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Independent Singapore
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Independent Singapore
‘No NS, no plans to settle but still gets BTO?' — Singaporean questions HDB rules for new citizens
SINGAPORE: After learning that a Malaysian couple — one of whom recently became a Singapore citizen — is applying for a Build-To-Order (BTO) flat despite having no plans to settle here long-term, a local took to social media to question whether public housing policies are really fair. Posting on the r/askSingapore subreddit on Tuesday (June 10), he explained that both individuals were born in Malaysia. The male partner recently became a Singaporean citizen prior to the recent election, while the female partner remains a permanent resident. According to the post, the couple had openly shared with others that they are not planning to live in Singapore permanently. Instead, they see the BTO flat primarily as an investment opportunity or a contingency plan. This prompted the man to question whether the current public housing system adequately serves citizens who have long-standing ties to the country and who plan to build their future here. What particularly concerned him was the fact that the male partner did not serve National Service (NS), as he became a citizen in adulthood. 'The man didn't serve national service because he became a citizen as an adult. Yet, by simply converting, he now has access to heavily subsidised public housing — and the PR partner gets to ride on that privilege too,' he wrote. The local argued that cases like this highlight several policy gaps. Currently, there is no minimum citizenship duration required before a new Singaporean can apply for a BTO flat with a PR spouse. There is also no requirement for adult male new citizens to contribute in lieu of NS, and no checks on whether applicants intend to stay in Singapore for the long term. He admitted that this felt unfair for many Singaporeans, saying, 'Those who've served NS, paid taxes all their lives, and genuinely plan to raise families here—are still waiting years for a BTO or are priced out of the resale market.' 'I'm not against immigration or new citizens — but access to subsidised public housing should reflect commitment, sacrifice, and intent to settle, not just a passport conversion. There's a growing sense that some are exploiting the system while true-blue citizens are left behind.' Looking for perspective, he asked others in the online community, 'What are your thoughts on new citizens purchasing HDBs?' 'It's not just new citizens…' In the comments, one Singaporean Redditor responded, 'LOL What to do? Despite the disadvantage and odds stacked against true-blue Sinkies, 65% preferred and continued with the status quo.' Another commented, 'You are new? This has been happening for 10 to 20 years.' A third remarked, 'If the screening to allow someone to be a new citizen was done correctly, then none of these problems would happen. The main issue is that citizenship anyhow given out for mainly economic and demographic reasons.' Some Redditors, however, did not take issue with the couple's strategy. One user even commended it, saying, 'This is a good strategy. He can rent out the HDB, and she can buy a landed property in JB. The rental money allows them to retire earlier in JB.' Another pointed out that it's not just Malaysians who do this, but locals as well: 'Honestly, it's not just new citizens. I have neighbours who are Singaporeans but rented out their units to non-Singaporeans while they lived with their parents. I have colleagues who do this even before the 5-year MOP is up, too. Somehow, it's easier to pick on others than to realise and accept that there are a lot of Singaporeans who do things like that too. We just choose to turn a blind eye to it.' In other news, a young Singaporean who only recently started working took to Reddit to ask if it was unreasonable for him to refuse to contribute to his retired parents' car expenses. Posting anonymously on the r/SingaporeRaw forum, the user shared his confusion and frustration after his parents asked him and his sister to evenly split the cost of the Certificate of Entitlement (COE) for the family car. 'The thing is, both my sis and I don't have driving licenses yet, plus I believe that a car is a luxury item in Singapore,' he said. Read more: 'Why should I pay for a car I won't use?' — Singaporean upset after parents ask him to pay for family car's COE Featured image by freepik (for illustration purposes only)
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Few affinities as Donald and I blow out 79 candles each
Tomorrow is my birthday. I'm 79. Friday is Donald Trump's birthday. He is 79. There the similarities end. Trump is tall, rich and a dangerous lunatic. I am short, poor and simply a harmless eccentric. How we mark our birthdays also emphasises our differences. Trump, on the flimsy grounds that his birthday coincides with the founding date 250 years ago of the United States Army, is planning a birthday military parade at which he will take centre stage despite avoiding military service during the Vietnam War. He initially received four deferments as a student and then underwent a medical which disqualified him on the grounds of "having bone spurs in both heels", widely regarded as a trumped-up diagnosis. In fact, Trump wriggled out of war simply because he couldn't face getting a decent haircut. In my own case, at much the same time, I was balloted for National Service and passed the medical easily. My treasured memory is the medical officer's comment, "This man is small but perfectly formed." Obviously, I was not deformed by bone spurs, whatever they are. While Trump was enjoying his student life I was trapped within the military system learning how to salute and use morse code, both of which I was assured would reduce the Vietcong to gibbering surrender. Even now, I can still throw a decent salute. Trump, on the other hand, is incapable of saluting properly but nevertheless, emboldened by his status as Commander in Chief, attempts feeble salutes whenever he sees someone wearing a peaked cap, including airline pilots and railway porters. Our greatest divergence is probably the way we've decided to mark our birthdays. On Friday Trump will make a sloppy salute as 7500 soldiers form a 90-minute parade through Washington. Trump boasts: "We have the greatest missiles in the world. We have the greatest submarines in the world. We have the greatest army tanks in the world. We have the greatest weapons in the world. And we're going to celebrate it." In Patearoa a military parade was planned for tomorrow but Norm, who uses an old Bren gun carrier for feeding out, tells me he can't get the damn thing started. Norm's Bren carrier would have harmed no-one, but Trump's tanks could cause $16 million worth of damage to the streets of Washington. The overall cost of the parade will be about $45m. Trump has asked for at least seven marching bands, parachute jumpers, an evening concert and a fireworks show. I have asked that my birthday be ignored. Mainly for economic reasons, as the American troops are being given three meals and $50 day while taking part. Feeding and paying cash to Norm is just not the way things are done in Patearoa. All Norm requires is a jug of Speight's at the debrief. Some American soldiers will wear uniforms from the War of 1812 and all Norm could offer was his old man's lemon-squeezer from World War 2, which reminded me that Patearoa's contribution to both world wars was substantial, but it's best marked on Anzac Day rather than on my birthday. Trump is reported as saying: "This country has been in some beautiful wars. We even fought ourselves back in the 1860s, so one of us was bound to win. We came off the bench in World War 1 and World War 2 and won them both. There's hardly a country we haven't fought against. Gee, we've even invaded countries just for the hell of it. Watch out, Greenland and Canada, I know where you are." Worrying, eh? That's enough of Trump. In fact, it's far too much of Trump and his birthday. Back in the world of sanity I'll mark my birthday by shouting for the blokes I usually have a drink with. I've been doing that on my birthday for over 20 years now. The only time it didn't quite work out was the year I was up north on my birthday and told the publican to shout the regulars and I'd pay when I got back. There must have been about 200 regulars in that night. These days, as a pensioner, my shouting is rare and rigidly supervised but it's enough to mark what is simply the passing of another year. So, don't worry about not sending a present. That you've read this column is more gratifying than yet another pair of socks. For me, the birthday will be pleasing just because it's happening. After all these years I hope I've learned to keep a reasonably low profile and be not too annoying to too many people. Lessons Donald Trump would do well to learn. — Jim Sullivan is a Patearoa writer.
Malaysiakini
3 days ago
- Business
- Malaysiakini
Fahmi to sue govt
Good morning. Here's what you should know today. Key Highlights Fahmi to sue govt 37pct of May NS trainees absent Lynas expands to Kelantan Fahmi to sue govt Artist-activist Fahmi Reza will sue the government. This is after Fahmi was barred from leaving the country on Saturday. The prime minister sought answers, and police explained that the artist is not on a travel ban list, just a list of individuals who are under investigation. Top cop Razarudin Husain chalked the travel restriction down to "confusion" at the airport. Fahmi, however, is not satisfied with the explanations, saying they were merely passing blame instead of taking responsibility. HIGHLIGHTS 37pct of May NS trainees absent There were supposed to be 550 trainees partaking in the May-June session of the National Service (NS) 3.0 programme. However, a whopping 37 percent did not report for duty, citing health reasons and job commitments. The Defence Ministry said it will do a probe before resorting to disciplinary action. HIGHLIGHTS Lynas expands to Kelantan Lynas has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Kelantan government. Last week, the Kelantan government asked the state to supply mixed rare earth carbonates as feedstock for Lynas' refinery in Gebeng, Pahang. This could mark the beginning of a shift in the Kelantan government's natural resource extraction policy, from timber to rare earth. This, in a state where ecological shifts have had a major impact on annual floods. HIGHLIGHTS Views that matter In case you missed it Other news that matter
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Defence Ministry to boost Orang Asli recruitment in armed forces
JELI: The Defence Ministry will intensify awareness programmes in Orang Asli villages, particularly in Gua Musang and Jeli, Kelantan, due to the low participation of Orang Asli in the armed forces, said its deputy minister Adly Zahari. "Although there is no target figure, we are confident that the number will increase by the end of this year if such programmes are carried out consistently," he said. On a separate matter, he said the ministry has identified factors such as health issues and job commitments as the reasons behind the absence of 206 participants from the National Service (NS) Training Programme 3.0 in May. He said the ministry will conduct a comprehensive assessment and investigate to resolve the issues, particularly those related to health and the trainees' work commitments. "We want to understand the reasons behind their failure to register because, based on the approach we use, we not only inform them but also maintain direct communication with the individuals involved," he told reporters today after the Jeli district Madani Village Veterans programme at SK Sungai Rual. Adly said the ministry is currently obtaining reports from the NS training committee, including reviewing presentations by the National Service Training Department and examining the reasons for the participants' absences that have been submitted. He said participants are bound by the National Service Training Act 2003, adding that the ministry would conduct a thorough review of the justifications for their failure to register before any enforcement of the act is considered. "If there is no other option, only then will we invoke the act to enforce disciplinary measures," he said. Under the act, trainees who fail to register within the stipulated period may be referred to the Legal Division under Section 18(1) of the National Service Training Act 2003.
Malay Mail
4 days ago
- Health
- Malay Mail
Health issues, work commitments blamed for PLKN 3.0 absences, says deputy defence minister
JELI, June 8 — The Defence Ministry (Mindef) has identified factors such as health issues and job commitments as the reasons behind the absence of 206 participants from the National Service Training Programme (PLKN) 3.0 in May. Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari said Mindef will conduct a comprehensive assessment and investigate to resolve the issues, particularly those related to health and the trainees' work commitments. 'We want to understand the reasons behind their failure to register because, based on the approach we use, we not only inform them but also maintain direct communication with the individuals involved,' he told reporters today after the Jeli district Madani Village Veterans programme at Sekolah Kebangsaan Sungai Rual. Adly said the ministry is currently obtaining reports from the PLKN committee, including reviewing presentations by the National Service Training Department and examining the reasons for the participants' absences that have been submitted. He stated that participants are bound by the National Service Training Act 2003, adding that the ministry would conduct a thorough review of the justifications for their failure to register before any enforcement of the act is considered. 'If there is no other option, only then will we invoke the act to enforce disciplinary measures,' he said, adding that under the act, trainees who fail to register within the stipulated period may be referred to the Legal Division under Section 18(1) of the National Service Training Act 2003 (Act 628). In a separate development, he stated that due to the low participation of Orang Asli in the Malaysian Armed Forces, the ministry will intensify awareness programmes in Orang Asli villages, particularly in Gua Musang and Jeli, Kelantan. 'Although there is no target figure, we are confident that the number will increase by the end of this year if such programmes are carried out consistently,' he added. — Bernama
