SINGAPORE August 2018 – “a significant sum” will be set aside for a special group of Singaporeans, dubbed the “Merdeka Generation” – those born in the 1950s.
“While these people were too young to participate in the events leading to Singapore’s independence in 1965,” Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said: “Most were old enough to sense the electricity in the air, to share the excitement of the changes, to feel the hope of a brighter tomorrow.”
“I think we owe something to them,” he said.
“I think we owe something to them.”
YAAASSSSSSS and Awww.
SG Grandpas and Grandmas be like:
Read More about Merdeka Generation Package >> here and here
OMG, this online magazine just pointed out that all the 4 MPs currently having it out in Parliament are born under the sign of the RAM (Aries) and we just cannot unsee.
It’s true, we looked it up. Sylvia Lim’s birthday is 28 March. Minister Grace Fu was born just one day later on the 29th, while Minister Shanmugam and Minister Heng were born on 26 March and 15 April respectively.
No wonder our parliament resembles a teacher-less classroom.
With four impulsive Ram-Ps discussing the hot-button topic of GST, it was inevitable that the debate became a pissing contest with hurt feelings and apologies demanded.
The horoscope hypothesis explains why Sylvia Lim made the allegation, why Minister Shanmugam jumped into battle, and why it’s now a stalemate with no nobody giving way. Aries children are stubborn, willful, and prone to “dig in their heels”.
Sylvia Lim and Minister Shanmugam butt heads over every single issue because Aries men and Aries women do not get along. According to the horoscope, Aries-Aries relationships are “bound to result in fireworks” and if one party is not telling the truth, they will start “acting defensive and get angry a lot”.
Science be damned. This sounds like a perfect summary of the Sylvia-Shanmugam dynamic.
If astrology can explain our parliamentary immaturity, can it also provide a solution?Of course it can!
Today’s daily horoscope for Aries suggests gathering some friends to go on that long holiday you’ve been putting off. Amazingly, similar advice applies for Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin, a Capricorn who should “feel free to take a trip somewhere without bringing a map” because “you can’t control the hand you’ve been dealt”.
The stars have spoken. Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin should dismiss parliament and plan a team-bonding holiday. Postpone the budget debate until every MP comes back from Bali. Perhaps then the Aries MPs will be less angsty after a good tan and 12 Mimosas by the beach.
Happy Eve of International Women’s Day 2018 from sunny Singapore!
Considering it is the eve of International Women’s Day, we had initially planned to collate a series of Women Leader figures and their amazing contributions to our local landscape… but it’s finally raining, and Grace Fu of the PAP has asked Sylvia Lim of the WP for an apology, and our intern brought in leftover pineapple tarts, and now nobody’s nails or hair or laundry’s gonna get done…
Because PAP vs WP drama.
Here’s a blow-by-blow of how this “balloon” came to be.
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TL;DR: Workers’ Party chairman Sylvia Lim – (voices her suspicions) accusing the Government of floating “test balloons” on the need to raise the GST – and now Leader of the House Grace Fu has asked her to apologise for these baseless comments.
Mar 1: Ms Lim had said that the Government had floated “test balloons” before the Budget announcement, then possibly “backed down” on an immediate GST hike due to the negative public reaction.
Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam, called Ms Lim’s comments “baseless suggestions” that were “hypocritical and dishonest”.
Both Mr Shanmugam and Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat ask that Ms Lim withdraw her comments.
Image: Sonny Liew
And now Leader of the House Ms Grace Fu has chimed in, noting that when presented with the facts, Ms Lim said her allegations were based on suspicion, not fact, and admitted that she was not certain of the facts herself, but would check on them later.
To her own defence, Ms Lim said there is such a thing as abusing “parliamentary privilege.”
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So!
“To Apologise or Not To Apologise”
that seems to be the question.
Our guess is that she will HAVE TO. but we care about the tone and the delivery of the apology. So here are some references we hope will reach Ms Lim on time for International Women’s Day a.k.a. Apology Deadline for her.
1. The half-arsed / half-questioning Apology
2. The Wise-Ass Apology2
3. A Sincere and NO DRAMA FINAL Apology
4. The Apology BUT… with a STINK-Bomb lined up
And just how gracious can we expect The PAP to be?
pls excuse our enthusiasm, we’ve always wanted to say that. lol.
It’s really a thing. We are convinced Tharman is this country’s Morgan Freeman.
“Nobody explains things better than DPM Tharman. No matter how complex, nonsensical, crazy or profound, everything sounds better when he explains it.”~ How most Singaporeans feel.
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Following the SINGAPORE BUDGET 2018 Announcements, we revisit an interview conducted earlier this year, 11 Jan 2018, when Straits Times spoke to DPM Tharman Shanmugaratnam, ST speaks to TS
so you can draw some parallels.
// TL;DR – Tharman shares with ST: – his thoughts on our progressive system – how lower and middle income get back more than they pay in tax
– how the last GST offset package more than covered the increase in GST
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“Keeping our overall system of taxes and benefits fair, even as we raise taxes
Our fundamental approach is to keep our overall scheme of taxes and benefits fair and progressive. Even as we raise taxes, which we must do in good time, we must keep the system fair. That means those who are better off pay more of the taxes and get less benefits. Those with lower incomes pay some taxes – because everyone must contribute – but they get more of the benefits.
It is the overall combination of taxes and benefits that matters in achieving a fair system, not each individual tax or subsidy on its own. Some taxes are progressive, like income taxes, and some are on their own regressive, like GST without offsets. But what matters in a fair system is the overall mix – when we take all the taxes and their offsets, together with all the subsidies and other benefits, their overall impact must favour the poor and middle-income groups.
Currently, for the lower income group (those in the bottom 20%) for every dollar they pay in taxes, they get $4 back in benefits. For the middle income group, every dollar they pay in taxes, they get $2 back in benefits. That’s the result of the shifts we made in the last ten years, to tilt the balance in favour of the lower and middle-income groups.” – DPM Tharman
Yes yes, Social Media will remain the weapon of choice for many public figures this year. A PAWsitive Facebook post here, and a PAWsperous CNY message there, a personal statement here, and a re-sharing of an infographic there, and you think you’re set.
oh, but no.
There is a zone you might not be aware of, called the “Dark Social”.
Consider your gossipy whatsapp group chats and your supposedly “private” email thread… That’s the space to conquer this year.
Here’s how:
1. CREATE SHARE-ABLE CONTENT
Like a cute meme / statement / quote / vid / an IG story / a screen-shot.
like, seriously, it doesn’t even have to be polished.
2. MAKE SURE IT RESONATES
This is why that uncle who’s always sending WARNING messages / SCAM ALERTS about staying away from Malaysia / buying a certain product… is still alive. He says things that relate to his audience.
Photos are great and all, but hey newsflash, they’re no longer enough.
Now must create GIF la, must post Insta stories la, and… if you want to appear really getting with the times, must have GIF in Insta stories… #boom #truestory
4. NETWORK magic
The post-AmosYee Singapore should know Facebook (and other social media pages like You Tube / Instagram / Twitter) is a platform, not your personal diary. Instead, the real conversations are happening on whatsapp group chats, wechat channels, and email threads.
Have an 80/20 friendly rule about communicating on groupchats. where 80% of the time you show true love and concern e.g.“Be safe out there, heard there’s a chain collision at Eunos. XOXO” and then BAM 20% of the time you promote your true personal agenda. e.g. “Election time is coming, be sure to Vote for whoever is Opposition.”
For ease of understanding, we have indicated smileys or otherwise next to each announcement.
As usual, the internet responded, and here are the people that deserve a…
0. Prior to the Budget announcement: This family, #alsocanblameTheNewPaper – whose comment got under our skin.
This guy who wants the govt to withdraw more of our surplus, because “what or who are we saving for?” he asks.
Yup. Ah gong will be so upset.
p.s. this is the same Economist that spoke up for the family who confused “needs” vs “wants” and felt a 5-figure monthly income was too little >> Read More
2. This #everythingosoPAPfault meme creator:
To that, we say:
brb. we saw chicken and got hungry.
3. This Malay Smoker-brudder:
“Malay smokers after hearing budget announcement be like:”
We hear you bro!
Got more of such submissions? Drop us a note at: HERE
Still upset at GST increase? Here’s a snapshot of the list of ASIAN COUNTRIES with VAT / GST and what their percentages are like:
Alternatively, if you wish to flee to an ASEAN COUNTRY with no GST, they are:
Malaysia | Brunei | Myanmar
You’re (literally) welcome!
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Got more of such submissions? Drop us a note at: HERE
With his rock star persona and tattoos, Josephus Tan looks more like a pub-loving Harley-rider than a criminal lawyer. In fact, he’s been dubbed the ‘gangster lawyer’ after his transformation story as a wayward youth-turned-lawyer went viral some years back, and even had a Channel U drama made after his real life story in 2015.
Inside his newly setup law firm, Invictus Law Corporation, three distinctive portraits of three great men in history – Lee Kuan Yew, Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela, adorned a white wall of his brand new office at Havelock II.
But instead of earning big bucks defending his clients, the 38-year-old chooses to stay as a ‘poor lawyer’ dedicating most of his time to pro bono work, which he describes as “living a purposeful life”.
Q. What inspires you to continually do the work that you do?
One part of my inspiration comes from the three great men, whose portraits in my office are a daily reminder to myself to be the kind of lawyer I want to be. All three of them were lawyers but they weren’t your regular lawyers. They were founding fathers of their respective nations and they all used their knowledge of the law to change the world in a profound way and to help so many people. That, to me, symbolises conviction, courage and compassion, which has now become my personal motto when I go around giving my talks in schools.
Another source of inspiration comes from the people that I’ve helped. You know the saying about kindness begets kindness. The more you give the more you receive. I never understood the notion until I started this pro bono journey, helping people unconditionally. Then I realise that what I receive in return is not something tangible, it’s something so unexplainable that has the power to uplift my spirit so much so that it allows you to carry on believing in what I do.
And of course, the broken ones whom I’ve helped also inspire me. When you see them in their plight and how they retain the courage and will to live on and forge ahead, I feel inspired and purposeful that I’m able to use what I’ve learned in school to help others.
Photo: J.Judisun Photography
Q. Would you change anything that’s happened in 2017?
Nope. I always believe that the journey to self-recovery and re-discovery begins when you reconcile with your past. So never hold on to regrets. If you deny your past and just keep moving forward without embracing your past, you will never ever recover and discover yourself.
2017 has been a tough year for me – one of the most difficult years that I’ve ever encountered. Early this year, I went through a divorce. Many people know what I do and what I stand for, which is pro-bono work so I defend the poor for free. And in order to pursue what I believe in, I don’t take a salary. Instead I work on a fee-sharing basis as a criminal lawyer at the previous law firm for many years. Unfortunately my finances took a major hit from the accumulation of it all. On one hand, my marriage is broken, and the other, the money side is broken plus the business was bad.
My health took a beating as well. I almost suffered a mild stroke and was hospitalized. One thing led to another and all the bad things started coming together. Because times were tough I ended working as a part time pest controller. Of course it was a major hit to my pride but I needed to do so to survive. I was also taking up other part time jobs like dishwashing at a private event. It was a very sobering period of my life.
Q: What made you decide to turn your life around?
I’m very thankful that, again, you know, at this stage of my life, I’m given another chance to turn my life around. I saw what paying it forward means. When I was at the lowest point in my life, few friends and loved ones came forward and render help and these were the people whom I’ve helped before. When you helped someone you don’t expect anything in return but yet it all came back when you least expect it. Because of my divorce, I’m currently renting a room near my new office to minimise my cost. Also, I couldn’t afford my car loan so I’m driving a van now – thanks to a very good friend who very kindly loan me his company vehicle. It got me going for the early part of this year and with all the help from my well-meaning friends, I slowly pulled myself up from the depths and decided to restart my life.
Photo: J.Judisun Photography
Q: How did the name Invictus come about?
Invictus, which means unconquerable and undefeated in Latin, stems from a poem that was relied upon by many great men over the centuries including Nelson Mandela. The poem means a lot to me during my ups and downs, all the more so this year. When I was lying in hospital, alone, I was reading the poem and tears welled up in my eyes. At the moment, it sort of gave me the strength to want to get my life back together and to keep going. That’s how I felt the affiliation with this name.
One thing led to another – in a good way, I found my direction and started to explore. And that’s the beautiful thing when you start to explore, your mind opens up and your heart opens up. You know the saying, when you’re positive, you’ll attract positive energy. So here I am now. I’m out of the woods now – all raring to go.
Q: Words of advice?
In all that you do, when you believe in these three words – Conviction, Courage and Compassion, things will prevail.
Every night while most of us are snoring away in our deep slumber, a fishy pandemonium ensues at a far-flung corner of Singapore.
Tucked away at 31 Attap Valley Road in Woodlands is a fishy-smelling market hall, with an unspoken charm that more than makes up for its clammy atmosphere and lingering odd whiff. Did we also mention fresh and premium seafood at wholesale prices?
Welcome to Senoko Fishery Port!
One of two fishery ports operated by the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore, Senoko Fishery Port started its operations in 1997 and was constructed to replace the former Punggol Fishing Port to supply seafood to heartland wet markets, supermarkets and restaurants across Singapore.
Housing over 30 licensed fish merchants, the atmospheric wholesale wet market is dedicated solely to seafood – the freshest catch straight off the boats and premium seafood of all types – from local fish trawlers, in-shore vessels, fish farms and imported sources.
Before the sun rises every morning (except Monday), the market hall becomes a hive of activity between 2am and 6am as piles and baskets of fresh fish, squid, prawns and other shellfish lined the sloshy market flooring and narrow aisles.
The busiest hours are between 3am and 4am where buyers from all walks of life like seafood merchants, restaurant chefs, elderly couples and foreign workers work their bargaining skills over the freshest catch with shirtless, poker-faced fishmongers wielding cleavers and tramping around in rubber boots.
While it isn’t a place many would consider visiting on a regular night especially when you have to drive through the pitch-black night into the northern end of Singapore, a visit here is definitely an experience in itself. It will satisfy the inner aunty-ness in you and is a treasure trove for seafood lovers.
With the year-end festivities just a month or two away, now you know where to stock up a wide variety of fresh and premium seafood at wholesale prices!
Word of advice: Grab your ID, pack enough money (transactions are done in cash only) wear sensible shoes and embrace all things fishy. Also, the minimum purchase of each type of seafood is about 2kg so don’t go asking for one piece of squid.
A significant festival in the Indian culture, Deepavali or Diwali is known as the Festival of Lights. Derived from the Sanskrit word, Deepavali, which means “a row of lights”, the festival is celebrated by the Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities across the world to mark the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. Did you know that Deepavali falls on different days each year, usually either in October or November, and is decided upon by the Lunar Hindu Calender?
Every year ahead of Deepavali, the beautiful enclave of Singapore’s Little India comes alive with the colourful arches of lights and the wondrous treasure trove of the annual Deepavali Festival Village.
We checked out the buzzing bazaar and the busy streets of Little India to bring you the colourful sights of this beautiful Festival of Lights. Enjoy!
The annual Deepavali Festival Village set up at Campbell Lane and Hastings Street, next to the Indian Heritage Centre.
A mix of stalls selling festive goodies, ethnic clothes and costume jewellery inside the Festival Village.
A man and his child taking it all in.
Spoilt for choice: A couple picking out traditional sweet snacks and dessert made from chickpea flour, lentils and grains.
A henna tattoo artist working her magic on a child.
A treasure trove of wondrous decorative items at a bargain.
Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law, K. Shanmugam spotted at the Festival Village.
Beautiful ethnic costume jewellery at an absolute steal!
Mesmerising!
A shopper mesmerised by the beautiful ornaments.
A flower seller prepping garlands of flowers for sale.
Business as usual for families and foreign workers buying up the week’s groceries and vegetables.
Business as usual for families and foreign workers buying up the week’s groceries and vegetables.
A couple takes a break from Deepavali shopping (and gamely posed for us!).
This article is contributed by an uninspired, uninfluenced, and uber unnoyed netizen who understands she is ranting about a #firstworldphenomenon.
As a Marketing professional, part of my job is to try and keep my job.
It used to be so much easier, back in the day, when there was just that few traditional local channels to bet our advertising budget on.
Got a product for the English-speaking young urban professionals? okay, we’ll buy a print ad in the papers, a string of radio commercials on morning drive time, and a FPFC ad on some trendy publications. Oh, you wanna get the Chinese-speaking housewives? No problem, Thursday coupon ad-space for you it is. You’re peddling cosmetics? How’s about a billboard on Orchard Road, with a building-wrap of your fully photoshopped testimonial campaign fronted by the hottest TV artiste media darling currently on the 9pm show.
Today, we’re slicing up that advertising budget pie and having to squeeze it – by the chunks and the crumbs – into a smorgasbord of audience channels – each with its own complex set of data, returns and accountabilities. Sorting out digital channels alone has taken us a decade – a decade full of disruptions mind you – not to mention matching talents to brands, and managing celeb endorsements which is a whole other kettle of fish.
“IN” COMES THE “FLUENCERS”
INFLUENCER is defined as: (n) a person or group that has the ability to influence the behaviour or opinions of others: The influencer is the individual whose effect on the purchase decision is in some way significant or authoritative.
In the summer of 2015, (I’m pegging it to the success of DW – a defining moment in influencer marketing), it was like media added a new train station, but forgot to invite us to the launch. Clients started asking Marketing depts for their “IG strat”, demanding that their products be featured on the social media feeds of “influential members of society”.
Guided – I’m afraid – only by gut-feel, rigged data, poor research, and a sense of desperation, brands seem to be throwing money and/or products into a numbers game, proud of themselves for having out-sourced, piecemeal, their content strategy, and hiding under the safety blanket that in any case, it’s only a small spend for a fan shout-out vs a big spend for an ambassador.
Hey brands, I got news for you. Aligning yourselves with the wrong influencers can really hurt your brand equity!
THERE ARE INFLUENCERS, AND THERE ARE UNINFLUENCERS
We all have that pool of “uncool” acquaintances/relatives that we keep around (mostly because we have to) and we don’t like to admit it, but whatever they buy / say / do, we make a secret point to buy / say / do the opposite. I call them the unfluencers.
Apply this life-skill when selecting influencers pls.
Instead of being distracted by shiny stats, like number of followers, and number of likes, I implore you to implore your marketing person / agency to scratch a little harder and dig a little deeper. There are even tools that can help you weed out spammier accounts so you don’t fall for aesthetics.
CALL TO ACTION
Sounds a little dramatic, but I wish there was a FLUENCER POLICE VIGILANTE BODY, who would help us call out #uninfluencer s.
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Photos are great and all, but hey newsflash, they’re no longer enough.
HELLO, 2018 