We Say

Jun 25, 2020

The darnest things politicians said...and did

Our Parliament may be devoid of the political theatre seen in the boisterous British House of Commons, but the current 100-seat chamber...

Jun 14, 2020

Chan Chun Sing: Don’t worry. We’re steady

Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing’s speech last night was replete with promises. The phrase “we will’’ was articulated at least...

Jun 12, 2020

Has anyone asked those hit by the virus about not having to vote?

On Monday, the Elections Department (ELD) announced new measures to ensure a safe election during the Covid-19 outbreak and changes to...

Jun 12, 2020

SM Teo: Complex test for the younger team

Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean last night dwelt on the possible emergence of a post-Covid world in which countries place their own interest..

Jun 8, 2020

PM: “Do not fear. Do not lose heart. Singapore will not falter in its onward march.’’

The first of six national broadcasts took place last night, with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong setting out the challenges that Singapore...

Jun 6, 2020

Black Lives Matter: Should we take skeletons out of people’s closets?

It has been almost a fortnight since George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, was killed by Minneapolis police when an officer pinned his...

May 9, 2020

No clarity on Covid-19 elections legislation

On May 4, Parliament debated the Parliamentary Elections (COVID-19 Special Arrangements) Bill to authorize temporary special arrangements

Apr 28, 2020

Ramadan in the time of COVID-19

This year, there will be no mass gatherings of Muslims breaking fast. No prayers at the mosque from dawn till dusk.

Apr 27, 2020

Circuit breaking with my family

I had always considered myself somewhat of a homebody. While my friends partied the weekend away in clubs and had brunch at beautiful...

Apr 23, 2020

The pandemic is making us worried for our grandparents

Many of us in the Class Notes team are thinking about our grandparents during this coronavirus pandemic.

Apr 16, 2020

School days: Memories of girlhood are gold

The 10 whole years of my primary and secondary education were spent in a girls’ school. It’s a long time but I enjoyed every bit of it...

Apr 16, 2020

School days: When I had just one non-Chinese classmate

By Sean Lim The author’s (seated on front bench) class taken during Racial Harmony Day 2011, with a potpourri of ethnic costumes. But...

Apr 13, 2020

Is a single’s place always in the parents’ home?

As a kid, I had a mental checklist of the things I needed to accomplish before I could consider myself a real adult

Apr 13, 2020

Parliament should debate the proposed election processes thoroughly

The day Singapore’s “circuit breaker’’ was formally triggered, a Bill was introduced in Parliament to ensure that the next general...

Apr 11, 2020

In times of crisis, opposition and dissent take a backseat

In Hong Kong, protests have been wiped off the news and the coronavirus pandemic has taken its place.

Apr 5, 2020

Who’s afraid of the Chinese?

Me. At least, at one point in my school life. This was when I was a junior college student in a class dominated by Chinese nationals...

Apr 3, 2020

Covid-19 : Symbolic gestures matter too

I was skeptical whether Singaporeans would stand by their windows on Monday night (March 30) and clap together.

Mar 31, 2020

Gays at the gate: Present but not invited

There were three court challenges to the law criminalising homosexual sex — all three were dismissed yesterday.

Mar 29, 2020

I’ve never liked the Workers’ Party

My impression of the Workers’ Party was tainted after watching their election rally speeches on television. Its politicians always seemed...

Mar 28, 2020

A tale of a half-desperate soon-to-be graduate

I wasn’t expecting Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat to spare a thought for people like me and my peers, who face the prospect of...

Mar 27, 2020

I don’t know who Heng Swee Keat is — is that my fault?

The first weeks of my journalism course last semester were spent with a dimmed laptop screen.

Mar 18, 2020

I never understood the chase for the 5Cs. So I asked my elders

A shiny car, a luxurious condo, spending my Saturdays at the country club and paying for meals with my credit card. If you were to ask me...

Mar 18, 2020

Views and concerns, two generations apart

Whenever people in my age group declare themselves ardent fans of the People’s Action Party (PAP), I find myself becoming a little...

Mar 4, 2020

Why aren’t we doing enough for climate change?

I don’t understand — why are we not acting faster in response to climate change? Rising sea levels threaten to sink our tiny island...

Mar 3, 2020

Study literature got future meh?

To be completely honest, I probably would not have majored in literature if I did not have a scholarship that guarantees me a job when I...

Mar 1, 2020

The Budget Awards

We sat through 13 hours of 57 MPs giving their take on the Budget. Here is our selection of the most noteworthy speeches.

Feb 25, 2020

Why do I need to care about what happens far away?

For starters, I have to confess that I am a Political Science major, which naturally puts me in the “yes, we have to care about foreign...

Feb 24, 2020

I’m scared of saying what I feel, and my friends feel the same way

Yes, you heard right — I am scared of saying what I really feel. I’m even more scared about saying so. Like here. Now.

Feb 24, 2020

A Singapore Together movement can’t be powered by just young people

Not many would have noticed the final segment of last Tuesday’s (Feb 18) Budget Statement, after the billion dollar announcements to...

Feb 20, 2020

I want a job I really want, not just any will do.

Everyone knows the template for success in Singapore — study hard, get into a good university, get a good (read: well-paying) job and...

Feb 17, 2020

The “foreigner’’ in this Singaporean

I am a first-generation Singaporean, having only become a citizen about three years ago. The rest of my 22 years on earth was spent as a...

Feb 15, 2020

Hmm, Dad, do you have enough CPF?

When I think about retirement, the viral ad by insurer NTUC Income comes to mind. Scathingly critical and uncomfortable to watch, the...

Feb 14, 2020

Covid-19: Who will have the last laugh?

Last Friday evening, I popped by a supermarket near my university to get some snacks. I got out soon after, figuring it wasn’t worthwhile.

Feb 13, 2020

I’m glad my parents were so chill about education

The recent changes to the education system came too late for me - although I have no laments personally.

Feb 13, 2020

Right now, I’d rather drive. Let’s hope that changes

I count myself lucky to have travelling options other than public transport.

Feb 12, 2020

I’m from the Instagram generation, and privacy is not my priority

As a self-proclaimed Instagram addict, I often battle the urge to whip out my camera in public and take a few snapshots (or a video or two…

Feb 12, 2020

Why do you need 5 kinds of metal straws?

I bought my first metal straw for $2 last year at a fundraiser for one of those Youth Expedition Projects in school.

Feb 11, 2020

Seeing my childhood home through rose-tinted glasses

Christalle revisits the memories of her childhood homes - the good, the bad, and the hazy - as an adult, with her parents and grandparents.

Oct 20, 2019

SDP pre-election rally: What am I voting for?

The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) held a pre-election rally on Oct 19 which tells us to “Shake it up!’’ and to say no to 9 per cent GST..

Aug 5, 2019

Lower Singapore's voting age to 18? Please don’t

When I was 17, my friends and I had to choose which junior college (JC) to go to after our ‘O’ Level results were released. Rather than...