Are you sick and tired of Lee Kuan Yew hogging the headlines?

There has been a flood of stories published in the state media about Lee Kuan Yew. After analysing them, I can tell that there's a standard formula that the Straits Times uses when dealing with LKY news.

1. Quote verbatim from his speeches, no matter how long, and make sure it screams "MM Lee" on the front page.

2. Better still, publish his whole speech in ST.

3. Add a "commentary" by ST political editors like Chua Lee Hoong, which will reemphasise why LKY is absolutely right and again quote extensively from his speech.

4. Publish several follow-up articles quoting ministers, MPs, businessmen, grassroots leaders, new citizens and PRs falling over themselves to praise LKY's "foresight" and "visions".

5. Round off with a slew of letters to the forum by ghost writers praising LKY with phrases such as the "founding father", "great statesman", "unparalleled wisdom", "genius", "I am grateful", "in awe", "strong leader", "without him Singapore would have been doomed", blah, blah, blah.

6. Repeat from step 1 for next LKY remarks.

Having said that, I'm sure those that still read ST or watch Mediacorp must be sick and tired of seeing LKY's face and words all the time. It's as if this man cannot pass a day without looking for publicity. It has gotten so bad that I automatically skip any story with "Lee Kuan Yew" in it.

I think Singaporeans have better things to do, like competing with foreigners invited by Lee, than paying attention to an old man who refuses a long-overdue retirement and rattles on and off.

PAP probably thought no S'porean would bother to check

Amid the widespread outrage and disgust over the HDB's decision to work with the PAP losers to implement the LUP in opposition wards, the Temasek Review has discovered that the law clearly states who is in charge of implementing LUPs.

The Town Council Act (CAP 329A) states:

Power to carry out lift upgrading works and recover improvement contributions
24D. —(1) As soon as practicable after the Minister has given his approval under section 24C (3) (b), the Town Council concerned shall carry out the lift upgrading works in the precinct in such manner as the Town Council thinks fit.

So it is very clear that the PAP has illegally acted by trying to cut out the opposition MP, who manages the town council, from the process and substituting him with its own "grassroots advisor" a.k.a. "loser" who has no legal authority to be involved at all.

It is an absolute disgrace that our government treats elected officials with so much disregard and contempt. They probably thought that no Singaporean would bother to check the statutes and that they would get away with it. How wrong they are!

This issue has been dragging on for too long. The only way to resolve it is for the government to immediately cut all dealings with PAP losers Eric Low and Sitoh Yi Pin and start engaging with Mr Chiam See Tong and Mr Low Thia Khiang, who are the duly elected representatives that deserve the honour of guiding the project to fruition.

From credible to absurd: PAP views on press freedom ranking

The PAP seems unable to make up its mind over the press freedom ranking given to Singapore by Reporters Without Borders.

Just a few days ago, MP Zaqy Mohamad claimed that the ranking showed that Singapore's media was "credible". Now Law Minister K. Shanmugam has done an about-turn and claimed that the ranking is "absurd".

Singaporeans all know that the local press is thoroughly corrupted by PAP control and influence. No matter how much PAP MPs and Ministers kick up a ruckus, that is the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Trying to defend the local press is as ridiculous as defending the use of PAP losers to announce LUP projects in opposition wards.

The Straits Times even found it necessary to print Shanmugam's full speech as though its the PAP's PR agency. This action itself already proves that Singapore's press deserves its pathetic ranking.

As more Singaporeans migrate to the Internet for "real" news, the PAP's cronies in SPH and Mediacorp will increasingly find themselves ignored and ridiculed.

Offering LUP to opposition wards is govt's responsibility, not act of "goodwill"

An unusually critical article appeared in the Straits Times today. Written by Sue-Ann Chia, it mildly chided the government for its mishandling of the LUP issue in opposition wards. While the article was generally OK, I take offence with the last paragraph:

When the Government announced in July that the LUP would be applied to ageing HDB flats in Potong Pasir and Hougang earlier than expected, many Singaporeans saw it as an act of political goodwill, recognising that all citizens - regardless of who they voted for - should benefit from national schemes.

Unfortunately, that act of goodwill was marred in its execution: In this case, MND's insistence on working only with the appointed grassroots representatives instead of the elected opposition MPs."

Offering the LUP to Hougang and Potong Pasir is not based on the "goodwill" of the government. It is the government's responsibility to upgrade all public housing, regardless of the political party representing the area it is in.

The people of Potong Pasir and Hougang have no obligation to be grateful to the PAP government for offering the LUP because it is simply the duty of the government.

The PAP is acting as if Singaporeans must prostrate before it for being benevolent and gracious in bestowing "goodwill" when in reality it is just making a big show of offering something we are entitled to in the first place.

What a disgraceful government we have!

Uniquely Singapore: 133rd press is "credible"

I read with much amusement the statement by MP Zaqy Mohamad saying that the improved press freedom ranking "underlines that our press remains credible especially in the face of challenges like the new media".

That such an idiotic statement is coming from a PAP MP is not surprising at all, considering the other recent statements by PAP MPs and ministers. Examples include Mah Bow Tan's declaration that "HDB flats are affordable", and MM Lee's claim that we have "a first-world government".

When Reporters Without Borders ranked Singapore 147th in 2004, there were howls of protest from then PM Goh and then SM Lee.

According to this AP report:

This model has evolved out of our special circumstances and has enabled our media to contribute to nation building,'' he[Lee Boon Yang] said, adding the government simply "did not agree'' with the organisation's rankings, which were released late last month."

Five years later, the ranking is suddenly accepted as proving Singapore's media as "credible".

Most Singaporeans think very poorly of the blatantly biased and subservient media. They are sick and tired of the endless propaganda published day after day.

The PAP can celebrate their 133rd "credible" press all they want. Singaporeans will just continue turning to the internet for news on the real sentiment on the ground.

And to Mr Zaqy, we do not need hip hop dancing MPs. Common sense and humility will do.

PAP Minister and MP can't be bothered with Singaporeans

The reply by Mah Bow Tan's press secretary published yesterday was very predictable. It was written in very condescending language that displays the minister's arrogance in its full glory for all Singaporeans to see.

The letter tries to justify the government's total disregard for the elected representatives of Hougang and Potong Pasir. It prefers to work through its self-appointed 'advisors', never mind that they have been rejected not once, but twice, by voters.

Mah has been ignoring the growing chorus of condemnation over the HDB's handling of the issue. He probably hopes that the issue will die away. But it won't, because the difficulties faced by Singaporeans in getting flats and paying for them are a constant reminder of Mah Bow Tan's incompetence and arrogance.

Another PAP MP, Teo Ho Pin, has also come under fire for his half-hearted reply to the SDP's letter seeking his stand on the matter of Fajar market. Even if Teo hates the SDP, Gandhi Ambalam, as an ordinary Singapore citizen, has every right to ask an elected official for his views on issues.

Both Mah Bow Tan and Teo Ho Pin have shown total disregard and disrespect to Singaporeans. Their lack of effort to engage us on issues reinforces the widely held view that the PAP can't be bothered with us at all. It's either their way or no way.

Our views are not heard. Our concerns are brushed off. Even our elected representatives are completely ignored and ridiculed.

Mah Bow Tan and Teo Ho Pin should be kicked out in the next election.


Ministry: MP Low wrong on lift upgrading

I REFER to last Saturday's letter by Member of Parliament for Hougang Low Thia Khiang, 'No basis for MP not to announce lift upgrading'.

The joint letter last Friday by the Housing and Development Board (HDB) and the People's Association ('Why grassroots advisers announce lift upgrading') should be read in conjunction with Minister for National Development Mah Bow Tan's explanation to the media last Wednesday.

As Mr Mah highlighted, HDB's upgrading programmes are carried out and funded by the Government. This is no different from other government programmes such as the building of roads and schools.

These programmes have to be implemented through government channels. In the case of HDB upgrading, this channel is the advisers to grassroots organisations, who are appointed by the Government. Opposition MPs are not answerable to the Government, nor are they obliged to carry out and explain the Government's policies.

The Government pays up to 90 per cent of the cost of the Lift Upgrading Programme (LUP), with the rest shared between the residents (5 per cent) and the town councils (5 per cent). Funding for LUP is possible only because of the Government and the Budget surpluses it has generated through prudent policies.

Opposition MPs are not responsible for generating budget surpluses. There is therefore no basis for opposition MPs to lead the LUP - a national programme funded mainly by the Government. Mr Low is mistaken when he cites the 'will of the people' expressed in general elections to justify why he should play a leading role in the LUP in Hougang. The will of the people expressed in general elections is to elect a government for the country as a whole; and not to elect separate local governments for each constituency.

Singapore has a one-level system of government. MPs, whether People's Action Party or opposition, do not constitute a local government in their constituency.

However, MPs do have a role in running town councils. Their role in town management and maintenance is clearly defined in the Town Councils Act, and does not extend to implementing government programmes such as the LUP.

Lim Yuin Chien
Press Secretary to the
Minister for National Development

Source: ST Forum

China woman took up Singapore PR for 'easier travel'

I read with outrage a ST Forum letter written by a China national praising Zhang Yuan Yuan, the Singapore PR who declared her loyalty to China on CCTV.

It is already ridiculous that a China woman with just a diploma can apply and get PR status in just two months. Accusing Singaporeans of 'naivety' and 'insecurity' is plain outrageous!

The fact that Ms Zhang does not hide her true intention of getting PR for the purpose of easier travel is not an indication of her 'pragmatism' or 'motivation'. It is a perfect example of a greedy foreigner taking advantage of the PAP's overly liberal immigration policies for personal benefit. Period.

If Ms Zhang misses home and wants to take advantage of opportunities there, then why apply for Singapore PR in the first place?

In my opinion, foreigners should not be eligible for PR until they have worked here for at least two years in a skilled profession. And within a period of 10 years as PRs, they must become Singapore Citizens or have their PR status cancelled.

This will prevent greedy foreigners like Ms Zhang from parachuting into Singapore, get PR in two months, study for five years and then hop back to China.

Update: I agree with redbean that blaming Ms Zhang is pointless if we do not reform our own immigration laws first. That is why I put forth my suggestions above. This post is not meant to put blame on Ms Zhang. I am only rebutting the letter praising her. I thank redbean for his views.


S'pore PR in China parade deserves praise

UNLIKE some netizens, I am not surprised or offended by the decision of Singapore permanent resident Zhang Yuan Yuan to participate in China's National Day parade two weeks ago ('S'pore PR draws online flak over CCTV interview', yesterday).

The outcry reflects netizens' naivety in thinking that PRs will renounce their citizenship and show undivided loyalty to Singapore once they obtain their blue identity card. It also reveals the insecurity of Singaporeans compared to the motivation of global citizens like Ms Zhang.

The reasons given by Ms Zhang for her decision show a highly motivated and pragmatic individual who did not forget her roots. She does not hide the fact that she applied for Singapore PR simply to make it easier to travel between Singapore and China, while she improved her English and obtained a degree during her five-year stay in the Republic.

Ms Zhang returned to China because of growing opportunities there, and she missed home and wanted to spend more time with her parents. Since she was nominated by her company to participate in the military parade, her participation may also enhance her career.

The Government expects Singaporeans to be global citizens, to go global but stay rooted in Singapore. In her own way, Ms Zhang is doing just that.

Source: ST Forum