Minister for Trade and Industry, Maj-Gen “Kee Chiu” Chan Chun Sing had a hearty laugh with business leaders as he condemned the behaviour of Singaporeans who he deemed overreacted to the 2019-nCoV Wuhan Virus scare.
In a leaked audio clip that has been making the rounds online, Maj-Gen Chan, who is slated to be Singapore’s next Deputy Prime Minister, is heard putting down Singaporeans, and taking swipes at Hong Kong and China. Maj-Gen Chan put down the efforts of Hong Kong and China’s leaders to stem the spread of the virus, and also laughed at Singaporeans who sought more masks from the government and stormed supermarkets to stock up on food supplies. The meeting reportedly took place last week.
Here’s some of the juiciest quotes from Maj-Gen Chan’s speech:
- On Singaporeans complaining about mask distribution
- On limited supply of face masks
- On Hong Kong’s leadership regarding personal safety and hygiene
- On Singaporeans being a disgrace
- On “suckers” who stockpiled food
- On stupid Singaporeans
Chan Chun Sing, our beng?
Everybody I know who knows Chan Chun Sing likes him. Smart, folksy, straight-talker, authentic, humble beginnings, frugal, hard worker who tirelessly works the ground, all well known attributes. I like his accent and liberal use of colloquialisms.
I have enjoyed stories about how he likes driving his security detail around (rather than being driven) and how, in conversations with elite civil servants, he has championed the need to cultivate closer ties with our immediate neighbours, Malaysia and Indonesia, an issue close to my heart. All that gives me reason for pause when critiquing CCS. In the ivory tower that writers sometimes appear to occupy, one invariably wonders about the image of a person that the media projects. CCS is not the bumbling buffoon caricatured by his kee chiu antics, something I’ve heard many times.
Yet, as with most things, there is value in the views from both near and far. From my distant trench, the evidence that keeps emerging about him—the latest being a leaked recording of a closed-door discussion with the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI)—only deepens my conviction that he has ascended far higher than he would have if we had genuine meritocracy at the top.
Confusion between cotton and sheep
In a recent media podcast, Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing explained that “it would not be possible for Singapore to survive without trade”. “We must not forget – even to produce eggs ah, where does the egg come from? You would probably tell me hens. But where does the chicken come from? Don’t tell me eggs,” he said.
In trying to make the point that Singapore cannot survive without international trade, he made an illustration that surgical masks could not be wholly produced in Singapore because there are parts that have to be procured elsewhere, such as cotton.
Giving a sardonic snigger, he drove home the message that we “don’t have too many sheep in Singapore to produce cotton.”
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Gerry Yeo 13 hrs
Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing was being praised for his plainspoken tough talk after he apparently said “disgraceful” Singaporean panic buyers were behaving like “idiots” and threw shade at Hong Kong’s handling of the coronavirus outbreak.
His comments, made in a roughly 20-minute clip that has been spreading online this week, has gotten the attention of Singaporeans who seemed to enjoy his Singlish-steeped straight-talk and agreed with what he said. The clip was recorded in a closed-door meeting with business leaders.
“Just a small group behaving like idiots like that will kill all of us, it will kill our current price negotiation strategy, it will kill our future business strategy … I was very upset on Saturday because it has long-term implications on our international standing. Every country can behave like idiots, Singaporeans must not behave like idiots,” the voice that sounds like Chan says in the ostensibly leaked clip.
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Online users express anger towards Chan Chun Sing over his remarks of calling people “idiots” and “disgraceful”
Last week, Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing conducted a closed-door meeting with a group of business leaders organised by the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI). In the meeting, he addressed a number of issues including people’s behaviour of panic buying and hoarding essential items in Singapore. He noted that this behaviour “has long term implications” on the country’s international standing.
Mr Chan was referring to incident of Singaporeans clearing out supermarket shelves as they stock up on rice, instant noodles, hand sanitisers and more after the country’s Disease Outbreak Response System Condition (DORSCON) level was raised to orange as the coronavirus outbreak continued to escalate.
Describing the entire thing as “xia suay” or “disgraceful”, Mr Chan said, “We embarrass ourselves, disgraceful, we disgrace ourselves.” Mr Chan added that he was “ashamed” at the behaviour of some Singaporeans who were stocking up on so-called essential items in fear that the country would run out due to supply chains being affected by the global outbreak.
related: Hong Kong netizens offended by Chan Chun Sing’s “disgraceful” remarks
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“Sia suay should be the word of the year…” Netizens take a dig at Chan Chun Sing now that panic buying is happening in many countries
With the Covid-19 outbreak spreading across the world, different countries such as Japan, Australia, Germany, the United States, and Indonesia have been airing reports of panic buying as people have been stocking up on necessities such as food, water, and even toilet paper.
Some Singaporean netizens could not, it seems, resist taking a dig at Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing, who did not mince words at panic buyers in Singapore and Hong Kong in a speech he made last month.
To be fair, Mr Chan did make these remarks with a certain degree of candour, as he said them in a closed-door meeting with the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI), and an audio recording of his speech had been leaked to the public.
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Chan Chun Sing's "Idiotic" Speech Gets International Coverage
Chan Chun Sing’s speech at the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce closed door event, which was anonymously leaked to the wider public, has, not surprisingly, finally been picked up by foreign media. One of the media that picked up on his less than stellar speech in Singlish was a Honk Kong publicaiton.
The Translated headline was “Singapore Ministers says Hongkongers are idiots.” Of course, as everyone knows, newspapers and tabloids will come up with headlines that will incite some kind of adverse reactions from their readers. This is how they sell their papers, whether the headlines are a true reflection of what was said or not.
But Chan Chun Sing has put himself in this position all of his own doing. He did not think through the consequences of his supposedly straight talking speech. After all, why would a Minister speak in such a way at a closed door event? He was not talking to his close friends in a private event. While it’s true that the panic buying is unnecessary, there is no need for a Minister to resort to such derogatory words when speaking in his capacity as the Minister of Trade and Industry. This does not put Singapore in a good light, especially in terms of bilateral relations.
related:
Chan Chun Sing Claims He Is A Straight Talker, But Is He Really One?
Straight Talking Minister, Good For Singapore, Or Just A Lousy Excuse?
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Toilet rolls are among the must-have items for shoppers spooked by the coronavirus outbreak
For a few days earlier this month, it appeared as if parts of Hong Kong, Singapore and Seoul were simultaneously struck by a zombie apocalypse as residents spooked by the coronavirus outbreak rushed to clear supermarket shelves of everything from fresh vegetables to toilet rolls and instant noodles.
Perplexed at why people were panic buying, Singaporean trade minister Chan Chun Sing accused citizens of the city state of engaging in “monkey see, monkey do behaviour” in a private conversation with businesspeople. A leaked audio clip of his comments went viral.
“You want to stock rice, stock noodle, I can tahan [“live with it” in Malay]. Then why stock toilet paper? If you eat all the rice and instant noodles you confirm [sic] diarrhoea,” he said in remarks laced with the city state’s famed “Singlish” lingo.
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Shameful and unsympathetic for Minister Chan to mock Hong Kong’s panicked behaviour, says political consultant
Minister Chan Chun Sing’s remarks about Hong Kong’s reaction to the Covid-19 virus is mean and ignores the vulnerable social situation in Hong Kong that was present even before the outbreak, says Alice Wu
In an opinion piece on South China Morning Post on Monday (24 February), the political consultant slammed Mr Chan’s remarks for lacking empathy, adding that it is “not exactly honourable behaviour”. “It’s shameful, actually, coming from a leader and it reflects badly on him, as well as the country he represents,” Ms Wu said. She is referring to remarks by Mr Chan in a leaked 25-minute audio recording in which he called Hong Kongers’ “idiots” for their behaviour of panic buying and hoarding in the face of the outbreak. Mr Chan was speaking in a closed-door dialogue with members of the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
His comments drew the ire of Hong Kong netizens who felt that Mr Chan’s remarks were not appropriate and signalled his lack of understanding about the situation in Hong Kong. Ms Wu explained that she understands the anger at Mr Chan, acknowledging that his comments were “mean” as it ignores the fact that Hong Kong “appears to be down and out”.
She went on to say, “Granted, we’re lying on the ground because we tripped over ourselves, but mocking Hong Kong’s misfortunes – getting a laugh at the expense of people caught in their most vulnerable moments – still smacks of Schadenfreude and a complete lack of empathy.”
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Don’t be so quick to mock Hong Kong’s misfortunes, Singapore. Your time could come, too
While Hongkongers have every right to take offence at Chan’s comments, we should note that Chan said similarly harsh things about some of his fellow countrymen – the ones who followed our example and went on panicked shopping sprees.
I do understand the anger because Chan’s comments were mean. Kicking a man when he’s down is not exactly honourable behaviour. It’s shameful, actually, coming from a leader and it reflects badly on him, as well as the country he represents. It ignores the fact that Hong Kong appears to be down and out. Granted, we’re lying on the ground because we tripped over ourselves, but mocking Hong Kong’s misfortunes – getting a laugh at the expense of people caught in their most vulnerable moments – still smacks of Schadenfreude and a complete lack of empathy.
Let’s hope Chan’s comments provoke enough anger in Hong Kong for us to step forward, overcome divisions, rise from the ashes of hate and fear, and come together as a community. Let’s also hope Chan will notice that Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor’s pride came before her fall.
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Singapore hospitals would suffer if leaders wore masks like Hong Kong’s Carrie Lam: minister
Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, Hong Kong's chief executive, speaks while wearing a protective face mask during a news conference on January 31. Photo: Bloomberg
An audio recording of Singapore’s Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing commenting on Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor’s decision to wear a surgical mask to a press conference on the coronavirus outbreak is making the rounds online.
In the 25-minute recording believed to be of a closed-door dialogue with members of the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Chan said that if politicians in Singapore were to do the same as Lam, the city state’s hospital system “would have broken down”.
The minister’s leaked comments appeared to be referring to the worldwide rush on surgical masks that has seen prices of the product skyrocket and countries run out of supplies.
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Chan Chun Sing, our beng?
Everybody I know who knows Chan Chun Sing likes him. Smart, folksy, straight-talker, authentic, humble beginnings, frugal, hard worker who tirelessly works the ground, all well known attributes. I like his accent and liberal use of colloquialisms. I have enjoyed stories about how he likes driving his security detail around (rather than being driven) and how, in conversations with elite civil servants, he has championed the need to cultivate closer ties with our immediate neighbours, Malaysia and Indonesia, an issue close to my heart.
All that gives me reason for pause when critiquing CCS. In the ivory tower that writers sometimes appear to occupy, one invariably wonders about the image of a person that the media projects. CCS is not the bumbling buffoon caricatured by his kee chiu antics, something I’ve heard many times. Yet, as with most things, there is value in the views from both near and far. From my distant trench, the evidence that keeps emerging about him—the latest being a leaked recording of a closed-door discussion with the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI)—only deepens my conviction that he has ascended far higher than he would have if we had genuine meritocracy at the top.
CCS, in other words, would probably make a great Permanent Secretary (PermSec), pinnacle of the civil service, or agency head, or possibly a more junior politician, somebody that can connect with, and rouse, the “heartland” ground. That he has risen to our putative second in command worries me. And the fact that many Singaporeans have actually praised CCS for his comments at SCCCI suggests to me that our bar for leadership is just so low.
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Writer Sudhir Thomas Vadaketh says praises given to Chan Chun Sing calls standard of leadership in Singapore into question
Sudhir Thomas Vadaketh recently published a no-holds barred critique of Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing, who recently made the headlines for the leaked audio recording of a speech he made at a recent closed-door meeting with the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI). Mr Chan drew both approval and censure for his speech, with some people praising him for authenticity and honesty, and others criticizing him for calling Singaporeans and Hongkongers “idiots,” among other things.
Mr Vakadeth, a published author and former senior editor with the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), expresses concern over Mr Chan’s rise to presumptive second in command, given the Minister’s character and behaviour over the years.
While the writer praises Mr Chan for his down-to-earth ways, for Mr Vakadeth, “the evidence that keeps emerging about him only deepens my conviction that he has ascended far higher than he would have if we had genuine meritocracy at the top.” He adds that Mr Chan’s ascent to second in command in waiting worries him, and finds that the praise Mr Chan received for the leaked audio recording shows how low the standard of leadership has gotten in Singapore.
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Singlish straight talk is fine, but how about humility?
Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing in January 2020. (File photo: Dhany Osman / Yahoo News Singapore)
Your network of friends can’t be very wide if you haven’t at least heard about leaked audio featuring Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing. It’s been making the rounds on social media, particularly on WhatsApp. Various websites have picked it up the story and this led, predictably, to a chorus of laments and imprecations levelled at the minister.
Since no one has denied the provenance of the audio clip and the leak can’t be described as an offence under the Official Secrets Act, I am going to stick out my neck here to write about it. Heck, even Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post has reported it.
The background: Mr Chan was speaking to businessmen from the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI) on 10 February. As is the fashion these days, it was behind closed doors. It seems that whatever injunction to keep the discussion of the meeting private wasn’t heeded, a move that the SCCCI has lamented as “regretful” and “disappointing”.
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Lim Tean calls out Chan Chun Sing’s “disgraceful glorification of Singlish”
In a leaked recording of the meeting, the Trade and Industry Minister was indeed less diplomatic than usual, and can be heard saying such things as “Why did the run happen? You know, run on the supermarket, right? …I damn ashamed. You know why? Xia suay… We embarrass ourselves, disgraceful, we disgrace ourselves… No paper, water also can. So why do we behave so idiotically? I cannot tahan. Then the selfish idiot go and take all the alcohol swab, because got no more clean wipe right?”
But for lawyer and opposition leader Lim Tean, it was the way Mr Chan spoke that he first found fault with, writing a lengthy post on Facebook about speaking “Proper English.” He called the language Mr Chan used, “a disgraceful glorification of Singlish,” adding, “which has no place in a 1st World Country, where proper English should be taught and spoken. If our children were to speak like him in that audio, it would be the death-knell of the career prospects for many, unless you are an elite.”
The People’s Voice leader also called Mr Chan out for describing Singaporeans as “Idiots”, “Suckers” and “Disgraceful,” saying that many Singaporeans had complained to him about this. “From this incident, Chan Chun Sing shows himself to be cut from the same elitist cloth as his Party colleague Goh Chok Tong, who described those earning less than $500K as “mediocre”. And this from a Party that professes to be – With You, For You, For Singapore!” The opposition leader ended his post by writing, “So take a look at your own pathetic performance before you demean your own countrymen! And you should tender an unreserved apology for your uncalled for remarks!”
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Why Are There People Who Still Thinks Chan Chun Sing Said Nothing Wrong In His Ah Beng Speech?
Chan Chun Sing's 21 minute leaked audio recording of him berating Singaporeans who decided hoarding was a solution to the current virus heavy environment has drawn flak and praise in equal measures. While many average Singaporeans feel outrage at the way he speaks about the minority of kiasu Singaporean hoarders, there are still some, most likely the PAP Internet Brigade, who praised him for his straight talking act of bravado.
In fact, the way he spoke was more akin to an Army commander talking down to his lowly ranked men, who has no choice but to listen to his ranting and nod their heads in silence. This was no way a Minister, even in a closed door event, should be carrying himself. Certainly not in a Singlish heavy rant, which not only brings shame upon himself, but to Singapore in general. After all, wasn't his PAP party the one that started the campaign for Singaporeans to speak proper English, and banish Singlish to the dustbins. This would be another failed PAP initiative then, when one of their own top Minister cannot remove himself from his Singlish. But what is more disturbing than Chan's rant in the leaked audio is how there seems to be many non-partisan people who see nothing wrong with what he said and how he said it almost as if they agree with all the negative things said about Singaporeans as being idiotic, stupid, and suckers. Where is the empathy and where is the understanding on why people want to get masks and why people worry and panicked when Orange alert came out? Always easy to be on a high horse to criticize the masses than to do deeper reflection and analysis to help improve the situation. Some seem to think it was ok for Chan to joke and make fun of the people. But this was not a mere kopitiam chat with friends. When Chan speaks, he represents the government, especially at a meeting with business people from SCCCI. How he speaks shows how he thinks of our people and his attitude as Minister vs People.
If our elected leaders think poorly of us and many fellow citizens also think like that it is no wonder more and more foreigners look down on us. If this sort of constant put downs continue where is the pride of being Singaporean? And what about the people’s morale? Does it not matter?
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On leaked speeches, idiots, and suckers
By now a lot of you have probably heard this leaked audio recording of Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing speaking to the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It’s been circulating online, especially on WhatsApp, and The Online Citizen has posted it to SoundCloud, which I’ve embedded below.
In the recording, the minister addresses several aspects of the fight against COVID-19: the limited availability of masks, the raising of DORSCON from Yellow to Orange, the panic-buying that took place, the impact on businesses and employment. He spoke in full-on Chinese unker Singlish, letting loose and venting his frustrations over the situation. His verbal fire was especially concentrated on those who had engaged in panic-buying and hoarding: labelling them “idiots” and “suckers”, he mocked their rush to stock up on toilet paper, hand sanitisers, and even condoms, and described it as “sia suay” (disgraceful, in the sense that it causes people to lose face).
Since the audio was “leaked”, Chan has actually been praised by many Singaporeans for his candid talk. We are, after all, a nation of people who believe that we all need some “hard truths to keep us going”, and many people have taken this speech as an indication that the government is going strong and has got the situation all in hand. I’ve found the positive reaction pretty staggering. It makes me feel like there’s a significant number of us Singaporeans out there who actually like to be treated with disdain.
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Covering The Other Side SG 17 hrs
"This brings us back to a long-standing issue that has been raised time and time again: does the PAP government engage with citizens from a position of mutual respect and good faith? How meaningful are the public consultations that we have in Singapore? How open are they to listening to differing viewpoints and considering them?
If the government has so little trust and faith in the people, and believe that they can only speak candidly to a group of “elite” who are like them—such as the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry—then it’s no surprise that we have this sort of top-down paternalistic authoritarian governance. And we should really be asking ourselves if this is a good place to be.
This might seem okay for a lot of the time—and generally I think the government’s response to COVID-19 has been pretty good—but does it actually help to build the solidarity and social identity that we need to be resilient? Does it encourage Singaporeans to engage in our own critical thinking and parse the situation for ourselves without having to always be waiting for cues from the government? Does it make us strong enough to be able to be, to borrow the term from Chan, “steady” independent of the government? What happens if the government gets something wrong, or doesn’t react fast enough? Will we be paralysed as a people without direction from the top?"
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SCCCI President Ng who wants to investigate audio leak, linked to PA’s grassroots
On Wednesday (19 Feb), lawyer and former ISA detainee Ms Teo Soh Lung wrote on her Facebook page expressing her amusement over Ng’s response. “His letter expressed the fear that its standing of ‘high repute’ has been damaged by the leak,” wrote Ms Teo. “Don’t worry about the leak. Recording private meetings are done by governments at all time. Your member’s conduct is not disgraceful at all.”
Ms Teo explained that while she was giving a speech at a private general meeting of the Singapore Law Society in the 1980s, someone present at the event “secretly recorded and reproduced verbatim” for the former prime minister, the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew. She said that Mr Lee at that time was trying to “run me down” at the Parliamentary Select Committee hearing on the Amendment to the Legal Profession Act in 1986.
She also mentioned that back in 2015, she tried to reserve SCCCI’s auditorium for the book launch of LIVING IN A TIME OF DECEPTION by Dr Poh Soo Kai, who is actually the grandson of the late philanthropist Tan Kah Kee and a founder of SCCCI. Dr Poh was one of the founding members of PAP. When the party split in 1961, he left to join the Barisan Sosialis party. He was subsequently arrested and detained without trial in 1963. He was arrested again without trial in 1976 and 1982.
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Function 8 19 February at 04:02
DAMAGED REPUTATION? By Teo Soh Lung
I was exceedingly amused by the letter written by the President of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry regarding the leak of the audio recording of Minister Chan Chun Sing’s rant at a private meeting with business leaders. His letter expressed the fear that its standing of “high repute” has been damaged by the leak. It also expressed the disappointment and regret about the conduct of one of its members and the erosion of trust between the Chamber and the minister.
If I can offer a bit of consolation to the President here. Don’t worry about the leak. Recording private meetings are done by governments all the time. Your member's conduct is not disgraceful at all.
One example I can give is the unauthorised recording of my speech at a private extraordinary general meeting of the Singapore Law Society sometime in the 1980s. My speech was secretly recorded and reproduced verbatim for the then prime minister, the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew who attempted to run me down (though unsuccessfully) at the Parliamentary Select Committee hearing on the Amendment to the Legal Profession Act in 1986.
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SCCCI: Leaked recording of Minister Chan’s closed-door discussion “unacceptable and deeply disappointing”
The Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI) issued a notice of clarification about the audio recording of Minister Chan Chun Sing’s closed-door dialogue with its members that was leaked to the public, indicated the act as “unacceptable and deeply disappointing” from its grassroots member.
On 10 February, Minister of Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing conducted a closed-door meeting with a group of business leaders organized by the SCCCI. The meeting – purportedly to be “frank, closed-door discussion” – touched on the latest developments impacting the nation’s economy and society. The Minister addressed a number of issues including people’s behavior of panic buying and hoarding essential items in Singapore. However, a 25-minute audio recording of the discussion was then leaked and circulated among various group chats.
In the recording, Mr Chan can be heard describing the panic buying as as “xia suay” or “disgraceful”, adding that he was “ashamed” by these people who gave into panic and rush to stockpile essential items due to fear of the outbreak, calling them idiots.
related: Don’t worry about damaged reputation from the leak audio recording of Minister Chan’s rant for you have no reputation to begin with
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Leak of closed-door Chan Chun Sing meeting 'deeply disappointing' and a 'betrayal', says Singapore Chinese Chamber president
During the meeting, which lasted over two hours, Mr Chan spoke candidly about the supply of surgical masks, and said masks were not the solution to the coronavirus outbreak. "No matter how many millions of masks we have, we will never have enough," he is heard saying in the recording.
Noting that Hong Kong was facing a shortage of masks for medical personnel there, he said that if Singapore had issued masks indiscriminately, the hospital system would have "broken down" as there would have been no masks for hospital staff who have to take care of the infected. Neither could members of the multi-ministry task force here have worn masks like Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam did at a recent press conference. This would have caused panic, said Mr Chan.
While his remarks were reported in Hong Kong, there has been no official comment from Mrs Lam or the government there. Mr Chan and the SCCCI did not address reports and comments about his remarks out of Hong Kong.
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SCCCI chief calls leak of minister's comments 'a breach of trust'
The leak of a recording from a closed-door meeting between Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI) members and minister Chan Chun Sing is "deeply disappointing" and a betrayal of trust, the chamber's president said on Tuesday.
In a letter to members seen by The Straits Times, Mr Roland Ng said SCCCI is investigating the matter, which has "serious implications" on its standing, for Singapore and for Mr Chan, who is Trade and Industry Minister. This came after a 25-minute recording of Mr Chan's remarks during the meeting last week was circulated on social media and messaging apps.
In his letter, Mr Ng said members had been informed multiple times that the meeting was off-the-record. The recording was thus "a clear breach of trust".
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Leaked audio of closed-door dialogue with Min Chan Chun Sing
Minister Chan does such closed-door dialogues fairly often. He would meet with different groups of Singaporeans, business leaders, union leaders, grassroots leaders and yes, even the average Singaporeans like yours truly.
Yes, I’ve attended a few of such closed-door dialogues and am familiar with how Minister Chan would typically check that we’re all Singaporeans and that we understand that it’s closed-door. What this means is he’s prepared to have a no-holds-barred discussion with the attendees, provided there’s no reporting by the media, no recording and yes, no leaks.
In such dialogues, he takes on all sorts of questions and is always candid. And what I personally like is how he tries to walk us through the thinking and decision-making process in policy formulation. In many instances, I have heard him explain the situation, share the different options and why the Government decides on a certain solution.
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Fabrications About The PAP 17 February at 19:17
We've enjoyed listening to the leaked audio clip of #ourbengsteady Chan Chun Sing. Outraged by the exuberant use of Singlish in Chan Chun Sing’s leaked audio clip? Let me tell you why this Beng has got Singaporeans’ backs.
By now, if you’ve not heard Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing’s leaked audio clip, you don’t have many friends. Maybe you’ve joined others in lamenting why this Minister talk like that. Maybe you’ve cringed at the fact the audience seemed to enjoy his jokes and laughed along with him. (Whereas you, of course, would never dignify kopitiam humour with even a grunt of acknowledgement. The very idea!)
But there are 𝗮𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝟱 𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 why this Beng has got our backs.
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Chan Chun Sing 16 February at 19:53
The Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI) arranged for me to meet a group of local business leaders last week for a frank, closed-door discussion on the latest developments impacting our economy and society.
The business leaders had many questions for me on the evolving COVID-19 situation. Some were concerned with how we were handling the situation. Others were concerned about the dwindling visitor arrivals and the spate of panic buying. In addition to seeking assurance from the Government that we would support them through this challenging period, they also wanted to have our assessment of how other countries and places were dealing with the coronavirus, ways in which we could strengthen our defences both psychologically and physically to deal with the coronavirus and its fallout, as well as what the future is likely to be after the situation had stabilised.
I provided a frank assessment to the business leaders. Many of them have attended my closed-door dialogues and they know that I do not mince my words when presenting hard truths and trade-offs. I shared frankly our challenges, difficult decisions and trade-offs. This is because I see them as an important part of Team Singapore and recognise the role that they play in supporting Singapore’s continued survival and success. In order for us to continue to take difficult decisions together, it is critical that we have a shared understanding of the challenges and opportunities that we face.
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Singapore urges calm after panic buying hits supermarkets
Singapore’s trade minister sought to assure Singaporeans that there is no need to rush for essential supplies like rice or instant noodles. Photo: Reuters
The government has come out to assure Singaporeans that there is an ample supply of essentials, after the raising of the risk assessment level of the novel coronavirus situation in the city state sparked panic buying at supermarkets.
Photos of long queues and empty shelves at supermarkets have been circulating on social media after Singapore raised the Disease Outbreak Response System Condition (Dorscon) alert level to Orange on Friday afternoon. This refers to a situation in which a virus is spreading in Singapore but not widely, and is being contained.
Shoppers have also encountered difficulties buying groceries online due to high demand.
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An Attempt to Understand Why So Many People Dislike Minister Chan Chun Sing
When Heng Swee Keat was ‘confirmed’ as the PM-in-waiting last month, many Singaporeans breathed a sigh of relief. Some were glad to see an experienced Finance Minister at the helm, whilst others were disappointed at the lack of Tharman. Most citizens, however, simply closed their eyes and said a silent prayer of gratitude: “Thank god it’s not Chan Chun Sing.”
Okay, I lied. The prayers were loud and gleeful. Many were overjoyed to learn that Chan Chun Sing, long considered the frontrunner, would not be our next King. They were so ecstatic that the usual ‘return my CPF’ complaints were temporarily suspended, replaced by expressions of schadenfreude at Keechiu’s ‘downfall’.
Personally, I don’t like CCS, but I’m also disturbed by the amount of hate that he has received over the past year. To me, he is just another 4G Minister like his peers OYK and TCJ, neither exceptional in his achievements nor particularly damning in his faults. So what gives? Why do so many people have such a deep-seated dislike of Keechiu?
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That Chan Chun Sing question: Quite a number of points, actually
A debate in Parliament on Monday (Jan 6) on the government’s Industry Transformation Maps saw this rather loaded question arising out of a clash between Pritam Singh and Chan Chun Sing. The Workers’ Party secretary-general had tabled a question asking for the number of new jobs created in each of the 23 sectors covered under the ITMs. He wanted a detailed breakdown – Singaporeans, Permanent Residents and Foreigners. (ITMs are roadmaps to drive industry transformation – each ITM consists of a growth and competitiveness plan, supported by four pillars: productivity, jobs and skills, innovation and trade and internationalisation).
Minister of State for Manpower Zaqy Mohamad replied that employment for the sectors grew 19,500 overall, a result of an increase in employment for 39,300 Singaporeans and 8,600 PRs, and a decrease in employment for 28,500 foreigners. Presumably since the ITMs came into existence in 2016. Not satisfied, Singh pressed Zaqy for more data (writer: my nativist interpretation) – such as a broad picture of how many true-blue born and bred Singaporean PMETs have lost or gained jobs in recent times. Having such figures in the open would result in better and healthier public discourse so that, Singh stressed, “you don’t have a corrosive conversation about Singaporeans losing jobs to foreigners, et cetera.”
Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing then jumped in to deliver a mini rah-rah speech on how important it was for Singaporeans to stop looking for divisions within this society and instead always regard everyone as part of Team Singapore. They should appreciate how foreigners have helped grow the economy and so on – and thank their lucky stars?
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Conservationists set the record straight on COVID-19’s wildlife links
To give a better understanding of the origin of the coronavirus and what can be done to stop the future spread of disease from animals to humans, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and Global Wildlife Conservation have partnered on a series of new infographics.
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Singapore to shut Changi’s Terminal 2 for 18 months due to COVID-19
Singapore will shut Terminal 2 of the Changi Airport as part of a cost-cutting move due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has seriously affected the country’s tourism industry.
All operations at the terminal, including retail, will be suspended for 18 months starting May, Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan reportedly announced in Parliament today. He also hinted at more closures, noting that only one terminal has so far been enough to handle the traffic at the airport.
Airlines operating at the terminal will be transferred to Changi’s remaining three terminals next month. Singapore Airlines will operate from Terminal 3. “We will save on running costs – for the airport operator, retail tenants, airlines and ground handlers,” The Straits Times quoted him as saying.
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Photos of local hotspots don’t seem impressive to locals that see them every day, but this viral album might change your mind. Local photographer Lemjay Lucas used this opportunity to take haunting pics of the busiest places in our little red dot last Saturday (4 Apr) to Sunday (5 Apr). He feels that the outside world looked different as spaces seemed bigger and wider with the absence of visitors.
Here’s a look at the deserted destinations due to the global pandemic.
Wuhan city, we all know that it's the 1st Chinese city famous for the Coronavirus. But do u know the city itself ? Here it is - real amazing you will surely like this
Above link is for marking Wuhan city's opening after COVID-19. The photos are darkened but when you touch it, it will brighten as a sign of light returning to Wuhan! Open the link and try it!
Went out without Mum's permission during Lockdown, now she got lockout
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related:
Confusion between cotton and sheep
Singlish-slinging minister praised for calling outbreak panic buyers ‘idiots’
Chan Chun Sing: "But be careful, Don't anyhow say things"
The Chan Chun Sing Puzzles
A Political Elite Class in Singapore?
Next Prime Minister “likely” to be already in the cabinet
Free the Singapore Media and Let the People Go
The People's Association is not Partisan
From Chan Khaw Teo to Vivian
From Yao Chan Chiam to Chee
Chan Chun Sing & Lee Kuan Yew
A Political Elite Class in Singapore?
Minister Chan explains confusion between cotton and sheep as being due to the lack of sleep
In a recent media podcast, Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing explained that “it would not be possible for Singapore to survive without trade”. “We must not forget – even to produce eggs ah, where does the egg come from? You would probably tell me hens. But where does the chicken come from? Don’t tell me eggs,” he said.
In trying to make the point that Singapore cannot survive without international trade, he made an illustration that surgical masks could not be wholly produced in Singapore because there are parts that have to be procured elsewhere, such as cotton.
Giving a sardonic snigger, he drove home the message that we “don’t have too many sheep in Singapore to produce cotton.”
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Gerry Yeo 13 hrs
Walioa! That's what he said "Cotton comes from sheeps" .. Isn't he a SAF scholar?
Just a small group behaving like idiots like that will kill all of us
Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing was being praised for his plainspoken tough talk after he apparently said “disgraceful” Singaporean panic buyers were behaving like “idiots” and threw shade at Hong Kong’s handling of the coronavirus outbreak.
His comments, made in a roughly 20-minute clip that has been spreading online this week, has gotten the attention of Singaporeans who seemed to enjoy his Singlish-steeped straight-talk and agreed with what he said. The clip was recorded in a closed-door meeting with business leaders.
“Just a small group behaving like idiots like that will kill all of us, it will kill our current price negotiation strategy, it will kill our future business strategy … I was very upset on Saturday because it has long-term implications on our international standing. Every country can behave like idiots, Singaporeans must not behave like idiots,” the voice that sounds like Chan says in the ostensibly leaked clip.
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Online users express anger towards Chan Chun Sing over his remarks of calling people “idiots” and “disgraceful”
Last week, Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing conducted a closed-door meeting with a group of business leaders organised by the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI). In the meeting, he addressed a number of issues including people’s behaviour of panic buying and hoarding essential items in Singapore. He noted that this behaviour “has long term implications” on the country’s international standing.
Mr Chan was referring to incident of Singaporeans clearing out supermarket shelves as they stock up on rice, instant noodles, hand sanitisers and more after the country’s Disease Outbreak Response System Condition (DORSCON) level was raised to orange as the coronavirus outbreak continued to escalate.
Describing the entire thing as “xia suay” or “disgraceful”, Mr Chan said, “We embarrass ourselves, disgraceful, we disgrace ourselves.” Mr Chan added that he was “ashamed” at the behaviour of some Singaporeans who were stocking up on so-called essential items in fear that the country would run out due to supply chains being affected by the global outbreak.
related: Hong Kong netizens offended by Chan Chun Sing’s “disgraceful” remarks
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“Sia suay should be the word of the year…” Netizens take a dig at Chan Chun Sing now that panic buying is happening in many countries
With the Covid-19 outbreak spreading across the world, different countries such as Japan, Australia, Germany, the United States, and Indonesia have been airing reports of panic buying as people have been stocking up on necessities such as food, water, and even toilet paper.
Some Singaporean netizens could not, it seems, resist taking a dig at Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing, who did not mince words at panic buyers in Singapore and Hong Kong in a speech he made last month.
To be fair, Mr Chan did make these remarks with a certain degree of candour, as he said them in a closed-door meeting with the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI), and an audio recording of his speech had been leaked to the public.
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Chan Chun Sing's "Idiotic" Speech Gets International Coverage
Chan Chun Sing’s speech at the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce closed door event, which was anonymously leaked to the wider public, has, not surprisingly, finally been picked up by foreign media. One of the media that picked up on his less than stellar speech in Singlish was a Honk Kong publicaiton.
The Translated headline was “Singapore Ministers says Hongkongers are idiots.” Of course, as everyone knows, newspapers and tabloids will come up with headlines that will incite some kind of adverse reactions from their readers. This is how they sell their papers, whether the headlines are a true reflection of what was said or not.
But Chan Chun Sing has put himself in this position all of his own doing. He did not think through the consequences of his supposedly straight talking speech. After all, why would a Minister speak in such a way at a closed door event? He was not talking to his close friends in a private event. While it’s true that the panic buying is unnecessary, there is no need for a Minister to resort to such derogatory words when speaking in his capacity as the Minister of Trade and Industry. This does not put Singapore in a good light, especially in terms of bilateral relations.
related:
Chan Chun Sing Claims He Is A Straight Talker, But Is He Really One?
Straight Talking Minister, Good For Singapore, Or Just A Lousy Excuse?
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Toilet rolls are among the must-have items for shoppers spooked by the coronavirus outbreak
For a few days earlier this month, it appeared as if parts of Hong Kong, Singapore and Seoul were simultaneously struck by a zombie apocalypse as residents spooked by the coronavirus outbreak rushed to clear supermarket shelves of everything from fresh vegetables to toilet rolls and instant noodles.
Perplexed at why people were panic buying, Singaporean trade minister Chan Chun Sing accused citizens of the city state of engaging in “monkey see, monkey do behaviour” in a private conversation with businesspeople. A leaked audio clip of his comments went viral.
“You want to stock rice, stock noodle, I can tahan [“live with it” in Malay]. Then why stock toilet paper? If you eat all the rice and instant noodles you confirm [sic] diarrhoea,” he said in remarks laced with the city state’s famed “Singlish” lingo.
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Shameful and unsympathetic for Minister Chan to mock Hong Kong’s panicked behaviour, says political consultant
In an opinion piece on South China Morning Post on Monday (24 February), the political consultant slammed Mr Chan’s remarks for lacking empathy, adding that it is “not exactly honourable behaviour”. “It’s shameful, actually, coming from a leader and it reflects badly on him, as well as the country he represents,” Ms Wu said. She is referring to remarks by Mr Chan in a leaked 25-minute audio recording in which he called Hong Kongers’ “idiots” for their behaviour of panic buying and hoarding in the face of the outbreak. Mr Chan was speaking in a closed-door dialogue with members of the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
His comments drew the ire of Hong Kong netizens who felt that Mr Chan’s remarks were not appropriate and signalled his lack of understanding about the situation in Hong Kong. Ms Wu explained that she understands the anger at Mr Chan, acknowledging that his comments were “mean” as it ignores the fact that Hong Kong “appears to be down and out”.
She went on to say, “Granted, we’re lying on the ground because we tripped over ourselves, but mocking Hong Kong’s misfortunes – getting a laugh at the expense of people caught in their most vulnerable moments – still smacks of Schadenfreude and a complete lack of empathy.”
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Don’t be so quick to mock Hong Kong’s misfortunes, Singapore. Your time could come, too
While Hongkongers have every right to take offence at Chan’s comments, we should note that Chan said similarly harsh things about some of his fellow countrymen – the ones who followed our example and went on panicked shopping sprees.
I do understand the anger because Chan’s comments were mean. Kicking a man when he’s down is not exactly honourable behaviour. It’s shameful, actually, coming from a leader and it reflects badly on him, as well as the country he represents. It ignores the fact that Hong Kong appears to be down and out. Granted, we’re lying on the ground because we tripped over ourselves, but mocking Hong Kong’s misfortunes – getting a laugh at the expense of people caught in their most vulnerable moments – still smacks of Schadenfreude and a complete lack of empathy.
Let’s hope Chan’s comments provoke enough anger in Hong Kong for us to step forward, overcome divisions, rise from the ashes of hate and fear, and come together as a community. Let’s also hope Chan will notice that Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor’s pride came before her fall.
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Singapore hospitals would suffer if leaders wore masks like Hong Kong’s Carrie Lam: minister
An audio recording of Singapore’s Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing commenting on Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor’s decision to wear a surgical mask to a press conference on the coronavirus outbreak is making the rounds online.
In the 25-minute recording believed to be of a closed-door dialogue with members of the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Chan said that if politicians in Singapore were to do the same as Lam, the city state’s hospital system “would have broken down”.
The minister’s leaked comments appeared to be referring to the worldwide rush on surgical masks that has seen prices of the product skyrocket and countries run out of supplies.
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Chan Chun Sing, our beng?
Everybody I know who knows Chan Chun Sing likes him. Smart, folksy, straight-talker, authentic, humble beginnings, frugal, hard worker who tirelessly works the ground, all well known attributes. I like his accent and liberal use of colloquialisms. I have enjoyed stories about how he likes driving his security detail around (rather than being driven) and how, in conversations with elite civil servants, he has championed the need to cultivate closer ties with our immediate neighbours, Malaysia and Indonesia, an issue close to my heart.
All that gives me reason for pause when critiquing CCS. In the ivory tower that writers sometimes appear to occupy, one invariably wonders about the image of a person that the media projects. CCS is not the bumbling buffoon caricatured by his kee chiu antics, something I’ve heard many times. Yet, as with most things, there is value in the views from both near and far. From my distant trench, the evidence that keeps emerging about him—the latest being a leaked recording of a closed-door discussion with the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI)—only deepens my conviction that he has ascended far higher than he would have if we had genuine meritocracy at the top.
CCS, in other words, would probably make a great Permanent Secretary (PermSec), pinnacle of the civil service, or agency head, or possibly a more junior politician, somebody that can connect with, and rouse, the “heartland” ground. That he has risen to our putative second in command worries me. And the fact that many Singaporeans have actually praised CCS for his comments at SCCCI suggests to me that our bar for leadership is just so low.
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Writer Sudhir Thomas Vadaketh says praises given to Chan Chun Sing calls standard of leadership in Singapore into question
Sudhir Thomas Vadaketh recently published a no-holds barred critique of Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing, who recently made the headlines for the leaked audio recording of a speech he made at a recent closed-door meeting with the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI). Mr Chan drew both approval and censure for his speech, with some people praising him for authenticity and honesty, and others criticizing him for calling Singaporeans and Hongkongers “idiots,” among other things.
Mr Vakadeth, a published author and former senior editor with the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), expresses concern over Mr Chan’s rise to presumptive second in command, given the Minister’s character and behaviour over the years.
While the writer praises Mr Chan for his down-to-earth ways, for Mr Vakadeth, “the evidence that keeps emerging about him only deepens my conviction that he has ascended far higher than he would have if we had genuine meritocracy at the top.” He adds that Mr Chan’s ascent to second in command in waiting worries him, and finds that the praise Mr Chan received for the leaked audio recording shows how low the standard of leadership has gotten in Singapore.
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Singlish straight talk is fine, but how about humility?
Your network of friends can’t be very wide if you haven’t at least heard about leaked audio featuring Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing. It’s been making the rounds on social media, particularly on WhatsApp. Various websites have picked it up the story and this led, predictably, to a chorus of laments and imprecations levelled at the minister.
Since no one has denied the provenance of the audio clip and the leak can’t be described as an offence under the Official Secrets Act, I am going to stick out my neck here to write about it. Heck, even Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post has reported it.
The background: Mr Chan was speaking to businessmen from the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI) on 10 February. As is the fashion these days, it was behind closed doors. It seems that whatever injunction to keep the discussion of the meeting private wasn’t heeded, a move that the SCCCI has lamented as “regretful” and “disappointing”.
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Lim Tean calls out Chan Chun Sing’s “disgraceful glorification of Singlish”
In a leaked recording of the meeting, the Trade and Industry Minister was indeed less diplomatic than usual, and can be heard saying such things as “Why did the run happen? You know, run on the supermarket, right? …I damn ashamed. You know why? Xia suay… We embarrass ourselves, disgraceful, we disgrace ourselves… No paper, water also can. So why do we behave so idiotically? I cannot tahan. Then the selfish idiot go and take all the alcohol swab, because got no more clean wipe right?”
But for lawyer and opposition leader Lim Tean, it was the way Mr Chan spoke that he first found fault with, writing a lengthy post on Facebook about speaking “Proper English.” He called the language Mr Chan used, “a disgraceful glorification of Singlish,” adding, “which has no place in a 1st World Country, where proper English should be taught and spoken. If our children were to speak like him in that audio, it would be the death-knell of the career prospects for many, unless you are an elite.”
The People’s Voice leader also called Mr Chan out for describing Singaporeans as “Idiots”, “Suckers” and “Disgraceful,” saying that many Singaporeans had complained to him about this. “From this incident, Chan Chun Sing shows himself to be cut from the same elitist cloth as his Party colleague Goh Chok Tong, who described those earning less than $500K as “mediocre”. And this from a Party that professes to be – With You, For You, For Singapore!” The opposition leader ended his post by writing, “So take a look at your own pathetic performance before you demean your own countrymen! And you should tender an unreserved apology for your uncalled for remarks!”
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Why Are There People Who Still Thinks Chan Chun Sing Said Nothing Wrong In His Ah Beng Speech?
Chan Chun Sing's 21 minute leaked audio recording of him berating Singaporeans who decided hoarding was a solution to the current virus heavy environment has drawn flak and praise in equal measures. While many average Singaporeans feel outrage at the way he speaks about the minority of kiasu Singaporean hoarders, there are still some, most likely the PAP Internet Brigade, who praised him for his straight talking act of bravado.
In fact, the way he spoke was more akin to an Army commander talking down to his lowly ranked men, who has no choice but to listen to his ranting and nod their heads in silence. This was no way a Minister, even in a closed door event, should be carrying himself. Certainly not in a Singlish heavy rant, which not only brings shame upon himself, but to Singapore in general. After all, wasn't his PAP party the one that started the campaign for Singaporeans to speak proper English, and banish Singlish to the dustbins. This would be another failed PAP initiative then, when one of their own top Minister cannot remove himself from his Singlish. But what is more disturbing than Chan's rant in the leaked audio is how there seems to be many non-partisan people who see nothing wrong with what he said and how he said it almost as if they agree with all the negative things said about Singaporeans as being idiotic, stupid, and suckers. Where is the empathy and where is the understanding on why people want to get masks and why people worry and panicked when Orange alert came out? Always easy to be on a high horse to criticize the masses than to do deeper reflection and analysis to help improve the situation. Some seem to think it was ok for Chan to joke and make fun of the people. But this was not a mere kopitiam chat with friends. When Chan speaks, he represents the government, especially at a meeting with business people from SCCCI. How he speaks shows how he thinks of our people and his attitude as Minister vs People.
If our elected leaders think poorly of us and many fellow citizens also think like that it is no wonder more and more foreigners look down on us. If this sort of constant put downs continue where is the pride of being Singaporean? And what about the people’s morale? Does it not matter?
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On leaked speeches, idiots, and suckers
By now a lot of you have probably heard this leaked audio recording of Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing speaking to the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It’s been circulating online, especially on WhatsApp, and The Online Citizen has posted it to SoundCloud, which I’ve embedded below.
In the recording, the minister addresses several aspects of the fight against COVID-19: the limited availability of masks, the raising of DORSCON from Yellow to Orange, the panic-buying that took place, the impact on businesses and employment. He spoke in full-on Chinese unker Singlish, letting loose and venting his frustrations over the situation. His verbal fire was especially concentrated on those who had engaged in panic-buying and hoarding: labelling them “idiots” and “suckers”, he mocked their rush to stock up on toilet paper, hand sanitisers, and even condoms, and described it as “sia suay” (disgraceful, in the sense that it causes people to lose face).
Since the audio was “leaked”, Chan has actually been praised by many Singaporeans for his candid talk. We are, after all, a nation of people who believe that we all need some “hard truths to keep us going”, and many people have taken this speech as an indication that the government is going strong and has got the situation all in hand. I’ve found the positive reaction pretty staggering. It makes me feel like there’s a significant number of us Singaporeans out there who actually like to be treated with disdain.
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Covering The Other Side SG 17 hrs
"This brings us back to a long-standing issue that has been raised time and time again: does the PAP government engage with citizens from a position of mutual respect and good faith? How meaningful are the public consultations that we have in Singapore? How open are they to listening to differing viewpoints and considering them?
If the government has so little trust and faith in the people, and believe that they can only speak candidly to a group of “elite” who are like them—such as the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry—then it’s no surprise that we have this sort of top-down paternalistic authoritarian governance. And we should really be asking ourselves if this is a good place to be.
This might seem okay for a lot of the time—and generally I think the government’s response to COVID-19 has been pretty good—but does it actually help to build the solidarity and social identity that we need to be resilient? Does it encourage Singaporeans to engage in our own critical thinking and parse the situation for ourselves without having to always be waiting for cues from the government? Does it make us strong enough to be able to be, to borrow the term from Chan, “steady” independent of the government? What happens if the government gets something wrong, or doesn’t react fast enough? Will we be paralysed as a people without direction from the top?"
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SCCCI President Ng who wants to investigate audio leak, linked to PA’s grassroots
Lawyer Teo Soh Lung: “You don’t have a reputation”
On Wednesday (19 Feb), lawyer and former ISA detainee Ms Teo Soh Lung wrote on her Facebook page expressing her amusement over Ng’s response. “His letter expressed the fear that its standing of ‘high repute’ has been damaged by the leak,” wrote Ms Teo. “Don’t worry about the leak. Recording private meetings are done by governments at all time. Your member’s conduct is not disgraceful at all.”
Ms Teo explained that while she was giving a speech at a private general meeting of the Singapore Law Society in the 1980s, someone present at the event “secretly recorded and reproduced verbatim” for the former prime minister, the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew. She said that Mr Lee at that time was trying to “run me down” at the Parliamentary Select Committee hearing on the Amendment to the Legal Profession Act in 1986.
She also mentioned that back in 2015, she tried to reserve SCCCI’s auditorium for the book launch of LIVING IN A TIME OF DECEPTION by Dr Poh Soo Kai, who is actually the grandson of the late philanthropist Tan Kah Kee and a founder of SCCCI. Dr Poh was one of the founding members of PAP. When the party split in 1961, he left to join the Barisan Sosialis party. He was subsequently arrested and detained without trial in 1963. He was arrested again without trial in 1976 and 1982.
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Function 8 19 February at 04:02
DAMAGED REPUTATION? By Teo Soh Lung
I was exceedingly amused by the letter written by the President of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry regarding the leak of the audio recording of Minister Chan Chun Sing’s rant at a private meeting with business leaders. His letter expressed the fear that its standing of “high repute” has been damaged by the leak. It also expressed the disappointment and regret about the conduct of one of its members and the erosion of trust between the Chamber and the minister.
If I can offer a bit of consolation to the President here. Don’t worry about the leak. Recording private meetings are done by governments all the time. Your member's conduct is not disgraceful at all.
One example I can give is the unauthorised recording of my speech at a private extraordinary general meeting of the Singapore Law Society sometime in the 1980s. My speech was secretly recorded and reproduced verbatim for the then prime minister, the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew who attempted to run me down (though unsuccessfully) at the Parliamentary Select Committee hearing on the Amendment to the Legal Profession Act in 1986.
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SCCCI: Leaked recording of Minister Chan’s closed-door discussion “unacceptable and deeply disappointing”
The Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI) issued a notice of clarification about the audio recording of Minister Chan Chun Sing’s closed-door dialogue with its members that was leaked to the public, indicated the act as “unacceptable and deeply disappointing” from its grassroots member.
On 10 February, Minister of Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing conducted a closed-door meeting with a group of business leaders organized by the SCCCI. The meeting – purportedly to be “frank, closed-door discussion” – touched on the latest developments impacting the nation’s economy and society. The Minister addressed a number of issues including people’s behavior of panic buying and hoarding essential items in Singapore. However, a 25-minute audio recording of the discussion was then leaked and circulated among various group chats.
In the recording, Mr Chan can be heard describing the panic buying as as “xia suay” or “disgraceful”, adding that he was “ashamed” by these people who gave into panic and rush to stockpile essential items due to fear of the outbreak, calling them idiots.
related: Don’t worry about damaged reputation from the leak audio recording of Minister Chan’s rant for you have no reputation to begin with
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Leak of closed-door Chan Chun Sing meeting 'deeply disappointing' and a 'betrayal', says Singapore Chinese Chamber president
During the meeting, which lasted over two hours, Mr Chan spoke candidly about the supply of surgical masks, and said masks were not the solution to the coronavirus outbreak. "No matter how many millions of masks we have, we will never have enough," he is heard saying in the recording.
Noting that Hong Kong was facing a shortage of masks for medical personnel there, he said that if Singapore had issued masks indiscriminately, the hospital system would have "broken down" as there would have been no masks for hospital staff who have to take care of the infected. Neither could members of the multi-ministry task force here have worn masks like Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam did at a recent press conference. This would have caused panic, said Mr Chan.
While his remarks were reported in Hong Kong, there has been no official comment from Mrs Lam or the government there. Mr Chan and the SCCCI did not address reports and comments about his remarks out of Hong Kong.
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SCCCI chief calls leak of minister's comments 'a breach of trust'
The leak of a recording from a closed-door meeting between Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI) members and minister Chan Chun Sing is "deeply disappointing" and a betrayal of trust, the chamber's president said on Tuesday.
In a letter to members seen by The Straits Times, Mr Roland Ng said SCCCI is investigating the matter, which has "serious implications" on its standing, for Singapore and for Mr Chan, who is Trade and Industry Minister. This came after a 25-minute recording of Mr Chan's remarks during the meeting last week was circulated on social media and messaging apps.
In his letter, Mr Ng said members had been informed multiple times that the meeting was off-the-record. The recording was thus "a clear breach of trust".
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Leaked audio of closed-door dialogue with Min Chan Chun Sing
Minister Chan does such closed-door dialogues fairly often. He would meet with different groups of Singaporeans, business leaders, union leaders, grassroots leaders and yes, even the average Singaporeans like yours truly.
Yes, I’ve attended a few of such closed-door dialogues and am familiar with how Minister Chan would typically check that we’re all Singaporeans and that we understand that it’s closed-door. What this means is he’s prepared to have a no-holds-barred discussion with the attendees, provided there’s no reporting by the media, no recording and yes, no leaks.
In such dialogues, he takes on all sorts of questions and is always candid. And what I personally like is how he tries to walk us through the thinking and decision-making process in policy formulation. In many instances, I have heard him explain the situation, share the different options and why the Government decides on a certain solution.
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Fabrications About The PAP 17 February at 19:17
𝗦𝗼 𝗵𝗲’𝘀 𝗮 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗴. 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗵𝗲’𝘀 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗴
We've enjoyed listening to the leaked audio clip of #ourbengsteady Chan Chun Sing. Outraged by the exuberant use of Singlish in Chan Chun Sing’s leaked audio clip? Let me tell you why this Beng has got Singaporeans’ backs.
By now, if you’ve not heard Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing’s leaked audio clip, you don’t have many friends. Maybe you’ve joined others in lamenting why this Minister talk like that. Maybe you’ve cringed at the fact the audience seemed to enjoy his jokes and laughed along with him. (Whereas you, of course, would never dignify kopitiam humour with even a grunt of acknowledgement. The very idea!)
But there are 𝗮𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝟱 𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 why this Beng has got our backs.
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Chan Chun Sing 16 February at 19:53
The Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI) arranged for me to meet a group of local business leaders last week for a frank, closed-door discussion on the latest developments impacting our economy and society.
The business leaders had many questions for me on the evolving COVID-19 situation. Some were concerned with how we were handling the situation. Others were concerned about the dwindling visitor arrivals and the spate of panic buying. In addition to seeking assurance from the Government that we would support them through this challenging period, they also wanted to have our assessment of how other countries and places were dealing with the coronavirus, ways in which we could strengthen our defences both psychologically and physically to deal with the coronavirus and its fallout, as well as what the future is likely to be after the situation had stabilised.
I provided a frank assessment to the business leaders. Many of them have attended my closed-door dialogues and they know that I do not mince my words when presenting hard truths and trade-offs. I shared frankly our challenges, difficult decisions and trade-offs. This is because I see them as an important part of Team Singapore and recognise the role that they play in supporting Singapore’s continued survival and success. In order for us to continue to take difficult decisions together, it is critical that we have a shared understanding of the challenges and opportunities that we face.
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Singapore urges calm after panic buying hits supermarkets
The government has come out to assure Singaporeans that there is an ample supply of essentials, after the raising of the risk assessment level of the novel coronavirus situation in the city state sparked panic buying at supermarkets.
Photos of long queues and empty shelves at supermarkets have been circulating on social media after Singapore raised the Disease Outbreak Response System Condition (Dorscon) alert level to Orange on Friday afternoon. This refers to a situation in which a virus is spreading in Singapore but not widely, and is being contained.
Shoppers have also encountered difficulties buying groceries online due to high demand.
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An Attempt to Understand Why So Many People Dislike Minister Chan Chun Sing
When Heng Swee Keat was ‘confirmed’ as the PM-in-waiting last month, many Singaporeans breathed a sigh of relief. Some were glad to see an experienced Finance Minister at the helm, whilst others were disappointed at the lack of Tharman. Most citizens, however, simply closed their eyes and said a silent prayer of gratitude: “Thank god it’s not Chan Chun Sing.”
Okay, I lied. The prayers were loud and gleeful. Many were overjoyed to learn that Chan Chun Sing, long considered the frontrunner, would not be our next King. They were so ecstatic that the usual ‘return my CPF’ complaints were temporarily suspended, replaced by expressions of schadenfreude at Keechiu’s ‘downfall’.
Personally, I don’t like CCS, but I’m also disturbed by the amount of hate that he has received over the past year. To me, he is just another 4G Minister like his peers OYK and TCJ, neither exceptional in his achievements nor particularly damning in his faults. So what gives? Why do so many people have such a deep-seated dislike of Keechiu?
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That Chan Chun Sing question: Quite a number of points, actually
“What is the point behind the question?”. Quite a number of points, actually.
A debate in Parliament on Monday (Jan 6) on the government’s Industry Transformation Maps saw this rather loaded question arising out of a clash between Pritam Singh and Chan Chun Sing. The Workers’ Party secretary-general had tabled a question asking for the number of new jobs created in each of the 23 sectors covered under the ITMs. He wanted a detailed breakdown – Singaporeans, Permanent Residents and Foreigners. (ITMs are roadmaps to drive industry transformation – each ITM consists of a growth and competitiveness plan, supported by four pillars: productivity, jobs and skills, innovation and trade and internationalisation).
Minister of State for Manpower Zaqy Mohamad replied that employment for the sectors grew 19,500 overall, a result of an increase in employment for 39,300 Singaporeans and 8,600 PRs, and a decrease in employment for 28,500 foreigners. Presumably since the ITMs came into existence in 2016. Not satisfied, Singh pressed Zaqy for more data (writer: my nativist interpretation) – such as a broad picture of how many true-blue born and bred Singaporean PMETs have lost or gained jobs in recent times. Having such figures in the open would result in better and healthier public discourse so that, Singh stressed, “you don’t have a corrosive conversation about Singaporeans losing jobs to foreigners, et cetera.”
Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing then jumped in to deliver a mini rah-rah speech on how important it was for Singaporeans to stop looking for divisions within this society and instead always regard everyone as part of Team Singapore. They should appreciate how foreigners have helped grow the economy and so on – and thank their lucky stars?
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I Gotta Wash My Hands!
There's Bird Flu (chicken), SARS (civet cats), Swine Fever (pigs), Mad Cow Disease (cattle), Ebola (monkeys & chimpanzee) & MERS (camels) & now COVID-19 (bats & pangolin). Hope Mr Mare is not galloping out to spread "Beh" (horse) virus. Haha.
Conservationists set the record straight on COVID-19’s wildlife links
- The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has been characterized by the World Health Organization as a pandemic. As the virus spreads, so too does misinformation about its origins.
- Rumors that COVID-19 was manufactured in a lab or that we know with full certainty which animal host passed the disease to humans are unfounded.
- Given the clear risks to animals as well as to human health, the Wildlife Conservation Society and Global Wildlife Conservation are calling for a permanent ban on wildlife trafficking and live animal markets.
To give a better understanding of the origin of the coronavirus and what can be done to stop the future spread of disease from animals to humans, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and Global Wildlife Conservation have partnered on a series of new infographics.
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Singapore to shut Changi’s Terminal 2 for 18 months due to COVID-19
The departure hall of Changi Airport’s Terminal 2. Photo: Muhammad Hasbi
All operations at the terminal, including retail, will be suspended for 18 months starting May, Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan reportedly announced in Parliament today. He also hinted at more closures, noting that only one terminal has so far been enough to handle the traffic at the airport.
Airlines operating at the terminal will be transferred to Changi’s remaining three terminals next month. Singapore Airlines will operate from Terminal 3. “We will save on running costs – for the airport operator, retail tenants, airlines and ground handlers,” The Straits Times quoted him as saying.
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Why Coronavirus Cases Have Spiked in Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan
Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan — once heralded for early successes in battling the pandemic — are now confronting a new wave of coronavirus cases, largely fueled by infections coming from elsewhere. Singapore is also seeing a rise in local transmissions, with more than 400 new cases in the past week that have been linked to migrant worker dormitories.
The first confirmed cases in all three places were connected to people who had traveled to Wuhan, China, where the pandemic began, followed by small clusters of cases among residents with no travel history. Despite their proximity to mainland China, however, they had all managed to keep their case counts low for weeks, through vigilant monitoring and early intervention. None of these places had a single day with more than 10 new cases until March, even as the coronavirus spread around the world.
That changed in the past two weeks, as both Hong Kong and Singapore saw new cases in the double digits for consecutive days, with the bulk attributed to those who have traveled from abroad. Singapore’s numbers are now triple-digits, with large clusters of cases linked to dorms for migrant workers. Taiwan was hit with a surge of new cases, the vast majority of which were imported from other countries, while the number of locally transmitted infections remained low.
13 Haunting Pictures of Singapore
Popular destinations in Singapore are often packed with tourists and locals, but the Covid-19 outbreak has prompted many to stay indoors.
Photos of local hotspots don’t seem impressive to locals that see them every day, but this viral album might change your mind. Local photographer Lemjay Lucas used this opportunity to take haunting pics of the busiest places in our little red dot last Saturday (4 Apr) to Sunday (5 Apr). He feels that the outside world looked different as spaces seemed bigger and wider with the absence of visitors.
Here’s a look at the deserted destinations due to the global pandemic.
Wuhan: A City in China
Wuhan city, we all know that it's the 1st Chinese city famous for the Coronavirus. But do u know the city itself ? Here it is - real amazing you will surely like this
Above link is for marking Wuhan city's opening after COVID-19. The photos are darkened but when you touch it, it will brighten as a sign of light returning to Wuhan! Open the link and try it!
Went out without Mum's permission during Lockdown, now she got lockout
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related:
Confusion between cotton and sheep
Singlish-slinging minister praised for calling outbreak panic buyers ‘idiots’
Chan Chun Sing: "But be careful, Don't anyhow say things"
The Chan Chun Sing Puzzles
A Political Elite Class in Singapore?
Next Prime Minister “likely” to be already in the cabinet
Free the Singapore Media and Let the People Go
The People's Association is not Partisan
From Chan Khaw Teo to Vivian
From Yao Chan Chiam to Chee
Chan Chun Sing & Lee Kuan Yew
