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  1. By mean of fault lines, I am not referring to NSL, EWL, NEL, CCL, DTL, etc. (we are seeing less service disruption lately right?) Neither am I referring to any new geographical discovery that might put us at risk of natural disasters such as earthquake or volcano eruption, but... Majority now aware of race, religious issues, but study flags new fault lines A large majority of Singaporeans are aware of the seriousness of race and religious issues, and feel the Government has done enough to manage these divisions. But fault lines have emerged on class, immigration and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights, where more Singaporeans, especially younger ones, want to see greater state involvement and public discourse. These emerging issues, if mismanaged, are also seen to affect Singaporeans' trust in the Government the most, compared with race and religion. These and other findings from a study of public opinion on fault lines in Singapore, carried out by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), were released yesterday. Besides Dr Mathews, the other researchers were IPS research associate Melvin Tay and research assistant Shanthini Selvarajan. Based on a survey of about 4,000 citizens and permanent residents last year, the study noted that about a third of the respondents identified race and religion as having the potential to result in violence in Singapore if not managed properly - significantly more so than class, immigration and LGBT issues. Yet only about a quarter tied race and religion to trust in the state and politicians, compared with almost 40 per cent who said trust levels in the Government would likely fall if class and immigration issues are mismanaged. Close to half of both younger and older respondents felt there should be more state involvement in immigration, reflecting possible higher levels of xenophobia and job insecurity in recent times, regardless of age, said the researchers. These results could mean that citizens now accord the Government more responsibility to do more to manage class differences and immigration issues, they added. "People may feel that the Government already has clear policies and frameworks that are fairly robust when it comes to race and religion. But perhaps for immigration, socio-economic status and LGBT issues, people might want the state to be more involved in managing those issues," said IPS senior research fellow Mathew Mathews. This is unlike in the early years after independence, when the focus was on surviving communal politics. YOUTH LESS KEEN ON MORE GOVT INTERVENTION ON RACE AND RELIGION Just over a fifth of young people aged between 18 and 25 surveyed wanted more state involvement in race issues, compared with one-third of those aged above 65. Similar results were observed for religion. This could be due to the lived experiences of the older generation, who experienced the Maria Hertogh and 1964 race riots, said researchers. The former took place in 1950, after a court decided that a child who had been raised by Muslims should be returned to her Catholic biological parents. In 1964, clashes took place between the Malays and Chinese amid rising ethnic and political tensions. For older Singaporeans, these events drove home the need for a robust state apparatus to intervene and keep the peace, added the researchers. Significantly more Malays and Indians (about 40 per cent each) wanted greater state involvement in race issues than Chinese (24 per cent) - a sign that ethnic minorities are more likely to perceive or experience discrimination than the majority. A similar trend was seen for religion. In addition, people of minority races with a university degree and above desired more state intervention than their less-educated counterparts, showing that increased education results in greater awareness of, and desire to resolve, racial and religious issues, said the study. MINORITY RACES, YOUTH MORE LIKELY TO PROBE POTENTIAL DISCRIMINATION When asked how they would respond after getting an e-mail or phone message that a business had refused to serve people from a certain race or religion, nearly half of both Malays and Indians said they were likely to investigate the issue, compared with 37 per cent of Chinese. About 30 per cent each of Malays and Indians were also more likely to take the allegation seriously by reporting it to the authorities, compared with 13 per cent of Chinese. Younger Singaporeans would also be more proactive in tracing the source of such a message, with two-thirds saying they would check with their friend who sent it, compared with only half of respondents aged 65 and above. This could be because younger people aged 18 to 25 are more sensitive and concerned about discrimination. Being digital natives, they are likely to investigate matters further, said the study. Overall, the study showed that an overwhelming 92 per cent of respondents believed the Government had done well to improve racial and religious harmony. An example of vigorous state intervention to combat social divides, it said, can be seen in the area of religion - where a range of hard and soft legislation like the Internal Security Act, Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act, and the Inter-Racial and Religious Confidence Circles has prevented potential discord and wider conflict. But while seven in 10 aged above 65 agreed that the Government is responsible for racial and religious harmony in Singapore, only half of respondents aged 18 to 25 felt this way, it added. The researchers said this shows older Singaporeans may attribute greater responsibility to the state, or believe these fault lines are most effectively managed by strong government intervention. But going forward, younger generations could prefer a more community-driven approach to race and religion. Aiyah, why waste time and $$$ to conduct such survey, just sit at neighborhood coffee shop, food court, or even surfing HWZ, MCF, etc. will get you the same results. May I add that this is a typical example of people at the top loosing touch with people on the ground...
  2. Newly elected independent Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (centre) joining hands with his relatives after winning the Taipei Mayoral elections in Taipei on Nov 29, 2014. Taiwan's premier resigned after his Beijing-friendly ruling party suffered a landslide defeat at the island's biggest-ever local elections. Historic defeat for ruling KMT in Taiwan local polls leads to Premier's resignation In a stunning indictment of the ruling Kuomintang (KMT) party, Taiwanese voters sent its candidates packing in elections, handing five of six key cities, including the capital of Taipei, to its rivals. It is a historic defeat for the mainland-friendly KMT, and on Saturday night, Premier Jiang Yi-huah resigned to accept responsibility. Also taking the fall was KMT secretary-general Tseng Yung-chuan. Despite calls from some quarters for him to step down as party chairman as well, a grim-faced President Ma Ying-jeou made no mention of this possibility. Instead, he said at a press conference - where he bowed once in apology to supporters - that he had "heard the message from voters" and that he will be embarking on "reforms". He did not specify what these would be. In the course of a day, when 13 million people, about 70 per cent of registered voters, went to the polls, the map of Taiwan turned overwhelming green - the colour of the pro-independence coalition. Source: http://www.straitstimes.com/news/asia/east-asia/story/historic-defeat-ruling-kmt-taiwan-local-polls-leads-premiers-resignation-2
  3. http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/malaysian-states-face/1011176.html
  4. SINGAPORE: Several MPs have raised their concerns in Parliament over the latest changes to car ownership policies. Under the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) car loan curbs, buyers have a maximum of five years to their service car loans. They also have to foot a downpayment of 40 per cent or more for a new vehicle. The changes, they say, not only have an effect on second-hand car dealers but also large families. Mr Pritam Singh, MP for Aljunied GRC, said: "It would be imperative for the government to look at possible tweaks to the system if indeed larger families and families that include disabled singaporeans or elderly parents are genuinely affected, as the effects of the new policy kicks in over next few months. "One specific way could be to raise the LTV ratio for cars back to 70 per cent as it was previously, but only for families with two or more children so as to buttress and incentivise the government's efforts to raise TFR (Total Fertility Rate). Dr Lee Bee Wah, MP for Nee Soon GRC, said: "With regards to the restriction on private car loans, there has been plenty of unhappiness from the grounds, from existing car owners to second-hand car dealers. "Recently, I received a very long email from a resident of mine. He told me that he has been a second-hand car dealer for 17 years. He started off as a salesman after ROD, and he worked his way up and he is currently the CEO. He has 235 cars in hand and 50 staff, and he is crying out for help. He told me he is going to sell his house but he worries he cannot save his business." "As I read his email, my heart beats with his. Again, the change is so drastic and immediate that some second-hand car dealers like my resident will have to fold up their businesses. Is this cut so critical and so market sensitive that the Government cannot give any advance notice?" - CNA
  5. My dad told me he got one and will be cashing out soon at maturity. I google a little and it doesnt look optimistic.... http://www.reach.gov.sg/YourSay/BlogUs/tab.../3/Default.aspx? ssFormAction=%5B%5BssBlogThread_VIEW% 5D%5D&tid=%5B%5B8129%5D%5D
  6. Polygamy to solve population shortage issue and citizens subsidized to send elderly folks to JB nursing homes? [laugh] From CNA: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/sin...1210424/1/.html S'pore govt to review marriage and parenthood policies By S Ramesh | Posted: 28 June 2012 1425 hrs
  7. MRT and the role of LTA policies Letter from Toh Beng Guan (TODAY 24Dec2011) The problem is that there are counterproductive policies that have effectively fostered an oligopoly in all modes of transport. This includes the insistence that there be no competing modes of transport to train services. WHILE everyone has been berating SMRT Corporation chief executive officer Saw Phaik Hwa and suggesting solutions to the recent train disruptions, we have overlooked the role of the Land Transport Authority. Many other cities with subway trains have alternative means of transport should one line fail, so commuters can still get to their destinations. These alternatives may not be optimal, but they run regularly; unlike backup buses called upon in a rail disruption, there are no problems of unfamiliarity with the routes for both drivers and commuters. Whereas with the Mass Rapid Transit, we have put all the eggs in one basket, which means it has to be 99.99 per cent reliable. To make matters worse, we have accepted a slow recovery time when things go wrong. But 30 minutes to put buses into operation is unacceptable. Ms Saw was tasked to find other means of revenue, to reduce the need for fare increases to fund investment and profits. In that sense, she has done well. The problem is that there are counterproductive policies that have effectively fostered an oligopoly in all modes of transport. This includes the insistence that there be no competing modes of transport to train services. In Hong Kong, for example, there are minibuses, taxis, bus services and even the Kowloon train service. In contrast, when the Light Rail Transit was launched, some feeder bus services plying the same routes were removed. The LRT was packed but only recently has there been news of increasing the number of carriages. This follows other LTA policy failures over the years, such as failure to keep Certificate of Entitlement supply in recent years in tandem with growth of the road network. Now, COE supply is being drastically reduced. There is an inordinate reliance on Electronic Road Pricing to control traffic flow. Look at the cost of travelling to town via the Central Expressway and how ridiculous it was to pay ERP to go home even as late as 10.30pm. Now, the ERP operates until 8pm. There was a failure to provide alternative expressways to the CTE for the new estates in the north/north-east. Only recently did we have the Kallang-Paya Lebar Expressway, and the North-South Expressway is being planned now. The LTA has also insisted on not allowing cab drivers to be independent operators. Have the taxi complaints gone down in tandem with the reduction in Yellow Top taxis? Is outsourcing the policing of driver behaviour to companies proving effective?
  8. A&E subsidies for foreigners are here to stay: Gan Kim Yong by Ng Jing Yng 04:45 AM Nov 22, 2011SINGAPORE - Subsidies for foreigners needing emergency care are here to stay, Health Minister Gan Kim Yong told Parliament yesterday. He also provided statistics to show that this contributed minimally to the Government's healthcare spending. He was responding to Member of Parliament Baey Yam Keng (Tampines Group Representation Constituency), who had asked if the Government would remove subsidies for foreigners receiving Accident and Emergency (A&E) care or impose means testing - where the patient's ability to pay determines the size of the bill. This is because foreigners here would probably be covered by workplace insurance or travel insurance, he said. Currently, a 50-per-cent subsidy is given to all A&E patients regardless of their nationality. Mr Gan said that, over the last five years, foreigners made up 18 per cent of the yearly patient load at A&E departments - amounting to government subsidies of S$14 million every year. This is less than 1 per cent of the Health Ministry's total spending on subsidised patient services at public hospitals, which amounted to S$2.2 billion. "For A&E services, because they affect life and death, we want to make sure administrative processes in the A&E departments are kept as simple as possible," he said. He pointed out that not all foreigners here have workplace insurance as they are on long-term visit passes. And as A&E departments provide critical attention for a short period of time, getting hospital staff to verify the patient's nationality or doing means testing will only add to their administrative burden, he said. "We still like to keep our A&E departments streamlined (and) focus on treating the patients, ensuring that everyone who comes to A&E receives the emergency treatment that they need," added Mr Gan. As for Singaporeans who need further help even after the 50-per-cent subsidy, Mr Gan cited the existing Medifund scheme and said the Government would continue to look at ways to help the needy.
  9. Can trust him? From CNA: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/sin...1141194/1/.html Govt affirms aim to involve more S'poreans in developing ideas & policies By Evelyn Choo | Posted: 16 July 2011 0011 hrs SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has affirmed the government's aim to involve more Singaporeans in developing ideas and policies that affect them. He hopes Singaporeans will respond in the same spirit. Mr Lee was speaking at the official opening of the School of the Arts (SOTA) on Friday. Mr Lee cited the example of an ongoing strategic review of the arts sector. The Arts and Culture Strategic Review involves the public, private and people sectors, with the goal of mapping out Singapore's cultural landscape by 2025. The aim is to get four in five Singaporeans to attend at least one arts and cultural event each year by 2025. Mr Lee called on members of the arts community, including SOTA's students, to contribute to the thought process. He said: "The review and the committee will consult students widely. We will conduct focus group sessions, we will launch an online consultation portal. "We would like to have your ideas of what you would like to do, how you would like us to go about building this arts scene for the future, strategically, patiently, starting now." Congratulating SOTA on its official opening, Mr Lee said the school is an example of how the country is opening up multiple paths to different talents. SOTA is Singapore's first national pre-tertiary arts school. It offers a six-year curriculum that integrates arts and academia for youths aged 13 to 18 years. - CNA/ir
  10. MM Lee: We will have to adapt our policies By Jeff Oon | SingaporeScene
  11. From Mr Brown Webby: What awesome lyrics in this election version of a Jay Chou song. The singing was great too! I felt very emo about flats after I heard it. 说了再建(HDB组屋) 限量的屋价格太贵了 清楚的国人买不起了 失业者在海边上睡觉了 想要房,房不掉泪在飘 你看看你看看不到 还假装自己很重要 解决问题你办不到 说了再建才发现 再也骗不了 国不能就这样 失去她的方向 错了还在说教 成绩却找不到 和外劳对调 你说好不好 说了再建才发现 再也骗不了 能不能就这样 保证薪水不掉 说要给我养老 公积金哪里找 再次投票 一份配套就到 你的笑 你的好 老百姓 一直在劳 我回首 忘不了你错的程度 薪水称第一 你不会良心睡不觉 相信国民们无力逃跑
  12. SINGAPORE : National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan said the Workers' Party's (WP) housing proposals amount to creating deliberate policies to crash the sector here. For the fourth time, he has challenged the party's suggestions on housing as listed in its manifesto, as Mr Mah said housing is an important part of Singapore's economy and cannot be dealt with frivolously. The Workers' Party had proposed to peg new HDB flat prices to median incomes of households that qualify to buy them, and lower land prices for HDB flats. But these suggestions drew fire from the National Development minister. "I'm worried that when the Workers' Party makes these proposals, they do not point out the implications, the consequences of this policy. If you were to reduce prices drastically, artificially for new flats, there will be an impact on resale market. It's not minimal, it's not later; it's significant, it's now," said Mr Mah. He continued: "To just make a proposal to cause prices to crash deliberately, I think that's not quite right. So that's the first flaw in the Workers' Party proposals. The second flaw is really the issue of reserve; how are they going to pay for this lowering of prices." Mr Mah also questioned the party's real intent of making such suggestions. He said: "Of course, it could well be that the Workers' Party doesn't really seriously believe that it's going to form the government and therefore it's not going to implement all these policies and therefore it's alright, I can just come up with any policies, so long as it's attractive in the short term, to a particular group of people. It's going to win votes, it's alright. "But I think it's our duty to point out the longer term implications of some of these proposals. We have to implement our policies and that's the reason why we are so careful in what we say, what kind of policies we propose because we're going to be held to what we have said. "What we say, we must implement. But it's also important for us to point out the implications of other people's policies and where they are wrong and to get the response from them, rather than to twist and turn and try to make light of it." Mr Mah also called the Workers' Party's Secretary-General Low Thia Khiang "mischievous" in alleging that the government has been guilty of taking reserves for years. Mr Mah said this is "highly misleading" as the government is fiscally prudent. One example Mr Mah cited is that the government returned the S$4 billion it withdrew from the reserves in 2009 to fund the Resilience Package in order to save jobs and revive the economy. Mr Mah said the government was not obliged to put the money back, but did so any way. Mr Mah reiterated that the Workers' Party's housing proposals are ill-conceived. He said the opposition's suggestions will do two things. One, it will devalue the assets of one million HDB home owners here. Two, it undermines the system which the government has built over the years. When asked if housing would be a make or break issue for the PAP, Mr Mah said it won't be as there are many other issues at hand. The key issue is who can form the government and secure Singapore's future. Mr Mah also gave an assessment of the National Solidarity Party (NSP) contesting in Tampines GRC. "They seem like decent chaps on paper, they're quite good. So we'll treat them with respect. We'll fight this election on the basis of who has better programmes, who has got better policies," said Mr Mah. And as for the PAP's policies for Tampines GRC, Mr Mah said the area's manifesto will be unveiled soon. - CNA /ls Wah, now he indirectly admit that resale prices are affected by new flat prices. So the PUBLIC HOUSING market has been manipulated all this while with new flat prices??! WTF.....
  13. I think the "tsunami will arrive in a few hours" (quote Mr Mah's analogy). So many highly-qualified people, from PHD to Masters degrees to BSC to successful corporate honchos have stepped forward to declare contest against PAP incumbents. Why is it so, at this coming election? Obviously, many have risen through the system, get a good headstart in life. Why then the risk? Something is seriuosly wrong with the system. These fine and bright people , if the system is so good and rewarding according to the PAP folks, are seeing something that we lesser mortal don't? My humble opinions are that: People are fed-up with the high-handedness of the ruling party. People are upset with the gerrymandering. People are very unhappy with the "you don't vote me, I dont upgrade your flat" threat. People are very unhappy with all the stupid reasons ala GST is to help the poor. People are very unhappy with the high cost of living (asking hawkers not to raise price when other big conglomerates suka suka raise price eg petrol companies). People are very unhappy with stupid reasons such as selling new flats at lower price equals to raiding the reserves. People are very unhappy with CPF's change of rules and shifting of withdrawal age and "locking of money" under CPF life. People are very unhappy squandering money on renaming Marina Bay and Budget Terminal when it was so difficult to increase the meagre amount to the poor. People are very unhappy with the caSINos People are very unhappy to be packed like sardines and the minister concerned show no sympathy People are very unhappy with limping MSK running away and the remark "what to do? It happened" People are very unhappy with PA, CC, and what not grassroots oprganisations being subsumed as part of PAP People are very unhappy when Zorro rubbished no minmum wage for workers but stamped a multi-million $ minimum wage for his colleagues. People are very unhappy with Khaw bactracking when he said something like "means testing was only an idea" but implemented straightaway after election. People are very unhappy that YOG ocverspent the budget under the same MInsiter who rejected calls to increase payment to the destitude (eat in hawker centre, food court or restaurant remark) People are very unhappy when hardo do Minister mocked our fairer sex to skip one hairdo to pay for mamogram screening. People are very unhappy when jobs and more jobs go to foreigners (and for that matter, foreigners should include PERMANENT RESIDENTS) People are very unhappy Minister Mah sproutingnonsense about HDB subsidy when he did not dare to divulge what is the actual cost of building a flat. People are very unhappy becasue we do not know what constitutes our reserves, who has oversight or how are they deployed. People are very unhappy when NS for Singaporeans, but high post and even potentialn MP posts for newly minted Singaporean. Many many more, but hands are tired from typing.....
  14. http://www.straitstimes.com/GeneralElectio...l?videoid=62512 5.04 She vows to make them all better. If we vote for her, we will die faster. Her speech full of WAYANG.
  15. Happened to chance upon this article on ZaoBao this morning. Title Reads : Passengers are waiting; Taxis are waiting Possible supply and demand mismatch due to locality? Both waiting parties are at Changi Airport Why? Because greater mortals decided to impose peak hour surcharges on lesser mortals starting at 5pm. With imbeciles like them in the policy making department, big blue and their clout deserves to be chopped like a rotten carrot they are by private lawyers and workshops competing tooth and nail in the free market Imbecile run companies simply have too many "out of this world" solution to real world problems
  16. Pro-S'porean policy in jobs, housing impractical THE notion of a pro-Singaporean policy is noble but not practical. What many policymakers and many well-meaning citizens fail to recognise is that many Singaporeans are married to non-Singaporeans. Non-Singaporeans may, for one reason or another, not be in a position to take up Singapore citizenship. This may be because they have elderly parents in their native country or they do not meet general requirements to take up citizenship. As someone in this category, I find that this pro-Singaporean policy penalises this segment of the population. Over the years, we have contributed thousands of dollars to the Singapore economy, we pay taxes and levies and we have decided to setup of our family unit in Singapore. We have bought an HBD flat and look forward to being proud owners of a home in Singapore. I am not in a position to take up citizenship, as it is my responsibility to take care of my parents in Malaysia. They have chosen their home and I cannot, in good conscience, force them to relocate here. Imagine this. Our flat will be ready only in 2012. Of our two incomes, I earn more than my wife. My income pays for almost everything, including rent (which has increased astronomically). The cost of living has gone up, and even cooking at home is no cheaper then eating outside. Paying utility bills, insurance premiums, car loan, education loans and so on leaves us with just enough to make ends meet. In recent months, we have had to dip into our savings to pay for many things. We used to consider ourselves slightly better off than middle class, but now we are not even in that category. If I lose my job, because I am not a Singaporean, where would that leave us? Consider this as well. I pay goods and services tax (GST), income tax, Central Provident Fund (CPF) and every other payment as Singaporeans do, but I get few if any benefits. I do not get GST refunds; nor am I a beneficiary of any other monetary initiative to relieve the sufferings of Singaporeans, despite the fact that I am forming a family unit with a Singaporean in Singapore. Adrian Gopal
  17. For those holding AIA insurance concern about AIG crisis: All AIA policies will be as per normal. There isn't any insurance life funds being invested in AIG shares. AIG (Singapore) still will be as per normal.
  18. I know of someone who has got herself a list of car insurance policies complete with driver names, policy expiry dates, contact numbers, vehicle numbers, etc. Don't know she came into this list of some 2,000 odd records. What can she do with it? btw, she's not in the insurance related business. Regards.
  19. Who validates and verifies that cars are moving at optimum speed? -ST Lee Su Shyan Mon, Jun 30, 2008 The Straits Times I AM puzzled by the recent announcements on the impending Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) rate changes, with effect from July7. I vividly remember reading a Straits Times article in March or April this year on a Land Transport Authority (LTA) report on the benefits of introducing ERP in Orchard Road. The report stated that before ERP was introduced, retailers were worried the measures would drive away customers. However, instead of business going downhill, retailers in Orchard are enjoying record boom. One reason was that ERP deterred motorists who used Orchard Road as a thoroughfare, and genuine shoppers flocked there to shop. The report also stated that car speeds were an optimum 20kmh to 30kmh, and ERP gantries in Orchard succeeded in keeping down traffic. Now, on June 17, the LTA announced that car speeds in Orchard have fallen considerably, ERP charges will go up from $1 to $2 and operating hours on Saturdays will be from 11.30am to 8pm. My question is, who validates and verifies that cars are moving at optimum speed? Who checks these reports? Who decides that, three months ago, the speed was optimum, but now it is no longer so? One possible reason is that there are more cars on the road now. Cars are cheaper, application for car loans is easier, COE prices have dropped considerably, and rebates are given to motorists who switch to CNG cars. The LTA controls the number of COEs issued, and although it says it will control the number of COEs issued because of highly congested roads, many policies are implemented to make car ownership easier. So why does the LTA continue to issue COEs, even though it stated in a report last year that COEs issued are way above the stipulated quota - 9 per cent instead of 3 per cent? And after issuing so many COEs, the LTA introduces ERP gantries everywhere with higher prices and longer operating hours to discourage vehicle use. Why not control the issuing of COEs in the first place? I hope the LTA can shed some light on these apparently contradictory policies. Jennifer Wong (Ms) http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNew...0630-73557.html
  20. Noting that the level of political debates in Singapore has generally gone up a notch, Mr Lee noted that some of the speeches by the Nominated Members of Parliament have sparked "widespread reactions" among the public. . Said Mr Lee: "The Government might not agree with their views but it is good that they can speak their mind in Parliament. This is how it should be and it also fulfils our objective of appointing NMPs." .But Mr Lee was less approving in his assessment of the performance of the Opposition MPs. . "In fact, they seldom engage the Government head-on in Parliamentary debates. Potong Pasir MP Chiam See Tong speaks less nowadays. Non-constituency MP Sylvia Lim's speeches are rather cautious and reserved, which, of course, is a good thing," said Mr Lee. . On Workers' Party's chief Low Thia Khiang, Mr Lee said: "He is very sharp but he seldom debates about the thrust of government policies and the broader issues. It seems like he is more passionate about nitpicking and making the government look bad ?which is quite different from the rousing speeches he gave in the election rallies." .He added: "His attitude is that his responsibility is just to criticise government policies, and not to offer alternatives." . Mr Low and Ms Lim could not be reached for comments at press time. Mr Chiam declined to respond. . While the Government has been increasing efforts to explain its policies to Singaporeans ?due to the rising educational levels and the growing complexity of policies ?there would always be criticisms, said Mr Lee, who felt that these critics usually agree with the policies' objectives but disagree on the mechanics. And some do not understand the policies fully. . Said Mr Lee: "In fact, if we test people's understanding of policies, I think even news workers and PAP MPs might not pass." ----------- http://www.todayonline.com/articles/248273.asp
  21. New transportation policies on Jan 30 are summarized by Bro Ahyoo2002 as follows: 1)More ERP, Minister Lim said 16 new gantries will go on between April and November, bringing the total number in operation to 71. This is just the start. 2)The base ERP rate will be upped from $1 to $2, with the increments in $1 instead of the current 50 cents. 3)Road tax will be cut by 15 per cent across the board 4)Annual allowable growth rate - a minor component in a formula that determines COE supply - will be halved to 1.5 per cent from April 2009. 5)10% cut in ARF in March 6)More expressways will be built and the Central Expressway widened to ease the perennial traffic woes among the northern corridor. Effects could be: 1) Demand for Cat A COE in 2008 will significant drop becuase of increased ERP and economy recession. Cat B won't be affected much as rich ppl don't care more ERP. 2) COE supply in 2009 won't drop by 12,000 as more replacement come out as more ppl may scratch cars due to higher keeping/usage cost. 3) Ready buy-in buyer who had waited for ARF cut announcement will go in for 2nd bid in Feb and register in March. (Is its timing right? pls correct me.) My prediction: 1st Feb Cat A bid - drop to 10K 2nd Feb / 2 Mar bids - go up to 12K April onwards bids - back to 10K (if Economy not recover) So good time to buy after 1st Feb bid to enjoy price cut after further COE drop.
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