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Uniquely Singapore
Teachers are the one and only people who save nations.
May. 24 | By Cheong Yaoming - According to the founder and first President of modern Turkey Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, “Teachers are the one and only people who save nations.” Despite the importance of governments in forming nation shaping...
Hougang by-election rallies – putting statistics to the rhetoric
May. 21 | By Leong Sze Hian ~ I refer to 'The Straits Times' articles WP 'chose not to send Png into Parliament' and 'Voters free to pick best man' from May 21 2012. Foreign workers curtailed? The former...
Billy runs into bureaucratic roadblocks
May. 14 | ~ By Leong Sze Hian ~ Billy (not his real name) thanks the numerous valuable suggestions (here) and words of encouragement that he has received from TOC readers on how he can resolve his housing problem. Billy has already taken action based...
90% of unemployed residents are Singaporeans?
May. 11 | ~ By Leong Sze Hian ~ I refer to the Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) Employment Situation First Quarter report. (here) It states that “An estimated 59,100 residents, including 52,800 Singapore citizens were unemployed in March 2012. The...
Redundancy Share for PMETs at a 13year high
May. 9 | ~ By Leong Sze Hian ~ I refer to the Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) Redundancy and Re-entry into Employment, 2011 report (here). Layoffs rose for PMETs. It states that “Layoffs fell for clerical, sales & service and production & related...
Singaporean loses HDB flat, foreign wife runs away
May. 8 | ~ By Leong Sze Hian ~ Billy (not his real name) is a 41 year old Singaporean male, who married a foreign spouse. After marrying him, she obtained permanent residency (PR) status. Subsequently, she left Singapore on a flight to Los Angeles in 2007, and...
Population: Need 25,000 new citizens?
Apr. 30 | ~ By Leong Sze Hian ~ I refer to the occasional paper, Citizen Population Scenarios, published by the National Population and Talent Division, Prime Minister’s Office, in April. Highlights:- “Singapore’s Total Fertility Rate has...
$500 fee to import a $10 medical device?
Apr. 23 | ~ By Leong Sze Hian ~ I refer to the article “Has HSA bitten off more than it can chew?” (Sunday Times, Apr 15). The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) recently also introduced a $500 fee for the import of medical devices. The $500 fee applies...
$5 benefit for every tax dollar a fairytale?
Apr. 17 | ~ By Leong Sze Hian ~ I refer to the article “How 2-room households get $5 for every $1 tax” (Straits Times, Apr 10). According to the report, a household income of $1,200 income can buy resale flat? How likely is it for the example given...
Fuel cost price goes down but tariff goes up!
Apr. 12 | ~ By Leong Sze Hian ~ I refer to the Energy Market Authority’s (EMA) reply “Power tariff increases in line with fuel prices: EMA” (Straits Times, Apr 7) to my letter Power tariff peg to fuel prices raises question over latest hike”...
Credit card debt seems to be ‘ever-growing’
Apr. 2 | ~ By Leong Sze Hian ~ I refer to the article “More paid credit card bills on time last year, says credit bureau” (Today, Mar 30) which states that “The number of consumers who missed their credit card payments hit a record low last year,...
Median income growth: MOM says +1%, PSD says -0.6%?
Mar. 29 | ~ By Leong Sze Hian ~ I refer to the article "1.618 months pro-rated National Bonus for political office-holders" (TODAY, March 27) which states that, "For 2011, there was no payout under the real median income growth rate indicator, as...
Medifund: How many patients rejected?
Mar. 27 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to the report “Over S$78m in Medifund aid given to needy in FY2010” (Channel NewsAsia, Mar 12). It states that “Successful applications also went up by 22 per cent to more than 480,000 in 2010”. In...
Labour Market report: Income dropped – 0.7%?
Mar. 21 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to the Labour Market 2011 report released on 15 March. 2011 (see HERE). It states that “Weighed down by higher inflation in 2011, the real average (mean) earnings rose by only 0.7%”. Since I understand that the...
Statistics of CPF members meeting minimum sum requirement at age 55 – a roller-coaster ride?
Mar. 15 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to the report “Percentage of CPF members meeting Minimum Sum on the rise: Tharman” (Channel NewsAsia, Mar 5). It states that “The percentage of active CPF members who meet their Minimum Sum at age 55 has...
What’s it like to own a house with a meagre $850 a month?
Mar. 9 | ~By: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to the Straits Times article “He earns $850 and owns a two-room flat” published on the 9th of Mar 2012. (See HERE) The question on our minds is whether one can pay off the HDB loan. After the $40,000 Additional...
Casinos: Gamblers lost $5.7b?
Mar. 9 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to the Government's review on the two integrated resorts. With a total of 273,693 local gamblers visiting the two casinos last year, what may perhaps be a more important statistic to know is how much of the two integrated...
$1 Tax = $4.25 Benefits: Really?
Mar. 5 | ~ By: Leong Sze Hian ~ I refer to the article “Grow economy to forge inclusive society: “DPM” (ST, Mar 2). It stated that over a lifetime, for every $1 of taxes paid, lower-income and middle-income households (no car) get $4.25...
Never-ending need for donations
Feb. 29 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to the article “Donations to CDCs up 5% to S$10.9m” (Today, Feb 28). The joint press release by the Community Development Councils (CDCs) states that “A total of $10.9 million was attracted in...
Spend $30 million to disburse $61 million?
Feb. 28 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to the increase in funding to family service centres of about $100 million, over the next three years (“More family service centres, extra $30m funding in coming years”, (Straits Times, Feb 9). This works...
Enabling Masterplan for PWD – What was achieved in the last five years?
Feb. 26 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to the Enabling Masterplan 2012-2016: Maximising Potential, Embracing Differences (for persons with disabilities). Yet another 5-year plan? It states that ”In 2006, the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports...
Cleaners’ pay up $250 to $1,000: Congratulations?
Feb. 25 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to the article “Town council cleaners get more pay now” (Straits Times, Feb 21). It states that ”North West District Mayor Teo Ho Pin, who spearheaded and coordinated the initiative, said on Monday that...
Foreign scholars: Missing statistics?
Feb. 22 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to the article “Foreign scholars closely tracked” (ST, Feb 18). Sometimes, replies in Parliament may give you the edgy feeling that the statistics cited may not be telling you the whole story. One such instance...
Budget 2012: An Analysis (Part 2)
Feb. 20 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ Consistent rhetoric vs outcomes Like in school, we always say we will do better, but at the end of the day, we have to look at the report card. The almost consistent rhetoric in past Budgets, has been along the lines of – we...
Budget 2012: An Analysis (Part 1)
Feb. 18 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ 23 times more surplus? From the originally estimated Overall Budget Balance of $0.1 billion, we now expect a larger Overall Budget Surplus for FY2011 of about $2.3 billion. This is about 23 times more than what was originally...
Income: What a world of difference without CPF contributions?
Feb. 17 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to the article “S’pore households' median monthly income rises” (Channel NewsAsia, Feb 14). It states that “The Department of Statistics (DOS) said in its latest report, 'Key Household Characteristics...
Better to be foreigners’ dependants than spouses of Singaporeans
Feb. 14 | ~ By: Leong Sze Hian ~ I refer to the reply in Parliament that 3,000 2nd-geneneration permanent residents (PRs) who did National Service (NS) applied to be Singapore citizens. (“3,000 2nd-gen PRs who did NS applied to be Singapore citizens”,...
Whip: To lift or not to lift? What is “a matter of conscience”?
Feb. 10 | ~By: Leong Sze Hian~ The Government Whip Gan Kim Yong in response to a query from Today, said that the whip will be in place when Parliament debates a new formula for ministerial salaries – ““There is no intention to lift the whip....
Jobs in Singapore – Some interesting data from Labour Force 2011 Report
Feb. 8 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to the Labour Force 2011 report (see HERE) Less training? “Training participation fell in 2011 ……. 27% of residents aged 15 to 64 in the labour force participated in job-related structured training...
Jobs in Singapore – 54,000 Job vacancies: Really?
Feb. 5 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ About two weeks ago, I gave a talk to a group of about 25 unemployed Professionals, Managers, Engineers and Technicians (PMETs). Many of these PMETs have been unemployed for more than a year. So, when the Ministry of Manpower (MOM)...
Jobs in Singapore – 2011 income growth, 1% or 0.7%?
Feb. 1 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to article “Median monthly income of Singaporeans rises 6.3%” (Straits Times, Feb 1) and the Employment Situation 2011 report, (Report) released on 31 January, 2012. Foreign employment up, locals down? Despite...
Does NKF have $27 million more in the kitty now than it had in 2005?
Jan. 25 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to media reports that the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) is raising funds from the general public again, after a hiatus of about five years. It has launched a “give $1 a day to help sponsor artificial kidneys” campaign. According...
Poor children have 10% chance of making it to the top?
Jan. 18 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to the article “Mobility in S’pore ‘higher than previously thought’” (Today, Jan 13). It states: Having poor or less-educated fathers does not necessarily mean their sons will fare similarly,...
Electricity tariff: Did fuel component increase by 181 percent?
Jan. 16 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to the advertisement notice in the media on the increase in the electricity tariff. The chart (see HERE) shows the increase in fuel prices versus the electricity tariff for the last five years. Non-fuel component not shown? As...
Can eligibility criteria for PA scheme be made more “humane”? Chan Chun Sing’s non-answer
Jan. 11 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to the article “MPs urged to tell MCYS about those in need” (Today, Jan10). The article quoted Acting Minister for MCYS (Ministry of Community Development Youth and Sports), Mr Chan Chun Sing as saying “We are...
18 percent drop in salary for poly graduates?
Jan. 10 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to the article “Higher pay but fewer full-time jobs for polytechnic graduates: Survey” (Today, Jan 9). It states that “The median gross monthly salary of fresh poly graduates in full-time permanent employment went...
Re-employment act: 90 per cent get pay cut?
Jan. 7 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ The Re-employment Act has been implemented on 1 January 2012. Employers are now required to offer re-employment to their workers at age 62. Many re-employment issues? There may still be many unresolved issues with the re-employment...
Ministerial salary review – what’s missing?
Jan. 4 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to the report of the Ministerial pay review committee (Review Committee’s full report HERE). Whose pay grew more? Since the new benchmark is the median income of the top 1,000 earners who are Singapore citizens with a 40%...
Confused over U-Save rebates?
Jan. 3 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to the report “800,000 HDB households to receive S$40m of U-Save rebates” (ChannelNews Asia, Dec 31) and the 2.3 per cent increase in the electricity tariff. It states that “The U-Save rebates in January are the final...
Pawners linked to casinos?
Jan. 2 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ 2nd in the world for gambling losses? I refer to the article “Gambling: The biggest losers” (The Economist, May 16). It states that “Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa alone nearly outgross the entire Las Vegas Strip”. In...
1 in 3 PRs quit NS: How many still in S’pore?
Dec. 27 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to the article “8,800 PRs served NS in last five years” (Straits Times dated Nov 23). It states that “About 8,800 male foreigners, who became permanent residents (PRs) under the sponsorship of their parents, enlisted...
Inflation: 5.7% – How much more can Singaporeans take?
Dec. 25 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to the article “Singapore’s inflation figures still higher than expected” (ST, Dec 24).Inflation in November has hit a three-year high of 5.7 per cent. Real earnings down Against this, real average monthly earnings...
How many Singaporeans have $131,000 in CPF at 55?
Dec. 20 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to the report “CPF keeps 4% Special and Medisave Account interest rate” (Channel NewsAsia, Dec 19). It states that “from January 1 next year, the Medisave Required Amount (MRA) will be raised from the current S$27,500...
Real wage down 0.2 per cent
Dec. 15 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to the report “S’pore sees strong employment growth in Q3″ (Channel NewsAsia). According to the Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) press release on 15 December, on the Labour Market Q3 2011 (see HERE), “Nominal...
Cool HDB or private property?
Dec. 9 | by Leong Sze Hian/ I refer to the article “Home prices may fall 30%, say analysts” (ST, Dec 9). Arguably, a bigger problem affecting many Singaporeans may be rising HDB prices, rather than the private property market. In the last quarter, HDB resale...
Incomes growth: Well done! Really?
Dec. 8 | ~ by Leong Sze Hian ~ I refer to the article “Increase real incomes for better lives key challenge for govt: PM Lee” (Dec 6, Channel NewsAsia). Incomes grew 3%? It states that “real median incomes grew by three per cent between June 2010 and...
Year-on-year statistics reveal 36 per cent increase in non-Singaporeans
Dec. 3 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to the Monthly Digest of Statistics (MDS) for Nov 2011 (see HERE), released by the Department of Statistics on 2 December 2011. More foreigners? Singaporeans in the population grew by 0.8 per cent, the lowest rate for the...
Income growth: Only 0.1%?
Nov. 30 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to the article “S’pore job rate hits new high” (Channel NewsAsia, Nov 30). According to the Singapore Workforce – 2011 report released on 30 November (see HERE) “Excluding employer CPF contributions, growth in...
How many HDB flats are occupied by PRs or former-PRs?
Nov. 23 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to the article “48700 HDB flats owned by PRs as of Sept” (see HERE). This means that about five per cent of the total number of HDB flats, excluding HDB rental flats, are owned by permanent residents (PRs). How many of...
