Singapore Bans PM Salary Hike Talking

SINGAPORE 2007 -- Singapore has banned seven foreigners, including three members of the European Parliament, from speaking at an opposition party debate on Friday on a big pay hike for ministers and civil servants.

The government said this week that ministers and senior civil servants would enjoy a 60 percent pay increase, giving them an average salary of S$1.9 million ($1.25 million).

The prime minister's pay is set to jump to S$3.1 million -- five times what the president of the United States earns.

The announcement has drawn widespread criticism from ordinary Singaporeans given the country's widening income gap and the fact the city-state's ministers were already among the highest-paid in the world.

The police told the Singapore Democratic Party it could not hold a public forum on Friday to discuss the increases, and the immigration authority rejected applications for professional visit passes for the seven foreigners the SDP invited to speak.

"Singapore's politics are reserved for Singaporeans. As visitors to our country, foreigners should not abuse their privilege by interfering in our domestic politics," the Ministry of Home Affairs said in a statement issued on its Web site late on Thursday.

"Foreigners who abuse the privileges that Singapore accords to guests and visitors, and meddle in Singapore's domestic politics, are not welcome here," the Ministry said.

The barred speakers include European parliament members Graham Watson of the United Kingdom, Anders Samuelsen of Denmark, and Lydie Polfer of Luxembourg, a former deputy prime minister of that country.

Under Singapore's Public Entertainments and Meetings Act, public speaking is generally prohibited unless it has been licensed by the government.

Singaporeans who wish to speak indoors do not need to be licensed, but forums featuring foreign speakers require a permit, the ministry said.

Chee Siok Chin, sister of party leader Chee Soon Juan and a senior party member herself, said the SDP would go ahead with the forum with local speakers.

"You have this autocratic government coming down and showing utter disrespect for our international peers. I'm ashamed," she said on Friday.

She said the seven foreigners barred from speaking at the forum are currently in Singapore.

According to the SDP Web site, Chee Soon Juan plans to speak at the forum and rebut remarks made by Lee Kuan Yew, modern Singapore's first prime minister, about the ministers' pay hike.

Lee said earlier this week that Singapore should pay ministers competitive wages because the city-state needs an "extraordinary government with extraordinary government officers".

Military MID-YEAR RESHUFFLE

MID-YEAR RESHUFFLE

Officers close to junta on way out and allies of Thakin back in

Thailand, The royal command for the mid-year military reshuffle was released on Thursday involving 383 positions in the Defence Ministry, the Supreme Command and the three wings of the armed forces.

Many officers seen as close to the junta were kicked upstairs to fill ceremonial positions while those seen as close to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra returned to key assignments. The majority of Thaksin's military allies are Pre-Cadet Class 10 graduates.

General Somjet Boonthanom, director general of the Defence Finance Department, was appointed chief adviser to the Defence Ministry. He used to serve as head of the Secretariat of the Council for National Security

Maj General Prin Suwanthat, a staunch supporter of Thaksin, would be an aide of Prime Minister and Defence Minister Samak Sundaravej. He was transferred from the position of commander of the 1st Infantry Division to an inactive post following the seizure of power.

Lt General Sunai Sappatawanit, commander of the Special Warfare Command, was sidelined to an advisory position in the Army. He was handpicked by junta leader General Sonthi Boonyaratglin in September to lead the crack troops.

General Ninnart Beowkaimuk, an aide to former interim prime minister Surayud Chualanont, received his new assignment as Army expert.

The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/03/20/politics/politics_30068694.php

Sutha faces scrutiny over his qualifications

Education Minister Somchai Wongsawat promised further examination into the educational credentials of Social Development and Human Security Minister Sutha Chansaeng if that would clear any suspicion, said yesterday.

Published on March 20, 2008

Somchai, who is also deputy prime minister, said Sutha's educational background was checked by the Cabinet Secretariat when he was appointed to the Cabinet.

"We can do the checking again if there is any suspicion. We will make things clear and there will be no attempt to hide anything," Somchai said. He said the Education Ministry would work with the Civil Service Commission (CSC) in any further probe about Sutha's educational background.

Sutha, who insisted that he had graduated with a bachelor's degree, said that he was "glad" to be examined. "I am ready to cooperate to allow the truth to be known," he said.

The Constitution requires members of the Cabinet to have at least a bachelor's degree, compared to the 1997 charter, which also required Members of Parliament to have minimum university education.

A recent document by the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security stated that the minister graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce (Management) from Republican College, Philippines, in 1984.

Sutha has never specified the information in previous official documents about his educational background.

In 1985, his campaign flyer for Bangkok's City Council election stated his maximum education as Grade 12. In his campaign flyer for last year's general election, it was specified as an Advanced Diploma and Certificate in Logistics and Transport. The CSC secretary-general, Preecha Watcharaphai, yesterday said the agency had made an initial investigation and discovered that the Republican College is an institution of higher education that is certified by the CSC.

However, the agency has not investigated whether Sutha actually graduated from the college as that would infringe on his personal right.

Hassaya Chartmontri

The Nation
http://nationmultimedia.com/2008/03/20/politics/politics_30068667.php

My Take: Yeah! Something is not right!! Lots of discrepancies.

FIRE TRUCKS SCANDAL

Apirak is a true Democrat : Abhisit

BKK City Governor Apirak Kosayodhin suspended his duty on Thursday after anti-graft committee linked him to fire truck scandals.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva on Thursday said City Governor Apirak Kosayodhin is a true Democrat after he announced to suspend his duty to show accountability for the fire trucks scandal.

"Apirak has done his best to consult with relevant agencies about the legality of the contract but he was told to comply with it. He had no other options," Abhisit said.

He was referring to Apirak's involvement in making downpayments inspite of irregularities which led to the graft ruling against him.

The job suspension happened a day following the ruling by the Assets Examination Committee to suspect foul play involving Apirak and three other senior officials relating to the purchase contract for fire trucks signed when Prime Minister Samak Sunadaravej was the city governor.

Samak has been singled out among the first batch of suspects and is rebutting charges in the pre-trial preparations.

The Nation
http://nationmultimedia.com/2008/03/13/politics/politics_30068043.php

FIRE TRUCKS SCANDAL: Nathanon "doesn't have to quit": Sutha

FIRE TRUCKS SCANDAL

Nathanon "doesn't have to quit": Sutha

The boss of Nathanon Thavisin on Thursday insisted he would not suspend her from the position of adviser to the Social Development and Human Security Ministry inspite of her involvement in irregularities relating to the fire trucks scandal.

Minister Sutha Chansaeng said Nathanon's present job had no bearing on the case which happened when she was the city clerk of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.

"Nathanon is advising me on the affairs of women and children and I don't think this has anything to do with the charges raised against her," he said.

Nathanon is among the second batch of suspects which include Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin and former commerce minister Watana Muangsuk from the Thaksin Shinawatra administration.

The naming of additional suspects is the fallout from the graft indictments against Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej who approved the suspicious deal when he was the city governor.

The Nation
http://nationmultimedia.com/2008/03/13/politics/politics_30068045.php

Abhisit praises Apirak for showing accountability

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva on Thursday said Apirak Kosayodhin is a true Democrat after the Bangkok governor announced to suspend his duty in order to show accountability for the fire trucks scandal.

"Apirak has done his best to consult with relevant agencies about the legality of the contract but he was told to comply with it and had no other options," Abhisit said in reference to Apirak's involvement in making downpayments inspite of irregularities which led to the graft ruling against him.

The Nation
http://nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30068041

My Take:
It's a good example for all Thai politicians. Even though this can be looked as making his image (or Democrat Party) looks better than PPP's people including Samuk S. the P.M. The bar has been raised.