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abt last wk, saw a news headline by SM about alternate ways of increasing birth rate... then last sunday on zaobao, saw the report on Russia. Imposing tax on those couple who dont have kids. 6% tax impose on their monthly salary.. See liao.. i was wondering whether this is what they mean by alternate ways...

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Now he also chup motor insurance liao? Anyway a good reminder article nonetheless Just doubt the relevant folks would listen... From ST Forum: http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/forum-...claims-20121113 Motor insurers should tackle root causes of inflated claims Published on Nov 13, 2012 ACCORDING to the General Insurance Association of Singapore, regulations introduced in May last year require motorists making property damage claims to give other motorists or their insurers the opportunity to inspect the damage to the vehicles before repairs are undertaken ("Pre-repair inspection rule for accident vehicles"; last Friday). The association should state the percentage of third-party claims that follow this regulation. Anecdotal evidence indicates that payments for third-party damages continue to be high, contributing to hefty motor insurance premiums. Also, are a significant proportion of these claims made through lawyers, and do their fees add to the cost of the claims? Perhaps the insurer paying the claim should also be given the opportunity to settle it without the need to incur legal fees. The requirement to report directly to the paying insurer should be made mandatory by law, rather than being a non-binding regulation by the insurance industry. This will be more effective in addressing the exorbitant cost of third-party claims. In my consulting work in the region, I know that the cost of motor repairs in Singapore is several times that in neighbouring countries. While this can be partly explained by the higher cost of doing business here, the scale of the difference indicates that there are other contributing factors. The motor insurance industry should address the root causes of inflated claims and bring relief to consumers, who now continue to suffer increases in premiums. Tan Kin Lian President Financial Services Consumer Association

yah i believe they are capable of solving the issue... it's just whether they want to do it anot... so many years liao *whispering* corruption, corruption, corruption

she cute little gal, will buy her a kate spade and tell her my issues and then jio her for supper . but i wan get her no. 1st.

After almost 18yrs of no tackle girls, not football ar, i totally forgot how to approach a girl! so what is the best technique now? eg, u like a girl drinking at the pub, sending drinks over still works? pls share yr most recent conquer for all to 研究研究

This fella shud just write direct to CEA and complain against the agt. Write to forum for wat? wif reference to his last sentence, shows he not aware of this dual representation rule. ST Forum Mar 16, 2011 Tackle agents seeking dual rental commissions THE article by Ms Jessica Cheam last Saturday was timely ("When your agent does not act in your interest"). Although the Council for Estate Agencies (CEA) has banned dual representation, where the same agent cannot represent both buyer and seller, in a sales and purchase agreement, it has said nothing about a rental agreement. Recently, I purchased a property with tenancy. There was no formal rental agreement between the previous owner and the tenants. When I asked the agent representing the previous owner if he could draft a rental agreement for me and the existing tenants, he boldly asked the tenants for a commission. The tenants were upset because he was asking for a lot of money. I was upset because he put off my tenants and put a strain on our relationship. I was in fact ready to pay him a commission for doing the paperwork. However, that does not warrant a commission equivalent to one month's rental because he did no actual work and put up no advertisement in locating the tenants. I hope CEA would ban agents from collecting commissions from both the landlord and the tenants as there would surely be a conflict of interest. Sim Ghee Choon

Was on the way home and changing train at Jurong East MRT interchange this evening. Walking at normal pace towards the empty train in the middle lane when this auntie of about 55 years old clipped the back of my right foot. Ignored her but was thinking "wah lao, walk so close behind me for what?" After another 3 paces, she kicked me at the same spot, turn around and check to see what she was up to. Walking another 3 - 4 paces, she knocked into my right foot again! (seems like she was "tackling" me from behind and in a calculated but not forceful way). This time turned round and at the same time, my spectacle starts to fog up. Steam?? Nin lao hiah, cannot see her properly. Got into train and by this time she was well ahead and grabbing a seat, took off my specs, wipe it clear of the "steam", put it back on and look at her. KNNH! She was glaring at me! Auntie arhh, what's wrong with you . . . rushing for seat is it, my destination is one stop away I won't snatch the seat from you lah. Really shou bu niao!! Chill out Auntie, it's Flyday!!

PRIME MINISTER Lee Hsien Loong assured Singaporeans yesterday that their concerns about the rising cost of living, including food prices, have been heard - and are being addressed. But Singaporeans themselves will, at the same time, have to make adjustments, he said. One suggestion: Go for cheaper house brands. 'We can overcome this problem by working together. People making adjustments, the Government doing its part. We must stay together even during difficult periods,' said Mr Lee. Speaking to 1,400 residents and grassroots leaders at a Chinese New Year dinner at his Teck Ghee constituency, he, however, rejected calls for the Government to control the prices of essential goods. 'Residents asked, 'Why can't the Government just control the prices?'' he recounted. His response: Singapore is an open economy and imports all its food. 'We can't just order wholesalers and retailers to fix or reduce prices. They have to pay the overseas suppliers - who will bear the loss?' If the Government subsidises essentials, it will be 'very expensive, and also ineffective'. As higher-income households spend more, such subsidies will benefit them more than the poor. It is better to use the money instead to help the needy more directly, he said. Thus, there are measures such as the Workfare Income Supplement Scheme as well as the Public Assistance Scheme, which is being reviewed. At the same time, the Government is diversifying food sources, such as by importing frozen chicken from Brazil. Consumers can also go for supermarket house brands, which are cheaper. 'No need to buy branded bread,' he said in Mandarin to laughter. 'Bread is bread, rice is rice.' Most important of all is to grow the economy so wages will go up, he stressed. Noting that 2007 was a good year, with workers receiving significant pay rises and bonuses, he quipped that government revenues 'have not been too bad either'. Thus, Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam will distribute 'a little hongbao' in the Feb 15 Budget, especially for the needy. 'But we must be realistic,' he said. 'I read the wish list for the Budget in the newspapers, all hoping that the Government will give out exciting goodies. 'The Government will definitely help. But we cannot just distribute money and make the problem go away. 'Even with a good harvest, or during Chinese New Year, the Minister for Finance is not the cai shen ye!' he said, referring to the God of Fortune in Chinese mythology. Inflation here hit a 25-year high in December, when the Consumer Price Index (CPI) jumped 4.4 per cent from a year ago. In particular, food prices were 5.5 per cent higher. In a sign that the cost issue is high on the Government's agenda, four Cabinet and junior ministers - besides Mr Lee - spoke separately on it at the weekend, assuring that the Government will help. The subject took up the bulk of Mr Lee's 20-minute speech, delivered both in English and Mandarin. He started by noting that the Year of the Rat is beginning under 'more challenging circumstances' compared to previous years. The financial markets are in turbulence, and the United States economy is slowing. And the clouds will not be going away soon. In fact, Mr Lee warned that 'we must expect more uncertainties ahead'. He expects the CPI to be high this year, especially in the first half: 'Last year, it was about 2 per cent. This year, it may be 5 per cent, it may even be more.' Already, prices of Chinese New Year goodies such as pineapple tarts and bak kwa have increased, he noted. But putting the grim outlook in perspective, he said that higher food prices is a global problem. Similarly afflicted are Malaysia, Indonesia and even Latin America. On the whole, though, Singapore is in strong shape: 'We expect the economy to keep growing, though slower than last year. Whatever it is, I am confident that we can weather the storm.' Calling on Singaporeans to stay with the Government and to keep Singapore competitive and growing, Mr Lee concluded: 'Then, whether it is the Year of the Rat or the Ox or Tiger, we will have the resources to deal with the challenges that come our way.'