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The Chinese language New 12 months interval is a time for the household. This previous week, the heartwarming however bittersweet story of a person who mentioned that he searches for images of his late grandmother on Google Maps each time he misses her through the Lunar New 12 months season touched the hearts of many viewers. The picture is from 840 Hougang Central from February 2009 and reveals an aged woman carrying baggage and an umbrella. The video has since been seen over 100,000 instances and resonated with many.
But, as all of us gush over this touching account, there stay many aged and lonely folks in Singapore. Outdated folks doing back-breaking work well beyond retirement age is unfortunately a comparatively widespread sight in Singapore. We’re a rustic that respects our elders. However but, outdated folks doing guide labour continues to be a sorry sight that has not decreased. Why is that?
Whereas the Authorities has usually mentioned that many aged folks need to work, is that this true? On the a part of the final populace, can we do extra?
For instance, how usually will we cease to thank the outdated staff who clear up after us in espresso retailers? Even when we can not change their monetary state of affairs, we are able to nonetheless acknowledge them and make them really feel like part of society. Or, how usually will we give a tip to the aged cleaners? In the identical means, we tip our servers at eating places, shouldn’t we additionally give a tip to those that hold our public companies clear?
Can extra of our state’s assets be allotted to assist alleviate poverty among the many aged?
But, it might appear that numerous assets have been allotted to points that appear like non-issues.
For instance, Minister for Regulation and House Affairs, Okay Shanmugam mentioned that the police are nonetheless investigating the conduct of Employees’ Occasion (WP) leaders Pritam Singh and Faisal Manap over the matter of ex-WP member of parliament (MP) Raeesah Khan mendacity in Parliament. In discussing this matter, you will need to do not forget that we’ve got already had a full-blown inquiry into this by the Committee of Privileges over a yr in the past. It’s also crucial to say that it was Ms Khan who informed the lie. Not Mr Manap or Mr Singh. With this in thoughts, is there nonetheless something to analyze?
In any case, don’t we’ve got greater issues within the nation?
Singapore is going through inflation, like the remainder of the world. The prices of housing and meals are all growing because the nation faces rising gas costs and Items & Providers Tax (GST) hikes. Amid these rising prices of residing bread and butter points, shouldn’t extra assets be utilised to unravel these issues over investigating one thing that, in actuality, is already properly previous its expiry date?
Because the saying goes, why flog a useless horse?
Additional, if the police are nonetheless investigating Mr Manap and Mr Singh, why aren’t the police investigating Ivan Lim? Whereas the Individuals’s Motion Occasion (PAP) has cleared Ivan Lim of any wrongdoing, does the get together have the legitimacy to clear Mr Lim of corruption allegations? Certainly, this needs to be a police case?
Are we allocating state assets successfully?
Additional, one has to marvel – had Mr Lim been from the WP versus the PAP, would he have been referred to the police?
Speaking of the PAP, MP for Macpherson Single Member Constituency Tin Pei Ling has garnered press consideration for becoming a member of Seize Singapore as its director of public affairs and coverage. Many netizens had been involved that her appointment with Seize may result in a battle of curiosity along with her MP duties.
As an MP, Ms Tin would have an affect in shaping the insurance policies that have an effect on corporations in Singapore. Would Seize Singapore take pleasure in an undue profit from having a serving MP amongst its workers?
Ms Tin addressed these considerations in a considerably obscure method saying the next:
“I’m completely clear that when I’m discharging my duties in my capability as an MP, my constituents and Singapore come first. When I’m engaged on behalf of Seize, I must be certain that Seize’s pursuits are safeguarded.”
But when we had been to dissect this assertion, it’s about as clear as mud. She is saying each duties are essential, however what if there’s a battle between them? Whose pursuits might be trumped?
What if Seize’s enterprise pursuits led to coverage modifications that might negatively have an effect on MacPherson SMC residents? What then?
Ms Tin ought to by no means have put herself in a state of affairs the place there might be a possible battle of curiosity. As Tan Bah Bah, consulting editor of TheIndependent.SG says:
“It could be doable to put on the 2 hats – however provided that Seize itself recognises very clearly and publicly that she has to have the ability to symbolize her constituents with no worry or favour. Her constituents should come first in any battle between their pursuits and people of Seize. In any other case, it’s higher for her to step down as MP and pursue her future in Seize.”
Tin Pei Ling: Pursuits of MacPherson constituents should come first
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