Category: Singapuraku

Two Hit-And-Run Drivers Arrested

A 30-year-old man was arrested yesterday on suspicion of driving an Audi car that spun out of control in Simei Avenue on Tuesday morning – crashing into seven other vehicles and causing a 1½-hour jam along the three-lane road.

The driver, who has not been named, was seen running away from the scene after the 9.15am pile-up near the Institute of Technical Education College East campus.

A 65-year-old woman, a passenger in another car involved, suffered pain in her stomach and back after the accident and was warded at Changi General Hospital.

Police said yesterday that the accident “occurred when the driver of a silver saloon car failed to exercise proper control of his vehicle”.

The Traffic Police established his identity through “intensive investigations” and he was arrested in the vicinity of the National University Hospital. His driving licence will be suspended and police are continuing their investigations.

Witnesses said the driver had been speeding and was overtaking when his car collided with other vehicles and swerved towards the road divider. Mr Rajan Shirodkhar, 48, a vice-president of technology at OCBC Bank, said he was driving to work when the silver Audi hit the rear wheel and side of his car.

“His act yesterday (Tuesday) did not look like what any normal person would have done,” he said. “A fair trial should be held to see how we can be compensated fairly.”

Meanwhile, the police have arrested a 29-year-old man on Tuesday who was believed to have also fled on foot after causing an accident in Jurong Town Hall Road two weeks ago.

He had allegedly been driving a white Honda multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) on the afternoon of July 31, when it collided with a motorcyclist, causing him to be flung onto the road.

The MPV then crashed into the rear of another car, causing it to jerk forward, hitting the rear of a van.

The motorcylist had to be taken to hospital.

“It was established subsequently that the MPV that caused the accident was affixed with a false number plate,” the police said.

The Traffic Police managed to identify the driver and arrested him in the vicinity of Hougang Street 21 for both traffic and drug offences, in a joint operation with the Central Narcotics Bureau.

Under the law, motorists involved in an accident in which a person or animal is injured, or where another vehicle or structure is damaged, have to stop their vehicles. They must also render the necessary assistance.

If the vehicle owner is not present at the scene, the motorist should take reasonable steps to inform him of the accident, such as by leaving a note on the damaged vehicle’s windscreen.

The motorist should also lodge a police report as soon as it is practical to do so and within 24 hours, unless he is able to establish contact with the vehicle owner.

The penalty for hit-and-run accidents is a fine of up to $3,000 or up to 12 months’ jail. Repeat offenders face a fine of up to $5,000 or up to two years’ jail.

Source: www.straitstimes.com

August 13, 2015
What’s The Hype Over Chief Of Defence Force Ng Chee Meng?

Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen had announced Lieutenant-General Ng Chee Meng’s (LG Ng) retirement from the Singapore Armed Forces.

The latter will be stepping down as Chief of Defence Force on 18 August, a move that prompted speculation that the 47-year-old might be running in the upcoming General Election.

Dr Ng commented that “Inevitably, there will be questions asked about LG Ng’s future plans, particularly, if he is entering politics. Given his tested leadership and proven capabilities, I would not at all be surprised, if indeed he is.”

“But I have advised LG Ng, not to be distracted or entertain these queries but to instead focus on important national events ahead, particularly the National Day Parade. There will be a more appropriate time to address interests in his future plans.”

Dr Ng has indirectly hinted LG Ng capability to be a potential candidate for the upcoming General Election, and also mentioned that interest in LG Ng’s future plans will most likely be “addressed” in the near future after the important national events.

One thing I find ironic though is the fact that even though our Defence Minister had advised LG Ng “to not be distracted or entertained these queries but..focus on important national events ahead”, the announcement of LG Ng stepping down, in addition to Dr Ng’s very much publicised comments, grabbed local news headlines on 31 July and 1 August – be it through online, print or televised platform. (The Straits Times, TODAYOnline, AsiaOne).

By placing all the mainstream media glare on LG Ng stepping down, isn’t the government ironically garnering attention and opening more probes to his possible foray into politics?

The cameras were also angled to include LG Ng in the frame at opportunities that arose during the televised National Day Parade, though I cannot deny the fact his presence was required during those time.

This left me thinking, why even mention his possible entry into the political scene? Or create so much buzz – put him in the top headlines, show his face repeatedly on TV when Dr Ng mention that he does not want LG Ng to be distracted by queries on his future plans? Since his retirement was on 18 August, the announcement could have also been made easily after the National Day.

Placing him in the media limelight on the first day of the month which usually signifies a fresh beginning, linking him to the National Day Parade which is a happy event, hinting public interest in him, and briefly mentioning his leadership skills, etc. – Was this all a smart strategic move in advertising to sensationalize and evoke a sense of mystery around LG Ng?

This suggests the usage of “Classical Conditioning” to associate a positive connotation to LG Ng, so that Singaporeans can put into memory his face and name through the many headlines and his National Day Parade involvement, and to leave an atmosphere of suspense to ponder what lies ahead for him.

Is all these mainstream media publicity meant to hype up his possible presence and entrance into the general election?

We shall just play along with the game of “let’s wait and see.” We’ll welcome more new candidates with green… oops, open arms, I mean!

Source: www.theonlinecitizen.com

August 13, 2015
Mat Saleh FT: I Apologise For Insulting Singaporean Lady, Pls Stop Harassing My Bosses

To Whom It May Concern,

I have made a mistake of commenting on an article that a lady called Cherry Pie had published on the 11th August at 9:02am. The article name is Foreign Workers Lack of Civic-Maindedness Towards Children & Elderly S’poreans on MRT.

I need to remove my comments on that article and also if you can remove all my bosses business information from the article posted 12th August at 10:15pm named Ang Moh Foreign Talent Blasts S’porean For Complaining About MRT Reserved Seat, as they are now getting threats from left right and centre over my mistake.

I do take full responsibility for what I said and did, it was stupid of me to take my frustration out on the lady mentioned above. I do apologize for everything, I did not mean for it to get blow out of proportion like it has as I truly didn’t mean it about Singapore only towards the ladies artile.

I am worried for my bosses lives over this as the information posted bout their companies on the article has all their personal emails and phone numbers, work addresses, telephone numbers, fax numbers, etc., and I do not want them to pay for my mistake.

Your help will be much appreciated as I do not want people to suffer for what I said and I do not want to hurt anymore peoples feelings with my stupid remarks.

Your Sincerely,
Sara Angela Moore

Source: www.allsingaporestuff.com

August 13, 2015
DPP’s Chia Ser Lin: I Will Give Up My Business In China To Become Full-Time MP If Elected

A potential new Opposition candidate at the coming General Election said he will give up his corporate career, which sees him shuttling in and out of China, to be a full-time MP if elected.

Mr Chia Ser Lin, 46, was introduced by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) during a Bishan-Toa Payoh walkabout on Tuesday evening (Aug 11). He runs a chain of F&B companies in China, where he is based, and returns to Singapore once a month to his wife and two kids in Toa Payoh, where he said he has lived all his life.

“He is one of the anchor persons in our team to compete in Bishan-Toa Payoh and run the town council if we win,” said DPP secretary-general Benjamin Pwee, who described Mr Chia as someone who “feels for and understands local municipal issues in Toa Payoh very keenly”.

Mr Chia gave the example of what he said were dirty monsoon drains and possible mosquito breeding grounds – a dengue fever threat – in the neighbourhood were not attended to by the Town Council, which he said deflected queries to the National Environment Agency instead.

“There have been persistent issues like this over the last five years. You write to MPs and you don’t really get a response from them,” he said, calling it “a disconnect on the ground”.

In a separate, earlier interview with Channel NewsAsia, Mr Pwee said the DPP “has been with Bishan-Toa Payoh residents since the last GE till now, and knows the issues on the ground … that have not been dealt with by the current team”.

THE CHINESE CHALLENGE

The Bishan-Toa Payoh Group Representation Constituency is held by the People’s Action Party, which on Wednesday announced the retirement of three MPs from the current GRC Team, including former Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng. The PAP also unveiled their replacements.

This new-look PAP team will square off at the coming General Election against an Opposition partnership made up of DPP and Singapore People’s Party members in Bishan-Toa Payoh.

With DPP not laying claim to any Single Member Constituency, Mr Chia, Mr Pwee and party chairman Hamim Aliyas are in the running for this joint team, whose final five-man lineup will be jointly decided by SPP and DPP leaders by the end of the week.

When asked why he wanted to run in the GE, Mr Chia said “it felt important to stand up, take a stand and support Ben against the idea of one-party rule”.

“It’s important there are certain checks and balances in the system,” he added.

A former schoolmate and fellow scout with Mr Pwee at Raffles Institution, Mr Chia said issues such as overcrowding and the job market concerned him. Also close to heart for the China-based executive was the issue of Singapore’s prospects over the next five to 10 years, in the face of competition from the “more aggressive” China market.

“We are all too protected in many ways. I’ve worked in China for so many years, I know what they’re up to and I’m very worried,” said Mr Chia, who has managed the China-based operations of multi-national corporations including Coca-Cola, OSIM and Asia Pacific Breweries for nearly two decades.

Asked if being based overseas would prove a problem during his campaign, Mr Chia said: “If Ben decides I should join him, if he wins the GRC, then it should be a full-time thing. I don’t believe in part-time MPs drawing allowance and having a full-time job and holding meet-the-people sessions once a month. I think that’s not the way.”

Soure: www.channelnewsasia.com

August 13, 2015
Exposed! Hougang Beggar Who Claims Mother Is Sick Uses Donations To Gamble

According to some eye witness reports, a poverty stricken auntie who is usually seen selling tissue packets to residents in Hougang while carrying a picture of her severely ill mother was discovered to be spending her money on a jackpot machine at a small community casino instead.

The woman reportedly goes around the neighborhood, approaching passersby to tell her story about her sick mother in an attempt to prey on their sympathy. Unfortunately for her, on some nights, she was spotted entering and exiting a neighborhood casino.

When eye witnesses entered the casino premises, they found her glued to a casino machine and spending her “hard-earned” money on a game of jackpot.

One eye witness related, “Last month I bought 2 dollars worth of tissue packets from her. She showed me a picture of her mother on her phone. Her mother had suffered from a stroke and was confined to bed. She owed the hospital $2000 in bills and medications.”

Source: www.allsingaporestuff.com

August 13, 2015