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Low Thia Khiang’s speech (Debate on President’s Address)
议长先生， 总统在宣读政府施政方针时以继续保持新加坡的独特性为总结。我认为，我们的独特性除了施政方针中所提到的，还应该包括我们的多元语文和文化。我国自独立以来就是一个多元种族的社会，各族的语言和文化也增加了我国多姿多彩的民俗景观。 然而，建国後，随着教育体系和教学媒介语的统一，各族的语言和文化都受到不同层次的冲击。华族的应用语言也在这个过程中产生了巨大的变化。从六十年代开始，短短在一代人的时间里所施行的各种政策，使方言几乎在华族社群中绝迹，取而代之的是华文、华语。如今，这个趋势又步入另一个“舍华文就英文”的状态。眼前所见的是，华族社群以英语为家庭用语的学生比例，已经超越了以华语为家庭用语的学生人数。这似乎已成定局，不可扭转。 目前，华文华语在新加坡正处于转变的关键时期。随着外在大环境的改变，中国的崛起，我们越发感受到华文华语的重要。虽然我们坚持实施双语教育多年，但在这个教育制度下成长的一般年轻人，整体的华英双语能力表现却不突出，这批介于中间地带的所谓双语双文化的年轻人或许还能流利地以华语进行人际沟通，在进行日常生活交流时并不成问题，在讲的层次上已达到中上水平。但事实是，他们却逐渐丧失了读和写的能力。他们当中有好些人已经无法阅读华文报纸及华文文学读物。 今天，摆在眼前的是，华文互联网的崛起让这批年轻双语双文化人才面临更大的全新挑战。 是的，诚如沈颖次长所言，华文的生命力的确很强，在互联网的世界里，华文绝对不会因电脑输入法而在互联网的新时代被淘汰。 华文也的确是以更生动活泼的形态在这平台上茁壮成长，网络热词的大量涌现就是例子。网络词语与现实生活词语也在这时代迅速相融合，产生了如富二代、官二代等网络词语及一些生动的现实生活词语。 不少本地年轻人在互联网上建构高素质的英文网站，他们在网络世界里讨论政治、社会、经济、文化等各种议题，但又有多少年轻人进入华文网络世界里呢？我们能听能说，但读写技能却不够水平的双语双文化人才，是否会沦为全球华文网络世界里的文盲呢？ 此外，民间看似蓬勃发展的文化活动、语文竞赛及大专学府或各校所开办的华文文化课程，参与和修选的又有多少是新加坡人呢？ 我们总是标榜双语双文化是我们在国际舞台上竞争的一大优势，... [Read more]
Pritam Singh’s speech (Debate on President’s Address)
Mr Speaker Sir, Please allow me to congratulate you on your election as Speaker of this House. In his speech to this House, the President noted, “we must find ways to use the new media constructively, to connect with the digital generation and sustain fruitful conversations on issues concerning us all.” MICA’s addendum noted that the Ministry seeks to find innovative ways to connect with citizens... [Read more]
Yee Jenn Jong’s speech (Debate on President’s Address)
Mr Speaker, Sir, before I touch on the President’s speech, I like to add to the references on Bhutan, as well as correct misconceptions that had surfaced in this House. I happen to visit Bhutan just before this year’s General Elections and am now involved in a non-profit education project for the country. Mr Cedric Foo joked that Bhutanese are happy because they have only 2 elected opposition... [Read more]
Yaw Shin Leong’s speech (Debate on President’s Address)
Mr Speaker Sir, I would like to begin with my heart-felt thanks to the voters of Hougang, for allowing me this opportunity to serve our country in Parliament. I also wish to express my gratitude towards Mr Low Thia Khiang for his guidance. I aspire to and will work diligently to meet the high bar set by my predecessor. Mr Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity today to address two main issues... [Read more]
Gerald Giam’s speech (Debate on President’s Address)
Mr Speaker, thank you for giving me the opportunity to make this, my maiden speech to this House. In his address to Parliament, the President gave a broad outline of this Government’s goals for the next five years. The Government says it wants “every Singaporean worker to hold a skilled, well-paid job; every family to live in an affordable, comfortable home; every young person to develop himself... [Read more]
Chen Show Mao’s speech (Debate on President’s Address)
Mr Speaker, Thank you, and congratulations. Following our two elections this year, some commentators tell us that Singaporeans’ political differences are rising to the surface. Many of our leaders have expressed their concerns about the differences. They warned of divisions and called for unity. I’d like to remind us that differences are not divisions. It is the intolerance of differences... [Read more]
Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap’s speech (Debate on President’s Address)
Mr Speaker, Sir, let me highlight a couple of points brought up by the President in his address. He said, “Strong families are the building blocks of a resilient society” and “Our success is defined not just by material progress but also by our values and ideals.” In a competitive and growth-centric environment like Singapore, bringing up a strong family with good values and ideals is a challenging... [Read more]
Sylvia Lim’s speech (Debate on President’s Address)
May I first thank the President for his Address and the government for making the promises contained in the Address. The Workers’ Party welcomes and supports the statement that Singapore’s success is defined not just by material progress but by our values and ideals. The Workers’ Party is ready to work with the government towards a better life for all. However, it is important to point out... [Read more]
Mr Low Thia Khiang’s speech at the Opening of the 12th Parliament
Mr Speaker Sir, on behalf of the members of the Workers’ Party, I extend to you our congratulations on your election as Speaker of Parliament. I would also like to thank the Leader of the House for welcoming the elected opposition MPs and NCMPs. With 6 elected Members and 2 NCMPs, the Workers’ Party is now represented in Parliament by a total of 8 Members. Singaporeans have not been represented... [Read more]
Workers’ Party position on the Internal Security Act
The Workers’ Party notes the Malaysian government’s proposal to repeal the Internal Security Act (ISA). The Workers’ Party manifestos, including the 2011 election manifesto, proposed the abolition of the ISA in Singapore. This repeal would destroy the prospect of any government using the wide ranging powers therein to curtail its critics and opponents. Even where there are suspects accused... [Read more]
The Workers’ Party wishes all Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri
SECOND MEDIA RELEASE ON PUBLIC SITES
We welcome the decision by Peoples’ Association (PA) to lift the restriction imposed on permit applicants on who they can or cannot invite to functions at sites now controlled by the PA. The restriction had caused many Aljunied residents to feel torn and in an emotional dilemma. HDB and PA’s political role We note, however, that contrary to PA’s earlier response that the decision to... [Read more]
MEDIA RELEASE ON UNTRUE CLAIMS OF CURTAILMENT OF PAP GRASSROOTS ACTIVITIES IN HOUGANG SMC
Background In 1991, when the Workers’ Party (WP) took over the management of the Hougang Town Council (HGTC), the first challenge it faced was to manage the common property in a fair and transparent manner by balancing the interests of all parties concerned. In response to complaints of noise pollution and other disturbances by the residents, HGTC had to formulate a policy on the use of common areas... [Read more]
Media Release on Use of Public Sites at Aljunied GRC
This release seeks to enlighten the public about what transpired in the weeks after the May General Election, which has led to the current controversy about use of public spaces by residents of Aljunied GRC to organise events. Background Facts On 21 June 2011, the interim Secretary of Aljunied-Hougang Town Council (AHTC) received an email from the Housing and Development Board (HDB) entitled: “Sites... [Read more]
Workers’ Party’s Statement on the Prime Minister’s National Day Rally Speech 2011
The Workers’ Party is pleased to note that the Prime Minister has addressed several areas of concern to Singaporeans, namely housing, education, jobs, healthcare costs and social safety nets. The Prime Minister acknowledged that infrastructure programmes, especially in the areas of housing and public transport, could not keep up with the rate of increase of our population. With respect to housing,... [Read more]
