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Questions to ask your PAP MP

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Forum: Keep bus services going till MRT station opens​

Nov 21, 2023

I read with dismay about bus service 167 being ended and bus service 162’s route being changed from Dec 10 (Bus service 167 to cease from Dec 10, Nov 17).
I live along Thomson Road and rely on both these bus services to commute to my office in the Central Business District several days a week, as do many of my neighbours.
While the Land Transport Authority (LTA) cited lower bus ridership along the Thomson East Coast Line (TEL) for the changes, my neighbours and I still rely on the bus services as the opening of the TEL station closest to us, Mount Pleasant, has been delayed indefinitely.
In addition, our stretch of Thomson Road is often congested daily, with heavy traffic and multiple road closures due to the construction of the North-South Corridor, which makes commuting by private car a lengthy and frustrating experience.
I urge LTA to re-evaluate its decision and consider operating bus services to serve the Thomson Road area until the Mount Pleasant station starts operating.

Lin Lizhen
 

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Forum: Removal of parallel bus services sets back car-lite push​

Nov 21, 2023

I read with interest the decision to remove and amend bus services in the most recent route rationalisation exercise (Bus service 167 to cease from Dec 10, Nov 17). Bus route rationalisation exercises reduce or remove bus routes that are already served by new train lines.
However, in the face of the Government’s car-lite efforts, such a move is rather contradictory. One core tenet of a car-lite society is the ease of public transport use, and giving users choices of public transport services is key to achieving that.
This is also crucial in incidents when trains break down and delays occur. Users can cut over smoothly to existing parallel bus routes, rather than scramble and queue for bus bridging services.
Moreover, removal of bus routes will redirect more commuters to take short trips via other existing bus services just to get to the nearest MRT station. This will likely result in more people using these bus services, causing these buses to be sporadically full on routes in between MRT stations. Commuters who use the services to get to their destination rather than an MRT station may then not be able to board the buses.
Such scenarios frustrate existing commuters, and discourage existing car owners from giving up their cars to use public transport, setting back the Government’s car-lite efforts.
The route rationalisation exercise needs to be tweaked, or overhauled altogether, to reflect the Government’s car-life efforts.

Randy Ho
 

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Forum: Provide more bicycle bays at HDB void decks​


NOV 14, 2023

Many bicycle owners have been issued notices from the town councils for parking their bicycles indiscriminately.
There are not enough bicycle bays in HDB void decks as such bays can take a maximum of only 10 bicycles.
Bays are often stretched beyond their maximum capacity, with at least 20 bicycles in a row. This has become a very common sight in many void decks. It is not only unsightly but also poses a safety hazard.
Many HDB residents do not have enough space in their flats to store their bicycles, and putting them in common corridors is not a good option.
They have to resort to parking their bicycles indiscriminately along staircases or any common vacant area, often inconveniencing other residents.
As people are encouraged to exercise, many now have their own bicycles instead of renting them.
The authorities should provide more bicycle bays at void decks, similar to the two-tiered bays at some new estates and MRT stations, to alleviate the space constraints.

Tan Keong Boon
 

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Forum: Ensure proper use of personal mobility aids​


NOV 17, 2023


The proliferation of personal mobility aid (PMA) scooters, accompanied by their increased abuse, has led to public annoyance.
I have seen PMAs on the road, where they are not allowed.
The issue extends further to the haphazard parking of PMAs in public spaces, including shopping malls (Man calls for parking zone for mobility scooters after elderly parents get ‘advisory’ at AMK Hub, Nov 15).
It’s crucial to emphasise that PMAs are for those unable to walk or who have walking difficulties, and they help the elderly and handicapped to achieve independent mobility.
I wonder if their use is being abused by those who don’t need to use them.
The Government was studying the need for PMA users to get a doctor’s certificate to certify that the users are disabled or have a mobility issue (‘Pseudo-motorcycle without COE’: Panel considering new rules for devices like PMAs, cargo bikes, March 15, 2022).
Will these guidelines for PMA usage be implemented?

Chen Wei Yi
 

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No help from HDB service line​

Dec 1, 2023

I called the Housing Board’s service line regarding the spalling concrete problem in my flat.

Despite following the instructions provided by the HDB main line, which directed me to contact the service line, my attempts to connect have been disappointing and frustrating. I have made numerous calls on different days and at various times, hoping to speak with an operator but to no avail.

After being put on hold and listening to a recorded message three times, I get a message saying I’ve exceeded the allowed call duration and the call would be abruptly terminated. My experience makes me question whether anyone can receive any help from this service line.

Wendy Lim
 

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Elderly penalised for late settlement of medical bills​

Dec 14, 2023

Every three months, I visit Ang Mo Kio Polyclinic to treat my diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

Unless full payment of outstanding medical bills is made at the polyclinic, patients will not get to see the doctor.

There are many seniors struggling to cope with the high cost of living. On previous occasions, I was denied medical care until I paid the outstanding amount in full. It is not right to deny medical care to seniors just because they are late with payments.


Raymond Anthony Fernando
 

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Forum: Help retrenched young seniors get back into the workforce​


FEB 21, 2024

In the 2024 Budget, there seems to be a lack of emphasis on one group of vulnerable Singaporeans who have been retrenched.
The number of retrenched workers has increased recently and is expected to rise further due to companies looking at higher profitability and conducting right-sizing exercises.
The Budget is giving top-ups of $15,000 for Institute of Technical Education graduates aged 30 and below when they complete a diploma programme. Those aged 40 and above pursuing a second diploma will get a monthly training allowance of up to $3,000 for 24 months.
Will it make sense for those in their 60s to pursue a second diploma and get hired (hopefully) after graduation?
I am sure those in their 60s will not get a similar scheme to obtain a second diploma and get hired (hopefully) after graduation.
I was laid off last year when I was 59 years old. I have applied for numerous positions without success. Employers do not want to hire older people with a short “runway” as they say it is difficult to integrate them into their generally younger teams. This is also the case when I look for work at government agencies.
I attended a three-month full-time SkillsFuture Career Transition Programme in September 2023, hoping to get a job placement after the training. Unfortunately, the class was left on its own to look for jobs after we completed the programme, which was described as a “train-and-place programme”.

Most unemployed seniors face financial difficulties, especially if we have to support the family.
Most of us would prefer to get a job rather than get handouts from the Government. I hope the Government will look into helping young seniors get back into the workforce.

Eric Yip Kok Leong
 

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Forum: Retirees still need more help to be re-employed​

JAN 06, 2024

I refer to the reply by the Ministry of Manpower (Steps taken to support senior workers on re-employment, Jan 3).
Kudos to the Manpower Ministry for the schemes it has put in place to extend the employment of seniors, and its encouragement of employers to do so.
However, the ministry did not address the point made by Mr Tristan Gwee (Tap older workers’ wealth of experience, Dec 11) and Mr Ong Kim Bock (Do more to get retirees back in workforce, Dec 14), that is, to tap seniors who have left the workforce, and would like to, and can potentially, be re-employed.
In my interactions with other retired seniors, I have found that many of us would like to be re-employed.
I have applied to the ministry, other government bodies and tripartite organisations, but with no success.
Other seniors have had similar experiences, and we have come to the same conclusion that ageism played a role in why we were not employed.
The Government has called for employers to engage seniors as part of the workforce. But can we expect the private sector to overlook ageism and employ seniors, when government bodies do not seem to walk the talk?

There is a group of retired but capable seniors who have been sidelined. With their efforts to rejoin the workforce not bearing fruit, they are resigned to spending their time at coffee shops or binge-watching TV shows instead of contributing to the nation.

Lai Tuck Kee
 

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Forum: Strengthen employment laws to protect retrenched staff​


JAN 25, 2024

After nearly three years in a senior leadership role at a global company in the creative industry, I was recently retrenched. The reason was “financial challenges” and not “an indication of my contributions or performance”.
I was informed that I would not be getting any severance benefits because there are no labour laws in effect that protect employees. I was specifically told that the Ministry of Manpower gives only broad recommendations – with any severance done purely out of goodwill, not because of legislation. Sadly, my contract did not include any provision for retrenchment benefits either.
A friend urged me to speak with the Tripartite Alliance for Dispute Management, which referred me to the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices.
Both officers who spoke with me were sympathetic, but ultimately said they could only point my company to the best practice and could not enforce anything.
My story isn’t the only one.
The recent high-profile retrenchment exercise at Lazada has exposed a weakness in Singapore’s labour and workplace laws – these laws are geared towards supporting companies, not employees.
I have worked in Britain and Australia – both these countries have workplace laws that protect employees who are retrenched. These are common practices in many developed countries.

As a country that has ambition to be a hub for companies in the region, Singapore should update its Employment Act to give more legal protection to employees.
If we are unable to give adequate protection to employees and strike a fair balance in the employment relationship, I worry about how competitive we will be on the global stage.

Shawn Low
 

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Rats chew through wiring of Hougang resident’s car, leaving it unable to start​

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Ms Quek discovered that some of the wiring in her car engine had been chewed through. PHOTOS: COURTESY OF MS QUEK, SHIN MIN DAILY NEWS
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Christie Chiu

JAN 30, 2024

SINGAPORE - A resident of a Hougang estate was horrified when she found her car’s engine bay covered in rat droppings and the vehicle unable to start.
The 41-year-old billing analyst, who wanted to be known only as Ms Quek, discovered later that afternoon on Jan 6 that some of the wiring in the engine had been chewed through. She had to call a towing service to take the car to a workshop for repairs.
Ms Quek, who moved to a flat at Hougang Avenue 8 in 2021, said other residents who have lived there longer told her they have had similar experiences and that the estate had been plagued with rat infestation for about five years.
“I noticed the rat issue during my first few months living in this estate. But I brushed it off since it’s a very old estate – around 35 years old – as I thought it’s common to see pests around,” she said.
However, she said she became very concerned after seeing more rats scurrying around the estate in the last three years.
“When you come back in the night, no matter where you are, you will see rats running around. They will run into the drains, across the car park and hide under cars.”
She said after pleas for help from residents, the Ang Mo Kio Town Council (AMKTC) has tried to tackle the issue, such as by placing traps and rat poison around the estate. But she added that the recent damage to her car showed that more needed to be done.

In response to queries, an AMKTC spokesman said it was aware of a rodent infestation problem in the car park at Block 628, Hougang Avenue 8.
The town council sent its pest control team to conduct an inspection of the car park for rat burrows, he said, adding: “Our pest control officer has informed us that there are no active burrows in the car park and rodent treatment will be carried out in the surrounding area.”
The town council is following up with its insurance company as well as Ms Quek on the rat-induced damage to her car for an insurance claim submission, he added.

The car towing service on Jan 6 cost Ms Quek $70, while mending the engine’s wires cost $50.
Mr Eddie Ng, the director of Choon’s Motor Works – the workshop Ms Quek enlisted – said that while the damage to her car was “not too bad” and needed only half a day to fix, future repairs could cost $2,000 to $3,000 if the rats were to attack the same spots again.
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Ms Quek was unable to start her car after rats bit through its engine wires. PHOTO: COURTESY OF MS QUEK
If that happens, he added, Ms Quek would need to completely replace the engine wires and this could take up to two weeks.
Pest control experts ST spoke to said rats causing damage to vehicles is not uncommon.
Killem Pest managing director Nicole Zycinski-Singh said rats are attracted to warm spaces and may see a vehicle’s switched-off engine bay as a convenient place to nest and trim their teeth.
Bingo Pest operations director Vinz Lim said that rats actively seek materials such as cables and wires to maintain their dental health.
This is because their teeth grow continuously and constant gnawing keeps them at a manageable length for feeding, he added.
Mr Lim said: “We’ve seen rodents chew through vehicle seat belts and damage the wiring of the in-vehicle unit completely.
“With their powerful teeth and ability to bite through these materials, they can cause a short circuit and electrical hazard that may be costly to repair.”
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Pest control experts said that rats damaging vehicles and the wiring of in-vehicle units is not unusual. PHOTO: COURTESY OF BINGO PEST
He added that rats also pose health threats to humans through cross-contamination and can contribute to the spread of diseases – including salmonellosis and rat-bite fever – by contaminating food and water supplies with their urine, faeces or fur.
Ms Zycinski-Singh and Mr Lim said rat infestations can be eradicated only if the root cause is addressed.
“Residents can take preventive measures, such as sealing gaps, proper waste disposal and keeping areas clean,” said Ms Zycinski-Singh. “But while individual efforts can help, an estate-wide rat issue may require coordinated action to address the root causes and implement effective pest control measures.”
 

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Spread out columbaria in other estates instead of just Mandai, some Nee Soon residents say in dialogue with NEA and MP​

Member of Parliament Carrie Tan (third from right, left photo) talking to residents on Jan 16, 2024, at a dialogue with the National Environment Agency on a proposed funeral and columbarium complex in Mandai.
Lim Li Ting/TODAY
Member of Parliament Carrie Tan (third from right, left photo) talking to residents on Jan 16, 2024, at a dialogue with the National Environment Agency on a proposed funeral and columbarium complex in Mandai.
https://tdy.sg/47JGhKL

  • About 100 residents had a closed-door dialogue with the National Environment Agency on Jan 16 night
  • They were concerned about plans to build a new columbarium along Mandai Road
  • Some problems they foresee are worsening traffic conditions, destruction of habitat for wildlife and an over-concentration of columbaria in the area
  • Member of Parliament Carrie Tan supported exploring an idea to have a few smaller columbaria across the island instead of all in Mandai alone
  • Residents asked for more dialogues with relevant agencies moving forward
BY NIKKI YEO

BY TAUFIQ ZALIZAN
Published January 17, 2024

SINGAPORE — A debate over space to be given to the deceased dominated a meeting on Tuesday night (Jan 16), as some residents concerned about the authorities' plans to build a new columbarium along Mandai Avenue met the National Environment Agency (NEA) in a dialogue organised by Member of Parliament (MP) Carrie Tan.
After a two-hour dialogue that was attended by about 100 people, the MP for Nee Soon Group Representation Constituency told TODAY she felt that the authorities should “relook the model” and rethink the approach to after-death facilities.
“A less centralised model for columbaria would be helpful so that there can be an accessible one in each area, making practical sense so that Singaporeans can pay their respects to deceased loved ones more conveniently,” she said.
“More importantly, we should strive towards a more accepting and pragmatic mindset among citizens, remove the stigma or ‘pantang’ (superstitious thinking) and see a columbarium as a practical facility that can be located conveniently, making it commonplace for every neighbourhood to have smaller such facilities.”
The idea of having multiple columbarium sites across different parts of Singapore, as opposed to developing another big one in an area where there are already existing columbaria, was among a few points raised by some participants during the dialogue, which over-ran by half an hour.

Other topics brought up during the closed-door session at Nee Soon Central Community Centre included how the 10-hectare site was picked and whether alternative sites were explored, as well as the potential traffic and environmental impacts, a few participants told TODAY after the session.
The dialogue was organised for residents of Springleaf and Springside located along Sembawang Road, after some of them wrote to Ms Tan and started a petition opposing the plans announced last month by NEA to build a new funeral services and columbarium complex at the intersection of Mandai Avenue and Sembawang Road.
Urging the authorities to reconsider the decision and explore other sites, the petition listed three main points to support their stance:
  • The “severe over-concentration” of columbaria in the area
  • The worsening of traffic conditions
  • Safety as well as concerns over a change in the landscape and “character” of the area
Similar concerns were brought up on Tuesday afternoon ahead of the dialogue when TODAY spoke to residents at the landed property enclave around Springside Drive — a two-minute drive from the proposed columbarium site.
Ms Tan said after the dialogue: “I’m glad that residents shared frankly, and that NEA personnel who were present also listened attentively and will bring up the residents’ views to discuss internally with the agencies they are working with.”

WHY ONLY MANDAI?​

Participants described the discussions on Tuesday night as “robust” and “tense” at some points, but still cordial and civil overall.

One resident who has lived in the area for about 30 years and gave her name only as Ms Lim said: “People made known their frustration. They were angry but did not cross any line. There were no shouting matches or raising of voices.”
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Lim Li Ting/TODAYResidents registering for a dialogue on Jan 16, 2024, regarding a proposed funeral and columbarium complex to be built in Mandai.
Most of the five participants who spoke to TODAY did so on condition that they did not want to be identified as giving information to the media from a closed-door dialogue.
However, they said that some questions were “not quite satisfactorily answered” by NEA.
For example, the questions on the potential size of the development and how the Mandai site was picked.
A resident who has been living along Sembawang Road for about five years said: “NEA said this was not a site that it chose but was given.”
Another resident had also asked if the idea of developing multiple, smaller sites elsewhere instead of building mega complexes in Mandai was ever proposed.

This resident said that a decentralised approach could have opened up more choices of alternative sites and it might be easier to find smaller pockets of land in other parts of the island.
Given the existing columbaria in the vicinity, participants had stressed during the dialogue that this was not a case of a “not in my backyard” mentality, where people are opposed to the location of something considered undesirable in one’s neighbourhood.
In 2015, residents around Fernvale Link in Sengkang started an online petition to oppose the development of a commercial columbarium near their homes, with some even asking the Housing and Development Board (HDB) for a refund on their new flats.
Three years earlier in 2012, residents from Woodlands Street 83 petitioned against the setting up of an eldercare centre at the void deck of their housing block.
Mr Goh Boon Leng, a 68-year-old retiree who spoke to TODAY from his home on Springside Drive ahead of the dialogue on Tuesday, said: “We are not against it being in our neighbourhood per se, we are all used to columbaria and crematoriums here.
“But the question is equity. Why another one in my neighbourhood? And 10 hectares is very big.”

NEA said that at the dialogue, it spoke about the need for after-death facilities in Singapore with an ageing population, and how developments such as columbaria and funeral parlours are located at various spaces around the island.
In response to TODAY'S queries on Wednesday, it also said that although the proposed site is about 10ha and located more than 500m away from the nearest residential estate at Springside, it has assured residents that the actual land area to be used by the new complex would depend on findings from further assessments that are expected to be completed by 2025.
"NEA will continue to engage all stakeholders, including residents and nature groups, as the development process progresses," the agency added.

TRAFFIC WOES​

Another point discussed during the dialogue was traffic congestion, especially during the Qing Ming Festival when some of the Chinese visit the tombs and niches of their departed family members or relatives.
There are already traffic jams with two existing columbaria in the neighbourhood.
The first is the Mandai Crematorium and Columbarium Complex, located at the other end of Mandai Avenue and about four minute’s drive from the proposed new columbarium site.
There is also another columbarium at Grace Presbytarian Church, located next to the Springside residences.
The occasional mobilisation exercises for military reservists compound the traffic problems, given that Nee Soon Camp is also located along the same road.
A 56-year-old resident working in the airline industry, who gave his name as just Frank, said: “There were instances where the roads were congested especially early in the morning and late evening.”
Ms Tan the MP said that residents mentioned during the dialogue that they have been "exercising tolerance" towards the traffic conditions all these years, especially during the Qing Ming Festival.
“I can understand they do not wish that there be more traffic,” she added.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS​

The loss of green space was another matter heard at the dialogue, though NEA had said that an environmental impact assessment would be done.
A 35-year-old civil servant who wanted to be known only as Mr Ang said ahead of the dialogue that there were already cases of “very aggressive” monkeys being spotted in the residential areas.
“If they keep cutting down the trees, the monkeys will have nowhere else to go (and create more human-wildlife conflicts),” Mr Ang added.
Mr Goh the retiree from Springside Drive described the possible cutting down of 10ha of forest for the sake of the dead as a “travesty”.
Residents asked for more dialogue sessions to be held, with at least one to be held before Chinese New Year (which begins on Feb 10 this year), and to include other relevant authorities.
A young male resident, who attended Tuesday's session and has lived in the Nee Soon area for about five years, said: “Given that this was an inter-agency decision, solely having NEA in the dialogue is not adequate enough to answer (the residents') questions.”
Ms Tan told TODAY that she will be raising the residents’ concerns in Parliament.
“It is important that their voice is heard, and I will also be working closely with agencies to ensure the residents’ perspectives are (presented) in their review and planning going forward,” she said.
 

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Forum: Help retrenched young seniors get back into the workforce​

FEB 21, 2024

In the 2024 Budget, there seems to be a lack of emphasis on one group of vulnerable Singaporeans who have been retrenched.
The number of retrenched workers has increased recently and is expected to rise further due to companies looking at higher profitability and conducting right-sizing exercises.
The Budget is giving top-ups of $15,000 for Institute of Technical Education graduates aged 30 and below when they complete a diploma programme. Those aged 40 and above pursuing a second diploma will get a monthly training allowance of up to $3,000 for 24 months.
Will it make sense for those in their 60s to pursue a second diploma and get hired (hopefully) after graduation?
I am sure those in their 60s will not get a similar scheme to obtain a second diploma and get hired (hopefully) after graduation.
I was laid off last year when I was 59 years old. I have applied for numerous positions without success. Employers do not want to hire older people with a short “runway” as they say it is difficult to integrate them into their generally younger teams. This is also the case when I look for work at government agencies.
I attended a three-month full-time SkillsFuture Career Transition Programme in September 2023, hoping to get a job placement after the training. Unfortunately, the class was left on its own to look for jobs after we completed the programme, which was described as a “train-and-place programme”.

Most unemployed seniors face financial difficulties, especially if we have to support the family.
Most of us would prefer to get a job rather than get handouts from the Government. I hope the Government will look into helping young seniors get back into the workforce.

Eric Yip Kok Leong
 

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Forum: Insurance company making it hard for policyholders to have continuity of care​


APR 07, 2024

I have been a loyal policyholder of Income Insurance for decades, with six policies with the company. However, Income Insurance has introduced new terms and conditions regarding panel and non-panel specialist doctors in its Integrated Shield Plans.
I had a long-established patient-doctor relationship with my specialist doctor A. When I needed an operation, I was informed that I would need to pay a $2,000 non-panel deductible if I continued treatment with doctor A, as she is not on Income Insurance’s panel. I was advised to see another specialist, doctor B, who was on Income Insurance’s panel, to avoid paying the deductible.
Now, I have learnt that doctor B has left Income Insurance’s panel, and I would have to find a new doctor to continue my care.
Some of my friends have faced similar issues, needing to change their specialist doctors due to Income Insurance’s mandate to use panel doctors, or pay the deductible, which is up to $2,000 in each policy year.
This policy may affect patient autonomy, and continuity of care. It also increases healthcare costs, as new doctors may need to repeat previous tests and procedures and re-evaluate the previous treatment plan.
Continuity of care is essential for managing chronic conditions, ensuring accurate diagnoses, and fostering trust between patients and their healthcare providers.
This policy does not seem to be in line with the Ministry of Health’s Healthier SG programme that encourages us to stay with one doctor to develop and enjoy a long-term trusted relationship.

I hope Income Insurance will reconsider this policy and uphold the principles of patient-centred care and fairness that prioritise the well-being of policyholders.

Ng Sout San


Forum: Insurance companies should be transparent about how they pay doctors​


APR 10, 2024

I refer to Ms Ng Sout San’s letter “Insurance company making it hard for policyholders to have continuity of care” (April 8).
As doctors and insurers continue to debate over remuneration amounts and the role of panels, we sometimes forget the people we are serving –our patients. As a breast surgeon myself, whenever I speak up on such matters, I might be perceived by some as self-serving. Therefore, I am glad members of the public are speaking up about what they need.
All of us need access to healthcare at some point in our lives. We must take an active interest in open discussion to better shape policy.
Patients should have access to any doctor of their choice. I have heard ad nauseum the same old arguments of how panels help to reduce costs, and accusations of overcharging by doctors and hospitals. The Ministry of Health has stepped up efforts to rein in these costs. I call for transparency in how insurance companies remunerate doctors. Currently, contracts with non-disclosure clauses are signed between doctor and insurer when they enter a panel, with all the caveats and limitations to adhere to.
Just as common procedure and hospital fee benchmarks are listed in public domains, I propose that insurers should also let their policyholders (or even the public) know about their fee schedules for common procedures.
In addition, I propose that a modified reimbursement be considered–where a company offers a certain fee, but patients can choose to top up the difference for a highly skilled and experienced doctor that they choose. This has multiple benefits where doctors will be mindful of fees and charge appropriately, and patients will be truly empowered to decide where they go for treatment.
Every month, new doctors join the private sector. Are insurers keeping up with reviewing and expanding their panels to include these doctors who can bring new skill sets and knowledge to help patients?

I fully respect the work and necessity of insurers in paying for healthcare bills. I am committed to creating a fair ecosystem, and for always putting patients first. Let all the stakeholders collaborate in educating patients, so that they can make an informed choice in which insurer they use, which doctor they choose and which hospital they go to.

Tan Yia Swam (Dr)
 

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Hawker food prices rose by 6.1% in 2023, but cost pressures easing​

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The Singapore Department of Statistics study compared prices of food across hawker centres, coffee shops and foodcourts. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG
Shermaine Ang, Jordan Loo and Taryn Ng

MAY 26, 2024

SINGAPORE - Hawker food prices rose by 6.1 per cent in 2023, the highest since 2008, a new study by the Singapore Department of Statistics (SingStat) found.
For example, the average cost of a plate of chicken rice in 2023 was $4.15, up from $3.40 in 2019, while that of a bowl of mee rebus went up from $3.26 to $3.79 in the same time period.
While some cost pressures have since eased – with hawker food inflation falling to 4.1 per cent in December 2023 after peaking at 8.3 per cent in February 2023 – this may not translate to cheaper eats.
Price increases were driven partly by factors such as pricier raw food ingredients due to supply chain disruptions triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic and compounded by other events such as the Russia-Ukraine war, the study found.
They have since moderated because global energy and food commodity prices fell significantly between February and December 2023, said the Ministry of Trade and Industry, pointing out that the Singapore dollar nominal effective exchange rate also appreciated.
“This abated cost pressures faced by F&B (food and beverage) service providers, including hawkers, in terms of imported raw ingredients, electricity and gas,” it said.
It expects hawker food inflation to ease further in 2024 if cost conditions stay favourable.

Global prices of most food commodities such as cereals, meat and dairy are likely to continue falling due to favourable global supply conditions, and the Singapore dollar trade-weighted exchange rate is gradually strengthening, it said.
The study, published on May 6, compared the 6.1 per cent jump in overall hawker food prices in 2023 with the average price increase of 2.2 per cent per year observed from 2012 to 2022.
It compared prices of food across hawker centres, coffee shops and foodcourts, using the consumer price index for hawker food, which measures the average price changes across more than 100 hawker food items from 1,700 stalls. A total of 16 commonly sold food items and beverages were analysed.

In response to queries, SingStat said price increases were also observed at restaurants, which saw a 5.9 per cent increase, and in fast food, which was up 7.7 per cent.
SingStat’s study also found that at hawker centres, drinks saw the largest price increase of 6.9 per cent, while at coffee shops and foodcourts, prices of noodle and rice items recorded the largest increases of 8 per cent and 6.5 per cent, respectively.
CGS International economic adviser Song Seng Wun said prices of ingredients are affected by global trends such as climate change and war, which drove up prices of cooking oil, chicken, sugar and cocoa, among other ingredients.
The price spike in 2023 could also have been because some hawkers chose to raise prices at one go, rather than have incremental increases every year, said Dr Teo Kay Key, a research fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies. This finding was similar to results from her 2023 study on food prices called the Makan Index project.
“Stall owners might have waited for the cost increases in different areas, such as utilities, rent, GST (goods and services tax), ingredients, and delivery, logistics or supply chain, to stabilise somewhat before deciding on the exact price increase, and to do a larger increase at one go.”
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Professor Lawrence Loh from NUS Business School said the easing of hawker food inflation may also be due to fewer increases in rent, which make up the bulk of operating costs for hawkers, alongside manpower and ingredients.
SingStat’s study noted that food prices and price increases were lower at hawker centres than at coffee shops and foodcourts.
At hawker centres, the median rent for cooked food stallholders not on a subsidised scheme has remained at around $1,250 per month over the last 10 years, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu said in September 2023.
The monthly rent for operators of eating houses – coffee shops that can each house at least six stalls – can range from $6,500 to $68,888, according to the Housing Board’s past tender results.

Mulling over keeping prices low​

Hokkien mee hawker Mitchell Ong, 26, who has a stall at Golden Mile Food Centre, said ingredient and electricity costs are the key challenges he faces in keeping prices low.
The cost of 1kg of lime rose from $4 to $6 after the GST hike, and electricity prices went up from about $1,000 to $1,800 a month.
This drove him to raise prices for a plate of hokkien mee by $1, to $5, $6 and $7 currently, depending on the portion size.
When asked how he keeps costs low, he said: “I cut down on my own expenses, cutting down on my meals from three to two a day. I also work longer hours now... (previously I worked) from 11.30am to 8pm, (now I work) from 10.30am to 9pm, or even 10pm.”
Mr Fadzil Mohd Alip, 28, a hawker at a halal Western food store in Golden Mile Food Centre, said: “Generally, protein prices increased the most during the GST hike. Increasing costs of oil, electricity and dried goods are more manageable.”
He raised the price of his chicken chop from $7.50 to $8.50 in February, but added two side dishes, baked beans and garlic bread, on top of the original fries and coleslaw.
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Mr Fadzil Mohd Alip (left) and Mr Mohamed Amrizuhairi Mohamed Amin, co-owners of Charr’d The Hawker stall. ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI
Observers said hawker centres usually have more than one stall selling the same dish, and this increases the competition for customers.
Dr Teo said: “Stall owners might be less willing to do a drastic increase since that would make their competitors’ food cheaper and perhaps more popular in comparison.”
In addition, some hawkers are of the pioneer batches that were relocated from the streets into hawker centres, and pay a subsidised rent, she said. Ms Fu had said that they typically pay $192, $320, or $384 per month, depending on the upgrading works done at their hawker centre.
But given that these hawkers are decreasing in number, Singapore could see larger price increases for hawker centre food in the future, Dr Teo added.


The increase in prices of hawker food has not gone unnoticed among diners The Straits Times spoke to.
Ms Esther Tay, a diner at Koufu Toa Payoh Central, orders a cup of kopi-o every lunch break. The 49-year-old real estate agent noted that although kopi-o is already the cheapest option, its price has increased by 20 per cent at some places.
“There’s a place at Clementi that sold a cup of kopi-o for $1.10, but when I went back after about two or three weeks, the price had increased to $1.40. I have to buy it, even though it’s expensive, because I need it.”
Ms Jackie Wong, 70, a retired clerk, said that she will turn to cheaper alternatives to a prawn mee stall she frequents if the price of the dish – which has gone up from $4 to $5 in the past two years – increases too much. But she is willing to pay more for higher-quality food and drinks, such as coffee from a stall called Kopi More at Golden Mile Food Centre.
“The first time I came here, it was only $1.80, but it slowly increased to $2.50 as of late,” she said.
“Kopi More coffee is made by the cup (not in bulk) and has better coffee beans than others. Nowadays, coffee already costs $1.50 to $1.60; I find it worth it to top up for a tastier cup of coffee.”
 

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Forum: Rising prices of hawker food​


MAY 28, 2024

I was surprised to read that a Singapore Department of Statistics study found that hawker food prices rose by only 6.1 per cent in 2023, as I believe the prices were understated (Hawker food prices rose by 6.1% in 2023, but cost pressures easing, May 26).

Consumers are aware that the price of hawker food, especially in 2023, rose by at least 50 cents to a dollar, amounting to an increase of at least 20 per cent.
Moreover, the food operators try to cut corners by reducing the quantity of food served, hoping that the customers will order a bigger plate and pay more.

The survey should look not only at the prices but also the quality of the food served.

We do not mind paying more for our food provided we get value for money.

Even after the price increase, it seems that there are fewer prawns in a plate of Hokkien mee and the quality of fishballs in a bowl of noodles has dropped.
Even the price of takeaway food containers has increased from 20 cents to 30 cents.

When consumers bring their own containers, the stallholders show their displeasure by asking the consumers to take off the lids and put back the lids themselves.

Harry Ong Heng Poh
 

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[Poll] Majority of Singaporeans Say The PAP Handled Inflation 'Badly'!​

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More than half of Singaporeans think the government is handling inflation “badly,” according to a new poll, highlighting challenges facing the country’s leaders as the nation undergoes a political transition.

About 55% of respondents in the mid-May survey conducted by pollster Blackbox Research Pte. said the government was handling everyday price rises “badly.” Almost 20% said it was tackled “very badly,” while 36% felt it was dealt with “quite badly.” At the same time, 37% said the government was performing “quite well” and 7% said “very well.”

More than nine in 10 Singaporeans said inflation has affected their lives, with 37% indicating a “significant” impact, according to the poll based on interviews with 758 people aged 20 and above. It has a margin of error of 3%.

That sentiment is an indication of the challenges finance minister and prime minister in-waiting Lawrence Wong faces in convincing voters that the ruling People’s Action Party is doing enough to tackle sharp price rises. Many governments and central banks are acting in tandem to shield their citizens from the cost-of-living crisis sweeping the world.

“A perfect storm has emerged post-pandemic that will test the Singaporean government over the next 12 months as it not only seeks to bring about a speedy recovery but also bed in new political leadership,” said David Black, the founder and chief executive officer of Blackbox.

Singapore’s cost pressures have been persistent this year, prompting the central bank to tighten monetary policy and revise expectations for price-growth that could crimp the broader post-Covid growth recovery. While officials are hopeful that nominal wage growth will outpace inflation this year, economists see prices remaining elevated in the city-state through 2023.

Global inflation, exacerbated by supply-side pressures caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, has filtered through to consumers worldwide, even as early signs of inflation peaking appear.

In an indication of the risks facing the city-state’s economic recovery as it emerges from strict Covid restrictions, respondents said they have cut back on their spending due to inflation, with nearly nine in 10 spending less on clothing, restaurants, and entertainment at cinemas and theaters.

Wong has committed to help residents to cope with consumption tax increases set to kick in initially next year in his maiden budget delivered in February.

About 57% of low-income respondents -- earning below S$2,500 ($1,800) a month -- said the government was doing badly, while 59% of medium-low income households, earning S$,2500 to S$6,600, felt the same, the survey showed.

Other key points from the poll include:

Singaporeans are feeling the most inflation pain in petrol prices (35%), followed by utility prices (34%), and at supermarkets (28%)

66% of Singaporeans say they feel negatively about rising public housing prices

Only 44% believe that they will be economically better off this year than 2021

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-06-10/majority-of-singaporeans-say-inflation-handled-badly-poll
 

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Letter of the week: Have residents’ handbook outlining clear guidelines on HDB living​

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Residents from different backgrounds and with different habits can clash, especially when some view the common corridor as their own space. PHOTOS: ST FILE, GAVIN FOO

JUL 19, 2024, 05:01 AM


Living in close quarters like in HDB flats can be challenging. While all residents have the right to enjoy their home, certain behaviours can infringe on others’ right to a peaceful, safe living environment. A recent example involved a resident who placed a sauna, which was later removed, potted plants and other bulky items in the public corridor (Fire safety violations found along Serangoon HDB corridor with ‘sauna’ cabin; SCDF to take action, July 16). This case exemplifies the self-entitled behaviour that disrupts HDB living.
Residents from different backgrounds and with different habits can clash, especially when some view the common corridor as their own space.
Other examples include noise pollution from loud music or noisy pets, inconsiderate bird feeding, overgrowing of plants, and chain-smoking or non-stop burning of incense that affects neighbouring units. Issues like high-rise littering, dripping laundry and public urination are also common.
The lack of clear guidelines from the Housing Board exacerbates these problems. Currently, there are no limitations on the duration or frequency of activities like smoking, incense burning, or even mahjong playing. Victims of inconsiderate neighbours often face lengthy and expensive battles with various government agencies, only to find themselves back at square one.
As HDB spaces become smaller, conflicts are bound to increase. To address this, the HDB needs to take a proactive approach. A crucial first step is a residents’ handbook outlining clear guidelines for expected behaviour and respect for neighbours’ rights. Additionally, implementing reasonable limits and timeframes for activities that cause inconvenience would promote better co-existence.
Furthermore, enforcement is essential. The HDB should consider hefty fines for repeat offenders, with flat repossession as the ultimate consequence for persistent disregard. Installing sensors to detect excessive noise or smoke can provide a more objective and efficient way to monitor compliance.
An alternative solution is redesigning HDB flats to include private or designated areas for shoe racks or other bulky items. This would free up the common corridors, giving better access to residents, especially the elderly.

Ultimately, fostering a harmonious living environment requires clear expectations and mutual respect. By educating residents on their rights and responsibilities, implementing clear guidelines, and establishing enforcement mechanisms, the HDB can create a peaceful, clutter-free environment where everyone thrives. This will benefit residents and also free up valuable resources currently spent on resolving neighbour disputes.

Chong Ling Eng
 

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Forum: Don’t let uncooperative HDB flat owners inconvenience neighbours​


JUL 23, 2024

HDB needs to be vested with more power to deal with uncooperative and recalcitrant owners who inconvenience others (Have residents’ handbook outlining clear guidelines on HDB living, July 19).
I am a new owner of a resale flat. After I took over the flat, I discovered the ceiling of the master bedroom toilet was leaking and reported it promptly to HDB in March. Nothing was done until the fourth report was made in April.
There was evidence of worn-out waterproofing from the HDB unit above. The owner of the unit delayed the waterproofing tests for weeks when HDB tried to engage him. A repair date was scheduled for July, but the owner cancelled on the date, citing financial difficulties. He asked to reschedule the repair to September.
I offered to pay more than my 50 per cent co-share of the cost, and pay 75 per cent to expedite the work so that I could move into my unit on time. HDB then informed me the flat owner had arranged privately with the HDB contractor for additional renovation work, and wanted to delay the repair till September.
This turn of events is bewildering. HDB seems to be accommodating an uncooperative owner, allowing him to delay critical repair work for six months, indirectly penalising and inconveniencing a cooperative owner who has been working patiently with HDB to resolve the issue.
I believe my experience is not isolated. Recalcitrant flat owners seem to be treated leniently, as reported in the media, over issues like noise nuisance and excessive cluttering, sometimes for years. This soft attitude reinforces the idea that it pays to be wayward, and culprits can act with little repercussion.

Chen JiaQing
 

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'Greatly traumatised': Woman allegedly attacked by 5 after asking PMA rider to slow down​

'Greatly traumatised': Woman allegedly attacked by 5 after asking PMA rider to slow down


The woman (second from left) said she was surrounded and repeatedly pushed to the ground by a group of PMA riders.
PHOTO: Oh
Lim Kewei
PUBLISHED ONJuly 29, 2024 2:12 PM
ByLim Kewei

After telling a personal mobility aid (PMA) rider to slow down, a woman found herself surrounded and allegedly attacked by the rider and four other people.
The woman, who wanted to be known only by her surname Oh, told AsiaOne on Monday (July 29) that she is now traumatised by the incident, which left her with a bruised lip and bleeding wounds.
The altercation occurred at around 4pm last Saturday (July 27) outside a condominium in Sembawang.
Oh, 46, was about to exit the condo to walk her dog when she spotted a PMA rider speeding past her and shouted at him to slow down.
Several other PMAs riders then rode past her and caught up to the first rider, who took off his slipper and walked towards her. A second rider also alighted and stood in front of her, said this accountant.
"They said something like I should be looking out for them, and not them looking out for me," she recounted to AsiaOne.
Subsequently, the first rider allegedly hit Oh's face with his slipper while the second rider pushed her, causing her phone and spectacles to fall. The woman was then pushed to the ground.
Despite attempting to get up and retrieve her phone, she was allegedly pushed back to the ground by a third rider and surrounded by five people.
"Though my external injuries were not serious, I was greatly traumatised by having five big-sized humans towering over me," said the woman.
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The woman said the PMA riders did not apologise or help her up before leaving.
PHOTO: Oh
After the PMA riders left, workers from a nearby construction site checked on Oh and helped retrieve her spectacles, which she told AsiaOne is "totally damaged" and cannot be worn.
She also called the police, who took her statement. Paramedics helped treat the cuts and scrapes on her arms, elbow and knee.
Oh added that she is still experiencing some aches and pains and is worried about her safety as the group of riders supposedly live nearby, explaining that pet owners in her area had previously warned others in their shared group chat to be careful of them.
In response to AsiaOne's queries, the police said they were alerted to a call for assistance at 3 Sembawang Crescent at about 4.10pm that day. A 46-year-old woman sustained minor injuries but refused to be taken to hospital.
Four persons, aged between 36 and 41, are assisting with investigations for voluntarily causing hurt and intentional harassment. Police investigations are ongoing.

Concerns over PMA riders speeding​

In a parliament sitting this March, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Transport Baey Yam Keng announced that the speed limit for PMAs will be reduced to 6kmh from the current 10kmh, following recommendations proposed by the Active Mobility Advisory Panel (AMAP) last December.
These changes were put forward amid rising concerns regarding the misuse of PMAs by able-bodied individuals, resulting in complaints from the public about dangerous riding, speeding, and over-sized PMAs.
"There are trade-offs involved and we expect pushback from some PMA users," said Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat then.
"But we must be clear that between ensuring safety for residents and providing convenience for PMA users, safety must come first."
 
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