Alternative proposals for a better Singapore
This article first appeared in Hammersphere.
I was invited to be a studio guest on Channel NewsAsia’s BlogTV on 27 August 2009. This was my second time on the show. The topic for this discussion was titled, “We want more… privileges!”
—
Get my latest updates. Join my Facebook Page.
The Fifth Committee to Recognise the Contribution of Operationally Ready National Servicemen, or Record V, has made 18 recommendations to MINDEF (Ministry of Defence). As an NSman myself, here are my reactions to them and further suggestions to MINDEF.
—
Get my latest updates. Join my Facebook Page.
This article was first published in Hammersphere.
I have been following the debate in Parliament and outside about the National Pledge and how it should be applied to Singapore’s laws and policies. The debate was sparked off by a motion and a speech by new Nominated MP Viswa Sadasivan, and amplified when MM Lee Kuan Yew stepped in to weigh in with his views.
—
Get my latest updates. Join my Facebook Page.
Medical doctor Ng Liang Wei wrote a letter to the Straits Times forum today suggesting that a fund be set up to help mothers to defray the cost of their pregnancies so as to give them less reasons to abort their babies.
I fully support this idea. I have blogged about the issue of the staggering number of abortions in Singapore before. I think for too long, the debate on abortion (at least in the US — we haven’t debated much about it in Singapore) has been centred on pro-life vs pro-choice. Pro-lifers say abortionist are killing babies, while pro-choicers say anti-abortionists are restricting the freedom of women to do what they want with their own bodies. The argument goes on and any attempt to find common ground is squashed.
—
Get my latest updates. Join my Facebook Page.
I was saddened yet at the same time angry when I read this news report:
Straits Times, Aug 18, 2009
Jailed for living in illegal tent
By Sujin Thomas
HOMELESS and unemployed, Noor Mohammad Yassin Ismail pitched a canvas tent at East Coast Park in May, 2007, and lived there for almost a month – without a lease or licence to do so.
He was discovered on June 26 of that year, after he was apprehended by park rangers.
In court on Tuesday, Noor was asked to produce his Identity Card or passport but he said that he had lost both items.
It prompted District Judge Mr Shaiffudin Saruwan to retort in jest: ‘I suggest you use a bicycle chain to tie yourself to a tree or you may lose yourself as well.’
Pleading for leniency, Noor, who is tanned and skinny, said that he seldom ate, only doing so if friends gave him food.
He added that his mother is paralysed and looked after by a younger sibling, while an elder sister does not care about him.
He was fined $800 but could not afford to pay the fine so he was jailed four days instead. He could have been fined up to $2,000.
It is bad enough that this poor (literally) man who doesn’t even have food to eat and a place to stay is jailed, but when I read what Judge Shaiffudin Saruwan said to him as he sentenced him, I was completely aghast! Does the judge have no compassion whatsoever? He jails a destitute man and then insults him.
What is my country coming to? A land where the powerful elites sneer at the weakest members of society instead of helping them?
I thank reporter Sujin Thomas for highlighting this case.
—
Get my latest updates. Join my Facebook Page.
I was shocked to hear the story related by PM Lee in his National Day Rally speech in Mandarin about the Malay wedding and the Chinese wake. For those who didn’t tune in that early, here’s a rough translation:
A Chinese grandmother died. The family decided to hold wake at the void deck of the next block. But without waiting for approval from the town council to hold their wake there, they proceeded to set up their wake. Coincidentally, that void deck had already been booked by a Malay family for a wedding. The invitations had been sent out. Now they discovered their wedding location had been snatched by another party. The Malay family of course felt very unhappy. The town council staff attempted to resolve the matter by asking the Chinese family to relocate their wake to another void deck. But the Chinese family was unwilling to accommodate. They felt that even though the coffin had not arrived, the wake had already been set up and tearing it down will bring bad luck. So a problem arose. Obviously the party in the wrong was the Chinese family. But they were unwilling to move. Fortunately, with the intervention of the MP and town council staff, the Malay family very graciously agreed to move their wedding to another block. As a gesture of gratitude, the town council waived the rental charges, and also helped them put up signs redirecting wedding guests to the new location. This happened last year.
—
Get my latest updates. Join my Facebook Page.
The Sunday Times did a survey of 100 Singaporeans asking them to recite the National Pledge. Here were the results:
Gasp! So this means that many Singaporeans know the importance of racial and religious harmony, and are happily pursuing prosperity and progress, but have forgotten about democracy, justice and equality?
Truly sad. Since the PAP government is not making any effort to educate Singaporeans on these values, I hope that civil society and the Opposition would, for the sake of our nation!
Anyway, for the 65% who couldn’t remember all the words of the Pledge, here they are:
We, the citizens of Singapore pledge ourselves as one united people,
regardless of race, language or religion,
to build a democratic society, based on justice and equality,
so as to achieve happiness, prosperity and progress for our nation.
—
Get my latest updates. Join my Facebook Page.
Here’s wishing all my fellow Pink NRIC holders, citizen-soldiers, workers, fathers, bloggers, political activists and all other Singaporeans (and those who call Singapore home) a very Happy 44th National Day!
I thank God for blessing our country with peace and prosperity, a diversity of cultures to enjoy, and passionate and wonderful people to share this beautiful island under the sun with!
Although I don’t usually like the manufactured patriotism of our national songs, I think this innovative medley by local band Isk, Hosni & Friends (or 20 Dischanger) simply rocks! I must have listened to it almost 20 times in the past 2 days, which is very unusual for me for any song.
—
Get my latest updates. Join my Facebook Page.
The Workers’ Party National Day Statement 2009
National Day in Singapore has always been an occasion when Singaporeans look back with pride at our achievements as a young nation.
Our country was founded 44 years ago on the ideals of democracy, peace, progress, justice and equality. It was a moment which we can justly be proud of. Yet, for some time now, it seems that we have been losing our way on some of these ideals.
—
Get my latest updates. Join my Facebook Page.
Sidebar3 : Please add some widgets here.
I am a non-constituency MP from the Workers' Party. I blog in my personal capacity. 
