From The Straits Times :

MRT breakdown: Don’t break the windows, says SMRT

If you are stuck inside a train, never smash the windows or force the doors open.

Stay calm and wait for help.

This was the advice from SMRT, a day after a massive service disruption led to about 4,000 commuters being stuck in trains that had stalled.

One frustrated commuter used a fire extinguisher to smash the glass on the door.

He should not have done so but considering the situation, he will not be penalised, SMRT officials said.

Senior vice-president for communications and services, Mr Goh Chee Kong, said that in the event of a power failure, there is a back-up system that will activate emergency lights within the carriages and provide ventilation.

If commuters have to disembark from the trains onto the tracks, the power supply will be cut off and staff deployed to guide them, he said.

Mr Goh said that SMRT works closely with schools and grassroots organisations to educate commuters on proper procedures to follow during an emergency.

Launched in 2006, the SMRT Community Emergency Preparedness programme reaches out to about 3,000 members of the public each year.

SMRT will continue to work closely with the community on the project, Mr Goh said.

However, many public cannot agree with Mr Goh Chee Kong remarks “He should not have done so but considering the situation” .. The situation is the main point.

Mr Teo Ser Luck had point out in his Facebook that :

At that moment of uncertainty, isn’t it quite clear the person who broke the window probably has to do it if someone suffocate or the next best option when nothing is certain. Why should there even be consideration for penalty ? Come on !

Clearly, I am more agreeing to Mr Teo Ser Luck than SMRT official.

I am writting now 16 Dec 2011 at 9.01am. Look at the image below, it said “Train Service Disruption Update as of 16 December 2011,1.14pm”.

Noted the time stated is 1.14pm ? How can that be possible ?

I am surprise that Obama did not allow his daughters to use Facebook.

US President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama don’t let their daughters on Facebook. The social network may have over800 million monthly active users, but neither Sasha Obama nor Malia Obama are included in that huge number. – znet.com

According to the source, their girls are not allowed on the world’s largest social network for a very simple reason:

“why would we want to have a whole bunch of people who we don’t know knowing our business? That doesn’t make much sense.”

It was not a hard decision to enforce at the White House, though the First Lady pointed out that Malia is 13-years-old and Sasha is only 10-years-old right now.

Singapore’s oldest person Teresa Hsu dies at age 113.

She passed away peacefully at home on December 7 and was cremated the same day.

She is also known as Singapore’s Mother Teresa, who had devoted her life in helping others in needs.

 According to the Heart to Heart Service website, she had asked that no media announcement be made.

She had also requested that no rituals or ceremonies be performed, to avoid “disturbance and inconvenience” to others.

On 8 Dec 2011, Ms Diana Chia, 55 was elected as president at NTUC’s National Delegates’ Conference held at Downtown East. She became the first female president after 50 years.

Ms Chia is a senior nursing manager at Singapore General Hospital and the general secretary of the Healthcare Services Employees’ Union.

Taxi operator – ComfortDelGro has announced it is revising its fare structure from 12 Dec 2011 to better meet the increased demand for taxi.

And the National Taxi Association is urging other operators to adjust their fares as soon as possible.

Current Flag Down – 1st km
$2.80 (Crown); $3.00 (Sonata)
$3.20 (Camry); $3.20 (Limousine)
1km to 10km: $0.20 for every 385m
Above 10km: $0.20 for every 330m
Waiting time: $0.20 for every 45sec

Revised Flag Down – 1st km
$3.00 (Crown); $3.20 (Sonata)
$3.40 (Camry); $3.90 (Limousine)
1km to 10km: $0.22 for every 400m
Above 10km: $0.22 for every 350m
Waiting time: $0.22 for every 45sec

Current Peak Period Surcharge
35% of metered fare
Mon-Fri: 7.00am-9.30am
Mon-Sat: 5.00pm-8.00pm

Revised Peak Period Surcharge
25% of metered fare
Mon-Fri: 6.00am-9.30am (not applicable on public holidays)
Mon-Sun and Public Holidays: 6.00pm-Midnight

Current City Area Surcharge
$3.00
Mon-Sat: 5.00pm-Midnight

Revised City Area Surcharge
$3.00
Mon-Sun and Public Holidays: 5.00pm-Midnight

Current Call Booking Fees
Current Booking
Peak Period: $3.50
Mon-Fri: 7.00am-9.30am, 5.00pm-11.00pm

Current Booking
All other times: $2.50

Advance Booking: $5.20

Revised Call Booking Fees
Current Booking
Peak Period: $3.30
Mon-Fri: 6.00am-9.30am (not applicable on public holidays)
Mon-Sun and Public Holidays: 6.00pm-Midnight

Current Booking
All other times: $2.30

Advance Booking: $8.00

Current Limousine Taxi Booking Fees
Current Booking: $8.00
Advance Booking: $16.00

Revised Limousine Taxi Booking Fees
Current Booking: $10.00
Advance Booking: $18.00

Current Public Holiday Surcharge
$1.00
From 6.00pm on the eve of a Public Holiday to midnight of the day of the Public Holiday

Revised Public Holiday Surcharge
Removed

Do you see the women moving in clockwise or anti-clockwise ?

LEFT BRAIN FUNCTIONS
uses logic
detail oriented
facts rule
words and language
present and past
math and science
can comprehend
knowing
acknowledges
order/pattern perception
knows object name
reality based
forms strategies
practical
safe

RIGHT BRAIN FUNCTIONS
uses feeling
“big picture” oriented
imagination rules
symbols and images
present and future
philosophy & religion
can “get it” (i.e. meaning)
believes
appreciates
spatial perception
knows object function
fantasy based
presents possibilities
impetuous
risk taking

This year’s top PSLE student is Yasmin Ziqin Bte Mohamed Yousoof from Rulang Primary School with 283 points.

The Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts can now order a telco to divest its assets or business to a separate entity through a Separation Order.

Government granted more power over telcos
Mon, Nov 21, 2011
AsiaOne

The telecommunications industry faces further regulation by the Government after key changes to six areas of the Telecoms Act were passed on Monday.

The Government will now have more power to curb monopolistic behaviour and ensure continuity in services.

For example, the Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts can now order a telco to divest its assets or business to a separate entity through a Separation Order.

This will eliminate barriers to competition, particularly in markets where one operator controls the network infrastructures and has stakes in retail services.

Dr Yaacob Ibrahim said in Parliament that the changes would ensure that the telecommunications industry remain competitive.

He also noted that an operator which controls the network infrastructure and also sells its services may not have the commercial incentive to open up services to its competitors.

“It may even discrimate against them to gain an unfair advantage for itself,” he said.

The new rules also allow the minister to direct any takeover of a telecoms service or property by a third party.

This is to ensure that a key telecommunication service remains functional for public and national interest, even in cases of insolvency by an operator.

Dr Ibrahim assured businesses that the Government does not intend to exercise these powers “frivolously”. For example, the Separation Order will only be used as a last resort if other measures are insufficient in enhancing competition.