Monday 8 June 2015

[Today] Strictly enforce unobstructed mall walkways

On my visits to Chinatown Complex, I have observed that the ground floor is occupied by many shopping stalls in the passageways meant for shoppers. They are cluttered with goods that impede movement and compromise shoppers’ safety. Even the shops are doing the same. Such a situation is also evident in many Housing and Development Board shopping malls.
I understand that stalls need to display their wares to attract customers, but this should be kept within limits so that shoppers’ movement and safety are not compromised. They should think rationally, and not selfishly.
Clearing obstruction in walkways and passageways in shopping malls is for the common good, and rules should be strictly enforced by the authorities.

[Today] SEA Games ceremony a welcome treat for SG50

Watching the “live” telecast of the SEA Games opening ceremony reminded me of the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s foresight in promoting unity among the Association of South-east Asian Nations (ASEAN).
It was also heart-warming to watch. Singaporeans, foreigners, visitors, dignitaries and athletes from ASEAN were hosted at a colourful, spectacular event, which has also energised us for the Golden Jubilee celebrations this year, with a holiday stretching from August 7 to August 10.
This year is a chance for the Singapore spirit to be further strengthened. Let us inspire the younger generation to greater success and motivate them to accept social responsibility, such as in caring for the aged. In 15 years, some 900,000 pioneers would require love, assistance and home care.
Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong and the organising committee of the SEA Games must be commended for their outstanding contributions to the nation.
The multiculturalism we witnessed is one of Singapore’s core values, and with it we can ensure that vibrant, cosmopolitan Singapore will prevail in the years to come.

[Today] Govt should take note of employers biased against older workers

Age discrimination is indeed a weapon against older professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs) aged 50 to 60 from securing meaningful employment (“Ageism is biggest obstacle to employability of older S’poreans”, May 22; “Agencies’ mindset about seniors a barrier”, May 23).
With the mushrooming of recruitment agencies, this industry certainly needs a shake-up so older job seekers do not waste their time sending resumes and attending unfruitful interviews. Recruiters today, mostly aged in their 20s and without certification in human resources, are not up to the task of professional job-matching.
They conduct cursory job interviews and fail to see the value in older candidates — skills, attitude, resourcefulness, commitment, insight and networks. These are amassed from life and work experience, and come with age.
Regardless of how much training and skills-upgrading mature workers undergo or the grants offered by the Government to entice employers to hire mature PMETs (professionals, managers, executives and technicians) age discrimination has, and looks set to, stubbornly persist. Letters are frequently published in the media detailing accounts of age discrimination. The Government ought to take note.

[Today] Better to restore biodiversity than create green areas

I refer to the letter “Conduct audit of wildlife in Boon Lay Way” (June 6).
It is all very well designating more green areas, but what we should be concerned about is how much we have lost in terms of flora and fauna, and how we can bring it back.
Such loss is not just physical, but also concerns the way of life around it. Have studies been done to examine how we can bring back some of the flora and fauna, if not all? In the process, we could create a unique city that blends old and new, with intertwining green corridors.
Such efforts are also good for tourism, specifically ecotourism, in contrast to the artificial attractions we have come to rely on, and which leave some cold. These efforts could lift the number of arrivals, bringing in those who respect such achievements in preservation despite our constraints. Experts could also show us how we can enhance what we now have. There is much to be proud of, such as the Botanic Gardens and Bukit Timah Nature Reserve.

Saturday 6 June 2015

[Today] Real estate projects consuming S’pore’s limited labour supply

The timing of the Manpower Minister’s message on our labour immigration policy is welcome (“No U-turn on foreign manpower policy: Swee Say”; June 3).
The current action taken (and communicated) by the Government seems to be about reducing the incremental intake of foreign workers.
Some see it as populist, more politically motivated than economically rational, and wonder whether it will be sustained.
What is missing is a convincing rationale for why a foreign workforce of 1.3 million to service a local population of 3.3 million is inadequate to move our economy forward.
The ongoing proliferation of new shopping centres, as Ms Caroline Chung lamented in “Remake Republic into one with strong S’porean core” (June 4), and private housing is possible only through land release.
These real estate projects consume our limited land resources and limited labour supply, for the construction and staffing of these malls. Why the urgency for these rapid developments?
We need a more considered policy to allocate labour resources to support targeted business sectors with the actual potential to generate GDP growth and, just as importantly, jobs for locals supplemented by workers from outside sources where necessary.
Singapore has become a developed, wealthy country with a world-class education system and a highly literate citizenry.
It is ironic that our manpower-shortage dilemma can in no small way be attributed to the inadequate worker skills required by business sectors, intertwined with the low disposable income some local workers command.
Low wages translate into lower costs and potentially higher profits for employers.
That is not necessarily a bad thing, even with wide income inequality, if employees can earn a living wage enough for retirement and commensurate with the country’s per capita wealth.
Singapore has a high-cost environment with limited local labour and land resources.
It cannot provide a competitive advantage for all local and foreign businesses that compete mainly on low cost margins.
We should concentrate on attracting foreign investors in sunrise businesses that derive sustainable benefits from what we already have, such as an educated and trainable workforce, efficient infrastructure, and a stable environment.
For them, we could moderate our worker immigration policy and phase out other foreign operators dependent on low costs/taxes in time.
Also, the educational curriculum in secondary schools should be tweaked to include practical subjects such as customer service and relations, time management, decision-making and economics.
These, together with a more moderate pace of real estate development in the long run, may resolve our tight labour market and low-wage, low-productivity situation in time.

[Today] Conduct audit of wildlife in Boon Lay Way

A patch of mature woodland next to International Business Park along Boon Lay Way will be cleared soon (“New depot for 500 buses to be built in Ulu Pandan”; April 3).
As a nature lover and a citizen concerned about the loss of wild areas in Singapore, I wish to ask the agencies involved to do an audit of the wildlife there. From my office, I can see the nest of a pair of Changeable Hawk Eagles. Last year, they fledged a chick and have been using this nest for some years now. This Hawk Eagle is nationally threatened.
I have also come across Grey-headed Fish Eagles foraging in the canal at the southern boundary of this forest. It would be a pity and a loss if the trees were cleared without finding ways to accommodate the fauna there.
The agencies should work with nature groups to conduct a flora and fauna survey, and come up with some recommendations to keep as many of the important parts of the forest as possible when designing the depot.

[Today] Wider smoking ban in S’pore is imperative

I echo the writer’s sentiments in “Youth must know link between smoking, disease” (June 4).
Smoking causes a myriad of problems for an individual, his loved ones, and members of the public.
Moreover, second-hand smoke is hazardous, containing more nicotine, tar, carbon monoxide, ammonia and benzopyrene than the smoke inhaled by the smoker.
It aggravates allergies, triggers asthma attacks and migraines, and increases vulnerability to colds and other respiratory infections.
Separate smoking areas, such as a designated room, are hardly effective because of the risks associated with third-hand smoke — the residual chemicals left on indoor surfaces by tobacco smoke, which react with common indoor pollutants to create a toxic mix.
Besides health problems, social issues develop together with cigarette addiction. Cigarettes burn a hole in people’s pockets, which compromises their families’ economic well-being and may even contribute to income inequality.
A parent’s smoking habit may also create an unsafe home environment, where the urge to smoke may override familial duties or influence children to start the habit themselves.
Hence, besides health education in schools and workplace talks on preventing or kicking the habit, a wider smoking ban is imperative.
This can be done by reducing the number of cigarette suppliers here, if not eradicating supply, and by restricting the number of places where smoking is allowed. For example, smoking should be illegal in public places such as car parks, outside shopping centres, and park connectors.
Even though cigarette taxes were raised last year, such tax increments would hardly deter smokers because of the addiction. Smoking prevention centres or help services should be more widely available.
Let us work towards creating a smoke-free Singapore, and may the irony of allowing the most preventable cause of death be resolved.

Friday 5 June 2015

[Today] Game, set and volunteer

I am a polytechnic student volunteering as an event marshall for the South-East Asian (SEA) Games, and I feel that the organising committee has put in a lot of effort prior to the Games.
There have been workshops and briefings to ensure that we know our roles well and that all volunteers work together with a common identity: Team Nila.
Despite the Games being held during the first few weeks of the school holidays, we can see the different polytechnics participating actively and volunteering with one big heart. I hope this passionate spirit will continue.
I am really looking forward to volunteering at the Games.

[Today] Gradual, phased move to bus contracting

We refer to Mr Goh Kian Huat’s letter “Open up all bus routes to competition” (May 27). The ultimate goal of bus contracting is to subject all 12 packages of public bus services to competitive tendering.
The Land Transport Authority is phasing the transition to this end state by tendering out three packages first.
This allows us to refine the management of contracts, tendering and handover processes, and minimise the risk of disruptions for commuters during the transition. Through negotiated contracts, the incumbent operators will continue to operate the nine packages not tendered out in the first phase. More packages will gradually be tendered out thereafter.
As Mr Goh mentioned, regular fare adjustments are required to ensure the financial sustainability of the public transport system.
The Public Transport Council, which must strike a balance between ensuring this financial sustainability and keeping fares affordable, will continue to decide fare adjustments.
We thank Mr Goh for the opportunity to clarify.

[Today] Current workforce policy could prove short-sighted

I read with unease the report “No U-turn on foreign manpower policy: Swee Say” (June 3). An educational system “geared towards producing workers with stellar qualifications” does not automatically translate into a quality, qualified workforce.
There is no doubt a need to grow local expertise.
Given the disparity in paper qualifications, one can hardly suggest that qualifications alone are enough to sustain a wholesome core of local talent for industry needs at the highest level and remain globally competitive at the same time.
The bell curve in the intellect of any society does not change. More populated countries are opening up, and their talent pools are equally bigger. Multinationals might, in time, be tempted to relocate to where manpower is not constantly a major obstacle.
Insular, overly nationalistic policies that hint strongly at protectionism today could lead to unhappy, unfavourable consequences in the long term.
The movement of trade and people is essential for competitiveness and, thus, growth and productivity, which the industry is focussed on while some quarters are calling for better work-life balance. Something has to give way.
There is not enough time in any one day. Asked to volunteer or do more for neighbourhoods, one finds the length of a day away from work diminishes fast.
We can mechanise, improve on timekeeping and develop more efficient ways of working smart, but there is also a limit to the pounding a body can withstand. Wellness and happiness is not quantifiable.
Is it not worth more if humans are less stressed, have proper lives with fewer ailments and enjoy the fruits of one’s success eventually?
It is sometimes better to accept reality and limitations than to push too hard, which could cause any given system to implode eventually. By far, prevention is better than cure.

[Today] Dying helps us appreciate life

It is timely and commendable for TODAY to draw attention to the last taboo in our nation (“As population ages, more are confronting the last taboo”; May 30).
The fear of death blinds many of us to many opportunities to find love, joy and peace in the face of suffering. The dying teach us to live more fully by helping us overcome the fear of death and dying.
Many young people have the misconception that they must keep the bad news of a terminal illness from the elderly, fearful that the latter would give up living when they are told they have an incurable disease.
However, many of the elderly are more concerned about burdening their loved ones than about dying.
The real issue is not about telling them their condition but giving them opportunities to ventilate their emotional distress and listening to them.
Talking about such issues during a medical crisis is difficult.
Hence, it is important that families share their feelings about artificial life-sustaining measures and other treatments whenever opportunities, such as the TODAY article, present themselves.
We tend to see death as an enemy. The best way to deal with our enemies is not to hate and fight them but to understand and love them.
We must learn to befriend death, which is not to court death in extreme sports or seek death through suicide or euthanasia, but to recognise that to die is human.
It is not to surrender to death as an inevitable fate, but to recognise that we are not soulless bodies or disembodied spirits. We have both a body and a soul.
Often, it is through suffering and dying that many discover the true meaning of their lives. We can choose not to let materialism blind us to the spiritual dimension of life.
Finally, when we turn dying into a medical problem, we become inhuman. Modern technology can delay death and cause much unnecessary suffering in the guise of prolonging life.
An old man dying from renal failure, who was forced to have kidney dialysis, wrote: Death is not the enemy, doctor; inhumanity is.
We need not obsess about death and dying. But when we learn to number our days, we will gain the wisdom to live a full, healthy life.

[Today] Noise pollution needs to be controlled too

Luckily, I do not have the problems faced by the writer of the letter “Don’t deprive neighbours of peaceful, smoke-free enjoyment” (June 3). However, I believe that many of us face noise pollution problems too.
One need not be living on the second storey to hear the blasts of a high- performance motorcycle or turbo-charged car.
I live on the top floor of my block, and recently, my family has been getting a wake-up call from a motorcyclist who seems to insist on going full throttle even though he is only leaving the car park.
It is especially tough when one has an infant at home. Would the authorities be able to do anything about the noise output of such vehicles in our densely-populated estates?

Thursday 4 June 2015

[Today] Showcase our roots during SEA Games victory ceremonies

I watched the South-East Asian (SEA) Games’ table tennis victory ceremony and was puzzled that only English and Mandarin were used (“S’pore paddlers win Games’ first two golds”; June 3).
We are proud to be a multiracial society, with four official languages. The organisers should use this excellent occasion to demonstrate this to our neighbours and not let them think that we have forgotten our roots.
I also saw the flags of the winning teams being raised manually, which looked comical. If the organisers cannot afford to have motorised flag-raising, they should at least design the platform such that the flag raiser is out of view.
In addition, I have been trying to follow the television broadcast of the Games and to record the football matches. The recording on mio TV’s channel 134, however, consistently showed nothing but a fixed screen about impending matches.
In the end, I switched to MediaCorp’s okto channel, which has a more detailed programme, and I could choose what I wanted to record.

[Today] Ethics, gene research and the start of personhood

I refer to the commentary “Designer babies may soon be possible — but ethical questions abound” (May 29). Gene research will continue to advance, but the discussion would be about the kind of moral boundaries that should guide it.
Genetic research is of concern to everyone because it has to do with the basic metaphysical question: What is human personhood — a purely material being, or a dualistic being with a body and a soul?
Different views of this have different implications for gene research, from the application of pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) to researching gene editing.
Regarding human personhood, what is the moral status of extracorporeal embryos? Are they potential persons who, with time and the right environment, could become full persons, or are they persons with the potential to mature according to their kind?
If one accepts the dualistic view, then embryos are not potential persons, but persons.
This means that every embryo should be given a chance of implantation and, thus, PGD violates the embryo’s right to life.
It would mean that genetic editing of embryos without a 100 per cent assurance of safety would be considered unethical.
Choosing a better embryo over others or even choosing the sex of a baby would also mean deeming embryos, at that stage, to be products, not persons. This would be a form of discrimination against the unborn person.
If a material view of embryos is accepted, the boundaries would be larger — as embryos would only be potential persons — and stretch towards the point where one thinks the unborn deserves respect to be a person.
It could start from the 14th week of the foetus or towards foetal viability. The issue here is the subjectivity in deciding where research should not proceed: When is it a point where we would hurt a person?
There are other implications of human personhood for PGD and gene editing. The science of DNA has informed us that our genes show the potentiality for certain diseases, but should not determine our personality and thus our future.
A material approach to human personhood is a deterministic approach to human life, and could result in designer babies as a form of product for parents to select.
But is it for the better?
Would it lead to a eugenic approach to human living in society? Would designer babies achieve the outcome of their design?
In conclusion, the discussion of reproductive technology and gene research has to do with, and is affected by, the most basic issue: When are we considered a person — at the embryonic stage, foetal stage or at birth?

[Today] Youth must know link between smoking, disease

World No Tobacco Day came and went on May 31. It would be tragic if its message is summarily dismissed or forgotten as we carry on with daily life, as the statistics tell an incriminating story.
Smoking is the single most preventable cause of death in the world, with an estimated 5.4 million lives lost yearly. In the last century, tobacco use led to 100 million deaths; this century, one billion people will die.
Singapore’s National Health Surveillance Survey 2013 showed that the rate of adult smoking prevalence stabilised at 13.3 per cent from 13.6 per cent in 2007. Initiatives to prevent youth initiation resulted in a notable decrease in smoking prevalence in the 18-to-29 age group: From 17.2 per cent in 2007 to 12.7 per cent in 2013.
Past studies such as the National Health Survey 2010 have established that 75 per cent of smokers start before their 21st birthday. Besides initiation in schools, National Service is often cited as a period when youths pick up the habit.
To grow their markets, manufacturers must find new customers for the addiction they are peddling. To keep the business lucrative, consumers who die or quit must be replaced.
Of the more than 5,000 chemical components in cigarette smoke, hundreds are harmful to us. Arsenic has been linked with cancer of the bladder, liver, lung and skin. Benzene can cause leukaemia. Butadiene may cause blood cancer. Cadmium is linked with kidney and prostate cancer.
Chromium VI is associated with nose cancer and nasal sinuses. Formaldehyde causes leukaemia and cancer in respiratory tissues. Polonium-210 can cause cancer in animals. Tar leaves a brown residue on our lungs.
Also, carbon monoxide is transferred to our bloodstream after inhalation. Nicotine may raise blood pressure and heart rate, and narrow the arteries. Tobacco consumption can also increase our risk of cancer of the throat, mouth, cervix and pancreas.
As kicking this addictive habit is an onerous task, we must discourage initiation of our young from the upper primary to lower secondary levels through anti-smoking programmes.
School programmes from the upper secondary to tertiary level can include cessation programmes to assist smokers in quitting. Pupils must be taught about the relationship between smoking and heart disease, stroke, lung cancer and other chronic lung diseases.
World No Tobacco Day may be behind us for another year, but its message must be embedded in our young for them to repel peer pressure as well as the tobacco industry’s aggressive strategies. For those who have started smoking, there are a myriad of reasons to quit.

[Today] Remake Republic into one with strong S’porean core

It was heartening to read the report “No U-turn on foreign manpower policy: Swee Say” (June 3).
In the past, the Manpower Ministry had to give in to requests from businesses to relax its policy, to give these businesses time to innovate and adjust their business strategy.
Obviously, many did not heed the ministry’s advice and continued to expand rapidly, especially in labour-intensive services and manufacturing that, at the same time, are of low value-add to our economic growth.
Look at the many new shopping centres springing up, with the ever-increasing retail spaces and food and beverage outlets, and one has a good guess at the manpower these businesses need.
Singapore must reinvent itself from being a nation that depends on foreign manpower to one with a strong Singaporean core, coupled with a quality foreign workforce that would render the economy more competitive and sustainable for the longer term. Let us work together towards this goal.

[Today] NAC needs to respond to the times

While I thank the National Arts Council for its letter “Graphic novel breached NAC funding guidelines” (June 3), the response was puzzling.
If, as reported, the materials submitted for the grant application were an accurate representation of the final work, why not reject the application instead of approving it and dispensing an initial S$6,400? If Mr Sonny Liew’s work has potentially subversive material to undermine the legitimacy of the Government and its public institutions, the NAC must be alarmed that the book has sold out at various bookshops, with a reprint underway.
Perhaps the NAC needs to respond to the times and public acceptance, and unshackle itself from attitudes that keep it from fulfilling its mandate for the arts. The NAC should review its funding guidelines to ensure works of merit by reputable artists and publishers get the help they deserve.

Wednesday 3 June 2015

[Today] Safeguard pathways from the puffers

I understand that smokers at Raffles Place Park have been allotted a smoking corner, behind the O’ Coffee Club cafe. Yet, there are smokers puffing away along the footpaths leading from the MRT station entrances/exits to the surrounding office blocks.
This is unfair to non-smokers, and I hope the relevant authorities step in to safeguard us from second-hand smoke.
While smoking is prohibited along the corridors, covered pathways and void decks of public apartment blocks, we must often suffer in silence when we otherwise access the same pathways as smokers do while puffing away furiously.

[Today] In approach to dying, focus more on what happens

The writer has come close in his letter “Prepare for end-of-life issues early” (June 2), but missed a subtle point.
For sure, religion and philosophy make death a known unknown through routine exposure to the topic and, hence, provide a constant reminder of the end.
The problem is the approach from a metaphysical perspective of “what next” in order to subdue physical degradation, rather than facing the reality and understanding “what happens” as a result of a long, continuous biological process.
With increased education of the population — and by that I mean improved reasoning — over time, we can expect better awareness of a biological ending of a living organism or even the end of a machine’s “life” through wear and tear.
This does not bring additional complications and conflicts, which the writer’s earlier suggested approach may invite.
My grandfather fell sick in his mid-70s. “What happened?” asked the doctor who had known him for many years. He managed to answer with a smile: “The process has begun.”
He was a farmer throughout his life and not a religious man, but it did not stop him from accepting what was coming. For him, end-of-life was not an issue, but a part of life.

[Today] Face issue of death to have a meaningful life

I refer to the letter “Prepare for end-of-life issues early” (June 2), and agree that there is general avoidance of the discussion of death, which implies a dormant fear of the inevitable.
The general population sees it as meaningless to discuss what is fixed. However, it is precisely because it is fixed and universal that talking about it should be easier. In truth, talking about death is avoided because many do not fully accept that it will eventually happen to them one day. There is a compelling need to change this.
To harbour and accommodate this fear, be it by not speaking or thinking about it, and to not face inevitable death directly, is as good as avoiding life. It prevents us from questioning the real meaning of our lives and hence stops us from pursuing meaningful work or improvements for ourselves.
Many of us spend most of our youth and adulthood living in denial of death, chasing outcomes without considering our own inevitable ending.
How wise would these outcomes be? How satisfied would we be with these outcomes? How can we make decisions that matter if we choose to disregard the fundamental nature of our mortality?
The talk about death is not all philosophical; there is pragmatic societal and economic impact. Consider today’s trends in the Singapore economy: Productivity challenges, low work engagement and fickle-minded youth with plenty of job hopping.
Society has evolved. A more affluent lifestyle has created extra bandwidth for the mind to ponder deeper questions and seek deeper meaning besides paying bills and mortgages.
But the design of our societal systems has yet to evolve to accommodate that. Hence, we are seeing the overflowing energy of unfulfilled potential emerge in the form of frustrations, which contribute to the trends cited. It would be wise to face the basic fact of death and start asking so-called philosophical questions through discussion and seeking answers, be it with one’s children, parents, partners and oneself.
If one starts pursuing life while considering the inevitable, meaningful pursuits will be assured. We then open up growth and potential that would surpass any productivity measures in place.

[Today] Don’t deprive neighbours of peaceful, smoke-free enjoyment

Ms Liu I-Chun’s letter “Classify second-hand smoke drifting into homes as a nuisance” (May 29) struck a chord with me — a neighbour of mine is fond of smoking by the window in his living room.
As he resides below my unit, his cigarette smoke wafts into my living room, and I have to close the windows. I have heeded my family members’ advice and refrained from confronting him.
Even if I were to bring this to the town council’s attention, I believe there is not much it could do except to issue an advisory letter, which is not as effective as a court injunction.
I am also reluctant to escalate the matter because I have no intention of jeopardising our relationship.
In the spirit of good neighbourliness, residents should be more considerate of one another. While one is entitled to one’s indulgence, it should be on the condition that others are not deprived of their right to peaceful enjoyment at home.

[Today] Safety mechanism needed for automated waste system

Reading about the pneumatic waste system in the report “Automated system makes garbage disposal cleaner” (June 2) was fascinating, and I applaud the Housing and Development Board’s efforts to implement new technology. I had a grim thought, however.
In the past, cleaners have found abandoned babies thrown down the chute. With a large bin of rubbish as a cushion, a baby has a chance to survive. With this technology, the poor child stands no chance.
While I am aware that technology and progress should not be impeded by such rare occurrences, we cannot deny as well that it does happen.
Did the HDB consider this possibility and can a safety mechanism also be installed, perhaps a system that stops when there is sound above a certain decibel level for a prolonged time?

[Today] Graphic novel breached NAC funding guidelines

We thank Mr Shawn Low for his feedback in “How does NAC grant withdrawal help the arts?” (June 1). The National Arts Council (NAC) has spoken to both the artist and the publisher on the rationale for the withdrawal.
The retelling of Singapore’s history in the graphic novel potentially undermines the authority or legitimacy of the Government and its public institutions and thus breaches our funding guidelines, which are published online and are well known in the arts community.
The NAC receives a large volume of grant applications annually. In 2013, we presented awards to nearly 1,200 applicants to support the diversity of artistic expression in Singapore, embracing all the major art forms.
Applications are assessed on their artistic merit, but any proposed content should not infringe funding guidelines. A grant withdrawal happens very infrequently, and we always make extra efforts to explain to affected parties.

[Today] BCA should consider longer warranty period for properties

While I applaud the Housing and Development Board’s efforts to help Trivelis residents, one of the causes of home buyers’ woes has yet to be addressed (“HDB working with developer, local MP to address Trivelis issues”; May 23).
Perhaps the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) needs to consider legislation, with severe penalties, to rein in abuses of warranty obligations in the lucrative property industry.
A warranty is an assurance of quality and responsibility to customers, and it is strange that developers offer only one-year warranties, despite the market value of units reaching millions of dollars and the extended life cycle of these products.
Many low-value products such as electric kettles and fans have a one-year warranty for defects, while reputable manufacturers of products such as refrigerators and air conditioners provide five-year warranties for compressor defects.
Logically, the BCA should review the warranty period, commensurate with the high value of property, to ensure compliance with building and construction technical specifications, as well as delivery of quality in accordance with performance standards in the industry.
Although the Design, Build and Sell Scheme has been on ice since 2011, remaining projects have continued to run their course.
The experiences of some DBSS homeowners have shown flaws in the industry’s practices and highlighted the need to rein in unfair treatment by developers.
The crux of the problem is that a short warranty period is ineffective and insufficient for ascertaining fully the performance of durable gadgets and delicate installations.
Visual inspections and cursory tests may not reveal the full extent of shoddy installation and workmanship. Defects in ceilings, masonry and sewerage may require a longer period to reveal themselves.
Hence, the interests of homeowners should receive due legal protection: At least a two-year mandatory warranty period under fair business practices. Ample time should be allowed for rectification work to take place.

Tuesday 2 June 2015

[Today] Automation of jobs: Experienced, knowledgeable staff still needed

I refer to the letter “Fluid approach now needed in career planning” (May 28) and the article “As graduate numbers grow, a hard truth: Not all degrees are equal” (May 23).
The letter writer seems to assume that the reasons graduates here are unable to find jobs matching their education would be worsened by technology replacing traditional professional jobs that involve certain sets of procedures.
I think the underemployment situation here is due to a lack of industrial training in courses, and of structured training and mentoring provided by companies.
While it is possible for technology to perform certain automated tasks, there are limitations to what it can do, not to mention the R&D cost and the time needed for customised solutions for each industry and various firms’ operations. Even then, automating processes will require different skill sets, human ingenuity and experience.
This requires more than a knowledge of information technology and merely distilling a graduate’s skills to a set of procedures.
Automation requires cooperation between IT specialists and staff with an intimate knowledge of the operational processes and nuances involved. These professional staff are also needed for the maintenance, refinement and upgrading of the automation infrastructure.

[Today] Create multiple income streams to gradually build your nest egg

Mr Ong Ai Bin began building his retirement savings 20 years ago the way many Singaporeans do — with an insurance endowment plan. Since then, he’s been able to gradually grow his savings by reviewing his portfolio regularly and creating different streams of income.
The 58-year-old technician with SIA Engineering feels that starting early enough to build multiple income streams was important, especially as he has a family to support. Mr Ong has been married for 30 years and has three children, all of whom are now in their 20s.
“I think saving for retirement is a driving force that motivates you to save harder and work harder,” he said.
“When you are young and have a family, you have to work harder to provide for your family. You also don’t know what will happen in the future, so it’s better to have some savings to meet your daily living expenses.”
Multiple income sources
Starting early gave Mr Ong an added advantage — opportunities to develop more diverse streams of retirement income. Rather than put all his eggs in one basket, Mr Ong bought shares in several local blue-chip companies on the open market and still earns dividends from his stocks.
He recently opened a fixed-deposit account and bought an endowment plan with POSB.
Having several income sources from different sectors helped give him peace of mind. If returns from one sector were not as good as expected, income from his other streams could help keep his overall earnings stable.
Early start, lighter load
Another advantage of saving early for retirement is that Mr Ong needs to set aside less money each month to meet his retirement goals.
Mr Ong sets aside about S$400 in savings every month. He and his wife also receive some money from their working children to help with household expenses.
It helps that Mr Ong and his wife are disciplined when it comes to spending. This has helped them save enough to go on annual holidays.
“My wife and I don’t spend on luxury goods, mostly just on our daily necessities. We like Japan and have been visiting the country for the last few years. We’re planning our next trip at the end of the year.”
Staying healthy
Although he is approaching Singapore’s minimum retirement age of 62, Mr Ong would like to continue working after that bridge is crossed, for very practical reasons.
“If I am able to continue working with my company, I would like to continue in a full-time role because I find my work interesting. My children are all grown up, so if I stay at home or work part-time, I may end up staring at the walls at home. Continuing to work will help keep me healthy.”
To stay fit, Mr Ong takes brisk walks along the river near his home in Sengkang. The avid bird-watcher and photography buff usually takes his camera on his walks to photograph the area’s diverse flora and fauna. Apart from staying active, he also does this to address one of his main concerns — his health.
“It’s important to stay active and healthy. When we grow older, our health may deteriorate. So we are not sure what will happen next. I’m very concerned about the cost of healthcare and I think it’s something many Singaporeans are also concerned about.”
Mr Ong is a realist and expects his needs and priorities to change. Thankfully, his foresight in building up several streams of income has given him the stability to help him cope with financial challenges that may arise.
This is the first story in a 15-part collaboration between TODAY and POSB. To read this story online, visit http://ift.tt/1I3OmMJ.

[Today] Seniors experience transitory joy

Many people were overjoyed when they received their S$30 Public Transport Voucher this year, which was credited to their stored value travel cards (“More than 125,000 applications received for Public Transport Vouchers”; April 8, online).
However, the joy was short-lived for some senior citizens, as the voucher cannot be used to partially offset payment for the S$60 Monthly Concession Pass for unlimited rides. The S$30 would be left idling in their stored-value cards.
The relevant authority should be mindful of these seniors and rectify this.

[Today] Prepare for end-of-life issues early

The article “As population ages, more are confronting the last taboo” (May 30), reminds me that death is the great equaliser. All humans must confront it sooner or later.
This also brings to mind what the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew related about his encounter with former Finance Minister Hon Sui Sen at the latter’s deathbed. Mr Lee remarked that Mr Hon, a Catholic, was serene and prepared for death.
The article quoted a medical social worker who said family members often find it painful to broach the topic of death with their ailing loved ones.
I reflected on how schools teach much about living, but unless one studies medicine, the only subject that touches on end-of-life issues is religious study.
Almost all religions teach something our spirit senses instinctively: That there is hope after death, that one’s soul lives on after the physical body dies.
While different religions may differ in their belief on where the spirit goes and in what form, the common thread is that the “last taboo” is not the end. To educate our young ones about living and dying well would not go amiss.
In almost every aspect of life, we are advised to start preparations early. To plan for retirement, one must start saving early. To plan for longevity, one must start exercising early. Now, the population should confront end-of-life issues early.
In fact, we should not have to “confront the last taboo” if we have been properly prepared to live and end our lives well.
Our medical social workers would have an easier time and more rewarding work if our general population understands the true meaning of life and death in a way that stills their spirit, from as early as their schooldays.
This applies to both death and major illnesses. I have read an ironic statement about a phenomenon of our society: We spend our health to acquire wealth in our youth, then spend our wealth to acquire health when we are old.
My wish for my fellow Singaporeans is for all of us not to leave this earth with loads of money and worries about it, as we know we cannot bring any material possessions with us on our deathbed.

[Today] Shooting near Shangri-La Hotel: Police did the right thing

The case of police officers shooting at the car that rammed against road blocks at a secured venue showed the decisiveness of the men in charge (“Police shoot man dead near Shangri-La Hotel”; June 1).
The Singapore Police Force should not make any apologies. This is not a case of a roadblock to sniff out drink-driving, where if a similar action were to occur, there would at best have been a car chase. This was a high-security meeting of top defence chiefs at the Shangri-La Dialogue. Instead of consenting to the security check, the driver breached the checkpoint, ignored repeated warnings and did not stop.
The only conclusion at the time and place must have been a probable terrorist attack; stopping the car and disabling the passengers would have been a must. And if it were such, aiming at the tyres would have been a mistake.
With hindsight, the police officers have done the right thing, and Singaporeans should be proud of them.

[Today] Great expectations pull down Asian nations’ happiness scores

In the past 30 years, many Asian countries have achieved faster economic growth than the rest of the world. Living standards have improved, and many Asian cities are now world-class, transformed by rapid urbanisation.
But according to the World Happiness Report 2015, Asians are not that happy despite better economic achievement (“These are the happiest countries in the world”; April 24, online).
Singapore was ranked 24th, Thailand 34th, Taiwan 38th, Japan 46th, South Korea 47th, Malaysia 61st, Hong Kong 72nd, Indonesia 74th, China 84th, the Philippines 90th and India 117th.
People in Costa Rica (12th), Mexico (14th) and Brazil (16th) are happier than Singaporeans, Japanese or Hong Kongers. Why?
The report noted that the better scores of Latin American nations over Asian nations could be due partly to cultural differences in response style.
In the Economist Intelligence Unit’s quality-of-life index in 2013, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea made it to the top 20.
This also makes me think that Asia’s quality of life is not bad, but that our high expectations have pulled down our happiness scores.
We Asians set for ourselves higher expectations in life. For example, we give higher priority to family life and our children’s education. Questions on expectations could be asked in future surveys, so we can compare scores of happiness against expectations.
Also, to make the results more useful in guiding policymaking — a key objective of the survey — it is important to ask respondents what makes them sometimes unhappy.

Monday 1 June 2015

[Today] Fixing the lopsided nature of parental leave

The findings from the 2013 Survey on Social Attitudes of Singaporeans confirm that all workers, regardless of gender, need work-life balance (“Work eating into S’poreans’ family time: Survey”; May 27).
It is clear that men want to play larger roles in caregiving and domestic life — 58 per cent of male survey respondents agreed that their jobs eat into family time more than they liked, a significant increase from 44 per cent in the previous survey in 2009.
There is much that employers and the Government can do to help everyone, regardless of gender, enjoy both economic well-being and a family life.
The introduction of the one-week paternity leave entitlement in 2013 was a good step. In addition, working fathers can also share one week of the 16 weeks of maternity leave.
But two weeks of paternity leave still give men little time to enjoy their newborn babies or become more confident caregivers.
The huge disparity between maternity leave and paternity leave compels women to play a disproportionately large role in childcare. This harms everyone: Men have very limited opportunities to spend time with their family, and women are given less support in fulfilling their parental responsibilities.
We call on the Government to consider further extending parental leave to give men a real opportunity to take on an equal role in childcare.
Parents in the United Kingdom, for example, can split up to 50 weeks of parental leave between them as they wish. In Sweden, 60 of the 480 days of shared parental leave must be taken by men.
Employers can also help all workers create balanced professional and personal lives.
Businesses must recognise that work-life issues affect all their employees, not only women. Many employers offer flexi-work arrangements such as part-time work or telecommuting. Access to these arrangements and accommodation for domestic responsibilities must be accepted as a normal, integral part of employment, not an exceptional concession, for women and for men.
It is critical for employers to be supportive of men taking parental leave. As Law and Foreign Affairs Minister K Shanmugam mentioned in a speech in March, employers in Norway expect male employees to take time off to care for children. Some even count it against men if they do not.
We would like to see employers go above and beyond legal requirements to create supportive working environments for all employees equally.
With support from their employers and national policy, all of us can achieve balanced, happier professional and personal lives.

[Today] How does NAC grant withdrawal help the arts?

I am disappointed with the National Arts Council’s (NAC) recent decision to withdraw an S$8,000 production grant to Epigram Books for the graphic novel The Art Of Charlie Chan Hock Chye (“NAC cancels grant for book with ‘politically sensitive content’; May 30).
By not elaborating on the reasons for its revocation, the NAC is taking a seemingly “schoolmaster” approach to the arts: “Do something we deem wrong or inappropriate, and we will withdraw the support we had promised.” This approach goes against the spirit of artistic expression.
Both the artist and the publisher have achieved acclaim and contributed to Singapore’s arts scene and reputation locally and abroad. The author, Mr Sonny Liew, has been nominated for three Eisner awards — the equivalent of the Oscars for comics. Epigram Books has been publishing works by Singaporeans across many genres, from children’s books to graphic and other types of novels.
Funding is the lifeblood of any arts organisation and/or artist. Taking funding away from Epigram after it has made plans and taken risks affects both morale and cash flow. How does this decision help the arts?
NAC should reconsider its decision and be more specific and forthcoming with its reasons for the grant withdrawal.