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Uniquely Singapore
Workers happier: interesting findings
Nov. 12 | by Leong Sze Hian/ I refer to the report “Singapore workers happier than two years ago: survey” (Channel NewsAsia, Nov 10). Some interesting findings from the survey were:- “60% of the respondents also indicated in the survey that they are satisfied...
Alas! Singaporeans’ unemployment rate!
Oct. 31 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to the article “Singapore sees strong employment growth in Q3”(ST. Oct 31). It states that “the unemployment for residents dipped to 2.9 per cent from 3 per cent, and the unemployment rate for citizens is now at 3.0...
Does higher education equal to higher pay?
Oct. 12 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to the report “Median income of Singaporeans up 11%” (see HERE). It states: “Singapore has one of the highest employment rates internationally and the median income of workers also increased 11 per cent in real terms,...
Financial Planning: Are you ready?
Oct. 10 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to the article “More making voluntary CPF top-ups” (ST, Oct 10).It states that “The Are You Ready” campaign comprises a set of checklists on four key aspects of financial planning – cash flow, health care, housing...
Will HDB prices keep rising?
Oct. 5 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ Image from ChannelNewsAsia.com I refer to the articles “HDB resale prices up, private property prices moderate” (Asiaone, Oct 3) and “First-time BTO applicants stand good chance” (Channel NewsAsia, Oct 3). The Urban Redevelopment...
High living costs, low wages & purchasing power?
Sep. 30 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to the latest issue of the UBS Price and Earnings report, which is a study of purchasing power around the world (see HERE). Out of 73 cities ranked, Singapore comes in at 10, 42 and 47, for Price Level, Wage Levels and Domestic...
Population: Foreigners rate of growth up 36 per cent year-on-year?
Sep. 29 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to the Department of Statistics’ Population Trends 2011, released on 28 September 2011 (see HERE). In 2011, the number of non-residents increased by 89,400 or 6.9 per cent, compared to 51,300 or 4.1 per cent in 2010. The...
Is GIC experiencing a computer glitch like CNB?
Sep. 25 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to the article “CNB miscalculated statistics since 2008, releases correct figures” (see HERE). Following this revelation, the blogs have been abuzz as to whether other statistics may have problems too. According to the...
Harder to be re-employed if you’re more educated?
Sep. 17 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to the Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) Labour Market Second Quarter 2011 report, released on 16 September (see HERE). It states that “Total employment grew by 24,800 in the second quarter of 2011. Although the growth...
EP minimum salary helps Singaporean workers?
Sep. 16 | ~by: Leong Sze Hian~ I refer to the increase in the salary thresholds for Employment Passes. How many Employment Passes were given last year? How many passes were given to foreigners to stay for up to a year, to look for a job? Without such statistics,...
President guards Reserves: Really?
Aug. 24 | Leong Sze Hian/ I agree with Presidential candidate Dr Tony Tan’s remarks (“PE: President’s custodial responsibilities are important: Tony Tan”, Channel NewsAsia, Aug 19) that the custodial responsibilities of the president...
Saddest statistic ever: 200,000 families helped?
Aug. 22 | Leong Sze Hian / I have analysed hundreds of statistics over the last ten-plus years, but the Comcare cumulative assistance statistics given on 14 August were the ‘saddest’ statistic that I have ever had to analyse. 34% increase in a year I...
What percentage of students in our universities are Singaporeans?
Aug. 16 | I refer to the National Day Rally speech about ‘Singaporeans First’ in the universities (“At a glance, key points from Prime Minister Lee’s speech“, ST, Aug 15). Calls have been made in the past for the Government to continue...
More taxing for charities?
Aug. 15 | by: Leong Sze Hian/ I refer to the article “When a charity’s business does too well …“ (ST, Aug 1). It states that “Charity organisation The Helping Hand’s business, which includes selling teak furniture made by residents at its...
No Government endorsement: Not fair to Presidential candidate?
Aug. 12 | Leong Sze Hian/ I refer to the article “Seven trade unions endorse Tony Tan: Presidential candidate also holds dialogue with SMCCI members, pays tribute to Malay community” (Today, Aug 12). It states that: “The seven unions are the first...
Is SMRT implying that the noise level is a constraint on increasing train trips?
Aug. 11 | by: Leong Sze Hian/ I refer to media reports (“Increased frequency of train trips means higher noise level: SMRT”, Channel NewsAsia, Jul 29) that SMRT has added 1,600 train trips since 2008, which has resulted in a higher level of noise, with SMRT...
How much of the Reserves has been really used?
Aug. 10 | by: Leong Sze Hian/ I refer to the article “Past reserves tapped on to fund land reclamation and Sers” (ST, Aug 7). It states that “President S R Nathan’s office has been approving the use of past reserves to fund land reclamation projects...
Transport Minister’s logic
Aug. 10 | by: Leong Sze Hian/ The Transport Minister said that the opposition National Solidarity Party’s (NSP) proposal to introduce more competition among public bus operators, is not feasible because it would only lead to “cherry-picking” of...
Hospitals: ‘Subsidised’ not available?
Aug. 1 | Leong Sze Hian / I refer to the deposit required for admission to public hospitals. No subsidised ward, how? Since patients needing emergency care and who have financial difficulties with furnishing a deposit (because the estimated hospitalization bill...
CPF: Leave at 55 at your own peril?
Jul. 30 | Leong Sze Hian / I refer to the article ‘Why do it without my permission?‘ (New Paper, Jul 17). OA transfer to MA? The article states that “(Jerry Low, age 58) a retired bank trader got a surprise when the CPF Board transferred $10,000 into...
More unemployed? How many more?
Jul. 29 | by: Leong Sze Hian/ I refer to the Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) Employment Situation in Second Quarter 2011 report, released on 29 July. Unemployment rate rise to 4% It states that “On a non-seasonally adjusted basis, the overall and resident unemployment...
Re-employment: A joke?
Jul. 25 | Leong Sze Hian/ When Ravi Philemon, TOC Interim Chief Editor alerted me to the Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) latest report of the Survey on Re-employment, and asked me to “crunch the numbers”, I was hopeful that unlike previous surveys on...
Transport fares: Up again?
Jul. 17 | Leong Sze Hian and Joshua Chiang / We refer to the report “PTC to review fare adjustment formula after 2012” (Channel News Asia, Jul 14). Fares formula valid until end 2012? It states that “[t]he Public Transport Council (PTC) will review the...
Drugs: More buying from JB?
Jul. 15 | Leong Sze Hian / I refer to the licensing and registration fees for medicinal products. Before 1991, there were hardly any fees payable for the registration of medicinal products. When registration began in 1991, the per product licence fee was $66 a...
HDB DBSS: 76%, 25% or 15%?
Jul. 2 | Leong Sze Hian / I was surprised to read the blog posting by Minister of National Development Mr Khaw Boon Wan, ‘Startling But False‘. Allow me to explain why. The blog posting states, “I was startled when I read the front page article in...
HDB: Why not so easy to downgrade
Jun. 28 | Leong Sze Hian/ Over the last few weeks, we have encountered more than 10 cases of Singaporeans with HDB housing problems and homelessness. There was a Singaporean divorcee in her mid 40s, who works as a security guard for $1,300 a month, who downgraded...
NKF reserves can last forever?
Jun. 27 | Leong Sze Hian/ I refer to the reports “Charity sector to get public confidence boost” (Channel NewsAsia, Jun 25)and “Donations to charities up 13% to S$776m in 2010” (Channel NewsAsia, Jun 17). The latter states that: “… the sector remained...
Needy: Pay $10 to get $6 back?
Jun. 24 | Leong Sze Hian/ Source: fairpricefoundation.org When TOC’s Interim Chief Editor, Ravi Philemon, asked me to write something on the report “NTUC FairPrice to raise $1 million for low-income workers” (Yahoo News, Jun 22)., my first instinct...
DBSS – ‘Overpaid’ by 550 million dollars?
Jun. 22 | by: Leong Sze Hian/ with contributions from: Ravi Philemon/ The Ministry of National Development’s (MND) replied today in a letter titled, “Ministry to review DBSS housing option” (Straits Times, 22 June 2011) to another letter in the...
Homeless and Abandoned with Four Children
Jun. 21 | by: Leong Sze Hian Miss Lee (not her real name) is a 37-year-old Permanent Resident (Malaysian citizen), with four young children. Her husband is a 39-year-old Singaporean businessman and they have been married for about ten years. He abandoned her and...
From State to Temasek
Jun. 20 | Leong Sze Hian/ According to Changi Airport Group’s (CAG) Annual Report 2009/10 , “Changi Airport Group (Singapore) Pte Ltd (CAG) was formed on 16 June 2009 and the corporatisation of Changi Airport followed on 1 July 2009”. Its revenue for...
HDB: 18 appeals and still homeless
Jun. 13 | Leong Sze Hian and Ko Siew Huey/ She was the first in line at her constituency’s Meet the People’s session that night, having arrived a few hours earlier to ensure she got to see her new Member of Parliament, Sylvia Lim. Single and therefore unavailable?...
HDB: $431,000 CPF – But homeless soon?
Jun. 11 | Leong Sze Hian / It was 8 p.m. on a Thursday night when our first couple came for financial counseling. Mr Lim (not his real name) is a 47-year-old taxi driver and a bankrupt. Mrs Lim is an accounts executive. They have three children – two are...
HDB Focus Week (part 5): 15 Q & A – Uniquely Singapore?
Jun. 8 | Leong Sze Hian/ Q. Which is the only country in the world that allows foreigners to buy public housing? A. Singapore – permanent residents (PRs) can buy resale HDB flats. Q. Which is the only country in the world that allows not just citizens,...
Focus on HDB (Part 3): Shorter queue for HDB rental flats- Really?
Jun. 6 | Leong Sze Hian/ Mdm Tin (not her real name), a 34 year old divorcee, whose highest education is PSLE (Primary School Leaving Examination), has been living with her eight year old daughter, in a homeless shelter, for more than a year. Homeless shelter The...
Focus on HDB (Part 2): More mature estates?
Jun. 4 | Leong Sze Hian / I refer to the article, “Khaw’s advice: Apply for flats in new towns; chances are better” (ST, May 31). The report says: “Mr Khaw’s latest announcement (to build more BTOs in mature estates) gives hope to...
Focus on HDB (Part 1): The more the merrier?
Jun. 2 | Leong Sze Hian / I refer to the articles “New flats for Tampines, Kallang, Whampoa” (ST, Jun 1) and “More new flats to come up in mature estates” (ST, May 31). The Straits Times reported that the “[National Development Minister,...
10 ideas for ministerial salary reform
May. 26 | Leong Sze Hian, Alex Lew 1. Remuneration should have a reasonable basis and be internationally benchmarked across comparable nations. What constitutes a reasonable basis? A benchmark that would command an above average pay and to reflect the risks of...
PAP Transformation Series – 13 suggestions to transform the CPF
May. 23 | Leong Sze Hian, Alex Lew / “Nothing’s sacrosanct in Government review of policies.” – PM Lee Hsien Loong. I refer to the articles “Tharman open to ideas, say economists” and “Big change, great expectations” (ST, May...
PAP Transformation Series – 18 suggestions to reform HDB
May. 23 | Leong Sze Hian, Alex Lew / “Nothing’s sacrosanct in Government review of policies.” – PM Lee Hsien Loong. I would like to applaud the Prime Minister for his bold changes to the cabinet. I believe what Singaporeans would like to see going...
S’poreans and PR job stats – making no sense
May. 21 | Leong Sze Hian / I refer to the reports of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s speech on 21 April on the launch of IM Flash Singapore, a joint venture memory chip facility between US tech giants Intel and Micron. The reports cited PM Lee thus: “In his...
Temasek Holdings – “not required” to disclose?
May. 21 | Leong Sze Hian I refer to Temasek Holding’s letter “Protection of Temasek’s past reserves” (Today, May 20). It states that “Although not required to do so, Temasek publishes an annual Temasek Review, providing a summary of key financials as...
How many did not vote?
May. 11 | Leong Sze Hian Since voting is compulsory, what happens if you do not vote in the elections? Your name will be removed from the register of voters. You can restore your name to the register of voters, if you pay a fee of $50. For those who have a valid...
HDB – Shorter loans better?
May. 3 | Leong Sze Hian I refer to the article “Length of loan is not the issue: Mah Bow Tan” (Today, May 1). It states that “It is not the length of the loan but the percentage of monthly income repayable to the housing loan that matters. But...
Divorced – and facing housing woes
Apr. 26 | Leong Sze Hian Mr Tan (not his real name) came to see me recently at the one-on-one financial counselling (every Thursday 8 pm to 10 pm) at Blk 108, Potong Pasir Ave 1. He is 50-years old and a divorcee. He has been given one-hour visitation rights every...
HDB – S’poreans’ billions of ‘reserves’ raided?
Apr. 25 | Leong Sze Hian / I refer to the reports “WP rebuts Minister’s criticisms of its housing proposals” and ”WP ‘not looking to raid reserves’” (ST, Apr 22). The former states that: “The WP had said it would...
PAP Manifesto 2011 – a statistical analysis
Apr. 23 | Mr Leong Sze Hian takes a look at the recently-released People’s Action Party election manifesto and shares his thoughts – from a statistic point of view. PAP Manifesto : “CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR HIGHER INCOMES FOR ALL” Income “Work with...
“Foreign workers help create good jobs for S’poreans: PM”
Apr. 22 | Leong Sze Hian I refer to the reports “Foreign workers help create good jobs for S’poreans: PM” (Straits Times, 22 April) and “Foreign workers help to create more good jobs for Singaporeans: PM”. The former states that: “In...
HDB – Leong Sze Hian responds to Mah Bow Tan
Apr. 16 | Leong Sze Hian I refer to the article “WP’s housing proposal irresponsible, says Mah” (ST, Apr 15). The report says that “National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan yesterday called the Workers’ Party (WP) “irresponsible...
