The politics thread :)

[Guanyi]

Re: Singapore plans rare protest as population debate rages

A very old town. You can call it a Hakak town as most of the people are Hakak. Besides the Senai airport and Palm Resort Country Club, there is nothing else interesting. Kulai is 10 minutes away from Senai. I think it has more to offer.

It is good that they stay close to where they work instead of venturing outside. I haven't been to Senai before, is it something like Bukit Indah? Any interesting shopping mall there?

 

[FHBH12]

Re: Singapore plans rare protest as population debate rages

Najib in town for retreat with PM Lee

Leaders, delegations will tour projects in S'pore and Johor
By Lee U-wen

Published February 19, 2013

MALAYSIAN Prime Minister Najib Razak arrived here yesterday for a two-day retreat with his Singapore counterpart Lee Hsien Loong.

This is the fourth such retreat between the pair since the inaugural one in 2007; their last meeting took place 13 months ago in Putrajaya.

This retreat is the highest-level bilateral forum for discussions on a range of bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest to Singapore and Malaysia.

Mr Lee and his wife Ho Ching hosted Mr Najib and his wife Rosmah Mansor to a private dinner last night, said Singapore's Foreign Affairs Ministry yesterday.

The retreat proper will begin today. After their usual closed-door meetings this morning, Mr Lee and Mr Najib will lead their respective delegations on visits to the sites of a number of joint ventures between Singapore's Temasek Holdings and Malaysia's sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional.

The leaders will unveil the Marina One project in Marina Bay and receive an update on the Duo project in Ophir-Rochor.

Both are mega mixed-use developments expected to add a total of just over 500,000 sq m of gross floor area space when completed in 2017.

Marina One has a development value of $7 billion; Duo, comprising two towers of residential, retail, hotel and Grade A office space, has been valued at $4 billion.

Mr Lee and Mr Najib will then make a short trip to Iskandar Malaysia in Johor, where they will unveil the Resort Wellness and Urban Wellness projects in Medini, and attend the ground-breaking for the 2 ha Urban Wellness project.

The Singapore and Iskandar joint projects came about as a result of a major land-swop deal the leaders sealed in 2010. The agreement resolved a decades-long dispute over railway land between the two countries.

Malaysia's High Commissioner to Singapore Hussin Nayan hinted that Mr Najib could announce new joint projects over the course of the retreat.

He was reported as having told Bernama on Sunday: "There could also be announcements of new projects which itself indicates further progress in our bilateral relations. Let's wait for the prime minister to announce (them).

"The current bilateral relations have improved tremendously. In conjunction with (Mr Najib's) visit here, we can expect greater collaborative effort in commercial interests, facilitated by the government."

Mr Najib's high-level delegation comprises Johor Chief Minister Abdul Ghani Othman and several Cabinet ministers. The Singapore delegation includes Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean and Cabinet ministers.

http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/premium/singapore/najib-town-retreat-pm-lee-20130219

 

[ginfreely]

Re: Singapore plans rare protest as population debate rages

I also upgraded my medical shield to private one but I think there is an age limit . The insurance only cover to certain age , right ? Too old , no more insurance?:*:

No age limit leh, I just checked my policy document, it states the maximum coverage age = lifetime. So no worries, the only catch is premium will be very expensive when too old.

 

[ginfreely]

Re: Singapore plans rare protest as population debate rages

A very old town. You can call it a Hakak town as most of the people are Hakak. Besides the Senai airport and Palm Resort Country Club, there is nothing else interesting. Kulai is 10 minutes away from Senai. I think it has more to offer.

Thanks for info. I have been to Kulai to see houses two years ago, didn't know Senai is just ten minutes away haha.

 

[ginfreely]

Re: Singapore plans rare protest as population debate rages

Exactly, all the problems lied in the present system. Income gaps become wider and wider, it is time to implement the minimum wages.

Wow heard from a local school cleaner today that her pay has a big percentage jump from $700 to more than $1000, apparently due to some new requirement of minimum pay for cleaners when contractors bid for govt cleaning jobs. Looks like finally PAP is scared to lose low income earners' vote and doing something like this instead of implementing minimum wage.

See? When there is requirement by the govt, suddenly these contractor can afford to pay higher salary - to think that this cleaner's pay has been stagnant at $700 for last ten years due to flood of foreigners. Who is going to pay her back the loss due to ten year stagnant pay? Infact, her pay was cut to $600 plus at one time before revert back to $700.

 

[wuqi256]

Re: Singapore plans rare protest as population debate rages

Thanks for info. I have been to Kulai to see houses two years ago, didn't know Senai is just ten minutes away haha.

Yes it is near, not many shopping malls, the Senai airport has limited shops though new shophouses are on the way just around it. JPO is located in Kulai though. There is a small Econsave in Senai on the way to the airport.

 

[ginfreely]

Re: Singapore plans rare protest as population debate rages

...............................

According to Indian officials involved in the negotiations, this is a violation of the services trade agreement under CECA. This will also adversely affect Indians who are working there as it might lead to job losses, especially for the middle level workers.

India has submitted a request to Singapore for addressing the matter but has not received a formal communication yet.

Currently, there are about 2,00,000 non-resident Indians in Singapore working in ITES, financial services and scientific research sectors among others, according to one estimate.

http://www.business-standard.com/ar...ca-violation-by-singapore-113021700123_1.html

Now we know why.

Hmm....and its only India. How abt PRC, Pinoy....

So we have been importing and giving precious doctor, IT and other PMET jobs to these hundreds of thousands or million of non resident Indians under CECA. Wonder what exactly did Singapore gain from India under this CECA for SG to offer such a big perk to India? PAP owe to Singaporeans to answer this, why we let in so many Indians to earn big $$. And it is not just $$ issue but impact on society and demographics with non resident Indian from all over India.

 

[ginfreely]

Re: Singapore plans rare protest as population debate rages

Yes it is near, not many shopping malls, the Senai airport has limited shops though new shophouses are on the way just around it. JPO is located in Kulai though. There is a small Econsave in Senai on the way to the airport.

Thanks for info. Will go to Senai to look see one of these days haha.

 

[jade apple]

Re: Singapore plans rare protest as population debate rages

No age limit leh, I just checked my policy document, it states the maximum coverage age = lifetime. So no worries, the only catch is premium will be very expensive when too old.

Thanks. Hopefully, by then, I can afford the higher premium.

 

[summervale]

Re: Singapore plans rare protest as population debate rages

Checked with cleaner auntie in my workplace today, not leh, still less than $600 per month. According to her, daily expense in transport and foods, she hardly has any saving at all.

Just found this article about the income gap.

http://www.tremeritus.com/2013/02/20/income-gap-between-rich-and-poor-widens-in-2012/

I am glad that someone is sick being called immigrant society, which is favourite phrase of the politicans.

http://www.tremeritus.com/2013/02/20/im-tired-of-the-rhetoric-saying-were-an-immigrant-society/

Also, one of the speaker at hong lim park on 16 Feb 2013.

http://www.tremeritus.com/2013/02/20/tan-jee-says-speech-at-hong-lim-16-feb/

Wow heard from a local school cleaner today that her pay has a big percentage jump from $700 to more than $1000, apparently due to some new requirement of minimum pay for cleaners when contractors bid for govt cleaning jobs. Looks like finally PAP is scared to lose low income earners' vote and doing something like this instead of implementing minimum wage.

See? When there is requirement by the govt, suddenly these contractor can afford to pay higher salary - to think that this cleaner's pay has been stagnant at $700 for last ten years due to flood of foreigners. Who is going to pay her back the loss due to ten year stagnant pay? Infact, her pay was cut to $600 plus at one time before revert back to $700.

 

[ginfreely]

Re: Singapore plans rare protest as population debate rages

Checked with cleaner auntie in my workplace today, not leh, still less than $600 per month. According to her, daily expense in transport and foods, she hardly has any saving at all.

Your workplace is private sector? This govt requirement is only applicable to contractors bidding for govt sector cleaning job, so only benefit the cleaners working in govt sector. Like in this case, the whole govt school cleaners working for this contractor got pay adjusted leh.

Beats me too why like this, only PAP can answer why don't implement minimum wage but something half baked like this. Aiyah whatever reasons they give for not implementing minimum wage are all excuses lah, the whole world seem to have implemented or implementing min wage.

 

[ginfreely]

Re: Singapore plans rare protest as population debate rages

I am glad that someone is sick being called immigrant society, which is favourite phrase of the politicans.

http://www.tremeritus.com/2013/02/20/im-tired-of-the-rhetoric-saying-were-an-immigrant-society/

Also, one of the speaker at hong lim park on 16 Feb 2013.

http://www.tremeritus.com/2013/02/20/tan-jee-says-speech-at-hong-lim-16-feb/

This part of TJS speech must highlight - all the talk of xenophobia and immigrant society and white paper for economy are all BS lah - the real reason is to gain new citizens to earn votes for themselves.

".........130,000 new citizens voted in the 2011 General Election, representing 6.32% of the total vote. Without them, PAP’s share of the national vote would have dropped to below 54% and several more constituencies would have been lost to the opposition. With 25,000 new citizens a year for the 5 years to 2016, there will be another 125,000 new citizens, accounting for 5-6% of the national vote; together with 60% they had in GE2011, this gives the PAP a buffer of 15-16% before its share drops below 50%......"

 

[whoami]

Re: Singapore plans rare protest as population debate rages

Beats me too why like this, only PAP can answer why don't implement minimum wage but something half baked like this. Aiyah whatever reasons they give for not implementing minimum wage are all excuses lah, the whole world seem to have implemented or implementing min wage.

Their only best excu$e is we may frighten away investors. High costs for them...and they may have to relocate their bu$ine$$e$ to other cheaper labour cost countries...

 

[summervale]

Re: Singapore plans rare protest as population debate rages

If not due to the new citizens and the redrawing of the boundaries, I believe should be much less than 60%.

This part of TJS speech must highlight - all the talk of xenophobia and immigrant society and white paper for economy are all BS lah - the real reason is to gain new citizens to earn votes for themselves.

".........130,000 new citizens voted in the 2011 General Election, representing 6.32% of the total vote. Without them, PAP’s share of the national vote would have dropped to below 54% and several more constituencies would have been lost to the opposition. With 25,000 new citizens a year for the 5 years to 2016, there will be another 125,000 new citizens, accounting for 5-6% of the national vote; together with 60% they had in GE2011, this gives the PAP a buffer of 15-16% before its share drops below 50%......"

 

[avelc]

800k 4room flat, anyone?

 

[Walker]

800k 4room flat, anyone? 

And 99 year leasehold but at most 30 - 40 years later, they say too old!, demolish it and ask you or your family to buy another flat.

 

[ginfreely]

800k 4room flat, anyone?

May I know which location is this 800k 4 room flat?

 

[ginfreely]

Re: Singapore plans rare protest as population debate rages

Their only best excu$e is we may frighten away investors. High costs for them...and they may have to relocate their bu$ine$$e$ to other cheaper labour cost countries...

Yeah cannot offend their GDP paymasters, but using taxpayers' money to pay is okay..now even going to give $$ to them to pay Singaporean workers higher in the next three years. Why must subsidise companies when they're profitable - especially when they are foreign MNCs?! Really stupid scheme like the job credit, transferring taxpayers' money to these foreign MNCs.

 

[ginfreely]

Re: Living in JB 3 (Johore)

Zaobao 19 Feb 2013

Some info from Msia housing minister
- Singaporeans only accounted for 5% of the property transactions in Johor
- Among the foreign buyers in Johor, Singaporeans made up the largest group, followed in sequence by Americans, British, and PRC
- The majority of the property purchasers in JB are Malaysian SPR

 

[Fook Seng]

Yeah cannot offend their GDP paymasters, but using taxpayers' money to pay is okay..now even going to give $$ to them to pay Singaporean workers higher in the next three years. Why must subsidise companies when they're profitable - especially when they are foreign MNCs?! Really stupid scheme like the job credit, transferring taxpayers' money to these foreign MNCs.

The Government has tons of money to spend lah.