Senior Minister of State Desmond Tan, also People’s Action Party (PAP) Member of Parliament for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, has faced strong public backlash after The Straits Times reported his comments made during a recent podcast. Senior Minister of State Desmond Tan, a former brigadier-general in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, has come under fire for comments made during a podcast appearance. His remarks about often being a ‘listening ear’ rather than solving problems during Meet-the-People Sessions (MPS) have drawn public criticism. Many commenters on the publication’s Facebook page expressed frustration, questioning the purpose of MPS if MPs focus primarily on listening without providing solutions. One commenter remarked, “If I attend the MP session and you tell me you can’t solve the problem, what’s the point of having you in our ward? I have plenty of people willing to listen to me, so there’s no need to come to you.” Another added, “Listening ear by a highly paid MP who treats public office like a side hustle. PAP candidates are becoming more and more laughable. At least try harder to solve problems, create value, even if you may not be successful all the time.” Tan had stated on the podcast, The Usual Place, “We can’t solve all problems, (but) we will lend a listening ear. They come to us because they have nobody else to turn to, and they trust us.” While he intended to highlight empathy and trust-building as key aspects of his role, the comment was perceived by some as an admission of ineffectiveness. Additional remarks on social media criticised the statement as tone-deaf, with one saying, “Most people who go to the MP to solve issues are not asking them to lend an ear to hear the problem. No one would like to spend hours waiting to see their MP just to be treated as a case for a social worker or psychologist.” Tan, who became MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC in 2020, is serving his first term in Parliament. In addition to his MP duties, he holds the position of Senior Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office and has served in various government roles since his election. In the podcast, Tan also discussed the challenges of adapting to his new responsibilities, admitting to experiencing imposter syndrome in his early days. He reflected, “Like it or not, you have to really level up very quickly in any policy position. You are not an expert overnight; we all have to learn.” While Tan attempted to address the complexities of being an MP and the realities of managing diverse issues, his comments appear to have struck a nerve with the public. A recurring sentiment among critics is that MPs are expected to be problem-solvers who take actionable steps to resolve community concerns, not merely empathetic listeners. The controversy comes as the country prepares for a general election due by November 2025. This has added pressure on MPs, particularly first-term parliamentarians like Tan, to demonstrate their effectiveness and commitment to their constituents. Despite the backlash, Tan has expressed resilience in the face of criticism, citing his military background as a source of mental strength. “I learnt to take things a little bit more easy. I actually don’t read a lot of online comments,” he said. “More importantly, it’s about my own stakeholders – people who have put their trust in me.” During the podcast, Mr Tan also reflected on his involvement in the controversial NTUC Income-Allianz deal, which was ultimately scrapped in late 2024. The proposed agreement, which would have corporatised NTUC Income and sold shares to German insurer Allianz, faced significant public backlash due to a planned S$1.85 billion capital extraction. Many feared this would undermine NTUC Income’s long-standing mission of providing affordable insurance to lower-income individuals. Tan, who was serving as NTUC’s Deputy Secretary-General at the time, admitted during a parliamentary debate last year that the NTUC Central Committee—despite fully supporting the deal—had not been briefed on the capital extraction plan until it was publicly disclosed in Parliament. He explained that while the committee supported corporatisation to enhance NTUC Income’s capital access, the specific details of the deal were not shared with them earlier. “Sometimes, there may be disagreement in opinions, but we have to continue our path,” Tan said, justifying NTUC’s broader strategic decisions while downplaying the controversy. “As long as I speak the truth, and I’m clear about my conscience, I have nothing to worry about.” The deal, announced in July 2024, drew widespread criticism, culminating in government intervention. On 14 October 2024, Minister for Culture, Community, and Youth Edwin Tong revealed in Parliament that the government had blocked the transaction, citing concerns about its potential public impact. Allianz subsequently withdrew from the negotiations after the contentious capital extraction clause was removed. Tan’s remarks on the podcast about the deal have been seen as reflective of his measured, albeit detached, approach. He acknowledged the complexities of balancing public expectations with organisational realities, but his tone led some to question whether the seriousness of the issue had been fully appreciated. Mr Tan’s handling of the NTUC Income-Allianz saga, along with his “listening ear” comment, has raised questions about his approach to public service, particularly his perceived lack of accountability and proactive action in navigating public trust.   https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2025/01/17/desmond-tan-criticised-for-listening-ear-remark-in-straits-times-podcast/

DHAKA, BANGLADESH: A Dhaka court has ordered the seizure of over 321 million shares held by Mohammed Saiful Alam Masud, owner of the S Alam Group, and his family members. The shares, spread across 24 companies, are valued at 35.63 billion Bangladesh taka (approximately US$293.7 million). Bangladesh media reported that the court of Dhaka Metropolitan Senior Special Judge Md Zakir Hossain issued the order on Thursday (16 January), following a petition filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The ACC claimed that Saiful Alam and his family were attempting to transfer the shares amidst ongoing investigations into allegations of corruption and financial irregularities. Freeze Orders and Investigations The seizure of shares follows a series of legal actions against the S Alam Group and its owners. On 14 January, the same court ordered the freezing of 68 bank accounts belonging to Saiful Alam and his family. In addition, the court directed the confiscation of 16 properties owned by the group. The ACC has been investigating the S Alam Group for allegedly exploiting banking loopholes to secure massive loans and laundering money. On 10 January, the ACC filed a case against 54 individuals, including two sons of Saiful Alam, over the alleged embezzlement of Tk11.14 billion (approximately US$91.83 million) from the Jubilee Road branch of Islami Bank Bangladesh PLC in Chattogram city. The ACC’s investigation revealed that Saiful Alam had established 18 shell companies in the British Virgin Islands between 2011 and 2024, bypassing the required approval from Bangladesh’s central bank. S Alam claims Singapore citizenship shields against Bangladesh Bank ‘intimidation’ In a written statement submitted to the court, the ACC disclosed allegations of laundering US$1 billion to countries such as Singapore, the British Virgin Islands, and Cyprus. Saiful Alam and his family reportedly relied on their Singapore citizenship and protections under a 2004 bilateral investment treaty between Bangladesh and Singapore to shield themselves from allegations of financial misconduct. Last year, Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur accused Saiful Alam of syphoning Tk1.2 trillion (approximately US$10 billion) from the banking sector. Mansur alleged that Alam used inflated invoices and shareholder loans to gain control of major banks, with assistance from military intelligence. Mansur described the scheme as “the biggest, highest robbing of banks by any international standards.” In response, Saiful Alam and his family issued a letter emphasising their Singapore citizenship and warning of potential arbitration under the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes. They also threatened legal action against Mansur for alleged damage caused to the S Alam Group. 2023 investigative report exposes S Alam Group’s US$1B Singapore empire The ACC’s actions were also influenced by an investigative report published by The Daily Star on 4 August 2023. The report, titled “S Alam’s Aladdin’s Lamp”, uncovered that the S Alam Group had built a business empire worth US$1 billion in Singapore without Bangladesh Bank’s approval. The report highlighted Saiful Alam’s acquisition of multiple properties in Singapore over the past decade and alleged efforts to conceal the origins of the funds used in these transactions. In October last year, Dhaka court imposed a travel ban on Alam, his wife, and 11 family members. In September, the Suspicious Transaction Reporting Office (STRO), Singapore’s financial intelligence unit, reportedly requested detailed information on the assets of the controversial S Alam Group, both in Bangladesh and overseas. The Financial Times noted that Alam’s letter’s threat of international arbitration arises amid other challenges facing the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. Bangladesh’s Professor Yunus urges Singapore to help recover laundered funds and cut migration costs The government, which assumed power following student-led protests that ousted Sheikh Hasina, is making efforts to recover funds allegedly misappropriated from the banking sector. In November 2024, Professor Muhammad Yunus, Chief Advisor to Bangladesh’s Interim Government, called on Singapore to assist in recovering billions of dollars illicitly transferred from Bangladesh to various countries, including Singapore. “A significant amount of money was siphoned from Bangladesh to multiple countries, including Singapore,” Yunus emphasised, highlighting that repatriating these funds could play a crucial role in bolstering Bangladesh’s economic recovery.   https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2025/01/17/bangladesh-court-orders-seizure-of-s-alam-group-shares-amid-corruption-money-laundering-claims/

On 16 January 2025, eleven organisations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, issued a joint statement condemning the Singapore government’s recent measures against the Transformative Justice Collective (TJC). The groups allege that these actions violate fundamental rights to freedom of expression and create a climate of fear among human rights defenders. TJC has been at the forefront of opposition to the death penalty and broader human rights advocacy in Singapore. The controversy centres on an order issued on 20 December 2024 under the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA). The order classified TJC’s website and social media accounts as “Declared Online Locations” (DOLs), citing their communication of multiple falsehoods. This designation requires TJC to display notices on its platforms warning viewers about alleged misinformation. Furthermore, the directive prohibits TJC from receiving financial or material support through its online platforms. These restrictions will remain in place until December 2026, severely impacting the organisation’s ability to function. The government has defended these measures as necessary to combat the spread of falsehoods, especially regarding sensitive issues such as the death penalty. However, critics, including the eleven co-signing organisations, argue that the orders disproportionately restrict TJC’s ability to engage in legitimate advocacy and suppress public discourse on human rights concerns in Singapore. POFMA as a tool of repression The statement highlighted that the 20 December order is the latest in a series of POFMA directives targeting TJC. Since July 2024, seven POFMA orders have been issued against the collective or its activists, all related to anti-death penalty content. In October 2024, the Anti-Death Penalty Asia Network, of which TJC is a member, was similarly targeted. Other entities critical of POFMA orders, such as The Online Citizen, have also faced restrictions, further fuelling concerns about the law’s scope. The co-signing organisations argue that these actions are disproportionate and designed to deter human rights activism. They call for international human rights standards to be upheld, stating that restrictions on freedom of expression should be narrowly defined, necessary, and proportional to legitimate aims. POFMA, they assert, fails these tests and instead grants authorities unchecked powers to silence dissent. Broader implications and demands The restrictions come amid limited transparency surrounding the use of the death penalty in Singapore, where public gatherings and information dissemination are already tightly controlled. The signatories stressed that these measures are part of a broader strategy to suppress dissent and stifle debates on government policies, including capital punishment. The joint statement calls on Singapore to revoke the POFMA orders against TJC and other critics, cease its campaign of intimidation against human rights defenders, and consider abolishing laws that unduly restrict freedom of expression. The organisations reiterated the need for human rights defenders to operate without fear of reprisal, advocating for a more open and transparent approach to contentious policy debates.     https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2025/01/17/singapore-urged-to-end-restrictions-on-transformative-justice-collective/

https://www.facebook.com/reel/910794941244969