Wednesday, August 22, 2018
WOTC - Lee Hsien Yang in politics
Will Lee Hsien Yang make an impact if he joins Tan Cheng Bock's coalition?
49 % - He will increase the votes for the coalition significantly.
Tuesday, August 21, 2018
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
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.
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
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Monday, August 20, 2018
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
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
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
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.
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
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
Sunday, August 19, 2018
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.
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.
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
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