tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36866362012-01-16T22:35:33.279+08:00a writer's blog: my life, my thoughtsEphraim Loy 黎传志noreply@blogger.comBlogger15161100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-3943793410219621632011-08-10T03:32:00.007+08:002011-08-10T11:32:16.971+08:00[Happy 46th Birthday Singapore!]
So there you have it - a birthday celebration for the nation.
To mark the nation's 46th birthday, NDP 2011 - a musical in five acts - ended on a colourful note with a pyro-musical.
Earlier the integrated NDP musical reflected the Singapore spirit in the lives of its characters. It also challenges us to embody the Singapore spirit in our daily lives.
Tonight's Ephraim Loy 黎传志noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-24477812461403243962011-08-05T21:53:00.060+08:002011-08-08T16:52:48.162+08:00[That's the Singapore spirit]
This year will be 18-year-old Natalie Lim's second involvement in the NDP. The second year Diploma in Nursing student from Ngee Ann Polytechnic signed up for her stint through Heartware Network - a youth volunteer organisation.
Natalie Lim
As an NDP usher, Natalie's role is to ensure that guests and spectators at the parade are seated at the corrct sector. She will Ephraim Loy 黎传志noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-17304334812759900182011-08-03T00:05:00.002+08:002011-08-03T21:51:58.091+08:00[People behind the scenes]
You won't get to see them on stage come 9 August but behind every performer there are many groups of individuals that make the National Day Parade appear like clockwork. And they are part of the show support team.
One of them is 2LT Esmond Chan. The officer from 35th Battalion Singapore Combat Engineers plays a supporting role for the show. He makes The Cube function Ephraim Loy 黎传志noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-84713307178780259012011-07-31T09:37:00.002+08:002011-07-31T11:40:19.958+08:00[Nik and Nadia at NDP]
Most people would not have heard of Nik and Nadia. It was by chance that I discovered them too.
This is Nik
It wasn't difficult to put Nik and Nadia together. After printing out the template, I cut along the lines and glue the flaps together. And the work is complete!
So here's Nik and Nadia at the NDP - among the countless Fun Packs - packed by men from 30th Battalion Ephraim Loy 黎传志noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-18239375442386855262011-07-24T01:17:00.004+08:002011-07-24T02:12:58.768+08:00[Uniformed highlights]
Her involvement in this year's NDP will just be slightly more than the duration of the national anthem but the work is no less.
For C/LTA Nur Hafizah the perfect execution of her military drills is what she will be working towards in the lead up to August 9.
"Flag drills are new to me. I get nervous at times but it keeps getting better rehearsal after rehearsal," she saysEphraim Loy 黎传志noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-89985755043547775612011-07-20T23:27:00.003+08:002011-07-21T00:56:16.618+08:00[Here's how you can watch the NDP without tickets]
Fret not if you are not one of the lucky 27,000 spectators who will be seated at The Float@Marina Bay come 9 August - it can only accommodate 27,000 people as compared to other venues such at the Padang and the former 55,000 seater National Stadium.
But you won't need a ticket to catch the highlights of this year's National Day Parade. And you Ephraim Loy 黎传志noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-31434035770474879482011-07-17T00:48:00.003+08:002011-07-20T22:44:23.170+08:00[Scaling heights at NDP]
I was priviliged to take a behind-the-scenes peek into one segment of the Dynamic Defence Display for this year's National Day Parade - one that is not for the faint hearted.
This requires the scaling of heights. In fact these guardsmen will be rappelling down some five storeys of The Cube.
The guardsmen
Before the stunt begins, the ropes have to be prepared. Two other Ephraim Loy 黎传志noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-18208262337782002062011-07-10T00:20:00.009+08:002011-07-11T16:17:51.772+08:00[Gearing up for NDP]
The mood is tense at gate G2. Some are eagerly waiting for their turn to perform while others zip through as they exit from the stage. Blasting music can be heard. It is far from being calm.
Some 50 students from Junyuan Secondary School and Bendeemer Secondary School dressed as Jellyfish and Merkids - wait patiently for their turn to go onstage. This is the scene at the Ephraim Loy 黎传志noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-27746487227693707072011-07-08T22:45:00.003+08:002011-07-08T22:59:03.012+08:00[Stage secrets revealed]
You might think that the stage for this year's NDP looks ordinary.
But if you go beyond the facade your perspective of the stage will change.
My journey behind the scenes begins as I tread on the actor's bridge. Then after a turn a metallic structure that floats on water follows.
The walk doesn't take long. Just a few minutes or so. But the transformation is vast. I Ephraim Loy 黎传志noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-63281757241269664142011-07-06T23:13:00.000+08:002011-07-06T23:13:07.397+08:00[That's Nathan Hartono]
Jazz singer Nathan Hartono will be up to something different at this year's National Day Parade. For those that recall, he charmed spectators at the NDP 2008 with a jazz rendition of "Where I Belong".
During an interview with him in 2008, he said that he wasn't stressed with his first major appearance at a National Day Parade. Though he had performed during the heartland Ephraim Loy 黎传志noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-49048971155433294472011-07-06T15:10:00.004+08:002011-07-10T00:40:25.671+08:00[Still caught in a Bad Romance?]
While netizens are caught in a "Bad Romance" between a certain NDP song and its lyrics, it is important to bear in mind the bigger picture - the nation's birthday - and show solidarity, embrace the Singapore Spirit and deal with what lies ahead.
Just like what Creative Director of the NDP11, Beatrice Chia-Richmond said at this morning's Media Brief. When asked ifEphraim Loy 黎传志noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-28577448159958047642011-07-03T03:03:00.002+08:002011-07-07T22:32:20.400+08:00[How you can participate in NDP11]
Whether you are watching this year's National Day Parade live from The Float@Marina Bay or on television, be prepared to interact and participate. This is because there are more opportunities to do so.
Kicking off the parade is a segment of popular songs - so get ready to sing (and dance) to the beat. There will also be a funny Fun Pack Song and a special MRT Ephraim Loy 黎传志noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-1506858474277403392011-07-03T02:34:00.008+08:002011-07-07T22:31:38.590+08:00[First look at NDP11]
At every National Day Parade, the focus is usually on the main characters such as the Chairman EXCO, Parade Commander, Parade Regimental Sergeant Major and the key actors in the show segment. And not forgetting the widely anticipated singer of the theme song.
Having covered two parades (in 2007 and 2008), I will attempt to start my posts this year on another aspect of the Ephraim Loy 黎传志noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-68865725617221647022009-09-09T15:23:00.000+08:002009-09-09T22:33:54.114+08:00[Between China and India: Is Tibet the Wedge or Link?]Reconciling faith with the forces of globalization remains the challengeSINGAPORE: The encounter of China and India in this century will change the world. For thousands of years, the two civilizations were separated by the high mountains of Tibet. Except for a brief war in 1962, there were no major conflicts between them. Together, they make George Yeo 杨荣文noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-33712373633743160552009-08-19T11:57:00.000+08:002009-08-20T14:48:49.221+08:00[Call on China VP Xi Jinping and Meeting with FM Yang Jiechi]MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS PRESS STATEMENTVISIT OF MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS GEORGE YEO TO THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA, 19 AUGUST 2009 Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo, who is on an official visit to the People’s Republic of China (PRC), called on PRC Vice President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the George Yeo 杨荣文noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-25200483257557067712009-08-19T00:13:00.000+08:002009-08-20T14:47:58.669+08:00[Call on PRC National People's Congress Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Li Zhaoxing]Former Chinese FM Li Zhaoxing did much to improve bilateral relations between China and Singapore. I had the pleasure of calling on him at the Great Hall of the People on Tuesday.Do read my posts on Beyond SG and link up on Facebook if you have an accountGeorge Yeo 杨荣文noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-43435477598707575222009-08-18T00:23:00.000+08:002009-08-20T14:34:32.908+08:00[Opening of NKF Hougang-Punggol Dialysis Centre]On Sunday morning, the new NKDF dialysis centre at Hougang-Punggol was officially opened providing an important facility for residents living in the area. I did the honours with fellow MP Yeo Guat Kwang and NKF Chairman Gerard Ee.This project started at the height of the TT Durai scandal when Singaporeans lost confidence in NKF. At that time, thereGeorge Yeo 杨荣文noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-78372633244246152132009-08-17T14:20:00.001+08:002009-08-17T14:47:10.360+08:00[iFly]This morning, I did the groundbreaking for a new attraction in Sentosa, the world's biggest skydiving simulator. Basically you get into a windtunnel that blows at 200km an hour simulating terminal velocity in a skydive. Around that speed, you can go faster or slower by adjusting your body geometry. It is not only fun, it can also be used as a training facility. iFly will be opend in the George Yeo 杨荣文noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-43756231924536051732009-08-17T14:14:00.000+08:002009-08-17T14:44:24.821+08:00[A Piece by Thant Myint-U]The piece below by Myint-U is worth reading. He is a thoughtful son of Myanmar who feels deeply for his country and his people. I learn much meeting him from time to time.Let's Talk to Burma, China Sure IsBy Thant Myint-USunday, August 16, 2009Twenty years of sanctioning and lecturing Burma's military regime have failed. The West needs to engage with Burma's leaders, George Yeo 杨荣文noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-9756023983285925832009-08-16T15:30:00.005+08:002009-08-16T17:48:12.343+08:00[Welcoming Thai FM Kasit to Aljunied GRC]Thai FM Kasit asked to visit Singapore a few days ago as part of his round of consultation with ASEAN FMs on the situation in Myanmar. An hour after he arrived in Singapore from Jakarta, I hosted him for a simple working dinner at Bliss Restaurant in Punggol Park. I strongly supported his proposal to write a joint letter to the Myanmar Government George Yeo 杨荣文noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-49322184195375517382009-08-12T00:00:00.000+08:002009-08-12T00:14:03.513+08:00[Professor Wang Gungwu's speech at the inauguration of the Nalanda-Sriwijaya Centre] Professor Amartya Sen has spoken for those of us who have been involved for the past three years in the project to see Nalanda University restored as an international hub of learning. His is the voice of all those who recognize what Nalanda stood for and can stand for again. Minister George Yeo took a key George Yeo 杨荣文noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-5134181163022425342009-08-11T23:56:00.000+08:002009-08-12T00:14:59.618+08:00[Inauguration of the Nalanda-Sriwijaya Centre]The Nalanda-Sriwijaya Centre was officially inaugurated at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS) this morning by Nobel Prize laureate Prof Amartya Sen. Both he and Prof Wang Gungwu, ISEAS Chairman, gave wonderful speeches, each a counterpoint to the other.The Buddhist Lodge has been a major patron of the Centre. At the launch of the George Yeo 杨荣文noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-72414233731462129632009-08-07T15:53:00.001+08:002009-08-11T22:50:50.050+08:00[ASEAN Day Reception]OPENING REMARKS BY MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS GEORGE YEO AT THE ASEAN DAY RECEPTION 2009, UNIVERSITY CULTURAL CENTRE, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE, 6 AUGUST 2009Excellencies,Fellow Citizens of ASEAN,Ladies and Gentlemen, I am delighted to join everyone here this evening to celebrate ASEAN's 42nd birthday. It is especially wonderful to see George Yeo 杨荣文noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-13523951208602422122009-08-07T10:53:00.003+08:002009-08-07T10:57:58.237+08:00[One Year Countdown to the First Youth Olympic Games]Next Friday will be a special day and moment to look forward to. This will be a milestone and a big celebration for the First Youth Olympic Games.On 14 August 2010, the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games will begin. And this Friday will be the one-year countdown to the games.Do join us at the Padang this Friday evening!Ephraim Loy 黎传志noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-71365964613115961482009-08-06T22:14:00.000+08:002009-08-07T10:45:53.818+08:00[Lunch with Indian External Affairs Minister SM Krishna]India's External Affairs Minister Shri S M Krishnan transited in Singapore on his way to Australia. We had a pleasant lunch together at St Regis. I had asked for the Chinese menu to be extra spicy in his honour. He is a very experienced leader who was already a minister in Indira Gandhi's cabinet. I first knew him when he was Chief George Yeo 杨荣文noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-54443576080253336482009-08-06T22:08:00.001+08:002009-08-07T10:49:23.229+08:00["Where Got Ghost?"]When Jack Neo invited me for the gala premiere of his new movie "Where Got Ghost?", I accepted immediately. I've known him for a long time and was the Guest of Honour for one of his earliest movies "Liang Po Po". Later, he told friends that without a certain relaxation of our dialect policy in the early 90's, his movies could not have taken off.Jack is a very sharp observer George Yeo 杨荣文noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-7167867944550787192009-08-04T21:19:00.000+08:002009-08-04T21:28:08.588+08:00[14th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Women Leaders Network Meeting]I was very privileged to be invited to attend the 14th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Women Leaders Network Meeting or APEC WLN in short. Today was the first of the two-day meetings which involved members of the 21 APEC economies and three non-APEC countries were in attendance as well. The two Plenary Sessions were enjoyableEphraim Loy 黎传志noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-29685648958245731712009-08-04T14:14:00.001+08:002009-08-07T10:48:49.924+08:00[Farewell Cory!]I went over to the residence of the Philippine Ambassador this morning to sign the condolence book, expressing our deep sympathies to the people and government of the Philippines. I decided to wear a yellow tie instead of the usual black in honour of President Corazon Aquino. At a crucial moment in history, she was called to serve even though she had not been prepared for high George Yeo 杨荣文noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-69854875770330540852009-08-03T23:35:00.002+08:002009-08-04T20:14:02.419+08:00[National Day Celebration at Eurasian House ]SPEECH BY MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND MINISTER REPRESENTING THE EURASIAN COMMUNITY IN THE CABINET GEORGE YEO AT THE JOINT SELF-HELP GROUPS (SHGS) NATIONAL DAY CELEBERATIONS AT THE EURASIAN COMMUNITY HOUSE, 3 AUGUST 2009, 9.50AMFellow Singaporeans, friends of Singapore, we are delighted to gather here this morning at the Eurasian House to celebrateGeorge Yeo 杨荣文noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-2803063277871656412009-08-01T14:50:00.000+08:002009-08-02T21:51:34.783+08:00[The DNA Coding That Makes Us Singaporean]It is time again to take the flags out from the storeroom. On TV and radio, we hear familiar strains of national songs. Soon it will be National Day again. With each year, the memories accumulate. There is little which is completely new or exciting. Instead there is the reassurance of what is familiar, of ritual and tradition. As with other young George Yeo 杨荣文noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-33673027260805369652009-07-29T22:01:00.002+08:002009-08-04T20:13:31.583+08:00[6th Singapore-Australia Joint Ministerial Conference]On Monday, the Foreign, Defence and Trade Ministers of Singapore met their Australian counterparts for a meeting to discuss how we can strengthen bilateral relations. Our overall relations are excellent marked by close cooperation across all sectors and a high degree of trust. There is also considerable mutual affection going back to George Yeo 杨荣文noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-76239292380738288302009-07-25T00:59:00.002+08:002009-07-26T01:21:07.987+08:00[ASEAN Meetings (Part III)]High points in the last two days were the US accession to ASEAN's Treaty of Amity and Cooperation and discussions about Myanmar and North Korea (DPRK). On Myanmar, the tone of the US and Europe has changed but the call on Myanmar to release Aung San Suu Kyi was unanimous. I talked about the importance of continuing economic engagement. On DPRK, everyone condemned theGeorge Yeo 杨荣文noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-36037053768200134012009-07-21T23:45:00.002+08:002009-07-23T10:45:37.204+08:00[ASEAN Meetings in Phuket (Part II)]Shaking hands with Thai PM Abhisit VejjajivaASEAN FMs call on Thai PM Abhisit VejjajivaGroup Photo at AMM Opening CeremonyGroup Photo at AMM RetreatAt AMM RetreatWith Indonesia FM Pak HassanAMM Working LunchGroup photo before meeting of SEANWFZ CommissionAMM PlenaryGeorge Yeo 杨荣文noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-73873799614924855462009-07-20T23:47:00.000+08:002009-07-21T00:06:16.699+08:00[ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Phuket]After the Pattaya debacle, ASEAN Foreign Ministers arrived in Phuket to very tight security. Despite the heavy presence of uniformed personnel, Thai hospitality surrounds you. It sometimes seems everyone is bowing, clasping hands, wishing you 'sawadee kap', offering you flower garlands. I always feel that my response to their good wishes is insufficient.We George Yeo 杨荣文noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-11584887431118129692009-07-20T00:44:00.000+08:002009-07-20T00:56:23.099+08:00[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]Having just come back from a different time zone, I half expected to be dozing off during the movie. But for those of us who're fans of Harry Potter, the movie was absorbing. There were many bits I could not piece together immediately but that didn't affect the enjoyment of the special effects and the subtle characterisations. Though long, time passed by George Yeo 杨荣文noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-8418931229226541602009-07-17T22:09:00.004+08:002009-07-17T22:20:13.979+08:00[A new blog]When Foreign Minister emailed me months ago to inform me about his decision to start a group blog, I was not startled.For one, there was a time when Facebook threatened the existence of blogs but the limitations of Facebook had showed that a blog still had relevance.The new group blog which we had discussed a few weeks back would boast a stellar cast. It would have diverse views and Ephraim Loy 黎传志noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-71163282885603256382009-07-16T07:06:00.001+08:002009-07-17T22:08:36.228+08:00[The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)]NAM was established during the Cold War for countries that did not want to be tightly allied to the US or the Soviet camp. With the end of the Cold War, NAM's role in global affairs has become fuzzier. For a while, the US was the world's sole superpower and NAM became a platform for a few countries opposing the US to lobby support among over a hundred member George Yeo 杨荣文noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-86324130790946712042009-07-15T05:16:00.000+08:002009-07-15T23:50:50.735+08:00[Bilateral Meetings at Sharm El Sheikh]The NAM Summit is an occasion for bilateral meetings on the side. Egypt is in the Chair. Thailand FM Kasit kindly hosted tea for ASEAN FMs to meet on Monday afternoon. I had bilateral meetings with the FM of Cuba, India, Haiti and Bangladesh. President Rahmon of Tajikistan asked for a bilateral meeting because of his interest in closer ties with George Yeo 杨荣文noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-88309991230621802762009-07-13T06:05:00.000+08:002009-07-14T20:39:02.912+08:00[Calls on Syrian President, PM and FM]On Sunday morning, I called on Syrian President Bashar Assad in the Presidential Palace. The palace grounds were lovely, set on a hill. The building itself was stately without being garish or ostentatious.President Bashar, a trained opthamologist, welcomed me warmly. He spoke fluent English. Having been influenced by the western media, I was pleasantly George Yeo 杨荣文noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-70507475316779409802009-07-13T00:23:00.000+08:002009-07-13T01:51:26.294+08:00[Meeting Singapore Students in Damascus]In recent years, the number of Muslim religious students studying in various institutions in Damascus has grown. There are now about 70 of them in Syria. The Islam taught here is moderate reflecting the philosophy of the multi-religious Syrian state. The cost of studying in Syria is also not expensive. The Syrians are a warm and friendly people who George Yeo 杨荣文noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-19097345439150213762009-07-12T04:55:00.024+08:002009-07-12T20:27:09.715+08:00[Visit to Aleppo]Aleppo is the name of a distant place I first encountered reading about the Crusades and later in Shakespeare's Macbeth while in secondary school. I never imagined one day visiting Aleppo until a few weeks ago when the Grand Mufti of Syria, Shaikh Dr Ahmad Bader Eddin al-Hassoun, who is from Aleppo, invited me to visit. We met when he was in Singapore to deliver MUIS' George Yeo 杨荣文noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-78692193652837600612009-07-12T01:20:00.006+08:002009-07-12T20:27:24.386+08:00[Damascus]I arrived in Damascus on Thursday on a bilateral visit at the invitation of Syrian FM Mr Moualem. Singapore and Syria only established diplomatic relations last year. Damascus is the world's oldest continually-inhabited city and has a special character. Its layers of civilization go back thousands of years. The history of Syria told in its National Museum is a longitudinal slice ofGeorge Yeo 杨荣文noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-43082432116893239912009-07-06T23:11:00.004+08:002009-07-12T20:29:13.875+08:00[Handicaps Welfare Association's "WHEEL, WALK or JOG 2009" at Hort Park]Every year, I try to attend the Handicaps Welfare Association's"Wheel,Walk or Jog" because it is supported by the Foreign Ministry. WHA has grown over the years and is now a major NGO in Singapore. NParks has been wonderful, opening its parks for HWA's use. This year, the event was held at Hort Park which has ample George Yeo 杨荣文noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-81286784722517144312009-07-04T22:46:00.000+08:002009-07-04T22:46:36.097+08:00[A rewarding term]I handed over my post as Chairman of the Punggol CC Youth Executive Committee today.This was the Chairman’s Report which I had penned for today's Biennial General Meeting this afternoon.It has been an exciting and fruitful two years leading one of the most vibrant groups in various grassroots organisations in Singapore. As my two-year term of leading the 9th Punggol Community Ephraim Loy 黎传志noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-16141274234979718222009-07-01T03:57:00.001+08:002009-07-08T23:00:00.846+08:00[Jellyfish in the Persian Gulf]Arriving in Bahrain early on Monday morning, I decided to go for a swim instead of sleeping before lunch. Sleeping would have made adjusting to the jet lag much harder. I also like swimming in the sea when I can. Before entering the water, I asked the hotel manager whether it was safe to swim? Sharks? Jellyfish? He assured me it was safe. Definitely no sharks.George Yeo 杨荣文noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-25775936503461899932009-06-29T14:01:00.002+08:002009-07-08T22:57:09.374+08:00[Being Visited By My MP Abdullah Tarmugi]I was in the toilet shaving on Sunday morning when my wife exclaimed that our MP was outside! Although there was a sign posted at the T-junction in the last few days that MP Abdullah Tarmugi was visiting the estate, I had forgotten about it. Wiping off the shaving cream on my face quickly, I put on my shorts and T-shirt and rushed down to greet him and George Yeo 杨荣文noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-52689346659263576462009-06-28T09:26:00.001+08:002009-06-29T01:06:57.776+08:00[Changi Bistro]At Changi Point, there is a new food outlet on the beach called Changi Bistro. Opened earlier this year, it serves excellent food. I went there with my wife and two sons on Saturday night, my third visit in less than a month. It is only 5 minutes from where I live. With the tide high and a light breeze blowing, it was a pleasant dining experience. We were casually dressed, George Yeo 杨荣文noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-61817300860552097792009-06-27T09:32:00.000+08:002009-06-29T01:05:11.845+08:00[Installation of the 25th Singapore-China Business Association Council]Installation of the 25th Singapore-China Business Assn CouncilI was invited by Dr K K Phua, an old friend, to witness the installationceremony. The Chinese Ambassador, Zhang Xiaokang, was also present.外交部长杨荣文于新加坡中国商会第25届理事会就职典礼致词全文 日期：2009年6月26日 时间：上午11时 我很高兴出席新加坡中国商会第25届理事会就职典礼。也恭喜潘国驹教授连任新加坡中国商会会长一职。2 新加坡中国商会成立于1970年，George Yeo 杨荣文noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-72306365134368202762009-06-24T21:59:00.003+08:002009-06-24T22:17:32.418+08:00[Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen]I am not a Transformers fan but I may have been hooked after watching the second installment of the movie. On Monday, omy.sg had invited me to attend the VIP Premiere.The movie is awesome and one feature throughout it is the explosive action - the robots descend to earth from outer space and make their way up from deep down in the sea.Overall, I found it Ephraim Loy 黎传志noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-91518897574312303612009-06-24T00:16:00.001+08:002009-06-24T21:57:04.403+08:00[Visit to KL]Following PM Najib's visit to Singapore, Malaysian FM Anifah invited me to KL to discuss the implementation of the Points of Agreement regarding Malayan Rail land in Singapore. We had a good meeting at Wisma Putra on Tuesday morning agreeing on the general approach to take.Meeting with Malaysian FM Dato' Anifah AmanIn the afternoon, I met PMO Minister Nazri, my old colleague Syed George Yeo 杨荣文noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-43691665577727911612009-06-20T22:23:00.004+08:002009-06-21T00:26:37.243+08:00[Golf at Pulai Spring]I went for a short vacation in Johor with my family, celebrating my 25th wedding anniversary in the Rompin-Endau National Park and playing nine holes of golf with my two sons the following day at Pulai Spring. To my pleasant surprise, I played quite well and the video clips which Billy took of me looked quite pro ; )Do read my posts on Beyond SG and link up on Facebook if George Yeo 杨荣文noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-37512701257141294452009-06-15T23:55:00.000+08:002009-06-15T23:56:51.020+08:00[Singapore Blog Awards 2009]Please support and vote for this blog under the Most Insightful Blog category. Please vote here.Ephraim Loy 黎传志noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-4693027731121973292009-06-14T21:04:00.002+08:002009-06-14T21:15:08.940+08:00[Working on the Youth Olympic Games]For two weeks now I have been working at the Singapore Youth Olympics Organising Committee.I am in a very dynamic division and work has been hectic but fun so far.Behind the closed doorSome cool Workforce initiativeMy divisionThis is where I sitAnd here is a teaser for CAN! Click, the next CAN! festival. CAN! stands for create action now and it is a series of Ephraim Loy 黎传志noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-72808376407783334332009-06-02T23:02:00.000+08:002009-06-03T00:54:07.853+08:00[Calling on King Sihamoni]Ministers from the EU and ASEAN calling on King Sihamoni in Phnom Penh. The King spoke beautiful English with charm and dignity.Do read my posts on Beyond SG and link up on Facebook if you have an accountGeorge Yeo 杨荣文noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-30230351665816116472009-05-30T10:00:00.000+08:002009-05-30T10:00:00.736+08:00[Thoughts on the changes to the NMP scheme]In an interview with a reporter a few days ago, I was asked if I would consider running as a Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) under the new scheme which would include a new sector - the people sector.Since the NMP scheme is non-partisan, it would mean that I would have to quit the People's Action Party. I have been in the party for almost four years Ephraim Loy 黎传志noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-25197005015296760642009-05-28T01:09:00.000+08:002009-05-28T11:10:18.992+08:00[More Photos from Vietnam]After calling on PM Dung in the morning, I attended the Asia Europe Foreign Ministers Meeting.Do read my posts on Beyond SG and link up on Facebook if you have an accountGeorge Yeo 杨荣文noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-78522344794972053452009-05-27T19:14:00.002+08:002009-05-27T19:27:44.763+08:00[Political changes heartening]I wanted to go for today's Parliament sitting. In fact I went there but was not properly dressed and I was not allowed to enter! So I didn't manage to hear PM Lee deliver his speech on Singapore's political changes. But I managed to read the points of his speech online.I must admit that I am heartened by the changes and I am happy not because it was what I predicted Ephraim Loy 黎传志noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-78964713027998832692009-05-27T01:33:00.002+08:002009-05-27T01:41:33.710+08:00[Smaller Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs) are possible]I was almost going to sleep . I turned off my lights. There I was lying on the bed and thinking. Suddenly something struck me and I decided that I should blog about it.A few months ago a classmate of mine, in a discussion of Singapore's political, economic and civil spheres, asked the class and questioned the rational for having Ephraim Loy 黎传志noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-36835863528560150162009-05-26T01:36:00.000+08:002009-05-26T02:18:21.909+08:00[Visit to Quang Nam Province]From Danang, I did a day trip to the heritage sites of My Son and Hoi Ann. My Son is an important site of the old Champa. Hoi Ann is old port city which still has a sizeable Chinese population. There are still clan associations for the Hokkiens, Teochews, Cantonese, Hainanese and Hakkas. It also had a Japanese settlement once which was closed when the Tokugawas George Yeo 杨荣文noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-78472655230109799132009-05-25T14:22:00.002+08:002009-05-25T14:58:18.617+08:00[Remaking Singapore's political system]Before I start talking about the changes to expect for Singapore's political system, let me share a conversation which I had with Prime Minister Lee last year during a ministerial dialogue. This conversation was after the dialogue so it was not reported anywhere.Having studied various political systems, I then asked PM Lee about allowing more opposition Ephraim Loy 黎传志noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-46778546694734658242009-05-24T15:01:00.000+08:002009-05-24T16:06:55.369+08:00[Visit to Danang]I had a short but useful visit to Danang which is midway between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The Vietnam Government is putting priority on the development of Central Vietnam to ensure balance in the country. Vietnam has been described as a long pole with two baskets at the end. Well, if that is the case, the centre of the pole which weighs on the shoulder is Danang. Singapore George Yeo 杨荣文noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-17911923176415059112009-05-23T00:21:00.000+08:002009-05-24T15:06:24.057+08:00[The Kings Have Set Sail!]The Berlin Wall to be located at Bedok Reservoir has been shipped from Los Angeles and will arrive in Singapore on 9 June. It will be unveiled on 9 November at the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Wall.The four panels bearing the graffiti images of two kings are only painted on the West Berlin side. Approaching it from the eastern side meant certain death during theGeorge Yeo 杨荣文noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-27352624918034808632009-05-21T12:37:00.000+08:002009-05-21T13:07:19.845+08:00[Syria's Grand Mufti Dr Hassoun]I had a wonderful meeting with Syria's Grand Mufti Dr Ahmad Badruddin Hassoun this morning at Foreign Ministry. He has a view of religion which most Singaporeans would be very comfortable with. When he gave a talk to the European Parliament early last year, his speech emphasizing that states should be created on a civil basis rather than a religious basis George Yeo 杨荣文noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-18510771611427877072009-05-19T14:31:00.002+08:002009-05-19T14:39:19.109+08:00[Ups and downs]In between a summer term that would end soon, I have been trying to balance my time between preparing for publication of the next issue of The Blue and Gold and future challenges and sustainable measures for the publication even after my departure from SMU.I have also squeezed in some time to be involved in another publication for international students in conjunction with SMU's Ephraim Loy 黎传志noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-52168920409850553002009-05-19T13:45:00.003+08:002009-05-19T14:29:50.388+08:00[Six approaches for a new world order]I missed the live telecast of the President's opening address of the 11th Parliament last night but managed to read the transcript in The Straits Times this morning.The six broad approaches that President S R Nathan highlighted last night to tackle a new world order made sense.With the economy at a low point, it is important to continue to tweak the system toEphraim Loy 黎传志noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-77947169449946126952009-05-19T08:01:00.004+08:002009-05-20T17:50:39.433+08:00[Ang Pow Distribution]On Sunday afternoon, I was invited by the Bi Hu Tan temple to give angpows and hampers away to needy Singaporeans at Blk 701 Bedok North Road. The event was co-sponsored by the RC.Do read my posts on Beyond SG and link up on Facebook if you have an accountGeorge Yeo 杨荣文noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-10171662664703349532009-05-13T07:43:00.000+08:002009-05-13T22:57:24.852+08:00[More pictures from Tokyo]Greeting Empress of Japan at State BanquetCall on President by PM Taro AsoMeeting with Lower House Member Nobutaka MachimuraWith former Sony Chairman OhgaConferment at Keio universityAt the gate of Keio University after conferment of Hon Doctorate on President NathanFounder of Keio, FukuzawaDo read my posts on Beyond SG and link up on Facebook if you have an accountGeorge Yeo 杨荣文noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-66236884526641412672009-05-12T10:55:00.000+08:002009-05-12T13:49:03.434+08:00[Welcome Ceremony for President Nathan]It was a simple but elegant welcome ceremony for President Nathan at the Imperial Palace. In addition to the Emperor and Empress, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, PM Aso, FM Nakasone and other dignitaries were present.On the side, we had some twenty Singapore school kids waving Singapore and Japanese flags and cheering with gusto.Later in the afternoon, George Yeo 杨荣文noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-16948214335280186672009-05-10T21:35:00.001+08:002009-05-11T14:27:48.609+08:00[President's Lunch for Singaporeans in Japan]On the first day of his state visit to Japan, President hosted lunch for the Singapore community at a local hotel. Hundreds turned up, some from outside Tokyo. The mood was festive with everyone wanting to take pictures with President and Mrs Nathan. Not a few brought kids along too which was nice. Part of the incentive is the Singapore food served George Yeo 杨荣文noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-27494388977832726522009-05-10T09:32:00.003+08:002009-05-10T23:18:24.547+08:00[Vesak Day Celebrations]SPEECH BY GEORGE YEO, MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND MP FOR ALJUNIED GRC, AT THE VESAK DAY CELEBRATIONS AT FO GUANG SHAN ON 9 MAY 2009 AT 7.45 PMVenerable Manko, Abbess of Fo Guang Shan (Singapore), Mr Wan Pak Khiong, President of Buddha’s Light International Association (Singapore), Masters, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, 1. On Vesak Day, Buddhists around George Yeo 杨荣文noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-42650618741587390812009-05-09T00:23:00.000+08:002009-05-09T12:22:50.981+08:00[Vesak Day]George Yeo wishes all Buddhists a Happy Vesak Day!Do read my posts on Beyond SG and link up on Facebook if you have an accountGeorge Yeo 杨荣文noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-2774030053036436162009-05-08T17:26:00.002+08:002009-05-08T17:33:48.165+08:00[Boost for reputation with capture of Mas Selamat Kastari]When the manhunt for Singapore's most wanted man, Mas Selamat Kastari had occurred, many had speculated and suggested conspiracy theories. It also dealt a blow to Singapore's Ministry of Home Affairs and even Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng, of which many not so nice comments were made.I had earlier blogged about this and commented Ephraim Loy 黎传志noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-34115357662301192532009-05-07T01:32:00.003+08:002009-05-07T01:38:42.868+08:00[Hackers have been targeting this blog too]With the recent news about Twitter being hacked and account information leaked, I think I should share this too. Of late I have been receiving mails to request for this blog's password. This is quite scary.However, so far, the situation is still under control. No one has successfully attempted to hack this blog account and my guest blogger's account. ButEphraim Loy 黎传志noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-75875019520930863712009-05-04T15:50:00.000+08:002009-05-04T15:50:50.609+08:00[Passing the baton]If all goes well, I will chair my last monthly Youth Executive Committee meeting tonight - I have decided not to run for a second term. It is a personal choice and something that I have thought about for a long time.Having spent the last two years achieving the objectives that I have set, I am satisfied (I will release my closing speech in due course). It is not easy to be a Ephraim Loy 黎传志noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-84340994146967779202009-05-04T15:21:00.003+08:002009-05-04T15:37:32.475+08:00[Rule of law versus rule of man]Weeks ago I was chatting with a friend about liberalising in Singapore. I argued that some things in Singapore would not change and stated that because of the societal argument that the government pushes all the time (if the society does not change, government will not change, and the government would remain conservative).There is a problem in using the societal Ephraim Loy 黎传志noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-1887460852362236492009-05-02T11:20:00.003+08:002009-05-02T11:31:56.408+08:00[An art bridge]There's an art bridge in the world and guess where this bridge can be found?It is located in the very heart of Singapore and is built over the Singapore River. But beyond the nice and cheery colours of the Alkaff Bridge there lies a touching story. It is about the final days of Filipino artist Pacita Abad and her battle with cancer while she painted the bridge.This is a heartfelt Ephraim Loy 黎传志noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-66665877990815981482009-05-01T18:54:00.001+08:002009-05-01T22:55:22.267+08:00[Additional Meetings in Washington DC]Call on US Commerce Secretary Gary LockeMeetings at the World BankCalling on Senator John McCainCalling on Senator Kit BondShaking Hands with Representative Charles RangelPre-dinner Reception and Dinner hosted by UPSWith former US Trade Representative Charlene BarshefskyMeetings with US CongressmenDo read my posts on Beyond SG and link up on Facebook if you George Yeo 杨荣文noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-74759281440763068822009-04-30T11:25:00.003+08:002009-04-30T14:00:13.608+08:00[Remarks at the ASEAN-US Business Council Luncheon, 28 April 2009]
Do read my posts on Beyond SG and link up on Facebook if you have an accountGeorge Yeo 杨荣文noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-30786782963808518342009-04-22T23:12:00.002+08:002009-04-23T14:20:17.518+08:00[Inventor of Segway helping Heartware]When Raymond Huang of Heartware (www.heartware.org) told me that Dean Kamen was prepared to help Heartware's Youth Enterprise Development, I was thrilled. I happily agreed to sign the document appointing him as Patron. Dean Kamen is of course the genius who invented the Segway. His latest product the Ibot is simply incredible. See the videos below.Do read George Yeo 杨荣文noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-26902428998520879442009-04-22T01:26:00.002+08:002009-04-22T01:38:26.101+08:00[Anticipation]This weekend will be the end of this year's Singapore International Film Festival.It's my first year catching films at the SIFF. There were many other films which I wanted to watch but had no time to slot them into my schedule. But I have been inspired so much that I have decided to compile some videos for this post. Maybe it's because I am on an emotional high.The first, is this Ephraim Loy 黎传志noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-1774064482634469322009-04-21T11:28:00.002+08:002009-04-21T12:38:44.300+08:00[A new model of political governance]Ho Kwon Ping's thoughts at the Asia Journalism Fellowship seminar Singapore Beyond Lee Kuan Yew: Institutionalising the Singapore Way goes beyond political systems of governance that we know about. And it presents many comparative dimensions."Singapore’s equilibrium is stable, but static. There is no process by which a ruling party paradoxically, renews itselfEphraim Loy 黎传志noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-78641363188732252162009-04-21T00:02:00.004+08:002009-04-21T11:28:53.932+08:00[Can Singapore fail?]“In 1981, Singapore’s long-ruling People’s Action Party was shocked when it suffered its first defeat at the polls in many years, even though the contest was in a single constituency. I asked Dr Goh Keng Swee, one of Singapore’s three great founding fathers and the architect of Singapore’s economic miracle, why the PAP lost. He replied, “Kishore, we failed because we did not Ephraim Loy 黎传志noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-28494906657423151492009-04-19T00:31:00.001+08:002009-04-19T21:02:13.228+08:00[Dialogue with Residents of Chartwell NC]They laughed when I recalled that the last time I met residents of Chartwell NC was during a rainy, windy evening when the only subject of interest was the proposed dormitory for foreign workers. This time, we met at a resident's house at Penhurst Place. The mood was much more relaxed. We started by congratulating Lim Hwee Hua on becoming Singapore's firstGeorge Yeo 杨荣文noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-59847609771377394852009-04-18T22:45:00.003+08:002009-04-21T00:58:39.684+08:00[Post exam chill out]The girls Ramona and Eunice had earlier asked me to join them for steak at Aston's at The Cathay. I had to give it a miss as my jog at Hougang Stadium was delayed as a certain school was having their sports day.I had planned to join them for tea in the afternoon and they suggested watching Taken instead. I'm not going to give a full review of Taken here but will aim to Ephraim Loy 黎传志noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-40493177074444710812009-04-18T14:25:00.006+08:002009-05-01T00:43:42.816+08:00[Beyond the facade of SMU]While walking to City Hall after visiting the Singapore Art Museum yesterday, I walked past the elaborate SMU Admissions campaign advertisements. I marvelled at the glossy photos that screamed "A Different U". Well any business law student would reckon that its a mere puff. But instead of that thought, why not look further than that facade?I was initially asked to blog Ephraim Loy 黎传志noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-90334662829714469592009-04-12T18:13:00.004+08:002009-04-14T17:18:31.823+08:00[Aborted Summit in Pattaya]As our convoy travelled from Pattaya to U-Tapao Airforce Base at about 4pm on Saturday for our flight home , it was as if nothing had happened. Apart from litter outside the hotel, there was not a red shirt in sight. Everywhere there were signboards welcoming leaders from ASEAN and the wider region with their national flags fluttering in the wind. But in fact huge George Yeo 杨荣文noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-65666316323390309922009-04-12T01:15:00.002+08:002009-04-12T01:25:54.319+08:00[The aftermath of the ASEAN Summit protests]I received an email slightly after midnight to inform me that Minister is back home safely.It is very unfortunate that the ASEAN Summit and other meetings with leaders from India, China, South Korea and Japan have stalled at a time where cooperation on the looming economic crisis is critical.Further, an agreement on investment with China which was Ephraim Loy 黎传志noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-88730812069062911412009-04-11T18:43:00.002+08:002009-04-11T18:48:34.681+08:00[Minister Yeo's Facebook updates of ASEAN Summit situation]I have posted Minister Yeo's Facebook updates on the situation at the ASEAN Summit in Pattaya. The ASEAN Summit has been cancelled as of now.00:43 - George Yeo will be joining PM for a whole day of meetings on Holy Saturday10:37 - George Yeo is waiting to be told when Chinese and Korean delegations are able to clear through demos before Ephraim Loy 黎传志noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-67094098603927683662009-04-10T18:18:00.000+08:002009-04-10T19:03:27.062+08:00[Red Shirts at the Gate]After the meetings this morning, I had a couple of hours off before PM arrived. The security people did not like the idea of me going to the gym because it is near the perimeter fence where red-shirted demonstrators were gathering and shouting on the other side. They relented in the end and brought me by buggy via a longer route. But I could hear the din even as I was George Yeo 杨荣文noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-86664234178022818822009-04-08T15:29:00.004+08:002009-04-08T16:55:51.013+08:00[Funeral]When I was asked to watch the latest MCYS by a friend in advertising I was expecting something artistic since I had seen their first commercial on TV sometime back. A mentor in MCYS had asked for my thoughts and I told him that I loved it for its artistic integrity. I hadn't knew that it was directed by Yasmin Ahmad until I watched Muallaf.The TV commercial made me think of Kuo Pao Kun'sEphraim Loy 黎传志noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-82919554216344666592009-04-06T22:49:00.001+08:002009-04-07T03:16:01.873+08:00[Jogging at Bedok Reservoir]This evening, a group of us jogged around Bedok Reservoir which is a 4.3km circuit. Some came in response to my Facebook invitation. The others were my regular kakis. After the afternoon rain, the weather was perfect. In fact, as I was striding, I thought to myself how beautiful it was. I was in good form today and clipped one minute off my last week's timing. When we George Yeo 杨荣文noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-46809509766856696752009-04-04T01:06:00.007+08:002009-04-04T12:20:18.660+08:00[A word on the PAP and general elections]I've been watching blogs and websites that have written about the elections and so far what I have read are what people mostly think of the general elections and their anticipations.I have been guilty of that too. Elections are linked to the idea of democracy and since I have been doing a paper of comparative democracy in Thailand and Singapore, I've been Ephraim Loy 黎传志noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-92007940620761625532009-04-01T12:05:00.000+08:002009-04-01T12:12:29.633+08:00[Tribute to Foong Choon Hon]Foong Choon Hon played a critical role in establishing Wan Qing Yuan as the Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall. He worked tirelessly on it and with the greatest enthusiasm. To collect materials and historical information, he travelled up and down the length of Peninsular Malaysia and visited centres in Mainland China and Taiwan. Appreciating the importance of the 1911 George Yeo 杨荣文noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-37842194833330378402009-03-30T23:39:00.003+08:002009-04-01T10:18:44.972+08:00[Cambridge 800th Anniversary]After delivering my lecture, I met members of the Cambridge University Malaysia Singapore Association (CUMSA) over tea. Many moons ago, I was the Secretary, then President of CUMSA. The following morning, some of the students joined me for breakfast and accompanied me on a short tour of the colleges. We had wanted to go punting on the river but it was raining and George Yeo 杨荣文noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-17657869392226203552009-03-29T16:31:00.002+08:002009-03-31T00:16:04.668+08:00[Increased stakes for the opposition]I was posed a question in class about liberalisation in Singapore today.Essentially, the model that was drawn up showed that economy, state and civil society are separate entities. And there is little way of overlap.One of my classmates then brought up the topic of the recent cabinet appointments and noted that a huge proportion of salaries would be paid for Ephraim Loy 黎传志noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-26977652426235965332009-03-29T14:58:00.003+08:002009-03-29T15:16:21.970+08:00[How to stay ahead together]There was more to Earth Hour than Earth Hour.Last night, many congratulated Mrs Lim Hwee Hua on her promotion as Singapore's first "full fledged" woman minister. While I was escorting her into the hall after her arrival, we were flanked by boys and girls screaming their lungs out. It felt like NDP mood once more. Except that this was a closer encounter.I remember Ephraim Loy 黎传志noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-53987757342427747822009-03-28T23:11:00.003+08:002009-03-29T03:19:26.049+08:00[Glad to be part of Earth Hour again]Being part of Earth Hour again this year was another great experience. We started with the inaugural event last year and we will continue to build upon the event for many years to come. I hope one day, everyone will be so attuned to this and observe Earth Hour without even having the event.It needs to be translated from attitudes and beliefs to action. First Ephraim Loy 黎传志noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-66784656973254322192009-03-28T07:31:00.008+08:002009-03-29T01:52:12.232+08:00[Visit to the UK]Singapore's relations with the UK are excellent. In my meetings with Foreign Secretary David Miliband and FCO Min of State Lord Malloch-Brown, we reviewed our bilateral relations and discussed the G20 meeting, Russia, Kosovo and Myanmar. Meeting with Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, David MilibandLunch hosted by Minister of State at the FCO, Lord Malloch-BrownOn Thursday, George Yeo 杨荣文noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-54201938775289444362009-03-27T00:00:00.000+08:002009-03-28T00:01:22.119+08:00[Earth Hour 2009]Tomorrow the Punggol Community Club Youth Executive Committee would join in several hundred students from Damai Secondary School, Temasek Polytechnic and other schools to mark Earth Hour 2009.We made the first step in 2008 at the Punggol Community Club. And we will do it again this time at Damai Secondary School in Bedok.Earth Hour is about making a personal effort. And if many Ephraim Loy 黎传志noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3686636.post-69533606257684692972009-03-26T08:44:00.000+08:002009-03-26T15:35:19.189+08:00[Official Visit to Russia]1 Singapore's relations with Russia are growing. SIA now mounts daily flights to Moscow. The Russian community in Singapore is some 2000 strong now. To serve their spiritual needs, a Russian Orthodox parish has been created. When I called on Patriarch Kirill, he expressed interest in building a church in Singapore which I hope will come complete with golden cupolas.Call George Yeo 杨荣文noreply@blogger.com0