"Dare to Document"
Named aptly by co-organiser and director Matyn See, the private film screening which happened on Saturday evening (yea late blog from me due to a busy weekend) was more than a refreshing eye opener for someone who was away from the world of Singaporean politics for well about two years (2004 - 2006). Internet censorship in China did not allow me to gain access to local socio-political blogs besides the usual websites of international media watch dogs and human rights groups. Hence I was pretty much in the dark about what was going on during the period of time I was away although I have gotten a clearer idea through the archives from the NLB and reading the blogs that are now accessible with my return home.
Three films by two local directors were shown during the screening at the Post Museum, two of them were by Ho Choon Hiong and the other by Martyn See. The screening was organised by the two directors along with Seelan Palay, Isrizal and Muhammad Shafi'ie (according to the email I was sent) and I was very glad to be part of the audience filled with bloggers, activists, artists and politicians alike. It was an interesting crowd and I was initially surprised to spot some members from the WP and SDP. Through the introduction of Andrew Loh of theonlinecitizen, I got to chat briefly with some of the WP members who were there. Strangely but not surprisingly enough, Ridhwan was there too. Was nice to see a familiar face in a not too familiar crowd. Such a small world this is. After the screening, there was a dialogue session with the organisers. The points raised by the audience were generally related to media censorship, civil disobedience, freedom of speech etc... It was an interesting session to observe and it has left me with quite abit of food for thought.
Personally I think that such film screenings and dialogue sessions, though they have to be screened privately for now due to the nature of the films and probably the agenda, will be an important step to foster and share ideas and opinions as well as create a space of awareness with regards to issues surrounding our society. Although controversy surrounds the films, please make an effort not to ban them from your personal view just because the government says that you must. With an open mind, take a look at our society and government from another perspective. If you choose to declare them as bias and unnecessarily controversial, that will be up to you but think of this: How credible and unbias is CNA in documenting the socio-political issues in Singapore? 
Update (2 April 2008):
Dare to Document
Activists screen political films in "private function"
"Cabinet's game of musical chairs"
On the same day of the film screening, our lately rather silent Prime Minister who doesn't like having hums in his mee siam played a game of musical chairs with the Cabinet. It must have been fun because it had generated a significantly much talked about debate regarding the absence of female ministers (full ministers and ministers with important profiles). Some say that they are disappointed with the fact that the government has yet again disclude women from having an important role in its team of nation builders, others were wondering if we are too conservative a society as a whole. This issue and debate alone has generated some interesting reading materials for me and I have been reading them earnestly, hoping to gain some insight and get inspired enough for me to run out into the streets with a banner saying "Give us a more female touch to the government!".
However to be constructive, we have to look at the issue as a whole - socially and politically. Yes indeed the lack of female leadership in our government is both the fault of the PAP as well as not. There is also a problem with our society when it comes to gender roles. Undoubtedly our government a.k.a PAP has always been a strongly male dominated entity. Only in very recent years do we see more female participation in the Parliament (correct me if I am wrong here). My take on this is that only in recent years do the leaders of the government realise that they have to change their perspective on female involvement in nation building hence they began to recruit although cautiously, promising women who could be groomed for such a job profile. However the fault lies with the fact that they have been too conservative for too long on such an issue/ a decision, that it comes to the point whereby they are not able to catch up with the opinions of the progressive society. They have not able to recruit fast and early enough, any female politicians to be groomed in time to hold a high ministerial profile to avoid criticism from the women groups and the society at large. May they learn from their mistake.
Another point I would like to make regarding this is that in our society, how many men are willing to put aside their egos and let their other halves go ahead and hold such an important role and become a 'stronger half' of the partnership/ marriage? How many women are willing to risk a partnership/ marriage for the country? As I see it, not too many of both. I am lucky to have been brought up very unsuccessfully by my parents, to fufil a more domesticated and submissive role in society but I am definitely not up for such a job myself and will not want that for my absolute passion is to fidget, look around, run free and look for things that will make me chuckle and laugh til I am being brought to lay 6 feet under. However looking around, I cannot help but observe that in our society, there still exists a huge extent of male say over female in many circumstances of important decision making. Although that is slowly changing but we all have to admit that most men hold their egos very very dear to their hearts and most women hold the word sacrifice close to theirs. Indeed, in the minority groups of opposition parties, there have been much more female involvement but still, these parties have a more open minded stance than the PAP itself. That is probably why I like the opposition parties (each for very different reasons other than that) myself.
I think that there are much to explore and think about with regards to this issue. We cannot be misled by our own and instant criticism that it is all a gender issue although it will be easier to just dismiss it as that. To be a minister, one must be able to hold the pressure, set strict priorities, have enough experiences and have the strong ability to administer legislations and make important decisions effectively that will affect the people of the country. Most of it all, one must have the passion to be part of the whole government. Without that, male or female, how can one be appointed a minister in the first place? Do we want another Wong Kan Seng? Doubt so.
The society needs to change, so does the mindset of our governmental leaders. A female voice is indeed needed in the government as we have to admit that men and women see and handle things differently, there must be a balance of both. Hopefully we will see that in time to come. Maybe Lee Hsien Loong is already grooming his daughter for the role. Hahahaa who knows eh?
Anyway I do not know much about governmental issues so this is just a personal viewpoint on the debate about the lack of female ministers.
Update (2 April 2008)
Grace Fu: Select women for their skills
TOC Feature: No female full minister in cabinet
"Too much work at work"
Indeed, what more can be said? I am exhausted. Just finished editing three videos for the school. Two for the parents and one for promotional purposes. That was fun and more to come, but because of the way I work, multi-tasking and never stopping til I have completed with satisfaction, I get totally exhausted at the end of it. Need to bloody breath but when you work in a child care centre, you will know that it is wishful thinking. Hahahaa oh well I have the lovely children to thank for they are the ones who really make my day and keep me going every single day.
Oh and we have an Open House this coming Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm so if anyone here is interested to enrol your child(ren) in a child care centre that runs a thematic/ project based curriculum, please feel free to hop down to check us out. We are at: 583B Sembawang Place. Name of the school is Shooting Star Child Development Centre. No obligations, just come down and have fun! 
 | ridhwan as in vegan boy? :p long time never see him. |
 | aye vegan boy, the one and only hahaa |
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