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SMRT: Charters Are Not Without Precedent

Hi everyone,

We would like to update all of you on our decision to deploy Circle Line trains for Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) on Tuesday.

Five Circle Line trains were assigned to transport some 3,000 ACS(I) students for a one-way journey from one-north MRT station to Stadium MRT station. We are grateful that the school informed us beforehand as it gave us time to make the operational scheduling decisions that minimized inconvenience to other commuters along the line. When the request was surfaced for decision, the key considerations were operational, and whether we could support it with minimal impact to other commuters. Given the advance notice, staff were able to work with the school to move the thousands of students along the Circle Line in a smooth, timely and efficient manner even while stations along the line remained open to other commuters.

We were able to insert five trains to support this request because it was planned during the off-peak period. The nature of operations in CCL is such that while the current train fleet is insufficient to meet commuter demands during morning and evening peak periods, the overall average train capacity utilized throughout the day is only 20%-30%. There is excess capacity during off-peak hours such that as part of our daily schedule, we are able to withdraw some trains from service because of low passenger loadings. The 5 trains inserted on 26 August were part of the trains withdrawn during off-peak hours.

We are pleased to note that normal Circle Line train services ran smoothly throughout the transit. The story may have been different had 3,000 students descended on the Circle Line with no prior notice at the same time without crowd control measures in place, catching commuters and our station staff by surprise. Prior notice by ACS(I) allowed SMRT to put in place crowd control measures at the two stations as both the school and the destination were close to MRT stations.

The response from the students was terrific. Read their responses here in this video: http://www.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/transport/story/smrt-may-face-lta-sanctions-allowing-use-trains-private-use-without-a

The charters are not without precedent. Tens of thousands of students from many schools have experienced similar charters done in support of National Education shows in recent years – all moved efficiently and safely and without fuss. No permission was sought from LTA in these charters.

We encourage more schools in the neighbourhoods located close to MRT stations to consider such charters, during off-peak periods, should they see a need to move a large number of students along our network. All things considered, we feel the effort was genuine and worthwhile as it transported a large number of students efficiently and safely.

Going forward, we will keep the relevant agencies updated on such arrangements.

We will review such requests on a case-by-case basis to assess how we can best meet people-mover needs, while ensuring the safety and reliability of travel on SMRT Trains.

Best regards,

Lee Ling Wee
Managing Director, SMRT Trains

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August 29, 2014
Civil Servants Will Get At Least 5% Salary Increment

SINGAPORE: It was reported earlier that more than 18,000 Home Team officers will receive salary increments of eight to 12 per cent in August to ensure their salaries remain competitive.

These adjustments have now been extended to other groups of civil servants, including some ministry staff, as well as clerical and support staff in schools. Channel NewsAsia understands the adjustments are at least five per cent. The last time the Public Service Division (PSD) adjusted salaries to keep pace with the private sector was in February, 2012.

When asked how many civil servants in total received the adjustments, the PSD declined to answer. It said in a statement that it reviews civil service salaries annually and makes adjustments where necessary, adding that it is careful not to lead the market.

The PSD said that Singapore has seen some economic growth over the past two years, and the labour market has remained tight. It also says the Civil Service continues to face competition in the hiring market.

The PSD made the salary adjustments this year after studying private sector salary data in order to close the gaps with the market and ensure that salaries remain competitive. The PSD also said that statutory boards set their own salaries, but they may take reference from the Civil Service.

A check shows some stat boards, such as the Land Transport Authority, have already taken steps to match PSD’s move.

Source: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/thousands-of-civil/1334580.html

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August 29, 2014
Alyph Sleeq Minta Maaf Sebab Berpegangan Tangan Dengan Tunang Dalam Foto

BUAT MARAH PEMINAT: Inilah foto Lebaran Alyph Sleeq dan tunangnya, Azzah Fariha Samat, yang mencetus rasa tidak selesa beberapa peminatnya yang marah lengan mereka berpautan, walhal belum menjadi suami isteri yang sah. – Foto ALYPH SLEEQ

MAAF dipinta penyanyi Sleeq, Alyph, kepada mereka yang kurang selesa dengan fotonya berpaut lengan dengan tunangnya, Azzah Fariha Samat.

Gambar itu dikritik beberapa peminat yang merasakan mereka tidak wajar bergambar mesra sedangkan mereka belum berumah tangga. Alyph, atau nama sebenarnya Alif Abdullah, 25 tahun, memberitahu laman mStar Online, meskipun foto itu tidak sepatutnya dijadikan isu, beliau tetap menghormati pandangan masyarakat sekeliling.

“Maafkan saya jika ada yang tidak berkenan dengan gambar itu. “Tetapi saya hormati segala komen dan kritikan yang diberikan kerana saya faham, media sosial ialah satu platform bebas untuk sesiapa pun yang ingin memberikan komen.

“Apa-apa pun, terima kasih atas kritikan itu. Jujurnya, saya tidak terasa hati pun dengan segala komen negatif yang diberi.

Cuma terkejut sedikit sahaja pada mulanya,” jelasnya menerusi aplikasi WhatsApp, baru-baru ini.

Alyph bakal melangsungkan perkahwinannya dengan Azzah di Gardens By The Bay 13 September ini.

Rakan sekumpulannya, Ahmad Syarif, juga 25 tahun, pula bakal menyusuli dengan majlis perkahwinannya November ini.

Source: http://beritaharian.sg/gah/hiburan/alyph-sleeq-minta-maaf#sthash.T96INN4I.dpuf

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August 28, 2014
Bank Robbers, Ex-ISA Detainee Among Malaysian Jihadists Killed, Wounded in Syria

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 22 ― The Malaysian jihadist allegedly killed while fighting in Syria this week had previously been detained in Malaysia for a botched robbery attempt, said Malaysian police yesterday.

The 52-year-old man known only as Mat Soh or Abu Turab, was also formerly a member of a locally-based jihadist militant group Kumpulan Mujahidin Malaysia (KMM), Malay daily Utusan Malaysia reported a key police official as saying.

Mat Soh is believed to be Zainan Harith, who was detained under the Arms Act for a robbery in Jalan Gasing, Petaling Jaya in June 15, 2001, it quoted Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin, assistant director-general of the Malaysian police counter-terrorism division as saying.

“Police has identified 22 Malaysians in those countries who are directly involved in the conflict. There are some who have died but we could not verify it,” Ayob was further quoted as saying.

It is understood that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is still verifying the alleged death and injuries in the incident.

Screenshot of Mat Soh, the 52-year-old jihadist fighter, also known by his nom de guerre Abu Turab, allegedly died from shelling in strife-torn Syria around 2pm local time yesterday. – See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/bank-robbers-isa-detainee-among-malaysian-jihadists-killed-wounded-in-syria#sthash.27DiApCP.dpuf

Yesterday, Malay Mail Online reported that the Selangor-born Mat Soh allegedly died from shelling in strife-torn Syria around 2pm local time yesterday, while defending the town of Arzeh with several other jihadist fighters.

Two other Malaysian jihadist fighters were allegedly injured during the same attack on the town.

One of the injured, believed to be Zainuri Kamarudin, 47, was Zainan’s accomplice during the 2001 robbery and also his comrade in KMM, according to Utusan Malaysia.

The other man, believed to be Mohd Rafi Udin, 48, had once been detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) 1960, it added.

The critically-injured Rafi was once a taxi driver residing in Cheras, and was detained by Indonesian police in Palu, Sulawesi in April 22, 2003. He was then deported a year later and detained under ISA, the paper said, citing the police official.

Zainuri was a technician from Bota, Perak, and had been arrested in 2001 for possessing firearms and jailed for 10 years, it added.

Both men had received military training in Afghanistan, the paper reported the police official as saying.

In June, Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said 15 nationals were allegedly killed in Syria after joining in terrorist and jihadist activities with the al-Qaeda offshoot, according to the Permanent Representative of Syria to the United Nations in New York.

In Malaysia, police intelligence warned this month that Malaysians, who joined the Islamist militant group Islamic State (IS) to launch strikes in Iraq and Syria, are now training their sights on their home government and several other targets in the country.

The police said 19 suspected local militants have been arrested between April and June this year while they were on their way to Turkey and Syria for training and support from IS under the guise of “humanitarian work”.

The group was planning to establish a hardline Southeast Asian Islamic caliphate which would include Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and Singapore, he said in the English daily The Star this week.

Putrajaya has designated the IS, formerly known as Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), as a terrorist group.

Source: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/bank-robbers-isa-detainee-among-malaysian-jihadists-killed-wounded-in-syria

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August 28, 2014
Morocco Bans Halal Swim-suits ‘Burkini’ Due To ‘Hygiene Reasons’

Some private pools in Morocco’s tourism hot spots have banned women from wearing burkinis, sometimes described as halal swim-suits, which cover the body and have a head covering attached.

Several resorts in the touristic city of Marrakesh have reportedly banned the burkini in their private pools, with many citing “hygiene reasons,” according to local news reports.

Mazagan beach resort, located in al-Jadida which is south of the economic capital Casablanca, told Al Arabiya News that burkinis are not allowed to be worn in the resort and that only “ordinary swim-suits” are permissible.

Local news websites have published posters used by the management of private swimming pools to inform users that the burkini is not allowed. One posted in Morocco World Newscame in three languages and says “Burkini not allowed” and “Bathing suits mandatory.”

This is reportedly even the case if the burkini is made of special swimming material.

Abdelaziz Aftati, an MP of the ruling Moderate Islamist Justice and Development Party, sent a complaint to Tourism Minister Lahcen Haddad, after a woman wearing a burkini was reportedly banned from a swimming pool in al-Jadida, according to Morocco World News.

Aftati told the press that it is unacceptable to restrict people’s freedom and their beliefs, saying the move signified the “rudeness of the new colonization.”

In 2009 in France, a 35-year-old convert to Islam threatened legal action after she was evicted from a public pool for wearing a “burkini.”

Source: http://english.alarabiya.net/en/variety/2014/08/26/No-Burkinis-Morocco-hotels-ban-halal-swimsuit.html

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August 28, 2014