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CNA: Parliament's for Serious Discussion, Not Just Criticism


Vulcann
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Geezz, so we voted in 5 oppo members for fun?

 

And from what I have witnessed, these 5 credible MPs have done a helluva job together with their NCMP counterparts, raising various bread and butter issues in the 1st Parliament.

 

In particular, Chen Show Mao's speech in Chinese was both refreshing and very meaningful when he described oppo members today were like a loyal subject giving good advice to a emperor but unfortunately he was not appreciated and mocked at instead by the MIWs.

 

Similarly Sylvia's plea to link our economic success to happiness was also scorned at by many ruling party folks including our new MND minister.

 

If this is the new norm in Parliament then I feel sorry for the ruling party because they are still very confrontational with no stomach for alternative views.

 

The PM better wake up his idea and not deem these honorable oppo MPs & NCMPs as trouble-makers. They are there for a reason and that voters are sick and tired of having the ruling party having the last word on EVERYTHING.

 

How I wish 2016 can be around the corner...

 

From CNA:

 

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/sin...1162543/1/.html

 

Parliament's for "serious discussion, not just criticism"

By Joanne Chan in Perth | Posted: 30 October 2011 1840 hrs

 

PERTH, AUSTRALIA: Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has said that Parliament is a place for serious discussion and not just criticism.

 

Mr Lee added that Parliament is not just a place to hold either the government or opposition to account.

 

Instead both sides should participate in solving problems together, or Singapore would be worse off for it.

 

He was speaking to the Singapore media at the end of the three-day Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Perth on Sunday.

 

Earlier this month, Singapore's Parliament sat for the first time since the May General Election, and members shared their thoughts on the measures needed for the country to prosper.

 

Mr Lee said that while the opposition had put a lot of effort into their parliamentary speeches, it remains to be seen if they will participate in helping to solve problems.

 

"This is not just a show, it's not just theatre. This (Parliament) is a place where we are discussing very serious business and where we have to make very difficult choices for Singaporeans on behalf of our voters," he said.

 

"And I think as government, it's our responsibility to speak the truth to Singaporeans and I think it's the opposition's responsibility also to acknowledge the truth and to speak it, whether or not it's politically advantageous to them," added Mr Lee.

 

On Singapore's economy, Mr Lee said that there are dark clouds on the horizon, referring to the latest report from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).

 

The MAS report said that Singapore's economic growth will stall over the next few quarters before seeing a modest recovery late next year because the long-term structural problems in Europe will not disappear soon.

 

Prime Minister Lee added that Singapore is also facing slowing growth because the economy is more mature.

 

"For a developed economy, 3, 4% (growth) is not bad. Of course, we've been used to 5,6,7 (percent), or even more in the past, but it's a different phase. When you're an adolescent, you grow and shoot up inches every year. When you're mature you hope to grow, not necessarily taller but wiser and better," said Mr Lee.

 

On the government's move to raise the minimum qualifying salaries for foreign professionals and skilled workers, Mr Lee said that the government knows it has been painful for employers.

 

He added that accepting a lower growth rate is the price to pay for managing the population size in Singapore.

 

Even with these challenges, Mr Lee said Singapore should not be too downbeat. He said Singapore hopes to have quality growth - improved productivity for better wages.

 

Mr Lee also pointed out that he had met various leaders at CHOGM, all of whom expressed admiration for Singapore and said the country has done very well.

 

Referring to his meeting with Western Australia's Premier Colin Barnett, Mr Lee said it is keen to develop links with Singapore.

 

Mr Lee concluded that Singapore is "not doing badly", but can do better.

 

On CHOGM which had focused on reforms, Mr Lee said it would not be easy to transform the Commonwealth.

 

Calling the Commonwealth an "old boys' club" brought together by a shared history, he said members work together where they can but they also have disagreements.

 

On the failed proposal to appoint a watchdog for human rights, Mr Lee said Singapore's support will depend very much on whether such a commissioner will be productive.

 

The proposal for an independent commissioner on human rights, democracy and the rule of law was one of the reforms called for by an "Eminent Persons Group" that CHOGM itself commissioned two years ago to help it maintain relevancy.

 

- CNA/ir

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Geezz, so we voted in 5 oppo members for fun?

 

And from what I have witnessed, these 5 credible MPs have done a helluva job together with their NCMP counterparts, raising various bread and butter issues in the 1st Parliament.

 

In particular, Chen Show Mao's speech in Chinese was both refreshing and very meaningful when he described oppo members today were like a loyal subject giving good advice to a emperor but unfortunately he was not appreciated and mocked at instead by the MIWs.

 

Similarly Sylvia's plea to link our economic success to happiness was also scorned at by many ruling party folks including our new MND minister.

 

If this is the new norm in Parliament then I feel sorry for the ruling party because they are still very confrontational with no stomach for alternative views.

 

The PM better wake up his idea and not deem these honorable oppo MPs & NCMPs as trouble-makers. They are there for a reason and that voters are sick and tired of having the ruling party having the last word on EVERYTHING.

 

How I wish 2016 can be around the corner...

 

From CNA:

 

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/sin...1162543/1/.html

 

Parliament's for "serious discussion, not just criticism"

By Joanne Chan in Perth | Posted: 30 October 2011 1840 hrs

 

PERTH, AUSTRALIA: Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has said that Parliament is a place for serious discussion and not just criticism.

 

Mr Lee added that Parliament is not just a place to hold either the government or opposition to account.

 

Instead both sides should participate in solving problems together, or Singapore would be worse off for it.

 

He was speaking to the Singapore media at the end of the three-day Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Perth on Sunday.

 

Earlier this month, Singapore's Parliament sat for the first time since the May General Election, and members shared their thoughts on the measures needed for the country to prosper.

 

Mr Lee said that while the opposition had put a lot of effort into their parliamentary speeches, it remains to be seen if they will participate in helping to solve problems.

 

"This is not just a show, it's not just theatre. This (Parliament) is a place where we are discussing very serious business and where we have to make very difficult choices for Singaporeans on behalf of our voters," he said.

 

"And I think as government, it's our responsibility to speak the truth to Singaporeans and I think it's the opposition's responsibility also to acknowledge the truth and to speak it, whether or not it's politically advantageous to them," added Mr Lee.

 

On Singapore's economy, Mr Lee said that there are dark clouds on the horizon, referring to the latest report from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).

 

The MAS report said that Singapore's economic growth will stall over the next few quarters before seeing a modest recovery late next year because the long-term structural problems in Europe will not disappear soon.

 

Prime Minister Lee added that Singapore is also facing slowing growth because the economy is more mature.

 

"For a developed economy, 3, 4% (growth) is not bad. Of course, we've been used to 5,6,7 (percent), or even more in the past, but it's a different phase. When you're an adolescent, you grow and shoot up inches every year. When you're mature you hope to grow, not necessarily taller but wiser and better," said Mr Lee.

 

On the government's move to raise the minimum qualifying salaries for foreign professionals and skilled workers, Mr Lee said that the government knows it has been painful for employers.

 

He added that accepting a lower growth rate is the price to pay for managing the population size in Singapore.

 

Even with these challenges, Mr Lee said Singapore should not be too downbeat. He said Singapore hopes to have quality growth - improved productivity for better wages.

 

Mr Lee also pointed out that he had met various leaders at CHOGM, all of whom expressed admiration for Singapore and said the country has done very well.

 

Referring to his meeting with Western Australia's Premier Colin Barnett, Mr Lee said it is keen to develop links with Singapore.

 

Mr Lee concluded that Singapore is "not doing badly", but can do better.

 

On CHOGM which had focused on reforms, Mr Lee said it would not be easy to transform the Commonwealth.

 

Calling the Commonwealth an "old boys' club" brought together by a shared history, he said members work together where they can but they also have disagreements.

 

On the failed proposal to appoint a watchdog for human rights, Mr Lee said Singapore's support will depend very much on whether such a commissioner will be productive.

 

The proposal for an independent commissioner on human rights, democracy and the rule of law was one of the reforms called for by an "Eminent Persons Group" that CHOGM itself commissioned two years ago to help it maintain relevancy.

 

- CNA/ir

5 opp members + NMPs are doing what they could to wake up the ruling party. The latter has up till 2016 to prove if they are really serving the people. the last 12 months leading to 2016 can be discounted as these are the months miw will wayang again. At the same time, hope the opp members continue to perform well in parliment, we need them to convince more credible persons to step foward and join them, besides gaining more votes in 2016.

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5 opp members + NMPs are doing what they could to wake up the ruling party. The latter has up till 2016 to prove if they are really serving the people. the last 12 months leading to 2016 can be discounted as these are the months miw will wayang again. At the same time, hope the opp members continue to perform well in parliment, we need them to convince more credible persons to step foward and join them, besides gaining more votes in 2016.

More wayang to strengthen the others? [confused]

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Neutral Newbie

pls lah, in 3 to 4 years time, The gahmen will make sure that local born Singaporean of voting age will be less then 50%.

 

No more chance in 2016, pack your bag and get ready to move to Singaporean natural reserve in P.Ubin.

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I think our government on the whole is efficient, but whether they are truly above what they accuse the opposition of doing, that's another story.

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unless they are trying to make it look to us like the OPPO are not doing anything, so people wont vote oppo in 2016 anymore

 

Only problem is that they seems to be trying too hard, too soon & too overwhelming.

 

When they criticise the oppos of trying to score politcal points, the other 4 fingers point back right at themselves...

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I laughed when LHL tok kok about being serious in parliament

[:p][:p]

 

Was he sleeping for the past few decades? Those clowns were rubber stamping in the house!

 

LHL you better buck up or 2016 will be painful.

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(edited)

5 opp members + NMPs are doing what they could to wake up the ruling party. The latter has up till 2016 to prove if they are really serving the people. the last 12 months leading to 2016 can be discounted as these are the months miw will wayang again. At the same time, hope the opp members continue to perform well in parliment, we need them to convince more credible persons to step foward and join them, besides gaining more votes in 2016.

 

They still don't get it why they have lost a GRC right under their noses is beyond me, goodness!

 

What people want is to hear alternative views versus the official govt aka ruling party ones & right now it is turning into beautifully as what has happened in the 1st Parliament with many oppo MPs voicing them out.

 

And this chap not once but twice now has been insinuating the oppo MPs not performing, not serving their constituents but there to criticise or score political points.

 

This is the "all-inclusive", "no-one-left-behind" PM he himself claims to be?

 

Give me a break!!!!

Edited by Vulcann
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when will you guys wake up? in the first place, what is there for them to "get it"?

what they want ppl to have is not to get in alternative view. it is you guys to "understand", accept and follow what they are implementing, like policies, direction, fare hikes, raise of living standard, etc.

and yes, i believe, 2016 will still be the same. no point to keep talking about 2016 and wake up call. you all really think that they implement GE is for you all to throw them out? too naive even till now.

Edited by Sdf5725
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when will you guys wake up? in the first place, what is there for them to "get it"?

what they want ppl to have is not to get in alternative view. it is you guys to "understand", accept and follow what they are implementing, like policies, direction, fare hikes, raise of living standard, etc.

and yes, i believe, 2016 will still be the same. no point to keep talking about 2016 and wake up call. you all really think that they implement GE is for you all to throw them out? too naive even till now.

 

*sigh*

 

Guess you right.

 

We should have read the fine print written some where...

 

[:(][:(][:(]

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They still don't get it why they have lost a GRC right under their noses is beyond me, goodness!

 

What people want is to hear alternative views versus the official govt aka ruling party ones & right now it is turning into beautifully as what has happened in the 1st Parliament with many oppo MPs voicing them out.

 

And this chap not once but twice now has been insinuating the oppo MPs not performing, not serving their constituents but there to criticise or score political points.

 

This is the "all-inclusive", "no-one-left-behind" PM he himself claims to be?

 

Give me a break!!!!

Sounds like a serious mental case............ what's wrong with accepting shortcomings, past failures, and work together for improvements? Given that they made the mistake but have great resources, they should jolly well take the lead and incorporate others' suggestion in the renewal process....

 

What we see is 'more of the same' ---- self righteous, 'exclusive', top-down, digging deeper into the sand and burry their head.....

 

As the saying goes, it's only human to err, but its _____ to admit it and make amends... as a man

Edited by KARTer
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I laughed when LHL tok kok about being serious in parliament

[:p][:p]

 

Was he sleeping for the past few decades? Those clowns were rubber stamping in the house!

 

LHL you better buck up or 2016 will be painful.

My rating of him is sliding into a mud pit [:(] and the old man says he's the best in sgp... :o

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I think our government on the whole is efficient, but whether they are truly above what they accuse the opposition of doing, that's another story.

they did achieve something along the way..... but show little genuine willingness to listen and correct their mistakes, not the way to lead in a democratic way imo.

Edited by KARTer
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