New town Bidadari works begin by year end

A jogger doing his rounds at the park on the site of the former cemetery. Graves were exhumed in 2001 to make way for housing. — ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN

First launch of build-to-order flats at new town may take place by 2015

Work on the latest new town, Bidadari, will start by the end of the year, paving the way for 12,000 new homes to be built in central Singapore.

The site is slated for both private as well as Housing Board homes.

Depending on demand, the first Housing Board build-to-order launch may take place as early as 2015, a National Development Ministry (MND) spokesman said.

This could mean Housing Board flats completed by 2018 or so, consultants said.

The move to develop Bidadari is part of a twin-pronged strategy to meet ongoing strong housing demand. The other is to use land in existing estates more intensively, the MND spokesman said on Monday in response to queries.

Bidadari, near Potong Pasir, is a former cemetery whose graves were exhumed in 2001 to make way for housing.

It is currently a park, slightly smaller than Punggol estate.

Consultants say interest in homes at Bidadari is likely to be strong as it is relatively close to the city centre. They say Bidadari could be the next Bishan, also a former cemetery, yet one of the choicest Housing Board estates now.

Bidadari is served by two MRT stations: Woodleigh on the North-east line and Bartley on the Circle line.

In response to queries, the MND spokesman told The Straits Times that infrastructure work there will start by the year end. Site preparation and earthworks for Bidadari will be followed by the building of major roads, drains and sewers.

Mr Tan Kok Keong, OrangeTee’s research and consultancy head, brushed aside worries over superstition, given the site’s history. The Government’s development plans are typically driven by housing demand alone, he said.

‘There is no real stigma for fully exhumed sites anyway… But since Bidadari is quite a large site, it will take some time to be fully built,’ he added.

Another new town further along the pipeline is Tengah, near Choa Chu Kang and Bukit Batok, which will yield about 56,000 homes over the next decade or so.

There are more than 900,000 Housing Board flats in Singapore currently.

‘We will build infrastructure ahead of demand and start to prepare for new towns at Bidadari and Tengah,’ the MND spokesman said in response to queries.

‘How fast they are built up depends on the overall demand for housing in Singapore, but we are planning ahead for flexibility.’

Tengah is a large forested area about the size of Choa Chu Kang. Basic infrastructure and land preparation works will take longer.

Another new town down the track is Simpang, though details are not available yet as it will be developed much later, MND said.

Simpang town will be on the coast, bounded by the Strait of Johor to the north, Sembawang town to the west, Yishun town to the south and the mouth of the former Sungei Seletar to the east.

MND said that it is working out the detailed planning for Tengah and Simpang and will make specific announcements when ready.

The ministry also pointed to the need to use existing land in mature estates more intensively.

‘Specifically for residential needs, while we can expect to open up relatively undeveloped areas such as Tengah and Bidadari, we will also need to intensify the use of existing land within more mature housing estates.’

By Esther Teo, Property Reporter
esthert@sph.com.sg,   The Straits Times

Income Taxes in Singapore

Taxes paid in Singapore are amongst one of the lowest in the world. But I’m curious about how many percent of Singaporeans actually pay taxes. Five Stars and a Moon takes a graphical look at otherwise very boring data available on public domain.

 
31% of Singaporeans including persons not economically active.  41% of economically active Singaporeans pay income tax.
20% is the highest marginal tax rate, levied on income above $320,000.  The first S$320,000 of income is taxed at lower rates.

The maximum effective tax rate is less than 20%.Examples of tax reliefs used in calculating taxable income:

Employee CPF contributions, earned income relief (skewed to benefit seniors and handicapped), NS man relief, dependant parent/grandparent relief, parenthood relief (increases as you have more children).

There are more than 20 different reliefs in the Singapore income tax model.

 

If we add up all our taxes (income and property taxes, GST and other indirect taxes),
the top 20% of households contribute about 53% in 2010.” Separately,  Corporate Income Tax (CIT) accounts for about 31% of taxes paid in Singapore for FY 2010/2011.
But all this data needs to be compared against another to give it meaning.
Let’s have a look at Hong Kong:
 

If you have reservations over the data presented, have a look at your income tax invoice (that probably just arrived in your mailbox about a week ago) – how much did you have to contribute?

*Source: Ministry of Finance, Singapore and the Inland Revenue Department of Hong Kong 2011.

by Five Stars & a Moon (blog)
Link : Income Taxes in Singapore

Worker Party can do no wrong one.

Reblogged from Singaporeans Say:

WP can do no wrong one. Cannot say bad thing about WP. Point out it’s mistake only you will be branded bias and a “political tool” of PAP. Must only sing praises of WP hor.

So NMP, Prof Eugene Tan, you really bias lor to say such thing about WP. :

Excerpts : 

The WP would also have to demonstrate that it does not seek special treatment and condone in what I call banal acts of lawlessness.

Read more… 1,183 more words

Be wary of well-intentioned ‘keyboard warriors’

Reblogged from Singaporeans Say:

IN THE article (‘Chinese-Singaporean divide a ‘mindset issue”; May 19), Mr Wang Quan Cheng, president of the Hua Yuan Association, the largest group in Singapore representing immigrants from China, highlighted that the widening gap between native-born Singaporeans and new citizens can be bridged only when both make the effort to get to know each other’s cultures better.

We cannot and should not hold on to judgments and opinions based on stereotypes of specific nationalities.

Read more… 331 more words

Fallout from the Hougang showdown

THE Hougang by-election outcome was hardly ever in doubt. So talismanic has been the local presence of Workers’ Party (WP) leader Low Thia Khiang over 21 years that, predictably, the party relied heavily on him at the stump. Indeed, some voters, when asked about their choice, said simply that they had voted for Mr Low. The WP’s strong win was foremost an affirmation of the loyalty Hougang voters have long showed Mr Low.

This may be the party’s greatest strength, but is also a weakness. For all its brand recognition, observers and rivals alike have wondered whether the party’s reputation for cohesion and discipline ran deep. Recent events, from the expulsion of its former Hougang man Yaw Shin Leong, which precipitated the by-election, as well as several recent resignations of party members, to the surprise emergence on the eve of Nomination Day of WP veteran Poh Lee Guan as a possible alternative candidate, and the leaking of internal party memos which raised questions over whether its candidate Png Eng Huat had been upfront about the process which led to him not having been put up for an NCMP seat, added to the doubts.

Naturally, these drew media attention. These developments were no fabrications by the media, but emanated from within the party. Nor were reports and commentaries on them found only in the mainstream media. Far more damaging material swirled about on the Internet ahead of Polling Day, which the mainstream media mostly chose not to pick up, as it was unsubstantiated and possibly defamatory. Mr Low’s charges that the mainstream media was used as a ‘political tool’ by the ruling People’s Action Party were therefore unwarranted and unfounded. His post-election outburst, scripted and delivered live on national television, seemed designed for political effect, firing a salvo at his political opponents, with the media caught in the crossfire. That is lamentable, not least since anyone who claims to promote the idea of a First World democracy should take care to uphold its institutions, including the media.

Mr Low’s pledge, the morning after, of his party’s support for the Prime Minister’s call to refocus energies on the difficult choices the nation will face in a fast-changing world was more becoming. The non-partisan gesture is welcome as Singapore has to deal with formidable issues – like population, immigration, housing, transport, economic upgrading and a widening income gap. Progress has been made on some national issues, but much work lies ahead. After the heat of the hustings, voters will welcome the pledge from political players on all sides to ‘move on’, and turn to the more urgent business of addressing their pressing concerns.

EDITORIAL
Published on May 29, 2012, The Straits Times

No political intentions: Rotary Club of Singapore

The Rotary Club of Singapore is going ahead with a plan to help retrofit old toilets in Hougang, but dismissed suggestions that it was linked to political intentions.

The club had raised eyebrows last week when it said it would raise $100,000 to support a scheme by People’s Action Party candidate Desmond Choo.

The announcement, which came during the Hougang by-election campaign, prompted some to question its timing.

But the club’s president Kumar Tapan Rao told The Straits Times on Monday: ‘The Rotary Club is not making any donation to any political party. We are raising funds for a project to help the elderly in Singapore.‘

All of the $100,000 will go towards the cost of upgrading squat toilets to sitting ones, he said.

Mr Choo has raised enough funds to cover 30 homes, and the $100,000 will cover 50 more.

On Sunday, former presidential candidate Tan Cheng Bock had in a Facebook post commented on the club’s move, saying that the cause was ‘noble’ but ‘the reason and timing for the donation is misplaced’.

‘Giving money to a politician for a good cause during a political election campaign is venturing into the political arena,’ he noted.

The chairman of the Foundation of Rotary Clubs, Mr David Tong, has clarified that its constitution bans members from taking part in any political activity in the name of their clubs. There are 22 Rotary Clubs in Singapore, each one operating autonomously.

On Monday, Mr Tapan Rao said the political dimension had not crossed his mind. He had not even met Mr Choo before, he added. ‘At the end of the day, if we can get a new toilet for one old lady, I am honoured and gratified.’

As for Mr Choo, when asked if the funds should have gone to the MP instead, he replied that they should go to any good programme, ‘whether it is run by an MP or somebody else or a resident’. He said: ‘As long as it is a good programme that people can believe in, that benefits people, then the funding should go to them to run it.’

By Rachel Chang 
rchang@sph.com.sg , StraitsTimes, Published on May 29, 2012

• Question:
  Why didn’t WP try to work with charitable organizations or individual to bring community projects to their residents?
  ~ Fabrications About The PAP 

Defence Minister’s Journey with MINDEF/SAF: ‘Army Open House – Closer to Singaporeans’

A girl posing for a photograph on a Bronco tracked vehicle on the Army Avenue at the Army Open House.

AOH organisers wanted to bring the SAF into the heartlands, to bring the show to Singaporeans from all walks of life. They envisioned 3-generation families trying out equipment, reminiscing about their experiences and building that collective determination to defend what is precious to all of us – Singapore. I think the Army has succeeded.

The crowd along Army Avenue at the Army Open House @ Our City 

Held at the F1 Pit building, this was the first Army Open House held right in the heart of the city. And families came. They took rides on the Bionix, Terrex, Light Strike Vehicle and other vehicles at the Battle Rides Zone. It was photos galore for the family album. The children had their first taste of military life as they enthusiastically scrambled across the Forest Adventure Kids Obstacle Course, “painted” their faces in camouflage colours, and wore the uniforms like mini-soldiers. Some like me tried our hand at firing the anti-tank gun MATADOR.

A boy taking his aim at a target with a Matador at the Army Open House.

Crowds were wowed by the Dynamic Defence Demonstrations (D3) which showed how the Army, Air Force and Navy worked closely to storm a building occupied by “terrorists”.

The Dynamic Defence Demonstrations were a definite crowd pleaser!

 I also launched the NS45 Showcase. The walk through the Time Tunnel was nostalgic for many Singaporeans, including myself. We have indeed come a long way since the 1970s, when our soldiers wore starched khaki uniforms, and used old-style Colgate tubes and wooden cabinets. The SAF today is a modern and potent fighting force, and it is the duty of present and future generations of Singaporeans to keep it strong.

Launching and touring the NS45 Showcase

It was heart warming to read the many post-it messages in support of NS on the NS45 wall. It showed Singaporeans are strongly committed to NS. Indeed, NS is the bedrock of our defence. This is the price we have to pay to continue enjoying peace and prosperity. For me, my message of support for NS was simple – NS45: Defending Singapore Together.

Messages of encouragement and support for NSmen posted on the NS45 Wall by visitors.

Kudos to all the men and women who worked hard to make this year’s Army Open House a success.

- Ng Eng Hen

Link : cyberpioneer  - Defence Minister’s Journey with MINDEF/SAF: ‘Army Open House – Closer to Singaporeans’

Thai SMEs ‘least competitive’ among 5 Asean nations. After the recent increase in the minimum wage.

After the recent increase in the minimum wage, the competitiveness of Thai small and medium-sized enterprises was ranked the lowest among five key Southeast Asian countries, from second previously, in a recent survey by Dhurakij Pundit University Research Centre (DPURC).

The centre’s director, Kiatanantha Lounkaew, said yesterday that this change resulted from a 40-per cent increase in labour costs after the government raised the daily minimum wage to 300 baht (US$9.4) in April while labour quality remained unimproved.

Kiatanantha said the research made use of the World Bank’s Enterprise Survey Data from 2006 to 2009 with total sample size of 3,161 enterprises from five countries: Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines, the so-called New Asean Tigers.

The ranking is based on relative efficiency of SMEs. The underlying argument for using this as a criterion is that most SMEs operate in an intensely competitive environment.

Efficiency, therefore, is essential to the survival and growth of the enterprise. An econometric method called the Stochastic Production Frontier was used to calculate efficiency scores of each of the 3,161 SMEs. These enterprises were then ranked, with a score closer to 1 representing a more competitive firm.

Before the wage increase, Thailand was ranked No 2 after Malaysia, while Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines followed respectively. But after the change, Thailand dropped to No 5, while Vietnam was ranked No 1 followed by Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia.

Kiatanantha said these results were a direct consequence of a long-neglected labour-quality policy in Thailand. He noted that research by the Asian Productivity Institute in 2004 found that from 1980 to 2000, deteriorating labour quality hampered the growth of gross domestic product in Thailand. This negligence is now manifesting itself in terms of stagnant labour productivity.

The result is supplement by a field survey on Thai SMEs’ preparation for Asean integration. The survey polled 1,073 SMEs from 18 provinces nationwide. It found that only 26.4 per cent of the respondents indicated that they had a clear idea about what had to be done to make them more competitive, while 73.6 per cent did have a clear idea on the matter.

The survey also solicited opinions about SMEs’ readiness for the implementation of the Asean Economic Community, which will come into effect in three years. It reported that 36.4 per cent of all participants said they wanted to improve their productivity; 31.5 per cent wanted to develop their workforce, including communication skills, cultural knowledge, and analytical thinking; 11.8 per cent would seek new markets; 10.1 per cent would focus on better financial management; and 10.2 per cent were thinking about new machinery and factory relocation.

Kiatanantha said that what Thailand needed was not a piecemeal productivity improvement policy. “If Thailand wants to reclaim its competitiveness, we have to have a big reform programme to upgrade the way our SMEs are doing business.”

Watchiranont Thongtep 
The Nation
Publication Date : 29-05-2012

Link : Thai SMEs ‘least competitive’ among 5 Asean nations. 

No to nursing home, say Bishan residents. About 40 people signed petition to oppose MOH plan

Traffic congestion, loss of recreational space, “poor airflow” and bad feng shui – these were the reasons raised by several of the 200 residents gathered at the Bishan East Community Club for a  dialogue session on the construction of a nursing home in Bishan Street 13. A petition of about 40 names was submitted to oppose the plans.

Around 200 Bishan East residents attended a dialogue session at Bishan East Community Club yesterday, where a petition with about 40 names was submitted to register opposition to the construction of a nursing home.

The proposed Lions Home for the Elders will be six to eight storeys tall and occupy a 0.3ha site facing three blocks of flats in Bishan Street 13. The nursing home will provide nursing and rehabilitative care to patients requiring a longer recovery period after discharge from hospital.

Residents put forth various reasons, ranging from traffic congestion and the loss of recreational space, to “poor airflow” and bad feng shui. One resident also argued that his electrical expenses will increase from having to use his air-conditioner more frequently due to the heat build-up, which would amount to a $7.56 million electricity bill over 70 years. Another resident said that “the old folk will be groaning right into my home”.

The dialogue session was attended by Ministry of Health group director (Aging Planning Office) Yeoh Tsin Woon, Bishan East Grassroots Organization adviser Wong Kan Seng and Bishan East Citizens’ Consultative Committee chairman Chua Thian Poh.

In response, Mr Wong said he understood the residents’ sentiments. “Nobody who has gotten used to breeze… (and) to a piece of land in front where their children can play football, or whatever it is, would now want to see a building coming up.”

Mr Wong added, “The MOH will take into account all the feedback, consider all the alternatives that were mentioned and will get back to the residents.”

In their statement to residents, the MOH said that Bishan East is a middle-aged estate with a higher percentage of residents above 65 (11.3%), compared to the national average (9.3%). The number of elderly residents is expected to double in the next 10 years. MOH will consider other alternatives raised at the dialogue, such as the field in front of Block 156.

To find out more, read The Straits Times article .

  REACHSingapore

Wu Xindi: Wrong to Target Mainstream Media /吴新迪： 别把主流媒体当箭靶子

**Response from <联合早报>ZaoBao Chief Editor 吴新迪 (Wu Xindi) to Mr Low Thia Khiang’s accusation on MSM.**

*Rough Translation*

Wu Xindi: Wrong to Target Mainstream Media

Response :

This Hougang BE is indeed full of unexpected twists and turns, as proclaimed by the Workers’ Party Secretary-General.

The last variable unexpectedly came from the man himself.

He chose the post-BE press conference to launch an attack on the mainstream media, describing all the mainstream media as back stabber, as the “political thugs” of PAP during the election campaign period.

These words were clearly a serious attack on the impartiality and integrity of the mainstream media.

More importantly, these were not an off-the-cuff reply to a reporter’s question, but in the prepared speech read out in both Chinese and English. In other words, this attack was a deliberate one on the mainstream media after careful and thorough consideration, with the words used carefully chosen and scrutinised without any ambiguity. 

In his reply to a question raised by reporter, “Lianhe Zaobao” was not listed in the two instances cited by him.

However, he specifically highlighted that, “the media went ahead to publish the email posted by an anonymous writer without confirming the identity of the ‘secret squirrel’. As “Lianhe Zaobao” was the first mainstream media to report the content of this email, what Low Thia Khiang mentioned without doubt led people to conclude that “Lianhe Zaobao” is the “PAP thug” placed to backstab the Worker’s Party.

Low Thia Khiang clarified during an interview yesterday morning, after thanking the HG voters, that “Lianhe Zaobao” reports during the election campaign have been balanced.

This is significantly different from what he said the night before, making people unable to figure out what position the Workers’ Party is taking. But most importantly, the damage has been caused.

As editor-in-chief of “Lianhe Zaobao”, as media workers with dignity, I must solemnly highlight that we cannot accept unfounded allegations by Low Thia Khiang.

On May 21 (Monday), the Workers’ Party candidate Png Eng Huat said he had requested the CEC not to include his name in a television interview because he was against the NCMP scheme, he had requested the CEC not to include his name on the list of names in the vote for the NCMP seat; “Lianhe Zaobao” subsequently received his statement explaining why the Workers’ Party did not nominate him as the NCMP.

But on the same day around 10 pm, we received an anonymous letter from someone claiming to be the “secret squirrel”, which alleged that what Png Eng Huat said was inconsistent with the facts, and attached the minutes of the Workers’ Party CEC meeting convened to elect NCMP. The minutes of meeting stated Png Eng Huat has received one vote, and what was stated differs with what he previously said during the television interview.

Although it was already close to our deadline, we still based on our professional instinct as reporters to try to verify the facts via various possible ways, which among them, of course, include making an inquiry to the Workers’ Party spokesman.

However, we did not receive any news from the designated spokesperson of the Workers’ Party. After midnight, the Chairperson of the Workers’ Party, Ms Sylvia Lim, finally replied to our query, stating that they would respond the following day. Using the information we obtained, based on our experience, we judged that the minutes of meetings were not fabricated, and decided to publish the contents of the anonymous letters on page 4.

During this incident, we did not manipulate behind the scene to undermine the Workers’ Party. In contrast, during the whole process, our reporters have maintained professional attitude to verify and report news. We believe that our readers have the right to know about this latest development.

As to how this development is beneficial to which political party is not a consideration of the newspaper. Whether or not the Workers’ Party would respond on not, how they would respond, whether the response would be able to convince the voters, these are also not our concern.

As a platform for dissemination of information, we must ensure that, if the Workers’ Party has a response, we will fairly and truthfully report it. And in fact, we had done so in the following day. On the front page of our 23rd (Wednesday) paper, we published in full and in an obvious manner the responses from both Low Thia Khiang and Png Eng Huat.

Why would anyone want to choose this time, via an anonymous way, to expose these? Has the Workers’ Party launched an internal investigation?

While these questions should be properly addressed publicly to the voters, the Workers’ Party chose not to address them, but instead chose to make the mainstream media as a “live target” – this is irresponsible and an unfair accusation. 

In dealing with all the reports since the election campaign began, including interviews with both candidates, up to the one both the winners and losers thanking the voters, “Lianhe Zaobao” reporters and editors have upheld our belief in professionalism, impartiality and independence. To our readers, we have a clear conscience.

The author is this newspaper’s editor-in-chief
28-5-2012

吴新迪：别把主流媒体当箭靶子

回应

这次的后港补选，还真是如工人党秘书长所说的“充满变数”。

最后一个变数，竟然是来自他本人。他选择在补选成绩揭晓后的记者会上，突然向主流媒体发难，把所有主流媒体说成是暗箭的射手，是人民行动党在竞选期间的“政治打手”。

这些话，不管从哪个角度来看，都是对主流媒体的公正和诚信所作出的严厉指控。更重要的，这些话，不是他在被记者提问时临场回答的，而是从事先早已准备好的中英文讲稿中念出来的。也就是说，他是经过慎重和周密考虑后，向主流媒体开炮的，而且所选择的字眼，都是经过推敲的，绝不含糊。

尽管后来回答记者提问时，《联合早报》并不在他所列举的两个实例中，但因为他曾很具体地说“媒体在无法确认自称‘神秘松鼠’的身份，就刊登了匿名者电邮的相关报道”，而《联合早报》是第一家报道这个匿名电邮内容的主流媒体，刘程强的谈话，无疑让人认为，《联合早报》就是那个放暗箭的“行动党打手”。

虽然，刘程强在昨天上午答谢后港选民后接受本报访问时澄清，《联合早报》的报道在竞选期间相对来说是持平的，说法跟前一晚有很大的不同，让人摸不清工人党究竟持着什么立场。但最重要的，破坏已造成了。

作为《联合早报》的总编辑，作为有尊严的新闻从业员，我必须严正指出，我们不能接受刘程强毫无根据的指控。

5月21日（星期一），工人党的候选人方荣发在接受电视访问时说，他是因为反对非选区议员制度，而向中委要求在投票推选非选区议员时不要把他的名字放在名单上。《联合早报》后来收到他的声明，解释为什么工人党没有推选他为非选区议员。

但是，当天晚上10时许，我们接到自称“神秘松鼠”的匿名信，指称方荣发的说法与事实不符，并附上了当年工人党中委开会推选非选区议员的会议记录。在这个会议记录上，方荣发得了一票，这就跟他之前接受电视访问时的说法有出入。虽然这已接近我们的截稿时间，但是我们的记者以专业的本能，尝试通过各种可能的途径求证。其中，当然包括工人党发言人。不过，工人党的指定发言人没有音讯。过了半夜，工人党主席林瑞莲终于回复询问，并表示会在隔天回应。我们以所得到的信息，凭着做新闻的经验，判断会议记录并非伪造，决定在当天第4版刊登匿名信的内容。
这起事件，我们没有在后面暗中操盘，想要破坏工人党。相反的，在整个过程中，我们的记者都是以非常专业的态度进行查证和报道。我们认为，读者有权利知道这个最新的发展，至于这个发展对哪个政党有利，并不是报纸所考虑的。工人党会不会回应、要怎么回应、它的回应是否能说服选民，这些也都不是我们所关注的。作为一个传播信息的平台，我们要确保的，是如果工人党有回应，我们会公正地照实报道，而实际上，我们在隔天也这么做了。我们在23日（星期三）的封面，显著与全面地刊登了刘程强和方荣发的回应。

为什么有人要选择在这个时候通过匿名方式来揭发这些事？工人党是否要展开内部调查？这些其实应该公开向选民交代清楚的问题，工人党并不正面回答，而是选择把主流媒体当成是箭靶子，这是不负责任，也是不公平的指责。

从选战开始的报道，包括对两党候选人的专访，到今天见报的胜利者和失败者的谢票活动，《联合早报》的记者、编辑在处理时所秉持的信念是：专业、公正与独立。面对我们的读者，我们问心无愧。

本文作者是本报总编辑

Link  : 吴新迪：别把主流媒体当箭靶子