Alex Au used the word "chimera" to describe the two bus operators. I checked Wikipedia and found this explanation: A chimera is a single organism (usually an animal) that is composed of two or more different populations of genetically distinct cells that originated from different zygo...
I retired from NTUC Income on 28 February 2007, after heading this cooperative for 30 years. I now run a consultancy company. See www.tankinlian.com. I write this blog to give my views on insurance, investment and financial planning for the benefit of consumers. You can contact me at ...
An IT expert describes TABS (taxi automated booking service) as a "disruptive technology". This is a technology that changes a process completely. Why? A normal taxi booking service is a "push system". The customer request is sent to the nearest taxi - while they are still moving alon...
I invite you to try the business simulation game at this website www.easyapps.sg/besta Four games will be running each night (Singapore time) for the insurance, hotel and airline industry. You can try to learn the strategy on pricing and marketing to get profitable results in a compet...
It is quite sad that Singapore males have to do National Service and foreigners are given scholarship, jobs and the chance to represent Singapore - and they have an advantage over Singaporeans because they do not have to serve National Service. http://www.tremeritus.com/2012/02/24/mem...
I carried out research of taxi booking over the past two years and obtained these findings: a) About 25% of commuters book a taxi (and pay a fee of $2.50 or $3.50); the other 75% stop a taxi on the road (because they do not want to pay a booking fee). b) About 80% (my estimate) of the...
I have made a statement that the Government collects a lot of taxes and spend some of the money wastefully. I want to quote a few examples: 1. Posh office buildings and furniture 2. Management consultants and computer systems 3. Online processes that save time for civil servants but a...
This letter was sent to the Straits Times on 3 February 2012 but was not accepted for publication . The Minister for Transport announced in Parliament that the Government will regulate the standard of service for taxi drivers but will not regulate the fares. I recall reading an editor...
It is ironic that the online processes, which are supposed to improve national productivity, produce the unintended consequence of increasing business cost. By saving of a few minutes of data entry time of its own staff, the government agency requires the administrative staff of the b...
The wife of the former British Prime Minister has sued a newspaper for hacking into her telephone. I suppose that this is an invasion of privacy. In a similar suit, the newspaper had agreed to pay damages to the plaintiff. Details can be read here: http://www.todayonline.com/World/Wor...
TR Emeritus (or Temasek Review) is well known for hosting anonymous comments that are strongly anti-government. Recently, the editor received letters from lawyers acting for PM Lee Hsien Loong and chairman of Fraser & Neave Lee Hsien Yong concerning alleged defamatory remarks posted i...
The IT services industry is one that is very prone to corruption practices, but it is the best mirror to an economic slowdown, when economy is slowing down, businesses would first KIV IT expenditure. Right now IT business is really bad. But it is also said the stock market is also a h...
In this blog. I wish to share my views on a variety of issues that are of interest to my readers, such as financial planning, investment and social issues. I welcome readers to my blog to share their views, even if these views are different from my views. In doing so, there is no need...
GST (or VAT value added tax) is one type of consumption tax. The other type of consumption tax is sales tax. I do not like both types of taxes. I prefer to have income tax, even a flat rate tax, instead of consumption tax. Between GST and sales tax, I prefer a sales tax as it can be a...
If you want a taxi and is not willing to pay the booking fee of $2.50 or $3.50, you can try TABS (taxi automated booking service). You can use the browser of any smart phone (i.e. Apple, Android, Windows, Nokia or Blackberry) and go to the webpage, www.tabs.sg/mobile . Note - you do N...
IRAS required me to file the ECI within 3 months of the close of the financial year. I had first to finalize my financial accounts. I approached a few accounting firms, but they are too busy handling too many accounts and their charges are quite high (for a small company). But I am no...
I have to submit a return for an association to IRAS. The form stated that it takes 10 minutes to fill up. That is correct. But what IRAS did not realize is that it can take hours to understand what is really required and to gather the information that they asked for (which apparently...
In Budget 2012, the Government is setting aside $1.1 billion for the purchase of 550 buses and to meet their running cost for the next 10 years. I wish to suggest that the budget for public transport be used in the following ways: Provide express bus services to operate between the ma...
The Government is setting aside $1.1 billion in the budget to pay for 550 buses and the cost of operating them for 10 years. A news report suggested that they will be "persuading" the bus operators to increase their bus frequency and service levels. I do not know why the Government is...
Many Singaporeans may not be aware of the differences between the three types of situations described below: 1. Making a general statement If I say, "Many Singaporeans have a negative mindset. They look at what is wrong, rather than what is right". This is a general statement, and is ...
Printed in TODAY paper on 20 February 2012 I APPRECIATE the Budget payout of up to S$5,000 to small companies to offset higher business costs, especially the simple approach to determine eligibility for this grant. Could the Finance Minister consider another measure that would help no...
My friend invested $40,000 in the Vitamin account issued by a local bank in October 2005. He received a payout of 4% at the end of 1 year but there was no payout for the next five years. On maturity, he received back only his principal. The total payout was 4% for 6 years or only 0.7%...
I retired from NTUC Income on 28 February 2007, after heading this cooperative for 30 years. I now run a consultancy company. See www.tankinlian.com. I write this blog to give my views on insurance, investment and financial planning for the benefit of consumers. You can contact me at ...
A university lecturer invited a politician to give a talk to the class. After the talk, there was a lot of interactive discussion. The following day, the lecturer asked the students how they felt about the speaker. One after another pointed out the parts that they dislike. Nobody poin...
I wish to send this message for the young people of Singapore. You have grown up in a competitive and stressful environment. You had to study hard and compete with your classmates - at least you try to excel, You spent many hours on tuition, home work and extra curricular activities. ...
I delete comments that are downright rude, insulting or defamatory from my blog and Facebook. The people who wrote these comments do not know how to be courteous or respectful. They think that it is their "freedom of speech" to insult other people, and to do it while remaining anonymo...
A few days ago, I was walking to the bus stop to take a bus to my office. I saw a NS man waiting on the road-side to stop a taxi, but none was available. As he was outside a camp, he must be getting home after the camp training. I thought that it would be good for the NS man to learn ...
Here is a photo of a public toilet that requires the user to pay an entrance fee of 10 cents. If you do not have any 10 cents coin, bad luck to you. You better find someone willing to give you change. I do not know if the gate accepts $1 coin. If it does, it will certainly not give yo...
I am saddened by the decision taken by the leaders of the Workers Party to expel Yaw Shin Leong from the party. I do understand the difficult and complex issue that the leaders had to deal with. I am sure that they have taken the decision in the best interest of their party and the fu...
Also speak up for the consumers who kenna conned by insurance agents and their company. If you see a crime about to be committed or committed, speak up. Be a whistle blower in your company when you see your fellow agents committing unethical practices.We all have a duty to our fellow ...
