Politics

Many Singaporean and opposition parties can no longer wait for the publication of the report by the Election Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC). 

Nevertheless, the Singapore People's Party (SPP), has adopted a contrarion viewpoint.

The SPP does not see any merit in speculating on the completion of the EBRC Report. It is not in the party's interest to speculate on matters that are beyond their control.

Instead, what it chooses to do is to focus its energy and resources on things that are within its control such as walking the ground to connect with residents.

However the party has a proposal that it feels can help to remove any speculation and uncertainties with regard to the election date.

Under this proposed 'Fixed Terms of Parliaments Act', the Prime Minister will not have any discretionary powers to decide the elections. The date of the elections will be set in stone and can only be changed with 75% votes in Parliament.

This is an interesting proposition. 

On one hand, under a system dominated by t]he PAP, this system will ensure a more level playing field for the opposition parties.

However, if an opposition party or coalition comes into power, the act could diminish any advantage that they may leverage over the PAP in other elections.

What do you think?

The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) is at the forefront of the battle against the use of POFMA by the government. Now, despite busy preparing for the elections, it is taking the Manpower Minister, Josephine Teo, to the High Court with the hearing stated for 16 January 2020.

Teo and the Ministry had issued Correction Directions (CDs) to the SDP in relation to three Facebook posts by the party. SDP fundamentally disagrees with the CDs. While it complied with obligations under the CDs, they lodged an appeal for the cancellation of the CDs. This was ultimately rejected by the Ministry. According to the SDP, the rejection did not adequately address the points that it raised.

SDP has not hired any counsel. It will defend itself and is looking forward to grilling Teo in the courtroom folowing what it deems as an "abuse of law".

The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) applied for the cancellation of the Corrections Directions (CDs) against it that was issued by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM).

According to Dr Chee Soon Juan, the Secretary-General for SDP, the application was unsuccessul. No satisfactory response was provided by MOM apart from stating that SDP's application "does not provide sufficient grounds for the cancellation of the CDs".

Apparently, the response from MOM also did not address SDP's reasons for the statements that it posted.

Dr Chee called out Josephine Teo, MOM Minister, for her lack of leadership on the matter, hiding behind the Ministry and called for POFMA to be held to higher standards.

The mainstream media recently reported that a group of four opposition parties - Singaporeans First (SF), Reform Party (RP), People's Power Party (PPP), and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) - will be forming an alliance led by Tan Jee Say, the Secretary-General of SF.

Tan has now clarified that while the idea of forming an opposition alliance has been mooted and discussed several times by different opposition parties, no leader has yet been appointed. Elaborating, Tan shared that the members have previously asked Dr Tan Cheng Bock to lead the alliance and would more than welcome him into the fold.

Tan explained that he was approached by an ST reporter regarding the news of the formation of the alliance and this was his response:

Veteran opposition leader, Goh Meng Seng, of the People's Power Party (PPP), called on Singaporeans to be bold in voting more opposition members into parliament. That way, they can do their part to keep the PAP in-check, and to help prevent spiralling costs in Singapore.

This year, the Economist Intelligence Unit, placed Singapore, along with Paris and Hong Kong, as the most expensive cities in the world.

Yet, Goh pointed out, the price of the same commodities can be more expensive in Singapore, compared to Hong Kong. Goh explained that this was because the cost of doing business in Singapore, including both direct and indirect tax payable, was also more costly here because there are just too many of such taxes involved,

GST will be increased to 9%. PAP has also increased water tax, transport costs and imposing additional taxes and more are in the pipeline. For what? 

The ban on e-scooters on footpaths will be fully enforced by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) from 1 Jan onwards. Many are grudgingly resigned to their fate.

However, there remains some who are more defiant who would continue to ride on footpaths illegally.

According to one such rider, he does not have many options as he has three young children to take care of. Apart from the income, the flexible nature of the job is also very precious as it allows him to help take care of the children when needed.

Some may feel that this rider is very self-entitled or lazy. We need to put ourselve in his shoes.

In terms of salary and flexibility, there are not many jobs available that can compare to being a food delivery rider. Like the great Singaporean trait that we are very proud of, this rider is just being pragmatic.

It remains to be seen how the LTA will actively enforce the illegal use of PMD on footpaths when the ban is fully in effect. They have made a mess of the enforcement previously and had to resort to a ban to ensure the safety of pedestrians.

Can the LTA do it in the future? There's no certainty.

For the riders, the payout is worth the risk. 

While the cat-and-mouse game continues, we just hope that no one else will be hurt in an accident with a PMD.