News involves law

[allaboutlaw-blog]

Vandalism episode at depot: SMRT fined $50,000 for lack of vigilance

SINGAPORE - Transport operator SMRT has been slapped with a maximum fine of $50,000 by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) for not exercising due diligence and vigilance, following the high-profile vandalism incident at Changi Depot on May 17 last year. A review by the Public Transport Security Committee (PTSC) also made several recommendations yesterday to enhance security at areas such as train and bus depots. These include installing mesh fencing, heightened security controls and checks, deploying more security officers and video surveillance systems. The vandalism incident saw two foreigners breaking into the depot and spray-painting graffiti on train carriages. One of the culprits, Swiss national Oliver Fricker, was sentenced to five months' jail and received three strokes of the cane. The second suspect is still at large. In a statement, SMRT said it acknowledged LTA's decision to impose the fine. It said: "While we learn valuable lessons and move forward from this episode, SMRT will continue to strengthen security culture in our organisation, to protect our premises and ensure the safety of our commuters."  It also noted that, in the immediate aftermath of the incident, it has implemented a series of measures, "including stepped-up patrolling by security personnel and installation of concertina wires around the perimeter fence of our depots".  SMRT added: "Additionally, from late 2010, we have begun putting in place other longer-term security measures, which includes installation of galvanised weld mesh fencing, fence intrusion detection systems, extra perimeter lighting and CCTVs." In a separate statement, SBS Transit said that, since June last year, it has further enhanced its security measures, including a 20-per-cent increase in the number of security guards at the train and bus depots. The frequency of their patrols has also been stepped up.  SBS Transit said it has also replaced the perimeter fencing of the bus depots with steel welded mesh. PTSC chairman Chew Hock Yong said various stakeholders - the Government, the transport operators and the commuters - will need to work closely together and play their part to keep Singapore's public transport system secure. Sembawang GRC MP Lim Wee Kiak, who also chairs the Government Parliamentary Committee for Transport, said he hoped that the Government would "co-share part of the implementation costs" of PTSC's recommendations.  Said Dr Lim: "Many commuters would be worried if the implementation costs would result in a fare hike for them."

[allaboutlaw-blog]

No reprieve for final member involved in Geylang gang fight

SINGAPORE - The final member involved in a Geylang gang fight, which resulted in the death of a man, was not given any lighter sentence yesterday, even though he was not armed or physically involved in the attack. The lawyer for Mohamad Najiman Abdull Azis, 31, told the High Court in mitigation that his client stood four to five feet away during the attack and even shouted at the group to stop after several seconds. But Justice Choo Han Teck said that Najiman played a substantial role and there was no need for him to join in the attack as many were already doing so. The judge sentenced him to 12 years in jail and 10 strokes of the cane, the same punishment meted out to other gang members sentenced last year. Gang leader Suhardi Ali had been given the stiffest sentence: A 20-year jail term and 18 strokes of the cane. The attack occurred in the wee hours of February 23, 2008, when a group of nine slashed to death the operator of an illegal gambling den, Mr Seah Boon Lay, following a dispute with him. The dispute arose when a gang member failed to deliver drugs to Mr Seah and his brother after receiving money as well as over a separate issue involving a sum of $200. Deputy Public Prosecutor Amarjit Singh argued yesterday that Najiman had provided the impetus for the others to go after Mr Seah and that the accused did not restrain the attacks initially. "His role was not peripheral but substantial," said DPP Singh. Justice Choo agreed the punishment had to be on par with what was given to the rest.

[allaboutlaw-blog]

HDB scraps sibling scheme

SINGAPORE - With immediate effect, unmarried Singaporean and permanent resident siblings under the age of 35 and whose parents live overseas can no longer buy a new or resale Housing & Development Board flat. The move was announced by Senior Minister of State for National Development and Education Grace Fu in Parliament yesterday, in response to questions by Marine Parade MP Lim Biow Chuan on the rationale of the previous scheme which allowed the two groups to do so, on a case-by-case basis with certain conditions attached. The HDB had said last month that the scheme was under review, following media reports about some Singaporeans' concerns.  Ms Fu said yesterday that, with the liberalisation over the years of the subletting market for HDB flats, the Citizen-Singapore PR sibling scheme - introduced in 1990 - is no longer necessary. Said Ms Fu: "The sublet market (then) for HDB flats and rooms was limited, and there were few viable housing options for these siblings."  Now, the two groups can either rent a room or a small flat from the open market, Ms Fu noted. Ms Fu said that, as HDB has been "very stringent in assessing applications for this scheme, the number of such cases is small". She added: "There are about 300 cases each year, or less than 1 per cent of total flat transactions." While some property analysts felt the small number of approved applications meant that the scheme was redundant - especially when housing demand is high - SLP International director of research and consultancy Nicholas Mak said he was puzzled by the decision to cull the scheme.  Said Mr Mak: "Why target this group of people - siblings who want to get together - especially if they form such a small group? Separately in Parliament, National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan said the Government will continue to monitor the property market closely and take further steps, if necessary, to promote a stable and sustainable property market. He said that, despite the large supply in the pipeline, market sentiment remained bullish at the end of last year, with the majority of buyers being Singaporean. The Government was particularly concerned that low interest rates plus excessive liquidity in the financial system, in Singapore and globally, could further drive up demand for private housing, causing prices to overshoot economic fundamentals. Thus, it had introduced additional measures last month to pre-empt a property bubble from forming, temper demand and encourage greater financial prudence among property buyers, said Mr Mah.

I think the bottom line of this scheme is not just to make sure there's sufficient HDB flats for the couples out there, but it is also to encourage Singaporeans / PRs to get married. 

[allaboutlaw-blog]

FairPrice chips in with discounts on essentials

SINGAPORE - As Singaporeans grapple with inflation, another NTUC co-operative has stepped in to ease the pressure on purse strings.  NTUC FairPrice announced yesterday that, with effect from today to May 31, it will be giving a 5-per-cent discount on 500 "essential" house brand items including rice, cooking oil and detergent. Customers who hold the Plus! Visa or NTUC Plus! Card will get 10 per cent off. The latest announcement comes after NTUC FoodFare had said on Friday that it will maintain the prices of coffee, tea and canned drinks for the rest of the year at its 40 retail outlets. It had also pledged not to adjust the prices of basic dishes at the outlets for as long as it can. Noting that its house brand products are typically priced at least 10 per cent lower than similar goods on the market, FairPrice said yesterday that the discounts under its "Stretch Your Dollar" programme will cost an estimated $2.3 million over the three-month period.  The programme was first launched in December 2007 to help customers cope with inflation. It lasted until December 2009 as the global economy went into recession. FairPrice estimated that customers had saved over $12 million over the two-year period. FairPrice, which boasts one of the largest supermarket chains here with more than 110 outlets, said it will monitor prices before deciding whether to extend its latest discounts.  FairPrice CEO Seah Kian Peng said: "Because of the market leadership position that we have ... I believe that what we do will also lead to our competitors adjusting their prices."  Over the last few months, FairPrice has also been increasing its stockpile of rice to about a three-month supply - beyond the two-month stockpile required of retailers - as part of its routine forward-buying, said Mr Seah. Such a practice can help FairPrice hold off potential price increases "for as long as possible", he added.

Who says that giving discounts, or sharing the burden of the consumers, is not a good choice?

I think NTUC did the right thing. Due to recent price inflation for the past few years, NTUC has rewarded their customers by giving them discounts of the essential items [oil, eggs...].

This not only help them to secure their customers' loyalty, it also attracted more customers from the other hypermarkets like Giant, Cold Storage and Shop 'n' Save ( which doesn't help customers to save at all)