Latest news with #EthanTan
Straits Times
30-06-2025
- General
- Straits Times
Forum: Let seniors know it's OK to need help
Forum: Let seniors know it's OK to need help I've noticed over the years that whenever I or someone else offers a seat on public transport to the elderly, they will often refuse it at first. When they eventually accept, they tend to apologise – blaming themselves for being weak. I have also spoken with elderly neighbours who apologise for asking for help, and watched my grandparents insist on doing everything themselves, even when help is needed. A quiet but painful sentiment often surfaces: 'I don't want to be a burden.' This fear is more common than we admit. Whether it's declining help with chores or skipping medical appointments, many seniors act not out of pride but from a deep worry about imposing on others. It's ironic that, in a society that prizes filial piety, this emotional isolation often goes unnoticed. While government initiatives like the Pioneer and Merdeka generation packages address physical and financial needs, we must also pay attention to the emotional dimensions of ageing. Seniors should not feel they must stay 'useful' or 'low-maintenance' to deserve care. Public messaging can help. Just as we've normalised conversations about mental health, we can reshape how society views elder dependence – not as weakness, but as part of the care cycle. Campaigns like the Action Plan for Successful Ageing promote active ageing, but still emphasise independence over interdependence. What's missing is a narrative that reassures seniors that accepting help does not make them a burden. Growing old should not mean growing invisible. Ethan Tan, 20 More on this Topic Forum: What readers are saying Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
22-06-2025
- General
- Straits Times
Forum: More benches for more inclusive malls
During a recent visit to a large mall, I found myself walking in circles trying to locate something surprisingly scarce – a place to sit. Benches near escalators or along corridors have been replaced by product displays, pop-up booths or empty space. This may seem like a small inconvenience, but for the elderly, those with mobility issues, or even just someone with a heavy bag, such benches bring much-needed relief. To be fair, many of these seats were removed during the pandemic to facilitate safe distancing. But years on, they haven't returned. Accessible public seating is important in an ageing society like ours. Urban spaces should reflect not only commercial intent, but also care and dignity for the people who use them. A seat is a gesture of inclusivity. Sometimes, all we really need after an hour on our feet is a bench. Ethan Tan, 20 More on this Topic Forum: What readers are saying Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Singapore Law Watch
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Singapore Law Watch
Courts actively foster transparency and public trust: Forum
Courts actively foster transparency and public trust: Forum Source: Straits Times Article Date: 18 Jun 2025 Beyond making court hearings accessible, the Singapore Courts are committed to bridging the gap and enhancing public understanding of their work through various initiatives. We thank Mr Ethan Tan for his Forum letter, 'Encourage more people to attend public hearings' (June 13). We agree that open court hearings are vital for transparency and public trust in our judiciary. In today's digital age where diverse narratives proliferate, it is even more crucial that the public understands the work of our courts. Witnessing judicial processes first-hand can demystify legal proceedings and foster a more informed citizenry. To increase public awareness of open court hearings, we actively use SG Courts social media platforms (YouTube, Instagram and TikTok) to provide videos and guides. These resources, with over 360,000 views, offer insights on courtroom decorum and personal accounts of open justice. We are also simplifying information on hearing schedules on the SG Courts portal to address challenges laypeople might face, and will consider Mr Tan's suggestion to enhance court signage. Beyond making court hearings accessible, the Singapore Courts are committed to bridging the gap and enhancing public understanding of our work through various initiatives. Our website hosts all Supreme Court written judgments since 2000, many with summaries for lay readers. Our official WhatsApp channel provides concise summaries of notable judicial decisions for over 17,000 subscribers. In 2024, our 'Conversations with the Community' series engaged a wider audience as judges explored various aspects of our work. Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon kick-started the series, explaining the courts' dual role (adjudicative and systemic) and the crucial importance of access to justice. Following seven sessions, we plan to consolidate this material into a freely available e-book. Our student outreach programmes actively engage young people, including a partnership with Kiss92 FM to reach 10,000 students. Our annual 'A Day in Court' features fireside chats with judges and mock court role-playing sessions. Additionally, our 'Justice Awareness @ Heartlands' community outreach initiative brings legal education directly to local communities; a recent session in Woodlands focused on family violence and harassment. In 2025, we will also hold open houses at the Family Justice Courts and Small Claims Tribunals to foster greater public familiarity with their roles. Finally, the media plays a crucial role in explaining court cases in layman terms, and we continue to work closely with it. We remain committed to proactive and transparent communication to foster public understanding and trust in our justice system. Michelle Chiang Director, Outreach and Engagement Singapore Courts Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction. Print
Straits Times
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Forum: Courts actively foster transparency and public trust
We thank Mr Ethan Tan for his Forum letter, 'Encourage more people to attend public hearings' (June 13). We agree that open court hearings are vital for transparency and public trust in our judiciary. In today's digital age where diverse narratives proliferate, it is even more crucial that the public understands the work of our courts. Witnessing judicial processes first-hand can demystify legal proceedings and foster a more informed citizenry. To increase public awareness of open court hearings, we actively use SG Courts social media platforms (YouTube, Instagram and TikTok) to provide videos and guides. These resources, with over 360,000 views, offer insights on courtroom decorum and personal accounts of open justice. We are also simplifying information on hearing schedules on the SG Courts portal to address challenges laypeople might face, and will consider Mr Tan's suggestion to enhance court signage. Beyond making court hearings accessible, the Singapore Courts are committed to bridging the gap and enhancing public understanding of our work through various initiatives. Our website hosts all Supreme Court written judgments since 2000, many with summaries for lay readers. Our official WhatsApp channel provides concise summaries of notable judicial decisions for over 17,000 subscribers. In 2024 , our 'Conversations with the Community' series engaged a wider audience as judges explored various aspects of our work. Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon kick-started the series, explaining the courts' dual role (adjudicative and systemic) and the crucial importance of access to justice. Following seven sessions, we plan to consolidate this material into a freely available e-book. Our student outreach programmes actively engage young people, including a partnership with Kiss92 FM to reach 10,000 students. Our annual 'A Day in Court' features fireside chats with judges and mock court role-playing sessions. Additionally, our 'Justice Awareness @ Heartlands' community outreach initiative brings legal education directly to local communities; a recent session in Woodlands focused on family violence and harassment. In 2025 , we will also hold open houses at the Family Justice Courts and Small Claims Tribunals to foster greater public familiarity with their roles. Finally, the media plays a crucial role in explaining court cases in layman terms, and we continue to work closely with it. We remain committed to proactive and transparent communication to foster public understanding and trust in our justice system. Michelle Chiang Director, Outreach and Engagement Singapore Courts More on this Topic Forum: What readers are saying Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
16-06-2025
- Automotive
- Straits Times
Forum: Traffic Police licenses and regulates driving instructors
We refer to Mr Ethan Tan's Forum letter, 'Raise standards for private driving instructors' (June 11). The Traffic Police (TP) licenses and regulates driving instructors in Singapore, including private driving instructors (PDIs). Since 1987, TP has ceased issuing new PDI licences. As at June 1, there remain 254 licensed PDIs in Singapore. We agree with Mr Tan that driving is a serious responsibility. PDIs are subjected to annual licence renewal, for which they are required to have no more than 12 demerit points and pass a medical check-up. Data on the passing rate of learners under each PDI is available on the Singapore Police Force's website, to help prospective learners make informed decisions. Learners are encouraged to examine these statistics, among other factors, when choosing a driving school or PDI. Members of the public may submit feedback about PDIs via TP reviews all such feedback it receives, and takes appropriate action if necessary. Lin Zhihao Superintendent of Police Assistant Director (Media Relations Division) Public Affairs Department Singapore Police Force More on this Topic Forum: What readers are saying Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
