Fu sought AGC’s advice before asking Sylvia Lim to recant and apologise
The Straits Times (ST) today reported that the Leader of the House, Grace Fu, had sought the Attorney-General Chambers’ (AGC) advice before asking Sylvia Lim to retract her statement and apologise last Tuesday.
A certain news site has however interpreted ST’s report to suggest that the “PAP government (is seeking) legal avenue against Sylvia Lim after (she failed) to apologise in ‘Test Balloons’ saga.”
Lim had said earlier that the Government had floated “trial balloons” on a possible tax hike but possibly backed down after the public noted Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam’s comments in 2015 that the Government has enough revenue for the next decade.
Grace Fu: Municipal office ‘not catch-all body, but for complex cases’
The new office aims to resolve the problem of residents getting frustrated when their complaints or requests bounce back and forth between several agencies
Mr Lee said that even though Ms Low sorted out the issue, she found it to be a frustrating and difficult experience, even though she is the Mayor.
Minister Grace Fu will oversee the Municipal Services Office, and work with Minister Khaw Boon Wan. More details on the MSO will be announced later.
He said the Government would try to do a better job, but added that citizens also had a role to play in making Singapore a better home.
read more
PAP'S GRACE FU DEFENDS $410,000 CONSULTANT FEE FOR NAC BIN CENTRE, IT'S A COMPLEX PROJECT
The AGO report has revealed lots of lapses, including an eye-popping $410,000 consultancy fee for a $470,000 bin centre.
Whoever authorised the payment at the National Arts Centre has to be held accountable and the MCCY owes the public an explanation.
Instead, MCCY Minister Grace Fu claimed that it was a “complex” project requiring “significantly more design expertise”. Fu is wrong to assume the public could be taken for a ride easily.
read more
Disgraceful, Grace Fu
So, as I had expected, it didn’t take long for the PAP to resort to below-the-belt attacks on Dr Chee Soon Juan – again.
Just a day after Nomination Day, at her party’s first rally for the Bukit Batok by-election, the Minister of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY), Grace Fu, apparently launched an ad hominem volley at the SDP secretary general.
“He wants to be a full-time MP,” Ms Fu said, referring to Dr Chee. “As far as I know he’s not held a full-time job for a long time… The work experience is essential. It’ll be interesting to see if there is a referral letter from Chiam See Tong.
read more
Grace Fu demands apology from WP's Sylvia Lim for GST ‘test balloons’ allegation
Leader of the House Grace Fu on Tuesday (March 6) called on Aljunied GRC Member of Parliament (MP) Sylvia Lim to apologise to the House before Thursday, & withdraw her allegation that the Government had floated “test balloons” on the need to raise revenues within this term & had intended to raise the goods and services tax (GST) immediately.
Speaking in Parliament before the start of the day’s Committee of Supply (COS) debate, Ms Fu, who is also the Minister for Culture, Community & Youth, read out a statement which set out the facts and reiterated that Ms Lim’s allegation was without basis.
Her statement came 4 days after Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat had asked last Friday if she was ready to withdraw her allegation — which was made in Parliament the previous day — after having had an opportunity to check the facts.
read more
This Grace Fu Marks International Women’s Day with Parliament Catfight and Personal Insults
That seems to be what happened in parliament today during the catfight between Leader of the House, this Grace Fu from the PAP, and the WP’s Sylvia Lim.
When questioned by Lim as to whether there were double standards in parliament – one for the Prime Minister and one for clarifications on GST – all Grace Fu could muster was a weak attack on the WP and Lim.
Sounds like that moment when you don’t have a good come back line and resort to name-calling?
read more
Support, groom more women for Cabinet posts
I am concerned that we do not have more women and more promotions of women in the new Cabinet ("PM names Cabinet aimed at leadership succession" and "Grace Fu finds place in history with two firsts"; both published on Tuesday)
In this time and age, it cannot be said that there are no available female talents or that these talents cannot be groomed to take on more responsible positions. We have seen women proving their worth in formal education and in the workplace. Many of them are leading major organisations and delivering commendable results.
With the disproportionate number of men in the Cabinet, perhaps there are underlying issues that we have not addressed in our search for female talents
read more
Grace Fu announces revised code on public toilet standards
The Straits Times (ST) today reported that the Leader of the House, Grace Fu, had sought the Attorney-General Chambers’ (AGC) advice before asking Sylvia Lim to retract her statement and apologise last Tuesday.
A certain news site has however interpreted ST’s report to suggest that the “PAP government (is seeking) legal avenue against Sylvia Lim after (she failed) to apologise in ‘Test Balloons’ saga.”
Lim had said earlier that the Government had floated “trial balloons” on a possible tax hike but possibly backed down after the public noted Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam’s comments in 2015 that the Government has enough revenue for the next decade.
Grace Fu: Municipal office ‘not catch-all body, but for complex cases’
Mr Lee said that even though Ms Low sorted out the issue, she found it to be a frustrating and difficult experience, even though she is the Mayor.
Minister Grace Fu will oversee the Municipal Services Office, and work with Minister Khaw Boon Wan. More details on the MSO will be announced later.
He said the Government would try to do a better job, but added that citizens also had a role to play in making Singapore a better home.
read more
PAP'S GRACE FU DEFENDS $410,000 CONSULTANT FEE FOR NAC BIN CENTRE, IT'S A COMPLEX PROJECT
The AGO report has revealed lots of lapses, including an eye-popping $410,000 consultancy fee for a $470,000 bin centre.
Whoever authorised the payment at the National Arts Centre has to be held accountable and the MCCY owes the public an explanation.
Instead, MCCY Minister Grace Fu claimed that it was a “complex” project requiring “significantly more design expertise”. Fu is wrong to assume the public could be taken for a ride easily.
read more
Disgraceful, Grace Fu
Just a day after Nomination Day, at her party’s first rally for the Bukit Batok by-election, the Minister of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY), Grace Fu, apparently launched an ad hominem volley at the SDP secretary general.
“He wants to be a full-time MP,” Ms Fu said, referring to Dr Chee. “As far as I know he’s not held a full-time job for a long time… The work experience is essential. It’ll be interesting to see if there is a referral letter from Chiam See Tong.
read more
Grace Fu demands apology from WP's Sylvia Lim for GST ‘test balloons’ allegation
Speaking in Parliament before the start of the day’s Committee of Supply (COS) debate, Ms Fu, who is also the Minister for Culture, Community & Youth, read out a statement which set out the facts and reiterated that Ms Lim’s allegation was without basis.
Her statement came 4 days after Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat had asked last Friday if she was ready to withdraw her allegation — which was made in Parliament the previous day — after having had an opportunity to check the facts.
read more
This Grace Fu Marks International Women’s Day with Parliament Catfight and Personal Insults
When questioned by Lim as to whether there were double standards in parliament – one for the Prime Minister and one for clarifications on GST – all Grace Fu could muster was a weak attack on the WP and Lim.
“I would like to say that her conduct falls well short of the standards of integrity and honorable conduct we expect of all members. Regrettably to say that it reflects the low standards which the Member and her party have set for themselves with regard to commitment to truthful and honest debate in parliament.”
Sounds like that moment when you don’t have a good come back line and resort to name-calling?
read more
Support, groom more women for Cabinet posts
I am concerned that we do not have more women and more promotions of women in the new Cabinet ("PM names Cabinet aimed at leadership succession" and "Grace Fu finds place in history with two firsts"; both published on Tuesday)
In this time and age, it cannot be said that there are no available female talents or that these talents cannot be groomed to take on more responsible positions. We have seen women proving their worth in formal education and in the workplace. Many of them are leading major organisations and delivering commendable results.
With the disproportionate number of men in the Cabinet, perhaps there are underlying issues that we have not addressed in our search for female talents
read more
Grace Fu announces revised code on public toilet standards
Speaking today (19 Nov) at the inaugural Singapore WASH conference on sanitation, which was held commemorate the World Toilet Day, Minister Grace Fu announced a new revised Code of Practice on public toilet standards to help in designing better public toilets in new commercial developments next year.
She also launched ‘A Guide to Better Public Toilet Design and Maintenance’, which provides information about good design, maintenance and user education on public toilets.
The new public toilets will have more family and elderly-friendly features. From June 2014, for every 3 cubicles or urinals in the male toilet, new buildings will need to have five cubicles in the ladies’. This is up from the current ratio of 1-to-1
read more
FROM ADVICE ON DENGUE, MINISTER GRACE FU HAS SHIFTED TO PUBLIC TOILETS
Grace Fu’s latest pearls of wisdom: “A public washroom should be well-designed to ensure that it is pleasant while being easy to clean. If you don’t wash your hands after you use it, and you leave marks on the doorknobs, these can potentially spread... infectious diseases.” When was the last time she used a coffee shop/hawker center toilet?
I believe many can easily recall Grace’s advice to dengue patients “to prevent themselves from getting bitten by the mosquitoes.”
http://therealsingapore.com/content/grace-fu-dengue-patients-need-avoid-getting-bitten
Coming from a minister, one can really feel a strong sense of motherly love for all Singaporeans or the minister really has nothing better to do. Is this another instance of “Jiak Liao Bee”?
read more
Make Grace Fu Minister of Toilets
No such misery for Ms Grace Fu, she gets to rub shoulders with Nobel laureates like Aung San Suu Kyi
Grace Fu is the 2nd woman full Minister in Singapore. Unfortunately she doesn't actually hold a portfolio, she's a Minister in the PMO and only 2nd Minister for the Foreign Affairs and Environment Ministries. But in a way you've gotta admire her political savvy. After her introduction into politics in 2006, she was made junior minister in a few ministries. She probably hoped to make the step-up after GE 2011, especially with the defeat of the 1st woman full Minister - Lim Hwee Hua. Unfortunately that didn't materialise.
But Ms Fu is no shrinking violet, instead of accepting her fate, she upped the ante, and made a strong pitch of her sacrifices in entering politics in a FB post about the decision to reduce the enormous wages of Ministers: http://sg.news.yahoo.com/minister%E2%80%99s-comments-on-pay-cuts-spark-public-debate.html
As the above article suggests, many ordinary Singaporeans were not very amused with her comments. It however does seem now after some reflection, that they were wrong and completely misunderstood her remarks as she re-iterated. You see, Ms Fu had given out some very useful advice, an advice that is oft heard but somehow always seemed to be forgotten. It's no point working hard and making sacrifices, if all these efforts is not recognised. In other words, it's not just about working hard, but working smart, and making damn sure your boss knows that you are doing so.
It is too early to tell whether the ongoing dengue epidemic has peaked, Second Minister for Environment and Water Resources Grace Fu said yesterday
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Yuhua Open House, Ms Fu stressed the importance of keeping the surroundings free of mosquito breeding sites.
She added: “For patients of dengue fever, it’s also important for them to prevent themselves from (getting bitten by) the mosquitoes.
“We have to stop the mosquito-to-human and human-to-mosquito transmission in order to control the incidence of dengue.
read more
S’pore Conversation not meant to be extended Meet-the-People Session: Grace Fu
The Singapore Conversation is not meant to be an extended Meet—the—People Session. Ms Grace Fu, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, said this to reporters on the sidelines of a community event, in response to a question on whether the national dialogue has turned out the way she had expected.
She said: "I hope there’s a platform where we can hear a variety of views. There may be a minority who are treating it as a platform to air bread—and—butter issues, but I believe this platform is necessary.
"I believe once Singaporeans have participated in it multiple times, they would understand its aim better and set their sights further to talk about what they hope for Singapore to become 20 years from now."
read more
Soon, easier to use and cleaner loos
Alexandra Hospital's well-ventilated Zoo Toilet won the "Happy Toilet of the Year" award
Dirty toilets may soon be a thing of the past, with new moves to help cleaners keep loos here spanking clean.
Toilets in new buildings must have cubicle partitions hanging from the wall or ceiling, with gaps at the bottom, to prevent dirt and grime accumulating along the edges of these partitions.
Scupper drains will also have to be installed along the wall beneath urinals to get rid of odour and make it easy to clean the floor
related:
read more
Amy Khor on toilets
“Public toilets reflect on our society… I was told Japanese investors go and visit the toilets of a company before investing — they believe it reflects the level of efficiency of the management.”
Participants at the World Toilet Summit, taking place this week in Northern Ireland, are shrugging off the sniggers to insist everyone must pay attention to the “last taboo” of proper sanitation.
“We have been conditioned not to talk about it,” said Jack Sim, the Singaporean businessman who founded the World Toilet Organisation, which runs the annual event.
“We have had women’s liberation, sex revolution, workers’ revolution, we can talk about everything now — the toilet is the last taboo which must be broken,” he said. The potential for mockery is high.
read more
New ideas for healthy living at One Million KG Challenge Launch
Dr Amy Khor (third from right), Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Health, joining in the mass workout following the official launch of the 1,000,000 KG Challenge. (Photo by VoxSports)
“1.7 million Singaporeans, we estimate, have a body mass index which is 23 or higher, and at risk of obesity-related diseases. About 1 million Singaporeans are pre-diabetic or suffer at least one chronic condition,” she explained in her opening speech.
Through this challenge, she hoped that it would “heighten awareness of healthy weight management” by providing that “simple nudge to begin the journey to good health.”
Various booths and performances were put up to promote healthy living, which included Food and Beverage companies such as Subway, Mr Bean, Gardenia and Smoothie King, as well as a Yoga demonstration and Zumba Kids, which got the crowd up and jumping on their feet. Participants were also given the chance to make pledges which were displayed on a wall for public viewing.
read more
Celebrating Caregiving 2013 Model Caregiver awards
The 2013 Model Caregiver Awards were presented this morning by Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State for Health, at an event at Hyflux Innovation Centre.
Organised by AWWA Centre for Caregivers (CFC), with support from Agency for Integrated Care and SG Enable, the “Celebrating Caregiving” event aimed to highlight stories of exemplary family caregivers who had demonstrated resilience and resourcefulness in managing the challenges of being a caregiver, and to inspire fellow caregivers across Singapore and generate greater awareness among the wider community. More than 160 caregivers, guests and volunteers came together to celebrate the occasion.
Twenty award recipients were selected from 29 caregiving individuals and families, and domestic helpers, and nominated by various Voluntary Welfare Organisations, hospitals, nursing homes, schools and a Community Development Council. For the domestic helper category, nominations from the public were also sought.
read more
Art gallery pops up at void deck of Jurong West HDB block
Dr Amy Khor, Mayor of South West District, visited the recently completed Void Deck "Art Gallery" in Jurong West on Sunday.
The gallery was put together by DBS Bank, Hong Kah North Community Arts and Culture Club, non-profit arts enterprise Social Creatives and South West Community Development Council.
More than 600 people, ranging from students to teachers and residents, were involved in the creation of the art pieces which depict Singapore's culture and history over the past 50 years.
read more
Fall prevention key to avoiding severe injuries in the elderly
Fall prevention strategies are key to avoiding severe injuries in the elderly, said Senior Minister of State for Health Amy Khor on Saturday morning. One in three severe trauma cases involve people over 65 years of age.
"Trauma used to be thought of as a condition that afflicts only the young and road users," Dr Khor said. Trauma refers to physical injury sustained through various causes. In Singapore, falls and road traffic accidents are the main causes to trauma cases.
Dr Khor outlined nationwide measures to prevent falls in the elderly in her opening address at the Singapore Trauma Conference, including regular exercise programmes like those conducted by the Health Promotion Board.
40,000 low-income women to benefit from free mammogram screenings
Singaporeans aged 50 and above who hold the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) card are eligible to undergo the free mammography, upon receiving their letters from BCF.
Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State for Health, said: "Particularly for low-income women, the Health Behavioural Surveillance survey also showed that for women with primary education, the screening rate is three in 10, versus nearly five in 10 for those with tertiary education.
"So we need to intensify our efforts to raise awareness and to encourage these women to come forward for regular screenings."
read more
500 women 'befrienders' to be deployed to heartland
The aim is to have at least 1,000 members of the PA's Women Executive Committee (WEC) become befrienders, said Dr Amy Khor, who is the council's adviser.
This is about half of about 2,400 members from 105 such committees across the island.
Dr Khor, who is also the MP for Hong Kah North and chairman of feedback unit Reach, said the programme is "timely" as a Reach poll last year had showed that the elderly and low-income earners were less likely to be aware of government policies and schemes.
read more
Diverse Pioneer Generation Package Task force set up
Dr Khor added: "We are keenly aware that healthcare is the number one concern for many of our pioneers today.
"Hence, it is important that we spare no effort in helping our pioneers understand the key initiatives and benefits of the Pioneer Generation Package to allay this concern.
"We want to assure them that healthcare will be affordable to them, and that they can get the care they need when they need it
read more
'Ah Huay' MP on her Hokkien humour
Nearly a week after uttering the Hokkien word for defecation, Member of Parliament Lee Bee Wah is finding it hard to live it down. "People are still talking about it," she said in mock exasperation on Friday. "They forgot all about the contents of my speech."
That is perhaps not surprising. Given the prim and proper tradition of Parliament, Ms Lee caused a ripple of incredulous laughter when she criticised the opposition's call to delay the GST hike as a case of ai pang sai ka che jamban (looking for a toilet only when one needs to pass motion).
She felt she had an important point to make.
read more
Ah Huay, Lee Bee Wah has transformed the political landscape of PAP
If all MPs and for that manner, opposition MPs who truly give off their times to the betterment of the citizens welfare, then the politics of engagement will serve the residents well. It would surely revolutionize the political scene of modesty in a MP.
The days of false pretense when an MP's visiting the ward with the RC and CC are kept busy preparing for the 'Lords or Ladies' coming...It was so farcical and smacked of total indifference. And the awesomeness of disbelief of the cronies ingratiating to the PAP MPs.
Lee Bee Wah has come of age...So, is PAP re-inventing their strategies in engaging the public with more humility and less pomposity...??
read more
Lee Bee Wah Sends 'Smoke Signals'
I heard rumours last year about a plan to convert Nee Soon South into a 'smoke-free zone' by its' MP, Er Dr Lee Bee Wah. I thought maybe she'll think it over and realise the futility of the plan and focus on more productive things. Alas that was wishful thinking on my part, I forgot this was Lee Bee Wah we were talking about. Sure enough, last week this wonderful scheme took effect. (see link below)
http://app2.nea.gov.sg/corporate-functions/newsroom/news-releases/nee-soon-south-constituency-to-pilot-first-community-initiated-smoke-free-zone
Like many silly and pointless exercises it looks pretty neat on paper. Smokers in 'Zone D' will be encouraged to puff away in 6 Designated Smoking Points (DSPs). All of them are located away from paths trodden by residents and are situated mainly in grass patches. Mdm Lee hopes to raise awareness about the harmful effects on '2nd hand smoke' by smokers and wants to convince them of this by using social pressure and educational outreach.
read more
LEE BEE WAH CLARIFIES: LI HONGYI DID NOT BREAK SCHOLARSHIP BOND
She clarified that Li Hongyi is on a programme to allow scholars to work in private sector before starting work in the public service:
“Hongyi is currently on a programme to allow PSC scholarship holders a stint in the private sector before starting work in the Public Service. Once he completes the programme later this year, he will be deployed to the Public Service like all other scholarship holders. Hongyi completed his NS obligations before embarking on this programme.”In other words, Li Hongyi did not break his scholarship bond. However, it’s not known if his 2 years in Google would be counted towards the serving of his bond too. It’s also not known how many scholars have been approved to work in the private sector since this programme started.
Lee Bee Wah has given permission for her clarifications on Li Hongyi’s case to be quoted on TRE. She added that the information was from PSD.
related:
LBW clarifies: Li Hongyi did not break bond
Did PM Lee’s son break bond by working for Google?
PAP MP Lee Bee Wah clarified that Li Hongyi is on a programme
Lee Bee Wah opens her mouth again !!!
read more
WHAT LEE BEE WAH SAID ABOUT LAND USE DOESN’T SEEM RIGHT
I don’t know but to a layman like me, isn’t this saying that, after I sign a UN agreement, I can back out of it when it is inconvenient?
Has enough been done to try to adhere to this UN agreement? I think if I signed a contract with an employer, I won’t be able to get out of the contract unless I renegotiate the terms. I can’t just say times have changed or others have an easier time sticking to the contract than me so I don’t need to follow the contract exactly.
Maybe I’m just being anal, but what this Lee Bee Wah said doesn’t seem right to me.
read more
NETIZENS OUTRAGE BY LEE BEE WAH'S FACEBOOK STATUS
Lee Bee Wah, MP for Nee Soon GRC and Singapore Table Tennis chief who courted controversy during the Beijing Olympics in 2008 with her dictatorial and unilateral sacking of table tennis team manager Antony Lee, has raised eyebrows this time with a post on her Facebook asking residents to use the "strength and power of the 60% good Singaporeans" to "put pressure and change the bad habit of the other 40% litterbugs". Lee Bee Wah made these comments in her post on a "rubbish clearing initiative" at her ward.
This befuddling 60-40 demarcation has attracted plenty of criticisms against Lee.
First it is not known how she arrived at this figure. If it is true, then Singapore has a lot of litterbugs and it is a wonder how we manage to keep the streets relatively clean without a 24-by-7 team of road sweepers.
read more
PAP MP Lee Bee Wah: 60% are good Singaporeans, 40% are litterbugs
Facebook
Here are some comments from irate Singaporeans:
Link
Here are some comments from irate Singaporeans:
Link
read more
LEE BEE WAH: THE TIGHTENING OF FOREIGN LABOUR MAY HAVE CAUSED THE JEM CEILING COLLAPSE
Lee Bee Wah, the Chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for National Development, suggested that the tightening of the foreign worker policy may have been a factor in the ceiling collapse at JEM shopping mall earlier this week which injured three people.
She was talking about the poor quality of construction and said that it was likely to be due to cost cutting as well as the lack of manpower caused by the tightening of foreign labour.
She went on to explain that “every time a contractor renews work permit for their workers, they face some difficulties and therefore keep changing staff. That could mean we don’t have experienced engineers or inspectors."
read more
Dr Lee Bee Wah Listens Only To The Good Stuff
I was quite amused by the tit-for-tat between Nee Soon GRC MP, Lee Bee Wah and a resident. More info can be obtained here. http://www.tremeritus.com/2013/01/30/mp-lee-bee-wah-i-dont-wish-to-engage-rude-resident-further.
Let's face it, MPs, Ministers and those in a position of authority will always receives requests and demands, some of which may just not be possible. As I mentioned in another post, image and perception is something politicians must face or accept. It comes with the territory or an occupational hazard. I believe there's a saying that 'to succeed in politics you must have a thick skin'.
Which makes Dr Lee's reply rather perplexing. Surely a person with her experience, qualifications and title even - Er Dr Lee Bee Wah, should know better than to reply to 1 sarcastic remark addressed to her in her official capacity as a people's representative, with 1 of her own. Worse to go further and call the sender rude and brush him/her aside with typical indifference.
read more
Lee Bee Wah tells students to wash toilet woh
MP: School children should learn to clean toilets
Member of Parliament (MP) Lee Bee Wah is wondering if local parents will support an initiative to have local school children take turns to wash toilets.
The MP left such a message on Facebook yesterday, saying, "I was told that in Japan, school children take turns to wash toilets so that they will have the habit of keeping (it) clean. Will our parents support this in Singapore?"
In response to her question, more than ten parents have expressed their support for the idea.
read more
Cure for Anton Casey is to befriend Singaporeans less well-off than him: Hri Kumar
The cure for people who gained notoriety after making offensive remarks on the Internet, such as Mr Anton Casey, is to get to know and befriend Singaporeans, Member of Parliament Hri Kumar said in a Facebook post on Thursday.
Mr Casey, a British permanent resident here, had referred to users of public transport as "poor people" in a Facebook post in January, adding that he will wash "the stench of public transport" off himself. His remarks began circulating shortly after, sparking outrage among locals. He subsequently left Singapore for Perth, after claiming that threats had been made towards his family.
Mr Hri Kumar believes that the former wealth manager would not have made those remarks if he had Singaporean friends "who are less well off than he is".
read more
PAP MP Hri Kumar questions Workers' Party's silence
Singaporeans’ interests are not advanced when the opposition’s instinct is to say only what they think people want to hear, and then retreat from difficult questions, Mr Hri Kumar said - ST FILE PHOTO
Three weeks after attacking the Workers’ Party (WP) for not taking a stand on contentious issues, Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC MP Hri Kumar Nair went on the offensive again on Friday.
In a Facebook post titled “The Sounds of Silence”, he questioned why the opposition party had yet to respond to his earlier post.
“The Straits Times on 18 November 2013 reported that it was considering whether to respond. Three weeks have passed, and not a squeak from them,” Mr Hri Kumar wrote.
Hri Kumar fires new salvo at WP for staying
'silent'
THREE
weeks after attacking
the Workers' Party (WP) for not
taking a stand on contentious issues, People's Action Party MP
Hri Kumar Nair went on the offensive again yesterday.
In a
Facebook post titled "The
Sounds of Silence", he questioned why the opposition party
had yet to respond to his earlier post.
read more
Hri Kumar hits out at WP again for sitting on the fence
People’s Action Party (PAP) Member of Parliament (MP) Hri Kumar Nair has taken another hit at the opposition Workers’ Party (WP), criticising it for continuing to sit on the fence when it comes to “difficult issues”.
In a second Facebook post last night — which came less than three weeks after he first called out the WP for not taking a stand on issues — Mr Hri Kumar said opposition parties have long campaigned on the premise that it is unhealthy to have only one party in Parliament, and that it is good for alternative views to be expressed.
“Singapore is at a critical phase of her development ... Important policies on healthcare, education, welfare, taxation and redistribution are currently being re-examined. The interests of Singaporeans are not advanced when the opposition’s instinct is to say only what it thinks people want to hear and then retreat from difficult questions,” he said.
related:
Another PAP MP hits out at WP for sitting on the fence
MPs try out new ways to engage residents in changing landscape
In an earlier post, I criticised the Workers’ Party (WP) for refusing to take a stand on contentious issues. Many have commented on the post, for which I am grateful. Some agreed with me, some offered excuses on behalf of the WP, others resorted to insults. But nobody, not a single soul, disagreed with the assertion that the WP runs away from difficult issues.
Some have even highlighted other matters the WP has kept mum on, such as the hacking of government websites and where the government should draw the line on welfare and social assistance programs.
So what would the WP say about my post? The ST on 18 November 2013 reported that it was considering whether to respond. Three weeks have passed, and not a squeak from them.
In the past two months, he has written two long winded notes on his Facebook Page criticizing the Workers’ Party for sitting on the fence and running away from tough issues.
Running away from tough issues?
This coming from someone who sat on the fence on the 6.9m Population White Paper? Will Hri Kumar tell us if he stood up to contradict his Party? In a reply to a Facebook user asking about his thoughts on the White Paper, he wrote:
“No one wants to have 6.9m, and the plan is for us not to get there. However, Government is building infrastructure ahead of time and is using 6.9m as a planning parameter. Therefore, ideal is if we hit the lower figure (say, 6.5m), but have facilities for 6.9m. That would mean less crowded trains, shorter waiting periods for houses etc. I am definitely in favour of that.” https://m.facebook.com/HriKumarNair/posts/490067241039878So is this a “Yes” or a “No”?
related: Hri Kumar, answer these 36 Qs & take a stand!
read more
Hri Kumar criticises WP again over "First World Parliament" pledge
The Sounds of Silence - In an earlier post, I criticised the Workers’ Party (WP) for refusing to take a stand on contentious issues. Many have commented on the post, for which I am grateful. Some agreed with me, some offered excuses on behalf of the WP, others resorted to insults. But nobody, not a single soul, disagreed with the assertion that the WP runs away from difficult issues
Some have even highlighted other matters the WP has kept mum on, such as the hacking of government websites and where the government should draw the line on welfare and social assistance programs.
So what would the WP say about my post? The ST on 18 November 2013 reported that it was considering whether to respond. Three weeks have passed, and not a squeak from them
read more
MP HRI KUMAR: PLEASE HELP US TO ASK THE “DIFFICULT’ QUESTIONS?
I refer to the article PAP MP Hri Kumar questions Workers’ Party’s silence (Singapolitics, Dec 6) and “Hri Kumar hits out at WP again for sitting on the fence” (Today, Dec 7).
The latter states that “People’s Action Party (PAP) Member of Parliament (MP) Hri Kumar Nair has taken another hit at the opposition Workers’ Party (WP), criticising it for continuing to sit on the fence when it comes to “difficult issues”.
In a second Facebook post last night — which came less than three weeks after he first called out the WP for not taking a stand on issues — Mr Hri Kumar said opposition parties have long campaigned on the premise that it is unhealthy to have only one party in Parliament, and that it is good for alternative views to be expressed. Mr Hri Kumar also said Singaporeans are best served by politicians who make a stand; not those who sit on the fence”.
People's Action Party MP Hri Kumar Nair has criticised the Workers' Party for sitting on the fence on tough issues, citing what the opposition party's MPs said at a Parliament sitting earlier last week on the banning of a website and a law that allows detention without trial.
He is the second PAP MP to do so in a week. The first was Senior Minister of State Indranee Rajah who took the WP to task for straddling both sides of the fence on the hijab issue. Both did so in comments on Facebook.
On Saturday night, Mr Nair contrasted PAP MP Denise Phua's clear support for blocking the Ashley Madison website, which facilitates extramarital dating, with the question posed by WP MP Pritam Singh at last Monday's Parliament sitting, which he said did not make clear the WP's stand
related:
read more
Hri Kumar: WP takes no stands on tough issues
"Is this an exception? Actually, it is the rule. On almost every contentious issue, where taking a position risks loss of support, the WP has either sat on the fence or has heavily qualified its position, while giving the impression that it has seriously considered the matter."
Mr Nair also cited WP chairman Sylvia Lim's failure to take a position on the Bill to renew the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act, which gives the Government power to detain persons without trial. It was only after Second Minister for Home Affairs S. Iswaran pressed her that she said she supported its renewal "with a heavy heart"
On the hijab debate, the WP did not take a position but called for a public dialogue, Mr Nair noted. He said Singapore's political development would stagnate if political parties avoid difficult issues "because there can never be freedom of choice unless people know and understand what their choices really represent"
read more
An odd attack by MP Hri Kumar
Hri Kumar: WP takes no stands on tough issues
"Is this an exception? Actually, it is the rule. On almost every contentious issue, where taking a position risks loss of support, the WP has either sat on the fence or has heavily qualified its position, while giving the impression that it has seriously considered the matter."
Mr Nair also cited WP chairman Sylvia Lim's failure to take a position on the Bill to renew the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act, which gives the Government power to detain persons without trial. It was only after Second Minister for Home Affairs S. Iswaran pressed her that she said she supported its renewal "with a heavy heart"
On the hijab debate, the WP did not take a position but called for a public dialogue, Mr Nair noted. He said Singapore's political development would stagnate if political parties avoid difficult issues "because there can never be freedom of choice unless people know and understand what their choices really represent"
read more
An odd attack by MP Hri Kumar
It was somewhat odd that PAP Member of Parliament Hri Kumar should ask the Workers’ Party to take a stand on issues just after The Independent of Singapore had told the Singapore Government to say once and for all what was its decision on the hijab controversy.In a Facebook post yesterday, Kumar analysed WP’s questions and statements on issues like Ashley Madison, hijab, detention without trial, Section 377 A of the Penal Code and organ transplants and concluded with this quote from a founding father of the US, Alexander Hamilton:
“Those who stand for nothing fall for anything.”
The WP’s strategy of staying in the centre has worked so far. They tapped on to a growing angst with the ruling party over issues like immigration, transport and housing to work up a frenzy at the last GE. The time has come for it to move away from the check-the-driver strategy to one that will tell Singaporeans that they mean business when or if it comes to governing Singapore one day
read more
PAP MP Hri Kumar Nair: Attack Dog or Barking Dog?
Mr Hri Kumar Nair speaking Parliament. After 7 long years, he finally found his voice - and wants to play 'attack dog'
I was somewhat surprised to see PAP MP for Bishan Toa-Payoh GRC, Hri Kumar Nair come out and attack the Worker's Party, in a Facebook post that obviously received the dutiful reprint in the Straits Times and other main stream media: https://www.facebook.com/notes/hri-kumar/uniquely-singapore-politics/620087204704547
Before I delve into his article, I did say 'surprise' - indeed I was surprised that Mr Nair chose to play the role of 'attack dog'. Obviously PAP MPs will be expected to lay into the main opposition in Parliament, but what surprised me that it was Mr Nair who suddenly felt the need to raise the ante all by himself. Why? Because he was one of the most inept MPs in his GRC, so much so that they (the PAP top brass) decided to basically remove him as the MP overseeing Thomson constituency and replace him with Ms Josephine Teo. He effectively exchanged roles with her and took over her place in Toa Payoh.
So I'm surprised that Mr Nair has now after 7 years as an MP decided he would seize the initiative and lay into the WP for lacking an ideology. Surprisingly while he ascertains that political parties have ideologies like left-wing, right-wing, liberal etc, and questions the WP to declare theirs, he does not tell us what is his party's own ideology? So pray tell Mr Nair what is the PAP's ideology? Right-wing, centre-left, ultra conservative?
read more
Hri Kumar Nair: 'Papa, I don’t want you to be an MP anymore'
In part 2 of the Supper Club interview, MP Hri Kumar Nair reveals that his young daughter asked him to give up his political career so he could read to her, and speaks about his experiences growing up in an opposition ward.
Q: You had your daughter after you entered politics in 2006. Has that changed things for you? A: It took us some time to have a child. We had been trying for some time and weren’t successful. When my daughter came it was a real blessing.
I blame myself because we started late. Right now I run a team of lawyers at my firm and they get an earful from me all the time.
read more
Idea of schools without PSLE, no streaming "worth a try"
Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC MP Hri Kumar Nair said he is in favour of scrapping the PSLE, but only if there is a better solution for secondary school placement.
Mr Nair said: "The devil will be in the details. If you have some schools which are set up differently, who will gain entry into these schools?
"Who will get priority if these schools turn out to be popular?
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:
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
read more
related:
