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Is it a free market or cornered market? Isn’t it good for a consumer to pay cheaper car prices? Why would it raise concerns? See news article

From ST Forum: http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Online...ory_805936.html Concerns about fast-food delivery staff and their motorcycles Published on Jun 2, 2012 I AM concerned by the reckless riding of fast-food delivery staff, especially when they zip along Housing Board void decks to save time or make the delivery deadline. Last Saturday, I saw a Pizza Hut delivery rider doing just that at Marine Parade. I called the Pizza Hut hotline to complain and the reply I received from the manager was that the fast-food chain would look into the matter and counsel the rider. When I asked for the motorcycle licence number, he replied that he did not have it and explained the difficulties in identifying the rider. To his credit, he identified the rider after several calls, but it would not have been possible had I not persisted. When fast-food companies receive complaints, do they actually discipline the riders and to what extent? Over the weekend, I noticed two riders apparently making a delivery for McDonald's on motorcycles carrying Johor licence plates. At least one rider (see photo) was on a motorbike with only a provisional Malaysian licence. Is this legal? Are foreign vehicles allowed to be used for business purposes? How is insurance managed in the event of an accident? The authorities should review policies and regulate fast-food delivery service by motorcycling staff. Fast-food companies should also do the right thing by conducting safety reminders daily to motorcycle delivery staff, handle complaints seriously and be prepared to discipline staff, including terminating the services of such staff and reporting recalcitrant riders to the police. These companies should also review remuneration for these riders to give them an incentive to ride safely while not affecting their income. Until there is an improvement, I shall not be ordering home delivery; not when there is a chance that someone's safety could be at stake. Adrian Lee

Hi guys... hoping you could help answer some of the points raised by my colleagues were having lunch when the hot topic on cars popped up again. the younger colleagues are really keen to get a car now so they bombarded me with tonnes of questions but some I could not answer - hope to find some help here. 1) How to ensure the dealer won't take my money and run road? 2) After bank loan approved, how to ensure dealer will transfer the car to me (like what happened recently)? 3) How to ensure the dealer fully settle my car before I transfer the car to him? (I suggested bringing cashier's order to the bank.... am I right? Have done this before) thanks a lot

SINGAPORE: Several MPs have raised their concerns in Parliament over the latest changes to car ownership policies. Under the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) car loan curbs, buyers have a maximum of five years to their service car loans. They also have to foot a downpayment of 40 per cent or more for a new vehicle. The changes, they say, not only have an effect on second-hand car dealers but also large families. Mr Pritam Singh, MP for Aljunied GRC, said: "It would be imperative for the government to look at possible tweaks to the system if indeed larger families and families that include disabled singaporeans or elderly parents are genuinely affected, as the effects of the new policy kicks in over next few months. "One specific way could be to raise the LTV ratio for cars back to 70 per cent as it was previously, but only for families with two or more children so as to buttress and incentivise the government's efforts to raise TFR (Total Fertility Rate). Dr Lee Bee Wah, MP for Nee Soon GRC, said: "With regards to the restriction on private car loans, there has been plenty of unhappiness from the grounds, from existing car owners to second-hand car dealers. "Recently, I received a very long email from a resident of mine. He told me that he has been a second-hand car dealer for 17 years. He started off as a salesman after ROD, and he worked his way up and he is currently the CEO. He has 235 cars in hand and 50 staff, and he is crying out for help. He told me he is going to sell his house but he worries he cannot save his business." "As I read his email, my heart beats with his. Again, the change is so drastic and immediate that some second-hand car dealers like my resident will have to fold up their businesses. Is this cut so critical and so market sensitive that the Government cannot give any advance notice?" - CNA

An economics professor has spoken up to dispel what he perceives to be misconceptions on immigration and Singapore having a bigger population. Among these, says Nanyang Technological University

From CNA: http://www.mycarforum.com/index.php?act=po...w_post&f=15 MAIDS' WEEKLY DAY OFF Employers' concerns considered, says MOM Published on Mar 13, 2012 SENTIMENTS expressed in recent Forum letters on the weekly rest day requirement for foreign domestic workers (FDWs) are largely similar to those that the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) encountered during its extensive consultation exercise on the review of the FDW management framework since June last year. Some of the feedback have been incorporated, including the flexibility of mutually agreeing when rest days should fall, or compensation with a day's wage. A few called for a reduction or removal of the levy. The levy serves to moderate demand for FDWs and ensures that only employers who need and have the financial means to hire them are able to do so. Singapore already has one of the world's highest number of FDWs per 1,000 households. While significantly higher wages would also moderate demand and increase our attractiveness as a place to work for quality FDWs, it remains unclear that the market-determined wages of all FDWs will in fact adjust proportionately to levy reductions. Previous levy reductions did not result in a corresponding rise in wages. The majority of households in Singapore with young children, elderly or disabled members already enjoy a $95 monthly levy concession. Together with the $120 FDW grant for households with frail elderly people or persons with severe disabilities, these concessions are more than adequate to cover the rise in costs from compensating FDWs for working on their rest days. Since January 2010, the MOM has already removed employers' liability if FDWs breach work permit conditions that relate to their own behaviour. The ministry does not forfeit employers' security bonds if FDWs violate their own work permit conditions, for instance, if they moonlight or get pregnant. In reality, the ministry forfeits very few security bonds each year. We are currently reviewing the employers' obligations for medical and repatriation costs for exceptional circumstances that they have little or no control over. Concerns have also been raised about employment terms and the activities of FDWs on their rest days. As with any employment relationship, FDWs do negotiate for better terms, whether they have rest days or otherwise. Any change must be agreed upon by both employer and FDW. The MOM is stepping up audits to ensure employment agencies facilitate better matches between employers and FDWs. It is also working closely with various stakeholders to educate FDWs on appropriate behaviour on their days off, and offer activities to help them spend their rest days productively. Farah Abdul Rahim (Ms) Director, Corporate Communications Ministry of Manpower

hey, bought a couple of a housebrand. Threw the items away. 1) Housebrand corn: I hv never tasted sweet corn kernels that after steaming, hv no corn smell. And soggy to chew. 2) Housebrand peach: OMG. The sogginess. How do you view housebrands? Their quality? I'll rather spend a few cents or bucks more for safety and health.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/sin.../363888/1/.html SINGAPORE: Transport Minister Raymond Lim has spoken against going for popular and quick fixes when seeking to address the concerns and anxieties of Singaporeans at times of economic stress, as these could worsen the underlying problems. Speaking at the Berita Harian Achiever of the Year Award event on Wednesday, he said the key is to find better ways to address these problems. He explained that helping those in need could be accomplished in ways other than to control prices and to keep out the competition. He said: "The government's approach is to provide targeted help to needy families to cope with these general cost pressures through measures such as Growth Dividends, GST Credits and Workfare Income Supplement. "Unlike wage and price controls, such measures do not lead to a fall in production and help raise the standard of living of low income workers without discouraging firms from hiring them." Mr Lim touched on the recent Parliament sitting, where he was asked whether the government could freeze Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) rates until the cost of living stabilised. However, he warned that if Singapore's roads are not priced correctly through the ERP, the overall costs to Singapore as a whole would go up and not down. These costs would be hidden in the form of time lost and extra fuel consumed being stuck in traffic. Mr Lim stressed that if Singapore froze the ERP rates, congestion on the roads would increase. This would not only affect individual motorists, who would spend more time in traffic, but all other road users like buses, taxis and commercial vehicles as well. Mr Lim is confident that Singapore will ride out the current economic difficulties. He said that is because the country has, through the years in good and bad times, steadfastly built a market economy that has the flexibility to absorb external shocks. - CNA/vm waaahahhahaa.......

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/sin.../315687/1/.html Is it really seeking the views of the public or for their own interest. What's yr view on this?

Lemme reason again, a stock paper filter flows just shy of a new K&N but with better filtration. So over time the K&N and paper will become restricted right? Just change the stock one every year lor! Here's the economics of my reason: Stock: $19 each K&N: $85 (cheapest, I got mine for $120 ) Changing every year means the total cost for the 10yr COE period will be $190 for using stock filter. That's about double over 10yrs which is nothing compared to all the crap we have to pay for our cars. Using a K&N have risks of contaminating the MAF sensor and letting more dust particles through the filter. Sure I've used a K&N when I was green to the car scene, now I'm using stock paper filter and car drives just as well. To prove my point, my 0-100km/h on Gtech does not differ much with K&N or stock filter, just about 0.2secs diff and both type of filters are used (not brand new).