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Category: Singapore
Discover our Singapore News section, delivering real-time and comprehensive coverage of local news in Singapore. Stay informed on politics, economy, society, culture, and more, as we dive deep into the Lion City’s developments.
In recent years, Singapore has seen a concerning increase in cases of sexual harassment. As a society, it is crucial for us to take comprehensive measures to tackle this issue, ensuring the safety and well-being of all citizens.
The government’s establishment of the Sexual Crimes and Family Violence Command Centre is a commendable move. This specialized unit aims to streamline the reporting process and provide better assistance to victims. However, this is just the beginning. Efforts must be extended in various directions, including the continuous review and improvement of relevant laws to tackle the evolving nature of sexual crimes, particularly those facilitated by technology.
Education plays a pivotal role in addressing the root of the problem. By incorporating comprehensive sex education into the curriculum, we can empower the younger generation with knowledge and awareness about consent, boundaries, and respect for others. This education will also help to break down the stigma and shame associated with sexual harassment and assault, encouraging more victims to come forward and report such incidents.
Support networks for victims are essential, and both government and non-government organizations should work together to provide psychological counseling, rehabilitation services, and legal aid to help victims rebuild their confidence and lives.
In addition to the efforts of the government and NGOs, each of us has a role to play in combating sexual crimes. We can do so by being vigilant, paying attention to those around us, and preventing sexual harassment and assault from occurring. When we learn that a friend or acquaintance has been victimized, we should offer help and support and encourage them to stand up for their rights. Moreover, we should learn to respect others and care for vulnerable populations, working together to maintain a safe and harmonious social environment.
The rise in sexual harassment cases in Singapore serves as a wake-up call. We must strengthen our efforts in various aspects, such as law, education, and psychological rehabilitation, to protect the rights of every individual. Faced with this serious social issue, let us join hands and strive to create a safer and fairer society for all.
A 70-year-old man in Singapore lost about S$71,000 in just two hours after he clicked on a malicious fake Google Play application on his phone. The man, known as Loo (not his real name), told Shin Min Daily News that he received a call from a DBS Bank staff at around 9am on January 29. The staff informed Loo that multiple transfers of money were made from his account to foreign countries from 3am to 5am, totaling S$71,000. Afterward, only about S$2,000 was left in his account. In the process, Loo lost his S$30,000 pension that he received in January. Additionally, more than S$6,000 was charged to his credit card, which he has not repaid yet.
Loo subsequently reported the matter to the police and handed his phone over to them for investigation. According to a DBS spokesperson, police investigations revealed that Loo’s phone was compromised by malware. This can happen when one downloads applications laced with malware from unauthorized sites. Malware allows hackers to “take control” of a mobile device to perform fraudulent
Following the recent corruption case involving two former team leaders of FairPrice, questions have been raised concerning the adequacy of the imposed penalties and the potential shortcomings in FairPrice’s internal management.
One key concern is whether the penalties are too lenient, given the substantial bribes received by the accused individuals. Another pressing issue involves the company’s internal management—how could such corruption persist for so long without being detected?
To improve its image and restore consumer confidence, FairPrice should proactively implement measures to strengthen its internal supervision and promptly identify and correct potential issues. Additionally, the company should regularly organize anti-corruption and professional ethics training for employees to enhance their legal awareness and moral standards.
Meanwhile, the government and various sectors of society should also pay close attention and intensify efforts to combat corrupt practices. Apart from reinforcing legal sanctions, combating corruption can also be achieved through refining laws and regulations and cultivating a morally upright social environment.
In response to the incident, FairPrice stated that it has thoroughly reviewed its procurement processes and implemented necessary actions to strengthen control and governance. The company emphasized its commitment to operating with integrity, enhancing its management capabilities, and effectively fulfilling its promise to moderate the cost of living in Singapore.
Following this corruption case, FairPrice faces the challenge of not only winning back consumer trust but also ensuring the effectiveness of its internal management to prevent similar incidents from occurring again. Only through continuous improvement and strengthened management can FairPrice stand out in the highly competitive market and provide better services to Singapore’s consumers.
In a heart-wrenching incident in Toa Payoh, Singapore, a 73-year-old woman named Madam Cheng Ah Imm lived alone after her brother moved to a nursing home, ultimately suffering a tragic fate in her flat. This incident not only saddens us but also raises our concerns. In this highly modernized society, are we paying enough attention to the needs of lonely elderly? Have the changes in family values led us to overlook the preciousness of kinship?
As society faces an aging trend, the issue of lonely elderly becomes increasingly serious. Many older adults have to face their twilight years alone due to children leaving home, the loss of a spouse, and other reasons. In Madam Cheng’s case, both her brothers had passed away, and she may have been out of touch with other relatives for a long time. This prompts us to consider how to care for and attend to these lonely elderly, which is an urgent issue in today’s society.
The government and communities bear significant responsibilities in this regard. They can carry out activities to care for the elderly, provide care hotlines, and regularly visit lonely elderly to ensure their basic needs are met. In addition, communities can establish mutual aid organizations for seniors to keep each other company and look after one another.
However, relying solely on the government and communities is not enough. The shift in family values has also led many young people to overlook the care for their elderly. In the fast-paced life, we often immerse ourselves in work, career, and social activities, neglecting communication and companionship with our family members. We need to constantly remind ourselves that kinship is priceless, and filial piety and caring for elders should not be forgotten.
This incident serves as a wake-up call for us. Let us learn from it, pay attention to the lonely elderly around us, and respond to society’s expectations with practical actions. At the same time, let us cherish our families, pass on the values of filial piety, and let kinship shine anew in this era.
The recent case of Terry Xu, chief editor of The Online Citizen (TOC), being fined SGD 18,000 for contempt of court has sparked widespread attention. This incident not only prompts us to re-examine the balance between freedom of speech and judicial fairness but also urges us to consider how the news media can uphold social responsibility while defending freedom of speech. This article aims to analyze the causes and consequences of this incident and explore the relationship between freedom of speech and responsible journalism.
First, let’s revisit the cause of the incident. On January 27, 2021, Julie Mary O’Connor, a former Singapore permanent resident, posted a letter on her blog accusing the Singapore judicial system of being unfair. Xu subsequently published the full text of the letter on TOC and shared excerpts on Facebook. However, the article was considered an attack on the Singapore courts, questioning their integrity, impartiality, and propriety. As a result, Xu was charged with contempt of court and fined SGD 18,000.
In this case, we see the tense relationship between freedom of speech and judicial fairness. In a democratic society, freedom of speech is considered a fundamental right, and the media should have the right to criticize the government and judicial system. However, this does not mean that news media can publish damaging statements about judicial fairness without objective and rational grounds. In the case of Terry Xu, the court found that the content he published did not constitute fair criticism and thus convicted him of contempt of court.
This incident urges us to reflect on how news media should uphold social responsibility while defending freedom of speech. As an essential force in public opinion supervision, news media should not only be courageous in exposing social ills but also ensure that the reported content is truthful, impartial, and does not harm judicial fairness. In Terry Xu’s case, TOC failed to strike an appropriate balance between the two, leading to an undue attack on the courts.
From this incident, we can draw several lessons:
News media should abide by legal regulations when exercising freedom of speech to ensure that they do not harm judicial fairness.
Freedom of speech is not absolute; it needs to be safeguarded with due regard to laws, morals, and social responsibilities.
Journalists should practice responsible journalism by ensuring that the content of their reports is based on objective and rational grounds, avoiding biased generalizations or fabrication of facts.
The public should remain vigilant and treat online information with caution, avoiding blind belief or dissemination of unverified statements.
Governments and judicial authorities should also strive to improve transparency, enabling the public to better understand and monitor their work, thus enhancing people’s confidence in the rule of law.
In conclusion, the Terry Xu case provides an opportunity for us to reflect on the relationship between freedom of speech and responsible journalism. While defending freedom of speech, news media should take on social responsibility to ensure that their reporting is truthful, impartial, and does not harm judicial fairness. Only in this way can we promote social harmony and progress while safeguarding freedom of speech.
