Fare Review Exercise 2019: Bus, train fares to rise by 7% from 28 Dec 2019 but more to enjoy concessions

Hike capped at 4 cents per trip for 1 in 2 Singaporeans
Enhanced Concessions for Polytechnic and other Diploma Students;  Increased Assistance for Lower-Income Groups
By Christopher Tan, Senior Transport Correspondent, The Straits Times, 8 Oct 2019

Bus and train fares will rise by 7 per cent from Dec 28, although the hike will be cushioned for more than one in two Singaporeans who are eligible for concessionary fares.

For the first time, this group will include polytechnic students, who will enjoy student concessions.

The rise is the maximum allowed in this year's formula, and the biggest percentage jump since 1998 - driven largely by a spike in fuel and energy costs.

Adult card fares will rise by nine cents per trip.

Senior citizens, low-wage workers, persons with disabilities and school students will see the smallest rise of four cents, the Public Transport Council (PTC) said yesterday.

On the other hand, those who pay by cash or buy single-trip tickets - mostly visitors or infrequent users - will pay 20 cents more per trip, believed to be the single biggest increase so far.

The majority who use adult ez-link cards - accounting for nearly two-thirds of all trips - will see each ride costing nine cents more. Those who buy monthly concession passes will fork out $1 to $5.50 more, while frequent users who buy adult monthly passes will incur $8 more per month.

Polytechnic students will, however, see their commuting cost fall. After years of lobbying, polytechnic students will now have student concessions. They will now save up to $1.54 per trip.



In total, PTC chairman Richard Magnus pointed out that "close to two million people, or more than one in two Singaporeans, enjoy concessionary fares on our public transport system".

He said this was 35.4 per cent more than in 2013, when there was a comprehensive review of the concession schemes.

Actual average travelling cost had also fallen because of better rail connectivity. For instance, a ride from Bukit Panjang to Bugis cost $1.93 in 2015 because of several transfers. But today, with the Downtown Line, the same trip will cost $1.72 from Dec 28.

Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan said in a Facebook post yesterday that in any fare adjustment, the Government tries to keep the increase as low as possible so that it affects as few people as it can.

"Fortunately, more than half of Singaporeans receive substantial discounts from the normal fare," wrote Mr Khaw.

The Ministry of Transport will also step in to help lower-income families. Mr Khaw said that this year, the Government will extend 50 per cent more public transport vouchers and increase the value of each voucher to $50, from $30.

The 7 per cent fare rise translates to an increase of about $132.5 million in total fare revenue. Of this, SBS Transit will get $18.8 million, while SMRT Trains will get $40.2 million. Both are for train rides. SBS Transit and SMRT will contribute about $1.88 million and $2.01 million, respectively, to the Public Transport Fund, which helps needy families cope with fare rises.

The remaining $73.5 million in fare increase will go to the Land Transport Authority (LTA), which administers bus contracts. These contracts are up for periodic competitive tenders, and the winning operator is paid a fixed amount for a parcel of routes. All fare revenue then goes to LTA.

Singapore University of Social Sciences transport economist Walter Theseira said this year's increase was largely driven by a "sharp rebound in energy prices".

"That was somewhat expected because energy prices were depressed below their longer-term trends for a few years.

"But it does highlight the strength and weakness of our fare formula. The strength is that it tracks changes in operating costs continually, but the weakness is it can expose commuters to sharp fluctuations."

First World Singapore, Third World Singaporeans

Why are Singaporeans a Third World people? Public figures react to Tommy Koh's comments
They have some way to go in civic-mindedness, consideration and kindness, say observers
By Linette Lai, Political Correspondent, The Sunday Times, 6 Oct 2019

Professor Kishore Mahbubani recounts a recent occasion when his maid asked for time off to go to the airport.

"Why?" he asked. Her friend had broken her arm, the maid explained, and her employer had decided to pack her off. She wanted to say goodbye to her friend who was flying home.

It is behaviour like this, said the veteran diplomat, that makes Singapore a First World country with Third World people - just as Professor Tommy Koh said last week.

"I think that's a fair way of describing it," said Prof Mahbubani, who was formerly dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.

He and other prominent public figures have, by and large, expressed agreement with Prof Koh's strongly-worded comments, with some feeling that his words were a wake-up call for Singaporeans.

Acknowledging that some progress has been made, many however believe that Singaporeans still have far to go when it comes to kindness, consideration and civic-mindedness. "Singaporeans should celebrate the fact that their country has gone from Third World to First World," Prof Mahbubani said. "But they should deeply reflect on what this means in terms of their moral responsibilities."

Added Singapore Management University sociologist Paulin Straughan: "We can't really have a First World country with Third World behaviour. It's the community that defines the country."



SPARKING A DEBATE

At the Singapore Bicentennial Conference, Prof Koh, who had laid out a wish list for the country's fourth-generation leaders, was asked what he had to say to ordinary Singaporeans. He did not mince his words in his response.

"Many of our people don't give a damn for the environment when they should. Many of our people are selfish and unkind," he said.

Prof Koh's remarks resonated with many, who pointed to the poor treatment of foreign workers and misuse of public property as examples that prove his point.

Last year, the problems surrounding bike-sharing hit the headlines, with many snapping pictures of shared bikes parked haphazardly in common areas, shoved into drains or even chained up for private use.

Others noted that Singaporeans are not known for being gracious drivers or clearing their trays at hawker centres, with critics lamenting attitudes that smack of entitlement or self-centredness.

For example, said 33-year-old Ahmad Farid Zakaria, many drivers intending to change lanes either signal their intentions at the very last minute - or don't signal at all.

"Sometimes, the driver with the right of way will just speed up to prevent another car from lane changing," the technical officer added.

"I hope the mentality of Singaporeans will become more developed, just like our city."

How Singapore's electricity is generated and delivered to homes

From source to switch: How energy gets to your home
Timothy Goh finds out how Singapore's electricity is generated and delivered to homes
The Straits Times, 5 Oct 2019

STAGE 1: THE FUEL

Singapore's electricity journey begins overseas, from where its main source of fuel for electricity generation - natural gas - is imported.

Natural gas provides 95 per cent of the energy required for the nation's electricity generation needs. The rest comes from coal, petroleum and other sources such as solar energy.

In 2017, about 72 per cent of Singapore's natural gas was piped in from Indonesia and Malaysia, while the other 28 per cent was imported from other parts of the world in the form of liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Singapore LNG Corporation owns and operates Singapore's only LNG terminal.

LNG consists primarily of methane cooled to minus 161 deg C, which reduces its volume by 600 times and makes it cost-efficient to transport over long distances. It is also non-flammable, making it safer to handle than in its gaseous form.

ICEFALL IN SINGAPORE

Ships carrying the LNG dock at the LNG terminal's jetty on Jurong Island, where mechanical arms known as marine loading arms stand ready to connect to the vessel.

The LNG is pumped through these arms, which must first be cooled using very cold gas. This is because LNG itself is very cold, so if the arms are not cold enough, the temperature of the LNG will cause them to contract and get crushed.

The cooling process causes ice to form on the loading arms, even under Singapore's hot afternoon sun. A hazard sign in the area warns workers of falling ice.

The entire process of berthing the ship and unloading the LNG can take around 24 hours. The LNG is then stored in four massive storage tanks, each large enough to fit two Airbus A-380s inside. The largest tank has a capacity of 260,000 cubic m and can store the equivalent of a fortnight's energy consumption for Singapore.

Before the LNG can be used by the power plants, it first has to pass through vaporisers, where seawater is used to raise its temperature and turn it back into gas. During normal operations, seawater flows through some of the vaporisers at 4,000 cubic m an hour, which would fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool in 38 minutes.

Once the LNG has been turned back into gas, it is sent to power plants through a network of pipes.

Tuas Port to be world's largest fully automated terminal when completed in 2040

Mega port will be twice the size of Ang Mo Kio and create new jobs for workers
By Fabian Koh, The Straits Times, 4 Oct 2019

The new Tuas Port will use automated technology to carry out its key operations, as Singapore sets out to reinvigorate and re-imagine the maritime industry which employs 170,000 people here.

When fully completed in 2040, the mega port will be the world's largest fully automated terminal.

It will be twice the size of Ang Mo Kio, and boast features such as automated wharf and yard functions and full-electric automated guided vehicles, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said yesterday at the ground-breaking of port operator PSA's new terminal.

Located in the south-western corner of Singapore, the port will vastly ramp up Singapore's cargo capacity and create new and different jobs in spite of the automation.

Tuas Port will also be able to cater to the demands of the world's largest container ships, with 26km of deep-water berths.

Besides just handling containers, the port will have space set aside for companies to be located, a move that could improve the links between port and businesses.

"It also gives us more room to create customised logistical arrangements, for example, inter-modal sea-air cargo to take advantage of our air hub as well," said PM Lee.

The new port is crucial as the maritime industry contributes about 7 per cent of Singapore's gross domestic product.

The contribution could scale up as the new port will be able to handle 65 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) annually - almost double of last year's 36 million TEUs.

TEU is the unit of measurement for cargo capacity.



PM Lee said the move to Tuas goes beyond just having a larger terminal.

"Tuas Port is also an opportunity to peer over the horizon and rethink the future of shipping. Because the port will be on a completely greenfield site, we can design from a clean slate and make innovation and sustainability key features."

He emphasised that PSA makes "a much wider contribution to the economy than most other companies". At the same time, it needs to draw the best minds to maintain its dynamism and to match its competitors, which are also investing in automation and expanding rapidly, he added.



The mega port is being developed in four phases, with construction work on the second phase having begun in July this year. The whole project will cost over $20 billion.

Its first berths are scheduled to start operating in 2021. PSA's three city terminals at Tanjong Pagar, Keppel and Brani will move by 2027. By 2040, Pasir Panjang Terminals will be consolidated at the mega port too.

With the port's capacity almost doubling, more jobs are likely to be created despite the automation.

Since GE2011, have HDB issues been resolved?

Since the watershed GE2011, issues to address have included housing supply, price and inclusivity. Have these been ticked off?
By Rachel Au-Yong, Housing Correspondent, The Straits Times, 3 Oct 2019

It is a rite of passage for most Singaporeans. No, not getting married, though that is closely tied to it - but owning their first HDB home.

And that has just become easier because of measures announced by National Development Minister Lawrence Wong on Sept 10.

These are: Raising the income ceiling for Housing Board (HDB) flats and executive condominiums (ECs) by $2,000, to $14,000 and $16,000 respectively, and extending a repackaged housing grant to more Singaporeans.

The new Enhanced CPF Housing Grant of up to $80,000 replaces two previous grants. It allows more people to benefit as it has a higher income cap and does not impose any restrictions on the flat size or location.

Some may argue that fine-tuning public housing policy in line with changing demographics is the duty of any responsible government.



However, in the case of public housing, it is not simply one item on the long to-do list that is governance: It is of paramount importance, given that about eight in 10 people in Singapore live in HDB flats.

Home ownership also lays the foundation for the Singaporean identity. It is an asset, one of the four pillars of the social security system - along with the Central Provident Fund (CPF), Workfare and affordable healthcare - and represents a stake in nationhood. And indeed, stability of that nationhood, considering that it is not uncommon that the act of putting names down for a Build-To-Order (BTO) flat sometimes precedes the marriage proposal itself these days.

If not handled properly, public housing can become a major fault line at the polls, which it proved to be in 2011 when, amid runaway housing prices, the People's Action Party (PAP) won with its lowest vote share since independence.

The latest announcements - following a slew of purchaser-friendly measures over the past few years - prompt the question: Has housing as a source of political angst been "settled"?

Home Caregiving Grant: $200 monthly cash payout for home caregivers from 1 October 2019, shorter waiting period for respite care

Foreign Domestic Worker Grant to be replaced by $200 Home Caregiving Grant
By Felicia Choo, The Straits Times, 26 Sep 2019

Home caregivers will enjoy more financial relief from next month when the $200 Home Caregiving Grant takes effect, replacing the $120 Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) Grant.

They will also benefit from a shorter waiting period for respite care since a pre-enrolment pilot by the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) began in April.

Senior Minister of State for Health Edwin Tong yesterday outlined these initiatives, which were first announced as part of the Caregiver Support Action Plan unveiled by the Ministry of Health (MOH) during February's Budget debate.

Mr Tong was speaking on the sidelines of a visit to St Luke's ElderCare in Pandan Gardens.

The Home Caregiving Grant, which goes into effect on Oct 1, will be a monthly cash payout that gives recipients the flexibility to defray caregiving expenses, including for hiring a maid, as well as home and community-based services.

Those who are already receiving the FDW Grant will be automatically enrolled into the Home Caregiving Grant, while new applicants can start applying from Oct 1.

The grant will be paid to eligible recipients, who can also choose to nominate a caregiver to receive it.



Recipients must meet certain criteria to qualify for the grant. They need to:

• Always require some assistance with at least three activities of daily living.

• Have been means-tested to have a per capita household monthly income that is $2,800 or less, or belong to a household with no income and be living in a residence with an annual value that is $13,000 or less.

• Be a Singaporean, or a permanent resident with a parent, child or spouse who is a Singaporean.

• They also must not be living in a residential long-term care institution like a nursing home.

Mr Tong acknowledged that people may abuse the cash payout, and MOH is looking at measures to prevent this.

"We have surveyed the landscape enough to build in some safeguards. We also want to give flexibility... and so we have to trust that caregivers will not abuse it," he added.

Mr Lim Chin Hwee, who takes care of his 88-year-old mother with dementia, welcomed the additional support, but thinks it is still not enough.

"It will lessen the financial burden slightly," said the 57-year-old taxi driver, whose mother's expenses are around $600 a month.

Mr Lim and his wife, a shop employee, as well as their son, who works in the IT industry, support the entire family, including three other children.

His mother currently receives help from the Pioneer Generation Disability Assistance Scheme and the Interim Disability Assistance Programme for the Elderly, amounting to $350 a month.

But her recent hospitalisation at Changi General Hospital last month after she had a fall set them back by $3,000, and they paid another $300 to buy assistive devices like a wheelchair.

Besides the financial help, caregivers now also have access to the Go Respite pilot. It cuts down the waiting time of four weeks to an average of one week for senior care centres and two weeks for nursing homes.

Close to 150 people have applied for the pilot and over 10 per cent of them have used the respite care services, which are offered by 20 senior care centres and 26 nursing homes currently on board.

MOH hopes that at least 500 people will apply by the middle of next year, said Mr Tong.

MOH will also expand AIC Link counters beyond the current eight locations to give caregivers and seniors better access to information and referrals. AIC Link@Toa Payoh just started operations this month, and three more AIC Links in Choa Chu Kang, Nee Soon and Pasir Ris will open by the end of the year.

PM Lee Hsien Loong at the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly

National Statement by PM Lee Hsien Loong at the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly on 27 September 2019

Leaders have a duty to youth to act on climate change: PM Lee
It is about their futures during their lifetimes, he tells world leaders at UN General Assembly
By Charissa Yong, US Correspondent In New York, The Straits Times, 28 Sep 2019

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has called on world leaders to act on climate change, saying that they owe young people a responsibility to do so.

It is an issue the young are seized with, "and rightfully so, because it is about their futures during their lifetimes", he said in a speech yesterday at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

PM Lee was among several leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, who have highlighted the issue this week as leaders from 193 countries gathered here to discuss important global challenges.

It was PM Lee's first address at the UN General Assembly since becoming prime minister in 2004.

And in presenting Singapore's national statement to the UN, he also dwelt on multilateralism and championing the rules-based international system, which he said was essential for dealing with "wicked" problems, such as climate change and eradicating poverty.

These problems cannot be solved by a single country alone, he said, calling on the UN members to support the multilateral approach and "push harder against the tide" of isolationist and protectionist sentiments.

"A rules-based multilateral system is still far preferable to any other way to secure peace and prosperity, and to solve global problems," he said.

One such challenge is climate change. PM Lee acknowledged the hundreds of thousands of young people who demonstrated peacefully all over the world last week, including in Singapore at Hong Lim Park, to demand action from governments to slow the warming of the earth and the rising of the seas.

"We owe them a responsibility to act, and they deserve our full support," he said. "It is the responsibility of our generation to leave future generations with a habitable planet, both through mitigation and adaptation."

In Singapore, where climate change is an existential issue, significant measures have been rolled out to reduce emissions, he noted.



PM Lee had outlined them on Monday at the UN Climate Action Summit. These range from a carbon tax, the first in South-east Asia, to working with the UN to offer technical assistance to other countries.

Singapore will also collaborate with partners to better understand climate change and its impact through research and institutions such as the Asean Specialised Meteorological Centre. The centre, set up in 1993, is headquartered in Singapore.

Using a variety of data sources including satellite imagery and computer models, it supports national meteorological centres in the region in predicting weather and the climate as well as to monitor and assess land and forest fires, plus the occurrence of transboundary smoke haze for South-east Asia.

But most importantly, he said, "we have to inculcate in our populations the mindset that each one of us has a responsibility to live sustainably and in harmony with the environment".

While Singapore will do its part to limit global warming to 1.5 deg C above pre-industrial levels, the key threshold for avoiding catastrophic climate change, it is under no illusion that the target will be easy to achieve, he added.

"Even if we do make it, the problem will not be completely solved, because that will only slow down the rise in sea levels, but will not stop it. But we must try our best, and over time, all countries will have to do more to mitigate climate change," PM Lee said.

Heng Swee Keat on the Singapore economy: CNA938 interview

No need for extraordinary budget at this stage: Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat on Singapore economy
By Tang See Lit, ChannelNewsAsia, 27 Sep 2019

While there are various scenarios in which the Government is ready to step in to support the economy, it does not see the need for an “extraordinary budget" at this stage, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat said on Friday (Sep 27).

Nevertheless, the Government is closely monitoring how the economy will pan out by the end of the year, and is prepared to take action when necessary, he said during an interview with CNA938.



Mr Heng, who is also Finance Minister, was responding to a question about the state of the Singapore economy and the measures that the Government has in place should it decide to step in.

Currently, while there are increasing downside risks to growth, some sectors have continued to do well.

These include the information and communications technology, financial services and insurance services sectors. Even within the electronics sector, some segments like data storage have also seen growth, Mr Heng said.

“But how the whole economy will pan out by the end of the year is something we are watching very closely and are prepared to take action when needed,” he added.

This as Singapore remains part of the global economy and is “very dependent” on trade and external demand.

“This trade tension is not helping. In fact the International Monetary Fund has cut global forecasts several times, which is quite unprecedented. It’s (a) much more uncertain state today,” he said.

Mr Heng pointed to monetary and fiscal policies that the Government can turn to when it comes to counter-cyclical measures.



For the former, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) is “weighing very carefully as to what is the appropriate exchange rate and they will be announcing this as part of the regular monetary cycle”.

In terms of fiscal policy, Mr Heng said: “Depending on the state of the economy, we have various scenarios in which we are ready to step in when the time comes. I do not foresee a need for an extraordinary budget at this stage.” 

But more importantly, these will have to go alongside structural policies given how the global economy is seeing a combination of cyclical and structural changes. 

“Many other economies also want to do better and therefore they are making changes and reforming their economy. When our trading partners make changes, we too must upgrade otherwise we will be left behind.

“So we have a whole range of important structural policies and in particular, helping our workers learn new skills and working together with companies to restructure jobs so our workers can do better,” he said.



ON 4G LEADERSHIP, ELECTIONS

During the nearly hour-long interview on Friday morning, Mr Heng was asked about a range of issues, including living costs in Singapore with an impending hike in the Goods and Services Tax, his journey in politics thus far as well as his leadership style.

“I think we already have a very good team,” he said in response to a question from CNA938’s Arnold Gay on the qualities that he is looking out for as he forms the fourth-generation leadership team.

“Many of us have been working together when I entered politics in 2011 but at the same time, I am hoping for more to join us,” added Mr Heng, citing commitment to Singapore as a criteria and his hopes to assemble “a diverse group with experience”.

When asked how the next Cabinet reshuffle could play out given this vision that he has, Mr Heng said he and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong “have been discussing some of these issues quite regularly”.

Mr Lee has also been “sharing quite a lot of his views” with him.

“We are in discussions and when the time comes, he will announce it. But it’s progressing well and I am happy with the progress that we're making,” said Mr Heng.



As to when the next General Election might take place, Mr Heng would only say that “it’s coming nearer each day” before going on to stress the need for “constructive politics” in Singapore.

“I think the most important issue to address is: What are the issues that Singaporeans like to see tackled in the coming years? What is our strategy for taking Singapore forward?

“It is easy for anyone to say you’re not doing enough on this (and) that but I think what we need is constructive politics in Singapore, which is that I offer this vision of where Singapore is going to go and Singaporeans decide first and foremost do I like that? Second, are you able to get it done? It’s not making empty promises,” he added.

Mr Heng also touched on Singapore’s long-standing identity as a multi-racial and multi-religious society.

“The pledge that our children take every day – regardless of race, language or religion – it’s a very important aspect of our society. Let’s keep it,” he said.

However, this is “always a work in progress” as misunderstandings can happen very easily.

“First and foremost, misunderstandings can happen even between the closest people – a husband and a wife – but when it takes on racial religious dimension, it can be dangerous," he said.

"So it is important for our leaders to promote deeper understanding and appreciation of diversity, and value of that diversity.”

Singapore needs laws to tackle foreign interference in domestic matters: Law Minister K. Shanmugam

Such interference is an age-old affair, but the Internet has revolutionised this, he says at RSIS Conference on Foreign Interference Tactics and Countermeasures
By Adrian Lim, Political Correspondent, The Straits Times, 26 Sep 2019

Singapore needs laws to counter any foreign attempts to influence its domestic politics and public opinion, Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam said yesterday.

Pointing out that foreign powers have all along sought to interfere in the domestic affairs of other countries, Mr Shanmugam said the Internet has revolutionised this process.

Such interference can be even more deadly than military force in undermining a country's politics and stability, and every state has the right to protect its national security, he said.

In Singapore's case, its laws should give the Government powers to tackle foreign interference attempts through targeted, surgical interventions, and to investigate and respond expeditiously to hostile information campaigns.

It must also have the power to get information in order to investigate the provenance of content, to see the extent to which it is foreign influenced and respond appropriately, he added.

Such legislation needs to be able to deal with a diverse range of threats, such as the flow of funds, and interference during and outside election periods, Mr Shanmugam stressed.



When it comes to addressing hostile information campaigns online, it cannot be left to technology companies to regulate themselves, he told a conference on foreign interference tactics and countermeasures organised by the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies.

"We may also need to consider how we restrict foreign participation in the leadership of specific organisations... that are closely involved in our political landscape," he said. "This is similar to our position on foreign participation in cause-based public assemblies and processions."

In his 45-minute speech, Mr Shanmugam outlined examples of how foreign interference has taken place at home and globally, including in the 2016 United States election.

He also spelled out the various methods which foreign interference can take, such as the use of diplomatic channels to subvert and interfere with other states.

The media can also be used, such as via secret funding and control of the publications, and in other cases, having agents use the cover of journalists themselves.

States have also been known to target cause-based movements in other places, mobilising activists in order to advance foreign countries' interests, said Mr Shanmugam.

He noted that foreign interference has been turbo-charged because of the Internet and the almost limitless possibilities it has opened up.

Hostile information campaigns can identify the "protest potential" of any population of the target country, he said. The campaigns seek to create protests which deepen divisions among different groups, and get people to distrust institutions.

But it is the combination of online hostile information campaigns, and offline activities, such as foreign-controlled media and agents of influence, that is extremely toxic and powerful, said Mr Shanmugam.

He cited the example of how this took place in Ukraine, where a foreign country built a narrative that the government was fascist and corrupt. He also cited how online campaigning and falsehoods during the vote on Brexit played on people's anti-Muslim and xenophobic sentiments.

"All that hasn't happened in its full glory in Singapore. But it can happen. Some of it has happened," he said.



The minister said there are attempts to combine the different approaches of foreign interference, and outlined how a group of local activists met Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad last year to urge him to bring democracy to Singapore. Two of them - historian Thum Ping Tjin and freelance journalist Kirsten Han - also started New Naratif, which is funded by a foreign foundation and has received foreign contributions.

He also noted that The Online Citizen website has employed foreigners to write almost exclusively negative articles on Singapore matters, including inflammatory pieces that seek to fracture social cohesion.

"Foreign interference is an age-old threat which has adapted to modern technology," he said. "This is an issue of sovereignty and national security. The governments have to lead from the front, and we need to ensure that we have the right tools to fight this threat".

PM Lee Hsien Loong receives World Statesman Award recognising Singapore's religious harmony

Singapore works hard to maintain religious harmony: PM Lee
He cites the creation of structures that curb chauvinism and nudge social behaviour in positive ways
By Charissa Yong, US Correspondent In New York, The Straits Times, 25 Sep 2019

Singapore is ranked the most religiously diverse country in the world, but its harmonious society did not come about by chance, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in New York on Monday.

Rather, it worked hard to lay the foundation for religious harmony and maintain it over the years, he said in a speech on Singapore and the Government's approach to race and religion.

"We did not become so because Singaporeans are a uniquely virtuous people," he added when accepting the World Statesman Award from the Appeal of Conscience Foundation, a New York-based interfaith group promoting mutual acceptance and respect. "We created structures - constitutional, political, social - that discouraged intolerance, curbed chauvinism and nudged social behaviour in positive ways."

As examples, he cited the country's "strictly secular, but not anti-religious" constitutional approach that treats all faiths impartially, as well as electoral rules to boost multiracial politics, and policies to encourage people of different races to live and study together.

"I went to a Catholic school - there is a church in the school grounds and across the road, there is a synagogue," said PM Lee, referring to Catholic High School when it was in Queen Street, and Maghain Aboth Synagogue in Waterloo Street.



He also noted the compromises religious groups make. For example, mosques tone down their loudspeakers that carry the prayer call, and to make up for it, the call is broadcast on national radio.

On their part, Christians exercise restraint in proselytising to people of other faiths, he added. "Because to you, it is the gospel - the good news - but to people of other faiths, if it is not done sensitively, it can be taken amiss and can cause offence."

PM Lee said he accepted the award on behalf of all who contributed towards building a harmonious society in Singapore.

The World Statesman Award honours leaders who support peaceful coexistence and mutual acceptance in multi-ethnic societies. World leaders given the award in the past included German Chancellor Angela Merkel and former Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.



Reading the citation was former US secretary of state Henry Kissinger, 96, whom PM Lee called a long-time friend of Singapore and a close friend of his father, the late founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew.

Dr Kissinger traced Singapore's success as an extraordinarily modern country despite it being a small island surrounded by large countries, describing its population as one that has faith in itself.

"I have had the good fortune of knowing the (Lee) family for most of my public life, and I have always believed in their contributions to peace and stability in Asia," he said.

PM Lee said Singapore's harmonious society, however, is facing a world that is changing, and Singaporeans need to adapt to new forces.

He listed four: Growing religiosity among all faiths, external influences, provocative views that proliferate on social media, and violence in the name of race and religion.

First, people of all faiths are practising their faiths more fervently, which in itself is not a bad thing, he said. "But as convinced as one might be of one's own faith, we cannot... show disrespect to other people's faiths or other people's gods."

This is why Singapore opposes practices that discourage people from befriending those of other faiths or exchanging greetings during their religious festivals.



Second, racial and religious groups in Singapore have extensive links with their larger counterparts abroad, which can result in the import of disputes from other lands. This can undermine social cohesion.

Singapore therefore bans or expels foreign preachers who bring their foreign quarrels into the country, or who want to persuade Singaporeans to practise their religions in ways inappropriate for local society, said PM Lee. "At the same time, we explain to Singaporeans that different societies often practise the same religion in different ways."

Third, social media means a single offensive or thoughtless post can go viral and be seen by millions.

"It has become dangerously easy for people to cause offence and to take umbrage. We must not allow those who spread toxic views and poison on the Internet to get away with what may literally be murder."

But policing the Internet was a Sisyphean task that still needed to be done, he said, referencing the new Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act.

It allows the Government and the courts to compel the correction of misinformation and falsehoods online and take action against those who deliberately spread untruths.

Fourth is the continuing threat of terrorists who pervert and misuse religion to justify violence.

PM Lee cited how Singapore thwarted a planned terror attack just after the Sept 11 attacks in 2001, and strove swiftly to reinforce trust and confidence between religions.

Muslim leaders condemned the terrorists, while non-Muslims expressed continued confidence in their Muslim brethren, he said.



But government actions alone cannot bring about religious harmony, he said, calling on "responsible voices" to spread the message of tolerance and respect.

"I hope future generations of Singaporeans will cherish this harmony... and strengthen it further. We must never allow religion to be weaponised, or used as a front for other conflicts," he added.

Yale-NUS module on dissent: Singapore does not need a 'colour revolution'

Cancelled Yale-NUS course on dissent raises questions about external interference
By Goh Choon Kang, Published The Straits Times, 21 Sep 2019

According to a news report on March 11 last year, a group of Yale-NUS College students held a silent sit-in protest as they claimed that the college did not adequately consider the views of its students when making decisions. The protest ended only after a dialogue between the school and the students.

More than 20 students were believed to have taken part in the protest. The decisions they were unhappy about included the use of public space on campus, changes in the residential life system, mental and academic wellness, and faculty and leadership hiring practices.

The protesters also demanded the reinstatement of monthly town hall meetings, as well as student representation should decisions that affect students be made.

Judging from the report, the rare sit-in protest should have been resolved after the dialogue. There were no follow-up reports for more than a year.

However, the college recently made headlines again. This time, it was reported that the college had cancelled a short-term course titled Dialogue And Dissent In Singapore as the curriculum lacked the diverse perspectives needed for a proper academic examination of the issues around dissent.

The course had originally arranged for local social activists to conduct lectures and dialogues with students, as well as to teach them how to design protest signs.

The programme, which was scheduled to run from the end of this month to early next month, was to be led by Singaporean playwright Alfian Sa'at and Yale-NUS programme manager of leadership and global citizenship Tan Yock Theng. It was originally titled Dissent And Resistance In Singapore.

According to a course outline published earlier on the college's website, the course content included a film on Operation Spectrum, 1987: Untracing The Conspiracy, produced by independent film-maker Jason Soo. A dialogue with Mr Soo was also arranged as part of the programme.



In addition, students would have been able to watch documentaries on prominent Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong and Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei.

Local social activists Jolovan Wham and Seelan Palay, historian Thum Ping Tjin, and political website writer Kirsten Han were also invited to interact with the students. To anyone who pays attention to local news, they are no strangers - almost all of them are so-called dissidents or anti-establishment figures.

Dr Thum appeared at one of the hearings of the Select Committee on Deliberate Online Falsehoods last year, and made the astonishing claim that politicians from the People's Action Party were the source of fake news in Singapore.

He claimed that Operation Coldstore in 1963 was conducted for political purposes and there was no evidence that those detained were involved in any conspiracy to overthrow the Government. In response, Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam firmly refuted his claims.

One cannot help but associate the latest news with the college's sit-in silent protest last year, not least because this form of protest is one of the non-violent means of resistance adopted in "colour revolutions".