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Supporting Chee Soon Juan's caféSupporting Chee Soon Juan's café I refer to The Independent Singapore’s news, “Singaporeans urged to support Chee Soon Juan's café despite their political preferences” (July 16). The underlying objective of doing any business is to ensure it is viable and profitable. Otherwise, there is no point of undertaking risk for it. It is natural for...

Will PM Wong address the astronomical ministerial salaries?Will PM Wong address the astronomical ministerial salaries? I refer to The TR-Emeritus opinion article, “Will PM Wong address the astronomical ministerial salaries” (June 14) by Mr Yoong Siew Wah. It has always been a controversial topic which concerns about our top political leaders who receive their salaries that are many times higher than those foreign political leaders. Our...

Steering with stability in transition timesSteering with stability in transition times I refer to The Straits Times’ Editorial, “Steering with stability in transition times” (May 16). Let us analyze and interpret this specific subject from a broad perspective, how Singapore should respond and adapt to the evolution of the entire international situation and formulate its foreign policy that is extremely...

We will lead in our own wayWe will lead in our own way I read with interest The Today’s report, “'We will lead in our own way': : Lawrence Wong takes office as 4th prime minister of Singapore” (May 15). We can get some inspiration or enlightenment from the story of the 108 heroes in Water Margin: they originally had their own abilities, aspirations and ambitions. They...

Chinese villagers living on cliffsChinese villagers living on cliffs In the Liangshan Mountains of Sichuan Province in China, there is a small isolated village on a cliff 1,400 meters above sea level. This is the village of Atuler, known as the Cliff Village with 72 families who has been living there for almost 200 years. All travel is by a ladder that leads to the sky at almost right...

Ukraine will cease to exist thanks to the westUkraine will cease to exist thanks to the west Scott Ritter is a former Marine intelligence officer who served in the former Soviet Union, implementing arms control agreements, and on the staff of General Norman Schwartzkopf during the Gulf War, where he played a critical role in the hunt for Iraqi SCUD missiles. From 1991 until 1998, Mr. Ritter served as a Chief Inspector...

Bride's family asked for RMB 500,000 in bride priceBride's family asked for RMB 500,000 in bride price Contrary to popular beliefs, many couples in China are unable to afford to get married. With the exception of rural villages, those in the cities mostly asked for hundreds of thousands in bride price (聘礼/彩礼). According to our techie who has been in China for over a decade, the bride price may include monies intended...

Higher salaries lead Singapore to become top pick for Asian workers looking to moveHigher salaries lead Singapore to become top pick for Asian... I refer to the Independent Singapore’s Featured News SG Economy, “Higher salaries lead Singapore to become top pick for Asian workers looking to move” (Feb 22). In this era of rapid technological advancement, all countries are faced with the dilemma of being hungry for talent. Therefore, top talents in respective...

Where Romance Meets FinanceWhere Romance Meets Finance Sugarbook was launched by Darren Chan in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is a luxury dating website designed to resolve financial issues through emotional support. It provides a platform to grow your relationships through mutual benefits that are not restricted to mentorship, companionship, wealth and emotional support. It...

Marriage, children and practical concernsMarriage, children and practical concerns A couple bows before their parents and offers them tea, as is traditional in Chinese weddings. I refer to The Straits Times’ Editorial “Marriage, children and practical concerns” (Feb 5). Since the history of human civilisation, the formation of individual family and the issue of procreation have become two...

Not in my backyardNot in my backyard I refer to the TODAY’s Commentary, “'Not in my backyard' — when some groups can protest more loudly, the most vulnerable ones suffer” (Jan 25, 2024). A few good points from the article are worth to be probed further and discussed. In December 2023, the announcement of plans by The National Environment Agency...

Opposition parties seek to strengthen parliamentary presenceOpposition parties seek to strengthen parliamentary presence I refer to The Independent Singapore’s SG Politics column, “Opposition parties seek to strengthen parliamentary presence” (Nov 29, 2023). As we know, Singapore political scene has been firmly dominated by the PAP since 1959. Thus, the opposition parties in Singapore have to face and withstand many challenges ahead...

Educating the next generationEducating the next generation I read with interest the Straits Times’ Editorial, “Educating the next generation” (Jan 5, 2024). Any form of spontaneous learning should provide you with a happy, positive, and memorable experience. However, only a small number of children are in exception. Therefore, based on this, parents should realize the...

GST increase in 2024GST increase in 2024 On 1 Jan 2024 GST rises 1% from 8% to 9%; this is a 12.5% increase in GST. I am not convinced that this is necessary. It will contribute to inflation, and cause economic hardship. The handouts to mitigate this are temporary and the increase is permanent. In 2015, when the possibility of GST rising was an election issue...

Race relations in SingaporeRace relations in Singapore I refer to the Today’s “Commentary: In 1954, David Marshall spoke about race relations in Singapore. Have we made real progress since then?” (Dec 15). For any country to be prosperous and powerful, it must first achieve political and social stability, and its people must live in harmony and be united. Only in this...

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Editorial
Rare typhoon-like storm hits Singapore

Rare typhoon-like storm hits Singapore

Strong winds that people called a mini typhoon hit Singapore on Tuesday evening, September 17, toppling...
Super typhoon Bebinca hit the city of Suzhou in Jiangsu...

Super typhoon Bebinca hit the city of Suzhou in Jiangsu...

After hitting Shanghai on Monday (17th Sept), Typhoon Bebinca hit the city of Suzhou in Jiangsu province....
Why storms and typhoons are wrecking havoc in Asia...

Why storms and typhoons are wrecking havoc in Asia...

Typhoon Bebinca has made landfall in China on Monday (16th Sept). Shanghai has been slammed by the city's...
Super typhoon Bebinca wreaks havoc In Shanghai

Super typhoon Bebinca wreaks havoc In Shanghai

The mega city of Shanghai was brought to a standstill on Monday (16th Sept) as residents at home had...
Severe flooding wrecks havoc in Europe

Severe flooding wrecks havoc in Europe

Severe flooding continues to wreak havoc across central and eastern Europe, following days of torrential...
Iran poised to launch mega-retaliation against Israel

Iran poised to launch mega-retaliation against Israel

Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Naqdi, a high-ranking IRGC commander, has announced that Iran will soon...
Super typhoon Yagi batters Hainan island in China

Super typhoon Yagi batters Hainan island in China

Heavy rains and strong winds swept through Hainan province Friday as a powerful typhoon, dubbed Yagi,...
Putin visits Mongolia despite ICC arrest warrant

Putin visits Mongolia despite ICC arrest warrant

Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in Mongolia for a visit, despite the risk of arrest under...
Axis of Resistance vows to escalate attacks on Israel...

Axis of Resistance vows to escalate attacks on Israel...

The Axis of Resistance groups in Iraq have escalated their threats against Israel and the US. They have...
Russia pounds Ukraine for the second consecutive day

Russia pounds Ukraine for the second consecutive day

In one of the biggest air attacks launched by Russia, hundreds of missiles and drones were launched targeting...
Russia pounds Ukraine in retaliation for invasion of...

Russia pounds Ukraine in retaliation for invasion of...

Russia unleashed a massive missile and drone assault on NATO-backed Ukraine amid rising tensions over...
Houthis ready to strike Israel

Houthis ready to strike Israel

Houthi-installed defence minister in Yemen has warned that his forces are ready to strike Israel. Major...
Israel imposes restriction on media to hide damages...

Israel imposes restriction on media to hide damages...

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah is set to present proof or videos of attacks near Tel Aviv. Israeli...
Hezbollah hints at 'full response' after major rocket...

Hezbollah hints at 'full response' after major rocket...

The Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah launched hundreds of rockets and drones towards Israel on...
How strong is Singapore's fighter jets?

How strong is Singapore's fighter jets?

Singapore's fighter jets are supposedly the most advanced force in the entire Southeast Asian region. What...
Major escalation fears as Hezbollah pounds Israel with...

Major escalation fears as Hezbollah pounds Israel with...

Hezbollah and Israel both have announced large-scale military operations against each other. Israel is...
WHO Declares Global Health Emergency

WHO Declares Global Health Emergency

Covid Done, New Virus Emerges: 100s Killed, WHO Declares Global Health Emergency. The World Health...
Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to step down

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to step down

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was seen as a safe pair of hands when his party installed him three...
Opinions
A random thought on the comedy of error

A random thought on the comedy of error

The comedy of error that is circling around in Singapore although mind-boggling but amuses Singaporeans...
The Great America, No More

The Great America, No More

America was propagated as the Great Nation in the last century when I was born, even though the world...
A glimpse of the obscurantism of Singapore society

A glimpse of the obscurantism of Singapore society

This is not an attempt at self-exaltation but to give a glimpse of the obscurantism of the Singapore...
Excess Deaths in Singapore

Excess Deaths in Singapore

I applaud ST journalist's effort in pursuing this issue of Excess Deaths in Singapore (which is one of...
Throwing out the baby with the bath water

Throwing out the baby with the bath water

Mr Shanmugam says Singapore has laws and policies to prevent riots like those seen in the UK recently...
Let dead dogs lie

Let dead dogs lie

Alas, Pritam should have let dead dogs lie. I am surprised that he is making a bid to have his case...
Total Policy Reset

Total Policy Reset

Lawrence Wong talked about "reset" but up till now, I am still not quite sure what is installed in his...
The divination of a self-exaltation myth

The divination of a self-exaltation myth

The euphoria that accompanied the appointment of Lawrence Wong as prime minister is understandable.because...
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's (LW) National Day Rally

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's (LW) National Day Rally

I have more praises than criticisms for Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's (LW) National Day Rally. He...
Build Our Core

Build Our Core

On this very day of celebrating our 59th National Day, we as a people, a country and the Singaporean...
More Singaporeans eligible to vote in next General...

More Singaporeans eligible to vote in next General...

More Singaporeans eligible to vote in next General Election (GE)- CNA online 22 July 2024. There are...
Excess Deaths Comparison Chart

Excess Deaths Comparison Chart

This is the Excess Deaths Comparison Chart that MOH has neither disputed nor commented on. It...
Focusing on frail, senior patients

Focusing on frail, senior patients

Tan Tock Seng (TTS) focuses on frail, senior patients as it celebrates 180th anniversary- ST online,...
Who is replacing us?

Who is replacing us?

My fellow Singaporeans,we face an existential threat,that is exacerbated by PAP policies. The number...
Attempted Assassination of Donald Trump

Attempted Assassination of Donald Trump

We first thought the attempted assassination of Trump was a "Lone Wolf" incident. However, there are...
Allianz offers to buy a stake in Income Insurance

Allianz offers to buy a stake in Income Insurance

Allianz offers to buy a stake in Income Insurance- 18 July 24, Straits Times. Allianz has done its...
I am not a 'woke'

I am not a 'woke'

I am known to be a Democratic Socialist. Democracy comes before Socialism. Traditionally, people regard...
Assassination attempt on Donald Trump

Assassination attempt on Donald Trump

I strongly condemn the assassination attempt on Donald Trump, the United States Republican presidential...
Letters
Supporting Chee Soon Juan's café

Supporting Chee Soon Juan's café

I refer to The Independent Singapore’s news, “Singaporeans urged to support Chee Soon Juan's café...
Will PM Wong address the astronomical ministerial salaries?

Will PM Wong address the astronomical ministerial salaries?

I refer to The TR-Emeritus opinion article, “Will PM Wong address the astronomical ministerial salaries”...
Steering with stability in transition times

Steering with stability in transition times

I refer to The Straits Times’ Editorial, “Steering with stability in transition times” (May 16). Let...
We will lead in our own way

We will lead in our own way

I read with interest The Today’s report, “'We will lead in our own way': : Lawrence Wong takes office...
Higher salaries lead Singapore to become top pick for...

Higher salaries lead Singapore to become top pick for...

I refer to the Independent Singapore’s Featured News SG Economy, “Higher salaries lead Singapore...
Marriage, children and practical concerns

Marriage, children and practical concerns

A couple bows before their parents and offers them tea, as is traditional in Chinese weddings. I...
Not in my backyard

Not in my backyard

I refer to the TODAY’s Commentary, “'Not in my backyard' — when some groups can protest more loudly,...
Opposition parties seek to strengthen parliamentary...

Opposition parties seek to strengthen parliamentary...

I refer to The Independent Singapore’s SG Politics column, “Opposition parties seek to strengthen...
Snippets
Singapore Tightens Casino Regulations to Combat Money...

Singapore Tightens Casino Regulations to Combat Money...

In a move to strengthen its position as a well-regulated financial hub, Singapore is set to implement...
The All-Time Top Singaporean Poker Players

The All-Time Top Singaporean Poker Players

Poker is one of the world's most popular games with games being played recreationally and professionally....
How to Increase Image Size without Compromising Quality

How to Increase Image Size without Compromising Quality

In our digital world, crisp, top-notch images make your content pop, whether on a website, social media,...
Chinese villagers living on cliffs

Chinese villagers living on cliffs

In the Liangshan Mountains of Sichuan Province in China, there is a small isolated village on a cliff...
Ukraine will cease to exist thanks to the west

Ukraine will cease to exist thanks to the west

Scott Ritter is a former Marine intelligence officer who served in the former Soviet Union, implementing...
Bride's family asked for RMB 500,000 in bride price

Bride's family asked for RMB 500,000 in bride price

Contrary to popular beliefs, many couples in China are unable to afford to get married. With the exception...
The fall of Alibaba's Jack Ma

The fall of Alibaba's Jack Ma

The story of how Jack Ma betrayed everyone that helped and gave him what he has today. The video also...
中國唯一的一妻多夫制的地方

中國唯一的一妻多夫制的地方

A land enshrouded in spirituality, Tibet is home to distinct cultural traditions and astounding natural...
Sticky & Recent Articles

Professor Bradley Freeman’s proposal to Media Development Authority

Professor Bradley Freeman’s proposal to Media Development Authority

A few weeks ago the Media Development Authority called for proposals for a vacant FM frequency 89.3 to add to the “diversity” and “vibrancy” in the local radio scene. It’s exciting to see these two words used in relation to radio. For many years, radio has been called anything but diverse and vibrant, not just in Singapore but also in the United States, where “morning zoos” and tight playlists have grown to greatly restrict what is possible on commercial radio. In the U.S. radio corporations such as Clear Channel, Viacom, Cox, and Entercom have been mining the radio airwaves for years, perfecting their business models, and all but depleting the medium of its life force and vitality. You’ll hear the latest recognizable hits repeated over and over, with the same annoying commercials, and the DJs (if they have them) barely utter a peep. When they do it’s usually voice-tracked (or pre-recorded) or read from standardized note cards. It’s not unfair to say that commercial radio in the U.S. has lost much of its vibrancy and diversity. There have been numerous commentaries and essays written about the demise of commercial radio in the States and elsewhere. There are certainly many new alternative ways to listen to audio that have sprouted up along the way as well. The issue is complicated, and stirs up numerous debates, but many agree that the term “radio” itself has lost much of its luster as the medium representing the voice of the local community. Sometimes it’s nice to know what to expect. Both Ray Kroc (the founder of McDonald’s) and radio figured this out long ago. The formula is a simple one; find out what people will be satisfied with and then make it available and the same everywhere. Radio stations try to do this by appealing to a target audience by programming a specific format; then lather, rinse and repeat. A format is the programming and musical mix that a radio station airs. In fine-tuning a format for a specific market, a radio station attempts to create its own unique local “stationality” through proven images, logos, music and research. The recipe for a hit radio station is tested again and again through focus groups and research studies to ensure that the brand is highly appealing to the largest pool of listeners. You might think of “stationality” as akin to the hook of a song; or a catchy chorus or refrain that gets stuck in your head. It speaks to us as individuals to come back to familiar and likable ground. Sadly of late, Singapore radio has very little stationality. The stations have simply borrowed too much from the global radio marketplace, taking for example all the bland commercialized banter (Bra straps, accents, April fools jokes, and Ryan Seacrest), but none of the intelligent content that radio has been creating over the past decade. The airwaves have grown stale. There are signs of life on the BBC, sometimes Passion/Lush, and with the Mandarin radio dramas that occasionally make it to air, but too few and far between to take much notice. The opening of the new frequency offers Singapore an opportunity to draw from radio’s more creative nature, rather than just its loudest. To my mind, the best way to ensure that is to create a station from an entirely different mold, one that that exudes stationality from the get-go and has been successful in other geographies, including in Asia, but does not yet exist here. I’m talking about non-commercial, public radio. Non commercial is not equivalent to saying “money no enough.” In fact, many of these stations out-earn commercial stations in their markets, but it’s not the main point to their existence. And by not playing to the lowest common denominator of mass media listeners to focus on the bottom line, a refreshing environment is created for the people who work (and volunteer) at such stations and their loyal listeners. They are not simply patterned to mimic commercial stations. As a result, the programming is unique, entertaining and often enlightening, including such programs as World Café, Prairie Home Companion, Car Talk, Saturday Light Brigade, Whad’ya Know? and Studio 360 – all of which provide unique programming elements and defy the cookie-cutter mentality. I listen to these programs and other stations online, bypassing the local predictable airwaves almost entirely. Check out these stations for an idea of what I am talking about: KCRW (morning becomes eclectic), WYEP (where the music matters), WXPN, WBEZ, WYPR, Radio Sagarmatha in Nepal, and Planet FM in Auckland, among many others. Several websites make it easy to find these outlets, such as publicradiofan.com and prometheusradio.org. Many of these stations are found plying their trade on the lower end of the FM dial – frequencies below 92 FM – in the States, the area reserved for non-commercial, public radio stations. These stations along with the newer low power FMs (LPFMs), often owned by universities, non-profits, or community groups, are keeping the creative airwaves alive and make radio worth the listen. After having worked for many years in commercial radio, I moved over to these kinds of radio stations that make a difference in their areas of dominant influence, those being the communities they serve. Most often their formats are difficult to describe. They offer a variety of content, filling the gaps left by the mainstream market. In doing so they also tend to reflect and shape the character of a particular locale in all its diversity. As proposals are written in response to the MDA’s call, in which they stated they did “not intend to limit the future station to any particular genre,” I’d like to suggest the chance for a new model of “genre-busting” radio here. It’s time to draw from radio’s “better half,” so to speak, to investigate the inspired radio content that matters to so many listeners in other parts of the world and to arefully consider why that is so. Many of these programs would enliven the airwaves here as they are, some may not fit at all, and others can be examined to see if distinctive, localized versions might in some way work. The definition and recipe for this kind of station varies from place to place. That’s part of the charm; and the challenge. The aspiration then is to fashion one that is uniquely Singaporean. A new frequency following this advice would not even necessarily compete with the radio stations already on the dial, because it really and truly would be in a class of its own. Bradley C. Freeman, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information Nanyang Technological University 31 Nanyang Link, Singapore 637718 Email: [email protected] | Web: http://radio.ntu.edu.sg/  Read More →

Jobless reader cried with Mum on Mother’s Day

Jobless reader cried with Mum on Mother’s Day

If anybody asks me what I have given my mum on Mother’s Day last weekend, my answer will be – SORROW. “Oh, you’re such a unfilial son!” one will quickly retort. No, no, hear me out. I am a 44-year old single guy, held the post of a senior manager before but was retrenched last year. I have sent out more than 230 copies of my CV to potential employers but received only less than 15 interviews so far. Each appointment brought forth false hopes of employment and ultimately disappointment. How many rejections can a person take? I was furious and dismayed but I could take it all. As for my mum, she can’t. Such is the love of a mother has for his son. She wants her son to be gainfully employed and not daily coop up at home living a meaningless life. I know that she is worried for me as each time when she heard that there was an interview coming, she would iron my clothes personally because she knows that my ironing is out of this world. Weeks and months have now passed and I am still at home, patiently cutting papers for job opportunities. I also began to slowly doubt myself – is there something wrong with me? Am I that bad that no employer is willing to give me a chance? My savings are also drying up and the bills are haunting me slowly. I can take it all – but not my mum. She can’t bear to see her beloved son unemployed for so long. You see, a year ago, I promised my mum on Mother’s Day that I will give her a good treat when I can find a job. More than 365 days had passed since that day. How time flies when you are jobless. Finally, Mother’s Day came last Sunday. I asked her what would she want for a Mother’s Day gift? She cried and said: “The best present will be a job for you.” I hugged her and we cried together. Tears filled my eyes and there is a growing resentment within me. I don’t hate myself anymore for being unemployed. I hate the current policies of Singapore. It is not that I am lazy but the truth of the matter is many jobs have now gone to the foreigners. Under Singapore’s lax labor policies, companies are allowed to employ foreigners so long a quota for local workers are fulfilled. The situation is further exacerbated by the astonishingly short time in which the PRs are granted. Most countries require foreigners to reside for a period of time before they are allowed to apply for PR but not in Singapore! Two out of every three PR applications are successful here. Many of these so-called foreign talents are in direct competition with us locals for jobs. Can Singapore truly accommodates six million people? Where are the additional jobs going to come from? I have served my 2-year national service to protect my country and now my country is filled with these foreigners, which I am obligated to protect. How ironical can it be! Is this what I deserve for being a true Singaporean? As for my mum, she will have to wait a while longer for her Mother’s Day treat from me. Alvin Tan  Read More →

Hairdressers out as migrant skills list gets a trim

Hairdressers out as migrant skills list gets a trim

From: The Australian   Paul Maley May 17, 2010 12:00AM   THE Rudd government has cut by more than half the number of prized occupations and professions listed in the skilled migration program.   In a major rationalisation, Immigration Minister Chris Evans will today unveil a new list of just 181 skills, professions and occupations - down from the 400 cited in the old list. Butter makers, journalists, script editors, fashion designers, intelligence officers, cooks and hairdressers are among those culled. But other, more specialised, professions - such as pharmacists - have also been dumped. Senator Evans said the new list was part of an ongoing attempt by the government to decouple the link between education and immigration. "Australia's migration program cannot be determined by the courses studied by international students," he said in a media release yesterday. Senator Evans said that of the 41,000 general skilled visas granted in 2007-08, more than 5000 went to cooks and hairdressers, three-quarters of whom had studied in Australia. The new list was developed by Skills Australia, an independent body, and will be updated annually. Senator Evans said the new list was developed in consultation with industry groups and was focused on those skills required in the medium to long term. He said the onus remained on training Australian workers to fill skills gaps. The new leaner skills list is likely to draw a fiery response from the parts of the education sector specialising in offering cheap vocational courses to foreign students whose principal goal is the acquiring of Australian residency. Yesterday, Senator Evans acknowledged the new list may dash the hopes of some foreign students. "The government recognises the proposed changes would affect some overseas students currently in Australia intending to apply for permanent residence," he said. In February, he announced that 20,000 prospective migrants who applied before a tightening of the rules in September would have their applications rejected and their fees refunded. Mindful of the impact on what has become a highly lucrative industry, Senator Evans said international students with much-needed skills would still be welcome. "But we . . . will no longer accept the thousands of cooks and hairdressers who applied under the guidelines established by the Howard government." PAUL MALEY Source:http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/hairdressers-out-as-migrant-skills-list-gets-a-trim/story-e6frg6nf-1225867467454  Read More →

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