BREAD: Here's how the Hong Lim crowd size was worked out...

[rusty]

I think singkies just don't care cos even the ah guas can do 5 times better

Honey,
Why are you into Ah Gua now?
They did 5 times per session is no match with that one time in the car park
Remember your scream that brought the warden around?

 

[eatshitndie]

I have no reason to doubt the scale. Both maps show the lawn area of Hong Lim Park — bound by the inner foot path — to be about 65 metres square, with one corner eaten up by the community club’s stage.

65 sqm? my foot. if one bothers to check with google map, the lawn area is about 60m by 60m. approximately 3600 sqm. if sinkies can't even do simple math, how can you trust them to run the economy?

 

[freedalas]

he's bringing balance to the sbf universe, with sarcasm, satire and shit-stirring snipes as you may call them. definitely not a loser. otherwise you won't be here.

That's exactly why he's a loser. There's no need for such antics and only an equally loser like you would defend him: roll even bigger eyes.

 

[eatshitndie]

That's exactly why he's a loser. There's no need for such antics and only an equally loser like you would defend him: roll even bigger eyes.

it's true that i'm a bigger loser as i share a room with 2 other room mates in bedok, and we don't have enough for rent at the end of each month. resorting to sleeping with the landlady brings about suicidal thoughts. bedok reservoir is not far. :o

 

[makapaaa]

[h=2]More than 3,000 Singaporeans brave rain for public protest at Hong Lim[/h]

February 16th, 2013 |

Author: Editorial

Photo Essay:
Time was 4:30pm and it was drizzling… at least 3,000 Singaporeans brave the rain to attend what must be the largest public protest against the Govt policy at Hong Lim Park today (16 Feb)…

History is being made in Singapore… no longer people fear of showing their anger publicly…

People of all walks came to Hong Lim Park today to protest against the Govt’s 6.9 million Population White Paper:

PA denied the organizer the use of the stage at the community center next to Hong Lim. The organizer had to put up their own stage:

Still, people “bochap” and used the 2nd floor of the community center to get a better view of the event:

Every time PAP or some ministers’ names are mentioned, people “boo”…

Strangers even chatted among themselves condemning the White Paper…

Update:
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[makapaaa]

[h=2]ST tries to downplay White Paper protest at Hong Lim[/h]

February 17th, 2013 |

Author: Editorial

ST

In what must be the largest public protest against Govt policy to endorse the 6.9 million Population White Paper, thousands of ordinary Singaporeans from all walks of life flocked to Hong Lim Park yesterday (16 Feb) to show their disgust.
TR Emeritus (TRE), who was present at the scene, conservatively estimated that at least 3,000 people were there, and the estimate was done in the early part of the event. More Singaporeans probably came after 5pm due to the rain. Estimates from organisers were higher.
Regardless, even at 3,000, this would still constitute the largest public protest in the history of Singapore since independence. The previous large public protest was the Minibond protest held in Oct 2008, when angry investors protested about the way banks sold them the toxic financial products and demanded compensation. It was reported that over 1,000 turned up at Hong Lim then [Link].
However, in its interest to downplay the White Paper protest, Straits Times reported the event with the following headline today (17 Feb) – ‘White Paper protest draws big crowd’. Notice that it used the word ‘big’ which helps to ’soften’ the impact.
It wrote in its report:

“No official figures on the number of people were available as police said they were not monitoring the crowd size, though organisers claimed close to 5,000 turned up. An Agence France-Presse report put the number at 1,000 to 1,500.”
​

Although ST didn’t give any estimates of the crowd size itself, it quoted a number given by an AFP report of “1,000 to 1,500″.
TRE scanned through online news on the Hong Lim protest and found this AFP report carried by Yahoo! News:

Rare mass rally in Singapore demands immigration curbs
SINGAPORE (AFP, 17 Feb) – More than 2,000 people attended Singapore’s biggest protest in decades on Saturday to demand curbs on immigration amid growing public anger over an expected surge in the foreign population.
The peaceful three-hour rally at an officially designated protest zone was staged by a civic group after the government said foreigners could account for nearly half of the densely packed island’s population in less than 20 years.
Organisers put the crowd, shielded by a sea of umbrellas from heavy downpours, at 4,000. Police said they were not monitoring the size of the crowd and AFP reporters estimated the turnout at more than 2,000 people, many of them clad in black.
“I think it’s the largest protest in decades. It is also the first one where anger is directed squarely at the government,” said Reuben Wong, an assistant professor of political science at the National University of Singapore. “People are now more willing to air their grievances. They have been doing it on the Internet for the past few years, but it is new for them to physically come down in such numbers,” he told AFP.
http://au.news.yahoo.com/world/a/-/world/16160139/mass-rally-in-singapore-seeks-immigration-curbs/
​

This AFP report clearly stated “AFP reporters estimated the turnout at more than 2,000 people”. Even at 2,000, it would still be the largest public protest against Govt policy in the history of Singapore. It is unclear where ST got its “1,000 to 1,500″ figures from.
It is obvious that ST is trying to quote from a reputable international news agency to downplay the protest event. Even so, it can’t even quote correctly.
Now, looking at the news reported by other news agencies in the world on this historic event, most if not all, put the crowd size at several thousands.
The Associated Press (AP) news report carried by NBC News:

Rare Singapore protest against population plan
(AP, 16 Feb) – Nearly 3,000 people held a rare rally in Singapore on Saturday to protest a government plan to increase the city-state’s population by admitting more foreigners, voicing concerns that it will worsen already strained public services and push up the cost of living.
Such demonstrations are rare in the Southeast Asian country, known for its image of political stability and efficient governance, with the ruling People’s Action Party stifling opposition voices and placing tight controls on public protests.
The chief organizer of the rally, Gilbert Goh, said the protest was a display of citizens’ unhappiness over the population plan, which was endorsed in parliament on Feb. 8. “They want to tell the government, please reconsider this policy. The turnout is a testimony that this policy is flawed and unpopular on the ground,” he said.
http://www.nbcnews.com/id/50831722/ns/business/
​

Reuters carried by Yahoo! Finance:

Large crowd braves rain to denounce Singapore population plan
SINGAPORE, Feb 15 (Reuters) – At least 4,000 people braved showers to stage one of Singapore’s largest ever protests on Saturday, a further sign of discontent over immigration policies and growing income disparities under the long-ruling People’s Action Party (PAP)…
Critics say the island is already too crowded, with a population density exceeding that of rival Asian business centre Hong Kong. They blame the flood of foreigners over the past decade for stagnant wages, crowded trains and rising prices that put housing beyond the reach of the average Singaporean and say further inflows would change the very nature of the island.
http://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/large-crowd-braves-rain-denounce-130300142.html
​

CNN:

Singaporeans protest plans to increase immigration
(CNN, 16 Feb) — Singaporeans don’t normally gather in public protest. Decades of single party rule and an iron hand when it comes to dissent has shaped a somewhat meek public. But a proposal by the government to allow more immigrants to come to Singapore in the next few decades to make up for a population shortfall has emboldened citizens to go public.
On Saturday, several thousand Singaporeans gathered in a small downtown park near an area known as “Speaker’s Corner” to vent their anger. Organizers estimated the crowd to between 3,000 and 4,000 and said it was the largest gathering since post-independence Singapore in 1965. Singapore police told CNN they don’t give crowd estimates.
At the heart of the issue is a so-called “White Paper on Population” recently issued by the government that proposes allowing the population to rise from 5.3 million to as high as 6.9 million by 2030 in order to keep the economy growing and to keep it a magnet country for business.
http://edition.cnn.com/2013/02/16/world/asia/singapore-protest-immigrants/index.html?iref=allsearch
​

Bloomberg:

S’poreans protest plan to increase population by immigration
(16 Feb) – Thousands of Singaporeans demonstrated today against a government plan to increase the island’s population through immigration, saying the policy will erode the national identity and threaten their livelihoods.
Protesters gathered at Speakers’ Corner at Hong Lim Park at the edge of the city’s financial district on a rainy afternoon, many dressed in black and carrying signs opposing the plan. Lawmakers from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s ruling party last week endorsed a white paper that outlined proposals including allowing more foreigners through 2030 to boost the workforce.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-...an-to-increase-population-by-immigration.html
​

South China Morning Post (Hong Kong):

Singapore protest at population policy biggest since independence
(17 Feb) – Thousands of Singaporeans braved drizzle to attend a rally yesterday to oppose the government’s plan to increase the population by bringing in more foreigners – a rare example of protest in the tightly controlled city state.
An organiser, Kwan Yew Keng, estimated that 3,000 people took part, making it the biggest demonstration in Singapore since it gained independence in 1965, barring election rallies.
Rally leaders, who used Facebook and other online platforms to organise participants, openly attacked the People’s Action Party (PAP), which has been in power for more than 50 years and controls 80 of the 87 seats in parliament after losing two by-elections in the past year.
http://www.scmp.com/news/asia/artic...rotest-population-policy-biggest-independence
​

NHK of Japan Broadcasting Corporation:

Singaporeans protest new immigration plan
(17 Feb) – Thousands of Singaporeans have staged a rare protest against a plan to accept more immigrant workers…

An NGO addressing job security issues organized the event and used social media to invite participants. The group says about 4,000 people gathered on Saturday in a central city square.
Citizens complained that an influx of immigrants is causing real estate prices and education costs to soar. Meanwhile, they say the quality of services is deteriorating at hospitals and public transportation systems. They feel that accepting more immigrants would put too much pressure on people’s lives.
Some participants said it’s unbelievable that the government plans to accept one million more immigrants. Others said they are angry with the government for not listening to public opinion. Organizers plan to coordinate more public demonstrations.
Large public protests are rare in Singapore because political activities are strictly regulated under the single party rule.
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/daily/english/20130217_02.html
​

Xinhua news agency of China (at least it used the word ‘large’ instead of ‘big’ in its headline):

Large crowd turns up for rare protest against population white paper in Singapore
SINGAPORE, Feb 16 (Xinhua) — A large crowd braved a drizzle to gather at the Speakers’ Corner in Singapore on Saturday in a rare protest against a government white paper on population.
The crowd began to gather in the afternoon for the protest organized by Gilbert Goh, a 51-year-old known as an unemployment counselor. Organizers lined up a list of 12 speakers, including activists and opposition party members.
Organizers said close to 5,000 turned up for the protest, which has been rare in Singapore, but local daily Lianhe Zaobao put the number of the people at the gathering at over 3,000.
Many came with umbrellas, braving the light drizzle in the afternoon. One of the banners reads, “Save Singapore — Say No to 6.9 million,” referring to a projection of the population in the city state by 2030.
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-02/16/c_132172546.htm
​

Al Jazeera:

Singaporeans protest over population plan
(16 Feb) – At least 4,000 people have staged one of Singapore’s largest-ever protests, a further sign of discontent over immigration policies and growing income disparities under the long-ruling People’s Action Party (PAP)…
“I think a lot of Singaporeans are concerned that the emphasis on growth is not putting enough emphasis on well-being and many of the social security safety nets in an ageing population,” Bridget Welsh, a professor at Singapore Management University, told Al Jazeera.
http://www.aljazeera.com/video/asia-pacific/2013/02/2013216151756603968.html
​

BusinessWeek:

Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew Ill After Stroke-Like Event
(16 Feb) – Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore’s first prime minister, was hospitalized two days ago after suffering from a condition linked to a prolonged irregular heartbeat…
Thousands of Singaporeans demonstrated yesterday against a government plan to increase the island’s population through immigration, saying the policy will erode the national identity and threaten their livelihoods.
Protesters gathered at Speakers’ Corner at Hong Lim Park at the edge of the city’s financial district on a rainy afternoon, many dressed in black and carrying signs opposing the plan. Lawmakers from Prime Minister Lee’s ruling party last week endorsed a white paper that outlined proposals including allowing more foreigners through 2030 to boost the workforce.
http://www.businessweek.com/news/2013-02-16/lee-kuan-yew-hospitalized-after-stroke-like-event
​

Bangkok Post:

Singaporeans rally against immigration
SINGAPORE (16 Feb) – Thousands of Singaporeans demonstrated on Saturday against a government plan to increase the island’s population through immigration.
Allowing more immigrants to enter the city-state will erode the national identity and threaten livelihoods, they said.
Protesters gathered at Speakers’ Corner at Hong Lim Park at the edge of the city’s financial district on a rainy afternoon, many dressed in black and carrying signs opposing the plan…
Most young Singaporeans complain that the cost of living is high, job and career pressure is intense, and having children is just out of the question financially for them.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/asia/336255/singaporeans-rally-against-immigration
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[makapaaa]

[h=2]Photo essay of Hong Lim protest: More pics sent in by readers[/h]

February 17th, 2013 |

Author: Editorial

Quite self-explanatory:

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[Reddog]

All just hanging around looking confused so what difference does it make whether there's 3000, 4000 or 5000. It's still less than 0.1% of sinkie population.

So what happened to your earlier declaration that the number of attendees will not be more than 30 people. You change of mind is incredible. Twit.

 

[loneshark]

.

The most powerful placards are the ones carried by children.
It hits every parent. Is this what we want for our children?

 

[Leongsam]

So what happened to your earlier declaration that the number of attendees will not be more than 30 people. You change of mind is incredible. Twit.

I was spot on. Just add up the number of banners and placards. Less than 30 for sure.

blur cocks standing by the sidelines aren't participating and cannot be included in the head count.

 

[Leongsam]

The most powerful placards are the ones carried by children.
It hits every parent. Is this what we want for our children?

Looks like child exploitation to me .

 

[Rumpole]

Quite self-explanatory:

The white poster says "We demand REFERENDUM on PWP". Yes!

To protect the innocent, I have to clarify that Rumpole is not the uncle wearing the striped polo shirt. :p

 

[BuiKia]

Bluff...name me the best food in Toa Payoh...and where is it located.

I haven't really emigrated. It's just fairy tale. I live in Toa Payoh.

 

[Sideswipe]

The white poster says "We demand REFERENDUM on PWP". Yes!

wait 2 to 3 more years. the GE. the REFERENDUM on PWP.