Double-standards by the PAP government

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Without international pressure, will the PAP government voluntarily clamp down on arms transfers made through SG?

Singapore will stop arms transfers without blocking legitimate trade with Myanmar: MFA​

Singapore will continue with efforts to prevent the Myanmar junta from accessing military supplies through the Republic. PHOTO: REUTERS
Varun Karthik

Jun 29, 2024

SINGAPORE – Singapore will continue with efforts to prevent the Myanmar junta from accessing military supplies through the Republic while being mindful about not blocking legitimate trade and transactions with Myanmar as that will hurt civilians there, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said on June 28.
“Legitimate trade and financial links between Singapore and Myanmar are necessary to support the livelihoods of the Myanmar people,” MFA said in a statement.
“We have been very careful to avoid inadvertently causing greater hardship for the Myanmar people.”
The statement came in response to media queries following the release of a report by UN Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews on June 26.
The report, which lauded the city-state for its decisive action in clamping down on both the export of military materials from Singapore and the facilitation of arms transactions by banks here, called for financial institutions to “terminate or freeze all financial relationships with Myanmar’s state-owned banks” while “(undertaking) enhanced due diligence on all business relationships and transactions related to Myanmar”.
MFA said: “Singapore’s policy is to prohibit the transfer of arms to Myanmar and to not authorise the transfer to Myanmar of dual-use items, which have been assessed to have potential military application and where there is a serious risk they may be used to inflict violence against unarmed civilians.”
It added: “At the same time, it is not the intention of the Singapore Government to block legitimate trade with Myanmar. Special Rapporteur Andrews’ findings underscore the effectiveness of Singapore’s policy, especially through the measures imposed by Singapore financial institutions (FIs).”

The ministry said FIs based here “will not facilitate any transactions that involve the sale and transfer of arms to Myanmar”, and that banks here have been applying enhanced due diligence on transactions involving Myanmar entities and individuals.
It noted that the Monetary Authority of Singapore had published a circular in August 2023 providing banks with additional guidance on the measures they should incorporate to better detect and manage sanctions-related risks.
“Singapore FIs also had success in the deployment of data analytics to better identify risks and apply appropriate risk-mitigation measures, in particular around the detection of front and shell companies being used to potentially evade sanctions,” MFA said.
“We await specific and actionable information from the Special Rapporteur’s Office so that we are able to conduct the necessary checks on the leads provided in his latest report, and ensure that our FIs and companies are taking the necessary measures to address the risks posed.”

 

[Peter Ahmad Muniandy Wong]

How these Melbourne girls managed to get away would be forever the Aussie state of Victoria's secret.

 

[Papsmearer]

Wah, what a policy change after Gay Loong and Whore Jinx left. Chartered Industries and ST used to sell weapons to Myanamar all the time, even help them build factory in Myanmar to manufacture it. Now cannot anymore? Willing to let ST lose some profit? Really?

 

[Hypocrite-The]

Isn't Burma close allies with chicons land? They can buy weapons from chicons land..so ST is yesterdays news

 

[Papsmearer]

Isn't Burma close allies with chicons land? They can buy weapons from chicons land..so ST is yesterdays news

Now they buying weapons from them because the PRC sells to them at friendship prices. But before that, it was sinkieland

 

[Hypocrite-The]

Now they buying weapons from them because the PRC sells to them at friendship prices. But before that, it was sinkieland

So basically singkieland and ST helping Burma is yesterday's news

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Forum: Laws shouldn’t be flouted while practising religion​

Aug 07, 2024

As the Chinese seventh month starts, so too does the haze return. Not from across the sea but from the nearest oil drum and open wire enclosure with hell notes burning.
While there is a need to respect others’ religions, the practice of these religions should not be at the expense of flouting national laws like those against littering.
The Alliance for Action on Norms for Joss Paper Burning also advises worshippers to not toss or scatter joss paper, and ensure that they clear up their offerings after prayers. Yet many times, the aftermath of a joss paper-burning session can be seen in unburnt and semi-burnt joss papers strewn across grass verges and pavements, clogging drains and canals. Pieces of ash fly into homes. Food offerings are left out overnight, attracting rats and other pests.
What actions can be taken against such irresponsible worshippers?

Adam Reutens-Tan

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

The ESG advocates go after the use of plastic straws but are doing nothing when it comes to use of plastic in supermarkets.

Forum: Cut amount of single-use plastic in supermarkets​

Sep 11, 2024

It has been more than a year since supermarkets in Singapore, mandated by the authorities, started charging consumers for plastic bags.
This caused a major shift in consumer behaviour, as reported in the article “Over 90% of customers bring own bags after mandatory 5-cent charge for plastic bags: NEA survey” (Aug 30).
Is it perhaps time for businesses to go a step further?
In particular, is it time for supermarkets and other retailers to consider reducing the amount of single-use plastic used to package fresh items?
Many fruits and vegetables are packed in plastic punnets, bags or shrink-wrap – the plastics can’t be reused and have to be thrown away.
Wouldn’t it be more environmentally friendly for supermarkets and other retailers to consider selling fruits and vegetables loose?
One could argue that consumers would still be using plastic bags to hold the fruits and vegetables, but those bags can be reused.

Perhaps a deeper study could be done on reducing the amount of plastics that retailers such as supermarkets use.
They should turn to alternatives as part of Singapore’s continuing efforts to be sustainable.

Benny Lai Zhao Wei

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Forum: Do what’s essential but don’t over-protect platform workers​

Sep 11, 2024

I agree that platform workers need to have stronger labour protections, especially for work injury compensation due to the nature of their work. (MPs raise concerns on costs of law to protect platform workers, Sept 10)
But to over-protect platform workers with higher Central Provident Fund contributions for housing and retirement adequacy may not be fair to the rest of the self-employed people who are only required to top up their MediSave contribution annually.
We need to revisit the issue of self-employment. Are these platform workers being agents or staff of such platform providers? The role, responsibility, obligation, compensation and remuneration may differ accordingly.
Not all platform workers are from the lower-income spectrum of society. Some people opt for these jobs because of personal freedom.
Others may not want to upskill or reskill and instead choose a “more relaxed” semi-retirement job.
The more pressing issue for platform workers would be their workplace injury insurance and compensation.
As they are on the move constantly, their protection against personal injury is of utmost importance.

As for housing and retirement adequacy, the platform workers need to sort out their priorities themselves.
Society should not view the platform workers as belonging to the “disadvantaged group”. Such workers should not expect the state to bear the cost of “social justice”.
I fear the social implication on the rest of the self-employed sector, who are also facing increasing competition and may demand more assistance from the state to maintain their livelihoods and standard of living.
Giving more benefits is a popular move. But I hope that the relevant authorities would do only the essential part that is more relevant to the nature of the work. Do not over-protect or over-provide, as it may lead to a deterioration of our work values.

Foo Sing Kheng