http://forums.sgclub.com/ Discussion of current events and issues around us. en Mon, 06 Sep 2010 06:34:45 GMT vBulletin 60 http://forums.sgclub.com/images/sgclub1/misc/rss.jpg http://forums.sgclub.com/ http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/businesses_duxton_hill_297593.html Mon, 06 Sep 2010 06:22:09 GMT *Businesses at Duxton Hill hit by anti-vice raids Image: http://news.asiaone.com/A1MEDIA/news/09Sep10/images/20100906.121953_20100906-duxton.jpg ... Businesses at Duxton Hill hit by anti-vice raids



Although the area has been cleaned up, the bad image seems to have stuck.

Mon, Sep 06, 2010
AsiaOne

FREQUENT raids and police patrolling have turned off pub-goers from patronising the Duxton Hill area at Tanjong Pagar.

Over the past two years, around 50 pubs in the area, notoriously known as the "new Joo Chiat or Geylang" were closed down due to vice raids.

Such closures have affected businesses in the area and according to Shin Min Daily News, businesses dropped by about 70 per cent.

In its heyday, the Duxton Hill area saw about 110 pubs and bars in 2008, compared to today's figure of only 60 nightspots that are still operating.

A spokesperson from the Singapore Police Force told the Chinese evening dailies that the main reason behind the closure of so many pubs in that area is due to vice trade.

Police conducted anti-vice raids thrice a week and in 2008, seven Filipino women were fined and arrested for exposing their breasts.

This is just one of the few examples of court cases that gave a glimpse of the action going on in the pubs.

Mr Cai, an owner of a pub at Duxton Hill for seven years, told the newspaper that the area was "colourful and vibrant in 2005", but has since died down drastically.

"Cars were parked along both sides of the roads and the valet parking business was doing well."

"Pubs plying the vice trade started sprouting up and that was when there was frequent trouble and fights," said Mr Cai.

"Police started to patrol the area and business went down seven fold", continued Mr Cai.

Although the area has been cleaned up, the bad image seems to have stuck.

Another pub owner told Shin Min Daily News that the only bustling days were Fridays and it is normally very quiet during the week.

Shop rental rates at the Duxton Hill area has also plunged - two years ago, the rent for a 2,100 square metre shop would cost $21,000. Today, it only costs $8,000 to rent the entire space.

Mr Cai was told by regular customers at his pub, that when they told their friends they were going to Duxton Hill for a drink, it was assumed they were patronising a sleaze joint or seeking female company.

Mr Liang, 58, a manager in a shipping company, frequents Duxton Hill for over 20 years and was often questioned by friends during 2005 to 2008.

"I'm a regular in this area and have a good relationship with the pub owners.

"I know they're not running a vice business, so I have no qualms in coming here to chat and drink," said Mr Liang.

Source: http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne...06-235771.html ]]> Local Affairs *StarDust* http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/businesses_duxton_hill_297593.html http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/9_questions_about_297573.html Mon, 06 Sep 2010 05:04:43 GMT *9 questions about new property rules Image: http://business.asiaone.com/a1media/business/03Mar10/images/20100420.112842_property-market.jpg ... 9 questions about new property rules



Property consultant says prices will fall about 10 per cent this year, and 20 per cent next year.

Sun, Sep 05, 2010
AsiaOne

Ms Tan wanted to buy a resale three-room flat for her twilight years, but the new property regulations have put a spanner in the works.

The retiree told Lianhe Wanbao that she owns a private property, but she wanted to move into a Housing Development Board (HDB) flat and rent out her private property to supplement her retirement income. Living in an HDB flat will also help to lower her monthly expenses.

Unfortunately, her plan is unfeasible after HDB announced that private property owners who buy HDB flats have to sell their private properties within six months of their HDB purchase.

Many existing property owners who were in the process of buying a second property were also affected when new regulations were announced on August 30.

Quite a few had to re-evaluate their finances as the minimum cash outlay has now been raised to 30 per cent of the value of the property.

The changes caught even industry insiders by surprise, and the implications are still sinking into the market.

Lianhe Wanbao and Chinese radio station 100.3FM asked the principal consultant of Propnex, Mr Lim Yong Hock 10 questions from readers and listeners.


How many people are affected by the changes?
Many people will be affected, it just depends on the degree. After the change in regulations, many people will change their minds about buying resale flats. Add to that the fact that more new flats will be built, the demand for resale flats will definitely fall, and price will also fall in tandem.


How much will prices fall by?
Based on past and current trends, prices will fall about 10 per cent this year, and 20 per cent next year.


Should I buy or sell?
With the new rules, it is a better market for home buyers than sellers, so buyers should take the opportunity to negotiate a good price for their dream home. Buyers should not be too inflexible, as prices will most likely fall with increased supply.


I have an HDB flat, but I've also paid a $5,000 deposit for a private property. If the new rules affect me, can I retrieve my deposit?
Usually once the deposit has been paid, only buyers who do not get HDB's approval will have their deposit returned. You are not likely to get the deposit back if you are the party who changes your mind.


I already have a private property, and I also bought a resale flat, but will only collect the keys next week. Will I be affected?
As long as you registered the purchase before August 30, you will not be affected.


I signed the contract two weeks ago, but my agent only processed my application with HDB on August 30. I feel that this is negligence on the part of the agent, can HDB make an exception for cases like mine?
This case a bit more complicated. If you had an understanding with the agent that the application was to be immediate, then it may be the fault of the agent. However, sometimes the delay could be due to the seller. It's best that all parties meet to discuss the issue.


As a first time buyer, how will I be affected?
The new rules are good news for first time buyers, as property prices are likely to adjust downwards. Loan terms now favour first time buyers as well.


I have a four-room HDB flat and a private property. Now I would like to upgrade to a five-room flat, should I?
Under the new regulations, you have to sell your private property within six months of buying your new flat. It is not a good time to change your property now.


Will the rental market be affected by the new rules?
Rents should stay stable as long as the immigration policy is not changed.


Source: http://business.asiaone.com/Business...02-235201.html ]]> Local Affairs *StarDust* http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/9_questions_about_297573.html http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/anchor_tenants_clementi_297559.html Mon, 06 Sep 2010 04:19:27 GMT http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20100906-235721.html THE Clementi Mall, which is slated to open by next... http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne...06-235721.html

THE Clementi Mall, which is slated to open by next January, will have FairPrice Finest, Foodfare and the National Library Board as its anchor tenants.

Located at Clementi town centre, The Clementi Mall is a six-storey retail development with approximately 190,000 sq ft of space.

When it is ready, it will be linked directly to the Clementi MRT station via the third storey, and to the bus interchange via the first level in the later part of next year. ]]> Local Affairs christmas_ http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/anchor_tenants_clementi_297559.html http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/lesser_men_women_297557.html Mon, 06 Sep 2010 04:16:21 GMT http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Diva/Story/A1Story20100906-235770.html Will Singaporean women have less of a choice when it comes to... http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest%...06-235770.html

Will Singaporean women have less of a choice when it comes to their life partner now?

The advance release of the 2010 Census last week showed that there are now less women than men in Singapore, or 974 women for every 1,000 men, against 998 for every 1,000 men in the 2000 Census.

Traditional figures where there were always more newborn girls than boys in Singapore have also been reversed.

The tilt in favour of women came in the 25 to 44 years age band among Singapore-born residents, which refers to both citizens and permanent residents (PRs), born here. There are 417,410 men against 394,187 women, a different of 23,223 more men. Another age band where there are more women than men are among elderly folk aged 65 and above.

However, foreign-born residents made a difference to the 25 - 44 age band - 617,131 women against 583,660 men, with a difference of 33,471 more women. These foreign-born women are mainly from Malaysia, China and Indonesia.

As for foreign brides, official figures show that eight out of 10 marriages last year between a citizen and a foreigner involved a local man. Around 7,000 local men married foreign brides in total, mostly from Asian countries.

One demographer, Yap Mui Teng of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy noted that sons of immigrant families may not have opted for PR because they would have to do national service if they did so, but this was not an issue for girls.

Another factor could be biology, since women tend to outlive men.

There are 20,136 women more than men in the above 65 age band, or 117,457 women to 97,231 men.

One concern was that local women may have more difficulty marrying, and end up remaining single. This was raised by sociologist and Nominated MP Paulin Straghan. The other scenario was that Singapore may lose its female residents to foreign spouses. ]]> Local Affairs christmas_ http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/lesser_men_women_297557.html http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/business_mission_zhejiang_297556.html Mon, 06 Sep 2010 04:15:17 GMT http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_575405.html A SINGAPORE business mission, with representatives from 25 companies... http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking...ry_575405.html

A SINGAPORE business mission, with representatives from 25 companies and government officials, will visit four cities in Zhejiang, China, from Tuesday to Friday.

The delegation will be led by Mrs Lim Hwee Hua, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office and Second Minister for Finance and Second Minister for Transport.

Organised by International Enterprise (IE) Singapore, the secretariat for the Singapore-Zhejiang Economic and Trade Council (SZETC), the 45-strong mission will visit Shaoxing, Yiwu, Hangzhou and Jiaxing to strengthen bilateral economic ties.

"With GDP growth exceeding a robust 9 per cent in 2009, Shaoxing, Yiwu, Hangzhou and Jiaxing are fast growing cities that show immense potential for business collaboration." said Mrs Lim on why the four cities were chosen.

"We hope to explore cooperation in terms of exporting our services, increasing trade flows and partnering each other to expand into third markets.'

During the mission, Minister Lim and the delegation will meet Zhejiang Governor L� Zushan, Executive Vice Governor Chen Min'er, Vice Governor Gong Zheng, who is the Zhejiang SZETC Co-Chairman, as well as leaders of other cities. ]]> Local Affairs christmas_ http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/business_mission_zhejiang_297556.html http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/singtel_rises_possible_297553.html Mon, 06 Sep 2010 04:13:26 GMT http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_575394.html SHARES of Singapore Telecommunications rose 0.65 per cent in early... http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking...ry_575394.html

SHARES of Singapore Telecommunications rose 0.65 per cent in early trade on Monday after a British newspaper report that the firm was considering a bid for Cable & Wireless Worldwide.

Some 1.6 million shares had changed hands in initial deals.

The Independent reported on Sunday SingTel had contacted bankers in Asia and Europe to discuss the idea. It cited a corporate adviser as saying SingTel was in the early stages of its plans but a takeover attempt was a possibility.

'SingTel is running the slide rule over Cable & Wireless.

It's less than 10 per cent of the way through the process but has contacted investment banks in Hong Kong, Singapore and London,' the source was quoted as saying.

In Singapore, SingTel officials refused to confirm or deny the report. 'We do not comment on market speculation,' a spokeswoman for the company said. -- REUTERS ]]> Local Affairs christmas_ http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/singtel_rises_possible_297553.html http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/new_aid_scheme_297552.html Mon, 06 Sep 2010 04:12:08 GMT http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking...ry_575379.html

OFTEN, bread was Mr Yeo Cheng Fu's 'best friend' at most meals.

'But it wasn't that bad. At least it was bread with kaya,' recalled the 22-year-old with a chuckle, of the tough times of his growing-up years in the 90s. His factory operator mother, now 50, was single-handedly raising him and two younger siblings on $500 a month.

Memories of those dire days came flooding back to the Republic Poly student on Sunday when he cheered a new aid scheme launched by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

It is for post-secondary students from low-income families, with each getting $90 monthly as pocket money to help them cope with such schooling expenses as meals, textbooks and bus fares.

Called the Post Secondary Student Aid Fund, it is tagged PCF Aid as its creator is the People's Action Party Community Foundation, or PCF, the party's charitable arm.

It was launched with a $400,000 cheque that Mr Lee received for PCF from Mayor Amy Khor at the Foundation's Family Day held in the National Museum. The money was raised by Dr Khor and her fellow MPs of of South West District.

Read the full story in Monday's edition of The Straits Times. ]]> Local Affairs christmas_ http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/new_aid_scheme_297552.html http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/iras_sees_increase_297551.html Mon, 06 Sep 2010 04:09:14 GMT http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1079390/1/.html SINGAPORE: The tax man collected some S$29.9 billion in taxes the... http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stori...079390/1/.html

SINGAPORE: The tax man collected some S$29.9 billion in taxes the last financial year.

This was S$70 million more than in financial year 2008/2009

But the average cost per dollar of tax collection has also gone up by 10 per cent to 0.88 cents.

The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore said the increase was mainly due to an 11 per cent increase in operating costs compared with a 0.2 per cent increase in tax collections.

-CNA/wk ]]> Local Affairs christmas_ http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/iras_sees_increase_297551.html http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/7_600_runners_297546.html Mon, 06 Sep 2010 03:40:38 GMT *7,600 runners participate in Yellow Ribbon Prison Run By Joanne Chan Posted: 05 September 2010 1718 hrs * SINGAPORE : 7,600 runners braved... 7,600 runners participate in Yellow Ribbon Prison Run

By Joanne Chan
Posted: 05 September 2010 1718 hrs

SINGAPORE : 7,600 runners braved the rain on Sunday morning at the Yellow Ribbon Prison Run.



The event supports the reintegration of inmates and ex-offenders back to society.

Despite a half-hour delay due to the morning shower, participants were raring to go.

Guest-of-Honour and Law Minister K Shanmugam flagged off both the 10-kilometre competitive and six-kilometre fun runs.

About 6,000 runners also opted to donate S$2 to obtain yellow shoelaces.

The event raised a total of S$110,000 for the Yellow Ribbon Fund, which funds rehabilitation and family support programmes.

Kevin Hoon, Vice-Chairman of the YR Run Organising Committee, said the objective of the run is to "help raise awareness in the community of the difficulties an ex-inmate faces upon his release".

Mr Hoon added that the run hopes to "inspire community action to give ex-offenders another opportunity to restart their lives".

Twenty-one-year-old participant Veronica Tang agreed. She said: "Everybody makes mistakes, and it is important that everybody is given a second chance."

Source: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stori...079281/1/.html ]]> Local Affairs *StarDust* http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/7_600_runners_297546.html http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/residential_property_developments_297528.html Mon, 06 Sep 2010 01:37:04 GMT *Residential property developments in the CBD are so hot right now by Jo-Ann Huang Limin 05:55 AM Sep 06, 2010* SINGAPORE - The increasing... Residential property developments in the CBD are so hot right now

by Jo-Ann Huang Limin
05:55 AM Sep 06, 2010

SINGAPORE - The increasing trend of living in the city led to a spike in residential property developments within the Central Business District (CBD).

Developers have turned their eyes on redeveloping existing commercial buildings into residential properties to cash in on strong buyer interest.

For instance, all 202 units in Hong Leong's inner city residences at 76, Shenton Way, were sold in one day.

Among new redevelopments in the city is the 99-year leasehold luxury apartment Lumiere by boutique property developer BS Capital.

There are only 50 units remaining in Lumiere, which sits on the site of the former HMC Building located right behind Marina House. The latter is also another property set for redevelopment.

However, the recent increase in development charge (DC) announced by the Government could pose higher barriers for developers to build luxury condos in the city. For instance, DC rates for conversion to residential non-landed properties in the Marina Bay and Raffles Place area have gone up to $7,700 per square metre (psm) for this month - a 15.8-per-cent rise from $6,650 psm in March.

As for the Shenton Way area, DC rates were revised from $5,460 in March to $6.300 this month, marking a 15.4-per-cent increase.

The rates make up about 5 to 10 per cent of the total land value and, coupled with the new property market cooling measures, analysts expect demand for inner-city living to soften.

"Redeveloping cases may also take a slower growth path. With higher DC rates and the new cooling measures, this may put off developers if the overall returns don't make sense," said Dr Chua Yang Liang, head of research of South-east Asia at Jones Lang LaSalle.

Analysts said DC rates in the city area could likely trend higher when the Marina Bay Sands becomes fully operational.

Currently, there are only a handful of office-to-residential properties dotting the CBD area and most of these properties have been sold at eyebrow-raising prices of close to $2,000 per square feet.

The Lumiere by BS Capital sold its 990 square foot unit for almost $2 million, which translates to about $1,999 per square feet in April - the most expensive unit sold in the development.

At 76, Shenton Way, Hong Leong sold a 969-square-foot unit for over $2 million, or $2,071 per square feet.

Developers looking to cash in on the expected rise in rents may want to consider owning pure office properties instead, said industry observers.

"The commercial market is seeing a revival of rentals, so the commercial element can be more attractive now compared to residential properties," said Mr Donald Han, managing director of Cushman and Wakefield.

Rentals for Grade-A offices in the Central Business District are expected to go up by 10 to 12 per cent from the current $7 to $8 per square feet.

But, some developers are lucky enough to capture the city's upside potential on both the commercial and residential end, said Mr Han.

He singled out plans set out by United Industrial Corporation to convert its former UIC building into a mixed residential and commercial development with a gross floor area of 926,589 square feet.

UIC paid $160.1 million in DC for this property at 5, Shenton Way. It will be torn down to build a 60-per-cent residential project, yielding about 593 residential units.

Source: http://www.todayonline.com/Hotnews/E...-hot-right-now ]]> Local Affairs *StarDust* http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/residential_property_developments_297528.html http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/perils_pervasive_tuition_297527.html Mon, 06 Sep 2010 01:29:28 GMT Sep 6, 2010 Perils of pervasive tuition http://www.straitstimes.com/print/STForum/OnlineStory/STIStory_575148.html I READ with dismay last... Sep 6, 2010
Perils of pervasive tuition
http://www.straitstimes.com/print/ST...ry_575148.html

I READ with dismay last Wednesday's letter ("Why parents are forced to spend on tuition").

The growing tuition trend among our school children makes me wonder whether students nowadays are learning more from tuition teachers rather than school teachers.

Is the tuition teacher reinforcing what is taught in school, or is it the other way around?

And are our teachers teaching under the assumption that every student has tuition?

When I was a student myself in the 1980s, me and most of my peers could secure pretty decent grades without any tuition, an activity which was the exception rather than the norm then. Is this no longer practically possible for the majority of students?

How then can our education system claim to be built on meritocracy when clearly a section of our society will lose out as a result of not being able to afford tuition?

Being a young parent myself, I dread more and more the day when my child finally attends a primary school in Singapore.

Chan Chee Keong
Copyright © 2007 Singapore Press Holdings. ]]> Local Affairs theTourist http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/perils_pervasive_tuition_297527.html http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/lta_smrt_fine_297526.html Mon, 06 Sep 2010 01:29:24 GMT *LTA, SMRT to fine-tune operations for next train disruption By Joanne Chan Posted: 05 September 2010 2234 hrs * SINGAPORE : The Land... LTA, SMRT to fine-tune operations for next train disruption

By Joanne Chan
Posted: 05 September 2010 2234 hrs

SINGAPORE : The Land Transport Authority (LTA) and SMRT have said they will fine-tune their operations to minimise inconvenience to passengers, based on this weekend's experience with the train service disruption.

The next scheduled disruption is on September 18 and 19 between Jurong East and Bukit Batok stations.

LTA and SMRT were responding to media queries on passenger confusion over the disruption between Jurong East and Clementi stations.

In a statement, LTA and SMRT said notices were put up at all stations and bus interchanges two weeks before the scheduled service disruption.

Flyers were also distributed to commuters at affected stations. Messages were also broadcast over Traffic News and information is also available online.

The statement added that despite the publicity, some commuters might still not be aware of the disruption.

As such, some 600 officers were deployed to provide assistance and direction.

LTA and SMRT also stepped up measures to facilitate passenger movement.

At Jurong East Station, more signs were placed at the platform to inform passengers of the free bus bridging services.

The queue formation for bus bridging was also adjusted to facilitate faster boarding.

At Lakeside Station, staff were deployed on board the trains to advise passengers of the need to make transfers.

Source: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stori...079312/1/.html ]]> Local Affairs *StarDust* http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/lta_smrt_fine_297526.html http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/just_4_helping_297525.html Mon, 06 Sep 2010 00:27:49 GMT Just 4, but helping needy
Boy donates savings to ST fund through OCBC's coin bank initiative
By Cheryl Ong


Kendric Chang, with his mother Jane Tan, donating his savings at the OCBC branch in Ang Mo Kio Central yesterday. -- ST PHOTO: WONG KWAI CHOW

OVER the past two months, four-year-old Kendric Chang has been making the effort to set aside some of the money that his father gives him weekly for The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund (SPMF).

As an OCBC Bank Mighty Savers account holder, he is one of 5,000 customers who received the SPMF's coin bank as a gift from the bank.

Since then, his mother Jane Tan, 32, has been teaching Kendric the concept of saving and giving to the needy children that the fund supports.

Yesterday, Kendric was the first customer to bring his filled coin bank to the OCBC branch in Ang Mo Kio Central to deposit his contribution, amounting to $26.30, to the fund.

Madam Tan, who accompanied him to the branch, said: 'We're happy to support the School Pocket Money Fund as we think that it is a worthy cause. This is a good opportunity to teach Kendric to save from young and to contribute to the community whenever we can.'

All 18 of OCBC's Sunday banking branches became exclusive collection points for people who wished to donate to the SPMF yesterday.

The bank will be collecting money that members of the public have saved up in their Help-A-Kid coin banks, which have been on sale since July to raise funds for needy students with no pocket money for recess or bus fares.

The coin banks, retailing at $5 each, are part of an initiative to encourage people, including children, to foster a habit of saving.

Additionally, savers are urged to give their money to those who need it more.

The coin banks have been available at all NTUC FairPrice supermarkets, and proceeds will go to the SPMF.

OCBC has bought and given out more than 10,000 of the coin banks to employees, and to customers who sign up for its Might Savers account for children.

'By giving these coin banks to our young savers, we hope to help make saving both fun and meaningful for them,' said Mr Ching Wei Hong, OCBC's head of global consumer financial services.

This is the fund's 10th anniversary fund-raising campaign, and it is aiming to collect $5 million for 12,400 needy students.

More than 50,000 of the coin banks have been sold, and as many more will be made available.

Organisations that wish to lend a hand may place bulk orders for the coin banks at stfund@sph.com.sg.

Source: http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking...ry_575373.html ]]> Local Affairs *StarDust* http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/just_4_helping_297525.html http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/womans_bank_account_297523.html Mon, 06 Sep 2010 00:16:10 GMT Woman's bank account closed without her knowledge



Money had been transferred to a new joint account without her knowledge or consent. She is waiting for a "proper explanation" from the bank.

By Gwendolyn Ng
Mon, Sep 06, 2010
my paper

WHEN Madam Poh Guat Cheng went to withdraw money from the POSB branch at Tiong Bahru Plaza last month, she was shocked to discover that the account had been closed.

What shocked her even more was subsequently learning that all $48,000 in the fixed-deposit account had been withdrawn in 2007.

Madam Poh said she hardly monitored the account as it was opened jointly with her 89-year-old mother, who suffers from dementia and is unable to recognise friends or even family members.

Perplexed, she contacted the bank and was told that the money had been transferred to a new joint account set up by her mother and someone else.

This, Madam Poh said, was done without her knowledge or consent.

Her mother is unable to remember who she set up the new account with.

Said Madam Poh, a 54-year-old housewife: "The bank said it had complied with all its regulations. As long as one account holder is present with an identity card, and her thumbprint is on the withdrawal slip, it's okay? But it really isn't."

Her main grouse is that the bank should have exercised greater vigilance.

A spokesman for DBS Bank, of which POSB is a subsidiary, told my paper that any party sharing a joint-alternate account may make decisions, such as closing the account, without consent from the other parties.

DBS declined to comment on this case, citing customer confidentiality, but added that "banks cannot unilaterally invoke any sanctions on customers' accounts even if the customer is mentally incapacitated".

Madam Poh said: "The bank should have done a better job of protecting my mother, who cannot even recognise us, much less fill up a form and close an account."

In a 2008 case, an OCBC Bank officer raised the alarm because of doubts over customer Hwang Cheng Tsu Hsu's mental capacity to handle her bank accounts when she demanded to close all of them. Madam Hwang was 93 at the time.

After an assessment by the bank, which included a home visit, OCBC decided to freeze Madam Hwang's accounts containing $8.9 million.

Mr Dennis Tan, OCBC's head of branch & premier banking, told my paper: "When we come across cases where we are concerned about a customer's mental capacity to make decisions regarding his account, we would try to obtain more information."

OCBC's officers are also trained to observe customers and pick up signs, such as if there is influence and coercion exerted by a third party on the customer.

A spokesman for the Office of the Public Guardian, which comes under the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, said: "In a fast-ageing population like Singapore's, with a rising number of dementia cases, the need for all adult Singaporeans to make proactive plans to protect their personal and financial matters is even more compelling."

The spokesman highlighted the Mental Capacity Act, which provides for adult Singaporeans to appoint proxy decision-makers to act in their best interest should they lose their mental capacity.

The Act came into effect on March 1 this year.

For now, Madam Poh hopes to get a "proper explanation" from the bank.

She said: "How about people like us, who are already stuck in this situation? Legal means are costly and time-consuming. The money and time would be better spent on my mother."

Source: http://www.asiaone.com/Business/News...06-235710.html ]]> Local Affairs *StarDust* http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/womans_bank_account_297523.html http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/fines_cant_stop_297520.html Mon, 06 Sep 2010 00:07:50 GMT Fines can't stop 'hoarder queen' - Woodlands trash collector's junk keeps increasing

By Veena Bharwani
September 04, 2010

She sleeps on the corridor on the eighth floor of the Woodlands Ring Road block.

But Madam Zhou Guili, 67, is not homeless. She's a hoarder who prefers to sleep on the cold hard cement floor instead of inside her five-room flat which she shares with her eldest son.

Every night, her bed is a roll of cardboard, and her pillow is a bundle of newspapers.

Beside her makeshift bed is her "treasure" - a mountain of cardboard boxes, plastic pails, newspapers and other items.

Littered across the floor of her living room are stacks of cardboard boxes, plastic bags and other items such as plastic flowers and stools. She refused to let The New Paper into the rooms when we visited her on Tuesday and Thursday.

Every day, Madam Zhou sorts through papers and cardboard boxes, which she tries to sell for between $2 and $4 a day.

She said she has been fined $500 by the Sembawang Town Council but has yet to pay up.

Source: http://tnp.sg/news/story/0,4136,254227,00.html? ]]> Local Affairs *StarDust* http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/fines_cant_stop_297520.html