AsiaOne ran this article by The Nation/Asia News Network on 30 June 2009:
Human trafficking: More women, children being victimised
THAILAND - More and more women and children are becoming part of human-trafficking scams, a report from the Foundation for Women (FFW) said yesterday.
"With countries like Laos having a very male-oriented society, male family members force women or children to shoulder bread-winning responsibilities. Since children and women are weak, they are not allowed to make decisions and instead are taken advantage of or violated by human traffickers," Panjit Kaewsawang, a social worker with the FFW, said at a seminar yesterday.
"Some female victims in Laos cannot even use the money given to them by the FFW to bring their lives back in order. Instead the money is used for other purposes such as a relative's wedding, the purchase of a tractor or a satellite dish," she added.
She studied the lives of victims in Laos, Cambodia and Burma after they were rescued from a life of drudgery.
Panjit said she found that mothers and children were often abandoned, which put them at further risk. She also found that some Burmese refugees on the Thai border kept selling their children even after they had been rescued from human traffickers.
The seminar, held at Bangkok's Asia Hotel, was organised to study the problem of human trafficking and to find a way of assisting victims after they had been rescued.
Meanwhile, Matthana Chetamee, the FFW's project coordinator in Thailand, has discovered that illegal agents held a lot of power in certain communities, which not only threatened people's safety but also made it difficult to corner them.
"The agents will have donated large amounts of money to temples, thereby gaining the respect and trust of the locals. Victims who try to take these agents to court are usually condemned by their communities," Matthana said.
Another problem that Thai human-trafficking victims face is that some relevant government officials do not take them seriously.
"Many have told me that every time they asked for financial assistance, they were made to feel like beggars," Matthana said.
FFW's president Siriporn Skrobanek recommended that both governmental and non-governmental organisations jointly approach local administrative organisations and have them take part in making locals understand what happens to human-trafficking victims and encourage them to fight against the illegal agents.
She also called on relevant officials to pay serious attention to victims. "People accused of human trafficking out on bail should not be allowed to go overseas," Siriporn added.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Regional Rights Body Dismissed as "Toothless"
IPS (www.ipsnews.net) ran this article on 27 June 2009:
SOUTHEAST ASIA: Regional Rights Body Dismissed as "Toothless"
By Marwaan Macan-Markar
BANGKOK, Jun 27 (IPS) - Southeast Asia is weeks away from getting its own regional human rights body, but not everyone is cheering the birth of this new mechanism due to be approved at a foreign ministers’ meeting here. Least of all the region’s vibrant human rights community, spread across the 10 countries that belong to the Association of South-east Asian Nations (ASEAN).
In a final, desperate push to lobby for an ASEAN Human Rights Body (AHRB) with teeth, over 200 civil society organisations, activists and academics have dispatched a letter to the high-profile committee drafting the terms of reference (ToR) of the rights body to make it an "effective" mechanism.
Plans are afoot to meet some foreign ministers before they assemble for the 42nd ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in the resort island of Phuket, from Jul. 17- 23. The ministers are due to approve the ToR for the AHRB, paving the way for it to start functioning later in the year.
The countries in the regional bloc, which was formed in 1967 as a bulwark against the spread of communism, include Brunei, Burma (or Myanmar), Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Most troubling for the activists is the lack of power for this regional entity to investigate rights violations among member countries and the absence of independent human rights experts to be on the body. There is also a call for the AHRB to have regular reviews of the human rights situation in the region.
"We hear that these three demands have not been met," says Yuyun Wahyuningrum, East Asia programme manager for FORUM-ASIA, a Bangkok- based regional rights lobby. "There is opposition from Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar and Cambodia. Even Singapore and Malaysia have said our demands are difficult."
"We said this has to do with the lives of victims, in our meetings with the government officials," she added in an interview. "The ToR is very weak and may do little to improve the human rights situation in the region."
That is confirmed by the confidential draft text of the ToR seen by IPS. Although stating that the AHRB is being created to "promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms of the peoples of ASEAN," the language in this nine-page document is short on specific details on precise actions of the new body to protect victims of gross abuse.
There are also provisions for principles that the 42-year-old ASEAN is known for, such as "non-interference in the internal affairs of ASEAN Member states" and "respect for the independence, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity and national identity of all ASEAN Members States."
But non-governmental organisations (NGOs) argue that when governments sign international treaties they give up an aspect of sovereignty and are open to some monitoring by the international community.
"To renege on the international human rights standards at this point would be really a shame," says Rafendi Djamin, coordinator of Indonesia’s NGO Coalition for International Human Rights Advocacy. "This would again affirm the widespread perception that ASEAN lacks the political will to protect human rights."
There is already a view among some activists that the AHRB is destined to fall far short of what national human rights commissions in some ASEAN countries - such as Indonesia and the Philippines - have achieved. They have strong investigation mechanisms and independent commissioners.
"The power to investigate human rights violations is the first mandate of the Philippines human rights commission," says Cres Lucero, deputy executive director of the Manila-based Task Force Detainees of the Philippines. "It helps with a witness protection programme and is committed and has a capacity building plan."
"The credibility of any human rights body will be judged on its power to investigate," she added during a telephone interview from the Philippines capital. "It is disappointing that the AHRB will be weaker than the national human rights bodies."
ASEAN’s history offers a window into understanding why the AHRB is hampered by these flaws despite the region’s charter, which came into force last December, spelling out that the need for a regional human rights mechanism was important in making the bloc a rules-based entity on the lines of the European Union.
With the exception of Indonesia and the Philippines and, to some measure Thailand, the rest of ASEAN’s members have governments that permit a limited democratic culture to ones that crush all hints of political and civil liberties. The latter are still comfortable with the concept of "Asian values" - an idea advanced by the authoritarian leaders of Malaysia and Singapore in the 1990s to justify the strong grip with which they ruled, and to deflect criticism from the West.
"The ToR for the AHRB mirrors the shortcomings of the ASEAN Charter as a whole," says Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political scientist at Bangkok’s Chulalongkorn University. "It has the politically correct concepts. But in the details, it has been diluted and is not effective."
"The problem is that the ToR was a ‘Track One’ process like the ASEAN Charter. Only officials were involved in drafting it," he explained to IPS. "ASEAN is full of non-democratic countries. So a ‘Track One’ process lacks legitimacy, lacks people’s participation and also ruins the purpose."
SOUTHEAST ASIA: Regional Rights Body Dismissed as "Toothless"
By Marwaan Macan-Markar
BANGKOK, Jun 27 (IPS) - Southeast Asia is weeks away from getting its own regional human rights body, but not everyone is cheering the birth of this new mechanism due to be approved at a foreign ministers’ meeting here. Least of all the region’s vibrant human rights community, spread across the 10 countries that belong to the Association of South-east Asian Nations (ASEAN).
In a final, desperate push to lobby for an ASEAN Human Rights Body (AHRB) with teeth, over 200 civil society organisations, activists and academics have dispatched a letter to the high-profile committee drafting the terms of reference (ToR) of the rights body to make it an "effective" mechanism.
Plans are afoot to meet some foreign ministers before they assemble for the 42nd ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in the resort island of Phuket, from Jul. 17- 23. The ministers are due to approve the ToR for the AHRB, paving the way for it to start functioning later in the year.
The countries in the regional bloc, which was formed in 1967 as a bulwark against the spread of communism, include Brunei, Burma (or Myanmar), Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Most troubling for the activists is the lack of power for this regional entity to investigate rights violations among member countries and the absence of independent human rights experts to be on the body. There is also a call for the AHRB to have regular reviews of the human rights situation in the region.
"We hear that these three demands have not been met," says Yuyun Wahyuningrum, East Asia programme manager for FORUM-ASIA, a Bangkok- based regional rights lobby. "There is opposition from Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar and Cambodia. Even Singapore and Malaysia have said our demands are difficult."
"We said this has to do with the lives of victims, in our meetings with the government officials," she added in an interview. "The ToR is very weak and may do little to improve the human rights situation in the region."
That is confirmed by the confidential draft text of the ToR seen by IPS. Although stating that the AHRB is being created to "promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms of the peoples of ASEAN," the language in this nine-page document is short on specific details on precise actions of the new body to protect victims of gross abuse.
There are also provisions for principles that the 42-year-old ASEAN is known for, such as "non-interference in the internal affairs of ASEAN Member states" and "respect for the independence, sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity and national identity of all ASEAN Members States."
But non-governmental organisations (NGOs) argue that when governments sign international treaties they give up an aspect of sovereignty and are open to some monitoring by the international community.
"To renege on the international human rights standards at this point would be really a shame," says Rafendi Djamin, coordinator of Indonesia’s NGO Coalition for International Human Rights Advocacy. "This would again affirm the widespread perception that ASEAN lacks the political will to protect human rights."
There is already a view among some activists that the AHRB is destined to fall far short of what national human rights commissions in some ASEAN countries - such as Indonesia and the Philippines - have achieved. They have strong investigation mechanisms and independent commissioners.
"The power to investigate human rights violations is the first mandate of the Philippines human rights commission," says Cres Lucero, deputy executive director of the Manila-based Task Force Detainees of the Philippines. "It helps with a witness protection programme and is committed and has a capacity building plan."
"The credibility of any human rights body will be judged on its power to investigate," she added during a telephone interview from the Philippines capital. "It is disappointing that the AHRB will be weaker than the national human rights bodies."
ASEAN’s history offers a window into understanding why the AHRB is hampered by these flaws despite the region’s charter, which came into force last December, spelling out that the need for a regional human rights mechanism was important in making the bloc a rules-based entity on the lines of the European Union.
With the exception of Indonesia and the Philippines and, to some measure Thailand, the rest of ASEAN’s members have governments that permit a limited democratic culture to ones that crush all hints of political and civil liberties. The latter are still comfortable with the concept of "Asian values" - an idea advanced by the authoritarian leaders of Malaysia and Singapore in the 1990s to justify the strong grip with which they ruled, and to deflect criticism from the West.
"The ToR for the AHRB mirrors the shortcomings of the ASEAN Charter as a whole," says Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political scientist at Bangkok’s Chulalongkorn University. "It has the politically correct concepts. But in the details, it has been diluted and is not effective."
"The problem is that the ToR was a ‘Track One’ process like the ASEAN Charter. Only officials were involved in drafting it," he explained to IPS. "ASEAN is full of non-democratic countries. So a ‘Track One’ process lacks legitimacy, lacks people’s participation and also ruins the purpose."
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Firm Fined $100k Over IR Worksite Death
The Straits Times ran this story on 27 June 2009:
Firm fined $100k over IR worksite death
By Elena Chong
A CONSTRUCTION company was fined $100,000 yesterday over a fatal accident on the worksite of the Marina Bay Sands integrated resort, where a brick wall collapsed on a foreign worker.
A representative of Lian Beng Construction, the occupier of the worksite, pleaded guilty to failing to ensure a safe workplace on Jan 16 last year.
In the same court, Indian national Pitchai Alagarsamy, 40, the former foreman of Soon Li Heng Civil Engineering, was fined $800 - $200 shy of the maximum fine - for failing to work with Lian Beng to stop the wall from being backfilled.
This safety breach resulted in the death of Mr Xie Xu Han, 39, who died of multiple fractures.
Lian Beng was contracted by Marina Bay Sands to build the sub-structure for the three hotel towers on the site; Lian Beng sub-contracted Soon Li Heng to carry out the earthworks on the site, Ministry of Manpower prosecutor Danny Han told the court.
The accident happened while a basement was being built. As one part was progressing ahead of the other, a gravity wall was to be erected to demarcate and separate the work areas.
Investigations showed that a brick wall was erected to act as a formwork for the gravity wall.
Not supported with any other structure, the backfilled brick wall collapsed onto the Chinese national.
The court heard that a few hours before the accident, Alagarsamy had seen the brick formwork being backfilled with earth. He did nothing to stop it although he had been told backfilling should not be done.
Lian Beng's lawyer Raymond Chan said that, following the accident, steps have been taken to improve workplace safety. Under the Workplace Safety and Health Act, the company could have been fined up to $500,000.
Firm fined $100k over IR worksite death
By Elena Chong
A CONSTRUCTION company was fined $100,000 yesterday over a fatal accident on the worksite of the Marina Bay Sands integrated resort, where a brick wall collapsed on a foreign worker.
A representative of Lian Beng Construction, the occupier of the worksite, pleaded guilty to failing to ensure a safe workplace on Jan 16 last year.
In the same court, Indian national Pitchai Alagarsamy, 40, the former foreman of Soon Li Heng Civil Engineering, was fined $800 - $200 shy of the maximum fine - for failing to work with Lian Beng to stop the wall from being backfilled.
This safety breach resulted in the death of Mr Xie Xu Han, 39, who died of multiple fractures.
Lian Beng was contracted by Marina Bay Sands to build the sub-structure for the three hotel towers on the site; Lian Beng sub-contracted Soon Li Heng to carry out the earthworks on the site, Ministry of Manpower prosecutor Danny Han told the court.
The accident happened while a basement was being built. As one part was progressing ahead of the other, a gravity wall was to be erected to demarcate and separate the work areas.
Investigations showed that a brick wall was erected to act as a formwork for the gravity wall.
Not supported with any other structure, the backfilled brick wall collapsed onto the Chinese national.
The court heard that a few hours before the accident, Alagarsamy had seen the brick formwork being backfilled with earth. He did nothing to stop it although he had been told backfilling should not be done.
Lian Beng's lawyer Raymond Chan said that, following the accident, steps have been taken to improve workplace safety. Under the Workplace Safety and Health Act, the company could have been fined up to $500,000.
Monday, June 8, 2009
MOM Helped Recover $800,000 in Salary Claims This Year
AsiaOne ran this article on 8 June 2009:
MOM helped recover $800,000 in salary claims this year
In the first quarter of this year, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) helped 750 local workers recover about $800,000 in claims.
Since its inception in 1968, MOM's Labour Court has served an important function in enabling workers with valid claims to seek a quick resolution without incurring high costs.
The Labour Court heard around 490 cases, for which Orders were issued for payments to be made to workers. For the remaining cases, employers reached out-of-court settlements with their workers.
Salary in lieu of termination notice
One such case involved in Dec last year involved a company which terminated the services of four employees, without paying their salaries in lieu of termination notice.
The company also owed salaries to three of them, ranging from $1,700 to $6,000.
Upon inquiry by the ministry, the employees were eventually paid the full amount they were owed in May this year.
Employers are reminded that notice periods in employment contracts provide time to the affected party to prepare for the cessation of the employment relations. If employers intend to vary the terms of the employment contract, this should be communicated clearly and put in writing.
Paid sick leave and unauthorised salary deduction
Another case involved a worker in a childcare centre who took eight days of hospitalisation leave in Dec last year, and also further hospitalisation leave in Feb and Mar this year. The employer failed to pay her salaries in Feb and Mar, and also deducted the eight days of hospitalisation leave in 2008 from her salary in Jan 2009.
Under the Employment Act, an employee is entitled to pay sick leave if he has served the employer for at least 3 months.
Annual leave, sick leave and termination notice
In another case, a worker was terminated while he was on hospitalisation leave, and offered $2,800 as settlement, with no explanation given as to how sum was arrived at.
The Labour Court informed the employer that his full obligation to the worker upon terminating his services should have been around $5,300. The full termination payment was eventually paid to the employee.
MOM advisory
Workers are advised to refer to their obligations and rights in their employment contracts and the Employment Act.
If they feel that the law has not been complied with, they may approach the Ministry for advice and assistance. They can also make an e-appointment through the MOM website at www.mom.gov.sg or contact MOM at 6438 5122.
MOM helped recover $800,000 in salary claims this year
In the first quarter of this year, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) helped 750 local workers recover about $800,000 in claims.
Since its inception in 1968, MOM's Labour Court has served an important function in enabling workers with valid claims to seek a quick resolution without incurring high costs.
The Labour Court heard around 490 cases, for which Orders were issued for payments to be made to workers. For the remaining cases, employers reached out-of-court settlements with their workers.
Salary in lieu of termination notice
One such case involved in Dec last year involved a company which terminated the services of four employees, without paying their salaries in lieu of termination notice.
The company also owed salaries to three of them, ranging from $1,700 to $6,000.
Upon inquiry by the ministry, the employees were eventually paid the full amount they were owed in May this year.
Employers are reminded that notice periods in employment contracts provide time to the affected party to prepare for the cessation of the employment relations. If employers intend to vary the terms of the employment contract, this should be communicated clearly and put in writing.
Paid sick leave and unauthorised salary deduction
Another case involved a worker in a childcare centre who took eight days of hospitalisation leave in Dec last year, and also further hospitalisation leave in Feb and Mar this year. The employer failed to pay her salaries in Feb and Mar, and also deducted the eight days of hospitalisation leave in 2008 from her salary in Jan 2009.
Under the Employment Act, an employee is entitled to pay sick leave if he has served the employer for at least 3 months.
Annual leave, sick leave and termination notice
In another case, a worker was terminated while he was on hospitalisation leave, and offered $2,800 as settlement, with no explanation given as to how sum was arrived at.
The Labour Court informed the employer that his full obligation to the worker upon terminating his services should have been around $5,300. The full termination payment was eventually paid to the employee.
MOM advisory
Workers are advised to refer to their obligations and rights in their employment contracts and the Employment Act.
If they feel that the law has not been complied with, they may approach the Ministry for advice and assistance. They can also make an e-appointment through the MOM website at www.mom.gov.sg or contact MOM at 6438 5122.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Singapore Has Most Efficient Civil Service
Thomson Reuters ran this article on 3 June 2009:
Most efficient civil service
SINGAPORE'S civil servants are the most efficient among their Asian peers, a business survey on 12 economies released on Wednesday showed, but they tend to clam up unhelpfully when things go wrong.
The Republic was ranked first for a third time in a poll of 1,274 expatriates working in 12 North and South Asian nations on the efficiency of bureaucrats in those countries.
The poll was last held in 2007.
'During normal times, when the system is not stress-tested, it operates very well,' Hong Kong-based Political and Economic Risk Consultancy said in a 12-page report of Singapore's bureaucracy.
'However, during difficult times - or when mistakes are made that reflect badly on the system - there is a tendency among bureaucrats to circle the wagons in ways that lack transparency and make accountability difficult,' the report said.
India's 'suffocating bureaucracy' was ranked the least-efficient by the survey, which said working with the country's civil servants was a 'slow and painful' process.
'They are a power centre in their own right at both the national and state levels, and are extremely resistant to reform that affects them or the way they go about their duties,' PERC said.
Thailand, despite four years of on-off street protests and a year of dysfunctional government was ranked third.
'For all the country's troubles - or perhaps because of them - respondents to our survey were impressed with the way Thai civil servants have been carrying out their duties,' PERC said, adding that state offices associated with corruption presented the most difficulties for Thai citizens and foreigners.
PERC managing director Bob Broadfoot told Reuters that the controversy around huge investment losses by Singapore sovereign wealth fund Temasek was a good example of how things could become less transparent in in the island-state.
The Singapore government has come under fire from lawmakers and its citizens over several investment losses, particular its exit from Bank of America which resulted in a loss of over US$3 billion (S$4.32 billion), according to Reuters calculation.
The survey ranked Hong Kong second. China, which has been campaigning to fight corruption in its bureaucracy and improve efficiency on the civil service, was ranked 9th in the 2009 poll, two places down from 2007.
Ranking by most efficient to least efficient economies: Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam, China, Philippines, Indonesia and India.
Most efficient civil service
SINGAPORE'S civil servants are the most efficient among their Asian peers, a business survey on 12 economies released on Wednesday showed, but they tend to clam up unhelpfully when things go wrong.
The Republic was ranked first for a third time in a poll of 1,274 expatriates working in 12 North and South Asian nations on the efficiency of bureaucrats in those countries.
The poll was last held in 2007.
'During normal times, when the system is not stress-tested, it operates very well,' Hong Kong-based Political and Economic Risk Consultancy said in a 12-page report of Singapore's bureaucracy.
'However, during difficult times - or when mistakes are made that reflect badly on the system - there is a tendency among bureaucrats to circle the wagons in ways that lack transparency and make accountability difficult,' the report said.
India's 'suffocating bureaucracy' was ranked the least-efficient by the survey, which said working with the country's civil servants was a 'slow and painful' process.
'They are a power centre in their own right at both the national and state levels, and are extremely resistant to reform that affects them or the way they go about their duties,' PERC said.
Thailand, despite four years of on-off street protests and a year of dysfunctional government was ranked third.
'For all the country's troubles - or perhaps because of them - respondents to our survey were impressed with the way Thai civil servants have been carrying out their duties,' PERC said, adding that state offices associated with corruption presented the most difficulties for Thai citizens and foreigners.
PERC managing director Bob Broadfoot told Reuters that the controversy around huge investment losses by Singapore sovereign wealth fund Temasek was a good example of how things could become less transparent in in the island-state.
The Singapore government has come under fire from lawmakers and its citizens over several investment losses, particular its exit from Bank of America which resulted in a loss of over US$3 billion (S$4.32 billion), according to Reuters calculation.
The survey ranked Hong Kong second. China, which has been campaigning to fight corruption in its bureaucracy and improve efficiency on the civil service, was ranked 9th in the 2009 poll, two places down from 2007.
Ranking by most efficient to least efficient economies: Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam, China, Philippines, Indonesia and India.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Video: In Unity for Her Liberty
Thanks to Patrick Chng for giving us this video of the In Unity for Her Liberty: a Peace Vigil for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's Freedom event at Speakers' Corner on 31 May 2009.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
'Hybrid system' for Parliament?
The Strait Times website ran this article on 26 May 2009 (Read the full report in Tuesday's edition of The Straits Times):
'Hybrid system' for Parliament?
By Zakir Hussain
NOMINATED MP Siew Kum Hong on Monday called for a hybrid Parliament in which 'a limited number of seats' could be 'allocated by way of proportional representation', while the majority would still be filled the way they are now.
This would allow for more diverse views in Parliament, he said, adding that it would also be 'more consistent with democratic principles than a scheme like the Nominated MP scheme'.
Under proportional representation, parties are allocated seats based on their share of the popular vote.
Mr Siew also welcomed the three principles outlined by Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong over the weekend to guide political changes that President SR Nathan had hinted at in his address to Parliament last Monday.
Mr Goh said the changes must be fair to all political parties; should result in a strong, effective Government; and must ensure diverse and opposition views are represented in Parliament.
Mr Siew said that these objectives accept that a fair electoral system is critical for its legitimacy, and that it is in Singapore's interest to have diverse views in the House.
'I applaud the SM, and the Government, for taking this stance,' he said.
Mr Siew also called for a reduction in the size of group representation constituencies (GRCs) and an increase in the number of single member constituencies.
'These moves, together with clear commitments to refrain from the constant redrawing of electoral boundaries and to openly publish the reasons and justifications for any such redrawing, will go a long way towards restoring Singaporeans' respect for the political process in Singapore,' he said.
He felt the moves would also make citizens more willing to take part in the political process, and convince them that the PAP is serious about political change, even if this meant its absolute dominance of the House could be at risk.
'Hybrid system' for Parliament?
By Zakir Hussain
NOMINATED MP Siew Kum Hong on Monday called for a hybrid Parliament in which 'a limited number of seats' could be 'allocated by way of proportional representation', while the majority would still be filled the way they are now.
This would allow for more diverse views in Parliament, he said, adding that it would also be 'more consistent with democratic principles than a scheme like the Nominated MP scheme'.
Under proportional representation, parties are allocated seats based on their share of the popular vote.
Mr Siew also welcomed the three principles outlined by Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong over the weekend to guide political changes that President SR Nathan had hinted at in his address to Parliament last Monday.
Mr Goh said the changes must be fair to all political parties; should result in a strong, effective Government; and must ensure diverse and opposition views are represented in Parliament.
Mr Siew said that these objectives accept that a fair electoral system is critical for its legitimacy, and that it is in Singapore's interest to have diverse views in the House.
'I applaud the SM, and the Government, for taking this stance,' he said.
Mr Siew also called for a reduction in the size of group representation constituencies (GRCs) and an increase in the number of single member constituencies.
'These moves, together with clear commitments to refrain from the constant redrawing of electoral boundaries and to openly publish the reasons and justifications for any such redrawing, will go a long way towards restoring Singaporeans' respect for the political process in Singapore,' he said.
He felt the moves would also make citizens more willing to take part in the political process, and convince them that the PAP is serious about political change, even if this meant its absolute dominance of the House could be at risk.
Teach Character Values
The Straits Times ran this article on 26 May 2009:
Teach character values
By Derrick Ho
THE apparent lack of civility and gracious behaviour during the recent Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware) saga is a clear indication that Singapore is still lagging behind in graciousness, said MP Lim Biow Chuan (Maine Parade GRC) on Tuesday.
He urged schools to teach basic character values to students all the way till university level.
'The only point which I wish to make is that if the reports are accurate, then civility and gracious behaviour during the Aware extraordinary general meeting was clearly missing. While I accept that emotions were highly charged.... I would submit that this cannot be the level of behaviour which we should promote as acceptable,' he said of the 'raucous behaviour' during the EGM.
Citing other examples, Mr Lim said graciousness among Singaporeans seems to 'be an elusive target which is moving further and further away'.
Unruly road behaviour and the need to still rely on campaigns to encourage commuters to give up seats to the elderly, and shoppers to return their trolleys, were some instances Mr Lim raised in his speech during the debate on the President's address.
He said regardless of Singapore's economic situation, 'well-mannered, courteous and considerate' fellow citizens will make life more pleasant'.
Mr Lim said if Singapore is serious about wanting to promote a more civil society, parents must play a part in inculcating values themselves and not 'sub-contract' it to their domestic helper or rely solely on teachers.
Raising a similar point, Mr Masagos Zulkifli, Senior Parilamentary Secretatary for Education and Home Affairs, urged the government and society not to lose sight of its principles and 'fundamentals' during tough times and ensure that children continue to attend school and focus on their studies.'
He noted that a good number of youths drop out of school because they can get by, working at McDonald's for $4 per hour by leaving school immediately rather than wait 12 long years of education to earn a trade certificate.
Acknowledging that dual income families may not be able to spend more time with their children, Mr Lim urged the Ministry of Education to consider teaching basic character values through the entire school curriculum from primary school level all the way to university.
'We should make character education an integral part of the education system and not just another non-examinable subject. We must evaluate out school principals and administrators not on how many students that they can produce with outstanding academic results but how well they mould their students.'
Mr Lim also asked the government to take the lead in nurturing graciousness by showing more compassion to the poor. Citing an example, he said many HDB tenants were asked to pay a higher rental when their family income goes up, regardless of the number of family members the tenant has to support.
'When it comes to dealing with the poorer segment of our society, we take quite a tough approach with these tenants,' Mr Lim said. 'We have failed to come across as being compassionate and mindful of their difficulties... Can we not afford these people a greater sense of compassion by the government? Can we not give our residents more encouragement when they try to better their lives to earn a higher income?'
Teach character values
By Derrick Ho
THE apparent lack of civility and gracious behaviour during the recent Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware) saga is a clear indication that Singapore is still lagging behind in graciousness, said MP Lim Biow Chuan (Maine Parade GRC) on Tuesday.
He urged schools to teach basic character values to students all the way till university level.
'The only point which I wish to make is that if the reports are accurate, then civility and gracious behaviour during the Aware extraordinary general meeting was clearly missing. While I accept that emotions were highly charged.... I would submit that this cannot be the level of behaviour which we should promote as acceptable,' he said of the 'raucous behaviour' during the EGM.
Citing other examples, Mr Lim said graciousness among Singaporeans seems to 'be an elusive target which is moving further and further away'.
Unruly road behaviour and the need to still rely on campaigns to encourage commuters to give up seats to the elderly, and shoppers to return their trolleys, were some instances Mr Lim raised in his speech during the debate on the President's address.
He said regardless of Singapore's economic situation, 'well-mannered, courteous and considerate' fellow citizens will make life more pleasant'.
Mr Lim said if Singapore is serious about wanting to promote a more civil society, parents must play a part in inculcating values themselves and not 'sub-contract' it to their domestic helper or rely solely on teachers.
Raising a similar point, Mr Masagos Zulkifli, Senior Parilamentary Secretatary for Education and Home Affairs, urged the government and society not to lose sight of its principles and 'fundamentals' during tough times and ensure that children continue to attend school and focus on their studies.'
He noted that a good number of youths drop out of school because they can get by, working at McDonald's for $4 per hour by leaving school immediately rather than wait 12 long years of education to earn a trade certificate.
Acknowledging that dual income families may not be able to spend more time with their children, Mr Lim urged the Ministry of Education to consider teaching basic character values through the entire school curriculum from primary school level all the way to university.
'We should make character education an integral part of the education system and not just another non-examinable subject. We must evaluate out school principals and administrators not on how many students that they can produce with outstanding academic results but how well they mould their students.'
Mr Lim also asked the government to take the lead in nurturing graciousness by showing more compassion to the poor. Citing an example, he said many HDB tenants were asked to pay a higher rental when their family income goes up, regardless of the number of family members the tenant has to support.
'When it comes to dealing with the poorer segment of our society, we take quite a tough approach with these tenants,' Mr Lim said. 'We have failed to come across as being compassionate and mindful of their difficulties... Can we not afford these people a greater sense of compassion by the government? Can we not give our residents more encouragement when they try to better their lives to earn a higher income?'
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Lorry Load of Trouble
The New Paper ran this article on 26 May 2009:
Lorry load of trouble
By Ho Lian-Yi
It's common to hear Singaporeans gripe about having to be packed like sardines on trains and buses during peak hours.
But take a look at these pictures - and see how foreign workers are being transported daily.
They put up with bumpy rides and battle the elements. Worse, it is dangerous.
Four workers were killed last Monday after the lorry that was carrying them crashed into a trailer at Tuas.
We spoke to a few foreign workers to find out what it's like to travel on the back of a lorry.
Mr Arman, 29, a Bangladeshi, told The New Paper that he gets to sit in the front of the lorry these days - one of the perks of being a supervisor.
But he still remembers vividly the "scary" rides at the back.
The ride from his workers' quarters in Yishun to his worksite in Haig Road takes 25 minutes.
When the drive brakes suddenly, "those behind also come to the front", he said.
He has also seen workers getting hit by low-lying branches - causing injury in some cases.
What is really dangerous, Mr Arman said, is when companies carry equipment and men on the same lorry. When it's overloaded, workers have to sit on the machinery.
He said his workers bought a 5m-long canvas sheet to protect themselves from the rain. When it pours, they huddle under the sheet, holding hands.
Despite the recent accident, nothing has changed, Mr Arman said.
Another Bangladeshi workers, 38, who declined to be named, said that recently, one of his colleagues injured his leg falling off a lorry when it surged forward before he had properly climbed onboard.
Although he has worked in Singapore for 19 years, he said he had to take lorries only in the last two years. Previously, he lived onsite.
The lorry rides are very bumpy, he said. And that hurts his spine.
"One year, two years, so much damage to my back," he said.
Sometimes, when the lorry ends up behind a rubbish truck, the stench is unbearable, he said.
He added that when the workers get caught in the rain and fall sick, some foremen are unsympathetic.
Other workers though, had better experiences.
Indian national Muthu Senthil, 28, who has worked in Singapore for five years, takes the lorry from Tuas to Marina Bay at 7am every day. It's a 45-minute ride.
While there are no seat belts, he said everyone holds on to the handlebars at the side tightly. And people do not fall off as the driver moves off only after the workers have told him that everyone is secure.
No mixing
They also do not mix equipment with workers.
"If they need to get equipment, they'll make a second trip," Mr Senthil said.
Singapore roads are straight, he added, and not dangerous.
Mr Bala Supramaniam, 27, said his driver, a Singaporean, was "very good" and cleans his lorry every day.
"He follows the speed limit, even on the highway," he said.
His lorry has plywood planks securely bolted to the sides for the workers to sit, and handles to grasp.
Mr Bala deals with the dust and smoke of the roads with a handkerchief over his mouth.
What he is unhappy about is the way many workers get on or off a lorry while it's still moving.
All the foreign workers we spoke to said they preferred to be transported by bus. But most were not optimistic that there will be changes any time soon.
Said Mr Arman, "If I tell my boss, buy a bus for us, he'll say, 'waste money for what?'"
Lorry load of trouble
By Ho Lian-Yi
It's common to hear Singaporeans gripe about having to be packed like sardines on trains and buses during peak hours.
But take a look at these pictures - and see how foreign workers are being transported daily.
They put up with bumpy rides and battle the elements. Worse, it is dangerous.
Four workers were killed last Monday after the lorry that was carrying them crashed into a trailer at Tuas.
We spoke to a few foreign workers to find out what it's like to travel on the back of a lorry.
Mr Arman, 29, a Bangladeshi, told The New Paper that he gets to sit in the front of the lorry these days - one of the perks of being a supervisor.
But he still remembers vividly the "scary" rides at the back.
The ride from his workers' quarters in Yishun to his worksite in Haig Road takes 25 minutes.
When the drive brakes suddenly, "those behind also come to the front", he said.
He has also seen workers getting hit by low-lying branches - causing injury in some cases.
What is really dangerous, Mr Arman said, is when companies carry equipment and men on the same lorry. When it's overloaded, workers have to sit on the machinery.
He said his workers bought a 5m-long canvas sheet to protect themselves from the rain. When it pours, they huddle under the sheet, holding hands.
Despite the recent accident, nothing has changed, Mr Arman said.
Another Bangladeshi workers, 38, who declined to be named, said that recently, one of his colleagues injured his leg falling off a lorry when it surged forward before he had properly climbed onboard.
Although he has worked in Singapore for 19 years, he said he had to take lorries only in the last two years. Previously, he lived onsite.
The lorry rides are very bumpy, he said. And that hurts his spine.
"One year, two years, so much damage to my back," he said.
Sometimes, when the lorry ends up behind a rubbish truck, the stench is unbearable, he said.
He added that when the workers get caught in the rain and fall sick, some foremen are unsympathetic.
Other workers though, had better experiences.
Indian national Muthu Senthil, 28, who has worked in Singapore for five years, takes the lorry from Tuas to Marina Bay at 7am every day. It's a 45-minute ride.
While there are no seat belts, he said everyone holds on to the handlebars at the side tightly. And people do not fall off as the driver moves off only after the workers have told him that everyone is secure.
No mixing
They also do not mix equipment with workers.
"If they need to get equipment, they'll make a second trip," Mr Senthil said.
Singapore roads are straight, he added, and not dangerous.
Mr Bala Supramaniam, 27, said his driver, a Singaporean, was "very good" and cleans his lorry every day.
"He follows the speed limit, even on the highway," he said.
His lorry has plywood planks securely bolted to the sides for the workers to sit, and handles to grasp.
Mr Bala deals with the dust and smoke of the roads with a handkerchief over his mouth.
What he is unhappy about is the way many workers get on or off a lorry while it's still moving.
All the foreign workers we spoke to said they preferred to be transported by bus. But most were not optimistic that there will be changes any time soon.
Said Mr Arman, "If I tell my boss, buy a bus for us, he'll say, 'waste money for what?'"
Only Elected Opposition Offers 'Effective Checks'
The Straits Times ran this article on 26 May 2009:
Only elected opposition offers 'effective checks'
By Zakir Hussain, Political Correspondent
THE ruling party says the effectiveness of Singapore's political system lies in its internal checks and its ability to serve the people, but only an elected opposition can provide effective checks and balances, Mr Low Thia Khiang (Hougang) declared yesterday.
The leader of the Workers' Party said this is because the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) currently dominates the House, can amend the Constitution freely, and controls key levers of power in the country.
What if one day it were to abuse its powers, trample on people's rights or become corrupt? 'What can the people do then?' asked Mr Low.
NMP Siew Kum Hong calls for a 'hybrid system' for Parliament
NOMINATED MP Siew Kum Hong yesterday called for a hybrid Parliament in which 'a limited number of seats' could be 'allocated by way of proportional representation', while the majority would still be filled the way they are now.
This would allow for more diverse views in Parliament, he said, adding that it would also be 'more consistent with democratic principles than a scheme like the Nominated MP scheme'.
Under proportional representation, parties are allocated seats based on their share of the popular vote.
Only elected opposition offers 'effective checks'
By Zakir Hussain, Political Correspondent
THE ruling party says the effectiveness of Singapore's political system lies in its internal checks and its ability to serve the people, but only an elected opposition can provide effective checks and balances, Mr Low Thia Khiang (Hougang) declared yesterday.
The leader of the Workers' Party said this is because the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) currently dominates the House, can amend the Constitution freely, and controls key levers of power in the country.
What if one day it were to abuse its powers, trample on people's rights or become corrupt? 'What can the people do then?' asked Mr Low.
NMP Siew Kum Hong calls for a 'hybrid system' for Parliament
NOMINATED MP Siew Kum Hong yesterday called for a hybrid Parliament in which 'a limited number of seats' could be 'allocated by way of proportional representation', while the majority would still be filled the way they are now.
This would allow for more diverse views in Parliament, he said, adding that it would also be 'more consistent with democratic principles than a scheme like the Nominated MP scheme'.
Under proportional representation, parties are allocated seats based on their share of the popular vote.
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