Next Prime Minister Will Be An Indian?

killnotthesnake:
May 29, 2011 at 10:53 am killnotthesnake(Quote)
Yes. These Indian really gets the best of both worlds. Even after they became singapore citizens, they, their children and grand children are still considered as Overseas Indian Citizens(OIC) back home. Basically, they are almost like any Indian citizen, only without voting rights. They can buy houses, work and live freely like a citizen. And if they choose to, they can become an Indian citizen again anytime! This was told to me by an Indian acquaintance who was showing off the options he has. How loyal can these people be to their host country?

http://www.immihelp.com/nri/overseascitizenshipindia/oci-benefits.html
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Newsgroups: soc.culture.singapore, soc.culture.indian, soc.culture.malaysia, soc.culture.hongkong, soc.culture.taiwan, soc.culture.asean
From: "AleXX"

Subject: In no time, The skyline of Singapore will be march darker and half filled by these people

Just like what one of the ex-MP had said:
One evening, I drove to Little India and it was in complete darkness but not
because there was no light, but because there were too many Indians around."

More Kekling MP in parliament and if there will be another kekling kia
prata-man President, the situation will be even darker :)

With 3 of the top Ministers, including Finance & Law, (not to mention the President is already Indian), there is a very strong likelihood that the next Prime Minister is going to be an Indian for the first time. PM Lee is admittedly more open and less racist than his dad, so my bet is for them Indian to take the limelight from now on.

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A Singapore-based magazine, Pardesi Pulse (http://www.pardesipulse.com) has published an article on the Indian expatriate community in Singapore. Pardesi’s main focus is on the Indian Diaspora. It is distributed free on charge in various locations in Singapore. The article is published in the April/May 2011 issue and written by Aprajita Anil. The title is “Expat Indians living the best of both worlds”.

The main points are follows:

* There are about 400 000 expat Indians and the figure is rising.
* Some had been here more than 10 years while others had been here for a fairly shorter period of time.
* One unconfirmed figure states 2500 expat Indians have taken up Singapore citizenship for the “past one year”.
* Dr Ashutosh Prakash of Tan Tock Seng Hospital has been living in Singapore for 3 years. He says it is quite easy for the expat Indians to adjust as Indians had been an integral part of Singapore society.
* He uses the example of the major Indian festival Diwali is a national holiday. In addition, there is the wide availability of Indian culture ranging from food to films.
* He also mentions that if he needs to go back home, it is just a 5 hour flight. He feels he is experiencing the best of both worlds.
* Mr Ajay Sundar, manager of a multinational firm, is 7 years old in Singapore. He feels the perception of how locals react to foreigners is critical.
* Ms Divya Bhardwaj, a home-maker. According to her 4.5 years’ local experience, older local Indians are friendlier towards their expat counterparts.
* Neethiya Sadagopal, communications manager of a multinational corporation (MNC) speaks from a local’s perspective. Some expat Indians think of themselves as the original “desi” (subcontinent Indians) while local Indians have lost their “originality”.
* While the expats try to show off a superior attitude, locals become cold and unfriendly towards the expats.
* The expat Indians interviewed for this article seem to be holding regular PMET (professional, managerial, executive and technician) positions. There is no example of anyone holding a highly-specialized position.
* There is no mention of positions which are said to be experiencing a so-called shortage of suitable locals as claimed by the ruling PAP (People’s Action Party) regime.
* There is also no suggestion of whether the expat Indian influx is due to the India-Singapore Free Trade Agreement.

Chan Chun Sing Wants Code-of-Conduct For Internet Flamers

Chan Chun Sing wrote this in his Facebook page:
Looking for ideas to promote responsible code of conduct for internet usage. Should new media be subject to same standards as conventional media? Is it possible to execute even? If not, how can we preserve the sanctity of new media as a trusted platform for collaboration/sharing?
-------------------------------------------------
Some interesting responses from various sources:

Jason Tan: The first forum to be REMOVED is Hardware Zone forums. It is the birth of FLAMERS. If they can't get it moderated, it is high time the forum be SHUT DOWN permanently to stop the breeding of more younger flamers.

Michael Tan: Allow me, ladies, gentlemen and Mr. Chan, to make an assumption. I assume that Mr. Chan is wondering how information on the internet from the other political parties can be curbed and regulated so that it results in presenting the PAP in a better light and subsequently win them more supporters over. As this is only an assumption. I wait for Mr. Chan to state his true intent so that we know whether this assumption can be consigned to the dustbin of history or kept on a life support system.

Kai Herng Loh: This is a horrible idea. In the first place, the "standards" conventional media are subjected to is a disgrace to Singapore, placing us near countries like Afghanistan in terms of press freedom. If this is to be opened as a topic for discussion, what should be discuss is how to ensure greater diversity in the mainstream media and increased press freedom, instead of trying to clamp down on online activity. Singaporeans have high expectations for you as a Minister for State in MICA, and we hope you live up to them.

Winston Yean: New media can be a trusted platform for the community because it is relatively uncensored and free for all. Responsibility in new media has to stem from the wisdom and passion of its participants, not by an external regulator. The extremism of new media today is partly because gov't has not engaged it in a meaningful way (Reach and fb pages alone don't count), so radical views get more than their fair share of airtime without being balanced by institutional views. And frankly. you can't engage without getting your hands dirty and taking some spills along the way. So develop a thick skin, don a flameproof jacket and wade in! Oh, and keep your sense of humour - it helps.

Emeritus Robox: Dear Winston, you say, "The extremism of new media today is partly because gov't has not engaged it in a meaningful way."

I would say that the extremism of GOVERNMENT has got everything to do with them not engaging their critics in any meaningful way. Don't you think?


decoy: what is cheebye kia paper general talking about? am i manipulating
anybody? maybe he has lots of retarded children who will believe
absolutely everything they read online or offline. nah. children
should be taught (very important, their survival may depend on it)
that just because somebody or even a political leader or a fucked-up
paper general says something, that does not mean it is true and fair
and good for them. they should be taught to analyse information,
verify information, exercise caution and good judgement. hey, paper
general, i worry about the way your bring up children. just because
the world out there is a big and dangerous place for gullible, half-
wit little monkeys, you can't just go out and shoot everybody, you
wacko, bloodthirsty, shit-head bastard. neither can you gag everybody
or try to frighten them and make them shut up. do you have any common
sense, paper general, whatever your fuckin' name is? if not, come on
over and suck my prick in a bottle of formalin and get some
nourishment for your little monkey brain. / ask your children to read
this to you and see if they don't laugh. (if they don't laugh, take
them to a psychiatrist - you've damaged their minds.)


truth wrote:
I am disapointed with this pap "high flyer".
Who are the people who manipulated Singaporeans ?

Ask any ordinary Singaporeans, and the vast majority will tell u it is the
papist Leegime and the state controlled media who manipulated Singaporeans.
The chief pap manipulator is non other than Lee Kuan Yew.

Second, he is implying that young Singaporeans are so gullible that they can
be easily manipulated. Always remember the internet is free for all and so
for anyone who try to manipulated and spread lies, there are others who will
correct it. So it is up to the individual himself to decide.
In the main stream media, only one side of the story is told.

Kichew Chan better wise up and start over again. If he continue to pursue
the path he is on he will meet with disaster.

asdf asdf :
On May 29, 5:43 am, invis wrote:
> Chan Chun Sing thinks that the internet is for PAP to play masak
> masak.
> Could someone please have mercy on this nincompoop and tell him that
> the internet is a gift from God to mankind to destroy despots and evil
> men like Lee Kuan and his family. It's God's gift to level the playing
> field. Too many innocent Singaporeans and their loved ones have
> suffered utmost pain and degradation just because their opinions
> differ from the motherfucker Lee Kuan Yew and his late wife.
> If Chan Chun Sing can't stand the heat in the hell-hole (Singapore)
> created by Lee Kuan Yew in the first place, please pack up and fuck
> off and no one will miss him.
> P.S. Who thinks Chan Chun Sing can control the internet, kee chiu? LOL

Responsible code of conduct for internet usage?
What about responsible and accountable leaders? Like promising Swiss
living standard, but not delivering it. Transparency in how money is
collected and used?

PM Lee 's 36 Rules for PAP Member of Parliament

wiseguy wrote:
May 28, 11:32 pm
LOL!!! In another sign of post-election 'repentance', Ah Loong has
released to the public, a letter written by him to those lightning
party Members of Pariahment who managed to survive thru the recently-
concluded GE.

Basically, it tells them to behave themselves or else, the party will
suffer another backlash from us peasants The letter is 7 pages long
and very wordy...so some of these elite-scholar MPs may still not get
the message, like dat clown who said ministers must be paid millions
of dollars juz so they can talk to non-peasant types like, taukehs,
taipans & tycoons.

So I have come up with some examples below to help Ah Loong's case:
One example, if floods are to strike S'pore again, take action
immediately. Dont wait 1 week later, when you cannot drive out of your
landed property becoz of the floods, then you start to 'kaupeh-
kaupoo'. That may looked like abuse of position by us peasants.

2nd example, buying kate spade bags is one thing if you can afford it.
But pse dont tell your hard luck story that u have yet to bring your
parents to Universal Studios. That's not a hard luck story. For us
peasants, a hard luck story is when a father had to throw himself in
front of a moving MRT train becoz the $10 in his pocket is all he had
left in this world to feed his family.

3rd example. If a case like... the father who threw himself in front
of a moving MRT train becoz the $10 in his pocket is all he had left
to feed his family...happened to fall on you, pse dun say stupid
things like the poor dad should have come to you for help. YOU. Yes,
you...should take the initiative to go out and look for these hard
luck cases first rather than wait for these hard-luck cases to come to
you. In fact, we heard of instances where these hard-luck cases did
come to you, but were told to 'get out of their elite faces'.
If you can think of some more examples, please feel free to
contribute....

The Prime Minister's Office issued on Friday a letter laying down the rules on how the People's Action Party's (PAP's) Members of Parliament should behave.

In the seven-page letter released to media, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong pointed out that the PAP's reputation for clean, incorruptible government was one of the party's most precious assets, and that every MP of the party "must uphold the rigorous standards that we have set for ourselves, and do nothing to compromise them".

He also noted that the recently-concluded General Election has shown that voters have concerns which need to be addressed, and that the government will have to significantly improve outreach to the voters.

He urged the MPs to "listen hard to voter concerns, help them to tackle pressing needs, reflect their worries and aspirations to the Government and persuade them to support policies which are in their own long term benefit."

The Prime Minister also emphasised that the MPs must separate their public political positions from their private business or professional interests, including their responsibilities as directors of a board of private or publicly-listed companies.
In general, he said that the MPs "must always uphold the high standards of the Party and not have lifestyles or personal conduct which will embarrass themselves and the Party."

"Any slackening of standards, or show of arrogance or indifference by any MP will erode confidence in him, and ultimately in the Party and Government," he added.
The PM's letter is re-posted in full below. What do you think of these dos and don'ts for PAP MPs? What do you think of PM Lee for issuing these rules?

RULES OF PRUDENCE
1. Our Party has won 81 out of 87 seats in the just concluded General Election. The opposition contested 82 seats, of which the PAP won 76, with 60.1% of the votes.

SERVING IN A NEW ERA
2. The people have given us a clear mandate to carry out our programmes. We must fulfil what we have promised to do in our manifesto. We must never break faith with the people, but always carry out our duties to them responsibly, address their worries and advance their interests.

3. The elections have shown that voters have concerns which need to be addressed. The Government will have to significantly improve our outreach to voters, our approach to formulating policies, and our policies themselves. As MPs, you play key roles in all these areas. You have to listen hard to voter concerns, help them to tackle pressing needs, reflect their worries and aspirations to the Government and persuade them to support policies which are in their own long term benefit.

4. Singapore is in a new phase of its political development. The PAP government has to operate and govern in a different way than before. But two things should not change. First, we must always hold fast to the spirit of service to the people, and work hard on their behalf. Second, we must never compromise the high standards of honesty and integrity, which have enabled the PAP to keep trust with the people all these decades.

UPHOLDING OUR REPUTATION AND INTEGRITY
5. The PAP's reputation for clean, incorruptible government is one of our most precious assets. As PAP MPs, your standing in society reflects this high standing of the Party as a whole. I cannot stress strongly enough that every MP must uphold the rigorous standards that we have set for ourselves, and do nothing to compromise them. Never give cause for accusations that you are misusing your position, especially your access to Ministers. This would discredit both you and the Party.

6. As MPs, you will come across many different sorts of people. Some will be altruistic, public spirited people who will help you without wanting anything in return, spending their time and money to get community projects going and to serve your residents. But a few will cultivate you in order to obtain benefits for themselves or their companies, to gain respectability by association with you, or to get you to influence ministries and statutory boards to make decisions in their favour. Gift hampers on festive occasions, entertainment, and personal favours big and small are just a few of countless social lubricants which such people use to ingratiate themselves to MPs and make you obligated to them.

7. You must be able to distinguish between these two groups of people, and be shrewd in assessing the motives of those who seek to get close to you. At all times you must be seen to be beyond the influence of gifts or favours.

8. You should be scrupulously proper in your contacts with government departments or public officers. Do not lobby any ministry or statutory board on behalf of anyone who is not your constituent or grassroots activist. Do not raise matters with public officers on behalf of friends, clients, contractors, employers, or financiers to advance their business interests. To be above board, conduct business with public officers in writing and avoid making telephone requests. If you have to speak, follow up in writing to put your requests on record.

9. MPs are often approached by friends, grassroots leaders or proprietors of shops and businessmen to officiate at the openings of their new shops or other business events. They usually offer a gesture, such as a donation to a charity or constituency welfare fund. Though you may find it awkward to refuse such requests, once you accept one, you will be hard-pressed to draw a line. As a rule, you should decline invitations to such business events unless you have obtained prior approval from the Whip. The Whip will grant approval only if the business is one that will add much value to the economy.

SEPARATING BUSINESS AND POLITICS
10. You must separate your public political position from your private business or professional interests. MPs who are in business, who occupy senior management positions in companies, or who sit on company boards should be especially vigilant. You must not exploit your public position as Government MPs, your close contacts with the Ministers, or your access to government departments and civil servants, for your personal business interest or the benefit of your employers. Your conduct must always be above board.

11. MPs who are employed by companies or industry associations may at times have to make public statements on behalf of their company or industry association. If you have to do so, make it clear that you are not speaking as an MP, but in your private, professional or business capacity.

12. When you raise questions in Parliament related to your own businesses, you should first declare your pecuniary interest in the issue. Do not use Parliamentary questions as a means to lobby the Government on behalf of your businesses.
13. You may, however, speak freely to Cabinet Ministers, who are your Parliamentary colleagues. Ministers will listen carefully to arguments on principles, especially when they relate to the general policy of their Ministries. But Ministers will not change individual acts of discretion, unless they have very good reasons which they can justify publicly. Parliamentary Secretaries and Ministers of State who intervene in their Ministries to reverse or alter decisions should promptly report the matter to their Ministers to protect themselves against possible accusations of misconduct. The Government must always base decisions on the merits of the issues, and cannot yield to pressure from interested parties.

DIRECTORSHIPS
14. MPs are often invited to serve on the Boards of private and publicly listed companies. This is a sign that private sector values PAP MPs' integrity and service, and reflects the high standing of the Party and of PAP MPs in general. The Party permits MPs to serve as directors, provided you keep your private and public responsibilities rigorously separate.

15. The public will closely scrutinise your involvement in companies, because you are a PAP MP. You should conduct your business activities so as to bring credit to yourself and to the Party. Adverse publicity on your performance as a director, or lapses in the companies you are associated with, will tarnish your reputation as an MP and lower the public's regard for the Party.

16. You should not solicit for Directorships in any companies, lest you appear to be exploiting your political position to benefit yourself.

17. You should not accept directorships where the company just wants to dress up the board with a PAP MP or two, in order to look more respectable.

18. Some grassroots leaders are businessmen who own or manage companies. You should not sit on any boards of companies owned or chaired by grassroots leaders appointed by you, so as to avoid the perception that you are obligated to them or advancing their business interests.

19. If you are offered a Directorship, you have to decide for yourself whether to accept. The Party is not in a position to vet or approve such decisions.

20. Before accepting, consider the possible impact of the Directorship on your political life. Ensure that the company understands that you are doing so strictly in your private capacity, and will not use your public position to champion the interests of the company, or lobby the government on its behalf.

21. Make every effort to familiarise yourself with the business, track record and background of the key promoters of the company. Satisfy yourself that the company is reputable, and that you are able to make a meaningful contribution. Specifically, just like anyone else contemplating a Directorship, you should ask yourself:

a. How well do you know the company, its business strategy, financial status, shareholding structure and the underlying industry?

b. Do you know your fellow directors, the way the Board and its committees fulfil their responsibilities, the reporting structure between Board and Management and the relationship between shareholders and the company?

c. Do you have sufficient industry, financial or professional expertise to fulfil your expected role and responsibilities as a Director? Do you understand your obligations under the law and the Code of Corporate Governance? Will you be able to discharge your fiduciary duties properly and without fear or favour?

d. Will you face any conflicts of interest, and if so can you manage them?
If you are in any doubt, you should decline.

22. Once you have decided to accept an offer of a Directorship, please inform the Whip. Detailed reporting requirements can be found in the Annex.

PARLIAMENT
23. MPs are expected to attend all sittings of Parliament. If you have to be absent from any sitting, seek the prior permission of the Government Whip. Please inform the Whip if you have to leave the Parliament premises while a sitting is on.

24. If you travel abroad, or need to be absent from Parliament for any reason, you must apply to the Speaker for leave, with copies to the Leader of the House and the Government Whip. You should also inform the Whip where you can be reached while away from Singapore.

25. I will ask the Speaker to give all MPs, particularly new MPs, ample opportunity and latitude to speak in Parliament. Your first opportunity will be during the debate following the President's Address at the opening of Parliament. At the Budget Debate, all MPs should speak up. Script your speeches or put your key points in note form to organise your ideas, and help the media.

26. The public expects PAP MPs to express their views frankly, whether for or against Government policies. In debates, speak freely and with conviction.Press your points vigorously, and do not shy away from robust debate. However, please exercise judgement when putting your points across.

27. Bring out grapevine talk for the Government to rebut, but do not unwittingly lend credence to baseless gossip. By doing so, you help ministers to put across the facts, explain the reasons for policies and decisions, and hence maintain public confidence in the openness and integrity of our actions.

28. Your honest, informed views are an important political input which Ministers will consider in formulating and calibrating policies. Ministers will accept valid, constructive suggestions, but they have to correct inaccurate or mistaken impressions. Over time, the public will see that PAP backbenchers are as effective as opposition MPs, if not better, at holding ministers to account, debating issues fully, and influencing policies for the better.

IMPORTANT PUBLIC OCCASIONS
29. On certain occasions, like the National Day Parade and the Investiture Ceremony for National Day Awards, the whole Establishment, i.e. the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary, will be there. Those who cannot attend must have very good reasons. Those who have accepted the invitation must attend, otherwise they leave empty seats, which does no credit to them or to the Party.

30. At all public functions and constituency events, punctuality is of paramount importance.

GIFTS
31. You should not accept gifts which might place you under an obligation which conflicts with your public duties. If you receive any gifts other than from close personal friends or relatives, you must declare them to the Clerk of Parliament who will have the gifts valued. If you wish to keep the gifts, you must pay the Government for them at the valuation price.

FUND-RAISING
32. Party Branches should not raise funds on their own without permission, for example by soliciting advertisements for a souvenir magazine or a carnival. If you intend to raise funds, please clear it beforehand with the Organising Secretary. When your branch embarks on a collective fund-raising activity, e.g. a Family Day or Walk-A-Jog, you must follow the rules strictly.

FINANCIAL PRUDENCE
33. As MPs, you should manage your personal financial affairs prudently. Do not over-extend yourself, or become financially embarrassed. This would be not only a potential source of personal embarrassment, but also a weakness which may expose you to pressure or blackmail.

34. In particular, you should not make major financial commitments assuming that you will continue to receive your MP's allowance. While MPs typically serve several terms, you cannot assume that you will automatically be fielded in future General Elections, or that if fielded you will definitely be re-elected. There is no tenure or job security in politics.

DECLARATION OF INCOME
35. For your own protection, every MP should disclose to me, in confidence, your business and professional interests, your present employment and monthly pay, all retainers and fees that you are receiving, and whether your job requires you to get in touch with officers of Government Ministries or statutory boards on behalf of employers or clients. Office holders need not do so because you will be subject to the reporting requirements of the Code of Conduct for ministers. This should be done by 30 June 2011.

GENERAL BEHAVIOUR
36. We have held our position in successive elections because our integrity has never been in doubt, and because we are sensitive to the views and attitudes of the people we represent. MPs must always uphold the high standards of the Party and not have lifestyles or personal conduct which will embarrass themselves and the Party. Any slackening of standards, or show of arrogance or indifference by any MP will erode confidence in him, and ultimately in the Party and Government. New MPs can pick up the dos and don'ts from older MPs, so that they conduct themselves always with modesty, decorum and dignity. You must win respect, not popularity, to stay the course.

MEDIA PUBLICITY
37. I am releasing a copy of this letter to the media so that the public knows the high standards we demand of our MPs.

DIRECTORSHIP DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS TO THE WHIP
1. Please inform the Whip of all the Directorships that you hold, and of the director's fees or benefits in kind e.g. stock options, which you receive. Include the name of the company, the position(s) held, the date of first appointment and the current Chairman of the Board (if he is someone other than yourself) by end January for the preceding calendar year, using the Schedule attached

2. There is no need to report Directorships of subsidiary companies that you hold by virtue of your employment in the main or holding company.

3. Please update the Whip whenever you have relinquished a Directorship or accepted a new appointment, within two weeks.

Did someone paid Ke Xin Ying to smear Nicole Seah?

Newsgroups: soc.culture.singapore
From: rushid
Date: Mon, 23 May 2011 04:53:42 +0800
Local: Mon, May 23 2011 4:53 am
Subject: Someone paid Ke Xin Ying to smear Nicole Seah

Someone paid Ke Xin Ying to smear Nicole Seah.

According to reliable sources, that "someone" is none other than Tin
Pei Ling. When we tried to contact Tin Pei Ling at her office to give
her a chance to confirm or refute this, she was not available and she
did not return any of our calls. Our calls to her condo were also
unsuccessful.

Our sources added that the amount paid to Ke Xin Ying was $7,500 which
was quite substantial.

We're now checking with some legal experts to see whether civil or
criminal action against Tin Pei Ling is the best recourse for
concerned citizens who want to see that corrupt people like Tin Pei
Ling cannot use their ill-gotten wealth to bully fellow Singaporeans.

Chan Chun Sing - Nephew of Lee Kuan Yew?

From theonlinecitizen:
The rumor that Chan Chun Sing is a distant relative of Lee Kuan Yew appears to be untrue based on this newsclipping from 1988.

Newspapers - Thanks, Mum
newspapers.nl.sg
Thanks, Mum Chan Chun Sing, 19, one of four top scorers from Raffles Junior College, who had six distinctions, a distinction for the Mathematics S-Paper and a merit for the Economics S-Paper: "My mother is a machine-operator. I do not stay with my father became my parents are divorced."

If we do not ask question, and live in fear all the time, we will never find out the truth.
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Chan seen here with members of the family at Mrs Lee's funeral...

Zanzibar wrote: May 21, 10:31 am
On May 20, 10:21 pm, adam <> wrote:
> Chan Chun Sing is the bloody nephew of the chief crook Lee Kuan Yew.
> That's why Chan Chun Sing was placed in Tanjong Pagar GRC to get
> back-door entry into 2011 parliament.
> The thing is the crooked Lee family hid the blood ties and hope the
> daft Singaporeans will never know about another blatant case of
> nepotism.
> But the Lee bastards forgot that the internet will expose all their
> shit very fast. The Lee bastards have nowhere to hide now. Thank God
> for the internet.

Saw that picture of him standing behind the Pm family which seemed to
show clearly that he was related to the PM by blood as the seats there
were for them of close family of the Lees.

Seriously, as Chan chun sing is minister; he is of public interest
now, and thus the Pm should be honest to explain it to the public
about his and family relationship with him .

Given that Chan chun sing's direct entry to appointments as minster
with only a acting minister post temporay to camouflage him to his
post, there should be explaination of his relationshions with the PM
on what interest he has with Chan and his family

And given that he was a direct backdoor entry candidate to get to the
public money of 2 million dollar minsterial pay per year job with
potential of 9 months bonus, the PM should explain his relationship to
the people on how his family was related with him..

And so, if Pm is honest and transparent and is true to himself to the
people of Singapore, he should come forward to explain publicly as to
who he is.

THe Pm should explain who is he related to him or family blood, and
why this man was chosen than of others equally qualified others
available in,the inside and outside of the pulbic sector and any
Singaporeans, etc

Is Major General Ki Chew (Chan Chun Sing) related to Lee Kuan Yew?

Over the Vesak Day holidays, an intriguing picture of MG Ki Chew has emerged ( http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/849/unledaic.png ). At the recent funeral of Mrs Lee, he was seen standing at a place normally reserved for close family members (cousins, uncles, nephews etc).

Scroll down to 1/3 of the page and you will see Chan Chun Sing among the
close family of Lee Kuan Yew mourning behind the coffin of Mrs. Lee Kuan
Yew:
http://singstatistician.blogspot.com/2011_05_01_archive.html

So who exactly is MG Ki Chew? Could he be the next Prime Minister of Singapore?

Shortly after I published this posting, the Cabinet line up was released. MG Ki Chew is off to a flying start. He is the new Acting Minister for MCYS. In getting this position, he bypassed at least 2 PAP hopefuls who were eyeing the seat.

PM Lee Sacked Wong Kan Seng, Mah Bow Tan, Raymond Lim?

Did Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong altogether sacked five ministers following the ruling party’s smallest margin of victory at this month’s general election?

In the new cabinet announced by him today, K. Shanmugam will be minister for foreign affairs, succeeding George Yeo who was defeated in the May 7 polls, according to a statement today. Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who will retain his position as finance minister, is also deputy prime minister and manpower minister. Teo Chee Hean remains as deputy prime minister.

Wong Kan Seng, National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan and Transport Minister Raymond Lim were probably sacked from the cabinet for their incompetence in dealing with the electorate and talking down on them, instead of appeasing them. Monkey and Frog storyteller, Lim Swee Say, also lost his Manpower Ministry mandate though he still keeps his Minister in the PMO (without Portfolio) post.

The new lineup is a “fresh slate after a watershed election,” said Lee at a press conference today. The government will “review existing policies and approaches” and “engage a new generation of Singaporeans,” he said. Shanmugaratnam, who has been Minister of Finance since December 2007, is a former education minister.

The announcement comes after Singapore’s former prime ministers Lee Kuan Yew and Goh Chok Tong announced May 14 they will resign from the cabinet to make way for younger leaders. Lee Kuan Yew will be made senior adviser to sovereign wealth fund Government of Singapore Investment Corp., while Goh is senior adviser to the Monetary Authority of Singapore. The new cabinet will be sworn in on May 21.

“The most important decisions are still made in the cabinet at a collective leadership level, so you can expect a great degree of policy continuity despite the changes,” said Ng Soon Nam, Singapore-based chief investment officer at Nikko Asset Management, which oversees about $126 billion. “It’s good that they are refreshing the cabinet.”

Prime Minister Lee’s ruling People’s Action Party won the general election with the smallest margin of popular votes since independence. He pledged his party will change the way it rules after the opposition won a record number of seats in elections that must be held every five years.

The party that has ruled Singapore for more than five decades won 81 out of 87 parliamentary seats and 60.1 percent of the popular vote. Lim Hwee Hua, Singapore’s first woman minister and who helps oversee the finance and transport ministries, also lost this month. A parliamentary seat is a requirement to hold a ministerial post in the cabinet.

Lee Kuan Yew, the father of the current premier, was Singapore’s prime minister when it gained independence in 1965 and handed over to Goh in 1990. The younger Lee took over from Goh in 2004, who stayed in the cabinet as the senior minister.

Singapore’s ministers are among the world’s highest paid, earning millions of dollars annually as the government benchmarks their wages against salaries of chief executive officers and other top earners in the country. The government says such earnings prevent corruption and help attract and retain talent.

Opposition parties in this month’s elections decried the amount of ministerial compensation and compared their wages to those of ordinary Singaporeans who are facing a rising cost of living and depressed wages as a result of an influx of foreign workers.

Negative Growth of Singaporeans' Real Income

From: "AleXX"

The 2011 elections in Singapore has been an education for me. It
demonstrates the power of the democratic process and importance of checks
and balances in any kind of organization. Power corrupts and absolute power
corrupts absolutely.

Singapore is like a Hollywood movie; it looks perfect. 9% GDP growth, 1.9%
unemployment, 11% of households are millionaires, highest home ownership,
etc, etc. However everyone feels that something is not right. There is a
growing discontent among the citizens. Are we irrational, are we just cry
babies who likes to complain? The problem with statistic is how you choose
to look at the numbers. On the flip side another set of numbers paint a
very different picture.

9% GDP growth, but real median household income grew at only 0.3% for
residents (citizens and PR). That same number becomes 2,8% when you include
the foreigners. If you take the average instead of the median number, the
household income growth quickly reaches 3.8%. To put it in simple terms,
all of the growth is benefitting the foreigners and the richer people. Look
who is getting the raw end of the deal. Of course only some data are
publicly available. When you triangulate and make intelligent guesses,
probably more than 50% of the citizen household here are experiencing
negative real growth in household income despite the robust growth in GDP.

1.9% total unemployment doesn't tell you that 2.7% of residents are
unemployed. With intelligent guess, citizen unemployment is probably close
to 4% in these wonderful times. 11% of households are millionaires; no
wonder the GINI coefficient in Singapore is 0.48%, higher than most
developed countries in the world. (GINI coefficient measures income
disparity in a country).

This is just a very simple analysis based on public data by a common
citizen. In the wise words of Austin Powers; it smells like shit, by god it
is shit. It is not surprising that people on the street is unhappy and
feels that something is not right despite all the hoopla. As I have just
demonstrated, looking at the numbers closely tells a very different story.

This has shown through in the polls. 60% is not a strong mandate and it
will get worst unless the PAP start acknowledging the problems and deal with
it. The first step to deal with the problem is to stop denying that there
is a problem.

WP has shown us that if you put out strong candidates, you can win the
election. I am sure that more credible candidates will look to WP with
confidence and I am sure more will come forward in the next election. I
totally disagree with PM when he said that we do not have enough talent in
Singapore to form 2 parties. That is utter nonsense. The persecution of
opposition in the past has driven out many credible leaders. That is the
real problem.

The credibility of WP and that strong challenge during this election has
shown us that checks and balance are important in politics. It has forced
PAP to deal with the issues and even apologize. This would be unthinkable
just a few days ago, when MM still regarded the PAP as a sacred religion
where repentance is the only way to salvation.

This brings me to the GRC. The intention was to ensure minority
representation, but this is a thinly veil excuse to carry a bunch of MPs who
are not up to scratch. The reality is that PAP cannot find enough talent to
win every seat hence the "buddy" system of averaging the good with the bad.
There are many other ways to solve the issue of minority representation.
The GRC is not the way. When the GRC was introduced there was no
referendum. This is a major change to the constitution. Since we have a
one party government, there was no checks and balance to this fundamental
change in our constitutional rights.

This election witnessed the tragedy of the GRC. Like most things in life it's
a double edge sword. We lost a great minister in George Yeo. Both parties
played a gambit and unfortunately he was sacrificed for the greater good of
the system. George Yeo would have won any SMC hands down, but he was
sacrificed. On the other hand we have many candidates who would have never
won on their own ticket, instead getting a free ride into parliament through
the GRC. Where is the justice in this system.

Now it is 5 more years of analyzing the results and redrawing the electorial
boundaries. Instead, the PAP should refocus on addressing the issues head
on and remember who is their boss. It is certainly not the foreigners.

Lee Kuan Yew for President ?

From: wiseguy
Subject: Re: Oh, No, Lee Kuan Yew, the President!!!
On May 15, 4:35 pm, beni wrote:
> Just heard from the grape vine that Lee Kuan Yew will fix the coming
> Presidential Election in such a way that he will be elected as the
> President.

> Oh, Shit! Worst nightmare. Singaporeans are fucked for good this time.
> From the frying pan into the fire.

LOL!!! At 88 years old, and SEEN to be in need of physical assistance,
the old man may turned out tol be our 3rd President to die in office.
His Presidency may even be the shortest, who knows?

In the meantime, his crown prince will face another backlash from the
peasants, in the form of another 8% percentage drop in votes in 2016.
------------------------------------------------------

From: Superbee
Date: Mon, 16 May 2011 02:08:00 -0700 (PDT)

Actually, this is the best solution.

When he becomes the President, he will hold the second key to the
reserves. Then he will bring it along to his grave for safe keeping.
That way, no one will be able to touch the reserves and it will be
safe.

This fulfills his pledge that even when he dies, he will "rise up" to
defend what he had built up over the years. PM Lee is so right to say
that MM is MM, he will never change.

SHOCKING REVELATION BY A TOP MINISTER

Ministers collect pensions at age 55 even in office – DPM Teo
In a desperate attempt to explain the PAP’s pension scheme for its retired ministers which has been making waves in cyberspace, DPM Teo Chee Hean unwittingly revealed the shocking fact that PAP ministers start collect their multi-million dollar pension at the age of 55, even if they still remain in office.

Under the Parliamentary Pensions Act (PPA), political office-holders ranging from parliamentary secretaries to the Prime Minister, including the Speaker of Parliament, are eligible to receive pensions from the state, as long as they have served for a minimum of eight years and are at least aged 50 when they step down.

For every completed year of service, the annual pension amount is raised by 1/27 of the ‘pensionable component’ of his salary. The final ratio, however, must not exceed two-thirds. This means that after 18 years of service, the final ratio used to compute a minister’s pension stops increasing, the Straits Times reported.

Before 1982, office-holders had to step down before they could begin receiving pensions. However, for some strange reasons, it was amended that year to allow office-holders to begin collecting at 55, even if they were still holding office.

This means that there are at least 7 PAP ministers who are still receiving pensions from the state on top of their annual multi-million dollar pay package – MM Lee Kuan Yew, SM Goh Chok Tong, PM Lee Hsien Loong, DPM Wong Kan Seng, Minister in PMO Lim Swee Say and DPM Teo Chee Hean himself.

Former Foreign Minister George Yeo, who is 57 year old this year, has been receiving pension for the last 2 years and for the rest of his life.

The state pension scheme applies only to PAP ministers and senior office-holders and has long been scrapped for the ordinary rank-and-file civil servants.
--------------------------------------------------
DPM Teo dispels ‘seven-digit’ pension rumours
By Alicia Wong

DPM Teo Chee Hean explains why the PMO has decided to clarify pension rumours. (Yahoo! Photo/ Faris Mokhtar).

The Prime Minister's Office has dispelled rumours of seven-figured pension payouts paid to retired ministers annually.

In a letter to the mainstream media on Friday, the PMO said that retired ministers who serve 18 years or more receive a maximum annual pension payout of about one-tenth of their annual salary.

According to the Public Service Division figures for 2009, an entry-grade minister received an annual salary of $1.57 million while a Prime Minister's salary was $3.04 million.

On Friday, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean told The Straits Times the PMO saw the need to clarify the situation because of "misinformation" that has been circulating on the Internet after the General Election.

Rumours being spread online said Foreign Minister George Yeo would continue to receive a seven-digit pension sum every year, even after stepping down as a Minister.
DPM Teo said, "I'm not surprised that it (the misinformation) causes some consternation. So it's best to just state what the actual position is and the actual position is quite different from the misinformation that has been going around."
To qualify for a pension, ministers have to serve at least eight years as a political office-holder and be at least 50 when they step down.

Their pension is determined based on the pensionable component of the monthly salary, which has been frozen since 1994, the PMO said in the letter signed by Tan Kee Yong, secretary to the Prime Minister.

A minister qualifies for the maximum pension of two-thirds of this pensionable component of his monthly salary after having served as an office-holder for 18 years. The pension is less if he has served for a shorter period.

The letter said Members of Parliament elected after January 1995 are not eligible for MP pensions, but ministers appointed after 1995 are eligible for ministerial pensions.

Civil servants from the elite Administrative Service and intelligence service officers also receive pensions after a certain number of years in service.
Explained DPM Teo, "There's a very specific reason for a small group of officers to still be on pensions because there is a premium in this case for long-term service in order to provide consistency of policy and implementation.

"But in any case, the value of the pension is fully taken into account as part of a minister's total pay package when we make comparisons with the private sector benchmarks."

The PMO also revealed that the Parliamentary Pensions Act, amended in 1982, for an eligible office-holder to receive a pension at 55 while he holds office is being reviewed.

DPM Teo said, "We are looking at that again because employment and re-employment terms have been changing over the years."

"The retirement and re-employment situation has been under review for quite some time and there have been some changes in the practice, so we want to make sure that this is appropriate still."

Lee Kuan Yew and Goh Chok Tong - confirmed to retire from Cabinet

MT3 wrote:
They have completely destroyed our trust in them. What took them so long to realise that their policies only stratify society. Only two classes exists ... the haves and the have nots.

This inevitably leads to the "politics of envy" which MM mentioned decades ago that Singapore must avoid. If this prevails, then chaos will result. This is the price we pay for their "arrogance" and refusal to listen.

The resentment is across many levels of society and may get entrenched deeper. This is the turn of events, if nothing is done.

Evolving out of this will be a transformation and renewal of the way the incumbents go about their business, which cannot be "business as usual". The era of the one party state is slowly dying and there is now, a new beginning.

The resolve to work towards a "two party system" and a first world parliament, will only get stronger and as of now, is not a sure conclusion.

There must be continued vigilance and there must be alternative voices in parliament.

A slower GDP growth will result and whats wrong with that, if there is stability, no civil disobedience and mutual respect.

All the brothers and sisters here, who helped in the dissemination of information can now pat themselves on their back.

This is round one.
================================================
An End To A Major Source of Moral Corruption.

This will at least prevent them from helping the Workers Party to win more seats with their racist comments and silly remarks on Ting Pei Ling, in the next election.

These two oldies are not only a burden to the PAP, they are also a symbol of the moral corruption currently being practised in the cabinet. They are collecting pensions like pensioners, but are also receiving salaries and allowances in whatever names they may choose call it.

And I have not mentioned the exorbitant salaries of all the ministers yet. All of them earning 3 to 5 times the salary of an over-worked and over-stressed American President, who is the next highest paid head of state outside of Singapore.

By the way, even if they are not in the cabinet, it doesn't mean they have no influence over the decision-making process. It just become less transparent, that's all.
---------------------------------------------------
Quote:
SINGAPORE : Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew on Saturday said they have decided to leave the Cabinet for Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his team to have a fresh clean slate.

In a joint statement, they said: "We have studied the new political situation and thought how it can affect the future. We have made our contributions to the development of Singapore. The time has come for a younger generation to carry Singapore forward in a more difficult and complex situation.

"The Prime Minister and his team of younger leaders should have a fresh clean slate. A younger generation, besides having a non-corrupt and meritocratic government and a high standard of living, wants to be more engaged in the decisions which affect them.

"After a watershed General Election, we have decided to leave the Cabinet and have a completely younger team of ministers to connect to and engage with this young generation in shaping the future of our Singapore.

"But the younger team must always have in mind the interests of the older generation. This generation who has contributed to Singapore must be well-looked after."
---------------------------------------------
Quote:
SINGAPORE's Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong, said he has not yet decided whether to accept Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew and Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong's resignations from the Cabinet.

But it is likely he will give his answer by Monday, local media reported. MM Lee and SM Goh announced their decision to retire on Saturday.

PM Lee said the move was initiated by the two leaders themselves but he had already known about it. He said the decision by the two former Prime Ministers to retire was a "major event" for Singapore which would affect his new Cabinet line-up.

Speaking after a post-election victory parade on Saturday, PM Lee said the decision to retire "shows that they are thinking of Singapore and for the future of Singapore."

He added, "The basic consideration is what is the best approach for forming a team which would be most effective in solving problems and establishing rapport and trust with the people going forward for the next five years."
---------------------------------------------------
THE SACKING OF GOH CHOK TONG

Joblessjoe wrote:
On May 15, 3:06 pm, beni wrote:
> Many people in Marine Parade blame Goh Chok Tong for not telling them
> that he was going to leave the cabinet and become an ordinary MP so
> soon after being elected.
> Frankly, I don't think Goh Chok Tong expected the old bastard Lee Kuan
> Yew to act so fast against him. Goh must be thinking that he had at
> least a few months to gather all his gang, including George Yeo, and
> some other veterans and plot the overthrow of the pondan Lee Hsien
> Loong.
> Lee Kuan Yew, on the hand, knows that his days are numbered and he has
> to destroy Lee Hsien Loong's enemies fast. If not, these enemies will
> pounce on pondon Lee Hsien Loong and tear him into a million pieces
> the moment Lee Kuan Yew up lorry.

There is no doubt that LHL sacked GCT with the blessing of the old
fox. Probably even with the wily old fox's instruction. In order to
look good to the public, the old fox also "step down". Who is going to
stop the fox from ruling in proxy?

Whatever happens, Singaporeans is not going to buy this wayang. It is
taken as an insult to all Singaporeans.

The writing is already on the wall.... the PAP is in its Death throes.

Tin Pei Ling Promotion and Resignation - Sylvia Lim Resigns From Polytechnic

Max:
June 2, 2011 at 7:08 pm Max(Quote)
Ernst & Young is embarrassed, PAP is embarrassed, Singapore has been embarrassed, and now I’m certain her husband would be embarrassed since she declared herself to the media that she is impregnable..............
--------------------------------------------------------------
Ask anyone in Ernst & Young Consultancy and she did not resign because she wanted to serve the residents of Macpherson who are elderly and poor (by the way first I am hearing a PAP MP acknowledging there are poor in Singapore). Things have became very uncomfortable to a number of parties including her and her husband.

She worked for Dylis Boey who is Hri Kumar’s wife until her resignation. She got the job thru her PAP work and nothing to do with merit. This is someone who thrives on networking and contacts. She also found her husband in a similar way. She is no expert in business and her brief does not include providing consultancy of any substance. Colleagues of E&Y are not familiar with having provided any consultancy to any kopi tiam which I understand that Ms Tin is comfortable with. The fact that she gave a false declaration does not put her in an organisation of that outlook in a comfortable position.

Her antics and the videos have seriously embarrassed the firm. Consultancy firms such as those depend heavily on perception and image and more than a fair share of appearing professional like. She has become a liability.

To the PAP, they need to rebuild her image from the ground up. Gaining employment thru PAP contacts does not augur well with the population especially when PAP keeps telling the world that they seek out the best.

Many of us know of kids from well known families, born with the silver spoon that went out in the world and did not wish to use their family name to seek employment.

I understand that Ms Boey is particularly embarrassed. I am sure her well brother who is well known fashion icon Daniel Boey must have been horrified by the Ah Lian hat and outfit that made the video the most popular for a long while.

This resignation to her minders is the first step towards re-building her image. I don’t think that she will succeed and surprisingly I her minders are in a similar frame of mind.
Scroobal
Source: Sam’s Alfresco Heaven
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tin Pei Ling has resigned from Ernst & Young
SINGAPORE: Member of Parliament (MP) for Marine Parade Group Representation Constituency (GRC) Tin Pei Ling has resigned from Ernst & Young.

The firm confimred with Channel NewsAsia that this was the case.

Ms Tin revealed her resignation on her Facebook page, through a post made on early Wednesday.

One part of her post read: "After long and careful deliberation, I decided to resign from the firm to focus on my responsibilities in MacPherson and Marine Parade GRC".

That Facebook post drew more than 300 comments, ranging from support to cynicism.

Ms Tin's parliamentary colleagues said they support her resignation.

MP for Marine Parade GRC Seah Kian Peng said: "The residents at MacPherson would be the ones who, in a sense, would see a difference, before and after.

MP for Marine Parade GRC Tan Chuan-Jin said Ms Tin can now focus more on her constituency duties.

Ms Tin's Facebook post said she is considering longer-term career plans, but fulfilling her duties to MacPherson residents is her first and utmost priority.

When contacted, Ms Tin said she would evaluate her career plans a few months or a year down the road, and did not rule out getting another job.

For now, she said she hopes for space to determine priorities in her MacPherson ward.

On her Facebook page, Ms Tin wrote that MacPherson has a large number of elderly and poorer households.

She added that they require and deserve more help and attention.

Ms Tin has been with Ernst & Young for four years.

Her last held position there was senior consultant.
--------------------------------------------------------------

tong wrote:
Just heard that Tin Pei Ling was promoted to a Director in Ernst &
Young. According to Ernst & Young this multiple jump in job grades for
Tin Pei Ling is to reward her for being an elected MP.

What has her being elected got to do with her job in Ernst & Young?
Again according to Ernst & Young spokesperson, Tin Pei Ling will bring
lots of business to the firm.

Is that not a form of corruption especially for an audit firm where
integrity is of utmost importance?

The spokesperson replied, "This sort of you-rub-my- back and
I-rub-yours kind of dealings have been going on in PAP, government
agencies and hundreds of business entities in Singapore. Why should
Ernst & Young be singled out as being corrupt."

Unlike Tin Pei Ling, WP's Sylvia Lim did the honorable thing of resigning from her job in the Polytechnic so as to concentrate fully on her role as MP for her students and for the people of Aljunied.
-------------------------------------------------------
RESIGNATION FROM TEMASEK POLYTECHNIC
AFTER more than 12 years of teaching, Aljunied MP Sylvia Lim has tendered her resignation from her position as a lecturer at Temasek Polytechnic.

Her resignation was in anticipation of an increased workload as an MP, she said in a statement released to the meda.

The Workers' Party (WP) chairman added that it would not be fair to the polytechnic's management, colleagues and students to continue in her teaching capacity while at the same time serving as an elected MP.

She said in her last five years as an NCMP, she has already spent working hours on Parliamentary activities such as sittings and the occasional overseas trip.

And even though the polytechnic's management had been supportive, the years ahead would be even more demanding, she added.

Ms Lim will be in charge of the Serangoon ward, taking over from Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Lim Hwee Hua.

Below is Ms Sylvia Lim's statement in its entirety:

RESIGNATION FROM TEMASEK POLYTECHNIC

This is to confirm that I have, on 13 May 2011, tendered my resignation from my position at Temasek Polytechnic, after more than twelve years of service.

The move is prompted by what I anticipate to be an increased workload after being elected as part of the Workers' Party team for Aljunied GRC in General Elections 2011.

My role at the Polytechnic included teaching full-time and part-time students, as well as co-ordinating continuing education initiatives for adult learners undertaken by the Polytechnic's School of Business. To fulfill these responsibilities well would require sufficient time, focus and dedication.

Already in the last 5 years as Non-Constituency Member of Parliament, working hours have been spent on Parliamentary activities such as sittings and the occasional overseas trip. While the Polytechnic management has supported these national platforms, I foresee that the years ahead as an elected Member will be even more demanding.

After due consideration, I have concluded that it would not be fair to the Polytechnic management, colleagues and students for me to continue in my post at Temasek Polytechnic as an elected MP. I will henceforth explore other career options.

This decision to leave Temasek Polytechnic was arrived at with decidedly mixed feelings, as I have enjoyed my work and colleagues there tremendously. I would like to record my sincere thanks to the Polytechnic management and colleagues for their kind understanding and friendship all these years
----------------------------------------------------
TIN PALIN - BROKE THE COOLING-OFF DAY RULE
From: Zanzibar
Subject: Re: Tin Pei Ling Must Be Disqualified
On May 16, 12:22 pm, Lubin wrote:

> Why is Lee Hsien Loong allowing a criminal to be sitting as an MP in
> Singapore's parliament?

> Is Lee Hsien Loong so daft that we have to remind him that Tin Pei
> Ling broke the Cooling-off Day rules which ironically were imposed by
> PAP in th every first place?

> Don't tell us that the Cooling-off Day rules ONLY apply to Opposition
> candidates and that PAP bitches like Tin Pei Ling are exempted?

Seriously there should be integrity in the election department to come
out to the public in explaining how their decision is or was on this
problem.

Integrity is the key institution incorporated in the election
department in this country of singapore.

The country of Singaporeans knew of this problem in the news and yet
the election department kept mumed of it showed that there is a
integrity problem with them on this matter of public interest.

Is it that the election reports to the Pm office and thus cannot
reveal of their decisions when the problem was arisen from their own
party?

If this was the case, the election department should be removed away
from the PM offce and be reported to an independent body perhaps to
the United Nation?

Lim Hwee Hua blames PAP's Arrogance and Indifference for Defeat

"Because they (Singaporeans) are not being listened to sufficiently...the party continues to make policies, and using its own intellect and reasoning and sometimes does not seem to listen and occasionally seems to be arrogant and not wanting to listen even when views are offered," Lim Hwee Hua said.

The PAP habit of forcing everything they think is right, down the throats of Singaporeans, is now paying the price in the ballot box. Expect more seats to go opposition's way, since old habits die hard.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lim Hwee Hua quits politics
By Joanne Chan | Posted: 11 May 2011 1214 hrs

PAP's transformation must be in substance, not just words, says Lim Hwee Hua

SINGAPORE: Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, Mrs Lim Hwee Hua, said she will not contest the next General Election in 2016.

She said she will leave it to someone younger as she will be 57 years old.

Speaking at a media conference Wednesday morning, Mrs Lim, who is also the Second Minister for Finance and Transport, said she has served almost 15 years and that's a "reasonable" stretch.

Mrs Lim said she was also surprised by the depth of resentment felt by citizens towards the government, which surfaced during the campaign.

And while the PAP team was expecting a close fight in Aljunied GRC, Mrs Lim said she was still surprised by the outcome. But she said the team respects the decision of the voters.

"There will always be gaps in the way we serve residents that can be addressed. But it's quite clear to us that the outcome was not because of that. It might have changed the results marginally. I think the Workers' Party said as much, that it's a national battle. They have decided on Aljunied as the target, and voters were forced to make a national decision," said Mrs Lim.

She also told the media that the transformation of the ruling People's Action Party must not just be in words but in substance as well.

Mrs Lim said Singaporeans now feel that the PAP is not listening to their opinions and is making policies without their considerations in mind.

"Because they are not being listened to sufficiently...the party continues to make policies, and using its own intellect and reasoning and sometimes does not seem to listen and occasionally seems to be arrogant and not wanting to listen even when views are offered," she said.

Going forward, Mrs Lim said she believes "the party has to make sure it has a response to each of these source of unhappiness.

"I say it should be the origin of transformation," she added.

On how the PAP might try to win back Aljunied at the next election, she said there are a lot of unknown factors. This includes how well the Workers' Party manages Aljunied and the quality of the PAP team that will contest in 2016.

On a personal note, Mrs Lim said she plans to take a break over the next few months. She also doesn't rule out the possibility of returning to the finance sector.

When asked if she may return to Temasek Holdings where she was former a Managing Director, Mrs Lim said she won't rule anything out.

On Tuesday, fellow Aljunied GRC team member, Mr George Yeo also announced his exit from politics.

In the contest for Aljunied GRC in the 2011 General Election, the opposition Workers' Party won 54.71 per cent of the votes, leaving the People's Action Party (PAP) with 45.29 per cent.

Zainul Abidin (PAP MP) blamed LKY for losing the GRC in Aljunied

oldson sin wrote:
Ex-MP for Aljunied GRC, Zainul Abidin Rasheed told reporters: "You
need only ask the Malays and Muslims in Singapore - many were hurt by
those remarks(by LKY) and remain so".

" No Singaporean must ever feel alienated, or worse, marginialised."
Zainal felt that as a Malay, he has been alienated and marginalized
and remain so.

If this was how he felt as a Malay Singaporean, other Muslims must
have similar feelings. It is no wonder that Malays had voted against
PAP.

Is LKY to be blamed for PAP loss in Aljunied?

From my conversation with the Malays in Aljunied, I gathered, MP
Zainul Abidin had NOT visited them(those living outside his designated
zone) even once in 5 years.

To the Malays in Aljunied, the opposition MPs will be able to speak
more effectively on their behalf in Parliament without the control of
the PAP whip.
--------------------------------------------------------
SINGAPORE - While Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew felt that his remarks about Malays, Muslims and integration did not affect the Malay vote for the ruling People's Action Party (PAP), Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Zainul Abidin Rasheed said yesterday: "You need only ask the Malays and Muslims in Singapore - many were hurt by those remarks and remain so".

Mr Zainul, who was a member of the PAP Aljunied GRC team which lost the General Election (GE), made this point to "show how easily the knots of racial harmony in our community can unravel".

"Integration does not only mean living in harmony. There must be equally opportunities for all ... No Singaporean must ever feel alienated, or worse, marginialised," he told reporters yesterday.

Asked about the timing of Mr Lee's remarks, which were published in the book Hard Truths to Keep Singapore Going, Mr Zainul pointed out the remarks had been made two years ago but as the book was only published earlier this year, he acknowledged: "So in that sense, (the) timing was bad for the GE."

Published by Singapore Press Holdings, the book is based on 16 interviews with MM Lee done by journalists from The Straits Times. It was launched about three months before the General Election.

However, Mr Zainul admitted that there "is no such thing as good timing or bad timing" to discuss potentially sensitive issues "because it sometimes touches on the raw nerves and this is where we have to manage the way we discuss such potentially sensitive issues, and issues that could also be divisive".

He also pointed out that some "very sensitive issues" pertaining to the Malay-Muslim community - such as National Service, tertiary fees and quotas in public housing - had been previously discussed behind closed doors and in public.

"I think it's the combination of the approaches we have taken that has brought the community to a level of maturity and be able to face these issues squarely, and then move forward," he added.

Unlike his PAP team mates, Cabinet Ministers George Yeo and Lim Hwee Hua, who had announced their retirement from politics earlier this week, Mr Zainul, stopped short of saying as much.

"I will always be involved in community work and I can never say, 'never', in life or in politics," the 63-year-old said. "But given my age ... I think it is unlikely for me to stand in the next election."

TRANSFORMATION AN ONGOING PROCESS
While various PAP leaders have spoken about the need for reform from within the ruling party, Mr Zainul noted the transformation "is an ongoing process".

He also recounted some of the changes which he had witnessed within the PAP.

As an editor with the Singapore Press Holdings between 1976 and 1996, Mr Zainul remembered Mr Lee - then Prime Minister - would consult many editors before important decisions and speeches.

"We found that if we do our homework and we were sincere in giving our feedback, in fact, Minister Mentor was even willing to change decisions which they had already made," Mr Zainul said.

When Mr Goh Chok Tong took over as Prime Minister, Mr Zainul pointed out the PAP Government tried to make the political process "more consultative" and "open".

Similarly, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is "more engaging and prepared to listen", Mr Zainul felt.

But he pointed out: "We have leaders among ourselves, or even in the civil service, people who have strong views themselves, who have their own opinions, and it's a matter of how do we actually blend the opinions, positions and feedback, and how do we bring them a policy that is acceptable to all."

While the Government "cannot please everyone", Mr Zainul felt it could do better in managing the communicating policies, managing feedback of people that may disagree with the Government and the communication process. "This is something which I think the party has started doing it, and I think we can only go deeper and do more," he added.

PAP Sacrificed George Yeo Intentionally - leaked info

Khairy wrote:

So, you think the PAP are morons??? Think again..
May 9th, 2011 | Author: Online Press
Please everybody; cool down.. Saw this recent article somewhere: Heard
this from a reliable source amongst the highest echelons of the PAP.
The PAP was well aware that Aljunied is a risky proposition for them.
This was clear even in 2006 and G—- just scraped through.

The PAP also knew that this time LTK is going to contest the Aljunied
GRC, especially after the electoral boundaries were redrawn. They had
factored that in and they knew that Aljunied is a goner in that case.
There was apparently considerable thinking to move G—- to East Coast
GRC so that his success is guaranteed. This was mooted by GCT. It
carried through the day and apparently G—- was also sure that he would
be moved to East Coast. Suddenly for no apparent reason, Lim Swee Say
was moved to East Coast GRC and G—- was retained at Aljunied.
Apparently the decision was taken by LHL, TCH and WKS. No one knows
the rationale for that decision. There are 2 theories going around:
One, they didn’t want to sacrifice Lim Swee Say and wanted a safe seat
for him. Second, some sections in the PAP believed that G—- was
gaining international stature (much more than the PM himself) and
wanted to cut down his size. He was also considered to be GCT’s man
and LHL wanted him out respectably. One should also note that it is
only GCT who is making statements supporting G—-. LHL is conspicuous
by his silence on GCT. LKY’s threat to Aljunied residents (leaving
residents confused as per G—-, while causing more Aljunied residents
to be frustrated & vote for Workers’ Party) is actually sounding the
death knell for G—- (and do S’poreans still think that LKY is old &
senile?). So, PAP wants G—- to lose. LTK has questioned the rally
attendees that if G—- is so important to the PAP team, why doesn’t G—-
be removed from Aljunied GRC. If this has even some truth to it, one
can easily speculate that there’s enough dissent even within PAP ranks
and one just has to wait for Mentor Lee to exit for the dissent to
come out in the open. They have given up on Aljunied and Hougang.

So, you think the PAP are morons??? Think again..
PAP is using Tin Pei Ling as test-water (as a young candidate). In
GE2016, the most exciting moment is the arrival of Li ShengWu (elder
son of Lee Hsien Yang), LKY grandson and he should be 28 years old by
then to continue the process of dynasty building…
Other possible candidates in 2016:

1. Li HonYi (elder son of LHL/Ho Ching)
Li was apparently being groomed for a future leadership role after
being awarded a government scholarship to study economics at the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (in 2008). The Singapore
military has served as a training ground for political leaders and
executives in state companies.

2. Teo Eng Siang (son of Teo Chee Hean)
Singapore pays S$280,825 for tuition for Teo’s son –
Teo Eng Siang was awarded a Public Service Commission Scholarship in a
public ceremony by his own daddy, Singapore Admiral and Minister Teo
Chee Hean. Young Teo now(2008) heads for the United States where he
will be attending Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. Brown
University is a fashionable Ivy Leage school and has a huge annual
tuition of US$42,303, or US$169,202 (S$280,825) for the full four
years. Don’t you think there are needier students in Singapore?

3.Warren Mah
Warren Mah, son of Mah Bow Tan, Singapore’s Minister for National
Development, is living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
He is on a scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania from the
Monetary Authority of Singapore.

This is Politics (Singapore Politics i should think), its not as
simple as we ordinary folks out there to comprehend precisely. The PAP
do have contingency and far-sight plans ahead.

Ng Wan Ching - proPAP journalist under investigation promoted

AleXX wrote:
Former TNP journalist Ng Wan Ching has been promoted to deputy editor of
the Straits Times with a hefty pay hike, despite the fact that she is still
under police investigation.

A Malaysian who became a Singapore citizen only recently, Ms Ng graduated
from the National University of Singapore with a Bachelor in Arts and Social
Sciences in 1987.

She shot to fame last year by writing a series of misleading and untrue
articles to smear Temasek Review in an attempt to destroy it
(unsuccessfully) including resorting to publishing un-substantiated and
baseless pornographic materials from a notorious porn site.

The Temasek Review learnt that at least two police reports have been filed
against Ms Ng for revealing classified information from a police
investigation, including but not limited to a formal complaint filed with
the Permanent Secretary of Home Affairs and the Attorney General's Chambers
but the police has been sitting on the 'textbook' case, for months.

Despite technically still under police investigation pending the outcome, Ms
Ng was transferred from TNP to the SPH main English paper Straits Times with
a promotion. It is indeed deplorable that the Straits Times is now having a
journalist who is still under police investigation as its deputy editor.

The editor of Ms Ng at that time is the infamous Melvin Singh who was
responsible for smearing some SDP and NSP candidates in the run-up to the
election last Saturday causing them to lose crucial votes.
Melvin Singh concocted an non-existent 'march' by Dr Chee Soon Juan after a
rally at Jurong East and then put words in the mouth of SDP candidate
Michelle Lee to sow discord within the party.

Like Ms Ng, Melvin Singh is likely to be given a hefty 'performance' bonus
and promoted at the end of the year for his 'expertise' in smearing the
opposition to serve the partisan interests of his PAP masters.
Apparently, the criteria for promotion consideration at SPH seems to be
based on who can cook and lie to the best of his/her abilities regardless of
the means.

On the same note, it is reasonable to assume that the only avenue for
release of classified information to Ms Ng could have come from someone
within the police force and the 'sitting on it' stance adopted by the police
seems to suggest that it is unwilling to investigate 'one of its own' or is
under instructions not to.

Just last year, Minister for Home Affairs and Law had promised that everyone
regardless of rank and position will be taken to task for breach of the
Official Secrets Act and related offence but apparently, he had inadvertedly
forgotten to qualify that he was referring to 'lesser mortals' and not
persons related or in the 'family'.

Glorious and Sexy Opposition Women Speakers

A key feature of this GE2011 election is the emergence of powerful female opposition speakers. They outperformed their male counterparts and drew big crowds with their sharp rhetorics and sincerity. This video revealed some of these women and their sensational performances never documented before in previous General Elections.

Their contributions to the final outcome of the General Election is immeasurable.

General Election 2011 - Final Verdict

From: Observer
Subject: At a Glance - General Election 2011

Share of valid votes:
PAP: 60.14%
WP: 12.82%
NSP: 12.04%
SDP: 4.83%
RP: 4.28%
SPP: 3.11%
SDA: 2.78%

Comments:

If you look at the share of valid votes, the opposition parties, WP
did well (12.82%) and NSP also did well (12.04%) . The rest of the
opposition parties are in another group below 5%.

PAP won 81 seats but with a lower over percentage of 60.14%. So voters
have sent the right messages and want PAP to make the necessary
improvements.

The result speaks of a responsible and mature electorate, supporting
the incumbent party, reminding it of areas for improvements, and
welcoming good opposition candidates.
---------------------------------------------------
Watershed Election:-

1. Most number of seats contested by the oppositions since independence.

2. Lowest percentage of votes won by the ruling party since independence.

3. First time an opposition party won the biased GRC, conceived by the PAP.

4. Most number of members from one opposition party elected into Parliament, since independence.

5. First time - 3 ministers of various ranked voted out of Parliament.

6. First time - a nominated Speaker of Parliament got voted out before taking office.

7. First time - a full-fledged Minister (of Foreign Affair) got booted out during a General Election.

8. The PAP won Potong Pasir seat by the narrowest margin since independence - 114 votes.

9. Chiam See Tong, the longest-serving opposition MP in parliament, got booted out after changing constituency for this GE.
The picture is now history of a Heartland Matyr.
---------------------------------------------------
From: wiseguy

Ah Loong says he will now listen to the peasants...If he has
really repent, it may happen. His father may not be around in 5 years
time. Or, if the old man has still not kicked the bucket by then, he
should be advised to step down gracefully. Aljunied proved that more
and more people are no longer intimidated by that most eminent senior
citizen...

Oso, he needs to revamp his entire Cabinet. People like Wong Cant
Sing, Viviene ManaKiriKanan, Mabok Tan, $$$ Tuck Yew, Yakult Ibrahim,
Raymond Lampah, and Lim Swee Sway, must go. It's people who really
cared for the people who should be promoted to Cabinet posts.

Unfortunately, I could only think of one right now (which speaks
volumes about the absence of people skills in the PAP leadership) - Dr
Lily Neo for Minister of Community, Youth & Sports. For filling the
other Cabinet posts, Ah Loong needs to look at those younger
candidates who were introduced in 2001 and 2006 elections and have
since built themselves a good reputation for local grassroots work.

Ah Loong has 1 to 2 years to do the above. After that, what policies
he introduced, how these policies are going to be formulated and
implemented will determine the outcome of the 2016 elections.

Of course, having said that, Ah Loong can still choosed to go back
acting bizness as usual. Promising Opposition members, churned by this
election could be hounded into bankruptcy, And the old man may turn up
for the 2016 hustings on a wheelchair and a portable life support
support system in tow...

Oso, more gerrymandering may be on the way: Mountbatten and Joo Chiat
SMCs in the south may moved north to Sembawang GRC. Marine Parade &
East Coast GRCs may move west and merged with Jurong GRC. Looks like the next 5 years may get to be very interesting to see.

If Ah Loong turns out to be the proverbial leopard who cannot
change its spots, I oso dont mind lah....I want to see how far he can
stay on.

Lightning party's bad performance last night did not happen over a
course of 9 days, but over a period of 4-5 years starting from the
2006 elections. Barely months after that election, Ah Loong raised GST
to 7% and gave salary increases for himself and his kaki nang.

Then, in the name of creating thousands of toliet-cleaning jobs
serving foreigners, he opened the floodgates to them, and they in turn
sapu all the better jobs, health facilities, school places, and nice
homes even MRT standing space, at the expense of the locals.

His next big mistake was to write a cheque for 100 billion peanuts of
taxpayers' money, to Temashit, Govermin Investment Caput, & Town
Councils, to play tikam-tikam during the sub-prime crisis.

When people tried to show him the error of his ways, he dont want to
listen. Now having lost 2 Cabinet ministers, 1 future minister, 1
might-have-been Pariahment Speaker, & 1 for-show only MP, Ah Loong
says he has repented, he has seen the light, he will listen, he will
serve the people.

If Ah Loong's mea culpa turns out to be juz wayang, history will
repeat itself again in 2016. Of course, to avoid that, Ah Loong can
resort to gerrymandeering all the constituencies into 1 super-GRC or
give citizenships to 6 million more foreigners. We shall see.

---------------------------------------------------
You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time.

Have you seen the faces of the PAP MPs and ministers in their post-election interviews with the press? They looked shocked and were uncertain on what to say and how they should face the public. They were worried they would look arrogant, and that they could use the wrong words during the interview, that would be twisted by the twitter and facebook to mean they erred again. In short, they are rattled!

In past elections, the PAP made full use of the media to gag the oppositions. One can only hear the opposition speaks when one visit one of those rallies. And opposition candidates were painted by PAP as poor quality candidates, lacking in speaking skills and brains.

But in this GE the PAP realised that they could not gag the oppositions anymore with the advent of the social media sites and the growing ability to access information via mobile devices at lightning speed, and free video sites like Youtube. So they loosened the media grip, which they will now live to regret, though it is inevitable.

Suddenly, the politically apathetic Singapore public, were exposed to scores of speeches by opposition candidates, screaming and shouting their messages in such clarity and eloquence into their consciousness, never before allowed in the past, raising questions that they have been asking themselves in their sub-conscience.

The interest generated was immense, and opposition rallies saw such huge crowds, not just for the Workers Party but all the rest. And all of a sudden we have super heroes and heroines to worship. All of a sudden, long time opposition candidates like Sylvia Lim became a national messiah of some sort. Her past speeches which were curbed previously, but now available in Youtube, became a cult and a revelation.

In a short span of 9 days, Singaporeans were made to realize that Singapore actually do have very talented political figures, and all that lies about not enough people joining politics, and the need to pay high salary to get talent to join politics were thrown out of the window. It is just that these talented people are not following the wishes of the Lee family.

In that short span of time, a young girl called Nicole Seah burst into the scene and mesmerized the whole of Singapore like a Goddess from heaven. Her Facebook "likes" overtook that of the most popular man in Singapore, the legendary Lee Kuan Yew, causing the PAP to call up their members to boost up Mr Lee "likes" overnight to prevent the legend from falling off its altar.

The passive and fearful public was stunned into admiration by this 24-year-old, who dares to openly scold the Prime Minister and his cohorts for all their shortcomings.

And for once, the almighty men-in-white, looked very human indeed, with all their flaws exposed to the core. The way they behaved and responded after the elections, they look like wounded chickens that had lost their feathers as well.

The "May Revolution" has begun in Singapore, and these young talents we had will surely be a force to be reckon with in the next few elections. The Lee Dynasty is in danger of crumbling into oblivion if it does not reform itself quickly enough.

---------------------------------------------------
PAP returns to power with reduced mandate
May 8th, 2011 | Author: Your Correspondent
As expected, the PAP won the 2011 general election though with a reduced mandate.

Though the PAP swept 81 out of 87 seats, its share of the popular vote slipped to 60.14 percent from 66.6 percent at the last election in 2006, its worst result since independence.

It also lost a GRC, and along with it 3 ministers, for the first time since the system was introduced in 1988.

The Workers’ Party emerges as the strongest opposition party in Singapore, winning Aljunied GRC by a comfortable margin and increasing its percentage of votes in Hougang SMC.

The three NCMP seats are likely to go to Ms Lina Chiam (SPP), Mr Yee Jenn Jong (WP) and one candidate from WP’s losing team in East Coast GRC.

The biggest loser appears to be the Singapore People’s Party which lost all its contested seats, including Potong Pasir SMC and Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC.

The Singapore Democratic Party saw its percentage of votes improve, but was unable to win Holland-Bukit Timah GRC with its ‘A’ team polling a respectable 39.9 percent of the votes.

In spite fielding the largest slate of candidates among opposition parties, the National Solidarity Party lost all of them including Tampines GRC which was helmed by the unpopular PAP Housing Minister Mah Bow Tan.

The other parties all performed dismally including the newly formed Reform Party which was plagued by bitter in-fighting a few weeks before the election.

Despite optimism among netizens that a political tsunami may arrived, the PAP continues to maintain a stranglehold on power, retaining its two-third majority which will enable it to pass any bills and laws as and when it wishes.

The results of the election show that parties do have an impact on voters’ choices. The Workers’ Party managed to win at least 40 percent of the votes in all the seats it contested even with weak teams as compared to the other opposition parties.

As predicted earlier, the impact of the new media is limited though it may rise in future elections. Though the PAP has won the election, it has clearly weakened and the loss of a GRC may pave the way for more changes to come in Singapore’s new political landscape.