Tag: Singaporeans

Reshuffling in the Civil Service

SINGAPORE – The Public Service Division has announced several changes in permanent secretary appointments, which will take effect from Dec 1.

Mr Leo Yip, chairman of the Economic Development Board (EDB), will be Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs.

He will take over from Mr Tan Tee How, who will be appointed Commissioner of Inland Revenue and chief executive officer of the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore.

Mr Tan replaces Dr Tan Kim Siew, who will be stepping down on the completion of his term of appointment.

Permanent Secretary for Law Dr Beh Swan Gin will take over as chairman of the EDB when Mr Yip assumes his new role.

Mr Ng How Yue will give up his position as Second Permanent Secretary for Trade and Industry to be the new Permanent Secretary for Law.

Filling Mr Ng’s shoes is Mr Chee Hong Tat, currently the chief executive of statutory board Energy Market Authority.

Source: http://news.asiaone.com

November 4, 2014
New Global Navigation Satellite System in Place of ERP

A new road pricing system that relies on Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technology can help traffic management in many ways, said Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew on Monday (Nov 3), who told Parliament that it would not financially prudent to continue with the current Electronic Road Pricing gantry system in the long term.

GNSS technology allows for distance-based pricing along congested roads, thus making it more equitable for motorists, Mr Lui said. Under such a system, every vehicle becomes a sensor, which will allow the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to develop a more accurate picture of the traffic situation and intervene if necessary.

The LTA can then broadcast this data to motorists to help them plan their journeys and avoid congested roads, he said. This data will also be aggregated and anonymised – which means it will not infringe on the privacy of motorists. LTA is planning to implement the system by around 2020, he noted.

Mr Lui was speaking in response to questions posed by MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC Zainal Sapari about the new road pricing system.

Last month, the LTA called a tender to develop this system; the tender is still ongoing, Mr Lui said. What is clear is that maintaining the current gantry system – in place since 1998 – will not be financially prudent, he added.

“The annual operating cost has risen by 80 per cent over the last decade, and a large part of the system is coming to the end of its cycle, and it will have to be replaced, even if we do not move to a GNSS-based system,” said Mr Lui, adding that physical gantries also take up land that could otherwise be freed up for more roadside greenery.

But Mr Lui cautioned that while a GNSS-based road pricing system may improve traffic management, it alone cannot ensure that Singapore’s roads continue to be relatively smooth-flowing.

The minister said this would require a holistic approach involving vehicle growth, population controls, as well as enhancing and promoting public transport

Source: http://news.asiaone.com

November 4, 2014
Singapore To Contribute Personnel and Equipment to Multinational Coalition Against IS

SINGAPORE – Singapore will play its part in the multinational coalition battling the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) by contributing personnel and equipment, said Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen in Parliament on Monday.

This is part and parcel of Singapore’s ongoing efforts to combat terrorism, Dr Ng said, as he outlined how Singapore fought against the terrorist threat from Al-Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiyah.

It did so by strengthening its social, psychological and physical defenses at home, and joining other countries to deal with the sources of radicalisation and terror in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“As a result, both Al-Qaeda and Jemaah Islamiyah are weaker today. However, this terorrism threat is a long-term one, and new groups like ISIS will emerge even as existing ones falter. When they do, we must not lose focus or heart in dealing with the threat from ISIS. We must continue with the approach that has served Singapore well and protected us thus far,” he said.

Source: www.straitstimes.com

November 3, 2014
Hello Kitty Run: Organisers Pathetic. Hello Kitty Fans Need Training on Good Behaviour Organisers

Hello Kitty celebrated her 40th birthday with much fanfare today (Nov 1), as 17,000 participants showed up for the first Hello Kitty Run held at Sentosa.

The event got off on a cheery note, with the famous Sanrio character serenaded with a birthday song by the race participants, and presented with flowers and a cupcake by childhood friend Dear Daniel. The pair then flagged off the race at 8am.

However heavy rain marred part of the run, and some participants said there was a mess at the medal collection area. A Facebook page created for the event was flooded with complaints. Some took issue with the lack of a wet weather plan, noting that many families with young children were soaked, while organisers themselves were equipped with ponchos.

Others pointed to “chaos” and “confusion” in the medal collection area. One participant told Channel NewsAsia that the original designated medal collection point was “massively” jammed. The organisers then announced a new medal collection in a more spacious area, and said they would only give out medals to participants who queued up and showed them their race bibs. Some said the announcement that there may not be medals for all caused a rush on the medals.

A few people alleged that the shortage of medals was due to runners who may have taken more than one. A check on online trading site Carousell found people selling their medals, with at least one seller who boasted: “I queued up 10 times and got my whole family to snatch it from the box. In fact, I got the whole box. I’m going to sell it one by one!”

Organisers posted a note on Facebook, apologising for the weather and the hold-up. They said those who were unable to collect finishing medals can collect them another day at venues to be announced. They advised participants to keep their race bibs for verification, and check the Hello Kitty Run Singapore Facebook page for updates.

Source: CHANNEL NEWSASIA

November 2, 2014
True Encounter from Muslimah: Islamophobia is Real in SG

Islamophobia is REAL.

Please read this with much discretion, thought and understanding before any conclusions.

Today I met up with my classmate sister in the train on my way to school.

The train was fairly empty and the reserved seat next to her was too.

I don’t quite have a habit of sitting there, unless the train is empty enough.

So I sat there – and it turned out to be the biggest mistake ever.

After some time my sister pointed out to me that there was quite an elderly man standing around the corner.

I hadn’t noticed him earlier so I immediately stood up and tried to gesture to get his attention so he can have the seat.

Strangely he seemed oblivious to my gestures and when there was a seat available across us he moved over to sit there while glancing at us.

I immediately apologized saying I didn’t see him and while sitting down he passed some remarks. Which included things like, “You’re wearing that scarf on your head but it’s all rusty. Permanent brain damage.”

I brushed it off because I have no interest in dealing with such things in honor of this beautiful month, and most importantly, in honor of my religion.

My younger sister was trying to digest her astonishment and it seemed like she was trying to stare at him – which he then picked up and questioned, “Why are you are staring?”

I was standing so I faced the other way but I overheard his remarks with the other commuters – “They saw me coming in and yet they took my privilege.”

It was unsettling for me mainly because I would not have sat there if I had seen him – so when I saw him about to alight – I followed suit to apologize again.

At the MRT station I caught up with him and said, “I’m sorry, Uncle but I swear I didn’t see you earlier.”

After which he shouted and said “I have no interest in talking to Muslims! Please don’t talk to me. It’s Ramadan and you pray five times a day you idiot!”

Everyone turned to look at us and my sister has already broken down in tears from the time before we alighted.

She found it difficult to comprehend the entire situation, and I can completely understand why.

Although what he’s said may appear offensive – I was utterly relieved to know that he wasn’t mad at me for not being considerate enough to notice his presence… But the problem was bigger than this – that he was mad at my religion.

I felt horrible knowing I had caused an elderly man to be unhappy because I had taken up his seat….

But later I found out he was just an unhappy person.

Dearest Uncle,
I’m sorry I didn’t find it in me to not take up that seat.
But I’m not sorry for being a Muslim.
Islam teaches me to love you, and to care for you when I can.
I err and forget because I am human.
Islam is beyond just fasting in this month and praying five times a day…
Islam is what made me alight to speak to you, to apologize, so you don’t get angry at me when you don’t have to.
Islam is what made me stand up to give you the seat in the first place – whether or not its reserved seating.
Islam is the smile, the peace I still feel right now after meeting you, the concern I still have for you and that which I convey through my prayers.

Dearest Uncle, may God protect you, and grant you good health. May He place you around those whom you love, so you may find it in you to love even those whom you do not too. May He forgive me and us for my and our actions, and may He forgive you too.

I hope, if you happen to read this anyhow, somehow…
That although I am Muslim, Islam is not me because Islam is perfect…
So it doesn’t matter at all if you are angry with me… But please don’t be angry because there is no reason to be so, there is absolutely no reason to be angry with Islam.

Dearest Uncle, may God bless you always.

Although my sister is slightly affected by this entire experience, I am thankful for it has opened our eyes to observe our conduct more dutifully, to be more considerate and giving, and to always remember RasulAllah salAllahu ‘alayhi wasallam – what he had to go through for us and how we should emulate him.

Dear God, Thank You.

Islamophobia is real. And it does exist.

Thank You God, for this experience – even if I haven’t traveled to places where I have read and heard it is more prevalent.

This might just be inspiration for something good on the future, and may nothing but goodness be a result of this.

Authored by Nazeera Mohamed

EDITOR’S NOTE

To sis Nazeera Mohamed, you have remained calm despite being criticized and mock at publicly. For that, we are so proud of your composure and patience.

It must have been hurtful, but you are truly an example. No one should be treated in that manner especially when we meant well. But human beings are unpredictable.

The grumpy old man is probably bitter because life must have been difficult for him. Just let him be. Don’t let him take away your power, your faith and your good spirits sis!

This incident just further reinforces our faith. As usual, minorities just have to dust ourselves off and move on.

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July 3, 2014