tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-106975592012-02-14T19:08:55.325+08:00"Three passions, simple but overwhelmingly strong, have governed my life: the longing for love, the search for knowledge, and unbearable pity for the suffering of mankind." -- Bertrand RussellLCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.comBlogger5011100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-54575042357987378952012-02-12T15:32:00.000+08:002012-02-12T15:32:39.756+08:00

Ask not why you were not invited, ask why they must invite you. The above statement was what first came to my mind as I read this post by Ms. Vigneswari V Ramachandran who is head of the Reform Party's (RP) youth wing. I find it rather presumptuous for the RP to perhaps imply that it must be invited to the "Young Guns" forum and that by not inviting them, it was "deliberately left out"; and

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-89891070206486895522012-01-28T19:36:00.000+08:002012-02-05T18:21:32.449+08:00

Some of you all may be aware that an exchange student from Yale wrote an article, based on his observations during his stay in Singapore, asserting that there is no student freedom at the National University of Singapore (NUS). Expectedly, this article attracted what may be described as a flood of comments - some agreeing with the author's assertion and others rebutting him. And on Facebook,

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-27817368547048349812012-01-24T14:31:00.000+08:002012-01-24T14:31:13.583+08:00

I guess this post may be somewhat belated or will perhaps contribute no new insights now that the debate (at least the one in Parliament) over how much Singapore's political office-holders should be paid is over. However, reading Prime Minister (PM) Lee Hsien Loong's comments in his 2012 Chinese New Year message on what the government will do to encourage Singaporeans to have more children, I

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-7677991814159775792012-01-16T20:16:00.000+08:002012-01-16T20:16:07.893+08:00

First and foremost, I want to clarify that I am not really going to Las Vegas for 24 months. The title of this blog post is referring to an internet meme which has been spreading on Facebook these few days. I got to know about this meme when a female friend of mine posted the following on her Facebook Wall (she apparently gotten it from someone else): Okay pretty ladies, it's that time of

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-29737485558304892782011-12-20T19:47:00.001+08:002011-12-20T19:47:35.669+08:00

This Christmas - Don't buy gifts Donate UNICEF Inspired Gifts to children in need instead

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-89660164558577371042011-12-14T14:38:00.002+08:002011-12-14T14:38:39.807+08:00

"One man asked me why - why don't you stay at home, enjoy yourself instead of going around 20 people. I said if I eat food by myself, I alone 'ha ha chiou' (laugh). If I share with 20 people, 21 people 'ha ha chiou'. You see, my joy is multiplied 21 times" -- Teresa Hsu/许哲 施比授更有福。 "The more we do for other people, the more the path of our own happiness will open up" -- Daisaku Ikeda

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-67999170928696259692011-12-04T12:06:00.000+08:002011-12-04T13:50:46.712+08:00

Recently, I had a discussion of sorts with Laicite over the issue of how women should dress. Looking through the back-and-fro she and I had, I think it is worthwhile and necessary for me to elaborate on my thoughts on the issue and perhaps arrange them in a more coherent form. I must firstly state that I, in principle, support the right and freedom of women to wear whatever (even nothing)

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-74861570948566968842011-11-17T22:36:00.001+08:002012-01-24T13:19:31.006+08:00

Recently, on 9 Nov 2011, The Straits Times (ST) published an interview with Associate Professor (AP) Syed Farid Alatas on how although Singapore is a multi-cultural country, in the sense that there are people from many different cultures residing in Singapore, it is not yet truly multi-culturalist. In view of the Jason Neo incident, I think it is worthwhile to re-read the interview article.

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-45550498680301035022011-11-14T19:27:00.001+08:002011-11-14T21:22:41.031+08:00

In yesterday's edition of The Straits Times (ST), there was a report ("Choosing to sleep in the streets", ST, 13 Nov 2011) on how some elderly people in Singapore are apparently "choosing" to sleep outdoors in the streets despite having a home because they have felled out with their rental flat flatmates. Perhaps I am being too conspiratorial and maybe the writers of this article did not intend

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-56857935058399534902011-11-07T17:02:00.000+08:002011-11-07T17:02:02.118+08:00

Yesterday night (6 Nov 2011), I watched "Talking Point" on Channel News Asia (CNA). The topic of discussion for the show was the lack of cleanliness in Singapore's public toilets, particularly those found in coffeeshops and hawker centres. Perhaps I was thinking too much but it seemed to me that although the show was supposed to be a discussion, Melissa Hyak, the host of the show, appeared to

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-59018776321665812422011-10-31T19:14:00.000+08:002012-02-10T20:01:36.751+08:00

One more depending on a prayer And we all look away People pretending everywhere It's just another day There's bullets flying through the air And they still carry on We watch it happen over there And then just turn it off We must stand together There's no giving in Hand in hand forever That's when we all win That's, that's, that's when we all win That's, that's, that's when we all win They

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-74026273997720061572011-10-21T20:44:00.000+08:002011-10-21T20:44:35.276+08:00

Yesterday, on 20 Oct 2011, I read in the Straits Times ('GLCs crowding out small firms', ST, 20 Oct 2011) that Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Education Ms Sim Ann, in response to Non-Constituency MP (NCMP) Mr. Yee Jenn Jong's speech, questioned Mr. Yee if he "thought that schools were an appropriate platform to introduce politics" (note: in his speech, Mr. Yee suggested Singapore "should

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-67699851108997584022011-10-20T20:50:00.000+08:002011-10-20T20:50:09.329+08:00

Ng Yi-Sheng -- "Gone Home" "My father’s generation has seen Singapore transform from a filthy colonial post-war ghetto island into a sparkling 21st century metropolis. They’ll tell you how proud they are of the progress we’ve made, but they’ll also confess that sometimes, they’re haunted by nostalgia. They visit their old neighbourhoods. They find their landmarks erased, replaced by

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-40243747964288635662011-10-15T17:35:00.000+08:002011-10-15T17:35:09.449+08:00

Although I am not a Catholic, I agree wholeheartedly with this message (extracted from here) by Archbishop Nicholas Chia of the Catholic Church of Singapore. "Archbishop Chia's Message For World Day of Migrants" Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Jesus has made it clear that He values the way we treat each other. For the Last Judgement, Jesus will consider acts done “to one of the least

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-68293464612803555642011-10-15T16:59:00.001+08:002011-10-26T16:32:40.182+08:00

"Tempora mutantur, nos et mutamur in illis" "Life is a struggle with old forms giving way to new forms. And human society is part of this struggle" -- George Yeo I was somewhat unpleasantly surprised and sad when I read in today's Straits Times that following the closure of Borders, Page One at Vivocity may also be closing down if it fails to renew its lease at a lower price ("Exit: Page One?

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-26247411022029780202011-10-10T19:11:00.000+08:002011-10-15T16:59:54.474+08:00

我知道，你们很着急。张勋复辟了，国会又开不成了，我知道。我啊，我急的不是这个，这些日子我想的很多，我们本来是共和国，可怎么一次又一次地出现了封建主义专制主义的东西，这个问题不解决，专制复辟就是必然的。共和国就永远是一个泡影。 共和的观念，是平等、自由、博爱嘛。可民国六年来，我们看到的是什么？各级行政官员都视法律为粪土，民众，仍被奴役着。 民国应该是自由之国！自由是民众天赋的权利！可民国六年来，我们看到的是什么？是只有当权者的自由，权力大的有权力大的自由，权力小的有权力小的自由。民众，没有权力，没有自由。 　　 　　 　　 民国应该是博爱之国！人人为我，我为人人！可民国六年来，我们又看到的是什么？是只有民众对当权者恐惧的爱，而当权者对民众，只有囗头上虚伪的爱。那种真诚真挚的博爱，我们看不到啊。 　　 　　 　　 民国更应该是法制之国！可民国六年来，

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-47759085514000201782011-08-27T20:07:00.000+08:002011-08-27T21:04:50.544+08:00

Closing Speech from "The Great Dictator" I'm sorry but I don't want to be an Emperor, that's not my business. I don't want to rule or conquer anyone. I should like to help everyone if possible, Jew, gentile, black man, white. We all want to help one another, human beings are like that. We all want to live by each other's happiness, not by each other's misery. We don't want to hate and despise

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-69451731758532917802011-08-24T20:09:00.000+08:002011-08-24T20:09:56.889+08:00

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-18951495749319721652011-08-24T19:52:00.001+08:002011-08-24T19:52:16.402+08:00

On 10 September (Saturday), ONE Singapore will be holding a movie screening of the award winning documentary "The End of Poverty?" at Sinema Old School. There will be three timings for the screening and a discussion session will be held after each of them. Tickets for the event are priced at S$10 each (inclusive of ONE Singapore membership). To reserve tickets and for more details, please

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-40588245427227121342011-08-21T18:00:00.000+08:002011-08-21T18:06:54.200+08:00

Earlier this month (August 2011), I attended a lecture by Professor Bruce Hoffman entitled "Al-Qaeda after Bin Laden and the Arab Spring" (henceforth, for convenience, I shall be referring to, Al-Qaeda as AQ, Osama Bin Laden as OBL and the Arab Spring as AS). The lecture, as its title suggests, was mainly about the prospects of AQ and terrorism following the death of OBL and in light of the

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-6230608663507645042011-08-19T21:05:00.001+08:002011-08-19T21:05:16.625+08:00

It was reported in today's Straits Times ("Low Thia Khiang appointed party Whip", 19 August 2011) that the Workers' Party (WP) will appointing its party Secretary-General Mr. Low Thia Khiang as its Party Whip while its party Chairwoman Ms. Sylvia Lim will be appointed as deputy Party Whip. This, according to Ms. Lim, was done because the WP recognised that there is a greater need for party

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-46355934992797376372011-08-09T00:22:00.001+08:002011-08-09T00:22:22.861+08:00

The opening of this song is slow - the song only begins about 2 minutes plus into the video. Patience is a virtue. 标准的新加坡人 You and me will do our part Stand together heart to heart We are going to show the world what Singapore can be 其实我们很幸福 很多人都很羨慕 我们的生活很有规则 不愁吃穿行和住 只要你是新加坡人 就会得到各种的照顾 只要你是住在新加坡 You have to follow the rules 我们的家長最怕输 为了孩子他最会吃苦 单单排队报幼稚园 他们可以排队排到跷骨 为了孩子的好前途 不管什么事都做的出

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-41765502420949057432011-08-06T20:37:00.000+08:002011-08-06T20:37:13.398+08:00

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-71392123068664170102011-07-28T20:26:00.000+08:002011-07-28T20:26:56.795+08:00

Catherine Lim: "Being Human, Humane, Humanist—the Whole Shebang"

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-87091210990696696172011-07-09T19:51:00.003+08:002011-07-09T21:04:56.370+08:00

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-35326338296564310632011-06-23T20:45:00.001+08:002011-06-23T20:47:02.098+08:00

Reading this article by Ms. Kristen Han, I was reminded of this series of videos by the Day Off campaign. Related to this, I must say that I am rather disturbed by the argument in this letter by Ms. Shanmugam. Specifically, my eyes were going wide when I read how Ms. Shanmugam framed her opposition against letting foreign domestic workers have a mandatory day off every week as a quasi-concern

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-58551392933794981672011-06-11T15:20:00.000+08:002011-06-11T15:20:10.553+08:00

Abuse At Nightingale Nursing Centre - Foreign Workers To Be Blamed? Earlier this week, local media released disturbing video images of how an elderly stroke patient was mistreated by employees at Nightingale Nursing Centre. Expectedly, this triggered a flurry of comments and reactions from many people. Scanning through the online comments, it struck me that besides condemning the abuse that

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-75685965558222306902011-05-27T23:14:00.000+08:002011-05-27T23:14:37.379+08:00

Save the world's saddest dolphins CNA: “Undercover videos released to back freedom for RWS dolphins”

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-25384172992321997682011-05-17T13:30:00.000+08:002011-05-17T13:30:30.447+08:00

Pink Dot Singapore 2011

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-7498220865998078032011-05-15T11:01:00.000+08:002011-05-15T11:01:21.848+08:00

Yesterday night, Senior Minister (SM) Goh Chok Tong and Minister Mentor (MM) Lee Kuan Yew, in a joint statement, announced that they will be resigning from Cabinet. According to the statement, they have decided to do so in order to allow Prime Minister (PM) Lee Hsien and his team of younger ministers to have a "fresh clean slate" and "to connect to and engage with this young generation in shaping

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-46149197712239191752011-05-09T19:08:00.000+08:002011-05-09T19:08:24.623+08:00

Remembering the past is important but these memories should not inhibit progress. And while the young may have fewer memories of the past, we are not less grateful or ignorant. Anyway, gratitude should come naturally from someone, not expected or demanded of. And gratitude should not be equivalent to everlasting and blind support.

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-21856120419448932822011-05-08T16:46:00.000+08:002011-05-08T16:46:06.233+08:00

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-49401313931475030322011-05-08T15:39:00.004+08:002011-05-08T15:50:30.671+08:00

Where do we go from here? Now that GE 2011 has perhaps come to a conclusion with the release of the results? Undoubtedly, the dust will soon settle and the excitement will die down. Life will go on and we will have to return to our usual daily routines. But it cannot be life as usual. Promises were made by candidates from both the People's Action Party and the various opposition parties. We

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-78778186508909570932011-04-26T20:54:00.004+08:002011-04-26T20:57:14.459+08:00

I am sure most of you all would by now be aware of how the PAP team for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC, headed by Minister Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, has released a media statement asking for Dr. Vincent Wijeysingha, a member of the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) team contesting Holland-Bukit Timah GRC, to be open about whether he or his team will be advocating for homosexual rights if and when they are

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-39796653389200362502011-04-18T18:34:00.001+08:002011-04-18T19:00:21.475+08:00

I find the comic strip above (drawn by Miel and published in The Straits Times on 15 April 2011) an apt and timely reminder that leaving aside partisan rhetoric and regardless of which political party we support, we are all, at the end of the day, pro-Singapore. To borrow a football analogy (which seems to be quite popular in the political scene recently), regardless of whether we are "Team PAP

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-34922676616934327922011-04-09T19:14:00.001+08:002011-04-09T19:32:30.620+08:00

A friend of mine shared on Facebook this well-written critique of Singapore's policy of not having Malay-Muslims deployed in the SAF's strategically sensitive units. Thought I will share it with you all. "We are not a threat"

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-49605589087720800342011-04-02T19:52:00.000+08:002011-04-02T19:52:43.090+08:00

Maybe it is her age. Or perhaps it is what she said. Or maybe it is her supposed immaturity. Or it could be just the party she is representing. Or maybe, just maybe, it is because she is not a he? I am of course referring to Ms. Tin Pei Ling who, being 27 years old, is the youngest candidate introduced so far by the People's Action Party (PAP) for the upcoming General Election. And I suppose

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-66807543185235672032011-03-18T18:45:00.000+08:002011-03-18T18:45:08.081+08:00

In its latest issue, The Economist has a special feature entitled "Taming Leviathan - A special report on the future of the state". And in this special feature is an interesting write-up on what make Singapore ticks and what Western states can learn from it. I have a feeling that local media will soon be republishing this write-up or citing it (or at least parts of it) but for those of you all

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-73070017897227519492011-03-17T20:24:00.000+08:002011-03-17T20:24:08.669+08:00

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-6261405085815546622011-03-12T20:38:00.000+08:002011-03-12T20:38:15.354+08:00

As shared by Mhisham Thanks for sharing!

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-58385250701005519082011-03-10T20:09:00.000+08:002011-03-10T20:09:12.589+08:00

Reasons why Singapore is home...

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-21056423282902100762011-02-19T16:16:00.000+08:002011-02-19T16:16:10.311+08:00

Recently, Andy Ho, a senior writer with the Straits Times (ST), wrote a series of opinion pieces questioning the validity of alternative medicine as a form of medical treatment. Unsurprisingly, this series of opinion pieces stirred up a debate in the ST Forum pages over the validity of alternative medicine as a form of medical treatment, especially with Ho's most recent piece that labelled

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-57939676431054294302011-02-15T19:42:00.001+08:002011-02-16T00:20:48.499+08:00

Click here to download the full extended version of the music video above and donate to the Community Chest

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-19384304981600079372011-01-30T01:11:00.001+08:002011-01-30T01:13:58.036+08:00

A friend of mine shared the video below on Facebook and thought I should share it as a reminder that sometimes, bogged down by work, we may take for granted or neglect the feelings of those who care for us...

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-23167947120810263932011-01-01T00:00:00.001+08:002011-01-01T00:00:09.046+08:00

"You may say I'm a dreamer but I'm not the only one..." Merry New Year to you all!

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-32080002196328009102010-12-30T20:55:00.000+08:002010-12-30T20:55:39.930+08:00

Reading the news reports about local trainee teacher who has been found guilty of having sex with two underage girls, this question popped into my mind: is it time for the laws governing underage sex to be updated? Although I may be a voice in the wilderness on this issue, my answer to the question above will be "Yes". For those of you all who may not be aware, according to Singapore law (Penal

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-9520013139177083272010-12-10T20:14:00.000+08:002010-12-10T20:14:47.129+08:00

UN Secretary-General's Human Rights Day 2010 Message Human rights are the foundation of freedom, peace, development and justice -- and the heart of the work of the United Nations around the world. Laws to protect and promote human rights are indispensable. But quite often, progress comes down to people… courageous women and men… striving to protect their own rights and the rights of others…

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-67783471473139731802010-11-14T16:17:00.000+08:002010-11-14T16:17:09.515+08:00

If you all have been reading the local newspapers recently, you all will most probably have seen those reports in which certain PAP members, who are currently Members of Parliament (MPs) for various Group Representation Constituencies, were asked about their willingness to be fielded in a Single Member Constituency (SMC) in the upcoming General Election. The response by these MPs were very

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-2069906716758607482010-10-30T15:05:00.003+08:002010-10-31T00:01:06.065+08:00

Earlier this week, it was reported that Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, speaking at an entrepreneurship talk, remarked that Singaporeans, compared to those living in less well-off societies, seem to have less of an urge to be "exceptional" in what they do; in fact, the Minister said that most Singaporeans apparently are satisfied with just being competent or being above average in what

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-43930677208048603552010-10-12T19:57:00.000+08:002010-10-12T19:57:38.206+08:00

A timely reminder for us to not take the elderly around us for granted but to pay more attention to them...

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-70499401554183091272010-10-11T18:46:00.001+08:002010-10-11T20:49:30.654+08:00

A simple and timely reminder that there is more to life than our portable media entertainment devices...

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-20621774775637133322010-10-02T19:50:00.000+08:002010-10-02T19:50:56.695+08:00

CNA: "Mrs Lee Kuan Yew dies at age 89" Requiescat in pace, Mrs Lee... Condolences to the Lee family...

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-59368373121052967752010-09-21T20:35:00.000+08:002010-09-21T20:35:43.541+08:00

《阿公》/"Ah Kong"

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-91792885005532915922010-09-20T21:17:00.001+08:002010-09-25T14:27:00.447+08:00

Last Sunday (19/9/2010), the Straits Times Lifestyle published an opinion pieice by Mr. Andy Chen arguing that, as a father of two young girls, he will prefer the current censorship regime in Singapore be maintained as it is. Evidently, Mr. Chen was responding to the recently released recommendations by the Censorship Review Committee (CRC). Specifically, judging from what Mr. Chen wrote, I

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-10196587251855089062010-09-07T20:55:00.000+08:002010-09-07T20:55:54.166+08:00

What follows below is a translated reproduction of an opinion piece by Ms Li Hui Min (李慧敏), published in 《联合早报》/Lianhe Zaobao on 5th September 2010. Xenophobic Singaporeans? In his National Day 2010 Rally speech, Prime Minister (PM) Lee Hsien Loong explained in great detail the government’s population policy in the hope that it will influence Singaporeans to welcome foreigners. However, is the

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-15048737067835617532010-09-04T16:20:00.000+08:002010-09-04T16:20:11.706+08:00

Although I am not a "Lau Peng" (still got several more ICTs to go), I can empathise with them since, having ORD-ed before 29th August 2010, I will be missing out on the first 1/3 payout of the National Service Recognition Award.

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-74267173232124283252010-08-23T20:10:00.000+08:002010-08-23T20:10:23.257+08:00

If this is a perfect world, everyone will only engage in sexual intercourse after they are of legal age, are married and are ready in all aspects, emotionally and otherwise, for it. If this is a perfect world, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) will not exist. If this is a perfect world, engaging in unprotected sex will not result in unwanted pregnancies. However, a perfect world this is not

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-53606515160983233152010-08-11T21:23:00.000+08:002010-08-11T21:23:10.036+08:00

Here's wishing you all a belated Happy National Day 2010!

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-34234575910592851072010-08-11T21:12:00.000+08:002010-08-11T21:12:51.137+08:00

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-80697345598123691742010-08-02T20:29:00.004+08:002010-08-02T21:15:35.683+08:00

For those of you all who read the Straits Times (ST), you would have noticed that on the front page of today's ST is a report about the results of a recent survey conducted by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS). Specifically, the ST report highlighted how there is an increased proportion of respondents who "want to have a greater say and be more politically involved in the political process

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-32803391891589667192010-07-28T19:30:00.000+08:002010-07-28T19:30:13.345+08:00

Petition to make censorship history The collecting of signatures for the petition will end this Friday on 30th July 2010 so please hurry if you all want to pledge your support!

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-68151647218410730212010-07-21T20:17:00.000+08:002010-07-21T20:17:24.477+08:00

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-58470881567003391532010-07-21T19:32:00.001+08:002010-07-21T20:04:03.898+08:00

What follows below is the full parliamentary speech delivered by Nominated Member of Parliament Viswa Sadasivan two days ago (19/7/2010) in Parliament (this was shared by a friend of mine on Facebook). Looking Beyond GDP For Progress Preamble 1. Mr Speaker, Sir, I thank you for giving me the opportunity to move this motion. Before commencing my speech, I would like to convey my congratulations

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-64342221094276665142010-06-21T00:43:00.003+08:002010-06-21T02:14:49.895+08:00

Yesterday (20/6/2010), it was reported on Channel NewsAsia that K Shanmugam, Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs, remarked that "profit-driven private organisations must take security of their premises seriously" and stressed that "the onus is on them - not the government or the taxpaying public alone - to ensure that their premises are safe and secure". Hmm... Why then do we

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-67646698574071452552010-06-18T13:26:00.001+08:002010-06-22T12:01:52.079+08:00

With Mandarin subtitles With English subtitles With Malay subtitles With Tamil subtitles Related Posts: i)"Three short films on filial duty" ii) The previous two video commercials in the series

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-60066179379745648882010-06-15T17:38:00.001+08:002010-06-15T17:38:58.971+08:00

Petition to make censorship history

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-1238193014825388622010-06-15T15:53:00.000+08:002010-06-15T15:53:42.682+08:00

Last Friday (11/6/2010), as I was in the area and had library books to return, I made a stop at the National Library building. While there, I realised that there were four exhibitions being held at the library and went through them. However, as this was a somewhat impromptu visit, I did not bring along a camera to document what I saw at the four exhibitions. Thus, yesterday (14/6/2010), armed

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-3595873626237998442010-06-13T11:09:00.000+08:002010-06-13T11:09:38.276+08:00

Lamentation of both rich and poor women: "Sigh, what to have for dinner?"  "为什么　这个世界上 就是有人穷得发疯 有人富有 把钞票当作了枕头?" -- 纵贯线，《亡命之徒》

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-82236861604156840332010-06-12T19:12:00.000+08:002010-06-12T19:12:42.732+08:00

These few days, partly provoked by news regarding the investigation of individuals and groups linked to City Harvest Church, I have been thinking about and discussing the following question with a few of my friends. "What role should churches have in society?" However, before I proceed to discuss this question in greater detail, please note that although the specific term of "churches" may be

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-20281773207269887682010-05-31T13:43:00.001+08:002010-05-31T13:45:53.341+08:00

What follows below is a reproduction of a term paper I wrote for my "China's Foreign Policy" module. “Let China sleep, for when she wakes the world will shake”. This observation or warning, widely attributed to Napoleon Bonaparte, about China would appear to be most relevant in today’s context, in light of how China’s re-emergence as a major regional, if not international, power in the

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-56025936372863799312010-05-13T21:32:00.000+08:002010-05-13T21:32:01.566+08:00

Today, it was reported by Channel Newsasia that, according to the latest Quacquarelli Symonds Asian University Rankings, the National University of Singapore (NUS) is ranked third amongst the leading universities in Asia. Initially, being an undergraduate student at NUS (or at least until my commencement ceremony in July), I was understandably excited and proud about the news above. However,

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-16739330786812494002010-05-10T13:30:00.000+08:002010-05-10T13:30:34.070+08:00

What follows below is a reproduction of a term paper I wrote for my "Politics of Social Policy" module. Last year, in 2009, two new schemes were introduced by the Singapore government. One was the Central Provident Fund Lifelong Income Scheme For The Elderly (CPF Life) while the other was the Lease Buyback Scheme. Officially, the reason stated for why the first scheme was introduced was that,

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-62644282305814127262010-05-04T14:34:00.000+08:002010-05-04T14:34:20.407+08:00

No offence to anyone but can any of you all explain to me why this letter is worthy of publication in the ST Forum besides the fact that it was written by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong? In contrast, I personally found this other letter more interesting.

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-25035194540865620942010-05-04T11:35:00.002+08:002010-05-13T13:26:12.690+08:00

In case you all are not aware, earlier this year, Singapore (specifically, a partnership between the National University of Singapore and the Singapore Exhibition & Convention Bureau) submitted a bid to host and organise World Model United Nations (WorldMUN) 2011. And, yesterday, it was announced that Singapore has won the rights to host and organise WorldMUN 2011! Congratulations! Although

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-68730869910351060912010-05-02T19:43:00.002+08:002010-05-02T19:43:56.651+08:00

"The Story of Stuff"

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-87749818226013635102010-04-30T18:03:00.000+08:002010-04-30T18:03:28.696+08:00

A must-read, thought-provoking and poignant piece by a fellow coursemate of mine. "Leave the light on"

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-78526312345823389222010-04-30T14:37:00.000+08:002010-04-30T14:37:46.815+08:00

It was reported in today's Straits Times ("Govt calls for more transparency in sexuality education", ST, 30/4/2010) that the "MOE's philosophy on sexuality education is that it does not encourage nor promote masturbation, abortion and oral and anal sex. Its sexuality education programme does not condone promiscuity and sexual experimentation by teenagers, or promote homosexuality, but promotes

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-22225356821529470432010-04-19T18:00:00.000+08:002010-04-19T18:00:31.924+08:00

In today's 《早报现在》/"ZbNow" (19/4/2010), there was a feature reporting about the recent measures by the Singapore government to differentiate between Singaporean citizens and Permanent Residents (PRs), mainly through cutting down on the benefits available to the latter. The main part of the feature was excerpts from interviews of 2 local academics, namely Associate Professor (AP) Peter Borschberg

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-59915504078418262082010-04-09T17:39:00.002+08:002010-04-11T17:40:57.582+08:00

Two days ago, on 7th April 2010, 赵琬仪 wrote an article in "ZbNow" (《早报现在》) entitled 《当巴士路线变短》("When bus routes are shortened"), in which she perhaps provided a sentimental case for preserving "cross-country" bus services in Singapore. However, in light of the fact that the first half of her article was mainly a personal recollection of her growing-up experiences with long bus rides, I will only

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-57173859871272785002010-04-09T16:12:00.001+08:002010-04-09T16:36:02.713+08:00

I am a Christian. I’m sorry. I’m sorry for the way that I come across So fair and faith friendly and full of myself Judging your spiritual health by the words that you say And the way that you dress, and the things that you do Or maybe just judging you. I’m sorry for the way that I live my life So confident of my own beliefs that I would never even think to think about thinking about yours

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-51799251942738362272010-03-28T01:07:00.002+08:002010-03-28T22:22:06.584+08:00

Earlier on, I came across this news report by CNA reporting about Prime Minister (PM) Lee Hsien Loong outlining the government's approach towards engaging Singaporeans online. What caught my attention was the PM's mention of how there appears to be an unknown individual or group which, through sending emails containing fabricated personal details, is engaging in "a covert attempt to pressure the

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-28993126182665219322010-03-27T20:30:00.001+08:002010-03-27T20:30:00.176+08:00

Note: This is a pre-scheduled post

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-30979159306655602182010-03-25T15:37:00.001+08:002010-03-25T15:38:16.189+08:00

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-16026628825213645032010-03-16T18:29:00.004+08:002010-03-18T18:17:45.542+08:00

What follows below is a translation of a short piece by the writer "He Meng" (I am assuming that this is a pen name), in yesterday's (15/3/2010) "ZbNow" (《早报现在》), recounting his or her experience with a young teacher newly posted to his or her school. "From an elite school";《名校出身》 Hearing that a new teacher, recently graduated from NIE, will be posted to my school, I eagerly waited in my

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-32375132302562413122010-03-12T20:25:00.001+08:002010-03-12T20:25:53.629+08:00

U.S. State Department 2009 Human Rights Report -- Singapore (Full Text)

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-47671617749816539542010-03-09T18:12:00.002+08:002010-03-09T18:13:22.213+08:00

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-78444799626142770202010-02-28T17:29:00.003+08:002010-02-28T17:49:09.522+08:00

Yesterday, I watched the film "Agora" and, in spite of the poor review a ST Life reviewer gave it, I enjoyed it greatly. The main reason for this would the film's daring and candid portrayal of the dangers that religious extremism and intolerance can result in; and in light of the recent incident involving Pastor Rony Tan, this film is perhaps most apt as a reminder or cautionary tale.

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-61082178448982959722010-02-25T00:16:00.000+08:002010-02-25T00:16:55.310+08:00

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-19811283333847255322010-02-16T13:23:00.000+08:002010-02-16T13:23:27.402+08:00

听我说　我原来有个梦　跟你高飞远走　跟你一起走到白头 但是我　拥有化为乌有　忘记我们承诺　忘记曾经爱你爱的那么浓 我不能带你走　我犯了大错　必须一个人走　必须扛下所有罪过 必须离开熟悉的街口　请你不要忘记我　这夜里有小雨飘在空中 当我扣板机的瞬间灵魂早已卖给魔鬼 可笑的是　我好想求主帮我赎回　赎回我那一丁点的尊严 想起妈妈的脸　对不起这几年　是否有机会再见你一面 妈妈我犯了错　你会原谅我吗?　我已经踏上了末路 别人眼中的亡命之徒　哪里还有我的藏身处? 我的兄弟　离我远去我还傻呼呼的相信道义 所谓的人性莫非要用血和泪来换取教训　不想再混下去 想说干完这一票就不再撩下去 想着想着我的眼泪就流不停 出发啦 不要问那路在哪? 迎风向前 是唯一的方法 出发啦 不想问那路在哪? 运命哎呀 什么关卡? 当车声隆隆 梦开始阵痛　它卷起了风 重新雕塑每个面孔 夜雾那么浓

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-18325442637802671852010-02-09T19:10:00.005+08:002010-02-28T17:51:10.101+08:00

I suppose most of you all will, especially since it is front page news for today's Straits Times, by now be aware that Pastor Rony Tan of Lighthouse Evangelism (Church) has been warned by the Ministry of Home Affairs (specifically, the Internal Security Department or ISD) with regards to the disparaging remarks he made about Buddhist teachings in a series of videos (see here for more information)

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-63583130919754543222010-02-06T17:12:00.006+08:002010-02-28T17:53:43.517+08:00

"Do to others as you would have them do to you" -- Luke 6:31, NIV Last year, in reaction to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's 2009 National Day Rally Speech, I wrote a blog post in which I expressed my concern that the PM's appeal for continued religious harmony and tolerance in Singapore may fall on deaf ears of a significant minority of religious believers. Yesterday, as I watched a series

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-87281992449801530482010-01-30T01:20:00.003+08:002010-03-01T08:52:19.485+08:00

Although I have been keeping track of the case, I have however been reluctant to publicly comment on the case involving Dr. Silviu Ionescu who was until recently a Romanian envoy to Singapore and is said to be involved in a hit-and-run accident. My reluctance was due to it, while there were signs pointing to his involvment, not been confirmed that Dr. Ionescu was the driver of the car involved in

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-69094447175412230892010-01-28T19:46:00.000+08:002010-01-28T19:46:40.255+08:00

For the past few days, although I am no loyal fan of it, I have been wondering why The Ridge (a NUS student publication) has yet to release a new issue in the current semester. The answer, it seems, according to this statement released by The Ridge's Chief Editor is the NUSSU Exco's decision to cancel the publication of the January issue of The Ridge, "citing the late publication date of the

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-12324809088974941492010-01-21T16:16:00.001+08:002010-02-28T17:53:09.822+08:00

What follows below is a translation of an opinion piece published in 《联合早报》/Lianhe Zaobao last Sunday (17/1/2010) regarding censorship in Singapore: "Why censor when you can regulate?" Every ten years, Singapore will establish a Censorship Review Committee "to review and update censorship objectives and principles to meet the long-term interests of our society". However, it is not stated

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-87432840460396563002010-01-10T18:22:00.000+08:002010-01-10T18:22:50.721+08:00

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-69176962702447946272010-01-09T12:00:00.000+08:002010-01-09T12:00:41.197+08:00

Speech of Foreign Minister George Yeo at the unveiling ceremony of "The Kings of Freedom"

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-86652349565710628832010-01-06T18:37:00.002+08:002010-01-06T18:52:22.051+08:00

Yesterday, a memorial event was held at the Speakers' Corner for the late Joshua Benjamin Jeyaretnam (JBJ), in conjunction with what would have been Jeyaretnam's eighty-fourth birthday. At the memorial event, several speakers spoke, one of whom was Dr. James Gomez. Towards the end of his speech, Dr. Gomez updated the audience that he is no longer a member of the Workers' Party (WP) and that he

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-66859128862019552202009-12-31T18:04:00.000+08:002009-12-31T18:04:06.892+08:00

Before I move on to review Karen Armstrong's "The Case for God", I think I should make it clear to you all, especially those who have read Lee Strobel's works, that this book is not akin to the books in Strobel's "The Case for ..." series (incidentally, I have read two books from this series; specifically, "The Case for Christ" and "The Case for Faith"), in that this book was not written as a

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-15534086059323717112009-12-23T17:21:00.000+08:002009-12-23T17:21:57.274+08:00

Today, in local news, it was reported that Singapore's Ministry of Education has "released its annual report on the academic performance of Singapore's three main ethnic groups". Unsurprisingly, in light of Dr. Yaacob Ibrahim's (who is, besides being the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, the Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs) recent remarks on a similar topic, the spotlight is

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10697559.post-2942737563438704582009-11-13T13:24:00.000+08:002009-11-13T13:24:18.377+08:00

As extracted from here. Charter for Compassion The principle of compassion lies at the heart of all religious, ethical and spiritual traditions, calling us always to treat all others as we wish to be treated ourselves. Compassion impels us to work tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of our fellow creatures, to dethrone ourselves from the centre of our world and put another there, and to

LCChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239988467062126536noreply@blogger.com0