We need FICA because small states like Singapore are often pawns in a game of global influence
A recent investigation by international news agency Reuters, revealed that China’s embassy in Washington pressured business executives to urge members of Congress to weaken or drop specific Bills that would enhance US competitiveness in the semiconductor industry. In the brazenly worded letters, Chinese officials warned senior executives at US companies that they would risk losing […]
US-China relations: we do not take sides as default, we take principled positions in our own national interests, says Chan Chun Sing
Speaking at the 41st IISS-Asia Fullerton Lecture, Mr Chan said that sustained peace and progress are not beyond us if the US and China can arrive at a new modus vivendi that will set boundaries for competition and define areas of cooperation amidst competition, for the sake of the world and for themselves. “But even […]
Let’s have an honest conversation. FICA can protect Kirsten from herself.
The Foreign Intervention Countermeasures Act (FICA) was passed into law earlier this week, making it the Foreign Intervention Countermeasures Bill. Over the past week, Kirsten Han and her merry band of activists have stated their belief in several places that allowing foreign interference is democratic, that disallowing it is authoritarian, and that the government is […]
PSP’s performance or lack of it gives opposition a bad name
It is clear that PSP got its seat in parliament because it succeeded in stirring a raw nerve among Singaporeans against foreign talent. Dr Tan Cheng Bock and his merry men found a simple political slogan for its campaign – anti-CECA. Before Aug 2019, “CECA” was not a widely known term. Yes, Singaporeans saw more […]
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 […]
Living with COVID: Singapore has to find own way forward, says Lawrence Wong
Singapore is not like the US, UK or Europe. Neither are we like China and New Zealand. Singapore will have to find our own way forward based on our own circumstances, Finance Minister Lawrence Wong said. Speaking to students at NTU Students’ Union Ministerial Forum on “Emerging Stronger“, Mr Wong said there are different views […]
Help people without snapping their photo to post; the last thing you should do is take away their dignity.
In any country and society, there will always be people who fall behind the rest of the population and fall through the cracks of the social welfare network for whatever reasons it may be. Even economy powerhouses today like America and China still have people living in poverty, homeless and rough sleepers. It is the […]
US-China rivalry: victory is defined by who can win over the rest of the world, says Chan Chun Sing
The strategic rivalry between the US and China will remain a feature of the international system for time to come, Education Minister Chan Chun Sing said. Neither will collapse in the foreseeable future, and certainly not from the pressures from the other party. Speaking at Rajah & Tann Asia’s Global Marquee Event “Beyond Pandemic & […]
Ease of connectivity, not geography per se that determines economic relations, says Chan Chun Sing
“Historically, geographical distances have shaped economic cooperation,” Education Minister Chan Chun Sing said. “By virtue of Southeast Asia’s geographical position, goods, capital, people and culture have flowed between Southeast Asia and China for thousands of years. Physical proximity was a natural enabler of the development of interdependencies.” But is Geography still Destiny? Speaking at the […]
Malays in the Singapore army? They serve in the army, navy and air force.
Someone issued a challenge and the challenge was quickly accepted. 😄 The first Malay to attain the rank of Brigadier-General is Ishak Bin Ismail. He was Parade Commander in 1997. BG Ishak’s career in the army spanned almost 30 years from December 1981 to March 2011. His LinkedIn profile said he served extensively in training […]