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Current President confers Order of Temasek (First Class) to previous President

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At the Meritorious Service Medal award ceremony held in Institute of Technical Education (ITE) College Central yesterday (28 Oct), President Halimah Yacob presented the the Order of Temasek (First Class) to former President Tony Tan – “for his lifetime dedication to public service and his stellar service to his people and country”. Tan became the 9th Singaporean to receive the Singapore’s highest civilian honour.

Tan, a former People’s Action Party minister, is said to have helped transform Singapore’s education system, armed forces, reserve management, and research and development efforts. “The breadth and sweep of his service have been equalled by few,” his citation reads.

He left his job as OCBC Bank’s general manager in 1979 to enter politics and went on to helm five ministries. He has been credited with revamping the school system as education minister, championing the development of higher education, as well as laying the basis for Singapore’s universities to raise their international standing. He was elected Singapore’s seventh president, serving from 2011 to last year.

However, his service to the public is not without controversies.

Union disputes and conflict with Ong Teng Cheong

In 1986, there was a labour strike in the shipping industry, sanctioned by fellow cabinet member Ong Teng Cheong, NTUC secretary-general, who felt that the workers were unfairly treated by the employer and thought that the strike was necessary to send a message to the employer.

However, Tan vehemently opposed the strike and argued with Ong Teng Cheong in the Cabinet. As Minister for Trade and Industry, Tan was concerned about investors’ reactions to a perceived deterioration of labour relations and the impact on foreign direct investment.

In his analysis, historian Michael Barr explains that older union leaders bore increasing disquiet at their exclusion from consultation in NTUC’s policies, which were effectively managed by “technocrats” in the government. Unlike the previous NTUC secretary-general Lim Chee Onn, Lee Kuan Yew’s protégé Ong Teng Cheong in 1983 had an “implicit pact” with the trade unions — involving grassroots leaders in top decisions and “working actively and forcefully” in the interests of the unions “in a way Lim had never seen to do” — in exchange for the unions’ continued “cooperation on the government’s core industrial relations strategies”.

Although striking was prohibited and trade unions were barred from negotiating such matters as promotion, transfer, employment, dismissal, retrenchment, and reinstatement, issues that “accounted for most earlier labour disputes”, the government provided measures for workers’ safety and welfare, and serious union disputes with employers were almost always handled through the Industrial Arbitration Court, which had powers of both binding arbitration and voluntary mediation.

However, Ong felt these measures did not prevent “management [from] taking advantage of the workers”, recalling in a 2000 interview in Asiaweek, “Some of them were angry with me about that… the minister for trade and industry [Tan] was very angry, his officers were upset. They had calls from America, asking what happened to Singapore?” However the fact that the strike only lasted two days before “all the issues were settled” was cited by Ong in a 2000 interview with Asiaweek as proof that “management was just trying to pull a fast one”.

Foolish to build MRT

Tan also disputed on the issue of building the MRT when it was raised by Ong in 1981.

Following a debate on whether a bus-only system would be more cost-effective, then Ong, as Minister for Communications, came to the conclusion that an all-bus system would be inadequate, as it would have to compete for road space in a land-scarce country.

At the time, Tan thought that the construction industry was overheating and said that if Singapore were to be foolish enough to go ahead with the building of MRT system, Singapore will find itself in trouble.

The Cabinet finally gave the go-ahead and the Mass Rapid Transit Corporation was established in 1983 to manage the construction of the MRT system. The first train started running in 1987.

Patrick Tan controversy

In 2011, Tan responded to online allegations that his son Patrick Tan had received preferential treatment during NS. He said, “My sons all completed their National Service obligations fully and I have never intervened in their postings.”

“Most of my career has been spent in public service. I am acutely aware of the scrutiny to which public figures are subjected. Responsibility and integrity governed my choice to serve Singapore for over three decades, motivated me to run for President, and are values I have lived by and instilled in my family,” he added.

“I am deeply disappointed by the false rumours currently circulating. I am confident that Singaporeans are savvy enough to see through these distractions and will make up their minds based on solid facts and focus on the real issues at hand.”

He also responded to a netizen who asked him to clarify if his son was doing research work at the National Cancer Center (NCC) during his NS. Tan’s office replied that the research work at NCC was actually the work for Defence Medical and Environmental Research Institute, which comes under MINDEF:

ITE controversy

In 2016, Tay Eng Soon’s brother, Tay Kheng Soon said at a public forum that Tan was not supportive of increased funding for polytechnics and Institutes of Technical Education (ITEs).

Tay recalled, “As you all know my brother, the late Tay Eng Soon, was the Minister of State for Education, he fought for ten years within the cabinet to increase the funding for the ITEs and Polytechnics, and his career prospect within the party was actually truncated by it. The reason was – he never told me what actually happened, loyalty to the party, right? After he died, his wife told me the real story. All the time, Tony Tan, that’s why I have no respect for Tony Tan at all. Tony Tan said to him all the time, all through the ten years, ‘Why do you want to throw good money after bad rubbish?’ I cannot stand this. This is the inherent elitism. You have to break that.”

Tan then responded through ST, “I did not make any such remarks. The claim is very hurtful because when I was a Cabinet Minister, the education of children was very close to my heart.”

“For that reason, when I was Education Minister, I increased support for the education of all students, with a particular focus on children in polytechnics and ITEs, or what was then the VITB,” he added. “It is therefore very sad that such a thing should be said about me.”

Altogether, 518 people, many who are grassroots members, received their award from Halimah yesterday.

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Current Affairs

TJC issued 3rd POFMA order under Minister K Shanmugam for alleged falsehoods

The Transformative Justice Collective (TJC) was issued its third POFMA correction order on 5 October 2024 under the direction of Minister K Shanmugam for alleged falsehoods about death penalty processes. TJC has rejected the government’s claims, describing POFMA as a tool to suppress dissent.

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8 mins ago

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6 October 2024

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The Transformative Justice Collective (TJC), an advocacy group opposed to the death penalty, was issued its third Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA) correction direction on 5 October 2024.

The correction was ordered by Minister for Home Affairs and Law, K Shanmugam, following TJC’s publication of what the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) alleges to be false information regarding Singapore’s death row procedures and the prosecution of drug trafficking cases.

These statements were made on TJC’s website and across its social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter).

In addition to TJC, civil activist Kokila Annamalai was also issued a correction direction by the minister over posts she made on Facebook and X between 4 and 5 October 2024.

According to MHA, these posts echoed similar views on the death penalty and the legal procedures for drug-related offences, and contained statements that the ministry claims are false concerning the treatment of death row prisoners and the state’s legal responsibilities in drug trafficking cases.

MHA stated that the posts suggested the government schedules and stays executions arbitrarily, without due regard to legal processes, and that the state does not bear the burden of proving drug trafficking charges.

However, these alleged falsehoods are contested by MHA, which maintains that the government strictly follows legal procedures, scheduling executions only after all legal avenues have been exhausted, and that the state always carries the burden of proof in such cases.

In its official release, MHA emphasised, “The prosecution always bears the legal burden of proving its case beyond a reasonable doubt, and this applies to all criminal offences, including drug trafficking.”

It also pointed to an article on the government fact-checking site Factually to provide further clarification on the issues raised.

As a result of these allegations, both TJC and Annamalai are now required to post correction notices. TJC must display these corrections on its website and social media platforms, while Annamalai is required to carry similar notices on her Facebook and X posts.

TikTok has also been issued a targeted correction direction, requiring the platform to communicate the correction to all Singapore-based users who viewed the related TJC post.

In a statement following the issuance of the correction direction, TJC strongly rejected the government’s claims. The group criticised the POFMA law, calling it a “political weapon used to crush dissent,” and argued that the order was more about the exercise of state power than the pursuit of truth. “We have put up the Correction Directions not because we accept any of what the government asserts, but because of the grossly unjust terms of the POFMA law,” TJC stated.

TJC further argued that the government’s control over Singapore’s media landscape enables it to push pro-death penalty views without opposition. The group also stated that it would not engage in prolonged legal battles over the POFMA correction orders, opting to focus on its abolitionist work instead.

This marks the third time TJC has been subject to a POFMA correction direction in recent months.

The group was previously issued two orders in August 2024 for making similar statements concerning death row prisoners.

In its latest statement, MHA noted that despite being corrected previously, TJC had repeated what the ministry views as falsehoods.

MHA also criticised TJC for presenting the perspective of a convicted drug trafficker without acknowledging the harm caused to victims of drug abuse.

Annamalai, a prominent civil rights activist, is also known for her involvement in various social justice campaigns. She was charged in June 2024 for her participation in a pro-Palestinian procession near the Istana. Her posts, now subject to correction, contained information similar to those presented by TJC regarding death penalty procedures and drug-related cases.

POFMA, which was introduced in 2019, allows the government to issue correction directions when it deems falsehoods are being spread online.

Critics of the law argue that it can be used to suppress dissent, while the government asserts that it is a necessary tool for combating misinformation. The law has been frequently invoked against opposition politicians and activists.

As of October 2024, Minister K Shanmugam has issued 17 POFMA directions, more than any other minister. Shanmugam, who was instrumental in introducing POFMA, is followed by National Development Minister Desmond Lee, who has issued 10 POFMA directions.

Major media outlets, including The Straits Times, Channel News Asia, and Mothership, have covered the POFMA directions. However, as of the time of writing, none have included TJC’s response rejecting the government’s allegations.

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Current Affairs

Hotel Properties Limited suspends trading ahead of Ong Beng Seng’s court hearing

Hotel Properties Limited (HPL), co-founded by Mr Ong Beng Seng, has halted trading ahead of his court appearance today (4 October). The announcement was made by HPL’s company secretary at about 7.45am, citing a pending release of an announcement. Mr Ong faces one charge of abetting a public servant in obtaining gifts and another charge of obstruction of justice. He is due in court at 2.30pm.

Published

2 days ago

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4 October 2024

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SINGAPORE: Hotel Properties Limited (HPL), the property and hotel developer co-founded by Mr Ong Beng Seng, has requested a trading halt ahead of the Singapore tycoon’s scheduled court appearance today (4 October) afternoon.

This announcement was made by HPL’s company secretary at approximately 7.45am, stating that the halt was due to a pending release of an announcement.

Mr Ong, who serves as HPL’s managing director and controlling shareholder, faces one charge under Section 165, accused of abetting a public servant in obtaining gifts, as well as one charge of obstruction of justice.

He is set to appear in court at 2.30pm on 4 October.

Ong’s charges stem from his involvement in a high-profile corruption case linked to former Singaporean transport minister S Iswaran.

The 80-year-old businessman was named in Iswaran’s initial graft charges earlier this year.

These charges alleged that Iswaran had corruptly received valuable gifts from Ong, including tickets to the 2022 Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix, flights, and a hotel stay in Doha.

These gifts were allegedly provided to advance Ong’s business interests, particularly in securing contracts with the Singapore Tourism Board for the Singapore GP and the ABBA Voyage virtual concert.

Although Iswaran no longer faces the original corruption charges, the prosecution amended them to lesser charges under Section 165.

Iswaran pleaded guilty on 24 September, 2024, to four counts under this section, which covered over S$400,000 worth of gifts, including flight tickets, sports event access, and luxury items like whisky and wines.

Additionally, he faced one count of obstructing justice for repaying Ong for a Doha-Singapore flight shortly before the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) became involved.

On 3 October, Iswaran was sentenced to one year in jail by presiding judge Justice Vincent Hoong.

The prosecution had sought a sentence of six to seven months for all charges, while the defence had asked for a significantly reduced sentence of no more than eight weeks.

Ong, a Malaysian national based in Singapore, was arrested by CPIB in July 2023 and released on bail shortly thereafter. Although no charges were initially filed against him, Ong’s involvement in the case intensified following Iswaran’s guilty plea.

The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) had earlier indicated that it would soon make a decision regarding Ong’s legal standing, which has now led to the current charges.

According to the statement of facts read during Iswaran’s conviction, Ong’s case came to light as part of a broader investigation into his associates, which revealed Iswaran’s use of Ong’s private jet for a flight from Singapore to Doha in December 2022.

CPIB investigators uncovered the flight manifest and seized the document.

Upon learning that the flight records had been obtained, Ong contacted Iswaran, advising him to arrange for Singapore GP to bill him for the flight.

Iswaran subsequently paid Singapore GP S$5,700 for the Doha-Singapore business class flight in May 2023, forming the basis of his obstruction of justice charge.

Mr Ong is recognised as the figure who brought Formula One to Singapore in 2008, marking the first night race in the sport’s history.

He holds the rights to the Singapore Grand Prix. Iswaran was the chairman of the F1 steering committee and acted as the chief negotiator with Singapore GP on business matters concerning the race.

 

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