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http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/the-flipsid...-025207888.html In a new column called "The Flip Side", local blogger Belmont Lay lets loose on local politics, culture and society in his weekly musings. To be taken with a pinch of salt and with parental permission advised. In his latest post, he wonders why the PAP has been taking potshots at WP and Yaw Shin Leong. With the expulsion of Yaw Shin Leong from the Workers' Party for his alleged indiscretions, the People's Action Party has come out with guns blazing. The political potshots are too blatant to miss. The cattiness of the remarks are difficult to read past. Take for example, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who said: "WP has let down the voters of Hougang." Or PAP chairman Khaw Boon Wan, who said: "I think it is sad that the voters in Hougang have been misled." Both spoke about the issue within a day of WP's media conference announcing Yaw's dismissal. However, if the PAP wants to apply stringent standards of accountability and transparency to any opposition party by calling WP to explain itself fully, it is going to be a tight rope to walk. Because the one question the public-at-large have in their collective mind is: How candid has the PAP been in the first place? Remember Steve Tan? Let's go back in time, shall we? The most memorable incident that should have elicited heightened calls of transparency and accountability was at last May's General Election. At the eleventh hour, Tampines GRC PAP candidate Steve Tan was pulled out unceremoniously and substituted by auntie-killer and the very metrosexual Baey Yam Keng. In the hustle and bustle, not much was explained, except that Tan had to withdraw due to personal reasons. Right. For any observer, the PAP did a fine job explaining very little about the circumstances surrounding the last-minute switch. All the public got from mainstream media reports subsequently about Tan's substitution was a reiteration and smattering of cryptic clues that referred to "allegations" and "female colleagues". I don't remember reporters stalking Tan, questioning his wife relentlessly or staking out at his home while rummaging through his trash. No one bothered to ask our founding grandfather Lee Kuan Yew what he thought as well. To further clear the air unconvincingly, the 39-year-old Tan then infamously said in an exclusive interview last year with a broadsheet about his pull-out: "I did not have an ideal love story or love life, and I dated people. But my conscience is clear." Oh wow. That sure explains a lot, you almost-Member-of-Parliament, you. And then what happened next? Yup, nothing. The mainstream media wasn't too interested being on his case. So why the sudden interest with Yaw Shin Leong now? Lee Hsien Loong's verbosity But whatever, let's turn our attention to the prime minister for the moment. Within hours of Yaw's expulsion, PM Lee Hsien Loong spontaneously developed an opinion or two. You see, this is very unique for a man who is known for his taciturnity and measured views in comparison to his father who could raise hell with each word he spoke. For those of us who remember, Lee junior remained resolutely silent when Jemaah Islamiyah leader Mas Selamat Kastari escaped from the Whitley Road Detention Centre almost exactly four years ago in late February 2008. How long did it take for him to make his first public comments about the jailbreak then? Yup, that's right. He spoke on the issue after 12 whole days had elapsed. Well, I mean, I guess I can see where his priorities lie. I mean, what's more important than winning back Hougang SMC, right? Public vs. private Regardless, we've got to love Khaw Boon Wan, who is also Minister for National Development. This is a man who is presently tasked to clean up the housing mess that his predecessor Mah Bow Tan wrought. And this is what Khaw, the PAP chairman, had to say about the Yaw debacle that has resulted in many people getting hot, bothered and rattled: "

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/amos-yee-us-court-grooming-child-porn-special-prosecutor-lawyer-2257577 Amos Yee the paedophile, could lose his asylum status and be deported back to Singapore. He is accused of exchanging nude photos with a 14-year-old girl via WhatsApp. The alleged incidents took place in 2019 between Feb 1 and Jun 30, and involved thousands of texts. When their relationship soured, the girl contacted a group of people “interested in exposing paedophiles”, the court previously heard. Hang out with that Alvin Tan really learned all the bad sh!t.

https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/in-your-opinion-podcast-does-a-family-of-4-in-spore-really-need-6426-a-month-for-a-basic-standard-of-living-pt-1 In Your Opinion Podcast: Does a family of 4 in S'pore need $6,426 a month for basic living standard? Synopsis: The Straits Times' opinion editor Grace Ho takes a hard look at political and social issues of the day with her expert guests. In this episode, the first of two parts, she looks at whether a family of four in Singapore needs $6,426 a month for a basic standard of living. In the studio to explain the study and its methodology are Associate Professor Teo You Yenn of the School of Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University; and Dr Ng Kok Hoe, Senior Research Fellow and Head of the Case Study Unit at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. Highlights (click/tap above): 00:41: Is there a household budget that captures the lived realities of Singaporeans? What is the Minimum Income Standard? 04:55: Addressing criticisms of the study and its methodology 10:00 How is the Minimum Income Standard applied in the United Kingdom, and how does the UK decide what is a living wage? https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/thinking-aloud-6426-a-month-for-basic-standard-of-living-study-on-family-budgets-must-be Does a family of 4 really need $6,426 a month for a basic standard of living? It depends It is about what people feel they need to be socially accepted, not just what they can afford For a few years, money at home was tight. I did not go on overseas field trips or to the cinema, and made excuses to skip class gatherings at restaurants. Each missed activity meant one less shared experience and common talking point - and one step closer to feeling as if I did not belong. This is where the minimum income standard (MIS) approach, which relies on public consensus and not just expert opinion, comes in.

Lady who helped Amos Yee get asylum in US now wants him deported from US He was recently deplatformed after he was banned on Facebook and Twitter, and had his Patreon page disabled. This was after content he was uploading was reported. These included videos and Facebook posts that served to legitimise and legalise paedophilia. One former Yee supporter, Melissa Chen, is the latest, and probably the most relevant advocate to speak out against Yee. Basically, she’s a human rights activist originally from Singapore, who played a huge part in securing Yee’s political asylum in America. Change in perspective But for a while now, she has been strongly against Yee’s choice of content and speech. In perhaps the strongest statement yet, Chen made a nearly 10-minute video discussing her thoughts on Yee.(video at URL) Key points If you don’t have 10 minutes to spare, here are some of the key points she made. She had handed Yee some documents that kickstarted the entire asylum process while he was still in jail in Singapore. Yee had cut all ties with her since February 2017. He had apparently done this as he felt she was being too authoritarian in her advice to him to ensure his success in gaining asylum in the US. She rarely even thought about what he was up to, or kept up to date with him. Now, she feels Yee has to be deported from America, because of his views on paedophilia. She also volunteered to escort him on his one-way ticket back.While a free-speech advocate, she insists there are some ideas that are unacceptable: She did acknowledge the irony of a free-speech warrior like her advocating for shutting down Yee’s avenues for his free speech.Chen explained how she feels responsible, due to her role in getting him asylum. She reiterated her call to get Yee out of America, stating “being in America is a privilege, not a right”. Hindsight Chen then gave a succinct summary of the entire Amos Yee fiasco in Singapore, as well as highlight some of the international media’s glowing praise of Yee. After summarising the timeline, Chen talked about the blindspots and biases some activists, including herself, might have suffered from: One of those biases being his much lauded intelligence. She further stated that Yee was a narcissist and had “zero redeeming qualities”.Chen did reiterate her opposition to the measures taken against Yee in Singapore. She also blamed those actions, and Singapore’s general culture, on not nourishing his “neurodivergent idiosyncrasies”. Despite that, Chen also acknowledged Yee was no longer a child and had to be held accountable for his actions as an adult. Chen said she was personally sorry for how this turned out, and how this might affect future activists in Singapore. She also had this to say about Yee.

Breaking news on Yahoo today... Thailand declares martial law this morning http://news.yahoo.com/thailands-army-declares-martial-law-224020589.html "Quote" BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand's army declared martial law in a surprise announcement in Bangkok before dawn on Tuesday, intensifying the turbulent nation's deepening political crisis. It was not immediately clear whether a coup d'etat was underway. The move came after six months of anti-government demonstrations aimed at ousting the government and one day after the Southeast Asian country's caretaker prime minister refused to step down. The army said in a statement that it had taken the action to "keep peace and order" and soldiers entered several private television stations that are sympathetic to protesters. A ticker on Chanel 5, an army station, however, denied the military was taking over, saying "the invocation of martial law is not a coup." Thailand's army has staged at 11 successful coups since the end of absolute monarchy in 1932. "Unquote"

another one formed. https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/former-opposition-party-chief-lim-tean-forms-new-political-party-peoples-voice And this brings the total number of active opposition parties in SG to 11. Yes 11, in this tiny little sunny Island. Is there another country smaller than us with more active opposition parties in the world? Is there really no way to consolidate? Is this "theindependent.sg" website run by SPH? http://theindependent.sg/waste-of-time-waste-of-space-socio-political-commentators-slam-new-opposition-party-by-ex-nsp-sec-gen/ List of active political parties in SG PAP WP SDP SPP NSP RP SDA DPP SF PPP PKMS PV How to divide the whole island equally ah?

Will station myself outside ministries instead of commercial buildings to sell my tisu liao Excerpts below. Click on the link for full article as it's difficult to post from my 4" phone. https://www.straitstimes.com/politics/political-office-holders-received-average-performance-bonus-of-4-months-salary-in-last-five Lao Goh said again, Ministers are not paid enough

Tuesday, Sep 18, 2018 Under a bright California sun, Tinseltown's A-listers sparkled on the Emmys red carpet on Monday in sultry satin dresses, eye-catching beaded gowns -- and even a few pairs of sneakers -- as they gathered to honour the best in television. From white-hot frocks to sexy pantsuits to sartorial statements that are political too, the following is a look at the styles and trends making waves at the Microsoft Theater in downtown Los Angeles Source:- http://www.asiaone.com/multimedia/gallery/emmys-fashion-white-hot-glamorous-and-political?xtor=EREC-16-4[Emarsys_Newsletter]-20180918&extid=6934d0cfb7b252f1ae9f0dbddf5ff88ca8637e77 Total of 42 photos. Have to send it twice. Too many photos. THanks!

http://www.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/more-singapore-stories/story/classification-documentary-singapore-political-exiles-me Classification for film on political exiles, To Singapore, With Love, means it cannot be shown here By Nur Asyiqin Mohamad Salleh SINGAPORE - A documentary film on Singapore political exiles who fled the country has been given a "Not Allowed for All Ratings" classification because its contents "undermine national security", the Media Development Authority said in a statement on Wednesday. This means the documentary, To Singapore, With Love, by award-winning filmmaker Tan Pin Pin, cannot be exhibited or distributed here. Ms Tan's documentary explores the lives of Singaporeans living in exile - some for as long as 50 years - in places like London and Thailand. It was submitted for classification in May by the National University of Singapore Museum. "The individuals in the film have given distorted and untruthful accounts of how they came to leave Singapore and remain outside Singapore," said the MDA. It noted that some of the people featured had tried to "white-wash their security histories", with two interviewees omitting criminal offences they were liable for, such as tampering with their Singapore passports or absconding from National Service. Some of the "self-professed" exiles were members or supporters of the Communist Party of Malaya (CPM), which sought to overthrow the elected governments of Singapore and Malaysia through armed struggle and subversion, the MDA added. "The individuals featured in the film gave the impression that they are being unfairly denied their right to return to Singapore," it continued. "They were not forced to leave Singapore, nor are they being prevented from returning." Minister for Communications and Information Yaacob Ibrahim said he agrees and supports the MDA's assessment. "It is not surprising that ex-CPM members and sympathisers wish now to give their own accounts of historical episodes that they were involved in," he said in a statement. "But individuals who have chosen to leave and remain outside Singapore, and refused to account for their past actions, should not enjoy a public platform to purvey distorted and untruthful accounts to mislead the public, absolve themselves or deny their past actions." One of the people featured in the film is Mr Ho Juan Thai, an unsuccessful Workers' Party candidate in the 1976 general elections. While campaigning, he criticised the government's promotion of the use of English over Chinese, and was accused of making racially-inflammatory speeches. He fled to the UK in 1977, before the police could detain him under the Internal Security Act as a national threat. Ms Tan, in a Facebook post on Tuesday, said she is “very disappointed” by MDA’s decision. The movie was meant to be screened with two of her other films - Invisible City and Singapore GaGa - as part of a triple-bill presented by the NUS Museum. The screenings, planned for the end of September, will not go on. By not allowing the film to be exhibited or distributed here, MDA is depriving Singaporeans of an opportunity watch it and talk about it, Ms Tan said."It is vital for us to have that conversation on our own terms, especially on the eve of our 50th birthday. We need to be trusted to be able to find the answers about ourselves, for ourselves,” she added. Still, she hopes she can show it in Singapore one day and said that she may re-submit it for a rating in the future. “Now, the irony; that a film about Singapore exiles is now exiled from Singapore as well - this is not something I ever wanted or hoped for,” she said.

Before we introduce the FT MP, how about reviewing the (duplicitous) GRC system of elections? (The Parliamentary Elections Act) Before PAP decides to introduce a FT MP scheme (dun pretend, U know what the abbrv.'FT' means), lets free minority political representation of the duplicitous GRC system of elections, as PAP ceaselessly invites more and more foreigners to run our little country ... (Old story, 'Former NTUC (Asst.) director Amy Cheong is an Australian citizen') By extension, I wonder if under the PAP's talent search scheme such as 'GRCs make it easier to find top talent: SM' ST, 27 June 2006, SM GohCT: "Without some assurance of a good chance of winning at least their first election, many able and successful young Singaporeans may not risk their careers to join politics" due to the lack of able and successful young Singaporeans we should also soon see more FTs in positions of authority [see in quotes 'Can PRs be judges?]- a FT Chief Justice, FT Police men, FT Army, FT Admin Service perhaps even FT MPs- it doesn't take too much stretch of the imagination what the PAP would do, how about a FT SS for Singapore, would make SG more stable and prosperous under a 'united' strong ruling party... (Perhaps, using the Workers' Party of (North) Korea as its template of 'success'). In Quotes: 'Can PRs be judges?':

7th Place: Francois Hollande, President of France French President Hollande delivers a speech during a visit to an elementary school in Dieudonne Approximate salary: SGD $291,680 per annum Needs to manage: Approx. 65 million people, 675,000+ square kilometers, at least 400 kinds of cheese In Singapore, his pay amounts to: Inability to buy a car with his entire month

Of late, I have noticed these dicussions coming up overtly either direct or otherwise here in MCF. Although one of our rules stick specifically NO POLITICAL DISCUSSIONS, we see it as a rational way that adults can participate. Having said that, when the rules of engagement go awry, there are a few dissidents who get PERSONAL and start insinuating others to have a lesser iq than them, and the banter begins! Some forummers have gotten overboard and have started name calling (retard) and that constitutes a personal attack. In banter where no casualties take place, ie, insects, etc, is cos we have a mutual understanding. If you do not know the antecedence, as some exchanges may have taken offline, and if you do not think you like it, there is a LOGOUT button for you to click and leave. NOBODY FORCED YOUR HAND TO COME HERE! Let's be reminded of two particular rules here: 1. NO PERSONAL ATTACKS - any personal attacks will warrant a visual warning, should there be a complain 2. No slanderous remarks - We will not hesitate to hand over details to a requesting party should there be any The rest of the rules here, for the uninformed: Slanderous, defamatory, obscene, violent, abusive, threatening and harassing comments will not be allowed. Respect the viewpoints of others, even if you may not agree with them. Agree to disagree. No profanity or obscenities of any kind. No personal attacks on other users. No political or racial comments will be allowed. No impersonation of other participants or public figures. No FULL CAPS postings. In internet, CAPS equates to shouting. Refrain from posting information which is not publicly available. No posting of number plates, unless it is your own. Respect others' privacy. No copyrighted material is allowed. Please use links instead. Please declare vested interest (if any) on the topic you are discussing No multiple postings I will not repeat myself, and thenceforth, any non-compliance warrants action taken IMMEDIATELY! Thank you!

Published on Mar 26, 2012 Ministers and other political appointment holders will be paid a National Bonus this month equivalent to 1.6 months of their pay. The National Bonus is a new bonus that provides a direct link between the salaries of political appointment holders and the socio-economic progress of average and lower-income Singapore citizens and the growth of Singapore. It came about after Parliament endorsed the White Paper on 'Salaries for a Capable and Committed Government' in January this year. Based on the approved formula, the 2011 National Bonus is 2.625 months but since the new salaries took effect on May 21 last year, the pro-rated amount will be 1.618 months, to be paid in March 2012, the Public Service Division (PSD) said in a statement on Monday.

Now many moons have passed since our recent elections, PAP has emerged victorious. But it seems that many still resent the results and are lamenting about every government policy and the anti-FT sprit is high in this forum. My question: how many ex- keyboard warriors have since joined a political party? Or at least committed to make a monthly donation to the party of your choice? Anybody with experience to share?

Ever wonder why when someone posted something in a thread...it will somehow become political? Maybe it's because we read too much Yahoo! news that we cannot map the relation to the topics we posted But on a serious note, anyone noticed that Yahoo! news tend to be abit extreme at the other side of the coin? I find the Yahoo! news crew trend to be may a bit on anti-asian undertones...They're news usually put asian countries (including Singapore at time) in bad light.

- this relic of malaysia's umno in singapore is imploding again and again. can't even hide contrabrand properly! i think they still attend umno general assemblies up north and cry to their "abang" umno malaysia about discrimination in singapore etc. http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/Singa...-cigarette-raid The president of the Singapore Malay National Organisation (PKMS), Ali Asjadi, was arrested on Saturday morning following a raid by the Singapore Customs for contraband cigarettes. A Singapore Customs spokesman said three other men were also arrested in the operation along Changi Road, where the PKMS building is located. Singapore Customs seized a "sizeable quantity" of illicit cigarettes. The spokesman said: "As part of its routine operations to stamp out contraband cigarettes, Singapore Customs seized a sizeable quantity of contraband cigarettes along Changi Road on Saturday morning. "As a result of the operation, four men, including one Mr Ali bin Asjadi, have been arrested and charged in court. They are now under remand for Singapore Customs to further conduct its investigations." Ali, who is in his 50s, has been president of Singapore's only Malay-based political party for about a year, said PKMS deputy president Abu Mohamed. The 60-year-old freelance director in an oil services company added that he was unable to comment further until he knew "the precise details" but said he would be calling for an emergency meeting with other members tonight. Mr Abu said that a group of plain clothes Customs officers had visited the party's office within the PKMS building on Saturday at around 11am. They checked the president's office and asked to look at the accounts of the organisation. "If any member - even the president - is engaged in any criminal or unlawful activity, then he will be out of PKMS. I am worried for the organisation, that this is happening," Mr Abu said. Carolyn Quek

I think this is suggestion is too far fetched. This is the untouchable, cast-in-stone and ultimate sacred cow system that the ruling party will not touch at all. How is it even possible given that the grassroots have been serving them so well, despite some hiccups in the last GE, that the MIWs will even want to consider it? Then again, I may be wrong... http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/...ory_675943.html Jun 4, 2011 Delink political affiliations of grassroots bodies I REFER to Monday's report ('PM: Unfair to criticise grassroots activists'). Being a grassroots volunteer myself, I could not help but feel that debating whether the grassroots activists are telling MPs the truth is just barking up the wrong tree. There is simply no incentive for grassroots activists to tell MPs things they like to hear. Unfortunately, grassroots activists have to face the reality of often being misunderstood, suspected of and sometimes even ridiculed for serving only the ruling party, rather than the people. For grassroots organisations to be relevant and credible, there is a dire need for them to be dissociated from all political affiliations. As a politically neutral individual, it had not been an easy decision for me to join the neighbourhood committee. However, my desire to serve was stronger than the negative feelings I had of grassroots organisations. Sadly, many capable and passionate people in my neighbourhood just refuse to step forward to serve because of the image of such organisations. I would like to suggest that the People's Association (PA) be run like a civil service organisation in order to single-mindedly and unmistakably carry out its sole purpose of serving the people. Board members of the PA should not hold any political office. There is then no conflict of interests. Chang Nam Yuen

Click here http://www.facebook.com/pages/StealthEagle...221960724481318

saw this in FB. think it is interesting and some insights. http://vimeo.com/13265669

Looking back at LKY's highly pragmatic view of his way of governing Singapore, i strongly believed that his personal convictions had someway or another, contributed to the Singapore's success today. However, his personal convictions is so entrenched that he did not realise that in order for today's Singapore to continue to prosper, PAP's iron-grip on the political landscape in Singapore will have to go. I fully agree with what he had said, "Whoever governs Singapore must have that iron in him, or give it up..." This very statement has also reminded me of 1 very special ironman who is absolutely has that iron-will in him, standing for the good of fellow Singaporeans despite all odds against him, be it physical or institutional. So fellow MCFers and Singaporeans, so let us all vote wisely for the good of Singapore.

谢谢你

It was stated that there will be 2 political board cast on 28th Apr and 6th MAy (cooling off day).. The party with most candidates will speak last...that mean MIW will get to speak last...so what other parties said before that will be drowned off.....why the hell is there a board cast on cooling off day? Bloody wayang again...phui!!!! Damn smelly...sick of all this wayang tactics...i see they really think that we are stupid and fools...

can anyone alighten me and tell we the names of political parties we have in singapore? PAP WP SDP anymore?

Is it fair for the ruling People's Action Party to tie HDB upgrading to votes and is the PAP able to accept a diverse range of views? These two issues drew some of the strongest exchanges between Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and the 12 participants during Channel NewAsia's live forum entitled "Question Time with The Prime Minister" aired on Tuesday night. "Shouldn't a good government be fair to all citizens regardless of political vote?" asked Ngee Ann polytechnic student Matthew Zachary Liu. Another, Singapore Management University student Edmund Koh Joo Peng, a Potong Pasir resident, added, "Isn't it unfair to really divide us because we live in Potong Pasir?" Reiterating the stand he made last week on the upgrading issue, PM Lee said "everybody participates" in national programmes such as defence, education and healthcare. "But when you have to make a choice who goes first and who goes second, then I think that one has to pay attention to who supported the government more and who didn't," said the PM. "If you ask the people in Potong Pasir who do they want to make the government... I think they would say the PAP, so too in Hougang... In other words, they are depending on somebody else to vote for the PAP so that they can have the luxury of voting for Mr Chiam (See Tong) or Mr Low (Thia Kiang). If everybody does that, we're in trouble." "So there has to be an incentive to vote for the government. And going first or second, well, that's just that little bit of difference." But shouldn't upgrading be based on merit -- for example, older estates get priority -- since upgrading is a "nationwide programme funded by taxpayers", asked polytechnic lecturer Khartini Khalid. PM Lee responded, "We pay attention to that too but if two estates are equal, then we have to ask who supported the government more." The other issue that dominated the hour-long forum was if there was enough debate on issues and if there was enough representation from the private sector and blue-collar workers in Parliament. Said private wealth fund vice-president Kurt Wee, "Many Singaporeans feel that a lot of the agenda the government put forth is bulldozed through without much feelings for the ground." PM Lee replied, "If we bulldoze agendas through, we wouldn't stay in power very long because in the end, we have to govern with the consent of the people and in the interest of the people. Recognising the need for more diversity in Parliament, PM Lee touched on the new expanded Non-Constituency Members of Parliament (NCMP) scheme. The recent change allows for up to nine NCMPs, depending on the number of opposition candidates elected. "That's a lot... nine is enough to form two-thirds of a Cabinet," he said. Rejecting a follow-up that NCMPs were not "real Opposition", PM Lee disagreed. "(NCMP) s have full rights to participate in a debate; all debates. They can argue, they can establish themselves and they belong to political parties. These are not Independents." On the topic of leadership talent, SMU assistant professor and political commentator Eugene Tan asked if the PAP practices politics in a way that discourages people from "jump(ing) into the fray"? PM Lee responded, "There are very few who miss our net because Singapore is a very small place." The PAP talks to 200 to 300 people every term (five years) and narrows down the list to 20 to 25 suitable candidates, of whom an average of three become Ministers, said the PM. He acknowledged it is hard to attract people from the private sector because those who are established face a "big risk" since politics is a "new field" where they can fail. More than half of the questions during the forum moderated by presenter Melissa Hyak were related to politics. The remaining 40 per cent or so were on social issues such as the cost of living, housing and foreign talent. For example, PM Lee shared how the government helps low-income families via programmes such as Workfare and the Grow & Share package. He also added, he "very much doubt(ed)" Goods and Service tax will be raised after the GE. After the forum, PM Lee told CNA the government would take note of the issues raised and also said the questions were "good". "It was good that they (participants) didn't pull their punches and so we had a frank exchange which I hope viewers would have found not only interesting but relevant and thought-provoking." Postgraduate student Lin Peirong, 28, told Yahoo! Singapore, "PM was articulate in expressing himself, however, I am not convinced that PAP had addressed people's concerns in the past five years, even after the forum." While the forum served as a "good platform to bring up issues", there was not enough depth in the discussion of each topic, she noted. Dexter Ng, a 23-year-old Singapore Management University student, added, "While the debate on politics was lively, I felt that the participants did little to press PM Lee on the social issues, especially on the rising cost of living." Source here