Our island state was founded more than 50 years ago on the basis of “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”. .. Half a century later, these very ideals have been eroded to the point where the livelihood of citizens are threatened ... wealth inequality has not improved in the last 5 years and income growth has slowed across the board except for the wealthiest. No matter how much assistance the government gives, there will always remain a segment of the population that cannot catch up. This is when social expenditure of the government must increase. .. The current exploitative nature of work is unsustainable where its workers clocked 2,371.2 hours in 2016, the longest in the world. .. It is ironic that the hardworking and old Singaporean workers cannot afford to retire even after a lifetime contributing to the nation’s economy. .. what then is the social contract of Singaporeans with regard to its employers and government?
Keep Reading →Adrian, like many civil society activists in Singapore, is a volunteer. He helps out with Think Centre, a long time member of FORUM-ASIA, which is gazetted by the Singapore Government as a political organisation. "...for lasting, long term effect to take place, I realised personal sharing in a safe space and one to one working out of arguments and disentangling of misconceptions to be most satisfying and effective. This has been facilitated a lot by social media and I am trying to reach out just to friends and relatives that I know personally. Only when one is willing to expose one’s vulnerability will the other party do the same."
Keep Reading →It is ironic that in rebutting Human Rights Watch's "false assertion", the Ministry of Law makes use of more false assertions.
Keep Reading →Dr. Lim Hock Siew, you have our deepest and utmost respect for the integrity, courage, conviction and commitment you have shown to your cause, beliefs and principles.
Keep Reading →He has been jailed six times and hauled to court for defaming Singapore's top political leadership. And most recently, he publicly grilled two of Singapore's most powerful men - Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew - in a high-profile defamation case.
Keep Reading →The ASEAN charter is a disappointment. It's neither daring nor visionary. It's not people-centred nor is it "empowering" the people. Really shameful! The ASEAN Peoples' Charter process is launched by the SAPA Working Group on ASEAN.
Keep Reading →I am encouraged to read your breaking news article Defend the people of Burma, UN, ASEAN urged by Think Centre, Irrawaddy, AHRC, IID, Forum Asia, & Singapore MFA.
Keep Reading →The 13th ASEAN Summit on 21 November 2007 threatens to become nothing more than a tragic farce, as ASEAN's leaders plan the grand signing of a Charter for ASEAN which they have long touted as a means of keeping ASEAN relevant, and making good on their vision of a "community of caring societies".
Keep Reading →Vitit Muntarbhorn is a Professor at the Faculty of Law, Chulalongkorn University. This speech was delivered at the "International Workshop on Forty Years of Asean'', organised by the Institute of Security and International Studies, Bangkok, Aug 28, 2007."
Keep Reading →25 August 2007, the Singapore Working Group for ASEAN's Forum was an initiative to promote interest on the ASEAN Charter process. More then 50 concern individuals and members of civil society groups participated in the forum.
Keep Reading →25 August 2007, more then 50 concern individuals and members of civil society groups participated in a forum to discuss the ASEAN Charter process and what it means to them. The Singapore Working Group for ASEAN kicked off the local initiative on promoting interest among Singapore residents on the ASEAN Charter process.
Keep Reading →Singapore has a reputation for being a very interventionist government "with almost a big brother approach to running the island". Efficiency is our strength, creativity is not. Why?
Keep Reading →The Sixth Workshop on the ASEAN Regional Mechanism on Human Rights again highlighted the need to challenge the "ASEAN Way" through greater civil society involvement, emphasising the need to publish the draft ASEAN Charter.
Keep Reading →FORUM-ASIA would like to share with the High Level Task Force members its concerns over the draft ASEAN Charter, as ASEAN prepares to mark its 40th anniversary on 8 August.
Keep Reading →Both local and foreign women workers are getting fired for being pregnant. She learnt from MOM that the company had not acted unlawfully, and it did not need to compensate her. The employer knew the loopholes in the labour law.
Keep Reading →Western governments support families with babies - without any moral strings. High levels of welfare support for children, and child and maternal health, and generous parental leave - for fathers and mothers. High rates of female workforce participation and gender income equality.
Keep Reading →Singapore has the unique status of having the world's highest paid political leaders. Their individual salaries surpass by far those of leaders of the world's largest and most successful economies.
Keep Reading →Why are Singaporeans leaving and may not be returning, when it is the best place in the world for expats to live and work, and the best for quality of life in Asia?
Keep Reading →The March 13, 2007 article "Free treats for jobless in UK" just seems like blatant single "mum" bashing.
Keep Reading →Laws such as the one in Singapore will ensure that even death won't free a person from the state's clutches.
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