• IP addresses are NOT logged in this forum so there's no point asking. Please note that this forum is full of homophobes, racists, lunatics, schizophrenics & absolute nut jobs with a smattering of geniuses, Chinese chauvinists, Moderate Muslims and last but not least a couple of "know-it-alls" constantly sprouting their dubious wisdom. If you believe that content generated by unsavory characters might cause you offense PLEASE LEAVE NOW! Sammyboy Admin and Staff are not responsible for your hurt feelings should you choose to read any of the content here.

    The OTHER forum is HERE so please stop asking.

Of Niches and Seng Kang West

Goh Meng Seng

Alfrescian (InfP) [Comp]
Generous Asset
<div class="tr_bq">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8jaiMNtkfSk/VKLzy39EYYI/AAAAAAAAA7I/O27kF7O7my0/s1600/columbarium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8jaiMNtkfSk/VKLzy39EYYI/AAAAAAAAA7I/O27kF7O7my0/s1600/columbarium.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
First of all, HDB lacks basic ethics in trying to hide the fact that a columbarium will be built in the new HDB Town at Sengkang West. As pointed out by <a href="http://redwiretimes.com/cow-beh-cow-bu/hdb-colombarium/">REDWIRE Times</a>, HDB has only put that information of possible columbarium in ULTRA FINE PRINT in the sales brochure to buyers. This is the usual UNETHICAL and DISHONEST tactic used by many unscrupulous businesses but it is a big surprise that a government statutory board would do such a thing.&nbsp;</div>
<br />
Some Singaporeans may think that this is a small matter but it is not. For most Singaporeans who decide to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to buy a HDB flat, this would probably be the most expensive thing they will ever buy in their whole life! It is only FAIR and JUST for HDB to make a PROPER FULL disclosure of what they are buying into.<br />
<br />
PAP government should learn a thing or two from Hong Kong government. Hong Kong government has not only come up with legislation to safeguard general consumers' rights and interest via its <a href="http://www.legislation.gov.hk/blis_ind.nsf/CurAllEngDoc/C7873F35355F4BAB48257BAC002A375D?OpenDocument">Misleading Omission Ordinance </a> but it has put up a law and a statutory board, <a href="http://www.srpa.gov.hk/en/index.html">Sales of First-hand Residential Properties Authority </a>specially for supervising and scrutinizing developers' sales procedures as well as marketing materials.<br />
<br />
A whole set of comprehensive law was enacted in April 2013 as in <a href="http://www.srpa.gov.hk/en/ordinance.html">"The Residential Properties (First-hand) Ordinance"</a>.

Such law has basically made the sales process of any first hand properties transparent and open. It helps to level up the playing field and protects consumers' rights and interests.<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
The Ordinance sets out detailed requirements in relation to sales brochures, price lists, show flats, disclosure of transaction information, advertisements, sales arrangements, and the mandatory provisions for the Preliminary Agreement for Sale and Purchase and Agreement for Sale and Purchase for the sales of first-hand residential properties.&nbsp;</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<br />
It also provides for prohibitions against misrepresentation and the dissemination of false or misleading information.<br />
<br />
Offences are created for the contravention of the provisions in the Ordinance. </blockquote>
This is what a First World Government should do to protect its own citizens from unscrupulous businesses, especially so when a large amount of money is transacted. Can PAP do it? Yes but no. It chose not to do it but instead, learned all the dirty, scheming and despicable tricks from all those unscrupulous businesses.<br />
<br />
While you may think that is all HDB tried to hide: a columbarium in a Chinese Temple but no. That is not all. This "Chinese Temple" isn't going to be just a simple Chinese Temple with a columbarium.<br />
<br />
HDB issued a tender for that parcel of land meant for the said "Chinese Temple" in July. However, it was awarded to the highest bidder of $5,200,988, a supposedly "Australian company" Life Corporation. The first thing you must wonder why a land meant for a RELIGIOUS purpose is awarded to a NON-religious FOREIGN entity! I believe there are quite a number of religious groups and organizations in Singapore which are actively looking for a parcel of land to build their temples! (Personally, I have known quite a number of such Chinese religious groups.)<br />
<br />
If this parcel of land is meant for "Chinese Temple", isn't logical for HDB to set the criteria straight that only REGISTERED Singapore religious groups are eligible? Why allow a FOREIGN company to bid for it? Can a company without any RELIGIOUS background really make good use of the land which is supposedly intended for Chinese Temple?<br />
<br />
Sensing something very wrong with HDB's sneaky actions, I did a special check on this Australian company. This company used to deal with Stem Cell research but it sold its business to a Singapore public listed company and changed its name. It actually wholly owned a Singapore company dealing with funeral services! According <a href="http://www.cygenics.com/index.php/about-us" target="_blank">Life Corporation's website</a>, its Chairman is a Chinese who have graduated from Beijing in the 1980s. He is also the Chairman of a public listed company in Hong Kong, Golden Meditech Holdings. Apparently Golden Meditech Holdings has bought over this Australian company.<br />
<br />
Life Corporation's only core business is funeral services via its ownership of <a href="http://www.sfs.com.sg/funeral-product-and-services/" target="_blank">Singapore Funeral Services Care Pte Ltd</a>. <br />
<br />
Now it all makes sense. "Chinese Temple" is just a decoy, to fool buyers of those BTO flats surrounding it. It was never meant to be just "Chinese Temple" or a columbarium. It was meant to be a land for funeral parlour/casket services and columbarium! Who would want to buy a flat next to a business entity that runs funeral services? That is why HDB has to try so hard, using all despicable and unethical means to hide such information! <br />
<br />
Of course, Life Corporation was just restructured and turned into Funeral Services in Singapore last year. Although it has a full subsidiary in Singapore running funeral services, it did not use Singapore Funeral Services Care Ptd Ltd to bid for that parcel of land meant for "Chinese Temple". Why didn't it use it? That would be just too obvious, isn't it?<br />
<br />
Please take note that although its SFS has experiences in funeral services, but it has zero experience in running a columbarium, least a religious entity like a Chinese Temple! But HDB still allows it to bid and eventually, awarded the land to it!<br />
<br />
Obviously, Life Corporation won't just build and run only a Chinese Temple and a columbarium on that piece of land. It bid for that land for its core business, SFS which is Funeral Services! And it is not surprised that it claims it is not only to build a columbarium but also facilities to run its funeral services via SFS! This is all stated in<a href="http://www.allsingaporestuff.com/article/young-couples-felt-cheated-hdb-plans-build-columbarium-beside-their-new-bto-flats" target="_blank"> ST reports here</a>.<br />
<br />
<blockquote>
"Life Corp, the parent company of Singapore Funeral Services, said the space will be used to run funeral services, columbarium space and associated services."</blockquote>
Now having a columbarium next to a HDB estate is one thing, but to have a business entity running "funeral services and associated services" will be totally another thing! Residents will have to face endless funeral wakes and processions being carried out at the premises whole year round. <br />
<br />
It is very clear now that "Chinese Temple" was just a decoy and an excuse. The real intent is for HDB to bring casket/funeral parlour services right into HDB heartland! Isn't that totally despicable and unethical for HDB to do such thing?<br />
<br />
Let me ask HDB a few questions before they really start building a whole facility for casket services:<br />
<br />
1) Why isn't land slated for religious purposes be restricted to religious organizations registered in Singapore?<br />
<br />
2) If Life Corporation has no experience in running a religious organization, why was the tender awarded to it?<br />
<br />
3) Is HDB allowing Life Corporation to carry out funeral services other than columbarium storage of ashes?<br />
<br />
4) Will there be any cremation facility allowed to be built on that parcel of land?<br />
<br />
5) If there isn't any cremation facility allowed and funeral services are allowed there, would it mean that there will be endless funeral wakes, rites and processions carried out at that premises?<br />
<br />
6) Is this "Chinese Temple" allowed to carry out funeral services for other religions?<br />
<br />
I believe for those who have been fooled into buying those expensive BTO flats there, they would have lot more questions to ask HDB.<br />
<br />
I am totally appalled and disgusted by HDB's unscrupulous act. It is really unbecoming of PAP government to use such dishonest tactic to fool Singaporeans. As the government, PAP should be thinking of ways to enhance Singaporeans' life, safeguard and protect Singaporeans' interests. But instead, it has just gone too far in its greed ways so much so that it becomes the main culprit in damaging Singaporeans' interests. It becomes the very entity that use dirty tricks and scheming tactic to misrepresent and mis-sell HDB flats to Singaporeans.<br />
<br />
Singaporeans should stop trusting PAP as an upright government that would defend your rights and interests.It would already be a blessing if the PAP government don't
come after your interests and rights, least expecting them to defend it
for you. <br />
<br />
It has changed from bad to worse. There is only greed in PAP government now. It has lost its moral compass totally. How could PAP self proclaim itself as "World Class" when its actions are so low class? Singaporeans, we have only ourselves to depend on to defend ourselves against such unscrupulous government. <br />
<br />
<br />
Goh Meng Seng<br />
<br />
 

winners

Alfrescian
Loyal
Re: Funeral Parlour in Sengkang West? HDB Please Come Clean!

What is wrong with having a columbarium in your HDB estate? There are also so many private ones in other HDB estates, like those in Churches, Temples, etc.

That's why I'd always say that Sinkies are the most selfish breed in this part of the world. They will only want the best for themselves, but couldn't care less for the others, not even for the dead. Even building an old folks home in a HDB estate will also get criticisms. If these Sinkies really can't take it, then they should have emigrated to elsewhere and see for themselves if they will be better treated as second-class migrants.

They should learn to be grateful and respect to the government for not evicting them out of this country.
 
Last edited:

Narong Wongwan

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset
Re: Funeral Parlour in Sengkang West? HDB Please Come Clean!

Sengkang West voters.....
If you still dunno what to do next GE.....then I dunno what to say liao
 

virus

Alfrescian
Loyal
Re: Funeral Parlour in Sengkang West? HDB Please Come Clean!

well done HDB.. thanks to the foresight of HDB pple from sengkang do not need to move all the way to mandai or sin ming to visit their beloved ones. this will help to alleviate the pains of residents having to part with their loved ones for so long.... i means the $$ and cents. now everything is within walking distance. so considerate. i hope they build one at river valley so that the residents from oxlee road donot need to travel too. best is right smack inside oxlee road itself. the brillance of the civil servant who is so forever thoughtful, he is of PM calibre.
 

JohnTan

Alfrescian (InfP)
Generous Asset
Re: Funeral Parlour in Sengkang West? HDB Please Come Clean!

Given that around 40% of sinkies are buddhists or followers of some sort of chink religion, this funeral parlour provides an essential public service to many. Sinkies should thank PAP for a job well done, instead of whining so much as usual. If not for the restrictions placed by HDB, foreigners would be scrambling to buy these HDB apartments, even if they are built beside the funeral parlour. Sinkies don't know how lucky they are to live in a singapore governed by PAP.
 

Goh Meng Seng

Alfrescian (InfP) [Comp]
Generous Asset
Re: Funeral Parlour in Sengkang West? HDB Please Come Clean!

There is absolutely nothing wrong with it IF AND ONLY IF such details are made public in an open and transparent manner. Let the market decides and see how many people would pay hefty prices for a HDB flat situated next to it.

There will be people willing to buy such flats, of course, but IF AND ONLY IF the price is very much lower. HDB knows that but it is unwilling to sell those flats around this any lower. That is why it tries to hide all these details and that is unethical, despicable and dishonest in all sense.


What is wrong with having a columbarium in your HDB estate? There are also so many private ones in other HDB estates, like those in Churches, Temples, etc.

That's why I'd always say that Sinkies are the most selfish breed in this part of the world. They will only want the best for themselves, but couldn't care less for the others, not even for the dead. Even building an old folks home in a HDB estate will also get criticisms. If these Sinkies really can't take it, then they should have emigrated to elsewhere and see for themselves if they will be better treated as second-class migrants.

They should learn to be grateful and respect to the government for not evicting them out of this country.
 

laksaboy

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset
Re: Funeral Parlour in Sengkang West? HDB Please Come Clean!

The problem is the sneaky way HDb goes about it.

Anyway, fuck columbariums. Tear down some condos and build proper cemeteries.
 

virus

Alfrescian
Loyal
Re: Funeral Parlour in Sengkang West? HDB Please Come Clean!

The problem is the sneaky way HDb goes about it.

Anyway, fuck columbariums. Tear down some condos and build proper cemeteries.

just like hamas capt goh sneaky way to do WP in.
 

winners

Alfrescian
Loyal
Re: Funeral Parlour in Sengkang West? HDB Please Come Clean!

There is absolutely nothing wrong with it IF AND ONLY IF such details are made public in an open and transparent manner. Let the market decides and see how many people would pay hefty prices for a HDB flat situated next to it.

There will be people willing to buy such flats, of course, but IF AND ONLY IF the price is very much lower. HDB knows that but it is unwilling to sell those flats around this any lower. That is why it tries to hide all these details and that is unethical, despicable and dishonest in all sense.
Similarly, what if it's the other way round? That is, the HDB decides to build a mall with all the bells and whistle and to top it off, LTA will also build an MRT station nearby. So, do you think those HDB dwellers living next to these better amenities will thank the HDB?

Buying a house is like an investment. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. What about those in Bayshore who's "seaviews" are now all blocked by the new development? So, why kpkb? If not happy with the government, then go on to emigrate. The government cannot please all types of people.
 

Ambulance

Alfrescian
Loyal
Re: Funeral Parlour in Sengkang West? HDB Please Come Clean!

halo lai lai lelong lelong sengkang cheap buy cheap buy
 

sochi2014

Alfrescian
Loyal
Re: Funeral Parlour in Sengkang West? HDB Please Come Clean!

Dead people are not scary.

Alive people are much more scarier!!

Cemetery are so serene and peaceful.

How can our mighty captain be afraid of powder people?
 

Goh Meng Seng

Alfrescian (InfP) [Comp]
Generous Asset
Re: Funeral Parlour in Sengkang West? HDB Please Come Clean!

The truth is, when there is a planned Mall or MRT or LRT station nearby, do you think HDB will cheap cheap sell? The price will be 20% to 30% more than others lah!

Thus, I say, if there is something adverse, then naturally the price should be 20% to 30% cheaper than the normal pricing mah, right?


Goh Meng Seng

Similarly, what if it's the other way round? That is, the HDB decides to build a mall with all the bells and whistle and to top it off, LTA will also build an MRT station nearby. So, do you think those HDB dwellers living next to these better amenities will thank the HDB?

Buying a house is like an investment. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. What about those in Bayshore who's "seaviews" are now all blocked by the new development? So, why kpkb? If not happy with the government, then go on to emigrate. The government cannot please all types of people.
 

frenchbriefs

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset
Re: Funeral Parlour in Sengkang West? HDB Please Come Clean!

The truth is, when there is a planned Mall or MRT or LRT station nearby, do you think HDB will cheap cheap sell? The price will be 20% to 30% more than others lah!

Thus, I say, if there is something adverse, then naturally the price should be 20% to 30% cheaper than the normal pricing mah, right?


Goh Meng Seng

Cannot,that would depreciate the price and cause the housing market to collapse.if HDB can give me a discount of 70% I don't mind they build a HDB in cck cemetery and let me stay.
 

Confuseous

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset
Re: Funeral Parlour in Sengkang West? HDB Please Come Clean!

Not to worry.
HDB CEO will go missing - she was last sighted with $8 Cow at some new HDB estate.
Don't be surprised if they blame the production house for typesetting such information in fine print.
Another honest mistake.
 

Ralders

Alfrescian
Loyal
Re: Funeral Parlour in Sengkang West? HDB Please Come Clean!

Dead people are not scary.

Alive people are much more scarier!!

Cemetery are so serene and peaceful.

How can our mighty captain be afraid of powder people?
This show u not in right frame of mind
 

soIsee

Alfrescian
Loyal
Re: Funeral Parlour in Sengkang West? HDB Please Come Clean!

The truth is, when there is a planned Mall or MRT or LRT station nearby, do you think HDB will cheap cheap sell? The price will be 20% to 30% more than others lah!

Thus, I say, if there is something adverse, then naturally the price should be 20% to 30% cheaper than the normal pricing mah, right?


Goh Meng Seng

Nobody is forcing you to buy in favourable or not favourable( according to you) HDB.

If you not happy with the 'kinds of facilites' that sprout out with your residential location, you can choose to move out.

Columbariums in temple are nothing new. There is a temple off Bedok that also have a columbarium within. And this temple is located in LANDED FREEHOLD PROPERTY AREA( which I
am sure you will never afford in your lifetime) and there is no sign of property price being affected at all.
If you are so adverse to buying already discounted HDB pigeon holes in such locality and still make helluva lot of noise about such issue, you can always relocated to JB or..

Batam. LoL
 

eatshitndie

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset
Re: Funeral Parlour in Sengkang West? HDB Please Come Clean!

it's very popular and common these days for new hong kong apartments to rise (no pun intended) next to the buried. the buried are not in the columbarium, but cemetery. recently, the 1st studio apartment of about 700 sq. ft. in a new development with living (again, no pun intended) room windows facing the cemetery was sold for over usd700k, not bad in terms of price for a shelter and place to rest in peace (again, no pun intended). the scenery is serene (no pun intended) and tranquil (no pun intended), and the surroundings dead silent (again no pun intended), offering other worldly sanctuary (again, no pun intended) from the hustle and bustle of hk. :biggrin:

it's called happy valley for a reason.....
image.jpg

development surrounding cemetery hill.....
image.jpg
 

eatshitndie

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset
Re: Funeral Parlour in Sengkang West? HDB Please Come Clean!

church of the holy trinity in tampines has a columbarium in the basement. the church is surrounded by hdb blocks for decades, and there are no complaints. my aunt's ashes are interned in there.

image.jpg
 

bushtucker

Alfrescian (Inf)
Asset
Re: Funeral Parlour in Sengkang West? HDB Please Come Clean!

just build an mrt station/bus stop/value adding amenities (e.g. shopping mall) between the HDB flats and the columbarium.

property value won't decline and convenience for people visiting their faithfully departed.

win-win situation for all.
 
Top