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Environment Minister says toilets at coffee shops should be cleaned every 30 mins

By
Anna Maria Romero
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Photo: Freepik (for illustration purposes only).

SINGAPORE: In response to questions regarding the standards of cleanliness at public toilets at coffee shops in Parliament, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu said this week that coffee shops should adopt the same cleaning frequencies recommended to hawker centres.

In a written reply released on Wednesday (10 Jan), Ms Fu referred to an advisory issued by the National Environment Agency (NEA) in March 2023, reminding public toilet owners to keep toilets clean by having a proper schedule for cleaning and maintenance. The advisory says that toilets should be cleaned once every one to two hours during non-peak periods.

During peak periods, however, the recommended maintenance schedule is every 30 minutes.

In November, a nationwide study was published by the Singapore Management University (SMU) on the state of public toilets in Singapore. The SMU study showed that coffee shop toilets are still as dirty as they were three years ago. The study, which assessed 1000 toilets, discovered that the hygiene conditions remain subpar, with toilets near cooking facilities standing out as the dirtiest.

Read also: SG coffee shop toilets still as dirty as they were 3 years ago

“Having a clean toilet to use is a fundamental human right. In the pandemic state of heightened awareness about public hygiene and now post-pandemic, Singaporeans would expect an uplift in public toilet cleanliness, especially after having heard of toilet improvement programmes.

“But (the study) has exposed yet again the spectre of hundreds of abysmal toilets, often in close proximity with kitchens and food-handling areas. These are a daily menace faced by public toilet cleaners, workers and customers in coffee shops and hawker centres. Food sanitation and toilet hygiene are strongly correlated,” said SMU Principal Lecturer of Statistics Ms Rosie Ching, who led the study.

Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye (PAP-Radin Mas SMC) asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment whether the NEA imposes a minimum standard of cleanliness for public toilets at coffee shops. If this is not the case, he asked if NEA would consider issuing a guideline or standard to ensure the cleanliness of all public toilets.

Ms Fu said in her answer that licensees of food establishments, including coffee shops, must ensure that the toilets in its premises are kept clean and properly maintained, according to Regulation 30(2) of the Environmental Public Health (Food Hygiene) Regulations.

Inspections are conducted by the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) to make sure that licensees follow regulations and implement measures to maintain good public hygiene. When lapses are detected, the SFA takes enforcement actions.

The minister added that under the Environmental Sanitation (ES) Regime, coffee shops must develop and implement upstream measures to achieve cleanliness outcomes at their premises, including their toilets. The Premises Managers of coffee shops must adopt mandatory baseline cleaning standards such as minimum daily cleaning and disinfection frequency, as well as thorough cleaning and disinfection at least once every quarter. /TISG

Murali Pillai pushes for ‘serious offence’ tag for vapes under Organised Crime Act

By
Khalis Rifhan
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0

SINGAPORE — Bukit Batok MP Murali Pillai has urged the government to reclassify the import and sales of vaping paraphernalia such as e-vaporisers as a ‘serious offence’ under the Organized Crime Act 2015. Branding it a ‘powerful tool’ for law enforcement, Mr Pillai argued the move would empower authorities to crack down on individuals and networks suspected of fueling Singapore’s vape trade.

In a written reply to the parliamentary question, K Shanmugam, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law, responded that to classify the sales and import as a ‘serious offence’ under the Organized Crime Act, it must pose a serious threat to Singapore’s public safety and security.

“The offence must also be one that is associated with organised crime in Singapore. Offences in the Schedule include murder, drug-trafficking, and unlicensed moneylending,” explained Minister Shanmugam.

Mr Shanmugam added that based on this criteria, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Health Sciences Authority are assessing Mr Pillai’s suggestion of including offences involving vapes and associated products under the Organised Crime Act.

Acknowledging the Minister’s emphasis on threat assessment, Mr Pillai argued that the “alarming rise” in illicit vaping activity, particularly among teenagers, warranted immediate action under the Organized Crime Act. He stressed that protecting future generations should be a top priority, even if it meant adopting stricter measures.

“I wish to highlight that there are several published articles describing vaping (which is highly addictive) as a gateway to substance abuse. For example, researchers from Columbia University in a study published on 19 May 2023 found, after tracking 50,000 US adolescents, that vaping nicotine is strongly linked to increased likelihood of binge drinking and cannabis usage,” shared Mr Pillai on social media. 

177 persons were found to be in possession of electronic vaporisers (evaporisers) in an inter-agency operation conducted by the Health Sciences Authority(HSA) and Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) at Changi Airport on 20, 23, 27 and 30 December 2023.
Photo credit: Health Sciences Authority

Singapore has taken a tough approach against vaping in the country and recently stepped up its enforcement on vapes at the border. In Dec 2023, 177 persons were found to be in possession of electronic vaporisers in an inter-agency operation conducted by the Health Sciences Authority and Immigration & Checkpoints Authority at Changi Airport (pic above). ICA officers at Tuas Checkpoint also uncovered 25 pieces of e-vaporisers and related components hidden below the driver’s and passenger’s seats of a Singapore-registered car.

E-vaporisers are illegal in Singapore. Under the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act, the possession, use or purchase of e-vaporisers carries a maximum fine of $2,000. It is also an offence to import, distribute, sell or offer for sale e-vaporisers and their components. Any person convicted of an offence is liable to a fine of up to $10,000, or imprisonment of up to six months or both for the first offence, and a fine of up to $20,000, or imprisonment of up to 12 months or both for the second or subsequent offence. All prohibited tobacco items will also be seized and confiscated.

Pair of two-storey shophouses at 48 Peck Seah Street on sale for $22.9 million

By
Mary Alavanza
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0
48 Peck Seah street
Photo: Facebook/ Screengrab from Savills Singapore

SINGAPORE: A pair of two-storey shophouses at 48 Peck Seah Street have gone on sale for $22.9 million, with a guide price translating to $3,500 per square foot (psf) on floor area.

According to the Singapore Business Review, the shophouses, including an attic, cover a land area of 2,813 square feet, with a total floor area of 6,562 square feet. The shophouses are located in the heart of Tanjong Pagar CBD.

Savills, the marketing agent for the property, has highlighted that the ground floor is currently occupied by the Middle Eastern restaurant Fat Prince, and the property holds a “Restaurant” approval.

Additionally, there is no Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) or Seller’s Stamp Duty (SSD) applicable to the purchase, making it open to both foreigners and companies, said Savills.

“Tanjong Pagar is a major growth area earmarked by URA as Singapore’s business and lifestyle hub in the CBD. There are a few upcoming developments in the vicinity such as TMW Maxwell, The Skywaters and redevelopment of Nehsons Building that will see an injection of vibrancy in the locale. 48 Peck Seah Street is poised to ride the rejuvenation wave and the incoming buyer can expect capital appreciation and rental uplift down the road,” Yap Hui Yee, Executive Director of Investment Sales & Capital Markets at Savills Singapore said.

The sale of the property will be conducted through an Expression of Interest exercise by Savills, scheduled to close on Thursday, Feb 8 at 3pm./TISG

Lazada’s layoffs prompt questions on responsible retrenchment practices

By
Mary Alavanza
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Photo: FB screengrab/Lazada Singapore

SINGAPORE: The recent Lazada job cuts have prompted questions on responsible retrenchment practices.

The sweeping layoffs by the e-commerce player on 3 Jan is drawing attention to concerns about employee rights and labour union involvement, The Business Times reports. The move is not unprecedented in the tech sector, which has witnessed numerous job cuts since 2022.

Of particular interest is the timing of Lazada’s layoffs, occurring at the start of the new year. The company’s human resource practices during the retrenchment, coupled with a lack of communication with the Food, Drinks and Allied Workers Union (FDAWU), have raised questions about responsible retrenchment.

Established in 2012, Lazada Singapore serves as Alibaba’s regional headquarters for e-commerce ventures in Southeast Asia. Despite its established presence and resources, this is not the first time Lazada has implemented layoffs within the past year.

Lazada’s decision not to involve FDAWU, an affiliate of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), means the company determined retrenchment terms, including payouts, without union consultation. The offered severance package is two weeks’ salary for each year of service, lower than what some competitors like Grab and Shopee have provided.

In response, a joint statement by NTUC and FDAWU on Jan 6 expressed dissatisfaction with the payout, leading to ongoing negotiations for additional benefits for affected workers. Lazada has since apologised for failing to notify FDAWU but questions remain.

The feasibility of securing additional benefits through legal means is uncertain, as retrenchment payouts typically hinge on agreements outlined in either a union’s collective agreement (CA) or workers’ individual contracts. It is unclear whether the axed Lazada workers were unionised and whether there was a CA in place to protect these workers.

/TISG

5 Personal loans for low-income earners in Singapore

By
Mary Alavanza
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Woman writing on her desk with a man across her.
Photo: Freepik/jcomp (for illustration purposes only)

SINGAPORE: In Singapore, personal loans serve as a flexible financial tool for various needs, whether it’s addressing urgent situations, investing in education, or enhancing one’s quality of life. However, stringent eligibility criteria, particularly annual income thresholds, can pose challenges for low-income earners, making it crucial to explore options that “fit” their financial circumstances.

Here are the five best personal loans for low-income earners in Singapore according to SingSaver:

1. POSB Personal Loan

The POSB Personal Loan stands out for its inclusive eligibility requirements.

Open to individuals earning at least S$20,000 annually, it welcomes Singaporeans, Permanent Residents (PRs), and foreigners. Foreign applicants, however, need a Cashline and/or Credit Card account with the bank.

With an age range of 21 to 75 years, this loan offers competitive interest rates starting from 3.88% per annum (Effective Interest Rate – EIR 7.56% p.a.) and allows repayment over a period of up to five years.

Borrowers can avail themselves of up to 4X their monthly salary.

2. Standard Chartered Personal Loan

For those with a minimum annual income of S$20,000, Standard Chartered provides an accessible personal loan option.

Exclusive to Singaporeans and PRs, foreigners must meet a higher income requirement of S$60,000 or more per year.

This loan offers affordable interest rates from 3.48% per annum (EIR 6.95% p.a.) with a fixed one-time processing fee of S$199, partially or fully offset by the ongoing cashback promotion.

New clients can receive S$200 cashback, while existing customers can get S$100, provided they borrow at least S$10,000 over three, four, or five years.

3. OCBC ExtraCash Loan

For those whose annual incomes fall below the S$30,000 threshold, OCBC’s ExtraCash Loan presents a viable option.

With a minimum annual income requirement of S$20,000 for Singaporeans and PRs, expatriates may find it easier to qualify with an income threshold of S$45,000. However, it is important to note the higher interest rates, starting from 12.31% per annum (EIR 26.39% p.a.).

Despite this, the loan offers flexibility with a tenure ranging from one to five years, along with a one-time processing fee of S$100.

4. CIMB Personal Loan

As of Jun 2023, CIMB Personal Loan provides one of the lowest interest rates in Singapore, starting from 3.38% per annum (EIR 6.32%). It accommodates diverse borrowing needs with loan tenures ranging from one to five years.

Singaporeans and PRs aged 21 to 65 with a minimum annual income of S$20,000 can apply. However, this option is not available for foreigners.

Fees include a 1% processing fee for loans below S$5,000, waived for amounts S$5,000 or higher, and an early repayment fee of 3% of the outstanding principal amount or S$250, whichever is higher.

5. Citi Quick Cash Personal Loan

Citi’s Quick Cash Personal Loan sets a slightly higher minimum annual income requirement for Singaporeans and PRs at S$30,000, while foreigners need to earn at least S$42,000.

With attractive interest rates starting from 3.45% p.a. (EIR 6.5% p.a.), borrowers can access up to 4X their monthly salary, with loan amounts subject to a minimum of S$1,000.

Notably, this loan imposes no processing fees or administrative charges, and available tenures range from one to five years.

As personal loans play a pivotal role in managing finances for low-income earners in Singapore, understanding the eligibility criteria and available options empowers individuals to make informed decisions based on their unique financial situations./TISG

Singaporeans wish to donate towards the children of woman killed by neighbour

By
Jewel Stolarchuk
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0
8World News FB

SINGAPORE: A number of Singaporeans have expressed a desire to donate towards the wellbeing and future of two small children, who have been left motherless after a neighborly dispute turned into a murder last week.

The 43-year-old woman, who was killed by her 75-year-old male neighbour, led a rough life, according to her family friends who spoke to 8World News while they were at the mourning hall to pay their last respects. The woman was a single mother raising her five-year-old son and three-year-old daughter, after her abusive husband abandoned the family some time ago.

Her children were placed in a foster home but the son was visiting his mother, in preparation for an eventual return to his own home, when the murder took place. The boy was injured in the attack and has since been released from the hospital after receiving treatment.

A group of friends, who went to school with the woman, raised money for her children but the woman’s siblings say that they want to deal with the funeral arrangements first before deciding what to do with donations.

The woman’s sister told the Chinese daily that she has heard that some members of the public were interested in raising funds for her nephew and niece, but she doesn’t have the bandwidth to handle this at the moment as the family is deeply grieving while attending to the funeral matters.

The woman’s brother told the Channel that the little children visited the mourning hall on Tuesday (9 Jan) to pay their last respects to their mother. He added that his family’s situation is not good right now and he doesn’t want to talk more about it because he feels overcome with emotion when he talks about his sister.

Singaporeans report declining life satisfaction, primarily due to economic factors

By
Jewel Stolarchuk
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YT screencapture

SINGAPORE: Singaporeans are reporting a decline in their overall satisfaction with life, with a particular focus on household income and the standard of living, according to the findings of the latest Quality of Life Survey conducted by the National University of Singapore Business School.

The survey was detailed in the book “Happiness and Wellbeing in Singapore — Beyond Economic Prosperity,” authored by Associate Professor Siok Kuan Tambyah, Honorary Fellow Tan Soo Jiuan, and PhD student Yuen Wei Lun. Assoc Prof Tambyah, incidentally, is the wife of renowned infectious diseases specialist and opposition politician, Dr Paul Tambyah.

The findings of the poll, which surveyed 1,905 Singapore citizens aged 21 and older, revealed that while Singaporeans were “generally satisfied with their lives” and believed they had the things important to them in 2016, this sentiment has decreased in 2022.

The average satisfaction with life score in 2022 stood at 3.92, a notable decline from the 4.29 recorded in the 2016 survey. Similarly, the overall satisfaction with the quality of life, measured on a scale of 1 to 6 across 15 life domains, posted an average of 4.38 in 2022, compared to 4.81 in 2016 and 4.83 in 2011.

Delving into specific domains, Singaporeans reported the highest satisfaction in relationships with children, parents, and siblings, marriage or romantic relationships, and spiritual lives. However, dissatisfaction was most pronounced in areas related to household incomes, the standard of living, health, and relationships with neighbors and jobs.

Notably, households with monthly incomes below $1,000 expressed the highest level of dissatisfaction, while those earning $17,500 to $19,999 reported the highest levels of happiness.

The Cantril Ladder, which reflects cognitive evaluations of life on a 10-point scale (with 10 being the best possible life), showed Singaporeans in 2022 reported a score of 5.99, indicating a significant decline in cognitive wellbeing compared to the 2016 expectations. However, there seems to be optimism for the future, as the average score for 2027 is anticipated to rise to 6.45.

Despite these concerning findings, Singapore ranks 25th among 137 countries in the World Happiness Report 2023. The study provides valuable insights into the evolving sentiments of the population and highlights the need for further exploration into the factors contributing to this decline in life satisfaction.

6 countries—including SG—now tied for top spot on most powerful passport list

By
Anna Maria Romero
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0
Photo: Freepik/Lifestylememory (for illustration purposes only).

SINGAPORE: The 2024 Henley Passport Index, released on Wednesday (10 Jan), showed an unprecedented six countries sharing the top spot for the world’s most powerful passport. Two of the countries—Singapore and Japan— are from Asia, and four are from Europe, namely France, Germany, Italy, and Spain.

The citizens of these countries are allowed to visit 194 destinations out of 227 visa-free says the list, which gathers exclusive and official data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

The index noted that Japan and Singapore have dominated the top of the index over the past five years. In 2023, Singapore ousted Japan to take the top spot on the Henley Passport Index, which has been ranking the power of different nations’ passports for nearly two decades.

Read also: Singapore passport is now most powerful in the world, with holders able to visit 192 visa-free destinations

“The average number of destinations travelers are able to access visa-free has nearly doubled from 58 in 2006 to 111 in 2024. However, as we enter the new year, the top-ranked countries are now able to travel to a staggering 166 more destinations visa-free than Afghanistan, which sits at the bottom of the ranking with access to just 28 countries without a visa,” says the Chairman of Henley & Partners, D. Christian H Kaelin.

Dr Kaelin also noted that the general trend over the past 19 years, since Henley and Partners started the ranking, has been toward more travel freedom for citizens of different countries.

Ranking second on the list are South Korea, Finland, and Sweden, whose citizens may travel without a visa to 193 destinations. In third place are Austria, Denmark, Ireland, and the Netherlands (visa-free to 192 destinations). The United Kingdom takes fourth place (191 destinations) together with Belgium, Luxembourg, Norway, and Portugal; followed by Australia and New Zealand (189 destinations) and the United States (188 destinations).

Notably, 10 years ago, the UK and the US shared first place on the Index.

This year, United Arab Emirates made the biggest of 44 spots and is now in 11th place, as its citizens may visit 183 destinations without a prior visa.

In December, the Singapore passport ranked second in latest list of world’s most powerful passports.  VisaGuide.World ranked Spain’s passport in pole position, followed by Singapore, Germany, Italy, and France.

VisaGuide.World’s criteria for evaluation include visa-free access, the number of countries accessible, and various additional benefits such as electronic travel authorization, visa on arrival, e-visa, and passport-free travel. /TISG

Read also: Singapore passport ranks second in latest list of world’s most powerful passports

‘We felt exploited by SGH,’ says woman after elderly father’s hands end up bruised

By
Anna Maria Romero
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0
Photo: Google Screen Grab

SINGAPORE: A woman who was dissatisfied with the medical treatment her father received while he was warded at Singapore General Hospital (SGH) has taken to social media to share her family’s experience.

Ms Teri Tan, whose father passed away last month, wrote on her Facebook page earlier this week that they “felt exploited by” the hospital, because those who had tended to her father were, she claimed, “all junior residents who were incompetent and had used him as a guinea pig for their training/experiments.”

Moreover, she added that the senior doctor, to whom they had reached out, “turned a blind eye and refused all contact with us despite numerous request(s).”

Ms Tan’s post has gotten a lot of attention online. Meanwhile, SGH has left a comment on her post, expressing condolences and writing, “Please allow us to look into your feedback.”

The hospital also wrote that it has not been able to verify Ms Tan’s father’s full name and NRIC number, and has asked her to email his details and her contact information to SGH.

Ms Tan, who posted several photos of her father’s hands, wrote that in late November, they had been “shocked to discover that my father’s left hand had numerous needle holes and looked bruised and swollen.”

She added that her helper, who had stayed in her father’s room, “said that she had witnessed how the SGH staff have tried to collect blood by repeatedly inserting and removing the needle into various parts of my father’s hand as if they were figuring out which was the correct spot.”

Ms Tan also wrote that her sister talked to the nurses, who told them that it had been the doctor on duty who had inserted the needles.

A few days later, the family noticed that the same bruising had occurred on her father’s right hand. And when told by the nurse that it was the resident doctor who was “responsible,” Ms Tan requested to talk to him right away.

They were asked to wait while the doctor was doing his rounds. However, after waiting for 40 minutes, the nurse told them that the doctor had already gone home since it was a Saturday.

“How could SGH condone such acts of irresponsibility and incompetence amongst its doctors and nurses, allowing their senior doctors (Directors – Senior Doctor) to turn a blind eye and ignore us completely while their junior doctors were practicing on patients, treating them as guinea pigs. Rich or poor, every patient should be treated with dignity and respect. This unfortunate experience has definitely shattered all confidence we ever had of SGH,” Ms Tan wrote.

The Independent Singapore has reached out to Ms Tan and to SGH for further comment. /TISG

“Please have some conscience” – Yet another diner decries small food portion, high price

By
Beatrice Del Rosario
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0
Image: FB screengrab / Santhi Shan

SINGAPORE: Yet another dissatisfied diner has decried small food portions that are being sold at high prices, posting photos of a recent meal that irked her to no end.

Facebook user Santhi Shan took to the Complaint Singapore group on Tuesday (Jan 9) and said, “I never complain about food before but today is the worst experience. Bought chicken tom yam fried rice. Omg so horrible. Very oily n so little rice and couldn’t find my chicken.”

Ms Santhi was so disappointed that she appealed to such eateries to be more considerate of how hard people work to be able to afford such meals. She said, “Please have some conscience. We pay money and buy food with our hard-earned money. How will you people prosper if cheat money by selling this kind of food. That’s it never going back there again. I am so disappointed.”

The Singaporean added photos of the meal, which cost a hefty $6.20 yet only had a negligible amount of chicken.

A number of netizens agreed with Ms Santhi’s call. Some advised that it is now better and cheaper to cook their own meals given such incidents, while others said that this situation is prevalent across the island.

The most-liked comment, by Facebook user Shaun Koo, noted that such unjustifiable price hikes are not uncommon and how meal portions keep shrinking while prices keep rising. Mr Koo said:

“Everywhere the same. Price increases and some even cut down on their ingredients or portion with the price increase. It’s definitely not justifiable. Also, went to order ice lemon tea at various Yishun coffeeshops. All increase by 30 to 40 cents more from $1.50 which is a sharp increase. All businesses seem opportunistic now, especially with that 1 percent increase of GST. Haiz…

“Also government rolls out a nice initiative called budget meal at each stall in NTUC foodfare to help families cope with high living costs in challenging times. But somehow the system has been manipulated by hawkers who reduce the portion drastically. It becomes like a child’s portion instead. It somehow or rather defeats the purpose of helping.”

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