Some have touted the increased numbers for Non-Constituency Members of Parliament (NCMPs), as well as protecting the Nominated Members of Parliament (NMPs) scheme to be a step forward. While it certainly is progress, it is also superfluous; NCMPs and NMPs are only allowed to participate in Parliamentary debate, but have no voting rights on motions or bills.
This allows more voices to be heard, especially voices not from the PAP, but this is hardly a revolutionary change that will significantly affect Singapore's political landscape or policy processes.
]]>[T]he woes of the homeless cannot be attributed entirely to them, as Government policy may have played a part too.
Mr Yusof’s main problem wasn’t due to his profiteering from HDB flat sales, some of which he may have ploughed back into subsequent flat purchases. His problems arose because he lost his job and could not find another one for nine months.
To what extent has Government’s labour policy on foreign workers contributed to Mr Yusof’s problem, such that he could not even get an $800 job?
The root cause of the problem of the homeless, or absence of rental flats available for the homeless, may be due to the HDB’s poor planning in projecting supply to meet demand, and policies that keep driving up prices like its Market Subsidy Pricing policy.
(h/t: Joshua Chiang)
]]>Props to Joshua Chiang and the TOC crew for keeping with the story and giving us a glimpse into the simple yet happy lives of this family. To be able to face adversity and laugh is a quality that everyone should aspire to.
Remember the homeless lady who was seven months pregnant when we first met her staying in a tent in Sembawang Park? She gave birth to a cute baby eleven days ago.
She reiterated what she told us the first time we met her - the family only needed some extra help to get back on its feet again, but not to the extent they become dependant on others. Now that they had finally a roof over their head, her husband had done what he said he would do when we first met him - he found a job at a restaurant. (He had quit his previous job out of concern for the wife's safety when they were staying in the park)
Go read the note, it's worth your time.
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This is the Singapore story: Study hard, work hard, and you can pull yourself out of poverty.
I wish to remind the younger generation of where we have come from, and not to take what Singapore is now for granted. Today, I live in an HDB maisonette. Thank you, Singapore.
The first point is reinforcing the meme that misfortune is self-inflicted, while the second is the constant "be grateful and appreciative" theme that is trotted out every time there is disagreement with national policies.
Not everyone who studies and works hard reap the benefits they deserve. Being grateful and appreciative of what we have should not curtail our ambitions and hopes that we should, and can, do better. And dissent is not disloyalty, which is always implied in letters such as these.
This letter makes for a touching story, but ultimately has no relevance to reality. If anything While it is admirable to remember one's roots and be thankful for how far we have come, we should also be mindful of our responsibility to the next generation; if we cannot make it better for them, then at least, don't make it worse.
Ng Kok Lim also pounces:
It is not enough to remind the younger generation of where we come from. It is more important to let them understand that in an increasingly competitive world, it is not enough to simply ace one’s exams just so as to win a privileged seat to rot in.
So while you give thanks to Singapore for living in a maisonette today, think about who you would thank if you were to start all over again by drawing today’s starting salary and paying today’s price for a maisonette. I can guarantee you, your tears will be no less than those you shed for Mr Mah last Saturday which you have no one else but Mr Mah to thank for.
When Madam Low's children have to pay a much higher price for a HDB flat than she paid for her maisonette, who will she cry for then? And will she expect Mr Mah to cry for her?
This is not a simple issue of a "generation gap"; more worryingly, this might be signs that some have bought the PAP dogma hook, line and sinker. And our children will pay the price for this generation's gratefulness.
]]>And this is where David Hanson, UK's Policing and Crime Minister, steps in. From DPReview:
The UK Policing and Crime Minister has reasserted that anti-terrorism should not be used to stop photographers and photojournalists. In a meeting with a Parliamentary photography group and journalists, David Hanson MP said the Sections 44 and 58A of the 2000 Terrorist Act should not be 'used to stop ordinary people taking photos or to curtail legitimate journalistic activity'. He also said guidance to that effect has been provided to the UK police forces, advising that these powers should not be used to stop innocent members of the public, tourists and journalists.
While this is certainly reassuring, judgment should be withheld until UK photographers report compliance with the minister's guidelines.
]]>The amendments to the Women's Charter, to give the Family Court more teeth, include requiring defaulters to place funds in a bank to guarantee against future defaults and imposing community-based sentences.
Currently, the court can impose fines, order a third-party to transfer the maintenance to the claimant and set jail terms. But as family and criminal lawyer Rudy Marican notes, the court rarely sends a defaulter to jail as it stops him from working and, hence, paying the maintenance.
Dr Balakrishnan said defaulters will have to declare their maintenance debts when registering a second or subsequent marriage.
Claimants can also report maintenance debts to credit bureaus to reflect the credit standing of a defaulter, and obtain the latter's employment information from the CPF Board to contact the employer for maintenance from his salary.
Giving more power to the Family Court to enforce this is a good idea, as I do not believe any ministry can enforce this effectively, nor is it good policy to allow the executive to enforce what is a judicial issue. If there are enough manpower and infrastructure invested in this, and it looks like there will be, this is good policy.
]]>But this question, raised by Ang Mo Kio GRC's Dr Lam Pin Min, in Parliament, makes idle banter look serious.
HEALTH Minister Khaw Boon Wan was asked for his secret to looking young by Ang Mo Kio GRC MP Lam Pin Min in Parliament on Tuesday.
I wouldn't even entertain that question on my free time, but this is asked on the Parliament floor? On Parliament time? On taxpayers' dime? This is worse than frivolous. It is an utter disrespect for the people who elected (despite the many walkovers in the last election, Ang Mo Kio GRC was not one of them) Dr Lam to legislate and to represent them, and a disgrace to the country's legislative body.
Oh, and Mr Khaw choosing to indulge in his colleague's idle curiosity is just as indicative of the self-aggrandising and enabling behaviour of his peers.
Remember, we pay these people millions to ask one another how they manage to look young. There's a time and place for everything, and Parliament is not where I would expect such questions to be asked or entertained.
(h/t: Singapore Dino)
]]>The answer is that it isn't. What happens between two willing adults is really none of our business. I would be more interested if Wendy Chong, Neo's mistress, was a signed artiste in Neo's company, since that would constitute sexual harassment, but this is not true. So what's the fuss about?
And while I understand the need for personal friends to support each other, George Yeo should be mindful that his very public position as a cabinet minister means his words have weight, and consequences. Lend your support privately, but speaking out publicly is just stupid.
We have allowed this silly story to distract us from more important issues, and that is a shame. We have PAP MPs boasting about firing old Singaporean workers and replacing them with young foreigners, proudly proclaiming they are deaf to all criticism, rejecting any idea from the opposition as "dangerous", insisting that public housing is affordable without providing the metrics of measurement, a Deputy Prime Minister who naps in Parliament while the other DPM speaks, and these people will be averaging an 8.8% pay raise this year.
All stories deserving of more play and coverage in the press. Even Temasek Review is covering this, tabloid-style, and I am sorely disappointed by that, given its roots as Wayang Party.
Time to move along, and I say again, this is none of our damned business.
]]>Well, it seems that Republicans are going all in on the idea that a big reason we have high unemployment is that unemployment benefits reduce the incentive to seek work. Aside from the sheer cruelty, it’s really bad economics, but whatever.
You should read this too.
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Imran sold his flat for a profit. With the money, he rented a bungalow in Johor Bahru and even bought a car. Two years later, his money was spent, and he was back in Singapore, homeless.
Imran could be what Senior Parliamentary Secretary (Education) Masagos Zulkifli and Dr Ahmad Magad (Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC) had in mind when they spoke in parliament on Tuesday about a segment of the Malay population who became homeless as ‘living beyond their means’.
“They do not think about buying a new flat or where their family is going to stay, even though they have young children,” said Dr Magad. Mr Masagos added, “We must not forget the real reasons as why they are stranded there and not be quick to point fingers.”
Finger-pointing or not, PAP MPs are quick to jettison any potential responsibility and place them on homeless Singaporeans, many whom, like Imran, did not deserve to be punished by society or governmental policy. The problem, it appears, is the stubborn refusal of this government to recognise it as such, and that government irresponsibility to its citizens is acceptable while personal irresponsibility is not.
Pot, meet kettle.
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