TR EMERITUS

作者:直言 绊马索大家应当都很熟悉了，这玩意不分东西方，都有。看义盗罗宾汉，梁山水浒，三国演义，绊马索对于奔跑中的马儿，是最大的梦魇，叫人防不胜防。然而，如 果说“铁锁横江”(有着铁索横江的)，那就不这么通行了。金庸小说连城诀里有个戚长发，外号就是“铁索横江”。此人心计心机深不可测，就如把大铁索横贯江 面，让一艘艘船只在江心涡漩中乱转，上也上不得，下也下不得。简直是叫天不应、求地不灵，只等着灭顶。 昨天(17/08/2010)，新闻报道，满65岁的公积金退休户头，如果存有6万元，会员就有第二次机会加入终身入息计划。什么是终身入息计划，网民大约都耳熟能详，这里也不必聱 述。原来终身入息计划出台后，除了法定被强制自动参加的会员之外，当局去年9月初开始邀请70万名已经年满55岁的公积金会员加入。除了优渥的利息之外， 还有一笔不错的红利。不过，截止今年6月30日，加入这项计划的公积金会员却只有4万零842人，只占符合条件的申请者的5.8％。 也就是说，几乎全部符合条件、年届55以上的公积金会员，都对终身入息计划弃如敝履，一丝儿兴趣都没有。这么一来，其实当局如果有点儿智慧，早已经重新检讨这项 计划的利弊，为何如此不得人心？可惜的是，傲慢和横蛮本来就是当局的惯伎，以及不成，又生一计。这次，就是非把那些存款不足4万的公积金会员也囊挂在内不 可。 本来，按照现有的强制规定，所有在2013年后满55岁的公积金会员，只要公积金户口有4万元存款，都会自动被强制纳入公积金终身入息 计划（CPF LIFE），而存款太少的会员则无法加入。然而，当局发现到会员在55岁至65岁这十年里，公积金退休户头里的存款可能因出售房子、填补户头、存款赚取利 息或者因继续工作并缴交公积金而有所增加，所以决定把65岁设定为第二个自动纳入终身入息计划的年龄。 第一批受影响的是在2023年满65岁的公积金会员。也就是说，55岁拿不到你的钱，不急，65岁终于捉到你。铁索横江，没有漏网之船。 附注：报上去有一段话，这么写着：“虽然参加计划的会员比例不高，但是颜金勇对情况将有所改善表示有信心。他指出，在2013年满55岁的会员中，估计有七成将有至少4万元存款，他们将自动被纳入计划。另外，接下来加入计划的会员也有更长时间累积公积金存款，并赚取利息，所以他相信加入计划的会员比例会不断增加。” -- 新加坡大约是气数已尽了，所以专出妖孽。试想，以立法来强制人民参予不受欢迎的政策，随着时日渐长，公积金会员被逼在55岁与65岁时强制自动加入终身入 息计划的人逐渐渐增多，加入的会员比例不断增加是用屁股去想都想得到的。这还需要什么信心不信心那般做作呢？ 大马论坛  Read More →

According to recommendations made in a report prepared by a focus group on building a sustainable Singapore for the next 50 years, Singapore should reduce fares for public transport and lengthen the operating hours for buses and trains with the emphasis on public transport, green energy and heritage. There was no mention of reducing the high inflow of foreigners which is the most important concern of many Singaporeans right now. Due to the PAP's pro-foreigner and ultra-liberal immigration policies, foreigners now make up 36 percent of Singapore's population, up from 14 percent in 1990. Of the remaining 64 percent who are citizens, an increasing number are born overseas. There are increasing complaints from Singaporeans about the newcomers ranging from packed trains and buses, competition for jobs and strange social behaviors. According to a recent Wall Street Journal editorial, the relentless influx of foreigners into Singapore has depressed the wages of ordinary Singaporeans, increased the cost of living, especially that of public housing and led to an overall decline in the standards of living. Despite the rising unhappiness, disgruntlement and anger among Singaporeans at the PAP's immigration policies, the PAP regime continues to insist that immigration is essential for Singapore. During the recent National Day Rally, PM Lee said he "understands" the concerns of Singaporeans and urged them to welcome the immigrants with an "open heart". With Singapore already having one of the highest human density in the world, the continued inflow of foreigners will stretch limited public resources to its limits and is unsustainable in the long run. Unfortunately, it appears that the focus group is quite divorced from the sentiments on the ground and choose to go through a meaningless academic exercise to please its political masters.  Read More →

Was wondering if anybody or any one out there had encountered awful experience with any Trans Island or SBS buses? If you have and especially if you are a foreigner, am ashamed to say, that is the way to "selfless" (opposite, I meant) society now. Well, have recently observed the common transport system in Singapore including the Singapore Bus Services (SBS) having certain practices. They either come very late way after their usual schedule. Or they come in pairs or worst, in 3s to 4s. What I meant is that, for a normal commuter like myself who would prefer to hoggle up a crowded bus than to take a crappy squeeze in the MRT or train. Worst, you have to see more ugly scenes like people do not give up seats when the huge stickers are there to remind them to give to the needy?? It is almost unbearable and reflects terribly on these drivers, not to keep to their schedules and force us to wait especially like halfway emergencies like, urgent calls to the nature etc. But please do a reality check, before hiring these so-called "foreign talents" (better than labeling them as "foreign workers/labourers"). Why don't the authorities give them strict KPIs to follow and besides giving them strict training, just forewarn them of recent buses collisions incidents or so forth. The reasons that prompted me to write this page is because tonight, 18th August 2010 around or after 8pm, boarded a 970 and witnessed a nasty scene. Of course, same old story. Two 970 buses tailing each other's backs and arrived at the same time, in the same stop. Was very tempted to hail a cab, but also being a Kia Si Singaporean, don't really enjoy taking frequent joyrides from cabbies over here. When I almost reached Hillview, an old woman about 70-80ish was struggling to walk towards the bell but before she could, the bus didnt wait & so, move forward. Another old lady 50-60ish, helped by pressing the bell, the "Speedy Gonzales" driver (who happened to be Indian-dont know whether he is foreign) sped all the way.... So, this poor old lady had to walk quite a distance back to Bukit Batok East Ave 2 HDB area. Trust me, she is super old like hunched back and struggling, which both of us (with the other old lady) encouraged her to take another bus opposite instead of walking and we walked with her halfway. Hopefully, she reached SAFELY. As I was seated right at the back so didnt know what happened since was listening to my iPhone music, till I got off the same stop as them (2 old ladies). In fact, before that nobody even bothered to stop the driver besides us, which is most appalling selfish you know...so how?? I personally feel not only upbringing is the root of the problem, if people couldnt care less, then why set reminders for commuters when bus drivers themselves couldnt care less too..you know what I mean?   3FatCats  Read More →