ST 3/3/2007: Salary review for Home Team officers

ST 3/3/2007: Salary review for Home Team officers
Ken Kwek

AS SECURITY is paramount to Singapore's survival, recruiting the right people for law enforcement jobs is critical.

A salary review is now on to make jobs in the Home Team more attractive and retain capable officers, Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng said yesterday.

It is not easy to find the right people for these jobs.

Recruitment efforts were stepped up last year but only 10 per cent of applicants met the criteria for the junior officers and 15 per cent for senior officers. Fresh recruits need to clear security checks and meet 'demanding' physical, intellectual and psychological requirements.

Compounding the problem was the higher number of resignations last year.

Mr Wong observed that the work was tough on police officers and their families as many often had to forgo annual leave due to 'exigencies of service'. Immigration officers also regularly worked overtime.

He was responding to queries from Non-Constituency MP Sylvia Lim and Mr Christopher De Souza (Holland-Bukit Timah GRC). Both raised concerns that resource constraints on the police may lead to compromises in public security.

Ms Lim also felt the outsourcing of traffic warden duties led to 'overzealous' issuing of fines by private agencies. She also cited a recent letter in The Straits Times Forum page on the time it took for the police to attend to a corpse found in the sea off East Coast Park.

Askin' the same question as the Worker Party lady? You in collusion, homeboy?

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ST 3/3/2007: Quotes in Parliament

Straits Times, 3/3/2007, Quotes

'In the shooting by the gunman dubbed the 'One-eyed Dragon', he claimed he had contacted a friend in Thailand who delivered a semi-automatic Beretta .22-calibre pistol to him in a Johor hotel. How did he manage to bring it into Singapore undetected?' MR CHRISTOPHER DE SOUZA (Holland-Bukit Timah GRC), on controls to reduce the possibility of firearms being brought into Singapore

Homeboy, you can bring illegal Indonesian workers into Singapore. A gun? Peanuts, man, and not the golden kind.

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ST 28/02/2007 -MPs praise 'fundamental shift' in how Govt helps the low-income

Straits Times 28/02/2007
MPs praise 'fundamental shift' in how Govt helps the low-income;
But they feel more can done so that casual workers benefit from new Workfare scheme
Sue Ann Chia

THE new Workfare scheme won accolades from MPs, but they wanted more done to ensure that informal workers such as odd-job labourers can benefit from it.

They were also concerned whether the Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) would breed a 'crutch mentality', and lead to low-wage workers not wanting to improve their skills - and salaries - as a result.

The Workfare scheme, which supplements the income of older low-wage workers, was the day's most talked-about issue.

It was raised by almost all 22 MPs who spoke on the first day of the Budget debate yesterday.

Most praised the new permanent social safety net as representing a 'fundamental shift' in how the Government was helping low-income earners whose wages have stagnated or declined over the years.

Workers earning $1,500 and below and who are aged above 35 can receive up to $1,200 in Workfare a year

The aim is also to bring those who are now not part of the CPF, into the scheme.

Opposition MP Low Thia Khiang (Hougang), supported Workfare but questioned it being linked to the CPF.

'To expect those who are doing odd-jobs and have irregular income to maintain a CPF income before they can receive the supplement scheme is not so attractive and in some way shows a lack of sincerity of the Government,' he said.

Other MPs recognised that informal workers faced difficulties signing up.

So instead of making them contribute to Medisave, allow them to just show proof they were working to receive Workfare, said Mr Christopher de Souza (Holland-Bukit Timah GRC).

But Ms Indranee Rajah (Tanjong Pagar GRC) said it could be difficult to show proof as they were in the informal sector and steps should be taken to address this.

This is precisely what the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) is trying to do, said labour MP Madam Halimah Yacob (Jurong GRC) and Nominated MP Cham Hui Fong.

A concerted effort is being made to get bosses to put such workers on the CPF system.

Homeboy, listen to the nice lady lawyer with the smarts. I could've told you that. But nice to know you're talking about the po' people.

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ST 28/02/2007 :Workfare's Medisave rule based on self-reliance principle

Straits Times 28/02/2007
Workfare's Medisave rule based on self-reliance principle

GETTING self-employed and informal workers to make some contribution to their Medisave accounts before receiving assistance is a reasonable practice, Manpower Minister Ng Eng Hen said yesterday.

'It is consistent with promoting self-reliance and effort before government assistance is sought or given,' said Dr Ng, referring to the Workfare Income Supplement scheme announced two weeks ago.

Under the scheme, such workers would be eligible for Workfare if they first pay a small sum into their Medisave accounts.

Mr Christopher de Souza (Holland-Bukit Timah GRC) had asked how the Government would ensure that they would benefit from contributing to Medisave, as they already earned so little each month.

He posed the question during the half-hour allotted for questions, before the House debated the Budget.

Dr Ng replied that Workfare, as a structural feature of the social safety net now, must be based on the right principles.

'Otherwise, Workfare can slide into welfarism and become unsustainable as costs escalate,' he said.

He cited the example of cleaners who earned about $600 a month, saying that a contribution rate of 3 per cent to Medisave was reasonable and would draw such workers on board the CPF network.

'And the amount of CPF you get is a few times what you put in. So I think it's a fair system,' he said.

Homeboy cares about his homies still in the ghetto!

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ST 16/2/2006: Khaw: Don't overstretch Medisave

Straits Times 16/02/2007
Khaw: Don't overstretch Medisave, Minister reveals more than 6 in 10 S'poreans who died had less than $2,500 in the account
Lee Hui Chieh

SINGAPOREANS who died after the age of 65 had an average balance of just $3,500 left in their Medisave account, Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan said yesterday.

In fact, more than 60 per cent of all Singaporeans who died - regardless of their age - had less than $2,500 of their compulsory medical savings left.

Mr Khaw cited these figures in Parliament as he cautioned against calls for Medisave to be extended to cover a wider range of medical expenses.

'My concern is that most Singaporeans undersave for Medisave,' he said.

Set up 22 years ago, Medisave was originally designed to help people pay hospital bills.

In October last year, its scope was expanded to cover regular outpatient treatment of chronic diseases. Those who have a stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol may dip into their Medisave for this purpose.

Yesterday, Mr Christopher de Souza (Holland-Bukit Timah GRC) asked if Medisave could be used for peripherals related to serious illnesses or hospitalisation.

Nominated MP Kalyani Mehta asked if caregivers of the chronic sick who tend to them at home could use Medisave to pay for respite care - medical help to take over caregivers' tasks temporarily so they can take a break.

Mr Khaw's reply: 'Medisave is not a solve-all for all medical problems. It is highly focused and for it to be effective, it must stay focused.'

He said the current monthly Medisave contribution rate was set based on the premise that it was for hospitalisation costs.

'If, however, you want Medisave to be also used for this and for that, then clearly the contribution rate of 6 per cent has to be raised to a higher level, which I don't think is advisable,' he added.

Go homeboy, go!

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ST 28/12/2006:Still stairs to climb after lift upgrades

Straits Times 28/12/2006
Still stairs to climb after lift upgrades;
HDB will have to resort to half-landings in some blocks
Tan Hui Yee

RESIDENTS in 22 public housing blocks across the island will still have to climb some stairs to get to the lift, even after paying for lift upgrading on their estates.

According to the Housing Board, getting the lift to stop at every floor in these blocks is too expensive or simply not feasible.

'As far as possible, all flats would be provided with direct lift access. However, due to site/technical constraints, it may exceed the budget or it may not be feasible to do so in some blocks. Where it is within the budget to provide half landing solutions, it could be offered to the flat owners,' said the HDB.

Nearby, in the Sunset Way area, some residents are worried about the prospect of half-landings.

Those living in Blocks 101 and 103, part of a precinct of 15 blocks there, have been told that they, too, would get half-landings. The polling date for this precinct has not been set.

Twenty residents in Block 101 submitted a petition last Monday to their MP, Mr Christopher de Souza, asking for these plans to be reconsidered. It said: 'If this 'half-floor' proposal were to go through, what would happen in the future when more of us are elderly and unable to negotiate the stairs? Would we need another upgrading programme to have lifts on every floor, finally?'

One of the petitioners, physician David Tham, 55, told The Straits Times: 'Eight steps - for stroke patients - is very important. In this case, the purpose of the lift upgrading is not very meaningful.'

Mr de Souza has highlighted the concerns to HDB.

But the majority of residents offered these plans have accepted them.

What does Highlighting mean, homeboy? Like, do you do anything? Or do you just send 'em a piece of paper with bits coloured to show they're extra-special important?

Cos I'm telling you, those bits of paper in a bureacracy - they get lost real quick. Now, setting them on fire - that might get attention.

People like action, homeboy. Or you're just talking the walk.

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ST 11/12/2006: Sunny forecast for retailers at Sunset Way

STEP aside, Holland Village. Sunset Way is shedding its quiet and sleepy image - and emerging as the next up-and-coming food and beverage (F&B) hot spot.

The neighbourhood centre, which comprises 50 shops from Block 105 to 109 in Clementi, close to Ngee Ann Polytechnic, is set for a major revamp which will change its landscape, increase the variety of shops, and see a new stretch of cafes, restaurants, alfresco dining and possibly even pubs.

Retail consultant Tan Puay Hoon of Bole Business Services, who is spearheading the upgrading project, hopes it will be the 'next Holland Village' with its lively, trendy cafes and nightspots.

For more than a year now, 13 shops at Block 106 in Sunset Way have been boarded up. Shopkeepers closed their businesses after being selected for the first batch under the restructuring programme.

Under the scheme, first announced last March, tenants who choose to close shop receive an ex-gratia payment of $60,000 - if more than half of the shopkeepers in a block opt to quit. The space is then earmarked for conversion to social communal spaces or void decks.

Resident Lina Chua, 35, said it was a pity the stores had closed, as she missed the shopkeepers and the services they provided. This included a small grocery store, a family clinic and shops which sold dried foodstuffs, incense, paper money and more.

'Now that they've left, this area is so quiet and nothing has been done for more than a year,' she added.

The owner of a drinks stall at the Block 107 foodcourt, who wanted to be known only as Madam Wu, said businesses were suffering as human traffic had decreased.

Ms Tan, a consultant for the Sunset Way Trades Association (SWTA) with 11 years' industry experience, told The Straits Times that market research and surveys showed that the shops were old and needed a new lease of life.

A Housing Board spokesman confirmed that it was working together with the SWTA on implementing the plans. Property consultant Knight Frank has also been appointed to look for suitable tenants in the next two months.

The new mix of stores will cater to a growing number of young couples, middle-income households and expatriates in the community.

Mr Jeffrey Chok, 48, owner of a Chinese medicine shop at Block 107A, said he was looking forward to the changes and believed it could be an attractive alternative to Holland Village.

'F&B is the right direction to go. People will come and our businesses will improve. I like competition - the more the merrier,' he said.

The revamped neighbourhood centre will also be enhanced when upgrading works begin at Sungei Ulu Pandan - the river located next to Sunset Way - under the $23 million Active, Beautiful, Clean (ABC) Waters Programme.

'We're looking at ways to revitalise Sunset Way so that residents will be better serviced,' said Mr Christopher de Souza, an MP for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC.

Some changes are also expected among the existing retailers. A spokesman for the trade association said members were willing to participate in training workshops and upgrade their shops.

Ms Tan was hopeful that residents would start to see results by the first quarter of next year.

*cough* This is your turf, homeboy. And it's nearly past the first quarter - where are the results?

Maybe it's just as well, homeboy. I'm not impressed with the recent efforts to 'spruce' up neighbourhood malls - there are flops aplenty, and the only ones that got richer was the people that was hired to spruce 'em.

Who is this Bole Business anyway?

ST Dec 22, 2005
Remake HDB retail districts?
Tan Hui Yee

...

The idea is to have professionals organise regular promotions, retail training and upgrading projects for the Housing Board shops, just like the shopping centre managers do.

Both Mr Wong and Ms Tan Puay Hoon, whose firm Bole Business Services advises merchants in Hong Kah Point, Sunset Way and Tampines, have done surveys to find out what people really want in their neighbourhood centres

Hmm. This was part of an article about consultants being hired to "manage" and improve the shopping experience at heartland areas.

I'm not sure they've got a great track record, homeboy. And I'm not sure they're doing their survey too good - why didn't they come to me? I could've told 'em - this ain't here a second Holland Village. You know why?

We got a real Holland Villge - just down the road. We've even got a fake Holland village - inside Sunset way. This here place is a family zone.

What we do have is loads of petshops and vet clinics. This is pet-central for the West zone, and you can't move for the doggie poo. That's where all the business is being generated right now.

Homeboy - you been home recently?

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ST 3/11/2006: Swearing in

'I'm very happy to see my son take his oath of allegiance. As the mother of an MP, I think he will get my honest feedback.'

MRS PATRICIA DE SOUZA, 59, mother of Holland-Bukit Timah GRC MP Christopher de Souza

Momma luvs ya, homeboy.

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ST 28/10/2006 : Speaking with Youthful Idealism

Straits Times, 28/10/2006

Speaking with youthful idealism


At 30, Mr Christopher de Souza is the youngest MP in Parliament. The lawyer
MP for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC talks about the issues that concern him.

I will be raising issues closely associated with post-65ers, such as
education.

'I think the Education Ministry has done a fantastic job by also focusing on
'out-of-class' education and I will express my support for its shift towards
holistic education.

'I would also talk about how best we can take care of our teachers, in terms
of easing their heavy workload.

'But as an MP, I want to serve Singaporeans of all ages.

'This approach remains important because some key issues, such as defence and
education, are relevant to every generation of Singaporeans.

'Being the youngest MP, will I be nervous about speaking in Parliament?

'Sure!

'But I will go for a good, fast run and have a quick shower before the
opening. That way, my nerves will settle.'

Homeboy so cute! He's into sports, he's young, and he's Into Education.

Homeboy is DOWN with the younger generation. You know why? Homeboy is one of 'em! He so young - he don't use that Gillette thing yet. But that's ain't a problem see, cos LOTS of us homies are young. So he may be young, but that's good, cos we're young too, see, so being young ain't no prob, fact, it's an ASSET. He's young, so he knows what the young people wants.

Aww. My hommie smart!

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Line-up for the GPCs and their priorities;

The Straits Times (Singapore)
July 27, 2006 Thursday


A record number of new MPs have been appointed deputy chairmen of government parliamentary committees (GPCs), reports Petir. Here is the full line-up in each GPC and their priorities, according to the latest issue of the People's Action Party (PAP) organ.

...

Education

Chairman: Lily Neo

Deputy chairman: Ong Seh Hong

Members: Alvin Yeo, Amy Khor, Christopher de Souza, Denise Phua, Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Hri Kumar, Josephine Teo, Lim Biow Chuan, Michael Palmer

PRIORITIES:

Equal opportunity for education for all children, with more help for those in lower-income and dysfunctional families

Reduce dropout rate from secondary school

...

Home Affairs and Law

Chairman: Teo Ho Pin

Deputy chairman: Alvin Yeo

Members: Arthur Fong, Christopher de Souza, Ellen Lee, Hri Kumar, Masagos Zulkifli, Teo Ser Luck

PRIORITIES:

Tackling increasing crime rate among youths

Laws to protect the elderly as they are one of the most vulnerable groups of consumers

No comment. Education, yeah, and I can see where the law thing is coming from.

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ST 27/10/06 - New ways sought to keep kids in school;

The Straits Times
October 27, 2006 Friday

New ways sought to keep kids in school;
Panel to take four-stage approach in mapping out how best to cut dropout rate

by Liaw Wy-Cin


A 13-MEMBER team will spend the next eight months brainstorming how best to cut the school dropout rate here.

The Committee on Reducing Attrition in Education has been set up to identify ways to keep potential dropouts in school, the Ministry of Education (MOE) announced yesterday.

It will also seek ways to involve the community in this endeavour.

The committee was formed to follow through on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's commitment at an Aug 31 Teachers' Day Rally to halve the dropout rate to 1.5 per cent over the next five years.

The committee met on Wednesday for the first of its monthly meetings, said panel chairman and Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Education Masagos Zulkifli.

He told The Straits Times that the panel will go about its task in four stages:

Examining current policies, such as whether there is enough financial assistance for needy students who might be tempted to drop out of school so that they can support the family;

Diagnosing why students are dropping out of school;

Getting feedback from dropouts, parents, principals, teachers and current students; and

Strategising short-term and long-term action plans.

The resulting strategies are expected to be multi-pronged, involving parents, government agencies, self-help groups, grassroots bodies and voluntary welfare organisations.

This is reflected in the diverse backgrounds of its members - who include Members of Parliament, officials from the MOE and the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, school principals and the media.

MP for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC Christopher de Souza said the ideas he hopes to bring to the table include connecting with potential dropouts through activities they enjoy such as sports.

He recounted how, as a volunteer with Malay-Muslim community group Mendaki, he had coaxed a primary school dropout back to school.

'I played football, which he enjoyed, with him for three months; when I gained his trust, I took him to the library and read with him.

'He eventually went back to school, did well in his Primary School Leaving Examination and got into Hai Sing Catholic School, which was his first choice of schools.'

The committee will also study successful strategies here and overseas and is expected to finalise its recommendations by June next year.

A cynic's take on this would be that as a Eurasian, the minority of minorities, (not to mention one considered to be overly influential and privileged), de Souza needs to show that he represents the majority minority's interests.

An even more cynical take on it would suggest that considering de Souza is just 30, his volunteer activites most probably took place shortly before his candidature was announced.

But then, it's nice to see that since he's been slated to take an interest in education, he's at least slightly aware of the problems involved at the ground level.

I think he's Christian though. Wonder how that plays out with the Malay Protector angle. I'm not saying that you can't be Christian and still uphold Muslim interests. But in Singapore, there are people - in both high places and low - that think along these lines. Then again, he's not exactly going to run for Minister of Muslim Affairs.

Hmm. Education.

Homeboy thinks of the chillun's, yo.

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Maiden Speech - Immigrants

The Straits Times (Singapore)November 9, 2006
Will they use S'pore as a temporary stopover?
by Theresa Tan

CONCERNS that Singapore may be used by newcomers as a 'springboard' to better offers elsewhere are valid and should be addressed, said new MP Christopher de Souza (Holland-Bukit Timah GRC).

Making this point in his maiden speech yesterday, he said that with the country's move to woo immigrants, Singaporeans, more than ever, need assurances that they remain the Government's top priority.

After all, legitimate concerns voiced by those in Mr de Souza's ward include: Will the immigrants' sons perform national service here? Or will they leave for greener pastures after some time?

To allay these concerns, he asked the Government to make clear that new citizens have to be subject to the same rules as Singaporeans.

For example, new citizens must give up their original passport, in exchange for the red one.

He added: 'The policy is like marriage, where the parties vow to forsake all others.'

Immigrants' sons also have to serve NS when they come of age, just like Singaporeans.

Some Singaporeans have expressed unease since Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced plans at the National Day Rally in August to proactively attract immigrants here to boost the population and economy.

They fear these foreigners will take away jobs and create social problems.

...

[Amy Khor] and Mr de Souza also called on the Singaporeans to help the newcomers settle in. She said they must have 'no hesitation in welcoming foreigners with open arms, if they feel the Government and other stakeholders are doing all they can to ensure that locals are not disadvantaged'.

I'm glad that he's acknowledging the concerns of foreigners using Singapore as a springboard nation. However, it's no more than what the PM already acknowledged in his rally. Suggesting that foreigners should take up citizenship and do NS is good, but to be honest, I really don't see how that changes anything. Foreigners who are merely working here don't need citizenship. And you're certainly not about to get them to do NS.

Shouldn't the greater question be - why don't foreigners want citizenship?

Also, this Singaporean is going to want more than "reassurances" that my job is protected. I'm not worried about my job being protected - I'm more pissed off at the idea that it's legal to discriminate me in terms of pay and promotion because I was born here.

Yo, homeboy! You're down with street, but you ain't got no meat.

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de Souza wants to share sports halls for community bonding

The Straits Times (Singapore)

November 9, 2006

Yes, more helping hands;MPs suggest beefed-up role for CDCs, ways to close widening income divide

by Lim Wei Chean

THE community development councils (CDCs) should have a bigger role in forging stronger community bonds, said Dr Teo Ho Pin (Bukit Panjang) yesterday.

Supporting the President's call to strengthen social cohesion, Dr Teo suggested the CDCs, formed in 1997, play a beefed-up role.

They should take on more community functions, such as financial planning,health promotion, sports promotion, social defence, community safety and security, environment issues, and community arts and culture, he said.

More 'community caring ambassadors' or 'community defenders' should beappointed and trained to encourage people to look out for each other, he added.

That way, residents can alert each other through SMS or e-mail, in times ofemergency such as a terrorist attack or disease outbreak.

Grassroots organisations, CDCs and voluntary welfare organisations can also help out with conflict resolution and community mediation.

He also suggested the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Artsand the National Arts Council provide more support to CDCs and other grassrootsbodies to organise regular arts and cultural activities at affordable prices

.

Mr Christopher de Souza (Holland-Bukit Timah GRC) added that the indoor sports halls schools are now building should be made available to residents who live nearby.

Other MPs, like Mr Zainudin Nordin (Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC), weighed in on how grassroots and civic organisations should join hands to find ways to facilitate more meaningful interaction among residents.

...

Too little to go on with. Still, de Souza was supposedly a big fan of football and linking with kids through footie fever.

Homeboy wants to play ball? I say ball-eh!

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Parliament opens

Straits Times November 9, 2006 Thursday
MPs suggest ways to help the needy;
Widening income gap and social divide are top concerns on first day of debate
by Goh Chin Lian

THE picture of many helping hands reaching out to help the needy is not as pretty as it sounds - if it stays the way it is now.

Speaking on Day One of the Parliament debate on the President's Address, new MP Denise Phua called on the Government to get involved in the things it could do best - such as developing a curriculum for special-needs children - instead of devolving it to volunteers.

Said the Jalan Besar GRC MP in her maiden speech: 'I urge that we send this sacred cow of many helping hands to the vet for re-examination.'

President S R Nathan, in his speech last week to open the 11th Parliament, had called for the many helping hands approach, with employers, families and community and voluntary welfare groups working together to help the needy in their midst.

Although Ms Phua had her concerns, she joined other MPs in expressing their support yesterday for the President's pledge that the Government would build an inclusive society.

The speeches focused on the widening income gap and the social divide - the fallout from globalisation which inevitably leaves some segments of society behind.

...


Mr Christopher de Souza (Holland-Bukit Timah GRC), another of seven new MPs who delivered their maiden speeches, also voiced Singaporeans' views of foreigners granted work here.

He said the people were concerned that foreigners could take Singapore as a 'springboard nation' and not feel rooted to this place.

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Entering Parliament

MP Christopher de Souza became the youngest member of Parliament in 2006. He's also my new MP - not just part of my GRC team, but the person directly responsible for my district. For the next 4-5 years, Christopher de Souza is my member of Parliament, my link to the decision-making process in Singapore.

He also takes over from the cat-sex MP. By that, you should realise that I didn't want anything to do with the previous incumbent.

That's why I started this blog. I want to know what my MP is doing. He's drawing a high salary in addition to his own highly paid job. It's my money that pays him to serve me.

And like any good boss, I want to know that he's doing his job. This is the first entry in a chronicle of Christopher de Souza's MPship. I'm going to put down as much as I can, from the blog that he maintains, to what I read and hear about. I don't think I can do a complete job, but I'll try anyway.

I'm not against de Souza. I just want to know why I should be for him.

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