TOC Feature: No female full Minister in Cabinet
March 31, 2008
Is something wrong with the process, the people, or the PAP?
Choo Zheng Xi
The government’s decision not to appoint a female full Minister has disappointed both male and female Singaporeans.
In a surprise move on Saturday, the People’s Action Party (PAP) government failed to break the 42-year female dry spell in the highest echelons of government. Prior to the reshuffle, many observers were expecting Ministers of State Mrs Lim Hwee Hua or Ms Grace Fu to be appointed full Minister.
Instead, Lim Hwee Hua is the new Senior Minister of State for Finance and Transport and Grace Fu is to be the new Senior Minister of State for Education, while continuing her present appointment as the Minister of State for National Development.
Uniquely Singapore
March 31, 2008
Uniquely Singapore
Medishield – one of the most profitable in the world
I refer to the Committee of Supply debate in Parliament on the Ministry of Health (MOH).
In 2006, as a result of requiring all private insurers’ CPF Shield plans to incorporate MediShield, the number of MediShield policyholders grew from 1.26 million to 2.75 million in 1 year. Its loss ratio was only 53 per cent ($67 million paid out over $126 million premium collected in the first 10 months of 2006).
In this connection, MediShield’s loss and expense ratio improved to 40 per cent ($119 million claims and expenses over $297 million collection), according to CPF Board’s 2006 annual report. (CPF)
New Cabinet line-up throws up some surprises
March 30, 2008
The new Cabinet announced by the Prime Minister’s Office on Saturday evening unveiled some surprises in both promotions and non-promotions.
Breaking News: PM reshuffles Cabinet
March 29, 2008
From The Straits Times:
By Jeremy Au Yong
PRIME Minister Lee Hsien Loong reshuffled his Cabinet on Saturday, as part of a process to groom the next generation of leaders for Singapore.
The most eye-catching in the slew of changes announced by PM Lee was the appointment of Mr K. Shanmugam as Law Minister and Second Minister for Home Affairs from May 1.
The last person to move directly from the backbench to full-fledged minister was Mr Richard Hu, who became Minister for Trade and Industry in 1985 after a few months as MP.
Mr Shanmugam, 49, an MP since 1988 and currently a senior partner in Allen and Gledhill, will take over the Law Ministry from Deputy Prime Minister S. Jayakumar. The DPM will continue as the Coordinating Minister for National Security.
Mr Wong Kan Seng remains Home Affairs Minister.
A freak result
March 28, 2008
Farquhar
Not too long ago, in what might have been one of his less inspiring moments, Singapore’s elder statesman Lee Kuan Yew told the press that the military would have to intervene in the event of a “freak (election) result” - defined as a disagreeable outcome where the incumbent People’s Action Party loses power - to prevent a rapacious Opposition government from squandering the country’s vast monetary reserves.
It is quite likely that the phrase would have crossed Mr Lee’s mind, as well as many other Singaporean watchers, as they ponder the aftermath of Malaysia’s 12th General Elections which were held on 8 March 2008. In a sweeping rebuke to the incumbents, Malaysian voters handed the ruling National Front (BN) coalition the worst electoral result in its history.
Will “American democracy” throw up the best leaders?
March 28, 2008
In the blog Beyond Sg, George Yeo, Minister for Foreign Affairs, asks if the United States’ system of “American democracy” will “throw up the best leaders”.
Quote from the blog:
“But will such a system throw up the best leaders? Watching the race between Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama, a large part of the contest is about crafting speeches and sound bites, and endless spinning of one’s position. The system of analysing and targeting voters is extremely sophisticated. Out of the cacophony, the American voter is supposed to be able to sense the core of a candidate and then decide in his own best interest. Ordinary people may not understand all the issues debated but, given enough time, they have the instinct to figure out who is the right man or woman to become President. That at least is the hope.”
What are your views about Mr Yeo’s question?
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In the spirit of giving a “full account”
March 26, 2008
Andrew Loh
A month has passed since suspected JI leader Mas Selamat Kastari escaped from the Whitley Road detention centre.
Perhaps it is a good time to re-visit what has been revealed – especially the information which the government has chosen to give the public about the escapee since the jailbreak.
When one looks at the information disseminated so far, by the government through the local media, one cannot help but notice the woeful lack of important information and, at the same time, the confusion surrounding one aspect of it.
TOC’s focus on Malaysia
March 25, 2008
The Dawn of a New Malaysian Malaysia?
In the wake of the political tsunami of the recent Malaysian elections which saw the opposition alliance breaking the ruling coalition’s two-thirds majority in Parliament, it has become apparent that the Opposition is serious about reforming the country’s race-based affirmative action policies.
The alliance of opposition parties, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), Democratic Action Party (DAP), Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS), and their de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim, have stated that they will dismantle the New Economic Policy (NEP) in the states they now control — Penang, Selangor, Perak, Kelantan and Kedah.
TOC’s focus on Malaysia
March 25, 2008
Rethinking Malaysia’s Multiracialism
It has been a called a seismic shock, a political tsunami and an earthquake of cataclysmic proportions, among others. In short, Malaysia’s 2008 General Election is nothing less than epochal.
The invoked forces of nature notwithstanding, the question is; can Malaysia’s desire to improve the lives of its rakyat based on the new multiracial ethos succeed?
In Anwar Ibrahim, one could hear the opposition’s exhortation, pledging a new Malaysia that is free of cronyism, nepotism and corruption, evils associated with the present government.
To all sports fans
March 25, 2008
Lea Yi-Long
This letter is written with regards to Singtel securing the broadcasting rights for the UEFA Champions League for the next three seasons.
Although details are yet to be released, it is quite obvious that football fans will be forced to subscribe to Mio TV, and in turn pay higher costs for watching their favourite football action.
Are we going to take it lying down and accept this endless increase in price? Or should we stand together and make our feelings known? Action speaks louder than words.
Just a year ago, StarHub outbid its rivals to secure the rights to broadcast the English Premier League for three seasons, at a reportedly staggering cost. Soon after, the monthly subscription rates for the sports group increased by a whopping 66.7%, to S$25.
Just five years ago, the sports group had cost just S$8 per month.
