MP Baey Yam Keng on an interesting yet unfortunate occurrence in Tampines town
Story of the soiled diaper continues. With GM of Tampines Town Council, we brought the diaper to visit all 11 units of the column where the diaper was found.
Three units have babies. I think we managed to identify which unit was the culprit. Without concrete evidence, I could only warn the maid not to do so. Hope that will born home the message.
Will monitor the situation.
MP Baey Yam Keng claims he is aware some CCC members had voted for the opposition. Isn't our votes secret?
The Online Citizen, 3 Feb 2014
“So, right now I would say that I am happy that grassroots leaders would help me, you know, in reaching out, but I will not deny that it’s not the best, the most effective way… I hope I don’t come across as dismissing that, ‘Oh, I just take it…’. It’s not so, ok?
It is the system now, yes, it doesn’t mean it won’t change. In fact, right now from what we see, people working in PA are very sensitive about, ‘Oh, you know, you’re a political person, therefore I do not want to be seen too close to you.’ There are a lot of challenges now because I think the landscape is changing.
It’s ok, we have to adapt to that. And even among the whole CCC, I’m very sure, I’m 100 per cent sure that not everyone is a PAP member. I’m very sure there are people who voted for opposition. And you have to take my word for that because I know more than you on CCC.” - MP Baey Yam Keng at Young Guns Forum on 29 Jan 2014 Full story
related:
Baey Yam Keng - a startling revelation
BAEY YAM KENG - A STARTLING REVELATION
read more
Tampines restaurant that gave discount to PAP MP Baey Yam Keng for his nasi padang has closed
Has MP Baey given Al Madina the kiss of death? What do you think?
read more
MP BAEY & HIS CONTROVERSIAL $2.50 NASI PADANG DISH
What started out as an innocent Facebook posting has turned into something controversial so much so that even Wanbao also wanted to report on it
It started when Tampines GRC MP Baey Yam Keng made a Facebook posting on Wednesday (11 Dec), saying that he had a nasi padang meal at Tampines Blk 475 coffee shop:
Then one netizen Esther Chia asked Mr Baey how much he spent for the nasi padang dish. Mr Baey replied that it cost him $2.50. He said he eats this “once in a long while”.
Others commented that it was very cheap. Then another netizen, Fernando Fonseca, apparently went to the same coffee shop to order the same dish with the same items and he reported that it cost him $6.00
related: The $2.50 Nasi Padang Furore
read more
MPs get hands dirty nabbing litterbugs
Two Members of Parliament have been pounding the ground at their wards for a different kind of grassroots work, as part of a push to stop high-rise littering.
Ms Tin Pei Ling (Marine Parade GRC) and Mr Baey Yam Keng (Tampines GRC) picked up a used sanitary pad and soiled diapers in their respective wards recently, and have been trying to hunt down the culprits.
Mr Baey, meanwhile, was spurred to act after he saw a bunched-up diaper lying on a grass patch between the block where he conducts his weekly Meet-the-People sessions, and the adjacent multistorey carpark.
read more
PUBLIC SERVANTS ARE SUBJECT TO A HIGHER STANDARD OF ACCOUNTABILITY
The recent “nasi padang” incident involving Baey Yam Keng tells a very different story about the standards office holders in Singapore measure themselves against
Mr Baey received a discount on his nasi padang meal (knowingly or unknowingly) and then tried to justify it by saying the stall was new, the stall owner wanted to reach out to more customers, the stall owner wanted to give a special deal to senior citizens and students and finally, the stall owner wanted to do his part to fulfil his “corporate social responsibility”.
Mr Baey also pointed out that it was “really out of simple goodwill and respect for my work and service in the community” that the stall holder gave him a discount for the meal consisting of 3 dishes and rice. Given the high salary and the numerous benefits that come with this part-time job, one could hardly call their work a service to the community.
While a meal discount is not a big deal, how the PAP MP responds to receiving one speaks volumes of what he thinks of his role as a public servant.
related: 6 SERIOUS ISSUES AND IMPLICATIONS IN NASI PADANG SAGA
read more
MP Baey Yam Keng: I am surprised and flattered by the interest in my "selfies"
read more
PAP’s losing candidate in the Punggol East by-election held last January, Dr Koh Poh Koon, has resumed his fortnightly visits to HDB homes in the ward. He has been visiting the homes since a few months ago
Dr Koh famously lost to WP’s Lee Li Lian in a four-cornered fight, which was triggered when the previous MP, PAP’s Michael Palmer, resigned over an affair with a female People’s Association staff.
To enhance his chances of capturing Punggol East at the next general elections which must be held by 2016, Dr Koh has launched a voucher scheme for the needy residents there.
A reminder to all punggol east residents not to fall for this vote buying scheme whcih is found in third world countries and its mostly illegal in most developed countries
related:
DR KOH POH KOON CONNECTS WITH VOTERS BY GIVING OUT FREE VOUCHERS
read more
DR KOH POH KOON: I SHOULDN'T HAVE SAID "EVERYONE HAS A CAR"
In an interview with My Paper, Dr Koh Poh Koon, the losing PAP candidate in the Punggol East By election, reflected on what caused him to lose the election
He expressed that one of the worst things for his political campaign was his remark that "everyone has a car".
The comment, caught on camera, was quickly spread online and used to show that the Colorectal surgeon was severely out of touch with the regular Singaporean.
He had said "Everybody has a car, I have 2, I drive one, my wife drives one, we are both professionals, we need to travel."
read more
Dr Koh on his Punggol East defeat
That can be interpreted as the grassroots people there not giving him the 100 per cent support he needed. It says something about the protective nature of local politics here and the disconnect between the PAP headquarters and the people on the ground.
Of course, there were other factors: First, Koh is a newcomer. Being a new entrant in politics is never easy, let alone standing in a single seat constituency.
Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean (C) and Dr Koh Poh Koon, adviser of the Punggol East Citizens’ Consultative Committee Development and Welfare Fund (R) hand out vouchers for needy families at Rivervale Plaza. (TODAY/Ooi Boon Keong)
Some 400 lower income households in Punggol East are set to get more help with purchasing daily needs.
The Community Vouchers Programme has been extended to Rivervale Plaza, with 17 merchants coming on board.
Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, who is also MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, handed out the vouchers to 15 families on Sunday
related: Retail food outlets at Rivervale Plaza join scheme to help lower income households
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Tin Pei Ling goes after resident who threw sanitary pad
A case of high-rise littering raised the ire of the ward’s MP – so much so that she decided to hunt the errant resident down
When the MP for Marine Parade GRC Ms Tin Pei-Ling discovered that a resident had been disposing tampons out of the window, she spared no effort to look for the culprit – even though it meant combing through 7 floors worth of households.
Last week, the Chinese evening daily Lianhe Wanbao reported that residents had complained of ‘diapers’ being frequently found at the foot of Blk 444 at Tampines Street 42. The final straw came when their MP, Mr Baey Yam Keng recovered a diaper that was still ‘warm’, prompting him to search over 12 floors to catch the diaper-throwing culprit.
It therefore came as a surprise when Ms Tin Pei-Ling was caught in the same sticky situation – but with tampons this time.
related:
Tin Pei Ling goes after resident who threw sanitary pad
TIN PEI LING GOES AFTER RESIDENT WHO THROWS SANITARY PAD
ARE PAP MPS PAID TO GO AFTER HDB SANITARY PAD THROWERS?
NEA will be notified if the situation worsens
read more
Tin Pei Ling explains how she 'discovered' the soiled sanitary pad
Ms Tin Pei Ling being interviewed by RazorTV multimedia journalist, Olivia Chang, over the high-rise litter incident
What started as an investigation on a case of public disturbance led Ms Tin Pei Ling to another find - soiled sanitary pads lying on the floor.
After the Chinese evening daily Lianhe Wanbao had reported about Ms Tin's misadventure with the high-rise litter, the MP for Marine Parade GRC sought to clarify what really transpired, and her approach towards such inconsiderate behaviour.
In a post on her Facebook page, Ms Tin related: "First, it was a confluence of events that led me to "discover" the pad. I certainly was not on stakeout!"
related:
Tin Pei Ling goes after resident who threw sanitary pad
A day in the life of Tin Pei Ling
Softly but forcefully, she wants to be her own person
Pei Ling resigns from Ernst & Young
Life after GE: Tin Pei LingTin
read more
PAP MP TIN PEI LING TURNED 30 THIS MONTH, WHAT HAS SHE DONE SINCE 2011?
It has been 3 years since the backlash against her. One of my friend who was from Ernst and Young (EnY) used to work alongside with her before she was fielded as PAP candidate in 2011.
Although he thought she would make a good political candidate, he was surprised that Ms Tin was chosen as PAP could field better govt sector candidates from MOM, MND or MOE as they have a better grasp of these policies so their learning curve won't be so steep during rallies or press interviews.
Nevertheless, he said that in EnY, she was a go-getter and has strong motivational powers to inspire people to bring out the best in teamwork and was a great salesperson in EnY. Perhaps PAP had some reasons for fielding her instead of some govt officer from MINDEF, MOM, MND or MOE.
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MP TIN PEI LING DONATES KATE SPADE BAG FOR AWARE’S AUCTION
MP Tin Pei Ling has agreed to donate her famous Kate Spade bag for Aware’s fundraising event
Her Kate Spade bag will be auctioned on 10 Sep at the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel during this year’s Aware annual fundraising event.
Ms Tin said, “In the course of my work in the community, I have met many women, from single mothers to the elderly, who need help and support. I hope that the proceeds from this bag will help to sustain Aware’s crisis Helpline, Sexual Assault Befrienders Service, Legal Clinic and counselling services for women. These are laudable efforts to help women in Singapore.”
“This particular bag received much publicity during the last GE, and I hope to put it to good use. When Aware approached me and asked to put it up for auction, I saw this as an opportunity to raise funds for a very worthy cause.”
read more
#5 - Tin Pei Ling
Not a very good speaker there...how did she get in again?
That is when the wise sage, MM Lee Kuan Yew, decides to take a leisurely stroll outside, right at the point when Tin Pei Ling begins to open her mouth in parliament.
read more
Behind Singapore Ruling Party's Victory, A Rising Star
SINGAPORE, Sept 15 (Reuters) - Singapore's ruling party is celebrating a resounding re-election victory, thanks partly to its economic Tsar, an ethnic Tamil politician whose voter appeal poses an awkward question for its leaders: can a non-Chinese ever become prime minister?
As the People's Action Party (PAP) settles down to another five years in power, the guessing game of who will succeed Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has begun — and the name of Tharman Shanmugaratnam keeps coming up.
The odds of Shanmugaratnam, who is deputy prime minister and finance minister, making it to the top job should be long.
related:
SM Tharman: A stronger and more Cohesive Society
DPM Tharman: "I'm not the man for PM"
DPM Tharman in Focus
Ask DPM Tharman
From Baey Koh Tin to Tharman
Spore pushes for minority race President but not ready for non-Chinese PM
Strong opposition good for party and country
Dominant But Not Dominating
read more
THARMAN SHOULD BE THE NEXT PRIME MINISTER OF SINGAPORE?
Although Shanmugaratnam himself had said in July that he was not keen on the job, he did say that Singapore should expect to have a leader from one of the minority groups at some point in time.
Eugene Tan, a law professor at Singapore Management University and a political commentator, said one obstacle for Shanmugaratnam is that he is seen as part of the prime minister's generation, when perhaps ideally a new generation would be coming forward.
"However, if it is assessed that a transitional prime minister is needed while the fourth generation is ready to take over, then ... Tharman is well-positioned to step up," Tan said.
read more
DPM Tharman’s rally speech is the only reason why people still have hope in PAP
So last night, we saw two seemingly inconsequential rallies from the People’s Action Party (PAP), in two constituencies we deemed “nevermind lah”, in our super awesome GE microsite (have you seen it by the way? If not, you should totally check it out).
The constituencies: Bukit Panjang SMC and Chua Chu Kang GRC.
Of course, it would’ve been easy to write off — after all, there were six other rallies we could have attended and covered heavily — and perhaps many people did, given that the crowd that showed up for this rally maxed out at about 2,000 only.
read more
Tharman recognised the benefits of a “strong opposition”
Speaking just a month prior to the hustings of May 2011, Mr Tharman recognised the benefits of a “strong opposition”
“Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who is also the People’s Action Party’s (PAP) treasurer, said that strong opposition is good for both PAP and Singapore during a multi-party forum televised on Channel News Asia,” the Straits Times reported him as having said.
His remarks drew approval from the leader of the WP, Low Thia Khiang. “I think that shows quite a shift in the PAP’s mindset,” Mr Low said, “that they now see that a strong opposition is positive and good for the future of Singapore.”
Has the PAP changed its position as espoused by Mr Tharman? One cannot be sure.
read more
OPINION: Tharman in the spotlight - Seah Chiang Nee
Malaysia Star, 27 Apr 2013
THIS month, the spotlight in Singapore – quite deservedly – falls on Second Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam. For two hours, Tharman, who joined the Cabinet only nine years ago, gave a polished performance befitting his title as a possible or potential prime minister.
He spoke about the gradual shift of ruling party’s ideology – from centre to centre left – to a new emphasis on social objectives, and more proposed taxation on wealth. Other subjects covered were wide-ranging.
The tone was firmer than the generalities and hedging that the public has been hearing from some leading politicians. Full story
Also read: Lee Hsien Loong scores a nought for political nous - Yawningbread
related:
Finance Minister Tharman upstage his boss PM Lee Hsien Loong with IMF reappointment
Do Tharman make a better Prime Minister than Lee Hsien Loong?
read more
CAN THARMAN BE THE NEXT PM?
Singapore’s Second Deputy Prime Minister gives a polished performance in an extensive interview with the media
This month, the spotlight in Singapore – quite deservedly – falls on Second Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam.
For two hours, Tharman, who joined the Cabinet only nine years ago, gave a polished performance befitting his title as a possible or potential prime minister.
He spoke about the gradual shift of ruling party’s ideology – from centre to centre left – to a new emphasis on social objectives, and more proposed taxation on wealth.
read more
Singapore’s world-class finance man
Our congratulations to Tharman Shanmugaratnam, the first Singapore politician to have won world recognition for his leadership as an outstanding finance minister and contributions to international finance. He has just accepted an invitation to head the International Monetary Fund’s steering committee for another year, that is, until March 22, 2015.
He was appointed chairman of the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC) for three years in March 2011, and was the first Asian to be given the prestigious position.
Among those who have held the position were Youssef Boutros Ghali, Egypt’s former Minister of Finance, Tommaso Padoa-Schioppa, who had been Italy’s Economy and Finance Minister, andGordon Brown, Britain’s Chancellor of the Exchequer, who chaired the committee for eight years until he became Prime Minister.
related: Who will make a better Prime Minister
read more
Singapore's Tharman named finance minister of the year
Singapore's Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam will receive the Finance Minister of the Year award by Euromoney magazine in Washington on Sunday, local media reported.
The accolade recognizes Tharman's "over-arching role" in shifting Singapore's economic growth model from one dependent on an ever-expanding working population to a steadier platform of increasing productivity, Euromoney said on Saturday.
The shift is taking place even while Singapore's status as an innovative trade and financial services hub to diversified export markets is being maintained.
related: Tharman named finance minister of the year by Euromoney magazine
read more
S’poreans declare they are ready for non-Chinese prime minister
After his wide-ranging and wisdom-filled interview got published in The Straits Times on April 19, 2013, deputy prime minister Tharman Shamugaratnam has been winning accolades from all quarters in Singapore the last 16 hours.
This is due to some of the never-heard-before ideas put forward by him, which include abolishing the academic caste system caused by the education system, building a more socialist government, allowing more opposition in parliament and encouraging social media to be a check on government policy.
This has led to talk among Singaporeans that Singapore is ready for a non-Chinese prime minister, a topic that was broached five years ago.
read more
Singapore leader grades US: 'clearly room to improve'
Singapore's deputy prime minister took a grade-school teacher's approach Saturday to assess the political paralysis in Washington over the US budget and debt ceiling.
Tharman Shanmugaratnam, chairman of the International Monetary Fund's steering committee, was asked at an IMF press conference how he saw the US behavior shaking global markets.
"It's a sort of question that requires grading from an elementary school teacher rather than a graduate school professor," Tharman said.
read more
Two hours with DPM Tharman
Three journalists from The Straits Times interviewed Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam last week, and the videos are now online for all to watch.
In the wide ranging interview over two hours, Mr Tharman gamely tackled a slew of questions that had been chosen by readers of ST's current affairs website Singapolitics over a seven day period.
It wasn't easy for the Finance Minister. We made him switch from foreign workers, to politics, back to taxes and the reserves and then to more politics and social media.
related:
ASK DPM THARMAN: The full transcript
ASK DPM THARMAN: Here are the answers
PAP: WE WILL REMAIN DOMINANT WITHOUT BEING DOMINATING
The People's Action Party (PAP) wants to remain a dominant party anchored in society - without dominating in all areas, said Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam.
It can do this as an open political party, he said, that galvanises a diversity of views and ideas, including critical opinions. "I believe we can play a dominant role, retain a dominant position without wanting to completely dominate," DPM Tharman said in an interview with The Straits Times.
"It's in Singapore's interest that you do have a dominant party, but it's got to be one that's open to diversity, welcoming of a responsible opposition."
read more
Tharman's wishful meritocracy
Tharman's version of meritocracy will still yield a system where some products of meritocracy are more desirable than others. As long as our culture produce and reinforce a social hierarchy (Confucianism!) rather than egalitarianism we cannot escape this result. We would just produce new politically correct behavior of respecting and extolling the less meritorious but nevertheless meritocratic achievement in order to maintain social peace. I think we are too well informed for this bait.
Until we turn around nature trumps nurture to nurture over nature there is nothing to discuss except eventual social break down and chaos. We would have risen and fallen like any society in history when the social hierarchy ossifies and mobility disappears. To use nature to justify success through meritocratic sorting will only lead you to social bankruptcy. The elites would be overthrown, I hope peacefully. Over a couple of decades a new elite would be created and the cycle repeats itself. Terrible way to live.
What we need is a real meritocracy that disbelieve nature over nurture. Therefore the fruits of meritocratic achievement must always be open to fair competition and challenge. Today, much of our society and economy, winners receive the keys to open doors and then quickly shut and lock it after them. So we must also check the abuse of power by the successful to entrench their success, but first we must win the intellectual battle that would remove their claim to power to perpetuate themselves.
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Ministers back DPM Tharman's comments
Mr Tan Chuan-Jin wrote about the issue on his Facebook page
Several ministers are backing Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam's comments that sparked a massive online furore recently.
Minister Tharman, also the Deputy Prime Minister (DPM), had said on Thursday (1 Mar) in parliament, that a family earning $1,000 a month can afford to buy a small HDB flat, while those that earn $1,200 to $1,500 can afford a medium size HDB flat. See the story here.
His comments started a lot of heated discussion on the internet with many netizens expressing outrage and disbelief. However, several ministers have since spoken out on the issue to back DPM Tharman's comments, according to The Sunday Times
read more
Online uproar over DPM Tharman’s ‘$1k flat’ statement
Some of the tweets that turn up from a search of the newly-coined hashtag #maybetharmanmeanttosay. (Screengrab: Twitter)
A comment that Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Tharman Shanmugaratnam made in parliament on Thursday has sparked an outrage among Singaporeans online.
Responding to concerns expressed by non-constituency member of parliament (NCMP) Gerald Giamin Thursday's session about Singaporeans being unable to afford a flat here, Tharman said that families with household incomes of just $1,000 can now purchase one.
"I would like to assure Mr Gerald Giam, who might not have caught up with all the developments, that our enhanced housing grants for lower income families are such that a family with a monthly income of as low as $1,000 can now purchase a small flat," said Tharman, who added that a family that earns "a bit more, say $1,500," can afford a medium-sized flat.
related: Spore Home Prices 'Moving in Right Direction;' No New Measures for Now
read more
Average S’porean won’t feel effect of high inflation, says DPM
Singapore’s CPI inflation rose by 5.2 per cent in March 2012 compared to a year ago.
“This is a high figure,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam. But he added that “it does not mean that the average Singaporean will feel this high inflation.”
DPM Tharman, who is also in charge of the Manpower Ministry, explained that more than half of the headline inflation rate of 5.2 per cent comes from higher COEs on cars and the effect of higher market rents on homes.
read more
Targeted wage model can better help vulnerable: Tharman
DPM warns against minimum wage system that has affected US and countries in Europe
The wage ladder, which allows workers in low-wage jobs to get higher pay through training and productivity gains, is a targeted approach that helps prevent older and more vulnerable workers from losing their jobs as salaries rise, said Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam yesterday.
This is why the labour movement’s progressive wage model, introduced in June 2012, is better than introducing a national minimum wage, Mr Tharman told a gathering of 300 service buyers and providers at a symposium, as he reiterated how a minimum wage system has crippled countries in Europe and the United States, particularly in worsening employment conditions.
In most European countries, high minimum wages have been accompanied by high unemployment, he noted, with the impact being felt most severely by the least-skilled.
related:
Targeted wage model can better help vulnerable: Tharman
Cleaners, guards to get pay hike under new system
NTUC seeks pay rise for low-wage workers
read more
PAP: To remain dominant without being dominating
THE People's Action Party (PAP) wants to remain a dominant party anchored in society - without dominating in all areas, said Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam
It can do this as an open political party, he said, that galvanises a diversity of views and ideas, including critical opinions
"I believe we can play a dominant role, retain a dominant position without wanting to completely dominate," DPM Tharman said in an interview with The Straits Times.
"It's in Singapore's interest that you do have a dominant party, but it's got to be one that's open to diversity, welcoming of a responsible opposition."
related:
Ask DPM Tharman
Dominant But Not Dominating
read more
Being a Minister is so stressful
- Lui Tuck Yew worried why MRTs and buses are unreliable and always breakdown
- Yaccob Ibrahim worried why M1 and Singtel are not perform their duties
- Teo Chee Hean worried why civil servants are increasingly corrupt
- Gan Kim Yong worried why there hospitals are short of beds
- Tan Chuan-Jin worried why employers prefer to employ foreigners
- Khaw Boon Wan worried why housing prices are too high
- Ng Eng Hen worried why Citizens not treating others as they would like to be treated
- Lim Hng Kiang worried why SG's FTAs are not working well
- Vivian Bala is worried why NEA cant nail WP for the lapses
- Heng Swee Keat worried why education system is not producing employable citizens
- Chan Chun Sing is worried why there are so many poor citizens in SG
- Lee Hsien Loong worried he feels S'poreans are like a pack of hounds going after him
read more
related:
MP Baey Yam Keng claims he is aware some CCC members had voted for the opposition. Isn't our votes secret?
The Online Citizen, 3 Feb 2014
“So, right now I would say that I am happy that grassroots leaders would help me, you know, in reaching out, but I will not deny that it’s not the best, the most effective way… I hope I don’t come across as dismissing that, ‘Oh, I just take it…’. It’s not so, ok?
It is the system now, yes, it doesn’t mean it won’t change. In fact, right now from what we see, people working in PA are very sensitive about, ‘Oh, you know, you’re a political person, therefore I do not want to be seen too close to you.’ There are a lot of challenges now because I think the landscape is changing.
It’s ok, we have to adapt to that. And even among the whole CCC, I’m very sure, I’m 100 per cent sure that not everyone is a PAP member. I’m very sure there are people who voted for opposition. And you have to take my word for that because I know more than you on CCC.” - MP Baey Yam Keng at Young Guns Forum on 29 Jan 2014 Full story
related:
Baey Yam Keng - a startling revelation
BAEY YAM KENG - A STARTLING REVELATION
read more
Tampines restaurant that gave discount to PAP MP Baey Yam Keng for his nasi padang has closed
Has MP Baey given Al Madina the kiss of death? What do you think?
related:
read more
MP BAEY & HIS CONTROVERSIAL $2.50 NASI PADANG DISH
What started out as an innocent Facebook posting has turned into something controversial so much so that even Wanbao also wanted to report on it
It started when Tampines GRC MP Baey Yam Keng made a Facebook posting on Wednesday (11 Dec), saying that he had a nasi padang meal at Tampines Blk 475 coffee shop:
Then one netizen Esther Chia asked Mr Baey how much he spent for the nasi padang dish. Mr Baey replied that it cost him $2.50. He said he eats this “once in a long while”.
Others commented that it was very cheap. Then another netizen, Fernando Fonseca, apparently went to the same coffee shop to order the same dish with the same items and he reported that it cost him $6.00
related: The $2.50 Nasi Padang Furore
read more
MPs get hands dirty nabbing litterbugs
Two Members of Parliament have been pounding the ground at their wards for a different kind of grassroots work, as part of a push to stop high-rise littering.
Ms Tin Pei Ling (Marine Parade GRC) and Mr Baey Yam Keng (Tampines GRC) picked up a used sanitary pad and soiled diapers in their respective wards recently, and have been trying to hunt down the culprits.
Mr Baey, meanwhile, was spurred to act after he saw a bunched-up diaper lying on a grass patch between the block where he conducts his weekly Meet-the-People sessions, and the adjacent multistorey carpark.
read more
PUBLIC SERVANTS ARE SUBJECT TO A HIGHER STANDARD OF ACCOUNTABILITY
The recent “nasi padang” incident involving Baey Yam Keng tells a very different story about the standards office holders in Singapore measure themselves against
Mr Baey received a discount on his nasi padang meal (knowingly or unknowingly) and then tried to justify it by saying the stall was new, the stall owner wanted to reach out to more customers, the stall owner wanted to give a special deal to senior citizens and students and finally, the stall owner wanted to do his part to fulfil his “corporate social responsibility”.
Mr Baey also pointed out that it was “really out of simple goodwill and respect for my work and service in the community” that the stall holder gave him a discount for the meal consisting of 3 dishes and rice. Given the high salary and the numerous benefits that come with this part-time job, one could hardly call their work a service to the community.
While a meal discount is not a big deal, how the PAP MP responds to receiving one speaks volumes of what he thinks of his role as a public servant.
related: 6 SERIOUS ISSUES AND IMPLICATIONS IN NASI PADANG SAGA
read more
MP Baey Yam Keng: I am surprised and flattered by the interest in my "selfies"
As a politician, Mr Baey Yam Keng is no stranger to public scrutiny
But the MP for Tampines GRC wasn't quite prepared for the sudden buzz surrounding the "selfies" - or self-taken photos of his face - which he posted on his Instagram account.
Mr Baey, who turns 43 on Aug 31, was crowned "selfie crush" by a pop-culture website called Popspoken on Aug 5. It collated what it called the MP's "hottest 10 selfies".
"I was quite surprised and a bit flattered that someone took enough notice of my selfies," he told The Straits Times. "I appreciate it as I thought it's quite a positive article."
related: MP BAEY YAM KENG, THE NARCISSIST SPEAKS ABOUT HIS SELFIES
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MP Baey Yam Keng takes on senior advisory role at Hill & Knowlton Strategies
Member of Parliament for Tampines GRC Baey Yam Keng said on Thursday he will be taking on a more senior advisory role in the PR company Hill & Knowlton Strategies from 1 December.
Confirming this with Channel NewsAsia, he said this will allow him to spend more time with his constituents and also with his family.
As a senior advisor at Hill & Knowlton, Mr Baey said he will be involved in client contacts but would not be involved in the business management and day-to-day operations of the company.
read more
I know what it's like for a family to struggle: PAP's Koh Poh Koon
But the MP for Tampines GRC wasn't quite prepared for the sudden buzz surrounding the "selfies" - or self-taken photos of his face - which he posted on his Instagram account.
Mr Baey, who turns 43 on Aug 31, was crowned "selfie crush" by a pop-culture website called Popspoken on Aug 5. It collated what it called the MP's "hottest 10 selfies".
"I was quite surprised and a bit flattered that someone took enough notice of my selfies," he told The Straits Times. "I appreciate it as I thought it's quite a positive article."
related: MP BAEY YAM KENG, THE NARCISSIST SPEAKS ABOUT HIS SELFIES
read more
MP Baey Yam Keng takes on senior advisory role at Hill & Knowlton Strategies
Member of Parliament for Tampines GRC Baey Yam Keng said on Thursday he will be taking on a more senior advisory role in the PR company Hill & Knowlton Strategies from 1 December.
Confirming this with Channel NewsAsia, he said this will allow him to spend more time with his constituents and also with his family.
As a senior advisor at Hill & Knowlton, Mr Baey said he will be involved in client contacts but would not be involved in the business management and day-to-day operations of the company.
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Pause And Reflect
Baey Yam Keng (born in the year of the dog) got a lot of flak after telling Singaporeans to reflect upon themselves following foreign talent crap Sun Xu's odious observation that our senior citizens are dogs ('We need to reflect upon ourselves, are we the way they described?").
Now Senior Minister of State for Education, and Information, Communications and the Arts Lawrence Wong is using the same "r" word: "we should really pause and reflect, and ask ourselves whether this is the kind of society we want." He was weighing in on the public relations disasters of (1) the Prince William wayang, and (2) the con in the national conversations.
Feigning "some heaviness in my heart", Wong expressed dismay that the politically staged events were politicised. That sentence doesn't even make sense. Next, Wong will be telling us he's not in politics to practise politics.
I know what it's like for a family to struggle: PAP's Koh Poh Koon
“I know what it is like, when all we could afford for a family of seven was a single kuning fish and some porridge. My mom will strip the fish bare of all the flesh, mash it up, mix it in the porridge… and that’s all we get for a meal.
“For her, she will just take the bare bones, the head and the tail because she believed in giving and saving the rest for us. There were times when we could not even afford this," he said to a mixed crowd of people in their 20s and 30s and more elderly folk.
"And those were the days when a tin of biscuits given by my uncle will be the ration for the family for a couple of weeks,” he told the crowd, while adding that he wasn’t relating this to raise eyebrows or create headlines.
‘SON OF PUNGGOL’ VOTE ‘BUYING’ SCHEME
PAP’s losing candidate in the Punggol East by-election held last January, Dr Koh Poh Koon, has resumed his fortnightly visits to HDB homes in the ward. He has been visiting the homes since a few months ago
Dr Koh famously lost to WP’s Lee Li Lian in a four-cornered fight, which was triggered when the previous MP, PAP’s Michael Palmer, resigned over an affair with a female People’s Association staff.
To enhance his chances of capturing Punggol East at the next general elections which must be held by 2016, Dr Koh has launched a voucher scheme for the needy residents there.
A reminder to all punggol east residents not to fall for this vote buying scheme whcih is found in third world countries and its mostly illegal in most developed countries
related:
DR KOH POH KOON CONNECTS WITH VOTERS BY GIVING OUT FREE VOUCHERS
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DR KOH POH KOON: I SHOULDN'T HAVE SAID "EVERYONE HAS A CAR"
He expressed that one of the worst things for his political campaign was his remark that "everyone has a car".
The comment, caught on camera, was quickly spread online and used to show that the Colorectal surgeon was severely out of touch with the regular Singaporean.
He had said "Everybody has a car, I have 2, I drive one, my wife drives one, we are both professionals, we need to travel."
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Dr Koh on his Punggol East defeat
Finally, the defeated PAP candidate in the Punggol East by-elections has given one of the reasons why he lost. Colorectal surgeon Koh Poh Koon – who has no problem calling himself the “arsehole doctor” - diagnosed his defeat this way: being parachuted into a constituency that was quite foreign to him.
That can be interpreted as the grassroots people there not giving him the 100 per cent support he needed. It says something about the protective nature of local politics here and the disconnect between the PAP headquarters and the people on the ground.
Of course, there were other factors: First, Koh is a newcomer. Being a new entrant in politics is never easy, let alone standing in a single seat constituency.
Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean (C) and Dr Koh Poh Koon, adviser of the Punggol East Citizens’ Consultative Committee Development and Welfare Fund (R) hand out vouchers for needy families at Rivervale Plaza. (TODAY/Ooi Boon Keong)
Some 400 lower income households in Punggol East are set to get more help with purchasing daily needs.
The Community Vouchers Programme has been extended to Rivervale Plaza, with 17 merchants coming on board.
Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, who is also MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, handed out the vouchers to 15 families on Sunday
related: Retail food outlets at Rivervale Plaza join scheme to help lower income households
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Tin Pei Ling goes after resident who threw sanitary pad
A case of high-rise littering raised the ire of the ward’s MP – so much so that she decided to hunt the errant resident down
When the MP for Marine Parade GRC Ms Tin Pei-Ling discovered that a resident had been disposing tampons out of the window, she spared no effort to look for the culprit – even though it meant combing through 7 floors worth of households.
Last week, the Chinese evening daily Lianhe Wanbao reported that residents had complained of ‘diapers’ being frequently found at the foot of Blk 444 at Tampines Street 42. The final straw came when their MP, Mr Baey Yam Keng recovered a diaper that was still ‘warm’, prompting him to search over 12 floors to catch the diaper-throwing culprit.
It therefore came as a surprise when Ms Tin Pei-Ling was caught in the same sticky situation – but with tampons this time.
related:
Tin Pei Ling goes after resident who threw sanitary pad
TIN PEI LING GOES AFTER RESIDENT WHO THROWS SANITARY PAD
ARE PAP MPS PAID TO GO AFTER HDB SANITARY PAD THROWERS?
NEA will be notified if the situation worsens
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Tin Pei Ling explains how she 'discovered' the soiled sanitary pad
Ms Tin Pei Ling being interviewed by RazorTV multimedia journalist, Olivia Chang, over the high-rise litter incident
What started as an investigation on a case of public disturbance led Ms Tin Pei Ling to another find - soiled sanitary pads lying on the floor.
After the Chinese evening daily Lianhe Wanbao had reported about Ms Tin's misadventure with the high-rise litter, the MP for Marine Parade GRC sought to clarify what really transpired, and her approach towards such inconsiderate behaviour.
In a post on her Facebook page, Ms Tin related: "First, it was a confluence of events that led me to "discover" the pad. I certainly was not on stakeout!"
related:
Tin Pei Ling goes after resident who threw sanitary pad
A day in the life of Tin Pei Ling
Softly but forcefully, she wants to be her own person
Pei Ling resigns from Ernst & Young
Life after GE: Tin Pei LingTin
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PAP MP TIN PEI LING TURNED 30 THIS MONTH, WHAT HAS SHE DONE SINCE 2011?
It has been 3 years since the backlash against her. One of my friend who was from Ernst and Young (EnY) used to work alongside with her before she was fielded as PAP candidate in 2011.
Although he thought she would make a good political candidate, he was surprised that Ms Tin was chosen as PAP could field better govt sector candidates from MOM, MND or MOE as they have a better grasp of these policies so their learning curve won't be so steep during rallies or press interviews.
Nevertheless, he said that in EnY, she was a go-getter and has strong motivational powers to inspire people to bring out the best in teamwork and was a great salesperson in EnY. Perhaps PAP had some reasons for fielding her instead of some govt officer from MINDEF, MOM, MND or MOE.
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MP TIN PEI LING DONATES KATE SPADE BAG FOR AWARE’S AUCTION
MP Tin Pei Ling has agreed to donate her famous Kate Spade bag for Aware’s fundraising event
Her Kate Spade bag will be auctioned on 10 Sep at the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel during this year’s Aware annual fundraising event.
Ms Tin said, “In the course of my work in the community, I have met many women, from single mothers to the elderly, who need help and support. I hope that the proceeds from this bag will help to sustain Aware’s crisis Helpline, Sexual Assault Befrienders Service, Legal Clinic and counselling services for women. These are laudable efforts to help women in Singapore.”
“This particular bag received much publicity during the last GE, and I hope to put it to good use. When Aware approached me and asked to put it up for auction, I saw this as an opportunity to raise funds for a very worthy cause.”
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#5 - Tin Pei Ling
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Behind Singapore Ruling Party's Victory, A Rising Star
SINGAPORE, Sept 15 (Reuters) - Singapore's ruling party is celebrating a resounding re-election victory, thanks partly to its economic Tsar, an ethnic Tamil politician whose voter appeal poses an awkward question for its leaders: can a non-Chinese ever become prime minister?
As the People's Action Party (PAP) settles down to another five years in power, the guessing game of who will succeed Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has begun — and the name of Tharman Shanmugaratnam keeps coming up.
The odds of Shanmugaratnam, who is deputy prime minister and finance minister, making it to the top job should be long.
related:
SM Tharman: A stronger and more Cohesive Society
DPM Tharman: "I'm not the man for PM"
DPM Tharman in Focus
Ask DPM Tharman
From Baey Koh Tin to Tharman
Spore pushes for minority race President but not ready for non-Chinese PM
Strong opposition good for party and country
Dominant But Not Dominating
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THARMAN SHOULD BE THE NEXT PRIME MINISTER OF SINGAPORE?
Although Shanmugaratnam himself had said in July that he was not keen on the job, he did say that Singapore should expect to have a leader from one of the minority groups at some point in time.
Eugene Tan, a law professor at Singapore Management University and a political commentator, said one obstacle for Shanmugaratnam is that he is seen as part of the prime minister's generation, when perhaps ideally a new generation would be coming forward.
"However, if it is assessed that a transitional prime minister is needed while the fourth generation is ready to take over, then ... Tharman is well-positioned to step up," Tan said.
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DPM Tharman’s rally speech is the only reason why people still have hope in PAP
So last night, we saw two seemingly inconsequential rallies from the People’s Action Party (PAP), in two constituencies we deemed “nevermind lah”, in our super awesome GE microsite (have you seen it by the way? If not, you should totally check it out).
The constituencies: Bukit Panjang SMC and Chua Chu Kang GRC.
Of course, it would’ve been easy to write off — after all, there were six other rallies we could have attended and covered heavily — and perhaps many people did, given that the crowd that showed up for this rally maxed out at about 2,000 only.
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Tharman recognised the benefits of a “strong opposition”
“Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who is also the People’s Action Party’s (PAP) treasurer, said that strong opposition is good for both PAP and Singapore during a multi-party forum televised on Channel News Asia,” the Straits Times reported him as having said.
His remarks drew approval from the leader of the WP, Low Thia Khiang. “I think that shows quite a shift in the PAP’s mindset,” Mr Low said, “that they now see that a strong opposition is positive and good for the future of Singapore.”
Has the PAP changed its position as espoused by Mr Tharman? One cannot be sure.
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OPINION: Tharman in the spotlight - Seah Chiang Nee
Malaysia Star, 27 Apr 2013
THIS month, the spotlight in Singapore – quite deservedly – falls on Second Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam. For two hours, Tharman, who joined the Cabinet only nine years ago, gave a polished performance befitting his title as a possible or potential prime minister.
He spoke about the gradual shift of ruling party’s ideology – from centre to centre left – to a new emphasis on social objectives, and more proposed taxation on wealth. Other subjects covered were wide-ranging.
The tone was firmer than the generalities and hedging that the public has been hearing from some leading politicians. Full story
Also read: Lee Hsien Loong scores a nought for political nous - Yawningbread
related:
Finance Minister Tharman upstage his boss PM Lee Hsien Loong with IMF reappointment
Do Tharman make a better Prime Minister than Lee Hsien Loong?
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CAN THARMAN BE THE NEXT PM?
Singapore’s Second Deputy Prime Minister gives a polished performance in an extensive interview with the media
This month, the spotlight in Singapore – quite deservedly – falls on Second Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam.
For two hours, Tharman, who joined the Cabinet only nine years ago, gave a polished performance befitting his title as a possible or potential prime minister.
He spoke about the gradual shift of ruling party’s ideology – from centre to centre left – to a new emphasis on social objectives, and more proposed taxation on wealth.
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Singapore’s world-class finance man
Our congratulations to Tharman Shanmugaratnam, the first Singapore politician to have won world recognition for his leadership as an outstanding finance minister and contributions to international finance. He has just accepted an invitation to head the International Monetary Fund’s steering committee for another year, that is, until March 22, 2015.
He was appointed chairman of the International Monetary and Financial Committee (IMFC) for three years in March 2011, and was the first Asian to be given the prestigious position.
Among those who have held the position were Youssef Boutros Ghali, Egypt’s former Minister of Finance, Tommaso Padoa-Schioppa, who had been Italy’s Economy and Finance Minister, andGordon Brown, Britain’s Chancellor of the Exchequer, who chaired the committee for eight years until he became Prime Minister.
related: Who will make a better Prime Minister
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Singapore's Tharman named finance minister of the year
Singapore's Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam will receive the Finance Minister of the Year award by Euromoney magazine in Washington on Sunday, local media reported.
The accolade recognizes Tharman's "over-arching role" in shifting Singapore's economic growth model from one dependent on an ever-expanding working population to a steadier platform of increasing productivity, Euromoney said on Saturday.
The shift is taking place even while Singapore's status as an innovative trade and financial services hub to diversified export markets is being maintained.
related: Tharman named finance minister of the year by Euromoney magazine
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S’poreans declare they are ready for non-Chinese prime minister
After his wide-ranging and wisdom-filled interview got published in The Straits Times on April 19, 2013, deputy prime minister Tharman Shamugaratnam has been winning accolades from all quarters in Singapore the last 16 hours.
This is due to some of the never-heard-before ideas put forward by him, which include abolishing the academic caste system caused by the education system, building a more socialist government, allowing more opposition in parliament and encouraging social media to be a check on government policy.
This has led to talk among Singaporeans that Singapore is ready for a non-Chinese prime minister, a topic that was broached five years ago.
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Singapore leader grades US: 'clearly room to improve'
Singapore's deputy prime minister took a grade-school teacher's approach Saturday to assess the political paralysis in Washington over the US budget and debt ceiling.
Tharman Shanmugaratnam, chairman of the International Monetary Fund's steering committee, was asked at an IMF press conference how he saw the US behavior shaking global markets.
"It's a sort of question that requires grading from an elementary school teacher rather than a graduate school professor," Tharman said.
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Two hours with DPM Tharman
Three journalists from The Straits Times interviewed Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam last week, and the videos are now online for all to watch.
In the wide ranging interview over two hours, Mr Tharman gamely tackled a slew of questions that had been chosen by readers of ST's current affairs website Singapolitics over a seven day period.
It wasn't easy for the Finance Minister. We made him switch from foreign workers, to politics, back to taxes and the reserves and then to more politics and social media.
related:
ASK DPM THARMAN: The full transcript
ASK DPM THARMAN: Here are the answers
PAP: WE WILL REMAIN DOMINANT WITHOUT BEING DOMINATING
It can do this as an open political party, he said, that galvanises a diversity of views and ideas, including critical opinions. "I believe we can play a dominant role, retain a dominant position without wanting to completely dominate," DPM Tharman said in an interview with The Straits Times.
"It's in Singapore's interest that you do have a dominant party, but it's got to be one that's open to diversity, welcoming of a responsible opposition."
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Tharman's wishful meritocracy
Tharman's version of meritocracy will still yield a system where some products of meritocracy are more desirable than others. As long as our culture produce and reinforce a social hierarchy (Confucianism!) rather than egalitarianism we cannot escape this result. We would just produce new politically correct behavior of respecting and extolling the less meritorious but nevertheless meritocratic achievement in order to maintain social peace. I think we are too well informed for this bait.
Until we turn around nature trumps nurture to nurture over nature there is nothing to discuss except eventual social break down and chaos. We would have risen and fallen like any society in history when the social hierarchy ossifies and mobility disappears. To use nature to justify success through meritocratic sorting will only lead you to social bankruptcy. The elites would be overthrown, I hope peacefully. Over a couple of decades a new elite would be created and the cycle repeats itself. Terrible way to live.
What we need is a real meritocracy that disbelieve nature over nurture. Therefore the fruits of meritocratic achievement must always be open to fair competition and challenge. Today, much of our society and economy, winners receive the keys to open doors and then quickly shut and lock it after them. So we must also check the abuse of power by the successful to entrench their success, but first we must win the intellectual battle that would remove their claim to power to perpetuate themselves.
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Ministers back DPM Tharman's comments
Mr Tan Chuan-Jin wrote about the issue on his Facebook page
Several ministers are backing Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam's comments that sparked a massive online furore recently.
Minister Tharman, also the Deputy Prime Minister (DPM), had said on Thursday (1 Mar) in parliament, that a family earning $1,000 a month can afford to buy a small HDB flat, while those that earn $1,200 to $1,500 can afford a medium size HDB flat. See the story here.
His comments started a lot of heated discussion on the internet with many netizens expressing outrage and disbelief. However, several ministers have since spoken out on the issue to back DPM Tharman's comments, according to The Sunday Times
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Online uproar over DPM Tharman’s ‘$1k flat’ statement
Some of the tweets that turn up from a search of the newly-coined hashtag #maybetharmanmeanttosay. (Screengrab: Twitter)
A comment that Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Tharman Shanmugaratnam made in parliament on Thursday has sparked an outrage among Singaporeans online.
Responding to concerns expressed by non-constituency member of parliament (NCMP) Gerald Giamin Thursday's session about Singaporeans being unable to afford a flat here, Tharman said that families with household incomes of just $1,000 can now purchase one.
"I would like to assure Mr Gerald Giam, who might not have caught up with all the developments, that our enhanced housing grants for lower income families are such that a family with a monthly income of as low as $1,000 can now purchase a small flat," said Tharman, who added that a family that earns "a bit more, say $1,500," can afford a medium-sized flat.
related: Spore Home Prices 'Moving in Right Direction;' No New Measures for Now
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Average S’porean won’t feel effect of high inflation, says DPM
Singapore’s CPI inflation rose by 5.2 per cent in March 2012 compared to a year ago.
“This is a high figure,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam. But he added that “it does not mean that the average Singaporean will feel this high inflation.”
DPM Tharman, who is also in charge of the Manpower Ministry, explained that more than half of the headline inflation rate of 5.2 per cent comes from higher COEs on cars and the effect of higher market rents on homes.
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Targeted wage model can better help vulnerable: Tharman
DPM warns against minimum wage system that has affected US and countries in Europe
The wage ladder, which allows workers in low-wage jobs to get higher pay through training and productivity gains, is a targeted approach that helps prevent older and more vulnerable workers from losing their jobs as salaries rise, said Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam yesterday.
This is why the labour movement’s progressive wage model, introduced in June 2012, is better than introducing a national minimum wage, Mr Tharman told a gathering of 300 service buyers and providers at a symposium, as he reiterated how a minimum wage system has crippled countries in Europe and the United States, particularly in worsening employment conditions.
In most European countries, high minimum wages have been accompanied by high unemployment, he noted, with the impact being felt most severely by the least-skilled.
related:
Targeted wage model can better help vulnerable: Tharman
Cleaners, guards to get pay hike under new system
NTUC seeks pay rise for low-wage workers
read more
PAP: To remain dominant without being dominating
THE People's Action Party (PAP) wants to remain a dominant party anchored in society - without dominating in all areas, said Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam
It can do this as an open political party, he said, that galvanises a diversity of views and ideas, including critical opinions
"I believe we can play a dominant role, retain a dominant position without wanting to completely dominate," DPM Tharman said in an interview with The Straits Times.
"It's in Singapore's interest that you do have a dominant party, but it's got to be one that's open to diversity, welcoming of a responsible opposition."
related:
Ask DPM Tharman
Dominant But Not Dominating
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Being a Minister is so stressful
Being a Minister is so stressful, no wonder they need to be paid higher...
- Yaccob Ibrahim worried why M1 and Singtel are not perform their duties
- Teo Chee Hean worried why civil servants are increasingly corrupt
- Gan Kim Yong worried why there hospitals are short of beds
- Tan Chuan-Jin worried why employers prefer to employ foreigners
- Khaw Boon Wan worried why housing prices are too high
- Ng Eng Hen worried why Citizens not treating others as they would like to be treated
- Lim Hng Kiang worried why SG's FTAs are not working well
- Vivian Bala is worried why NEA cant nail WP for the lapses
- Heng Swee Keat worried why education system is not producing employable citizens
- Chan Chun Sing is worried why there are so many poor citizens in SG
- Lee Hsien Loong worried he feels S'poreans are like a pack of hounds going after him
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