TODAYonline | Hot News | PM Lee and new Cabinet sworn in

TODAYonline Hot News PM Lee and new Cabinet sworn in

There's a brand new political game in town. It's called the The Cabinet Shuffle.

After the dubbed watershed GE2011 where Singaporeans *finally* mustered a faint roar that roused the slumbering PAP giant, PM Lee took the hint, made some drastic steps and threw out his old deck of cards.

MM Lee and SM Goh have retired albeit still holding onto some 'advisory' positions.

So have 3 other ministers who bore the brunt of Singapore's criticisms over red hot issues like the overcrowding public transport, escalating public housing prices and unforgiving critical lapses in national security.

2 other ministers lost their posts after failing to be elected by the voters of Aljunied where WP charged into battle and won a historical GRC victory.

A last look at the "old" Cabinet:

Photograph of the last meeting: PHOTO COURTESY MICA

And here's the new (not so sure about improved) line-up:

Ministers

• Lee Hsien Loong - Prime Minister

• Mr Teo Chee Hean - Deputy Prime Minister & Coordinating Minister for National Security & Minister for Home Affairs
• Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam - Deputy Prime Minister & Minister for Finance & Minister for Manpower
• Mr Lim Hng Kiang - Minister for Trade and Industry
• Mr Lim Swee Say - Minister, Prime Minister’s Office
• Assoc Prof Yaacob Ibrahim - Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts
• Mr Khaw Boon Wan - Minister for National Development
• Dr Ng Eng Hen - Minister for Defence
• Dr Vivian Balakrishnan - Minister for the Environment and Water Resources
• Mr K Shanmugam - Minister for Foreign Affairs & Minister for Law
• Mr Gan Kim Yong - Minister for Health
• Mr Lui Tuck Yew - Minister for Transport & Second Minister for Foreign Affairs
• Mr S Iswaran - Minister, Prime Minister’s Office & Second Minister for Home Affairs & Second Minister for Trade and Industry
• Mr Heng Swee Keat - Minister for Education
• MG(NS) Chan Chun Sing - Ag Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports & Minister of State, Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts

Senior Ministers of State

• Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien - Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts & Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources
• Mr Heng Chee How - Prime Minister’s Office

Ministers of State

• Mr Lee Yi Shyan - Ministry of Trade and Industry & Ministry of National Development
• Dr Amy Khor Lean Suan - Ministry of Health
• Mr Masagos Zulkifli - Ministry of Home Affairs & Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Mr Teo Ser Luck - Ministry of Trade and Industry
• Mdm Halimah Yacob - Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports
• Mrs Josephine Teo - Ministry of Finance & Ministry of Transport
• Mr Lawrence Wong - Ministry of Defence & Ministry of Education
• BG(NS) Tan Chuan-Jin - Ministry of National Development & Ministry of Manpower

Senior Parliamentary Secretaries

• Mr Hawazi Daipi - Ministry of Education & Ministry of Manpower
• Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman - Ministry of Defence & Ministry of National Development
• Mr Sam Tan - Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports
• Ms Sim Ann - Ministry of Education & Ministry of Law

PM Lee indicated that he'll review the portfolios and progress in 2 years' time. While it's too early to tell, this move is a positive sign that the citizens' voices are now being taken seriously.

Good luck Singapore!

Workers' Party's Sylvia Lim resigns from Temasek Polytechnic - Channel NewsAsia

Workers' Party's Sylvia Lim resigns from Temasek Polytechnic - Channel NewsAsia

When the WP team won Aljunied GRC last week, it was historic victory and for many of us the work, it was extremely significant too.

WP's chairman Sylvia Lim, the first female opposition candidate to be elected into Parliament, is also a fellow lecturer / Course Manager at Temasek Polytechnic. So Sylvia's not only a my colleague, she's now my MP too!

However, we soon learnt that she'd tendered her resignation in anticipation of new (and heavier) responsibilities as an elected MP.

Almost immediately, her office was swarmed with well-wishes who wanted to offer their congratulations and good wishes. Sylvia was certainly the star of the day. Despite her busy schedule, Miss Ene and I managed to catch her slightly after 6pm. We spoke to her briefly and even took photos with her outside her office!

It's really going to be our loss: she's a great lecturer and colleague but she's now got a different calling to answer to. I respect her decision to alter her career route and bravely take on new, unchartered territory.

All the best Sylvia! We're behind you all the way!

MP-elects for Aljunied GRC continuing on their thank you proc... on Twitpic

MP-elects for Aljunied GRC continuing on their thank you proc... on Twitpic

This is what I call Service From the Heart!

Go WP!

A New Political Era

It’s been exactly a week since Singapore marched to the polls and boy, what a nail-biting Saturday evening / Sunday morning it had been!

Like I mentioned in my previous posts, the Social Media made a huge contribution in opening up channels for Singaporeans to voice their opinions and share their sentiments. As result, many Singaporeans are no longer politically apathetic and unafraid to express their views.

Besides actively lapping up the latest tidbits online, I decided to make my own not-so-subtle stand and was dressed in blue for the entire period from the close of Nomination Day right up Polling Day. I’d also bought two baby-blue tops when I ran out of light blue clothes.

As the girls’ Ballet/Modern Jazz/Chinese/Music classes were rescheduled because of Polling Day, I was spared my Saturday routine of chauffeuring them about. We were given 12 hours – from 8.00am to 8.00pm – to cast our votes but we didn’t want to wait till the last minute so we decided to go in the morning.

While the kids milled about at home, the hub, FIL and I went to our designated polling station at about 9.00am, ready to cast our votes. Here's what I wore for Polling Day:

On the way to the polling station, I couldn't resist snapping a quick picture of my poll card:

Before I was given the ballot paper, I presented my identification card to the officer who checked my name against the registered voters and crossed it out. Then he wrote my serial number on the ballot sheet and read out my name loudly. He handed over the ballot paper and another officer lead me to the triangular-shaped booth where I was to mark a “X” on the names of the candidates and political party they represented. Coincidentally, we’re all Aljunied voters and our constituency is the most keenly watched this elections because the opposition party contesting in our area is none other than Workers’ Party (WP) led by Secretary-General Low Thia Khiang.

There wasn’t much of a queue and we were all done in less than 15 minutes. As we weren’t allowed to use our phones within the area (lest the secrecy of our votes is compromised), I didn’t manage to snap any pictures.

Needless to say, I was restless the entire day and kept checking the clock. Many Singaporeans, including myself, wanted more alternative voices and the elections was the simplest way get our message across.

At 9.30pm, I plonked myself in front of the TV and waited eagerly for the official results as stations began their “live” broadcast of the elections. My laptop was on and the tweets came in fast and furious, with “sources” on the ground releasing the results way before the official results were announced.

Unfortunately my younger daughters Wen and Wei couldn’t have chosen a better time to fall ill and they both took turns to develop fevers sporadically from morning till night, hitting 38.5 degrees! :(

Wen in a mask in a bid to prevent the spread of her cough

Wei icing herself down with Po (panda) at her side

I was certainly hit by election fever, sponging them and checking the tweets intermittently.

Before midnight, the Internet was abuzz with news of a historic victory pulled off by the WP at Aljunied. The previously impregnable fortress of the GRC system was in danger of being breached. But I didn’t want to believe anything that’s not official so I patiently waited while checking the girls’ temperature, surfing the net and gluing my eyes to the TV set simultaneously.

Across the main road from my home is Hougang Stadium where are the ardent WP supporters had gathered since early evening while they wait in anticipation. Occasionally the peace of the still night was interrupted by cheers. Even with the air conditioner on and windows closed in my bedroom, I could still hear the chants and whistles.

Then suddenly Robocop Elections Returning Officer Extraordinaire Yam Ah Mee appeared on screen and I held my breath as he oh-so-slowly delivered the news the entire nation was waiting for. His deadpan delivery gave away nothing as he monotonously read the statistics and results:

WP (54.7%) : PAP (45.3%)

WOOOOOOOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

What a historic victory by WP! The team had wrestled Aljunied GRC away from the PAP – a first ever GRC win since the time GRCs were introduced. Party Chief’s Low Thia Khiang’s biggest political gamble paid off when he left his stronghold of Hougang in the hands of his trusted protégé Yaw Shih Leong to lead his A-star ensemble of party chairman Sylvia Lim, corporate lawyer Chen Show Mao, postgrad law student Pritam Singh and family counsellor Faisal Abdul Manap. They trounced the PAP’s team helmed by Foreign Minister George Yeo, Second Minister for Finance and Transport Lim Hwee Hwa, potential Parliamentary Speaker Zainul Abidin Rasheed, Grassroots veteran Cynthia Phua and rookie Ong Ye Kung.

Naturally, Hougang Stadium erupted with thunderous applause as rapturous roars echoed within the vicinity. If my girls hadn’t been down with fever, I’d have been there jostling with the crowd and joining in the celebrations. And I'm proud to have contributed to Singapore's history.

The various opposition parties made several in-roads in GE 2011 and although they only won 6 seats out of 87, it’s the best showing by the Opposition since Singapore’s Independence in 1965. On the other hands, PAP's approval ratings slipped, having garnered only 60.1% of total votes cast.

If only veteran Opposition Leader Chiam See Tong and his Singapore People’s Party (SPP) managed to defend their 27-year-helmed ward of Potong Pasir. Instead, Chiam opted for a similar tactic to WP and left his stronghold to contest in a GRC. They lost the GRC and was narrowly edged out by merely 114 votes to PAP’s Sito Yih Pin.

Such a slim margin of defeat. *Sigh*

GE2011, aptly touted as a watershed election, proved to be a huge wake-up call for PAP as they never expected to lose a GRC and in the process, three ministers, potential 4th generation leader and grassroots veteran. Unlike the pioneer generation of no-nonsense PAP leaders before him, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's softening towards the end of the campaign signalled that he's now more willing to make listen, compromise and accommodate the needs of the people.

The wheels of change have been set in motion and things can only get better for Singapore in the long run.

The Beginning...or The End?

It's finally here!

In 8 hours or so, Singaporeans will vote for the candidates who will form the next government. These people will have the power to improve the quality of lives and make the right changes that will propel the country forward.

I implore my fellow Singaporeans to vote wisely. Our future is in our own hands.

Cooling-Off Day

Cooling-off Day is here.

According to xin.msn, Cooling-Off Day is "a day for voters to reflect rationally on the various issues raised in the nine days of campaigning before making their choice at the polls tomorrow. It's also a day where campaigning and election advertising are not allowed."

While the political parties have to refrain from canvassing for support, the netizens are heating up online in their last ditch effort to convince and persuade those who have yet to make-up their minds on who they should vote for.

It's War on the World Wide Web!

GE Fever. And Cookies.

My poor hub's extremely upset with me for devoting every possible waking hour on the online campaign trail.

And I understand why.

Xian's mid-year exams are looming - in fact her first paper's on Cooling day i.e. Friday, 6 May 2011. Over the Labour Day weekend, I was supposed to be guiding her through revision but whenever there were "empty pockets" of breaks, I wasted no time in surfing the net for the latest election updates.

"I don't understand why you're spending so much time clicking away! You already know who you're going to vote for so why bother reading up? As if it's going to change your mind!"

As usual, I just kept my mouth shut because I didn't want to trigger off an argument that's not worth anyone's salt. I've learnt, over the years, that when he's in one of these moods, I should just back off and not engage in any verbal disagreement because it'll only serve to piss him off further.

Cue: cartoon thought bubble depicting me as the matador de toros flapping a red cape as my bull-headed hub charges directly at me in anger.

I'd love to explain why this year's General Election's got me all excited but I can't. Yes, I'd already made up my mind on Nomination Day itself so technically I shouldn't be spending such a ridiculously insane amount of time monitoring the coverage by the media (state-owned or otherwise).

Come on! The General Elections take place only once in 5 years! And this is the best opportunity for ordinary folks like myself to exercise our rights. Isn't this a "democratic society, based on justice and equality?" Not only is my future at stake, my kids' lives are too. Whatever policies the government pushes out concern all Singaporeans and it's therefore imperative that the people leading this country are the right ones: those who will listen to the people's issues with their hearts and not merely rationalise with their minds and implement changes purely on practicality and economic considerations.

My main gripe? Education.

Granted, Singapore's education is highly regarded and ranked among one of the top internationally. We're known for churning out Mathematical whizzes and we've got a reputable track record of cultivating academic brilliant students. Our eduction system is much like a well-oiled cookie-cutter machine, churning out perfectly shaped edible delights that will fit nicely into beautifully packaged boxes and displayed proudly on shelves.

But no matter how efficiently the cookie factory operates, there will bound to be "rejects" -cookies with defects which fail to meet the quality standards and hence discarded. Granted, these cookies can't make the cut and they will never get the chance to nestle cosily in the boxes. They may still taste just as good as the top grade ones, but nobody will ever know, will they? Because their fates have already been sealed the moment they don't pass the tests.

Think about the children who have learning disabilities, those who society dubs "slow learners" or those whose talents lie in other arenas not related to the academic field. Many of our young ones are continually suppressed because they've not be given the options to explore alternative routes. And these children are undeservedly "branded" with labels so it's not surprising that they will eventually fall through the cracks because nobody realises their potential.

As an educator and having experienced first hand the rigid rigour of the Singapore education system I can safely conclude that it's perfect for the brain-smarts. There is no room, however, for those with learning disabilities and difficulties to manoeuvre their way out of being stigmatised. Yes, the streaming system helps place students into classes which ideally suit their pace. Unfortunately, once they're allocated to the respective and appropriate levels, the categorisation leads to further alienating them from the so-called "expected" route.

And it doesn't help that most parents have fixed a mindset about what's deemed as "educational success" and add more pressure on their already suffering offspring. The stress takes a toll on the children mentally and emotionally as well. In fact, many of them try their darnest and when they're sent the signal that their best is not good enough, it's a huge blow to their self-esteem. Not surprisingly, many give up when they assume that their academic future is bleak. This may spark off a chain of events which sets their future spiraling, especially if they are not blessed with understanding parents to support and encourage them to persevere.

Honestly, can you blame these children if they give up? It's like forcing a physically disabled person to compete and complete in a 100m race TOGETHER with able-bodied athletes, expecting him to clock in a similar time. And when the disable athlete is last to cross the finishing line, not only are there no words of motivation but a torrent of abuse and taunts are rained on him. Is this even fair?

I'm sometimes guilty of pushing my poor dyslexic Xian to the limit - although some, including family members will beg to differ because by THEIR standards, I'm considered lax with her. Because she's got a learning disability, she can't be rushed. Her memory is like a goldfish and it can be frustrating revising work with her because she forgets the minute you finishing explaining. I'm just taking it day-by-day and I'm certainly not harbouring any illusion of grandeur that she'll go to an ivy-league university. At this stage, I'll be satisfied that she passes all her examination papers!

I know for a fact that Xian may never achieve in the academic arena but I'm determined to save this cookie at all cost. She has a natural inclination to sports; she's agile, lithe, fast and flexible. I enrolled her in modern jazz dance classes and every week she'll show me new dance moves. I choose to recognise her talents in other areas and I'm trying to create opportunities for her to carve a niche for herself so that she will realise that there's more to life than getting good grades!

What has all this got to do with the General Elections, you say? Plenty. Take a look at all the cabinet ministers and the people legislating policies. Many are trail-blazers who're armed with luminous academic track records and credible career paths. I doubt if they can ever understand the issues ordinary citizens face on the ground. Of course, one can always argue that many of these politicians also rose from the ranks of nobodies to become the somebodies they are today, and they have not entirely forgotten their roots. But times have changed and the issues we face today are different.

What we need are people in the government who WILL listen and who WILL understand and emphasise with the citizens, and be willing to ride out the tough times together, not just the good ones.

We need people who've bumped their heads against the ceiling, taken a tumble from the stairs or failed a test at least once in their lives. In other words, people who'll embraced failure as a learning journey and not accept it as a defeat that marks the end of the world.

We need people who realise that you can't win all the time and even if you lose, it'll only make you a stronger person and you'll be back for a fight next round.

That's why it's such a crucial choice for citizens to make. To elect the candidates who will not only have the brains to run the country, but humility, passion and heart to guide us.

And whatever you do on 6 May 2011, Saturday, DON'T SPOIL YOUR VOTE because every single vote counts.

GE2011: My Take

In a week’s time, Singaporeans will head to the polls.

And I fervently pray that history will be made.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m no heartless ingrate who mercilessly wants to bite the hand that feeds me. Neither am I a political academic who’s scrutinising every policy and law that’s been passed. But in my humble opinion and in my capacity as an ordinary citizen, I believe that we’ve been under the ruling party’s yoke for far too long.

Let’s be honest about facts: under the dynamic and visionary leadership of our current Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, the founding fathers of Modern Singapore are undeniably the heroes who built and shaped our lives to where we are today. There is much to be grateful for despite deep sentiments that many laws were implemented harshly (even rashly) – all in the name of economic and social progress. Like docile sheep, we meekly followed the shepherds (and their well-trained dogs) whom we’d entrusted our lives to. It was a situation akin to the typical scenario where the boss says “jump!” and the subordinates asks “how high?”

That era, however, is over.

The current ministers of today lack the passion and fighting spirit of their fore fathers – with the political boundaries repeatedly re-drawn at every election (undoubtedly to ensure that their hard core People's Action Party (PAP) supporters will provide sufficient votes to keep them in power), the majority of Singapore’s Members of Parliament (MP) cruise to easy victories. The introduction of the Group Representation Constituency (GRC) means that the “weaker” MPs could ride on the tailcoats of a heavy-weight anchor Minister and this provided their ticket to Parliament.

The PAP may face their biggest challenge yet. with 82 out of 87 seats up for contest, this election also means that for the first time in decades, the ruling party has not been returned to power after nomination day. And the opposition parties have fielded credible, worthy candidates to give the PAP a decent run for its money. With no walkovers (save for 1 GRC helmed by MM Lee himself), many of the ministers and MPs have to roll up their sleeves and fight, some for the first time in their political careers, to win the hearts of Singaporeans.

The emergence of the social media also means that Singaporeans are no longer restricted in obtaining their news and information from the mass (read: heavily edited) media. As a media and communications lecturer, I can fully understand why objective coverage is crucial in this election. And also why the lure of social media is lustfully enticing many Singaporeans who turn their attention to online sources for the latest scoop.

The World Wide Web is really the old Wild Wild West: a cowboy country run by gun-trotting sheriffs or outlaws, depending on who calls the shot. Even the media gatekeepers have trouble controlling the influx of information flooding the web and this has opened up ample opportunities for the opposition parties to reach out to the public.

It's no wonder that GE2011 is trending. The real battle for voters is fought online - with Facebook, YouTube and Twitter leading the charge. It's exciting and fascinating (at least to me) because I've found many like-minded Singaporeans who share similar sentiments about the local political scene.

I used to believe that most Singaporeans are politically apathetic but this elections is proving to be an eye-opener. The posts, tweets and blogs signal an impending change to the mindset of citizens and a recurring theme that threads these discussion is one that heralds alternative opinions in our parliamentary debates. Voices that echo the sentiments on the ground and not based on "research" and "assumptions" by leaders who are too highly perched on pedestals to comprehend bread and butter issues faced by the everyday man.

To me, the main problem is that the ruling party has been too complacent for far too long. Many of the current MPs have never fought off political opponents and bank on the "sure-win" GRC ticket to Parliament.

Well, this year, they've underestimated the opposition parties and perhaps for the first time in decades, the ruling party may end up losing more than 2 seats.

If the huge turnout at the opposition rallies is anything to show, then I'd say that it's going to be a good fight and I'm right smack in the middle of all the action because I'm at Aljunied GRC where the fiercest battles will be raging.

Together with the hub, I attended the Worker's Party (WP) second rally at Serangoon Stadium on Friday night. Since we live in the area, we parked mid-distance from the site and walked to the stadium. After the huge turnout on Thursday night at Hougang, we knew traffic would be crazy and true enough the roads were crawling with cars and people. Granted, the turnout wasn't as intimidating as Hougang but we had to sit on the slopes OUTSIDE the fence as we arrived late (had to settle the kids first) and decided not to squeeze in with the rest.

It was a fantastic experience and I soaked up the atmosphere although the hub got a little bored midway through. He already knows who he''s going to cast his vote for so he's not affected by reports in the media.

As I looked around the crowd, I couldn't help but wonder if the people around me were ardent WP supporters, undecided voters or just curious folk who'd nothing better to do on a Friday night. The crowd were just numbers and they don't necessarily account for the number of votes.

In the end, Singaporeans could be "all talk and no action". It's easy to create "Hate" campaigns and Fan pages, generating traffic to the sites. It's effortless to create pseudonymous and post comments. But come 7 May 2011, can Singaporeans be trusted to do what they pledged to do in cyberspace?

Much is at stake since our 2 sole opposition MPs have upped the ante by leaving their wards to trusted party members while they boldly lead GRC teams to battle. It's a calculated risk: All or Nothing. And in the worst case scenario, PAP could win back these 2 opposition wards and all 87 seats will be theirs. A terrible blow to the opposition and a slap in the face of democracy.

A former JC classmate who lives in the next street (and in the same constituency) sent me a message on Facebook to seek my views. After several back-and-forth posts, I concluded with this:

"If you're not sure or comfortable with your decision, then you've gotta pick the one who's going to set your mind at ease. Don't be intimidated by what others say do (including what I've written to you). You have to think through and make a choice that won't eat at you."

I've made my choice and on Polling Day I know which box I'll be marking my cross on. I'm not telling of course, since my vote's supposed to be secret.

But you can bet your last dollar that I'll be up all night and glued to the TV while they announce the results. And I sure hope there'll be a celebration of sorts.