When I Was Young

Posted: 24 June 2009 0844 hrs

Patricia Mok - Photo courtesy of Mediacorptv.sg.

SINGAPORE: MediaCorp artiste Patricia Mok was reportedly molested early Monday morning at a nightspot at Clarke Quay. She has made a police report against the 31-year-old man who allegedly groped her.

According to a newspaper report, Mok, who is known for being quite the 'party queen', was approached by a group of men and one of them pinched her buttocks.

Mok, 37, was then heard shouting angrily, "Don't play!"

However, the man who appeared to be drunk, took no heed of her warnings and reportedly went on to grope Mok's private parts. The feisty actress then informed the bouncers and asked that the man be thrown out of the club.

Mok later confronted the man when she realised that he was still in the club. The two took their argument outside and a heated war of words ensued. She then called the police and the man was arrested at around 3am.

When contacted by Channelnewsasia.com, Mok declined to comment on the case as it is now a police case.

The man is now out on bail.

- CNA/os

From ChannelNewsAsia.com; see the source article here.

By 938 LIVE | Posted: 08 June 2009 1740 hrs

Cartons of contraband cigarettes

SINGAPORE: Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) officers have arrested a Malaysian man for trying to smuggle contraband cigarettes into Singapore at midnight last Wednesday.

Close to 1,000 cartons of cigarettes were found under the floorboard of a broken down Malaysia-registered bus. It was being towed by a Singapore-registered tow truck via the Woodlands Checkpoint.

ICA said potential customs duty and GST payable for the cigarettes amounted to more than S$76,000.

When questioned, the 31-year-old Malaysian claimed that he was a relief driver. He said another Malaysian by the name of "Louis" had instructed him to take some passengers from Jalan Skudai to Singapore.

After clearance at Woodlands Checkpoint, he was supposed to leave the bus at the mosque near the checkpoint and await further instructions.

The case was referred to Singapore Customs for further investigations.

Upon conviction by the court, first-time offenders can be fined up to 20 times the amount of duty evaded and are liable to a jail term of up to three years.

- CNA/so

From ChannelNewsAsia.com; see the source article here.

By Tan Yew Guan, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 21 May 2009 2219 hrs

AWARE President Dana Lam

SINGAPORE: AWARE said it is regrettable that the Education Ministry has decided to drop it as a sexuality education provider.

While it understands the ministry's decision as it has been under considerable pressure from some parents on the matter, AWARE said it still believes that its comprehensive sexuality education programme is a much needed resource for youth.

Dana Lam, president, AWARE, said: "I think it is grossly unfair that the programme has been so misrepresented to the public by a few people who have picked up isolated phrases and then brandied it around. So parents out there may now have a skewed understanding of what the programme is about."

AWARE said it will continue to review its programme in consultation with parents, teachers, counsellors and other relevant parties. It will offer the programme to MOE again "at the appropriate time".

But AWARE is not the only vendor affected by the saga. Other vendors, whose programmes have been suspended for the time being, hope this saga will blow over soon.

Edware Ong, president, Singapore Planned Parenthood Association, said: "For us, this is our core programme and service. We are very concerned that this continues to be ongoing. As it is, our current programmes have already been affected."

On the streets, many welcome MOE's move to tighten its oversight of sexuality programmes. But there were mixed views on whether AWARE's programme has lost the public's trust with its neutral stance towards homosexuality.

"Whether AWARE should be teaching in schools, there should be a neutral stance to it. Given that they are a secular organisation, I think that's fair," said one Singaporean.

"We have to get the right message to our children and that's very important. Like AWARE getting involved and all that, they may send the wrong message to the kids, which is not acceptable by Asians generally," said another.

"I think you have to take into consideration that we import a lot of culture. You want to appear that you are upholding the traditional cultures that we as Singaporeans hold very dear to us, but also you do not want seem like you are backwards," said one man in the street.

But most agree that educating the young about sex is a must. - CNA/vm

From ChannelNewsAsia.com; see the source article here.

By Pearl Forss, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 21 May 2009 1907 hrs

Students in Singapore

SINGAPORE: Singapore's Education Ministry is reviewing its sexuality education curriculum and tightening controls on the engagement of external agencies for these programmes in schools.

Previously, schools were given the autonomy to engage external agencies to teach sexuality education.

Now these agencies must be approved by the Education Ministry.

They must submit their materials to the ministry for vetting in June.

Approved agencies will be appointed by mid-August.

The ministry said sexuality education must be secular and reflect the values of mainstream society.

Abstinence is the key message but information on contraception must also be included.

Education Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen, said: “Our schools and educational institutions cannot become proxy battlegrounds for groups with contending ideologies. What we must stringently and strictly avoid is allowing our school to go the way in some other countries, for example United States, where different groups with different views try to square off and settle their arguments in schools. If we allow this to happen, our school and education system will be casualties and will be worse off.” - CNA/vm

From ChannelNewsAsia.com; see the source article here.

Channel NewsAsia - Friday, May 15

3/4 of S’poreans won’t cut back on mobile phone usage during downturn: survey

SINGAPORE: Three quarters of Singaporeans said they will not cut back on their mobile phone use during the downturn. That’s because, going by a survey result, the mobile phone is quite an indispensable social tool.

Half of those surveyed in India and China will propose to their partner over the phone. But it’s a no—no for nine in 10 Singaporeans, according to a survey by Microsoft Windows Mobile.

However, when it comes to break—ups one in 10 thinks it’s okay to do it via phone messaging.

The survey also found that most people use their phones everywhere. 65 per cent of Singaporeans use it even when they’re in the toilet. Meanwhile, nine in 10 will answer calls when having a meal with someone.

But one instance where Singaporeans prefer not to be disturbed is in bed during intimate moments. 93 per cent will not take that call. That’s the highest across six Asian cities. For example, one in five Taiwanese will answer the phonecall.

One in 10 respondents has also shot a voyeuristic picture or video with their phones.

The survey also found that about half of all respondents used their phones to flirt with someone who is not their partner nor their spouse. That’s the highest percentage compared to similar surveys done in India, China, Japan, Taiwan, and Australia. —CNA/vm

From Yahoo! News; see the source article here.

Channel NewsAsia - Saturday, May 16

Homosexual groups, pro—family groups call for tolerance on gay issue

SINGAPORE : Homosexual groups and pro—family groups may not see eye—to—eye on sexuality, but many in both camps agree with Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng’s call for tolerance and accommodation on the subject.

The AWARE saga brought many divisive issues to the forefront, and sociologists doubt these will be resolved despite their airing.

Associate Professor Paulin Straughan, a sociologist, said: "In a conflict, where values are involved, there is never a win—win situation. If you push on one side, the other side would have to retreat. So then you force the polarity, I don’t think that is very healthy.

"When you have these kinds of heated exchanges, especially when it goes into cyberspace under the cover of anonymity, strong words are heard, and there is always the danger that you push somebody who is normally apathetic to take a stand. And at the end of the day, it does polarise."

This is one reason why analysts said the government decided to give a response.

DPM Wong said that while Singapore is a conservative society, homosexuals are entitled to their private lives. He stressed the importance for different groups to live and let live — a view welcomed by many, including homosexuals.

Said Stuart Koe, CEO of gay portal Fridae.com: "The gay community is pro—family. We have families. We love our families and our families love us. But as a result of what’s been happening in the press and the public media, a lot of abuse and offensive words have been hurled with impunity and I think the people around us are quite hurt about that.

"I’m really concerned that the pendulum in Singapore seems to have swung so far to the right. What he (DPM Wong) said to the press is very important because it is what brings Singapore to the centre. That is very heartening for the gay community to hear because we feel like we are being cornered.

Dr Carol Balhetchet, director of Youth Services at the Singapore Children’s Society said: "I agree with the government that the two critical values we need to have is respect and tolerance. Just as much as the small conservative group’s views should not be forced on the mainstream, similarly, the liberal’s views should not be forced on the rest of us."

And all said it’s important to agree to disagree. — CNA /ls

From Yahoo! News; see the source article here.

Channel NewsAsia - Friday, May 15

Government’s position on homosexuality unchanged

SINGAPORE: The Singapore Government has said it welcomes religious groups and individuals getting active in social issues. But it has warned against mixing religion with politics.

Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng said this, in an interview to be published in the TODAY newspaper on Friday, on the recent saga involving the Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE).

Mr Wong added that the government’s position on homosexuality is clear, and it will not be pressured into changing its position as a result of lobbying by pressure groups.

Two years ago, during the debate on whether to decriminalise sex between men, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had clearly stated that the conventional family, a heterosexual stable family is the norm and building block of Singapore society.

But the government also recognises that homosexuals are part of the society. Mr Lee had said then: "Homosexuals work in all sectors, all over the economy, in the public sector as well and in the civil service. They are free to lead their lives, free to pursue their social activities."

That position has not changed. Mr Wong said: "The government was not going to be pressured into changing its position on homosexuality before the takeover of AWARE. Nor does the government intend to change its position now that the Old Guard has recaptured AWARE."

He added that as Singaporeans become more educated and informed, and more space is being opened up for people to express alternative views, there will be more tussles between people holding different points of views.

If any group pushes its agenda aggressively, there will be strong reactions from other groups.

As for the AWARE controversy, the government was worried about the disquieting public perception that a group of conservative Christians — all attending the same church, which held strong views on homosexuality — had moved in and taken over AWARE because they disapproved of what the organisation had been doing.

Hence, he was gratified that the National Council of Churches of Singapore issued a clear statement that it does not condone churches getting involved in the AWARE dispute, and that leaders of different religious faiths came out to reinforce the NCCS message.

Mr Wong said the government has to maintain order impartially. It encourages the development of civic society, and gradual widening of the out—of—bounds (OB) markers. But it will not stand by and watch, when intemperate activism threatens Singapore society.

Asked for his comments on the May 2 AWARE extraordinary general meeting, which saw the new exco being voted out, Mr Wong said both sides must now calm down, and move on. — CNA/ms

From Yahoo! News; see the source article here.

Channel NewsAsia - Thursday, May 14

Three NMP hopefuls come under fire

SINGAPORE: Barely had they thrown their names into the hat for the post of Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) when the criticisms began on the government feedback website, REACH.

NMP hopefuls Loretta Chen and Beatrice Chia—Richmond — along with incumbent Siew Kum Hong, who is seeking a second term — have been accused of being "homosexuality activists" by some Netizens.

Postings on REACH questioned if their applications, in the words of one, were "a back door for more pro—LGBTs (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender)" to have a voice in Parliament. The debate has set REACH’s thread on NMP candidates abuzz.

First opened for comments on May 1, the thread picked up steam since last Thursday and has attracted 93 postings and more than 1,400 page views as of last night. In comparison, the thread on Influenza A (H1N1) has attracted eight comments.

With his role as a legal adviser in the recent AWARE leadership saga, Mr Siew, 34, bore the brunt of the criticisms; many accused him of "pushing homosexual lifestyle" and of being "against the majority Singaporean".

On the other hand, Ms Chia—Richmond, 34, and Ms Chen, 32, both arts practitioners, came under fire for their past projects, which forumer ’Very Worried!!’ alleged about Ms Chia—Richmond’s application "is far more serious and worrying than Siew Kum Hong being re—nominated".

Ms Chen, a theatre director, has been charged as being "no different". "She’s openly gay and has also directed films with mainly controversial themes," wrote forumer ’isay’.

When asked about this, Ms Chen said, "I am who I am and I don’t intend to pretend to be someone that I am not. If you can be honest to yourself, you can then be honest to the team you are leading and only then you can be honest to society at large."

Ms Chen, who hopes to speak up on arts, youth and elderly issues, added, "I don’t see this NMP as a backdoor (for LGBT issues). Human beings are capable of being multi—dimensional, multi—perspective and multi—layered. I think it’s sad when some Singaporeans choose to be so single—minded and so single—focused that you can only be defined by your sexuality or by your race or your religion."

Ms Chia, who is married and a mother of one, could not be reached for comment last night.

When contacted, Mr Siew said he had not seen the full comments posted on REACH, but has seen similar objections to his re—application online. He also received several emails.

"It seems there’s some effort to organise a campaign to target me," he said. "It does bother me to be a target, to be singled out for expressing a sincerely held opinion."

Mr Siew, who is married and is a corporate lawyer, reiterated that he does not support homosexuality but is rather against discrimination, which is why he sought to repeal the law against gay sex in 2007.

The criticisms on REACH is another sign that the two camps — those with concerns over the gay agenda and those seeking more equality for gays — are turning to "mainstream portals" as their sounding boards, according to Singapore Management University assistant professor Eugene Tan.

"The two groups are fairly educated and are not afraid to use the new media to draw and canvass for support," he said.

Feedback on REACH is typically passed to the relevant agencies.

But Mr Siew hopes the Special Select Committee of eight MPs will evaluate his record in Parliament, which he feels "speaks for itself" as he had spoken out on numerous topics.

"The only thing I hope is that rational minds will prevail," he added.

The panel, led by Speaker Abdullah Tarmugi, will make its recommendations to President SR Nathan after it has interviewed the candidates. The new NMP term begins in July.

From Yahoo! News; see the source article here.