I refer to NCMP Sylvia Lim’s parliamentary speech ‘Singapore’s Security and Evolving the Political System’ (28th May 2009)
Personally the proposed changes gave me rather mixed feelings. I welcome the proposed reduction in the size of GRCs and the increased number of SMCs although this falls short of my belief that the GRC system must be abolished in the first place. Concurrently I feel very sceptical about changes made to expand the NCMP scheme.
Greeks Bearing Gifts
Opposition parties & their leaders must beware of such ‘Greeks bearing gifts’ situations. This is especially so when the PAP seemingly understands the entire opposition camp much better than the fragmented opposition camp understands itself.
Elusive ‘gold medals’ aside, now such a change will give personalities within the opposition camp many more ‘silver medals’ to fight for. This may potentially perpetuate a ‘short term benefits’ & ‘settle for the 2nd best will do’ mindset within the opposition camp, hence compromising upon the camp's ‘long term growth’.
Potentially too, such offerings of ‘more silver medals’ may even fragment opposition GRC team’s intra-cohesion. For example, other than the highest losing opposition team’s team leader, now there could be a bitter vie for the second place between the remaining 4 or 5 team mates.
In actual fact, the changes made to the NCMP scheme is about ‘modifying the form but retaining the essence’. This is because PAP has designed the change to ensure that whilst a wider range of views in Parliament can be assured, but with a bolstered stroke, hoping that its parliamentary dominance will remains as it is.
Voters Beware
Voters must be aware of PAP’s strategic mastery stroke, of satisfying ground’s aspirations for more opposition voices in parliament via the expanded NCMP scheme. The PAP apparently hopes that both opposition parties and voters will bite this political carrot and embrace it, rather than running the risk of losing anymore elected parliamentary seats.
Therefore voters must ask themselves whether, is it in the interests of Singapore not to have elected opposition parliamentarians? Is it in the interests of Singapore to entrench the political hegemony of one single party?
Smaller GRCs
As for whether smaller GRCs will lead to a fairer system, I will give a qualified yes. This is because smaller GRCs inch closer towards the ideal single seat parliamentary system. Concurrently this will also ensure higher representations across Singapore ethic groups.
Yet smaller GRCs in reality pose larger operational concerns to smaller opposition parties. This is because it will be even more challenging now to seek out a wider pool of willing, credible, qualified and capable candidates across Singapore’s multi-racial ethnicity groups.
Overall the PAP claims that the changes will ensure a stronger and more stable political system for Singapore. Perhaps just for the PAP! For Singapore, the systemic weakness in our unbalanced, hegemonic political system which perpetuates PAP’s dominance stands to be corrected.
Golden Question
Will Yaw Shin Leong accept an NCMP seat if he qualified and if it was offered to him?
Shin Leong will take orders from WP’s Central Executive Council. Yet if given a choice, he’ll reject such a ‘backdoor’ entry into Parliament in view of the reasons above.
Links:
Singapore’s Security and Evolving the Political System (NCMP Sylvia Lim, 28th May 2009)
Friday, May 29, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
On Proposed Changes to Electoral System
I refer to the news article ‘Changes to Electoral System to encourage wider range of views in Parliament’ (CNA, 27th May 2009)
It is reported that PM Lee has announced proposed changes in Parliament to encourage a wider range of views in Parliament, including opposition and non-government views, specifically:
1) Each Parliament will have at least nine opposition members and nine Nominated Members of Parliament. The number of Non-Constituency MPs (NCMPs), who did not win a seat during an election but have the next highest percentage of votes, will increase from six to nine.
2) A proposal will be made to the Parliamentary Elections Act to set a cap of two NCMPs to come from any Group Representation Constituency (GRC). Parliament will also automatically have Nominated MPs.
3) There will be fewer six-member GRCs and a range of smaller GRCs in the next election, while the number of Single Member Constituencies will be increased to 12 from the current nine.
Reduction in the size of GRCs and the increased number of SMCs are welcomed changes. However to increase opposition representation via means of expanding the NCMP scheme is but a superficial proposal. In mandarin, this is likened to the analogy of '换汤不换药' (making changes without changing the essence).
It is apparent that the objective of the PAP is to ensure that whilst a wider range of views in Parliament can be assured, but the change is designed in the hope that PAP's parliamentary dominance remains as it is.
Therefore I repeat MP Low Thia Khiang’s call that it is certainly not sufficient for an unelected opposition candidate to become a NCMP to speak up and reflect public sentiment in Parliament. The reason is because the role of the opposition also includes the mandate of ensuring that democracy operates soundly.
Time and space is required to develop an effective check and balance mechanism in a truly democratic parliamentary system. Voters must reject PAP’s ‘similar medicine, different preparation’ approach to Singapore’s electoral system. In a period of political stability, the time can never better for Singaporeans to vote in more WP candidates into Parliament in the next General Elections.
It is reported that PM Lee has announced proposed changes in Parliament to encourage a wider range of views in Parliament, including opposition and non-government views, specifically:
1) Each Parliament will have at least nine opposition members and nine Nominated Members of Parliament. The number of Non-Constituency MPs (NCMPs), who did not win a seat during an election but have the next highest percentage of votes, will increase from six to nine.
2) A proposal will be made to the Parliamentary Elections Act to set a cap of two NCMPs to come from any Group Representation Constituency (GRC). Parliament will also automatically have Nominated MPs.
3) There will be fewer six-member GRCs and a range of smaller GRCs in the next election, while the number of Single Member Constituencies will be increased to 12 from the current nine.
Reduction in the size of GRCs and the increased number of SMCs are welcomed changes. However to increase opposition representation via means of expanding the NCMP scheme is but a superficial proposal. In mandarin, this is likened to the analogy of '换汤不换药' (making changes without changing the essence).
It is apparent that the objective of the PAP is to ensure that whilst a wider range of views in Parliament can be assured, but the change is designed in the hope that PAP's parliamentary dominance remains as it is.
Therefore I repeat MP Low Thia Khiang’s call that it is certainly not sufficient for an unelected opposition candidate to become a NCMP to speak up and reflect public sentiment in Parliament. The reason is because the role of the opposition also includes the mandate of ensuring that democracy operates soundly.
Time and space is required to develop an effective check and balance mechanism in a truly democratic parliamentary system. Voters must reject PAP’s ‘similar medicine, different preparation’ approach to Singapore’s electoral system. In a period of political stability, the time can never better for Singaporeans to vote in more WP candidates into Parliament in the next General Elections.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
The Happy Fish Argument
I refer to the article ‘PAP MPs rebut Low Thia Khiang’s views on role of opposition party’ (CNA, 26th May 2009)
PAP MPs rebutted MP Low Thia Khiang’s views that ‘a more effective opposition presence can provide checks and balances on the ruling party’ as simplistic and incorrect.
MP Indranee Rajah (Tanjong Pagar GRC) gave a clinically-PAPish response:
"The premise of Mr Low's suggestion is flawed. He's really saying just in case PAP becomes corrupt in the future, then people had better vote for the opposition now…. But if you apply the same logic, then the argument can also be made that if you vote in the opposition, then they may become corrupt in the future, so in order to avoid that, you might as well vote for PAP now."
MP Josephine Teo, (Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC) in another logician-fashion questioned:
"Is it better for Singapore to support an opposition - even if it is not up to mark - in the hope that it could govern well when it overthrows a corrupt PAP? Or is it better to make sure that the PAP does not fail Singaporeans, that it has the strongest team to serve Singaporeans?"
Both PAP MPs’ responses remind me of a popular parable between 2 ancient Chinese philosophers Zhuang Zi and Hui Shi. One day both stopped at a bridge and saw fishes swimming in a river. Zhuang Zi said, “Look at how happy the fishes are!” Hui Shi, the logician responded, ‘You are not a fish, so how do you know if the fishes are happy or not?’ Zhuang Zi answered, “You are not me, so how do you know that I do not know that fishes are happy or not”.
Hui Shi countered,” You are not me, so how do you know that I do not know that you do not know that the fishes are happy or not’. Of course Zhuang Zi would counter-countered with a ‘You are not me, so how do you know that I do not know that you do not know that I know that the fishes are happy or not’. Naturally the exchange went on and forth between the two.
Similarly, there can be no end to the argument. The PAP’s rebuttal is itself simplistic and narrow in its perspective. This could well be a defensive knee jerk response and a reflection of the unease within its ranks.
This is because the PAP has not given a satisfactory response to WP’s point on the systemic weakness in Singapore’s unbalanced, hegemonic political system which seemingly perpetuates the incumbent party. As vested political interests are at stake, it is naturally futile to continue the argument with PAP MPs about the necessity to correct Singapore’s systemic weakness in our political system.
MP Low Thia Khiang once again made the point on this immense national concern in Parliament. The responsibility now rests upon the shoulders of Singaporeans. Make a choice and vote for Workers’ Party’s candidates. With more WP’s elected MPs’ presence in Parliament, Singaporeans can be assured of a strong political defense for Singapore.
PAP MPs rebutted MP Low Thia Khiang’s views that ‘a more effective opposition presence can provide checks and balances on the ruling party’ as simplistic and incorrect.
MP Indranee Rajah (Tanjong Pagar GRC) gave a clinically-PAPish response:
"The premise of Mr Low's suggestion is flawed. He's really saying just in case PAP becomes corrupt in the future, then people had better vote for the opposition now…. But if you apply the same logic, then the argument can also be made that if you vote in the opposition, then they may become corrupt in the future, so in order to avoid that, you might as well vote for PAP now."
MP Josephine Teo, (Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC) in another logician-fashion questioned:
"Is it better for Singapore to support an opposition - even if it is not up to mark - in the hope that it could govern well when it overthrows a corrupt PAP? Or is it better to make sure that the PAP does not fail Singaporeans, that it has the strongest team to serve Singaporeans?"
Both PAP MPs’ responses remind me of a popular parable between 2 ancient Chinese philosophers Zhuang Zi and Hui Shi. One day both stopped at a bridge and saw fishes swimming in a river. Zhuang Zi said, “Look at how happy the fishes are!” Hui Shi, the logician responded, ‘You are not a fish, so how do you know if the fishes are happy or not?’ Zhuang Zi answered, “You are not me, so how do you know that I do not know that fishes are happy or not”.
Hui Shi countered,” You are not me, so how do you know that I do not know that you do not know that the fishes are happy or not’. Of course Zhuang Zi would counter-countered with a ‘You are not me, so how do you know that I do not know that you do not know that I know that the fishes are happy or not’. Naturally the exchange went on and forth between the two.
Similarly, there can be no end to the argument. The PAP’s rebuttal is itself simplistic and narrow in its perspective. This could well be a defensive knee jerk response and a reflection of the unease within its ranks.
This is because the PAP has not given a satisfactory response to WP’s point on the systemic weakness in Singapore’s unbalanced, hegemonic political system which seemingly perpetuates the incumbent party. As vested political interests are at stake, it is naturally futile to continue the argument with PAP MPs about the necessity to correct Singapore’s systemic weakness in our political system.
MP Low Thia Khiang once again made the point on this immense national concern in Parliament. The responsibility now rests upon the shoulders of Singaporeans. Make a choice and vote for Workers’ Party’s candidates. With more WP’s elected MPs’ presence in Parliament, Singaporeans can be assured of a strong political defense for Singapore.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Statement on Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s fresh charges
The Workers’ Party unequivocally condemns the fresh charges pressed by the Myanmar military regime against Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
The Workers’ Party urges ASEAN, including the Singapore government to apply group pressure and influence on the Myanmar military regime to stop political harassment of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and to free all of its political detainees.
The Workers’ Party further urges the pursuit of a peaceful and truly democratic process, to determine the collective will of the Myanmar people in their choice of government and the determination of their future.
Yaw Shin Leong
Organising Secretary
The Workers’ Party
The Workers’ Party urges ASEAN, including the Singapore government to apply group pressure and influence on the Myanmar military regime to stop political harassment of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and to free all of its political detainees.
The Workers’ Party further urges the pursuit of a peaceful and truly democratic process, to determine the collective will of the Myanmar people in their choice of government and the determination of their future.
Yaw Shin Leong
Organising Secretary
The Workers’ Party
Was it a Red or White Conspiracy?
By: Yaw Shin Leong
This article was first published in The Online Citizen on 21st May 2009.
Background
On May 21st 1987, the government ordered the crackdown of 22 young social activists under “Operation Spectrum”. Amongst them were lawyers, social workers and members of the Catholic Church.
They were accused and detained without trial for engaging in ‘communist united front tactics with a view to establishing a Marxist state.’ In actual fact, several of them were merely volunteers of the Workers’ Party which did not (and continues not to) subscribe to Marxist ideology in the first place.
After they were released, some of the detainees issued a statement that ran counter to government denials that they had been tortured. They were promptly rearrested and were later released again only on condition that they signed statutory declarations denying everything they had said in the press statement.
Lawyer, former Solicitor-General & ex-WP candidate for Eunos GRC (GE88) Francis Seow stepped in to represent one of the detainees who had sought his legal assistance. But when he arrived at the detention centre, he was himself detained by the ISD for more than two months. He was later charged and convicted in absentia for tax evasion.
To this day, the 1987 Marxist Conspiracy remains an enigma. These ex-detainees did not fit into the Marxist stereotype; their behaviour was a direct contrast to the traits of fiery left-wing unionists and the passionate leaders of communist-inspired labour and students’ movements in the 50s & 60s.
God & Politics
The ex-detainees were comprised of highly educated and intelligent young citizens. The accused mastermind, Vincent Cheng, was a social worker with the Roman Catholic Church and was at one stage studying to be a priest. He spent nine years in the seminary. It’s hard to imagine a man with deep-rooted connections to the Church associating himself with an atheistic Marxist movement.
Such reservations were even expressed by Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, the Finance Minister, when he was interviewed during his maiden induction into politics in 2001. He said, “Although I had no access to state intelligence, from what I knew of them, most were social activists but not out to subvert the system ”
Since Mr Tharman should by now have more access to state intelligence, perhaps it would be good for him to shed new light on this matter. Otherwise one cannot help but conclude that in the alleged 1987 Marxist Conspiracy, the government was actually more fearful about political activism with links to God-related institutions than alleged links with the anti-God Marxist movement.
Political activism and religion certainly should not mix because Singapore is a multi-racial and religious society. Yet there appears to be a contradiction in the government’s rationale for the 1987 arrests, since Marxism and Catholisim- are ideologically diametric.
Shattered Lives & Emotional Trauma
Contentions aside, I recently bought and read two books penned by victims who had suffered detention without trial under the Internal Security Act. My mind lingered over the thoughts and meaning of each printed word and sentence in the books. Overall both books are very solemn reads; they record the thoughts of political detainees who were supposedly free citizens of a parliamentary democracy. It is very heart-wrenching for me to picture the sufferings those detainees went through.
The first book, That We May Dream Again , includes moving accounts of the hope, faith, courage and idealism of the ex-detainees in the alleged Marxist arrests. One particular segment written by Vincent Cheng caught my attention:
“I still feel angry at the injustice of the whole incident, and that the perpetrators have not been brought to account. ‘Operation Spectrum' was political rape. I cannot forget nor forgive, the harsh treatment meted out to me in prison to extract information—the freezing room, the slapping and the beatings, including the blow to my abdomen . . . Victims of injustice must not give up the fight to regain their dignity. I believe that forgiveness and letting go is genuine and meaningful only when justice has been, or is seen to have been, done.”
The other book, Our Thoughts Are Free , includes touching poems & prose detailing various aspects of the ex-political detainees’ thoughts and raw emotions. I was immensely touched by several poems penned by Teo Soh Lung that described her time in solitary confinement.
My heart cried out for their cruel detention without trial and the sufferings they went through under interrogation. The silent timelessness, the mundane routines of cell life, is one of the worst forms of torture, one that supposedly breaks minds & souls.
I believe that emotionally, Vincent Cheng, Soh Lung and all the victims of the alleged Marxist conspiracy will never be the same again. From a human perspective, I sensed post-detainment trauma in these victims. I sensed shattered lives. I sensed that their hurt and wounds from that period would be perpetual wounds unless—as what Vincent wrote—justice “has been, or is seen to have been, done.”
From personal contacts, I came to know that several of the 22 victims chose to stay rooted to Singapore. The fact that these people chose to stay on in Singapore, continued with their lives and publishing their plight in words strongly suggests their innocence.
Making it Right
In the light of the accounts of the 22 ex-detainees, the question remains - was the government just in applying an iron fist against 22 young volunteer workers, when the only threat, if any, they posed was social activism?
If the answer is “NO”, then the least the state can do is to issue an apology to each of the victims of the alleged Marxist Conspiracy. Since the investigations and detention were out of public scrutiny, then it may be time for the government to appoint an inquiry, to ascertain the truth and clear the names of the victims once & for all and work out details of monetary compensation for the dishonour, anguish and sufferings they have gone through.
In practical terms, no amount of apology or compensation can ever erase the sufferings of the victims. Yet, if the government had indeed been wrong, it should not shy away from admitting its honest mistakes; it should be open about it and directly seek forgiveness from the victims.
National Security & Abolishing the ISA
With the world still very much preoccupied with a post 9-11 mentality, counter-terrorism legislations in the name of national security is the norm. The mandate of the Internal Security Act and its related apparatuses in Singapore has evolved. It has been applied with an iron hand against alleged terrorists, justified via the necessity to preempt would be acts of terror.
I am of the view that the ISA, which provides for detention without trial in cases of alleged subversion, should be abolished. Singapore should be brought in line with international practices to try such cases, including espionage, with modified procedures to protect official secrets if necessary.
In cases of alleged terrorism, the government should be enabled by a specific anti-terrorism law to make swift arrests and detain suspects. However, these suspects must be afforded due process to challenge the legality of their arrests through the courts and possibly an Advisory Board, which should have powers to order a release of the person if it is not satisfied as to the basis of the detention.
The Future Ahead
The victims’ accounts have saddened me deeply. However they have concurrently inspired me.
The harsh treatment they had suffered are deeply enshrined in my heart and my mind, reaffirming my conviction that political hegemony is bad and a credible political defense must be in place to prevent such a tragic episode from ever happening again.
As we mark the 22nd anniversary of the alleged Marxist conspiracy arrests, may the victims’ accounts continue to inspire a new generation of activists and activists-to-be.
-------------------
1) Lim, Lydia and Li, Xueying, The Legacy of 1987, Insight. Singapore: The Straits Times, 07/07/07.
2) Fong, Hoe Fang, ed. That We May Dream Again. Singapore: Ethos Books, 2009.
3) Tan, Jing Quee, Teo, Soh Lung, and Koh, Kay Yew, eds. Our Thoughts Are Free: Poems and Prose of Imprisonment and Exile. Singapore: Ethos Books, 2009.
This article was first published in The Online Citizen on 21st May 2009.
Background
On May 21st 1987, the government ordered the crackdown of 22 young social activists under “Operation Spectrum”. Amongst them were lawyers, social workers and members of the Catholic Church.
They were accused and detained without trial for engaging in ‘communist united front tactics with a view to establishing a Marxist state.’ In actual fact, several of them were merely volunteers of the Workers’ Party which did not (and continues not to) subscribe to Marxist ideology in the first place.
After they were released, some of the detainees issued a statement that ran counter to government denials that they had been tortured. They were promptly rearrested and were later released again only on condition that they signed statutory declarations denying everything they had said in the press statement.
Lawyer, former Solicitor-General & ex-WP candidate for Eunos GRC (GE88) Francis Seow stepped in to represent one of the detainees who had sought his legal assistance. But when he arrived at the detention centre, he was himself detained by the ISD for more than two months. He was later charged and convicted in absentia for tax evasion.
To this day, the 1987 Marxist Conspiracy remains an enigma. These ex-detainees did not fit into the Marxist stereotype; their behaviour was a direct contrast to the traits of fiery left-wing unionists and the passionate leaders of communist-inspired labour and students’ movements in the 50s & 60s.
God & Politics
The ex-detainees were comprised of highly educated and intelligent young citizens. The accused mastermind, Vincent Cheng, was a social worker with the Roman Catholic Church and was at one stage studying to be a priest. He spent nine years in the seminary. It’s hard to imagine a man with deep-rooted connections to the Church associating himself with an atheistic Marxist movement.
Such reservations were even expressed by Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, the Finance Minister, when he was interviewed during his maiden induction into politics in 2001. He said, “Although I had no access to state intelligence, from what I knew of them, most were social activists but not out to subvert the system ”
Since Mr Tharman should by now have more access to state intelligence, perhaps it would be good for him to shed new light on this matter. Otherwise one cannot help but conclude that in the alleged 1987 Marxist Conspiracy, the government was actually more fearful about political activism with links to God-related institutions than alleged links with the anti-God Marxist movement.
Political activism and religion certainly should not mix because Singapore is a multi-racial and religious society. Yet there appears to be a contradiction in the government’s rationale for the 1987 arrests, since Marxism and Catholisim- are ideologically diametric.
Shattered Lives & Emotional Trauma
Contentions aside, I recently bought and read two books penned by victims who had suffered detention without trial under the Internal Security Act. My mind lingered over the thoughts and meaning of each printed word and sentence in the books. Overall both books are very solemn reads; they record the thoughts of political detainees who were supposedly free citizens of a parliamentary democracy. It is very heart-wrenching for me to picture the sufferings those detainees went through.
The first book, That We May Dream Again , includes moving accounts of the hope, faith, courage and idealism of the ex-detainees in the alleged Marxist arrests. One particular segment written by Vincent Cheng caught my attention:
“I still feel angry at the injustice of the whole incident, and that the perpetrators have not been brought to account. ‘Operation Spectrum' was political rape. I cannot forget nor forgive, the harsh treatment meted out to me in prison to extract information—the freezing room, the slapping and the beatings, including the blow to my abdomen . . . Victims of injustice must not give up the fight to regain their dignity. I believe that forgiveness and letting go is genuine and meaningful only when justice has been, or is seen to have been, done.”
The other book, Our Thoughts Are Free , includes touching poems & prose detailing various aspects of the ex-political detainees’ thoughts and raw emotions. I was immensely touched by several poems penned by Teo Soh Lung that described her time in solitary confinement.
My heart cried out for their cruel detention without trial and the sufferings they went through under interrogation. The silent timelessness, the mundane routines of cell life, is one of the worst forms of torture, one that supposedly breaks minds & souls.
I believe that emotionally, Vincent Cheng, Soh Lung and all the victims of the alleged Marxist conspiracy will never be the same again. From a human perspective, I sensed post-detainment trauma in these victims. I sensed shattered lives. I sensed that their hurt and wounds from that period would be perpetual wounds unless—as what Vincent wrote—justice “has been, or is seen to have been, done.”
From personal contacts, I came to know that several of the 22 victims chose to stay rooted to Singapore. The fact that these people chose to stay on in Singapore, continued with their lives and publishing their plight in words strongly suggests their innocence.
Making it Right
In the light of the accounts of the 22 ex-detainees, the question remains - was the government just in applying an iron fist against 22 young volunteer workers, when the only threat, if any, they posed was social activism?
If the answer is “NO”, then the least the state can do is to issue an apology to each of the victims of the alleged Marxist Conspiracy. Since the investigations and detention were out of public scrutiny, then it may be time for the government to appoint an inquiry, to ascertain the truth and clear the names of the victims once & for all and work out details of monetary compensation for the dishonour, anguish and sufferings they have gone through.
In practical terms, no amount of apology or compensation can ever erase the sufferings of the victims. Yet, if the government had indeed been wrong, it should not shy away from admitting its honest mistakes; it should be open about it and directly seek forgiveness from the victims.
National Security & Abolishing the ISA
With the world still very much preoccupied with a post 9-11 mentality, counter-terrorism legislations in the name of national security is the norm. The mandate of the Internal Security Act and its related apparatuses in Singapore has evolved. It has been applied with an iron hand against alleged terrorists, justified via the necessity to preempt would be acts of terror.
I am of the view that the ISA, which provides for detention without trial in cases of alleged subversion, should be abolished. Singapore should be brought in line with international practices to try such cases, including espionage, with modified procedures to protect official secrets if necessary.
In cases of alleged terrorism, the government should be enabled by a specific anti-terrorism law to make swift arrests and detain suspects. However, these suspects must be afforded due process to challenge the legality of their arrests through the courts and possibly an Advisory Board, which should have powers to order a release of the person if it is not satisfied as to the basis of the detention.
The Future Ahead
The victims’ accounts have saddened me deeply. However they have concurrently inspired me.
The harsh treatment they had suffered are deeply enshrined in my heart and my mind, reaffirming my conviction that political hegemony is bad and a credible political defense must be in place to prevent such a tragic episode from ever happening again.
As we mark the 22nd anniversary of the alleged Marxist conspiracy arrests, may the victims’ accounts continue to inspire a new generation of activists and activists-to-be.
-------------------
1) Lim, Lydia and Li, Xueying, The Legacy of 1987, Insight. Singapore: The Straits Times, 07/07/07.
2) Fong, Hoe Fang, ed. That We May Dream Again. Singapore: Ethos Books, 2009.
3) Tan, Jing Quee, Teo, Soh Lung, and Koh, Kay Yew, eds. Our Thoughts Are Free: Poems and Prose of Imprisonment and Exile. Singapore: Ethos Books, 2009.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Hush Hush Here, Hush Hush There
I refer to the report ‘Temasek sells BoA stake’ (The Straits Times, 16th May 2009)
It was reported that ‘A filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission revealed that Temasek no longer held BoA or Merrill Lynch shares as of March 31st 2009.
The Straits Times found out that the sale took place via a series of transactions made in the first quarter of this year. A Temasek spokesman said yesterday (15th May 2009):'We have divested our shares in Bank of America.'
It has been more than 1.5 month before this (yet another) massive Temasek losses come to light. Fundamentally this is not quite right, as it isn't Temasek’s monies but the people’s! Where is transparency? Where is accountability?
Also why did Temasek decline to reveal the the average price it got for its 188.8 million shares or why or exactly when it sold? Why all these hush hush?
Preliminary calculations put the potential loss from at least US$2.3 billion to as much as US$4.6 billion! Oh my …
News Link:
Temasek sells BoA stake (Straits Times, 16th May 2009)
It was reported that ‘A filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission revealed that Temasek no longer held BoA or Merrill Lynch shares as of March 31st 2009.
The Straits Times found out that the sale took place via a series of transactions made in the first quarter of this year. A Temasek spokesman said yesterday (15th May 2009):'We have divested our shares in Bank of America.'
It has been more than 1.5 month before this (yet another) massive Temasek losses come to light. Fundamentally this is not quite right, as it isn't Temasek’s monies but the people’s! Where is transparency? Where is accountability?
Also why did Temasek decline to reveal the the average price it got for its 188.8 million shares or why or exactly when it sold? Why all these hush hush?
Preliminary calculations put the potential loss from at least US$2.3 billion to as much as US$4.6 billion! Oh my …
News Link:
Temasek sells BoA stake (Straits Times, 16th May 2009)
Friday, May 15, 2009
Beyond a Statement of Dismay
I refer to the MFA Spokesman’s Statement on ‘Reports of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi being charged’ & ‘Singapore, ASEAN must strongly condemn Myanmar’ (MOFA & TOC Websites 15/05/09)
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s new charges in view of the appearance of an uninvited American man, is an apparent excuse by the Burmese military junta to extend her detention which expires at the end of this month. This is yet another deplorable act by the Myanmar’s military junta.
Even though Singapore’s MFA had already issued a statement expressing its dismay over Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s fresh charges, yet the choice of the word ‘dismay’ did not convey the severity of the matter. This is especially when clear violations to articles 1(7), 2(2i) & 5(2) have been committed by Myanmar to the recently inked ASEAN Charter.
For that reason, ASEAN must strongly condemn the military junta’s disregard to the Charter and its abusive violations of basic human rights. Singapore as a founding member of ASEAN and key proponent of the Charter must act beyond a mere statement of dismay, otherwise the signed ASEAN Charter is as good as nothing.
Links:
The ASEAN Charter
MFA Spokesman’s Statement on ‘Reports of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi being charged (MOFA Website 15/05/09)
Singapore, ASEAN must strongly condemn Myanmar (TOC Website 15/05/09)
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s new charges in view of the appearance of an uninvited American man, is an apparent excuse by the Burmese military junta to extend her detention which expires at the end of this month. This is yet another deplorable act by the Myanmar’s military junta.
Even though Singapore’s MFA had already issued a statement expressing its dismay over Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s fresh charges, yet the choice of the word ‘dismay’ did not convey the severity of the matter. This is especially when clear violations to articles 1(7), 2(2i) & 5(2) have been committed by Myanmar to the recently inked ASEAN Charter.
For that reason, ASEAN must strongly condemn the military junta’s disregard to the Charter and its abusive violations of basic human rights. Singapore as a founding member of ASEAN and key proponent of the Charter must act beyond a mere statement of dismay, otherwise the signed ASEAN Charter is as good as nothing.
Links:
The ASEAN Charter
MFA Spokesman’s Statement on ‘Reports of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi being charged (MOFA Website 15/05/09)
Singapore, ASEAN must strongly condemn Myanmar (TOC Website 15/05/09)
Saturday, May 09, 2009
A Relieved White Cat
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The same white cat from an earlier story ‘More likely the rat has fled’ (YSL @ WP, 16th January 2009) meowed about the re-capture of this long lost rat. The visibly happy white cat meowed praises upon its own cats strolling within the apartment for the rat’s capture by neighboring kuchings prowling in a much bigger apartment.
It meowed ‘I’m happy, I’m sure all will also be happy. I received many pats & tickles on my neck congratulating our cats for the rat’s capture.’ It further meowed, ‘Our own cats have been scenting many leads. Eventually, one of our own cats' scents helped to pinpoint where the rat could be hiding.’
‘When it was generally satisfied that the cat-scent-formation was catible, we passed the cat-scent-formation to our neighboring kuchings.Our purring eventually paid off. Between our cats & the kuchings, there’s a long-standing cooperation. As a result of this kind of relationship we were able to keep each of our houses safe from rats.’
Though this white cat was at one stage uncertain about the rat’s location and it has never actually capture the rat by itself, such long-standing cooperation between the cats & kuchings is highly evident. This is because the very same rat was re-captured earlier, twice by other neighboring kuchings prowling in yet another bigger neighboring mansion!
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Implications of Reduced Train Frequency
The below feedback was sent to SMRT Online on 5th May 2009 @ 10.20am
Dear Sir/ Mdm,
I refer to the report ‘SMRT’s train frequency to be reduced if flu alert hits red’ (Channel News Asia, 04th May 2009)
Business contingency planning based on the assumption that once service staff being divided into two teams can prevent the potential spread of the H1N1 virus is potentially a self-defeating one.
The implications of train frequency being reduced by 30 per cent if Singapore’s pandemic alert is to hit red will cause a worsening crowding effect in most trains, especially during peak hours. Such over crowding effect may hence lead to the potential spread of flu virus due to closer passengers’ proximity.
It is however commendable that SMRT has increased its cleanliness vigilance level in trains and buses by more than three times ever since the health ministry raised the flu alert to orange.
It is also assuring to know that SMRT managed public areas being cleaned once every two hours and temperatures of their officers are being checked twice daily, with improved ventilation across all its trains & buses.
The better contingency plan if Singapore’s pandemic alert is to hit red is to keep up with the cleanliness vigilance & current arrangements rather than to reduce train frequency by 30 per cent, hence avoiding the unintended consequences of potential spread of flu virus due to closer passengers’ proximity.
For your consideration please.
Best Regards
Yaw Shin Leong
Dear Sir/ Mdm,
I refer to the report ‘SMRT’s train frequency to be reduced if flu alert hits red’ (Channel News Asia, 04th May 2009)
Business contingency planning based on the assumption that once service staff being divided into two teams can prevent the potential spread of the H1N1 virus is potentially a self-defeating one.
The implications of train frequency being reduced by 30 per cent if Singapore’s pandemic alert is to hit red will cause a worsening crowding effect in most trains, especially during peak hours. Such over crowding effect may hence lead to the potential spread of flu virus due to closer passengers’ proximity.
It is however commendable that SMRT has increased its cleanliness vigilance level in trains and buses by more than three times ever since the health ministry raised the flu alert to orange.
It is also assuring to know that SMRT managed public areas being cleaned once every two hours and temperatures of their officers are being checked twice daily, with improved ventilation across all its trains & buses.
The better contingency plan if Singapore’s pandemic alert is to hit red is to keep up with the cleanliness vigilance & current arrangements rather than to reduce train frequency by 30 per cent, hence avoiding the unintended consequences of potential spread of flu virus due to closer passengers’ proximity.
For your consideration please.
Best Regards
Yaw Shin Leong
Saturday, May 02, 2009
Economic growth should benefit all, not just the rich
By: Avery Chong, Gerald Giam, Nathaniel Koh, Watson Chong & Yaw Shin LeongThis article was first published in The Online Citizen on 1st May 2009.
Singaporean workers are facing their most challenging period since Independence. Thousands have lost their jobs since the current economic crisis began last year, and unemployment is expected to continue rising through 2009 and beyond. Many workers have been forced to accept salary cuts or go on unpaid leave to help their companies stay profitable.
These workers should be saluted for their resilience, perseverance and adaptability in the face of enormous challenges. Singapore’s prosperity and economic progress were achieved primarily through the sweat of our workers.
The Government always claims credit for Singapore’s economic growth during good times, yet conveniently blames the global downturn when our economy takes a nosedive. However the facts tell a different story. Singapore was the first country in Asia to slip into recession last year. Our GDP is expected to contract 8.8% this year — much worse than almost all our major trading partners (see Annex A for the economic forecasts for our top trading partners).
The Government’s economic model may no longer be serving us well, and we need to start a national conversation to discuss alternative economic models to take Singapore to the next level of progress.
Closing the income gap
Singapore’s economic growth over the last decade has resulted in phenomenal income increases for PAP ministers, “foreign talents” and top company executives, while the incomes of low wage Singaporean workers have stagnated or even fallen. Singapore’s income inequality is now more in line with Third World countries than with other developed economies like Japan and Denmark.
Economic growth should benefit all Singaporeans, not just the rich and well-connected. While there should be fair rewards for hard work and good performance, the reality is that many ordinary Singaporeans work just as hard, if not harder, than their wealthy counterparts, but have not reaped commensurate rewards.
The Government should implement measures to increase the take home pay of low-wage local workers. This can be achieved through tighter restrictions on the import of foreign labour in domestic industries, skills development for higher value-added industries, productivity increases through capital investments and increasing government-funded income supplements.
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) for basic necessities like rice and sugar should be removed to benefit low-income Singaporeans. The GST should be reverted to its previous rate of 5% for all other goods and services, except luxury items.
While a no strings attached welfare state is undesirable, there is room for limited and conditional financial assistance for the unemployed. This financial assistance could be based on a fixed quantum or a proportion of the job seeker’s last drawn salary. It should not be disbursed solely at the discretion of Citizen’s Consultative Committees or Community Development Councils. It should be given for a limited period (e.g., six months) to all retrenched Singaporeans who demonstrate a commitment to looking for a new job.
Finally, wealthy Singaporeans should do their part to help their less fortunate countrymen through increased contributions to social welfare organisations and foundations that help Singaporeans in need.
We wish all our fellow Singaporean workers a Happy Labour Day!
——–
[1] The Economist Country Briefings (17 April 2009).
[2] Caught in the pay squeeze, Straits Times, 8 Jun 2008; MOM Report on Wages in Singapore 2006, p45.
[3] Singapore’s Gini index is 42.5, similar to Thailand (42.0) and Cambodia (41.7). Gini index for Japan (24.9) and Denmark (24.7) are much better than Singapore’s. There are no developed countries that have a worse Gini index than Singapore (UNDP 2007/2008 Human Development Report).
——–
Table: (Annexe A)
2009 GDP Growth Forecasts for Singapore’s top trading partners
Source: IE Singapore and Economist Intelligence Unit
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