Not for love of money, but of Humanity. "Greater is he who works for the good of all, then he who works for the good of himself only" ~ Matthew 25:40: "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'"- (NIV). I live in Singapore where the Emperor must not be disturbed.

Monday, December 28, 2009

What about styrofoam containers?


I think that the current local policy of not taxing diesel (unlike petrol which is highly taxed) and charging a fixed 'diesel tax' (pegged to the annual road tax), promotes fuel waste and is as such, an unsatisfactory policy.
(National fuel subsidies in Malaysia are of course likewise, but a far worse situation, serving to encourage the unrealistic use of fuel, incidentally compromising the national treasury through pilferage and waste. http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.php/malaysia/45946-fuel-cap-for-foreign-cars-within-50km-of-border )


Give way to buses scheme is dangerous and disingenuous


Give way to buses scheme is dangerous and disingenuous (Ver5.1; 31Dec09):
The conception behind this new policy is not only contradictory, it's also extremely dangerous and quite unenforceable as I shall describe:
- The LTA concept: see 1st large heading at 'How the Scheme Works')-
“The Mandatory Give-Way to Buses Scheme is similar conceptually to a zebra crossing, except that it is meant for buses.
When nearing a bus stop under this scheme, motorists will first see triangular give way markings on the road. These markings indicate that motorists approaching these bus stops need to slow down and watch in case buses are pulling out of the bus bay. Motorists come to a complete stop before the give way line and give way to buses exiting the bus bay at the location. Motorists may continue their journey once the bus has successfully exited the bus bay and no other buses are pulling out from the bus bay.
It will be a traffic offence if motorists do not give way to buses exiting from bus bays where the new road markings are drawn. The penalty for each offence is a fine of $130 (no demerit points).
 http://www.onemotoring.com.sg/publish/onemotoring/en/on_the_roads/traffic_management/mandatory_give_way.html
- The give way to buses scheme is likely to contravene the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic [1949] (GCRT1949)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vienna_Convention_on_Road_Traffic which Singapore is signatory to, (and by which agreement are international driving permits issued and recognized in Singapore).




Saturday, December 26, 2009

COE prices down across the board in latest bidding exercise

AGAIN has the price large car COE < small car COE price. (picture right, latest COE price (Dec23) Cat B < Cat A COE price)

Govt should set the bottom limit for 'large car COE' to be the price of small car COE. Otherwise the ridiculously 'unegalitarian' outcome of big cars COE being cheap results. This implies that the few elite rich are being 'privileged' because their COEs are now 'discounted'.
Given the current concern about emissions etc, the current status quo possibly making larger cars cheap is unacceptable.


Better protection for clients

Just make sure insurance has enough liquid$$capital to guarantee the worth of the ALL insurance sold... THAT'S ALL. (Derivatives do not count).
"'the problem we have now is that insurance being sold by people w no capital" ~
Martin Wolf. 
Discuss: http://comment.straitstimes.com/showthread.php?t=28377


Don't fall for the lure


 Solution: CPF should just require the sales charge to be paid upfront, (discounting an amount from CPF principle that CPF is confident it can monitor for abuse), anyhow, most of the fees go to annual management fees which CPF is supposed to have studied and endorsed.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Cycling on footpaths will be allowed in Tampines next year


Pls watch the CNA video at http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1024539/1/.html  , U can see MBT and his gang having bicycle lessons, advising cyclist to follow the rules and threatening fines of up to $1K.
However, the following scenes are far from satisfactory, pedestrians are seen walking >3 abreast, stopping the middle of the path in hand phone conversation, cyclist swerving around; passing sometimes left, sometimes right, narrowly avoiding a collision.
In any case, the effort of the Tampines GRC led by Mr Mah Bow Tan is a commendable one. As Singapore develops to be a cosmopolitan city, greater numbers and races of people living together is expected and integration in all areas a must. Cycling is also a clean and healthy way of getting around.

With widened foot paths being developed, I believe that the next solution begins with the pedestrian. If pedestrians fail to keep left, then cyclist obviously cannot cycle straight. Only with certainty that pedestrians would keep left and walk straight can cyclist be taught to overtake on the right. The proper procedure for overtaking is currently unpracticed; remains ad-hoc- an oft unpredictable and harrowing experience for both.
For progress to be sustained, we must adopt better levels of consensus and coordination.
For a start, my suggestion to Mr Mah (and co.) would be for them to vigorously enforce the 'keep left' message. For instance, during consistency walkathons, cyclotrons, those participating should be advised during the minister's speech to be gracious, keep left and let faster traffic pass on the right. Opposite traveling non-participants should be allowed safe passage to the right (and not trampled upon).
Children in school should be trained likewise to adopt such social graces early in life. All schools should adopt the walk on left policy.

Then only will harmony return to our roads and vibrancy to the city.
'The audacity of hope'.
Majullah Singapura.
------------------------------------------------------
References:

Move out of Tampines Central and cyclists behave differently (Dec 23, 2009), http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_469662.html
Cycling the green and healthy option - so let's make it safe (Dec 23, 2009), http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/OnlineStory/STIStory_469545.html
LTA material for pedestrians has nothing about 'keeping left': http://www.onemotoring.com.sg/publish/onemotoring/en/on_the_roads/educational_materials.MainPar.15077.File.tmp/BARP_English.pdf 
ST 16Dec2009- Man hit by teen cyclist, died- http://forums.asiaone.com/showthread.php?p=351084#post351084

Have pity on cyclists lah, foot path give way to pedestrian, on road, give way and smell bus fumes. Sandwich class, very difficult U know, Singapore isn't an inclusive society. See paragraph 3a:     http://just-my-observation.blogspot.com/2009/12/give-way-to-buses-scheme-is-dangerous.html


Monday, December 21, 2009

Stop endless arguing and curb pollution

Shame on Malaysia (n Indonesia too), with CO2 emissions and global warming being a problem, they are still encouraging MORE fuel use through their unnecessary subsidies. Their hare brained schemes to curb foreigners enjoying their fuel subsidies are 'un-implementable'; and exactly the consequence of their social-economic-environmental MIS-management, (a short term/ stop gap means to quickly increasing jobs and GDP, whilst causing immense wastage and pollution).

$$ should be spent on reducing poverty, improving literacy, improving agricultural sustainability, telecoms, utility and rail infrastructure rural areas so people do not need so much fuel to commute and can live independently and profitably in rural areas; this reduction in urban migration would reduce jams, pollution, urban slums and provide a better environment livelihood for all.

$ wasted on such subsidies will only result in scarcity in times of need as Malaysia has shown: 'The mystery of Malaysia's tsunami aid': http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4100030.stm . The humanitarian suffering that follows will only result in more civilian dissatisfaction, religious radicalism and political instability.

If necessary, such subsidies should be better focused: e.g. to rural farmers, however, I believe organic fertilizers, free internet connectivity and good rail connectivity to markets would be much better.

Penny wise pound foolish, these stupid 3rd rated politicians are going to DROWN the nation and SINK this world. Hope their charges know better and VOTE THEM OUT soon before we all have to drink salty water.