Home » TOC NOW!
TOC NOW!
The relentless rising cost of living in Singapore
Oct. 28 | In 2009, Mercer ranked Singapore as the 10th costliest countries in the world (see here). The following is a collated list of price increases which TOC could find – from various news reports, blogs, websites, forums, etc – since Jan 2006 to the present. If...
Gerard Ee – right in slamming physician assisted suicide
Mar. 21 | By Ravi Philemon In April 2009, Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan categorically stated that, “euthanasia, which means helping the patient to commit suicide, is not what Ministry of Health (MOH) is promoting” and that MOH is actually “promoting...
Why not apply ‘town council logic’ to worker wages?
Mar. 11 | By Gangasudhan This morning a TODAY report (No hike, say some town councils) proclaims that “(r)esidents in at least seven People’s Action Party (PAP) town councils can breathe a sigh of relief for the time being”. Never mind that the...
SDP’s Teoh Tian Jing: Ruling will go down as one that ignored common sense
Mar. 4 | By the Singapore Democrats Two days after the Singapore Democrats commemorated our 30th anniversary dinner, Mr Gandhi Ambalam, Dr Chee Soon Juan, and Ms Chee Siok Chin are being imprisoned again. They are serving a one-week imprisonment after they were...
Foreigners give back to Singapore society
Feb. 25 | By Maxie Aw Yeong and Cerelia Lim In recent months, to be a foreigner in Singapore is to subject oneself to scrutiny. Impassioned debate over the country’s immigration policies, stirred by a strong influx of foreign workers in recent years, has dominated...
The Reform Party welcomes the new US ambassador’s comments
Feb. 7 | Kenneth Jeyaretnam The Reform Party At his confirmation hearing before the Senate on 2nd February 2010 the new US ambassador-designate to Singapore, Daniel Adelman, was asked by the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Jim Webb: “The...
Stop re-writing history!
Jan. 6 | Kenneth Jeyaretnam is the Secretary-General of the Reform Party. He is also the eldest son of the late JB Jeyaretnam. This speech was delivered on 5 Jan 2010 during a JBJ Birthday Memorial held at Speaker’s Corner. Kenneth Jeyaretnam January 5th,...
JBJ is Singapore’s democratic ideal
Jan. 6 | Dr James Gomez is a former WP member who was fielded for the Aljunied GRC during General Election 2006. This speech was delivered on 5 Jan 2010 during a JBJ Birthday Memorial held at Speaker’s Corner. James Gomesz Dear friends, Today we gather...
JBJ is my inspiration
Jan. 6 | Justin Ong is the President of the Young Reformers, the youth wing of the Reform Party. This speech was delivered on 5 Jan 2010 at Speaker’s Corner during a JBJ Birthday Memorial. Justin Ong Dear Friends, Today we mark the occasion of the late...
Let us not insult our people
Jan. 5 | Joshua Benjamin Jeyaretnam Happy Birthday, JBJ. Your contribution to the People will always be remembered. Today is JBJ’s birthday. In remembrance of JBJ, what better way than to relive his tenacity. This article is an edited excerpt of JBJ’s...
The ability of countries to reduce their emissions will vary, says PM Lee
Dec. 18 | This is Singapore’s national statement to the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference, delivered by PM Lee to the international community. Lee Hsien Loong Mr President First, I wish to thank you and the Government and People of the Kingdom of Denmark...
Philippines must demand deep and early cuts in GHG emissions from developed countries in Copenhagen
Dec. 12 | Walden Bello Walden Bello, is an Akbayan Representative in the 14th Congress of Republic of the Philippines. He is also a senior analyst of Focus on the Global South and professor of sociology at the University of the Philippines. This article is Walden’s...
Towards new global partnerships – economics, governance, values
Nov. 2 | Dr Jan Peter Balkenende Dr Jan Peter Balkenende is the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. He delivered this speech at the 30th Singapore Lecture organised by the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies on 23 October 2009. Your Excellency,...
Nominated MP Viswa Sadasivan’s maiden speech
Oct. 12 | This speech was delivered in Parliament on 18 August 2009 NATION BUILDING TENETS: That this House reaffirms its commitment to the nation building tenets as enshrined in the National Pledge when debating national policies, especially economic policies....
Change will not happen if we wait for some other person or some other time
Sep. 26 | Kenneth Jeyaretnam Kenneth Jeyaretnam is the Secretary-General of the Reform Party (RP). He delivered this speech last night at RP’s 1st Anniversary Dinner. Good Evening, Ladies and Gentlemen. I would like to extend a warm welcome to you, on this...
Libel Law silences Scientists
Sep. 21 | Richard Dawkins Richard Dawkins recently spoke at the Liberal Democrat Conference 2009 in Bournemouth, UK. He is the author of the book “The God Delusion” and the Professor of the Public Understanding of Science at Oxford University. This...
The Rule of Law and Judicial Independence
Sep. 15 | Speech by Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the launching of “Anwar on Trial – In the Face of Injustice” by Pawancheek Marican in Kuala Lumpur on 14th September, 2009 at the De Palma Hotel, Ampang Today I would like to share with you some thoughts about...
Signs and symptoms
Jun. 6 | (Photo: The mask is back in vogue as the H1N1 virus rages across much of the world. Courtesy of Surihuella / Creative Commons) Influenza-A is a virus that has been transmitted from infected pigs to humans. It is a respiratory disease with flu-like symptoms....
H1N1 prevention tips
Jun. 6 | (Photo: Washing your hands is important to help stem the spread of the H1N1 influenza. Courtesy of Kathea Pinto / Creative Commons) Cover Your Nose and Mouth - With a tissue when you cough or sneeze and dispose the tissue properly in the trash after use. Wash...
Latest updates on H1N1
Jun. 5 | (Photo: Fever is one of the symptoms of the onset of H1N1 influenza. From sxc.hu) From CNA: Singapore has confirmed 106 new cases of H1N1 flu, bringing the total to 1,217 so far. The Health Ministry said of the 1,140 cases investigated so far, 702...
Wife of ex-NKF chair guilty
Dec. 8 | From the Straits Times: THE wife of former NKF chairman Richard Yong pleaded guilty here on Monday to a charge of money laundering, more than a year after she and her husband were arrested in the territory. On Shu Kio, who had been out on bail since...
TOC Exclusive – MP instructs TC Manager after meeting Minister: “We will NOT disclose any further details” on TC Investments
Dec. 6 | Choo Zheng Xi / Editor-in-Chief TOC recently published a template request for information that Singaporeans could send to their MPs to ask their Town Councils (TCs) specific questions on TC investments. TOC reader Roland Soh sent an email to his MP,...
Mas Selamat – We’ll get him one day, says PM Lee
Dec. 5 | From the Straits Times: SINGAPORE does not know if fugitive terrorist Mas Selamat Kastari, the country’s most wanted man, is still in the country more than nine months after he escaped from detention, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Friday....
Breaking News: Singaporean held hostage at Mumbai’s Oberoi Hotel killed
Nov. 28 | The editors and writers of The Online Citizen offer our deepest condolences to the family of Ms Lo. Full report on Channel NewsAsia: SINGAPORE: Singapore‘s Foreign Ministry says the Singaporean Chinese woman held hostage at the Oberoi Hotel in...
Former CEO of NTUC Income calls for “collective protest”
May. 5 | Former Chief Executive of NTUC Income, Mr Tan Kin Lian, is calling for a “collective protest” against Income’s “bonus cut”. In his blog posting, Tan says that he “will be asking a lawyer to organise policyholders who wish to submit a...
Should Singaporean youths be allowed to vote at 18?
May. 1 | The Youth Wing of The Workers’ Party will be holding a public discussion forum on the issue of lowering the voting age to 18 this Saturday, May 3. (See details below.) Titled, “YouthQuake – Should Singaporean Youths Be Allowed To Vote At 18?”,...
No voting NO: Burmese embassy staff contrive to disenfranchise voters
Apr. 27 | Selene Cheng Burmese national desperate to vote goes topless, but still no vote A sea of red greeted me as I made my way up the road to the Burmese embassy at St Martin’s Drive. Burmese lined both sides of the road, the rows of people in red standing...
Breaking News: Burmese nationals throng embassy in S’pore
Apr. 27 | Developing news story Latest update: 15.50 hours A group of six Singapore Special Ops forces were seen moving up the slope of St Martin‘s in full riot gear. A contingent of female police officers were also seen. 15.14 hours Embassy staff slow...
Bloggers send 20-page proposal to minister
Apr. 21 | A group of bloggers, led by Choo Zheng Xi and Alex Au, sent a 20-page proposal to the Minister for Information, Communication and the Arts, Dr Lee Boon Yang, today (April 21, 2008). The paper , titled “Proposals for Internet freedom in Singapore”,...
Jeyaretnam speaks on Reform Party’s plans and constitution
Apr. 19 | Mr JB Jeyaretnam speaking on his Reform Party’s plans and constitution at a press conference held at the Quality Hotel, April 18, 2008. Video of the chairman of the Reform Party, Ng Teck Siong, introducing the new party here. You can watch theonlinecitizen’s...
Breaking News: MDA approves Martyn See’s film for screening
Apr. 16 | TOC has just been informed that the Media Development Authority (MDA) has approved Martyn See’s film Speakers Cornered for screening, with a NC 16 rating. See had submitted the film to the MDA in December 2007. Martyn See will post more details of this...
Breaking News: Protesters arrested for World Consumer Rights Day event
Mar. 15 | By Andrew Loh It took less than an hour for the Singapore police to stop a protest by about 20 Singaporeans, all dressed in red t-shirts and some holding placards, outside Funan Shopping Centre this afternoon at about 2.50pm. The protesters were marking...
TOC Report: Bureacratic muddle leads to canning of International Fringe Festival event
Jan. 27 | By Choo Zheng Xi Members of the Singapore Complaints Choir have an additional grievance to add to their future lyric sheets: they have been effectively muzzled by the city state’s police. The arrival of the Finnish ‘Complaints Choir’ in Singapore...
Election reform effort needs everyone’s involvement – forum
Jan. 20 | By Andrew Loh Chaired by the Singapore Democratic Party chairman, Mr Gandhi Ambalam, the election reform public forum at the Allson Hotel focused on getting Singaporeans from all persuasions to be involved in the effort. The speakers were Mr Chia Ti Lik,...
“The people look to us for leadership. Let us provide it.” – Dr Chee Soon Juan
Jan. 18 | By Andrew Loh This Sunday at the Allson Hotel at Victoria Street, members of The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) will head a public forum calling for election reform in Singapore. The forum, titled “Reform of the Election System in Singapore”, is...
HDB to provide Mdm Lee with new stall
Jan. 12 | HDB compromises with Mdm Lee. Update: Reprieve for ex-hawker by TODAY, Jan 15. By Andrew Loh “If you had a mother who’s been working all her life, would you still want her to work at such an advanced age?”, Ms Gina Lau asked when explaining why...
2007: The year virtual reality shaped reality – A review of the new media landscape in 2007
Jan. 6 | By Terence Lee for theonlinecitizen Who would have known that in a brightly-lit street along Clarke Quay, an old trishaw driver would attain near-celebrity status when he was bullied by three British tourists. Certainly not the trishaw driver. The video...
Al Jazeera talks to Singapore university students
Jan. 5 | Riz Khan of Al Jazeera hosts a panel of 6 university students from the city-state of Singapore. They discuss their country’s restrictions on many freedoms for the sake of order and stability, as well as relations between the various ethnicities...
Singaporean activist protests outside Malaysian High Commission
Jan. 2 | Singaporean activist, Seelan Palay, is fasting without food for five days (starting at 9am, 31st Dec 2007) outside the Malaysian High Commission in protest against the ISA detention of the Hindraf leaders in Malaysia. (Read here for the background to...
Local activists commemorate International Human Rights Day
Dec. 10 | Several Burmese activists and members and supporters of MARUAH, a group of Singaporean activists advocating the setting up of an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism, commemorated International Human Rights Day in Singapore on Sunday, December 9. The group of...
Al Jazeera reports on Singapore-Burma ties
Dec. 2 | Tony Birtley of Al Jazeera takes a look at Burmese refugees who have fled the tyranny but are prevented from peaceful demonstrations in Singapore, and call for ASEAN countries, especially Singapore, to be more transparent in their trade and financial...
TOC Breaking News: 50 Burmese nationals protest
Nov. 20 | For more pictures, please visit Pseudonymity’s blogsite. 20/11/2007, 1930 hrs: 50 Burmese nationals gathered outside Orchard Hotel in groups of three. Standing in rows of three, they formed a line that snaked across the frontage of the Hotel. One...
Woman and boyfriend assaulted us, say students
Nov. 18 | This is taken from the blog Princess Michie. The account of the incident is solely her own, and does not represent the full sequence of events of the day. Notably missing is corroborating evidence of the punching she claims to have received from the...
TOC Breaking News: Safety concerns cause US, Japan to ground F-15 fleet two weeks after Singapore buys 12 F-15s
Nov. 7 | This morning, (Nov 7) western media reports highlighted that the US grounded its entire fleet after a F-15 started to fall apart on a training mission. Japan soon followed suit by resting all 200 F-15 planes in the Japanese Self Defence Force. (Bloomberg)...
TOC Report: WP 50th Anniversary Dinner
Nov. 4 | By Choo Zheng Xi Question: What do ex NMPs Breama Mathi, Kanwaljit Soin, Chia Shi Teck, opposition politicians Chiam See Tong (MP for Potong Pasir), Sebastian Teo (National Solidarity Party) and the son of Singapore’s first Chief Minister Jonathan Marshall...
Britons bully elderly Singaporean trishaw rider
Nov. 1 | The following video was brought to TOC’s attention by 2 of our readers. According to Asia One’s report on the incident, the tourists left the trishaw uncle, 67-year-old Mr Lee Shee Lam, “without paying a single cent” after he had taken them...
377A serves public morality : NMP Thio Li-Ann
Oct. 23 | Below is the full transcript of NMP Professor Thio Li-Ann’s speech in Parliament. Two camps championing two distinct criminal law philosophies are polarised over whether to retain or repeal s377A which criminalizes public or private acts of gross...
Repeal 377a press conference: public health and families at stake too
Oct. 23 | By Teng Kie Zin Scott & Rachel Lim The repeal of the law against gay sex is not only about gays, as AIDS prevention programs and families of homosexual men are affected too, said the organizers of the group petitioning to repeal Section 377A of the...
TOC Feature: participating in the IBA
Oct. 22 | By Jeth Lee Thanks to the kind sponsorship of TOC, I was able to attend the much talked about Rule of Law Symposium organised by the International Bar Association last Friday despite it being priced at a restrictively high 60 Sterling pounds (citizen...
