Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Buy locally farmed fish to reduce fish imports: Khaw Boon Wan
Buy locally farmed fish to reduce fish imports: Khaw Boon Wan
Posted: 17 December 2012 1549 hrs
SINGAPORE: National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan has made a call for Singaporeans to support local fish farms by buying locally farmed fish.
In a Facebook posting, Mr Khaw said the target is to raise the market share of locally farmed fish, or SG Fish, to 15 per cent from the current 8 per cent.
Local fish farms have come together to brand their locally farmed fish as "SG Fish", which are labelled as such in supermarkets.
Mr Khaw said Singapore imported 150,000 tonnes of fish last year.
To reduce the country's dependence on fish imports, Mr Khaw said the Agri-food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) actively helps local fish farms raise their productivity through Research and Development (R&D).
Much of this scientific test-bedding work is done at AVA's Marine Aquaculture Centre (MAC) on St John's Island.
Mr Khaw, who visited the facility recently, wrote about the R&D efforts made by MAC.
He said one objective of MAC is to help fish reproduce and grow faster.
He said MAC scientists have identified fast growing, good quality fish of several local popular species, such as the Asian Seabass, Pompano and Tilapia.
Secondly, MAC has to get the right environmental conditions for the fishes to spawn.
Third, when the fish larvae are born, they are given an additional boost of a special diet to ensure their healthy growth.
The frys are finally transferred to commercial fish farms for scaling up as adult fish.
Mr Khaw said these R&D efforts have been valuable and have helped to boost Singapore's local fish production, from 4 per cent of total consumption in 2009 to the current 8 per cent.
- CNA/jc
- wong chee tat :)
Posted: 17 December 2012 1549 hrs
SINGAPORE: National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan has made a call for Singaporeans to support local fish farms by buying locally farmed fish.
In a Facebook posting, Mr Khaw said the target is to raise the market share of locally farmed fish, or SG Fish, to 15 per cent from the current 8 per cent.
Local fish farms have come together to brand their locally farmed fish as "SG Fish", which are labelled as such in supermarkets.
Mr Khaw said Singapore imported 150,000 tonnes of fish last year.
To reduce the country's dependence on fish imports, Mr Khaw said the Agri-food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) actively helps local fish farms raise their productivity through Research and Development (R&D).
Much of this scientific test-bedding work is done at AVA's Marine Aquaculture Centre (MAC) on St John's Island.
Mr Khaw, who visited the facility recently, wrote about the R&D efforts made by MAC.
He said one objective of MAC is to help fish reproduce and grow faster.
He said MAC scientists have identified fast growing, good quality fish of several local popular species, such as the Asian Seabass, Pompano and Tilapia.
Secondly, MAC has to get the right environmental conditions for the fishes to spawn.
Third, when the fish larvae are born, they are given an additional boost of a special diet to ensure their healthy growth.
The frys are finally transferred to commercial fish farms for scaling up as adult fish.
Mr Khaw said these R&D efforts have been valuable and have helped to boost Singapore's local fish production, from 4 per cent of total consumption in 2009 to the current 8 per cent.
- CNA/jc
- wong chee tat :)
MOM says term "illegal strike" neither wrong nor prejudicial
MOM says term "illegal strike" neither wrong nor prejudicial
Posted: 17 December 2012 2133 hrs
SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Manpower has refuted civil society group Function 8's accusations that the use of the term "illegal strike" to describe the actions of SMRT bus drivers in late November is wrong and prejudicial.
The ministry's spokesperson added the "serious accusations" are "entirely baseless".
Four SMRT workers were charged in court last month with instigating the incident, which took place over a pay dispute.
Early this month, another driver was charged in court and sentenced to six weeks' jail after he admitted to taking part in the incident.
In an earlier statement to the media, Function 8 said the workers were "doomed from the start" and called a stop to the use of the term "illegal strike".
The group added the term gives the impression that what the bus drivers had done was "illegal" and that there was indeed a "strike".
It said since the cases have not been determined by the court, it is "grievously wrong and prejudicial" to the bus drivers to label their action as such.
Function 8 also said that the ministry is commenting on a pending case and such comments are sub judice and constitute contempt of court.
It also said repeated claims that the drivers had participated in an "illegal strike" amount to prejudging their case and can only be calculated to influence the decision of the judge.
But MOM said the government, including Acting Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin and the Manpower Ministry, has never attempted to prejudice the case.
They added that Part III of the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act or CLTPA clearly outlines that strike action taken in respect of essential services such as public transport is deemed illegal, unless 14 days' notice has been given.
It was with that in mind that Acting Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin used the term "illegal strike".
MOM also pointed out that Mr Tan referred to workers participating in the strike in general.
He did not refer to the participation of any particular worker, or to any matter pending before a court of law.
In its statement, Function 8 had also questioned why MOM had revoked the work passes of 29 bus drivers so swiftly.
It also asked why it did not allow them legal representation or give them an opportunity to be heard.
Clarifying the incident, MOM said the 29 bus drivers were provided with an opportunity to be heard in relation to their conduct during the strike.
The ministry said the work permits were only revoked after due consideration by the Controller of Work Passes.
It added there is no requirement for legal representation in such a process, and no request was made in this regard by any of the 29 workers.
- CNA/jc
- wong chee tat :)
Posted: 17 December 2012 2133 hrs
SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Manpower has refuted civil society group Function 8's accusations that the use of the term "illegal strike" to describe the actions of SMRT bus drivers in late November is wrong and prejudicial.
The ministry's spokesperson added the "serious accusations" are "entirely baseless".
Four SMRT workers were charged in court last month with instigating the incident, which took place over a pay dispute.
Early this month, another driver was charged in court and sentenced to six weeks' jail after he admitted to taking part in the incident.
In an earlier statement to the media, Function 8 said the workers were "doomed from the start" and called a stop to the use of the term "illegal strike".
The group added the term gives the impression that what the bus drivers had done was "illegal" and that there was indeed a "strike".
It said since the cases have not been determined by the court, it is "grievously wrong and prejudicial" to the bus drivers to label their action as such.
Function 8 also said that the ministry is commenting on a pending case and such comments are sub judice and constitute contempt of court.
It also said repeated claims that the drivers had participated in an "illegal strike" amount to prejudging their case and can only be calculated to influence the decision of the judge.
But MOM said the government, including Acting Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin and the Manpower Ministry, has never attempted to prejudice the case.
They added that Part III of the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act or CLTPA clearly outlines that strike action taken in respect of essential services such as public transport is deemed illegal, unless 14 days' notice has been given.
It was with that in mind that Acting Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin used the term "illegal strike".
MOM also pointed out that Mr Tan referred to workers participating in the strike in general.
He did not refer to the participation of any particular worker, or to any matter pending before a court of law.
In its statement, Function 8 had also questioned why MOM had revoked the work passes of 29 bus drivers so swiftly.
It also asked why it did not allow them legal representation or give them an opportunity to be heard.
Clarifying the incident, MOM said the 29 bus drivers were provided with an opportunity to be heard in relation to their conduct during the strike.
The ministry said the work permits were only revoked after due consideration by the Controller of Work Passes.
It added there is no requirement for legal representation in such a process, and no request was made in this regard by any of the 29 workers.
- CNA/jc
- wong chee tat :)
Inflation, global slowdown biggest load on economy in 2013: analysts
Inflation, global slowdown biggest load on economy in 2013: analysts
By Linette Lim | Posted: 17 December 2012 1704 hrs
SINGAPORE: Global slowdown aside, inflation may be the biggest load on the Singapore economy next year.
And some of that pressure is self-made as the economy endures yet another go at restructuring.
Logistics, financial services and high-tech manufacturing are just some of the industries that make up Singapore's competitive external economy, which does most of its business with the rest of the world and pays top dollar for skilled labour.
Contrast that with the less efficient domestic economy, which makes use of low-cost foreign manpower to do jobs in retail, construction and cleaning.
That is Singapore's two-tiered economy, which is currently undergoing a major restructuring.
OCBC Bank's head of treasury research and strategy, Selena Ling, said: "With a very tight labour market and the indications that the foreign manpower constraints are going to remain in order to promote productivity growth, it looks like labour costs and some of the other cost elements, such as rentals, logistics, are going to remain fairly tight.
"I think we may not see as much relief on the inflation front in the near term, so this actually puts the April 2013 monetary policy review very likely to be on an unchanged footing at this juncture."
Policies that curb the use of foreign workers have contributed to higher wages.
At around 4-4.5 percent, headline inflation is more than double the historical average, boosted by other domestic factors like accommodation costs and car prices.
At the same time, turning off the flow of cheap manpower will continue to crimp growth -- something that is of no help to exports which are curtailed by weak global demand.
Nomura Singapore's executive director and Southeast Asia economist, Euben Paracuelles, said: "We have a relatively weak backdrop. In terms of how we see Europe, for example, it will still be a bigger recession in terms of our forecast and therefore, Europe still being a significant trading partner of Singapore, will pose a drag.
"Domestically, I think the government needs to manage this transition relatively well. There will be some tightening in domestic policies; labour policies will also be very tight, and that could lead to some weakness in overall investment spending."
Economists said it is unlikely that the Singapore government's stand on restructuring will change, despite the current macroeconomic headwinds.
This means that people will have to accept a lower level of economic growth now, for more sustainable growth in the future.
Growth is expected to come in at 1.5 percent this year, and between 1 and 3 percent in 2013, according to Singapore's Ministry of Trade and Industry.
RBS' vice president of economics research, Enrico Tanuwidjaja, said: "Singapore should be allowed to ride the volatility of slower growth, because externally, it is weak.
"Of course, we'll be sub-optimal, achieving growth below 3 percent this year and next. But after that, with a more diversified economy, not just from manufacturing but also from services, I'm pretty sure that growth will eventually edge higher."
Edge higher it might, but the restructuring currently underway may mean Singapore will have to adapt to a slower, long-term economic growth path.
- CNA/lp
- wong chee tat :)
By Linette Lim | Posted: 17 December 2012 1704 hrs
SINGAPORE: Global slowdown aside, inflation may be the biggest load on the Singapore economy next year.
And some of that pressure is self-made as the economy endures yet another go at restructuring.
Logistics, financial services and high-tech manufacturing are just some of the industries that make up Singapore's competitive external economy, which does most of its business with the rest of the world and pays top dollar for skilled labour.
Contrast that with the less efficient domestic economy, which makes use of low-cost foreign manpower to do jobs in retail, construction and cleaning.
That is Singapore's two-tiered economy, which is currently undergoing a major restructuring.
OCBC Bank's head of treasury research and strategy, Selena Ling, said: "With a very tight labour market and the indications that the foreign manpower constraints are going to remain in order to promote productivity growth, it looks like labour costs and some of the other cost elements, such as rentals, logistics, are going to remain fairly tight.
"I think we may not see as much relief on the inflation front in the near term, so this actually puts the April 2013 monetary policy review very likely to be on an unchanged footing at this juncture."
Policies that curb the use of foreign workers have contributed to higher wages.
At around 4-4.5 percent, headline inflation is more than double the historical average, boosted by other domestic factors like accommodation costs and car prices.
At the same time, turning off the flow of cheap manpower will continue to crimp growth -- something that is of no help to exports which are curtailed by weak global demand.
Nomura Singapore's executive director and Southeast Asia economist, Euben Paracuelles, said: "We have a relatively weak backdrop. In terms of how we see Europe, for example, it will still be a bigger recession in terms of our forecast and therefore, Europe still being a significant trading partner of Singapore, will pose a drag.
"Domestically, I think the government needs to manage this transition relatively well. There will be some tightening in domestic policies; labour policies will also be very tight, and that could lead to some weakness in overall investment spending."
Economists said it is unlikely that the Singapore government's stand on restructuring will change, despite the current macroeconomic headwinds.
This means that people will have to accept a lower level of economic growth now, for more sustainable growth in the future.
Growth is expected to come in at 1.5 percent this year, and between 1 and 3 percent in 2013, according to Singapore's Ministry of Trade and Industry.
RBS' vice president of economics research, Enrico Tanuwidjaja, said: "Singapore should be allowed to ride the volatility of slower growth, because externally, it is weak.
"Of course, we'll be sub-optimal, achieving growth below 3 percent this year and next. But after that, with a more diversified economy, not just from manufacturing but also from services, I'm pretty sure that growth will eventually edge higher."
Edge higher it might, but the restructuring currently underway may mean Singapore will have to adapt to a slower, long-term economic growth path.
- CNA/lp
- wong chee tat :)
N. Korea satellite appears dead: scientist
N. Korea satellite appears dead: scientist
Posted: 18 December 2012 0625 hrs
WASHINGTON: A satellite launched with fanfare last week by a defiant North Korea appears to be dead as no signal can be detected, a US-based astrophysicist who monitors space flights said Monday.
The United States and its Asian allies have acknowledged that North Korea succeeded Wednesday in putting an object into orbit that the communist state said was observing the Earth and airing patriotic songs.
Jonathan McDowell of the Harvard-Smithsonian Centre for Astrophysics said that the satellite was clearly in orbit but that no songs could be heard.
"To the best of our knowledge, the satellite isn't operating," he said.
"It's definitely up there and it's whizzing around, but it's just not feeling very well."
McDowell said it was unclear whether the satellite -- called the Kwangmyongsong-3 -- worked initially and that it remained possible that it was transmitting at a level too faint for detection.
But in another sign of trouble, McDowell said that the satellite was fluctuating in brightness. That means that the sun is shining at different angles and the satellite is not pointing down at the Earth as it should.
Even if not functioning, the satellite remains in orbit. The commercial site www.n2yo.com on Monday tracked the satellite as orbiting at least 505 kilometres (314 miles) above Earth, in line with North Korean statements.
"These things are hard to calculate, but roughly speaking, an object of that density at that height is going to stay up for a few years," McDowell said.
The state-run Korean Central News Agency last week quoted a scientist saying that the technology was "flawless" and that the satellite was broadcasting "Song of General Kim Il-Sung" and "Song of General Kim Jong-Il," references to the state's first two leaders.
The launch came days before the anniversary of Kim Jong-Il's death. His young son, Kim Jong-Un, succeeded him as leader of the regime, which conceded that an attempted launch in April malfunctioned.
The United States, South Korea and Japan all condemned the latest launch. Officials feared it was a veiled test for a long-range ballistic missile.
Pentagon spokesman George Little said that the United States was "still assessing" the North Korean object and that he was unaware of any danger posed.
- AFP/fa
- wong chee tat :)
Posted: 18 December 2012 0625 hrs
WASHINGTON: A satellite launched with fanfare last week by a defiant North Korea appears to be dead as no signal can be detected, a US-based astrophysicist who monitors space flights said Monday.
The United States and its Asian allies have acknowledged that North Korea succeeded Wednesday in putting an object into orbit that the communist state said was observing the Earth and airing patriotic songs.
Jonathan McDowell of the Harvard-Smithsonian Centre for Astrophysics said that the satellite was clearly in orbit but that no songs could be heard.
"To the best of our knowledge, the satellite isn't operating," he said.
"It's definitely up there and it's whizzing around, but it's just not feeling very well."
McDowell said it was unclear whether the satellite -- called the Kwangmyongsong-3 -- worked initially and that it remained possible that it was transmitting at a level too faint for detection.
But in another sign of trouble, McDowell said that the satellite was fluctuating in brightness. That means that the sun is shining at different angles and the satellite is not pointing down at the Earth as it should.
Even if not functioning, the satellite remains in orbit. The commercial site www.n2yo.com on Monday tracked the satellite as orbiting at least 505 kilometres (314 miles) above Earth, in line with North Korean statements.
"These things are hard to calculate, but roughly speaking, an object of that density at that height is going to stay up for a few years," McDowell said.
The state-run Korean Central News Agency last week quoted a scientist saying that the technology was "flawless" and that the satellite was broadcasting "Song of General Kim Il-Sung" and "Song of General Kim Jong-Il," references to the state's first two leaders.
The launch came days before the anniversary of Kim Jong-Il's death. His young son, Kim Jong-Un, succeeded him as leader of the regime, which conceded that an attempted launch in April malfunctioned.
The United States, South Korea and Japan all condemned the latest launch. Officials feared it was a veiled test for a long-range ballistic missile.
Pentagon spokesman George Little said that the United States was "still assessing" the North Korean object and that he was unaware of any danger posed.
- AFP/fa
- wong chee tat :)
New private home sales in November fall to lowest level in 2012
New private home sales in November fall to lowest level in 2012
By Lynda Hong | Posted: 17 December 2012 2240 hrs
SINGAPORE: The number of new private homes sold last month fell to the lowest level in 2012.
Excluding executive condominiums (ECs), 1,087 units were sold in November -- 44.2 percent less than in October.
It is also the second straight month of decline.
Home buyers snapped up 1,948 units in October, down 25.7 percent from 2,621 units in September.
Analysts attribute November's decline to fewer property launches.
Savills' research head, Alan Cheong, said: "We had expected much higher numbers, believing that perhaps Echelon, Senette Residences may have been launched in November but they didn't. They may be pushed to December or next year."
It is always a lull period for the property market at this time of the year as more people are travelling.
Some analysts said the latest cooling measure has kept buyers on the sidelines as they assess the impact of a shorter loan tenure on the property market.
Meanwhile, more homes were sold in the city last month.
Some 209 units were sold in the core central region -- 45 percent more than in October.
But in the city fringes, sales dipped 52.9 percent to 167 units.
Knight Frank's research head, Png Poh Soon, said: "The market had a good run up over time and most people are wondering where it will be, going forward. Of course, buyers are also looking around for bargain buys. And we have observed that the resale volume has increased and prices have gone up from the retail side."
Low interest rates and volatile markets have pushed many investors to seek refuge in property.
2012 would likely be a record year for the number of new private homes sold.
Up till November, 20,879 new units have been sold, breaking the previous record when 16,292 units were sold for the entire 2010.
Looking ahead, most analysts expect the healthy market demand to continue and prices to stay firm.
- CNA/lp
- wong chee tat :)
By Lynda Hong | Posted: 17 December 2012 2240 hrs
SINGAPORE: The number of new private homes sold last month fell to the lowest level in 2012.
Excluding executive condominiums (ECs), 1,087 units were sold in November -- 44.2 percent less than in October.
It is also the second straight month of decline.
Home buyers snapped up 1,948 units in October, down 25.7 percent from 2,621 units in September.
Analysts attribute November's decline to fewer property launches.
Savills' research head, Alan Cheong, said: "We had expected much higher numbers, believing that perhaps Echelon, Senette Residences may have been launched in November but they didn't. They may be pushed to December or next year."
It is always a lull period for the property market at this time of the year as more people are travelling.
Some analysts said the latest cooling measure has kept buyers on the sidelines as they assess the impact of a shorter loan tenure on the property market.
Meanwhile, more homes were sold in the city last month.
Some 209 units were sold in the core central region -- 45 percent more than in October.
But in the city fringes, sales dipped 52.9 percent to 167 units.
Knight Frank's research head, Png Poh Soon, said: "The market had a good run up over time and most people are wondering where it will be, going forward. Of course, buyers are also looking around for bargain buys. And we have observed that the resale volume has increased and prices have gone up from the retail side."
Low interest rates and volatile markets have pushed many investors to seek refuge in property.
2012 would likely be a record year for the number of new private homes sold.
Up till November, 20,879 new units have been sold, breaking the previous record when 16,292 units were sold for the entire 2010.
Looking ahead, most analysts expect the healthy market demand to continue and prices to stay firm.
- CNA/lp
- wong chee tat :)
Flat to low-single-digit growth for S'pore telcos in 2013: analysts
Flat to low-single-digit growth for S'pore telcos in 2013: analysts
By Thomas Cho | Posted: 17 December 2012 1831 hrs
SINGAPORE: The three main telco operators in Singapore will have a tough year ahead as analysts expect flat to low-single-digit revenue growth, despite the rollout of the high speed 4G network.
The telcos face slowing industry-wide growth and loss of sales in core voice and data markets as their hip, young, internet-based competitors offering free services are stealing market share.
Yet, digital and mobile is where Singapore's biggest telco is placing its biggest bet on.
SingTel's group CEO, Chua Sock Koong, said: "Growing the top line would involve better monetisation of mobile data, which is a fast growing area, (and) looking at new revenue sources -- that's where our investments in a lot of digital life investments will come true."
According to the International Data Corporation (IDC), vendors will ship more than 1.7 billion mobile phones globally this year.
But the long queues for new releases of smartphones like iPhone 5 and Samsung Galaxy Note 2 do not immediately translate into higher revenue for SingTel, StarHub and M1.
OCBC Research's senior research manager, Carey Wong, said: "Singapore's penetration rate is already close to 150 percent. It is a very mature market. Any raise in ARPU (Average Revenue Per User) would probably take some time to flow through.
"We are also seeing a little bit of subscriber growth since the penetration is so high. We think low single-digit is probably correct for such mature market."
New revenue may come from the telcos moving into content and infrastructure and may also tap upstream customers like government agencies and corporations.
Standard Chartered Bank's director of technology and global equity research, Don See, said: "We need to see telcos demonstrate willingness to be more entrepreneurial -- to try out new things and to actually have a more bigger willingness to step away from their legacy business to capture some of these growth opportunities."
StarHub has been the outperformer in 2012 with its shares up by 33 percent.
SingTel and M1 have both climbed about 10 percent.
- CNA/lp
- wong chee tat :)
By Thomas Cho | Posted: 17 December 2012 1831 hrs
SINGAPORE: The three main telco operators in Singapore will have a tough year ahead as analysts expect flat to low-single-digit revenue growth, despite the rollout of the high speed 4G network.
The telcos face slowing industry-wide growth and loss of sales in core voice and data markets as their hip, young, internet-based competitors offering free services are stealing market share.
Yet, digital and mobile is where Singapore's biggest telco is placing its biggest bet on.
SingTel's group CEO, Chua Sock Koong, said: "Growing the top line would involve better monetisation of mobile data, which is a fast growing area, (and) looking at new revenue sources -- that's where our investments in a lot of digital life investments will come true."
According to the International Data Corporation (IDC), vendors will ship more than 1.7 billion mobile phones globally this year.
But the long queues for new releases of smartphones like iPhone 5 and Samsung Galaxy Note 2 do not immediately translate into higher revenue for SingTel, StarHub and M1.
OCBC Research's senior research manager, Carey Wong, said: "Singapore's penetration rate is already close to 150 percent. It is a very mature market. Any raise in ARPU (Average Revenue Per User) would probably take some time to flow through.
"We are also seeing a little bit of subscriber growth since the penetration is so high. We think low single-digit is probably correct for such mature market."
New revenue may come from the telcos moving into content and infrastructure and may also tap upstream customers like government agencies and corporations.
Standard Chartered Bank's director of technology and global equity research, Don See, said: "We need to see telcos demonstrate willingness to be more entrepreneurial -- to try out new things and to actually have a more bigger willingness to step away from their legacy business to capture some of these growth opportunities."
StarHub has been the outperformer in 2012 with its shares up by 33 percent.
SingTel and M1 have both climbed about 10 percent.
- CNA/lp
- wong chee tat :)
Aljunied-Hougang town council could have asked for service extension: IT firm
Aljunied-Hougang town council could have asked for service extension: IT firm
Posted: 17 December 2012 2303 hrs
SINGAPORE: The company which provided the computer and financial systems to Aljunied-Hougang town council, has spoken up on its termination of services for the council.
Last Friday, the Aljunied-Hougang town council said the termination was one reason its corporate governance audit was delayed.
In a letter to the media, Action Information Management Pte Ltd (AIM) said it had extended its services to the town council twice, in August and September last year.
AIM's chairman S Chandra Das said the company would have agreed to a further extension, if the town council had requested for it.
When contacted, council chairman Sylvia Lim said they understood that no further extensions would be forthcoming at the time.
She also questioned why AIM terminated its services in the first place.
- CNA/lp
- wong chee tat :)
Posted: 17 December 2012 2303 hrs
SINGAPORE: The company which provided the computer and financial systems to Aljunied-Hougang town council, has spoken up on its termination of services for the council.
Last Friday, the Aljunied-Hougang town council said the termination was one reason its corporate governance audit was delayed.
In a letter to the media, Action Information Management Pte Ltd (AIM) said it had extended its services to the town council twice, in August and September last year.
AIM's chairman S Chandra Das said the company would have agreed to a further extension, if the town council had requested for it.
When contacted, council chairman Sylvia Lim said they understood that no further extensions would be forthcoming at the time.
She also questioned why AIM terminated its services in the first place.
- CNA/lp
- wong chee tat :)
Bukit Panjang experiments with new bus stop queuing system
Bukit Panjang experiments with new bus stop queuing system
By Dylan Loh | Posted: 17 December 2012 2308 hrs
SINGAPORE: With its interchange closed for redevelopment, Bukit Panjang is experimenting with a new queuing system at one bus stop.
If the trial proves successful, the system may be introduced at more stops in the area.
The move involves converting a stop into a mini-interchange, with queue lines marked on the ground for designated bus services.
Six services departing from the previous interchange have been shifted to the stop, prompting some residents to complain that the stop is overcrowded.
The bus stop on the other side of the road has been widened into a bay to allow more services to simultaneously pick up passengers.
Environment and Water Resources Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, who is MP for the ward, said: "Bukit Panjang is a very dense town, and during peak hours, not only the buses, but the cars also get stuck in jams so we have to make sure that everything works as smoothly as possible".
The Bukit Panjang bus interchange is being converted into an air-conditioned interchange that will be ready in 2015.
- CNA/jc
- wong chee tat :)
By Dylan Loh | Posted: 17 December 2012 2308 hrs
SINGAPORE: With its interchange closed for redevelopment, Bukit Panjang is experimenting with a new queuing system at one bus stop.
If the trial proves successful, the system may be introduced at more stops in the area.
The move involves converting a stop into a mini-interchange, with queue lines marked on the ground for designated bus services.
Six services departing from the previous interchange have been shifted to the stop, prompting some residents to complain that the stop is overcrowded.
The bus stop on the other side of the road has been widened into a bay to allow more services to simultaneously pick up passengers.
Environment and Water Resources Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, who is MP for the ward, said: "Bukit Panjang is a very dense town, and during peak hours, not only the buses, but the cars also get stuck in jams so we have to make sure that everything works as smoothly as possible".
The Bukit Panjang bus interchange is being converted into an air-conditioned interchange that will be ready in 2015.
- CNA/jc
- wong chee tat :)
Notes
Notes:
mopping
chemical for mopping
check for rubbish
wash / rinse / sanitize and hot water / warm water and chemical where appropriate
wash hands
type of chemical for washing hands
scrub for how long
stocks stored how high above floor
fifo, why practise fifo?
freezer, chiller temp & storage types
cooked food and raw food storage
3 types of cloths (red / blue / green) and usage
- wong chee tat :)
mopping
chemical for mopping
check for rubbish
wash / rinse / sanitize and hot water / warm water and chemical where appropriate
wash hands
type of chemical for washing hands
scrub for how long
stocks stored how high above floor
fifo, why practise fifo?
freezer, chiller temp & storage types
cooked food and raw food storage
3 types of cloths (red / blue / green) and usage
- wong chee tat :)
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