Category: Singapuraku

MINDEF Tests Remote Disabling Of Gadgets

The Defence Ministry (Mindef) is widening its use of software that can remotely disable cameras in its mobile devices and wipe out their data.

Mobile device management (MDM) technology is being tested for camera-equipped tablets that are used by civilian contractors to repair or manage more than 6,000 Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and Mindef buildings and facilities across the island.

Such gadgets are increasingly being used to perform non-core functions in the military.

If someone is found to be taking an unauthorised photo of a classified document or area with the tablet, the software can not only lock the device remotely, but also detect its location, delete its contents and disable its camera, microphone and Wi-Fi connection.

The Straits Times understands that Mindef is looking to hook up up to 520 mobile devices with the mobile device management software.

Brigadier-General Paul Chew, director of the Military Security Department, said Mindef is considering various options, including using MDM-configured mobile devices, to “strengthen governance and enhance efficiency of facilities management operations”.

Currently, MDM applications have been installed in tablets and laptops used by soldiers to access online lessons in military institutes such as the Basic Military Training Centre and Safti Military Institute.

The United States Defence Information Systems Agency has used MDM since 2013 to manage more than 97,400 users with BlackBerry, iOS and Android handsets or tablets. They include those from the army, air force and other defence agencies.

The latest move to use MDM software for facilities management-related devices will allow the SAF to ease restrictions on using camera- equipped mobile devices in camp but, at the same time, clamp down on the unauthorised use of such devices in highly sensitive areas.

Smartphones are increasing in popularity in Singapore, making up more than 70 per cent of the some 7.3 million mobiles in Singapore.

Since 2012, camera-equipped devices have been allowed in zones marked green, such as cookhouses, bunks and medical centres.

Zones marked red – such as unit operations rooms and offices with sensitive information – are no-camera-phone zones and servicemen must deposit their phones in lockers before entering them.

The DSO National Laboratories, Singapore’s largest defence research body, is among several organisations here that also use MDM software to manage mobile devices.

Mr Clement Teo, senior analyst at technology and market research company Forrester, said using technologies such as MDM is a smart and efficient way to secure and protect Mindef assets.

“You are enabling people to be as productive as they can be in the camp to get their jobs done without forcing them to change the device they use.”

Source: www.straitstimes.com

July 30, 2015
Malay Wedding – Not A Budget Affair

EDIT: Okay, I wasn’t expecting so many shares. I’m sorry if this offended anyone, but I would like to say that of course the figures vary, and it CAN vary greatly. The only reason this one costs this much is because almost everything an average Malay wedding has was factored in. However, and with that being said, this infographic is NOT implying that you have to spend this amount. Of course it’s a DUH thing (common sense!) to spend within your budget. The whole point of this is to inform the uninformed that Malay weddings are definitely not $50.
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I would say 8 out of 10 non-Malays I know are often plain ignorant when it comes to the expenses involved in a Malay wedding. In fact, I have met many of such people who have this impression that a Malay wedding only costs so much. To help address this common problem as well as to educate the non-Malays, I decided to create a simple visual graphic that breaks down the expenses of a Malay wedding in Singapore.

Disclaimer: These are average figures I got from speaking to my married and about-to-get-married friends, and they do not necessarily represent the mass. Also, the figures are based on only one side of the couple. So yes you are right – multiply them by two to get the final figures for both bride and groom’s events.

To all my Malay friends, if you have any input(s)/comment(s) on this, drop me a message!

P/S: Oh, I would also like to add one more point – Malay weddings usually never expect monetary recoup. We don’t complain even if we receive $10 (common amount, honestly) after feeding your family of 8!

Source: Nur Haryanti

July 30, 2015
AWARE: Children Of Unwed Mothers Should Not Be Penalised For Family Structure

Under a policy review by the Social and Family Development Ministry announced on Jul 28, unwed working mothers may soon get the same benefits as married ones.

Welcoming the announcement, the Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE) said children of unwed mothers should not be penalised for their family structure.

Unwed mothers currently do not benefit from housing policies and tax reliefs such as the Qualifying Child Relief, Working Mother Child Relief and Grandparent Caregiver Relief, and that makes it harder to raise a child, said a single mother.

Susan (not her real name) is a 40-year-old who works in the events industry. She hopes the revised policy will be fairer to unwed mothers and their children.

“What I’m requesting is very basic. These are basic necessities like housing, you need a roof over your head. I wanted to apply for a BTO flat but as a single, I can only apply for a two-room flat. But I can’t live with my child in a one-bedroom flat so I appealed to HDB to request to apply for a three-room BTO flat but it has been denied a couple of times. So I had no choice but to buy in the open market,” Susan said.

“Why would I want to share a room with my son? I mean, when he’s younger it’s fine but when he is older, I’m sure he would want his own room,” she added.

Under rules by the Housing and Development Board (HDB), an unwed mother and her child are not considered a family nucleus and therefore do not qualify for a new three-room flat.

AWARE said this puts these families at a disadvantage as they are not given the same support as other families.

Ms Jolene Tan, Programmes and Communications Senior Manager at AWARE, said: “If you can’t afford a resale flat, then you find yourself in the situation of perhaps having to seek the goodwill of other relatives or to go to interim rental housing and all of this can create instability in the family environment.”

AWARE acknowledged that unwed mothers are not excluded from all benefits. For example, they are eligible for infant care and childcare subsidies. But the association said unwed mothers should not be excluded from any benefits at all and should receive even more support from the government.

Nominated Member of Parliament Kuik Shiao-Yin, who has brought the issue of unfair treatment of single unwed mothers up in Parliament previously, said that the review of policies is encouraging to hear. She added that this is an equalisation of opportunities as children of single unwed mothers can now start off on the same footing as children of married mothers.

The policy review is expected to be completed before the announcement of Budget 2016.

Source: www.channelnewsasia.com

July 30, 2015
PRC Mom Lets Son Pee In Pastic Bag At MBS Foodcourt, Leaves Bag On Floor

I spotted this at Marina Bay Sands food court 29/7/15.

Me and my friend will have lunch together, and this PRC women sitting on the next table, just let her son pee in the pastic bag in front of us without giving a f*** of the surrounding people.

Best part is, after she is done, she simple throw the bag of pee on the floor!!

Alvin

A.S.S. Contributor

Source: www.allsingaporestuff.com

July 30, 2015
Man Commemorates SG50 By Having Sex With 50 Singapore Girls

I saw this funny picture circulating online and it definitely needs to be shared! Now is fashion to be #SG50, everything also #SG50 but nobody can win this crazy guy lah!

He intends to celebrate and commemorate SG50 by f**king 50 girls this year. With a face like his, I wonder how he get all his lobang or is he very rich to spend money on FL?

Funny things people do just to suck up to the government’s SG50 celebrations.. end up overdo it and make it feel fake and gross. Wish him all the best no STD.

Jia Wens

A.S.S. Contributor

Source: www.allsingaporestuff.com

July 30, 2015