Greed

Just 3 days after the fare hikes and we see this. Good info.

ST Oct 3, 2007

Bus and train trips hit record levels

SMRT and SBS Transit could earn $20.7m more in fares as average daily rides rise to 4.4m

By Christopher Tan

SINGAPORE'S bus and train operators are reaping the benefit of a surge in public transport use that has sent ridership to record levels - despite fare hikes. (What other choice we have? Walk to work?)

The country's growing population, higher tourist numbers and booming economy are behind the marked increase in usage.

An average of 4.363 million rides were made on buses and trains each day in the financial year ended March 31, said the Land Transport Authority.

This pips the previous high of 4.358 million daily rides in 2001.

And figures from SMRT and SBS Transit show that daily ridership has hit 4.438 million in the April to June period of the current financial year.

Financial second-quarter numbers are not out yet but preliminary data from the two firms indicates that ridership is set to cross 4.5 million.

The striking increases - they even caught financial analysts by surprise - have reversed a worrying sign of two years ago when ridership slumped to a seven-year low.

An appreciable rise in Singapore's population - which grew 4.4 per cent to 4.68 million at the end of June - is a key factor behind the ridership growth, which in turn will swell the coffers of transport operators.

Based on average fares, the extra rides, if sustained, will translate to $20.7 million more in turnover for the two companies - a $12.4 million rise in bus revenue and an $8.3 million increase in rail revenue a year.

Analysts had factored in the positive trend but were still taken aback by the increase.

ABN Amro Asia Securities analyst Fera Wirawan said in a report on ComfortDelGro, the parent company of SBS Transit: 'Bus ridership in the first half of 2007 has exceeded our forecasts for the 2007 financial year by 2 per cent, while that for rail has almost reached our target.'

She is now projecting bus ridership to grow by 3.3 per cent for the 2008 financial year.

Citigroup Singapore strategist Lim Jit Soon said that besides the growth in Singapore's population, a higher employment rate and more tourist arrivals are also driving ridership numbers.

SBS Transit spokesman Tammy Tan said more people moving to Sengkang and Punggol has boosted ridership on the North-East MRT line. The system carried 307,062 passengers a day in July - 56 per cent up on July 2004.

Ms Wirawan expects ridership on that line to continue chalking up 'double-digit growth' for at least two more years. (Yeah more profit!)

But observers point out that the two transport operators would have to earn their keep.

The Public Transport Council (PTC) has just raised service standards for buses, which will mean more vehicles will have to be put on the road to meet them.

The council wants at least 80 per cent of bus services to run at frequencies of not more than 10 minutes during weekday peak hours, down from 15 minutes now. (Easy they just have to reduce the frequency during off peak.)

Bus companies have two years to comply. (Why 2 year? Shouldn't they comply before the fare hike?)

Rail standards are not under the PTC's purview.

Analysts said the transport companies will also continue to face cost pressures from rising fuel prices, higher Central Provident Fund contributions and a higher Goods and Services Tax rate. (I thought a listed compnay can claim GST from the gov? Correct me if I am wrong)

Ms Wirawan said: 'In a buoyant labour market, you need to raise salaries by more than usual to keep people.'

On top of the revenue growth from rising ridership, SBS Transit is expected to gain $9.3 million from the latest fare revision which took place on Monday, while SMRT will reap $3 million. (Bloody blood suckers)

Reminder

Just to remind everyone how F**K our public transport system is.

From yesterday, I am $0.02 poorer per day or $7.30 more profit annually for SBS (at least).

Project for Blogger on 4th Oct

Something for you guys to post on the 4th Oct.


http://beautifultobehold.wordpress.com/2007/09/29/free-burma/

第一次

闲着没事做就想试试用中文写个POST.

没想到这可不简单啊。

平常都没有机会写中文，结果花了很长时间才写了这短短的 POST。之中还用了一些英文。

感想是：如果不常常用，不管你当时有多厉害，都会有功力消退的一天。

Brainless Act

Something I notice:

When my colleagues who seat next to me are not around,s ometime their phones can just keep on ringing and ringing and ringing…

I just wonder does the caller have brain at all.

Firstly, if I am on my desk and if I can answer the phone, it will not take me 3 minutes of ringing to decide whether I want to answer it or not.

Come on, it does not take you more then 5 rings to know that the person on the other side is either:

1) Not at his desk
2) Couldn’t answer your call at the moment as he is busy
3) Don’t want to answer your call
4) Is irritated by your persistence and therefore see point 3)

Persistent ringing not only waste your time and it also cause the people around the “recipient” office to go crazy.

Same thought

Live webcams not the way to speed up queues at clinics

Thursday • September 20, 2007
Letter from Lim Boon Hee

I urge the relevant authorities to tackle the perennial problem of unacceptable waiting times in our polyclinics, A&E departments and specialist clinics once and for all.

Showing real-time waiting times online is simply skirting the issue and not going after the causes of the problem. It is ludicrous to expect that a patient under the care of one particular polyclinic to go to another just because the waiting time is shown to be shorter on a computer.

Instead of spending money and resources on this, more doctors, pharmacists, nurses and clinics should be employed to solve this medical services crunch in an environment with a growing "greying" population that requires more medical facilities.

We should be examining why the waiting times are so long.

Is it because there are:

1 Not enough doctors, pharmacists, nurses and clinics to serve a burgeoning demand?

2 There are too many patients due to an ageing population?

3 Inefficiencies and procedures that are not streamlined enough in the polyclinics resulting in long waiting times?

4 People flock to polyclinics due to a lack of subsidies for long-term medicine for chronic illnesses and denied subsidised specialist care if private clinics refer them?




Look like somebody agreed to what I commented on Camera installed at Polyclinics.


https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=23081753&postID=9184593088441764287

SBS at it again

ST News Sep 11, 2007

Bus fares to go up by 1 to 2 cents from Oct 1

By Christopher Tan

BUS fares will go up by one to two cents from Oct 1, the Public Transport Council announced on Tuesday.

But there will be no increase in train fares.

Senior citizen concessionary EZ-Link bus fares, which are flat fares pegged to the lowest adult EZ-Link fare band will also increase by 2 cents, up from the current 65 cents.

However, because they are flat fares, the same 67 cents fare will apply regardless of the distance travelled.

'The PTC has to strike a balance between safeguarding commuters' interests and ensuring the financial viability of the public transport operators so that they can continue to improve their services over time and sustain their capital investments,' Chairman of the PTC Gerard Ee said.............



ST Forum Sep 13, 2007

Woman flung off bus seat: Son upset with SBS staff

LAST SATURDAY, my elderly mother and aunt boarded SBS service 133 (vehicle No. SBS 312B) in Rochor Road. Both took a seat in the second row behind the driver. During the journey, the bus was travelling at a high speed.
At about 4.25pm, the driver made a fast and sharp turn at the junction of Lavender Street and Serangoon Road, flinging my mother from her seat. She landed flat on her back and couldn't get up.

A short distance away, the driver halted the bus - only to glance in the rear-view mirror. Two kind passengers, however, helped my dazed mother to her seat. The driver did not inquire or give assistance to my mother, and continued to speed off on his journey.

On reaching Ang Mo Kio Bus Interchange at about 4.45pm, my mother and aunt approached SBS Transit Passenger Office and reported the incident to two officers at the service counter.

The male officer took down my mother's feedback and particulars. My mother and aunt then identified the driver at the office. The driver denied any incident had occurred during his journey. The female officer even warned my mother of false allegations and demanded that she bring in other witnesses - apart from my aunt. She even claimed my aunt was not a 'reliable' witness.

My mother later complained of back ache and I took her to a GP, who referred her to Changi General Hospital. There she was diagnosed with a fractured lower back and tenderness over her left shoulder and upper limb.

I am aghast at the actions of the bus driver. Nor do I condone the behaviour of the SBS counter staff. Till now, no one from SBS has called to inquire or follow up on my mother's feedback.

Stanley Lim Chee Hoe



These 2 articles speak for themselves actually.

How screwed up our public transport system is these days. All are profit orientated and it will be interesting to see if SBS ever response to Stanley.

Bravo to our dear Public Transport Operator

A380 evacuation test

This video shows the evacuation certification for the new A380.

Basically any new aircraft type need to meet the safety standard set by the authority before it is given go ahead.

This test was done about 2 years ago and they are all Airbus employee. If I remember correctly it went smoothly with only a couple of people suffer from broken bone.

It is quite amazing actually.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weOcrP7u7Y8

National Service

Disappeared for a week due to my reservist.

Look like I will not get to finish my 7 highs and 3 lows before my 40th Birthday. I guess SAF are cutting cost and keep calling us back for lows and seldom the highs.

Low keys in camp used to be quite relaxing. It usually is some form of in-camp training and seldom moves out to the field. But this year it was different.

Look like they are trying to compact some field training into your annual one-week stay with SAF.

I got to say it is actually quite nice to go back to the camp that you spend two years of our life in. There are new buildings and also buildings that never change. You also get to see you old bosses and colleagues.

But can really say the way people work has any improvement.

Something new this year! They gave us a set of feedback form after our one-week in-camp training.

They’re this question (Can’t remember the exact word but the main point is the same):

“Will you go to war and scarify your life for Singapore?”

Well it got me thinking.

Is there anything in Singapore worth for you to scarifying your life for?

Try taking out the family aspect from this question.

Yes I guess we will all defend our family with our life, but let say your family all migrated or are no longer in Singapore. Is there still something in Singapore for you?

Think about it…………….

SBS Response to my 2nd Letter

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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….

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”

Flag Days

April 3, 2007
Many turn blind eye to Flag Day collection

MARCH 31 was 'Flag Day' - a day for all St John cadets, island-wide, to go around collecting donations.

My squad mates and I set off for various places with positive attitudes, hoping to collect donations, only to face disappointment and frustration.

My senior and I were positioned outside Queensway shopping mall. The human traffic there was fantastic. But whenever I approached any of them, they shunned me and quickened their pace in a bid to avoid me.

Out of 20 people, one came forward. There were some people who turned the other way when I was walking towards them. This left me shocked and appalled.

Would it do any harm to come forward to make a donation, regardless of the amount?

There were even passers-by commenting that we may be the second NKF, and our motive was to con them. I was utterly wordless upon hearing this.

I hope people will take on a more positive mindset when donating and let bygones just be bygones.

Lim Jia Yan Jasmine (Miss)

I got to admit I have stopped donating on flag days.

One reason is that I find the government is not doing enough to help charity organisations. Instead they are giving themselves a fat paycheck.

Also there are too many flag days in Singapore. We used to seem them on Saturdays only but now sometime weekdays are swamped with flag days.

I also wonder how many of these charities are properly managed.

I can suggest a good solution. Get the cabinet to donate 10% of their monthly salaries to a pool. Member of the public can also donate as well.

Then which ever organisation need to raise fund, they can write a proposal or report to the group managing the pool of money. The goup will then decide how much to give to this applicant.

Why should the poor man on the street give when the rich man in the room don’t?

I think we should think about this before complaining on the poor response on flag days.

Why not to have a Nokia

Was at Wheelock place on Saturday afternoon. (One of my rare weekend in Orchard road, can’t stand the crowd.) And walk passed Nokia Service Center.

The place was really packed!

I concluded that either there are many Nokia Phone user in Singapore or the phone are not reliable.

Look around… how many of your friends are still using Nokia HP?

Vegetarian at McDonald's?

ST Forum
March 24, 2007
McDonald's should lower price for 'vegetarian' meal

BEING vegetarians, whenever we go to McDonald's, we would invariably order a meal without the meat patty.

Invariably McDonald's would charge us the same price even though the meat portion of the meal costs the most.

Can't it charge a lower price in these instances?

N. Nageswaran

This is quite amusing…

Question: Why is a vegetarian doing in a McDonald’s restaurant and complaint about them not selling a burger without meat at a lower price?

Firstly McDonald is not a vegetarian’s restaurant. And Mr Nageswaran can always visit the restaurant with a non vegetarian friends and he can just give or sell his portion of “meat patty” to his friend.

Simple solution.

Aero Soarer

Got this TOMY aero soarer from HK recently. Haven’t really got the chance to fly it yet.

Cost me about HK$130 which is about S$20plus. Cheap! Saw they were selling the same thing in HK Toy R Us for HK$300!!!

Gosh you really have to know where to shop.

Basically it is almost the same as my helicopter, to be used indoor only. The plane is really light and is made up of Styrofoam and you charges it before you fly by attaching it to the remote control. It suppose to give you about 10min of flight time per charge.

How to beat the GST rise?

Somehow I knew this is coming.....
I just can't help whethere does the term "Public Services" meant anything to them.

Paying the (super)market rate
Wages of ministers, civil servants to go up as Govt seeks to keep its talent
Friday • March 23, 2007


TO KEEP pace with the growing salaries of the private sector, the Government is revising the pay of its ministers and civil servants.

For officers of the Administrative Service — the cream of the civil service — this is the first time that an adjustment has been made since 2000.

A formal announcement on the changes will be made in Parliament on April 9.

The worldwide hunt for talent is intense and to remain an attractive employer, the Public Service, too, had to keep pace with the private market, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said yesterday.

I wonder what is the turn over rate in our Public Services.

Speaking at the annual administrative service dinner and promotion ceremony, Mr Lee, who is also the Finance Minister, cited the Administrative Service as one of the many services that had "fallen behind".

He described two key salary benchmarks that the Administrative Service, which employs some 230 officers, uses in calculating its salaries.

The first is the "Staff Grade 1" rank for senior Permanent Secretaries, especially those leading the larger ministries. This benchmark is also used to determine the salaries of ministers.

This is done by first tracking the top eight earners in each of six professions. Their salaries are arranged from No 1 to 48. The benchmark is pegged at two-thirds the salary of the median — the 24th earner.

Using the data from private sector incomes in 2005, Earner No 24 took home $3.29 million, so the 2006 benchmark for minister salaries would be 66.6 per cent of that — or about $2.2 million. Historically, ministers have been paid less than the benchmark.

Today, senior Permanent Secretaries and ministers in this grade are paid $1.2 million a year, or 55 per cent of the benchmark. Back in 2000, they were earning 71 per cent of the benchmark.

In a statement by the Public Service Division (PSD), it said these six professions were picked because they are "alternative professions" that the Government's top calibre senior civil servants could have otherwise joined.

On top of their main jobs, senior civil servants hold concurrent appointments such as chairmen of statutory boards or government-linked companies.

More reasons to increase their salaries.

"We recognise that the nature of work in the public and private sectors are different and there is some personal sacrifice involved in public service," said the statement.

I can think of any. Maybe you don’t have the fun in taking the public transport to work?

The job security of ministers was also highlighted by the PSD.

"Ministers are not in guaranteed long-term jobs — they face the General Elections every five years. Similarly, our top civil servants are put on fixed term appointments once they are appointed to a top position," it said.

Another main salary benchmark is the "SR9" — the lowest Superscale grade at which officers in their early- to mid-30s enter the senior ranks of the Administrative Service.

This benchmark dipped between 2001 and 2004 because of the Sept 11 terrorist attacks and Sars in 2003, but has since climbed to $361,000 — just below the $363,000 benchmark set in 2000. Last year, an entry-level Superscale officer was paid a salary amounting to 103 per cent of the benchmark — or $371,830 a year.

Explaining that these numbers were based on incomes earned two years ago, Mr Lee said the private sector salaries "have most probably risen further" since then.

Most probably? I am sure the gahment know exactly what is going on in the public sectors.

Describing the talent squeeze as an urgent problem, he spoke of how the civil service needs to provide challenging assignments for its staff.

Singaporeans are in demand not just here but the world over. Mr Lee gave the example of a Middle Eastern country that dropped feelers about buying the whole of JTC!

And hinting that money is not the route to all solutions, he said the civil service leadership must excite and enthuse its staff to see that they are helping to make a difference to Singapore's policy-making.

If not then why the high salaries?

In the early 1990s, the Administrative Service lost "entire cohorts of good officers", and having taken many years to recover from the loss, the Prime Minister said it "must not happen again" in future.

The resignation rate in the public sector rose to 5.7 per cent last year, up from 4.8 per cent in 2005.

How many of these people resigned due to low pays? Or could there be other reason that they resigned? Like too many red tapes in our public services? Lack of empowerment, job satisfaction? I think the gahment should seriously look into it. Increasing pay in not the only way to stop people from quitting the public services.

"Besides civil service salaries, we are also reviewing salaries for the political, judicial and statutory appointment holders. It is even more critical to keep these salaries competitive ... to bring in a continuing flow of able and successful people to be ministers and judges," said Mr Lee.

In this latest review, the new salary structure is expected to tie salaries more closely to performance, in line with private sector practice.

In his speech, Mr Lee also outlined another pertinent problem — that of encouraging Singaporeans to venture overseas, while at the same time ensuring that there is enough talent in Singapore to grow the economy.

He said: "How will Singapore businesses recruit talent and grow into first-class companies? How will we create the jobs and opportunities for the less successful Singaporeans, who cannot seek their fortunes in China, India or the US? How will the Public Service maintain a first-class team that can lead Singapore into the future?"

Looking ahead, Mr Lee challenged the Public Service to benchmark itself to top global companies, such as Google.

"Google receives 1,300 resumes a day. The Public Service must strive to have that same cachet. The whole tone of the organisation must exude confidence, energy and purpose," he said.

SIA Krisflyer

In recent months I have noticed an increase in publication on Straights Time’s Forum regarding complaints on SIA’s Krisflyer program.

Most are some Krisflyer’s members bickering about their experience on failure to redeem their mileage or failure to be upgraded to a higher class when traveling with SIA. They are normally followed by quotes of their wonderful experience from other airlines and it usually ends with complaints on slow or absent of replies from SIA.

Several things crossed my mine when reading these letters I just can’t help to think:

· How many of these passengers actually bought their First/Business class tickets and not being paid by their companies?


I know that SIA’s Krisflyer program may not be the best loyalty program in the world but I believed there are certainly a fair amount of abused by passengers.

I just can’t help to think some of these so called Krisflyer’s members are just want to get a “free lunch” with mileage clocked by their “Free” business travels to upgrade themselves whenever possible.

If these members so claim SIA had lost their business then what the purpose of writing in publics about it?

If they praised other airlines so much then they should just stick to fly with these airlines and enjoyed their loyalty program and be happy about it. They don’t have to fly SIA which they have so much complaints.

I’ve also heard horrific stories on unreasonable passengers from my cabin crew friends.

Although I am not a frequent flyers, I had flew with Cathay, Thai, Qantas, Emirates, Air France and British Airway and my experience with them on the whole are slightly below par when compare to SIA.

In summary, SIA is suffering a drop in service standard but so are all the other airlines in the world. Competition, terror treats and rising fuel prices are driving airlines to cut cost. But on the whole SIA are still up there among the best 4 airlines in the world.

So if you don’t like an airline, you have the option of taking your business to another. Stop being a bickering cheapskate.

Ice in Taiwan

When you visit Taiwan, one of the food you must eat is “Chuo Bin” or shredded ice.

Basically it is like our ice kachang but they don’t use any bean, instead they uses fresh fruits or yam, sorbet and top them up with condensed milk. This coast about S$8, not cheap.

The one above are from Ice Monster at 永康街. It is one of the best you can get. Always crowded with Japanese tourist and locals even thought the temperature is like 14 C!!

I think they have a branch in Singapore at Bencoolen Street. Can’t confirm it existence still but saw it on the LCD TV at the Taiwan store.

Yum…Yum….

I am back!

I am back in business!

One of the reason I didn’t blog recently is because there seem to be some technical problem with the blog site. There are days that I could not log on.

Looking back it had been a year since my first blog on 28th Feb 2006!

I find it quite interesting to read my old blog. It is really nice to have read what you have written. You find certain part of you may have changed and some things still remains.

The other reason I did not blog for weeks was I was busy traveling!

I went to Taipei from 23th-27th Feb, back in Singapore on 28th Feb and flew to Hong Kong on 1st March and only came back yesterday.

The trip was tiring but fun! Will try to post some of the interesting toys and comics that I bought.

A word of advice: Spend your money oversea people! It is more worth it!

More to come……….

Time Keeping

ST Forum
Feb 2, 2007
Parents display appalling attitude by leaving with their children before arrival of guest of honour

My son recently won the Edusave Merit Bursary Award for the third successive year for his excellent academic performance for the previous year.

The function was held at a neighbouring secondary school last Sunday. As scheduled, the function began at 9am. However, the guest of honour for the function, the Mayor of Northeast District, Mr Zainul Abidin, was held up at another function and had informed the organisers to start without him.

The organisers had even apologised on behalf of the mayor for his inadvertent delay. Furthermore, several announcements and requests were made to the audience attending the function to stay on until the end of the function.

The organisers reiterated that it would be inappropriate and discouraging for the rest of the award winners if the parents and the children left immediately on receiving their bursary cheques.

To my horror, there were only a handful of parents when the mayor arrived. And this, despite repeated attempts to have them stay back until the end of the function.

I am only a Permanent Resident but I feel that Singaporeans should be more appreciative of what the Government has done for them in terms of education. Try living in a Third World country for a month and see for yourselves why Singapore is the best place to live on Earth.

Muhammad Shaamel

Something interesting.

I personally think there is nothing wrong in leaving before the VIP arrive.

One kind of people that I couldn’t stand are those that have no sense of time. In this case Zainul was held up in another function and he did the right thing to inform the organiser to start without him.

But I guess the organiser wanted to “look good” and therefore are trying to make the people to stay.

All our times are equally precious no matter whether you are the head of State or the toilet cleaner.

Singapore in the best place to live on Earth? Well Muhammad Shaamet made my day by telling the best joke ever.

There is no one place that is “BEST” on this Earth for everyone. Every have different needs and expectation on the country they are living in. I guess dear Muhammad will make a good Grass Root Leader.

Nonsense on TV

ST Forum Jan 29, 2007
Locally produced TV shows appalling

Locally-produced TV programmes are a big disappointment.

Apart from some local soap operas that are still worth watching during those evenings when there is absolutely nothing else to do (even then it is the same old, tired plots most of the time), most locally-produced TV programmes are merely multiple versions of copies of overseas programmes.
Moreover, it is always the same old faces no matter which channel one switches to.

I'm sure many of the programmes produced locally do appeal to the masses and ratings must be good but, to be honest, the antics of the hosts, the lack of originality and the quality of the programmes make me cringe.

Come on, local TV programme producers, surely you can do better.

Dr Michael Loh Toon Seng



ST Forum Jan 29, 2007
Shocked over local TV programme

A few nights ago, while channel surfing, my husband and I chanced upon one of our locally produced programmes, Girls Out Loud.

We were shocked to see that the show featured two 14-year-old girls showing off exotic dance moves. They were skimpily dressed, and dancing in a room with poles.

How could the TV station and producers of this programme - even though it carried a PG rating - allow this to be aired? Are they trying to convey the message that this behaviour is 'cool"?

We should be more mindful of the social and moral issues involved when producing such programmes.

Daphne Lim Jean Ai (Ms)



ST Forum Jan 31, 2007
Host not appropriate for TV programme

I find it shocking that Mediacorp has hired Ms Xiaxue to host the TV programme 'Girls Out Loud'.

A quick visit to her blog will be enough to convince any person that she has denigrated certain ethnic groups. She has particularly written out against Bangladeshis. On her Jan 12 blog posting, she even declared herself to be a racist.

Mediacorp should have known better than to have hired her. As a broadcaster, its management is aware of the impression TV hosts and actors have on young people.

Hence, having someone holding such irresponsible, irrational and immature views on their programme is a serious error of judgment.

Harminder Singh


An outburst of condemnations for Mediacorp.

I have to says that the local produced programme are getting from bad to worst. And mind you, these programme are occupying prime time slots.

I think this due to the fact that there is a lack of competition.

If one monopolised the market, one tends to be complacent.

I remember I still watched locally production long long time ago where they are more meaningful.

Show like “Girls Out Loud” are just crap. If feel like a “trying too hard to be that Paris Hilton show”.

I also think Harminder had a valid point. I am still trying to find the reason why Mediacorp got Xiaxue as the host of the programme.

It will be interesting to read what they will reply this letter if they does anyway.

Yet another MRT Rambling.

I was at Orchard MRT station on Saturday at about 17:40.

It was rainy and it was rather crowded.

Heard this pre-recorded announcement over the station’s PA system.

“For faster boarding and alighting, please processed to the less crowded area of the platform”

“For faster boarding and alighting, please processed to the less crowded area of the platform”

“For faster boarding and alighting, please processed to the less crowded area of the platform”

The irony is that when I look around, think the platform is equally crowded everywhere.

How clever is that.

Prima Tower

Had dim sum with family on Sunday at Prima Tower restaurant at Keppel Road.

For those who don’t know about Prima Tower, it is established in 1977, and it is the only other revolving restaurant in Singapore.

I think I first visited the place at least 20 years ago.

It was an interesting place to visit since it in a revolving tower. It takes about 45min for it to make a complete round and you can enjoy the food with the changing scenery.

The food is not fantastic as it used to be but the experience is still quite nice.
Should try to go up there in during night time.

So Proud Of?

ST Forum
Jan 19, 2007
Sweet victory for the Lions against Laos

I AM writing with regard to the Asean Football Championship match between Singapore and Laos, which was held at the National Stadium on Jan15.

I would like to congratulate the Lions on their emphatic 11-0 victory over the Laotians. It was history in the making as I watched our boys put 11 past the hapless Laotians while, at the same time, erasing a 21-year-old record set during the Merlion Cup in 1986, in which Singapore demolished Indonesia 8-1.

It was my first experience going to the National Stadium to watch our Singapore football team play an international match and the victory made this experience all the more sweet.

Initially, I was expecting our team to win by a four-goal margin, but they surpassed my expectations. The win has injected confidence into the fans, regarding the ability of our football team and I am sure more fans will come to support the Lions in the remaining matches. I, myself, will definitely catch the remaining matches at the National Stadium.

Anyway, best of luck to the Lions for the rest of the Asean Football Championship tournament.

Kenan Kok Xiao-Feng

According to FIFA work ranking, Laos is ranked 150 and Singapore is at 126.
Why be satisfied with a small win against a weaker opponent?

Remember the scrapped GOAL 2010 project? Is No. 126 the best we can achieved after all the $$ that had went it?

Should just stick with sailing.

Social Behaviour on Bus

ST Fourm
Jan 13, 2007 Old woman helpless on bus full of uncaring passengers
I TOOK a single-deck SBS bus No. 51 (SBS 237) to work on Friday, Jan 5 at about 7.50am. Since it was peak hour, the bus was considerably filled with passengers.

I got on at the first bus stop after the bus left the terminal in Hougang Central Interchange.
Half an hour into the journey, the bus was already crammed full of passengers with barely space to turn, yet the bus driver kept stopping at every stop to pick up more passengers.

During this period, a frail thin elderly woman in her 60s standing no more than 1.5m tall boarded the bus. Inevitably, she was clustered around by passengers.

Standing smack between other bodies, she could barely get a firm grip on the head rest of a seat occupied by passengers half her age.

As the bus lurched and jerked along, there were a number of times she nearly fell. The bus driver made it worse by forcing passengers to move towards the rear so he could pick up more passengers even though there was hardly space.

The poor old woman was bundled around helplessly. All this while, no seated passenger bothered to give up his seat. Only 30 minutes into the journey, the seated young and middle-aged men and women were already transcending into oblivion, I think.

When the bus drew near Ubi Driving Centre, the old woman began to shiver and her legs shook so much, they were hardly able to support her. Her hands were losing their grip though she tried her best to hold on. Her head started to tilt upwards and her eyes began to close. She had turned pale and was gasping for breath.

Involuntarily, she sank till she was almost kneeling on the floor but the passengers standing around her only stared at her and edged away. Some of those seating were watching how she crumpled.

I reached out to help her but was only able to extend one hand as I was blocked by another standing passenger who was watching the action unfold.

Another woman next to her also tried to hold her steady but was also constrained by non-moving 'meat'. An elderly uncle standing next to me had to ask those sitting down to give her their seat in Hokkien. But no one stirred and they still had the audacity to either pretend nothing was happening or continue their pious meditation.

I had to shout at the selective-hearing people in the seats to move one pair of gluteus maximus for the old woman. Finally, one of them heard and gave up her seat to the old woman who had to be helped to sit down.

The woman who gave up her seat applied medicated oil to the old woman who was in a daze. During the commotion, the bus driver continued to shout at us to move in more to accommodate more passengers.

To the management of SBS Transit, what is considered a safe full load on a single-deck bus? How does the bus driver know when the bus is full? Why is a single-deck bus used to ply the No. 51 route during morning peak hour when the route is long and there are so many passengers?

Except for three standing passengers and one seated woman on the bus who helped the old woman, none of the people in the front half of the bus lifted a finger. If we cannot even lift a finger to help one of our own, we, as educated adults in an educated developed nation, have failed.

Fabian Chia Choon Liang

Sad that Singapore Society had became so uncaring.

This is what our education had brought us to.

Basically it is the survival of the fittest symptom.

From young we are brainwashed to exceed academically and don’t need to pay much attention to subjects that are not exam-able like, Moral Education, Arts or Physical Education.

When you step into a working environment, again you have to be involved with office politics whether you like it or not. And you have to make yourself stand out of you peers so to get a good “not so transparent” appraisal so you can move up the corporate ladder.

It is to no surprise that we had become what we are today.

Also Fabian had posts a good question to our “world class public transport” provider. Which I will try to answer on their behalf.

To the management of SBS Transit, what is considered a safe full load on a single-deck bus?
As long as people can get in without dying in the process.

How does the bus driver know when the bus is full?
When somebody die?

Why is a single-deck bus used to ply the No. 51 route during morning peak hour when the route is long and there are so many passengers?
To maximised profit. It is better to get a single deck 110% full then to get a double decker 90% full.

Privatisation of public transport provider is really a nonsense. The company primary target is to reel in maximum profit at the expense of passangers therefore the commuters are the one made to suffer. Bottom of the food chain my friend.

Personally I also had an encounter with a fellow passenger got into a fit on a bus. The bus was fairly empty and a gentlemen and myself have to help that man to seat up. Meanwhile the driver just ignore whatever going on. To be fair, it was about 2 bus stop away from the interchange. But once the bus pull into the bay, the drive nonchalantly walk towards us and then pick up his phone to call his supervisor.

I thought the should all driver be taught some first aids? Or does SBS Transit has a guild to its drivers on what to do during medical emergency?

I doubt there is any top management in SBS Transit, SMRT or Trans Island takes buses or train to work. More less probable for the MIW.

Minister who blog

ST Forum
Jan 10, 2007
Minister George Yeo's blog is one very powerful tool in connecting with the young

Foreign Minister George Yeo's blog is indeed an eye opener for me into the life of a Singapore leader.

Ever since he started blogging several months back, I have been reading his postings and it has given me an insight into the roles and responsibilities of a minister.

As blogs are a popular communication tool for our younger generation, Mr Yeo's initiative to start blogging is one very powerful tool to reach out to our young.

I start to see more transparency into the life of a minister and I feel that it is a good sign that our society is opening up.

This will help build an even stronger bond between Singapore's leaders and its people.

I look forward to future postings on Mr Yeo's blog and would certainly like to see more of our Government leaders blog.

Khoo Lih-Han

I think Lih-Han is so “3 legs”.

I have read George’s blog and it is nothing much. Just simple day to day event just like any other blogs out there and it seem so sanitised. I am sure it will not win any blog award.

Somehow I got the feel of it all being set up by the gahment.

I seriously wonder whether did George start blogging out of his own interest or does he got the “task” by someone.

Remember all the publicity regarding P65 MPs blog site? I doubt you remember it, its just another white elephant.

I wonder does Lih-Ha belong to any grassroot. Look like another publicity attempt for George’s blog here.

I shall not add his blog’s link here. There is enough publicity from the Main Stream Media.

"IKEA" in the forum

ST Forum
Jan 10, 2007
Loud drilling by Ikea staff during a late-night delivery

I was rudely awakened at 11.30pm on Jan 7 by the sound of an industrial, heavy-duty drill, punching holes on the wall I share with my neighbour.

The shock made me jump out of bed thinking that something happened inside my house.

The very loud noise sounded like a motorcycle racing through my house! To make matters worse, I had great difficulty going back to sleep - a symptom common amongst the elderly.

The powerful drill went off about six times indicating that six holes were drilled. Each drilling was accompanied by light taps of the hammer, presumably tapping in Rawlplugs.

The drilling ended at about 11.45pm at which time I saw an Ikea delivery truck moving off.

Even if an Ikea customer allows such a noisy installation late at night, Ikea should have rules not to disturb the peace in the neighbourhood.

I understand that the store has high sales volume and therefore a busy delivery and installation schedule. Please do not fulfil your commitments at the expense of others.

Ong Yoke Fei

I am pretty sure IKEA does not do any delivery on Sunday. So Yoke Fei may be barking up the wrong tree.

I remembered I had tried, on several occasion, to get IKEA to delivery my stuff on a weekend but they only do it on Weekdays and Saturdays.

Anyway to be precise, IKEA had subcontracted their delivery and installation service to a 3rd party. They drive IKEA van with IKEA advertisement and they wear similar colour scheme uniform but they are not IKEA staff.

This is a good case study to of getting all the facts wrong.

Also there is no prove that it was the “IKEA” personnel that did the drilling just because Yoke Fei saw an IKEA van moving off.

It may well be any other neighbour and the “IKEA” is the easy target just because they were in that area.

Look like Yoke Fei is not a very good detective.

Also does getting back to sleep has anything to do with age?

Anyway it would be interesting to see if IKEA do any investigation and reply the letter at all.

Artificial Turfs for our Schools

ST Forum
Jan 9, 2007
Plastic grass? You can't be serious, MOE!

As John McEnroe once said, 'You cannot be serious!'

Exactly my sentiment with regard to the article, 'Goodbye muddy pitches, hello synthetic turf' (ST, Dec 30).

Amidst Straits Times columnists (Janadas Devan: 'Time to wake up to global warming', Jan 5; Ho Hua Chew: 'Don't neglect the green, green grass of home', Jan 5) writing about the effects of global warming and getting more in touch with nature, the Ministry of Education is attempting to make one or more (foreign) producers of plastic grass very, very rich indeed.

Wake up, sanitized Singapore!

Dirt is good. The English have a saying: You must eat a peck of dirt before you die. I believe there is a Hokkien equivalent: 'dirty eat, dirty grow'. For what it's worth, the hygiene hypothesis postulates that our quest for utter cleanliness has played a part in the rise of asthma and allergic reactions amongst young children.

Plastic is bad, especially for the environment.

How do you clean this plastic grass? Detergent and bleach have been suggested. These require precious water to wash it away, poisoning the ground.

How do you dispose of this grass at the end of its life (15 years at best estimate)? Burning plastic releases toxic dioxins into the air.

The economic/maintenance argument is myopic and I agree with Chen Bin ('Don't rob our children of naturally green grass fields by going synthetic', ST Online Forum, Jan 5).

Take the UK economy where the manufacturing sector has shrunk dramatically in the last decade and thousands are still left without jobs because they do not have the wherewithal to do the 'knowledge' jobs that are available.

In the UK welfare state, people do not starve. But while their bodies are well-fed, their souls are famished. Joblessness (just as an excess of material goods) leads to spiritual emptiness, which might go some way in explaining the rise in anti-social behaviour. People have nothing (else) to aim for.

Many in colder and dryer climes would envy our weather that gives us such verdant grass growth. Would the Inuit buy a snow-making machine? Have we Singaporeans gone barking mad?

Is the grass really greener on the other side? If it's synthetic grass, then from the health, economic/social and environmental perspectives, the answer is a definitive 'no'.

After the next heavy rain, smell the sweet smell of wet grass that plastic grass does not give. It is good for the soul.

Dr Lee Siew Peng


Again I think the Ministry had overdone it again. Spoiling our dear children.

Is it necessary to go for artificial turf at all our schools? Siew Peng and several others had wrote to the forum to express their view against the plan and they had listed several disadvantages of artificial turf.

I agreed with them.

There is nothing wrong getting dirty and on muddy fields. I believed most of us ,if not all, had done that at least once in our life.

The Ministry can just replace some several fields with artificial turf for competition purpose instead or they can train professinal ground men to maintain grass field better.

I found on the web several advantages and disadvantages of artificial turf.

Advantages

• Artificial grass can be a better solution when the environment is particularly hostile to natural grass. An arid environment or one where there is little natural light are examples. (I am sure in Singapore we got plenty of light, only hostile enviroment here I can think of are heavy rainfalls)
• Ideal for holiday homes when maintenance of lawns is not practical. It is also a solution for elderly homeowners who find the upkeep of lawns too much hard work.
• Artificial grass pitches can last up to 10 years. That is much longer than natural turf, and their toughness makes them more suitable for multi use stadia. (What happened after 10 years? Disposal of artifical turf will be an enviroment nightmare. Imagine all Schools in Singapore has one There is about 355 Primary, Secondary and Junior Collages in Singapore.)

Disadvantages

• A lot of its rubber can get in trainers very easily.
• Some artificial grass requires infill such as silicon sand and/or granulated rubber made from recycled car tires. This material may carry heavy metals which can leach into the water table. The granules can also produce a distinctive odor which is considered to be unpleasant.
• Needs to be disinfected after every game because it does not absorb body fluids like natural turf . (More water and dietergent need to wash it.)
• Turf toe is a medical condition which is often associated with playing on artificial grass pitches.

I hope this is not another Scholar's project to rob our children of nature which is so difficult to come by thesedays.

Soon our children will only know chicken are rear in Supermarket and Fish all come without intestine .