- The “T” word comes up again
2017 was a year of laughters
January 1, 2018
Yes, minnows do make it to a cover. Talking points to the spread. Tan Chuan-Jin : Speaker of Parliament, was this a demotion? Josephine Teo : takes a small space to make babies. Desmond Lee : young lawyer who chairs family matters.
The Lee Debacle : The Most Impactful Event
June 14. Singaporeans of all walks of life were shell shocked. LSL’s siblings, LSY and LWL, posted a 6-page statement : “What has happened to LKY’s values?” Added, that they have “lost confidence “ in their brother and they “ do not trust him.”
The statement was online at a soft moment – LSL was on holidays. However, within the day, LSL responded, on these accusations : Denied the allegations and expressed disappointment that his siblings chose to publicise a private family affair.
Home in Singapore, past events and unsettled details unfolded fast and furious. Rebuttals of the allegations were made within hours of the assertions. We were all riveted to our seats. Coffee shop talk was abuzz.
The heat was on the last will, the insertion of the demolition clause, a Deed of Gift to the National Heritage Board, Ho Ching, having no official appointment, acted beyond her call, the secret Ministerial Committee on 38 Oxley Road, the Ministerial Statement and the Parliamentary debates, the assertion on the abuse of power. And so on.
Part 1 concluded with LSY and LSF leaving Singapore for Hong Kong, indefinitely, and that AG is looking into Li Shengwu’s facebook account, to friends.
Yet, none of our no.1 family members made it to the cover. To add insult to injury, a distraction was created. Smacked in the middle : 38 Oxley Road.
SMRT Disruptions : The Most Telling Event.
Our MRT is very sick. For months. One big happening after another.
continue reading here :
4G ministers say they will settle on a leader ‘in good time’; Ong Ye Kung says he has someone in mind
Published 3 hours ago
Updated 32 min ago
Tham Yuen-C
Assistant Political Editor
Seow Bei Yi
Elgin Toh
Insight Editor
SINGAPORE - At least one of the top three contenders to become Singapore’s fourth prime minister already has someone in mind for the job - and it does not appear to be himself.
Education Minister (Higher Education and Skills) Ong Ye Kung said in an interview with The Straits Times earlier this week: “I am shaping up in my mind someone who can be the leader amongst us. I am sure my colleagues are thinking of the same issue too.”
He declined to name the person he had in mind. On whether the ministers can pick themselves, he said “that doesn’t sound like it is in the right spirit”, adding that he did not know what the convention was as it is his first time taking part in the process.
Mr Ong, 48, is among a trio of ministers who are tipped to be in contention for the job. The other two are Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat, 56, and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Chan Chun Sing, 48.
Political observers approached said Mr Ong is still in the race despite saying he has someone in mind.
They said while he may well nominate someone else, others in his cohort can still pick him, adding it is still too early to rule out any of the three front-runners.
When asked how he decided on the person he intends to support, Mr Ong said he had taken into account the person’s conviction and ability to drive long-term, important policy, as well as public and party support for the person.
On Thursday (Jan 4), the fourth-generation ministers said in a statement that they will choose a leader “in good time”.
“Political stability has been the hallmark of Singapore and smooth leadership succession has instilled confidence among Singaporeans and our friends around the world.
“The younger ministers are keenly aware that leadership succession is a pressing issue and that Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong intends to step down after the next general election. We are conscious of our responsibility, are working closely together as a team, and will settle on a leader from among us in good time.”
The statement was signed in alphabetical order by a group of 16 Cabinet ministers and office holders.
continue reading here :
http://www.straitstimes.com/politics...he-has-someone
The next PM will only be a yes man and another seat warmer .
Some observations from Ong Ye Kung ST interview and 4G leaders’ statement on succession
So it’s down to two candidates?
By Chan Cheow Pong | 2 hours
Leadership succession is a hot topic in 2018.
Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong’s rare intervention on this issue at the end of December 2017 raised some eyebrows.
What prompted him to publicly give a six- to nine-month timeline for the fourth-generation leaders to settle what he described as an “urgent challenge” is anyone’s guess, but it’s an issue that certainly needs to be taken seriously.
Rare statement
In another development rarely seen in Singapore politics, the 4G leaders collectively issued a statement on Jan. 4, 2018, indicating that they are “conscious of their responsibility”.
“Political stability has been the hallmark of Singapore and smooth leadership succession has instilled confidence amongst Singaporeans and our friends around the world.
The younger Ministers are keenly aware that leadership succession is a pressing issue and that PM Lee intends to step down after the next General Elections. We are conscious of our responsibility, are working closely together as a team, and will settle on a leader from amongst us in good time.”
The statement in response to media queries was signed by 16 ministers and political officer-holders, effectively telling Singaporeans who will form the core of the future leadership lineup that will lead Singapore into the next generation.
The one article you need to understand what this is all about.
Here’s what we observed from this latest development and a Straits Times interview published on the same day.
The operative word is “team”. It’s constantly mentioned when the 4G leadership is discussed and we can find it in the latest statement.
The statement gave nothing away about the timing of when the next PM will be decided or who he will be. The striking thing was instead the long list of names behind it.
Perhaps it was necessary to signal again the cohesion of the 4G leaders or maybe it’s to show Singapore and the world that leadership succession is a “calm and rational process” and not “periodic political bloodlettings”.
continue reading here :
Government proposes committee to study how to deal with deliberate online falsehoods
By Kelly Ng
Published05 January, 2018
Updated 05 January, 2018
SINGAPORE — The Government will ask Parliament to convene a Select Committee to study how to act against those who spread misinformation deliberately and with sinister intentions — as seen abroad, especially during elections and referendums.
In a Green Paper published on Friday (Jan 5), the ministries of Communication and Information, and Law said the issue has to be looked into now, rather than later, given that Singapore is an “attractive target” for the deliberate spread of falsehoods online.
“Online falsehoods pose real and serious challenges … Singapore should not wait for an incident to occur. We have to learn from the experiences of other countries what the risks are, and what can be done about them. We should be prepared ahead of time,” said the ministries in the 21-page Green Paper, which are preliminary and consultative documents, issued to stimulate discussion.
When Parliament sits next Wednesday (Jan 10), Law Minister K Shanmugam will table a motion to appoint a 10-member committee to the task. It will be chaired by Deputy Speaker Charles Chong and comprise seven Members of Parliament (MPs) from the People’s Action Party, one Workers’ Party MP and one Nominated MP.
If the House votes in favour of the motion, the Select Committee will consider the entities and individuals that engage in such activities, their motivations, what consequences the spread of online falsehoods can have on Singapore, and how the Republic should prevent and combat it.
Members of the public — including stakeholders like the media, technology companies, international experts and civil rights groups — will be invited to make submissions to the committee. The committee will then report its recommendations to Parliament.
continue reading here :
http://www.todayonline.com/singapore...ine-falsehoods
The house sure vote in favour .
What the heck is a Select Committee and what does it do?
We read it all so that you don’t have to.
By Chan Cheow Pong |Sulaiman Daud | 15 hours
On Jan. 5, the Ministry of Law announced that the Government will ask Parliament to appoint a Select Committee.
This Committee will be tasked with studying the problem of “deliberate online falsehoods”, and make recommendations on how Singapore should respond.
Minister for Law and Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam will move the motion during the Parliament sitting on Jan. 10 to appoint the Select Committee.
What’s a Select Committee?
Select Committees are committees of MPs created by Parliament for various purposes.
For policy issues
Parliament can appoint a Select Committee to examine a policy issue, like the Select Committee on Land Transportation Policy, which presented its report to Parliament in Jan. 1990.
That report happens to be the reason why the vehicle quota and COE system was introduced.
For considering a Bill
Parliament can also send a Bill to be considered by a Select Committee after it has received a Second Reading.
On Nov. 6, 2017, 2nd Minister for Transport Ng Chee Meng announced that the Cross-Border Railways Bill will be referred to a Select Committee. When passed, the Bill will govern two future links between Singapore and Malaysia, the High Speed Rail and the Rapid Transit System.
Standing Select Committees
Then there are the Standing Select Committees, which are appointed for the duration of a term of Parliament to undertake various functions. There are seven in all, and their functions are described below:
•COMMITTEE OF SELECTION:
It selects and nominates members to the various sessional and select committees.
•COMMITTEE OF PRIVILEGES
It looks into any complaint alleging breaches of parliamentary privilege.
•ESTIMATES COMMITTEE
It examines the Government’s budget and reports what economies, improvements in organisation, efficiency or administrative reforms consistent with the policy underlying the estimates, may be effected and suggests the form in which the estimates shall be presented to Parliament.
•HOUSE COMMITTEE
It looks after the comfort and convenience of Members of Parliament and advises the Speaker on these matters.
•PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE
It examines various accounts of the Government showing the appropriation of funds granted by Parliament to meet public expenditure, as well as other accounts laid before Parliament.
•PUBLIC PETITIONS COMMITTEE
It deals with public petitions received by the House. Its function is to consider petitions referred to the Committee and to report to the House.
•STANDING ORDERS COMMITTEE
It reviews the Standing Orders from time to time and recommends amendments and reports to the House on all matters relating to them.
Choose your Members
So who’s going to join this Select Committee? According to the Ministry of Law:
“The composition of a Select Committee reflects the balance between the Government and Opposition benches in Parliament.”
continue reading here :
https://mothership.sg/2018/01/parlia...at-does-it-do/
So who decides what is fake news ?
Next PM: Saga of the 16 samurais and a fading Jedi
January 7, 2018
What was that all about?
Writing in Facebook last Sunday (31 December 2017), Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong said the 4G leadership issue should be settled before the end of this new year, in six to nine months. That got a swift response on Thursday (January 4) from 16 PAP “samurais” – 16 younger PAP political office-holders. The group, which included the three widely acknowledged frontrunners to be the next Prime Minister, said they would choose their leader in good time.
Back came Goh yesterday (January 6). “I posted on purpose to elicit the response from the fourth generation and they have given the response so I have achieved my purpose. In other words, get on with the task,” he said at the sidelines of a youth community event.
“On purpose”. Interesting.
Goh used Facebook no less to prod his “slow” younger colleagues. They were not slow to issue a joint statement in reply but did not seem anxious to be tied down to a timeline. They said: “The younger ministers are keenly aware leadership succession is a pressing issue…we are working closely together as a team and will settle a leader from amongst us in good time.”
Anyway, Parliament was going to be prorogued until it reopens in May for the inaugural address by the new President Halimah Yacob. One thing at a time, according to Minister in PMO Josephine Teo.
So that was it. Some friendly wayang to remind everyone that PM Lee Hsien Loong may be running out of time. The next PM would have a shorter run up time as Deputy Prime Minister than either Lee or Goh before each became PM.
The point is: This time around, there may well be a genuine lack of interest on the part of almost everyone.
Firstly, PM Lee may not think any one of the touted trio – Heng Swee Keat, Chan Chun Sing or Ong Ye Kung – is demonstrably ready. He is not exactly in a rush to name his successor until he is sure.
Secondly, not one of the three is even keen to “fight” for the job. It is not in the PAP DNA or culture. The whole process may well be touted as “a tested process” which will take its due course. But being PM of a once developing country is also not quite the same as being PM of a now developed nation where expectations are high and challenges may be much more demanding. And unlike when Goh Chok Tong was striker (of an experienced soccer team) with someone like Lee Kuan Yew as goalkeeper (Goh’s own words), the next PM will be captaining a relatively less cohesive team of players in more complex times.
Thirdly, let’s face it. Heng, Chan and Ong may be good or excellent ministers. But the prospect of their becoming the next PM does not fire up anyone’s enthusiasm, not least going by what we have seen or heard in public. If they have any public charisma, we would have noticed it by now. No buzz so far.
continue reading here :
http://www.theindependent.sg/next-pm...a-fading-jedi/
Just another wayang show by the PAP elites.
Other pressing issues for 4G ministers to focus on besides leadership succession: Indranee Rajah
Published 1 hour ago
Joanna Seow
Fabian Koh
SINGAPORE - While leadership succession is a pressing issue, Singapore’s fourth-generation ministers want to focus on other important topics such as jobs and social issues, said Senior Minister of State for Finance and Law Indranee Rajah on Sunday (Jan 7).
She acknowledged that there has been speculation about the next Prime Minister, but this is not something the younger ministers want to be fixated on, she told reporters at the launch of a programme to provide breakfast for children living in rental blocks in Tanjong Pagar GRC.
“It’s a question that people ask, and we also recognise it’s a pressing issue. But it’s not the kind of thing you want to be fixated upon, simply because there are other pressing issues like the economy, jobs, social and fiscal sustainability,” she said.
“Even when you talk about future leadership, you talk about all of this, at the end of the day, what is this for? It’s about ensuring stability for Singapore, it’s ensuring that as a country we have strong leadership and that we are able to progress.”
Her comments come after a joint statement made last Thursday (Jan 4) by 16 of the ruling People’s Action Party’s younger ministers saying they would pick a leader among themselves “in good time”.
continue reading here :
http://www.straitstimes.com/politics...ssion-indranee
Yeah like increasing taxes on your poor citizens who are already overburden by rising costs of living .
ESM Goh Chok Tong: There is no infighting
January 7, 2018
Former Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong yesterday (Jan 6) denied that there has been any infighting between Minister of State Chan Chun Sing and Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat of the appointment of a new Prime Minister. Goh Chok Tong claimed that there is no “elbowing” for the post and that the ministers are
“The fourth generation leaders are not fighting for the post of prime minister… But they should decide who to lead them.”
Emeritus Senior Minister (ESM) Goh Chok Tong said he was merely attention-seeking when he made the Facebook post calling for a successor:
“I posted on purpose to elicit the response from the fourth generation and they have given the response, so I have achieved my purpose.”
When queried by state media reporters what the ESM meant by “good time” in his Facebook post, Goh Chok Tong said he doesn’t know:
“Which means it can be earlier, it can be later, I don’t know, so I’m not going to question them what does ‘good time’ mean, but the point is that they have responded to the call that they have to decide very quickly.”
Minister of State and former army general Chan Chun Sing is currently leading the race as he is Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s favourite. According to inside sources, Chan Chun Sing is very loyal to the Lee family as he was brought to politics by Lee Kuan Yew. Lee Hsien Loong would prefer Chan Chun Sing to take over as interim Prime Minister so the latter could hand the premiership powers to his son Li Hongyi, who is currently a director with the propaganda ministry, Ministry of Communications and Information.
Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat is a favourite among the ministers due to his merits and capabilities over Minister Chan Chun Sing. However, the Minister suffered a stroke two years ago during a Cabinet meeting, putting his Prime Minister race in jeopardy.
continue reading here :
http://statestimesreview.com/2018/01...no-infighting/
Then why the delay ?
Succession Planning Called Into Question
January 7, 2018
By Augustine Low
Lee Hsien Loong became Prime Minister in 2004. The same year, Ho Ching became CEO of Temasek Holdings. So this year, Singapore’s power couple celebrate their 14th anniversary as the most powerful man and most powerful woman.
After 14 long years, it seems nothing has changed. They are both snug in their positions, with no sign that either is going away anytime soon.
Even Goh Chok Tong has seemingly grown impatient, setting a New Year’s deadline for PM Lee to designate the next PM within six to nine months, calling it an “urgent challenge.”
Will PM Lee heed the call of Goh Chok Tong? Or will he simply delay it to a time of his own choosing?
As for Ho Ching, there is also no successor in sight after 14 years. Ordinarily, what the wife of the Prime Minister does is none of our business. But since Ho Ching is considered the most powerful woman in Singapore, she is fair game and has to be subject to scrutiny.
Dr Tan Cheng Bock has said that he felt it was “very very dangerous” to have the wife of the PM head such a key institution as Temasek Holdings because there are bound to be conflict of interests. Lee Hsien Yang and Lee Wei Ling have alleged that Ho Ching acted improperly on behalf of the Prime Minister’s Office, without holding an official position.
More than 10 years ago, Temasek Holdings started talking about succession planning, including for the CEO. There was a failed attempt at replacing her with CEO-designate Charles Goodyear back in 2009, who abruptly left after several months. All we got was a terse statement from Chairman S Dhanabalan: “It is with much regret that both Chip and the Board have accepted that it is best not to proceed with the leadership transition. We wish Chip all the best in his future endeavours and are happy that Ho Ching has agreed to continue as Executive Director and CEO.”
The Board, it seems, continues to be happy to this day that Ho Ching “has agreed” to be CEO. A global search was reportedly carried out but it has yielded nothing so far. Are we to believe that after years of searching, nobody in the whole wide world is deemed capable of replacing Ho Ching? Or has the Board stopped looking for a successor altogether? We simply do not have answers to these questions.
And for Goh Chok Tong, the second Prime Minister, to openly call for the leadership issue to be addressed urgently, it raises questions about the mindset and intentions of the current Prime Minister.
For a country previously known for its far-sightedness and succession planning, we are certainly coming up short on two very important counts.
continue reading here :
WP’s Leon Perera does the ‘right thing’ & Grace Fu gets apology she wanted
Okay, not so exciting after all.
By Chan Cheow Pong | January 8, 2018
A potential clash between PAP’s Grace Fu and Workers’ Party’s Leon Perera was something to look out for during the Parliament sitting on Jan. 8.
But for those who were expecting some feisty political exchange to start the year, they would be somewhat disappointed: It fizzled out before it even started.
Grace Fu gets the apology she wanted
In the end, Grace Fu, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and the Leader of the House got what she wanted: An apology from Non-constituency Member of Parliament Perera.
Here’s a flashback to the demands she made on Jan. 3.
Fu had written a letter to NCMP Perera to request that he apologise to the other MPs in Parliament for misrepresenting facts and to withdraw the false allegations against Mediacorp over the editing of Parliament videos.
Fu, called on Perera to “do the right thing”, said this was necessary to set a correct example for maintaining clean and honest politics in Singapore.
continue reading here :
https://mothership.sg/2018/01/wps-le...gy-she-wanted/
Such a disappointment with WP always got bullied by PAP in Parliament . Is WP becoming too soft ?