WP Rally 19 Jan 2013
RP Rally 20 Jan 2013
Monday, 21 January 2013
Not all Opposition Parties are the same, c 4 yourself
Not all Opposition Parties are the same, see for yourself
Thursday, 3 January 2013
Hong Kong, Singapore Home Prices to Halve?
CNBC INTERVIEW WITH ECONOMIST Andy Xie
http://www.cnbc.com/id/100350239
Hong Kong, Singapore Home Prices to Halve?
A consequence of rising prices will be an inevitable hike in interest rates by the U.S. Federal Reserve as well as central banks in Asia. This may finally burst a property bubble that's been fuelled by low interest rates in cities such as Singapore and Hong Kong, Xie said.
"The Fed has basically outlined a 2.5 percent inflation limit and so when inflation rises above that, they have to explain why they are not raising interest rates," Xie said.
"In Hong Kong and Singapore, the issue is very much about interest rates. So it's going to be similar to 1998," he added, referring to the property bubble that burst at the peak of the Asian financial crisis.
House prices in the two cities could plunge by half if interest rates go up, he added.
Private home prices in Singapore have risen 56 percent since 2007 and most analysts expect this upward trajectory to continue into the New Year, citing record low benchmark rates for home loans.
In Hong Kong, house prices climbed by about 20 percent in 2012, after gaining 60 percent over the past decade. This was also driven by record low mortgage rates and an inflow of foreign money."
http://www.cnbc.com/id/100350239
Hong Kong, Singapore Home Prices to Halve?
A consequence of rising prices will be an inevitable hike in interest rates by the U.S. Federal Reserve as well as central banks in Asia. This may finally burst a property bubble that's been fuelled by low interest rates in cities such as Singapore and Hong Kong, Xie said.
"The Fed has basically outlined a 2.5 percent inflation limit and so when inflation rises above that, they have to explain why they are not raising interest rates," Xie said.
"In Hong Kong and Singapore, the issue is very much about interest rates. So it's going to be similar to 1998," he added, referring to the property bubble that burst at the peak of the Asian financial crisis.
House prices in the two cities could plunge by half if interest rates go up, he added.
Private home prices in Singapore have risen 56 percent since 2007 and most analysts expect this upward trajectory to continue into the New Year, citing record low benchmark rates for home loans.
In Hong Kong, house prices climbed by about 20 percent in 2012, after gaining 60 percent over the past decade. This was also driven by record low mortgage rates and an inflow of foreign money."
Monday, 31 December 2012
2013 New Year Day’s Message to PM
Dear PM,
Thank you for taking the time to wish us Happy New Year Day’s via your NYD Message 2013. We understand that you are definitely busy with many initiatives and priorities such as the National Conversation, Budget 2013, Population Paper etc that you have not been able to decide on a by-election date for Punggol East SMC.
I read through the NYD Message 2013 and would like to add a heavy dose of reality and cynicism to the sugar coated over-optimism. Singapore has not made steady progress in 2012, instead the pain associated with a variety of breakdowns in the public transport system, SMRT bus driver strikes, escalating inflation (COEs, housing, daily necessities), over-crowding and continued foreigner “invasion” has made 2012 even worst for Singaporeans.
Tackling the specific points of the NYD 2013 message, the Singapore Conversion has been touted as the Silver Bullet to solve many of our problems and to engage Singaporeans to focus on their futures. The Main Stream Media has no doubt published many photos and videos of Singaporeans involved and enthusiastic about the Singapore Conversation. However, the enlightened ones have already dismissed the whole exercise as a pathetic wayang show ever since the netizens have identified numerous grassroots and PAP associated helpers in the televised debate. I continue to encourage my fellow enlightened Singaporeans to keep up their skepticism and instead insist on taking control of their own destinies by enacting change via the ballot box. It seems that is the only way we are heard.
On the population, the NYD 2013 message has step-sided the key point which Singaporeans have been shouting but never adopted. Singaporeans want to make sure that the guiding principle is “Singaporeans First and Foremost”. There keeps on being this call and nag that we need to be inclusive of the new arrivals and share Singapore values regardless about where they originally came from. The question is how about all the Singaporeans that did National Service and lived in Hougang ? They had the true Singapore values but were always made to feel like second-class citizens via lack of upgrading and improvements to their estates. Are these Singaporeans worth less than the new arrivals? In my mind, the White Paper on the Population due out will undoubtly remain as a continued propaganda of needing to import foreigners (and if they are rich even better) into Singapore and lead to over-population of 6.5 million people in this crowded little island. What would not been explicated stated would also be the welcoming of rich foreign millionaires who buy their way into Singapore and inflate everything from cars to housing prices. Cases in point are COEs of over S$ 81,000 for 1,600cc and the ECs penthouses being sold for S$ 2.05 million. The imbued objective being, if you are not rich and cannot afford to stay or procreate in Singapore, you are welcomed to leave, even though you were born, raised and contributed to this country.
It is indeed ironic that the NYD 2013 message has also brought the issue on embracing the right values. When Yaw Shin Loong was implicated on his extra-martial affair, the full weight of the lynching party came down on him and requested that he come clean and that he had let down the voters in Hougang. When the same incident happened to Michael Palmer, the PR machinery was flawless in painting him in a good light and requested that he be given space and time to set things right. Double-standards don’t feature well in upholding right values, do they?
This issue on values also leads to another point of discussion, the claim that no system is perfect and that there will always been cracks. Perhaps then we should consider paying people in Public Sector senior positions and political leaders a lot less and not pegged their salaries to the private sector. This scheme may assure that they are joining to uphold the ethos of public service and not to uphold their lavish lifestyles. If Michael Palmer was paid only the median of the Singapore population salary, then maybe he would not be able to afford the expensive Monday-night rendezvous in Fairmount hotel or given to Laura Ong the expensive Dior handbag? Maybe he would focus on making ends meet like the rest of us and still be the MP for Punggol East SMC ?
The true values of the first generation leaders have seemed to be eroded over the years. When the odds were against them with the British departure, being kicked out of Malaysia, needing to provide affordable housing and good jobs to Singaporeans, the first generation leaders were fearless, innovative, self-sacrificing and focused on improving Singaporean lives. Interestingly, these values seemed to be demonstrated by the more credible opposition party members, who have everything to lose and nothing to gain if their political careers fail.
This reflective response to the NYD 2013 message is intended to be a reality check on the year 2013 and beyond. The NYD 2013 message may have intended to be uplifting but Singaporeans have their eyes wide opened and now live by the creed, “Fool me once, Shame on you. Fool me twice, Shame on me.”
Monday, 10 December 2012
Question ? Why is Public Transport not under the purview of Public Servants?
See the last line in the report from MSM, I don't buy the argument that if the Public Transport System is nationalized it will result in a worse-off condition. Things are already so BAD, that it can only get better if it is nationalized.
The Public Utilities Board is a Stat Board under Public Servants. So does it mean that it is inefficient and that we do not get our water supply? The last I checked, I had water to bathe in...
The Public Libraries in Bukit Batok, Bedok, Toa Payoh etc are under Public Servants and we have iPads available for loan now! We have up-to-date books and newspapers... Without competition from another alternative, the Public Libraries are doing fine...
When you screw up, say you screw up lah, and correct the problem by taking the right steps to Nationalize SMRT and SBS Transit.
From ChannelNewsAsia :-
SINGAPORE: Industry observers say transport operators should look at alternative ways to raise the salaries of bus drivers.
Passing the buck to commuters should be the last resort, say observers.
They are commenting on Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew's suggestion that bus fares may go up in future to help improve the wages of bus drivers and that the public transport fare review, due next year, will consider this issue.
It's not easy getting Singaporeans to come on board as bus drivers.
So salary increments might make the job more appealing.
The question is: who will foot the bill?
Some industry observers said it should not be assumed that commuters will have to bear the additional costs as the two public transport operators remain profitable.
"So, from the passengers' side and the general public point of view, it may be difficult for them to swallow," said Professor Lee Der-Horng, an associate professor at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore (NUS).
"...if they can first of all pursue their internal resources and try to improve their operations and see if they can further cut down operating costs, then perhaps, it wouldn't be necessary to approach the public and seek an increase in public transportation fare."
MP Gan Thiam Poh, who is also a member of the Government Parliamentary Committee (GPC) for Transport, said: "I feel strongly that the operators should try to explore or exhaust other means, such as other revenue, such as revenue coming from advertisements, rental or whatever...I think passing on (the costs) to consumer, that should be the last resort."
But even if salaries for bus drivers are raised, it might not be enough to get Singaporeans to bite.
Industry observers say that the long hours, rigorous work and the desire to have a job of higher value are among the main reasons Singaporeans shun the job.
Hence, a dependency on foreign manpower in this area might become unavoidable.
According to the chairman of the Public Transport Council, Gerard Ee, Singapore also lacks the body count and has an ageing workforce. That is why it must look to foreign manpower to fill the gaps in certain essential industries.
"Some jobs are just not popular, and as long as people have choices, they will give it a miss," said Mr Ee.
Industry observers also suggested that the operators look beyond Malaysia and China when hiring bus drivers, "so we will not be overly-reliant on a particular country or a particular region", said NUS' Professor Lee.
Suggestions to nationalise public transport have been raised but some observers said that this could result in inefficiencies and a drop in service levels ????!!!!
The Public Utilities Board is a Stat Board under Public Servants. So does it mean that it is inefficient and that we do not get our water supply? The last I checked, I had water to bathe in...
The Public Libraries in Bukit Batok, Bedok, Toa Payoh etc are under Public Servants and we have iPads available for loan now! We have up-to-date books and newspapers... Without competition from another alternative, the Public Libraries are doing fine...
When you screw up, say you screw up lah, and correct the problem by taking the right steps to Nationalize SMRT and SBS Transit.
From ChannelNewsAsia :-
SINGAPORE: Industry observers say transport operators should look at alternative ways to raise the salaries of bus drivers.
Passing the buck to commuters should be the last resort, say observers.
They are commenting on Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew's suggestion that bus fares may go up in future to help improve the wages of bus drivers and that the public transport fare review, due next year, will consider this issue.
It's not easy getting Singaporeans to come on board as bus drivers.
So salary increments might make the job more appealing.
The question is: who will foot the bill?
Some industry observers said it should not be assumed that commuters will have to bear the additional costs as the two public transport operators remain profitable.
"So, from the passengers' side and the general public point of view, it may be difficult for them to swallow," said Professor Lee Der-Horng, an associate professor at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore (NUS).
"...if they can first of all pursue their internal resources and try to improve their operations and see if they can further cut down operating costs, then perhaps, it wouldn't be necessary to approach the public and seek an increase in public transportation fare."
MP Gan Thiam Poh, who is also a member of the Government Parliamentary Committee (GPC) for Transport, said: "I feel strongly that the operators should try to explore or exhaust other means, such as other revenue, such as revenue coming from advertisements, rental or whatever...I think passing on (the costs) to consumer, that should be the last resort."
But even if salaries for bus drivers are raised, it might not be enough to get Singaporeans to bite.
Industry observers say that the long hours, rigorous work and the desire to have a job of higher value are among the main reasons Singaporeans shun the job.
Hence, a dependency on foreign manpower in this area might become unavoidable.
According to the chairman of the Public Transport Council, Gerard Ee, Singapore also lacks the body count and has an ageing workforce. That is why it must look to foreign manpower to fill the gaps in certain essential industries.
"Some jobs are just not popular, and as long as people have choices, they will give it a miss," said Mr Ee.
Industry observers also suggested that the operators look beyond Malaysia and China when hiring bus drivers, "so we will not be overly-reliant on a particular country or a particular region", said NUS' Professor Lee.
Suggestions to nationalise public transport have been raised but some observers said that this could result in inefficiencies and a drop in service levels ????!!!!
Wednesday, 28 November 2012
Residential projects due for completion next year are 2-3x more than usual.
Residential projects due for completion next year are 2-3x more than usual.
http://sbr.com.sg/residential-property/news/fears-higher-vacancy-rates-escalate
"We retain our negative view on the Singapore residential sector as we continue to see a rising threat of vacancy with an acceleration in physical completions in 2013-15," said CIMB in a report.
Vacancy rates for non-landed private units had increased from 5.9% to 6.1% qoq in 3Q12 as take-up continued to lag physical completions.
URA estimates that completions will rise from 16.1k units in 2013 to 23.1k units in 2015, which according to CIMB is 2-3x more than the historical average occupancy rate of 8k units per year.
"This will be compounded by impending completions of HDB units following aggressive building in the last three years. Around 83% of local residents still live in HDB flats. Incremental demand should also come under pressure from the Singapore government’s continuous reassessment of its liberal immigration
policies. PR conversions have tapered off, a glimpse of how tighter immigration is taking shape. Rising inventories against normalised population growth do not augur well for future take-up, in our view. While prices remain at record highs on low interest rates, policy risks remain an overhang," it said.
Even LHL admits that there is a property bubble. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-11-28/singapore-s-lee-says-population-property-among-challenges-faced.html
“It is certainly something on Singaporeans’ minds. We have had a property boom, almost a bubble. It’s because liquidity is sloshing around worldwide and real interest rates are negative. People are looking for opportunities to invest their money and there aren’t a lot of exciting opportunities where you see growth and possible new breakthroughs right now."
Then why housing prices still increasing? Something is seriously wrong.....
"We retain our negative view on the Singapore residential sector as we continue to see a rising threat of vacancy with an acceleration in physical completions in 2013-15," said CIMB in a report.
Vacancy rates for non-landed private units had increased from 5.9% to 6.1% qoq in 3Q12 as take-up continued to lag physical completions.
URA estimates that completions will rise from 16.1k units in 2013 to 23.1k units in 2015, which according to CIMB is 2-3x more than the historical average occupancy rate of 8k units per year.
"This will be compounded by impending completions of HDB units following aggressive building in the last three years. Around 83% of local residents still live in HDB flats. Incremental demand should also come under pressure from the Singapore government’s continuous reassessment of its liberal immigration
policies. PR conversions have tapered off, a glimpse of how tighter immigration is taking shape. Rising inventories against normalised population growth do not augur well for future take-up, in our view. While prices remain at record highs on low interest rates, policy risks remain an overhang," it said.
Even LHL admits that there is a property bubble. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-11-28/singapore-s-lee-says-population-property-among-challenges-faced.html
“It is certainly something on Singaporeans’ minds. We have had a property boom, almost a bubble. It’s because liquidity is sloshing around worldwide and real interest rates are negative. People are looking for opportunities to invest their money and there aren’t a lot of exciting opportunities where you see growth and possible new breakthroughs right now."
Then why housing prices still increasing? Something is seriously wrong.....
Thursday, 22 November 2012
Dun be conned by the BULLSHIT from Main Stream Media!
There recently has been a lot of news in the Main Stream Media that employers are complaining that they do not have enought workers due to the foreign worker ratios.
http://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20121105-381524.html
http://www.soshiok.com/multimedia/photos/1618
To me it is all BULL SHIT ! The powers at hand are already using the main stream media to sell the fact that they need more foreigners in order for businesses to survive...So that they can import more to make your lifes more difficult...
Let me ask you whether the flood of foreigner have declined? NO! Only the pace of increase has decreased. They are still coming in droves and businesses are just drunk with cheap foreign workers that take up space and limited resources in Singapore. See attached website http://nathanielkoh.blogspot.com/2012_07_01_archive.html and tables
.jpg)
Say NO to BULL SHIT from businesses who should not be in Singapore in the first place if they do not want to hire Singaporeans!
http://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20121105-381524.html
http://www.soshiok.com/multimedia/photos/1618
Let me ask you whether the flood of foreigner have declined? NO! Only the pace of increase has decreased. They are still coming in droves and businesses are just drunk with cheap foreign workers that take up space and limited resources in Singapore. See attached website http://nathanielkoh.blogspot.com/2012_07_01_archive.html and tables
.jpg)
Say NO to BULL SHIT from businesses who should not be in Singapore in the first place if they do not want to hire Singaporeans!
Saturday, 3 November 2012
Top Ten Signs you are a "Gangnam Style" Fanatic
Top Ten Signs you are a "Gangnam Style" Fanatic
No. 1 - You walk across all pedestrain crossings with the trademark horse-riding dance
No. 2 - The only clothes in your collection are suits with untied bow ties, and of course dark sunglasses
No.3 - You had plastic surgery to look fat and round like PSY, oops sorry, you just pigged out to get to the right size.
No.4 - All your mobile ring tones, alarm bell and door bell are the Gangnam Style song.
No.5 - You are responsible for at least 1% of the 580,000 million clicks on YouTube for the music video
No. 7 - You can sing the song in the four official languages in Singapore. You are working on the Japanese and Thai versions now.
No. 8 - You hail taxis by doing the trademark lasso dance.
No. 9 - You made so many failed parodies of the song that no one wants to dance it anymore with you.
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