Monthly Archives: August, 2011
Who can be the Future President of Singapore?
The hotly contested PE begs a hard question – who can be the next president of Singapore after Dr Tony Tan? Gone are the days where there will be no contests or meek contests. We saw how fiercely GE2011 was contested. PE2011 was no different. Some said it was because PE2011 was so soon after …
Hard truths from the PE
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in an official statement on the PE said voters faced a difficult choice between Dr Tony Tan and Dr Tan Cheng Bock. He said that this explained why the winning margin is so narrow, and why the winner only gained slightly more than one-third of the total votes. I am sorry, PM …
Analysis of PE2011 Result
Before polling, I made my prediction to close friends. I posted that prediction on my personal Facebook before counting results came in, at around 10 pm on polling night. I didn’t post it publicly before voting ended because I did not want my predictions to influence voting. My post was: Now that counting is underway …
Whatever the PE2011 outcome, Singaporeans are already winners
It’s 5 am on polling day. I slept past midnight and woke up before 5 am. The first thing I did was to look through my Facebook reading posts by Friends to gauge the voting sentiments for today. The mood is still quite the same. There is vocal support for both the Palm Tree and …
Entrepreneurship begins in school
Presidential candidate Dr Tony Tan spoke of bringing the ‘spirit of Silicon Valley’ to Singapore during his lunchtime rally (http://www.todayonline.com/Hotnews/EDC110824-0000892/President-is-not-a-Super-MP–Tony-Tan). Dr Tan said “(If elected,) I will encourage Singaporeans to strike out in new areas, and give them opportunity to try new ventures and new ideas. I can help encourage their dreams and bring them to …
Fear is still relevant
Presidential candidate Dr Tan Cheng Bock spoke of the fear that he saw in some Singaporeans, including his former PAP colleagues, who told him they did not want to openly support him for the election for fear of being “penalised” or “victimised”. His fellow presidential candidate, Dr Tony Tan said “this kind of fear-mongering is …
An unwritten expectation of political allegiance?
I am intrigued by a statement made by presidential hopeful Mr Tan Kin Lian during the pre-nomination roundtable discussion in response to a question about his earlier active involvement in the PAP. He said, “… So I stopped being active (in PAP). I couldn’t resign because I was working for an NTUC organisation.” (quoted from …
The Challenges of Students with Special Needs in the Mainstream School
Invited article by Mr Yap Keng Ann, parent of a son with special needs I am heartened to hear the Prime Minister say that “more can be done” and the capacity in the special education (SPED) schools will be expended. This is what many parents of children with special needs have long waited for. However, …
A new National Day for me
National day has always been a reminder of how old I am. I was born in the year of our independence, though not on the same date. I am as old as modern Singapore. The celebrations will splash the age of our nation which is now a reminder to me that my age is adding …
A new blog about Joo Chiat
I have put up a new blog relating to Joo Chiat. Do check it out at: http://joochiattoday.wordpress.com. Recent articles include a meeting with Philip Chew, great grandson of Chew Joo Chiat, the philanthropist whom the place was named after. Will be updating the site with new content approximately once a week. Do suggest issues I can …
