SGClub.com Friendly Singapore Forums - Local Affairs http://forums.sgclub.com/ Discussion of current events and issues around us. en Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:00:54 GMT vBulletin 60 http://forums.sgclub.com/images/sgclub1/misc/rss.jpg SGClub.com Friendly Singapore Forums - Local Affairs http://forums.sgclub.com/ Rape victim first claimed to be molested in van http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/rape_victim_first_223109.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:24:24 GMT *Rape victim first claimed to be molested in van * Channel NewsAsia - Friday, November 20 SINGAPORE: The victim of an alleged gang rape had... Rape victim first claimed to be molested in van
Channel NewsAsia - Friday, November 20


SINGAPORE: The victim of an alleged gang rape had told her boyfriend and police officers attending to her that she had been put in a van by several men and molested.

But the 17—year—old student later revealed privately to a female police officer details about the alleged rape that took place on Boxing Day last year.

When officers first saw the girl, she had smudged make—up and puffy eyes, Station Inspector Kim Lai Kuan of Jurong Police Division told the court on Thursday. According to her, the girl also appeared to be in a daze and seemed moody.

Five young men, aged between 17 and 20, are in the dock for allegedly raping and sexually assaulting the girl in a flat in Woodlands between 4am and 6am on December 26 last year.

Hours after the alleged attack, her boyfriend called the police, saying his girlfriend "was molested by a group of Malay men in a van". She had confided in him in an online chat, but threatened to kill herself if he called the police, the court heard.

After Station Inspector Kim arrived at the flat with her two colleagues, Station Inspector Mohamed Azmi Chomil and Sergeant Mohammad Ridzuan Abdul Samad, they interviewed the girl in the living room.

The girl, now 18, repeated the story that she was molested in a van.

However, when pressed by Station Inspector Mohamed Azmi for a description of the van, she was not "forthcoming" and requested to speak to Station Inspector Kim in private.

In her bedroom, she recounted to Station Inspector Kim the ordeal of how she had too much to drink in a Woodlands apartment and was raped by five men — one of them was a friend of hers.

The case was later passed over to the Serious Sexual Crimes branch of the Criminal Investigation Department.

The court was not told why she had first claimed to be molested in a van. The girl is likely to testify behind closed doors next week. ]]> Local Affairs InfiniteJustice http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/rape_victim_first_223109.html Ris Low: My not-so-secret ambitions http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/ris_low_not_223031.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:58:16 GMT Ris Low: My not-so-secret ambitions In this first of a new MSN Blog series by Ris Low, the controversial ex-beauty queen bares her heart and soul in... Ris Low: My not-so-secret ambitions
In this first of a new MSN Blog series by Ris Low, the controversial ex-beauty queen bares her heart and soul in revealing some of her wildest dreams.


MANY people have asked me about my life after the Miss Singapore World pageant, and whether the whole thing has affected me.

I tell them no, I'm a survivor, and I can actually do so much more despite all the bad publicity. I'm not afraid to let people know about my past, and I believe that my future depends on myself, not what other people say or do.

Therefore, I would love to do the following:

Open an ice cream shop

Ice cream is my love and I can never survive without it. It's always there for me whether I'm happy or sad. So it would be great if I could do this and open up a land filled with sugar and sweetness.

I know I will be a good lady boss, because I can bring joy into people's lives. I will also bring up Singapore's service standards, by serving and interacting with my customers and ice-cream lovers personally, and not just sit behind the counter and give a face!
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]]> Local Affairs Mrluckyjo http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/ris_low_not_223031.html 4 probed for illegal drugs http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/4_probed_illegal_223022.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:01:21 GMT http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_456944.html FOUR people are being investigated here for peddling drugs illegally... http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking...ry_456944.html

FOUR people are being investigated here for peddling drugs illegally online in the past week during a sting operation to curb a growing online drug trade.

It was part of a global effort led by Interpol, the World Health Organisation and an international enforcement forum and was carried out over five days to weed out an increasing number of websites selling prescription drugs or health products containing ingredients of prescription drugs.

Singapore was one of 24 countries which took part in 'Operation Pangea II'-which has snared 22 people worldwide so far this week.

Out of 107 websites - forums, blogs, auction sites and online classified advertisements - screened here, four people have been caught selling drugs like slimming pills and oral contraceptives.

This is the second time that Singapore is taking part in the concerted international effort against an illegal online drug trade. Last year, a smaller-scaled one-day operation caught one person selling Menergy M-Essence, a sexual dysfunction drug, and was let off with a warning.

Prescription drugs commonly sold online could be counterfeit, and consequently offer little or no redeeming benefit for a sick person. In some instances, the fakes may pose a major danger to public health especially since it is difficult to verify the authenticity of the website, supplier or drugs sold online, said Mr Yee Shen Kuan, the division director of Health Sciences Authority (HSA)'s enforcement division. ]]> Local Affairs christmas_ http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/4_probed_illegal_223022.html 10 people arrested for loansharking activities http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/10_people_arrested_223021.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:00:05 GMT http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1019477/1/.html SINGAPORE: Police have arrested 10 people, mostly men, for their... http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stori...019477/1/.html

SINGAPORE: Police have arrested 10 people, mostly men, for their suspected involvement in loansharking activities.

They were arrested in an island-wide operation, lasting seven hours at various housing estates including Whampoa, Clementi, Jurong and Boon Lay.

ATM cards, bank statements and bank slips were seized.

Initial investigations showed that the suspects are believed to have handed over their bank accounts and ATM cards to unlicensed moneylending syndicates in return for monetary gains.

Four of the suspects are also believed to be debtors-turned-runners.

Investigations are still ongoing. - 938LIVE/vm ]]> Local Affairs christmas_ http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/10_people_arrested_223021.html Forum writer expresses disappointment at repeated delays in building the sports hub http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/forum_writer_expresses_222985.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:18:19 GMT http://www.temasekreview.com/2009/11/20/forum-writer-expresses-disappointment-at-repeated-delays-in-building-the-sports-hub/ Written by our... http://www.temasekreview.com/2009/11...he-sports-hub/

Written by our correspondent

A Singaporean by the name of Chew Chee Meng had written to the Straits Times Forum to express his disappointment at the repeated delays in building the sports hub.

The Singapore Sports Hub was initially scheduled to be completed next year, but has been postponed to 2013 due to “financing concerns”.

Mr Chew wrote that the delay is unfair to the two unsuccessful bidders as the reason appears to be the Singapore Sports Hub consortium’s failure to secure a bank loan to finance the project.

He asked if the Singapore Sports Hub consortium had made an “unrealistic” bid for the project in the first place.

Mr Chew urged the government to take over the building of the Sports Hub without relying on the private sector as it has the financial clout to do so.

“A mega public project that is repeatedly delayed creates an adverse impression on foreign investors and undermines the confidence in the bidding system.

The Government can certainly afford to build the hub without having to resort to the public-private partnership formula…..

If the Government could afford spending $15 million to host the recent Asian Youth Games, $150 million on the Singapore F1 Grand Prix and $108 million more to host the Youth Olympic Games next year, it does not make sense to repeatedly stymie the start towards building a vital landmark like the Sports Hub.”

Since it was announced in 2005 to build a Sports Hub to replace the aging National Stadium, work has not started on it yet.

In an undated article shelved inside the Singapore Sports Council’s (SSC) online archive, (read article here) it was stated that construction on new Kallang Sports Hub was initially scheduled to begin by February 2008.

Singaporeans were promised a brand-new 55,000-capacity National Stadium, together with an indoor Aquatic Center and a multi-purpose arena and a new Water Sports Centre, all by mid-2011.

In October last year, sources first revealed to the Straits Times that the new completion date was going to be pushed back to 2012.

Earlier in February this year, Minister of State Ms Yu-Foo replied that the project had ran into financial difficulties, but provided no further details and no further disclosure on the amounts of losses already incurred. (read report here)

Last month, Community Development, Youth and Sports Minister Vivian Balakrishnan had said the Sports Hub project is back on track and construction should start by the first quarter of 2010.

The Singapore Sports Hub Consortium claims that it had launched a financing competition to help raise funds for the project, estimated to cost S$1.87 billion.

Though the recession is technically over, economic growth is still sluggish and the Sports Hub will be the last thing on the minds of Singaporeans. ]]> Local Affairs Senator1 http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/forum_writer_expresses_222985.html Buddhist Federation lauded http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/buddhist_federation_lauded_222984.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:18:04 GMT *Buddhist Federation lauded* THE Singapore Buddhist Federation (SBF) was commended by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Friday taking a strong... Buddhist Federation lauded

THE Singapore Buddhist Federation (SBF) was commended by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Friday taking a strong community role.

Mr Lee noted that the SBF, as the apex umbrella body for the Buddhist community, has been running schools, student care centres, clinics and a rehabilitation centre, as well as raising funds for various causes.

'These efforts benefit all Singaporeans, regardless of faith,' said PM Lee at the SBF diamond jubilee and opening of its new building in Lorong 24A, Geylang on Friday.

� Mr Lee said Buddhists form one of the largest religious groups in Singapore, and 'contribute to the basic tone for Singapore and the general mood of tolerance and understanding' in the society, helping to maintain racial and religious harmony.

He also noted that Buddhist organisations are reaching out to younger Singaporeans, through music, social media network Facebook, community services and overseas visits, and linking up with Buddhist communities in other parts of the world.

'I am confident that the Singapore Buddhist community will remain considerate, moderate and accommodating. This will help keep Singapore a harmonious, cohesive and compassionate society,' he added.

Source: http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking...ry_456942.html ]]> Local Affairs *StarDust* http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/buddhist_federation_lauded_222984.html Singapore refuses to renew foreign journalist’s visa http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/singapore_refuses_renew_222982.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:14:34 GMT http://www.temasekreview.com/2009/11/20/singapore-refuses-to-renew-foreign-journalist%E2%80%99s-visa/ Committee to protect journalists, 19... http://www.temasekreview.com/2009/11...2%80%99s-visa/

Committee to protect journalists, 19 November 2009

The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the Singapore government’s refusal to renew British freelance journalist Benjamin Bland’s work visa and his application to cover the recently concluded Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit meeting. Bland was reporting on the summit for the U.K.’s Daily Telegraph newspaper.

Bland’s visa renewal application was rejected without explanation by the Manpower Ministry on October 1, according to Bland. When the reporter inquired why the government refused, the ministry’s senior assistant director, Yeo Kim Huat, told him on October 15 that, after internal discussions, officials decided that they could not disclose their reasons for the rejection.

After Bland’s work visa expired on October 20, he received a 30-day social visit pass that stipulated he not work, practice any occupation, or threaten the well-being and security of Singapore at the risk of arrest and immediate deportation. The British High Commission asked the Ministry of Information, Communication, and Arts about Bland’s declined request for accreditation at the APEC meeting, but did not receive a reply, the journalist said.

“The refusal to renew freelance journalist Benjamin Bland’s press credentials again shows the Singapore government’s intolerance of independent and critical reporting,” said Shawn W. Crispin, CPJ’s Southeast Asia representative. “Bland is the latest on a long list of foreign journalists who have been targeted by the government for their news coverage.”

Bland left Singapore to return to his native U.K. on November 14. While based in Singapore, he reported for a wide range of international and local publications, including The Economist, Daily Telegraph, Financial Times weekend magazine, Monocle, Far Eastern Economic Review, Asia Sentinel, as well as Singapore’s Straits Times and Business Times. He also maintained a blog, The Asia File, which featured occasional critical commentary on Singapore, including an entry on official secrecy over death penalty statistics and a reposting of one of his Economist articles on the island state’s controversial efforts to import sand from regional countries for land reclamation projects.

“The impression I got was that the government wanted to force me out of Singapore without attracting adverse publicity by dragging out the process and not giving me any explanation,” Bland wrote CPJ in an e-mail. “I feared that if I spoke out or wrote about my case before leaving Singapore I would be arrested.” – CPJ

Republished from Committee to protect journalists ]]> Local Affairs Senator1 http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/singapore_refuses_renew_222982.html 2 teens had problems, jumped http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/2_teens_problems_222969.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:39:27 GMT *2 teens had problems, jumped By Elena Chong, Courts Correspondent* DEATH was not a punishment that a teenage girl and her close friend need to... 2 teens had problems, jumped
By Elena Chong, Courts Correspondent

DEATH was not a punishment that a teenage girl and her close friend need to inflict on themselves, said a coroner on Friday when he recorded a verdict of suicide on their deaths.

State Coroner Victor Yeo said there was room for compassion in the law and forgiveness in the hearts of loved ones.

He was giving his findings in a 'very sad and unfortunate'' case of Mernel Koh Min Er, 15, and Eddy Effendy, 22, a private student, who fell to their deaths at Block 127 Bukit Batok West Avenue on Sept 30 last year (08).

Both the Secondary 2 student and the Indonesian are believed to have fallen from the stairs on the ninth and 10th floor of the block, where a wooden stool, two pairs of slippers and a plastic bag with some yellowish substance believed to be glue were recovered from the landing.

Mernel was to have appeared in Juvenile Court that day for her sentencing for a theft case.

Eddy also had problems of his own. The family of a 14-year-old girl, whom he allegedly had sex with, had asked to meet his parent about the matter. Eddy agreed to arrange for them to meet on Oct 1.

Sidebar

Each left eight suicide notes

Eight suicide notes were found in each of their bags.

Mernel mentioned in a letter to her mother she would rather die than be sent to a girls' home for her offence.

In a note addressed to reporters and police, she wrote that Eddy and herself 'were not couple''. They had their own boyfriend and girlfriend. 'We just have problems in ourselves. Different problems,'' she wrote.

Source: http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking...ry_456932.html ]]> Local Affairs *StarDust* http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/2_teens_problems_222969.html 70 year old breast cancer patient jumped to her death due to financial distress http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/70_year_old_222959.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:57:50 GMT http://www.temasekreview.com/2009/11/20/70-year-old-breast-cancer-patient-jumped-to-her-death-due-to-financial-reasons/ Written by our... http://www.temasekreview.com/2009/11...ncial-reasons/

Written by our Correspondent

A 70 year-old breast cancer patient has chosen to end her life by leaping to her death from a HDB flat.

Madam Chen Baozhu used to sell prawn noodles with her husband Mr Yan Qingji in Geylang. They live together with a son who suffers from cerebral palsy.

Due to their ill-health, they have to stop working and depend on public assistance from the government to support themselves. Mr Yan had a stroke three months ago and is still recuperating.

According to her nephew, Madam Chen was worried her medical bills may impose a financial burden on the family.

Mr Yan has been sent to a old folks’ home and his son to a nursing home. There is nobody else in the family to take care of them.

As recipients of public assistance, both Mr Yan and Madam Chen would have received a monthly allowance of $330 from the state and they do not have to pay for their medical bills at government clinics and hospitals.

Singapore’s aging population is a perennial headache for the government which is exacerbated by the declining birth rates.

The government has encouraged Singaporeans to work as long as they can. Retirement age is extended to 62 and eventually to 67.

Immigration is also encouraged as a means to increasing the flagging population. 36 per cent of Singapore’s population now consists of foreigners.

There are few social welfare benefits for Singapore citizens. CPF, which is originally intended as a pension fund is now deemed inadequate to meet the retirement needs of Singaporeans.

Singapore’s cash-rich government has so far refrained from expanding the social safety net out of fear that it will lead to a crutch mentality among the populace.

“Welfare” is a taboo in Singapore officialdom which has consistently exhorted Singaporeans to be self-reliant.

Singapore’s income gap has widened considerably in the last decade. It is the second highest among the thirty most developed economies after Hong Kong whose result was skewed by the extraordinarily large numbers of billionaires.

MM Lee Kuan Yew brushed aside the widening income gap as an issue of concern during a recent forum saying that it “does not matter” for long as the government continues to create jobs for Singaporeans.

News source: Lianhe Wanbao, 19 November 2009 ]]> Local Affairs Senator1 http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/70_year_old_222959.html Gone in 10 minutes: Car, cash, credit cards, passports http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/gone_10_minutes_222949.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:31:18 GMT *Gone in 10 minutes: Car, cash, credit cards, passports By Arul John* TEN minutes was all it took for a pleasant shopping trip to turn sour for... Gone in 10 minutes: Car, cash, credit cards, passports

By Arul John

TEN minutes was all it took for a pleasant shopping trip to turn sour for two friends.

That was the time it took for two men to steal their car in Johor Baru (JB) on Thursday.

Miss Claire Gwee, 29, who owns the 18-month-old black Mitsubishi Colt Plus, had gone to JB that morning with her friend, Miss Law Ley San, also 29. The women, who are unemployed, went to the Jusco departmental store at AEON Tebrau City Shopping Centre, a 45-minute drive from Johor's Bukit Chagar checkpoint.The place is getting popular with Singaporeans.

Miss Gwee, who lives in Sengkang, goes to JB once a week to have dinner or to shop.

That day she parked her car in the red area of the basement carpark.

Pay for parking

She said: "At about 3.10pm, after our shopping, Ley San and I returned to the carpark and put our shopping bags in the car boot. Then, I took my parking coupon out from the car and we went upstairs to pay the parking charges."

When Miss Gwee returned to the carpark 10 minutes later, she was shocked to see her car was gone, and another car was in the same lot.

Initially, she thought she was at the wrong parking lot but it dawned on her about five minutes later that her car was stolen.

Both women had left their passports and groceries worth aboutRM60($25) in the car. Miss Gwee also left her identity card, credit cards, ATM card, $150 cash and a Cashcard with stored value of $100.

Miss Law left her handphone, MP3 player, and some other items in a bag in the car, but carried her wallet and identity card with her.

Whenthe women went to the information counter to ask for help, the woman on duty did not pay much attention to them, they alleged.

Miss Gwee, who had quit her job the day before the trip, said: "When I pleaded for her to help us, she took us to one side and said she would ask the security staff to drive around the carpark to look for my car."

She said a security officer later arrived and spoke to the counter staff in Malay.

She said: "When I asked the officer if there was any closed circuit TV (CCTV) camera on the premises, he said there was one at the gantry but only police officers could view it. When we pleaded to see the footage, he said he would ask his supervisor about our request."

After waiting another 20 minutes, she called the police and requested them to meet her at the shopping centre.

A police car soon arrived and took them to Setia Indah police station, a 20-minute drive from the shopping centre.

There, two police officers, Sergeant Krishna and Sergeant Shankar, helped Miss Gwee lodge a report and prepared the necessary documents to help them return to Singapore.

Miss Gwee said: "After lodging the report, my friend and I wanted to take a taxi home. But one of the off-duty police officers offered to drive us to City Square shopping centre.

"I called a friend in Singapore and asked him to pick me and my friend up from there. I want to take this opportunity to thank Sergeant Shankar and Sergeant Krishna for their help."

On Friday, Miss Gwee called Sergeant Krishna who told her they were investigating the case.

She said: "He said the CCTV footage showed two men approaching my car before it went missing. He said it was likely that one of them drove my car while the other man drove the car parked in front of mine.

"He said both men probably drove the cars closely behind each other. Sergeant Krishna said the man driving the car in front of mine probably used his coupon to clear the gantry,and the other man drove out while the gantry was still up."

Sergeant Shankar told The New Paper that all police stations in Malaysia were told to look out for any car matching the description of Miss Gwee's car.

Source: http://news.asiaone.com/News/The%2BN...18-180793.html ]]> Local Affairs *StarDust* http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/gone_10_minutes_222949.html Man sentenced to jail, fine for stealing motorcycles and riding them without license http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/man_sentenced_jail_222895.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:21:42 GMT http://938live.sg/News/Singapore/EDC091120-0000165/Man_sentenced_to_jail,_fine_for_stealing_motorcycles_and_riding_them_without_license A 23-year... http://938live.sg/News/Singapore/EDC...ithout_license

A 23-year old man has been sentenced to three years’ jail and fined 4,000 dollars for stealing five motorcycles which he rode without a license.

Shukur Hashim stole the first motorcycle on 28th September this year.

The owner had left it at a multi-storey car park at 406A Admiralty Drive at around 830 am that day.

Shukur was there about 4 hours later and managed to start it after inserting a pair of scissors into the ignition.

Shukur stole four more motorcycles between 29th September and 25th October this year.

Only this time, he had accomplices to act as lookouts.

The motorcycles were taken from car parks in Yishun, Margaret Drive and Woodlands.

On 27th October, police officers arrested one of the accomplices who was in possession of one of the stolen motorcycles.

With the information gathered from him, officers managed to nabbed Shukur and another accomplice.

For theft of motor vehicles, those convicted can be jailed for up to seven years. ]]> Local Affairs christmas_ http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/man_sentenced_jail_222895.html Track power use, save money http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/track_power_use_222894.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:19:14 GMT http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20091120-181153.html YOU could cut your electricity bill just by keeping tabs... http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne...20-181153.html

YOU could cut your electricity bill just by keeping tabs on how much electricity you are using, and how much it costs at different times.

In trials, about 400 households here that were given such information by a 'smart grid', shaved 2 per cent off their total electricity consumption over six months.


They also shifted their usage of electricity from peak to non-peak periods by 10 per cent, resulting in more savings.

A smart grid is an electricity grid that tracks each household's power usage and presents the cost through a 'smart' meter.

It also comes with a 'demandresponse' system that enables users to monitor and manage electrical consumption, according to changes in price.

It is designed to help consumers better understand their electricityusage patterns and manage their overall energy needs, said Energy Market Authority (EMA) chief executive Lawrence Wong.

Two trials were carried out in public and private residential estates in Marine Parade and West Coast earlier this year.

Their success prompted the EMA to test the smart grid on a larger scale - in thousands of households, offices and factories - in the Intelligent Energy System trial, which was launched yesterday.

The trial's focal point will be located at Nanyang Technological University, which has the research and technological capabilities to facilitate the testing of various applications for this project, said Mr Wong.

The EMA will call for a tender from companies interested in offering smart-grid solutions for this project, and will award it by the middle of next year.

The multi-million-dollar project will 'take the capabilities of our power grid to the next level and ensure that our electricity infrastructure is ready for the future'', Mr Wong said.

Marine Parade resident Eng Boon Heng, 34, a bank executive who saved about $30 from taking part in the trial, said: 'The smart-grid system is very useful. It makes me aware of how much electricity I'm using and, because of that, I make an effort to save.'' ]]> Local Affairs christmas_ http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/track_power_use_222894.html Bold changes to beat crunch http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/bold_changes_beat_222893.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:18:05 GMT http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_456885.html SINGAPORE could face a transport crunch between now and 2020 if bold... http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking...ry_456885.html

SINGAPORE could face a transport crunch between now and 2020 if bold changes are not made to bus and taxi services.

Transport GPC chief Lim Wee Kiak said the country cannot afford to wait until all $40 billion worth of new rail projects - which will double the network to 280km by 2020 - are up and running.

'Rail projects have a long gestation. We have an acute problem now that needs fast solutions in the short and medium term,' Dr Lim told The Straits Times in an interview. 'During peak hours, it is very, very crowded on both buses and trains.'

And as certificate of entitlement (COE) supply shrinks and a greying population grows, more people will be pushed towards public transport, he said. 'If nothing is done now, the overcrowded situation will get worse.'

The GPC chief, who takes public transport occasionally, dismisses assertions that MRT trains here can accommodate more commuters during peak hours and that the crowded situation is nowhere as bad as in some other cities.

'I don't think Singaporeans want our trains to be sardine-packed like in Tokyo. It will be sad if train operators here need to employ people to push commuters into the train,' he said.

Read the full interview in Friday's edition of The Straits Times. ]]> Local Affairs christmas_ http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/bold_changes_beat_222893.html <![CDATA[Singapore's food import sources see an 8-fold rise in past 20 years]]> http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/singapores_food_import_222892.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:17:05 GMT http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stori...019332/1/.html

SINGAPORE: Singapore's food import sources have seen an eight-fold increase over the past 20 years.

In order to expand trade, the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) will introduce two new funds to increase food imports and boost local farm development.

The AVA said it places emphasis on ensuring meat products are safe for human consumption. Currently, meat imports go through a ten-minute lab test before they can go on the shelf.

Singapore has been importing live pigs from Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia since 1988.

As of 2008, Singapore has 31 sources of food imports - including frozen chicken, duck, pork, beef, mutton and egg products.

- CNA/sc ]]> Local Affairs christmas_ http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/singapores_food_import_222892.html Satisfaction not guaranteed ... yet http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/satisfaction_not_guaranteed_222869.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:29:17 GMT *Satisfaction not guaranteed ... yet by Teo Xuanwei 05:55 AM Nov 20, 2009* FOR years, poor service standards in Singapore have been a bugbear... Satisfaction not guaranteed ... yet

by Teo Xuanwei
05:55 AM Nov 20, 2009

FOR years, poor service standards in Singapore have been a bugbear for consumers here. And of late, grouses have largely centred around the growing numbers of foreign service staff here who have trouble communicating in English.


Will employers be willing to take the step to equip service staff with adequate communication skills? Today file photo

The hunt for solutions to the language gap among foreign service staff and local consumers has led to some urging the Government to consider implementing an English language proficiency test - much like what foreign domestic helpers have to go through - as a prerequisite for companies looking to hire foreigners.

It is a move businesses are resisting. The justification from employers: Such requirements are too "painful" for businesses to bear and would also dramatically shrink the manpower pool further in an industry where they are having to look beyond our shores because few locals are willing to take the jobs up.

Already, sourcing for manpower is proving a bigger challenge in the aftermath of foreign worker quotas in the service industry being lowered as of June this year, they add.

But as the Government, over the years, continues to stress to Singaporeans the importance of maintaining a high level of English proficiency, why should service firms be allowed to bring in workers who are not equipped with a basic grasp of the language?

The situation is even more befuddling considering these foreign workers' poor language skills could tarnish the reputation of the tourism industry - a significant sector of Singapore's economy.

That something has to be done about the standoff between local consumers and foreign staff over the language issue is evident.

The question, though, is what could answer consumers' increasingly louder calls for the service industry to up their game without forcing companies to adopt the "painful" suggestions that have been raised.

The solution - at least in the food and beverage sector - could lie in getting companies to scrap service charges in favour of a tipping system.

At the end of your meal in a restaurant, your bill, in most cases, includes a 10 per cent service charge - regardless of whether the services rendered are worthy of reward.

Having to pay for services that are found wanting is one reason why brickbats continue to fly at foreign service staff.

With tips, the equation becomes much simpler.

For employees, it is a straightforward motivation to up their game.

Having communication problems with customers would inevitably mean they will not get tipped.

As a result, more of them could take the initiative to upgrade their language skills to deliver better service.

Although it is no panacea for the conundrum - considering the lack of a tipping culture among locals - it could at least take the heat away from service industry players who have argued that service standards have not dipped, but rather, consumer expectations have risen.

In addition, tipping could even solve - in the long run - the perennial problem service companies face in attracting locals to the workforce.

Since some have argued previously that service is a two-way street and nightmare customers have played a part in unsatisfactory service delivery from staff, it is then time for consumers to put their money where their mouths are.

You have a duty to tip when services rendered are commendable, but you also have the option to walk away if services levels are wanting.

For businesses, now is the time to make a choice.

With reports highlighting that only a small proportion of service charges go to employees' pockets, many companies are unwilling to forego the revenue from service charge receipts.

But pit this against accepting "painful" measures - such as the language proficiency prerequisite tests, or forking out money to send existing staff for unsubsidised language classes - employers, what's your call?

Source: http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore...anteed-,,,-yet ]]> Local Affairs *StarDust* http://forums.sgclub.com/singapore/satisfaction_not_guaranteed_222869.html