TOC Current Affairs Desk
When the session of the 11th parliament was prorogued on 13 April 2009, at the end of the day’s sitting, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that the government has regularly prorogued Parliament midway through the term. This allows the government, when it reopens Parliament, to set out new priorities for the rest of the term of the government.
Education
The second session of parliament was convened yesterday, with high anticipation of the President’s Address. He was to announce the priorities, policies and programmes of the government for the remainder of its current term of office. The President’s Address, “Building Our Future Singapore in an Uncertain World” though, was a huge disappointment. It spelled out no new programme/policies, neither did it set any new priority for the reconvened parliament.
In his Address, the President rightly spoke about the education improvements that have occurred over the last few years. The recent change of moving away from primary 1 and 2 examinations is encouraging. It opens a new chapter for a new vibrant learning culture in schools. Of course, this does not mean that we have moved away from our overtly strong emphasis on academics, but it signifies some progression.
The President’s promise to “especially ensure that children from vulnerable families enjoy every opportunity to reach their full potential in education” is highly commendable. But one cannot but wonder if this is another case of pure rhetoric of “more help for the needy”, where “more help”, actually does not mean very much.
A good case to highlight this is the new nationwide scheme spearheaded by the various race-based self-help groups, where a fund was set up to provide subsidised tuition at up to 90 per cent of the typical $50 to $90 fees, for about 1,000 children from needy families. The combined fund for this programme was to be co-funded with the five community development councils, and it has a budget of $500,000 per annum. But statistics from the Ministry of Education’s financial assistance scheme and school breakfast programme; and statistics from Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund and COMCARE financial assistance scheme, suggest that there are more than 1000 students who have to be helped through such tuition programmes.
What one also needs to question is what concrete measure have been undertaken to strengthen higher education, given the dip in university rankings recently? Besides, the offering of more degrees does not stipulate a better education in any sense. In addition, the implementation of university town has not convinced many undergraduates of the improvements in the quality of our education.
Jobs
The President in his Address also lauded the SPUR scheme, Jobs Credit scheme, and the Special Risk-Sharing Initiative as “decisive measures”. However, being decisive should not be confused with being effective. Has the outlay for the Job Credit scheme, that required the unprecedented withdrawal from the reserves, staved off retrenchments in the numbers that it was projected to do? What is the long-term viability of the SPUR scheme? Back-end and lower value-added jobs continue to be siphoned off by the low-cost and labour-intensive giants of India and China – so how much is the retraining effective in allowing the worker to be retained?
Social harmony
Noting that the influx of foreigners has been a prickly source of social discontent, the President urged citizens to “appreciate” their presence while asking the “newcomers … to adjust and integrate”. While the tensions of immigration are not peculiar to Singapore, the government has to address the disparity between male Singaporeans and the foreign counterparts – particularly in lieu of the latter’s National Service liabilities. While conceding that national defence is vital, disruptions attributed to military training can adversely affect the employment prospect of male Singaporeans. The government would do well then to ensure that the influx of cheaper and NS-free foreigners, who will similarly bask in the economic success of our nation, is not at the expense of male Singaporeans who have toiled for the defence of the nation.
Another familiar refrain of social harmony is heard when the President advised that Singapore go beyond being only “a collection of different communities”; which is a laudable goal, and one which the government itself can do much to advance. The “common Singaporean identity” will remain distant as long as the quasi-racial divide and rule policies is maintained – from the CMIO (Chinese, Malaya, Indian, Others) racial classification to the perpetuation of ethnic-based self-help groups and the unilateral appointments of minority MPs to become de facto ethnic community leaders.
Pertinent questions and issues not addressed
When the President spoke about “evolving our political system”, he seemed to favour a ‘one dominant party’ government for Singapore when he said, “Our political system encourages strong and effective government…in a more challenging and uncertain world, a sound political system and good leadership are all the more important”. Even his call for self-renewal of political leadership seems especially aimed at the ruling party.
The President passed up the chance to ask some pertinent questions of the government over some very visible failings. For example, there is no mention of the losses by Temasek and the GIC, even though these amount to sums that are larger than our annual budget – the loss over the Bank of America alone is bigger than the Jobs Credit Scheme. Should this necessitate that we adopt a more conservative manner of investing? How about the manner in which the escape of Mas Selamat Kastari was handled? It now appears that he slipped quite easily through our dragnet.
Who wrote the Address?
Perhaps, the President’s Address was true to the Westminster tradition; where the Queen’s Speech is not prepared by the monarch herself, but by the cabinet. This is reasonable, since the opening speech usually addresses the legislative agenda that the incumbent government wants to pursue. But as Singapore has shed much of the Westminster tradition, it begs the asking, “Who prepared the President’s Address? Was it the President himself or the cabinet?” Whoever prepared the Address, there was an apparent and disappointing lack of effort to go beyond superficial and motherhood statements and question key assumptions.
Although the President spoke about various issues in his Address, his call for committing “ourselves to build on what we have achieved”, provides no new initiatives and in reality only regurgitates the ruling party’s programmes and policies over the decades; which leads one to ask, “What was the real reason for parliament to be prorogued because the President’s Address only emphasized and re-empasised the existing position and priorities of the current government?”
It may be too early to jump the gun, however. Parliament reconvenes next week to debate the President’s Address. That deliberation is the one that should be judged. The newly reconstituted Government Parliamentary Committees, with many MPs from the class of 2006, may finally leave their mark.
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I am saddened by the address. It does not adequately address the severe challenge that Singapore faces.
(1) Economic front
There is a high likeliness that the recovery will be slow and sectorial, i.e. only few sectors would recover while most would remain in the doldrum. This could mean a scenario that the GDP could be mildy positive, with unemployment hovering at >5% for numerous years. How can we prepare ourselves for that?
(2) High Living Cost squeezing the middle class
With the recovery put in place by aggressive government spending and low interest rate, the likeliness that the slow recovery is met by high inflation may be on the horizon. There is support for the low income group, but how about the middle income? The concept of cost recovery for public service has been pervasively pursued by the current government that needs to be reined in. To name a few GST, ERP, electrical bill, public transport etc.
(3) Developing Education system should be Equal opportunities for all regardless of earlier educational qualification
Upgrading University is encouraging. But is it essential at this stage? Having a high number of graduates does not mean higher employment. We need a university that allows working adults, regardless of education standard GCE A/O level, or ITE or diploma to be able to purse a university degree eventually. Sweden has that working model. We shld not discriminate local students who have not attended a goverment primary school or completed a government secondary school. We should provide equal opportunity for ITE graduates or O/A level graduates or primary graduates without prejudice.
Just going round and round and round and round, and back to square ONE! make some noise and let the people know that you are working very hard by reading out loud a well prepared scripts by who we all know. So, what’s next? The people wants to know if there is still anymore small change left in our nation reserve, and yet NO ANSWER.
[#2,9 & 21]
David, I concur with you.
Who can deny that the current president of Singapore is a puppet of the PAP?
We need a change in the political scene, that’s for sure. And the sooner the better. But this would be up to Singaporeans. The sooner they are roused from their slumber the better for them.
On Temasek sales of BOA
I hope someone has the ability to check whether any of the “Key” figure or their close one such as brother/sister/son/daugther/cousin etc start buying BOA during the period where Temasek is disposing the share.
I just find no reason why it should dispose it at that period.
This “president’ is waste of our time.
54) And our money too! They do not have solutions for us and they know the people are not buying anything they’re saying, people are smarter with their questions these days. We will be in this rut for a long time to come.
Donaldson Tan #48,
If its just the admin of Govt policy, then why ask the President to make such a speech? Can’t blame the controversy right? esp when he mentioned those touchy subjects!
nickname #41
The president is NOT the Queen! The Queen is neither ‘elected’ nor hired and fired by the PM or MM. So don’t lump them up when it suits. People are not stupid!
sPORE President – PTUI!
I believe as a leader of the NATION who pockets millions of taxpayer monies year after year, should lead by example, donating for 3 years all his salary. Anyway he is on pension scheme, does he need money so badly? He and his family can eat for free in istanna.
Just take a good look at Temasek reckless behaviour in selling all the 3% stake in BOA. Why so hurry to sell? BOA raised capital rather easily by issuing new shares some USD17 billion. The stock actually went UP. The H.C must be mad to sell them all in a hurry.
What the parliament should have talked about is the reckless management of Singpaoreans Monies especially in BOA case. The TSK CEO must be hauled to court for explanation. Be indicted. Remember? They called it a big coup when ML was bought over by BOA, why now a hurry to sell? What losses we had which is not even reported? What has our government become a self praise self reporting self checking form of governance? Can such an attitude towards the people be acceptable? Wake up!
Based on the Comments here, it is beyond doubt that the Appointment of President Nathan has caused many citizens to be upset. Not only do i noticed that he had failed to gain respects from the People, the contrary is beyond doubt.
It is time that the Government realizes that the Appointment of President Nathan will result in many Singaporeans to lose faith and trust with the Leadership.
patriot
The president and the PAP MPs are a waste of taxpayers’ money. It is simply ridiculous to pay a president more than $3 million a year to go on whirlwind trips, cutting ribbons and entertaining. However, if the president don’t get paid this amount, then the MM, SM, PM and all the Ms will not get their mulit-millions as well, not to mention all those super graded servants.
Minus opposition MPs who work full-time tirelessly serving residents, PAP MPs do part-time at meet the people sessions. 80 PAP MPs x $13,000 a month equals $1,040,000 monthly, equals $12,480,000 annual taxpayers’ money burnt.
This is a very costly mistake that Singaporeans have to pay for being complacent all these years. Higher GST is needed for Government Services Tax.
Actually one must understand the role of the President.
He is a head of state, not government. The PM is Head of Government.
The President embodies the uniqueness and identity of the nation. Just like Kings and Queens, Emperors, empress or Agong of other countries.
You will notice that after Wee Kim Wee and Ong Teng Cheong, the government deliberately do not want to get a Chinese to be a President. To show the world and in particular our neighbours that Singapore is not a Chinese country. So they choose from a minority race and the “best available”. Indians are a minority race here.
Best available means he must be from the minority race and also one that will most likely don’t cause trouble or embarassment. Remember the incident of the late President Devan Nair?
So the government thinks Nathan satisfies the above important requirements, never mind about his other shortcomings or despite his advanced age.
Since this is also most likely Nathan’s last term, it would be interesting who will be next chosen, and whether he may even be from the Malay minority community.
Because the rotation for the post among the races had been completed. And we did not have a Malay President since 1970!.
“He is a head of state, not government. The PM is Head of Government.”
Then the citizen must be the buttock of the state and government. The head is eating and consuming luxury food, etc shark fin, buddha jump wall, bird’s nest whereas the citizen get to taste the shi-TTT OUTPUT . LOL
” So they choose from a minority race and the “best available”. Indians are a minority race here.”
The stupidity of the president is this. A president of a particular race will give honour and glory to his race because people will judge the race by capability of the president subconciously. Just look at how Obama impress the White so much that the WHITE now give respect to the black (not perfect, but at least there is some respect). If a president of certain race set a bad example, people will have a bad impression of his race. So why doesn’t our president set a good example and take this opportunity to make his race proud ? why must he behave apathetically as a president ?
Never forget he was not elected, so pse dont address him as Elected President.
“Elected President.”
More appropiately to call him LEElected President so as not to give Elected a bad name and misunderstanding.
Govt always tell us to be self-reliant. So my elderly parents should also learn to be self-reliant & stop asking allowance from me. Go get a job & a life!!
I think many of us still cannot see the point of a President in the case of Singapore. Can you imagine a President in Mao’s China during the cutural revolution?
time to cut cost? ^.^
I was looking forward for such announcements:
Looks like we will be in a longer “U” shape Recession ???
should lower GST, encourage spending for “The GREAT SINGAPORE SALE”
freeze or lower Parking Charges so that more shoppers can shop and shop!
Go to every condos and see what I saw…………..Cars not moving at all!
M’sia brings up the issue of the new causeway link after a long layoff. Could it be that they want the bridge as a trade for Mas Selamat? S’pore has paid a very high price for his escape. Someone should try quantify the cost – both real and opportunity costs.
just “diam diam” sit down there like a good puppet son to LKY & get payroll can liao
I sometimes see indian security guard in white uniform & black pants daydream at barrier very “diam diam”hmmm seems to bear a reminiscence to something I remember earlier…
#63) Minority race counts
‘Because the rotation for the post among the races had been completed. And we did not have a Malay President since 1970!.’
……………………………………………………….
Owng to the very stringent criteria for the post of elected president I believe only a handful of Malays are eligible. From these few the PAP leadership may not find any of them suitable to them. Near the end of his first term as president, Nathan mentioned to a reporter on TV that he wished to retire. Surprisingly, he was subsequently nominated by the PAP as a candidate for the presidential election. A certain Andy who technically qualified to stand for the election wanted to challenge him but was prevented from doing so. Nathan would most likely lose to this Andy if there was an election.The presidential election is a wayang especially the first one.
Low K T had rightly called for the aboliton of the elected presidency and revert to the previous system where the president was appointed and has only ceremonial duties. In this way we can rotate the post among the four main ethnic groups.
Why create the elected president post when you are afraid of fair elections?
Is it not a wayang?
#41: yep gd job pointing the role of our ‘Elected’ President, which many ppl still confuse with that of an executive president like the USA’s.
#14: come on dude..whats up with that stupid racist remark. its idiots like you that the govt shld clamp down hard on.