‘People are struggling with cost of living and you’re offering to pay this billionaire to debate with you?’ — Netizens react to MHA’s debate challenge to Richard Branson
On Sunday (Oct 23), Singaporeans woke up to the news that the Ministry for Home Affairs was inviting British billionaire Mr Richard Branson to a live televised debate with the Minister for Home Affairs and Law, Mr K Shanmugam, on the country’s approach towards drugs and the death penalty.
The MHA had released a statement the day before clarifying certain statements that Branson, a vocal opponent to the death penalty, had made concerning Nagaenthran Dharmalingam, who was judicially executed on April 27, 2022.
‘We’re here (in SG), we’ll debate you on national TV, and pay for your transport & meals to come meet us’ — local activists tell K Shanmugam
After the Ministry of Home Affairs issued an invitation to British billionaire Mr Richard Branson to a debate with Mr K Shanmugam on the country’s approach towards drugs and the death penalty, activists in Singapore said the Minister for Home Affairs and Law need not look far for someone to debate with.
It is those on the ground as well as those who have the most at stake, including activists and the families of inmates on death row, who may be more suitable to debate with Mr Shanmugam, wrote Ms Kokila Annamalai, a community organizer who has long been vocal about her opposition to the death penalty.
‘We are only as strong as our weakest link’ — Pritam Singh underlines importance of party discipline at WP Members’ Forum
Workers’ Party chief and Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh shared important takeaways from a recent Members’ Forum, which the WP was finally able to hold in-person late last month.
Although Mr Singh, who posted a link to his full speech in an Oct 20 Facebook post, that had stated categorically his comments did “not have anything to do with any ongoing Party disciplinary matter,” they come around a year after the scandal that resulted in former Sengkang GRC Member of Parliament Raeesah Khan resigning after admitting that she had lied in Parliament on more than one occasion.
Paul Tambyah: Everyone pays the same in SDP universal healthcare plan regardless of social economic status
Singapore Democratic Party’s chairman Professor Paul Tambyah previously posted on TikTok his party’s proposal for a universal healthcare plan should he become the health minister. He was then asked whether those earning a higher income would pay the same price compared to those from a lower socio-economic background.
“Yes, everyone pays the same amount regardless of their social economic status, and they get the same level of service in public hospitals. The public hospitals can get rid of their A-class, wards and hotel services,” said Prof. Tambyah in a TikTok video reply.
S’pore family whose home burned down seeking public donations for renovations
A family of five is reaching out to the community for donations to renovate their home after it burned down earlier this month.
Caleb and Rachael from renovation and construction company Smart Click Services PL and Yong Chuang from PSCF (Progress Singapore Community Fund) reached out to The Independent to seek assistance in sharing the family’s story.