Latest news with #InfectiousDiseasesAct
CNA
20-05-2025
- Health
- CNA
Low risk of uncontrolled measles outbreak in Singapore because of vaccination: CDA
SINGAPORE: The risk of large uncontrolled outbreaks of measles in Singapore is low due to the country's high vaccination coverage among local residents, the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) said on Tuesday (May 20). Responding to CNA's queries, the CDA acknowledged a surge in measles cases globally and regionally but noted that Singapore's numbers have remained low. As of the week ending May 10, there have been 10 reported cases of measles in Singapore this year. Of these, three were acquired locally while seven were acquired overseas. No further transmission to the local population has been identified, the CDA said. This is lower than the number of cases reported in the pre-COVID years from 2015 to 2019, where cases ranged from 16 to 48 during the same period. Measles, one of the most contagious diseases in the world, has been thrust back into the spotlight after the United States reported more than 1,000 cases and three deaths. Southeast Asia has also seen a resurgence of the disease. Malaysia had 156 confirmed cases in the first three months of 2024, according to an April report by the World Health Organization (WHO). There have been more than 1,110 cases in Thailand, while Vietnam has reported 40,000 suspected cases and five deaths as of mid-March. 'Given Singapore's position as a major travel hub and the surge in measles cases globally and regionally, we can continue to expect sporadic cases and small clusters as measles is highly transmissible among individuals who do not have immune protection,' the CDA said. All notified cases of measles are investigated, with close contacts followed up to find out if they have any symptoms consistent with measles, the CDA added. 'They are also advised to receive their measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination if they have not done so.' VACCINATIONS The agency encouraged older children and adults without evidence of measles immunity to go for vaccination, especially if they are planning to travel to countries experiencing outbreaks. Travellers who become unwell should seek medical attention promptly and inform the doctor of their travel and exposure history, the CDA said. Measles vaccination is compulsory under the Infectious Diseases Act for all children residing in Singapore. 'We will continue to ensure that our population has high vaccination coverage and we recommend the public to keep up-to-date with their vaccination,' the CDA said.
AsiaOne
27-04-2025
- Health
- AsiaOne
PPP's Goh Meng Seng on compulsory vaccinations: 'We should not be treated as pigs or chicken', Singapore News
People's Power Party (PPP) secretary-general Goh Meng Seng called for medical freedom and amendments to the Infectious Diseases Act, saying that Singaporeans should not be forced to partake in medical treatments, such as vaccinations, without sufficient research backing them. Goh said this at the sidelines of a walkabout on Sunday (April 27) morning at Block 826 Tampines Street 81. He was with his Tampines GRC team which includes party chairman Derrick Sim, Peter Soh, Vere Nathan and Arbaah Haroun. During their walkabout, Goh and Sim spoke about compulsory vaccination, one of eight key points in their manifesto. "We should not be treated as pigs or chicken, to be jabbed at the master's will," said Goh, emphasising that human beings should have a choice instead of being forced to be vaccinated, a key issue raised during the Covid-19 pandemic where unvaccinated employees were not permitted to return to work. Goh then spoke about how "people are forced to [be] jabbed unwillingly. Because no jab, no job", and that the side effects of vaccinations have not been studied carefully enough. He was unable to provide any data however, when asked if he was aware of any scientific studies that supported his claims. Instead, he spoke about a Japanese study that found a 40 per cent increase in heart problems after vaccination. "The data is supposed to be done by MOH, not by me," Goh said, adding that he would raise funds to set up an office and collect such data if elected into Parliament. "We are not anti-vax, I have to stress that. We are pro-safe vax, and we are pro-informed consent. It means you must tell us what are the list of side effects, and I consider my own body condition whether I can take the risk," emphasising that it is "reckless" for the current Government to impose such requirements without making sure that the vaccination is "300 per cent safe". PPP previously made calls to the Ministry of Health (MOH) to temporarily suspend Singapore's Covid-19 vaccination programme in 2024 due to the adverse effects, though their claims were dismissed by the MOH as "egregious and false". 'Over-taxing' The PPP also proposed GST exemptions on basic necessities in their manifesto, which was criticised by the People's Action Party's (PAP) Desmond Lee on Friday (April 25). "That's utter rubbish," Goh said, in response to Lee's claims of GST being a progressive tax. According to Goh, GST is a regressive tax: "When you exempt essentials, food, for example, the hawkers who did not register for GST, will not pay the GST, and it will not be transferred to the retirees and the commoners." He also said that the Government is "over-taxing" Singaporeans and that there was "no necessity" for the GST hike to 9 per cent. The Government would have had a "balanced budget", and that the hike only created a need for CDC voucher handouts. However, Goh did not provide any details on plans for Tampines GRC if elected into Parliament. 'More diverse representation in Parliament' needed Goh was also questioned about a comment he made during his walkabout on Sunday when he used an inappropriate term — something similar to sexual assault by a group of people — to describe how there needs to be more parties in Parliament to oppose the PAP. Defending the use of such language, he said that it was "local language" meant to convey the need for "more diverse representation in Parliament". "And that will be in the best interest of the nation," he added. The PPP team is locked in a four-way fight for Tampines GRC. They are up against the incumbent PAP team led by Social and Family Development Minister Masagos Zulkifli, the Workers' Party and the National Solidarity Party (NSP). Tampines GRC is a PAP stronghold, with the PAP team securing a victory with 66.41 per cent of the vote against the NSP during GE2020. For our GE2025 microsite, visit here. [[nid:717275]]
New Paper
25-04-2025
- Politics
- New Paper
GE2025: PPP takes aim at WP, government policies in first rally
The People's Power Party (PPP) took aim at Singapore's main opposition party WP and several government policies, including the national Covid-19 vaccination drive, at its rally for the general election. At Temasek Junior College in Tampines, PPP secretary-general Goh Meng Seng said WP and its chief Pritam Singh had betrayed voters in Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC by not contesting there, resulting in a walkover for the PAP. "I was very angry… because they have abandoned 130,000 voters in Marine Parade. On what good grounds? To come to Tampines for a four-cornered fight?" Denouncing the WP's move as one that "no one in his right mind" would find strategic, Mr Goh was of the view that WP decided to instead contest Tampines GRC to stop the PPP from entering Parliament and raising the issue of vaccine safety. Tampines GRC will see a four-cornered contest in the May 3 election, with the PAP defending the five-member constituency against WP, PPP and the National Solidarity Party (NSP). WP and PPP are first-time challengers in the constituency. Mr Goh had first criticised WP's move not to contest Marine Parade-Braddell Heights on Nomination Day on April 23. Responding to Mr Goh's comments on the morning of April 24, Mr Singh, WP's secretary-general, said: "Mr Goh should focus on the campaign in Tampines." Mr Goh said later at the rally on April 24 that he was moving on to talk about policies. "Don't ask me about Pritam Singh again. I'm not interested in him, I'm not gay." His comment drew laughter from spectators. Clad in the party's light purple, all 10 of the PPP's candidates contesting Tampines and Ang Mo Kio GRCs attended the rally, although only eight of them spoke. Aside from criticising the national Covid-19 vaccination drive, other issues they raised included job insecurity and Singapore's immigration policy. Mr Heng Zheng Dao, 24, PPP's candidate in Ang Mo Kio GRC and the youngest candidate in this election, made the point about people his age being overlooked for jobs as they have to compete with foreigners. The proliferation of artificial intelligence was another worry, he said, citing how self-driving cars might affect the livelihoods of private-hire car drivers and food-delivery riders. Speaking after him were his Ang Mo Kio GRC teammates Thaddeus Thomas, 43, who touched on the cost of living, and Mr William Lim, 47, who spoke about public housing, the India-Singapore Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement and other issues. PPP chairman Derrick Sim, 44, who later rose to speak, said he decided to run as a candidate because he felt there were issues with government policies, such as the Infectious Diseases Act, that needed to be addressed. Mr Sim, a former police officer who is standing in Tampines GRC, said many of his friends had told him that the PPP team would lose its election deposit going up against the WP. But he said he was not "here for the winning or losing". "I do not have political aspirations. I'm here to bring the truth. I serve with only one heart, and to bring this vaccine issue to all of you," he told the crowd. Mr Sim's Tampines GRC teammate, Madam Arbaah Haroun, said she would champion causes such as the high cost of living, the needs of families and job security. Shortly after speaking in English, the entrepreneur switched to Malay, saying that she has known WP vice-chair Faisal Manap for some time and has done charity work with him. Mr Faisal, an incumbent of Aljunied GRC, is leading a WP team to contest Tampines GRC at this election. Despite having to compete against each other, Madam Arbaah and Mr Faisal remain friends, with the competition centred on building Singapore, said Mr Goh. During her speech, Madam Arbaah recited a Malay poem, which she wrote, that took jabs at Social and Family Development Minister Masagos Zulkifli, the anchor minister of the PAP's Tampines GRC team. Landscaping executive Vere Nathan, 26, who is part of PPP's Tampines GRC slate, said the party would speak the truth if elected. "It's about… making sure the people hold the power," he added. Rounding off the rally, Mr Goh challenged Mr Masagos, Mr Faisal and NSP president Reno Fong, who is leading the party's Tampines GRC slate, to a roundtable debate about their respective policies. "We will debate about our policies and this, I promise you, I will do best," he said. Thanking those who turned up for their time, Mr Goh said the party will not lose its election deposit and could even win at the ballot box.
Straits Times
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
GE2025: PPP takes aim at WP, government policies in first rally
SINGAPORE - The People's Power Party (PPP) took aim at Singapore's main opposition party WP and several government policies, including the national Covid-19 vaccination drive, at its first election rally for the general election. At Temasek Junior College in Tampines, PPP secretary-general Goh Meng Seng said WP and its chief Pritam Singh had betrayed voters in Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC by not contesting there, resulting in a walkover for the PAP. 'I was very angry… because they have abandoned 130,000 voters in Marine Parade. On what good grounds? To come to Tampines for a four-cornered fight?' Denouncing the WP's move as one that 'no one in his right mind' would find strategic, Mr Goh was of the view that WP decided to instead contest Tampines GRC to stop the PPP from entering Parliament and raising the issue of vaccine safety. Tampines GRC will see a four-cornered contest in the May 3 election, with the PAP defending the five-member constituency against WP, PPP and the National Solidarity Party (NSP). WP and PPP are first-time challengers in the constituency. Mr Goh had first criticised WP's move not to contest Marine Parade-Braddell Heights on Nomination Day on April 23. Responding to Mr Goh's comments on the morning of April 24, Mr Singh, WP's secretary-general, said: 'Mr Goh should focus on the campaign in Tampines.' Mr Goh said later at the rally on April 24 that he was moving on to talk about policies. 'Don't ask me about Pritam Singh again. I'm not interested in him, I'm not gay.' His comment drew laughter from spectators. Clad in the party's light purple, all 10 of the PPP's candidates contesting Tampines and Ang Mo Kio GRCs attended the rally, although only eight of them spoke. Aside from criticising the national Covid-19 vaccination drive, other issues they raised included job insecurity and Singapore's immigration policy. Mr Heng Zheng Dao, 24, PPP's candidate in Ang Mo Kio GRC and the youngest candidate in this election, made the point about people his age being overlooked for jobs as they have to compete with foreigners. The proliferation of artificial intelligence was another worry, he said, citing how self-driving cars might affect the livelihoods of private-hire car drivers and food-delivery riders. Speaking after him were his Ang Mo Kio GRC teammates Thaddeus Thomas, 43, who touched on the cost of living, and Mr William Lim, 47, who spoke about public housing, the India-Singapore Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement and other issues. PPP chairman Derrick Sim, 44, who later rose to speak, said he decided to run as a candidate because he felt there were issues with government policies, such as the Infectious Diseases Act, that needed to be addressed. Mr Sim, a former police officer who is standing in Tampines GRC, said many of his friends had told him that the PPP team would lose its election deposit going up against the WP. But he said he was not 'here for the winning or losing'. 'I do not have political aspirations. I'm here to bring the truth. I serve with only one heart, and to bring this vaccine issue to all of you,' he told the crowd. Mr Sim's Tampines GRC teammate, Madam Arbaah Haroun, said she would champion causes such as the high cost of living, the needs of families and job security. Shortly after speaking in English, the entrepreneur switched to Malay, saying that she has known WP vice-chair Faisal Manap for some time and has done charity work with him. Mr Faisal, an incumbent of Aljunied GRC, is leading a WP team to contest Tampines GRC at this election. Despite having to compete against each other, Madam Arbaah and Mr Faisal remain friends, with the competition centred on building Singapore, said Mr Goh. During her speech, Madam Arbaah recited a Malay poem, which she wrote, that took jabs at Social and Family Development Minister Masagos Zulkifli, the anchor minister of the PAP's Tampines GRC team. Landscaping executive Vere Nathan, 26, who is part of PPP's Tampines GRC slate, said the party would speak the truth if elected. 'It's about… making sure the people hold the power,' he added. Rounding off the rally, Mr Goh challenged Mr Masagos, Mr Faisal and NSP president Reno Fong, who is leading the party's Tampines GRC slate, to a roundtable debate about their respective policies. 'We will debate about our policies and this, I promise you, I will do best,' he said. Thankin g those who turned up for their time, Mr Goh said the party will not lose its election deposit and could even win at the ballot box. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
