Riot breaks out in Little India

[Heaven]

Thousands questioned in widening crackdown after Singapore riot

AFP
December 11, 2013, 5:06 pm

Singapore (AFP) - Singapore police have questioned nearly 4,000 foreign workers in a widening crackdown following the city-state's first riot in more than 40 years, officials confirmed Wednesday.

Three more Indian nationals have been detained and will be charged later Wednesday with rioting, in addition to 24 of their compatriots who were charged in court a day earlier with the same offence, which is punishable by up to seven years in jail and caning.

A police spokeswoman told AFP Wednesday that so far a total of 176 men had been taken to a police complex to have their statements recorded, without providing details of their nationalities.

Four men hauled up on Tuesday were released after investigations showed they did not participate in the riot, while another was released on bail.

The hour-long fracas on Sunday night, triggered when an Indian construction worker was struck and killed by a private bus in the Little India district, left 39 police and civil defence staff injured.

25 vehicles -- including 16 police cars -- were damaged or set aflame by the estimated 400 South Asian migrant workers involved in the rampage.

The 55-year-old Singaporean bus driver who knocked down and killed Indian construction worker Sakthivel Kumaravelu, 33, has been released on bail after being charged with causing death by a negligent act.

Activists have urged authorities to investigate whether the violence on Sunday was an indication of wider discontent among poorly paid migrant workers.

Interior Minister Teo Chee Hean said police had increased their presence in foreign worker dormitories and places where they congregate around the city-state.

"Investigations will continue so that all those who have broken the law will be dealt with strictly, firmly and fairly in accordance with the law," Teo, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, said in a statement late Tuesday.

Singapore's foreign ministry said it was working closely with the Indian High Commissioner (ambassador) "to facilitate consular access and support for their nationals, including legal representation".

The wealthy but tiny Southeast Asian nation of 5.4 million depends heavily on guest workers, with labourers from South Asia dominating sectors like construction.

There are nearly 700,000 foreign workers holding "work-permits", allowing them to work in certain sectors such as construction and shipping for two-year periods, subject to renewal, according to official data.

Sunday's riot was the second incident involving a large group of foreign workers in the past year.

In November 2012 171 Chinese bus drivers stopped work to demand better wages and living conditions -- the first industrial strike in Singapore since 1986.

Five of the drivers served jail terms after it was declared an illegal strike, while 29 others were deported without trial.

 

[Heaven]

Updated: 12/11/2013 10:59 | By Channel NewsAsia

3 more people to be charged over Little India riot

SINGAPORE: Three more Indian nationals will be charged on Wednesday afternoon with rioting at Little India on Sunday.

They are part of the eight Indian nationals arrested on Tuesday morning.

Of the remaining five, police said one has been released on bail, while further investigations revealed that the other four were not involved in the incident - and have since been released from police custody.

On Tuesday, 24 other Indian nationals were charged with the same offence of rioting. - CNA/xq

 

[Heaven]

Updated: 12/11/2013 15:13 | By Channel NewsAsia

Sun TV apologises for incorrect news report on Little India riot

SINGAPORE: The editor in-charge of the news section of India's Sun TV has apologised for an incorrect news report about the Little India riot that occurred on December 8, which it broadcast on December 9.

In an email to Singapore's Consul-General in Chennai, Mr R Umashankar said he takes responsibility for the incorrect news report.

He added that he would like to put it on record that there was no intention on Sun TV's part to do anything that would spoil the centuries old cordial and friendly relationship among various communities living in Singapore.

He also assured the Singapore Consul-General that such an error will not happen again.

Mr Umashankar also informed the Singapore Consul-General that the correct version of the report about the incident at Little India was carried by Sun TV in its 7pm prime-time bulletin on December 10.

It was given the same prominence and duration as the original report that aired on December 9.

Singapore's High Commissioner in New Delhi, Mr Lim Thuan Kuan, had written to Sun TV network on December 10 regarding its erroneous reporting of the riot.

Mr Lim said Sun TV had wrongly reported that an Indian national, who died in a traffic accident that triggered the riot, was pushed out of the bus by the driver.

The report also claimed that Singaporeans and the Chinese attacked the Indian nationals. - CNA/xq/gn

 

[Heaven]

Updated: 12/11/2013 18:05 | By Channel NewsAsia

Little India riot: No “plot” to exclude lawyers from helping accused

SINGAPORE: The Law Society of Singapore has refuted claims of a "nefarious plot" to exclude any particular lawyer from providing pro bono legal assistance to the accused persons in the Little India riot.

It has been reported that social activist Dr Vincent Wijeysingha had made such a claim at the Subordinate Courts on Tuesday after the cases were heard.

In a statement on Wednesday, the society said its representative from the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme (CLAS) rejects this unfair and spurious allegation.

It explained that a CLAS representative was in court on Tuesday and informed the court that pro bono legal assistance may be provided to successful applicants.

This was then explained to the accused persons charged for their involvement in the Little India riot.

CLAS has collated a list of volunteer lawyers in anticipation of those applications, including lawyer M Ravi.

So, it said, there is no basis to insinuate any "nefarious plot" to exclude any particular lawyer. - CNA/nd

 

[Heaven]

Updated: 12/11/2013 18:15 | By Channel NewsAsia

Liquor licences to be suspended this weekend at Little India

SINGAPORE: Liquor licences at the Little India cluster and its surrounding areas will be suspended from December 14 to 15.

In a letter handed to all shops holding such licences, the Police Licensing and Regulatory Department said the decision has been taken in consultation with the Liquor Licensing Board.

The suspension will extend to the following day should the liquor licence have extension hours past midnight.

This comes in the wake of a riot involving some 400 workers which took place at Little India on December 8.

Police said the suspension will help to stabilise the situation, and allow them to assess the next steps in consultation with various stakeholders.

They have warned that enforcement actions will be taken against any infringement of the suspension order and may eventually lead to the revocation of the liquor licence from the holder of the licence. - CNA/gn

 

[Heaven]

Updated: 12/11/2013 18:54 | By Channel NewsAsia

Good Samaritan captured on YouTube helping to stop riot

SINGAPORE: A few days after the riot at Little India took place, more people are giving Channel NewsAsia accounts of foreign workers who lent a helping hand amidst the chaos.

Hundreds of people were at Little India the night the riot broke out. But one man has stood out for a good reason.

A man in a checked shirt was captured on a YouTube video trying to stop people from rioting.

Many have praised his efforts, and the search for him has begun.

The owner of a coffee shop in Little India claims the man was a regular customer and was likely from Chennai, India.

Mateen Ahmed, owner of coffee shop Spice Box, said he believed the man was around 35 years old, married and had a two-year-old daughter in India.

But he declined to share his name and said he does not know where he worked.

Mr Mateen said: "He comes often...weekends, weekdays, also he comes. (He) buys food from us. Very good guy.

“I've been here for eight years, so I'm seeing him from that time only. (He’s a) very good guy, very good-natured.

“Sometimes if I walk outside, he's sitting outside... he'll come hug me, pull my cheeks. The past three days I didn't see him -- he didn't come. Maybe, working?"

And that man was not the only one who sprang into action.

Mr Mateen also shared with Channel NewsAsia CCTV footage of the night the riot broke out.

He said many of his regular customers who are foreign workers responded quickly to help the shop.

Mr Mateen said: "When the riot started, a lot of people from the roadside, they come, they pick up the chairs, tables, to throw at the bus.

“Then the workers, customers eating here, the regular customers, they help us bring everything inside, all the chairs, tables, close the shutters...

“Then the bottles down there…they are all throwing, pelting them. The workers help us to put everything inside."

And more stories of those who lent a helping hand are likely to emerge in the days to come. - CNA/nd

 

[Heaven]

Updated: 12/11/2013 19:24 | By Channel NewsAsia

DPM Teo reveals first-hand accounts of SOC troopers who tackled riot

SINGAPORE: Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Teo Chee Hean has given details of the first-hand accounts that were related to him by the Special Operations Command (SOC) troopers deployed to tackle the riot at Little India on Sunday.

In a Facebook posting on Wednesday, Mr Teo said the troopers had told him that they knew they were going into a very “hot” situation and were mentally prepared.

When they arrived at the scene, they immediately linked up with the commander and officers of the police divisions already on the scene, made a quick assessment of the situation together and decided on the appropriate operational response.

He said their objective was to disperse the crowd and control the situation.

The SOC deployed its troopers with full protective gear, shields and batons in a measured show of force, but refrained from using anti-riot gas or other weapons unless needed as a last resort.

Mr Teo said they related that they had formed up at their assigned locations and advanced towards the crowd steadily in a coordinated way to channel and disperse them, and they were backed up by colleagues from the police divisions.

Seeing the SOC troopers advance, the crowd began to back off while continuing to pelt the advancing troopers with concrete pieces, bricks and bottles.

A couple of troopers were injured, but they all kept their discipline and cohesion.

The troopers succeeded in dispersing the rioters and arrested several of them without escalating or prolonging the situation.

There were also minimum injuries to rioters and bystanders.

Mr Teo emphasised that the SOC troopers had encountered real-life situations dealing with unruly and violent groups, but not on that scale.

They had faced such situations in training and this prepared them to deal with the situation.

He said that in the team, there were also some young troopers, including full-time National Servicemen (NSFs) who had recently graduated from their course, and they carried out their duties well. - CNA/nd

 

[Heaven]

Updated: 12/11/2013 20:49 | By Channel NewsAsia

Increased police presence welcomed by some shop owners, members of public

SINGAPORE: As part of moves to enhance security measures in Little India, 26 CCTVs will be installed in the vicinity of Race Course Road and Buffalo Road.

Police started installing the CCTVs on December 10.

The police had also announced it will be stepping up its presence at places where foreign workers usually congregate, such as Geylang, Golden Mile and Little India.

The move was welcomed by several shop owners and members of the public.

Tan Boon Huat, general manager of Grassland Express and Tours, said: "It gives people peace of mind. There's an additional layer of security. Even if something were to happen again, they can react immediately."

When Channel NewsAsia visited Little India on Wednesday, police were seen patrolling the area.

CCTVs were also being installed on lamp posts in the vicinity.

Sidewalks, which were damaged during the riot, were also being painted.

But what caught the attention of many is a board for people to pen their condolences to 33-year-old construction worker Sakthivel Kumaravelu, who died after a private bus hit him on December 8, triggering the riot. - CNA/gn

 

[Heaven]

Updated: 12/11/2013 22:06 | By Channel NewsAsia

More should be done to improve safety at Little India pick-up point: bus operators

SINGAPORE: Following the fatal bus accident at Little India on Sunday, bus drivers who operate in the vicinity said more needs to be done to improve safety at the pick-up point in the area.

The pick-up point is a one-way road which opens from 6pm to 11pm on Sundays, where only authorised buses can enter.

The bus operators claim that the road is not wide enough, and that the area needs more lights.

A majority of the bus drivers are one-man operators and depend on plying the route for their livelihood.

The bus operators Channel NewsAsia spoke to said that if the Land Transport Authority (LTA) were to suspend the bus service this weekend, they would be greatly affected. - CNA/nd

 

[Heaven]

Updated: 12/11/2013 22:42 | By Channel NewsAsia

Police appeal to public for information on Little India riot

SINGAPORE: Police are appealing for information from the public about the riot which broke out at Little India on Sunday night.

Members of the public are also urged to refer to the police website for accurate updates.

A police spokesperson said that a report carried by India's Sun TV earlier this week had made claims that were "baseless, misleading and irresponsible".

Deputy Superintendent Julius Lim, head of operations and training at Tanglin Police Division, said: "The uncomfortable reality is that in an incident like this, there will be a lot of mistruths and information that are unverified that will be broadcast online, and they will spread.

“Our message to the public will be to refer to the Singapore Police Force website for factual updates, and for anyone with information to come forward, step forward to give the police information.

“You can call 999. But also for those who are directly involved in the riot, we urge you to surrender yourself and come forward as well to assist us with investigations."

Channel NewsAsia understands no further arrests were made on Wednesday.

But around 4am on Wednesday, three migrant workers were picked up at Yishun Dam and brought to the Central Police Station for questioning. - CNA/nd

 

[Heaven]

Bus driver dragged out, assaulted

December 11, 2013 - 2:59pm
By: Andre Yeo Elizabeth Law Ng Jun Sen

The riot broke out in Little India after a pedestrian was knocked down by a private bus and killed last night.

Police said in a statement that the accident occurred at the junction of Race Course Road and Hampshire Road at about 9.25pm.

The statement said that a riot then broke out, involving about 400 people.

They damaged five police vehicles and several private vehicles.

Police later said in a press conference that 27 people, all of South Asian descent, had been arrested. Eighteen people, including 10 police officers and four Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) officers, were taken to hospital with injuries.

The New Paper learnt that the driver of the private bus was dragged out and assaulted by a group of people.

His colleague, Madam Wong Gek Woon, 38, was cowering at the back of the bus as the angry mob smashed the windows and tried to hoist themselves into the vehicle to get to its occupants.

Her husband, Mr Alan Wee, 50, told TNP at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) early this morning that she coordinates the buses for the company and was in Bus driver dragged out, assaulted Little India when someone told her one of its buses had been involved in an accident.

The bus was filled with workers being taken back to their dormitory.

Mr Wee said she went to check and someone told her to get into the bus as it was getting dangerous.

He said she called him as the bus came under attack. She told him the driver had a serious neck injury and his
clothes were stained with blood.

Mr Wee said he rushed to the scene and his wife was escorted out of the bus by six police officers.

STABLE

She is in stable condition and was kept under observation at TTSH, he said.

Police said that men from the Special Operations Command and Gurkha Contingent were deployed to Little India to tackle the riot and the situation was under control.

Police advised members of the public in the area to remain indoors while police operations were ongoing. Others should stay away from the area.

They also advised the public to stay calm and not to speculate on the incident.

Those with any information about the riot should call the police at 1800-255-0000.

Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Teo Chee Hean said: “This is a serious incident which has resulted in injuries and damage to public property.

“The situation is now under control. Police will spare no efforts to apprehend the subjects involved in the riot.”

The SCDF said in a statement at 1.40am today that when its officers arrived at the scene, they found a man trapped under a bus.

A paramedic pronounced him dead and SCDF rescuers extricated the body using hydraulic rescue equipment.

Projectiles were thrown at them while they were extricating the body.

The statement said nine SCDF vehicles were damaged in the incident.

At press time, the SCDF had taken 18 casualties to TTSH.

When TNP arrived at the hospital just after midnight, several people had gathered at the accident and emergency
(A&E) department.

Dozens of uniformed and plainclothes police officers were nearby.

Witnesses told TNP there was a surge of casualties between 10.30pm and 11.30pm.

A man who declined to be named said he saw several police cars bringing injured police officers with their heads and faces bandaged to the A&E department.

“It was very bad. I have never seen anything like that before,” he said.

 

[Heaven]

Updated: 12/12/2013 14:44 | By Channel NewsAsia

4 charged with rioting at Little India

SINGAPORE: Another four men, aged between 24 and 45, have been charged in court with rioting on Sunday night at Little India.

This brings the total number charged with the offence to 31.

The four Indian nationals each face one count of rioting between 9.20pm and 10.45pm in the vicinity of Race Course Road.

Three of them are said to have thrown concrete pieces at police officers, while the fourth allegedly rioted with five others and damaged a bus by throwing a dustbin and smashing the windscreen with a stick.

He is also accused of throwing pieces of concrete and a metal drain cover at the bus and setting a police car on fire.

The cases will be mentioned again on December 19.

Over the past two days, 27 men were charged with similar offences.

If convicted of rioting, they each face the maximum punishment of seven years in jail and caning.

- CNA/xq/nd

 

[Heaven]

Updated: 12/12/2013 16:14 | By Channel NewsAsia

Singaporeans have reacted calmly to Little India riot: PM Lee

SINGAPORE: Singaporeans have reacted peacefully and calmly to Sunday's riot in Little India despite being initially shocked at the event.

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said this during an interview at the end of his official visit to South Korea on Thursday.

He also said that foreign workers are critical to Singapore's growth, including its housing and public transport development plans.

And there is a need to be fair to those who were not involved in the incident, as well as those who were.

Prime Minister Lee said Singapore has not seen a riot like that for a very long time, and such incidents are beyond living memory for most Singaporeans.

Sunday's riot was triggered by a fatal traffic accident at Little India involving a private bus and an Indian worker.

Some 400 workers then started attacking the bus and the first responders who arrived at the scene.

Mr Lee said Singaporeans' anxiety and alarm towards the riot is understandable, but it is also necessary to be fair to those who were and were not involved in the incident.

He said: "We have one million plus foreign workers in Singapore, and about 400 were involved in this riot. There was a specific circumstance, it was a localised riot -- I think the people who were involved would have to be treated severely.

“But the population at large, the other foreign workers who are here, who are making a living here, who are making a contribution to our economy, who had nothing to do with this, I think it would be quite unfair for Singaporeans to look at them all and say "they're all a problem, we cannot accept them". I think that's not correct and that's not wise."

Mr Lee said police investigations are ongoing, and Singaporeans who were witnesses have been very helpful, sending videos and photographs to the police.

He said there is no justification for such behaviour in Singapore, and authorities will deal with the matter very firmly.

So far, 31 people have been charged in connection with the riot.

The incident has also attracted significant international attention, which Mr Lee said is understandable.

He said: “Certainly, the investors are also watching. Even on this trip in Korea, one or two of the Korean businessmen have asked me about this, who have a long experience in Singapore… what do I think, what caused it, what is the Singapore government going to do about it.

“So it's quite understandable that the media would have reported it as significant news, I think all the more, we have to be very proper in our response as a government, and Singaporeans also have to be very responsible and measured in our reaction as a people.”

The members of a Committee of Inquiry set up to look into the incident are expected to be unveiled in the next few days.

Mr Lee said the committee will study various issues, including the sale of alcohol in the area and transport arrangements. - CNA/nd

 

[Heaven]

Updated: 12/12/2013 18:19 | By Channel NewsAsia

Police declare Little India proclaimed area for this weekend

SINGAPORE: The police have declared Little India a proclaimed area under the Public Order (Preservation) Act for this weekend.

This means that police officers can take action against anyone who consumes alcohol in a public place within the affected areas, and this includes seizing the alcohol.

Police said this is aimed at stabilising the situation at Little India following last Sunday's riots.

From Hampshire Road to Short Street, and from Jalan Besar Road to Dorset Road -- these are the areas which the police have demarcated for the ban on the sale and consumption of alcohol this weekend.

Singapore Police Force’s deputy commissioner of police, T Raja Kumar, said: "We have decided to demarcate the immediate vicinity of Race Course Road as a no-alcohol-consumption area for this coming weekend. We want to calm the situation and make sure we don't have cases of drunkenness that would spiral out of control and into a riot."

This suspension of alcohol sales will affect some 374 stakeholders and establishments within the vicinity, including MacKenzie Road, Race Course Road, Farrer Park Road and Petain Road among others.

Affected establishments include liquor shops, restaurants, pubs, coffee shops, convenience stores and hotels.

Guests at one hotel, PARKROYAL on Kitchener Road, said they were unaware of this ban.

Kalisito Raduva, a hotel guest, said: "I wasn't aware of it (Little India riot), but after the situation, we were kind of worried as foreigners here, but then I think it's under control. I think if they really want to impose such things (alcohol ban), it's best for them to put it up on the website or put out in the news."

Another hotel guest, Vivek Gupta, said: "If it's just the hotel ban, then I think it's the duty of the hotel to inform the guests when they check in that there's a ban on the weekend."

Suthahar, also a hotel guest, said: "Looking at the circumstances, I think it's quite understandable. I think it's for the greater good, I suppose, so if someone needs to have a drink, they can go elsewhere. Personally, I don't mind because I can go elsewhere if I want to.”

Police assured that there won't be immediate arrests for people found consuming alcohol within the area, but said that the alcohol will be seized in the first instance.

However, in the event a person is drunk and behaves in a disorderly manner, police can arrest that person under the Miscellaneous Offences - Public Order and Nuisance - Act.

Besides the heightened police presence in Little India, 26 additional CCTVs have also been installed in the area.

In deciding the next steps after this weekend's alcohol ban, police said it would have to weigh the considerations carefully and balance the needs of the various stakeholders -- some of which may be competing.

But police said that even after the ban, it most likely would restrict the sale and consumption of alcohol in the vicinity.

Meanwhile, the Land Transport Authority will also be suspending bus services on Sunday which ferry foreign workers from their dormitories to Little India.

This involves two bus associations -- Singapore School Transport Association and the Singapore School and Private Hire Bus Owner's Association -- which in total provide 25 bus services plying those routes.

Going forward, it will assess if there is a need to suspend or scale back on these bus services. - CNA/gn

 

[Heaven]

Updated: 12/12/2013 20:13 | By Channel NewsAsia

Dormitory Association issues 2nd advisory to members in light of Little India riot

SINGAPORE: The Dormitory Association of Singapore has issued another advisory to its members with recommended actions for the next two weekends.

This comes after a riot occurred at Little India on December 8.

It has asked member dormitories to consider increasing operations staff and putting in place or activating their emergency recall systems.

The association also suggested that dormitories organise activities to encourage workers to stay indoors and use dormitory facilities.

And it has also urged dormitories to encourage staff to be vigilant when it comes to security measures such as the operation of CCTVs, Security Access Control System and regular Security Checks or Patrols.

The association also asked dormitories to inform workers staying in their premises to stay away from Little India unless for specific business or personal work, and to remind them of the alcohol ban that is in force this weekend.

Dormitories were also told to remind workers not to congregate in large groups, and to not get involved if there is any commotion in the vicinity.

Workers were also reminded to offer full cooperation and assistance to the police or other government officials if necessary. - CNA/gn

 

[winnipegjets]

The PAP just refuses to accept the problem at its source - that is we have too many foreigners on this tiny island.

 

[Heaven]

Updated: 12/12/2013 22:25 | By Channel NewsAsia

No discontent among Indian foreign workers: Indian High Commissioner

SINGAPORE: No discontentment has been discerned among the Indian community of foreign workers in Singapore, said the Indian High Commissioner to Singapore, Ms Vijay Thakur Singh on Thursday evening.

She said the Little India riot on Sunday was an unfortunate incident, but was not premeditated.

Speaking to workers at Westlite Mandai Dormitory, Ms Singh said she will engage Singapore authorities to find solutions if any problems arise.

She said she has taken note of concerns over wages, benefits and compensation voiced by some workers.

Ms Singh added that the alcohol ban over Little India this weekend has to be respected, but workers are likely to continue heading there.

She also said she has gotten in touch with the Law Society of Singapore to make legal assistance available to those arrested.

And Ms Singh is optimistic that the strong relationship between Singapore and India will continue.

She said: “Harmonious relations exist between the people as well as the two countries. And we have to separate the incident from the relationship. This incident is isolated.

“The relationship between our people and our two countries is very strong. And that relationship will continue. We have with Singapore a strategic partnership, we're talking to them on a wide range of issues. We are going to continue that cooperation." - CNA/nd

 

[Heaven]

Updated: 12/12/2013 23:06 | By Channel NewsAsia

Shanmugam explains rationale behind alcohol ban

SINGAPORE: Singapore’s Minister for Law and Foreign Affairs K Shanmugam on Thursday provided further views on the rationale behind the planned ban on the sale and consumption of alcohol this weekend.

Mr Shanmugam was speaking during a visit to Simpang Lodge 1.

He said: "The signal is that this weekend we want to go the extra mile to make sure that everything is completely locked down and safe. Primarily, because of the nearness in time… (there is a) possibility of copycat acts.

“So you take no chances. So you do much more than is necessary and if you're a resident in the area, you'll welcome it and if you're outside, you'll understand why, because this is really to protect the area, to protect the residents, so people will understand I think."

Mr Shanmugam also said on Thursday reports by international media that foreign workers in the country are disaffected need to be backed up with evidence.

He said: "What evidence is there for all this? That these workers were deeply disaffected and that is why the riot took place. I'm not saying you can't say it, but I would like to see some evidence to back up a fairly substantive statement like that. All I can see is assertions and the fact that you repeat the assertions doesn't make it a fact."

Mr Shanmugam was speaking to the media during a visit to a workers dormitory in Yishun, Simpang Lodge 1, on Thursday evening, where he had a half-hour dialogue with some 200 foreign workers.

He said he has spoken to a number of workers over the past two days, and they had shared that they like working in Singapore as they can upgrade their skills, and do not have complaints about their living conditions.

My Shanmugam added this is consistent with what workers have told the Manpower Ministry.

He elaborated the bulk of workers said they had the option to go to many places, but had chosen to come to Singapore.

On the issue of employment terms and salaries, Mr Shanmugam said the workers also know their rights, and if employers do not pay them, they will complain and action will be taken within a week.

But he stressed even more can be done: "That doesn't mean that every employer is clean, that there's no mistreatment as I said yesterday (Wednesday). There will be these things that happen, and it's important that we identify them. It's important that people bring them up to us.

“We must continue to look into work practices, living conditions. While they say they are happy with their dormitories, it doesn't mean we rest that way. We've got to continue to look at it, see what else we can do, and I think we've got to look at longer-term solutions as well." - CNA/gn

 

[winnipegjets]

Mr Shanmugam was speaking to the media during a visit to a workers dormitory in Yishun, Simpang Lodge 1, on Thursday evening, where he had a half-hour dialogue with some 200 foreign workers.

He said he has spoken to a number of workers over the past two days, and they had shared that they like working in Singapore as they can upgrade their skills, and do not have complaints about their living conditions.

My Shanmugam added this is consistent with what workers have told the Manpower Ministry.

He elaborated the bulk of workers said they had the option to go to many places, but had chosen to come to Singapore.

On the issue of employment terms and salaries, Mr Shanmugam said the workers also know their rights, and if employers do not pay them, they will complain and action will be taken within a week.

But he stressed even more can be done: "That doesn't mean that every employer is clean, that there's no mistreatment as I said yesterday (Wednesday). There will be these things that happen, and it's important that we identify them. It's important that people bring them up to us.

“We must continue to look into work practices, living conditions. While they say they are happy with their dormitories, it doesn't mean we rest that way. We've got to continue to look at it, see what else we can do, and I think we've got to look at longer-term solutions as well." - CNA/gn

You wonder if Shamu really gives a damn about sinkapore. Here he is advocating for the Ah Nehs again.

The Ah Nehs have no other places to go ...it is either sinkapore or Dubai. In Dubai, their lives will be hell. So, of course, they choose sinkapore.

 

[Heaven]

Updated: 12/13/2013 17:49 | By Channel NewsAsia

Four-member Committee of Inquiry on Little India riot appointed

SINGAPORE: The four-member Committee of Inquiry (COI) tasked to investigate the reasons behind the riot that broke out at Little India on Sunday evening will start its proceedings as soon as possible.

It will submit its report to the Home Affairs Ministry within six months, even if criminal investigations into the riot have not been completed.

The COI will be headed by former Supreme Court Judge G Pannir Selvam.

Other members of the COI are former police commissioner Tee Tua Ba, former president of the National Trades Union Congress John De Payva and chairman of West Coast Citizens' Consultative Committee Andrew Chua Thiam Chwee.

Measures also have been implemented this weekend to ban the sale and consumption of alcohol in and around Little India.

Speaking to the media on Friday evening, Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Teo Chee Hean said that further measures will be implemented if necessary, even before the COI completes its report.

He said that Singapore had been conducting consultations on the possible implementation of no-alcohol zones and restricting the sales of alcohol in the country even before the recent riot at Little India, and the consultations will continue.

Mr Teo said: “As an example, there has been since October, an ongoing consultation on no-alcohol zones and restricted hours for sales of alcohol.

“This has been ongoing since October, so (it has been) two months already, and this is something which is ongoing. And if we have good findings from this, which are implementable, we will do so, we won't have to wait for the COI.

“And similarly, if there are other issues we need to address, we will do so without waiting for the COI.”

When asked whether the COI will look into the general grievances of foreign workers, Mr Teo said the committee is empowered to look into the factors which had led to the riot.

As for larger issues, he said the government already has an inter-ministerial committee which looks at foreign worker welfare issues.

Responding to media queries, the COI’s chairman G Pannir Selvam said in a statement that he shares the concerns of many who want to know what caused the riot and whether such incidents can be prevented.

He said a comprehensive approach will be taken to consider whether current measures to manage such incidents are adequate.

Mr G Pannir Selvam said: "The Little India riot on December 8 was a grave incident. Frontline officers were injured and public property was damaged.

“More importantly, it impacted the lives of residents in the Little India area and affected the deep sense of safety and security that Singaporeans have always had.

“I share the concerns of many who want to know what caused the riot and whether we can prevent such incidents from happening. We will take a comprehensive approach to establish the factors that led to the riot, and consider whether current measures to manage such incidents are adequate."

On Friday, Mr Teo also weighed in on why Little India was declared a proclaimed area under the Public Order Act this weekend.

He said: "We don't currently have laws that restrict consumption of alcohol and that's one of the reasons why we put in place legal and procedure requirements in order for us to be able to do so in Little India."

The police will be stepping up its presence and deploying more officers at Little India and other areas where foreign workers usually congregate -- such as at the Golden Mile Complex and Geylang -- this weekend.

The officers will include those from the Special Operations Command, and they will be conducting more vehicular and foot patrols in the Little India vicinity to prevent and deter public order incidents from occurring.

Officers will conduct checks on persons seen to be consuming alcohol in public places in Little India, as well as checks on outlets within the affected areas for breaches of the suspension on the sale and consumption of alcohol.

Mr Teo said that police will be reviewing the restrictions in the coming week, which could be eased.

But he added that the priority is on maintaining security while allowing life to proceed as normally as possible.

Mr Teo said that he has appointed committee members who are experienced with the law, understand security requirements, and are familiar with workers' issues and with managing relations between the community and workers.

He said this is to allow the committee to study the issue thoroughly, come to a fair and objective assessment, and make its recommendations.

The COI is to establish the factors and circumstances that led to the riot on December 8, how the riot unfolded, and how the response forces managed the incident.

It will also consider whether current measures to manage such incidents in areas where foreign workers congregate, such as Little India, are adequate, and recommend any further measures to improve their management and reduce the risk of such incidents.

The committee is to conduct itself in accordance with the provisions of the Inquiries Act.

Chairman of the Law and Home Affairs Government Parliamentary Committee Hri Kumar Nair hopes that the facts will shed some light on what happened on the night of December 8.

Mr Nair said: "I think, first and foremost, we need to know what happened. There are a lot of versions and speculations are not helpful.

“So we need to know how the poor gentleman was killed and get to the bottom of that. Then also find out who was responsible for the actual damage and the actual rioting.

“The pictures show many people milling around the area but not everyone was engaged in criminal behavior, and in fact there were some foreign workers, as we have seen, who persuaded their friends to try not to do anything.

"So obviously there are some who engaged in criminal behaviour and some who were behaving heroically.

“So let's get the facts. Let's see what really happened, who was behaving criminally, who was not, who was behaving heroically because they should be applauded, then take a step back to see how we could have done things differently and how we can do things better going forward." - CNA/nd