TR EMERITUS

By Mariko Oi Asia Business Report, BBC World, Singapore Overlooking Singapore's central business district, construction workers are busy building a new high-end restaurant on the rooftop park of Marina Bay Sands hotel. Located on the 57th floor, the SkyPark is the latest attraction that Singapore boasts. Despite the ongoing construction, the hotels and the casino downstairs are already open to the public. So visitors, whether or not they like it, get a glimpse at the driving force behind Singapore's construction boom: foreign workers. Jay Chiu, chief executive of Grandworks, employs 150 of them to work on projects across the city state. Read rest of article here.  Read More →

Instead of addressing the questions raised by the critics of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) upfront directly and honestly, the two PAP leaders responsible for Singapore's biggest "wayang" continued to put up "smoke-screens" to obfuscate the crux of the issue and resorted to using the usual PAP rhetoric of "constructive versus destructive criticisms" to demolish and demonize them. The Singapore 2010 YOG is doomed to failure right from the very beginning, blighted by lack of genuine interest from Singaporeans and plagued by controversies such as mistreatment of YOG volunteers, a still to be resolved mass food poisoning scandal, ticketing glitches and the arrest of a young YOG critic for an innocuous Facebook comment by the Singapore police. In a press conference two days ago, PAP Sports Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan and his sidekick Teo Ser Luck tried rather unconvincingly to put up a defence for their abysmal performance. Not only did they refuse to apologize to Singaporeans for the YOG debacle, they lashed out at the critics for not "appreciating" their hard work. Dr Vivian Balakrishnan said nonchalantly that he ignored critics who did not give him any "constructive criticisms": "There are many people who are critical but constructive who send me suggestions on how to improve the games. They make a difference and improve our performance. Of course there are other people who just want to criticize. I didn't bother. Then there is the newspaper report (about the arrest of YOG critic Mr Abdul Malik), I didn't know about it till I read in the papers, it showed I almost didn't care. I have good feedback and suggestions from so many people," he was heard as saying on RazorTV. [Source: RazorTV] Mr Malik's arrest was reported by international media agency Agence France-Presse which minced no words in its verdict on the YOG: “The August 14-26 event, held for competitors aged from 14 to 18, has generated limited public interest, with many events blighted by empty seats and the host country’s athletes faring badly. Vivian Balakrishnan, the minister for community development, youth and sports, has come under particular fire from online critics over the games.” [Source: AFP, 25 August 2010] The report was reproduced worldwide, reinforcing Singapore's poor international image as a repressive police state. Mr Teo Ser Luck, the PAP Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Sports, was almost in tears as he tried to win the sympathy of his detractors. "We all work so hard, especially 20,000 volunteers, athletes, coaches and officials, everybody give out so many sweat and tears. The least the critics can do is to appreciate their efforts. If they don't support for whatever political reasons, they should not also take away the good things and hard work that have been done," he said. After all had been said, it is most unfortunate that Mr Teo still didn't quite get it. Nobody is against the YOG volunteers, athletes and staff. What we are adamantly critical about is the way the games were managed, especially where the welfare of our volunteers and students are concerned. If the online community did not blow the whistle on the substandard food given to YOG volunteers, would the organizers have bothered and change the food caterer? At the end of the day, the YOG is about young Singaporeans and as such their opinions, welfare and contributions must be taken into consideration by the organizers. Treating our YOG volunteers like dirt while rolling out the red carpet for foreigners is definitely not a way to win the "hearts and minds" of the youth. It remains to be seen Singaporeans will ever know how the $387 million dollars is being spent or splurged on the YOG. With no opposition in Parliament to demand for some basic accountability from Dr Vivian and Mr Teo, the issue is likely to fade away with time. DISCLAIMER: We apologize for the earlier use of "smoke-XXX" in the title of this article. It is meant to be a metaphor and should not be misconstrued as "inciting violence and public disorder"   [Please sign the petition demanding a public apology from Dr Vivian Balakrishnan for mismanaging the YOG here.]   EDITORS’ NOTE: Singaporeans, please feel free to email us to share your frustrations, anger and grievances against the YOG. Your views matter alot to us. You are a citizen of Singapore and as a citizen, you have the right to speak up. Let us be your uncensored voice and fight for your rights.   Related articles: >> Jacques Rogge: There will be more media attention for next YOG >> No public statement of support for Vivian from other PAP ministers >> Exposing the hypocrises of Vivian Balakrishnan >>Singapore schools forced to pay for YOG tickets >> Thomas Bach: High cost of YOG a concern >> Jacques Rogge: YOG is perfect promotion for Singapore >> Countering Straits Times ‘hogwash that YOG has caugh the “eyes” of the international media >> Jacques Rogge: YOG is a resounding success >> YOG volunteer: not much improvement in food >> Dr Vivian: YOG glitches unavoidable >> Petition demanding Dr Vivian to apologize >> YOG food poisoning scandal: Open letter to Dr Vivian >> Live maggot found in YOG food >> Ng Ser Miang: YOG gets positive reviews >> Kuo Chuan Primary School principal admits to blackmailing students >> Parents should pull children out of YOG >> No apology from Dr Vivian on YOG food poisoning scandal >> Massive outcry over screw-ups in YOG ticketing >> Why Ng Ser Miang should resign as Chairman of SYOGOC >> Dr Vivian: probe into YOG food poisoning scandal will take time >> PRC photographer fell down from temporary platform at YOG venue >> Cover-up of YOG food poisoning scandal? >> NEA, MOH to probe YOG mass food poisoning outbreak  >> Singaporeans “enslaved” by YOG organizing commitee >> Kuo Chuan Primary School students forced to pay $5 to attend YOG >> Singapore students forced to welcome YOG torch rally >> Mass food poisoning outbreak at YOG venue yesterday? >> YOG! What YOG? >> Canvas roof at YOG fell apart >> Zaqy Mohd defends MCYS >> Singapore students “invited” to attend YOG event >> Singapore volunteers forced to work long hours without rest for YOG >> PM Lee caught napping at YOG opening ceremony? >> Disaster at YOG opening ceremony >> 8 reasons why I am disappointed with YOG opening ceremony >> Netizens lampooned YOG opening ceremony >> No news of YOG opening ceremony in rest of the world >> MOE teacher: How students can stay out of YOG >> YOG Webcast server crashed >> SFI promises to improve “DOG” food for volunteers >> Primary school students stand in the rain to welcome YOG torch >> Plight of Singapore volunteers at Youth Olympic Village >> JC students forced to attend YOG events >> Dr Vivian: Singaporeans are proud of YOG >> PM Lee: YOG has struck a “chord” with our people >> Dr Vivian: YOG venues will not become “white elephants” >> Online pressure forced SFI to provide better food for YOG volunteers >> Improved “DOG” food on 14 August 2010 >> PAP provides three daily buffet meals to YOG athletes and officials >> YOG volunteers complain about being given “DOG” food >> Civil Service Club offering free YOG tickets >> Journey of YOG flame costs Singaporeans $7 million dollars >> Corny YOG propaganda in Straits Times >> Tharman: YOG enthusiasm is real >> Polytechnic student: I don’t care about YOG >> JC students being “volunteered” for YOG >> YOG: What the HELL is that? >> PAP provides YOG athletes and officials three daily buffets >> YOG students being given “dog food” >> Singapore students forced to volunteer for YOG >> Poor ticket sales forced closure of YOG gallery section >> PM Lee calls on Singaporeans to support YOG >> Young Singaporeans hurl vulgarities at YOG >> Dr Vivian wants Singaporeans to celebrate YOG >> NTU students complain about YOG >> Dr Vivian: Sports is not about “petty politics” >> More than 300 Singaporeans joined “I hate YOG” Facebook >> CNA poll: 90 percent of Singaporeans “not interested” in YOG >> Slovak YOG Ambassador slams YOG venues of “school standard” only >> Two Facebook groups calling for boycott of YOG >> Free condoms for YOG officials and athletes >> Singapore helping to repair Jamaica’s stadium in return for YOG marketing >> Former stripper to choreograph opening ceremony of YOG >> Desperate PAP wants Singaporeans to get “passionate” about YOG >> PAP to Singaporeans: Give way to YOG vehicles or get fined $130 >> PM Lee wants Singaporeans to do their part for YOG >> Only six teams in YOG soccer tournament Please join our Facebook page here and invite your friends to do so to create awareness of the current affairs affecting Singaporeans. Please use our online web form to contact us.  Read More →

International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge must be a relieved man as his two-week "nightmare" in Singapore has finally ended. Billed as a "premier world class sporting event" by both the IOC and the Singapore media, the Singapore 2010 inaugural Youth Olympic Gamess never quite lived up to the expectations as it became mired in a series of controversies from Day One such as ticketing glitches, collapsing roof canvases, blackouts, mistreatment of volunteers, coercing of students to generate fake support and a still to be resolved mass food poisoning scandal. The final nail into the YOG's coffin was driven three days ago by the arrest of a young YOG critic by the Singapore police three days ago for "invoking violence and public disorder" after the latter had lampooned the minister in charge of YOG Dr Vivian Balakrishnan for the mass food poisoning outbreak. The news was reported widely in the international media thereby giving the YOG the publicity it so craved. Unfortunately, the reports highlighted the YOG's failures and not its successes, if there are any in the first place. Agence France-Presse described the event as one plagued by little interest from the public: "The August 14-26 event, held for competitors aged from 14 to 18, has generated limited public interest, with many events blighted by empty seats and the host country’s athletes faring badly. Vivian Balakrishnan, the minister for community development, youth and sports, has come under particular fire from online critics over the games." In a tacit admision that the YOG has attracted only scanty publicity from the international media, Mr Rogges said yesterday during a press conference that the IOC will endeavor to make the next YOG to be held in Nanjing in 2014 "bigger":  "By the next YOG, there will be far more media attention. We will endeavour to help publicise this event and make it bigger. This is only the very first event." It will be interesting to note if the Nanjing YOG will cost as much as the $387 million dollars which Singapore has splurged on it so far and if the Chinese will display more enthusiasm for games than Singaporeans whose "very real" and "infectious" apathy has doomed the YOG to an abysmal failure right at the very beginning.   [Please sign the petition demanding a public apology from Dr Vivian Balakrishnan for mismanaging the YOG here.]   EDITORS’ NOTE: Singaporeans, please feel free to email us to share your frustrations, anger and grievances against the YOG. Your views matter alot to us. You are a citizen of Singapore and as a citizen, you have the right to speak up. Let us be your uncensored voice and fight for your rights.   Related articles: >> Exposing the hypocrises of Vivian Balakrishnan >>Singapore schools forced to pay for YOG tickets >> Thomas Bach: High cost of YOG a concern >> Jacques Rogge: YOG is perfect promotion for Singapore >> Countering Straits Times ‘hogwash that YOG has caugh the “eyes” of the international media >> Jacques Rogge: YOG is a resounding success >> YOG volunteer: not much improvement in food >> Dr Vivian: YOG glitches unavoidable >> Petition demanding Dr Vivian to apologize >> YOG food poisoning scandal: Open letter to Dr Vivian >> Live maggot found in YOG food >> Ng Ser Miang: YOG gets positive reviews >> Kuo Chuan Primary School principal admits to blackmailing students >> Parents should pull children out of YOG >> No apology from Dr Vivian on YOG food poisoning scandal >> Massive outcry over screw-ups in YOG ticketing >> Why Ng Ser Miang should resign as Chairman of SYOGOC >> Dr Vivian: probe into YOG food poisoning scandal will take time >> PRC photographer fell down from temporary platform at YOG venue >> Cover-up of YOG food poisoning scandal? >> NEA, MOH to probe YOG mass food poisoning outbreak  >> Singaporeans “enslaved” by YOG organizing commitee >> Kuo Chuan Primary School students forced to pay $5 to attend YOG >> Singapore students forced to welcome YOG torch rally >> Mass food poisoning outbreak at YOG venue yesterday? >> YOG! What YOG? >> Canvas roof at YOG fell apart >> Zaqy Mohd defends MCYS >> Singapore students “invited” to attend YOG event >> Singapore volunteers forced to work long hours without rest for YOG >> PM Lee caught napping at YOG opening ceremony? >> Disaster at YOG opening ceremony >> 8 reasons why I am disappointed with YOG opening ceremony >> Netizens lampooned YOG opening ceremony >> No news of YOG opening ceremony in rest of the world >> MOE teacher: How students can stay out of YOG >> YOG Webcast server crashed >> SFI promises to improve “DOG” food for volunteers >> Primary school students stand in the rain to welcome YOG torch >> Plight of Singapore volunteers at Youth Olympic Village >> JC students forced to attend YOG events >> Dr Vivian: Singaporeans are proud of YOG >> PM Lee: YOG has struck a “chord” with our people >> Dr Vivian: YOG venues will not become “white elephants” >> Online pressure forced SFI to provide better food for YOG volunteers >> Improved “DOG” food on 14 August 2010 >> PAP provides three daily buffet meals to YOG athletes and officials >> YOG volunteers complain about being given “DOG” food >> Civil Service Club offering free YOG tickets >> Journey of YOG flame costs Singaporeans $7 million dollars >> Corny YOG propaganda in Straits Times >> Tharman: YOG enthusiasm is real >> Polytechnic student: I don’t care about YOG >> JC students being “volunteered” for YOG >> YOG: What the HELL is that? >> PAP provides YOG athletes and officials three daily buffets >> YOG students being given “dog food” >> Singapore students forced to volunteer for YOG >> Poor ticket sales forced closure of YOG gallery section >> PM Lee calls on Singaporeans to support YOG >> Young Singaporeans hurl vulgarities at YOG >> Dr Vivian wants Singaporeans to celebrate YOG >> NTU students complain about YOG >> Dr Vivian: Sports is not about “petty politics” >> More than 300 Singaporeans joined “I hate YOG” Facebook >> CNA poll: 90 percent of Singaporeans “not interested” in YOG >> Slovak YOG Ambassador slams YOG venues of “school standard” only >> Two Facebook groups calling for boycott of YOG >> Free condoms for YOG officials and athletes >> Singapore helping to repair Jamaica’s stadium in return for YOG marketing >> Former stripper to choreograph opening ceremony of YOG >> Desperate PAP wants Singaporeans to get “passionate” about YOG >> PAP to Singaporeans: Give way to YOG vehicles or get fined $130 >> PM Lee wants Singaporeans to do their part for YOG >> Only six teams in YOG soccer tournament Please join our Facebook page here and invite your friends to do so to create awareness of the current affairs affecting Singaporeans. Please use our online web form to contact us.  Read More →