TR EMERITUS

Unlike Tharman who was part of the PAP government for 22 years and a grandee of the Party, or Ng Kok Song who was with MAS and GIC for decades as well, Tan Kin Lian has no need to come up with ridiculous reasons as to why he is Independent. I was alongside Tan Kin Lian on many occasions at Hong Lim Park when we both spoke out against unfair Government policies which worked against the interest of Singaporeans. Back in 2008, he had written to Lee Hsien Loong asking for an independent inquiry for the victims of the so called Mini-bonds following the collapse of Lehman. Many Singaporeans lost their money and savings investing in a product which did not suit their profiles. The same Tan Kin Lian has said in a press release today that he will have no hesitation as President in convening Commissions of Inquiries to investigate into “scandals” if he feels that the need arises. He is the only aspiring Presidential candidate in history to have made such a declaration. That is why Singapore needs Tan Kin Lian as the People’s President to Bring Back HOPE, Give Us TRUST! for those who were affected by lehman collapse and lost money in their minibonds investment.. it was tkl who wrote to the pm on their behalf...   Lim Tean      Read More →

I read with solemn mood of the Straits Times Editorial, “Keeping govt agencies on their toes” (July 24). Foremost, the chief function of Auditor-General's Office is to execute the annual audit on the government ministries and departments, organs of state, statutory boards, government funds, and other public authorities and bodies administering public funds (upon their request for an audit). The main objective of AGO is carrying its stringent and due audits to identify and determine whether any system weaknesses, non-compliance with control procedures or legislation. Also scrutinising any misappropriation and manipulation of public funds and resources. Hence, their hard work and hawk-eyed observations should be highly recognised, respected and commended. Clearly, The AGO’s annual report carries weight and will keep all the government establishments on their toes. In this year’s report, the People’s Association, the Public Service Division, the Ministry of Communications and Information and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore were among the government agencies flagged for lapses and weaknesses. The AGO also cited instances of awarding contracts to debarred contractors, co-mingling official funds with staff’s personal funds, giving excessive IT access rights, and over-disbursing support grants. It also highlighted possible irregularities in the records provided to the AGO by the State Courts and the Singapore Food Agency. No matter what, it is a general perception and scenario that the procurement and contract tender and bidding aspects are seem the weakest crux of the problems. Anyway, herewith are the areas that we need to focus and strengthen upon: 1) Which organisation, area of its frequency of recurrence in the system and procedure lapse as well as unsatisfactory in work process control? 2) Would the SOP of those being pinpointed organisations be subsequently enhanced to prevent or curb the human factor? 3) Would the affected organisation’s system, operational procedures and processes being strictly tightened? 4) Would the assessment, interviewing and selection processes of the named organisation’s Human Resources Department be further improved or enhanced to avert the appointment and deployment of the inappropriate personnel-in-charge? 5) Would the wrongdoing individual staff be legally dealt with? (Of which, it is solely depending upon the circumstances, nature and seriousness of the wrongdoing or offence.)   Teo Kueh Liang (Mr)      Read More →

I would like to respond to Professor Tommy Koh’s endorsement of Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam as president. [LINK] While I agree that Mr Shanmugaratnam believes in multiculturalism and has consistently won the Jurong GRC with greater majority than our prime minister, I do not think he has the moral courage and is so independent as to speak his mind on crucial issues that affect Singaporeans, especially our young people. I say this because throughout his decades of service as a member of parliament and then as minister, he has has not attempted or has failed to persuade his colleagues not to pass laws that do great harm to the people and damage Singapore’s image in the world. He did not object to the passing of the following oppressive laws: 1. Public Order Act which makes it an offence for one person to hold a piece of cardboard with the Smiley symbol. Many young people have gone to jail because of this law. 2. The Administration of Justice (Protection) Act which lowers the burden of proof in favour of the prosecution for contempt of court cases. Many young people have been charged and convicted under this law. 3. POFMA or Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act which gravely restrict our freedom of speech and expression. Many people and political parties have suffered under this law. 4. Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act 2021 which instil fear among civil society. 5. Amendment to the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore Act which requires a candidate to be a CEO of one company with a shareholders’ equity of $500m. This requirement has prevented Mr George Goh from qualifying as a candidate and I am sure has prevented many good people from contesting this election. 6. Various government policies that cause hardship to people. As minister for finance, Mr Shanmugaratnam did not exempt essential goods from GST. This has a grave effect on poor people. This list is not exhaustive. Throughout his years in government, Mr Shanmugaratnam as part of the cabinet, has not granted a single clemency petition. Petitions that were sent to him were not even acknowledged. I am not saying that he is the only one who does not acknowledge letters. Other members of parliament and ministers too do not acknowledge receipt of letters that they do not like to read. This applies to President Halimah too. I have no doubt that Mr Shanmugaratnam will be a good diplomat and may render Mr Vivian Balakrishnan redundant. He will bring prestige to the PAP government. But bringing prestige to the PAP government should not be his priority. He has to take care of the people, even those who do not agree with the government. Mr Shanmugaratnam definitely knows how to keep our national reserves. But does he know how to spend it especially for senior citizens who today are still toiling away in coffee shops, hawkers’ centres and our public toilets? Visitors to Singapore are always shocked that our elderly are not taken care of. This is bad publicity for Singapore. He has to remember that our seniors made great sacrifices. A large part of our national reserves comprise land and properties acquired at drastically below market value under the Land Acquisition Act which was passed soon after Singapore attained independence in 1965. Finally, Mr Shanmugaratnam has not made any attempt to voice objection to laws that permit detention without trial. His friends who were detained without trial in 1987 have been struggling to clear their names for decades. If he is elected as president, will he be able to right the wrongs done to them and to so many others who suffer under obnoxious and oppressive laws? Will he instruct the PAP government to convene Commissions of Inquiry to investigate the wrongs done to people of various generations before they move on to the next world?   Teo Soh Lung      Read More →