A Singaporean Superhero?

Ever wondered about the possibilities of a superhero dying of heatstroke?

That was my first thought when I saw the video of this guy masquerading as caped crusader.  One can hardly term the "Mean Streets of Singapore" as such, because they simply aren't.  On a scale of one to ten with say Rio being a perfect ten of meanness, Singapore would come in at -1!


And while I am all in favour of people being courteous at all times, I am not convinced that prancing around in a tight-fitting costume that resembles a knock-off of the Singapore flag is the way to do it?

Mr "Justice" as he titles himself, is apparently 21 years old and hails from Choa Chu Kang.  Shouldn't he be in gainful employment at this age, or perhaps he is engaged by the government to conduct an official courtesy campaign?

His message is in reality a cosplay updating of the old song "Don't Worry Be Happy".  No harm in that I suppose.  The 'worry' is that he will one day soon expire on Orchard Road for heat asphyxia, brought on by tight clothing and the noon day sun.

Hazy Images & Leaf Masks

These images were sent to me by a friend in Singapore.  His office is in a heritage building with windows that are not airtight, so the space is trapping the effects of the current haze pollution.

Photo Credit: Professor Graeme Britton

On Friday June 21st, the PSI reading reached 401 which is  life threatening

Sometimes adversity brings out the best in people.  Twitter has been trending #mustbethehaze, with some original tweets (should that be excuses?)

And a tweeter with the nom de plume @TakeMyHandNFly posted this image, taken from the local Singapore news. I think it shows great innovation.

A new style in anti-haze mask!  Looks like a strip of banana leaf (?) and I'm not sure of its effectiveness

Related articles

• Haze in Singapore...

Maserati Moaning and Foreign Interventions

Foreign construction workers at Little India. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It's neither a cautious nor clever political tactic to over promise and under deliver as is often the case in New Zealand when it comes to budgetary projections.

What I have always found refreshing is the more astute approach of doing the reverse; under promising and over delivering, as more often happens when it comes to Singapore budgets.

According to an article in Today Online, the Singapore government’s coffers last year swelled by S$3.9 billion, or three times higher than initially forecast.

While much has been made of the number of foreign workers being allowed to work in Singapore, there was a financial spin-off for the Government with higher foreign-worker levy collections contributing to a 10.7 % bump in Other Taxes.  The new budget anticipates that foreign-worker levies will provide S$0.85 billion more.

However those companies who are over-reliant of foreign workers, and demonstrate little desire to redress the balance between local employees and foreigners, will see a significant hike in foreign worker levies and face stricter allowances for imported labour.

All of which would seem to suggest that the Government is taking on board local discontent about the rapid influx of foreign workers;  recent election trends making this a necessity.

In more positive vein, Minister Grace Fu has released figures showing that 20,693 people took up Singapore citizenship, surely the most tangible evidence of commitment to the country.

Many had opted the "try before you buy" approach with half of the newly-hatched citizenry staying more than ten years in Singapore before they took the plunge.  Not that there is anything inherently wrong with that.  It's a big step in anyone's life. 27,521 people became PRs over the same period.

And, although it is not a welfare state (and has wisely determined that it never shall be) there is increased social spending in the new budget.

But the primary focus for the year ahead is to increase productivity on which the very fabric of Singapore society depends. It's a big worry for the ruling party that productivity actually fell 2.6% last year.  In 2011 there was growth of 1.3%.

Such a decline will partially offset by clobbering the wealthy with higher taxes.  If you own a Maserati and live in luxury accommodation you are in for an unpleasant surprise. Your property taxes might rise by as much as 69%.

Related articles

• Singapore eyes foreign worker limits
• UPDATE 1-Singapore budget hikes social spending, new curbs on foreign workers
• Singapore Budget 2013: Essentials that startups should know about

Urban Links

I am delighted to see that the urban planners of Singapore are going to the trouble of linking together the heritage sites, museums and walkways, as explained in the video above.

As one who regularly enjoyed these places I remember only too well trying to hug whatever shade was available when strolling in the tropical sun.

For the most part the signage to these buildings and heritage sites is very good. However there are some parts that are not shown so well on the map and unless you are a 'local' are difficult to navigate - the shortest route between two points of interest in such a climate is usually the best.

Imagine how unpleasant it must have been to work on the Singapore River in times gone by. This photo from the reign of George VI shows how congested it used to be. No urban walkways and very few green spaces.

The Singapore River - in the reign of George VI (1937-1952)

Related articles

• S$50m facelift planned for Civic District could see fewer roads

Crowdsourced Veggies And Laundry Poles

Lee Yi Shyan - Cool Ideas for Better HDB Living

I like the idea of crowdsourcing; to use the parlance of the Tech world.  The collective wisdom of the masses is harnessed to reach a satisfactory solution through the suggestion of creative ideas that will be of benefit to all.

"Cool Ideas for Better HDB Living" should be seen in this context.  If you ask the residents of these estates what it is they need and want to make their living more pleasurable you will get some good ideas thrown into the cerebral arena.

Far better to adopt this approach than attempt to impose a solution or set of solutions from afar.  Singapore HDB's (Housing Development Board estates) are a model for many other countries, as they too grapple with the problem of housing  a large population within a small landmass.

The HDB concept from the beginning is one of ownership rather than renting accommodation from the government.  This engenders a greater pride and encourages self-sufficiency rather than relying on government handouts, as often happens in countries such as New Zealand with its State Houses.

But the HDB's, especially the earlier ones, are not perfect as they were primarily designed for the able-bodied. For those suffering a disability, mobility in the older blocks has been a problem.  With a rapidly aging population these challenges are multiplied.

I was particularly impressed with one of the innovations suggested in the Cool Ideas competition. The "iStepup" is a retractable three-step stairs which flatten into a ramp to make it easier for those in a wheelchair to move around, according to the reports.  It was designed by three polytechnic students which clearly shows their design education is already paying dividends to society.

Domestic servants falling out of windows has been problematic over the years.  Washing hanging our from the windows of HDB's on long bamboo poles is a a very practical solution, as they capture the sultry breezes of Singapore.  However leaning too far out to retrieve the load has proved fatal for many.

Therefore another competition winner; a retractable laundry pole invention which promises to make hanging clothes out to dry easier should prove a winner.  It is already being user-tested in four households.

I should point out that washing on bamboo poles is a feature throughout Asia, not just Singapore. Flying into the old Kai Tak airport in Hong Kong entailed running the gauntlet of public housing with its flapping washing, on the final approach to landing.

Another idea submitted involves the use of multiple plant containers to water and grown one's own vegetables on the tiny HDB balcony.  Not sure of the dengue fever implications with this one as we were always actively discouraged from keeping pots with sitting water for fear of encouraging the mosquitoes.

Once these prototypes have passed the testing process then the government will facilitate the next step to commercialisation of the product or idea.  Of the eighty eight ideas submitted, fifteen have been selected for the prototype phase.  You can see some of the ideas and the participants on this Facebook site complied by Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry & National Development, Lee Yi Shyan.

Speaking of urban development and HDB's, here is the photographic portfolio of Sam Kang Li, one of the ICON de Martell Cordon Bleu 2012 nominees. His work neatly captures the atmosphere of the residents in his HDB block and the friendliness of Singaporeans in their multiracial environment.

Related articles

• Residents, students come up with "cool ideas" for better HDB living
• HDB enhances grants for low-income households
• HDB conferred award for excellence in sustainable development

Do You Merit It?

Roti Prata

I am in favour of everything being based on merit although it has to be said that at least one of the Hawker centres I frequented was anything but meritorious. I am referring of course to the old version of the Mei Ling food centre which when we first arrived in Singapore was run down, and speaking frankly, grubby in the extreme.

However it must also be recorded that the government spent a considerable sum in upgrading Mei Ling with the result that before the hawkers moved back it was spic and span. But old habits of grubbiness die hard, a term that seems appropriate when describing the state of the newly renovated food centre a few short months after relaunch.

This was a pity as most of the hawker centres we frequented were of good standard. Now the NEA has indicted that it will assess requests for new food centre based on merit. So for the first time in over a quarter of a century the government will start building food centres in new housing estates, the first being in Bukit Panjang with ten more to follow within a decade.

Coupled with this initiative is a lateral thought that such centres could be much more than a 'gobble and go' eatery. A consultative panel has suggested that such places could promote graciousness which may be a stretch of the imagination, especially when one considers the packets of tissues placed on table tops which reserve a place.

However two of their other suggestions seem to have merit; such centres could offer employment for the disabled and for people who want to set up small businesses.

Mirroring the 'Meals on Wheels' idea found in places like New Zealand, the hawker centres could also deliver food to nearby homes housing the elderly. With an aging population this seems a pragmatic and sensible solution for those lacking mobility in their advancing years.

Get the TShirt

The combination of food centre and merit reminds me also of a recent conversation I had with my doctor, an expatriate Malaysian Chinese whose family emigrated to New Zealand several decades ago. He was bewailing the fact that Singapore's hawkers are not what they used to be. As he put it, too many recent immigrants to the Republic attempting to copy the classic Singapore dishes with varying degree of success.

I have to admit that he has point, as the traditional recipes and families jealously guarding them are getting our of the trade. While this is a great pity it is also a fact that any cuisine evolves with new influences contributing over time.

Promoting the value of the traditional fare is deemed to be important in Singapore and to be granted the title of "Singapore Hawker Master" is meritorious in itself. The award was launched early in 2011 to celebrate hawker food and give recognition to deserving hawkers.

According to the Straits Times the 'popular roti prata eatery Casuarina Curry Restaurant was named a Singapore Hawker Master at the Asian Masters Gala Dinner on Wednesday night'.

Those of us who have enjoyed a crisp Roti Prata would say "well deserved"

Previous winners of the Singapore Hawker master Award have included:

Laksa Category
Roxy Laksa
East Coast Lagoon Food Village #01-48

Char Kway Teow Category
Outram Park Fried Kway Teow
Hong Lim Temporary Food Ctr #01-44

Nasi Lemak Category
Haji Maksah Berkat Chahya Food (Boon Lay Power Nasi Lemak)
Blk 221B, Boon Lay Place #01-106

Chicken Rice Category
Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice
Maxwell Food Ctr #01-10

Bak Chor Mee Category
Xing Ji Rou Cuo Mian
Blk 85 Bedok North St 4 #01-07

Just the thought of the above makes me behave like one of Pavlov's dogs!

Related articles

• Food: Best Cha Kway Teow in Singapore (universalscribbler.wordpress.com)
• A Walk Through The Old Neighbourhood - Jalan Kayu (remembersingapore.wordpress.com)

The Presidential Check List

Choosing a President is never an easy task as many of my Singaporean friends will no doubt tell you.  Later this month they go to the polls once again; this time to choose President Nathan's replacement.

I confess to be living back in a country that doesn't have such an office.  We cling to the last vestiges of our colonial past with a Governor General as our Head of State and the Queen's representative.  There are those who would like to replace the G.G. with a President but I am not one of them.  This preference is based on my observations of the shenanigans that surround the presidential electoral process in other countries -  the States and Italy being amongst the worst examples.

Despite my reservations I couldn't help but wonder what my own checklist for picking a suitable President might be?  I have come up with the following:

1. Pick someone who hasn't been born with a silver spoon on their mouth.
   A man of the people needs to have been fully immersed in the day to day life of the community through face-to-face service throughout their working life. Only then can they truly claim to be the people's president.
   
2. Removed from Government machinations
   Even though the presidential role is largely ceremonial a President need to be perceived to be clearly aside from the ambitions of the government of the day, and to have been so for some considerable time.  Not out of touch nor diametrically opposed to those in power, but able to provide the necessary impartial political checks and balances as and when required.
   
3.  Sound moral fibre
   A predilection to the demon drink and chasing hotel maids (or airline stewardesses) might be seen as an attribute in some European countries but it does not project the country in the best light and such a candidate should be discounted with alacrity. And don't be lulled by the false sense that the average age of most presidential hopefuls is at least seventy; many still have the libido to make themselves a nuisance if they are that way inclined.
   
4. Gravitas
   Pomp without pomposity should be a defining attribute.  The ability to carry out Presidential ceremonial duties with the dignity of the office in tact I see as essential.  A mumbling moron with a slouch, one who doesn't know his knife from his fork simply will not do.
   
5. Fiscal Prudence
   If your Presidential salary is in the millions and you banquet by candlelight most nights of the week it could be very easy to lose touch with reality.  Someone who has been able to manage a family budget in reduced circumstances would have the edge when it came to my pick.  If they knew where the best value for money chicken rice was in the Heartland, even better!

As to the Singaporean election we can be assured of one thing; the next President will be a President Tan.  The questions remains, which one?

Related articles

• Four Candidates Eligible for Singapore President (online.wsj.com)
• The PAP tactic - Tell, Confuse, Apologize, Cry. (javertsworld.wordpress.com)

Cooling Off Day - May 6th

The race for Aljunied seems to be getting more heated by the minute so it is probably a good idea to have a 'cooling off day' in three days time,  the day  before the vote takes place in Singapore.

Singapore netizens have not taken too kindly to reported statements that Aljunied voters will have " five years to live and repent" if they vote in the opposition and this may backfire for the PAP at the ballot box.

It will be interesting to see the election results on May 7th. and the battles won and lost between the parties.

The Singapore Electorate Map

Click on the Map and then click again to see the larger version

2.35 million Singaporean voters but in the case of a no-contest in some electorates, not all will get to vote.

For example, a friend has told me that she is getting to vote for the first time in 10 years as her previous GRC has now become a SMC.

Related articles

• Singapore Opposition Contests Record Number of Seats (online.wsj.com)

Sweep Me Away

Singapore Sweep

I could never quite understand the attraction of 4D, the officially sanctioned version or the illegal HDB-hawked version. Having 'Big' and Small' versions of the same draw is thoroughly confusing to the uninitiated.

Neither seemed to give great returns and I can but wonder how they are faring with the two casinos mopping up all the Uncles and Aunties' spare change?

In all my time in Singapore I only managed to recoup a couple of dollars; mind you I was rarely tempted to out money down in the first place.  The Singapore Sweepstake lottery also failed to spark my interest with a maximum prize of 2.2. million and odds that made winning almost impossible.

Not that Singapore Pools established in 1968 and who run these lotteries are missing out, as Sport betting is big business. Both football and motor racing attract the punters.  

Singapore Pools reportedly (dated 2006) make $5 billion Singapore dollars per year but are parsimonious when it comes to give back to charities.  In its first 38 years of operation is only gave back $S1.6.billion

We used to see big queues forming at the betting shop on the corner of Alexandra Road and Commonwealth Drive before they pulled the small coffee shop complex down.  The other casualty in this redevelopment was a much patronised noodle stall.

Those who lost their shirt gambling were never too far away from redemption, with both the True Way Presbyterian Church and another religious grouping in Sanctuary House within easy walking distance from the betting shop, although I very much doubt that those afflicted made the association.

The New Zealand Lottery Board this past financial years sold $NZ782.3 million of tickets and made an overall profit of $NZ159 million.  This profit was distributed to New Zealand charities which compares more than favourably with the charitable distribution rate of its Singapore cousin.

As I write the New Zealand Powerball lottery has jack-potted to an impressive $NZ25 million which unlike the Singapore sweep will not be shared by a dozen people when finally struck.  Perchance to dream!

Related articles

• We are a nation of gamblers (singaporedreaming.wordpress.com)

An Economy Built On Solid Ground

The turn around in the Singapore economy is nothing short of remarkeable.

It is reported today that nearly 25,000 new jobs have been created in the second quarter and currently there is a 73% increase in job vacancies.

This means that for the first half of the year in excess of 61,000 new jobs have been created against a loss of 14,000 in the previous year.

What is less clear from the published statistics is the breakdown of citizens vs PR's vs those on work visas? 

The true test of success must surely be the growth of employment for the local citizenry as opposed to those who are transients in the labour market.

It is equally true that there will shortly be a general election in Singapore and so the good news stories are being pumped out.

Inflation in Singapore is at 3% which means that most can cope with the adjustment.  However we found there was often little apparent reason for the weekly increases in supermarket consumables.

Meanwhile in New Zealand inflation is tipped to reach 5% once the increased GST comes into force at the end of this month.

The NZ economy has received a further knock back with the recent Christchurch earthquake with most economists predicating that the quake will cut 0.8 percentage point from growth for this quarter.

Those Singaporeans (and there are a few) who snipe away at their country's performance would do well to consider that the grass is not always greener elsewhere.

The government is very 'hands on' which may not always appreciated, but it is the outcome that needs to be measured, not the emotions.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Singapore Employers Added More Jobs Than Estimated (Correct) (businessweek.com)
• N.Z. May Pause on Rates as Quake Sets Back Recovery (businessweek.com)
• Quake-Hit Christchurch Rebuild Seen Boosting Economy (businessweek.com)

Thinking Strategically

Yesterday the Singaporean PM and his Malaysian counterpart signed an important agreement.
 

Since the separation from Malaysia more than forty years ago that country has retained a sovereign presence in the heart of Singapore.  They own the Railway station and track that snakes its way through Singapore.  It is still gazetted as the Johor Bahru station in Malaysia

When Mathatir was in power his jaundiced view of Singapore and the world meant that this was never going to be resolved.  I am anticipating he will snipe away from the sidelines about this agreement and try to stir up trouble.

What was demonstrated yesterday was political maturity and  willingness to compromise for the benefit of all parties.

There will be a new railway terminus at Woodlands and the equally good news is that the rather charming (if somewhat dilapidated) railway station at Tanjong Pagar will be retained and conserved as a heritage building.  A new rapid transit system will link Singapore and Johor Bahru by 2018.

On the same day it was announced by Lee Hsien Loong that the water treatment station at Sungei in JB will be returned to the Malaysians when its lease runs out next year.

In the 1960's Singapore lived under constant threats of having their water supply cut off but latter developments such as the Marina Bay barrage and technologies such as NeWater treatment have largely negated this threat of such political blackmail.  The reliance on Sungei is not what it once was.

Singapore plans strategically for its longevity as a nation.  Having no natural resources of its own, other than people, it is reliant on others for the basics of life such as food and water.  Having largely addressed the water issue it also looks to broaden the supply chain for its food supply.

It has plans to invest heavily in a large faming and food processing food zone in North East China and if this comes to pass much of its meat and vegetables will come from this source in the future.

This development is only in the study phase but if it comes to pass fifteen years from now Singapore will no longer be beholden to volatile countries such as Indonesia for its meat supply.

Singapore Likes and Dislikes

Things I like

Thinks I dislike

The roar of tropical rains The detonation of a thunderclap The scent of pandan The MRT after the morning rush No winters Changi airport The Singaporean spirit of giving The Asian Civilisation Museum The friendliness of the bus drivers on the 111 route The greening of Singapore The verdant growth and colour of the tropics Rainbow mangoes and pisang manis (bananas) The Queenstown Library Chendol Malay food Old Chung Kee curry puffs Ah Teck Bao High Speed unlimited broadband at cheap prices A $1 Walls icecream Durian and Mangosteen The sound of a professional pianist practising in my condo The many good Singaporean friends I have made in my time here The way the country is governed Being able to walk safely on the streets as any hour of the day or night  The Botanic Gardens Marks and Spencers because they stock my sizes Being able to buy good luggage bags at reasonable prices Money changers Being in Singapore during a financial meltdown Lunching in the White Dog cafe at Vivio City Cruising on Superstar Virgo to Phuket and Penang Satay Bee Hoon at Redhill Food centre The kite flying at Marine Parade The East Coast seafood restaurants Cheap drycleaning The Old Ford Factory exhibit The wide variety of fruit and vegetables from many countries Century eggs with sliced ginger Ipoh Pomelo

Waiting at a bus stop on a humid morning Litter advertising on poles Attempts by new immigrant hawkers to cook classic Singapore dishes The MRT during the morning rush The energy sapping heat with little respite Spitting in the street Second hand smoke inhalation Begging False Monks Fundamentalist religions taking advantage of the weak and disadvantaged Being pushed off the pavement by inconsiderate pedestrians The Mediacorp free to air channels for their limited and amateurish programmes Highrise littering Smelly drains Cockroaches of every size and hue Being asked to pay $100 for the privilege of going into the new casinos and lose another $100 Increasing amounts of rubbish in the streets Ang Mo who make no effort to mingle and learn the local culture Not being able to fit any of the local clothing or shoe sizes The bureaucracy and service at the local banks Ditto for Singtel The cost of freight back to New Zealand Singapore Airlines one way fare costs Highly sugared local bread Indonesian 'haze' when it blankets Singapore Singapore Idol Maids scavenging through the condo rubbish bins The Japanese habit of preparing and eating seafood when it is still alive 3 in1 coffee

Related articles by Zemanta

• Recently Opened Singapore Casinos and Luxury Resorts (luxury-hotels.suite101.com)

All That Glitters

Got some spare gold lying around? A branded watch or two?

The government, I have belatedly discovered, runs and alternative chain of pawn shops to the private enterprises.  These are run through Singpost and are called Speed Cash outlets.

In the past gold jewellery (which is usually 99% pure here) would be trade back to the goldsmith at point of purchase and for a commission of 15% it could be cashed in.

Chinese families often carry gold as a hedge against bad times.  Watching the gold being tested for purity by the smith is also inetersting as they rub it against a small stone and assay it.

Speedcash offers a better deal to Singaporean families, so a friend of ours has informs us. Instant cash is paid out for valuables witha 6 month redemption period and a modest interest rate is charged. If one doesn't claim it back then the company will auction the item.  If at auction the article raises more than the previously redeemed rate they will send you the balance,

This seems a fair and equitable system and I suspect with the opening of two casinos in Singapore that business has been brisk.

Tiger Tiger Burning Bright

Tiger claws are de rigeur amongst the superstitious and apparently readily available in several Singapore outlets. This disturbing piece of news was featured in the Straits Times today.

Just why one would wish to destroy a beautiful and endangered animal like a tiger simply to become the owner of a tiger claw amulet is beyond me.

Evidently 59 outlets were found to have been trading in tiger body parts last month and only seven claimed to have known anything about the trading ban. Such collective amnesia is hard to believe. Some 320 items were seized.

The government meantime continues to gets its claws intom the prickly subject of productivity. With the recession-proofing subsidies being phased out the emphasis is switching to innovation and increasing the productivity of Singaporeans.

Alongside this is the ongoing battle to get the birth rate up. The latest ploy is a combo meal which comes with a free card game. You have to be a couple, preferably married or about to be, for the game to be any fun according to the promotional advertising.

And even you are feeling so inclined after a straight flush, I have it on good authority that tiger will not be featuring on the combo menu.

Poles Apart - The Rise of the Litter Lout

Something seriously needs to be done about these litter bugs. There has been some publicity in the press lately explaining how the Council are going to use a non stick paint on its poles, to make it difficult for these tear-tab posters to be glued up.

Non stick paint is not the answer - strict policing is.

If all of the population did as we do and rip down and bin this litter then it would act as a deterrent. Regrettably the local citizenry seem loath to assist the authorities and this apathy (non engagement) seems to be ingrained.

The biggest disincentive though would be to apply a more rigorous campaign of prosecution; after all Singapore has strong laws against littering and it is just a question of policing and following through with the fines.

It is not for the lack of evidence, which is clearly visible on the pole such as the one pictured which was one of many by this litter lout at my bus stop by Forfar Heights in Commonwealth Avenue.

Here are some campaign ideas to curb this plague:

1. Take photos on your mobile phone of the poster and send it to the Environment Ministry. The email address is contact_nea@nea.gov.sg and their customer service line is 1800 225 5632
2. Ring the number on the poster and tell the person that they are litter bugs and should be ashamed of themselves for breaking Singapore laws.
3. Whenever you come across one of these pole posters pull it down and put in in the nearest waste paper bin - do this after you have done numbers 1&2
   

These pole advertisers are a public nuisance and their activity scars the environment.

It is time to get serious and get rid of these pests.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Singapore sticks to ban on chewing gum (calgaryherald.com)
• Woman fined £75 for dropping a tissue as she blew her nose (telegraph.co.uk)

Marketing Gone Bad

A much vaunted graffiti spraying (carried out by a masked man) of Singapore's postal boxes and organised by SingPost has backfired spectacularly!

Designed to 'engage with youth' the boxes in question drew horrified responses from a significant section of the population, who believed they were witnessing an act of gratuitous vandalism.

For many Singaporeans the term 'graffiti' bring back vivid memories of the delinquent, expatriate teenager Michael Fay; who went on a vandalistic binge defacing vehicles.

As Fay was a US citizen, the States objected to the mandatory punishment of caning metered out by the Singapore courts. My take was then and remains, that if you are a resident in a country you abide by its laws and if you do not, then you will be punished according to the laws of the land.

The SingPost boxes were a PR disaster for the company and are now being repainted as part of a more sedate art competition.