GRCs are meant to longbang new birds into parliament
Been pretty sick the past couple of days/weeks, and thought that I was getting delirious when I saw this article.
----------------------------------------------- 27 June 2006 Straits Times
GRCs make it easier to find top talent: SM
Without good chance of winning at polls, they might not be willing to risk careers for politics By Li Xueying
Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong yesterday gave a new take on the role of Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs) in Singapore politics. Their role is not just to ensure minorities are adequately represented in Parliament, he said. They also contribute to Singapore's political stability, by 'helping us to recruit younger and capable candidates with the potential to become ministers'.
'Without some assurance of a good chance of winning at least their first election, many able and successful young Singaporeans may not risk their careers to join po litics,' Mr Goh said at an event marking the appointment of members to the South East Community Development Council (CDC).
'Why should they when they are on the way up in the civil service, the SAF, and in the professions or the corporate world?'
But he was quick to add that GRCs themselves do not guarantee victory.
'A minister wins only because he has won the people's trust and the Government has delivered good results for the people. If a minister performed poorly, it could result in his losing the GRC to an opposing team with a strong leader,' he said, in what appears to be an oblique reference to comments made against GRCs in the general election held this May.
Since GRCs were introduced in 1988, critics and the opposition have attacked them, saying they allow rookie People's Action Party (PAP) candidates to get into Parliament on the coat tails of heavyweight candidates in their team.
Also, they do not lend themselves to a level playing field, they add, as the opposition struggles to find the specified minority-race candidates.
Mr Goh carried four new faces into Parliament in the six-man Marine Parade GRC team, which was unchallenged at the 2006 polls.
Altogether, the PAP had 24 new faces. One was Mr Teo Ser Luck, former general manager of courier company DHL and now Parliamentary Secretary (Community Development, Youth and Sports).
He acknowledges that for a rookie politician, being part of a team ensures that 'you have a bigger chance of winning'.
'If you're fighting individually, you go through a steep learning curve and you may not have enough time,' he added.
East Coast GRC MP Lee Yi Shyan, who left his job as chief executive officer of IE Singapore and is today Minister of State (Trade and Industry), concurred 'If the system can remove as many impediments as possible, then the political system will be able to get more people to join.'
But both told The Straits Times they would have entered politics even if they had been fielded in a single-seat ward. Said Mr Lee with a laugh 'You could say that I'm more confident of myself!'
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Basically, what out dear SM has done, is admitting what the general public has known for years, what the PAP have publically denied time and again, on the REAL purpose of GRCs. After years of complains by oppositions duly shot down time and again, I wonder what made out SM came out and say this, especially now when there is no pressure from the opposition. In fact, SM Goh has been making quite a few comments that are unlike what you normally hear from PAP members, such as encouraging Potong Pasir and Hougang to apply for the funds that were promised to the opposition held wards by the PAP candidates, or his initial comments on the James Gomez affair. Miscommunication within the party? hmm....
It would be wishful thinking, but I was wondering, could it be that even SM Goh have had enough of the unfairness and opaqueness of our 'first class government'? He did herald an era of change that was a departure from the way of governing of MM Lee, was well-liked by most if not all singaporeans, maybe he had felt that there is a *gasp* need for the public to know?
Another logical reason I can think of, is that the PAP has simply gotten to the point that they are simply too arrogant to think that they can do anything wrong, and is not afraid to do or admit anything because they feel that it is not wrong for them to do so. It doesn't matter what the international community says, its 'our domestic issues' as they're bound to say. Local opinion matters even lesser as since when are we ever heard in the first place? Just sue whoever that has become abit too noisy for their liking, sure win anyway. (wonder if they'll admit to that anytime soon, we all know that already anyway so there's nothing to hide here)
The only voice they hear is their own, and surely, that is not healthy for the state of affairs to be??
I can't understand what is wrong with me recently, totally down on my luck. Losing yet another match due to a penatly, only this time it is in the last second of injury time. Thought I've seen the last of the boring, cheating, unsporting Italians, apparently they somehow survived... assholes have all the luck, no wonder I'm down on mine.
After 3 doctors, over $100 in medical bills, I AM STILL NOT CURED OF A STUPID COUGH! Not only that, I now have to suffer from rashes all over my body which is somehow still breaking out like nobody's business despite me stopping the antibotics for at least 3-4 days already and they are supposed to go away!! Made me missed my 2nd interview again as there is no way I can move around with these freaking itchy rashes around town, not to mention that I am actually having rashes on the SOLE OF MY FEET! Wtf is this... I can't even walk properly now!! I'm going to burn down the fucking clinic of the quack doctors!!!! arghhh.....!!!!! #!$%$#
One goes to a doctor when he/she is sick and seeks help in relieving their ordeal. What happens when instead of getting better, you get worse?? Freaking quacks!
I finally went to the doctors last week after suffering from a terrible cough for close to a month, after repeated naggings by my parents and girlfriend. It had become a source of irriation for me as well, causing me to go into a coughing fit everytime I attempt to complete a sentence that uses more than 10 words. The doctor gave me a customary once over, and proceed to prescribe me with antibotics, cough syrup and some loganzes.
Total time taken : less than 30 secs Total damage : $26
Damn. I should have listened to my mum and studied harder in school so that I could have been a doctor when I grow up. Assuming I work 8 hours a day,
8hrs x 60mins x $26 = $12,480!! gross sales per day
For paying almost a $1 for every second I spend with the doctor, I would have liked to get some value for money, some free gifts or whatever, or at the very least, cure me! Instead, 2 days after taking the medication, I started to develop rashes all over the body, a terrible sore throat and swollen gums. Went back to the clinic again, this time was attended to by another doctor(the orginal doctor was away) which informed me that it is a possible allergy reaction to the antibotics. I would have like to have been informed about the possible allergy reaction BEFORE I took the medication, and the stupid doctor still have the cheek to tell me that my cough has gotten better and that most of my phelgm has cleared! Fuck you understand! I would rather have my cough back without the sore throat, swollen gums and freaking rashes thank you very much you fucking idiot! I can't believe the doctor actually said such a thing and I told her so. She just gave a shrug and told me such things 'just happens' and 'now we know you are allergic to it liao'. Its like, wtf....
Imagine if your computer had been infected with a virus, you take it down to a service center, which proceeds to clear your computer of the said virus, but at the same time, infected your computer with other viruses. You went back to the shop again and they charged you again to remove the other viruses, citing that 'these things happens', would you pay? But it seems like a normal occurance in the medical field, judging from the nonchalent reaction from the doctor. Is there any recourse for patients? Does CASE help in such cases?? I'm really pissed off and unwilling to take this lying down.
Location: Asia & Australasia Salary: Date posted: 15 May 2006 Closing date: 15 Jun 2006
Ministry of Education Moulding the Future of Our Nation
Be Different. Teach in Singapore.
The Ministry of Education (Singapore) is looking for experienced, qualified native speakers of English to teach English as a first language, English Literature, Geography, History, Knowledge and Inquiry
We are looking for teachers who: - Hold a relevant degree in English Language or Humanities (e.g. English Literature, Geography, History, etc.) - Have a recognised Teaching Certificate in teaching English (e.g. PGCE, TESOL, TEFL, etc.) or relevant teaching subject (e.g. Geography, History, etc.)
Newly qualified teachers are encouraged to apply but they MUST have completed the induction year.
You can look forward to: - An attractive remuneration package (including medical and dental benefits, and bonus upon successful completion of contract), depending on qualifications and verifiable working experience - Relocation allowance (one-time baggage and lodging allowance, free economy air passage for candidate, spouse and 2 children below the age of 18 to Singapore on first appointment) - Return air passage upon successful completion of contract - Interest-free settling-in loan
You can view the video recording of our online career seminar held on 23 April 2006 on the website.
All terms and conditions are subject to review and change from time to time without prior notification. The Ministry of Education (Singapore) reserves the right to decide on the terms and conditions to be offered. No reasons will be provided for selection and non-selection of candidates.
I'm seriously quite annoyed by the decision by MOE, is it yet another case of foreign talent better than locals? As if we do not have enough competition already in every industry. And spare me the globalisation crap too, I seriously do not believe it is the issue here.
Just wondering, remember the 'problem' we had some time back with declining standards of chinese? We 'sloved' the problem by lowering the standard of Chinese teaching in singapore! It was decided that chinese was too 'difficult' to learn and that it is sufficent to be able to converse in such a way that people can understand you, or simply be able to read it is enough. Now, why is it that reasons given back then are not valid for this situation? I'm sure be it Singlish or the Queens English, the gist of the message can still be conveyed acrossed, and I do not doubt that any half baked singaporeans versed in singlish is unable to read anything written in proper english.
While I may be considered one of those younger generation that is more comfortable in english compared to chinese, I am still nevertheless very proud of my heritage, and I'm seriously concerned and appalled at the further falling of chinese standards, as well as the total disrespect that I feel it is receiving. Why is the chinese language not getting the same level of respect or importance as english? Is it due still to our colonialism past??
It came and it went, just like any other day. Nothing special, nothing spectular, just the way I like it. I can't remember the last time I actually 'celebrated' it on my own accord, though good friends and family usually would have a cake and dinner etc for me, which while I truly appreciate, doesn't exactly make me comfortable.
I guess I'm one of those types that is not a 100% comfortable being the center of attraction. The part about birthdays that I especially hate was when people are gathered all around the cake, singing a birthday song, while you just sit there, grinning stupidly happily and making a fool out of yourself birthday wish. It gets worse when your friends suddenly decides that it is a good time to sing different versions of the songs in chinese, cantonese, english etc, thus making a 30 seconds torture song x3. Just when you thought it won't get any worse, strangers that you hardly know or in actual fact do not even know and is not interested in knowing will come up to you, unidentified and possibly spiked drink in hand, demanding you drink it offering it to you and it would have been bad manners to reject it. Thankfully, none of this happen to me this year. :)
Quiet night out with only me and my gal. A simple, peaceful night. Thats all I ever want, and I'm grateful, that I managed to have just that.
I had initially intended to catch EVERY single match of the world cup, something that I had never been able to do due to work or study commitment. Unfortunately, I failed to do so on the very first day where I missed the Poland v Ecuador match due to the stupid ippt this morning. Waiting for the 3rd match of day 2 now, and not a bit tired despite only sleeping 4 hrs last night, but have to admit I almost fell asleep during the England v Paraguay match, it was THAT boring. After the Sweden & Trinidad & Tobago though, despite it being goal-less, had me on the edge of the seat for the entire 90 mins. Now thats football!
Think I'll have to miss a match or two tomorrow too as my gal will be looking to celebrate my bday with me, and I gotta spend some time with her too lah, else really become soccer 'widow' liao, keke.
knnbccb. My stupid running shoes that had served me faithfully for the last 5 years, and daily for the past 2 weeks, decide to choose this very day, on my IPPT test, to 'open its mouth' and I was left flapping my leg, hoping that the sole doesn't come off completely, and knnb made me failed my 2.4 by 20 seconds...
I had sworn off the show for weeks since all the rock bands are voted out one by one, with lame boybands making up the majority of the remaining losers contenders. Decided to give it another hr of my time again tonite, since after exams, I have loads of time on hand :P
One of the 1st thing I noticed, is that this lame-poser-can't-sing-for-nuts group called 夏日风 is still in the show! What the hell... they're really one of the reasons I stayed away from the show, and after so long they are still there siah... terrible...
迷路兵 is still around, as is J3 and lucify who can ask least sing or perform. Music-wise I think these are easily the top 3. Maybe I'm bais, but when you mention the word 'band', I would expect them to at least play some instruments, though Juz-B gets away with it, rather like the lame Brods that treats it like a karaoke session or something.
Really hard to keep the faith in local productions when this is all they can come up with. I really try to support local music as much as I can and we had some great bands like humpback oaks and concave scream, but its clear that the main focus is to earn your sms money rather than really give you a great music or programme. Looking forward to the start of Rockstar Supernova on star world instead.
Like to share this damn funny and well written entry I came across by ThugChic. It just about sums up what I was saying earlier in regards to racial situation in singapore.
No, this is not 'Dance dance revoultion', but its every bit as entertaining.
I found myself cringing at some of the moves that we had at one point of our life danced to and it looks so tacky now. OMG. I really can't belive I did.
