me think :): Jul 26, 2016

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

McDonald's seeks franchise partners for Singapore, Malaysia stores

McDonald's seeks franchise partners for Singapore, Malaysia stores
Posted 26 Jul 2016 16:16 Updated 26 Jul 2016 17:57

HONG KONG/SINGAPORE: McDonald's Corp said it is seeking franchise partners for its restaurants in Malaysia and Singapore as part of its move away from direct ownership and operation in Asia.

"McDonald's has taken the decision to adopt a development licensee model for the Malaysia and Singapore markets in order to enable focused investment in the brand and speed up growth in these key Asian markets," McDonald's said in a statement on Tuesday (Jul 26).

A Singapore-based MacDonald's spokesperson told Channel NewsAsia the company was negotiating with suitable candidates who have "a blend of strong business acumen, a strong understanding of the McDonald’s brand, who share our values and vision, and who are committed to helping accelerate growth and innovation in Singapore", without providing a timeline for the negotiations.

Sources told Reuters that some suitors looking at both countries had begun to tap banks for financing options to buy the 20-year franchise rights.

The sources declined to be identified as they were not authorised to speak to the media.

The move for the Southeast Asian markets follows an announcement by McDonald's in March that it was reorganising its Asian operations by bringing in partners who would own the restaurants within a franchise business. Competitor Yum Brands is also restructuring its China business by spinning it off ahead of a likely IPO next year.

Bloomberg News earlier reported that the sale of McDonald's franchise rights in Malaysia and Singapore could collectively fetch at least US$400 million.

(Reporting by Carol Zhong of LPC and Anshuman Daga in SINGAPORE; Additional reporting by Saeed Azhar)

- Reuters/CNA/mz

- wong chee tat :)

Qualifying salary for Employment Pass applications to be raised

Qualifying salary for Employment Pass applications to be raised
Posted 26 Jul 2016 12:47 Updated 26 Jul 2016 14:53

SINGAPORE: The qualifying salary for Employment Pass (EP) applications will be raised from S$3,300 to S$3,600 from the start of next year, according to the Ministry of Manpower on Tuesday (Jul 26).

This change is part of the ministry's regular updating of the EP qualifying salary to keep pace with rising local wages, maintain the quality of the foreign workforce and to better complement the local workforce, it said in its press release.

The previous minimum EP qualifying salary update was in January 2014, from S$3,000 to S$3,300, it added.

"With effect from Jan 1, 2017, only new EP applicants who can command a monthly salary of S$3,600 or more, subject to meeting other criteria on qualifications and experience, will be considered," said MOM.

"Those with more years of experience are also required to command higher salaries commensurate with their work experience and skill sets, as per current practice."

It added that there will be time for businesses to make adjustments. Existing EP holders whose passes expire:

a) Before 1 January 2017: Will be able to renew, for a duration of up to three years, based on existing EP criteria
b) Between 1 January 2017 and 30 June 2017 (both dates inclusive): Will be able to renew, for a duration of one year, based on the existing EP criteria
c) 1 July 2017 onwards: Will have to meet the new criteria for renewal, for a duration of up to three years
Employers are encouraged to use the Self-Assessment Tool (SAT) on the MOM website to assess if their EP candidates will meet the new salary criteria. The SAT will be updated by November 2016, the ministry said.

"POSITIVE MOVE": NTUC'S PATRICK TAY

Mr Patrick Tay, Assistant Secretary-General of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), called the change a “positive move” to keep up with the rising median wages of PMEs (professionals, managers and executives) and to maintain the quality of the foreign workforce.

“This, together with the series of other measures such as the FCF (Fair Consideration Framework), 'Triple Weak' Scrutiny, Jobs Bank and also tightening/scrutiny of conditions/criteria for EP will help level the playing field for our local PMEs and also build a stronger Singaporean core,” he wrote in a Facebook post on Tuesday.

At the same time, the Manpower Ministry should watch out for employers who use “creative means” to artificially increase the wages of foreign PMEs to meet this new criteria, he said, adding that the “bottomline is that local PMEs should be better off and not worse off”.

- CNA/kk

- wong chee tat :)

NUS investigating reports of inappropriate orientation activities

NUS investigating reports of inappropriate orientation activities
Posted 26 Jul 2016 18:43 Updated 26 Jul 2016 18:50

SINGAPORE: The National University of Singapore (NUS) is investigating reports of inappropriate orientation activities and will take strong disciplinary action against those found responsible, it said in a statement on Tuesday (Jul 26).

The New Paper on Tuesday reported that freshmen were asked questions which touched on taboo subjects, such as what bodily fluids they like to consume, and some were asked to re-enact a rape scene.

NUS said it expects that "orientation activities are carried out in ways that are fully respectful of the dignity of all those participating, regardless of gender".

"We do not condone any behaviour or activity that denigrates the dignity of individuals, and that has sexual connotations. Our students, particularly freshmen, must feel safe and secure at all times during orientation. If they decide to opt out of an activity, their wishes must be respected," NUS said.

It added that the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) had conducted sessions with students involved in organising and leading orientation activities before the start of the orientation period. During these sessions, do's and don'ts of orientation, as well as banned activities were meted out, NUS said.

"Students were also made aware that strong disciplinary actions will be taken against offenders. In addition, all proposed orientation programmes and activities had to be endorsed and cleared by the relevant supervisors, such as Hall Masters and Vice Deans, as well as OSA, before they could proceed. Students were asked to remove inappropriate activities," the statement said.

NUS added that separately, OSA had worked with the Deaneries in Faculties, and the Masters of Halls and Residential Colleges on the necessary steps needed to ensure all planned student orientation activities would be acceptable.

"We are very disappointed that despite these efforts, instances of offensive and completely inappropriate orientation activities that were not submitted nor endorsed have surfaced," NUS said. "OSA has met with the student leaders of the ongoing and remaining camps, and briefed them on the guidelines for acceptable orientation activities. NUS staff will also be on site at these camps."

It added that any student who has concerns about the activities carried out at orientation can contact the NUS Office of Student Affairs at osabox15@nus.edu.sg on a strictly confidential basis.

Feedback about overly sexualised orientation programmes had also been posted on the NUSWhispers Facebook page. OSA responded to this on Jul 21, saying it has taken note of the concerns raised and is working with faculties to find out more.

- CNA/dl

- wong chee tat :)

My Double Filet Lunch

Quite busy today. Quickly got double filet meal.

- Pic from Macdonalds

- wong chee tat :)

Manhattan Fish Market - 5 different flavors

Maybe I should try this week before it ended 31st July 2016.

- Pic from Manhattan Fish Market

- wong chee tat :)

McAfee DAT version = 8237 (jul 25th 2016)

McAfee DAT version = 8237 (jul 25th 2016)

Link: here ( Select Yes. And it keeps getting updated daily. Region=US)

- wong chee tat :)

六字真言頌怙主三寶

六字真言頌怙主三寶

虔心皈依怙主三寶，真心憐憫慈母眾生，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……

佛為導師法為正道，僧為善侶同為救主，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
登山階梯過河船舟，驅愚慧燈險隘坦途，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
口誦真言心中祈禱，地獄烈火從此熄滅，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
唱頌六字胸中發願，冷獄冰雪消融變暖，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
誦持六字威力無比，十八地獄變成樂土，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
世間無實因緣難料，生死輪回行善為要，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
萬物無常善惡交替，向善精進矢志不渝，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
暇滿人身難得至寶，虛度此生實為可惜，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
貪心無盡欲望皆空，惡趣業因棄之從善，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
萬惡煩惱罪孽根源，時刻提防凡夫癡念，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
強壯身軀入土荒野，驅走死神上師引路，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
瑪尼頌詞怙主三寶，諾言活佛順口編唱，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
虔誠頂禮觀音菩薩，消除罪孽速證佛果，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
如來佛子慈悲引路，眾生往生極樂佛土，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……

六字斷除六道苦難頌

嗡字放光照耀天界，死苦難忍觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
瑪字光照阿修羅界，爭斗死傷觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
尼字放光照亮人間，生老病死觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
巴字放光照亮畜生，蠢啞痛苦觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
美字放光照亮惡鬼，饑餓難熬觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……
吽字放光照亮地獄，冷熱煎熬觀音救度，嗡瑪尼巴美吽……

- wong chee tat :)

Om Mani Padme Hum

Om Mani Padme Hum

- wong chee tat :)

Om Mani Padme Hum

Om Mani Padme Hum

- wong chee tat :)

Om Mani Padme Hum

Om Mani Padme Hum

- wong chee tat :)

String Theory

So, I shouldn't be looking for a theoretical physicist on string theory. Maybe the meows meows can help me!

- Pic from Internet

- wong chee tat :)

Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas

Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas

Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas

Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas

Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas

Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas

Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas

Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas

Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas

Homage to the 36 trillion, 119 thousand, 500 Amitabha Buddhas

- wong chee tat :)