TR EMERITUS

By Bhaskaran Kunju Last week an article was published on this site, criticising the decision made by the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) and the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) in bringing to task the owners of Mustaffa Centre for alleged fire safety violations and misuse of non-retail space. (read article here)   The... 

By Bhaskaran Kunju Last July as part of an article on the new batch of incoming Nominated Member of Parliaments (NMPs), I wrote on the background of each of the candidates, including former national swimmer Joscelin Yeo. I highlighted the achievements and credentials they possessed that were of relevance for the task ahead... 

By Bhaskaran Kunju A week ago I wrote an article titled, “The Iceman Cometh”. It was on the role of foreigners in Singapore’s domestic affairs. In it I discussed the merits and demerits of the involvement of foreigners in Singapore’s local politics. On Sunday night, just like everyone else I was surprised to hear... 

By Bhaskaran Kunju The recent Economic Strategies Committee (ESC) report is just a tip of the iceberg in our Government’s shift on the foreign worker policy, as seen in this year’s Budget report. Given the inadvertent adverse effect it has had on productivity, it is high time the authorities looked into this matter. However... 

By Bhaskaran Kunju Framing is a writing device that helps to put into focus a story or event in a manner that the writer wants the reader to be able to identify with. Every article that you read has been framed to put forward and emphasise a specific perspective. A few days ago, Mr Vikram Khanna of The Business Times wrote... 

By Bhaskaran Kunju After months of promotions in the media and a press release telling viewers to look out for a new free to air sports channel in January 2010, Starhub has backtracked on this promise. Starhub had announced in November 2009 that two new free sports channels would be made available to all its subscribers.... 

By Bhaskaran Kunju Cultural sensitivities can be taken too far, as McDonald’s would have learnt. After nearly a month long saga over the exclusion of a pig figurine from their promotional Chinese zodiac set, the fast food giant finally caved to public pressure and decided to include the animal back in its lineup. As a... 

By Bhaskaran Kunju In last week’s session of Parliament it was announced that Singaporeans born to parents of different races could exercise the option to include the races of both parents in their Identity Card. The new implementation is of course a significant move in recognising the diversity of Singapore’s racial... 

By Bhaskaran Kunju There has been much deliberation over the status of Dr Silviu Ionescu, the Romanian diplomat who’s still a suspect in the hit and run case on December 15, which has already claimed the life of one victim. The amount of immunity a diplomat receives is outlined in two different multilateral treaties,... 

By Bhaskaran Kunju After concluding his attendance for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Trinidad and Tobago early last week, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong made a surprise announcement regarding the next general elections. PM Lee proposed a change to the pre-electoral proceedings by including an extra...