Woman says she’ll only go out with men earning $5K/month

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September 21, 2023

Summer sunny lifestyle fashion portrait of young stylish hipster Asia woman walking on the street, wearing cute trendy outfit, turn behind and looking thoughtful — Photo: Freepik/lookstudio (for illustration purposes only)

SINGAPORE: A Reddit post where a man said he went on a first date with a woman who told him she’d like to continue seeing him if he earns at least S$5,000 a month has received hundreds of comments since it was posted on r/askSingapore on Tuesday (Sept 19).

“After the meetup, she expressed her interest in meeting again but wanted to know if I bring home at least S$5k a month and stated that its the pre-requisition for a 2nd date and beyond,” he wrote. For him, the two “eyebrow-raising criteria” the woman mentioned are a minimum salary range and high aspiration.

u/Farmerwhen titled his post “Aspiration, salary, dating and it’s pre-requisition.” He told the story of meeting up with a woman on the dating site Coffee Meets Bagel recently, where they discussed their ideal types and standards in a partner.

They’re both in their mid-20s, but she’s still studying, although they went dutch on the bill. And while he meets the salary “requirement,” it’s the aspiration part of the requirement that appears to bother him.

He then asked if Singaporeans are “really that materialistic, superficial, direct, and low eq” and if fellow Reddit users “have a minimum salary you expect your slave partner to bring home.”

He also wondered what other prerequisites people have for their partners, if any, and how aspiration is measured.

“If I have no aspiration with my career (climbing up the ladder, but still making> median salary) but have a growth mindset outside of work in terms of say fitness, mental health, hobbies, is that still not comparable or less attractive than aspiration with career?

Is this a red flag or am I just being sensitive and it’s more of a ‘girl/guy boss knows his/her standards and worth and what he/she wants’ situation? Is it the norm to talk/ask about salary on first few dates?”

Commenters on the post did not appear to have a good impression of the woman.

“Life will not always be a bed of roses. If your income ever drops below $5k then how? Divorce? I seriously know someone who was like that. I call her the “Fair weather wife”. When times are good. All is ok. Once the s*** hit the fan she is the first one out” wrote one.

Another said, “Dating has a KPI and an interview now LOL. My honest opinion? Drop her.”

However, another said that at least the woman was honest. “I actually would appreciate the honesty rather than waste time and effort only for nothing to come out of it.”

“Would you rather she tell you what her expectations are after a few dates instead? At least she’s upfront so you can decide,” another agreed.

“She has her expectations, not wrong of her. Everyone has their own expectations. Seems like your values don’t really align with hers. Go next bro,” said a Reddit user. /TISG

How to know if you’re dating a marriage-minded person

Employers urged to emulate Lee Kuan Yew’s care for employees

By

Jewel Stolarchuk

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September 21, 2023

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SINGAPORE: Commemorating the late Lee Kuan Yew’s 100th birthday last week, the daughter of the late MP Ho See Beng has penned a heartfelt forum letter urging employers to follow the example set by Mr Lee in caring for their employees’ health and well-being.

In the letter published by the national broadsheet, MP Ho’s daughter – Ho Meow Choo – reminisced about an incident from the past that showcased Mr Lee’s concern for his subordinates’ welfare. In 1966 or 1967, her father, the unionist and MP Ho See Beng, was hospitalized at the Singapore General Hospital due to a bleeding stomach ulcer.

Ms Ho and her family were visiting her ailing father one evening when a senior nurse entered the room with surprising news – the Prime Minister himself was on his way to visit. The nurse discreetly drew the curtains, and the family made way for Mr Lee’s visit.

This poignant memory from the past resonates strongly with the ongoing discussions about employee health and well-being initiatives that companies are actively promoting in today’s corporate landscape.

However, Ms Ho Meow Choo drew a significant distinction in her letter – the absence of meaningful actions bosses took to demonstrate their care and support for their subordinates’ health and well-being.

Stressing the need for employers to go beyond rhetoric and engage in tangible actions, she called for more initiatives and gestures from bosses that directly convey their commitment to the well-being of their employees, similar to the way Mr Lee visited her ailing father in the hospital.

Ms Ho wrote: “Today, there is so much talk about employee health and well-being initiatives that companies are promoting. But they are not focused on meaningful things which bosses could personally do to show their care and support for their subordinates’ health and well-being.

“I believe more could be done in this regard, just like how Mr Lee visited my father.”

Employer wants new maid, asks if should fire current helper

By

Obbana Rajah

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September 21, 2023

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MALAYSIA-INDONESIA-LABOUR-MAIDS-SHELTER — Indonesian housemaid Dorkas Mamik (R), an alleged victim of abuse by her Malaysian domestic employers, stares out of her dormitory window at a shelter for migrant workers inside the premises of the Indonesian embassy in Kuala Lumpur, 25 June 2007. Over 1,000 Indonesian workers seek refuge at their embassy in Malaysia every year because they have not been paid by their employers or have been abused, a top embassy official said 25 June. AFP PHOTO/TENGKU BAHAR (Photo by TENGKU BAHAR / AFP)

SINGAPORE: An employer who wanted to replace her maid took to social media asking about the protocol.

In an anonymous post to a support group for domestic helpers and employers alike, the employer wrote:”Hi all. I wish to replace my current helper with a new helper. The current helper has not finished 2 yrs contract but pass the probation period. What is the ideal process? Terminate first or apply for new helper first?”

According to the Manpower Ministry (MOM), “Early termination is allowed to maintain flexibility for you and your MDW, as circumstances may change. Either you or your MDW can terminate the employment contract by giving the notice period stated in the employment contract. If the notice period cannot be given, the party terminating the employment should pay salary in lieu of notice. Notice period can be waived by mutual consent”.

Netizens who commented on the post asked the employer how soon she needed a new maid. One suggested that she apply for a new maid first, before terminating the existing helper. However, the employer then asked if this will then reflect as her employing a second maid. The netizen then replied that during the application process, it could be selected that she was employing a replacement helper instead of a second one.

Another netizen also asked if the employer could do without a helper temporarily, which would indicate that the employer terminate her existing maid first then proceed to find another one.

Earlier this year, not long after a foreign domestic helper asked to be able to hold her passport, her employers hired a replacement maid.

In an anonymous post to a support group on social media for helpers and employers alike, the maid wrote that she reached out to her boss asking if “I can take my passport back and keep it myself and it didnt turned (sic) out well”.

“To my surprise, they already took a replacement maid yesterday and was told to be sent back home by next month after training the new maid”, she wrote. Responding to some comments, the maid also shared that she had to clean a 4-storey house herself and it had a garden. She also had to do the chores for the 9 people living there, which meant she had to wake up at 5.30 am and only finished work at 9.30 pm.

Soon after maid asks to keep her own passport, employers want to send her back home after hiring replacement helper

Goh Chok Tong’s son among 4 men charged with false trading

By

Obbana Rajah

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September 21, 2023

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SINGAPORE: Goh Jin Hian, the former chief executive officer of investment holding company New Silkroutes Group, was charged on Wednesday (Sep 20) with false trading offences.

The 54-year-old is the son of Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong. He was handed 39 charges under the Securities and Futures Act.

Amidst his charges, Goh is accused of conspiring with the other three men to create a misleading appearance of the price of New Silkroutes’ securities on 31 trading days between February 2018 and August 2018.

The alleged price manipulative orders and trades include share buybacks conducted through New Silkroutes’ corporate trading account. Goh is also accused of pushing up the price of New Silkroutes’ securities by placing orders and executing trades using his DBS Private Bank investment account. This allegedly occurred between August 2018 and December 2018.

Goh was charged along with three other men linked to New Silkroutes: Kelvyn Oo Cheong Kwan, 52, former executive director and chief corporate officer at New Silkroutes; 54-year-old William Teo Thiam Chuan, a former finance director at the group; and 40-year-old Huang Yiwen, a commercial market maker engaged by New Silkroutes.

In Oct 2020, the healthcare provider announced that it had appointed Mr Darrell Lim Chee Lek as acting independent non-executive chairman of the board with effect from the same day. Mr Lim took over from Goh, who also announced that he had resigned as chairman. Goh’s role as non-independent and non-executive chairman had been announced earlier in 2020. He has been with the company since July 2015.

Mr Lim was appointed to the board on Aug 1, 2020, as an independent non-executive director and became the lead independent director this month. He was formerly the head of investor relations at the Singapore Exchange.

According to a report in Business Times, other members of the board include executive director Shen Yuyun, independent non-executive director Vivien Chen Chou Mei Mei, non-independent non-executive director Andrew Chua Soon Kian, and independent non-executive director Alex Chua Siong Kiat.

In Singapore Exchange filings in Oct 2020, the company revealed that both Goh and Teo had resigned from their posts with immediate effect.

It said that Goh resigned “to devote more time to his personal affairs”, while Teo quit “to focus on personal matters and to pursue other interests”.

Another director who recently left the company is Kelvyn Oo.

Goh, Teo and Oo will return to court next month.

Of the four men, Huang is the only one who might receive more charges, the prosecution told the court. He will return to court for a further mention in November.

If convicted, the men face a jail term of up to seven years, a fine of up to S$250,000, or both per charge. /TISG

Patient orders Panadol from foodpanda; SKH clarifies incident

By

Anna Maria Romero

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September 21, 2023

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Screenshot 2023-09-20 at 11.57.14 AM — Photo: TikTok screengrab/ jombadok

SINGAPORE: A man caused a stir online after he posted a video of himself ordering Panadol, a painkiller, from foodpanda after being unable to get it from Sengkang General Hospital (SKH). After saying he waited for hours for the medication, he thanked a foodpanda rider for his “express service”, saying, “You come here within how many minutes.”

“Can you imagine… asking for Panadol and I cannot get the medicine from a first-world hospital… it is really ridiculous,” he says in the clip as he walks from his room to the SKH reception area to meet the foodpanda rider. Mr Hamid Osman, who goes by @jombadok on TikTok, also asked the rider to confirm what he had ordered.

@jombadok

Cannot get Panadol at Sengkang Hospital #viraltiktok #viraltiktoksg #sgtiktok #fypシ #fyp #viral

♬ original sound – Jom Badok Nation – Jom Badok Nation

“This is bloody ridiculous,” he says, shaking his head. “You guys make me viral and tell the whole world… Getting Panadol through foodpanda. Can you beat that? Can you beat that?”

He added that he might as well go home since he has painkillers there. “This is the first time I’m being warded at Sengkang General Hospital,” he also said, calling it “a bit (of a) letdown. Seriously.” He then said he would go to his room to take his medicine.

Mr Hamid, 55, told The Straits Times that he had been admitted at SKH on Sept 11 for gangrene and an ulcer on his right heel. He did go home on Sept 15 (Friday) but will be back on Sept 22 as one of his toes needs amputation.

SKH responded to Mr Hamid in a Facebook post on Monday (Sept 18).

The hospital admitted to being aware of the TikTok video Mr Hamid posted of him “ordering Panadol from foodpanda as a result of an alleged lack of promptness at our hospital.”

“We are sorry that the patient felt he did not have a comfortable experience. We would like to assure the public that his care team had rendered the appropriate care based on his condition during his hospital stay, and he has since been certified medically fit for discharge.

SKH is committed to attending to every patient in a timely manner. In the case of a new admission, all medications must be approved by the doctor for patient safety and ordered through the system for record purposes.

Patients with less acute conditions may sometimes experience longer waiting times compared to those who are being treated for serious urgent and life-threatening emergencies.”

The video has received almost 56,000 views since it was posted on Sept 13. /TISG

Sengkang General Hospital responds to FB post about patient’s ‘painful 21 hours wait + 12 hours fasting time’ but patient’s wife says, her main concerns are yet to be addressed

Passport-Free Travel Coming To Changi Airport In 2024

By

Anna Maria Romero

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September 21, 2023

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attractive-young-asian-tourist-couple-excited-together-trip-girlfriend-sitting-cheering-baggage-trolley-luggage-trolley-holiday-vacation-safety-traveling-abroad-ideas-concept — Photo: Freepik/Lifestylememory (for illustration purposes only)

SINGAPORE: From 2024, automated immigration clearance will be introduced at Changi Airport, letting passengers travel from Singapore without needing a passport. Biometric data will be used instead as part of the changes planned to Singapore’s Immigration Act.

Minister for Communications and Information Josephine Teo said in Parliament on Monday (Sept 18) that biometrics will be used for authentication starting from the first half of next year. These include a number of automated steps for departure, such as the bag drop, immigration, and boarding.

“Singapore will be one of the first few countries in the world to introduce automated, passport-free immigration clearance,” she said, adding, “This will reduce the need for passengers to repeatedly present their travel documents at these touchpoints, allowing for more seamless and convenient processing.”

At automated lanes at immigration checkpoints at Changi Airport, some of the technology is already in place, including facial recognition software.

But the changes will ensure a “single token of authentication,” eliminating the need for passports and boarding passes.

However, the minister emphasized that passports will still be needed as many countries besides Singapore do not yet offer passport-free clearance.

Travel has bounced back in Singapore at nearly pre-pandemic levels; the country needs to be prepared for a steady and growing influx of passengers in one of the busiest, best-rated airports around the globe.

Ms Teo also noted that Singapore’s “must be able to manage this high and growing volume of travelers efficiently and provide a positive clearance experience while ensuring our security.”

In June, Changi Airport surpassed the five million mark for the first time since the pandemic began in January 2020, handling 5.12 million travellers.

Elsewhere in the world, biometrics are also being used instead of passports, which could mean this is the direction travel is headed.

Dubai International Airport began using biometric “Smart Gates” tunnels in 2018, allowing passengers to use facial scans or fingerprints instead of passports.

Hong Kong International Airport, Tokyo Narita, Tokyo Haneda, Indira Gandhi International in Delhi, London Heathrow and Paris Charles de Gaulle also use similar technology.

The technology is also being tested out in the United States for check-in, bag drops and other airport processes at a number of airports.

“COVID-19 changed many facets of the travel experience, but the reduction of touchpoints in airlines and airports became a particular focus. Biometric scanners at airports quickly became a way to create a more hygienic, contactless passenger experience. By using biometric validation at check-in, airlines and airports could facilitate contactless boarding at a time when close proximity was unwelcome,” reads one article on the future of travel./TISG

2 NSmen stole corporal’s phone and emptied his bank account

By

Anna Maria Romero

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September 20, 2023

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The young man wears a camouflage raincoat and shows different ge — Photo: Freepik/jcomp (for illustration purposes only)

SINGAPORE: A corporal and a lance corporal with the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) were found to have taken and sold the cell phone of a fellow full-time national serviceman. Moreover, they stole S$690 from him through an online transfer and emptying his bank account.

Nizar Syafiq Ismadi, 21, and Mohamed Iskandar Mohamed Ansari, 24, were discovered to have taken the mobile phone of Corporal Leon Tay, 23, around August last year while all three were serving at the 3rd SCDF Division in Yishun as security administration staff.

In February, Iskandar pleaded guilty to one count each of theft and an offence under the Computer Misuse Act and was given a three-month and five-week jail sentence.

On Sept 19 (Tuesday), Nizar pleaded guilty to several charges, which include weapon possession and an offence under the Computer Misuse Act. He is likely to receive his sentence by the end of October.

The two conspired against their colleague, Mr Tay, planning “do something big” to him, although the reason behind their plotting has not been disclosed.

“Nizar understood this as making Leon’s life miserable by taking his phone,” The Straits Times quotes Deputy Public Prosecutor Tung Shou Pin as saying.

On Aug 1, 2022, Iskandar and Mr Tay carried out a 24-hour duty shift at the regimental sergeant major’s office.

As Mr Tay was heading to the guardroom, he still had his mobile phone. Iskandar told him to leave it in the office because he was not supposed to be using it.

Iskandar then took the phone worth S$1,149, later selling it for S$600 to a second-hand store. However, they removed the SIM card, which DPP Tung told the court Nizar kept.

Four days later, Iskandar pretended to assist Mr Tay with finding his phone.

He “had the victim log in to his Gmail account on the accused’s phone. However, the accused selected ‘show password’, revealing the victim’s login details. The accused sent the victim away,” DPP Tung had said.

As for Nizar, he placed Mr Tay’s SIM card into his own phone after he downloaded a POSB banking app.

The two were then able to access the bank account of Mr Tay and went on, via PayNow, to transfer $690 to Iskandar’s account.

However, after an email showing the mobile number of Iskandar alerted Mr Tay to the transaction, he filed a police report, and Iskandar and Nizar were arrested at the 3rd SCDF Division on Aug 15, 2022. /TISG

15-year-old arrested in armed robbery case

Ken Lim faces another charge of insulting woman’s modesty

By

Anna Maria Romero

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September 20, 2023

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Screenshot 2023-09-20 at 9.40.37 AM — Photo: YT scgreengrab/singaporeidol1

SINGAPORE: Ken Lim, the man once dubbed “the Simon Cowell of Singapore,” is facing yet another charge related to accusations women have brought against him. There are now seven charges: six counts of insulting a woman’s modesty and one count of molestation.

The former Singapore Idol’s most recent charge is for insulting the modesty of a woman while allegedly discussing a possible career in music for her back in July 2012 at the Hype Records office on Henderson Road.

Lim, 59, runs the record label, artiste management agency, and concert promoter.

According to the most recent charge, he asked the woman whether she was a virgin and what would happen if he had intimate contact with her right there and then.

CNA quotes his lawyers from Wong Partnership as noting Lim’s consistent denial of the allegations. They added he’s disappointed that “the prosecution has not been prepared to take dates for trial despite numerous requests by us to do so”.

Since the first charges were made in March, Lim clarified that he wants to contest the allegations in court at the earliest time, the lawyers added in a statement.

“Unfortunately, the prosecution repeatedly indicated that it was not ready to proceed in court. Instead, over the past six months, the prosecution has progressively preferred additional charges against him, all of which allege that modesty had been insulted in respect of some words supposedly spoken dating back 10 to 20 (or more) years ago.”

The lawyers added that the former Singapore Idol judge is looking forward to proving his innocence.

Lim was charged with assault in March due to allegations he had molested a 25-year-old woman in November 2021. On June 28, he was charged with insulting the modesty of three women. Back then, it meant there were four alleged victims.

He reportedly showed some of his victims’ obscene video clips. He also allegedly talked to another about her virginity, asking her how she could write “deeper songs if she was inexperienced” and other questions of the same nature.

He also allegedly undid his belt and removed it in front of another victim, indicating that he wanted to initiate intimate contact with her.

He could be jailed for one year on each count of insulting a woman’s modesty if found guilty.

For the molestation charge, he faces up to two years’ jail or fine or both jail and fine. As he is over 50, he would not be subject to caning. /TISG

‘Simon Cowell of Singapore’ Ken Lim faces 5 new sexual misconduct charges

Pritam Singh Deems Suspension Motion Against Transport Minister Premature

By

Anna Maria Romero

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September 20, 2023

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SINGAPORE: The Workers’ Party MPs were among the parliamentarians who voted against the motion proposed by Progress Singapore Party Non-Constituency MP Hazel Poa to suspend Transport Minister S Iswaran on Tuesday (Sept 19).

Calling Ms Poa’s motion premature, he pointed out that “we do not even know the details of what Mr Iswaran is accused of” and warned of the implications if the motion were allowed to proceed. “In the Workers’ Party view, the wheels of justice must be allowed to fully turn before Parliament decides what to do,” said WP chief and Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh.

“Parliament should be mindful of the dictum of presumption of innocence. With respect, I would also request the PSP colleagues in this House to consider the precedent their motion would create should a future government decide to fix opposition MPs by way of politically motivated investigations.”

The Transport Minister is currently being investigated by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau and was asked by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to take a leave of absence while the probe is ongoing.

Earlier this month, Ms Poa filed a motion to suspend Mr Iswaran from Parliament, cutting off his allowance as an MP as he is not performing his duties.

In response, the Leader of the House, Indranee Rajah, filed a counter-motion to consider the matter when the outcome of the ongoing investigations against Mr Iswaran is known.

Ms Indranee’s counter-motion was passed in Parliament, as all the MPs from the People’s Action Party (PAP) and the eight opposition MPs from the Workers’ Party (WP) voted for it. Only the PSP’s Non-Constituency MPs – Ms Poa and Mr Leong Mun Wai – voted for their motion.

However, the Leader of the Opposition raised the issue of the allowance for an MP put on leave of absence by his Party leader.

“While it is not appropriate to suspend Mr Iswaran from Parliament, it may well be appropriate to suspend the payment of his MP’s allowance. WP MP Dennis (Tan) raised this matter of Mr Iswaran’s MP allowance in Parliament last month,” said Mr Singh.

Noting that “there is disquiet amongst members of the public” as Mr Iswaran continues to collect his allowance, Mr Singh raised a second point of what Parliament should do when an MP has effectively been interdicted from his duties due to actions taken by his party leader.

He then asked what the full extent of restrictions on Mr Iswaran as an MP are, whether there will be a “clawback” of his MP allowance for the period when he has not performed his duties as an MP, and whether the House would consider the matter of dealing with him once investigations are done and a decision made on whether to charge him or would this be after the full court process has been exhausted.

/TISG

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Patient: Clinic round-up medical bill from $84.35 to $84.40

By

Mary Alavanza

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September 20, 2023

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SINGAPORE: A man took to social media about a $0.05 round-up complaint on his total medical bill instead of a round-down. The complaint was made because Clover Medical Clinic rounded up the total charge of his medical bill.

He said: “Clover Medical Clinic round up the total charge to additional 5 cents instead of round down. Actually we can pay exact amount of $84.35 and it is not necessary to round up to $84.40. After paying the 8% GST I find there is no reason the clinic charge the patient additional 5 cents for no reason.”

According to the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore, from 1 Jan 2023, ‘the Goods and Services Tax (GST) will increase from 7% to 8%. The increase is needed to support our healthcare expenditure, and to take care of our seniors.’

User Drew Toh commented, agreeing, “Ya you are right …. It’s their advantage If every patient they round up. Tsktsk.” The man who posted answered, “Yes.. 10000 patient they will earn extra $500.”

Another user added: “Is okay so long the 70% love it.”

Stacey mentioned what you can buy with 5 cents, saying, “Haha ..5 cents can buy plastic bag.”

Others were more intrigued by the charges included in the photo: “Wahhh mask also charge? Good.”

User Mikeru simply said, “Ok boycott.”

The social media post gained attention and sparked discussion about billing practices and rounding policies in healthcare facilities.

The Independent Singapore has reached out to Clover Medical Clinic for further comments or updates.

Woman says she’ll only go out with men earning $5K/month

Employers urged to emulate Lee Kuan Yew’s care for employees

Employer wants new maid, asks if should fire current helper

Goh Chok Tong’s son among 4 men charged with false trading

Patient orders Panadol from foodpanda; SKH clarifies incident

Passport-Free Travel Coming To Changi Airport In 2024

2 NSmen stole corporal’s phone and emptied his bank account

Ken Lim faces another charge of insulting woman’s modesty

Pritam Singh Deems Suspension Motion Against Transport Minister Premature

Patient: Clinic round-up medical bill from $84.35 to $84.40

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