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The Workers' Party

[h=1]13.9.1 AJCC Hari Raya Celebration - Memori Lebaran[/h]Updated <abbr title="Tuesday, September 10, 2013 at 1:46am" data-utime="1378748761" class="timestamp">on Monday</abbr> · Taken at Bedok North Ave 2




Photo Credit: Wong Twee Liang
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[URL="https://www.facebook.com/workersparty"]The Workers' Party

[/URL][h=2]Parliamentary Questions for 16 September 2013 Sitting[/h]
September 15, 2013 at 8:57pm
QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER*

*2. Mr Pritam Singh: To ask the Prime Minister in light of the discovery of used election ballot boxes that were not disposed of in a proper manner who was responsible for the lapse and what action has been taken against the person; whether these boxes were for the 2011 presidential election and, if so, whether there was any breach of section 37 of the Presidential Elections Act; whether there were any other ballot boxes or presidential election paraphernalia that were similarly mishandled in the course of the presidential election; and what role does the Elections Department play in ensuring that such episodes do not occur and what oversight responsibilities does the Elections Department have over their appointed contractors.

*4. Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song: To ask the Minister for Health what is the projected annual increase in MediShield payouts if all Singaporeans and permanent residents are enrolled all pre-existing, congenital and neonatal conditions are covered and the maximum coverage age is removed.

*12. Ms Lee Li Lian: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance with regard to the cash component of the GST Voucher why is the Assessable Income (AI) of $24,000 used as a threshold for eligibility; whether the Ministry plans to review this threshold in light of inflation and, if so, when; and whether basic annual salary instead of AI can be used to determine eligibility.

*17. Mr Muhamad Faisal Abdul Manap:
To ask the Minister for Social and Family Development what plans and programmes are put in place to attract young and capable Singaporeans into the social work profession; how will the Government determine 'competitive' pay for social workers and whether their salaries will be pegged to other vocations such as nursing or teaching; how does the Government intend to achieve wage consistency among the 1,400 accredited social workers across different VWOs; and how does the Government intend to ensure career progression and mobility of social workers in order to make the vocation an attractive one.

*31. Mr Png Eng Huat:
To ask the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) if he can provide an update on the number of clubs licensed to operate jackpot machines that have adopted a responsible gaming code; whether an Electronic Funds Transfer at Point of Sale (EFTPOS) system is allowed inside these jackpot rooms; and whether the Ministry will consider standardising the minimum age for entry to such clubs and Singapore Pools with that of the casinos that is currently set at 21 years old.

*42. Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song:
To ask the Minister for National Development what is the current number of applicants on the waiting list for HDB subsidised rental flats; and when will this waiting list be cleared.

*43. Ms Sylvia Lim: To ask the Minister for Health in view of a subsidiary of the multinational pharmaceutical company Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd being found guilty of data fraud by the US Food and Drug Administration in May 2013 whether the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has done a review of all data submitted to it by Ranbaxy; and how HSA ensures Singapore's supply of generic drugs from overseas is safe for use.

*44. Mr Muhamad Faisal Abdul Manap:
To ask the Minister for Communications and Information and Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs in view of the Report of the Auditor General for FY12/13 what are the reasons for the failure to refund Haj administration fees to the 2,369 applicants who cancelled their applications; with regard to the tender called by MUIS in 2007 and 2010 for the supply of korban sheep and ancillary services what is the basis for the contract to be awarded even though the selected vendor did not fulfil some of the mandatory criteria; what are the reasons behind the irregularities found in the tender process; and whether the principles of transparency, and open and fair competition have been properly adhered to during the process.

*49. Ms Lee Li Lian:
To ask the Minister for Transport in assessing the possibility of new public transport routes at Rivervale Crescent whether information on ridership patterns, field surveys and collection of feedback have been obtained; and what is the progress of requests to LTA to consider the possibility of introducing transport services given the new BTO developments in the area.

*52. Mr Png Eng Huat:
To ask the Minister for Health from 2009 to date what is the number of Singaporeans who have used up their annual Medisave withdrawal limit for the treatment of chronic diseases by the September of each year; and what is the age profile of these Singaporeans.

*55. Mr Pritam Singh:
To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs what are the conversion criteria for National Servicemen who seek to convert their military driving licences into civilian driving licences.

*59. Mr Png Eng Huat: To ask the Acting Minister for Manpower of the estimated 151,000 full-time resident workers earning $1,000 or below in basic monthly income from work in June 2012, what percentage of these workers receive the full built-in wage increase of $50 recommended by the NWC in 2012.

*62. Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song: To ask the Minister for Health what is the rationale for some vaccinations, including the pneumococcal disease vaccination, under the National Childhood and Adolescent Immunisation Schedule which are required for Primary One registration being chargeable for Singaporeans at polyclinics; and whether the Ministry will consider making all vaccinations under the Immunisation Schedule free for Singaporeans.

*66. Ms Lee Li Lian:
To ask the Minister for Transport whether the two-car system for the Sengkang Punggol LRT network can be commissioned for service before 2016.

*74. Mr Muhamad Faisal Abdul Manap:
To ask the Minister for Social and Family Development what existing training is available for childcare teachers for managing hyperactive or socially challenging children; what existing mechanisms are available for counselling teachers who are faced with such children; and what types of conflict/classroom management training are given to childcare teachers.

QUESTIONS FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

2. Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance how many foreign nationals or entities have been exempted from paying the 10% additional buyer's stamp duty (ABSD) from 8 December 2011 to 11 January 2013, the 15% ABSD since 12 January 2013 or any other stamp duties when buying residential properties in Singapore because of free trade agreements (FTAs); what is the total amount of stamp duties exempted for these individuals or entities; and whether any FTAs currently under negotiation, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership, have similar concessions for foreign nationals or entities.

3. Mr Chen Show Mao:
To ask the Minister for Trade and Industry whether any of the current incentive schemes applicable to SMEs reward them for increasing their firm-level export intensity (i.e. their share of exports out of total revenue) among other metrics; if so, which schemes are these and whether these schemes stipulate an export-intensity target or threshold; and if not, whether the Ministry will consider studying the scope for including this ratio as a key performance indicator in the award of incentives so as to promote SME exports as a third pillar of Singapore exports and help develop the most export-ready SMEs into Singapore MNCs.

6. Mr Chen Show Mao:
To ask the Minister for National Development whether the current scope of the Home Improvement Programme or the Enhancement for Active Seniors scheme includes remodelling works of bathrooms to make them accessible to wheelchairs and commodes for households with handicapped or non-ambulatory elderly occupants and, if not, whether the Ministry will consider including the works as an improvement that such households may opt for.

8. Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song: To ask the Minister for National Development if he can provide the figures for the median Cash-Over-Valuation for resale HDB flats by town and flat type in each quarter since 2nd Quarter 2007, with a breakdown of buyers by Singapore citizen (SC) households (i.e. households with at least one SC owner) and Singapore permanent resident (SPR) households (i.e. households with SPR but no SC owners).

11. Mr Chen Show Mao:
To ask the Minister for Law for each year from 2007 to 2012, what is the number of undischarged bankrupts aged 45-55 years, 56-65 years and over 65 years; and what percentage of each of these groups of undischarged bankrupts is due to income not matching expenditure, unemployment or business failures.

14. Ms Lee Li Lian:
To ask the Minister for Health with regard to existing Senior Care Centres what is their current capacity; whether the current capacity is able to meet the demand from the public; and whether there are waiting lists for these Senior Care Centres and, if so, how many people are on the lists and what is the average waiting period.

15. Ms Lee Li Lian: To ask the Minister for Transport to date, how many families have applied for transport vouchers; how many vouchers have been given out; whether any families have failed to receive the vouchers due to insufficient supply and, if so, what is the number of such families; and whether the Government will consider offering a longer term transport subsidy such as automatic top-ups on EZ link cards for the low-income instead of one-off vouchers.

19. Mr Muhamad Faisal Abdul Manap:
To ask the Minister for Transport whether LTA will consider allowing a grace period of three working days for motorists to pay the ERP fee upon a violation of the regulations, such as passing through an operational ERP gantry without a properly inserted cash card in the IU or having a cash card with insufficient monetary value, before the imposition of a composition fine.

20. Mr Muhamad Faisal Abdul Manap:
To ask the Minister for Transport in view of the scheduled completion of two HDB rental blocks beside Blocks 535 and 536 in Bedok North Street 3 in 2016, whether there are any plans to enhance the public bus services serving the area.

25. Mr Yee Jenn Jong: To ask the Minister for Education what methods and review processes will schools use to identify and quantify 'leadership', 'drive' and 'resilience' in students under the new Direct School Admission scheme; what changes to the existing curriculum will be required to support these processes; and whether the current class size of around 40 students per class will allow teachers to adequately assess students for these qualities.

26. Mr Yee Jenn Jong: To ask the Minister for Education in order to support the inclusion of qualities of 'leadership', 'drive' and 'resilience' in students under the new Direct School Admission scheme what training will be provided to educators to enable them to identify and quantify such qualities; and what administrative assistance will be provided to educators to support the implementation.

27. Mr Yee Jenn Jong: To ask the Minister for Education whether the Ministry plans to review the Direct School Admission scheme for admissions to secondary schools for students from the Gifted Education Programme.

32. Mr Chen Show Mao:
To ask the Acting Minister for Manpower among the employers and senior workers who have benefitted from the Special Employment Credit scheme which industries do the employers belong to; what kind of jobs are the senior workers employed for; and on average, how long do the senior workers stay on the job, according to industry and job type.
 
Daniel PS Goh


It is good that the PSC is going for multidimensional measurements of merit: not just looking at exam scores, but also extra-curricular activities, psychometrics and interviews. But I am concerned with two things.

First, I don't think affirmative action, whether explicitly or implicitly, should be taken to make sure non-Raffles/HC schools be represented. If anything, I hope the PSC interviews are school-blind and the interviewers not know what schools or background the candidates are coming from. Affirmative action is best done at the level of schools, making sure that all schools get the same amount of resources to educate the kids. Ensure equality of opportunities, not equality of outcomes.

Second, I question the definition of diversity in terms of school background. There is no link between school background diversity and groupthink in the civil service. If the PSC wants to encourage diversity of thought and to avoid groupthink, it would do better to encourage a culture of contrarian expression and debate within the civil service itself and also an ethos of genuine public engagement rather than the solicitation of feedback from a citizenry treated as "demanding".



PSC chairman highlights value of diversity in Singapore public service - Channel NewsAsia
www.channelnewsasia.com

The chairman of the Public Service Commission, Mr Eddie Teo, has written an open letter highlighting the value of diversity in the Singapore public service.
 
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[h=5]Yee Jenn Jong, JJ (余振忠)[/h]举头望明月, 低头思故乡.
Full moon from Bhutan, occasionally piercing through the cloudy night. Out here on a project assignment. Happy Mid-Autumn Festival! 中秋节快乐!



 
THE LONG INTERVIEW

[h=2]Living a life of meaning[/h]
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Workers' Party chairman Sylvia Lim made history in 2003 when she became the first woman to be elected chairman of a political party in Singapore. -- ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE


Ms Sylvia Lim's life has been an intrepid search for meaning. The Workers' Party chairman nearly dropped out of her National University of Singapore law degree course, unable to see how a law degree would benefit society.


Then, in her final year, driving down the Pan-Island Expressway, she saw a police officer directing traffic in the rain.
"That's how law can serve society," she remembers resolving within herself. She decided on a law enforcement career there and then, eventually becoming a police inspector, lawyer and then the first woman to be elected chairman of a political party in Singapore.


In an interview with Susan Long, she opens up on how her political education began as a child at the dinner table, her years in the opposition, and how she draws comfort from her Catholic faith in times of intense pressure.


For the full story, go to http://sph.straitstimes.com/premium/opinion/story/living-life-meaning-20130920
 
Yee Jenn Jong, JJ (余振忠)


Had dinner last evening with a group of Bhutanese comprising banker, parliamentarian, businessman and tour guide association Executive Director. At the centre is Mr Lekey Dorji, chairman of the National Assembly Legislative Committee. Parliament sittings have convened for the first time since the current government was elected in mid July. On Tuesday, the ruling party is pushing to adopt the Rights to Information bill. Mr Lekey will be leading the initiative.


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Daniel PS Goh


While I'm for the ends of this new initiative, to level the playing field for Singaporean workers in the labour market, I'm not sure about the means, the Fair Consideration Framework (FCF). Been bothering me. Three concerns.

First, cost: I wonder how much the FCF will add to hiring cost, which may adversely affect local SMEs a lot more.

Second, psychology: the FCF will raise expectations of Singaporean workers in terms of success in job application, but the outcome may not change as much to meet the raised expectations, which could lead to more disaffection.

Third, gamification: the FCF gives MOM a fair bit of power to interfere with micro-hiring decisions, which may have unintended consequences for the labour market. It introduces "game" into the market, with MOM becoming "police" and employers now all potentially "thief". Singaporean workers could become pawns or tokens in the game, instead of being seriously, fairly considered as assets.

I think we need to address the structural issues (CPF cost of hiring Singaporeans, EP system, risk-averse education, foreign capital dependent economy, etc.), instead of the symptoms. Maybe I am becoming a worrywart. I hope I'm wrong and this FCF proves to be the silver bullet.


Firms to consider Singaporeans fairly for jobs - Channel NewsAsia
[url]www.channelnewsasia.com

The Manpower Ministry on Monday announced new rules that require employers to consider Singaporeans fairly, before hiring skilled professional foreigners.


[/URL]
 
Daniel PS Goh

I think so too; he should have passed the political baton on earlier. There is such a thing as too much legacy.

On a minor but significant point, I really cannot tahan the following line: "For a man who inherited a marshy island and turned it into a modern-day miracle of superstructures".

Please lah, Singapore was not a fishing village when the British left us to our own devices. It was already a metropolis for a long time with excellent port and other infrastructure. There is a reason why the Japanese fought their way down Malaya with Singapore as the prize. Some visuals to prove the point -- travel films from 1938 and 1957 promoting Singapore as tourist destination: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvvhY6DtfZs, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nw7toyYrqjs

Balji is not the first (nor last) to do this hyperbole. I see this kind of narrative attributing superhuman ability to Lee in serious academic articles too. Don't even talk about popular views.

As Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew was indeed the excellent leader we needed. We should honour him. But the people of Singapore built this country on the solid legacy left behind by the British. No need to deify (and to desecrate) "LKY".



What LKY should have done
theindependent.sg
By P.N. BALJI A frail Lee Kuan Yew marked his 90th birthday on September 16 in a country that is transitioning from his iron-fisted form of democracy to a new style of politics that will emerge in



 
Daniel PS Goh


ST celebrates the new demography? Headline: "Population growth slowest in 9 years", with the statistics, "Singapore's population grew to 5.4 million in June this year, a 1.6 per cent annual increase that is the slowest in nine years."

I like this giveaway line in the text: "This new pace of growth still falls within the 1.3 per cent to 1.6 per cent range which the Government used in its controversial Population White Paper that forecast Singapore's population to top 6.9 million by 2030."

And the quotes that followed: "MP Liang Eng Hwa said that 'at this pace, the growth is more sustainable'. ... MP Inderjit Singh, a strong critic of the White Paper, found comfort in the figures." ST being ironic?:)
 
Yee Jenn Jong, JJ (余振忠)

Singaporeans Day in Bhutan yesterday - Had dinner with 2 Singaporeans on 9-month work in Thimphu and a Finnish on UN Volunteers programme here for a year. When I was back to my hotel, I was surprised to find Temasek Foundation hosting a dinner for Bhutanese government officials after a workshop in my hotel. I had attended that same workshop in Singapore a few months ago. In my 2 trips here this year, I had met just about all the Singaporeans on mid-long term stay in Bhutan, except for a teacher whom I heard is in the more remote eastern part of Bhutan. I find it refreshing interacting with these Singaporeans who have either chosen to stay long term here due to marriage or to have a career break for mid-term engagement in a developing country.




 
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I recall once while in Junior College, some from our class initiated a night hike across Pulau Ubin island. We trekked through plantations and reached the northern end of the island when it was pitch dark and camped there for the night. The next day, we packed up to go. Some of us had left their rubbish behind in the deserted beach. One of the group members picked up the rubbish and carried these with him. The nearest dustbin must be at least 5 km away, back through the plantations we had trekked through. No one else would know we had put rubbish in the beach if we had done so. Yet this member reminded us that we should handle our waste properly. So everyone picked up every bit of waste that we had created on the beach and lugged it till we came to the next dustbin.

I can still remember this till today because it was a powerful message sent by one member to the rest in the group that we can take control of our environment. We can choose to keep it clean. We can choose to change and inspire others to change. Never underestimate the power of a few to inspire others to change by your simple actions. Jurwa – for a better world.




 
I asked this question during the 16 September 2013 sitting of Parliament. I wanted to find out how much more in claims MediShield is expected to bear under the proposed MediShield Life scheme, which is going to cover all Singaporeans, including those above the age of 90 and those with pre-existing health conditions.


Projected increase in MediShield payouts under MediShield Life | geraldgiam.sg
geraldgiam.sg
I asked this question during the 16 September 2013 sitting of Parliament. I wanted to find out how much more in claims MediShield is expected to bear under the proposed MediShield Life scheme, which is going to


 

[h=5][URL="https://www.facebook.com/yeejj.wp"]Yee Jenn Jong, JJ (余振忠)
[/h]Children's Day is recognized on various days in many places around the world, to honour children globally. It was first proclaimed by the World Conference for the Well-being of Children in 1925 and then established universally in 1954 to protect an "appropriate" day.

Source: Wikipedia

Children's Day is first Friday of October in Singapore. Happy Children's Day!



[/URL]
 
Yee Jenn Jong, JJ (余振忠)

Delivered a 45-min talk cum Q&A on Social Media in Singapore to a group of around 40 community government officials from various parts of Bhutan last Friday. The talk was part of a 3-day media training workshop by the Bhutan Centre for Media and Democracy. FB has become a huge phenomenal amongst the youths in Bhutan in the last few years. 2 weeks ago, I had a focus group meeting with 2 groups of Bhutanese trainee teachers. I asked what is the first thing they do whenever they get hold of the Internet. The unanimous response was "check FB".

While researching for my talk, I was surprised to find a particular Singapore government agency with a hugely popular FB site. The site has over 335,000 Likes and active comments by Netizens. There are useful lessons for others on how this agency managed its social media engagement. Guess which Singapore agency has such high popularity.


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Daniel PS Goh

I've been having a great time helping at Punggol East grassroots, thanks to the wonderful residents, volunteers, MP and her Legislative Assistant. Learning a lot too. Yesterday's Kids Health Carnival was the best experience yet. :)

It was my son's first Children's Day since he started walking and he was very thrilled to join the PECC celebrations at Blk 156B Rivervale Crescent. He started the morning doodling with Uncle Azman and Miyuki Zehzeh (older sister) and wondering at the magic show by Uncle Jenn Jong.

Mommy and her friends were busy with face-painting, while papa was helping to make sure things ran smoothly for the over 200 children who came with their parents. Liane Zehzeh, who was the emcee introducing the nutritionist and the doctor giving health talks, brought him to the games stalls to knock down cans and throw hoops at the food pyramid. Sweebee Zehzeh, who organised the event, brought him to the train-shaped bouncing castle sponsored by Uncle Ringo. But he was too young to play with the other children, so he was happily bouncing on the inflatable wheel. The only stall he didn't try was the balloon sculpture stall because the queue was too long! When we ended just after noon, Li Lian Zehzeh and Jacky Gorgor (older brother) wanted to bring him home. He had already missed his nap and lunch, and still he didn't want to go home.

Thank you Punggol East for hosting us and making it a very memorable Children's Day.

Reported by: Daniel Goh
Photo Credit: Jacky Koh Chee Koon
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