Category: Singapuraku

Toastbox Staff Burns Incense Paper In Within Premises, Whole Store Very Smokey

Dear ToastBox,

There is no sense of customer-orientedness in the companies in your chain. I was at Toastbox at Rail Mall this afternoon and found that the store was very smoky.

At first I was alarmed because I thought it was a fire but later my colleague told me it was because a staff member had been burning incense for the Hungry Ghost Festival inside the hidden kitchen area or immediately outside it (he had been told by the PRC kitchen assistant).

Is this really proper behaviour in an eatery?

If true, this seriously violates hygiene standards and is a major fire safety offence. NEA and SCDF should step in immediately to investigate the case.

In response to this complaint, ToastBox said:

“Hi Caroline, We apologize for the unpleasant experience you encountered at our Rail Mall outlet. Could you also let us know the time of your visit so our team can investigate this immediately. Thank you.”

<Facebook complaint by Caroline Ning>

Source: www.allsingaporestuff.com

August 20, 2015
16 Quotes By Your Out-Of-Touch PAP MPs

I came across the following quotes in an article by Chan Joo Yee. The questions for you to ask and ponder are:

a) Do these people really understand you and your plight?

b) Does some introductions in a coffee-shop, old age home, hawker centre mean they are now ‘closer to you?’

c) Is your estate and Town Council management much more important than the national issues that will not only affect you, but your children and their children in future?

d) Are you prepared to gamble 5 more years with them in the hope that they will change overnight and abandon policies you don’t want?

Consider the following quotes by these very men and women who are urging you – to quote the PM, ‘not weaken the PAP team.’ This is what the so-called strong team you elected into power in 2011 had to say about you:

The Quotes:

1. “Singaporeans first policy would not benefit the economy in the long term.”

2.“It’s not the government’s duty to love Singaporeans.”

3.“Contrary to public perception, the White Horse classification is not to ensure that sons of influential men get preferential treatment. Instead it is to ensure that they do not get preferential treatment.”

4.“Retrenchment is good for Singapore. If there is no retrenchment, then I worry.”

5.“NSman’s service to Singapore cannot be measured in dollars and cents.”

6.“Well, everybody has a car, we have two — my wife drives one, I drive one. We are both professionals, we need to travel.”

7. “If you’re lazy and work less, you’ll have less Medisave.”

8.“Save on one hairdo and use the money for breast screening.”

9.“If the annual salary of the Minister of Information, Communications and the Arts is only $500,000, it may pose some problems when he discusses policies with media CEOs who earn millions of dollars because they need not listen to the minister’s ideas and proposals.”

10.“Some cardboard collectors treat it (collection of cardboards) as a form of exercise and activity rather than being cooped up at home.”

11.“How much do you want? Do you want 3 meals in a hawker centre, food court or restaurant?”

12.“It’s not for the money (multiple directorships) because some of the companies pay me as little as $10,000 a year.”

13.“People use democracy as a free-floating abstraction disconnected from reality. Democracy in and of itself is not necessarily good. Gang rape, after all, is democracy in action.”

14.“It would be stupid for any Singapore agency or NTU to advocate the learning of dialects, which must be at the expense of English and Mandarin.”

15.“CPF is not your money.”

16.“If chicken is expensive, eat fish.”

There’s probably a lot more, but you get the idea. This is the thinking and mind-set of the men and women you sent to Parliament the last time. They can scold, mock and try to do the opposition in – but do remember – who’s the cause of your all your problems now? Is it the opposition or the Govt you have routinely given a blank cheque to do whatever they want, when ever they want? And now they are telling you to consider ‘an enlightened self-interest when you go and vote.’ Is your self interests vis-à-vis your estate amenities, which don’t forget is what is expected of any Govt in power anywhere in the world, or is the national interests and your future as Singaporeans in your own country, more important?

You have a tough choice and decision to make – think carefully and vote wisely.

Sir Nelspruit

* The author blogs at Anyhow Hantam.

Source: www.tremeritus.com

August 20, 2015
PAP’s Leadership Renewal Not Particularly Impressive

People like myself who have suffered under PAP’s policies would like to see the time when they lose power. Given GE2015’s slate of candidates where no single alternative party is aiming to form the government, more opposition seats will allow them a platform to push for their alternative views while working hard for Singaporeans to safeguard their mandate in GE2020. Ultimately, Singaporeans benefit.

Looking at the new candidates from both sides, we are seeing some whose resumes are not particularly accomplished; People such as Daryl David and Joan Pereira have deputy-director level positions which are only equal to, or weaker than, the alternative parties’ who have managed to get full professors and associate professors. In short, the PAP has declined vis-à-vis the alternative parties.

These are new faces whose track record cannot be seen. Yet even for existing ones, does the electorate necessarily respect the new generation PAP ministers as much as they do for the first generation? For for LKY himself, there would be a day when “either because the PAP has declined in quality or the opposition has put up a team which is equal to the PAP and they say, let’s try the other side.”

New generation ministers such as Lawrence Wong has not stuck a particularly strong cord with voters. His track record of handling issues such as the rat infestation in Jurong and handling of the SEA games saga has proven him to be a far cry from the competent first-generation PAP. What about paper generals such as Chan Chun Sing who have not proven themselves in terms of policy making?

The fall of Aljunied GRC to the opposition has proven two things. First, LKY was right about PAP losing power. Second, the electorate is willing to reduce their standards for alternative parties relative to the PAP possibly as a result of their discontent. Moving forward, it would most certainly seem that GE2015 would be the true watershed elections.

By denying the PAP a two-thirds majority, we can see an improvement in our standards of living. Trust me on that.

Source: http://mythoughtsinafewparagraphs.net

August 20, 2015
Ng Chee Meng – From Botak Boy To Man

There was a massive downpour on the day of Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s state funeral.

But soldiers, drenched head to toe, remained at their posts in front of the barricades.

From among the crowd behind them, a hand held an umbrella over a thoroughly-soaked serviceman in a futile attempt to shelter him.

That image from March 29 this year remains etched in outgoing Chief of Defence Force Ng Chee Meng’s mind.

The gesture edged him closer to his decision to serve Singapore in a different capacity – in politics.

“When we saw the unity of Singaporeans, it gave (me) a lot of encouragement to see Singaporeans coming together.

“The umbrella physically did nothing for the body, but it did wonders for the soul,” he said.

Yesterday, Lt-Gen Ng, 47, handed over the reins of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) to his successor, Major-General Perry Lim.

Before the change-of-command parade yesterday afternoon at the Safti Military Institute, Lt-Gen Ng spoke about his 29 years in the military and about his next phase of life.

Though he is stepping down a few months earlier than the usual three-year term for a defence chief, Lt-Gen Ng said he leaves the SAF a better and stronger force than it was.

Under his leadership, the SAF successfully carried out missions in Afghanistan and the Gulf of Aden, as well as humanitarian and disaster relief operations in the region.

The SAF today has the best weapons and technology available and is in advanced stages of linking its fighting platforms into a network of communication systems.

This will enable the SAF to have greater combat power beyond its size and physical numbers, Lt-Gen Ng said.

Planning for the next 15 to 20 years has also begun, with the SAF looking at the use of robots to alleviate the manpower crunch.

“The day we are completely satisfied… is the day that we will deteriorate.

“The SAF is not a perfect organisation. We always scan and see how we can bring the organisation forward and serve even better,” he said.

SAF EXPERIENCE

Lt-Gen Ng joined the SAF in December 1986 and went on to become a fighter pilot before moving up the ranks.

The SAF has given him a rich cache of memories, he said, fondly recalling his time in Basic Military Training (BMT) and the Air Force.

“The SAF turned a botak boy into a man,” he said.

As Chief of Defence Force, he was the chief military adviser to the Defence Minister and Prime Minister.

Initially drawing a blank when asked about his most cherished memory in the SAF, Lt-Gen Ng said that the past six months, particularly during the week of mourning for Mr Lee and the period leading up to the Golden Jubilee National Day, were among the most unforgettable.

Last week, he flew a F-5S Tiger fighter jet for the last time and was pleasantly surprised to see a rainbow when he touched down. He immediately took a picture with his wife.

“My journey in the SAF has come to an end. I’ve chased the rainbow with my wife by my side.

“When I finished, there was really a rainbow. How nice,” he said.

GOING INTO POLITICS

Lt-Gen Ng said yesterday it was already an “open secret” that he was going into politics.

Coming to that decision was not easy – it was only after much thought and advice from his family and mentors, he said.

Ng’s elder brother, Major-General (NS) Ng Chee Khern, 49, is the Permanent Secretary (Defence Development) at the Ministry of Defence and Second Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health.

His younger brother, Mr Ng Chee Peng, 45, a former Chief of Navy, was appointed chief executive of the Central Provident Fund earlier this year.

But, after benefitting much from society, he now hopes to give back.

If he does stand in the coming election, he will be the highest-ranking military officer to do so. It will also mark the first time that a defence chief has entered politics.

He said: “It’s been a wonderful journey (in the SAF). I would like to give back to society in small ways for all the benefits that I gained.

“I care about Singapore’s future, about Singaporeans’ well-being… and what Singapore will be like for my grandkids.”

Outgoing chief played multiple roles

Lieutenant-General Ng Chee Meng, 47, was appointed the Chief of Defence Force on March 27, 2013.

He held various key command and staff appointments in 29 years of service, including the Chief of Air Force.

He was also the Military Private Secretary to the Defence Minister from December 1995 to July 1996.

Lt-Gen Ng, who has two daughters, also sat on the boards of Singapore Technologies Engineering, Defence Science and Technology Agency, and Jurong Town Corporation.

Most recently, he was the chairman of the State Funeral Organising Committee for the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew and was among the first set of vigil guards to stand by the founding Prime Minister’s casket as it lay in state at Parliament House.

He also led the preparations for the Golden Jubilee National Day Parade, which was held on Aug 9.

Source: www.tnp.sg

August 20, 2015
Rahayu Mahzam Unveiled As PAP Candidate For Jurong GRC

SINGAPORE: The People’s Action Party (PAP) on Thursday (Aug 20) officially introduced its new candidates for the Jurong Group Representation Constituency (GRC) for the coming General Election (GE).

The incumbent party’s five-person team features two new faces, Ms Rahayu Mahzam, 35, and Dr Tan Wu Meng, 40.

They replace MPs Halimah Yacob, who moves over to Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC, and Mr David Ong, from the team in place since the 2011 General Election.

They join Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Mr Ang Wei Neng and Mr Desmond Lee, the remaining members of the team that secured Jurong GRC with 66.96 per cent of the votes against the National Solidarity Party four years ago.

On Thursday, Mr Thaman introduced what he called “a team comprising experienced and fresh hands”. They will likely face the Opposition Singaporeans First party, led by ex-presidential candidate Tan Jee Say.

The five PAP candidates for Jurong GRC are:

Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, 58, Deputy Prime Minister

Mr Tharman is also the Minister for Finance. He formerly served as the Minister for Manpower from 2011 to 2012 and the Minister for Education from 2003 to 2008. He has been an MP with Jurong GRC since he joined politics in 2001, having previously been Chief Executive at the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

Mr Ang Wei Neng, 48, senior vice president of bus operations, SBS Transit

Mr Ang is SBS Transit’s senior vice president of bus operations for the East district, having started his career in the Singapore Police Force. He has been an MP with Jurong GRC since 2011.

Mr Desmond Lee, 39, Minister of State, Ministry of National Development

Mr Lee is a lawyer by training, and was formerly a deputy public prosecutor. He held positions at the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Law, as well as at Temasek Holdings, before moving into politics, winning a seat in Parliament in Jurong GRC in 2011.

Ms Rahayu Mahzam, 35, former Deputy Registrar of the Syariah Court

Prior to announcing her candidacy, Ms Rahayu – also a lawyer by training – volunteered in Tampines and Bukit Batok, where she said she worked with youth and disadvantaged families. She currently sits on the National Library Board, the Malay Language Council and the National Youth Fund Advisory Committee, and has been volunteering with the Malay Youth Literary Association since 1997 and is active with the youth debate activities.

She is currently a Partner at the law firm of Heng, Leong & Srinivasan. Before she returned to private practice, she was a Deputy Registrar of the Syariah Court from 2013 to 2015.

In the course of my professional and volunteer work, I had interacted with many families going through financial and other difficulties. I am passionate to help these disadvantaged families. I feel that it is important to have strong and holistic support for these families so that they can overcome their difficulties. I also worked with many young people and I am passionate about ensuring that the youth, especially those from low and middle income families, are given the opportunity to achieve their aspirations and potential,” she said.

“All of us have a part to play in the community. We should do our best in whatever we do and help others along the way so that we can achieve our dreams together. With a strong leadership and a community of people who are willing to work together, I believe Singapore will continue to prosper and be a comfortable home for all.”

Dr Tan Wu Meng, 40, oncologist

The consultant and medical oncologist at Parkway Cancer Centre is a member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the Singapore Society of Oncology and the Singapore Medical Association. Dr Tan takes over the Clementi ward – moved from West Coast to Jurong GRC under the new electoral boundaries – from retiring three-term MP Arthur Fong.

From 2006 to 2009, Dr Tan served with the North West CDC as councillor and vice-chair of the Youth Works Sub-Committee. From 2007 to 2011 he was a member of the Senja-Cashew Youth Executive Committee, and sat on the Senja-Cashew Citizens’ Consultative Committee from 2010 to 2013.

“As a doctor, I learnt early on that life can be fragile and short. My work is a daily reminder that, in our time on this earth, we must strive to do meaningful work and make a difference to our fellow Singaporeans,” he said. “I believe that whatever our personal journey, life becomes more complete when we give back to our communities, uplift those in need, and build a better home for the children of tomorrow.

“In an imperfect world, I’m an optimist. I believe that so long as we pull together, Singapore can continue beating the odds.”

Source: www.channlnewsasia.com

August 20, 2015