[Today] Malaysian minister’s faux pas would be a no-no in S’pore

Malaysia’s Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister has made the astounding revelation that he was defending the Chinese when he called earlier on the Malays to boycott Chinese businesses. (“Thank me for defending the Chinese, says Malaysian minister”; Feb 10)

By no stretch of the imagination could calling on Malays to boycott Chinese businesses have the same meaning as consumers boycotting all businesses that are inclined to profiteer.

The latter calls on consumers in general to withhold business, whereas the former calls on a specific race to not patronise the business of another specific race, which amounts to racial polarisation.

The minister is not defending the Chinese but is dangerously pitting two races against each other. This is not in Malaysia’s interests or in the interests of national solidarity.

In Singapore, we would not allow anyone, especially a minister, to rock the boat by inciting racial polarisation. We are also against profiteering, but playing the racial card is akin to killing a fly with a bomb.

The minister concerned wants to be thanked now for his faux pas. The wonders of how some use semantics never cease.

[Today] Let’s consider the effects of Fifty Shades

I read the letter, “The realities behind the Fifty Shades” (Feb 13, online), with interest. I am less than thrilled with the film being screened in our cinemas, even though young adults, such as myself, are its target audience.

While Fifty Shades of Grey has aptly been given the R21 rating, I am concerned that the depiction of the dark relationship between an innocent, young women and an older, mysterious man romanticises a dysfunctional, abusive relationship.

It is not possible to separate aesthetic taste, decency and political ideas. Glamorised portrayals of women being dominated by men are thus damaging, fostering a base sexuality and a culture where women are over-sexualised and treated with contempt.

Such portrayals are equally destructive to gender relations. While banning Fifty Shades would have been too draconian in Singapore, and people can choose whether or not to watch it, we would do well to consider the film’s undesirable effects.

[Today] Seek views on Thaipusam as a public holiday

I thank the Manpower Ministry for its letter, “Impractical to make all key festivals public holidays” (Feb 14), which explained its stance on whether Thaipusam should be a public holiday.

Indeed, in 1968, Christians and Muslims had to give up two public holidays. Both faiths were, however, left with two days: Christians have Good Friday and Christmas, and Muslims have Hari Raya Puasa and Hari Raya Haji.

It seems odd that Hindus, who had two days to begin with, Deepavali and Thaipusam, had to choose one instead of keeping both.

Firstly, the difference between Thaipusam and Vesakhi for the Sikhs or Lao-Tzu’s Birthday for the Taoists is that Thaipusam involves a huge procession of devotees. Designating it a public holiday could reduce traffic congestion and potential safety hazards.

Secondly, Hindus make up 5 per cent of the resident population, a sizeable number compared to the Sikhs. The Taoists, who form 11 per cent of our population, have also petitioned previously for Lao-Tzu’s Birthday to be a public holiday.

Perhaps, designating a public holiday for religions that comprise 5 per cent of the resident population is a better way of ensuring religious harmony.

Finally, it is one thing to say from an official standpoint that the status quo maintains harmonious living, but I hope the ministry would seek opinions on Thaipusam from employers, employees, Hindus and people of other faiths.

I am confident that many non-Hindus here would support designating Thaipusam as a public holiday, and if a majority on the ground does, it would show Singapore’s multi-ethnic and multi-religious solidarity and society.

[Today] Burden of health care weighs heavily on middle-income group

I refer to the report, “Hard choices needed on healthcare: PM” (Feb 11).

By year end, MediShield Life will replace MediShield to provide citizens with universal coverage. The promise to protect those who have pre-existing ailments, regardless of age, sounds noble, but can the lower-income group afford the premiums?

The shift, during the 1980s, from the previous government-funded plan to an emphasis on the current co-payment model has been hard on individuals coping with the high cost of living.

This was when restructured hospitals came into existence, run as private companies licensed under the Private Hospitals and Medical Clinics Act. Charges at these institutions rose, in spite of government grants, without achieving the efficiencies of the private sector.

While the Prime Minister reiterated that there is no free lunch, in order to forestall possible abuses in health-care spending, the amount patients must foot is no longer a token sum.

Health care is an emotional and political issue because the infinite demand must be managed using finite resources. With government subsidies directed at the lower-income, the burden of and responsibility for health care weighs heavily on middle-income earners.

Without the resources of the higher-income, they do not feel assured that the cost of treatment is within their means, but rather that access to quality care is determined by one’s ability to pay.

The principle that health care must not be free at point of service has been entrenched since the People’s Action Party came into power in 1959. The 50-cents co-payment during that time, however, is a far cry from today’s deductibles.

Since government spending on health care is extremely low, at 1.6 per cent of gross domestic product, why is the responsibility for considerable co-payments and out-of-pocket expenses, as well as the burden of risk, placed so heavily on our shoulders?

[Today] Stronger security needed in educational institutes

I refer to the report, “Terror threats real and evolving: Lawrence Wong” (Feb 8, online) and could not agree more. Recent terror events round the globe prove this.

The violence committed by terrorists come in extremes: Suicide bombings, hostage taking followed by sadistic execution of the hostages and reported hijacking of planes to be used in other attacks against nations opposed to their barbaric, evil activities.

Knowing that the threat is real and cannot be taken lightly, our Government must do more to ensure that Total Defence is what it says exactly.

For a start, educational institutions must beef up their security systems, which must be strict and include trained security personnel who are stationed at the entrances and exits. Pre-emption must be the critical role of security.

The present state of security at schools and institutes of higher learning is unhealthy, even pathetic. It is time for a suitable revamp. We must never wait until after a tragedy to start implementing measures such as advanced security technology.

Security at our airports, ports, government buildings, hospitals and other essential locations must also be reviewed periodically to ensure there are no loopholes.

We have already had the SMRT trespassing/vandalism cases, which highlighted that there must be efficient security patrolling to nip potential threats in the bud.

Money spent on beefing up security to protect our nation and our people or to save lives is never a waste. We can never reclaim lives lost, not to mention the trauma caused to survivors and family members.

We must be realistic going forward and not fall into the complacent thinking that whatever has happened in the United States, France, Australia and the Philippines, to cite some instances, will never occur in Singapore.

[Today] Education on Chinese New Year customs commendable

Amid the pursuit of modernity, we should retain and propagate the traditions during Chinese New Year that make us unique and the occasion meaningful. As our society progresses, some of these are being deemed old-fashioned and, thus, forsaken gradually.

So, what I found interesting about the Yeo’s advertisement campaign I have seen in MRT stations was that it educated me about the origins and true meaning of the festive celebration.

It is a commendable effort on the advertiser’s part to remind us to keep these customs and, simultaneously, educate the younger generation about the value of celebrating Chinese New Year.

I disagree with the letter writer who stated, in “Does monetary value in red packets matter?” (Feb 4), that the message sent was that the monetary value in red packets matters. Some children, when they open a red packet with a S$2 note, tend to be surprised.

I believe that the advertiser’s light-hearted educational message to children today is that the blessing of receiving a red packet, not its monetary value, is important. An explanation on the advert itself highlighted this intrinsic value.

Chinese New Year is indeed a happy occasion, especially for children, who get to don new clothes and receive red packets.

We should continue to educate them to be grateful for the blessings bestowed upon them for the year ahead and uphold these customs proudly.

[Today] Let’s remember cleaners during festive celebrations

In recent years, my Chinese New Year celebrations include not only the usual visiting and feasting with relatives and friends, but also a big-scale “lo hei” in my neighbourhood.

Every year, the Spring View Residents’ Committee organises a simple, yet engaging celebration for residents: More than 10 tables, each with a plate of yusheng, arranged on a basketball court.

Residents, regardless of race or age and dressed mostly in festive red, participate in this celebration graced by one of the Members of Parliament (MPs) of Jurong GRC.

Together, we watch a lion dance performance and receive red packets from the “God of Fortune” and two mandarin oranges from the MP, followed by the lo-hei.

The most meaningful part of the celebration is the acknowledgement of the hard work of the three cleaners who keep our neighbourhood spick and span. They are invited to receive a small token of appreciation from the MP.

We know them well after living in the neighbourhood for many years, and they have become a part of our neighbourhood.

Before dawn, while many are sleeping, they start mopping our lifts and common areas, and sweeping away dried leaves. In the evening, we can still see them clearing the dustbins.

During the long festive weekend, some workers were thanked for keeping Singapore humming. (“Health Minister Gan spreads cheer at hospital visit”; 19, online)

Let us also remember those who work long hours to keep our neighbourhoods clean.