Recently these became the talking point:
ST Jan 12, 2008
Sec 5 class advised: Go to ITE insteadPrincipal tells students that they are unlikely to do well at O levels
By Sandra Davie
ST Jan 16, 2008Principal's 'wake-up call' to Sec 5 students had to be 'conveyed'
By Jane Ng
So we see the flaw of KPI and school rankings.
Every principle had change from an educator to a businessman who is watching his/her school-passing rate like no other business.
Who can blame them when or MOE are using this to rank our schools. (Why the hell they rank schools in the first place???!!)
Actually its not too difficult to be the best or worst school in Singapore.
You just need to enroll ONE student. Yes ONE.
So if he do really good say 9 As for his O-level.
Then your school become “100% passed with 9As”.
Sound good? Better if he represent his school in some sports and win.
“100% student represent Singapore in SEA games” or “100% student win gold medals in Nationals School Swimming meet”
But you have to make sure he is a good student else you get.
“100% student fail O-level”
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Monday, January 21, 2008
It take two hands to clap.
Jan 21, 2008
Bad salt experience at Terminal One food court
I RECENTLY patronised the food court at Terminal One upon arriving in Singapore on Jan 13.
You would never have imagined the customer service that I experienced on the very first 15 minutes upon arrival.
I ordered a can of coke from the food court at Basement 1. After I made payment, I asked for salt and the staff told me that there wasn't any. It seemed strange to me that a drinks stall did not have any salt.
I tried approaching her again to check if she could get the salt elsewhere but before I could do so, she stared at me and told me: 'Don't have means don't have".
I did not want to start an argument with her and decided to purchase fruit juice from the adjacent stall for my girlfriend instead. And right in front of that stall was a container of salt. Then it dawned on me why Singapore's world ranking is starting to decline.
There are three points that I would like to highlight:
1. There is no necessity for the staff to stare at me.
2. It was totally unnecessary for her to use an angry tone with those harsh words.
3. She didn't even have to take the salt for me. She could have just told me that the neighbouring stall had what I wanted.
The main objective of this e-mail is not to penalise the staff or request an apology. What I'm concerned about is the reputation of the nation.
Janssen Tham Kwok Onn
Not to worry Janssen, even MM said we are not gracious.
Bad salt experience at Terminal One food court
I RECENTLY patronised the food court at Terminal One upon arriving in Singapore on Jan 13.
You would never have imagined the customer service that I experienced on the very first 15 minutes upon arrival.
I ordered a can of coke from the food court at Basement 1. After I made payment, I asked for salt and the staff told me that there wasn't any. It seemed strange to me that a drinks stall did not have any salt.
I tried approaching her again to check if she could get the salt elsewhere but before I could do so, she stared at me and told me: 'Don't have means don't have".
I did not want to start an argument with her and decided to purchase fruit juice from the adjacent stall for my girlfriend instead. And right in front of that stall was a container of salt. Then it dawned on me why Singapore's world ranking is starting to decline.
There are three points that I would like to highlight:
1. There is no necessity for the staff to stare at me.
2. It was totally unnecessary for her to use an angry tone with those harsh words.
3. She didn't even have to take the salt for me. She could have just told me that the neighbouring stall had what I wanted.
The main objective of this e-mail is not to penalise the staff or request an apology. What I'm concerned about is the reputation of the nation.
Janssen Tham Kwok Onn
I am actually quite surprise that this kind of letter got published by ST Forum online. I believe ST got better letters with REAL complaints to published like “GST, Taxi Hike, Civil Service Pay rise, etc etc”
Firstly to put things straight, the Terminal One Food Court is actually a staff canteen. It main purpose is to serve the staff working in the airport but it does open to the public.
What service Janssen expect when he visit a Food Court? Does he demand the hawkers serve him with a smile everytime?
I agreed that the staff was rude but what you expect with an underpaid long hour job worker.
To answer Janssen three points:
- How to define a stare? Were you staring at her too?
- This is true but what to expect from a hawker? You are not paying for any service. Must you really have salt in your coke and since you said the salt is right in front of the adjacent stall, can’t you see it? Did you try looking for a salt first before you ask her again? Need to be spoon fed I see.
- Maybe she really don’t know the salt is there? You just assume she don’t want to help you.
Not to worry Janssen, even MM said we are not gracious.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Gracious Society? Fat hope!
I went to IKEA Tampines for Dinner yesterday.
For those who don’t know, IKEA restaurant have this policy of you clearing your own utensils after your meal. But obviously it is difficult for it to work in Singapore.
When I used to dine in IKEA, be it Alexandra or Tampines, I would say maybe 2/10 joker usually leave their mess behind.
But the situation had gone to a point of no return.
Yesterday I noticed the restaurant's tables were full of leftovers, not only that, those idiots seem to be in the competition to see who can make the biggest mess during their meals. I really pity the 2-3 cleaners who were busy clearing up the mess.
Also many parents treat the place like a big playground for their kids.
I don’t mind if the kids play in the corners but these brats were like running all over the store screaming at the top of their voice.
I think the words “Gracious” and “Considerate” are already missing in our National vocabulary.
The kid’s behaviors in the stores are the results of the adult behaviors in the restaurants.
This is indeed very sad.
For those who don’t know, IKEA restaurant have this policy of you clearing your own utensils after your meal. But obviously it is difficult for it to work in Singapore.
When I used to dine in IKEA, be it Alexandra or Tampines, I would say maybe 2/10 joker usually leave their mess behind.
But the situation had gone to a point of no return.
Yesterday I noticed the restaurant's tables were full of leftovers, not only that, those idiots seem to be in the competition to see who can make the biggest mess during their meals. I really pity the 2-3 cleaners who were busy clearing up the mess.
Also many parents treat the place like a big playground for their kids.
I don’t mind if the kids play in the corners but these brats were like running all over the store screaming at the top of their voice.
I think the words “Gracious” and “Considerate” are already missing in our National vocabulary.
The kid’s behaviors in the stores are the results of the adult behaviors in the restaurants.
This is indeed very sad.
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Happy New Year SBS!
Look like some things just don't change.
To Whom It May Concern:
This is the 3rd time I am writing to SBS Transit within 6 months.
I last written to you in July and Aug 2007 in regard to the service standard of Service 89 at Pasir Ris during morning peak hour.
The load factor and schedule of Service 89 seem to fluctuate randomly. For the pass few months, the load factor and frequency are still acceptable. Just when I am about to comment that SBS really do take public feedbacks seriously thing starts to deteriorate.
Today, again at Bus stop 77019, I missed a Service 89 at 0800hrs. In the end, I have to wait till about 0826 for the next bus.
Is close to 30min waiting time acceptable to SBS transit?
Please provide your schedule for Service 89 which you failed to provide for when I asked in my previous two emails.
Under Public Transport Council guideline on Quality of Bus service standards item :
4.4 Bus service scheduled headways (frequencies):
a) At least 80% of bus services to operate at headway of not more than 15 minutes (to be changed to 10 minutes with effect from Aug 2009) during weekday (excluding public holidays) peak periods, unless otherwise stipulated by the PTC
Under you Customer Service Charter for Buses:
“Availability: Waiting time for 75% of bus services to be within 15min and 80% to be within 20min during peak hour”.
From my personal experience, it look like SBS transit need to be constantly reminded on its real service standard from the public.
I do not sense any sincerity for SBS Transit to provide quality services to your customer as promised by your service charter.
I hope you will be looking into the matter seriously and I look forward to your prompt response.
Please do show some sincerity by not sending my a template replies as per your previous two responses.
To Whom It May Concern:
This is the 3rd time I am writing to SBS Transit within 6 months.
I last written to you in July and Aug 2007 in regard to the service standard of Service 89 at Pasir Ris during morning peak hour.
The load factor and schedule of Service 89 seem to fluctuate randomly. For the pass few months, the load factor and frequency are still acceptable. Just when I am about to comment that SBS really do take public feedbacks seriously thing starts to deteriorate.
Today, again at Bus stop 77019, I missed a Service 89 at 0800hrs. In the end, I have to wait till about 0826 for the next bus.
Is close to 30min waiting time acceptable to SBS transit?
Please provide your schedule for Service 89 which you failed to provide for when I asked in my previous two emails.
Under Public Transport Council guideline on Quality of Bus service standards item :
4.4 Bus service scheduled headways (frequencies):
a) At least 80% of bus services to operate at headway of not more than 15 minutes (to be changed to 10 minutes with effect from Aug 2009) during weekday (excluding public holidays) peak periods, unless otherwise stipulated by the PTC
Under you Customer Service Charter for Buses:
“Availability: Waiting time for 75% of bus services to be within 15min and 80% to be within 20min during peak hour”.
From my personal experience, it look like SBS transit need to be constantly reminded on its real service standard from the public.
I do not sense any sincerity for SBS Transit to provide quality services to your customer as promised by your service charter.
I hope you will be looking into the matter seriously and I look forward to your prompt response.
Please do show some sincerity by not sending my a template replies as per your previous two responses.
Friday, January 04, 2008
Why our public transport are hopless?
I think I finally know why our public transport are so screwed up.
Let see what the PTC suppose to do:
The Public Transport Council (PTC) is an independent body that regulates bus services, public transport fares and ticket payment services. It is constituted under the Public Transport Council Act (Cap 259B), which was brought into force on 14 August 1987. As an independent regulator, the PTC is entrusted with the challenging mission of both safeguarding the interest of the public and ensuring the long-term viability of public transport operators. It aims to strike an optimum balance between the two and, on this basis, seeks to:
Look who are the council members for Public Transport Council!!
I seriously doubt the claims. “Many of the Council Members are regular users of public transport…..”
Council Members were appointed on the basis of their competency, good public standing and experience, especially their ability to contribute effectively to PTC's deliberations on issues relating to public transport. They are drawn from a wide cross-section of society including:
Many of the Council Members are regular users of public transport and all are familiar with the operations of the public transport system both locally and overseas.
The composition of the Council facilitates a wide representation of views from the public. It enables PTC's deliberations to be comprehensive and rigorous, taking into full account of the diverse technical, economic, financial and social perspectives. This ensures that decisions made are robust, balanced and readily acceptable to the public.
Let see what the PTC suppose to do:
The Public Transport Council (PTC) is an independent body that regulates bus services, public transport fares and ticket payment services. It is constituted under the Public Transport Council Act (Cap 259B), which was brought into force on 14 August 1987. As an independent regulator, the PTC is entrusted with the challenging mission of both safeguarding the interest of the public and ensuring the long-term viability of public transport operators. It aims to strike an optimum balance between the two and, on this basis, seeks to:
- Create a comprehensive and integrated bus network;
- Assure quality bus services;
- Maintain affordable bus and train fares for the public; and
- Safeguard public interest in the mode of payment of fares.
Look who are the council members for Public Transport Council!!
I seriously doubt the claims. “Many of the Council Members are regular users of public transport…..”
Council Members were appointed on the basis of their competency, good public standing and experience, especially their ability to contribute effectively to PTC's deliberations on issues relating to public transport. They are drawn from a wide cross-section of society including:
- professional services
- business enterprises
- academic institutions
- labour unions
- grassroots organisations
Many of the Council Members are regular users of public transport and all are familiar with the operations of the public transport system both locally and overseas.
The composition of the Council facilitates a wide representation of views from the public. It enables PTC's deliberations to be comprehensive and rigorous, taking into full account of the diverse technical, economic, financial and social perspectives. This ensures that decisions made are robust, balanced and readily acceptable to the public.
Taxi in Singapore
Income of its drivers up by 10 per cent, says ComfortDelGro
Today Online Friday • January 4, 2008A
Some cabbies had griped about seeing their takings plummet since fares were hiked three weeks ago — but an initial finding by the largest taxi operator here suggests that the contrary is, in fact, true.
"From our initial findings, income of drivers has gone up by about 10 per cent," said ComfortDelGro spokeswoman Tammy Tan, in response to Today's queries.
"We have over 30,000 drivers and while some have indicated a drop in takings, others have seen an increase. "
The fare revision is aimed not just at regulating demand and supply but also increasing driver income, and early indications are that this is happening."
Some cabbies claim to have suffered a 5- to 50-per-cent cut in takings as commuters resist the impulse to take taxis, turning instead to trains and buses.
Nr Ng Kian Cha, 54, groused: "Business has gone down especially during the morning peak hours. I picked up only three people in two-and-a-half hours. It is even worse after 5pm."
But other taxi companies say it is too early to tell if their drivers indeed face an income crunch.
Mr Lim Chong Boo, managing director of Premier Taxis, with a fleet of 2,400, said the number of call bookings dipped during the Christmas period — which he attributed to people going on holiday overseas — but picked up just before the new year.
"It's too premature to come to any conclusion," he said.
Meanwhile, commuters are still coming to grips with how the revised surcharges are tallied — and a few unscrupulous taxi drivers are taking advantage of their confusion.
One cabbie allegedly charged undergraduate Daniel Soh an extra $3 on Wednesday night, after a short journey from Newton MRT station to Zouk discotheque in Kim Seng Road.Under the new fare structure, a $3 city area surcharge is levied between 5pm and midnight from Monday to Saturday, for anyone boarding a taxi within the zone bounded by the electronic road pricing gantries. Newton falls outside this.
"I knew there was no surcharge but the driver said there was," said Mr Soh, 23, who paid the fare but complained to the taxi company.
Office manager Ziehan Adnan, 25, claimed she was taken on a roundabout route on Wednesday, after she had boarded the taxi 10 minutes before the peak hour surcharge — now 35 per cent of the metered fare — expired.
When confronted, the taxi driver argued that she was paying less in surcharges than if the whole ride had fallen within the peak period.
"I am more angry about the drivers' attitudes than about the money," she said.
While new fare guides have been posted in taxis, bank executive Audrey Chow, 27, said: "There are just too many surcharges and you cannot remember them all. I will just pay whatever is on the meter."
Cabbie Teo Teck Huat, 60, said there was little incentive for drivers to inflate fares by taking a longer route "because that would waste a lot of our own time".
A spokeswoman for SMRT Taxis, which has 3,000 taxis, told Today it had not received any complaints."
To ensure our passengers are charged the correct fare, our taxi meters automatically capture any additional surcharges incurred throughout the journey," she said.
Still, commuters are advised to keep their receipts, which give a breakdown of the fare.
ComfortDelGro's Ms Tan said: "Our meters are tamper-proof so there is little risk of miscalculation."
I believe this article to rubbished those complaints from cabbies that claim they income have dropped due to lack of passengers after the increase in fare.
The first part of the article states that some comfort taxi drivers income increase by 10% instead.
This statement is so idiotic.
Note that Tammy don’t provide any figure.
We only know comfort has about 30 000 drivers. But how many of them actually had a 10% increase in his income? Could be only just 1 of the 30 000!!
Scenario:
Before the fare restructuring, Comfort Driver Bo Jo Kang only drive his cab 2 days in a week and he take his normally take it easy so his average daily income is about $100. Multiply by 2 and his weekly income in $200.
After the fare restructuring, Bo Jo Kang daily income dropped by 50%. So he need to work longer hours to compensate. He drive 5 days instead of 2 days in a week and his weekly income is about $250. A whopping 25% increase in his income! Hooray!
So what we see here? Bo Jo Kang had to work longer to earn what his used to get. At the end of the day it is the bloody taxi company that benefit from all the fare restructuring. Now drivers had to rent more cabs from them while the drivers and passengers suffered.
Then the article speaks for itself how some driver increase they taking of the days. BY OVERCHARGING.
Sad….
Today Online Friday • January 4, 2008A
Some cabbies had griped about seeing their takings plummet since fares were hiked three weeks ago — but an initial finding by the largest taxi operator here suggests that the contrary is, in fact, true.
"From our initial findings, income of drivers has gone up by about 10 per cent," said ComfortDelGro spokeswoman Tammy Tan, in response to Today's queries.
"We have over 30,000 drivers and while some have indicated a drop in takings, others have seen an increase. "
The fare revision is aimed not just at regulating demand and supply but also increasing driver income, and early indications are that this is happening."
Some cabbies claim to have suffered a 5- to 50-per-cent cut in takings as commuters resist the impulse to take taxis, turning instead to trains and buses.
Nr Ng Kian Cha, 54, groused: "Business has gone down especially during the morning peak hours. I picked up only three people in two-and-a-half hours. It is even worse after 5pm."
But other taxi companies say it is too early to tell if their drivers indeed face an income crunch.
Mr Lim Chong Boo, managing director of Premier Taxis, with a fleet of 2,400, said the number of call bookings dipped during the Christmas period — which he attributed to people going on holiday overseas — but picked up just before the new year.
"It's too premature to come to any conclusion," he said.
Meanwhile, commuters are still coming to grips with how the revised surcharges are tallied — and a few unscrupulous taxi drivers are taking advantage of their confusion.
One cabbie allegedly charged undergraduate Daniel Soh an extra $3 on Wednesday night, after a short journey from Newton MRT station to Zouk discotheque in Kim Seng Road.Under the new fare structure, a $3 city area surcharge is levied between 5pm and midnight from Monday to Saturday, for anyone boarding a taxi within the zone bounded by the electronic road pricing gantries. Newton falls outside this.
"I knew there was no surcharge but the driver said there was," said Mr Soh, 23, who paid the fare but complained to the taxi company.
Office manager Ziehan Adnan, 25, claimed she was taken on a roundabout route on Wednesday, after she had boarded the taxi 10 minutes before the peak hour surcharge — now 35 per cent of the metered fare — expired.
When confronted, the taxi driver argued that she was paying less in surcharges than if the whole ride had fallen within the peak period.
"I am more angry about the drivers' attitudes than about the money," she said.
While new fare guides have been posted in taxis, bank executive Audrey Chow, 27, said: "There are just too many surcharges and you cannot remember them all. I will just pay whatever is on the meter."
Cabbie Teo Teck Huat, 60, said there was little incentive for drivers to inflate fares by taking a longer route "because that would waste a lot of our own time".
A spokeswoman for SMRT Taxis, which has 3,000 taxis, told Today it had not received any complaints."
To ensure our passengers are charged the correct fare, our taxi meters automatically capture any additional surcharges incurred throughout the journey," she said.
Still, commuters are advised to keep their receipts, which give a breakdown of the fare.
ComfortDelGro's Ms Tan said: "Our meters are tamper-proof so there is little risk of miscalculation."
I believe this article to rubbished those complaints from cabbies that claim they income have dropped due to lack of passengers after the increase in fare.
The first part of the article states that some comfort taxi drivers income increase by 10% instead.
This statement is so idiotic.
Note that Tammy don’t provide any figure.
We only know comfort has about 30 000 drivers. But how many of them actually had a 10% increase in his income? Could be only just 1 of the 30 000!!
Scenario:
Before the fare restructuring, Comfort Driver Bo Jo Kang only drive his cab 2 days in a week and he take his normally take it easy so his average daily income is about $100. Multiply by 2 and his weekly income in $200.
After the fare restructuring, Bo Jo Kang daily income dropped by 50%. So he need to work longer hours to compensate. He drive 5 days instead of 2 days in a week and his weekly income is about $250. A whopping 25% increase in his income! Hooray!
So what we see here? Bo Jo Kang had to work longer to earn what his used to get. At the end of the day it is the bloody taxi company that benefit from all the fare restructuring. Now drivers had to rent more cabs from them while the drivers and passengers suffered.
Then the article speaks for itself how some driver increase they taking of the days. BY OVERCHARGING.
Sad….
Monday, December 31, 2007
Happy 2008
Happy New Year folks!
Time seem to flies faster and faster.
Normally I don’t make any New Year’s resolution but for 2008 I wish to:
Have a healthier life style
Spend more time with family and friends.
Simple goals, but hope that I can achieve them by the end of next year.
Time seem to flies faster and faster.
Normally I don’t make any New Year’s resolution but for 2008 I wish to:
Have a healthier life style
Spend more time with family and friends.
Simple goals, but hope that I can achieve them by the end of next year.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Dog problems in Singapore and our well paid Civil Servant
Dec 19, 2007
AVA checks estates and acts on tip-offs on dogs
I REFER to the letter, 'Check estates, parks to spot unleashed dogs' (ST, Dec 10), by Ms Goh Ee Ca.
Upon receipt of feedback from the public on dogs straying or dogs not being muzzled, officers of the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) will request details such as the usual time and location where the dogs are observed to stray, as well as the address of the dog owner, if available.
Such information is useful in helping our officers conduct a thorough investigation and take appropriate action. Even if a caller is unable to tell us the address of the dog owner, our officers will still visit the site to investigate and take enforcement action where needed.
In addition, AVA also conducts routine inspection visits to housing estates and other public places.
Last year, 135 dogs were found straying and appropriate enforcement action was taken against the owners.
We would like to remind owners that all dogs must be leashed in public places. In addition to being leashed, the following breeds of dogs and their crosses must also be muzzled in public places: Pit Bull (including the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and American Bulldog), Akita, Neapolitan Mastiff, Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Boerboel, Bull Terrier, Doberman Pinscher, Rottweiler, German Shepherd (including the Belgian Shepherd Dog and East European Shepherd Dog) and Mastiff (including the Bull Mastiff, Perro De Presa Canario, Cane Corso and Dogue De Bordeaux).
Any person who contravenes the leashing and muzzling rule shall be liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding $5,000 for each of the offences.
Goh Shih Yong
Assistant Director Corporate Communications for Chief Executive Officer Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority
Recently there are many argument on our Main Stream Newspapers regarding dogs being free to run about in pubic places.
In Singapore, dogs are to be leased when in public places. However these law is not really enforced fully.
Recently there had been a attacked on a young girl by a dog.
This sparks off debates between dog lovers and the general publics.
AVA does not seem to do anything about the situation. They just tell us, the law is there so blame it on your people if you got killed by a dog since you did not report him in the first place.
Check out the standard of the letter to the forum by a senior civil servant from AVA.
Firstly I think the letter does not serve any purpose except telling what the public already knows.
In the 1st paragraph Goh Shih Yong just states what AVA will do when they receive a call from the publics on dogs. Note if you see a dogs not being muzzled or leased in the park. Not only you have to note the time and places at that moment, you also have to ASKED THE OWNER HIS ADDRESS. How clever is that?!
So if not address given by you. Then you can’t blame AVA for not following up when you kid is being mauled by a dog.
The letter then went on to tell people what AVA is doing and also petted themselves on the back by telling people they found 135 straying dogs.
Then the letter ends with a long list of dogs which must be muzzled in public places.
Consider this scenario:
You: Excuse me sir, I notice your dog is not muzzled. May I know what species it belong to?
Dog Owner: I not going to tell you.
You: After check the “breed of dog” book which I happen to be carrying with me now. I think you dog is a Perro De Presa Canario. And under the law and AVA guide line, you dog must be muzzled in public.
Dog Owner: I don’t want leh. What can you do?
You: In that case, I have to call AVA and report you. May I have your address please.
Dog Owner: Max KILLED!!!
Monday, December 17, 2007
Life is good?
Looks at how worst off we are in 2007.
More good years? It all depends which ends of the bell curve you fall in.
SMRT To Raise Taxi Fares From Dec 21
by Channel NewsAsia 14 Dec
Top Public Sector Officers To Get 4% To 21% Pay Rise In January
by Channel NewsAsia 13 Dec
ComfortDelGro Overhauls Taxi Fare Structure
by Channel NewsAsia 10 Dec
Singapore Economy To Slow Next Year
by Associated Press 08Dec
Price Of Chickens Goes Up By 50 Per Cent In Singapore
by Bernama 03 Oct
Electricity Tariffs To Go Up Because Of Higher Oil Prices
by Channel NewsAsia 25 Sep
Singapore's Inflation Highest In More Than 12 Years
by Bloomberg 24 Sep
Bus Fares To Go Up By 1 To 2 Cents From Oct 1
by Straits Times 11 Sep
Singapore Home Prices Rise To Decade-High In Q3
by Reuters 01 Oct
Inflation Hits 12-Year High In July
by Associated Press 23 Aug
Suicide Rate Climbs Despite Good Times
by The Star 18 Aug
Electricity Tariffs To Be Raised By Almost 9% From July
by Channel NewsAsia 15 Jun
GST Hike 'Unlikely To Raise Hawker, Cooked Food Prices'
by Straits Times 08 Jun
CPF Minimum Sum Up To $99,600 From July
by Straits Times 07 Jun
Singapore Auditors Find Irregularities In Ministries
by Reuters 25 May
The Ministeral Salaries Are Going Up... And Away
by Whispers From The Heart 14 Apr
Are Top Global Companies Really Dying To Hire Our Ministers?
by Mr Wang Says So 14 Apr
Singapore PM In Damage Control On Salary: Analyst
By AFP 12 Apr
Top Civil Servants Will Get A Pay Increase Of Between 14% And 33%
by Channel NewsAsia 09 Apr
Singapore Ministers Set For Million-Dollar Pay Hike
by Reuters 05 Apr
More good years? It all depends which ends of the bell curve you fall in.
SMRT To Raise Taxi Fares From Dec 21
by Channel NewsAsia 14 Dec
Top Public Sector Officers To Get 4% To 21% Pay Rise In January
by Channel NewsAsia 13 Dec
ComfortDelGro Overhauls Taxi Fare Structure
by Channel NewsAsia 10 Dec
Singapore Economy To Slow Next Year
by Associated Press 08Dec
Price Of Chickens Goes Up By 50 Per Cent In Singapore
by Bernama 03 Oct
Electricity Tariffs To Go Up Because Of Higher Oil Prices
by Channel NewsAsia 25 Sep
Singapore's Inflation Highest In More Than 12 Years
by Bloomberg 24 Sep
Bus Fares To Go Up By 1 To 2 Cents From Oct 1
by Straits Times 11 Sep
Singapore Home Prices Rise To Decade-High In Q3
by Reuters 01 Oct
Inflation Hits 12-Year High In July
by Associated Press 23 Aug
Suicide Rate Climbs Despite Good Times
by The Star 18 Aug
Electricity Tariffs To Be Raised By Almost 9% From July
by Channel NewsAsia 15 Jun
GST Hike 'Unlikely To Raise Hawker, Cooked Food Prices'
by Straits Times 08 Jun
CPF Minimum Sum Up To $99,600 From July
by Straits Times 07 Jun
Singapore Auditors Find Irregularities In Ministries
by Reuters 25 May
The Ministeral Salaries Are Going Up... And Away
by Whispers From The Heart 14 Apr
Are Top Global Companies Really Dying To Hire Our Ministers?
by Mr Wang Says So 14 Apr
Singapore PM In Damage Control On Salary: Analyst
By AFP 12 Apr
Top Civil Servants Will Get A Pay Increase Of Between 14% And 33%
by Channel NewsAsia 09 Apr
Singapore Ministers Set For Million-Dollar Pay Hike
by Reuters 05 Apr
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
SPF at it again
SDP pair again contest charges Accuse police of 'selective enforcement'
Today Online
Wednesday • November 28, 2007
ANSWERING charges of speaking in public without a permit for the third time, Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) chief Chee Soon Juan and party supporter Yap Keng Ho yesterday accused the police of "selective enforcement".
The duo, who represented themselves in court, claimed that they and about nine other SDP members, did not flout the rules by promoting their party newspaper in front of Causeway Point on April 8 last year.
Comparing themselves to hawkers who peddle their wares in public without permits but are not prosecuted, they questioned if the action against them was "politically motivated".
Cross-examining the first witness, Mr Loh Zhen Hong, a former police officer who had reported the incident, Yap tried to show there was "unfairness in enforcing the law between the ruling party and the opposition".
He used examples of banks holding roadshows to promote their credit cards and people who sell their products with loudhailers to argue that the party's activities on that day were "nothing out of the ordinary".
Yap also grilled Mr Loh, who was off-duty when he spotted the SDP's activities, on whether he would have gone to the police if he had seen members of the People's Action Party or Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew making speeches.
Mr Loh said that he would have done the same thing in those instances.
District Judge Jasvender Kaur cut off Yap several times to remind him that his cross-examination should focus on proving that Mr Loh "had ill motivations to report to the police".
After the court was shown the video clip of the SDP's activities that day, Yap contended that the police, by filming the proceedings, had already assumed the party had committed an offence.
The court also allowed the footage to be released to the duo to help them prepare their defence. The hearing continues today and is scheduled to last till next Monday. If convicted, the pair face a maximum fine of $10,000 each.
More from Singabloodypore on Coporal Loh's performance in court:
http://singabloodypore.rsfblog.org/archive/2007/11/27/witness-might-not-have-called-police-if-sdp-event-had-a-roof.html
Asked if he had come across other people promoting and selling products (such as credit cards) along Singapore streets (such as Orchard Road), the witness replied in the affirmative.
Question: Did you think they had a permit?
Answer: Yes.
Question: Why?Answer: Because they have a booth. SDP's did not have a booth, no roof.
Question: So if there's a roof, you think that it's legal?
Answer: Yes.
Mr Loh added that he might not have called his police colleagues if the SDP had a roof at their event.
Dr Chee, who is also acting-in-person, then asked the witness that if he saw other people talking and selling products without a roof, would he call the police?
Mr Loh said yes. (Joke of the Day!)
Dr Chee then asked the witness if he had seen hawkers and street vendors selling and verbally promoting their ware "without roofs", to which Mr Loh said no.
I bet my last dollar Mr Loh WILL DO NOTHING if he saw the ruling party making a speech in public.
Also police corporal Loh claims that’s if he saw other people talking and selling product without roof he would have call the police. The reason he did not do so yet is because he had not seen one yet.
Corporal Loh not only telling us he is a liar but also blind since he claim he had never in his life see people selling product without roof.
Also if indeed calls are made whenever from a police, no matter whether was he on or off duty, when he see anyone selling stuff without a roof. Then our police are really busy man!!
Anyway can’t the police just admit that it was a selective discrimination? I am sure we all can accept this fact in Singapore.
Today Online
Wednesday • November 28, 2007
ANSWERING charges of speaking in public without a permit for the third time, Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) chief Chee Soon Juan and party supporter Yap Keng Ho yesterday accused the police of "selective enforcement".
The duo, who represented themselves in court, claimed that they and about nine other SDP members, did not flout the rules by promoting their party newspaper in front of Causeway Point on April 8 last year.
Comparing themselves to hawkers who peddle their wares in public without permits but are not prosecuted, they questioned if the action against them was "politically motivated".
Cross-examining the first witness, Mr Loh Zhen Hong, a former police officer who had reported the incident, Yap tried to show there was "unfairness in enforcing the law between the ruling party and the opposition".
He used examples of banks holding roadshows to promote their credit cards and people who sell their products with loudhailers to argue that the party's activities on that day were "nothing out of the ordinary".
Yap also grilled Mr Loh, who was off-duty when he spotted the SDP's activities, on whether he would have gone to the police if he had seen members of the People's Action Party or Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew making speeches.
Mr Loh said that he would have done the same thing in those instances.
District Judge Jasvender Kaur cut off Yap several times to remind him that his cross-examination should focus on proving that Mr Loh "had ill motivations to report to the police".
After the court was shown the video clip of the SDP's activities that day, Yap contended that the police, by filming the proceedings, had already assumed the party had committed an offence.
The court also allowed the footage to be released to the duo to help them prepare their defence. The hearing continues today and is scheduled to last till next Monday. If convicted, the pair face a maximum fine of $10,000 each.
More from Singabloodypore on Coporal Loh's performance in court:
http://singabloodypore.rsfblog.org/archive/2007/11/27/witness-might-not-have-called-police-if-sdp-event-had-a-roof.html
Asked if he had come across other people promoting and selling products (such as credit cards) along Singapore streets (such as Orchard Road), the witness replied in the affirmative.
Question: Did you think they had a permit?
Answer: Yes.
Question: Why?Answer: Because they have a booth. SDP's did not have a booth, no roof.
Question: So if there's a roof, you think that it's legal?
Answer: Yes.
Mr Loh added that he might not have called his police colleagues if the SDP had a roof at their event.
Dr Chee, who is also acting-in-person, then asked the witness that if he saw other people talking and selling products without a roof, would he call the police?
Mr Loh said yes. (Joke of the Day!)
Dr Chee then asked the witness if he had seen hawkers and street vendors selling and verbally promoting their ware "without roofs", to which Mr Loh said no.
I bet my last dollar Mr Loh WILL DO NOTHING if he saw the ruling party making a speech in public.
Also police corporal Loh claims that’s if he saw other people talking and selling product without roof he would have call the police. The reason he did not do so yet is because he had not seen one yet.
Corporal Loh not only telling us he is a liar but also blind since he claim he had never in his life see people selling product without roof.
Also if indeed calls are made whenever from a police, no matter whether was he on or off duty, when he see anyone selling stuff without a roof. Then our police are really busy man!!
Anyway can’t the police just admit that it was a selective discrimination? I am sure we all can accept this fact in Singapore.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Noise on Public Transport
Bus, MRT and Chinese restaurant among S'pore's noisiest locations: Survey
TODAY Online 27 November 2007
SINGAPORE: Taking a bus, getting on the MRT or having dinner in a Chinese restaurant - everyday activities that we hardly think twice about. Yet they may cause damage to your hearing, according to the results of a Reader's Digest test released on Monday.
In its June test, Reader's Digest measured the sound levels in public spaces in four Asian cities for five minutes at a time, using a certified sound level meter.
The magazine visited places such as shopping malls, restaurants, train stations and streets in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Hong Kong.
The results were staggering. Nearly all locations, tested mostly during office hours, registered sound levels above 70 decibels.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) considers this as the threshold beyond which hearing may be damaged if a person is continuously exposed to the noise.
Someone speaking in his normal voice would register about 50 decibels, while music played loudly would typically reach 80 decibels. In some cases, the sound from the headphones of a music player can reach a deafening 120 decibels and cause physical pain, according to the magazine.
Dr Lynne Lim, a consultant at the Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck at the National University Hospital, said high noise levels could lead to "permanent hearing loss, ringing sound in the ears, stress and difficulty concentrating and resting."
She said noise levels at 85 decibels would be dangerous if a person is exposed to them continuously for eight hours, while "permanent hearing loss can happen after 15 minutes" of noise at 115 decibels.
People also need to be aware that different loudness levels affect people differently, and young children and people with illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension are more susceptible, she said.
In Singapore, the Reader's Digest team found that the average sound level was 80.5 decibels on the MRT from Paya Lebar to City Hall and 81.3 decibels on a bus in Orchard Road.
This is markedly higher than the 60 to 65 decibels in a typical office here, as stated on the National Environment Agency's (NEA) website.
The average sound level inside a Chinese restaurant here was 76.7 decibels, but it peaked for three seconds at 109.5 decibels.
"At 110 decibels, that's like standing next to a jet engine," according to Mr Jim Plouffe, editor-in-chief of Reader's Digest Asia.
An NEA spokesperson told Today that the results of the Reader's Digest test "would not be conclusive" since it measured noise levels for only short periods of time. The WHO recommends that the measurements be taken over 24 hours.
"In Singapore, there are control measures put in place to protect the public from being exposure to excessive noise. For example, the NEA regulates noise from factory premises and construction sites. It is also built into the licensing conditions of public entertainment outlets that licencees must abide by noise control regulations, the NEA said.
Frequent MRT commuter Jason Chia, 38, told Today he felt the noise on the MRT was "quite okay", while 53-year-old Shok Lin said the noise levels "could be lower". Diners Polly Poon, 47, and Marcus Ong, 15, said noise levels were "okay" at their food outlets.
But this does not mean our ears are safe. We may have gotten used to the noise, but "our bodies are reacting to the situation as though we are being attacked", Mr Plouffe said. "Noise pollution is like an infection you are constantly battling … weakening the body to other infections."
I love the crap reason given by NEA. So if they think the result is not conclusive, then shouldn’t they do a more conclusive measurement since they already know WHO recommendation? Why wait till Reader Digest to do the survey?
I guess none of the Elites class take the MRT or Buses that’s why.
These days the noise level on MRT and Buses can be quite unbearable especially when you get teenager blasting their $#$ Music HP at maximum level or a “dear” man speaking on his mobile.
Wonder why they don’ t name that NEA idiot, then we can ask him to take a ride on our World Class Transport System for him to find out how serene it is.
Also NEA is avoiding the problem, instead of admitting further study need to be carry out, they went on to quote how noise at other area are being regulated.
To me this open up another can of worms, Why don’t NEA regulate noise at restaurants and Public Transports?
Idiot
TODAY Online 27 November 2007
SINGAPORE: Taking a bus, getting on the MRT or having dinner in a Chinese restaurant - everyday activities that we hardly think twice about. Yet they may cause damage to your hearing, according to the results of a Reader's Digest test released on Monday.
In its June test, Reader's Digest measured the sound levels in public spaces in four Asian cities for five minutes at a time, using a certified sound level meter.
The magazine visited places such as shopping malls, restaurants, train stations and streets in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Hong Kong.
The results were staggering. Nearly all locations, tested mostly during office hours, registered sound levels above 70 decibels.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) considers this as the threshold beyond which hearing may be damaged if a person is continuously exposed to the noise.
Someone speaking in his normal voice would register about 50 decibels, while music played loudly would typically reach 80 decibels. In some cases, the sound from the headphones of a music player can reach a deafening 120 decibels and cause physical pain, according to the magazine.
Dr Lynne Lim, a consultant at the Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck at the National University Hospital, said high noise levels could lead to "permanent hearing loss, ringing sound in the ears, stress and difficulty concentrating and resting."
She said noise levels at 85 decibels would be dangerous if a person is exposed to them continuously for eight hours, while "permanent hearing loss can happen after 15 minutes" of noise at 115 decibels.
People also need to be aware that different loudness levels affect people differently, and young children and people with illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension are more susceptible, she said.
In Singapore, the Reader's Digest team found that the average sound level was 80.5 decibels on the MRT from Paya Lebar to City Hall and 81.3 decibels on a bus in Orchard Road.
This is markedly higher than the 60 to 65 decibels in a typical office here, as stated on the National Environment Agency's (NEA) website.
The average sound level inside a Chinese restaurant here was 76.7 decibels, but it peaked for three seconds at 109.5 decibels.
"At 110 decibels, that's like standing next to a jet engine," according to Mr Jim Plouffe, editor-in-chief of Reader's Digest Asia.
An NEA spokesperson told Today that the results of the Reader's Digest test "would not be conclusive" since it measured noise levels for only short periods of time. The WHO recommends that the measurements be taken over 24 hours.
"In Singapore, there are control measures put in place to protect the public from being exposure to excessive noise. For example, the NEA regulates noise from factory premises and construction sites. It is also built into the licensing conditions of public entertainment outlets that licencees must abide by noise control regulations, the NEA said.
Frequent MRT commuter Jason Chia, 38, told Today he felt the noise on the MRT was "quite okay", while 53-year-old Shok Lin said the noise levels "could be lower". Diners Polly Poon, 47, and Marcus Ong, 15, said noise levels were "okay" at their food outlets.
But this does not mean our ears are safe. We may have gotten used to the noise, but "our bodies are reacting to the situation as though we are being attacked", Mr Plouffe said. "Noise pollution is like an infection you are constantly battling … weakening the body to other infections."
I love the crap reason given by NEA. So if they think the result is not conclusive, then shouldn’t they do a more conclusive measurement since they already know WHO recommendation? Why wait till Reader Digest to do the survey?
I guess none of the Elites class take the MRT or Buses that’s why.
These days the noise level on MRT and Buses can be quite unbearable especially when you get teenager blasting their $#$ Music HP at maximum level or a “dear” man speaking on his mobile.
Wonder why they don’ t name that NEA idiot, then we can ask him to take a ride on our World Class Transport System for him to find out how serene it is.
Also NEA is avoiding the problem, instead of admitting further study need to be carry out, they went on to quote how noise at other area are being regulated.
To me this open up another can of worms, Why don’t NEA regulate noise at restaurants and Public Transports?
Idiot
Friday, November 23, 2007
PSLE
'Shattered' by Maths paper, but they did finePass rate for subject not much different from previous year, says a director from examinations board
Today online Friday • November 23, 2007
ONE parent said his son returned home "shattered" and countless others concurred.But after the uproar caused by the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) Mathematics paper this year — which many parents had described as exceptionally difficult — all seems to have ended well following the release of the results yesterday.
At St Hilda's Primary School, most parents Today spoke to approved of their children's grades. "He did all right, even better than he had hoped for," said Madam Ivy Ng of her son, who scored an A for Mathematics.
But concerns remained for others, such as Mr Satish K Khattar, one of the parents who had written to this newspaper regarding last month's examinations.
Although his son managed an A for the subject in the end, he did not feel the commotion last month was an overreaction.
"As parents, we have the right to worry about whether our children are prepared for their exams and not unfairly thrown off by something they are not prepared for," said Mr Satish, a copywriter.
"It's not about the final result ... In principle, it is still unfair, even with moderation, to the average student if they have been set questions that they haven't been prepared to handle.
"For administrative officer Lisa Mak, her daughter's Mathematics grade was "disappointing", but she acknowledged that it was not a subject that her child was strong in.
"The toughness of the paper is still a factor, but I understand that other students have managed to do all right," she said.
Ms Piyali Roy, a freelance teacher, said her son had achieved an A star — much to her surprise.
"He was devastated after the exams," she said. "But even though he did well, he was so affected by the maths exam that he couldn't concentrate on his two other papers and that affected his grades for those."………….
Yesterday was the release of this year PSLE results. As usual yesterday news are bombarded by So and So is the top scorers…follow by some sort of interview blah blah blah.
But I was thinking… So what? Is the result day such a big deal that our local news have extensive coverage? There are other more important things happening in Singapore and the world.
Looking the the new articles…. Primay School student these days are “shattered” just because they did not achieve what they think they deserve in their grads. These young kids are being taught to do well no matter what! They cannot accept failure!!
Yesterday some guy in my office told us that his son cannot sleep the day before he get his PSLE results. I was thinking what happened to Childhood in Singapore?
At the end of the day, doing well in school doesn’t mean you are smart. Also certainly does not guarantee that you will turn out to be a nice person.
Today online Friday • November 23, 2007
ONE parent said his son returned home "shattered" and countless others concurred.But after the uproar caused by the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) Mathematics paper this year — which many parents had described as exceptionally difficult — all seems to have ended well following the release of the results yesterday.
At St Hilda's Primary School, most parents Today spoke to approved of their children's grades. "He did all right, even better than he had hoped for," said Madam Ivy Ng of her son, who scored an A for Mathematics.
But concerns remained for others, such as Mr Satish K Khattar, one of the parents who had written to this newspaper regarding last month's examinations.
Although his son managed an A for the subject in the end, he did not feel the commotion last month was an overreaction.
"As parents, we have the right to worry about whether our children are prepared for their exams and not unfairly thrown off by something they are not prepared for," said Mr Satish, a copywriter.
"It's not about the final result ... In principle, it is still unfair, even with moderation, to the average student if they have been set questions that they haven't been prepared to handle.
"For administrative officer Lisa Mak, her daughter's Mathematics grade was "disappointing", but she acknowledged that it was not a subject that her child was strong in.
"The toughness of the paper is still a factor, but I understand that other students have managed to do all right," she said.
Ms Piyali Roy, a freelance teacher, said her son had achieved an A star — much to her surprise.
"He was devastated after the exams," she said. "But even though he did well, he was so affected by the maths exam that he couldn't concentrate on his two other papers and that affected his grades for those."………….
Yesterday was the release of this year PSLE results. As usual yesterday news are bombarded by So and So is the top scorers…follow by some sort of interview blah blah blah.
But I was thinking… So what? Is the result day such a big deal that our local news have extensive coverage? There are other more important things happening in Singapore and the world.
Looking the the new articles…. Primay School student these days are “shattered” just because they did not achieve what they think they deserve in their grads. These young kids are being taught to do well no matter what! They cannot accept failure!!
Yesterday some guy in my office told us that his son cannot sleep the day before he get his PSLE results. I was thinking what happened to Childhood in Singapore?
At the end of the day, doing well in school doesn’t mean you are smart. Also certainly does not guarantee that you will turn out to be a nice person.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Stupid Standard Chartered Bank Still at it.
I wrote to Standard Chartered Bank CEO on 10th Oct.
http://javertworld.blogspot.com/2007/10/stupid-standard-charted-bank.html
Its regarding the haressment I got from their 3rd party agents.
Their Customer Experience Manager called and assured my data had been updated into the "Do Not Call list". I insisted she send me a letter to back their claims.
Last week, I again received calls from Standard Chartered's agent on the 14th and 15th.
Bravo you stupid Bank!!
I also called and the stupid Manager is on leave and her collegue really cannot make it.
I wrote to the CEO again on Friday. See what they say this time.
So people help spread to your friends how Screw Up Standared Chartered Bank is and ask them to cancell all theri credit cards or accounts.
NOTE:
CODE OF CONSUMER BANKING PRACTICE
17. Safeguarding Your Information
Your bank will:
i. treat all your personal information as private and confidential;
ii comply at all times with the Banking Secrecy provision of the Banking Act (Cap.19),Last Update -10 Oct 2001;
iii. stop using your personal information for its own marketing purposes if you inform your bank that you object to this practice;
http://javertworld.blogspot.com/2007/10/stupid-standard-charted-bank.html
Its regarding the haressment I got from their 3rd party agents.
Their Customer Experience Manager called and assured my data had been updated into the "Do Not Call list". I insisted she send me a letter to back their claims.
Last week, I again received calls from Standard Chartered's agent on the 14th and 15th.
Bravo you stupid Bank!!
I also called and the stupid Manager is on leave and her collegue really cannot make it.
I wrote to the CEO again on Friday. See what they say this time.
So people help spread to your friends how Screw Up Standared Chartered Bank is and ask them to cancell all theri credit cards or accounts.
NOTE:
CODE OF CONSUMER BANKING PRACTICE
17. Safeguarding Your Information
Your bank will:
i. treat all your personal information as private and confidential;
ii comply at all times with the Banking Secrecy provision of the Banking Act (Cap.19),Last Update -10 Oct 2001;
iii. stop using your personal information for its own marketing purposes if you inform your bank that you object to this practice;
Monday, November 12, 2007
Yet another effort for babies.
Baby-making: Get on board earlier, says woman MP
Straights Time Nov 11, 2007
AS people look set to live and work for longer, women ought to consider putting their career on hold to have children as they will a lot of time to focus on work later, said a woman MP.
Making the pitch to young couples on Sunday, MP Josephine Teo (Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC) urged them to include both work and family in their lives.
Mrs Teo, who has a son aged nine and twin daughters aged seven, was responding to PAP members who raised concerns during a dialogue with PAP leaders about the low birth rate, despite national efforts to boost it.
The efforts have included a slew of cash and tax incentives - including a parenthood package of $575 million in 2005.
But the increase in the birthrate has been small: there were 400 more babies in 2005 than the year before. Last year, 36,200 babies were registered, 700 more than those in 2005.
Mrs Teo urged young couples to relook the conventional approach of putting career before children, as lifespans stretch.
'If we think of...85 and beyond being a likelihood, what is the hurry to do the things that can be done later?'
'I would arrange my life so that I have more children, start a family earlier, start it sooner, and then when the children are a little bit older, I can put my heart back to work,' said Mrs Teo, a human resources director with the labour movement.
But putting children as a top priority was no easy decision, she conceded.
In fact, she and her husband, had made a tough call to give up careers in Suzhou, China, to return to Singapore, so Mrs Teo could tap on their families to care for the babies.
Once again we see yet another articles of our government trying to con (encourage) Singapore couple to product babies.
Why are they so eager? Again in all boiled down to workforce replacement. So the gahment will still have enough people to tax tax tax and tax.
Again I like to stress that if a couple really want kids, they will just have it no matter what the government says. Infact, I think these constant efforts from our government will only backfired sometime.
I already am sick of these millionaires trying to convince the peasants (people) to have babies.
Look how careful they select the right MP to give the speech. Josephine is a good “role model”, with a successful career and 3 kids.
Note these following female MPs are single or have no kids.
Indranee Thurai Rajah, Single, 44
Ellen Lee Geck Hoon, Married no kids, 50
Sylvia Lim, Single, 42
Low Penny, Single, 40
Ng Phek Hoong Irene, Married no kids, 44
Eunice Elizabeth Olsen, Single, 31
Thio Li-ann, Single,39
So my point is, we all choose the way we want in life. Not all people love children or like to be near one. So the “carrots” our gahment are dangling will only attract a small portions of those couple that are still deciding whether they want to have babies or not.
If the gahment truly wants Singaporean to have more babies the I urge them to seriously do something about it.
Some things my non-million dollar brain can think of:
1) 6 months maternal and paternal leaves.
2) Free childcare
3) Free basic medical for pregnant women.
4) Childcare center open 24 hours.
5) Companies which sacked pregnant women are to be fined.
Also I also try to come up with some reason why couple are not having babies:
1) High cost of living.
2) Need to plan for retirement.
3) Lousy child-care.
4) Lousy education system.
5) Not family orientated workplace.
6) Freedom – Couple with no kid and just go oversea tomorrow. Try to do that if you have kids.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Tokyo 2007
Just took a week holiday to Japan.
This time I stayed in Tokyo City throughout the whole trip.
It’s actually quite interesting to see how different and similar the people in other country behave when compare to Singaporean and also what is different in the Society.
Firstly some facts:
Tokyo : Area 2,187.08 km², Population 12,570,000, Density 5796 /km²
Singapore : Area 704.0 km² Population 4,680,600, Density 6369.2/km²
Look like in Singapore we have less personal space then in our friends in Tokyo. But of cause we must remember there are lots of people who work in Tokyo actually does not live there, they usually travel from the suburb or even from nearby city like Yokohama.
What I like about Tokyo:
1) The have the most amazing trains system.
The trains are incredibly on time. And I don’t have to wait more then 2 min for a train during peak hour and not more then 4 min during off-peak. And judging from the complexity and the number of the lines and company Singapore's transport sucks big time.
2) People actually stand on the left of the escalator no matter where
They are doing this in shopping center, subways….etc etc. I shall say anything about what is happening in Singapore.
3) People are skilled walkers and you don’t see bloody baby prams around.
In a crowded area, I don’t get people banging in me not like in Seoul and Singapore. And people don’t bring their prams to crowded areas. One reason I find is that most parents prefer to carry their babies and they could rent prams at most department stores. In fact the only pram I saw in Shinjuku belong to a Singaporean’s couple.
4) Nobody talk on the mobile phone in the public.
I find this really amazing. People actually do respect others people rights to a quite train ride. Nobody, I repeat nobody talk on the mobile phone in the train, nor do they walk around talking on the phone. Their phones are normally on silent on the trains and when they need to talk on their phone, they actually stand at a secluded place to talk. In Singapore? We get teenagers blasting their music or ring tones on the MRT daily.
5) Prices are fairly fixed.
Prices for most items are quite standardized everywhere. You won’t be afraid of being conned since you are a tourist.
6) Cheap Toys and Food.
One of my main objective for my trip this year is to get some toys. Looking at the prices of some toys by the 奸商 in Singapore, I am laughing my way to the bank. Also for the same quality of food in Singapore, I find it cheaper in Japan.
What I like about Singapore:
…………………………………………………..
This time I stayed in Tokyo City throughout the whole trip.
It’s actually quite interesting to see how different and similar the people in other country behave when compare to Singaporean and also what is different in the Society.
Firstly some facts:
Tokyo : Area 2,187.08 km², Population 12,570,000, Density 5796 /km²
Singapore : Area 704.0 km² Population 4,680,600, Density 6369.2/km²
Look like in Singapore we have less personal space then in our friends in Tokyo. But of cause we must remember there are lots of people who work in Tokyo actually does not live there, they usually travel from the suburb or even from nearby city like Yokohama.
What I like about Tokyo:
1) The have the most amazing trains system.
The trains are incredibly on time. And I don’t have to wait more then 2 min for a train during peak hour and not more then 4 min during off-peak. And judging from the complexity and the number of the lines and company Singapore's transport sucks big time.
2) People actually stand on the left of the escalator no matter where
They are doing this in shopping center, subways….etc etc. I shall say anything about what is happening in Singapore.
3) People are skilled walkers and you don’t see bloody baby prams around.
In a crowded area, I don’t get people banging in me not like in Seoul and Singapore. And people don’t bring their prams to crowded areas. One reason I find is that most parents prefer to carry their babies and they could rent prams at most department stores. In fact the only pram I saw in Shinjuku belong to a Singaporean’s couple.
4) Nobody talk on the mobile phone in the public.
I find this really amazing. People actually do respect others people rights to a quite train ride. Nobody, I repeat nobody talk on the mobile phone in the train, nor do they walk around talking on the phone. Their phones are normally on silent on the trains and when they need to talk on their phone, they actually stand at a secluded place to talk. In Singapore? We get teenagers blasting their music or ring tones on the MRT daily.
5) Prices are fairly fixed.
Prices for most items are quite standardized everywhere. You won’t be afraid of being conned since you are a tourist.
6) Cheap Toys and Food.
One of my main objective for my trip this year is to get some toys. Looking at the prices of some toys by the 奸商 in Singapore, I am laughing my way to the bank. Also for the same quality of food in Singapore, I find it cheaper in Japan.
What I like about Singapore:
…………………………………………………..
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Stupid Standard Charted Bank
Been receiving tele-marketers calls on behalf of Standard Charted bank quite often these days.
They are different 3rd parties companies working for SC and they can be quite persistent.
Heard from other sources that Standard Charted are one of the more aggressive telemarketing bank around.
Told SC to removed my name from their calling list for 3 times already, and also wrote a couple of complainst to their website and I only got a lousy standard computer generated reply.
I also wrote in to their CEO but don’t seem to get any reply leh.
So folks do help to write to the CEO is you receive hard selling tactics from Standard Charted.
Geez….. I thought there are some law against spamming.
Lim Cheng Teck
CEO
Singapore
Standard Chartered Bank
6 Battery Road
#05-00
Singapore 049909
They are different 3rd parties companies working for SC and they can be quite persistent.
Heard from other sources that Standard Charted are one of the more aggressive telemarketing bank around.
Told SC to removed my name from their calling list for 3 times already, and also wrote a couple of complainst to their website and I only got a lousy standard computer generated reply.
I also wrote in to their CEO but don’t seem to get any reply leh.
So folks do help to write to the CEO is you receive hard selling tactics from Standard Charted.
Geez….. I thought there are some law against spamming.
Lim Cheng Teck
CEO
Singapore
Standard Chartered Bank
6 Battery Road
#05-00
Singapore 049909
Monday, October 08, 2007
Singapore Police At Work
Check out this clip showing the Singapore Police Force Filiming people outside Burma Embassy.
Look carefully at the police with the video cam.
I was trying very hard to see but the at the polo T he is wearing seem to have a Singapore airlines logo and word at the back just bellow his collar.
Wah SPF so poor have to wear a company T-Shirt.
Look carefully at the police with the video cam.
I was trying very hard to see but the at the polo T he is wearing seem to have a Singapore airlines logo and word at the back just bellow his collar.
Wah SPF so poor have to wear a company T-Shirt.
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Greed
Just 3 days after the fare hikes and we see this. Good info.
ST Oct 3, 2007
Bus and train trips hit record levels
SMRT and SBS Transit could earn $20.7m more in fares as average daily rides rise to 4.4m
By Christopher Tan
SINGAPORE'S bus and train operators are reaping the benefit of a surge in public transport use that has sent ridership to record levels - despite fare hikes. (What other choice we have? Walk to work?)
The country's growing population, higher tourist numbers and booming economy are behind the marked increase in usage.
An average of 4.363 million rides were made on buses and trains each day in the financial year ended March 31, said the Land Transport Authority.
This pips the previous high of 4.358 million daily rides in 2001.
And figures from SMRT and SBS Transit show that daily ridership has hit 4.438 million in the April to June period of the current financial year.
Financial second-quarter numbers are not out yet but preliminary data from the two firms indicates that ridership is set to cross 4.5 million.
The striking increases - they even caught financial analysts by surprise - have reversed a worrying sign of two years ago when ridership slumped to a seven-year low.
An appreciable rise in Singapore's population - which grew 4.4 per cent to 4.68 million at the end of June - is a key factor behind the ridership growth, which in turn will swell the coffers of transport operators.
Based on average fares, the extra rides, if sustained, will translate to $20.7 million more in turnover for the two companies - a $12.4 million rise in bus revenue and an $8.3 million increase in rail revenue a year.
Analysts had factored in the positive trend but were still taken aback by the increase.
ABN Amro Asia Securities analyst Fera Wirawan said in a report on ComfortDelGro, the parent company of SBS Transit: 'Bus ridership in the first half of 2007 has exceeded our forecasts for the 2007 financial year by 2 per cent, while that for rail has almost reached our target.'
She is now projecting bus ridership to grow by 3.3 per cent for the 2008 financial year.
Citigroup Singapore strategist Lim Jit Soon said that besides the growth in Singapore's population, a higher employment rate and more tourist arrivals are also driving ridership numbers.
SBS Transit spokesman Tammy Tan said more people moving to Sengkang and Punggol has boosted ridership on the North-East MRT line. The system carried 307,062 passengers a day in July - 56 per cent up on July 2004.
Ms Wirawan expects ridership on that line to continue chalking up 'double-digit growth' for at least two more years. (Yeah more profit!)
But observers point out that the two transport operators would have to earn their keep.
The Public Transport Council (PTC) has just raised service standards for buses, which will mean more vehicles will have to be put on the road to meet them.
The council wants at least 80 per cent of bus services to run at frequencies of not more than 10 minutes during weekday peak hours, down from 15 minutes now. (Easy they just have to reduce the frequency during off peak.)
Bus companies have two years to comply. (Why 2 year? Shouldn't they comply before the fare hike?)
Rail standards are not under the PTC's purview.
Analysts said the transport companies will also continue to face cost pressures from rising fuel prices, higher Central Provident Fund contributions and a higher Goods and Services Tax rate. (I thought a listed compnay can claim GST from the gov? Correct me if I am wrong)
Ms Wirawan said: 'In a buoyant labour market, you need to raise salaries by more than usual to keep people.'
On top of the revenue growth from rising ridership, SBS Transit is expected to gain $9.3 million from the latest fare revision which took place on Monday, while SMRT will reap $3 million. (Bloody blood suckers)
ST Oct 3, 2007
Bus and train trips hit record levels
SMRT and SBS Transit could earn $20.7m more in fares as average daily rides rise to 4.4m
By Christopher Tan
SINGAPORE'S bus and train operators are reaping the benefit of a surge in public transport use that has sent ridership to record levels - despite fare hikes. (What other choice we have? Walk to work?)
The country's growing population, higher tourist numbers and booming economy are behind the marked increase in usage.
An average of 4.363 million rides were made on buses and trains each day in the financial year ended March 31, said the Land Transport Authority.
This pips the previous high of 4.358 million daily rides in 2001.
And figures from SMRT and SBS Transit show that daily ridership has hit 4.438 million in the April to June period of the current financial year.
Financial second-quarter numbers are not out yet but preliminary data from the two firms indicates that ridership is set to cross 4.5 million.
The striking increases - they even caught financial analysts by surprise - have reversed a worrying sign of two years ago when ridership slumped to a seven-year low.
An appreciable rise in Singapore's population - which grew 4.4 per cent to 4.68 million at the end of June - is a key factor behind the ridership growth, which in turn will swell the coffers of transport operators.
Based on average fares, the extra rides, if sustained, will translate to $20.7 million more in turnover for the two companies - a $12.4 million rise in bus revenue and an $8.3 million increase in rail revenue a year.
Analysts had factored in the positive trend but were still taken aback by the increase.
ABN Amro Asia Securities analyst Fera Wirawan said in a report on ComfortDelGro, the parent company of SBS Transit: 'Bus ridership in the first half of 2007 has exceeded our forecasts for the 2007 financial year by 2 per cent, while that for rail has almost reached our target.'
She is now projecting bus ridership to grow by 3.3 per cent for the 2008 financial year.
Citigroup Singapore strategist Lim Jit Soon said that besides the growth in Singapore's population, a higher employment rate and more tourist arrivals are also driving ridership numbers.
SBS Transit spokesman Tammy Tan said more people moving to Sengkang and Punggol has boosted ridership on the North-East MRT line. The system carried 307,062 passengers a day in July - 56 per cent up on July 2004.
Ms Wirawan expects ridership on that line to continue chalking up 'double-digit growth' for at least two more years. (Yeah more profit!)
But observers point out that the two transport operators would have to earn their keep.
The Public Transport Council (PTC) has just raised service standards for buses, which will mean more vehicles will have to be put on the road to meet them.
The council wants at least 80 per cent of bus services to run at frequencies of not more than 10 minutes during weekday peak hours, down from 15 minutes now. (Easy they just have to reduce the frequency during off peak.)
Bus companies have two years to comply. (Why 2 year? Shouldn't they comply before the fare hike?)
Rail standards are not under the PTC's purview.
Analysts said the transport companies will also continue to face cost pressures from rising fuel prices, higher Central Provident Fund contributions and a higher Goods and Services Tax rate. (I thought a listed compnay can claim GST from the gov? Correct me if I am wrong)
Ms Wirawan said: 'In a buoyant labour market, you need to raise salaries by more than usual to keep people.'
On top of the revenue growth from rising ridership, SBS Transit is expected to gain $9.3 million from the latest fare revision which took place on Monday, while SMRT will reap $3 million. (Bloody blood suckers)
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Reminder
Just to remind everyone how F**K our public transport system is.
From yesterday, I am $0.02 poorer per day or $7.30 more profit annually for SBS (at least).
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