TR EMERITUS – Untold Hard Truths From Around The World – 淡马锡评论 – formerly Temasek Review

Disappointed with poor turnout at Celebrations@Marina Bay

The City Celebration was meant for 3,000 seaters, but only 50 turned up at the opening act by "Click Five". Shirlyn and the UnXpected, a local pop band, had to sing to only 300 and most of these made up of volunteers both on and off duty. Why spend such hefty amount of tax payers' money into creation of such a celebration area at Marina Promotory, where only so less people are exposed to it? Not much publicity done in that area and so much funding spend on the set-up and build up of unnecessary siganges, billboards, structures, tentage, etc. I think, this is really a waste of money, From the first few days of poor visitorship, they ought to react fast and make decision to either cut the entire city celebration or could simply 'plant' spectators into this FREE event venue. Even its free, no one wants to go. Unless Singapore government allow holiday for all during YOG. Then they can expect some turn out. I am truly disappointed at the amount spent on YOG. Such spending, there were no consultation or voting by general public. How can the government do as they want with our tax money? As the younger population gets more educated, we ought to form our own political party and set things straight and not just allow our ruling party do as they like. Someone in Parliament should debate and argue our poor views. People like us, work hard for living and earnings, paid my taxes, and have to live with whatever the government think is 'right'. Totally disappointed. SCOT LEE Read More →

猪八戒照镜子

作者:李显涛一照之下也不必吃惊，因为里外都不是人。看早报《“要烧维文和行动党” 男子面簿留言煽动被捕》，不免感叹新加坡的警察部队竟也堕落到这步田地！退一万步来讲，即使因为这句简单口号式的言论：“是时候让我们‘焚烧’（burn）维文和人民行动党。让我们团结起来，投票把他们挤出局。”被捉个正着，物证俱在，警方真的能在法庭上控他煽动罪或者意图谋杀的罪名成立吗？这样的逮捕行动，要收的是意在言外的震慑效果，是在大选前的牛刀小试。这本是秘密警察干的事，而新加坡的警方却愿意为了主子而蹚浑水，焚身以火，“警格”还剩多少？就可想而知了。最好玩是探讨“警方”怎么会知道这件事？好像没有人知道，是因为维文感觉人身受威胁抑或PAP估计总部有被烧的危险，随后当事人报案，警方才介入调查？又或者我们的警察部队，有个部门是专门在监控网民对执政者不利的言论，宁可错杀一万也不放走一个？要是这样的话，那么做为纳税人，其实我们有权知道，警察部队把政府给的常年预算的多少投入这个单单维护执政党的运作上？用我们的钱来要全民噤声，这有什么道理？大马论坛 Read More →

Yong Vui Kong given extension to file clemency

The Singapore Prison Service (SPS) has granted an extension to death row inmate Yong Vui Kong to file his clemency appeal to the President. In a letter on 25 August to Yong’s lawyer, the SPS said, “[In] view of your stated intention to file the said Notice of Appeal in respect of the said matter, we will extend the present time limit for the filing of your client’s fresh Petition for Clemency.” Mr M Ravi, who is acting for Yong, had written to the SPS on 18 August asking for a confirmation about such an extension, in light of Justice Steven Chong’s invitation to the SPS to give Yong more time pending his appeal to the Court on Justice Chong’s 13 August judgement. Yong’s original deadline for filing his Petition for Clemency to the President was 26 August. It was feared that he would be hanged soon after that deadline. The SPS said in its letter that it will inform Mr Ravi of the date within which Mr Ravi should file the clemency appeal. Mr Ravi submitted the Notice of Appeal with regards to Justice Chong’s judgement at the Court of Appeal today, 25 August. The confirmation of extension comes as a relief to Mr Ravi who had repeatedly asked the SPS for the confirmation since 18 August. Andrew Loh, TOC Read More →