We did not learn because the punishment was not severe enough We now have another incident where the competence of our security officials are now called to question.Do you wonder why we bother to praise the competence of our men in blue? As a country, we are often lauded for our excellent civil service and top-notch brain power in organising an effective administration.But is such confidence misplaced? Are we, as a nation, tad complacent?So what ills us as a nation, that we have deteriorated to such an extent that we now have official media and PAP members of parliament question whether we have learn any lessons from the escape of Mas Selamat.From: http://www.straitstimes.com/Latest%2BNews/Courts%2Band%2BCrime/STIStory_247024.html?vgnmr=1Chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Home Affairs and Law Teo Ho Pin said on Thursday: 'When Mas Selamat escaped, that was a wake-up call. But I'm not very sure how many people have woken up. 'There must be checks and balances that the message is conveyed down effectively to the last man in the force. Things mentioned at the management level or in the media may not go down to the last man.' My hypothesis of why this is happening is that the punishment that has been meted so far, has not gone far enough to cause a dent in the psyche of the organisation and shake it out of its complacency. If you look at the punishment for hiring of illegal foreign workers in the construction worksite, the ultimate penalty (for repeat offenders) is the caning of the perpetrators. CEOs of construction company stands to have their bottoms opened up if they decide to hire illegal workers and get caught.As far as I can tell, the practice of the hiring of illegal workers have subsided significantly. Despite the boom in local construction sector, there is little indication that the problem has returned.So, the penalty for the 'illegal act' does deter offenders from even thinking of doing such an act. The government has oftentimes acted (even to the extent of appearing unnecessarily harsh) to meet its ultimate objective to do good.So why does the men in blue appear not to have learnt this lesson?We have not learned the lesson when Tan Chor Jin (one-eyed dragon) fled the country to Malaysia.We did not learn the lesson when Took Leng How (ala Huang Na's case) walk across to Malaysia without even attracting any sort of alert or attention from the border control officers. We also had a known terrorist leader walk out of detention from a Singapore prison and remain at large for more than 3 months.We now have 2 convicted robbers attempt escape from a court of law. One even managed to get out of the building and raced more than 100 metres from his original point of lockup.So why have we not learnt the lessons?I think this is because we have not handed out the punishments where it matter most. At the very top.When CEOs are held accountable for corporate malfeasance during their watch, it does not diminish the guilt we place on the lowly perpetrators. But it does shine a light on the matter s strong that everyone in the organisation sits up and pay attention to internal controls.When the Minister of Home Affairs escapes any sort of punishment and the Director of Internal Security Department walk unscathed after the regional terrorist organisation's leader escape from a facility intended to hold terrorists, people in the organisation will also believe in the words of the leaders.If the Minister and the Director believe that the lapses lie at the foot of the 'little people' who failed to perform their duties and who had lapses of concentration, maybe the rest of the policemen, customs officials, immigration officers and other home team officers will also believe the same.They will think that only the person charged with monitoring the convicts are responsible and not themselves. In the court escape case, the person who buzz open the gates holding the convicts did not bother to check. Why? Because he believes the role is the officer who is monitoring them. He does not believe that that officer could have been hurt and the convicts are ready to escape.If we compartmentalise responsibility and punish each individual act of security lapse, we will not have a systemic approach to ensuring our security. We will assume each compartment works perfectly and that our individual role is only limited to what is in our individual box.Therein lies the problem. No one assumes that overall responsibility. If the leaders continue to believe that they are not responsible for tying up the compartments, we cannot assume that the system will work.So far, the system barely suggests to me it can work.All the individual lapses (bar Mas Selamat) are insignificant on their own. But seen as a whole, I am not so sure whether these incidents should be looked at in isolation. This Lee allows protests. These days, there are lots of Lees in the news.In Korea, thousands of people throng the streets to protest the beef deal inked with US farmers. In South Korea, there is wide spread dissatisfaction with the ruling government and some of the indignation lands squarely on the President himself.So much so, that the cabinet has volunteered to resign to placate the rising tide of uproar against a government whose only 'fault' in this entire episode was to allow much-maligned US beef to be imported into cow-meat living Koreans.Koreans are big time beef eaters and the fact that US beef has in the past been tainted with scares of mad cow diseases has not helped.According to an Economist report (http://www.economist.com/world/asia/displaystory.cfm?story_id=11527004), 100,000 took to the street to protest the government's stance to allow US beef imports into the country under a free trade agreement.This is an interesting angle. The government in Korea is acting on the 'allegedly' good faith when negotiating a US-Korea free trade deal would benefit Korean companies (and the country in general) boosting the exports of Samsungs and LGs. This is a justifiable cause for a tradeoff in allowing US beef into the local market and if you believe some medical reports, US beef is safe to consume. After all, Americans are also eating the same beef.So what gives the Koreans the right to assembly and protests? Do they not know that their government cares about their financial well-being and the country's economic prosperity?Or they risks spilling blood on the streets over the locale of the item on their daily menu?The Koreans seem to think so as people from all walks of life (even mothers pushing prams) participated in the call to end the beef deal.So what can Mr. Lee do? This Mr. Lee is obviously protecting the economic well-being of the populace and yet is faced with a disenfranchised population.Meanwhile, another one quotes the often mentioned economic performance statistics as a ends-justify-means approach to suppress dissenters, opposing voices and near-pyschopaths.I wonder what is the equivalent analogy is applied to Singapore. Does it simply mean that Singaporeans are willing to take some diseased-beef as long as our wallets are properly lined.I think, some Lees have it good. Singapore courts grants arrest warrant without bail for insulting a judge Insult can be a serious crime.Especially if a public servant is concerned.The reputation of the servant is at stake and no one should question the Singapore justices' inalienable right  to their prestige, reputation and good name.The nature of such a crime is so severe and its consequences so dire that it warrants an immediate arrest to the perpetrator.From the newspaper article, one can infer the lengths which has gone into nabbing this alleged perpetrator.1) Arrest is not adequate; arrest without bail is more appropriate for this heinous crime.2) If you send an email promulgating half-truths, deceit and useless lies, you will be hunted down and arrested. 3) Laws of insult extent to everyone, even a tourist. If you have a foreign friend visiting us, you will be well advised to warn him from talking too much to a local taxi driver. Better still, keep topics to safe topic like the hot weather and how Singapore is such a nice and well developed country.Well paid public servants are entitled to their reputation. We cannot risk putting them at risk.The perpetrator of this alleged crime also posted his email to his blog (http://singaporedissident.blogspot.com/2008/05/singapore-judge-belinda-angs-kangaroo.html ).Of course, Gopalan Nair is no ordinary tourist. He is an ex-Singaporean, ex-Workers' Party and ex-politician who has a history of going head to head in contesting local elections.Seems like the authorities took up the challenge that he threw in his email and blog entry; and arrested him as a result.But he did leave an interesting thought; did the course of natural justice prevail? Will the international opinion sit in the corner of the Lees and the esteemed wisdom of Belinda Ang? What will PERC think? What will Amnesty International think about this case?From Channel News Asia: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/351129/1/.htmlSINGAPORE: Police have arrested a former Singaporean for the offence of "threatening, abusing or insulting a public servant". In response to media queries, police confirmed that Gopalan Pallichadath Nair, who is now a US citizen, was arrested at Broadway Hotel along Serangoon Road on Saturday. A warrant of arrest without bail was granted by the courts for the arrest. Nair is alleged to have sent an email to the Attorney-General and the Solicitor-General which contained statements amounting to the offence of insulting a public servant. The statements were directed against Justice Belinda Ang, a Supreme Court judge. The statements were also posted on Nair's blog. Nair is presently in police custody. He will be charged in court on Monday.  No sign of Mas Selamat, but at least we found a new home for Ge Ge After 3 months of looking for the elusive (and now renowned) terrorist, we are still not able to catch up with him. But I am sure the man in blue is still trying their very best. I hope the police constables and station inspectors are working hard and will soon get lucky in tracing Mr. Limp.After all, I would hate to see that after 120 days, the Minister announce a sacking of another 9 officers who has been tasked to look for the MAN and failed. I hate it when responsible men of uniform tried but failed in their mission.But at least I take comfort in the fact that the abandoned puppy of a once beloved chairman of Singapore's most prominent charity is now taken care of. And our local daily found it necessary to report this important piece of news.It is a nice warm fuzzy feeling knowing that our canines are taken care of in this beautiful tropical paradise of ours.(See Asiaone:  http://www.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20080531-68168.html) New home for ex-NKF chairman Richard Yong's dog IT has been a year since Richard Yong's dog, Ge Ge, was put in the care of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The 13-year-old shih-tzu now has a new, doting, mistress who calls her Moby. Last month, Yong, 66, a bankrupt who fled Singapore and was jailed for 15 months last year but is on the Home Detention Scheme since Jan 10 this year, had inquired about Ge Ge's well-being through this newspaper. When the former chairman of the National Kidney Foundation fled in May last year for Hong Kong after failing to pay nearly $1 million to the NKF arising from a civil suit, he left Ge Ge behind in the care of his Filipino maid. She has since left Singapore, which led to Ge Ge's subsequent adoption by its first owner, nurse Zheng Dexin, 25, in September last year. Aware that the pooch belonged to Yong, Ms Zheng kept the name Ge Ge (which means Princess in mandarin). But Ge Ge wandered out of the house six months later and was found by housewife Madam Ivy Quek, 60 - two blocks away from Ms Zheng's home in Stirling Road. Doc sex on spy cam case: gaps in Straits Times reporting Very often, I will read an article on the Straits Times and be left with a list of questions which pop into my mind.The ST reports often do not address the gaping holes they leave the readers with.The news article on the doctor who claims that he was blackmailed because his partners had video of him having sexual trysts with the assistant in the clinic is an example.He made a police report saying he was being blackmailed. The police took the pictures and video recording, but dropped their investigations last August.- Why did the police investigated but drop the case? Was it because there was a lack of evidence? Nothing was even addressed in the report.- Why did the reporter not speak to the Police about this? If the police cannot comment on the matter because it is now a court case, then the reporter should reflect this.- By stating the fact and yet not address it adequately, the reporter either insinuates that the police dropped the ball during investigation or that this is not a material fact of the case.- The crux of the report is not about the stains on the mattress or about the Dr. Khairul allegedly showing Dr Tam's wife the photos. These are sordid details of a news tabloid. Yet Straits times did not focus on the criminal or civil implications of a police investigation which was dropped.Sadly, i have grown very used to poor reporting from Straits Times. Without a viable alternative, complacence seeps in and coupled with a 'nation building, self-censorship' mentality Straits Times has once again shot a bullet in its already filmsy armour of credibility.Article found in Straits Times:http://www.straitstimes.com/Prime%2BNews/Story/STIStory_239702.htmlDoctor caught having sex in clinicHe claims partner who installed spy camera blackmailed him into selling his share in their businessBy Khushwant SinghA MARRIED doctor who had an affair with his clinic assistant was shocked when his partner installed a spy camera and caught him having sex with the woman.Now, Dr Tam Tak Chuen, 39, is claiming in a civil suit that he was blackmailed into selling his share of the business for $50,000.He says he gave in to pressure to sell, fearing that the affair would be exposed and the film of his tryst would land on the YouTube video-sharing website.He wants the High Court to declare the deal null and void, and wants to get back his share.He was in business with two doctors, Dr Khairul Abdul Rahman and Dr Ashraff Shamsuddin Eilyaas.Dr Ashraff settled with Dr Tam when the hearing began before Justice Judith Prakash on Monday. But Dr Khairul is denying that there was any pressure on Dr Tam to sell his stake.Dr Tam and Dr Khairul were equal partners of the Eden Family Clinic in Jurong West and one-third partners of Eden Medical Aesthetics in Kembangan together with Dr Ashraff.The businesses were worth more than $2 million, and Dr Tam was earning about $250,000 a year.Dr Tam said the woman started working at the clinic in 1999 and their affair started sometime in 2004.It was at a partners' meeting on March 4 last year that everything changed.Dr Tam said that Dr Khairul, who had had the spy camera installed in the clinic, whipped out photographs showing him having sex with the woman.He said that he was given a choice of either selling his share in the Eden Family Clinic, or buying out Dr Khairul.He offered to buy Dr Khairul's share for $50,000 but, he said, he was told he was in no position to negotiate.Dr Khairul did not want them both to sell to a third party, and threatened to apply to wind up the companies and expose the photographs of Dr Tam with the clinic assistant, Dr Tam said on Monday.'I was very afraid as I wanted to save my marriage and reputation by not having the pictures and video out there in public or on YouTube,' he said.Another shock awaited him when he got home that day.He discovered that Dr Khairul's wife had gone to his home, told his wife about his affair and shown her the photographs.He said he felt completely betrayed as his partners had promised to keep the matter under wraps.Fortunately, he said, his wife forgave him.He made a police report saying he was being blackmailed. The police took the pictures and video recording, but dropped their investigations last August.Dr Tam denied that the clinic assistant had been his patient. He said she would consult him about minor ailments and he treated her without charge, like all other staff members.When it was his turn on the stand yesterday, Dr Khairul said that he installed the spy camera when he got tired of Dr Tam denying the affair and wanted to get to the truth.Once he had the proof, he wanted Dr Tam out of the partnership.He believed that the affair began as early as 2000, and added that some staff members said they had seen Dr Tam and the woman heading to the clinic's second floor near closing time, when it had no patients.Dr Khairul said he had found stains on a mattress he kept on the second floor for naps during his breaks.He said that he had confronted Dr Tam with his suspicions, but the latter denied it every time.It was only after the spy camera caught him in the act that he finally came clean, Dr Khairul said.Dr Tam is being represented by Mr Ang Cheng Hock of Allen & Gledhill, while Mr Harish Kumar of Rajah & Tann is acting for Dr Khairul.The hearing continues.khush@sph.com.sg iMacs spotted in the Singapore Airlines Krisflyer lounge in Terminal 2 In the business class section of the Singapore Airlines lounge in Changi Airport's Terminal 2, brand new 20inch iMacs now replaces the older PCs that used to be provided to lounge users to surf the net or check their emails.This is the first time i see iMacs being deployed in Singapore Airlines' airport lounges.I wonder whether there is some underlying shift in corporate attitudes towards using Macs for their computing needs. Read Business Week's article on a shift in the Corporate work place where consumers used to their Macs, iPods and iPhones are now demanding mac machines at work. http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/08_19/b4083036428429.htm?chan=searchI have a MacbookPro at home as well as a Sim Lim Square assemble Windows-Vista machine, I am actually OS-agnostic. That said, I am happier with OS X than Vista. Still happy to see more businesses deploy macs. It just works better. Sydney campus finds potential conflict of interest in the UNSW campus project in Singapore The University of New South Wales wasted a total of A$47m in a botched project to start an Asian campus in Singapore.After the saga unfolded, it was revealed that the Singapore government provided A$26 million in various loans and grants to the University in luring the project to Singapore.When the project was later canned by the University, the Singapore Government asked for the amounts back from the University.The following news article from an Australian news paper (coincidentally, no Singapore media has picked up on this story yet).It tells of an audit report conducted by the New South Wales Auditor-General which reported that the UNSW's Asia president, Greg Whittred was also an EDB board member (which also apapproves and disburses the grant and loan to the campus).As the audit in Australia pointed out, there is a potential conflict of interest for a UNSW official to also sit on the board which it borrowed money and accepted grants. In the words of the vice-chancellor of the University, closing the project was in the "best long term interests of the university". He also commented that the project represented a "unacceptably high level of financial risk".This means that the project was both detrimental to UNSW and also carried significant financial risks. Something which the EDB never recognises before the project being canned. In fact Lim Hng Kiang went so far as to say that the onus lies with the investing party. I am not too sure if he considered the grants and loans as investments, but maybe those were just chump-change to a person familiar with millions.Also ironically, the NSW Auditors-General report also revealed that the document which declared the Fred Wittred's conflict of interests also went missing.I believe as with all cases of potential conflict of interests, the conflict cuts both ways.For the New South Wales government and the university to now call into question the issue of the conflict of interests arising from a person straddling both sides of the fence, we (Singaporeans, but more importantly the EDB and its master) must get answers for our own set of questions.My questions are:1) Was the EDB board aware of Greg's conflict of interests? Was there an obligation imposed on directors of EDB to declare conflicts of interest?It would be difficult for the EDB not to be aware of the conflict, since the party they probably have to negotiate with sits on their own board as well.2) How did the EDB board resolve the issue of conflict of interests? Did the board declare this to the government and possibly to the Singapore Auditor General or the Attorney General? Should this matter of a potential conflict of interest be pre-approved by the Minister of Finance?3) When extending the grants and loans to the UNSW Asia campus, what was the due diligence done? If you recall an earlier blog and also other similar news reports, you will remember that Lim Hng Kiang went on record to say that no due diligence was performed. (See http://urbanrant.blogspot.com/2007/08/cannot-collect-s173m-from-unsw-asia-who.htmlIf you do not perform a financial review, would the EDB have done a conflict of interest review?4) In normal business operations, where a potential of conflict situation arises, the party affected by the conflict should abstain from speaking, influencing or deciding on the matter at hand. I am curious as to whether in the discussions at the UNSW meetings for the Asian campus project whether Greg has excused himself from the discussions and decision making of this matter.5) Also equally important to Singapore is: whether Greg was asked by the EDB board to abstain from attending, speaking, influencing or deciding on the matter of the grant and loans.I am not surprised that there is hardly any news reported in the local papers.But the public deserves to know more.I would like the Singapore Auditor-General office to look into this matter.If the EDB is found to be lacking in its process when reviewing investments and granting incentives to foreigners, Singaporeans would want the EDB to tighten its process.We deserve to know. And Singapore should not wait for Australia to tell us what is truth is.From Sydney Morning Herald:http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/failed-asia-campus-cost-47m/2008/05/14/1210444530198.htmlFailed Asia campus cost $47mHarriet Alexander and Brian RobinsMay 15, 2008AdvertisementTHE University of NSW lost $47.6 million through the closure of its Singapore campus, the first official figures to disclose the extent of the financial fallout over the controversial enterprise show.Its Asia campus was the most expensive offshore venture so far by an Australian university.The NSW Auditor-General's annual report on the state's 10 public universities reveals that the University of NSW was forced to repay about $29 million in loans, $13.8 million in grants and $3.5 million in staff payouts when it decided to pull the plug on the campus and its 148 students just 10 weeks after it opened early last year. The Singaporean Government had contributed nearly $26 million in loans and grants towards its establishment, resulting in an ugly dispute over liability of costs when the university pulled out. The audit showed the university was forced to reimburse Singapore the $26 million.The audit raised concerns about a possible conflict of interest when the campus was terminated.The university's Asia president, Greg Whittred, was also a member of Singapore's Economic Development Board, the main creditor when the campus collapsed.The documents declaring the conflict of interest went missing. "We were concerned how the university could satisfactorily conduct a review of its operations in Singapore while the president remained an EDB member," the report said.The auditors were satisfied the matter had been resolved satisfactorily after discussing it with management, but recommended that the university closely monitor other potential conflicts of interest.Richard Henry, the university's acting vice-chancellor, said: "We remain convinced that the decision to close the campus in Singapore was in the best long-term interests of the university."As we indicated at the time, to continue the operation in Singapore would have involved an unacceptably high level of financial risk to the institution."The report also found that Charles Sturt University had a large exposure to the credit crisis that shook world financial markets in recent months, with the value of its $114 million investment portfolio falling to $100.4 million by February.The report said $35.6 million of the total was held in collateralised debt obligations, risky financial instruments that have caused losses running to at least $400 million for local councils, a recent State Government report found.The report argued that the university needed to "re-evaluate its risk management strategy for its investment portfolio".Sydney University and the University of NSW have also suffered large losses on their extensive investment portfolios. Seat belts in school bus: LTA deems it necessary to spend more time to study issue Despite a case of a child's death arising from a lack of safety belt, LTA is still insisting that more time to study the issue is necessary.And what makes it even more irresponsible, is that our well-paid and highly efficient has been studying the same matter since 2006.Is the issue of child safety aboard school buses so complex that our government scholars got stumped?Why then the delay?Why is the matter so difficult?If this is such a complex matter, i wonder how long they took to mull over the even more surprising ruling that taxis should not stop in places other than taxi stands within the CBD.Until the laws are passed, i would like to see the senior echelons of the LTA put their children in school buses without safety belts, instead of chauffeuring them to schools in their BMWs.From Straits Times: May 11, 2008 Seat-belt rule for school buses will take time By Nur Dianah Suhaimi & Tan Dawn Wei MPs may be clamouring for seat belts to be installed in school buses, but this won't be happening any time soon, say the various parties involved. The Land Transport Authority (LTA), which has been studying the issue since 2006, told The Sunday Times that it needs three to six months to consult safety experts and carry out studies before passing a new regulation on seat belts on buses. With 100,000 dead and many more in dire condition, Myanmar can no longer be concerned about politics Myanmar is in a sorry state.Devastating cyclones have ravaged much of the country and have taken more than 100,000 lives to date.Yet whilst aid have been pledged and promised, so far that actual benefits arriving within Myanmar has only begun to trickle in.The military ever so wary of outside interferences and political intervention has once again shut out the world. Visa applications delay and non approvals now result in food and aid immediately earmarked for helping the Burmese now languish in nearby Thailand, Nepal and India.So why the impasse, Junta generals?Is the threat of losing power so great and so fearsome, that you can bear to see thousands if not hundreds of thousands of innocent countrymen perish because available aid cannot reach them?The Haves often cannot fathom what the HaveNots do not have. Sadly this is the case here again.From http://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Asia/Story/A1Story20080509-64271.html 9th May 2008Myanmar 'not ready' for foreign rescue teamsYANGON - MYANMAR said on Friday it was not ready to let in foreign aid workers, rejecting international pressure to allow experts into the isolated nation where disease and starvation are stalking cyclone survivors. Why Lionel Messi is worth 80m pounds to Chelsea? And the implications for ministerial salaries in Singapore. According to a recent soccer news rumour, Chelsea Football Club is reportedly tabling a record busting bid for Barcelona's Lionel Messi. With a plethora of expensive soccer stars already at the club, Roman Abramovich (chairman of CFC and part-time Russian oil oligarch) is asking coach Avram Grant to up the ante on the team's entertainment value by capturing the dazzling midfield wizard.According to the Bloomberg reportRussian billionaire Abramovich told coach Avram Grant that he wants the team's style of play to be more exciting next season and believes Messi, 20, would help Chelsea achieve that, the newspaper said. By all accounts, Chelsea Football Club has done well this year. It is done to the last game of the season to decide the league title and they are already in their first final for the European Champions League (something which the publicity-mad Mourinho never did). They are a very good team already. But yet, Roman still wants to pay over the top dollars just to make it entertaining. We are talking about sums which is 70% more than the previous record for Zinedine Zidane of 47m pounds.Why are they doing it? Simply, Because they can afford to.If you ask the other big clubs in Europe, Manchester United, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Juventus, AC, Inter.... none of these other big clubs can pony up 80m pounds to buy a player. For some of this club, 80m pounds may already buy you a majority stake in the club itself. This is the reality of the game now.To these other clubs, Messi is surely a great player, and i am sure they will only pay up to 20-25m pounds to grab him (no questions there). But at 80m pounds? No one else would. Only Chelsea can do that.So, if we take that analogy to Singapore, and we ask ourselves?Is Lee Hsien Loong worth 2m Singapore dollars a year? Is Wong Kan Seng worth 2m a year? Is Nathan worth more than 2m a year?Abosulutely, we say.Because when it comes to paying for superstars, we have the world's bigget wallet, the tax paying population of Singapore and the CPF contributors of the labour force. Why should we settle for an effective Lampard and dynamic Essien, when we can also add the dazzling wizardry of Lionel Messi.Why should we be contented with standard politicans who are paid more along the lines of public service civil servants when we can have chart topping glamourous superstars who are up there with the likes of investment bankers, top lawyers and architects.We, the population of Singapore, deserve the stars. We demand the very best. The cream. That's why we are willing to pay for them through the skin of our back.Forget that we are not the richest nation in the world (by a long mile). Forget that we have the bottom 10% of our population having its income lowered since the last decade. Forget that we have residents living in Pasir Ris whose whole family copes with a loaf of bread a day. Forget all that, because to have a Switzerland standard of living, we have to pay for it first.So why do we pay so much? Like Chelsea.... Because we can.Read news link:http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601102&sid=aknDGrjZiOaA&refer=uk Funny gaffe in the UK with the new HM Treasury Office logo This is a true story. Sometimes, the true stories are indeed the funniest.A week ago, there was a story circulating in the UK regarding a major boo-boo for the Office of Government Commerce. This is a department of the HM Treasury and is commonly known as OGC in short.In its effort to spruce up its image, freshen its look and commit itself to "improving value for money by driving up standards", they commissioned some designers at a cost of 14,000 pounds sterling to come up with a new logo.This is the logo that they come up with.The logo does exactly look like what the department asked for. It is crisp, modern and very professional looking.However, seen from another perspective, the logo when rotated at 90 degrees clockwise, looks like this: I am not sure whether your mind is as pornographic as mine. But all I can in this logo is a man doing an one-arm salute.Aren't we all glad that our major renaming exercise for Marina Centre or the redesign NTUC logo (earlier blog entry: The "Union" in the new NTUC logo appears to fade into the background) have less exciting news worthiness.Also read: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=561977&in_page_id=1770 Why are Straits Times reporters better at finding criminals than the Singapore Police? It is an amazing feeling when the Straits Times article on illegal cigarette peddlers come complete with photos, interviews and details about the criminal modus operandi.Straits Times, give them credit this time round, has done an incredible job in finding the various locations where the contraband cigarette sellers are. I remember seeing earlier articles where they took photos in Woodlands, Geylang and other places where motorists can stop by and buy duty-free cigarettes.To me, I am totally bewildered that the news reporter can consistently find these crimes taking place, take photos and even interview the crime perpetrators.But alas, where are the cops in Singapore?Somehow, the men in blue do not know where to find these criminals. They do not know how they operate. And perhaps they do not even read the news articles on Straits Times. Because if they had read ST, they may know where to find the criminals.So what do I expect from our police? Not much, but they are pretty good at showing up whenever Chee Soon Juan turns up.Extracted from http://www.straitstimes.com/Free/Story/STIStory_233782.html, Straits TimesCigarette peddlers show up in Geylang Working in teams, they do their illegal trade in back alleys, side lanes By Aw Cheng WeiPeddlers from China and Vietnam are hawking bootleg cigarettes openly in the Geylang area, sometimes in broad daylight, and even stopping cars to sell their stash.The cigarettes are smuggled in on board cargo ships which dock at Jurong Port, the peddlers claimed.One seller, who said he was Vietnamese and spoke in halting English, said his shipborne supply comes from Indonesia. His teammate added in Mandarin: 'The ships come in daily and we pay on collection.' The "Union" in the new NTUC logo appears to fade into the background The new NTUC logo The old NTUC logo :You can read all about the dynamic new logo and how it is about YOU (Yes, the big U, small U and even an invisible U). I am surprised by the way they described a big and small YOU. Here is how they described it:The small U that stands for working people of all collars, ages and nationalities in Singapore, and their families. - Strangely, the largest labour union (staffed by PAP's MPs) deem it important to represent all nationalities. Remember it is not about Singaporean workers, NTUC is about workers in Singapore. The big U that stands for the Labour Movement, made up of our affiliated unions and associations, social enterprises, staff, members and partners . - See, the labour movement is more important than the workers. The labour union's priorities rank higher (i.e. bigger) than that of the working people (smaller U). The invisible U that stands beside working people and their families at work, live and play, to help them earn a better living and live a better life. - Like the holy trinity, the invisible U is besides you helping you earn a better living and live a better life. Question: Does the invisible U's name start with P?The old logo (to me) is more reminiscent of the traditional blue collar workers in Singapore. There are tools of trade shown in the old logo; the spanner and the bolt in the logo depicts a time where the bulk of our workers are more of the traditional blue collar variety.I am not against the change of the logo per se, but I find it interesting how the new logo is designed and conceptualised.Also, I find it strangely ironical that the new logo seems to show a U that is sort of faded into the background. Seen in this light, the YOU fades in to the background whilst the more important "N-ational", "T-rade" and "C-ongress" now comes to the fore. I think this may be the intention afterall.NTUC has always maintained that the national interests supercedes that of the workers' rights. I am not surprised but I thought a workers' union should put its workers' priorities as its core.Anyway, who needs to go on strikes and protests when we can get discount coupons for cheaper diapers, sanitary pads and toilet rolls.  Easier to cock the pistol than to pull the trigger The recent parliamentary intercourse between PM Lee and MP Low Thia Khiang reflects a sorry state of our politics.Extracted from Today, 26 April 2008. http://www.todayonline.com/articles/250454.aspMr Low, in particular, found it hard to reconcile the view that ministers should be paid high salaries pegged to the best of the private sector with the one that, when an honest mistake is made, ministers, unlike the best of the private sector, should not be held as accountable.Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong sought to defend the position by saying that the practice was no different than that in the private sector. He then pointedly asked Mr Low: "Let me ask the member whether he thinks (Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng) ought to resign because of this.".Remarkably, Mr Low chose to respond but with pin-drop silence — leading the Prime Minister to remark: "No answer. So I think that settles the point."Low was astute to observe that the PAP government, much like a corporate body, behaves like one. It hires people like a top company, choosing to cast its headhunting net vast and wide, pays its people top dollars and likes to trumpet its achievements comes annual general meeting time (*once every five years in PAP's case).When the Mas Selamet saga appears on the scene, and Lee chose to keep Wong Kan Seng in his cabinet instead of asking for an honourable political harakiri, this became a golden opportunity for Low to ask the toughest question of the PM regarding his deputy.Low cocked the pistol.But the harder part is the pulling of the trigger. When challenged by Lee on whether Low thinks that Wong should resign, Low remained reticent.This is the bewildering part. When Low asked that difficult question, more than half the work is done. Obviously he felt it important enough to raise the issue. He must have felt that Wong should have done the honourable thing. Otherwise, he would not have asked the question in the first place.But he did not answer Lee. Why not? Only he knows it himself. Anyway, I have been terribly dissapointed with Low yet again.It takes balls to answer back the PM in his own courtyard. I would have imagined him to have grown a pair by now given the time he has already spent in it.Alas, sadly for Singapore our opposition lacks what it takes. Smoking in casino: Our laws should not stand in the way of making money If you have any doubts that the laws prohibiting smoking in public and air-conditioned spaces were enacted to prevent tax-paying citizens from dying prematurely, the new casino smoking laws will put that to rest.Apparently, smoking in casinos is going to be allowed.I am not sure how you can defined casinos as non public spaces, but I am sure our government has a way to label it accordingly to justify this decision.From the few casinos i have visited (i can hardly be deemed a customer or patron), the entire casino or sections of the casinos are often covered in smoke. Vices do often come together, and I am sure the relevant government agencies must have thought it necessary to let our casinos side step our own laws so as not to stand in the way of money making.How else can you set different rules for different venues?Maybe non-smokers should be given oxygen tanks by the integrated resorts.Extracted from Straits Times, 27 April 2008Smoking To Be Allowed At Singapore's Casino Gaming Hallsby Jermyn Chow, Straits TimesThe government has decided to leae gaming halls out of a nationwide ban on smoking in indoor public spaces, which is being rolled out in the next few years. But the two integrated resorts will be required to draw up 'house rules' to protect non-smokers. Is JBJ a serial opposer or a die-hard romantic? Many of us who are unfortunate enough to be declared a bankrupt would have loved every minute to be finally unencumbered by the legal knots of financial cripple. Many of us mere Singaporeans would have.But not JB Jeyaratnam. He does not just celebrate his financial freedom, he did not just uncork a bottle or two... He had to do what he does best... find an alternative voice. He starts a new political party.One may not like his fire-brand politics or his views of the domestic political agenda. But one cannot help but be fascinated and also kind of respect his passion for his political vocation.Soldier on JB....Thanks for showing us what passion....Extracted from Straits Times, April 19, 2008."VETERAN politician J.B. Jeyaretnam announced his return to politics yesterday by launching a blistering attack on the Government. Out of the political arena from 2001 to last year, his press conference yesterday was a pent-up list of grievances covering everything from brain drain and taxes, to the income gap and ministerial salaries, to injustices he perceived in the judiciary." Intel gets cute with its MTV style advertisement This is cute. Interesting twist to an I.T. advert. Mr. Bean does iTunes. Funny video of Mr. Bean (Rowan Atkinson) doing an iTunes-ad type commercial featuring his facial gymnastics. The Technology Bubble 2.0 The creativity of geeks cannot be underestimated. This video is hilarious. Very funny literal translation of an Hindi MTV This video got me cracking. Very funny MTV clip. Benny Lava Bic-sexual : Scotsman had sex with his bicycle This piece of news which I read off the BBC website is damn funny.How the hell can anyone have sex with a bicycle? If you know, please provide a guide by commenting to this post.From http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7095134.stmBike sex man placed on probation A man caught trying to have sex with his bicycle has been sentenced to three years on probation.Robert Stewart, 51, admitted a sexually aggravated breach of the peace by conducting himself in a disorderly manner and simulating sex.Sheriff Colin Miller also placed Stewart on the Sex Offenders Register for three years.Mr Stewart was caught in the act with his bicycle by cleaners in his bedroom at the Aberley House Hostel in Ayr.Gail Davidson, prosecuting, told Ayr Sheriff Court: "They knocked on the door several times and there was no reply."They used a master key to unlock the door and they then observed the accused wearing only a white t-shirt, naked from the waist down."The accused was holding the bike and moving his hips back and forth as if to simulate sex."Both cleaners, who were "extremely shocked", told the hostel manager who called police.Sheriff Colin Miller told Stewart: "In almost four decades in the law I thought I had come across every perversion known to mankind, but this is a new one on me. I have never heard of a 'cycle-sexualist'."Stewart had denied the offence, claiming it was caused by a misunderstanding after he had too much to drink.The bachelor had been living in the hostel since October 2006 after moving from his council house in Girvan.He now lives in Ayr. Divide and conquer: 9 ageing HDB blocks in Hougang to be cleared This is a cunning step.The cynic in me seems to think that this is a 'blatant' attempt to uproot opposition voters and disperse them in places where there is more PAP support.Does it not make you wonder why the government think it necessary to 'destroy' fairly new flats and disrupt the lives of so many families? These flats have reached 1/3 of its valid lives. They are on 99 year leases, but you know in Singapore old is bad (see warrant officer story http://www.straitstimes.com/ST+Forum/Story/STIStory_174031.html).It is also strange that the plan for the vacated land will be used to make way for 'private properties'. This government wants to uproot people they call heartlanders from their home to make way for more affluent Singaporeans. Make sense? I think not.The other odd thing about this is that the government is sending all these 9 blocks of families scuttling around looking for new homes to replace their existing homes. All at a time when the prices of HDB flats and private housing are at an all time high. And at the back of a property bubble which is about to be pricked by concerns of the sub prime situation in the US and possible a US economic slowdown.So what is the real reason for doing all this at such a strange time?Maybe it it because the electoral boundaries are about to be redrawn and defined for the next General Election.Let's now see what the hound dog (oops sorry watch dog) (see http://urbanrant.blogspot.com/2007/11/is-workers-party-failure-wp-chief-says.html) Low Thia Khiang has to say.(From http://www.asiaone.com/Business/My+Money/Property/Story/A1Story20071115-37090.html)9 ageing HDB blocks in Hougang to be cleared THE Housing Board is clearing nine blocks comprising rental flats, a food centre and a market in Hougang Avenue 3 and 7 - most of which are located in the opposition ward of Hougang.In a statement on Thursday, the HDB said that this is 'part of ongoing plans to rejuvenate older estates and to facilitate better land use.'The affected properties in blocks 3,4, 8 to 11, 11A to 14 in Hougang Avenue 3 and 7 are about 33 years old.The cluster comprises includes 854 rental flats, 42 rental shops and eating houses, and 199 hawker and market stalls.The HDB said that eligible tenants and stallholders will receive the standard clearance benefits and will be given appropriate assistance when necessary.The site occupied by blocks 12 to 14 in Hougang Avenue 7 will be put up for sale for private homes in the second half of 2009. The remaining land freed up will be developed for residential or commercial use after 2010, depending on prevailing market conditions.Rental flat tenants who are eligible will be given priority allocation of new flats under balloting, or new Build-to-Order flats when launched, studio apartments or two and three-room units if they are available. SMRT's public relations get pawned! I found this piece of Straits Times Forum letter very interesting.It highlights the emergence of an intelligentsia in Singapore who are increasingly more cynical of the canned public relations dross the government and institutional PR departments roll out each time a letter is printed on the ST Forum pages.The matter of the hot MRT cabins is a clear problem for anyone who takes the train. Occasionally when I actually rode on the train, this problem bugged me as well.I am not sure what the SMRT PR department is trying to pull. But definitely Singaporeans are no longer going to stand still when wool is pulled right in front of their eyes.Kudos.From http://www.straitstimes.com/ST%2BForum/Story/STIStory_175767.htmlHave more sensitive thermostats on trains I WOULD like to register my disappointment with SMRT's reply, 'External factors can affect temperature in train cars' (ST, Nov 8).SMRT's Ms Kuek Chor Ling placed all blame for the breakdown of the air-con system during peak hours on minor factors such as heavy passenger load and train doors remaining open for a longer time at stations. Were these factors not taken into account during procurement and approval of design of the train cars?If two air-con units are sufficient to power the air-conditioning system in a train car at full capacity, would it not make sense to have a more sensitive thermostat rather than rely on a proven failed one that cannot register the correct reading and so causes discomfort to passengers?I would like to engage SMRT's engineering team and help find ways to work on the current air-con system. This is crucial not just for SMRT, but also for the good name of Singapore as our train system is well used by tourists and is an icon of our progress.Dr Holden Li King HoAdjunct Assistant ProfessorSchool of Mechanical and Aerospace EngineeringNanyang Technological University Is Workers' Party a failure? WP Chief says he is merely a watchdog I am often critical of the government's policies and also its attitudes towards stifling opposing views and alternative perspectives.Of course the government is not the only thing that needs to be critically examined. The opposition needs it too.Today, Low Thia Khiang, a veteran opposition MP, shares his lack of ambition and vision with the rest of Singapore.For so long, Low and Chiam See Tong was held up as bastions of the alternate Singaporean voice. People in Hougang and Pasir Ris voted repeatedly for both men. And people in Aljunied almost voted Low's team into Parliament. The folks in Hougang place their trust in the man to run their town.He has done some good things with Hougang. Contrary to what the mainstream media would have you believe, there are no slums in Hougang.To hear Low's lack of ambition loud and clear is a blow to his supporters.To even suggest that it will take another 20 years for his party to be credible enough to stand on its own is either a case of being pragmatic or hopelessly despondent.The next time you hear Low mention his rhetoric against the ruling party in an election rally, you may be well advised to note this article and remember that this guy may lack the gumption or the vision necessary to steer the Workers' Party to anything more than a watchdog.In his mind, Workers' Party will need another 20 years to challenge. This means another 4 elections. By which time, he (by his own admission) would have passed on the baton to another crop of Workers' Party leaders. That would mean that in his entire period as a leader of the main opposition party in Singapore, he would have not even created a dent in history. He has ruffled even fewer feathers.If that is the case, why then did the Hougang voters vote Low in into Parliament? Did they vote in merely a town administrator (and thereby subjecting themselves to the end of a PAP queue to upgrade their homes)?Did they vote Low into the Parliament to sit as a watchdog, and occassionally raising a whimper against the hounds that surround you.In doing so, he is a mere badge on the PAP's lapel, whom the likes of Lee Hsien Loong can point critics of Singaporean authoritarian meritocracy to as evidence of mutli-party democracy in Singapore.Low has a choice to be a lap dog or a hound dog. Sadly his choice is so different from his predecessor. (From: http://www.straitstimes.com/print/Singapore/Story/STIStory_172479.html)Nov 1, 2007Greater openness here now, says WP chiefLow Thia Khiang points to debate on Section 377A as an example of a more relaxed political atmosphere WORKERS' Party (WP) leader Low Thia Khiang sees the Government's handling of the recent debate on the law against male homosexuality as a sign of greater openness here.He cited the Section 377A debate as an example of a more relaxed political atmosphere, as he gave the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) a 'passing grade' for its governance.'You don't see very strong reactions from the Government towards criticisms and citizen initiatives,' he told The Straits Times last night.'The environment has changed compared to when I just joined politics in the early 80s...People are more vocal and people are more comfortable to air their views in public. So I think it is an improvement.'The highly charged debate over Section 377A took place both in and outside Parliament.It was sparked by a citizens' petition to the House to repeal it from the Penal Code and over two days last week, 16 MPs spoke on the controversial issue.The WP is holding its 50th anniversary celebrations on Saturday.In an interview with Chinese-language daily Lianhe Zaobao ahead of the celebrations, Mr Low was asked how he would grade the PAP government. He said it was 'definitely a pass'.But at the same time, he criticised some of the Government's policies, arguing that the recent Central Provident Fund (CPF) changes are unfair to the elderly.He said that by delaying the draw-down age of the CPF Minimum Sum, the Government is essentially leaving older Singaporeans with no choice but to continue working.While supporting the Government's anti-terrorism moves, he expressed concern that they may increase the authorities' power.Still, the WP secretary-general - who said he hoped that he will not be the party leader when it celebrates its 60th anniversary - insists it is not right for a political party to oppose for the sake of opposing.'The term opposition is a legacy of the Western parliamentary system, and I have never believed that an opposition party should oppose for the sake of opposing or to shoot one's mouth off.'Politics should be about responsible politics. The opposition should be a watchdog, not a mad dog. That should be the path for a political party.'It is also not the job of the opposition here to offer alternatives to all government policies, he argued.While the ruling party has specialists to study and research various issues, the opposition lacks the resources to come up with alternatives.He pointed out that the WP is unlike the opposition parties in the West, which come up with alternative policies for everything.The WP's role is to revise and improve on government policies. Moreover, the opposition should not shoot its mouth off, and offer alternative policies on a whim.'A political party needs to reach a certain stage before it can offer alternative policies, that is, at a stage where it is capable of replacing that government. And WP still has a very long way to go before reaching this stage.'In fact, he did not think his party is ready to challenge the PAP for government in the 'near future'.Said the 51-year-old: 'To become ready to take over the government is a very long-term goal. Every political party wishes to be ready to form the government and eventually become the ruling party. But to me, this is still very far, we need to take one step at a time.' Link to a set of awesome set of pumpkin carving photos For photos like this one, please following this link. http://ourstereo.com/wackolantern/Awesome !! Especially for the halloween. SIA says no to Sex In the Air I earlier wrote about the beyond first class suites on their A380 flights. (http://urbanrant.blogspot.com/2007/10/sia-finally-reclaim-its-rightful-name.html)However it is now known that you are NOT supposed to have sex in these suites.Yes, despite getting paid a lot, feeding you lots of champagne, and providing nice privacy to, SIA now says no to you getting hot and heavy in the air.Apparently, the reason for this prohibition is the concern that 12 bumping suites will lead to increased turbulence for the flight. I wonder whether using the seat belts whilst having sex will lead to a less turbulent flight.Maybe SIA should start a pilot program to test this out.Until that happens, it looks like it is going to be Sex Inhibition Airline. Maybe Virgin Airlines can take up the mantle.(Excerpt from: http://www.straitstimes.com/Singapore/Story/STIStory_172480.html)Romance is in but sex is out on A380's double bed'NO SEX please, we're Singapore Airlines.'SIA's new Airbus 380 superjumbo offers 12 'beyond first-class' suites with private cabins that give two couples the option of taking a double bed each screened off by sliding doors and roller blinds.But thrill-seekers with ideas of joining the Mile-High Club in style should banish any ideas of hanky-panky.The airline's spokesman said: 'We ask all customers, wherever they are on our aircraft, to observe standards that do not cause offence to other customers and crew. Nothing different applies for our SIA suites customers.' Charging more for ERP is not going to solve the road congestion problem. We now have more lanes on the ECP and also the new spanking longest underground expressway in South East Asia (KPE) coming up.We have thrown resources at the road congestion problem and we have taxed road users to the hilt with more ERP charges.And yet, the problem still persists.Perhaps the answer in solving the problem lies not in putting more into the system. Not in trying to let more cars onto the road.Perhaps the answer lies in taking out from the system and not adding to it.I know the government claims that they are not intending to make money from ERP charges and the money that is earned from ERP is offset by the reduction in road tax and cheaper CoEs.Therein lies the problem; the government has, some time back, chosen to loosen the grip on the control of vehicles by releasing so many CoEs each quarter.The relaxation on the number of vehicles has put more cars into the hands of Singaporeans. The experience of paying more than $90k for a Toyota Corolla now seems like such a distant memory. I bet very few people can remember that a Honda Accord used to costs as much as a BMW now.By putting so many 'now-affordable' vehicles in homes who previously cannot afford cars, we now have a burgeoning class of car owners. Most middle income families now have cars. And some middle income families with both parents working now have 2 cars between themselves.Cars have gotten cheaper and the catch is that using them now costs more.So why does the problem not gotten away since it is so expensive to drive in Singapore.Because who wants to spend more than S$50,000 on a vehicle just to park it at home. And to periodically wash it during the weekends.If you already spend S$50,000 on your car, you would want to use your car...even if you have to pay $5 bucks to get into CTE, and another $2.50 to get into the CBD. To the person who just spent $50,000 you will think that spending S$5.50 each morning is cheap. Even if you have to pay the evening ERP later.It may not be logical to make that conclusion but it is psychologically difficult for most people to accept leaving their cars at home.Imaging that you give large bottles of sweets to 7 children, but tell each child that they can each only eat 1 sweet each week and each one of them on different days. Do not be too surprised if you see each child not keeping their end of the bargain. It is hard to resist the temptation when you give them the sweets upfront. If you want to control their sweets intake, you only give them 1 sweet when it is their turn to eat the sweet.Reducing the number of CoEs being released each month is the answer, not increasing the ERP charges.People who do their sums and include the daily ERP charges may not even buy a car. And people who don't include the hefty usage charges when budgeting for their cars will be hit with the realisation that they are wasting their money when leaving their car at home. They might as well drive and pay the charges.Therein lies the problem and the difficulty of solving the problem using usage charges. UNLESS the LTA start charging a really painful amount for the ERP. If they start charging $10 each time you pass a gantry...then people will really sit up and listen. Until that happens, we will see congestion and people would want to drive the 'cheaper' cars they bought.Lesser CoEs will immediately curb the congestion issue and the need to spend billions on building more roads will be eased.Do we really want each family in Singapore to own a polluting vehicle? More expensive cars are the answer to this problem. Not ERP.(Excerpt from http://www.straitstimes.com/print/Singapore/Story/STIStory_171798.html)Oct 30, 2007ERP rates on CTE hit a high of $5By Christopher TanTHE costliest road to drive on in Singapore - the Central Expressway (CTE) - is about to get more expensive.From Nov 5, motorists will pay 50 cents more each time they pass under an Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) gantry there.The move, the third wide-scale ERP increase this year, will mean those driving cars onto the CTE from the Pan-Island Expressway (PIE) between 8.30am and 9am will have to pay a record $5.Goods vehicles and buses will have to pay $10. Another Singapore First: PM LEE first to congratulate new Myanmar PM Lieutenant-General Thein Sein If you read Google News under Myanmar, your will find a series of news report which talks about the latest re-shuffle amongst the Cabinet ministers in the Myanmar military junta government.In this latest reshuffle following the death of the previous PM Soe Win, a Lieutanant-General by the name of Thein Sein was appointed PM.Look at the screen shots of Google News for searches under Myanmar new PM.You will note that there are no congratulatory notes from anywhere else in the world, except for Singapore. ChannelnewsAsia is so eager to report the first note to be received by Thein Sein.Why would Singapore be so embracing of another military ruler in Myanmar?Perhaps this is because of our close association with that government. Afterall, we are widely reported to be the #1 investor in this closed regime.Maybe also, PM Lee finds it quietly comforting another Lieutenant General make it to the PM position. There must be some mutual respect when a man of uniform, much like himself, makes it to the highest office in the land. (What is even more respectable is thatl Thein Sein does not appear to have an ex-premier for a father.)Another feather in the cap of our illustrious foreign service corps. Well done. Apple to Air Student-Made iPod Touch Ad This is one of the reasons why there are many so called Mac fan boys around I guess.For a company of Apple's size, it remains a company with a impeccable record of being able to connect with its users.Apparently, a student created an iPod touch advertisement which was spotted by Apple employees who later alerted their ad agency to this YouTube clip.The ad agency then approached Nick Haley (the student) to sort out a deal where they made another advertisement now of course with better editing and HD video in exactly the same vein. The new advertisement is set to air this weekend in the United States.Well done, Apple.See story from http://www.macrumors.com/2007/10/26/apple-to-air-student-made-ipod-touch-ad/ SIA finally reclaim its rightful name Yesterday Singapore Airlines celebrate its A380 inaugural flight from Singapore to Sydney.Amongst the many new innovative features, is the stunning double bed configuration. See photo below.At the back of my mind, I am thinking whether this mean that people can finally have Sex In the Air (SIA) without being a nuisance to other passengers and risks being arrested.http://edition.cnn.com/2007/BUSINESS/10/25/a380.firstflight/ Singapore Airlines' CEO, Chew Choon Seng named the jetliner the "queen of the skies". Tom Enders, CEO of Airbus said he would like to celebrate his 25th wedding anniversary on one of its double beds. And CNN's Richard Quest, who was on board the maiden flight, said there was "nothing quite like it". The luxury on board, he said, sets a new standard for air travel.