Home » Archive for April, 2009
Archive for April, 2009
Church of Our Saviour clarifies “allegations”
Apr. 30 | Statement from Church of Our Saviour on the Aware saga. It is reproduced here in its entirety. As the media reported on the AWARE saga, it brought up the fact that several of the new exco are members of Church of Our Saviour. This has created the perception...
Reform Party ex-chair on his leaving the party
Apr. 30 | The former chairman of the Reform Party (RP), Mr Ng Teck Siong, called for a press conference this evening at Hong Lim Park to address the recent saga within his ex-party. Mr Ng, a long-time supporter of the late Mr J B Jeyaretnam, resigned as chairman...
Ex-Reform Party chairman denies ouster
Apr. 30 | Andrew Loh The former chairman of the Reform Party (RP), Mr Ng Teck Siong, called for a press conference this evening at Hong Lim Park to address the recent saga within his ex-party. Mr Ng, a long-time supporter of the late Mr J B Jeyaretnam, resigned...
The man at Waterloo Street
Apr. 30 | Andrew Loh There he sits – in the warm afternoon. All alone by himself, in the courtyard at Waterloo Street. He is surrounded by several plastic bags of belongings, a cardboard which he sits on and one more which he uses to shield himself from the...
4.8 per cent jobless but worse is yet to come
Apr. 30 | THE unemployment rate for Singaporeans and permanent residents hit a five-year high of 4.8 per cent last month. Manpower Ministry
Police steps in to stop Aware from holding EOGM at Expo
Apr. 30 | From the Straits Times. THE police have stepped in to stop the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware) from holding its extraordinary general meeting at the Singapore Expo in Changi on Saturday. The police have taken this step because of...
Ho Ching gets May Day award
Apr. 29 | Breaking News: World Health Organisation raises flu alert to phase 5 out of 6., signaling that a pandemic was “imminent” following the swine flu outbreak. From Channelnewsasia: Presenting the May Day Awards to 55 individuals and companies was labour...
Singaporeans need to overcome negative traits
Apr. 29 | Tan Kin Lian / Columnist I received an e-mail from a young person aged 27. I extract a few paragraphs from his e-mail below: Hi Mr Tan, …. It pains me to see how incompetent the current government is. It’s no joke: whenever you seek help or answers,...
Raffles Institution’s students take to Speakers’ Corner this Sunday
Apr. 29 | Raffles Institution (Junior College) will be holding its 2nd Raffles Community Leaders Forum (RCLF) from 8 June to 11 June. As part of the lead-up to the event in June, the student organizers will be holding a pre-forum event at Speakers’ Corner (Hong...
“I am good at what I do”
Apr. 29 | Koh Yi Na / With contribution from Teng Jingwei Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. On these three days, Mr Loh Hak Seet, 75, sits at the junction of Orchard Road and Bideford Road from morning to night, playing his harmonica as shoppers hurry across...
Sleepless in Singapore
Apr. 29 | The country is ill-equipped to cope with a possible rise in homelessness In February this year, the grim reality of the economic downturn in the United States was dramatically brought home to Americans by the Oprah Winfrey Show when it highlighted a “tent-city”...
Union chief wakes up everyday and…..
Apr. 29 | Everyday when I wake up, the first thing I look at is: what is the level of retrenchment, how many more jobs have we lost? The second thing I worry (about) is whether every job lost translates to another unemployed worker. NTUC Chief Lim Swee Say
“Aware belongs to you,” says Josie Lau
Apr. 28 | The following is Aware’s president Josie Lau’s latest email message to members, 28 April 2009 Dear Valued Members Since my election as President on 14th April 2009, I have received intense media attention. A group of AWARE members has gone...
MOE replies to questions about AWARE’s CSE programme
Apr. 28 | From the Ministry of Education’s website: Reply to Recent Comments and Claims About AWARE’s Sexuality Education Programme in Schools We refer to recent claims and comments about AWARE’s sexuality education programme in schools. Sexuality education...
“一天过一天，平平安安就好.”
Apr. 28 | Deborah Choo The title of this essay, in English, means: “Take each day as it comes, as long as everyone is safe.” They are the words of a fortune teller in Chinatown. I call him Uncle Fortune. A man in his seventies, Uncle Fortune sets up his...
‘Opposition’ versus ‘ruling’ party on 2nd May and a simulation for the next General Elections
Apr. 28 | From The Kent Ridge Common SINGAPORE - The momentum is gradually gathering prior to the AWARE EOGM showdown on 2nd May. Although the clouds of uncertainty still hang over the horizon, there is always the silver lining that we can take comfort in –...
Borrowing from loansharks – criminalising without providing real choice
Apr. 28 | Ravi Philemon “Yes, I have borrowed from Ah Long”, admits Rezal (not his real name). “But I had no other choice! My wife lost her job in the factory and now earns about $400 as a part-time dish-washer; and we cannot survive just on my pay of...
‘Go to your MP instead of complaining’
Apr. 28 | Yet, people don’t want to go to the park. They want to complain in pubs and Facebook groups. These teenagers that complain about things they know nothing about are immature. They should approach their Member of Parliament, and try to solve the...
“The door is always open to him,” says Reform Party of chairman
Apr. 28 | The following is the Reform Party’s latest press release on the resignation of its chairman, Mr Ng Teck Siong. Press Release The Reform Party can confirm that Mr. Ng Teck Siong, former Chairman of the Reform Party, submitted his resignation to...
Workers protest at MOM – MOM’s dispute resolution working?
Apr. 27 | More than 100 construction workers from China gathered outside Singapore’s manpower ministry Monday to complain about unpaid wages and cancellation of their work permits, witnesses said. The workers sat for about two hours at the steps of the ministry,...
A key maker and his dying trade
Apr. 27 | TOC’s Special Focus Week: As Labour Day approaches on May 1st, TOC honours our elderly and senior citizens and brings you stories of them who make a living on the streets of Singapore. Deborah Choo A bunch of keys jingle amisdt the lazy afternoon...
The rising son
Apr. 27 | Andrew Loh The longest period that any political party in Singapore had gone without a secretary general was from 1963, when The Barisan Socialis’ secretary general, Lim Chin Siong, was incarcerated for “subversive” activities and eventually...
Breaking News: Chairman of Reform Party resigns, Kenneth Jeyaretnam is new Sec Gen
Apr. 27 | TOC understands that Mr Ng Teck Siong called an emergency meeting yesterday at 11.30am at the Reform Party’s office, where a vote of no confidence in the chairman was tabled. TOC understands the vote was passed by a majority of the CEC. Mr Ng tendered...
AWARE New Exco April 23 News Conference
Apr. 27 | AWARE New Exco April 23 News Conference Source: Channel NewsAsia 26 April —– —– —– —– —– —– —– —– —– —– —– Previous...
BREAKING NEWS: Staff sent out email asking members to vote at Aware EOGM
Apr. 27 | Breaking News: Ng Teck Siong, chairman of the Reform Party, has resigned from the party. Speaking to TOC, Mr Ng said he has “resigned completely” from the party. He confirmed he is not even an ordinary member of the Reform Party But church denies...
Gentle under the warmth of the sun
Apr. 26 | TOC’s Special Focus Week: As Labour Day approaches on May 1st, TOC honours our elderly and senior citizens and brings you stories of them who make a living on the streets of Singapore. Andrew Loh / Deborah Choo South Bridge Road. The old man parks...
TOCI Special Report: Singapore Day 2009 in London
Apr. 26 | The hawkers posing with Makan Sutra host at Singapore Day in London. Donaldson Tan / Head, TOC International / London LONDON – 12,000 Overseas Singaporeans came together to relive the Singapore experience on Saturday at the 3rd Singapore Day held...
Swedish MP Roughed up by Mugabe’s bodyguard In Singapore
Apr. 26 | A Swedish MP states that a bodyguard of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe roughed him up in Singapore for taking a picture of the African leader. Mugabe is believed to be making occasional secret visits to Singapore every month. The Zimbabwean
“Singapore penalises you if you are too weak or too strong.”
Apr. 26 | Jonathan Koh “Singapore penalises you if you are too weak or too strong,” said Dr. Roland Cheo, one of the 4 speakers, at the Workers’ Party YouthQuake Forum Series. The topic was on Singapore Education, and it marked the start of the second...
Bloggers’ maturity demonstrated in Aware saga
Apr. 26 | Excerpts from from Alex Au’s blog, Yawning Bread: Now, about maturity in the blogosphere. Although the issue revolved around a militant Christian group seizing power over a secular organisation, the vast bulk of commentary have remained intelligent...
Will this be Singapore’s Lost Decade?
Apr. 25 | Announcement: All comments are now under moderation before they are allowed to appear on this website. This is due to some comments which are insensitive and inflammatory. Comments with derogatory remarks or words directed at people of religion will...
Care about AWARE: Leaders we respect
Apr. 25 | Letter to TOC Stephanie Chok Leaders with integrity, who are service-oriented and fair-minded, are important pillars in any community. They inspire and mobilize efforts towards social change and, through their actions, act as positive role models. I want...
Constance Singam: “That trust is gone.”
Apr. 25 | Constance Singam tearing as she speaks about what AWARE means to her. “Really what was so wonderful about AWARE, is that 25 years have been 25 years of friendship, support and empowerment. I grew in AWARE, and I know what it is to be an AWARE member....
AWARE saga not a national dispute, says Lim Hwee Hua
Apr. 25 | This is not a national dispute and should not upset the balance and tenor of our open, tolerant and secular society. Neither should Aware members allow these disagreements to become a vehicle for views on contentious, divisive issues to be pushed aggressively....
Singaporeans have no self-respect, says Jackie Chan
Apr. 25 | From the Straits Times: SINGAPOREANS have no self respect, action movie star Jackie Chan told an audience of businessmen. He said this in the same speech at the annual Boao Forum in Hainan last Saturday, at which he said Chinese people need to be ‘controlled’. In...
AWARE veterans set the record straight
Apr. 25 | Aware’s press conference. For videos of the rest of the event, please click here. Darren Boon Turning up in full force (which include several founding members) to set right the inaccuracies lay out by the new AWARE team. In a press conference...
Old Guards speak up
Apr. 25 | Old Aware exco holds press conference —– AWARE Old Guards press conference —– —– AWARE’s comprehensive sexual education programme —– —– Issue of giving male members voting right —– —– Membership...
“We cannot have people acting like moral vigilantes..” says AWARE’s old guards
Apr. 24 | Announcement: All comments are now under moderation before they are allowed to appear on this website. This is due to some comments which are insensitive and inflammatory. TOC will not tolerate comments which are aimed at fanning inter-religious insensitivities. Press...
TOC Breaking News: Old Aware exco holds press conference, calls new Aware “moral vigilantes”
Apr. 24 | Andrew Loh Live from press conference: The old Aware exco is presently holding a press conference at Bishan Junction 8. (18.00 hrs) Press statement: Old Aware calls new exco “moral vigilantes”. On homosexuality – Aware cannot be an ostrich and...
“Irrational fear” and “hatred” for Aware
Apr. 24 | I don’t understand what has sparked this irrational fear of us, the new exco members, and what hatred. If you’re a parent, you will understand how I feel. I feel so indignant. All I wanted to do is to serve the community and be a member of...
Dr Thio Su Mien’s press conference
Apr. 24 | Announcement: TOC will not hesitate to disallow comments which are inflammatory or are pitched directly to incite disenchantment between various religions. Please refrain from posting such comments. Also, our moderation of comments will be stricter regarding...
New exco wants AWARE back to “original cause”
Apr. 24 | News Report: New exco wants to bring AWARE back to its “original cause” Channel NewsAsia 24 April 2009 New exco wants to bring AWARE back to its “original cause” Channel NewsAsia 24 April 2009 Dr Thio Su Mien also revealed that...
Lawyer’s key role in coup
Apr. 24 | From The Straits Times: By Zakir Hussain ‘So I’m a concerned citizen and if people are so ignorant, I think I want to teach them.’ SENIOR lawyer Thio Su Mien on Thursday revealed the key role she played in bringing about the change...
TOC Developing Story – Thio Su Mien comes out
Apr. 24 | From the blog of Ovidia Yu: Thio Su Mien is publicly out as part of the new Aware ExCo takeover team now. I deleted the post I was preparing on how Aware could/might/should try to work it out together for the best of all women in Singapore–it’s not...
In Singapore, a More Progressive Islamic Education
Apr. 23 | Excerpts from the New York Times: After starting the day with prayers and songs in honor of the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday, the students at the Madrasa Al Irsyad Al Islamiah here in Singapore turned to the secular. An all-girls chemistry class grappled...
Made to pay MRT fare for baby stroller
Apr. 23 | According to SMRT regulations, children below 90cm in height do not need to pay to ride the MRT. My baby is only 70cm. Does this mean I have to pay the MRT fare for my stroller? Ang Siow Hui, ST Forum
Student activism – what’s next?
Apr. 23 | Coming Soon: As part of our lead-up to Labour Day on May 1st, TOC will be bringing you a special feature on our elderly folks making a living on the streets of Singapore. The week-long focus will begin on 24th April, Friday. Do look out for it. Darren...
Earth Day Special: Equity and the Green Movement
Apr. 23 | Stephanie Chok / Perth, Australia As millions around the world celebrate Earth Day, Stephanie Chok asks if the green movement could do with an Earth-shaking boost of revolutionary red. Should an ‘eco-mall’ be celebrated if it’s constructed...
Protecting consumers
Apr. 22 | Tan Kin Lian Singapore, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and Australia follow a similar legal system. Laws are passed to balance the rights of consumers and businesses. The aim is to provide an environment that businesses can innovate...
