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https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/voters-approve-muslim-self-rule-in-philippines-troubled-south MANILA • Voters have decisively approved a new Muslim-led region in the Philippines' south, which is hoped will bring a measure of peace after decades of fighting killed thousands and mired the area in poverty. The results, announced yesterday, will begin the process of the Catholic-majority nation's largest rebel group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), laying down its weapons and assuming political power. About 150,000 people were killed in the rebellion that began in 1970s and aimed to push the government to grant independence to a Muslim minority concentrated on the southern island of Mindanao. As part of the peace process, the MILF has joined the government in battling the hardline factions aligned to terror group Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) waging guerilla campaigns in the southern Philippines. President Rodrigo Duterte, himself from Mindanao, has been a staunch supporter of Bangsamoro and signed the law last year paving the way for the vote. Under the terms of the law which lays out the region's powers, Bangsamoro will get US$950 million (S$1.29 billion) in development funds over the next 10 years, as well as a chunk of the tax revenue generated within its borders and national receipts. Manila will keep control over the police, but it is hoped that close cooperation on security with Bangsamoro's leaders will help get a handle on the region's endemic lawlessness. Muslim rebels have long been battling for independence or autonomy on Mindanao, which they regard as their ancestral homeland dating back to when Arab traders arrived there in the 13th century. The Bangsamoro region will expand and supersede an existing Muslim-led region which struggled to govern effectively due to limited powers and was hamstrung by alleged corruption. After voters' approval, the rebels are to immediately demobilise a third of their fighters, which the group said number about 30,000. MILF has begun an inventory of its weapons, which will not be destroyed but rather placed in a depot guarded by former MILF fighters and government security forces. Laying down their guns may prove to be a delicate process for rebels living in a region with extremely limited rule of law, where being armed is also a way to protect oneself and family from crime. Transitioning from rebellion to governance also promises to carry challenges for rebels who have limited experience in the difficulties of politics and bureaucracy. AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

When was the last time Singapore has its on referendum? http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/mar/0...m-executive-pay

Since I saw someone posted about wish list for soccer, I thought maybe I can start a wish list for election swing voters. As usual, there will be die hard PAP supporters, and there will be hardcore opposition supporters. For these two groups of voters, please take your battle to where it is suppose to be. There is a thread started by @Radx for election battle, please fight there. http://www.mycarforum.com/topic/2696413-the-next-general-elections-post-here/page-25 It is no secret that many elections around the world are won or lost because of the swing voters, these people are not fully supportive of one party only, and they vote base on what they believe is best for the country and themselves. The key lies in how to reach out to this group of voters. It seem like the government is not too interested in this group of voters, so let us tell them, how they can lost our votes ( or how the opposition can win us over). I feel that our government is a good manager, but not a good politician. Generally I am quite happy, there are good policies introduced, and there are bad ones. What I really want to see , is that they can admit whatever mistakes done, get it corrected and move on. It takes a great politician to admit mistakes, sometimes mistakes bring in votes. The era is different, things are different, people are different. Those (swing voters) who want to share your thoughts, come on in. cheers!!!

I was reading Channelnewasia on my Android phone just now.... I quote "One major sore point among retirees who live in landed property is that they have not benefited from Grow and Share package" !!!! I am rather shocked !!! I have a few questions to ask these retirees... 1) Isn't your 2 million dollar or more landed property already part of your benefit from the growth ? 2) Do you want to fight for the few hundred dollars with your counterparts that are still picking your used cola cans ? 3) Are you having such a poor and sad life because because you own a coffeeshop that business was not doing well other than your 2 million landed property? 4) You are retired so you got nothing much to do and say...So you start to say everything !!! Because you know very well it is not going to affect you over a prolong period as well!!! If they really feel so sore that the aunty collecting their used cola can get SGD5 while they only get SGD1...I hope their grand children do not learn from them !!! When you have already benefited.. Keep quite... Talk more and you will be another 600k peanut... I hope MIW will look long and make Sillypore a better place because they want it to be a better place...But not begin with the objective of pulling votes. Both may lead to same conclusion of better life for everyone...But the mindset that drive this changes is different. [shakehead] [shakehead]

Brudder, u got 5 years to fulfill yr promises. Pace yourself. NEWS May 9, 2011 Sitoh says he will not fail voters By Tan Hui Yee The People's Action Party's Sitoh Yih Pin, who wrested control of longtime opposition ward Potong Pasir from the Singapore People's Party on his third try, promised on Sunday that he 'will not fail' voters. The 47-year-old chairman of an accounting firm told reporters during his thank you parade on Sunday morning: 'Now that (voters) have given us this chance, we will treasure it. We will not fail them, we will fulfill all our promises in the five year plan that we have.' In his five-year plan, he had promised voters more carparks, a family service centre, and childcare and tuition centres. He defeated the SPP's Lina Chiam by just 114 votes, which makes up less than 1 percentage point in the ward with 17,327 voters. Mrs Chiam, a 62-year-old former nurse, is married to Mr Chiam See Tong, who was Potong Pasir's member of parliament for 27 years. Many residents remain loyal to Mr Chiam, who left Potong Pasir to contest in Bishan-Toa Payoh group representation constituency in this year's election. While many residents waved and walked up to Mr Sitoh to congratulate him, a few also shook his hand grudgingly or snubbed him altogether. Mr Sitoh said the emotional attachment to Mr Chiam was 'only natural'. He added: 'I'm sure he has tried his best in the last 27 years. Moving forward, I think we have to better understand the hearts and minds of residents here. Even though I have been here for 11 years, I think there's still a lot to learn, there is still a lot to do.'

Sinkie who stayed in the EASTERN part of Sinkland seems to have more balls, stronger spine which translate to being better ppl overall! Result of the 2011 election show voters in Hougang, Aljunied and East Coast GRC, Joo Chiat have fewer spoilt votes and are more Pro to opposition as reported by ST. Since this is a data backed result, ST can't spin the numbers and facts. So MCF bros who are in the quoted areas...particularly in the EAST... Be proud... At least you have the conscience and the balls to back it up!

http://mrwangsaysso.blogspot.com/2011/05/p...s.html?spref=fb Lousy MP ought to be voted out!!! The quality for GRC!!! Disgusted.

http://mrwangsaysso.blogspot.com/ Pls consider carefully before voting!

Interview with late ex president Mr Ong Teng Chong Why we should really have more opposition in parliament. Read the interview and vote wisely.

You guys hold the key.

You are very very important!!! You guys will determine if capable and patriotic Singaporeans will come forward to serve our people depending on whether CSM and Sylvia gets elected. If they dun. Next election will see a dearth of talent for opp. More importantly, if you vote for Tin Pei Lin. Then 5 or 10 more Tin Pei Lins will be introduced in the next election in my ward!!!!!!!

This article is written by a close buddy of mine.. It highlights why the whole Singapore's non-PAP supporters is pinning it's hope on voters in Aljunied. Original article here

must watch this 10min clip... especially those of you who are voting for the 1st time!...... you vote is very important.... think about it carefully.... dont just go with the flow or listen to your friends.... Think about and make your own decision....

PAP's Lui Tuck Yew Not Connecting With Voters, Lacks People Skills http://singaporeelection.blogspot.com/2011...cting-with.html

1. Total Population = 2010 (Census) - 5,076,700 (source: Department of Statistics Singapore) 2. Eligible Voters = 2,311,582 Singaporeans (Source: Eligible Voters Therefore , which is about 45.5% of total population..... so beside those below 21 years old..... what are the others ? So many foreigner ? What's your view?