CDCs see 40% increase in households seeking help

By Hoe Yeen Nie, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 29 June 2009 2001 hrs

Teo Ser Luck (file pic)

SINGAPORE: Singapore's Community Development Councils (CDCs) have seen a 40 per cent increase in the number of people seeking help as a result of the current economic downturn.

As Singapore's five mayors begin a new term, their focus will be on helping the needy.

In these tough times, mayors said "business" has gone up.

In the first quarter of this year, the number of families seeking help went up by 40 percent, while those looking for work doubled.

Between January and March 2009, the five CDCs received 5,540 applications for social assistance, compared to 3,934 a year ago.

The number of people seeking help in finding jobs went up from 5,844 in the first quarter of 2008 to 11,790 in the first quarter of this year.

Community Development Councils (CDCs) were first created in 1997 to bring back a sense of community spirit among residents. Since then they've taken on additional functions, including the delivery of a wide range of social services, such as financial assistance schemes and help in finding a job.

Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony for the five mayors on Monday, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, said: “The CDCs play a crucial role because they're close to the ground and therefore more attuned to ground needs and the constraints and circumstances in your areas.

“You can deliver assistance to where it's most needed, where it's most deserved, and you can help Singaporeans get back on their feet and be more self-reliant."

New mayor Teo Ser Luck, who takes over from Zainul Abidin Rasheed, said his first task is to examine how resources are managed.

Mr Teo is also the Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the Community Development, Youth and Sports, and Transport ministries.

He said: "We have plenty of programmes and I'm not sure if every single one is effective. And the other thing is I'm not sure if it's well-served for the residents. We need to look through all the programmes and see which ones meet the targets and which don't so that funds are better allocated."

Mr Zainul steps down as mayor after 10 years.

But the rest of the mayoral line-up remains unchanged - Dr Amy Khor at South West district; Dr Teo Ho Pin at North West district; Mr Zainudin Nordin at Central district and Mr Matthias Yao at South East district.

The mayors also plan to better coordinate efforts between grassroots organisations so that help can be better delivered. - CNA/vm

From ChannelNewsAsia.com; see the source article here.

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Four loanshark suspects arrested for harassment

By Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 23 June 2009 2024 hrs

SINGAPORE: Police have arrested four people who were suspected to be involved in a series of loanshark harassment cases islandwide.

They are aged between 16 and 24 years old.

They were nabbed on Monday after the police received a tip-off of a case of loanshark harassment at Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1.

Police first arrested a 17-year-old girl, who had a marker pen, an ATM card and lighter on her – items used in loanshark activities.

Following that, police caught her accomplices on the same day at Marsiling Lane, Whampoa Drive and Jurong West.

A 16-year old boy and two other women aged 20 and 24 were arrested.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the group was believed to be responsible for multiple cases of loanshark harassment islandwide, including setting fire to items outside units in Hougang, Woodlands and West Coast.

All four suspects will be charged in court on Wednesday under the Moneylenders' Act.

First time offenders found guilty of loanshark harassment may be fined at least S$4000 and up to S$40,000, or jailed for up to three years, or both.

Offenders may also be caned.

- CNA/yb

From ChannelNewsAsia.com; see the source article here.

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Goodness gracious...

Image via Wikipedia

Will this ever end? I don't think so. Each generation has its own ungracious people…
----------

by Joanne Leow, joanneleow@channelnewsasia.com

05:55 AM Jun 20, 2009

IF YOU are a mother who takes public transport, chances are that you have had experiences similar to this one: You are on the bus or train, struggling with your bags, the baby and the pram ... you make your way to the priority seating and there is an able-bodied person already sitting there who refuses to make eye-contact.

I have had cases where the person pretended to be sleeping while I stood in front of them and even worse, when I was about five months pregnant, I gave up my seat for someone who was eight months pregnant.

It is very hard for me to understand the inconsiderate behaviour that occurs on our public transport and even harder for me to think about how this could possibly be changed.

Which is why I was particularly interested when Gerard Ee, chairman of the Public Transport Council, dropped by to talk about the latest "graciousness programme" that is being implemented.

Gerard was optimistic about the campaign, saying: "It's very light-hearted, we have used the popular figures of Phua Chu Kang and Rosie. And by making it lighthearted, you don't put people on the defensive. The guilty ones will know who they are but they don't want to be preached to ... We want to make it a fun thing and maybe the message might hit home."

My scepticism remains though - can this programme succeed where others like the National Courtesy Campaign have barely made a dent in the level of graciousness in our society?

Gerard pointed out though, that the National Courtesy Campaign has had some benefits: "People don't notice it, but on our roads, fewer motorists sound their horns. Ten years ago, everyone was just pressing their horn and telling people to get out of the way ... I think we have made progress, but we have a long way to go."

Unfortunately, the disillusioned pragmatist in me points to the success of disabled parking lots. Just why are those clearly labelled lots so psychologically off limits to able-bodied drivers even in the most crowded of car parks? We all know the answer to that - it's backed up by laws.

Can we make sitting in a priority seat an offence if you're able-bodied? I see where the authorities are coming from when they shy away from this idea. Think about the costs of enforcement and administering a fines system.

As for me? After I've spent a few times struggling with toddler and infant in tow, I caved in and bought a small car. While I sometimes feel guilty about not being more environmentally-friendly, I do not miss having to deal with the rudeness that I've encountered so often. Perhaps I've given up on my fellow Singaporeans, it is nice to know though that others like Gerard haven't.

From TODAY, News – Weekend, 20/21-Jun-2009; see the source article here.

Property agent charged with obstruction of justice

Honestly, it is not that you are in financial difficulty… it is when you resort to 'anything' to get you out of that financial difficulty. I am in financial difficulty, but I pray hard, and look for other 'clean means' to get me through…

----------

Posted: 18 June 2009 1217 hrs

SINGAPORE: A 33-year-old woman got herself on the wrong side of the law after she allegedly took the rap for a traffic offence.

Leung Man Kwan, an associate director with property firm HSR International Realtors, was charged on Thursday with obstructing the course of justice.

The court heard that Leung received S$1,000 from Evangeline Tay Su Ann in February 2008. In return, Leung took the rap for a traffic offence committed by Tay in January that year.

Tay, who was driving her friend's car, failed to stop at a red light at the junction of Lornie Road and Sime Road. She then asked a friend to help her find someone who would take the rap on her behalf.

When approached, Leung, who was in financial difficulties, agreed to do so. If convicted of obstruction of justice, she could be jailed for up to seven years, fined, or both.

- CNA/so

From ChannelNewsAsia.com; see the source article here.

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More Singaporeans using webcams to monitor events at home

Posted: 15 June 2009 2331 hrs

A Webcam

SINGAPORE: More Singaporeans are now using their webcams as closed-circuit televisions (CCTV) to monitor events at home.

This is done with a new beta software by local company Home Camera, which allows users to monitor what is happening at home and be notified of sudden movements with the camera's motion detecting system.

An email or an sms will also be sent to the user if any movement is detected.

Users can choose to capture the footage via photo or video, or both, and adjust the camera's sensitivity.

The software is currently used by thousands of people in over 180 countries.

The company has received a grant from SPRING Singapore for the software. It also plans to charge US$25 per year for the use of the software in a few months time.

Said Varun Arora, CEO of Home Camera: "It's not just an alert telling you there's some motion detected, but they can actually see what detected the motion, what caused it - was it the cat, was it the dog, was it the curtain, or is there a burglar and we need to notify the police."

- CNA/yb

From ChannelNewsAsia.com; see the source article here.

Malaysian govt denies cover-up in Kelantan prince scandal

By Channel NewsAsia's Malaysia Bureau Chief Melissa Goh

Posted: 03 June 2009 0029 hrs

Manohara Odelia Pino, 17, is kissed by her mother as she arrives at her residence in Jakarta

KUALA LUMPUR : The Malaysian government has denied any cover-up in the alleged abuse of the teenage Indonesian model wife by her Malaysian prince husband.

The Minister in the Prime Minister's department Nazri Aziz will investigate if a formal report is lodged, as he said no one is above the law.

Meanwhile, the Kelantan royal family has denied all allegations of wrongdoing by Tengku Mohd Fakhry, also known as Tunku Temengganong.

17-year-old Manohara Odelia Pinot made the front page of Malaysian papers after news of her dramatic escape shocked the nation.

The teary teenage model claimed that she was sexually abused and tortured by her husband Tengku Mohd Fakhry, who treated her, she said, like a toy.

Last August, the then 16-year-old Manohara, whose father is French, married the 31-year-old prince.

Now back in Jakarta, she said she has had enough, and is filing for a divorce.

Manohara's mother Daisy Fajarina has also vowed to press charges against the prince pending a full medical report.

Speaking in Kuala Lumpur, government officials say they are in the dark as there has been no formal report lodged so far.

"He just happens to be the son of the Sultan... no one is above the law. This report is criminal act against the state and we will take action," said Minister Nazri, a Minister in the Prime Minister's department.

The Kelantan royal family, has also dismissed the allegations as slanderous and defended its youngest prince.

"Prove it. Manohara must be prepared to go to an independent doctor in Australia or France, only then it's fair," argued Mohd Sabri Shafiee, a spokesman for Tengku Fakhry.

Mohd Sabri, who is a close friend of Tengku TT - as the prince is commonly known - also expressed hopes that Manohara will apologise to clear the air.

He said: "Impossible as a human being that he can be cruel when we all know that he loves her so much. Tengku will not run away; we'll make sure the truth comes out.

He later produced footage of the couple's happy moments together. "To repair the damage, Manohara needs to tell the truth, seek the husband's forgiveness and Tengku TT will take her back," said Mohd Sabri.

He blamed Manohara's mother, whom he described as materialistic, for messing up the daughter's marriage which otherwise could have worked.

"She wants everything - house, cars, you name it. I don't want to go into details," said Mohd Sabri.

In a statement issued, the Kelantan royal family urged the media to respect their privacy and not to play up on the scandal that is fast becoming a major embarrassment to the royal family. - CNA /ls

From ChannelNewsAsia.com; see the source article here.

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Many businesses not lowering guard despite flu alert downgrade

Channel NewsAsia - Saturday, May 9

SINGAPORE: Even as Singapore prepares to downgrade its flu alert status to Yellow and government workplaces and schools give their thermometers a rest, some companies are not easing up on Orange alert measures just yet.

At the Marina Mandarin and the Millennium & Copthorne group of hotels, for example, staff will continue to have their temperatures taken daily.

"To drive the importance of staying vigilant, we will continue with our measures until the alert goes back to Green," said Mr Yim Choong Hing, M&C’s chief operating officer for Asia.

Front desk staff will still have to sanitise their hands after handshakes and after they return from other workstations. Housekeeping staff will disinfect contact points such as lift buttons and door handles regularly, especially during morning and evening peak hours.

"We’re not scaling down because what we are doing now is pretty necessary. We just want to be careful," said Ms Rae Tang, marketing communications manager of Marina Mandarin.

Over at air—conditioning and switchgear specialists Natural Cool Holdings, twice—daily temperature checks of the company’s 900 staff will continue for at least another week.

The rooms set aside for suspected cases will remain, and the appointed flu manager will continue to keep records of those with fever and update his flu committee members.

Staff returning from H1N1—affected countries are still expected to self—quarantine for seven days, said chief executive Steven Chen.

These measures will remain until the alert status is lowered to Green, he said.

OCBC Bank, however, has calibrated its H1N1 alert measures in accordance with the Ministry of Health’s guidelines.

Temperature checks were discontinued on Thursday for employees and visitors entering the OCBC Building. Employees returning from H1N1—affected countries also need not self—quarantine, said Mr Sigfried Ching, head of business continuity management.

The fears of an H1N1 outbreak have translated into brisk sales of N95 masks at Home—Fix D.I.Y.’s 20 outlets, said its managing director Loh Chiong Kee.

Still, he welcomes the planned downgrading of the flu alert status. "At such a high alert, people are more tense. I hope they will go out more now," he said.

As of Friday, there hasn’t been any case of H1N1 detected in Singapore, according to the Ministry of Health (MOH).

No additional cases were sent for investigation, it said. Meanwhile, all seven Singaporeans quarantined in Hong Kong have been released.

— TODAY/so

From Yahoo! News; see the source article here.

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