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Who is Chan Chun Sing’s Mother?

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Opposition and their supporters not only spreading falsehood online, but they are also doing it on the ground. Last Sunday, I overheard from an uncle sitting next table that PAP is now pushing Chan Chun Sing up because he is the son of LKY’s sister Monica Lee.

I happen to know Chan Chun Sing personally. We attended the same church some 20+ years ago. The church organised a Bible study class for both of us as we were the newcomers.

The Chan Chun Sing that I knew was an army captain. He took public transport like most people. He is known to be a presidential scholar. But no one ever said he is LKY’s nephew. If he is really what the oppies said, everyone would have been talking about it in the church.

Nonetheless, I could be wrong. Chan Chun Sing could have been hiding his real identity so well that no one in the church knows about it. After all it is not a big church.

So I decided to to do some search online. Lo and behold, see what I found. This article is the earliest mentioning of Chan Chun Sing in our local press. It was 1988, and he was 19 then. Straits Time interviewed him for scoring four distinction at the A level exam.

Straits Times news cutting dated 20th Nov 1988 mentioning Chan Chun Sing's mother Madam Kwong Kait Fong

Straits Times news cutting dated 20th Nov 1988 mentioning Chan Chun Sing’s mother Madam Kwong Kait Fong

Right in the middle there is a paragraph that says

Family; Madam Kwong Kait Fong, 50, his (Chan Chun Sing) mother, is a machine operator in a plastics company. Sister Siew Yin, 24, us a third-year student at NTI.

To be sure, I did a google search for Madam Kwong Kait Fong and found this Facebook post. It was posted by MacPherson Primary Alumni dated 15th Nov 2014 sharing a post by Chan Chun Sing congratulating two students of their achievement in spite of their financial situation. The caption of the post is as follows.

MacPherson Primary School Prize Giving Day! Recipients of Kwong Kait Fong Awards contributed by Minister Chan Chun Sing in honour of his mother. Feeling so honoured that Minister Chan had chosen to comment on the Prize Giving Day. Thank you Minister Chan. For your information, Minister Chan Chun Sing was an old boy (1976 to 1981) of MacPherson Primary School.

A post by MacPherson Primary School Alumni mentioning Chan Chun Sing contributed an award in honour of his mother Madam Straits Times news cutting dated 20th Nov 1988 mentioning Chan Chun Sing's mother Madam Kwong Kait Fong

A post by MacPherson Primary School Alumni mentioning Chan Chun Sing contributed an award in honour of his mother Madam Straits Times news cutting dated 20th Nov 1988 mentioning Chan Chun Sing’s mother Madam Kwong Kait Fong

So, case solved. Chan Chun Sing’s mother is Kwong Kait Fong. And not Monica Lee, a fictitious story cooked up by the opposition based on a photo of Chan Chun Sing standing close to our founding father Lee Kuan Yew in the wake of Mrs. Lee.

Here are the links for your verification

http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19880820.2.23.28.3.aspx

MacPherson Primary Alumni Facebook Post

Source of this article

 

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Blackbox Research Survey on Hep C Crisis – One look limpeh know is bullshit

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First Trick Blackbox Research Uses

Me: Ah boy, you want to eat Mcdonalds or not?

Ah Boy: YES! YES! YES! Daddy.

Me: OK!, After eat already you must do extra math question ok?

Ah Boy: Like that ah..Then don’t want lor.

Sure answer yes question.

Blackbox Research 2nd trick question – Sure answer yes question.

I use my son simple mind to show you why this survey by Blackbox Research is a bullshit survey. This is a sibei simple logic. When you ask people do they want something better, no need pay money and no condition added, what do you expect them to say? They sure say YES! YES! YES! right?

So I am surprised why it is not 99% when Blackbox Research asked “Public should have
been told about it earlier?”. Who will say no to such question?

2nd Trick Blackbox Research Uses

Me: Ah boy, you want to normal or upsize?

Ah Boy: Upsize lah…Need to ask meh?

2nd trick blackbox research uses

Blackbox Research 2nd trick question – Most will choose upsize!

Can you see the trick that they are using
“Independent Review Committee is sufficient” is like saying “This is normal size, do you think is enough”. They use the word “Is sufficient?” to hint to you that this might not be enough.

Compare to
“No, we need a Committee of Inquiry” is like saying “Or Do you think upsize is better?”

So you don’t even need to know what is Independent Review Committee and what is Committee of Inquiry. Blackbox research already tell you one is normal and the other is upsize. So again given such choices, no need brain you also know what most people will choose. Simple logic right?

Most important question on Blackbox Research

But the most funny thing is, why a “Research” company come out with this type of bullshit survey which can’t even fool Ah Beng like me? And who pay them to do such survey?

The full survey can be found here. But read at your own risk. Don’t say I never warn you.

http://www.blackbox.com.sg/wp_new/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/YKA-December-2015.pdf

Chow Ah Beng

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Did Han Hui Hui or Dr Leong Sze Hian Started the Lie

Tan Chuan Jin Speaks Out On Viral Video

新加坡年轻人平均月薪亚洲最高!

Are Singaporean PMETs losing out?

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Published Date: 28 April, 2015

 

Myth #1: Singaporean PMETs are losing out to foreign PMETs in the job market

 
It’s a common concern that Singaporean Professionals, Managers, Executives and Technicians (PMET) are facing stiff competition from foreigners in the job market and losing out on a wide scale. If this is true, the unemployment rate of Singaporean PMETs would have increased over the years. However, statistics from Ministry of Manpower (MOM) shows that the unemployment rate of Singaporean PMETs have remained low at 2.9% in 2014.
 
Myth #2: Foreign PMETs are driving wages down
 
Another concern is that the presence of stiff competition from foreign PMETs would drive wages of Singaporean PMETs down across the board. However, MOM’s data shows that real median income growth, that is income growth adjusted for inflation, grew by about 2% per year between 2009 and 2014. 
 
Myth #3: The Government is not helping Singaporean PMETs
 

There are concerns that the Government is not doing enough to help Singaporean PMETs stay ahead in an increasingly competitive job market and changing business environment. This isn’t true.


 
First, the Government has gradually tightened the foreign PMET growth rate. The growth rate of foreign PMETs, usually on Employment or S Pass, have slowed down from 20% in 2011 to 4% in 2014 year-on-year.
 
Next, the Government has measures to ensure that companies based in Singapore adhere to fair employment practices. MOM takes a tough stance against discriminatory hiring practices and will thoroughly investigate each case. However, time is needed for due process to take its course.
 
Lastly, the Government is investing in Singaporean PMETs so that they can stay competitive and relevant in an ever-evolving business environment. The Government has increased the training and education subsidies for Ministry of Education (MOE) and Workforce Development Agency (WDA) funded courses to a minimum of 90%. This subsidy is available to all Singaporeans aged 40 and above. In addition, MOM has increased the basic monthly salary support for employers who hire Singaporean PMETs on the Professional Conversion Programme (PCP) to 90%. The PCP is targeted at PMETs aged above 40 who have been unemployed for 6 months or more. 
 
Sources: The Manpower Blog – Are Foreign PMETs displacing Singaporean PMETs?

 
 

 

 

 секция боксаэкскурсионные туры в мае 2015

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The True Cost of Living in Singapore

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By Tim Wong – June 24, 2015 at 12:12pm

So very often, repeatedly I hear people complaining about how expensive property is, or how expensive our cars are. It is true that our the ultimate quantum of our property is very expensive here, but so very often, people forgot to factor other things like interest rates, appreciation, education, child care, etc, which more accurately reflects the true cost of living.

For example, we may argue that in places like Thailand and Australia, property prices are really cheap. You can buy a sub-prime 1 bedroom condo in Sukhumvit for $100k, or a nice landed 5 bedroom in Perth for $400k. In comparison, a 5 room HDB flat in any district in Singapore will knock us off about $400k at least.

However, we tend to overlook that interest rates in other countries like Thailand easily hit 5% per annum, as compared to our sub 2% interest. That measly additional 2-3% interest will translate to an additional $300k over a 30 year period. If you couple with the fact that property prices are relatively not as stable as compared to Singapore, you are looking at negative gain over a 10-20 year period.

That means that in Singapore, we suffer a less chance of negative gain over 10-20 year period even if we take out a loan because of our low interest rate environment. Plus, we have no capital gains tax. That is amazing.

Having said that, it also means that if you buy a property overseas outright without loans, it will also make the most economic sense. Because the interest is pretty high. Over 30 years, 5% will cost you 3 houses. You will spend $900k on a $300k house for the entire 30 years. I find it hard to imagine a property appreciating 3 times its cost.

Food is extremely cheap in Singapore, perhaps just slightly more than Thailand. Dollar to dollar, we are perhaps even cheaper than Malaysia, especially when you consider the GDP difference of both countries. In Singapore, a nice plate of chicken rice will only set you back $3. Try looking for something like the western parts of the world.
Our cars are extremely expensive, no doubt. That’s possibly the only thing that costs so much. However, interestingly, our toll rates and parking is actually pretty cheap, as compared to other countries. Our fuel and COE are ridiculous though. It’s the single biggest ticket item for any Singaporean.

This also means that if you cast cars aside, the cost of living in Singapore is actually not very high, especially when you look at the fact that we almost never lose money off our HDB properties, have low interest rate environments, low taxes, have cheap and good food everywhere. I think that it is our monetary pursuit that makes us think that we have very little…. when we actually have a lot.

Quite often, a lot of my friends think that I make a lot of money. But the reality is that I don’t spend a lot; I am very careful with my money. I don’t buy big ticket items, I know of many places with free parking and I will walk for cheap parking. When I’m eating alone, I’ll go for $3.50 macaroni or $5 beef noodles, not because they are cheap, but because the cheap food is in fact more delicious than restaurant fare so very often.

There are tons of good and cheap things all over Singapore. It’s just that society has made us compare and compete with one another in the quest for material goods. We work endlessly day after day, forgetting the importance of setting time for our family, friends and loved ones, and indulge in things that sap our money away like hostess pubs and expensive holidays.

Over the years, I realized that we don’t need a lot to be happy. Money seldom buys us lasting happiness. To be happy is to experience the goodness of life, and find meaning in what we do. We cannot find meaning in things, nor in complaining about things.

Singapore is a great country with some silly things. Then again, which country doesn’t? We are bred as an impatient lot, but our forefathers have gave their lives to build a wonderful land for us and our children. You can buy a new HDB with $0 cash, get almost free education for primary/secondary kids, get tax-incentives and rebates for starting businesses, almost no corruption in our country, and you can walk around 3-5 am in the morning with hardly any danger to you.

The true cost, isn’t that high after all.

Source – https://www.facebook.com/notes/tim-wong/the-true-cost-of-living-in-singapore/10152834404607063?fref=nf

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Is The Rental Too High For Hawker Stall

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Parliament Q&A

Speech by Ms Grace Fu, Second Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Committee of Supply Debate, 11 March 2015 (Section B)

Date Published: 11 Mar 2015

C      Hawker Centres

1.      李美花议员, 杨木光议员, 颜添宝议员和林谋泉议员提出了有关小贩中心的询问。(Translation)Er Dr Lee Bee Wah, Mr Yeo Guat Kwang, Mr Gan Thiam Poh and Mr Lim Biow Chuan have asked for updates on our hawker centres.

2.      小贩中心是国人日常生活中不可或缺的基础设施。它不只是小贩们谋生的地方,更是大家享用卫生,价廉物美的本地美食的好去处。环境及水源部通过多管齐下的方式,确保小贩中心的食品维持大众化的价格。(Translation)Our hawker centres are an essential social infrastructure – they provide a cleanand hygienic environment for our hawkers to ply their trade and enable Singaporeans access to good food at affordable prices. Several of MEWR’s recent policy changes achieve this objective of ensuring that hawker centre food prices remain affordable.

3.      当小贩在制定食物价格时,他必须考虑多方面的因素。这里我们显示着通过一个调查,环境部每年都会访问一千多名小贩的运作方式。从这些访问调查中,我们得知小贩的营运成本超过一半是源至食物原材料。相比之下,小贩摊位租金所占的成本比率只占百分之12左右。那个是第三个部分,第一个是原材料(raw materials), 第二个部分是人力的这个成本(manpower), 第三个部分就是租金(stall rental)。(Translation)In determining the price for his or her food, a hawker has to consider many factors. We conduct an annual survey on more than 1,000 hawkers’ operations, and have found that raw materials typically comprise more than 50% of hawkers’ costs. Rentals form a much smaller proportion of costs for hawkers at about 12% of total costs. That is actually the third component (of hawkers’ costs). The first is raw materials, the second is manpower and the third is stall rental.

Cost Component of Hawker Stalls

Cost Component of Hawker Stalls

4.      我们以大巴窑的六个小贩中心为例,摊位的平均租金每个月是650元。其中过半的摊主只付320元或更低的租金,他们当中大多是获得政府津贴的摊主。如果不包括这些受津贴的摊位在内,那么,这6个小贩中心的平均租金就是大约1100元左右。这比起周围的咖啡店或是食阁摊位的租金来得低。(Translation)For instance, average rentals of the six hawker centres in Toa Payoh were around $650, with more than half of the stalls, primarily those on subsidised rents, paying $320 or less. If we exclude them, average rentals are around $1,100, which still compares favourably to the coffee shops or food courts nearby.

5.      实际上,全国所有小贩中心有超过百分之85的摊位,每个月租金不到1500元。那些月租超过1500元的摊位,其实在那个图面上看是非常小的一部分。他们这些摊位其实一般上都是坐落在市中心地区,比如纽顿或麦士威小贩中心。由此可见,摊位租金并非决定小贩中心食物价格的主要因素。尽管如此,政府在过去几年还是调整了多项措施,来调控小贩摊位的租金,以减低租金的压力。(Translation)In fact, over 85% of hawkers in our hawker centres pay less than $1,500 per month in rent. As you can see from the pie chart, rentals make up a very small proportion of cost. Rentals higher than this are typically found in hawker centres that are in the city, such as at Newton or Maxwell. Therefore, there is little substantive evidence to say that rentals are the main driver of hawker food prices. Nevertheless, the Government has made several policy changes over the last few years to moderate rentals, to ensure that it does not put upward pressure on food prices over time.

Distribution of Hawker Stall Rentals

Distribution of Hawker Stall Rentals

6.      首先, 从2012年4月起,新摊主已不允许转租或顶让摊位。至于那些没有获得津贴的摊主,有三年的宽限期来做调整。如今宽限期就要满了。从今年4月1日起,所有非津贴的摊主,都必须亲自经营摊位。而获得政府津贴的摊主,则一向来都是不准转租的。(Translation)Firstly,sub-letting or assignment of stalls is disallowed for stall-holders. This policy took effect for new stall-holders from April 2012 while the existing non-subsidised stall-holders were given a grace period of three years from April 2012 to comply. This means that from 1 April 2015, all non-subsidised stall-holders will have to personally operate their stalls. Subsidised stall-holders are already not permitted to sublet their stalls.

7.      从2012年4月到目前为止,新小贩摊主总共超过1,900人。环境局执行新条例后,已向其中64个没有亲自经营摊位的摊主采取行动。根据条例,摊主如果没有自己经营摊位,可算违例, 会被终止租约。我们必须严格执行这项条例,以确保摊位是留给真正亲自经营熟食摊的小贩,让他们能避免支付不必要的转租费,以较低的租金经营摊位。(Translation)Since April 2012, more than 1,900 new cooked food stall-holders have taken up stalls in our hawker centres. NEA has taken action against 64 stallholders for not operating their stalls personally. Stall-holders who do not regularise these requirements promptly will have their tenancy terminated. By enforcing against those who sub-let their stalls, we are freeing the stalls up for those who are genuine hawkers, and ensure they pay lower rentals by cutting out the sub-letting profit.

8.      第二,从2012年3月起,我们不再为招标摊位设定租金底价,而是由市场需求来决定摊位租金。这项措施让投标的小贩得以受惠,一些熟食摊位的成功投标价只有区区1块钱。(Translation)Secondly, we removed the concept of Reserve Rent in our tendering exercises since March 2012 to allow stall rentals to fully reflect market conditions. This has benefitted hawkers, with some cooked food stalls awarded at bids as low as $1.

9.      总的来说,这些措施已经取得了成效。去年,新摊位的平均成功标价比过去来得低。至于那些非津贴的摊主,经过专业的评估后,他们去年所需付的平均市场租金,增幅也大为放缓。(Translation)The results of these measures have been bearing fruit – average tendered rents for new stalls have declined over the whole of 2014. The rate of increase in rentals in 2014 for stalls that pay assessed market rents has also moderated.

10.      为了把价廉卫生的小贩美食带给更多居民,我们于2011年宣布了未来十年内,兴建10个小贩中心的计划。这里显示了两个地方, 这是位于武吉班让和后港的新小贩中心,将会在今年内开张营业。职总富食客将会以非盈利管理模式,经营武吉班让小贩中心。(Translation)To further increase the number of stalls, and to have hawker food available in many areas, we announced in 2011 that we will build 10 new hawker centres over 10 years. From the pictures, you can see that the first two new hawker centres in Bukit Panjang and Hougang will be opened this year. NTUC Foodfare will be managing the Bukit Panjang hawker centre using a non-prof   it operating model.

First two new hawker centres in Bukit Panjang and Hougang

First two new hawker centres in Bukit Panjang and Hougang

11.      我们希望通过管理代理的经营模式,引进新业者和经营方式,吸取它们经营饮食业和产业管理方面的经验;从而为居民带来更多的食物选择,更好的用餐体验,也继续保持价格经济实惠。刚才杨木光议员他问了,对于这样的模式是否是有了一些结论。那因为他们这个营业时间很短, 就是刚开始的一个做法, 所以我们将会留心的关查, 而过一阵子才能下结论。(Translation)We hope that by inviting managing agents to operate our new hawker centres, they will bring new ideas as well as their experience in food and beverage operations, property and lease management, to diversify food options, enhance the dining experience at the hawker centres, while still keeping food prices affordable. Mr Yeo Guat Kwang also enquired about our assessment of using managing agents to manage hawker centres. Given that managing agents have had limited time operating hawker centres and this is a relatively new approach, we are closely assessing the results before making any conclusions on their approach.

12.      除了管理经营武吉班让小贩中心之外,职总富食客也经营勿洛镇中心 (Bedok Town) 一个原本属于“贩者有其摊”计划下的小贩中心。位于阿裕尼2道第117座组屋、锦茂路第20座组屋和西海岸通道第503座组屋的另外三个“贩者有其摊”计划下的小贩中心,契约已在去年5月到期,目前由环境局管理。(Translation)NTUC Foodfare also manages a former “sold centre” in Bedok Town Centre, while three other former sold centres at Block 117 Aljunied Ave 2, Block 20 Ghim Moh Road and Block 503 West Coast Drive whose leases expired in May last year are now managed by NEA.

13.      林谋泉议员询问,“贩者有其摊计划”契约到期的小贩,当局会为他们做出哪些安排。我想请林议员放心,也请受影响的摊主们放心。有意继续经营的摊主,将可继续营业。原本获得津贴的小贩,将能继续支付现行的津贴租金。非津贴的摊主则可以选择以当前的市场租金继续营业。无论是哪一种管理模式,小贩中心的宗旨始终如一,那就是为大众提供价廉物美、干净卫生的美食。(Translation)I would like to assure Mr Lim Biow Chuan that all stall owners at “sold centres” whose leases have expired and are interested to continue their businesses will have the option to do so. Stall-holders who were previously on the subsidised scheme will pay current subsidised rental rates. Stall-holders who were not previously subsidised will pay the prevailing market rental. Regardless of the management model adopted, the fundamental objectives of hawker centres in providing affordable, hygienic food will be maintained.

14.      其余8个新的小贩中心,将在未来几年逐步落成。在这个过程中,我们会咨询当地区居民的意见。回应李美花议员和费绍尔议员的询问,位于义顺的小贩中心将在今年开始动工,并预计会在2017年竣工。其中这个准备的工作,是花了多点时间,那是因为有当地的要求, 特别是在这个停车场上方面做了多次的讨论,多次的考虑, 所以在准备功夫方面,我们是尽量吸取当地的议员和居民们给我们提供的意见。(Translation)The remaining eight new centres will be progressively completed over the next few years. We will work in consultation with the local community to meet their needs. Er Lee Bee Wah and Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim may wish to note that construction works for the centre at Yishun will commence later this year and will be completed by 2017. Preparation work requires more time, so as to meet local needs, particularly in discussions on the issue of the carpark. We are trying our best to take into consideration the suggestions given by the local MPs and residents.

15.      徇众要求,我们将扩大兴建小贩中心的计划,让更多居民受益。我在这里宣布,政府将在2027年底之前,再增建10个小贩中心。 这些新的小贩中心将分布在新组屋区,或是饮食设施不足的组屋区。其中5个地点已经敲定,那就是:比达达利、盛港、蔡厝港、武吉班让以及武吉巴督。其余5个小贩中心的地点,将稍后公布。加上之前已经公布的10个小贩新中心,我们总共将增添超过800个熟食摊位,相信这有助于进一步调控租金价格, 也把我们非常熟悉,喜欢的小贩美食带给更多的居民。(Translation)As we are making good progress on the 10 new centres, we will do more. I am pleased to announce that the Government will be building an additional 10 new hawker centres by 2027. They will be located in new estates or in existing ones that are relatively under-served. We have identified the towns for five of these new centres – Bidadari, Sengkang, Choa Chu Kang, Bukit Panjang and Bukit Batok. The locations of the remaining hawker centres will be made known later in the year. Altogether, the 20 new centres will inject an additional supply of more than 800 cooked food stalls and we believe this will help to further moderate rentals and also bring more tasty and popular hawker food to the residents.

16.      林谋泉议员和杨木光议员提出了改进小贩中心清洁水平的问题。目前,全国绝大多数的小贩中心归建屋局所有,这些小贩中心的一般清洁工作,由市镇理事会负责。至于清理桌面的工作,则是由小贩中心的摊主负责,而这类工作一般上会通过小贩商会,外包给清洁承包商。(Translation)Mr Lim Biow Chuan and Mr Yeo Guat Kwang also enquired about the cleanliness of hawker centres. The majority are owned by the HDB and thus the Town Councils undertake the general cleaning. The hawkers undertake the table-cleaning function, usually through out-sourcing by the Hawker Association on behalf of the individual stall-holders.

17.      多数的市镇理事会和小贩商会,都能够做好清洁工作。可是有些地方仍有改善的空间,例如可以通过整合一般的清洁工作和桌面清理工作的外包合约,来取得更好的规模经济效益。各市镇理事会可以考虑也接管小贩中心内,清理桌面的外包工作,进一步提升市镇内公共场所的清洁水平。(Translation)Most Town Councils and Hawker Associations have been managing their responsibilities well. For the rest, there is potential for better outcomes and economies of scale by integrating the general cleaning and table-cleaning contracts. The Town Councils should consider taking over the table-cleaning contracts at these centres as part of their effort to enhance the cleanliness of all common areas in the Town.

18.      林谋泉议员也提到碗碟归还计划。自2012年起,这项计划已在67个小贩中心推行,并会在今年底之前,推广到其余附有熟食摊的37个小贩中心。我们希望大家能继续支持这个计划,无论是在小贩中心,或是在其他饮食场所,都能培养起自动自发归还碗碟的好习惯。让我们共同努力,创造更干净、更舒适的用餐环境。(Translation)Mr Lim Biow Chuan also asked about the tray return initiative. Since 2012, tray return has been implemented in 67 hawker centres, and will be extended to the remaining 37 hawker centres with cooked food stalls by the end of the year. We hope that everyone will continue to lend their support by returning their utensils after meals, not just at hawker centres but also at other food establishments.

19.      刚才杨木光议员以一个非常有趣的打油诗献给了我们小贩部。 他的打油诗里面说了很多的项目,包括了食物的品质和价格等等。我觉得非常有趣。 那我也想以一个打油诗,回献给杨木光议员。 那我的诗是这样的说法: “小贩摊主用心炒,食物价格应该好,卫生条件不能少,十后加十全民好”。那小贩摊主用心炒是因为现在摊主都要亲自经营,不在是为了一个地主。不需要在烦着转租金,所以应该是更加能够为自己的生活取得一个更美好的一个回报,所以当然是用心来处理他的食物。但食物价格也应该是好的,因为我们通过种种的措施,已经把很多租金都陆陆续续地在调下。当然我们也要对小贩中心的摊主们给一个合理的价格,因为他们用心良苦,工作条件是非常有挑战性的,我们也应该对他们有一个公平的价格。卫生条件当然是不能够少的,非常重要。十个小贩中心之后,再加上十个,将会汇集更広泛的国民,所以“小贩摊主用心炒,食物价格应该好,卫生条件不能少,十后加十全民好”。(Translation)Just now, Mr Yeo Guat Kwang dedicated a very amusing poem about hawker centres, which covered areas such as the quality and prices of hawker food. I found it very interesting and would like to respond to Mr Yeo with my own poem. It is as follows: “hawkers cook with their hearts; food price should be good (for both customers and hawkers); public hygiene is a must; 10 more hawker centres after 10 will benefit all citizens”. Hawker stall-holders can cook with dedication because they are operating their stalls personally and do not need to worry about transferring rent. This will enable hawkers to get better returns for their efforts and improve their dedication towards the preparation of their food. Hawker food should also be priced reasonably because various measures have been implemented to progressively moderate rental costs. We also need to ensure that hawkers are reasonably compensated given their hard work and challenging working conditions. Hygiene obviously cannot be neglected as it is very important. The addition of 10 hawker centres to the 10 already planned will bond more Singaporeans together.

D      Waste Management

20.      Now, I will like to move on to update on our waste management strategies and measures. Singapore has limited land, yet we are producing waste at a significant rate. Last year, we generated about 7.5 million tonnes of waste, which is 50% more than ten years ago. If this trend continues, Semakau Landfill will run out of space in 20 years’ time. Many of us would still be around to see that day if this happens.

21.      Last year, we announced plans, as part of the Sustainable Singapore Blueprintto work towards becoming a ‘Zero Waste Nation’. By reducing consumption, and reusing and recycling as much waste as possible, we can conserve resources and free up space that would otherwise have been used for landfills. The Government will work with the community and businesses to make this our way of life.

22.      We must also continue to ensure that waste collection, disposal and treatment methods are safe and sanitary.

23.       Mr Charles Chong has talked about e-waste. Electronic and electrical products are becoming more and more ubiquitous. As they contain harmful substances, such as heavy metals, the improper disposal of electronic waste can affect public health. (For example, the
cadmium which can be found in rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries can accumulate in the human body upon exposure and cause lung and kidney damage in the long term.)

24.      To maintain a safe living environment for future generations, we are considering upstream controls by restricting the use of hazardous substances in certain electrical and electronic equipment. Importers and manufacturers will be required to comply with these restrictions. These controls will reduce the amount of hazardous substances getting into our waste stream and eventually entering Semakau Landfill. This will also improve the potential of recycling incineration ash which NEA is exploring.

25.      We will make it easier for everyone to safely recycle their e-waste. As you can see in the picture, we have the support of the industry stakeholders such as StarHub, DHL Express and TES-AMM. They are providing e-waste bins across the island for the convenience of members of the public. NEA will form a national voluntary e-waste recycling partnership programme. This will bring together stakeholders from the entire value chain, from producers to retailers to recyclers, to raise awareness and to provide better recycling infrastructure. I welcome companies and organisations joining this new partnership as we work towards its launch later this year.

E-waste Bin

E-waste Bin

26.      For the longer term, we will be studying options for a regulated system for treating and recycling electrical and electronic waste.

27.      Mr Seah Kian Peng and Mr Yeo Guat Kwang mentioned food waste. Food waste has increased by almost 50% over the past 10 years, and currently makes up about 10% of the waste we generate. As with electronic waste, food waste poses resource and environmental health concerns. Reducing food content in our general waste stream will help reduce smell and pest concerns. Upstream food waste segregation will also reduce contamination and enable greater recovery of other recyclable materials like plastic containers and cardboard cartons.

28.      One effective way to manage food waste is to avoid creating it in the first place. Consuming only what we need also makes us more resilient against food security risks. In September 2014, NEA and AVA commissioned a survey on consumer attitudes and behaviour regarding food waste. We will study the findings when it is ready, to formulate strategies to cut food waste. NEA and AVA are also working with the industry to develop good practice guides for food manufacturing and retailing.

29.      We can also improve our management and recycling of food waste.  Companies who wish to invest in technology to improve their food waste management can consider tapping on our existing funding schemes such as NEA’s 3R Fund. Only 13% of all food waste is recycled today. NEA will conduct food waste recycling pilots at two hawker centres to raise recycling rates, and to try out different onsite recycling models. A district-level pilot will also be conducted at Clementi, where food waste collected from multiple premises will be sent to a centralised recycling facility for anaerobic co-digestion.

30.      Besides e-waste and food waste, we will also be enhancing one of our long-standing programmes – the voluntary Singapore Packaging Agreement (SPA) to reduce packaging waste. The SPA has been successful, currently having more than 160 signatories which have cumulatively reduced about 20,000 tonnes of packaging waste and saved more than $44 million in material costs of locally-consumed products.

31.      We will be extending the SPA to 2020 to continue the good progress we have made. The extended SPA will contain new initiatives, such as a database to allow producers to benchmark and realise the potential of reducing their packaging. We will also be introducing a logo to identify products with reduced packaging so that consumers can make informed choices.

32.      Finally, we want to help each of us recycle more at home. The domestic recycling rate in 2013 was around 20%. Much more can be done to reach our goal of 30% in 2030. To achieve this, the ‘last mile connection’ for residents will be crucial. All HDB estates now have one recycling bin per block. To make recycling even more convenient, since 2014, all new HDB blocks have been designed with centralised chutes for recyclables on every floor.

33.      I am glad that Ms Rita Soh supports this and had suggested during the Budget Debate that we extend centralised chutes for recyclables to private estates and embrace the use of Pneumatic Waste Conveyance Systems. We agree that we should move in this direction, and will consult the industry further on this. In some residential developments such as Parc Emily and One Shenton by City
Developments Limited (CDL), such facilities are already voluntarily incorporated. We want more developments to go this way, and do more to encourage their residents to recycle.

34.      Mr Pritam Singh suggested replacing single-use plastic bags with biodegradable ones. Indeed, there are some countries such as
France and Italy that strongly encourage the use of biodegradable plastic bags because their waste is landfilled and the plastic bags would remain in the landfill for many decades. However, we do not share this concern in Singapore as our plastic bags are incinerated safely and not landfilled. Nonetheless, we still encourage shoppers to reduce excessive use of plastic bags and to use reusable bags as much as possible.

35.      Minister Vivian will now touch on the topic of water and conclude the response for our Ministry.

Source –  http://www.mewr.gov.sg/news/speech-by-ms-grace-fu–second-minister-for-the-environment-and-water-resources–committee-of-supply-debate–11-march-2015-section-b

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TOC Spreading Falsehood That Foreigners Are Allowed To Drive Taxi

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Expose the lie…let truth prevails…
11717311_843404469079281_5566725651516682571_o

TOC Spreading Falsehood That Foreigners Are Allowed To Drive Taxi

With election just round the corner, the campaign has begun in the alternative sites to turn votes away from the PAP government either with old news reported as ‘breaking news’ to mislead or just outright lies.Here is an example of a lie.Workers’ Party’s proxy, TOC (The Online Citizen) published an ‘appeal’ by an anonymous taxi driver to fellow taxi drivers (an article linked from TRE) to vote for the opposition because of the ‘new phenomenon of seeing “foreigners” entering the Industry.

THE TRUTH
Only Singaporeans are eligible to be taxi drivers.

http://www.taxi.org.sg/tdvl.html

What Singaporeans Say?

If there are proof, please show it. Cos my dad is a taxi-driver and he had never talked about foreigners in this industry. The only foreigners are those new citizens.
I took taxi and ask taxi drivers and they say only citizens are taxi drivers…
Opposition=opportunity $$$ ! Huat hur
APHETC $25 million contract given to His Friend just After GE2011 ! Our Ministers have to work how many years to earn $25 million dollars ! WP=HUAT party
Oxymoron
 Ironic isn’t it?
 Source –  https://www.facebook.com/SingaporeMatters/photos/a.710662802353449.1073741828.710654255687637/843404469079281/?type=1                                                                                                                    
 Image –  Today Online

 

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What Singaporeans’ Say About Raise GST Rumours

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Since yesterday, this piece of raise GST rumours has been circulating in social media.

Bertha Henson

Some misinformation going around that the GST gonna be raised to 10 per cent after GE. Someone even bothered to make stickers to Say no to GST rise and to vote wisely. Seems SDP distributed copies during a walkabout? I suppose TECHNICALLY, it won’t be wrong because any rise MUST come after the GE but how long after is something else because Mr Tharman already said he’ll hold it steady. Finance ministry has come out to refute it.

Looks like we’re gonna be hearing/reading more scary stuff – and yes, we should vote wisely than get swayed by catchy (false) slogans

Ministry of Finance has clarified that there is no basis to claims that the Government will raise GST after the next general election to fund increased spending. Read more here: http://str.sg/ZnMP

What Singaporeans Say?

Kelvin Tan Given how many goodies opposition parties are offering, like free education, lowered transport costs, cheaper housing, et al, you’d expect that an Opposition-led government would be the ones needing to raise GST, actually. #moneydoesntgrowontrees· 18 · Likes
Felix Oen Bertha I think GST increase has been on the cards for some years. Last increase 2007. So effectively, it’s been 8 years, I think they held it back at last GE. This time round it’s highly probably they will do it maybe in 2016/17. · 5 ·Likes
Bertha Henson The thing is, some things are bound to go up sooner or later – whether its the PAP or the Opposition in charge. If it’s Say No to GST rise, so its Say Yes to Income Tax rise? What about say Yes to Higher Wages? Say No to lower/higher inflation? I seriously dont think we should be tying anybody’s hands with electoral threats and parties would be silly to make promises they can’t keep. How can a country be governed this way? · 28 · Likes
Larry Charles Medina Is everybody forgetting that income tax on top earners is going up? So, yes, there will be selective increases in taxes. And, last GE, the PAP said no rise in GST and there was no rise. · 8 · Likes
Jeffrey Yeo Don’t pay GST? Pay more income tax lah. You want to do with Coe? Deal with congestion lor. Alternative governments do not mean you get a free pass to enjoy everything society gives to you but not give any more back in return. Deal with it. · 14 · Likes
Wee Kwee Huat But I also can safely say, without the PAP in government, the GST surely rise. · 9 · Likes
Calvin Cheng

It’s ironic how the people who are asking for more social spending are also the ones scaremongering about higher taxes in order to win votes.

In western democracies at least the parties who ask for more spending are honest – they also campaign for higher taxes.

Would like to see some of these Santa Claus politicians be honest for once in these elections.

Go up to stage, promise the people more, promise to narrow the income gap, but also say you need to tax the people more.

See who votes for you!

News Report From ST

No basis to claims of GST hike: MOF

There is no basis to claims that the Government will raise the goods and services tax (GST) after the next general election to fund increased spending, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) has said.

Such claims, which have been made on some websites, are inconsistent with what the Government recently stated, the ministry said in a post on the Government’s website www.gov.sg

Stickers with the slogan “Say No to 10 per cent GST – vote wisely” and incorporating the People’s Action Party’s (PAP) logo have been seen distributed. Copies of one such sticker were distributed at a Singapore Democratic Party walkabout in Holland-Bukit Timah GRC on Friday.

n its post, the Finance Ministry said that in the debate in Parliament on the Budget in February, Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam said the increased spending planned for the rest of this decade is sufficiently provided for by measures that the Government had already taken.

For instance, Temasek Holdings will be included in the Net Investment Returns framework starting from next year, a move that will allow the Government to draw on up to 50 per cent of Temasek’s long-term expected returns.

Also, the top marginal income tax rate for those earning above $320,000 a year will be increased from 20 per cent to 22 per cent for taxes to be paid in 2017. This is expected to raise government revenue by $400 million a year.

Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam speaking at an Institute of Policy Studies forum. PHOTO: ST FILE

Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam speaking at an Institute of Policy Studies forum. PHOTO: ST FILE

NO NEED FOR ADDITIONAL MEASURES

In its post, the Finance Ministry said that in the debate in Parliament on the Budget in February, Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam said the increased spending planned for the rest of this decade is sufficiently provided for by measures that the Government had already taken.

“These measures came after moves in recent years to make Singapore’s property tax rates more progressive, with significantly increased tax rates for high-value residential properties, offsetting reduced tax rates for lower-value homes,” the statement added.

GST of 3 per cent was introduced in Singapore on April 1, 1994. It was raised to 4 per cent in 2003, and to 5 per cent in 2004. In July 2007, it was again adjusted to its current rate of 7 per cent.

Talk of a GST hike cropped up ahead of the 2011 General Election as well, and that was also dispelled by the Government. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong stepped in at the time, as he and fellow PAP MPs distributed fliers to residents stating there would be no such rise.

Chong Zi Liang

 

Source:  http://www.straitstimes.com/politics/no-basis-to-claims-of-gst-hike-mof#xtor=CS1-10  https://www.facebook.com/calvinchengnmp?fref=nf        https://www.facebook.com/bertha.henson.54/posts/548415978630523?pnref=story  https://www.facebook.com/bertha.henson.54?fref=ts)

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Chan Chun Sing file: Who is Chan Chun Sing’s Mother

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Rumours are going around about Chan Chun Sing’s mother. Last Sunday, I overheard from an uncle sitting next table saying PAP is now pushing Chan Chun Sing up because he is the son of LKY’s sister Monica Lee.

I happened to know Chan Chun Sing personally. We attended the same church some 20+ years ago. The church organised a Bible study class for both of us as we were the newcomers.

The Chan Chun Sing that I knew then was an army captain. He took public transport like most people. He is known to be a presidential scholar. But no one ever said he is LKY’s nephew. If he is what the rumours said, everyone would have been talking about it in the church.

Nonetheless, I could be wrong. Mr Chan could have been hiding his real identity so well that no one in the church knows about it. After all, it is not a big church.

So I decided to to do some search online. Lo, and behold, look what I’ve found. A new clip in 1988 where Chan Chun Sing, 19 then, was interviewed by the Straits Time for scoring four distinctions in the A level exam.

Straits Times news cutting dated 20th Nov 1988 mentioning Chan Chun Sing's mother Madam Kwong Kait Fong

Straits Times news cutting dated 20th Nov 1988 mentioning Chan Chun Sing’s mother, Madam Kwong Kait Fong

Right in the middle there is a paragraph that says

Family; Madam Kwong Kait Fong, 50, his (Chan Chun Sing) mother, is a machine operator in a plastics company. Sister Siew Yin, 24, us a third-year student at NTI.

To be sure, I did a google search for Madam Kwong Kait Fong and found this Facebook post. It was posted by MacPherson Primary Alumni dated 15th Nov 2014 sharing a post by Mr Chan himself congratulating two students of their achievement in spite of their financial situation. The caption of the post is as follows.

MacPherson Primary School Prize Giving Day! Recipients of Kwong Kait Fong Awards contributed by Minister Chan Chun Sing in honour of his mother. Feeling so honoured that Minister Chan had chosen to comment on the Prize Giving Day. Thank you Minister Chan. For your information, Minister Chan was an old boy (1976 to 1981) of MacPherson Primary School.

A post by MacPherson Primary School Alumni mentioning Chan Chun Sing contributed an award in honour of his mother Madam Straits Times news cutting dated 20th Nov 1988 mentioning Chan Chun Sing's mother Madam Kwong Kait Fong

A post by MacPherson Primary School Alumni mentioning Chan Chun Sing contributed an award in honour of his mother,  Madam Kwong Kait Fong

So, case solved. Chan Chun Sing’s mother is indeed Kwong Kait Fong. And not Monica Lee. The fictitious story was probably cooked up probably by his political rival when a photo of Chan Chun Sing standing close to our founding father Lee Kuan Yew in the wake of Mrs Lee.

Here are the links for your verification

http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/straitstimes19880820.2.23.28.3.aspx

MacPherson Primary Alumni Facebook Post

By DC

 

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Blackbox Research Survey on Hep C Crisis – One look limpeh know is bullshit

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First Trick Blackbox Research Uses

Me: Ah boy, you want to eat Mcdonalds or not?

Ah Boy: YES! YES! YES! Daddy.

Me: OK!, After eat already you must do extra math question ok?

Ah Boy: Like that ah..Then don’t want lor.

Sure answer yes question.

Blackbox Research 2nd trick question – Sure answer yes question.

I use my son simple mind to show you why this survey by Blackbox Research is a bullshit survey. This is a sibei simple logic. When you ask people do they want something better, no need pay money and no condition added, what do you expect them to say? They sure say YES! YES! YES! right?

So I am surprised why it is not 99% when Blackbox Research asked “Public should have
been told about it earlier?”. Who will say no to such question?

2nd Trick Blackbox Research Uses

Me: Ah boy, you want to normal or upsize?

Ah Boy: Upsize lah…Need to ask meh?

2nd trick blackbox research uses

Blackbox Research 2nd trick question – Most will choose upsize!

Can you see the trick that they are using
“Independent Review Committee is sufficient” is like saying “This is normal size, do you think is enough”. They use the word “Is sufficient?” to hint to you that this might not be enough.

Compare to
“No, we need a Committee of Inquiry” is like saying “Or Do you think upsize is better?”

So you don’t even need to know what is Independent Review Committee and what is Committee of Inquiry. Blackbox research already tell you one is normal and the other is upsize. So again given such choices, no need brain you also know what most people will choose. Simple logic right?

Most important question on Blackbox Research

But the most funny thing is, why a “Research” company come out with this type of bullshit survey which can’t even fool Ah Beng like me? And who pay them to do such survey?

The full survey can be found here. But read at your own risk. Don’t say I never warn you.

http://www.blackbox.com.sg/wp_new/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/YKA-December-2015.pdf

Chow Ah Beng

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