Lim Swee Say’s “voice of silent majority” tainted with partisan bias
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Written by Ng E-Jay
19 May 2013
During a People’s Association Ceremony on 18 May, Mr Lim Swee Say said that grassroots leaders are the “voice of the silent majority” who help to strengthen ties between the ground and the government.
He said that grassroots leaders reach out to some 1.7 million residents every year, and through the interactions, they give frank feedback to the government. An example cited was the ongoing National Conversation.
Unfortunately, Mr Lim’s so-called “voice of the silent majority” is heavily tainted with partisan bias. As the People’s Association is helmed by the Prime Minister and key cabinet ministers, the organization embodies only the political philosophy of the PAP, and whatever engagement it conducts with residents is aimed at consolidating the political might of the PAP.
The politics of town councils
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Written by Ng E-Jay
17 May 2013
The AIM/town council saga has continued with PAP’s Teo Ho Pin firing off round after round at WP even in the face of outright rebuttals by WP Chairman Sylvia Lim. The whole affair has degenerated into a squabble over numbers, as well as detailed comparisons between AIM and FMSS to see which company presents a greater potential conflict of interest.
The latest salvos by Teo Ho Pin do not add value to the debate (the latest developments can be read here and here). They only serve to paint a picture of a PAP intent on damaging WP politically through various insinuations and allegations concerning high fees charged by the WP Managing Agent and whether the public interest has been undermined.
Sir Alex Ferguson and Singapore
By Dr Wong Wee Nam
16 May 2013
When Sir Alex Ferguson announced his decision to quit as manager of the Manchester United football team, he created a shockwave in the football world. Who would have expected the most successful football manager in the world to leave so suddenly when his passion for the game is still evident in recent games? Nevertheless, the decision is a correct one. Age is catching up on him. He has to leave sooner or later. So what better time to leave than at the pinnacle of his career?
I like Sir Alex, not only for bringing up the great MU teams that have given me countless hours of viewing pleasure, but also for not forgetting his roots and always feeling for the working class in spite of his success and wealth.
Wrapping up the town council debate
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Written by Ng E-Jay
15 May 2013
As has been mentioned on the Breakfast Network, the recently concluded Parliamentary debate over MND’s review of the town council transactions involving AIM, a PAP-owned company, should serve as a political education for Singaporeans.
At the heart of the debate were two issues: Firstly, had the PAP through the town council acted appropriately in its dealings with AIM, the software provider, and likewise later under WP, in its dealings with FMSS, the WP-appointed Managing Agent?
Secondly, had the termination clause in the AIM contract been used unfairly to sabotage WP’s operation of the town council, with the possible motive of damaging WP politically?
Protecting our national institutions and safeguarding our future
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Written by Ng E-Jay
06 May 2013
The Malaysian 2013 General Elections was alleged to be filled with fraud and rigging. Phantom voters were extensively videotaped turning up everywhere to vote. Families complained that strangers had been registered under their address. Some voters were turned back when they went to the polling stations or faced other administrative obstacles, while others found that someone else before them had already voted in their names. The indelible ink that was used could be easily washed off.
To top it all off, power blackouts occurred in some counting centres, miraculously and magically, in states which witnessed a very close fight.
A fraudulent election outcome
I will NOT post the Malaysian General Election 2013 results on my blog or on my FB page, because I believe that any election outcome that is fraudulently obtained is NOT WORTH MENTIONING AND NOT WORTH DISCUSSING.
Let us stand in solidarity with our Malaysian brothers and sisters
Written by Ng E-Jay
05 May 2013
Malaysia goes to the polls today, a historic milestone in its history.
As Singaporeans, let us stand in solidarity with our Malaysian brothers and sisters, and bid them to usher in a new era of change and democracy to Malaysia.
It is my hope that justice and fairness will prevail.
Second protest against population white paper: 01 May 2013
On 01 May 2013, from 4pm to 7pm, over 5000 Singaporeans again gathered at Speaker’s Corner for a second protest against the Population White Paper. The turnout was on par with the first protest held in February.
People carried placards that displayed heartfelt messages about how life in Singapore was being progressively ruined by government policies that have caused underemployment and displacement of Singaporeans in the workforce, as well as the hurt and pain caused by the government’s immigration policies.
Placards included: “Singaporeans extinct in 2030“, “High HDB prices: Asset enhancement or artificial inflation“, “Jobs for Singaporeans! Many ex-PMETS cannot find work and end up driving taxis only!“.
Economic growth and pay rises go hand in hand? Singapore is the exception!
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Written by Ng E-Jay
01 May 2013
Last week, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that in order for salaries to increase, we need to have economic growth. While this may be true in most developed countries, the correlation between Singapore’s economic growth and wage increases has broken down in recent years.
Take a simple example. Our GDP per capita, on a Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) basis, is near US$60,000 — one of the highest in the world; in fact one of the top few. Yet, our wage levels are only comparable to Hong Kong or Taipei — they lag far behind developed cities like New York, Sydney, Frankfurt, London, Paris, Auckland, or Tokyo.
10 million population the real long term target?
Written by Ng E-Jay
30 April 2013
Is a 10 million population the real long term target of the Singapore government?
At a forum held last Saturday, organized by the Singapore Institute of Planners (SIP) and co-hosted by the National University of Singapore’s Department of Architecture, one of the panelists raised the possibility of having a 10 million population.
“Singapore should look beyond 2030 and plan for a more distant future – perhaps even one with 10 million people,” said former chief planner Liu Thai Ker.
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