TR EMERITUS

Until recently, many students were unaware of the legal implications of expression of views in the media. With increasing use of the internet, corresponding to a significant surge in blog sites and in a new-age environment where “responsible freedom of expression” is touted and encouraged, there is an urgent need for students to be kept informed and be aware of their responsibility. The Student Affairs Office, working in conjunction with the Students’ Union, sought advice from Ms Tay Hsiu Chieh (Director-Legal and Secretariat Office, NTU) to clarify issues for the benefit of our students. In consultation with Mr Lau Kok Keng (Head, iTec Practice Group at Rajah & Tann), a list of “Do’s and Don’ts” on the rules for internet postings were compiled. Do's Comply with all NTU Rules & Regulations for Students, including the NTU CITS Rules for Student User Accounts When blogging or posting, write about events as they happened and as accurately as possible Make positive or neutral comments about other people that will not affect their reputation or insult them If comments are in any way derogatory, stick to the truth that can be proven, and try not to refer to any particular person by name or in a manner that will cause his/her identity to be made obvious or known If comments are your own opinions, ensure they are honest opinions of facts that concern matters of public interest (eg. where a crime has been committed) Ensure any music, text or picture that you share on your blog/website is either free from copyright, or the consent of the copyright owner has been obtained for the posting Otherwise, use no more than 10% of it. In addition, the portion used must be insignificant compared to the entire song, video or literary work Don'ts - Make comments about people based on rumours, especially if they are derogatory - Make false statements against people if it may cause them any harm - Make racist comments or any comments that incite hatred among Singaporeans - Make seditious comments - Make comments that cause hatred or dissatisfaction about the Singapore justice system. - Assume that you cannot be identified when you post content on online forums/blogs/message boards from your computer with a nickname - you can be identified!! - Put links to copyrighted songs or share the songs on your website/blogsite - Use copyrighted images from other websites on your website as background or share them! - Post obscene, vulgar, distasteful, sexually suggestive, abusive or offensive content in any form - Create webpages / blogs containing information regarding politics and religion, unless you have acquired proper licences from the Media Development Authority AND the written approval of the University Caveat Emptor! By Mr Lau Kok Keng of Rajah & Tan LLP  Read More →

PAP MPs will be putting up a grand "wayang" in parliament later today to "ask" Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Dr Vivian Balakrishnan "questions" on the recently concluded Youth Olympic Games (YOG) which has made Singapore a laughing stock in the world. Unlike parliaments in other first world countries, there will be no impromptu questions asked on the spot which may caught the PAP ministers off guard (again). Instead, the PAP MPs have to send in their "questions" to Dr Vivian Balakrishnan first to give him ample time to prepare an answer. In other words, they are simply reading from their scripts which is no different from a "wayang kulit". According to Channel News Asia, the MPs have "asked" Dr Vivian on the amount of public monies spent on hosting the YOG and the reasons behind the initial budget being bursted by more than three times to a shocking $387 million dollars. Dr Vivian, who has been keeping a low profile in the aftermath of the games will be given an unique opportunity to "redeem" himself by offering well-rehearsed "answers" to "smoke" Singaporeans again. The much maligned YOG was plagued by a series of problems and controversies from the very beginning such as: 1. a disorganized Opening Ceremony, 2. ticketing glitches, 3. mistreatment of volunteers, 4. mass food poisoning outbreak, 5. low turnout, and 6. the lamentable arrest of a YOG critic which made the international headlines. Like the Berlin Olympic Games in 1936, the 2010 YOG will most likely be remembered by the police arrest of a 27 year old young Singaporean for posting comments critical of Dr Vivian's handling of the YOG on Facebook. Fortunately for Dr Vivian, he is unlikely to be taken to task by his fellow PAP MPs for screwing up the YOG big time because it is an unwritten rule that MPs in Singapore cannot be held accountable.   Please join our Facebook page here and invite your friends to do so to create awareness of the current affairs affecting Singaporeans. Please use our online web form to contact us.  Read More →

A probe by MCYS to establish that Singaporeans are not targeted and encouraged to go to the casinos at the integrated resorts resulted in the termination of the free shuttle service between RWS and the HDB heartlands. Notice put up to inform visitors of the cessation of the free shuttle service. Although many Singaporeans are oppose to having the casinos in Singapore in the first place, the government insisted on building the casinos, giving the reason that the casino is only a small part of the resort (less than 5% of the total space) and the rest of the resort is to be setup as a one stop destination for tourist and family to enjoy the numerous facilities. They also impose a casino levy to deter Singaporeans from entering the casino. I do not know why the government is stopping the free shuttle service which allows Singaporeans to visit and enjoy the 95% of the resort but is concerned about the 5% instead. If the whole point of stopping the service is to deter Singaporeans from visiting the casino, they should increase the casino levy or set a minimum income before they are allow to gamble, just like how MAS regulate issuing of credit cards, you cannot own one if you do not have the means. Besides, stopping the free shuttle service will not affect the hardcore gamblers,gamblers are used to paying for cruises and coaches to Genting. Stopping the service will only affect families who wants to enjoy the facilities of RWS without paying for the exorbitant transport charges. RWS internal survey shows that more than 60% of the commuters do not visit the casino,the news also reported that only 2 out of 10 commuters are visiting the casinos. Is the government implying that the star attraction of RWS is the casino and not the other attractions? If yes, why bother building the rest the resort? The other possible reason for stopping the free shuttle service - 1. SMRT not making money 2. SBS Transit not making money 3. Sentosa and monorail not making money The government is the major share holders of both transport companies and they are the one who are terminating the service, can you see the conflict of interest here? More than 1000 people will be laid off because of our government's decision, not to mention the transport company which have taken bank loans to finance this venture. Instead of creating jobs from the construction of the IRs, many jobs will be lost instead. Knowing that we will be having a long weekend, the government choose to deprive Singaporeans family of the free service by terminating the service on Friday instead of at the end of the week as previously announced   Chimes of Freedom  Read More →