26 APRIL, 2009 – CHURCH of our Saviour (COOS) staff sent out email calling for church members to vote at AWARE's upcoming EOGM, a spokesman has confirmed yesterday.
For a while, it had been unclear whether the leaked email messages, readable in various forums, were authentic.
Speaking on the sidelines after Sunday's 10.30am service, the church spokesman verified that only Shawn Tay and Linda Seah's email messages are genuine. Both are staff of the church.
Mr Tay sent out an email on 17th April calling for church members to join AWARE and support the new Executive Committee members. He is from Choices Ministry, a department specialising in homosexual counseling.
In the email, Mr Tay called for “all responsible females to sign up for membership with AWARE immediately, and also to attend this all-important EGM so as to vote against changing the Constitution.”
As for Ms Seah, who is a zone pastor, she sent Senior Pastor Derek Hong an email on 16th April stating that “the number of members registered on Tuesday night is 13 out of 40 who turned up.” As of the time of this piece’s publication, the church has not been able to clarify what this means.
Both email messages were sent only after news of Aware's takeover broke on The Straits Times.
It is also unclear if the rest of the leaked email are authentic...
Click here to read the full story on TOC.
Showing posts with label News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label News. Show all posts
Monday, April 27, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
David Widjaja’s autopsy report released, results not disclosed
THE file on David Widjaja’s case remains wide open.
While the autopsy report on his death has finally been released, the details of the alleged stabbing incident remains sketchy.
The family received the autopsy report on 4th April (Saturday) from Nanyang Technological University (NTU).
The report has been sent to a team of doctors in Jakarta for analysis, says William Widjaja — who is David’s brother – in a TOC interview on 6th April.
They did so because they could not understand the medical terms used in the document, he claimed. William also declined a request to send a copy of the report to TOC, saying “it’s better to leave it to the professionals.”
Nevertheless, a press conference will be held once the results are known. This was deemed necessary by the family as many Indonesians are clamouring to know what has happened...
While the autopsy report on his death has finally been released, the details of the alleged stabbing incident remains sketchy.
The family received the autopsy report on 4th April (Saturday) from Nanyang Technological University (NTU).
The report has been sent to a team of doctors in Jakarta for analysis, says William Widjaja — who is David’s brother – in a TOC interview on 6th April.
They did so because they could not understand the medical terms used in the document, he claimed. William also declined a request to send a copy of the report to TOC, saying “it’s better to leave it to the professionals.”
Nevertheless, a press conference will be held once the results are known. This was deemed necessary by the family as many Indonesians are clamouring to know what has happened...
Click here to read the full article on TOC.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Painting of the year is, well, not quite a painting
By TERENCE LEE
"A painting” that is actually a series of three photos of animal organs has been named the UOB Painting of the Year.
It raised some eyebrows, in more ways than one. Entitled Anatomical Fantasies Of
Meat, the work by 25-year-old undergraduate Joel Yuen beat 1,200 other entries to clinch the prestigious award, now into its 27th year.
One of the photos includes a pig’s tongue, heart and stomach turned inside-out, as well as a chicken’s spinal bones tied together and suspended with nylon strings.
Mr Yuen, who is from Nanyang Technological University’s School of Art, Design and Media, yesterday received $30,000 in cash prizes.
Some contestants, who asked not to be named, found it strange that his entry had won.
Firstly, it was not a painting but a work of photography.
Secondly, his subjectmatter was reminiscent of British shock artist Damien Hirst, whose 1995 work featuring a rotting cow and bull was banned by New York City public health officials. They had feared the stench of the carcasses would cause visitors to vomit.
UOB could not be reached for comment on this issue.
But Mr Choo Thiam Siew, chief judge and president of the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, said the panel’s five judges unanimously agreed that Mr Yuen’s work was not vulgar at all.
“Even though it’s a photo, it looks a lot like a still-life painting. And it had a
powerful message, showing how humans are indiscriminately slaughtering,” he added.
Mr Yuen himself was surprised to learn that he had won the award.
“As for Damien Hirst, I’m not really a fan, and I noticed the similarities only after I started working on my piece,” he said.
This is the first time an entry from the photographic category has won the Painting of the Year award, after the category was introduced in 2003.
Also, the cash prize this year for the award was increased from $20,000 last
year.
All winning entries, including Mr Yuen’s work, will be on display at the Esplanade Recital Studio until Aug 2.
For The Sunday Times
July 13, 2008
"A painting” that is actually a series of three photos of animal organs has been named the UOB Painting of the Year.
It raised some eyebrows, in more ways than one. Entitled Anatomical Fantasies Of
Meat, the work by 25-year-old undergraduate Joel Yuen beat 1,200 other entries to clinch the prestigious award, now into its 27th year.
One of the photos includes a pig’s tongue, heart and stomach turned inside-out, as well as a chicken’s spinal bones tied together and suspended with nylon strings.
Mr Yuen, who is from Nanyang Technological University’s School of Art, Design and Media, yesterday received $30,000 in cash prizes.
Some contestants, who asked not to be named, found it strange that his entry had won.
Firstly, it was not a painting but a work of photography.
Secondly, his subjectmatter was reminiscent of British shock artist Damien Hirst, whose 1995 work featuring a rotting cow and bull was banned by New York City public health officials. They had feared the stench of the carcasses would cause visitors to vomit.
UOB could not be reached for comment on this issue.
But Mr Choo Thiam Siew, chief judge and president of the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, said the panel’s five judges unanimously agreed that Mr Yuen’s work was not vulgar at all.
“Even though it’s a photo, it looks a lot like a still-life painting. And it had a
powerful message, showing how humans are indiscriminately slaughtering,” he added.
Mr Yuen himself was surprised to learn that he had won the award.
“As for Damien Hirst, I’m not really a fan, and I noticed the similarities only after I started working on my piece,” he said.
This is the first time an entry from the photographic category has won the Painting of the Year award, after the category was introduced in 2003.
Also, the cash prize this year for the award was increased from $20,000 last
year.
All winning entries, including Mr Yuen’s work, will be on display at the Esplanade Recital Studio until Aug 2.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Fleshing out the NTU stabbing incident
A FINAL year NTU student allegedly stabbed a professor before falling off to his death from the linkway between two blocks on Monday morning.
It is believed that David Hartanto Widjaja, 21, from the Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) school, stabbed Associate Professor(A/P) Chan Kap Luk, 45, from the same faculty. The incident happened at Block S1A at about 10.35am in the morning.
David Widjaja was pronounced dead on the spot while Prof Chan is receiving medical attention at the National University Hospital and is said to be recovering well.
According to a Singapore Police Force press release, investigations are still ongoing. It is not known who is the aggressor. A spokesman for the SPF declined to reveal any more information about the alleged assault, at least not until investigations are complete...
Click here to read the full article on TOC.
It is believed that David Hartanto Widjaja, 21, from the Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE) school, stabbed Associate Professor(A/P) Chan Kap Luk, 45, from the same faculty. The incident happened at Block S1A at about 10.35am in the morning.
David Widjaja was pronounced dead on the spot while Prof Chan is receiving medical attention at the National University Hospital and is said to be recovering well.
According to a Singapore Police Force press release, investigations are still ongoing. It is not known who is the aggressor. A spokesman for the SPF declined to reveal any more information about the alleged assault, at least not until investigations are complete...
Click here to read the full article on TOC.
Ex-ISA detainees speak out
28th FEBRUARY, 2009 — THE SCENE seemed surreal — though it was a book launch, the event was more like a reunion of the who’s who in the Singapore activism scene of both past and present.
From grey hair to bright faces, all were there to attest to a rarely-spoken fact of Singapore history — the looming spectre of detention without trial, and of the human rights violations — beatings, torture, and psychological manipulation – that happened behind closed doors.
Kicking off the event at 3.20pm, Ethos Books publisher Fang Hoe Fang apologised for the cramped venue in which the book launch was held.
Originally scheduled to be held at the Geylang East Community Library after an initial agreement, they were later told that the application to use the library had been rejected. No reasons, however, were given for the change, he said.
The alternative location — Muse House — sits in a quiet street next to Katong Shopping Centre, by no means an accessible location. Nevertheless, the usually sparse and quiet art gallery saw quite a sensational buzz as about 130 people crammed into the small space...
Click here to read the full article on TOC.
From grey hair to bright faces, all were there to attest to a rarely-spoken fact of Singapore history — the looming spectre of detention without trial, and of the human rights violations — beatings, torture, and psychological manipulation – that happened behind closed doors.
Kicking off the event at 3.20pm, Ethos Books publisher Fang Hoe Fang apologised for the cramped venue in which the book launch was held.
Originally scheduled to be held at the Geylang East Community Library after an initial agreement, they were later told that the application to use the library had been rejected. No reasons, however, were given for the change, he said.
The alternative location — Muse House — sits in a quiet street next to Katong Shopping Centre, by no means an accessible location. Nevertheless, the usually sparse and quiet art gallery saw quite a sensational buzz as about 130 people crammed into the small space...
Click here to read the full article on TOC.
Friday, December 26, 2008
“Don’t save face, go to C-class wards,” says Tan Kin Lian
13th DECEMBER — HEALTHCARE in Singapore is affordable as long as one is willing to accept the B2 and C-class wards without fear of losing face, said Mr Tan Kin Lian at a forum on economic rights.
He asked the audience: “Why complain about the bill when you go the the A-class ward?”
According to him, B2 and C-class wards are highly subsidised and of good quality, and a “cap on bill” exists to ensure medical fees in these wards do not escalate too much.
Held at the URA Centre on Saturday by the Society of Financial Service Professionals in conjunction with U60, the forum also saw financial consultants Leong Sze Hian and Lyndon Chew speak on different topics.
Singapore’s healthcare system enjoys a high world ranking, said Mr Tan, and this is due to the fact that responsibility for healthcare is placed on the individual. The state does not pay for everything, preventing overconsumption and keeping costs down.He also advised that Singaporeans stick with Medishield as it is adequate enough to cover medical costs in subsidised wards...
Click here to read the full article on TOC.
He asked the audience: “Why complain about the bill when you go the the A-class ward?”
According to him, B2 and C-class wards are highly subsidised and of good quality, and a “cap on bill” exists to ensure medical fees in these wards do not escalate too much.
Held at the URA Centre on Saturday by the Society of Financial Service Professionals in conjunction with U60, the forum also saw financial consultants Leong Sze Hian and Lyndon Chew speak on different topics.
Singapore’s healthcare system enjoys a high world ranking, said Mr Tan, and this is due to the fact that responsibility for healthcare is placed on the individual. The state does not pay for everything, preventing overconsumption and keeping costs down.He also advised that Singaporeans stick with Medishield as it is adequate enough to cover medical costs in subsidised wards...
Click here to read the full article on TOC.
PAP makes no apologies for defamation suits, says Vivian Balakrishnan
Even though Singapore is set to become a more open society in the future, the government is making no apologies when it comes to suing politicians for defamatory remarks, said Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports.
Speaking to the The Online Citizen (TOC) after the Kent Ridge Ministerial Forum held yesterday at the National University of Singapore (NUS), Dr Balakrishnan added that the government takes attacks on accuracy and integrity very seriously, because “establishing a high trust environment” is an advantage that gives Singapore an edge in a competitive global economy.
He said: “We don’t mind political openness, but we don’t want too much of the excitement. To the outsider, when they look at Singapore, they know that politics here is serious, it’s accurate, it’s real and accountable. It’s not a situation you get in other countries. We’re an outlier, but we are outlying because we want to keep our politics honest.”
The minister also said that both sides must play the same game, even for the PAP. “If I say something unethical or unfair against any of my opposition colleagues, they can sue as well,” he added...
Speaking to the The Online Citizen (TOC) after the Kent Ridge Ministerial Forum held yesterday at the National University of Singapore (NUS), Dr Balakrishnan added that the government takes attacks on accuracy and integrity very seriously, because “establishing a high trust environment” is an advantage that gives Singapore an edge in a competitive global economy.
He said: “We don’t mind political openness, but we don’t want too much of the excitement. To the outsider, when they look at Singapore, they know that politics here is serious, it’s accurate, it’s real and accountable. It’s not a situation you get in other countries. We’re an outlier, but we are outlying because we want to keep our politics honest.”
The minister also said that both sides must play the same game, even for the PAP. “If I say something unethical or unfair against any of my opposition colleagues, they can sue as well,” he added...
NTU students protest at Speakers’ Corner
IT STARTED as a Facebook group protesting the censorship of campus media.
But feeling that more could be done, three Nanyang Technological University (NTU) students and an alumnus of the school went one step further — they brought the protest to the Speaker’s Corner.
About 80 people attended the “Stand Up for Media Freedom” protest held yesterday, which consisted mainly of students.
According to a press release for the event, the protest served as an “outreach” that aimed to raise awareness on media freedom for both the public and university population. A petition addressed to NTU president Su Guaning was also announced – calling for the original article about Dr Chee Soon Juan to be uncensored.
An earlier TOC report last month chronicled how some students were indignant because of NTU’s decision to censor the campus media coverage of Dr Chee’s visit to the university...
Click here to read the full article on TOC.
But feeling that more could be done, three Nanyang Technological University (NTU) students and an alumnus of the school went one step further — they brought the protest to the Speaker’s Corner.
About 80 people attended the “Stand Up for Media Freedom” protest held yesterday, which consisted mainly of students.
According to a press release for the event, the protest served as an “outreach” that aimed to raise awareness on media freedom for both the public and university population. A petition addressed to NTU president Su Guaning was also announced – calling for the original article about Dr Chee Soon Juan to be uncensored.
An earlier TOC report last month chronicled how some students were indignant because of NTU’s decision to censor the campus media coverage of Dr Chee’s visit to the university...
Click here to read the full article on TOC.
NTU censors campus news coverage of Chee Soon Juan visit
Dr Chee Soon Juan created a whirlwind when he paid a surprise visit to NTU, but left behind only a whimper as the university censored all campus news coverage of his arrival.
The latest issue of NTU’s campus newspaper, The Nanyang Chronicle , was published on Monday (15th September), and was slated to feature an article about Dr Chee’s visit. In the end, it featured only a visit of a different sort – that of the former President of India, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, who is a stranger among Singaporean students.
On 26th August, the controversial opposition figure, together with several other Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) leaders, visited NTU to distribute flyers and interact with the students. The NTU visit was part of a tour by the SDP to “raise political awareness,” and it included NIE, SMU and NUS as well. The NUS visit, which happened on 11th September, was covered by the university’s student-run online newspaper, The Campus Observer.
Student journalists from the Chronicle and NTU’s student-run news magazine programme, Nanyang Spectrum , were quick to converge on Dr Chee and the SDP members to conduct interviews...
The latest issue of NTU’s campus newspaper, The Nanyang Chronicle , was published on Monday (15th September), and was slated to feature an article about Dr Chee’s visit. In the end, it featured only a visit of a different sort – that of the former President of India, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, who is a stranger among Singaporean students.
On 26th August, the controversial opposition figure, together with several other Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) leaders, visited NTU to distribute flyers and interact with the students. The NTU visit was part of a tour by the SDP to “raise political awareness,” and it included NIE, SMU and NUS as well. The NUS visit, which happened on 11th September, was covered by the university’s student-run online newspaper, The Campus Observer.
Student journalists from the Chronicle and NTU’s student-run news magazine programme, Nanyang Spectrum , were quick to converge on Dr Chee and the SDP members to conduct interviews...
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