Good Neighbour Award", "HDB Guidebook" launched to promote harmonious HDB living
27 April 2009
SINGAPORE: With Singapore becoming more populated, there is an increasing need to make living in HDB flats more enjoyable.
For most HDB residents, loud music is a nuisance. But sometimes telling your neighbour off can be difficult.
In fact, some MPs - who are also advisers to the Workgroup on "Promoting Better Social Behaviour" - have noticed reduced communication between residents.
To deal with those who deliberately disrupt the peace, a new penalty framework will be implemented in the third quarter of 2009. Details such as demerit points and fines are being worked out.
Grace Fu, Senior Minister of State for Education and National Development, said: "We need to have something that probably would make people think twice before they continue with the behaviour. So that is the reason why we suggested some sort of a moderate penalty system."
And to encourage neighbourly relations, HDB has come out with the "Good Neighbour Award" and "HDB Guidebook".
Nominations for the "Good Neighbour Award" will open from May 1 to August 31 in all 81 constituencies.
Come end-May, some 800,000 households living in HDB flats islandwide can find a copy of the "HDB Guidebook" in their mailboxes.
Another 100,000 copies will be given out to potential flat buyers when they apply for a flat at the HDB Hub.
Channel NewsAsia understands that a majority of the 680 cases handled last year by the Community Mediation Centre were on neighbourly disputes. The Centre handles an average of 600 cases annually. - CNA/ir
I don’t know about you, but I think its kinda sad that we have to resolve to a HDB’s Guidebook to tell you how to be a good neighbour.
Maybe we has already been brainwashed by the gahment for so many years or maybe our brains had been fried by our education that we can only follow step by step guides to become a good neighbour.
This is yet another prove that social graciousness is long gone in Singapore society.
PS: Wonder how much does it cost to print all these Guildbooks.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Community Centers
One of a good thing about the block I stayed in is that there is a relatively new Community Center right in front of it.
Not that I am a avid user of its facilities,(I tried to book the badminton courts a few time but the number of activities they have there make my successful rates rather slim), but what make it interesting my GRC is using it as a home base for all sort of activities and my GRC Minister had his weekly meeting there.
So what I have observed.
My GRC’s Minister visits the CC a least once a week. He is being escorted by a white VOLVO XC 90 with has those stylo siren light fitted at the windscreen. If you look carefully, it even has a display sign at the rear with read “POLICE KEEP CLEAR”. Gosh so you can’t ask them for help if you are being robbed. (PS: Not bad leh, can drive VOLVO XC90 when you are on duty.)
How you know if your Minister is visiting today?
Easy, you can see a marked police car with a couple of policemen there to secure the ground before the Minister entourage arrive. This is not enough; there is also a member of the plain cloth bodyguard there to secure the secured ground. I think they are quite poor thing as I witness one of the bodyguard munching his dinner while keep a look out for the VIP entourage.
When the Minister drive into the CC compound, the police or bodyguard will block off all pedestrian and a throng of grass-root members will appear out of no where and to welcome him.
There used to be a big grass patch next to the CC, but hey had expanded the CC ground by constructing a large multipurpose concrete ground with super lightings over it.
People used it for their weekly CC activities, Taichi, wushu, aikido,Tae Kwan Do and not to forget the yearly Grassroot’s , CNY Dinner, Mooncake Festival Dinner, National Day’s dinner etc etc. It can even double up as a car park when there are some special events.
It quite interesting to stay near a Community Center, I used to stayed in front of another one when I was young. But strangely I barely used the facilities in this 2 CC. In-fact I think I only used them 2-3 times in my life.
I think the facilities in my CC now cater more to the children.
Lots of enrichment classes and activities for kids.
Think kids has no more time to catching spider or play catching these days.
Not that I am a avid user of its facilities,(I tried to book the badminton courts a few time but the number of activities they have there make my successful rates rather slim), but what make it interesting my GRC is using it as a home base for all sort of activities and my GRC Minister had his weekly meeting there.
So what I have observed.
My GRC’s Minister visits the CC a least once a week. He is being escorted by a white VOLVO XC 90 with has those stylo siren light fitted at the windscreen. If you look carefully, it even has a display sign at the rear with read “POLICE KEEP CLEAR”. Gosh so you can’t ask them for help if you are being robbed. (PS: Not bad leh, can drive VOLVO XC90 when you are on duty.)
How you know if your Minister is visiting today?
Easy, you can see a marked police car with a couple of policemen there to secure the ground before the Minister entourage arrive. This is not enough; there is also a member of the plain cloth bodyguard there to secure the secured ground. I think they are quite poor thing as I witness one of the bodyguard munching his dinner while keep a look out for the VIP entourage.
When the Minister drive into the CC compound, the police or bodyguard will block off all pedestrian and a throng of grass-root members will appear out of no where and to welcome him.
There used to be a big grass patch next to the CC, but hey had expanded the CC ground by constructing a large multipurpose concrete ground with super lightings over it.
People used it for their weekly CC activities, Taichi, wushu, aikido,Tae Kwan Do and not to forget the yearly Grassroot’s , CNY Dinner, Mooncake Festival Dinner, National Day’s dinner etc etc. It can even double up as a car park when there are some special events.
It quite interesting to stay near a Community Center, I used to stayed in front of another one when I was young. But strangely I barely used the facilities in this 2 CC. In-fact I think I only used them 2-3 times in my life.
I think the facilities in my CC now cater more to the children.
Lots of enrichment classes and activities for kids.
Think kids has no more time to catching spider or play catching these days.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
World Class Transport my ass!
I usually check the SBS Iris next bus system before I go to the bus stop at the end of the day.
Check out the 2nd bus arrival time during evening peak hour at about 5.35pm!
Either the system is faulty (screw up) or the bloody work class transport company really need to review their profit margin.
For God’s sake 44min – 6min = 38min for a bus to come is totally crap!
Does this justify for their annual fare increase? You say for youself.
Monday, March 23, 2009
My New Luggage
My new luggage! Remowa Topas 4 wheels. Delivered on Saturday after much drama.
I think the delivery service in Singapore sucks and is just plain stupid.
They only can do delivery from 10am – 6 pm, from Monday to Saturday and you can only specify whether you want them to come in the morning, 10am – 1pm, or in the afternoon, 2pm – 6pm.
I think the delivery service in Singapore sucks and is just plain stupid.
They only can do delivery from 10am – 6 pm, from Monday to Saturday and you can only specify whether you want them to come in the morning, 10am – 1pm, or in the afternoon, 2pm – 6pm.
They can’t even offer you an estimated time and you just have to stay at home either in the morning or afternoon just to wait for your deliveries.
So if you are a working adult, there is just no way you can get your deliveries done on Monday to Friday.
So if you are a working adult, there is just no way you can get your deliveries done on Monday to Friday.
Come on lah! What kind of crap company is this when they only work during office hours when most people are, well, still IN THE OFFICE?
So you only left with Saturday, and you have to stay at home either in the morning or afternoon to wait for your deliveries. Needest to say, I bet Saturdays are their busiest days.
So you only left with Saturday, and you have to stay at home either in the morning or afternoon to wait for your deliveries. Needest to say, I bet Saturdays are their busiest days.
They should just work from 2pm - 8pm from Monday to Friday and with this I think they can even affort to work only half a day on Saturdays.
This has already made me think twice before buying anything from Takashimaya again.
This has already made me think twice before buying anything from Takashimaya again.
Friday, March 20, 2009
New Law Suggestion
Some suggestion to be included in our penal code.
CHAPTER XXXI
Make our Nation a better place LAW
Voluntarily standing on the wrong side of the escalator.
555. Whoever, voluntarily stand on the wrong side of the escalator at any Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Station, shall be punished with corrective action by directing human traffic on escalator at any MRT’s station for a term which may extend to 15 years, and shall also be liable to fine or to caning.
Playing of Music/Sound via portable devices on Public Transport.
556. Whoever use his/her portable devices to play audible sound when there are other people in the Public Transport voluntarily causes hurt for the sufferer, shall be punished with imprisonment in a cell with two loud speaker place no more then 5 cm from both his/her ears playing a sound/music which the offence don’t like for a term which may extend to 10 years, and shall also be liable to fine or to caning.
Failed to switch mobile to silent mode in cinema or theater
557. Whoever failed to switch his/her mobile devices and causing it to ring non-stop during a show or performance in the stipulated cinemas or theaters, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 5years, and shall also be liable to fine or to caning.
Sitting with his legs up against the back of the front seat on a public bus.
558. Whoever places his legs up against the back of the front seats shall be punished by having the relevant leg/legs amputated.
Illegal gathering of credit card sellers / time-share promoter.
559. When any person commit or attempt to commit a transaction places by approaching the public shall be punished with death by firing squad.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
How dumb our law is.
ST March 19, 2009
Phone threats a non-seizable offence
WE REFER to Madam Tan Lian Gim's letter, 'No action on phone threat' (March 11). Under the law, verbal threat is a non-seizable offence where the police have limited powers of investigation and arrests.
Nonetheless, when a report is made, the police will look into the facts and if no aggravating factor is found, the police will advise the complainant to lodge a complaint before a magistrate, who has the power to direct further action as provided under the law.
The magistrate can direct the police to lawfully investigate the case and take further action where appropriate.
In Madam Tan's case, the police had found no aggravating factor and Madam Tan's husband was thus advised to lodge a magistrate's complaint accordingly.
DSP Paul Tay,
Assistant Director, Media Relations,
Singapore Police Force
This is another case of how stupid Singapore Law is.
The police simply try not to do anything at all.
The question is will the Police still give this kind of attitude if the person being threatened is a MP, Minister or the 3 wise men themselves?
So theoretically I can call someone in the middle of the night, verbally threatened them in a polite and none aggravating tone and then apologized.
The police cannot do anything to me. (But to make sure, you call someone who is poor so he cannot hired a lawyer to sue you, see the law protect the rich)
Else you will end up in court like him.
Geez….. Think the police do a better job in harassing opposition parties then to protect innocent taxpayer from gangsters and speeding cyclists.
Phone threats a non-seizable offence
WE REFER to Madam Tan Lian Gim's letter, 'No action on phone threat' (March 11). Under the law, verbal threat is a non-seizable offence where the police have limited powers of investigation and arrests.
Nonetheless, when a report is made, the police will look into the facts and if no aggravating factor is found, the police will advise the complainant to lodge a complaint before a magistrate, who has the power to direct further action as provided under the law.
The magistrate can direct the police to lawfully investigate the case and take further action where appropriate.
In Madam Tan's case, the police had found no aggravating factor and Madam Tan's husband was thus advised to lodge a magistrate's complaint accordingly.
DSP Paul Tay,
Assistant Director, Media Relations,
Singapore Police Force
This is another case of how stupid Singapore Law is.
The police simply try not to do anything at all.
The question is will the Police still give this kind of attitude if the person being threatened is a MP, Minister or the 3 wise men themselves?
So theoretically I can call someone in the middle of the night, verbally threatened them in a polite and none aggravating tone and then apologized.
The police cannot do anything to me. (But to make sure, you call someone who is poor so he cannot hired a lawyer to sue you, see the law protect the rich)
Else you will end up in court like him.
Geez….. Think the police do a better job in harassing opposition parties then to protect innocent taxpayer from gangsters and speeding cyclists.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
How to make your money worth.
Spend last week in Taipei.
Weather was typical spring, unpredictable.
Temperature ranged from 13C – 30C and most day it was raining. But nevertheless I had a great time there. Bought lots of comics and ate till I drop.
I seem to enjoy myself when I am oversea. Call me a bias but I don’t really like the fake concrete jungle Singapore is today. Things are expensive and people think they own the whole countries. Only think on the gahment mind is nothing but $.
In Taipei, cabs are everywhere! It is really quite competitive to be a Cab driver in Taipei.
Also the cab don’t have out super complex fare system too, not peak hours surcharge, no midnight surcharge…. etc.
On the train people actually reserved the Priority Seats for the elderly and people do STAND ON ONE SIDE on the escalator. Try teaching a Singaporean / FT in Singapore to do that is like ramming your head into the wall.
Foods are cheaper and are of better quality then those you get in Singapore. I guess Singapore food are all frozen and imported cheaply so the merchant can survive. Therefore to get good quality food in Singapore you have to pay a bomb.
Comics and clothes are much cheaper then Singapore too.
I guess the killer in Singapore are the rents and the shop owner has no choice to sell their stuff more expensive to pay the landlord.
Conclusion – Singaporean are being short-changed with the quality and services they get from things they buy here. As a big percentage of what you pay for are channeled to the gahment.
My advice, save you money and spent in oversea. You will not regret it.
Weather was typical spring, unpredictable.
Temperature ranged from 13C – 30C and most day it was raining. But nevertheless I had a great time there. Bought lots of comics and ate till I drop.
I seem to enjoy myself when I am oversea. Call me a bias but I don’t really like the fake concrete jungle Singapore is today. Things are expensive and people think they own the whole countries. Only think on the gahment mind is nothing but $.
In Taipei, cabs are everywhere! It is really quite competitive to be a Cab driver in Taipei.
Also the cab don’t have out super complex fare system too, not peak hours surcharge, no midnight surcharge…. etc.
On the train people actually reserved the Priority Seats for the elderly and people do STAND ON ONE SIDE on the escalator. Try teaching a Singaporean / FT in Singapore to do that is like ramming your head into the wall.
Foods are cheaper and are of better quality then those you get in Singapore. I guess Singapore food are all frozen and imported cheaply so the merchant can survive. Therefore to get good quality food in Singapore you have to pay a bomb.
Comics and clothes are much cheaper then Singapore too.
I guess the killer in Singapore are the rents and the shop owner has no choice to sell their stuff more expensive to pay the landlord.
Conclusion – Singaporean are being short-changed with the quality and services they get from things they buy here. As a big percentage of what you pay for are channeled to the gahment.
My advice, save you money and spent in oversea. You will not regret it.
Friday, March 06, 2009
How SAF haress NS-men long after their ROD.
I did not take my IPPT during my last in-camp in Oct 2008 as I was still awaiting my FFI result. The SAF system know I am not allow to take the IPPT until I am FFI cleared. Wow! Quite impressed with MINDEF.
I was cleared of my FFI in Dec 2008 and my IPPT window will close in May 2009.
Sometime in Dec, I received 2 SMS from MINDEF automated system reminding me to clear my IPPT by May 2009.
I check the on-line NS portal then and as what I suspected, my unit has not update my FFI status so MINDEF is still sending me these SMS reminder. Note I can’t even book my IPPT date since my FFI is not clear. Wow! The system so advance.
So I called my unit up and finally MINDEF system was update in Jan 2009 and I booked my IPPT test in Apr 2009.
Thinking this will be automatically updated the MINDEF Super Advance system?
Wrong!
I still keep getting these stupid MINDEF’s SMS reminding me to clear my IPPT before May 2009.
Gosh! I can’t do that now stupid! My IPPT test is in April!!
I was cleared of my FFI in Dec 2008 and my IPPT window will close in May 2009.
Sometime in Dec, I received 2 SMS from MINDEF automated system reminding me to clear my IPPT by May 2009.
I check the on-line NS portal then and as what I suspected, my unit has not update my FFI status so MINDEF is still sending me these SMS reminder. Note I can’t even book my IPPT date since my FFI is not clear. Wow! The system so advance.
So I called my unit up and finally MINDEF system was update in Jan 2009 and I booked my IPPT test in Apr 2009.
Thinking this will be automatically updated the MINDEF Super Advance system?
Wrong!
I still keep getting these stupid MINDEF’s SMS reminding me to clear my IPPT before May 2009.
Gosh! I can’t do that now stupid! My IPPT test is in April!!
Monday, March 02, 2009
Good old days!
Thanks to Tok Kiang Shi Xiong for the link!
Wah this is classic man!
Look out for the tabe at 义安理工学院武术龙狮团.
Wah this is classic man!
Look out for the tabe at 义安理工学院武术龙狮团.
Ouch! #@$!@%
A sign of bad year ahead?
Or a warning from the man above to the men in white?
What is can say is that the Merlion is damn “suay” man.
March 2, 2009
Merlion caged
THE Merlion had to be 'caged'' yesterday for workers to examine the hole in its head.
A lightning strike on Saturday had taken a chunk off its mane. The debris landed on the statue's base, cracking it.
Testifying to its iconic status, the Singapore Tourism Board lost no time sending in the troops to see to the damage.
Tourists and residents alike gawked at the 8.6m sculpture yesterday, trying to make out its injury through the mass of scaffolding.
Mr Anton Johannson, 23, from Sweden, was disappointed that he could not capture the Merlion 'in action'' on camera. It had stopped spouting water. But when told of the lightning strike, he cheered up: 'Now we have a story to tell people!''
STB did not say if this was the first time the Merlion, sited at One Fullerton, had been struck by lightning and whether there was a lightning conductor nearby that could have saved it from harm.
Or a warning from the man above to the men in white?
What is can say is that the Merlion is damn “suay” man.
March 2, 2009
Merlion caged
THE Merlion had to be 'caged'' yesterday for workers to examine the hole in its head.
A lightning strike on Saturday had taken a chunk off its mane. The debris landed on the statue's base, cracking it.
Testifying to its iconic status, the Singapore Tourism Board lost no time sending in the troops to see to the damage.
Tourists and residents alike gawked at the 8.6m sculpture yesterday, trying to make out its injury through the mass of scaffolding.
Mr Anton Johannson, 23, from Sweden, was disappointed that he could not capture the Merlion 'in action'' on camera. It had stopped spouting water. But when told of the lightning strike, he cheered up: 'Now we have a story to tell people!''
STB did not say if this was the first time the Merlion, sited at One Fullerton, had been struck by lightning and whether there was a lightning conductor nearby that could have saved it from harm.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Stolen Chinese Treasure Auction
Imagine a robber come into your house…. takes your thing and selling it 100 years later.
No doubt YSL may have bought the status with his own money but should these status be listed under stolen goods?
Open Auctioning of STOLEN GOODS is really the final insult.
Don’t forget the French and British plundered these items from China in the first place.
Even Victor Hugo described the looting as, "'Two robbers breaking into a museum, devastating, looting and burning, leaving laughing hand-in-hand with their bags full of treasures; one of the robbers is called France and the other Britain."
Possession of Stolen is already a crime and now the whole world just watched as these two Chinese National Treasure are being auction off at 13.7million Euro.
Better take a good look at them before they disappear into the hands of some private collector.
BEIJING, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- Auction giant Christie's has denied a possible private sale of two Chinese relics, saying that the auction will go on as scheduled despite criticism from China. ……
STOLEN FROM SUMMER PALACE
No doubt YSL may have bought the status with his own money but should these status be listed under stolen goods?
Open Auctioning of STOLEN GOODS is really the final insult.
Don’t forget the French and British plundered these items from China in the first place.
Even Victor Hugo described the looting as, "'Two robbers breaking into a museum, devastating, looting and burning, leaving laughing hand-in-hand with their bags full of treasures; one of the robbers is called France and the other Britain."
Possession of Stolen is already a crime and now the whole world just watched as these two Chinese National Treasure are being auction off at 13.7million Euro.
Better take a good look at them before they disappear into the hands of some private collector.
"Christie's: auction of Chinese relics to proceed, private sale denied
BEIJING, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- Auction giant Christie's has denied a possible private sale of two Chinese relics, saying that the auction will go on as scheduled despite criticism from China. ……
STOLEN FROM SUMMER PALACE
The two bronze head sculptures were housed in Yuanmingyuan, Beijing's Imperial Summer Palace. They were stolen when the palace was burned down by Anglo-French allied forces during the Second Opium War in 1860"
What is the purpose of signing this if it is not enforced?
China and France signed the 1995 Unidroit Convention on Stolen or Illegally Exported Cultural Objects, which stipulated that any cultural object looted or lost during war, regardless of how long ago, should be returned.
China and France signed the 1995 Unidroit Convention on Stolen or Illegally Exported Cultural Objects, which stipulated that any cultural object looted or lost during war, regardless of how long ago, should be returned.
Monday, February 09, 2009
Nano Block
Interesting find in Japan.
Its a Nano block buiding set of the Japanese WWII Battle Flag Ship Yamato.
basically it is the Japanese version of Legoes and each Nano block is about 4mm x 4 mm, claims to be world's smallest.
Good thing is the set is MADE IN JAPAN and I got it cheap at Y5880 when most shop are selling at Y7000+.
I think the finised product will be about 35cm long and look like I gotta find some space in the cabinet for it before I start my constuction...hee...
Its a Nano block buiding set of the Japanese WWII Battle Flag Ship Yamato.
basically it is the Japanese version of Legoes and each Nano block is about 4mm x 4 mm, claims to be world's smallest.
Good thing is the set is MADE IN JAPAN and I got it cheap at Y5880 when most shop are selling at Y7000+.
I think the finised product will be about 35cm long and look like I gotta find some space in the cabinet for it before I start my constuction...hee...
Thursday, February 05, 2009
New Year In Japan
Spent my Chinese Holiday abroad for the first time in Fukouka.
Weather was cold and I truly enjoy the holiday, even got 2 days of snow and Rahmen taste extremely nice in winter.
Weather was cold and I truly enjoy the holiday, even got 2 days of snow and Rahmen taste extremely nice in winter.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Quotes from Our Dear Millionaires
Received this list from a friends.
The words they said speak for themselve..... Gosh!
" For a person who runs a million-dollar charitable organisation, $600,000 is peanuts as it has a few hundred millions in reserves." - Mrs Goh Chok Tong
"If you don't include your women graduates in your breeding pool and leave them on the shelf, you would end up a more stupid society...So what happens? There will be less bright people to support dumb people in the next generation. That's a problem." - MM Lee in 1983
"Save on one hairdo and use the money for breast screening." Lim Hng Kiang
"Only 5% are unemployed. We still have 95% who are employed." - Yeo Cheow Tong
"Retrenchment is good for singapore. If there is no retrenchments, then I worry." - SM Goh
"We must encourage those who earn less than $200 per month and cannot afford to nurture and educate many children never to have more than two... We will regret the time lost if we do not now take the first tentative steps towards correcting a trend which can leave our society with a large number of the physically, intellecually and culturally anaemic." - MM Lee in 1967
"Contrary to public perception, the White Horse classification is not to ensure that sons of influential men gets preferential treatment. Instead it is to ensure that they do not get preferential treatment."- Cedric Foo
"I give you an example: you put out a fun podcast, you talk about 'bak chor mee'; I will say "mee siam mai hum", then we compete." PM Lee Hsien Loong
"I don't think that there should be a cap on the number of directorship that a person can hold." - PAP MP John Chen who holds 8 directorships
.
"It's not for the money because some of the companies pay me as little as $10,000 a year." - PAP MP Wang Kai Yuen who holds 11 directorships.
"We started off with (the name) and after looking at everything, the name that really tugged at the heartstrings was in front of us. The name itself is not new, but what has been used informally so far has endeared itself to all parties." - Mah Bow Tan on the $400,000 exercise to rename Marina Bay as Marina Bay.
"Having enjoyed football as a national sport for decades, we in Singapore have set ourselves the target of reaching the final rounds of World Cup in 2010." - Ho Peng Kee
"I would want to form an alternative policies group in Parliament, comprising 20 PAP MPs. These 20 PAP MPs will be free to vote in accordance with what they think of a particular policy. In other words, the whip for them will be lifted. This is not playing politics, this is something which I think is worthwhile doing." - SM Goh
"If you want to on a bar top, some of us will fall off the bar Top. Some people will die as a result of liberalising bar top dancing¡ a young girl with a short skirt dancing on it may attract some insults from some other men, the boyfriend will start fighting and some people will die." - Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports
"People support CPF cuts because there are no protest outside parliament." - PM Lee
"Singaporean workers have become more expensive than those in the USA and Australia." - Tony Tan
"No, it was not a U-turn, and neither was it a reversal of government policy. But you can call it a rethink." - Yeo Cheow Tong
"¡I regret making the decision because, in the end, the baby continued to be in intensive care, and KKH now runs up a total bill of more than $300,000¡" - Lim Hng Kiang, regretting the decision to save a baby's life because KKH ran up a $300,000 bill
"Without the elected president and if there is a freak result, within two or three years, the army would have to come in and stop it." - MM Lee Kuan Yew
"Please do not assume that you can change governments. Young people don't understand this" - Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, post-2006 General Elections
"How much do you want? Do you want three meals in a hawker centre, food court or restaurant?" - Dr Vivian Balakrishnan
"People could buy frozen food instead of more expensive fresh food" "They could opt for house brand goods, which cost less than others. " - PM Lee
"Based on figures provided by ComfortDelGro, Singapore's biggest taxi operator, cabbies are pocketing about $11 more a day, earning about $318." - Mr. Raymond Lim
"GST hike is to help the poor." - PM Lee
"'I mean, we are different. This was a lapse, what to do, it's happened." - PM Lee
'You know, the cure for all this talk is really a good dose of incompetent government. You get that alternative and you'll never put Singapore together again: Humpty Dumpty cannot be put together again...and your asset values will be in peril, your security will be at risk and our women will become maids in other people's countries, foreign workers.'
- MM Lee - Justifying pay hikes for Singapore ministers, The Straits Times, 5 April 2007
'This should never have happened. I am sorry that it has.' - Wong Kan Seng
Lim Swee Say:
Every month, when I receive my CPF statement, I feel so rich and the best part is, I know the CPF money won't run away. CPF will still be around for a long, long time to come. Not only is it earning good interest, my capital is protected.
Leaving the best for last...
"Right now we have Low Thia Khiang, Chiam See Tong, Steve Chia. We can deal with them. Suppose you had 10, 15, 20 opposition members in Parliament. Instead of spending my time thinking what is the right policy for Singapore, I'm going to spend all my time thinking what's the right way to fix them, to buy my supporters votes, how can I solve this week's problem and forget about next year's challenges?"PM Lee Hsien Loong, 3 May 2006.
AND last but not least, here's what MM Lee said in April 2007:-
........you have to pay the market rate or the man will up stakes and join Morgan Stanley, Lehman Brothers or Goldman Sachs and you would have an incompetent man and you would lost money by the BILLIONS.....!!!!!!
The words they said speak for themselve..... Gosh!
" For a person who runs a million-dollar charitable organisation, $600,000 is peanuts as it has a few hundred millions in reserves." - Mrs Goh Chok Tong
"If you don't include your women graduates in your breeding pool and leave them on the shelf, you would end up a more stupid society...So what happens? There will be less bright people to support dumb people in the next generation. That's a problem." - MM Lee in 1983
"Save on one hairdo and use the money for breast screening." Lim Hng Kiang
"Only 5% are unemployed. We still have 95% who are employed." - Yeo Cheow Tong
"Retrenchment is good for singapore. If there is no retrenchments, then I worry." - SM Goh
"We must encourage those who earn less than $200 per month and cannot afford to nurture and educate many children never to have more than two... We will regret the time lost if we do not now take the first tentative steps towards correcting a trend which can leave our society with a large number of the physically, intellecually and culturally anaemic." - MM Lee in 1967
"Contrary to public perception, the White Horse classification is not to ensure that sons of influential men gets preferential treatment. Instead it is to ensure that they do not get preferential treatment."- Cedric Foo
"I give you an example: you put out a fun podcast, you talk about 'bak chor mee'; I will say "mee siam mai hum", then we compete." PM Lee Hsien Loong
"I don't think that there should be a cap on the number of directorship that a person can hold." - PAP MP John Chen who holds 8 directorships
.
"It's not for the money because some of the companies pay me as little as $10,000 a year." - PAP MP Wang Kai Yuen who holds 11 directorships.
"We started off with (the name) and after looking at everything, the name that really tugged at the heartstrings was in front of us. The name itself is not new, but what has been used informally so far has endeared itself to all parties." - Mah Bow Tan on the $400,000 exercise to rename Marina Bay as Marina Bay.
"Having enjoyed football as a national sport for decades, we in Singapore have set ourselves the target of reaching the final rounds of World Cup in 2010." - Ho Peng Kee
"I would want to form an alternative policies group in Parliament, comprising 20 PAP MPs. These 20 PAP MPs will be free to vote in accordance with what they think of a particular policy. In other words, the whip for them will be lifted. This is not playing politics, this is something which I think is worthwhile doing." - SM Goh
"If you want to on a bar top, some of us will fall off the bar Top. Some people will die as a result of liberalising bar top dancing¡ a young girl with a short skirt dancing on it may attract some insults from some other men, the boyfriend will start fighting and some people will die." - Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports
"People support CPF cuts because there are no protest outside parliament." - PM Lee
"Singaporean workers have become more expensive than those in the USA and Australia." - Tony Tan
"No, it was not a U-turn, and neither was it a reversal of government policy. But you can call it a rethink." - Yeo Cheow Tong
"¡I regret making the decision because, in the end, the baby continued to be in intensive care, and KKH now runs up a total bill of more than $300,000¡" - Lim Hng Kiang, regretting the decision to save a baby's life because KKH ran up a $300,000 bill
"Without the elected president and if there is a freak result, within two or three years, the army would have to come in and stop it." - MM Lee Kuan Yew
"Please do not assume that you can change governments. Young people don't understand this" - Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, post-2006 General Elections
"How much do you want? Do you want three meals in a hawker centre, food court or restaurant?" - Dr Vivian Balakrishnan
"People could buy frozen food instead of more expensive fresh food" "They could opt for house brand goods, which cost less than others. " - PM Lee
"Based on figures provided by ComfortDelGro, Singapore's biggest taxi operator, cabbies are pocketing about $11 more a day, earning about $318." - Mr. Raymond Lim
"GST hike is to help the poor." - PM Lee
"'I mean, we are different. This was a lapse, what to do, it's happened." - PM Lee
'You know, the cure for all this talk is really a good dose of incompetent government. You get that alternative and you'll never put Singapore together again: Humpty Dumpty cannot be put together again...and your asset values will be in peril, your security will be at risk and our women will become maids in other people's countries, foreign workers.'
- MM Lee - Justifying pay hikes for Singapore ministers, The Straits Times, 5 April 2007
'This should never have happened. I am sorry that it has.' - Wong Kan Seng
Lim Swee Say:
Every month, when I receive my CPF statement, I feel so rich and the best part is, I know the CPF money won't run away. CPF will still be around for a long, long time to come. Not only is it earning good interest, my capital is protected.
Leaving the best for last...
"Right now we have Low Thia Khiang, Chiam See Tong, Steve Chia. We can deal with them. Suppose you had 10, 15, 20 opposition members in Parliament. Instead of spending my time thinking what is the right policy for Singapore, I'm going to spend all my time thinking what's the right way to fix them, to buy my supporters votes, how can I solve this week's problem and forget about next year's challenges?"PM Lee Hsien Loong, 3 May 2006.
AND last but not least, here's what MM Lee said in April 2007:-
........you have to pay the market rate or the man will up stakes and join Morgan Stanley, Lehman Brothers or Goldman Sachs and you would have an incompetent man and you would lost money by the BILLIONS.....!!!!!!
Monday, January 19, 2009
Korean Drama
Currently I am watching Korean Drama “New Heart” on DVD.This show is currently being aired on Channel U at 7.30pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Guess the TV station want to pushed this as far away from their crap show’s golden timing on weekdays.
Trust me, this show win “Little Noya” hands down.
What I like about this show is that not only it has realistic operation scenes but it also highlight the politics within the hospital.
"Drama Synopsis
Lee Eun-Seong, a doctor from a third-class hospital, coincidentally joins the Heart Surgery Department of the Kwanghee University Medical Center as a resident, after being fascinated by the skills of Dr. Choi Gang-Guk. Nam Hye-Seok, an intelligent medical college graduate with great potential is declined from the Heart Surgery Department due to the fact that she is a female. Eventually, Eun-Seong and Hye-Seok are both admitted into the Kwanghee University Heart Surgery Department after a series of demonstrations, beginning their busy lives in daily battles with patients carrying various ailments. The drama goes through 20 episodes as the characters wrestle to save the lives of their patients and struggle with their own love drama as well."
The director of the hospital only cares about fame and money and is rejecting patient with chronic disease as he thinks they will help his ambition.
One doctor is choosing patient and is only taking care of patients he can treat so his overall survival rate is high. He will reject patient with 20% chance of survival as he want his portfolio to look good. There is once he even rejects an elderly patient’s family request of stopping treatment and let him die naturally as he is already too old and they don’t want to chalked up expensive medical bills.
I don’t know about Singapore’s Medical Practice but as is being run more like a business now, I suspect maybe something like this is going on in our hospital.
I also think our dear TCS will never show this kind of stories if they ever filmed a hospital drama, if you look carefully at TCS drama stories, you will find that it is too perfect and “clean” to be true.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Our Home Team
Jan 16, 2009
Likely Mas Selamat has fled
ALMOST a year after he escaped from custody, where is terror fugitive Mas Selamat Kastari?
Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng narrowed it to either of two scenarios: one, he is in Singapore and hidden by sympathisers unknown to the authorities, or, two, he has fled the country.
Asked which was the more likely, Mr Wong told The Straits Times: 'It's very hard to say. Both scenarios are plausible. Maybe the second one is more plausible.'
He added: 'I can't say whether he's in Indonesia, the Philippines or whatever. The moment you leave Singapore, you can find a place to go.'
Meanwhile, the hunt continues, with officers deployed on the ground, including at checkpoints and around Singapore's borders, he said.
Officers from the Singapore Civil Defence Force and Central Narcotics Bureau have been seconded to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) to help out.
The Internal Security Department also continued with its intelligence-gathering, surveillance and sharing of information with regional counterparts.
Speaking about the ministry's precautions against possible attacks by Mas Selamat, the minister said: 'We are always watching this.
'It's not just us alone, we have to work very closely with all our foreign counterparts. If there's any activity, if he plans something, hopefully the ones outside will pick it up and then share it with us.'
Detained Jemaah Islamiah terrorist Mas Selamat escaped from the Whitley Road Detention Centre on Feb 27 last year.
That day, the ICA set in motion 'Operation Tidal Gate', closing off all exit points and in effect locking down Singapore, Mr Wong said.
'But you cannot lock down Singapore without freezing economic activity...We know that despite the best efforts at the checkpoints, Singapore being so porous, things and people can slip through.'
Referring to the public outcry that ensued in the wake of Mas Selamat's escape, with many slamming the ministry for being slow to release information, the Home Affairs Minister noted that his ministry had learnt a valuable lesson: the need to be more open with information.
'We accept that. We accept that shortcoming,' said Mr Wong.
But determining how much information to give out was not an easy decision, as accuracy had to be ensured first.
Going ahead, he promised that his ministry would make efforts to be more open in sharing information - but without compromising investigations.
He said that there was a need for Singaporeans to appreciate the complexity of the Home Team's work.
It would also help the Home Team manage public expectations, he added.
Citing last year's incident in which Singaporeans criticised the ICA for allowing through a person carrying the wrong passport, he noted that there seemed to be 'unrealistic and unreasonable expectations dominating the public discussion, that there cannot be any lapses whatsoever'.
He asked for distinctions to be made between 'clear negligence' on the one hand, and errors that arose 'as a result of a confluence of events, some of which were outside the officers' control'.
Yeah it does not take a rocket scientist to know that Mas Selatmat may have left the country.
Notice this Wong Kan Seng’s statements is totally crap.
“Wong Kan Seng narrowed it to either of two scenarios: one, he is in Singapore and hidden by sympathisers unknown to the authorities, or, two, he has fled the country.”
Wah lau.. how brainless is this statement! He forgot scenario three: He died.
“It's very hard to say. Both scenarios are plausible. Maybe the second one is more plausible.”
My goodness sake. All things are plausible and certainly some thing are more plausible then some and sometime both things are equally plausible. Geez…. And this guy is taking home $1.57M per year.
Likely Mas Selamat has fled
ALMOST a year after he escaped from custody, where is terror fugitive Mas Selamat Kastari?
Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng narrowed it to either of two scenarios: one, he is in Singapore and hidden by sympathisers unknown to the authorities, or, two, he has fled the country.
Asked which was the more likely, Mr Wong told The Straits Times: 'It's very hard to say. Both scenarios are plausible. Maybe the second one is more plausible.'
He added: 'I can't say whether he's in Indonesia, the Philippines or whatever. The moment you leave Singapore, you can find a place to go.'
Meanwhile, the hunt continues, with officers deployed on the ground, including at checkpoints and around Singapore's borders, he said.
Officers from the Singapore Civil Defence Force and Central Narcotics Bureau have been seconded to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) to help out.
The Internal Security Department also continued with its intelligence-gathering, surveillance and sharing of information with regional counterparts.
Speaking about the ministry's precautions against possible attacks by Mas Selamat, the minister said: 'We are always watching this.
'It's not just us alone, we have to work very closely with all our foreign counterparts. If there's any activity, if he plans something, hopefully the ones outside will pick it up and then share it with us.'
Detained Jemaah Islamiah terrorist Mas Selamat escaped from the Whitley Road Detention Centre on Feb 27 last year.
That day, the ICA set in motion 'Operation Tidal Gate', closing off all exit points and in effect locking down Singapore, Mr Wong said.
'But you cannot lock down Singapore without freezing economic activity...We know that despite the best efforts at the checkpoints, Singapore being so porous, things and people can slip through.'
Referring to the public outcry that ensued in the wake of Mas Selamat's escape, with many slamming the ministry for being slow to release information, the Home Affairs Minister noted that his ministry had learnt a valuable lesson: the need to be more open with information.
'We accept that. We accept that shortcoming,' said Mr Wong.
But determining how much information to give out was not an easy decision, as accuracy had to be ensured first.
Going ahead, he promised that his ministry would make efforts to be more open in sharing information - but without compromising investigations.
He said that there was a need for Singaporeans to appreciate the complexity of the Home Team's work.
It would also help the Home Team manage public expectations, he added.
Citing last year's incident in which Singaporeans criticised the ICA for allowing through a person carrying the wrong passport, he noted that there seemed to be 'unrealistic and unreasonable expectations dominating the public discussion, that there cannot be any lapses whatsoever'.
He asked for distinctions to be made between 'clear negligence' on the one hand, and errors that arose 'as a result of a confluence of events, some of which were outside the officers' control'.
Yeah it does not take a rocket scientist to know that Mas Selatmat may have left the country.
Notice this Wong Kan Seng’s statements is totally crap.
“Wong Kan Seng narrowed it to either of two scenarios: one, he is in Singapore and hidden by sympathisers unknown to the authorities, or, two, he has fled the country.”
Wah lau.. how brainless is this statement! He forgot scenario three: He died.
“It's very hard to say. Both scenarios are plausible. Maybe the second one is more plausible.”
My goodness sake. All things are plausible and certainly some thing are more plausible then some and sometime both things are equally plausible. Geez…. And this guy is taking home $1.57M per year.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Following the book
ST FORUM, Jan 15, 2009
Police responses no slower than before
I REFER to the letter, 'Are responses slower now?' by Mr Yong Sing Wee (Dec 27).
Police patrol officers arrived at the scene 30 minutes after receiving Mr Yong's call as all nearby officers were engaged in other ongoing incidents.
The officers conducted a thorough search of the area and made inquiries in the vicinity, but there was no sign of any person in distress. The search was called off after 11/2 hours.
We assure Mr Yong that the closure of neighbourhood police posts (NPPs) has not affected police response times. NPP officers are now redeployed on active patrols instead. (Like guarding the minister car for up to 4 hours)
While we take all calls seriously and strive to respond to urgent cases within 15 minutes and non-urgent cases within 30 minutes, there will be unavoidable instances where we are unable to meet our target response times due to abnormally high incident loads.
This reflects the uncertainties and realities in the nature of policing.
DSP Paul Tay
Assistant Director, Media Relations Singapore Police Force
This is quite funny.
From the headline the first thought that come to my mind is that the police is admitting their responses are slow and they are happy with it as long as is it within their service level and they are not trying to improve on it.
I think 15min response time for urgent cases is way too slow. The robber or rapist could be half way to JB by then. Remember certain politician in Singapore said it only take 20min for you to get from one point to another in Singapore. Hehehe…..
Also note how it takes 19days for the police to response to this ST Forum letter. Needless to say how long they take to response to other normally letters send to them.
I have written to the Police for a couple of time and needless to say they never did reply.
Note from SPC website:
"Service Pledge: To respond to letters from the public within 5 working days
Our aim is to reply to your correspondence, including letters, facsimiles and emails, within 5 working days upon receipt of the correspondence. We expect to meet that standard 90% of the time. At the very least we will let you know if we need more time to give you a full reply. "
Police responses no slower than before
I REFER to the letter, 'Are responses slower now?' by Mr Yong Sing Wee (Dec 27).
Police patrol officers arrived at the scene 30 minutes after receiving Mr Yong's call as all nearby officers were engaged in other ongoing incidents.
The officers conducted a thorough search of the area and made inquiries in the vicinity, but there was no sign of any person in distress. The search was called off after 11/2 hours.
We assure Mr Yong that the closure of neighbourhood police posts (NPPs) has not affected police response times. NPP officers are now redeployed on active patrols instead. (Like guarding the minister car for up to 4 hours)
While we take all calls seriously and strive to respond to urgent cases within 15 minutes and non-urgent cases within 30 minutes, there will be unavoidable instances where we are unable to meet our target response times due to abnormally high incident loads.
This reflects the uncertainties and realities in the nature of policing.
DSP Paul Tay
Assistant Director, Media Relations Singapore Police Force
This is quite funny.
From the headline the first thought that come to my mind is that the police is admitting their responses are slow and they are happy with it as long as is it within their service level and they are not trying to improve on it.
I think 15min response time for urgent cases is way too slow. The robber or rapist could be half way to JB by then. Remember certain politician in Singapore said it only take 20min for you to get from one point to another in Singapore. Hehehe…..
Also note how it takes 19days for the police to response to this ST Forum letter. Needless to say how long they take to response to other normally letters send to them.
I have written to the Police for a couple of time and needless to say they never did reply.
Note from SPC website:
"Service Pledge: To respond to letters from the public within 5 working days
Our aim is to reply to your correspondence, including letters, facsimiles and emails, within 5 working days upon receipt of the correspondence. We expect to meet that standard 90% of the time. At the very least we will let you know if we need more time to give you a full reply. "
Friday, January 09, 2009
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
New Year New Pays
Due to the poor economic outlook, the government announce in Nov 2008 that the TOP will take a pay cut in 2009.
Sound good isn't it?
Well they are still taking home the bacon my friends.
Sound good isn't it?
Well they are still taking home the bacon my friends.
The President - New pay (Per Annum) in 2009 - $3.19m!
The Prime Minister - New pay (Per Annum) in 2009 - $3.04m! (Guess now he don’t have to donate his increment in 2008 to charity anymore, poor people get less money)
Ministers and senior permanent secretaries at MR4 grade - New pay (Per Annum) in 2009 $1.57m
Administrative officers at SR9 superscale grade - New pay (Per Annum) in 2009 $353K
Members of Parliament (who may also run businesses and hold other full-time jobs) - New allowance (Per Annum) in 2009 $190K
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
Stupid Service
Location-based SMS ads for all cellphone users
The SMSes can be sent to specific shoppers when they are near the shops.
-Tue, Jan 06, 2009 my paper
ADVERTISERS can now cheer the prospect of reaching over four million mobile-phone subscribers - more than 80 per cent of the population in Singapore.
SingTel and StarHub have joined M1 in a partnership with Singapore Press Holdings' (SPH) location-based advertising SMS service.
This allows advertisers "to reach all three telcos' subscribers in a timely manner", said Mr Raymond Teoh, assistant vice-president of SPH Marketing Division's Interactive Business Unit.
The SMSes can be sent to specific shoppers - based on their age, gender and economic background - when they are near the shops.
The service, first launched in November 2007, is available to all customers of the three telcos, and is free of charge.
Talk about stupidity.
The article above is trying to portray that everyone is keen to have this service.
Gosh who like we care it is FREE. Big Deal!
I don’t even want to receive these SMS at all. I do hope they have an op out option.
Which idiot will pay the advertiser to watch his advert? Brainless!
The SMSes can be sent to specific shoppers when they are near the shops.
-Tue, Jan 06, 2009 my paper
ADVERTISERS can now cheer the prospect of reaching over four million mobile-phone subscribers - more than 80 per cent of the population in Singapore.
SingTel and StarHub have joined M1 in a partnership with Singapore Press Holdings' (SPH) location-based advertising SMS service.
This allows advertisers "to reach all three telcos' subscribers in a timely manner", said Mr Raymond Teoh, assistant vice-president of SPH Marketing Division's Interactive Business Unit.
The SMSes can be sent to specific shoppers - based on their age, gender and economic background - when they are near the shops.
The service, first launched in November 2007, is available to all customers of the three telcos, and is free of charge.
Talk about stupidity.
The article above is trying to portray that everyone is keen to have this service.
Gosh who like we care it is FREE. Big Deal!
I don’t even want to receive these SMS at all. I do hope they have an op out option.
Which idiot will pay the advertiser to watch his advert? Brainless!
Monday, January 05, 2009
Gaza 2009
Israel begins its ground offensive into Gaza on 3rd Jan.
What a bad way to start the New Year.
More civilians are going suffering from the decades old conflicts.
If you look into the eyes of the Israelite soldiers, I don’t see hatred but rather fear.
War is senseless. But Human never learns even after thousand of years.
Let hope more peace will bestowed upon the Human race in 2009.
What a bad way to start the New Year.
More civilians are going suffering from the decades old conflicts.
If you look into the eyes of the Israelite soldiers, I don’t see hatred but rather fear.
War is senseless. But Human never learns even after thousand of years.
Let hope more peace will bestowed upon the Human race in 2009.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
2008
With just a blink of the eyes today is the last day of 2008.
At the end of a year I normally try to reflect back and think of any significant issue or events that had happened.
So in 2008:
World Financial Crisis:
Well it is still affecting us now and I think this will impact 2009 as well. Many people had lost their job and I think most of us will get a pay cut sooner or later. Good think is exorbitant bankers salaries are thing of the past! : ) Well can’t say that for our Ministers though.
Mas Selamat Escape:
Where is he now? Also notice his WANTED poster are disappearing from the public.
Opening of KPE:
This shortens my taxi journeys between home and town.
Death of Sir Edmund Hillary
First man on top of Everest passed away Jan 11th. This closed a chapter in human achievement.
Beijing 2008
Ok we won the first Silver Medal since Mr Tan Howe Liang did it in 1960. but somehow I am still not impressed as we depends on foreigners. In-face I am more proud of our Para Olympians Yip Pin Xiu who won 1 GOLD and 1 Silver and Laurentia Tan who won 2 bronze instead.
Formula 1 Racing in Singapore
This is quite interesting. I had been a F1 fan since 1996 but these since these days you got to subscribe to cable to watch all kinda sport therefore I have not been following it closely. Anyway it is actually quite nice to see they try to promote the sport in Singapore but look like several teams are going to withdraw from the sport due to the financial crisis.
2008 has not been to bad on the personal level.
I managed to travel to Taipei, Seoul, Hong Kong and Tokyo for Holidays and did manage to travel to Mexico, Cancun for my business trip. First time in Mexico and on the way transited at Houston and Moscow, first time in this 2 cities as well.
Also went for a Health Check this year, both personal and FFI.
On the whole I am fit but my Triglyceride is high at 400, instead of the healthy 160, so need to work on my health in 2009.
Need to wish all my friends and families a healthy 2009 ahead. (Nothing beat good health) And remember to stay cool and pull through this financial crisis.
Happy New Year!
At the end of a year I normally try to reflect back and think of any significant issue or events that had happened.
So in 2008:
World Financial Crisis:
Well it is still affecting us now and I think this will impact 2009 as well. Many people had lost their job and I think most of us will get a pay cut sooner or later. Good think is exorbitant bankers salaries are thing of the past! : ) Well can’t say that for our Ministers though.
Mas Selamat Escape:
Where is he now? Also notice his WANTED poster are disappearing from the public.
Opening of KPE:
This shortens my taxi journeys between home and town.
Death of Sir Edmund Hillary
First man on top of Everest passed away Jan 11th. This closed a chapter in human achievement.
Beijing 2008
Ok we won the first Silver Medal since Mr Tan Howe Liang did it in 1960. but somehow I am still not impressed as we depends on foreigners. In-face I am more proud of our Para Olympians Yip Pin Xiu who won 1 GOLD and 1 Silver and Laurentia Tan who won 2 bronze instead.
Formula 1 Racing in Singapore
This is quite interesting. I had been a F1 fan since 1996 but these since these days you got to subscribe to cable to watch all kinda sport therefore I have not been following it closely. Anyway it is actually quite nice to see they try to promote the sport in Singapore but look like several teams are going to withdraw from the sport due to the financial crisis.
2008 has not been to bad on the personal level.
I managed to travel to Taipei, Seoul, Hong Kong and Tokyo for Holidays and did manage to travel to Mexico, Cancun for my business trip. First time in Mexico and on the way transited at Houston and Moscow, first time in this 2 cities as well.
Also went for a Health Check this year, both personal and FFI.
On the whole I am fit but my Triglyceride is high at 400, instead of the healthy 160, so need to work on my health in 2009.
Need to wish all my friends and families a healthy 2009 ahead. (Nothing beat good health) And remember to stay cool and pull through this financial crisis.
Happy New Year!
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Just follow the book
Retired US lawyer's last wish: Scatter my ashes at Tiong Bahru Park
30 December 2008
HIS last request - to have his ashes scattered in Tiong Bahru Park
.
Those were the instructions of a 76-year-old American who had grown to love Singapore since his first visit in 1993, reported Shin Min Daily News.
Retired lawyer Paul Lawson had even developed a passion for durians and nonya food.
He first met Singaporean Kit Lam, a 51-year-old manager, at a party in San Francisco 16 years ago. They hit it off immediately.
At that time, the American had never heard of Singapore and had never visited Asia.
In 1993, he visited Mr Lam here. He liked it so much that he returned every year, staying at Mr Lam's home each time.
Mr Lam lives near Tiong Bahru Park, and Mr Lawson would go for morning walks there, even making friends with other park goers.
Then Mr Lawson was struck down by cancer earlier this year and underwent two operations.
He eventually lapsed into a week-long coma before dying on 2Jul.
Mr Lawson's family sent his ashes to Singapore, following his instructions. But he could not have his park wish fulfilled.
The National Environment Agency website states that after cremation, 'the ashes of the deceased can be stored at home or in a columbarium'.
The ashes can also be scattered at sea, 'at the designated site located about 1.5nautical miles (2.8km) south of Pulau Semakau', off the main island of Singapore.
So Mr Lam decided to place them in his home in Tiong Bahru.
Last Saturday, Mr Lam also hosted a farewell gathering for Mr Lawson.
Mr Lam said: 'I believe that Paul wouldn't want a tearful goodbye. He'd want us to remember him with a smile on our faces.'
Er.. … to me I just think Mr Lawson just got “Tua” by his Singaporean friend Lam Kit Man.
When Kit Man’s deceased friend’s LAST WISH to have his ash scattered at Tiong Bahru Park was put upon him. He just has to check the NEA website and denied Mr Lawson’s LAST WISH by some ambiguous statement on the website. (In fact I can’t find anywhere on NEA website that prohibit people of scattering the ashes in the park)
Geezz… I suspect some people have been scattering some or all of their ashes in some parts of Singapore already and more so NEA website did not say you Cannot scatter the ashes but only suggest what you can do with the deceased ashes.
30 December 2008
HIS last request - to have his ashes scattered in Tiong Bahru Park
.
Those were the instructions of a 76-year-old American who had grown to love Singapore since his first visit in 1993, reported Shin Min Daily News.
Retired lawyer Paul Lawson had even developed a passion for durians and nonya food.
He first met Singaporean Kit Lam, a 51-year-old manager, at a party in San Francisco 16 years ago. They hit it off immediately.
At that time, the American had never heard of Singapore and had never visited Asia.
In 1993, he visited Mr Lam here. He liked it so much that he returned every year, staying at Mr Lam's home each time.
Mr Lam lives near Tiong Bahru Park, and Mr Lawson would go for morning walks there, even making friends with other park goers.
Then Mr Lawson was struck down by cancer earlier this year and underwent two operations.
He eventually lapsed into a week-long coma before dying on 2Jul.
Mr Lawson's family sent his ashes to Singapore, following his instructions. But he could not have his park wish fulfilled.
The National Environment Agency website states that after cremation, 'the ashes of the deceased can be stored at home or in a columbarium'.
The ashes can also be scattered at sea, 'at the designated site located about 1.5nautical miles (2.8km) south of Pulau Semakau', off the main island of Singapore.
So Mr Lam decided to place them in his home in Tiong Bahru.
Last Saturday, Mr Lam also hosted a farewell gathering for Mr Lawson.
Mr Lam said: 'I believe that Paul wouldn't want a tearful goodbye. He'd want us to remember him with a smile on our faces.'
Er.. … to me I just think Mr Lawson just got “Tua” by his Singaporean friend Lam Kit Man.
When Kit Man’s deceased friend’s LAST WISH to have his ash scattered at Tiong Bahru Park was put upon him. He just has to check the NEA website and denied Mr Lawson’s LAST WISH by some ambiguous statement on the website. (In fact I can’t find anywhere on NEA website that prohibit people of scattering the ashes in the park)
Geezz… I suspect some people have been scattering some or all of their ashes in some parts of Singapore already and more so NEA website did not say you Cannot scatter the ashes but only suggest what you can do with the deceased ashes.
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
The poor will always suffer first.
By Channel NewsAsia
03 December 2008
CapitaLand executives take pay cuts of 3-20% amid economic gloom
SINGAPORE: Property developer CapitaLand said on Tuesday it will not be laying off staff for now.
Instead, executive-level staff will take pay cuts of between three and 20 per cent as part of the company's cost management measures.
In a statement, CapitaLand said the cuts are due to the deteriorating global financial environment and economic uncertainties.
President and CEO Liew Mun Leong will bear the maximum salary reduction of 20 per cent.
According to CapitaLand's annual report, Mr Liew earned S$1.15 million in base salary in 2007, and was paid S$5.35 million in bonuses.
All salary reductions will take effect in January 2009.
CapitaLand said the salary reduction exercise is one of several cost management measures it has taken. In the last crisis from 2001 to 2003, CapitaLand had also implemented a salary freeze for management and staff.
Management subsequently took a significant pay cut when the recessionary environment persisted.
Despite the latest pay cuts, CapitaLand said it will continue its training and development efforts and review its business operations for future growth opportunities.
Its good that the top is taking the lead to take a pay cut but my question is, “Is it really enough?”
Are they taking pay cut just for show and to appease the share holders only?
Look at Liew Mun Leong’s announcement that he is taking 20% pay cut, WOW not bad you may say.
Annual Pay : $1,150,000
After Pay Cut: $920,000
Pay Cut: $230,000
Actual Pay loss in % = 230,000 / 1150000 + 5350000 = 3%
If you look at Liew Mun Leong’s pay after his pay cut, he is still taking home more then $70K a month excluding bonus.
Gosh there are really some rich people around in Singapore.
Why there is so many charities asking money from the public at bus interchange and MRT stations? They should go to where the moneys really are, AT THE BOARD ROOMS. As you see, the rich don’t take public transport.
03 December 2008
CapitaLand executives take pay cuts of 3-20% amid economic gloom
SINGAPORE: Property developer CapitaLand said on Tuesday it will not be laying off staff for now.
Instead, executive-level staff will take pay cuts of between three and 20 per cent as part of the company's cost management measures.
In a statement, CapitaLand said the cuts are due to the deteriorating global financial environment and economic uncertainties.
President and CEO Liew Mun Leong will bear the maximum salary reduction of 20 per cent.
According to CapitaLand's annual report, Mr Liew earned S$1.15 million in base salary in 2007, and was paid S$5.35 million in bonuses.
All salary reductions will take effect in January 2009.
CapitaLand said the salary reduction exercise is one of several cost management measures it has taken. In the last crisis from 2001 to 2003, CapitaLand had also implemented a salary freeze for management and staff.
Management subsequently took a significant pay cut when the recessionary environment persisted.
Despite the latest pay cuts, CapitaLand said it will continue its training and development efforts and review its business operations for future growth opportunities.
Its good that the top is taking the lead to take a pay cut but my question is, “Is it really enough?”
Are they taking pay cut just for show and to appease the share holders only?
Look at Liew Mun Leong’s announcement that he is taking 20% pay cut, WOW not bad you may say.
Annual Pay : $1,150,000
After Pay Cut: $920,000
Pay Cut: $230,000
Actual Pay loss in % = 230,000 / 1150000 + 5350000 = 3%
If you look at Liew Mun Leong’s pay after his pay cut, he is still taking home more then $70K a month excluding bonus.
Gosh there are really some rich people around in Singapore.
Why there is so many charities asking money from the public at bus interchange and MRT stations? They should go to where the moneys really are, AT THE BOARD ROOMS. As you see, the rich don’t take public transport.
Monday, November 24, 2008
My Watches
Bought my first "Luxury watch" back in 2000.Been with me for 8 years already through many ups and downs.
It is a good watch and think Tag Heuer has stop producing this model. Look at all the battle scars. Hee... will try to send it for polishing one of these days.
And my new acquisition... : )
Lame Reason
Pasir Ris-Punggol Town Council says half of S$4m investment not written off
23 November 2008
SINGAPORE: Pasir Ris-Punggol Town Council said while it is looking at safer options for investing, it will also take into account what residents prefer.
The town council had invested S$4 million in financial products linked to the now bankrupt US investment bank, Lehman Brothers. It said around half of the amount has not been written off.
Speaking on the sidelines of a community event on Sunday, Pasir Ris-Punggol Town Council chairman, Ahmad Magad, said the council has been communicating with some residents who have asked about the investments. And going forward, it will listen to what residents prefer.
Dr Ahmad said: "If they feel that the way forward is best for us to just park our funds in fixed deposits – that's what we'll do. But bear in mind that FDs will only give you minimal returns. At times, it doesn't even cover inflation."
He added that banks have informed the town council that as of end of October, its S$4 million investment still has a residual value of S$2.1 million. But he said he is not sure if the S$2.1 million can be recovered.
"There is still residual value in our minibond investments. As of October 31, our banks have written to us indicating that the S$4 million that we have invested still has a residual value of S$2.1 million. So it's not like it's been completely written off," said Dr Ahmad.
Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean, who is also one of the MPs for Pasir Ris-Punggol, said the town council had invested in the long-term interests of residents.
"It's quite unfortunate that this investment has turned bad, but we hope that over the long term, we'll still be able to get a good return so that the sinking funds that we have will be able to do all the long-term maintenance that is necessary for the residents and we're quite confident of that," said Mr Teo.
Pasir Ris-Punggol is one of eight town councils which had invested a total of S$16 million in troubled structured products.
Bunch of bullshit again!
So now they want to listen to what resident prefer? I am waiting. Why they don't listen to us in the first place by reducing the conservative fees.
23 November 2008
SINGAPORE: Pasir Ris-Punggol Town Council said while it is looking at safer options for investing, it will also take into account what residents prefer.
The town council had invested S$4 million in financial products linked to the now bankrupt US investment bank, Lehman Brothers. It said around half of the amount has not been written off.
Speaking on the sidelines of a community event on Sunday, Pasir Ris-Punggol Town Council chairman, Ahmad Magad, said the council has been communicating with some residents who have asked about the investments. And going forward, it will listen to what residents prefer.
Dr Ahmad said: "If they feel that the way forward is best for us to just park our funds in fixed deposits – that's what we'll do. But bear in mind that FDs will only give you minimal returns. At times, it doesn't even cover inflation."
He added that banks have informed the town council that as of end of October, its S$4 million investment still has a residual value of S$2.1 million. But he said he is not sure if the S$2.1 million can be recovered.
"There is still residual value in our minibond investments. As of October 31, our banks have written to us indicating that the S$4 million that we have invested still has a residual value of S$2.1 million. So it's not like it's been completely written off," said Dr Ahmad.
Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean, who is also one of the MPs for Pasir Ris-Punggol, said the town council had invested in the long-term interests of residents.
"It's quite unfortunate that this investment has turned bad, but we hope that over the long term, we'll still be able to get a good return so that the sinking funds that we have will be able to do all the long-term maintenance that is necessary for the residents and we're quite confident of that," said Mr Teo.
Pasir Ris-Punggol is one of eight town councils which had invested a total of S$16 million in troubled structured products.
Bunch of bullshit again!
So now they want to listen to what resident prefer? I am waiting. Why they don't listen to us in the first place by reducing the conservative fees.
Less money = No money to invest = No loss.
I prefer they DON'T COLLECT SO MUCH MONEY IN THE FIRST PLACE!
Teo Chee Hean, please tell us what "long term interest" you have for us.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Why eveyone should own a G-Shock.
I was clearing my cupboard over the weekend and I found my old Casio G-Shock under a pile of paper.
It is still functioning after at least 18 years. The day and date are still accurate but it had gone faster by about an hour.
Gosh I remember this watch had been with me through school and Army day and note the outer rubber protection are all gone but the core watch is still working fine!
Shall give it a new battery and keep it working for sentimental value.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
How the Gahmen screw us.
Nov 17, 2008
$12m in troubled products
TWO town councils - Holland-Bukit Panjang and Pasir Ris-Punggol - have about $12 million invested in troubled structured products.
These products include Lehman Minibonds and Merrill Lynch Jubilee Series 3.
Senior Minister of State (National Development and Education) Grace Fu gave this update in Parliament on Monday, in response to a question from Nominated MP Eunice Olsen.
Since Dec 1 last year, the amount that town councils can invest in non-government stocks, funds or securities has been capped at 35 per cent of the sinking fund.
Holland-Bukit Panjang invested about 6.7 per cent of its total funds available for investment in the structured products, and Pasir Ris-Punggol, about 2.6 per cent.
The sinking funds are used to pay for long-term or cyclical expenditure, such as replacing lifts, pumps and pipes, re-roofing, and repairing and redecorating blocks.
The funds are also used to pay for lift upgrading, so that residents pay a smaller percentage of the total lift upgrading cost.
The sinking fund is distinct from the operating fund, which is used for short term expenditures.
Ms Fu said town councils need to invest their funds prudently so that the accumulated funds are not eroded by inflation.
The investment guidelines - which her ministry has no plans to change - seek to achieve an optimal balance between reasonable returns and financial prudence, she added.
She noted that investments in stocks, funds or securities must be on the advice of a qualified person, such as an investment adviser holding a licence under the Securities and Futures Act, and an approved bank or a merchant bank approved as a financial institution under the Monetary Authority of Singapore Act.
The 16 town councils manage more than $1 billion in sinking funds.
The first word that came into my mind when I read this is FUCK!
What the hell are the town councils using our money to play shares for?
If you read this whole article, you find it is full of bullshits.
Grace Fu said they need to invest so to prevent the funds from being eroded by inflation, Yeah I have a better solution for that, DON’T ACCUMULATE SO MUCH MONEY!
Have you ever how many percent of you month conservation fee actually go into the maintenance of your estate?
My block is being wash once a month and the worker only sweep it like once or twice a week.
Another question, what the town council do with the profits they the got from these investment? Bet they just keep it for themselves!!
Isn’t nice to be a town council?
Take other people money and use it on your investment. If got profit just keep it, don’t have to share it out to those who lend you the money.
Best still, if lose money, just shrug your shoulder and said too bad.
$12m in troubled products
TWO town councils - Holland-Bukit Panjang and Pasir Ris-Punggol - have about $12 million invested in troubled structured products.
These products include Lehman Minibonds and Merrill Lynch Jubilee Series 3.
Senior Minister of State (National Development and Education) Grace Fu gave this update in Parliament on Monday, in response to a question from Nominated MP Eunice Olsen.
Since Dec 1 last year, the amount that town councils can invest in non-government stocks, funds or securities has been capped at 35 per cent of the sinking fund.
Holland-Bukit Panjang invested about 6.7 per cent of its total funds available for investment in the structured products, and Pasir Ris-Punggol, about 2.6 per cent.
The sinking funds are used to pay for long-term or cyclical expenditure, such as replacing lifts, pumps and pipes, re-roofing, and repairing and redecorating blocks.
The funds are also used to pay for lift upgrading, so that residents pay a smaller percentage of the total lift upgrading cost.
The sinking fund is distinct from the operating fund, which is used for short term expenditures.
Ms Fu said town councils need to invest their funds prudently so that the accumulated funds are not eroded by inflation.
The investment guidelines - which her ministry has no plans to change - seek to achieve an optimal balance between reasonable returns and financial prudence, she added.
She noted that investments in stocks, funds or securities must be on the advice of a qualified person, such as an investment adviser holding a licence under the Securities and Futures Act, and an approved bank or a merchant bank approved as a financial institution under the Monetary Authority of Singapore Act.
The 16 town councils manage more than $1 billion in sinking funds.
The first word that came into my mind when I read this is FUCK!
What the hell are the town councils using our money to play shares for?
If you read this whole article, you find it is full of bullshits.
Grace Fu said they need to invest so to prevent the funds from being eroded by inflation, Yeah I have a better solution for that, DON’T ACCUMULATE SO MUCH MONEY!
Have you ever how many percent of you month conservation fee actually go into the maintenance of your estate?
My block is being wash once a month and the worker only sweep it like once or twice a week.
Another question, what the town council do with the profits they the got from these investment? Bet they just keep it for themselves!!
Isn’t nice to be a town council?
Take other people money and use it on your investment. If got profit just keep it, don’t have to share it out to those who lend you the money.
Best still, if lose money, just shrug your shoulder and said too bad.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Nice Advert
Receved this about a year ago.
Still never get tired of watching it.
Note this is not done by computer generation but it is actually done by serveral trial over a period of a few days. It won some award if I remember correctly.
Still never get tired of watching it.
Note this is not done by computer generation but it is actually done by serveral trial over a period of a few days. It won some award if I remember correctly.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
White Elephant
CCTV could cut taxi wait
By Christopher Tan
Oct 23, 2008
STUCK in a taxi queue that is hardly moving?
Relief may come soon from a system of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras at taxi stands feeding 'live' images back to cab despatch centres, which can direct cabbies to where fares are waiting.
Home-grown information technology company Stratech Systems is devising such a system in response to a call by the Media Development Authority (MDA) for industries to design innovative business solutions.
It is disbursing $12 million for 15 such innovations, among which is Stratech's 'Dynamic Vehicle Allocation System'.
Stratech executive chairman David Chew said the system, which he claimed will be a world first, will be installed at 50 taxi stands, mostly in the Central Business District, for a start.
It should be ready for trial in nine months. He said of the current problem: 'Taxis may be waiting at a vacant stand while commuters queue in vain elsewhere.'
More than just feeding images of taxi queues back to taxi operators, he said, Stratech's system would be smart enough to adjust to changes in the numbers of waiting commuters and cabs arriving.
'Today's taxi despatch systems are dumb,' said the Stratech chief, who has begun talking to the taxi operators.
Ms Tammy Tan, spokesman for ComfortDelGro Corp, Singapore's largest cab company, said: 'We believe a taxi queue monitoring system will help our drivers pinpoint areas where there is higher demand and have in fact been exploring such a system ourselves.'
She added ComfortDelGro was 'encouraged' by the MDA's support of such an initiative and would seek to work with it on its development.
SMRT Taxis' senior manager of customer relations Eunice Lui said initiatives that will enhance taxi services for customers are welcome.
Industry observers, however, said they did not see anything compelling about the system.
Property firm executive H. Y. Loh, a 51-year-old regular cab commuter, is sceptical. She said the system would work in bad times, 'when cabbies going to taxi stands are at least assured of business'. But she is less sure it will work when good times return, because more people will be taking cabs then.
Cab companies may also not back Stratech's system fully, since doing so will hit their call-booking revenue. After all, commuters in taxi queues often resort to phoning for a cab, said Ms Loh.
But Mr Chew said that if Stratech's system works, 'it will ensure a continuous flow of taxis'.
For God’s Sake, can’t they see this is yet another White Elephant.
Firstly – The Cab will only appear when there are Surcharges. Extra bucks to be earned.
Secondly – I thought all cab in Singapore are being installed with some super duper GPS system? Isn’t this good enough to pin point where are all the cabs? Is it necessary to spend $12millions to install 15 of this junk? Who is going to pay for it anyway? Another reason to add more surchages?
This system is not solving the root cause of the problem. Say taxi stand A has no taxi and the queue is really long. So how will this $12M system help with the main problem, which is shortage of taxi at stand A? Absolutely nothing! It only confirmed there is a long queue at Stand A.
Taxi who are at Stand A picking up Passengers most likely has already called their buddies that there are a shortage of cab anyway. Or if they are kind enough they may had also call their dispatch centers.
Come on lah. No need to spend $12Millions on such White Elephant. Use the money to help the poor instead.
By Christopher Tan
Oct 23, 2008
STUCK in a taxi queue that is hardly moving?
Relief may come soon from a system of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras at taxi stands feeding 'live' images back to cab despatch centres, which can direct cabbies to where fares are waiting.
Home-grown information technology company Stratech Systems is devising such a system in response to a call by the Media Development Authority (MDA) for industries to design innovative business solutions.
It is disbursing $12 million for 15 such innovations, among which is Stratech's 'Dynamic Vehicle Allocation System'.
Stratech executive chairman David Chew said the system, which he claimed will be a world first, will be installed at 50 taxi stands, mostly in the Central Business District, for a start.
It should be ready for trial in nine months. He said of the current problem: 'Taxis may be waiting at a vacant stand while commuters queue in vain elsewhere.'
More than just feeding images of taxi queues back to taxi operators, he said, Stratech's system would be smart enough to adjust to changes in the numbers of waiting commuters and cabs arriving.
'Today's taxi despatch systems are dumb,' said the Stratech chief, who has begun talking to the taxi operators.
Ms Tammy Tan, spokesman for ComfortDelGro Corp, Singapore's largest cab company, said: 'We believe a taxi queue monitoring system will help our drivers pinpoint areas where there is higher demand and have in fact been exploring such a system ourselves.'
She added ComfortDelGro was 'encouraged' by the MDA's support of such an initiative and would seek to work with it on its development.
SMRT Taxis' senior manager of customer relations Eunice Lui said initiatives that will enhance taxi services for customers are welcome.
Industry observers, however, said they did not see anything compelling about the system.
Property firm executive H. Y. Loh, a 51-year-old regular cab commuter, is sceptical. She said the system would work in bad times, 'when cabbies going to taxi stands are at least assured of business'. But she is less sure it will work when good times return, because more people will be taking cabs then.
Cab companies may also not back Stratech's system fully, since doing so will hit their call-booking revenue. After all, commuters in taxi queues often resort to phoning for a cab, said Ms Loh.
But Mr Chew said that if Stratech's system works, 'it will ensure a continuous flow of taxis'.
For God’s Sake, can’t they see this is yet another White Elephant.
Firstly – The Cab will only appear when there are Surcharges. Extra bucks to be earned.
Secondly – I thought all cab in Singapore are being installed with some super duper GPS system? Isn’t this good enough to pin point where are all the cabs? Is it necessary to spend $12millions to install 15 of this junk? Who is going to pay for it anyway? Another reason to add more surchages?
This system is not solving the root cause of the problem. Say taxi stand A has no taxi and the queue is really long. So how will this $12M system help with the main problem, which is shortage of taxi at stand A? Absolutely nothing! It only confirmed there is a long queue at Stand A.
Taxi who are at Stand A picking up Passengers most likely has already called their buddies that there are a shortage of cab anyway. Or if they are kind enough they may had also call their dispatch centers.
Come on lah. No need to spend $12Millions on such White Elephant. Use the money to help the poor instead.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Reminder Again
Just putting up this post to remind myself how shitty the Public Transport are in Singapore. Remeber what happen in 01 Oct 2007?
The Helps we are not getting
Govt looking at helping Singaporeans overcome economic hardship
18 October 2008 2149 hrs (SST)
SINGAPORE: Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong said the government is looking at how it can help Singaporeans overcome temporary economic hardship next year.
Mr Goh, who was speaking at a community event on Saturday, said Singapore's economy is expected to grow by about 3 per cent this year, but next year's growth could be even slower.
But the senior minister believes that with Singapore's current diversified economy and strong economic fundamentals, the country can bounce back if Singaporeans stick together.
"The government is already thinking about what it can do to help businesses and ordinary Singaporeans – in particular lower income Singaporeans – next year," he said.
On financial products that are linked to failed investment bank Lehman Brothers, Mr Goh said the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) expects financial institutions to pay attention to vulnerable investors such as retirees.
Where there are sufficient indications that the product was mis-sold, the senior minister expects the financial institutions to take full responsibility and reach a fair settlement with investors, on a case-by-case basis.
Mr Goh said: "MAS understands from the banks and financial institutions that they will try to be helpful, so they will investigate each case thoroughly and where there is any doubt, they will try and settle in favour of the investor.
"MAS is a very professional, rational institution. It doesn't try to put pressure on people, it doesn't make big speeches to convince people that it is doing many things.
"Behind the scene, I can tell you, MAS has been quietly working with the banks and financial institutions to find a fair solution for people who have invested in the products."
The senior minister said everyone must view the losses in perspective – millions have lost their savings worldwide, so Singaporeans must be realistic in their expectations.
I think it does not take a genius to know how to "help ordinary Singaporean" but rather the question is, does the Govt really want to do it . Or as usual, they have their own interest in mind.
Some ways which I think the Man- in- White can do to help ordinary Singaporean, please bear in mind I am not even paid millions a year to come up with these ideas.
1) Cancel or reduce the 21% Electricity Pay Hike
2) Freeze all public transport fare increase for the next 3 years (Note these Public Transport Companies are still making money and I bet their business will increase even more during bad times)
3) Guarantee all deposit and Insurance in Singapore.
4) Pay cut for all ministers plus the president to set up a fund to help the old and low income Singaporean.
5) GIC and all Ministries to relook into the employee bonus and salaries especially for the Super Scale one. (Remember they just got some bonus and pay increament this year)
6) GST waiver for all essential food stuff.
7) Reduce NDP budget for the next 3 years.
8) Tax reduction for companies that did not lay off any employee.
9) Stop influx of “Foreign Talent” for the next 3 years.
10) Reduce rental of shops so these tenants will not pass the rental cost to the consumers.
Friday, October 03, 2008
Dead in NS
NSF had left MC in cupboard
Today Online Friday • October 3, 2008
THE full-time National Serviceman who died on Tuesday morning never submitted the medical certificate he was given on Sunday to his camp’s medical centre.
In a statement issued yesterday afternoon, the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) said Private Joe Foo Wei Rong’s medical certificate has since been found in his personal cupboard next to his bunk.
The Singapore General Hospital medical certificate, dated Sept 28, was for “sprains and strains of knee and leg”, said Mindef.
“PTE Foo was to rest from Sept 28 to 29 and given only light duties from Sep 30 to Oct 3,” it added.
“The medical centre had no documentation of his medical certificate.”
PTE Foo, 20, had collapsed while doing chin-ups as part of a daily basic exercise routine, at 6.05am.
According to his father, in 2004, PTE Foo suffered a seizure at home.
When contacted yesterday, hours after the NSF was given a military funeral and cremated at Mandai Crematorium, his father, Mr Foo Heng Lye, said he had told his son to submit the medical certificate.
It is not known why he had not.
Mr Foo, however, questioned why it took almost two hours to move PTE Foo to a hospital. “Why were there only medics but no medical officers on 24-hour standby in the camp?” he asked.
Mindef said on Tuesday PTE Foo was given “immediate medical attention” and taken from Lim Chu Kang Camp to Tengah Medical Centre, which had a doctor on 24-hour standby, by 6.40am.
Doctors at Tengah tried to resuscitate him, and he was packed off to National University Hospital at 7.15am. En route, the Singapore Armed Forces doctor and medic continued to resuscitate him and he arrived at 7.45am. He was pronounced dead at 8.28am. Mindef is investigating.
It’s sad to know another young man has die while service his country.
I think somebody in his camp is going to be in deep shit now.
Thought Pte Foo death may not be directly linked to his MC which was for “sprains and strains of knee and leg”, but nevertheless he should be resting on the day he die.
Questions 1: Why Pte Foo did not endorse his MC with the Medical Center In his camp?
Ok endorsing MC is pure stupidity in the first place. If you get a MC from a outside Doctor, which more probably is more experience then those MO in the camp, you still have to come to the medical center in you 40 degree fever to let the MO see your MC and approved it.
In fact it is the Medic who does it most of the time, MO can never been seen. I am still amazed during my NS days when I reported sick, the MO can diagnose your sickness from 3 meters away.
This show that they automatically assume who ever is reporting sick is trying to skive.
Trying not to speculate, but I guess one of the reason why Pte Foo did not endorse his MC was maybe he does not want to be label as a “chao keng”.
So why he has this thought in the 1st place? While we do not know what was said to Pte Foo and companies since he was enlisted in his camp. Maybe someone threaten those who reported sick with confinement? The result of the investigation will be very interesting.
Questions 2: Why Pte Foo was given a Pes A status when he had a history of seizure?
This could be the main reason why he dies.
This shows that the screening process of recruits are note done properly. Or manybe your life is not worth the $1000 screening process.
Today Online Friday • October 3, 2008
THE full-time National Serviceman who died on Tuesday morning never submitted the medical certificate he was given on Sunday to his camp’s medical centre.
In a statement issued yesterday afternoon, the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) said Private Joe Foo Wei Rong’s medical certificate has since been found in his personal cupboard next to his bunk.
The Singapore General Hospital medical certificate, dated Sept 28, was for “sprains and strains of knee and leg”, said Mindef.
“PTE Foo was to rest from Sept 28 to 29 and given only light duties from Sep 30 to Oct 3,” it added.
“The medical centre had no documentation of his medical certificate.”
PTE Foo, 20, had collapsed while doing chin-ups as part of a daily basic exercise routine, at 6.05am.
According to his father, in 2004, PTE Foo suffered a seizure at home.
When contacted yesterday, hours after the NSF was given a military funeral and cremated at Mandai Crematorium, his father, Mr Foo Heng Lye, said he had told his son to submit the medical certificate.
It is not known why he had not.
Mr Foo, however, questioned why it took almost two hours to move PTE Foo to a hospital. “Why were there only medics but no medical officers on 24-hour standby in the camp?” he asked.
Mindef said on Tuesday PTE Foo was given “immediate medical attention” and taken from Lim Chu Kang Camp to Tengah Medical Centre, which had a doctor on 24-hour standby, by 6.40am.
Doctors at Tengah tried to resuscitate him, and he was packed off to National University Hospital at 7.15am. En route, the Singapore Armed Forces doctor and medic continued to resuscitate him and he arrived at 7.45am. He was pronounced dead at 8.28am. Mindef is investigating.
It’s sad to know another young man has die while service his country.
I think somebody in his camp is going to be in deep shit now.
Thought Pte Foo death may not be directly linked to his MC which was for “sprains and strains of knee and leg”, but nevertheless he should be resting on the day he die.
Questions 1: Why Pte Foo did not endorse his MC with the Medical Center In his camp?
Ok endorsing MC is pure stupidity in the first place. If you get a MC from a outside Doctor, which more probably is more experience then those MO in the camp, you still have to come to the medical center in you 40 degree fever to let the MO see your MC and approved it.
In fact it is the Medic who does it most of the time, MO can never been seen. I am still amazed during my NS days when I reported sick, the MO can diagnose your sickness from 3 meters away.
This show that they automatically assume who ever is reporting sick is trying to skive.
Trying not to speculate, but I guess one of the reason why Pte Foo did not endorse his MC was maybe he does not want to be label as a “chao keng”.
So why he has this thought in the 1st place? While we do not know what was said to Pte Foo and companies since he was enlisted in his camp. Maybe someone threaten those who reported sick with confinement? The result of the investigation will be very interesting.
Questions 2: Why Pte Foo was given a Pes A status when he had a history of seizure?
This could be the main reason why he dies.
This shows that the screening process of recruits are note done properly. Or manybe your life is not worth the $1000 screening process.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Life in Singapore
Why the muddy path to the MRT?
Today Online Friday • September 12, 2008
Letter from M Lukshumayeh:
While we could arguably claim to have in Singapore, one of the best public transportation systems in the world, we are still some way off in providing proper access to some of these facilities. Commuters using Jurong East MRT Station, heading to or from the International Business Park, do not have a cemented path to use. On rainy days, commuters have to make do with a muddy footpath.
The answer is simple.
Because none of our ministers take the MRT to work.
Today Online Friday • September 12, 2008
Letter from M Lukshumayeh:
While we could arguably claim to have in Singapore, one of the best public transportation systems in the world, we are still some way off in providing proper access to some of these facilities. Commuters using Jurong East MRT Station, heading to or from the International Business Park, do not have a cemented path to use. On rainy days, commuters have to make do with a muddy footpath.
The answer is simple.
Because none of our ministers take the MRT to work.
Desperate means to get more babies.
Too young to have babies? Think again?
Today Online Friday • September 12, 2008
THE question seemed out of place in a lecture theatre of over 100 young university students: “Are you at risk of childlessness?”
Yet, as obstetrician-gynaecologist Teoh Seng Hin went on to point out, eight to 15 per cent of couples will experience fertility problems at some point in their lives, and couples who have sex during their fertile periods stand only a 30 per cent chance of conceiving.
“When people use contraception, the underlying assumption is that they are fertile,” he said.
But while female age is the overwhelming factor in sub-fertility, men’s age is “grossly overlooked”, said Dr Teoh, who was speaking yesterday at a sexual health awareness talk at the Nanyang Technological University organised by the Singapore Planned Parenthood Association, Bayer Schering Pharma and the university.
From the time men are in their late 20s, the chances of their contributing to a successful pregnancy fall by 11 per cent each year.
The chances of a successful live birth also dip, while the likelihood of passing on genetic abnormalities increase, warned Dr Teoh. Dr Teoh — who also has a Master’s degree in men’s health and andrology — said he was sharing his experience with the students so that they can be forewarned about the problems that may emerge later in their lives.
“If you see enough patients, you’ll find that a lot of them miscarry,” he said.
“Many problems can’t be reversedbecause of age,” he added.
Another fertility doctor, Prof Christopher Chen, told Today that none of the men in the couples who consulted him in the last five years has passed the “sperm test”.
“I have couples who come to see me to ask if they are all right making babies in two to three years’ time.
I tell them, ‘You don’t have to worry about contraception or abstaining because your sperm is poor anyway.’
“Within their means, couples should try not to delay too long,” advised Prof Chen, who runs a private practice at Gleneagles Hospital.
Today Online Friday • September 12, 2008
THE question seemed out of place in a lecture theatre of over 100 young university students: “Are you at risk of childlessness?”
Yet, as obstetrician-gynaecologist Teoh Seng Hin went on to point out, eight to 15 per cent of couples will experience fertility problems at some point in their lives, and couples who have sex during their fertile periods stand only a 30 per cent chance of conceiving.
“When people use contraception, the underlying assumption is that they are fertile,” he said.
But while female age is the overwhelming factor in sub-fertility, men’s age is “grossly overlooked”, said Dr Teoh, who was speaking yesterday at a sexual health awareness talk at the Nanyang Technological University organised by the Singapore Planned Parenthood Association, Bayer Schering Pharma and the university.
From the time men are in their late 20s, the chances of their contributing to a successful pregnancy fall by 11 per cent each year.
The chances of a successful live birth also dip, while the likelihood of passing on genetic abnormalities increase, warned Dr Teoh. Dr Teoh — who also has a Master’s degree in men’s health and andrology — said he was sharing his experience with the students so that they can be forewarned about the problems that may emerge later in their lives.
“If you see enough patients, you’ll find that a lot of them miscarry,” he said.
“Many problems can’t be reversedbecause of age,” he added.
Another fertility doctor, Prof Christopher Chen, told Today that none of the men in the couples who consulted him in the last five years has passed the “sperm test”.
“I have couples who come to see me to ask if they are all right making babies in two to three years’ time.
I tell them, ‘You don’t have to worry about contraception or abstaining because your sperm is poor anyway.’
“Within their means, couples should try not to delay too long,” advised Prof Chen, who runs a private practice at Gleneagles Hospital.
Now I think they are getting overboard with trying to get Singaporean to have babies.
They are not giving talk to University Students telling them not to delay too long, quickly go and make babies as soon as you can.
University student qre like, 19-24 years old women and 21- 26 years old men. Most are able to have kids physically but I don’t think they are mentally mature to raise a child.
Ask them how many of them cook for themselves and wash their own laundry?
How many of them are still taking pocket money from their parents?
Geez…. Give them some chance to start work, experience what it is like in the REAL world and then let these kids decide whether are they willing to work the rest of their life to feel an extra mouth or two.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
How bad Singapore's Society is now.
Some of the inconsiderate acts by Singaporean (or Singapore resident, don’t forget 1 in 3 of us are not born here) I have witness over the pass 2 weeks. Think we are certainly heading towards the wrong end of the spectrum in term of graciousness.
1) Teenager talking shouting and eating on public buses.
I always find that kid nowadays has much better developed vocal organ then hearing organ. For God’s sake, you friend is only sitting next to you do you really have to shout in their ears? But I guess that is the result of spending too much time on their I-pods?
Eating on public transport is really very common now. I am quite surprise that STOMP actually published pictures of people eating on MRT and Buses.
2) Motorcycle failing to stop at traffic lights
Be careful if you are using those pedestrian traffic lights. Some motorists just ignore them especially at night.
3) And the last one that get my vote!
Grandparent brought grandson for dinner at food court. Half way thru the meal, grandson wanna pee. Instead of bringing ihim to the toilet, grandpa too out a plastic bag and let his grand son pee into it. Yes in the food court! Grandpa then tied up the plastic bad and dispose it at the food court dustbin.
Then Grandpa go back to his dinner without washing hand!
Hurray!
Friday, August 22, 2008
The failing Baby Bonus Scheme
Singapore first introduced The Baby Bonus Scheme in April 2001 and enhanced in August 2004, supports parents’ decision to have more children by helping to lighten the financial costs of raising children.
Again this year the government further enhanced it from 2009 onwards.
Does giving more money really encourage Singaporean to make more babies?
Or is it just a short-term plan by the government who are unwilling to solve the root cause of falling birth rates? (Higher cost of living, lousy education system, non pro families working environment, etc….)
Looking at the fertility rate of Singapore over the year, we don’t see a dramatic increase after April 2001 and Aug 2004.
Year Fertility
1997 1.61
2002 1.37
2003 1.27
2004 1.26
2005 1.26
2006 1.28
2007 1.29
Judging by the trend I will say the fertility rate will raise by 0.03 the most to 1.32. Failing to meet the healthy rate of 2.1.
Look like it is getting expensive to get Singaporean to make babies.
Cheaper to import foreigner?
But the government have to tackle this issue very carefully due to our National Services Act.
Again this year the government further enhanced it from 2009 onwards.
Does giving more money really encourage Singaporean to make more babies?
Or is it just a short-term plan by the government who are unwilling to solve the root cause of falling birth rates? (Higher cost of living, lousy education system, non pro families working environment, etc….)
Looking at the fertility rate of Singapore over the year, we don’t see a dramatic increase after April 2001 and Aug 2004.
Year Fertility
1997 1.61
2002 1.37
2003 1.27
2004 1.26
2005 1.26
2006 1.28
2007 1.29
Judging by the trend I will say the fertility rate will raise by 0.03 the most to 1.32. Failing to meet the healthy rate of 2.1.
Look like it is getting expensive to get Singaporean to make babies.
Cheaper to import foreigner?
But the government have to tackle this issue very carefully due to our National Services Act.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Great example of overkilling!
Yesterday our dear PM gave his 2008 National Day's Rally speech.
I am not a big fan of his and I know nothing good will come out from his speech anyway.
But I turned on the TV wanting to catch other stuff on the TV but fat hope!
If you are a poor soul like me without cable TV, PM speech was being shown on every damned channels!!.
His face was on, Channel 5, Channel 8, Channel U, Suria, Air Central and Channel News Asia from 8pm – 10am.
Boy talk about over killed. Don’t forget I pay for my TV license annually not to be force fed by you guys man. But hey we all know who own mediacorp.
Yes I understand you need to have one channel for each language but do you really need 2 English channels showing exactly the same thing? (Channels News Asia and Channel 5)
Thanks God for Youtube
Maybe next year PM rally speech will be force feed to us via the internet as well.
I am not a big fan of his and I know nothing good will come out from his speech anyway.
But I turned on the TV wanting to catch other stuff on the TV but fat hope!
If you are a poor soul like me without cable TV, PM speech was being shown on every damned channels!!.
His face was on, Channel 5, Channel 8, Channel U, Suria, Air Central and Channel News Asia from 8pm – 10am.
Boy talk about over killed. Don’t forget I pay for my TV license annually not to be force fed by you guys man. But hey we all know who own mediacorp.
Yes I understand you need to have one channel for each language but do you really need 2 English channels showing exactly the same thing? (Channels News Asia and Channel 5)
Thanks God for Youtube
Maybe next year PM rally speech will be force feed to us via the internet as well.
Thursday, August 07, 2008
National Day
Nation day is just around the corner. It is the day that we celebrate our independent 43 years ago.
Looking back our country has indeed progress far. From a little fishing village to what it is now, a well-oiled sophisticate money-making machine.
These days Singaporean are divided into 2 lots when come to national day. The first lot are those who want to go to the parade (because it is free) and to get the free goodies bags and the second lots are those who don’t really care about Nation day anymore. (Except we want the free holiday to go for a short holiday)
So get me to think what is National Day for me these days.
To me I find the yearly National Day parade are a complete waste of money and is an exploitation of thousands of NSF so those regulars can get their promotions.
Gosh imagine the time and taxpayer’s money spent on those rehearsals and fireworks. Is the National day's parade really that important to the average Singaporean?
National Day = Parade and Firework = Free Goodies Bags.
Imagine watching the same thing over and over and over again every year.
I believe many people failed to think what National Days should be. What we see around us like the parade , the nicely decorated Community Centers and offices are just skin deep.
I think it should be a time where we reflex on our shortcoming as a Nation and improve on it.
How many people are suffering from hunger in our country and what policies should be improved etc. etc.
Take it as an annual report card, not the financial one which we had in April, but a more humanitarian one which involve Singaporean, not the million dollars civil servants.
But again there many not be much Singaporean in the future to celebrate National Day as more and more Foreigner are coming and more and more Singaporean are leaving.
Looking back our country has indeed progress far. From a little fishing village to what it is now, a well-oiled sophisticate money-making machine.
These days Singaporean are divided into 2 lots when come to national day. The first lot are those who want to go to the parade (because it is free) and to get the free goodies bags and the second lots are those who don’t really care about Nation day anymore. (Except we want the free holiday to go for a short holiday)
So get me to think what is National Day for me these days.
To me I find the yearly National Day parade are a complete waste of money and is an exploitation of thousands of NSF so those regulars can get their promotions.
Gosh imagine the time and taxpayer’s money spent on those rehearsals and fireworks. Is the National day's parade really that important to the average Singaporean?
National Day = Parade and Firework = Free Goodies Bags.
Imagine watching the same thing over and over and over again every year.
I believe many people failed to think what National Days should be. What we see around us like the parade , the nicely decorated Community Centers and offices are just skin deep.
I think it should be a time where we reflex on our shortcoming as a Nation and improve on it.
How many people are suffering from hunger in our country and what policies should be improved etc. etc.
Take it as an annual report card, not the financial one which we had in April, but a more humanitarian one which involve Singaporean, not the million dollars civil servants.
But again there many not be much Singaporean in the future to celebrate National Day as more and more Foreigner are coming and more and more Singaporean are leaving.
Friday, August 01, 2008
Social Problem in the Future Start Now!
Singapore's population up almost 200,000 between 2006 and 2007
31 July 2008 2003 hrs (SST)
SINGAPORE : Singapore's population rose by almost 200,000 between 2006 and 2007.
As of last year, total population stood at 4.59 million, up from 4.4 million in 2006. Of these, 3.58 million were citizens and permanent residents.
The latest Yearbook of Statistics released on Thursday also showed there were 39,490 births last year, up by over 1,100 babies compared to the previous year.
Marriage inched up again, registering its highest number in five years. Last year, 23,966 couples tied the knot, up 260 from 2006.
But this is still down by 1,701 compared to a decade ago, which saw 25,667 marriages registered in 1997.
More are also delaying marriage. Last year, the median age for the groom was 29.8 years old, compared with 28.4 in 1997.
For the women, the median age of brides was 27.2 last year, up from 25.7 about a decade ago. - CNA /ls
If you read this article carefully, it can be quite mind-boggling.
Take away the smoke screen, just read what is in RED.
Basically it said there is a 200,000 increased in population and if we minus the 39,490 births, this implies that we has imported 160, 510 foreigner into this country. That is equivalent to 439 new residents every day!!
Look out for more social issue coming up my friends. Unless you live in an ivory towers high up in the sky.
31 July 2008 2003 hrs (SST)
SINGAPORE : Singapore's population rose by almost 200,000 between 2006 and 2007.
As of last year, total population stood at 4.59 million, up from 4.4 million in 2006. Of these, 3.58 million were citizens and permanent residents.
The latest Yearbook of Statistics released on Thursday also showed there were 39,490 births last year, up by over 1,100 babies compared to the previous year.
Marriage inched up again, registering its highest number in five years. Last year, 23,966 couples tied the knot, up 260 from 2006.
But this is still down by 1,701 compared to a decade ago, which saw 25,667 marriages registered in 1997.
More are also delaying marriage. Last year, the median age for the groom was 29.8 years old, compared with 28.4 in 1997.
For the women, the median age of brides was 27.2 last year, up from 25.7 about a decade ago. - CNA /ls
If you read this article carefully, it can be quite mind-boggling.
Take away the smoke screen, just read what is in RED.
Basically it said there is a 200,000 increased in population and if we minus the 39,490 births, this implies that we has imported 160, 510 foreigner into this country. That is equivalent to 439 new residents every day!!
Look out for more social issue coming up my friends. Unless you live in an ivory towers high up in the sky.
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