Singapore’s legal profession and other sectors of society here were yesterday urged to “embed mediation in our DNA”.

Under changes made to Supreme Court practice directions in January, lawyers are now duty-bound to advise clients planning High Court civil lawsuits to first consider mediation or other options before going ahead to settle spats.

The direction, which provides guidelines for alternative ways of resolving disputes, says that cases ideal for mediation include commercial, neighbourhood and medical negligence disputes. It explains that two popular reasons for suing in court – “a matter of principle” or a “desire for revenge or punishment” – are “better suited for mediation than litigation”.

The change is among several moves aimed at spreading the use of mediation in various sectors herethat were cited by Associate Professor Ho Peng Kee, chairman of the Law Ministry’s Advisory Committee on Community Mediation. He was speaking yesterday at the Law Society’s first mediation symposium, attended by around 250 people

“Taking a Singapore Inc approach, all the stakeholders should further develop their respective strengths to grow the collective pie – not just in terms of the number of cases, which I see is growing in our various centres, but more importantly and strategically, strengthening the eco-system, enhancing the mediation culture, projecting Singapore as an Alternative Dispute Resolution hub,” said Prof Ho.

“Indeed, all of us living in compact, urbanised Singapore should embed mediation in our DNA.”

He called for widespread education to extend mediation’s outreach.

The guidelines say that “give and take is infinitely better than all or nothing”, adding that few litigants seeking retribution come away from court feeling satisfied. They point out that no matter how bitter the dispute, it is likely to be settled more permanently through mediation than a court judgment.

Senior lawyer Edmond Pereira said: “We also have to advise clients there is a potential adverse costs order against them if they insist on suing in court and the judge finds they have been unreasonable in refusing to consider alternatives like mediation.”

Law Society president Thio Shen Yi also weighed in on the issue at yesterday’s gathering, saying: “Mediation, with a more collegial, less adversarial approach to problem-solving, is here to stay.

“Conflict resolution does not have to be a zero-sum game involving significant expenditure on acrimonious, long-drawn court processes that result in financial headaches and personal heartaches.”

Singapore Mediation Centre executive director Loong Seng Onn told The Straits Times that between January this year, when the new guidelines came in, and last month, there were 99 matters handled through mediation, 14 more than in the same period last year.

This article was first published on May 21, 2016.
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Comic artists will appear alongside established writers and other speakers from around the region at next month’s Singapore Book Fair.

Organised by Singapore Press Holdings’ (SPH) Chinese Media Group, the 31st edition of the annual event is themed “In Books, We Live”. It integrates topics on literature, creativity, family, food and travel.

The fair’s chairman, Mr Chua Chim Kang, said in Mandarin: “We want books to be a part of everyone’s lives, whether on the train, at work, at play, at home, or during weekends.”

The Association of Comic Artists Singapore (ACAS) will bring in DC and Marvel-trained artists from the region to share the art of comic drawing.

ACAS will also give away free copies of its new graphic novel Return, about a teenager who solves the mysteries surrounding her nightmares with the help of her best friend.

SPH’s Chinese Media Group will launch five Chinese books written by its editorial team and staff from radio station UFM100.3, while Ms Wang Shijia, 40, founder and owner of local brand Ang Ku Kueh Girl and Friends, will release her new English children’s book The Magical Dragon Playground.

Ms Wang is among the writers and media personalities who will share their experiences in discussions, including five Taiwanese writers and Singapore movie director Anthony Chen, known for his film Ilo Ilo.

The Singapore Book Fair will be officially opened by Mr Ong Ye Kung, Acting Minister for Education (Higher Education and Skills).

• The book fair will be held from June 3 to 9 at Suntec Singapore Halls 401 and 402. Admission is free.

This article was first published on May 21, 2016.
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When news broke that 27 Bangladeshi nationals were arrested for terror activities, businessman Mohamed Abdul Jaleel was concerned that others living in the dormitories he ran could be similarly influenced.

That was in January.

Yesterday, a group of Islamic religious leaders he had contacted began their bid to educate Bangladeshi workers on the dangers of radical ideology. The new initiative, community engagement and religious guidance for foreign workers, was attended by about 300 workers at a dormitory in Kaki Bukit.

“We see this as a way to educate the workers and ensure they are not misguided by these ideologies,” said Mr Jaleel, chief executive officer of MES Group, which runs three dormitories for foreign workers.

Said Ustaz Mohamed Ali, vice- chairman of the Religious Rehabilitation Group (RRG) that conducted the hour-long session: “We hope to engage them not only at dormitories, but also mosques and elsewhere.”

The RRG counsels terror detainees and conducts public education on the dangers of extremism for the wider community. The need to also reach out to foreign workers has become more urgent with the detention last month of another eight Bangladeshi workers for plotting attacks in their home country.

Those arrested had met outside their dormitories, but community leaders here feel dormitories are a suitable venue to educate workers.

Bangladeshis make up about 40 per cent of the 4,300 residents at the Kaki Bukit dormitory, and future talks will be held at MES’ other three dormitories, in Jurong.

Ustaz Mohamed gave yesterday’s talk in English, with translation into Bengali by a Singapore Bangladesh Society member.

Ustaz Mohamed stressed that groups like the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) have misused religious concepts to support its ideology of terror, and that the Singapore Government takes a hard stance on all terrorism-related activities.

He advised them against joining any deviant religious groups and to report any suspicious matters to the authorities.

Pamphlets by the RRG in English and Bengali were also distributed. These highlight Islamic scholars declaring that ISIS’ actions are against Islam, which stresses compassion, peace and respect for others.

Mr Naseer Ghani, president of the Singapore Kadayanallur Muslim League that worked with MES, RRG and Jamiyah Singapore to organise the programme, said it is important that such efforts help distinguish religiosity from radicalism.

Electrical engineer Kawsar, 28, welcomed the effort to educate his peers on the dangers of extremism, and added that he would not hesitate to report any terror activities.

“If I see people making problems, I will call the police,” he said.

There are plans for similar sessions in other languages for workers of different nationalities. MES is also ready to work with other dormitory operators.

“At the end of the day, it’s about Singapore’s safety,” said Mr Jaleel.

azhaki@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on May 21, 2016.
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