SINGAPORE: After submitting his application for a certificate of eligibility at the Elections Department on Friday (Aug 4) morning, the 63-year-old chairman of Ossia International held a press conference at the five-star Sheraton Towers along Scotts Road.
Presidential hopeful George Goh and his wife Lysa Goh took questions from various media outlets throughout the afternoon. One of the questions Ms Goh fielded was about what she admired most about her husband.
She said: “When he talks to cleaners, to guests, even to his business partner, it’s the same attitude. He treats everybody the same regardless (of) their race, their religion, he has never changed. And he is that consistent”.
“And his heart for the people is amazing because from his background – he’s so underprivileged from so young. He has to work even earlier than 16 years old. I know many people whose parents pay for our tuition fees, for our school fees. For him, no, he has to work so hard even at a young age and I feel that his character is very admirable even today. He has never treated people differently, no matter what their social standing is, – again, I repeat – their race their religion. And this is what I admire about him the most”, she told members of the press.
Also on the panel at Mr Goh’s press conference were 10 other people, including former Straits Times editor Han Fook Kwang, Malay-Muslim hawker Hajjah Roziah Adon and Mr Goh’s niece, Alicia Cheong who is an education entrepreneur. Mr Goh said that they are not his proposer, seconder and assenters but rather the “ordinary heroes”.
Mrs Goh also told the press that when she first heard of Mr Goh’s plans in 2017 to run for President, she fully supported him because she knew his heart was “for the people”.
“And I’ve been following him to many events because we work as a team, we have always been,” she added.
Mrs Goh added that she also had to prepare the family by having “honest conversations” with their children. /TISG
Photo: File Image. (L-R: Jack Lai, Hajjah Roziah Adon, Joey Foo Jye Sen, Alicia Cheong, Han Fook Kwang, George Goh, Lysa Goh, Bahri Rajib, Jonathan Tan Siang Huat)
SINGAPORE: Presidential aspirant George Goh told members of the media today (Aug 4) that he wants to be the “President of all”.
During the press conference, The Independent Singapore asked the Malaysian-born Singaporean: “In two sentences, can you please describe yourself and the type of president you will be?” To this, Mr Goh said: “I want to be people’s president, and I want to serve the people who (are) left behind”.
Mr Goh held a press conference after submitting his application for the Certificate of Eligibility earlier today.
Seated alongside a panel of 11 that included Straits Times editor-at-large Han Fook Kwang, hawker Hajjah Roziah Adon (Rozy), ex-convict Johnathan Tan Siang Huat, Mr Goh’s wife Lysa Goh, Paralympic athlete Jack Lai and a number of others.
Among them are also entrepreneurs, social volunteers and young people – individuals that symbolise the “heart of Singapore” and people who Mr Goh referred to as “ordinary heroes from different segments of society, who have contributed to Singapore’s success and will continue to do so for our future progress”.
The individuals are:
Matthew Fong Kum Fai, founder of flooring solutions The Mill International;
Jack Lai, a wheelchair basketball player and marathon racer;
Hajjah Roziah Adon, a hawker at Bedok Corner Food Centre;
Joey Foo Jye Sen, volunteer with Border Mission and business owner;
Alicia Cheong, who is Goh’s niece and COO and co-founder of the online learning platform Geniebook;
Bahri Rajib, retired Malay linguist and former president and adviser for the Malay performing arts group Sriwana;
Jonathan Tan Siang Huat, ex-offender and founder of The Helping Hand Landscape Cleaning Services;
Shureen Teh, a recent graduate from the Singapore Management University and startup founder; and
Dayal Khemlani, a semi-retired retailer in electronics, jewellery and textiles.
Mr Goh was introduced briefly by Mr Han before he spoke a few words.
Mr Han said: It is important to have someone with no political associations. “it is not healthy to have this all the time; we need to get people outside of this small circle. Not many of them want to come forward unless they are endorsed by the powers that be.”
He alluded to the David and Goliath narrative “because he (Mr Goh) has to take on big machinery”. He is doing it for Singapore, and I hope he will do well”.
Taking questions from the media, Mr Goh said:
“So today, after I submitted my papers, I am putting out some numbers to show that I am a serious candidate.”
Goh described how it is more challenging for candidates from the private sector to qualify for the presidency following the Constitution change in 2017.
This is because candidates from the public sector “do not have to worry about profit”, he said, whereas private-sector candidates do. The bar was also raised for the latter during the Constitution change, with a minimum shareholder equity requirement of S$500 million from S$100 million.
“How about public sector? Nothing, (it) remained unchanged,” he said. “So private-sector people have to work very hard, and very few people are qualified.” /TISG
SINGAPORE: Workers’ Party MP Jamus Lim (Sengkang GRC) used his home’s digital lock to illustrate the need for checks and balances in political institutions, specifically the reporting line of the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB).
Over an Aug 4 social media post, Assoc Prof Lim wrote that there are at least three ways to open the newly-installed digital lock in his home—a thumbprint, a keypad and a keycard— which ensure that a person doesn’t get locked out of his home.
“It’s a good design for digital locks. This sort of balanced design is also good for many other areas of life, including political institutions. That’s why we have three branches of government—the executive (ministers and president), legislature (parliament), and judiciary (courts)—which can check and balance one another.”
Assoc Prof Lim had asked in Parliament whether the Prime Minister’s Office considered extending the reporting line for the CPIB beyond the prime minister and the president, which could be done with the judiciary or via a select committee.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said there are two “keys” for the CPIB reporting line “first to the PM, then to the President, should concurrence of the PM not be forthcoming.”
However, Assoc Prof Lim wrote, “the bottom line is that there is one check, in case the PM goes rogue,” but the problem is the President and the Prime Minister belong to the same executive branch.
“So, the same sort of key entry method. And since they’re just two people, there is a real risk that should this single channel fail—a PM is corrupt, and the President blur—then we’re (in PM Lee’s words) ‘sunk.’”
The Sengkang MP then said that the reporting line could become more robust.
“Expand the reporting line to the other branches of government: the judiciary and the legislature. This is a more genuine, failsafe sort of check and balance. There is precedent in other countries for these alternatives.”
He also mentioned the Brazilian Lava Jato (“Car Wash”) corruption probe, which PM Lee referenced in answering Assoc Prof Lim, saying that it “reported to a sequence of judges, and in Australia, the anticorruption commission is overseen by a joint committee in Parliament.”
We recently had a digital lock installed at our home (it’s a really nice feature; if you can save up for one, I recommend it). One thing that the digital lock dude will do when they come by your place to set it up is talk about options for getting in. (1/n) pic.twitter.com/D4Yvw5PBNL
Assoc Prof Lim also pointed out that PM Lee may have misunderstood him.
“When I posed this suggestion to PM, he said that he was happy that I agreed with the need for two keys. I do, but he seemed to misunderstand my point.”
The MP did not support that the elected president should be the second key, “Rather, I was making the argument that the keys shouldn’t be from the same keychain.”
He also disagreed with the Prime Minister’s argument that the “solution is honest people with integrity, conviction and courage to make the system work.”
Assoc Prof Lim explained, “I think events over the past month or so have revealed that even very good people can stumble. One could blame them, or one can look to redesigning the system so that it is less reliant on individuals. I’ll choose institutions every time. #makingyourvotecount“
The man has since been identified as US national Greg Austin Lynn, 54. His rant at Shashlik Restaurant at Far East Shopping Centre on June 18 landed him in court on Thursday (Aug 3). Four charges have been filed against Lynn, including two counts of harassment.
Lynn was caught on video screaming at Mr Tan Tong Kein, one of the restaurant’s directors and shareholders. He was heard saying, “I will drop every f**king last one of you,” to several restaurant staff surrounding him. “Now f**k off, and back the f**k off!”
“I will close your establishment down, and I will f**k every family member you got from here to China, you little b***h, because I own China too! F**k you!” he adds.
At one point, a bespectacled woman dressed in black is seen attempting to get the man to calm down, even putting her arms around him.
“Then tell him to back off,” he tells her while pointing at the man he was confronting.
The tirade began earlier that night via a phone call to Mr Tan, The Straits Times reports.
When he showed up at Shashlik Restaurant, he continued to yell aggressively and reportedly used criminal force on Mr Tan by pushing his chest.
ST added that the US national had been at Tanglin Police Division in Kampong Java Road, near Newton Road, two days later, where he is said to have refused to sign a statement from a police officer.
And now, he is refusing to engage the services of a lawyer, he told District Judge Lorraine Ho and has claimed trial, as he says he is familiar with Singapore laws, having been coming to the country since 1996.
He has accused the police of not doing their due diligence, saying that the issue has extended to over a month, and added an accusation that the police have done so on purpose to inflict harm on him.
Lynn may be given a jail term of as much as six months and a fine of $5000 for each count of harassment.
SINGAPORE: After an online user shared a photo of a woman who was allegedly seen checking the quality of cherries in a pre-packed container by squeezing them one by one, Singaporeans quickly joined the netizen in calling out the customer’s behaviour.
“Please don’t be like this auntie at Cold Storage,” an anonymous participant shared with the Complaint Singapore Facebook group on Friday (July 28). The post included a photo featuring a woman who had her back to the camera as she held an open container of cherries. “She opened the pre-packaged cherry boxes and started squeezing them one by one,” the post claimed. “Wearing atas Prada shirt, carrying Chanel bag and Chanel shoes but her behaviour is so low class.”
Over the following days, many online users reacted to the incident, sharing their thoughts in the post’s comments section.
“We are a first world country occupied by people with a third world mentality,” said one.
“A real disgraceful act as we’re not supposed to open up the packages,” said another. “To her, she felt nothing wrong with it and just did it in broad daylight. Needs to be shamed! If she has kids, I pity them as she’s teaching all the wrong social etiquette.”
“(I) pity those who unknowingly buy the packages,” wrote another.
SINGAPORE: Ken Chun Sing, anyone? Or how about Ken Kee Chiu? No? The Education Minister may have joined the Barbie craze, which has taken the world by storm this summer, with the movie becoming a hit worldwide.
Suddenly, everyone appears to be getting in touch with their inner Barbie or Ken, including Mr Chan Chun Sing. On Friday (Aug 4), he posted photos on social media of a Ken doll that had been modified to look like him.
“Someone sent this to me … What I would look like, Barbie-fied. Ken or not?”
It is a pretty passable likeness, if we may say so ourselves, especially the expression on the face of “Ken Chun Sing.”
The Minister jokingly gave the photo an “A for effort” in the “Digital Art Category.”
However, he did point out the photo’s flaws, writing, “Would have been A++ if: Casio on left hand and not both.”
FB screengrab/Chan Chun Sing
He added that the “Education Minister must lead by example, cannot unbutton top button to show chest.”
The doll in the photo is also remarkably buffed up, with especially (and unrealistically) beefy arms and chest.
Awww, Mr Chan. You really are “Kenough,” as many Instagram users pointed out.
Some pointed out that the other wristband could be an HPB fitness tracker, not a second watch.
Others had great fun with the picture, gently teasing Mr Chan.
SINGAPORE: Singaporeans have weighed in on a question posed by a netizen regarding whether it would be a good idea for Singapore to bring back apartments large enough to allow families to live much closer to each other. While some rallied behind the idea, others raised possible issues that could arise should such a thing be allowed.
“Do you think HDB should build back those multi-generation apartments of five to seven bedrooms which will help families stay connected in the long run?” an anonymous user asked Singaporeans on the Complaint Singapore Facebook group on Wednesday (Aug 2).
A handful of netizens commented on the post, sharing their two cents on the matter. While some responded with sarcasm, others agreed with the netizen.
“Great idea,” said one. “After I get PR or my new citizen I can sublet to 16 people from my village.”
“A great idea,” wrote another. “A family that stays together remains together.”
Another agreed but said, “I don’t think they’ll do that as HDB might make less money.”
Still, a fourth suggested, “Rather than that, allow a family package to get a certain number of units on the same floor or block (with terms and conditions).”
Other users, however, disagreed with the netizen’s idea. “No,” said one. “Families can stay close but not on the same block. Later police very busy–family drama is real.”
“I don’t think it’s a good idea to stay together,” shared another. “Sure got a lot of conflicts.”
SINGAPORE: As National Day approaches, more and more flags are displayed on office and residential buildings, a practice encouraged by the National Heritage Board and the Ministry of Culture, Community, and Youth (MCCY).
However, one woman took to social media to post a photo of the flag displayed at what appears to be an HDB flat with a resident’s underwear hung directly in front of the flag.
“Respect our country’s flag … Singapore,” wrote Ms Wendy Lee on the COMPLAINT SINGAPORE Facebook page on Friday (Aug 4).
She commented on the post that the building is located in Pasir Ris and has already reported the matter to the Town Council.
The Independent Singapore has reached out to Ms Lee and the National Heritage Board, which issues guidelines on the use of the flag that can be found here.
The Board’s Examples of Respectful and Disrespectful Use of the National Flag says, “When displayed from homes, the National Flag should not be obscured or overlapped by laundry or footwear.”
Screengrab: www.nhb.gov.sg
Her post has elicited many outraged comments from other netizens, who, like Ms Lee, are upset over the articles of clothing placed over the flag.
Some said they believed this was done deliberately, while others opined that it may have been done unintentionally or out of ignorance.
“I believe it’s done by the new foreign domestic worker, she is probably not aware of the culture here,” chimed in one netizen.
The popular K-pop group of four talented girls, Jennie, Rosé, Lisa, and Jisoo, had dominated the world and captured the hearts of fans around the world who call themselves BLINKS.
And now Singapore BLINKS have a chance to capture some of BLACKPINK’s merchandise in your area too!
BLACKPINK Official Lightstick version 2
If you are a K-pop fanatic, you must know that each group has their signature lightstick. This is a lamp/light that fans usually bring during concerts to show their support for their idols.
BLACKPINK’s Official Lightstick version 2 is designed like a hammer, with two heart heads. This exclusive YG Entertainment product can be connected via Bluetooth to change colours through one’s phone. During concerts, the lightstick will be synced with the venue’s light system for more vibes and feels.
Photo from Weverse Shop
BLACKPINK Albums
Appreciate BLACKPINK’s discography by collecting their comeback albums! These albums include a CD, photo cards, and posters every K-pop fan wants to own. They also release Korean and Japanese albums for everyone to enjoy.
As of writing, here are the released albums and songs of BLACKPINK: Square One, Square 2, BLACKPINK (Japanese Album), RE: BLACKPINK, Square Up, ‘BLACKPINK In Your Area’ (Japanese Album), Kill This Love, Kill This Love (Japanese Album), How You Like That, The Album, and Born Pink.
Photo from Weverse Shop
BLACKPINK hoodies, t-shirts, and more!
Fans can never go wrong with BLACKPINK apparel. One way to show your pride in being a BLINK is by wearing BLACKPINK official or inspired clothing. Even though official merchandise can sell out pretty fast, you can still buy or make your own BLACKPINK clothing design.
Photo from Weverse Shop
BLACKPINK bucket hats, jewellery, and other accessories
Level up your fashion styles by partnering your BLACKPINK-inspired clothes with these themed accessories. You can choose from various tote bags, bucket hats, necklaces, bracelet sets and earrings, keychains, beanies, and many more!
Photos from Weverse Shop
BLACKPINK plush dolls
Embrace the cuteness of BLACKPINK plush dolls wherever you go! It has four dolls which represent each member. This YG official merchandise can be lit up as your concert or sound trip buddy to your BLACKPINK playlist.
Photo from Weverse Shop
BLACKPINK Vinyl Collection
Vinyl records will never be out of style! Currently, BLACKPINK has two vinyl records for purchase. One is from their debut Korean-language studio album, The Album, while the other is a Born Pink record. These vinyl records will surely make your listening experience unique and give you that vintage aesthetic vibe.
Photo from BLACKPINK’s website
BLACKPINK Korean learning books
Learning Korean is more fun with the presence of your inspiration – your K-pop idols. Grab this educational content package, BLACKPINK IN YOUR KOREAN, where you can explore the Korean language while also appreciating Korean culture. You’ll be learning with a main character called ‘Blinky’ and spend time in BLACKPINK’s house to spend a day with the girls.
This package contains two textbooks, a pocketbook, a role-play kit, and Korean keyboard stickers. There is also an optical camera-equipped ‘MotiPen’, which tells the correct pronunciation of Korean phrases and translates them into English, Japanese, and Spanish.
Photo from Weverse Shop
BLACKPINK Monopoly
Bond with BLACKPINK and play the group’s ‘In Your Area’ monopoly. This board game is exclusive merchandise in Singapore, and it will make your monopoly sessions more fun with its pink-theed board. Also, there are special curated currency notes, dice, and other things that are all monopoly stuff inspired by BLACKPINK.
Photo from Weverse Shop
BLACKPINK Slides
Good shoes will take you to places. You may purchase these BLACKPINK slides and be proud of your fanbase wherever you go. This ‘In Your Area’ slide has a simple yet classic black design, with a touch of pink that says the girl group’s name.
Photo from Weverse Shop
BLACKPINK photocards
Photocards are the fastest-selling K-pop merchandise items. Collect your BLACKPINK photocard sets from each album release and also get a chance to have limited edition cards dedicated to individual members. You can also buy, sell, and trade these photo cards with your fellow BLINKS./TISG
Photo from Koreaboo
Curious about where to buy your BLACKPINK merchandise?
SINGAPORE: The Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) is investigating Grab’s proposed takeover of Trans-Cab, Singapore’s third-largest taxi operator, according to Minister of State for Trade and Industry Alvin Tan.
Mr Tan told Parliament yesterday (3 Aug) that the competition watchdog is scrutinising the deal for potential anti-competitive practices and will hold a public consultation before deciding whether to approve the intended acquisition.
Grab announced its takeover plans last month and said the deal is expected to be finalized in the fourth quarter of 2023. The acquisition includes approximately 2,200 cabs, over 300 private-hire vehicles owned by Trans-Cab, and its vehicle workshop and fuel pump operations.
However, before the acquisition can proceed, it must receive approval from the relevant authorities.
Mr Tan’s revelation on CCCS’ probe came in reply to a question by Non-Constituency MP Leong Mun Wai, who raised concerns in Parliament about potential anti-competitive practices resulting from the merger.
Mr Leong also inquired about safeguards to protect taxi drivers from other firms’ post-acquisition disadvantages. He questioned whether the competition regulator would evaluate the impact of the consolidation of the taxi industry on consumers.
Mr Tan emphasized that CCCS would evaluate the impact of the proposed acquisition on competition and consult relevant stakeholders before making a decision. As part of this process, a public consultation will be conducted to gather input from the public.
Mr Tan revealed that CCCS follows a two-stage evaluation approach for merger applications. The initial phase involves a quick assessment, typically completed in 30 working days. If this initial review is inconclusive, a more detailed second phase will follow, lasting about 120 working days.
He added that input from third parties, including competitors and consumers, plays a vital role in CCCS’ assessment of mergers.
Ruling party MP Tan Wu Meng also expressed concerns about the acquisition’s potential effects on drivers and consumers. He sought clarification on whether the review would examine the effects on the market as a whole or at the individual level of taxi, private-hire car, or point-to-point transport sectors.
Dr Tan Wu Meng also questioned whether CCCS considers possible “tripartite outcomes,” including the impact on workers, the labour market, and the bargaining power between workers and firms.
The Minister of State said that not all mergers lead to competition issues, as many are pro-competitive or competitively neutral. Sharing that CCCS evaluates mergers based on whether they result in a significant reduction in competition, he urged MPs and the public to participate in the public consultation exercise on the proposed acquisition.
The planned acquisition of Trans-Cab comes five years after the CCCS imposed financial penalties of $13 million on Grab and Uber after a six-month review concluded that their merger was anti-competitive in 2018.
The 2018 CCCS probe was initiated after Grab became the largest ridesharing and food delivery platform in Singapore and the region when it merged with Uber’s Southeast Asian operations. Uber sold its Southeast Asian business to Grab in exchange for a 27.5 per cent stake in Grab.
Before this acquisition, Uber and Grab held a dominant market share, surpassing their nearest competitor, ComfortDelGro, by more than five times. The deal raised concerns about potential competition issues, prompting an investigation by the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) in 2018.
After a thorough six-month investigation, the CCCS concluded that the Grab-Uber deal had indeed reduced market competition, leading to Grab securing an 80 per cent share of Singapore’s ride-hailing market, a significant increase from its previous 50 per cent share.
Although the CCCS acknowledged it was too late to undo the merger, they implemented measures to mitigate the impact on commuters, drivers, and other potential competitors.
These measures included mandating Grab to remove exclusivity arrangements with taxi fleets and drivers and to maintain its pre-merger pricing algorithm and driver commission rates.
While Grab complied with the CCCS’s verdict and accepted a $6.4 million fine, Uber contested the decision as a matter of “principle.” The company argued that it had not intentionally or negligently violated anti-competition laws, and the merger did not substantially lessen competition, especially with the entry of Gojek into the market later that year.
In 2021, an appeal board upheld the CCCS’s verdict, and Uber’s appeal against the 2018 decision was dismissed. As a result, Uber was ordered to pay a $6.58 million penalty for breaching competition laws in Singapore during Grab’s acquisition of its business.
Some said they believed this was done deliberately, while others opined that it may have been done unintentionally or out of ignorance.
