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Singapore's PM Lee says time to return to tackling COVID-19, other challenges after general election CNAView Full coverage on Google News
LONDON: Hong Kong activist Nathan Law said he had arrived in London after fleeing the former British colony where China has imposed a security law.
"With my backpack and small luggage in hand, I boarded my night flight. I had no idea what future awaited me. Only one thing seemed certain. My destination: London," Law said on Twitter.
"There's always one message I have: Hong Kongers will never give up. We aren't fractured. On the contrary, we're well-equipped to face the next difficult battle."
Law told Reuters earlier this month that the rest of the world should stand up to President Xi Jinping and start to put human rights above financial gain.
One of Hong Kong's most prominent young activists, Law announced on Thursday he had fled overseas.
He was founding member of Demosisto, a party that disbanded earlier last week in response to the security law.
The party campaigned for democracy and for Hong Kongers to have a greater say in how the city is run but they did not advocate independence.
Nevertheless, Law and other prominent party members like former student leader Joshua Wong were vilified by Beijing, often described as "black hands" and separatists who conspired with foreigners to undermine China.
He and Wong both became household names as student leaders during protests in 2014.
Law had shouted a slogan in a video message to a US Congress committee on Wednesday - "Liberate Hong Kong, Revolution of our Times" - a clarion call for protesters over the last year, chanted by huge crowds and plastered on banners.
For some it represents genuine aspirations to split Hong Kong from China. But for many others it is more a cry for democracy and expression of rising frustration with Beijing's rule.
In a statement, Hong Kong's government said the phrase was now illegal because it "contains the indications of Hong Kong independence, or alienating Hong Kong from China, or changing its legal status, or subverting the state".
On Wednesday, the first arrests were made under the legislation, mainly for protesters found in possession of pro-independence flags or stickers.
BEIJING: China stepped up a travel warning to Australia on Monday (Jul 13), telling its citizens of a risk of being searched "arbitrarily" by law enforcement authorities, as tensions between both countries grow.
The foreign ministry's latest notice comes a month after Beijing warned of "discrimination" against Chinese people in Australia, telling its citizens not to travel there.
It also came days after Australia offered some 10,000 people from Hong Kong pathways to permanent residency in response to China's crackdown on dissent in the city, encouraging entrepreneurs or skilled workers to relocate as well.
The moves drew ire from Beijing.
"Australia's relevant law enforcement authorities arbitrarily search Chinese citizens and seize their items, and these circumstances could cause harm to Chinese citizens in Australia, as well as the safety of their assets," said the Chinese foreign ministry.
The notice posted on the WeChat social media app also reminded Chinese citizens to "pay close attention" to local safety risks and "travel with caution to Australia in the near-term".
Tensions between Australia and China have been escalating on various fronts after Beijing reacted with fury to calls for an independent investigation into the origins and spread of the coronavirus pandemic - which first surfaced in central China last year.
Apart from warning of discrimination recently, China's culture and tourism ministry advised against travelling to Australia last month due to increasing racism linked to the coronavirus.
On Monday, the foreign ministry said that "racial discrimination and acts of violence in Australia have significantly increased", accusing Australian media of fanning the flames of anti-Chinese sentiment.
Responding to questions on Australia's latest announcements about Hong Kong, foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying warned at a regular briefing that Australia's moves could bring negative consequences.
"We urge Australia to change its course and stop interfering in Hong Kong's affairs and China's internal affairs in any way, or risk further damage to China-Australia relations," she said.
SINGAPORE — There is an old Chinese saying: 时势造英雄, essentially meaning a hero is needed at a moment in time. Workers’ Party (WP) chief Pritam Singh, successor to such a skilled Chinese orator in Low Thia Khiang, would surely appreciate the analogy.
At the hour of his and the WP’s greatest triumph, surrounded by reporters outside the party’s headquarters at 4am on Saturday (11 July), the 43-year-old remained unflappable in the sweltering heat. While opposition supporters revelled in a carnival atmosphere in Hougang after the General Election (GE), Singh struck a sombre tone in Geylang Road.
“I'm not feeling euphoric at all. In fact, I think there's a lot of work to do,” said Singh, pointing out that even the historic presence of 10 opposition members in the House is hardly a “quantum leap”. Judging by the glumness of his words, one might have thought that the WP had lost all of the seats it contested.
But if all the world’s a stage, then Singh is, for now, firmly at the centre of Singapore’s political scene. He has learnt well at the feet of Low, whom Yahoo News Singapore columnist PN Balji called the master of the moment. Singh well and truly deserves the title of Leader of the Opposition.
This reporter observed Singh up close at doorstops and walkabouts during the nine-day election campaign. The lawyer took questions like a pro, answering queries off the cuff and deftly deflecting the ones he didn’t want to address. He even had the presence of mind to remind state broadcaster CNA to lower its boom mike during a doorstop, and to relocate the event to a spot with better lighting.
It was all reminiscent of Low at his best: picking his moments to speak, though with slightly less flair. Where Low deals in juicy soundbites such as Singaporean voters giving the government a “tight slap”, Singh was far more restrained. “Mr Low has a way with words,” he said with a chuckle during a doorstop.
But media savviness aside, Singh also did not put a tactical foot wrong. The campaign began with the party playing up its underdog role, and dire warnings of a 93-0 wipeout in Parliament, a message which seemed to have resonated with voters.
Then came crunch time: when police reports were lodged against Sengkang GRC candidate Raeesah Khan for her alleged racially divisive comments on social media, Singh wasted little time in calling for a press conference. After an apology from the candidate, the party chief took any and all queries, rapidly defusing a situation that could have torpedoed their campaign.
Contrast this with the PAP’s handling of the controversy over would-be candidate Ivan Lim, who was hung out to dry and eventually forced to withdraw after DPM Heng Swee Keat said Lim needed to respond to the accusations against him.
Even when the PAP demanded that the WP make its stand on Khan’s statements clear, Singh did not take the bait. With a quiet swagger, a personable demeanour and a perfect sense of timing, he led the party to historic gains.
It was not always this way. Once upon a time, Singh was better known for fiery rhetoric, memorably latching on to Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong’s contentious claim that the PAP can be its own check. “Is this the future that we want for Singapore or our children in the next 50 years? Ownself check ownself?” he roared to a baying rally crowd in GE2015.
He also made a gaffe in Parliament in 2015 when, under persistent questioning by Home Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam on the Aljunied-Hougang Town Council (AHTC) saga, Singh said that he would answer his queries if the Minister were a resident. Now-retired Radin Mas MP Sam Tan immediately retorted that he was a resident of Aljunied GRC and demanded answers.
And for all the WP’s talk of press freedom, there were grumblings in the campaign - not for the first time - from reporters about a lack of access. At times, the WP was reminiscent of the PAP, which jealously guarded access to its candidates as if they were endangered species in need of protection.
On Sunday morning, Singh was still refusing to take a bow. Emphasising the hard work ahead, he told a virtual press conference that the ruling party cannot be counted out. “We've lived with the PAP all our lives, and we know how powerful they are.”
Singh is right. The PAP is like a wounded animal, quietly licking its injuries after the loss of three office-holders. Talk of soul searching is all well and good, but Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong also spoke of the need for reflection after the historic loss of Aljunied GRC in GE2011.
Then they came roaring back, latching on to the AHTC saga like a dog with the bit between its teeth and carrying out repeated attacks on WP in and outside Parliament. At the same time, the PAP launched populist policies such as the Pioneer Generation Package. It all paid off in GE2015 with the PAP securing 69.9 per cent of the votes, while the WP retained Aljunied GRC by just a narrow winning margin of 2,162 votes.
In the years since, the government has also pushed controversial policies such as the reserved presidency and POFMA, an anti-fake news law, which was invoked several times during the election campaign.
It was the right move for WP to project gratitude and humility, while once again emphasising its underdog status. The PAP will need to carefully consider its next move if it does not want to come off as the bully again.
There are a number of pressing issues that Singh and the WP will need to deal with.
Firstly, the need to establish a town council for Sengkang GRC. “I think the experience of 2011 should make us wiser as to how we should manage the handover, and we'll keep that in mind,” said Singh, in response to my query on whether he expected another difficult handover. The last thing the WP wants is a repeat of the AHTC saga, but this is not entirely in its hands.
Secondly, the police investigation into Khan’s posts. Such investigations typically take months, and the issue may resurface at the most inopportune moment for the WP. With his legal training, Singh would not be drawn into commenting on the matter, but he would be well aware that Khan can still potentially be disqualified as an MP if she is found guilty of a criminal offence.
Thirdly, the outcome of an appeal against a High Court ruling which found Low and party chair Sylvia Lim guilty of a conflict of interest in employing “conflicted persons” to run AHTC and overpaying the managing agent, possibly to the tune of millions. The duo could still be found financially liable for their actions and facing bankruptcy. If so, Lim could be disqualified as an MP. In the case of Singh, the High Court ruled that he had breached his duties of skill and care in the hiring of the town council’s managing agent FM Solutions & Services.
And last but not least - the role of Leader of the Opposition. It is a prestigious title, but what exactly will it entail? PM Lee had said Singh is entitled to “appropriate staff support and resources”. With Lee’s comments on polling night that a responsible opposition is crucial to winning investors’ confidence, is this all part of a strategy to shape the kind of opposition the PAP wants?
Pritam Singh is the man of the moment. Play his cards right, and he might just become the most significant opposition figure since Singapore's independence.
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COMMENT: Low’s departure has accelerated the Workers’ Party’s transition - but at what cost?
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SINGAPORE - Twelve foreigners were deported and barred from re-entering Singapore because they did not comply with safe distancing measures during the Covid-19 circuit breaker.
In three separate cases, a Malaysian, a Chinese national and 10 Indian nationals were found guilty of non-compliance, said the police and the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) in a joint statement issued on Monday (July 13).
The 12 foreigners are nine men and three women aged between 20 and 37.
All of them had violated the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) (Control Order) Regulations.
The first case involved Malaysian Arvinish N. Ramakrishnan, 23, who was a work permit holder.
He had invited his friend to his place of residence for drinks and later sent his friend home on a motorcycle. They were subsequently stopped at a roadblock in Yishun Avenue 6.
Arvinish was charged with drink-driving and violating restrictions on leaving his place of residence and the prohibition on social gatherings.
He was fined $4,000 and his work pass was revoked after conviction.
He was deported to Malaysia on June 5 and barred from re-entering the Republic.
Arvinish's friend, also a Malaysian, was issued a stern warning as well as a notice of composition for violating restrictions on leaving his place of residence.
In the second case, Chinese national Cheng Fengzhao, 37, was fined $7,000 under the Regulation. Her work permit was also revoked and she was deported to China on June 10.
She allowed a Singaporean man who was a non-resident to enter her condominium unit at 30 Jalan Kemaman for massage and sexual services in exchange for $100.
The man was also fined for violating the prohibition on social gatherings.
Separately, 10 Indian nationals were fined between $2,000 and $4,500 and had their student or work passes cancelled after conviction.
Between June and July, they were deported to India and barred from re-entering Singapore.
They had attended a social gathering at a residential unit in Kim Keat Road, where three of them - two men and a woman - were staying.
The three tenants, Navdeep Singh, 20, Sajandeep Singh, 21, and Avinash Kaur, 27, were charged with permitting other individuals to enter their place of residence without a valid reason.
The seven visitors, aged between 20 and 33, had violated the prohibition on social gatherings.
The ICA and the police reminded members of the public that the authorities will not hesitate to take strong action against anyone who does not comply with safe distancing measures or shows blatant disregard for Singapore's laws.
The action may include the termination of visas or work passes, where applicable.
Malaysia's Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin narrowly cleared a major political test on Monday, as his coalition won just enough votes to remove the lower house speaker in a vote seen as an important barometer of his government's support.
The vote was the first real measure of Muhyiddin's backing since his coalition took over the government in March after a power grab within the then ruling coalition led to the resignation of predecessor Mahathir Mohamad.
A total of 111 lawmakers supported Muhyiddin's bid to remove Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof, a widely-respected former Federal Court judge, who became speaker after the last election in May 2018. Some 109 voted against the move. One government member was absent for medical reasons.
Nga Kor Min, one of two deputy speakers and a member of the opposition Democratic Action Party, announced his resignation before the motion to remove him from his position was tabled.
Malaysia has been grappling with political and policy uncertainty since Muhyiddin, who was part of Mahathir's administration, unexpectedly became prime minister after forging an alliance with the corruption-tainted United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), which was removed from power in the 2018 election.
Anwar Ibrahim, left, speaks in the Malaysian Parliament on July 13 [Lim Huey Teng/Reuters]
After the session resumed after the lunch break, the new speaker was installed without a vote.
Opposition members jeered as Azhar Azizan Harun, popularly known as Art Harun, took his oath of office. He had been appointed to lead the Elections Commission when Mahathir was prime minister.
Amid the uproar Azhar suspended the sitting and said parliament would reconvene at 10am (02:00 GMT) on Tuesday.
This week marks the first full sitting of Malaysia's parliament since the sudden change in government, and the coronavirus pandemic, which led to a nationwide lockdown, or movement control order, on March 18.
Parliament previously sat on May 18 but the government limited the session to the ceremonial opening and the king's address because of the coronavirus. No online sittings were held.
How can Art Harun be Dewan Rakyat Speaker without a vote? It's an elected job, not an appointment from the Executive. Parliament must be independent of the Executive. The Speaker must be voted in by MPs, representatives of the people, not appointed by the PM.
— Boo Su-Lyn (@boosulyn) July 13, 2020
Mahathir and others in the opposition have been pushing for a confidence vote since March, but the motions are unlikely to be discussed because government business is always given priority.
SOURCE: Al Jazeera and news agencies
