Lifestyle
Air fares hike as tension escalates and rerouting of flights over Iran and Iraq
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Airlines are experiencing higher operational costs as they try to reroute flights over Iran and Iraq in the aftermath of Iran’s firing of missiles at US bases.
In an unexpected turn of events, a Ukrainian passenger jet a 737-800 crashed shortly on take-off at Tehran killing 167 passengers and nine crew members on early Wednesday. Iranian officials say that the crash was due a mechanical issue but refused to offer explanation as investigations were still going on. Earlier, Iran declared that this is the result of Boeing refusing spares for maintenance owing to the US imposed embargo on the country.
However, with speculation rife that the Ukrainian jetliner was shot down being mistaken as a US aircraft, both leaders of Canada and the UK have called for a thorough investigation.
Around the world, almost all airlines with the exception of Etihad Airlines, Qatar Airways and Emirates Airlines, have redirected from flying over the region. The shooting down of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17 by a missile at as it flew over Ukraine killing all 298 passengers’ serves as an important reminder to the industry operators.
Independent aviation consultant, John Strickland, commented that longer trips would result in the disruption in flight schedules as well higher operational costs.
On the average, airline fare costs $50 before any flight distance is taken into account plus 7 to 8 cents per seat mile for low cost carriers and 11 to 12 cents for network carriers.
Founder of OPSGROUP, Mark Zee, said that this rerouting to avoid the Iranian and Iraq airspace could lead to an additional 40 minutes for trips from Europe to Asia. OPSGROUP represents a group of people with common interest in the industry getting together to make flying safer.
According to Reuters, a detour made by Australia’s Qantas Airways would involve making an additional 50 minutes in its flight time from Perth to London. This means airlines would be forced to reduce the number of passengers, in order to carry more fuel to cover the distance.
Due to the tensions in the fly zone, many carriers have started rerouting their flights including Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Air Canada and Taiwan’s China Airlines. British Airways have announced that only a small portion of their flights would be affected by the rerouting.
Meanwhile, U.S Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has also issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAMS) declaring a no-fly zone over Iraq and Iran along with the nearby waters such as Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. A warning has also been issued on the “potential for miscalculation or mis-identification” for civilian aircrafts flying in the region.
Meanwhile, an international aviation team for the “effective coordination and communication” between airlines and countries has been assembled.
The team is formed as a standard precautionary protocol and is operated by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The team would identify potential flying risks and ensure information is shared quickly.
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Lifestyle
Living modestly in Singapore on $10 a day: 27-year-old Malaysian man shares insights
In Singapore, a 27-year-old Malaysian man has gained attention on TikTok for his frugal approach to life while working in the bustling city. Jonathan Lim, a civil engineer earning around S$3,700 a month, shares his strategy for spending less than S$10 a day.
He divides his week between Singapore and Malaysia, staying in a hostel and focusing on economical food choices.
Despite some concerns about the extremeness of his thriftiness, many commend his financial discipline, while others suggest a slightly more flexible approach.
SINGAPORE: A 27-year-old man from Malaysia, garnered the interest of social media users on TikTok due to his method of budgeting and practising a frugal lifestyle while employed in the bustling city of Singapore.
Many are left wondering whether it’s feasible to lead a modest life in Singapore without significant sacrifices.
Malaysian civil engineer, Jonathan Lim, has provided some insights through his TikTok documenting how he manages to spend less than S$10 a day while working in the city.
The video’s caption read: “Part 6: Is spending 10 dollars enough for a day working in Singapore?”
His TikTok content primarily revolves around detailing his expenses in Singapore, excluding the costs related to accommodation.
@jonlzx Part 6: Is spending 10dollars enough for a day working in SINGAPORE? #sgvlog #worklife #minivlog #fypシ #simplelife
Hybrid Work Arrangement
Lim, who earns about S$3,700 a month as a civil engineer in Singapore, follows a unique hybrid work arrangement.
He commutes from his home in Kulai, Johor, to Singapore three days a week, with the remaining days dedicated to remote work.
Lim strategically divides his time, with more than half of his week spent in his Johor home.
During the workweek, specifically on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, he opts to stay at a capsule hostel in Singapore.
This arrangement serves the purpose of reducing his expenses on permanent lodging in Singapore, although it necessitates regular commuting between Malaysia and Singapore.
His weekly schedule commences with a Monday morning journey to Singapore at 6 a.m., where he resides in the hostel for two nights.
Hostel Living and Food Choices
During his days in Singapore, Lim stays in a capsule hostel, which costs him about S$35 (approximately US$25.74) a night.
While this arrangement doesn’t include food expenses, the hostel provides free breakfast, helping him save on at least one meal each day.
Lim’s food choices are budget-friendly, focusing on cai fan (economic rice) for lunch and dinner, which costs him about S$3.60 per meal.
Occasionally, he indulges in items like bread and soya bean milk, emphasizing the affordability of such food options in Singapore.
For exercise, he opts for a cost-effective approach, eating grilled chicken drumsticks purchased from FairPrice, and running at public stadiums.
While a dinner consisting solely of protein might not seem substantial to some, Lim clarifies that the two drumsticks he purchased were exceptionally large, providing more than enough sustenance for an adult like him.
Therefore, when factoring in his daily transport costs of S$3, Lim’s daily expenses in Singapore amount to S$13.10, excluding accommodation expenses.
Balancing Thriftiness and Enjoyment
In his most recent TikTok video, Lim responded to both favorable and critical comments regarding his lifestyle of managing on S$10 or more per day in Singapore.
He expressed his belief that such frugal practices can become a standard way of life.
https://www.tiktok.com/@jonlzx/video/7276135975355485441?embed_source=121355059%2C121351166%2C121331973%2C120811592%2C120810756%3Bnull%3Bembed_blank&refer=embed&referer_url=mothership.sg%2F2023%2F09%2Fmalaysian-10-dollars-a-day-singapore%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR1o-WKyDvXTTGxKWlXGd9u3xXdCO_4zyBOMRSF13kzzdcWs5dU2QI4E_9g&referer_video_id=7276135975355485441
Moreover, he aimed to dispel the misconception that his approach is detrimental to his well-being and happiness, emphasizing that he doesn’t sacrifice enjoyment to save a few dollars.
He acknowledges the trade-offs, such as spending time away from family and loved ones.
However, he sees this period as an opportunity for professional growth.
While Lim’s lifestyle is not his everyday routine, it highlights how one can manage expenses in an expensive city like Singapore.
He also appreciates the safety and amenities the city offers, such as safe streets for late-night jogging.
In the long run, Lim said he will need to decide whether to settle long-term in Singapore or return to Malaysia.
Supporters cheer Lim’s thrifty approach
The majority of people expressed their support for Lim’s frugal lifestyle, offering him their best wishes and advising him to disregard those who ridicule his way of life.
“Good to start saving up at a young age,” they said, while also cautioning against taking frugality to such an extreme that it becomes excessively absurd.
However, some users believe that Lim should consider a slightly higher expenditure than his current approach, asserting that life is too short to subject oneself to such deprivation.
“Can add another $2 la, don’t have to thrift like that,” one user said.
Lifestyle
Rachel Wan speaks out on father’s solitary passing in Singapore hospital due to staffing shortages
Rachel Wan of ‘Kin’ highlighted her father’s solitary passing in a Singapore hospital due to understaffing in an Instagram post. She contrasted Singapore’s overworked healthcare culture with Australia’s, emphasizing the need for a better work-life balance in the nation.
SINGAPORE: On 25 August, Rachel Wan, the 26-year-old star of ‘Kin’, took to Instagram to share a poignant account of her father’s passing, revealing that he had died alone in a Singapore hospital due to understaffing issues.
Wan’s emotional revelation sheds light on the need for a transformation in the prevailing culture of overworking in the nation.
Disparities between healthcare work in Singapore and Australia
In a candid Instagram video, Wan expressed her long-standing desire to address a topic she finds deeply meaningful.
She remarked, “I came to Australia because I felt like there was a better work-life balance here,” before unveiling a recent discovery that profoundly affected her.
The ‘Kin’ star recounted her encounter with a nurse who had previously worked in the same Singapore hospital where her father had spent his final moments.
This nurse later moved to Australia, much like Wan herself.
A stark contrast between working conditions in the two countries emerged.
Wan unveiled that in Singapore, nurses might be tasked with managing “up to 12 patients at any given time”. Conversely, in Australia, nurses are limited to caring for six patients each.
Moreover, Australian healthcare staff are afforded designated rest periods between shifts, a practice reportedly absent in Singapore.
Heartbreaking account of Wan’s father’s passing
Wan’s emotions were palpable as she recounted the circumstances leading to her father’s demise, underscoring the fact that he passed away in solitude at the hospital without any loved ones by his side.
Her poignant Instagram tribute suggested that he passed away in March 2022.
Describing the events of his passing day, she detailed how her father had been transferred from the emergency ward to the general ward as his time grew short.
However, to access him, Wan and her family had to undergo a Covid-19 test, mandatory at the time for hospital visits. Tragically, her father passed away during the testing process.
Distressingly, no one from the hospital informed them of his passing.
Wan expressed her shock, revealing that they discovered his lifeless body alone in the ward without any staff present.
When she inquired about the lack of communication, a doctor allegedly cited understaffing as the reason.
Wan stressed the importance of sharing her experience, noting that the healthcare sector is not the only one grappling with such challenges in Singapore.
She asserted that overworking should not be celebrated as an achievement and urged for a shift towards a healthier work-life balance in the nation.
Her Instagram post resonated with many, drawing a flood of comments from netizens who shared their similar experiences and nurses who opened up about the demanding work environment they face.
Amidst the discussions, Wan clarified that her father’s passing was due to oesophageal cancer, not Covid-19.
A plea for empathy and understanding
In response to differing opinions, including some who highlighted Singapore’s relative advantages compared to other countries, Wan emphasized that her intention was to raise awareness about the lack of work-life balance in Singapore.
Influencer and doctor Zoen Tay also contributed to the discourse, acknowledging room for improvement in both countries’ healthcare systems.
Wan extended her empathy to Singaporean nurses, finding a sense of healing in realizing that her father wasn’t neglected due to a lack of care, but rather due to the strain of their demanding workload.
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