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Reform Party Chief makes major GAFFE By ewenboey | SingaporeScene – 1 hour 7 minutes ago The atmosphere, fiery. The speakers, passionate, and the crowd, enthusiastic. Everything was going as planned, and then it happened. Just as the final Reform Party (RP) rally was concluding at Clementi stadium on Thursday evening, the emcee urged the approximately 3,000-strong crowd to stand as party chief Kenneth Jeyaretnam led the pledge. However, J.B Jeyaretam's elder son got it all wrong. He started, "We the citizens of Singapore, pledge ourselves to build a society," and hesitated for a few agonising seconds before the emcee took over the microphone and started the pledge again. Will this incident put a dent in the party's run for a place in Parliament? West Coast GRC residents at the rally whom Yahoo! Singapore spoke to were unfazed. "This rally had more emotion than the earlier rallies, and the ending was a little disappointing. Maybe he was a bit anxious and forgot the lines," said 32-year-old process technician, Lokman, who was at RP's rally for the second time. Third-time RP rally attendee, Irda, 28, who is a nurse, agreed. "The speakers today had more fire, but maybe he was a bit gan cheong (Hokkien for 'nervous') that's why." 22-year-old banker Dylan, who was at his first rally this election campaign, said, "I can't comment on anything, because humans do make mistakes." He added that he was not disappointed by the mistake, and tactfully added that Jeyaretnam "just needs improvement". The slip-up, though, was the only black spot of the night as the RP candidates took aim at Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's apology for his government's mistakes. Speaking at the combined rally for Ang Mo Kio and West Coast GRC, Jeyaretnam questioned PM Lee's sincerity in asking for Singaporeans' forgiveness. "We all know that I too recently apologised. I misquoted Mr Lee on Saturday and fixed it on Sunday. I did so immediately and spontaneously. No PR agency advised me to do so," he said. He then noted that PM Lee had "magnanimously accepted" his apology." The RP chief added, "Mr Lee, I accept your apology even though it's taken five years. But I do not accept your excuses." "Your apology is too little, too late. It will not erase all your actions over the last five years." Ang Mo Kio candidate Osman Sulaiman added, "You've heard apologies from the PM. What do you think? Is he sincere, or is it because GE is coming?" Jeyaretnam, who used to be a hedge fund manager, added that if voted into Parliament, he will be able to come up with economic policies to help alleviate the bad ones he claims the PAP have made. He also vowed to "make the media free again", having accused them as being "state-controlled". "I am the one voice they (the PAP) do not want to hear again. That is the voice of a Jeyaretnam," he said as he concluded his speech. The other candidates also spoke about issues related to housing, influx of foreigners, and a growing income gap.

George Yeo: We need a ‘transformed’ PAP By Alicia Wong | SingaporeScene – 50 minutes ago As he embarked on the "most intense" election campaign in his political career and observed the "outpouring of pent-up emotion" from voters, Foreign Affairs Minister George Yeo and his team came to a conclusion: "The PAP must be transformed." Acknowledging the "resentment against the government", the Minister who is heading the People's Action Party's Aljunied GRC team said, the PAP government needs to exercise "flexibility" in its programmes and treat its citizens as "human beings". The government needs to learn how to communicate with and engage its people, in particular the young, so that Singaporeans do not feel helpless, he said in a heartfelt address at the party's last rally at Ubi on Thursday evening. He raised the difficulties and sorrows people face, such as the rising cost of living and health care costs. He recognised that Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's comments that Aljunied GRC residents who voted for the Workers' Party would have have five years to repent had "created greater anger, greater resentment in many people". And Minster Yeo pledged, the Aljunied team, if elected, would "be your voice in government". It was a message some other Aljunied GRC candidates had for voters too - that they would "listen hard" to the people. The other candidates in this hotly contest GRC, where the PAP only scraped through with 56.09 per cent of the vote sin GE 2006, are Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Zainul Abidin Rasheed, Minister Lim Hwee Hua, Cynthia Phua and new candidate Ong Ye Kung. Recounting how a simple two-minute video he recently posted had went viral, Minister Yeo said he "felt a bit sad" that people were so moved. "It shows that they crave communication and that they feel that somehow we are talking at them, and not talking to them," he said, pointing out that it is through talking and listening that respect and trust is built. And even when the party is not always able to solve all problems, it must be able to listen and comfort, he noted. All this would go to creating a "new unity" among Singaporeans, just as the older generations were united in the creation of Singapore with MM Lee, he said. Minister Yeo noted, the reason for the large crowds at the WP rallies was because the WP acts as a "loudspeaker" for people's grievances. But this creates "negative emotions," he added. He questioned the WP's "political ambition" in contesting in Aljunied GRC and said their plan outlined for the GRC "means nothing". He called for a strong mandate from voters so that his team could speak up for them in Parliament. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong also turned up at the PAP rally to show support for the Aljunied GRC team. He assured the elderly that the PAP would take care of them, and told young voters that the PAP will make the special effort to engage them after the polls. Once again stressing that this election is about the future, PM Lee said, "In fact, these younger Singaporeans, you are our future, we have nurtured you, educated you, prepared you, given you every help to do well, we cherish you, we cheer for you." "We want you to succeed because Singapore belongs to you. You will be Singapore but you must make Singapore even better what it is today." But we must do much more because with every passing year, this younger generation will take on greater responsibilities and make larger contributions to Singapore." Separately, at another rally at Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said PM Lee meant every word when he apologised for not meeting people's expectations. Said DPM Teo: "He sets very high expectations for himself too. And if he cannot fully meet your expectations as Singaporeans, I think he was really disappointed and sorry when he said so." "Every moment, every minute that he's awake, I know that he carries the burden of Singapore and Singaporeans very heavily on his shoulders. He works very, very hard." DPM Teo is facing a Singapore Democratic Alliance team in the Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC.

WOW !...this resemble like ALLARD CLOWNIE.

PAP’s accusation a ‘PERSONAL ATTACK’ : WP’s LOW By Fann Sim | SingaporeScene – Wed, May 4, 2011 Worker's Party (WP) chief Low Thia Khiang has hit back at People's Action Party (PAP) candidate Lim Hwee Hua for accusing Hougang Town Council of keeping messy financial accounts. Lim, who is part of the PAP team contesting in Aljunied GRC, had earlier questioned Low over the transparency and accountability of Hougang Town Council's accounts. She also asked if the Worker's Party is capable of running a bigger estate. "Is it messy or are they holding back till after the elections so that whoever wins Hougang will then inherit the accounts? The Worker's Party has always emphasised transparency and accountability of the town council. "It is very perplexing why they have kept very quiet," said the Minister in the Prime Minister's Office and Second Minister for Finance and Transport. However, speaking to an estimated crowd of 15,000 at the WP rally at Sengkang on Tuesday evening, Low hit back at Lim's comments and said it was a "personal attack to discredit his character and capabilities". Said the WP chief: "Do you believe if Hougang's accounts are messy, I can win Hougang for 20 years?" Low, who is part of WP's 'A' team that is contesting the hotseat of Aljunied GRC, went on to explain the stringent auditing process all town councils in Singapore, including Hougang, go through. He explained that town councils are audited by an external auditor approved by the Ministry of National Development. Once the audit is completed, the account will be sent to the Ministry's Auditor-General for approval before they are presented and circulated to all members of Parliament. "If the account is messy, as what she claimed, then why would Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew and the Auditor-General approve it? Are they sleeping?" questioned Low, with his comments drawing a loud cheer from the crowd. "Moreover, Mrs Lim would have received a copy of Hougang Town Council's report. She has not made any observations earlier. Why shoot such irresponsible comments on me now," he said. Low added that the Hougang Town Council was one of the those that did not make any losses during the 2008 Lehman Brothers crisis, highlighting two other town councils that sunk S$12 million in Lehman-related products. Touching on the privatisation issue of HUDC flats in Hougang Ave 7, he explained that when he took over Hougang Town Council in 1991, the HUDC flats and other normal flats were taken in as one single account under Hougang Town Council. However, after the announcement of privatisation on 23 August 2010, the accounts of the HUDC flats will be segregated from Hougang Town Council's accounts. The expenses contributed by the blocks will have to be attributed to their own accounts. He added that Hougang Town Council is in the process of capturing expenditure by the HUDC blocks. Once the data-collection is completed and presented in Parliament, the Town Council will answer to the pro-term committee. Low noted that the duration of legally privatising an estate is about two-and-a-half years and the pro-term committee were informed of the processes. "Therefore, we have done everything correctly. Why does Mrs Lim Hwee Hua decide to take up the case and suggest that the account of Hougang Town Council is messy and I, as chairman of Hougang Town Council, have done something wrong? I leave it to you to guess her intentions," he said. At the end of his speech, Low told the crowd that if the PAP suspected him of doing something to the accounts, they can report him to the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB). "Do not hoodwink the voters at this critical time when Polling Day is near," he warned. Also speaking at the rally, WP candidate Pritam Singh suggested that Singapore is ready for a female Prime Minister. Referring to women as equal Singaporeans and "co-driver" of every successful relationship, Singh commented on a resident who suggested that Singapore is ready for a non-Chinese Prime Minister. "I am comfortable and confident with a Prime Minister from any race. But if it was a man, I would want him to complete his national service," said Singh, reinforcing WP secretary- general Low's call on Monday for a change in the Constitution so that all male election candidates will have to serve National Service first before being eligible for election. After sharing with the crowd his list of capable female Members of Parliament from the PAP -- including Halimah Yacob and Indranee Rajah -- as possible candidates to be Prime Minister, he spoke on the prospect of his party chairman Sylvia Lim as another candidate for the role. Describing her as "honest, forthright, energetic and fearless", he said, "As an NCMP in the last five years, she has asked more questions in Parliament than many PAP MPs."

COMMENT from Dracon The Learner 2 hours ago "He resigned before the investigations were completed," the principal told the same paper in an email on Tuesday. Strange...is it an illegal thing...if it is...then the principal can call him back to finish the investigation and file a proper police report. If it is not, then there is nothing to say that he act illegally. Both party like each other, the gal went out on many dates with him willingly. Obviously the gal like him then. Please lor..He is only 27 then...still very much a young adult who is maybe not too wise with the world and at that age is also anxious to look for a girlfriend. Maybe he was not too wise to choose his student but that is young people...they do stupid thing. Why use that to condemn a young man unless PAP find that he is a threat. Four years also want to dig out. Then all citizens and supporters of NSP..let us dig out all the mistakes and silly thing that the ministers do and then publish it lor. Incidentally, this also cancel all the apolo---- of the PM.

NSP candidate accused of INDISCRETIONS By Ewen Boey | SingaporeScene – Wed, May 4, 2011 A former student of National Solidarity Party(NSP) candidate Spencer Ng Chung Hon has accused him of crossing the boundaries of the teacher-student relationship. The 20-year-old girl came forward after ex-teacher Ng, 31, revealed to the media last week that he had left the profession due to accusations of indiscretion in school. The girl contacted The New Paper (TNP) and said she wanted the truth told. She claimed that the incidents happened in 2007, when she was 16 and in Secondary 4. She told the paper Ng took her to school in the mornings and gave her roses on Valentine's Day. They also went on movie dates and nice dinners -- all paid by him -- and strolls in the park or by the beach. They held hands and hugged, and once, he even tried to kiss her on the lips but she rebuffed him. The principal of the school confirmed that Ng had been suspended while under investigation for inappropriate behaviour with a student. "He resigned before the investigations were completed," the principal told the same paper in an email on Tuesday. Ng said that he had quit because he wanted to explore other options after feeling jaded and unappreciated despite his contributions to the school. The probe began when another teacher confiscated the girl's mobile phone and read the SMS exchanges between her and Ng. When asked to comment on the student's claims, Ng said, "I have already given my side of the story. "Now I just want to focus on the policies. I can't make any comments on her allegations. I regret that such things have to happen during our campaign with only three more days to go to Polling Day." However, Ng could not help but feel that he had "dragged his team down in the campaign". The other candidates running for Marine Parade GRC are Ivan Yeo, Abdul Salim Harun, Cheo Chai Chen and Nicole Seah. "After so many years, we have moved on. I had returned to teaching (in another school) and I have shown good results," said Ng, responding to why he did not inform party chief Goh Meng Seng about this before he joined NSP. Goh said, "As far as I am concerned, there is nothing conclusive. Everybody is innocent unless proven guilty. Unless you are telling me that the school has sacked him or if they have a record of his misbehaviour, since the investigation is not conclusive, what is there to comment?"

Premier League - Van der Sar 'RIGHT TO GO NOW' Tue, 03 May 16:27:00 2011 Sir Alex Ferguson has urged Edwin van der Sar to ignore the dressing-room pleas for him to extend his Manchester United career by another season and quit whilst he is still on top of his game. The 40-year-old Dutchman announced his intention to retire earlier this year but since then he has maintained an impressively high standard, leading to calls from Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand amongst others to abandon his plans. However, Ferguson is fearful that Van der Sar's standards may start to slip rapidly and without warning, and said: "If I was giving advice to Edwin van der Sar, right now, I would say retire. "He is at the absolute pinnacle of his career but sometimes, when a player gets to that age, age comes onto you very suddenly. I wouldn't want to see Edwin van der Sar in that situation." He added: "He deserves to go out at the very top and hopefully he does that." Van der Sar is aiming to land the third Champions League triumph of his career, in addition to his fourth Premier League title since moving north from Fulham in 2005. "His career has been absolutely fantastic," said Ferguson. "It is not just what he does on the football field. It is how he has handles himself as a professional and a human being. "He is absolutely outstanding. In our dressing room at half-time and before games, he is absolutely fantastic. "My advice to him is that this is the time. "There is no reason for him to risk another year and maybe drop below his standard." PA Sport

United not about to let LEAD slip Mon May 02 12:37PM If Sunday's match between Arsenal and Manchester United had finished 0-0, no one could really have complained. The Gunners just about deserved to win, although in truth they did not really test Edwin van der Sar until Aaron Ramsey scored his 56th minute winner. Arsenal were on balance the better side, but they were still guilty of trying to pass it into the net on too many occasions. It they won this particular match, it is the same approach which has seen them fall short on all fronts this season and several before it. They must not allow this win to convince them that a big reappraisal of their situation - from the football they play to the playing staff - is not needed in the summer. Considering the history between these two sides and what was at stake, I thought the game was a bit of a disappointment. United were poor, and their performance at the Emirates puts their much-lauded display at Schalke in their previous game into some kind of context. They just never looked as though they were going to make a difference in this game. People at Schalke would have watched the game and been shown the way to try and beat United when they come to Old Trafford on Wednesday: stop Wayne Rooney playing. Arsene Wenger did that by dispatching Alex Song to look after the England striker, who loves to drop deep and cause havoc in between defence and midfield. Ramsey, who greatly impressed in the absence of Cesc Fabregas, also did his fair share of helping out with the defence. In the absence of Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and even Darren Fletcher, United's uneven midfield struggled to work out just how to find a way through with Rooney neutralised. It is so rare that you see a United team stumped as to how they plan to set about their opposition, but that is what happened at the Emirates on Sunday. I still find it unlikely that United will let their lead slip from their grasp, though. Chelsea were very average against Tottenham on Saturday. They still lack a great deal of genuine creativity and Fernando Torres was not able to build on scoring his first Chelsea goal last week. Had it not been for them getting one goal which hadn't crossed the line and another that was offside then the result at the Emirates would not have mattered, United would have all but won the title. At Old Trafford on Sunday United will be much more confident of hurting Chelsea on the counter-attack with their own crowd behind them and the Blues needing to win. With United going to Blackburn and then hosting Blackpool on the final day they are almost certain not to drop any points, so Chelsea simply have to get their noses in front at the weekend or they can forget about the title. However, I just cannot see United losing two big games on the bounce, especially at this stage of the season. In the years when they have not won the title it has never been because they have blown a lead. Whenever Arsenal or Chelsea have won the Premier League, they have always been the best team from the outset. That is not the case this season, and now that United are in the box seat with so few games remaining you would have to say they should get over the line.

Ferguson won't let German team ruin his season again Tue, 03 May 16:16:00 2011 Alarm bells rang for Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson on Tuesday as he sought to solve a selection puzzle that must stop a midweek game against German opponents ruining their domestic title bid again. United host Chelsea on Sunday in a match that will go a long way to deciding who will be crowned Premier League champions but first they need to ensure they reach the Champions League final by not letting Schalke 04 get back into their semi-final. Last year United handed the advantage to eventual English champions Chelsea by losing 2-1 to their rivals at Old Trafford, just days after facing Bayern Munich in the first leg of a Champions League quarter-final they went on to lose. Having won last week's first leg in Germany 2-0, it would be a major shock if United did not reach the May 28 European final at Wembley and Ferguson should be able to rest several players to keep them fresh. "If you look at the experience of last year where we lost the league was after a (midweek) game against Bayern. The team were very tired against Chelsea in that next game," Ferguson told a news conference. "That has to have a bearing on my team selection. Two massive games, both as important as the other. There will be some changes, hopefully I've a nucleus of a team that is still good enough to win the match." United are three points clear in the Premier League and Chelsea would go top on goal difference with victory this week, making it unsurprising that fans are focusing on that match rather than the Champions League game they feel is in the bag. "That's the sort of optimism supporters have got, we don't share that because we feel we've got a lot of work to do tomorrow," Ferguson said. "I hope Manchester United don't regard it as a formality tomorrow. I think our work ethic will be very high." MASSIVE GAME Ferguson has said he will pick a strong defence with changes likely to come in the attacking positions, presenting chances for strikers Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Owen and midfielder Darren Fletcher who has missed two months with a virus. He pointed to the fact that all four Champions League semi-finalists, including Real Madrid and Barcelona, lost domestic matches at the weekend as a reason for squad rotation. "There are certain statistics that tell you they do take it out of you the European games, which is why Sunday's game against Chelsea is a massive game," he said. "I have to pick the right team tomorrow in order to have the same kind of freshness in Sunday's match." Ferguson said he expected Schalke to go on the attack, as they had no other choice, but can be comforted by United's tight defence which has let in only three goals in this year's competition. "We seem to have better concentration levels at European games because it's not regular football," the Scot said. "The mundane football of the Premier League is incessant tribalism almost, that you're playing either a London team ... or Liverpool teams, it creates that incredible competitive edge. But as you go to Europe it's a different type of football, different ways of playing."

The Final FERGIE always dreaded awaits Wed May 04 09:00AM If Manchester United are not dramatically usurped by Schalke in hugely improbable fashion this evening then the final Sir Alex Ferguson always dreaded will be in store for his side. For Fergie, the prospect of facing the club he despises and resents even more than Liverpool and Manchester City in Real Madrid would have been a delicious one. A chance to clatter Cristiano Ronaldo; a chance to put the club's hierarchy in their place; a chance to undermine Jose Mourinho's constant coveting of the Old Trafford hotseat. But it will be Barcelona who await the winner of the second semi-final in the Wembley showpiece on May 28, and the test posed by Pep Guardiola's trailblazers could hardly be sterner. The Catalans, who have won the tournament on three previous occasions - 1992, 2006 and 2009 - will learn of their Wembley opponents when United, who have a 2-0 lead from the first leg, surely close out a comfortable aggregate win this evening. Ferguson respects, admires and lauds Barcelona to levels which border on defeatism at times, and United fans will have the comprehensive 2-0 defeat in the 2009 Champions League final still fresh in their memories. United were thoroughly outclassed by the Catalan side in that final at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, and the only major thing which has changed since then is the departure of the instrumental Ronaldo from their ranks. Do the Premier League leaders have a chance of overcoming Barca should they shrug off Schalke at Old Trafford? It's likely even the Scot is doubtful of that. 'Never write off the Germans' will be the inevitable and frankly nauseating tagline to this evening's second leg. But seriously, do write them off. Schalke may be absurdly unpredictable and inconsistent, but the simple fact is that there is not sufficient quality among coach Ralf Rangnick's ranks to overturn a two-goal deficit away from home. No amount of historical and national stereotyping can seriously challenge that. Barcelona coach Guardiola has clearly already decided who his side will face at Wembley, declaring that "It will be a different game to the final in 2009 - they (United) are a different team with different strikers. "They are a great team and he (Ferguson) is one of the best in the game - he has shown he can repeat and recreate, and win and win and win in finals." Ferguson looks set to field a cluster of reserves tonight; such is his side's dominance of the tie, with a now crucial Premier League encounter with Chelsea imminent. Players will be rested and Fergie has already hinted that strikers Dimitar Berbatov and the much derided Michael Owen will be involved against the German side. It would be foolhardy of anyone to even pretend that the United boss will have at least one eye already firmly fixed on Sunday's monstrous clash with Carlo Ancelotti's resurgent Blues. With Barcelona lying in wait, United must put all their eggs in the Premier League basket, simply viewing the Wembley final as merely an unlikely bonus. European football's governing body Uefa, not to mention the hierarchies at both Barca and Real, will have been mightily relieved that Tuesday's match largely passed by without the theatrics, spite and bad blood which enveloped events at the Santiago Bernabeu last week. As if that game wasn't bad enough, the aftermath of Barca's 2-0 win in the first leg was marred by both teams complaining about the other's conduct to Uefa, Real coach Mourinho stirring things up and the Madrid club accusing Barca's Sergio Busquets of racism, so it was a blessed relief to get back to football. With a torrential downpour in Barcelona adding to the sense of foreboding at the Camp Nou, referee Frank de Bleeckere led the two teams out perhaps expecting the worst - but he would have been as relieved as anyone that, for the first time this season, a Clasico finished with all 22 players on the field (despite Ricardo Carvalho's best efforts). It threatened to get tetchy towards the end as Real's increasingly desperate players found themselves only able to break Barca's momentum by committing fouls - 27 in all - but De Bleeckere exerted his authority at the right moments to keep the players under control. Barcelona celebrated reaching a third Champions League final in six seasons last evening, and United will be hoping that they can secure their place in a third showpiece in four campaigns this evening.

Champions League - SCHALKE sure of better display Tue, 03 May 20:32:00 2011 Schalke are hoping to draw inspiration from last month's shock victory at Internazionale when they try to overturn a 2-0 deficit away to Manchester United in Wednesday's Champions League semi-final second leg. The German side stunned holders Inter 5-2 in the first leg of their quarter-final at the San Siro and need to produce something similar to make amends for a woeful performance at home to United last week. "Tomorrow we will show we can play better than we did last week and that we have learnt our lessons," Schalke coach Ralf Rangnick told a news conference on Tuesday. "In football you can get the chance so we will see what happens... When we played in Milan against Inter people didn't give us much hope either." The Bundesliga team's task is immense at a stadium where United have not lost for more than a year and have conceded only three goals in Europe this season. United repeatedly tore apart Schalke's defence last week and on home soil they could prove even more devastating, even if manager Alex Ferguson is resting players ahead of Sunday's key Premier League match against Chelsea. But with Schalke having already overcome problems travelling to Manchester, with the team delayed in Germany for a couple of hours because of visa issues affecting some players, they are showing no signs of giving up without a fight. "I think we have to be well organised in the first 10 minutes and then we have to take our chances when they're presented, even if there are just two minutes left," Rangnick said. "You think of Manchester United and the Champions League win when they came back to win 2-1," he added, referring to the English club's stunning 1999 final victory over Bayern Munich which came after two stoppage-time goals. United could easily have notched several more goals last week had it not been for the heroics of Manuel Neuer who Ferguson said had produced "arguably the finest goalkeeping display against us in Europe in my time". Asked how important Neuer, who has caught United's eye as they seek to replace the retiring Edwin Van der Sar, would be on Wednesday, Rangnick grinned: "I hope a lot less important than last week." Reuters

Champions League - Match facts: Manchester United v Schalke 04 Mon, 02 May 09:17:00 2011 All the key facts and stats ahead of the Champions League semi-final second-leg clash at Old Trafford. Head-to-head record Played: 1 Wins: United 1 Goals: United 2, Schalke 0 Previous meeting CL: SF 26.04.11 Schalke 04 0 United 2 Disciplinary Suspended: None Misses next match if booked: Hans Sarpei, Raul, Kyriakos Papadopoulos, Jose Manuel Jurado, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar(all Schalke 04) Facts United have lost only one of their last 31 CL home games and have never lost by more than a single goal in the competition at Old Trafford in all of their 85 such matches. Although United have been beaten four times out of four by German teams in the knockout stages of the CL, their overall record is good. They have lost only two of their last 13 CL games against German teams and have won five of the last six. United's next goal will be their 300th in the CL, a tally only Real Madrid (312) and Barcelona (302) have achieved. It will be their 175th match in the competition. United, aiming for their third final in four years, have won their last four CL games, are unbeaten in 12 and have conceded a mere three goals in their 11 matches in the competition this season, a formidable record. Schalke, who need something of a miracle to reach their first CL final, are unbeaten in their last four CL away games and did win their quarter-final in Milan against title-holders Inter by 5-2 - a previous miracle. Schalke have not won on four previous visits to England and have conceded two goals or more each time. They lost 2-0 to Chelsea in the CL group stage three seasons ago, went down 3-2 to Arsenal six years earlier in a group game and lost 5-1 to Manchester City in the Cup Winners Cup semi-finals in 1970, their only previous game in Manchester. Their only positive result was a 2-2 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers back in the 1958-59 European Cup. Schalke's slim chances may depend on a goal spree from their record-breaking Spanish striker Raul. The 33-year-old, who will be playing in his 142nd and perhaps last CL game, has scored a record 71 goals in the competition, including 66 for Real Madrid. But his one and only CL hat-trick dates back more than 15 years when he netted three in a 6-1 win over Hungary's Ferencvaros. Schalke, who need to stop United's attack adding to their lead, have not kept a clean sheet in their last six CL matches and have failed to score themselves in six of their last nine CL away games. Reuters

Barca hold Real to reach Champions League FINAL ITN – Tue, May 3, 2011 Barcelona have comfortably advanced to the Champions League final following a 1-1 draw at home to fierce rivals Real Madrid at the Nou Camp. Following a completely one-sided first half in which Madrid keeper Iker Casillas kept his side in the game, Pedro gave Pep Guardiola's team the lead nine minutes into the second period. Marcelo soon hit back for a vastly-improved Madrid ten minutes later, but the Catalans never looked in too much trouble and will face Manchester United or Schalke in the final later this month, which sees them return to the scene of their first European Cup triumph, in 1992. Madrid, two goals down from last Wednesday's bad-tempered first leg match at the Santiago Bernabeu, were missing suspended pair Pepe and Sergio Ramos. Coach Jose Mourinho, also banned, named an attacking line-up, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Angel di Maria and Gonzalo Higuain all in the side. The goal, early in the second half, was all about Andres Iniesta, who played a fabulous defence-splitting ball through to Pedro for a clinical low finish from the Tenerife-born forward into Casillas' bottom right corner. Karanka then sent on Emmanuel Adebayor and Mesut Ozil for Kaka and Gonzalo Higuain as Madrid sought a more direct approach. Despite the goal, effectively little had changed: Madrid needed three to go through. There was a huge cheer as the referee blew the final whistle to confirm Barca as Champions League finalists for the third time in six years. The Catalans will now look for a repeat of their 1992 triumph and a fourth European Cup success in total as they return to Wembley on May 28.

Ferguson to ring changes for Schalke By Rob Woollard | AFP News – 1 hour 34 minutes ago Manchester United will attempt to shrug off domestic disappointment by reaching their third Champions League final in four years against Schalke 04 here Wednesday. A 2-0 victory in the semi-final first leg in Germany has left United within touching distance of a place in the May 28 final and, crucially, has given Sir Alex Ferguson freedom to shuffle his pack for Wednesday's return fixture. The second leg at Old Trafford comes after United's progress towards a record 19th Premier League crown suffered an unexpected setback with a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal on Sunday, a result that has blown the title race more open. With United facing Chelsea in a crunch Premier League meeting next weekend that could well decide the outcome of the title, Ferguson has said he will rest some of his key players against Schalke. "I will make some changes on Wednesday without question," Ferguson revealed. "I will bring Paul Scholes back in, Dimitar Berbatov, Michael Owen." Scottish midfielder Darren Fletcher may also make a return to first team after completing 45 minutes in a reserve match, Ferguson confirmed. "We'll need to do that but I will probably keep my experienced players at the back. We have a big week ahead. Wednesday is a European semi-final second leg and then the game on Sunday. "Two massive games, so we will regroup and freshen it up." Ferguson is also confident that his side remain in a strong position in both domestic and European competitions. "We're in as good a position as we could ever have wished for from the start of the season," Ferguson said. "We're in the semi-final of the European Cup in the second leg, with a two-goal lead, and we go into Chelsea with equal goal difference and a home game." Failure to seal the deal against a Schalke side who were so comprehensively outplayed in the first leg would represent an upset of unthinkable proportions, even allowing for the fact that Schalke produced the away result of this year's Champions League when they downed Inter Milan 5-2 in the quarter-finals. As if being given a masterclass by United last week wasn't bad enough -- when only the goalkeeping heroics of Manuel Neuer prevented a rout -- the Germans' confidence also received another mauling at the weekend when they were beaten 4-1 by Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga. However United defender Patrice Evra has warned his team-mates against the perils of complacency, citing his experiences with Monaco seven years ago. "In football you never know," said the France defender. "I remember playing for Monaco in the 2004 quarter-final and we played in the Bernabeu against Real Madrid and lost 4-2. "Real thought they were going into the semi-final. They thought they were there already. But in the second leg we won 3-1 and went through." Evra however is confident that United will progress provided they play to their potential. "We just have to do our job," said Evra. "We are very near to the final now but we have to complete the task we have started. "We have to win at Old Trafford. If we don't go through to the final now then it would be a disaster for Man United."

COMMENT from Oops.. 1 hour ago Dear PAP ministers, Stop taking long working holidays away from singapore. Every now and then do take the MRT to feel and see for yourself how singapore is flooded with your so-called-foreign-talent! Go have a night out with the boys and you will prolly get racist remarks abused by angmohs. Putting 2 kids to school and taking care of your aging parents on less than $2,000 per month is your song of a first world country? If it is than I wish I am living back in the 1960's, life is so easier than without the PAP propaganda. Hard working singaporean are saying that "it is better to be dead than to be sick in singapore!" Did you hear that in the kopi shop talk when you are doing your once in 5years walkabout? I heard you, the ruling party, what you are saying that PAP is good for singapore. But I think singapore is NOT good enough for PAP, so please leave singapore and sell your propaganda elsewhere. Singapore is NOT a company!! Singapore belongs to singaporeans and NOT to the PAP CEO's! PAP, I beg you please leave gracefully before more divorces, sucides and broken homes!! You have rape singaporeans for far too long, and enuf is enuf!! Good Bye PAP!

Singapore's LEE Unopposed, but PARTY faces Challenge By Raju Gopalakrishnan | Reuters – Wed, Apr 27, 2011 SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Lee Kuan Yew, the founder of modern Singapore, was returned unopposed to parliament on Wednesday, but his long-ruling People's Action Party (PAP) faces its toughest ever challenge at the polls from the city-state's tiny opposition. Eighty-two of the 87 seats in parliament will be contested in the general election on May 7, state media reported after nominations closed, the highest number ever. The only exception was the 5-seat constituency where Lee and four other PAP candidates were declared elected unopposed. "I would have welcomed a contest," said the frail-looking, 87-year-old Lee, dressed in trademark white shirt and trousers. "I assure you I will look after you for the next five years." Hundreds of PAP workers shouted and waved party flags as Lee, "minister mentor" in the cabinet, walked back slowly but unaided to his car after the nominations closed. There is no suggestion the PAP could lose power. The party won 82 of the 84 seats in the last election, but faces criticism from voters over a surge in housing prices and the high cost of living, despite steering the economy out of recession in 2009 to last year's record 14.5 percent growth. Lee was prime minister from independence in 1965 until 1990, and his son, Lee Hsien Loong, is the current prime minister. The elder Lee is credited with the transformation of Singapore from a third-world, newly independent backwater into the shiny first-world financial centre it is today. "Do not rock this foundation. Remember where Singapore came from and how difficult it was that we have got to where we are," he said in a statement this week. "In the heat and dust of this election, do not risk your assets, property values, job opportunities. Make the right choice." Despite its stellar growth, opponents have criticised Singapore's restrictions on political freedoms and on the press. The PAP's near monopoly in previous elections has in part resulted from scores of walkovers in constituencies that the opposition did not contest. This time the Workers' Party, the largest of the clutch of opposition groups, has said it is aiming to win one multi-seat constituency, or five seats. It has put up its biggest stars -- Chairwoman Sylvia Lim, sitting MP Low Thia Khiang and corporate lawyer Chen Show Mao -- into the same constituency, which is likely to be the most keenly watched of all the contests. There was some controversy over the walkover in Lee's constituency. An opposition alliance filed nomination papers but election officials said they did not do so within the allotted time. "It's a feeble effort to show that they wanted to contest," Lee said. "But everybody knows if you want to contest you go before 12 o'clock." (Additional reporting by Kevin Lim and Walter Sim; Editing by Alex Richardson)

Gov’t has created TWO Singapores: NSP’s Tony Tan By Jeanette Tan | SingaporeScene – 2 hours 18 minutes ago The government's policies have led to a growing rift in Singapore society, says National Solidarity Party (NSP) candidate for Chua Chu Kang GRC Tony Tan Lay Thiam. Singapore's leaders and its wealthy and talented, high-income earners who live in the first, "exclusive" Singapore are increasingly drifting away from "the other" Singapore, made up of middle- to low-income earners who Tan says struggle with rising costs of living and little savings. Speaking after the NSP rally at Chua Chu Kang stadium on Tuesday night, Tan told Yahoo! Singapore that he was concerned for Singapore, as the division he observes is not good for the country. "I see big storm clouds ahead, challenges that are not going to go away," he said. "Singaporeans need to follow, accept and work together with their leaders in order for the country to succeed." He believes a combination of the incumbent government's million-dollar paycheques and the setting of performance indicators to Gross Development Product (GDP) growth, which ministerial bonuses are pegged to, are two key things hindering the progression of a "united Singapore". "There is a disconnect between the leaders who are drawing millions of dollars in pay, and ordinary Singaporeans who don't understand the justification for their salaries," said the ex-government scholar. The solution to this problem? Get us involved, said Tan, whose NSP team will be going up against a PAP team led by Gan Kim Yong in the GRC. "What are the PAP's constraints for the country? What issues are they facing in policy implementation?" he asked, explaining also that Singapore is now split into two because it suffers a lack of a vision that excites all Singaporeans. Comparing this to a newly-independent Singapore in 1965, Tan said that back then, the vision of "making it, despite being small" was a common aspiration for all Singaporeans, at every level. "The leadership sees GDP growth as the answer, ordinary Singaporeans do not. We have to tell them that," he said during his fiery rally speech. What helps, however, says Tan, is that the idea of Singaporeans joining the opposition is becoming increasingly normalised, an example of the people's interest in having a larger stake in the country and how it is run. "I see myself as having two roles: that of a window cleaner -- to increase the clarity of policies made in government -- and a door opener, to let more people participate in our country's affairs," he said. Graduating university student and Choa Chu Kang resident Owen Lim, 24, agrees with Tan's claims of two separate societies emerging in Singapore. "It's a reality," he says. "When I worked part-time in different companies while studying, I encountered people from each of these Singapores." "The government continues to look at things from the top-down view, and doesn't experience our plight," he added. Ultimately, however, he remains unsure if the NSP team will be able to deliver on the promises tabled in their rally speeches -- these include having Meet the People sessions four times a week, defending residents' interests and asking tough questions in parliament. "While I do want to vote for change, I am not that confident in their ability to change as yet," he said.

COMMENT from Johnny 1 hour ago "Where are they going to get all the doctors and nurses?" Another foreign talent minister who never served NS crying a crocodile tear, while misleading the silliporeans that a heart bypass cost only $8! My father now wants to go class A ward because he thinks this Khaw is telling the truth. You want to know where are the doctors? Well for years you created the problem yourself! The garment's policy was always to limit the number of medical students to protect the existing doctor trade. Until the problem became so blatantly screwed up, NUS admitted not more than 200 medical students each year for 4000 engineering students. The system was so bad that straight A students were rejected for medicine (many left and went to study overseas and stayed overseas, in US, UK, Aust) and told to study "humanities" or "engineering" or "accounting" if they wanted a scholarship. No doubt it satisfied the medical profession because it guaranteed higher salaries for them, and no doubt the LKY of your garment who were all educated in Oxbridge with useless degrees in philosophy (err hem, George Yeo err hem) or law thought philosophers and lawyers can argue a wrong policy until it sounded correct. As a result, all doctors expect a good life, 3 vacations a year in Europe and benchmark themselves against the admin service pay, and they set up too many GPs neighbourhoods charging $30 for 3 min consultations.

COMMENT from Justin 1 hour ago Khaw Boon Wan, JUST 4 SIMPLE QUESTIONS FOR YOU :- 1. Did you RECOMMEND to Singaporeans to send OUR PARENTS to old folks home across the causeway in Johor ? Why did you do this ? PAP want Malaysia to solve our Aging Population problem ? 2. Why did you fight to ensure that SINGAPORE do NOT have to issue EMPLOYMENT PASS for general practitioner DOCTERS (not referring to specialist) ? 3. Why CAN'T Singapore BE SELF SUFFICIENT with SINGAPOREANS GP DOCTORS ? 4. How many FOREIGN STUDENTS in medical facultly of NUS ?.......Are our CHILDREN deprived ? Dont spend time crying.......ADDRESS the MANY NATIONAL ISSUES & MOST CHRONIC is AGING POPULATION directly RESPONSIBLE by MINISTRY OF HEALTH beside 2 other Ministries !!!!

TEARS fall during Khaw Boon Wan’s WET Rally By Liyana Low | SingaporeScene – Wed, May 4, 2011 Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan was overcome with emotion during a rain-soaked PAP rally held at Woodlands on Tuesday. Speaking to an estimated 1,000-strong crowd, he struggled to hold back tears as he recalled how residents in his Sembawang GRC had asked him about his health after the heart bypass he underwent a year ago. He said many residents on his walkabouts and Meet-the-People sessions had become like "personal friends" to him and for that he is "truly grateful" as he bowed in appreciation. He added that, "So long as we stay united as one people, we can face rain, hurricane, tsunami... we will be all right. During the rally which had to be delayed due to a heavy downput, the Minister also said that Singapore's healthcare system is not perfect, but it is not bad either. He admitted there are gaps and deficiencies in the system after many opposition parties criticised the lack of hospital beds and medical personnel in their rally speeches. To address this, the Minister said there are already plans to build two more hospitals in Jurong and Sengkang, three new community hospitals and two more polyclinics. While he feels that the opposition has good intentions for the residents by suggesting policies like void deck polyclinics to provide subsidized patient care, Mr Khaw questioned the viability of the plan and asked, "Where are they going to get all the doctors and nurses?" Instead, if elected, Mr Khaw wants to build on the current Primary Care Partnership Scheme (PCPS), under which if residents are means-tested and they need to see a doctor, they can go to one of the 700 approved General Practitioners near their house, instead of waiting in line at a polyclinic. Patients will pay a subsidized rate at the GP clinic, a price that is similar to the rate at polyclinics. According to him, the Health Ministry is looking into expanding the PCPS, which currently focuses on the elderly, to meet the needs of the lower-income group in Singapore. He also wants to look into subsidizing those born with congenital diseases because they cannot get insurance, and also who require nursing home care. With opposition parties campaigning to do away with the 3M policy of Medifund, Medishield and Medisave and opt instead for a national health insurance plan, Mr Khaw contended that under such schemes, there is the "Buffet Lunch Syndrome" where people pay a fixed sum of money and because they want to get their money's worth, they opt for the most expensive treatment available. He said that Singapore's own unique brand of insurance under the 3M policy are specifically designed to avoid many pitfalls, such as the one mentioned above. But the government will continue to make adjustments to these insurance policies to ensure that Singaporeans can have good quality healthcare without worrying about financial burdens. While the main hospitals have been providing relatively good services for Singaporeans, Mr Khaw feels that more can be done for care outside the hospitals. He explained this was why S$1 billion was set aside during the Budget for the Community Silver Trust Fund, where the government works together with voluntary welfare organisations to help seniors age with dignity. Mr Khaw is currently leading the Sembawang GRC team comprising seasoned campaigners Ellen Lim and Hawazi Daipi and first-timers Vikram Nair and Ong Teng Koon, against the Singapore Democratic Party led by James Gomez. Voters in the 2006 General Election gave Mr Khaw a 76% mandate, which is the highest winning margin in all of the contested seats.

Current Healthcare System Insufficient: SDP By farism | SingaporeScene – Wed, May 4, 2011 The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) has unveiled its shadow healthcare plan and criticised the current healthcare funding model as inadequate in helping Singaporeans cope with rising medical costs. Speaking at the party's rally at Bukit Panjang on Tuesday evening, Sembawang Group Representation Constituency (GRC) candidate James Gomez presented the party's plan to the 2,000-strong crowd who braved the rain. Gomez highlighted that the current funding model for healthcare which consists of Medisave, Medishield and Medifund is "problematic" and insufficient to tackle the rising medical costs. According to Gomez, the rising costs is being driven up by the growing number of elderly people — with more than 9 per cent of the country's population above 65 years of age — as well as the increasing number of foreigners who seek medical care in Singapore. "This pressure is having an impact both on the quality of patient care and it's also having an impact on our healthcare professionals," he said. Gomez added that the current Medisave plan is ineffective to help support healthcare costs in the long run. He argued that almost 50 per cent of Medisave withdrawals in 2009 went to pay for dependents' medical expenses. He stressed that this will result in a situation where those who are paying for their parents via Medisave may not have adequate funds to support their own healthcare requirements. "What that is showing us is that those who are using up their money for their parents do not have enough for themselves. "When this basic tier of funding is at risk, the other complementary elements of Medishield and Medifund cannot work well, even though they are also problematic in their own way," he said. Touching on Medishield, Gomez pointed out that the scheme covers only a few treatment regiments while excluding a host of other illnesses and does not extend its coverage to include children born with congenital illnesses. On the other hand, the party has proposed four key initiatives in its shadow healthcare plan which it will push in Parliament if elected. They plan to increase the budget allocated to the Ministry of Health (MOH) from the current estimated S$4.08 billion to S$10 billion, to provide a "secure" healthcare system for Singaporeans. It also proposes to build more hospitals to increase the number of beds and while waiting for the hospitals to be built, the party is suggesting an interim plan which explores the option of converting void deck spaces in HDB flats into allocated healthcare facilities to provide services for acute and chronic illnesses. Apart from that, the party wants to see an increase in the number of healthcare professionals such as doctors and nurses, and a universal insurance coverage to cater to Singaporeans who work and study abroad. It added that this type of coverage can be jointly managed by the Government and appointed national insurers. "Because the nature of our society has been evolving for many years, we want to introduce the idea of global and portable medical insurance because as a cosmopolitan society which travels a lot, to study and to work. "So if we have a medical insurance that is medically portable, then we can look after you wherever you are," said Gomez, adding that such a model is practiced in countries such as Switzerland. However, he went on to criticise the present system as ineffective, saying that the healthcare plan under the charge of Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan, has not "delivered". In his explanation, he said the PAP government has pushed the bulk of financing to the people, resulting in Singaporeans having to travel across the causeway for affordable healthcare services. "We at the SDP believe healthcare should not be a profit industry but we also believe there should be some kind of responsibility of co-payment between Government and patients but the patient component must be affordable and reasonable," he said. Although he did not reveal the cost of the party's alternative health plan, Gomez told Yahoo! Singapore that the proposal will be financed by drawing down from the country's reserves and reducing the budget of other ministries, particularly the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF). He said that prior to the announcement of the party's shadow plan, it had consulted with a panel of five doctors — from both the private and public sectors, but he declined to reveal their identities. The final consultation process took place two days ago, Gomez added. At the rally, a total of nine speakers addressed the crowd, with education and ministerial salaries the focused of their speeches.

NSP ? It stands for NO SUBSTANCE PARTY: SM Goh By Jeffrey Oon | Yahoo! Newsroom – Wed, May 4, 2011 Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong has dismissed the challenge from National Solidarity Party for the Marine Parade GRC, calling them a "No Substance Party". SM Goh, who is the anchor minister in the constituency, was asked during a walkabout in Macpherson on Tuesday if he thought the National Solidarity Party (or NSP) was also the "Nicole Seah Party", a reference to the election's youngest candidate who has captured the imagination of young voters and netizens. The 69-year-old's reply, as reported on Channel NewsAsia, was, "My sense is that it is a 'No Substance Party'... they have just one attraction, the rest are just being carried along, so am I worried?" "If the people in Marine Parade GRC vote for that team and I am out, I think Singapore will be in deep trouble, as simple as that," added the former PM of Singapore. SM Goh is defending the PAP-held Marine Parade GRC together with his team of Seah Kian Peng, Fatimah Lateef, Tan Chuan-Jin and Tin Pei Ling. It is facing a contest from the NSP from Ivan Yeo, Cheo Chai Chen, Nicole Seah, Abdul Salim Harun and Ng Chung Hon. Later on, when asked for a response to Mr Goh's statement, NSP candidate, Spencer Ng, said the elections is about a contest of policies. Ng said: "I only can say that Mr Goh, if something is good, come on let us just admit it is good, just like our NSP's proposals -- the HDB proposals, our lowering of GST, these are very good proposals, so let us stick to our policies and let us discuss policies, it is a contest of policies and not acronyms." In recent days, SM Goh's comments have grabbed headlines. Over the weekend, he was involved in a war of words with Tan Jee Say from the Singapore Democratic Party. He claimed the former government scholar who was his former principal private secretary quit the civil service because could not "make it" as a Permanent Secretary. And on a walkabout in Joo Chiat on Monday, SM Goh said Foreign Minister George Yeo was too important to the government to lose, should he be defeated in the battle for Aljunied GRC. The Business Times reported SM Goh said, "You vote him out -- what mistake has he made? You can criticise a minister for not delivering on housing or transport. Or for Wong Kan Seng, people say: 'Vote him out because he let Mas Selamat escape.' For George Yeo, what has he done to deserve this?'"

Gonna ENJOY the SHOW this WEEKEND !!! THRILLER LIVE comes to SINGAPORE By Ion Danker | SingaporeScene – Tue, May 3, 2011 6:38 PM SGT The spectacular, high-octane show celebrating the career of the world's undisputed King of Pop — Michael and the Jackson 5, is here in Singapore. Thriller Live marks the first dedicated live theatrical experience ever, and it is moonwalking its way into The Grand Theatre at Marina Bay Sands for a limited run of 16 shows till 15 May. The show was specially created to celebrate the astonishing 40-year career of the world's greatest entertainer, and was originally conceived by executive director, Adrian Grant, an associate of Michael Jackson for more than 20 years, and author of 'Michael Jackson — The Visual Documentary'. Here is Adrian in his own words. You've known MJ for over 20 years. How did you react when you heard about his death? My first thoughts were for his family — especially his mother Katherine and three children. For two nights I couldn't sleep and did not believe that Michael was gone. I was very fortunate to get to know him personally over a 21-year period and he was always very kind and open towards me. He was a smart and funny guy, not at all like the press perceive him to be. I have nothing but great memories. Obviously with the show I'm surrounded by his music constantly, and I feel he is still with his fans in spirit, but I will miss what more there could have been. When was your last conversation with MJ before his death and what was your conversation about? It was a brief conversation (in 2007), but he wished me good luck with 'Thriller Live', and wanted me to do well. Michael was always very kind and considerate. Unfortunately Michael never got to see 'Thriller Live', but the Director of 'This Is It', Kenny Ortgea told me recently that Michael was planning to come and see the show in London, and that he was going to wear a disguise so he didn't get mobbed! Could you describe your relationship with MJ? Looking back I feel very privileged that I got to know one of the greatest entertainers of all-time so well. He inspired me greatly to do the things I loved, working in music, film and theatre. As a person he was always kind, giving and funny and as an artist he was a true genius. I was always honest with Michael, and spoke with him like I would any other friend and I think because of that he trusted me and allowed me access to his world — that is Michael Jackson the normal man at home, and Michael Jackson the megastar on stage. When you met MJ for the first time in 1990, how different was he from who you had in mind? I didn't have any preconceptions of what Michael would be like. But from the moment I did meet him he was kind, funny and had a big smile. He was very talkative —a bout many different subjects. But mainly he liked to have a laugh and joke around. That's not to say he wasn't ever serious because he was an absolute genius in the recording studio and when performing. How have things changed following the star's death? So many things were said about MJ when he passed on. Do you think MJ should have been vilified in the press? There will never be another Michael Jackson. The music industry has changed and is far more instant then it was 10, 20, 30 years ago. Michael grew up during the Motown era, and worked hard with his brothers touring and perfecting their craft. Furthermore he learnt from greats such as Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Jackie Wilson and James Brown. He always said he would 'study the greats and aim to become better!' You may find an individual who can sing better, or dance better — but what made Michael the King of Pop was that he did everything, and he did it so very well and with his own style. As a songwriter he was sometimes underrated — but like at hits such as 'Billie Jean', 'Wanna Be Startin Somethin', 'Earth Song' and 'Don't Stop Til' You Get Enough' — pure pop classics. As a singer he had an incredible 4-octave range, and as a dancer he created breakthrough videos such as 'Beat It' and 'Thriller', and was complimented by none other than Fred Astaire. It's a tragedy that it took his passing for him to get a lot of the respect that he gets now (from the press and media). I sometimes think he was under rated as an artist, because people focused more on his lifestyle and the hype around him, than the actual quality of his music and performances. How did Thriller LIVE! come about? What were your inspirations? Michael was a big fan of the 'Annual Michael Jackson Celebration' that I used to produce once a year in London. He loved them so much that he used to send his own video crew to film them, as well as donating signed prizes for the raffle, and recording personal video messages for the fans. Then on the 10th anniversary in 2001 Michael came to watch the show personally. It was similar to 'Thriller Live' in that we had various people on stage singing his songs, and after the performance, Michael came on stage and said it was 'Incredible and beautiful!' That gave me the idea and belief that the Annual Celebration could become a touring show, not just for Michael's fans — but for everybody to get a little taste of what Michael Jackson was like live on stage. Has the worldwide tour surpassed your expectations? Did you ever think it'd come this far? Michael was at the top of his career for over 4 decades and sold over 750 million records. It hasn't surprised me that a show with his music in should do so well. Plus this is a show done from the heart with a lot of genuine love and respect for the artist with a very talented cast. The singers, dancers and live band all pay homage to Michael's work perfectly. What comes after the worldwide tour? I am producing a new show, Respect La Diva, which starts touring this September. It's a bit similar to 'Thriller Live' in that it is a musical celebration — but this time of the great Divas of our time such as Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Diana Ross and Whitney Houston. Thriller Live opens at the Grand Theatre, Marina Bay Sands, in Singapore for a limited run of 16 shows. Performance schedules are Tuesday to Friday (7.30pm), and Saturday and Sunday (1.30pm and 7.30pm). Tickets, ranging from S$90 to S$170, are available at sistic.com.sg / hotline 02-6348 5555. For more information, log on to marinabaysands.com.

PM Lee: If we didn’t get it right, I’m SORRY By Alicia Wong | SingaporeScene – 37 minutes ago "If we didn't get it right, I'm sorry. But we will try better the next time." It was an apology that Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong saw fit to repeat twice on Tuesday during the People's Action Party (PAP) first lunchtime rally at Boat Quay next to UOB Plaza. PM Lee acknowledged the government's initiatives have resulted in "side effects", such as problem gambling among Singaporeans due to the opening of the Integrated Resorts. He also cited the congestion in public transport because of the increased intake in foreigners. "These are real problems, we will tackle them. But I hope you will understand when these problems vex you or disturb you or upset your lives, please bear with us, we are trying our best on your behalf," said PM Lee to a crowd of about a thousand. The secretary-general of the PAP continued, "And if we didn't quite get it right, I'm sorry but we will try better the next time." Pushing on with a message he had for voters on Monday, PM Lee stressed, "No government is perfect… we will make mistakes." He cited the examples of the escape of terrorist Mas Selamat and the Orchard Road floods. "But when it happens we should acknowledge it, we should apologise, take responsibility, put things right. If we are to discipline somebody, we will do that, and we must learn from the lessons and never make the same mistake again," said PM Lee. Yet, he explained the difficulties in making decisions with incomplete information. For instance, if the government knew there would be a sudden surge in demand for HDB flats in mid-2009 and that foreigners would have created such congestion on the roads, it would have ramped up plans for more flats and MRT lines. "We're sorry we didn't get it exactly right, but I hope you will understand and bear with us because we are trying our best to fix the problems," he said. The government will build 22,000 flats this year and open one new MRT line every year for the next seven years. Overall, however, the government "has been right more often than wrong," said PM Lee, who is also the secretary-general of the PAP. For instance, the intake of foreign workers contributed to the Republic's 14.5 per cent economic growth last year, and subsequently led to the budget surplus and Grow & Share package. But still, the Prime Minister cautioned, "Good as we are, we and the PAP in particular, must never become self-satisfied". Wearing white, he noted, does not give you an "automatic right to become the government". "Never forget that we are here to serve the voters, to serve Singaporeans and not to lord it over people," he said, reiterating his message on leadership at the Young PAP 25th Anniversary Rally recently. The anchor for Ang Mo Kio GRC, who will be facing a challenge from a team from the Reform Party, PM Lee also noted the PAP government's ideals and passions have not changed over the last 50 years but "our policies have been updated, our approach has shifted, our style has changed". He contrasted this with Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's approach who "tells it like it is". Over the weekend, MM Lee's comments that Aljunied GRC voters would regret voting in the Workers' Party and would have five years to "repent" if they did so have drawn much controversy. But PM Lee said, "I think you've got used to our style. We don't try to do it MM's style. We do it our way, we spend some time to talk, to explain… to overcome some of these working problems so that we can go in the right strategic directions." While MM understands the difference in Singaporeans today and those from previous generations, "whether it's ordinary time, election time, you can be sure he is still the same MM," said PM Lee. Towards the end of his 30-minute speech, PM Lee turned to young voters under 35, who form up to a third of the 2.3 million eligible voters. Urging them to think carefully before they vote, he said: "You belong to the country, but the country belongs to you." "So please come forward, take your path in building this nation, but also please take good care of Singapore. It's a precious jewel, understand it, how it works, what its important components are, what's the spirit of it, how to make it better." There were a total of eight speakers during the two-hour PAP rally, including Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam and six new candidates. They spoke on topics such as education, community Members of Parliament, low-wage workers and the need for a steady hand to guide Singapore through difficult times. New citizen Chen Yan, 37, said PM Lee's speech was "inspiring, encouraging". As a first time voter, she is "proud to be Singaporean," she said. Director Sanjir Shah, 46, said, While the messages were nothing new, "the thing that struck me most was the humility. (PM Lee) comes across as sincere." Entrepreneur Dexter Wong, 35, however felt PM Lee should have addressed the high ministerial salaries, since it is a matter within the government's control, unlike the floods, and student Cherrie, 23, said she still wants to see more diversity in Parliament.

Reviving the Katong Spirit – 5 YEARS Mountbatten Community Plan The newly carved out Mountbatten single member constituency is not really new. Up till 1980, it was Katong constituency. In 1984, the boundaries were slightly re-drawn and it was called Mountbatten. Mountbatten existed till 1997, when it was subsumed by Marine Parade GRC. Katong originally had earned a national reputation for its strong tradition of neighbourhood involvement and participatory democracy. Often described as a town with a strong ‘kampong spirit’, Katong prided itself on its openness and sense of community. But 20-over years of being under Marine Parade GRC have almost killed the Katong Spirit. If elected as a Member of Parliament for Mountbatten SMC, Jeannette Chong-Aruldoss promises to rekindle and revive the ‘Katong Spirit’through this 5-year Mountbatten Community Plan. Plan 1 – Set-up an alternate Grassroots Organisation called ‘Residents Connect’ Purpose: •to focus on community building and engagement in Mountbatten •to organise and develop community programmes to foster a sense of belonging to Mountbatten and to Singapore •to facilitate networking and to build friendships in Mountbatten Plan 2 – Facilitate and promote Open Dialogue sessions (Town Hall Meetings) Purpose: •to involve the residents of Mountbatten in the issues which them Plan 3 – Partner established agencies to bring Career Development Clinics Purpose: •to encourage the residents of Mountbatten to find, grow and sell their talents •to facilitate a diversity of career options for the residents of Mountbatten Plan 4 – Partner established agencies to bring Healthcare Awareness and Health Education Purpose: •to inculcate the value of prevention among the residents of Mountbatten •to promote early intervention among residents of Mountbatten Plan 5 – Partner established agencies to bring Financial Awareness and Education Purpose: •to equip the residents of Mountbatten with good money management skills which will prevent them them from feeling stressed out over running out of money or living paycheque to paycheque Plan 6 – Partner established agencies to bring Legal Awareness and Education Purpose: •to equip the residents of Mountbatten with practical knowledge about their basic legal rights and remedies provided under various laws, thereby making them fit to face challenges in real life situations Plan 7 – Promote Zero Carbon Footprint Transportation Purpose: •to enhance access of the residents of Mountbatten to public amenities Plan 8 – Promote the appreciation of Arts, Culture and Sports Purpose: •to leverage on the artistic. cultural and sports related traditions, infrastructures and facilities of Mountbatten •to bring vibrancy to the community of Mountbatten •to fulfill the aspirations of the young •to foster a sense of connectedness among the people to the community and to the nation Through these 8 core-plans, Jeannette promises to account for her Vision and Mission for Mountbatten, to the people of Mountbatten. Revive The Katong Spirit! Vote NSP!