Coffee Lady and development

https://www.theguardian.com/news/2015/apr/22/vietnam-40-years-on-how-communist-victory-gave-way-to-capitalist-corruption

Three decades after the communists emerged as victors in the war, it was now a fully integrated member of the globalised capitalist economy.

On the pavement in Saigon, the Coffee Lady watched all of this unfold, and yet she saw no change in her life. “I earned the same, lived in the same room,” she says. “There were more things in the shops, but the prices kept going up. The country changed, but not for people like me. The people who had connections got richer.”

Can't believe that Thaipusam is being regulated!!! Just hearing it is ridiculous. Many netizens voiced their views and found the regulations of devotees making too much noise - unfair!

Saw this news just now and thought i should share this... Seems that Human Rights Lawyer M.Ravi is stepping forward to make a stand for this injustice.

What else are others doing? Does anyone know?

Temasek Review 

January 15th, 2011 |  Author: Editorial

Human rights lawyer M Ravi has called the Hindu Endowment Board’s (HEB) Thaipusam guidelines as “It’s brutality, not just an injustice”.

Lawyer Ravi S/O Madasamy

On 6th January, guidelines regulating the Thaipusam procession — a 4km parade that starts from Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple in Serangoon Road and ends at Sri Thendayuthapani Temple in Tank Road – were made public for the first time by the HEB.

The guidelines prohibit the playing of recorded music or the sounding of gongs or drums during the procession. Only the singing of religious hymns relevant to the festival will be permitted.

Participating devotees will also not be allowed to shout or use paint on their face or body.

Additionally, spike or chariot kavadi bearers are required to nominate a representative who will be responsible for their conduct.

Those who flout the rules may be barred from future processions – or face a fine of up to $5,000 under the Public Order Act.

The annual festival sees tens of thousands of Hindus give thanks to Lord Murugan, an important Hindu deity.

The lawyer who is representing himself said today that he has filed an originating summons against the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) and Hindu Endowment Board (HEB).

Mr Ravi claims the guidelines are in breach of minority rights, guaranteed under Article 12 of the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore.

He added that the guidelines violate the fundamental rights to freedom of speech, assembly and expression of Hindu devotees participating in Thaipusam.

Mr Ravi told reporters he plans to raise the issue to the ASEAN Inter-Governmental Commission on Human Rights as a form of protest.

“There is a need to be a democratic voice in HEB to speak the people’s concerns,” said Mr Ravi, who has participated in the festival. The published guidelines have caused a massive outcry among Netizens.

“There are so many regulations. We have no noise, no expression, everything has been denied in this country,” said Mr Ravi.

Both the AGC and HED declined to comment when contacted by the press.

Former NKF CEO Durai sentenced to 3 months in jail

Thursday June 21, 11:17 PM
Former NKF CEO Durai sentenced to 3 months in jail

SINGAPORE: Former National Kidney Foundation chief TT Durai has been sentenced to three months in jail, but he is filing an appeal against the sentence.

The sentence was announced more than a week after Durai was found guilty of falsifying documents to release S$20,000 of NKF funds to interior designer and Durai's long-time friend, David Tan.

In his remarks, District Judge Aedit Abdullah said a charity organisation such as the NKF is similar to a government institution as funds are obtained from the public.

Therefore, the criminal act is significant and it has resulted in a lot of damage.

He added that for a person in Durai's position to initiate the act of arranging for David Tan to falsify the invoice is "particularly culpable".

As for Durai's social contributions, the judge said the records speak for themselves, but they cannot make up for Durai's grave mistake.

Durai will return to the High Court where his appeal will be heard.

In the meantime, 27 June has been set for the prosecution and defence to meet with the judge to decide on a second charge.

The outstanding charge is similar to the current charge, but Channel NewsAsia understands that it involves a different sum of money.

The prosecution may proceed on this second charge, but it is also possible that the charge will be dropped entirely.

For now, Durai will remain in Singapore as his passport is being withheld by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau.

He is currently out on a S$100,000 bail.

- CNA/so