Shanmugam – A sensible speech in Parliament on hate speech

Seldom did we hear such an elaborate and detailed speech by Shanmugam on an issue being debated in Parliament. On the new bill being tabled on hate speech, Shanmugam spent time labouriously to explain the rationale of wanting this bill but also made a provision that even though it is being tabled, it is for discussion and may or may not lead to a new law.
 
What is pertinent is the way the govt will treat and judge what is hate speech which also includes offensive speech. Offensive speech can deteriorate and slide down to become adverse and may lead to ‘discrimination and eventual violence’ like hate speech. But before a judgement is passed on hate speech or offensive speech, the govt will look ‘at how offensive the materials or words are, and assesses its impact on the reaction of the different communities…depending on who says it and in what context’. It is thus not so simple to brand everything from the word go as hate or offensive speech. The govt will also look ‘at the nature of the event where the speech is made and its reach…the immediate reaction, and consider the security implications, both short and long term, such as the deepening of fault lines.’
 
All in all it is also about common sense and a bit of give and take. The govt will be neutral and recognize the different histories and traditions of various groups but would not ‘be directed by the viewpoint of people who are extremely sensitive’.
 
Hate speech and offensive speech is not simply black and white and every case must be carefully determined before the govt would take action, at least this is what I read from Shanmugam’s explanation.
 
Ok, you guys here, please avoid offensive speeches and comments that could lead to division and hate and eventual violence. Be very careful and sensitive towards others and their feelings. I know many of your comments border on offensive speeches. Please do not continue to repeat them.
 
Thank you.

PS. According to thenewpaper, 'Opinions, criticisms, satire and parody will not be considered illegal'.

Hyflux, caveat emptor or someone should be held accountable?

“We have not lost faith. If we all vote no, maybe MAS (the Monetary Authority of Singapore) and the SGX (Singapore Exchange) would step in and investigate this. It’s time for them to take over to see if there was any misrepresentation of information,” he said.
Another perpetual securities and preference shareholder, who wanted to be known only as Michael, told CNA that he thought MAS should have stopped Hyflux and the local banks from selling the perpetual securities in 2016.
“MAS should have stepped in to investigate overzealous selling by the banks because the banks were paid a sum to sell these shares and got a substantial amount of commission,” said Michael, who invested around S$10,000.

Read more at https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/we-have-not-lost-faith-hundreds-of-hyflux-investors-gather-to-11395566

The above are angry comments from desperate investors in Hyflux preference shares and securities that have turned to dust at a protest in Hong Lim Park on 30 Mar. Tan Kin Lian was the main sponsor of this event organised by an investor by the name of Alex.  Some of the investors, these are not speculators but people who sought to place their savings in supposedly safer securities hoping to earn some kopi money for retirement, felt that the whole affair is very unfair to them. This is another case of the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer. Millions were made by some while the small investors lost their nest eggs. 

Another comment was that the plants were built by funds from small shareholders and that it was unfair for PUB to announce taking over the Tuaspring desalination plant for a song. The investors were hoping that PUB would pay for it at a fair value so that the investors would not lose every cent of their investments. 

The investors must all be wondering why, why is it that no one is held accountable for this fiasco? The management of Hyflux were paid very well running the company, the banks were paid very well issuing and managing the preference shares and securities. They felt that someone did not do his due diligence. Is this a fair view, that when something so good turned so bad, and no one is responsible or held accountable?

Another case of caveat emptor? Is there any investigation going on to apportion responsibilities? An estimated 50,000 investors would see their investment in Hyflux turning to zero value. This is the beginning of the opening up of old wounds and suppressed anger of small investors losing their savings in the stock market because of the abundance of failed stocks, delisted stocks, suspended stocks, stocks where owners simply ran away and disappeared. No room for grievance settlement or to recover some of their investments.

When the dam bursts....

Singapore Open 2019 - Athletics at the National Stadium

These are some of the pics taken at the Singapore Open on 29 Mar, the final day of this International Meet with competitors from Japan, South Korea, Hongkong, Taiwan and our neighbouring Asean countries. The schools sent in their supporters en mass to cheer their school representatives competing among the men and women in the various events. The school supporters and their parents contributed to an otherwise empty stadium and boosted the spirit of the game.

The organisers of such events need to create more publicity and find ways and means to bring in the crowds to keep the events alive and favourably received. It needs great effort, coordination and support from all the agencies and organisations to make such events successful.

The next big event would be the Singapore Masters Open cum the inaugural South East Asia Masters Meet in 3-5 May at Bishan Stadium and Home of the Athletes. Would there be supporters and crowd to cheer the seniors competing in the fields? Would there be publicity given to the event to inform the public and supporters to turn up and liven up the spirit of the game?

The main media could do a lot to lend a helping hand in such promotions and publicity.

Brad Bowyer left People's Voice out of the blue

Singapore – On March 28 (Thursday), former PAP turned opposition Brad Bowyer announced his resignation from the People’s Voice (PV) opposition party.

Through a post in his Facebook account, Bowyer said that as of March 24 (Sunday), he no longer has any direct association with Lim Tean’s opposition party.
The reasons for his separation remain unclear, although he did mention personal health issues....

While there is still no word from Lim Tean regarding Bowyer’s decision, netizens are already giving their suggestions for Bowyer’s next steps.
Hass Kamsun suggested joining the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) and hinted that Bowyer would fit in nicely.

Above is reported in theindependent.sg

How many more opposition candidates would resign from their parties suddenly like being struck by lightning and claimed health reasons and wanting to start on a new journey? The clearest sign of lightning struck is this comment in theindependent.sg, 'Khong Marcus and Jack Ng suggested going independent although Bowyer replied that his path is still unclear'. Lightning struck victims often appeared blur or lost.

Would there be more akan datang?

I think Bad Bowyer should join the PAP, safer and better future. Guaranteed would not be struck by lightning. And if he is thinking of getting into parliament, no need to look elsewhere.

What do you think?

Fake news that senior managers applying for junior secretary job

Martin Gabriel, who runs HR consultancy and training firm HRmatters 21, shared on Facebook last weekend that a quarter of the 100+ applications his client received for a junior secretary job came from “applicants above 40 years of age and previously held senior positions making much much more than 3k.”
Mr Gabriel wrote: “I don’t usually discuss the confidential part of my work so openly, but I think it’s good to alert everyone, how bad the job market is. Recently my client advertised for a junior secretary position for a salary of about 3k plus.

“What was astonishing was that, even senior Managers and Directors were applying for that position. Most of them, out of work for more than 6 months.

“More than a 100 applications were received for one position with about 25% of the applicants above 40 years of age and (sic) previously held senior positions making much much more than 3k. That’s is how bad the job market situation is in Singapore.”

In a comment, Mr Gabriel added: “I don’t want to call people out, but even here in FB, I have friends who are desperately looking for a job and had (sic) gone into depression. There is even one person who had to seek medical treatment for 2 years and was suicidal. I feel so sorry for this person.

“No mainstream media would dare interview me for such stories because I can easily come up with 5 to 6 stories that would drive people to tears. And these are real stories, not made up. I’m a hands on person. My course of work brings me up close to such people and unfortunate situations.”

The above paragraphs copied from theindependent.sg blog 

My instant reaction is that this is fake news because with all the rosy reports in the main media that unemployment of PMETs is not serious and so many are getting employed, this type of news cannot be true. If it is, then PAP cannot be elected with so big majority election after election. 

Also you don't really hear PMETs complaining about being jobless or unemployed, at least not in the main media that always tell the truth. The only time you hear such news is from the social media like theindependent.sg and Gilbert Goh's unemployment blog. And you all know that social media are always guaranteed to be unreliable and famed for posting fake news, mysingaporenews also included. So you be the judge if this is fake news or truth.

I personally know of a PhD applying to be a cleaner supervisor. This one I swear is true. 

So, unemployment of PMETs real problem or fake news? Many senior remisiers are also going to be jobless soon, I know.