The Sketch Times

Selfish woodlander

2012-02-03T18:12:00.000+08:00

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1180393/1/.html

Buay Tong Liao...

2012-02-03T18:09:00.001+08:00

http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_762116.html

tis valentine's day will no longer b d same anymore...

2012-02-03T18:07:00.000+08:00

http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_761686.html

Post Spring Cleaning

2012-01-29T01:33:00.000+08:00

http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC120127-0000170/No-delay-in-releasing-news-of-CPIB-probe--MHA

What's the number 1 topic for CNY gossiping?

2012-01-24T00:51:00.000+08:00

Poke around

2012-01-24T00:49:00.000+08:00

So Serious!

2012-01-21T18:56:00.000+08:00

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/edited-photo-of-former-minister-lands-man-in-court.html

Red card for a year!

2012-01-19T00:52:00.000+08:00

Wishing all a Happy Lunar New Year!

2012-01-16T23:33:00.000+08:00

2012-01-14T00:19:00.000+08:00

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/dbs-chief-apologises-for-atm-fraud-incident.html
http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_755240.html

Bird's Talk

2012-01-14T00:17:00.000+08:00

Strategy move

2012-01-07T01:11:00.000+08:00

Impact on budget speech

2012-01-07T01:09:00.000+08:00

Angry Bird

2012-01-06T00:29:00.000+08:00

Quack Quack Quack

2012-01-06T00:28:00.000+08:00

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/-comprehensive-perspective-needed-for-discussions-on-population-.html

Coming soon

2012-01-06T00:24:00.000+08:00

Best Job in the World

2011-12-29T01:49:00.000+08:00

He said wrongly, heard wrongly, What has he done right?

2011-12-29T01:47:00.000+08:00

United We Stand.

2011-12-22T08:53:00.000+08:00

Merry Christmas to all Cartoonists!!!

Highest Paid CEO in trouble...

2011-12-22T08:50:00.000+08:00

HOT & FURIOUS XMAS

2011-12-22T08:03:00.000+08:00

Public Transport for d Rich!

2011-12-22T07:59:00.000+08:00

Tribute

2011-12-22T07:51:00.000+08:00

Forgive n Forget?

2011-12-08T16:46:00.000+08:00

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/%E2%80%98i-have-to-ask-the-man-up-there-to-forgive-me%E2%80%99.html

Say No to Drugs!

2011-12-06T14:28:00.000+08:00

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1169009/1/.html

Need a cut?

2011-12-04T02:45:00.000+08:00

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/peg-ministerial-salaries-to-bottom-20th-percentile-of-incomes--sdp.html

Pitiful

2011-12-04T02:39:00.000+08:00

http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_740412.html

We need pest control!

2011-11-24T12:46:00.000+08:00

Latest Suicide Zone

2011-11-24T12:35:00.000+08:00

Thats the outcome for touching on sensitive ground, R.I.P bro!

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1167006/1/.html

Very Old Man

2011-11-24T12:28:00.000+08:00

http://theonlinecitizen.com/2011/11/saf-personnel-who-posted-offensive-picture-agreed-with-statement-attributed-to-lky/

Mee Rebus mai hum,,,

2011-11-19T02:40:00.000+08:00

http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_735246.html

2011-11-12T22:55:00.000+08:00

http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_731714.html

Who shall win?

2011-11-02T17:02:00.000+08:00

If cant convince, confuse,,,

2011-11-02T16:59:00.000+08:00

http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_729675.html

http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20111101-308123.html

hug me tight...

2011-10-27T17:05:00.000+08:00

http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_726968.html

happy at whose expenses?

2011-10-18T14:39:00.000+08:00

http://www.straitstimes.com/Parliament/Story/STIStory_724509.html

Infrastructure to meet whose needs?

2011-10-14T20:47:00.000+08:00

2011-09-29T15:33:00.002+08:00

http://www.todayonline.com/Hotnews/EDC110929-0000368/Singapore-now-has-5,18-million-people

2011-09-29T15:32:00.000+08:00

http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_717133.html

Latest Trend?

2011-09-23T16:21:00.000+08:00

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/mother-and-son-found-dead-in-bedok-reservoir.html

Good at Sniffing, Poor in Math.

2011-09-23T16:16:00.001+08:00

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/cnb-under-reported-number-of-drug-arrests-made-since-2008.html

No way!!!

2011-09-23T16:13:00.000+08:00

http://my.news.yahoo.com/lky-says-spore-msia-unlikely-merge-praises-najibs-151729724.html

Uniquely Stinkapore

2011-09-14T10:10:00.000+08:00

http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20110913-299198.html

2011-09-14T10:07:00.000+08:00

http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/Singaporeinbrief/EDC110912-0000251/President-of-Malay-political-party-PKMS-arrested-in-contraband-cigarette-raid

Can he treat himself?

2011-09-07T15:40:00.002+08:00

Wat could hav been leaked?

2011-09-07T15:16:00.000+08:00

Wikileak

Crash or Survive?

2011-08-26T20:38:00.000+08:00

Not as dumb as TT!

2011-08-25T15:48:00.000+08:00

Half Celery, Half Bucket Water

2011-08-24T19:51:00.000+08:00

Tonight Rally Tan Jee Ku liao!!!

2011-08-23T14:53:00.000+08:00

Ever wonder what the wives are thinking?

2011-08-22T20:52:00.000+08:00

Sg need an "outspoken" President

2011-08-21T15:16:00.000+08:00

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/heated-exchange-between-tony-tan-tan-jee-over-102136263.html

Eat A Pot of Curry!

2011-08-17T15:04:00.000+08:00

National Day Rally Speech

2011-08-16T15:36:00.000+08:00

Countdown to NDP 2011

2011-08-03T09:43:00.000+08:00

The Search Must Go On...

2011-07-26T11:36:00.003+08:00

=================

PAP starting search for new candidates for next GE

Stronger But Poorer

2011-07-26T10:23:00.000+08:00

============
MAS records net loss of S$10.9b due to strong Singdollar

Counterfeit Goods on the Rise

2011-07-25T09:45:00.000+08:00

George Yeo For President

2011-07-18T11:48:00.000+08:00

Time is on his side......

PUB: You Never Know What You will Get in Your Water

2011-07-14T17:35:00.001+08:00

So Drink Up:

Bedok Reservoir

Lower Seletar Reservoir

Serangoon Reservoir

You vote me, I pay You

2011-07-12T10:09:00.002+08:00

News @ AsiaOne

Tan Kin Lian to donate half of salary to charity if elected

Presidential hopeful Tan Kin Lian believes that the Singapore presidency is a public service, and wants to use his salary to help more of society. -RazorTV

Fri, Jul 08, 2011
RazorTV
Presidential hopeful Tan Kin Lian, 63, believes that the Singapore presidency is a public service, and wants to use his salary to help more of society.
"I do not need to receive a large salary," he said. "I will pledge that i will donate at least 50 per cent of the salary to charity and other worthy causes."
At a news conference held yesterday (July 7), he reiterated his motivation to run for president.
He said: "Many people have told me they want a president who can be the voice of the people and also to be independent of the PAP government, and to safeguard their CPF savings and the national reserves.

MOM, can i have day-off?

2011-07-07T11:24:00.000+08:00

Jun 20, 2011

Consider law to give maids a day off every week: Halimah

By Kimberly Spykerman

Singapore should consider legislation that makes employers give their domestic helpers a rest day every week, Madam Halimah Yacob said. -- ST PHOTO: TERENCE TAN

SINGAPORE should consider legislation that makes employers give their domestic helpers a rest day every week, said Madam Halimah Yacob, the Minister of State for Community Development, Youth and Sports.

Speaking on the sidelines of a community sports festival at Singapore Polytechnic, she said that giving maids a day off might help to minimise some issues such as stress and overwork that domestic workers are facing now.

Just like other workers who enjoy a rest day, domestic workers, too, need to rest and should not be made to work excessive hours that could affect their health and well-being, she added.

She was commenting on the new International Labour Organisation convention that was approved last week in Geneva to grant domestic workers greater protection from exploitation.

Singapore was among 63 voters which abstained from voting on the convention, and the Ministry of Manpower has said it would sign the treaty only when it was sure it could implement it here, and that it would continue to review the rights and responsibilities of employers and workers.

Saying that Singapore takes its international obligations seriously, Madam Halimah expressed hope that Singapore would 'take stock of its laws and policies and progressively make changes' to be in line with the convention.

New Cabinet Report Card

2011-06-30T09:35:00.000+08:00

DBSS Tampines Centrale 8

2011-06-24T01:01:00.002+08:00

DBSS prices slashed after uproar
Sim Lian Group announced the lowering of prices of its DBSS flats at Centrale 8 in Tampines by up to $102,000. -AsiaOne

After much public outrage, property developer Sim Lian Group last night announced that they are lowering the prices of its Design, Build and Sell Scheme (DBSS) flats at Centrale 8 in Tampines by up to $102,000.

The developer had earlier asked for $880,000 for the biggest 5-room flats for the units in Tampines. In a Straits Times report, it now says the 'confirmed price range' of its Centrale 8 units are as follows: three-room units now cost up to $445,000 - down from $510,000, four-room flats for $592,000, down from $683,000, and five-room units will now cost up to $778,000, or $663 psf

Commenting on the backlash on the prices they announced last Thursday, it said that those prices were only 'indicative prices'.

The Straits Times reported that in a statement, the developer said: "It is regrettable that during the application period, the media and members of the public did not take note of our repeated public emphasis that the price range which we had announced was only an indicative price range, and would not be the final sale prices for the respective types of flat units."

Sim Lian's announcement of its 'confirmed price range' came in the heels of a letter from the Ministry of National Development to the Straits Times Forum page that it would be reviewing the DBSS as part of its overall review of housing prices.

RELATED STORIES
$880,000 flats are not HDB flats: Minister Khaw
$880,000: Priciest flats launched in Tampines
The public outrage, with Singaporeans commenting on various forums and even sending letters to minister Khaw Boon Wan, had prompted the minister to write a blog post last Saturday, where he noted that the "negative reaction from the ground was not surprising". He also said that buyers can always choose not to buy, if they find the flats have been priced too high.

With its move to lower the prices, Sim Lian said it arrived at the confirmed price range by taking into account resale prices of HDB flats in the area, as well as other factors like proximity to the transport network, good public facilities, prevailing economic conditions, and other amenities.

To date, it is the first developer to set indicative prices during a DBSS launch, only to lower them by a considerable amount a week later.

Ghostery has found the following on this page:NetRatings SiteCensus

TNP vs TRE - Mud-Wrestling at its Finest

2011-06-23T16:28:00.000+08:00

TNP responds to baseless, malicious attacks

June 20, 2011 - 10:58pm

The New Paper

THE New Paper has become the target of malicious online attacks after the paper exposed Dr Joseph Ong Chor Teck's links to the anti-establishment site Temasek Review in an Aug 9 report last year.

The people behind the website had remained anonymous until Dr Ong's identity came to light following a smear campaign he launched against a Member of Parliament in May 2009.

After investigating a lead, TNP reported on Aug 9 last year that Dr Ong had admitted to the police that he was behind the posters which showed the MP's photograph on the cover of a toilet bowl and had called for her to step down from a national sports association.

The New Paper reported that Dr Ong had also identified himself to the police as being the founder of Wayang Party and later, Temasek Review.

The police confirmed that a subject was administered a conditional stern warning for the offence of "intentional harassment".

A conditional warning requires, among other things, that the offender maintain a clean record for a specified period, typically about 12 months.

If he commits another offence, he can be charged with the new offence as well as the previous one.

Soon after the police started investigating the matter in 2009, Wayang Party was closed down and Temasek Review was launched.

Dr Ong, a former Raffles Junior College student, graduated from medical school in 2004 and had worked with a government agency before be became a GP in a private clinic.

After TNP's report surfaced, netizens started setting up anti-TR sites and blogs to expose TR and hit back at the site, which they claimed had launched smear campaigns against individuals in the past.

The conflict took a twist with a foreign blogger claiming he had a sex video of someone linked to TR. The 10-minute video, posted last October, purportedly shows the TR man having sex with an unknown woman.

But the man later claimed in an e-mail to the blogger that his face was superimposed in the "doctored" video, although he said he would not be making a police report about it.
He has also asked the blogger to remove the video but the blogger refuses to do so.

Instead, the man's e-mail was posted on the blog, a move not missed by netizens who say that this was TR's own tactic when it received complaints in the past.

The New Paper editor Dominic Nathan addresses online attacks against the paper

Why is TNP the target of online abuse?
It started last year, about the time we exposed Dr Joseph Ong Chor Teck's links to the Temasek Review website.

Since then, the paper and a few of its journalists have been the targets of malicious, unsubstantiated and often personal attacks launched by people hiding behind the anonymity of cyberspace.

The paper is always prepared to defend its stories, and journalists have a pretty thick hide and can roll with the punches when people take on their arguments.
But these attacks have been below the belt and the journalists have been harassed online and over the phone after their personal details were made public.

Why are you responding now?

The latest attack last week was levelled against a long-time tradition of The New Paper to promote education among youth and young working adults.

Every year, TNP works with public and private educational institutions to produce a series of guides for our readers to help them decide on their next course of study.
These guides are distributed together with the day's edition of TNP.

As a value-added service provided by the educational institutions featured in the supplement, a number of complimentary copies are distributed in selected areas to help make more people aware of the educational opportunities available to them.

The latest guide on adult education was distributed last Wednesday and this had nothing to do with online claims that Temasek Review's attacks on TNP have hurt the paper's sales.

Nicole Seah declares statement of account as TNP’s smear campaign flops again

June 20th, 2011 | Author: Temasek Review
Popular young politician Nicole Seah has posted a detailed statement of account of her team’s election expenses in Marine Parade GRC on her Facebook which includes an overview of the campaign expenses incurred over the campaign period as well as the list of donors who donated to her team. (read more here)

Despite the feeble attempts of the state media to derail her fund-raising attempts by casting doubts on its legality, Nicole still managed to raise a total of $46,568.63, more than the initial $35,000 she asked for.

When Nicole started her fund-raising campaign by asking Singaporeans to channel their donations to her personal bank account, the English tabloid The New Paper under its infamous deputy editor Melvin Singh started a smear campaign against her.

In an article published on 21 May 2011, TNP insinuated that Nicole is not raising funds via the ‘proper’ way and even quoted an anonymous netizen as saying that she would ‘run away with the money and leave her party’ which was reproduced in the two Chinese tabloids. (read article here)

TNP’s ‘gutter journalism’ sparked a massive outcry among netizens with many calling on Nicole to sue the lowly tabloid for outright slander and defamation.

Melvin Singh is most remembered for writing a misleading article on SDP’s Dr Chee Soon Juan leading a non-existent ‘protest march’ after an election rally at Jurong East stadium when he was merely shaking hands with his supporters. (read more here)

He wrote another article a few days later claiming that it was SDP candidate for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC Michelle Lee who tipped him off about the ‘march’ as she did not want to get into trouble with the law. Ms Lee later denied making such statements to Melvin Singh on her Facebook. (read more here)

Melvin Singh’s blatant lies sparked a massive outcry among netizens calling him to apologize for disseminating falsehoods to smear SDP, but he subsequently issued a statement in The Straits Times proclaiming that he “stand by his story.”

A Facebook page was set up calling for a boycott of TNP and has garnered more than 8,100 ‘likes’ so far, more than the number of ‘likes’ on TNP’s official Facebook page itself.
Besides Nicole Seah and Dr Chee, Melvin Singh was also responsible for ’smearing’ Dr Vincent Wijeysingha (SDP), Spencer Ng (NSP) and Chen Show Mao (WP) as well.
Now that the truth is out, Nicole should consider taking legal action against TNP to prevent more innocent patriotic Singaporeans from becoming victims of Melvin Singh’s ‘poisoned pen’.
You can provide your ‘feedback’ to Melvin Singh below:

Melvinderpal Singh
Deputy Editor
Office: (65) 6319 5567
Email: [email protected]

Malaysia, Truly Ass Sia

2011-06-15T20:16:00.000+08:00

Not Florence Nightingale!

2011-06-13T11:03:00.000+08:00

Row Row Row Your Boat, Gently Down Orchard Road

2011-06-08T16:30:00.000+08:00

The Selection-Election Race is On!

2011-06-03T01:34:00.000+08:00

If Lui Thinks it is OK, He Should Do It Everyday!

2011-05-30T22:52:00.000+08:00

May 30, 2011
Lui Tuck Yew seen riding public transport again

NEW Minister for Transport Lui Tuck Yew was once again spotted taking the public transportation. This time, he was seen riding a MRT train during morning rush hour on Monday.

A commuter identified only as Nat snapped photos of the minister after seeing him in the crowded train, and posted them on citizen journalism website STOMP.

Nat said: 'I snapped pictures of him on the train this morning at 7.45am, on the North South line heading towards Jurong East at Bukit Gombak. Welcome to the crowd!'

Mr Lui was last week seen riding a public bus last Tuesday, and photos of the sighting were also posted on STOMP.

The story on STOMP on Monday drew a mixed reaction, however, with 35 per cent of feedback expressing scepticism as of 11.20am.

However, the general sentiment in the comments section seemed largely positive. Said STOMPer thnufilo: 'Hurray, Mr Lui Tuck Yew is so down to earth. At least he did both bus and mrt. He's one of us!'

GE 2011: A New Start

2011-05-12T19:29:00.000+08:00

GE 2011: The Hush

2011-05-06T03:05:00.003+08:00

GE 2011: The Voter Outside Aljunied GRC

2011-05-05T02:52:00.002+08:00

GE 2011: The Celebrity

2011-05-04T11:14:00.000+08:00

GE 2011: The Entertainment

2011-05-03T10:54:00.002+08:00

GE 2011: The MPs, Slapper, Sleeping Driver

2011-05-02T19:54:00.003+08:00

GE 2011: A Comic on Mythmaking

2011-05-02T17:45:00.003+08:00

2010-05-19T10:24:00.001+08:00

THE mother tongue issue and overhaul of the law that governs criminal processes are set to dominate the two-day Parliament sitting that starts today.

Although the Government had reassured Singaporeans that there will be no change in mother tongue weighting in the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE), MP Lee Bee Wah (Ang Mo Kio GRC) said many on the ground continue to worry.

Their main anxiety is whether the differentiated approach to be introduced slowly for the teaching and testing of the Chinese language will result in a decline in standards.

Another concern is the impact of the continual scrutiny of the subject on the morale of teachers.

Last week, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Education Minister Ng Eng Hen explained at length the Government's thinking on the weighting of the mother tongue in the PSLE and stressed that a differentiated approach in teaching and testing will be introduced slowly.

Nominated MP Teo Siong Seng, president of the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, feels the new teaching approach will throw up new challenges.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1055797/1/.html

2010-05-17T22:14:00.000+08:00

==================================

DR Goh Keng Swee

6 October 1918 – 14 May 2010

The Great Goh Meng Sale

2010-04-27T10:26:00.002+08:00

The Secretary-General of the National Solidarity Party (NSP), Mr Goh Meng Seng, has revealed to close associates and supporters that he intends to sell his HDB flat in Serangoon North in order to fund his upcoming election campaign.

Chiam and Jayaratnam go Walkabout

2010-04-06T22:43:00.000+08:00

Possible Chiam-Jeyaretnam alliance eyes Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC

Apr 05, 2010

by Leong Wee Keat

SINGAPORE - At the next General Election, the incumbent People's Action Party (PAP) team in a ward not contested since 1997 could face a combined opposition force - one anchored by a veteran and a newcomer.

After their first joint walkabout yesterday morning in Bishan-Toa Payoh, opposition veteran Chiam See Tong of the Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) and rookie Kenneth Jeyaretnam of the Reform Party told reporters they were "working toward" having a joint team contest the Group Representation Constituency (GRC).

While any tentative plans must wait upon yet-to-be-decided changes to the electoral boundaries, both men expressed the desire to stand on the same team in the next General Election, which is due by February 2012.

Mr Chiam, 75, who has long called for the Opposition to join forces against the PAP, appears to finally have found his sentiments echoed. Mr Chiam, who will be leaving his Potong Pasir seat of 26 years, said yesterday: "We cannot be like little ants running all over the place - we should show unity and come with a solid fighting force. That's the way to victory."

Mr Jeyaretnam, 51, said: "This is not so much even about fighting the elections as it is about forming an alliance for when we get into Parliament."

The Reform Party will decide by next month, at key party meetings, whether to enter into an election alliance, said Mr Jeyaretnam, its secretary-general.

Welcoming the potential contest was Mr Zainudin Nordin, one of Bishan-Toa Payoh's five Members of Parliament.

"At the end of the day, our objective is to be able to serve our citizens and our residents better. So if there's a contest, each party will be able to show their programmes and strategies to serve the residents better, and that will give the residents choices ... and ensure that Singapore continues to develop," he said.

The incumbent GRC team also includes Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng, Education Minister Ng Eng Hen, lawyer Hri Kumar and unionist Josephine Teo.

Said Ms Teo: "We will put in our best effort regardless of whether the Opposition is eyeing our ward or not."

'MERE POLITICAL CONVENIENCE'?

Thus far, efforts toward Opposition unity have resulted in three parties - Mr Chiam's Singapore People's Party, the Singapore Malay National Organisation and Singapore Justice Party - forming the SDA. The National Solidarity Party (NSP), once a member, has struck out on its own.

Last year, a handful of opposition leaders gathered for a public forum they hoped would herald more cohesiveness, but three key parties - the Workers' Party (WP), the NSP and the SDA - did not attend.

When contacted yesterday, WP organising secretary Yaw Shin Leong said political parties "should not unite for mere political convenience or surface unity's sake" and "actions mean more than words".

He illustrated his point with an example: After Mr Chiam indicated his wish last year to contest in Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, Mr Yaw, who heads WP's central area committee, asked his members to stop their house visits in the area to avoid confusion among residents.

While NSP has ruled out contesting the GRC, the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) is undecided.

Political observer Eugene Tan told MediaCorp that collaboration among resource-strapped opposition parties may be necessary to avoid three-cornered contests. But cooperation, rather than being bound by a formal alliance, may also be preferred, said the Singapore Management University law lecturer.

"Leaders of individual parties may not be willing to come under the leadership of Mr Chiam and lose their individual character," he said.

ISSUES OF CONCERN

Even if unity is stressed, opposition parties may differ on issues.

Yesterday, while both Mr Chiam and Mr Jeyaretnam identified bread-and-butter issues, such as rising costs of living and public housing prices, as those that may most concern the electorate, they differed slightly on whether the escape of fugitive Mas Selamat Kastari in 2008 would matter in the GRC headed by Mr Wong.

While Mr Chiam thought it would,

Mr Jeyaratnam said it was "not an issue of pressing concern to the electorate now", two years on.

Some 20 members and supporters of SDA and the Reform Party spent over two hours yesterday meeting residents. Besides their respective party chiefs, other members there included Mr Chiam's wife Lina, former government scholarship holders Tony Tan Lay Thiam and Hazel Poa, SPP chairman Sin Kek Tong and Mr Abdul Rahim Osman, who contested in Cheng San GRC in 1997 as a WP candidate.

Their presence piqued some residents' interest. Businessman Cokri Yu, a Bishan resident for more than 20 years, said: "There have been so many walkovers here, a contest will be good."

The last time Bishan was contested was in 1988 when it was under the Thomson ward.

Besides Bishan-Toa Payoh, the Reform Party said it was also active in the Hong Kah, West Coast and Choa Chu Kang areas. Both SDA and the Reform Party have scheduled another walkabout in Bishan on April 18.

Meanwhile, over at Bukit Panjang, SDP's leaders and supporters were at Fajar market in the morning for a walkabout. When contacted by MediaCorp, MP Teo Ho Pin said he welcomed the SDP to contest his ward.

On the 30-per-cent hike in stall rents since Sheng Siong took over the market, Dr Teo said the issue should be discussed between the stallholders and the market operator.

YOG: Some People are Too Excited

2010-04-06T11:40:00.001+08:00

Singapore’s preparations for the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) have got off to an “exciting” start during a dinner function last week attended by some 60 overseas delegates.

According to a Lianhe Wanbao report, at least three Singapore female volunteers had lodged complaints of being sexually harrassed by the delegates.

One of them, a 21 year old student described her experience to the media:

“A 60 year old delegate from a Middle East country grabbed me suddenly and asked me if I want to go to his hotel. Another asked me directly where he can find young women to bed,” she said.

Even a Shin Min reporter was not spared. She accused a delegate of using his leg to stroke hers.

With 150 days to go to the event, Minister of Community, Youth and Sports Dr Vivian Balakrishnan had expressed concerns that the “YOG fever” had yet to sweep across Singapore.

He called on Singaporeans last week “rally” behind the YOG in order to make it a success.

Dr Vivian stressed that the “goal” is now to recreate the buzz:

“We’ve got to find ways for the hawkers, for the taxi drivers, the bus drivers, the small and medium enterprises to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to showcase their products and their services to the world,” he added.

With the overseas YOG delegates already adding the “buzz” before the event, Dr Vivian should be able to heave a sigh of relief.

Ohhh... Jacky Boyyyyy.....

2010-03-16T10:31:00.000+08:00

To Err is Human, To Say Sorry is Divine

2010-02-23T20:51:00.002+08:00

Happy Reading.....
http://singaporedaily.net/2010/02/10/daily-sg-10-feb-2010/

http://singaporedaily.net/2010/02/11/daily-sg-11-feb-2010/

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2010-01-08T10:48:00.001+08:00

http://www.wayangtimes.com/girl-molested-at-sentosa-siloso-beach-2009-countdown-party.html

Merry Christmas Lee Kuan Yew

2009-12-24T19:11:00.001+08:00

Election Fever No More.....

2009-12-10T16:02:00.003+08:00

====================================================
Mixed reactions to PM's proposal of one-day cool-off before Polling Day
01 December 2009 1908 hrs (SST)
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1021783/1/.html

SINGAPORE: Reactions to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's proposal that there be a one-day 'cooling-off' before the electorate goes to the polls to cast their vote have been mixed.

Leaders of the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) said the move will help better manage the election process, but the opposition Workers' Party (WP) said otherwise.

Under current election rules, political parties are not allowed to campaign on Polling Day itself. With the proposal, except for party political broadcasts and news reports, there will be no more mass rallies, door-to-door visits and even display of party symbols on the eve of Polling Day.

But the minimum period between Nomination Day and Polling Day will be extended from nine to ten days so as to keep to the number of minimum campaigning days under current election rules.

Prime Minister Lee said the additional 'cooling-off' day would give voters time to reflect rationally on issues, after the emotional high of election campaigning. Reacting to the proposal, Lim Boon Heng, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office and PAP chairman, said: "Choosing your representative in Parliament is a serious matter. So I think it is a good idea to allow people to reflect what has been said during the campaign period and then to make a considered decision on how they would vote on Polling Day. "

A 24-hour reflection shouldn't make people forget about the essentials of the campaign. It will make a difference when emotions are stirred up too high for whatever reasons. It is not something new that we have thought up. It is something which has been adopted in some countries too."

Eugene Tan, Assistant Professor of Law at the Singapore Management University, said: "The hope is that the swing voters would be less likely to cast swing votes and the fence sitters will have an additional day to make their choices. The aspiration is that the choices will be because of the ability to reflect, to think, will be for the better, for the country."

But the Workers' Party said the extra 'cooling-off' day favours the PAP.

Sylvia Lim, Non-Constituency MP and Workers' Party chairman, said: "You have to remember that the eve of Polling Day is a very critical period for the voters and in Singapore's context, you can say there is a bar on political parties campaigning on this cooling-off day, but you must remember that the role of the PAP as a political party and its role as the government is often blurred. "We may have situations where civil servants could come out to clarify certain government policies and even announce policy reviews for that matter. So practically, I think it is difficult to ensure that the cooling-off period serves its purpose."

In an e-mail response to MediaCorp, Hougang MP Low Thia Khiang felt the idea is a sign of the PAP distrusting voters' judgement.

Teo Ser Luck, chairman of Young PAP, said: "Mr Low could be reading too deep into such an action. I think cooling-off could be good, whether for the opposition or the main party to consolidate and take a breather and to review their positioning.

"I don't believe it would have that great an impact on anyone. It would give people some time to consider but, as I say, some of them would have decided before the nine days of campaigning begin.

"And a lot of Singaporeans would almost look at the whole GE as uneventful, as their life would go on as per normal. But for another segment of the society, it would impact. But I wouldn't look at it as the majority."

Singapore's next General Election is not due till February 2012 but with Prime Minister Lee's 'cooling-off' proposal, it signals that preparations are picking up steam for the next polls. - CNA/ir
=======================================================

Also see: http://www.temasekreview.com/2009/12/09/ypap-p65-blogger-supports-cooling-off-day-and-chides-netizens-for-spraying-venom-at-every-govt-move/

CSJ on the BBC(hee)

2009-12-04T11:34:00.001+08:00

MM Lee: I Was Wrong....

2009-11-25T10:15:00.001+08:00

No Country For All Of Us

2009-11-06T10:20:00.003+08:00

'This is where most people make a mistake...I have tried to explain that we are different. We are a city. We are not a country,' Shanmugam told 200 lawyers, many from America, at the New York State Bar Association International Section's meeting.

Speakz Goodz Englishz Pleasez

2009-11-02T19:04:00.000+08:00

Planted questions are tougher than they seem ok......

A Defiant Mas Selamat -- to the end?

2009-10-22T13:20:00.000+08:00

When we he make his triumphant return? He probably is not looking forward to it, but neither would the guards at the WRDC.

The Great Sheng Siong Shopping Spree

2009-10-22T11:32:00.001+08:00

----------------------------------------------

Oct 22, 2009

Markets outcome after Jan

HDB to decide on sale to Sheng Siong but will not take over markets

By Jessica Lim

THE fate of stallholders at five wet markets slated for sale will be known after January next year, when the Housing Board (HDB) reaches a decision on whether to let the purchases go ahead.

Sheng Siong - the interested buyer - has told HDB it is prepared to continue renting out the wet market stalls to the existing holders.

It is no longer proceeding with its original plan to convert them to Sheng Siong air-conditioned markets.

Sheng Siong wants to buy a sixth market, but the application for that sale has not yet been submitted.

It is understood that the paperwork and due diligence for the sale of the five will take several months to be completed.

Negotiations on the terms and conditions of tenancy will also need to be discussed when and if the sale is completed, said a spokesman for HDB, which held meetings with Sheng Siong representatives earlier this month to discuss the use of the wet markets after the sale.

SINGANEWS AND THE WIZARD OF GozD

2009-09-25T19:04:00.004+08:00

.... Seeking to represent societal "mainstream values" of CMIO (Chinese, Malay, Indian, Others[GLBT]).

One Million ... Going Strong

2009-09-22T20:37:00.003+08:00

One in 3 chance of being elite ....

The Emperor

2009-09-06T09:58:00.001+08:00

Later this month, ten thousand years, ten thousand ten thousand years...

Fair Game with Foreign Talents

2009-08-30T11:03:00.000+08:00

Depends on who we ask...

Walking on Fire?

2009-08-25T11:46:00.001+08:00

the troublesome truth...

Treating Old Folks Right

2009-08-19T10:30:00.000+08:00

"CHILDREN who dump their elderly parents in hospitals or nursing homes could be taken to task and forced to help pay for their parents' care.

The Government will study how best to use the Maintenance of Parents Act to get such children to do their filial duty, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong last night during his National Day Rally speech in Mandarin."

Govt may act against children who dump their elderly parents

Chatting with Georgie

2009-08-19T10:24:00.001+08:00

Snapping at his heels...