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Malaysia’s Fake News Bill Delay Chance to Manage Racial Disinformation

The Independent
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Malaysia’s Fake News Bill Delay Chance to Manage Racial Disinformation

The politics of delay around the repeal of Malaysia’s Fake News Bill offers an opportunity to manage racial disinformation that can lead to social tensions. This is important as post-elections posturing in the country has brought ethnic politicking to the fore.

While it has been argued that the promotion of falsehoods and hatred between communities can be dealt through existing laws such as MCMC Act 1998 – where publishers are mostly held accountable – content created and disseminated by individual producers over social media and extra-territorially beg consideration in any legal or other type of intervention.

According to We Are Social, Global Digital Report 2018, from a population of 31,830,000 in Malaysia, 79% of Malaysians (25,080,000) have access to the internet and 76% of Malaysians (24,080,000) access it via mobile devices. Malaysia’s Statistics Department noted in March 2018 that smartphone usage for access to the internet increased to 97.7 per cent, from 97.5 per cent in 2015. In total, Malaysians spend an average of 8 hours 27 minutes per day online.

In terms of social media, 75% of Malaysians (24,000,000) access it mostly via mobile devices and spend an average of 3 hours per day on it.  The breakdown of Malaysians using different social media platform are as follows: Facebook 16,800,000, Facebook Messenger 11,280,000, WhatsApp 16,320,000, Twitter 7,200,000, YouTube 16,560,000, WeChat 9,600,000 and Instagram 11,760,000.

These statistics show that in Malaysia, and elsewhere, information creation and consumption is taking place over social media platforms and accessed largely via mobile devices. Consumption of specifically news online in Malaysia is distributed as follows: Facebook (58%), WhatsApp (51%), YouTube (26%), WeChat (13%) and Instagram (13%) according to the Digital News Report 2017 (Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism)

In countries such as Malaysia, which tops the world rankings for WhatsApp usage according to the Digital News Report 2017, there is an increasing preference to circulate information and messages via this platform. Users enjoy a feeling of privacy and secrecy until the message circulating via WhatsApp spills onto publicly exposed platforms such as Facebook or Twitter.

When the Fake News Bill was first introduced by the BN government, the disagreement to it was anchored around concerns that the new law will be used to curb the freedom of expression of political criticism, in particular of 1MDB.

The definition of what is “fake news” and the Malaysian government’s position to define the “truth” unilaterally via the “fake news” law and applying it extra-territorially with sanctions of up to 6 years in jail and a maximum fine of USD 123,000 caused an alarm.

Current attention is on the politics of delay surrounding the repeal of Malaysia’s Fake News Bill. Passed under the Barisan Nasional (BN) government on 2nd April 2018, the Bill was repealed by the Dewan Rakyat (House of Representatives) on August 2018 by the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government following its victory in the 9th May 2018 general election.

However, the rejection of the repeal by the Dewan Negara (Senate) on 12 September 2018 could result in a delay of up to one year due to the re-tabling of the Bill’s further reading at the Dewan Rakyat (House of Representatives). Thereafter, at the third stage, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has 30 days to consent. However, the repeal can come to force even without the Agong’s consent once the 30 days lapses, making the repeal inevitable.

In the meantime, the PH government can consider declaring a moratorium on the law, convince BN senators to support its repeal or increase the number of PH senators in the Dewan Negara (Senate).

Apart from repealing the Fake News Bill as part of its pre-election promise, the PH government would also have to make its stance clear on Malaysia’s signing onto the ASEAN Declaration of Fake News on 10 May 2018. The Declaration, among other non-legislative measures, seeks to support member states to adopt laws and regulations for their national situation to minimise the harmful effect of fake news.

Notwithstanding concerns around the right to make political criticisms and freedom of expression, the primary challenge for Malaysia is how to manage viral disinformation around race related issues that might lead to social unrest.

If the current legal tools, scattered across several pieces of legislation are unable to do the job, then solutions need to be considered without comprising the rights of the rights holders.

These would also need to include non-legislative tools such as, critical thinking, fact-checking, media literacy, quality of journalism to name a few. The evolving efforts of technology companies and artificial intelligence to mitigate fake news need also be considered.

Without an integrated legal, non-legal and technical intervention, Malaysian politics risks falling prey to manufactured disinformation in the country’s post-elections racial posturing.

Given, Malaysia’s politically and culturally diverse makeup means updates of speech laws needs to be done in consultation and sensitive to the many stakeholders in society. In this way the quality of debate in Malaysia can be raised.

Dr. James Gomez is Chair, Board of Directors of the Asia Centre. He is also the convener of Asia Centre’s upcoming International Conference on Fake News and Elections in Asia, 10-12 July, Bangkok, Thailand. For more information about the conference email: [email protected]

Interest rates set to continue rise, says Fed member

The Independent
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Interest rates set to continue rise, says Fed member

Raphael Bostic, explaining how growth remains strong despite uncertainty over trade tensions, said interest rates set at a range of 1.75 – 2 per cent, will continue to rise “over the next handful of quarters.”  Bostic is the President of Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank and is currently a voting member of the interest-rate setting Federal Open Market Committee.

Speaking to the Mississippi Council on Economic Education on Thursday, Bostic discussed concerns over President Donald Trump’s protectionist trade policy. President Trump had earlier expressed frustration with the monetary policy regulators and said the central bank could disrupt the economic recovery.

Bostic said the economic stimulus from recent corporate tax cuts has taken longer to filter through the economy than he had expected. He added that he thought the drag from trade fears and the push from lower taxes are roughly balanced, saying trade fears have had “only a small negative effect” on business investment.

In early August, interest rates set at a  range of 1.75 – 2 per cent earlier were left unchanged by the Federal Reserve by a unanimous vote.

In keeping the interest rates unchanged, the Federal Reserve said:

“Information received since the Federal Open Market Committee met in June indicates that the labor market has continued to strengthen and that economic activity has been rising at a strong rate. Job gains have been strong, on average, in recent months, and the unemployment rate has stayed low. Household spending and business fixed investment have grown strongly. On a 12-month basis, both overall inflation and inflation for items other than food and energy remain near 2 percent. Indicators of longer-term inflation expectations are little changed, on balance.”

The Federal Reserve raised the benchmark lending rate on June 13. Being the second increase of the year, the interest rates set signaled that the US Federal Reserve will be more aggressive about rate increases this year.

The humble mortgage calculator is an essential tool for all types of home buyers

American Federal interest rates set to rise is bad news for borrowers in Singapore.

This is because the US Fed rate hike has an impact on credit cards, mortgages, vehicle loans and bank savings accounts here. This is because Singapore interest rates are closely correlated with those in the US.

The SIBOR (Singapore interbank offered rate) for example is expected to go up. This could dent some of the enthusiasm in the buoyant property market.

Since the beginning of this year, banks have raised interest rates for both fixed and floating home loan packages by 10 – 30 basis points (bps). Some banks have already upped their mortgage rate to 2.05 per cent, to keep pace with the increasing interest rates.

The 3-month SIBOR has hovered at 1.41 per cent since May. The further increase announced by the US Federal Reserve on Wednesday is expected to drive the interest rates for mortgage loans even higher.

DBS is now charging 1.95 percent a year for each of the three years for its 3-year fixed rate package, while UOB recently increased its 3-year fixed rate package to 2.05 percent a year for each of the three years. OCBC, on the other hand, raised its 2-year fixed rate package to 1.85 per cent.

Tin Min Ying, an investment analyst at Phillip Securities Research Pte Ltd, said in early June that SIBOR and SOR will continue their upward trend.

“3-month SIBOR crept up in May to near 10-year highs. We expect the Singapore banks’ NIMs (Net Interest Margin Securities) to be on a gradual upward trend given expectations of 3 or more Fed rate hikes in 2018. NIM expansion will be the main share price catalyst for the next few quarters. Despite the 40bps increase in SIBOR this year, mortgage loans growth has remained resilient at 4.4% YoY. Therefore, we do not expect new mortgage loans to be adversely affected by the gradual increase in SIBOR.”

Good property agents – qualities to look for

Tin also said that Singapore’s domestic loans in April grew 5.7% year-on-year.

Banks, however, are usually slow off the mark in raising the interest rates in response to global news like the US Federal Reserve rate hikes. This lag time is where a mortgage consultant can best help a distressed buyer to finance a new purchase or to refinance their current property.

Mr Paul Ho, chief mortgage consultant said, “there may be a short window of opportunity for home-owners to refinance their home loans before the Federal Reserve interest rates set to increase, take effect.”

He added, “the mortgage consultants at iCompareLoan can get the best rates for home owners who want to refinance their home loans by comparing across 16 banks and financial institutions – and best of all, our services are free.”

How to Secure a Home Loan Quickly

Are planning to purchase a HDB resale flat but unsure of the funds you have? Don’t worry because iCompareLoan mortgage brokers can set you up on a path that can get you a home loan in a quick and seamless manner.

[findhomeloan key=”2″]

Alternatively you can read more about the Best Home Loans in Singapore before deciding.  Our brokers have close links with the best lenders in town and can help you compare Singapore home loans and settle for a package that best suits your home purchase needs.

Whether you are looking for a new home loan or refinance, our brokers can help you get everything right from calculating mortgage repayment, comparing interest rates all through to securing the loan. And the good thing is that all their services are free of charge. So it’s all worth it to secure a loan through them.

For advice on a new home loan  or Personal Finance advice.

To speak to our Panel of Property agents.

For refinancing advice.

With home buying process to be made simpler with robots, will property agents be phased out?

The Independent
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With home buying process to be made simpler with robots, will property agents be phased out?

Despite the prospect of rising interest rates, years of oversupply and falling prices, the real estate market sentiment in Singapore – save the home buying process – is still positive, because property prices have rebounded. The buoyant property market, is shining the spotlight on the maddening and painful home buying process. California based investment advisor, Ross Gerber, believes that to fix to the inefficiency of the home buying process, the real estate industry has to adopt what the stock, bonds and commodities market have had for a long time.

“The real estate industry desperately needs what stocks, bonds and commodities investors have had for decades: a transparent, predictable and liquid market that not only captures supply and demand dynamics but allows for expeditious, low-cost and hassle-free transactions. Such a market would increase activity, lower broker fees and make it easier for homeowners to unload properties.”

He adds: “Although creating a truly electronic real estate market has many challenges, if the major players in the market get together and create this exchange it would revolutionize a truly inefficient market. It would help consumers by lowering costs and fees as well as creating a much more efficient market to buy real estate. Buyers will really get the house they want without the personal issues of the seller and sellers will know that their house will actually sell, although they must accept the true market price of the house. With more transactions, less hassles and standardized paperwork and procedures, this electronic real estate market will revolutionize the industry.”

A 2013 study by Oxford University estimated that artificial intelligence (AI) has a 98 per cent chance of replacing estate agents and hence making home buying process that much simpler.

Research: consumers spend more time searching for value-for-money holidays than investigating mortgage options

In the US alone, by late 2016 US$1.8 billion had been invested in real estate tech start-ups, and it hasn’t slowed up since. The Singapore Government is cognisant of the need to keep up with changes which will be seeping the real estate industry by introducing the Industry Transformation Map (ITM). The National Development Ministry earlier this year said that its goal of promoting such tools is for property agents and property portals to be able to automatically verify key details all with the click of a button. The Ministry believes that this will be an opportunity for firms a well as agents to undertake significant process innovation to become more productive. And at the same time make the process so much more efficient, effective, transparent, and competitive.

Very soon, AI will have an impact on traditional real estate business operating models. Whether this impact turns out to be positive or negative depends largely on how real estate players will use them to their advantage to make the home buying process simpler for the consumer.

More and more local real estate players are developing proptech and AI to make home buying process simpler and with that, property agents will face the increasing prospect of their jobs being displaced by automation in an already overcrowded market.

Singapore’s fully smart private condo – JadeScape – to be launched at prices averaging $1,700 psf

New technology that is being developed by established listing platforms and startups may lead to automated services ultimately edging agents out of the picture. Mr Paul Ho, chief mortgage consultant of icompareloan.com said that in this new landscape, property agents “must upgrade or die”. He believes that agents must adopt technology and automate their workflow or risk being replaced by automation or technical tools.

Mr Ho said that iCompareLoan’s Home Loan Report is one such tool agents can make use of to augment their services.

The Home Loan Report tool is a Singapore’s first one-of-a-kind analysis platform that provides latest updates of detailed loan packages and helps property agents, financial advisors and mortgage brokers to analyse home loan packages for their clients and give unbiased home loan / commercial loan analysis for their property buyers and home owners.

As buyers of the future grow more discerning, agents cannot afford to just rely on their personality or their experience to attract clients. Buyers and sellers of the future will increasingly rely on agents to have knowledge on property finance calculations and this is where the Home Loan report comes in.

This trademarked tool is a one-stop solution that can help deliver a detailed home loan report to property agents in 3 minutes flat.

Home buying process
Image credit: iCompareLoan – Tools like iCompareLoan’s trademarked Home Loan Report, plug into the Government’s Real Estate Industry Transformation Map.

This is especially helpful when agents who do not have knowledge on property finance calculations make cold calls to potential clients and need to have a thorough analysis at hand in order to best direct each client on what their property buying and selling options are.

Such a report will not only help agents deliver the best possible property options to their clients, it will also help prevent the agent or potential buyers or sellers from wasting each other’s time since they already have all the information they need on the potential client’s buying or selling prospects at hand.

Mr Ho asserted that property agents who want to continue working in the industry must set themselves apart and position themselves as thought leaders, especially in this day and age where digital marketing largely drives the economy.

What’s especially good about the trademarked Home Loan Report is that the more agents use tool, the more traffic it will bring to the agency’s website. This feature is great for leads capture and brand recognition.

If you want more information on our trademarked Home Loan Report, just email our chief mortgage consultant, Paul Ho, with your name, email and phone number at [email protected].

If you are home-hunting, our Panel of Property agents and the mortgage consultants at icompareloan.com can help you with affordability assessment and a promotional home loan. The services of our mortgage loan experts are free. Our analysis will give best home loan seekers better ease of mind on interest rate volatility and repayments.

Cat murdered by laundry dryer shocks Malaysia

The Independent
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Cat murdered by laundry dryer shocks Malaysia

On Wednesday, September 12,  Malaysians were confronted by the gruesome news of a pregnant cat found murdered in a dryer of a laundry in Kuala Lumpur. The horrible discovery was made by unsuspecting customers who were about to unload their washed, wet laundry into the dryer for drying.

Instead of an empty, clean dryer, what they found inside made them feel so disgusted. A female cat, which was pregnant incidentally, dead and covered with its own blood. They quickly alerted the owner of the self-service laundry who then made a police report of the cruel act caught on his laundry CCTV.

Local news portal Kosmo! reported that the owner knew the perpetrators of that cruel act as they were regular customers but that he did not know their names. Based on the CCTV recording, they looked like foreigners and not locals.
The owner proceeded to release the CCTV clip of the despicable act to media outlets as well as the Malaysia Animals Association.

Both the Malaysia Animals Association and Malaysian Response Team, also an animal rights group then uploaded the said clip onto their Facebook page and lodged a police report of their own.

Based on the CCTV recording, the incident happened shortly after midnight on Tuesday, 11 September at a time when there were not many other customers around.

Many strongly condemned that vile act of animal cruelty and strongly urged the authorities to apprehend the people responsible. In fact Malaysia Animal Association went as far as releasing the personal details of one of the suspects, though it remained unclear how they came about it. Media outlets have refrained from publishing the same details for legal reasons.

The Gombak police confirmed to the public that they had received reports about the incident that took place at the laundry located within Gombak.

By Friday, 14 September the police had arrested two suspects and were seeking a third accomplice.Gombak district police chief Assistant Commissioner Samsor Maarof confirmed the arrests to the press. He further explained that the case was being investigated under Section 428 of the Penal Code for cruelty towards animals.If found guilty, they are liable to a fine or three years in prison or both.

Since the brutal incident became public, Malaysians have taken to social media to vent their frustrations and sheer abhorrence. A mostly animal-loving lot, many Malaysians expressed how that despicable act struck a most sensitive chord within them.

An example is local artist Faizati’s drawn depiction of the murdered cat.
Next to the picture was the hashtag #JusticeforKucingDobi, meaning ‘Justice for laundry cat’. It has since gone viral with many Malaysians citing the same hashtag on the Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages in solidarity for their love for animals.

Perhaps the most haunting part of his Twitter were the words he shared that echoed what every Malaysian felt about the incident:
“Sometimes you find humanity in an animal and sometimes you find an animal in the behaviour of a human being”
(translation)

Journalist who helped expose 1MDB scandal detained in Singapore due to “mystery blacklisting”

Jewel Stolarchuk
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Journalist who helped expose 1MDB scandal detained in Singapore due to “mystery blacklisting”

British investigative journalist Clare Rewcastle Brown, who helped expose the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal across the Causeway, was briefly detained at 1am in Singapore this morning when officers found that she had been blacklisted against entering or leaving the city-state since 2016.

The publication Rewcastle Brown runs, The Sarawak Report, shared on Facebook: “Clare was briefly detained in Singapore at 1AM last night after her book launch. Turns out ‘someone’ put her on the blacklist in 2016 but the Singapore authorities were baffled about why she had been placed on the list.

“After clarifying her involvement in the #1MDB expose they shook her hand and she was free to go. They suggested she raise the problem of the ‘mystery blacklisting’ with the authorities.”

Rewcastle Brown had been in Singapore to launch her book ‘The Sarawak Report’ that takes an inside look at the 1MDB scandal that shook Malaysia. The book launch was held yesterday at The Agora.

Sarawak-born Rewcastle Brown is considered a “heroine” by many in Malaysia due to her work helping to expose the 1MDB scandal as well as other scandals from the Sarawak and Sabah region.

Rewcastle Brown’s mysterious blacklisting comes after a series of travel bans that were set against her by Malaysian authorities in the past.

In July 2013, the journalist was barred from entering the Kuching International Airport and was put back on a plane for Singapore after being detained at the airport. Two years later, on 1 August 2015, ex-Malaysia Prime Minister Najib Razak addressed UMNO delegates in Seremban and in a clear reference to the Sarawak Report, demanded that “white people” stay out of Malaysia’s affairs.

Following a series of exposés by Sarawak Report regarding the 1MDB scandal, an arrest warrant was issued by a Malaysian court in August 2015 for Rewcastle Brown.The arrest warrant was obtained for her alleged involvement in “activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy” and the “dissemination of false reports”.

Responding to the arrest warrant, Rewcastle argued that it is the Malaysian government who is “detrimental to parliamentary democracy” by suppressing free speech (closing down two newspapers) and arresting people who officially engaged in the 1MDB investigations.

After the ruling Barisan Nasional was defeated and Pakatan Harapan took power during 2018 Malaysian general election, an arrest warrant for Rewcastle Brown was lifted and she was able to set foot on Malaysia again on 18 May 2018.

It is thus quite puzzling why Rewcastle Brown was blacklisted from entering Singapore in an order from 2016 and why such an order was not revoked sooner. Netizens responding to the Sarawak Report’s update on the matter also expressed confusion over how this might have occurred:

Ong Ye Kung says there is no discrimination of the LGBTQ community here

Obbana Rajah
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Ong Ye Kung says there is no discrimination of the LGBTQ community here

Yesterday, Education Minister Ong Ye Kung said that there is no discrimination against the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community “at work, housing (and) education” here in Singapore.

After India’s move to repeal the law banning gay sex, there has been a push in Singapore to do away with section 377A of the Penal code, that criminalizes sex between men.

Mr Ong was one of the attendees of the annual Singapore Summit, a conference for business and for leaders to discuss business and global affairs.

https://www.facebook.com/ongyekung/photos/a.920603904620879/2270368196311103/?type=3&theater

“The fact is they (the LGBTQ community) live in Singapore peacefully, no discrimination at work, housing (and) education. They go about their lives. However, on the issue of LGBTQ, it is also an issue of social mores and societal values,” he said, adding that it is in Singapore’s DNA to be inclusive.

Since India’s Supreme Court struck down the country’s law banning gay sex on Sept 6, the LGBTQ community here has called on the Singapore Government to follow suit, and to repeal section 377A of the Penal Code, which criminalises sex between men.

Mr Ong also echoed sentiments similar to those of Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam, who said that ultimately society has to decide on their stance.

“We might be the largest animal in the jungle, but we are not the jungle. Some things we leave it to society to decide over time,” Mr Ong added.

Section 377A remains in the books because Singapore society is still largely conservative, but the Government does not and will not proactively enforce the law.

Many netizens were angered by Mr Ong’s comments and argued that discrimination was indeed present against the LGBTQ community.

One netizen, Poh Kok Ing, rightly questioned: Can gay people get married? Can they buy an HDB flat as a couple? Can they adopt kids? Did they even conduct an inquiry into workplace discrimination against gay people?

   

 

________________________________________________________________________

[email protected]

Employer yells at and humiliates maid in public for giving child a biscuit

Obbana Rajah
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Employer yells at and humiliates maid in public for giving child a biscuit

A video of an employer yelling at her domestic helper for giving her son a biscuit has made rounds through the Internet and social media. Not only does the lady scream at her helper at the top of her lungs, she does so in public, at a playground filled with other parents and children.

The employer, as many netizens speculate, seems to be from the People’s Republic of China judging from her accent. At the start of the video, she can be seen yelling at another lady carrying what seems to be her child and she says, “You can eat it, but you cannot give him”.

The PRC lady blames the maid for her child’s eating habits and continues to scream, “You  the problem trouble, you the trouble-maker”.

https://www.facebook.com/SingaporeUncensored/videos/253559971967596/

She then demands to know all the foods the maid had fed her child.

“One by one tell me. Don’t tell lie!” she yells.

The replies of her domestic helper are inaudible but she can be seen to carry the child throughout her scolding.

Ironically, at one point in the video, the helper puts the child down. But the little boy refuses to go to his mother but wants to again be carried by the helper.

The employer then goes on to question the behavior of the maid at the playground.

“Why do you just sit on the chair and then just leave him here”, she questions.

Netizens were outraged at the treatment of the domestic helper, saying that at the end of the day no human being deserved to be humiliated in that manner, even if they were another’s employee. Others also said that the PRC lady should have gone home to settle her grievances with her helper and not do so in a public setting.

Many also allege that the incident took place in Hong Kong, but online reports, along with the racial profile of the other people at the playground suggest otherwise.

________________________________________________________________________

[email protected]

NEA officers – no official identification, no co-operation?

Obbana Rajah
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NEA officers – no official identification, no co-operation?

One citizen took to Facebook with a video of two alleged National Environment Agency (NEA) officers who did not produce their official identification passes, but requested identification from him. While it is unclear as to whether they failed to bring their official passes, or simply refused to produce them, the man in question refused to co-operate with these ‘officers’ because of their lack of official identification.

Supposedly, NEA officers on the ground are paired with a security officer, all who travel in plain-clothes. In order to ask for the particulars of someone committing a offence, they will show their official NEA pass and identification. Should the committing the offence decline to give the NEA officer their identification card (IC), the security officer will issue their warrant card, identifying that they have the authority to take someone’s particulars down.

https://www.facebook.com/SingaporeUncensored/videos/898424410363889/

In the video shared, the alleged NEA officers were a man and a woman, with the man wearing a device resembling a portable camera around his neck. It is unclear from the video if the officers did not have a pass or if they refused to show their pass, but other reports on the incident allege that the officers insist that they cannot show their identification passes.

Netizens who comment on the video expressly state that they would not co-operate with ‘officers’ without official identification. Their view also comes after recent telephone scams where victims are called and summoned to court by someone alleging to be the police.

________________________________________________________________________

[email protected]

National Council of Churches of Singapore remains staunch in its stand against sex between men

Miren Gonzalez
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National Council of Churches of Singapore remains staunch in its stand against sex between men

The National Council of Churches of Singapore (NCCS) announced its stand on repealing Section 377A of the Penal Code, which criminalizes sex between two men – it does not agree. The NCCS, which represents around 200 churches, said that the “homosexual lifestyle is not only harmful for individuals, but also for families and society as a whole”.

Section 377A of the Penal Code treats sex between men as a criminal offense, with up to two years’ jail time as punishment. Interestingly, there is no law criminalizing sex between women.

In October 2014, Mr. Tan Eng Hong and couple Mr Gary Lim and Mr Kenneth Chee challenged Section 377A, which they said goes against Articles 9 and 12 of the Constitution, with the goal of striking it down.

Article 9 states that “no person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty save in accordance with the law” and article 12 states that “all persons are equal before the law and entitled to the equal protection of the law”. Article 12 bans discrimination against any citizen of Singapore on grounds of descent, religion, race or place of birth.

But the Court of Appeal ruled that Section 377A was constitutional and rejected their arguments. The NCCS has said that they agree with the decision, saying, “The position of the National Council of Churches of Singapore on the issue of 377A, which is clearly articulated in its 2003 statement, remains unchanged. It does not support the repeal of 377A. The Council therefore agrees with the 2014 ruling of the apex court concerning the constitutionality of section 377A and supports the government’s decision to retain it.”

The quote is part of a bold and unwavering statement the NCCS made in response to local DJ Johnson Ong Ming filing a court challenge against Section 377A on Monday, September 10.

The NCCS said, “The Bible clearly and categorically prohibits homosexual behavior because it is a perversion of the way in which God has ordered human sexual relationships.”

They are most likely referring to verses from the Bible like Leviticus 18:22, which states, “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination.” Also, I Corinthians 6:9-10 says, “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.”

Singapore’s Section 377A has been a hot topic of discussion ever since India’s earth-shattering announcement on September 6, repealing their own ban on gay sex. On the heels of that, Singaporean diplomat Tommy Koh urged the gay community to take a stand and challenge Section 377A again, even after the failed attempt in 2014.

Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam said that Singapore’s society has to ultimately make the decision regarding Section 377A and commented that people are “deeply split” on the matter.

On the repeal of Section 377A, the NCCS commented that it “would result in the normalization and promotion of this lifestyle, which in turn would lead to undesirable moral and social consequences, a slippery slope as seen in some countries taking this step.”
The NCCS ended its statement by calling upon Christians “to pray for the government and the people of Singapore as this contentious issue is being debated, that they will not be influenced by domestic pressures or global trends.”
People took to Facebook to air their strongly-worded opinions.
Some have commented on the need for separation between church and state:
 
Facebook screengrab
Others have defended the NCCS, citing democracy and freedom of speech:
Facebook screengrab
Some are saying that it’s a Christian thing, because the Buddhists and the Muslims aren’t saying anything about it:
Facebook screengrab
Others cry “hypocrisy” and say that this isn’t just about gay rights, it’s about “doing the right thing”, calling for “equality for all”:
Facebook screengrab
Some say we should “put religion aside” and look at it from “a healthcare point of view”:
Facebook screengrab
Some Christians weighed in with their opinions, saying that “God loves us so much he gave us freedom of choice”:
Facebook screengrab
And yet others called for Christians to “stand firm and never be moved”:
Facebook screengrab
A Buddhist spoke up, citing offense “if my government allows one faith to impose its doctrine on me”:
Facebook screengrab
Some turned to sarcasm to express their opinions, saying that the NCCS should ban greed, gambling and all things that are “harmful for individuals, but also to families and society as a whole” (using NCCS’ own words):
Facebook screengrab
And, summing it all up, this netizen says, “Singapore is multi-religious. PERIOD. And secular too”:
Facebook screengrab
Looks like K. Shanmugam is right – society is split on Section 377A.

Video of “possessed” instant noodles cup shooting up from shop counter goes viral

The Independent
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Video of “possessed” instant noodles cup shooting up from shop counter goes viral

A video of what many online seem to believe is paranormal activity has been going viral on social media. In the video, a shopkeeper can be seen sitting beside a shop counter minding his own business when an instant noodles cup shoots up from the counter and lands upside down, seemingly on its own.

The shopkeeper looks bewildered by the sudden movement, that many netizens have said is due to the instant noodles cup being “possessed”:

 

While some netizens have claimed that the shopkeeper was pranked by a ghostly presence, others have opined that the noodles cup may have shot up if the worker had the hot bowl on top of an object like a cigarette lighter, causing an explosion due to the heat.

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Neighbour won’t spay her cat — now their area is full of mess and strays, says resident

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SINGAPORE: A frustrated resident took to an online forum...

Job seeker asks: ‘Is it really that hard to get hired now, or is it just me?’

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SINGAPORE: A job seeker who has been applying for...

Singapore negotiating US concessions on pharmaceutical exports and high-end AI chips access

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SINGAPORE: Singapore is negotiating concessions with the United States...

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