Monday, September 28, 2015
Blog Updates:
Blog Updates:
It is quite some time I have made some changes to this blog. Last change made in June 28th.
So, here are some updates:
- Removed old and dated feeds and added new feed
- Rearrange the feeds
Will continue to make minor improvements for this blog!
- wong chee tat :)
It is quite some time I have made some changes to this blog. Last change made in June 28th.
So, here are some updates:
- Removed old and dated feeds and added new feed
- Rearrange the feeds
Will continue to make minor improvements for this blog!
- wong chee tat :)
Hello Kitty carnival to debut in Singapore this Oct
Hello Kitty carnival to debut in Singapore this Oct
- wong chee tat :)
Hello Kitty fans will be able to meet the Sanrio character at the Hello Kitty Go Around event, which will run at Resorts World Sentosa from Oct 16 to Nov 10.
- POSTED: 22 Sep 2015 23:56
SINGAPORE: Fans of Hello Kitty will be able to meet Sanrio's most famous character and her friends during the Hello Kitty Go Around event, which will open at Resorts World Sentosa next month.
Hello Kitty Go Around will feature a carnival, where visitors can take part in interactive games and take photos with Kitty and company in the setting of a theme park.
This is the first time that the carnival, organised by themed events company Mighty Eight and Sanrio, will be featured outside of Hong Kong.
Mighty Eight founder Jacky Teo said the event will give visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of the famed feline.
Also available at the carnival is an exclusive pack emblazoned with the character, specially designed in conjunction with Singapore’s Golden Jubilee. Part of the pack is a tote bag featuring the Merlion dressed up Hello Kitty-style.
The event will run daily at RWS' The Coliseum from Oct 16 to Nov 10, with a special birthday celebration for Hello Kitty on Nov 1.
- CNA/sg/ky/dl
- wong chee tat :)
Animal welfare groups: Institutions of Public Character status a boost
Animal welfare groups: Institutions of Public Character status a boost
Organisations held to higher standards of regulatory compliance and governance
BY SIAU MING EN
siaumingen@mediacorp.com.sg
PUBLISHED: 4:17 AM, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015(PAGE 1 OF 1)
SINGAPORE — While obtaining Institutions of Public Character (IPC) status could mean more paperwork and one-off expenses for animal welfare groups, the handful that have been accredited continue to see it as a boon for the growth of the community and furthering their cause.
Registered charities with IPC status can issue tax deductible receipts to donors who wish to claim tax relief from their donations, which could result in more donating to these charities. There are about 580 approved IPCs to date, and of these, only four are animal welfare groups: Animal Concerns Research and Education Society, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Cat Welfare Society (CWS) and most recently, Save Our Street Dogs (SOSD). This is out of the estimated 20-odd animal welfare organisations operating here.
But because IPC status can make organisations more appealing to donors, such organisations are also held to higher standards where regulatory compliance and governance are concerned, creating more administrative work.
SOSD received its IPC status in April, and president Siew Tuck Wah recently quit his full-time job as a medical aesthetics doctor, in part to oversee the paperwork, and governance framework and systems that need to be put in place.
But he pointed out that obtaining the IPC status was the “highest accreditation for a charity” and is also the only way for donors to get tax deduction.
“From the moment I took over, I wanted to go for IPC. Everybody was against it because it would mean a lot of paperwork, a lot of keeping up to do. In fact, of the founding members, more than half of them left because ... they wanted it to be a very small, informal kind of group,” he added.
ACRES founder Louis Ng said IPC status allows society to support the animal welfare movement while enjoying tax benefits. “(But) unlike other sectors of the social movement, the animal (welfare) groups have the least number of IPCs,” he added. ACRES was given the IPC status in 2007.
CWS obtained its IPC status in 2013. Former CWS vice-president Veron Lau said more money has to be pumped in to upgrade its back-end systems and outsource the accounting work to external parties.
“It takes so much effort, you really need to have the right people on board, and you need to be financially strong enough,” she said. But she also noted that while most animal welfare groups want all their money to go into helping animals, it means “they will never really get any bigger than where they are now”. She added that the expenses involved are a one-off expenditure.
CWS, however, did not see a significant increase in donations after becoming an IPC. Ms Lau said many corporations — which are more likely to donate to IPCs — do not recognise animal welfare as part of their philanthropic portfolio.
Ms Cathy Strong, co-founder of Animal Lovers League, a registered charity, said she has been urged by others to try for IPC status, and agreed that it could make the charity more appealing to donors. But she noted that groups that have become IPCs have run into financial trouble occasionally. “Maybe corporates would rather donate to (charities) that serve people,” she said.
At present, the group pays a token sum to an accountant to set its financial affairs in order. But becoming an IPC would entail hiring full-time staff. “It’s something I will give some thought to ... we are in need of funds for a new shelter,” she added.
Mr Ng felt the additional workload is manageable, pointing out that he handles the accounting work himself despite not being trained. Noting that the sector is growing, Mr Ng said if more animal welfare groups obtain IPC status, the community can also push for a sector administrator or a national council for animal welfare.
The sports sector and voluntary welfare organisations, for instance, have Sport Singapore and the National Council of Social Service to provide grants, strengthening the movement, he noted.
- wong chee tat :)
Organisations held to higher standards of regulatory compliance and governance
BY SIAU MING EN
siaumingen@mediacorp.com.sg
PUBLISHED: 4:17 AM, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015(PAGE 1 OF 1)
SINGAPORE — While obtaining Institutions of Public Character (IPC) status could mean more paperwork and one-off expenses for animal welfare groups, the handful that have been accredited continue to see it as a boon for the growth of the community and furthering their cause.
Registered charities with IPC status can issue tax deductible receipts to donors who wish to claim tax relief from their donations, which could result in more donating to these charities. There are about 580 approved IPCs to date, and of these, only four are animal welfare groups: Animal Concerns Research and Education Society, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Cat Welfare Society (CWS) and most recently, Save Our Street Dogs (SOSD). This is out of the estimated 20-odd animal welfare organisations operating here.
But because IPC status can make organisations more appealing to donors, such organisations are also held to higher standards where regulatory compliance and governance are concerned, creating more administrative work.
SOSD received its IPC status in April, and president Siew Tuck Wah recently quit his full-time job as a medical aesthetics doctor, in part to oversee the paperwork, and governance framework and systems that need to be put in place.
But he pointed out that obtaining the IPC status was the “highest accreditation for a charity” and is also the only way for donors to get tax deduction.
“From the moment I took over, I wanted to go for IPC. Everybody was against it because it would mean a lot of paperwork, a lot of keeping up to do. In fact, of the founding members, more than half of them left because ... they wanted it to be a very small, informal kind of group,” he added.
ACRES founder Louis Ng said IPC status allows society to support the animal welfare movement while enjoying tax benefits. “(But) unlike other sectors of the social movement, the animal (welfare) groups have the least number of IPCs,” he added. ACRES was given the IPC status in 2007.
CWS obtained its IPC status in 2013. Former CWS vice-president Veron Lau said more money has to be pumped in to upgrade its back-end systems and outsource the accounting work to external parties.
“It takes so much effort, you really need to have the right people on board, and you need to be financially strong enough,” she said. But she also noted that while most animal welfare groups want all their money to go into helping animals, it means “they will never really get any bigger than where they are now”. She added that the expenses involved are a one-off expenditure.
CWS, however, did not see a significant increase in donations after becoming an IPC. Ms Lau said many corporations — which are more likely to donate to IPCs — do not recognise animal welfare as part of their philanthropic portfolio.
Ms Cathy Strong, co-founder of Animal Lovers League, a registered charity, said she has been urged by others to try for IPC status, and agreed that it could make the charity more appealing to donors. But she noted that groups that have become IPCs have run into financial trouble occasionally. “Maybe corporates would rather donate to (charities) that serve people,” she said.
At present, the group pays a token sum to an accountant to set its financial affairs in order. But becoming an IPC would entail hiring full-time staff. “It’s something I will give some thought to ... we are in need of funds for a new shelter,” she added.
Mr Ng felt the additional workload is manageable, pointing out that he handles the accounting work himself despite not being trained. Noting that the sector is growing, Mr Ng said if more animal welfare groups obtain IPC status, the community can also push for a sector administrator or a national council for animal welfare.
The sports sector and voluntary welfare organisations, for instance, have Sport Singapore and the National Council of Social Service to provide grants, strengthening the movement, he noted.
- wong chee tat :)
First EC project after raised income ceiling rules opens for bookings at Yishun
First EC project after raised income ceiling rules opens for bookings at Yishun
The project at Yishun Street 51 is going at around S$750 per square foot, and the developer says about 20 per cent of its units have been sold as of 5pm.
By Lip Kwok Wai
POSTED: 26 Sep 2015 20:35 UPDATED: 26 Sep 2015 23:58
SINGAPORE: The first executive condominium (EC) project to be launched since the Government raised the qualifying income ceiling from S$12,000 to S$14,000, opened for bookings on Saturday (Sep 26).
Called Signature at Yishun, the project's developer said about 20 per cent of its units have been sold as of 5pm.
"There are buyers whose income is more than S$12,000. The percentage I would estimate is 20 per cent of our total sales,” said JBE Holdings CEO Patrick Lam. “This year is Singapore's SG50 celebrations. We wish to assist buyers to achieve their dream home at affordable prices."
The project at Yishun Street 51, had received 507 online applications. There are 525-units on offer, and the developer said the bulk of the apartments sold are three and four room units. Two-room flats are also available.
The project is going at around S$750 per square foot (psf), lower than the average of about S$800 psf for other ECs.
While the developer said the response is encouraging, one analyst suggested the application rate of just under one buyer per unit is a "clear indication" that the market is weak, considering the price and the fact that income ceilings have been raised by about 16 per cent.
Century 21 CEO Ku Swee Yong said: "Perhaps the market is weak partly due to the global environment and stock market, the currency situation not being very favourable. But some of the buyers may also be concerned about interest rates that are continuing to rise as well as their employment security.
“Furthermore, in the next few months we can expect a few more EC launches, plus the existing launched but unsold stock of about 4,000 over units. I think that will allow buyers to go around Singapore to look for whatever is the most suitable.”
Another EC project in Yishun - The Criterion - also began online applications on Thursday.
- CNA/xk
The project at Yishun Street 51 is going at around S$750 per square foot, and the developer says about 20 per cent of its units have been sold as of 5pm.
By Lip Kwok Wai
POSTED: 26 Sep 2015 20:35 UPDATED: 26 Sep 2015 23:58
SINGAPORE: The first executive condominium (EC) project to be launched since the Government raised the qualifying income ceiling from S$12,000 to S$14,000, opened for bookings on Saturday (Sep 26).
Called Signature at Yishun, the project's developer said about 20 per cent of its units have been sold as of 5pm.
"There are buyers whose income is more than S$12,000. The percentage I would estimate is 20 per cent of our total sales,” said JBE Holdings CEO Patrick Lam. “This year is Singapore's SG50 celebrations. We wish to assist buyers to achieve their dream home at affordable prices."
The project at Yishun Street 51, had received 507 online applications. There are 525-units on offer, and the developer said the bulk of the apartments sold are three and four room units. Two-room flats are also available.
The project is going at around S$750 per square foot (psf), lower than the average of about S$800 psf for other ECs.
While the developer said the response is encouraging, one analyst suggested the application rate of just under one buyer per unit is a "clear indication" that the market is weak, considering the price and the fact that income ceilings have been raised by about 16 per cent.
Century 21 CEO Ku Swee Yong said: "Perhaps the market is weak partly due to the global environment and stock market, the currency situation not being very favourable. But some of the buyers may also be concerned about interest rates that are continuing to rise as well as their employment security.
“Furthermore, in the next few months we can expect a few more EC launches, plus the existing launched but unsold stock of about 4,000 over units. I think that will allow buyers to go around Singapore to look for whatever is the most suitable.”
Another EC project in Yishun - The Criterion - also began online applications on Thursday.
- CNA/xk
CPF Building along Robinson Road up for sale by public tender
CPF Building along Robinson Road up for sale by public tender
It could be redeveloped into a mixed use development with office, retail and serviced apartments or a hotel, subject to approval from authorities, the marketing agent says.
POSTED: 17 Sep 2015 17:33 UPDATED: 17 Sep 2015 22:51
SINGAPORE: The landmark CPF Building at 79 Robinson Road has been put up for sale by public tender, after the Central Provident Fund (CPF) Board signed a long-term lease to rent space at Novena Square Towers A and B for the Board’s operations.
Its marketing agent CBRE said the relocation of CPF offices in the building will "free up prime office space in the Central Business District for higher-value uses".
The building, which was completed in the 1970s, sits on a regularly-shaped site with an area of about 47,056 sq ft. The current Net Lettable Area of the building is approximately 324,000 sq ft. It also has frontage of 120m along Robinson Road.
It could be redeveloped into a mixed use development with office, retail and serviced apartments or a hotel, subject to approval from authorities, CBRE said.
The tenure of CPF Building is 99 years from 1968 and the tender closes on Oct 28.
The CPF Board will be moving to Novena Square Towers from the last quarter of this year. The Board’s Service Centre at Robinson Road will continue to operate until further notice.
- CNA/xk
- wong chee tat :)
It could be redeveloped into a mixed use development with office, retail and serviced apartments or a hotel, subject to approval from authorities, the marketing agent says.
POSTED: 17 Sep 2015 17:33 UPDATED: 17 Sep 2015 22:51
SINGAPORE: The landmark CPF Building at 79 Robinson Road has been put up for sale by public tender, after the Central Provident Fund (CPF) Board signed a long-term lease to rent space at Novena Square Towers A and B for the Board’s operations.
Its marketing agent CBRE said the relocation of CPF offices in the building will "free up prime office space in the Central Business District for higher-value uses".
The building, which was completed in the 1970s, sits on a regularly-shaped site with an area of about 47,056 sq ft. The current Net Lettable Area of the building is approximately 324,000 sq ft. It also has frontage of 120m along Robinson Road.
It could be redeveloped into a mixed use development with office, retail and serviced apartments or a hotel, subject to approval from authorities, CBRE said.
The tenure of CPF Building is 99 years from 1968 and the tender closes on Oct 28.
The CPF Board will be moving to Novena Square Towers from the last quarter of this year. The Board’s Service Centre at Robinson Road will continue to operate until further notice.
- CNA/xk
- wong chee tat :)
Hyflux-Mitsubishi consortium to build S$750m waste-to-energy plant in Tuas
Hyflux-Mitsubishi consortium to build S$750m waste-to-energy plant in Tuas
The consortium will build Singapore's largest waste-to-energy plant in Tuas to help meet the country's electricity and waste disposal needs, says the National Environment Agency.
POSTED: 15 Sep 2015 14:34
SINGAPORE: A consortium comprising Hyflux and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) will build Singapore’s sixth waste-to-energy (WTE) plant in Tuas, the National Environment Agency (NEA) announced on Tuesday (Sep 15).
Water management provider Hyflux and MHI were selected among six bids in a tender held in November last year, said NEA.
“At a first-year cost of S$55.19 per tonne, the Hyflux and MHI consortium submitted the most competitive offer for the development of a WTE plant and the provision of waste-to-energy services over a 25-year period,” explained NEA in a news release.
The project is valued at about S$750 million and it is expected to be completed by 2019, said Hyflux in a news release. The firms will form a concession company for the project, with Hyflux owning a 75 per cent stake and MHI 25 per cent.
Hyflux will undertake engineering, procurement and construction works worth S$636 million and MHI will provide the technology. Both companies will then jointly manage, operate and maintain the plant, said Hyflux.
The WTE will be Singapore’s largest and most energy-efficient plant, said NEA. It can produce 2,880MWh of electricity per day from incinerating waste, and the energy will be used to run the plant and power Singapore’s electricity needs.
The plant will also help to meet Singapore's waste disposal needs, as the amount is expected to increase amid economic and population growth.
The plant will be located on a 4.8-hectare site next to Tuaspring Integrated Water and Power Project.
Currently, the power generated from the four existing WTE plants supplies about 2 to 3 per cent of Singapore’s electricity needs, said NEA. The first WTE plant, Ulu Pandan Incineration Plant, was decommissioned in 2009 after 30 years.
The project is not expected to have a material impact on Hyflux's financial position for the year ending Dec 31, 2015, said the company.
- CNA/xq
- wong chee tat :)
The consortium will build Singapore's largest waste-to-energy plant in Tuas to help meet the country's electricity and waste disposal needs, says the National Environment Agency.
POSTED: 15 Sep 2015 14:34
SINGAPORE: A consortium comprising Hyflux and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) will build Singapore’s sixth waste-to-energy (WTE) plant in Tuas, the National Environment Agency (NEA) announced on Tuesday (Sep 15).
Water management provider Hyflux and MHI were selected among six bids in a tender held in November last year, said NEA.
“At a first-year cost of S$55.19 per tonne, the Hyflux and MHI consortium submitted the most competitive offer for the development of a WTE plant and the provision of waste-to-energy services over a 25-year period,” explained NEA in a news release.
The project is valued at about S$750 million and it is expected to be completed by 2019, said Hyflux in a news release. The firms will form a concession company for the project, with Hyflux owning a 75 per cent stake and MHI 25 per cent.
Hyflux will undertake engineering, procurement and construction works worth S$636 million and MHI will provide the technology. Both companies will then jointly manage, operate and maintain the plant, said Hyflux.
The WTE will be Singapore’s largest and most energy-efficient plant, said NEA. It can produce 2,880MWh of electricity per day from incinerating waste, and the energy will be used to run the plant and power Singapore’s electricity needs.
The plant will also help to meet Singapore's waste disposal needs, as the amount is expected to increase amid economic and population growth.
The plant will be located on a 4.8-hectare site next to Tuaspring Integrated Water and Power Project.
Currently, the power generated from the four existing WTE plants supplies about 2 to 3 per cent of Singapore’s electricity needs, said NEA. The first WTE plant, Ulu Pandan Incineration Plant, was decommissioned in 2009 after 30 years.
The project is not expected to have a material impact on Hyflux's financial position for the year ending Dec 31, 2015, said the company.
- CNA/xq
- wong chee tat :)
Five Joo Chiat shophouses up for sale
Five Joo Chiat shophouses up for sale
Freehold bids start from S$14 million. The shophouses have a total land area of approximately 7,503.58 square feet.
POSTED: 14 Sep 2015 18:38
SINGAPORE: Five adjoining shophouses along Joo Chiat Road were put up for sale on Monday (Sep 14), with the seller seeking bids on a freehold basis in excess of S$14 million.
In a statement on Monday, property consultancy firm Chestertons said that the shophouses, numbered 142, 144, 146, 148, and 150, have a total land area of approximately 7,503.58 square feet.
The site is zoned under "Commercial" in the 2014 Master Plan and has a plot ratio of 3.0, which allows up to a maximum gross floor area of approximately 22,510.74 square feet.
The successful buyer may redevelop the properties and build up to five storeys, as long as the original height of the building and the parts to be conserved are retained, Chesterons said.
Interested buyers can also bid on a 99-year lease basis for the freehold properties to reduce the purchase price, said Chestertons, but added that the vendor "will decide the tenure disposal" after the bidding process is over.
The Joo Chiat area has seen increased interest by investors due to plans to turn nearby Paya Lebar into a sub-regional centre. Upcoming projects in the area include Wisma Geylang Serai, and a 3.9 hectare integrated development by Australian developer Lend Lease and the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority.
Bids for the shophouses close on Oct 8, 2015, at 4pm.
- CNA/wl
- wong chee tat :)
Freehold bids start from S$14 million. The shophouses have a total land area of approximately 7,503.58 square feet.
POSTED: 14 Sep 2015 18:38
SINGAPORE: Five adjoining shophouses along Joo Chiat Road were put up for sale on Monday (Sep 14), with the seller seeking bids on a freehold basis in excess of S$14 million.
In a statement on Monday, property consultancy firm Chestertons said that the shophouses, numbered 142, 144, 146, 148, and 150, have a total land area of approximately 7,503.58 square feet.
The site is zoned under "Commercial" in the 2014 Master Plan and has a plot ratio of 3.0, which allows up to a maximum gross floor area of approximately 22,510.74 square feet.
The successful buyer may redevelop the properties and build up to five storeys, as long as the original height of the building and the parts to be conserved are retained, Chesterons said.
Interested buyers can also bid on a 99-year lease basis for the freehold properties to reduce the purchase price, said Chestertons, but added that the vendor "will decide the tenure disposal" after the bidding process is over.
The Joo Chiat area has seen increased interest by investors due to plans to turn nearby Paya Lebar into a sub-regional centre. Upcoming projects in the area include Wisma Geylang Serai, and a 3.9 hectare integrated development by Australian developer Lend Lease and the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority.
Bids for the shophouses close on Oct 8, 2015, at 4pm.
- CNA/wl
- wong chee tat :)
Three-month Sibor reaches 7-year high
Three-month Sibor reaches 7-year high
The key mortgage benchmark rose to 1.13100 per cent, the highest level since 2008.
POSTED: 14 Sep 2015 12:31 UPDATED: 14 Sep 2015 13:16
SINGAPORE: Singapore’s key mortgage benchmark jumped to a seven-year high on Monday (Sep 14), ahead of a Federal Reserve meeting later this week that could mark the start of US interest rate hikes.
The three-month Singapore Interbank Offered Rate (Sibor) rose to 1.13100 per cent, up from 1.07483 per cent on Thursday, according to latest data from the Association of Banks in Singapore. Monday’s level was the highest since 2008.
Many variable mortgage plans have interest rates linked to Sibor. For instance, Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation currently offers home loans at three-month Sibor plus 0.9 percentage points for the first three years. Rising interest rates could put further pressure on residential property investors who are already grappling with falling rents and lower resale values.
A small majority of forecasters are predicting the US Fed will raise interest rates for the first time in nearly a decade when it meets on Wednesday and Thursday this week, according to a Reuters survey.
- CNA/xq
- wong chee tat :)
The key mortgage benchmark rose to 1.13100 per cent, the highest level since 2008.
POSTED: 14 Sep 2015 12:31 UPDATED: 14 Sep 2015 13:16
SINGAPORE: Singapore’s key mortgage benchmark jumped to a seven-year high on Monday (Sep 14), ahead of a Federal Reserve meeting later this week that could mark the start of US interest rate hikes.
The three-month Singapore Interbank Offered Rate (Sibor) rose to 1.13100 per cent, up from 1.07483 per cent on Thursday, according to latest data from the Association of Banks in Singapore. Monday’s level was the highest since 2008.
Many variable mortgage plans have interest rates linked to Sibor. For instance, Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation currently offers home loans at three-month Sibor plus 0.9 percentage points for the first three years. Rising interest rates could put further pressure on residential property investors who are already grappling with falling rents and lower resale values.
A small majority of forecasters are predicting the US Fed will raise interest rates for the first time in nearly a decade when it meets on Wednesday and Thursday this week, according to a Reuters survey.
- CNA/xq
- wong chee tat :)
System Updates: Router & System Changes
System Updates: Router & System Changes
1) Replaced the old HP inkjet printer.
2) Recabling
3) Made changes made to the router:
- Quality of Services configuration tweaked
- wong chee tat :)
1) Replaced the old HP inkjet printer.
2) Recabling
3) Made changes made to the router:
- Quality of Services configuration tweaked
- wong chee tat :)
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