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Letter to the Editor | It’s uncivilised for job interviewers to criticise candidates who ask for higher salaries

Dear Editor,

I refer to The Independent Singapore’s news: Shaming workers asking for a higher salary is “toxic,” Singaporean argues (June 30).

In most circumstances, people will ask for a higher salary because financial incentives are vital in switching or applying for a new job.

Of course, when you dare to ask for higher salaries for the job you apply for, you must have prepared yourself for a robust rationale for substantiating your position.

Otherwise, you will be easily knocked out by your potential interviewers.

Relatively, the interviewer(s) should also be mentally prepared and keep calm in their posture when faced with such requests.

Anyway, it is not civilised, modest and appropriate for interviewers to criticise or mock any potential candidates who ask for higher salaries, as long as they can provide reasons to substantiate their claims.

If the corporate interviewers can’t afford to pay or match the expected salary the candidate asks, they should courteously explain their rationales or views for it.

Amidst the increasingly high cost of living, it is natural for job seekers to ask for higher salaries to offset their living expenses and expand their household income.

Teo Kueh Liang


Featured image: Depositphotos

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of The Independent Singapore

Got a juicy story to share? Came across a gross injustice that needs to be heard? Want to have your opinion on current events made known? Email us your story with details and proof! Make your voice known! [email protected]

EBRC yet to convene but Singaporeans speculate on which seats may swing in looming election

SINGAPORE: Education Minister Chan Chun Sing said in Parliament earlier this week that the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC) has yet to be convened in response to a question from Workers’ Party MP Louis Chua, who asked what about terms of reference provided to the ERBC, as well as how the principles underlying them are determined.

Mr Chan said that the Prime Minister will set out the terms of reference when the ERBC is convened.

The EBRC, which sets electoral boundaries before each general election, should consider significant changes in the number of electors in each electoral division due to population shifts and housing developments since the election, the Minister added.

In the meantime, some netizens have been speculating about which seats in Parliament may switch from the ruling party to the opposition or vice versa.

u/limhy0809 asked in a r/Singapore post last month, “What seats do you think might swing this year?”

“2020 to 2024 has been a difficult time for Singaporeans. How will this translate into the results this year? Will the unhappiness and problems of the PAP lead to a stronger opposition than ever before?” they wrote.

The post author called Jalan Besar “an interesting case,” noting that the People’s Voice team, led by Lim Tean, had won 35 per cent of the vote in the last election.

“Due to the general dislike of Jo Teo who now leads the GRC. A credible opposition contesting there could see a tough fight,” they added.

Another possible trouble spot for the PAP could be Marine Parade GRC, which lost the popular ex-House Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin last year, as he resigned due to a scandal.

Meanwhile, the WP, which nearly won East Coast GRC in 2020, is now minus its central figure, Nicole Seah, who resigned over a similar reason.

The WP also may find a tough battle at Sengkang GRC, with the resignation of former MP Raeesah Khan in late 2021 after it was discovered that she had lied in Parliament more than once.

The Progress Singapore Party also nearly wrested West Coast GRC from the PAP in GE2020, but u/limhy0809 has pointed out that it has lost ground in the ward since then.

One Reddit user speculated that former WP chief Low Thia Khiang “Singapore washing,” which has become shorthand for Chinese companies relocating to Singapore to sidestep tensions between the United States and China.

Senior Counsel Harpreet Singh teams up at East Coast or Marine Parade, and the party would have a good chance of winning in those wards.

Others argued, however, that Mr Low’s return to the political arena would signal a loss of confidence in the party’s current leadership.

A Reddit user wrote that they feel Tampines, especially Tampines North, has been ignored, which means better chances for opposition parties who would contest there. /TISG

Read also: EBRC meeting on the cards this week? Release of election map and voter rolls update sparks GE timing speculation

Junior doctor says he’s scheduled to work 110 hours/week but told to under-report it

SINGAPORE: A junior doctor from Singapore shared on social media that he is scheduled to work up to 110 hours per week, from 6 am to 9 pm, without any off days for the next six months. 

“There’s also additional admin that I must complete at home. Won’t give more details so I can maintain anonymity,” he added.

Finding this schedule outrageous, he asked others online if he could possibly report this as a violation of working hours to the concerned authorities, such as the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) or the Ministry of Health (MOH).

“MOH mandates a maximum of 80 hours per week. However I heard somewhere that it doesn’t apply to doctors.. and my department doesn’t care as well (I log my hours truthfully and have been told to under-report).”

“Has anyone had experience reporting or escalating in a similar situation? Or will it just make life even harder for me once found out?”

“Realistically, you report, nothing is going to improve.”

In the comments section, many agreed that reporting to the authorities would likely not bring about any change.

One netizen whose wife was in residency shared that the hospital administration had once told her to “underreport her hours” to meet the stipulated 80-hour limit.

He then advised the man, “Tough it out. It gets better. Realistically, you report, nothing is going to improve.”

Another netizen confirmed this and said that residents are commonly asked in the industry to adjust their duty hours and only choose “acceptable” answers on ACGME (Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education) surveys. 

Thus, if he attempts to report this to MOH, he will likely be gaslighted to think that only “he is having this problem” because, based on their data, no one else has experienced this “violation of duty hours.”

He added, “Your best bet is to grind through the next 6 months and depending on what you want to do in the future, to strategically plan your postings or find a way out into private practice.”

Adding to the discussion, a third netizen explained that this hospital culture is already deeply ingrained in the industry and goes beyond following guidelines or rules.

He also noted that this is rampant in Singapore and other countries, citing instances like the doctor strikes in Seoul and ongoing discussions among healthcare workers worldwide about excessive workloads.

He went on to say, “You have to suck it up for now and find more indirect ways of mitigating this and defending some of your nonexistent personal time.

You absolutely should not cite guidelines and fight directly.

Your best shot at meaningful change is to preserve your relationships and rise enough within the system that you can change it from inside.”

Similarly, earlier this year, a Singaporean doctor took to social media to express concerns about the extensive work hours for doctors, citing it as one of the foremost challenges in the healthcare system.

“Personally, this is the most ridiculous existing issue and requires urgent, if not immediate, change,” he said. 

“Anyone could end up seeking treatment in a public hospital. Imagine if your loved one was being operated on by a doctor who has not slept in 24 hours. This possibly occurs on a daily basis.”

Read more: SG doctor says forcing doctors to work over 24 hours is ridiculous and requires urgent change

Featured image by Depositphotos

Support for WP MPs’ warnings against “Singapore washing”

SINGAPORE: In Parliament this week, Workers’ Party MPs from Sengkang GRC Louis Chua and Jamus Lim warned against “Singapore washing,” which has become shorthand for the practice of Chinese companies relocating to Singapore to sidestep tensions between the United States and China.

It can also mean that Chinese companies are using firms registered in Singapore so that their businesses appear less connected to China.

Singapore has consistently ranked well when it comes to ease of doing business, but this needs to be balanced with sound corporate regulation, Assoc Prof Lim said earlier this week in his speech on the ACRA (Amendments) Bill.

“We should also not allow the world to think that an easy business environment also means a permissive one…

Such a mindset will undermine our hard-won brand name, and eventually come back to bite us,” he said, calling for Singapore to stay clear-eyed in criticism of its business environment.

Mr Chua raised concerns over financial criminals using Singapore as a home base or transition country, citing the S$3 billion money laundering case from last year.

Like Assoc Prof Lim, he underlined how important it is for our country’s reputation not to be associated with money laundering.

Speaking on the Corporate Service Providers Bill, he asked the government to reconsider imposing training requirements for those who hold a significant number of nominee directorships, raise corporate governance standards, and better combat money laundering risks in Singapore.

He added that due to “Singapore Washing,” it would be better to err on the side of caution in tightening regulations, as this would send the message that Singapore’s financial system cannot be exploited easily.

Many commenters have commended the two MPs for raising the issue, which can be considered a somewhat thorny one after the Workers’ Party shared videos of their speeches over social media.

“Singapore Washing” was first mentioned in the Financial Times in November 2022, in an article that mentioned fast-fashion giant Shein and IT services provider Cue among the first companies that moved their headquarters to Singapore as relations between China and the US began to sour.

While it is not a new phenomenon, more companies have joined the “Singapore Washing” in the past few years.

This year, the issue has also been covered in articles in Bloomberg, The Japan Times, Voice of America, and others.

As Mr Chua noted, “When it comes to our commitment to tackling money laundering and illegal activities, we need to take a clear and strong stand, making sure we examine the sector with a fine tooth comb and not water down our regulatory standards, so that current and prospective businesses which are legitimate can have the confidence of operating in Singapore, and dealing with entities operating in Singapore.”

/TISG

Read also: China AI startups target Singapore as prime destination for global expansion

Questions arise about Town Council’s job performance after mayor commends man who spends 8 hours a day clearing litter

SINGAPORE: Questions about the Town Council’s job performance have surfaced after Jalan Besar GRC MP Denise Phua commended a resident who spends eight hours daily picking up litter.

As reported by AsiaOne, 66-year-old Kallang resident Looi has spent the past five years picking up trash around his estate, becoming more committed after retiring in 2023 to dedicate eight hours daily to this task.

Living at Block 467 Crawford Lane, Looi was inspired by his younger sister, who moved back to Singapore from Hong Kong to care for their ailing mother.

She would clear litter around the block in her spare time, inspiring him to do the same.

The high foot traffic near Lavender MRT station and surrounding office buildings contributes to a significant trash build-up.

“When I was still working, I could only pick up rubbish from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Now that I’m retired, I have more time and will collect rubbish in two periods — from 5:00 am to 7:30 am and from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm,” Looi said.

Besides keeping Blocks 466, 467, and 468 litter-free, Looi returns abandoned shopping carts and reports public cleanliness issues on the OneService app. His routine has also benefited his health.

The doctor advised me not to stay at home all day as it may increase the risk of high blood pressure. So, I treat this as my daily exercise and my blood pressure is now well-managed,” Looi shared.

A Shin Min Daily report mentioned Looi had faced some criticism for his unpaid work, but he persisted with encouragement from his younger sister.

Several residents appreciated his efforts, with some even trying to pay him as a thank-you.

“I hope other residents can join me in picking up litter,” he said. “Even if they can’t, I hope everyone can help maintain the cleanliness of the community,” he added.

In a Facebook post on Friday, June 28, MP Denise Phua praised Looi for his “public spiritedness”, stating: The young retiree did it on his own initiative as a good neighbour.

She noted that efforts by individuals like Looi lighten the load of the town council cleaners, especially in areas with high foot traffic from non-residents.

This praise has sparked a debate among Singaporeans, with many questioning the necessity of such voluntary work if the Town Council is fulfilling its responsibilities.

Comments ranged from suggestions that Looi should be employed as a cleaner to criticisms of the Town Council’s efficiency.

One user suggested, “Make him the GM of the area’s town council. He will do a good job as he walks the ground.”

Others raised broader issues of littering and community responsibility. “If the community is civic-minded, he wouldn’t have to spend eight hours a day picking up litter,” one comment noted.

Another pointed out, “He sounds like a great guy, but it does raise some questions.”

He asked, “Why is there so much litter in the neighbourhood in the first place? Are there many inconsiderate residents, and why do they think littering is acceptable?

Are there enough enforcement officers to stop littering and enough cleaners if littering does occur? Will litterbugs ever learn their lesson if they know there are always people willing to pick up after them?”

Other residents shared they have noticed rubbish piling up for weeks, leading to potential mosquito breeding grounds.

“Litter is often thrown into bushes, making it hard to clean. I can easily fill a bag after just 100 metres of clearing, and new litter appears within hours.

Are we relying too much on foreign domestic workers and foreign talents to clean up after us? Why are there no bins near the MRT stations, causing rubbish to accumulate at the entrances and exits?

If food is sold at the MRT, there should be bins,” one commenter added.

Amid praise for Looi’s hard work, concerns about littering and cleaning standards continue to spark debates on civic responsibility and Town Council efficiency. /TISG

“If I could, I would throw you out of my house because you are an embarrassment,” father berates daughter for poor A-level results

SINGAPORE: Asian parents usually have high expectations when it comes to their kids’ education, but this Singaporean student claimed that her parents completely changed and became harsher on her after scoring poorly on her A-levels.

Sharing her struggles on r/SGexams on Thursday (Jul 4), she explained that despite consistently achieving good results in PSLE and O-levels, her parents turned their backs on her after her A-levels. 

“My life after A levels has been so demoralizing because of my bad score which caused me to be rejected for the unis i applied for as well as how my parents are to me.”

“My father was calling me on the way home from work and his exact words were, “If can, I want to throw you out of my house because you are an embarrassment”.”

She was shocked by her father’s harsh words and couldn’t understand how a parent could threaten to kick out their own child simply because of academic performance.

“I told my father that I don’t understand why he thinks it’s alright to say he wants to throw me out of the house and guess what? he replied by saying that i should be thankful he’s not sending me to girls’ home instead.”

Moreover, her father repeatedly called her a “useless daughter” and declared he would now focus solely on her siblings’ education because “she had given him nothing good as a daughter.”

“His words have always been harsh since I was little, but for some reason, I just can’t seem to get used to it, and it genuinely hurts. 

“As his daughter, I don’t stay out late, I don’t don’t do illegal stuff, I have a small circle of friends and I only ever go out for my part-time job.” 

When she suggested applying to polytechnic instead of university, her father told her that “he doesn’t care and if she wanted to go then she should pay for herself or beg for a loan from organizations or something.”

“Are all parents really like this? Is this normal? I know it’s my fault for not doing well and he keeps messaging me “This is all your fault” like I know!!!!! aghhhh it’s seriously messing with me and idk how to get myself out of this man i’m literally just a 19 yr old girl still figuring out life.”

“Not doing well on an exam is never the end of the world for anyone.”

In the discussion thread, the netizens urged the student to ignore the negative attitudes that her parents are displaying and focus on where she wants to go from here. 

They also reminded her that she’s still young, with a long life ahead of her, so she shouldn’t let her parents’ remarks demoralize and stop her from pursuing her dreams.

One netizen said, “Not doing well on an exam is never the end of the world for anyone. Be strong and focus on your future plan rather than getting yourself affected by his hurtful comments.”

Another commented, “It’s heartbreaking to hear about your experience, and I want to tell you that your worth is not defined by your academic results. As a father myself, I believe that love and support for children should never hinge on their exam scores.”

Some netizens also criticized her father and called him emotionally immature, narcissistic, and a bully. As a parent, they said that he should have given her unconditional love and encouragement especially at a time when her daughter is feeling down.

However, he instead chose to hurt her repeatedly by being so vindictive and mentally and verbally abusing her, all because of his ego and image.

One netizen said, “A perfect example that age does not equal maturity. Your father unfortunately still has a long way to go in growing up. Nobody determines your self worth other than yourself. 

Always remember, that when people harm you whether verbally or in other ways, it reflects more on themselves than you.”

Another added, “Please don’t accept their behavior as “normal”, and no, a good parent is not like that. I’m not very well versed in this topic but please get external help if you need.”

Read also: Students can study at Changi Airport “if they need somewhere without sleeping ah peks” — Gwee Li Sui

Featured image by Depositphotos

Letter to the Editor | Banning cars instead of bicycles on Singapore roads is irrational

Dear Editor,

I refer to The Independent Singapore’s report, “Ban cars instead” — Call to ban bicycles on Singapore roads divides Singaporeans (June 17).

As all know, the main purpose of the invention of cars is to facilitate transportation or carriage of goods, people, and others from one place to another (from point A to point B) in a speedy, cosy, economical, efficient, convenient and safe manner.

This great invention closely matches the development needs and inevitable trends of the times.

Hence, the online arguments or standpoints that suggested banning cars instead of bicycles on Singapore roads were vulnerable, irrational, and unsubstantiated.

Nonetheless, there’s always an undeniable fact that all vehicles on the roads are driven/controlled by humans. Thus, it underlines the importance of road safety as the shared responsibility of every road user.

In due course, if any road accident occurs, drivers involved must be held responsible.

The swift advancement of science and technology, such as artificial intelligence (AI), has changed people’s thinking, mindsets, habits, behaviours, lifestyles, social interactions, and lives.

Even so, we can’t simply rule out that cars can be easily replaced by driverless vehicles or drones in the foreseeable future.

Anyway, appropriate legislation and rules of law should be the final measure of management on top of all these “new” innovations/inventions.

Teo Kueh Liang


Featured image: Depositphotos

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of The Independent Singapore

Got a juicy story to share? Came across a gross injustice that needs to be heard? Want to have your opinion on current events made known? Email us your story with details and proof! Make your voice known! [email protected]

SG man’s “football betting” addiction leads him to suffer S$44K in debts

SINGAPORE: A man confessed online that he has accumulated a total of S$44,000 in debt due to his addiction to football betting.

In a candid post on r/singaporefi on Sunday (June 30), he revealed that he started betting “only what he could afford.” However, as losses mounted, he increased the stakes in a frantic attempt to recoup his losses.

Unfortunately, his attempts to reverse his fortunes only deepened his financial troubles. Depleted savings led him to borrow money from friends and eventually turn to moneylenders for financial support.

“Now I owe around 19k to money lenders and 25k to all around my colleagues and friends,” he said. 

Seeking redemption and a way out of his dire situation, he reached out to the online community for advice and support.

“I really wanted to get out from this debt and can advise me on what I should do. I’m leaving from gambling too.”

“Drive down your expenses and channel everything to repaying the debt.”

In the discussion thread, one netizen advised him to use the snowball method to pay off his debts to moneylenders.

This approach involves starting with the smallest debt balance and working towards the largest, regardless of the interest rates.

Once those are taken care of, the netizen suggested paying off debts owed to colleagues and finally addressing debts owed to friends.

He also suggested that the man earn extra money through multiple side hustles, work seven days a week, live on rice and beans, construct a monthly budget, sacrifice all his wants, and only spend his money on his needs like rent, food, clothing, and transport.

He added, “That being said, the first thing to do is actually your mindset. When you said it is fine when you bet with the amount you can lose, you have yet to learn the lesson.

Your chance of success is slim though, because humans usually can’t learn from our mistakes.”

Another netizen commented, “Hope you have learnt your lesson and never gamble again. Drive down your expenses and channel everything to repaying the debt. You can do it!”

Meanwhile, others suggested that he seek advice from a debt advisor to either consider bankruptcy or set up a repayment scheme.

One netizen pointed him to the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) website, urging him to check out the help resources there and take the first step in seeking support.

Another netizen agreed on seeking help from NCPG, saying, “This is the only solution, getting someone to repay your loans won’t fix your addiction.”

Read also: “How do I convince my friend not to get into crypto?” – Man asks as his friend suffers S$20,000 in debts

Featured image by Depositphotos

“When should I draw the line?” — Woman asks after her sister won’t stop borrowing money from her

SINGAPORE: A woman turned to social media to seek advice on a sensitive matter: lending money to family members.

“How much would you loan to a family member?” she wrote on r/askSingapore on Sunday (June 30). “When do I decide to really say no, even if it is a close family member?”

In her post, she shared that her inquiry stemmed from her sister’s frequent borrowing habits. Initially, she said that the amounts her sister borrowed were small, ranging from S$50-S$100.

However, more recently, the amounts have increased to several hundred dollars.

“At first, I did not want to lend her the money but I thought she is family and if not her, who would loan her. I rather she loaned from me vs an outsider,” she said.

“She has been paying all her loans to me so far but it got me wondering…When should the line be drawn? Do I lend her as long as she pays back and if not, what is the amount that I should stop?”

“Any money you loan to anyone, consider it gone. If they pay back it is an extra bonus / surprise.”

In the online discussion, some Redditors emphasized that their willingness to lend money to family members depends largely on the circumstances.

For instance, if a sibling or parent is overspending, they’d only lend money once and expect them to manage on their own afterwards.

However, if they got screwed over by a life event like their employer went bankrupt and they were not paid for a while and need help with their cash flow, they will be more sympathetic.

One Redditor asked her, “Depends what she needs it for. Something serious or something frivolous? Is she falling for some sort of love/job/whatever scam?

Is this going to be a long term thing or will she eventually be able to support herself?

I wouldn’t lend to even a family member if they didn’t have good answers to the above. “If not family than who will lend to her?” The answer is “nobody”. Nobody should lend to such a person.”

Another commented, “Any money you loan to anyone, consider it gone. If they pay back it is an extra bonus / surprise. If you follow this logic, it is an easy choice to make.”

Others advised the woman to establish a clear limit for these loans—a maximum amount she is comfortable lending without inconveniencing herself.

One Redditor said, “I do loan money to family members occasionally, and when I am not comfortable with the amount they need, I let them know the maximum amount I can loan them.

That way, the loan does not inconvenience me, and they get some of the help they need financially.”

On the other hand, a few Redditors said they refrain from lending money to anyone, even their family members because they’ve observed that people often return for more financial assistance rather than resolving their issues.

Read also: “Why haven’t you found a job yet?” — Man’s sister looks down on him after she got her master’s degree and stable job

Featured image by Depositphotos

4 SG stocks to keep your eyes on this July

SINGAPORE: If you’re looking for stocks with business developments that drive revenue and boost profits, here are four stocks to keep your eyes on this month.

According to The Smart Investor, each has recent developments that could significantly impact their performance.

1. CapitaLand Ascott Trust

CapitaLand Ascott Trust (CLAS) is a hospitality trust managing 102 properties with over 18,000 units across 16 countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

As of March 31, 2024, its assets under management totalled S$8.5 billion.

Recently, CLAS acquired the remaining 10% stake in Standard at Columbia, a freehold student accommodation property in South Carolina, USA.

This property was initially acquired in phases over three years, with CLAS first owning a 50:50 stake in a joint venture with its sponsor, The Ascott Limited.

By November 2022, CLAS had bought out its sponsor’s stake, securing a 90% share. The property, which became operational in August 2023, has an occupancy rate exceeding 90%.

For the upcoming academic year 2024/2025, the pre-leasing occupancy rate hit 99% as of the end of May, with a positive rental reversion of 4% compared to the previous year.

The earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) yield on the total development cost is projected to be around 7%, up from 6.2% estimated in 2021.

2. Singtel

Singtel, Singapore’s largest telco, offers mobile, broadband, and pay-TV services. Last month, Singtel made two significant announcements.

Firstly, the company signed a definitive agreement with KKR and ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (STT GDC) for a S$1.75 billion investment in STT GDC.

Singtel’s CFO, Arthur Lang, noted that digital infrastructure is a rapidly growing asset class driven by global digitalisation and AI adoption.

This investment gives Singtel exposure to STT GDC, one of the world’s fastest-growing data centre providers, with 95 centres across 11 geographies.

Secondly, Singtel’s Nxera arm partnered with Malaysia’s TM to develop a sustainable, AI-ready data centre campus in Johor, starting with an initial capacity of 64 MW, expandable to 200 MW based on demand.

3. Seatrium

Seatrium, with a 60-year track record in the offshore, marine, and energy industries, provides engineering solutions globally.

On June 5, Seatrium was awarded a Letter of Intent (LOI) by BP for engineering works related to the Kaskida Project, a greenfield development in the Gulf of Mexico.

A week later, Seatrium and GE Vernova announced a contract with TenneT TSO B.V. for a two GW HVDC electric offshore transmission system in the Netherlands.

This contract is part of a five-year framework cooperation agreement signed with TenneT and announced by a consortium comprising Seatrium and GE Vernova last year.

Construction starts in June 2024, with commissioning by 2031.

4. Sembcorp Industries

Sembcorp Industries (SCI) focuses on sustainable solutions for energy transition and urban development, managing 21.2 GW across 10 countries.

SCI signed a Heads of Terms with Sojitz Corporation and Kyushu Electric Power Co for a green ammonia offtake agreement in India, targeting an initial annual production of 200,000 metric tonnes using renewable energy.

SCI also secured long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) with global pharmaceutical company GSK plc subsidiaries to supply up to 10 MW of electricity to three manufacturing sites in Singapore for up to 10 years, starting January 2025.

Keep your eyes on such business developments to make informed decisions and potentially benefit from these promising opportunities. /TISG

Read also: Boost your returns: 5 Singapore stocks with dividends surpassing CPF SA rates


Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only. It should not be considered Financial or Legal Advice. Investors should conduct their due diligence before making major financial decisions

Featured image by Depositphotos