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Malaysiakini, 19 December 2009 The battle for Putrajaya has been raised a notched with the Pakatan Rakyat coalition today unveiling its common policy platform, containing promises of sweeping reforms and equality. In a direct response to its race-based rival Barisan Nasional, Pakatan's common policy promises to reduce race-based policies and enacting a Race Relations Act. It further pledges to practice needs-based affirmative action, enact a Equal Opportunity Act and other merit-based policies, such as in the case of government scholarships. Special reference to the state of Sabah and Sarawak - where Pakatan has little influence - promises greater access to oil royalties and resolving long-standing problems faced by natives. Further promises include a royal commission to resolve the outstanding issue of illegal immigrants, which have been largely ignored by the federal government. Reaching out to the two East Malaysian states is crucial to Pakatan's bid to wrest federal power from the BN as two states command about a quarter of the total number of parliamentary seats. Also addressed is the thorny issue of religion which had in the past caused schisms between the Islamic-conservative PAS and the secular DAP. Most prominently, the coalition pledges to establish a “comprehensive mechanism” to resolve cases where there is an overlap of civil and syariah law. A royal commission has also been pledged to “deeply study” issues related to this. Decentralizing the state economy At the institutional level, Pakatan pledged to ensure full independence and transparency of the Judicial Appointment Commission to restore public confidence in the judicial system. Other reforms proposed include making the Election Commission, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), Human Rights Commission (Suhakam), Petronas and other major government institutions directly accountable to Parliament. This would include having Parliament as the approval body for the appointment of important government posts such as the inspector general of police, attorney-general, MACC commissioner and auditor-general. On the economy, Pakatan aims to decentralise state economic management which the policy document said will boost efficiency, productivity and balanced geographical development. This proposal involves distributing economic and administrative power and the implementation of infrastructure work to the state government. The one-day maiden Pakatan convention, held at the Shah Alam City Council auditorium, was attended top opposition leaders. They are joined by 1,500 delegates - 500 from each component party - of whom 15 are to debate the common policy paper today. The crowd, which comprised all races, turned the auditorium into a riot of colours with their green, red and blue party uniforms.  Read rest of article on Malaysiakini  Read More →

By Amanda Lian Land of the “Musical Horns” Do you want a well deserved holiday? Planning somewhere near and exciting? Perhaps to a country that is more oriental? Inspired by the “Miss Saigon” musical? Look no further as we guide you through our recent escapade, away from the usual hum and buzz of Singapore city. We bring you to the very heart of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City or formerly known as Saigon. After touching down at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, we were guided through the various visa formalities that had to be adhered (Singaporeans do not need a visa for travelling to Vietnam). Following that, being non-locals, we were approached by cab drivers requesting exorbitant sums of money to get into the city, for example USD$15. We know that it could be much cheaper, so we headed back into the airport (and were stopped by guards) and got a taxi voucher for only USD$8. [imagebrowser id=61] Vietnamese do not understand English and we in turn, do not understand them. We had to memorize certain phrases like “xin chào” (hello), “cám ơn” (thank you), and “xin lỗi” (excuse me/sorry). We were impressed by the cleanliness of the hotel room given that it only costs us USD$22 per person per night. Before we forget, there is a time difference in Vietnam as compared to Singapore – Vietnam is an hour behind us. We were introduced to Vietnamese tea whilst waiting for our room to be cleaned after the departure of the previous visitors. This tea is being served at almost all restaurants and also as a complement to sweet Vietnamese desserts. Ice cubes are included to soothe your senses. Vietnamese coffee is unique in itself as the coffee is served with a metal filter set atop a cup and it is drunk mostly with sweetened condensed milk – A café sua da. Along Alexandre de Rhodes in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, you can find a cluster of good, classical coffeehouses. Coffee goes for as cheap as 35,000 dong! Bến Thành Market is just minutes away from our hotel, Lan Lan 1. And so, we found ourselves indulging in desserts, where a glass of rainbow ice comes with a price tag of 10,000 dong. Do not be fooled by the mention of “meat” in Vietnamese dishes. They do not state what kind of meat is being used for their culinary experiments. Our shock came only when we asked what meat was used in their seemingly normal and subtle fried rice. They actually use frog meat! Eventually, we came to the entrance of the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh. However, something at the corner caught our attention, tiger cages. This remodelled replica of the grisly torture tool is quite disturbing. A cyclo is a form of transportation in Vietnam, similar to a trishaw but the passenger is seated in front of the rider. We decided to try and ride one of these to take in the sights in a more relaxed manner. But to our horror, after hours of sightseeing, the riders demanded USD$8 per hour for their services while USD$2 an hour was the norm! A trip to Vietnam would not be complete without eating Phở. Phở is an authentic Vietnamese dish of noodles, usually served with basil leaves, lime and bean sprouts. You are able to choose the type of meat to go along – Phở bò (beef), Phở gà (chicken). The Opera House (Municipal Theatre), attracted us to stand across the road and look at the screen, portraying the powerful voice of an opera singer. The theatre was closed for a private function which means tickets are needed and onlookers could only view the spectacular performance on a huge screen located outside the theatre. There is an organization which employs physically handicapped individuals and they are all situated in a factory that produces handmade handicrafts. The process of producing a hand-painted bowl seemed easy under the agile fingers of these people. Be prepared to drop USD$9 for a handcrafted fork here. Can you imagine being underground and shrouded in darkness while you crawl through the Cu Chi tunnels? Definitely not for the claustrophobic but experience how the Vietnamese lived through the War, the living conditions and the mastery of the system – the sheer size of the tunnel entrance. The half day tour costs USD$38. Chợ Lớn is the district in Ho Chi Minh City where Vietnamese would call “Chinatown”. It is the largest of its kind in Vietnam and lies on the west bank of the Saigon River. We alighted at Bình Tây Market which is less touristy than Bến Thành Market. Remember to check out the amazing deals you can snap up, from fermented duck eggs to a carton of Snickers’ bars going for only USD$3.20. Say banana wine and we are reminded of those medicated wines you use when you are injured. Upon drinking it, our bodies gave out a warm sensation. We also tried the roadside stalls selling Vietnamese spring rolls that cost 10,000 dong each. KFC in Vietnam, we found out that the chicken pieces were smaller, we had to utilise a plate, fork and knife while the motto is still “finger lickin’ good”. Glasses were used to serve our drinks which is much more environmentally-friendly. The residents of the Mekong Delta area is said to be poorer due to agricultural activities. The visit costs USD$58. It includes seeing a coconut kingdom and how candies are made, eat tropical fruits, have lunch and listen to folk music, it was overall an eye-opener. We did not expect to see buffaloes at work, and it was spectacular. Imagine buffaloes with a nose ring and in the water, a priceless experience. Do you know we tried to buy all the different kinds of beer that is uniquely Vietnam? But gifts of the beer brand’s logo being imprinted on the various t-shirts are good alternatives. Hạnh phúc đi du lịch! Land of the “Musical Horns” Do you want a well deserved holiday? Planning somewhere near and exciting? Perhaps to a country that is more oriental? Inspired by the “Miss Saigon” musical? Look no further as we guide you through our recent escapade, away from the usual hum and buzz of Singapore city. We bring you to the very heart of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City or formerly known as Saigon. After touching down at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, we were guided through the various visa formalities that had to be adhered (Singaporeans do not need a visa for travelling to Vietnam). Following that, being non-locals, we were approached by cab drivers requesting exorbitant sums of money to get into the city, for example USD$15. We know that it could be much cheaper, so we headed back into the airport (and were stopped by guards) and got a taxi voucher for only USD$8. Vietnamese do not understand English and we in turn, do not understand them. We had to memorize certain phrases like “xin chào” (hello), “cám ơn” (thank you), and “xin lỗi” (excuse me/sorry). We were impressed by the cleanliness of the hotel room given that it only costs us USD$22 per person per night. Before we forget, there is a time difference in Vietnam as compared to Singapore – Vietnam is an hour behind us. We were introduced to Vietnamese tea whilst waiting for our room to be cleaned after the departure of the previous visitors. This tea is being served at almost all restaurants and also as a complement to sweet Vietnamese desserts. Ice cubes are included to soothe your senses. Vietnamese coffee is unique in itself as the coffee is served with a metal filter set atop a cup and it is drunk mostly with sweetened condensed milk – A café sua da. Along Alexandre de Rhodes in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, you can find a cluster of good, classical coffeehouses. Coffee goes for as cheap as 35,000 dong!   Bến Thành Market is just minutes away from our hotel, Lan Lan 1. And so, we found ourselves indulging in desserts, where a glass of rainbow ice comes with a price tag of 10,000 dong. Do not be fooled by the mention of “meat” in Vietnamese dishes. They do not state what kind of meat is being used for their culinary experiments. Our shock came only when we asked what meat was used in their seemingly normal and subtle fried rice. They actually use frog meat!   Eventually, we came to the entrance of the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh. However, something at the corner caught our attention, tiger cages. This remodelled replica of the grisly torture tool is quite disturbing. A cyclo is a form of transportation in Vietnam, similar to a trishaw but the passenger is seated in front of the rider. We decided to try and ride one of these to take in the sights in a more relaxed manner. But to our horror, after hours of sightseeing, the riders demanded USD$8 per hour for their services while USD$2 an hour was the norm! A trip to Vietnam would not be complete without eating Phở. Phở is an authentic Vietnamese dish of noodles, usually served with basil leaves, lime and bean sprouts. You are able to choose the type of meat to go along – Phở bò (beef), Phở gà (chicken). The Opera House (Municipal Theatre), attracted us to stand across the road and look at the screen, portraying the powerful voice of an opera singer. The theatre was closed for a private function which means tickets are needed and onlookers could only view the spectacular performance on a huge screen located outside the theatre. There is an organization which employs physically handicapped individuals and they are all situated in a factory that produces handmade handicrafts. The process of producing a hand-painted bowl seemed easy under the agile fingers of these people. Be prepared to drop USD$9 for a handcrafted fork here. Can you imagine being underground and shrouded in darkness while you crawl through the Cu Chi tunnels? Definitely not for the claustrophobic but experience how the Vietnamese lived through the War, the living conditions and the mastery of the system – the sheer size of the tunnel entrance. The half day tour costs USD$38. Chợ Lớn is the district in Ho Chi Minh City where Vietnamese would call “Chinatown”. It is the largest of its kind in Vietnam and lies on the west bank of the Saigon River. We alighted at Bình Tây Market which is less touristy than Bến Thành Market. Remember to check out the amazing deals you can snap up, from fermented duck eggs to a carton of Snickers’ bars going for only USD$3.20. Say banana wine and we are reminded of those medicated wines you use when you are injured. Upon drinking it, our bodies gave out a warm sensation. We also tried the roadside stalls selling Vietnamese spring rolls that cost 10,000 dong each. KFC in Vietnam, we found out that the chicken pieces were smaller, we had to utilise a plate, fork and knife while the motto is still “finger lickin’ good”. Glasses were used to serve our drinks which is much more environmentally-friendly. The residents of the Mekong Delta area is said to be poorer due to agricultural activities. The visit costs USD$58. It includes seeing a coconut kingdom and how candies are made, eat tropical fruits, have lunch and listen to folk music, it was overall an eye-opener. We did not expect to see buffaloes at work, and it was spectacular. Imagine buffaloes with a nose ring and in the water, a priceless experience. Do you know we tried to buy all the different kinds of beer that is uniquely Vietnam? But gifts of the beer brand’s logo being imprinted on the various t-shirts are good alternatives. Hạnh phúc đi du lịch!  Read More →

Written by Our Correspondent YPAP member and Eunos grassroots leader Mr Sear Hock Rong had challenged netizens who questioned his integrity "to make a report to the relevant authorities anytime." Mr Sear was embroiled in a controversy of late when it was revealed online that his company R2E Concepts count among its clients several grassroots organizations in Eunos where he served as the Chairman of the Eunos Community Club Youth Executive Committee. He had come under intense public scrutiny after it was exposed that he was the YPAP member who posted confidential information about Mr Alex Tan's detention during his National Service on the YPAP Facebook. Mr Alex Tan had made the headlines in the papers recently by embarrassing the PAP MPs with difficult questions at a YPAP forum held last week. The stunning revelation sparked an outcry in cyberspace with many netizens posting on the YPAP Facebook Network Forum questioning Mr Sear if there is a conflict of interest. For some strange reasons, Mr Sear had kept clear of defending himself, leaving it instead to his fellow YPAP member Mr Edgar Kieu to speak on his behalf. Mr Kieu admitted that there is a "conflict of interest" between Mr Sear's job and his grassroots work, but he claimed "that there are meticulous checks involved with both internal and external audits and processes involved in the decision making." "Conflict of interests should be managed appropriately. There is no difference between the total avoidance of the conflict and appropriate management of this conflict of interest in the decision making outcome," he wrote. In his latest blog entry after three days of "inactivity", Mr Sear chose to attack the credibility of the netizen - "mrbell" who posted the question on the YPAP Facebook Network instead of addressing the pervasive public perception that there is a "conflict of interest". He did not answer questions as to why his company which was formed only 6 months ago, was able to obtain so many clients in such a short period of time including several Eunos grassroots organizations. Mr Sear wrote that he traced "mrbell" to the 3in1kopitiam forum and posted screenshots of "mrbell" posting vulgarities on his blog. He claimed that "mrbell" belonged to a group of forumers who named themselves the "YPAP Counterstrike Squad": ""Screenshot of the YPAP Counterstrike Squad "nominal roll". This seemed like planning a terrorist attack" He also alleged that Alex is "thinking of "roasting" Sam Tan (refering to MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC, Mr Sam Tan)." Mr Sear wrote that "it was worrying to see this group of netizens so bitter about the PAP and their lives. They seemed to spend most of their time in the 3in1kopitiam and other online platforms complaining." He taunted his online critics for not having the courage to reveal their identities in real life so that they can be "evaluated" by other netizens too: "Why have they decided to use a nickname and not their real names? Are they prepared to be evaluated by other Netizens too? "Mrbell Mrbell" and his members should also show their real identities and be subjected to scrutiny. Will they face up to this challenge?" Mr Alex Tan had issued a challenge to the YPAP for a public debate on national issues at Speaker's Corner on his blog last week and has yet to receive a reply from any YPAP member. Mr Edgar Kiew insists that there is no need to "debate" with Mr Alex Tan as he is not interested to engage the YPAP at all. YPAP has been trying to reach out to the online community in the last few months. With the elections around the corner, the votes of the younger generation will become more and more important. It appears that despite the rosy picture painted by the state media, there remains a segment of the population which is strongly opposed to the PAP like Mr Alex Tan. YPAP Chairman Teo Ser Luck and his deputy Zaqy Mohamad, which have been charged with winning young Singaporeans over to the PAP, appear to have an impossible task on their hands. Neither Mr Teo or Mr Zaqy have commented on the on-going saga yet. They must be hoping that Mr Alex Tan belongs to the minority of the netizens rather than the majority. DISCLAIMER: All the information published here are obtained from Mr Sear Hock Rong’s blog which is in public domain and are used solely for the purpose of reporting. Copyright © The Temasek Review, 2009 Related articles: 1. Netizen questions if there is conflict of  interest between Mr Sear Hock Rong's job and his grassroots work 1. YPAP member demands Temasek Review apologize for “putting PAP in a bad light” 2. Identity of YPAP member who leaked Alex Tan’s DB record on Facebook 3. Alex Tan to YPAP members: Don’t be cowards on Facebook 4. Alex Tan challenges YPAP to public debate at Speaker’s corner 5. YPAP member slammed by netizens for revealing critic’s detention record 6. YPAP member resorts to smearing critic’s character to silence him 7. PAP MP De Souza: More robust debate from PAP than opposition MPs  Read More →