Category: Singapuraku

Local Study: Fasting During Ramadan Improves Blood Sugar Levels In Diabetics

A team of experts here has found that fasting during Ramadan can help to improve blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. This is especially so if patients adjust their medications during the this period.

The study, led by Associate Professor Joyce Lee and graduate student Ms Melanie Siaw from the department of pharmacy at the National University of Singapore, looked at 153 patients before, during and after Ramadan three years ago.

The study was done after over 5,000 patients in a local chronic disease database showed improving blood glucose control during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim year during which fasting is observed from sunrise to sunset.

Patients in the latest study were given questionnaires on their diet and physical activity while blood tests were done to determine blood sugar levels at specific times.

Those with type two diabetes can safely do so as long as their diabetic medications are adjusted beforehand, to prevent abnormally low blood sugar levels, said Prof Lee.

This year, Ramadan – traditionally a time of prayer and abstinence for Muslims – falls on June 18.

Prof Lee said that the next step would be to develop guidelines so doctors can tell diabetic patients how much medication they need to take during the fasting period. Such guides are available in places such as the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia, but not in Singapore.

Source: www.straitstimes.com

May 27, 2015
Regrettably I Don’t Give A Damn What Happened Across The Bridge With Lions XII

Well, to be honest here. It took a while before I settled down to drop a line here to share what are my thoughts that took place in the scene for the past few days.

Nope, I did not tune to the channel to watch that match that day when most of those I met were talking about either online or during those breaks at work. Frankly speaking, I can’t be bother either (although appreciation must be shown and due credit should be given to those who deserved).

What I knew what would happen next would be something I been expecting all along – the further diversion that caused the split in the local football fraternity that would take a lengthy period to patch it up.

Someone familiar?

Ever since the decision was made to send Lions XII to take part in the Malaysian League back in 2012, the reactions have been mixed.

One side claimed the move was essential to revitalize the local game out of the doldrums with another criticized the plan a step backward and do no favour to help the struggling S.League to be back on its feet.

Years down the road, we seen the Lions XII did decently well since making their foray into the competition across the Causeway with a MSL title win in 2013 and the Malaysia FA Cup last weekend.

But has the “spill over effect” which they hoping for all these years shown up in the S.League?

Only when I have those around me casually chat over the topics like why Warriors fared so badly in the AFC Cup, if Sundram can work his magic to bring Tampines Rovers back to the top or whether Geylang International are able recapture their glory days like they did in the semi-pro Premier League days then I can be assured the “spill over” has taken place, but it is never the case at all.

MP Zainudin is serving out his term as FAS president

Rather it has been a butt of joke with many ridiculous occurrences that took place in recent months that were well documented.

With the outgoing FAS (Football Association of Singapore) president Zainudin Nordin pushing his Asean Super League (ASL) aggressively in the name to uplift the game’s standard in this region, many skeptics fear that could spell doomsday of Singapore’s only professional sporting league.

Furthermore, the elected Member of Parliament’s antics at Bukit Jalil after the Lions XII’s 3-1 win over Kelantan to claim the trophy, that is third in the pecking order in Malaysian football, may not be gone down too well with those who still pin a fast fading hope to see the league that once drawn 30,000 to Kallang for a showdown between Fandi Ahmad and V Sundramoorthy in 1996.

And put it bluntly, NOBODY CAN IMPOSE ON OTHERS BY ENFORCING THAT IDEOLOGY – THIS IS OUR TEAM, JUST BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT THEY ARE.

Source: www.bolasepako.com

May 27, 2015
JAKIM – Sijil Halal Secret Recipe Di Malaysia Ditarik Balik

KENYATAAN MEDIA

ISU PENARIKAN SIJIL PENGESAHAN HALAL MALAYSIA BAGI SYARIKAT SECRET RECIPE MANUFACTURING SDN. BHD.

Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (JAKIM) melalui Bahagian Hab Halal ingin memberi penjelasan berhubung isu penarikan balik Sijil Pengesahan Halal Malaysia bagi syarikat Secret Recipe Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd. berikutan kenyataan mengenainya yang disebarkan secara meluas di laman-laman sosial.

Penarikan Sijil Pengesahan Halal Malaysia bagi syarikat tersebut adalah disebabkan telah berlaku perlanggaran terhadap Manual Prosedur Pensijilan Halal Malaysia yang melibatkan kesalahan-kesalahan kebersihan dan GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) yang serius. Penarikan ini walau bagaimanapun adalah TIDAK disebabkan kesalahan penggunaan bahan haram dalam pemprosesan produk.

Bahagian Hab Halal telah memanggil syarikat terlibat dan syarikat berkenaan telah berjanji akan melakukan tindakan segera berhubung kesalahan yang dilakukan sehingga mengakibatkan Sijil Pengesahan Halal Malaysia mereka ditarik balik.

Penarikan Sijil Pengesahan Halal Malaysia adalah berkuatkuasa pada 7 Mei 2015. Walau bagaimanapun, penarikan sijil halal tersebut tidaklah menghalang syarikat berkenaan untuk memohon semula Sijil Halal setelah tindakan pembetulan telah dibuat dan mematuhi piawaian pensijilan halal Malaysia. JAKIM akan membuat penilaian semula terhadap permohonan tersebut berdasarkan pemeriksaan dan pematuhan ke atas Malaysia Standard 1500:2009 dan Manual Prosedur Pensijilan Halal Malaysia 2014.

JAKIM amat memandang serius perkara ini dan mengingatkan kepada setiap pemegang Sijil Pengesahan Halal Malaysia agar sentiasa mematuhi piawaian pensijilan halal Malaysia dari masa ke masa. Tindakan juga akan diambil tanpa kompromi kepada mana-mana pihak yang melakukan pelanggaran terhadap pematuhan piawaian pensijilan halal setelah memiliki Sijil Pengesahan Halal Malaysia.
JAKIM juga ingin menasihatkan pengguna agar tidak membuat andaian pelbagai dan menyebarkan isu ini secara salah. Sebarang maklumat lanjut, pengguna boleh berhubung terus dengan Bahagian Hab Halal Jakim di talian 03-8892 5000 / 5001 (talian utama) dan 03-8892 5048 (Pegawai Perhubungan Awam) dan semakan status halal juga boleh disemak melalui Direktori Halal Malaysia di www.halal.gov.my.

Sekian dimaklumkan, terima kasih.

HAJAH HAKIMAH BINTI MOHD YUSOFF
Pengarah,
Bahagian Hab Halal, Jakim
26 Mei 2015

Source: Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (Jakim)

May 26, 2015
Filipinos Are United And Hungry For Jobs In Singapore

As the saying goes, “The hunger of a worker makes him work. His hunger drives him on.”

A post (‘PROOF THAT PAP ALLOWS FOREIGNERS TO SNATCH PMET JOBS!‘) on allsingaporestuff.com has revealed that Filipinos are united and hungry for jobs.

Apparently, a blog site called “Singapore OFW” was set up not too long ago this year. It has a corresponding Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/theSingaporeOFW.

The site helps to gather job information posted by some prominent companies in Singapore in one place so that Filipinos can easily search for job vacancies in Singapore.

This is what its home page says:

Here are the top 5 reasons why Pinoys go to Singapore for work:

1. Easier to apply
With the fast pace environment we currently face, technology is a helpful tool that makes our lives easier. Nowadays, many employers post job openings through their website or any job sites. This way, job seekers can readily upload resumes while employers can screen applicants through their submitted curriculum vitae. This is a great method of pre-screening potential hires.

Once selected, employers will directly contact the applicant for scheduled interviews. Singapore also just needs a few basic employment requirements, such as transcript of records, NBI clearance, certificate of employment, NSO birth certificate, and a Philippine passport. You sure have all these, right?

2. Better job opportunities and career growth
Singapore has numerous jobs offered to expats not only focusing on the corporate world. From finance and accounting to administration and human resource management, Filipinos possess the necessary qualifications and are highly skilled. In the medical field, a growing number of nurses and caregivers are needed in the hospitals. IT professionals such as web or mobile app developers are also in demand in Singapore. The hotel and restaurant industry never ceases its expanding multinational business. Filipinos are competitive enough to work here so, when opportunity knocks, grab that chance!

3. Location is just near the Philippines
Yes, it just takes an hour or two to get to Singapore, and Filipinos find this very convenient. During holidays or days-off, some would just easily book a ticket, fly to the Philippines and get back to Singapore for the working days again. Airlines are also offering low fares, so traveling is so quick that homesickness is minimized. As an OFW in Singapore, you do not need to miss your sibling’s graduation or your mother’s birthday, just because you work abroad.

4. Place is beautiful, clean and safe
You may be working all day long but at the end of the day, you will feel relaxed because the environment is simply amazing. During your free time, you can spend time wandering in the famous Universal Studios, Gardens by the Bay and many others. After all, you still need to preserve the work-life balance.

Cleanliness is also of utmost importance in Singapore. They are strict in implementing rules regarding littering, smoking, and others. Lesser crime rates are also reported in Singapore because not only are their people disciplined, but the government is serious of implementing its laws. How wonderful to work in a safe surroundings, isn’t it?

5. Good salary, benefits and privileges
Compared to other Asian countries, Singapore is one of the many that offers a competitive salary package. What’s more catching here is the fact that same privileges are also given to foreign workers. As a starter, you need to undergo probationary period lasting 3 to 6 months, similar with the Philippines. As years go by, you may even apply for citizenship following their requirements and regulations. Great opportunity, right?

On its Facebook page, allsingaporestuff.com goes through all the job postings in May 2015 made by prominent Singapore companies and organises them:

Clicking on a link on the website enables pinoy job seekers to see a list of jobs offered by that company. For example, clicking on the Singtel link enables one to see the following:

Singtel is hiring this month! Here are the job vacancies below:

Job Title: IT Project Associate – 12 months – Consumer Sales
Consumer Singapore | Contract | Singapore
APPLY HERE

Job Title: Manager, Regulatory
Group Corporate Functions | Permanent | Singapore
APPLY HERE

Job Title: Finance Manager
Group Corporate Functions | Permanent | Singapore
APPLY HERE

Clicking the “APPLY HERE” link takes the job seeker directly to the company’s job page.

In the comment section of allsingaporestuff.com. com’s Facebook page, one can literally see hundreds of follow-up comments with multiple tags, informing friends and relatives of the availability of jobs:

It can be seen that Filipinos are truly united, trying to help each other to get a high-paying job in Singapore for a better life.

The Singaporean who alerted everyone about “Singapore OFW” on allsingaporestuff.com asked, “When PAP say foreigners are here to create jobs for us or they are here to do the jobs Singaporeans don’t want to do, are you sure that’s the truth?”

One can’t exactly blame the Filipinos for trying to land a good job in Singapore so as to secure a better life for themselves and their families.

Whether Filipinos getting jobs in Singapore can help create more jobs for Singaporeans is a question that Singaporeans have a right to ask the Singapore government.

Assuming all the jobs in the links above go to Filipinos, do you think it will somehow benefit Singapore by creating more jobs for Singaporeans in turn?

What do you think?

Source: www.tremeritus.com

May 26, 2015
Lam Pin Min: I’ve No Intention To Mislead Residents

Three years ago in 2012, in a blog post, MP Sengkang West Lam Pin Min happily announced that a new big-time commercial mall to be built by SPH, was coming to his constituency.

The big mall, which was later named Seletar Mall, is situated next to Fernvale Point, a small neighbourhood shopping centre managed by HDB.

Dr Lam wrote on his blog (‘New Commercial Complex @ Fernvale – Coming soon‘):

HDB launched the tender of a commercial site at Sengkang West Avenue/Fernvale Road, next to Fernvale Point and Fernvale LRT station. The land parcel has a site area of 8,790.3 sq m and has a maximum allowable gross floor area of 26,370.9 sq m.

The tender exercise for this commercial plot attracted a total of 12 bids, with Earth Holdings, a subsidiary of Singapore Press Holdings (SPH), offering the highest bid of S$328 million…

Immediately after his announcement, a resident asked him if Fernvale Point would be demolished with the launch of Seletar Mall, as he was working at Fernvale Point and he wouldn’t want to be unemployed:

Dr Lam replied confidently that Fernvale Point will not be demolished as it “still gas (has) many years to go”:

This was in 2012.

Fernvale Point closed in April 2015

Last month (22 Apr), the media suddenly reported that Fernvale Point would be closed by end April. It reported that without the wet market and neighbourhood shops, residents are complaining. Fernvale Point, managed by HDB, had a wet market, NTUC FairPrice, coffee shops and neighbourhood shops:

The closing of Fernvale Point came 5 months after the opening of SPH’s Seletar Mall in November last year. ST even wrote an article to hype up the launch of Seletar Mall (‘Fernvale all abuzz over arrival of new Seletar Mall‘):

“The opening of the gleaming new Seletar Mall on Nov 28 looks set to transform this corner in the north-west of Sengkang. Sited next to Fernvale LRT station, the new complex will offer more than 130 brands over four storeys and two basement levels.

Anchor tenants include supermarket FairPrice Finest, Japanese clothing brand Uniqlo, department store BHG and Shaw Theatres, which will be opening Sengkang’s first cinema.”

Fernvale Point provided cheap shopping

Note that when NTUC FairPrice moved from Fernvale Point to Seletar Mall, it has turned its supermarket to FairPrice Finest, catering to the upper end of the market. In other words, grocery will be more expensive there than before.

Indeed, many residents are not happy with Fernvale Point being demolished because it provided them with cheap shopping, especially the ability to buy food from the wet market. Many Singaporeans are already trying their best to cope with the rising marketing expenses, partly attributed to the high rentals incurred by shopkeepers and stall owners. Many wanted their wet market back and do not wish to see another condominium built on the vacated Fernvale Point:

Govt already reserves site for high-rise residential development

Some enterprising netizens managed to dig out the Govt’s plan for the vacated Fernvale Point site together with the open space next to Fernvale Point.

Apparently, the Govt has already reserved these 2 sites for “future high-rise residential development”:

A netizen wrote that many Sengkang residents don’t wish to see yet another condominium built at the sites. He also revealed that Dr Lam has been deleting postings on his Facebook page mentioning about the sites reserved for high-rise residential development (‘MP Lam deletes FB queries on Fernvale Point‘):

“A condominium is what most residents do not want because of the noise produced by the construction, and because it does not meet their needs. Fernvale is a small town that has already been squeezed with lots of high-rise apartments and scarce facilities to meet the needs of the young couples who have moved in. One resident voiced out that she did not want to see her town become a concrete jungle with no kampong spirit.

Why couldn’t Dr Lam tell them straight that the current development plan for that plot of land is to build yet another high-rise residential development. I do not believe that as the MP he is unaware of the intended use for that parcel of land. Why let them continue to have false hopes that they would get their market, childcare centre or community centre?

Furthermore, attempts by netizens to post the current development plan on Dr Lam’s wall have failed because comments that reveal the use of land for condominium building have been swiftly deleted.“

Dr Lam says he did not mislead residents

In any case, he posted a message on his Facebook page recently saying that he has no intentions to mislead the residents:

So, what do you think? From promising that Fernvale Point “still gas (has) many years to go” to deleting Facebook postings which revealed Govt’s plan to develop high-rise residential units at the sites, has Dr Lam misled Sengkang residents?

Do tell us your views.

Source: www.tremeritus.com

May 26, 2015