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Survey finds 30% of Singapore secondary school students claim they have been bulliedSurvey finds 30% of Singapore secondary school students claim... I refer to the CNA report, “An underreported problem? Survey finds 30% of Singapore secondary school students claim they have been bullied.” (May 30) and “Jail for man who punched taxi driver for overtaking him” (June 05). Most of us don’t like to see the occurrences of bullying in schools, as it reflects where...

Trump blinked again on tariffs, but China isn't in the clearTrump blinked again on tariffs, but China isn't in the clear I refer to the CNA’s Commentary: Trump blinked again on tariffs, but China isn't in the clear. (May 15) One deniable fact: There are no winners on either side (between China and the United States) in the trade and tariff war. Yet, Trump still persists to do it. It is not surprising that Trump has increased China's...

Podcasts didn't decide GE2025Podcasts didn't decide GE2025 I refer to the CNA’s Commentary: Podcasts didn't decide GE2025, but they changed how Singaporeans engage with politics (May 9). The 2025 General Election has several features/characteristics that deserve our attention, discussion and reflection: In today era, technological revolution, innovation and advancement...

GE2025: Stunning victory for PAPGE2025: Stunning victory for PAP I refer to the CNA’s report, “GE2025: Stunning victory for PAP, winning 87 of 97 seats with higher national vote share in PM Wong's first electoral test” (May 4). GE2025 has clearly delivered the following key messages/notes from the vast majority of voters: The Workers’ Party (WP) has done a fantastic good...

This is not a game of cardsThis is not a game of cards I can appreciate parties wanting to hold their cards close to their chest, but the smoke and mirrors games on nominations day, the shuffling of the DPM from a seat he had openly been declared to be defending, and other ministers shuffling constituencies leaves one feeling the PAP thinks it is playing a game of cards. Constituency...

Is a Parliament full of PAP MPs really better for Singaporeans?Is a Parliament full of PAP MPs really better for Singaporeans? I refer to The Online Citizen GE2025 news report, “Lee Hsien Yang: Is a Parliament full of PAP MPs really better for Singaporeans?” - (April 14), and “The Straits Times’ report, “GE2025: Singaporeans will go to the polls on May 3, Nomination Day on April 23” (April 15), and The Online Citizen GE2025 report,...

𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝... Is the PAP of today exceptional, with unmatched competence and delivery? Afterall, that is their justification for the highest salaries in the world. Let’s look at its more recent track record. Large numbers of NRIC numbers were recently unmasked, leaving Singaporeans exposed to identity theft, fraud, abuse and scams....

GE2025: Red Dot United to contest in Holland-Bukit TimahGE2025: Red Dot United to contest in Holland-Bukit Timah I refer to the CNA news, “GE2025: Red Dot United to contest in Holland-Bukit Timah GRC but may make way for Singapore Democratic Party” (April 10), “More opposition 'star catches' are emerging. Is Singapore's political scene maturing?” (April 10) and “PSP says government response to Trump tariffs 'overblown',...

GE2025: Why Singapore's high-flying bureaucrats are recruited into politicsGE2025: Why Singapore's high-flying bureaucrats are recruited... I refer to CNA’s news, “GE2025: Why Singapore's high-flying bureaucrats are recruited into politics” (Mar 28). It is not surprised to notice that in recent weeks, two NMPs and top ministry officials have resigned, fuelling speculation they could be fielded as potential candidates for the ruling People's Action...

More than 2.75 million Singaporeans eligible to vote in GE2025More than 2.75 million Singaporeans eligible to vote in GE2025 I refer to The CNA’s News, “GE2025: More than 2.75 million Singaporeans eligible to vote” (Mar 25). As Singapore’s General Election is due to be held within this year, the following factors will more or less influence the election situation this year: A)The general mentality of voters Voters are generally...

How the end of Ukraine war could be secured, even with waning US supportHow the end of Ukraine war could be secured, even with waning... I refer to the CNA’s commentaries, “How the end of Ukraine war could be secured, even with waning US support” (Mar 4), “Lessons from the Trump-Zelenskyy meltdown- for friends and foes” (Mar 1) and “Will Trump tariffs push China to change economic tack?” (Mar 3). Foremost, we need to recognise the reality...

Singapore Army Recruits Deserve a Minimum WageSingapore Army Recruits Deserve a Minimum Wage Singapore Army Recruits Deserve a Minimum Wage: National Service Should Not Come at the Expense of Opportunity Costs Singapore’s National Service (NS) has long been a cornerstone of the nation’s defense, requiring young men to dedicate two years of their lives to military, civil defense, or police service. While...

Trump-Putin deal on Ukraine will be Europe’s moment of reckoningTrump-Putin deal on Ukraine will be Europe’s moment of... I refer to the CNA’s Commentaries, “Trump-Putin deal on Ukraine will be Europe’s moment of reckoning” (Feb 20) and “Ukraine can survive with the ‘least worst’ peace” (Feb 22). Now, In the eyes of European Union, they have lost trust and confidence in the United States, it is solely due to the flip flop...

From Deepseek to Huawei, US tech restrictions on China are backfiringFrom Deepseek to Huawei, US tech restrictions on China are... I refer to the CNA’s Commentary, “From Deepseek to Huawei, US tech restrictions on China are backfiring” (Jan 31). Would it be practical, useful and effective for the United States to continually pursue an aggressive containment strategy to hobble China’s tech push? Undoubtedly, the answer is obviously not. There...

Don't get distracted by Trump's outlandish Cabinet picksDon't get distracted by Trump's outlandish Cabinet picks I refer to the CNA’s Commentary: “Don't get distracted by Trump's outlandish Cabinet picks” (Nov 25), and “'No one will win a trade war’, China says after Trump tariff threat” (Nov 26). As everyone knows, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump will return to power on January 20, 2025. Trump has dismissed...

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Editorials
Iran’s 'Terrifying' New Arsenal Brings Israel To...

Iran’s 'Terrifying' New Arsenal Brings Israel To...

Iran’s military might continues to keep the world guessing. No one truly knows the full extent of its...
Iran unleashes

Iran unleashes "Doomsday Weapon" the Khorramshahr

After firing 'Fattah 1' hypersonic missiles toward Israel, Iran has now reportedly unleashed the "Doomsday...
Pakistan to nuke Israel if...

Pakistan to nuke Israel if...

Pakistan has conveyed to Iran that if Israel nukes Tehran, Islamabad will launch a nuclear weapon against...
Iran rejects ceasefire, vows retaliation that would...

Iran rejects ceasefire, vows retaliation that would...

Tensions in the Middle East have reached a boiling point as Iran firmly rejects ceasefire negotiations...
Iran burns Tel Aviv with fresh barrage of missiles

Iran burns Tel Aviv with fresh barrage of missiles

In a dramatic escalation, Iran launched a fresh barrage of over 100 missiles targeting the Israeli city...
Iran targets multiple cities in Israel after pounding...

Iran targets multiple cities in Israel after pounding...

Iran dealt a severe blow on Israel for the second straight night on June 14-15. Israel was hit by a barrage...
Iran targets Israel's Dimona Nuclear Power Plant

Iran targets Israel's Dimona Nuclear Power Plant

In a dramatic and unverified claim, Lebanon’s Al Mayadeen news outlet reports that Iran has launched...
Iran's pulverises Tel Aviv with barrage of Hypersonic...

Iran's pulverises Tel Aviv with barrage of Hypersonic...

Iran launched a powerful third wave of overnight missile strikes on Tel Aviv, targeting military bases...
Israel's air defenses breached by Iran's missile barrage

Israel's air defenses breached by Iran's missile barrage

Operation True Promise III intensifies as Iran launches multiple waves of missile attacks targeting major...
Iran launches major retaliatory missile strikes at...

Iran launches major retaliatory missile strikes at...

Iran has launched a significant ballistic missile attack on Israel, with hundreds of missiles raining...
Iran launches hundreds of drones at Israel

Iran launches hundreds of drones at Israel

Following the unprovoked air strikes by Israel on Iran's nuclear facilities, Iran has retaliated by launching...
Israel launches air strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities

Israel launches air strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities

Explosions have been reported northeast of Iran’s capital Tehran, according to the state-run news agency...
Real Footage of China's 2025 Flood Crisis in Yunnan...

Real Footage of China's 2025 Flood Crisis in Yunnan...

Devastating floods and geological disasters have struck Gongshan County, Nujiang Prefecture in Yunnan...
Strong hailstorm strikes China's Xi'an causing airport...

Strong hailstorm strikes China's Xi'an causing airport...

On the evening of May 8, Xi’an, the capital city of China’s Shaanxi Province, was struck by a powerful...
Four parties lost their election deposits in GE2025

Four parties lost their election deposits in GE2025

A total of four opposition parties, the Singapore United Party (SUP), People's Power Party (PPP), People’s...
Level 16 super typhoon devastates multiple cities in...

Level 16 super typhoon devastates multiple cities in...

Northern China was hit by an extreme weather event on Thursday as a massive cold front swept south, colliding...
Level 15 winds destroy buildings rooftops and cause...

Level 15 winds destroy buildings rooftops and cause...

On April 30, northern China was struck by an extreme weather event as a massive cold vortex surged southward,...
TR Emeritus to 'shut-up' on 2nd May 2025

TR Emeritus to 'shut-up' on 2nd May 2025

Please be informed that TR Emeritus (TRE) will shut down its comment function site-wide at 0000 hours...
Opinions
Don’t Rock The Boat

Don’t Rock The Boat

Singaporeans are, by and large, practical people, being mainly immigrant stock. They value security,...
Trump and his ilk are at it again

Trump and his ilk are at it again

Trump and his ilk are at it again. They are not going to back down. Yes, it’s Harvard, his eyesore,...
我们是否该重新思考国防开支的优先顺序?

我们是否该重新思考国防开支的优先顺序?

新加坡政府近日宣布将采购两艘额外的“无畏级”潜艇,引发了一个重要问题:我们的国防力量,到底需要多强? 毫无疑问,一个强大且可信的军队对于保障国家主权与威慑潜在威胁是不可或缺的。新加坡地处战略要冲,国土面积有限,因此需要一支现代化的武装部队。然而,当我们对比邻国——马来西亚拥有两艘潜艇、印尼正逐步扩展至十二艘——新加坡在水下战力上已处于领先地位。这不禁让人质疑,我们是否正引领着一场无声的区域军备竞赛? 问题在于:当威慑的需求被满足后,继续扩军是否已经超出必要? 一艘“无畏级”潜艇的估价超过十亿新元,还不包括长期的运营与维护成本。这两艘新潜艇的资金,若能转用于迫切的民生需求,例如医疗保健、老龄化支援、教育及弱势群体扶助,或许对社会的整体韧性更具意义。 政府一再强调国防开支是经过审慎规划的,但当生活成本日益上升,政府却仍需将消费税(Gst)提高至9%甚至更多,这种矛盾不禁令人困惑。如果某些战略性国防项目能够延后或循序推进,节省下来的资源是否可以用于社会发展呢? “全面防卫”不仅仅是硬件实力,更是要赢得人民的心与信任。让人民感到安心、有保障、受到重视,这种安全感无法靠潜艇来衡量,而是通过每一位国人的生活实感体现出来。 这并非是在呼吁削弱我们的国防,而是呼吁我们重新思考国家的优先事项。当我们继续推进军事现代化的同时,也不要忽视同样重要的任务——巩固社会契约、增强国民凝聚力。   Cwc-Ai  
The three of threes about DPM Heng Swee Kiat

The three of threes about DPM Heng Swee Kiat

The first part of the threes is about the when, the how and the why? And it is about his retirement...
我们是否该重新思考国防开支的优先顺序?

我们是否该重新思考国防开支的优先顺序?

新加坡政府近日宣布将采购两艘额外的“无畏级”潜艇,引发了一个重要问题:我们的国防力量,到底需要多强? 毫无疑问,一个强大且可信的军队对于保障国家主权与威慑潜在威胁是不可或缺的。新加坡地处战略要冲,国土面积有限,因此需要一支现代化的武装部队。然而,当我们对比邻国——马来西亚拥有两艘潜艇、印尼正逐步扩展至十二艘——新加坡在水下战力上已处于领先地位。这不禁让人质疑,我们是否正引领着一场无声的区域军备竞赛? 问题在于:当威慑的需求被满足后,继续扩军是否已经超出必要? 一艘“无畏级”潜艇的估价超过十亿新元,还不包括长期的运营与维护成本。这两艘新潜艇的资金,若能转用于迫切的民生需求,例如医疗保健、老龄化支援、教育及弱势群体扶助,或许对社会的整体韧性更具意义。 政府一再强调国防开支是经过审慎规划的,但当生活成本日益上升,政府却仍需将消费税(Gst)提高至9%甚至更多,这种矛盾不禁令人困惑。如果某些战略性国防项目能够延后或循序推进,节省下来的资源是否可以用于社会发展呢? “全面防卫”不仅仅是硬件实力,更是要赢得人民的心与信任。让人民感到安心、有保障、受到重视,这种安全感无法靠潜艇来衡量,而是通过每一位国人的生活实感体现出来。 这并非是在呼吁削弱我们的国防,而是呼吁我们重新思考国家的优先事项。当我们继续推进军事现代化的同时,也不要忽视同样重要的任务——巩固社会契约、增强国民凝聚力。   Cwc-Ai  
Cutting down reliance on US military equipment

Cutting down reliance on US military equipment

There is a rampant rumor going around that claims Egypt has ordered 48 J10C with a price tag of USD$25B...
2025大选—明确授权,变化中的政治格局

2025大选—明确授权,变化中的政治格局

2025年大选结果无可争议,政府再次赢得了强有力的授权,稳固了其在新加坡政治格局中的主导地位。尽管选举结果并不令人意外,但胜利的过程却并非没有争议和复杂性。 值得注意的是,选区划分的变化在本次选战中发挥了重要作用。陈清木医生与徐顺全医生等资深反对派人物,因选区重划而受到显著影响——传统支持基础被分割或并入他区,无疑左右了某些关键选区的最终结果。虽然选区调整在新加坡选举历史上并不罕见,但其公平性与透明度仍持续引发讨论。 工人党虽稳守东北区的传统堡垒,但未能在本届大选中攻下新的选区。不过,该党仍获得两个非选区议员(Ncmp)席位,虽属安慰性质,却在象征意义上维持了国会内多元声音的存在。 更值得关注的是,本届大选所处的人口背景正经历剧烈变化。新加坡人口从2000年的约300万增长至2025年的超过500万。考虑到多年来出生率持续偏低,这一增长几乎可以肯定主要归因于移民流入,尤其可能在华人群体中增长显著。这一趋势对国家的社会结构和政治生态产生了深远影响。 展望2030年大选,各政党不仅要面对一如既往的选区调整与突发的全球事件,更需正视一个不断演变的社会结构。随着越来越多新移民成为国民,选民构成日益多元,政党在政策制定与信息传递上必须更具包容性与前瞻性。他们必须同时争取老一代公民与新加坡新公民的认同,回应共同关切,并跨越代际与文化差异的鸿沟。 在新加坡持续向前迈进的过程中,其政治也必须与时俱进——反映日益多元的人口现实,同时坚守国家的核心价值观:团结、韧性与务实。 Cwc-Ai
A jaw-dropping election

A jaw-dropping election

This is a jaw-dropping election. For the opposition. SDP’s Dr Chee and PSP’s Leong were deeply disappointed....
The Nation has rejected multi-party Parliamentary representation

The Nation has rejected multi-party Parliamentary representation

Our party suffered great losses and I personally have suffered the greatest hit. But these personal losses...
A False Analogy That Insults the Intelligence of Singaporeans

A False Analogy That Insults the Intelligence of Singaporeans

Minister Ong Ye Kung’s recent assertion that a “co-driver” bears no responsibility if a car crashes...
There is a cost to losing

There is a cost to losing

There is a cost to losing. At least in PAP’s books. And one of the costs is a policy of priority. That...
Hougang Belongs to the People

Hougang Belongs to the People

Thank You for the Reminder, Mr Marshall Lim. It is with no small measure of amusement that one reads...
Its all about trust

Its all about trust

Dr Ng Eng Hen from PAP has pointed out the most important key point about this General Elections, it...
Misunderstanding What Singaporeans Truly Expect from...

Misunderstanding What Singaporeans Truly Expect from...

The government's repeated assertion that it is "easy for the opposition to ask the government to give...
Punggol GRC

Punggol GRC

Punggol GRC is without question one of the most hotly watched, followed and contested constituency in...
Should Singapore Be Concerned About David Neo’s “Action-Takers,...

Should Singapore Be Concerned About David Neo’s “Action-Takers,...

Singaporeans should pause and reflect on the recent remark by PAP candidate David Neo, who said that...
Why Singaporeans Must Reconsider the Dismissal of SDP’s...

Why Singaporeans Must Reconsider the Dismissal of SDP’s...

The Singapore government’s blunt assertion that the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP)’s proposals...
Expect the exchange of barbs in politics

Expect the exchange of barbs in politics

In a political contest, expect the exchange of barbs. And we do not lack any of it in the rallies held...
Letters
Survey finds 30% of Singapore secondary school students...

Survey finds 30% of Singapore secondary school students...

I refer to the CNA report, “An underreported problem? Survey finds 30% of Singapore secondary school...
Trump blinked again on tariffs, but China isn't in...

Trump blinked again on tariffs, but China isn't in...

I refer to the CNA’s Commentary: Trump blinked again on tariffs, but China isn't in the clear. (May...
Podcasts didn't decide GE2025

Podcasts didn't decide GE2025

I refer to the CNA’s Commentary: Podcasts didn't decide GE2025, but they changed how Singaporeans engage...
GE2025: Stunning victory for PAP

GE2025: Stunning victory for PAP

I refer to the CNA’s report, “GE2025: Stunning victory for PAP, winning 87 of 97 seats with higher...
Is a Parliament full of PAP MPs really better for Singaporeans?

Is a Parliament full of PAP MPs really better for Singaporeans?

I refer to The Online Citizen GE2025 news report, “Lee Hsien Yang: Is a Parliament full of PAP MPs...
GE2025: Red Dot United to contest in Holland-Bukit...

GE2025: Red Dot United to contest in Holland-Bukit...

I refer to the CNA news, “GE2025: Red Dot United to contest in Holland-Bukit Timah GRC but may make...
GE2025: Why Singapore's high-flying bureaucrats are...

GE2025: Why Singapore's high-flying bureaucrats are...

I refer to CNA’s news, “GE2025: Why Singapore's high-flying bureaucrats are recruited into politics”...
More than 2.75 million Singaporeans eligible to vote...

More than 2.75 million Singaporeans eligible to vote...

I refer to The CNA’s News, “GE2025: More than 2.75 million Singaporeans eligible to vote” (Mar...
Snippets
Risk and Bonus Management | Strategies at 1Win Casino

Risk and Bonus Management | Strategies at 1Win Casino

Top Casino Strategies Singaporean Players Use on 1Win Users of the 1win platform are increasingly...
Why More Singaporeans Want to Stay Single and Child-Free

Why More Singaporeans Want to Stay Single and Child-Free

Singapore is full of individuals living life in this fast-paced world. The social shift of many individuals...
Singapore’s Sports Industry: A Rising Powerhouse...

Singapore’s Sports Industry: A Rising Powerhouse...

Singapore’s sports industry is on the cusp of greatness, leveraging cutting-edge infrastructure and...
What are the most popular hobbies in Singapore in 2025?

What are the most popular hobbies in Singapore in 2025?

As work-life balance remains a constant talking point in the fast-paced city-state of Singapore, residents...
10 Most Popular Mobile Games in Singapore

10 Most Popular Mobile Games in Singapore

Singaporeans can't get enough of their phones these days, spending tons of time battling opponents, building...
Langkawi to Koh Lipe Ferry: Complete Travel Guide

Langkawi to Koh Lipe Ferry: Complete Travel Guide

Planning a tropical escape from Malaysia to Thailand? The journey from Langkawi to Koh Lipe offers a...
This is not a game of cards

This is not a game of cards

I can appreciate parties wanting to hold their cards close to their chest, but the smoke and mirrors...
𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝...

𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝...

Is the PAP of today exceptional, with unmatched competence and delivery? Afterall, that is their justification...
Sticky & Recent Articles

Singapore PR charged for pushing policeman

Singapore PR charged for pushing policeman

A Singapore PR by the name of Lau Chin Seng was charged in court today for pushing a policeman, Channel News Asia reports. The 26 year old, who is working as an assistant electrical engineer pleaded guilty of pushing the policeman Corporal Mohamad Yusoff down a flight of stairs as he was about to be apprehended for possession of contraband cigarettes. Lau has since pleaded guilty and will be sentenced next Monday. It is not revealed how long he has been working in Singapore. Assistant electrical engineers are usually diploma holders who assist engineers in their tasks. In recent years, Singapore has accepted an increasing number of them and other PMETs on "S" passes who are allowed to compete directly with Singaporeans for jobs which can otherwise be taken up by them, thereby depressing their wages. As a result, the starting pay for Singapore engineers has remained stagnant at around $2,300 for the last ten years or so as they can be easily replaced by cheaper "foreign talents" from overseas though it is debatable how a technician can be qualified as a "talent". Official statistics about the crime rate among foreign workers, PRs and new citizens are scanty, but there are frequent reports of them committing crimes in the papers. For example in December last year, a cleaner Liu Gui Ling, 37, a Singapore permanent resident from China, was jailed for nine weeks for throwing two lighted match sticks at a fish farm. (read article here.) The PAP regime doesn't appear to mind having criminals as PRs and new citizens so long they are more "hard-driving" and "hard-striving" than locals. During the National Day Rally speech of 2006, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong raised eyebrows when he said Singapore should get an illegal PRC immigrant caught twice for flouting the rules back here: "I give you one example where I wish we had got the fellow. A Chinese illegal immigrant came to S’pore. We found him, we kicked him out. He changed his passport, he got back in. When next we found him, he was running at least five hawker stalls, he was employing at least 11 PRC Chinese......But unfortunately because he was a second-time illegal immigrant, we had to throw him out again. So one day we should get him back and we should get other people like that to come back and to come to S’pore, because they have the spunk, the drive, and they will make it with sheer grit and get to the top one day." [Source: Straits Times]   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 →

Response to PM Lee’s NDR 2010 speech

Response to PM Lee’s NDR 2010 speech

Dear PM Lee, I refer to your National Day Rally speech televised live on 29 Oct 2010. You said there is a trade off between high growth and the acceptance of more workers. However, we should not grow for growth's sake but should seek prosperity instead. Many first world European cities do not resort to the mass importation of workers to sustain their strong economies and their high standards of living. There is no reason why we can't be likewise. You said the winning design of the Duxton plain site has led to it becoming one of the most sought after HDB projects in Singapore. In case you're not aware, existing flats around the Duxton plain are also amongst the most sought after in Singapore. Nearly all record HDB transactions come from that area. So it begs the questions of whether Duxton Plain is most sought after because of a winning design or because of its location. You said foreigner influx is not uncontrolled because we have dependency ratios and foreign worker levies. But having those measures in place does not guarantee that the control will be well functioning just as having drains doesn't guarantee that floods will be well controlled.   You said Texas' many immigrants contributed to its vibrancy as well as its cutting edge in medical research. There are many European countries that do not have as many immigrants and yet are also at the forefront of scientific research. You said Texas benefitted from immigration even as neighbouring states like California and Arizona have tightened up. But the per capita GDP of both California and Arizona are higher than that of Texas. So being open to immigrants did not make Texas better than California or Arizona. You referred to Microsoft's setting up of an office in Vancouver, Canada across from Redmond, USA as an example of how Canada has benefitted from liberal immigration policies and how the US has suffered from its strict policies. But what exactly are those benefits to Canada and those losses to the US? As far as employment of citizens in rich software development jobs is concerned, neither Canada nor the US will benefit because the bulk of those jobs are going to foreigners regardless of whether the office is in Canada or the US. The most tangible benefit therefore has to be the auxilliary services to these foreigners in terms of the sale of groceries, meals and other daily expenses. These are largely low value added jobs. So if our concern is on the high value added jobs that Microsoft offers, then it makes no difference whether the office is in Vancouver or Redmond. You said we should cheer for our national sportsmen even if they are foreign born because when they win, the Majulah Singapura is played. When Ben Johnson won gold in 1988 and the Canadian national anthem was played, no doubt all Canadians cheered. But when Ben Johnson was subsequently found to have cheated and stripped of his Olympic Gold medal, it means all the cheering had been in vain. So playing the national anthem doesn't automatically warrant cheering. Ultimately, the people must feel the legitimacy of the victory. You said we have given $400 million to 400,000 workers on Workfare and that that's a lot of money. But on average, each worker gets only $1,000, a pittance compared to SM Goh's wife's definition of peanuts. You said we have 22,000 new flats coming along but we don't have 22,000 new couples getting hitched every year. Nevertheless, there is a huge backlog of couples who are currently putting up at their parents' homes because they hadn't been able to secure a place of their own. If you add those backlogs, 22,000 many not be sufficient. You referred to MM Lee's generation of leaders as the founding fathers who built our nation. You are wrong. There is one and only one founding father of Singapore and that is Sir Stamford Raffles. Our nation did not suddenly spring up from nothing in 1965. Behind 1965 were many more years of toiling without which 1965 would not have been possible. You said the people who came before MM Lee's generation had separate loyalties to different countries. Are you saying that Lim Bo Seng who died for Singapore while fighting the Japanese had no loyalty to Singapore? While Lim Bo Seng fought the Japanese, your father worked for them instead. Now, as we celebrate national day, Lim Bo Seng is all but forgotten but your father has become the 'founding father'. We should not whitewash the contributions of the Singapore pioneers who came before MM Lee. If the conceiving and championing of a Malayan identity is an important contribution of the so-called 'founding fathers', then it seems odd that our first Chief Minister, Mr David Marshall was not even mentioned at all. There was hardly any fight for independence as far as MM Lee and his comrades are concerned. No blood was shed by him or his comrades. Also, there is no fighting of 'communists' as far as the term 'communist' is concerned. Even until today, even after locking them up and robbing them of their most fruitful years of their lives, we still have not been able to prove beyond reasonable doubt that they had been 'communists'. Yet we continue to label them as 'communists'. So it is important to not just remember our founding fathers properly but to recognise that they span many generations stretching all the way back to 1819.    Ng Kok Lim  Read More →

My overall views about foreign immigrants taking jobs away from local Singapore Citizens

My overall views about foreign immigrants taking jobs away from local Singapore Citizens

I am a 34-year old male Singaporean, single, and who has completed National Service duties between March 1994 to March 1996. I possess a Masters Degree in Economics, and a MBA. My Bachelors Degree is in Banking and Finance. I have spent the last ten years since 2000 studying, residing, and working in the United States. Unfortunately, my employment as a hedge fund junior research associate was abruptly terminated as the hedge fund was shut down due to the partner disagreements. I was laid off at the end of December 2009. I have since returned back home to Singapore since the end of January 2010. I came back with the hope of taking an advantage of the booming financial services sector in Singapore, but was terribly disappointed by the lack of employment opportunities despite sending countless number of job application letters to various employers in the financial services sector, and outside as well. I am not sure if I have made the right decision to come back home to Singapore despite the various publicity messages encouraging foreign-based Singaporeans to return home. I am not very happy about it. Am I being misled into coming back home to Singapore? The recent debate about foreign workers taking jobs away from local Singapore citizens like me has reinforced my discontent about coming back to Singapore. I am taking upgrading courses such as the CFA-Singapore-FICS Research Programme (Job Role IV) certification which I completed in July 2010. I am currently preparing for a professional exam course on Alternative Investments, and I am also studying for the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Level I exams in June 2011. I plan to apply and return back to school to study for another Masters of Applied Finance course at the Singapore Management University (SMU) next July. I am in the process of applying. With all the job hunting efforts, plus taking up training and skills-based courses, I am not able to continue my normal regular life here in Singapore, as there are no positive responses yet from employers. I don't feel good as well. Where are the jobs? I have sought help from WDA (Workforce Development Agency), and the National Population Secretrait (NPS) office to help me, but the responses from both organisations have been poor to none. I am not sure if I am competing with foreigners, but I am feeling very resentful about it. I serve two years of of my life for the country, and is this what I get in return? No jobs, no career? It is very disheartening, with all my years of education and experience obtained in the United States, and coming back with no career in Singapore. I come from a modest family. My parents are true-blood Singapore citizens born in 1946. I have a younger sister, married, have a family in Christchurch, New Zealand. She is a year younger than me. 33 years of age, and my brother-in-law is a New Zealander and a dentist. My nephew is 11 years old. My father is a sole-proprietor and my mother is a home-maker and helps out in the business. My family operates a fresh cut fruits and vegetables business in Johor, Malaysia, and with my unemployment situation, I am spending more time in Malaysia, helping them out routinely and studying for the professional exams in Alternative Investments in September 2010. I am not sure when will I have a career established in Singapore? Even government jobs I've applied to have turned me down. It is terrible. Where have I done wrong to deserve this? I feel disheartened sometimes, but the studying and keeping my parents company here in Malaysia helps alleviate some of the tension. I hope that someone can reach out to me. That's all I have, and I look forward to a response.   From a disheartened Singapore citizen  Read More →

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