Babe Blog - Insights on News Events

REACH 465 - What are your views on the role and performance of town councils in maintaining housing estates? How can our community play a part in ensuring our estates are conducive for residents’ different needs?

(SK)

23 Jun 2023 (10am - 7pm)

REACH

[9:46 am, 23/06/2023] +REACH: Dear Contributors,

Welcome back! 😊

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Thank you

Megan 😊

[9:59 am, 23/06/2023] +REACH: 📢 Topic 📢

On Thursday, the Ministry of National Development (MND) released the latest town council management report (TCMR).

All 17 town councils here, save one, received green ratings across the 4 assessment areas. Sengkang Town Council (SKTC) was the only one with a lower rating for its performance in managing S&CC arrears. This is down from three town councils in the previous financial year.

💬 What are your views on the role and performance of town councils in maintaining housing estates? How can our community play a part in ensuring our estates are conducive for residents’ different needs?

Town councils are given green, amber or red ratings across 4 categories based on measurable and objective criteria submitted by them and their auditors. They are assessed on: estate cleanliness, estate management, lift performance and service and conservancy charges (S&CC) arrears management.

MND said SKTC had been given the amber rating as slightly more than 40 per cent of the town’s monthly S&CC was overdue. A spokesman for SKTC said the town council had been working very closely with its residents to manage the collection of the monthly charges. Noting that MND’s rating captures an average over the 12 months in the financial year, the spokesman said the town council had steadily improved its management of arrears in recent months.

Chua Chu Kang Town Council and Jurong-Clementi Town Council, which both received amber ratings in the FY2021 report for S&CC arrears management, improved to be rated green in the latest report.

👉🏼 Sengkang Town Council flagged for S&CC arrears management in MND report: https://str.sg/iUSP

👉🏼 Sengkang Town Council gets lower rating for arrears management in service and conservancy charges: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/mnd-operational-report-sengkang-town-council-amber-rating-arrears-management-service-conservancy-charges-3579486

👉🏼 See the latest and past TCMR reports here: https://www.mnd.gov.sg/our-work/regulating-town-councils/town-council-management-report-(tcmr)

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[10:46 am, 23/06/2023] +REACH: Dear Contributors

We want to HEAR MORE from you!

Megan 😊

[10:49 am, 23/06/2023] +Rama: Can suitable retired residents from the estate sit as employees of the town council to assist from repeated mismanagement of public funds!?

[10:58 am, 23/06/2023] +TDTC's have a reputation for being extremely dirty in their procurement process.

I don't think there is smoke without fire.

Seems like the quality of the work is going down while the fees are going up.

And anecdotally, is there really a need to retile the lift landings every few years????

[10:58 am, 23/06/2023] +Timothy Low: If residents refuse to pay for S&CC - it becomes the town council’s fault?

[11:00 am, 23/06/2023] +Jimmy Chew: Resident can grade them . Some town I want terrible upkeep some are wonderfully kept

[11:01 am, 23/06/2023] +Liangwei: We should centralise, cut costs, quality control by zones.

[11:01 am, 23/06/2023] +Rama: Issue will go to small claims court or appointed legal debt collectors

[11:02 am, 23/06/2023] +Rama: Agree

[11:02 am, 23/06/2023] +Jimmy Chew: I think they're not managing the contractors and sun contractors well

[11:02 am, 23/06/2023] +Jimmy Chew: All not walking the talk

[11:02 am, 23/06/2023] +Caleb: which TC is that. so good, mine don’t have

[11:02 am, 23/06/2023] +TD: More race to the bottom by lowest bidder I feel. But also bad management

[11:03 am, 23/06/2023] +Jimmy Chew: One service is good but complain and complain. Not good enough. They are not proactive

[11:03 am, 23/06/2023] +Rama: Contractors have been knowledge to be pressed not to take business for opposition wards!

[11:03 am, 23/06/2023] +TD: Google is your friend

[11:03 am, 23/06/2023] +Jimmy Chew: Same old same old technique. Increase cost to consumers and cut cost to contractors and pocket the difference hahahaha

[11:05 am, 23/06/2023] +TD: TC needs to be separated from political GRCs. There's no need to have a bazillion TCs in a country this small.

[11:07 am, 23/06/2023] +TDEven having 4 mayor's is a joke, much less the gazillion TCs. Seems like just an employment programme for 2nd tier SAF retirees

[11:08 am, 23/06/2023] +Rama: Definitely

[11:08 am, 23/06/2023] +Rama: Waste of public money

[11:20 am, 23/06/2023] +Jimmy Chew: We need the MPs ri see if they can manage the town because they're parachuted in and town council not like army. Some contactors smarter than MP.. hahaha

[11:20 am, 23/06/2023] +Jimmy Chew: Or some civil service folks smarter than MP

[11:21 am, 23/06/2023] +Boon: The working level are hardworking for example, the foreign cleaners. Without them, SG estates will be litter pools. Town Council management and supervisors seem to be different - from my experience, they are unresponsive and when they respond, it is either bureaucratic or no actions.

[11:21 am, 23/06/2023] +Jimmy Chew: Need to get the Wayang people out. Look at the show Yes Minister

[11:24 am, 23/06/2023] +Boon: If the TC conservatory fees are being increased, is there transparency on how the increased fees are being spent? Hopefully, the working level cleaners, etc are and can benefit from increased wages.

[11:24 am, 23/06/2023] +Rama: Full time MP'S please!

[11:24 am, 23/06/2023] +Boon: Totally agreed!

[11:25 am, 23/06/2023] +Rama: Building up the sinking funds more likely and squeezing the contractors!

[11:26 am, 23/06/2023] +Rama: Overpaid and underworked wayang specialist!

[11:26 am, 23/06/2023] +CJ: Community too dependent on TC workers.

[11:27 am, 23/06/2023] +Rama: Segegrated along specific lines!

[11:28 am, 23/06/2023] +Liangwei: 1) Delink from politics

2) Centralise under Gov n divide into four or five commercially run zones so we have better economy of scale, and still enough vendors in case one or two collapse.

3) QC across zones n operators

[11:28 am, 23/06/2023] +Jimmy Chew: Happens in corporations. Sad that it's happening in the civil service and PA and town council. There are dedicated folks around they need to be in command

[11:28 am, 23/06/2023] +Jimmy Chew: Sad sad

[11:28 am, 23/06/2023] +Rama: Government could not care!

[11:31 am, 23/06/2023] +Jimmy Chew: Lee Kuan Yew cares. Haha I heard you don't deliver he's questioned them

[11:35 am, 23/06/2023] +Stella: Be transparent with public on cleaning and maintenance dates and timings. Put up the schedules on hdb blocks, car park blocks, etc...the people who live there will be happy to keep an eye out for town council if the contractors do not follow schedule of work.

[11:37 am, 23/06/2023] +Rama: Yes!

[11:37 am, 23/06/2023] +Rama: Yes

[11:40 am, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: actually they do post when they are cleaning the block .. but is like .. what once every quarter ?

[11:40 am, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: i guess instead of doing whatever audit

[11:40 am, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: TC better open up their books to the public which is endorse by not only 1 but 2 auditors company

[11:41 am, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: after the lehman brother incident i am sure many forget how rich TC are that they can invest

[11:42 am, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: so with the recent increase in the conser charges what grounds do they have to ask for more money from us reagrdless is a 2 step increase

[11:42 am, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: ask yourself when we get painting of our hdb blocks .... only when election is coming

[11:42 am, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: despite the blocks paint fades as if we lives there for 50 years

[11:42 am, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: alage and mould and extensive peeling

[11:43 am, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: ask yourself how cleans are your corridor

[11:43 am, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: do we blame the guy on the ground doing the job who is paid on par or worst den a mcdonald worker who have to cover not one but maybe a dozen of blocks in a day

[11:44 am, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: how much does this guy eats into the budget of the tc maybe not even 1%

[11:44 am, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: tc is better to open their books and show to the resident before vene getting a green or whatever traffic lights colour from their so call auditors

[11:50 am, 23/06/2023] ☸️ Danny 心:

1. Should MP just do parliamentary debate and meet the people but not running a town council?

2. Then how do we know if the oppositions finally win the government, can they run ministries and the government?

3. Remember not too long time ago, Aljunied GRC mismanaged the town council losing and overpaying $33 million town council fund.

Until now has still not get the money back.

4. Sengkang GRC got a yellow rating this round whereas the rest of town council get green rating.

5. If MPs are not tested on their organisational skills and organisational management skills - how will voters know can the elected MPs run a ministry or the government in the event they win the government by fluke?

6. Honestly, are we confident that opposition MPs can run Ministries or the government if they win - based on past records and parliamentary performance.

I am very doubtful.

[11:51 am, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: den how confidet are we to have MPs to look after an estate when they are holding so many title beside their national position ?

[11:53 am, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: equally the public have doubts is like asking a teacher to be a tutor of some other student / a so call advisor to some tutor centers / be part of a advisory member of a tutor committee / be a hod of her subject in school .. .etc

[11:53 am, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: if this logic works, global society should change the way workers works and allow workers to hold multiple roles with multiple companies earning multiple income ...

[11:54 am, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: and if we wanna look at the Aljunied grc case what about lehman brothers not sure if there was an official closure with the tc recovering the money ...

[11:55 am, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: how confident public are with oppo am sure those in the channel will have a general feel about them

[11:55 am, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: public they just sing along with the oppo as they can mud sling at the incumbent govt

[11:56 am, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: in politics no 2 sides of the coins are perfect rather is a gamble of going with the better clown

[11:56 am, 23/06/2023] ☸️ Danny 心:

Actually, capable people can do many roles - else is a waste of their talents.

Many capable business man are directors of more than 1 company.

[11:56 am, 23/06/2023] +TD: I would rather the MPs focus on debating policies and the larger picture, then running a glorified condo management committee

[11:56 am, 23/06/2023] +TD: the UK system, which our political system is lifted from, seperates these 2 roles

[11:56 am, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: so basy on people with talents can hold multi roles aka workers of companies are not talents

[11:57 am, 23/06/2023] +TD: TCs should be grouped up into a higher level for efficiencies, instead of becoming little fiefdoms of emperors

[11:57 am, 23/06/2023] +Singapore Maid Agency: Haiz precisely that’s how Singapore get to where we are YKONG(MOH) trying to be like him as he is from MINDEF sky difference as LKY have a Big heart that cares for the all especially the poverty, weak and sick.

[11:57 am, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: wihtout them the organization still can survived ...

[11:57 am, 23/06/2023] ☸️ Danny 心:

Talk is very easy, do is very tough.

Running a town council will display whether elected MPs only good at talking but come to actions is a big mess.

[11:58 am, 23/06/2023] +TD: I agree with this. but the system was never meant to have these 2 roles combined into one

[11:59 am, 23/06/2023] +TD: suggestion - MPS will exist, but the MPs will function as a gate to help their constituents move the issues they are concerned about with a larger TC, rather than run the TC themselves.

[11:59 am, 23/06/2023] ☸️ Danny 心:

My father run a company and is a directors of a few companies.

My relative is a CEO of a listed company and a director of a few companies.

You mean they only can manage one company only when they can do alot more?

[0:00 pm, 23/06/2023] +TD: I'm sure we have enough retirement age half colonels from the SAF to staff up a countrywide TC Management.

Having 4 zhorbo lan mayors is already ridiculous in tiny singapore, much less a bazillion different TCs

[0:01 pm, 23/06/2023] ☸️ Danny 心:

Similarly, many of my ex boss in GLCs or private company also have more than 1 role.

They don't just have 1 job and 1 role.

Because they are capable people.

[0:01 pm, 23/06/2023] +TD: this way it removes the political element from the TCs as well. Oppo wards can easily see the funding they get from the larger pool, and if it's not equitably distributed, it will be visible.

[0:01 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: so in your owrd it seems to suggest salaried workers are not capable

[0:01 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: dun forget an orgnisation wihtout these foot soliders will crumble

[0:02 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: in a commerical world who denies their aim is to make money

[0:02 pm, 23/06/2023] +Singapore Maid Agency: My previous development BCA/SCDF can passed the OTP(Occupancy Temporary Permit) when there was a non compliance that the Bomb shelter door at firman staircase cannot be closed utterly disappointed as a chairperson of the MCST. When we feedback to BCA/SCDF/ ETC we are told to get Bldg surveyor and lawyer to sue/fight the developer what nonsense whoever who “approved” SHOULD BE QUESTIONED!!! Then committe found out that the architect was “Surbana” so whose the founder of Surbana Haiz…….

[0:02 pm, 23/06/2023] +TD: Directors just sit on boards and shite air. easy job

[0:02 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: ok so what if one is not capable but is willing to hold more than 1 income source as a woker

[0:02 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: but now we are talking about civil service staff

[0:02 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: a public elected person or group

[0:03 pm, 23/06/2023] ☸️ Danny 心:

So that means we are making life easy for oppositions to win - by fluke if they win the government - we will be in deep trouble - because they will mess up running the Ministries and the government.

Just look at our neighbours - and we can see what happens.

[0:03 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: expectation is different cannto compare to pte sector

[0:03 pm, 23/06/2023] +TD: Strawman arguement

[0:03 pm, 23/06/2023] +TD: Not like opo will win.

[0:03 pm, 23/06/2023] ☸️ Danny 心:

Don't understand.

[0:04 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: if say like that our ns boys shoudl hold multiple position also cos i believe they are capable also

[0:04 pm, 23/06/2023] ☸️ Danny 心:

Who can guarantee opposition won't win?

[0:04 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: our pilots shoudl be while servicing .. be consultants to sq organization

[0:05 pm, 23/06/2023] ☸️ Danny 心:

Umno for more than a few decades lost the government.

[0:05 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: thing is simple going back to the topic

[0:05 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: TC open up your books to the public

[0:05 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: have to audit firm to audit

[0:06 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: public to scrutinized the publish data not public from RC

[0:06 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: but invite and interest public to be part of the validating party to quest and query in town hall like session

[0:06 pm, 23/06/2023] +Rama: Will never happen

[0:06 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: wanna see leadership role right this is the way to show case

[0:06 pm, 23/06/2023] +Rama: Yes

[0:07 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: like how our LKY did it pilots not happy come town hall ...

[0:07 pm, 23/06/2023] +Rama: Pathetic pay!

[0:07 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: did he win them over with his demand yes .. (some consider it a threat)

[0:07 pm, 23/06/2023] +Rama: Full time MP!

[0:08 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: full time mp is the best

[0:08 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: cos it allows him to really understand what is on the ground who is doing and not doing the job

[0:08 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: if depend on foot solider like RC .. forget it

[0:08 pm, 23/06/2023] +Rama: Yes!

[0:09 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: RC is like a entertainment group to appease the zone with activities

[0:09 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: what they know about ground voices and care

[0:10 pm, 23/06/2023] +Smiley face: "Symmetric vs Asymmetric: Risks, and Opportunities"

[0:10 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: RC should be hearing and collecting feedback from their zone and feedback up the ladder and not always focus on organizing this event and that event .... if that's the case change Resident committee to recrrational committe please

[0:12 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: also having a full time mp is not just about showing people you work aka like some mp who always post in social media how far he walk, the amount of sweat but in parliament talk shit and waste time despite holding some super level education title

[0:13 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: guess the passion of serving the people or society of a country is different in todays context

[0:13 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: also

[0:13 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: thus now we have so call mp and nmp who waste alot of todays time in todays uncertainty world

[0:14 pm, 23/06/2023] ☸️ Danny 心:

Last time, I don't just do one role in my company.

I play the role of a consultant, r&d, solution architect, service delivery, implementation and operation.

If I only given one role to do, I don't feel challenge and the job will be very boring.

So why people dictate MP can only can play one role when they are capable and can do many roles?

[0:14 pm, 23/06/2023] +Rama: Relax recreation committee Only!

[0:15 pm, 23/06/2023] +Rama: Agree

[0:15 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: den why not ask the public are these MPs doing a good job

[0:15 pm, 23/06/2023] +Rama: Public money wasted too!

[0:15 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: aka not minister ahhh those have greater national responsibilities ..... who can be excuse

[0:16 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: lets just focus on those MPs who do not have a portfolio are they really doing their job as mp

[0:16 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: or just showing face when something huge is coming

[0:16 pm, 23/06/2023] +Rama: No!

[0:16 pm, 23/06/2023] +Rama: Yes!

[0:16 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: are they addressing and understanding the needs of their assigned zone in the area of their ward

[0:17 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: how much time is being spend on their ward or their role is just to show face shake hand cut ribbon and do house visit

[0:18 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: if yes then please revise their compensation and give those resident comittee more budget to run more meaning events instead of also planning events but stay within that budget

[0:18 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: everyone have only 24hours and a good 1/3 of itis used for recharging ...

[0:18 pm, 23/06/2023] +Timothy Low: I can imagine how much taxpayers money can be saved if we remove the 4 mayors positions

[0:19 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: like we all know multitasking for no matter how capable man the focus can never be equal

[0:19 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: ask a general to run a war all by himself see if he can do land air sea ops all he cover

[0:21 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: he will have to depend on his kaki of each arm to advise and using his so call capable brain make the decision or present the decision to another board of director for approval ... who if the action goes wrong the fault flow the other way down to the kaki level never the baord fault why because they do not know the ground well enuff for their capable brains to differ if it is a yes or no

[0:23 pm, 23/06/2023] ☸️ Danny 心:

To be honest, running a town council of about $100 million is just like managing an operation project of $100 million.

Not a big deal.

Capable MP if run full time on a town council is a waste of their talents as they can do alot more.

Opposition MPs demonstrate that they can't even run a town council proficiently and making lost.

So it does show the calibre of the opposition MPs.

I am having cold sweat if they run a ministry or a government - whereby ministry require specialised skills and knowledge - we will be in deep trouble.

[0:25 pm, 23/06/2023] ☸️ Danny 心:

Many capable people can even run and manage an eco city or town - much larger than our town council overseas.

So cannot see what a big deal.

[0:26 pm, 23/06/2023] +Timothy Low: Going by your logic, I worry for the ministers managing AMKTC. They can’t even prevent the GM of AMKTC from committing corruption

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/jail-terms-increased-for-ex-gm-of-ang-mo-kio-town-council-and-company

[0:26 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: answer is in your statement liao -> many feel there are many not capable to run multi hats while being in the tc mgt

[0:27 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: and like some one mentioned .. singapore needs to attract more talents aka singapore talents

[0:27 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: no talents in this case i assume = no capable people .....

[0:27 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: hahahahahaha

[0:27 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: our schools are churning a bunch of foot soldiers only

[0:27 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: so sad ...

[0:28 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: but the moment u grad with oversea toilet paper automtically become capable in anem

[0:28 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: but in reality those working will know ... real or not ...have lah maybe 2 out of every 10

[0:28 pm, 23/06/2023] ☸️ Danny 心:

I thought the biggest news are those elected MPs mismanaging the $33 million town council fund.

[0:29 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: does not matter biggest or what

[0:29 pm, 23/06/2023] ☸️ Danny 心:

And still the money has not been recovered.

[0:29 pm, 23/06/2023] +Rama: But not directly responsible just like Mas Selamat case!?

[0:29 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: like mentioned no place is clean in politics espically when involved money

[0:29 pm, 23/06/2023] +Timothy Low: Mismanaging and corruptions are two different things

[0:29 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: is just see whether wanna people whistle blow only

[0:30 pm, 23/06/2023] ☸️ Danny 心:

Yes. Corruption need to be charged.

[0:30 pm, 23/06/2023] +Rama: Not for the keppel case!

[0:30 pm, 23/06/2023] ☸️ Danny 心:

Mismanagement by not following rules?

[0:32 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: anyway lehmen brothers case the losses are in millions luckily not over 100 of millions

[0:32 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: but whats the ending story i think it went silent also

[0:32 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: this is because during that time tc are allow to put 35% of their funds into bonds and investment

[0:32 pm, 23/06/2023] ☸️ Danny 心:

If no repercussions, then future MPs can just mismanage the town council, the ministry and the government.

Then we will be in deep shit.

[0:32 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: so what happen to the profit ?

[0:41 pm, 23/06/2023] +Smiley face: True!

Leadership, delegation and thereafter the following procedures are done accordingly...

[0:43 pm, 23/06/2023] +Smiley face: 6 million population vs 30 million population vs 1 billion population

Scale and challenges in each of these examples!

How to QC and check? That's the next step!

[0:44 pm, 23/06/2023] +Smiley face: Metaphorically, is like a chocked water drain... water flows from top and down...

How to make it flow smoothly under all weather conditions or all crises?

[1:04 pm, 23/06/2023] +Singapore Maid Agency: Totally agree as a chairperson managing a MCST I’ve learnt a lot or say some it’s not as easy as I used to think before I commit myself as an office bearers only ppl at the same level can understand all the decision and stuff we went through…….when I put all my heart in that’s how I found out about the non complicate yet development can get TOP/CSC and this mixed developement was not being surveyed by SLA yet the developer trying to brush we the residents off in terms of share value…..THE GOVERNMENT have to be strict in approving projects!!!

纸是包不住火（you can never wrap paper with fire)

凡走过必留下痕迹（there will be traces as you walk)

若要人不知除非己莫为 (if you dun want people to know then ownself dun do it)

[1:07 pm, 23/06/2023] +Singapore Maid Agency: FYI the recent MOH approval of the restrictions to drugs for cancer treatment committees non was an “Oncologist” nor doctor!!!

They are CEO of the “insurance” company!!!

As a dedicated care giver for some this is nothing but no sense this is what YKONG style what an utterly disappointment!!!

[1:08 pm, 23/06/2023] +Singapore Maid Agency: I had spoke with Oncologist from private sectors regards this matter they were all extremely upset and disappointed with such decision as well!!!

[1:09 pm, 23/06/2023] +Rama: Wt the blady hell!?

[1:09 pm, 23/06/2023] +Singapore Maid Agency: Such restriction will further caused stress to the cancer patient and it will hoes down to the family members as welll

[1:10 pm, 23/06/2023] +Rama: Dammed rude!

[1:10 pm, 23/06/2023] +Rama: Could not care less!

[2:05 pm, 23/06/2023] +Smiley face: "So what are the tricks and treats in any business or service? Cutting costs from labor supplied, or less materials, or not in accordance to the contractual obligations or all of it?"

- - anonymity

Cutting Corners or Covering Corners? (不是这个，就是那个 ? 偷工减料? 加工添料? )

One, the size of a property matters, the larger built-in area and the surroundings, the more maintenance it needs and the costs to maintain this property varies with the scope of works predetermined based on experience and planning, essentials or cut down on certain non-essential areas to save cost and manpower.

Two, the residents of this property have the rights to assess the quality of maintenance works and the team that is in-charge and it is subject to complaint and feedback. These residents v…

[2:08 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: These residents voices must be taken seriously because it will affect the entire population that is residing in that block or a cluster of blocks! - agree and the complaints or compliments must be relevant and make sense also in todays society every god dam things that do not go the way of the person will be on social media

[2:09 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: the bottom line is civil service like tc / defense / office holders, as long as is country paying them .. they must remember they are working for the public ...

[2:10 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: the expectation is like as if ne is working for a company where they do not expect you to moon light but to give ur best

[2:10 pm, 23/06/2023] ☸️ Danny 心:

My close friend comments:-

The annual MP allowance in Singapore is $192,000 according to PSD's website.

So it follows that, for a 5 year elected term, the total allowance is almost $1M for an MP.

As voters, are we going to vote in anyone to just talk at parliament and pay him $1M?

There are direct avenues for constituents to give feedback to gov.

And social media are alternative routes. Why can't we represent our own viewpoints and do the talking ourselves?

Similarly for persons aspiring to be MPs, if they have great ideas and proposals and truly love SG, do they have to wait to be elected to share their view points?

MPs should have concrete roles and deliverables to win over constituents' support and votes.

If they don't minimally run town councils for their own constituencies as proof of their contribution, then what?

[2:10 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: yes which is why bring back the single wards

[2:10 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: dun put grc

[2:11 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: let it be a 1:1 contested

[2:12 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: let those who itch to be MP to make them sweat for the vote

[2:13 pm, 23/06/2023] +REACH: 📢 Topic 📢

On Thursday, the Ministry of National Development (MND) released the latest town council management report (TCMR).

Town councils are given green, amber or red ratings across 4 categories based on measurable and objective criteria submitted by them and their auditors. They…

[2:18 pm, 23/06/2023] +Smiley face: Circumstances?

Besides manpower shortage during Covid; what are the costs, the standards and quality of TC services, the operational and maintenance issues and challenges from the perspective of pre Covid, during Covid and today's post Covid?

"Contractor promised this, workers doing that...?"

So what are acceptable cleaning standards to adopt? What are the criteria in determining a cleaning job is done properly and a good job?

[2:19 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: maybe can Reach list down whats the role of town council and the current fencing is confusing. Example outside of house -> town council, downstairs anything to do with rd is lta ... inside house sometimes is town council sometimes hdb

[2:20 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: How can our community play a part in ensuring our estates are conducive for residents’ different needs -> more education espically if we can start in school and let the kids set the correct mindset and culture

[2:21 pm, 23/06/2023] +Smiley face: How the Japanese kept it clean?

Is it culture or its habits or more than these two attributes?

[2:21 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: culture for the japanese

[2:23 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: their mindset had been set since school days

[2:23 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: keep clean / team work ....

[2:35 pm, 23/06/2023] +Smiley face: Pride? Workmanship? Are these also part of the Japanese way of life?

Thank you

[2:35 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: pride in their work thus this give them better workmanship in their craft including food

[2:36 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: even though is fast food .. see their McDonald will do hardly you get messy burger made

[2:36 pm, 23/06/2023] +Smiley face: How about the cleaners?

[2:36 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: cleaner also reh

[2:36 pm, 23/06/2023] +Rama: MP only lip service to residents complaints

[2:36 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: cos is their culture which had been instill and firmly pass down

[2:37 pm, 23/06/2023] +Rama: Exactly!

[2:37 pm, 23/06/2023] +Rama: Yes

[2:46 pm, 23/06/2023] +Smiley face: "...Although Lee never forgot his experiences during the war years, he was pragmatic. He recognized that Japan was Asia's "most industrialized and technologically sophisticated society" and that it made economic sense for Singapore to look forward rather than back. "The past is the past, and it is the future that we are interested in,". In the second volume of his memoirs, which came out in 2000, he expressed admiration for the "strength of the Japanese people and the quality of their education..."

- - MM Lee Kuan Yew on Japan

[2:49 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: just in

[2:50 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: think cpib better run 6mthly course for all civil servants and make them take a written test not electronic type

[2:52 pm, 23/06/2023] +Smiley face: Written test?

[2:52 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: yeah so see how well they understand what is conflict of interest leading to corruption

[2:52 pm, 23/06/2023] +Rama: Including all mp and ministers

[2:52 pm, 23/06/2023] +Smiley face: Apa ini?

什么？

[2:52 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: else all these CAPABLE people are walking down the wrong path .... waste of brains reh

[2:53 pm, 23/06/2023] +Smiley face: Like A level written test to check on standards of the CS?

[2:53 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: anyway his capable brains was too capable that he allegedly agreed to accept gratification in the form of a 30 per cent shareholding in the firm Smart Illumination from its director

[2:54 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: i not cpib so will not know what sort of quest they can make to assess the student understanding of corruption and conflict of interest into 2-3 liner answer ...hahahahaha

[2:55 pm, 23/06/2023] +Smiley face: Simply just put a high stack of $100 bills in the table and WATCH those eyes!

You will see all sorts of facial expressions...

Don't need a written test!?

[2:56 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: wahhh like that poor testeee hahahaha can see no touch ..

[2:56 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: can smell and not allow to use .. u dam evil that is call torture.....

[2:56 pm, 23/06/2023] +Rama: Use sgd10 k notes instead!

[2:56 pm, 23/06/2023] +Smiley face: Exactly!

Curiosity always culls all animals!

[2:57 pm, 23/06/2023] +Smiley face: Go request from MAS! They kept a lot over the years though there are plenty out there in keeping!

$10k easiest to move around and across the border!

[2:58 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: still have 10k notes?

[2:58 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: they already kill the 1k notes

[2:59 pm, 23/06/2023] +Smiley face: Old saying..."if you wish to catch a big fish, you need bigger bait and not ikan bilis! These big fish just don't bite!"

[2:59 pm, 23/06/2023] +Smiley face: Yes,

That's why $100 left to play with...?

[3:00 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: yeah so no more 10k notes also i assume

[3:01 pm, 23/06/2023] +Smiley face: Have lah but in private hands...

[3:01 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: 1k also in pte hands but sell for extra 100

[3:01 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: between notes collectors

[3:04 pm, 23/06/2023] +Rama: Yes

[3:08 pm, 23/06/2023] +Smiley face: $1k note = $1.1k value

$10k nite = $11k value?

Airport security scanner able to pick up currency notes? Gold bars are a sure yes!

Any idea?

Incoming visitors/residents limit of $20k allowed and how about OUTGOING?

[3:09 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: can

[3:09 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: else how people get caught at random check ...

[3:09 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: those lucky one will swim thru hehehehehe

[3:10 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: no lah is not selling liek that is dollarvalue + add on small amt

[3:10 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: den they see the quality if new or very old and serial number

[3:10 pm, 23/06/2023] +Smiley face: Checked in bags!

[3:10 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: some even will pin out where are the fault or special mark on the note

[3:10 pm, 23/06/2023] +Smiley face: Lucky strike or information?

[3:10 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: checked in bag i believe if they want can be xray as well

[3:11 pm, 23/06/2023] +Smiley face: The old Craft of Origami..

[3:13 pm, 23/06/2023] +Smiley face: How illegal drugs are transported via seaports of the world?

Any ideas?

[3:14 pm, 23/06/2023] +Smiley face: How about the fishermen and how about the big cruiser crafts?

[3:15 pm, 23/06/2023] +Smiley face: Sailing out for a dirty long weekends ...

[3:16 pm, 23/06/2023] +Smiley face: Symmetric or asymmetric, think either one of both!

[3:17 pm, 23/06/2023] +Jimmy Chew: The fear that all my friends have

[3:18 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: it takes the govt to crack down and instill the correct mindset

[3:19 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: mindset starts from young school and parents

[3:20 pm, 23/06/2023] +Frankie Wee: I have not heard from news

[3:21 pm, 23/06/2023] +Frankie Wee: Corrupt make dirty money and break law he should be arrests and order removed his duty position

[3:23 pm, 23/06/2023] +Smiley face: Put aside this valid future scenario... Leadership matters most as for the rest, we shall see as we go along before reaching the bridge... leadership is the key followed by Ownership or Pride in one's station of work and responsibilities, and the character of a person is as important as it goes...

[3:24 pm, 23/06/2023] +Smiley face: Coming up ..."the tales of the loo" (not Waterloo!)

[3:25 pm, 23/06/2023] +Smiley face: 23 June, 2023

"Symmetric vs Asymmetric: Costs and Opportunities"

How the Japanese kept it clean?

" The tales of the loo: the public toilet is the basic upkeep a clean and a pleasant experience. In an international airport it is even more apparent to keep these "public and private" spaces to the higher standard of asepsis! Our Changi Airport is our Pride and is also an Excellent example of a High Standard loo and our HDB estates too! Changi Airport in comparison to the other Asean Airports loo, it is haven vs earth! On a larger scale of things, one simple key of CAG is Leadership, the hardworking cleaners, and all staff that manage our Airport facilities 24/7 and 365 days. The next time when you touch down in a foreign airport, please check out the loo a…

[3:26 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/director-at-research-department-under-prime-minister-s-office-charged-with-corruption?fbclid=IwAR3YGbLxJ35QtOFbhHOUlRIjQj0ajavkKRtLeYIcPpJ-cDvX3Bu8npL82oo

[3:26 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: this kind of news will not be hot news or breaking

[3:26 pm, 23/06/2023] +Ah Heng: just happen kaypo media site put up i come across it

[3:35 pm, 23/06/2023] +Smiley face: A symmetric or A Asymmetric problem?

NRF is one important entity for our future innovations and etc.

A reputational damage to our robust system of governance!

Suggest a longer jail term and if possible a hefty fine to teach the rest of the cohort of CS!

Either you are in the line or you are out!

[3:38 pm, 23/06/2023] +Smiley face: How to assess the cleanliness and relevant jobs?

Foremost, the Town Council must undertake a 360 internal and external assessments of their functions, roles, the contractors' roles and lastly the present value of all these services rendered by contracts.

Secondly, comparative, the supplied labor suffice the scope and areas of intent. There are work-in-progress and works that are non negotiable; that means the exceptional level of cleaning and cleanliness needed for refuse, lifts, void deck, staircases, walkways and pest controls. The next is the frequency and intensity of keeping these crucial areas tip top where residents will notice from time to time and over a period of time; the residents will know the areas of slacking and the areas of exceptional jo…

[3:54 pm, 23/06/2023] +Smiley face: "Our society is essentially still a conservative one. We still hold such values as thrift, hardwork, keeping of one's word, honour in dealings with others, a sense of shame in not looking after our families or our parents, and so on. Let us not assume that values will always remain with us. Many great societies, even in our time, have been built on such values, the Protestant ethic, the Confucius ethic, and so on. But many of these societies are decaying. Their founding values have been overcome by libertine and hedonistic values. If it can happen to them, it can also happen to us..."

- - MOS Dr Tay Eng Soon (1982) on DPM Dr Goh Keng Swee report on education (circa 1979)

[3:54 pm, 23/06/2023] +Redzuan I: What's today's topic?

High number of complaints to RC?

Is it because The Conservancy charges going up?

I believe we should say thank you and appraise their works and raise their salary but not the bosses. 🥱. Additional manpower is helpful for some areas.

More and more HDBs and developments going up.. Meaning more needed... YKWIM...

Good Weekend everyone.

[4:21 pm, 23/06/2023] +REACH: 📢 Topic 📢

On Thursday, the Ministry of National Development (MND) released the latest town council management report (TCMR).

Town councils are given green, amber or red ratings across 4 categories based on measurable and objective criteria submitted by them and their auditors. They…

[4:23 pm, 23/06/2023] +Smiley face: Clean followed by Green...

[4:28 pm, 23/06/2023] +Smiley face: "What I hear, I forget; What I see, I remember; What I do, I understand."

- - Confucius

Let's start a fresh approach of a friendlier relationships among these stakeholders. It is not about complaining, it is about complimenting good jobs and highlighting and accepting areas that need to be brushup and in shipshape too!

A smart way is to hold the staffs of the TC to be answerable to the areas of assignment. The job performance will be based on the number of complaints and compliments by the residents; the basic for bonus and/or pay increase!

How can the contract workers better coordinate with the TC executives to ensure they all are doing what they are supposed to do and the quality of works have to be above satisfactory grade?

"If everything seems under control, you are just not going fast enough."

- - Mario Andretti (race car champion)

Fourth, how to grade the quality of work done? A score card behold by the TC executives and they will go for spot checks to assign alphabet A, B, C with A as good job, B is above satisfactory and if the workers or the team is able to turn the area in A grade, incentive awards will be given every quarterly, and C means the areas will be closely supervised for up to a month. A continuous C grade of three times will result in temporary stop work to include penalty to contractor or termination of service contract within the following quarter.

Fifth, for all TC executives slack in their duties, similar consequences as to what a contractor or any worker will face!

All residents should help keep their living environments clean and not behaving selfishly, be considerate.

Finally, to summarise, nobody wishes to complaint, complaint and over and over. In a community style of living comprising all walks of life and different human behaviors too! It is also reasonable for residents to expect a higher level of cleanliness and livable environments from the door steps and onto the bus interchange or the MRT station they all recognise these existential infrastructures as part of their homes!

- - in progress - -

[4:41 pm, 23/06/2023] ☸️ Danny 心:

1. Some people may think doing more than 1 role is moonlighting.

But this applies only to jobs in norm or the man-in-the-street.

2. It don't apply to talents, exceptional management and distinguished personnel who are expected to perform multiple roles in the society.

3. Eg. at technical level, r&d scientists employed by top r&d organization also is an adjunct professor - expected to teach in university and IHL - to impart knowledge to undergraduates.

My brother work in a r&d lab, then join a glc but also expected to teach in university.

4. Many of my boss not only are senior executives in civil service but also wear many hats and play many roles in statutory boards, GLCs and even sit in the board of directors in public listed organisation.

5. Not to mention Ministers and MPs of exceptional capabilities.

- only expect them to talk in parliament, meet people and run town council only?

- then the country is wasting exceptional talents.

And worst of all, only want MPs to talk in parliament and meet people only - no need to run town council.

Then MP jobs will be too easy, many people can do it.

[6:08 pm, 23/06/2023] +REACH: 📢 Topic 📢

On Thursday, the Ministry of National Development (MND) released the latest town council management report (TCMR).

Chua Chu Kang Town Council and Jurong-Clementi Town Council, which both received amber ratings in the FY2021 report for S&CC arrears management, improved to be rated green in the latest report.

👉🏼 Sengkang Town Council flagged for S&CC arrears management in MND report: https://str.sg/iUSP

👉🏼 See the latest and past TCMR reports here: https://www.mnd.gov.sg/our-work/regulating-town-councils/town-council-management-report-(tcmr)

[6:46 pm, 23/06/2023] +REACH: Dear Contributors,

⏰ We will be closing the chat in 15 minutes ⏰

Thank you very much for being part of our WhatsApp chat and participating actively.

Goodnight!

Megan 😊

[6:47 pm, 23/06/2023] +Smiley face: 18 January, 2022

The Triple S: Simulate or Sequel or Similar? Prospective (future), Retrospective (past) & Perspective (now)

"Learn how to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else."

- - Leonardo da Vinci

Prospective can be explained as a multi dimensional of possibilities and probabilities. Retrospective is a dimensional viewing of past outcomes that can be documented for keeping or for future referencing. The present moment of now, how your prospectives and your retro experiences will affect your perspective on your beliefs, behaviors and decisions. It will be the influencer in shaping your probable outcomes, this (that) moment of truth.

Introspective (self)?

Our brains "record" only new events, not repetitive events. Our judgment of the past is based on the number of new memories.

Time seemed to drag on so much during childhood. We make most fun about the world around us and ourselves in childhood times and early adolescence, so in retrospect the brain seems to have all the longest moments. Are these longest time of innocence, happier moments or sad times! You can slow down the passage of time by having new experiences, meeting new people, learning new skills. How can we meaningfully apply this concept of "slowing" down the time and "speeding" up as and when is deemed necessarily?

Point of interest? Duplicate or Implicate?

In some unique occasions, have you ever wondered why some people look alike? You wonder if you have previously met this person or previously seen another person that looks very similar to this present moment at sight? Is it a geographical features that certain people living in certain regions tend to have a common facial or physical similarities or was it genetic sequencing that evolved over centuries or is it humanly possible that two different individuals across regions may look alike given different time zones and ages over time both living in the same moment or one in the past and one in the present?

What are the differences or uniqueness in their behaviors, beliefs, existential livings and lifespan? Connections? One commonality is illnesses, diseases and especially in any pandemic, it is always in sequel can be similar and it can be simulated in helping to forecast many scenarios for a spectrum of interventions to save life's.

- - in progress - -

[6:53 pm, 23/06/2023] +Smiley face: 23 June, 2023

To: Our Distinguished Leaders, TCs and All Honorable Members

"Symmetric vs Asymmetric: Costs and Opportunities"

"Our society is essentially still a conservative one. We still hold such values as thrift, hardwork, keeping of one's word, honour in dealings with others, a sense of shame in not looking after our families or our parents, and so on. Let us not assume that values will always remain with us. Many great societies, even in our time, have been built on such values, the Protestant ethic, the Confucius ethic, and so on. But many of these societies are decaying. Their founding values have been overcome by libertine and hedonistic values. If it can happen to them, it can also happen to us..."

- - MOS Dr Tay Eng Soon (1982) commented on DPM Dr Goh Keng Swee report on education of 1979

How the Japanese kept it clean?

- - anonymity

Management of TC?

When you are choosing or dealing with your contractors.

Replication of previous successes or good experiences are just the tip of the iceberg! At times, replicating such instances onto the next project may not yield the same favorable results because of circumstances.

Two keys that is frequency and intensity of maintenance whether is daily or weekly or monthly. from the hawker centre hourly cleaning of tables and disposal of food wasted.

All of the above tasks need a detailed schedule to be followed and the standard will have to be reevaluated to be quantifiable in order to seek for a higher standard that is measurable!

Importantly, the members of the public must see and feel that it is visually really clean regardless of environment or time!

So how to QC and check?

Managing people is a skill (not a science) and through experience or an individual is a "people" person that will click well with anyone. The key is people to people communication skills and thereafter, hopefully, a trusting work relationship.

Assigned executives to all areas of cleaning. Have a daily/weekly/monthly e-log book. Make the contractors acknowledge it on a weekly basis. More frequent engagement to build closer rapport with the contract workers and their bosses. Frequent discussion on how to improve areas of concern and finding better and more efficient ways in the daily routine or ad-hoc assignments.

Finally, what is workmanship or aka pride? Cutting corners and slacking are negative mindsets that need to be rectified. There is a need to encourage our contractors and workers to take pride in their jobs and residents should also compliment them for good jobs. It is a multi ways of re-enforcement of the intend, the correct behaviors and positive outcomes.

How to do so and not overly prosecute things? Trust is one enabler before things turned into the wrong ways and becoming distrust!

How to ace the game of trust? That's the next topic to talk about!

- - in progress - -

[7:00 pm, 23/06/2023] +REACH: Dear Contributors,

We will be closing the chat for today.

Thank you very much for being part of our WhatsApp chat and participating actively.

Goodnight!

Megan 😊

====

Babe Blog - Insights on News Events

Friday, June 23, 2023

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