TR EMERITUS – The Voice Of The Lunatic Fringe – 淡马锡评论 – formerly Temasek Review

NSP: Electoral reform proposal – Press invitation

ELECTORAL REFORM PROPOSAL: CONSTITUENCY RESERVED FOR MINORITY SCHEME Dear Members of the Media INVITATION TO ATTEND PRESS CONFERENCE Date: Wednesday, 2 July 2014 Time: 7.45pm to 9.30pm Place: NSP HQ 297 Jalan Besar Singapore 209007 Programme: 1. Presentation of NSP's Electoral Reform Proposal - The Constituency Reserved for Minority Scheme 2. Question & Answer Session BRIEF: A. The Group Representative Constituency (GRC) Scheme was incepted to uphold multi-racialism by guaranteeing minority representation in Parliament. B. However, the GRC Scheme hinders political competition, fortifies the incumbents and works against democracy. C. NSP proposes that the GRC Scheme be abolished, the nation reverts to single member constituencies and the Constituency Reserved for Minority (CRM) Scheme be implemented. D. The CRM Scheme will be as effective as the GRC Scheme to ensure a multi-racial Parliament but without exacting the heavy price on the democratic process as the GRC Scheme does. If you wish to attend, please email me at [email protected] and I will send you an embargoed copy of our CRM Paper for your review ahead of the Press Conference. Warm regards Jeannette Chong-Aruldoss, Secretary-General On behalf of the 15th Central Executive Committee of the NATIONAL SOLIDARITY PARTY Read More →

Standard Chartered warns of lower profits

(26 June 2014) Standard Chartered has said first-half operating profits will be 20% lower than a year earlier, blaming a slump in income from its financial markets business. The warning comes only three months after the Asia-focused lender reported its first fall in annual profits for a decade. The UK bank had been expected to show a modest bounce-back this year. But it said tougher regulations and low market volatility had hurt revenues. Chief executive Peter Sands said: "This has been a disappointing first half, with difficult trading conditions, particularly in financial markets. Read more: http://www.bbc.com/news/business-28031504 Read More →

Messy SG roadworks is a reflection of a messy regime

Our roads used to be smooth and not bumpy, even drawing praise from Malaysian friends who condemn their roads in their country for being full of potholes and the general poor upkeep. But look at the terrible condition of our roads now. Almost every road in Singapore from Pasir Ris to Bukit Timah to Yio Chu Kang is being dug up for one reason or the other. Even roads in private estates are being dug up. I think road users are annoyed. Why all the sudden need to dig up practically every road? Is this related to the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) with India? Under the Agreement Singapore is obliged to open its door to certain employment opportunities for Indian nationals. In the view of many road users who are irritated by the endless road works, day and night, this is why we see this digging up of roads everywhere. After such works, another team will come to pave the roads. Now that's not the end of the story. Weeks or months down the road, the same stretch of road will be dug up again and the whole process repeats itself. All this ceaseless roadworks annoy road users no end because they cause obstruction and congestion. Naturally the ones who are not complaining are the contractors. Why is there no coordination between the government departments concerned and organisations like the telcos, power companies and property developers? I can understand it if it's the result of an MRT construction. Every day you wake up to yet another case of road-digging activity. The result of all this digging is that we have the worst roads in the region. The intriguing question is how much taxpayers money is being squandered on this roadworks. Also, are these roadworks really necessary or merely to create work for foreigners? HARDY Read More →