Home » Archive for June, 2007
Archive for June, 2007
Silence is not always golden
Jun. 30 | The Straits Times has reported the case of a 20 year old offender who was given 8 strokes of the cane instead of 5 strokes as ordered by the courts. (Link) As far as the authorities are concerned, all that the report would say so far, is: “It is...
Defining the role of government and its component branches
Jun. 29 | By Teh Kok Hua The Constitution usually sets out the basic rights of citizens and defines the role of government and its component branches. The constitution of Singapore however has not established or clearly defined the respective rights of citizens...
CPF – F1 or F9 – Do you know who gets your CPF when you die?
Jun. 28 | By Leong Sze Hian CPF announced the amendment of the treatment of Special Account savings invested in fixed deposits, and media reports that the CPF Board has reminded three non-bank investment administrators (IAs) that members’ CPF Investment Scheme...
Should homosexuals be allowed to teach?
Jun. 27 | At first glance, the answer to the question above is obvious. A teacher’s sexuality belongs to a private realm, and has no bearing on his ability to teach. There have been no known instances, for example, where one’s sexual orientation has impaired...
Homosexuality as a “disorder”: classification denies potential trainee teaching position
Jun. 26 | After a clarification from Alfian Sa’at, who writes for Trevvy, we have decided to only publish an excerpt of this article, as follows. You can view the full article here. “I watch Francis as he tries to describe how he feels about the turning...
WP Youth Wing reaches out to youths downtown
Jun. 25 | The Workers’ Party’s Youth Wing held an outreach programme in downtown Singapore on Sunday to celebrate Youth Day with young Singaporeans. The team of about 20 WP members from the Youth Wing strolled down Orchard Road handing out specially-designed...
CPF – F1 or F9? Half also cannot withdraw anymore
Jun. 25 | By Leong Sze Hian On Jan 22, 2007, the manpower minister, Dr Ng Eng Hen, was quoted by the media thus: ‘To a question if the minimum CPF sum of $90,000 would be enough for retirement, Mr Ng said changes are being made so Singaporeans can have more...
CPF – F1 or F9?
Jun. 25 | Leong Sze Hian looks at 9 issues regarding the CPF. Half also cannot withdraw anymore Do you know who gets your CPF when you die? Poor gets less % than the rich? Pay up to 22% to use Medisave? Why cannot choose to make CPF last longer? Nominations...
Land of milk and money – and the politics of envy
Jun. 21 | Singapore has changed. And I am not talking about physical changes such as the new MRT Circle Line or the new shopping malls or even the upcoming Integrated Resorts. One can almost feel the fundamental changes that are taking place – in the hearts and...
Leveling the playing field for residents and non-residents
Jun. 20 | By Leong Sze Hian I refer to the Ministry of Manpower’s labour market report for Q1 2007. (Link) Minister Lim Boon Heng said on his return from Japan to study its elderly issues that “We should make employment happen. We should not leave...
Our charity sector : Uniquely Singapore – F1 or F9?
Jun. 19 | This is the first of a series of articles by Leong Sze Hian looking at 9 issues which should matter to Singaporeans. We start with the charity sector in Singapore. The charity sector has taken a beating since the revelation of the dubious, some would...
Latest “terrorist” detentions: Some questions
Jun. 18 | This is an extract from Gerald Giam’s blog. On June 9, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) made a shock announcement that it had detained a young lawyer, Abdul Basheer s/o Abdul Karim, and 4 alleged Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) operatives under the Internal...
Myths and misconceptions about pursuing high growth indefinitely
Jun. 15 | By Ney Reed After my earlier article (“Paradigm shift in focus required – from economic growth to economic development“) , I am asked to discuss more about what development policies Singapore need to pursue. However it is premature...
$200 GST offset, but so much more to pay ad infinitum
Jun. 14 | This is a letter by TOC writer Leong Sze Hian to the Straits Times I REFER to StarHub’s announcement that it will increase cable TV subscriptions by between $4 for basic groups and $10 for sports content. This is an increase of 17 to 67 per cent....
Paradigm shift in focus required – from economic growth to economic development
Jun. 12 | By Ney Reed When developing nations during the post world war and/or independence era started to build their economies, they attempted to resolve problems of poverty, unemployment, low incomes and other forms of under-development through pure pursuit...
Where is the basic common decency?
Jun. 12 | This is filed under Letters To TOC By Zyberzitizen It is mindboggling, at least to me, that someone can be dismissed without being treated with very basic decency and courtesy. Yes, I am referring to the MOE’s dismissal of poet/playwright Alfian Sa’at...
Award winning local playwright fired from teaching position
Jun. 11 | TOC report Alfian Sa’at, one of Singapore’s most illustrious playwrights, was recently fired from a relief teaching position by the Ministry of Education (MOE). The reason for his dismissal? In the words of the Ministry, he did not ‘best meet the...
The tao of spiderman : lessons for Singapore defence and diplomacy
Jun. 8 | By Dr Tan See Seng SINGAPORE HAS made tremendous progress in its defence and diplomacy since independence. Still, numerous challenges, both longstanding and emerging, confront our nation’s security, prosperity and well-being. Postures that have served...
Singapore’s healthcare system – uniquely Singapore? F1 or F9? (Part 3)
Jun. 8 | This is part 3 of theonlinecitizen’s 3-part focus on healthcare, written by Leong Sze Hian. Looking for the Substance of subsidies The Ministry of Health’s website touts the fact that subsidies for subsidised patients have been rising from...
Myanmar regime belongs in the dog house
Jun. 6 | By Gerald Giam The extension of Myanmar’s pro-democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s imprisonment on 27 May 2007 was a widely expected move by the country’s military government which has already kept her under detention for most of...
