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Singapore authorities recall bottled water from Malaysia containing bacteria Authorities here have issued a recall of bottled mineral water imported from Malaysia after it was found to contain a common environmental bacterium that is found in faeces, soil, water and sewage. In a media statement on Wednesday (June 12), the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) said that the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa was detected in Malaysia’s “Starfresh” bottled drinking water during a routine sampling of the product. It comes in 500ml and 1.5 litre bottles. The agency said it has directed the importer Radha Exports to recall all affected products, with the process ongoing. It pointed out that the bacterium can multiply in water environments and also on the surface of suitable organic materials in contact with water. “Use or consumption of products contaminated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa can cause a range of infections but rarely causes serious illness in healthy individuals,” said the agency. Consumers who have purchased the product are advised not to consume it. Those who might have done so and are concerned about their health should seek medical advice, said the agency. Affected consumers, it added, can contact Radha Exports at 6220 2777 for enquiries or exchange of product.

I read and felt disturbed. I read with great concern. Social media has its pros and cons. Humans do all sorts to get quick results and fix for one reason or the other. Bangkok clinic draws 100 men a month for penis-whitening service Health authorities disturbed as Thailand pioneers penis whitening laser service Thailand is probably the first country in the world where services are available to lighten the skin tone of male genitalia. Health authorities, however, have expressed worry and warned people about possible adverse impacts from such treatments. "The skin of the private parts is sensitive. Such laser services may cause irritation, allergies and inflammation," Health Service Support Department deputy director-general Dr Thongchai Keeratihuttayakorn said yesterday. He added that such services would do more harm than good. "What if your skin becomes spotted?" he asked rhetorically. Thongchai said he had never heard of such services being available in other parts of the world. He also pledged to encourage the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to check if equipment used in such services had already been approved. "If not, the service provider will be liable for punishment," he said. Laser services for skin lightening are nothing new in Thailand. But a social media post about lightening male genitalia has become the talk of the town. A Facebook user, who goes by the name of "Atittayapa Photiya", posted a message about the services. She described herself as working for the Lelux Hospital. "New services. Reduce pigmentation. Make penis whiter. No pain. No recuperation needed. Let's tag people who should do it," the post said. The hospital has confirmed that the services are available and insisted that they are not dangerous. A patient who had used the service said he "loved" laser facial treatments and had been keen to try the service when he found out it was available. "And I am impressed with the results," he said on condition of anonymity. "I will complete the programme of five laser treatments." According to AFP, Lelux Hospital's genitalia whitening services have attracted about 100 men a month and they cost around $650 for five sessions. Urologist Dr Kampanat Pornyoskrai said laser treatments on genitalia might have different results depending on each particular person. "Usually, the male genitalia is darker than other parts of the body because of androgen," he said. "No other medicines can change that." He said lasers could be used to whiten faces and might work as well for genitalia for some people. "But before you go for it, study the bad points of laser treatments first," Kampanat said. http://www.asiaone.com/asia/social-media-aroused-health-authorities-disturbed-thailand-pioneers-penis-whitening-laser?xtor=EREC-16-4

Malaysians are getting fed up with their garment. From not trusting their Polis to catch a criminal, now they are doing their own road works. From this article, i liked the last line. "“Most people never act and that only adds to the long list of complaints.” Says alot of complainers but no action from them. We have alot in this forum..... https://sg.news.yahoo.com/fed-kl-pockmarked-roads-bikers-matters-own-hands-232900841.html KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 8 — They first started with a can of spray paint, marking around potholes on the roads of Kuala Lumpur to alert motorists of the hazard. The group of bikers also swept away sand and loose stones off busy highways to prevent motorcyclists from skidding. When their leader — actor Azlan Sani Zawawi, 40, or Lando as he prefers to be called — managed to save up some cash, they planted flowers in the pitted surfaces for a more obvious hazard sign. When his business grew, Lando and his biker friends took to road work themselves, patching up sinkholes and potholes left unattended by Kuala Lumpur City Hall. “We have been doing this since 2008,” Lando said at his latest patch-up operation in Wangsa Melawati called Jangan Gebang, Turap Lubang (Don’t Pose, Patch the Hole). “I’ve been blessed to get support from friends and members of the public, who joined in when they learned about what I have been doing. “Those who come out to help me are usually bikers like myself and so I named our group Ikatan Silaturrahim Brotherhood, comprising bikers from various biker associations. “The pothole (in Wangsa Melawati) has been there for over five months and is a hazard, especially for motorcyclists. “Despite numerous complaints, City Hall failed to fix the road, so our group decided to act ourselves.” After an hour’s work, they managed to level the road in Jalan 2/27a Lingkaran Tengah 2. The Kuala Lumpur-born businessman spent RM2,500 to hire a lorry and bought tools and materials for the repair work, including two tonnes of tar and gravel. He said katan Silaturrahim Brotherhood had carried out 30 road repairs around Wangsa Maju, Taman Seri Rampai, Taman Melawati and areas near the KL Convention Centre (KLCC) so far. Lando said he considered it a service to motorists, especially motorcyclists. “As a road user, I am concerned with the safety of motorists and motorcyclists driving or riding on roads filled with dangerous potholes,” he said. “The authorities are slow in their maintenance, often leaving the roads unlevelled and unpatched for months. “I find their lackadaisical attitude irresponsible, especially when road hazards are serious dangers that could result in fatalities.” Lando said he had lost two friends and an uncle after they crashed while avoiding road hazards. Over the years, he has spent close to RM20,000 to hire lorries and buy gravel and tar as well as tools for his initiatives. Despite rising costs, he said he had never accepted donations. “I prefer to use my own money. It took some time to save up but I managed to gather the funds by selling T-shirts and merchandises from my business,” he said. “Those who wish to help can donate their time and effort or hire a lorry with materials that we can use.” Asked the reason for his services, he said he considered it his personal civic duty. As a habit, Lando and his friends take note of the roads that require attention. He also posts pictures of potholes and other road hazards on his Facebook page, “Lando Zawawi DatokBandar KL”. “I post the pictures to warn people to be careful on those roads. Sometimes, people reach out and suggest places I can work on and they would volunteer to help,” he said. Lando said as a rule, he limited the number of people who joined him at each road work operation. “Safety is the No. 1 issue as it is risky patching up the road and relaying traffic at the same time,” he said. “That is why I carry out the work late at night when there are fewer vehicles.” Lando’s wife, Nurul Jannah Abdul Halim, 31, often joins him on his excursions that sometimes finish in the wee hours of the morning. “I am proud of his passion to help others in the way he feels truly beneficial,” she said. “I am concerned for his safety, that is why I like to tag along.” Road contractor Mohammad Fadzil Hashim, 22, volunteered after stumbling upon Lando’s Facebook page and hearing about his deeds from friends. He joined Lando for the first time last Thursday. “I do this for a living and when I heard about Lando, I was inspired to join him” he said. “Most people never act and that only adds to the long list of complaints.”

Sky-high certificate of entitlement (COE) prices for commercial vehicles have become a worry for businesses, motor traders and the authorities. Premiums for vans, trucks and buses have been setting record after record in recent months. Now at $76,001, it has more than doubled its price since 2011 - chalking the biggest rise among all COE categories in the two years. The motor industry attributes the climb to three factors. First, there has been a construction boom that is driving demand for heavy vehicles such as concrete carriers and dump trucks. According to Mr Ron Lim, general manager of Nissan agent Tan Chong Motor, heavy vehicles now make up more than 50 per cent of commercial vehicle sales - up from the usual 20 per cent. Second, motor dealers are clearing existing stock ahead of a new emission standard that kicks in on Jan 1. Third, speculators may be hoarding COEs in the hope of turning a profit by reselling them to motor dealers stuck with stock as the new year draws nearer. Said Mr Lim: "If there is speculation, the Government should step in quickly to address the situation. Or consider a three- to six-month extension to the emission deadline. This should quell all speculative activities." The Land Transport Authority (LTA) said it is hard to detect speculative activities. But it added that there are deterrents in place, such as a shorter three-month validity period for commercial COEs, half that of car certificates. Still, an LTA spokesman said it is looking at ways to improve the system, including putting light and heavy commercial vehicles in separate categories. Buyers of the latter are better able to tolerate high COE prices since heavy vehicles are far costlier. Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew told Parliament in March that the Government "will study carefully" if buyers of "light goods vehicles should pay the same COE premium as heavy and very heavy goods vehicles". Small and medium-sized businesses hope something will be done soon. Association of Small and Medium Enterprises president Chan Chong Beng said that the issue of high vehicle costs has overtaken labour shortage as the top concern raised by members. "For many small businesses, a vehicle is a must... And because of the new emission standard, prices will continue to rise next year, and that's very, very scary." Vehicle cost will account for a bigger cost component for businesses, Mr Chan added. "Many, like hawkers, will find it hard to pass it on to consumers." He said having separate COE categories for light and heavy vehicles would be "a good solution". Ms Ivy Tao, 54, who runs a fleet of buses ferrying workers, said she has no choice but to delay replacing her older vehicles. "COEs are high, fuel prices are high. We don't feel secure any more." LTA said businesses can consider extending their expiring COEs - by paying a prevailing quota premium - by five years, which they can do twice now since a restriction was lifted in February. Previously, these COEs could either be extended by five or 10 years. Owners who chose the former had to scrap their vehicles at the end of their extension. Since the policy change, LTA said about 96 per cent of commercial COE renewals have been for five years, up from 57. Source: http://www.stasiareport.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/businesses-motor-traders-authorities-worry-over-soaring-coe-cost-20131

My neighbour approachd me yesterday and was fuming mad with regards to some vehicles illegal parking along the road within HDB area causing inconvenient to other motorists. He specified to the authorities that he just want those vehicles owners to park at the 2 MSCP within walking distant and no need to issue any summons. He informed that, first he called '999' about the parking issue and was told that nowadays, police do not take action on illegal parking. Not even Traffic Police Department and the task was taken over by LTA. He was given a hotline number to call LTA. So he called LTA and informed of the illegal parking. Location and area was given to LTA officer on the other line. 10 minutes later, LTA officer called back and informed that, if its illegal parking within HDB area, HDB enforcement unit should take action. My neighbour then goes 'hur', why pushing from one department to another. He argued with LTA officer that the vehicles are parking on the road with a road name and what HDB got to do with it. So the officer agreed to send their warden to check. So my point is does we need to carry all SG departments telephone numbers to get thing done ? Why pushing around responsibilities by 3 authoritries or maybe 4 (if also include URA warden unit) over a location? What happen to our 'Service Industry'? No wonder we lack behind to so many countries in rendering 'Services'. Japan score the highest.

...doing??? SINGAPORE: In what is likely to be a landmark case for the charity sector, 26

Here's an interesting article taken from MSNBC...not sure if anyone had read this yet. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19339955/ Street racers