SINGAPORE - To recognise new Singapore citizens and permanent residents who have contributed to Singapore, the Singapore Hua Yuan Association is opening its second New Immigrant Outstanding Contribution Awards to new immigrants of all races, regardless of their countries of origin.
The awards, first held in 2009, used to be targeted at immigrants from China.
For this year's awards, the association hopes to select candidates who have contributed outstandingly to the nation's development in areas including the arts, science and technology, commerce and education.
It will also be giving Friends of Immigrants Awards to Singaporeans who have helped to foster social integration between Singaporeans and new immigrants.
The awards are co-organised by the Tan Kah Kee International Society and supported by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports and the National Population and Talent Division.
The chairman of the Tan Kah Kee International Society, Professor Phua Kok Khoo, who is on the panel of judges, said it would take time for new immigrants to understand Singapore society.
Labour leader Ed Miliband accused Mr Hunt of acting as a “back channel” for Mr Murdoch and his father Rupert, News Corp’s chairman. Deputy Labour leader Harriet Harman said Mr Hunt had “fallen woefully short of the standards expected”.
The 163-page dossier of emails was handed over by News Corp Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Rupert Murdoch at the request of the Inquiry into Press standards.
Some from Director of Public Affairs Fred Michel to James Murdoch and other executives reveal Mr Hunt’s thoughts on the progress of the bid.
The dossier revealed Hunt was so close to News Corp bosses he accepted tickets to go to a Take That concert with them, as the phone hacking scandal was breaking last July.
No10 insisted Mr Hunt had done nothing wrong. And last night Whitehall insiders pinned blame on his aides.
Mr Hunt urged Lord Justice Leveson to bring forward his planned appearance before the inquiry, to allow him to answer the charges in detail.
He denied being a cheerleader for Rupert Murdoch.
And warning against “kneejerk reactions”, he added: “We’ve heard one side of the story.
“Some reported meetings and conversations didn’t happen.”
"Those immigrants from China and India, they group together, they don't try to interact. They don't mix, so that's a big problem," he said.
Prof Phua added that Singaporeans do not actively interact with people from other countries either. "I think we should change that attitude," he said.
Nominations are now open and will close on June 1. The preliminary selections will take place in July and August, followed by the panel's final decision which will be made in November and the award ceremony will happen on Jan 1 next year. Hon Jing Yu
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