LETTER SENT TO SINGAPORE'S MINISTRY OF INFORMATION, COMMUNICATIONS AND THE ARTS, MEDIA DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AND NGEE ANN POLYTECHNIC ON 30 SEPTEMBER 2008
This country today mourns the loss of one of its sons, Joshua Benjamin Jeyaretnam.
In April 2001, under the instructions of its then leadership, officers from Singapore's media regulators raided Ngee Ann Polytechnic and confiscated film equipment and tapes after three lecturers had made a documentary about the late J B Jeyaratnam.
The justification of your team then was that it had violated a prohibition in the Films Act. That prohibition can now no longer stand. I hope, with the passing of J B Jeyaretnam, your officers will now release the film.
I hope Ngee Ann Polytechnic will make the request for the confiscated film equipment and tapes to be released to it.
Three lecturers had been involved in making the film. They offered apologies. They were also reprimanded. One resigned, and the remaing two chose to remain silent. I hope Ngee Ann Polytechnic will now arrange for the full stories of these film-makers to be told.
Similarly, I also hope the Media Development Authority will encourage journalists and other media professionals, who had covered J B Jeyaretnam in his lifetime to talk about their experiences covering him. It is important for these stories to be told uninhibited so that lessons can be learnt to better assess the legacy of J B Jeyaretnam.
Both the Media Development Authority and Ngee Ann Polytechnic should jointly arrange the screening of this film. Both organisations can perhaps also look into collaborating to make a more comprehensive film to honour the legacy of J B Jeyaretnam.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Happiness,
Dharmendra Yadav
Please consider the environment - do you really need to print this?
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Investigative Journalism & Foreign Workers
Afterthoughts:
1. Some years ago, Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong stood up and argued that there is no place for investigative journalism in Singapore.
2. Several have begged to differ. The above Al-Jazeera English video underscores the case of those who disagree with SM Goh.
3. Of course, one has to view this video with a pinch of salt since it features no official response from Singapore.
4. Nevertheless, considering the story was aired over a week ago (according to the Youtube link above), there has been no official reaction from Singapore's Ministry of Manpower to this video too.
5. Usually, the Singapore Government is quick to react to issues that are raised by reputable international media, especially those available in Singapore.
6. Perhaps, there are similar stories that Singapore's own local media will find the courage to pursue. But then again it would not be in Singapore's national interest to have its own local media publicise its less than satisfactory laundry, would it?
7. There are precedents, however. For example, The Straits Times' shaming of National Kidney Foundation's excesses.
8. As a result of this initiative, Singapore now has a more accountable National Kidney Foundation. It has also led to higher standards of corporate governance within the charity landscape as a whole.
9. Thank you, Prashant, for sharing this video with me.
Happiness,
Dharmendra Yadav
Please consider the environment - do you really need to print this?
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Report Investment Cheats To Police
In recent days, the Monetary of Authority of Singapore (MAS) has issued at least three press statements to address concerns raised by investors of structured products. I have read that independent parties will now deal with the complaints of such investors and review the calculation of payouts offered by at least one financial institution.
Such moves are unprecedented by MAS and the financial institutions. The collective reaction is probably intense enough to prompt them into such action.
I have also heard that some persons believe that they have been cheated into purchasing these products and are victims of illegality.
I am not sure how true this is. I have not read any reports of the police commencing an investigation into the incidents. Such claims can only adversely affect our financial system.
Nevertheless, if you feel you are the victim of an act that you think is a criminal offence, make a police report. Let the police (in particular here, the Commercial Affairs Department) investigate the incident and clear the air.
This is perhaps more constructive than merely protesting someone cheated you.
Happiness,
Dharmendra Yadav
Please consider the environment - do you really need to print this?
Such moves are unprecedented by MAS and the financial institutions. The collective reaction is probably intense enough to prompt them into such action.
I have also heard that some persons believe that they have been cheated into purchasing these products and are victims of illegality.
I am not sure how true this is. I have not read any reports of the police commencing an investigation into the incidents. Such claims can only adversely affect our financial system.
Nevertheless, if you feel you are the victim of an act that you think is a criminal offence, make a police report. Let the police (in particular here, the Commercial Affairs Department) investigate the incident and clear the air.
This is perhaps more constructive than merely protesting someone cheated you.
Happiness,
Dharmendra Yadav
Please consider the environment - do you really need to print this?
Changed Singapore Dream Means More Flee City of Possibilities
PUBLISHED BY THE ONLINE CITIZEN ON 25 SEPTEMBER 2008
Get a good education, work hard, save money, get married, own homes, make babies, retire and enjoy the fruits of your labour - this was once the Singapore Dream.
In the last 5 years, I know of several friends who have left Singapore because that Singapore Dream, which was once achievable, is now more distant.
A majority of these friends who have left are married.
To some, the decision was very clear and a no-brainer. There was a better quality of life waiting for them beyond the Singapore shores even though it came at the expense of higher taxes.
Some thought long and hard before making this decision. At least one of them even purchased a property in Singapore and was thinking of having children here. But the more they contemplated, the more they got sucked into the rat race and realised that this was a life they did not wish to lead.
Life, to them, is not about stashing away more and more money in their bank accounts but about leading a contented life. And, since they left, they have not regretted making that decision.
Another group of these friends are single and homosexual. They feel strongly, for various reasons, that they cannot live a life of dignity in Singapore. Legislation such as Section 377A of the Penal Code also impedes them from being themselves.
They are now happily settled elsewhere, either still single or attached by civil partnerships to other males. Most enjoy a standard of living higher than they would have in Singapore. One friend has even adopted a new identity in the interest of his family, who remain in Singapore.
Of course, there are another group of friends who have left simply because they can make more money elsewhere. To them, a personal priority is to save as much as they can early in life so that, later in life, they can retire blissfully.
Some years ago, at a Singapore International Foundation event for foreign undergraduates, I asked the then Minister for Law & Foreign Affairs, Professor Shanmugam Jayakumar, about this trend.
He basically made statements to the following effect. There is nothing or little the Government can do to change the minds of those leaving Singapore, and that Singapore should continue to focus its efforts on attracting foreign talent.
This was at a time when the Singapore Government was dishing out scholarships to foreign students and citizenships to foreign sportsmen. We would only realise much later that some of these sportsmen would flee the country as soon as they had accumulated their bounty!
Thankfully, Shanmugam Jayakumar’s view has not been a view shared by the current Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who has set up the Overseas Singaporean Unit (OSU) in the Prime Minister’s Office and made it the direct agenda of his office to reconnect Singapore with Singaporeans who have left.
How well the OSU will do remains unclear, especially in light of more developments, which are encouraging or enabling more Singaporeans to leave Singapore.
Since stepping down as Prime Minister, Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong has gone on a whirlwind tour of the Middle East to promote Singapore and Singaporean talent.
This has created new opportunities for some, like an uncle of mine, who, after reaching their mid-40s, faced great difficulty finding jobs here. These experienced persons are now being talent-spotted for work in the Middle East in countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar and United Arab Emirates.
Another Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Lim Boon Heng, is pushing for more people to work beyond the retirement age and lobbied very hard for legislation to make employers offer re-employment to those above 62 years old.
My folks and I do not buy this idea that one has to work for life or beyond the retirement age. There is so much more to do in life after retirement.
Like some of those who have left, they are thinking of liquidating some of their assets to purchase a retirement home in Thailand or India where the cost of living is comparatively cheaper.
I also know of many older friends who have purchased homes in Penang and Malacca in Malaysia or moved to Australia or New Zealand, because that is where they wish to eventually retire.
Today, the Singapore Dream has changed: get a good education, work hard, save money, get married, own homes, make babies, retire and then keep on working.
As a result, many more find themselves abandoning the Singapore Dream and fleeing this city of possibilities.
Happiness,
Dharmendra Yadav
Please consider the environment - do you really need to print this?
Get a good education, work hard, save money, get married, own homes, make babies, retire and enjoy the fruits of your labour - this was once the Singapore Dream.
In the last 5 years, I know of several friends who have left Singapore because that Singapore Dream, which was once achievable, is now more distant.
A majority of these friends who have left are married.
To some, the decision was very clear and a no-brainer. There was a better quality of life waiting for them beyond the Singapore shores even though it came at the expense of higher taxes.
Some thought long and hard before making this decision. At least one of them even purchased a property in Singapore and was thinking of having children here. But the more they contemplated, the more they got sucked into the rat race and realised that this was a life they did not wish to lead.
Life, to them, is not about stashing away more and more money in their bank accounts but about leading a contented life. And, since they left, they have not regretted making that decision.
Another group of these friends are single and homosexual. They feel strongly, for various reasons, that they cannot live a life of dignity in Singapore. Legislation such as Section 377A of the Penal Code also impedes them from being themselves.
They are now happily settled elsewhere, either still single or attached by civil partnerships to other males. Most enjoy a standard of living higher than they would have in Singapore. One friend has even adopted a new identity in the interest of his family, who remain in Singapore.
Of course, there are another group of friends who have left simply because they can make more money elsewhere. To them, a personal priority is to save as much as they can early in life so that, later in life, they can retire blissfully.
Some years ago, at a Singapore International Foundation event for foreign undergraduates, I asked the then Minister for Law & Foreign Affairs, Professor Shanmugam Jayakumar, about this trend.
He basically made statements to the following effect. There is nothing or little the Government can do to change the minds of those leaving Singapore, and that Singapore should continue to focus its efforts on attracting foreign talent.
This was at a time when the Singapore Government was dishing out scholarships to foreign students and citizenships to foreign sportsmen. We would only realise much later that some of these sportsmen would flee the country as soon as they had accumulated their bounty!
Thankfully, Shanmugam Jayakumar’s view has not been a view shared by the current Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who has set up the Overseas Singaporean Unit (OSU) in the Prime Minister’s Office and made it the direct agenda of his office to reconnect Singapore with Singaporeans who have left.
How well the OSU will do remains unclear, especially in light of more developments, which are encouraging or enabling more Singaporeans to leave Singapore.
Since stepping down as Prime Minister, Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong has gone on a whirlwind tour of the Middle East to promote Singapore and Singaporean talent.
This has created new opportunities for some, like an uncle of mine, who, after reaching their mid-40s, faced great difficulty finding jobs here. These experienced persons are now being talent-spotted for work in the Middle East in countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar and United Arab Emirates.
Another Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Lim Boon Heng, is pushing for more people to work beyond the retirement age and lobbied very hard for legislation to make employers offer re-employment to those above 62 years old.
My folks and I do not buy this idea that one has to work for life or beyond the retirement age. There is so much more to do in life after retirement.
Like some of those who have left, they are thinking of liquidating some of their assets to purchase a retirement home in Thailand or India where the cost of living is comparatively cheaper.
I also know of many older friends who have purchased homes in Penang and Malacca in Malaysia or moved to Australia or New Zealand, because that is where they wish to eventually retire.
Today, the Singapore Dream has changed: get a good education, work hard, save money, get married, own homes, make babies, retire and then keep on working.
As a result, many more find themselves abandoning the Singapore Dream and fleeing this city of possibilities.
Happiness,
Dharmendra Yadav
Please consider the environment - do you really need to print this?
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Meeting A Lawyer
Sometimes, you may find yourself in a dispute with another party. You decide to seek legal advice on the matter. And you ask, "What do I need to do before I approach a lawyer?"
FIND A LAWYER WHO HAS DONE SIMILAR WORK
It is always good to get legal advice when you have a dispute with another party. Make sure the lawyer whose advice you seek has done similar work in the past. If the lawyer has not, you should ideally find a lawyer who has done equivalent or similar work.
THE IMPORTANCE OF PREPARATION
You should make the best use of the lawyer's time when you first meet the lawyer. Usually, the first meeting enables the lawyer to make a general assessment about the strength of your case and to also provide you a quote for the work that the lawyer will undertake. Depending on the lawyer, the first meeting may also be complimentary. To make best use of the lawyer's time, you need to go into the lawyer's office prepared.
PREPARE A FILE FOR THE LAWYER
It will therefore be useful to put a comprehensive file together before you meet the lawyer. Such a file will help a lawyer better understand your case and provide a more accurate quote for his or her legal fees.
The file should contain:
1. A list providing the identities of all the parties involved in the dispute, including information about your identity.
2. All the documents relevant to the dispute, especially correspondences that you received and material that you have signed or agreed to. If you are not sure if a document is relevant to the dispute, flag it up but include it in the file. Let the lawyer make an assessment if the document is relevant.
3. A chronology of the events leading up to the current state of affairs. This is like a milestone chart and will enable a lawyer to get a snapshot of the dispute.
4. A statement containing your side of the story. This will be useful in helping the lawyer to understand your dispute. Be as concise and precise as possible. Use headings and bold or underline parts that you think are important. Recall in detail particularly any verbal meetings you had with the other parties involved in the dispute. Do feel free in your statement to make references to the material you have prepared in (1) - (3) above.
5. A list of questions for your lawyer to address.
6. Your objective, that is what you want to achieve from the dispute resolution process. This will help the lawyer understand your expectations.
Before going to meet the lawyer, make two copies of the file. One for your lawyer and the other for your own reference.
Finally, update the file as the dispute progresses. This will be useful if you decide to change lawyers later.
OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION
The Law Society of Singapore offers more insights into Seeing Your Lawyer. You may find it useful too in preparing for your first meeting with your lawyer.
Happiness,
Dharmendra Yadav
Please consider the environment - do you really need to print this?
FIND A LAWYER WHO HAS DONE SIMILAR WORK
It is always good to get legal advice when you have a dispute with another party. Make sure the lawyer whose advice you seek has done similar work in the past. If the lawyer has not, you should ideally find a lawyer who has done equivalent or similar work.
THE IMPORTANCE OF PREPARATION
You should make the best use of the lawyer's time when you first meet the lawyer. Usually, the first meeting enables the lawyer to make a general assessment about the strength of your case and to also provide you a quote for the work that the lawyer will undertake. Depending on the lawyer, the first meeting may also be complimentary. To make best use of the lawyer's time, you need to go into the lawyer's office prepared.
PREPARE A FILE FOR THE LAWYER
It will therefore be useful to put a comprehensive file together before you meet the lawyer. Such a file will help a lawyer better understand your case and provide a more accurate quote for his or her legal fees.
The file should contain:
1. A list providing the identities of all the parties involved in the dispute, including information about your identity.
2. All the documents relevant to the dispute, especially correspondences that you received and material that you have signed or agreed to. If you are not sure if a document is relevant to the dispute, flag it up but include it in the file. Let the lawyer make an assessment if the document is relevant.
3. A chronology of the events leading up to the current state of affairs. This is like a milestone chart and will enable a lawyer to get a snapshot of the dispute.
4. A statement containing your side of the story. This will be useful in helping the lawyer to understand your dispute. Be as concise and precise as possible. Use headings and bold or underline parts that you think are important. Recall in detail particularly any verbal meetings you had with the other parties involved in the dispute. Do feel free in your statement to make references to the material you have prepared in (1) - (3) above.
5. A list of questions for your lawyer to address.
6. Your objective, that is what you want to achieve from the dispute resolution process. This will help the lawyer understand your expectations.
Before going to meet the lawyer, make two copies of the file. One for your lawyer and the other for your own reference.
Finally, update the file as the dispute progresses. This will be useful if you decide to change lawyers later.
OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION
The Law Society of Singapore offers more insights into Seeing Your Lawyer. You may find it useful too in preparing for your first meeting with your lawyer.
Happiness,
Dharmendra Yadav
Please consider the environment - do you really need to print this?
The Taste of India
Enough said.
(Note: I am not sure as to the source of this picture. If you know the source, please let me know.)
Happiness,
Dharmendra Yadav
Please consider the environment - do you really need to print this?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)