<Credits: NUS Whispers>

What if I told you hawkers can be very very rich? My uncle owns a famous seafood zhichar stall (2 units) and his daily revenue hits about 5000 a day.

Deduct monthly wages and expenses and you'll be looking at a net income of at least 40000. Sometimes you don't need a university degree to earn big bucks.

Dear A.S.S. Editor

First the rats. Now comes the sinkhole. Singapore is sinking to the ground? Reports have confirmed that there was a sinkhole which is about 30 - 40 cm wide which opened up at a traffic junction in front of Edgefield Secondary School in Punggol.

We know that there are lots of digging happenig in Singapore, to build MRT lines, new expressways, even shopping malls and buildings that houses underground carparks. Are these the reason rats have been driven up to the surface? And now, are we even safe anymore? Seeing that a sinkhole can suddenly appear on roads.

Now, the threat is all around us. Even coming from below our feet. Majulah, Singapura!

Jackson Goh

A.S.S. Contributor

Dear A.S.S. Editor

Finally, a new law has been passed which states that childcare centres and kindergartens will be held to a higher and more consistent standards. The authorities will also have more investigative powers to ensure pre-schools uphold these standards.

It's about time childcare centres are looked at more stringently. While we rush to meet demands for more childcare centres to place our young children during the day while the parents go off to work, we also have ot ensure that these children are well protected by the very childcare centres that we place them in.

There have been one too many cases of alleged abuse happening in childcare centres. It is time we put a stop to this, and ensure that the quality and caliber of staff in these childcare are up to standards.

Only then, parents will have a piece of mind when leaving the children at the centres.

Willie T

A.S.S. Contributor

Dear Editors

I refer to the article “Budget 2017: Need for fiscal prudence, even as Govt helps workers and businesses, say MPs” (Channel NewsAsia, Feb 28).

It states that “The first day of the debate on Budget 2017 on Tuesday (Feb 28) saw Members of Parliament (MPs) speak on the Government’s plans to help workers and enable businesses to reposition for the future, as well as the need for financial prudence.

But even as Singapore doubles down on investments to help businesses and workers transform, as well as continue social spending and infrastructure developments, some MPs have voiced concerns about overspending. MP for West Coast GRC Foo Mee Har noted that Singapore’s weakening fiscal position is a concern, after total expenditure growth outstripped growth in operating revenue for five consecutive years. She also said it is “worrying” that additional funds from Temasek’s inclusion in the Net Investment Returns (NIR) framework “appears to have been exhausted quickly”.

“Clearly, Singapore must find a sustainable fiscal footing for our future generations and we need a thorough review of both expenditure and revenue,” said Ms Foo, while proposing a limit on how much the Government can take from the Net Investment Returns Contribution (NIRC) to fund expenses. Ms Sun echoed that view and suggested binding or matching expenditures to the country’s revenues so that any increases in expenditure are carefully considered in relation to revenue. The MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC also raised a question about the “inherent risks” of being reliant on the NIRC – the largest source of funds for Singapore’s Budget at about 20 per cent of total revenue. She cited recent comments from Norway’s central bank governor, who warned about a potential 50 per cent loss of capital over the next 10 years for the country’s sovereign wealth fund amid rising expenditure.”

In this connection, I added up the Budget surpluses/deficits from 1997 to 2016 using the chart in the Straits Times (50 years of the Singapore Budget). Net Budget surpluses from 1997 to 2016 – $31.1b The total Budget surpluses and deficits were $44.5 and -$13.4 billion, respectively. This means that the net Budget surpluses from 1997 to 2016 is $31.1 billion ($44.5 – $13.4). As these figures include Transfers to Trust and Endowment Funds which under IMF fiscal reporting guidelines should not be charged as one-time expenditures in the Budget – the Budget surpluses may actually be much higher.

FY2016 – Budget surplus $5.2 or $8.8b? For example, if we add back the Trust and Endowment Funds of $3.6 billion – the Budget surplus would rise from $5.2 billion to $8.8 billion in FY2016. Budget Cash Surplus from 2005 to 2014 – $213.2b? According to the Department of Statistics’ Monthly Digest of Statistics – the total Budget Cash Surplus/Deficit (M130611 – Government Finance, Annual) from 2005 to 2014 was $213.2 billion (I added up the yearly figures).

So, if we follow the full IMF fiscal reporting guidelines – does it mean that our Budget Cash Surpluses from 2005 to 2014 was about a whopping $213.2 billion? Looking at the above data – do you think that we should be emphasising so much on the need for fiscal prudence in the Parliamentary debate on the Budget?

What are your thoughts on this?

Leong Sze Hian

Dear A.S.S. Editor

Some taxi companies now trying to change their business models to sustain their operation, in light of growing competition from Grab and Uber. TransCab and Premier taxi companies are planning to charge customers fares based on actual demand of the cab at that particular time. Prime Taxi is also considering taking on this model.

Not sure if this is a good idea. While some might say it is only fair that customers pay for something based on demand, thus if you want a cab badly during peak hours, you pay more for it. But what if the taxi companies take advantage of this, and declare prices to be relatively high due to demand? Will this mean that cab fares are permanently on the way up? Everything goes up! Is Singapore really aiming to be the most expensive city in the world?

At the rate we are going, will not be surprised to see more and more people in debt. Singapore is going to be too expensive, even for Singaporeans.

Lim YH

A.S.S. Contributor

The Singapore Police Force has confirmed that a police report has been made over allegedly inflammatory remarks made about Christians and Jews by a local mosque imam. The video of the alleged offensive supplication made during friday prayers was uploaded on the Facebook page, A Muslim Convert Once More and was contributed by Mr Terence Helikoan Nunis. Police investigations are ongoing and are unable to comment further on this case.

https://www.allsingaporestuff.com/article/spore-chulia-mosque-imam-accus...

Mr Terence Nunis previously shared his thoughts on this unfortunate episode:

"Some people went there for Friday prayers. At the end of the sermon, this is what was recited as a supplication. The first few lines are innocuous and paraphrased from the Qur'anic supplication. The last part about overcoming the Jews and Christians is his own, or likely, taken from some similar supplication elsewhere, and is not from Scripture.

The word used is "fanswurna" which I have translated as "grant victory over", but more accurately means, "to overcome". Translating from Arabic to English is not always easy because there are words which have no direct translation without losing the flavour of the meaning.

In this case, the flavour is far from benign and the implicit meaning is more than just being better than them, the Christians and Jews, but to dominate them.""

MUIS has yet to comment on this issue.

Dear A.S.S. Editor

Singapore top diplomat went on to say i a forum in the US that Singapore is going to be the New York of Asia? Top diplomat go and say such things, are we Singaporeans doomed?

The top diplomat, Kishore Mahbubani, was speaking at a seminar at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, and said Singapore is poised to be the best city in Asia, because not only does it have the best civil servants, best airport, best military, best educational system, it is also comfortable with Chinese civilization, Indian civilization, Islamic civilization, and Western civilization. It will become the NY of Asia.

Seriously? What does New York represents? A melting pot of many different cultures? Or more like a city that has more people than it can house comfortably, where crime rates are high, racial slurs are not uncommon, property prices are the highest in the country, public transportation has reached a breaking point and the police are helpless in solving crimes. So, Singapore is going to be the New York of Asia.

Do we want all these? Or are we already there?

Brandon Gan

A.S.S. Contributor

Dear Editors,

I received this fake ocbc login alert email and site phishing for my banking login credentials. The phishing email came with subject OCBC internet banking - login alert!

When I moused over the link asking for authentication, it shows the link as "selltheteamdan.com/op/1/login.htm" which is not an official OCBC login page.

Please warn Singaporeans about this new phishing scam and safeguard your banking details.

Pek
A.S.S. Contributor

A 67 year old elderly man suffered a fatal heart attack at Marina Bay Sands, moments after he caught the rare pokemon Lapras. He was an avid player of Pokemon Go and was a level 28 player with over 200 types of pokemon captured.

The deceased regularly visited the MBS to hunt for pokemon and had a history of cardiac disease. Even though the elderly man was conveyed to the hospital, he passed away shortly after he was admitted.

GPS readings from the deceased Pokemon GO app showed he was catching pokemon just before the onset of his heart attack.

Dear ASS Editors,

https://www.allsingaporestuff.com/article/royal-automotive-car-dealer-su...

Following up from this article, the official statement released by the CEO was deceitful as the facts were that they had not even been bidding COE or delivering cars when the case broke out. In fact, many of us had attempted to contact them on numerous occasions to enquire the status of our COE bidding to no avail. Several excuses were given for the times that we managed to get hold of them. With that official statement issued, it already shows the deceitfulness of the Director, Dato Syed Khairil.

After the case broke out in media, they immediately tried to appease the customers and appear to be sincere by finally bidding COEs for a small group of customers. However, all of them had to top up more cash beyond their contract prices to finally get their cars. Accessories promised were missing. There were also issues with warranties as workshops said that Royal Automotive Pte. Ltd. did not pay them.

Unfortunately, after those deliveries, they revert to their original tactics and claimed they do not have funds to bid COE nor refund those who have requested. Even for those who were promised refunds did not get them by the promised date.

However, in actual fact, there are also numerous customers who have paid in cheques to the company account with invoices to prove. Yet, we are not able to get a single cent back.

They have only been paying lip service and not been fulfilling their promises, or even responding to msges and calls. The total amount owed by Royal Automotive is more than a million dollars.

We had tried going to CASE, small claims tribunal, made police reports etc but to no effect. Royal Automotive Pte. Ltd. is twisting our arms by threatening us that if we continue to do so they will have to close down and we won't be able to get a single cent back. We understand that a Pte Ltdcould close down anytime and not affect the director as they can just set up other companies which is a fact that Royal Automotive Pte. Ltd. is using to their full advantage. With the rise in the no of such cases, it evidently shows that there is a loophole in our law system. As Singapore is a forward looking country, we should seek to constantly improve on the current system to ensure that our citizens are protected by the law and not left helpless in such situations.

Hope you can broadcast this.

Yours sincerely,
Cheated and depressed Royal Automotive Pte Ltd's Customers

Dear Editors,

Yesterday (28 February 2017), I spotted this e-scooter rider travelling on the roads along North Canal road. It is now illegal to ride scooters on the roads and worse of all, he was riding it against traffic.

Elwin
A.S.S. Contributor

Budget: Need for fiscal prudence

I refer to the article “Budget 2017: Need for fiscal prudence, even as Govt helps workers and businesses, say MPs” (Channel NewsAsia, Feb 28).

It states that “The first day of the debate on Budget 2017 on Tuesday (Feb 28) saw Members of Parliament (MPs) speak on the Government’s plans to help workers and enable businesses to reposition for the future, as well as the need for financial prudence.

IMPORTANT TO MAINTAIN FISCAL PRUDENCE

But even as Singapore doubles down on investments to help businesses and workers transform, as well as continue social spending and infrastructure developments, some MPs have voiced concerns about overspending.

MP for West Coast GRC Foo Mee Har noted that Singapore’s weakening fiscal position is a concern, after total expenditure growth outstripped growth in operating revenue for five consecutive years. She also said it is “worrying” that additional funds from Temasek’s inclusion in the Net Investment Returns (NIR) framework “appears to have been exhausted quickly”.

“Clearly, Singapore must find a sustainable fiscal footing for our future generations and we need a thorough review of both expenditure and revenue,” said Ms Foo, while proposing a limit on how much the Government can take from the Net Investment Returns Contribution (NIRC) to fund expenses.

Ms Sun echoed that view and suggested binding or matching expenditures to the country’s revenues so that any increases in expenditure are carefully considered in relation to revenue.

The MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC also raised a question about the “inherent risks” of being reliant on the NIRC – the largest source of funds for Singapore’s Budget at about 20 per cent of total revenue. She cited recent comments from Norway’s central bank governor, who warned about a potential 50 per cent loss of capital over the next 10 years for the country’s sovereign wealth fund amid rising expenditure.”

50 years of the Singapore Budget

In this connection, I added up the Budget surpluses/deficits from 1997 to 2016 using the chart in the Straits Times (5o years of the Singapore Budget).

Net Budget surpluses from 1997 to 2016 – $31.1b?

The total Budget surpluses and deficits were $44.5 and -$13.4 billion, respectively.

This means that the net Budget surpluses from 1997 to 2016 is $31.1 billion ($44.5 – $13.4).

Includes Transfers to Trust and Endowment Funds?

As these figures include Transfers to Trust and Endowment Funds which under IMF fiscal reporting guidelines should not be charged as one-time expenditures in the Budget – the Budget surpluses may actually be much higher.

FY2016 – Budget surplus $5.2 or $8.8b?

For example, if we add back the Trust and Endowment Funds of $3.6 billion – the Budget surplus would rise from $5.2 billion to $8.8 billion in FY2016.

Budge Cash Surplus from 2005 to 2014 – $190b?

According to the Department of Statistics’ Monthly Digest of Statistics – the total Budget Cash Surplus/Deficit (M130611 – Government Finance, Annual) from 2005 to 2014 was $190 billion (I added up the yearly figures).

So, if we follow the full IMF fiscal reporting guidelines – does it mean that our Budget Cash Surpluses from 2005 to 2014 was about a whopping $190 billion?

MPs call for the need for fiscal prudence?

Looking at the above data – do you think that we should be emphasising so much on the need for fiscal prudence in the Parliamentary debate on the Budget?

What are your thoughts on this?

P.S. You may like to watch this 50 seconds video on the Budget surpluses

Leong Sze Hian

<Facebook complaint by Effendi Baba>

A GE Agent knocked on my door earlier this evening. He didn't say he was an insurance advisor but introduced himself as someone raising money for orphans. The donation was for $10 . I went in and checked my wallet and found I only had only $2 note in it. I told him to take the $2 anyway. I didn't want the plush toy gift.

He told that he needed to take my particulars to issue a receipt. He asked for my birthdate, and I thought how odd for a receipt to require my birthdate. Finally he asked me to sign the form he filled-up. I took the form to read what I was signing and the first line stopped me in my track. It said, I agreed to let GE contact me in any form of mailer or communication medium.....I told him, I was not signing and he told me that it was okay!

I repeated 'I am not signing this. You've not been truthful. I'm signing away my rights under the pretext of issuing me a donation form." I had felt bad earlier that I didn't have the $10 moments earlier but felt irritated by then

I don't mind Insurance Agent soliciting for business but not telling me the truth was unacceptable. I asked him for his Agent No. which is a number issued by MAS. He refused. He said he has the rights to protect his identify as much as I have. He gave me back the money and walked off.

If he had tried to conceal something from me on such matter, what's the chances of him concealing more from others?

<Credits: The Alternative View>

In one of the segments of his interview by BBC HARDtalk's Stephen Sackur, the dishonorable son Lee Hsien Loong was grilled on the issue of Press Freedom in Singapore. In a garbled response to how he would react if the UK were to set a precondition for freedom of expression and freedom of the press in trade talks, Lee commented on the speed of internet access in Singapore and asked: "So where is the restriction?"

First, we find it baffling how internet speed equates to lack of restrictions on press freedom or freedom of expression. Secondly, perhaps Lee Hsien Loong can explain to us what the Newspaper & Printing Presses Act is for if not to restrict the press?

Under the Act: 1. The PAP Minister has great discretionary power to revoke the license of any newspapers published in S'pore. No one may also publish any newspapers without his permission. 2. The PAP government controls SPH via the issuance of Management Shares.

The Act states that these shares must be transferred to persons who have the Government's approval. Holders of management shares who are effectively government nominees have 200 times more voting rights than ordinary shareholders in respect of “the appointment or dismissal of a director or any member of the staff of a newspaper company”.

3. Foreign publications risk being gazetted and restricted from circulation in S'pore if the PAP minister deems them to be "engaging in the domestic politics of Singapore”.

So may we ask Lee, if these are not restrictions on press freedom, then what are they?

Responding to Muslim convert Mr Terence Nunis's criticism of a local imam's alleged remarks made against Christians and Jews during Friday prayers, NUS Professor Dr Khairudin Aljunied, criticized the whistleblower for lodging a police report against the religious teacher. He did so via an imagined conversation between a Muslim convert and an imam.

In Professor Khairudin's Facebook update, he alluded that it was Terence Nunis's fault for sharing the video which led to other faiths and community members feeling hurt by the Imam's comment. He added that by trying to expose the Imam's words to the general population, Mr Nunis was being unIslamic and should stop being a Muslim.

According to MUIS, because of Mr Terence Nunis's complaint to the police, the Imam has been placed on leave until police investigations are complete.

"The Imam and the Silly Convert

Once, there was a convert who was unhappy with what he heard from an Imam. So he went up to the Imam angrily and said:

Convert: Can you stop saying things that will hurt people?
Imam: I am sorry brother, but what did I say that might hurt anyone?

Convert: You said those things and you know it. It's offensive! I've just shared a video of what you said.
Imam: I was speaking to Muslims in this small congregation but you, my brother, shared it to the world. Now everyone is offended. So was I wrong or you?

Convert: [already feeling stupid] But you said things that are offensive to others! I must expose you.
Imam: [gently putting his hand on the convert] Brother, I think you should stop being a Muslim for now.

Convert: What!!!
Imam: I read verses from the Quran and these verses have been read on the pulpit every Friday and during Eids since the time of the Prophet Muhammad till this day for over a thousand years. Muslims and non-Muslims lived peacefully even when these verses were read. Things change when you came.

#sillyconvertmakestheloudestnoise #shareatwill"

In 2014, Professor Khairudin was criticised by NUS students for referring to lesbians and cancers and diseases and that "we will stop these cancers in their tracks"

<Facebook complaint by Mohamad Irfan>

!!SHARE SHARE SHARE SAHRE SHARE!!

LOOKING FOR OWNER OF VEHICLE NUMBER SJH 629 Z ( MINI COOPER) blue colour. Caused me to swerve into this taxi's butt because of your last minute swerving into lane AND YOU CAN STILL GO OFF, BECAUSE YES, YOUR JUST TOO IGNORANT OF OTHER ROAD USERS!!!!

PLEASE HELP SHARE THIS AROUND AND MAKE THIS DRIVER REALIZED HIS CARELESSNESS! ACCIDENT HAPPENED ALONG CTE TOWARDS BRADELL ROAD EXIT at 1000hrs, 28/02/17

<Facebook complaint by Vivien Wong>

Translated:

Are the Malaysian customs official too free, why damage our passports on purpose? Yesterday when I exited Singapore, the passport was still intact, but today when I tried to enter into Singapore, I discovered that the passport page was torn in half. Even if the malaysia customs in need of money, they shouldnt do things like this.

Our economy is not doing well, now want to damage our own people and make things hard for Malaysians even.

Everyone please beware the next time you enter or exit Singapore, if you pass the Malaysia customs, always check your passport make sure no damage has been done or you will need to pay a heavy price.

"马来西亚是饿过龙了吗？连护照都要做手脚? 昨天新加坡出来护照还好好，今天进到新加坡才发现护照变到这样?有没有需要把护照撕到这样?政府部门缺钱也不是这样搞吧？经济衰退还不止，连自己的人民都要搞垮吗？

注:请大家下次新加坡出来还是进去新加坡。凡是经过马来西亚关卡必定要检查好自己的护照。不然就要破财了"

Dear A.S.S. Editor

My Father is lost and missing at Teban Gardens Road. Please help to look out for him as he has dementia and diabetes.

He is wearing a spectacles, about 163cm tall, wearing shorts with t shirt. His name is Chua Cheng Tiew. A police report has been made on 1/3/17 at 8.30pm. Please call the police at 68727983 if found him.

Thank you.

Chua Yi Wen

A.S.S. Contributor

Dear

I refer to the article “Water a critical asset that must be priced right, say ministers” (Straits Times, Mar 2).

It states that “Water is a matter of national security and has to be priced correctly to reflect its strategic importance and scarcity value, two ministers said yesterday. Speaking on the second day of debate on the Government’s Budget for the new financial year, Environment and Water Resources Minister Masagos Zulkifli laid out the reasons behind the hotly debated move to increase water prices by 30 per cent over two years. The last time that the Government announced a hike in water prices was in 1997, he said, when elements in Malaysia were threatening to block Singapore’s supply of water from Johor.

Despite major investments in desalination and Newater since then, Singapore remains a water-stressed nation. And the rising costs of producing water, the need to build and expand desalination, Newater and water reclamation plants, and climate change, make it urgent to have the right price in place to moderate demand, said Mr Masagos”.

So, after nine days and numerous statements to defend the price increase – why is there is still no disclosure as to the costs, revenues and profits in the past, and projections for the future? As to “The consumer must feel the price of water, realise how valuable water is in Singapore, every time he or she turns on the tap, right from the first drop,” he said. after hearing the strong reactions to the impending hike, announced during the Budget last week.

“I can understand the angst of our people with the water price increase,” he said. But water, he said, is an existential issue, crucial to the country’s survival” – If water is so “crucial to the country’s survival” – why hasn’t there been any nation-wide campaigns or efforts to get people to conserve and use less water in recent years?

When was the last national “save water” campaign? With regard to “”It has been so in 1965. It has been so yesterday. It is so today, and it will be so tomorrow,” said Mr Chan. While Singapore has made great strides in improving its water situation – with 17 reservoirs today, and two-thirds of its land used for water catchment – the country is “nowhere near where we want to be”. Singapore cannot increase its water catchment area by much more, and must depend on technology such as desalination and Newater. It is also committed to working with the Malaysian government and the Johor authorities to see how the water system can be developed for the benefit of both countries.

Mr Masagos noted that water levels in Johor’s Linggiu Reservoir, from which Singapore also draws its water, have been falling in recent years. “What is clear is that Linggiu is operating today at a level way below what we are comfortable with, and it will take years to build up again to a reliable capacity,” he said.

Singapore must also contend with rising costs, said Mr Masagos. It must build more desalination plants to increase its supply. As more used water is reclaimed for Newater, the liquid waste is more difficult and costly to treat. Building pipes to deliver water has also become pricier, as Singapore becomes more built up” – the salient facts todate may be that the profits from water may be in the billions in the last 53 years or so.

In this regard, PUB’s profits in the last seven years was about $1.1 billion, and according to Colin’s article in theonlinecitizen on 1 March – the profits before government grants in the last 15 years or so was already more than a billion dollars. Does this mean that the profits after government grants may be even higher?

In respect of “It is therefore urgent that water is priced right to moderate demand from businesses and households, while also building infrastructure to ensure Singapore has a secure water supply, he said. “We hope that through right pricing, everyone will cultivate the habit of water saving as part of Singapore’s DNA, whether we are a household or business,” he said” – why not give incentives to the people to reduce water consumption, instead of raising prices, since historically – price increases do not seem to have had any significant impact on water consumption.

As to “Ms Joan Pereira (Tanjong Pagar GRC) said residents and businesses were taken aback by the announcement, which was made with “no prior public consultations”” – since the matter is so crucial – why not have a quick consultation exercise of say three months to gather suggestions and feedback to address this so called national security issue?

Leong Sze Hian

<Credits: Singapore Police Force>

FALSE "ALL SINGAPORE STUFF" ARTICLE

The Police are aware of the article “Underaged Girl Tormented By Ex-BF In School, Report to Police Futile” and its allegations against the Singapore Police Force on “All Singapore Stuff” website.

The Police would like to clarify that the article and allegations against the Singapore Police Force are untrue. A Police report has been lodged by a member of the public, whose identity is believed to have been misused as the contributor of the article. The Police have requested “All Singapore Stuff” to furnish information on the contributor of the article.

The Police take a serious view of any allegations against its officers and will investigate each case thoroughly. However, if the allegations are found to be false, the Police will not hesitate to take action against the persons involved, in accordance with the law.

Editor's Note:

Firstly, ASS would like to apologise to SPF for any unfounded allegations made against them as it was unintentional. The main intention was to help the victim get help from the necessary authorities to resolve the bullying she faced in school.

This article was contributed to All Singapore Stuff anonymously presumably to protect the whistleblower's identity and a police report reference number was even furnished to backup the claims. As this complaint was submitted anonymously, we do not have any details of this contributor.

It is clear now after police investigations that this may have been a malicious attempt to sabotage the true victim of this case. As such, the article has been removed and this apology has been issued.

We urge our readers and contributors to continue sending their genuine grievances to All Singapore Stuff and to provide evidence to backup their claims.