Yesterday I received the reply.
Well you read and tell me how sincere is it....haha...
Look like a template response, I wonder how much they pay Tang May May.
Dear Mr Sir
Please refer to the feedback received on 13 August 2007.2
2.We regret to learn of the inconvenience you experienced while using Service 89.
3 Although our records revealed that our capacity provision is adequate to meet demand, we will remind our despatcher to ensure both the runs and bus types are according to schedule. We will also remind our bus captains to advise passengers to move to the rear when space are available so other passengers at the bus stop can board the bus.
4 We have noted your suggestion to publish the time table of Service 89 and will review the matter for future planning.
5 We apologized for any inconvenience caused.
Thank you for your feedback.
Yours sincerely
Tang May May for
Deputy DirectorCorporate CommunicationsSBS Transit Lt
SBS replied on 13th July:
1.Please refer to your feedback regarding Service 89.
2.We are sorry to learn of the inconvenience caused while waiting for this service.
3. The Manager has noted your concern on the frequency of the service and is monitoring the situation closely. Rest assured that, where it is within our control, we will ensure that buses arrive at regular intervals.
4. Bus captains have also been reminded to try their best to adhere strictly to their time schedules to ensure service reliability.
5. Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.
Yours sincerely
Tang May May for
Deputy DirectorCorporate CommunicationsS
SBS Transit Ltd
Note the similarity between the 2 letters.
They are all summed up within FIVE points.
Also note point 2 for both letter are 99% the sane! This prove that it is a standared template. Well at least Tang May May borther to type in "89" in her 2nd letter.
Point 1 - They will acknowledge your letter.
Point 2 - They apologise
Point 3 and 4 - They pacify you and tell you they will do what they can.
Point 5 - The thank you.
This kinda stadard and the still dare to increase the bloody fares.
Can even response to a feedback sincerely.
Sad.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Retirement
Official retirement age is going higher and higher, faster then the speeding bullet.
Face it! We may never be fully retired till we officially retired from this world. (Even so you may still need to work at the place you are going depend on your God)
So we should start thinking what actually is retirement.
Let say if I retired tomorrow, what I will I like to do then?
After some thinking, I listed below some of the things I would like to do:
1. Spend more time with family or pet.
2. Pick up some new hobbies.
3. Travel the world.
4. Watch Movie / Surf net / Hiking.
But hey! Actually we can start doing these things now and don’t have to wait for our retirement.
There is not point of “working towards your retirement” anymore. No point working long hours ignoring whom and what is around you daily. Simply your retirement may never come and if when you are rich at say 65, you may not be healthy enough to do the things you like.
We can never know when we are going to die, but we can, at least to some extend, control how we live.
So think of what you like to do when you retired and start doing some of them, if not all of them, from today onwards.
Face it! We may never be fully retired till we officially retired from this world. (Even so you may still need to work at the place you are going depend on your God)
So we should start thinking what actually is retirement.
Let say if I retired tomorrow, what I will I like to do then?
After some thinking, I listed below some of the things I would like to do:
1. Spend more time with family or pet.
2. Pick up some new hobbies.
3. Travel the world.
4. Watch Movie / Surf net / Hiking.
But hey! Actually we can start doing these things now and don’t have to wait for our retirement.
There is not point of “working towards your retirement” anymore. No point working long hours ignoring whom and what is around you daily. Simply your retirement may never come and if when you are rich at say 65, you may not be healthy enough to do the things you like.
We can never know when we are going to die, but we can, at least to some extend, control how we live.
So think of what you like to do when you retired and start doing some of them, if not all of them, from today onwards.
Monday, August 20, 2007
NDP Rally 2007
Yesterday our PM delivered his 2007 NDP rally on all Singapore’s channels.
So I guess this is the compulsory blog entry to it.
http://app.sprinter.gov.sg/data/pr/2007081905.htm
I just wonder what is the logic of showing them on Channel News Asia, Channel 5, Channel 8, Channel U, Arts Central, Suria and TV mobile.
The only reason I can come up with was to forced you to watch it or forcing you to subscribe to Cable TV.
I didn’t really manage to sit through the whole thingy but I did managed to read through his speech.
I like to touch on the issue of Ageing Population which result to Working Longer which result to Delaying Withdrawal of you CPF.
Singapore just like any other developed countries are facing this problem. People are living longer and are just not having enough babies.
Lets face it, when you are old; you are a burden to the government. You are not contributing to the GDP and the government hope you will died before your CPF money run out or they could export you to Batam.
The government had been trying to encourage people to give birth to more babies but I still think they had failed to tackle the root cause and that’s the main reason they failed. In my opinion, I think the root cause of people not having babies are the rising cost of living and the un-proportional increment of Salaries. I guess they know this but since there is not quick fix to it they just try to brush it off.
Salaries are being kept low down (unless you work for certain political party) to makes Singapore attractive to foreign investor. As living standard are high, increasing bus fares, GST.....etc etc. Therefore dual income families are necessary. Childcare system are also not very established. Working hours are not flexible at all and there are no compulsory paternal leaves.
So you see, Singapore is just not a very family orientated country.
Therefore the quickest solution to this is to import “Foreign Talents”.
Currently it is still under control but I sense dormant Social Problems will surfaced in a few years time.
More workers = Good GDP = Good taxes for the Government. Yes we are a Rich country.
We need to maintain the number of workers working and pay their taxes!!
Easy solutin?Raise the retirement age.
How to keep the cost down?
Easy, offer you a lousier job at a cheaper price.
Say today you are a Manager drawing $8000.
At 62, by law the company has to offer you a job. So they offer you a Clerical position at $1200 a month. You have to take the job as you still can’t draw money from you CPF remember?
See where the cheap labors come from?
Personally I don’t mind the raise the retirement age, but I think you should still keep the same pay and benefits if you can’t still perform. I believe this how American Companies (and our cabinets) are doing it.
Today at 62, you retired and draw from you CPF say $700 monthly. You look for a cleaner job which pay you $700 monthly, so you take home $1400 a month.
In the not so far future, at 62 your company offer you a clerical position which pay you $1200 monthly. You have on choice but to take it as you are not drawing any money from your CPF. Total you get $1200 a month.
Are you better off?
The only benefit is the government, they are delaying the payout of your CPF and hope you will die before your CPF runs out.
I foresee the retirement age will be raised to 70 so let say your CPF can last 20 years. You can draw monthly payment till you are 90.
Remember life expectancy is 81. So the government had immediately bought 9 years buffer for themselves and I guess not many people can live up to 90 compare to 81.
The odds had turn favorable for CPF board just like that.
So I guess this is the compulsory blog entry to it.
http://app.sprinter.gov.sg/data/pr/2007081905.htm
I just wonder what is the logic of showing them on Channel News Asia, Channel 5, Channel 8, Channel U, Arts Central, Suria and TV mobile.
The only reason I can come up with was to forced you to watch it or forcing you to subscribe to Cable TV.
I didn’t really manage to sit through the whole thingy but I did managed to read through his speech.
I like to touch on the issue of Ageing Population which result to Working Longer which result to Delaying Withdrawal of you CPF.
Singapore just like any other developed countries are facing this problem. People are living longer and are just not having enough babies.
Lets face it, when you are old; you are a burden to the government. You are not contributing to the GDP and the government hope you will died before your CPF money run out or they could export you to Batam.
The government had been trying to encourage people to give birth to more babies but I still think they had failed to tackle the root cause and that’s the main reason they failed. In my opinion, I think the root cause of people not having babies are the rising cost of living and the un-proportional increment of Salaries. I guess they know this but since there is not quick fix to it they just try to brush it off.
Salaries are being kept low down (unless you work for certain political party) to makes Singapore attractive to foreign investor. As living standard are high, increasing bus fares, GST.....etc etc. Therefore dual income families are necessary. Childcare system are also not very established. Working hours are not flexible at all and there are no compulsory paternal leaves.
So you see, Singapore is just not a very family orientated country.
Therefore the quickest solution to this is to import “Foreign Talents”.
Currently it is still under control but I sense dormant Social Problems will surfaced in a few years time.
More workers = Good GDP = Good taxes for the Government. Yes we are a Rich country.
We need to maintain the number of workers working and pay their taxes!!
Easy solutin?Raise the retirement age.
How to keep the cost down?
Easy, offer you a lousier job at a cheaper price.
Say today you are a Manager drawing $8000.
At 62, by law the company has to offer you a job. So they offer you a Clerical position at $1200 a month. You have to take the job as you still can’t draw money from you CPF remember?
See where the cheap labors come from?
Personally I don’t mind the raise the retirement age, but I think you should still keep the same pay and benefits if you can’t still perform. I believe this how American Companies (and our cabinets) are doing it.
Today at 62, you retired and draw from you CPF say $700 monthly. You look for a cleaner job which pay you $700 monthly, so you take home $1400 a month.
In the not so far future, at 62 your company offer you a clerical position which pay you $1200 monthly. You have on choice but to take it as you are not drawing any money from your CPF. Total you get $1200 a month.
Are you better off?
The only benefit is the government, they are delaying the payout of your CPF and hope you will die before your CPF runs out.
I foresee the retirement age will be raised to 70 so let say your CPF can last 20 years. You can draw monthly payment till you are 90.
Remember life expectancy is 81. So the government had immediately bought 9 years buffer for themselves and I guess not many people can live up to 90 compare to 81.
The odds had turn favorable for CPF board just like that.
Monday, August 06, 2007
Blood Donation
Few months ago I actually am contemplating to donate blood.
Being a first time donor, I did a little surfing on the net to find out where and how do about doing it. And guess what… I am not eligible to donate as I spend a couple of years in UK. Look like I can never be a blood donor.
So if you are poor Singaporean who never visited Europe. Then we want your blood to save people who had been staying in Europe. Haa… my propaganda.
· Donors who have spent three months or more cumulatively in the United Kingdom from 1980 through 1996 (i.e. from 1 January 1980 through 31 December 1996) will be permanently deferred from any type of blood donation.
· Donors who have spent five years or more cumulatively in France from 1980 to the present will be permanently deferred from any type of blood donation.
· Donors who have lived cumulatively for 5 years or more in Europe (excluding France and UK) from 1980 to the present will be permanently deferred for whole blood donation but they can donate plasma by plasmapheresis only (Provided wt >51 kg and Haemoglobin >12.5 g/dl).
Source From:
http://www.hsa.gov.sg/internet/dcController?next=i_donorcare_question
I find the last point a bit "cock". Say if you go Europe every year for holiday or work for 2 months cumulatively every year. So after 30 years you cannot be a blood donor.
Being a first time donor, I did a little surfing on the net to find out where and how do about doing it. And guess what… I am not eligible to donate as I spend a couple of years in UK. Look like I can never be a blood donor.
So if you are poor Singaporean who never visited Europe. Then we want your blood to save people who had been staying in Europe. Haa… my propaganda.
· Donors who have spent three months or more cumulatively in the United Kingdom from 1980 through 1996 (i.e. from 1 January 1980 through 31 December 1996) will be permanently deferred from any type of blood donation.
· Donors who have spent five years or more cumulatively in France from 1980 to the present will be permanently deferred from any type of blood donation.
· Donors who have lived cumulatively for 5 years or more in Europe (excluding France and UK) from 1980 to the present will be permanently deferred for whole blood donation but they can donate plasma by plasmapheresis only (Provided wt >51 kg and Haemoglobin >12.5 g/dl).
Source From:
http://www.hsa.gov.sg/internet/dcController?next=i_donorcare_question
I find the last point a bit "cock". Say if you go Europe every year for holiday or work for 2 months cumulatively every year. So after 30 years you cannot be a blood donor.
My 2nd Letter to SBS today
With regard to your computer generated replies:
"Our Ref:2007/Jul/0463 Toll-free: 1800-287 2727 Mainline: 6284-8866 Fax: 6282-5204 Website: <http://www.sbstransit.com.sg/>
13/07/2007
Dear Mr Lee
Please refer to your feedback regarding Service 89.
2 We are sorry to learn of the inconvenience caused while waiting for this service.
3 The Manager has noted your concern on the frequency of the service and is monitoring the situation closely. Rest assured that, where it is within our control, we will ensure that buses arrive at regular intervals.
4 Bus captains have also been reminded to try their best to adhere strictly to their time schedules to ensure service reliability.
5 Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.
Yours sincerely
Tang May Mayfor Deputy DirectorCorporate CommunicationsSBS Transit Ltd"
The service level of Service 89 had not show significant improvement.
Between 0740 and 0810 today there are 3 buses of which 2 are single deck with people standing at the step of the front door when the buses arrived at Bus stop 77019.
Again please response to my query as per my pervious feedback letter.
Please published the time table for service No.89 as this was no where to be found on your website.
Please explain why single deck buses are used during peak hour.
Please advice is a wait of 45min at peak hour for a passenger within SBS transit KPI.
I hope SBS transit will show some sincerity by replying the letter without using the standard template.
"Our Ref:2007/Jul/0463 Toll-free: 1800-287 2727 Mainline: 6284-8866 Fax: 6282-5204 Website: <http://www.sbstransit.com.sg/>
13/07/2007
Dear Mr Lee
Please refer to your feedback regarding Service 89.
2 We are sorry to learn of the inconvenience caused while waiting for this service.
3 The Manager has noted your concern on the frequency of the service and is monitoring the situation closely. Rest assured that, where it is within our control, we will ensure that buses arrive at regular intervals.
4 Bus captains have also been reminded to try their best to adhere strictly to their time schedules to ensure service reliability.
5 Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.
Yours sincerely
Tang May Mayfor Deputy DirectorCorporate CommunicationsSBS Transit Ltd"
The service level of Service 89 had not show significant improvement.
Between 0740 and 0810 today there are 3 buses of which 2 are single deck with people standing at the step of the front door when the buses arrived at Bus stop 77019.
Again please response to my query as per my pervious feedback letter.
Please published the time table for service No.89 as this was no where to be found on your website.
Please explain why single deck buses are used during peak hour.
Please advice is a wait of 45min at peak hour for a passenger within SBS transit KPI.
I hope SBS transit will show some sincerity by replying the letter without using the standard template.
Sick
Last week I was sick for 2 days. A case of gastric flu.
It started on Monday evening, feel a little tummy arch and didn’t really think much about it.
Woke up in the middle of the night as the pain is getting worst but its still bearable. So I decided to go see the doctor the next morning.
Got a day MC and didn’t feel too bad after all.
However things got really bad when I reached. By then my stomach was so painful that can’t moved from the sofa. Try to take the medicine but threw out everything.
It was really like hell I tell you. All together I vomited 4 times in the afternoon and didn’t eat anything at all.
It only got better in the evening.
The next day was better but still not fit for work. So I took another trip to the clinics.
It started on Monday evening, feel a little tummy arch and didn’t really think much about it.
Woke up in the middle of the night as the pain is getting worst but its still bearable. So I decided to go see the doctor the next morning.
Got a day MC and didn’t feel too bad after all.
However things got really bad when I reached. By then my stomach was so painful that can’t moved from the sofa. Try to take the medicine but threw out everything.
It was really like hell I tell you. All together I vomited 4 times in the afternoon and didn’t eat anything at all.
It only got better in the evening.
The next day was better but still not fit for work. So I took another trip to the clinics.
Monday, July 30, 2007
Singapore Penal Code
I like to recommend this website. It is the Penal Code for our country.
http://agcvldb4.agc.gov.sg/non_version/cgi-bin/cgi_retrieve.pl?actno=REVED-224&doctitle=PENAL+CODE%0A&date=latest&method=part
It could be an interesting read and it is also good to know some law which interest you.
Check out Penal Code 121B
121B. Whoever compasses, imagines, invests, devises or intends the deprivation or deposition of the President from the sovereignty of Singapore, or the overawing by criminal force of the Government, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to a fine.
You could be imprisoned for life just by imagine the deprivation of the President!
Penal Code 277
Fouling the water of a public spring or reservoir.
277. Whoever voluntarily corrupts or fouls the water of any public spring or reservoir, so as to render it less fit for the purpose for which it is ordinarily used, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 3 months, or with fine which may extend to $500, or with both.
Careful next time when you want to pee into the reservoir!
Penal Code 279
Rash driving or riding on a public way.
279. Whoever drives any vehicle, or rides, on any public way, in a manner so rash or negligent as to endanger human life, or to be likely to cause hurt or injury to any other person, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 6 months, or with fine which may extend to $1,000, or with both.
Good for all the drivers to know about this.
http://agcvldb4.agc.gov.sg/non_version/cgi-bin/cgi_retrieve.pl?actno=REVED-224&doctitle=PENAL+CODE%0A&date=latest&method=part
It could be an interesting read and it is also good to know some law which interest you.
Check out Penal Code 121B
121B. Whoever compasses, imagines, invests, devises or intends the deprivation or deposition of the President from the sovereignty of Singapore, or the overawing by criminal force of the Government, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to a fine.
You could be imprisoned for life just by imagine the deprivation of the President!
Penal Code 277
Fouling the water of a public spring or reservoir.
277. Whoever voluntarily corrupts or fouls the water of any public spring or reservoir, so as to render it less fit for the purpose for which it is ordinarily used, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 3 months, or with fine which may extend to $500, or with both.
Careful next time when you want to pee into the reservoir!
Penal Code 279
Rash driving or riding on a public way.
279. Whoever drives any vehicle, or rides, on any public way, in a manner so rash or negligent as to endanger human life, or to be likely to cause hurt or injury to any other person, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 6 months, or with fine which may extend to $1,000, or with both.
Good for all the drivers to know about this.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Graciousness in Singapore?
ST Forum 27th July
What's become of our youth? Many young people don't care to give up seats to a pregnant woman
THE most uncomfortable moment of the day comes when I am on board the MRT train.
The passengers of the whole cabin would instantly close their eyes. You may have guessed it, they saw me, a pregnant lady, boarding the train.
There is a thread in a 'motherhood" forum that discusses the topic of the difficulty in getting a seat on the train. I was mentally prepared for all what I had experienced, but the fire in me pushed me to put my feelings into writing.
Wouldn't it be comforting if someone could graciously stand up and volunteer his/her seat to me?
Through the experiences over the last few months, the sad truth is that such a probability is extremely low.
Surprisingly, students and women are the people who do not bother to lift their eyes to look at you, what more giving up their precious seats.
If Singapore could put great emphasis on encouraging childbirth, I believe an equal amount of effort should be made to educate our next generation of young leaders on how to be gracious.
I was standing right in front of a student one evening in the train cabin. She looked blankly at me and closed her eyes. When it was time for her to alight, she did all she could to hide her school badge from me.
How can we depend on such people as future leaders? Even if they achieve No. 1 in all aspects, they score zero in compassion.
Since young, my parents had taught me the right values of greeting the elderly and giving up my seat to those who need it more. I also put myself in other people's shoes and console myself that the women around me in the train cabin may be pregnant in their first trimester. It is not convincing, but I feel better thinking this way. Give them a reason to justify their behaviour, I thought.
But what about the students? I cannot seem to convince myself. Tiredness? I was a student before but being considerate was of a higher importance than given the opportunity to rest at the expense of another person's comfort.
What a great difference the new generation is. In other words, great disappointment.
Chai Juwin (Ms)
I would recommend you to read the Straits Time Forum online instead of reading them from the paper. Not only does it has a additional Online Forum section for letters who are not published.
They also have new feature for reader to post their comments with regard to a certain letter and some are quite good.
See some of the response to Miss Chai letter below:
I think if Ms Chai looks like she needed the seat, there will be those who would offer it to her. In most cases, I have seen pregnant ladies or old people who actually do not expect to have a seat.
Some of them prefers to stand, maybe. But most of them do not have the attitude of "I am pregnant, it is my right", or "I am old, you stand up".
While I think it is a gracious thing to give up my seat if I see a pregnant lady, I do not think it is mandatory. I have very bad chronic headaches, and sometime, I just need to seat and close my eyes on the train to rest. But if someone needs the seat more than me, I would stand up for him or her, if he or she would ask politely.I am not defending the selfish people. But I think that instead of pouting over it, try something else. Do not push all responsibilities to others unless you have make an effort too.Maybe next time, if you feel that you need a seat, ask politely. You will be surprise how many people would give up their seat. As the saying goes, " Ask, and you shall be given".
Posted by: jasoncbk at Fri Jul 27 11:57:16 SGT 2007
Lets be open about it. Being pregnant is difficult but it does not neccessarily mean that you have to sit all day. In Singapore, the MRT/LRT longest ride would be about 40mins? (sorry hv been overseas too long) So that 40mins, would be an alternate to some exercise that doctors encourage pregnant women to have esp closer to delivery date. I guess look at things on the positive side, at least you have some exercise rather then stand 40mins fuming about who is giving up a seat to you. Your baby will be affected by your mood.Cheers!!
Posted by: tony1971 at Fri Jul 27 11:31:22 SGT 2007
Maybe the sitting passenger was tired? Sick? Leg hurts?What disturbs me more is the tendency of people to jump into a 'moral-police' mode and judge a person guilty by default. The sitting person may or may not have valid reason, he could jolly well be simply selfish, I don't know. Since I do not know, I shall not judge. The sitting passenger is not obliged to explain to anyone also.
Posted by: John.Hooi at Fri Jul 27 11:21:39 SGT 2007
I shared the sentiment of some of the readers here.
Being pregnant does not give you the rights to have a seat. Everyone on the train paid for the tickets and although it would be a nice gesture if someone offer you his or her seats but they have no obligation to.
Personally I think old folks have more rights to be offered seat rather then pregnant women.
Being pregnant is a choice and we all should know by now that Singapore is not really a Family friendly place.
The government want people to give birth, but they don’t re-look at a flexible working environment.
Owning a car too expensive for normal Singaporean, Taxi companies sucks and MRT and Buses are there to rack up profit which result in the long waits for over crowded buses and trains.
In school we are taught it’s the survival of the fittest and in society where we needed to be reminded to flush our toilets, I don’t think there is much social grace left in us.
Its every man for himself out there, even our goverment told us they cannot take care for us forever. (But somehow they like to keep our CPF for us.)
What's become of our youth? Many young people don't care to give up seats to a pregnant woman
THE most uncomfortable moment of the day comes when I am on board the MRT train.
The passengers of the whole cabin would instantly close their eyes. You may have guessed it, they saw me, a pregnant lady, boarding the train.
There is a thread in a 'motherhood" forum that discusses the topic of the difficulty in getting a seat on the train. I was mentally prepared for all what I had experienced, but the fire in me pushed me to put my feelings into writing.
Wouldn't it be comforting if someone could graciously stand up and volunteer his/her seat to me?
Through the experiences over the last few months, the sad truth is that such a probability is extremely low.
Surprisingly, students and women are the people who do not bother to lift their eyes to look at you, what more giving up their precious seats.
If Singapore could put great emphasis on encouraging childbirth, I believe an equal amount of effort should be made to educate our next generation of young leaders on how to be gracious.
I was standing right in front of a student one evening in the train cabin. She looked blankly at me and closed her eyes. When it was time for her to alight, she did all she could to hide her school badge from me.
How can we depend on such people as future leaders? Even if they achieve No. 1 in all aspects, they score zero in compassion.
Since young, my parents had taught me the right values of greeting the elderly and giving up my seat to those who need it more. I also put myself in other people's shoes and console myself that the women around me in the train cabin may be pregnant in their first trimester. It is not convincing, but I feel better thinking this way. Give them a reason to justify their behaviour, I thought.
But what about the students? I cannot seem to convince myself. Tiredness? I was a student before but being considerate was of a higher importance than given the opportunity to rest at the expense of another person's comfort.
What a great difference the new generation is. In other words, great disappointment.
Chai Juwin (Ms)
I would recommend you to read the Straits Time Forum online instead of reading them from the paper. Not only does it has a additional Online Forum section for letters who are not published.
They also have new feature for reader to post their comments with regard to a certain letter and some are quite good.
See some of the response to Miss Chai letter below:
I think if Ms Chai looks like she needed the seat, there will be those who would offer it to her. In most cases, I have seen pregnant ladies or old people who actually do not expect to have a seat.
Some of them prefers to stand, maybe. But most of them do not have the attitude of "I am pregnant, it is my right", or "I am old, you stand up".
While I think it is a gracious thing to give up my seat if I see a pregnant lady, I do not think it is mandatory. I have very bad chronic headaches, and sometime, I just need to seat and close my eyes on the train to rest. But if someone needs the seat more than me, I would stand up for him or her, if he or she would ask politely.I am not defending the selfish people. But I think that instead of pouting over it, try something else. Do not push all responsibilities to others unless you have make an effort too.Maybe next time, if you feel that you need a seat, ask politely. You will be surprise how many people would give up their seat. As the saying goes, " Ask, and you shall be given".
Posted by: jasoncbk at Fri Jul 27 11:57:16 SGT 2007
Lets be open about it. Being pregnant is difficult but it does not neccessarily mean that you have to sit all day. In Singapore, the MRT/LRT longest ride would be about 40mins? (sorry hv been overseas too long) So that 40mins, would be an alternate to some exercise that doctors encourage pregnant women to have esp closer to delivery date. I guess look at things on the positive side, at least you have some exercise rather then stand 40mins fuming about who is giving up a seat to you. Your baby will be affected by your mood.Cheers!!
Posted by: tony1971 at Fri Jul 27 11:31:22 SGT 2007
Maybe the sitting passenger was tired? Sick? Leg hurts?What disturbs me more is the tendency of people to jump into a 'moral-police' mode and judge a person guilty by default. The sitting person may or may not have valid reason, he could jolly well be simply selfish, I don't know. Since I do not know, I shall not judge. The sitting passenger is not obliged to explain to anyone also.
Posted by: John.Hooi at Fri Jul 27 11:21:39 SGT 2007
I shared the sentiment of some of the readers here.
Being pregnant does not give you the rights to have a seat. Everyone on the train paid for the tickets and although it would be a nice gesture if someone offer you his or her seats but they have no obligation to.
Personally I think old folks have more rights to be offered seat rather then pregnant women.
Being pregnant is a choice and we all should know by now that Singapore is not really a Family friendly place.
The government want people to give birth, but they don’t re-look at a flexible working environment.
Owning a car too expensive for normal Singaporean, Taxi companies sucks and MRT and Buses are there to rack up profit which result in the long waits for over crowded buses and trains.
In school we are taught it’s the survival of the fittest and in society where we needed to be reminded to flush our toilets, I don’t think there is much social grace left in us.
Its every man for himself out there, even our goverment told us they cannot take care for us forever. (But somehow they like to keep our CPF for us.)
Cosmetic Solution
We all know how notorious the waiting times are at Singapore Polyclinics.
They acknowledged it and instead of tackling the root cause by introducing more staff to speed up the diagnosis times, they decided to add in cameras at waiting area.
http://polyclinic.singhealth.com.sg/OurServices/Queue/
This way you could go online and choose to check on the waiting time before you decide where and when you want to go down to you “friendly” polyclinics.
Firstly, most people who visit polyclinics are the older and the poor Singaporeans.
Do you think the majority of them are internet savvy?
Secondly, I don’t need to go to the web to find out that queue are the polyclinics are long.
What a waste of tax payer money again this time….must be another scholar’s project.
They acknowledged it and instead of tackling the root cause by introducing more staff to speed up the diagnosis times, they decided to add in cameras at waiting area.
http://polyclinic.singhealth.com.sg/OurServices/Queue/
This way you could go online and choose to check on the waiting time before you decide where and when you want to go down to you “friendly” polyclinics.
Firstly, most people who visit polyclinics are the older and the poor Singaporeans.
Do you think the majority of them are internet savvy?
Secondly, I don’t need to go to the web to find out that queue are the polyclinics are long.
What a waste of tax payer money again this time….must be another scholar’s project.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Transfomers the Movie
Went to watch Transformers last Friday. Was actually quite surprise that it was a full house despite it had been showing for close to a month.
If you are not a Transformer Fan then this movie is quite entertaining with lots of actions but for a Transformer Fan like me this is actually quite disappointing.
I felt that the producer should not change the design of the Autobots and Decepticons.
Optimus Prime look like cock with his human face but did saw a bit of the shielded face mode when he was doing his final battle with Megatron.
Starscream still look ok as he maintained his fighters look. (Upgraded to F22 from F15)
And yes, Megatron look like a big COCK. Wau lau… look like a bloody gorilla.
I am also Bumble Bee ended up as a Chevrolet Camero and not his original Volkwagen Beetle. I guess the American try to make all cars theirs. (SAD!) Take a look at the chart below!
Bumble Bee Chevrolet Camaro(Movie) Volkwagen Beetle(Original Form)
Jazz Pontiac Solstice (Movie) Porche 925 Turbo (Original Form)
IronHide GMC C4500 Pickup (Movie) Nissan C20 (Original Form)
Ratchet Hummer H2 (Movie) Nissan C20 (Original Form)
Found the reason! "The other Autobots also became GM-owned vehicles in a product placement deal that saved $3 million"
The transfomation of the Transformers are quite cool but again the camera was panning all over the places making it difficult to see. I guess Michael Baywas trying too hard?
I think this is a movie not for Fans but are more appealing to the general public.
Anyway for information, there already plan for 2 sequels of the movie and I hope they change the director for the new two movies.
If you are not a Transformer Fan then this movie is quite entertaining with lots of actions but for a Transformer Fan like me this is actually quite disappointing.
I felt that the producer should not change the design of the Autobots and Decepticons.
Optimus Prime look like cock with his human face but did saw a bit of the shielded face mode when he was doing his final battle with Megatron.
Starscream still look ok as he maintained his fighters look. (Upgraded to F22 from F15)
And yes, Megatron look like a big COCK. Wau lau… look like a bloody gorilla.
I am also Bumble Bee ended up as a Chevrolet Camero and not his original Volkwagen Beetle. I guess the American try to make all cars theirs. (SAD!) Take a look at the chart below!
Bumble Bee Chevrolet Camaro(Movie) Volkwagen Beetle(Original Form)
Jazz Pontiac Solstice (Movie) Porche 925 Turbo (Original Form)
IronHide GMC C4500 Pickup (Movie) Nissan C20 (Original Form)
Ratchet Hummer H2 (Movie) Nissan C20 (Original Form)
Found the reason! "The other Autobots also became GM-owned vehicles in a product placement deal that saved $3 million"
The transfomation of the Transformers are quite cool but again the camera was panning all over the places making it difficult to see. I guess Michael Baywas trying too hard?
I think this is a movie not for Fans but are more appealing to the general public.
Anyway for information, there already plan for 2 sequels of the movie and I hope they change the director for the new two movies.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
National Flag
I was just wondering a few days ago, when I saw the National Flags being displayed by the RC all over the island, why are they are flying the flags so early this year?
I remember the government did states only to fly the flags in the month of Aug.
Well look like they just amended the law this year, now you can even wear the national flag!!
From http://app.sprinter.gov.sg/data/pr/20070717984.htm
To keep pace with these changes, and to encourage Singaporeans to display their pride and loyalty to Singapore, MICA has taken steps to amend the Singapore Arms and Flag and National Anthem Act. The notifications were published in the e-Gazette, Subsidiary Legislation Supplement on 16 July 2007 and take immediate effect.
Flying the Flag during the National Day Celebrations period
a) The National Day Celebrations period will be extended from 1 July to 30 September each year (instead of 1- 31 August currently in force), during which the Flag may be flown without a flagpole and night illumination.
b) National Flag decals and stickers, posters or other visual images may be displayed freely. Additionally, the National Flag may be flown on vehicles (both private and commercial) during the National Day celebrations period.
c) The National Flag may also be displayed on costumes and personal attire during the period with the requirement only that the Flag be treated with respect at all times.
I remember the government did states only to fly the flags in the month of Aug.
Well look like they just amended the law this year, now you can even wear the national flag!!
From http://app.sprinter.gov.sg/data/pr/20070717984.htm
To keep pace with these changes, and to encourage Singaporeans to display their pride and loyalty to Singapore, MICA has taken steps to amend the Singapore Arms and Flag and National Anthem Act. The notifications were published in the e-Gazette, Subsidiary Legislation Supplement on 16 July 2007 and take immediate effect.
Flying the Flag during the National Day Celebrations period
a) The National Day Celebrations period will be extended from 1 July to 30 September each year (instead of 1- 31 August currently in force), during which the Flag may be flown without a flagpole and night illumination.
b) National Flag decals and stickers, posters or other visual images may be displayed freely. Additionally, the National Flag may be flown on vehicles (both private and commercial) during the National Day celebrations period.
c) The National Flag may also be displayed on costumes and personal attire during the period with the requirement only that the Flag be treated with respect at all times.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
SBS Response
SBS replied on 13th July:
1.Please refer to your feedback regarding Service 89.
2.We are sorry to learn of the inconvenience caused while waiting for this service.
3. The Manager has noted your concern on the frequency of the service and is monitoring the situation closely. Rest assured that, where it is within our control, we will ensure that buses arrive at regular intervals.
4. Bus captains have also been reminded to try their best to adhere strictly to their time schedules to ensure service reliability.
5. Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.
Yours sincerely
Tang May May
for Deputy DirectorCorporate Communications
SBS Transit Ltd
To me this letter is so lame..
It did not state whether was there any investigation done nor does it answer any of my questions.
Just a standard template I guess. A give away is at point 2. (this service, can't she just response service 89?)
May May just have to fill in the service number and also note these point form answers can be used to reply to any compliants.
Sad... a service corporation should take customer feedback more seriously since they bother to give feedbacks.
But again I guess SBS Transit has not much of a competition in the market so they can affort to give you such a lousy response.
1.Please refer to your feedback regarding Service 89.
2.We are sorry to learn of the inconvenience caused while waiting for this service.
3. The Manager has noted your concern on the frequency of the service and is monitoring the situation closely. Rest assured that, where it is within our control, we will ensure that buses arrive at regular intervals.
4. Bus captains have also been reminded to try their best to adhere strictly to their time schedules to ensure service reliability.
5. Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.
Yours sincerely
Tang May May
for Deputy DirectorCorporate Communications
SBS Transit Ltd
To me this letter is so lame..
It did not state whether was there any investigation done nor does it answer any of my questions.
Just a standard template I guess. A give away is at point 2. (this service, can't she just response service 89?)
May May just have to fill in the service number and also note these point form answers can be used to reply to any compliants.
Sad... a service corporation should take customer feedback more seriously since they bother to give feedbacks.
But again I guess SBS Transit has not much of a competition in the market so they can affort to give you such a lousy response.
Friday, July 06, 2007
Day Light Robbers
A sample of how the price of some food in my office canteen post 1st July. Remember GST is only up by 2 percentage point.
Hum chin Pan up from $0.50 to $0.55 (10% increment)
Chapti up from $1.50 to $1.60 (6.6% increment)
Coffe-Si up from $0.50 to $0.60 (20% increment)
Breakfast set up from $1.50 to $1.60 (6.6% increment)
Hum chin Pan up from $0.50 to $0.55 (10% increment)
Chapti up from $1.50 to $1.60 (6.6% increment)
Coffe-Si up from $0.50 to $0.60 (20% increment)
Breakfast set up from $1.50 to $1.60 (6.6% increment)
My letter to SBS Transit today
I must congratulate SBS Transit for making it to the top on my list of worst public transport operator in Singapore.
I commute to work from Pasir ris Bus stop 77019 to Air Freight Terminal daily by Service number 89 in the morning.
I reach Bus Stop 77019 daily at about 7.40am and trying to get on board Service 89 has always turn out to be an impossible mission at that time.
However thing had improved as there are a fairly empty bus arriving at about 7.40am daily to pick up passengers stranded in Pasir Ris as I believe this bus does not start its journey from Hougang.
But as good thing never last long. For the whole of this week, service No.89 at 7.40am disappeared miraculously with the introduction of GST increment on 1st July.
Service No.89 is impossible to get on board at Bus stop 77019 between 7.40am till 8.15am with passengers packed the brim. Worst still SBS Transit had changed one of the service bus to a single deck. Please explain the logic of introducing a single deck bus at peak hour.
The situation of Service No.89 had become even worst with the introduction of No.89E. Hooray for passengers living in Hougang and Sengkang but as the bus does not stop at Pasir Ris and these 89E had made the wait for Service 89 even longer.
SBS Transit must be grateful that pubic bus routes in Singapore are heavily regulated as no 2 bus company are allows to service the same route. As I certainly will not take and SBS transit service if I have the choice.
Please published the time table for service No.89 as this was no where to be found on your website.
Please explain why there are only 2 frequency of No.89 are Pasir Ris between 7.40am and 8.25am.
Please advice is a wait of 45min at peak hour for a passenger within SBS transit KPI.
I commute to work from Pasir ris Bus stop 77019 to Air Freight Terminal daily by Service number 89 in the morning.
I reach Bus Stop 77019 daily at about 7.40am and trying to get on board Service 89 has always turn out to be an impossible mission at that time.
However thing had improved as there are a fairly empty bus arriving at about 7.40am daily to pick up passengers stranded in Pasir Ris as I believe this bus does not start its journey from Hougang.
But as good thing never last long. For the whole of this week, service No.89 at 7.40am disappeared miraculously with the introduction of GST increment on 1st July.
Service No.89 is impossible to get on board at Bus stop 77019 between 7.40am till 8.15am with passengers packed the brim. Worst still SBS Transit had changed one of the service bus to a single deck. Please explain the logic of introducing a single deck bus at peak hour.
The situation of Service No.89 had become even worst with the introduction of No.89E. Hooray for passengers living in Hougang and Sengkang but as the bus does not stop at Pasir Ris and these 89E had made the wait for Service 89 even longer.
SBS Transit must be grateful that pubic bus routes in Singapore are heavily regulated as no 2 bus company are allows to service the same route. As I certainly will not take and SBS transit service if I have the choice.
Please published the time table for service No.89 as this was no where to be found on your website.
Please explain why there are only 2 frequency of No.89 are Pasir Ris between 7.40am and 8.25am.
Please advice is a wait of 45min at peak hour for a passenger within SBS transit KPI.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Holiday in Seoul
Just came back from a week break in Seoul.
Weather was rather warm for the first few days and the Sun was pretty strong. Then it got cooler towardes the end of the week. Started to rain and the temperature was hovering around 28 C.
Some interesting things I’ve notice about Korean.
1. They are still in the “couples dress alike fag”
2. They love to buy stuff onboard. (I notice the cart was 90% empty when they are done!)
3. Good girl friends like to hold hands
4. There always someone doing big business in the toilet.
(Yes! 80% of the time I visited the public toilets there are someone doing it. Even start doing on board the aircraft. I guess it’s the food, I did my business everyday there.)
5. They love to stand really close to you.
6. They more or less respect the elders.
7. They like to “fight” for the bill.
Weather was rather warm for the first few days and the Sun was pretty strong. Then it got cooler towardes the end of the week. Started to rain and the temperature was hovering around 28 C.
Some interesting things I’ve notice about Korean.
1. They are still in the “couples dress alike fag”
2. They love to buy stuff onboard. (I notice the cart was 90% empty when they are done!)
3. Good girl friends like to hold hands
4. There always someone doing big business in the toilet.
(Yes! 80% of the time I visited the public toilets there are someone doing it. Even start doing on board the aircraft. I guess it’s the food, I did my business everyday there.)
5. They love to stand really close to you.
6. They more or less respect the elders.
7. They like to “fight” for the bill.
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Conspiracy Part 2
Guess I was right after all…
Yesterday happened to drop by NTUC and it was really crowded.
Guess everyone just give the first Wednesday of the month a missed these days.
Yesterday happened to drop by NTUC and it was really crowded.
Guess everyone just give the first Wednesday of the month a missed these days.
Conspiracy
Yesterday was the 3rd Bring You Own Bags Day at various supermarkets.
Again there were publicity on the news last night with these supermarkets claimed a drop in plastic bags usage by 30-80%.
Think the failed to see the main point.
The drop is usage merely shows that more people are avoiding to shop on BYOB days.
Again there were publicity on the news last night with these supermarkets claimed a drop in plastic bags usage by 30-80%.
Think the failed to see the main point.
The drop is usage merely shows that more people are avoiding to shop on BYOB days.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Update
Not been blogging for a while now. Busy with many stuff…haha…
Should be able to update more often for the coming week before I am flying off to Seoul for holiday on 16th June.
Can tell that this is the star to of school holiday just by judging the traffic on the street in the morning. This week I have no problem of finding a seat on our world class bus and also the traveling time shorten significantly.
Its amazed me how much of our citizen life are revolving around their children.
Should be able to update more often for the coming week before I am flying off to Seoul for holiday on 16th June.
Can tell that this is the star to of school holiday just by judging the traffic on the street in the morning. This week I have no problem of finding a seat on our world class bus and also the traveling time shorten significantly.
Its amazed me how much of our citizen life are revolving around their children.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Yet another quick solution
ST Forum
April 25, 2007
Some suggestions on how we can achieve a plastic bag-free society
WE HAVE been talking about using fewer plastic bags to help save the environment for sometime now and we have finally put words into action by declaring every first Wednesday of the month as Bring Your Own Bag day.
In addition, some participating stores are also starting to charge the customers 10 cents per plastic bag. A good start but not enough if you are hoping that it will be a stunning success eventually.
In fact, I find this half-hearted effort is doomed to fail in the long run - the reason being that it is too much a hassle for affluent Singaporeans to remember to bring their reusable bags on every first Wednesday of the month in order to save a few cents.
I have some suggestions.
>>Instead of charging 10 cents, why not charge the customer $1 for the reusable bag which can be refunded if he returns it on his next shopping trip.
>>If he forgets, charge him another $1 for another reusable bag. He can also accumulate up to five bags and use them in exchange for goods bought.
>>It is more palatable for customers to pay if they know that no extra charge will be incurred at the end of the day as long as they cooperate and make the system work. The customers must also be told that the bags must be returned in good condition for reuse.
>>We can start off this scheme by getting all the major supermarkets to come together to agree that they charge the same price for each reusable bag and that they can be returned for a refund at all participating outlets.
If we can produce Newater, I have no doubt we can be equally successful in making Singapore a plastic bag-free society and in our own small way help to save the environment.
John Voon Zoon Choong
The talk of the town in Singapore is going plactic bags free.
We see several ass kisser supporting this move to “save the Earth”
Let me paint you a scenario, Mrs Tua JuaLong, stays somewhere in Tampines and she use to take a bus to IKEA Tampine to make her purchase. However after IKEA start to charge $0.10 for each plastic bag, Mrs Tua decided it will not be economical if she keep being charge is she need to purchase several item. So she decided to DRIVE to IKEA instead, this way she can go completely plastic-bags-less as she only need to put the IKEA cart to the car park, dump everything into her car boot and drive home.
Plastic Bag 1
Emission 0
Now how environment friendly is that?
What I am saying is that there are much much more needed to be done to really make Singapore an environment friendly country. We should be work more on education and have a efficient re-cycling system.
I am using plastic bags to line my dustbin and in a way I am re-cycling them.
If there are no free plastic bags available in the future. I still need to BUY MORE PLACTIC BAGS to line my dustbin if the waste disposal method remains the same.
Why is this harping on charging customer plastic bags? This is not tackling the root cause of the problem but only a quick way of making “grocery” plastic bags consumption go down. But soon we will see sales of dustbin plastic bags going up….
April 25, 2007
Some suggestions on how we can achieve a plastic bag-free society
WE HAVE been talking about using fewer plastic bags to help save the environment for sometime now and we have finally put words into action by declaring every first Wednesday of the month as Bring Your Own Bag day.
In addition, some participating stores are also starting to charge the customers 10 cents per plastic bag. A good start but not enough if you are hoping that it will be a stunning success eventually.
In fact, I find this half-hearted effort is doomed to fail in the long run - the reason being that it is too much a hassle for affluent Singaporeans to remember to bring their reusable bags on every first Wednesday of the month in order to save a few cents.
I have some suggestions.
>>Instead of charging 10 cents, why not charge the customer $1 for the reusable bag which can be refunded if he returns it on his next shopping trip.
>>If he forgets, charge him another $1 for another reusable bag. He can also accumulate up to five bags and use them in exchange for goods bought.
>>It is more palatable for customers to pay if they know that no extra charge will be incurred at the end of the day as long as they cooperate and make the system work. The customers must also be told that the bags must be returned in good condition for reuse.
>>We can start off this scheme by getting all the major supermarkets to come together to agree that they charge the same price for each reusable bag and that they can be returned for a refund at all participating outlets.
If we can produce Newater, I have no doubt we can be equally successful in making Singapore a plastic bag-free society and in our own small way help to save the environment.
John Voon Zoon Choong
The talk of the town in Singapore is going plactic bags free.
We see several ass kisser supporting this move to “save the Earth”
Let me paint you a scenario, Mrs Tua JuaLong, stays somewhere in Tampines and she use to take a bus to IKEA Tampine to make her purchase. However after IKEA start to charge $0.10 for each plastic bag, Mrs Tua decided it will not be economical if she keep being charge is she need to purchase several item. So she decided to DRIVE to IKEA instead, this way she can go completely plastic-bags-less as she only need to put the IKEA cart to the car park, dump everything into her car boot and drive home.
Plastic Bag 1
Emission 0
Now how environment friendly is that?
What I am saying is that there are much much more needed to be done to really make Singapore an environment friendly country. We should be work more on education and have a efficient re-cycling system.
I am using plastic bags to line my dustbin and in a way I am re-cycling them.
If there are no free plastic bags available in the future. I still need to BUY MORE PLACTIC BAGS to line my dustbin if the waste disposal method remains the same.
Why is this harping on charging customer plastic bags? This is not tackling the root cause of the problem but only a quick way of making “grocery” plastic bags consumption go down. But soon we will see sales of dustbin plastic bags going up….
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Greed?
Too much had been written on the nets on the recent Ministers Pay Hike.So I will not write on what all Singaporean should already know about their government that they voted for.
After all these sagas over the years, I am wondering what are the benefits of being a Singaporean after all? And what the government is doing for the “Stayers”?
When I look back the years, I see fares of public transport going up countless time, GST went up from 0% to 7%, medical cost going up, people being retrenched and got a pay cut during SARS and 911, people found new ways of killing themselves with the MRT, gross management of charities (NKF, Youth Challenge), plan to increase our population to 6millions with Foreign Talents, cost of basic food stuff are going up……………..
This makes me think more seriously on migrating… I may be a second-class citizen in another country but I may be better of being a “1st class” citizen in Singapore.
Just a couple of weeks ago, I was watching this charity drive on TV. They got several patients to relates on national TV how poor they are and how they need the help from the man on the street with donations. Yesterday, just saw the first wave of the gross increment for our government. How ironic…
“The world has enough for us, but not our greed”
After all these sagas over the years, I am wondering what are the benefits of being a Singaporean after all? And what the government is doing for the “Stayers”?
When I look back the years, I see fares of public transport going up countless time, GST went up from 0% to 7%, medical cost going up, people being retrenched and got a pay cut during SARS and 911, people found new ways of killing themselves with the MRT, gross management of charities (NKF, Youth Challenge), plan to increase our population to 6millions with Foreign Talents, cost of basic food stuff are going up……………..
This makes me think more seriously on migrating… I may be a second-class citizen in another country but I may be better of being a “1st class” citizen in Singapore.
Just a couple of weeks ago, I was watching this charity drive on TV. They got several patients to relates on national TV how poor they are and how they need the help from the man on the street with donations. Yesterday, just saw the first wave of the gross increment for our government. How ironic…
“The world has enough for us, but not our greed”
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