sent on Fri, 19 May 2006 to TODAY Newspaper

To The Editor
TODAY, Voices


I would like to give my feedback on the CPF issue. I am surprised that NTUC is agreeable to CPF being sustained as it is. Please be informed that this will be injustice to a lot of workers who are in firms that do not termed themselves to NWC recommendations. The onus will be on NTUC to have the NWC guidelines be mandatory to all companies, firms or businesses, unless they substantiate their losses.
Please note that although this may be a small percentage of the working force, we do not want to marginalize the workers. Many of us have bought flats based on the 40 per cent CPF contributions and took loans for 25 years. Now we are short of contributions to cover the monthly installments.
The employers pay only 13 per cent. If the real intention of the union is to have employees carry more cash than the contributions should be reversed. In other words the employee should be paying 13 per cent and the employer 20 per cent, instead.
I would also like to reiterate, unless we may have forgotten, the CPF is for sole to ensure we have enough funds to see us through and not for the purpose of buying flats. We end up using that bulk of the CPF for purchasing a house and having none minimal from the CPF for food, medical, transportation, bills in later years. I hope that the intention of the NTUC is not for us to sell our flats as collateral. This will only be done on a last resort. Trust me this amount would diminish in a very short time, too and than what.
I would seriously urge NTUC to check with CPF board on the numbers of its members who are in arrears and have no or minimum contributions in their ordinary account. Although the percentage may be small please note that we wish not to be marginalized. We need to be represented and our plights heard.
I also believe that the CPF Board could have invested our special account savings on insurance that will yield better revenue upon retirement.
In view of the above I feel it is unfair to have the CPF not reinstated to its original 50 or 40 per cent in good times. It would be appropriate to have it reinstated and than implement that it would not be “touched” than “touch” it and have it implemented later. I have been looking forward to an increase this year and this is a big let down.

UNPUBLISHED LETTERS IN NEWSPAPERS

Letter to TODAY sent on Wed, 2O Jun 2006 - Unpublished

Thank you for your contribution to our VOICES section, but I'm afraid we aren't able to use your letter.

Please however continue to send your views to TODAY. We try to use as many letters as possible, space permitting.

Once again, thank you for your interest in TODAY.

Best Regards,

Shanthi

-----Original Message-----
From: Nick Pedro
Sent: 20 June 2006 11:05
To: NEWS
Subject: WORLD CUP 2006


To The Editor, VOICES
TODAY.

As we draw close to the end of the first round of the World Cup 2006 series, I thank Indonesia for providing me with the live telecasts of all the matches. They have proven that despite whatever their shortcomings and despite the costs involved, Indonesians can smile and see the World come together in one month. This is especially so when compared to countries like ours, where we have to queue and pay to watch the World Cup series that only comes once in every four years. I am wondering now who is contributing in donations to whom.

SPACE CONSTRAINTS; CANNOT PUBLISH

This was written to TODAT Newspaper on 25 july 2006.

The Editor
VOICES
TODAY

We are facing some drastic air pollution for some time. The air around us is rather dusty. Every time you dust away in your apartment, over days the dust reappears. The worst is on windows at the outside. That is why have maids cleaning the windows frequently and some times causing some fatal resultant.
I wish the relevant authority will continue to monitor the air quality that we breathe, find the source of the pollution and suggest ways to eliminate this problem.
It is a tedious and cumbersome job to have the windows exterior washed and cleaned.I would suggest that the Town Councils engage cleaners with gondolas to wash and clean the exterior at least once a month. This would minimize not only fatalities among maids but having a cleaner and fresher home, inside and outside.

Regards

I never see this published either

To The Editor, Straits Times,
Forum,

Every time when we are inconvenienced by the public transportation we tend to discriminate against our fellow commuters. This has been a perennial problem. Day after day we hear about the woes in the transportation system, whether it is private or public. There is never a good system that we make private cars owners to change their traveling mode to public transport. I think the time is right now.
We hear cries of complaints that commuters rushing for their seats, blocking of entrances and exits, failure to give up seats, crossing of legs or placing of personal articles thus occupying two seats, close contacts with strange body odours, bad air ventilation, and the list goes on.

I would like to reiterate that, the next time when we come across such an incidence, do not jump into conclusion and point the finger at a fellow commuter. One simply does not understand that when a commuter pays a fare, it is for a seat on the trains. No one pays for a fare to stand. Sub-consciously commuters need to have a seat. It is an entitlement and it is an explicit contract with the train company. However, due to the long waiting period and poor design the train company has flouted its obligation to provide seats for all commuters. Similarly this goes for the buses.

It is sad to note that although there is a jump in our population there is not much going to have the carriages upgraded. Our platform is built to accommodate only six carriages, therefore we cannot extend the present carriages to eight or even ten. If there is a way, even the carriages could be widened to accommodate more seats with smoother ride, lush ambience and piped music, however there is cost involved. Any increase in the frequency of train trips during peak hours will burn a huge big hole in SMRT’s pocket. I am sure that the obedient commuters can still fork out a three to five cents increase, if it is going to be speedier, comfortable and convenient than a taxi.

The air conditioning is a shame or should a say a sham. I hope that we do not catch Legionnaires disease. A train taken in a cool morning at about 6.30 am can make you arrive at your destination as if you were just out from a sauna. This has been going on despite much feedback. SMRT should try and diversify into spa business.

I would therefore suggest that SMRT has four categories of transport charges. These are namely, “Seating”, Non-Seating, Air Conditioned and Non-Air conditioned. However, please place a disclaimer for the “seating”, with “Seat At Your Own Risk”.

The same goes for our buses. I am sure we all enjoy luxury tour buses. Why do the present SMRT buses do not have enough leg room, seats that are comfortable, drivers that are not braking abruptly and turning sharply veering bus commuters like a pendulum and having cool air conditioning system in a humid country like ours. The buses we have are sometimes shared with roaches, the air condition gives out “steam”, the seats are so smooth that one can slip out of their seat at bends, the standing room is enough for one person with anorexic, and while waiting for a bus the men can shave and ladies can do their make-ups (especially during peak hours).
I would suggest that we should create another body for the transport system, to oversee the LTA and PTC and name it LATE (Land And Transport Entity). This body will ensure that the authorities concern will walk the talk. A failure to improve the system would cost the member of LTA & PTC, to loose their cars and take the public transport system for a full one year. Ultimately, it is deemed that there is no keen interest to make the transportation the best we have ever seen. In doing that people will be satisfied, maintenance cost will increase and revenue will decline. I only hope I am wrong.

VOICES

This is another letter of mine.
Not published either.

To The Editor
VOICES

The madam/sir,

The recent spate of deaths at MRT rail tracks has raised the awareness in the lack of safety precautions. The LTA and PTC has failed to foresee the flaws in the design on allowing tracks to be opened in full public view, despite the closeness to high voltage amenities. The authorities concern must insist the open concept to be redesigned for safety, before a toddler run astray or some pranks causes some to fall in or attempted suicides or even pre-meditated homicide should take place. This would also prevent rain to splash onto platforms and provide shelter to commuters. I believe safety must not be compromised at any cost.

This is their reply, as usual.

Thank you for your contribution to our VOICES section, but I'm afraid we aren't able to use your letter.

Please however continue to send your views to TODAY. We try to use as many letters as possible, space permitting.

Once again, thank you for your interest in TODAY.

Best Regards,

Shanthi

Derek Wee

I just read that Derek Wee had actually sent a letter to Straits Times. ST came with the same reply "due to space constraints". However, now they are reeling in letters to Derek Wee's innocent cry for help.

Lost Letters In News Papers

I am sure many of us have written many letters to the local papers but has never seen them appearing. I am sure that you would like to also post me a copy, so that we can all know what is been missing.