Why penalise ITE grads? Hear, hearWhy penalise ITE grads?TODAY Letter from Laight Thomas Shawn Christopher05:55 AM Mar 04, 2010I WAS recently disappointed to find out how the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) determine whether polytechnic students will be admitted to their institutions. Their websites state that applicants will be accepted based on a combined score of both their polytechnic and GCE O-level results, weighted according to an 80:20 ratio.I have applied for both universities as I wish to pursue a higher education. But I am not sure if this system will be fair to me and many other students who did well in their polytechnic examinations. For example, I was from the Normal (Technical) stream in secondary school. Therefore my only path after my GCE N levels was to enrol in the Institute of Technical Education (ITE). I did extremely well and secured a place in Singapore Polytechnic. I have worked hard for three years to maintain a relatively high Grade Point Average (GPA). But I am saddened to know that I will lose out to other polytechnic graduates who also have a GCE O-level certificate. Because I do not have this certificate, I will score zero on the 20-per-cent component.This is unfair to polytechnic students who, like me, were from ITE but have studied hard to achieve good results, yet have a lower chance of entering a local university. I feel that this is discrimination against ITE students who have chosen the less prestigious route for late bloomers.May I know the rationale for this weightage, one which does not provide a level playing field for everyone?News Link:Why penalise ITE grads? (4th March 2010) 身为公民的责任 By: 饶欣龙This article was first published in The Hammer (Issue 1001)我是一名自愿延长战备军服役期的战备军人。对一些人来说，这是一个不可思议的选择。为何一个完成了十年战备军服役期的军人在能够获得‘自由’时却选择继续承担这个责任呢？何以我自愿做出这样的决定呢？也许是因为父亲在世时，他常常跟我讲一些中华民族的历史故事。印象最深刻的故事便是岳飞精忠报国抗金国的精神。这使我深深相信每一位国民都应该有精忠报国的精神，有责任保卫国家，国家存亡，匹夫有责。这也是我从政，并认为从政是为国家付出的信念根源。因此，既然我有这种想法，就应该站出来，为人民提供选择，为国服务。我认为，身为一个民主制度国家里的国民，我有责任尽我的本分维护我国的民主治度。反对党在一个民主的政治制度中扮演重要的角色，只有在有不同政党竞争的政治大环境下，才能避免政治霸权，也使民主政治制度的架构更稳固。我希望以上的分享会鼓励更多新加坡人参政加入工人党。从军事策略的角度上来看，参政也可以是全面防卫中的一环，那就是政治防卫。那为何选择加入工人党呢？ 因为加入工人党才能壮大反对党的力量，并使工人党更有条件在民主制度下扮演其所应扮演的以下的角色：一． 参与和支配公共政策的制定过程公共政策与人民息息相关， 工人党是我们在国会内外的发言管道， 我们可通过工人党向政府施压， 逼使政府听取你的意见， 照顾人民的需求。二． 监督政府 －确保政府履行对人民的责任工人党为人民提供一个独立的监督和制衡政府的机制， 质疑政府的政策， 并确保良好的施政。三． 维护民主的进程工人党让人民有机会行使人民的权利， 投选心目中的国会议员或政府， 以维护新加坡的民主体制。如果你认同我们的信念和远景， 工人党可作为你的据点， 在政治领域内为人民服务。四． 塑造人民的未来工人党欢迎各方提供意见， 以在政治， 经济和社会等领域探索替代性的政策， 为国家的发展和你我的未来， 作出贡献。五． 建设一个充满活力的公民社会通过工人党组织的活动， 您能在一个建基於宪制的政治体系里，团结各个志同道合的人， 众志成城， 发挥民间社会的影响力， 维护民众的利益； 在一个没有恐惧的环境里相互对话， 寻求理性的社会诉求。 提高生产力会否使更多人失业？ 日期: 23/02/2010 新闻来源: 联合晚报 工人党组织秘书饶欣龙却担心，提高生产力会否使更多人失业？“我认为小市民的一个顾虑是，政府鼓励员工和企业接受培训，提高技能，以提升生产力，但企业提升生产力后，是否意味员工会被淘汰？例如，预算案提供的案例中，Illuma商场的日本餐馆采用自动点菜系统后，最终是减少了所聘用的员工。企业采用自动化和员工提升技能，两者是否存在着紧张关系？政府应在这方面进一步说明。至于通过免税计划，以减轻企业进行并购的成本，我认为应该侧重辅助中小型企业，因为它们更需要协助以取得增长，大企业或政联公司资本雄厚，不应再获益。”Link: 提高生产力会否使更多人失业？(OMY News - Lian He Wan Bao, 23 Feb 2010) Thoughts on Budget Speech 2010 I refer to the Budget Speech 2010 ‘Towards An Advanced Economy: Superior Skills, Quality Jobs, Higher Incomes’ (Minister for Finance, Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam) Which patriot does not wish for Singapore to become an advanced economy where its citizenry sports superior skills, quality jobs and higher income? From this perspective as a Singaporean I understand and I certainly support Singapore’s strategic aims to uplift our nation’s productivity.Yet there are many different methods of measuring productivity. For instance, in a factory, productivity can be measured based on number of hours it takes to produce ‘X’ amount of goods. On the other hand in a retail business, productivity can be measured based on the amount of revenue generated by an employee divided by his or her salary etc. Given the massive treatment in this year’s budget on uplifting productivity, it is therefore critical for each Singaporean to understand what does productivity means in the first place? This is because for some, productivity simply means getting things done with lesser working hours. On the other hand, for others productivity means working longer to produce more. Hence, to successfully uplift productivity, it is crucial for each Singaporean to reflect and to understand the definition of productivity in the context of his/ her work across respective levels in his/ her vocations and industries. Only when such understanding is established, only can our people collectively make Singapore into an advanced economy. I have several observations regarding Minister Tharman’s speech on Singapore’s next leap in productivity and how it will involve transformations to Singapore's economy: a) I cite C.3, ‘First, we have to restructure our overall economy towards higher-value activities and exit from less efficient ones’. This strategy in the macro sense makes sense, yet it is in the micro sense that hurts. This is because it is usually during such economic transitions that the pains of structural unemployment will be most painfully felt. b) I cite C.4, ‘Second, we need to upgrade individual industries and enterprises. The Budget will extend strong support for them to do so, in every sector.’ I am of the view that it would had been very prudent if this transformation is a highly targeted one in developing the capabilities of purely organic Singaporean SMEs and not some pseudo SMEs which are in actual fact subsidiaries of certain GLCsc) I cite C.5, ‘Third, we must raise the skills and creative potential of every worker.’ In practical terms there are limits to how much training can do to raise skills and creative potential in certain industries. For instance how effective will Continuing Education and Training be, in raising the skills and creative potential of a worker who works in a relatively mundane environment? d) I cite C.32, ‘…we will introduce a Productivity and Innovation Credit. The credit will provide significant tax deductions, for investments in a broad range of activities along the innovation value chain’. This covers automation through technology or software. Most Singaporeans would understand the prowess of automation, so much so that it will probably form a lump in our throats as we read on C.37, where Minister Tharman gave the example of Japanese food outlet Ebisboshi Shotengai at Iluma Mall which invested $160,000 to implement a wireless self-ordering system from Japan. It is so successful that not only reduced customers’ waiting time, but it also reduced the number of staff it would normally have required. In the short run, where all other factors remain constant, jobs are certainly at stake.e) I cite C.42, ‘The National Productivity Fund will provide grants to help enterprises in all sectors, with special emphasis initially on sectors where there is a potential for large gains in productivity.’ By targeting all sectors, somehow it gave me the impression of a rather ambitious and unrealistic target. Also it gave me an impression of possible arbitrariness in the granting of the funds. To be fair, Minister Tharman subsequently in C.43 specifically pinpointed construction as a key sector which productivity needs to be improved.f) I cite C.55 -58, ‘The economic recovery – both locally and abroad – provides a window of opportunity for growth through acquisitions. We will facilitate merges and acquisitions, but companies must decide for themselves whether it makes more business sense to grow organically or through M&A.’ …. ‘I will therefore introduce, for five years, a one-off tax allowance scheme to help defray a portion of acquisition costs…. The allowance will be equal to 5% of the value of the acquisition.’ The skeptical me can’t help but wonder whether such facilitation of economic restructuring through M&A are meant to assist GLCs more or SMEs? In the spirit of growing home-grown SME enterprises, shouldn’t GLCs be excluded from this scheme? g) I cite D.20, ‘Talent flow from the public sector research institutes to private corporate labs is part of the synergy these linkages can create. In the last three years, 650 research engineers and scientists have moved out of the public sector to join corporate labs, including 100 seconded to local enterprises, as part of a joint Spring-A* initiative to upgrade enterprises’ technological capabilities.’ This sounds to me like a public sector brain drain of 550 research engineers and scientists to the private sector, but of course packaged very nicely!h) I cite D.24, ‘The Government, as a significant consumer of products and services, can itself play a larger role to help innovation-driven companies turn their R&D into marketable solutions. This as taken place on an ad-hoc basis in the past. We will now do it proactively and systematically. We need many more examples like Hyflux, whose engagement with PUB opened up the opportunity to delivery its capabilities and track record to help it grow internationally.’ Another possible area could be the leveraging on the expertise of Ministry of Education to assist Singaporean pre-schools to establish a global standard (currently none) in pre-school education and helping them turn their offerings into globally marketable solutions.i) I cite E.25, ‘…I will also allow wives who are taxpayers to claim a spouse relief to $2000, similar to the current scheme for husbands. This will help families where the wife is the breadwinner, for instance where the husband has retired. Accordingly, wife relief will be renamed as ‘spouse relief’. The decision to grant tax breaks to working wives and those with elderly dependants is to be applauded. Concurrently I share similar views to that of Ms Dana Lam, president of AWARE that greater attention be paid to Singles who have devoted most of their lives to care for dependant family members, but end up with little CPF funds and other financial resources to support themselves. To remake Singapore’s economy into an advanced one is a national effort, of not merely both employers and employees but also the government. Also along the way of economic transition, there will certainly be pains that will be experienced by some segments of our society. To build an inclusive society, it is vital for us to minimize such pains, so that none of our compatriot will be left behind. Links: Singapore Budget Speech 2010 (Minister for Finance, Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam)Better tax reliefs for more households (TODAY, 23rd Feb 2010) On Tuition Fee Hikes, Justifications & Timing I refer to the news reports ‘Weaker job market dents household income’ (BT, 20-21 February 2010) & ‘Singapore polytechnics and ITE to increase tuition fees’ (CNA, 18 February 2010)The justification given by the polytechnics & ITE decision makers that because the economy has turned the corner, hence they have decided to increase tuition fees for this academic year starting April is a weak and ill-timed one. This is because the decision to increase tuition fee hike comes at a time of relative recovery from a weaker labour market conditions that saw higher unemployment and lower wages. Somewhat to cushion the emotional aspect of this hike, the focus has been on the sharper differentiation between the tuition fees citizens pay, compared to what PRs & foreigners pay. Yet this merely sidestepped the crux of issue, on why the necessity of tuition fee increment in the first place?Of course there will be decision makers, such as Mr Tan Han Cheong, principal of Singapore Polytechnic who understood the fact that ‘there is always never a good time to raise fees obviously’. Yet his justification for the need to put the fees truer to the cost, via a $150 increase for polytechnic students over a 3 years period is not at all convincing. This is because, since the fees even after increment would only be about 15% or less of the full cost of educating a student in a polytechnic. Why then bother to increase fees in the first place? To the academic institution, $50 a year may mean just marginally little, yet to a financially challenged household, each $50 will make a difference. Whilst our polytechnics and ITE aid that they will have adequate assistance scheme in place for students who have financial difficulties. Yet, why should society be accepting the ‘let’s have fee hikes but we will have assistance schemes in place' approach especially in the vital area of educating our future generations? Sadly, the rationale behind the poly & ITE students’ tuition fee hike is not robustly justifiable. Secondly, the timing for the fee hike is unfortunately ill-timed. News Links:Singapore polytechnics and ITE to increase tuition fees (CNA, 18 February 2010)Weaker job market dents household income (BT, 20-21 February 2010) WP Tactical Movements (Chinese Media) I refer to the following news reports ‘WP: To Focus Fire power in North Eastern Part’. (Shin Min Daily News, Page 03, 27/01/2010) & ‘WP: On Tampines GRC’ (Lianhe Wanbao, Page 07, 27/01/2010) Upon reading the report sub-header of the Shin Min Daily News, I called up Mr Desmond Lim, Secretary General of the Singapore Democratic Alliance and we had a good laugh over the phone! News Cuttings: On the Left (Shin Min Daily News) & On the Right (Lianhe Wanbao) WP Tactical Movements I refer to my comments in the following news reports ‘Opposition eyeing Tampines GRC’ & ‘WP walks away from 2 GRCs’ (27th January 2010, Straits Times). On top of the comments published in the Straits Times, below is a raw (but fuller) recollection of the interview. Straits Times: This is to clarify a rumour whether is WP going to contest in Tampines GRC? Shin Leong: One possible reason for the rumour to come about in the first place is due to the fact that WP has been seen regularly in Tampines during our weekly public outreaches via the sales of The Hammer. However this shouldn’t be deemed as the basis of WP contesting in any particular wards for WP activists do our public outreaches in various parts of Singapore too. The contestation in any wards by the WP candidates could only be decided by the WP’s Elections’ Committee, bearing in mind of the prevalent strategic circumstances then & the existing amount of ground work done by respective WP area committees.Straits Times: Do you have any comments about NSP’s Goh Meng Seng’s declared minister specific strategy for their would-be GE campaign in Tampines?Shin Leong: For any opposition team to defeat the PAP incumbent in any ward, it is important for the team to understand both the macro & micro variables, macro being national concerns and micro being local [ward] considerations.Straits Times: Are you saying that NSP’s strategy will not work?Shin Leong: No, I am not saying that. It is good that NSP has come up with an engagement strategy as Singapore inches towards the next GE. However it is not for me to say whether whose strategy will work or not, as at the end of the day, as it is for fellow Singaporeans to decide.Straits Times: Does that means WP will not contest Tampines at all? Shin Leong: The political pie is huge enough for everyone. As it is, I see no compelling reason to have a 3-cornered fight, unless the strategic situation warrants it.Straits Times: What type of strategic situation warrants a WP contest in Tampines? Shin Leong: In GE2006 SDP unilaterally declared its intention that they will be contesting in Sembawang GRC. This was despite the final agreement reached at the opposition parties’ GE06 joint discussions held earlier. As a gesture of WP’s goodwill, WP was prepared to forgo a contest in the 6-men Sembawang GRC in exchange for long-time SDP contested 1-man Nee Soon Central SMC. In that instance, had SDP still insisted on contesting in Nee Soon Central SMC, WP would have no qualms to fight a 3-cornered fight.Straits Times: Has WP bumped into NSP during your public outreaches in Tampines?Shin Leong: Yes, several times indeed. Straits Times: What are the other WP’s targeted areas?Shin Leong: A visit to WP area committees' websites will be rather obvious. For any political observer who is familiar with WP’s ground activism vis-à-vis our committees, apparently the strategic focus seems to be in the northern, north-eastern & eastern quadrant of Singapore.Straits Times: What about WP Central Area Committee (CAC)? Shin Leong: WP’s CAC ground activists have been re-deployed to other fronts following Uncle Chiam See Tong’s declaration that he will be contesting in Bishan-TPY GRC. This was done out of respect for Uncle Chiam after he indicated his intention to contest in that GRC. Straits Times: Does that means that WP is giving up on Ang Mo Kio GRC as the CAC covers AMK too?Shin Leong: Ang Mo Kio GRC was contested by WP in GE2006 out of a political necessity. Firstly, to give the people of AMK a chance to vote, Secondly, to ensure that Singapore is not led by a ‘walkover’ PM. Thirdly, for the purpose of a block force mission to ensure that PM Lee’s movements was restricted, so that he can’t campaign freely for his other PAP colleagues. Similarly just as how the strategic objectives of the WP’s Ang Mo Kio team’s mission have been met for GE2006, the WP elections committee would have to once more consider the compelling strategic circumstances whether or not to contest in AMK in this coming GE. More importantly, WP has actively continued with our regular public outreaches via our Hammer in Ang Mo Kio GRC. Straits Times: However this is not inclusive of house visits right?Shin Leong: Yes, you are right. Straits Times: Will the considerations of consolidating WP presence north-eastern quadrant result in the eventual decision for WP to contest in Tampines GRC? Shin Leong: Unless there are compelling strategic reasons for WP to do so, such as party expansion and the need for resources’ concentration. Otherwise the present political pie is huge enough. Interestingly, the NSP team leader for Tampines GRC was an ex-WP candidate in GE06. Straits Times: Has the WP commenced any house visits in Tampines GRC? Shin Leong: Let’s not get into specifics. Straits Times: Would be possible for the Straits Times to follow WP in your next house visits/ public outreach in Tampines GRC or any other areas?Shin Leong: Well, you know the answer! 双诗会 秦皇展暴， 民反迎汉高祖掌儒， 朝威千古民国有三， 却没鼎立共国有望， 但缺民主饶欣龙, 1.09 AM, 27/12/2010刘氏佣民， 汉世春秋李后酒诗， 国殇绝唐强曹霸羽， 未能尊胜立备后邦， 汉室盛世任保南博士, 7.01 AM, 26/12/2010----------A Loose Translation of the Above:1) The First Qin Emperor (Qin Shi Huang) ruled with terror, the people revolted and ushered in the Han dynasty.2) Gao Zhu (First Emperor of Han Dynasty, aka Liu Bang) understood & applied the humane virtues of Confucianism, firmly establishing the imperial governance system for thousands of years.3) The Republic of China (1911 – 1949) had the three Representatives ideology (Nationalism, Democracy & People’s Livelihood), yet words aside, action wise these were not rooted.4) The People’s Republic of China (Communist) (1949 – Present) seems to have a bright future ahead, but alas, the principle of democracy is sorely missing.Yaw Shin Leong, 1.09 AM, 27.12.20101) The Liu clan had effectively tapped upon people, such that the Han Dynasty was eventually established from the ashes of the Spring & Autumn period.2) The Li (Shi Min’s) descendants were more interested in merry drinking and composing poems, such that the illustrious Tang dynasty eventually came into a sorry & shameful end.3) The strong Cao Cao (Wei, Three kingdoms) and the (Conqueror of the West) Xiang Yu (Pre-Han peiod) depended on their military might, yet might was not the only pre-conditions of securing eventual victory.4) After establishing effective institutions of governance, the legacy of the Han Dynasty endures till this day. Dr John Yam, 7.01 AM, 26.12.2010 Should School Teach Political Education? I refer to my comments found in the Straits Times' INSIGHT, Page A36 (9th January 2010). Below is the full version of the interview:Straits Times Q1: Do you support Mr Shanmugam's suggestion, and why? What do you see as the pros and cons of stepping up political education in schools? Shin Leong: I am skeptical. It is obvious that the agenda behind the Minister’s suggestion is with the partisan aim of perpetuating the current political status quo, i.e. the predominance of the PAP. Still, I am prepared to give the suggestion a qualified support subjected to the (almost impossible) conditions of impartial delivery. If this is indeed achievable, the advantages would be that our students’ precepts & understandings of political knowledge will certainly be enhanced. Straits Times Q2: Do you think students are or would be interested in political education, and why? Would it take more than political education lessons to make them interested in such topics? If yes, what else would be needed?Shin Leong: It is quite ironic to be talking about getting our students to be interested in political education, when mere few decades ago, our earlier Singapore’s educational system ‘cultivated’ highly politicized student cohorts. Perhaps time machines would be needed! The fact of the matter is, students’ interests over political knowledge must be organic and ground up.Straits Times Q3: How did you personally benefit or were influenced from "political education" or the lack of it in schools?Shin Leong: My earliest ‘political education’ came from the library of the now defunct Clementi North Primary School, where I first read abridged books on political ideologies and personalities. Subsequently student activism in students’ councils and CCA groups gave me direct opportunities to lead, mobilize, practice conflict management and consensus building in students politics. Guess no amount of political education can beat hands-on experiences in politics.Straits Times Q4: Do you have specific ideas on how this suggestion should be implemented, like what should be taught and who should be taught?Shin Leong: In 1993, as a student councillor of Jurong JC, I had the opportunity to convince my student council’s teacher-in-charge to abolish the process of teachers’ appointment of student councilors. Subsequently I played a role in institutionalizing a direct students’ election there which persisted till this day. In my opinion, the process of voters or candidates' participation in students’ elections is highly effective in imparting political concepts such as ‘campaigning’, ‘candidates’ ,‘one man one vote’ & ‘first past the post’ etc. One specific idea is to institutionalize local students’ elections systems across public schools (even in primary schools!) so that our students may elect &/or reject their representatives into students’ councils & CCA groups.Straits Times Q5: What do you think should be the aims of political education?Shin Leong: If there is to be one, it ought to be one that provoke students’ thoughts on:1) The different types of political systems.2) Why Singapore chose to be a democracy in the first place?3) The true essence & variables of democracy4) Whether the essence & variables of democracy should be tempered upon? 工人党：来临大选将有新血 新明日报 （Shin Min Daily）06.01.2010 工人党组织秘书饶欣龙，今早对本报说：“在一个政党里，有人离开也有新人近来， 人事的流动很平常， 而且也不是一件坏事。党内有一些新血。”至于新血包括什么背景的人士，饶欣龙说: 来临大选之时，大家就会知道。”饶欣龙表示，与戈麦斯认识10 多年，对方在上周一起喝咖啡时，透露了离开工人党的决定。--------WP: Infusion of new BloodIn an interview with the Worker’s Party’s Organizing Secretary Yaw Shin Leong this morning, he said: “In a political party, there will be members who leave and new members who join. The movement of people is very common and not necessarily a bad thing, as WP has been attracting new blood.” When queried upon what are the backgrounds of these new blood? Yaw Shin Leong replied: “Come closer to pre-election period, we will know.” Yaw Shin Leong indicated that he knew James Gomez for more than 10 years and James shared the decision to lapse his WP membership last week over a coffee session. On James Gomez’s Membership Lapse 联合早报(Lian He Zao Bao)6th January 2009 工人党组织秘书饶欣龙昨晚受访时证实了戈麦斯退党的消息。他透露上个星期与戈麦斯喝咖啡时，对方就一向他透露这个决定。“我们参加思考中心时已认识，至到今已有十年。 相信他是经过深思熟滤， 才做出离开的决定。每个人到了人生的某个阶段， 都会有不同的想法和理想。人事的流动， 是很正常的。”他说工人党感谢他多年来的贡献， 并祝福他未来的事业顺利。饶欣龙说戈麦斯没有透露是否会加入其他政党。“不过， 他是个富有政治创意的人，如果他加入其他政党，我不会感到惊讶。”那它会不会担心戈麦斯加入其他政党， 对工人党造成竞争？饶欣龙笑着答说：“本地的政治空间还是够大的。”-----------The Workers’ Party Organizing Secretary Yaw Shin Leong confirmed the news of James Gomez’s party membership lapse. Shin Leong revealed that over drinks with James last week, James shared with him of the decision. “We knew each other since our Think Centre days, till now that’s about 10 years. I believe James has thought through very thoroughly prior to making the decision. Every individual upon reaching certain stages in their lives will have different perspectives and fresh aspirations. Furthermore the movement of personnel is common across all organizations.The Workers’ Party thanks James for his years of contributions and we sincerely wish him the best in all of his endeavors.” Shin Leong said that James did not reveal whether he will be joining another political party. “However James is someone full of political creativity, hence if he is to join another political party, I would not be surprised.” The reporter then asked if Shin Leong is concerned that if James Gomez is to join another political party, will that create competition for the Workers’ Party? Shin Leong merely smiled and quipped that “the current political space in Singapore is vast enough.” 反对党：增加单选区选举更民主 新明日报 （Shin Min Daily News, 03 January 2010, Page 5）受访的反对党人士对于下届大选可能有30个选区不感到意外，并认为 ， 增加单选区， 可以让选举制度更民主。工人党组织秘书饶欣龙受访时说， 之前总理就已经提出来届大选会有更多单选区， 因此，他对下届大选可能有30 个选区不感到意外。谈到执政党增加单选区，是否会提高反对党的胜算，饶欣龙以2006 （应该是2001）年在 义顺东单选区的选战为例说，虽然当时有人认为，何炳基副教授和工人党的傅日源博士旗鼓相当，　但是，何炳基最后以近70% 的得票胜出。“ 反对党要挑战集选区， 所面对的问题是， 不一定能够找到少族群的 后选人参加竞选。”不过，他承认，有更多当选区意味着，选民有更多机会投票， 行使他们投选议员的权利。--------------Opposition: The Increase of Single Member Constituencies will result in relatively more democratic ElectionsOpposition personalities when interviewed upon were not fazed by the possibilities of having 30 electoral constituencies in the next General Elections. They are also of the view that increasing the seats of single member constituencies will enhance Singapore’s current electoral system to be relatively more democratic. Yaw Shin Leong of the Workers’ Party when interviewed said that PM Lee had previously mentioned that there will be more Single Member Constituencies (& smaller Group Representation Constituencies) in the next General Elections. As such he is not surprised with the possibility of having 30 electoral constituencies come next General Elections. When queried upon whether the incumbent’s increment of Single Member Constituencies parliamentary seats will enhance opposition parties’ electoral chances, Yaw Shin Leong replied that it is not necessarily so, citing the example of GE2006 (ought to be GE2001)’s Nee Soon East Constituency where it was said (by bookies) that A/P Hoe Peng Kee & WP’s Dr Poh Lee Guan both stood a 50-50% of being elected into Parliament. However in the end Hoe Peng Kee secured approximately 70% of the votes casted. (When queried upon what would be the disadvantages opposition parties face when contesting in smaller GRCs. Shin Leong explained that as it is, it is already quite a challenge to secure suitable candidates from the Malay, Indian & Eurasian communities.) (Smaller GRCs simply mean that there will be an overall increment in certain ethnicity requirements). As such a probable challenge most opposition parties face would be securing (suitable) candidates from certain ethnic communities to participate in the polls. However, he acknowledged that, with more Single Members Constituencies’ wards, constituents will probably have more opportunities to cast their votes. (Typically SMCs are favored by opposition parties in view of resource constraints and much smaller campaign ops areas. However the WP has long held the view the GRC system is not democratic and must be abolished. It will certainly seek to do so when it is in the position to abolish it.) *Comments in bracketed italic tags were also made by me during the 5 minutes phone interview. Threshold of a New Decade At this morning’s 6am’s dawn prayers held at my church, the pastor welcomed the congregation into the new decade. Only then the double significance of 1st January 2010 dawned upon me, specifically it is not merely the beginning of a new year, but concurrently it marks the beginning of a brand new decade. The mark of a new year or a new decade for some people would be mere numerical play with little real significance. After all scholars are of the view that our current Gregorian calendar system, which was established by the 6th century scholar Dionysius Exiguus was wrong by four years or more…Then again, isn’t this human? Specifically by acknowledging our imperfections but celebrating our humanity. Perhaps it is due such a life’s posture that the markings of numerals do hold some degree of significance in my life.In the course of the past decade, somehow I have been “set apart” to activism in the advancement of political defense in Singapore, with the vision of developing Singapore politically via the establishment of a credible opposition presence in Singapore’s Parliament, vis-à-vis the Workers’ Party. However, sometimes low-grade motivation obscures the above vision. The enchantment of leading a political ‘block force mission’ in the Ang Mo Kio GE06 campaign for the first time, seeing my first few published political articles, recollections of my first few house visits have faded, and I am faced with the daily grind of sustaining my momentum and more importantly my idealism. It seems that I must work even harder to keep my passion and political energy level high. Yet, during this morning’s dawn prayers, my heart has been decisively delighted and determined.What was the reason for it? The pastor pointed the congregation to a chapter of an ancient book – Psalms. In chapter 84, it was recorded that the ancient psalmist’s rock-solid devotion to his Source (the Lord) superseded all other concerns. The psalmist knew that he had been set apart (divinely anointed) and he was completely committed to his calling (verse 9). In fact, if necessary, he was willing to serve in some menial positions (as a doorkeeper etc) in the house of his Lord rather than to live in the lavish tents of otherwise (verse 10).In verse 11, I understood the reason for the same psalmist’s devotion. His Lord is pictured as a “sun & shield” which offers warmth, blessings and protection to the psalmist. His Lord does not withhold anything good from those who put Him first and who is willing to subject his conduct to His will. Now that the political thrills of the past decade is over, I need to be even more committed, to persist and persevere in pursuing my political vision. As such I need to exercise even more discipline as I am truly enjoying the process. Therefore I need to follow the example of my ancient predecessor – by turning to my Source and to spend more time in meaningful interactions with people. Out of the rich texture of meaningful human relationships come positive similarities & differences that will certainly better the conditions of our beloved Singapore. Today, at the threshold of this new decade, I rededicate my life to my Lord’s calling, who is my sun and shield and one who gives me the satisfaction of knowing that my walk is worthy of my calling. The Accidental Tour Guide About 2 hours ago, while waiting to pick up my wife who was attending a dinner function this evening, I met an elderly Japanese couple who sought my help at the road junction of Selegie & Middle Road. They wanted to know where would be the nearest money changer. I pointed them towards the direction of Parklane Shopping Mall and offered to walk them there. However that particular money changer I knew was closed for the day. Subsequently I walked them to Wilkie Edge Mall to check if there’s any other money changer beside the one at Parklane Shopping Mall. The mall’s security guards advised us that the next nearest money changer would be Little India. At that moment, the elderly Japanese couple started to look worried. Due to the relative distance to Little India and their worried expressions, I offered to drive them to there for them to change their money and to drive back to where I first met them. They gladly took up the offer and I drove them towards Mustafa Centre’s 24hours Money Changer. Along the way there, I found out that they are on a transit in Singapore and are on their way to Manado Indonesia for a scuba-diving trip. Interestingly, I found myself giving both of them a rather informative guided tour of the area and introduced them some local landmarks along Peace Centre & Mustafa Centre. The Japanese couple expressed their curiosities with the night scenes of Singapore and particularly they were rather amazed with the multitudes of Little India. After exchanging their money, I drove them back to the place where we started off. The elderly Japanese couple expressed their heartfelt appreciation and we parted ways. In retrospect, that appreciation ought to be 2 ways. That was because I enjoyed my role as the accidental tour guide too! Photo: With the elderly Japanese couple. Running a Half Marathon I took part in the Standard Chartered Half Marathon 2009 (21 km) yesterday together with some colleagues and friends. The chief motivations behind our signing ups were of participation and completion, rather than clocking specific timings. In this respect, we had participated and successfully completed the half marathon. Personally it has been 9 long years since I last ran a half marathon and my body is certainly no longer as fit as compared to then. Coupled with limited training, the various major muscles groups in my body are now aching from limb to limb!Running a half marathon can be no mean feat, especially for me where 'trainings' are primarily ‘downward vertical marathons’ (i.e. HBD house-to-house visits) once or twice a week and the occasional 2.4km jogs for the purpose of IPPT preparations. However those were clearly insufficient.That morning, I met my colleagues at City hall and we made our way to the starting point. The half marathon started at about 6.50am (?) My first 5 km was smooth sailing. It can be rather fun to be running along side so many runners. It was likened to iron sharpening iron and runners encouraging runners.At the 6km mark, I experienced an initial feeling of fatigue, but I pressed on as it was still at the early stage of the 21km run. To overcome this initial fatigue, I hymned a hymn and aimed for the next drink station with each step I jogged. The hymn and drink stations (a couple of km apart) were definitely helpful in pacing my run, especially the latter as dehydration and thirst naturally set in during long runs. Soon after 8km mark, my initial wave of fatigue was gone, as my body became more rhythmic to the run. However my thirst had gotten worse, instead of drinking a half cup of water at each drink station, I found myself gulping two & a half cups instead. At certain drink stations, isotonic water (100-plus) was provided and I drank those instead. After passing the 16km mark, I spotted a colleague ahead of me and gathered pace to link up with him. Unfortunately, at that particular moment, I felt a slight pull in my right calf muscle and I had to slow down. From that moment onwards, the rest of the marathon became gradually painful for me.Some where after 17km mark, the worsened right calf muscle pull was accompanied with the feelings of cramps in both my quadriceps muscles. Soon after, I was reduced to mere limping rather than jogging. Those were one of the few moments when I entertained the thoughts of quitting, but for some reasons or other I pressed on.Eventually I completed the half marathon in about 2-hours 40-odd minutes. I did not notice my exact race timing on the main digital clock as I crossed the finishing line because I was much in pain then. (I found today out that I can find out my exact race timing online tomorrow, 48 hours after the marathon ended.)Running a half marathon is both physical and mental experience. Interestingly it had rekindled in me a thought, specifically a 9 years old thought (one which I urged myself upon completing my first half marathon) i.e. to complete a full marathon! Meanwhile, the pains of my muscles linger on …Photo: The screenshot of my actual timing (Added 8th December 2009, 9.15am) 工人党：将减少反对党接触选民管道 新明日报 （Shin Min Daily News, 01 December 2009, Page 5）工人党组织秘书饶欣龙受访时形容， “冷静日” 或许是人民行动党的其中一个策略，减少反对党接触选民管道。 他表示 “冷静日” 当天只能进行竞选广播及传媒报道， 这样，执政党可透过基层 组织或工会组织的网络，继续与人民进行非正式的联络，但反对党就较难如此进行。WP: ‘Cool Off Day’ Reduces Opposition Parties’ Already Limited Electoral Outreach ChannelsWP’s Organizing Secretary Yaw Shin Leong during an interview described that ‘Cool off Day’ seems like one of the multiple PAP elections engineering strategies. This will reduce opposition parties’ already limited electoral outreach channels. He expressed that since on ‘Cool off Day’ only media broadcast & reports are permitted, this may result in the incumbent party tapping upon its ('non-political') grassroots mechanisms or its (pro-PAP) labor unions’ networks to conduct ‘whispering campaigns’. However opposition parties without these platforms would not be able to do so. Beware the Slippery Slope of Political Hegemony I refer to the news report ‘Yeo: Beware the slippery slope of protectionism’ (TODAY, 12th November 2009)It is most glaring when our leaders understood the dangers of increasing protectionism and the importance of trade liberalization, whilst ignoring the dangers of PAP hegemony and dismissing the need of the political opposition in the political defense in Singapore. There is definitely a need for fellow Singaporeans to resist PAP hegemony or it may certainly lead to a possibly dire situation for Singapore in future. Perpetuating PAP hegemony without building up credible check & balance mechanisms in Singapore’s Parliament is definitely one such slippery slope and if we are not careful, before we know it, Singaporeans will be in a dire situation. So what are the measures to prevent political hegemony from becoming a potential time bomb for Singapore? Singaporeans must therefore ‘keep pushing forward the political liberalization agenda’ by voting in credible opposition members into parliament and not be enticed by the obvious PAP hegemonic-perpetuation strategy via the schemes’ expansion of non-constituency members of parliament & nominated members of parliament.Therefore politics is an area if Singaporeans do not move forward, we are likely to lose balance and be lesser off for the lack of a credible political defense. In 1959 the late David Marshall, ex-Chief Minister of Singapore and Founding Chairman of the Workers’ Party underlined this importance when he said the following in a rally speech:"The duty of an Opposition is to act with vigour to guiding and criticizing with integrity the conduct of the government, to make heard the voices of the minority without fear so that the majority, drunk with their new found power, should not abuse that power, should not ride rough-shod over the people in a drunken orgy of dictatorship" The Workers’ Party has been on stand by over the decades. It is certainly prepared and in position to discharge this duty. So what are you waiting for? Join WP today and discharge your duty as a patriotic citizen of Singapore!News Link:Yeo: Beware the slippery slope of protectionism (TODAY, 12th November 2009) Thoughts on War I watched "Flags of our Fathers" & “Letters from Iwo Jima” on Channel 5 & Okto Channel respectively over the weekend. Both World War II films are based on the same battle of Iwo Jima. The former film is narrated from an American perspective, whereas the latter one is narrated from the eventually defeated Japanese perspective. Interestingly both films were produced by American producers.Amidst carnages and highly-charged emotional war scenes throughout the films, most people who watch both films will conclude that wars can be rather senseless regardless of their intentions. This is especially understood from the contexts of lost lives & torn limbs, whichever side the combatants come from. Still, the above does not wither my belief for the need for a strong national defense. Personally I am very willing to train hard for war because by so doing I am in actual fact strengthening a citizenry deterrent that prevents war. Above thoughts aside, such films are the type of movies that can psych one up for in-camp-trainings. Incidentally my in-camp-training at Shoalwater Bay, Australia will be from 22nd October to 9th November 2009 :)Links:Flags of Our Fathers (Film)Letters from Iwo Jima 丝路之旅的政治感触 By: 饶欣龙This article was first published in The Hammer (Issue 0903)生为华族，自然而然的，我从小就喜爱阅读中国历史 ，但遗憾的是我所能读得懂的这些中国历史都是以英语讲解的史书为主。因此，为了补偿这个‘缺陷’，我一直都想亲自体验华族的丰富传统，人文与历史。 今年的六月，我和妻子终于有机会到中国西部度假。我们首先飞往新疆维吾尔族自治区首府，从乌鲁木齐开始，然后在14天内乘车4000公里路， 行程包括乌鲁木齐, 吐鲁番, 哈密, 敦煌, 嘉峪关, 张掖, 西宁, 兰州, 中卫, 银川和西安。这11地方也是古人在当时艰苦恶劣的环情下经商，所穿越的丝绸之路。特别是在河西走廊，长长不断的沙漠路那一段，虽然我们所乘坐的是冷汽车，但还是觉得非常累，更何况是骑着骆驼或步行！在这里，我要和读者们分享丝路之旅中我最难忘的三个地方与时刻。 首先是嘉峪关。嘉峪关是长城最西端的关城，有著天下第一雄关之称的嘉峪关自古即是河西地方的軍事重地。嘉峪关关城是明代长城建造規模最大最壮观的关城，同時它也是目前保存最好最完善的一座古代軍事城堡。明初時大将军冯胜在打胜仗班师回京的途中经过河西走廊，看上了嘉峪关这个地勢天成、攻防兼备的咽喉之地，于是在洪武五年（西元1372）時开始兴建嘉峪关关城，历时1百多年才完工，建了一座三重城郭，多道防线，城内有城，城外有壕的軍事重城。事实上，嘉峪关自古即是番人进贡必经之路，也是汉人的軍防重地。 站在那号称天下第一关的城墙上向远处遥望的刹那间， 我领会了两个道理。第一，不论是多么壮观雄伟与坚固的关城，它的强度不会超越关城内的守兵、将领和人民的忠诚和意志力。在历史上，清朝不是轻易就过了关，夺取了中原吗？第二，一个国家的国民心态和关城也是同样的道理。如果国民和政府只是紧紧依系目前所拥有的，不愿意接受挑战，不愿意扩大和强化关城的韧度，当危机出现时，国民所拥有的，最终会不会就轻易地被夺走，还是个未知数。民主制度下着重于政治竞争与政治平衡，不允许如古代帝王专制现象的重现其实也是强化一个国家关城的过程。 第二是在兰州的黄河铁桥上看着汹涌澎湃黄河。黄河是中国的母亲河，也是世界上含沙量最多的河流。黄河有上千条支流与溪川相连，犹如无数毛细血管，源源不断地为中华民族的大地输送着活力与生机。据记载，在三至四千年间，黄河下游决口泛滥1500多次，河道因泛滥而大改道许多次，决口1000多次。洪水遍及范围北至海河，南达淮河，纵横25万平方公里，对中国黄淮海平原的地理环境影响巨大。站在那 有“天下黄河第一桥”之称的桥上， 看到有些旅客乘坐羊皮筏子游廊黄河。我回想起一位工人党元老曾经跟我解释‘水能载舟，亦能覆舟’的道理。他说：目前的天下还是‘他们’的，但为了国家的长远利益，你们一定要坚持到底。因为水（人民）如果今天能载‘他们’有一天也能覆‘他们’。 但如果你们等到那时候才来造舟，国家就有难了。党元老的教诲，我铭记在心。 第三是西安的秦兵马俑。秦兵马俑是指秦始皇的兵马俑遗址，位于中国陕西省西安市临潼东5公里的下河村。走着，看着秦兵马俑时我看到一个小说明，提到在1976年，前新加坡总理李光耀参观秦兵马俑考古现场时说:"秦兵马俑坑的发现是世界的奇迹、中华民族的骄傲。我也是炎黄后裔，也有我的一份。" 在那一刻，我的心里有两种互相矛盾的感觉。第一个感觉，我确实是有一股身为炎黄子孙的骄傲。但在同时，冲上来第二个感觉却是一股莫名的茫然与可悲，秦兵马俑也反映了暴君秦王的暴力行为和野心，草菅人命，造成百姓的苦难。这也是身为炎黄子孙所应该记得的教训。來源: [1] 綜合 編輯: 香港商报实习生2[2] 百度百科：　黄河—百度百科[3] 维基百科：秦始皇兵马俑 On Slowing the Pace of Foreigner Influx I refer to the news reports ‘Why the pace must slow: PM’ & ‘Knitting with $10m’ (TODAY, 17th September 2009) PM Lee revealed that his government has admitted many foreigners, in recent years more than 100,000 a year but conceded that we cannot continue to admit at that pace. Eloquently the PM turned the argument and added that nevertheless, it is still better to have foreign workers in our team, because when the economy is good, they create jobs but when the economy is bad, they absorb job losses. Economic rationalization aside, it is evident that this government has finally awakened to the consequence of its over-confidence during the booming economy. Problems acknowledged by PM include not merely on employment alone, but also related-problems, that of housing and social integration of foreigners. The Workers’ Party has challenged the government on numerous occasions about this and hold the view that Singapore should take a long term view in population policy formulation with a holistic approach to bring about a sustainable desirable size of population. (WP GE2006 Manifesto ‘You Have a Choice’, Chapter 13, Preamble). In this aspect PAP government has been erratic. They spend one decade enforcing local population control, the next decade stimulating growth via attracting foreign talents and giving out baby bonuses. Right now we hear from the PM himself on the need curb the rampant pace of foreign influx. Therefore if the mindset of the government is that our citizens are indeed the ‘heart and soul’ of our nation, then our population policies must be robustly long-term and not merely based on purely short-term considerations but one that strive us towards a more humane society, anchor people and make people want to make Singapore our home. Otherwise even though armed with a $10 million dollar fund to bond locals & immigrant, public scepticisms will continue and effort may be all for naught. Not withstanding the fact that the very idea behind this fund is so unimaginatively papish! Links: Why the pace must slow: PM (TODAY, 17th September 2009) PM Knitting with $10m (TODAY, 17th September 2009) WP GE2006 Manifesto ‘You Have a Choice’ (Chapter 13, Preamble) On Affordable HDB flats? * Reader Keith (OCT 15, 2009 1:34:00 AM) pointed out to me that this blog post contains a factually wrong piece of information. This is because singles do still qualify for housing grants. A quick search of the HDB website yielded the following: http://tinyurl.com/yhgw8n7. Thank you Keith for pointing the error and my sincere apologies to readers for not having clarified the fact first. Yaw Shin Leong, 15th Oct 2009 10.05am I refer to the news report ‘HDB flats still affordable’ (Straits Times, 15th September 2009)Last Sunday together with fellow WP members, we were conducting our weekly public outreach at Tiong Bahru Market when a man approached me. He shared with me that because he is single, he does not qualify for housing grants and he could not afford to purchase a HDB flat from the open market. His question was why should him being a Singaporean, be left out from such governmental grants, by virtue of his choice to remain single? He just wanted to be treated equally.I shared with him that Singapore’s prevalent pro-family public policy on housing does not consider a single as a household to begin with. This man replied that he understood Singapore’s public policy on being ‘pro-family’, but he is just requesting that he, being a Singaporean should not be discriminated for his choice to remain single. In this instance, this fellow Singapore, who is single by personal choice, will unfortunately fall within the category of the two out of 10 Singaporeans households who does not qualify for the various housing grants the Government gives to home buyers. Concurrently the very fact that National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan has to publicly assured Singaporeans that HDB flats ‘remain affordable to most’ is an acknowledgement that prices of HDB flats have escalated to a point of public concern. Interestingly as I was scrolling down the same ST news report online, I read a comment made by a reader who shared the following, ‘Housing Affordability Index Chart for the UA. A Median Priced Existing Single-Family Home in the US is at an average of USD189, 125 (SGD 280, 000) and monthly mortgage payment as a % of income is only an average of 15.5%.’ This reader’s source was taken from US National Association of Realtors’ Housing Affordability Index. So when I read Minister Mah said that ‘first-time households use on average less than 30% of their household income to service their housing loans, which is within the yardstick the government uses to measure affordability.’ I can’t help but wonder why this purportedly first-world government uses a yardstick which is no where near first-world…Links:HDB flats still affordable(Straits Times, 15th September 2009)US National Association of Realtors’ Housing Affordability Index (2009) On Slow Medicine Movement I refer to the news report ‘Quality over quantity is the current agenda’ (TODAY, 14th September 2009) PMO Minister Lim Boon Heng mentioned about "slow medicine movement" being an alternative approach to healthcare which emphasizes quality over quantity of life spent - or comfort over high-risk medical treatment - is gaining appeal among elderly Singaporeans. Slow medicine sounds like a fantastic idea, where elderly patients take charge of their medical care, to decide exactly what measures they do and don’t want. The concept is certainly music to the government’s ears as it is a reasoned step away from conventional medicine. It may even seem that Minister Lim’s comments also implied that somehow doctors are the ones who are suggesting unnecessary high-risk medical treatments and procedures because that’s how they were trained to do and perhaps that is what they must do to make profits. On the other hand, we must always remember 2 other key players, both the insurance companies and the government! Logically both players would definitely prefer ‘slow medicine movement’ to ‘fast medicine movement’ as both players are likely to prefer people chicken out on that chemotherapy and radiation, and whatever expensive procedures doctors offer to extend lives. This is where the hidden danger on the logic of ‘quality over quantity’ comes in. Presently Singaporeans are not in this danger. This is because so long the decisions for alternative approach lie with the patients, as it is now. However, if society is to romanticize slow medicine into a movement, then Singapore may potentially face the risk of being boomeranged.This is because once insurance companies and government are to embrace ‘slow medicine movement’, worse case scenario, the latter by legislating it, there will be a constant danger that someone out there is going to decide if one is getting too old to be reimbursed for a particular treatment. Personally I doubt slow medicine movement will ever be legislated into an official health policy. Yet the very knowledge that it is making in-routes into our healthcare policy makers’ mindset is just so disturbing… Links:Quality over quantity is the current agenda (TODAY, 14th September 2009) For the Elderly, Being Heard About Life’s End (NYTimes, 5th May 2008) Slow Medicine: How Do We Keep Personal Choice from Becoming Impersonal Policy? (Huffingtonpost, 9th May 2008) On Institutional Care Facilities I refer to the news report ‘More patients will enjoy benefits’ (TODAY, 10th September 2009)In January 2006 the Workers’ Party proposed for the facilitation of step-down care within the community and the home of patients by providing supporting facilities and the promoting private services of medical care givers and equipments. (WP GE2006 Manifesto ‘You Have a Choice’, Chapter 6, Section C, Article 2) Finally it is reported today that last year, 7 – 8-member AIC teams were placed in public hospitals to help needy patients get step-down care following their discharge; so far they have referred 4000. Now with the newly incorporated Agency for Integrated Care (AIC), being a company under the National Healthcare Group, it has been tasked as the dedicated entity to ensure integrated care across institutions. Technically, with the formalization of AIC, it should be able to be more effective in helping patients get the appropriate care, and to meet step-down care providers’ needs and to develop their capabilities. It is also made know that the AIC will look at helping to strengthen home support services, so as to lessen demand for nursing homes. The above are positive developments with noble aims. Yet AIC must not become a convenient excuse for the government to avoid building more institutional care facilities such as convalescent homes, community hospitials, rehabilitation centres and hospices to cater to the different needs of patients. AIC’s Chairperson Jennifer Lee, herself pointed out that the bottleneck in moving patients out of hospitals is the high occupancy rates of over 90 percent in nursing homes. According to here there are also ‘not enough’ of such services particularly the western and the northern parts of Singapore have fewer nursing homes. This is a certainly major concern, especially in the context of Singapore’s fast aging society. Concurrently it is also highly important for all stakeholders to brainstorm of strategies to ensure that healthcare & its related facilities to be even more affordable than it is now. Otherwise the common catchphrase of the people that “We can die but cannot afford to be sick” will continue to persist.Links:More patients will enjoy benefits (TODAY, 19th September 2009)WP GE2006 Manifesto ‘You Have a Choice’ (Chapter 6, Section C, Article 2) Building a Truly Great Nation The Workers’ Party National Day Statement 2009National Day in Singapore has always been an occasion when Singaporeans look back with pride at our achievements as a young nation.Our country was founded 44 years ago on the ideals of democracy, peace, progress, justice and equality. It was a moment which we can justly be proud of. Yet, for some time now, it seems that we have been losing our way on some of these ideals.Do we want a future where our children and retired parents are judged only by their economic worth? Do we wish to have a society where the less able are left to fend for themselves? How much does your vote count for after it has been devalued by the tight controls over the media and political parties, and the constant redrawing of electoral boundaries?This year, it is time to also to reflect on the kind of Singapore that we want to build together.The Workers’ Party believes Singapore can become a truly great nation: A nation where each Singaporean is counted as a valuable citizen rather than an employee of “Singapore, Inc”. A nation that is respected the world over for not just its efficiency and material wealth, but for the kindness and generosity of its people and leaders. To this end, and many more, we continue to strive.Any nation will encounter challenges. These challenges are all part of nation building. At times our challenges will be light and at times they will be very difficult, or even gripping. In such hours, Singaporeans may feel dispirited, but hope - the hope of a victorious future - will never abandon us. Therefore Singaporeans can expect to triumph over every challenge, even the hardest.The Workers’ Party invites fellow Singaporeans to reflect, above all, on the relation between being more and having more. Having more must never be allowed to win. If it did, Singaporeans would lose the most precious gift of all: our humanity, our conscience, our dignity. As such, in this era of global uncertainties, Singaporeans must make demands on ourselves of “being more”, even if others do not make demands on us.Each of us, fellow Singaporeans, will experience a “being more” of our own: responsibilities that we must assume and fulfil, a Singapore cause, for which we must fight, a duty, an obligation, from which there can be no withdrawal, no running away. A system of truths and values that must be upheld and defended: a “being more” in us and around us. As part of the Workers’ Party’s National Day celebrations, we are embarking on a number of “being more” events to usher in our nation’s 44th Birthday. These initiatives are conceptualised, planned and spearheaded by members of the Workers’ Party Youth Wing.The Workers’ Party invites all Singaporeans to participate in these events, namely: an Essay Writing Competition, a Town Hall Dialogue and a Public Outreach Activity on National Day itself. More information can be found on the Workers’ Party Youth Wing website at www.wpyouth.sg.The Workers’ Party wishes all Singaporeans - whether in Singapore or residing abroad - a Happy National Day!KOH CHOONG YONGVice-President, The Workers’ Party Youth Wing05 Aug 2009 Renewing or Remaining? I refer to the news article ‘Ho Ching to remain Temasek CEO’ (CNA, 21st July 2009)In the reason given earlier this year about Mr Charles (“Chip”) W. Goodyear succeeding Ms Ho Ching as Chief Executive Officer, Chairman S. Dhanabalan said, ‘The team has already embarked on a different stance since mid-2007, and has begun to review its long-term plans under different scenarios prompted by the economic downturn … If we are to bring in new leadership, it would be just as good a time as any to involve a new leader in this review."Therefore it is notable that 4 months was what it took for differences regarding certain strategic issues to surface, which are severe enough for both parties to decide that it is in their mutual interests to terminate the leadership transition process and executive relationship with effect of 15th August 2009. Not surprising, Mr Goodyear will also step down from the Temasek Board on the same day.There are three concerns: Firstly, it is in Singapore's interests for Temasek Holdings to be transparent about the crux of the strategic differences, which resulted in the dramatic premature ending of a consummate former CEO of BHP Billiton, a global leader in the resources industry. Secondly, this raised questions about the robustness of Temasek’s human resource selection and recruitment process, especially at its highest level. Did Temasek make a hasty decision to recruit Mr Goodyear in the first place? Why weren't strategic directions (at least in broad strokes) discussed prior to his recruitment? Why the haste then in announcing Mr Goodyear as the CEO-designate when such important issues were not sorted out in the beginning?Lastly, with the departure of Mr Goodyear, the very considerations that Temasek originally gave, which resulted in having Mr Goodyear appointed as CEO-designate are now in disarray and possibly left dangling. What would be Temasek’s next strategic responses? This is highly important as the appointment of Mr Goodyear was meant to involve a new leader in the review of Temasek’s different strategic stance, which began in mid-2007.With Mr Goodyear’s sudden departure, how would Temasek’s current review of different strategic stance be compromised (if any)? This is especially so when billions have already been lost. Compounded now by the issue of a departed ex-CEO-designate, Temasek’s top leadership succession and renewal issue remain unresolved. Singaporeans have reasons to be very concerned. Naturally we will be following Temasek's developments very closely. News Links: Ho Ching to remain Temasek CEO (CNA, 21st July 2009)Temasek CEO Ho Ching to leave; replaced by ex-BHP's Goodyear (Reuters, 6th Feb 2009) What Is Your Ideal Singapore? On 9th August 2009, Singapore will be celebrating her 44th National Day. As each year passes, the youth of our young nation becomes ever more poised to take ownership of the future of Singapore. To mark our nation’s 44th birthday, the Workers’ Party (WP) Youth Wing is organising an essay writing competition for Singapore’s youth. The theme of the competition, “What Is Your Ideal Singapore?”, will enable you and your fellow students to articulate your hopes and dreams for our nation. This is a competition with a difference. Using Facebook as a platform for scoring the essays, members of the public have a vote in the final results. Facebook ‘likes’ will make up 40% of the total score, while the rest of the scores will be from a panel of judges. The competition is open for submissions from 20th July to 9th August 2009. Simply submit your essays at essay@wp.sg and stand a chance a win the top prize of $150 worth of Borders Gift Vouchers! You can find more details in the document enclosed. We look forward to your participation in this competition. If you have any enquiries, please feel free to contact Nathaniel Koh (Project Lead) at essay@wp.sg. Do visit us at http://www.wpyouth.sg and our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/wpyouth. Our Fight against H1N1 I refer to the news reports ‘Last leg of H1N1 fight’ (Straits Times, 12th July 2009)& 'Flu jab for all Britons'(TODAY, 13th July 2009).Posturing Singapore’s fight against H1N1 as a ‘last leg fight’ is terminology-wise confusing, though I believe it was meant to convey the seriousness of the current situation. According to Health Minister Khaw, he said that his three priorities are: to focus on high-risk groups, to reflect on the lessons learnt so far, and to prepare for the next wave. He added Singaporeans have done well in combating the virus and urged Singaporeans not to be complacent. In the initial phase of the outbreak, temperature screening was implemented at the border checkpoints to contain virus spreading into the community. However the usage of thermal scanners & thermometers has proven to be only partially effective. Several cases were not detected by airport thermal scanners, as carriers were not feverish at the point of crossing the scanners.Realizing the above, coupled with the challenge of rising localized community spread in Singapore, Ministry of Health (MOH) has discontinued temperature screen measures at the borders with effect from 11th July 2009. Thermal scanners & thermometers usage has definitely kept Singaporeans part of the vigilant regime against the symptoms of flu and possibly H1N1. The only problem is in the course of deploying partially effective measures, might ironically cause complacency to arise. This is because checking one’s temperature has become so much of an institutionalized routine for ministries, corporations and organizations that people run a risk of ‘doing it' for the sake of keeping established preventive measures in place. As such this is an area which Singaporeans must constantly be aware and reflect on. Overall Singaporeans have done well. Our Health Ministry can certainly further improve on its strategies and measures. This can be done via the studying of measures taken by other countries in their fight against H1N1. For instance, it is reported today that plans are now underway to vaccinate all 60 million Britons against the virus. Being a much smaller country, Singapore’s MOH can certainly take cue. News Links:Flu jab for all Britons (TODAY, 13th July 2009)Last leg of H1N1 fight (Straits Times, 12th July 2009) But what’s the point? 24th June 2009 marks the start of the 9th year of my partisan activism in WP. Typically on this day, I’ll take time to reflect upon the past year, issues and the way forward. Just two nights ago, I was on duty at the WP Open House. I was entrusting to a supporter the responsibilities of an alternative grassroots capacity-building initiative. At that moment, another member of the public interjected with a fine question. This person asked ‘But what’s the point?’That night I merely replied this person with a Chinese proverb ‘万事俱备，只欠东风’. This proverb can be loosely translated as ‘Everything that can be prepared has been, and all we need is a tipping point.’ Yet I felt that somehow my reply to this person was inadequately expressed. Perhaps from a mere operational point of view, my reply would have been sufficient, but this being partisan activism, the rallying causes must go beyond that of mere operational preparations.Therefore ‘But what’s the point?’ is actually a very good question that not merely serves the purpose of providing a platform for effective communication to fellow Singaporeans, but also serves as a reflective question to each WP activist. In summarized points below, I’ll elaborate the point in doing what I & other WP activists have been faithfully doing all these years.Serving our countryTo serve one’s country is an honour and a national duty. Serving the country can take several forms of expressions, such as vis-à-vis the components of Singapore’s total defence concept. I will cite just two examples. Firstly, as a firm believer of national defence, such that if the need ever arise, I am more than willing to bear arms, shed blood and if necessary to sacrifice my life for the defence of Singapore.Secondly, as a businessman, I experienced for myself the challenges of facing lower pricing service providers in the region. Running Singapore-based businesses, I need to conscientiously innovate business posturing, to leverage upon competitive labour cost in this region to stay profitably and faithfully declaring my tax returns and pay my dues. As such I believe that via such actions, I am actively contributing my small but vital part towards the economic defence of Singapore. However I am convinced that the current ‘Total Defence’ concept is inadequate. My chief reason is that a cornerstone of total defence (i.e. political defence) is distinctly missing. Naturally the PAP is certainly not keen to incorporate political defence as a cornerstone in Singapore’s total defence. This is because it will possibly result in an erosion of power away from the PAP. That’s exactly one of the reasons of my scepticism about the recently proposed expanded NCMP scheme, for it does give an impression of political liberalization. Still Singaporeans must be aware that the function of a NCMP is vastly different from that of a full MP. Increasing opposition representation (via the expanded NCMP scheme) in Parliament contributes little to Singapore’s political defence. This is because fundamentally, in any politics of balance, it is always crucial to establish an effective check & balance mechanism in any true democracy. An increment of opposition representation via the NCMP scheme brings about only a superficial mechanism of check & balance in Parliament. This is because such members of the house are considered ‘half MPs’ without ‘real’ political mandate, who shall enter Parliament via the ‘grace’ of the PAP. Defending our democracyTherefore it is for Singaporeans to play our parts in the defence of Singapore’s democracy by voting in forefront parliamentary defenders of our young democracy. Specifically this can be done via the voting in of ‘full WP MPs’ with ‘real’ political mandate, representing respective electoral constituencies, discharging both municipal and national duties of upholding the real meaning of democracy. Ravi Philemon, a regular writer, asked an excellent question in a recent penned article ‘The PAP’s fascination with the communists’, which he contributed to The Online Citizen:Does the ‘one-party’ model of China fire the imagination of the governing party of Singapore? The fear of instability is etched into the PAP’s psyche. The early formative years of Singapore, which were rife with leftist riots and ethnic conflicts, has contributed much towards such fears. The ruling party believes that one-party rule represents stability. But whatever the reasons, the question remains: “Will the fascination of the governing party with the Chinese communists pay dividends for them now as it did more than 50 years ago? The above question was in relation to the irony that the Young PAP actually sent a delegation to Communist China to build ties and to learn from its Communist Youth league’s experience of running political schools. Contrast this to mere decades ago, where alleged Marxists were inhumanely detained without trial under the Internal Security Act. Singaporeans must hence reflect whether can there truly be a ‘one-party’ model in a true democracy? I tend to believe that this is but for the time being and a uniquely Singapore situation. In a true democracy, wide ranging views from different partisan representations ought to be the norm. If this norm is not in place, something is simply not right with the democracy model. From my party-centric point of view, Singaporeans must do the ‘right thing’ by defending Singapore’s democracy, specifically by voting in more WP MPs. Forging our futureA country’s future can’t be forged alone or by merely a few individuals. In an end-2007 four-part blog post, ‘A certain type for Singapore’, I shared my political vision for Singapore and my political resolutions for 2008 & beyond. Below is the concluding extract: It is my resolution to continue identifying, cultivating and multiplying a certain type of Singaporean, who is for Singapore, pro Singapore and loves Singapore. This certain type must be highly committed to Singapore's national development and is radically committed to serve Singapore via the WP. Such a Singaporean sees the critical need to invest his/ her life in identifying, cultivating and multiplying similar types. A profound sense of destiny, blind loyalty and intense passion for Singapore are the hallmarks of such an individual. At the start of my 9th year of WP activism, the above political resolutions are still very much in progress and gathering pace. Such that may ‘everything that can be prepared, should indeed be and continually being prepared. Will you then join me at this very significant point and patriotic journey of working towards this tipping point in forging Singapore’s future together with the WP?The Workers’ Party welcomes you! Forget 2 Forget 1989 Event: Tank Man TangoVenue: The Substation, 45 Armenian Street, SingaporeDate: Thursday 4 JuneTime: 8pm Event: Collective public performance of the Tank Man Tango Venue: The Substation TheatreDate: Friday 5 June Time: 11am–9pmEvent: Public art installation of paper statues of the “Goddess of Democracy”Venue: Substation GalleryDate: Friday 5 JuneTime: 11am–9pmLeast we forget June 4 1989. Click here. Beware of Greeks Bearing Gifts I refer to NCMP Sylvia Lim’s parliamentary speech ‘Singapore’s Security and Evolving the Political System’ (28th May 2009)Personally the proposed changes gave me rather mixed feelings. I welcome the proposed reduction in the size of GRCs and the increased number of SMCs although this falls short of my belief that the GRC system must be abolished in the first place. Concurrently I feel very sceptical about changes made to expand the NCMP scheme.Greeks Bearing GiftsOpposition parties & their leaders must beware of such ‘Greeks bearing gifts’ situations. This is especially so when the PAP seemingly understands the entire opposition camp much better than the fragmented opposition camp understands itself. Elusive ‘gold medals’ aside, now such a change will give personalities within the opposition camp many more ‘silver medals’ to fight for. This may potentially perpetuate a ‘short term benefits’ & ‘settle for the 2nd best will do’ mindset within the opposition camp, hence compromising upon the camp's ‘long term growth’. Potentially too, such offerings of ‘more silver medals’ may even fragment opposition GRC team’s intra-cohesion. For example, other than the highest losing opposition team’s team leader, now there could be a bitter vie for the second place between the remaining 4 or 5 team mates. In actual fact, the changes made to the NCMP scheme is about ‘modifying the form but retaining the essence’. This is because PAP has designed the change to ensure that whilst a wider range of views in Parliament can be assured, but with a bolstered stroke, hoping that its parliamentary dominance will remains as it is.Voters BewareVoters must be aware of PAP’s strategic mastery stroke, of satisfying ground’s aspirations for more opposition voices in parliament via the expanded NCMP scheme. The PAP apparently hopes that both opposition parties and voters will bite this political carrot and embrace it, rather than running the risk of losing anymore elected parliamentary seats.Therefore voters must ask themselves whether, is it in the interests of Singapore not to have elected opposition parliamentarians? Is it in the interests of Singapore to entrench the political hegemony of one single party?Smaller GRCsAs for whether smaller GRCs will lead to a fairer system, I will give a qualified yes. This is because smaller GRCs inch closer towards the ideal single seat parliamentary system. Concurrently this will also ensure higher representations across Singapore ethic groups. Yet smaller GRCs in reality pose larger operational concerns to smaller opposition parties. This is because it will be even more challenging now to seek out a wider pool of willing, credible, qualified and capable candidates across Singapore’s multi-racial ethnicity groups. Overall the PAP claims that the changes will ensure a stronger and more stable political system for Singapore. Perhaps just for the PAP! For Singapore, the systemic weakness in our unbalanced, hegemonic political system which perpetuates PAP’s dominance stands to be corrected. Golden QuestionWill Yaw Shin Leong accept an NCMP seat if he qualified and if it was offered to him?Shin Leong will take orders from WP’s Central Executive Council. Yet if given a choice, he’ll reject such a ‘backdoor’ entry into Parliament in view of the reasons above. Links: Singapore’s Security and Evolving the Political System (NCMP Sylvia Lim, 28th May 2009)