http://www.straitstimes.com/Free/Story/STIStory_168340.html
Recent cases of people impersonating as high court officials in order to swindle money out of people have surfaced, with the frauds posing as officials demanding outstanding summons to be settled. At least 35 people have been targeted, and sums as large as $10,000 have been cheated out of a single victim.
While this new fraud is clever than the old fraud which involved the prize which the victim had to pay for before collecting, it still puzzles as to how people can actually fall for it. When one tries to stand in the victim's shoes, we can only conclude that some external factor must have clouded his or her judgement, as a person with calrity of thought at the instant would never have transferred $10,000 to a high court official over the phone without once thinking to check with the high court itself.
The impression of a high court official standing on the other side of the line could be an scary thought for the would-be victim, and he or she might want to hasten to get over with the trouble and forget about the whole business. It is likely that the deep-lasting fear for the police has caused the victim to fall prey.
In light of these new fraud cases, a solution must be quickly thought up to solve all of future problems of the same light. The police must educate the public to be more watchful of such potential frauds, espicially those that invovle the handling of money without ever seeing the other party. Thus, the police teach the people that just because he claims that he is a high court official, he is not neccesary one, and that the public should exercise caution in dealing with such people. Only in this way can future similar scenario be avoided.
2007年10月19日星期五
Group sets up site urging Singapore to keep gay sex ban
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/cna/20071018/tap-306534-231650b.html
A website has been set up by a group calling themselves 'the Majority' has a set up a website to counter another online campaign that has been calling for the repeal of Section 377A of the Penal Code, which states that it is illegal for men to have sex with another man. Some of those who signed the petition for the website has listed several reasons against the repealing of Section 377A, including the argument that the majority of the population will see homosexuality as weird or against traditional family values, or that the government should not bend to the will of what other nations are doing.
However, either the source has failed to provide with more valid reasons, or that it was absent tin the website itself, the reasons gave against the repealing of Section 377A are weak and off the point. If the website believes that homosexuality should remain illegal, they must give stronger points to counter those of the gay rights movement. For example, legalizing homosexualities will cause potentially disturbing environments to infants or young children, and affect their mental consitution as they grow up. If the website wants to make a lasting impact, stronger evidence and arguments must be used, in order to completely sway the public towards their idea.
Perhapes if the websites' designers had taken more time to decide on their next move, instead of providing a seemingly neck-jerk reaction to the movement, more convincing arguments could have been put forth. As it is, their motives can be questioned. If they don't mind ' What the gay community does in private is their private space', then why should they bother about the repealing of the Section?
A website has been set up by a group calling themselves 'the Majority' has a set up a website to counter another online campaign that has been calling for the repeal of Section 377A of the Penal Code, which states that it is illegal for men to have sex with another man. Some of those who signed the petition for the website has listed several reasons against the repealing of Section 377A, including the argument that the majority of the population will see homosexuality as weird or against traditional family values, or that the government should not bend to the will of what other nations are doing.
However, either the source has failed to provide with more valid reasons, or that it was absent tin the website itself, the reasons gave against the repealing of Section 377A are weak and off the point. If the website believes that homosexuality should remain illegal, they must give stronger points to counter those of the gay rights movement. For example, legalizing homosexualities will cause potentially disturbing environments to infants or young children, and affect their mental consitution as they grow up. If the website wants to make a lasting impact, stronger evidence and arguments must be used, in order to completely sway the public towards their idea.
Perhapes if the websites' designers had taken more time to decide on their next move, instead of providing a seemingly neck-jerk reaction to the movement, more convincing arguments could have been put forth. As it is, their motives can be questioned. If they don't mind ' What the gay community does in private is their private space', then why should they bother about the repealing of the Section?
2007年6月12日星期二
With higher charges, StarHub should let viewers opt out: Case
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/070613/5/singapore281876.html
Consumers' Association of Singapore (Case) is attempting to force StarHub to give consumers the choice to cancel their contracts that were based on old rates for free instead of having to pay to break it. StarHub will be increasing its base rates by $4 and its sports group by $10 from October on, but has also imposed a fee for any subscribers who want to opt out.
While television content has indeed increased, espcially for the sports group due to the new television deal signed by the EPL, StarHub have no reason to impose the buy-out fee other than from pure greed in order to increase income. The fee is likely imposed to discourage viewers from opting out of the more expensive program so as to maintain and increase StarHub's income.
I feel that despite what StarHub might say, it is unfair and wrong to not allow people who signed under the old scheme to drop their contracts for free. If StarHub were to keep on increasing its pricing because it could 'revise pricing plans', as well as increase the buy-out fee, theoratically it could it increaes its price to absurb amounts without the customers being able to do anything about it.
This problem can easily happen across the media industry in Singapore. With the Singapore Press Holdings domintating the newspapers, Mediacorp the local film and radio and StarHub the paid TV programs, its easy for any one of them to increase their prices without fear of their customers looking for other cheaper companies, due to the lack of other companies.
While this entry could be biased written from a consumer's point of view, it is hard see any reason for the buy-put fee other than to impose its monopoly for more money.
(Sorry Ms Quah, I was away for competiton for most of the first half of the hols and didn't see the mail.)
Consumers' Association of Singapore (Case) is attempting to force StarHub to give consumers the choice to cancel their contracts that were based on old rates for free instead of having to pay to break it. StarHub will be increasing its base rates by $4 and its sports group by $10 from October on, but has also imposed a fee for any subscribers who want to opt out.
While television content has indeed increased, espcially for the sports group due to the new television deal signed by the EPL, StarHub have no reason to impose the buy-out fee other than from pure greed in order to increase income. The fee is likely imposed to discourage viewers from opting out of the more expensive program so as to maintain and increase StarHub's income.
I feel that despite what StarHub might say, it is unfair and wrong to not allow people who signed under the old scheme to drop their contracts for free. If StarHub were to keep on increasing its pricing because it could 'revise pricing plans', as well as increase the buy-out fee, theoratically it could it increaes its price to absurb amounts without the customers being able to do anything about it.
This problem can easily happen across the media industry in Singapore. With the Singapore Press Holdings domintating the newspapers, Mediacorp the local film and radio and StarHub the paid TV programs, its easy for any one of them to increase their prices without fear of their customers looking for other cheaper companies, due to the lack of other companies.
While this entry could be biased written from a consumer's point of view, it is hard see any reason for the buy-put fee other than to impose its monopoly for more money.
(Sorry Ms Quah, I was away for competiton for most of the first half of the hols and didn't see the mail.)
Chinese surname shortage sparks rethink
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/070612/1/49653.html
The chinese government are considering a new surname system in an effort to reduce the number of people with the same surname after research has showned that 85% of the 1.3 billion (around 1.1 billion) share just 100 surnames, causing confusion in identity. The government is considering to allow couples to combine their surnames for their children, as well as to allow ethnic minorities to register their own symbols for their names.
I think that if this idea comes through, it could have quite a big impact in Singapore as well as most chinese-speaking communities. The change could cause surname-based societies to fall apart, as less and less people will be of that particular surname. Old traditions could just be forgotten due to the lack of people passing it down. This incident is also one in many that shows the world being more and more ready to give up older traditions for practical reasons.
In China, as cases of parents aborting daughters become more and more common, this could also potentially solve at least a little of the problem as now with sharing of surname permitted, the idea of carrying on the surname would not be strong.
While the solution could have its problems, it will nonetheless be an effective solution to reduce confusion by increasing the number of surnames. Problems could arise in the next generations, but solutions can be found for it.
In conclusion, I feel that it is an effective solution to the problem.
The chinese government are considering a new surname system in an effort to reduce the number of people with the same surname after research has showned that 85% of the 1.3 billion (around 1.1 billion) share just 100 surnames, causing confusion in identity. The government is considering to allow couples to combine their surnames for their children, as well as to allow ethnic minorities to register their own symbols for their names.
I think that if this idea comes through, it could have quite a big impact in Singapore as well as most chinese-speaking communities. The change could cause surname-based societies to fall apart, as less and less people will be of that particular surname. Old traditions could just be forgotten due to the lack of people passing it down. This incident is also one in many that shows the world being more and more ready to give up older traditions for practical reasons.
In China, as cases of parents aborting daughters become more and more common, this could also potentially solve at least a little of the problem as now with sharing of surname permitted, the idea of carrying on the surname would not be strong.
While the solution could have its problems, it will nonetheless be an effective solution to reduce confusion by increasing the number of surnames. Problems could arise in the next generations, but solutions can be found for it.
In conclusion, I feel that it is an effective solution to the problem.
2007年3月5日星期一
PA to reach out to working youth, new citizens
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/070305/5/singapore262127.html
The people's association will be hosting lunchtime programs to help stress the importantance of racial harmony, aiming to bring the community together, and also to help new citizens feel more at home. This programs is targeted at young and new citizens.
I feel that the PAP has a good attempt at forging better bonds between neighbours, as these activities will allow them to be closer to each other. It also allows to get closer to the Singaporean youth, to get better understanding of how and what the younger generation of Singapore think, and to get a better grasp of what lies ahead in the future. To the new citizens, this also offers them a way to blend into life in Singapore and know their nieghbours better.
To these new citizens, this is their best way of finding their way around as a a new Singaporean. This provides an unique opponurity for them to understand the society and culture norms in the the country, to better prepare them for what may lie ahead.
However, I also feel that a better approach can be used, like for example activities that lasts longer, and that causes the citizens to be more involved. I think this is a better approach as a more involving program will allow the citizens to each other better as they will be doing things together, instead of listening to something together.
This, however, is a biased view from a student who would have more time than somebody aged 25-35. The PAP may have taken into account the busy schedules for most people as they need to work. Also, the above suggestion is made by a student who attends camps which can devote plenty of time to team-bonding.
In conclusion, I think it is a good idea for the PAP to initiate this program.
The people's association will be hosting lunchtime programs to help stress the importantance of racial harmony, aiming to bring the community together, and also to help new citizens feel more at home. This programs is targeted at young and new citizens.
I feel that the PAP has a good attempt at forging better bonds between neighbours, as these activities will allow them to be closer to each other. It also allows to get closer to the Singaporean youth, to get better understanding of how and what the younger generation of Singapore think, and to get a better grasp of what lies ahead in the future. To the new citizens, this also offers them a way to blend into life in Singapore and know their nieghbours better.
To these new citizens, this is their best way of finding their way around as a a new Singaporean. This provides an unique opponurity for them to understand the society and culture norms in the the country, to better prepare them for what may lie ahead.
However, I also feel that a better approach can be used, like for example activities that lasts longer, and that causes the citizens to be more involved. I think this is a better approach as a more involving program will allow the citizens to each other better as they will be doing things together, instead of listening to something together.
This, however, is a biased view from a student who would have more time than somebody aged 25-35. The PAP may have taken into account the busy schedules for most people as they need to work. Also, the above suggestion is made by a student who attends camps which can devote plenty of time to team-bonding.
In conclusion, I think it is a good idea for the PAP to initiate this program.
More are spending money and time to learn foreign languages
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/070305/5/singapore262126.html
More and more teenagers are taking up foreign languages in their free times for various reasons, be it for better communication with others or to plan ahead for their future. This trend can be observed with figures, with four times as many pupils signing up for arabic now than 2 years ago. Problems relating to this trend are also brought up, for example the lack of of teachers to meet demands as well as unaccredited private school having the possiblity of having low-quality curriculum.
After reading this article, I felt that it provided with us a refreshing view of how many Singaporeans are investing their time on broadening their horizion by learning new languages out of their free time. This trend will no doubt help strengthen these people's social circle as they will be able to communicate with more people. This is something many of us can from, as many of us chooses to spend our time playing computer games, instead of learning and trying out something new.
This trend can mean a lot to many different people. For people interested in learning other languages, this infomation will mean better quality of lessons as more will enter into the market to compete. This makes their perhaps previous indecision much easier to make. It can also cause many people to follow exampls and take up courses in an attempt of learning more things. To the MoE, it also shows that we are very interested in learning things through our own initative.
In conclusion, I feel that this piece of infomation tells me how I can better spend my free time instead of wasting it on games. It can also serve as a teaching tool for other students.
More and more teenagers are taking up foreign languages in their free times for various reasons, be it for better communication with others or to plan ahead for their future. This trend can be observed with figures, with four times as many pupils signing up for arabic now than 2 years ago. Problems relating to this trend are also brought up, for example the lack of of teachers to meet demands as well as unaccredited private school having the possiblity of having low-quality curriculum.
After reading this article, I felt that it provided with us a refreshing view of how many Singaporeans are investing their time on broadening their horizion by learning new languages out of their free time. This trend will no doubt help strengthen these people's social circle as they will be able to communicate with more people. This is something many of us can from, as many of us chooses to spend our time playing computer games, instead of learning and trying out something new.
This trend can mean a lot to many different people. For people interested in learning other languages, this infomation will mean better quality of lessons as more will enter into the market to compete. This makes their perhaps previous indecision much easier to make. It can also cause many people to follow exampls and take up courses in an attempt of learning more things. To the MoE, it also shows that we are very interested in learning things through our own initative.
In conclusion, I feel that this piece of infomation tells me how I can better spend my free time instead of wasting it on games. It can also serve as a teaching tool for other students.
2007年2月15日星期四
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