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People has been telling me that the recent unfortunate events are the acts of god and I cannot blame the government. I think they are missing the point. I DON'T blame the government for flooding. I DON'T blame the government for the tree falling and killing that poor chap. What reallly GETS on my nerve is that the way they handled all the incidents. 1) Orchard road floods last month and after some superficial study, they just kick the blame to someone else and say it was due to a choked drainage pipe. I mean we are talking about Orchard Road here. Surely that warrants more detailed analysis and study. The government is just concerned about covering its butt and brushing off responsibility. And the worst thing happened. Orchard road is flooded for a second time in one month after the blockage was supposedly fixed. I am emabarassed for the guy in charged. Did anything happen to him? any accountability? Serious, everyone makes mistakes. Nobody is lynching someone because of an "honest mistake" But when that someone makes the same mistake TWICE, it just goes to show they never bother to learn from the first mistake. 2) the tree falling incident. Within 24 hours of the incident, the pepople in charge give the Microburst reason.... frankly, I don't even want to comment on this. from the newpaper article "In fact, residents said trees were pruned early this year when drainage works were carried out. " That tree was a HUGE tree. I passed by there every week. Its crown was pruned and quite sparse. So why did it get blown down within one year of the drainage works? Some resident commented that the roots looked damaged from the drainage works being done. Shouldn't more investigattion be done BEFORE CONCLUDING that the cause is due to microburst? They don't even look sincere in looking for the root cause and just repeat what they did for the orchard road flood one month ago. It sucks...... It is not about blaming people for acts of god. Seriously, I don't think given the number of trees we have, we could have prevented the casualty. It is about responsibility and accountability. It is about learning from one's mistakes and finding out the ROOT CAUSE so that it is prevented in the future.

http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNew...726-228829.html Such a brilliant, incredible idea! The sheer ingenuity of this absolutely astounds me!

MFA questions credibility of US human trafficking report By Saifulbahri Ismail | Posted: 15 June 2010 1744 hrs SINGAPORE : The Foreign Ministry has questioned the credibility of a US Department of State's human trafficking report which has downgraded Singapore's ranking. The "Trafficking in Persons Report 2010", which was released on Monday, put Singapore on a watch list this year. MFA is puzzled and said the US has not satisfactorily explained how it had arrived at this conclusion. In a statement, the Ministry added the Singapore Government is committed to tackling the human trafficking issue, and its efforts in dealing with the issue have not weakened since last year. MFA said it will respond in detail as appropriate in due course. It stressed that the report is more a political ritual than an objective study. The Singapore Government questioned how the US could rank itself in Tier One, when it is well known that the US has been unable to stem a flood of illegal workers, many of whom are trafficked by organised criminal gangs. MFA said that the US has not been able to cope adequately with the problem and that is among the reasons why immigration is such a hot political issue in the US. It suggested that the US should perhaps examine its own record more carefully before presuming to pronounce on other countries. - CNA/ms

Sat, Feb 20, 2010 Reuters DETROIT/LOS ANGELES - The largest US auto insurer alerted regulators earlier than first believed about a worrying trend of accidents involving Toyota Motor Corp vehicles, while the Obama administration's top transportation official said on Friday he would not relax pressure on the carmaker. Both developments came as Toyota's president, Akio Toyoda, readied to fly to Washington in an extraordinary appearance to answer questions from lawmakers next Wednesday about the safety crisis that has engulfed the company founded by his grandfather. State Farm, whose records have been sought by two congressional committees investigating recalls and complaints related to unintended acceleration in Toyota cars and trucks, revised its report on Friday of when it notified the government about certain Toyota claims activity. The insurer said earlier this month it had contacted the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in late 2007. However, prompted by the public interest in Toyota, the insurer reviewed its records again and has now found that it contacted safety regulators initially in 2004, State Farm spokesman Phil Supple said in an emailed statement. The information has been sought by House of Representatives committees probing questions around recent recalls of millions of Toyota vehicles related to loose floor mats that can jam accelerators and gas pedals that do not spring back as designed. The government believes five crash deaths are linked to unintended acceleration and are investigating consumer complaints alleging up to 29 other fatalities since 2000 could be linked as well. Regulators have not linked any deaths to the "sticky pedal" problem. The first of three congressional hearings takes place on Tuesday but much of the focus for the moment has settled on the second hearing, the next day, when company president Toyoda is scheduled to testify. Toyoda said he intends to provide a "sincere explanation" to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee of problems that led to the string of recalls since late last year. Toyoda's decision on Thursday to accept a congressional request to testify ended days of uncertainty over how the company would ultimately respond to calls that he come to the United States to address safety questions. The media-shy Toyoda, who took the top job last June, originally said he had no intention of appearing before Congress himself, drawing criticism from industry analysts and Japanese politicians. Even if Toyoda's appearance before the Oversight panel goes well, the carmaker still has problems to overcome from engineering challenges to lawsuits to restoring brand image. Toyota's stock has fallen 22 percent since January 21, erasing more than $30 billion in market value. US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said on Friday that he is "very pleased" he will be able to meet Toyoda next week, and that the government has no intention of turning down the heat on the automaker. "We at DOT (the Department of Transportation) and we at our safety agency (the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration) will continue to work 24/7 and we will not sleep until every Toyota is safe for every American who owns one," LaHood told a news conference in Los Angeles. Congress is examining several issues in a string of Toyota recalls that date to September. A priority of lawmakers is how Toyota and NHTSA handled complaints and other matters related to unintended acceleration, whether the recalls were done swiftly enough, and whether they were sufficient. The Oversight committee will also hear from LaHood and a witness representing the family of Mark Saylor, a California highway patrol officer killed along with his wife, daughter and brother-in-law in an August crash that triggered renewed government scrutiny of unintended acceleration. Toyoda has said the company is investigating the causes of the unintended acceleration and braking that have led to a recall of about 8.5 million cars worldwide. INTENSE PREPARATION Analysts and public relations experts stressed the need for clear and honest testimony from Toyoda. By appearing to dodge questions, Toyoda could further stain Toyota's reputation. "Rather than getting bogged down with the details, I think (Toyoda) should use this as a chance to communicate Toyota's corporate philosophy," said Yasuhiro Matsumoto, a senior analyst at Shinsei Securities in Tokyo. "What's missing from Toyota right now is the big picture." Executives giving such testimony should also expect difficult questions, experts said. "The important thing is that they actually answer all questions and don't dodge or run away," said Shoichi Yoshikawa, chief executive of public relations firm Hill & Knowlton Japan. Toyoda, 53, will have to craft and deliver a message that resonates with millions of consumers, investors, employees and lawmakers around the world. He is likely to undergo intense preparation. Toyota may hire lawyers to drill him with mock questions, one consultant said. A company source said it had not yet been decided whether Toyoda would speak in Japanese or English, but the company has already contacted some translation companies. In addition to the recalls over unintended acceleration, a separate recall is under way to fix software controlling the brakes on Toyota's iconic Prius hybrid. Regulators have also begun a preliminary investigation into complaints about steering problems in late model Corollas. Toyota's safety woes are deepening at a time when automakers worldwide are struggling to emerge from a sharp sales dip that led to the bankruptcies of General Motors and Chrysler.

http://www.petitiononline.com/romsgacc/petition.html. Do your part.... No ambassador should be granted immunity after killing one and injuring 2 in anywhere. Btw, the taxi driver who has driven him from scene of crime had produced the reciept and witnessed him ...making the loss report over his handphone on his taxi. May Justice prevails.See More

I am not sure if it had been brought to your attention. My pardon if someone else has mentioned it. Reading through the Budget 2009 details, I come across this part: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (A5) Transport Rebates and Concessions The Government will grant the following rebates and concessions on transport-related taxes and fees: * A 30% road tax rebate for goods vehicles, buses and taxis for one year. This rebate will take effect on 1 July 2009. * A 20% concession in port dues to be granted to all harbour craft (except pleasure craft for personal use) which will help local companies engaged in commercial activities within Singapore

This is a ploy to get more cash for the bank during these times when bank are low on funds but they turn the table around and look like good guys "even the devil can quote scriptures" POSB appreciates older customers http://www.asiaone.com/Business/News/My%2B...1028-96644.html Tue, Oct 28, 2008 my paper MANY older people aged 50 and above will welcome POSB's having set up a special counter for them, which is open during the first three hours of business every Tuesday. Such a proactive initiative makes banking more convenient for the elderly, some of whom have problems standing too long in a queue. This will also ease congestion at other counters, as staff usually take more time to deal with older customers. Other banks should emulate POSB's way of showing appreciation for this group of loyal customers, who have been supporting the bank for many years. Mr Jeffrey Law Lee Beng

The CashCard reader in labour chief Lim Swee Say's car beeps four to six times a day. This is because he passes through that many Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) gantries along busy city roads to get to and from work. He was driving home the point that ERP exists solely to control road congestion and not to enrich government coffers or raise the cost of living for Singaporeans. Mr Lim was responding to a question at a dialogue on why the Government was raising ERP rates by as much as $2 and adding five new gantries from July 7 in a climate of rising inflation. The new gantries along the banks of the Singapore River bring the total number of gantries islandwide to 65. Mr Lim said Transport Minister Raymond Lim had told Parliament previously the Government does not make any money from the ERP increase. The reason: It will collect $70 million a year from the ERP increase, but will lose $110 million due to the 15 per cent reduction in road tax from next month. That is, in fact, a net loss of $40 million, he said. So motorists who do not use congested roads will be 'net gainers', said Mr Lim, pointing to Ang Mo Kio GRC MP Inderjit Singh. This is because Mr Singh, who shared the stage with Mr Lim at the dialogue with Sengkang West residents yesterday, works in Changi. Mr Lim is not so lucky as he works in the NTUC Building at One Marina Boulevard. Relating his driving experience to laughter from the audience, he said: 'Every morning when I come out of my house, it's one beep along Bukit Timah, then another beep entering Marina South. From July 7, I'll be getting another beep just along the road to my office. 'The amount I pay through all this beeping will be more than the road tax rebate I am getting. Why? Simply because I am one of those who always go to busy areas.' Do U Agreed ?

Since so many Singaporeans are not happy with the government about the rising of cost living in Singapore now and also the admission of too early adjustment of gst to 7% by the government, that add further agony to our lives, shall we let start a petition to the our government for a reduction??? Anyone ?? I am not good at drafting petition. See you at www.petitiononline.com

SINGAPORE: The Singapore government is prepared to do more to soften the impact of rising food prices

Freeze on government fees extended till end of 2008 Posted: 27 February 2008 1612 hrs Related News

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) -- Malaysia's prime minister said Friday he will soon reduce government subsidies in the clearest sign that fuel prices will go up, a move that will likely be unpopular before general elections expected in a few months. "We have to restructure our subsidies. It is very difficult to maintain the current subsidies," Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said in a speech to his ruling party delegates. Abdullah refused to give a time frame for when the subsidies will be lowered, but acknowleged many Malaysians would be unhappy. "There is always some unhapiness. Not everybody will be happy but I think Malaysians are reasonable," he said. He also declined to say how the decision will effect the government's performance in elections. The biggest chunk of government subsidies is spent on keeping prices of gasoline and diesel down. Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak said Friday the government would have to spend 35 billion ringgit (US$10 billion;

EDB's $17.3m recall from UNSW not guaranteed The EDB is currently negotiating with UNSW in Sydney to return the $17.2 million. UNSW Asia was faced with 'significant claims' from creditors. -- ST PHOTO: ALAN LIM THE Economic Development Board's (EDB) attempt to recall $17.3 million from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Asia is not subject to guarantee by its parent institution in Sydney, said a minister. Nevertheless the EDB is currently negotiating with UNSW in Sydney to return the money. Mr S Iswaran, Minister of State for Trade and Industry, said this in Parliament when Nominated MP Siew Kum Hong queried if the parent university can be held responsible if UNSW Asia is delcared insolvent. In a statement last month, UNSW had said that UNSW Asia, the company behind the now-defunct Singapore campus, was faced with 'significant claims' from creditors. It said if the claims were upheld, UNSW Asia will not have enough funds to pay up, and may have to consider declaring itself insolvent.

There is NO way anymore liao, finish, kaput ...... http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/news/story/0,...,140194,00.html?

After seeing Remy's done-up bodykitted Waja and E230's Waja .... I am very much attracted to the Waja. Was looking around for info on Waja and found this. I didnt know the Waja is called Proton Impian in UK and the Wira is known as Proton Persona. Why do car manufacturers name their cars differently for different regions ah ?? Much like Sentra and Sunny, 323 and Protege and much much more. Why ah ? Remy .. whats your FC like ?? The Australian Government