Thursday, June 5, 2025
30.9 C
Singapore
type here...
Subscribe
Home Blog Page 3879

Local groups call for greater freedom of expression in Singapore as Jolovan Wham faces investigations

By
The Independent
-
0
Photo: Instagram screengrab

Singapore – On Mar 26 (Tues), 25 different local groups released a statement calling for greater freedom of expression in light of the charges against Jolovan Wham.

“We are a group of citizens who are deeply troubled by the mounting charges that social worker and human rights advocate Jolovan Wham faces in Singapore courts,” began the statement.

It was in 2017 when six local NGOs began issuing statements demanding for the charges of illegal assembly, vandalism and refusing to sign police statements against Wham to be dropped. A petition in which people expressed their concerns towards Wham’s prosecution garnered 6,533 signatures.

Throughout the following years, more and more groups, both regional and international, have continued to call for the charges to be dropped, “condemning them as disproportionate and unjust.”

The latest statement included EU parliamentarians, fifty-two Malaysian civil society organisations, the Office of the United National High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, CIVICUS, International Commission of Jurists, ARTICLE 19, ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights and Forum Asia among the list of those groups demanding for the charges to be dropped.

“The strength and unity in these voices point to how profoundly the charges against Jolovan violate our shared aspirations for a society where we have the right to assemble, associate, protest peacefully, speak and write freely, and debate difficult issues openly, including with overseas allies or Singapore residents who may be non-citizens,” noted the press release.

The 25 signatories are concerned at the rising investigations revolving the social activist and see them as restrictions on civil liberties.

They urge for the “rigorous review” of laws and regulations that heavily restrict freedom of expression in the name of public order, foreign interference and, contempt of court.

“Prosecuting Jolovan has grave implications for all Singaporeans. It is an affront to all our freedoms, and in standing up for him, we are standing up for all Singaporeans to live free of fear,” the groups added.

Charges against Wham

The most recent investigation being held against Wham is for allegedly protesting outside the State Courts without a valid permit. He posted a picture in his Instagram account of him standing outside the State Courts while holding a piece paper which said: “Drop the charges against Terry Xu and Daniel De Costa.”

He was also convicted last year for a controversial Facebook post scandalising the jury; an act found to be in contempt of court. Prosecutors are seeking a fine between S$10,000 and S$15,000 for Wham.

The sentencing date is yet to be determined.

Read the local groups’ statement below:

Photo: screenshot of the statement by local groups
Photo: screenshot of the statement by local groups

List of signatories:

  1. Arts Engage https://sites.google.com/site/artsengagesg/
  2. ArtsEquator https://artsequator.com/
  3. Beyond the Hijab https://beyondhijab.sg/
  4. CARE: Centre for Culture-Centred Approach to Research and Evaluation (Singapore

chapter) https://www.facebook.com/CAREMassey/

  1. Community Action Network (CAN) https://singaporecan.wordpress.com/
  2. Dance Nucleus http://www.dancenucleus.com/
  3. Drama Box http://dramabox.org/eng/index.html
  4. Function 8 https://fn8org.wordpress.com/
  5. HOME (Humanitarian Organization For Migration Economics) https://www.home.org.sg/
  6. IndigNation https://www.facebook.com/IndigNationSG/
  7. MARUAH https://maruah.org/
  8. Penawar https://penawarsg.com/
  9. Pink Dot SG https://pinkdot.sg/
  10. Post-Museum https://www.facebook.com/postmuseum/
  11. Sayoni https://www.sayoni.com/
  12. Singapore Anti Death Penalty Campaign https://singaporeantideathpenaltycampaign.wordpress.com/
  1. Singapore Unbound https://singaporeunbound.org/
  2. TheatreWorks Singapore https://www.facebook.com/tHEATREwORKS.Sg/
  3. The Local Rebel https://www.facebook.com/thelocalrebel/
  4. The Online Citizen https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/
  5. The Theatre Practice http://www.practice.org.sg/en/
  6. Think Centre http://www.thinkcentre.org/
  7. soft/WALL/studs https://www.facebook.com/softwallstuds/
  8. Wake Up Singapore https://www.facebook.com/wakeupSG/
  9. We Believe in Second Chances https://www.facebook.com/WeBelieveInSecondChances/

Govt feedback arm says Singaporeans generally support Budget 2019

By
Jewel Stolarchuk
-
0
Under POFMA, ministers would be given the authority to determine what is an online falsehood and what action to take against what they deem to be online falsehoods. (Photo: YT screencapture)

REACH, the Government’s feedback and engagement arm, revealed yesterday that the Budget 2019 Feedback Exercise it recently concluded showed that Singaporeans generally support Budget 2019.

High proportions of respondents also expressed support for the Government’s efforts to provide better job opportunities to workers. 80 per cent of respondents also expressed support for the enhancement of the Workfare Income Supplement that would enable more workers to receive payouts.

Interestingly, REACH recorded lower levels of support for the Government’s initiative to gradually reduce the foreign worker quota and S Pass worker ratio for the services sector.

As he delivered the budget last month, Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat said that foreign manpower growth could be on “an unsustainable path” and that “Relying on more and more foreign workers is not the long-term solution.”

REACH said that only 66 per cent of respondents who engaged the agency’s listening points and 58 per cent of respondents who were polled via the telephone supported this initiative to slash foreign manpower in the services sector.

The feedback agency also reported that some respondents urged the authorities to keep healthcare costs affordable in the long term, even as they welcomed the enhancement to the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) that was rolled out in the Budget.

According to the Straits Times, REACH chairman Sam Tan said that the results of the feedback exercise indicate that “most Singaporeans understand that the Budget 2019 announcements address both short-and long-term needs of Singapore, as well as those of Singaporeans.”

Netizens responding to the findings of the REACH poll, however, have suggested that the findings paint a rosy picture instead of accurately reflecting ground sentiments and questioned the veracity of the findings:

The findings of the REACH poll also contradicts the findings of other surveys that were done after the budget.

A Yahoo Singapore poll conducted on the heels of the Budget 2019 speech showed that Singaporeans are mostly unimpressed by the budget, despite goodies like the Bicentennial Bonus and the Merdeka Generation Package that were announced ahead of what many perceive to be an election year.

Billionaire Peter Lim’s socialite daughter Kim separates herself from the K-Pop Seungri scandal

By
The Independent
-
0
Photo: Instagram screengrab

Singapore – Kim Lim, the daughter of Singaporean business magnate Peter Lim, has taken to Instagram to deny all allegations regarding her connection to former Korean pop star and Big Bang member Seungri, and his recent scandal.

Seungri, 28, is currently facing accusations of having been involved in illegal activities such as sharing sexually intimate videos of women without their consent in an online group chat and providing sex workers to foreign businessmen in Seoul.

His upmarket nightclub Burning Sun was alleged to have been a venue for sexual assault, the drugging of female sex workers and drug distribution, among others.

The alleged link to Kim Lim

It was during his Mar 22 in-depth interview on the scandal with a major South Korean newspaper The Chosun Ilbo (translated and released by Koreaboo on Mar 23) where Seungri first brought up Kim Lim’s name .

A part of the interview focuses on the instant mobile Kakaotalk messages consisting of the alleged prostitution solicitations.

Seungri, who had been performing in Japan during Lim’s visit to Korea, had allegedly sent a message to a male individual named “Kim” to accommodate the Singaporean socialite’s visit at the club.

Kim’s reply had been as follows: “We’re going to give them two main seats and bodyguards. We’ll take good care of them.”

To this, Seungri had replied, “Okay. What about girls? Give them the easy ones.”

In the interview, Seungri explains that the message was from 2015, and with no context before, or after, the message “could have been fabricated.”

“Honestly I can’t believe that I sent that message, I’m really embarrassed and ashamed,” he laments.

Seungri then explains who the topic of the conversation was:

“The foreigner was a Singaporean female by the name of Kimmy. She is the daughter of a famous foreign soccer team owner. She is not a foreign investor. Mr. Kim, who was in the same chatroom as us, said he was in Korea and wanted to go to ARENA quietly. He said Kimmy gave us a lot of help, so we should take care of her.”

Lim’s billionaire father Peter Lim is the owner of Spanish football club Valencia CF.

Kim Lim and Seungri had also been spotted together in a football match back in 2015.

With her name having been dropped by Seungri in such unsavoury instances, and in spite of having attended a 2015 football match in Spain with Seungri , Lim was quick to clarify her situation and denounce all relations to the scandal via her Instagram account.

She explains that she had indeed been in Seoul on the mentioned date and that Seungri had arranged a VIP table for her, and her friends from Singapore. However, Lim and her friends had partied, and left without having been accompanied by other staff, nor the alleged “easy girls.”

Lim admits that it was the wrong timing and location of her activity that had gotten her name entangled in the scandal.

She goes on to explain that she had received a confusing phone call from Seungri some time before the scandal had broken out: “He asked me a few weird questions and hung up.”

Read her full Instagram story below:

“Today, a media statement was released by Seungri’s lawyer telling his side of the story. The article suggested that he arranged for me to party together with other girls, which he claims are not prostitutes.

To clarify, on 9 December 2015, I was in Korea with my friends from Singapore. We went to Club Arena for a night out, and Seungri arranged for a VIP table for our group. We partied by ourselves and left after.

In NO WAY were there other patrons or staff who accompanied our group. I certainly never asked for any “girls” to party with me. This can be vouched for by the 4 people who were part of our group that night.

I am embroiled this matter simply because I HAPPENED TO BE THERE THAT NIGHT. I was simply at the wrong place and the wrong time.

My name has been embroiled in the Kpop scandal that’s unfolding right now in South Korea.

Sometime before the news broke, I received a phone call from Seungri. It turns out there had been a leaked conversation of him allegedly soliciting prostitutes for his investors. He asked me a few weird questions and hung up. I don’t know why he called me and how I was involved in this saga at all. Needless to say, after the call I was left completely confused.

When this news broke out, Seungri said the chat is entirely fabricated and that it’s fake news. However, the police later says it isn’t.”

Meanwhile, Seungri announced (translated from Korean) his complete retirement from the entertainment industry on Instagram on Mar 11:

“I think it would be good for me to retire from the entertainment industry at this point. I have decided to retire from the entertainment industry because the issues that caused social controversy are so great. I will reveal all suspicions that have been sincerely investigated in the matter under investigation. In the past month, I have been criticized and hated by the people, and now all the domestic investigative agencies are investigating me, and I am being pushed back to the people. I can’t tolerate myself to live alone and to avoid everyone around me. I am very grateful to all the fans in Korea and abroad for their love for the last 10 years and I am here for the goodwill and big bang honor. Again, sorry and sorry. Thank you all for all the time.”

The Burning Sun nightclub is said to have ceased its operations when police raids were first conducted on its premises on Feb 17.

Investigations are still ongoing for Seungri’s case with more details of the scandal unfolding.

Read more on the scandal below:

https://theindependent.sg.sg/k-pop-star-seungris-sex-trade-scandal-rocks-showbiz-industry/

“No need to wayang” – Singaporeans criticise ex-military personnel touted to be potential PAP candidate

By
Jewel Stolarchuk
-
0
vimeo screencapture

Several netizens have opined that there is “no need for drama” after ex-military personnel Poh Li San said on Sunday (24 Mar) that she is willing to enter politics.

Speculation arose earlier this month that Poh — a former Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) scholar and ex-helicopter pilot who now serves as Changi Airport Group’s Vice President — could be fielded as a ruling party candidate in the next general election.

A few weeks ago, the Chinese daily highlighted Poh’s experience as a grassroots leader and the fact that she recently became the vice-chairman of the PAP Sembawang branch as it speculated that she could be one of the fresh candidates to contest the next election under the PAP ticket.

When the publication had asked her whether she would contest in the next general election, which could be held as early as this year, Poh replied: “(If) given a chance to serve as MP, I will give my best!

On Sun (24 Mar), Poh provided more fodder for speculation as she told the press that she would be happy to serve in politics if she were given the opportunity and “honour” to do so. The 44-year-old told The Straits Times:

“If there is an opportunity for me to serve residents at a deeper level, I will be most honoured to do so, and I will do my best as well. At this moment, it is still uncertain and is really up to anybody’s guess.”

“Right now, I am focused on making sure that I do my job well, run my events well in Sembawang and contribute to the community.”

Netizens responding to Poh’s remarks urged her to come out with it instead of being coy about whether she will be contesting in the election under the PAP ticket:

Some netizens also took issue with The Straits Times’ Facebook caption linking to their interview with MPoh. The caption said that Poh’s “career so far” includes her role as a grassroots leader, causing netizens to ask whether grassroots volunteer work can be considered a job:

https://theindependent.sg.sg/mainstream-media-speculates-that-saf-scholar-and-ex-pilot-could-be-fielded-as-pap-candidate-in-next-ge/

https://theindependent.sg.sg/in-profile-poh-li-san-possible-pap-candidate-for-next-ge/

“Just a joke,” says NSman who left an online comment saying he wanted to throw an egg at K Shanmugam

By
Anna Maria Romero
-
0
Photo: Facebook screengrab/ Edmond Zhong

Singapore—The 20-year-old full-time national serviceman who posted a comment online saying he wanted to throw an egg at K Shanmugam, Singapore’s Law and Home Affairs Minister, clarified that his remark was merely made in jest.

He explained that he bore no ill-will towards Mr Shanmugam, and had no plans of actually doing anything wrong or harmful.

Edmund Zhong said to the Straits Times (ST), “I posted it just as a joke, based on the news on the Australian senator.”

Mr Zhong was referring to the news of a teenager who hit an Australian senator, Fraser Anning, with an egg on his head after Mr Anning blamed Muslims for the mass shooting in Christchurch on March 15 that killed 50 people and injured 49 others.

When Channel NewsAsia reported that the 17-year-old, Will Connolly, had thrown an egg at Mr Anning, Mr Zhong left a comment on CNA’s Facebook post that read, “I wanna do that to K Shanmugam. I swear.”

As a result, a report was filed against Mr Zhong on March 19, according to the police, who said, “The Police take such threats seriously, and will carry out investigations accordingly.”

Another individual, a 47-year-old who had responded to Mr Zhong’s comment, is now also being questioned for communicating an electronic record to incite violence under Section 267C of the Penal Code.

In his comment, the man had posted information about Mr Shanmugam’s Meet-the-People session.

Section 267C states that any incitement of violence “to the law or to any lawful order of a public servant” can be punished with a fine and up to five years’ jail time.

Mr Zhong explained to ST that he was not acquainted with the older commenter and that he “just commented to draw a link to our local context, and then another guy just added fuel to the fire.”

He clarified that his only intention in making the comment was “for entertainment,” and that he did not regret making it.

The NS man said, “To be honest, I don’t feel much regret. I feel it’s a matter of freedom of speech, and that we have a right to voice such opinions.”

Mr Zhong was visited by the police in his own home because of the remark, as he said in a Facebook post on the group page Complaint Singapore.

Because he was not at home at that time, he was asked to pay a visit to an investigating officer at the Ang Mo Kio Division HQ. He wrote on the post that he “felt a mix of emotions as I didn’t expect a harmless but straightforward comment can gain so much reaction.”

Both he and the older man have cooperated with investigations, according to the police.

Netizens seem to be divided on the issue, with some people thinking that there was an overreaction from authorities, while others feel that Mr Zhong needs to take responsibility for his comments.

One netizen decided to be clever with some egg-inspired puns

Read related: Overkill? Police investigate not one but two men for comments about throwing an egg at the Law Minister

https://theindependent.sg.sg/overkill-police-investigate-not-one-but-two-men-for-comments-about-throwing-an-egg-at-the-law-minister/

 

 

Anwar Ibrahim defends daughter Nurul Izzah, says her criticism is aimed at PH as a whole, not just Mahathir

By
Anna Maria Romero
-
0
Photo: Facebook screengrab/ Anwar Ibrahim

Kuala Lumpur — Fresh from the ruckus that Nurul Izzah stirred when she made critical remarks about Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to a Singaporean news outlet recently, her father, fellow MP and Prime Minister-in-waiting Anwar Ibrahim, defended her by saying her disappointment was not only against the prime minister but involved the larger Pakatan Harapan (PH) alliance-led government.

Speaking to members of the media on Tues, Mar 26, Mr Anwar also said that Nurul Izzah had actually made these comments a while ago but did not say exactly when.

Malay Mail reports him as saying, “The statements were made during an interview some time ago, and was blown up by the Singapore Strait Times (sic), so why should we quarrel over it?”

Furthermore, he also defended her on his Facebook page also on March 26, wherein he praised her in Malay as a “symbol of the family’s strength.”

In her Mar 22 interview with Singapore’s leading English-language broadsheet The Straits Times, she had said that she was dissatisfied with Mahathir’s government and “heartbroken” at having to work with him. Moreover, she called Mahathir a “former dictator.”

Anwar told the press that undue attention was being given to Nurul Izzah’s use of that phrase.

Regarding her comments, Malay Mail reports thaf Anwar had this to say: “But, I think it was not wholly aimed at Tun Mahathir, but also directed towards others who voiced their opinions, and attacked each other.”

Anwar reiterated his family’s support for Mahathir’s leadership. His wife, Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, is currently serving as the country’s the first female deputy prime minister.

Anwar also said that the PH government is open to critical remarks from within its members, telling members of the media at parliament, “We give space, as this does not mean we cannot have differences in opinions, or offer criticism.”

On Mar 23, it confirmed in the Malaysian media that she had resigned from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). It is widely believed that Nurul Izzah stepped down from PAC due to Mahathir’s decision to let AC chairman Ronald Kiandee to stay on as PAC’s chairman, even though he is not an opposition MP.

The PH had pledged during last year’s elections that the PAC chairman would be a member of the opposition.

Nurul Izzah wrote on her Facebook account on that day, “The chairperson of the PAC must be filled by the opposition to pursue accountability of the Executive.”

Mahathir had responded to Nurul Izzah’s critical remarks on Mon, Mar 25, by saying, “Never mind, many people are disappointed. I am also disappointed with them.”

However, Nurul Izzah’s remarks were criticised by other Malaysian leaders, including Mahathir’s political secretary, who wrote, “What is being done by the prime minister and the government currently should not be seen in a personal context by Nurul Izzah, but must be seen as a whole in the interest of the people and nation.”

He also called her immature and irrational, and said that she failed to comprehend the Prime Minister’s position.

The country’s Economic Affairs Minister Azmin Ali also took umbrage at Nurul Izzah’s comments. He tweeted, “This country needs doers who are prepared to tough it out all the way, not cry babies. Whatever it takes, we must make it work. If you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen.”

On Facebook, Anwar Ibrahim wrote about the difficulty that Nurul Izzah has had to face in her young life and that she deserves to air her opinion. He praised her for devoting “part of her life to enabling reforms in the country.”

“Izzah is our child. As a father, her happiness and well-being are my priority…
The hardships and tribulations that the family has suffered over the past two decades have been impressive. Izzah rose to be a symbol of family power and devoted part of her life to enabling reforms in the country.

Izzah is entitled and worthy of giving views. And our family will continue to focus on Malaysia’s future with the Pakatan Harapan government of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.”

Read related: “I am also disappointed…,” Dr Mahathir’s responds to Nurul Izzah Anwar’s comments in The Straits Times

https://theindependent.sg.sg/i-am-also-disappointed-dr-mahathirs-responds-to-nurul-izzah-anwars-comments-in-the-straits-times/

 

Video of rock hard Sausage McGriddles on Reddit thread cause for much concern

By
The Independent
-
0
Photo: Reddit screengrab

Singapore – A Reddit Singapore thread that started on March 24 (Sunday) has become the focus of much scrutiny and criticism.

User u/Fatgenie uploaded a video of a very hard Sausage McGriddles from McDonald’s which was coined “Sausage McRock.” The netizen spent a good minute pounding on the rock-hard sandwich using different utensils and apparatus such as forks, a screwdriver, and a chopper.

No matter how hard the Redditor poked, stabbed, and pounded, the sandwich resisted. Even the “Moment of truth” that included a chopper was a fail, and the McGriddles stayed intact.

The one thing that got through was a nail and hammer.

Kudos to that person for having so many tools available at his disposal.

Netizens were quick to analyse the video, receiving mixed reactions.

There was user t0t0t0t0t0t0 who said that “Bread gets hard and dry in the microwave. This can be easily faked at home.” Others agreed and even added that bread gets hard when stale, regardless of microwaving.

Photo: Reddi screengrab

User Duelgundam took the scrutiny up a notch and added some science to it: “Bread hardens due to the yeast developing till it’s hard. Too much gluten+ too much time = hard bread,” said the user. “If he didn’t steam it, or heated it in a microwave, it’ll harden into a rock-like state, with or without freezing.”

Photo: Reddit screengrab

Perhaps the video would have been a tad more believable if some footage of the environment was included.

Meanwhile, user deanosaurus_chenz gave a personal experience of a McDonald’s cheeseburger and how it remained looking fresh though rock hard after being left unattended in a car for more than a year. The comment worried user Reddit-Loves-Me, as it should for everyone who eats from the fast-food chain.

TrendyWhistle explained that any burger with that particular patty and bread size and thickness would be resistant to mould. “The bread wicks away the moisture from the meat fairly quickly, and the whole burger becomes dry enough to essentially become a mummy that doesn’t rot.” Wow. An “immortal burger.”

Photo: Reddit screengrabReddit

Let’s leave it to personal opinion to decide whether the video was fake or not and whether we should return for more McGriddles.

“Embarrassing!” – Hundreds of netizens blast Khaw Boon Wan for comparing arm fracture to childbirth

By
Jewel Stolarchuk
-
0
Khaw Boon Wan FB / YT screencapture

Hundreds of netizens have criticised Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan for comparing the pain he suffered after fracturing his left arm to the pain mothers go through during childbirth.

Khaw, who is still on extended medical leave, revealed the circumstances of his fracture on Sunday (24 Mar) as he spoke at the Women’s Festival at Kampung Admiralty – his first grassroots event since he suffered the injury, last month.

The 66-year-old Sembawang GRC MP said that the accident occurred around midnight when he was in bed and had the urge to use the washroom. Bragging that the mishap occurred partly because he is “a very good husband,” Khaw recalled:

“My wife was sleeping very well, and I am a very good husband, so I did not want to disturb her. I knew I should not have jumped out of bed, but I did so anyway.”

Khaw’s sudden movement backfired and he fell to the floor with a loud bang, waking his family who called for an ambulance. Doctors reportedly believe that Khaw fainted as he got up too quickly, leading to the bad fall.

The Minister was conveyed to Singapore General Hospital where he remained for two weeks as he recuperated from a three-hour surgery that saw doctors insert a piece of titanium plate into his fractured arm.

Speaking to his resident at the Women’s Festival, Khaw described his pain and said his doctors said the pain he suffered is greater than the pain of delivering babies:

“I have never experienced so much pain! The doctors told me this type of fracture, the pain is more painful than delivering babies, but I said I don’t know because I never had that experience. But I can tell you it is very painful.”

Khaw’s comments has drawn intense flak from netizens who felt that his story was “embarrassing”. Netizens noted the event at which Khaw made the remarks and criticised him for comparing an arm fracture to childbirth.

Urging the Minister to “get over it,” several netizens also compared the well-paid Minister’s injury to the plight of Singaporeans who get injured but cannot afford medical treatment:

SDP claims NTUC FairPrice price-freeze is in response to “PAP feeling pressure” from opposition

By
Jewel Stolarchuk
-
0

The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) has asserted that the recent NTUC FairPrice was initiated by the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) as a response to the pressure it has been facing from the opposition party.

Labour movement-linked NTUC FairPrice pledged on Tuesday (19 Mar) that it would freeze the prices of 100 house brand products for the next 15 months to “help moderate the rising cost of living and protect shoppers from price fluctuations”.

Noting that the timing of the price-freeze came a mere three days after the SDP unveiled its own plan to temper the cost of living in Singapore if it is elected, the party said in a statement: “This is the clearest sign yet that the PAP is feeling the heat of the SDP’s policy where we proposed 10 measures to lower the cost of living for Singaporeans.”

The party called on Singaporeans to enjoy the price-freeze but be wary of the intentions behind the initiative.

Pointing out that the timing of the initiative is crucial to determining the “sincerity and genuineness of the PAP’s latest move,” the SDP asserted that the price-freeze is a “gimmick to entice votes” and a “populist one-time offer”. The party said:

“Singaporeans can see through the PAP’s vote-getting manoeuvres like giving out bonuses, packages and, now, the NTUC price-freeze when the elections are coming. While these measures are populist one-time offers, price increases of everything from the water tax hike to the jacking up of the GST are permanent.”

The party further advised that “Singaporeans should take back the money from these packages but not feel obligated to support the PAP in the coming polls.” It added:

“After all, the money belongs to the people. The truth is that Government collected nearly $20 billion in budget surpluses in the last three years and is now using the funds to entice votes before elections.”

Asserting that “the PAP is finally sitting up and paying attention,” after “feeling the heat from the people’s anger on the rising cost of living as well as from the SDP’s proposals,” the SDP claimed that it has the Government on the ropes and will not let go until the cost of living is genuinely lowered:

“But now is not the time to relax. The SDP has put the self-serving ministers and their greed on notice. We will keep up the pressure until the elections and beyond so that we can genuinely lower the cost of living for Singaporeans. We must not let up on the pressure now that we have them on the ropes.
“We call on our fellow citizens to join us and support our concerted campaign to make life in Singapore affordable and better for all.”

Read the party’s statement in full HERE.

Singapore ghostbusters: Grand Master Chew and Master Jeroen Chew practise age old traditions offering solutions for ‘mysterious’ ailments

By
The Independent
-
0
Photo: Taken from the Ghostbuster's website

Singapore – In 2006, a woman in her 20’s who appeared to be distressed, walking on tip-toes with her tongue sticking out, approached Grand Master Chew Hon Chin asking for help to deal with her problem that’s been recurring for eight years.

The woman went to GM Chew’s shop in Katong Shopping Centre called Ghostbuster: Fengshui Masters & Exorcists” and immediately, GM Chew knew what was wrong. “She was possessed by a ghost of a woman who committed suicide by hanging in East Coast Park,” said GM Chew.

“She (the young woman) was down on her luck when she visited the park, and it (the ghost) followed her back,” he added.

It took a veteran exorcist along with a senior exorcist from Indonesia 10 days to crack the case. After “negotiating with the ghost,” they found out that it wanted a house.

The team and the client went to Indonesia and bought a kelong (an offshore platform) for S$500. The spirit was then entrapped in a banana tree and placed on the kelong while GM Chew prayed for the screaming client.

The spirit released its hold on the client and stayed put on the platform. After leaving, GM Chew set the bridge linking the kelong to land on fire. Thus, ended his client’s long-term problem.

Ghostbusting in Singapore

For 18 years now, Grand Master Chew has been dealing with spirits and eventually opened his shop in 2004. He and his team of six specialize in removing bad luck, pinpointing cursed items and separating them from their clients, reading one’s predestined fate, counseling, ghostbusting, creating “wish-granting amulets, and lifting curses. Their services can range from as low as S$80 to as much as thousands of dollars.

The Singapore-based ghostbuster (or exorcist) has travelled around the world to places such as Malaysia, China, Indonesia, the Philippines, the United States, and Africa, and is highly sought-after by people coming from all walks of life seeking spiritual solutions.

The Independent Singapore (TISG) was able to contact Master Teck Fatt “Jereon” Chew, the eldest son of GM Chew. Mr Chew was initially somewhat embarrassed by his father’s profession, but eventually left the Singapore Air Force after 11 years to become a  geomancer and ghostbuster himself.

TISG asked Master Chew what the necessary skills are, both mental and emotional, to become a ghostbuster, to which he replied, “We would like to think that one’s character would be the most important factor.  Meaning one must join for the right reason and must be good of heart.”

He added that the right mentality is needed for this profession and “it is certainly not for the faint-hearted!”

Being a ghostbuster is not some hobby that one picks up overnight. Master Chew explained that the training is extensive, which includes meditation and the cultivation of Taoist practices such as Geomancy and Bazi (the reading of one’s date and time of birth). “Training will typically take at least 10 years depending on the individual,” added Master Chew.

Furthermore, to become a ghostbuster, one must abstain from consuming alcoholic beverages, especially during a ritual or prayer. The Chew duo and their team said they only had alcohol on rare occasions such as weddings.

The father and son in a China postal stamp presented by the Chinese government
The father and son in a China postal stamp presented by the Chinese government

Ghostbusting in the modern world

Master Chew confirmed that the art of ghostbusting, as well as their other practices, are still relevant in the modern age. More than a tourist attraction or a cultural heritage, the Ghostbusters team is engaged in the practice to make people’s lives better. They consider themselves as servants to the Jade Emperor and “it is a responsibility that I must follow through,” said Master Chew.

The geomancer also commented on how most of their clients today are below the age of 40 and are, therefore, tech-savvy. The group sees this as an opportunity to link the ancient practices with technology such as digitizing Bazi or taking their life coaching online.

Despite doubt and skepticism by some, ghostbusting is still something that many Singaporeans believe in.

1...3,8783,8793,880...5,300Page 3,879 of 5,300

The Independent SG

Singapore News

Business

Will China order more Airbuses than India?

China is reported to be considering ordering hundreds of...

Shanghai-listed GigaDevice to fill 55 roles at new global headquarters in Singapore soon

SINGAPORE: Shanghai-listed firm GigaDevice Semiconductor has officially opened its...

Standard Chartered Bank boosts Bonus$aver maximum interest rate to 8.05%, bucking savings interest rate trend

SINGAPORE: Standard Chartered Bank is going against the downward...

CDL’s S$608M bid for Lakeside Drive could become one of the highest land rates outside central region in years, property expert says

SINGAPORE: City Developments Limited’s (CDL) S$608 million bid —...

Singapore Politics

© The Independent Singapore