TR EMERITUS

1. I made a post in Facebook that Simba had a bad practice in making it difficult for a customer to cancel a mobile line. They do not provide the "Cancel Line" function in their app or in their website, and also did not allow me to stop the monthly payment from my Simba wallet. 2. I had to make a Google search and found a 2 page physical form that I had to complete and submit it by email or visit to their office. As I do not have a scanner, it was difficult for me to submit the form (which I had to print out on paper and complete it). 3. I posted my experience, and state that it is a bad business practice for Simba to give this kind of trouble to a customer who needs to cancel a line. 4. I received several comments from other customers who agreed that the business practice was bad, and they encountered the same problem. 5. I received the following comments that disagreed with my post: a) One said that they found the Simba line to be good b) Another said that the price of the Simba line is attractive. c) Another said that it was not difficult to complete the process to cancel the line and showed how it could be done. d) Another said that Simba allowed a customer to cancel the line by sending an email to state the phone number and he had done it. e) Another said that Mr. Tan frequently complained. (This person was banned for making this rude statement and personal smear). 6. I found the comments under para 5 to be irrelevant to my post. While they may like the Simba line, they should also be aware that some customers, like me, do not need the line and wish to cancel it. It is a bad practice, and is unacceptable, for Simba to make it troublesome for the customer to go through the painful process. Simba could have provided a function in their app or website for the customer to make this request. 7. In a reply from Simba, they said that the balance in my Simba wallet will not be refunded. I consider it it to be confiscation of my money and will take Simba to court on this matter (even if they have stated this in their terms and conditions). 8. I have found the price of the Simba line to be quite attractive ($5 for a senior plan) and the service to be acceptable. That is beside the point. It is not acceptable for Simba to make it difficult for a customer to cancel a line. 9. Some people commented that other mobile operators also made it difficult for their customers to cancel a line. That is also irrelevant. This bad business practice should be stopped. 10. I intend to make a complaint with the relevant authority (which I presume is IMDA). They cannot allowed their licensed operators to impose unacceptable business practices.   Tan Kin Lian      Read More →

All homes in Singapore must have current residual circuit breakers installed from July- Today online, 12 May 2023. I welcome the requirement for obvious reasons. Safety is alway first. Safety is never second or third. In our public housing, there are many things that the authorities have done that are often taken for granted by the residents until the critical need for them arises and the installation of the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is another good example. We never know but one day, the person's life saved could be our parent's, someone dear to us or even ourself. CCTVs installed in strategic places and inside the lifts definitely help to deter crime and even help to solve crimes. This is one area that I applaud the pap government loudly. Moreover, in order to further improve safety and livability for the majority of our flat dwellers, I would like to suggest that at least 2 portable fire extinguisher be installed in every HDB block for a start with the town council being responsible for their up-keep. Residents can use them to kill small fire, if any, on their own before it becomes too big to control and such extinguishers need not be the big and heavy type that seniors and women may find it challenging to handle. Again, CCTVs can monitor any such theft or vandalism. Think.   Simon Lim      Read More →

I read with “COE supply increase unlikely to cause significant price drop or deluge of cars on roads: Analysts” (TODAY, May 9). Transport Minister S Iswaran said that the authorities will bring forward and redistribute the supply of five-year COEs that are due to expire. The move will increase the quota supply for small cars in Category A by 24 per cent, and large cars in Category B by 15 per cent, for the remaining bidding exercises in the May to July quarter It is right for transport analysts and car dealers to predict that this increased supply is unlikely to cause COE prices to fall or increase the number of cars on the roads in long run. Let us lift up the “veil” of the COE system, which is supposedly in nature serving two purposes: - a)Curb the car population on the roads, and so far how effective of it after few decades of implementation? b)keeping each car’s life span to ten years to ensure its engine is in good condition and the car does not emit exhaust gas. But, each paper costs approximately hundred thousand. The people may wonder why we have well-structured public transport system (presently six MRT lines, with another future trans-island line, public bus system and cycling tracks across the island city), yet, there are still high demands for cars, motorcycles, goods vehicle and bus? Of course, those people who need a car/vehicle for various reasons: A. Car vendors who bid for cars to sell or rent. These vendors have made discreet market surveys and analysis about the demand and supply of various vehicles. Thus, whether the pricing of COE’s bidding - up or down, it won’t affect them in a great extent. B. Those individuals who need a car to make a decent living. For example, the private hire vehicle drivers who need to rent a car will have to pay for higher price if the prices of COE going up. Also, those individuals who need a car, a van or a motorcycle to do sales and marketing tasks, or making a delivery. C. Those cash-rich individuals or wealthy households who need a car (usually a type of Euporean luxury car) either for use or for displaying social status. Some private landed households even have more than three luxury cars. This category of individuals who don’t really mind or bother the price of COE’s fluctuation. D. Those businesses especially the logistics companies who need a lorry or a heavy truck (prime mover, crane) to do business or fulfilling their transportation obligations/commitments. These enterprises will unavoidably be affected if the category D price of COE shoots up. Anyway, the relevant authority is on top of the entire situation and, they can do and should do something about it.   Teo Kueh Liang (Mr)        Read More →