http://www.razor.tv/site/servlet/segment/main/news/87414.html


What Sylvia Lim said makes lots of sense from my perspective. We should become vigilant citizens to protect our properties & our children's future.

3Boys:

pirate:

......

The PAP should realize that members of Generation X, and subsequent generations, grew up and were educated here after 1965. We had been (on the whole) brought up by the education system put in place by the PAP to believe that integrity, good governance and transparency are to be expected from our public officials. And the demographics shift more towards this every year. This is the new middle ground.
Many of us may not necessarily disagree with much of the PAP's policies...
.

....Town Council is one thing. How about People's Association? How about PAP Community Foundation?
It's like the People's Liberation Army in China. It technically reports to the Communist Party, not the state....
.

What forming the core group of Singaporeans will be those born after 1965 moving forward. Most of us are well-educated / well-informed, we want to have more freedom to view our opinions - Not to be talked down without any good discussions / debates like in the past. Our system is more like a \"hybrid\" democracy/authoritarian as pointed out. I think it served us well in the past when quick decisions can be made.

However, to effect the change now (like last GE), firstly I would think it is imperative for the future of Singapore - to have credible Alternative Voices (not so much to upset the functioning of the effective Government) but rather to act as a passenger to slap the driver when he is asleep sometimes.

Besides, in order for all Singaporeans to have a chance to vote, to exercise our choice - we need opponents otherwise it will be just another \"walk-over\". Our concerns won't be taken seriously or on their radar screen at all.

Certainly, there must be a clear separation between what is state-owned & party-owned to ensure Above-the-board competitions at all times - to provide level playing field (of course, PAP is the incumbent & have the first mover advantage). Only by acting collectively can we change this entrenched behavior. It takes time, I believe we can achieve it.

PAP must have confidence / trust that majority of Singaporeans are sensible and love our country.

[quote=\"concern2\"]Wah seh! Interesting move!


WP withdraws motion to debate town council issue in Parliament
(source: http://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest+News/Singapore/Story/A1Story20130110-394555.html)
...............
Despite various media statements by AIM and PAP representatives, critical questions remained unanswered, which led me to fiie an adjournment motion on 8 January 2013 on safeguarding the public interest in Town Council management, scheduled for the next Parliamentary sitting.

On the evening of 8 January 2013, the Prime Minister indicated in a statement that he had directed the Ministry of National Development to conduct a broad-based review of the fundamenta! nature of town councils and also to investigate the AIM transaction.....

From this episode, it is clear that to have an Alternative Voice in Parliament does make a difference - to keep our Government on the toe and to ensure Transparency / Accountability. Personally, I think none of the opponents have enough expertise to tackle the global/national issues facing us yet... but over time hopefully more-able Singaporeans will step forward / take personal interest of our Nation's well being. Moving away this notion of equating a political party to a government... fundamentally is \"flaw\".

I am just curious: How do we register a new political party? Is it like company registration with minimum $2 paid-up capital? How do they get their revenue? Any law that governs it? If political parties can own companies, where do they get their operating income from? …

raysusan:

Way2GO:

Words fr an old PAP hand, Dr TCB:

Doing the Right Thing.
Many a time we have been reminded by our leaders that we must do what is right. This is because we want fairness for all.
The recent controversy of town councils (TCs) allowing the ruling political party company (AIM) to buy over and manage the IT software programs of TCs, beg a few questions, especially when the company may not serve ‘due to material change’, an opposition ward.
This soft ware is developed using public funds by town councils. Is it right for the TCs to give up ownership in this manner? .....
https://www.facebook.com/TanChengBock

It is well said. What is the point of resorting to such a \"dirty\" tactics for a short term gain (if any) in this case? We should 以德服人 .... to earn the RESPECT/ TRUST from ordinary Singaporeans, not to silence the opponents with THREAT OF LAW SUITS (This will only fan the feeling of injustice ....) ... the qualities of our new leaders are getting from bad to worst.... \"服\"不过三代 .... sad.

wonderm:

3Boys:

I've always had a pretty jaundiced view (i.e. bad opinion) of the PAP's political tactics, so it's never ever been an issue of trust for me about the PAP's politics (because I've never trusted them).

But I sure do lurrve their policy making. Hard-nosed, pragmatic....and successful. This I mostly trust.

It's kinda sad. They don't have to play nasty to win, but they do.

This is how I feel, too.

What scares the shits out of me is that: All of the sudden, we wake up and realize that we are actually up against an extremely clever and deceiving \"Monster\" - created by our world-class governing system - these Guys are hand picked and groomed from our top 1% elite - well paid / well connected / well protected ... well orchestrated. All these years ... GRC election system under the pre-text of racial harmony (for even representation), sweetening promises of real asset enhancement as a carrot or a stick, illegal gathering if beyond 2 souls, speaker's corner with no roof, 2 weeks notice for venting grievances in public or else is deemed \"illegal\", ever changing electoral boundaries......aren't we living in a \"Matrix\" ? Is NOW the time of our own awakening ? A time to decide a \"Red' bill or \"Blue\" bill ... or some other colors? Oh No ... I am going to have a very bad nightmare tonite. God Bless Singapore!

raysusan:

http://www.tremeritus.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/cynthia_zps172162f8-437x479.jpg?9804ec\">


:slapshead:

One reveals his/her true colors when tested. Our political system has been enjoying the \"honeymoon\" for way too long for its own good. This is not of any new revelation but the SURE things to shape our country's future if left unchecked.. full rein at will. I begin to think we ,perhaps, should thank HER opponents for opening ordinary Singaporean's EyE. Collusion is an invisible disease that will certain kill our future / our conscience.

One must admit that to strike the balance between public interests (commuters/tax payers) and shareholders interests can be extremely challenging. Judging from what had happened so far with SMRT’s episodes, the answer is obvious. The fact that our Transport Minister was so quick to raise the question of increasing the transport fee immediately after the mismanagement of bus drivers’ illegal strike, it speaks for itself (untimely & insensitive). The question is: Should we (I took MRT everyday to work) be penalized for keeping the shareholders’ return? The case is weak especially for SMRT - one of the most essential services for most Singaporeans. Who should compensate and bear the costs of our lost productivity? In real business world, any "screw-ups" the entire management team will be replaced immediately, the share of that company will come under attack by market forces - to be "sell DOWN" thus shareholders suffer losses. But SMRT is a clear case of imperfect "distorted" competition. This is the product of "Uniquely Singapore", Regulatory=Government=Political Party - it can work "against" us as well as "for" us. Now we have deployed a couple of ex-SAF men to rectify the situation - let’s keep our fingers crossed. This is my two-cent worth of thought.

raysusan:

http://www.ahtc.org.sg/ahtc/media-release-28-december-2012/

[quote]A Lesson on the Need for Alternatives

I refer to the media responses by Dr Teo Ho Pin and Mr Chandra Das on Christmas Eve regarding the issue of the sale of the PAP-managed town councils’ computer and financial systems and the subsequent termination of the systems at Aljunied-Hougang Town Council (AHTC) by Action Information Management Pte Ltd (AIM) after General Election (GE) 2011....... If anything, this episode clearly demonstrates the risks to Singaporeans of having a lack of alternatives in every sense.

SYLVIA LIM
CHAIRMAN
ALJUNIED-HOUGANG TOWN COUNCIL

28 December 2012

[/quote]It resonates well with my deepest concern about our past \"blind\" faith with our all familiar establishment and our \"oblivious\" attitude towards the danger of equating a political party with Government. Such hideously conceived tactics is deplorable - no difference from those undesirable countries. What so great about \"Men in White\" ? can't help but feel disgusted by a thought of it somehow.

limlim:

Why did they award the bid to a $2 company??


Can pass audit meh this kind of transaction for Govt organisation....

To be honest, there is no good reason to award a $100K+ project to a $2 paid-up company especially in Government Tendering process.

I will be very wary to award such an important system to a company with just $2 paid-up capital. No commercial banks will EVER loan a single cent to a $2 paid-up company because it does not make any sense to do so - Why does our Government do that? They do owe all Singaporeans a good explanation.

It seems to warrant a further investigation to find out at the point of rewarding this contract to AIM what is its Net Tangible Asset (NTA) and Annual Sales Turn-over.

Please go to Ge Biz - Public Procurement website under Appendix B. All the bidders are grouped into different financial bands from Cat. S2 ... S10 (refer to
http://www.gebiz.gov.sg/gettingstarted_index_eppuregistrationhtml.html.)
In this case, AIM must be qualified as minimum S2 which is NTA=$12.5K and Sales Turnover=$250K to bid for $100K-$250K government projects.

Another real life example of possible \"Collusion\" ???