Vivian, Vincent and the Video

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 elected into Parliament.

Read more »

A timely reminder: Pro-PAP or pro-Opposition, we are all pro-Singapore

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" or "Team Opposition", we are all members of "Team Singapore".

This is a truth which most of us may easily forget, especially now with the political/partisan rhetoric heating up in light of the imminent General Elections (and I suppose when the GE do come, the political/partisan rhetoric and posturing will reach a fever pitch).

Hence, constantly remember this truth, we should and must.

"We are not a threat"

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"

What if it was Mr. Tin and not Ms. Tin?

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 most of you all now would by now be aware of the personal attacks and criticism that have been made against her, particularly in the online world.

There are evidently several contributing factors that provoked this spate of criticism and personal attacks against Ms. Tin. However, I cannot but wonder if, holding all other things equal, instead of being a female candidate, Ms. Tin was a male candidate, would she (or he?) being subjected to the same level and nature of criticism?

Read more »