Photo: Facebook / Screengrab from Complaint Singapore
SINGAPORE: The newly introduced McDonald’s Black Pepper Cheese Filet-O-Fish on August 31, 2023, may remind you of the classic Filet-O-Fish, but it comes with a twist – instead of tartar sauce, it’s dressed with a flavourful black pepper cheese sauce and shredded lettuce. But have you ever tried it without the fillet itself? The woman who shared her experience certainly had a bite of it.
She posted a video on social media showcasing her McDonald’s Black Pepper Cheese Filet order, only to discover that her ‘fish got away’. She shared: “It’s a good weather today but my fish somehow got away??? MCD black pepper cheese filet worth the try?” and tagged it with #mcdsg.
Photo: Facebook / Screengrab from Complaint Singapore
One of the comments jokingly said, “Fish decided to swim away.”
Another user couldn’t help but laugh, saying, “Hahahahhahahahah ini kelakar(this is hilarious).’
With the recent release of the new sandwich, perhaps many were excited to try the new sauce. However, one in the comments shared he didn’t taste much ‘pepper’.
He shared noting, “I didnt taste any black pepper when I tried mine last week.”
Another person shared that he had the same experience with his McDonald’s order, only this time it wasn’t the fish that got away, it was the patties.
He shared, “Same thing happened with my cheeseburger once; some kind soul must be trying to set the patties free.”
As these funny stories spread online, it’s clear the McDonald’s Black Pepper Cheese Filet-O-Fish had people talking.
In the midst of the funny stories, one user named Max pointed out the amount of lettuce sharing, “The amount of lettuce have reduced by 80% nowadays compared to 2.0 years ago.”
The Independent Singapore has reached out to the woman who posted as well as McDonald’s for further comments or updates.
SINGAPORE: A Singaporean noticed one question had not been asked on a Subreddit page and proceeded to ask just that: If you are getting decent pay in a good workplace but there is no growth opportunity, should you leave the job?
u/FunctionalTitle posted in r/askSingapore: “You are working in your current company – environment and colleagues is great, good flexibility in working hours,etc. Pay is decent… Only con is that there is no further growth – e.g. promotion to senior position, etc. And the only way to grow further is to take on extra projects in addition to your job scope which you are already doing.”
The user then added: “Decision to leave is subjective depends on where you are in your career etc. im 30 this year and would want to advance to higher responsibilities and with that comes higher pay. However, leaving a company with decent working environment means risk of being in a sh**typlace but i guess thats the risk we have to take right?”
Other Reddit users commented on the post, expressing their opinions on the matter.
Some encouraged the user to take the risk.
One user stated: “Yes. I’m sure many have made that jump. I did it couple of times – sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn’t.”
Another user remarked: “Changing companies can make you more versatile and give you the exposure of different technologies, skills or methods that other companies are doing. But there is also a risk too. I have quit two companies during the probation period because I found out the company is really toxic or the manager is actually crazy. If you already have a family and you are tight on money, sometimes stability is better.”
One more user admitted that age is really a big factor in switching jobs.
“Age is a big factor. You are 30, so it is imperative that you take advantage of it and jump. I have friends who kept deferring and by their late 30s and early 40s, they have difficulty changing even if they mustered the courage to do so. They are either too old and expensive to be drawing fresh grad salary (for mid-career switch), or too expensive as a senior individual contributor to be attractive to potential employers… That being said, there is also a need to settle somewhere so that you can build your career.”
According to an article on Career Karma, it is not too late to make a career change at the age of 30. There is still time to plan for retirement and pursue a dream job. The article mentioned signs that tell people they need a career change such as lack of passion, constant demotivation, health or personal life impact, inadequate salary, and persistent thoughts of being on a different career path.
SINGAPORE: The Singapore government has initiated contact with Apple Singapore following concerns about the electromagnetic radiation levels emitted by the iPhone 12. The action follows the suspension of iPhone 12 sales in France due to alleged radiation level breaches, prompting several countries to launch regulatory inquiries into the popular mobile phone.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) and the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) have jointly addressed the issue and acknowledged the tests conducted by French authorities regarding the electromagnetic radiation of Apple iPhone 12 devices.
Local authorities revealed that Apple had submitted an electromagnetic radiation report to the IMDA during the iPhone 12’s registration process here, indicating compliance with international standards, including EU electromagnetic radiation standards. This report led to the approval of iPhone 12 sales in Singapore.
In response to the unfolding situation, IMDA disclosed that they are currently in contact with Apple Singapore. They also cited Apple’s assurance that the iPhone 12 has received certification from multiple international agencies, affirming its compliance with global Specific Absorption Rates (SAR) regulations and standards.
“NEA and IMDA would like to assure the public that there are strict safety requirements in place before any equipment emitting electromagnetic radiation is approved for use in Singapore. We will closely monitor the developments in this case,” said the authorities.
Earlier, the French authorities reported findings from certified laboratory tests, indicating that when the iPhone 12 is held in hand or placed in a pocket, the electromagnetic radiation energy absorbed by each kilogram of human tissue exceeds the European standard of 4 watts, reaching 5.74 watts.
Apple, in response, contested the review results and pledged to continue engaging with authorities to demonstrate the iPhone 12’s compliance with radiation restrictions.
Additionally, Apple has announced its intention to release a software update specifically for iPhone 12 users in France. This update aims to address the ongoing dispute, which led to the suspension of iPhone 12 sales in the country, by potentially mitigating concerns related to radiation emissions.
SINGAPORE: A New Zealand couple who had to sit next to a noisy and smelly bulldog during a 13-hour Singapore Airlines flight from Paris to Singapore earlier this year have been offered compensation by the company for what they endured.
Gill and Warren Press said in early September that they had paid for premium economy seats on the flight, where they sat beside a passenger with an emotional support dog that disrupted their journey.
Ms Press said that she “heard this noise – a heavy snorting” when they boarded, and asked a crew member if they could have different seats.
However, when they were told that the only seats available were at the back rows in economy class, the couple retained their original seats but transferred later on in the flight.
Midway into their journey, the dog began to pass gas and also entered Mr Press’ legroom, getting under his feet. Since Mr Press was only wearing shorts on the flight, he also got the dog’s drool on his leg.
The dog’s owner was unable to keep the dog in the aisle as it needed to be free for the crew to push their trays through.
The animal was “snorting – he was breathing heavily and the back of the dog’s legs was out into the aisle so the flight attendant had to ask him, the owner, to move it forward so that he could get the trolley through,” Ms Press added.
After the flight, the couple complained to Singapore Airlines and requested a refund.
At first, the carrier offered a NZ$125 (S$100) gift voucher from the KrisShop website and then added in two NZ$200 (S$162) travel vouchers.
Ms Press said, however, that this was unacceptable because she and her husband “didn’t receive the experience we paid for”.
She shared her experience with the media, and it was published in a number of New Zealand and international sites.
Now, Singapore Airlines is offering, “as a gesture of goodwill”, a reimbursement worth NZ$982.50 (S$795) each for the difference in seats from premium economy to economy, for a total of NZ$1,965 (S$1590) in addition to the vouchers they were already given.
Ms Press has said that the money would be donated to Blind Low Vision NZ, a group that trains guide dogs.
“It wasn’t about the money in the end. The fight was more about principles and normalising things that really aren’t normal and acceptable,” she told New Zealand news site Stuff.
“Singapore Airlines endeavours to notify customers who may be seated next to an assistance dog prior to boarding the flight. We sincerely apologise that this did not occur in this case, and will work with our airport teams to ensure that this lapse does not occur in future,” SIA had previously said.
The carrier no longer lets “emotional support dogs” fly with their owners, but still honours prior bookings for customers and their dogs who handed in proper documentation.
SINGAPORE: In a Reddit post, a Singaporean commuter shared an encounter that he had witnessed while exiting the MRT. u/potatoesbydefault posted in r/singapore that he saw a lady dressed in black approach an elderly uncle and ask him something.
“This is something I witnessed exiting the MRT. A lady dressed in black was walking ahead of me quickly to the escalator. I was going quickly too and overtaking the same people she overtook. As she walked by an elderly Chinese uncle, she suddenly slowed down to his speed and started talking to him. I’m pretty sure he didn’t know her,” the Reddit user said.
He added: “I had to overtake and caught a glimpse/overheard her. She didn’t look or sound Singaporean but started asking the uncle something. I stopped by the side a few more steps ahead and looked straight at her. I made sure she knew I was watching her. She said a few more things but the uncle smiled and continued walking.”
The lady gave up. The Reddit user then went to talk to the uncle. The older man said he suspected the woman was involved in a scam.
“He said she wanted him to buy her a meal and asked if she approached me too. Then he said it’s probably a scam and laughed it off. Glad he was aware and alert,” the commuter concluded.
Other Redditors commented on the post to share their opinions.
One user stated: “Rare to see aunties and uncles who will ignore and continue walking. Most will stop and listen. The moment they stop and listen salesperson will have their claws on them. No shame lying and deceiving to sell their overpriced item. Their lack of morals and shamelessness has been honed over the years to pounce on vulnerable people. Normal people hired to sell this type of overpriced items would have quit after a while. Some of these scum even try to hold the arms of those passing by.”
Another user shared her encounter and remarked: “I don’t think they limit themselves to the elderly. I was changing money at Marina Square and then 2 women came up to me and with Mainlander accents asked me if I wanted to have dinner with them. I was really taken aback because Marina Square is just a normal mall and how blatant they were about it. I just pointed them in the direction of the restaurants :)”
In other news involving scammers in Singapore,the police recently warned members of the public about a sophisticated fraud scheme that has cost victims millions of dollars. Scammers are employing a devious technique involving malware installation on victims’ mobile phones, unauthorised online banking transactions, and the subsequent restoration of the phone to factory settings, leaving victims stunned by the theft.
SINGAPORE: Seafood Paradise, a renowned eatery at Clarke Quay, has vehemently denied allegations made by Japanese tourist Junko Shinba, who claimed she and her family were duped into paying more than S$900 for a crab dish during their visit to Singapore in August. The dispute led to a police complaint and has also been reported to both the Singapore Tourism Board and the Consumers Association of Singapore.
The tourist, Junko Shinba, claimed that a waiter highly recommended the Alaskan King Crab for $30 without explaining that it was priced per 100 grams. The bill eventually reached a staggering $1,322.37, with the chili crab dish alone costing approximately $938, a figure that left the group stunned.
Shinba asserted that they were not informed of the total weight of the crab before preparation, a detail she considered essential for an informed choice. She further claimed that they received an entire crab, which was unexpected as some restaurants serve crabs partially.
Shinba’s dissatisfaction with the bill prompted her to call the police to mediate. During this intervention, the restaurant staff presented a receipt from another customer who had ordered a similar dish to demonstrate that they had not overcharged Shinba’s group. Eventually, the restaurant manager offered a $107.40 discount on the meal, which was settled by one of Shinba’s friends using his credit card.
Following the incident, Shinba reported the matter to the Singapore Tourism Board, who forwarded it to the Consumers Association of Singapore for investigation.
Paradise Group, the parent company of Seafood Paradise, has refuted Shinba’s allegations.
In a statement published on Facebook yesterday (20 Sept), the chain asserted that their staff had communicated the price of the Alaskan King Crab twice to the customers, pointing to the menu where it was clearly indicated as $26.80 per 100 grams. They also claimed to have informed the customers that the total weight of the crab was 3.5 kilograms and even brought the live crab to the table before preparation.
The statement clarified that the group initially requested two cooking methods for the crab, and the restaurant accommodated three different methods without additional charges. Paradise Group highlighted that the customers praised the food quality during the meal.
To resolve the billing dispute, the restaurant manager offered a goodwill discount, equivalent to 400 grams of live Alaskan King Crab, when it became apparent that one of the customers couldn’t pay the full amount.
Seafood Paradise emphasized their commitment to transparent pricing, customer service, and food quality. They also released CCTV footage images to substantiate their version of events and protect their reputation.
The group said: “At Seafood Paradise and all other Paradise Group of restaurants, we consistently uphold a commitment to transparent pricing with a focus on customer service and food quality. Our staff will do their best to communicate clearly to the customers and welcome any queries.
“As much as we value all our customers, we also find it important to uphold Paradise Group’s reputation and protect all our employees. Hence, we are left with no choice but to showcase photos extracted from our CCTV footages to substantiate our statement.”
SINGAPORE: A recent survey conducted by the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) has shed light on the pressing need for paid caregiving leave in the workforce. The survey, which polled 1,000 local employees and job seekers, indicates that more than 60 per cent of respondents are yearning for paid caregiving leave to help them manage their dual responsibilities of work and caregiving.
Of the respondents, a staggering 80 per cent expressed their desire for flexible working arrangements. Additionally, 40 per cent of employees disclosed that they had to resort to unpaid leave due to caregiving responsibilities.
One 60-year-old respondent highlighted the challenges many face in juggling work and caregiving duties. He shared, “Now I have to take care of my mother, so my work will be affected to some extent and my income will be affected.” His account laid bare the economic implications of unpaid caregiving, with individuals forced to reduce their working hours and, consequently, their income.
The findings of this survey have led NTUC to appeal to the Government to implement paid caregiving leave and enhance support for employees grappling with caregiving duties.
NTUC’s secretary general and former People’s Action Party (PAP) Minister Ng Chee Meng called upon employers to step up and provide greater support to these employees. Mr Ng emphasised the importance of implementing paid caregiving leave and flexible working arrangements. He noted, “In this regard, NTUC hopes to cooperate with employers to promote flexible working methods. This is a win-win arrangement.”
The labour movement has announced its intention to collaborate with its tripartite partners to develop comprehensive guidelines for employers regarding caregiving leave. These guidelines are expected to be launched by next year, aiming to alleviate the burden on employees who shoulder caregiving responsibilities.
SINGAPORE: The police have warned members of the public about a sophisticated fraud scheme that has cost victims millions of dollars. Scammers are employing a devious technique involving malware installation on victims’ mobile phones, unauthorised online banking transactions, and the subsequent restoration of the phone to factory settings, leaving victims stunned by the theft.
In the first half of this year alone, a staggering sum of at least S$10 million has been pilfered from the bank accounts of over 750 unsuspecting individuals. The victims, largely drawn in by enticing advertisements on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, fell prey to the criminals after initiating contact with the apparent sellers of various services.
The modus operandi of this nefarious operation begins when victims engage with these online sellers. After establishing contact, victims are then provided with an Android Package Kit (APK) link, courtesy of the seller, under the pretence of downloading an app. The catch is that, for access to the supposed service, victims are required to make a $5 deposit via Paynow.
However, this seemingly innocuous act becomes the trigger for a malicious chain of events orchestrated by the fraudsters. Upon downloading and installing the provided APK, the scammers surreptitiously infiltrate the victim’s mobile device with malware. This malware is designed to covertly capture the victim’s online banking credentials, providing the perpetrators with unrestricted access to their financial accounts.
Once inside the victim’s online banking system, the fraudsters execute unauthorised transactions, siphoning funds without detection. After the theft, they employ another cunning move by resetting the victim’s mobile phone to its factory settings. This step wipes away all traces of the malicious activity, rendering victims unaware of the breach.
Victims often remain blissfully ignorant of the unauthorised transactions until they contact their respective banks or reinstall their banking applications on their mobile devices. By this time, their hard-earned money has already vanished into the hands of the fraudsters.
The authorities are urging the public to exercise extreme caution when engaging with online sellers, especially those found on social media platforms. Additionally, they advise against downloading any APK links or apps from unverified sources and, above all, to be vigilant regarding unsolicited requests for personal or financial information. It remains crucial for individuals to remain vigilant and prioritise cybersecurity to safeguard their finances and personal information.
SINGAPORE: A man who referred to himself as an ‘ugly guy’ said that people have rated him a zero or even -100 to his face.
“I am kind of low in terms of intellect. I barely scrape through things by putting my life and soul into studying my entire life. Most people can absorb things way faster than me. I somehow managed to graduate. I was bullied a lot in school because of how I looked and how stupid I was”, he wrote. He added that he had no friends and stayed invisible wherever he went.
The man said that to keep up at work, he had to work thrice as hard as his colleagues and would still be slower than them. He was aware that his colleagues would gossip about him behind his back, but he said that he was able to accept this because they did not bully him directly.
Things changed for the man when he “met a colleague who was nice to me whenever we talked. She was kind so I really liked her. I helped her when she got stuck as she was new. She was really beautiful too. I thought maybe something good was going to happen, like maybe I get something good in my life after all the suffering”. However, he was devastated when he found out that she got into a relationship with a “handsome and rich” guy.
“I tried dating apps and even some dating events. My requirement is basically anyone who can accept me. I dont care if the person is ugly, not smart or poor. I do wish the person is a little kind and doesnt hurt me. I got insulted and even gotten disgusted looks on events. Also, no swipes on apps unless it is a bot”, the man wrote. He added that he did not play computer games, partake in vice activities. He added that painting was his hobby.
“I do get jealous when I see people my age having gf, wives, hanging out with friends or even just enjoying simple things like drinking together. I keep reading that everyone has a purpose on this earth. I really cannot think of anything for me. I am pretty much horrible at everything. I just wish I knew why I was even created”, the man wrote, wondering what his purpose on Earth was.
SINGAPORE: The Monetary Authority of Singapore’s (MAS’) Enforcement Department is tackling increasingly large-scale and challenging cases, says its executive director, Ms Peggy Pao-Keerthi Pei Yu.
The MAS Enforcement Report released on Tuesday (Sept 19) shows it is dealing with more breaches of laws and regulations in its mission to maintain the integrity and reputation of Singapore as a trusted financial centre.
MAS Enforcement Report
The 2022-2023 report released on Tuesday (Sept 19) shows the MAS Enforcement Directorate obtained 39 criminal convictions compared with seven in 2020-2021 and nine in 2019-2020.
MAS also imposed S$12.96 million in civil penalties and S$7.88 million in financial penalties and compositions in 2022-2023, compared with S$150,000 in civil penalties and S$2.59 million in financial penalties and compositions in 2020-2021 and S$11.7 million in civil penalties and S$3.4 million in financial penalties and compositions in 2019-2020.
MAS issued 18 prohibition orders in 2022-2023, 20 in 2020-2021 and 25 in 2019-2020.
The Enforcement Directorate opened 136 cases in 2022-2023, including 32 for insider trading, 22 for false trading, 20 for unlicensed activities, and seven for money laundering.
MAS Enforcement Report
The report showed the average time taken for MAS’ reviews and investigations.
Criminal prosecutions took 26 months, civil penalties 47 months, and other actions 13 months on average.
Among notable cases:
MAS imposed a civil penalty of S$12.6 million on Noble Group in August 2022 for publishing misleading information in financial statements from 2016 to 2018 in breach of the Securities and Futures Act
Five former remisiers (Mr Alan Lee, Mr Chew Wei Zhan, Mr Lee Wei Kai, Mr Lim Ming Yi and Mr Lim Ming Chit) were convicted for false trading and received sentences ranging from 12 to 24 weeks of imprisonment and fines ranging from $190,000 to $260,000.
Nine-year prohibitory orders were issued against Three Arrows Capital Pte Ltd (TAC) directors Mr Zhu Su and Mr Kylie Livingston Davies, banning them from performing any regulated activity and taking part in management for failing to discharge their duties as directors.
MAS imposed a composition penalty of S$365,000 on UOB Kay Hian Private Ltd (UOBKH) for failure to comply with Business Conduct Requirements and Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) requirements.
Ten-year prohibition orders were issued against former wealth planning manager Mr Loh Thim Mu Marcus, who was banned from providing financial advisory services, performing any regulated activity, and taking part in management after he was convicted of cheating and forgery offences.
Composition penalties totalling S$3.8 million were imposed on Citibank N.A., Singapore branch (Citibank) (S$400,000), DBS Bank Ltd (DBS) (S$2,600,000), OCBC Singapore (OCBC) (S$600,000) and Swiss Life (Singapore) Pte Ltd (Swiss Life) (S$200,000) for breaches of Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) requirements.
The breaches were found when MAS’ examined the financial institutions following news of irregularities related to Wirecard AG’s financial statements and the alleged involvement of Singapore-based individuals and entities in the matter.
The financial institutions were found to have inadequate Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism controls when they dealt with persons who had transactions with or had other links to Wirecard AG and its related parties.
Prohibitory orders were also issued against officers of BSI Bank and Goldman Sachs in connection with the 1 Malaysia Berhad (1MDB) scandal.
Mr Raj Sriram, the former Deputy CEO and head of private banking of BSI Singapore was handed a 10-year prohibition order. He was also issued a conditional warning by the Commercial Affairs Department in lieu of prosecution for his neglect, which resulted in BSI Bank’s failure to file suspicious transactions reports in respect of 1MDB-related transactions. Under the conditional warning, Mr Sriram paid a sum of S$150,000 and committed to refrain from criminal conduct for 24 months.
Mr Ng Chong Hwa, also known as Roger Ng, a former managing director of Goldman Sachs (Singapore) Pte Ltd, was issued a lifetime prohibition order by MAS. He was convicted in America and sentenced to 10 years in jail for conspiracy to launder money embezzled from 1MDB.
MAS Enforcement Department executive director Peggy Pao-Keerthi Pei Yu said in the report: “Since its formation in 2016, the Monetary Authority of Singapore Enforcement Department has tackled increasingly large-scale and challenging cases. Such cases involve multi-faceted and cross-border misconduct, requiring intensive collaboration with both local and overseas enforcement partners; voluminous digital services as well as novel financial services and products.”
Amid the growing complexity of the financial world, the regulators stress the need for constant vigilance.
The report said: “MAS will continue to pay attention to asset and wealth managers as their proper conduct remains vital in ensuring Singapore’s position as a leading asset and wealth management hub.”
The MAS Enforcement Department was established in 2016 to centralise MAS’ enforcement functions across banking, insurance, capital markets and other sectors regulated by MAS.
