White Paper consolidating feedback on issues affecting women to be submitted to Parliament
More than 5,700 participants across 160 conversations on women. The participants contributed their feedback and suggestions. These will be consolidated into a White Paper and submitted to the government. This year – 2021 – was dedicated to the Year of Celebrating SG Women. Last year, on 20 September 2020, the MSF announced in a press […]
Body-worn camera footages demolish TOC’s attempt to cast doubt on Police’s clarification
There’s nothing like body-worn camera footages to refute lies. And that’s exactly what Police used to demolish the lies from The Online Citizen (TOC). Days earlier, TOC had published a story picked up from an Instagrammer @nichology on May 17. The story alleged that four officers had “clustered an elderly auntie that took off her […]
Why we can’t shut our borders like China, Australia and New Zealand
In his ministerial statement in Parliament (10 May), Education Minister Lawrence Wong who is also co-chair of the Multi-Ministry Task Force said larger, continental-sized or resource-rich countries like China, Australia and New Zealand can shut their doors and minimise the flow of people but Singapore cannot. “They are able to keep things going with their […]
Taking umbrage at umbrage: what some netizens have to say
“Umbrage” is the word on social media in recent days. It’s a noun that means ‘offence’ or ‘annoyance’. To take umbrage is to take offence. Many, it seems, are taking umbrage at CEO of SPH Ng Yat Chung for taking umbrage at a reporter’s question. Most, it seems, are simply taking umbrage at the word […]
This is my Singapore where talent counts more than parentage
Mr Philip Anthony Jeyaratnam, son of J B Jeyaratnam, has been appointed a judicial commissioner of the Supreme Court for one year. His term starts on Jan 4, 2021. Congratulating him for having done well, Mr Goh Chok Tong said, “In 1993, as PM I invited him for lunch at the Istana. I met him […]
Lessons on gratitude and resilience from 82-year-old cleaner uncle with walking stick
“Today, uncle Ming taught me about gratitude, contentment, and resilience. He wants to lead a dignified life and fend for himself, instead of relying purely on aid. His gratitude heart rose above all adversity and nothing destroyed his optimistic view of life. Uncle Ming, thank you for being my teacher,” Ms Lee Siew Yian wrote […]
The risk of a political auction in minimum wage is real
In Parliament, Dr Koh Poh Koon said that the risk of a blanket national minimum wage is the inevitable politicisation of minimum wage setting. In a political contest, a political party will likely come along to say $1500 reflects higher “moral imperatives”. Yet another will come and say $1300 is good, $1500 is better, but […]
MediShield Life premiums to go up with enhanced benefits and better coverage; $2.2 billion committed in premium subsidies
In a major review of MediShield Life which was launched in 2015, MediShield Life benefits will be enhanced, and premiums will be correspondingly adjusted. To help Singapore Residents with their MediShield Life premiums, particularly in view of the impact of COVID-19, the Government has committed about $2.2 billion for premium subsidies and support over the […]
QR codes have become an integral part of our lives but where did they come from?
Since the pandemic began, QR codes have become an integral part of our lives. You can’t go places without getting past them. What exactly is a QR code? QR stands for ‘quick response’. A barcode holds information horizontally and is limited in its storage. It can hold just 20 characters of data. Unlike a barcode, […]
A rules-based multilateral system has given small states like Singapore a voice and a level playing field
A rules-based multilateral system is the best hope for a safe international environment that benefits everyone.