Malaysian Elections and Bashing Thy Neighbour (us) Below

Barisan Nasional pattern when cornered during Malaysian elections, in-between bashing Anwar, is bash someone else. Like Singapore, especially since Singapore is Chinese-dominated and a convenient pesky whipping boy.

Speak to any Malaysian studying or working here, and they can explain to you that racial and Singapore bashing formula with a bored yawn. The latest I heard from a Malaysian pal, is that UMNO is trying to make noise about Malaysian Chinese going back to vote in Malaysia. FFS their own citizens going back to vote and they are pissing in their sarongs that these citizens are expressing their responsibility to vote. Unapologetic UMNO is just worried that the huge number of Malaysian Chinese making a living in Singapore would go back by next week to vote for Pakatan Rakyat. Nothing surprising with that voting choice as Malaysian Chinese and other minorities are fed up with the kris-happy racist UMNO. Sadly UMNO just didn't watch enough Yasmin Ahmad videos.

PR logos on S'pore-registered cars: MFA replies

SINGAPORE does not interfere in the domestic politics of other countries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, amid reports of Singapore-registered cars driving around Johor bearing logos of the opposition Pakatan Rakyat.

The press statement, issued by its consulate-general in Johor Baru yesterday, comes as some of the 400,000 Malaysians living in Singapore arrange to ferry fellow citizens home to vote in the polls.

"The Singapore Consulate-General in Johor Baru has received a memorandum regarding a Singapore-registered car in Johor that had logos supporting the campaign of a political party in Malaysia," the statement said. "This is an act by an individual whose nationality is unclear."

It added: "The Consulate-General also wishes to state categorically that Singapore does not interfere in the domestic politics of other countries, just as we expect other countries not to interfere in Singapore's domestic politics."

Malaysia's Sin Chew Daily also reported Malaysia's Election Commission deputy chairman Wan Ahmad Wan Omar as saying that the Singapore authorities should be concerned if Singapore cars were involved in the Malaysian polls.

"It is inappropriate for foreigners to get involved in our election, and as the car is foreign-registered, there is a possibility that the owner is a foreigner," he told The Straits Times.

He said it was up to Malaysia's Home Ministry to decide whether to stop such cars. The Sin Chew Daily reported him as saying that Singapore-registered cars whose owners are Malaysians, or which are leased by Malaysians to ferry voters, would be allowed.

Postal voting is allowed for overseas Malaysians this year, but those living in Singapore, Brunei, southern Thailand and Kalimantan in Indonesia must return to cast their votes.

zakirh@sph.com.sg

carolynh@sph.com.sg

Free SMRT Rides? Good Heart, Shitty Idea

Is the government populist or what in trying to solve people's problems! Mixed reactions to the free SMRT ride at super early morning hours, pre-peak it is called. Free ride people complain. Not free ride, people also complain. Don't want to go to get up early to get free ride also complain.

Anyway, so taxpayers are paying for freeloaders (which include taxpayers)! Making SMRT and its shareholders smile again! Lui is doing all he can, if you think that subsidising public transport is all he can and should do for public transport. Even Singapore Mind thinks Lui's idea is kinda good. Bah. As long as SMRT and SBS are the big players and they know taxpayers will always pick up the bill coz of Lui's subsidise our public transport thinking, SBS and SMRT won't give a shit about actually carrying commuters safely, quickly, regularly, everywhere. Don't need more trains or buses they think as the government would give cash incentives to regulate commuter traffic. WTF.

The government should free up public transport. Trains infrequent and crowded? Have new bus companies to compete with it, not complement it like SBS. Give new opportunities for SMEs to enter the private bus market assuming they can find drivers as foreigner crunch now.

LTA addresses free travel concerns
From
Helen Lim Director, Media Relations and Public Education, Land Transport Authority


We refer to Ms Linda Foo’s letter, “Free travel scheme may not benefit all” (April 18).

The free pre-peak travel trial aims to ease crowding during the morning peak hour along the city-bound stretches of the MRT network, which are typically the most crowded stretches.

This trial complements our efforts to improve rail capacity aggressively through additional trains, higher train frequencies and new rail lines in the longer term.

We hope this encourages commuters who are able and willing to change their travel schedule to enter the city area before the morning peak hour.

If we can achieve a shift of 10 to 20 per cent, commuters who travel during the peak period would also benefit from a less crowded ride.

Today, there is significant spare train capacity just before the peak hour. About 18,000 commuters exit at the 16 stations in the city area in the half hour before 7.45am, compared to 29,500 in the half hour after 7.45am, and 59,000 between 8.30am and 9am.

To cater to the expected ridership shift, additional trains will be injected at targeted stretches with higher loading during pre-peak period. This will help reduce the intervals between trains, which are currently about three to four minutes in the pre-peak period.

We are grateful for the interest and suggestions from the public on the trial. We assure everyone that we will monitor the results closely and make rapid adjustments when needed.

Rumpole is a Funny Actor!

WTF! Horny professor Tey aka Sammyboy Rumpole deserves a Razzies award for worst lead actor in a comedy. He is now back to playing stressed and insane victim in his courtroom comedy drama. He screwed his students, has a family-breaking mistress working in CRA and now looks like trying to bed the 2 lawyers working for him too! LOL

Aiyoyoh! Look at his crotch - looks like a hard on!

Making NS Less Fuckup - Rebates! Subsidies!

The government is again cracking its small head on how to make NS less frustrating and fuckup. OK I buy the poison shrimp, and diplomacy with deterrence doctrine, and powering up in peacetime. But I still hate ICT, as I already can't fit into my new digi uniform and I hate IPPT. Although I know the importance - look at Kuwait 1990.The pussies there were smacked like bitches all the way into Saudi Arabia. Nobody is going to smack us out of out little red dot into the sea.

$3000 pumped into my CPF is nice at different stages of my NSmen journey, but the best of the best, not SAFRA vouchers, or free SAFRA membership, but tax rebates!

That is how it makes Singaporean men feel appreciated. Instead of the current tax relief now, make it tax rebate, tiered according to high key ICT, low key ICT, silver or gold IPPT score, rank and appointment. If I get a cap of $2,000 or higher tax rebate cap the year I do ICT if I am CSM or officer , plus extra $1,000 rebate after getting silver or more if gold for 2-3 years in a row, putting a price to NSmen responsibilities makes me motivated more and even Zen about it if I am hit with an ICT this year which I can't defer.

Oh, if I can't get tax rebates, then give me decreasing HDB housing grant subsidies for 2nd and 3rd HDB flats bought, even resale. Or free polyclinic outpatient consultations up to $300-$500 a year until we MR or reach the statutory age.

Where is the money coming from. I thought there were more taxable foreigners coming here to work? Am I putting a price to my NSmen duties, yes, and that is the new reality.

"Committee to Strengthen National Service" to be formed
By Dylan Loh | Posted: 11 March 2013 2140 hrs

SINGAPORE: Senior Minister of State for Defence Chan Chun Sing will lead a working group to see how servicemen's abilities can be maximised in fulfilling their duties.

This group will also look into increasing support for National Service from various groups, such as families, employers, schools, permanent residents, new citizens and the broader community.

Another group, led by Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Maliki Osman, will look at issues on recognition and benefits for National Service.

The committee's goals are to strengthen Singapore, National Service, the Singapore Armed Forces, and to serve all Singaporeans.

It will comprise members with a good appreciation of National Service issues.

The committee's work should be completed within a year.

Free Bus Rides OK, Monthly Travel Pass OK! More Operators How?

About time. Well, free bus rides is a great idea but you know it means public transport operators would pass the cost, and increase the fares for peak hours to compensate for the free rides in non-peak hours. That is interesting but as public transport companies are private companies based on profit, that idea would not sit well with shareholders. Monthly travel passes are finally here again so that is good. Why not weekly as well - as commuters want choices.

Nothing was said about old folks, those aunties and uncles who helped build our Singapore from dirt up to this modern international city. What should have been said is free rides for these oldies, or if not free rides in the government's co-pay mentality to beat back abuse, heavily subsidised fares then for the oldies. Ahem. I don't care about the poly kids whining about their lack of concessions compared to JC kids. Poly is tertiary education, so that means they can keep long hair, wear jeans to school and can smoke outside the school gates besides getting higher pay compared to JC kids when they enter the workforce with their diploma. So don't whine about JC kids getting concessions. It's apples and oranges.

The talking centres around fares and discounts rather than about true competition in public transport. Like more bus operators to compete with SMRT and SBS. If true competition is allowed, not this geographical divide and profit plot between SMRT and SBS, then fares would really drop. Minibuses running up and down Eastern, Northern and Western Singapore into CBD during peak hours would really bring ooomph into the public transport system. Who needs overpriced depreciating value cars when one has the Tiong minibus driver downstairs doing a non-stop from Simei or Clementi or Yishun to town? Lui is a retard as transport minister still.

Monthly adult travel pass being considered
By Jermyn Chow

THE high-level committee that is reviewing public transport fares is considering introducing a monthly adult travel pass.

Such a pass will help to cap monthly public transport expenses for average-income individuals or households, said Mr Richard Magnus, chairman of the Fare Review Mechanism Committee.

In a blog post yesterday, he also said that something ought to be done for children not yet in primary school who are taller than 0.9m - the limit currently set for free bus and train travel.

Polytechnic students and the disabled are also being considered for improved concessions, as are low-income earners.

  

MP proposes free travel on public transport before peak hours
By Saifulbahri Ismail | Posted: 05 March 2013 2001 hrs

SINGAPORE: Member of Parliament for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC Janil Puthucheary has raised the idea of free travel on public transport before peak hours to change their travel patterns.

Speaking during the Budget debate in Parliament on Tuesday, Dr Puthucheary urged public transport operators to consider providing commuters free travel within a certain time period outside rush hour. This could reduce the crush during peak hour travel.

Dr Puthucheary noted that currently train operators give discounts to encourage commuters to travel early.

He said: "If we can afford it, have all travel on public transport until the start of peak hour, free? If that's too great a leap, then maybe for example, every weekday morning for 30 minutes or an hour, ending at 7.45am, commuters can travel for free.

"Will this distort behaviour? Yes, that's the whole point. This will attract more people to change their travel patterns, compared to any discount."