Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Hey all,

O lvl results will be out on monday which is 11th jan,2pm.Please come earlier,in school uniform,black hair.Pay your fees,library fines,return library books first.this msg is from mdm tay just in case anybody change hp number and didnt receive the message...

That's all,here wishing everybody having a good result!!! (:

Saturday, October 31, 2009

A post before SS 'O'?

Diplomacy and Deterrence

(a) To what extent is bilateral relations more crucial in managing peaceful diplomatic relations with other countries for Singapore? Explain your answer. [12]
Type 1

Bilateral relations are when two countries establish diplomatic ties with each other. Singapore has benefitted from advanced technological skills through establishing bilateral relations with countries like Japan, USA and Germany. Through bilateral relations, Singapore was able to gain worldwide recognition. By helping our neighbours, they are also less likely to attack Singapore. Hence making it more crucial.

Besides bilateral relations, countries also establish regional relations by forming an association of countries in a region. By combining the strengths of member countries, the association becomes stronger. It will therefore be in a better position when dealing with other countries or associations. Singapore became a member of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) which carried out initiatives such as the AFTA (ASEAN Free Trade Area) and the ARF (ASEAN Regional Forum). The AFTA aims to remove import taxes among Southeast Asian countries and its long term plan to integrate the Asian economies into a single production base. With decreasing import taxes, Singapore is able to trade more efficiently with its neighbouring countries and hence prosper.

Singapore was also elected by the UN General Assembly to serve as a non-permanent Security Council for two years to maintain international peace and security. The election to the council showed the confidence member countries have in Singapore as well as Singapore’s commitment to the UN. This is advantages as Singapore will be recognised as a proficient country in being able to handle big matters despite the size of the country. More countries will be willing to trade with Singapore which thus brings in more revenue for development of various aspects in Singapore. The countries will also be willing to increase the security status of Singapore as they will unite and help Singapore to better combat terrorism so as to ensure peace in the country, thus international relations are important to Singapore

In conclusion, regional relations are more important to Singapore as compared to other countries worldwide, ASEAN countries are much closer to Singapore and are affected by similar security problems. They would be able to work more effectively together to tackle security problems than countries which are further away or countries worldwide. Although bilateral ties will ensure Singapore gets help from its bilateral partners, there are more member countries in ASEAN which means that such security problems will be eliminated faster and better. Thus regional relations are most important to Singapore.





Here are three groups of people who play a part in Total Defence measures to prevent and protect Singapore from external threats:
- Individuals
- Community
- Government
Who do you think is able to make the most impact? Explain your answer.
[13]
Type 1

Individuals are able to play a part in Total Defence measures by having pride, loyalty and wanting to stand to help defend the country. It is also about having the will and mental strength to overcome challenges. During the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) period in 2003, psychological defence was evident in the many examples of how ordinary people managed to overcome the challenge of SARS and believed in Singapore. Thus psychological defence is able to have a major impact in protecting Singapore from external threats as if Singaporeans individually have the pride and loyalty to defend the country, terrorists would find it difficult to infiltrate and carry out their plans in Singapore. Singaporeans would be vigilant of such schemes and would not render them any assistance.

The community also play a part in Total Defence to defend Singapore from external threats through social defence. Community groups such as the CDCs and IRCCs are actively involved in strengthening social ties through activities such as the emergency preparedness exercise, visits to places of worship of different faiths and inter-faith dialogues and workshops. This helps ensure that unity will not be broken during testing situations such as a terrorist attack and hence making an impact in keeping Singapore safe from an external threats.

One of the roles the government plays in Total Defence is in economic defence. Today’s economy requires Singaporeans to cope with and adjust to changing demands. Thus the government set up the Workforce Development Agency (WDA) to help upgrade the skills of existing workers. In this way, Singapore can remain effective with the more efficient Singaporeans. In this way, industries in Singapore can remain competitive and workers have the relevant skills to remain employable’ in a competitive economy. With economic defence, Singaporeans will remain employable and are able to cover their basic needs resulting in lower unemployment. When they are able to feed themselves and their families, they would be less inclined to support should terrorists who seek to break Singapore’s harmony, hence protecting Singapore from external threats.












Here are three ways in which deterrence can be practised to ensure national security in Singapore:

Citizen Armed Force
Singapore’s Defence Industry
Multi-Agency coordination on security
Which do you think is the most important? Explain your answer. (13)

Type 1

I think having a citizen armed force can ensure national security for Singapore. In 1967, National Service (NS) was introduced. All able-bodied male citizens were called up to serve full-time NS. Through it, Singaporeans learn to defend their country. NS also helps Singaporean men to bond as they share a common experience during their training. Thus, a citizen armed force ensures national security as it ensures that Singapore has a formidable and united defence force that is always ready to defend and protect the country from any form of threat.

In addition, Singapore’s defence industry also ensures national security. The defence industry was started in 1967 to enable the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) to be self-reliant in essential defence weapons and equipment. Focus was given to buying and upgrading weapons as well as developing new weapon systems for the SAF’s use. The defence industry also conducts defence-related research and development activities with other countries and local tertiary institutions. All these measures by the defence industry ensure national security because it improves the capability and effectiveness of the SAF by developing it into a powerful defence force. This will deter any aggressor from attacking Singapore as they will be confronted by a formidable force.

Finally, the multi-agency coordination on security also ensures national security in Singapore. This is done through the National Security Coordination Secretariat (NSCS) which is set up to coordinate the work of the various government agencies, namely the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. NSCS meets regularly to plan national security strategies and policies. It also works together with commercial and private parties to effectively combat any form of major terror threats. Thus, this multi-agency coordination on security enhances and strengthens Singapore’s national security against any threat. This integrated approach to prevent, protect and effectively respond to any security threats will ensure that Singaporeans always feel safe living in the country.














How far has conflict over scarce resources been the most important aspect of conflicts among nations? Explain your answer.

Type1

Conflict over scarce resources such as land, water, oil and fish are unequally distributed. Some countries have more resources than the others. Those with less resource might use force to gain more resources especially when these resources are important to the country for its survival and economic growth. One example of this conflict over scarce resources was the conflict between Iceland and Britain over fishing ground. As a result of this conflict, the two countries broke off diplomatic ties, only to restore it by signing agreement on respecting territorial rights to resources. Due to this conflict, there was also frequent collision between these 2 countries as there were distrust, tension, suspicion, frustration and they detested each other.


Conflict may arise among countries due to different values and beliefs. Countries pursuing different ideologies may come into conflict if they see that their ideological beliefs are threatened. North and South Korea fought a war because they believed in different ideologies. South Korea believed in democracy while North Korea believed in Communism. As a result, a conflict broke out between the two as both believed that their ideology was more superior to the other and one wanted to dominate the other spreading its ideology. As they felt threatened by each other, there was suspicion, tension and hostility among the countries involved.


Conflict over territories is another reason conflict may arise. India and China fought over the Aksai Chin Plateau and the North East Frontier Agency from the late 1950s. The Chinese were unwilling to negotiate seriously and did not want to commit themselves to a definite boundary. In 1958, China had built a road on the Aksai Chin Plateau. India was angry and claimed that the road had violated India’s territorial rights. In 1959, tension between India and China worsened when fighting broke out in the NEFA and the Aksai Chin Plateau. By mid-1961, China had occupied even more territories which India had regarded its own. In 1962, war broke out between China and India. The war ended with no victor. Therefore conflict over territories had created tension and suspicion between two countries. Due to the conflict over territories, the countries were also in disagreement, showed disrespect to each other and detested each other.













Here are three ways Singapore practises diplomacy:

Bilateral relations
Regional relations
International relations

Which of these is a better way to maintain Singapore’s national security? Explain your answer.

Type 1

Bilateral relations with other countries help ensure Singapore’s national security. Singapore has been actively involved in expanding bilateral relationships with many countries since its independence. In the 1970s, countries such as Japan, USA and Germany established trading relationships with Singapore. These partnerships allowed Singapore to acquire advanced technological skills from the developed countries. With bilateral relations, Singapore is also able to promote economic and cultural ties with neighbouring countries. Singapore is thus able to speed up its economic and social development. Besides this, bilateral relations have helped Singapore gain world recognition and respect. Singapore sent doctors, nurses and teachers to countries such as Vietnam and Nepal. It also sent humanitarian aid to Aceh when it was hit by a massive earthquake and tsunami. By helping other countries, Singapore has gained recognition from other countries, therefore contributing to its national security.


Regional relations have helped Singapore ensure its national security. Singapore is a member of the ASEAN. The members of the ASEAN aim to maintain warm and friendly relations with one another and provide an avenue for the members to resolve difference peacefully. Being a member of the ASEAN helps strengthen Singapore’s position when negotiating with other great powers and regional groupings such as the USA, Japan and the European Union. ASEAN has enabled Singapore to forge better relations with its neighbouring countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia. It provides an avenue for Singapore to discuss their differences peacefully, therefore ensuring its national security.


Being a member of the United Nations helps to secure Singapore’s national security. It allows Singapore to gain recognition as a sovereign state. When Singapore became a member, the UN helped Singapore by sending experts to advise and help in its economic and social development. Dr Albert Winsemius, an economic expert, helped Singapore in its industrial planning and development from the period of its independence to the late 1970s. Singapore was also elected by the UN General Assembly to serve as a non-permanent Security Council member from 2001 to 2002. During its term of office, Singapore served as the President of the Council. The election showed the confidence member countries have in Singapore as well as Singapore’s commitment to the UN. Membership of the UN thus contributes to the independence and territorial integrity of Singapore.



MSN/SMS me with ur email add if u wan me to send u!!!

Monday, September 14, 2009

Erm ppl, juzt take note of this.
THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

SUNGEI BULOH WETLAND RESERVES MANGROVES TOUR HAVE BEEN CHANGED TO SATURDAY, 0830hrs, AS MDM ERNIE NEEDS TO ATTEND A VERY URGENT AND IMPORTANT MEETING ON WEDNESDAY.



Please understand the situation. Saturday is Hari Raya Eve, and Mdm Ernie is making this sacrifice for the class. So please co-operate, and accomadate to the timing and change your tuition timings for this outing.
Sorry for the inconvenience caused,
And Thank You for your understanding.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Yo ppl!!

Term 4 is starting in another 6hrs n 30mins le..
Haiz..
Time flies..
F1 is round e corner. So as ours!F5A!! HAHA!
Our engine gotta get started too!! vroooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooom.....

OK. Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserves Mangroves tour will be on 16th Sept, 2009, Wednesday..
So ppl, take note!

and take care! Stomach flu these days quite hot..
so cut down on heaty and oily stuffs ah!!

ok..
Take Care ppl!!
Ciaos..
Yo ppl!!

Term 4 is starting in another 6hrs n 30mins le..
Haiz..
Time flies..
F1 is round e corner. So as ours!F5A!! HAHA!
Our engine gotta get started too!! vroooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooom.....

OK. Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserves Mangroves tour will be on 16th Sept, 2009, Wednesday..
So ppl, take note!

and take care! Stomach flu these days quite hot..
so cut down on heaty and oily stuffs ah!!

ok..
Take Care ppl!!
Ciaos..

Thursday, August 13, 2009

5A-ians :
Goodluck for the prelims ! Prepare well and work hard alright, 70 more days to O'level (: Jiayou everyone, we can do it !

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Ladies and Gentlemen of 5A...

ATTENTION ALL!!!!!!

4th August 2009 (TUESDAY) will be the 2nd BOOSTER SESSION by ADAM KHOO..

Please do take note of tat...

Thank You.
taken from MIDAS