On household, butter hen, and cracked iPhones: What politicians are as much as this week

SINGAPORE – The Straits Occasions seems at what politicians, and the politically associated, are as much as on this weekly sequence.

On this version, a minister ruminates on why households are the important thing to human progress, a cooking present makes a long-awaited return, and an MP says no to fixed smartphone upgrading.

Look out for the most recent version of the sequence each Friday, and take a look at previous ones right here.

On fatherhood and household

International Minister Vivian Balakrishnan seldom opens up about his household, so when he does you recognize he has one thing noteworthy to say. On Thursday, Dr Balakrishnan recounted the way it was the beginning of his first youngster that made him realise simply how a lot his dad and mom liked him.

“I realised additionally that youngsters can by no means love their dad and mom as a lot as their dad and mom love them,” he mentioned in a Fb video.

“Parental love is absolutely an instance of paying it ahead, and it’s this deal with the long run that drives us to provide the very best begin for our kids, that makes us so targeted on leaving the world in a greater state for them to inherit.”

This household and future-oriented focus – on defending, nurturing, saving, investing and constructing – is the explanation why all societies and all religions confer a sacred standing on households, he added.

“That is really a key pillar, a key dynamo, for human progress in all places.”

Dr Balakrishnan additionally shared that his spouse typically reminded him that the very best reward he may give his youngsters was to like their mom – one thing he at first discovered to be amusing, however later to be correct, as youngsters want reassurance that their dad and mom are in a steady, loving and long-term relationship.

That’s the reason marriage is “excess of a legally binding contract between two consenting adults… The best way we method our marriage is not only for the sake of the husband and spouse, however actually for the sake of our kids as properly,” he mentioned.