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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

A comparison of S&C charges between Aljunied, Hougang and Potong Pasir Town Councils

A comparison of S&C charges between Aljunied, Hougang and Potong Pasir Town Councils

OPINION The ill-timed  increase in the monthly Service and Conservancy (S&C) charges by Aljunied and Jurong Town Councils both run by PAP MPs has sparked an outcry among residents who are struggling to cope with the rising cost of living. Both Town Councils claimed that the hike is necessary due to increased electrical tariffs, cleaning costs and lift servicing costs. However, these increased costs are incurred by other Town Councils as well, including Potong Pasir and Hougang which are run by the opposition. Let us do a comparison of the S&C charges between Aljunied, Hougang and Potong Pasir: Aljunied Town Council's revised S&C charges from April 2010: Hougang Town Council's S&C charges: Potong Pasir's S&C charges: Why can Potong Pasir and Hougang continue maintaining their estates with the same S&C charges while Aljunied and Jurong are unable to do so? Furthermore, being much larger, Aljunied should be able to enjoy the economies of scale and therefore incur less costs for the same services provided. Are PAP MPs less capable or efficient than the two opposition MPs? The reasons, or rather the excuses used by the two PAP Town Councils to justify their increase in S&C charges are simply unacceptable. Before the PAP Town Councils decide to past the increased cost to residents, have they considered other options so cut costs? It is utterly insensitive of them to raise the charges now when Singapore has barely emerged from an economic recession. Though the PAP ministers will enjoy a 8.8% pay hike, not many Singaporeans are as fortunate as them. To the lower income groups, an additional $40 more of S&C charges per year may mean a lot to them. The two Town Councils should open their account books and allow the public to scrutinize its expenditure as well as sinking funds. How much funds have been lost through their failed investments in Lehman Brothers? Are the funds being utilized properly at all times? Are the lowest tenders being used? Aljunied and Jurong residents deserve to know the truth. It appears from the above comparison that opposition-run Town Councils are able to utilize their limited resources much better than the PAP Town Councils. Singaporeans should consider voting for the opposition in the next general election. As Hougang and Potong Pasir Town Councils have demonstrated, they are able to run their estates relatively well on a shoestring budget though they are deprived of upgrading funds from the PAP. Perhaps the PAP MPs should organize study trips to Potong Pasir and Hougang to learn how they manage their Town Councils so well without increasing the S&C charges all these years.  Read More →

The “hoax” by Gopalan Nair on Lee Kuan Yew having a heart attack: More than meets the eyes

The “hoax” by Gopalan Nair on Lee Kuan Yew having a heart attack: More than meets the eyes

OPINION (DISCLAMER: The below article is sent to us by a reader who chose to remain anonymous and does not represent the views of TR which do not endorse, support or condemn the hoax perpetuated by Gopalan Nair.) When Gopalan Nair posted the article last Saturday claiming that PAP octogenarian leader Lee Kuan had "suffered a massive heart attack", it sounded so real that it soon spread like wildfire in Singapore's blogosphere. 24 hours later, he updated the title to clarify that it is a "hoax" before penning another article to explain why he did so. Gopalan's "hoax" naturally did not go down too well with netizens especially those who have "popped the champagne" too early to celebrate the news, many of whom flamed him for spreading "malicious" lies. As expected, the Straits Times jumped into the fray by portraying Gopalan as a nutcase while casting doubts on the credibility of the New Media. Some bloggers even tried to make use of the saga to boost their own "credibility" by condemning Gopalan on their blogs and demanding an apology from him. Netizens should not fall into the trap set by the establishment and mainstream media and start to play according to the rules set by them using their own contorted version of "credibility" as a yardstick. In today's wired world, there is such thing as "absolute truths" or "absolute lies" - everything else exists somewhere in between in a gray area. Gopalan has the right to post whatever he wants on his blog. The onus is on netizens themselves to decipher for themselves the degree of truth in his article and to expose the fallacies if any. That is what the New Media is all about - a free-for-all world where nobody can control the flow of information or has the monopoly on the truth. And the most beautiful part is that everybody is interacting with one another on an equal footing - no one is more "credible" or "truthful" than the other. Gopalan Nair has been blogging for many years, far longer than the existence of this site. Though some of his views may be outlandish, he has never posted any "hoax" at least till last Saturday. Being a lawyer by training, he should know that he will be discrediting himself by posting such unverified reports on his blog. Even if it is really a hoax, it is unlike him not to post a disclaimer at the bottom of the article. Now consider the following anomalies: 1. There was no immediate response from the Prime Minister's Office to refute the statements made by Gopalan Nair. In this instance, there are sufficient grounds for suing him, even in the United States. 2. The best way to dispel the rumors is to get SGH to issue a public statement that Lee was never admitted to the hospital. The Straits Times mentioned that SGH received numerous phone calls from the public, but did not reveal if Lee was ever admitted. 3. Lee made a trip to the United Kingdom yesterday. He had not been seen in public for more than a week. Given the possible damage done by the rumors, shouldn't Lee made a public appearance in Singapore to allay lingering anxieties and concerns? If you realize, till now, amidst all the cacophony, it has yet to be proven beyond any reasonable doubt that Lee was never admitted to SGH last week for a heart attack or otherwise. Whether it is indeed a hoax as claimed by Gopalan is another matter altogether. The burden of proof is on the authorities to show us that Lee is indeed in the pink of health and since the matter had already been brought up by the mainstream media, why didn't it proceed to clarify it completely now and then? There are two ways to refute such rumors: either issue a public statement to demolish them once and for all or ignore them altogether. It is strange that the state media has gone on a merry-go-round to discredit Gopalan Nair without addressing the crux of the matter. Is Lee's health less important than Gopalan's online credibility? Let us recall a sensational murder case which rocked Malaysia last year. One of its key witnesses Balasubramaniam had made a statutory declaration implicating Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Najib Razak in the murder of Mongolian model Altantuya Shaariibuu. He retracted the declaration a day later and made a new one removing all mention of Najib before disappearing. He finally surfaced 8 months later in India where he claimed that he was forced to retract the first statutory declaration and that its contents are true in an interview with Malaysia Today. Reading is not believing. There's more than meets the eye in this case.  Read More →

Jack Neo’s affair exposed: Jack Neo begged Wendy Chong to “let him off”

Jack Neo’s affair exposed: Jack Neo begged Wendy Chong to “let him off”

Written by Our Correspondent Embattled Jack Neo who made the headlines lately when news about his 2 year old affair with a 22 year old model Wendy Chong was leaked to the media, had earlier begged his lover to "let him off". This was revealed by Wendy Chong in an interview with Lianhe Wanbao. Wendy claimed that Jack always said "he is already 50 years of age and unable to start afresh again" to beg her to end the affair, but she was unable to let him go. When Jack was told that the affair had been leaked to the media during the journey to Crowne Plaza yesterday to "negotiate" with Wendy's family, he was reported to let out a sigh: "That's the end of my career." Jack Neo is arguably Singapore's most successful movie director with internationally acclaimed films such as "Run away children". He was awarded a PBM during the 2004 National Day celebrations and a Cultural Medallion Award in 2005. Insiders from the entertainment industry revealed that the scandal may affect the sales of his latest film "Being Human" which began showing in Singapore cinemas a few days ago. Jack has assiduously cultivated the image of a family man over the years. He once told the media in 1996 that he is so busy that he has "no time" for extramarital affairs. He had wanted to end the affair many times, but was stopped by Wendy who threatened to commit suicide if he left him. The affair came to light after Wendy went to Jack's place yesterday to confront him. Jack and his wife Irene Kng subsequently went to Crowne Plaza with their pastor and family friend to meet up with Wendy's family to resolve the matter. After the meeting, Jack told the media that he is "determined" to put the end to the affair and be a good man. Irene said it will not affect the family as she has already forgiven him. While some Singapore men may sympathize with Jack Neo's predicament, he is likely to incur the wrath of his female fans who used to be mesmerized by the lively female roles he played such as "Liang Po Po" and "Liang Xi Mei". Perhaps Jack Neo should take some lessons from his latest film "Being Human" - you reap what you sow. Though women are never more than enough, having more than one woman at the same time is a potential disaster in the making. Just ask Tiger Woods.  Read More →

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