Singapore Local News, 2011-04-30

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PAP's Palmer: Residents determine neighbourhood's identity It is the residents, and not the Member of Parliament (MP), who determine what the neighbourhood wants in their estate. Mr Michael Palmer, 42, who will be contesting under the People's Action Party (PAP) banner for Punggol East........     PAP's Sitoh's 5-year plan for Potong Pasir The People's Action Party candidate in Potong Pasir, Mr Sitoh Yih Pin, has launched his five-year plan for the ward, which has been helmed by the Opposition for the past 27 years.Lift upgrading in the estate is Mr Sitoh's top priority........ Lim Swee Say: Higher wages help build trust Labour chief, Lim Swee Say, has welcomed the National Wages Council's (NWC) recommendations that employers should give out higher wages in view of the strong economy and make special one-time payments to help workers cope with the rising cost........ SDP to reveal plan for Sembawang GRC tonight The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) team for Sembawang Group Representation Constituency (GRC) will unveil a constituency plan called the Sembawang Strategy at its rally, tonight. Speaking to TODAY on a party walkabout, this morning,........ DPM Teo: We're aware of residents' needs Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, who leads the People's Action Party (PAP) team at Pasir Ris-Punggol Group Representation Constituency (GRC), said his team was well aware of the needs of the older and younger residents. He........ Dr Vivian: Town council investments profitable The leader for the People's Action Party (PAP) team in Holland-Bukit Timah Group Representation Constituency (GRC), Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, has responded to the Singapore Democratic Party's (SDP) comments on the losses made by Temasek........ Nicole Seah stressed by GE but ready for battle The stress of the General Election is taking its toll on the second youngest electoral candidate, Ms Nicole Seah, 24, of the National Solidarity Party (NSP). Ms Seah was down with gastric flu on Friday, and was absent from the NSP's........ After rally, PM hits walkabout trail Showing no signs of slowing down from his election rally, last night, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong started his Saturday morning with a walkabout at a market at Ang Mo Kio accompanied by his Group Representation Constituency (GRC) team...... SM Goh: My team will pay more attention to special help cases There may be national schemes to help the low income in Singapore but elected People's Action Party (PAP) MPs must pay attention to residents who may fall in between the cracks, said Senior Minister (SM) Goh Chok Tong. He said that........ Growth dividends in by Sunday The Ministry of Finance today announced that about 2.4 million adult Singaporeans would have received about $1.5 billion in Growth Dividends by Sunday. Also, about 1.3 million Singaporeans, aged 45 and above, would have received........ NWC calls for higher wage hikes A day after People's Action Party (PAP) leaders warned of "dark clouds" ahead in the volatile external environment, the National Wages Council (NWC) has come out to issue its clearest call for wage hikes since the 1990s.Its........ Yellow ribbon cookoff MILLET ENRIQUEZ Three teams battled it out in the finals of a culinary competition on Friday (April 29) organised to help equip them with skills to better integrate into society. The Yellow Ribbon Culinary Competition, organised by........

NSP candidate Spencer Ng speaks out against online allegations National Solidarity Party candidate Spencer Ng has denied allegations of improper behaviour towards a former student after an online blog pointed to "interesting SMSes" he had sent to her while he was a teacher. Speaking to Today,........     S'pore's long-term prospects depend on right policies, right politics Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong says how well Singapore does in the long term depends on its policies and politics...... SIA founding chairman receives accolade at Aerospace Awards Singapore Airlines' founding chairman Mr J Y Pillay received a citation for his invaluable contribution to Singapore's aviation industry at the Singapore Aerospace Awards Friday evening...... GE: Political parties reach out to voters through all avenues As election fever heats up, political parties are using a variety of ways to reach out to voters. From traditional methods to new media, it is all fair game this election...... GE: 6 election rallies to be held on Sunday Six election rallies will be held across Singapore on Sunday between 7pm and 10pm...... GE: NSP's Nicole Seah voices concerns over move to maintain food prices The National Solidarity Party (NSP) on Saturday voiced its concern over hawker stalls having to keep their price stable for the next six months...... GE: GIC, Temasek reserves safe, says Balakrishnan The portfolios of the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC) and Temasek Holdings are safe...... GE: Pasir Ris-Punggol PAP team well aware of residents' needs Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, who leads the People's Action Party (PAP) team at Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, said his team is well aware of the needs of the older as well as younger residents...... GE: WIS scheme needs time to prove itself: Lim Hng Kiang Trade and Industry Minister Lim Hng Kiang is confident that the Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) scheme will have a better track record in five to 10 years time...... Man arrested for dangerous driving in accident leading to oil spill Police arrested a 43-year-old man for dangerous driving, following an accident involving two oil trucks in Clementi on Friday night...... GE: NWC's calls to increase wages timed to coincide with election, says NSP The National Solidarity Party (NSP) described the National Wages Council's (NWC) call to increase wages as "a coincidence with the timing of elections.'..... About 2.4m Singaporeans to receive 'Grow & Share' payments by May 1 Singaporeans who are entitled to their growth dividends and CPF Medisave top-ups will receive their payments by this weekend...... GE: PAP's Ang Mo Kio GRC team at morning walkabout Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Saturday morning showed no signs of slowing down from Friday night's election rally with a walkabout at Ang Mo Kio...... GE: Marine Parade PAP team to pay close attention to low income group Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong said the People's Action Party (PAP) team in Marine Parade will keep a close watch on residents in the low income group who need special help...... Foreign worker falls to death in industrial accident A foreign worker died in an accident at an MRT construction site early Saturday morning...... GE: SPP supports Lina Chiam's independence as candidate The Singapore People's Party (SPP) said it fully supports Mrs Lina Chiam's independence as a candidate following her statements made at Friday's rally......

Singapore Local News, 2011-04-29

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Shanmugam questions WP's co-driver analogy Law and Home Affairs Minister, Mr K Shanmugam, today mocked the Workers' Party's (WP) analogy of them being the co-driver in a vehicle, an analogy the WP had used to illustrate the need for more Opposition voices in Parliament. At........     SDP's James Gomez says house visits are "old-style tactics", calls Health Minister a relic SDP's candidate in Sembawang Group Representation Constituency (GRC), Dr James Gomez, said Singapore's political landscape had changed and making house visits was "old-style tactics". He said the SDP's outreach effort was mainly........ WP's Low Thia Kiang: Is Foreign Minister, George Yeo, concerned about WP's "A" team? Workers' Party (WP) secretary-general, Low Thia Khiang, said on Friday he moved out of his Hougang stronghold to contest Aljunied Group Representation Constituency (GRC) to give voters a choice. He was responding to Foreign Minister........

RP campaigns on cost of living, immigration The Reform Party (RP) has promised to listen to voters and address their concerns over issues such as the rising cost of living, affordability of housing, the influx of foreigners and overcrowded public transport. The party's........     GE: Shanmugam says crowd at opposition rallies not unusual Home Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam, who is contesting in Nee Soon GRC, has urged residents to look at the PAP's track record and plans, both of which are clear to see...... GE: Disqualified Tanjong Pagar team returns donation The opposition team which was disqualified from contesting in Tanjong Pagar Group Representation Constituency (GRC) said it has returned about 80 to 90 per cent of the money it received from well-wishers...... SM Goh sends NSP chief condolences Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong has sent condolences to the Secretary-General of the National Solidarity Party (NSP) Goh Meng Seng, for the death of his elder brother, Mr David Goh Meng Hee...... GE: Shanmugam questions co-driver analogy Law and Home Affairs Minister, Mr K Shanmugam, on Friday questioned the Workers' Party's (WP) analogy of it being the co-driver in a vehicle, an analogy the WP had used to illustrate the need for more opposition voices in Parliament...... EMA launches Distinguished Speaker Programme A new platform for the energy world to debate and exchange best practices, ideas and strategies with global leaders and luminaries was launched by the Energy Market Authority (EMA) on Friday...... GE: Yaw Shin Leong, Desmond Choo on the campaign trail in Hougang They are both young, energetic and are facing off in one of the most hotly contested wards in this election. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said it will be a tough fight in Hougang, but it would have been tougher if Mr Low Thia Khiang had stayed in h..... GE: Door-to-door visits vs New Media in Sembawang GRC contest The People's Action Party (PAP) team leader in Sembawang Group Representation Constituency (GRC) Khaw Boon Wan said the PAP is never complacent and emphasised voters should ask if candidates are reliable and if the party's plans will benefit them...... S'pore jobless rate lowest in three years Singapore's total employment grew by 23,700 in the first quarter of this year, thanks to the healthy economic expansion. This is according to preliminary estimates released by the Manpower Ministry on Friday......

Singapore Local News, 2011-04-28

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Will the Opposition win big? Wishful thinking vs hard reality Conrad Raj A commentary by Conrad Raj, TODAY's editor-at-large. The real hustings begin tonight with rallies by the ruling Peoples' Action Party and the Opposition parties all across the island. Crowds are........     Brother of NSP sec-gen died in sleep Mr David Goh, 56, the elder brother of National Solidarity Party (NSP) secretary-general, Mr Goh Meng Seng, died this morning from a heart attack. At a press conference at 3.30pm today, the NSP gave more details about the........ Was PAP wrong in switching candidates last minute? Much has been made of the surprise candidacy of Dr Chia Shi-Lu who emerged from nowhere to take Baey Yam Keng's place at Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's ward at the Tanjong Pagar GRC. In a surprise move yesterday morning, Mr Baey had been........ PAP Sembawang GRC walkabout Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan said the problem of rising costs is not just a local but a global issue. Mr Khaw said he hoped Singaporeans would not just focus solely on the General Election, but also on events happening around the........ WP Hougang-Aljunied walkabout The Workers' Party started its campaigning on Thursday morning with a walkabout that began in Hougang and ended at Aljunied Group Representation Constituency (GRC). The contingent included secretary-general, Mr Low Thia Khiang, and........

SDP unveils manifesto As the bustle of Nomination Day died down, the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) unveiled its manifesto - the last party to do so - along with its revamped website yesterday. According to SDP chief Chee Soon Juan, it was a strategic........     Singapore's tripartite approach highlighted in May Day messages SINGAPORE : Singapore's economic rebound last year, on the back of the worst global recession since independence, was mainly due to the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) working together with..... GE: Bishan-Toa Payoh resdients' needs "beyond upgrade" It's full-steam ahead for the Singapore People's Party's (SPP) Bishan-Toa Payoh team...... GE: If Workers' Party loses Hougang... Workers' Party (WP) chief Low Thia Khiang said his replacement in Hougang, Mr Yaw Shin Leong, should not be held responsible if he loses the constituency to the People's Action Party (PAP) in the coming elections...... GE: NGO hopes to monitor polling process Singapore has a good reputation for conducting its election process well -- but just how does it conduct its General Election (GE)?..... GE: Brother of NSP's Goh Meng Seng passes away Mr David Goh Meng Hee, 56, the elder brother of National Solidarity Party (NSP) secretary-general, Mr Goh Meng Seng, died Thursday morning from a heart attack...... GE: Rising cost of living a global issue, says Health Minister Khaw Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan said the problem of rising costs is not just a local but a global issue and he hoped Singaporeans would not just focus solely on the elections, but also on events happening around the world that could easily affect the c..... GE: Chiam won't let go of Mas Selamat issue While Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng has been keen to put Mas Selamat Kastari's escape from detention behind him, Opposition veteran Chiam See Tong is not letting up on pursuing the issue...... GE: Voters start receiving poll cards Some 2.2 million eligible voters will start receiving their poll card in their letterbox...... GE: Low Thia Khiang's move to Aljunied shows party is growing, says WP The Workers' Party started its campaigning on Thursday morning with a walkabout that began in Hougang and ended at Aljunied GRC...... GE: It was a personal decision, says Steve Tan He is possibly the first candidate the People's Action Party (PAP) has put up for a General Election only to drop out on the eve of Nomination Day......

Singapore Local News, 2011-04-27

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SPP's Sin hopes to seal an Opposition partnership if elected He was at the same nomination centre as the National Solidarity Party (NSP). And if both are elected, in Hong Kah Single Member Constituency and Chua Chu Kang Group Representation Constituency respectively, Mr Sin Kek Tong hopes to seal an........     The drama on nomination day ... If this morning's events were anything to go by, plenty of thrills and spills are in store over the next 10 days as the General Election goes into full swing on an unprecedented scale. There were missing assentors; an Independent........ Spotlight set to fall on Aljunied GRC again In a General Election with the most contests ever, with more political parties in the ring than ever before, the brightest spotlight looks set to fall once again on Aljunied Group Representation Constituency. This time, though, the........ Move out of Hougang decided 'quite long ago': Low Workers' Party chief Low Thia Khiang said his "calculated decision" to move out of Hougang SMC had been made "quite long ago" because he felt that the Opposition as a whole had not progressed in the time that he has been an elected member...... Reform Party pulls together team to take on PAP in Ang Mo Kio After a last-minute scramble, Reform Party (RP) has pulled together a team to contest Ang Mo Kio GRC at the 11th hour. The team comprises financial consultant Alex Tan, human resources supervisor Osman Sulaiman, pre-school teacher........ Chiam faces Wong Kan Seng in Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC The long-anticipated battle between the People's Action Party (PAP) and the Singapore People's Party (SPP) in Bishan-Toa Payoh Group Representation Constituency (GRC) is finally official, in a constituency that has not been contested since its........ Local issues the focus for NSP When it comes to "hardware infrastructure", no political party can match the resources of the People's Action Party (PAP). But the PAP's Zaqy Mohamed stressed today that the party also engages the ground to resolve the problems of........ Lim Swee Say's team faces WP in East Coast The Workers' Party (WP) team in East Coast GRC is hoping that a good balance of experienced and younger candidates will give them a boost in their chances the second time round. Private equity fund manager Eric Tan, 55, is leading........ SDA fields slate of first-timers The six-member Pasir-Ris Punggol Group Representation Constituency (GRC) will see a straight fight between the People Action's Party (PAP) and the Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA). And in a last-minute switch, the SDA, citing........ WP vs PAP: 'A decisive contest' A "decisive contest" - not just for the 143,148 voters in Aljunied GRC but also for the rest of Singapore - was how the constituency's incumbent MP George Yeo described the upcoming battle with the Workers' Party (WP). Addressing........ Give PAP chance to unlock Potong Pasir's potential: Sitoh The People's Action Party's (PAP) man in Potong Pasir, Mr Sitoh Yih Pin, has urged supporters to give him the chance to serve the Opposition-controlled ward and noted he has come for the third time to ask for the residents' votes...... Three-cornered fight in Punggol East Punggol East will be the only constituency that will see a three-cornered fight come Polling Day, with the Workers' Party (WP) and the Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) challenging the People's Action Party (PAP) incumbent Michael Palmer...... Lui Tuck Yew gets the contest which he has been wishing for Having enjoyed a walkover in the last General Election in 2006, Minister of Information, Communication and the Arts (Mica) Lui Tuck Yew had openly expressed his wish for a contest last Saturday. And this morning, the Minister had........ PAP, WP teams exchange compliments in Nee Soon The teams contesting the newly-created Nee Soon GRC exchanged compliments as they head into the hustings. The People's Action Party team is helmed by Home Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam, who described his Workers' Party (WP)........ PAP's Cedric Foo to face NSP's Steve Chia in Pioneer The two men fighting for the hearts of Pioneer Single Member Constituency residents are the People's Action Party's (PAP) Cedric Foo and the National Solidarity Party's Steve Chia, a former Non-Constituency Member of Parliament...... Drama at nomination centre as Mountbatten hopefuls file papers In the end, what was left at the Mounbatten Single Member Constituency (SMC) ward is a straight fight between People's Action Party's Lim Biow Chuan and the National Solidarity Party's Jeannette Chong-Aruldoss. But not before some drama at the........ No surprises for Jurong Save for a heart-stopping moment when it was realised that the National Solidarity Party (NSP) nomination form was missing an address, there were no surprises at the Jurong Junior College Nomination Centre today. Just after the........ NSP 'leaving things to Nicole Seah' After 19 years, residents of Marine Parade will finally see a contest. At Tao Nan School this morning, the People's Action Party (PAP) team helmed by Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and the five-member National Solidarity Party's........ NSP's Ken Sun seeks divine help before filing papers The much-anticipated contest between Mr Heng Chee How of the People's Action Party (PAP) and Mr Ken Sun of the National Solidarity Party (NSP) for the Whampoa single-member constituency (SMC) is on. Mr Heng, who is a Minister of........ Women to battle it out in Yuhua Yuhua Single Member Constituency will see a straight fight between two women, incumbent Grace Fu from the People's Action Party (PAP) and Ms Teoh Soh Lung from the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP). Ms Teoh, a 61-year-old retired........ PAP veteran faces WP candidate who grew up in Joo Chiat SMC Workers' Party candidate for Joo Chiat Single Member Constituency Yee Jenn Jong was the first candidate to arrive at the Tao Nan School nomination at around this morning. Mr Yee, an entrepreneur, will face People's Action Party........ Yaw Shin Leong takes over as WP candidate at Hougang SMC By mid-morning, word was already out that Workers' Party (WP) chief Low Thia Khiang was moving out of his stronghold Hougang SMC to contest in Aljunied GRC. The question at Dunman Secondary School nomination centre then was: Who........ Kenneth Jeyaratnam leads RP team in West Coast GRC West Coast Group Representation Constituency (GRC) saw no changes to the candidates on the slates of both the People's Action Party (PAP) and the Reform Party (RP). The PAP team of Mr Lim Hng Khiang, Mr S Iswaran, Mr Arthur Fong,........ Baey Yam Keng joins PAP's Tampines team at last minute Mr Steve Tan has gone into Singapore's electoral history as the first candidate who dropped a last minute bombshell that he would not be contesting as a People's Action Party (PAP) candidate. The Young NTUC executive secretary........ MM Lee's team returned unopposed It was a morning of twists and turns, as the People's Action Party (PAP) team led by Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew in Tanjong Pagar Group Representation Constituency (GRC) was returned to office after an Opposition team was disqualified for........

Straight fight in Sengkang West The single-seat ward of Sengkang West will see a straight fight between the People's Action Party's (PAP) Dr Lam Pin Min and the Workers' Party's (WP) Koh Choong Yong (right). Independent candidate Ooi Boon Ewe, 70, could not........     Four-corner fight doesn't materialise After all the talk of a four-corner contest come May 7, Radin Mas will now see a straight fight at the polls, where incumbent Sam Tan of the People's Action Party (PAP) will take on the National Solidarity Party's (NSP) Yip Yew Weng...... GE: Punggol East SMC sees 3-way fight Punggol East will be the only constituency that will see a three-cornered fight come polling day, with the Workers' Party (WP) and the Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) challenging the People's Action Party (PAP) incumbent Michael Palmer...... GE: "Decisive contest" with WP, says George Yeo A "decisive contest" - not just for the 143,148 voters in Aljunied Group Representation Constituency (GRC) but also for the rest of Singapore - was how the constituency's incumbent MP George Yeo described the upcoming battle with the Worker..... GE: SDA's Goh Kim Seng to take more strategic role in party The Singapore Democratic Alliance's (SDA) Goh Kim Seng has explained why he was not fielded as part of the team to contest Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC...... It's good PAP is being contested strongly: PM Lee Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who is also the PAP Secretary-General, says it's good that the People's Action Party is being contested strongly...... Wage growth "very moderate": Lim Boon Heng Retiring minister Lim Boon Heng has said that the pace at which wages has been rising has been "very moderate", even as he pointed out that wage hikes should still lag productivity growth...... Walkover in Tanjong Pagar GRC Will they, or won't they?..... 14 of 15 GRCs contested on Nomination Day All Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs) except Tanjong Pagar will be contested in the coming polls...... Public Service Division confirms that PAP candidate Sim Ann is no longer a civil servant Singapore: The Public Service Division has confirmed that Ms Sim Ann is no longer in the civil service...... GE: Straight fights in 11 of 12 single-seat wards Eleven of the 12 contested single-member constituencies (SMCs) will see straight fights between the PAP and the opposition parties in the May 7 General Election...... GE: NSP versus PAP in Jurong GRC The People's Action Party (PAP) team will face off the National Solidarity Party (NSP) team in the battle for Jurong GRC in the May 7 General Election...... GE: SDP team raises objection against PAP's Sim Ann There was some drama at Greenridge Secondary School on Wednesday after candidates for this year's General Election arrived at the nomination centre to file their nomination papers...... GE: Give me a chance, says PAP's Sitoh Yih Pin The People's Action Party's (PAP) man in Potong Pasir Sitoh Yih Pin has urged supporters to give him the chance to serve the Opposition-controlled ward and noted he has come for the third time to ask for the residents' votes...... Minister Mah rebuts NSP's public housing proposal Minister of National Development Mah Bow Tan has rebutted the National Solidarity Party's view on public housing...... WP's Low Thia Khiang contesting in Aljunied GRC Workers' Party chief Low Thia Khiang is contesting in the five-member Aljunied GRC...... GE: Rally sites announced The lunch time rally site will be at Boat Quay next to UOB Plaza during the hustings period...... "I will look after you for the next 5 years", says MM Lee Singapore's Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew was re-elected to Parliament on Wednesday without any contest as the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) faced a stiff challenge from the opposition for the May 7 election...... 82 of 87 seats contested in Singapore GE The ruling PAP in Singapore was not returned to government on Nomination Day on Wednesday...... Punggol East SMC likely to see 3-way fight Punggol East SMC is likely to see three-cornered fight...... Nomination Day for Singapore GE Candidates for the May 7 General Election in Singapore are in the process of filing their nomination papers...... GE: WP's Low Thia Khiang arrives at Deyi Sec The Workers' Party Secretary General Low Thia Khiang has been seen arriving at Deyi Secondary School...... GE: PAP's Steve Tan pulls out as candidate It is believed Dr Chia Shi Lu is the new candidate in the PAP team for Tanjong Pagar GRC......

Singapore Local News, 2011-04-26

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Opposition set to contest 82 seats With only one day to go before Nomination Day, when the political parties will have to finally reveal all their cards, the 2011 General Election (GE) is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable in decades. At one stage, up to........     Voters should look at the fundamentals In the heat, dust and clamour of our election campaigns, there will be many statements and counter-statements. My one simple message is: Look at the fundamentals.The PAP is fielding 24 new candidates. Amongst them are at least five heavyweights,........ After 5% rise, consumer prices may have peaked With the rising cost of living one of the key issues at the General Election, official data released yesterday showed Singapore's consumer price index (CPI) rose 5 per cent last month from March last year, following a similar rise in........ PAP: Will Wijeysingha pursue gay agenda? SDP: No, we will not Putting an end to speculation, a People's Action Party (PAP) team led by Dr Vivian Balakrishnan has confirmed that a videotaped discussion flagged by this newspaper yesterday on "the promotion of the gay cause in Singapore", was indeed the one........ WORKERS' PARTY Partner at law firm Davis Polk & Wardwell, 50 FACTFILE Top student in Singapore for the 1979 'A' level examinations Rhodes Scholar, and alumnus of Harvard, Oxford and Stanford universities Juris........ WORKERS' PARTY Founder and CEO, The Learning Grid Pte Ltd and 360 Education Pte Ltd, 46 FACTFILE - Founded education services provider ASKnLearn and is mentoring other start-ups. [updated on April 26 at 7.20pm] - Has........ WORKERS' PARTY Businesswoman, 35 FACTFILE - Founded lifestyle and giftware store Ig's Heaven, which expanded into a chain - Joined WP in 2004 and contested in the 2006 GE as part of the "suicide squad" in Ang Mo Kio........ WORKERS' PARTY Juris Doctor candidate, Singapore Management University, 34 FACTFILE - Founder of Opinion Asia (www.opinionasia.com), an online commentary syndicate - Feels Singaporeans must take ownership of their country........ NAFA takes major step forward In August, about 20 students will be able to pursue a first degree conferred by the prestigious Royal College of Music, London (RCM) outside the United Kingdom. The partnership with the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) and RCM -........ 'Some progress' in Govt's effort to boost construction productivity Construction firms have tapped close to S$9 million of the S$250-million fund the Government has put up as incentive for the industry to adopt technology and raise productivity. Speaking at the opening of the Singapore Construction........ Former Chief of Defence Force is new CEO of Neptune Orient Lines Mr Ng Yat Chung, a former Chief of Defence Force, has been named the chief executive of the country's flagship shipping company Neptune Orient Lines. Mr Ng, who held the rank of three-star general, will replace current CEO Ron........

Singapore backs ASEAN Chair's efforts Singapore strongly supports Indonesia's continuing efforts as the ASEAN Chair to facilitate dialogue between Cambodia and Thailand so that they can peacefully resolve their differences over their ongoing border conflict, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs.....     GE: PAP will remain "strongest party" in S'pore Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew said he believes the People's Action Party (PAP) will remain the strongest party in Singapore...... GE: Multi-cornered fights still on cards in run-up to polls SINGAPORE : It's a day before Nomination Day, and parties have been scrambling to avoid multi-cornered fights...... Literary arts scene gets boost The literary arts scene in Singapore has received a major boost through a new programme where local and international literary luminaries will write and teach at Nanyang Technological University (NTU)...... Refund of RTV licence fees completed SINGAPORE : The Media Development Authority (MDA) said that it has successfully completed the refund exercise of Radio and TV (RTV) licence fees for 2011...... ComChest seeks to raise S$55.7m this year SINGAPORE : Community Chest (ComChest), the fund-raising arm of the National Council of Social Service (NCSS), wants to raise S$55.7 million in funds for its financial year beginning April...... GE: SDP's Gomez tells Dr Balakrishnan to focus on issues Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) member Dr James Gomez said Community Development, Youth and Sports Minister Vivian Balakrishnan should stick to issues rather than "play dirty"...... GE: RP chief keeps silent on decision to contest Tanjong Pagar GRC Reform Party's Secretary-General Kenneth Jeyaretnam on Tuesday kept silent on his party's decision to contest Tanjong Pagar GRC...... GE: More opposition candidates collect minority certificate at Elections Department Mansor Rahman from the Socialist Front turned up on Tuesday to collect his minority certificate at the Elections Department...... URA puts up 3 residential sites for sale The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) has released three residential sites for sale on Tuesday...... Number of workers retrenched in 2010 falls to new low The Manpower Ministry (MOM) said on Tuesday the number of workers laid off fell to a new low last year......

Singapore Local News, 2011-04-25

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WP unveils final batch of candidates The Workers' Party (WP) today unveiled their final batch of candidates for the General Election (GE). The fifth batch includes lawyer Mr Chen Show Mao, 50; Hong Kong-based money broker Ms Glenda Han Su May, 35; entrepreneur Mr Yee Jenn Jong,........     More candidates collect political donation certificates today As of 1pm today, at least 11 political candidates expected to contest the General Election had collected their political donation certificates from the Elections Department. They include the National Solidarity Party's (NSP) secretary-general,....... GE not about winning arguments: PM Lee As the words fly furiously between the People's Action Party (PAP) and the Opposition in the run-up to Polling Day, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong yesterday reminded voters that this General Election is not about winning the argument, but about........ I owned up, I took responsibility for Mas Selamat affair: DPM Wong In his own words, Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng has apologised and accounted for the February 2008 escape of Jemaah Islamiyah leader Mas Selamat Kastari, which had occurred under his watch as Home Affairs Minister. But that has........

Housing not a make-or-break issue at GE: Mah Bow Tan It is "highly misleading" and "mischievous" of Workers' Party (WP) chief Low Thia Khiang to allege that the Government has been guilty of taking from the reserves for years, said National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan. In the........     GE: Live updates on MediaCorp's new mobile site MediaCorp's new media platforms are providing "live" General Election updates for viewers on the go...... S'pore devotees mourn Sai Baba's death Singapore devotees of Sai Baba are mourning the death of the Indian spiritual guru in the second day of prayers and devotional songs at the Sri Sathya Sai Center on Moulmein Road...... GE: Lim Boon Heng warns about consequences of freak election result Minister in Prime Minister's Office, Lim Boon Heng, acknowledged that having three new candidates in the PAP team for Jurong GRC will mean that the residents there need more time to get to know them...... GE: Elections Department reminds candidates of Nomination Day procedures Candidates taking part in the General Election have been reminded by the Elections Department to ensure that their documents to be presented to the Returning Officer at their designated Nomination Centre on Wednesday are in order...... GE: SDP's Tan Jee Say "trapped in time warp": Lim Boon Heng Minister in the Prime Minister's office, Lim Boon Heng said opposition candidate from the Singapore Democratic Party Mr Tan Jee Say, has been out of policy making for some time...... GE: MM Lee says Singapore is not Disney World Singapore's Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew has a simple message for voters in the heat, dust and clamour of the election campaign - he has urged them to look at the fundamentals...... GE: SDA pulls out of Tanjong Pagar contest The Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) has confirmed it will not be contesting in the Tanjong Pagar Group Representation Constituency (GRC) in the May 7 election...... Hard to imagine economy without manufacturing sector: Lee Yi Shyan Minister of State for Trade & Industry and Manpower, Lee Yi Shyan said an economy without manufacturing would be difficult to imagine...... MFA advises S'poreans to defer non-essential travel to Syria The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has advised that Singaporeans defer all non-essential travel to Syria for the time being in view of the recent developments in that country...... GE: Workers' Party's final batch of candidates The Workers' Party has unveiled its final six candidates for the May 7 General Election, including party chairman Sylvia Lim and secretary general Low Thia Khiang...... GE: Reform Party former vice-chairman Alec Tok joins SDP Reform Party's former vice-chairman Alec Tok has joined the Singapore Democratic Party...... HDB resale prices increased 1.6% in Q1 HDB resale prices increased in the first quarter of this year, albeit at a slower rate, as property cooling measures kicked in...... NAFA launches music degree with London's RCM The Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) has launched a music degree with London's Royal College of Music. This is the first time the London-based college is conferring degrees outside the UK...... GE: SPP's Alex Tan likely to be in RP team to contest Ang Mo Kio GRC Alex Tan, who is on loan from the Singapore People's Party (SPP) to the Reform Party (RP), told Channel NewsAsia that he will likely be part of the Reform Party team which is keen to contest Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's Ang Mo Kio GRC...... Private home prices rose 2.2% in Q1 Singapore's private home prices moderated again in the first quarter of this year, growing 2.2 per cent compared with 2.7 per cent in the previous quarter...... Singapore's March CPI up 5% on-year, 0.1% on-month Singapore's consumer price index rose five per cent on year in March, after a similar five per cent rise in February...... GE: Candidates collect political donation certificates Candidates for the coming elections collected their certified political donation and minority community status certificates from the Elections Department on Monday...... GE: Public advised to arrive at Nomination Centres after 10am on Nomination Day Supporters and the public are advised to arrive at the Nomination Centres only after 10am on Nomination Day (April 27), when the Nomination Centres are opened to the public......

Singapore Local News, 2011-04-24

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Elderly in Nee Soon East get health education, basic health screening Some elderly residents in the northern region of Singapore got a dose of health education yesterday. The Healthcare Services Employees' Union (HSEU), which groups workers in the healthcare sector, conducted the outreach programme as........

WP's latest candidates 'are just ordinary people' The Workers' Party (WP) candidates can deliver what the ordinary Singaporean wants - because they are ordinary Singaporeans themselves. This was the message that came across as the WP yesterday introduced its third batch of........     GE: S$163m five-year improvement plan for Hong Kah North SINGAPORE : Hong Kah North will undergo a S$163 million improvement project over the next five years...... GE: Mah Bow Tan hits out at WP's housing policies again SINGAPORE : National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan said the Workers' Party's (WP) housing proposals amount to creating deliberate policies to crash the sector here...... GE: Dr Yaacob disappointed with negative reactions to Malay Language issue SINGAPORE : Environment and Water Resources Minster Yaacob Ibrahim said he is not worried, but disappointed by the negative reactions to his remarks on the teaching of the Malay language as a foreign language...... GE: SM Goh takes on NSP's challenge on accountability Singapore Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong said he is accountable for the policies put in place at the time when he was Prime Minister...... GE: SPP overwhelmed by reception in Bishan, says Chiam See Tong The Singapore People's Party Secretary General Chiam See Tong said that the party is overwhelmed by the reception it has received from Bishan residents...... GE: Ministers not out of touch with ground sentiments, says Grace Fu Senior Minister of State for National Development and Education Grace Fu said ministers are not out of touch with ground sentiments...... We must appreciate foreigners and welcome them, says President Nathan President S R Nathan has reiterated the importance of accepting new arrivals and foreign workers, and appreciating the contributions they bring...... GE: Health Minister Khaw unlikely to accept SDP debate challenge Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan has implied that it is unlikely for him to accept the Singapore Democratic Party's (SDP) invitation to an open debate...... GE: Election meeting permit applications to start on Nomination Day The police said that from Nomination Day onwards, candidates or their election agents may apply to hold outdoor or indoor election meetings between 7am and 10pm from Thursday, April 28 to May 5...... GE: S'pore government is open and not afraid to tell the truth, says DPM Wong Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng said the government is open and is not afraid to tell the people the truth and one that will learn from mistakes...... GE: Elections about who can look after S'pore, not arguments, says PM Lee Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has reminded Singaporeans of what is at stake for the country in the coming General Election...... GE: Wijeysingha to lead SDP team in Holland-Bukit Timah The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) has unveiled its team for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC...... PM Lee launches Community Sports Festival at Yio Chu Kang Stadium Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong launched the Community Sports Festival at the Yio Chu Kang Stadium on Sunday morning...... Safety screen doors at Ang Mo Kio MRT station to be installed earlier The Ang Mo Kio MRT station will be installed with the safety screen doors on the platform earlier than scheduled, said the new candidate for the PAP's Ang Mo Kio GRC team, Mr Ang Hin Kee...... DPM Teo attends Topping Up ceremony of Punggol 21 CC Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean and 500 residents gathered on Sunday at the Topping Up Ceremony of the Punggol 21 Community Club...... New Tampines Eco Green to nurture love for nature More than 700 students and residents in the east visited the newly-opened Tampines Eco Green on Sunday to learn about the flora, fauna and eco-friendly features there...... GE: SDP unveils lineup for Sembawang GRC The Singapore Democratic Party is fielding James Gomez, John Tan, Jarrod Luo, Mohd Isa Abdul Aziz and Sadasivam Veriyah in Sembawang GRC......

Singapore Local News, 2011-04-23

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Former Civil Service high-flier says 'Government has lost its way' He counts Mr Lim Boon Heng as a "good friend" but that did not stop former Civil Service high-flier and new Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) candidate Tan Jee Say from expressing his disappointment with Mr Lim. The retired minister,........

Minister asks: Can Opposition take care of Singapore better than PAP? Education Minister Ng Eng Hen has called on the Opposition to be bold enough to say that they want to form the next government. He issued the challenge on the sidelines of a walkabout in Toa Payoh yesterday with Deputy Prime........     GE: Zainul Abidin Rasheed could be next Speaker of Parliament SINGAPORE : Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Zainul Abidin Rasheed has confirmed Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's intention to appoint him as the next Speaker of Parliament...... Health outreach programme for Nee Soon East residents SINGAPORE : Elderly residents in the northern region of Singapore got a dose of health education on Saturday...... GE: SDP's proposal to give up manufacturing an 'impractical plan': Dr Balakrishnan SINGAPORE : Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Vivian Balakrishnan has expressed his concern over the Singapore Democratic Party's (SDP) proposal to rely less on manufacturing and restructure the economy to focus more on services...... GE: WP unveils 4 more candidates SINGAPORE : The Workers' Party (WP) introduced four more candidates on Saturday...... GE: Tharman says GST will not be raised for at least another 5 years SINGAPORE : Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam has reiterated that the goods and services tax (GST) will not be raised for at least another five years...... Singaporean yachtman rescued in Philippines MANILA: A Singaporean and an American on a boating holiday were rescued by the Philippine Navy after their yacht was damaged by large waves, the navy said Saturday...... GE: PAP's Marine Parade GRC team proposes buddy system among its MPs SINGAPORE : Residents in Marine Parade Group Representation Constituency (GRC) stand to gain from the services of not one but two Members of Parliament if the People's Action Party (PAP) team emerges victorious in the coming General Election...... GE: Khaw Boon Wan launches S$500m renewal plan for Sembawang GRC Health Minister and Advisor to Sembawang GRC Grassroots Organisations Khaw Boon Wan launched the five-year renewal plan for Sembawang GRC on Saturday morning...... 2 new reading services at new Clementi Public Library SINGAPORE : Singapore has increased its public library count to 24, with the opening of the Clementi Public Library on Saturday...... GE: 2 Party Political Broadcasts on April 28 and May 6: MDA The Media Development Authority said there will be two Party Political Broadcasts for the 2011 General Election...... GE: Lim Hng Kiang rebuts SDP's proposal to shrink manufacturing sector Trade and Industry Minister Lim Hng Kiang rebutted the economic policies proposed by the Singapore Democratic Party's (SDP) Tan Jee Say, one of which is to shrink the manufacturing sector...... Merchants Association in MacPherson division to keep prices stable The Merchants Association in the MacPherson division of Marine Parade Group Representation Constituency agreed to keep the prices of items stable in its shops for the next six months, so as to help residents deal with the challenges of the rising cos..... GE: NSP candidates first to arrive at Elections Department The National Solidarity Party's likely team for the Marine Parade Group Representation Constituency was the first to arrive at the Elections Department on Saturday morning...... GE: SPP seeks dialogue with Singaporeans The Singapore People's Party (SPP) has asked Singaporeans, especially voters of Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC to engage in dialogue with the party on the six key issues brought up in its manifesto......

Singapore Local News, 2011-04-22

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Workers' Party locks horns with PAP over housing issue A day after National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan described the Workers' Party's (WP) "dangerous" housing proposal as an illegal raid on the reserves, WP chief Low Thia Khiang yesterday tried to turn the tables on the People's Action Party........

A guidebook for the polls This is one handbook which all election candidates - novice or otherwise - will find handy. The 60-page guide, entitled Handbook for Parliamentary Election Candidates 2011 (picture), covers in detail the dos and don'ts of........     GE: Teams contesting Bishan-Toa Payoh unfazed by each other's track records Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC looks set to see a contest between the PAP team, helmed by Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng, and the Singapore People's Party (SPP) team led by Chiam See Tong...... GE: SDP introduces 5 more candidates The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) has introduced five more candidates for the General Election...... GE: EUP in Joo Chiat area will be at Roxy Estate: SM Goh The Estate Upgrading Programme (EUP) planned for the Joo Chiat area is expected to start in the middle of 2012 said Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong...... S'pore expresses concern over Thai-Cambodia border clashes Singapore has expressed deep concern over fresh border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia on Friday and has urged both sides to exercise restraint...... GE: Minister issues challenge to opposition Education Minister Ng Eng Hen has called on the opposition parties to be bold enough to say that they want to form a government...... GE: Fewer people at Elections Department on Good Friday The stream of people entering the Elections Department slowed to a trickle on the morning of Good Friday, which is a public holiday......

Singapore Local News, 2011-04-21

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PM reiterates the benefits of foreign talent Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that by allowing the controlled entry of foreign workers, Singapore has attracted one of the largest investments in the country and created more jobs for Singaporeans. He said this during a........

Lim Boon Heng, the 'workers champion' Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Lim Boon Heng, who is retiring after 31 years in politics, has been lauded for his ability to connect with the ground and his understanding of the hopes and fears of workers here. The tribute........     GE: SPP loans three members to RP The Singapore People's Party is loaning three of its members to The Reform Party, after they signed Memorandums of Understanding on the matter...... GE: SDP introduces 6 of its 11 candidates The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) on Thursday introduced six of its 11 candidates for the May 7 General Election...... GE: NSP releases election manifesto The opposition National Solidarity Party (NSP) has unveiled its manifesto for the General Election...... New flora and fauna exhibition at HortPark The public will now have a chance to view some of the recent plant and animal discoveries in Singapore through an exhibition at HortPark Gallery starting today...... SMRT extends train and bus services hours on eve of public holidays SMRT's train and bus service hours will be extended on the eves of Good Friday, Labour Day and Vesak Day for passengers' convenience...... GE: SM Goh urges "clean fight" in GRC contest Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong who is the anchor Minister for the PAP's Marine Parade GRC team has urged for "a clean fight" in the upcoming contest in the GRC...... GE: Candidates must declare election advertising platforms With the advent of the online media for the coming general election, the Elections Department has reminded candidates to make a declaration of the election advertising platforms they intend to make use of...... GE: Elections Department releases details on polling stations, nomination centres There will be 782 polling stations all over Singapore on May 7 if all the 12 single member constituencies and 15 group representation constituencies are contested on Nomination Day...... Changi Airport passenger traffic up 7.5% in March Passenger traffic at Singapore Changi Airport saw a 7.5 per cent on-year increase in March with some 3.71 million transiting through the airport...... Foreign workers help to create more good jobs for Singaporeans: PM Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that by allowing the controlled entry of foreign workers, Singapore has attracted one of the largest investments in the country and created more jobs for Singaporeans...... GE: Busy day at Elections Department More than five independent candidates or their representatives were the first to turn up at the Elections Department on Thursday to pick up nomination forms ahead of the General Election......