Tag: Singapore

Could SPP Eye Mounbatten SMC In Upcoming General Elections?

The Singapore People’s Party (SPP) today (Jun 20) held a walkabout in the Mountbatten neighbourhood along Singapore’s east coast.

SPP member Jeannette Chong-Aruldoss also handed out a flyer in which she stated: “I want to serve you to the best of my ability; your concerns are my concerns. This is why I am walking the ground in Mountbatten SMC, and this is why I visited your home today.”

Among the issues she said she wanted to hear residents’ thoughts on were housing, education, healthcare, employment and community facilities.

Ms Chong-Aruldoss, a lawyer by trade, was the former Secretary-General of the National Solidarity Party (NSP). She ran in the 2011 General Election in Mountbatten under the NSP banner, but was defeated by the People’s Action Party candidate Lim Biow Chuan after getting about 41 per cent of the votes. She joined the SPP this year.

Singapore must hold its next parliamentary General Election by January 2017

Source: www.todayonline.com

June 21, 2015
Property Experts: DBSS Losing Its Relevance

Property experts say the Design, Build and Sell Scheme (DBSS) is losing its relevance and should be scrapped.

The scheme was suspended in 2011, but came under the spotlight after recent complaints by residents over defects in their new DBSS flats. The Housing and Development Board (HDB) says the scheme is not currently its priority.

One four-room DBSS unit at Ang Mo Kio gave its owner nightmares. Forty-five-year-old Ng Tong Seng had moved into the flat – which cost more than S$500,000 – in December 2012. Within weeks, he found numerous flaws, from bug infestation to cracks on the walls.

It was a painful process for Mr Ng, who had to spend months getting the developer to rectify the defects.

“The number of defects filed by the residents was a lot,” he said. “And they were having a difficult time catching up with all the work. We have about one year to get all these rectified by the developer and the developer took their own sweet time.”

He said the HDB did not offer much help.

“We are being left alone by authorities,” he said. “We bought the house under the ruling of HDB. They threw the rule books at us, but when we faced problems and approached them for help, they said, ‘Sorry, I can’t do anything’. So, that is frustrating. On one side, you try to govern me, on the other side, you can’t help me. So, I’m very confused about their rule.”

Residents of the Trivelis DBSS estate in Clementi have also questioned HDB’s role in the scheme. About 500 of them have complained about problems such as rusty dish holders and flooding in the corridors.

The housing board says it oversees the scheme, but under the sale and purchase agreement, developers must rectify defects reported by buyers within a year.

HDB brought on board private developers to bring diversity and creativity to public housing designs, when it introduced the scheme in 2005. The condominium-like furnishings of DBSS units initially grabbed attention.

But experts say the quality of Build-to-Order (BTO) flats has gone up.

Associate Professor Sing Tien Foo from the Department of Real Estate at the National University of Singapore said: “I think the differentiation has become smaller. So, if the price differentiation is relatively big, it makes DBSS less attractive in that sense compared to BTO flats, because there’s still a price gap between BTO and DBSS flats.

“So, we might see that the DBSS scheme may no longer be necessary in the near future. So, this is probably a good time to phase it out.”

The scheme was intended to cater for the “sandwiched class”, which referred to those who could not afford private condominiums, but did not qualify for BTO flats because their income exceeded the qualifying ceiling, which was then set at S$8,000.

However, analysts say prices between private and HDB units are narrowing, which means the scheme is losing its target group. Furthermore, the income ceiling for BTO flats was raised to S$10,000 in 2011, the same as that for DBSS properties.

With not much difference in quality, they added that home buyers will be more inclined to purchase BTO flats, which are cheaper. This would lower demand for DBSS flats.

Still, one expert says it’s better to suspend the scheme than scrap it totally.

“Because we never know that, perhaps one day when prices start to escalate quickly again, there may be a need to bring back a scheme that is similar to DBSS,” said Mr Nicholas Mak, an executive director for research and consultancy at SLP International Property Consultants. “But I think in the next two or three years, the chances of it coming back are not high.”

There have been 13 DBSS projects since the scheme was introduced.

Source: www.channelnewsasia.com

June 21, 2015
Man Issued Stern Warning For Flying Unauthorised Drone During SEA Games Closing Ceremony

A 55-year-old man has been issued a stern warning by authorities after he flew an unmanned aircraft in the vicinity of the National Stadium, which has been gazetted as a Special Event Area.

Police said that the incident took place on Jun 16 during the Closing Ceremony of the 28th SEA Games.

The man had used the drone to take photos of the fireworks display at the ceremony even though he did not have a permit to do so in a Special Event Area. After completing investigations and consulting the Attorney-General’s Chambers, the man was given a stern warning on Jun 18.

Police added that flying such an aircraft without a permit can threaten public safety and security, especially in areas where large crowds are gathered. Flying one near a fireworks area is also especially dangerous and can cause harm to those watching the display.

Source: www.channelnewsasia.com

June 21, 2015
Answers To Common Questions About Ramadan And Hari Raya

“Really? Cannot eat at all?”

It’s a common question asked of myself and my fellow fasting family and friends by non-Muslims during this period.

Muslims the world over fast for the whole month of Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic calendar.

In Singapore, Ramadan started on the evening of Wednesday, June 17, with Muslims going through their first full day of fasting on Thursday.

The next question is usually: “But can drink water, right?”

While it is often the same questions asked on an annual basis, it’s better to ask than stay quiet.

In the interest of clearing up a few things once and for all for my non-fasting friends, here are the answers to some of your fasting month questions.

Why do you fast?

Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam – anyone who is of age (generally determined by reaching puberty), and is not ill or in a situation which makes it difficult for them to complete their fast (eg strenuous work), must fast.

For Muslims, fasting during the month of Ramadan is not just about abstaining from food and drink.

It’s also about abstaining from other things from sun rise to sundown – such as smoking and sex.

We are encouraged to stay away from all kinds of temptation.

But drinking water is okay, right?

No, really, we can’t!

Not water, or tea, or milk, nothing.

Yes, in this weather, this means you can get really parched, but the idea is to tahan (take it) until about 7 in the evening, when we’re able to eat and drink again during the iftar, or breaking of fast.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong joining congregants of the newly upgraded Mujahidin Mosque in Commonwealth for a break fast, or iftar, session in 2014. ST FILE PHOTO

So you can eat in the evening. When do you stop eating then?

We generally stop eating and drinking at imsak, which is about 10 minutes before the break of dawn, a practice of the Prophet Muhammad.

We are encouraged to wake up in the early mornings – around 4 to 5am in Singapore – to eat something before imsak – this morning meal is called sahur.

For some, it’s a couple of dates. For others, it can be a full meal of rice and other dishes.

We eat again at sundown, which coincides with the time of the Maghrib prayer, one of the five prayers Muslims do every day.

What happens if you accidentally eat or drink something during the day?

It can happen, simply out of habit. This has happened to most Muslims I know. If it’s unintentional, we keep fasting.

What happens if you feel dizzy, or ill?

Only those who are well enough to fast should do so. You are permitted to break your fast if you are unwell.

So, do you have to “pay back” for the days you didn’t fast?

Yes, we should pay back the missed days as soon as possible.

It doesn’t have to be continuous but before the next Ramadan comes around.

If one is unable to repay, or unable to fast for years, then he or she can pay fidyah, a sum of money calculated using the number of days missed that will be donated to the poor.

So do NSmen have to fast?

Yes, if they are not ill. A guidebook from the voluntary welfare organisation Perdaus encourages fasting NSmen to drink lots of water and eat in the morning before sunup to help them through the day.

Uh, should I not eat or drink in front of you?

That’s entirely up to you! Food smells are certainly much more distracting on an empty stomach, so it would be nice if you didn’t.

But dealing with temptation is a strong theme for us Muslims during Ramadhan. Just, you know, don’t tempt us on purpose, lah.

BH FILE PHOTO

How about those countries where the sun sets at night, or sometimes not at all during the summer months?!

I had the same question when I was a kid. Do they, like, never eat at all?

They do but their fast is longer.

Now that it’s summer and days can be very, very long in the northern hemisphere.

Muslims in places like Reykjavik, Iceland, may fast for up to 21 hours a day, reports Quartz.

However, some scholars say that for health reasons, Muslims in such places could follow the “morning to evening” timings for fasting.

So, after Ramadan ends, you celebrate Hari Raya, which is Muslim New Year, right?

Actually, Hari Raya Puasa, or Aidilfitri, means ‘festival of breaking of fast’ in Arabic.

We celebrate it right after Ramadan ends, during the next month in the Islamic calendar, Syawal.

Muslims are not permitted to fast on Hari Raya Puasa.

In Singapore and in some other countries, the celebrations continue for a month, with friends and family visiting each others’ houses in traditional garb, presenting both children and elders with ‘green packets’, and serving traditional Malay kuih, or cookies.

It is all-encompassing as non-Muslims are invited over, too!

BH FILE PHOTO

Unlike Chinese custom, the younger members of the family generally stop receiving green packets after they’ve started working. Eating dishes like ketupat, rendang and ayam masak merah, however, is permitted no matter how old you are.

Oh, and we do have a “Muslim New Year”, or more accurately Islamic New Year.

It falls on the first day of the first month in the Islamic calendar, called Muharram. Our next New Year will be from sunset on Oct 13 to sunset of Oct 14.

There’s another Hari Raya on my calendar. What’s the difference?

That would be Hari Raya Haji, which marks the end of the annual Hajj, where millions of Muslims travel to Mecca to perform the pilgrimage.

On this day, those who are able are meant to sacrifice, or korban, a goat, a cow or a sheep, with the meat being meant for your family, neighbours and the poor.

No, you don’t have to go to butchery school! Your neighbourhood mosque will likely be able to conduct the sacrifice on your behalf. Some Muslims opt to pay for animals to be sacrificed in other, usually poorer countries, so the meat can be distributed to the needy there.

The korban commemorates the prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael (the Quran doesn’t exactly say which son, but we believe it’s Ishmael, while Jews and Christians believe it’s Isaac).

Don’t worry, the story has a happy ending – at the last minute, the sacrifice is stopped and Ibrahim (or Abraham as he is otherwise known) is told by God that the deed has been fulfilled, as Ishmael has been replaced by a “great sacrifice”.

Okay, why do both Hari Rayas keep occurring earlier every year?

Because we get more and more eager to celebrate?

No. The real answer is that the dates are determined by the Islamic calendar, which has 12 months, but just 354 days.

The months are shorter as they follow the lunar cycle – the first day of the month starts when the first crescent is spotted. That’s how the beginning of Ramadhan is determined as well.

(The Islamic calendar is fully lunar, while the Chinese calendar is lunar-solar … that’s why Chinese New Year doesn’t move around as much as Hari Raya does.)

Also, this is why some years you get a public holiday bonanza, with Hari Raya Puasa falling in the same week as Chinese New Year from 1996 to 1998, and Hari Raya Haji (Eid-ul Adha) falling two days after Christmas in 2007.

Hopefully these answer the basics.

Source: www.tnp.sg

June 21, 2015
Zainal Sapari: Is Outsourcing Always The Best Solution?

I have been talking about the Government sector’s move into the world of outsourcing of their essential services. In my recent interview with Mothership.sg, I have mentioned this again. Well, as expected, there were some disagreeing views. But I stand firm with my thoughts.

The strategy of outsourcing jobs in the public service has affected many professions such as cleaning, security and landscaping. When outsourcing came about, it brought many advantages to the business market. Companies could better manage their operations as they were now focused on core businesses. But it also brought with it many setbacks – for the workers.

At some circumstances, when contracts change hands, workers are the ones who are affected most. Their terms of employment may be reset, especially their salaries. In my view, one major employer that can prevent this from happening is the Government.

My strong affirmation on this comes from my childhood experiences. My Father back then was employed as daily-rated worker with the Public Works Department. As a Civil Servant, he enjoyed all the welfare benefits that were pegged to his scope. And so did our family. I wish this can be the case for all low-wage workers in the public sector – that they are direct employees so that they are shielded, to some extent, from the harshness of the economic system.

This I why when I heard about the Housing Development Board Staff Union (HDBSU) and HDB’s successful emplacement of its security staff into the Operations Support and Management Support Schemes of Service, I was gratified.

The union had discussed at length with the management partners on taking care of the interest of these workers in the best way they could. The Security Scheme of Service was to be discontinued and there were 18 employees who were to be impacted. After much discussion, both sides decided to retain these workers within the organisation. In a gist, 17 security officers were placed onto the Operations Support Scheme (OSS) and one Assistant Security Officer was placed into the Management Support Scheme. With this change, the security employees are set to have better career paths and prospects.

My staff had a chat with one of the security officers at HDB, Mr Suhaimi Bin Aman, aged 56 years old. Mr Suhaimi shared that life in the security profession with HDB has been fulfilling. Above all, the major peace of mind he has is on job security. “There are some friends we know of who are outsourced workers, and their livelihoods really depends on the company’s tender. There is no form of commitment on the workers’ part as well. When you are in-house, there is a greater level of certainty with your job.”, he told my staff.

This IS the reality. NTUC has done some work that enables our workers in the lowest rung – our cleaners – to earn at least $1,000 with the Progressive Wage Model. Yet, the solution to help these workers who find their careers on a reset mode is still yet to be uncovered. With the progressive wage, even if the wage is reset, it is reset to a minimum level of $1,000 or $1,200 if you are skilled.

My hope is for the Government sector to consider directly hiring for positions like cleaners, security officers and the landscape workers.

Source: Zainal Sapari

June 21, 2015