TR EMERITUS

1 In a Facebook post on 15 Dec 2019 (“SDP’s 15 Dec Post”), the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) claims that it had based its assertion about “a rising proportion of Singapore PMETs getting retrenched” on news reports, including one by The Straits Times (“PMETs make up rising share of retrenched locals”, 15 March 2019). 2 What the ST report means is that among all retrenched locals (7,070 in 2018), the number of PMETs among them has risen. This is fundamentally different from what the SDP says, which is that among Singapore PMETs (1,254,000 in 2018), the number getting retrenched has risen. SDP’s statement is wrong - among local PMETs, the number retrenched has declined from 6,460 in 2015 to 5,360 in 2018. 3 MOM further explained the context in Parliament on 1 April 2019 (ST subsequently published a report on MOM’s explanation as well). The Parliamentary response stated that there are now more locals employed in PMET jobs. As a result, in a retrenchment exercise, more of the locals affected could be PMETs. However, retrenchments have not been rising. In fact, in 2018, the number of local PMETs retrenched (5,360) was the lowest since 2014. 4 The two key points which MOM has highlighted in the correction notices are: There is no rising trend of local PMET retrenchment. Local PMET employment has in fact increased consistently and continues to do so. 5 This is very different from the picture painted by the SDP. 6 In this period of economic uncertainty, it is understandable that Singaporeans are concerned about jobs. MOM’s objective in pointing out false and misleading statements is to ensure that public debate on the important issue of jobs are based on accurate facts. 7 This statement provides MOM’s clarification on the more salient points in SDP’s 15 Dec Post, and is not intended to provide an exhaustive response. In this regard, we note that SDP has responded to the Correction Directions issued by POFMA Office, and stated its intent to apply for the cancellation of the Directions. We will consider the grounds of their application should it be submitted. Dated: 15th Dec 2019      Read More →

The weather in the past few days has been colder than usual - it has been raining throughout the day and temperatures has been in the low 20°C range. If being homeless is tough, these few days it would have been tougher, colder & more miserable. Are our elderly collecting cardboard for exercise? Apparently out of touch elitist Ministers in their ivory castle towers, think so. That elderly folks collect cardboard for exercise. Our Pioneer & Merdeka generations have been working and are still working into their old age. Do we want our old folks to be walking the streets collecting cardboard & used drink cans in their old age to make a living? At this time instead of the establishment social services, the government bodies & institutions helping these homeless people, they instead throw hurdles at Singaporeans who actually care, help & go around giving blankets & sleeping bags. Why is our government social services so worried about independent activists, volunteers & do good-ers? Why isn't the government social services going out to meet the homeless on cold & rainy days & nights like these, themselves? Why is there a need for police permit to help the needy, homeless & less fortunate? Which other country in the world, requires police permits to go out in public to help the needy, the homeless & the less fortunate? 1) Gilbert Goh's night out with the homeless was not the only event that was canceled due to the need of requiring a police permit. 2) Happy People Helping People's "A mile in their shoes" aimed at helping elderly cardboard collectors was also canceled due to "need of police permit" This is sending out a wrong message to the public & their perception, especially to the patriotic, caring citizens with a big heart, who care & have a thought for poor, less fortunate, needy, homeless & unemployed fellow human beings, that helping these group of people is a crime.   Prabu Ramachandran      Read More →

This notorious law, POFMA or Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act, passed with much 'wayang' in May 2019, has claimed its third victim, the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) yesterday. I hope the party will give the Minister of Manpower Josephine Teo a good fight. In a matter of three weeks, our million dollar ministers – Heng Swee Keat, K Shanmugam and Josephine Teo have issued a multitude of POFMA correction directions against three parties. Who will be the next victim? And which minister will issue the 4th notice? How many more ministers will issue more notices? It seems that the ministers are now busy searching for victims! Maybe it is for the purpose of muffling voices before the next general election which is rumored to be March 2020. Pending criminal defamation cases and civil claims have not drowned all voices. Who can escape the net and who cannot? This is not for us to decide! Only ministers have the power under POFMA. Don’t ever think that those who are prosecuted or persecuted today have been careless, lazy or ill informed. Don’t think that only good writers like Bowyer and the SDP qualify as victims. Victims can be any one! Does this mean that we should all feel terrified, disheartened and stop writing and commenting on daily incidents and injustices? That would mean POFMA and all those insane laws have succeeded in turning us into docile and compliant citizens who have no rights and no freedom of speech and expression. That would also mean that we have abdicated our duty as citizens in a democratic country. Shall we wait for celestial intervention? This of course will be the easiest way and it would please the PAP government. Or worse, loudly pray for them to change their ways! Just remember celestial beings if they exist, don’t care about what happens on earth. We can destroy our world and disappear the human race if we choose to. We have a choice. Do nothing or continue to write and expose injustices, miniscule as it may be when compared to war torn countries and even our neighbours. Many of us like to make such comparisons when they urge critics to be silent and be grateful to the government. If we don’t want Singapore to join these broken countries, I think we have to continue to speak up. Our audience may be small compared to the PAP. But never forget that tiny drops of water make the mighty ocean. And the roots of a tree can crack the pavement.    Teo Soh Lung      Read More →