Disappointing CECA debate by PSP puts uncertainty over the party’s credibility
It was extremely disappointing to listen to PSP Leong Mun Wai in Parliament as he sought to exploit Singaporeans’ anxieties and play up xenophobia for PSP’s own political agenda. PSP had been against CECA since its formation It all started when Progress Singapore Party (PSP) chief Dr Tan Cheng Bock brought up the Comprehensive Economic […]
The Online Citizen has its class licence suspended for refusal to comply with the Broadcasting Act
The IMDA said in a media release that it has suspended The Online Citizen Pte Ltd’s (TOC) class licence to operate its websites, as well as its social media channels and accounts from 14 September 2021. The licence may be cancelled if TOC does not provide further information on its funding sources to comply fully […]
Timing of Malaysian army’s video release reminds us of Pukul Habis
While Singapore was celebrating a belated National Day Parade yesterday, 21 August, the Malaysian army uploaded a video about a paratroop exercise to secure two crossing sites. Interestingly, the Commander speaks in English even though Malay is the national and working language in Malaysia. There are also English subtitles. From this, it is quite obvious […]
60 years since Chan Choy Siong, PAP Women’s Wing continues its fight for women’s development
In the 1950s, women were second-class citizens. While they had full voting rights by 1955, in many other areas they lagged far behind men. Many were denied education. Husbands could have multiple wives. Jobs were harder to get and, when employed, women were paid less than men. This was unacceptable to Chan Choy Siong and […]
The GRC system keeps political parties multiracial. Keep it, not abolish it.
Briefly speaking, the GRC system does two things: Ensure minority representation in Parliament; Ensure political parties are multiracial in composition. Of the two points, the second is lesser known. Most of us understand that the GRC system exists for the purpose of ensuring minority representation in Parliament. But not all agree that the system is […]
Pritam Singh echoes view that Singapore must remain open
Recently, opposition leader Pritam Singh shared his views that Singapore must remain open and welcoming to foreign nationals but change how it manages and accommodates foreigners in the economy. Mr Pritam called for legislative weight to deal with employers who discriminate against locals. He asked for mandatory educational assessments on foreign job applicants and more […]
PSP’s arguments have ‘strong stench of xenophobia and racism’, says CEO Devadas Krishnadas
If you want to witness for yourself what ugly populist, conspiracy theorising, fear and hatred stoking politics looks like, watch the parliamentary proceedings and the exchanges between PSP members and Ministers Ong Ye Kung and Dr Tan See Leng, Devadas Krishnas said. Is this what you want for Singaporean politics and for Singapore, Mr Devada […]
Ong Ye Kung speaks on the FTA strategy and the falsehoods surrounding CECA
“FTAs and CECA have been made political scapegoats, to discredit the policy of the PAP Government,” Minister Ong Ye Kung said in Parliament 6 July 2021. In his ministerial statement Mr Ong said FTAs in general, and CECA in particular, are not the cause of the challenges our PMEs face delivered. If anything, they are […]
Dr Tan See Leng responds to PSP Leong Mun Wai’s CECA concerns with facts and reasons
Addressing the unhappiness surrounding the CECA, Dr Tan See Leng said the heart of the matter is how, we as a small country devoid of any natural resources remain open to global talent to create opportunities for Singaporeans, while managing the attendant social repercussions. Singapore has a good Singaporean talent pool, but our pool is […]
2 common myths about CECA that causes a big hoo-ha
CECA has been an oft-used word in the FB comments section of news particularly pertaining to Indian nationals. It has also become synonymous with people’s critique of the Government and the supposed “free flow” influx of Indian nationals to Singapore. So, what exactly is CECA and why does it cause such contention? What is CECA? […]