Tag: Singapore

Ustaz Noor Deros: Yang Manis Jangan Terus Ditelan, Yang Pahit Jangan Terus Dibuang

Dulu saya menganggap beberapa ahli ilmu sebagai sombong, kerana kelihatannya mereka berdegil/berkeras dengan pandangan mereka. Tetapi akhirnya saya faham bahawa betapa pentingnya untuk jujur dengan diri sendiri dan orang lain, betapa pentingnya untuk jujur dengan hasil pembelajaran dan kajian yang telah dilakukan secara sungguh-sungguh. Kalau mudah-mudah untuk korbankan pendirian diri sendiri itu bermakna kita akui tiadanya kesungguhan mahupun nilai dalam usaha pembelajaran dan kajian kita.

Saya juga belajar untuk tidak terlalu membesarkan perhatian kepada ‘cara’ penyampaian mereka sebaliknya perhatian yang sungguh-sungguh diberikan kepada isinya. Walaupun cara mereka keras dan seolah-olah sedang marah-marah. Namun ada yang sampaikan dengan lembut tapi sebenarnya ‘kasar’, ada yg nampak ‘kasar’ tapi lembut. Ini terpulang pada perspektif masing-masing. Kalau nak belajar, maka kena sabar.

Selagimana tiada hujah balas yang lebih kuat dan bukti yang mematahkan pendirian kita, selagi itu kita patut berpegang dengannya. Belajar, belajar dan terus belajar. Namun amat penting untuk pastikan adanya ruang dalam minda dan hati kita bahawa dalam hidup ini, walau sedalam mana kajian kita, kita tetap boleh, pernah dan akan melakukan kesalahan.

Kemudian saya dapati bahawa meminta orang lain untuk mengorbankan pendirian mereka atas dasar “jangan sombong” dengan tanpa membawa bukti balas yang cukup, dan meminta supaya dia berpegang pada sangka-sangkaan dan agakan-agakan orang ramai adalah satu bentuk kesombongan yang lebih bahaya. Kerana ia memaparkan sikap memperlekehkan isu kebenaran dan tidak menghormati ilmu, ia seperti mengatakan “Kajian kamu tak penting, yang penting ikut saja arus ramai.”

Hari ini sayangnya kita lebih suka pada yang yang lembut walaupun yang lembut itu semberono atau penipu.

Yang manis jangan terus ditelan.
Yang pahit jangan terus dibuang.

Source: Noor Deros

August 27, 2016
Mohd Khair: Saya Tak Makan Gertak

Ada orang suka gertak-gertak, ancam mengancam dan tuduh-tuduh bagai,…suka hatilah

Wall saya, termasuklah pelbagai groups yg saya urus semuanya dipantau dan dibaca oleh pelbagai pihak berwenang dan berkepentingan dari jabatan keselamatan dalam negeri sehinggalah ke pengawal agama di sini, penjawat awam, ahli politik dan juga penganut pelbagai agama sini.

Bukan diorang tak tahu apa yang saya selalu post.

Nak gertak
Nak ancam
Nak tuduh

Macam gangster pulak
Tapi lebih macam budak-budak
Kesian pulak
Nak gertak jugak? Lantak!

Source: Mohd Khair M Noor

August 27, 2016
Dad Wants Grilles To Keep Kids Safe, But Management Of Condo Says No

When he bought a $2 million double-storey penthouse at 19 Shelford condominium, off Adam Road, in February, he thought he had secured a good future for his two children because good schools are nearby.

Then, Mr Zou Xiang, 41, a software engineer, realised that the balcony of his fourth-storey unit did not have grilles.

Instead of a low wall, it has horizontal railings, which makes it easy for young children to climb up or slip through the gaps between the railings.

Realising the danger, he tried to protect his son, four, and daughter, three, by installing grilles on the balcony.

But the condo’s management committee (MC) rejected his application and subsequent appeal.

When he tried to go ahead with the installation, the MC stopped the workers and even called the police.

At 5.30pm yesterday, the dispute took a surreal turn when the MC sent him a letter to tell him that his balcony has been classified as a “roof garden”.

This came after Mr Zou wrote to the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) and was told that he should be allowed to install the grilles because his children’s safety takes priority over design.

According to the MC’s letter, since the balcony is a roof garden, the BCA by-law that structures and devices can be built on windows and balconies for the safety of children does not apply.

A shocked Mr Zou questioned how the 16 sq m balcony could be classified as a “roof garden” when it is on the lower floor of his two-storey unit, which has no access to the roof.

“I feel like they are playing a word game with me,” he told The New Paper yesterday.

“Over the past two months, the term ‘roof garden’ has not once been mentioned to me. How can they be so unsympathetic towards the safety of children? This is too much.”

When TNP checked with the BCA, its spokesman said: “Safety is important, especially where young children are involved.

“Therefore, owners shall not be prevented from installing any structure or device to prevent harm to children under the prescribed by-laws of the Building Maintenance (Strata Management) Regulations 2005.”

Mr Zou first wrote to the MC on May 23, about a month before he moved into his new home, to seek approval to install the grilles.

What followed were several exchanges between them without approval being granted.

In July, the family had a close call when their domestic helper caught their son leaning precariously over the balcony’s ledge while waiting for his father to return from work.

His horrified parents cable-tied sheets of green plastic mesh over the railings to prevent the children from climbing up.

Mr Zou said: “But it was not foolproof as my children could still fall over any time.”

Then, on Aug 3, they read about a three-year-old girl who died about a month after falling from the balcony window of a fourth-storey flat in January.

That was the last straw for them. They decided to go ahead and install the grilles.

Mr Zou said: “We knew we were risking it by going ahead without permission. But we couldn’t wait any more. While we wait, tragedy could strike at any time.”

They hired a contractor to install four panels of “invisible” grilles across the balcony on Aug 17.

But that afternoon, after two panels had been installed, council members entered their apartment and stopped the workers. They confiscated the workers’ visitor passes and called the police.

When TNP approached the condo’s MC on Tuesday, the managing agent said that only council members could comment and he would try to get a response from them.

But there was no response by press time last night.

LOST SLEEP

Mr Zou said he has lost sleep over the dispute and will rush home after work to make sure his children are safe.

His wife also calls their helper at least three times a day to ensure the children stay away from the balcony.

Mr Zou said: “Previously, I could work peacefully, but now I am constantly worried about my children while at work.”

Mr Zou has contacted his Member of Parliament, Ms Sim Ann (Holland-Bukit Timah GRC), for help and was told that he should raise the matter again at the next general meeting and try to settle the dispute amicably.

When contacted by TNP, Ms Sim said: “At times, condo residents approach me concerning disagreements with their MCs.

“In such cases, we would speak with the MC to understand their side of the story and see if the issue can be resolved.

“If both sides think we can be of help in facilitating further discussion, we are always glad to try.”

Timeline

February Family buys a $2 million two-storey penthouse at 19 Shelford condominium.

May 23 Mr Zou Xiang sends an e-mail to the management committee (MC) under the Management Corporation Strata Title (MCST) about installing grilles on his balcony.

May 25 The MC rejects his request without offering alternative measures.
When he appeals, the MC tells him to seek approval from council members of the condo. His e-mail is forwarded to them.

May 27 The MC requests detailed drawings of the installation for consideration. Mr Zou submits the drawings a day later.

June 18 Mr Zou moves in with his family and is told by the MC that his appeal will be brought up at a general meeting on June 23.

June 24 The MC says the council members need to seek approval from the relevant authorities.

July 4 Mr Zou does not receive approval and writes to the Building and Construction Authority (BCA).

July 8 BCA advises him to check with the MC for its reasons for the rejection.
BCA also informs him that he can seek legal help to apply to the Strata Titles Board, but he opts not to do so.

Aug 17 Mr Zou tries to install the grilles, but the MCST stops the workers.

Aug 20 The MC issues a warning letter notifying Mr Zou that he had not received permission to begin renovation works, and seeks his cooperation to remove any installation done to the balcony on Aug 17.

Aug 25 The MC issues a letter notifying Mr Zou that his balcony is classified as a “roof garden”.

Children’s safety takes priority over design: BCA

The safety of children is paramount, especially where young children are involved, says the Building and Construction Authority (BCA).

Its spokesman told The New Paper yesterday: “A subsidiary proprietor or occupier of a lot shall not be prevented from installing any structure or device to prevent harm to children under the prescribed by-laws of the Building Maintenance (Strata Management) Regulations.”

Lawyer Toh Kok Seng from the Lee & Lee law firm said that management committees (MC) of condominiums that are under the Management Corporation Strata Title (MCST) cannot overrule the Building Maintenance and Strata Management Act (BMSMA).

“MCST cannot make decisions that are contrary to the BMSMA prescribed by-laws,” he said.

But he added that they are allowed to prescribe a certain style or design to achieve some uniformity of facade in the condos.

GUIDELINES

A BCA spokesman said: “The MC should put in place a set of design guidelines, which could be passed as a by-law at a general meeting, and subsequently adopted by the residents.

“If there are no design guidelines, the MC should consider requests for the installation of such structures or devices on a case-by-case basis by taking into account the safety of the residents, especially children, which must take priority over other considerations such as design and aesthetics.”

Earlier this year, The Straits Times reported on a family who won a legal case to install grilles in their condominium unit.

Dr Sujit Singh Gill was twice refused permission by the management corporation of One North Residences to install grilles in his 13th-storey unit.

When he applied to the Strata Titles Boards (STB), it ruled in favour of his family on the grounds that children’s safety must be paramount, even if the grilles may affect the appearance of the building.

Mr Toh and his colleague, Mr Daniel Chan, who represented Dr Singh, said that owners who have problems getting approval to install grilles in their homes should seek legal help to apply to the STB.

Mr Chan said: “It may take some time for the owner to get the outcome they desire through the legal process, but if the council of the condominium is resolute in its refusal to permit the installation of grilles, this is the only way to compel them to allow the installation.”

Source: The New Paper

August 26, 2016
Swimming: What Will Joseph Schooling Do With His $1m Award?

Olympic champion Joseph Schooling will return to Singapore in November for a Singapore Swimming Association fund-raiser – but the swimmer himself is also set for a cash injection.

The 21-year-old, Singapore’s only medallist at the Rio Games, claimed the 100m butterfly gold and the $1 million award from the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) that comes with it, the first Singapore athlete to do so.

Of this, 20 per cent will be given to the Singapore Swimming Association for training and development, as stipulated by the SNOC. Schooling will receive about $661,650 after taxes.

It is believed that the SNOC will hold an appreciation dinner for Team Singapore’s Olympians during the week that Schooling is in town. There, it will also present the $1 million monetary award, which is part of the Multi-Million-Dollar Awards Programme (MAP) sponsored by the Tote Board and Singapore Pools.

The programme is designed to reward medallists at major games. Schooling, a University of Texas student, disclosed that he had not decided what to do with the money.

He said: “I don’t really know. My parents have always managed my finances and I’ll let them decide what to do.”

His father, businessman Colin Schooling, said: “We borrowed money from banks to pay for his education and training, so this will help cover (some of the loans).

“The beauty of it is my son actually told us, ‘Mummy and Daddy, don’t worry, just use (the money) to pay off the loans.’”

Mr Schooling and his wife, May, have spent more than $1 million supporting their only child’s aspirations. This includes covering his five years at the Bolles School, a private college preparatory school. Fees at the school in Florida are around US$41,450 (S$56,000) a year.

There is also the rented apartment that costs about US$2,800 a month, on top of living expenses and other incidentals such as flights and accommodation and even physiotherapy.

It helps that Schooling has been the top earner of the MAP in recent years. Last year, he was given $31,250 for his SEA Games outing, where he won all of his nine races.

In 2014, he pocketed $370,000 for four medals – a silver at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and a gold, a silver and a bronze at the Incheon Asian Games.

He is also a Sports Excellence scholarship holder. He belongs to the highest of three tiers and is supposed to receive $90,000 annually.

Mrs Schooling, who is a member of the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, said: “It’s been a wild ride but, like I always say, we’re all enjoying the journey.”

Source: The Straits Times

August 26, 2016
The People Who Came To Say Goodbye

More than 20,000 Singaporeans and foreigners came to bid a fond farewell to Singapore’s sixth and longest-serving president S R Nathan, who died on Monday (August 22) aged 92.

Between 10am and 6pm, about 14,000 people paid their respects at Parliament House, where Mr Nathan’s body lay in state.

Here are some of the people who came.

TNP PHOTO: JUDITH TAN

 KIDNEY PATIENT ROHANI DUKIRAN, 48, WHO POSTPONED HER DIALYSIS SESSION TO COME SAY GOODBYE:

“He was a good man who cared. He told my children they should not only love music, but also love studies, to get a good education and make someone of themselves.”

TNP PHOTO: JUDITH TAN

 BUSKER LEE KIAN CHUAN, 67, WHO ARRIVED AT 7AM BY BUS:

“I took a bouquet of flowers to his home on Wednesday but I was not allowed in as it was a private affair. So I decided to come here to say my goodbyes to one humble leader.”

TNP PHOTO: MOHD ISHAK

 RETAIL ASSISTANT AT CHEERS LEE QIU WEI, 30, WHO CAME AFTER HIS NIGHT SHIFT TO PAY RESPECT:

“I have not met Mr Nathan in person but I have heard the great things he had done for Singapore so I am here to pay my respect. I have even changed the wall paper of my phone to Mr Nathan’s photo as a salutation.”

TNP PHOTO: JUDITH TAN

 SENIOR LECTURER AT ITE COLLEGE EAST AND FORMER NATIONAL CENTRE-BACK LIM TONG HAI, 47:

“He has been very supportive of the soccer scene and would show his presence during the finals (of the SR Nathan Cup)… I met him a few times and he had always been encouraging, and would encourage the losing team, saying it didn’t matter. What mattered most was that you put in your best and we’d try again next time.”

TNP PHOTO: JUDITH TAN

 WARRIOR FC SPORTS AND FITNESS TRAINER SILAS KARIM, 27:

“I remember once, during a local school match… he came down at half time, spoke to the players and told them to never give up, that it was a fantastic showcase of football. That was something I remembered about him – a man of high status yet he was very approachable, very human.”

 
TNP PHOTO: JUDITH TAN

PRESIDENT TONY TAN KENG YAM:

“He always did what was necessary, whether it was the Laju incident, whether it was in the Ministry of Defence, Foreign Affairs, whether it was in the security and intelligence department. Not only that, he was a great champion of social causes, he started the President’s Challenge. (He was) a great uplifter of the Indian community in Singapore who have lost a great man. Mr Nathan will be very sorely missed by all Singaporeans.”

TNP PHOTO: CATHERINE ROBERT

 MADAM ANTONIAMAL, 90, ACCOMPANIED BY HER DAUGHTER THERESA MARIERETAM, 69:

“It doesn’t matter that I am frail and old. Paying Mr Nathan my last respects is more important. I can always rest later but I must do this before I lose the chance forever.”

TNP PHOTO: ISKANDAR ROSSALI

 MADRASAH STUDENT NURUL SHAKEERAH MOHAMED DINO, 9, (ABOVE, RIGHT) ACCOMPANIED BY HER MOTHER SURAINI HASHIM, 44:

“When my mother suggested that we go home first so that I didn’t have to lug my heavy school bag along, I told her it was okay. I would carry it as I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to say goodbye. He was a good man. I want to be just like him and help the community when I grow up.”

TNP PHOTO: JUDITH TAN

MINISTER IN THE PMO AND SEC-GEN OF NTUC CHAN CHUN SENG, WHO TURNED UP WITH OVER 700 UNIONISTS:

“He has given the labour movement a very strong foundation. He has always reminded us as a labour movement to not only take care of each other as brothers and sisters, but also to take care of our country. I think these were his most recent words in May this year, when he came back to the labour movement a final time to share with us his wisdom.”

Workers’ Party MPs and NCMPs, including party chief Low ThiaKiang and chairman Sylvia Lim paid their last respects to Mr Nathan. VIDEO: ST

Former mufti of Singapore Shaikh Syed Isa Semait and leaders from the Malay Muslim Community also made the trip to Parliament House to say farewell to Mr Nathan.

Source: The New Paper

August 26, 2016