographical tour of Singaporean prostitutes, reflect on the biggest travel month of my life, and sleep in Changi airport prior to heading back to Hong Kong on the ultimate no-frills airline.
by Mr Wang Says So
Do "they" really hate us? Is anyone really out to "do us in"? Is there really a "conspiracy" going on?
by Lee Song Kwang, The Online Citizen
by Mr Wang Says So
It really doesn't take a genius to come up with a plan like "hire more teachers" and "hire better people". My grandmother could have thought of that.
by Chan Eu Imm, Channel NewsAsia
All foreigners entering Malaysia must fill in immigration embarkation cards starting Friday. This includes Singaporeans who're entering Malaysia via the Causeway and Second Link.
by Zakir Hussain, Straits Times
If those who have gained from this system turn up their noses at those who lag behind, meritocracy as we know it today will not be the only victim. Disdain for the poor is the hidden danger that lurks in meritocracy.
by Clarissa Oon, Straits Times
Singaporeans tend to see only the flaws in our system, says Kishore Mahbubani. NUS is now a 'world-class university'.
by Karamjit Kaur, Straits Times
Get ready to dig into airline food on the road. Express bus travellers will taste the benefits of competition as Singapore-Kuala Lumpur coach operators prepare for battle with budget airlines.
by Ansley Ng, Today
Law professor Thio Li-anna nd Raffles Medical Group CEO Loo Choon Yong want a writ for by-election to be issued if a minority MP in a Group Representation Constituency (GRC) vacates his or her seat, or if half or more of the GRC members do so.
by Mayo Martin, Today
While some of Singapore's film-makers are enjoying a regular run in the big cinemas this month, others are moving on to Plan B. That means (a) releasing DVDs and (b) screening at an indie theatre.
by Leong Sze Hian, The Online Citizen
Are we not, in a way, telling the whole world that we support the military junta?
Are we the only country to penalise Burmese protestors in such a manner?
by Gerald Giam, Singapore Patriot
Amidst all the fear-mongering about the opposition bogeyman, there was a silver of hope in what he said.
by Ng E-Jay, Sgpolitics.net
by Amelia Tan, Straits Times
In a speech at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy on Thursday, education minister Ng Eng Hen spelt out new challenges for the system. Top of the list, he said, is raising the number of teachers, and getting more with higher qualifications, to develop students.
by Christopher Tan, Straits Times
More signs alerting drivers to cyclists on the road will be put up from next Monday. Avid cyclist and Safe Cyclists Task Force member Leo Tan said the signs 'stand as symbolic recognition by the state that motorists must share the roads with cyclists.'
by Malcolm Cook, The Interpreter
The more often I heard these culturalist argument the less convincing they sounded and the more I thought they told me more about the observer than the observed.
by Sam Roggeveen, The Interpreter
'Disneyland with the death penalty' does get across some of the sheer creepiness of Singapore — its sense of officially enforced good cheer masking a slightly sinister authoritarianism.
by Empty_vessels
What Singaproeans should start scrutinising is the one thing that they do have a problem with and ask ourselves if we do too.
by Heng-Cheong Leong, MyAppleMenu
It will be interesting for the coming months to watch how SPH — through Straits Times and Business Times, for example — report on the issue of unlimited bandwidth and metered internet by our local ISPs. Why? Because SPH now has a stake in the issue: it will want unlimited bandwidth so that you and me will go onto the internet and watch Razor.tv instead of Channel NewsAsia.
by Lesley Wroughton, Reuters
Containing mounting inflation pressures should be a priority for Singapore's authorities as economic activity is slowed by a global downturn, the International Monetary Fund said on Wednesday.
by Today
When it comes to money woes, the hardest hit are those living in four-room HDB flats. Senior minister of state for trade and industry, Mr S Iswaran, noted that the Housing Development Board now conducts credit assessments, "something we should have done from the start."
It was the government's decision to stop building 3-room flats earlier on. Is it any wonder that many people, who are 'forced' to go for a 4-room flat may have money trouble?
by Imelda Saad, Channel NewsAsia
"We have an economy which is diversified. We have a workforce that we have upgraded year by year, better educated, better able to earn more because we are connected with the world and our incomes can rise because of our higher skills and higher technology."
by Ng E-Jay, Sgpolitics.net
In my view, the PAP does not treat citizens as shareholders or partners, but as mere employees in a corporation whose sole purpose is to beef up the company's profit statement and balance sheet.
by Tan Wei Zhen, Straits Times
The reaction of many retailers at Sim Lim Square to the increasing number of complaints being made against them is a shrug, followed by a resigned "what to do?"
by kelvintan73
"You weep for liberal democracy and you curse pragmatism; you have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know: that authoritarian democracy, while tragic, probably saved jobs and that my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves jobs."
by Serene Goh, Straits Times
The vision of the southern islands as an eco-paradise hangs in the balance with the departure of their champion, Mrs Pamelia Lee.
by Loh Chee Kong, Today
From missing factory rooftops to the perennial Causeway crawl, businessmen from both sides voiced their concerns over doing business across the Causeway.
by Today
We have provided you with our cheat... erm, cheap sheet on free movies to help ease the rising cost of living, eye-bulging oil pries and that shrinking discretionary household income.
by Miral Fahmy, Reuters
Singapore Airlines was voted the best in the world for second cnsecutive year by an annual survey of passengers which was dominated by Asian and Gulf Arab carriers, including Australia's Qantas.
by The Agonist
When you free half your soceity and free your entire society to worship or not worship as they see fit, you create the necessary conditions for prosperity.
by Judith Tan, Straits Times
During the past 35 years, wider bans and gory anti-smoking campaigns have managed to whittle away the number of smokers. But recent evidence suggests the drive may have lost its momentum.
Let's turn up the knob: smoking ban in all places in Singapore, except in private homes and destinated public spots.
by Jennifer Tan, Reuters
Singapore Telecommunications, Southeast Asia's largest telecoms firm, will launch Apple Inc's third-generation iPhone in Singapore on Aug 22, the company said on Tuesday.
by Mohd Haikal Isa, Bernama
Singapore is believed to have been expanding the compound of a lighhouse operated by its Maritime and Port Authority on Pulau Pisang since early 1980s.
by Siew Kum Hong, Today
Is this policy outdated, in a globalised world with a growing Singaporean diaspora?
by Mollymeek
by Feed Me To The Fish
We pay our conservancy charges, taxes and GST and they use it to glorify and advertise PAP MPs?
Have they no shame?
by Jeremy Au Yong, Straits Times
Opposition politician Chee Siok Chin has taken to court her tussle with the Official Assignee's office over permission to leave the country.
by A Xeno Boy In Sg
Waltzing on a glass floor, looking down on the rest of the country, the rest of the world.
by S Ramesh, Channel NewsAsia
Expect a slowdown in job creation and hiring in the second half of this year, said manpower planners and employers in view of mixed economic signals and a general global slowdown.
by Nicholas Lazzarus, Young PAP Blog
I feel a little pity for our local athletes who would definitely feel that they were not supported entirely by their nation.
But, fundamentally, why chase golds and metals and records?
by Sgpolitics.net
Singapore succeeded economically not because it lacks basic rights, but in spite of the fact that it lacks basic rights. There is a crucial distinction here.
by Saeed Azhar and Charmian Kok, Reuters
Singapore's economy contracted at a annualised rate of 6 percent in the second quarter after seasonal adjustments, and the government now expects key exports to shrink this year as a global downturn bites.
The government said on Monday it expects full year growth at the lower end of a 4-5 percent forecast, as it sees the city-state's non-oil domestic exports shrinking 2-4 percent this year without any pickup in major economies anytime soon.
by Goh Eng Yeow, Straits Times
To many investors, the DBS chief executive's admission marked a refreshing change from the traditional stiff upper-lipped boss whose default setting is to maintain a stony silence over any mistakes - past or present.
by Jessica Lim, Straits Times
Singaporean tourists are heading to the United States in the largest numbers since the Sept 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
by Teh Joo Lin, Straits Times
There seems to be little dispute that prisoners in Singapore have it tougher than their western counterparts.
by Heng-Cheong Leong, MyAppleMenu
Racial discrimination? Racists? Such big words. Let's call it positive discrimination, or preference instead.
Some people don't even know they are racist...
by Daryl Loo, Reuters
Singapore Airlines the world's biggest airline by market value, said on Sunday its offer to buy a stake in China Eastern expired on Aug 9 and that it will now seek other ways to build ties with the mainland carrier.
by Hoe Yeen Nie and Lian Cheong, Channel NewsAsia
In a recent survey by the Chinatown Business Association, some shopping centres reported their sales fell by up to 50 per cent. Ho Nai Chuen, vice-chairman of the association, siad: "If you talk about the long run to smoothen the traffic conditions, it's good for Singapore. On the other hand, for small and medium-sized businesses, short-term sustainabilty is even more important than the long-term. If they cannot sustain in the short-term, I think there's no future for them."
by Mohd Haikal Isa, Bernama
Member of Parliament for Pontian Ahmad Maslan has called on the government to investigate the construction of a store and jetty by Singapore's Maritime and Port Authority (MPA). Ahmad also uged the government a claim that Singapore had trespassed fruit orchards belonging to local residents to build a new fence around the lighthouse.
by Cherian George, Straits Times
Singaporeans have been accustomed to asking ourselves whether we can afford to tolerate political differences. Our experience in dealing with other types of differences - ethnic and class - should give us hope that we can try. Our complex and unclear future tells us we cannot afford not to.
by Beautiful Monster
Should Singapore pursue liberal democracy, she will survive the polarization of interests and might even become stronger (towards a linear teleological end), but perhaps, just perhaps, it might be better the way it is today.
by Reuters
At least three Myanmar activists were forced to leave Singapore after authorities decided not to renew their visas in an apparent attempt to stop the group's pro-democracy work, another Myanmar activist said.
by Joyce Owens, The News-Press
How fortunate we are to have the architecture of this region influenced by one of the greatest modern designers of the second half of the last century.
by AFP
Officials in Singapore have changed the direction of the world's biggest observation wheel because feng shui masters said it was taking good fortune away from the city, a report said on Saturday.
by The Star
Singapore has no right to expand the area around the lighthouse on Pulau Pisang as an agreement signed more than 100 years ago had clearly stated how much space was allocated for the building.
"Actionc an be taken against Singapore if allegations that the republic is expanding the demarcation area around the lighthouse were true," Johor mentri besar Datuk Abdul Ghani told reporters.
by Kengho Yap, News Release By UncleYap
by Goh Meng Seng, Singapore Alternatives
The erosion of our national identity is now hastened by PAP government's lack of empathy towards our citizens.
by Au Waipang, Yawning Bread
After all the thought that went into the redesign of the print version, the management seemed to have let the internet boys do whaever they wanted. The result is something like what your home will look like after you have permitted your teenage sons to host a party.
Straits Times' online revamp is now in a horrible mess. Navigational and content architectural nightmare. Rather evolve from its previous version, the online team seemed to have re-done everything from scratch — without any evidence of usability and technical testing at all.
by Seah Chiang Nee, The Star
Few Singaporeans take pride at the republic being ranked Asia's fifth-most expensive city. And don't even talk about The Singapore Dream to the deprived, for they are finding it tougher to cope with the higher costs of living.
by Shamim Adam, Bloomberg
Singapore cut its 2008 growth forecast for a second time this year, joining its Asian neighbors in signaling a deeper slowdown.
The island's economy will expand between 4 percent and 5 percent, from an earlier estimate of 4 percent to 6 percent, prime minister Lee Hsien Loong said yesterday. Growth was 7.7 percent in 2007.
by Theawesome Classblog Of The Year 4132008
Thanks for totally destroying National Day for me.
by V.P. Sujata, The Star
"We must be proactive in terms of its development and draw up a masterplan for the sake of our future generation," said foreign minister Datuk Dr Rais Yatim, adding that as Pulau Pisang fell under the jurisdiction of Johor, ideally the state government should plan its development.
by ieatishootipost
There is Laksa and then there is "Katong" Laksa.
by Jan Sundstrom, Straits Times
Nine in 10 Singaporeans merely lease their homes. (HDB flats are typically 99-year leaseholds). Freehold ownership is higher in Sweden: Forty per cent live in landed property, 20 per cent in freehold condos and 40 per cent in rental flats. Swedish rental flats are akin to HDB flats. The main differences are that there is no downpayment, and the rental contract does not expire.
The United Nations' Human Development Index, based on 350 indicators, tracks 'a long and healthy life, knowledge and a decent standard of living'. Sweden ranks sixth worldwide, while Singapore trails at 25th.
by Gabriel Chen, Straits Times
DBS Bank's new boss was certainly not mincing words when he spoke about the way the bank has run POSB: "We've disappointed Singaporeans and we plan to turn it around."
by Adrian Tan, Today
I am not ridiculing our pragmatic asipirations. Rather, I want us to celebrate the fact we have ethical, unqunatifiable principles and that we are prepared to suffer the economic consequences of these principles. This is nothing to be ashamed about.
One man's principle is another man's prison. If my principle is that green is ugly, will you stop wearing that ugly green dress tomorrow?
by Today
"The situation now is different from what it was three months ago. The American economy is in a much mor eperilous state now and the risks facing the financial system, which is a global system and not just an American system, are still very substantial."
by Ng E-Jay, Sgpolitics.net
"How have I refused to verify the information requested?"
by Feed Me To The Fish
Dear PAP MPs, for the prevention of nausea and for the sake of sanity, please get your faces off!
Who's money do you use to glorify yourself?
by Veena Bharwani, New Paper
The education system here was cited as a major reason for Singapore being unconducive for raising kids. Another reason was the difficulty in striking work-life balance.
by Bernama
The Malaysia-Singapore Technical Committee has begun cooperating to resolve issues arising out of the International Court of Justice (ICJ)'s decisions made on the two countries' overlapping territorial claims recently, including over South Ledge.
by Joanne Leow, Channel NewsAsia
It's hard to find a country [like Singapore] that accepts biracial or multiracial kids with no questions asked, with hardly a second look.
by Bertha Henson, Straits Times
Deputy prime minister and home affairs minister Wong Kan Seng acknowledged the anxieties officers now face: that rules and regulations will be tightened even further, leving little room for judgment calls. Another worry: That penalties for mistakes will be so harsh that officers focus on avoiding errors, rather than do the job of arresting and detecting.
by Gerald Giam, The Online Citizen
PAP and its town councils immediately stop the use of public funds to promote their partisan causes. For a start, all the spotlights for the billboards should remain off at night to save electricity.
by Lionel Waxman, Flashpoint
No blogger should be exposed to worldwide jurisdiction. On the other hand, each country is at liberty to criminzlise and punish any activity which offends them.
by Dante "Klink" Ang, The Manila Times
In 1965, the Philippines was one of the most promising countries in Asia. Today, Singapore leads the pack.
by Heng-Cheong Leong, MyAppleMenu
I am of two minds about people distributing fliers into my face, as described here by Delphine Tan.
It is an annoyance, no doubt about it. Especially since they almost always block traffic (read: make me reach my destination many precious seconds late).
On the other hand, do we really want a society where you have to register your name and IC number with the police, swear that you are not distributing religious or 'senstiive' materials, and stand at destinated spots or parks, before you can distribute your fliers?
Freedom of expression is important, and we should treasure whatever we have, even though it means some annoyances along the way.
by Benjamin Cheah, The Online Citizen
It goes against ethical principles of reciprocity to demand so much from servicemen, and giving so little in return — especially since many servicemen would not willingly serve their country in the military.
by Ansley Ng, Today
One in two Singaporeans would vote a female president into the Istana, and four in five would accept a woman cabinet minister, if a recent survey is anything to go by.
Of course, the role of the president in Singapore government is still mostly a ceremonial one, while most Singaporeans don't see how they can have a choice in deciding who will be cabinet ministers. (Heck, most Singaporeans don't even have any choices when it comes to MPs.)
by Waleed Hanafi, Straits Times
So "No", Straits Times and local ISPs, the problem is not "insatiable bandwidth hogs", the problem is the failure to provide sufficient international network bandwidth to handle the traffic you have promised subscribers to carry.
by Jacob Tan, Straits Times
The dominance of super-GRCs today has retarded political progress, and bred cynicism and apathy.
by Glass Castle Blog
Why did the Straits Times choose to publish this patchwork of stereotypes? And to do so, moreover, under a headline that feeds into all the sexist, infantilising themes that already feature far too frequently in conversations about FDWs.
by Blowin' In The Wind
The Straits Times is the authoritative source of news about Singapore. It has good journalists whom we have come to trust and respect. But it has to raise the bar online.
by AFP
A US national said Tuesday he will be tried in SIngapore next month for allegedly insulting two judges who had presided over cases involving an opposition leader.
by Au Waipang, Yawning Bread
If Singapore wants extended maternity or paternity leave for its social objectives, the state should pay the cost. The employer should neither have to pay the salaries of people who aren't there at work, nor have to guarantee a job for these individuals to return to.
And while you are on maternity or paterntiy leave, maybe you can consider doing volunteer work at the pre-school and primary school, eh? :-)
by Jessica Cheam, Straits Times
by The Boy Who Knew Too Much
Far from looking down on the foreign workers in Singapore, I value their presence and contribution and respect the courage they show in their daily work. Perhaps their working lives would be a little less hard if such a welcoming attitude were universal among Singaporeans, too.
by Straits Times
A recent poll of global investors shows Singapore is not considered the great gateway to Asia it is often said to be. The Business Times reported on Tuesday that investors put Singapore behind Japan, Hong Kong and China in that role.
by Jennifer Tan, Reuters
Singapore Telecommunications Ltd, Southeast Asia's largest telecoms firm, will launch Apple Inc's third-generation iPhone in Singapore before the end of August, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters.
by Malcom B.h. Tan, Assistant Official Assignee for Official Assignee, Straits Times
Ms Chee was under a legal duty to cooperate but quite cynically refused to do so. Thus her application to travel was rejected.
by Jessica Jaganathan, Straits Times
Lower rates of unemployment and a booming economy could well be reasons for a drop in suicide cases here. But what remains disturbing is the rising number of suicides for one group: the elderly.
by Andrew Loh, The Online Citizen
by Zakaria Abdul Wahab, Bernama
Malaysia and Singapore today agreed to carry out a more detailed study on the commercial and legal aspects of the rail linkages plan that will smoothen travels between Johor Baharu and the city-state.
Malaysia and Singapore now have three options in the rail plan, with the first one being a dedicated shuttle rail link, the second is that the train ends in Singapore and the third, the train stops in Johor Baharu.
by Alfred Siew, Straits Times
The new entrant is offering lower prices - a boon for home users looking for better deals.
by My Thoughts
It is very highly probable that Mr Nair would not have been arrested had the officers recognised who he was. I am certain that he was not single dout and had, on his own accord, invited trouble by banging on the bonnet of the police car...
These officers are restircted by the OSA (Official Secrets Act) and will not be able to defend themselves directly unlike Mr Nair who can post everything on his blog. Although I am not fond of things are they are in Singapore, I refuse to just stand by and watch my friends and ex-colleagues, who are honest tax-payers themselves, and who perform their jobs with dignity and honour, be subjected to such unfounded accusations and baseless distortions of the truth.
by S. Radha, Press Secretary To The Minister For Law, Straits Times
To argue for the Law Society to join the political debate is to misunderstand its nature and role. The society is a statutory body created by Parliament for a specific purpose, namely to oversee the governance and discipline of the legal profession. There is no reason to give it a special status beyond this to play a political role, especially when no other professional body has such a right.
by Chua Hian Hou, Straits Times
Such charging is already in force overseas and ISPs here studying that.
There is no such thing as unlimited bandwidth today - the amount of 'stuff' you can download and upload is already capped by the speed of the connection. ISPs are bascially caught in a situation where they can't provide the level of service as advertised, and they're just trying to find scapgoats to blame on.
by Veronica Boudville, National Library Board, Today
by Elgin Toh, New Paper
In the wake of the Laguna Park incidents, Singaporeans living in other private estates are coming forward with similar horror stories.
by Jeffrey Hodgson, Reuters
Singapore's Temasek Holdings plans to join MBK Partners in a bid to buy a 45 per cent stake in PCCW Ltd's media and telecoms unit HKT Group Holdings, the South China Morning Post reported on Monday.
by Adam Majendie, Bloomberg
The National Museum, a neo-classical building dating from 1887, provides the three ground-floor restaurants — Novus, Muse and Chef Chan's — with attractive high-ceilinged spaces. Yet the building is removed from the shopping, dining and business areas that supply walk-in customers.
by Selene Cheng, The Online Citizen
by Au Waipang, Yawning Bread
We shouldn't be fooled into thinking that GRCs are the only way to be sensitive to minority-race citizens. It's only one of the many possible ways, but also, it's one with very deleterious effects on the health of a democracy.
by Why Should We Go Into The Tournament Fearing Anyone?
by David Perera, GCN
Singpore pushes ahead with WiMax, faster broadband and a standard desktop environment.
by George Wehrfritz and Snoia Kolesnikov-Jessop, Newsweek
Four directors discuss the evolving role of theater in exploring sensitive issues like sex, race and politics.
by Ng E-Jay, Sgpolitics.net
We do not ask our political opponent, the pAP, to grant us more space. We create that space for ourselves.
by Kathryn Heyman, The Age
I'm in Singapore with a novelist friend, both of us are here to write and to give a book reading at Singapore's Arts House. With Raffles' history of famous writers, perhaps some of the ambience will rub off on us.
by Saeed Azhar, Reuters
by Lydia Lim and Zakir Hussain, Straits Times
by Kor Kian Beng, Straits Times
What is important is a good heart and the ability to get things done. But educational qualifications are no less important, George Yeo was quick to add, noting that they give an indication of the candidates' abilities.
It's not a ceiling: it's an echo chamber.
by Ng Wei Keng and Wong Siew Ying, Channel NewsAsia
Singaporeans should support a new political party if the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) is no longer the best vehicle to take the country forward, says foreign affairs minister George Yeo.
by Au Waipang, Yawning Bread
An intelligent response to the drug problem required that we not only focus on the harmful consequencs of drug use, but also, we must think about the harmful social consequences of the policy we choose.
by Christopher Tan, Straits Times
Transport operators SBS Transit and SMRT Corp are submitting applications for fare hikes later on Friday, but insiders are not holding their breath for any measurable rise.
This is because the Public Transport Council (PTC) declared last month that fare adjustment this year were likely to be far smaller than last year's average 1.8 per cent increase.
Anyone even surprised?
by Melbourne Metblogs
by Joyce Koh, MarketWatch
Views in Singapore varied as to whether Temasek was doubling down on a rare opportunity, or digging itself deeper into a hole.
by Kee Lay Cheng, Housing and Development Board, Straits Times
The total construction cost of flats includes other costs such as infrastructure, piling works, lift installation, consultancy and project management, financing and purchase of land.
HDB really should be more transparent — an itemised breakdown of costs and subsidies will be a good first step to take.
by Kelvin Kwan, Straits Times
There is no excuse for not solving this problem.
by Mollymeek
If you do blame the PRs instead of the people who created the people behind the policy that causes you to lose something, the latter will be very, very glad.
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