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More divorcees visiting kids under supervision

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Parents who face problems seeing their children after a divorce are getting to spend time with them under the supervision of counsellors.

Last year, the Family Justice Courts (FJC) sent 112 families for supervised visitations and related services such as counselling, up from 81 families in 2015 and 79 families in 2014.

During a supervised visitation, the parent who lives with the child will drop him off at a social service centre specialising in handling divorce issues. These are called divorce support specialist agencies (DSSA). The other parent spends time with the child at the DSSA, under counsellors' supervision.

Such an arrangement minimises the potential for conflict between parents.

Read also: 8 things women need to know before getting a divorce

An FJC spokesman said more parents are opting for supervised visits as a result of greater awareness of the programme.

The FJC and the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) have been educating family lawyers and parents about it, while more lawyers are also recommending to the courts to place their clients on it.

Couples who are ordered by the FJC to use this service now do not have to pay, making it a more feasible option for more families.

It is free for up to 24 sessions for couples where at least one party is a Singaporean or a permanent resident.

In April last year, the MSF started funding two DSSAs - the Thye Hua Kwan Centre for Family Harmony @ Commonwealth and the Care Corner Centre for Co-Parenting - to handle court-ordered cases involving Singaporeans or PRs.

Read also: Divorce cases handled faster last year

Before the MSF funding started, couples sent by the courts for the service had to pay. The THK Centre for Family Harmony @ Circuit currently charges $180 an hour on weekdays and $220 on Saturdays.

Family lawyers say parents who face persistent difficulties in seeing their children after the divorce could be sent for supervised visits. Their former spouses may have denied access or made it hard for them to spend time with their children, to get back at them for infidelity, money woes or other resentments.

Lawyer Rajan Chettiar said: "After the divorce, they don't see the children as 'our children' but as 'my children'. Access problems are the toughest to tackle."

So some parents have not seen their children for a few years, even though they have a legal right to see the children once a week.

Then, there are children who are "so influenced" by one parent that they refuse to have any contact with the other parent, the FJC spokesman said.

Read also: What happens to your HDB flat after a divorce?

Lawyer Lim Chong Boon says visits supervised by a neutral third party work as they ease fears, for example, that the other parent may snatch the child away or abuse the child during the visits.

A businessman, who wanted to be known only as Andy, 43, did not see his children for six months. He said his former wife had cheated on him, left home with their two children and wanted a divorce. They fought over how often he could visit and she refused to open the door when he tried to visit.

He managed to spend time with his six-year-old boy and 12-year-old girl only when the court sent them for supervised visits at the THK Centre for Family Harmony @ Circuit.

He said: "My daughter was cold towards me at first but she gradually warmed up. I'm very thankful to have an avenue to meet, talk, play and bond with them."


This article was first published on Mar 06, 2017.
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Rising demand for hybrid petrol-electric cars

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There are more hybrid cars here now, in part because motorists are attracted by the low fuel consumption and high rebates on the cost of these vehicles.

The numbers suggest private-hire car services Uber and Grab may have also fuelled this increase.

According to statistics from the Land Transport Authority, there were 10,848 petrol-electric hybrid cars on Singapore roads as of January this year. This is an increase of about 70 per cent from 2015, when there were 6,371 such cars.

The increase corresponds with the change in the maximum rebate given under the Carbon Emissions-based Vehicle Scheme (CEVS), which is aimed at encouraging motorists to switch to low carbon emission vehicles.

Read also: COE tender postponement sparks speculation of major car tax changes

In July 2015, the maximum rebate was revised from $20,000 to $30,000. The amount is offset against the car's additional registration fee, a tax imposed upon the registration of a vehicle.

There is little difference in the selling price of a hybrid model and its petrol-based counterpart. For instance, a hybrid Honda Vezel is about $2,000 more after the rebate.

Read also: S$9.2b to come from car taxes and COE premiums in FY2017

Mr Derek Low, director of Venture Cars dealership, said hybrids now make up 60 per cent of all cars sold by his company.

"They've become so popular that we've stopped bringing in the petrol versions of certain models," he said, adding that many buyers were attracted by the CEVS rebate.

Private-hire car services, which almost doubled the rental car population from 29,369 in 2015 to 53,589 this year, also feature hybrids as part of their fleets. Grab offers the Toyota Prius, while Lion City Rental, owned by rival Uber, rents the Honda Vezel hybrid and the Prius.

Read also: Tougher to claim against private-hire cars: Lawyers

"Consumers look at hybrids due to their interest in improving the environment and cost savings from potentially lower fuel consumption," said Asian Clean Fuels Association executive director Clarence Woo.

But they should also take into account the energy and materials used to produce car components such as batteries, when considering the environmental impact of such vehicles, he added.

Independent financial analyst Morten Strange, 64, renewed the certificate of entitlement (COE) for his 2006 Toyota Prius for another five years and said he would buy another hybrid once it expires.

Mr Strange praised the regenerative braking feature found in many hybrids. When the brakes are applied, the electric motor acts as a generator to recover kinetic energy, which is then stored in the batteries.

He said: "This makes them perfect for city driving, where there are a lot of traffic junctions."


This article was first published on Mar 06, 2017.
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Spotted in the wild

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Despite having a total land area of only 719.2 sq km and undergoing rapid urbanisation, Singapore surprises with the diversity of its wildlife.

It is home to a wide variety of species, including some which are not commonly seen, such as the lesser false vampire bat and the Raffles' banded langur.

There are an estimated 23,000 to 28,000 species of terrestrial organisms and 12,000 to 17,000 species of marine organisms in Singapore.

"A healthy natural environment enhances our quality of life, improving our overall health and well-being as well as enriching our lives. In addition, wildlife aids in pollination and dispersal of seeds, thereby ensuring the long-term survival of our forests and native plants," said Dr Lena Chan, group director of the National Biodiversity Centre, National Parks Board.

"We are working to develop Singapore into a biophilic city, a city in a garden where nature is a part of our urban environment, where humans live harmoniously alongside wildlife."

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The Straits Times picture desk would like to thank the following for their assistance in this project:

  • National Parks Board
  • Dr Andie Ang
  • Herpetological Society of Singapore
  • Dr Vilma D'Rozario
  • Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres)
  • Ms Xu Weiting and Ms Fung Tze Kwan, from the National University of Singapore Civet Research Team.


This article was first published on March 6, 2017.
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Selfie king to live chat pro: Baey Yam Keng works social media like a boss

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We now know what he does at work on a regular day, which hair gel he uses and what kind of his prata he likes best (even if he claims to not eat it often).

Member of Parliament for Tampines Mr Baey Yam Keng has been sharing nuggets of his personal life over live chats which he's been holding simultaneously on Facebook and Instagram.

The sessions, which last about an hour or so, are believed to be held in his home, and are conducted using his iPad and mobile phone, both propped in a make-shift manner using board game boxes.

on Facebook

Thank you for joining my live chat on FB and IG just now. In case you are interested to know, this is my ad hoc set up...

Posted by Baey Yam Keng 马炎庆 on Sunday, 5 March 2017

Mr Baey started doing this late last year and typically holds the live chats on the first Sunday of every month.

The banter has been a mixed bag of serious talk on grassroots and Government issues as well as quirky insights into his personal life.

For instance, one Facebook user recently alerted him to potential danger to the public from wild dogs at Tampines Eco Green, an eco-friendly park in the neighbourhood.

He said that while it is unusual for the dogs to be in the area, authorities such as NParks generally tend to matters pertaining to the park.

He added: "Dogs...if you don't provoke them, they are fine. (what's) important (is), don't feed them. Let them run wild and unless they're aggressive, we welcome them as part of the eco system."

Social media users who engage him hail as far as Europe and have been known to ask him all sorts of questions including what time he goes to bed each night.

Mr Baey, who turns 47 this year, is also Parliamentary Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY).  For the record, he typically goes to bed at midnight and wakes up at 6am.

He candidly said on his most recent live chat last Sunday night (March 5): "I'm luckier than some of my colleagues. They do sleep late."

on Facebook

Welcome to my Live Chat. Do share this so that more people can join in. 'Like' my page for future updates.

Posted by Baey Yam Keng 马炎庆 on Sunday, 5 March 2017

Another observant social media user even noticed that he's now sporting a clean shaven look.

Mr Baey responded: "I've shaved off my goatie. After a while, I had decided to do without it. It's a personal choice so i've been getting very positive comments as well.

"With or without goatie, it's still me, so I hope you can still support what I'm doing in the community, what i'm doing in MCCY."

Most Singaporeans might still remember him as the selfie king among younger Singapore politicians but it seems this digital savviness has also earned him brownie points for choosing a live platform to connect with his constituents.

It's important to know that he didn't have it working so well for him from the get-go though.

Well, let's just say there were some minor technical issues (see below) which he sorted out quite quickly, all thanks to real-time advice from netizens.

In an earlier live chat session, netizens texted Mr Baey over Facebook to get him to correct the orientation of his mobile device so his video wouldn't be streamed sideways.
Photo: Facebook/Baey Yam Keng

Oh and by the way, he's still taking selfies and sometimes wefies too, like this very recent one:

on Facebook

Taking a selfie with Miss Cpt America.

Posted by Baey Yam Keng 马炎庆 on Sunday, 5 March 2017

sujint@sph.com.sg

 
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Relief teacher who hurled vulgarities at student no longer employed by secondary school

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SINGAPORE - A relief teacher who was filmed using crude language in class is no longer employed by the secondary school in Yishun.

This comes after a video circulating online since last Sunday (March 5) showed the teacher hurling vulgarities at a student in her class.

The teacher in the clip was seen gesturing and yelling at a girl.

At one point, the teacher could be heard shouting at the student, who also raised her voice.

Other students in the classroom appeared amused and laughed hysterically.

According to the school, the incident took place when the class was being supervised by a young, untrained relief teacher.

The school has since counselled both the student and the relief teacher involved and advised them on the appropriate classroom behaviour.

A school spokesman told The Straits Times on Monday that both parties "have regretted their actions and are apologetic". He added that the relief teacher is no longer engaged by the school.

"We are providing the necessary support to the affected students in the class and working closely with their parents," he said.


This article was first published on March 6, 2017.
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Burst pipe causes flooding at Bencoolen MRT station

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SINGAPORE - All new MRT stations are protected against floods caused by freak storms. But the Bencoolen MRT station on the yet-to-open Downtown Line 3 was partially submerged last Friday (March 3) by water that came from within.

The Straits Times understands a 150mm water pipe had burst in what appeared to be a pump room, sending water cascading down to the platform area.

Video clips showed the water falling like rain in the facility, with close-ups of the defective pipe.

In a reply sent out at 9.40pm on Monday night, the Land Transport Authority said at about 2.30pm last Friday, the pipe burst near its connecting elbow.

"Water was immediately channelled into the drainage pits and the valve was shut down within 15 minutes," a spokesman said.

"There was no damage to any major equipment or inconvenience to stakeholders. The water pipe at the elbow location has since been reinforced to make it more rigid."

The authority did not reply when asked what caused the leak.

The new line is slated to be opened by the fourth quarter of this year. It connects the city in River Valley to the Expo station in the east. The LTA spokesman the incident would not delay the opening.

The project to build Bencoolen station was awarded to Japan's Sato Kogyo in 2011 for $177.6 million.


This article was first published on March 6, 2017.
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Time to study the education system

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Little tweaks to the education system are not good enough for Ms Denise Phua (Jalan Besar GRC), who wants it transformed for the future economy.

She highlighted "high-stake" examinations such as the Primary School Leaving Examination or the O levels; the Direct School Admission (DSA) system; and the "over-reliance on tuition". Tuition, she said, can end up producing students whose learning styles run counter to what is needed in the future economy - self-driven learners who can learn new skills quickly.

She suggested two ways, among others, to overcome this dependency. One, give quality learning materials so that tuition is not needed. Two, regulate the tuition industry to ensure quality and affordability.

Ms Phua was among 20 MPs who spoke on education issues during the debate on the ministry's budget.

There were calls to abolish streaming of pupils to normal and express classes, giving schools equal access to funding, preserving mother tongue as well as allowing more pupils from other schools to be admitted to mission schools.

Mr Lim Biow Chuan (Mountbatten) and Dr Intan Azura Mokhtar (Ang Mo Kio GRC) want less stress. Mr Lim asked if some schools were setting the bar too high for non-national examinations.

Dr Intan, calling for an end to streaming, said it pigeon-holes students and does not adequately reflect their intelligence or abilities. She asked for it to be replaced with subject-based banding.

Mr Png Eng Huat (Hougang) also raised the issue of equitable funding. He said that per capita funding for schools favours popular schools with high enrolment, leading to inequalities in the programmes offered by these schools compared with less popular schools.

Dr Lim Wee Kiak (Sembawang GRC) and Dr Intan also raised the issue of affiliated schools. They asked for these schools to open their doors wider for students with no affiliation.

The DSA system was also criticised. Mr Ang Wei Neng (Jurong GRC) noted that at least half of the students admitted to some popular schools were academically talented.

Today, Education Minister (Schools) Ng Chee Meng and Education Minister (Higher Education and Skills) Ong Ye Kung will respond to the comments.

yuensin@sph.com.sg


This article was first published on March 7, 2017.
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Training to take on new roles

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She is a mother of four and has been a systems and IT engineer at HP Incorporated for 25 years.

When the company started an internal Professional Conversion Programme (PCP) for data analytics in October last year, Mrs Kelly Quek, 49, decided to apply.

She said she did it because she saw the engineering field heading in a different direction, which could make employees like her redundant.

"So many social platforms are overtaking our lives. Technology is coming into play, and it's scary for us if we do only traditional engineering. It is very obvious that these technologies will take over in the long run."

Mrs Quek is one of 16 employees who were trained in data analytics to take on new roles as project leaders in the area. Most of the 16 are engineers and domain experts.

The first programme, working with the National University of Singapore's Institute of Systems Science and Workforce Singapore (WSG), will conclude in about a month's time.

Retraining was brought up in Parliament yesterday when Manpower Minister Lim Swee Say mentioned a company working with WSG and a training provider to retrain redundant employees in the field of data analytics.

The director of operations of the ink cartridge manufacturing arm of HP Inc, Mr Dominic Chew, said their internal PCP was launched to transform work processes.

"Data analytics will allow them to apply more advanced technologies to their areas of work. It allows them to predict behaviour," he said.

"For example, maintenance of our equipment is typically time-based maintenance. But data analytics allows us to predict when a machine will break down, and we can do the maintenance in advance."

Mrs Quek, whose children are aged 12 to 19, initially wanted to pursue a part-time Master's degree to upgrade her skills.

But she said part-time studies would have taken too much of her time, and hopes to pursue further education in the area when her children are older. HP Inc's PCP is held during office hours.

She said: "Analytics is a very interesting area. In the world of Uber and Google, every engineer is very excited about this area. To come into contact with it is very exciting."

hmang@sph.com.sg


This article was first published on March 7, 2017.
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Grab set to provide fixed upfront fares for booking cabs

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Commuters booking a taxi through ride-hailing app Grab will soon have more certainty about their fares, though those fares will also be subject to a new pricing system that would see them increase during periods of high demand.

The Straits Times understands that the ride-hailing firm will be rolling out a new service, called JustGrab, that will provide its users with fixed upfront fares when booking a taxi.

These fixed fares will take into account travel time, booking fees as well as any location and time-based surcharges.

Grab users are currently able to view upfront the cost of a private hire GrabCar ride, which is a fixed price. But they can view only the estimated cost of a taxi ride, as these are based on the metered fare.

The new fixed fares for taxis will, however, be subject to dynamic fares - also known as surge pricing - in which prices increase during periods of high demand.

These changes were spelled out in a document that Grab will be issuing to cabbies, seen by The Straits Times.

Private-hire car services offered by Grab and Uber are already subject to surge pricing - making them cheaper during the off-peak hours but more expensive than metered taxis when demand is high.

It is not known when the new system will come into effect. Grab declined comment when contacted yesterday.

DYNAMIC PRICING

The Straits Times reported last week that Trans-Cab and Premier Taxi were working with Grab on plans to implement dynamic pricing.

ComfortDelgro - the largest taxi operator here - confirmed it had also written in to the Public Transport Council regarding plans to implement its own dynamic pricing.

National Taxi Association executive adviser Ang Hin Kee said that while dynamic pricing could help cabbies earn more, it was important that taxi fares remained "competitive" compared with those of private-hire cars during peak periods.

Commuters said surge pricing could drive them to look for alternatives.

Digital director Ameera Begum, 29, said it would provide "no incentive" to turn to Grab taxis over a private-hire ride.

In a Facebook post yesterday, Second Minister for Transport Ng Chee Meng said that it was "not unexpected" that some commuters would be uncomfortable with the introduction of dynamic pricing.

"However, those who prefer not to use this new option can still choose to pay for a booked taxi by the meter," he said, adding that dynamic pricing would not apply for street-hires.

Mr Ng also noted that supply and demand would determine whether fares would be higher or lower under dynamic pricing.

"Taxi companies should ensure that dynamic pricing improves and not worsens the matching of supply to demand of taxi services," he said.

This article by The Straits Times was published in The New Paper, a free newspaper published by Singapore Press Holdings.

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4 tips to help drivers in Singapore save money

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Last year, this "International Number Ones" map hailed Singapore as having the world's "Healthiest People". Although we (surprisingly) did not manage to claim the namesake of "Best at Mathematics and Sciences", the financial burden that comes with owning a car made me feel that we probably should have been #1 at "Car Costs".

According to financial literacy site DollarsandSense, there are many factors compounding car costs in Singapore, from the vehicle's open market value to the infamous COE.

We spoke to 10 Singaporean drivers to get more insights on how they manage these costs. Our savvy drivers range from their early twenties to forties, with more than a year's experience behind the wheel. Their vehicles include a Kia Koup, Mercedes C180, Honda Jazz and Honda Airwave.

Singaporean drivers spend $200 a month on average on petrol

While the average monthly fuel spend is approximately $200, our drivers claim the figure can range between $80 to $800, depending on the intensity and frequency of driving. Factor in running costs such as road tax, insurance, service and repair, ERP and parking, and the amount spent on cars can easily shoot up another few hundred.

As a non-driver, these numbers gave me a good insight into the costs of car ownership here. Fortunately, our drivers have some street-smart tips to share on ow they save money along the way.

Read also: No nonsense explanation on why cars in Singapore are so expensive

Tip 1 - Learn to do your own maintenance

Find yourself frequently surprised by warning lights flashing on the dashboard?

Regular maintenance is crucial to extending the vehicle life and avoiding hefty repairs down the road. Always refer to the owner's manual for recommended service schedules (by experts), tyre pressure, and optimal petrol grades to ensure you're getting what your car needs.

One resourceful driver relies on simple self-maintenance to help keep workshop visits more affordable. More skilled than the average motorist, he changes blown headlight bulbs and tackles new air filter installations on his own, guided by car manual instructions. These ad-hoc tasks may help you to accumulate savings towards the occasional good meal out, but should definitely be approached with caution. When in doubt, leave it to the experts.

Washing and vacuuming your own car was another practical tip, helping you save at least $11 each time. However, if this doesn't quite rev your engine, industry experts suggest looking out for promotions at nearby service stations which offer professional washes at discounted rates, or through loyalty point redemptions.

Tip 2 - Don't buy (useless) trinkets

We all know that one person who decks out their rides with things showcasing their individuality. The unnecessary weight not only impacts your ride's fuel efficiency, but can also come at a darker cost.

One driver shares how his parents have a passion for miniature soft toys on the dashboard. These became a safety hazard during a hard braking episode, when one or two offenders found their way near the gas pedal - increasing the chances of frightening consequences in an emergency.

Lesson: leave the assassin bunny on the store shelf.

Tip 3 - Pooling your ride

With the rise of third-party private car services like Grab and Uber, drivers interested in turning a quick buck can consider joining carpool services along their travel routes. One surveyed driver dabbled in carpooling services a while back, earning about a hundred dollars extra a week.

If rider horror stories are leaving you less enthused about becoming a carpool driver, updated sharing options may change your mind.

Tip 4 - Cards and gas station memberships

Our drivers fuelled-up across various oil company brands. Their go-to tip was pairing loyalty cards with credit card deals for maximised savings.

For example, 3 drivers use credit cards such as OCBC 365 at Caltex service stations for attractive fuel savings. One appreciates how pairing fuel purchases with a Plus! loyalty card gave her the added flexibility to use LinkPoint rebates for grocery shopping or future Caltex fuel purchases.

Caltex's partnership with Plus! also helps motorists stretch their dollar by accumulating LinkPoints from fuel and non-fuel purchases alike towards savings on petrol, Caltex car washes, daily necessities, travel and dining.

Interestingly, one driver notes that such loyalty card pairings also contributed towards more affordable premium fuels. As such, higher-end cars didn't necessarily require a pricier tag for quality fuels. Only one driver plays it safe with numerous loyalty cards, and likely, various credit cards. Always handy.

Driving doesn't need to be that expensive

Managing car costs in Singapore need not be a pricey habit… well, maybe not that pricey.

Although I would certainly not be jumping at the chance to get a car of my own just to take advantage of these cost-saving tips, there is always something to learn about reducing costs no matter your level of driving experience.

What are some of your money-saving tips as a driver? Let us know!

Read also: Most underestimate costs of owning a car

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Singapore property agent ups his game with wacky videos starring himself

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They're usually dressed in suits, great with people and even better at selling you a new residential property.

You've probably heard their spiel before too: "Near an MRT station", "Unblocked views", "10 minutes to the CBD", "Good schools within walking distance".

The ubiquitous property agent is sure to be found near wherever a new development pops up in Singapore but faced with stiff competition, at least one property agent has gone to great lengths to stand out in the madding crowd.

Meet Mr Edwin Wee, 35, who has been in the real estate business for more than 12 years now and is a senior division head at Savills Residential.

But when he isn't dabbling in the seriousness of closing property deals, Mr Wee is busy producing a series of online videos starring, well, himself as his alter ego The Wacky Agent.

on Facebook

The Wacky Agent Episode 4 is out! Please share and tag someone you know who will need this information! Do like my page...

Posted by Edwin Wee on Thursday, 2 March 2017

Since December last year, he has produced four light-hearted and entertaining videos to promote units for sale at various new condominiums developments.

In these videos, he takes on multiple roles and well-known personas, sometimes even singing (or rapping) in Mandarin or English. 

There is even a clip where he interviews himself in a mock TV newsroom setting.

In the clip, he literally asks himself why he makes such videos to sell property.

Good question, Mr Wee.

He answers: "After being in the market for so long, I realise that traditional methods do not work anymore.

"If you look up the meaning of 'wacky' in google, it means 'fun' and 'amusing' which is exactly my character. After applying all these wacky marketing methods, I managed to sell a lot of houses fast."

Mr Edwin Wee interviews himself in one of his Wacky Agent video clips
Photo: Screengrab/TheWackyAgent

Mr Wee told AsiaOne in an interview that the videos are produced all by himself, D-I-Y style.

"(It's) all done by myself. Filming, editing, sound, music..very tedious but my clients like it," he said of his skills which he picked up from watching YouTube videos.

He said: "I learned from YouTube, bro...It's all there."

He doesn't have a dedicated studio from which he shoots the clips but he chooses "just any place to put a green screen" so he can superimpose himself in different scenarios and locations.

And what do his bosses and colleagues think about what he's doing?

"This is just for amusement," he said.

On that note, here's the episode that kicked it all off -  for your amusement:

sujint@sph.com.sg

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Academic ability tests to be scrapped

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Students who excel in fields outside of general academia will stand a better chance of getting into their desired secondary schools, thanks to changes to the Direct School Admission (DSA) scheme.

All secondary schools can admit up to 20 per cent of their non-Integrated Programme places via DSA from next year, Education Minister (Schools) Ng Chee Meng said during his Committee of Supply debate speech yesterday.

"With this expansion, students can better access schools with suitable programmes via DSA to nurture their strengths, talents and interests," he said.

Students may be admitted via the scheme before they take the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) if their specific talents are a good fit for the schools' niche programmes, such as sports, the arts, and specific academic strengths such as mathematics and languages.

Mr Ng also said the general academic ability tests will be discontinued from next year.

Schools can instead conduct their selection with a range of assessment tools, including interviews, trials, auditions and subject tests. They can also consider the applicant's overall portfolio and achievements.

This is aimed at bringing DSA's focus back to recognising and nurturing talents.

Some schools use the general academic ability tests to assess students' general reasoning and problem-solving skills in DSA selection, which Mr Ng said "put undue focus on general academic activities".

Over the years, the scheme, which started in 2004, has been criticised for deviating from its original intentions of looking beyond grades, with some calling it a "back door" for students to gain entry into popular schools with well-established programmes.

But Mr Ng stressed that it should not be seen as an entry ticket to popular schools.

He said: "Schools will focus on identifying students with specific talents and move away from recognising strong general academic abilities.

"Students with strong general academic abilities would already be able to qualify for the school with their PSLE results."

Child psychologist Dr Carol Balhetchet told The New Paper yesterday: "The DSA is like a relief button and parents may be a bit more relaxed about academics. They will still, however, look for schools that have developed what they think are the best programmes.

"The DSA is sometimes a shortcut for admissions to the best schools, and this mindset will not change overnight."

National University of Singapore sociologist Tan Ern Ser said: "There is good intention underlying the DSA, which recognises a broader range of talents and aptitudes... for purpose of admission."

Parents and school principals have welcomed the changes.

Mr Ng said the number of DSA applications increased by 1,000 last year. About 2,800 pupils were successful in getting a place via the DSA.

Mr Ng said about half of them were admitted into the Integrated Programme.

He also announced the streamlining of the DSA application process. From the 2019 exercise, students can submit applications through a centralised online application portal using a common form.

Schools will outline their DSA categories and the selection criteria on their websites.

Currently, students have to apply to individual schools, which have their own application processes.

harizbah@sph.com.sg

Read also: Expansion of DSA shows 'strong message'


This article was first published on March 8, 2017.
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Expansion of DSA shows 'strong message'

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Parents and school principals welcomed the changes in the Direct School Admission (DSA) scheme, with one saying it would help to "democratise schools beyond the usual names".

Evergreen Secondary School principal Carol Lim said: "The public will be encouraged to learn the skills and strengths of all schools, not just certain schools that have built certain names in certain areas."

Mrs Lim said it would be good for everyone to be more curious of schools in the neighbourhood.

"They can appreciate that every school is a growing and good school," she added.

Education Minister (Schools) Ng Chee Meng yesterday announced the expansion of DSA places in secondary schools, the removing of general academic tests and streamlining of DSA applications.

Tanjong Katong Girls' School principal Mary Seah said the expansion has sent a "strong message" for students to pursue their dreams and non-academic talents "without fear".

Queensway Secondary School principal Benjamin Lui felt the changes "reflected the move away from merely looking at academic achievement".

Madam Choo Pheh Fun, 44, was happy to hear the changes as she is planning for her son, 10, to enter secondary school through DSA in sports.

She said: "I am glad more places are reserved for students to qualify through DSA. This may encourage parents to develop their children in other areas instead of solely academics."

The mother of three said her daughters, aged 13 and 15, entered secondary school through DSA in gymnastics, and her son is trying out different sports to find a niche he can use for DSA.

"It is a good thing because there are more places for DSA students... But parents may also become more competitive and push their children to excel in sports because there are more places," she said.

Changes to affiliation in schools

Non-affiliated students hoping to enter affiliated schools will soon stand a higher chance.

From the 2019 Secondary 1 Posting Exercise, 20 per cent of places for each course in affiliated schools will be reserved for students with no affiliation, said Education Minister (Schools) Ng Chee Meng. He was responding to Dr Intan Azura Mokhtar (Ang Mo Kio GRC) and Mr Lim Wee Kiak (Sembawang GRC) in Parliament yesterday.

Currently, 27 secondary schools offer pupils from affiliated primary schools priority in Secondary 1 posting, provided they list the school as their first choice. This is to foster a strong school spirit and tradition.

Setting aside a fifth of places annually would "strike a balance between recognising affiliation and ensuring open access for all students", he said.

Pastor Dev Menon, 38, whose eight-year-old son is in Saint Andrew's Junior School, hopes to enrol him in Saint Andrew's Secondary School. He is not worried by the increase in places for non-affiliates because "80 per cent of places for affiliated students is still pretty high".

tnp@sph.com.sg

Read also: Academic ability tests to be scrapped


This article was first published on March 8, 2017.
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Shorter wait for BTO flats for young couples

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From next year, young couples applying for Build-To-Order (BTO) flats in selected locations will need to wait for only two to three years to get their keys.

Down from the three- to four-year waiting time, this will be done not by rushing through construction, but by starting construction ahead of the BTO launches, Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong assured the House.

Speaking at the Committee of Supply debate in Parliament yesterday, he said: "I know there are many young couples who hope to move into their own home even more quickly, to embark on this marriage and parenthood journey together.

"So we have looked into their requests seriously."

The first batch of 1,000 flats will be launched among non-mature estates (less than 20 years old) with special quotas to further prioritise young couples ready to settle down, he said.

For now, such BTO projects with shorter waiting times will be located in non-mature estates.

A Housing Board spokesman told The New Paper: "As there is limited land in mature estates that is readily available to start construction and build new HDB flats earlier, BTO projects in infill sites also typically take longer to build."

At least 95 per cent of flats that are four-room and larger - they are the most popular among first-time families - will be set aside for first-time buyers, said Mr Wong.

This is up from the current quota of 85 per cent in non-mature estates.

More details will be released at a later date.

Those looking at resale flat options - popular among couples who want to get their new flats quickly - can look forward to a more "efficient manner" of balloting for unsold resale flats.

Currently, Sale of Balance Flats (SBF) exercises are done twice a year, according to specific towns and flat types.

From the second half of the year, the unsold flats from SBF exercises will be offered in a common pool instead.

Priority will also be given to first-timers.

URGENT

"Those with urgent housing needs and who are less particular about location can apply and need not wait for the usual SBF exercise," said Mr Wong.

The ministry is also looking at how to speed up the transaction process for resale flats.

Now, it takes 16 weeks and two HDB appointments, said Mr Wong.

"Today, doing a resale transaction can be quite an involved process, even with the help of an agent. We will leverage technology and make the process faster and more streamlined," he said.

fjieying@sph.com.sg


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Don't deliver kids' forgotten items, school tells parents

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Here's a school that believes parents should let their children learn to be self-reliant.

Signs are put up at entry points of Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Primary School (KCPPS) to discourage parents from dropping off their children's forgotten items.

"Please turn around and leave..." state the signs.

The school feels that children should take responsibility for their actions: "Let your child grow up. Your child will learn to solve problems and take responsibility for the consequences in your absence."

Every day from 8am to 9am, there will be at least three to four parents or domestic helpers delivering forgotten items such as water bottles, textbooks and pocket money to the school in Bishan Street 13, said a school security guard.

They are redirected to the general office, where they are turned away.

KCPPS principal Teo Ching Ling told The New Paper: "Taking responsibility for their own learning and belongings is an important life skill we require our pupils to learn as part of our values education and is in alignment with one of our school values, self-discipline.

"As parental involvement is critical in this endeavour, the school had sought parents' co-operation to refrain from delivering forgotten items and homework for their children as part of the learning process."

Madam Teo added: "The sign was put up to serve as a visual reminder for parents to partner the school in this effort."

Parents told TNP yesterday that the school keeps emphasising at parent-teacher meetings and in e-mail circulars that children should take responsibility for their mistakes and learn to be accountable.

But that message apparently has not gotten to some parents, which prompted the school to put up the signs prominently around its premises this week.

Ten parents told TNP yesterday afternoon that they support the school's action.

Mrs Karen Ang, 45, who has two children in KCPPS, said her daughter in Primary 4 recently left her art folder in the car after being dropped off.

Her husband then took it to the general office, thinking it would be handed to their child. It wasn't.

Mrs Ang said: "We learn that children can handle responsibility. And if we all want to drop things off, there will be so many parents here disturbing the school."

Domestic helper Yati Wagimin, 41, said her employer's son, who is in Primary 2, is forgetful.

"Once, he forgot to bring his wallet to school, but he knew that he could borrow money from the general office for recess. He returned the money the next day," she said.

Clinical psychologist Carol Balhetchet said: "Primary school is a child's first step into the education environment, and it is a parent's natural instinct to be protective.

"After the first year, parents do not need to be overly cautious as children need to fend for themselves, be self-reliant and responsible."

Another psychologist, Mr Daniel Koh, said if parents are constantly solving problems for their children, it will affect their ability to be alert.

He said: "The child may not have the awareness to look out for issues, prepare or plan ahead. Lack of independent and required skills can cause uncertainty when he has to deal with issues on his own, hence, not instilling character growth."

On raising independent kids

Clinical psychologist Carol Balhetchet offers five tips on raising independent kids:

  • Tough love is to be kind and firm. To be kind is to understand the child's needs, and make sure he is safe and comfortable in his social environment. But be firm - be assertive that the child needs to be independent. For example, let him carry his school bag himself.
  • Be there for your child. Parents do not need to be physically present all the time, but make sure to provide the emotional support the child needs. If he feels unsafe, be sure to address the issue.
  • Give your child undivided attention. For instance, spend time talking over dinner.
  • Listen to your child. Don't keep preaching, advising or nagging, as he may rebel when he gets older.
  • Help your child be more independent, because one day, he will have to take responsibility for his own actions. So do it while you are around to help and correct him.

tnp@sph.com.sg


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Local cycling group raises $320,000 for Kidney Dialysis Foundation

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It was challenging enough for the 67 cyclists to cycle 1,000km from Belum, Perak, to Singapore to raise funds for the Kidney Dialysis Foundation (KDF).

Then, they had to deal with a collapsed bridge 28km to Gua Musang in southern Kelantan, which meant members of the local cycling group, Epic Cyclist, had to make a 50km detour.

For the sake of KDF's patients, they cycled 10 hours a day and returned safely to Singapore on Monday.

From last Friday to Monday, the cyclists travelled over winding roads and rolling hills in Malaysia hoping to raise $350,000 for KDF patients by June.

The group raised $320,000 during the cycling event.

A few hours into the ride, during a lunch break, KDF Millennium Ride 2017 organiser Clifford Lee, 46, was told by a local shopkeeper that a makeshift concrete bridge on their original route had collapsed from a thunderstorm last month.

Mr Lee said: "I took out my maps and had to plan an alternative route on the spot."

NEW ROUTE

He deployed two cars and a motorcycle to check out the roads, before informing the cyclists of their new route.

The group's oldest cyclist, Mr Peter Sng, 64, said: "The extra 50km was a killer for me, especially as my knees were already hurting by then."

A participant in all four KDF Millennium Rides, Mr Sng said this year's was his toughest yet.

"I started feeling a sharp pain in my left knee by the second day from the steep incline and continuous uphill terrain."

He added that this was the first time he had to stop every 30 minutes to use pain-relieving sprays for his knees.

The terrain was also brutal for first-timer, Mr Gary Lee, 45, who had participated in two Ironman 70.3 triathlons before.

"I thought I was well prepared but the extra 50km was unexpected.

"I just had to bike through it despite the pain and weather conditions."

The group cycled in pouring rain for close to an hour on the first and fourth day.

The public can still donate to KDF until the end of June.

chualel@sph.com.sg


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Passers-by exhibit 'kampung spirit', work together to remove tree that fell along Kaki Bukit

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SINGAPORE - A three-storey tall tree collapsed onto the road along Kaki Bukit Avenue 1 on Monday (March 6) afternoon amidst heavy rain.

But the story did not end there.

A group of about 20 passers-by later joined hands to move the hefty obstacle to the side of the road, according to a report from Shin Min Daily News.

This happened at about 4.30pm, half an hour or so after the tree first fell.

An eyewitness living in a nearby block told Shin Min that by this time, the line of cars stuck behind the tree had extended to 30m long.

The exasperated drivers then decided to take matters into their own hands.

Together with some onlookers, an initial group of about 10 people made two unsuccessful efforts to remove the tree from the road.

A third attempt with 20 people along the full length of the tree finally succeeded in clearing the road.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force said no one was injured.

lesterw@sph.com.sg


This article was first published on Mar 7, 2017.
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The complete list: 27 secondary schools and their affiliated primary schools

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Education Minister (Schools) Ng Chee Meng announced in Parliament on Tuesday (March 7) that one-fifth of places in all secondary schools with affiliated primary schools are to be set aside for students who do not benefit from affiliation priority by 2019.

Here's the list of all 27 with the respective affiliated primary schools:

1. ANGLO-CHINESE SCHOOL (BARKER ROAD)

Affiliated with: Anglo-Chinese School (Junior), Anglo-Chinese School (Primary)

Read also: Concerns over affiliated school priority

2. ANGLO-CHINESE SCHOOL (INDEPENDENT)

Affiliated with: Anglo-Chinese School (Junior), Anglo-Chinese School (Primary)

3. CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

Affiliated with: Catholic High School (Primary)

4. CHIJ KATONG CONVENT

Affiliated with: CHIJ (Katong) Primary

5. CHIJ SECONDARY (TOA PAYOH)

Affiliated with: CHIJ Primary (Toa Payoh)

Read also: Expansion of DSA shows 'strong message' 

6. CHIJ ST JOSEPH'S CONVENT

Affiliated with: CHIJ Our Lady of the Nativity, CHIJ Our Lady of Good Counsel

7. CHIJ ST NICHOLAS GIRLS' SCHOOL

Affiliated with: CHIJ St Nicholas Girls' School

8. CHIJ ST THERESA'S CONVENT

Affiliated with: CHIJ (Kellock), CHIJ Our Lady Queen of Peace

9. FAIRFIELD METHODIST SCHOOL (SECONDARY)

Affiliated with: Fairfield Methodist School (Primary)

10. GEYLANG METHODIST SCHOOL (SECONDARY)

Affiliated with: Geylang Methodist School (Primary)

11. HOLY INNOCENTS' HIGH SCHOOL

Affiliated with: Holy Innocents' Primary School

12. KUO CHUAN PRESBYTERIAN SECONDARY SCHOOL

Affiliated with: Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Primary School

13. MANJUSRI SECONDARY SCHOOL

Affiliated with: Maha Bodhi School, Mee Toh School

14. MARIS STELLA HIGH SCHOOL

Affiliated with: Maris Stella High School

15. METHODIST GIRLS' SCHOOL (SECONDARY)

Affiliated with: Methodist Girls' School (Primary)

16. MONTFORT SECONDARY SCHOOL

Affiliated with: Montfort Junior School

17. NANYANG GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL

Affiliated with: Nanyang Primary School

18. NGEE ANN SECONDARY SCHOOL

Affiliated with: Ngee Ann Primary School

19. PAYA LEBAR METHODIST GIRLS' SCHOOL (SECONDARY)

Affiliated with: Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Primary)

20. SINGAPORE CHINESE GIRLS' SCHOOL

Affiliated with: Singapore Chinese Girls' Primary School

21. ST ANDREW'S SECONDARY SCHOOL

Affiliated with: St Andrew's Junior School

22. ST ANTHONY'S CANOSSIAN SECONDARY SCHOOL

Affiliated with: Canossa Convent Primary School, St Anthony's Canossian Primary School

23. ST GABRIEL'S SECONDARY SCHOOL

Affiliated with: St Gabriel's Primary School

24. ST HILDA'S SECONDARY SCHOOL

Affiliated with: St Hilda's Primary School

25. ST JOSEPH'S INSTITUTION

Affiliated with: De La Salle School, St Anthony's Primary School, St Joseph's Institution Junior, St Stephen's School

26. ST PATRICK'S SCHOOL

Affiliated with: De La Salle School, St Anthony's Primary School, St Joseph's Institution Junior, St. Stephen's School

27. ST MARGARET'S SECONDARY SCHOOL

Affiliated with: St Margaret's Primary School

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MOE announced a series of changes to Singapore's education system in Parliament on Tuesday (March 7). Here's a quick look at what's different: http://str.sg/4hpU

Posted by The Straits Times on Tuesday, 7 March 2017


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'Dynamic fares' in the works at 4 taxi companies: What you need to know

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SINGAPORE - Four taxi companies - ComfortDelGro, Trans-Cab, Premier Taxi and Prime Taxi - have signalled their intention to implement "dynamic fares", triggering concerns among commuters that cab fares could rise.

More commonly known as surge pricing, a system already in use by ride-hailing service Uber, the move will see fares fluctuate according to demand.

Second Minister for Transport Ng Chee Meng had noted on his Facebook page that it was "not unexpected" that some commuters would feel uncomfortable with its introduction, although he warned that taxi companies would need to ensure that it improves the matching of supply to the demand for taxi services.

Here's a look at what changes the four companies - along with Grab, another ride-hailing service - are looking to introduce.

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What you need to know about the "dynamic fares" being proposed by cab companies: http://str.sg/4hpd

Posted by The Straits Times on Tuesday, 7 March 2017

1. COMFORTDELGRO

Photo: ComfortDelGro

The transport giant, which controls over 60 per cent of cabs in Singapore, has informed the Public Transport Council (PTC) that it intends to introduce "demand-pegged fares" for phone-booked rides.

But unlike Uber's surge pricing mechanism - informing the commuter of how many times the fare would go up by - ComfortDelGro's system will simply flash a fare.

Should the customer reject the flat fare, he can choose to go by the metered fare, although it is not certain that cabs will be available for him.

2. TRANS-CAB

Photo: The Straits Times

 

The second largest operator with 4,566 taxis plans to implement dynamic fares, which will apply only to commuters hailing a cab via the Grab app.

3. PREMIER TAXI

Photo: The Straits Times

Premier Taxi, the second-smallest player here with a fleet of 1,889 cabs, has a similar plan to Trans-Cab.

Only commuters using the Grab app will be affected.

4. PRIME TAXI

Photo: The Straits Times

This is now the latest firm to have informed the PTC of its intention to introduce dynamic fares.

Meantime, in a separate development, the ride-hailing firm Grab is reportedly rolling out a new service - JustGrab - that provides its users with fixed upfront fares when booking a taxi.

This fixed fare takes into account travel time, booking fees, and location- and time-based surcharges.


This article was first published on Mar 7, 2017.
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Seoul in love with kimchi? McDonald's has a new K-pop duo perfect for you

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SINGAPORE - Heads up fans of Korean cuisine, the latest bad boys are in town.

McDonald's will be bringing in two new Korean-inspired burgers on the menu from Thursday (March 9) onwards.

The Seoul Spicy Chicken Burger and Seoul Spicy Beef Burger features the iconic spicy Korean sauce made from fermented soy bean paste, sesame paste, soy sauce, chilli peppers, red paprika and garlic.

The meal also comes with kimchi shaker fries, Peach McFizz and Melon McFlurry with Coconut Jelly.

These new offerings will be available in all McDonald's outlets and via McDelivery while stocks last.

debwong@sph.com.sg

 

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