KTM train to Johore Bahru

I took the KTM train to Johore Bahru two weeks ago.

My friend told me that this is the best way to avoid the heavy jam at the causeway. He was delayed by 3 hours on his previous trip.

The cost of the KTM trip was $5. It was rather steep, but we agreed to pay it to avoid the jam.

There was a train every 70 minutes, so it was necessary to check the schedule. We bought the ticket on the spot.

I was surprised that there were clearance from Singapore (exit) and Malaysia (entry) at the same building. It just require 1 minute of walking from one checkpoint to the next.

There was no queue. We went through the checkpoint immediately. The train was rather empty.

The journey was only 5 minutes. We arrived at the JB train station. There was no need to clear the checkpoint as we had already done it in Singapore.

It should be possible to have a train every 15 minutes, if there is demand. If the fare is reduced to $2, I am sure that many people will prefer to take the train to avoid the jam.

WOTC - SAF top brass

I asked this question in the Wisdom of the Crowd:

Is it advisable to rely on SAF top brass to run the country?

Here are the responses: (75 Votes)

56 % - They do not have experience in non-military matters.
40 % - The military approach is not suitable for a country.
1 % - They are capable of dealing with major issues.
1 % - They are good in people management.
1 % - We can rely on their loyalty to the country

See the pie chart at: 
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=824

WOTC - Scholars to lead the country

I asked this question in the Wisdom of the Crowd:

Is it advisable to rely on our scholars to lead the country?

Here are the responses: (82 Votes)

40 % - They tend to be self centered and selfish.
35 % - They cannot understand the lives of ordinary people.
18 % - They are elitist in their thinking.
6 % - They can balance intelligence with humility.
0 % - They are the most capable people in each cohort.

See the pie chart at: 
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=823

Pick the "low lying fruits"

I adopt the strategy of "pick the low lying fruits".

These are projects that are easy to implement, not costly, and can produce significant results.

Here are two examples:

a) The two governments will spend a few hundred million dollars to build the MRT link to Johore Bahru. It will take 6 years to be ready.

The low lying fruit is to increase the capacity of the KTM Trebau Shuttle, linking Singapore to Johore, by 5 times. The trains will run at 15 minute intervals, rather than an average of 75 minutes. It can be implemented within a month and can cut down the jam on the causeway.

The train fare can be reduced to $2 to encourage more people to use it.

b) The Ministry of Health is building an electronic Health Record system. It will take many years and a few hundred million dollars to get it ready. The value of this system is questionable.

The low lying fruit is to build a system to store the drug alergies of each patient and the health checkup records. This system can be ready in a short time. It will use information that are already captured in existing systems. The doctors will find this information to be useful to give proper treatment to patients and to avoid unnecessary tests. They do not need to ask the patient for these information.

This approach of "picking the low lying fruits" can improve our productivity and reduce our cost. It is the way to go ... to be a Smart Nation.

Tan Kin Lian

Health information system

After the SingHealth database hack, the Ministry of Health is now delaying the implementation of the electronic health record (eHR) project. They are worried that the hackers can get access to the sensitive information.

I like to suggest this approach.

a) Create a simple system to allow the doctors to provide essential information about each patient.
b) The essential information are drug allergies and health checks.
c) Hospitals, polyclinics and medical laboratries can contribute to this system, with permission from the patients.
d) Private and public doctors and nurses can apply to have access to the system.
e) All access will be logged to ensure that unauthorised accessed can be traced.

Recently, I learned that the Health Promotion Board was maintaining a separate database of the health checkups. They rely on information provided by the patients. This is costly and unreliable. If the patients are not aware, there will be duplicate and unnecessary tests being carried out.

HDB Lease

Why do HDB owners have to pay property tax when they are not the owners but only the lessee?

Answer - it is a condition of the lease. When a lease has a tenure of more than 6 years, it is usual for the landlord to specify that the lessee has to pay the property tax, in addition to the rent.

The landlord wants to collect the rent and be protected against future increase in property tax.

In the case of the HDB flat, the lessee has to pay an upfront premium, instead of a monthly rent, for the 99 year lease.

The HDB lease is not the same as a leasehold on a private property, because it has some conditions tied to the use and resale of the property. Apart from these special conditions, it is similar to ownership of a leasehold of private property.

WOTC - PAP and votes

I asked this question in the Wisdom of the Crowd:

Which factor will cause PAP to lose most votes?

Here are the responses: (68 Votes)

63 % - Lack of transparency and arrogance.
18 % - Increase in GST
9 % - High minister's salary
7 % - Increase in water, electricity and transport fares.
3 % - More breakdown in MRT trains

See the pie chart at: 
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=822

WOTC - Key goal in education

I asked this question in the Wisdom of the Crowd:

What should be the key goal in education?

Here are the responses: (69 Votes)

35 % - Educate the child and give them time to enjoy their childhood.
33 % - Ensure that every child can read, write and have a good character.
28 % - Prepare the child to survive in a competitive world.
4 % - Encourage every child to excel and compete to be scholars.

See the pie chart at: 
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=821

WOTC - New CEO of SMRT

I asked this question in the Wisdom of the Crowd:

Do you agree that the new CEO of SMRT should take public transport to work?

Here are the responses: (68 Votes)

37 % - I still need him to solve the rail breakdown problem.
24 % - It is a short term public relations stunt
21 % - Government ministers should do the same.
19 % - It is a good start.

See the pie chart at: 
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=820

WOTC - Learn a new subject

I asked this question in the Wisdom of the Crowd:

Which method do you prefer to learn a new subject?

Here are the responses: (72 Votes)

61 % - Watch a video
22 % - Read a book
10 % - Listen to a podcast
7 % - Ask a friend
0 % - I stopped learning

See the pie chart at: 
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=819

Central planning

Central planning by socialist countries failed in the past. But that was a different era.

Today, central planning is likely to succeed. Why?

We are in the age of the Internet. We have large volumes of data that can be used for planning.

It is easy to measure the results and to communicate them quickly to all the relevant parts of the organization. This will help to achieve the goal of efficiency and accountability.

Large organizations have central planning. They describe it as "corporate planning". The need to plan their corporate goals and have them achieved through decentralized execution. They measure the results and performance of the different parts of the organization and act on the results.

The key difference between the central planning of a private enterprise and of a government is in the goal that is being pursued.

A private enterprise is driven to achieve the maximum profit, usually by suppressing wages, overcharging and delivering inferior quality at lower cost.

The aim of the government should be to deliver the public goods in a cost efficient manner by using the cost plus method.

If the government provides a subsidy, they will have means to ensure that the subsidy is distributed equitably and that nobody abuses the subsidy for personal gain. Examples of subsidized public goods are basic education and health care.

There is still room for the private sector to cater for wealthy people who can pay for better quality.

But ordinary people would prefer to have their basic needs met at low cost. They want low cost of living.

Do not be fooled by people who imply that central planning by government is bad. It did not work in the past for various reasons. But it can work well today. And it is a better way to deliver public goods and lower the cost of living for ordinary people.

Tan Kin Lian

Repair and maintenance of HDB estates

As our HDB estates and flats get older, they will need to be repaired, maintained and replaced.

We need to create a new way of handling the work at low cost.

The current practice of tendering is wasteful and costly. It may end up with high cost and shoddy work in many cases.

What is the alternative.

We can form a state owned company to carry out the work on a cost plus model. It is like in the old days where the HDB was able to build the flats at low cost through planning and economy of scale.

This company can order the required materials in bulk at low cost. They can also train local workers to do the work and provide continuity of employment at fair wages.

Owners who have special requirements can engage private contractors. Those who are happy with basic work done at low cost can engage this company that operates on a cost plus model.

There is a need to ensure that this company operates efficiently and do not work in a corrupt manner. This can be controlled through proper supervision. This company will operate through several operating divisions. The performance of the divisions can be compared and identify inefficiency.

The operating principle is to produce an acceptable quality of work at a low cost. It is not to generate the most profit to provide bonuses to managers or owners.

I believe that such a model can work. We can give it a try. But we have to put in the time and effort to make sure that it is properly managed.

WOTC - Salary of SMRT CEO

I asked this question in the Wisdom of the Crowd:

What is a reasonable annual basic salary for the new CEO of SMRT?

Here are the responses: (63 Votes)

83 % - $500,000
13 % - $1,000,000
3 % - $1,500,000
2 % - $2,000,000
0 % - $2,500,000 or more

See the pie chart at: 
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=818

WOTC - Li Hongyi in politics

I asked this question in the Wisdom of the Crowd:

Is it a good strategy for PAP to field Li Hongyi for the next general election?

Here are the responses: (76 Votes)

42 % - It will be seen as nepotism,.
39 % - Singapore will be doomed.
12 % - He should contest in a single ward to test his popularity.
7 % - It will provide certainty for the future succession to lead Singapore.

See the pie chart at: 
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=817

WOTC - Former PAP MPs

I asked this question in the Wisdom of the Crowd:

Will it help if Tan Cheng Bock's coalition can recruit a few former PAP MPs?

Here are the responses: (69 Votes)

49 % - It will increase the votes for the coalition significantly.
25 % - It will increase the votes for the coalition slightly.
12 % - The former PAP MPs will be disliked by the opposition voters.
7 % - It will be negative for the coalition.
7 % - The former PAP MPs have experience.

See the pie chart at: 
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=816

WOTC - Lee Hsien Yang in politics

I asked this question in the Wisdom of the Crowd:

Will Lee Hsien Yang make an impact if he joins Tan Cheng Bock's coalition?

Here are the responses: (81 Votes)

49 % - He will increase the votes for the coalition significantly.
27 % - People will not trust him, as he is from the Lee family.
14 % - It will increase the votes for the coalition slightly.
10 % - It will be negative for the coalition.

See the pie chart at: 
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=815

Merdeka Generation Package

Those born in the "Merdeka Generation" should not celebrate the "Merdeka Generation Package".

Why?

Are you not the generation that spent 2 and half years to serve National Service and another 15 years for reservist training that disrupt your career?


Are you not the generation that paid a higher price for your HDB flat?

Are you really so well off that can afford the exorbitant medical expenses that have increased mercilessly during the past decade?

Surely, the government can give you the same benefits as those expended to the "Pioneer Generation"?

Why does this penny pinching government not extend the PG package to your generation?

Why do they have to create a new package and give you less that what you need, less than what you deserve?

And this bad decision is taken after they have increased the water charges, electricity charges, transport charges and other charges that added to the cost of living? This is not counting the increase in GST to 9% that will be implemented in the near future.

Yes, the Merdeka Generation Package is better than nothing. Surely, as citizens you deserve more than nothing, after all the sacrifices that you made for your country?

Tan Kin Lian

Restructure the bus system

I have now modified my proposal for an express bus system that connects 10 regions. Each region will have 2 interchanges.

If a bus travels from region A to region B, it will stop at 4 interchanges, including the starting point. In between, they will travel on the expressway.

With 10 regions, we need 45 express services. We do not need 330 bus services.

From the interchanges, there will be feeder buses to the nearby areas.

For example, Toa Payoh and Bishan can be considered as one region. Similar Serangoon and Hougang can be considered as 1 region. Ang Mo Kio is big enough to be a separate region on its own, so it have two interchanges.

Most people can take a local bus to an interchange and take an express bus to another interchange and a local bus to the final destination.

Under the new system, the interchange will have only 9 express services to the other regions and perhaps 4 local services. It will be more manageable than the current system.

The interchanges are also connected to the MRT station. They can transfer to the MRT station also.

My view on VERS

The voluntary enbloc redevelopment scheme (VERS) that the HDB will introduce in 20 years time is a good scheme. It allows HDB owners to sell their 70 year old flats back to HDB and get cash.

But the owners should have a realistic expectation. They cannot expect a windfall gain.

Why?

You are selling back to HDB. HDB will give you a fair price, but it will not be a windfall.

Remember, the government has plenty of land, so HDB does not need to offer you a windfall price for your old HDB flat to tear it down. It is easier for HDB to buy empty land from the government.

After you get the cash from the VERS, you should expect to pay three times of that amount to get a similar flat in the same location.

Why 3 times? You are getting a fresh 99 year lease instead of a 30 year lease. You are also getting a new flat to replace an old flat.

If your old flat has a lower density, maybe, you can get a better price, so you do not need to pay 3 times to get a new flat.

You can buy a smaller flat or move to a remote location. That is a sensible move.

Still, the VERS gives HDB owners an option, but it will not be a windfall.

Tan Kin Lian

NRIC disclose year of birth

When the NRIC started, a sequential number was given. If we kept to this system, we would be able to keep to the S series as we have not passed 10 million of citizens yet.

Somebody decided that the first two digits should be the year of birth. This was a stupid decision.

Suddenly, there is some sensitive information in the NRIC. Some people don't want their age to be disclosed.

It became necessary for the NRIC to be kept secret.

Furthermore, we run out of S series under the new millennium and have to introduce the T series.

This has been a costly mistake. It was made by bureaucrats and scholars living in the ivory tower.

It could have been avoided if these issues were better discussed in public or in parliament.

This is the weakness and flaw of the Singapore system under the PAP.

It was all right during the first generation of civil servants, but it became very bad after that.

Investing in old flats

The government is probably worried that they will end up holding too many HDB flats that they had bought under the lease buyback scheme.

They should not be afraid of this outcome.

There is nothing wrong with the government owning assets. Just look at the trillions that are owned by the government in government buildings and land.

What is the problem of adding a few more billions under HDB for the lease buyback scheme?

What happens when the lessees eventually die and the flats revert to HDB?

These flats can be rented out to young people who are waiting for the new HDB flat. It will help to get young people to marry younger and start a family.

If the HDB does not want to manage the rental of these flats, they can appoint an operating company to manage it. This follows the model adopted by the Land Transport Authority.

The government can also buy the old flats outright, i.e. not under the lease buyback scheme. They can make these flats available for rental to young people and also to old people.

We need to create a more active market and ensure that the HDB flats are put to better use. We need to create a health supply and demand for the old flats.

The government needs to rethink and change its operating model and keep up with the times.

Tan Kin Lian

Move away from the fallacy of "investment" in leasehold property

The government should get away from the fallacy that purchasing a HDB flat is an investment.

Why?

The HDB flat will eventually have no value at the end of the lease. It is just advance payment for the remainder of the lease.

If the lease is long, the lessee pays a higher price. If it is shorter, the lessee pays a lower price.

There is no commercial sense in forcing the lessee to buy only long lease flats "for investment". Currently, the lessee has to buy a flat with a remaining lease of at least 60 years or if the remaining age plus the remaining lease exceed 90 years.

The government should just allow the remaining lease to be 30 years or longer for a start. 30 years is long enough. Eventually, the remaining lease requirement could be shortened to 10 years.

Why force the buyer to lock up so much savings in the advance payment for a long tease?

By freeing up the market, the government will allow the existing owner to cash out their old flats. This will be good for both buyer and seller. It will create a more "normal" market.

This will require the use of CPF to be relaxed for paying for leases below 60 years.

Let us get away from the fallacy that a long lease is an investment. All leaseholds will decay to zero value at the end of the lease.

Tan Kin Lian

Extend lease buyback scheme to the commercial banks

The government has now decided to extend the Lease Buyback scheme to owners of 5 room flats. Previously, it was restricted only to 3 and 4 room flats.

This extension make sense, as the some owners of 5 room flats also need this facility.

Anyway, it is up to the government to set the price and terms for the lease buyback. They have a monopoly of this business. The commercial banks are restricted from dealing with it.

Since the banks are allowed to give loans on new flats, there is no reason to restrict the banks from the lease buyback scheme. They should now be allowed to enter into this market and give some competition to the government, which seemed to operate this monopoly to make a profit.

WOTC - Cap on legal fees

I asked this question in the Wisdom of the Crowd:

Should the government set caps on legal fees?

Here are the responses: (43 Votes)

44 % - Yes, for all types of legal work, except highly specialized work
37 % - Yes, for standard contracts that ordinary people have to rely on.
9 % - Yes, for litigation in court.
9 % - Leave it to market competition.

See the pie chart at: 
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=814

WOTC - Businesses and Pay Now

I asked this question in the Wisdom of the Crowd:

Will you use PayNow to pay your bills to businesses?

Here are the responses: (45 Votes)

38 % - Quite likely. It is more convenient than writing cheques
22 % - I will give it a try.
22 % - I do not trust Internet payment.
13 % - I have no money in my bank account.
4 % - I prefer to write cheques

See the pie chart at: 
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=813

Wasteful duplication

Here is another example of the wastefulness that is quite common in Singapore.

We spend hundreds of million of dollars to implement new systems, when the information is already available in existing systems, and they are not being used.

http://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=296

Health Promotion Board - no access to basic information

At the Health Promotion Board booth in Ang Mo Kio polyclinic, I had this conversation with the staff.

Staff - have you taken a blood test recently?
TKL - yes, at a private GP
Staff - what about colon examination?
TKL - I had a colonoscopy recently at Khoo Teck Kuat Hospital.
Staff - when was it?
TKL - I cannot remember. The hospital is within your same group. Don't you have access to this information?
Staff - No.

Well - why is the MOH launching the national electronic health record system, when simple information is not integrated? It sees that the Health Promotion Board is working in isolation and not having access to basic information like dates and status of health checks. Instead, they know want all doctors to record all visits.

Singapore is wasteful in our approach towards the Smart Nation.

Allow CPF to be fully withdrawn at 55

Most people are expected to work to age 65 and beyond. Those that are still healthy will prefer to continue working.

But we should give them the option to withdraw their CPF savings at age 55, if they wish to.

Here are the reasons:

a) Some of them need to use the savings to pay off debts, due to medical bills, children's education and other reasons.
b) Those who do not need the money can still keep them in CPF to earn interest.
c) Many may want the chance to travel to other countries, while they are still healthy and can walk.

There is the risk that some of them will squander off their savings, or will make bad investments. This risk can be better through giving proper financial counselling.

Considering the pros and cons, we should ask the government to revert to the old scheme to allow CPF to be withdrawn at age 55.

Tan Kin Lian

WOTC - Preferred quality for MP

I asked this question in the Wisdom of the Crowd:

Who do you prefer as your MP in Parliament?

Here are the responses: (47 Votes)

57 % - A person who can work full time in this job
17 % - An older person who is wiser through experience.
13 % - A retired person who has the time to serve the country and does not need the income.
6 % - A young person who understands the aspirations of the young.
6 % - A capable person who can earn a high income in other professions 

See the pie chart at: 
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=812

WOTC - Preferred economic system

I asked this question in the Wisdom of the Crowd:

What economic system do you prefer?

Here are the responses: (45 Votes)

36 % - Better protection for lower income people, with more controls.
33 % - A regulated market with less inequality.
16 % - A free market with the chance to make a lot of money.
13 % - Higher income tax to provide social benefits.
2 % - A growing economy fed by a bigger population

See the pie chart at: 
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=811

WOTC - PAP or Opposition

I asked this question in the Wisdom of the Crowd:

Will you support PAP or Opposition?

Here are the responses: (53 Votes)

57 % - I support opposition unconditionally
28 % - I support opposition only if they have credible candidates
15 % - I support opposition only if they have credible platform.
0 % - I support PAP.
0 % - I support opposition only if they have a chance to form the government.

See the pie chart at: 
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=810

The Merdeka Generation package

Those born in the "Merdeka Generation" should not celebrate the "Merdeka Generation Package".

Why?

Are you not the generation that spent three years to serve National Service and another 15 years for reservist training that disrupt your career?

Are you not the generation that paid a higher price for your HDB flat?

Are you really so well off that can afford the exorbitant medical expenses that have increased mercilessly during the past decade?

Surely, the government can give you the same benefits as those expended to the "Pioneer Generation"?

Why does this penny pinching government not extend the PG package to your generation?

Why do they have to create a new package and give you less that what you need, less than what you deserve?

And this bad decision is taken after they have increased the water charges, electricity charges, transport charges and other charges that added to the cost of living? This is not counting the increase in GST to 9% that will be implemented in the near future.

Yes, the Merdeka Generation Package is better than nothing. Surely, as citizens you deserve more than nothing, after all the sacrifices that you made for your country?

Tan Kin Lian

KTM shuttle to Johor Bahru

The KTM shuttle from Woodlands to Johore Bahru takes 5 minutes to complete the journey. The boarding and alighting time can be 2 mins. It should be possible to complete a return journey within 15 mins.

Currently, the average interval between the trains is 75 mins. It should be possible to increase the capacity by 5 times.

Each trip can carry 320 passengers or a total of 1,600 passengers an hour, or 20,000 a day.

This can relief the jam on the causeway somewhat.

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/new-shuttle-train-service-will-take-singapore-commuters-to-jb-in-just-five

If you go to Johore through the train checkpoint, you pass through the two checkpoints in the same building. It can clear quick quickly.

WOTC - Pension for people above 75

I asked this question in the Wisdom of the Crowd:

Should the government give a pension to people above 75 years old?

Here are the responses: (46 Votes)

46 % - Yes, it should be given to everyone above 75 years.
26 % - Yes, only to people who has no income and no savings.
15 % - Yes $500 a month
13 % - No. They should rely on their CPF.
0 % - No. They should rely on public assistance scheme.

See the pie chart at: 
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=809

WOTC - GST statement on "mediocre people"

What is your view of Goh CT after his "mediocre" statement?

Here are the responses: (52 Votes)
54 % - I never like him anyway.
31 % - I lost my respect for him.
12 % - He is better than Lee HL.
4 % - It was a slip of the tongue.
0 % - I still respect him a lot.

See the pie chart at:
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=808