#SINGAPORE: Brother, Sister Of Prime Minister Fleeing City-State In Public Feud

[world politics news]

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's younger brother Lee Hsien Yang says he feels compelled to leave Singapore amid a family dispute since their father's death two years ago. Lee Hsien Yang wrote in a six-page joint statement with his sister Lee Wei Ling that they had "lost confidence" in their brother's leadership. "I have no desire to leave. Hsien Loong is the only reason for my departure," they said. The prime minister issued a statement denying allegations made by his siblings and said he regretted their public comments

[FULL STORY HERE]

#SINGAPORE: Legislators To Be Given More Time To Study Proposed Legislation

[world politics news]

Singaporean legislators will have 10 instead of seven days between readings of bills under a new parliamentary rule. Parliamentary Standing Orders - rules governing Parliament’s proceedings and conduct - were amended earlier this month for the first time since 2010. The minimum interval between proposed legislation or introduction of a Bill (First Reading) and the resulting debate (Second Reading) was increased from seven to 10 working days.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#SINGAPORE: Pres. Election Pushed Back A Month, New Rules Announced In Legislation

[world politics news]

This year's presidential election will be pushed back to September, to avoid the campaigning period coinciding with National Day celebrations in August, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Chan Chun Sing, who announced a new bill in parliament featuring several new election rules. In the past, Polling Day typically fell in the last week of August. Presidential hopefuls will get more time to submit their papers, and the committee which assesses whether they are eligible to run for election will also have more time to go through applications. President Tony Tan Keng Yam's term expires on Aug 31.

[FULL STORY HERE]

Pictured: Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, Chan Chun Sing

#SINGAPORE: Law Requires Racial Diversity For Nation's Future Presidents

[world politics news]

Parliament has passed changes to the Constitution to raise the bar for presidential candidates and ensure all races are represented from time to time in the office. It means Singapore's next president is likely to be Malay, as next year's election will be reserved for Malay candidates. The amendments also raise the maximum number of Non-Constituency MPs from nine to 12, and give them the same voting rights as elected MPs. The changes were in line with the recommendations of an independent Constitutional Commission, and added that the entire review process lasted more than 10 months.

Pictured: Dep. PM Teo Chee Hean

#SINGAPORE: Announcement Of Electoral Boundaries Review Committee Formation Signals Early Election

[world politics news]

Election observers say the announcement that the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee signals a likely general election in 2015, a year ahead of schedule. The committee is likely to recommend more Group Representation Constituencies for minorities and more Single-Member Districts.

#SINGAPORE: Veteran Opposition Politician Forming New Political Party

[world politics news]

Veteran politician Goh Meng Seng, a former member of the National Solidarity Party (NSP) and the Workers' Party (WP), has applied to set up a political party. Goh, 45, has applied to register the People's Power Party (PPP.) His new party hopes to win back middle-ground voters and will champion greater separation of powers, with a more active role for the President.

#SINGAPORE: Bill Proposed to Ban Public Consumption of Liquor And Sales Between 10:30 pm and 7 am

[world politics news]

The drinking of alcohol between 10:30 pm to 7 am in public places, including parks, could soon be banned if the new Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Bill tabled in Parliament on Monday is eventually passed. Retail shops would not be allowed to sell bottled liquor after 10:30 pm.

#SINGAPORE

Gov't: Empty Ballot Boxes Found in Schools "Not A Lapse of Procedure or Law" [world politics news]

SINGAPORE: Politician Who Lost Presidential Election Open to Rematch in 2017