~by: Ravi Philemon~
TOC refers to the article published in TR Emeritus, 'Is PAP bankrolling prominent blogger Andrew Loh' (see HERE). The article has been taken off-line by TRE now.
Although most of what was written in that article were only speculations and so need no clarification, there were two assertions made in the article which had to be clarified.
In the article, the writer claimed that 'it is rumoured that he (Andrew Loh) left TOC because after the GE he wanted to turn TOC into a pro-PAP website and the others were against this'. This is not true.
In announcing the resignation of Mr Loh in June 2011, we had said, "Andrew has had some impressive achievements in this stint as TOC Chief Editor, notably leading TOC’s editorial coverage through the seminal 2011 General Elections. Without his leadership, we would likely not have enjoyed the success during GE2011 that we did."
The article in TRE further went to claim that 'It is rumoured that the Institute of Policy Studies is supporting Andrew financially in the guise of doing projects for them. Everyone knows that IPS is a government statutory board.'
Mr Arun Mahizhnan Deputy Director at the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) in speaking to TOC said that there is a misperception that IPS is part of the Government. "We are part of the University (National University of Singapore)", he explained.
Mr Mahizhnan further clarified that Mr Loh has been engaged as a consultant by IPS to redesign their website.
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IPS is part of NUS and NUS receives the majority of its funding from MOE and MOE is headed by…? To tell people that IPS belongs to NUS and thus is not govt linked is ludicrous.
What is political fixing of oppositions? Is is legal taking into account that government are leaders who are elected to serve the people not for fixing of oppositions? If something is done without people's mandate, then it may be asked is suing of oppositions' views on cronyism legally or morally proper or correct? Two wrongs do not make one right!!!
Agree with Duh.
Can TOC/Andrew let us know his expertise in web design?
I didn’t read the TRE article, but then it is true that Andrew was paid by the IPS….at least there is a link, altho might not be sinister, I don’t know.
From doing a project for a government-funded agency to trning pro-PAP is a huge leap of faith.
TRE needs to explain what exactly it means by this statement? Why was the article removed?
TRE's credibility is not exactly great these days.
No wonder the brotherhood told us all, without being financially independent from the government of the day, you will always be beholden to them. It is best to take the high road and make it in life without ever having to depend on the government.
Frankly, it doesn't sit very comfortably with me to know that Andrew Loh works as a web designer for IPS. Is that his forte? I thought he was a blogger cum journalist, so if IPS is going to engage him to design their web page couldn't they have asked some many web page specialist designers?
Very fishy to say the least.
Its good that TRE gives us another point of view, its up to you to analysis and believe it. Just like you have the perogative ro intrepret the statistics given by the guys in power.
I think there is no greater sin than that of betraying the trust others have on you, lies, deception, witholding information and half-truths.
Off course, we can always make some justifications for our actions. At the end of the day, can all these be sustainable. In Singapore I can see that people are unhappy, people are leaving, they are not reproducing themselves, people are fed-up and many live in fear.
Yet we are one of the richest country in the world.
I humbly ask God to bless Singapore.
In this way, by witholding information relating to irregularities in governing, it will cause rumours and speculations giving them all the chances to sue the citizens.
The government will try all ways tocontrol the alternative media, like TOC. The PAP is hard core despot. It will not give up power by evolution.
The Govt has been and will continue to say NUS and GLCs are independent and not linked to Govt.
Many people are very sceptical of this interpretation. But it certainly isn't going to stop the Govt to continue replaying the broken record insisting on its long standing interpretation.
I have met Andrew in person and invited to tea with him before.
Although my knowledge of him says he is not a mole,
everything is possible.
I suspect he has been under pressure by things i cannot say for the preservation of my life.
He left TOC and then who knows what happened and why he left in the 1st place.
One thing for sure, he was 100% 40%, at least before.
Now, anything can have happened.
Two things concerned Singaporeans must cultivate and preserve:
1)promote and encourage whistle blowing amongst all citizens to counter act any abuse of power by government leaders and civil service leaders.
2)set up more discussion portals overseas and mirror sites overseas to ensure a network of social and alternative media to counter act any reality distortion by MSM.
The truth shall set us free and good will triumph over evil.
Is Suing the way to go ?, I was thinking only US had people suing each other. But again we are talking about prominent figures. If someone is saying wrong things. All we need is clarification and facts. Freedom of Speech is what Samuel Johnson defines as "My Freedom ends when the tip of my walking stick touches the tip of the other man's nose ". Alegations and false assertions are a common affair in political life.
Singapore is truly Unique. We always want to maintain the White Colour.
I just done understand this part. Are'nt we all humans and imperfect.
NUS is not exactly gahmen, it receives funding for student subsidies…however it is autonomous in nature. Also, funny they should say Alex receive gahmen funding when their Editor Mr. Richard Wan's company received direct investment by EDB.
Its a case of the pot calling the kettle black.
The biggest political cost of a legal suit is the loss of a few wards.
who has been funding sdp & tre websites for so many years ?
NUS is “not exactly gahmen” just like the Straits Times is “not exactly non-independent where the gahmen’s interest is concerned. I think the general public knows better.
Dis IPS ask for competitive bidding for its web design assignment given to Andrew?
Well, all bidding needs transparency and accountability. The prolong denial of these two essential attributes of govenance could even put CPF life at stake! And soon the whole state!
<The article has been taken off-line by TRE now. >
Did Mr. Andrew Low send TRE a lawyer's letter?
The PAP controls 99% of your lives in Singapore unless you are a multi-millionaire- from the hospitals where you were born, the Fairprice supermarkets, all local schools, your HDB homes, all educational institutions including IPS, all labour unions except the pilots', all newspapers, TV & radios, MRT, buses, GLCs and even rainwater which you are not allowed to collect for your own use.
If citizen X similarly wanted an article on TRE website to be taken down, will TRE oblige? What is the chance of X succeeding in a court hearing against TRE as compared with LHY?
The title of the topic is very amusing, or would be very amusing if it were not true in Singapore, which has an almost feudal/monarchical societal structure.
The MIW are like the sotong. Its tentacles are here and there and everywhere and it has powerful suckers to squeeze you to your bare bones and in defense squirt its ink to throw you out of course.
Take them out of water, they wont survive.
EVERYONE IS ENTITLED TO BE A TRAITOR…….
COLLECTING MONEY, AND KNOWING WHEN THE NEXT BOMB WILL FALL IS BETTER THAN RECEIVING THE BOMB WHILE SLEEPING
LOCALS ARE DAFT
"The article in TRE further went to claim that 'It is rumoured that the Institute of Policy Studies is supporting Andrew financially in the guise of doing projects for them. "
"Mr Mahizhnan further clarified that Mr Loh has been engaged as a consultant by IPS to redesign their website."
Just wondering, but is there a difference between the two statements?
Is Mr Loh's expertise in web design?
Then again, it is probably a coincidence that most Singaporeans now perceive his articles to be of a different flavour.
The papies have all the resources to act covertly. The papies lky shocked the Pilots unions Mr Goh by revealing that Mr Goh daughter chose to study in Singapore because Perth was boring for her. This astounded Mr Goh who was negotiating for the Pilots union. The papies can hit you where it pains. The local covert agencies are used unashamedly in the name of Singapore.
In roping in Andrew Loh, and getting PA to bond with residents in grassroot activities for its own purpose, the ruling party is merely practising its Co-opting, Depoliticising and Machination strategy as revealed by insider professors to enslave Singaporeans some years back. What a PAPthetic government who cannot let go for the people to mature a more transparent and accountable democratic leadership by virtue and personal example system.
I think we citizens of Singapore who Do Not belong to any political party should group together to form a group For The Betterment of Singapore. One of my first interest is the removal of political oppression.
Many things are not right, like the "no by-election" in Hg, the election dept is under the PM (which is part of one political party), GRC, PA etc etc.
Of course this will be short down by the incumbent as this will be a threat to their perpetuating rule. And they would like to continue with Singaporeans' daft, ignorant and unquestioning attitude towards political leaders.
Stop buying political favours, it stinks badly, adding to the uncleanable strench that premeates beyond its border.
People in Sg deserve better treatment.
It all started with a script consisting 3 main actors :
1. YSL – from within
2. Andrew – Repeater
3. Richard Wan – TRE editor earn wealth from MSM
The Demise has started.
I want to migrate but too old already.
I will die here suffering.
F%^^& Y#$%!