Tag: Singaporeans

Cancer Patient Thought Her Insurance Agent-Friend Had Her Fully Covered, She Was Wrong

Colon cancer patient Lily Ng, 62, had a rude shock when her insurer AIA Singapore offered to pay only a fraction – or $75,000 – of her hospitalisation claim of $320,000.

AIA alleged that she failed to state her diabetic condition when she upgraded her AIA hospitalisation plan two years ago. All consumers have a duty to disclose information that will affect insurance terms.

Madam Ng bought an AIA HealthShield Gold Max C plan – which covers hospitalisation in B1 wards in government hospitals on an as-charged basis – in 2000. Back then, she was not diabetic, but developed the condition about five years ago.

Two years ago, her AIA agent and friend of 30 years recommended that she upgrade to an AIA HealthShield Gold Max A plan, together with a rider, to enjoy first-dollar coverage for future private hospitalisation bills. The upgrade was confirmed in January last year. The annual premium for the plan is $2,790.

With that assurance, Madam Ng was warded at Mount Elizabeth Hospital in April this year when she was diagnosed with colon cancer, racking up $320,000 in hospitalisation bills. She was in and out of hospital between April and September.

Amid the trauma of undergoing operations and cancer treatment, she had a double whammy when AIA informed her that it would reimburse her only $75,000 based on the terms of her previous C plan.

AIA had rejected her claim under her upgraded A plan because it alleged that Madam Ng failed to disclose that she has diabetes when she completed her “Change Form” document to effect the upgrade.

Madam Ng said: “I was very stressed and angry. I paid for the upgraded policy and did not get the coverage that I paid for. I was at a loss on how my bills would be settled. It is a huge sum.”

The family complained to the insurer and then to the authorities.

During the claims investigation process, AIA later learnt that the agent was the one who completed the form and provided false information which was not given by Madam Ng.

She had been unable to check whether the information given by the agent on her behalf was correct as she is not literate in English.

Madam Ng recalled that she had even asked her agent whether she needed to go for a medical test as part of the upgrade, but was told it was unnecessary.

The agent had asked her to sign the “Change Form” document but failed to run through the document thoroughly with her, including obtaining her answers for three health-related questions.

Instead, the agent had ticked “no” to each of them, indicating that Madam Ng had no medical issues.

Last month, AIA approved Madam Ng’s claim of $320,000 on the grounds that the agent had not “adhered to AIA’s standards” and said that it has taken disciplinary action against her.

When contacted, AIA said that protecting its customers’ interests is a top priority.

AIA said: “We have a zero-tolerance policy with regard to misconduct by our AIA financial services consultants and expect them to adhere to the highest ethical and industry standards. We have carried out a review and taken the necessary disciplinary action for this isolated case.

“AIA encourages policyholders to go through the necessary forms with their representatives to ensure that all information is accurate and complete. This will help to avoid any subsequent complications.”

The insurer added that it will continue to enhance its internal procedures and forms where relevant, to ensure that policyholders’ interests are always safeguarded.

It declined to give details on how the agent had been penalised.

Source: www.straitstimes.com

November 30, 2015
Amos Yee: Islam Sucks!

So since AllSingaporeStuff shared my blog post about my thoughts on calvin cheng, and preferred to a use a more provocative headline of ‘FUCK ISLAM AND ALLAH DOESN’T EXIST’ (probably the most provocative line there) to generate more views, as opposed to a more accurate one (they presented the blog post not as an explanation of how calvin cheng sucked, but as if it were a thesis condemning islam, seriously AllSingaporeStuff, what the fuck? You once admitted your mistake that you were manipulative cunts, but that doesn’t mean you should do it again) I have obviously gained condemnation from the dumb muslim community in singapore. and like mecca itself, the islamics seem to have lots of sand in their vaginas too, because the number of stupid death threats I got is voluminous. But don’t mind them, they do after all follow a sky wizard and a pedophile prophet.

And why are people shocked that I despise islam? I think it’s quite obvious for an advocate of logic such as myself, that I hate all organised religions, christians are cunts, buddhists are delusional, taoists are just plain stupid and islam is absolutely fucking horrible; It’s always a mental debate on my part, which do I hate more? Christians, islam or meat-eaters.

And of course not all islamics are extremists like isis (though I don’t think I ever implied that), but if islamics did really follow the core tenants of the quran (quran (8:65) – “O Prophet, exhort the believers to fight…” , quran (9:29) – “Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, ), they really should be, otherwise they’re not really obedient followers of allah though they claim that they are (fortunately for an atheist, I don’t have the burden of all these contradictions and bullshit, sad for religious pricks…. awww…)

I would like to make a blog post or video condemning islam, but I have other priorities at the moment, but thankfully there are many such videos already available on the internet, like this one from one of my favourite Youtubers, CultOfDusty.

It’s not as extensive as a video that I would make (A heavily-scripted and edited video, not a virgin casanova episode(though sometimes(and probably more in subsequent episodes(or non-related word)) it happens there too)), but it provides a succinct enough argument to prove that islam is retarded, and if you watch more of his videos, you’ll be even more convinced of their idiocy, so I recommend you do (This is the kind of content I watched throughout my secondary school that was strong enough for me to counter the incessant conditioning of the government and be liberated from being a conservative cunt pap dog (If you like dusty, you would also really love other great atheist youtubers like the amazing atheist, jaclyn glenn and cristina rad).

And I’m thinking, if this guy from America, the land of guns, hasn’t been killed, then I wouldn’t be, singapore is after all a very safe country, ain’t it? HAHAHAHA!! (Don’t ever be afraid of criticising stupidity, especially if it concerns islam and they threaten violence on you if you do, such people should be viciously condemned. You have the 0.01% chance of getting beaten up and the 0.00001% chance of getting killed. Is it worth it? Of course it is).

So calvin cheng sucks, pap sucks, and now so does islam, and really every other religion, and they should all be vehemently mocked to prevent stupidity from spreading, and society can improve. Have fun!

Source: Amos Yee

November 29, 2015
Eighteen Chefs Owner Benny Se Teo: Non-Muslim Customers Must Respect Restaurant’s Halal Status

Call me proud , arrogant or whatever … if you insist on bringing in “Non – Halal” food and consume in my restaurants i will show you the way out !!!
I might lose some customers but my Halal status must never be compromise . ‪#‎sibehtulan‬

Complain :
Darren Chua Hi, I’m a loyal customer of 18 chefs and have been patronizing their branches, the ones I commonly go to are the one at NEX and AMK hub, I must say that they have superb service. However, today was my first time going to the branch at Bugis, and I am really truly disappointed by the service there.

Today, on the 26th November 2015, my friends and I were eating at 18 chefs really happily and all, despite the long wait, we were glad that we could find seats. We were about to celebrate our friend’s birthday and we took out a cake (from chocolate origins) to eat it.

Yes, 18 chefs is a halal restaurant, but the cake from chocolate origin is halal but not certified. I understand that by consuming it there it could be inappropriate and spark unhappiness. However, how the staff a handled the situation was really a shocker to me. There was a Muslim lady that approached is first, I didn’t get her name, but she handled it well, we told her we were apologetic, and since we already ate the cake (Without even using your utensils but with tissues and our hands), we would clear it and leave immediately, which we were doing, until a man (assumingly the manager, a rather plum man in his thirties perhaps) made my experience with 18 chefs today a horrid and disappointing one.

He came up to us and told us, “You know you shouldn’t be eating this here.” My friends told him that we were sorry and are already cleaning up, he stopped is halfway and told crossed his arms and said, ‘no.’ No explanation, no listening, just a big no. We tried to explain that we didn’t know and wanted to apologize sincerely, as our Muslim friends were also eating the cake, we thought it was perfectly fine, but he just raised his voice and said no. I got a tad bit angry with receiving such disgusting service from a shop that I really enjoy having my meal at, told him, ‘okay, your staff told us to ask for permission in the future and to clear it immediately and leave. And that’s what we are doing.’ He came up closer than he already is to the table and just said “No.” Again, even louder, practically screaming in our faces. 16 of us, having a meal at 18 chefs, trying to enjoy a birthday celebration, to be ruined by nothing but a no.

I really do understand and am honestly apologetic on the behalf of my friends for being so ignorant and bringing something that isn’t halal into your restaurant. However, I am really disappointed and very sure I’m never going to eat at the branch in Bugis as I really am disappointed and ashamed by such crude behavior displayed by a manager. If that’s how a manager treats their customer by saying no and with no explanation or patience I think that the other service staff is going to be worse. Having a sign that perhaps say ‘ask for permission before brining any outside food or drinks.’ Or ‘outside food and drinks are strictly not prohibited.’ Would be good enough compared to a no.

I strongly feel that we deserve a proper explanation or perhaps and apology for having to experience something that is rather traumatizing from a well known brand for their excellent service. Once again, truly disappointed by that man’s rude, boisterous and monosyllabic attitude and response and I sincerely hope that you can educate your staff members more and such incidents to ever happen again. I do not want to tell my friends ‘No.’ (With no explanation at all) when they ask if I would like to eat at 18 chef in the future. Thank you and I hope you can get back to me.

Sincerely,
Darren Chua

Source: Benny Se Teo

November 27, 2015
Biases And Ignorance Of West Have No Place In Singapore

I have benefited from dealing with people from the Muslim part of the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent, so I was gratified to read the commentary “Time to look beyond the Western view of the Middle East” (Nov 23).

My experiences when I talk about the Islamic world and the subcontinent confirm Ms Koh Choon Hwee’s point: The average Singaporean’s knowledge of both regions is inadequate, and his or her views reflect those of small-town American news outlets.

Why do we parrot the views on cultures we have grown up with from a group of people who are too far removed from those cultures to know better?

Our ignorance is more shocking, especially as gaining markets in those regions has become more crucial to our economic well-being.

I think back to 2006, when I worked with oil firm Saudi Aramco on an event promoting Saudi culture: One of the Saudis asked me if geography was taught in Singapore, after several members of the public had asked him which part of Dubai he was from.

This was not an isolated incident of ignorance. One only has to think of the way people think that Sikhs come from Bengal. A glance at the map would show that Bengal and Punjab are at opposite ends of a very large country.

Our small island has prospered from being open to the world. While it remains important to be tuned in to the Western world, we cannot be deaf to places that people in the West are.

Like any other part of the world, the Middle East and India present both challenges and opportunities that we cannot ignore.

To succeed in the wider business world, we should encourage people to understand cultures beyond the ones we know.

We must acknowledge that things such as the Paris bombings were caused by people claiming to be Muslims.

We must be vigilant against terrorism. We must understand there are reasons why things such as terrorism exist, however, and we cannot let the experiences and prejudices of the West influence our interactions with people from other parts of the world.

I remember Khaled Maeena, former editor of Saudi daily Arab News, telling me: “Singaporeans, you should trust your own experiences and culture, and not believe everything the West tells you.”

I could not agree more.

Source: www.todayonline.com

November 27, 2015
Fahmi Rais: I Was Adopted, My Biological Parents Are Chinese

All his life, he thought he was the only child of his loving Malay parents.

Even though everyone he met has assumed he is Chinese because he is fair-skinned, Mr Fahmi Rais never gave it much thought.

This was until about two weeks ago, when a casual question posed to his 90-year-old grandmother during a monthly visit revealed a shocking, long-kept family secret.

Mr Fahmi found out he had been adopted and that his biological parents are Chinese.

The 47-year-old media consultant said: “I told her that people have been asking me for many years if I was adopted.

“I expected her to tell me that I was being ridiculous. But when her expression changed and she was silent for a few seconds, I just knew it.”

Mr Fahmi, a Malay community leader who was a SingFirst candidate in this year’s General Election, was so overwhelmed by the sudden revelation that he started crying.

His grandmother, who was also reduced to tears, told him that his parents were a poor Chinese couple who lived in Segamat, Johor.

She had no other details of his adoption – neither names nor the amount of money exchanged, if any.

Already feeling lost, Mr Fahmi was crushed when he realised that his relatives had known about the adoption but hid it from him.

His adoptive parents died more than 20 years ago, both from heart attacks.

His maternal grandmother is his only surviving grandparent.

He said: “Maybe my parents wanted to tell me one day, but never had the chance.”

For the past two weeks, Mr Fahmi, a father of four children aged between six and 19, has been determinedly searching for his biological family.

He wrote to The New Paper, hoping that by sharing his story, he would find them.

His parents had managed to keep details of his adoption a mystery, even to his relatives.

Mr Fahmi’s most credible lead is his birth certificate, which was issued 10 years after he was born.

The names of his birth parents are not on the certificate, but there is one clue.

It lists Kandang Kerbau Hospital (now known as KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital) as his place of birth.

When he approached the hospital last week, he was told that there are no records of his birth and he was directed to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority.

They, too, told him they had no further information and asked him to approach the family court.

He is now waiting for the adoption registry, located at the MND Complex, to check if there are records of his adoption, but he has not heard from them yet.

ONLY CHILD?

Growing up as an only child, Mr Fahmi said the possibility of having siblings has been the greatest motivation for his search.

He believes his parents had many children and were forced to give a child away because of poverty.

“The thought that my sister could be sitting next to me at a foodcourt, or that my brother could be one of my friends on Facebook (without realising it), has been unbearable,” he said.

Mr Fahmi’s wife, Madam Sulaimah Abdul Kadir, 40, a consultant, was also there during Mr Fahmi’s conversation with his grandmother.

She said she is moved by his sadness since he found out the truth about his adoption.

“As a wife, I’ll support him in his search. But no matter what happens, we still love him for who he is,” she said.

Mr Fahmi insists he is not overreacting and that he just hopes to find closure.

The couple have an adopted daughter, Nur Natasya, 16, and Mr Fahmi admitted that he does blame his parents a little for withholding the truth from him.

He said: “My wife and I never hid the fact from our daughter that she was adopted. It was my policy of love, I don’t think adoption should be a secret.

“I wish my parents had the same level of transparency, but this does not reduce my love for them.

“I was a late bloomer and only passed one subject at O levels. I disappointed them many times when I was younger, but they loved me all the same.”

This adoption discovery came at the lowest point of my life. As if the seabed wasn’t ground deep enough, this experience (took) me on a slippery slope into the dark abyss. My wife and four children are the only people keeping me together. Not omitting my caring grandmother, without whom my entire life would have been a continuous lie.

– Mr Fahmi Rais in a blog entry on Tuesday

He worries how community will react to news

Mr Fahmi Rais was a community and youth activist and has held leadership positions in several Malay organisations, including Majlis Pusat and Yayasan Mendaki.

But he is concerned that people would now look at him in a different light after his Chinese ethnicity has come to light.

He said: “In one night, I changed from one race to another. I feel like I’ve lost my bearings – should I continue serving in the Malay community or should I spend my time searching for my Chinese roots?”

MP Zaqy Mohamad, who has spoken on issues about the Malay community, thinks that the community would not consider Mr Fahmi an outsider simply because of this discovery.

“After all, he was raised under the identity of a Malay and spent many years in the community,” he said.

SOCIALISATION

National University of Singapore sociologist Tan Ern Ser said ethnic identity is a “matter of socialisation”.

He explained: “It has nothing to do with skin colour or other so-called racial features.

“A person who is told that he is ‘racially’ a Chinese would probably not take on the Chinese identity and culture unless he seeks to be so for whatever reasons and/or if significant others treat him as Chinese.

“People can also have multiple identities.”

According to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, a Singaporean is allowed to change his race twice – once before the age of 21 and once at or after the age of 21.

Those aged 21 years and above will be required to execute a statutory declaration stating the reason for changing their race and affirming that they will not change their race again.

Source: www.tnp.sg

November 27, 2015