Tag: Singapore

Man Dubbed “Bishan Gay” Terrorising Boys In Bishan Estate

Students in Bishan have been complaining about a middle aged man in the area who would stalk them, and sometimes harass them.

The man has been nicknamed “Bishan Gay” by local students as he often lurks outside schools, fast food areas and cafes visually harassing young school boys.

He has been caught following students and if often seen in a green raffles institution alumni polo shirt.

Sometimes, he is seen taking photographs of the boys while pretending to casually use his handphone.

Students and parents have feedbacked about the man but nothing has been done as he has apparently not broken any laws.

Nevertheless, students feel threatened by him as he constantly stares at them.

On some occasions, the man has been seen patting young children on the head.

When he is confronted, he will deny stalking or following anyone and he says he is just taking pictures of the scenery as he likes Bishan.

Do you think something should be done to stop people like this?

Here are photos of the man taken by various students who have seen him.

Source: www.therealsingapore.com

January 30, 2015
Singapore Is World’s Most Expensive City To Live In

Singapore has topped the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) list of the world’s most expensive cities to live in, according to the 2014 list released yesterday (this morning, March 4, Singapore time).

Singapore jumped five places from No 6 last year to top this year’s list after rising in the list in recent years. The city was ranked No 18 a decade ago in the EIU’s Worldwide Cost of Living Survey.

The Republic’s strong currency, which has appreciated about 40 per cent over the past decade, combined with soaring utility bills and the high cost of car ownership contributed to Singapore’s rise in the list, according to the EIU. Singapore is also the most expensive place in the world to buy clothes.

Paris, Oslo, Zurich and Sydney also made the top five of the EIU list. Tokyo, the most expensive city to live in for 2013, fell to joint sixth place alongside Caracas, Geneva and Melbourne. At No 10 is Copenhagen.

“Improving sentiment in structurally expensive European cities combined with the continued rise of Asian hubs means that these two regions continue to supply most of the world’s most expensive cities,” said Mr Jon Copestake, the editor of the EIU report.

“But Asian cities also continue to make up many of the world’s cheapest, especially in the Indian subcontinent.”

Predominantly higher costs of groceries has been singled out as a reason for most Asian cities figuring highly in this year’s list, with Tokyo still at the top of the list for everyday food items.

The EIU’s Worldwide Cost of Living Survey, which is published twice a year, compares more than 400 individual prices across 160 products and services including food, clothing, household supplies, home rentals, transport and utility prices. All cities are compared against New York City as a base.

According to the EIU statement, the survey is meant to let human resource line managers and expatriate executives compare the cost of living in 140 cities in 93 countries, which would allow hiring companies to calculate a fair remuneration package for relocating employees.

Source: www.todayonline.com

January 30, 2015
Yaacob Ibrahim: Zakat Was Not Used To Fund MUIS’ Operating Expenditure

Zakat, a tithe contributed by Muslims, is not used to fund the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore’s (MUIS) operating expenditure, said Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs and Minister for Communications and Information Yaacob Ibrahim in Parliament on Thursday (Jan 29).

MUIS is funded by its General Endowment Fund, which has a number of income sources, including property, inheritance and investment income, and fees for services such as Halal certification, said Dr Yaacob. Zakat funds are not part of the General Endowment Fund and are separately accounted for, added the minister.

Dr Yaacob said this in response to a question by Member of Parliament for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC Zainal Sapari, who asked if any zakat was used to fund MUIS’ operating expenditure. Mr Zainal also asked what the total amount of zakat collected by MUIS was, and the breakdown of allocation of zakat to the beneficiaries.

HOW ZAKAT WAS USED

Dr Yaacob said the amount of zakat collected in 2013 was S$28.4 million, while the total for 2014 has not yet been confirmed through audit.

Of the S$28.4 million in 2013, about S$11 million, or 40 per cent, was disbursed to the needy through direct financial assistance and empowerment programmes, said Dr Yaacob, and 5,263 families were helped through direct financial assistance in 2013.

Another 40 per cent was used to support mosques and madrasahs through grants, programmes, and funds for the training of teachers, mosque religious officers, volunteers and youth development officers, he added.

The remaining zakat was used for dakwah, or the propagation of Islamic knowledge, and public education, the development of Islamic education, and the funding of expenses incurred in the administration of Zakat, as well as assistance for Muslim converts, said Dr Yaacob.

Source: www.channelnewsasia.com

January 30, 2015
Teo Chee Hean: No Indication Of Heightened Threat To Singapore From ISIS

There is no indication of a heightened threat to Singapore specific to the Republic’s support to the coalition against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), said Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Teo Chee Hean in Parliament on Wednesday (Jan 29).

However, the violence in Syria and Iraq continues and raises the overall threat level in every country, as ISIS still attracts extremists and encourages its overseas supporters to carry out attacks on home soil, using all means available, Mr Teo said.

He was responding to a question posed by MP Alex Yam Ziming on whether there were heightened threat to Singapore, and whether additional measures are required to address issues of self-radicalisation.

ADDRESSING IDEOLOGY

On the second question, Mr Teo said self-radicalisation is a problem as it can lead to “lone-wolf” attacks.

“We have had instances of Singaporeans becoming self-radicalised even before the Syrian conflict. ISIS has, however, worsened the threat through its widespread and effective use of social media to radicalise and recruit foreign fighters and supporters,” he said.

There is growing international recognition of the need to “deal upstream with the ideology that fuels jihadist terrorism”, said Mr Teo, who added Singapore will be hosting the East Asia Summit Symposium on Religious Rehabilitation and Social Reintegration in April this year.

“The Symposium will share best practices among participating countries and build capability to counter the terrorists’ radical ideology,” he said.

Source: www.channnelnewsasia.com

January 30, 2015
Wear The Hijab – Break The Stereotypes

I am a born Muslim and the family that I am bred in is pretty inclined towards religion. So the idea of significance of Islam and the proper following was innate. The more I matured up, the more I started reading, thinking and well, worrying about the socio-political affairs of the world especially in relation to Islam and Muslims. What I have realized through my humble understanding is that it is becoming more and more important for us to take up the RESPONSIBILITY of being Muslims.

Hijab is a choice yes I agree and no one can force another into donning it. Having said that, I firmly believe that to change a stereotypical perception, one has to take solid courageous steps. The world usually sees Hijab as a sign of oppression, viewing it as more of a sexist notion. In order to break this (oh-so-annoying) stereotype, I feel, Muslim women MUST prove their mettle in every field of life. From Journalism to Medicine to Fashion Designing, just everything! And prove to the world that Hijab does not limit or deprive them from succeeding in the society.

We live in a world where objectifying women is termed as “freedom” and I staunchly believe that if any woman is truly capable of shattering this insulting idea, it has to be a Hijabi! For Hijab gives the people a chance to look for something more than just skin deep in a woman. It compels a person to concentrate upon the intellect and beauty of the brains a woman holds.

I wish to request all of you who are taking out time to read this piece that PLEASE use your capabilities for the betterment of the despicable condition of Ummah. Everyone is born with an ‘IT’ factor PLEASE use it to demolish the horrible lies that are associated with our beautiful religion and costing us innocent lives every single minute. People distort a belief when they know that the beholders of that faith are not brave or steadfast enough to fight back, this is the case with us right now. If we take it upon ourselves that we will not stay quiet about the wrongs and we will show the world what we truly are made of through our highest potential then I promise you, we won’t have to apologize for crimes we did not commit and bad people we do not own.

For starters, Lets get ready for the World Hijab Day!! And from then on, lets live everyday with a fulfilling promise to use our potentials for Islam.

Source: http://worldhijabday.com

January 30, 2015