TR EMERITUS

I refer to the Oct 22, 2009 article “'Adviser over MP' raises many questions” by Sue-Ann Chia.  I agree with Ms Chia that by appointing PAP candidates in the opposition-held wards as grassroots advisers, the government not only perpetrates an anomaly in parliamentary democracy, as the Member of Parliament, being the mandated local representative of the constituency, is bypassed in the management of such local program such as the lift upgrading program, it also casts doubts on the impartiality of a governmental organization, namely, the People’s Association. Established as a statutory board to promote racial harmony and social cohesion, the People’s Association is in all essence and forms, a governmental organization. Funded by the taxpayers of Singapore, the mission of the People’s Association to achieve one people, one Singapore is being executed through a wide range of programmes and services to cater to the needs and interests of Singaporeans from all walks of life. It is therefore logical that the Prime Minister, being the head of government of Singapore, is mandated by law to be the Chairman of the People’s Association. (People’s Association Act, 1960) It has never been a point of contention where PAP Member of Parliaments are appointed advisers to the local grassroots organization within the People’s Association, as they are the mandated local representatives of the constituencies.  However, such practice is not followed in opposition held wards.  By appointing PAP candidates, rather than the opposition MPs, as the advisers to the local grassroots organization, the People’s Association has  effectively made itself a party organ of the ruling PAP. Unlike communist states whereby State and Party is but one and inseparable, Singapore, being a parliamentary democracy, must observe a strict and clear separation between state and party.  No matter how entrenched and powerful the ruling party is, it is not part of the state machinery and should never infringe on governmental organizations to further its political objectives. By appointing PAP candidates as grassroots advisers in Opposition held wards, the government is effectively bringing partisan politics into governmental institutions.  Using the PA as a vehicle for PAP candidates as grounds to gain political capital so that they may fight their next battle with more goodwill, the governmental risks costing itself the position of Singapore as a Parliamentary Democracy; and put Singapore in par with communist states like Cuba, China and North Korea. By bringing partisan politics into grassroots organization, the government is also driving a thin end of the wedge which will cause unease over likely politicization of the state machinery further.  Will we one day see political commissars in the armed forces, as is practiced by communist states?  What if a GRC or two were to be won by the Opposition?  Will we then see even more losing PAP candidates taking up roles as advisers to local grassroots organizations, thus effectively bypassing the MPs in the managing of the welfare programs of the people they represent? Let the grassroots organizations live up to its true objective – a unifying, rather than divisive institution that brings Singaporeans from all walks of life together.  If it is to stay as an organization by the people and for the people, then partisan politics should have no place in it.   Liew Shiau Min 　　　 　　　  Read More →

From our Correspondent One of the founding members of the Reform Party, Balldev Naidu Ragavan will be extradicted to U.S. on suspected terrorism charges. Mr Naidu is alleged to have conspired with another Singaporean, Haniffa Osman, who is now behind bars in a US prison for trying to buy weapons for Sri Lankan rebel outfit, the Tamil Tigers. Haniffa, 57, pleaded guilty a year ago and was given 37 months' jail by a Baltimore court. Naidu is said to have, between February and September 2006, acted as a broker and middleman between firearm manufacturers and purchasers and/or end-users. The Singapore Law Minister has ordered Mr Naidu to be surrendered to the US authorities. A warrant of apprehension was issued against him for conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organisation and possession of a firearm under the United States Code. These charges correspond to the Terrorism (Suppression of Financing) Act here. Naidu, also known as Balraj Naidu Ragavan, did not challenge yesterday's proceedings to surrender him, but denies the wrongdoings. Lawyer Jonathan Tan said his client was claiming his right to a full trial in the United States. Reform Party Secretary-General Kenneth Jeyaretnam had earlier expressed support for Mr Naidu, saying that the party will "stand behind" him.  Read More →

From our Correspondent In yet another sign that the Singapore government is unlikely to make any wholesale changes to its liberal immigration policies to allay the concerns and angsts of Singaporeans, senior PAP leader and minister in the Prime Minister's Office Lim Boon Heng hailed the "contributions" of foreigners to Singapore. Mr Lim cited a photo he received of workers celebrating the completion of tunnelling work for the Circle Line as an example of foreign workers' contributions here. During a PAP event yesterday, the ministers were peppered with questions on the rising number of foreigners in Singapore. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong added: "But if I didn't have foreign workers, would you be able to build HDB flats, would Singaporeans be building the flats? If I didn't have foreign workers for my factories, would I have wafer fabs here, would I have petrochemical plants here.......A single foreign chief executive who knows his business and has the experience to run a bank or factory can create hundreds of jobs for Singaporeans and others," he said. PM Lee is using oft-repeated circular arguments that foreigners are needed to create jobs for Singaporeans and to take up jobs that locals are not keen to do like in the construction sector. While Singaporeans accept and understand that we need foreigners in crucial sectors of the industry, they are alarmed at the increasingly numbers of semi-skilled professionals who are competing with them directly for jobs. For example, there was a furore a few weeks ago on a China national and Singapore PR Zhang Yuanyuan who proclaimed her loyalty to China on Chinese TV. PAP ministers and MPs were quick to dismiss the concerns of netizens as an "over-reaction", but chose to turn a blind eye to the crux of the issue. It was revealed that Ms Zhang came to Singapore on a study pass with only a diploma from an unknown institution in China. She became a PR within 2 months of application while working as a Chinese teacher! With due respect to Ms Zhang, she is not really considered a professional. Her job can be easily taken up by locals. Till today, the authorities are still unable or unwilling to explain why Ms Zhang was given a Singapore PR within such a short span of time when she had already indicated that she only took up the Singapore PR to facilitate travel between China and Singapore. PM Lee said during his national rally speech in August that he "understood" the concerns of Singaporeans over the rising numbers of foreigners in Singapore and would "slow" their intake. It appeared from his latest speech that he did not really have the intention or committment to do so. Is PM Lee merely paying lip service to Singaporeans? According to latest statistics released by the National Population Secretariat, foreigners now make up about 36 per cent of the population. This means that one of out three people you meet in the street is a foreigner. Singapore citizens pay taxes and serve National Service, but they are entitled to few social welfare benefits from the government. On the other hand, the government has no qualms splurging millions of dollars to make the newcomers feel "welcome" at home. A $10 million dollar community integration fund was launched lately to sponsor programs to help foreigners "integrate". This includes free language lessons for foreigners. In other countries like Australia and Canada, prospective immigrants must pass an English proficiency test (in Quebec, both English and French) before they are even allowed to set foot on their land. It is no surprise why the ruling party is "sucking up" on foreigners. PRs and new citizens are routinely recruited to join grassroots organizations. New citizens know little about the ruling party's chequered past and are more inclined to vote for them. With native Singaporeans becoming increasingly frustrated and disgruntled with PAP rule, the new citizens will form a powerful voting bloc to dilute the opposition vote so as to keep the ruling party eternally in power.     Related articles: >> State media: citizens have more rights over PRs >> Zhang Yuanyuan got her Singapore PR in only 2 months >> Official reply from government on the Zhang Yuanyuan fiasco >> Singapore PRC PR proclaimed loyalty to China publicly >> PRC resident hung China flag to celebrate its National Day >> PRC student in Singapore wants more scholarships for foreigners >> PRC prostitutes solicit for customers on Singapore’s cyberspace >> ERA: 40 per cent of resale flats buyers are PRs   EDITORS’ NOTE: If you like our work and would like to support us, please transfer your donations via paypal to our account ([email protected]). Any amount will be greatly appreciated! Alternatively, you can also help boost our advertising revenue by clicking on the ads displayed. Thank you! Join our tweet at: http://www.twitter.com/temasekreview  Read More →