The Workers’ Party should be honest about its intention behind filling the third Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) seat, Mr K Shanmugam said on Sunday (Jan 31).

Speaking on the sidelines of a community event on Sunday, Mr Shanmugam said the starting point for democracy must be honesty.

"On the NCMP scheme, we all know what the truth is. The Workers’ Party should just come out and say: ‘Look, we would prefer a direct choice being given to the voters between the PAP and the Workers' Party, or some other opposition. But we don’t like the people being given an additional choice, which is you vote for the PAP and you still get an opposition candidate. Nevertheless, we benefit from it and therefore we want to fill the third seat,'" Mr Shanmugam said.

“They want to fill in this third seat because it benefits them."

Mr Shanmugam said that for Singapore's democracy to succeed, two factors are necessary: Honesty in Parliament and financial integrity – making reference to the Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council case where the Auditor-General found lapses in its books.

"Go read what the High Court had to say about the Workers’ Party’s chairman suppressing the truth in Parliament and misleading Parliament. Go see what the Court of Appeal, just a couple of weeks ago, had to say about their Town Council Chairman, putting in half-truths on affidavits and trying to mislead," he said.

- CNA/cy

Don't underestimate need for strong military

  

It is unfortunate that those who have very little knowledge of military history and defence matters have made general comments on Singapore's defence policy ("Open debate needed on defence policy" by Dr Paul Tambyah of the Singapore Democratic Party; yesterday).

Singapore veterans who have been through World War II and Konfrontasi would remember their experiences during those difficult periods.

The former period, in 1942, showed how unprepared the armed forces were to face the onslaught of the Japanese troops.

However, the latter period proved that, with a strong military that included modern naval, air force and army assets, the British and Commonwealth forces could successfully defend Malaysia and Singapore, and deter then Indonesian President Sukarno from carrying out his expansionist plans.

A strong military is a strong deterrent, which is important for Singapore's defence.

We should never be so naive as to think that all will be well in the region in future years.

Jealousies and aggressive policies could develop.

But such adversaries would be deterred by our strong and modern military that can not only protect, but also reach out to targets in potential enemy territories.

There are some who think that the years spent in national service should be further reduced, but this is unhealthy thinking.

As our population dwindles in numbers, we also need to train our military with the most advanced military technology to ensure an active and robust deterrent force.

This priority includes the possible purchase of the F-35 jets or whatever advanced aircraft is finally chosen for the Republic of Singapore Air Force.

We have our defence experts and scientists to make the necessary assessments wisely for future needs.

It is important not to believe in hearsay.

It is naive to think that the situation could not change in neighbouring countries, and that we will always have peace in the region.

The number of terrorism hot spots and the threat from militant groups in neighbouring countries have increased.

We can ensure the well-being of our citizens as well as foreign investors only when their interests are secure.

This guarantee can be ensured if we continue to have a strong defence policy encompassing a strong, high-tech military deterrent force.

Adrian Villanueva

The Straits Times Forum, January 30, 2016

Changes to NCMP Scheme: NCMP to have the same voting rights as an MP

PM Lee Hsien Loong intends to amend the Constitution during this term to give NCMPs the same voting rights as MPs.

"NCMPs will be equal in powers, though not responsibility and scope, to constituency MPs"

The minimum number of opposition MPs including NCMPs in parliament will be increased from 9 to 12 by the next election.

With 12 opposition and 9 NMPs, there'll be at least 21 non-ruling party MPs in parliament.

And with NCMPs being given voting rights there is no reason to perceive them as second class.

The Fight Against Terrorism Is An Ideological War

Terrorism is closer to home that we think and every Singaporean has a role to play in the fight against terrorism, Dr Maliki Osman said in Parliament today.

Last October, two Singaporean teenagers were arrested and detained for being involved in terrorism-related activities.

Two Singaporean families have joined the Islamic State since 2014.

"The fight against violent extremism will not be a quick or easy one. It is an ideological war against terrorists whose goal is social destruction through fear and mistrust, and not only physical destruction," Dr Maliki warned.

He called on Muslims to reject any forms of violence in the name of Islam.

The outgoing Indonesian Ambassador to Singapore told him that family members and fellow villagers of one of the killed terrorists in the recent Jakarta attacks refused to have his body buried in the village. They "totally rejected and disassociated themselves from the terrorists", he said.

He also highlighted the need for scholars and leaders to address misconceptions when it happens.

A Love Story Witnessed: Lee Kuan Yew And Kwa Geoh Choo

Not many people have had the chance to meet Mr Lee Kuan Yew. And definitely not Mdm Kwa. But I had the privilege of bumping into them once.

I remembered being a young 21 year old events executive then. It was the launch of the Water Wally at the PUB event, held at the Asian Civilization Museum. I was tasked to stand near at the front of the museum, to provide directions should any dignitaries appear.

It was a warm day. And I was restless. Very few dignitaries came through that entrance because most of them entered through another entrance which would guide them to the event faster instead. There was hardly anyone in the museum as well. An hour passed, and all of a sudden, a nice old white Mercedes rolled up at the front of the museum.

4 security guards then came around the car. And I saw something I never thought I would in my lifetime.

Mr Lee Kuan Yew (possibly then 81 years old) came out of the car, and walked to the other side. The guard helped opened the door, and a nurse wheeled a wheel chair out where the guards helped to carry Mdm Kwa onto the chair.

The nurse then wheeled Mdm Kwa into the museum with Mr Lee slowly walking in front. Someone from the museum came to shake their hands, and offered to bring them around. They stopped at the first painting which was about 50 meters from where I was standing. And at this moment, Mr Lee did something I never expected many old men who was struggling with old age do.

He requested to push his wife. And even in his weakness and old age at that point in time, I saw him struggle to push his wife in her wheel chair. They stopped at almost every painting (I followed them behind, keeping my distance and pretending to look at those paintings too). And at every painting, he would bend down and asked her gently for her thoughts. They would share a quiet moment of discussion, and sometimes laughed together. It felt like no one else was around, and they felt very much still in love.

They left the museum in 30 minutes. And he wheeled his wife till someone else had to carry her into the car. And they left.

It has been 10 years. And I still remember this sight very vividly in my head. I never thought someone of Mr Lee’s stature and position, would embrace love in this manner. It was respectful and beyond all, dignified.

For a man to love his wife and for a man with such power to respect a monogamous long lasting relationship, I saw a sight of Mr Lee that many could not. And that warmed my heart till this date.

http://mustsharenews.com/12637/lky-reader-encounter/

No Enmity With Dr Lee Siew Choh

I fought the communists with all the strength and wit I could muster. But I respected their leaders for their idealism, their convictions and their self-sacrifice to achieve their ambitions.

I had nothing personal against Lim Chin Siong, Fong Swee Suan, or the Plen. We maintained correct and cordial personal relations throughout the fight. The clash was completely impersonal - one of beliefs and objectives, but all the more bitter because it was a clash of abiding convictions.

I had vigorous, even heated exchanges in Parliament and the media with Dr Lee Siew Choh, Barisan Sosialis leader.

He was a quick-tempered man - not wicked, just politically naive. He came back to Parliament in 1988 as a Non-Constituency MP.

For my last official visit to China in October 1990, I invited him to accompany me. He and his wife were part of my party for the two-week visit. There was no personal animosity between us.

- Interview with ST, 2003

Phey Yew Kok Pleads Guilty

Former NTUC president and ex-MP Phey Yew Kok, 81, pleaded guilty to 12 charges on Friday (Jan 22).

These included committing 10 counts of criminal breach of trust, one count of abetting the fabrication of false evidence to a public servant and one count of failing to attend court when ordered to by a judicial officer.

Silver-haired Phey Yew Kok, 81, arrived alone in court this morning to face charges.

Phey had been on the run for 35 years before he turned himself in at the Singapore Embassy in Bangkok on June 22 last year. He was brought back to Singapore the following day.

He faces a total of 34 charges, mostly related to criminal breach of trust, involving more than $450,000. The charges also include fabricating evidence and absconding while on bail.

After being first charged in December 1979, he was expected to return to court on Jan 7, 1980. But on New Year's Eve, he took a train to Kuala Lumpur and went to Bangkok, evading attempts to track him down. By leaving Singapore, Phey caused his two bailors to forfeit $95,000 of the $100,000 they put up.

Read more about it here:

http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/ex-ntuc-president-and-mp-phey-yew-kok-charged-after-35-years-on-the-run-all