15% Pay Increase for SBS Bus Drivers

SBS Transit has increased the basic pay of its bus captains by 15 per cent to $1,375 a month to try and attract more Singaporeans to the job.

Together with other allowances, they can earn more than $1,900 every month in their first year of employment.

Currently, SBS has 5,500 bus captains, 38 per cent of whom are Singaporeans.

The lack of interest from Singaporeans towards this job has been a problem in the last few years with the bus operators needing to ramp up recruitment to meet new frequency guidelines by Authorities.

Resorts World Sentosa waived entry fees

From: Tanki <5191 ...="" gmail.com="">
Subject: Resorts World Sentosa waived entry fees

RWS waives entry fee
Waiver applies to those who drive, take a bus or taxi into the resort

IN A bid to keep the traffic flowing into Sentosa, Resorts World
Sentosa (RWS) will absorb admission charges for those heading straight
to the integrated resort.

The entrance fee waiver, which starts tomorrow, applies to those who
drive, take a taxi or ride public buses into the resort.

They will have direct access to RWS' basement carpark without having
to pass through the Sentosa toll booths farther inland.

They will, however, still have to pay carpark charges, taxi fares and
the public bus fare.

Taxi passengers will also not be exempt from the $3 RWS surcharge that
cab companies, except ComfortDelGro - which operates Comfort and
CityCab taxis - recently announced.

And for visitors taking the bus, fares will be between $1.50 and $3.50
depending on where they start their journey and which bus service they
take.

Singaporeans will always come first: Law Minister

From: "Alexx"
Subject: Re: Singaporeans will always come first:

"Superbee" wrote in message

> Singaporeans will always come first:

> Haha ... for many years I did not hear this. What I hear is FTs are
> important, make them feel at home, welcome them, integrate them into
> the local community.

> Then suddenly, Singaporeans become important ... haha .... the
> elections must be around the corner.

Just before election, "Singaporeans are more important than foreigners".
But after election, "Singaporean can get fuck-off"
So, junky Singaporeans, please vote for the PAP again after being offered
another timely tiny "ang pow" (vote buying using tax-payers' money) goodies
from the government.
-------------------------------
SINGAPORE: While Singapore’s economic recovery is picking up speed, many Singaporeans remain concerned about issues like jobs and competition from foreigners.

These bread—and—butter issues dominated a two—hour dialogue session in Yew Tee with Law and Second Home Affairs Minister, K Shanmugam, on Sunday.

One after another, residents rose to query the minister on what some perceived to be difficult competition from foreigners.

But the minister explained that Singaporeans will always come first.

Mr Shanmugam said: "We have to start off with the perspective that we have to help Singaporeans first. Singaporeans must have jobs and be able to afford the basic things.

"You’ve heard the Prime Minister and various members of the Cabinet say that yes, there has been a tightening up in terms of who will be allowed to come into Singapore.

"Foreign workers will come in as needed by the economy and when not needed by the economy, they will go back."

Mr Shanmugam pointed out that at the lower levels, foreigners are taking up the jobs that Singaporeans shun.

Meanwhile at the upper levels, those foreigners coming in ended up improving job prospects for Singaporeans.

Another issue that came up during the dialogue session was the question of enough housing for young couples, especially with the recent Build—To—Order Project in Chua Chu Kang area being over—subscribed.

But Mr Shanmugam didn’t think that HDB was building behind the curve.

He said the housing board had to be careful not to flood the market, even as it promises to build up to 12,000 BTO flats this year.

With the integrated resort in Sentosa opening soon, residents wondered if they could have a date with Lady Luck — for free.

"(How about) giving some free entry to these casinos (at Resorts World Sentosa and Marina Bay Sands), especially on National Day? I think most will like it, right?" asked a resident.

But he didn’t strike the jackpot with the answer he got.

Mr Shanmugam said: "I hope Singaporeans don’t get overly excited about the casinos. I don’t think the government can pay for it and say ’free entry’.

"We have put in various safeguards. So, let’s see how those safeguards work."

As a social safeguard, Singaporeans and PRs have to pay $100 daily to enter the casinos.

Before the dialogue, Mr Shanmugam also toured the Yew Tee constituency and mingled with the residents.

CITY Harvest Church announced $310 million to buy land

Edward The Elephant Trunk wrote:
CITY Harvest Church (Sg) has announced a $310 million expansion plan
to buy land, and to erect a building that will house shops,
restaurants and a 12,000-seat auditorium.

Founder Kong Hee, 45, said during church services yesterday and last
Saturday that the land sale would be completed later this month. He
did not specify the location, but said the site would be in the
'central south' district.

He described the site as 'super large'. It is believed the site covers
an area as large as three football fields - six times the size of the
Protestant church's current home in Jurong West Street 91, which it
owns.


TienSin wrote:

The Second Commandment:
You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.

I will add, worst are those who uses God's good name to enrich
thyself ... its worst than blasphemy

Don't blame FT for taking your jobs: Law Minister

From: Tanki <5191 ...="" gmail.com="">
Subject: Don't blame FT for taking your jobs: Law Minister

nasi
subject: Law Minister :dont blame FW for getting your low paying
jobs
---------------------------------------------------------------------------­-----

in today ST, home section, Law Minister says dont blame FW for getting
your low paying jobs which Singaporeans shun.. quote text below:

"People come to me and they ask for jobs. I can get them jobs as
cleaners, I can get them jobs in canteens......

If the foreign worker gets $800, we'll try to get the Singaporean
$1300, But you have to work on weekends. The Singaporeans says
no...."

Law Minister: Romanian diplomat is innocent until proven guilty

From: Tanki <5191 ...="" gmail.com="">
Subject: Law Minister: Romanian diplomat is innocent until proven guilty

Romanian diplomat case: Don't jump to conclusions
Too early to pin guilt in hit-and-run case
By Kenny Chee

IT IS not right or appropriate for the Singapore Government to
determine guilt in the ongoing investigations related to a hit-and-run
accident involving a Romanian embassy car, said Law Minister K.
Shanmugam yesterday.

But it is right for the Government to investigate the facts, put them
forward and take the appropriate steps, he told reporters after a
dialogue with Yew Tee residents.

"There is no question of us not going through the facts carefully or
trying to shield anyone, or not following due processes," he said,
stressing the need for fairness.

Mr Shanmugam was replying to a question a resident had posed on the
Government's apparent silence on the accident.

Earlier this month, Foreign Affairs Minister George Yeo said that due
process must be allowed to take its course for the case.

The accident occurred last month in Bukit Panjang. It left one man
dead and two men injured. Mr Shanmugam said that the police would
"investigate without fear or favour" and that, in the next step, the
Attorney-General would "proceed only if he believes that a case can be
made in court with witnesses beyond reasonable doubt".

HDB resales flat costs $720K to buy

From: Siansiansian

Subject: HDB resales flat costs $720K to buy - blame it on the Govt

Woould you believe it?
a HDB resales flat costs $720K to buy.
Blame it on Govt's fault to build lesser new HDB flats for the last
few years while they brought in almost 2 millions of PR into
Singapore.

It is either they purposely plan it that way for election year,
or they have been paid millions dollars to make this kind of
calculation miskake, an honest mistake again.

If you need to move house closer to your work place, you simply just
can't afford to do it.

FUuuuuuuuuuk!!

SINGAPORE : Housing analysts said it is a sellers' market right now, with resale flats being a hot commodity lately.

But the Housing and Development Board (HDB) has urged buyers to exercise caution when paying high cash premiums, and to do their homework to determine if a house is truly worth its asking price.

A 4-room flat in Bishan was recently put up for sale. It was valued at S$460,000 by an independent valuer appointed by HDB, and the owners are asking for an additional S$100,000 cash-over-valuation (COV).

The owners, who declined to be named, are a young couple in their 30s who run an F&B business. They claimed to have received three offers so far, but all were rejected.

"The COV is too low. There are those who are asking for S$50,000 to S$60,000. There was one offer which was close, about S$95,000. We are not in urgent need to sell. In a way, it's to test the market. If we sell, we sell. If we don't sell, we will just continue to stay," said the owner of the 4-room flat in Bishan.

Analysts said with a continued strong demand for resale flats, owners are taking advantage of the situation to increasingly ask for higher prices.

Based on the latest HDB figures, 78 per cent of home sales transacted in the third quarter of last year were above valuation. That is a 22 percentage-point jump from the second quarter of last year's figure of 57 per cent.

The median COV is also on the rise - jumping from S$3,000 in the second quarter to S$12,000 in Q3.

With HDB resale flat prices hitting an all-time high, housing agents said most flats now command at least S$20,000 to S$30,000 cash-over-valuation.

Units situated at good locations, close proximity to an MRT station and good renovation can see COV go up to S$50,000 to S$70,000. But there is a limit to how much buyers are willing to pay.

"If it's not to my liking, then I'd have to do up, (renovate) it again. So how much (am I willing to pay)? About S$50 to S$60,000," said one member of the public.

"It's too high for me. Because of my income, I don't think I can afford it," said another.

HDB said only four out of the 13,000 4-room flats sold last year had premiums higher than S$70,000.

Analysts cautioned against jumping into deals that require high cash premiums.

"COV is a premium. Five years down the line, the renovation will deteriorate. And there's no guarantee that you can sell at S$100,000 above the then value. Therefore, buyers should exercise discretion as far as how high you want to pay," said Mohamed Ismail, CEO of PropNex.

HDB said it does not control resale flat prices as they are the result of negotiations between willing buyers and sellers. It added that intervening in COV means forcing people to buy and sell at fixed prices.

HDB also urge buyers to have the relevant information before negotiating with sellers, and to offer a price within their means. - CNA /ls

US warned of Terror Attack in Sabah

From: Tanki <5191 ...="" gmail.com="">
Subject: US warned tourists of Terror Attack in Sabah & Sarawak

By Barney Henderson in Kuala Lumpur

US embassy officials in Malaysia say terrorist groups are planning to
increase attacks in the state of Sabah.

The state famed for its dramatic mountain range, including the highest
mountain in south east Asia, Mount Kinabalu, and world class diving –
is popular among British tourists.

The US government believes that there is “present concern” that the
Abu Sayyaf group of Islamic militants, with links to al Qaeda, is
planning to attack foreign tourists in Sabah and issued a travel
notice on Friday.

“There are indications that both criminal and terrorist groups are
planning or intend acts of violence against foreigners in eastern
Sabah,” the 'warden notice’ states.

“The Abu Sayyaf Group has kidnapped foreigners in eastern Sabah in the
past.”

The Foreign Office advises caution to British travellers to Sabah,
stating that boats travelling to and from islands and dive sites are
potential targets and that attacks can be indiscriminate.

“There is a general threat from terrorism in the area,” a Foreign
Office spokesperson said. “We advice all people travelling to Borneo
to regularly check the FCO website, which is constantly updated.”

Between January and October 2009, 27,550 British and Irish tourists
visited Sabah. The region boasts a diverse mixture of rich
rainforests, picturesque mountains, miles of sandy beaches and clear
seas that are full of exotic sea life and perfect for diving.

The Sabah Tourism Board immediately refuted the US travel notice by
stating that Malaysian police and armed forces have put “extensive
measures” in place to combat terrorist attacks on tourists.

“There are no problems at all with terrorists in Sabah and Malaysia as
a whole, it is safe” Senator Datuk T Murugiah, deputy minister in the
prime minister’s department told The Daily Telegraph. “We have secured
our borders and police and armed forces are there to protect
tourists.”

Abu Sayyaf — which means “bearer of the sword” in Arabic – has links
to both al-Qaeda and fellow regional Islamic separatist groups, Jemaah
Islamiyah and Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

It is based in the restive southern Philippines, but the group has
been active in Malaysia.

Despite currently numbering fewer than 500 men, Abu Sayyaf has a
history of attacks on foreigners for ransom money.

In May 2001 the group kidnapped 20 people, including three Americans,
at a resort in the Philippines. One of the Americans was beheaded,
while a second was shot dead during a rescue attempt over a year
later.

In 2000 the group kidnapped an American on the Philippine island of
Jolo and demanded that the United States release Sheikh Omar Abdel
Rahman and Ramzi Yousef, who were jailed for their involvement in the
1993 World Trade Center bombing.

“We want to fight the American people,” an Abu Sayyaf spokesman said
at the time.

Singaporean Heros

From: "truth"

truth comment: to go to jail fighting for a cause and against
an evil leegime is to me the ultimate sacrifice a singaporean
can make. so we much honour these people for their courages
and sacrifices in fighting for the rights, freedom and dignity
of singaporeans.

Mr Gandhi Ambalam and Dr Chee Soon Juan informed the courts yesterday
that they would like to serve their jail term for their conviction for
distributing flyers critical of the PAP Government.

They were convicted in December last year by District Judge Chng Lye
Beng and were fined the maximum of $1,000 for the offence. Ms Chee Siok was
also convicted of the same offence. She served her sentence two weeks ago.

All three have appealed the conviction which will be heard in the High
Court in the coming weeks. the Defendants argued that the charge stating
that it is an offence to oppose the actions of the Government is ultra vires
of the Constitution.

The right to criticise one's government is the right of every citizen
and to criminalise such activity is the height of abuse of power by the
Executive.

The fact that the Defendants had no permit is moot because the police
have indicated repeatedly that they will not issue permits for outdoor
political activity.

Besides, groups of 5 or more persons distributing flyers is a common
sight in Singapore. Singling out SDP leaders for their activity that is
critical of the PAP Government is unlawful discrimination that is disallowed
under the Constitution.

The Defendants are determined to bring these issues before the High
Court and for the Judiciary to rule on them.

They also presented case studies that clearly demonstrate that laws
and administrative acts that are clearly ultra vires needed to be addressed
by judges at every level. There is strong legal precedence to show that
citizens cannot be convicted of laws that contradict the Constitution.

District Judges repeatedly cite the fact that they cannot rule of such
matters at their level and that such arguments on constitutionality need to
be dealt at hearings called Judicial Reviews.

As indicated, however, the rulings in common law show clearly that
this should not be the case as citizens have the right to contest such laws
and acts at all criminal hearings.

Mr Ambalam and Dr Chee will serve their one-week sentence starting
today but are determined to continue with the struggle for the political
rights and freedom of Singaporeans.

Scandalous nurses and clinic in Taiwan

From: Tanki <5191 ...="" gmail.com="">

Subject: Scandalous nurses and clinic in Taiwan

Nurses as nude model....

http://taiwanscandals.blogspot.com/