Tue, 30 Oct 2012 14:15:00 GMT
客厅隔出三间房 组屋屋主劲赚4000月租
.
记者：庄庆宁
新闻视频
实龙岗一名组屋屋主将客厅间隔成房间，并以短期租约的方式，出租给别人，每月劲赚约4000元租金。
这间位于实龙岗北的双层公寓式组屋，屋主将楼下客厅分隔成三个房间，然后出租给外籍人士。记者佯称要租房，特别走访了这间组屋。
“我们有六间房间，然后四间出租，有冷气、有网线，全部包下来，每间房间大约1000元左右。”屋主这么介绍。他也声称，房客多数是附近工作的工程师，还有学生，租约不超过六个月。
“我们有签半年、有签三个月，所以正好你两个月过后，随时都会有人出出进进，所以你要来就住，要走就走这样子。”他补充。
有关单位的邻居告诉记者，屋主一家四口，在这个单位住了约三年，大部分时间都足不出户，尽管房客流动性大，不过并没有给他们带来不便。
“经常都有换不同的人，但是他们就是早出晚归，所以我们也很少看到他们，吵杂倒是不会，不过偶尔会有一两个人走出来抽烟。”邻居这么表示。
这样租房方式，让有关屋主每个月赚进大约4000元的租金，不过，建屋局警告，无论是出租客厅，或是短期出租组屋，都属违例行为。
建屋局回答本台询问时表示，组屋不能以少过六个月的租期出租出去，屋主也不允许把客厅分隔成卧房出租给别人。违反条例者，可能面对罚款，组屋也可能被没收。
不过，目前还没有屋主，因为出租客厅隔间，而遭建屋局惩罚。但今年却有三名屋主，因为短期出租组屋，遭建屋局没收房子。
- wong chee tat :)
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Novartis to invest $500 mln in new Singapore site
Novartis to invest $500 mln in new Singapore site
ReutersReuters
ZURICH, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Swiss drugmaker Novartis said on Wednesday it would spend more than $500 million on a new biotechnology production site in Singapore to support its growing pipeline of biologics.
The Basel-based company said construction of the new site would begin in early 2013 and the facility is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2016.
Novartis said the site will focus on drug substance manufacturing based on cell culture technology.
(Reporting by Caroline Copley)
- wong chee tat :)
ReutersReuters
ZURICH, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Swiss drugmaker Novartis said on Wednesday it would spend more than $500 million on a new biotechnology production site in Singapore to support its growing pipeline of biologics.
The Basel-based company said construction of the new site would begin in early 2013 and the facility is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2016.
Novartis said the site will focus on drug substance manufacturing based on cell culture technology.
(Reporting by Caroline Copley)
- wong chee tat :)
"Gwanghae" reigns supreme at S. Korea film awards
Published: Wednesday October 31, 2012 MYT 1:34:00 PM
Updated: Wednesday October 31, 2012 MYT 2:03:02 PM
"Gwanghae" reigns supreme at S. Korea film awards
SEOUL: A costume drama about a stand-in monarch has swept South Korea's domestic Oscars, winning 15 of the 23 awards up for grabs, including best film.
"Gwanghae: The Man Who Became King" - distributed internationally under the title "Masquerade" - also won a best actor gong for its star Lee Byung-Hun at the annual Daejong (Grand Bell) Film Awards on Tuesday night.
Lee won for his dual role as King Gwanghae, the 15th ruler of Korea's Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), and the humble acrobat Hasun, who stands in for the monarch when he faces the threat of being poisoned.
The film, which also picked up best director, best supporting actor and best screenplay awards, was one of two Korean films this year to break through the 10-million ticket barrier at the domestic box office.
The other, "The Thieves", a star-studded casino heist movie shot in Macau, only managed one award - best supporting actress for Kim Hae-Sook.
And there was only a single prize for "Pieta", maverick director Kim Ki-Duk's gritty revenge thriller that won the Golden Lion - a first for a Korean production - at this year's Venice International Film Festival.
The movie garnered a best actress award for Jo Min-Soo, who won for her role as a woman claiming to be the mother of a brutal loan shark.
2012 looks set to be a record-breaking year for South Korean cinema.
The Korean Film Council recently announced around 120 million cinema tickets had been sold across the country by the end of the second quarter of 2012, a year-on-year rise of around 20 percent. - AFP
- wong chee tat :)
Updated: Wednesday October 31, 2012 MYT 2:03:02 PM
"Gwanghae" reigns supreme at S. Korea film awards
SEOUL: A costume drama about a stand-in monarch has swept South Korea's domestic Oscars, winning 15 of the 23 awards up for grabs, including best film.
"Gwanghae: The Man Who Became King" - distributed internationally under the title "Masquerade" - also won a best actor gong for its star Lee Byung-Hun at the annual Daejong (Grand Bell) Film Awards on Tuesday night.
Lee won for his dual role as King Gwanghae, the 15th ruler of Korea's Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), and the humble acrobat Hasun, who stands in for the monarch when he faces the threat of being poisoned.
The film, which also picked up best director, best supporting actor and best screenplay awards, was one of two Korean films this year to break through the 10-million ticket barrier at the domestic box office.
The other, "The Thieves", a star-studded casino heist movie shot in Macau, only managed one award - best supporting actress for Kim Hae-Sook.
And there was only a single prize for "Pieta", maverick director Kim Ki-Duk's gritty revenge thriller that won the Golden Lion - a first for a Korean production - at this year's Venice International Film Festival.
The movie garnered a best actress award for Jo Min-Soo, who won for her role as a woman claiming to be the mother of a brutal loan shark.
2012 looks set to be a record-breaking year for South Korean cinema.
The Korean Film Council recently announced around 120 million cinema tickets had been sold across the country by the end of the second quarter of 2012, a year-on-year rise of around 20 percent. - AFP
- wong chee tat :)
Property cooling measures in HK unlikely to affect S'pore: experts
Property cooling measures in HK unlikely to affect S'pore: experts
By Lynda Hong | Posted: 30 October 2012 2223 hrs
SINGAPORE: The recent property cooling measures introduced in Hong Kong will not have an impact on Singapore property prices. Experts said foreign property investors are unlikely to switch their portfolio from Hong Kong to Singapore.
Besides being leading international financial centres, both Singapore and Hong Kong hold some of the world's most expensive homes.
Hong Kong tops the list, according to research from real estate agency Savills, while Singapore -- the fourth most expensive in the world -- continue to see private home prices soaring to new highs.
Both cities have introduced a series of cooling measures to dampen prices.
Hong Kong introduced its third set of measures in two months last Friday, requiring foreign buyers to pay 15 per cent tax. This is more than Singapore's Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty of 10 per cent - introduced in December 2011.
Analysts said the move will unlikely cause foreign investors to move to Singapore and boost its property prices higher.
To cool its property market, Singapore has capped the home loan tenure, the sixth cooling measure in recent years. However, with high liquidity in the global market, analysts said new measures would be more frequent, with one to two measures a year being the norm in the years to come.
Singapore has also beefed up the supply of private homes -- an assurance that should help investors make measured decisions.
Colin Tan, head of research at Chesterton Suntec International, said: "At the moment, the perception is that HK is trying to fight fire... At the same time, they are trying to fight the free market status. We have committed to supply as much as demand, whereas they have not yet said so."
Still, market watchers forecast home prices to remain hot in Singapore.
Alan Cheong, head of research at Savills Singapore, said: "Developers will ultimately have to pass the land cost to the buyers. You have a case where land cost has risen by 15 to 30 plus per cent over the past six months.
"Come next year, with land being about 60 per cent of development cost, developers will probably have to raise prices by 10 to 15 per cent for certain areas, particularly in the suburbs."
While Hong Kong and Singapore are considered safe havens for property investing, some analysts said investors may look to second-tier Asian markets which have less government intervention.
-CNA/ac
- wong chee tat :)
By Lynda Hong | Posted: 30 October 2012 2223 hrs
SINGAPORE: The recent property cooling measures introduced in Hong Kong will not have an impact on Singapore property prices. Experts said foreign property investors are unlikely to switch their portfolio from Hong Kong to Singapore.
Besides being leading international financial centres, both Singapore and Hong Kong hold some of the world's most expensive homes.
Hong Kong tops the list, according to research from real estate agency Savills, while Singapore -- the fourth most expensive in the world -- continue to see private home prices soaring to new highs.
Both cities have introduced a series of cooling measures to dampen prices.
Hong Kong introduced its third set of measures in two months last Friday, requiring foreign buyers to pay 15 per cent tax. This is more than Singapore's Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty of 10 per cent - introduced in December 2011.
Analysts said the move will unlikely cause foreign investors to move to Singapore and boost its property prices higher.
To cool its property market, Singapore has capped the home loan tenure, the sixth cooling measure in recent years. However, with high liquidity in the global market, analysts said new measures would be more frequent, with one to two measures a year being the norm in the years to come.
Singapore has also beefed up the supply of private homes -- an assurance that should help investors make measured decisions.
Colin Tan, head of research at Chesterton Suntec International, said: "At the moment, the perception is that HK is trying to fight fire... At the same time, they are trying to fight the free market status. We have committed to supply as much as demand, whereas they have not yet said so."
Still, market watchers forecast home prices to remain hot in Singapore.
Alan Cheong, head of research at Savills Singapore, said: "Developers will ultimately have to pass the land cost to the buyers. You have a case where land cost has risen by 15 to 30 plus per cent over the past six months.
"Come next year, with land being about 60 per cent of development cost, developers will probably have to raise prices by 10 to 15 per cent for certain areas, particularly in the suburbs."
While Hong Kong and Singapore are considered safe havens for property investing, some analysts said investors may look to second-tier Asian markets which have less government intervention.
-CNA/ac
- wong chee tat :)
Sandy deals a blow to popular US websites
Sandy deals a blow to popular US websites
Posted: 30 October 2012 2327 hrs
WASHINGTON: The Huffington Post and other popular US websites struggled to get back on their feet on Tuesday after superstorm Sandy knocked them out of cyberspace.
On its homepage, the Huffington Post blamed power outages triggered by Monday's storm for "technical difficulties" as it offered readers minimalist post-storm updates with no photos or links to other parts of its vast site.
"We are working around the clock to get the site back to normal," it said in a boldface editor's note.
The hip Manhattan-centric website Gawker and stablemates such as Jezebel and Gizmodo were also out of action overnight, although Gawker managed to restore minimal service using an old-school live blog format.
Buzzfeed invited its visitors on Tuesday to proceed to the website's Tumblr, Twitter and Facebook accounts for fresh content, in the absence of homepage updates since Monday.
On its Tumblr account, Buzzfeed said it was told by DataGram -- an Internet service provider that also serves the Huffington Post and Gawker -- that it had sustained serious flooding during the storm.
- AFP/xq
- wong chee tat :)
Posted: 30 October 2012 2327 hrs
WASHINGTON: The Huffington Post and other popular US websites struggled to get back on their feet on Tuesday after superstorm Sandy knocked them out of cyberspace.
On its homepage, the Huffington Post blamed power outages triggered by Monday's storm for "technical difficulties" as it offered readers minimalist post-storm updates with no photos or links to other parts of its vast site.
"We are working around the clock to get the site back to normal," it said in a boldface editor's note.
The hip Manhattan-centric website Gawker and stablemates such as Jezebel and Gizmodo were also out of action overnight, although Gawker managed to restore minimal service using an old-school live blog format.
Buzzfeed invited its visitors on Tuesday to proceed to the website's Tumblr, Twitter and Facebook accounts for fresh content, in the absence of homepage updates since Monday.
On its Tumblr account, Buzzfeed said it was told by DataGram -- an Internet service provider that also serves the Huffington Post and Gawker -- that it had sustained serious flooding during the storm.
- AFP/xq
- wong chee tat :)
S'pore economy likely to have "below potential" growth in 2013: MAS
S'pore economy likely to have "below potential" growth in 2013: MAS
By Linette Lim | Posted: 30 October 2012 2129 hrs
SINGAPORE: Singapore's economy may likely see another year of "below potential" growth in 2013, according to the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) in its half-yearly macroeconomic review.
MAS said the economy is under pressure from two fronts -- weak export demand globally, and rising business costs due to domestic restructuring.
Large scale public projects such as the construction of the Downtown Line and new Build-To-Order flats have helped cushion Singapore from the global downturn.
Such domestic-oriented activities contributed to almost 70 per cent of economic growth in the first half of the year, even though it only accounts for a third of Singapore's GDP.
Still, that is not enough to fully offset the slowdown in the trade-related activities, the IT cluster, and regionally-exposed services.
Saktiandi Supaat, head of FX Research (Global Markets) at Maybank, said: "Growth is about one to three per cent next year for Singapore. Potential growth, as you know, MAS has always highlighted that it is about three to five per cent, and still maintains that three to five per cent potential growth.
"So there may be some upside to that one to three per cent if things work out in the second half."
For this year, the central bank is sticking to its projection that Singapore will grow 1.5 per cent to 2.5 per cent.
The cyclical downturn in the world economy -- especially in advanced nations -- is affecting Singapore at a time when it is undergoing domestic restructuring.
Jimmy Koh, head of Economics (Treasury Research) at UOB, said: "Liquidity has pushed up asset prices, pushed up CPI and is likely to remain so. At the same time you're trying to restructure your economy to enhance productivity and some sort of wage increase is being seen, (as we are) cutting down our reliance on foreign workers. So you have a lot of moving parts all coming at the same time."
MAS said that "it is important for medium-term restructuring in the domestic economy to proceed even as Singapore faces short-term cyclical headwinds."
Domestic restructuring, which saw the tightening of foreign worker policies, has boosted demand for local workers in the low- and mid-skilled segments, especially in domestic industries like construction and services.
MAS said unit labour costs could rise by as much as three to four per cent in 2013, following the four to five per cent increase this year -- which in turn could be passed on to consumers.
As a result, the sequential increase in core prices, while unlikely to reach the highs in early 2012, is expected to pick up, driving core inflation which excludes accommodation and private road transport, to the range of two to three per cent in 2013, from 2.5 per cent this year.
At the same time, CPI-All Items inflation is expected to ease from slightly above 4.5 per cent to the 3.5 to 4.5 per cent range next year.
-CNA/ac
- wong chee tat :)
By Linette Lim | Posted: 30 October 2012 2129 hrs
SINGAPORE: Singapore's economy may likely see another year of "below potential" growth in 2013, according to the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) in its half-yearly macroeconomic review.
MAS said the economy is under pressure from two fronts -- weak export demand globally, and rising business costs due to domestic restructuring.
Large scale public projects such as the construction of the Downtown Line and new Build-To-Order flats have helped cushion Singapore from the global downturn.
Such domestic-oriented activities contributed to almost 70 per cent of economic growth in the first half of the year, even though it only accounts for a third of Singapore's GDP.
Still, that is not enough to fully offset the slowdown in the trade-related activities, the IT cluster, and regionally-exposed services.
Saktiandi Supaat, head of FX Research (Global Markets) at Maybank, said: "Growth is about one to three per cent next year for Singapore. Potential growth, as you know, MAS has always highlighted that it is about three to five per cent, and still maintains that three to five per cent potential growth.
"So there may be some upside to that one to three per cent if things work out in the second half."
For this year, the central bank is sticking to its projection that Singapore will grow 1.5 per cent to 2.5 per cent.
The cyclical downturn in the world economy -- especially in advanced nations -- is affecting Singapore at a time when it is undergoing domestic restructuring.
Jimmy Koh, head of Economics (Treasury Research) at UOB, said: "Liquidity has pushed up asset prices, pushed up CPI and is likely to remain so. At the same time you're trying to restructure your economy to enhance productivity and some sort of wage increase is being seen, (as we are) cutting down our reliance on foreign workers. So you have a lot of moving parts all coming at the same time."
MAS said that "it is important for medium-term restructuring in the domestic economy to proceed even as Singapore faces short-term cyclical headwinds."
Domestic restructuring, which saw the tightening of foreign worker policies, has boosted demand for local workers in the low- and mid-skilled segments, especially in domestic industries like construction and services.
MAS said unit labour costs could rise by as much as three to four per cent in 2013, following the four to five per cent increase this year -- which in turn could be passed on to consumers.
As a result, the sequential increase in core prices, while unlikely to reach the highs in early 2012, is expected to pick up, driving core inflation which excludes accommodation and private road transport, to the range of two to three per cent in 2013, from 2.5 per cent this year.
At the same time, CPI-All Items inflation is expected to ease from slightly above 4.5 per cent to the 3.5 to 4.5 per cent range next year.
-CNA/ac
- wong chee tat :)
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Revision of ERP rates for six gantries during morning peak hours
Revision of ERP rates for six gantries during morning peak hours
Posted: 29 October 2012 1552 hrs
SINGAPORE: The Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) rates for six gantries leading to the CTE and ECP will be revised from 5 November.
Four of the affected gantries are located on the southbound CTE after Braddell Road. From 7.30am to 8.00am, the ERP charge will go up by $1 to $4.
Two other affected gantries are located at Fort Road leading to the ECP and the KPE slip road onto the ECP. From 8.30am to 9am, the ERP charge will go up by $1 to $5.
The rates for the other gantries remain unchanged.
The Land Transport Authority announced the rate revision after completing its quarterly review of traffic conditions on ERP-priced roads and expressways.
- CNA/de
- wong chee tat :)
Posted: 29 October 2012 1552 hrs
SINGAPORE: The Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) rates for six gantries leading to the CTE and ECP will be revised from 5 November.
Four of the affected gantries are located on the southbound CTE after Braddell Road. From 7.30am to 8.00am, the ERP charge will go up by $1 to $4.
Two other affected gantries are located at Fort Road leading to the ECP and the KPE slip road onto the ECP. From 8.30am to 9am, the ERP charge will go up by $1 to $5.
The rates for the other gantries remain unchanged.
The Land Transport Authority announced the rate revision after completing its quarterly review of traffic conditions on ERP-priced roads and expressways.
- CNA/de
- wong chee tat :)
我国今年第三季度的多用户工业厂房价格比第二季度大幅上涨了百分之十。
Updated: Mon, 29 Oct 2012 18:55:29 GMT
我国今年第三季度的多用户工业厂房价格比第二季度大幅上涨了百分之十。
尽管制造业前景不明朗，我国今年第三季度的多用户工业厂房价格仍比第二季度大幅上涨了百分之十。
市区重建局公布的第三季产业数据显示，这个涨幅比第二季度百分之8.3的季对季价格增幅来得高。
房地产分析人士说，政府推出私人住宅房地产的降温措施，促使投资者转而购买工厂和货仓。
另一方面，本地办公楼产业的价格则在第三季度止跌回升，升幅为百分之1.9。不过，办公楼租金的走势仍疲弱，第三季的租金微跌了百分之0.1，延续了第二季的下跌趋势。
店屋的价格则在第三季度上升了百分之1.1，比第二季百分之0.7的增幅来得高；租金则下跌了百分之0.3，跌幅同第二季度一样。
- wong chee tat :)
我国今年第三季度的多用户工业厂房价格比第二季度大幅上涨了百分之十。
尽管制造业前景不明朗，我国今年第三季度的多用户工业厂房价格仍比第二季度大幅上涨了百分之十。
市区重建局公布的第三季产业数据显示，这个涨幅比第二季度百分之8.3的季对季价格增幅来得高。
房地产分析人士说，政府推出私人住宅房地产的降温措施，促使投资者转而购买工厂和货仓。
另一方面，本地办公楼产业的价格则在第三季度止跌回升，升幅为百分之1.9。不过，办公楼租金的走势仍疲弱，第三季的租金微跌了百分之0.1，延续了第二季的下跌趋势。
店屋的价格则在第三季度上升了百分之1.1，比第二季百分之0.7的增幅来得高；租金则下跌了百分之0.3，跌幅同第二季度一样。
- wong chee tat :)
新航收购维珍澳洲10%股权
30/10/2012
新航收购维珍澳洲10%股权
新加坡航空公司将以1亿零800万美元，收购澳大利亚第二大航空公司维珍澳洲百分之10的股权。
维珍澳洲表示，将以每股0.4288澳元的价格，发行股票给新航。这比维珍澳洲股票0.46澳元的最后交易价低。
与此同时，维珍澳洲同意以3千600万美元，收购我国廉价航空公司虎航集团旗下的虎航澳洲百分之60的股权。虎航澳洲也同意，如果在5年内，达成预订财务表现目标，将支付550万美元给虎航集团。
另外，维珍澳洲也同意通过现金和股票交易，收购澳洲区域航空公司Skywest。
维珍澳洲表示，不会在收购行动结束后裁员。
- wong chee tat :)
新航收购维珍澳洲10%股权
新加坡航空公司将以1亿零800万美元，收购澳大利亚第二大航空公司维珍澳洲百分之10的股权。
维珍澳洲表示，将以每股0.4288澳元的价格，发行股票给新航。这比维珍澳洲股票0.46澳元的最后交易价低。
与此同时，维珍澳洲同意以3千600万美元，收购我国廉价航空公司虎航集团旗下的虎航澳洲百分之60的股权。虎航澳洲也同意，如果在5年内，达成预订财务表现目标，将支付550万美元给虎航集团。
另外，维珍澳洲也同意通过现金和股票交易，收购澳洲区域航空公司Skywest。
维珍澳洲表示，不会在收购行动结束后裁员。
- wong chee tat :)
S'pore will grow between 1.5% and 2.5% this year: MAS
S'pore will grow between 1.5% and 2.5% this year: MAS
Posted: 30 October 2012 1241 hrs
SINGAPORE: Singapore is likely to see lacklustre economic growth and elevated inflation for the second consecutive year in 2013, said the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).
Gross domestic product (GDP) growth "is likely to be positive though below-trend next year", the central bank said in its half-yearly macroeconomic review, adding that weakness in Europe and the slowdown in China will weigh on external-oriented sectors such as manufacturing.
As a result, MAS sees growth in the advanced economies subdued "for a protracted period as painful deleveraging continues", even as a muted recovery is envisaged for Asia ex-Japan.
But domestic-oriented sectors are set to remain resilient. This will provide support to Singapore's labour market, which should remain at close to full employment next year.
For 2012, the central bank is sticking to its projection that Singapore will grow between 1.5 and 2.5 per cent, down from 4.9 per cent last year and below the economy's growth trend of 3 to 5 per cent.
Singapore continues to face a short-term cyclical downturn in the macro economy as domestic restructuring policies are implemented, said the MAS.
In particular, trade-related activities, the IT cluster, and regionally exposed services have been most badly affected by the cyclical downturn.
On a bright note, domestic-oriented activities have been a key pillar of support, contributing almost 70 per cent of the growth in the first half of 2012 despite accounting for only a third of Singapore's GDP.
MAS also said that it is "important for medium-term restructuring in the domestic economy to proceed even as Singapore faces short-term cyclical headwinds".
Domestic restructuring, which saw the tightening of foreign worker policies, boosted demand for resident workers in the low- and mid-skilled segments, especially in domestic industries like construction and services.
This pushed up wages and added pressure to domestic costs, said MAS. It added that unit labour costs could rise by as much as 3 to 4 per cent in 2013, following the 4 to 5 per cent increase this year.
Higher business costs could be absorbed by firms through lower profit margins in the short term, but there may be some pass through to consumers.
MAS said that this sequential increase in core prices "while unlikely to reach the high in early 2012, is expected to pick up".
Core inflation, which excludes accommodation and private road transport, will likely stay above its long-term average at 2.5 per cent this year, and 2 to 3 per cent in 2013.
CPI-all items inflation is likely to slightly exceed the government's forecast of 4.0 to 4.5 per cent this year, and ease to the 3.5 to 4.5 per cent range next year.
- CNA/al
- wong chee tat :)
Posted: 30 October 2012 1241 hrs
SINGAPORE: Singapore is likely to see lacklustre economic growth and elevated inflation for the second consecutive year in 2013, said the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).
Gross domestic product (GDP) growth "is likely to be positive though below-trend next year", the central bank said in its half-yearly macroeconomic review, adding that weakness in Europe and the slowdown in China will weigh on external-oriented sectors such as manufacturing.
As a result, MAS sees growth in the advanced economies subdued "for a protracted period as painful deleveraging continues", even as a muted recovery is envisaged for Asia ex-Japan.
But domestic-oriented sectors are set to remain resilient. This will provide support to Singapore's labour market, which should remain at close to full employment next year.
For 2012, the central bank is sticking to its projection that Singapore will grow between 1.5 and 2.5 per cent, down from 4.9 per cent last year and below the economy's growth trend of 3 to 5 per cent.
Singapore continues to face a short-term cyclical downturn in the macro economy as domestic restructuring policies are implemented, said the MAS.
In particular, trade-related activities, the IT cluster, and regionally exposed services have been most badly affected by the cyclical downturn.
On a bright note, domestic-oriented activities have been a key pillar of support, contributing almost 70 per cent of the growth in the first half of 2012 despite accounting for only a third of Singapore's GDP.
MAS also said that it is "important for medium-term restructuring in the domestic economy to proceed even as Singapore faces short-term cyclical headwinds".
Domestic restructuring, which saw the tightening of foreign worker policies, boosted demand for resident workers in the low- and mid-skilled segments, especially in domestic industries like construction and services.
This pushed up wages and added pressure to domestic costs, said MAS. It added that unit labour costs could rise by as much as 3 to 4 per cent in 2013, following the 4 to 5 per cent increase this year.
Higher business costs could be absorbed by firms through lower profit margins in the short term, but there may be some pass through to consumers.
MAS said that this sequential increase in core prices "while unlikely to reach the high in early 2012, is expected to pick up".
Core inflation, which excludes accommodation and private road transport, will likely stay above its long-term average at 2.5 per cent this year, and 2 to 3 per cent in 2013.
CPI-all items inflation is likely to slightly exceed the government's forecast of 4.0 to 4.5 per cent this year, and ease to the 3.5 to 4.5 per cent range next year.
- CNA/al
- wong chee tat :)
S'pore REIT market on the rise, but risks remain
S'pore REIT market on the rise, but risks remain
By Linette Lim | Posted: 29 October 2012 2150 hrs
SINGAPORE: The Singapore real estate investment trust (REIT) market is up about 40 per cent this year -- double the returns in major REIT markets like the US and Japan.
While returns and yield spreads on Singapore REITs may be the best in the world, some analysts said the market could become over-invested
In 2002, CapitaMall Trust became the first Singapore-listed REIT. A decade on, there are over 20 REITs across the commercial, industrial, hotel and healthcare property sectors.
Low interest rates on bank deposits have helped to keep investor interest high in REITs and other stapled securities.
Industrial REITs for example pay dividends of up to eight per cent -- more than the five to six per cent offered by blue chip stocks.
Gabriel Yap, executive chairman of GCP Global, said: "The REITs are trading at about 20 times the PE (price to earnings ratio) as compared to the real estate developers at only 12 times. Because it's a REIT structure that pays stable dividends, the valuations are much higher."
Some analysts said REITs may be an over-invested asset class.
Excluding other stapled securities and business trusts, such as Hutchison Port Holdings Trust, the REIT market in Singapore has a market capitalisation of around US$38 billion. That is up more than three times from its post-Lehman crisis bottom in 2008.
Terence Wong, executive director at DMG & Partners Research, said: "There is a risk of the sector being over-owned, since everybody wants a piece of the pie right now. We've seen that in 2006 and 2007, where REITs were seen very much as a growth stock. And I think that's the danger.
"Right now, we're seeing the same thing, with the REITs rising about 40 per cent so far this year. When complacency sets in, if the party ends, I think a lot of people will get hurt."
From 2004 to 2007, many REITs enjoyed high valuations due to the stock market boom. REIT managers borrowed money to acquire new properties, increasing their gearing.
But the financial crisis struck in 2008, and many REIT managers with over-geared balance sheets were forced to raise cash by issuing more equity, thereby diluting the value of the stock.
In a little more than six months, from May to December 2008, the market capitalisation of REITs had fallen 2.6 times.
-CNA/ac
- wong chee tat :)
By Linette Lim | Posted: 29 October 2012 2150 hrs
SINGAPORE: The Singapore real estate investment trust (REIT) market is up about 40 per cent this year -- double the returns in major REIT markets like the US and Japan.
While returns and yield spreads on Singapore REITs may be the best in the world, some analysts said the market could become over-invested
In 2002, CapitaMall Trust became the first Singapore-listed REIT. A decade on, there are over 20 REITs across the commercial, industrial, hotel and healthcare property sectors.
Low interest rates on bank deposits have helped to keep investor interest high in REITs and other stapled securities.
Industrial REITs for example pay dividends of up to eight per cent -- more than the five to six per cent offered by blue chip stocks.
Gabriel Yap, executive chairman of GCP Global, said: "The REITs are trading at about 20 times the PE (price to earnings ratio) as compared to the real estate developers at only 12 times. Because it's a REIT structure that pays stable dividends, the valuations are much higher."
Some analysts said REITs may be an over-invested asset class.
Excluding other stapled securities and business trusts, such as Hutchison Port Holdings Trust, the REIT market in Singapore has a market capitalisation of around US$38 billion. That is up more than three times from its post-Lehman crisis bottom in 2008.
Terence Wong, executive director at DMG & Partners Research, said: "There is a risk of the sector being over-owned, since everybody wants a piece of the pie right now. We've seen that in 2006 and 2007, where REITs were seen very much as a growth stock. And I think that's the danger.
"Right now, we're seeing the same thing, with the REITs rising about 40 per cent so far this year. When complacency sets in, if the party ends, I think a lot of people will get hurt."
From 2004 to 2007, many REITs enjoyed high valuations due to the stock market boom. REIT managers borrowed money to acquire new properties, increasing their gearing.
But the financial crisis struck in 2008, and many REIT managers with over-geared balance sheets were forced to raise cash by issuing more equity, thereby diluting the value of the stock.
In a little more than six months, from May to December 2008, the market capitalisation of REITs had fallen 2.6 times.
-CNA/ac
- wong chee tat :)
从下星期一起，本地两个公路电子收费路段的过路费将调高。
29/10/2012
从下星期一起，本地两个公路电子收费路段的过路费将调高。
从下星期一起，本地两个公路电子收费路段的过路费将调高。
其中，南向的中央快速公路，过了布莱德路路段的四个闸门，早上7点半到8点的收费将从3元，调高到4元。
另外，东海岸公园大道、位于炮台路的闸门，以及从加冷-巴耶里巴快速公路进入东海岸公园大道支路的闸门，早上8点半到9点的收费，则会从4元，调高到5元。
其他闸门的收费维持不变。
- wong chee tat :)
从下星期一起，本地两个公路电子收费路段的过路费将调高。
从下星期一起，本地两个公路电子收费路段的过路费将调高。
其中，南向的中央快速公路，过了布莱德路路段的四个闸门，早上7点半到8点的收费将从3元，调高到4元。
另外，东海岸公园大道、位于炮台路的闸门，以及从加冷-巴耶里巴快速公路进入东海岸公园大道支路的闸门，早上8点半到9点的收费，则会从4元，调高到5元。
其他闸门的收费维持不变。
- wong chee tat :)
Monday, October 29, 2012
S'poreans unable to enjoy work-life balance: survey
S'poreans unable to enjoy work-life balance: survey
Posted: 29 October 2012 1112 hrs
SINGAPORE: Workers have identified overloading of work and high-pressure deadlines as the main reasons for not being able to achieve work-life balance in Singapore.
A recent survey on work-life balance in Singapore found that nearly nine out of 10 workers surveyed worked beyond their official hours.
Beyond working hours, 70 per cent chose to complete unfinished work in the office while the remaining 30 per cent chose to bring work home.
The survey by recruiter Jobstreet.com also found that only 30 per cent of the respondents claimed that their companies had initiatives in place to promote work-life balance.
45 per cent indicated that their companies pay lip service to work-life balance with policies in place just for show.
Respondents suggested corporate tax relief and enforcement of policies as steps that the government can take to encourage more companies to promote work-life balance at the workplace.
About 650 workers and 135 employers participated in the survey that was conducted in September.
- CNA/xq
- wong chee tat :)
Posted: 29 October 2012 1112 hrs
SINGAPORE: Workers have identified overloading of work and high-pressure deadlines as the main reasons for not being able to achieve work-life balance in Singapore.
A recent survey on work-life balance in Singapore found that nearly nine out of 10 workers surveyed worked beyond their official hours.
Beyond working hours, 70 per cent chose to complete unfinished work in the office while the remaining 30 per cent chose to bring work home.
The survey by recruiter Jobstreet.com also found that only 30 per cent of the respondents claimed that their companies had initiatives in place to promote work-life balance.
45 per cent indicated that their companies pay lip service to work-life balance with policies in place just for show.
Respondents suggested corporate tax relief and enforcement of policies as steps that the government can take to encourage more companies to promote work-life balance at the workplace.
About 650 workers and 135 employers participated in the survey that was conducted in September.
- CNA/xq
- wong chee tat :)
Private home & HDB resale flat prices rise in Q3
Private home & HDB resale flat prices rise in Q3
Posted: 29 October 2012 1022 hrs
SINGAPORE: Singapore's private home prices in the third quarter rose 0.6 per cent from the previous quarter.
This is the highest rate of increase this year compared to the 0.1-per cent drop in the first quarter and the 0.4-per cent increase in the second quarter.
It was also higher than the flash estimate of 0.5 per cent released earlier this month.
Meanwhile, resale prices of Housing & Development Board (HDB) flats in Singapore hit a record high.
HDB's Resale Price Index (RPI) rose from 194 in the second quarter of this year to 197.9 in the third quarter.
This represents an increase of two per cent over the previous quarter, the same as that of the flash estimate released on 1 October.
Growth for the first three quarters of this year is 3.9 per cent.
This is lower than the annual RPI growth of 14.1 per cent in 2010, and 10.7 per cent last year.
"With private property prices still rising, it's no surprise that HDB prices will follow suit," said Mr Chris Koh, housing analyst and director of Chris International.
"We saw quite a number of people who wanted to buy a property, aspired to own one, but when they could not afford it anymore, they instead decided to buy in the HDB resale market. They chose particularly larger flats: five-room flats, executive flats, and this could have pushed percentage prices up."
The volume of resale transactions also fell for the first time in 12 months. Resale transactions also fell by about 6 per cent from 7,011 cases in second quarter to 6,560 cases in the third.
The last fall in resale transactions was in the third quarter of last year when transactions fell from 6,581 in the second quarter, to 5,903 in the third.
HDB will offer 27,000 BTO flats in 2012 - 2,000 units more than the original 25,000 planned this year.
This is the largest BTO supply in a year.
In the rental market, subletting transactions rose by about four per cent.
The number of cases increased from 6,891 in the second quarter to 7,142 cases in the third quarter.
The total number of HDB flats approved for subletting also rose to 42,920 units in the third quarter, compared to 41,814 units in the second.
The HDB said it introduced a new e-service on Monday to enable the public to search for the market rentals of entire HDB flats rented out by owners.
- CNA/xq
- wong chee tat :)
Posted: 29 October 2012 1022 hrs
SINGAPORE: Singapore's private home prices in the third quarter rose 0.6 per cent from the previous quarter.
This is the highest rate of increase this year compared to the 0.1-per cent drop in the first quarter and the 0.4-per cent increase in the second quarter.
It was also higher than the flash estimate of 0.5 per cent released earlier this month.
Meanwhile, resale prices of Housing & Development Board (HDB) flats in Singapore hit a record high.
HDB's Resale Price Index (RPI) rose from 194 in the second quarter of this year to 197.9 in the third quarter.
This represents an increase of two per cent over the previous quarter, the same as that of the flash estimate released on 1 October.
Growth for the first three quarters of this year is 3.9 per cent.
This is lower than the annual RPI growth of 14.1 per cent in 2010, and 10.7 per cent last year.
"With private property prices still rising, it's no surprise that HDB prices will follow suit," said Mr Chris Koh, housing analyst and director of Chris International.
"We saw quite a number of people who wanted to buy a property, aspired to own one, but when they could not afford it anymore, they instead decided to buy in the HDB resale market. They chose particularly larger flats: five-room flats, executive flats, and this could have pushed percentage prices up."
The volume of resale transactions also fell for the first time in 12 months. Resale transactions also fell by about 6 per cent from 7,011 cases in second quarter to 6,560 cases in the third.
The last fall in resale transactions was in the third quarter of last year when transactions fell from 6,581 in the second quarter, to 5,903 in the third.
HDB will offer 27,000 BTO flats in 2012 - 2,000 units more than the original 25,000 planned this year.
This is the largest BTO supply in a year.
In the rental market, subletting transactions rose by about four per cent.
The number of cases increased from 6,891 in the second quarter to 7,142 cases in the third quarter.
The total number of HDB flats approved for subletting also rose to 42,920 units in the third quarter, compared to 41,814 units in the second.
The HDB said it introduced a new e-service on Monday to enable the public to search for the market rentals of entire HDB flats rented out by owners.
- CNA/xq
- wong chee tat :)
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Flight of a bumble bee in slow motion
I happened to read somewhere about bumble bees and their flight. So, being curious, I did a search about the flight of the bumble bee.
- wong chee tat :)
Saturday, October 27, 2012
New marriage & parenthood measures to be announced
New marriage & parenthood measures to be announced
By Hetty Musfirah | Posted: 26 October 2012 1844 hrs
SINGAPORE: New pro-family and pro-baby initiatives are expected to be announced early next year, in conjunction with the release of the White Paper on Population.
They will cover a wide spectrum of areas, including support for housing, medical costs and childcare.
Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, Chan Chun Sing, said beyond monetary incentives, the key is in getting Singaporeans to give as much priority to starting a family as they do to their careers.
He was speaking to the media, sharing priorities for the new Social and Family Development Ministry, which he will helm from November 1.
Singapore's total fertility rate (TFR) of 1.2 is a far cry from the replacement level of 2.1.
The government recently set a new target -- to raise the TFR to 1.4 or 1.5.
Mr Chan admitted it is "a stretch target", but not impossible to achieve.
"If you look at the other equivalent Asian societies, I think quite a number of (their TFRs) are below 1," said Mr Chan.
"If we can encourage and help our people to settle down earlier, and if we can encourage those who have settled down to have their first baby earlier, then it is possible."
He explained: "If you look at it at a very mathematical or mechanical sense, a birth (takes place with) about a two-year interval on average, so if people settle down a bit earlier and have their first child a bit earlier, then they won't run up the biological clock of both the male and the female, and then you will have the chance to reach the stretch target."
The decision to get married and have children is deemed as a personal one, and that is a challenge which the government has to overcome in encouraging Singaporeans to settle down early.
The government intends to promote the joys of family among Singaporeans.
Mr Chan said his ministry will work with agencies such as the National Population and Talent Division as well as the Education Ministry to strengthen the transmission of such values.
He also stressed that families play a crucial role in encouraging marriage and parenthood.
"You give up something, perhaps your ability to travel a few weeks overseas to an exotic place, you may give up some of the other (lifestyle) patterns but you gain something else," he said.
"I always remember this advice, from one of my seniors: there is never a perfect time to get married or to have a child because all conditions are right, but the perfect time is when you have made the commitment to overcome life's challenges with your partner to build a family."
Heeding practical concerns, the government will also roll out new measures under the Marriage and Parenthood package.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong mentioned some of them during his National Day Rally Speech in August.
Some measures include more help with housing for young couples, subsidies for infant care and childcare as well as a Medisave account for every child at birth.
Mr Chan said details will be revealed by the individual ministries-in-charge.
- CNA/xq
By Hetty Musfirah | Posted: 26 October 2012 1844 hrs
SINGAPORE: New pro-family and pro-baby initiatives are expected to be announced early next year, in conjunction with the release of the White Paper on Population.
They will cover a wide spectrum of areas, including support for housing, medical costs and childcare.
Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, Chan Chun Sing, said beyond monetary incentives, the key is in getting Singaporeans to give as much priority to starting a family as they do to their careers.
He was speaking to the media, sharing priorities for the new Social and Family Development Ministry, which he will helm from November 1.
Singapore's total fertility rate (TFR) of 1.2 is a far cry from the replacement level of 2.1.
The government recently set a new target -- to raise the TFR to 1.4 or 1.5.
Mr Chan admitted it is "a stretch target", but not impossible to achieve.
"If you look at the other equivalent Asian societies, I think quite a number of (their TFRs) are below 1," said Mr Chan.
"If we can encourage and help our people to settle down earlier, and if we can encourage those who have settled down to have their first baby earlier, then it is possible."
He explained: "If you look at it at a very mathematical or mechanical sense, a birth (takes place with) about a two-year interval on average, so if people settle down a bit earlier and have their first child a bit earlier, then they won't run up the biological clock of both the male and the female, and then you will have the chance to reach the stretch target."
The decision to get married and have children is deemed as a personal one, and that is a challenge which the government has to overcome in encouraging Singaporeans to settle down early.
The government intends to promote the joys of family among Singaporeans.
Mr Chan said his ministry will work with agencies such as the National Population and Talent Division as well as the Education Ministry to strengthen the transmission of such values.
He also stressed that families play a crucial role in encouraging marriage and parenthood.
"You give up something, perhaps your ability to travel a few weeks overseas to an exotic place, you may give up some of the other (lifestyle) patterns but you gain something else," he said.
"I always remember this advice, from one of my seniors: there is never a perfect time to get married or to have a child because all conditions are right, but the perfect time is when you have made the commitment to overcome life's challenges with your partner to build a family."
Heeding practical concerns, the government will also roll out new measures under the Marriage and Parenthood package.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong mentioned some of them during his National Day Rally Speech in August.
Some measures include more help with housing for young couples, subsidies for infant care and childcare as well as a Medisave account for every child at birth.
Mr Chan said details will be revealed by the individual ministries-in-charge.
- CNA/xq
马国宰鸡影响蛋供 本地农场蛋价料涨
Fri, 26 Oct 2012 14:30:00 GMT
马国宰鸡影响蛋供 本地农场蛋价料涨
马来西亚农场宰杀500万只鸡，本地鸡蛋进口商表示，供应量不会受到影响。不过也有本地农场认为，目前鸡蛋成本高，利润薄，宰杀行动相信会推高鸡蛋的价格。
蛋商工会认为，马国宰杀500万只老母鸡，不会影响本地的进口量，因为当地原本每个月都会淘汰200多万只老母鸡，这次额外淘汰了200多万只，除了是因为美国饲料价格上涨之外，也因为适逢哈芝节，当地马来人对鸡肉需求量增加所致。
不过，这次宰鸡行动只会使鸡蛋的总供应量减少不到10%，而本地进口商也已经对此早有准备。
“我们在五个星期前，已经逐步的提高价格，涨幅在三分到三分半之间。”新加坡蛋商工会会长洪松茂解释。
至于哈芝节过后的鸡蛋，价格是否继续上涨，蛋商工会表示，这要看马国的小鸡产量是否稳定，然后他们才会决定是否需要做出相应的调整。
不过也有农场认为，本地和马国农场都面临成本高涨的压力，从6月至今已经上涨了八成，马国的宰鸡行动，相信会进一步推高鸡蛋的价格。
“今年初到目前为止，鸡蛋成本非常的高，可是我们的价格一直处于在低于成本的价位。马国淘汰了这些老母鸡之后，我相信他们的价格会有所调整。当他的鸡蛋调整之后，我相信新加坡的鸡蛋价格也会跟着调整。” 农场业者马琼就这么告诉记者。
另外，农场也表示，目前本地还不需要通过宰杀鸡只来控制成本。
目前我国鸡蛋的平均单价为18分，比起2004年禽流感时候的40分到50分价格，还是有一段距离。
- wong chee tat :)
马国宰鸡影响蛋供 本地农场蛋价料涨
马来西亚农场宰杀500万只鸡，本地鸡蛋进口商表示，供应量不会受到影响。不过也有本地农场认为，目前鸡蛋成本高，利润薄，宰杀行动相信会推高鸡蛋的价格。
蛋商工会认为，马国宰杀500万只老母鸡，不会影响本地的进口量，因为当地原本每个月都会淘汰200多万只老母鸡，这次额外淘汰了200多万只，除了是因为美国饲料价格上涨之外，也因为适逢哈芝节，当地马来人对鸡肉需求量增加所致。
不过，这次宰鸡行动只会使鸡蛋的总供应量减少不到10%，而本地进口商也已经对此早有准备。
“我们在五个星期前，已经逐步的提高价格，涨幅在三分到三分半之间。”新加坡蛋商工会会长洪松茂解释。
至于哈芝节过后的鸡蛋，价格是否继续上涨，蛋商工会表示，这要看马国的小鸡产量是否稳定，然后他们才会决定是否需要做出相应的调整。
不过也有农场认为，本地和马国农场都面临成本高涨的压力，从6月至今已经上涨了八成，马国的宰鸡行动，相信会进一步推高鸡蛋的价格。
“今年初到目前为止，鸡蛋成本非常的高，可是我们的价格一直处于在低于成本的价位。马国淘汰了这些老母鸡之后，我相信他们的价格会有所调整。当他的鸡蛋调整之后，我相信新加坡的鸡蛋价格也会跟着调整。” 农场业者马琼就这么告诉记者。
另外，农场也表示，目前本地还不需要通过宰杀鸡只来控制成本。
目前我国鸡蛋的平均单价为18分，比起2004年禽流感时候的40分到50分价格，还是有一段距离。
- wong chee tat :)
后港一座组屋的双层公寓式单位 转售溢价创新高
Updated: Thu, 25 Oct 2012 19:30:27 GMT
后港一座组屋的双层公寓式单位 转售溢价创新高
后港一座组屋的双层公寓式单位的转售溢价创下新高，达到22万5千元。
后港一座组屋的双层公寓式单位的转售溢价创下新高，达到22万5千元。
这比一般这类组屋的转售溢价高出4倍。这个单位位于后港21街第237座组屋，上个星期二以90万元售出。
房地产分析员说，像这样的溢价非常罕见。分析员认为：这是因为有关单位靠近邻里公园，附近也有熟食中心和地铁站的缘故。
- wong chee tat :)
后港一座组屋的双层公寓式单位 转售溢价创新高
后港一座组屋的双层公寓式单位的转售溢价创下新高，达到22万5千元。
后港一座组屋的双层公寓式单位的转售溢价创下新高，达到22万5千元。
这比一般这类组屋的转售溢价高出4倍。这个单位位于后港21街第237座组屋，上个星期二以90万元售出。
房地产分析员说，像这样的溢价非常罕见。分析员认为：这是因为有关单位靠近邻里公园，附近也有熟食中心和地铁站的缘故。
- wong chee tat :)
马国农场扑杀5百万只母鸡 本地鸡蛋价格猛涨
Updated: Fri, 26 Oct 2012 00:19:10 GMT
马国农场扑杀5百万只母鸡 本地鸡蛋价格猛涨
马来西亚农民扑杀了大约5百万只母鸡，以压低鸡蛋的生产成本，但这却导致马国鸡蛋供不应求，价格猛涨。
马来西亚农民扑杀了大约5百万只母鸡，以压低鸡蛋的生产成本，但这却导致马国鸡蛋供不应求，价格猛涨。
最近几个月占了鸡蛋生产成本大约8成的饲料价格大幅上升，这是因为美国发生严重旱灾，导致玉米和黄豆的价格暴涨。
许多人担心，接下来几个星期的蛋价还会继续攀高，这是因为雨季即将来临，而屠妖节、圣诞节等年底佳节也陆续到来。
目前，马来西亚农民每天生产2千万个鸡蛋，其中大约3百万个出口到新加坡。
当地农民已经致函农业部，希望当局能给予他们一些津贴，以稳定局势。
- wong chee tat :)
马国农场扑杀5百万只母鸡 本地鸡蛋价格猛涨
马来西亚农民扑杀了大约5百万只母鸡，以压低鸡蛋的生产成本，但这却导致马国鸡蛋供不应求，价格猛涨。
马来西亚农民扑杀了大约5百万只母鸡，以压低鸡蛋的生产成本，但这却导致马国鸡蛋供不应求，价格猛涨。
最近几个月占了鸡蛋生产成本大约8成的饲料价格大幅上升，这是因为美国发生严重旱灾，导致玉米和黄豆的价格暴涨。
许多人担心，接下来几个星期的蛋价还会继续攀高，这是因为雨季即将来临，而屠妖节、圣诞节等年底佳节也陆续到来。
目前，马来西亚农民每天生产2千万个鸡蛋，其中大约3百万个出口到新加坡。
当地农民已经致函农业部，希望当局能给予他们一些津贴，以稳定局势。
- wong chee tat :)
Friday, October 26, 2012
Channel NewsAsia app set to extend reach with Windows 8
Channel NewsAsia app set to extend reach with Windows 8
By Leong Wai Kit | Posted: 25 October 2012 2339 hrs
SINGAPORE: Channel NewsAsia is set to extend its reach with Microsoft's new operating system Windows 8, which was launched on October 26.
Microsoft, which is targeting 400 million customers worldwide, is hoping to meld the fun and convenience of a tablet with the power and productivity of a PC.
One of the features of Windows 8 is its touch-screen navigation.
It also allows users to tap specific spots of a photo to unlock the device.
More than 50 devices will be available at over 120 IT stores in Singapore. The devices include tablets, laptops and computers known as "all-in-ones".
Those using Windows XP, Vista or 7 can download Windows 8 for about S$50.
Applications, or apps will be a large part of Windows 8's features.
Microsoft is working with about 4,000 developers to create apps for its users.
But it declined to list the number of apps available.
Microsoft's director for marketing and operations, John Fernandes, said: "We've often been directed to think that the number of apps available for download is a benchmark of standard, but we focus on the user experience. Numbers are great, but quality is more important."
And Channel NewsAsia's app is one of those available at Microsoft's new app store.
"Within Channel NewsAsia's business environment, your business users can internally use Windows 8 to really drive productivity," said Mr Fernandes.
"But also, there's the fun part. If you like using the tablet, if you like using the touch, rather than the keyboard and the mouse, you as a user has the flexibility, you have a choice. On the one hand, it gives the business more reach to broader audiences, and on the other hand, it drives internal productivity," he added.
Microsoft said it worked with over 100 countries to collect user feedback. Some 16 million customers have already downloaded the pre-release versions of Windows 8.
Microsoft said it is confident the launch will keep existing Windows customers and attract new ones.
Mr Fernandes said: "For non-Windows customers, we want them as our customers. When you think about the great applications, the great devices, a rich, dynamic computing environment on these great multitude of different devices that allow you to work and play and do the things you want to do in your own way, we're very confident that customers will come and see Windows 8 and buy Windows 8."
Singapore is one of 15 countries in the world, and the only country in Southeast Asia to host the launch event.
- CNA/fa
- wong chee tat :)
By Leong Wai Kit | Posted: 25 October 2012 2339 hrs
SINGAPORE: Channel NewsAsia is set to extend its reach with Microsoft's new operating system Windows 8, which was launched on October 26.
Microsoft, which is targeting 400 million customers worldwide, is hoping to meld the fun and convenience of a tablet with the power and productivity of a PC.
One of the features of Windows 8 is its touch-screen navigation.
It also allows users to tap specific spots of a photo to unlock the device.
More than 50 devices will be available at over 120 IT stores in Singapore. The devices include tablets, laptops and computers known as "all-in-ones".
Those using Windows XP, Vista or 7 can download Windows 8 for about S$50.
Applications, or apps will be a large part of Windows 8's features.
Microsoft is working with about 4,000 developers to create apps for its users.
But it declined to list the number of apps available.
Microsoft's director for marketing and operations, John Fernandes, said: "We've often been directed to think that the number of apps available for download is a benchmark of standard, but we focus on the user experience. Numbers are great, but quality is more important."
And Channel NewsAsia's app is one of those available at Microsoft's new app store.
"Within Channel NewsAsia's business environment, your business users can internally use Windows 8 to really drive productivity," said Mr Fernandes.
"But also, there's the fun part. If you like using the tablet, if you like using the touch, rather than the keyboard and the mouse, you as a user has the flexibility, you have a choice. On the one hand, it gives the business more reach to broader audiences, and on the other hand, it drives internal productivity," he added.
Microsoft said it worked with over 100 countries to collect user feedback. Some 16 million customers have already downloaded the pre-release versions of Windows 8.
Microsoft said it is confident the launch will keep existing Windows customers and attract new ones.
Mr Fernandes said: "For non-Windows customers, we want them as our customers. When you think about the great applications, the great devices, a rich, dynamic computing environment on these great multitude of different devices that allow you to work and play and do the things you want to do in your own way, we're very confident that customers will come and see Windows 8 and buy Windows 8."
Singapore is one of 15 countries in the world, and the only country in Southeast Asia to host the launch event.
- CNA/fa
- wong chee tat :)
Neptune Orient Lines building sold for S$380m
Neptune Orient Lines building sold for S$380m
By Brandon Tanoto | Posted: 25 October 2012 2227 hrs
SINGAPORE: Neptune Orient Lines has sold its head office, the NOL Building at 456 Alexandra Road, to the Fragrance Group for S$380 million.
It is the largest sale of a decentralised single commercial asset in Singapore this year, said Jones Lang LaSalle which brokered the sale to Fragrance Regal Pte Ltd.
NOL said in a statement to Singapore Exchange the divestment will enable it to "release capital for strategic investment."
The shipping company will take a short term leaseback of the building up to the end of June 2014.
The sale price represents S$1,381 psf on current Net Lettable Area, according to Jones Lang LaSalle.
The site has a "commercial" zoning and the permitted plot ratio for the area is 2.80.
Separately, NOL announced a net profit for the September quarter of S$61 million (US$50 million), against a loss of S$111 million a year earlier.
It said it expects to post a full year loss in the face of weak economic conditions, excess shipping capacity and high fuel prices.
- CNA/xq
- wong chee tat :)
By Brandon Tanoto | Posted: 25 October 2012 2227 hrs
SINGAPORE: Neptune Orient Lines has sold its head office, the NOL Building at 456 Alexandra Road, to the Fragrance Group for S$380 million.
It is the largest sale of a decentralised single commercial asset in Singapore this year, said Jones Lang LaSalle which brokered the sale to Fragrance Regal Pte Ltd.
NOL said in a statement to Singapore Exchange the divestment will enable it to "release capital for strategic investment."
The shipping company will take a short term leaseback of the building up to the end of June 2014.
The sale price represents S$1,381 psf on current Net Lettable Area, according to Jones Lang LaSalle.
The site has a "commercial" zoning and the permitted plot ratio for the area is 2.80.
Separately, NOL announced a net profit for the September quarter of S$61 million (US$50 million), against a loss of S$111 million a year earlier.
It said it expects to post a full year loss in the face of weak economic conditions, excess shipping capacity and high fuel prices.
- CNA/xq
- wong chee tat :)
Record COV for Hougang executive maisonette
Record COV for Hougang executive maisonette
By Lip Kwok Wai, Tan Qiuyi | Posted: 25 October 2012 1926 hrs
SINGAPORE: An executive maisonette in Hougang has been sold with a record Cash-Over-Valuation (COV) of S$225,000, about five times the average COV paid for such properties.
COV is the cash premium buyers pay for a resale HDB flat.
The flat is located at Block 237, Hougang Street 21. According to property portal SRX, the 148 square-metre maisonette was sold on October 16 for S$900,000 including COV.
Property analysts said it is not the norm.
They believe this flat commanded a premium because it is situated right next to a neighbourhood park, within walking distance of food centres and an MRT station, and also a buyer who is willing to fork out a large sum of money.
ERA Realty's key executive officer, Eugene Lim, said: "It also takes a certain kind of buyer who would be willing to pay this price. An example would be someone who is downgrading from private property. Perhaps he has cashed out his landed property, looking for something with a similar feel as landed property, with upstairs, and downstairs. But, having sold his landed property for huge profit... this COV may not a big sum to him."
With more HDB flats commanding exceptional prices in recent months, analysts MediaCorp spoke to say prices appear to be climbing.
Analysts said some will fetch high prices if they command premium views, sit in a well-connected estate and meet the right buyer with the ready cash.
HDB data shows an average of 2,000 to 3,000 executive flats are transacted every year.
For the first 10 months of 2012, about eight such flats were sold for S$900,000 and above.
There are more than 65,000 executive flats in Singapore, including maisonettes.
- CNA/fa
- wong chee tat :)
By Lip Kwok Wai, Tan Qiuyi | Posted: 25 October 2012 1926 hrs
SINGAPORE: An executive maisonette in Hougang has been sold with a record Cash-Over-Valuation (COV) of S$225,000, about five times the average COV paid for such properties.
COV is the cash premium buyers pay for a resale HDB flat.
The flat is located at Block 237, Hougang Street 21. According to property portal SRX, the 148 square-metre maisonette was sold on October 16 for S$900,000 including COV.
Property analysts said it is not the norm.
They believe this flat commanded a premium because it is situated right next to a neighbourhood park, within walking distance of food centres and an MRT station, and also a buyer who is willing to fork out a large sum of money.
ERA Realty's key executive officer, Eugene Lim, said: "It also takes a certain kind of buyer who would be willing to pay this price. An example would be someone who is downgrading from private property. Perhaps he has cashed out his landed property, looking for something with a similar feel as landed property, with upstairs, and downstairs. But, having sold his landed property for huge profit... this COV may not a big sum to him."
With more HDB flats commanding exceptional prices in recent months, analysts MediaCorp spoke to say prices appear to be climbing.
Analysts said some will fetch high prices if they command premium views, sit in a well-connected estate and meet the right buyer with the ready cash.
HDB data shows an average of 2,000 to 3,000 executive flats are transacted every year.
For the first 10 months of 2012, about eight such flats were sold for S$900,000 and above.
There are more than 65,000 executive flats in Singapore, including maisonettes.
- CNA/fa
- wong chee tat :)
Thursday, October 25, 2012
The pursuit of happiness
Hey. Don't ever let somebody tell you... You can't do something. Not even me. All right?
All right.
You got a dream... You gotta protect it. People can't do somethin' themselves, they wanna tell you you can't do it. If you want somethin', go get it. Period.
- wong chee tat :)
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Telcos to offer new iPad mini & 4G iPad
Telcos to offer new iPad mini & 4G iPad
By Brandon Tanoto | Posted: 24 October 2012 1806 hrs
SINGAPORE: Singapore's three major telcos will be offering the new iPad mini and fourth-generation iPad that were unveiled in the United States on Tuesday.
Apple announced that it will start shipping the fourth-generation iPad, as well as the WiFi model of the iPad mini to Singapore next Friday.
It will ship the 4G versions of the two devices a couple of weeks later.
The three telcos, SingTel, StarHub and M1, said in separate statements that they will offer the new iPad mini and fourth-generation iPad in the coming weeks and customers will be able to connect to their 4G network with speeds of up to 75 Mbps.
They added that details on pricing and availability dates will be released in due course.
According to the Apple website, prices of the iPad mini start from S$448 for the 16GB WiFi model and can cost up to S$878 for the 64GB model with 4G connectivity.
Apple said the iPad mini is 52 per cent lighter and 23 per cent thinner than the third-generation iPad.
- CNA/xq
Hopefully i can get one!
- wong chee tat :)
By Brandon Tanoto | Posted: 24 October 2012 1806 hrs
SINGAPORE: Singapore's three major telcos will be offering the new iPad mini and fourth-generation iPad that were unveiled in the United States on Tuesday.
Apple announced that it will start shipping the fourth-generation iPad, as well as the WiFi model of the iPad mini to Singapore next Friday.
It will ship the 4G versions of the two devices a couple of weeks later.
The three telcos, SingTel, StarHub and M1, said in separate statements that they will offer the new iPad mini and fourth-generation iPad in the coming weeks and customers will be able to connect to their 4G network with speeds of up to 75 Mbps.
They added that details on pricing and availability dates will be released in due course.
According to the Apple website, prices of the iPad mini start from S$448 for the 16GB WiFi model and can cost up to S$878 for the 64GB model with 4G connectivity.
Apple said the iPad mini is 52 per cent lighter and 23 per cent thinner than the third-generation iPad.
- CNA/xq
Hopefully i can get one!
- wong chee tat :)
Ample room for private banking to grow in Asia
Ample room for private banking to grow in Asia
By Lynda Hong | Posted: 24 October 2012 2215 hrs
SINGAPORE: Citigroup has overtaken Swiss bank UBS to become the top private bank in Asia-Pacific last year.
And despite assets under management (AUM) in the region dipping slightly by 0.5 per cent to US$1.1 trillion in 2011, private bankers said there is still room to grow in Asia.
Less than 20 per cent of wealth owned by Asian of high net worth individuals are professionally managed by private bankers.
This means there is ample room for the industry to grow in Asia.
But experts said the lack of talent may stifle growth for some private banks.
Rajesh Malkani, who is the head of private bank (East Region) at Standard Chartered Private Bank, said: "We are finding more and more that we have to re-train people, whether we bring them from the external world or from the internal world, to really make them capable of dealing with all the changes that is happening in the industry. So it is not an easy industry, there is a lot of new regulation, there a lot of cost growth in our businesses."
The Private Banker International Asia-Pacific AuM Benchmark 2012, which ranks private banks according to the assets of high net worth individuals' funds they manage, placed Citigroup as the top private bank in Asia Pacific.
The US banking group has some US$193 billion under management in 2011.
It overtook UBS, which is now in second place. HSBC came in third in the survey.
JP Morgan Private Wealth Management Asia's chief executive officer, Peter Flavel, said: "Wealth in Asia is growing at low teens and we are expected to grow around that rate or even better over the next three to five years. And I see Asia as the most exciting place for wealth management globally."
The survey added that the drop in Asia Pacific's AUM last year was due to falling asset values caused by the global economic slowdown.
Most of the private wealth management in Asia Pacific were managed by banks that are not headquartered in Asia.
But the study added that universal banks with strong retail offerings have a stronger advantage to target high net worth individuals with assets valued between US$1 million and US$5 million. This is a core segment for Asian private banks.
Currently, foreign banks are taking a bigger slice of the private banking pie, but the four Asian banks in the survey are catching up fast with their combined AUM rising by seven per cent.
Eleven out of 16 of these foreign banks saw their AUM staying static or dipped in 2011.
Tan Su Shan, who is managing director and group head of wealth management at DBS Bank, said: "As interest rates in some local jurisdictions get higher - because of Basel Three or because banks are just shrinking their balance sheets - some of our clients do need liquidity to pump it back into the business to buy ships, to buy palm oil. So the competition for funding is really the business growth."
DBS is the highest ranked Asian headquartered private bank, managing US$39 billion last year.
This is followed by Standard Chartered Private Bank, Bank of Singapore and Hang Seng Bank.
- CNA/fa
- wong chee tat :)
By Lynda Hong | Posted: 24 October 2012 2215 hrs
SINGAPORE: Citigroup has overtaken Swiss bank UBS to become the top private bank in Asia-Pacific last year.
And despite assets under management (AUM) in the region dipping slightly by 0.5 per cent to US$1.1 trillion in 2011, private bankers said there is still room to grow in Asia.
Less than 20 per cent of wealth owned by Asian of high net worth individuals are professionally managed by private bankers.
This means there is ample room for the industry to grow in Asia.
But experts said the lack of talent may stifle growth for some private banks.
Rajesh Malkani, who is the head of private bank (East Region) at Standard Chartered Private Bank, said: "We are finding more and more that we have to re-train people, whether we bring them from the external world or from the internal world, to really make them capable of dealing with all the changes that is happening in the industry. So it is not an easy industry, there is a lot of new regulation, there a lot of cost growth in our businesses."
The Private Banker International Asia-Pacific AuM Benchmark 2012, which ranks private banks according to the assets of high net worth individuals' funds they manage, placed Citigroup as the top private bank in Asia Pacific.
The US banking group has some US$193 billion under management in 2011.
It overtook UBS, which is now in second place. HSBC came in third in the survey.
JP Morgan Private Wealth Management Asia's chief executive officer, Peter Flavel, said: "Wealth in Asia is growing at low teens and we are expected to grow around that rate or even better over the next three to five years. And I see Asia as the most exciting place for wealth management globally."
The survey added that the drop in Asia Pacific's AUM last year was due to falling asset values caused by the global economic slowdown.
Most of the private wealth management in Asia Pacific were managed by banks that are not headquartered in Asia.
But the study added that universal banks with strong retail offerings have a stronger advantage to target high net worth individuals with assets valued between US$1 million and US$5 million. This is a core segment for Asian private banks.
Currently, foreign banks are taking a bigger slice of the private banking pie, but the four Asian banks in the survey are catching up fast with their combined AUM rising by seven per cent.
Eleven out of 16 of these foreign banks saw their AUM staying static or dipped in 2011.
Tan Su Shan, who is managing director and group head of wealth management at DBS Bank, said: "As interest rates in some local jurisdictions get higher - because of Basel Three or because banks are just shrinking their balance sheets - some of our clients do need liquidity to pump it back into the business to buy ships, to buy palm oil. So the competition for funding is really the business growth."
DBS is the highest ranked Asian headquartered private bank, managing US$39 billion last year.
This is followed by Standard Chartered Private Bank, Bank of Singapore and Hang Seng Bank.
- CNA/fa
- wong chee tat :)
倪安東 - Wake Up
詞:倪安東 曲:Skot Suyama 陶山/倪安東
Now wake on up uh little girly don't forget what they said
The early birdy gets the wormy time to get outta bed
Go on and let down your bun co-come on lets have some fun
Go get a piece of what your missin. look out here comes the sun
So come take a ride with your eyes open wide
its the time for the time of your life
It don't matter what you DODO do do
Long as you're doing what your HEARTHEART says to
Hold on to all the things you LOVELOVE and you
Better believe that they'll be coming B-B-B-BACK to you
So if you WANTWANT the truth
Go out and get it cuz it WONTWONT Find you
Its time to let yourself be free of what you knew
Get on the FASTFAST TRACKTRACK grab a hold of life fore its through
你到底聽不聽得懂 或要我解釋清楚
還是你害怕面對現實這條路太痛苦
壞與好都是禮物 別讓感受變麻木
快拔掉麻醉針清醒跨出你的下一步
So come take a ride with your eyes open wide
its the time for the time of your life
It don't matter what you DODO do do
Long as you're doing what your HEARTHEART says to
Hold on to all the things you LOVELOVE and you
Better believe that they'll be coming B-B-B-BACK to you
So if you WANTWANT the truth
Go out and get it cuz it WONTWONT Find you
Its time to let yourself be free of what you knew
Get on the FASTFAST TRACKTRACK grab a hold of life fore its through
Now come take a ride with your eyes open wide
Its your right now go(to) fight for your life
SHHHHH
張開眼睛請你 看個 清楚
勇敢起義活出 新的 態度
改頭換面跟上我們的舞步
I hope you're ready Cuz we're COMING BBBBACK to You
Now it don't matter what we DODO do do
Long as we're doing what we LOVELOVE to do
Because the feelin in our HEARTHEART rings true
And it keeps telling us to come on B-B-B-BACK to you
So if you WANTWANT the truth
Go out and get it cuz it WONTWONT Find you
Its time to join us and be free of what you knew
We're on the FASTFAST TRACKTRACK Rockin you right on out of your shoes
- wong chee tat :)
Netizens call for Facebook page to be taken down over racy photos
Netizens call for Facebook page to be taken down over racy photos
By Vimita Mohandas | Posted: 23 October 2012 2221 hrs
SINGAPORE: Some netizens are calling for a Facebook page to be taken down, expressing concern over personal information available to users. This comes after reports that young Singaporeans are posting racy pictures of themselves to make friends or get people to rate their looks.
The Facebook group is called "Add anyone you know 2 this group! Beat the most member group on FB! Come on!!!!"
Online rivalries have been brewing over this Facebook page, with some users calling for it to be taken down.
Other pages such as EDMW Singapore and SG Share have been reproducing pictures from the Facebook group to warn posters.
One user called "Singaporean1st" has also been posting messages actively, warning children about the risks they are putting themselves to.
The group is believed to have been started by a user named Owen Lee some five months ago.
The Facebook page has more than 500,000 members and the number has been increasing. This has raised concerns among youth counsellors and parents who worry if the students' private details may fall into the wrong hands.
Adrian Lim Peng Ann, a counselling psychologist, said: "In this situation, the young teens see it as a fun thing to do and they jump in because they don't want to be left out. They want to know what's happening so they try it out even if it's risky or adventurous.
"Because of their short-term thinking and not thinking (about the consequences), they would not realise that some of the information they divulge like their photos, personal information, handphone numbers, email and FB page will get into (the hands) of other undesirable people - from sexual predators to even future friends, employers, schools that may access this information and come up with a decision on whether this person is credible or worthy."
Meanwhile, students had mixed reactions on the issue.
Sebastian Ng, a Secondary Three student, said: "It's fine and it's nothing wrong. You just take a photo of yourself and there's nothing to be shy about - it's the internet, so you can post whatever you want to post about."
Another Secondary Three student, Rathi Thiruvalluvan, said: "They want people to rate them for who they are, and why would you want somebody to tell you that you are hot and beautiful? You are beautiful in your own way and every girl is beautiful."
While parents may frown upon the page, they admit it is an uphill task to police a child's social media activity.
Juliet Tan, a mother of one, said: "Teenagers right now have everything hitting at them - the internet, the web and pornographic websites. I think that would be something we can't curtail. This is their form of self-expression but there's a line to be drawn and it needs an adult to show them the way gently and guide them - that there are certain rules and constraints.
"It will be very difficult to exercise control because currently in a lot of homes, both parents work. But I feel the environment and the upbringing of the child is very important. The school environment is equally important. So perhaps parents, the schools and the younger generation should work together collectively."
Mr Lim admitted that these issues arise because some parents are unaware of the dangers. He said: "As there is that guilt factor - because they don't spend sufficient time with the kids - they will substitute with things that the kids want and it would be technology or electronic gadgets at this point in time. This is because it substitutes for the absence of a relationship if both parents are working."
Homan Kwong, a father of two, said: "Facebook is a good channel to get to know people, but at the same time it can be misused. I think it's also about how the parents relate to the children as well."
Parents can activate Facebook's Report Abuse feature to bar young children from certain groups.
-CNA/ac
- wong chee tat :)
By Vimita Mohandas | Posted: 23 October 2012 2221 hrs
SINGAPORE: Some netizens are calling for a Facebook page to be taken down, expressing concern over personal information available to users. This comes after reports that young Singaporeans are posting racy pictures of themselves to make friends or get people to rate their looks.
The Facebook group is called "Add anyone you know 2 this group! Beat the most member group on FB! Come on!!!!"
Online rivalries have been brewing over this Facebook page, with some users calling for it to be taken down.
Other pages such as EDMW Singapore and SG Share have been reproducing pictures from the Facebook group to warn posters.
One user called "Singaporean1st" has also been posting messages actively, warning children about the risks they are putting themselves to.
The group is believed to have been started by a user named Owen Lee some five months ago.
The Facebook page has more than 500,000 members and the number has been increasing. This has raised concerns among youth counsellors and parents who worry if the students' private details may fall into the wrong hands.
Adrian Lim Peng Ann, a counselling psychologist, said: "In this situation, the young teens see it as a fun thing to do and they jump in because they don't want to be left out. They want to know what's happening so they try it out even if it's risky or adventurous.
"Because of their short-term thinking and not thinking (about the consequences), they would not realise that some of the information they divulge like their photos, personal information, handphone numbers, email and FB page will get into (the hands) of other undesirable people - from sexual predators to even future friends, employers, schools that may access this information and come up with a decision on whether this person is credible or worthy."
Meanwhile, students had mixed reactions on the issue.
Sebastian Ng, a Secondary Three student, said: "It's fine and it's nothing wrong. You just take a photo of yourself and there's nothing to be shy about - it's the internet, so you can post whatever you want to post about."
Another Secondary Three student, Rathi Thiruvalluvan, said: "They want people to rate them for who they are, and why would you want somebody to tell you that you are hot and beautiful? You are beautiful in your own way and every girl is beautiful."
While parents may frown upon the page, they admit it is an uphill task to police a child's social media activity.
Juliet Tan, a mother of one, said: "Teenagers right now have everything hitting at them - the internet, the web and pornographic websites. I think that would be something we can't curtail. This is their form of self-expression but there's a line to be drawn and it needs an adult to show them the way gently and guide them - that there are certain rules and constraints.
"It will be very difficult to exercise control because currently in a lot of homes, both parents work. But I feel the environment and the upbringing of the child is very important. The school environment is equally important. So perhaps parents, the schools and the younger generation should work together collectively."
Mr Lim admitted that these issues arise because some parents are unaware of the dangers. He said: "As there is that guilt factor - because they don't spend sufficient time with the kids - they will substitute with things that the kids want and it would be technology or electronic gadgets at this point in time. This is because it substitutes for the absence of a relationship if both parents are working."
Homan Kwong, a father of two, said: "Facebook is a good channel to get to know people, but at the same time it can be misused. I think it's also about how the parents relate to the children as well."
Parents can activate Facebook's Report Abuse feature to bar young children from certain groups.
-CNA/ac
- wong chee tat :)
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
eCO condominium in Bedok sees strong sales
eCO condominium in Bedok sees strong sales
Posted: 23 October 2012 1400 hrs
SINGAPORE: 515 units out of the 603 units released at eCO condominium project have been sold within a month.
They were launched for sale on September 22.
The 748-unit development, located at Bedok South is a joint venture between Far East Organization, Frasers Centrepoint and Sekisui House.
The developers said all 240 two- and three-bedroom condominium units have been sold out.
Meanwhile, about half of the SOHO and suite units were snapped up, mostly by buyers aged 30 to 49 years.
In a joint statement released on Tuesday, the developers added that over 90 per cent of the buyers were Singaporeans or Singapore Permanent Residents.
And majority of the buyers are living in the Bedok, Chai Chee, Marine Parade, and East Coast districts.
Prices for units at eCo start from S$810,000 for a one-bedroom suite.
The project is estimated to be completed in 2017.
- CNA/fa
- wong chee tat :)
Posted: 23 October 2012 1400 hrs
SINGAPORE: 515 units out of the 603 units released at eCO condominium project have been sold within a month.
They were launched for sale on September 22.
The 748-unit development, located at Bedok South is a joint venture between Far East Organization, Frasers Centrepoint and Sekisui House.
The developers said all 240 two- and three-bedroom condominium units have been sold out.
Meanwhile, about half of the SOHO and suite units were snapped up, mostly by buyers aged 30 to 49 years.
In a joint statement released on Tuesday, the developers added that over 90 per cent of the buyers were Singaporeans or Singapore Permanent Residents.
And majority of the buyers are living in the Bedok, Chai Chee, Marine Parade, and East Coast districts.
Prices for units at eCo start from S$810,000 for a one-bedroom suite.
The project is estimated to be completed in 2017.
- CNA/fa
- wong chee tat :)
Singapore inflation rises to 4.7% in September
Singapore inflation rises to 4.7% in September
By Kristie Neo | Posted: 23 October 2012 1312 hrs
SINGAPORE: Singapore's inflation rate accelerated last month, driven again by housing and transport costs.
Data from the Department of Statistics showed the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in September rose 4.7 percent from the same month a year ago.
That's up from 3.9% in August, which was the lowest rate in almost two years.
September's inflation rate marks a reversal of price moderations experienced over the last three months.
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) said the pick-up in September was anticipated given the surge in COE prices the previous month.
COE premiums rose 40% on-year to a record average high of S$83,600, pushing private transport costs up 10.8 percent year-on-year following a 6.3 percent increase in August.
Alvin Liew, UOB's senior economist, said: "Currently (inflation is) at 4.7 per cent, I believe that if transport costs or the COE premiums were to spike in some of the months (ahead), it won't be too surprising to see our inflation rate for some of the months going up above 5% again."
Housing cost inflation in September jumped by 7.7 percent from a year earlier, compared with a 7.4 percent rise in the previous month.
Analysts say that while housing and transport costs remain a concern, the increasing price of services, particularly healthcare and education, should also be watched.
Mr Leon Perera, CEO of Spire Research and Consulting, said: "In the area of healthcare, due to the medical treatment component, there has been a significant price spike in September...that is more than the trend line in the year as a whole, and in education, to a lesser extent, that is the case as well."
Services inflation inched up to 3 percent in September against a 2.7 percent rise in August, reflecting a stronger pickup in the cost of holiday travel and household services.
Meanwhile, food price inflation eased slightly to 2.1 percent in September, down from a 2.3 percent increase in August.
Analysts say September's elevated inflation rate justifies the MAS' decision last month to leave intact its policy of a modest and gradual appreciation of the Singapore dollar to help dampen inflation.
- CNA/fa/ir
- wong chee tat :)
By Kristie Neo | Posted: 23 October 2012 1312 hrs
SINGAPORE: Singapore's inflation rate accelerated last month, driven again by housing and transport costs.
Data from the Department of Statistics showed the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in September rose 4.7 percent from the same month a year ago.
That's up from 3.9% in August, which was the lowest rate in almost two years.
September's inflation rate marks a reversal of price moderations experienced over the last three months.
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) said the pick-up in September was anticipated given the surge in COE prices the previous month.
COE premiums rose 40% on-year to a record average high of S$83,600, pushing private transport costs up 10.8 percent year-on-year following a 6.3 percent increase in August.
Alvin Liew, UOB's senior economist, said: "Currently (inflation is) at 4.7 per cent, I believe that if transport costs or the COE premiums were to spike in some of the months (ahead), it won't be too surprising to see our inflation rate for some of the months going up above 5% again."
Housing cost inflation in September jumped by 7.7 percent from a year earlier, compared with a 7.4 percent rise in the previous month.
Analysts say that while housing and transport costs remain a concern, the increasing price of services, particularly healthcare and education, should also be watched.
Mr Leon Perera, CEO of Spire Research and Consulting, said: "In the area of healthcare, due to the medical treatment component, there has been a significant price spike in September...that is more than the trend line in the year as a whole, and in education, to a lesser extent, that is the case as well."
Services inflation inched up to 3 percent in September against a 2.7 percent rise in August, reflecting a stronger pickup in the cost of holiday travel and household services.
Meanwhile, food price inflation eased slightly to 2.1 percent in September, down from a 2.3 percent increase in August.
Analysts say September's elevated inflation rate justifies the MAS' decision last month to leave intact its policy of a modest and gradual appreciation of the Singapore dollar to help dampen inflation.
- CNA/fa/ir
- wong chee tat :)
Ads
I noticed that the large rectangle ad changed to display Lancome products instead of displaying the usual ads: Philips or Furby.
To be honest, I don't use beauty and related products and I don't know much about them. Hopefully, Lancome and Nuffnang can bring me some profits!
- wong chee tat :)
性片女角寡母下令：嫁他或滚蛋
性片女角寡母下令：嫁他或滚蛋
20/10/2012 on 联合晚报 by 温伟中
李美玲表示，嫁给陈杰毅的机会“渺茫”。（图／互联网）
网上贴性爱照和短片，女大学生接到寡母“最后通牒”：嫁给性爱男，不然就滚出家门！
《联合晚报》上周一（15日）独家报道，国大法律系的亚细安奖学金得主陈杰毅（24岁），在博客公开和女伴李美玲（23岁）的性爱照，还自导自演强奸女友的模仿秀视频，广邀网民交换性伴，备受争议。
李美玲接受马国《星报》（The Star）专访时坦承，母亲对她的行为暴跳如雷。
“我妈给我最后通牒，说要就嫁给他，不然就得在一个月内搬出去。”
她说，对自己的未来感到“有点怕”。
完整报道，请翻阅20.10.2012《联合晚报》。
- wong chee tat :)
20/10/2012 on 联合晚报 by 温伟中
李美玲表示，嫁给陈杰毅的机会“渺茫”。（图／互联网）
网上贴性爱照和短片，女大学生接到寡母“最后通牒”：嫁给性爱男，不然就滚出家门！
《联合晚报》上周一（15日）独家报道，国大法律系的亚细安奖学金得主陈杰毅（24岁），在博客公开和女伴李美玲（23岁）的性爱照，还自导自演强奸女友的模仿秀视频，广邀网民交换性伴，备受争议。
李美玲接受马国《星报》（The Star）专访时坦承，母亲对她的行为暴跳如雷。
“我妈给我最后通牒，说要就嫁给他，不然就得在一个月内搬出去。”
她说，对自己的未来感到“有点怕”。
完整报道，请翻阅20.10.2012《联合晚报》。
- wong chee tat :)
性爱男：若她被赶我养她
性爱男：若她被赶我养她
21/10/2012 on 联合晚报 by 温伟中 , 黄志发
陈杰毅指3年内不结婚，若李美玲被赶走，他会照顾她（图／档案照）
性爱女母亲下令女儿“嫁他或滚蛋”，性爱男反呛：3年内不考虑结婚，若她被赶，我养她！。
未来3年不结婚
《联合晚报》星期一独家报道，国大法律系的亚细安奖学金得主陈杰毅（24岁），在博客公开和女伴李美玲（23岁）的性爱照，还自导自演强奸女友的模仿秀视频，广邀网民交换性伴，备受争议。
李美玲前天在吉隆坡告诉当地媒体，事情公开后，母亲气得对她弟发出最后通牒：“要就嫁给他，不然就1个月内离家”。
陈杰毅昨午接受马来西亚电台访问时回应，虽不排除未来结婚，但直言“未来3年都不考虑结婚”。
他说，结婚不是他目前想做的事，若李美玲被赶出家，他可提供经济帮助。
- 二次见面就拍裸照
完整报道请看21.10.2012的《联合晚报》。
此外，“壹传媒”也为性爱博客事件制作了“动新闻”，以下视频取自Youtube，由壹传媒动新闻制作：
- wong chee tat :)
21/10/2012 on 联合晚报 by 温伟中 , 黄志发
陈杰毅指3年内不结婚，若李美玲被赶走，他会照顾她（图／档案照）
性爱女母亲下令女儿“嫁他或滚蛋”，性爱男反呛：3年内不考虑结婚，若她被赶，我养她！。
未来3年不结婚
《联合晚报》星期一独家报道，国大法律系的亚细安奖学金得主陈杰毅（24岁），在博客公开和女伴李美玲（23岁）的性爱照，还自导自演强奸女友的模仿秀视频，广邀网民交换性伴，备受争议。
李美玲前天在吉隆坡告诉当地媒体，事情公开后，母亲气得对她弟发出最后通牒：“要就嫁给他，不然就1个月内离家”。
陈杰毅昨午接受马来西亚电台访问时回应，虽不排除未来结婚，但直言“未来3年都不考虑结婚”。
他说，结婚不是他目前想做的事，若李美玲被赶出家，他可提供经济帮助。
- 二次见面就拍裸照
完整报道请看21.10.2012的《联合晚报》。
此外，“壹传媒”也为性爱博客事件制作了“动新闻”，以下视频取自Youtube，由壹传媒动新闻制作：
- wong chee tat :)
受访男女七成赞同 初次约会男人应买单
受访男女七成赞同 初次约会男人应买单
21/10/2012 on 联合晚报
调查显示，多数人认为，初次约会男人应买单，但感情稳定后，可轮流买单。（图／搬演照片）
初次约会，谁买单？超过7成受访男女认为，男人应付账单。
当今社会，女性越来越独立，但针对初次约会谁买单的调查，大部分人的看法仍然保持传统观点。
60名年龄介于23至35岁的男女接受《星期天时报》调查，约75%的受访男女都认为首次约会，男人应付账。
- 黄俊雄：男人买单理所当然
完整报道请看21.10.2012的《联合晚报》。
- wong chee tat :)
21/10/2012 on 联合晚报
调查显示，多数人认为，初次约会男人应买单，但感情稳定后，可轮流买单。（图／搬演照片）
初次约会，谁买单？超过7成受访男女认为，男人应付账单。
当今社会，女性越来越独立，但针对初次约会谁买单的调查，大部分人的看法仍然保持传统观点。
60名年龄介于23至35岁的男女接受《星期天时报》调查，约75%的受访男女都认为首次约会，男人应付账。
- 黄俊雄：男人买单理所当然
完整报道请看21.10.2012的《联合晚报》。
- wong chee tat :)
面簿开专页“歌功颂德” 有人竟表扬性爱男女
面簿开专页“歌功颂德” 有人竟表扬性爱男女
22/10/2012 on 联合晚报 by 黄志发
题为“自拍无罪，亚洲人小题大做”的面簿专页，昨天6000多人“赞”，今天竟倍增到1万2000多名粉丝。（图／互联网）
竟有人在面簿为性照男女，开设2个专页对他们歌功颂德，被其他网友炮轰大骂无耻！
《联合晚报》上周一独家报道，国大法律系的亚细安奖学金得主陈杰毅（24岁），在博客公开和女伴李美玲（23岁）的裸照，还自导自演强奸女友的模仿秀视频，广邀网民交换性伴，轰动新马两地。
2人也因此饱受非议，不料竟有网友在面簿为他们开设“自拍无罪，亚洲人小题大做！”和“自拍无罪Alvin+And+Vivian”的专页，前者开放给网友，后者被锁住，有密码才能进。
完整报道，请翻阅22.10.2012《联合晚报》。
- wong chee tat :)
22/10/2012 on 联合晚报 by 黄志发
题为“自拍无罪，亚洲人小题大做”的面簿专页，昨天6000多人“赞”，今天竟倍增到1万2000多名粉丝。（图／互联网）
竟有人在面簿为性照男女，开设2个专页对他们歌功颂德，被其他网友炮轰大骂无耻！
《联合晚报》上周一独家报道，国大法律系的亚细安奖学金得主陈杰毅（24岁），在博客公开和女伴李美玲（23岁）的裸照，还自导自演强奸女友的模仿秀视频，广邀网民交换性伴，轰动新马两地。
2人也因此饱受非议，不料竟有网友在面簿为他们开设“自拍无罪，亚洲人小题大做！”和“自拍无罪Alvin+And+Vivian”的专页，前者开放给网友，后者被锁住，有密码才能进。
完整报道，请翻阅22.10.2012《联合晚报》。
- wong chee tat :)
FedEx to hire 20,000 temps for holiday season
FedEx to hire 20,000 temps for holiday season
Posted: 23 October 2012 0337 hrs
NEW YORK: FedEx, a leading US package delivery company, said on Monday it would hire 20,000 temporary workers to help handle surging shipments during the year-end holiday season.
FedEx Corp. predicted its biggest day of the year would be December 10, when they expect to handle a record 19 million shipments, up 10 percent from a year ago, driven by online orders.
For the overall holiday season between Thanksgiving and Christmas, FedEx forecasted it would handle more than 280 million shipments worldwide, 13 percent more than in the same period in 2011.
The company, based in Memphis, Tennessee, has a global workforce of more than 300,000 employees.
On October 10 Fedex announced it was planning to cut "several thousand" people from its workforce via a voluntary departure programme beginning early next year.
The cuts are part of a cost-reduction plan aimed at boosting profits by $1.7 billion by 2016.
- AFP/de
- wong chee tat :)
Posted: 23 October 2012 0337 hrs
NEW YORK: FedEx, a leading US package delivery company, said on Monday it would hire 20,000 temporary workers to help handle surging shipments during the year-end holiday season.
FedEx Corp. predicted its biggest day of the year would be December 10, when they expect to handle a record 19 million shipments, up 10 percent from a year ago, driven by online orders.
For the overall holiday season between Thanksgiving and Christmas, FedEx forecasted it would handle more than 280 million shipments worldwide, 13 percent more than in the same period in 2011.
The company, based in Memphis, Tennessee, has a global workforce of more than 300,000 employees.
On October 10 Fedex announced it was planning to cut "several thousand" people from its workforce via a voluntary departure programme beginning early next year.
The cuts are part of a cost-reduction plan aimed at boosting profits by $1.7 billion by 2016.
- AFP/de
- wong chee tat :)
More executive condominiums selling for over S$1m: Savills
More executive condominiums selling for over S$1m: Savills
By Lynda Hong | Posted: 22 October 2012 2207 hrs
SINGAPORE : More executive condominiums (ECs) are now selling for more than S$1 million.
Research from real estate agency Savills Singapore has shown that over 300 new ECs were transacted above S$1 million, with half of these transacted in the first eight months of 2012.
The report said there are a "seemingly growing number of young, affluent buyers snagging bigger and more luxurious penthouses...".
Other factors like rock-bottom interest rates, rising incomes and many EC buyers escaping unscathed from the latest rounds of property curbs also helped prop up demand.
Savills said that with more resale HDB flats sold at higher prices, it also helped deepened the pockets of many HDB upgraders who now have more to spend on their next property.
The research pointed out that the average price of all new ECs reached a historical high of S$731 per square foot (psf) in the third quarter.
Still, the average price quantum for all new ECs was still below S$1 million, at S$822,000 in the second quarter of 2012.
There is also growing concern that EC buyers may be stretching beyond their affordability.
Based on a S$12,000 income limit, which is an income ceiling prerequisite for all EC buyers, a purchase of over S$1.1 million may begin to stretch wallets once interest rates rise above 3 per cent.
When this happens, monthly mortgage instalments are estimated to be between S$4,400 and S$5,000, amounting to possibly a cash top-up of S$2,100 to S$2,700.
Loan repayments of ECs priced below S$1 million would still be in the 'safe zone' should interest rates climb to 4 per cent.
In February this year, a new record was set for ECs when a new 958 sq ft EC at the Arc was sold at S$941 psf.
The trend follows more ECs being priced at over S$800 psf.
In the first three quarters of this year, the number jumped significantly to 215 units, up from 19 units in 2011 and 13 units in 2010.
- CNA/ms
- wong chee tat :)
By Lynda Hong | Posted: 22 October 2012 2207 hrs
SINGAPORE : More executive condominiums (ECs) are now selling for more than S$1 million.
Research from real estate agency Savills Singapore has shown that over 300 new ECs were transacted above S$1 million, with half of these transacted in the first eight months of 2012.
The report said there are a "seemingly growing number of young, affluent buyers snagging bigger and more luxurious penthouses...".
Other factors like rock-bottom interest rates, rising incomes and many EC buyers escaping unscathed from the latest rounds of property curbs also helped prop up demand.
Savills said that with more resale HDB flats sold at higher prices, it also helped deepened the pockets of many HDB upgraders who now have more to spend on their next property.
The research pointed out that the average price of all new ECs reached a historical high of S$731 per square foot (psf) in the third quarter.
Still, the average price quantum for all new ECs was still below S$1 million, at S$822,000 in the second quarter of 2012.
There is also growing concern that EC buyers may be stretching beyond their affordability.
Based on a S$12,000 income limit, which is an income ceiling prerequisite for all EC buyers, a purchase of over S$1.1 million may begin to stretch wallets once interest rates rise above 3 per cent.
When this happens, monthly mortgage instalments are estimated to be between S$4,400 and S$5,000, amounting to possibly a cash top-up of S$2,100 to S$2,700.
Loan repayments of ECs priced below S$1 million would still be in the 'safe zone' should interest rates climb to 4 per cent.
In February this year, a new record was set for ECs when a new 958 sq ft EC at the Arc was sold at S$941 psf.
The trend follows more ECs being priced at over S$800 psf.
In the first three quarters of this year, the number jumped significantly to 215 units, up from 19 units in 2011 and 13 units in 2010.
- CNA/ms
- wong chee tat :)
Sales of shoebox units fall after govt announcement
Sales of shoebox units fall after govt announcement
By Kristie Neo | Posted: 22 October 2012 2221 hrs
SINGAPORE: Sales of small private apartments, commonly known as shoebox units in Singapore, have taken a downward turn. Data compiled by analysts show that new sales fell about 57 per cent in September from the previous month to 99 units.
The fall in the sale of shoebox units occured after the government announced that it will moderate the number of shoebox apartments entering the market.
Analysts said buyers are now taking a "wait-and-see" approach in response to the measures. This caused new sales of shoebox units to drop across the board last month.
Vicinities under the "Outside Central Region" category were hit the hardest, with sales falling some 80 per cent to only 24 units sold in September. This is also the region where the new government regulations apply.
On September 4, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) issued new guidelines that capped the total number of units that can be built on a site for non-landed private residential developments outside the Central Area. The new rules are to curb developers' enthusiasm to build shoebox units in 'suburban neighbourhoods' which are largely designated for families.
But analysts said the impact on buyers' appetites are only temporary. They said shoebox unit buyers are largely investors, and they may bounce back more quickly after each round of cooling measures introduced by the authorities.
Alan Cheong, director of research and consultancy at Savills, said: "Although we have one or two stories where people have decided to put off their purchases, we believe the market will revert to some sense of normalcy in a shorter period of time than it had been for the past five rounds of cooling measures.
"People have now got used to measures being thrown into the market, every year probably two or so."
Analysts added that recent launches in the last three months like Sky Green, Parc Centros and Skies Miltonia, still reflect "brisk" demand.
Sky Green, located in McPherson, sold all 68 studio units within a single day during its pre-launch last week. Parc Centros in Punggol and Skies Miltonia in Yishun, have sold out 88 per cent and 75 per cent of their units respectively.
They added that this trend is unlikely to change as long as investors hold enough cash to splash around.
Mohamed Ismail, CEO of PropNex, said: "They sell mainly because of two reasons. One being the fact that the quantum of such properties are relatively low, coupled with today's liquidity and low interest rate."
Moving forward however, analysts said the appeal of holding a shoebox unit as an investment is likely to wane.
Eugene Lim, key executive officer of the ERA Realty Network, said: "I think buyers are becoming more aware that there is actually a huge supply that is going to be completed in 2014, 2015. And that would mean this would put pressure on rental. It is this type of investments that is actually losing flavour."
About 11,000 shoebox units are expected to hit the market by 2015.
-CNA/ac
- wong chee tat :)
By Kristie Neo | Posted: 22 October 2012 2221 hrs
SINGAPORE: Sales of small private apartments, commonly known as shoebox units in Singapore, have taken a downward turn. Data compiled by analysts show that new sales fell about 57 per cent in September from the previous month to 99 units.
The fall in the sale of shoebox units occured after the government announced that it will moderate the number of shoebox apartments entering the market.
Analysts said buyers are now taking a "wait-and-see" approach in response to the measures. This caused new sales of shoebox units to drop across the board last month.
Vicinities under the "Outside Central Region" category were hit the hardest, with sales falling some 80 per cent to only 24 units sold in September. This is also the region where the new government regulations apply.
On September 4, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) issued new guidelines that capped the total number of units that can be built on a site for non-landed private residential developments outside the Central Area. The new rules are to curb developers' enthusiasm to build shoebox units in 'suburban neighbourhoods' which are largely designated for families.
But analysts said the impact on buyers' appetites are only temporary. They said shoebox unit buyers are largely investors, and they may bounce back more quickly after each round of cooling measures introduced by the authorities.
Alan Cheong, director of research and consultancy at Savills, said: "Although we have one or two stories where people have decided to put off their purchases, we believe the market will revert to some sense of normalcy in a shorter period of time than it had been for the past five rounds of cooling measures.
"People have now got used to measures being thrown into the market, every year probably two or so."
Analysts added that recent launches in the last three months like Sky Green, Parc Centros and Skies Miltonia, still reflect "brisk" demand.
Sky Green, located in McPherson, sold all 68 studio units within a single day during its pre-launch last week. Parc Centros in Punggol and Skies Miltonia in Yishun, have sold out 88 per cent and 75 per cent of their units respectively.
They added that this trend is unlikely to change as long as investors hold enough cash to splash around.
Mohamed Ismail, CEO of PropNex, said: "They sell mainly because of two reasons. One being the fact that the quantum of such properties are relatively low, coupled with today's liquidity and low interest rate."
Moving forward however, analysts said the appeal of holding a shoebox unit as an investment is likely to wane.
Eugene Lim, key executive officer of the ERA Realty Network, said: "I think buyers are becoming more aware that there is actually a huge supply that is going to be completed in 2014, 2015. And that would mean this would put pressure on rental. It is this type of investments that is actually losing flavour."
About 11,000 shoebox units are expected to hit the market by 2015.
-CNA/ac
- wong chee tat :)
Monday, October 22, 2012
Foreign varsities still a big draw for students
Foreign varsities still a big draw for students
By Amanda Lee, TODAY | Posted: 22 October 2012 0608 hrs
SINGAPORE: More students from Singapore have been heading to universities in the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia in recent years, despite the growing plaudits for the Republic's education system and changes made to jazz up the tertiary sector here.
From 2008 to last year, the number of students from Singapore studying in the UK has grown by between 10 and 18 per cent each year.
This could be due to rising affluence coupled with smaller family sizes, the high quality of education of other countries, the strong Singapore dollar and students growing up in a globalised world, observers say.
The number of students who applied to study at a university in the US rose to 4,316 last year, from 3,039 in 2006.
Students TODAY spoke to said they chose to study abroad as they wanted a new learning experience in a different country.
Although she was offered a place in a local polytechnic after completing her O levels, Jac L chose to enrol in a university overseas.
"I was planning to go to a polytechnic, but it takes three years," said the 19-year-old.
"If I go to Australia, I would only need (to take) one year of foundation and then (I am able to) enter university.
"It is much faster and I don't have to go through the stressful and competitive education (system) in Singapore."
The second-year student at the University of New South Wales also felt that foreign universities are more internationally recognised and employers may view having "exposure" to a different environment as an asset.
Mr Kelly Koh, Director for Education at the British Council in Singapore, pointed out that the duration of studies have bearing on students' decisions.
The typical three-year undergraduate programmes with honours and the one-year master's courses in the UK "have always been an attraction" as they have impact on cost both financial and opportunity cost, he said.
"Other factors include the quality of student support, and even issues like the ease of obtaining visas and possibly post-work employment," he added. - TODAY
- wong chee tat :)
By Amanda Lee, TODAY | Posted: 22 October 2012 0608 hrs
SINGAPORE: More students from Singapore have been heading to universities in the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia in recent years, despite the growing plaudits for the Republic's education system and changes made to jazz up the tertiary sector here.
From 2008 to last year, the number of students from Singapore studying in the UK has grown by between 10 and 18 per cent each year.
This could be due to rising affluence coupled with smaller family sizes, the high quality of education of other countries, the strong Singapore dollar and students growing up in a globalised world, observers say.
The number of students who applied to study at a university in the US rose to 4,316 last year, from 3,039 in 2006.
Students TODAY spoke to said they chose to study abroad as they wanted a new learning experience in a different country.
Although she was offered a place in a local polytechnic after completing her O levels, Jac L chose to enrol in a university overseas.
"I was planning to go to a polytechnic, but it takes three years," said the 19-year-old.
"If I go to Australia, I would only need (to take) one year of foundation and then (I am able to) enter university.
"It is much faster and I don't have to go through the stressful and competitive education (system) in Singapore."
The second-year student at the University of New South Wales also felt that foreign universities are more internationally recognised and employers may view having "exposure" to a different environment as an asset.
Mr Kelly Koh, Director for Education at the British Council in Singapore, pointed out that the duration of studies have bearing on students' decisions.
The typical three-year undergraduate programmes with honours and the one-year master's courses in the UK "have always been an attraction" as they have impact on cost both financial and opportunity cost, he said.
"Other factors include the quality of student support, and even issues like the ease of obtaining visas and possibly post-work employment," he added. - TODAY
- wong chee tat :)
Airing of talk with couple subject to MCMC’s approval
Sunday October 21, 2012
Airing of talk with couple subject to MCMC’s approval
By REGINA LEE
regina@thestar.com.my
Heart-to-heart chat: Ooi (right) interviewing Lee last Friday. Heart-to-heart chat: Ooi (right) interviewing Lee last Friday.
KUALA LUMPUR: The widely-anticipated radio interviews with sex bloggers Alvin Tan and Vivian Lee have been canned pending approval from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
After an 11th hour decision, radio stations under The Star media group Red FM and Capital FM were unable to air the pre-recorded interviews as planned on the 2pm slot yesterday.
The stations, however, said in a statement that listeners could still catch excerpts of the interviews on their Facebook pages.
The Star executive director and group chief editor Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai said the MCMC should have allowed the interviews to be aired because the announcers of Capital FM, Red FM and 988 FM had posed tough questions to the duo.
“They were asked tough questions such as the shame they had brought to their families in their quest for fame. We also asked why they took sex so casually and whether they would approve if it involved their own children,” he said.
Wong said he hoped the MCMC, as regulators, would allow the interviews to be aired, adding that The Star media group wanted the regulatory body to listen to the interviews as “we have no intention of glorifying them but to pose questions and listen to their views.”
The fact that the interviews were recorded on Friday and not broadcast live showed the caution taken by the radio stations, he said.
Wong, who is a director of Capital FM, said the couple had generated much interest among Malaysians and Singaporeans, and had already been interviewed by a Singapore radio station and the Singapore-based Channel News Asia.
Their stories were also on the front pages of Singapore newspapers.
“Instead of closing our eyes and ears, we must find out why they were acting so outrageously. What on earth were they thinking?
“Where is the sense of decorum and responsibility? These questions were put to the couple. These are answers we need to hear from the Facebook generation,” he said.
He said some sections of the public and authorities might frown on such news but the young would simply turn to the Internet and social media platform, adding that such social problems would not just go away.
Capital FM also tweeted on its account @iAMCapitalFM links to the excerpts when deejays Xandria Ooi, Joanne Kam and Red FM's Jeremy Teo grilled the two over their actions and decisions.
Among the selected excerpts are what they intend to do with their new-found fame and whether Lee was willing to leave her family for Tan.
- wong chee tat :)
Airing of talk with couple subject to MCMC’s approval
By REGINA LEE
regina@thestar.com.my
Heart-to-heart chat: Ooi (right) interviewing Lee last Friday. Heart-to-heart chat: Ooi (right) interviewing Lee last Friday.
KUALA LUMPUR: The widely-anticipated radio interviews with sex bloggers Alvin Tan and Vivian Lee have been canned pending approval from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
After an 11th hour decision, radio stations under The Star media group Red FM and Capital FM were unable to air the pre-recorded interviews as planned on the 2pm slot yesterday.
The stations, however, said in a statement that listeners could still catch excerpts of the interviews on their Facebook pages.
The Star executive director and group chief editor Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai said the MCMC should have allowed the interviews to be aired because the announcers of Capital FM, Red FM and 988 FM had posed tough questions to the duo.
“They were asked tough questions such as the shame they had brought to their families in their quest for fame. We also asked why they took sex so casually and whether they would approve if it involved their own children,” he said.
Wong said he hoped the MCMC, as regulators, would allow the interviews to be aired, adding that The Star media group wanted the regulatory body to listen to the interviews as “we have no intention of glorifying them but to pose questions and listen to their views.”
The fact that the interviews were recorded on Friday and not broadcast live showed the caution taken by the radio stations, he said.
Wong, who is a director of Capital FM, said the couple had generated much interest among Malaysians and Singaporeans, and had already been interviewed by a Singapore radio station and the Singapore-based Channel News Asia.
Their stories were also on the front pages of Singapore newspapers.
“Instead of closing our eyes and ears, we must find out why they were acting so outrageously. What on earth were they thinking?
“Where is the sense of decorum and responsibility? These questions were put to the couple. These are answers we need to hear from the Facebook generation,” he said.
He said some sections of the public and authorities might frown on such news but the young would simply turn to the Internet and social media platform, adding that such social problems would not just go away.
Capital FM also tweeted on its account @iAMCapitalFM links to the excerpts when deejays Xandria Ooi, Joanne Kam and Red FM's Jeremy Teo grilled the two over their actions and decisions.
Among the selected excerpts are what they intend to do with their new-found fame and whether Lee was willing to leave her family for Tan.
- wong chee tat :)
Sex bloggers still hog the limelight
Sunday October 21, 2012
Sex bloggers still hog the limelight
PETALING JAYA: Stories about sex bloggers Alvin Tan and Vivian Lee are still dominating the headlines, with numbers showing that the public just can't get enough of them.
Most media outlets on both sides of the Causeway gave prominence to the couple, with Singapore's The New Paper front-paging the matter twice on Tuesday and Friday.
Vernacular newspapers in Malaysia have also given prominence to the couple.
A story about Tan receiving a “stern warning” from Lee's mother published on Friday in the New Straits Times remained in the “Most Read” column as of yesterday.
Meanwhile, “Vivian Lee” as well as variations to the keyword became the second most popular search on Google on Thursday in the republic, with more than 10,000 searches on her that day alone.
The Star also recorded tremendous interest by readers with 194,000 hits on the three stories about them until Thursday.
In a Google Analytics survey service subscribed by The Star Online, the initial story “Porn blog couple causes furore” published on Wednesday topped the list, making it the most read story with 86,649 page views.
Surveyed over a three-day period between Tuesday and Thursday, the follow-up story “Vivian Lee defends postings of her erotic pictures and videos with boyfriend” published on Oct 18 became the second most read story on The Star Online with 85,675 page views.
However, the Malaysian media is considered late in joining the bandwagon as the news only broke here a day after the Singapore media highlighted the matter.
- wong chee tat :)
Sex bloggers still hog the limelight
PETALING JAYA: Stories about sex bloggers Alvin Tan and Vivian Lee are still dominating the headlines, with numbers showing that the public just can't get enough of them.
Most media outlets on both sides of the Causeway gave prominence to the couple, with Singapore's The New Paper front-paging the matter twice on Tuesday and Friday.
Vernacular newspapers in Malaysia have also given prominence to the couple.
A story about Tan receiving a “stern warning” from Lee's mother published on Friday in the New Straits Times remained in the “Most Read” column as of yesterday.
Meanwhile, “Vivian Lee” as well as variations to the keyword became the second most popular search on Google on Thursday in the republic, with more than 10,000 searches on her that day alone.
The Star also recorded tremendous interest by readers with 194,000 hits on the three stories about them until Thursday.
In a Google Analytics survey service subscribed by The Star Online, the initial story “Porn blog couple causes furore” published on Wednesday topped the list, making it the most read story with 86,649 page views.
Surveyed over a three-day period between Tuesday and Thursday, the follow-up story “Vivian Lee defends postings of her erotic pictures and videos with boyfriend” published on Oct 18 became the second most read story on The Star Online with 85,675 page views.
However, the Malaysian media is considered late in joining the bandwagon as the news only broke here a day after the Singapore media highlighted the matter.
- wong chee tat :)
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Thoughts
“Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon and the truth”
– Buddha
- wong chee tat :)
– Buddha
- wong chee tat :)
Maybank tops M'sia valuable brands list
Maybank tops M'sia valuable brands list
The Business Times
Sunday, Oct 21, 2012
KUALA LUMPUR - Three banks and three telcos have topped Interbrand's study of Malaysia's Most Valuable Brands with Maybank emerging the champion, according to Malaysia's Business Times yesterday.
The Association of Accredited Advertising Agents Malaysia (4As) and Media Prima, joint presenters of MMVB 2012, evaluated the candidates' financial performance, role of brand and brand strength.
The study, the fourth in collaboration with the 4As, was undertaken by Interbrand, one of the world's foremost brand consultancies that established the proprietary brand valuation methodology.
The total value of all 30 brands this year is RM80.2 billion (S$32 billion), representing a 49 per cent increase from 2009. The top two brands - Maybank and CIMB - registered more than 100 per cent growth since three years ago. AirAsia, ranked 12th, posted 257.3 per cent growth, the biggest increase among the 30 listed brands.
"To thrive in today's economy, brands must possess the ability to connect emotionally with consumers and engage them with a meaningful experience," Deputy Minister of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry Mukhriz Mahathir said. "Brands must function as the economy/s growth engine. Advertising firms and marketers must encourage this creative democracy to enable our economy to flourish, to the extent that both our products and services are sought the world over," he added.
Brands listed in the valuation must be consumer- facing, originate or be first launched in Malaysia, and be owned by companies listed on Bursa Malaysia. The brand must be an economic asset and contribute to the overall financial well-being of that company.
Maybank's campaign, "Humanising Financial Services Across Asia", an aggressive programme of mergers and acquisitions, helped elevate the nation's leading bank to pole position.
Among telcos, Maxis enhanced customer satisfaction by introducing innovative services that generated additional revenue streams.
This year's study saw the entry of IOI, F&N, SP Setia, and Old Town White Coffee and TM.
Said 4As president Tony Savarimuthu: "While brands have a commercial focus, they are a force for positive change in the society. Driven by consumer expectations of corporate behaviour, the role and value of brands has evolved.
"While the valuation is based on rigour and methodology, there are no finite answers. It is, however, an important bellwether on the state of the nation's brands, provokes debate of best practices and acts as a key platform for discussion and strategy in boardrooms, especially in the media."
- wong chee tat :)
The Business Times
Sunday, Oct 21, 2012
KUALA LUMPUR - Three banks and three telcos have topped Interbrand's study of Malaysia's Most Valuable Brands with Maybank emerging the champion, according to Malaysia's Business Times yesterday.
The Association of Accredited Advertising Agents Malaysia (4As) and Media Prima, joint presenters of MMVB 2012, evaluated the candidates' financial performance, role of brand and brand strength.
The study, the fourth in collaboration with the 4As, was undertaken by Interbrand, one of the world's foremost brand consultancies that established the proprietary brand valuation methodology.
The total value of all 30 brands this year is RM80.2 billion (S$32 billion), representing a 49 per cent increase from 2009. The top two brands - Maybank and CIMB - registered more than 100 per cent growth since three years ago. AirAsia, ranked 12th, posted 257.3 per cent growth, the biggest increase among the 30 listed brands.
"To thrive in today's economy, brands must possess the ability to connect emotionally with consumers and engage them with a meaningful experience," Deputy Minister of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry Mukhriz Mahathir said. "Brands must function as the economy/s growth engine. Advertising firms and marketers must encourage this creative democracy to enable our economy to flourish, to the extent that both our products and services are sought the world over," he added.
Brands listed in the valuation must be consumer- facing, originate or be first launched in Malaysia, and be owned by companies listed on Bursa Malaysia. The brand must be an economic asset and contribute to the overall financial well-being of that company.
Maybank's campaign, "Humanising Financial Services Across Asia", an aggressive programme of mergers and acquisitions, helped elevate the nation's leading bank to pole position.
Among telcos, Maxis enhanced customer satisfaction by introducing innovative services that generated additional revenue streams.
This year's study saw the entry of IOI, F&N, SP Setia, and Old Town White Coffee and TM.
Said 4As president Tony Savarimuthu: "While brands have a commercial focus, they are a force for positive change in the society. Driven by consumer expectations of corporate behaviour, the role and value of brands has evolved.
"While the valuation is based on rigour and methodology, there are no finite answers. It is, however, an important bellwether on the state of the nation's brands, provokes debate of best practices and acts as a key platform for discussion and strategy in boardrooms, especially in the media."
- wong chee tat :)
Alvin Tan: I have only one regret
Alvin Tan: I have only one regret
By Pearl Lee
The Straits Times
Sunday, Oct 21, 2012
SINGAPORE - The university scholar whose sex blog has garnered attention and criticism on both sides of the Causeway claims to have only one regret - that his institution's name was dragged into it.
"I don't feel good about NUS being dragged in. It was never my intention to let that happen," Mr Alvin Tan Jye Yee, 24, said yesterday.
"This was just my own personal thing," the National University of Singapore law student added.
Mr Tan, a Malaysian, will go before a university disciplinary inquiry on Oct 31. It will comprise three senior academics elected by the university senate and two student representatives elected by the students' union.
They will decide on the appropriate action to take on the undergraduate, who is on an Asean scholarship but has been on a leave of absence since August last year.
He has not received any scholarship funds since.
Last Sunday, he publicised on a local forum the link to his blog. It featured sexually explicit photos and videos of himself and his Malaysian girlfriend, Miss Vivian Lee, 23.
The blog has since been taken down after objections from both their parents.
Mr Tan continued to be defiant about his actions yesterday.
- wong chee tat :)
By Pearl Lee
The Straits Times
Sunday, Oct 21, 2012
SINGAPORE - The university scholar whose sex blog has garnered attention and criticism on both sides of the Causeway claims to have only one regret - that his institution's name was dragged into it.
"I don't feel good about NUS being dragged in. It was never my intention to let that happen," Mr Alvin Tan Jye Yee, 24, said yesterday.
"This was just my own personal thing," the National University of Singapore law student added.
Mr Tan, a Malaysian, will go before a university disciplinary inquiry on Oct 31. It will comprise three senior academics elected by the university senate and two student representatives elected by the students' union.
They will decide on the appropriate action to take on the undergraduate, who is on an Asean scholarship but has been on a leave of absence since August last year.
He has not received any scholarship funds since.
Last Sunday, he publicised on a local forum the link to his blog. It featured sexually explicit photos and videos of himself and his Malaysian girlfriend, Miss Vivian Lee, 23.
The blog has since been taken down after objections from both their parents.
Mr Tan continued to be defiant about his actions yesterday.
- wong chee tat :)
Alvin Tan to face NUS Board of Discipline
Alvin Tan to face NUS Board of Discipline
By Esther Ng
The New Paper
Sunday, Oct 21, 2012
SINGAPORE - By all estimations, it would have cost the Government at least $110,000 to fund Asean scholar Alvin Tan Jye Yee's seven years of education here.
A check on NUS's law school website shows that it costs around $23,300 a year in tuition fees for foreign students.
According to a Ministry of Education (MOE) spokesman, around 170 undergraduate scholarships have been awarded annually to Asean students in the past few years.
"The scholarships, which cover school fees and accommodation, are between $18,000 to $25,000 per year, and do not include tuition grants," MOE said.
The ministry did not say how many undergraduate Asean scholarships have been revoked.
As an Asean Undergraduate scholar since 2008, Mr Tan would have received a living allowance of $5,800 per academic year for three years until he took a Leave of Absence in July last year to start his own firm, an online site offering daily deals.
According to the MOE website, there is no bond attached to the Asean Undergraduate scholarship.
- wong chee tat :)
By Esther Ng
The New Paper
Sunday, Oct 21, 2012
SINGAPORE - By all estimations, it would have cost the Government at least $110,000 to fund Asean scholar Alvin Tan Jye Yee's seven years of education here.
A check on NUS's law school website shows that it costs around $23,300 a year in tuition fees for foreign students.
According to a Ministry of Education (MOE) spokesman, around 170 undergraduate scholarships have been awarded annually to Asean students in the past few years.
"The scholarships, which cover school fees and accommodation, are between $18,000 to $25,000 per year, and do not include tuition grants," MOE said.
The ministry did not say how many undergraduate Asean scholarships have been revoked.
As an Asean Undergraduate scholar since 2008, Mr Tan would have received a living allowance of $5,800 per academic year for three years until he took a Leave of Absence in July last year to start his own firm, an online site offering daily deals.
According to the MOE website, there is no bond attached to the Asean Undergraduate scholarship.
- wong chee tat :)
Netizens wants sex blogger to give up place in NUS
Netizens wants sex blogger to give up place in NUS
By David Sun
The New Paper
Sunday, Oct 21, 2012
SINGAPORE - For being an Asean scholar for the past seven years, he would have been given more than $110,000 in allowances, accommodation, transportation, school fees and more.
But now some say it has been entirely wasted on him.
The netizens' comments come after Mr Alvin Tan, 23, a National University of Singapore (NUS) law undergrad, hit newspaper headlines for setting up an explicit sex blog with a friend, Miss Vivian Lee, also 23.
To add to their chagrin, the Malaysian had also bad-mouthed Singapore on his Facebook, despite having studied here for seven years.
NUS said it is investigating the case and may take disciplinary action.
In the meantime, Mr Tan met and spoke to The New Paper yesterday, speaking eloquently and giving candid responses.
He acknowledges that many netizens have asked for his scholarship to be taken away and the money to be repaid, but his response is a simple "Why would I?"
"Why should I pay back if I'm not required to?" he asked.
"There are people who have been saying 'Take away his scholarship and make him pay back; take away his place in NUS and give it to a more deserving Singaporean'.
"If anyone thinks that they can do any better in law school, they are welcome to try."
- wong chee tat :)
By David Sun
The New Paper
Sunday, Oct 21, 2012
SINGAPORE - For being an Asean scholar for the past seven years, he would have been given more than $110,000 in allowances, accommodation, transportation, school fees and more.
But now some say it has been entirely wasted on him.
The netizens' comments come after Mr Alvin Tan, 23, a National University of Singapore (NUS) law undergrad, hit newspaper headlines for setting up an explicit sex blog with a friend, Miss Vivian Lee, also 23.
To add to their chagrin, the Malaysian had also bad-mouthed Singapore on his Facebook, despite having studied here for seven years.
NUS said it is investigating the case and may take disciplinary action.
In the meantime, Mr Tan met and spoke to The New Paper yesterday, speaking eloquently and giving candid responses.
He acknowledges that many netizens have asked for his scholarship to be taken away and the money to be repaid, but his response is a simple "Why would I?"
"Why should I pay back if I'm not required to?" he asked.
"There are people who have been saying 'Take away his scholarship and make him pay back; take away his place in NUS and give it to a more deserving Singaporean'.
"If anyone thinks that they can do any better in law school, they are welcome to try."
- wong chee tat :)
Sex blog couple blasted for giving a 'free show'
Sex blog couple blasted for giving a 'free show'
The Star/Asia News Network
Sunday, Oct 21, 2012
The topic of sex blog couple Alvin Tan and Vivian Lee found its way into the MCA Youth and Wanita annual general meetings.
MCA Youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong said the blog was a "rude shock" and he found it hard to accept such a culture.
"We are not that advanced or daring. We have to consider the consequences of such actions, especially if school students can be exposed to it," he said when asked about the blog.
While Dr Wee acknowledged that it was the couple's right to express themselves, he pointed out: "You have the right to sing a song. But you can't sing in the middle of the night as you can create a nuisance to others.
"I think most people wouldn't want to give a free show or have their sexual trysts exposed via YouTube. I, for one, wouldn't do that," he said.
The sex blog couple also became one of the topics of debate at the Wanita MCA annual general meeting.
Oh Ho Kiew, from the Kangar division, said the blog had attracted a lot of attention and criticism among the people.
"There are young people who are not bothered to take our culture and moral values as part of their life.
"Although putting sex photos on the Internet is no longer a new thing, it does not mean that we should take our culture and values lightly," she said.
Oh said the country had many talented people overseas whom the rakyat could be proud of.
"Education is the key that makes a person responsible, who has self-respect and who is capable of respecting others," she said.
Tan and Lee have been in the limelight over the past week after Sumptuous Erotica, the blog they shared, made headlines in several newspapers here and in Singapore.
- wong chee tat :)
The Star/Asia News Network
Sunday, Oct 21, 2012
The topic of sex blog couple Alvin Tan and Vivian Lee found its way into the MCA Youth and Wanita annual general meetings.
MCA Youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong said the blog was a "rude shock" and he found it hard to accept such a culture.
"We are not that advanced or daring. We have to consider the consequences of such actions, especially if school students can be exposed to it," he said when asked about the blog.
While Dr Wee acknowledged that it was the couple's right to express themselves, he pointed out: "You have the right to sing a song. But you can't sing in the middle of the night as you can create a nuisance to others.
"I think most people wouldn't want to give a free show or have their sexual trysts exposed via YouTube. I, for one, wouldn't do that," he said.
The sex blog couple also became one of the topics of debate at the Wanita MCA annual general meeting.
Oh Ho Kiew, from the Kangar division, said the blog had attracted a lot of attention and criticism among the people.
"There are young people who are not bothered to take our culture and moral values as part of their life.
"Although putting sex photos on the Internet is no longer a new thing, it does not mean that we should take our culture and values lightly," she said.
Oh said the country had many talented people overseas whom the rakyat could be proud of.
"Education is the key that makes a person responsible, who has self-respect and who is capable of respecting others," she said.
Tan and Lee have been in the limelight over the past week after Sumptuous Erotica, the blog they shared, made headlines in several newspapers here and in Singapore.
- wong chee tat :)
Brian Johnson - You are good
You are good by Brian Johnson/Bethel Church, from the album "Be lifted High"
I want to scream it out
From every mountain top
Your goodness knows no bounds
Your goodness never stops
Your mercy follows me
Your kindness fills my life
Your Love amazes me
I sing because You are good
And I dance because You are good
And I shout because You are good
You are good to me to me
Nothing and no one comes
Anywhere close to You
The earth and oceans deep
Only reflect this truth
And in my darkest night
You shine as bright as day
Your Love amazes me
With a cry of praise my heart will proclaim
You are good You are good
In the Sun or rain my life celebrates
You are good You are good
With a cry of praise my heart will proclaim
You are good You are good
In the Sun or rain my life celebrates
You are good You are good
- wong chee tat :)
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Sex blog causes outrage in Singapore and Malaysia
Sex blog causes outrage in Singapore and Malaysia
SINGAPORE - Agence France Presse
The Associated Press photo
The Associated Press photo
A young Malaysian couple have sparked a scandal in Singapore and Malaysia after posting a sexually explicit blog that challenges conservative values in both countries.
Alvin Tan, 24, a law student at the National University of Singapore (NUS), and his Malaysian girlfriend Vivian Lee, 23, have been denounced by critics over their X-rated blog called "Sumptuous Erotica".
In it the couple posted erotic photographs and videos of their lovemaking as well as close-ups of their genitals -- and despite an outcry remained unrepentant, claiming they had done no wrong.
Pornography is illegal in Singapore and Malaysia, with even men's magazines like Playboy and Penthouse banned.
In the blog, which went offline Tuesday -- but not before some images had been posted on other websites -- the couple declared that sex is a natural reproductive process that does not deserve the stigma attached to it.
The NUS confirmed Friday that it will question Tan at a disciplinary board hearing, with Singaporean netizens demanding his expulsion from the university and the cancellation of his government-funded scholarship.
"The University does not condone posting of offensive content online by any member of the NUS community," a spokesperson told AFP.
Singapore's education ministry, which administers scholarships, said in a statement emailed to AFP that it "takes a serious view of the conduct of the student concerned", and also branded the blog offensive.
Senior Malaysian officials have also waded into the fray after the blog became a hot issue in the country's media.
Information Minister Rais Yatim said Malaysia has "legal redress" under the Communications and Multimedia Act, which governs Internet content in the country.
"But we would rather not use that first until and unless we get the results of what the Singaporean authorities are pursuing first," Rais was quoted as saying by the Star newspaper.
In Singapore, government officials have not issued any comment but social media sites were filled with calls to revoke Tan's scholarship.
"NUS, pls expel the kid and someone pls revoke his scholarship. This is not the kind of things we want to promote in (Singapore) and definitely, we should discourage it," Yvonne Wong posted on Facebook.
Viewers who try to access the blog are now being asked to submit their names and email addresses if they want updates from the couple.
In a video posted on YouTube, Tan and Lee, both fully dressed, explained their decision to take the blog offline.
"We actually shut down the blog because of family pressure," Lee said.
Tan added: "Yes, we will continue doing what we love doing. But it's more of a question of timing. We probably won't continue again so soon from now."
October/19/2012
- wong chee tat :)
SINGAPORE - Agence France Presse
The Associated Press photo
The Associated Press photo
A young Malaysian couple have sparked a scandal in Singapore and Malaysia after posting a sexually explicit blog that challenges conservative values in both countries.
Alvin Tan, 24, a law student at the National University of Singapore (NUS), and his Malaysian girlfriend Vivian Lee, 23, have been denounced by critics over their X-rated blog called "Sumptuous Erotica".
In it the couple posted erotic photographs and videos of their lovemaking as well as close-ups of their genitals -- and despite an outcry remained unrepentant, claiming they had done no wrong.
Pornography is illegal in Singapore and Malaysia, with even men's magazines like Playboy and Penthouse banned.
In the blog, which went offline Tuesday -- but not before some images had been posted on other websites -- the couple declared that sex is a natural reproductive process that does not deserve the stigma attached to it.
The NUS confirmed Friday that it will question Tan at a disciplinary board hearing, with Singaporean netizens demanding his expulsion from the university and the cancellation of his government-funded scholarship.
"The University does not condone posting of offensive content online by any member of the NUS community," a spokesperson told AFP.
Singapore's education ministry, which administers scholarships, said in a statement emailed to AFP that it "takes a serious view of the conduct of the student concerned", and also branded the blog offensive.
Senior Malaysian officials have also waded into the fray after the blog became a hot issue in the country's media.
Information Minister Rais Yatim said Malaysia has "legal redress" under the Communications and Multimedia Act, which governs Internet content in the country.
"But we would rather not use that first until and unless we get the results of what the Singaporean authorities are pursuing first," Rais was quoted as saying by the Star newspaper.
In Singapore, government officials have not issued any comment but social media sites were filled with calls to revoke Tan's scholarship.
"NUS, pls expel the kid and someone pls revoke his scholarship. This is not the kind of things we want to promote in (Singapore) and definitely, we should discourage it," Yvonne Wong posted on Facebook.
Viewers who try to access the blog are now being asked to submit their names and email addresses if they want updates from the couple.
In a video posted on YouTube, Tan and Lee, both fully dressed, explained their decision to take the blog offline.
"We actually shut down the blog because of family pressure," Lee said.
Tan added: "Yes, we will continue doing what we love doing. But it's more of a question of timing. We probably won't continue again so soon from now."
October/19/2012
- wong chee tat :)
Young couple cause outrage in Malaysia and Singapore by posting their sexual exploits on X-rated blog
Young couple cause outrage in Malaysia and Singapore by posting their sexual exploits on X-rated blog
By Anthony Bond
PUBLISHED: 20:20 GMT, 19 October 2012 | UPDATED: 01:15 GMT, 20 October 2012
A young couple have caused outrage in Malaysia and Singapore by posting erotic photographs and videos of their sexual exploits on a blog.
Alvin Tan, 24, a law student at the National University of Singapore (NUS), and his girlfriend Vivian Lee, 23, have been heavily criticised in both countries for the revealing blog called 'Sumptuous Erotica'.
The blog - which also contains close-ups of the couple's genitals - has challenged the conservative values in both countries, where pornography is illegal.
SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO
Controversial: Alvin Tan, 24, and his girlfriend Vivian Lee, 23, have caused outrage in Malaysia and Singapore by posting erotic photographs and videos of their sexual exploits on a blog
Controversial: Alvin Tan, 24, and his girlfriend Vivian Lee, 23, have caused outrage in Malaysia and Singapore by posting erotic photographs and videos of their sexual exploits on a blog
Even men's magazines such as Penthouse and Playboy are banned.
In the blog, as reported by the Times of India, the couple said sex was a natural reproductive process which does not deserve the stigma attached to it.
However, by Tuesday the blog was taken down by the couple because of 'family pressure'.
More...
Not tonight, dear: 40% of women have lied about being on their period to avoid sex, exercise and even explain away bad moods
In a video posted on YouTube, Lee said: 'We actually shut down the blog because of family pressure.'
Tan added: 'Yes, we will continue doing what we love doing. But it's more of a question of timing. We probably won't continue again so soon from now.'
People attempting to gain access to the blog are instead asked to give their names and email addresses if they want updates from the pair.
The blog has since become a major topic of debate in the Malaysian media.
Even senior members of the government have waded into the row.
Information Minister Rais Yatim, speaking in the Star newspaper, said Malaysia has 'legal redress' under the Communications and Multimedia Act, which oversees the country's Internet content.
However, he said the government would rather not use this until seeing what the Singaporean authorities are pursuing.
The NUS confirmed today that Tan will be questioned by officials at a disciplinary hearing. Critics of the pair want him expelled from the university.
Government officials in Singapore have not commented but a number of social media sites have been inundated with calls for Tan's scholarship to be revoked.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2220367/Young-couple-cause-outrage-Malaysia-Singapore-posting-sexual-exploits-X-rated-blog.html#ixzz29nxdQSlU
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
- wong chee tat :)
- Alvin Tan, 24, and his girlfriend Vivian Lee, 23, have been heavily criticised for the 'Sumptuous Erotica' blog
- It contains erotic photographs and videos of their lovemaking
- The blog has challenged the conservative values in both countries where pornography is illegal
By Anthony Bond
PUBLISHED: 20:20 GMT, 19 October 2012 | UPDATED: 01:15 GMT, 20 October 2012
A young couple have caused outrage in Malaysia and Singapore by posting erotic photographs and videos of their sexual exploits on a blog.
Alvin Tan, 24, a law student at the National University of Singapore (NUS), and his girlfriend Vivian Lee, 23, have been heavily criticised in both countries for the revealing blog called 'Sumptuous Erotica'.
The blog - which also contains close-ups of the couple's genitals - has challenged the conservative values in both countries, where pornography is illegal.
SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO
Controversial: Alvin Tan, 24, and his girlfriend Vivian Lee, 23, have caused outrage in Malaysia and Singapore by posting erotic photographs and videos of their sexual exploits on a blog
Controversial: Alvin Tan, 24, and his girlfriend Vivian Lee, 23, have caused outrage in Malaysia and Singapore by posting erotic photographs and videos of their sexual exploits on a blog
Even men's magazines such as Penthouse and Playboy are banned.
In the blog, as reported by the Times of India, the couple said sex was a natural reproductive process which does not deserve the stigma attached to it.
However, by Tuesday the blog was taken down by the couple because of 'family pressure'.
More...
Not tonight, dear: 40% of women have lied about being on their period to avoid sex, exercise and even explain away bad moods
In a video posted on YouTube, Lee said: 'We actually shut down the blog because of family pressure.'
Tan added: 'Yes, we will continue doing what we love doing. But it's more of a question of timing. We probably won't continue again so soon from now.'
People attempting to gain access to the blog are instead asked to give their names and email addresses if they want updates from the pair.
The blog has since become a major topic of debate in the Malaysian media.
Even senior members of the government have waded into the row.
Information Minister Rais Yatim, speaking in the Star newspaper, said Malaysia has 'legal redress' under the Communications and Multimedia Act, which oversees the country's Internet content.
However, he said the government would rather not use this until seeing what the Singaporean authorities are pursuing.
The NUS confirmed today that Tan will be questioned by officials at a disciplinary hearing. Critics of the pair want him expelled from the university.
Government officials in Singapore have not commented but a number of social media sites have been inundated with calls for Tan's scholarship to be revoked.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2220367/Young-couple-cause-outrage-Malaysia-Singapore-posting-sexual-exploits-X-rated-blog.html#ixzz29nxdQSlU
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
- wong chee tat :)
An ordinary young couple with newfound extraordinary fame
An ordinary young couple with newfound extraordinary fame
PETALING JAYA: An interview with sex bloggers Alvin Tan and Vivian Lee was almost one of the most unusual assignments for The Star Media Group journalists.
With their exploits in videos and nude shots imprinted in many people's minds, seeing them in the flesh was a bit bizarre.
When met at the bus terminal in Bandar Tasik Selatan, Tan appeared to be shorter while Lee seemed a lot more demure than what the recordings reveal.
At first glance, they looked like any other couple in their early 20s except for Lee's Rastafarian coloured beanie that he had worn in several of the pictures and videos.
During the interview, both their handphones rang almost non-stop with calls from other media keen on meeting them.
“We are learning to love the limelight,” said Tan, obviously the more articulate one.
Both remained unfazed as they fielded answers with confidence, even giving graphic details with youthful cockiness.
It went on until Capital FM's Xandria Ooi posed the questions which hit home.
The session turned tense when it was revealed that Lee faced the risk of being kicked out from her Johor Baru home and that things with her family was beginning to sour.
Pursing her lips and taking unusually long pauses, Lee looked close to tears at some parts of the interview although she managed to put up a brave front.
Tan, who was observing the session from outside the room, appeared agitated and restless. He paced up and down the corridor and muttered to himself.
“I'm just worried about her. When she is under pressure, she will look stony,” he said.
But their “happy and devil-may-care” mood picked up again when the interview was over.
They seemed to be adamant about telling their story to whoever was willing to listen.
“When we started the blog, we didn't think that it would get this much attention. But now that I'm famous, there are a lot of opportunities for us,” said Tan.
“I don't mind being famous and not rich.”
- wong chee tat :)
PETALING JAYA: An interview with sex bloggers Alvin Tan and Vivian Lee was almost one of the most unusual assignments for The Star Media Group journalists.
With their exploits in videos and nude shots imprinted in many people's minds, seeing them in the flesh was a bit bizarre.
When met at the bus terminal in Bandar Tasik Selatan, Tan appeared to be shorter while Lee seemed a lot more demure than what the recordings reveal.
At first glance, they looked like any other couple in their early 20s except for Lee's Rastafarian coloured beanie that he had worn in several of the pictures and videos.
During the interview, both their handphones rang almost non-stop with calls from other media keen on meeting them.
“We are learning to love the limelight,” said Tan, obviously the more articulate one.
Both remained unfazed as they fielded answers with confidence, even giving graphic details with youthful cockiness.
It went on until Capital FM's Xandria Ooi posed the questions which hit home.
The session turned tense when it was revealed that Lee faced the risk of being kicked out from her Johor Baru home and that things with her family was beginning to sour.
Pursing her lips and taking unusually long pauses, Lee looked close to tears at some parts of the interview although she managed to put up a brave front.
Tan, who was observing the session from outside the room, appeared agitated and restless. He paced up and down the corridor and muttered to himself.
“I'm just worried about her. When she is under pressure, she will look stony,” he said.
But their “happy and devil-may-care” mood picked up again when the interview was over.
They seemed to be adamant about telling their story to whoever was willing to listen.
“When we started the blog, we didn't think that it would get this much attention. But now that I'm famous, there are a lot of opportunities for us,” said Tan.
“I don't mind being famous and not rich.”
- wong chee tat :)
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