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What do you think? http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/penalties-crime-must-reflect-public-opinion-shanmugam Penalties for crime must reflect public opinion: Shanmugam SINGAPORE — How society feels about the punishment meted out in criminal cases has to be something the Government must pay heed to, but this does not equate to bowing to public pressure, said Law Minister K Shanmugam. This is because, if penalties do not reflect the weight of public opinion and people do not find them fair, the law would lose its credibility and would not be enforceable, he added. “You enhance the penalty (for a certain law) to reflect what people feel is the right penalty, what conduct should be more severely punished — that is not bowing down; that is understanding where the weight of public opinion is,” said Mr Shanmugam in an exclusive interview with TODAY last week. He added: “(Paying attention to public expression) is important because these people represent the ground feelings ... Penalties and criminal laws can only be enforced if people believe that they are fair and that certain conduct ought to be made criminal ... Otherwise they lose credibility.” Reviews of laws for a string of offences have been announced by Mr Shanmugam, who is also Minister for Home Affairs, in recent days, including some in high-profile cases that attracted close public attention, and even outcry. For instance, he directed his ministries to relook the sentences for sex offenders such as Joshua Robinson, a mixed martial arts instructor who had sex with two 15-year-olds and showed an obscene film to a six-year-old. The American was sentenced to four years’ jail, which was deemed too light by some — an online petition calling for a harsher sentence has since garnered almost 30,000 signatories. In a Parliament sitting earlier this month, Mr Shanmugam said reviews of the laws relating to the abuse of foreign domestic workers was also being conducted. While he did not cite any specific cases, news of the review came in the wake of a Singaporean couple who starved their maid, causing her weight to plunge from 49kg to 29.5kg in 15 months. The man was sentenced to three weeks’ jail and a S$10,000 fine while his wife was sentenced to three months’ jail. Public outcry over penalties in individual cases do not necessarily lead to a review of the laws, Mr Shanmugam stressed, noting that reviews have been announced by ministries for laws in cases that did not attract any public attention. Drugs, drink-driving, and false and malicious allegations against public officers are some offences that have been flagged recently for review. He said: “Even without public expression, when I see a sentence (and if) I see these needs to be looked at ... (where) I feel need a review, I announce them. And that is our job.” But, he noted: “When there is a reaction to a sentence by the public, as in the Joshua Robinson case, then I think it is important for us as policymakers to sit down and understand why people are upset ... It is important because these people represent the ground feelings — they are mothers, they are sisters, they are people who want their children to be safe.” He added: “But it doesn’t mean automatically you agree with it. You must assess it, whether it is also fair. So, there are two parts to it — one, whether it is fair; two, what does the public believe is right.” In a similar way to how he had urged the public against personal attacks on the High Court judges who recently reduced the sentences of six City Harvest Church leaders for misappropriating church funds, Mr Shanmugam said the announcement of reviews for laws should not be taken as an indictment of the work of the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC). The Public Prosecutor can only apply the law of the day and it is up to the Government to decide what the laws and penalties ought to be, he noted. “It is the task of the Government to decide what is the appropriate legislative provision. And that is the mixture of ... what is fair, what is right and also where is the weight of public opinion.” A deputy public prosecutor, who declined to be named, had reservations about reviews being announced soon after a case concludes in court. “When the Government says these things, it ties our hands,” he said. A former prosecutor, who wanted to remain anonymous, said that while public perception is a “relevant” concern, it “must not be the overriding consideration”. “Otherwise we may run the risk of undermining the rule of law with mob justice ... In my view, it would help if the AGC engages the public more actively and explains its decisions,” said the lawyer, who is now practising in a private firm. “This way, concerns of bowing to political pressure of public opinion would be allayed to some degree.” Lawyers TODAY interviewed agreed there was nothing wrong with public uproar leading to legislative reviews. Mr Sunil Sudheesan, president of the Association of Criminal Lawyers of Singapore, said: “The Government ultimately is a servant of the people. And if people are legitimately outraged (over a particular court sentence), then it should be of concern to the Government.” He added that the Ministry of Law reviews a whole host of laws, noting “it just happens there has been a number of high profile cases lately”. Legislative reviews are also a “product” of a more vocal and involved citizenry, said Mr Sudheesan. “I hope and trust that the engagement between the authorities and the public carries on for a long time ... The public should continue to speak up.”

BPL 2018/19 coming to an end with one more game to play on Sunday, 12/05/2019. The results were shocking and many teams that expected to do well but didn't. Its time to do some reflecting, repent and replenishing for some teams ...... Lets do some contributing to the teams who badly needs reflecting, repent and replenishing ..... First Stop :- ManUnited Reflect First third of the season was a shocking roller coaster rides. Ups & downs and went to the middle of the table listing. Second third of the season did better and catches up with the top 5 and in position to push for a UCL place. Was happy to see them reaching for UCL placing. Last third of the season was unbelievable shocking. Sloppy passing, wasteful shooting, doesn't seem to click together. Out of a sudden, their top goalkeeper lost his golden gloves and making silly mistakes. Repent 3/4 of the players needs to repent and reflect on themselves. Their 18 players (inclusive of reserves players) on every match total value more then 500 million pound produce the a result of unpredictable. Replenishing Needs a 80% replenishing of the players if they can't perform with such a high paycheque per week. Can see some of the players hearts are not here and just waiting for summer transfer window to open. No need to say who and these are the players thinking big that some big rich European Clubs coming for them. Come, lets hear some of your contributions on the other BPL clubs. I can't write all at one time, need your helps ...

From CNA: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/sin...1151857/1/.html PAP needs to reflect on General Election: PM Lee By S Ramesh | Posted: 08 September 2011 1610 hrs SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the People's Action Party needs to adjust its policies to serve the people better, and that the party also needs to improve on its engagement and outreach to involve Singaporeans much more on the issues affecting them. Mr Lee said: "We have to be active in listening, as well as in putting our message across, and in countering mistaken views and disinformation." Mr Lee, who is also the PAP's Secretary General, made these observations in the latest issue of Petir, the party's magazine. The editorial comes in the wake of the party's performance in the last General Election, having won 81 out of 87 seats. He said the ruling People's Action Party must reflect on the meaning of the May 7 General Election, and strengthen and reinvent itself to maintain a leading role in Singapore politics. He also said the party must also strengthen its presence in cyberspace and learn to use the new media more effectively. This meant not just going onto Facebook and Twitter, but being on the same wavelength as the netizens and resonating with the Internet generation. That way, the MPs and leaders can continue serving the widest spread of society and work with all citizens to shape the new Singapore together. Mr Lee said constituency work also remains crucial, as a caring, hardworking and effective MP, backed by a strong team of activists and the party, can make the difference. He said this was clear in the General Election as MPs who had worked hard, enjoyed strong support. As for the opposition wards, Mr Lee urges the PAP to maintain its presence, keep the branch active and take care of supporters and fight hard to win back the constituency. Mr Lee added: "Fundamentally, we need to get Singaporeans to see the PAP for what it is and what it has always been - their champion, acting on their behalf, working with them and for them." So the Prime Minister's call to his party activists is to stay united in the cause and fight tenaciously to create a better tomorrow for all Singaporeans. -CNA/ac

It is common knowledge that visits to private hospitals will cost more than those made at public hospitals, unless you register as private patients at the latter then maybe the rates will be on par. So do make an informed decision before heading down to the respective hospital according to what you can afford. 一分钱一分货。 From ST Forum: http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/...ory_814982.html PRIVATE V PUBLIC HOSPITALS Bill comparisons may not reflect true cost differences Published on Jun 26, 2012 I CONCEDE that costs in private hospitals are higher than those in public hospitals for private patients ('Private versus public hospitals: More than twice as costly'; last Friday). However, there were a few omissions in the report:

PRC nationals living in Singapore are ambivalent about the country and its people, based on the responses of PRC netizens in a thread on the Lion City Forum soliciting their views on living in Singapore.

http://temasektimes.wordpress.com/2012/02/...th-even-a-fart/

Quote from CNA report: Baey Yam Keng apologises for comments over foreign student's remark SINGAPORE: Tampines MP Baey Yam Keng apologised in Parliament Tuesday, for his comments over a remark by a foreign student here on a Singapore government scholarship. Mr Baey has been accused of not standing up for Singaporeans. But he said that was never his intention. The comment by China national Sun Xu, that "there are more dogs than humans in Singapore", had sparked plenty of comments after it went viral online. The final-year Mechanical Engineering student at the National University of Singapore had posted the remark on his microblog, after describing how some "uncles" in Singapore would stare at him after he brushed against them in public. Some netizens also took issue with the fact that Sun is a government scholar. Mr Baey was later quoted by a newspaper saying that there might be something in Sun's words that Singaporeans could reflect on. This added to the furore, even after Mr Baey subsequently explained on his Facebook - saying he did not agree with Sun's comment, but that he felt Singaporeans could be more open to criticism. And he maintained this stand in Parliament on Tuesday, although he apologised to those who felt hurt by his words. "In trying to give the benefit of doubt to what the student said, and attempting to soothe the hard feelings of some Singaporeans, I was accused of siding with a foreigner and not standing up for fellow Singaporeans. It was never my intention to undermine Singaporeans but to those whom my words have hurt, I am sorry," said Mr Baey. But he also noted the frustration among Singaporeans on being squeezed out by foreigners, whether it's for seats in the train, or for places in schools. He said that negative sentiments against foreigners should not all be treated as noise. What he has learnt, he said, is that he needs to be more sensitive to how people might read into certain words. And he said the same applies for policymakers when they craft, implement and communicate policies. - CNA/cc He apologised, never his intention but he maintained his stand...... What he means ...

Usually one will regret first.....then comes reflection. Correct or not? http://wealthwisdomandsuccess.com/success/...-positive/2009/

hi all nowadays degree is everywhere. so i would like to heard how much u guys are earning as compare to your education. those earning big money because of parent's start up capital no count. strike toto no count. family business also no count. It does not matter if u earn $1.2k or $12k per month, same for pri 6 to doctorate. Please give true information as this is also one of the factor for me to go back to school and study or not.

Some car interiors are very neat and tidy. Others have barang and paper strewn all over the place. Some car interiors have lots of personalized decorations. Others are empty machiam like showroom model. Can gauge a person's character by the interior of his car?

Finally...the angst many of us feel has reached national level. http://motoring.asiaone.com/Motoring/News/...0214-49527.html The next question is: Will the garment(a.k.a SPC) do anything about it? [laugh] "Meanwhile, pump prices in the United States - the world's biggest fuel consumer - fell last week to the lowest level in almost four months, reflecting a decline in motor fuel demand." So now we all know who is controlling the petrol prices in SG...its not exxonmobile, not shell, not caltex...it is out dear MIW!

Something for us to reflect.....consumer driven market ? http://my.so-net.net.tw/sirwang/fur.wmv CAUTION : EXPLICITE IMAGES. NOT FOR WEAK STOMACHES