1, 2, TREE, 4, Fi, Sic, 7, Egg

Sounds familiar?? Other than the usual lah, lor, meh and mah...

The Speak Good English Movement is a nationwide movement to encourage Singaporeans to speak grammatically correct English that is universally understood. The program was launched in 2000 by then Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong.

I didn't even know of this initiative until today while reading "My Paper" and sipping my morning coffee. A bright banner with colorful words flashing "Six Lives. One Launguage."

To find out more, click here...

Project "Corporate Doors"

Photo Source : Yellow Ribbon Project website

The aim of this new initiative, "Corporate Doors" was mooted by the Industrial and Services Co-operative Society and the Singapore Business Federation, is to get companies to hire at least one ex-offender to give them a chance at a new lease of life. More than 50 companies have already signed up for the Corporate Doors initiative.

The recidivism rate of prisoners is going down – in 1988, 44 per cent of ex-convicts landed in jail again, but by 2006, the figure was down to 25 per cent.

The Yellow Ribbon Project (official launch in 2004) has been successful in raising public awareness about the difficulties and challenges of ex-offenders and their families. , meaning they would be employing at least one ex-offender in their company.

It is encouraging that the Government has been supporting such projects to re-introduce the ex-inmates into the society and giving them a chance to start life afresh.

Race and Religion in Singapore Politics

Photo Source

An article from Channel News Asia which I found interesting especially after the PM Lee's speech on racial harmony.

Text as below :

"In a rare speech in Parliament on Wednesday, Singapore's Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew pointed out what he feels are the stark realities of race relations in Singapore. While one of the basic rules of governance here is to keep the state secular, political observers said race and religion can never be truly separated from Singapore's political structure.

84-year-old Othman Wok is one of Singapore's pioneer leaders. He was the first minister to be put in charge of Muslim affairs before the portfolio was formalised in Cabinet. He explained that while his role was to oversee specific issues concerning his community, such as the building of mosques and pilgrimage arrangements, there was also the task of being the intermediary between the government and the minority Muslim community. "To see that everybody is treated equally because these communities sometimes have their own problems. So for the Muslims, you have to have a Malay who understands their problem," he said. "The government gets feedback from whoever's in charge - What is the best way to solve this? Why did it happen? Although it's peaceful, sometimes little things can happen. Part of my role was to see that race relations between the Muslims and the rest were smooth."

The position of Minister-in-Charge of Muslim Affairs was formalised in 1977. Today, it is a position held by Minister of Environment and Water Resources Yaacob Ibrahim.

Having lived through the 1964 race riots, Mr Othman knows too well that race relations are delicate. "It's always there. The only thing is to calm it down, to keep it down so that it won't flare up again. My generation, the future generation – it's the same thing," he said.

Other ministers have also been informally tasked to oversee the Indian and Eurasian communities – Senior Minister S Jayakumar for the Indian community and Foreign Minister George Yeo for the Eurasian community.

Eugene Tan, assistant professor, School of Law, Singapore Management University, said: "I think we have reached a stage where if any particular religious or racial community feels insecure, our ethnic peace and stability would be under threat. "When individual communities' identities are secure, I think that would contribute to the overall peace and stability that we've enjoyed. It's part of the whole exercise of confidence building." Some point to the Group Representation Constituency (GRC) system, which ensures minority representation in Parliament, as another example of the reality of Singapore politics with regard to race and religion.

Bilveer Singh, political scientist from the National University of Singapore, explained: "In housing, there is no place in Singapore where a minority is a majority. If you play politics and leave it to the state of nature, there will not be a single Indian or Malay in Parliament through a natural process, so you have to politicise race and religion on this count for the sake of a bigger good. "This is a benign politicisation, compared to maligned politicisation. Maligned politicisation would be a Chinese, Malay or Indian (who) asserts and demands that the state play politics according to one's race, religion. The GRC is not about creating a Malay or a Chinese or an Indian constituency per se, but it's about representation. "We politicise race and religion in a very indirect fashion. If you don't do so, politics of race and religion will become de facto a reality because the minorities will say, 'I am not just being under-represented, I am being unrepresented' and the bomb will explode."

Even after 50 years of self-governance, observers said race and religion will continue to shape Singapore's politics, especially with the triple threats of increasing religiosity, ethnic flash points around the region and rising number of new immigrants. No national policy has ever been framed to benefit one particular race or religion, and that is the essence of being a meritocratic, secular society. While every group has its own ethnic autonomous space, this cannot override the common Singaporean space. Increasing the common space for all Singaporeans is key, even for ethnic-based self-help groups.

Today, these groups have evolved to form broad partnerships. For example, Mendaki, SINDA and the CDAC have jointly organised job fairs and offer joint tuition programmes to serve all races."

Ghost Festival - 20 Aug 09

Today, is the 1st day of the Ghost Festival. It is celebrated during the 7th month of the Chinese Lunar calendar.

During this month, the gates of hell are opened up and spirits are free to roam the earth where they seek food and entertainment. These spirits are believed to be ancestors of those who have forgotten to pay tribute to them after they had died, or those who have suffered deaths and were never given a proper ritual for a send-off.

Family members would offer prayers to their deceased relatives and would burn joss paper. Such paper items are only valid in the underworld, which is why they burn it as offering to the ghosts that have come from the gates of hell. Like in the material world, the afterlife is very similar in some aspects, and the paper effigies of material goods would provide comfort to those who have nothing in the afterlife. People would also burn other things such as paper houses, cars, luxury goods to appease the spirits.

One of the most significant things about the Ghost Festival is the getai. These are live performances meant to entertain the spirits and give the "brothers" a good time during their month out.

Click here to find out more...

National Day Rally 2009 - 16 Aug

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (PM) focused on four key issues in his sixth National Day Rally speech

• the economy
• healthcare
• social harmony
• shaping Singapore together

PM mentioned that Singapore has seen the worst of the current recession and although a subdued recovery is expected for the global economy, the country can still grow by sharpening its skills and enlarging its market share. Mr Lee reminded workers to adapt and upgrade themselves.

Mr Lee also acknowledged Singapore's aging population and how the Government is constantly reviewing its policies to adapt to the changing demographics of the nation.

He also spoke at length on the need to maintain social cohesion, particularly racial and religious harmony, which he said will continue to play an important role in Singapore's society.

To watch the Rally or read the text, click here...

For the speech highights, click here...

Marsiling National Day Dinner (08 Aug 2009)

This year National Day Dinner was held on the 08 Aug at our Marsiling very own Mega Hardcourt. Every constituency in Singapore will organise their own National Day Dinner celebration, the aim of this event is to celebrate Singapore's birthday and also to strengthen the bonds among Marsiling residents.

 

This year, we saw around 2000 residents attending this event. Community leaders who had served more than 20 years also received their long service award from our advisor, Mr. Hawazi.

 

Performers from various schools and marsiling very own grassroots organisations are involved in this event to bring this community celebration to a greater height!

 

This year, we are glad to have Mr. Khaw, Minister for Health to grace the event.

 

We hope to see you in next year "party". 

Positive thinking for a Healthy Mind

Mental health is more than the absence of mental illness. It influences how we feel about ourselves, our relationships and our ability to manage changes, transitions and life events. It can affect anyone, young and the old. It could be caused by work stress or social pressures, find out more on this nationwide campaign by the Health Promotion Board to encourage positive thinking... click here

Raksha Bandhan - 10 Aug 09

"Raksha Bandhan" is a traditional Indian festival aimed at strengthening bonds between siblings. Women or sisters tie special strings called "rakhi" on the wrists of their brothers as well as close male friends whom they consider to be brothers. It's looked upon as a form of blessing. To find out more, click here...

Pledge Moment 2009

Today, Singapore celebrates its 44th birthday with a bash! From Beijing to Jakarta, and even Afghanistan, Singaporeans overseas also took part in the mass pledge taking to showcase their solidarity and unity to the country we call Home.

The Pledge Moment - Sembawang McDonalds

Photo contributed by Goh Peng Hong

Happy 44th Birthday Singapore!

Pledge Moment - 9 Aug 2009 @8.22pm

With Singapore celebrating her 44 birthday this year, the Singapore Pledge is in the limelight. The Pledge Moment will arrive on August 9 at exactly 8.22pm, when Singaporeans are invited to spend 30 seconds reciting the pledge.

The Civil Defence will also mark the Pledge Moment by sounding its 'chime' through its island-wide Public Warning System.

The National Pledge was written by Sinnathamby Rajaratnam in 1966 shortly after Singapore's independence.

The Singapore Pledge in the 4 languages :
English
We, the citizens of Singapore
pledge ourselves as one united people,
regardless of race, language or religion,
to build a democratic society,
based on justice and equality,
so as to achieve happiness, prosperity and
progress for our nation.

Malay
Kami, warganegara Singapura,
sebagai rakyat yang bersatu padu,
tidak kira apa bangsa, bahasa, atau ugama,
berikrar untuk membina suatu masyarakat yang demokratik,
berdasarkan kepada keadilan dan persamaan
untuk mencapai kebahagiaan,
kemakmuran dan kemajuan bagi negara kami.

Chinese

我们是新加坡公民，
誓愿不分种族、言语、宗教，
团结一致，
建设公正平等
的民主社会，
并为实现国家之幸福、繁荣与进步，
共同努力。

Tamil
சிங்கப்பூர் குடிமக்களாகிய நாம் இனம்,மொழி,மதம்
ஆகிய வேற்றுமைகளை மறந்து ஒன்றுபட்டு,நம் நாடு
மகிழ்ச்சி,வளம்,முன்னேற்றம் ஆகியவற்றை அடையும்
வண்ணம் சமத்துவத்தையும்,நீதியையும்
அடிப்படையாக கொண்ட ஜனாயக
சமுதாயத்தை உருவாக்குவதற்கு
உறுதி மேற்கொள்வோ!