Identify and authenticate a person

In most countries, the primary method to authenticate a person is the passport. The passport is issued to a person and contains the photograph and other particulars of the holder. It is issued by the government.

The passport is issued on application of a person who wishes to travel to other countries. Many residents do not need to travel, and do not hold a passport.

In Singapore, the NRIC card is issued to every person from a young age. It is used to identify the holder. For example, a child who needs vaccination is identified by the NRIC card.

The other party verifies the photo on the NRIC card against the holder to authenticate the person. Quoting the NRIC No is not sufficient for identification.

Some organizations accept a photocopy of the NRIC card to authenticate a person. This practice is wrong. Anybody can obtained the photocopy and can impersonate the holder. The proper way is to check the photo on the NRIC card for authentication.

The NRIC No is a convenient way to identify a person. This makes it possible to collate the relevant information of a person, e.g. the educational certificate, medical records, ownership of assets.

It is possible for a thief to access the information and misuse it. This theft has to be dealt separately by the law. There is no need to stop the use of the NRIC No to identify a person just because somebody might use the NRIC No fraudulently.

We should recognize the value of the NRIC No and use it properly, rather than avoid the use of the NRIC No.

WOTC - Defamation suits

I asked this question in the Wisdom of the Crowd:

How can bullying by defamation suits be stopped?

Here are the responses: (42 Votes)

43 % - We need to pass a law to allow free speech.
21 % - The people in power should set an example.
19 % - The people who starts the law suit should pay for all of the expenses of the people who are sued.
17 % - The court should throw out these lawsuits

See the pie chart at: 
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=890

A bully

In the school or neighborhood, a bigger, stronger or rougher boy will do things to humiliate a smaller and meeker boy, such as damaging his property or creating fear of physical harm. What can the smaller boy do but suffer the humiliation?

We have also seen this kind of bullying behavior with girls.

We have just seen this kind of childish bullying behavior with adults. I was shocked to see a report from the select committee naming an invited expert as a liar.

What can the expert do to protect his reputation. He can take up a defamation suit. But that would be costly in legal fees and difficult for him to win his case.

This is how the victim of a bully feels. It is unjust, but what can he do?

Shortsighted

I attended a briefing by the Privacy and Data Protection Commission (PDPC) on the recording of NRIC No in computer systems.

The PDPC said that the NRIC No can be recorded if it is allowed by law. If not, the new privacy law does not allow the NRIC No to be recorded.

The PDPC spelled out the situations were the recording is allowed, and other situations were it is not allowed. This includes the recording of NRIC No for lucky draws and for visitors to buildings and condominiums.

The PDPC suggested that a hybrid code comprising of partial NRIC No and other unique identification can be used for identifying the person.

This is absurd. The PDPC expects the private sector to waste a lot of money to change computer systems and an inefficient, costly and confusing way to identify a person.

The PDPC recognizes that the public sector needs to identify a person, but they do not see a similar need in the private sector. I am amazed at this kind of thinking.

The PDPC said that government grants are available to help the small enterprises to cope with the cost of converting the computer system. Why incur this unnecessary and wasteful cost in the first place?

The big companies does not seem to need any help in meeting this additional cost. Of course, they don't. They are able to increase their fees and prices and maintain their profit margins. The is how cost of living can be so high in Singapore.

We will continue to be wasteful when the people in our government is so short sighted.

WOTC - Purchase of weapons

I asked this question in the Wisdom of the Crowd:

Is our purchase of weapons corruption free?

Here are the responses: (47 Votes)

45 % - The corruption takes the form of friendship and hidden incentives
40 % - It is difficult to avoid corruption when the purchases are kept secret.
11 % - I expect the Auditor General Office will carry out the audit.
4 % - I trust that our system will prevent corruption.

See the pie chart at: 
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=889

WOTC - Defense spending

I asked this question in the Wisdom of the Crowd:

Should Singapore reduce defense spending?

Here are the responses: (49 Votes)

57 % - We can reduce the spending by 50%
35 % - We can reduce the spending by 25%.
6 % - We have to maintain the current spending to ensure a strong defence.
2 % - We need to spend more.

See the pie chart at: 
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=888

WOTC - Call center

I asked this question in the Wisdom of the Crowd:

How can the call centers improve the customer service?

Here are the responses: (48 Votes)

63 % - Allow the customer to talk to a call center staff promptly.
17 % - Do not give advertisements and promotions in the automated messages
15 % - Allow customers to request for a call back.
6 % - Do not ask customers to enter NRIC or other credentials.

See the pie chart at: 
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=887

WOTC - PayNow

I asked this question in the Wisdom of the Crowd:

What are your views about PayNow?

Here are the responses: (44 Votes)

36 % - I hardly use it but will do so in the future.
27 % - I am afraid of security issues
18 % - I used it often and find it quite good.
18 % - I find it troublesome to use.

See the pie chart at: 
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=886

WOTC - Merge with Malaysia

I asked this question in the Wisdom of the Crowd:

Should Singapore merge with Malaysia within the next 10 years?

Here are the responses: (49 Votes)

61 % - It is better to be independent. 
18 % - Malaysia will make good progress, so it is time for a merger.
16 % - A merger will provide better prospects for our children.
4 % - We will lower of standard of living when we become part of Malaysia.

See the pie chart at: 
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=885

WOTC - Pay higher wages for unpopular jobs

I asked this question in the Wisdom of the Crowd:

Should we pay higher wages for public sector jobs that are now unpopular?

Here are the responses: (52 Votes)

81 % - It will encourage citizens to take up these jobs.
10 % - This will increase our cost of living
6 % - Outsource the services to the private sector
4 % - Let foreign workers do these jobs.

See the pie chart at: 
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=884

WOTC - Preserve value of HDB flat

I asked this question in the Wisdom of the Crowd:

What is the best way to preserve the value of HDB flats

Here are the responses: (49 Votes)

65 % - Allow lease to be extended at nominal cost.
18 % - Give a grant to owners to buy a new flat on expiry of the lease.
16 % - Allow owners to opt for VERS (voluntary enbloc redevelopment scheme)
0 % - Introduce upgrading (HIP2).

See the pie chart at: 
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=883

The prime minister's salary is transparent

We cannot complain that the prime minister's salary is not transparent. It is clearly stated in this article

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/government-debunks-online-falsehoods-about-ministerial-salaries-including-reports-on-pms

The salary is $2.2 million a year. It is the all-in salary including the 13th month AWS and the national bonus. The prime minister does not receive any performance bonus (which is given to other political office bearers).

If we take the national bonus for the PM as 6 months of salary, we will get the basic salary to be $2.2 million / 17 = $130,000 (say).

The basic salary includes the annual variable component (AVC). You may wonder what this means. Don't bother, just treat it as the basic salary. It is part of the convoluted nature of our life.

We cannot complain that the salary is not transparent. It is $2.2 million all-in.

We can still complain that:

a) The salary of $2.2 million is exorbitant, compared to other world leaders.
b) The salary structure is complicated - basic salary, AVC, national bonus, AWS, etc.

But we cannot complain that it is not transparent, OK?

Win these attractive prizes

You can win these attractive prizes by submitting 10 or more votes on the issues listed in this website.

There are more than 20 active issues, so you can win 2 prizes easily.

http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/page/115

Getting a second opinion on an insurance policy

Hi Mr Tan,
I came across this product. Trouble you to give your analytical views. Is it really that good?
https://www.income.com.sg/…/det…/how-it-works-illustration-2

REPLY
You should ask the insurance advisor to explain the product to you and send you a benefit illustration.
You can approach me for a second opinion.

I give a more detailed explanation of the "second opinion" here:
http://www.fisca.sg/ArticleDisplay.aspx?ID=602

WOTC - Jobs for Graduates

I asked this question in the Wisdom of the Crowd:

Is it easy for graduates to find jobs?

Here are the responses: (51 Votes)

47 % - There are too many graduates and not enough jobs for them.
18 % - The graduates from private universities have a tough time getting a job.
16 % - Many graduates have to be Grab drivers or to sell charity donations.
14 % - Only graduates from good universities can find jobs easily.
6 % - Many graduates can get good paying jobs quite quickly due to a healthy job market.

See the pie chart at: 
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=882

WOTC - Jobs for Singaporeans

I asked this question in the Wisdom of the Crowd:

Does the government policies protect jobs for Singaporeans?

Here are the responses: (49 Votes)

45 % - The government allows influx of foreigners who take jobs away from Singaporeans.
27 % - The government is not able to solve this complex problem.
22 % - The government wants to depress wages for economic growth.
6 % - The government has done its best to ensure that Singaporeans have jobs.

See the pie chart at: 
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=881

Recording of NRIC No to identify a person

Dear Outreach, PDP Commission

Thank you for conducting the briefing and for sending the presentation materials to me.

I suggest the PDP Commission to consider the following suggestions.

a) Review your regulations to allow the use of NRIC No to be recorded into computer systems as a means of identifying a person. This should be allowed for both the private sector, as it is allowed in the public sector (which you indicate as being allowed "by law".

b) This will save the country a lot of money in changing computer systems to avoid the recording of NRIC No as a means of identifying a person. Many of the participants at the briefing are worried about the cost of conversion and the recurrent cost of a less efficient means of identifying a person.

c) One participant sitting next to me agreed with my comments. He commented that "we are going backwards" with the regulation to forbid the recording of NRIC No as a means of identification.

d) The regulation can state that only the NRIC No can be retrieved by scanning the NRIC for building management and other access systems. The other personal information stored on the NRIC cannot be captured. It is easier to make this change in the computer system, rather than to create another form of identification using a combination of name, partial NRIC No, etc. The use of a new form of identification is costly and inefficient..

e) The use of NRIC No to identify a person uniquely should be allowed for lucky draws, membership systems and other purposes where a person has to be identified uniquely.

f) There is no need to fear that the NRIC No can be used to authenticate a person. The authentication has to be done in some other ways, such as checking the photo in the NRIC against the holder or the use of a password, PIN or 2FA for online access and telephone authentication. Leave it to the business entity.

g) I agree with the regulation or law against the retention of the NRIC card.

Thank you.

Asking for a second opinion

Hi Mr Tan,
I came across this product. Trouble you to give your analytical views.  Is it really that good?
https://www.income.com.sg/insurance/life-insurance/whole-life-insurance/vivowealth-solitaire/details/how-it-works-illustration-2

REPLY
You should ask the insurance advisor to explain the product to you and send you a benefit illustration.
You can approach me for a second opinion.

WOTC - US-China trade dispute

I asked this question in the Wisdom of the Crowd:

What do you expect will happen to the US - China trade dispute?

Here are the responses: (55 Votes)

38 % - It will be sorted out within a few months.
29 % - It will drag on for years.
27 % - President Trump will be impeached within a year.
5 % - China will give in to US demands.

See the pie chart at: 
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=880

WOTC - How to deal with Malaysia

I asked this question in the Wisdom of the Crowd:

How should the SG government deal with the MY government?

Here are the responses: (53 Votes)

42 % - We should adopt give and talk and be ready to compromise.
34 % - The SG government should be more flexible towards Malaysia.
15 % - It is difficult to work with Malaysia under Dr. Mahathir's administration.
9 % - We have to be careful and take the legalistic approach.

See the pie chart at: 
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=879

WOTC - Dr. Mahathir's attitude towards Singapore

I asked this question in the Wisdom of the Crowd:

What is Dr. Mahathir's attitude towards Singapore?

Here are the responses: (57 Votes)

47 % - He is focusing on solving the problems in Malaysia and does not pay much attention to Singapore.
26 % - He is anti-Singapore and will find ways to create problems for us.
19 % - He is willing to work with Singapore to find win-win solutions.
7 % - He expects Singapore to help Malaysia in solving its financial problems.

See the pie chart at: 
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=878

High Quality of Life

Vienna, Austria is the city with the best quality of life on the planet, according to a new ranking by Mercer, a human resources consulting firm. Each year, it publishes its Quality of Living report to help companies determine compensation for employees sent to work abroad.

The cities are rated based on 39 factors, grouped into the following 10 categories:

- Social environment including politics and crime
- Economic environment
- Limitations on personal freedoms
- Medical and health considerations
- Schools and education
- Public services and transportation
- Recreation and entertainment
- Consumer goods
- Housing
- Natural environment and climate

Did your city make the 2018 list? Let's take a closer look:

No. Singapore did not make it to the list. In fact, all the cities are in Europe (mostly Germany and Switzerland), Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

None of the cities in USA, UK or Asia make it to the list.

https://www.workandmoney.com/s/quality-of-life-cities-ec09d4e6b0384a73?utm_campaign=highqualitycities-8f9d40142e364e9b&utm_source=twi&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=164749
Here they are:

1. Vienna, Austria
2. Zurich, Switzerland
3. Auckland, New Zealand
4. Munich, Germany
5. Vancouver, Canada
6. Dusseldorf, Germany
7. Frankfurt, Germany
8. Geneva, Switzerland
9. Copenhagen, Denmark
10. Basel, Switzerland
11. Sydney, Australia
12. Amsterdam, Holland
13 Berlin, Germany
14 Bern, Switzerland
15 Wellington, New Zealand
16 Melbourne, Australia
17 Toronto, Canada
18. Luxembourg, Luxembourg
19. Ottawa, Canada
20. Hamburg, Germany

Conduct referendums in Singapore

I like the concept of referendum that is being conducted every three months in Switzerland.

The citizens are asked to give their votes on specific issues, e.g. should we continue national service? should we allow more immigrants? should we de-criminalize gay sex?

The results of the referendum guide their government in setting the policies and their parliament in passing new laws.

This is a good way to reflect the wishes of the people.

In many countries, the members of parliament vote based on vested interest or the interests of their financial supporters, who are the super rich. They do not reflect the wishes of the ordinary people.

This is the case in America. The voting is based on the wishes and interest of the super rich. Although the congressmen give their reasons for their voting decision, the ordinary people could see through their lies.

The situation is worse in Singapore. The law makers do not even give their reasons. There is a lack of transparency.

It is important to adopt the referendum system to give democracy its true meaning.

If we conduct referendums in Singapore, the work can be reduced considerably.

Most voters will opt to vote online using their SingPass. A secure system can be designed that is tamper proof and have adequate control and audit.

Voters who do not have online access can go to vote at the community centers.

Voting is NOT compulsory. Only those interested in the issue can take the trouble to vote. It will reflect the views of those who are impacted, one way or the other.

I know that it will never happen in Singapore, due to the wish of the people in power to preserve their power, rather than listen to the people. Maybe this is another reason for the voters to vote for a new government..

WOTC - Section 377A

I asked this question in the Wisdom of the Crowd:

Should Singapore repeal section 377A (which make gay sex illegal)?

Here are the responses: (59 Votes)

37 % - Allow the gays to have their choice.
36 % - We should keep section 337A.
14 % - We should repeal section 337A and allow gay sex.
14 % - Many countries are now more liberal; we should follow them.

See the pie chart at: 
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=877

WOTC - Clearance at causeway

I asked this question in the Wisdom of the Crowd:

Should the government speed up the checkpoint clearance at causeway?

Here are the responses: (69 Votes)

68 % - Yes. They should improve efficiency.
30 % - Yes. It is bad to waste people's time and cause delay.
1 % - No. They can't do anything due to heavy traffic.
0 % - No need. They should discourage Singaporeans going to Johore.

See the pie chart at: 
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=876

WOTC - High Speed Rail

I asked this question in the Wisdom of the Crowd:

Is it beneficial to have a High Speed Rail between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur?

Here are the responses: (61 Votes)

36 % - The project is costly and not feasible.
33 % - It will help to develop business in these two cities.
23 % - Most people will prefer to travel by air, bus or car
8 % - It will increase contacts and friendship.

See the pie chart at: 
http://www.wisdomofthecrowd.sg/chart.aspx?ID=875