Former CEO of NTUC Income calls for “collective protest”
May 5, 2008
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 collective protest against the bonus cut. This will be sent to the board of directors and to MAS.” Read more
Should Singaporean youths be allowed to vote at 18?
May 1, 2008
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?”, it “seeks to educate, empower, and unite young people to bring youth-centric issues into the forefront of public discourse.”
TOC speaks to its Organising Secretary, Mr Bernard Chen, about the forum.
No voting NO: Burmese embassy staff contrive to disenfranchise voters
April 27, 2008
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 three abreast along a pavement sporadically broken by blue uniformed policemen.
The crowd was gathered to vote early in a referendum to approve a new constitution for Burma.The constitution, drawn up by the military junta, is seen by many Burmese as a bald attempt by the junta to cement its grip on power. It disqualifies opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi from holding key political positions as she is married to a foreigner. Miss Suu Kyi’s party, the National League for Democracy, won an election in a landslide in 1990. To this day, her election victory remains unrecognised.
Breaking News: Burmese nationals throng embassy in S’pore
April 27, 2008
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 voting to a trickle as almost 2500 Burmese throng embassy.
TOC thanks all eyewitnesses for their continued updates from the ground. Pictures and a fuller report will be forthcoming on TOC from our writers on scene.
Around 2500 Burmese nationals are thronging the Burmese embassy to vote in a referendum for their new constitution. Many were wearing red t-shirts and caps that said NO, in opposition to the referendum.
Bloggers send 20-page proposal to minister
April 21, 2008
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”, expresses the bloggers’ concerns about Internet regulation in Singapore and offers proposals for the government to consider in its current review of such regulations.
The full paper is in pdf file. (See below).
21 April 2008
Dr Lee Boon Yang
Minister for Information, Communication and the Arts
Sir,
Proposals for Internet freedom in Singapore
The government has repeatedly acknowledged that Internet technology is constantly evolving and that regulation of the Internet must keep up with the times. Moreover, as a nation, there are vast benefits we can reap from our ability to use the technology effectively and creatively, and regulation should not be a dead hand foreclosing these opportunities. Heretofore, the government has promised and exercised a light touch, but it would be better if policy is based not merely on forbearance, but framed by more clearly articulated principles, in the interest of greater transparency and coherence.
Jeyaretnam speaks on Reform Party’s plans and constitution
April 19, 2008
Mr JB Jeyaretnam speaking on his Reform Party’s plans and constitution at a press conference held at the Quality Hotel, April 18, 2008.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUu823vt4lQ]
Video of the chairman of the Reform Party, Ng Teck Siong, introducing the new party here.
You can watch theonlinecitizen’s videos on the subsequent Q&A session here:
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Breaking News: MDA approves Martyn See’s film for screening
April 16, 2008
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 in his own blog Singapore Rebel soon.
The film is also available on YouTube.
Clarification: Martyn has clarified on his blog that the rating does not amount to an approval for screening. He will have to apply separately for the film to be screened.
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Breaking News: Protesters arrested for World Consumer Rights Day event
March 15, 2008
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 World Consumer Rights Day, which is held all over the world. They were protesting the rising cost of living in Singapore.
Those arrested include the Singapore Democratic Party chairman Gandhi Ambalam, SDP secretary general Dr Chee Soon Juan, Chee Siok Chin, John Tan and SG Human Rights activist Chia Ti Lik.
Videos and pictures below.
Read Reuters report: “Singapore arrests opposition members over protest”.
And International Herald Tribune’s “Singapore police round up opposition party members for protest against rising prices”.
*The Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) will hold its event tomorrow. Click here and TOC’s earlier article here.
TOC Report: Bureacratic muddle leads to canning of International Fringe Festival event
January 27, 2008
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 was an eagerly anticipated component of the M1 Singapore Fringe Festival 2008. The Singapore leg of the Complaints Choir was billed as the first Asian Complaints Choir to be organized.
Now, the Choir’s experience will be remembered as a first for a very different reason: it was effectively banned from performing in public by the police because of foreign members’ participation in the choir. (See the choir’s press release below).
Election reform effort needs everyone’s involvement - forum
January 20, 2008
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, Mr JB Jeyaretnam, Mr Jufrie Mahmoud and Dr Chee Soon Juan.
Mr Tan Tarn How, a researcher with the Institute of Policy Studies who was scheduled to be a speaker as well, had “asked to be excused” from the forum, according to Dr Chee.
