Affordability of HDB flat  (Singapore)

In year 1989 a couple’s one year salary can buy a 3 room HDB apartment and 4-room apartment takes 1.5 years salary.

After 22 years, median salary increase from 37k to 54k, but a 4-room apartment price has sky-rocketed from 56k to 400k.



Data from:  新 加 坡 公 共 住 房 政 策 和 管 理  

In years to come, our grandchildren will mock our commitment to the daily commute and tolerance of ‘normal working hours’.

The US can’t — or won’t — fix its economy?

Paul Krugman

If you were shocked by Friday’s jobs report, if you thought Americans were doing well and were taken aback by the bad news, you have not been paying attention.

The fact is, the United States economy has been stuck in a rut for a year and a half.

pharoah88      ( Date: 12-Jul-2011 11:47) Posted: By Channel NewsAsia, Updated: 11/07/2011 China would want to maintain equitable relation with US, says Lee Kuan Yew   MR Lee Kuan Yew (R) at the FutureChina Global Forum SINGAPORE : Former Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew said that if he were China [impOssIble ?], he would want to maintain equitable and stable relationship with the US for the next 20 to 30 years. He noted that China needs the US for technology, markets and know—how. Mr Lee was speaking at the FutureChina Global Forum on Monday. Despite stepping down from office, Mr Lee is still widely sought after [UNPAID ?] for his [FREE ?] thoughts on China, as he shares a close relationship with its leaders. And Mr Lee said China still has much to gain from the US. " Getting students to go there to learn how Americans manage institutions and produce such a diverse conglomerate of cities and ideas. In China, they tend to be more uniformed in their ideas because they’ve all been through the same drill. The US, for some reason or the other, throws up the East Coast, the West Coast, North East, North West, Chicago, and the South, Texas. It’s that diversity that gives the Americans great strength," said Mr Lee. [Americans CREATED & INNOVATED  their  Own  cUrrent  DEATH  PATH  whIch  they  themselves have NO  SOLUTIONS  TODAY #  BEWARE  AWARE  SCARE  CARE #  ] US  brOUght  the WORLD  Financial Tsunami  TRAGEDY  to all the  PEOPLE # For over half an hour, Mr Lee fielded a range of topics, including his thoughts on China’s next leadership and how the US should react to China’s growing power. On the economic front, Mr Lee said he has advised US trade representatives to co—op Southeast Asian countries into its system via free trade agreements, while it still has the bigger market. He warned that failing to do so would see these countries drifting to China, as that’s where the profits are. When asked for the top three statesmen whom he admired, Mr Lee cited Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping for turning China around after the revolution, former German chancellor Helmut Schmidt, and former US president Bill Clinton. " Despite his weaknesses, Bill Clinton was a very effective leader. He was able to survive all his peccadilloes, and still present himself as a credible leader," said Mr Lee. Closer to home, Mr Lee was asked to predict the future of ASEAN. [ASEAN  has  nO  Leadership  because  ALL cannOt  agreed  to  pay  themselves the  World's Highest Salaries  ? ? ? ?] He said the 10 countries will be brought together by the need to bargain collectively with world powers. But the integration will be a slow process. " It’s different legacies, different systems and it takes a long time to shake off the baggage and become Southeast Asians. And even then, I think we are never quite the same. Because we have been developed in different ways, in different systems," said Mr Lee. Mr Lee said ASEAN will have more strength if the countries bargain collectively, rather than individually, with China, US or Japan. — CNA /ls Queen Elizerberth questioned London School of Economics about financial crises " such things were so large how come everyone missed them" mirror co.uk 2009 Jul 26

10 tourists file complaint against SA Tours with CASE

 

SA Tours

SINGAPORE: A group of ten tourists have filed a complaint against SA Tours with consumer watchdog, CASE.

They were bound for Shanghai on Sunday, but failed to board their flight after a representative from the tour agency did not show up at the airport to provide information on hotel and trip arrangements.

The affected customers turned up at the CASE office on Monday morning at 10am, hoping to get a refund of S$800.

Responding to Channel NewsAsia, SA Tours said the representative who was to meet the group is a third—party contractor who provides check—in services for tour agencies.

SA Tours said he was not feeling well and had dozed off after taking some medicine. His handphone was also switched off, which caused the mix—up.

According to CASE, SA Tours received eight complaints two years ago, and one last year — and the complaint from the Shanghai group would be its first this year.

This is also the first complaint received by CASE over a cancelled holiday, due to an agency’s representative failing to show up at the airport.

Seah Seng Choon, Executive Director of CASE, said: " From what we’ve gathered so far, we believe there’s a lack of service. The staff who is supposed to brief the consumers before the tour starts was absent on that morning. And the consumers were uncertain as to whether to proceed with the tour or not."

—CNA/ac

China would want to maintain equitable relation with US, says Lee Kuan Yew

 

MR Lee Kuan Yew (R) at the FutureChina Global Forum

SINGAPORE : Former Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew said that if he were China [impOssIble ?], he would want to maintain equitable and stable relationship with the US for the next 20 to 30 years.

He noted that China needs the US for technology, markets and know—how.

Mr Lee was speaking at the FutureChina Global Forum on Monday.

Despite stepping down from office, Mr Lee is still widely sought after [UNPAID ?] for his [FREE ?] thoughts on China, as he shares a close relationship with its leaders.

And Mr Lee said China still has much to gain from the US.

" Getting students to go there to learn how Americans manage institutions and produce such a diverse conglomerate of cities and ideas. In China, they tend to be more uniformed in their ideas because they’ve all been through the same drill. The US, for some reason or the other, throws up the East Coast, the West Coast, North East, North West, Chicago, and the South, Texas. It’s that diversity that gives the Americans great strength," said Mr Lee.

[Americans CREATED & INNOVATED  their  Own  cUrrent  DEATH  PATH  whIch  they  themselves have NO  SOLUTIONS  TODAY #  BEWARE  AWARE  SCARE  CARE #  ]

US  brOUght  the WORLD  Financial Tsunami  TRAGEDY  to all the  PEOPLE #

For over half an hour, Mr Lee fielded a range of topics, including his thoughts on China’s next leadership and how the US should react to China’s growing power.

On the economic front, Mr Lee said he has advised US trade representatives to co—op Southeast Asian countries into its system via free trade agreements, while it still has the bigger market.

He warned that failing to do so would see these countries drifting to China, as that’s where the profits are.

When asked for the top three statesmen whom he admired, Mr Lee cited Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping for turning China around after the revolution, former German chancellor Helmut Schmidt, and former US president Bill Clinton.

" Despite his weaknesses, Bill Clinton was a very effective leader. He was able to survive all his peccadilloes, and still present himself as a credible leader," said Mr Lee.

Closer to home, Mr Lee was asked to predict the future of ASEAN.

[ASEAN  has  nO  Leadership  because  ALL cannOt  agreed  to  pay  themselves the  World's Highest Salaries  ? ? ? ?]

He said the 10 countries will be brought together by the need to bargain collectively with world powers. But the integration will be a slow process.

" It’s different legacies, different systems and it takes a long time to shake off the baggage and become Southeast Asians. And even then, I think we are never quite the same. Because we have been developed in different ways, in different systems," said Mr Lee.

Mr Lee said ASEAN will have more strength if the countries bargain collectively, rather than individually, with China, US or Japan.

— CNA /ls

---

Queen Elizerberth questioned London School of Economics about financial crises

" such things were so large

how come everyone missed them"

mirror co.uk 2009 Jul 26

Andrew Kuan keen to run in Presidential Election

 

Andrew Kuan

SINGAPORE: Former JTC Corporation group chief financial officer Andrew Kuan, who was disqualified in 2005 from running for the presidency, is keen to throw his hat into the ring again.

The Presidential Elections Committee (PEC) did not issue him a certificate the last time, saying he did not meet the eligibility criteria set out in the Constitution.  [So  sImple  ? ? ? ?]

But Mr Kuan, 57, told MediaCorp on Monday night that he would apply for the certificate again under Constitution Article 19 Subsection 2 (g)(iv), in which he would state that he managed funds and reserves at JTC up to S$9.3 billion during the 38 months he served as the group’s CFO — well above the S$100 million stipulated by the PEC for candidates to qualify.

Mr Kuan said he would be supporting his application through the JTC Act Articles 20 and 21, which " required me to submit financial statements to the Minister of Trade and Industry and President" as the group’s CFO.

He added his appraisal in 2004 — his final year at JTC — stated he had performed his duties at JTC " beyond expectations" .

Mr Kuan has not yet collected forms to apply for an eligibility certificate but he told MediaCorp he would be doing so soon.

—

TODAY

/fa

---

He has  DECENT  HONEST  LOOK.

HAVE YOUR SAY: SBS Transit, SMRT submit applications for fare adjustments

Train commuters (file picture)

SINGAPORE : The two public transport operators, SBS Transit and SMRT, have submitted applications to the Public Transport Council (PTC) seeking bus and train fare adjustments.

Both cited significant cost pressures despite increased efforts to lower costs and increase productivity, and have asked for the maximum fare adjustment of 2.8 per cent.

Escalating energy and manpower costs prompted SMRT to seek for a maximum fare adjustment of 2.8 per cent.

It said this is based on the annual fare adjustment formula that takes into account the consumer price index (CPI), wage index and productivity gains.

It said energy costs rose 17.5 per cent to S$122.4 million as of this March, due mainly to higher electricity and diesel prices, and the expansion of the rail network — with the opening of Circle Line Phase One and Two.

More staff also had to be hired to operate additional train and bus trips to meet rising commuting demand.

Manpower costs also increased as a result of a higher employer’s CPF contribution rate, from 14.5 per cent to 15 per cent in September 2010, and to 15.5 per cent in March 2011.

SBS Transit said it is also facing costs pressures for fuel and energy, on top of investments in new buses to renew its fleet.

The renewal exercise first began in 2006. Last year alone, some S$268 million was spent on another 600 buses to be delivered in 2011 and 2012.

SBS Transit said more details of the application, which is subject to the approval of the PTC, will be announced at a later date.

Gerard Ee, chairman of the PTC, told MediaCorp there is a need to assess the basis of the applications and to check the accounts of operators — a process that is likely to take some months.

The last time bus and trains fares were increased was in 2008. Back then, the PTC approved an adjustment of 1.7 per cent which translated to a fare increase of about one to three cents for commuters.

Commuters hope that increases, if any, this time round will mean better services.

One commuter said: " They have to do something about the comfort level. Probably the service, especially during peak hours."

Another added: " I think with all the inflation and stuff, the increase is unavoidable. But they have to do something about how the passengers are during peak hours especially during the rush hour, the bus is especially packed."

A third commented: " The charges are too expensive for senior citizens like me."

The new Chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Transport, Cedric Foo, said he would like the Transport Ministry to review the fare adjustment formula.

This includes how the government can assist the needy in coping with public transport costs.

Mr Foo, who is also a Member of Parliament for Pioneer, said the fare formula has been in place for more than five years, and sufficient experience has been gained on how the formula had or had not worked.

Earlier this year, the PTC deferred the fare review exercise to coincide with the opening of the last stage of the Circle Line this October.

— CNA/ms

YOUR SAY: Do you think a fare adjustment is due since the last was in 2008? What can train and bus operators offer to make the ride better? Sign in here to post your comments.

Buying residential property in Malaysia

Growing worries over building

boom in Chinese cities

Enforce rules at these hotspots

Bridges and underpasses

Letter from Martin Schwarz

A variation of this question is: Is Singapore really a fine city?

I am usually unsure how to answer the second question, since although there are many warning signs out there, I am not sure all are enforced.

Take for example the signs on pedestrian overpasses and tunnels stating that those who fail to dismount from their bicycles will be fined $1,000. As a frequent user of these conduits, I can confirm that although I have seen hundreds of people disobeying these signs (such as the cyclists in the underpass below the Central Expressway at the end of St Martin’s Road), I have never seen nor heard of anyone being disciplined.

This lack of enforcement is dangerous it encourages people to disobey other rules, and placing these signs is also a waste of tax-payers’ money. Either remove the signs or enforce the rules more strictly.WHEN talking to people abroad the first question they usually ask when they find out I live in Singapore is: Do you really get fined for chewing gum?

Jurong West footpaths

Letter from Caroline Chung

REFERRING to the Singapore Police Force’s letter, “Cyclist, motorists must abide by road rules” (July 4), I wonder who enforces the regulations?

It has come to a point where cyclists act like they have the right of way in my Jurong West St 52 estate.

Every morning, you see parents, grandparents and maids cycling to bring children to school, with schoolbags dangling and sometimes even two pillion riders. They ride on the footpaths and ring their bell until you make way for them.

They pose a danger to students who walk to school by themselves as they do not know how to react in such a situation and are less observant of their surroundings.

I walk my children to school every day.

I wonder who is going to protect them on the footpaths if they were to walk alone?

Make balloting process fairer

Letter from Wong Weng Keet, Dave

On the contrary, it is an unfair method as it is possible for an applicant who does not have parents living nearby to get a flat in an estate on the first try, at the expense of another applicant with parents nearby and yet fails to obtain a flat in the same estate after many tries. Thus, it is a flawed system.

It is reported that a total of 30 per cent of the 14,000 applicants for Build-To-Order (BTO) flats launched in May were firsttimers on their second attempt or more.

Of these, it is estimated that around two thirds did not even get a queue number.

I propose that the HDB groups applicants according to the following priority:

Group 1: Applicants with parents living nearby and two or more previous unsuccessful attempts.

Group 2: Parents living nearby, fewer than two unsuccessful attempts.

Group 3: Parents not living nearby, two or more unsuccessful attempts.

Group 4: Parents not living nearby, fewer than two unsuccessful attempts.

Group 5: The rest.

These additional calculated filters would make the process more streamlined.

Balloting could be done for the first group and queue numbers assigned, followed by subsequent groups.

While applicants who have more unsuccessful attempts are given higher priority, in the same vein, applicants who are given a chance to make a flat selection but reject or fail to do so should be given last priority (shunted to a sixth group for their next launch application).

The implication is that applicants have to be responsible for making careful, rational assessments and not make frivolous applications.

This is done so that applicants who genuinely need a flat will not be deprived by the fussy who just want to try their luck.

For BTO launches with more than one location, the HDB may wish to consider providing applicants with more options by allowing them to indicate their first, second and third choice of estate. The recently announced change to consolidate launches into bigger exercises also ties in with this.

On top of that, to soften the impact of the expected spike in applications should the HDB increase the income ceiling to S$10,000, auxiliary methods can be used to stagger the income range further. For example: Allowing those in the income ranges of S$6,000 to S$8,000 and S$8,000 to S$10,000 to purchase limited types of flats (such as those above a certain price only).

I believe this is a nimble and robust process that leads to a fairer, more logical and efficient flat application system, resulting in better take-up rates and matches.The balloting system is seen by the Housing and Development Board (HDB) to be the best and fairest way to determine the queue numbers for flat applicants.

How to Tell When You Are Really Hungry

How to differentiate real hunger from emotional hunger

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Two injured in chemical spill at NUS

Two injured in chemical spill at NUS

 

SINGAPORE : Two staff members were injured following a chemical spill at a cargo lift at the National University of Singapore on Thursday afternoon.

The spill, which was acidic in nature, was confined within the lift, located at the Centre for Life Sciences.

Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) officers donned protective gear and cleared the spillage using absorbents.

As a precautionary measure, SCDF officers and the building’s Fire Safety Manager (FSM) also conducted an evacuation of the whole building.

Two males in their 30s were in the lift at the time of the incident, and were sent to hospital.

One suffered burns to his hands and legs, while the other complained of skin irritation.

One has been discharged, while the other is in stable condition.

NUS said it is providing necessary assistance to both staff.

The cause of the spill is under investigation.

— CNA/ms