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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

There is no Winner, no Victory and no Contest in Covid-19 narratives

There is no Winner, no Victory and no Contest in Covid-19 narratives

There is only Truth to be discovered & made known. Right or Wrong may be relative but Truth is absolute. Sadly, the Potentially Devastating impacts of Truth will be absolute as well. The heavily vaccinated (V) may suffer tremendously but the UnV doesn't live on unscarred either. There are more and more people who were Pro V awakening to the cruel reality amidst the numerous studies that have indicated many of the narratives and predictions made by the alternative experts are coming true, but they still think we the Pure Blood or "Anti V" are "just lucky" by being "distrustful" of the establishment. They opined that they were the ones who are "scientific" and "data driven", but their decision on V was wrong either because there isn't enough data, data was corrupt or they were simply misled by the establishment. Nope. We the Pure Blood aren't just silly "Conspiracy Theorists" who are just being "emotional" and simply "distrustful" of authorities or nutty people who are just lucky in "making our bets". This is not a game of cards, this is a matter of life and death. Right from the start, there wasn't any Scientific Consensus over this mRNA vaccine, not even a consensus over the Covid-19 (CV). BUT massive censorship enforced by the Big Tech and Big Pharma created a delusional perception of scientific consensus. Science, is NEVER about censorship, it never needs censorship. In history, when draconian censorship was applied to scientific matters, it was all political motivation which were all eventually proven wrong with tragedy. Pure Blood like me, may not be the smartest and intelligent people around, but we are definitely no idiot. We are extremely discerning and we analyse data as it is, without tainted political or commercial agenda, not even about the agenda of "winning" any argument, contest or debate. We may be mindful with skeptism of the massive conflicts of interests among the big players but we are not side blinded by it. Neither were we overwhelmed by emotions of Fear or Anger. We just calling it a spade when seeing a spade. Extremely intelligent people may not be wise and become foolish at times, basically because they are affected by emotions, especially irrational fear in their subconsciousness which they always refuse to acknowledge. The Data and the lack of it were always there. It's just that Pure Blood analyse it calmly and rationally. If we do not have enough data, like the long term safety and efficacy data, we acknowledge it and recognize it's a great potential danger to jump into it. But not the Pro V people. They believe in the so call experts and thought that by doing so, they are believing in Science. That's why Dr Fauci declared, "I am science" thus, giving assurance to these intelligent Pro V people that believing in him means believing in Science! But wait, doesn't that sound like believing in a religion instead? Science is NEVER a thing that could be anointed upon a single person! Even scientists could be proven wrong in history! Believing in the safety and efficacy of a V when there is apparently no long term data on it, is definitely not believing in Science but basically making a gamble. Only people who gamble, will end up with a result of win or lose. Pure Blood like me, don't gamble with our health and lives. That's where the wisdom lies. You don't need to be exceptionally intelligent and smart to be wise. You just need a balanced rational mind void of emotional interferences in consciousness or subconsciousness, added with a strong logical Learning of common sense. Pure Blood like me are just true follower of scientific principles of examination and discovery. We don't just believe. We follow the scientific way of doing proper scientific analysis. We always believe we know what we know, we must also know what we don't know. We don't anyhow trust anyone. When real world data & information started to trickle in, it is pretty obvious to our balanced minds something is not right and it strengthen our position not to rush into getting vaccinated. We don't believe we are the only smartest people around and those experts in the establishment should see what we are seeing. But it puzzled us when they did exactly the reverse instead of becoming more cautious. It even makes us think hard why the establishment was so eager to push V using all measures like VDS, no jab no job etc to force people V but refused to acknowledge the numerous harm that has been brought upon the V people! This is inspite of the fact that everyone knows this so call V doesn't even prevent infec and transmission! This is despite the fact that confidential documents released has confirmed the potential harm, over 1200 of it, they were still pushing more for more V. Getting the vulnerable people to V is still arguably justifiable but to younger healthy people, even children to V when the data doesn't show any major risk of CV to them? That's not scientific to us, the Pure Blood. It's just pure madness. And I guess those who followed such irrational unthinking madness of continuing the V will be the first to turn into irrational Hysteria when the Real scientific consensus backed by enormous number of research reveals the Truth. Pure Blood like me, are the rational people with the means and courage to withstand all the nonsense thrown at us. It's not easy but there isn't any meaningful victory even when Truth proves us right. We are still victims to see our relatives and friends suffered in this whole madness of V.   Goh Meng Seng      Read More →

A new approach for SPH Media Trust

A new approach for SPH Media Trust

1. The government is setting aside $180 million a year over 5 years to fund SPH Media Trust. The aim is to provide Singaporeans with news from our perspective. 2. It is important that the perspective should be based on the interest of Singapore. It should not be slanted to promote the interest of the ruling party. 3. Our local news media rely on news feed from international agencies, such as Reuters, Associated Press, etc. We should not over-rely on the news feed from the western nations. We also take news feed from other Asian sources, such as Global News, CGTN, SCMP, Nikkei, Jakarta Post, New Straits Times. The aim is to have a balance of our news sources. 4. In reproducing the news feed, the journalist and editor of SPH should carry out this important task: a) Remove bias or distortion from the original news feed b) Add perspective from an alternative source to give it a balance. c) Ensure that the final article, as rewritten, carries a perspective that supports Singapore's interest. 5. With the use of the internet, it is quite easy to access news from many sources, and to present them in a balanced way to reflect a constructive and positive perspective. 6. SPH should also make use of ex journalists from Singapore. They worked in our Singapore media in the past and have accumulated considerable experience in writing and critical analysis. They form a useful resource. 7. SPH should also make it easy for readers to give their opinion. These views can be edited for accuracy, clarity and usefulness. This can be easily managed on the online platform. 8.The above suggestion also apply to another state funded media, namely Channel NewsAsia.   Tan Kin Lian      Read More →

The history of Special Branch and the Emergency

The history of Special Branch and the Emergency

My name is Yoong Siew Wah and I was a former director of ISD (Internal Security Department), the name adopted after Singapore became independent to replace Special Branch to divest the department from its colonial connotation. The Malayan Secret Service had no executive power and was replaced by Special Branch with executive power when the Emergency Regulation was declared in June 1948 following the armed struggle started by the Malayan Communist Party to capture power from the British. Malaya included Singapore in the rebellion by the MCP but the Communists could only carry out urban warfare in Singapore because there was no jungle. Mr Yoong Siew Wah The situation was extremely turbulent but as they operated underground it really overstretched the security authorities to capture them.They overawed the public with their assassination of so-called traitors and reactionaries including Special Branch officers and the proliferation of arson of buses of the British-owned Singapore Traction Company. The Chinese bus company targeted by them was he Tay Koh Yat Bus Company owned by a prominent KMT figure Tay Koh Yat. Tay Koh Yat although a septuagenarian was a sprightly courageous toughie who laid in ambush one night to surprise communist arsonists who torched his buses. Sure enough the young communist arsonists unsuspectingly turned up to torch one of his buses. Tay Koh Yat, alone and unarmed, promptly pounced on them and pursued them when they fled, but as it was age versus youth he failed to apprehend any of them. He was praised by the press and sympathetic members of the public, especially the Chinese community. But what really honored him was the personal praise of the British Governor. Fellow Special Branch officers were in the front line fighting the communists. We were extremely vulnerable as we were prime targets for assassination by their killer squad. We were in the open and they were in the dark and they knew our routine in leaving our homes for the office. However it was fortunate that no Special Branch officer had been assassinated but some CID detectives who were regarded as notorious and corrupt were bumped off by the communist assassins without knowing who or what hit them. The communist killer squad had still not been captured on the Special Branch radar and it was so demoralising and quite challenging to ferret them out and demolish them as they were too elusive. When I was Special Branch duty officer for the first time a pineapple tycoon Lim Teck Kin was assassinated by the communist killer squad. He owned a pineapple factory in Johore and the communist targeted him because he was seen as an oppressor of his workers. So when he left his house in East Coast Road in the morning in his car driven by his Malay driver had to stop at the entrance to see that the road was clear two communist assassins suddenly appeared in front of his car and bumped two bullets into him and he simply perished.The Malay driver was so deeply shocked that he could not remember how the two assassins looked like. As luck would have it fate too a hand in terminating the murderous career of the head of the communist killer squad known as Tit Fung (the iron spearhead). A police radio patrol commanded by a police lieutenant was making a routine check in Albert Street in June 1952 and came upon three Chinese at a coffee stall. They checked the three Chinese and the Malay corporal was searching one of them when the suspect suddenly decamped and fled along Albert Street. The police lieutenant and the corporal gave chase but the suspect had already fled quite a distance. An Englishman was driving along Albert Street and saw the fleeing suspect and the police officers pursuing behind. Out of civic-mindedness the Englishman drove his car and knocked down the suspect which enable the police to arrest him. Communist documents which were in the form of messages were found on him. He was taken to the Beach Road Police Station and the Special Branch was promptly notified. It so happened that a deputy of Tit Fung was on his way to surrender to Special Branch when he was arrested. He was targeted for assassination by Tit Fung for suspected party betrayal and he immediately identified the suspect as Tit Fung the head of the communist killer squad. This turned out to be a significant capture of a leading communist killer and was a great credit to the police officers who made the capture and the highly commendable public-spirited Englishman who made it possible for the police to arrest the notorious communist. Tit Fung, whose real name was Wong Fook Kwang, was the mastermind of all the assassinations of police officers and so-called traitors and reactionaries by the communist killer squad the he commanded. Therefore he had to be rigorously interrogated but fate was on his side when the doctor certified that he was seriously ill with tuberculosis and may not stand up to rigorous interrogation. He was sent to the lock-up ward of the General Hospital in Outram Prison. The Special Branch slipped up badly by not forbidding a woman claiming to be Tit Fung's mother from visiting him. The Malay police guard at the lock-up ward could not be expected to be vigilant enough to spot any messages passed on by the mother to Tit Fung. So on the night of 4th March 1953 when it was raining heavily Tit Fung was rescued by two of his subordinates who cut the wire netting and one of the iron bars of the lock-up ward and thus enabled him to escape. It was a heavy blow to the Special Branch but quite amazingly there was no witch-hunt to find a scapegoat to take the blame. DSP John Fairbairn was the officer in overall charge and it became his crusade to hunt down Tit Fung. He enlisted all the resources required for his mission including RAF reconnaissance when he finally received reliable information where Tit Fung was hiding. It was in a secondary forest in Pasir Laba in Jurong. So a massive operation was mounted at midnight on 9th July 1954 with the deployment of three hundred policemen surrounding the area and sweeping inwards. I was with British ASP Bob Phillip leading a party and we stumbled upon Tit Fung who was huddled together with his mistress in a lean-to shelter behind some undergrowth. He had a considerable amount of communist documents and drugs to keep him alive. He was captured with his mistress and brought to Special Branch, He was subjected to a series of criminal prosecutions but nothing to connect him with the assassinations. As it was undesirable to keep him in solitary confinement for any length of time he was eventually banished to China. The MCP armed struggle dis not go well for them. They suffered heavy casualties at the hands of British and Allied soldiers. In October 1951 chin Peng, MCP secretary-general convened a central committee meeting to discuss solution to their battle losses. They decided to open up a second front to complement their armed struggle. This was indeed a watershed decision as later events could show. They issued an edict which was proclaimed as "October Resolution" to all their divisions and branches all over Malaya and Singapore. In Singapore it was 1953/54 that the directive prominently manifested overnight in the proliferation of hundreds of pro-communist trade unions and organisations like the Brass Gong Society, the Singapore Women Federation, Chinese Middle School OBAs and others. Although it did not take Special Branch by surprise it was nevertheless a ommunist crusade of such a magnitude that it was extremely overawing. But Special Branch was unfazed as we had veteran top-notch security specialists like Alan Blades, Richard Corridon and Ahmad Khan and they were strongly backed by well-trained officers and inspectors. Out of this massive evolution of the Communist United Front out of nowhere emerged mystically a dynamic leader in the person of Lim Chin Siong. It was obvious that he could not be the undisputed leader of the CUF without the imprimatur of the MCP leader Chin Peng. That he became a major security threat to Singapore could only be gauged from his domination of the Chinese mass base with his charisma and prowess in directing and organising the CUF. A promising Cambridge-trained lawyer Lee Kuan Yew with highly ambitious political ambition but handicapped with the lack of a mass base latched on to Lim Chin Siong to provide him the mass base. But Lim Chin Siong was a sharp operator and not easily taken in by flattery and guile and Lee Kuan Yew soon found to his horror that Lim Chin Siong was indeed his insurmountable adversary. Both were trying to make use of one another. Lee Kuan Yew for communist support to capture power and Lim Chin Siong for providing a democratic cover for the communists to pursue their subversive activities to capture power. Lee Kuan Yew and his gallant political comrades could never be able to match Lim Chin Siong in any contest for power and would only end up in the wilderness. It would not be unimaginable that God played the part of a Divine Samaritan to rebound them back from the precipice. Special Branch with the imprimatur from Chief Minister Lim Yew Hock came to the rescue. Special Branch was able to take preemptive action by incarcerating Lim Chin Siong and all his leading activists so that Lee Kuan Yew and his PAP cronies escaped from being devoured by the communists. Dr. Toh Chin Chye and Dr, Goh Keng Swee promptly acknowledged that Lim Yew Hock had done them a great favor. It was obvious that this would pave the way for Lee Kuan Yew to make a landslide victory for the PAP in the 1959 general election and propelled him to become the prime minister of Singapore thus fulfilling his ambition. As expected there could not be without some witch-hunting by the over triumphant Lee Kuan Yew and his PAP cronies in flexing their muscle. Even Special Branch could not escape his scrutiny. And of course the docile civil servants were made an example of by having their salries docked quite hurtfully. Civil servants took the punishment in their stride as willy nilly they had to accept the PAP as their political masters. Lee Kuan Yew and his cronies realised that badgering the civil servants would not be in their interest in the long run and things gradually returned to be more humanitarian. Lee Kuan Yew told a group of leading world newspapermen that this was like a James Bond movie. American Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) tried to recruit me as their intelligence agent in1961. I played along in a ambivalent role and at the right moment a Special Branch task force which was lying in wait swooped on the CIA officers who were just finishing a final round of discussion on the mutual authenticity of intention in a safe house.The three CIA recruiting officers were arrested. A CIA officer working under cover of an Embassy First Secretary was declared a persona-non-grata and returned to the US. A polygraph was seized after a car chase. The high precision of the operation carried out by the Special Branch task force simply overawed the arrested CIA officers. The earth-shattering effect of this operation reverberated up to the White House and rattled the American President John Kennedy and his coterie of ministers. Lee Kuan Yew took the opportunity to raise his world political standing to such a dizzying height that it overawed President Kennedy. There was a demand for USD thirty million as some kind of compensation but President Kennedy offered USD one million which Lee Kuan Yew considered an insult and did not accept. The three CIA officers were detained for a short period and released after Lord Selkirk, the British High Commissioner pleaded with Lee Kuan Yew on behalf of the American government. Lim Chin Siong and his leading CUF activists like James Puthucheary and Fong Swee Suan were released when Lee Kuan Yew's PAP assumed power after a landslide victory in the 1959 general election. Lee Kuan Yew appointed Lim Chin Siong and Fong Swee Suan as political secretaries to constrain and keep an eye on them. As political secretaries they cannot get themselves involved in CUF activities. Lee Kuan Yew could not be so naive as to expect that they could be constrained for any lengthy period. With their ingenuity they were soon back to their former subversive leadership role in the CUF. This was something that Lim Chin Siong would be an invincible factor in the CUF which could lead to his Waterloo. This was not idle thinking of the potentiality of the invincibility of the CUF under the dynamic leadership of Lim Chin Siong to capture power eventually could not be averted. Lee Kuan Yew could only pray for God's help notwithstanding whether he was a believer. And sure enough his prayer had been answered in the person of George Bogaars as his Director of Special Branch. Although without security background he proved to be the most outstanding director that Special Branch had produced. He had in a very short time as the savior saint of Lee Kuan Yew carried out a complete modification of the CUF and enabled Lee Kuan Yew and his merry ministers to sleep peacefully without any communist phobia.Lee Kuan Yew relied heavily on George Bogaars for his survival and existence from the communists as well as the Malay ultras during Malaysia. Lord Selkirk, the British High Commissioner, was a genial and affable personality who was not unfriendly to Lim Chin Siong, James Puthucheary and heir leading activists. James Puthucheary was able to enchant Lord Selkirk to invite them to a tea party in the High Commission where James Puthucheary with his gap of the mouth managed to elicit a not indistinct assurance that the British would not be unamenable to the pro-communists capturing power in Singapore. This was like a fortune from the sky to the CUF leaders. They now have the British assurance from Lord Selkirk to go for broke to capture much to the horror of Lee Kuan Yew. Lord Selkirk was something of a maverick and would stand for his principle against anyone. This was so painfully clear to Lee Kuan Yew especially in the Internal Security Council (ISC) meeting to decide on whether to give approval to the execution of "Operation Coldstore". It was a brain- child of Lee Kuan Yew to cripple the CUF and he could only carry it out with the approval of the Internal Security Council. There was hard bargaining in the council with Lord Selkirk taking a firm stand of what he described as his minimalist stand. This meant the Lee Kuan Yew must produce evidence to show that the pro-communists were resorting to violence to capture power. Because the pro-communists had adopted a hands-off to violence after the 1956 riots which resulted in the incarceration of Lim Chin Siong and all the CUF leaders there could not be any evidence of impending violence by the CUF. Lee Kuan Yew was in a dilemma and depended entirely on the goodwill of Tungku Abdul Rahman to persuade Lord Selkirk to consent. After what seemed an eternity Tungku Abdul Rahman with all his rhetorical argument was able to convince Lord Selkirk to agree and the decision was passed at the ISC to give approval to "Operation Coldstore". Operation Coldstore executed on 2nd February 1963 completely wiped out the upper echelon of the CUF including Lim Chin Siong, James Puthucheary and Fong Swee Suan. Dr. Lee Siew Choh was spared to expose him as a caricature of a puppet exploited by the CUF to divert government recrimination.It took Lee all the ingenuity of Lee Kuan Yew to get the approval and put into action Operation Coldstore as a panacea for his continued political rule in Singapore without any further impediment from the CUF. His inhuman treatment of political opponents like Chia Thye oh and Dr. Lim Hock Siew could evoke a big question mark in the mind of the Singapore public and maybe some of the world leaders. Historians could not reconcile with their conscience to write an obituary after Lee Kuan Yew's demise. His impetuous adventure to prevail the PAP style of democracy in Malaysia had cused such a great uproar and horror to Tungku Abdul Rahman and his Malay Cabinet not to mention the Malay ultras that they finally decided to cut out Singapore from Malaysia. It was such a monument disaster to Lee Kan Yew's dream to spread his domination to Malaysia. But the break-up was a blessing to the Chinese community, especially the Chinese businessmen, who felt that they had been living under oppression under the Malaysian Administration. So Singapore became an independent country in August 1965 which should be a time for jubilation. But the economic situation had never been more gloomier. There was no common market and we were entirely at the mercy of any invaders as we had practically little or no defence. And above all we needed to have more foreign investments to survive. But we were fortunate to have top civil servants, Sim Kee Boon, JYV Pillay and others who performed titanic service to turn the fortune round. We had consummate help from the Israelis to build our  our army from scratch to what it is today. And Singapore became gradually prosperous to become the first class nation today. Could there have been some Divine benevolence? Lee kuan Yew relinquished his premiership to wooden Goh Chok Tong who to all appearances was a seat-warmer. But to his credit he dis quite a good job in enhancing the prosperity and standing of \Singapore. Lee Hsien Loong as the anointed heir of Lee Kuan Yew to succeed Goh Chok Tong as prime minister in Still in command of Singapore Administration. He tries to emulate his inimitable father Lee Kuan Yew but he needs to show more kindness and compassion and less avariciousness. I do not want to mention my case of grave injustice to avoid lessening his public standing.   Yoong Siew Wah   * The author was the Director of Singapore’s Internal Security Department (ISD) from 1971 to 1974. He was Director of the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) in the 1960s, and had a distinguished career in the Singapore Special Branch in the 1950s. Mr Yoong has granted TR Emeritus exclusive right to his memoir, to be published on an independent website (work in progress), upon his passing. All the above historic information and more details will be revealed in his memoir.            Read More →

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