Public Order Act: Hail BB?

Public Order Act: Hail BB?

Parliament passed the Public Order Act on 13/04/09, which was 2 days ago. Out of 84 MPs and NMPs, 81 said ‘Aye’ and 3 said ‘Nay’. The 3 person, Mr. Siew Kum Hong, Mr. Low Thia Khiang and Ms. Sylvia Lim voted no. For that, I’m grateful that there are still independent souls in the parliament. I applaud them for standing for what they perceived as excessive power delegation. For the 81, I wish that you will be able to sleep well at night.
What is the big fuss about Public Order Act? Look at the Move-On Power and Order on Filming.

Purpose of the move-on power is to prevent certain undesirable individual from creating trouble during major event in Singapore. Which beg me to ask the question, are they targeting Dr. Chee and his so call undesirable associate? If the undesirable individual is a foreigner, shouldn’t he/she be barred from entering Singapore? UEFA and FIFA conduct selective barring for notorious English hooligan, why can’t it be done this way unless… the threat is from within? Are the government so afraid?

What about order on filming? The Law Minister is right! We shouldn’t be aiding potential terrorist like what happen in Mumbai! Well dear, that is because you have only been fed half the story by the 144th placed ST! What happen in Mumbai? The terrorist are able to see the movement of the police from the TV in the hold-up buildings. From the TV dear. It’s from the mainstream journalist. Obviously the government is barking up the wrong tree. How could the video from passer-bys be aired simultaneously by the mainstream media which is state-controlled by the way, meaning there is no rogue TV company out to ream the ass of the police. IF the government is sincere to prevent a Mumbai 2, it should be looking at the direction of mainstream journalist. Or are they afraid of having to explain this…


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HECMVdl-9SQ


This was taken during the recently concluded G20 meeting in London. Had not a passer-by taken a video of this. No one will know how did Ian Tomlinson died. I did not buy Mr. Shanmugam’s explanation:

For example, on the issue of the police potentially abusing their powers in stopping a person from filming, he said: 'Mr Siew's perception is that all police officers will behave illegally. They'll be smart and they'll direct deletion because they don't want a record of what they have just done.

'I come from the opposite perspective. I think we come from the perspective that our officers are fundamentally honest...'

Link: Straits Time

Is this a joke? Fundamentally honest? Explain this to me.

Sir, the only way you can prove to the whole of Singapore that what you said above was true is to show us that every policemen in Singapore is God Almighty himself! The policemen in UK is not different than the policemen in Singapore. Human and prone to abuses. Prove it to me that every single policemen is God Almighty himself and I’ll rest my case and support you!

What surprise me is the blanket hush hush by MSM on another side of the POA. Now, one is enough to get you arrested. One I mean is one person demonstrating. Don’t believe me? See this:

The new laws apply even if it is a one-person demonstration. The previous Public Entertainments and Meetings Act had governed groups of four or less, and the Miscellaneous Offences (Public Order and Nuisance) Act, groups of five or more.


Thus, the change would “move away from a proscription based on the number of participants”, to focus on the nature of the activity – that is, whether it is disruptive, Mr Shanmugam, who is also Law Minister, explained.


But several MPs took issue with the fact that the new laws would apply to even a single person, which Non-Constituency MP Sylvia Lim felt was tantamount to “giving the state complete control over an individual citizen’s freedoms”.

Link: Singapore Law Watch

I see now that one person demonstration is perceived as dangerous. I see. I didn’t know the government so ??? we all Singaporean who are famous for being such pussy whips that one person is enough to create havoc and chaos! Or are the government just afraid? Why are you afraid when you’ve done nothing wrong?

In his conclusion, Mr. Shanmugam argued that it boils down to how much Singaporean “trust” the government. I see, like…

Trust the government to blow away billions of dollars away?
Trust the government that organ trading is ok?
Trust the government to suggest dumping the elderly at JB?
Trust the government to let a terrorist escape(if he really did…)?
Trust the government to dish out obscene bonus?
Thanks but no thanks. The government can keep it’s trust to itself and I’ll keep mine to myself.

Oh, Mr. Shanmugam also raised that space for political expression has expanded substantially since 2000. Noted. True only if you’re either Ah Tiongs or Ang Mohs. But if you’re a Singaporean wearing a kangaroo shirt outside Supreme Court, you get this.

Being a vigilant citizen, I got to report that the US State Department have impugn on the reputation of our country judicial system! The incriminating evidence can be found here! How dare America insult my country esteemed judiciary! Singapore! What are you waiting for? Summon the whole of the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor to Singapore to stand trial like the 3 idiots who wear the kangaroo shirt!

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Singapore could get second stimulus: Financial Times

Singapore could get second stimulus: Financial Times

Singapore may get a boost following its worst ever economic performance – a staggering 19.7 percent slump in the first three months of this year compared with the last quarter, unprecedented since the government began compiling such data in 1976. The Financial Times says:

The poor economic data could set the stage for a much-discussed second stimulus package on top of a S$20.5bn (US$13.7bn) programme announced in January.

Lee Hsien Loong, the prime minister, said: “The crisis will eventually pass, but we will not be back to the situation before 2007. This is therefore an opportune time for the government to review our policies and strategies.”

Currently Malaysia has a bigger stimulus package than Singapore, according to the Wall Street Journal. Malaysia is spending $18.5 billion or 9.3 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) while Singapore is spending $13.6 billion or 8 percent of its GDP. In GDP terms, Singapore has the third biggest stimulus package in the region, smaller only than China’s and Malaysia’s.

South Korea has the second biggest stimulus package in absolute terms, worth $53.1 billion, but in GDP terms it is the fourth biggest, at 6.8 percent.

China is spending $586 billion or 12 percent of its GDP.

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More Laws for Public Order....

More Laws for Public Order....

Singapore has passed a new set of laws for public order:
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/422051/1/.html

Not that the old set wasn't working. It is just that we have to be more vigilant given the rising unemployment, bigger income gap and growing number of people disenfranchised so a new set of laws are required. Hungry people ought to be saving their energy by staying at home instead of protesting on the streets....and jobless people ought to be looking for jobs and people who disagree and want to change the system should just shut-up. What better way to achieve greater order.

Under the new Bill, three types of activities will require permits: Those that demonstrate support for or against views or actions of any person, group of persons or any government; those that publicises a cause or campaign; and those that mark or commemorate any event.

You will now need a permit to "commemorate any event". What has public order got to do with commemorating something?

The Act will also give police officers new powers to issue pre-emptive "move-on" orders, which will be in written form, ordering demonstrators not to congregate at the intended rally area, or give them a chance to leave without getting arrested.

The Act will also prohibit the film of law enforcement operations.

How was the abuse of power by police discovered and presecuted? 90% of the time by people who happened to have film the incident - be it the Rodney King case or the most recent use of violence against protestors during the G20 [Link]- these incidents were all caught on film. We have better policemen that the rest of the world? They use secret edge tactics that cannot be filmed?

The ultimate justification given by Second Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam:

"Have we gotten that balance right? Well, ask yourselves two questions. In our region, which country would you rather be in? And amongst the countries in the world which became independent in the 1950s and 60s, which country would you rather be in?"

The answer is simple. In this region I rather be in Singapore not because of its draconian public order laws but because it is my home and it is a modern city. Let me turn around to ask this question if Singaporeans want these draconian laws that repress the populace even more making it difficult for people to protest for worthy causes and injustice, why are so many Singaporeans lining up and waiting to emigrate to US, Australia, UK and New Zealand which do not have such draconian laws and allow protests. There are more people in Singapore whose security are adversely affected by loan sharks(10,000 counting just official reports last year) that terrorise the HDB dwellers than by peaceful protestors - you don't see the PAP govt proactively enacting laws to protect Singaporeans from loan sharks. These set of public order laws have little to do with the people's safety or security and every thing to do with preserving the system that allows the PAP thrive, hang on to power and repressing dissent and stopping much needed changes in our society....

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Singapore is dropping quickly; dismal growth expected for the ASEAN countries

Singapore is dropping quickly; dismal growth expected for the ASEAN countries

Rebecca Wilder | Apr 14, 2009

Singapore's Ministry of Trade and Industry announced a downward revision to its 2009 annual growth forecast on worse-than-expected advanced estimate for Q1 2009 growth, -11.5% since Q1 2008. This is a shocking report, representing a precipitous decline in economic activity in Singapore, and likewise, for the regional ASEAN-5 (the original members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN).

Counter-attack at Aware

April 15, 2009

Counter-attack at Aware

160 veterans to table no-confidence vote at extraordinary meeting

By Wong Kim Hoh, Senior Writer
		Former Aware president and Nominated Member of Parliament Braema Mathi, who is in the group calling for an EOGM, said members need to know more from the new exco. -- ST PHOTO: DESMOND FOO

THE old guard at the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware) has launched a counter-attack after several unknowns seized the leadership at its recent elections.

A group of 160 veterans are calling for an extraordinary general meeting (EOGM) where they intend to table a vote of no confidence in the new executive council.

In a statement on Tuesday, they expressed concern over the unusual nature of the March 28 annual general meeting 'when a large number of new members turned up and appeared to vote for several office bearers, all of whom are also new members'.

Older members present were shocked when the newcomers contested and won almost all positions, beating more seasoned members by wide majorities.

Those calling for an EOGM also found it disturbing that Mrs Claire Nazar, who was elected president without a contest, resigned within days.

The new exco members have yet to make known publicly who they are, how they are connected, what prompted them to take over in the manner that they did, or their plans for Singapore's leading women's group.

Repeated attempts to reach exco members for comments have drawn a blank since last week.

Ms Corinna Lim, 44, a spokesman for the old guard group, told The Straits Times: 'It is necessary to have an EOGM because we need an open discussion of what their agenda is.

'We've had a lot of calls from concerned members but we have had no communication from the new exco.'

Ms Lim, a corporate counsel, said that under the Aware constitution, an EOGM must be called if 10 per cent of the membership ask for one in writing. Given the rules, it could be held within a month.

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Singapore's worst economy -11.5%

April 15, 2009

Singapore economy

Not as bad as it looks

Downward revision by Govt comes on the heels of a poor first quarter

By Alvin Foo
		Singapore also revised downward its outlook for 2009 and now expects GDP to contract by 6 to 9 per cent compared with the previous forecast for the economy to shrink by 2 - 5 per cent. -- ST PHOTO: CAROLINE CHIA

SINGAPORE on Tuesday released the worst set of economic data in the nation's history and slashed its growth projection for the year, after exports collapsed in the first quarter by more than expected.

But economists say these grim figures largely reflect past trauma and do not necessarily mean the current economic situation is worsening significantly.

Economy may shrink 6-9% SINGAPORE'S full-year economic growth forecast was revised dramatically downwards by the Government on Tuesday - the third such change in less than four months. The Government now expects Singapore's gross domestic product (GDP) to shrink between 6 and 9 per cent this year, instead of the 2 to 5 per cent contraction thought previously. ... more RELATED LINKS MTI REVISES FORECASTS

The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) yesterday said the economy shrank in the first quarter by a drastic 11.5 per cent over the previous year and 20 per cent over the previous quarter - both record declines.

On the back of these numbers, the Government also downgraded its growth forecasts as well as its trade projections for the full year.

However, the dismal first-quarter figures are advance estimates that were heavily weighted on numbers from January and February, which bore the brunt of the downturn, said economists.

They added that more recent data, including last month's export figures that were also released yesterday, actually show an encouraging trend of economic improvement.

Exports in March rose a better-than-expected 11 per cent over February, on top of a 1.6 per cent rise in February over January, according to International Enterprise (IE) Singapore.

Although exports last month were still some 17 per cent lower than a year ago, the month-on-month increase was 'staggeringly strong', said HSBC economist Robert Prior-Wandesforde.

'It is the first back-to-back monthly rise we've seen in exports since July-August 2007, and it's also the biggest two-month rise since December 2005.'

The rise in exports stemmed mainly from an increase in shipments to mainland China and Hong Kong, underpinning the 'nascent rebound' in the Chinese economy following Beijing's multibillion-dollar stimulus package, noted OCBC economist Selena Ling.

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Wong Kan Seng: The Evolving Face of Terrorism

15 April 2009
The ISD Intelligence Service Promotion Ceremony - Speech By Mr Wong Kan Seng, Deputy Prime Minister & Minister For Home Affairs, 15 April 2009

The Evolving Face of Terrorism

If there is one constant in security work, it is change. The security landscape is never static. New threats will arise, and old threats evolve and take new forms. Those responsible for the security of our country must always be ready to expect the unexpected. I had said two years ago that there are no boundaries to what the terrorists of today will not try, that they are limited only by their imagination and skills. We were reminded of this in November when they mounted a “swarm attack” by sea in Mumbai. Since then, we have witnessed similar fiyadeen-type attacks in Kabul and Lahore. It is clear from these incidents that terrorist modus operandi is not limited to suicide hijackers, vehicle bombs or improvised explosive devices. The range of targets has also expanded to include hospitals and sporting teams.

2 The terrorists’ aim is to impose their will by subjugating societies into submission, undermining existing political order and creating communal tensions. To achieve this, everything and everyone is fair game. They have no scruples killing women and children, the weak and the vulnerable. They will not stop at conventional explosives and small arms, but will try to procure chemical, biological and radiological weapons. Our water supplies, food supplies, info-communication systems, hotels and restaurants are all possible targets, not just government buildings and transport infrastructures.

3 If we allow ourselves to be lulled into complacency because there have been no major attacks in our region in the last few years, or dismiss lightly possible terrorist threats, we do so at our own peril. We have to sustain a high level of vigilance. For example, we have to work on the assumption that all the high profile events we are organising this year including sporting events such as the Asian Youth Games and Formula One race, are possible terrorist opportunities.

4 We know that the JI is still active in our region. There have been attempts by some members to regroup and rejuvenate their cause, including attempts to re-establish links with Al-Qaeda and militants in the Middle East. Other JI members are simply consolidating and biding their time because of the tough security actions by regional governments. We must be alert for signs that they and other radical groups are stepping up their recruitment efforts or militant activities. If they think that governments are preoccupied with elections and the global economic crisis, and would not pay attention to security issues, they may then try to capitalise on it to gain more ground.

2009: Other Security Challenges

5 In the year ahead, there are other security challenges we will face.

6 First, some local and foreign groups may use the APEC Summit in Singapore later this year to promote their agendas through unlawful means. They may try to instigate our citizens to break the law through acts of civil disobedience, like staging street protests and demonstrations. Some foreigners may themselves decide to come to Singapore to participate in such activities.

7 We have just seen the G20 protests in London. Thousands of protestors had taken to the streets, with the more violent among them damaging public property and business premises. In Thailand over the last one year, thousands of protestors have caused grave damage not just to physical property, but to livelihoods and the economy of the country as tourists are staying away. We have also seen on television street battles between protestors and authorities, causing injuries to many people and some have died as a result. I do not believe that Singaporeans would want such violence to happen here, and with what we have seen time and again in other countries, it would be naïve of us to believe that nothing untoward will happen during street demonstrations.

8 In Singapore, it is only a tiny group of irresponsible and selfish individuals who have been pushing this line of civil disobedience. They do not care for the interests and safety of other Singaporeans; they are only interested in themselves. There are avenues for them to express their views within the bounds of the law. Unlawful activities will not be tolerated. Parliament has just passed the Public Order Act to deal with those intent on disrupting public order. We will implement the law firmly. Similarly, while we welcome foreigners to Singapore, those who come here to subvert our laws will not be welcomed.

9 More critically, as many important heads of state and government will be here for the APEC Summit, we have to anticipate that it may attract terrorist interest. This is why we have to be very firm during that period with protestors and anarchists who may engage in acts of violence, or deliberately cause law and order problems. We cannot afford to be distracted from our graver mission of ensuring the security of the event, the delegates and Singaporeans against terrorists.

10 Secondly, during an economic downturn, it is natural for some people to turn to religion for comfort and support. The freedom of religion is guaranteed in our Constitution. Nevertheless, we must remember that Singapore is a secular, multi-ethnic, multi-religious society. It is only by keeping strictly to this most fundamental tenet that we will be able to hold together as a society, when each community is confident that they have an equal right to practise their faith, and that no one religion is above the others in the eyes of the state.

11 ISD has a critical responsibility in helping to ensure that individuals and incidents do not threaten our racial and religious harmony. ISD officers will have to continue to be on the alert for over-zealous elements or those who attempt to mix religion with politics. There is also a need to ensure that Singaporeans do not take actions or make irresponsible comments that could give rise to religious tensions. The media, on its part, must exercise responsibility and sensitivity when reporting on issues with racial and religious implications. Ethnic conflicts often start with small sparks.

12 The imperative to preserve social cohesion and communal harmony is non-negotiable in the best of times, but even greater in an economic downturn when the population is under stress.

Moving Ahead

13 I know that the past year has been a particularly difficult one for ISD. You had to face the reality that security lapses led to the escape of Mas Selamat Kastari. I know that ISD officers, more than any one else, were deeply pained over this. Years of hard, gruelling work that led to the successful disruption of terrorist plots and the capture of numerous terrorists were set back by that lapse. Years of quiet work in the background successfully dealing with potentially explosive race and religious incidents, espionage and other security threats, have been overshadowed.

14 It has been and continues to be a testing time for the Department. I understand that at one time or another, officers from all the various commands have been deployed to work on the case which for some, involved taking on an entirely new type of assignment for the first time in their career. I have been regularly updated on the Department’s efforts to track Mas Selamat Kastari down. I have no doubt of your determination. I have confidence that with patience – which has always been a virtue of the Department – we will recapture him. The keen sense of fellowship and camaraderie among ISD officers, of being one family through thick and thin, that I have seen particularly during this trying episode, will see you through this, and make all of you even stronger.

15 Most importantly, I am happy to see that ISD officers have not allowed the setback to dishearten or distract you from your mission of countering the multi-faceted security threats we face. Even as you continue to hunt for Mas Selamat Kastari, you have been equally unrelenting in monitoring and tackling other security threats, at times, I know, stretching yourselves beyond the limits.

16 These are challenging times as we navigate through uncharted economic storms. The security milieu is not spared. ISD officers must maintain a keen sense of the pulse of society, keep your eye on the ball, and meet the security challenges head on, staying resolute in your mission to maintain the internal security and stability of our country.

17 Let me end by congratulating the deserving officers who have been promoted. I would also like to commend all ISD officers for your contributions and sacrifices through a very challenging year. Thank you.

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