Ad : Buy beautiful things at Home-tique
MyAppleMenu | Tomorrow | Reader | Singapore | SushiReader
You are here in the archive: SingaporeSurf > 2010 > March
Imelda Saad, Channel NewsAsia
The Registers of Electors for all 23 electoral divisions have been certified with about 2.3 million names. The Elections Department said the registers are open for inspection at its office and at the 105 Inspection Centres islandwide.
Musings From the Lion City
The Online Citizen
The following is a collated list of price increases which TOC could find – from various news reports, blogs, websites, forums, etc – since Jan 2006 to the present.
Channel NewsAsia
StarHub is changing its channel numbering system. It said the move is in line with the practices of pay TV operators worldwide and part of its overall strategy to pave the way for the introduction of new content.
Shaffiq AlKhatib, Channel NewsAsia
State Coroner Victor Yeo has ruled that Dr Silviu Ionescu, Romania's former Charge d'Affaires was the driver of the car involved in the hit-and-run accidents that took place on 15 December last year.
The Bosonic State
Andrew Loh, The Online Citizen
For now, Vivian Balakrishnan has been a huge disappointment to those who had expected him to be a stand-up guy and speak up for the less fortunate – just as he was said to have done before joining the PAP.
Diary of A Singaporean Mind
We not only have the biggest income gap, the PAP govt is also doing the least for poor people among all developed countries by any measure.
Singapore Democrat Party
Jessica Cheam, Straits Times
Fresh evidence has emerged of Singapore's red hot property market with the Housing Board's (HDB) latest launches attracting six applicants for every available flat.
Bernama
The government has been urged to quickly implement the Mass Rail Transit (MRT) project linking Johor Bahru to Singapore as it will benefit people of both countries.
Liam O'Brian, Straits Times
Foreigners who, like me, like to take in the local culture and people when resident in another country will be in for a surprise if they spend much of their time within the gated confines of their lush and well-appointed condo.
Rachel Yang, Today
Elena Chong, Straits Times
In an unprecedented move, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) has applied for a court order to stop business temporarily on the first floor of the popular Mustafa Centre in Little India.
The SCDF is concerned about overcrowding, and its move follows a record number of safety violations at the shopping mall in recent years.
Blowin' In The Wind
Broadband is more expensive in Singapore than not only in America and Britain, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan but also 30 other countries including India, Russia, Egypt, Tunisia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Panama. This is shown by the Global Information Technology Report 2010 presented by the World Economic Forum and Insead.
Two of Singapore's three internet service providers also happen to be government-linked companies.
Leong Sze Hian, The Online Citizen
Georgina Joseph, Channel NewsAsia
Singapore's two integrated resorts with their casinos have gone over budget, according to a panel discussion on the subject on Tuesday.
Mustafa Shafawi, Channel NewsAsia
Electricity will cost more for the upcoming quarter, starting April. It will be the fourth consecutive quarter of increase.
SP Services said that is because of a continued increase in fuel oil prices. The average fuel oil price over the last three months has increased from S$99.38 to S$102.95 per barrel.
AFP
Singapore's extensive trade links and efficient ports have lured opportunistic wildlife smugglers, who use the country as a transit point to ship exotic fauna to customers worldwide, animal welfare activists said.
Wildlife trade monitoring network TRAFFIC lists Singapore as among the world's top 10 wildlife smuggling hubs.
David Broberts, The Gulf Blog
Salma Khalik, Straits Times
The key to a sustainable healthcare system is to take politics out of it, minimise market distortion and to let it function like other economic activity. This is what Singapore is trying to do, said Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan at the Economist conference on Tuesday.
林佩碧, 联合早报
碧山24街第286座组屋一间屋龄18年的顶楼双层公寓式组屋（Executive Maisonette），因为面积大、窗外风景毫无阻挡，让买主愿意支付高达17万元的现金溢价买下。
王阳发, 联合早报
我国对中国如此“特别”的重视，已有人担心是否“过了头”，但政府表示并没有过度重视中国市场。
陈磊, 联合早报
Ben Bland, Asian Correspondent
Despite the similarities between Singapore and Israel, the security threat is mostly imagined in the case of the former.
If Malaysia or Indonesia ever want to get at Singapore - and it's highly unlikely given how many members of the Indonesian and Malaysian elite secrete their personal wealth there - they need only cut off the water or gas supply.
Diary of A Singaporean Mind
Other countries don't require its retirees to lose their home to raised funds for retirement.
Goh Meng Seng, Singapore Alternatives
The goal post will keep shifting and the statistics do not represent the real picture on the ground. What is the real picture on the ground then?
Chee Soon Juan, Singapore Democrat Party
I want to put a stop to the lies propagated by the PAP and the media that I had entered the SDP and ungratefully usurped Mr Chiam's position as leader. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Hoe Yeen Nie, Channel NewsAsia
At a forum on Monday, social workers, economists and a minister discussed whether the system is adequate.
It is estimated that only 10 per cent of CPF money is set aside for retirement, taking into account the 18 per cent that could be used for medical fees, and the 68 per cent that may go into buying an HDB flat. In the future, that proportion too, could go up further.
任小铁, 广州日报
Tan Ee Lyn, Reuters
Chronic illnesses like heart disease, cancer and depression affect Asians as much as those in Western countries and governments must draft plans to cope with long-term costs, health experts said on Monday.
Adrian Bek Yongguang, Today
We should not be over-reliant on just one transport system. In the "hub and spoke" model, we are being too over-dependent on trains to carry the bulk of the passenger load.
Callan Tham, Trapper's Swamp
Ben Bland, Asian Correspondent
If Singapore were to overtake Las Vegas in its first few years, it would be some achievement. But the danger is that, in the rush to recoup the huge outlay by Las Vegas Sands and Genting, the casinos and the government will be forced to put caution to one side.
The government will have to pull off a delicate balancing act to ensure that success on the gaming tables does not prove to be, in Raffles' words, "highly destructive to the morals and happiness of the people".
Singapore Commuter
My Paper
It appears that many cabbies have decided to make a beeline for the Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) integrated resort, where there is a guaranteed line of passengers every morning since it opened in the middle of last month.
赵倩玉, 联合早报
拥车证成价最近上涨是因旧车报销数量减少，导致回流的拥车证数量减少，而非直接受拥车证配额的计算方式改变所影响。政府在制定配额计算方式之外，不能对市场力量进行干预。
总理公署部长兼财政部与交通部第二部长陈惠华指出，虽然现在仍难以预测拥车证成价下来会不会重现上世纪90年代的高峰，但要是拥车证需求增加，而又没有太多人报销车辆，供需两边的多股市场力量在相互作用之下，市场将会自行作出调整。
联合早报
曾在上届大选失利后表示有意退出政坛的前非选区议员谢镜丰，昨天也碰巧同其他国民团结党成员到哥本峇鲁巴刹与熟食中心走动，还特地和前来为巴刹主持开幕的宏茂桥集选区议员殷吉星握手寒暄。
国民团结党之前表示有意角逐杨厝港单选区，而巴刹就处在宏茂桥集选区和该单选区目前的分界线旁。
Chia Hui Keng, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority, Today
The criteria for consideration have been tightened following the review of the framework for the granting of SC and PR to all foreigners.
Kong Chong Min, Straits Times
It is important that different government agencies or organisations work together to disseminate a similar message to the public. If not, the actions of one will simply contradict the words of another.
Callan Tham, Trapper's Swamp
By discrediting anonymous contributors because they choose to remain anonymous is a blatant disregard for the substance of the issue.
Diary of A Singaporean Mind
Singapore Democrat Party
Economic concerns such as the issue of foreign workers, income inequality and falling productivity took centre stage today at the public forum organised by the SDP. A panel of five speakers comprising of Messrs John Tan, Jufrie Mahmood, Sylvester Lim and Gandhi Ambalam were on hand to present the SDP's proposals in the various areas of our economy.
Musings From the Lion City
We have foreigners coming in to Singapore to speculate on the property markets, but elderly Singaporeans (who made Singapore what it is now) should not sell their flats?
Singapore Recalcitrant
Can you blame the pent-up netizens for opening up an alternative media channel to disseminate the truth about the iniquities of the PAP government? The Prime Minister will be living in a fool's paradise if he thinks that their online crticisms of the government and its ministers are colluded fakes and are not given serious attention by discerning Singaporeans.
Choo Zheng Xi, The Online Citizen
The MPs involved have already been showed up as grossly negligent by refusing to vigorously represent their constituents’ interest to the Housing Development Board (HDB).
They have also failed to mitigate the impact of that purchase, failing to negotiate with Sheng Siong to hold off on rental hikes.
Joanne Chan, Channel NewsAsia
Second minister for transport, Lim Hwee Hua, said that as the train system becomes built up, commuters can expect to rely more on feeder bus services that connect them to MRT stations.
Mrs Lim said: "We will not introduce new cross country services because those are really legacies of the past. But we will review every (existing) one to see whether they need to be sustained."
Eric Pickett, Gradually Going Tornado
“Free speech, or kiss my ass!” ought to be the standard operation procedure for all Western media companies.
Christopher Ong, Kent Ridge Commons
The line between an astro-turfing movement and one that is not not must be clearly distinguished, and the people supporting a cause must dare to stand up and genuinely be counted to create this distinct line.
Dee Kay Dot As Gee
Do not discriminate those who can’t write well. Every citizen’s feedback to the government, be it thru their own writing or template from a like minded person, is still a feedback from a Singapore citizen that should be taken seriously by the government.
Jun Burgos, Inquirer
Industry players in Malaysia’s medical tourism are undertaking a variety of measures to welcome the expected surge of Singaporeans seeking medical treatment and therapies there.
Dennis Morrison, The Gleaner
In Singapore, a country often cited in Jamaica as a model we should emulate, the decision to reverse a long-standing policy to exclude casinos was arrived at only after the most exhaustive evaluation of the risks.
Leong Sze Hian, The Online Citizen
Focus on the message and the issue, regardless of the perceived intent or motive of the sender, whether fake or otherwise.
Andrew Loh, The Online Citizen
As far as I know, in having spoken to various sections of poor people and homeless people in Singapore, I have yet to come across any government department or ministry which provides free meals to those who cannot afford them.
Singaporean Skeptic
Random Thoughts Of A Free Thinker
Musings From the Lion City
Trick question: How do you know when you are in a property bubble and property prices had gone beyond the means of Singaporeans to buy?
Answer: When the people most involved are falling over themselves to push the blame.
Callan Tham, Trapper's Swamp
That's not how a democracy works. Nominees have to earn the votes, and a walkover, especially in a GRC with its high entry barrier, does not imply that the constituents have given their mandate to them. By holding the polls and making them earn a majority will we know the will of the voters.
Imelda Saad, Channel NewsAsia
He said the government cannot make decisions simply based on the volume of emails supporting or opposing a particular situation. Mr Lee noted the government must also be cautious of what he calls "Astroturfing" campaigns.
赵琬仪, 联合早报
负责重新规划全岛巴士路线网络的陆路交通管理局，计划将特长的巴士路线一分为二，或调整一些巴士停站路线，使公共交通网络更加紧密衔接，乘客的转车过程因而能更便捷。
陆交局过去半年多来咨询了11个选区基层领袖和居民的意见。负责这项咨询计划的交通部第二部长陈惠华日前接受本报专访时，透露了巴士路线网络重新规划的概念。
赵琬仪, 联合早报
陆交通管理局就巴士路线规划咨询基层领袖和居民时，不时有人提出增加新路线的建议。但从经济效益、交通负荷量等多方面考虑，增加新巴士路线未必能满足需求，还会引发更多问题。交通部第二部长陈惠华接受本报专访时说，增加新路线需要考虑多方因素，包括是否有足够乘客量，确保巴士业者能维持经营。
Seah Chiang Nee, The Star
Even as Singapore continues to attract expatriates from all over the world, its home-grown skilled professionals and graduates are leaving for bigger nations at a worrying rate.
Nopporn Wong-Anan, Reuters
Universal Studios Singapore has shut down the world's tallest duelling rollercoaster, and a major attraction, because of a technical problem, a mere week after the theme park opened. The glitch at the rollercoaster, the flagship attraction of the new Universal Studios park, was found during daily pre-opening testing on Thursday.
Stephanie Phang, Bloomberg
Singapore’s industrial production increased for a third straight month as rising exports of electronics and pharmaceuticals spurred output, bolstering economic growth.
Nopporn Wong-Anan, Reuters
Visitor arrivals in Singapore rose 24 percent in February from a year earlier to reach 857,000, the highest ever for the month as the city-state's first casino opened to lure tourists during the Lunar New Year holiday.
Singapore Democrat Party
Is the PAP MP burying his head in the sand in the hope that the controversy will just blow away? Doesn't he know that the shocking rental hike of 30 percent is going to affect both stallholders and consumers in a drastic way? Does he even care at all?
Christopher Ong, Kent Ridge Commons
The default position that should be first assumed is that the political nominees do not have the support of the constituents, and thus the need for a democratic process of voting to alter this default position.
Yen Feng & Melissa Sim, Straits Times
The statement, in response to The Straits Times' queries, said its shares in the downtown commercial property were not held by the church itself, but by a separate 'special-purpose investment holding company' it wholly owned.
The CHC statement gave no details of the investment company, but said it had acquired 'an indirect minority stake' in the holding company of Suntec Convention Centre. CHC had previously described the stake as 'substantial' and 'significant'.
谢燕燕, 联合早报
移民与关卡局在回答本报的询问时说，政府并没有完全切断这一途径，只不过政府在检讨了原有框架后，决定提高门槛，对申请者的资格要求有所提高。
Alicia Wong, Today
Give lower-level civil servants more leeway to represent their agency or ministry in communicating with the public. This was a suggestion by acting minister for information, communications and the arts Lui Tuck Yew had for some 250 government officials yesterday at the inaugural Mica-CSC (Civil Service College) Public Communications Conference.
Irene Tham, Straits Times
Local telcos SingTel and StarHub still cannot meet the asking price for rights to broadcast the 2010 World Cup. The Straits Times understands that the latest joint bid by the telcos was rejected recently by Fifa.
Singapore Democrat Party
While the PAP stubbornly clings on to its antiquated policy of helping the elite rich get richer but sticking its "spurs" into the sides of workers to make us work "cheaper, better and faster", the SDP's alternative vision is to create an economic system that benefits all Singaporeans, one that makes our society more egalitarian by tapping on the people's innovative best.
Chan Wai San, National Environment Agency, Today
It is a common practice for casinos in many countries to put in place house rules to designate smoking and non-smoking areas. Hence this similar practice was adopted as part of the operating environment for IRs in Singapore.
Jean-François Julliard, Reporters Without Borders
Reporters Without Borders condemns the judicial harassment which you and your father have practiced for years in order to prevent foreign news media from taking too close an interest in how you run your country. It does serious and lasting harm to press freedom in Singapore.
We regret that you, the members of your government and your father keep citing the need to guarantee Singapore’s stability as grounds for controlling the media and maintaining its draconian laws. Countries that show the most respect for press freedom, such as Finland and Norway, are peaceful and prosperous democracies. Freedom of expression is not a source of political unrest. Quite the contrary.
Ben Bland, Asian Correspondent
The canny Lees know more than anyone else when they must lose the short-term public relations battle in order to win the long-term war for control of the international media.
Diary of A Singaporean Mind
These days it is impractical to expect religious leaders to live in modest homes and take public transport and honour a vow of poverty so they can give out more to those who are poor and sick knowing that what is important are the treasures that await them in heaven...we should, however, have the same level of transparency, accountability and regulation as big business enterprises because some of these mega-churches operate like businesses.
May Wong, Channel NewsAsia
The Ministry of National Development (MND) has defended its Reserve Price system for state land tenders, and disagrees that it has constrained market forces in Singapore.
Ng E-Jay, The Online Citizen
Sheng Siong completed the business transaction because it knew that with its new monopolistic position, it could raise prices to maintain its bottom line without losing market share to competitors.
The Members of Parliament of the constituencies in which those wet markets are located ignored the obvious warning signs and failed to speak out on behalf of residents and stallholders who voiced legitimate concerns about possible price increases — fears that have now been fully realized.
Diary of A Singaporean Mind
Singapore Aspirations
蔡添成, 联合早报
如果拿目前的选区范围地图来比较，很明显的选区范围检讨委员会主要将在东部和东北部划分出至少三个新的单选区。而从选民人数和选举局最近所公布的各集选区的投票区数目来看，一般认为规模较大的集选区如白沙—榜鹅集选区和淡滨尼集选区之间；阿裕尼集选区和东海岸集选区之间；西海岸集选区和裕廊集选区之间；以及丹戎巴葛和惹兰勿刹集选区之间，都有可能划出新的单选区。
赖诗琳, 联合早报
昇菘超市下月起，调高五个湿巴刹摊位租金30％。摊贩感叹涨幅太大，管理层则解释说，当初买下巴刹时并没有将房地产税考虑在内，如今为了维持下去只好调高租金。
尽管昇菘超市总经理林福星表示，调高租金是逼不得已，摊贩还是大喊租金涨幅太大，接下来的生意将难以维持。好些选择走一步看一步，先签一年合约再打算；一些则决定不续约，另找谋生处。
Yossi Melman, Ha'aretz
A Paris-based online magazine covering intelligence and security issues this week called Singapore one of the most important customers of Israel's defense industry, laying bare the active, though secret, relationship between Israel and Singapore that began more than 40 years ago - a statement that comes after years in which Israel censored all local articles on the subject.
Even more interesting is the possibility the article raises that Iron Dome was designed first and foremost for the benefit of Singapore - not for the protection of Sderot and the southern communities in Israel that suffered from Qassam rocket attacks and mortar fire for seven years and are still suffering (though Iron Dome is not capable of intercepting mortar shells).
Joyce Teo, Straits Times
The government has to shoulder some of the blame for the short supply of land and high property prices, said Mr Simon Cheong, president of the Real Estate Developers' Association of Singapore (Redas), yesterday.
Kong Siong Kwong, Straits Times
Why should walkovers be banned? What about being fair to the only nominee who is also Singaporean and entitled to his rights? It is inequitable to insist that this one candidate must be voted on and secure more than 50 per cent of the votes cast in order to establish that he has the support of constituents.
Chua Poh Suan, Straits Times
If other town councils were able to arrange lift upgrading earlier and so avoid higher maintenance costs, why the delay in Jurong? If other town councils can delay their fee increases considering the economic situation, why not Aljunied and Jurong? Perhaps these two town councils should review their operational management and efficiency.
Paul Chan, Straits Times
The daunting amount of multiple deposits in GRC wards creates a stumbling block to small political parties. How may parties can afford the huge amount from their party funds in the first place?
If the ruling party changes the rules to peg the amount of election deposit on the basis of 'one man, one vote for one ward', regardless of whether it is a single ward or GRC ward, the ground will be more even.
Today
The specialist outpatient clinics at the new Khoo Teck Puat Hospital open this Monday - and so that nearby residents can familiarise themselves with the place, the hospital is holding an open house on Sunday.
Singapore Democrat Party
The Singapore Democrats voiced out strongly against the move precisely because we were concerned that Sheng Siong would hike rentals for stallholders. Our worst fears have been confirmed.
Despite the serious objections, the HDB allowed the sales of the wet markets in Choa Chu Kang, Bukit Batok and Serangoon to go through. In particular, stallholders at the Fajar Market in Bukit Panjang with the support of residents in the area appealed to their PAP member of parliament Dr Teo Ho Pin to stop the sale, but to no avail.
Abhiram Nandakumar, Reuters
Canada's IMAX Corp said it signed an agreement with Shaw Theatres Pte Ltd to install a digital IMAX theatre system at Shaw's Lido Cineplex on Orchard Road in Singapore.
Neil Chatterjee and Tiffany Wu, Reuters
The New York Times Co apologized to Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew on Wednesday and paid S$160,000 ($114,000) in damages for an article about Asian political dynasties.
Davinder Singh, the lawyer acting for the leaders, told Reuters that the IHT's publisher, editor of global editions, and the article's author, Philip Bowring, also agreed to pay damages of S$60,000 to Lee Hsien Loong, and S$50,000 each to Goh Chok Tong and Lee Kuan Yew, as well as pay their legal costs.
AFP
Singapore retained its number one spot as the best place to live for Asian expats followed by Sydney, a survey by human resources consultancy ECA International showed Wednesday.
The survey showed Singapore's top ranking was due largely to its infrastructure, health services, low crime rates and better air quality.
John Berthelsen, Asia Sentinel
Although the article contains an analysis of dynastic politics in Asia, nowhere does the story say or imply that nepotism played a role in the Lee family's – or any other family's political prominence in the region. In that way, the case is reminiscent of another in which the Financial Times apologized for a September 2007 article in which there appeared to be no libel. The article merely listed the names of Lee family members in high positions in the island nation.
Leong Sze Hian, The Online Citizen
Singapore Aspirations
Why not abolish the permanent residency regime in Singapore?
New York Times
In 1994, Philip Bowring, a contributor to the International Herald Tribune’s op-ed page, agreed as part of an undertaking with the leaders of the government of Singapore that he would not say or imply that Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had attained his position through nepotism practiced by his father Lee Kuan Yew. In a February 15, 2010, article, Mr. Bowring nonetheless included these two men in a list of Asian political dynasties, which may have been understood by readers to infer that the younger Mr. Lee did not achieve his position through merit. We wish to state clearly that this inference was not intended.
journalism.sg
A Lianhe Zaobao journalist has shared on Facebook the transcript of her interview with opposition leader Chee Soon Juan, in response to his accusation that she was acting as instrument of "autocratic regime and its controlled media".
Chee Soon Juan, SIngapore Democrat Party
I hesitated when Ms Yew asked me those questions not because I had something to hide but because they were intrusive (in her own words "rude"). But she chose to put the worst possible spin on my response, that is, that I was evasive. For obvious reasons, the Straits Times ran a report on this part of that interview, highlighting Ms Yew's point.
Sharon See, Channel NewsAsia
Smoking is banned in most enclosed places in Singapore, but it is a different story for the two casinos at Resorts World Singapore (RWS) and the soon to be opened Marina Bay Sands.
The decision to exclude casinos from the smoking ban came in 2008 after a year-long discussion between the National Environment Agency (NEA) and the two Integrated Resorts (IRs).
Why does all the arguments against banning in nightspots don't apply here? Simple. Follow all the monies.
Sharon See, Channel NewsAsia
Stallholders at five wet markets will have to pay 30 per cent more in rent from next month. They have been informed of the increase by supermarket chain Sheng Siong, which bought the markets over from a private property developer late last year.
Didn't the government said market force will determine whether wet markets will stay or not? Well, if government regulations prevented me from converting my wet markets to supermarkets, it's time to use market force.
Harvey Neo, Straits Times
Yap Kim Hao, Straits Times
Whatever surplus funds the religious institution gets each year is not meant to be accumulated for the purpose of engaging in business and commercial activities. Exceptional risks are taken in profit-making activities and they deviate from the nature of charitable institutions.
The relevant authorities should provide regulations and enact legislation to address this situation.
Readings From A Political Duo-ble
Challenging the mandatory nature of the death penalty therefore becomes an act of shooting oneself in the foot, not just for those against the mandatory death penalty but also for those who are against the death penalty in all situations.
Wong Wee Nam, Sgpolitics.net
Materialism and selfishness have eroded our soul and made us a less caring society; let us not add on to it by allowing the killing of the dying.
Isn't there already a form of 'assisted suicide' already permitted in Singapore, where one can opt not to artificially prolong one's life through the use of machines? What is the different between assisted suicide and refusal of medication?
Diary of A Singaporean Mind
Ravi Philemon, The Online Citizen
Michael Tan, CNET Asia
Saeed Azhar and Harry Suhartono, Reuters
Singapore sovereign wealth fund Temasek Holdings wants to increase its exposure to mining in Mongolia and is also looking for opportunities to invest in the mining sector in Africa.
Goh Meng Seng, Singapore Alternatives
There is nothing much which can be done to help the victims of the current boom-bust housing cycle caused by Mr Mah’s BTO system. The best that can be done is to change the system to protect future generations.
Stephanie Phang, Bloomberg
Singapore’s consumer prices increased for a second month in February as food and transport costs rose amid a regional economic rebound that has spurred some Asian central banks to raise interest rates.
林秋霞
难怪人家说新加坡的官场是双刃剑。 好的时候一帆风顺， 坏的时候沉船百踩，永不能翻身。 就看你最后的决定是什么。
Neo Chai Chin, Today
Could creating a "comfort class" in Singapore's public buses and trains help improve customer satisfaction The idea - adapted from airlines that offer seats slightly more spacious than economy class at a small premium - would entail charging passengers slightly higher fares for the comfort and space.
It was one of the suggestions mooted by American organisational consultant Joseph Michelli (picture) on improving customer satisfaction ratings for public transport here.
There is currently a huge gap in terms of public transport between trains/buses and taxi. (And no, the over-regulated premium bus scheme is not it.) Hong Kong's red and green mini-buses will be a good model to look into.
Vivek Prakash, Reuters
Vivian Yeo, ZDNet Asia
The public sector has made strides toward nurturing a paper-free culture, but its interaction with a myriad of stakeholders means it will take years before a true paperless government becomes a reality, observes an analyst.
Richard Lloyd Parry, The Times
Since its foundation as an independent state in 1965 Singapore has had bad-tempered relations with its neighbours — and none is larger or more contrasting than Indonesia.
While Indonesia has oil, gas, minerals and forests, Singapore sits on a swampy, malarial island without even enough water to supply its own needs.
Mohan Gopalan, The Online Citizen
Rozman’s case provides an illustration of the problematic nature of the mandatory death penalty. While the judges were sensitive to the mitigating factors in Rozman’s case, they could not properly take them into account, and were left with no choice but to sentence Rozman to death. If the death penalty had not been mandatory, the judges would have been able to take into account Rozman’s subnormal intellect, as well as the conduct of the CNB officer. They could then have decided whether to award Rozman a long prison sentence, instead of the death penalty.
Without the benefit of this discretion, Rozman bin Jusoh was hanged till death on 12 April 1996.
Sol Sanders, Washington Times
Several decades in the making, it reached a crescendo in 2006 with the fall of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Ironically, the billionaire politician was brought down by his neighbors, the Singaporeans. Singaporean "Mentor Minister" Lee Kuan Yew — who styles himself as leader of a squeaky-clean regime — does not follow the adage admonishing Caesars wife to be above suspicion. For it was his daughter-in-laws Singaporean sovereign fund, Temasek, that blew up Mr. Thaksin.
Thomas Tan, Straits Times
On its part, the Ministry of National Development should nudge the town councils to raise their fees so the ministry need not bail them out should they run into financial difficulties.
The other monies is for investing, you know, not for emergencies even.
Tan Hong Ngan, Straits Times
Although we boast a high voter turnout in every election, the underlying picture tells only half the story. It is not very surprising if a citizen does not get to vote in his lifetime in democratic Singapore. This basic human right to choose one's leaders is denied to some because of the GRC system.
Ting Kheng Siong and Lynda Hong, Channel NewsAsia
Comfort Delgro, one of Singapore's biggest taxi companies, has seen a 20 per cent increase in calls for taxis compared with two months ago.
Megawati Wijaya, Asia Times
An American girl in Singapore
It turns something that supposed to make life more convenient into something that's a huge pain in the tuckus.
Christopher Ong, Kent Ridge Commons
Are City Harvests’ business ventures truly for the provision of ‘public benefits’?
And why is your $2 donation through SMS also taxed just because it goes through commercial entities?
Conrad Raj, Today
We would all like to see market forces operate with as little interference from the authorities as possible. But where such market forces go against the interest of the consumer as in the case of the reckless competition between SingTel and StarHub for the exclusive rights to content, then the authorities ought to intervene, and quickly.
What the government is doing is akin like telling websites that work with IE must also work with Firefox. But the real innovation and real value comes in having websites be standard-compliant, and will also work with Safari, Opera and Chrome.
The Temasek Review
Ng E-Jay, Sgpolitics.net
The reason why the western powers will never exert pressure on the Singapore government to become more democratic is because their own electorate are not concerned about Singapore, but are more concerned about losing jobs and business opportunities to China and India.
Ong Boon Kiat, Business Times
Google is poised to lift its Singapore headcount in a big way soon. The Internet search giant is also seeking to strike deals with content providers in Singapore over its YouTube online video service.
Chua Chin Hon, Straits Times
Singapore's domestic politics is something for Singaporeans to decide for themselves, the incoming US Ambassador to Singapore clarified.
Mr David Adelman's remarks during an earlier nomination hearing - that he would use public diplomacy to promote political freedom in Singapore - stirred some controversy among Singaporeans who felt a diplomat should not interfere in his host country's domestic politics.
Jim Tharpe, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Singapore has only 5 million citizens, but it is a business crossroads and a major military force in Southeast Asia. U.S. aircraft carriers frequently dock there -- its port is one of the world’s busiest. Singapore’s navy has recently taken on a major role in the battle against seaborne piracy.
“Singapore is a country that punches above its weight,” Adelman said. “They are a relatively small country, but they have a very powerful economy.”
Leslie Gordon, Machine Design
A main theme that pops out over and over: Take a holostic approach to development, whether it be a product or a whole nation’s economy.
Neil Chatterjee, Reuters
Some jewelry shops in Singapore are illegally selling tiger parts, helping fuel the disappearance of the big cat from Asia, a local animal protection group said on Friday. A three-month investigation by Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES) found that 59 out of 134 jewelry and antique shops it visited in the Southeast Asian city-state were allegedly selling tiger parts, including claws, teeth and pieces of skin.
Seah Chiang Nee, The Star
With Singapore allowing in a million foreigners in the past 10 years, it just had to happen. Recent police crackdowns on hot spots was an eye-opener on how deep organised crime has dug in.
Jonathan Kwok, Straits Times
American sandwich chain Subway aims to double the number of its outlets in Singapore from 77 to about 150 in just five years - and has fast-food leader McDonald's clearly in its sights.
New Kerala
Singapore Airlines (SIA) has closed its operations in Pakistan due to the deteriorating security condition in the country.
Tang Mun Poh, National Service Resort & Country Club, Straits Times
In the initial years of the club's set-up, corporate bodies were asked to support national service by buying corporate membership. This was to raise funds to help cover the club's development costs so fees could be kept low for NSmen. Entrance fees from corporate members contributed significantly to the club's development costs.
We have not actively marketed corporate membership for more than 13 years, and today corporate members constitute less than 1 per cent of our membership base. For this small group, we have to honour our obligations to them as they have given their support to the club in its initial years.
Yaw Shin Leong
The Temasek Review
It is time for Singaporeans to realize that there will be no economic rights without political rights and unless Singaporeans stand up and fight for their rights, they will always remain as slaves to the despotic PAP regime, waiting for the crumbs left over by them rather than to partake and enjoy the fruits gained by the nation’s economic growth.
中国新闻网
据业内人士估计，新加坡环球影城第一年营运会吸引450万人次的游客。而圣淘沙名胜世界此前更明言，中国内地客将占较大比例，其次则为东南亚旅客。客路与香港两大主题公园如出一辙，这不禁引来香港旅游界的担心。
Ian Choo, New Asia Republic
Edwin Goel, OC Weekly
Move over Farrell's. Eat your heart out B&R ice cream cakes. I have seen the next ice cream fad and it is sushi ice cream, which looks more fun to eat than Dibs and a whole lot prettier, too.
Esther Ng, Today
While MOM’s efforts are commendable, the desired outcome of educating workers of their rights may not have been reached.
N D Batra, Times Of India
Singapore politicians, city planners, architects, educators and think-tankers aspire to make the city a hi-tech global hub of trade and commerce that competes with Tokyo, Hong Kong and Shanghai, a goal that is not difficult to achieve. But to become a great centre for the arts and culture, like New York or London, Singapore needs unbridled freedom of speech and expression, and some tolerance for the creative messiness that accompanies it. It is freedom of speech in all its manifestations that enables a nation to generate an abiding grand narrative or a myth that binds its people.
Hugo Kugiya, Crosscut.com
A few Seattle restaurants serve this simple dish, which is so popular in Singapore that one restaurant can go through 50 chickens a day.
Wong Wee Nam, Sgpolitics.net
Having a sense of history can only come from political awareness. For our young Singaporeans to be cohesive and be committed to the nation and to one another there must be space in this country to allow them to develop their political awareness and to imbue in them the spirit of participation in the affairs of the country.
Gerald Giam
Reducing income inequality should be the top priority of the government. This government needs to pay more than just lip service to the goal of ensuring that all Singaporeans benefit from economic growth.
Leong Sze Hian / Andrew Loh, The Online Citizen
Heng-Cheong Leong, MyAppleMenu
If one examines closely, the ERP system in Singapore is for regulating vehicle traffic on the roads, and not, as described by this blogger, a promise from LTA that the roads will be free from traffic jam.
In fact, one can argue that if there is a traffic accident on a particular road, the ERP for that road should be immediately raised to a much higher rate so that there will be less vehicles willing to travel through this particular road.
Callan Tham, Trapper's Swamp
Only by taking it to the extremes can the inanity of this interpretation be clearly brought to light. But this expansive take on the law also signifies how unwilling the PAP government is to let go of their opponents even after they have been set free by a court of law, instead choosing to appeal and hoping to set the precedent that would allow them to selectively enforce a broad and vague law to their political advantage.
Jonathan Wong, Straits Times
THE Singapore Sports Council (SSC) has instructed all National Sports Associations (NSAs) to register themselves as charity organisations by year end or risk getting their funds frozen.
林冠雄, 联合早报
我觉得，徐博士如能对游君伸出民主之手，把对游君的指责和猜疑，转换成对游君的真诚的握手言谢，我想对民主党改进和媒体关系以及和选民关系都是很有利的。
Yeo Eng Huat, Straits Times
Opening up corporate membership means NSRCC members may not be able to enjoy the facilities to the full extent, and is certainly not aligned with the club's mission of providing premier facilities to national servicemen in recognition of their contributions.
Wee Eng Leong, Straits Times
As far as residents are concerned, their votes on the lift upgrading should be honoured. Can the HDB unilaterally change the building plan which the residents had voted on?
Goh Meng Seng, Singapore Alternatives
To bang on Mr. Mah's policy direction on High HDB price for Future Retirement Financing is a very dangerous move. There are so many variables to take care of. There are just too many unrealistic assumptions made but possible scenarios arising from the aging population not taken care of. His plan that aims to solve one problem, will eventually create more problems for Singaporeans and future government.
Robin Wigglesworth, Andrew England and Simeon Kerr, Financial Times
mr brown, CNNGo
All About Money
This is what I call shooting Singaporeans in the foot!
Andrew Loh, The Online Citizen
Lawyers have said so. The Law Society has said so. The international community has said so. (Most countries do not have or have abolished the MDP, including almost all Asian countries.) Even judges have implicitly express reservations about it.
So, why isn’t the government taking heed?
Saeed Azhar, Reuters
Singapore state investor Temasek, which manages assets of more than $120 billion, may be looking to snap up stakes in technology companies, joining other big institutional investors in turning bullish on the sector's improving outlook.
Temasek, which recently bought shares in search-engine firm Yahoo Inc, is not only looking at blue-chips, but may also consider buying private companies ahead of them listing on global exchanges such as Nasdaq, said sources familiar with the plans.
John Chan, CNET Asia
Stephanie Phang, Bloomberg
Singapore’s exports grew at a faster pace in February as electronics and pharmaceutical shipments gained, boosting the island’s economic recovery.
Shlomo Maital, TIMnovate
Seelan Palay
It's bad enough that there's so much censorship in Singapore, and that all the media is monopolized by the government. Should we, as bloggers who might be the only available source of independent and alternative news in this country, then practice so much self-censorship on a matter as simple as who we voted for and why?
The Temasek Review
Since the PAP MPs keep exhorting Singaporeans to be “cheaper, faster and better”, why can’t they walk their talk and show us how to be “cheaper, faster and better” themselves first?
Singapore Democrat Party
Dr Chee replied to the newspapers, pointing out that it was the PAP Government that was undermining the interests of Singaporeans through its so-called foreign talent policy, its continued pandering to MNCs, and its use of foreigners in the National Wages Council.
The newspapers, however, insisted that they would publish the SDP leader's letter only if these points regarding the PAP were deleted.
Callan Tham, Trapper's Swamp
Imran Ahmed, The Grand Moofti Speaks
For Singapore's Temasek to be ranked third by the Linaburg-Maduell Transparency Index is good PR but overrates success. Given Singapore's commitment to transparency and good governance, the Republic should act as a catalyst for greater openness by SWFs. Voluntary disclosure by GIC and Temasek beyond that required by the index will boldly challenge other SWFs.
Callan Tham, Trapper's Swamp
Putting the blame on the free market, and trumpeting the value of HDB flats as growing assets, shows an abject failure in supplying a basic need for Singaporeans, and not understanding that housing is a need that must be satisfied instead of an asset to be cashed in.
Rodney Hogan, Straits Times
Cyclists here tend to rely on the skill and goodwill of motorists to keep them safe, but fail to demonstrate a standard of road craft that motorists may easily relate and respond to. International research findings, however, clearly show that to ride safely side by side with motor vehicles, cyclists must actively assist motorists to accommodate them.
Commuting by bicycle in Singapore is not as dangerous as anecdotally made out to be. Motorists and cyclists are not at war. Each has something to offer the other in a civilised road environment. Indeed, competent cyclists present a persuasive argument for societal acceptance of cycling as a safe means of transport.
Amit Nagpal, Straits Times
Lately, some cyclists have managed to successfully instil fear in the minds of many pedestrians with their reckless riding on the pavements. And it is because of some cyclists, who ride at high speeds on the pavements, zigzagging their way through crowds, that most of us feel that walking on the footpaths is akin to walking on busy roads.
Chee Soon Juan, Singapore Democratic Party, Straits Times
In all my years of service to this country, I have always worked with one and only one objective in mind: To speak up for my fellow citizens and empower them so that they can stand up for themselves.
In what way do I harm Singapore's interests by fighting for democracy and the political rights of Singaporeans?
Esther Teo, Straits Times
PRs will not be able to buy flats in certain areas in Jurong West, Choa Chu Kang, Sembawang, Sengkang or Bukit Batok unless they are prepared to pay a premium over the asking price in the hope of enticing other PRs to sell.
Nur Dianah Suhaimi, Straits Times
Muslims who worry pork sellers will set up shop at Geylang Serai market were assured by the area's MP yesterday that the government harbours no plans to force such a move.
If one parse carefully what was reported, the government seems unlikely to intervene any non-halal businesses from setting up business there.
Channel NewsAsia
Singapore said it has informed Romanian authorities that it will co-operate with them in their investigation on former diplomat Dr Silviu Ionescu.
Kor Kian Beng, Straits Times
A High Court judge reserved judgment on Tuesday on a rare appeal by the Government against the acquittal of five opposition leaders and supporters for taking part in an illegal procession in 2007.
It's innocent until proven guilty; furthermore, the five person have already been acquitted. Why is Straits Times still calling this an illegal procession?
Vincent Fernando, Business Insider
Something clicked many years back when Singapore suddenly realized that the key to being a world city isn't just about business... it is about having fun too.
Since then the city has been transforming itself with a focus on both ease of doing business plus quality of life for those who do business. Thus both prostitution and gambling are legal in by-the-book Singapore. And brand new integrated resorts (casinos) are coming online.
Free Malaysia Today
Ng E-Jay, The Online Citizen
The permission given to the mainstream media to continue reporting on the election whilst alternative voices and opposition parties have to grapple with vaguely worded legislation in a bid to stay within the law creates an unfair playing field that can only sow greater mistrust for the electoral system.
Covered In His Blood
While it is a noble cause to argue for the abolishment of the mandatory death penalty, and Yong's case would be a best example to demonstrate how cruel and indiscriminate the mandatory death penalty can be, the courts doesn't seem to be the place to effect some change. At the end of the day, what is needed is politicians to bring up the debate in parliament as civil society can only create the 'noise' and awareness but not change the legislation which judges are bounded by. Until then, it saddens me as I realise that Yong would likely be just another example.
Ian De Cotta, Today
After months of uncertainty for fans, MediaCorp understands an announcement by joint bidders SingTel and StarHub on broadcast details is just around the corner.
Straits Times
高极登, 联合早报
Yini Chua, The Online Citizen
Representing Yong was Mr M Ravi of LF Violet Netto. His core argument was centered on the principle of one’s right to life, as echoed by Article 9(1) of the Singapore Constitution, which states that no person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty save in accordance of the law.
Mr. Ravi challenged the constitutionality of the mandatory death penalty, stressing that it failed to deal with Article 9(1) adequately and adapt to changing standards of international law. He also argued that Article 9(1) prohibits the arbitrary imposition of the death penalty, an act which is also against customary international law. According to Mr. Ravi, there is growing universal consensus that the mandatory death penalty is a cruel and unusual punishment and involves deprivation to life.
Wong Chun Han, The Online Citizen
The Court of Appeal reserved judgement today in the case of convicted Malaysian drug mule Yong Vui Kong, who has challenged the constitutionality of the mandatory death sentence he received. Chief Justice Chan Sek Keong told a packed courthouse, after a two-and-a-half-hour-long hearing, that the Court would retire to consider the case and announce its decision at a later date.
Tan Kin Lian
The banks, which makes billions of dollars of profit a year, forget that many people in Singapore have to work 8 hours a day to earn $50, which is the amount that they charge for a small banking service. Perhaps our government, which gives the licence to the bank to operate the essential banking service, also forgets this point.
We also sold our POSB to DBS.
Dan Saltzstein, New York Times
Singapore isn’t exactly lacking for high-end lodging, but the Las Vegas Sands hopes to top them all with its new Marina Bay Sands Resort, which features a dizzying array of luxury offerings.
I don't care about the casinos or the restaurants -- but I am eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Lion King.
Afua Hirsch, The Guardian
Automatic execution for drug smugglers is inhumane and disproportionate, a court in Singapore has heard, as a 21-year-old challenged his death sentence for bringing heroin into the country.
Patrick Sio, Straits Times
Singapore Aspirations
Much has been said about Singapore filmmaker Jack Neo’s infidelity recently. But little has been raised in regard to how his behaviour likely constitutes sexual harassment in the workplace, and in particular, the lack of specific laws in Singapore that protect employees from sexual harassment and give employees an avenue for seeking redress.
Channel NewsAsia
Should drug traffickers be presented the automatic punishment - which is the death penalty? That question arose during the appeal of convicted Malaysian drug mule Yong Vui Kong.
Desmond Wong, Channel NewsAsia
Shares of MobileOne rallied two per cent on Monday as the market reacted to news last week that pay TV providers must share exclusive content. Analysts said with the playing field levelled, the door is open for smaller players like M1 to enter the pay TV market with little capital expenditure.
Blowin' In The Wind
DPA
Singapore urged Romania to investigate thoroughly two hit-and-run accidents that supposedly involved a former Romanian diplomat posted in the city-state, media reports said Monday.
Bernama
Singapore retail sales in January increased by 2.3 per cent compared to January 2009. But excluding motor vehicles, the retail sales was up by 1.3 per cent from a year ago, according to a monthly report released by the city-state's Statistics Department on Monday.
Peter Chan, Good Morning Yesterday
In 1971, the Ministry of National Development met officials from the major oil companies in Singapore to announce a major decision. All petrol stations within the Central Business District (CBD) were to be phased out over a period of 30 years, with some having to quit immediately.
Goh Meng Seng, Singapore Alternatives
We just want an honest price from HDB for our young Singaporean couples, at least a COST PRICE of HDB for our young in return for the enormous power that we have given the PAP government in Land Acquisition Act which it has used to acquired huge land stock at dirt cheap prices.
Siew Kum Hong, Today
The questions now are whether the proposed solution will work, and whether it introduces new distortions or problems.
The author asserted that EPL is a 'critical content'. I disagree. Football entertainment is simply just that: entertainment. We shouldn't simply add layers and layers of regulations just to please football entertainment fans and gamblers. Remember: we as taxpayers have to pay for all these regulations, including the salary of that civil servant sitting inside MITA building watching television to ensure exclusive content are carried on competing operators with all the branding and logos intact.
AFP
Developing countries have embarked on a dangerous "arms race" with huge sums ploughed into combat aircraft in unstable parts of the world in the past five years, a top defence think-tank has said.
South East Asia saw a dramatic increase between 2005 and 2009 with Malaysia ramping up its arms imports by 722 percent, Singapore 146 percent and Indonesia 84 percent. The increase in arms imports to Singapore made the island country the first member of ASEAN to make SIPRI's list of top 10 biggest arms importers since the end of the Vietnam war, giving the nation seventh place overall.
Esther Ng, Today
If about half the applicants offered a Built-To-Order flat reject it, is there something wrong with the system? Ngee Ann Polytechnic real estate lecturer Nicholas Mak thinks a longer list of flats could be offered to home seekers, which they could bid or ballot for. That means paying more for a choice flat.
Mr Wang Says So
The policy had morphed, from a small-scale initiative to recruit highly-skilled foreigners, to a huge initiative to recruit any foreigner who would put his hand up. PM Lee wanted to admit, and yet not admit, that the policy had changed.
James Lam, Today
If what the women said is true regarding Jack Neo's behaviour, then all right-minded people should censure him. Sexual harassment in the work place is bad enough, but coming from an employer or immediate superior is disgusting.
符祝慧, 联合早报
十年前，要在日本吃一道正宗的新加坡菜不容易。记得，当时只有一家称为“梦饭”的小馆子卖海南鸡饭。历经十载，东京市内已能找到12家新加坡餐馆。这一阵子，属繁华区的惠比寿车站周围，连开三家海南鸡饭店，日本有了首个海南鸡饭激战区。
时光飞船的个人空间
在新加坡生活的中国人没有一百万，也有几十万，如果想深入探讨一下这个社群的相关问题，恐怕很难回避红灯区这一话题。不仅因为红灯区里有许多中国小姐和陪读妈妈（陪伴孩子来读书的中年妈妈），也因为红灯区附近居住了大量来新加坡工作学习的人（房租便宜），还有这里的餐饮业吸引了大量的中国人前来消费，最近一些年许多中国人在这里当上了老板，开店赚钱。
The Online Citizen
John Tan, Singapore Democrat Party
The proposed changes to the election rules announced in Parliament yesterday are just another ploy by the PAP to instill fear in the people. As far as the Internet is concerned, citizens should be free to campaign for whichever party and candidate they choose.
林诗慧 萧洁盈, 联合早报
教育部降低选修华文B的门槛，受访学生大都表示欢迎，一些学者则对这调整有所保留。
Heng-Cheong Leong, MyAppleMenu
Yay! MDA have effectively banned exclusivity in the pay television market. I can now watch whatever I want on whichever operator I choose.
Not really.
Why? SingTel cannot sign any contract with the content owner that forbid StarHub from showing the same content.
I own the content. I have the leverage. I decide how I want my content to be shown.
But it's the law, man. You want to do business here, you have to obey our laws.
Fine. I'll structured my licensing fees such that the first operator, if it so chooses to pay a larger fee, will get -- let's just call it first-comer-privilege -- a promise from me that the licensing fee for subsequent operators will be so expensive that no second operator will be able to pay and carry my content.
Oooh ooh ooh, loophole. MDA can simply 'fine-tune' the law that forbids content owner from charging different prices and different terms to different pay TV operators.
You do realize that this will effectively wipe out any new entrants and small players in the pay-TV market, right?
So be it. You can't dictate the terms, you powerful content-owner, if you want to do business here in Singapore.
Fine. I'll just treat the entire Singapore's pay television market as one operator since it doesn't matter who I talk to anymore, and I'll just raise my prices to take account into that. I'll treat all pricing negotiation effectively as though you are licensing my content exclusively.
You can't do that! We'll just not pay for your content. You'll lose our market.
Fine. You are just a tiny red dot with a tiny population. I'll rather have my lawyers spent their negotiation time with the Chinese government.
We'll grow our population by importing foreign talents so that you can't ignore us. 6.5 billion? 10 billion? 20 billion? No problem!
Have you heard of the internet? We'll start selling our content exclusively on the internet. You want to be first country in the world to ban my website? And I'll charge whatever I want, without any middleman in your country to get any part of my revenue.
...
Honestly, from where I am sitting, this whole pay-tv content-sharing policy from MDA looks drafted by a bunch of technocrats with no real-world experience, and no real vision on where the whole market is going. And when SingTel realizes it can't use exclusivity as a loss-leader, consumers will have to continue to pay hefty prices for entertainment from big name content owners.
Simon Calder, Independent
If you can create a gambler's paradise amid the Mojave Desert, the thinking goes, you can create a casino amid a straitlaced state. Move over, Vegas; viva Sentosa.
Silent Eloquence
The next time someone talks to me about Singapore, I just wish they would talk about not just the concrete buildings or the super clean streets or the democracy that doesn’t seem to be, but something less superficial.
Jeremy Au Yong, Straits Times
The internet community's reaction to the hoax by former Singaporean lawyer Gopalan Nair last weekend has been a good example of how it can self-regulate.
Acting minister for information, communications and the arts Lui Tuck Yew yesterday praised local netizens for being sceptical about the blog post claiming that minister mentor Lee Kuan Yew had suffered a heart attack.
Grace Chua, Straits Times
Leisure anglers may soon have to pay for a licence before they can drop their line and bait into Singapore waters.
Yeo Shang Long, Straits Times
In a clear warning to those who sublet their flats illegally, the Housing Board (HDB) has moved to take back three apartments linked to a real estate agent who owns five private properties.
Singaporean Skeptic
Watching the way Singaporeans treat their maids made me think that some Singaporeans are real bastards. Even the maid agency is crazy.
The Online Citizen
Selective vision, perhaps? That’s understandable. As far as the Straits Times are concerned, we’ve well on our way riding off into a glorious Gattaca-esque sunset and living meritocratically ever after.
Zul Othman, Today
Several opposition parties without a current presence in Parliament have expressed concern over some of the proposed rule changes on Internet elections advertising, which were tabled in Parliament on Thursday.
Richard Hartung, Today
Clutter-free sidewalks for pedestrians seem to be a disappearing sight in many parts of Singapore.
Leong Sze Hian, The Online Citizen
Normally, most countries have to spend money to solve a problem, but in Singapore, too often, the solution makes more money instead, and the problem never seems to go away!
Desmond Wong, Channel NewsAsia
The changes in rules for pay-TV services in Singapore could help improve the business climate for SingTel and StarHub. That's according to industry-watchers speaking to Channel NewsAsia.
Ng Lian Cheong & Evelyn Choo, Channel NewsAsia
In an effort to discourage retailers from selling cigarettes, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) could increase retail licence fees for tobacco by September.
Channel NewsAsia
Singapore's Information, Communications and the Arts Ministry said there's no evidence MediaCorp has engaged in anti-competitive behaviour that warrants functional separation of its business units. The acting minister in charge was responding to Nominated MP Calvin Cheng's suggestion to separate MediaCorp's broadcast and production functions to allow for competition.
Alexander Vaughn, App Advice
Channel NewsAsia
The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority stopped accepting walk-in customers for passport services at 3.40pm on Friday. ICA said it was experiencing an overcrowding situation at its Passport Section due to overwhelming demand for ICA passport services.
Straits Times
In a hard-hitting speech in Parliament on Friday, NMP Calvin Cheng did not mince his words, asserting that Singapore is the 'only country in Asia with such an overwhelming hang-up with what is Western,' based on his own observations and experience in the media, entertainment and media scene.
Jimmy Yap, iMerlion
We're glad that DBS finally noticed that there are a few people in Singapore have iPhones and that these people would like to do online banking on their phones.
Imelda Saad, Channel NewsAsia
With immediate effect, Pay TV providers which acquire exclusive broadcast rights to any programme, must cross-carry each other's content. This applies to any contract signed or renewed from March 12. It does not affect existing contracts.
Goh Meng Seng, Singapore Alternatives
Both public transport and public housing are basic social services. Entities that provide these basic social services have more social responsibility that just mere private enterprises.
Singapore Democrats
The Online Citizen
Just as the costs for town councils will vary according to factors such as age, location and background, so too will the Singaporean with a family of 4 to feed need a higher wage as compared to a young unmarried foreigner living alone here – immaterial of the ease or difficulty of the job concerned.
Cai Haoxiang, Straits Times
Central Provident Fund (CPF) members with $60,000 in their retirement accounts when they turn 65 will be automatically included in the CPF Life annuity scheme, manpower minister Gan Kim Yong announced yesterday.
Lee Song Kwang, The Online Citizen
Did I read it right? Is the MP actually saying that it is fine to sexually harass if you are successful? Why were Mr Yeo and Mr Lim so quick to jump to the defence of Jack? Is it because Jack himself is an elite in his own field much like the minister and the MP?
http://military-life.blogspot.com/2010/03/tale-of-local-talent.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FOnPU+%28Military+Life%29, Military Life
The more the mainstream media sings the Government's tune of "integrating foreigners" into Singapore, the more I feel saddened for those Singaporean men who died for their country without any of one outside of their immediate family knowing and sharing with their grief.
Ng E-Jay, Sgpolitics.net
Sgpolitics.net salutes Tak Boleh Tahan protesters for championing the right of all citizens to freedom of speech and peaceful assembly, which are fundamental human rights as well as essential cornerstones of any true democracy.
Brad Farless
Singapore is a country with low crime, and as such there isn't a very visible, active police force. Unfortunately, it seems as though bicyclists are taking full advantage of this fact to do whatever they want without fear of repercussions.
geraldgiam.sg
I agree that we need to maintain standards in university admission. However, over the years, many students who were rejected by our local universities were admitted to reputable foreign universities and did well. But this route is available only to those whose parents could afford it.
Neo Chai Chin, Today
The request has been rejected repeatedly, but Members of Parliament are still trying to get the Government to change its hands-off approach in extending concessions to the disabled and elderly.
Lynda Hong, Channel NewsAsia
The Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall will be closed later this year for a makeover that will take at least three years.
Chiang Bak Hoi, Straits Times
The danger posed by cyclists will get worse if the authorities are not serious in taking enforcement action against those who flout the rules and in stepping up the building of separate cycling paths.
Michael Teo, Straits Times
I was even run down by a cyclist at a pedestrian crossing once. Not only did the cyclist not stop, he swore at me and warned that I would suffer more injuries if I did not give way.
Yeoh Siew Hoon, Asian Correspondent
The launch of STB's new brand and digital strategy has gotten travel bloggers talking. Some call it innovative, one wonders whether it is too whizzy. The proof is in the durian pudding, as we may say in "YourSingapore".
Yu-Kym's Blog
We've all heard about how cruel animal testing can be. We've all seen the email circulated with lists of products to avoid. But do you know that Singapore is a huge advocate for animal testing, i.e. we support it?
Jimmy Yap, iMerlion
In response to a query from iMerlion, the Land Transport Authority says that it is not licensed to share the live parking data from its Parking Guidance Systems with third parties.
Carla Bianpoen, The Jakarta Post
Singapore Art Museum, which is displaying for the first time the works of a living Indonesian artist in its main hall, has stretched its limits by using a design expert for the display, making FX Harsono’s solo show one of a kind.
Mustafa Shafawi, Channel NewsAsia
Under the new methodology, LTA will recycle the COE quota from the actual vehicle de-registrations in the most recent 6-month period back into the system. LTA says this eliminates the need to make any corrections due to any under- or over-estimation.
Imelda Saad, Channel NewsAsia
Three Bills have been tabled to amend the Constitution as well as the Presidential and Parliamentary Elections Acts - paving the way for changes to the political system ahead of the next General Election, due by February 2012.
Prime minister Lee Hsien Loong had proposed in May last year several enhancements to the political system. These include decreasing the size of the Group Representation Constituency (GRC), increasing the number of Non-Constituency MPs and making the Nominated MP scheme permanent.
Khettiya Jittapong and Pisit Changplayngam, Reuters
Thai telecoms group Shin Corp said its major shareholder, Singapore's Temasek Holdings, had no plans to sell its stakes in the Thai firm or in satellite unit Thaicom.
Lianain Films
Acknowledging their presence is not a sign of weakness. Taking some collective responsibility for their plight doesn’t mean we descend into welfarism. It merely means we’ve evolved, that we’ve learnt to be a little bit more compassionate, that we understand that the poor and homeless are not undeserving of help.
Edmund Khor, The Temasek Review
The Chief Statistician and the Singapore Department of Statistics, as our national statistical authority, must be allowed to adhere to their professional ethics and to voice out against any misrepresentation from the inappropriate use of statistical data by government leaders for political gains. This will prevent further undermine in the confidence of Singaporeans in our government statistical data.
Navalgazing
John Bergmayer, Public Knowledge
If different the parties to ACTA can’t agree on the liability of BitTorrent site operators, or on the legality of remote DVRs, a broadly-worded document like what we’ve seen in the ACTA leaks isn’t likely to harmonize much.
中国新闻网
虽然新加坡对外宣传双语教育政策的成功，但这2天国会辩论，却突显国民“英语说不好、汉语也说不好”的窘境。
Singaporean Skeptic
geraldgiam.sg
What other output/outcome indicators are tracked by the government? How are we doing in terms of R&D output or outcomes vis-à-vis other countries at a comparable stage of their R&D?
Brad Farless
What's going on here is that LTA has recognized an opportunity to try to shaft people out of more of their hard earned money by making them pay for something they've already paid for and is moving quickly to capitalize on it. Shameful, and it should be illegal.
Leong Wee Keat, Today
Ong Dai Lin, Today
Despite rising electricity prices and maintenance costs, these town councils tell MediaCorp they will not be raising Service and Conservancy Charges (S&CC) for now. They are Ang Mo Kio-Yio Chu Kang, Bishan-Toa Payoh, East Coast, Holland-Bukit Panjang, Jalan Besar, Sembawang and Tampines.
Zul Othman, Today
In an effort to encourage more students to acquire a functional command of Chinese, the education ministry will further adjust standards to match the capabilities of weaker students. This move will have an impact especially at the junior college and centralised institute level, where MOE will relax the eligibility criteria for taking CL 'B' from the current O-level E8 grade or below, to D7 grade or below.
Zul Othman, Today
As part of schools' pastoral efforts, teachers keep an eye out for tell-tale signs of students who may be "drawn into violent or extremist ideologies and counsel them", senior parliamentary secretary for education and home affairs Masagos Zulkifli told Parliament yesterday.
Hoe Jia Wen, The Online Citizen
Animal activists have raised legal and welfare concerns about the impending transfer of 18 bottlenose dolphins to Marine Life Park Resorts World Sentosa. These wild dolphins, caught from the Solomon Islands, are currently being trained in Ocean Adventure Park in Subic Bay Freeport of the Philippines, while awaiting the completion of the integrated resort.
Stanislaus Jude Chan, Inter Press Service
Already, the crimes are rolling in along with the chips that the casino is raking in.
S Ramesh , Channel NewsAsia
Ben Bland, Asian Correspondent
Yesterday, Rupert Murdoch spoke at a media conference in Abu Dhabi, where he warned Gulf states that they must cut regulation and end censorship if they want their creative industries to truly flourish.
Much of what he said could apply to another city-state that tightly controls the media landscape while insisting that it aspires to become "a leading cultural capital" and "a hub for the arts": Singapore.
Singaporean Skeptic
Times They Are A-Changin'
If the buffer created by a large pool of foreign workers has indeed worked, there should be jobs left for Singaporeans after the natural attrition brought on by the financial crisis of 2008. However, it was not the case.
Goh Meng Seng, Singapore Alternatives
We are now seeing a distinctive pattern in this multi-millions PAP government. They have sat on the problems without doing anything to anticipate the impact due to the increase of population, which in turn due to their flawed liberal Foreign Talent policy.
Leow Si Wan, Straits Times
The education ministry will not lower standards across the board in its attempt to make sure that students weaker in the Chinese Language master it. Instead, efforts would be made to help every student learn the language to as high a level as they go, said senior minister of state for national development and education Grace Fu in Parliament on Wednesday.
Shamim Adam, Bloomberg
Singapore’s economy may grow faster this year than economists initially predicted, boosted by manufacturing, construction and private consumption, a central bank survey showed.
Dee Kay Dot As Gee
Mr Ong Ah Heng should be ashamed of himself for making such statement in Parliament. Has he ever questioned why the senior citizen have to work as cleaners instead of enjoying their retirement? Does he know that these senior citizen have contributed to the development of Singapore when they were younger? Why isn’t the country taking care of them when they are old? Is this how the Government treat it’s citizens who had contributed to the country? Replace them with foreign workers when they grow old.
Utterly disgusted that we have this kind of MP in Singapore. Has he forgotten about PM Lee’s New Year message for 2010 where he emphasized that Singaporeans are top priority for the government?
Straits Times
The Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC) takes it 'very seriously' every time there is a decline in the value of its portfolio or an individual investment, Mrs Lim Hwee Hua said yesterday. But it is 'not realistic' to avoid losses on every investment as that would require GIC to be completely risk-averse, added Mrs Lim, who is minister in the prime minister's office and second minister for finance and transport.
Joan Chew, Straits Times
Hospices are so short of beds that terminally ill patients sometimes have to be put on a waiting list for a place, with some dying before they can be admitted.
Fadli, The Jakarta Post
Batam tour operators in Riau Islands province are optimistic that the presence of a new casino at Singapore’s Resort World Sentosa will boost the province’s tourism sector.
Singapore Democrats
This case gives Singaporeans a glimpse into how the PAP and its members operate, and demonstrates how the PAP continues to use so-called grassroots organisations to further entrench its power.
Samuel Owen, Straits Times
Lionel Lee, Action for Aids Singapore, Today
In the report, I was quoted as saying that "free treatment subjects the healthcare system to abuses and 'may not translate to long-term economic benefits'". The statement has been quoted out of context. The intended meaning should be that: "Completely free medication could possibly lead to carelessness and increase the practice of unsafe sex. We have always supported the provision of affordable treatment with some form of co-payment scheme by patients."
AFP
The Republic remains the least corrupt of 16 major Asia-Pacific investment destinations, in a just-released business survey.
Esther Ng, Today
The Media Development Authority (MDA) has told MediaCorp it is looking into the breakdown of SingTel's mio TV service, which was down for three days from last Monday to Wednesday.
Victoria Ho, ZDNet Asia
A popular Singapore iPhone app has hit a snag following instructions from government body, the Land Transport Authority (LTA), to stop pulling data from the latter's web site.
Essentially, the government wants money from citizens to take data from the government which the government collected using citizen's money.
Mark D. Meruenas, GMA News.tv
Just when I thought I was going to leave Singapore without blunders in conversing with the locals, I got a taste of how their unique Chinese accent can leave me – as the famous Hollywood film depicts – lost in translation.
Straits Times
The Health Ministry will set up an expert group to review the range of healthcare screening available here, and recommend a framework to determine what is appropriate health screening to ensure that Singaporeans do not get fleeced.Professor Lee Hin Peng, a senior public health specialist who has a special interest in cancer screening and prevention, will chair this expert group, said health minister Khaw Boon Wan.
Callan Tham, Trapper's Swamp
While the two town councils were clear that they did not increase the charges due to botched investments in Lehman-linked financial products, they did not indicate any willingness to be more transparent in revealing their costs of maintaining the estates.
Callan Tham, Trapper's Swamp
Straits Times
Ultimately, the question that begs to be asked is: As cyberspace becomes a growing constituency, why can't it do its own self-regulation the way civic society does it offline? Is there not an in-between course of action that does not involve tying up police resources and wasting taxpayers' money? In other words, can cyber-policing be done without calling the real police?
Brad's Blog
Yours Truly Singapore
The issue at hand isn’t about growing slowly but how we grow.
Ivan Chew, Rambling Librarian
Feed Me To The Fish
On the same note, I appeal to PAP leaders to speak up if a leeder (or MP) within their own party makes comments that are offensive, dangerous and divisive. Especially derogatory comments that make morons out of citizens.
Ng E-Jay, Sgpolitics.net
It is the likes of people like Gopalan Pallichadath Nair that cause some Singaporeans to look upon the local blogosphere as essentially untrustworthy when it comes to current affairs or political commentary.
Leong Wee Keat, Today
With electricity prices and maintenance costs going up, at least two town councils, Aljunied and Jurong, will raise their Service and Conservancy Charges (S&CC) next month.
For Singaporean households in Housing Board flats, the hike per month will range between 50 cents for a one-room flat and $4.50 for a five-room flat.
Yawning Bread
We need to be able to build cheaper flats. Too much of Singaporeans' disposable income is spent on an investment that does not give productive returns.
The policy direction should be not to build costly flats with bells and whistles and then dishing out subsidies so people can buy them. Instead, it should be to build them at an affordable cost, so that no subsidies are necessary.
The subtle policy shift by the HDB from building flats that people need to flats people want is, on hindsight, wrong and counter-productive.
Wang Eng Eng/ Alicia Wong, Channel NewsAsia
A French HIV expert from the Institut Pasteur in Paris said she's surprised with Singapore's HIV infection numbers especially the over-400 new infections in 2008. Professor Francoise Barre Sinoussi said she was surprised at Singapore's HIV infection numbers.
Channel NewsAsia
A feasibility study by a multi-agency group of whether nuclear energy can be a long-term option for Singapore, will be commencing later this year.
Bhavan Jaipragas, Journalism.sg
New media practitioners in Singapore reacted sharply to condemn the online hoax regarding Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's health yesterday. The hoax had caused a significant buzz in the blogosphere over the weekend.
Ong Dai Lin, Today
Instead of reducing the HDB flat lease of 99 years to make the flats more affordable, the government prefers to use other methods to help those with a lower income own a flat, said national development minister Mah Bow Tan.
陈薇薇, 广州日报
继1月中位于圣淘沙的名胜世界部分开业后，耗资70多亿新加坡元（折合350多亿元人民币）的航母级项目-滨海湾金沙也将于4月27日开幕。这个位于滨海湾区的大项目，融合娱乐、购物、酒店等元素，且正对新加坡国家象征——鱼尾狮，占尽天时地利。
Wong Siew Ying, Channel NewsAsia
National development minister Mah Bow Tan on Monday said the government will not be introducing more measures to cool the market for now. Mr Mah said that while no further measures will be introduced, the government stands ready to do more if there are signs of overheating in the property market.
Choo Zheng Xi, The Online Citizen
The online community could do Mr Nair a favor by taking him at his word now and completely ignoring anything else he has to say. We would be stupid indeed to do otherwise.
Andrew Jensen, World Poverty And Human Rights Online
Nobel Prize-winning economist Amartya Sen’s assertion that the “enhancement of human freedom is both the main object and the primary means of development” is critical to understanding the successful basis of the Singapore model.
Gillian Koh, Today
Straits Times
Those who take advantage of the anonymity of the internet to do harm to others or to the community will face action by the authorities, said law minister and second minister for home affairs K. Shanmugam in Parliament yesterday.
林秋霞
明天是三八妇女节了， 但女人的感情纠缠， 怎么过了几十年， 从张爱玲时代到今天， 依旧一个模样？
Lourdes Charles and Nelson Benjamin, The Star
A bridge should replace the Causeway to boost connectivity between Malaysia and Singapore, said Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar.
He said he was willing to be the mediator between both countries to resolve some of the issues including the bridge project, supply of water to the island republic or even extending Singapore’s Mass Railway Transit into Johor Baru.
林慧慧, 联合早报
工友辛勤加班以改善收入却反而可能拿不到政府派发的就业入息补助，工运议员哈莉玛促请人力部检讨这项补助计划的申请标准，不要把工友超时工作赚取的加班费和花红计算在内，以免工友失去努力工作的动力。
Lourdes Charles and Nelson Benjamin, The Star
Just 40 days after being proclaimed as the Johor Ruler, Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar speaks to Sunday Star on how Johor should move forward and regain its glory days.
geraldgiam.sg
Sir, how can we aspire to be a First World country with a world class public housing programme if we have homeless citizens camped out in public parks?
geraldgiam.sg
The government should continue the practice of building markets and cooked food centres at new locations for NEA to operate, to ensure Singapore remains a liveable and at the same time an affordable city.
Bill Tarrant, Reuters
Singapore’s warning of a terrorist threat in the Malacca Straits has again highighted the issue of who is in charge of security in one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.
Kalyan Varma
汪德芬, 南海网
海南代表团团长卫留成建议，建立解决中低收入群体住房机制，我们应该向新加坡学习，在满足市场多元化需求的同时注意遏制恶意炒房。他说，这两点做到了，做好了，房地产方面的矛盾就能有效解决。
胡爱妮, 联合早报
如果每个人都信奉“投票是秘密的”，不主动思考这些问题，不和别人讨论自己的想法，新加坡人就无法听见社会上每一个不同的声音。每个人对事物的看法都会不一样，但坦诚地说出自己的想法，是互相理解的第一步。
Leong Sze Hian, The Online Citizen
Phare Anderson, Singapore Social and Political Thoughts
As what Mr Lim Swee Say had said, the PAP are liked frogs, deaf to people talking or shouting at them. It took 4 long years for Mr Mah to have his ears unblocked!
Seah Chiang Nee, The Star
White-collar professionals are going through a rough patch certainly. The wider story is that the changing world economy – aggravated by the mass influx of “cheap foreigners” – is rendering local graduates “over-priced” and “over qualified”.
联合早报
AFP
Hong Kong has Asia's most innovative economy, thanks to its high level of creativity and well developed financial markets, a study said. The Chinese territory beat regional rival Singapore, which was in second place in the Asian rankings, said the joint study by international business school INSEAD and the Confederation of Indian Industry released late Thursday.
The Star
Prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his Singapore counterpart Lee Hsien Loong will meet at a retreat in May to discuss how both countries can further strengthen bilateral cooperation.
Ong Dai Lin, Today
Responding to Member of Parliament Irene Ng's comment that some Singaporeans may find it "artificial" to chose a dominant race on their identity cards, Second minister for home affairs K Shanmugam said it is premature to assume so.
"It is too soon to say that it (inter-marriages) is creating a new racial category and, therefore, people would want to call themselves Singaporeans under the rubric of race. "It seems to me a leap which is at present not justified by facts," Mr Shanmugam said.
Ong Dai Lin, Today
To deter cyclists from going onto roadside footpaths, the government is considering raising the composition fine of $20.
PanzerGrenadier, Military Life: Memoirs of a Conscript in the Lion City
Of the three branches, the Army is the least productive because it still relies on the cannon fodder provided by compulsory conscription to bolster its ranks. It should learn from Taiwan who is cutting down conscription to less than 2 years and is considering replacing it with a fully-volunteer system like the US. If the Army moves in that direction, then I can see it is trying to be productive, i.e. maintaining its operational readiness by doing more with less conscripts.
Jessica Lim, Straits Times
To sell the Republic to tourists, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has adopted a new catchphrase: Your Singapore.
Wong Wee Nam, Sgpolitics.net
If working faster is basically what productivity means, then we are doomed for another period of the same economic malaise that has struck us.
Bernard Aw
What the government is essentially doing is to lower the utility of being a Permanent Resident (PR). This policy does not enhance the Singapore citizen, nor does it “reinforce the principle that Singaporeans are our priority. It is a “negative” policy that removes welfare from the “PR” group and Singaporeans are still on the same level of utility.
Yawning Bread
In the case of a political party in a state with an uneven playing field, you will always be at a financial disadvantage, never able to build a proper, wide-reaching organisation, never able to offer Singaporeans real choice.
It serves the interests of the powerful to sustain an attitude that sees foreign funding as a fifth column. But does it serve ours?
Jessica Cheam, Straits Times
The government has imposed a limit on the number of flats non-Malaysian permanent residents can buy in any public housing block or estate, with immediate effect. The quota will be set at 5 per cent for neighbourhoods and 8 per cent for blocks and will apply on top of the existing Ethnic Integration Policy (EIP).
Readings From A Political Duo-ble
The losses of GIC and Temasek may appear to be a result of ignorant or bad governmental decisions. However, once you begin to put the puzzles together, it starts to look more sinister.
Joanne Chen, Channel NewsAsia
The Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) for the resale of non-subsidised HDB flats has been revised upwards to three years. Announcing the change in Parliament on Friday, national development minister Mah Bow Tan said the objective of such a move was to reinforce the idea that HDB flats are for owner-occupation.
Joanne Chen, Channel NewsAsia
The Lease Buyback Scheme will be enhanced starting April 1 to include elderly households who previously owned four-room or bigger flats.
P.R. Venkat, Wall Street Journal
The Government of Singapore Investment Corp. has incurred a paper loss of $5 billion on its investment in UBS AG after its convertible notes become shares Friday, a person familiar with the situation said.
That represents about 45% of its original $11 billion investment in the Swiss bank.
Musings From the Lion City
So say all you want about increasing productivity, but none of it will matter because Singapore employers would not care. Why should they when they can just feed their bottom-line by hiring cheap foreign workers?
Christopher Ong, Kent Ridge Commons
Singaporeans will end up having to sacrifice their income by being willing to be paid less in order to remain competitive. And these are the Singaporeans who bleed the colors of our country, and who serve national service for more than 2 years of their life, returning every year for in-camp training — Singaporeans for whom, Singapore is their one and only home.
And this is done not by imposing the highest levy on the Bangladeshi rubbish cleaner.
Channel NewsAsia
Resorts World Sentosa will open the gates of the Universal Studios Singapore theme park on 18 March at 8.28am.
James Moore, Independent
Prudential has secured backing of around $1bn from two sovereign wealth funds for its audacious $35.5bn bid (£23.5bn) for AIG's Asian assets. The life insurer last night confirmed that the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation, already a shareholder in the company, and Qatar Holding LLC had agreed to underwrite "a significant portion" of the £13bn rights issue it is using to help fund the deal.
Kevin Lim, Reuters
Wendy Lim, Straits Times
Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has asked the Saudi Embassy here to cooperate fully on a Magistrate's assault complaint filed against its Third Secretary.
Netty Ismail, Bloomberg
Singapore is planning to create its own hedge-fund capital modeled after Greenwich, Connecticut, in a cluster of ex-British army homes called Nepal Hill, a 15- minute cab-ride from the city-state’s main banking district.
Simeon Bennett, Bloomberg
The lack of free testing and treatment for HIV in Singapore is hindering progress on controlling the spread of the virus in the city-state, said Francoise Barre-Sinoussi, winner of the 2008 Nobel Prize in Medicine for her co-discovery of the virus that causes AIDS.
“The stigma, the fact that they have to pay for everything, it’s the worst conditions for stimulating people to be tested and treated,” Barre-Sinoussi, 62, said in an interview at the French embassy in Singapore today. “The numbers they announce are probably much lower than the numbers they have.”
Straits Times
Rounding up the Budget debate yesterday, finance minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam defended the Government's decision to let the economy expand rapidly in recent years by, among other things, letting in large numbers of foreign workers.
He said this allowed companies to take advantage of a global economic boom in the second half of the last decade, offsetting a series of downturns that pulled down growth in the earlier part of the decade.
Sue-Ann Chia, Straits Times
The Electoral Boundaries Review Committee has not been convened yet, deputy prime minister Wong Kan Seng revealed yesterday amid public anticipation of such a move. It is likely to happen only after the Constitution is amended to make certain changes to the electoral system, he added.
Bangkok Post
The Singapore investment giant Temasek could move to divest its shareholdings in Shin Corp amid growing business and regulatory risk in the wake of the Supreme Court's ruling in the Shinawatra family's assets case.
geraldgiam.sg
The government must know that Singaporeans are skeptical about the re-drawing of electoral boundaries. It would be an improvement to have advanced notice and some transparency in this process.
Ong Dai Lin, Today
A day after news broke that he was leaving office after completing a single term as Attorney-General (AG), Professor Walter Woon said he had always known that he would return to teaching.
Leong Wee Keat, Today
If Hougang MP Low Thia Khiang's suggestion to remove the foreign worker levy and rely only on the dependency ratios were to be implemented, most companies may hire as many foreign workers as they can, up to the limit allowed, said manpower minister Gan Kim Yong.
Leong Sze Hian, The Online Citizen
Allowing Medisave to be used overseas may just be a short-term partial solution to the problem of rising healthcare costs in Singapore. So, if GIC and Temasek has not lost billions, perhaps we could have spent more on healthcare?
Ye Lwin and Ye Linn Htut , Myanmar Times
New rules introduced by Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM) could reduce job opportunities for Myanmar workers, overseas employment experts say.
BBC News
Singapore has learned that an unnamed group may be planning to attack oil tankers in the Malacca Strait, one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.
Callan Tham, Trapper's Swamp
Only in Singapore do we elect Members of Parliament who seem more occupied with addressing the needs of foreigners rather than our own.
Straits Times
Opposition MP Chiam See Tong on Thursday called on the government to take a 'radical step by cutting the Goods and Services Tax (GST) by 2 percentage points from the current 7 per cent to rein in inflation, which he said 'has gone up too high'.
Simon Ma, Today
I would like to draw the attention of the authorities to the unsafe acts of errant cyclists. I think cyclists should be educated. The authorities allow them to cycle on pavements as the roads are unsafe for them, but on the pavement, they become a menace to other pedestrians instead.
Imelda Saad, Channel NewsAsia
The ban on the sale of chewing gum in Singapore stays as the government is concerned that lifting the ban could see a return of the problem of gum litter. Parliamentary secretary for national development Dr Maliki Osman said this in response to a question on the appropriate time to do away with the ban.
Shamim Adam, Bloomberg
Singapore plans to keep its general ban on chewing gum after revising the law in 2004 to allow those with medicinal or dental benefits to be sold.
Covered In His Blood
Matt Miller, Washington Post
Singapore achieves world-class results thanks to a bold, unconventional synthesis of liberal and conservative approaches. It's further to the left and further to the right than what President Obama or his foes now seek. The island's real ideology is pragmatic problem-solving. It works thanks to cultural traditions that let this eclectic blend flourish. The system is nurtured by talented, highly paid officials who have the luxury of governing for the long-term without being buffeted much by politics.
Straits Times
National service (NS) is a rite of passage for male Singaporeans, and Mr Seah Kian Peng (Marine Parade GRC) said yesterday that new male citizens should perhaps be made to shoulder some of those responsibilities.
联合早报
英兰妮（丹戎巴葛集选区）昨天参与国会财政政策辩论时以最近淡滨尼和白沙一些居民不满自家门前突建租赁组屋而向议员请愿的事件为例指出，所有人民都应该享受经济增长的成果。她因此呼吁所有新加坡人向低收入者和低教育者伸出援手，改善他们的生活。
geraldgiam.sg
Diary of A Singaporean Mind
The PAP fixation with GDP growth has led to the worse income inequality in developed countries and a increased pace of life that many Singaporeans now find difficult to cope with. However, it will be difficult for the PAP to change and put the well being of ordinary Singaporeans as its top priority - over the years its other interests have grown, it now has a vast network of GLCs to take care of and the GLCs serve to benefit a small number of elites who occupy top positions and are closely linked to PAP.
Singaporean Skeptic
May Wong, Channel NewsAsia
A private operator will use the Bukit Merah Swimming Complex as an aquatic and fitness centre. And the Jurong Town Swimming Complex will be converted into hard courts to provide more playing spaces for residents in the area.
Dow Jones
Prudential PLC is in talks with Singapore state-investment company Temasek Holdings Pte. to possibly support a share offering the U.K. insurer is planning so it can finance its acquisition of American Insurance Group's (AIG) Asian operations, two people familiar with the situation said Wednesday.
Channel NewsAsia
Singapore will have a new attorney-general on October 1 this year. He is Mr Sundaresh Menon, senior counsel and managing partner of Rajah and Tann LLP. Prof Woon has decided to return to the Law Faculty of the National University of Singapore (NUS) to resume his teaching appointment when his two-year term ends on April 10.
Times They Are A-Changin'
Phare Anderson, Singapore Social and Political Thoughts
There are many PAP MPs who are "concerned" about the high prices of HDB flats and the Impact of higher foreign workers' levy to businesses. Where are these MPs when their own party's policy of Open Door immigration policy opened the gates to allow so many immigration to compete with Singaporeans?
Flor Wang, Focus Taiwan News Channel
Sam Holmes, Wall Street Journal
Singapore's Ministry of Trade and Industry said Wednesday it will commence negotiations with the city-state's largest trading partner, the European Union, on a free-trade agreement next week. Singapore, which has a hub-focused open economy highly dependent on global trade, has free-trade agreements with several governments including the U.S., Japan, India and Australia.
Jeff Carlson, TidBITS
Apple has released ProKit 5.1 (Leopard and Snow Leopard), an update to operating system-level components shared by the company's professional and semi-professional applications .
The Temasek Review
Last Saturday, the Straits Times published a highly debatable commentary written by two NUS professors Tu Yong and Yu Shi Ming on HDB flats still being affordable in Singapore.
Though Straits Times included a footnote at the bottom of the article that both authors are from the Department of Real Estate, National University of Singapore, it omitted the fact that Professor Yu Shi Ming sits on the board of HDB and is a grassroots leader of West Coast as well.
Wong Chun Han, The Online Citizen
Perhaps the most prominent aspect of a mandatory death penalty is the absence of a judicial discretion in relation to the most extraordinary sentence in our criminal law. The judge trying the case can only determine guilt or innocence, and once that is done, the death penalty automatically follows.
This goes against the grain of modern penological thinking that the punishment ought to fit not only the crime, but the criminal. It means that the judge should have the power and the duty to take into account the personal circumstances of the offender and especially whether there are significant reasons why, although the offender did indeed offend, the punishment ought not to be death – the maximum permissible by the law.
联合早报
负责武吉巴督区事务的裕廊集选区议员翁执中博士2008年7月逝世后，其议席就一直悬空着。去年初，国民团结党的梁廷玮开始在涵盖武吉巴督的裕廊集选区活动，难免让一些人觉得团结党是“乘虚而入”。然而，梁廷玮受访时强调，团结党有意在来届大选角逐裕廊集选区，纯粹因为该反对党“从来没去过裕廊集选区竞选”。
Ng E-Jay, Sgpolitics.net
Merely raising the foreign worker levy will not help in undoing the disastrous policy of importing foreign workers too liberally, nor will it improve the lot of Singaporean workers who are suffering from the brunt of unregulated and unfettered competition.
Gerald Giam
Workers’ Party chief Low Thia Khiang has slammed the PAP government for seemingly suggesting that Singaporean workers have only themselves to blame for their low incomes, because of their low productivity and skills. He said it was easy to blame our local workforce for low productivity when it was the government which opened the floodgates to foreign workers.
Sudesh Maniar, Ministry Of Foreign Affairs, Today
We apologise for the inconvenience caused to Mr Lee with the less-than-flexible attitude shown by our embassy staff. While this is not an excuse, the staff who attended to Mr Lee was a temporary assistant who had been with the embassy for only three days. As she is new, she did not surface Mr Lee's appeal to our Singaporean staff. We have since counselled her.
Allan Pek, Today
But if cyclists are also unable to cycle on pedestrian walkways when there is heavy traffic on the roads, then where do we ride? At the end of the day, we cyclists have to put safety first, and cycle on pathways even if it means getting fined for it - because life is more precious.
What Mr Pek is essentially saying, "my life is precious, so I should ride on pedestrian walkways. Your life, you pedestrians, are not precious."
George Hwang, The Online Citizen
As the incident show, Singaporeans no longer take what they consider disinformation or misinformation sitting down. In the long-run, we need to decide whether to have greater state intervention against such inappropriate remarks or to change its laws regarding the subject of sexual orientation and gender identity.
Jessica Cheam, Straits Times
Fears on the ground that housing is becoming unaffordable were reflected in several MP speeches on the first day of the Budget debate on Tuesday.
Seet Sok Hwee / Dylan Loh, Channel NewsAsia
Cashless payment with EZ-Link cards is now an option offered on some buses managed by Woodlands Transport Services.
Leong Sze Hian, The Online Citizen
So, now that the IRs are poised to open fully, and in the light of my experience at this restaurant where 100 per cent of the service staff are foreigners, can we have a clarification on the number of jobs in IRs that would go to Singaporeans, permanent residents (PRs) and foreigners?
Straits Times
The government must provide opportunities for the Malay community so that it can be part of the economic transformation or it may risk creating an underclass that will be 'tough to manage', an MP warned on Tuesday. MP for Hong Kah GRC Zaqy Mohamad said as Singapore transforms to tap on the growth of a rising Asia, the Government must ensure that no one is left behind.
DPA
A former Romanian envoy to Singapore, suspected of being involved in a fatal hit-and-run accident, said he would compensate the victims, but maintained his innocence and declined to return for a coroner's inquiry, a media report said Tuesday. In an e-mail to Singapore's Foreign Ministry, ex-diplomat Silviu Ionescu, 49, offered "moral compensation" to the wife of Malaysian Tong Kok Wai, who died 10 days after being hit by a Romanian embassy car on December 15, the Straits Times newspaper reported.
Daniel Ten Kate and Anuchit Nguyen, Bloomberg
Stocks majority-owned by Singapore’s Temasek Holdings Pte fell in Bangkok trading after a Thai court ruled Feb. 26 that ex-leader Thaksin Shinawatra abused his power to benefit those companies.
Lilian Budianto, Jakarta Post
Indonesia has voiced concern at Singapore’s move to increase levies for professional foreign workers, saying the city-state could hurt its commitment to easing the flow of skilled migrants under ASEAN economic blueprints.
Elena Logutenkova and Yalman Onaran, Bloomberg
Singapore isn’t alone among sovereign wealth funds facing losses from supporting banks in Europe and the U.S. in the credit crisis. More than $69 billion in investments by such funds has so far produced $20 billion in realized and paper losses, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Hurt by their contributions to the health of the financial system and stuck with some of the investments for years, sovereign wealth funds may shy away from coming to the banks’ aid the next time.
S Ramesh , Channel NewsAsia
This concern was raised by Teo Siong Seng, nominated Member of Parliament (MP) and president of the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, during the Budget debate in Parliament on Tuesday. Mr Teo said SMEs are not comfortable with the possibility of the foreign worker levy ending up as a price mechanism to control the growth of the foreign workforce.
The Temasek Review
Without liberalizing both the economy and political landscape to allow for freedom of speech and independent thinking to thrive, it is foolhardly to expect the PAP’s one-dimensional and unimaginative approach to boost productivity to work.
It is time the PAP realizes that it is part of the problem itself and that it is becoming a stumbling block in Singapore’s future development.
Lianain Films
If levies go up, workers are simply charged more by their agents. Employers will barely feel the pinch. Which is why MOM's latest move makes no sense at all.
Diary of A Singaporean Mind
These leaders who demand millions cannot even understand the problems Singaporeans have to struggle with day after day. At the end of the day what is needed from them is what money cannot buy - real integrity, empathy, care, respect and humility.
Wang Seow Pang, Straits Times
There is no winner in the tipping game. It will only increase cost and stress levels for everyone.
刘雨桦, 北京青年报
新加坡是一个只有几十年历史的国家，但经过新加坡人的努力，这个小国已经发展成一个发达富裕的国家。这次旅行虽然只有短短的4天，但是却感受到很多我们还需要学习的东西。
Cris Sholto Heaton, Moneyweek
Singapore has made mistakes in its attempt to push its economy in new directions. Attempts to promote the Singapore exchange to Chinese firms looking for a foreign listing, led to lower standards and a series of scandals. And the budget's focus on productivity reinforces one thing. Singapore has failed to produce a single world-beating large company. Its largest government-linked companies (GLCs) are often inefficient and lack innovation. Their existence squeezes smaller, more innovative private-sector rivals. That's unlikely to change until the politics does, irrespective of how much money is thrown at the problem.
Yet Singapore will continue to prosper.
Joanne Chan, Channel NewsAsia
February was the driest month in 140 years, since 1869, when records of rainfall first started for Singapore.
John Tang, Straits Times
Private arrangements on stall leasing should not be allowed as this will upset efforts to keep rentals affordable.
Brenda Tham, Immigration & Checkpoints Authority, Straits Times
The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) is prohibited by law from sharing information relating to NRIC holders, unless the sharing is deemed to be in the public interest or for purposes of criminal proceedings.
Daniel Lee, Today
I went to the Embassy at about 3.30pm. But I was turned away, despite being the only person in the waiting area and despite the operating hours listed as being from 8.30am to 5pm with an hour's lunch break.
Gilbert Goh, Today
Singaporeans in Australia can only vote at the Singapore Embassy in Canberra. Many Singaporeans in Australia have settled in Perth, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. To get to Canberra, the journey can take up to four hours by plane.
The question is where are all the Singaporeans in Australia. The question is where are all the Singaporeans in Australia that will likely vote for the PAP. :-)
Wall Street Journal
Mr. Tharman himself acknowledges that free-market principles are the best way to boost productivity. But that philosophy isn't borne out by the details, starting with the approach to boosting productivity.
One thing is for sure: There will be a lot of taxpayer money involved.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.