Gerald Giam

Staff-in-confidence matters should be kept that way, DBS

I am appalled that DBS is airing in public what should be a staff-in-confidence matter. Yesterday, they issued a statement to the Straits Times — which I understand was unsolicited — stating that they disapprove of their Vice President of Credit Cards, Josie Lau, taking up the presidency of women’s group AWARE.

Today, when asked by TOC, they stated that they were “disappointed that Josie knowingly disregarded DBS’ staff code of conduct twice”, adding that Lau had not sought approval for either running for the AWARE exco or standing for nomination as AWARE president.

Why does this need to be aired in public? This brings back memories of another organisation in Singapore which hung a former employee out to dry when he was attempting to run for public office.

Continue reading “Staff-in-confidence matters should be kept that way, DBS”

ST Forum – Fatal rojak: Better feedback system needed

This is my letter to the Straits Times forum editor, which got published today. While it was largely unedited, one of the key points — which was actually a suggestion by an overseas Singaporean friend — was cut out. The edited text is in red.

For my more detailed proposal, click here.

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Continue reading “ST Forum – Fatal rojak: Better feedback system needed”

Food contamination alert system is possible

Firstly, a correction to my previous post: The authorities took not 2 days, but 3 days, to shut down the stall. It was revealed in TODAY on Thursday that the first reports of food poisoning from that stall appeared on a Wed 1 Apr. The stall was not ordered closed by NEA until Sat 4 Apr morning.

I’ve received some useful feedback from friends regarding my previous post, where I questioned why NEA officers took so long to shut down the Geylang Serai rojak stall that was allegedly responsible for three deaths and over 150 cases of food poisoning.

Some felt that I was being unfair by expecting NEA to react faster than it did, and that I appeared to be pinning the blame on NEA for the food poisoning.

While I don’t think NEA is completely blameless, I never said that they are entirely to blame. The NEA, Ministry of Health (MOH), the stall holder, doctors and even some of stall patrons could have played a part to avert this tragedy, or at least prevent it from ballooning into this nightmare involving over 150 people. Most of all, I feel it is “the system” which is to blame, and not any individual person or agency. I am not interested in playing any finger-pointing games at this point, but to suggest how the system can be improved to avert future mass outbreaks of food poisoning.

Continue reading “Food contamination alert system is possible”

A government out of order

The Public Order Act, which was just passed in Parliament on Monday, got me wondering just how far the PAP will go to thumb its nose at the Constitution to serve its narrow political interests.

Among some “highlights” of the law are:

A demonstration by a lone person is called an “assembly”.
Two persons walking together form for a common cause is a “procession”.
Assemblies and processions both need permits from the Commissioner of Police.
Cause-related activities (i.e., political activities) require permits regardless of the number of persons involved. (I guess that means that zero-person activities can also be banned.)
An entry-level policeman has the power to order people to “move on” away from an area, even if they are not committing an offence. Those people have to comply, even if that policeman is in the wrong.
The police have the power to ban ordinary citizens from filming them as they work.

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1 person constitutes an assembly? It’s an abuse of the word: WP chairman

This is the speech made in Parliament yesterday by Workers’ Party chairman Sylvia Lim — a former police officer herself — in opposing the Public Order Bill.

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Speaker Sir,

The Workers’ Party opposes the Bill.

The policing of public order has been the subject of contentious debate in democratic countries. How far should State power be used to restrict citizens from free movement and expressing their beliefs or grievances, to the point of using lethal force?

In Singapore, an individual’s right to freedom of expression and assembly is enshrined in Article 14 of the Constitution, under Part IV entitled Fundamental Liberties. However that Article also allows Parliament to place some restrictions on these for the sake of security and public order. Nevertheless, the primary assumption is that such freedoms are fundamental rights of citizens. Has this Bill crossed the line, asking Singaporeans to give up too much vis-à-vis the State? Continue reading “1 person constitutes an assembly? It’s an abuse of the word: WP chairman”

Three shots, three kills: Navy SEALS save ship captain

I’m truly amazed at the US Navy SEALS snipers who shot and killed Somali pirates holding a ship captain captive. Firstly, not being a military enthusiast, I didn’t even know the Navy had snipers. Secondly, I didn’t know that it was even possible to shoot someone in the head 23 metres away from a bobbing boat.

It’s high time that some heavy handed action was taken against these Somali pirates, to send a strong deterrence signal to them. For too long, they have been acting with impunity, seizing supertankers and taking crews hostage. As a trading nation that depends on safe shipping routes, these pirates directly threaten Singapore’s national interests.

—– Continue reading “Three shots, three kills: Navy SEALS save ship captain”

Protestors storm ASEAN Summit hotel

Red shirted protestors loyal to deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra stormed the hotel where ASEAN leaders, including PM Lee, FM George Yeo and Trade Minister Lim Hng Kiang, were holding the annual ASEAN summit, prompting the Summit to be postponed indefinitely. The Thai government has declared a state of emergency.

View BBC clip

Authorities took 2 days to shut down killer rojak stall?

I am very concerned over what seems to be a lack of efficient procedures in place to avert mass public health tragedies like the recent Geylang Serai rojak stall food poisoning incident.

Three lives have been lost (including one unborn baby), and 146 people have been affected by the food contamination, 48 of whom were hospitalised.

CNA reported that stall patrons started to fall sick between April 2nd (Thu) and 4th (Sat) with food poisoning symptoms such as severe abdominal cramps, vomiting, and diarrhoea. However it was only at 8am on Sat April 4th that officials from the National Environment Agency (NEA) arrived to shut down the stall.

Continue reading “Authorities took 2 days to shut down killer rojak stall?”

Coaxing corporate execs to join politics

The Straits Times did an Insight piece on how difficult it is to get corporate exec types to enter politics. I think they did it from a rather biased angle, assuming that execs will only join the PAP if ever they consider entering politics. But in any case, I think the mindsets expressed pose a challenge for both the ruling party and the opposition in recruiting good men and women to lead the country.

Some of the interviewees said they would be willing to step forward “if one day the Government fails, it is corrupt and there are policy failures”. This is heartening to hear, but is still the wrong thinking. Once the rot is apparent, it may be a bit too late to set things right. Singapore is a small country and cannot afford a “transition period” where things are in a mess. People who have the interest and ability, and genuinely care for their fellow citizens are needed in both the ruling party and the opposition. They should step forward and not wait to be asked, as if it is some badge of honour to be “headhunted”.

Red carpet for (foreign) Opposition member

This is a press release from MFA today:

02/04/2009

His Excellency Gregory Hunt, Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Environment and Urban Water of the Commonwealth of Australia, will visit Singapore as the 29th Lee Kuan Yew Exchange Fellow from 3 to 11 April 2009. During his stay, Mr Hunt will call on Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo and Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment and Water Resources Dr Amy Khor. Senior Minister of State for National Development Grace Fu will also host him to an official meal.

Mr Hunt will participate in a roundtable at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies. He is also scheduled to attend a PAP Meet-the-People Session.

Other elements of Mr Hunt’s programme in Singapore include meetings with senior officials at the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of National Development and Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources. He will also visit the Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Urban Redevelopment Authority’s Singapore City Gallery, the NEWater Plant, the Marina Barrage, the Changi Chapel Museum and the Night Safari.

Now I’ve never heard of Gregory Hunt, but from the red carpet treatment he is receiving from the Singapore authorities, one would assume he is some really big, influential chap in the Australian government. Well, yes and no. Technically he is not a member of the Australian Government, because he is an MP from the opposition Liberal Party. However, as a Shadow Minister he is accorded a protocol level equivalent to a minister in the government, or close to it, hence the “His Excellency” honorific.

What is interesting to note is the honour the Singapore government accords to opposition MPs of other governments. From a realpolitik standpoint, it makes sense: These leaders could, in the next election, become government ministers if their party wins the majority vote. So it is important to cultivate them.

But it is in stark contrast to the disdain demonstrate towards our own opposition politicians. Perhaps it’s because our opposition leaders have yet to reach the stature of their counterparts in other developed countries. Nevertheless it still makes political sense for the PAP to treat opposition members as persona non grata so as not to give them any credibility with the electorate.

C’est la vie…