Hopefully many more students will join the fold to counter the increasing PAP presence in SMU, like Young PAP leader Ephraim Loy of Social Science.

They said the pro-family measures showed the government’s strong commitment to encourage couples to have more children.

Gurcharanjit Singh, a lawyer, said: “It’s a change in mindset, and I think if the message is something that’s very well understood and very comprehensive, it’ll start people thinking and having more kids.”

“There are also some women, who have made the decision to stay at home, just like my wife, who’s my home anchor. And I would have loved to see some things (done) for them,” said Donald Aw, a civil servant.

Norhayati, a personal assistant, said: “He’s encouraging people to get married and he’s giving out more bonuses and everything, so I guess it’ll probably wake some of the singles up.”

MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC, Indranee Rajah, said: “For the first time, you get a sense that these measures are taken on board as a result of direct input from the women who know what the challenges are and what some of the proposed solutions would be.”

But it was not just baby talk that caught Singaporeans’ interest. The prime minister’s use of technology throughout his speech also impressed many.

“We need to ensure that the young are with us. So it’s not just about technology. Technology is a medium, but we need to use whatever medium we have to let the people understand the issues,” said Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Zainul Abidin Rasheed.

Hong Chun Mun, a national serviceman, said: “It reflects he’s very technologically savvy and he’s in tune with what the young are feeling.”

Many Singaporeans felt that Mr Lee gave a very comprehensive speech and they were glad he did not shy away from hotly debated issues like the Electronic Road Pricing (ERP).

Some also added that the speech gave them a sense of hope for the future.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/369423/1/.html

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong acknowledged this as much and said the government will have to adapt, get used to it, and turn it to positive effect.

Hence, the government will ease up on the ban on political videos and outdoor public demonstrations, he said at his National Day Rally on Sunday night.

The new-generation Singaporeans, weaned on the likes of Facebook and YouTube, are getting news off websites and discussing issues online.

“By the next GE (General Election), 5 years will have passed. Cyber years are like dog years. One year in cyberspace equals to 7 years in real life,” Mr Lee said. “That’s the pace at which things change. So 5 years times 7 means 35 years in the real world.”

Mr Lee even conceded that his National Day Rally has become a multi-media event.

To show this, he took out a mobile phone and proceeded to film the audience before him in the auditorium. Behind him, on a giant screen, the audience saw themselves featured on the Web page of the Prime Minister’s Office - live.

“There you are, simple as that. I’ve just made our first non-political video,” he said to laughter from the audience.

And since anyone can do this anytime, anywhere, Mr Lee said an outright ban on party political films is no longer sensible.

But there will still be safeguards.

“Some things are obviously alright - factual footage, documentaries, recordings of live events. But I think some things should still be off limits… (for instance) if you made a political commercial so that it’s purely made-up material, partisan stuff, footage distorted to create a slanted impression,” he said.

Unlike the last General Election, podcasts, videocasts and election materials will be allowed. But those who upload such material online will have to maintain accountability and responsibility.

The Advisory Council on the Impact of New Media on Society - led by former Singapore Press Holdings editor-in-chief Cheong Yip Seng - will set out its recommendations on these issues later this month.

The restriction remains for outdoor demonstrations, but Mr Lee said the government needs to find ways to allow Singaporeans to express themselves safely.

He said Singapore will allow outdoor public demonstrations at the Speakers’ Corner, a public space for free speeches. This is as long as the demonstrators adhere to basic rules of law and order, and stay away from issues of race, language or religion.

The government will manage the liberalisation with a light touch, said Mr Lee. So there is no need for the Police to be involved. In fact, the NParks will manage the Speakers’ Corner, instead.

Mr Lee said: “The overall thrust of all these changes is to liberalise our society, to widen space for expression and participation. We encourage more citizens to engage in debate, to participate in building our shared future.

“We will progressively open up our system even more. If you compare today with 5 years ago, 10 years ago, it’s much more open today.”

Even then, Singapore cannot progress just by copying others. Mr Lee said the country must find the right path for itself.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/369437/1/.html

The following are public releases of the speech given by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the National Day Rally 2008.
ENGLISH TEXT OF SPEECH IN MALAY
ENGLISH TEXT OF SPEECH IN CHINESE

Stripper Fail Video

An interesting read on academic elitism and how they translate in the real world. Although the article is based on a different geographical location, I think it does have its merit and points that can be translated in local context.

Do take a read if you have some time to spare and would like to be intellectually stimulated.

Nice baby monkey pic

Crazy Lightning Strike!