Clearing the air on ‘awkward’ comment

Letter from Inderjit Singh

Member of Parliament for Ang Mo Kio GRC

I wish to highlight to you an article carried by your publication on May 28, “PAP MPs surprised Dr Tan might run for President”.

I was quoted as saying: “For Presidential Elections, there’s always been a candidate that the Government supports ... it’s quite clear that we will be fully behind this person so it will be very awkward (to have Dr Tan in the contest).”

That way, next time, this person will think twice before hitting someone else.

Don’t compare delays

Letter from Goh Fang Min

Chief Financial Officer

Singapore Sports Council

Changi Motorsports Hub contractual arrangement differs from that of Sports Hub

S$5.3-billion deal baffles CEO President

South Korea’s Lee Myung Bak has yet to prove Asia’s fourth-biggest economy is truly open for business

For a man who billed himself as the CEO President, Mr Lee Myung Bak of South Korea sure seems to lack business sense.

WILLIAM PESE K

In February 2008, voters turned to Mr Lee, the former chief executive officer of several Hyundai Group businesses, to see through the reforms needed to break the economic gridlock.

Who better to drive change than a guy famed for bulldozing the competition?

Buyer’s remorse is setting in as Mr Lee’s management proves to be more erratic than steady.

Koreans were patient when Mr Lee’s missteps involved diplomacy.

His move to reverse efforts by his two predecessors to negotiate with North Korea was a case in point.

They also overlooked his support of the Bush administration’s foreign policy adventures and his steps to censor the Internet.

Yet tolerance is running thin as Mr Lee misplays what should be his strong suit: Promoting economic stability and accomplishing financial reform.

If he does not get serious about both, investors will hand down their own verdict, which would not be good for the nation’s markets.

The first issue — economic overheating — is an immediate danger.

On the surface, this seems more a concern for central bank governor Kim Choong Soo than for Mr Lee.

Since the global economy collapse in 2008, central banks around the world have sought to maintain their independence from the politicians who need sound economic growth in order to stay in office.

Korea is no exception as Mr Kim struggles to tame inflation, at the same time offering up monetary policy that supports growth.

While Mr Lee’s policy-makers deny it, investors in Seoul believe the Bank of Korea is under intense pressure to leave interest rates low.

Each time the central bank raises rates, the Korean won’s rise accelerates.

This undermines key exporters like Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Motor, making their 

Higher wages for maids not long-term solution

Tanya Fong

tanyafong@mediacorp.com.sg

The Association of Employment Agencies of Singapore is asking the Ministry of Manpower to reduce the minimum age requirement for foreign domestic helpers and to review the current English language entry test.

To overcome shortage, industry mulls over how to make Singapore a more attractive destination

He is believed to have committed this offence between September 2009 and August last year.

Tan had applied to the CEA to register as a salesperson in December last year but he allegedly stated that he had not been convicted in a court of law in any country — a statement that is believed to be untrue.SINGAPORE — Six months after stricter rules governing real estate work came into force, a 45-year-old has become the first person to be charged in court for representing himself as a property agent when he was not registered with the Council for Estate Agencies (CEA).

HAVE YOUR SAY: George Yeo running for President?

Mr George Yeo at a recent news conference (photo by Melissa Tan, channelnewsasia.com)

SINGAPORE: Former minister for foreign affairs George Yeo said he is thinking hard about running for the Presidential Election.

Writing on Wednesday on his Facebook page, Mr Yeo said he is " praying for wisdom" .

He also indicated many Singaporeans had asked him to reconsider his decision.

Mr Yeo had previously said he did not have the temperament to become President.

When contacted, Mr Yeo declined comment, only saying that he will " leave it as it is for the time being" .

The Elections Department on Wednesday distributed, as of 5pm, at least seven sets of applications for the certificate of eligibility.

First to pick up the forms was seventy—year—old Ooi Boon Ewe.

Mr Ooi failed in his bid to contest the recent General Election as an independent candidate.

He said he has resigned as chairman of his political party —— the People’s Liberal Democratic Party —— in order to run for President.

Meanwhile, former People’s Action Party (PAP) Member of Parliament (MP) Tan Cheng Bock also collected his forms.

Dr Tan said he would go back to his roots to rally support, and intends to carry out walkabouts at his former ward of Ayer Rajah, which he describes as his " base camp" .

He said he came personally to collect the forms along with supporters to show he is serious about contesting the Presidential Election.

Dr Tan said he believes Singaporeans should vote for a presidential candidate based on individual merit.

" I would prefer that people take a deep analysis of the individual candidate, irrespective of his (past) party," Dr Tan said.

" I will lose some votes maybe because of my past association with PAP. But that’s all in the game, it’s ok.

" If they don’t like me because I belong to the PAP, they are free not to elect me. But I want to believe that Singaporeans generally would assess me on a slightly different view."

Another person who collected two sets of forms on Wednesday was Mr Martin Lee, who said he was collecting them on behalf of his friend, an entrepreneur in his 50’s whose surname is also " Lee" .

Mr Martin Lee gave little away, adding that the person is from the private sector, who fulfils all the eligibility criteria for running for President.

The Elections Department also saw many who came to restore their names on the Registers of Electors after failing to vote in the recent General Election.

One of them was famous water—colour artist Ong Kim Seng, who said he wishes " his good friend" —— current President SR Nathan —— would run for President again.

—CNA/wk

YOUR SAY: Should George Yeo run for President? How do you think he can contribute in this role? Sign in here and let us know your thoughts.

Teen found dead after falling into drain

Teen found dead after falling into drain

 

Rescuers searching a canal for the missing Indonesia teenager. (Photo by Ernest Chua - TODAY)

SINGAPORE: The body of a 15—year—old Indonesian teen, who had been swept away after falling into a drain swollen with rain water was found on Wednesday night.

Rescuers found his body in the canal next to Block 82, Whampoa Drive, close to the 1— to 1.5—kilometre stretch that the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) had been combing since late afternoon.

Paramedics pronounced him dead at about 11 pm.

The tragedy happened during a period of intense rain, which caused flooding at the junction of Novena Square and a tree to fall elsewhere.

The teen, identified only as William, was here on holiday. He was with two friends, Singaporean student Brian Lee and his Indonesian cousin, who was William’s friend.

He was wading through shin—deep waters at 2.30pm along a flooded section in the Balestier area when he fell into the drain.

The drain is guarded by a railing but William is believed to have stepped through a break in the railing at the flooded junction of Martaban Road and Minbu Road. He fell into the submerged drain, which is about 1.2—metre deep.

" My cousin’s friend (William) grabbed the railings but he was soon swept away," Brian said.

The two other teens were walking just behind William.

Brian said his cousin then ran towards the drain along Mandalay Road. " My cousin told me to take care of our belongings and he ran towards the drain to try and save William. He grabbed William’s T—shirt and cried for help," Brian said.

But his cousin could not hold on for long.

The Indonesian also tried to extend his feet to the stricken teen but the rushing water proved too strong and swept William away, Brian added.

On Wednesday night, Brian told MediaCorp that they had contacted William’s father in Jakarta and that he was on his way to Singapore.

The SCDF said it received a call at about 4pm on Wednesday. Eighteen personnel and several vehicles, including an ambulance and a water—rescue vehicle, were despatched.

Watched by a crowd of curious onlookers, SCDF officers searched the drain and the canal at Whampoa West and Serangoon Road, into which the drain empties.

The case has been handed over to the police, who said that investigations are still ongoing. —

TODAY