Was it Our Wrong Impression or Their Strategic Retreat? I refer CNA report’ Mother Tongue Weighting for PSLE to Remain’ (11th May 2010)In a press conference earlier today, PM Lee clarified that Mother Tongue Weighting will not be reduced at the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE). Instead it will be taught in a new way to cater to differing abilities and to meet the dynamic needs of the student population. Minister Ng Education Minister Ng Eng Hen explained: "In my interview, I said MOE was looking at options to address the overemphasis on exams, where 'MTL counts for so much in the PSLE. Singaporeans became concerned that MOE was proposing to reduce the weighting of MTL in PSLE. This is not the case. I think I should have chosen my words more carefully and apologise for creating the wrong impression."Singaporeans will find it hard to comprehend Minister Ng’s explanation that he should have chosen his words more carefully. Was Minister Ng suggesting that all 2500 Singaporeans (including myself) who went down to Hong Lim Park last Sunday to sign the petition had misunderstood his original comments?Singaporeans may wish to refer to the below extract dated 22nd April 2010 posted by REACH’s official Administrator titled ‘Review of weighting given to Mother Tongue in PSLE’: “At a recent interview with the media, Education Minister Ng Eng Hen shared that his Ministry is studying the possibility of reducing the weighting given to mother tongue languages in the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE). Currently, mother tongue languages carry equal weightage of 25 per cent as the other three examinable subjects, English, Mathematics and Science. The combined aggregate score is used for admission into secondary school.” It seems that the choice of Minister Ng’s original words were so confusing that even its fellow governmental run feedback mechanism perpetuated a wrong impression to fellow Singaporeans. For a fuller extract of Minister Ng’s original comments, please click here. Then again perhaps it was just case of confusion & misreporting by ALL reporters from our major dailies. Or perhaps it is a case of their political retreat, in the hope that the wrath of Singaporeans will not be incurred upon themselves come this General Elections? At the end of the day, whether was it our wrong impression or their strategic retreat, I am truly relieved that the weightage for Mother Tongue PSLE score is to remain after all. This rare strategic retreat by them is a political victory for all Singaporeans.News Link:Mother Tongue Weighting for PSLE to Remain (CNA Report, 11th May 2010) Petition: Not to Reduce Weightage of Mother Tongue Score in PSLE (II) I oppose the lowering of the weightage of mother tongue score in PSLE Exam. Personally I was a 2 A's' (English & Chinese) & 2 'A*' (Maths & Science) PSLE student. In other words both my languages supposedly were of the same base. However due to the relative importance placed on English language for subsequent Secondary/ JC/ University levels (all modules were taught via English - except CL2), my mother tongue ability has been severely eroded since PSLE. As such I am really concerned, I being a product of bilingualism in Singapore's educational progress - my mother tongue is already so 'cannot make it' (This is especially true in the case for higher level articulation). Therefore I cannot imagine what will happen if we are to reduce the weightage of mother tongue? Two 'wrongs' cannot make One 'right'. Furthermore what are the signals we are sending to our next generation? For this concern alone - it was sufficient for me to sign the petition against the lowering of weightage of mother tongue score in PSLE. On the Early Announcement of Electoral Candidates 联合晚报 (Lian He Wan Bao) interviewed me yesterday regarding Reform Party’s decision to announce its electoral candidates over this weekend. I responded that there is nothing for me to comment about as each political party has its own organizational practices and hence different strategic approaches. The reporter asked me if WP will be announcing WP would-be candidates anytime soon. I responded that the public will know the full slate of WP candidates come nomination day. At the same time, I added that WP does not rule out the possibility of earlier announcement if the need arises.I revealed that the more important issue is, the day-to-day organizational preparations, regardless of GE or not. Petition: Not to Reduce Weightage of Mother Tongue Score in PSLE The below twitter message is from the twitter account of a ZaoBao journalist.RT @yapphenghui: 刚收到短信：亲爱的朋友，为了呼吁教育部不要减低小六会考母语分数的比重，敬请大家于本星期天5月9日傍晚5至7点在芳林公园聚会签名。同时盼望大家代为传发本简讯。谢谢。Translation: Just received SMS: Dear Friends, in order to persuade the MOE not to reduce weightage of the score for Mother Tongue in PSLE, please gather at Hong Lim Park on this Sunday (9 May) between 5pm to 7pm to sign a petition. At the same time, hope you will help to resend this SMS. Thanks.This issue is a major concern for Singaporeans who grew up before and those under the bi-lingual education system. As such it certainly concerns not just the present but more importantly that of our society's future. Let’s do something about it. Do circulate this message amongst your friends and encourage them to sign the petition. Do Your Part For Singapore Are things really improving? This is a question that fellow Singaporeans ask almost every day. To give a precise response to it, it is crucial for Singaporeans to remind ourselves of where Singapore was merely 12 months ago and the situation that Singaporeans are facing now. This time last year Singaporeans were facing the depths of the recession with many manufacturers slowing down their output, businesses justifying redundancies and in some cases, ceasing to exist at all. The environment then made it a hugely difficult landscape for all those looking to move forward in their career.Optimistic IndicatorsHow far have Singaporeans come since then? Well there are certainly a number of signs that seemingly point to a greater degree of optimism ahead. For instance: [1] The Manpower Employment Outlook Survey results for the second quarter of 2010 released by Manpower Staffing Services (Singapore), employers in Singapore report healthy hiring intentions in 2nd Quarter 2010. With 28% of employers forecasting an increase in headcount, 4% predicting a decrease and 67% expecting no change, the Net Employment Outlook is an optimistic +24%.[2] The Ministry of Education website figures posted on 5th April 2010 showed that 92.2% of students who graduated from the three local universities last year found jobs within six months of graduation.[3] The Ministry of Manpower revealed on 26th April 2010 that CPF records showed that 52% of residents laid off in the third quarter of 2009 were re-employed as at December of the year. This re-employment rate (within six months after redundancy) was up slightly from 51% in September 2009, after improving from the low of 43% in June 2009.Given such relative optimism, it is not surprising that the National Trades Union Congress secretary-general, who also sits in the Cabinet as a Minister without Portfolio Lim Swee Say called for the partial restoration of the employers' Central Provident Fund (CPF) contribution rate.Supporting Continuous InnovationDespite the above, fellow Singaporeans ought to remain vigilant. This is because injecting resources into the system – whether through the financing of job credit scheme or stimulus funds – is a short-term fix to keep the economic engines moving. Of course that’s a crucial part of economic recovery. However keeping engines moving isn’t quite the same as keeping them moving most optimally. In the long term, the only way to keep creating enough jobs for the economy is not just about enhancing productivity, but that of supporting continuous innovation. [4] For instance over in the USA, at the University of Texas, the nonprofit Austin Technology Incubator houses fledging firms, plying them with business-plan advise, contact with financiers and lots of coffee over which to share ideas and lots of coffee over which to share ideas and solve problems. The incubator’s 20-year record: more than 200 companies and thousands of jobs created. In short, new companies are the key to job growth. As Singapore’s economy moves, continuous innovation must be supported. This dire need for innovation and business incubators isn’t just good for Small & Medium Enterprises to desire upon but more strategically for the incumbent ruling party to take concrete steps to facilitate upon. Systematically Re-equipping Singaporeans [5] In Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong’s May Day message, he called upon workers to take personal responsibility of their own performance and productivity, such that workers have to continue to go for training and upgrading so that they will be able to seize the new opportunities that emerge.On the other hand, the issue here is not merely about taking personal responsibility and providing platforms for people to upgrade their skills and earn certifications via a variety of schemes, such as Workfare Income Supplement (WIS), Workfare Training Scheme (WTS) Continuing Education and Training (CET) to train and upgrade current skills. More importantly, the incumbent ruling party must take governmental responsibilities to ensure that these training and upgrading schemes include the elements and benefits of a systematic approach to make sure that Singaporeans indeed have the right skills to match what companies need and vice-versa. Tripartite Isn’t a Magic Pill[6] According to John De Payva, President of the National Trades Union Congress, 'We were able to upturn the downturn by cutting cost and saving jobs. And because of our strong tripartite efforts, we managed to avoid record retrenchment and help workers who lost their jobs to find employment.' It is certainly understandable for the NTUC to adopt such self-justifying and congratulatory posturing. Yet it is prudent for the incumbent ruling party and the NTUC to be reminded of the multi-fold sacrifices made by Singaporean workers during this period, with laid-offs, pay-cuts and many Singaporeans are still finding difficulties to be reintegrated back into the workforce. Given the inherent contradictions of objectives of a top down tripartite collaboration amongst the Government, employers and a pro-government labour union, this is sure to be a long term recipe for potential compromises for the Singaporean worker. Therefore Singaporeans must continue to do our part to build up a credible political alternative – specifically by voting in more Workers’ Party candidates into Parliament to keep pressuring the incumbent party so that Singaporeans’ privileges and opportunities will not be compromised in the midst of a top down tripartite collaboration amongst the government, employers and a pro-government labour union.As such, why not do your part for Singapore? If you are not sure how to go about doing so, please email me at yawsl@wp.sg :)Links:[1] Manpower Employment Outlook Survey[2] CNA report on Ministry of Education website figures[3] Ministry of Manpower Report[4]Article on the nonprofit Austin Technology Incubator [5] ST report on Manpower Minister Gan Kim Yong’s May Day 2010 message[6]BT News Report On Anonymous Poison Pen Letters 联合晚报 (Lian He Wan Bao) interviewed me this morning regarding the above. The reporter shared that some quarters suspected that the anonymous poison pen letters might be due to the upcoming General Elections. The reporter added that some speculated that opposition operatives might be behind the letters and sought my comments as an opposition leader. I responded that I can't speak on behalf of the opposition but (just) in my capacity as a leader of the Workers' party. I stated that anonymous poison pen letters are non-gentlemanly and under-the-belt tactics. I said the WP will engaged only in ‘君子之争‘ (Gentlemanly Battles) and will never resort ourselves to such non-gentlemanly tactics.News Link:盛港居民接匿名抨击执政党黑函 (LHWB, 8th April 2010) Concerns over Minister Lim’s comments I refer to the comments by Second Minister for Transport Lim Hwee Hua during a recent ministerial visit. She said that no more cross-country bus services would be introduced and that long bus routes may be spilt in two. I urge Minster Lim to do a re-think on this matter. There are at least 5 public concerns:Firstly, long haul bus routes serve not just the purpose of getting from point A to point B, but also enable large/ extended families and friends to travel together in the most cost effective manner. Secondly, such a proposed long bus routes spilt will likely inconvenience the aged and the physically-impaired, in view of incurring additional movements up & down the buses.Thirdly, cross-country bus services, such as 23, 960 & 190 are favored by commuters because they run on expressways and travelling time is shorter compared to that on other bus routes.Fourthly, while commuters should be allowed to choose whether they want to take the bus or train to reach their destinations, yet such choices should not be made between ‘more but lesser’ choices. Rather such choices must be made alongside the availability of ‘more and better’ choices. Fifthly, the minister has not taken potentially longer waiting time into consideration, especially when commuters must spend time waiting for inter-connecting buses. Presently such waiting time is not required in cross-country bus routes. Whilst it is understandable in the context of Singapore’s small island state for the need for bus-train integration, but in a truly world-class transportation system, the principle of choosing between ‘more and better’ choices must stand. New Link:New long distance bus services will no longer be introduced in S'pore (CNA, 28th March 2010) Informal Talks with Fellow Opposition Leaders WP Central Executive Council Member Dr Poh Lee Guan & I met National Solidarity Party’s President Sebastian Teo and Vice-President Christopher Neo over coffee (& cheese cakes!). We exchanged candid viewpoints and forward strategies regarding Singapore's political development.Photo: Sharing a light moment A Collective Opposition Roar? Not Just Yet I refer to the Facebook Note ‘Singapore Opposition: Give us a Collective Roar (.....or a Few Disparate Squeaks) (Bryan Ti, 19th March 2010)I thank Mr Bryan Ti for his perspectives & comments. My assessment is that we ought not overly-hype up the notion of an oppositional ‘collective roar’ (not just yet). This is because during this infancy stage of Singapore’s political development, it is more strategic for opposition parties to distinctively build up our respective approaches (branding) rather than that of coming under a collective platform (or message).The rationale is whether with or without a collective platform (or message) from the opposition camp, the present political pie is definitely huge enough for all, with 84 seats in Parliament, only 55% of the seats (47) were contested in GE2006. Yet I fully understand where Mr Bryan Ti is coming from. This is because I started my political activism with the very belief for a dire need for oppositional unity which was very similar to Bryan’s call for a collective roar type of perspective. However it is not too long before my idealism was being moderated via my direct political participation, which molded my idealism into one that consider upon practical political (&) personalities implications in the notion of building up a collective platform (or message). Political parties should not unite for mere political convenience or surface unity sake. The beauty of political pluralism is not that of merely choice between 1 or 2 choices, but ideally more choices where the collective wisdom of the populace will always prevail. I am convinced that a young democracy like Singapore requires the systematic building up of viable alternative choices. As such via the development of distinctive platform (or message) by respective political parties and with a variety of political choices available, the ultimate beneficiaries can only be Singaporeans. On the other hand, the least the opposition fraternity can do at this stage is to avoid 3-corner fights during General Elections. Concurrently, it is crucial for each opposition party to continue to build up and to strengthen it respective party platform (or message) and focusing our respective efforts on the winning of more parliamentary seats from the incumbent regime. It is always a dilemma of whether does the chicken comes first or the egg comes first. Personally being a believer of divine creation, I believe that the chicken must come first. Similarly, individual party platform (or message) strengthening must come first. So that when a future collective platform (or message) is to come about, the contributions and value-add into this collective platform (or message) by respective opposition parties will be very significant and not mere cosmetic. 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)