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Man warns “Don’t pump at Caltex!!!! 95 already $3.03SGD”

By
Mary Alavanza
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0
close up hand pumping gas on car
Photo: Freepik (for illustration purposes only)

SINGAPORE: A man went to social media with a warning on a fuel price increase, saying, “Don’t pump at Caltex!!!! 95 already $3.03SGD.”

While he was shocked by the price, comments quickly suggested that the price is lower in JB. One shared, “JB STILL $0.68.” Another replied: “drive there to purposely pump is more expensive.”

Talking about the price of petrol in JB, another shared saying, “My neighbour just got fine $500 yesterday for flouting the 3/4 tank rule. He goes JB pump once a week. Maybe govt losing too much Petrol tax $.” This was replied by another with tips to make the trip worthwhile saying, “When u go in JB .pump petrol,wash car ,eat buy groceries and do shopping than it’s worth it.”

One asked about discounts: “Question brothers.. normally i pump fuel at spc coz got 15% disc. Does other fuel stns also give disc? Thank you” Answering his question, another user gave an alternative saying, “others 5 or 10% discount. Better choice is SPC or Sinopec my opinion personally.”

User Keith Lee jokingly added, “Give us an alternative 1st!! Quick!! I’m reaching a Caltex kiosk already!!”

Fuel Price Breakdown

The Straits Times on Aug 19, 2023, showed a breakdown of fuel prices before discounts: Diesel prices ranged from $2.56 at SPC to $2.61 at Caltex, Esso, and Shell. For the commonly used 92-octane petrol, prices varied between $2.81 (SPC) and $2.87 (Caltex). If you preferred 95-octane petrol, you’d find prices ranging from $2.85 (SPC) to $2.92 (Caltex and Shell).

They also predicted that the 95-octane petrol would hit $3 a litre if prices continued to climb by September. And they were right!

Here are the updated fuel prices as of Sept 18, 2023:

Fuel Products

Regular 92 with Techron

    • Before Site Discount: S$2.980
    • After Site Discount: S$2.831

Premium 95 with Techron

    • Before Site Discount: S$3.030
    • After Site Discount: S$2.879

Platinum 98 with Techron

    • Before Site Discount: S$3.690
    • After Site Discount: S$3.506

Caltex Diesel with Techron D

    • Before Site Discount: S$2.790
    • After Site Discount: S$2.651

Although fuel prices continue to rise, you can still take advantage of promotions to keep up with your budget. You can find these discounts on the CaltexGO app.

Affordable Fuel Options with CaltexGO

Until Dec 31, 2023, OCBC cardholders are eligible for exclusive discounts at Caltex. Whether you’re a new user or not, you can check these for a more budget-friendly refuel:

  • New CaltexGO Users: Receive an impressive 25% upfront discount on your initial payment.
  • Other OCBC Cardholders: You can enjoy discounts ranging from a substantial 18% to a helpful 14% when using the CaltexGO app for fuel transactions.

15-year-old arrested in armed robbery case

By
Jewel Stolarchuk
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0

SINGAPORE: The Singapore Police Force has apprehended a 15-year-old boy in connection with an armed robbery at a convenience store in Tampines. The incident occurred on Tuesday (Sept 19), and the police were mobilised after an urgent call for assistance at 5:30 am.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the teenager had wielded a knife to coerce the shopkeeper to hand over a significant quantity of cigarettes valued at $827 and $180 in cash.

Armed with the evidence collected from the scene along with witness statements, law enforcement officers analysed the convenience store’s CCTV footage. They managed to apprehend the teenage suspect within 10 hours of receiving the initial report. The suspect was apprehended without incident, and the authorities recovered the stolen cigarettes and $30 in cash.

The arrested teenager will be charged with armed robbery on Wednesday (Sept 20). The penalty for robbery is three to 14 years in prison and at least 12 strokes of the cane.

SBS Transit staff wins applause for accompanying lost child

By
Jewel Stolarchuk
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0

SINGAPORE: In a heartwarming incident at Bendemeer Station, Assistant Station Manager Muhammad Farhan bin Mohammad of SBS Transit proved that kindness knows no bounds when he came to the rescue of a lost six-year-old girl, Gwen Tan, on her way to St. Margaret’s Primary School.

The morning started off with panic and fear for young Gwen as she lost sight of her elder sister amidst the bustling crowd at Bendemeer Station. With a destination in mind, Mattar Station, but not knowing how to reach her school from there, Gwen approached Assistant Station Manager Farhan for assistance.

Mr Farhan swiftly took action. He confirmed with Mattar MRT Station that St Margaret’s Primary School was nearby, but he didn’t stop there. Concerned about Gwen’s safety, he offered to accompany her to school.

Together, the pair embarked on a short ride to Mattar Station. Throughout the journey, Mr Farhan’s reassuring words and calming presence comforted Gwen, ensuring she would soon be reunited with her sister. Their journey, however, took an unexpected turn for the better when they coincidentally met Gwen’s teacher near the school premises.

With a sense of relief, Mr Farhan handed Gwen over to her teacher, completing the mission to ensure Gwen’s safe arrival at school. This heartwarming act of kindness has won the hearts of Singaporeans online.

SBS Transit has commended Mr Farhan for going the extra mile to ensure the safety and well-being of a young passenger.

The transport operator said on Facebook: “Kudos to Farhan for exemplifying our CARES service and going the extra mile to ensure Gwen’s safe arrival at school! So, if you ever need help, don’t hesitate to approach our friendly station staff – they will assist you as best they can!”

ICA rescues live leopard gecko in wildlife smuggling attempt

By
Jewel Stolarchuk
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0

SINGAPORE: The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has thwarted an attempt to smuggle leopard geckos into Singapore. In a recent Facebook post, the ICA revealed the details of the operation and its commitment to safeguarding Singapore’s borders and biodiversity.

The incident unfolded on Aug 3 when ICA officers stationed at Changi Airfreight Centre became aware of a suspicious package in transit. Initial scans of the package’s contents raised concerns due to detected anomalies. Suspecting illicit activity, the officers decided to conduct a thorough inspection.

Upon further examination, the officers uncovered a live leopard gecko concealed within the package. These small reptiles, known for their striking appearance and unique characteristics, are protected by international regulations due to the threat posed by illegal wildlife trade.

The case was promptly handed over to the National Parks Board (NParks) for further investigation. Currently, the rescued leopard gecko is receiving care and rehabilitation at NParks’ Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation.

Illegal wildlife trade, a global menace, not only endangers biodiversity and disrupts ecosystems but also poses significant health risks by circumventing biosecurity and sanitary controls. The manner in which these animals are smuggled can lead to unnecessary suffering and even death. To counteract these threats, NParks collaborates with ICA, implementing stringent import controls to prevent the introduction of exotic diseases into Singapore.

Under the Wildlife Act, individuals caught importing wildlife without approval could face severe penalties, including fines of up to $10,000, imprisonment for up to 12 months, or both. The ICA and NParks urge the public to refrain from engaging in illegal wildlife trade, purchasing exotic animals, or keeping them as pets.

Those who encounter instances of illegal wildlife trade or have information about such activities are encouraged by NParks to report the incidents via email at [email protected]. The authorities have promised that all information provided will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.

Rare silvered langur spotted in Clementi, SG’s historic 1st

By
Jewel Stolarchuk
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0

SINGAPORE: A rare silvered langur, native to Selangor, Malaysia, has been spotted for the first time in Singapore’s Clementi Woods Park. The unprecedented sighting came to light when Instagram user @photoraemon shared his unexpected encounter with this elusive primate on the afternoon of Sept 5.

@photoraemon recounted that he ventured into Clementi Woods Park and initially mistook the distinctive noises he heard for wild boars. However, upon closer investigation, he stumbled upon a solitary monkey perched high in a tree. Intrigued by the unfamiliar primate, he turned to Google for identification and learned it was a Selangor silvered langur, a species hitherto unknown in Singapore.

Silvered langurs are primarily found along the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, making this sighting a groundbreaking event. The National Parks Board (NParks) has responded to this discovery, acknowledging that recent reports had suggested the presence of silvered langurs in the Clementi area.

A spokesperson for NParks emphasised the elusive nature of silvered langurs, noting that they are typically timid and tend to avoid human contact. In light of this, NParks has urged the public not to approach or feed these rare creatures to ensure their safety and well-being.

Silvered langurs are more commonly found in countries such as Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia. This unprecedented sighting has piqued the interest of biologists and conservationists as it expands the understanding of the geographical range of this unique species.

This remarkable discovery serves as a reminder of the diverse and unexpected wildlife found in Singapore’s natural habitats, highlighting the importance of conservation efforts to protect and preserve these valuable ecosystems. Researchers and wildlife enthusiasts alike are eager to learn more about the presence of silvered langurs in the area and their potential implications for the local environment.

RDU advocates inclusivity in race-blind tuition scheme

By
Khalis Rifhan
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0
Photo: Facebook screengrab / reddotunitedsg

SINGAPORE — The opposition party Red Dot United’s (RDU) Malay Bureau has introduced a race-blind educational policy proposal called the ‘Supporting EduFund Tuition Scheme’ (SETS). This is to help underprivileged children in Singapore, particularly those in Primary 5 and 6, prepare for their PSLE examination.

The scheme has set itself apart from the current government-supported programmes that provide tuition programmes for students and assistance through various ethnic self-help groups. These groups include the Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC), the Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA), and the Council for the Development of Singapore Malay/Muslim Community, commonly known as Yayasan Mendaki.

RDU believes it is imperative to focus on the economic needs of the students rather than their race. 

“While ethnic self-help groups have made efforts to offer free or low-cost tuition to disadvantaged students, their reach is limited mainly due to the race-based approach where students fail to intermingle and learn from other students of different races and also because of fairly larger class sizes,” said Feroz Mohamed, head of RDU’s Malay Bureau.

However, RDU is not downplaying the significant contributions made by the ethnic self-help groups.

“Of course, the role of ethnic self-help organisations is not in any way diminished, as they can play a supportive role by providing the specific cultural perspective and help to counsel these needy children and their families regularly,” the party said in its proposal paper on its website. 

RDU believes the SETS programmes could start with 5,000 students from lower-income families of all ethnic backgrounds. It is proposed that one tutor manage each group of four students. Each lesson will be one and a half hours long. There will be one session per week and 30 lessons per year.

Each tutor will earn approximately S$60 per lesson, while the tuition centre could make about S$720 per month for four lessons per group.

RDU added that SETS, with its commitment to inclusivity and equal access to education, seeks to build a more equitable society, nurturing the potential of underprivileged students while fostering social cohesion in Singapore’s diverse landscape.

Currently, all three ethnic self-help groups provide tuition programmes with low fees.

There is a one-time $10 commitment fee for students enrolled with the CDAC if they come from families with a gross monthly income not exceeding S$4,800 and/or a gross per capita income not exceeding S$1,400. The CDAC provides a tuition fee waiver for students from families with a gross monthly household income not exceeding S$2,400 and/or gross per capita income not exceeding S$800.

There is a S$10 flat fee for primary and secondary school students enrolling in SINDA’s Tutorials for Enhanced Performance programme if their family has a S$1,000 per capita income. However, SINDA will waive the fee if their family’s per capita income falls below S$1,000.

For Malay-Muslim students who register under the MENDAKI Tuition Scheme, there is a one-time registration fee of S$10 and no income criteria.

Maid wants to stay in SG after employer cancels her Work Permit

By
Obbana Rajah
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0
(Photo by ROSLAN RAHMAN / AFP)

SINGAPORE: A foreign domestic helper took to social media asking what her options were after her employer cancelled her Work Permit (WP).

In an anonymous post to a support group for domestic helpers and employers alike, the maid asked if she could stay in Singapore even after her employer cancelled her Work Permit and brought her to the airport to send her home.

“Can I stay ?If yes, how long?” she asked.

According to the Manpower Ministry (MOM, “Depending on which comes first, you must cancel the Work Permit:

The MOM also said that before cancelling, an employer has to:

“Give reasonable notice of the worker’s repatriation.

  1. Seek tax clearance from the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS).
  2. Settle all outstanding employment issues your worker may raise, including salary payments.
  3. Ensure your worker has a valid passport.
  4. Buy an air ticket and pay for any connecting transport costs to the international port of entry in your worker’s home country/region nearest to their hometown:
    • You must pay for the air ticket, and it must include check-in luggage.
    • The departure date must be within 2 weeks from the cancellation.

You and your worker should also discuss and agree on the following in writing before buying an air ticket:

  • Transit arrangement, such as connecting flights and layover hours
  • Allowance needed to sustain the worker during the transit”

Should the worker still be in Singapore, the employer has to print a Special Pass for her.

Earlier this year, a foreign domestic helper who was worried she would be deported because she had not registered her fingerprints with the Manpower Ministry (MOM) took to social media asking for advice.

She wrote in an anonymous post to a support group that she was in her employer’s house for over a month, “and up to this day I haven’t done thumbprint”. She added that she did not have a Work Permit (WP) either.

“Recently,my employer asked me if I am done processing with my permit….I am confused coz I thought it’s their responsibility as employer”, the maid wrote. Her employer also told her to ask her agent for an update on the matter. To this, the agent told her that she would be doing it soon.

Even after 2 months, maid says she had not registered her fingerprints with MOM; it needs to be done within a week of getting her Work Permit

Parliament rejects proposal to suspend Iswaran as MP

By
Obbana Rajah
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0
Photo: Youtube screengrab / Indranee Rajah

SINGAPORE: PAP MPs on Monday (Sep 19) rejected the motion by Non-Constituency MP Hazel Poa to suspend Transport Minister S Iswaran from parliament and voted instead to consider the matter when corruption investigations against him conclude.

Ms Poa filed a motion to suspend Mr Iswaran from the service of parliament so that he would no longer receive an MP’s allowance while not performing duties.

Mr Iswaran was no longer performing his duties as an MP in parliament or West Coast GRC. “So, in effect, Minister Iswaran has been fully suspended from his MP duties, but not from his MP allowance”, Ms Poa said.

She also added that Mr Iswaran’s potential offences involved corruption, for which Singapore has “zero tolerance” for.

“In addition, for many years, the government has justified the high salaries for political office-holders on the basis of ensuring that our government remains honest and free of corruption. This is why many Singaporeans, including myself, find it difficult to accept that taxpayers’ money is being used in this way”, she said.

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

PAP MPs voted for Ms Indranee’s motion, while the Progress Singapore Party’s (PSP) two Non-Constituency MPs – Ms Hazel Poa and Mr Leong Mun Wai – voted for their own motion. All eight opposition MPs from the Workers’ Party (WP) voted for the PAP’s motion as well.

Ms Indranee said it would be “premature” to take any action on Mr Iswaran as an MP at this stage, saying: “We simply do not have sufficient material to make an informed decision at the present time.”

Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh said that the WP could not support PSP’s motion due to the presumption of innocence but sought clarifications from Ms Indranee regarding her counter-motion.

“In the Workers’ Party’s view, the wheels of justice must be allowed to fully turn before parliament decides what to do. The Workers’ Party cannot agree to the motion filed by the PSP”, Mr Singh said.

“It would not just be unfair and premature, but significantly, this House would be seeking to overturn the electoral mandate given to Mr Iswaran by the people through the ballot box, by prematurely passing judgment on him,” Mr Singh added.

Mr Singh also invited the PSP to consider the precedent their motion would set should future governments decide to fix opposition MPs by way of politically motivated investigations.

Mr Singh sought the following clarifications from Ms Indranee:

  • The full extent of restrictions on Mr Iswaran as an MP – if he was banned from entering parliament as he was from other government buildings
  • If PAP would contemplate clawing back Mr Iswaran’s MP allowance
  • If PAP would consider consequences against Mr Iswaran upon the completion of investigations or after the full court process has been exhausted

In her reply, Ms Indranee said: “We will look at it again, when we know if the Attorney-General’s Chambers intends to bring any charges, and if so, what the charges are.”

Mr S Iswaran was arrested in July and is under investigation by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB). After his arrest, Mr Iswaran was instructed to take a leave of absence. He has been interdicted from duty with a monthly reduced pay of S$8,500. He continues to draw the full annual MP allowance of S$192,500. Mr Iswaran’s ministerial duties are being covered by Acting Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat. His responsibilities as an MP are being covered by the other MPs in West Coast Group Representation Constituency (GRC). /TISG

DINKs & DINKWADs: Is this the new Singaporean dream?

By
Mary Alavanza
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0
A man and woman holding a dog.
Photo: Freepik / wayhomestudio

SINGAPORE: Increasingly, Singaporeans are redefining the traditional path to parenthood and prefer being DINKs (Dual Income, No Kids) and DINKWADs (Dual Income, No Kids with a Dog) instead.

A man in his early 30s noticed this and shared: “So, as someone who is in his early 30s with a second kiddo on the way, I couldn’t help but notice that a lot of my peers/people my age are actively choosing not to have kids and want to live a DINK life. Alternatively, a lot of them also choose to get dogs instead of kids. Essentially, turning into DINKWADs.” Curious, he asked: “This leads me to think, is this the new Singaporean dream?”

He continued addressing DINKs and DINKWADs asking, “To DINKs/DINKWADs who are older (40s/50s), do you all regret not having kids? If you did end up having kids, did you regret not having them sooner?”

Redditor meowinbox shared: “Dinkwad is gonna live in my head rent free from now on. Long time no see, how are you?. ‘I’m a dinkwad now’.”

anangrypudge, possibly a cat-lover chimed in saying, “Don’t forget the Dinkwacs!”, pertaining to cats instead of dogs.

Another answered addressing the question of the Redditor who posted saying, “SINK(Single Income No Kids) here. 50 this year. Wife has some health issue so not working. No regrets. As for what happen to us when we r old, now writing a Will & preparing a LPA form 2.”

‘Self-aware’, silentscope90210 added: “I don’t even have enough time for myself. How to have enough time for kids?”

Yahoo Southeast Asia conducted interviews with young millennials and Gen Zs to know why they prefer not to have kids.

Some answered they are already stretched budgeting as is, what more if there’s a kid involved. Another, named Sarah, talked about the already difficult work-life balance and shared ‘concerns over her ability to balance work while caring for a child’. While others just wanted some financial freedom to travel.

While some focus on the costs of having a kid, some are honest that they’re ‘not emotionally prepared to have a kid.’ One said: “I can’t stand being in the same room as a crying child, let alone be with one that I can’t return. I’m not going to be a great mother and that won’t be fair for the child.”

Another who was interviewed named Roland added, “The huge responsibility of raising children properly is a concern that I feel many people do not recognise. Bad parenting can contribute to bad children.”

Roland added, “I think if new parents are able to find the resources, time and external support to know how to raise their children properly, or to the best of their abilities, more couples would be willing to try to start families. I’m not exactly sure what sort of support young parents can get where I am now.”

Guidance and support can empower young Singaporeans to decide whether parenthood fits their future plans.

Residents monthly household needs increase from $600 to $1K

By
Khalis Rifhan
-
0
Photo: Facebook screengrab / PeoplesVoiceSg

SINGAPORE — During a recent community engagement by the opposition party, Peoples’ Voice at the Jalan Besar GRC, a number of residents expressed their grievances about the current economic climate. Led by party leader Lim Tean, their conversations centred around their concerns at the high cost of living and the planned increase in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) to 9% in Jan 2024.

This will be a second consecutive one-percentage point increase following a similar move by the government earlier this year. While some may be affected by the GST increase from 7% to 8% in January 2023, the government have also announced a slew of measures to cushion the hike, which includes cash payouts, additional U-Save rebates, MediSave top-ups, and CDC Vouchers Scheme among other assistance available under the $6 billion Assurance Package.

Photo credit: Ministry of Finance

Posting on Facebook after their house visit to the constituency, the Peoples’ Voice mentioned that the residents explained their monthly expenditure had gone up compared to before the GST was raised.

“Previously $600 is sufficient to feed the whole family of four comfortably but now, at least $1,000 is needed. They said that our cost of living has been exacerbated by the increase in GST this year. Next year, they shudder to even guess how much it will increase, but definitely not by only 1%!”

To offset the additional GST expenses for lower-income households, the government announced the Assurance Package cash payout. It will be disbursed over five years to Singaporeans aged 21 and above, with the amount being between $700 to $1,600, depending on income and property ownership. The first payout was made on Dec last year, and the next payout is scheduled for Dec this year.

Among other dissatisfactions on the grounds that Lim and his party members heard are the record high Certificate of Entitlement (COE) for the Category B and Open Category during the first bidding exercise in September.

“Most of residents were also complaining of the horrible high cost of living, for example they were very unhappy with the record high COE for the last bidding. This high COE cascades down to all of us as cost of goods and services are raised,” added PV.

PV alleged that this has also caused a dip in several private-hire-vehicle drivers earning, as they explained; “Some PHV drivers also feedback that their rental is going up because of the high COEs but their takings are lesser or have to drive longer hours because the fuel price has increased even though the price of crude oil is not at a record high.”

The results of the Sep first bidding exercise for the COE can be found below.

Photo: Website screengrab / www.motorist.sg

The Peoples’ Voice have been stepping up their house visits in recent weeks in anticipation of a General Election due by Nov 2025.  During the previous election in 2020, PV contested in Jalan Besar GRC. Led by Lim and Leong Sze Hian, Michael Fang, and Nor Azlan, PV garnered 34.64% of the votes. The People’s Action Party, comprising Josephine Teo, Minister for Communications and Information, Heng Chee How, Denise Phua and Wan Rizal, emerged victorious, securing 65.35% of the votes. 

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