x 0

CONFIDENT INNOVATIVE RISK TAKING HERO ?

TradeChancellor ( Date: 30-May-2011 00:07) Posted:

i've not gotten to vote my whole life!! walkovers... and this time got drawn into tanjong pagar... 2016 if i ever get to vote, i dont care who the opps are, i'll just give them a chance!

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wIth abnOrmalIzed near ZERO saving interest rates

Is there a GURANTEED FREEZE

On

- ALL FEES

- ALL COSTS

- ALL PRICES

- ALL TAXES

niuyear ( Date: 30-May-2011 08:35) Posted:

How about this :

Town council fee increased to 10%, but, they pay you interest just like CPF 2.5%????

Hows that ,?? Singaporeans.

pharoah88 ( Date: 30-May-2011 08:27) Posted:

O V E R H E A R D

TOWN COUNCIL WILL BE IN FINANCIAL CRUNCH

RESIDENTS will be the SUCKERS when maintenance fees are increased and inflated.

with near ZERO abnormal interest rates plus hIgh cOst Of living and surging INFLATION, TOWN COUNCIL SINKING FUNDS had been SHRINKING in the LAST DECADE.

The SHRINKING will SOAR EVEN HIGHER AND FASTER when POPULATION continues to GROW.

Ultimately

SINGKING FUNDS [REAL VALUE]

will sInk to the BOTTOM of HELL ? ? ? ?

x 0

wIth abnOrmalized near ZERO interest rates,

- maintenances fees

- food prices

- cost of living

- transport fares

- education fees

- rent

- utilities

- inflation

- civil servant salaries

- political salaries

cOntInUes to SOAR

withOUT any CAPPING nOr FINITE CEILING

At leAst the 2.5% bank saving interest rates can provide the CASH for one meal if not three per day.

niuyear ( Date: 30-May-2011 08:35) Posted:

How about this :

Town council fee increased to 10%, but, they pay you interest just like CPF 2.5%????

Hows that ,?? Singaporeans.

pharoah88 ( Date: 30-May-2011 08:27) Posted:

O V E R H E A R D

TOWN COUNCIL WILL BE IN FINANCIAL CRUNCH

RESIDENTS will be the SUCKERS when maintenance fees are increased and inflated.

with near ZERO abnormal interest rates plus hIgh cOst Of living and surging INFLATION, TOWN COUNCIL SINKING FUNDS had been SHRINKING in the LAST DECADE.

The SHRINKING will SOAR EVEN HIGHER AND FASTER when POPULATION continues to GROW.

Ultimately

SINGKING FUNDS [REAL VALUE]

will sInk to the BOTTOM of HELL ? ? ? ?

x 0

In tImes Of

MAJOR REPAIRS & REFURBISHMENT

when flats age to

beyond 50 YEARS

RESIDENTS

wILL need to

TOP UP

SINGKING FUND SHORTFALL

like H E L L

dUrIng retIrement YEARS

UNless the mInister can GUARANTEE

NO SINKING FUND SHORTFALL

TOP UP in the fUtUre

R E M E M B E R

SAME SCENERIO LIKE

CPF RETIREMENT PLAN ?

nOw nOt enOUgh fOr RETIREMENT

SingapOreans today must wOrk until they pass away On the jObs ? ? ? ?

ALL becAuse Singaporeans has nO PASSIVE INCOME like the nOrmalized saving interest rates in AUSTRALIA [6%] and at least in MALAYSIA [3%]

pharoah88 ( Date: 30-May-2011 08:27) Posted:

O V E R H E A R D

TOWN COUNCIL WILL BE IN FINANCIAL CRUNCH

RESIDENTS will be the SUCKERS when maintenance fees are increased and inflated.

with near ZERO abnormal interest rates plus hIgh cOst Of living and surging INFLATION, TOWN COUNCIL SINKING FUNDS had been SHRINKING in the LAST DECADE.

The SHRINKING will SOAR EVEN HIGHER AND FASTER when POPULATION continues to GROW.

Ultimately

SINGKING FUNDS [REAL VALUE]

will sInk to the BOTTOM of HELL ? ? ? ?

x 0

dIvorce rOOt cAuses

- influx of illicit foreIgn tAlent

- outflux of official travel with Other People's Money [OPM]

Last example: IMF chIef case

- arts & sports indulgences

[Famous Example: TIGER WOOD]

- hIgh cOst of living temptIng wives to become gOld dIggers and fast fOrward *husband UpgradIng* to cOpe and sUstain ecOnOmIc wellbeIng

- hIgh cOst of HDB flat and cost of living leading to mortgage default and family breakUp

- hIgh cOst of education leading to pOOr father's default and *family dumpIng*

- Over worked and under paId leading to lack of communications and relationship breakdOwn

- Unemployment leading to *husband renewal* by disloyal wives who brOke marrIAge vOws

- BLACK SWAN Effect

x 0

O V E R H E A R D

divorces will remain divorces

character never changes

divorces still rent HDB flats and HDB rooms from HDB flat owners even if HDB do not have rental flats.

those who love divorcing will continue to divorce for the THRILLS they SEEK

niuyear ( Date: 30-May-2011 08:23) Posted:

Willl the rental flats become a " source" to more divorces? since there is no more worry of finding a place to stay after divorces? The China bride canjust divorce the hubby and get a rental flat to stay.??

Minister Khaw is going to have a big headache of " having more rental flats" and later facing a high divorce rate.

This is the 'PRICE' we are paying the Minsiters to crack their heads. Is a TOUGH job and lots of sacrifices .

x 0

O V E R H E A R D

TOWN COUNCIL WILL BE IN FINANCIAL CRUNCH

RESIDENTS will be the SUCKERS when maintenance fees are increased and inflated.

with near ZERO abnormal interest rates plus hIgh cOst Of living and surging INFLATION, TOWN COUNCIL SINKING FUNDS had been SHRINKING in the LAST DECADE.

The SHRINKING will SOAR EVEN HIGHER AND FASTER when POPULATION continues to GROW.

Ultimately

SINGKING FUNDS [REAL VALUE]

will sInk to the BOTTOM of HELL ? ? ? ?

x 0

WHOLE DAY CELEBRATION by Raffles Junior College faculty and staff at Universal Studio on Friday: 27 May 2011

C H E E R S !

THEY LIKED RWS !

x 0

Starry, Starry Night at grand opening of USS

A bevy of international and local celebs spotted at the theme park's grand opening

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By Channel NewsAsia, Updated: 29/05/2011

MICA Minister Yaacob outlines priority areas in his new ministry

Dr Yaacob Ibrahim

SINGAPORE: Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts Yaacob Ibrahim said he would focus on ensuring the arts reaches out to all levels of society.

[arts are of nO value as they cannOt fill stOmachs. citizens needs fOOd and lOw cOst Of living to be ENSURED ? ? ? ?]

Dr Yaacob said his team, including Senior Minister of State Grace Fu and Minister of State Chan Chun Sing, will finalise their duties in the ministry by next week.

Dr Yaacob was speaking to reporters on Sunday at the opening of the Nagore Dargah Indian Muslim Heritage Centre.

" The Ministry is going to be left—brained and right—brained you have the economic part — the IDA, MDA — those policies would have to continue to be implemented, especially in terms of building up the telco and Internet industry," Dr Yaacob said.

" On the other side, we have the arts heritage part, (such as the Singapore Arts Festival) and the Arts and Cultural Strategic Review...There is a lot of push to bring arts down to the community level and this is something we need to continue to do to ensure that everyone appreciates the arts and understands what it is."

[Is Singaporeans cleaning toilets and cleaning tables an arts ? ? ? ?]

community needs ministry to bring fOOd prIces and cOst Of living dOwn ! ! ! !

nO feeling for arts when citizens are HUNGRY ! ! ! !

— CNA/cc

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By Channel NewsAsia, Updated: 29/05/2011

Rental flats supply set to increase

HDB flats (file picture)

SINGAPORE: Minister for National Development Khaw Boon Wan said there is a shortage of rental flats in Singapore, and there is a need to ramp up supply by " ten of thousands" .

However, Mr Khaw said it will take some time to make up this shortfall, as the construction industry is unable to cope with the sudden surge in demand.

Mr Khaw spoke about the need to ramp up the supply of rental flats, during a youth forum at the Woodlands Community Club.

" Single mothers, divorcees (may) suddenly have no flat (or) no money to buy (one), so they are counting on rental (flats)," Mr Khaw said.

" Then there are all kinds of HDB rules that prevent them from renting. The rules are not frivolous.

" The problem HDB faces is that they are just short of rental flats. It’s quite clear in my mind —— we need to ramp up the building of rental flats as quickly as we can. Not just by a few thousands actually we need to (increase) by tens of thousands. And the earlier the better."

This comes two days after the HDB announced the supply of new BTO flats will be increased this year from 22,000 to 25,000 units.

Mr Khaw said the HDB needs to build " almost similar numbers" of rental flats, but said there are challenges.

While Mr Khaw is keen to ramp up the supply of new flats quickly, he admitted the construction industry cannot cope with this sudden surge in demand.

The industry is used to building some 15,000 units a year.

As such, Mr Khaw said it will take some time to meet demand.

Mr Khaw added he needs to study the capacity of the construction industry to understand how fast flats can be built.

Meanwhile, Mr Khaw was asked at the forum, about the large presence of foreigners in Singapore.

Some in the audience said they felt threatened when it came to competition for jobs.

Mr Khaw acknowledged that too many foreigners were allowed in, the last few years, and there was a need to calibrate the numbers.

But he noted the relationship between economic growth and foreign labour, and said by reducing their numbers, Singaporeans are accepting there will be trade—offs.

Mr Khaw said: " We thought (taking foreigners in) was important to bring wages to people’s pockets, so that we can grow as fast as we can... (and) catch up with other countries.

[Catch Up with WHICH COUNTRIES ? ? ? ?]

" But now, we get the message that ’we don’t want so much growth, that we are prepared to accept slower growth’.

[Citizens HATE POPULATION GORWTH ? ? ? ?]

[dId the citizens' WELLBEING GROW with hIgh Cost of living over the LAST DECADE ? ? ? ?]

" It actually affects the youth immediately, because when you slow down growth, it means that job opportunities also come down (and) starting pay also comes down" .

[GOOD JOB & HIGH SALARY dId nOt GROW over the LAST DECADE for the citizens ? ? ? ? ]

[Instead Singaporean toilet cleaners & table cleaners GREW ? ? ? ?]

Other issues touched on at the forum included alternative pathways for youths who want to pursue the arts, and global competition.

—CNA/wk

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By Channel NewsAsia, Updated: 29/05/2011

PM Lee addresses PAP criticisms

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (file picture)

SINGAPORE: In the aftermath of the recent General Election (GE), Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has revealed there had been criticisms of the shortcomings of grassroots activists both in the People’s Action Party (PAP) and People’s Association.

Speaking at a dinner on Sunday to thank volunteers of his Teck Ghee division of Ang Mo Kio Group Representation Constituency (GRC), PM Lee said the shortcomings would be remedied and the party would strive to do better.

Mr Lee said activists from the PAP and community leaders played a crucial role in the run up to the GE, with some even taking leave during the nine days of hustings.

He acknowledged there had been some criticisms of their shortcomings.

But Mr Lee emphasised it would be unfair to blame the activists, as the majority have committed enormous time and energy to community work, and have done their best to serve the residents.

Mr Lee added the activists had given their honest feedback, which unfortunately the party sometimes failed to interpret correctly.

" People say various things —— they say that (the activists) stood between the MP (Members of Parliament) and residents, you shielded the MP, or you didn’t respond enough to the residents’ needs, or you didn’t speak candidly enough when the residents were giving feedback and the MP didn’t get a good sense of what was on the ground," Mr Lee said.

" And my response to this — some grassroots leaders and party activists reading this have been discouraged. My response is, don’t be discouraged.

Mr Lee said clearly there were problems which were missed and areas where the party can and must improve.

These include strengthening the party’s presence on the ground, improving the way MPs and the grassroots network operate with more effective ways to bond with residents, and reaching out to groups which the party needs to better connect with, including young adults, and residents who live in private estates.

—CNA/wk

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By Channel NewsAsia, Updated: 30/05/2011

S’poreans might prefer a President ’not so closely related’ to PAP: Lim Boon Heng

Lim Boon Heng

SINGAPORE: Given the current sentiment among the electorate, Singaporeans might prefer a President who is not so closely linked to the People’s Action Party (PAP), retired minister Lim Boon Heng said on Sunday when asked about former PAP MP Tan Cheng Bock’s bid to run for the Elected Presidency.

The former Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office said he read the news of Dr Tan’s intention with " very, very mixed feelings" .

Both Mr Lim and Dr Tan were first elected to Parliament in the 1980 General Election (GE). They were parliamentary colleagues for 26 years before Dr Tan stepped down from politics prior to the 2006 GE. Mr Lim retired from the political scene before the recent GE.

Speaking at the sidelines of a People’s Association event, Mr Lim said: " My sense is that people would prefer if there were someone who can be a strong unifying symbol for Singaporeans, who’s not so closely related to the PAP."

While there could be exceptions, he added: " I don’t know whether Dr Tan Cheng Bock, in spite of his independent streak of thinking and expression of views, fully meets the bill."

Mr Lim said he hopes that other capable Singaporeans will come forward so that the country could pick the " best person for the current climate that we have" . —

TODAY

x 0

ALL G8 President Premier PM and Ministers

lOst faces

sInce theIr salaries were

lOwer than Singapore's Ministers' salaries ? ? ? ?

pharoah88 ( Date: 28-May-2011 16:00) Posted:

By Channel NewsAsia, Updated: 27/05/2011

Lim Wee Kiak withdraws, apologises for remarks on ministerial pay

Dr Lim Wee Kiak

SINGAPORE: Member of Parliament for Nee Soon GRC, Dr Lim Wee Kiak, has withdrawn and apologised for his recent remarks on ministerial pay.

Dr Lim said on further reflection, he agreed that the example he quoted regarding a minister from the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts meeting the heads of telcos and saying that there may be some loss of face if the minister’s salary is low is inappropriate and incorrect.

In a statement on Friday, Dr Lim said dignity cannot be and must not be measured purely in monetary terms. He said a minister’s pay is a sensitive issue and is one that many are concerned about.

Dr Lim also clarified his comments made to Lianhe Zaobao, which were reproduced in Lianhe Wanbao.

He said he made three fundamental points.

One, that Singapore needs a balanced approach to the question of ministerial pay.

Two, that he personally felt that pay and perks should not be used to attract capable people to come forward to serve. He agreed with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong that there is a service to country element and an element of sacrifice expected for the ministers by the public.

And three, that their responsibilities and job scope must be taken into consideration in the remuneration for ministers.

—CNA/ac

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By Channel NewsAsia, Updated: 27/05/2011

MPs can rent void deck space to set up office for MPS

HDB flats

SINGAPORE: Members of Parliament will now be given an option to set up offices at HDB void decks for their Meet—the—People (MPS) sessions.

If they take up the option, they will have to pay a rent for the space.

In an announcement, the Ministry of National Development (MND) said the rental will be at a concessionary rate, similar to that levied for non—profit, social communal uses.

The ministry said this change takes immediate effect.

Currently, HDB does not rent void deck space to elected MPs to set up offices for their MPS.

Some MPs do so at open void decks, while others rent premises sublet by social and educational organisations.

The new arrangement does not apply to MPs who currently have makeshift arrangements for their MPS at void decks.

MND said MPs who wish to continue holding MPS at open void decks can still do so under their own arrangements with the town council.

— AFP/cc/ac

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By Channel NewsAsia, Updated: 27/05/2011

Khaw tells HDB to build ahead of demand

Khaw Boon Wan (file picture)

SINGAPORE : National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan has told HDB to build ahead of demand during this period of robust demand.

Writing in his ministry’s blog, Mr Khaw said the orders will definitely come, and HDB should call a tender as soon as architectural drawings and tender documents are ready.

Currently, a tender is called only after 70 per cent of orders have been confirmed — hence " Build—to—Order" (BTO) scheme.

[# Planning & Forecasting INCOMPETENCY ? ? ? ? #]

The minister said HDB can return to the usual BTO approach after the situation has stabilised.

The move is a bid to help the vast majority of young couples own their own homes as soon as possible so that they can start their families and have babies.

It is a national priority — promoting marriages and births — and Mr Khaw said his ministry must facilitate it to its best ability.

Currently, 70 per cent of new couples get their first homes via HDB’s BTO (Build—to—Order) scheme. The rest purchase their flats in the resale market.

Mr Khaw felt there is scope to do more. He said: " I think we should strive to have the vast majority of new couples start off their first set of homes in HDB, preferably via the BTO route."

He added that HDB will also ramp up capacity and bring forward projects scheduled for early next year.

HDB confirmed that it will be able to raise the number of BTO units from 22,000 to 25,000 units this year.

Mr Khaw said the new pace of construction will be sustained for next year, as there will be additional demand with the easing of the S$8,000 income ceiling for HDB flats.

While the pace is ramped up, the minister gave the assurance that the quality of finish, workmanship and worksite safety will remain good.

He said the industry need to rise to the challenge, without causing a cost spiral, which will not benefit the buyers.

Mr Khaw added that with more resources and capabilities, he is confident HDB will rise to the new challenge of housing Singaporeans in a first world setting.

He acknowledged that the task is huge and expectations high. He said time is needed to work through some of the constraints, but he has pledged to do his best not to disappoint the public.

— CNA/al

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By Channel NewsAsia, Updated: 27/05/2011

PM Lee issues code of conduct for PAP MPs

Parliament House sitting against the city skyline in Singapore. (AFP Photo/Roslan Rahman)

SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has issued a code of conduct to PAP MPs, spelling out their priorities and reminding them on what it means to be an elected Member of Parliament.

The 7—page letter, which was also released to the media, listed 10 rules of prudence.

The letter is something the prime minister issues after every election. This time, Mr Lee reminded MPs that they are serving in a new era.

The recent election, he said, has shown that voters have concerns which need to be addressed and the government will have to significantly improve its outreach, approach to formulating policies, and the policies themselves.

But having said that, Mr Lee stressed that two things must not change — firstly, always hold fast to the spirit of service to the people, and secondly, to uphold the high standards of honesty and integrity of the PAP.

It is in this context that the prime minister outlined 10 rules.

They range from requiring MPs to be always above board in their dealings — for example, separating business from politics — to declaring directorships and income, as well as being financially prudent.

MPs said the reminder is consistent with the prime minister’s message since the election and more recently, during the Cabinet swearing—in ceremony.

The reminder will set the tone on how MPs go about their duties.

— CNA/ir

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By Channel NewsAsia, Updated: 27/05/2011

Lim Wee Kiak withdraws, apologises for remarks on ministerial pay

Dr Lim Wee Kiak

SINGAPORE: Member of Parliament for Nee Soon GRC, Dr Lim Wee Kiak, has withdrawn and apologised for his recent remarks on ministerial pay.

Dr Lim said on further reflection, he agreed that the example he quoted regarding a minister from the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts meeting the heads of telcos and saying that there may be some loss of face if the minister’s salary is low is inappropriate and incorrect.

In a statement on Friday, Dr Lim said dignity cannot be and must not be measured purely in monetary terms. He said a minister’s pay is a sensitive issue and is one that many are concerned about.

Dr Lim also clarified his comments made to Lianhe Zaobao, which were reproduced in Lianhe Wanbao.

He said he made three fundamental points.

One, that Singapore needs a balanced approach to the question of ministerial pay.

Two, that he personally felt that pay and perks should not be used to attract capable people to come forward to serve. He agreed with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong that there is a service to country element and an element of sacrifice expected for the ministers by the public.

And three, that their responsibilities and job scope must be taken into consideration in the remuneration for ministers.

—CNA/ac

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By Channel NewsAsia, Updated: 27/05/2011

Lim Wee Kiak withdraws, apologises for remarks on ministerial pay

Dr Lim Wee Kiak

SINGAPORE: Member of Parliament for Nee Soon GRC, Dr Lim Wee Kiak, has withdrawn and apologised for his recent remarks on ministerial pay.

Dr Lim said on further reflection, he agreed that the example he quoted regarding a minister from the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts meeting the heads of telcos and saying that there may be some loss of face if the minister’s salary is low is inappropriate and incorrect.

In a statement on Friday, Dr Lim said dignity cannot be and must not be measured purely in monetary terms. He said a minister’s pay is a sensitive issue and is one that many are concerned about.

Dr Lim also clarified his comments made to Lianhe Zaobao, which were reproduced in Lianhe Wanbao.

He said he made three fundamental points.

One, that Singapore needs a balanced approach to the question of ministerial pay.

Two, that he personally felt that pay and perks should not be used to attract capable people to come forward to serve. He agreed with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong that there is a service to country element and an element of sacrifice expected for the ministers by the public.

And three, that their responsibilities and job scope must be taken into consideration in the remuneration for ministers.

—CNA/ac

x 0

By Channel NewsAsia, Updated: 27/05/2011

Former MP Tan Cheng Bock may run for President

Dr Tan Cheng Bock. (Picture from Dr Tan's Facebook page)

SINGAPORE: Former Member of Parliament Dr Tan Cheng Bock has indicated that he may be a candidate in the coming Presidential Election.

This comes after the 71—year—old quit the ruling People’s Action Party earlier this month.

Speaking to 938LIVE, Dr Tan explained his decision.

" Many Singaporeans have been urging me to stand for the Presidential Election, and I’m really honored by them urging me to stand. I would say it’s a recent decision. You know you always think about what you can do for the country. What sort of role I can really play with my past experiences as a Member of Parliament, in the corporate world also. So that I probably would have some feel as to how I would like to contribute my role as a President in looking after the reserves and the also in the appointment of all the top people in the government service."

Dr Tan also said the recent GE results did not affect his decision.

He said there were no contests in last two presidential elections and he wanted to offer himself as a candidate if he qualifies.

He encouraged more people to come forward to be candidates, saying " only through a contest that you feel you are legitimately there because you have the support of the people" .

The Presidential Election must be held before August 31 this year.

— 938LIVE/cc