Mar 10, 2010
budget debate
Grants for med students abroad
By Rachel Lin

RESTRUCTURED hospitals are looking into giving pre-employment grants to Singaporeans studying medicine overseas, Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan announced yesterday.

The grant will cover part of the students' university fees. Recipients have to serve a bond in Singapore after they graduate.

An encounter with a young party activist in his Sembawang branch made him realise the usefulness of the idea, which had first been thrown up by Dr Lily Neo (Jalan Besar GRC), said Mr Khaw.

The activist was leaving to study medicine in New South Wales, Australia. 'Among the 60 international students in her batch, she noted that 40 were Singaporeans!' the minister exclaimed.

Mr Khaw blogged about this on Facebook. In his post, he said that the ministry's aggressive recruitment of foreign medical graduates had worked, but Singapore students should not be neglected.

'I will figure out a way to help them in a meaningful manner and secure their return to Singapore,' he wrote. 'I am sure it can be done, to get our kids back!'

Read the full story in Wednesday's edition of The Straits Times.




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Latest comments
Even local nurses are getting out as quickly as they can.

How do you fight a war without doctors and nurses.
Posted by: BPLforever at Thu Mar 11 00:05:23 SGT 2010


On a side note, it does appear that they have realised rather belatedly that we now have an acute shortage of local doctors. I noticed that they were taking in a lot of Malaysians at the expense of Singaporeans. This forced many Singaporeans to study in overseas medical schools and to remain overseas after they graduated.

This has adverse implications with regards to the 'defence' of this island. It has probably resulted in the SAF having a shortage of doctors.

What if we were in a conflict with an 'aggressor'? Would we have sufficient doctors to treat the casualties, given that most of the foreign doctors will run away at the slightest sign of trouble?

This is a problem that they have brought upon themselves because of their addiction to cheap foreign doctors.
Posted by: BPLforever at Thu Mar 11 00:02:57 SGT 2010


After doctor pedigrees, alumni ties matter next.

Raffles and ACS are favoured.
Posted by: pappy at Wed Mar 10 23:10:44 SGT 2010


JustACitizen, if what you say is true, then of course the internal system needs to be changed. I mean I have heard rumors about how the med sch might favour students with doctor pedigrees, but I dont think its the case. Plus theres no evidence to suggest that is the case. If anything, they might know the medical profession better, and as a result naturally stand a better chance gaining admission. I do agree with you though, we need to improve the current system of selecting students, as well as expanding our medical student intake. They need to be more transparent with the selection process rather than just dishing out the criteria for a start.

Also, i agree with BPL, there must be career prospects, good ones for them, or else they have less reason to return. Are overseas graduates now discriminated against local graduates presently? in terms of career opportunities?
Posted by: imwellfed at Wed Mar 10 22:53:13 SGT 2010


Isn't it better for Singaporeans studying medicine overseas, to remain in that country and practice their medicine there.

Serving a 5 year bond?? in a restructured hospital here can be hell.

Further with the flood of cheap foreign doctors here, there is little prospect for local doctors.
Posted by: BPLforever at Wed Mar 10 14:27:16 SGT 2010

University admission criteria needs to be clearer

MY DAUGHTER scored an A in English Literature, B in History and D in Economics for her A-level examinations for her H2 subjects, as well as an A for General Paper and an A for Project Work.

She thought she would not have problems reading English Literature or English Language in the Arts faculty at the National University of Singapore, but was denied admission.

The university attributed the rejection to comparatively stiff competition for places in the faculty this year. An executive at the faculty confirmed that to be eligible, one has to obtain a minimum of three H2 passes and one H1 pass, assuming a C grade for H1 General Paper.


She said my daughter fell below the cut-off point. Although this year's cut-off point has yet to be made public, last year's cut-off of 3H2 and 1H1 was BBC/C* (10th percentile), AAA/A (90th percentile).

Even with intense competition, my daughter's overall grade is unlikely to fall below the 10th percentile. If it does, I will graciously accept the fate that her results are just not good enough.

When I asked the university to confirm that my daughter's grades were below the cut-off point, the reply was that the ranking of results was confidential and that it was not obliged to answer my question. The university added that my daughter did not even qualify for discretionary admission.

If, with the strength as reflected in her A-level results, my daughter failed to gain entry, I am curious to know if all the students admitted thus far have a distinction in English Literature and General Paper.

Traditionally, university entrance has been based on A-level results that rank above the cut-off point. Was my daughter unfairly disadvantaged without proper reason?

Discretion may be an appropriate tool to moderate meritocracy, but when it fails to ensure absolute fairness, it may be time to reset the discretion's perimeter of effectiveness.

Economic fundamentals: 7
Entrepreneurship and innovation: 15
Democratic institutions: 5
Education: 6
Health: 21
Safety & security: 14
Governance: 10
Personal freedom: 4
Social capital: 4
Source: Legatum Institute

Australians might not be as nice as their neighbours across the Tasman Sea, but they still rank as the fourth best country for social capital. The Aussies are also placed in the top five for democratic institutions and personal freedom and in the top 10 for economic fundamentals, education and governance.

SINGAPORE - When a medical student told him that at her university in Australia, 40 of the 60 international students in her batch were Singaporeans, Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan had vowed on Facebook to "find a way to 'get our kids back' to Singapore".

"And I will," he reaffirmed yesterday, sharing with Parliament how he might go about doing so.

Singaporeans who want to study medicine overseas, a highly expensive undertaking, could one day be able to tap a Government grant.

"The restructured hospitals are studying an idea of offering a pre-employment grant to these medical students, to help them with their cost overseas, in return for a bond to serve after they graduate," said Mr Khaw.

According to the Ministry of Health (MOH), about 150 Singaporeans head overseas to study medicine every year. But from 2005 to 2009, only 110 returned after graduation, while another 130 returned after their housemanship or working a few years.

In the case of the young medical student that Mr Khaw cited, she had applied - unsuccessfully - to the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine. Determined as she was to be a doctor, and despite the strain of the more-than-$40,000 tuition fee per year, her parents supported her move to Sydney.

While Singapore will continue its "aggressive recruitment" of foreign medical graduates, Mr Khaw wrote in his Feb 9 post, locals like her who struggle financially are also on his mind for some "meaningful" help.

The proposal of a grant comes six months after Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong signalled that Singapore would continue to look at ways to expand the core pool of local doctors, even after raising the annual intake at medical schools here to 350 new doctors a year. This number would still not be enough to cope with a growing and ageing population, Mr Lee had noted.

Ms Melanie Tan, 18, now scouting for schools abroad, believes a grant would ease the financial burden of studying overseas, and even sway her mind about possibly not returning to Singapore after graduation.

But how long should the bond be? That could depend on the size of the grant offered.

Singapore Medical Association president Chong Yeh Woei, who welcomed the idea of the financial leg up, noted that five years of medical school in the United Kingdom could cost at least $500,000. Hospitals would have to work out how sizeable a grant they can afford, said chief executive of Changi General Hospital T K Udairam.

MP Lily Neo (Jalan Besar GRC) - whom Mr Khaw credited with coming up with the idea of the grant several years back - suggested the Government could take its cue from the current system where local medical students are bonded for five years after graduation. After Government subsidy, they pay roughly $80,000 in tuition fees for five years, said Dr Neo and Dr Chong.

Mr Udairam feels most students would view the bond positively in terms of an assured job after they graduate. Medical student Joel Tan, 21, agreed: "It has become increasingly hard to find internship places overseas especially in Australia, where ... priority is given to citizens and permanent residents."

Meanwhile, giving a mid-course update on MOH's $1.5-billion effort to recruit 7,700 more healthcare professionals over five years, Mr Khaw reported that since 2007, headcounts have increased by 44 per cent, There are now eight doctors instead of six per 10 beds, and 26 nurses instead of just 20 per 10 beds.

Young doctors can also look forward to better training opportunities, with $120 million to be spent on strengthening specialist training programmes over the next five years.


talkback 1 - 3 of 9 responses to "A grant to lure them home?" John PotusUpdated 11:50 PM March 10, 2010Not a good idea to come home.

It will be a nightmarish time serving your 5 year bond? in the restructured hospitals.

And you will always play 2nd fiddle to those cheap foreign doctors.Report AbuseAnne LiuUpdated 09:10 PM March 10, 2010They take in a lot of PR... PAY FULL Med course fee for them, They become DOCTORS... PRs favourite PRs, Med sch in NUS have n?! % of PR's kid... so... Singaporean pay big bucks send their kid oversea to do Med, OUR excellent local kids become PR of others, contribute to others???!!! now they said short of DOCTORS??? Doctors works long hours!! Where are all those heavy funded scholars/PR? selling food in NUS?? Become chef? Merchant? PAP cannot be WRONG!!!Report AbusehogwashUpdated 05:53 PM March 10, 2010The minister is always behind the curve, reacting only when things get blown up. It has always been known that there is a doctor shortage, and now the beds crunch. Why do we pay civil servants so much to do so little?
When is the MOH and the minister going to address the long hours put in by the doctors.
Overseas students should do a proper assessment of working conditions before they return. Many will not be able to tolerate the 30+ hours oncall.

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Would like to share my experience on the following brands:
1) Mitsubishi Electric - Reliable brand as it has been in the market for many years, other than the ad by Jack Neo, it has been quoted 1 of the cheapest spare parts among other brands. It has a good back up servcice for its products.

2) Mitsubishi Heavy Industries - Has also been in the market for a while but major in big AHU and industrial air conditioning. However, does not have strong back up service group. Tried its invertor muilti split system a few years back, but was disappointed when it started to break down in 3 years time (Not sure abt the current ones). Nonetheless, the price are cheap for a system 3/4 invertor system

3) Panasonic - Previously known as "National", has been very famous in both Singapore & Malaysia in the early to mid 90s for its reliable compressor and spare parts does not give problem even after 5 - 6 years. After taking over by panasonic, it still retains its reliablilty in the market. Also famous for its built in air purification with the air con system.

4) Daikin - Daikin has been established in Sg for more than 30years. A reliable brand to trust not just in sg and also other countries. Has very strong backup service team. The are so call the first brand to introduce the invertor system. However, Daikin are well known for its expensive system and the spare parts can be very expensive when you need parts replacment.

5) Toshiba - Rumour said that that they inverted the invertor system but due to funding probem, they sold the invention to daikin. But they are the first to introduce the CFC free R410(if i remember) invertor system. Was very popular in the year 2000 to 2005. Still holding strong until today, but has not that strong back up service team and spare parts can be ex too. Although they have merged with Carrier, they are still ppopular in the market.

Above are just my opinion on the brands i come across with during the pass 10 over years in this trade.

Porfirio Rubirosa11-09-2009, 02:04 PM
How To Retire - must read. Golfers included

4 Pre-Conditions for Retirement
I retired in year 2000 at age 52. I am now 61, thus I can claim that I got more
experience at retirement than most!
I thought I should share my experience with mariners because I have seen too many
friends and neighbours
who became so bored that they have become a nuisance to their spouse and children and to
others!
A few of them have solved the problem by going back to work.
They were able to do so because they have a skill/expertise that is still in demand.
The rest (and many are my neighbours) live aimlessly or are waiting to die - a very sad
situation, indeed.

You can retire only when you fulfil these 4 pre-conditions:
1.Your children are financially independent (e.g. they got jobs)
2.You have zero liability (all your borrowings are paid up)
3.You have enough savings to support your lifestyle for the rest of your life, AND most
importantly,
4.You know what you would be doing during your retirement.

DO NOT retire till you meet ALL 4 Pre-Conditions. And of course you should not retire if
you enjoy working and are getting paid for it!
The problem cases I know of are those who failed to meet Pre-Condition #4.

When asked, "What would you be doing during your retirement?" Some replied, "I will
travel/cruise and see the World".
They did that, some for 3 months and then ran out of ideas.
The golfers replied, "I can golf every day." Most could not because they are no longer
fit to play well enough to enjoy the game.
Those who could, need to overcome another hurdle - they need to the find the "kakis" to
play with them.
It's the same with mahjong, bridge, badminton, trekking and karaoke - you need "kakis"!
Most could not find others who share their favourite game and playing/singing alone is
no fun.
AND when they do find them, a few of them found that they are NOT welcomed like my
obnoxious neighbour whom everyone avoids..

Thus if you are into group sports or games, you must form your groups BEFORE you retire.

You need to identify your "kakis", play with them and discover whether they "click" with
you.
The less sporty "can read all the books bought over the years".
I know of one guy who fell asleep after a few pages and ended up napping most of the
time!
He discovered that he did not like to read after all. We do change and we may not enjoy
the hobbies we had..

Routine Activities To Fill Your Week

For most people, your routine work activities are planned for you or dictated by others
and circumstances.
When you retire, you wake up to a new routine - one that you yourself have to establish
as nobody else would do it for you!
The routine to establish should keep your body, mind and spirit "sharpened". A good
routine would comprise:
a) One weekly physical sport - you need to keep fit to enjoy your retirement.
If you are the non-sporty type, you should fire your maid and clean your home without
mechanical aids.
Dancing and baby-sitting are good alternatives.
b) One weekly mind stimulating activity - e.g. writing, studying for a degree, acquiring
a new skill, solving problems or puzzles, learn or teach something.
You need to stimulate your mind to stay alive because the day you stop using your brain
is the day you start to die.

c) One weekly social activity - choose one involving lots of friends/neighbours.
Get yourself accepted as a member to at least 3 interests groups.
Unless you prefer to be alone, you do need friends more than ever as you get older and
less fit to pursue your sport.

d) One weekly community service activity - you need to give to appreciate what you have
taken in this life.
It's good to leave some kind of legacy.

With 4 weekly activities, you got 4 days out of 7 covered.

The remaining 3 days should be devoted to family related activities. In this way, you
maintain a balance between amusing yourself and your family members.
Any spare time should remain "spare" so that you can capitalise on opportunities that
come your way like responding to an unexpected request to do a job or to take advantage
of cheap fares to see places or to visit an exhibition.

Mind stimulating activities
Most judges live to a ripe old age. They use their brains a lot to decide on cases. I am
sure MM Lee's brain works overtime.
He's 80+ and still going strong. In "Today" you would have read of 2 inspiring oldies.
One is a granny who learned to play the guitar at age 60 to entertain his grandchildren.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Porfirio Rubirosa11-09-2009, 02:05 PM
She's 70+ today and those grandchildren have grown to play with her.
Another is an Indian radiologist who on retirement, qualified as an acupuncturist.
He's age 77 and still offers his services (by appointment only) including free ones to
those who have no income.
I guaranteeyou that they are happy people who discovered a "2nd wind" to take them to
the sunset with a smile on their faces.
Mind stimulating activities are hard to identify.
They require your will to do something useful with the rest of your life, a mindset
change and the discipline to carry it through.
Your Bucket List

Despite your busy routine, you will at times be bored. Then it's time to turn to your
Bucket List.
Your bucket list contains a list of things to do before you kick the bucket. They are
not routine and are usually one off activities.
You need them to have something to look forward to.
These include anniversaries, trips (and pilgrimages), visits to friends and relations
abroad, re-doing your home, tending conferences (related to your hobbies), acquiring a
new set of expertise. 4 such activities that are spaced our quarterly would be ideal.

Retirement Is A Serious Business

If you can afford to retire and want to, do prepare to live to your fullest.
You need to be fit to enjoy it - therefore get into shape now.
You do not want to get up on a Monday and wonder what to do each week, therefore
identify your set of weekly routine activities now and try them out to confirm that they
are the activities that you will be looking forward to doing each week, week after week.

You bucket list of "rewards" or "projects" or"challenges" is needed to help you break
away from the routine thereby make live worth living.
Start listing what you fancy and refine it as you chug along in your retirement.
You will have so much fun, you would wish you were retired since your turned 21!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jabba11-09-2009, 02:51 PM
The retirees i frequently met are happily shouting "Picture!" on leisure world...and they dun seem to be short of kakis...

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SamuelStalin12-09-2009, 01:19 AM
Oh Portfolio Robinrose I LOVE GOLF!!!! ;);););););)

And for watching I smile when the greats strut the greens with their caddies while the multitudes of losers and journeymen just watch and follow from behind the approved lines.

Anyway I'm glad I'm not born too early. Those fuddie duddies, of course old people should be somewhat respected, but I'm also glad I'm not them living their kind of life. They are older and old, they feel unwanted by society, and, they seem to be quite clueless about how to live their lives upon getting older and retiring ie they don't really know what to do afterwards. Mid-life crisis. Really sad.

To be born later, the better.

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scroobal12-09-2009, 01:40 AM
Assuming you are financially secure, keep to this routine and you will be fine. Get in touch with old school mates (your age group), long lost friends and acquaintences etc. You are bound to find some that are in retirement as well.

Just pick a nice kopi tiam and meet on a regular basis. Get at least 4 kakis or more to cover absences by individuals attending family commitments, medical and other errands.

Don't plan too much, just start talking about politics, the Chua sisters, Chee, Old man, 9/11 etc. Cover local RC members who strut around like peacoks. etc.

When you work, you plan, you organise, you think ahead. In retirement, just get up, do the morning constitution and head to meet the khakis. Shoot the breeze. Every now and then, some will have bright ideas such as attending Photography courses, fishing, going to musuem and trying out Pure Blonde beer at the cafe, Lor 1, geylang for Briyani, Redhill for chicken rice.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

lifeafter4112-09-2009, 02:18 AM
Health, more than anything else is the most important.
Great piece of advice. Thanks!!!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

kingrant12-09-2009, 03:02 AM
All pretty good tips! Tks for the threads.

Agree with Porto mostly. However, finding something mentally challenging to do on a regular basis is not so easy. Even tuition or teaching - it gets boring after a while, esp. when the subject matter is kacang. Some people do sudoku, or play online word games.

Maybe can also extend that tip by scroobal - instead of just coffeeshop talk, which can degenerate to just empty gossip, I guess one can start some chess games with the kakis. Even with giant chess pieces on giant chessboards. That way, the rest can watch with ease. Of course, it is not de rigeur. Do as you please, at yr own time own target...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Porfirio Rubirosa14-09-2009, 06:29 AM
just a quick add on...

nothing beats building strong long term meaningful relationships...better still to be loved and to have loved back...:)

All pretty good tips! Tks for the threads.

Agree with Porto mostly. However, finding something mentally challenging to do on a regular basis is not so easy. Even tuition or teaching - it gets boring after a while, esp. when the subject matter is kacang. Some people do sudoku, or play online word games.

Maybe can also extend that tip by scroobal - instead of just coffeeshop talk, which can degenerate to just empty gossip, I guess one can start some chess games with the kakis. Even with giant chess pieces on giant chessboards. That way, the rest can watch with ease. Of course, it is not de rigeur. Do as you please, at yr own time own target...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SamuelStalin14-09-2009, 07:27 AM
just a quick add on...

nothing beats building strong long term meaningful relationships...better still to be loved and to have loved back...:)

Oh yes I do have a strong long term meaningful relationship with my gramophone. Dad left it for me and we are together to this day. And whenever I need a tune from the old, peaceful days it never lets me down. You don't know how lovingly I clean it fortnightly as well.

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LonewolfAlfa14-09-2009, 09:09 AM
just beware. when getting in touch with long lost friends and making new acquaintences, u will definitely come across a few whom will ask u for a loan.
u are better off avoiding them.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SamuelStalin14-09-2009, 11:43 AM
just beware. when getting in touch with long lost friends and making new acquaintences, u will definitely come across a few whom will ask u for a loan.
u are better off avoiding them.

Quite true actually. Most people are fucks most of the time.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1sickpuppy II14-09-2009, 02:41 PM
Well I think I can retire in 4 years time then.
1. Both my housing loans are fully paid
2. All my children are working overseas and I don't think any of them will be coming back.
3. Will be getting my pension + rental from 1 of my houses and my savings.
4. Continus with my hobby of plastic modeling, gardening and taking care of my 2 dogs.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

scroobal14-09-2009, 11:16 PM
What you need to do immediately is to start networking to assemble a core group of likeminded people. Best of old schoolmates and ex-colleagues of your age group. Also need to create 2 groups (one with wife and one with the boys)

Don't do it when you retire or about to retire. The links tend to evaporate rapidly.

Enjoy.

Well I think I can retire in 4 years time then.
1. Both my housing loans are fully paid
2. All my children are working overseas and I don't think any of them will be coming back.
3. Will be getting my pension + rental from 1 of my houses and my savings.
4. Continus with my hobby of plastic modeling, gardening and taking care of my 2 dogs.

ON FEB 4, I received a letter from HDB informing me that I had violated its rules in buying a subsidised flat from HDB by investing in a private property within five years of my purchase of the HDB flat.

HDB said it had the right to repossess my flat as I had bought it on Sept 1, 1993 and had subsequently invested in a private property without satisfying the five-year minimum occupancy requirement.

I was given two weeks to arrange an interview with HDB to plead my case.

I had obtained approval from HDB before buying the private property but as this was almost 15 years ago, I was worried about finding the documentary proof in time.

After nights of frantic searching, I found the written approval by HDB for the purchase of my private property.

According to the letter of approval, I was allowed to buy the private property because the temporary occupation permit of my intended purchase fell after the five-year occupation requirement.

When my daughter pointed out the error to HDB and asked why it had made the surprise request, she was told HDB needed the documents to facilitate investigation by its audit department and had no record of my letter of approval.

It sounded strange to me because the written approval originated from HDB.

I am concerned that citizens are expected to keep documents from 15 years ago. Should not such records be HDB's responsibility?

What compounds my concern is that the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore advises that all documents be shredded after five years.

There should be a timeframe for HDB to demand documents as it did in my case, relating to approval of such a purchase, perhaps up to five years.

Mavis Ng (Ms)

http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_492034.html

Debt-To-GDP Ratio
What Does Debt-To-GDP Ratio Mean?
A measure of a country's federal debt in relation to its gross domestic product (GDP). By comparing what a country owes and what it produces, the debt-to-GDP ratio indicates the country's ability to pay back its debt. The ratio is a coverage ratio on a national level. Investopedia explains Debt-To-GDP Ratio
This measure gives an idea of the ability of a country to make future payments on its debt. If a country were unable to pay its debt, it would default, which could cause a panic in the domestic and international markets. The higher the debt-to-GDP ratio, the less likely the country will pay its debt back, and the higher its risk of default. This is a list of countries by public debt as percentage of annual gross domestic product, based on The World Factbook, OECD Economic Outlook and IMF estimates.

Economy CIA 2008[1] OECD 2008[2] IMF 2008[3] CIA 2009[4]
Zimbabwe 241.20
Japan 170.40 173.0 198.6
Lebanon 163.50
Jamaica 124.10
Singapore 113.70
Italy 103.70 113.0 104.3
Seychelles 92.60
Greece 90.10 100.8
Sudan 86.10
Egypt 84.70
Bhutan 81.40[5]
Belgium 80.80 92.2
Barbados 80.00 (estimated)
Sri Lanka 78.00
Israel 75.70
Hungary 73.80 71.8
France 67.00 72.5 65.2
Ghana 66.50
Portugal 64.20 70.9
Germany 62.60 64.8 76.4
Canada 62.30 63.0 60.7
United States 60.80 73.2 61.5 83.4[6]
Morocco 60.20
Austria 58.80 62.6
Cote d'Ivoire 58.30
Jordan 58.30
India 58.20
Mauritius 57.20
Uruguay 57.00
Philippines 56.50
Nicaragua 53.60
Tunisia 53.10
Bolivia 52.70
Norway 52.00 45.4
Albania 51.20
Argentina 51.00
Pakistan 49.80
Malawi 49.10
Cyprus 49.00
Croatia 48.90
Colombia 48.00
United Kingdom 47.20 58.7 43.4 68.5
Panama 46.40
Aruba 46.30[7]
Switzerland 44.00 48.1
Netherlands 43.00 54.4
Malaysia 42.70
Thailand 42.00
Poland 41.60 52.8
Syria 41.20
Brazil 40.70
Kenya 40.60
Bosnia and Herzegovina 40.00
Dominican Republic 39.10
Vietnam 38.60
Costa Rica 38.40
Montenegro 38.00[8]
Spain 37.50 44.2
Turkey 37.10
Serbia 37.00[9]
Sweden 36.50 44.6
Macedonia 35.90
Slovakia 35.00 38.0
Bangladesh 34.60
Ethiopia 34.40
Papua New Guinea 34.00
Bahrain 33.20
Finland 33.00 39.6
Cuba 32.80
Korea, South 32.70 32.6
Yemen 31.80
Ireland 31.50 32.8
Taiwan 30.90
Indonesia 30.10
South Africa 29.90
Czech Republic 29.40 36.1
Ecuador 29.20
Trinidad and Tobago 28.00
El Salvador 26.70
Gabon 26.30
Zambia 25.70
Iran 25.00
Peru 24.80
Guatemala 23.70
Iceland 23.00 24.8
New Zealand 22.90 25.3
United Arab Emirates 22.40
Namibia 22.30[10]
Paraguay 22.20
Slovenia 22.00
Tanzania 22.00
Denmark 21.80 28.4
Mozambique 21.40
Senegal 21.40
Moldova 21.30
Honduras 21.00
Mexico 20.30
Uganda 19.50
Venezuela 17.40
Latvia 17.00
Bulgaria 16.70
China 15.70
Gibraltar 15.70[11]
Australia 15.40[12] 14.2
Hong Kong 14.50
Romania 14.10
Algeria 13.80
Uzbekistan 13.60
Saudi Arabia 13.50
Nigeria 12.20
Cameroon 11.90
Lithuania 11.90
Ukraine 10.00
Equatorial Guinea 9.30
Kazakhstan 9.10
Angola 8.70
Kuwait 7.20
Luxembourg 7.20 18.1
Russia 6.80
Qatar 6.00
Wallis and Futuna 5.60[13]
Azerbaijan 5.20
Botswana 5.10
Chile 3.80
Estonia 3.80
Libya 3.60
Oman 2.40

By Matthias Chang
Thursday, 11 February 2010 20:25

This will be one of my shortest articles as it is written as a RED ALERT.

When I send out Red Alerts, it is a dire warning and a call for immediate action to protect your wealth (if there is any remaining).

Of late, I have been reading articles (some of which I have posted to the website) suggesting that Greece would be the trigger for the 2nd wave of the Global Tsunami. Obviously, if Greece defaults and goes belly up, it will have a disastrous effect, but not in the way that I see it.

There may be some manipulated “flight to safety to US dollars” (which itself is a dumb thing to do) in the short run. How can dollar be a currency haven when its value is total junk – toilet paper!

Such so-called “flight to safety” is a reflection of the intensity of the on-going currency warfare, principally between the Dollar and the Euro and skirmishes between the Dollar and the Yuan. But, this manipulation by the US global banks would not last and will be exposed for what it is – a global scam.

Since July last year, policy makers and so-called experts have relied on economic recovery in Asia to spur global growth and the resumption of the good times. Such thinking reflects a muddle mind.

Every economy in Asia is export-orientated and the domestic economies are just too small to take up the drastic fall in exports. Following Bernanke’s reckless lead, they have all jumped on the band wagon of quantitative easing – the printing of massive fiat monies (electronically or otherwise). Inflation has soared!

In an earlier posting to my website, I have indicated that there is a weak link holding up the Asian economies, and it is not China.



It is Singapore - touted by her US financial masters as an island of prosperity and financial stability. This is one of the biggest hoax since the collapse of Lehman Bros.

Singapore’s ratio of debt to GDP is a whopping 99.2 percent.

But no one seems to be taking any notice. Why are they making so much fuss over Greece, when Singapore is worse off?

If Singapore goes belly up, forget about any substantial growth in Asia to spur global recovery. Anyone who knows about the way business is done in the ASEAN region knows too well that if Singapore defaults, Indonesia will be the first to sink, followed rapidly by Thailand and Malaysia. The contagion will then spread to the rest of Asia. China will not be able to put out the fire.

China will survive the turmoil, but barely.

This is my nightmare scenario. And the second Tsunami is coming.

When?

After the failure of Europe to solve the problems of Greece, Spain and Portugal!

But money can be made from this madness.

SHORT THE SINGAPORE DOLLARS AND GET YOUR FUNDS OUT BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE

A FORMER management consultant was convicted of 10 charges of cheating three charities of a total of $5,760 after a trial.

Stephanie Chee Jok Heng, 51, formerly management consultant to Parkway Healthcare Foundation (PHF), Toa Payoh Centre and Geylang Centre, was found guilty of cheating PHF, Toa Payoh Centre and Toa Payoh Centre Ltd of various sums of money between March 2003 and April 2004.

In a separate case, Chee, who has a doctorate and is a qualified nurse, is suing Dr William Tan, 52, a well-known neuroscientist and Paralympian, for the repayment of $400,000 in alleged loans.

In the criminal matter, the prosecution led evidence through several witnesses to show that Chee dishonestly submitted claims for reimbursement from the charities to pay her daughters' piano teacher and the Chinese tutor of one of her daughters.

She was also convicted of making a double claim of payment for treatment rendered to her younger brother, Mr Chee Kin Mun, under the auspices of the PHF's emergency medical fund, for which she had been reimbursed.

District Judge Jasvender Kaur adjourned mitigation and sentencing to March 15. Chee faces a jail term of up to seven years and/or a fine on each charge.

Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew: 'I was on an SIA flight coming home and the air hostess who was serving me, I saw she had a wedding ring, so I said, 'Any children?' She said, 'Not yet.' I said, 'What are you waiting for?' She said, 'For my flat.' So I said, 'Have you got one?' She said, 'Yes, I've got one at Pinnacle@Duxton, on the 48th floor. And I got it on the first booking.' (That's) when the price was lowest. So I said, 'Well, remember that when voting comes.' '

New condo coming up in TP, next to the Icon.

1 Tower 62 Storey high!!Est unit size

1Bedroom (530-608sf)
1Bedroom Loft (805-896sf)
2Bedroom (837-1029sf)
3Bedroom Loft (1636-1729sf)
Penthouse (2444-4054sf)

Facilities:
Level 1- Cuisene @Ground One : F&B
Level 9- Recreation : Gym, 50m Length Lap Pool, Climbing Structure, Game Room, Basketball Halt Court, Tennis court, Leisure pool, Jacuzzi, Cabana, Kid pool, Playground,
Level 18/28/40/52 -Garden Sky Terrence, Sky Garden, Sky Pavilion, Gardens --Last The 360 turning Excitement Club.

6 Sky Terraces w / 63rd as Sky Garden

So anyway, after the various issues with the car shuddering/stuttering (there must be a more technical word for this!), and after seeing my previous mechanic not really sort it out despite the problem being intermitten over the last few months, I decided to try someone new.

The following things were replaced:

1. Pipe line - Air
2. Fuel filter
3. Fan switch - black
4. Injector nozzle (x4)
5. Injector seat (x4)
6. High tension cable
7. Plugs cover set
8. Ignition coil
9. Spark plugs
10. Fuel pump assy
11. Air cleaner mounting


The problems rested with the injectors. The fuel pump was also leaking which needed replacing.

Generally the car is ok now, which is good. Economy wise, I am hitting about 500-510 km before the the warning light comes on.

Now, the engine doesn't cut out when I am reversing and am making a full turn either direction either.

It does feel good driving the car without a general feeling of 'sian-ness' which comes about when you know your ride is not as smooth or 'flawless' as it ought to be!
Pg61

Hi all, well the guys at the MB Shop had my Sprinter back in on Friday 30th May and replaced the fuel line and it starts fine now (it was after they replaced the o ring) so the problem was the fuel line and O ring were damaged when fitted at MB when the van was built but has taken nearly three years for this problem to arise.
I hope if anyone else has this problem what I've found may help.
How they picked up on the problem was, I left the van with them overnight and they hooked it up to the computer before they tried to start it. When they did start it and it stalled the computer told them there was no fuel pressure, so they knew where to look from there.
Happy motoring.
Mike (Richo 1953)