Prices Surges In COE Premiums - By Clement Tay

Prices for both new and used cars have gone up, following the surge in COE premiums to 10-year high recently.Prices of new cars rose 10 percent while second-hand cars are S$3,000-S$8,000 more expensive than before the results of the latest round of COE bidding were announced on 8 December.

COE premiums skyrocketed in the latest round of bidding, with a staggering jump of S$14,612 for cars over 1,600cc. This brings the total premium for that category to S$62,502.Prices for the Open Category was up S$15,010 to S$64,900. For smaller cars 1,600cc and below, the COE price rose S$8,604 to S$47,604.

These latest COE prices are the highest since 2000.Following the COE price surge, dealers of new cars see less business over the last few days.They say the price of big cars is now up by about S$15,000, while small cars are costing some S$9,000 more.

Dealers say the sudden surge in prices has had a huge impact on customers but they believe business will bounce back.Meanwhile, business at second-hand car showrooms is looking good. Motorists may save S$20,000 to S$30,000 if they opt for a used car.

In my opinon , anybody looking to buy a car would be detered by the high prices . However that is the whole aim of the COE isn't it as government seek to reduce the number of cars on the road to prevent more traffic jams and possible pollutions . Neverthless , the sudden high prices is quite alarming . Let say you are looking for a new Renault Megane which cost $65,000 last year and now it is nearly $100,000 ! You are looking at forking out an extra $35000 , and it all goes to the government ! I don't know about you , but it sure scares the hell out of me and if i were in control as a consumer , i would just wait for the prices to drop again.

Hotels shelter flood victims

Summary

In Venezuela, Caracas, more than 100,000 people had taken refuge at 19 hotels throughout Venezuela’s capital due to flooding and mudslides following weeks of torrential rains, and that had killed at least 34 people and left more than 5,000 Venezuelan homwless. The occupation of hotel owners appeared to be a show of force as criticism of President Hugo Chavez' handling of the disaster had grown.

Article appealing

I hardly ever hear about sheltering hotels for the refugees. It is like an exclusive refuge for the homeless when they encountered a disaster like flooding and mudslides in this case, and I would like to know more about the article.

Agree/Disagree

I agree with the solution provided by accommodating the homeless people in a hotel. It shows that the government actually cares about their people by expressing their immense concern whenever they have difficulties. People from that city would feel protected and being taken care, then leads to good governance, which means that good relationship between the government and their people.

Question

I would like to ask that is it a bit like waste of resources input like electricity and place that had taken up for refugee? It is because hotel is served as a high-level accommodation. What if the disaster comes during the tourism season? Would the hotels are still available? These questions query me.

If I were in control

I would still offer a place for refugees but it is necessary to separate the homeless and the tourists as the mood of having fun and shopping will be affected and may lead to a decline of possible high expenditure. Hence, doing charity work is important but the real profit perhaps is the most concerned.

iPhone app leads to arrest

Summary

A 36-year-old victim was walking along Lim Liak Street when an unknown man approached her from behind and snatched away her iPhone which she was holding. After the victim lodged a report, the 'Find My iPhone' application was used to help the police track down the suspect. The suspect was arrested, and is believed to be also responsible for several other snatch theft cases in the Tiong Bahru and Kim Tian estates. The suspect, an 18-year-old Malaysian man, will be charged in court on Wednesday, after arrested in two days.

Article appealing

I am sure that everyone will be interested in this article as it is about latest technology and with the fact that iphone is popularly using in now generation, the ‘Find My iphone’ application definitely raise everybody’s interest, including the non-iphone user like me.

Agree/Disagree

I agree with the ‘Find My iphone’ feature which is very useful in contribution of formidable security system for iphone. The number of stolen hand phones has risen tremendously recently and people should take a good care of their belonging, otherwise the thieves would have the chance of spilling the secrets from your electronic gadgets, like what happened to Edison Chan.

Question

I would like to ask the creator of ‘Find My iphone’ application that what if the owner of iphone found his or her missing phone after a few hours? Wouldn’t the theft run far away that makes the application untraceable? From what I know, this feature could only trace down 5m away from the stolen hand phone’s location, hence I would like to know more about this information.

If I were in control

I would rather safeguard my belonging especially those are containing my private information instead of using the application. It is hard to find my lost phone because the theft could be smarter than we thought unless by a little bit of luck. Therefore, I think it is better not to save your personal things in your electronic devices.

149 babies dumped since 2009

Summary:

A total of 149 babies were dumped by their parents from 2009 to August this year in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. There were 36 unidentified babies as their bodies were decomposed when they were found. The race and nationality of the babies could not be determined as the skin colours of the babies were similar. The ministry had adopted a concept where it tried to assist troubled young mothers instead of bringing them to book, like providing shelters for teenagers and controlling women who were pregnant out of wedlock to give birth safely as a measure to curb the baby-dumping problem.

Article appealing:

This is a shocking and heartbreaking news that catches everybody’s attention, I am sure about this. The victims are definitely the dumped babies and I want to know more about how the government deals with such a shattering issue.

Agree/ Disagree:

I agree with the measures that were taken by the Malaysian government. Physical helps are significant to the teenagers who were born out of wedlock. They are innocent and may not feel the sense of belonging from their parents because of their positions in the family. Hence, caring them means loads of love to them.

Question:

Why the government only thought about solving problems after the bad things happened? Precaution is always better done beforehand. Therefore, I think the government should emphasize the main point of thinking thoughtfully before having babies because dumping babies are ruthless and a human being should not do this if he is aware that they are human kind too.

If I were in control:

I will certainly educate the couples who are planning for children to love them truly by giving them a complete family and also implement policy like ‘one family one child’ which has been practicing in China. Punishment like fining and withdrawal of citizenship privileges could be considered as a forced responsibility to them. Thus, this may helps to decline the number of dumped babies.

Richard Branson to turn Air Stewardess for a day!

Virgin boss Richard Branson will serve as a flight attendant on an AirAsia X flight in February next year after losing a cross-dressing bet to rival Tony Fernandes, officials said on Sunday.

The two men laid the wager over whose Formula One team would place higher in this year's rankings.
Although both teams completed the season with zero points, Fernandes' Lotus F1 team was placed ahead of Branson's Virgin Racing by virtue of their better race finishing positions.

'It's confirmed February 21, 2011. Richard Branson will be a crew of AirAsia X,' Mr Fernandes said in a Twitter post late on Saturday, adding that the flight will take off from London Stansted Airport bound for Kuala Lumpur. Mr Fernandes said last month seats on the flight will be auctioned off for charity.

An AirAsia official said Mr Branson would be required to wear makeup and high-heels, along with the regulation red stewardess outfit, and would have to perform regular duties - including cleaning the toilets - during the flight.

This article appealed to me as the title immediately caught my attention and I was wondering what made Mr Branson, who is a famous businessman, do such a weird thing that could possibly hurt his reputation.

If I were in charge of the situation, I would surely like to board this flight to witness for myself what Mr Branson will do and how he will serve the people on board the plane.

NYP student charged - Dion Sng

This news article is taken from Straits Times Online. It was published on 3 December 2010.

A 23 year old man, Jee Guang You was charged in court with molesting a girl and stealing three bras from outside a unit.

No plea was taken from Jee Guang You, a Nanyang Polytechnic student, who was remanded a week for investigation. He allegedly lifted the 19-year-old girl's skirt to her right thigh at the NYP library . 

He is also said to have stolen three black brassiere worth $15 outside a flat at bukit batok where he stayed at.

If convicted of outrage of modesty, he faces a jail term of up to two years or fine or caning or both

This article appeal to me as it is regarding about NYP as i am the student of NYP. From my point of view, I would like to ask the writer the following questions; Why is the molester able to lift the girl skirt? What was the girl doing at the point of time? Is she sleeping in the library? Why is she not staying vigilant of her surrounding?

If i were in charged, i would appeal to all girls to wear jeans, not wearing revealing clothes that will tempt the males in order to prevent such cases from happening again.

Dion Sng 6December2010

Croupier suspected of taking $111,400 from RWS - Dion Sng

This news article is taken from AsiaOne. It was published on 1 December 2010. After being charged with theft of a $500 cash chip from her employer, Resorts World Sentosa, 30-year-old Chiu Yee Fong is now accused of misappropriating chips worth a total of S$111,400. The Taiwanese national was a former croupier at the casino, when she allegedly converted $111,400 cash chips for her own use between September 28 and November 7 this year. It was further reported that her former charges of theft have now been changed to criminal breach of trust. This article appeal to me as it is regarding about RWS. There was no writer point of view as this is a reporting theft cases. From my point of view, there are so many security cameras around and security are tight over there, how did she mananged to take the chips and converted into cash? i felt that one of the colleague might be assisting her. If i were in charged, i would place security guard behind the chips counter and cashier to prevent such cases.

Dion Sng 2December2010

'Cop' Molester Arrested

A 21-year-old man who posed as a police officer and molested victims during 'checks' was nabbed on Wednesday.

The suspect is believed to be responsible for several molestation cases in the Pasir Ris area since September this year.

His victims ranged from 12 to 25 years of age.

Pretending to be a police officer, the man would stop his victims and flash a fake police pass to 'prove' his identity. He would conduct checks on his victims using various reasons such as a drug search, outraging their modesty in the process.

After extensive investigations, the suspect was identified and arrested at Chua Chu Kang on Wednesday.

This article appealed to me as I was surprised after seeing the header of this article and I wanted to find out what irresponsible act this 'cop' did. I presumed it was a retired/former cop who committed this act before reading the actual article.

I would like to ask the writer how exactly did this bogus cop carried out his offence, whether it was in public or carried out in secret. Also, if possible, the writer could include the reaction of the victims so that readers like me can find out what exactly the offender did.

If I was in charge of the situation, I would surely not have the guts to commit such a severe offence. After all, it is an outrage of women's modesty and being caught red-handed would result in serious consequences.

Girl, 12, dead at HDB block

A 12-year-old girl was found dead at the foot of Block 573 in Hougang Street 51 on Wednesday morning. She is believed to have been murdered, said police.

Investigations are ongoing into the case, which police have classified as murder.

The girl, said to have weak arms and legs, was believed to have fallen from the fourth floor early on Wednesday morning.

Police said they were alerted to the motionless body at the foot of the block at about 6.05am. The girl was pronounced dead by paramedics at about 6.20am.

Neighbours said she suffered from weak arms and legs and have to be supported by a maid when moving around. She also attended a special school.

The maid, the prime suspect of the murder, was sleeping at home when police approached the girl's house later that day. She has already been detained for further interrogation.

The article appealed to me as I wanted to know what happened to the girl, who died at such a young age. Also, murder cases have been occurring rather frequently for the past month, which has definitely raised my concerns.

I would like the writer to include the specific details about the deceased's family members and how they are coping with the girl's death.

If I was in control of the situation, I would definitely not resort to killing to solve problems.

China talent show beauty dies during plastic surgery

Wang bei, who is a former contestant of “super girl”, china’s version of America’s “American idol”, died on November 15 while she was having a “facial bone grinding” surgery. It stated that she died of an “anaesthetic accident” during the surgery. Her jaw suddenly started bleeding during the procedure, blocking her windpipe causing difficulty in breathing. Wang Bei’s mother was having similar surgery when Wang Bei died.

This has sparked concerns regarding the dangers of plastic surgery in a country of 3 million people undergoing the surgery knife each year. In response to this incident, a professor of plastic surgery at Guangdong Medical college warn people to be wary of untrained doctors carrying out plastic surgery as a result of an increase in demand for cosmetic surgery. With this incident, the Ministry of Health ordered increase supervision in the industry.

This article appealed to me because being a girl, I am interested in this kind of story. The title stated china talent show “beauty” so I was wondering why she had plastic surgery.

I was not really happy with what the ministry of health has said. He said to “increase supervision” in the industry but he did not really gave the public an answer. He just brushed the public off saying that he would “increase supervision” however, not stating how he would supervise the industry. 

I would like to ask the writer to talk more about Wang Bei’s mother view regarding this issue as the writer did not provide any information with regards to Wang Bei’s mother. 

If I was in charge of the situation, I would employ police force to raid clinics, verifying if the doctors are certified to perform surgery. Or I would put up advertisements encouraging people not to have plastic surgery as it is dangerous.