Monday, February 15, 2010
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Title: S'pore rolls the dice
Source: the Straits Times
Name of the writer: AFP
Student’s name: William
The Straits Times. 15 Feb.,2010. S'pore rolls the dice. Retrieved 15, Feb., 2010, from http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_490510.html
SUMMARY
Eventually, the Singapore's first casino is opened. Opened officially at 12.18pm on the very first Tiger Year after the opening ceremony speech given by Genting Group chairman Lim Kok Thay, the first casino complex World Sentosa complex welcomed her first 200 vistitors. The second casino complex is expected to be completed in April. The resorts, each worthes around US$4.4 billion (S$6.2 billion), are expected to attract 17 million visitors a year generating more than $21 billion by 2015, thus help boost the services industry.
REFLECTION
The casino project has been a hot topic since from its first announcement, however, now there we go and the first casino complex is opened. Right here, right now, what we concern about is no longer whether we need a casino but what we should do to maintain the social harmony and our orderly society environment and welcome the expected increasing tourism. I hope that govenment can help carry out related campaigns to enhance social awareness towards gambling.
Anyhow, now is the year of Tiger, and I do hope that everyone will take a great leap in their family, business and life.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Postmen to rest Saturdays by Ivy
Title: Postmen to rest Saturdays
Source: the Straits Times
Name of the writer: Tan Weizhen
Student’s name: Ivy
Summary:
With the popularization of the new communication tools such as e-mail, SMSes, the amount of snail mail has declined to a large extent. Statistics show that there are more than 181 million items delivered in the year 2002-2003 while only 139 million in 2008-2009. What is more, the volume of mail on Saturday is 40 per cent less than on a usual weekday. Therefore, the Singpost has decided that the postmen can have a rest on Saturdays from May 15. To make up for the break time, Singpost will prolong the collecting timings of item on Friday. Also, the chief executive of SingPost Ng Hin Lee promised that there would be no drop of items delivered due to the break of the postmen. At the mean time, more than 70 countries has adopted a 5-day week for their mail delivery service.
My perspective:
From my point of view, the rest given to the postmen is quite reasonable. In the first place, the break on Saturdays will not influence the amount of items delivered as the chief promised. Secondly, the volume of mail on Saturday is only 60 per cent of the weekday. Since less people tend to deliver mail on Saturday, why not give the postmen a short break? Last but not least, Singapore has adopted a five-day week for most of the jobs for a long time, as is known to everyone. Then the mail delivery service should not be an exception; the work of a postman is very tiring, they need a break to deal with their own matters and dust them off. Some people may hold the view that what if I have an urgent mail to deliver on Saturday? I think the snail mail itself is rather slow, if the mail is really urgent, a express delivery can be taken.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Officials Need More Responsibility to Hold People's Trust-----Local News Reflection by Tonia Liu
Stephanie Chee Jok Heng, 51, formerly management consultant to Parkway Healthcare Foundation (PHF), Toa Payoh Centre and Geylang Centre, was found guilty of cheating PHF, Toa Payoh Centre and Toa Payoh Centre Ltd of various sums of money between March 2003 and April 2004.
In a separate case, Chee, who has a doctorate and is a qualified nurse, is suing Dr William Tan, 52, a well-known neuroscientist and Paralympian, for the repayment of $400,000 in alleged loans.
In the criminal matter, the prosecution led evidence through several witnesses to show that Chee dishonestly submitted claims for reimbursement from the charities to pay her daughters' piano teacher and the Chinese tutor of one of her daughters.
She was also convicted of making a double claim of payment for treatment rendered to her younger brother, Mr Chee Kin Mun, under the auspices of the PHF's emergency medical fund, for which she had been reimbursed.
District Judge Jasvender Kaur adjourned mitigation and sentencing to March 15. Chee faces a jail term of up to seven years and/or a fine on each charge.
Reflection:
After reading this local news, I am shocked by the irresponsible behavior of this woman Chee Jok Heng. She was in charge of the charity in PHF, Toa Payoh Centre and Geylang Centre, which suppose to make good and useful contribution to the society. However, surprisingly, she used her position to cheat the fund in the charity, which is a definitely unbearable behavior. I believe in most of our people’s mind, ‘charity’ should be a beautiful word that can bring hope to the people who is in desperation. The person who is in charge of the charity should also be responsible and sympathetic. Obviously, she violates the objective of her job and really hurt people’s faith. She abandoned the benefit of the whole society and only care about her own family. I really hope that she feels shamed about her behavior. This is also a warning to all the officials in every field to behave well and never cheating people’s trust again.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Don't take our role in national security for granted by William
Source of news: the Straits Times Forum
(url:http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/OnlineStory/STIStory_483955.html)
Name of article writer: Yeo Jin Pheng
Date of the article: Jan 30, 2010
Student: Su Weicong / William
Jan 30, 2010
Don't take our role in national security for granted
I WAS shopping at Ikea in Alexandra on Thursday night when I noticed an overstuffed laptop-size bag on the first floor. I asked shoppers nearby if the bag belonged to anyone, but received only negative responses and bewildered looks.
Being security-conscious, I took this as a potential bomb threat and hastily alerted an Ikea employee who was manning that section of the store, informing her that there was an unattended bulky bag lying nearby, and led her to it.
I expected her to contact a member of the security staff who should be well drilled to handle such situations. To my surprise, she simply walked to the bag, picked it up nonchalantly, and headed towards the 'lost and found' section.
I do not know if her behaviour or the lack of action from other shoppers nearby is indicative of the attitude of most Singaporeans towards potential hazards and bomb threats. If so, it is worrying that Singaporeans take national security for granted.
I do not believe we need a wake-up call in terms of a terrorism-related disaster in a neighbouring country or even our own before we change our attitude towards national security.
Yeo Jin Pheng
I refer to Yeo Jin Pheng’s letter on 30 Jan (‘Don't take our role in national security for granted’).
As is known to all, Singapore is one of the most densely populated countries with little land but large population. Everyone is quite familiar with each corner of Singapore and every event, no matter how big or small, do concern our daily life. It is quite common to see that someone living in Joo Koon rush to the MRT station excitedly once he/she hears news that Andy Lau is having dinner at EXPO. However, since Singapore is that special, security, especially national security, is rather significant. It is not hard to imagine that if there is a bomb attack in Queenstown, people in Pasir Ris may consider not going out for dinner but ordering a pizza instead.
It is sad to see that many Singaporeans regard potential security risk as nothing, as mentioned in Jin Pheng’s letter because once there is something happen, the impact is enormous. On the one hand, Singapore plays a role on the world stage as one of the bridges linking the eastern and western world. On the other hand, people around the world choose to invest in Singapore for her world-famous environment and safety. Therefore, under no circumstances should Singaporeans take national security for granted.
Housing prices: Worry over impact on retirement savings by Tonia Liu
Title: Housing prices: Worry over impact on retirement savings
Source of news: the Straits Times Forum
Name of article writer: Kang Choon Tian
Date of the article: Jan 30, 2010
Summary:
In this letter, the author worries that when people get old, they cannot afford to pay off the house loan and interest with little retirement savings in 20 years to 30 years. He calculates how much money have to pay for the house and sums up people may meet some change in their live in 20 to 30 years for the loan in order to show that the little retirment savings bring problems.
I think the problem the author gives us is quite worth to concern about. Although the policy buying house with loan lasted for 20 to 30 years seems can help people to afford the house price, the government ignores the fact that the poor savings of retirees. I agree with the author’s opinion that the Singapore government should care more about the retirees and give them more money to maintain their life. The ignorance of the old people’s life may cause the people lose faith to the government. The old people have made great contributions to the whole society and they should be respected and concerned more by the society although they cannot be as competitive as the young people. The new policy should be carried out to give hope to those retirees who are struggling for their live with little money.
WITH prices of new three- and four-room flats reaching between $250,000 and $330,000 in some areas, I wonder how much a buyer will have in his CPF retirement account after paying for the flat in 20 to 30 years.
I took a loan of $80,000 some 20 years back and the interest came up to $70,000 when I had finished paying for my flat.
The Government should look into this or Singapore may end up with many retirees with little in their CPF account, assuming an average household income of $3,000 to $4,000. Since HDB flat buyers may use 30 per cent of household income, they may be able to service their loans, but little is left for retirement. Besides, along the way, husband or wife may lose their jobs.
Buyers are allowed to take up to a 30-year loan. By then, their earning power may also diminish when they reach 60, assuming they bought their flat in the early 30s.
Since there are many in this income bracket, I hope some financial experts will be able give their take on this important issue or Singapore may end up with many retirees with little to live on. Many buyers are not aware of the final price of their flat, including the interest over 30 years.
Kang Choon Tian
Friday, January 29, 2010
Misconceptions about motherhood by Ivy
Title: Misconceptions about motherhood
Source of news: the Straits Times Forum
Name of article writer: Julianna Neo
Date of the article:January29, 2010
Summary:
This article mainly talks about the subject of having more children in Singapore. The writer is a mother who has contributed to the population and is proud and enjoyed to do so. She thinks that motherhood is a precious human sentiment which is a strong desire to have some little ones to love and take care of. On the other hand, some parents hold the view that nurturing a child takes too much money and time; they will not have children until they are able to provide them with a fine financial condition. Julianna argues that children don’t need a lot, what really counts is the love and companion you give to your children but not money, expensive toys, etc.
My perception:
I am quite with the writer to some extent, the main factor that determines the children’s personalities is not the financial condition of the family, but the love and education the parents provided. Moreover, the children’s future depends on their own talent and hard work, what the parents provide materially doesn’t influence a lot. However, some basic equipment are necessary, if the parents don’t even have a shelter or can’t live a relative comfortable life themselves, they’d better not have a child.
The article:
Misconceptions about motherhood
THE subject of having more children in Singapore has come up again. I was a mother who contributed to the numbers last year and am proud and overjoyed to have done so. The government incentives are a welcome bonus for me, but they did not influence my decision to have children.
Quite simply, the decision or desire to have children comes from an inner feeling of having someone to love and care for, and subsequently gives a sense of fulfilment and joy.
This is why motherhood is such a precious role. Motherhood challenges in ways one never dreamed of, many of which are frustrating and demanding. Still, mothers carry on day after day, with deep love and affection for our little ones, and wanting only the best for them.
However, what is 'best' has changed over the years. These days, a typical child's necessities are a host of enrichment classes, from as young as when he starts to crawl.
I once spoke to a waitress about her decision to have children. She said she wanted to have them, but would have to get a better job to pay for their enrichment classes. After all, her neighbour's child was signed up for a string of them, and this would be the norm for any child. She concluded that children cost money, and as long as she did not have enough, she would remain childless.
It is sad when we allow these misconceptions to shape life's decisions. As a mother, I have come to realise that children do not need a lot. They do not need the latest fashion, they have yet to develop expensive taste in food, and they play with simple objects and use their imagination. Sometimes, we adults impose on our children what we think they need.
My daughter loves her toys and dressing up, but at the end of the day, she simply wants me. And as a stay-home mother, I am happy to spend these few precious years with her.
What children really need is love and attention. They want your eyes on them when they try a new dance step, your response when they ask a question, and for you to play with them. When we are busy making money to fulfil all we think they need, we miss the important truth of simply being there.
I remember reading about Mrs Lee Kuan Yew making an effort to be with her children during lunch and skipping evening functions so she could spend time at home. Obviously, her choice to do so has greatly impacted not only the lives of her children, but also that of the nation.
If government incentives do not spur people to have more children, we need to take a step back and ask ourselves why. Perhaps we need to change our mindsets and stop thinking children need to grow up as superhumans who excel at everything. Life and motherhood could be so much more enjoyable if we just slow down to look into the eyes of our little ones, engage in their innocent conversations and see the world from their view.
Julianna Neo (Madam)