Tag: Singapore

Indranee Rajah: Heroes Of Sabah Quake And Singaporeans’ Reactions A Reminder Of What It Means Be Part Of Singapore Family

Being Singaporean

On this National Day of Remembrance, it was brought home to me once again what it means to be Singaporean.

This day was for us to remember those who died in the Sabah quake -Terrence (the teacher), Daanish (the adventure guide) and Peony, Ameer, Emilie, Matahom, Rachel and Sonia (the students), while we hope against hope for Mohammad Ghazi and Navdeep Singh who are still missing.

At the SEA Games, we scored golds, including getting our first ever netball gold yesterday, and breaking the 50m freestyle record today.

Happiness mingled with sadness.

I visited Sonia’s wake today. I was touched by her family’s strength and fortitude. Her parents mourned her death but they also celebrated how much she achieved in her young life. They said to know her was to love her.

In their grief, they generously remembered others, making it a point to tell Minister Heng Swee Keat and myself how much they appreciated the support from the principal and teachers of TKPS, as well as the MOE team in Sabah, with an especial word of thanks for DS Lim Boon Wee, and to the SAF for bringing them and Sonia home.

Her mum said Sonia was an avid netball player. She played Wing Defence. She had attended the first few matches of our national netball team in the SEA Games to cheer them on before leaving for Sabah and was sorry that she was going to miss the netball final because of her trip.

Her uncle told me that our national netballers came to see Sonia today. They came to show their support for family of the girl who had supported them. They gave Sonia the hexagonal light medallion from the SEA games pack, signed with their names – so she now has her own SEA games netball “medal”. Their thoughtful gesture and solidarity for Sonia meant a lot to the family.

Also attended Terrence’s wake this evening. CNA reported a parent as saying that Terrence had “helped a bunch” before going back up again to help others. His selflessness saved others. His family can be proud of him, even as they mourn him. Friends, NS mates, ex-students, teacher colleagues, neighbours and relatives were all there to lend support the family.

This reminded me anew what it means to be Singaporean – strength,courage, duty, kindness – and being there for each other, in joy or sorrow, good times and bad. This is what it is to be part of the Singapore family.

Source: Indranee Rajah

June 10, 2015
Bodies Of Missing Tanjong Katong Primary Student And Teacher Found

The bodies of the remaining missing pupil and teacher from Tanjong Katong Primary School have been identified, said the Ministry of Education on Wednesday.

“We are saddened to inform that the Malaysian authorities have confirmed that Navdeep Singh Jaryal s/o Raj Kumar and Mohammad Ghazi Bin Mohamed are amongst the persons who perished at Kota Kinabalu,” said the statement.

“Their next-of-kin have been informed. Their remains will return to Singapore upon completion of further forensic tests. This is expected to take some time. We will continue to provide support to the families during this difficult time.”

Source: www.straitstimes.com

June 10, 2015
South Koreans In Singapore Exercise Caution In Travel Plans

Having kept a close watch on news about the spread of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) back home, South Koreans living in Singapore said they were concerned for their friends and family, but also expect the situation to improve as the government in Seoul appears to have stepped up containment efforts in recent days.

Nonetheless, some told TODAY they would exercise caution in their travel plans.

“I think it’s under control. I was reading the Korean newspaper yesterday about the President saying the government is taking action to control (the spread) within this week,” said Mr Will Jeong, director of Korean barbecue restaurant, Oh Neul Han Jeom.

The 45-year-old added that he had been planning on flying back to South Korea to visit his younger brother and friends, but had since postponed his trip until the next school holidays in September, or even later.

He said he was concerned for his family back home. “It’s bad for business too, as everyone stays at home. There are no gatherings outside now,” he added.

Mr Aum Kyoung Hwan, 45, said he has not cancelled plans to return to Seoul in two weeks with his wife and two teenage children. He added that they would wear masks and take the necessary precautionary measures while in the country, but pointed out that it appeared that “only the old or the very old, and the weak and not-so-healthy people have been affected”.

Meanwhile, Ms Kim Ji Yeon, owner of Chowon Garden Korean Restaurant, will not risk going back to her hometown just yet. With two children aged 10 months and three years, she said she was “scared because they are very young”.

“(MERS used to affect) older people. Now, pregnant women are also getting infected. I think it is wise to avoid crowded places and hospitals in cities (in South Korea),” the 35-year-old said.

Source: www.channelnewsasia.com

June 10, 2015
LTA: Non-Cabbies Offering Paid Rides May Need To Be Regulated

Drivers who run chauffeur services under ride-booking apps such as Uber could soon be required to obtain a vocational licence which is currently compulsory only for taxi drivers.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) yesterday said it is looking into removing this exemption, as a way to ensure the safety of passengers taking private-hire rides.

In a forum letter published in The Straits Times, the LTA said chauffeured vehicle services have become more accessible to the public with technology and, given the industry’s recent growth, it is studying possible measures to safeguard commuter interest.

The taxi industry cried foul recently, following news of ride-matching apps and rental companies working together to run their own fleet of “taxis”.

The rental firms lease out cars to drivers at a rate cheaper than taxis. Hirers then use these vehicles to fulfil bookings from apps such as Uber and GrabTaxi.

These companies and drivers, however, do not have to meet the stringent requirements imposed on the taxi industry, such as vocational training.

The LTA did not say whether a licensing requirement would apply only to drivers who do chauffeuring via apps or to the entire industry, which includes corporate charters and limousine services.

Nor did it elaborate if it would affect drivers who use their own vehicles to provide paid rides.

Uber drivers told The Straits Times that the time and money required to take a vocational course will be an extra burden.

Uber driver Sam Samioen Moksam, 50, said: “Passengers rate drivers after every trip, and this already ensures we provide a safe and reliable ride.

“Falling short can earn a driver a temporary ban or, in a worse case, (lead to his contract) being terminated.”

Another driver, Mr Yu Kim Reed, asked why vocational licences are being implemented now, given that chauffeur services have been around for so long.

“The only difference is that a (car hire) call centre has been replaced by the Internet,” Mr Yu, 30, said.

National Taxi Association executive adviser Ang Hin Kee said a driver rating system cannot fully replace vocational training, refresher courses and medical examinations which taxi drivers have to undergo.

Mandating vocational licences will be a “welcome start”, but he said rental car firms and transport apps should also abide by other requirements that taxi companies are subjected to by the LTA.

These include ensuring their fleets are regularly maintained and serviced.

App companies said they are willing to work with the LTA should vocational licences be required.

Uber’s Singapore general manager Yaniv Goder said it hopes to be “included in the consultation process”.

A GrabTaxi spokesman said it is in discussions with industry partners to develop a “comprehensive curriculum for private-hire drivers” and that it will encourage drivers to take up vocational licensing.

Cabby Henry Tay, 45, said vocational licences will help the authorities keep track of drivers and offer passengers assurance of a safe ride.

“We don’t want any Tom, Dick or Harry picking up passengers, do we?”

Source: www.straitstimes.com

June 10, 2015
Dr. Fined $2000 For Administering Chemo Drug Wrongly

A young doctor who administered a chemotherapy drug the wrong way, putting the patient at risk of “severe neurological damage”, has been fined S$2,000 by the Singapore Medical Council (SMC).

Dr Garuna Murthee Kavitha, 32, had given the drug intrathecally, or into the membrane of the spinal cord, when she should have fed it intravenously to the patient.

The error stemmed from the ward sending the wrong medicine, which Dr Kavitha did not check, the SMC’s disciplinary tribunal heard on April 21. She pleaded guilty to the charge.

In mitigation, the lawyer acting for Dr Kavitha, who was practising as a Medical Officer at Singapore General Hospital, said the error was unintentional and stressed that she had disclosed the error immediately.

She also never shied away from accepting responsibility and was a very young doctor who had learnt from this incident, her lawyer added. In contrast, previous similar cases saw more senior doctors being involved, while the errors took longer to detect before the patient was informed, and even medical records had been tampered with.

Testimonials from Dr Kavitha’s superiors and colleagues, as well as feedback from the family of another patient were also submitted during the hearing.

While it noted the “strong” testimonials attested to Dr Kavitha’s work ethic and integrity, as well as her Best Medical Officer award by SingHealth in 2013, the SMC’s disciplinary tribunal said a censure alone was inappropriate. It would not “reflect the seriousness of the conduct, nor would it deter such lapses or preserve public confidence in the medical profession”, it added.

The disciplinary tribunal also censured Dr Kavitha and asked her for a written undertaking that she would not repeat the same conduct, as well as for her to bear the costs and expenses of the inquiry.

Source: www.todayonline.com

June 10, 2015