Singapore news

Nichole Seah's facebook posting about her life:

Why Are Singaporean PMETs Losing Their Jobs? — 27 Nov 2013

Two Singaporeans charged in UK match-fixing investigation — 29 Nov 2013

Despite hearing various complaints about the government, we must admit that the trust & efficiency of our civil servants, especially the police force is a "very expensive gift" to expect from our neighbouring countries.

PM calls on young to give back to society

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has urged Singaporean youth to give back to society as he noted how much better off they are than their counterparts in Europe.



Speaking at Teck Ghee Community Club on Sunday, Mr Lee said that there are millions of European youth who are done with their studies but cannot find work, a situation that will scar the rest of their lives.



Singapore is fortunately not in that predicament, he said, expressing his hope that the future will be even better through the collective effort of the Government and the community, especially those who have succeeded in life.

Pursue dreams, but give back to society: PM

news.asiaone.com/News/Education/Story/A1Story20100602-219752.html

TO GET pre-university students to think of the future, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong yesterday urged them to look to the past.



In particular, the contributions of Singapore's founding father Goh Keng Swee, who died last month at age 91.



Dr Goh's pivotal role in shaping Singapore into a success story was highlighted by PM Lee no less than four times during his 25-minute speech that sought to inspire his young audience to reflect on how their generation can contribute to the country and build on what they have inherited.



'I encourage you all to pursue your dreams, go for it.



'But wherever you are, whatever you are doing, please also remember your obligation to society, and make an effort to contribute back in some way,' he said at an annual seminar attended by about 500 students heading towards adulthood.



Mr Lee suggested two ways. One, do volunteer work, and the other, join the public service like Dr Goh did.

In a few years, they would be making a career choice, a decision Mr Lee seems to want to sway with these words: 'Public service may not sound as glamorous as the private sector.



'But the foundation of a stable and prosperous Singapore is an honest, first-class government.'



This outcome needs a dedicated and outstanding team of civil servants and ministers, people with the skills and dedication to improve the systems for more Singaporeans to succeed, he added.



Mr Lee then quoted a passage from a speech by Dr Goh when he retired from politics in 1984: 'You should regard the present condition of the Republic not as a pinnacle of achievement but as a base from which to scale new heights.'



Major Contributions of Goh Keng Swee, Former Deputy Prime Minister and finance minister:
news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne+News/Singapore/Story/A1Story20100514-216195.html

Was surprised that we exceeded the credit limit of $7.5k (without any big ticket items like travel package being swiped) stated on the credit card when I called up to enquire why my purchase of 50 bucks at Fairprice utilising credit card was being declined. 

Was shocked that the credit card company actually "set aside" the purchase of $6k for my case that is marked for monthly instalment of $500 plus, thus leaving only $1.5k as available credit balance.

Look like the only avenue to increase our credit limit for the credit card is to submit the latest income documents since this credit card was applied many years ago. 

My son seems rather alarmed when we received a brochure that stated $6,500 to reserve a vacancy at Nirvana Memorial Park ( Fu Gui San Zhuang)富贵山庄.
Professional video that seems more like hotel advertisement. 



Reaching out to help others explore end-of-life matters

Mother’s death drives home the importance of such preparations for retired nurse

SINGAPORE — The sight of her mother lying on a hospital bed with a feeding tube stuffed down her throat — and bruises around her mouth from the tube — jarred Ms Beatrice Chien, 72, to think about death and how she would prefer to spend her last days.

In 2008, she typed an unofficial “will” and said to her daughter that when her time comes and “I ought to die, I go. Don’t want to drag on with life support — save the money”.
Ms Chien, with her practical views on life and death, was recently roped in to help at an exhibition at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital titled Both Sides, Now, organised by the Lien Foundation and ACM Foundation. It aims to encourage people to redefine their lives before death and consider end-of-life matters.

She has had good reason to ponder over life and death. Before retiring in 1986, Ms Chien was a nurse in an intensive care unit, where she saw many patients on life support. She was also very close to her late mother, who had a bad infection that turned into a stroke and was put on a feeding tube before she died in 1999. This was followed by the sudden death of Ms Chien’s five-year-old granddaughter.

Realising that life is unpredictable, Ms Chien decided to prepare for her death with the unofficial will in 2008. She also instructed her insurers on how she would like her money to be divided among her three children, but has yet to find time to sign an Advance Medical Directive — a document for doctors declining any life-sustaining treatment in the event of terminal illness, unconsciousness and imminent death.

She also recalled how, when her granddaughter was buried, the cost came up to S$12,000. When her daughter asked if Ms Chien would like to buried next to her granddaughter, she responded: “Don’t waste money, just leave me anywhere. Scatter (my ashes) in a pond also can.”

She does not want funeral rites or a wake as they are costly and will “trouble” friends and relatives to visit. Even if she is terminally ill, she would rather not be medicated. “Leave me alone, as long as I don’t harm others,” she said.

“I really encourage people to ... write down what they want so their family can have a look and NOT have regrets,” she said.

www.todayonline.com/daily-focus/silver/reaching-out-help-others-explore-end-life-matters