Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior that involves a Real or Perceived Power Imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Bullying includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose.
Bullying Happens Everywhere ...
Bullying Happens Everywhere ...
- At home, we are taught not to bully our siblings and share our toys.
- In School, we were taught to stand up against bullying
- At Work, our government established the Protection from Harassment Act against bullies at work
Bullying at the National Level ...
Even at National level, bullying can takes place, where bigger countries "bully" the smaller countries with military, economic or trade sanctions. As a small nation, Singapore has always stands tall in the international stage by not cowering under the threats by Super powers. In 1994, despite the personal intervention of the United States of America, the Most Powerful Man in the world, President Bill Clinton who called Fay's punishment extreme and mistaken, and pressured the Singaporean government to grant Fay clemency from caning.
Even at National level, bullying can takes place, where bigger countries "bully" the smaller countries with military, economic or trade sanctions. As a small nation, Singapore has always stands tall in the international stage by not cowering under the threats by Super powers. In 1994, despite the personal intervention of the United States of America, the Most Powerful Man in the world, President Bill Clinton who called Fay's punishment extreme and mistaken, and pressured the Singaporean government to grant Fay clemency from caning.
Two dozen U.S. senators signed a letter to the Singaporean government also appealing for clemency. Even under such intense pressure from one of our strongest Allie, we did not allow the Mighty USA to bully us and proceed to caning US citizen Michael Faye for vandalism. By standing tall and firm, we eventually won over the respect of President Bill Clinton whom becomes one of our strongest supporter to promote trades and economic ties with Singapore.
So Is Our Society Bully-proof? Yes and No.
Yes, at a National Level
A new anti-harassment law that criminalises bullying of children, at work and cyber bullying, among other acts were passed with unanimous support and seek to protect the public at large against what some had described as a “Social Scourge”, as Law Minister K Shanmugam put it.
Social Scourge (Definition) : means of inflicting severe suffering, vengeance, or punishment.
Noting widespread public opinion that harassment is unacceptable and the Anti-Harassment Law were established to deal firmly with harassers where criminal and civil measures are clearly laid out to protect victims of bullying.
But..No...Not at a Political Level
Yet, what is considered illegal and unacceptable in general context is silently accepted in Politics where the much smaller opposition parties are constantly faced with a myriad of mud slinging; character assassination; deprivation of rights to serve and deprivation of tax payers funds to upgrade their town
How are the Dice in Town Council Loaded against Opposition Party ?
Town Council Act - All Town Council requires grants from Ministry of National Development (MND) which reports to the Ministry of National Development, Mr Khaw Boon Wan to operate financially.
Grassroots Organizations - The People’s Association (PA) has a network of more than 1,800 grassroots organisations (GROs).
Resident’s Committee (RC) - will receive a directive not to engage or have meetings in the RC Centre with the incoming Opposition Party Town Council.
Citizens’ Consultative Committee (CCC) - which also come under the People’s Association sits at the apex of all grassroots organisations in Singapore. the CCC – which preach their focus community work also doing the PAP’s political bidding. CCC sits at the apex of an alphabet soup of groups such as Residents’ Committees (RC), Neighbourhood Committees (NC), People’s Association Youth Movement (PAYM), Community Sports Clubs (CSC), and Community Centre Management Committees (CCMC), under which there are executive committees (EC): Senior Citizen’s EC, Women’s EC, Youth EC, Malay Activity EC, and Indian Activity EC. (Source: The Middle Ground)
The Secret Veil of CCC Chairman
When Middleground tried to identify all the CCC Chairman, some willingly provided us with names, some lines were engaged for the whole day, some promised to get back to us later on in the day but never did and some CC numbers on the PA website were no longer in operation or changed. The Joo Chiat CC refused to reveal the name but did confirm the one we had as correct. Some CCs didn’t even want to confirm the titles of the chairmen. Several others gave us the runaround with these answers:
- Tampines North CC: “I can’t disclose that information. I don’t know what you’re going to do with it.”
- Punggol South CC (manager): “The CCC chairman is not comfortable disclosing his name…CCC chairmen’s names are not public information.”
- Tampines Changkat CC: “Please write in officially.”
- Kembangan-Chai Chee CC: “I will direct you to the head of corporate communications.”
One such CCC chairman who wears both CCC and PAP hats is Mr Victor Lye Thiam Fatt, aged 52. He is the CCC chairman of Bedok Reservoir-Punggol CCC and also PAP branch chairman. He is said to be part of the PAP team that will try to wrest Aljunied from the WP in the coming GE.
15th July 2015 - The Mystery Disappearance of Admiralty CCC Chairman
In July, AGO released a damning report that found an Ex-Admiralty CCC Chairman had awarded two contracts worth S$32,000 to a company at which he was linked to. He had also approved S$114,767 of his own claims. Mr Khaw, who is also National Development Minister, said Admiralty CCC fully cooperated with the People's Association investigation Panel and the grassroots leader involved has stepped down and the Investigation Panel found no evidence of dishonesty, Mr Khaw noted.
A S$ 1 Billion Dollar A Year Machinery
In 2015, PA GRO's budget was doubled from $500m in 2014 to $1 billion. Was the budget increased to enable the PA to organise events for PAP candidates during election period? We will never know.
So when do you hear of the CCC chairman?
Long-time servers would be up for awards such as the Public Service Star, which is awarded to people who have rendered valuable public service to the people of Singapore. In 2014, a record eight CCC chairmen were presented with the Public Service Star.
You can tell a grassroots leader by looking at their business card. After the name is a list of letters such as PBM, the Public Service Medal (Pingat Bakti Masyarakat), and the higher of the two, BBM, the Public Service Star (Bintang Bakti Masyarakat).
8th September 2015 0 Straits Times Singapore
Congratulations to all the Unsung Heroes; the Chairman of the Powerful CCC committee under People's Associations for Winning the Outstanding Public Service Medal (PMB)... We are so proud of your achievement as part of PAP's $1billion Machinery with the power to decide and override any upgrading projects in the Opposition Town Councils
The Power of CCC - A Case Study
$300,000 allocated by CCC was removed from Punggol East after PAP lost to WP in the By-election
When WP won Punggol-East SMC, Mt Low Thia Khiang reported a $282,000 deficit, PAP’s Zainal Sapari says is a surplus because the CCC is holding on to $300,000 in the CIPC. Based on Mr Pritam Singh’s statement that AHPETC has not received a single cent of CIPC money since 2011 points to the fact that the WP ward have ever seen any of that $300,000 that was allocated thus the net loss of $282,000 report.
Long-time servers would be up for awards such as the Public Service Star, which is awarded to people who have rendered valuable public service to the people of Singapore. In 2014, a record eight CCC chairmen were presented with the Public Service Star.
You can tell a grassroots leader by looking at their business card. After the name is a list of letters such as PBM, the Public Service Medal (Pingat Bakti Masyarakat), and the higher of the two, BBM, the Public Service Star (Bintang Bakti Masyarakat).
8th September 2015 0 Straits Times Singapore
Congratulations to all the Unsung Heroes; the Chairman of the Powerful CCC committee under People's Associations for Winning the Outstanding Public Service Medal (PMB)... We are so proud of your achievement as part of PAP's $1billion Machinery with the power to decide and override any upgrading projects in the Opposition Town Councils
Mr Stanley Yeo, Vice Chairman of Tampines North CCC - Awarded PBM
The Power of CCC - A Case Study
$300,000 allocated by CCC was removed from Punggol East after PAP lost to WP in the By-election
When WP won Punggol-East SMC, Mt Low Thia Khiang reported a $282,000 deficit, PAP’s Zainal Sapari says is a surplus because the CCC is holding on to $300,000 in the CIPC. Based on Mr Pritam Singh’s statement that AHPETC has not received a single cent of CIPC money since 2011 points to the fact that the WP ward have ever seen any of that $300,000 that was allocated thus the net loss of $282,000 report.
AGO Flag up Extensive Lapses and Conflict of Interest Report on CCCs
Earlier this month, the Auditor-General’s Office (AGO) found lapses in the management of tenancy contracts and procurement at a number of Community Centre/Club Management Committees (CCMCs), which come under the CCCs. The AGO reported that 35 of the 91 CCMCs that were checked did not obtain approval from the relevant authorities for awarding 53 tenancy contracts amounting to $17.78 million. It also found “numerous errors and omissions in the updating of disbursements” from the CCC’s ComCare Fund (CCF) by seven of the eight CCCs that were checked.
Hot Button Issue - Town Upgrading
Earlier this month, the Auditor-General’s Office (AGO) found lapses in the management of tenancy contracts and procurement at a number of Community Centre/Club Management Committees (CCMCs), which come under the CCCs. The AGO reported that 35 of the 91 CCMCs that were checked did not obtain approval from the relevant authorities for awarding 53 tenancy contracts amounting to $17.78 million. It also found “numerous errors and omissions in the updating of disbursements” from the CCC’s ComCare Fund (CCF) by seven of the eight CCCs that were checked.
- Five CCCs did not take into account cancelled and expired cheques to reflect the actual CCF used.
- This led to the submission of inaccurate CCF utilisation reports, which resulted in PA obtaining excess CCF funding amounting to $84,394 over a two-year period.
- Then there was the Admiralty CCC ex-chairman who had approved the award of contracts to a company he had an interest in.
Hot Button Issue - Town Upgrading
PAP candidates both take credit for upgrades that are often not under the direct purview of their MP role (opening up a new MRT line, SERS, or a new polyclinic, or a park or waterway), and make promises for future upgrades of the same nature. On the other hand, opposition MPs never promise any neighborhood upgrades. Never. Not even once
Estate upgrading plans unveiled by PAP candidates using as a Carrot and Stick approach to voters . We heard it all,, we have been conditioned to accept the rules of the game.. a carrot or a stick
- Vote PAP = Upgrades and better Facilities
- Vote Oppositions = Despair and Repent
Vote me Get upgrade. Vote opposition, please wait long long...
3rd Sept 2015, Teo Ser Luck's "Liew Lian Bo Bao Jia" Comment for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC Only if he gets elected, upgrading will be done with our taxpayers money !
What if Your Estate was not selected for Neighborhood Renewal Program (NRP)
If your precinct is not selected or eligible for the HDB Neighbourhood Renewal Program or NRP, the money is likely to come from the Community Improvement Projects Committee (CIPC), which comes under the MND.
And who sits on the CIPC Committee in MND?
Well, they are PAP MPs and Grassroots advisers. The CIPC disburses its funds by virtue of the CCCs recommendations, unsurprisingly, an elected opposition MP has no say prioritizing projects for the constituency.
Town Council Transparency Report
One interesting finding is the transparency index, based on information available on each town council website.
The point system is as follows:
Top in Transparency
Bishan Toa Payoh Town Council, Aljunied Hougang Punggol East Town Council (after July 2015) and Chua Chu Kang Town Council tie for a joint first place.
Least Transparency
East Coast Town Council and Holland Bukit Timah Town Councils whose General Manager/Secretary Tan Gim Tat and Albert, Teng Ann Boon are the Deputy GM and GM of their Managing Agent EM Services respectively, EM Services is 75% Owned by HDB.
Town Council Transparency Report
One interesting finding is the transparency index, based on information available on each town council website.
- 1 = most transparent
- 6 = least transparent
The point system is as follows:
- Potential Conflict of Interest
- Disclosure of conflict of interest
- Tender information
- Managing agent information
- Annual reports
- Access of Information on website
Top in Transparency
Bishan Toa Payoh Town Council, Aljunied Hougang Punggol East Town Council (after July 2015) and Chua Chu Kang Town Council tie for a joint first place.
Least Transparency
Download the image (Source: Fang Shihan)
The Facts – Aljunied Town Council Received ZERO funding from CIPC after 2011
In 2009, 2010 and 2011, three consecutive years prior to GE2011, the Aljunied Town Council under the PAP was allocated about $4m each year from the CIPC Committee, a total of $12m dollars over three years. after Workers' Party won, from 2011 to 2015, AHPETC has received NOTHING.
If you Don't Vote for PAP - You Pay a Heavy Price
Wards which elected non-PAP MPs were pushed to the end of the queue, for the example of Hougang SMC which saw its first upgrading only after 2012. A long 20 years wait after the start of national upgrading in 1992 - 20 years of where our Ah Gongs and Ah Ma were being punished to climb stairs...
So What is our roles and responsibility as Voters ?
As Voters, we can either be part of the bullying problem or an important part of the solution to stop bullying. Just as we have human rights we also have responsibilities to respect and protect the rights of others. Despite knowing the threats of intimidation and political bullying faced by opposition parties, many choose to remain silent bystanders. Some bystanders even take the side of the bully by laughing at the victim, encouraging and urging on political bullying
Do We Bring Singapore Forward or Backwards ?
The heavy machinery that the PAP government has put in place as political tools to make it difficult for any opposition party to make inroads into Singapore politics will led to the disappearance of Opposition parties in Singapore. Blind Obedience, breeds complacency and ultimately it will lead to the decline of Singapore…
Mr Low Thia Khiang - Party Leader of Workers' Party
Below is a photo taken by Photographer Lim Weixiang who was shooting a WP outreach session in Hougang constituency on Wednesday morning (2nd Sept 2015) for social news site : www.mothership.sg. In his own words: "While following Mr Low and the other MPs in Hougang, Mr Low spotted this elderly lady pushed by her daughter in a wheelchair. He went up to her and greeted her in Teochew, but what moved me was his hands — his fingers touching hers — so genuine that it could not have been that he was doing it for the camera. I used a longer lens for this shot as I wanted to isolate them from the background."
Social Justice
For that 32 years of contribution to the democratic progress of our nation.. did the government give him any Public Service Star or a simple thank you ? Is Mr Low Thia Khiang's contribution to society any less meaningful than the CCC Chairman?
Do the Right Thing - Stand Up and Speak Out For What You Believe in
Care and Compassion comes from the heart...... Mr Low cares and WP is a responsible Opposition Party that aims to be the voice for each and everyone of us. In just 4 days time... it will be upon us to decide... do we close our rank and support him and his party and send in more support into Parliament to help him or do we turn our back on him ..
- For Workers' Party - Mr Low and his team lost their seats and go home to spent time with their loved ones
- For Us - We lose our only credible and responsible Voice in the Parliament and an able leader like Mr Low.
All these Views doesn't Matter.. Whats Really Matters is YOUR View and Your Action come September 11...
This is not a be all and end all article, to reiterate, it aims to present TRUE FACTUAL Accounts presented for your analysis and judgement. Information are extracted from public domain information including mnd.gov.sg; aphetc.sg, theonlinecitizen.com and public archive. Please feel free to provide your perspective and comments for the learning and education of all electorates. As Voters we have the responsibility to vote wisely and carefully for the future of our nation and for our children. Thank you once again
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