Lim Chin Siong, the man who was nearly our PM - Part 1

Lim Chin Siong, 林清祥 (28 Feb 1933 - 5 Feb 1996) was an influential left-wing politician and trade union leader in Singapore in the 1950s and 1960s.

Born in Telok Ayer Street, Lim studied first in JB, before entering Singapore's Catholic High School and The Chinese High School in 1949 and 1950 respectively.

He was later expelled from school for engaging in activities in the Anti-British League.

Lim’s influence in politics stemmed from his union work as a paid organiser of the Singapore Bus Workers Union and the Singapore Factory and Shop Workers Union.

With his strength in Chinese oratory which was a critical factor for tapping the support of the Chinese-speaking masses, he was recruited into the PAP by Lee Kuan Yew.

Having joined the PAP in 1954, Lim's popularity raised rapidly and he became the leader of Chinese workers, trade unions and Chinese middle school students in the 1950s. He was slim, youthful, dedicated, and had a handsome boyish face. Being able to speak fluently in Hokkien among the chinese was legendary.

At a very young age of 22, he was elected into the legislative assembly in 1955 and together with LKY, represented the PAP in 1956 in London for the Constitutional talks.

Lim Chin Siong

I came across this book on the Internet and was very interested to land my hands on it. I practically searched the entire Singapore book stores for it but to no avail. Fortunately, one of my WP comrades has it.

What had actually made me that eager and interested to read this book? Simply because of this quote "Dont' laugh! He's the finest Chinese orator in Singapore and he will be our next Prime Minister of Singapore!" - Lee Kuan Yew

And I wonder, what happen? Why did our PM became LKY?

I had finished reading it and phew!!!! What a man Lim Chin Siong was!!!

I will be extracting quotes from the book on this man who was nearly our PM.

Why Durai can leave the country and Dr Chee cannot? Confused....

Click on the links below and read them!

On Dr Chee:
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/297841/1/.html

On Durai:
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/298407/1/.html

Questions:

1) What were the offence both had committed?

2) Which one is considered more of a criminal offence?

3) Who is owing the Government more money?

4) Both Dr Chee and Durai, who should deserve the right to leave the country?

5) Who has got a more valid reason to leave the country? Dr Chee needs to visit ailing father-in-law or Durai who needs to work in another country?

6) So Durai was allowed to leave just because he is working in another country to pay off his remaining debts?

Opposition Politician Chee Soon Juan loses appeal, now faces jail

From channelnewsasia.com:

Opposition politician Chee Soon Juan loses appeal, now faces jail

SINGAPORE: Opposition politician Chee Soon Juan will be jailed after refusing to pay a fine slapped on him for violating the Bankruptcy Act.

He was fined S$4,000 in February for trying to leave the country without the permission of the official assignee. He then filed for an appeal against the court's decision.

When the case was heard on Tuesday, Chee's lawyer argued that a "benefit of doubt" should be applied to his client.

He said Chee did apply for a permit online, but no clear instruction about not being able to travel was given until after the date he was scheduled to leave Singapore.

The High Court judge, Justice Choo Han Teck, dismissed the appeal. As Chee did not pay his fine by the 5pm deadline on Tuesday, he will be jailed for three weeks.

He will serve his term at the Queenstown Remand Prison.

I had abstracted Dr Chee's list of rejected application from the SDP website, I was surprised by the many many rejections he had gotten and one of which was even to visit his ailing father-in-law!

Dr Chee's travel applications:

Apr 06
World Movement for Democracy (WMD) 4th Assembly
Istanbul, Turkey
Sponsors: WMD
REJECTED

Apr 06
Free Expression in Asian Cyberspace: A Conference of Asian Bloggers, Podcasters and Online News Providers
Manila, Philippines
Sponsors: Southeast Asian Press Alliance
REJECTED

June 06
Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD) & Alliance for Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) Annual Meeting
Pasay City, Philippines
Sponsors: CALD
REJECTED

Sep 06
Meeting of the International Steering Committee of the NGO Process of the Community of Democracies
New York City, US
Sponsors: World Forum for Democratization in Asia (WFDA)
REJECTED

Sep 06
Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats Executive Committee Meeting
Taipei, Taiwan
Sponsors: CALD
REJECTED

Sep 06
Book Launch of Dr Chee's ‘Political Myths of Singapore’
Gothenburg, Sweden
Sponsors: Swedish International Liberal Center
REJECTED

Oct 06
International Civil Society Forum for Democracy
Doha, Qatar
Sponsors: Qatar Government
REJECTED

Nov 06
Liberal International Congress
Marrakesh, MoroccoSponsors: CALD
REJECTED

Jan 07
Community of Democracies ISC Meeting & the Asia Regional Roundtable
Taipei, Taiwan
Sponsors: Taiwan Foundation for Democracy
REJECTED

Feb 07
Political Party Management and Development Workshop
Jakarta, Indonesia
Sponsors: CALD
REJECTED

Mar 07
Working Group Meeting of the Community of Democracies
Rome, Italy
Sponsors: Italy Government
REJECTED

Mar 07
Travel with family to Taiwan to see ailing father-in-law
Sponsors: Relatives
REJECTED

May 07
Gwangju Annual Human Rights Conference
Gwangju, South Korea
Sponsors: May 18 Memorial Foundation
REJECTED

Jul 07
Defending Civil Society Conference
Bangkok, Thailand
Sponsors: WMD
REJECTED

Sep 07
International Steering Committee meeting for Community for Democracies
New York City, US
Sponsors: WFDA
REJECTED

Sep 07
Executive Committee meeting for Council of Asia Liberals and Democrats (CALD)
Phonom Penh, Cambodia
Sponsors: CALD
REJECTED

Ho Ching is 3rd Most Powerful woman in the world

Extracted from channelnewsasia.com

Temasek chief Ho Ching is world's third most powerful woman

SINGAPORE: The chief executive of Singapore investment company Temasek Holdings, Ho Ching, is the third most powerful woman in the world.

This is according to Forbes magazine, which has ranked German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the top and Chinese Vice-Premier Wu Yi second.

Forbes says Ms Ho is, increasingly, a "force to be reckoned with, as her deal-making ambitions span the globe".

She has been credited with "converting Temasek from a Singapore-focused firm to a leading investor in Asia".

Temasek's investment portfolio grew 27 percent last year to US$108 billion – the first time it has crossed the US$100 billion mark.

This is Forbes' fourth list of the "100 Most Powerful Women", which ranks them based on a combination of economic impact, media reach, and influence.

Ms Merkel, Germany's first female chancellor, heads the list for the second consecutive year.

But this year's list shows a significant increase of female power in the Middle East and Asia.

Media heavyweights, such as Oprah Winfrey, also have a significant presence this year.

To view the complete list of the 100 Most powerful woman in pictures click here.