A few decades ago, it was quite common and convenient for policyholders to pay insurance premiums to the agents. At that time, there was the risk that the insurance agent might pocket the money, so the policyholder have to rely on an agent that they can trust.
Nowadays, with GIRO and internet banking, there is no need to pay insurance premium to an agent. It is better to pay the premium directly to the insurance company, especially through GIRO.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Survey of Political Parties
What are your views of the political parties in Singapore? The survey is now closed.
Update
Here is the final report based on 97 replies
Update
Here is the final report based on 97 replies
Websites of Government Agencies
Many people told me that they had a difficult time in applying for passes at the website of the Ministry of Manpower. I recently encountered a lot of difficulty in making a submission. The website was designed from the perspective of MOM but was not friendly to the general public.
The difficulties include the following:
- hassle of getting the PIN
- a lot of detail to be entered into one form (from the employee and from the employer).
Some common sense solution include the following:
- allow the applicant (i.e. person to be employed) and employer to enter their details separately
- simplify the process of getting a PIN
- allow one PIN to be used for all services in MOM, instead of separate PINs for different types of applications.
I encountered similar difficulties in using the website of IRAS. They seem to be advised by the same consultants who approach the design from the perspective of the agency and not the general public.
I like other readers to share their experience in using the websites of government agencies.
Tan Kin Lian
The difficulties include the following:
- hassle of getting the PIN
- a lot of detail to be entered into one form (from the employee and from the employer).
Some common sense solution include the following:
- allow the applicant (i.e. person to be employed) and employer to enter their details separately
- simplify the process of getting a PIN
- allow one PIN to be used for all services in MOM, instead of separate PINs for different types of applications.
I encountered similar difficulties in using the website of IRAS. They seem to be advised by the same consultants who approach the design from the perspective of the agency and not the general public.
I like other readers to share their experience in using the websites of government agencies.
Tan Kin Lian
Display panels in MRT trains
The display panels in MRT trains on the North South lines are not showing the right information. The lighted maps have been not working. The display panels are now showing the wrong information about the next arriving station and the doors that will be opened.
I observed that the trains have been showing the wrong signals for nearly a month. Nobody seemed to be bothered to fix them. At least, the displays should be switched off.
Is this any sign of apathy in Singapore?
I observed that the trains have been showing the wrong signals for nearly a month. Nobody seemed to be bothered to fix them. At least, the displays should be switched off.
Is this any sign of apathy in Singapore?
Trading in Futures
Hi Mr Tan
Recently I read about "STI Futures". As currently I have set aside 5K for investment( Spare cash ). I want to find an investment vehicle to earn quick money ( also aware that I might lost quick $ if not careful )
I noticed this "STI futures" recently, Initial we need to place an initial margin of about $1625 for one contract.
Per index point is $10 ( either earn or lost ), there is margin call also etc.
We can get in and out( trading ) within a few mins , hour, or a day to even months. As I understand that the RISK factor is there also. But I find that this STI Futures can let me earn $ fast as I don't like to wait long. I also prepare to lost this 5K if my decision is not right.
As this STI Futures might be one of my investment vehicle, it "attract me" is because if my decision is right, I might earn $ fast within a few hours or a day. I also understand that there might be risk also. Anyway this 5K is my spare cash (but doesn't mean I am prepare to loose the $ ).
I wondering any advises you can share with me or where I can find more detils to have a better understanding. As I am your regular reader to your blog, wondering you can post my enquiry to your blog so that your readers might share with me the risk factors etc or where to look for?
Anthony
MY REPLY
There are many futures contracts that you can trade in, i.e. stock index futures and currency futures. You need to be familiar with trading in futures before you plunge in. You have to understand the risk, liquidity and other factors. Please attend training courses on trading in this type of contracts.
Recently I read about "STI Futures". As currently I have set aside 5K for investment( Spare cash ). I want to find an investment vehicle to earn quick money ( also aware that I might lost quick $ if not careful )
I noticed this "STI futures" recently, Initial we need to place an initial margin of about $1625 for one contract.
Per index point is $10 ( either earn or lost ), there is margin call also etc.
We can get in and out( trading ) within a few mins , hour, or a day to even months. As I understand that the RISK factor is there also. But I find that this STI Futures can let me earn $ fast as I don't like to wait long. I also prepare to lost this 5K if my decision is not right.
As this STI Futures might be one of my investment vehicle, it "attract me" is because if my decision is right, I might earn $ fast within a few hours or a day. I also understand that there might be risk also. Anyway this 5K is my spare cash (but doesn't mean I am prepare to loose the $ ).
I wondering any advises you can share with me or where I can find more detils to have a better understanding. As I am your regular reader to your blog, wondering you can post my enquiry to your blog so that your readers might share with me the risk factors etc or where to look for?
Anthony
MY REPLY
There are many futures contracts that you can trade in, i.e. stock index futures and currency futures. You need to be familiar with trading in futures before you plunge in. You have to understand the risk, liquidity and other factors. Please attend training courses on trading in this type of contracts.
Admission to local universities
Dear Mr Tan,
My son passed GCE "A" level with many As, 1 B, and 2 Es. He was not accepted into a local university. He applied to NUS, NTU, SMU and SUDT and appealed twice, but was rejected.
Local universities are funded by taxpayers and our fourth generation citizen cannot have the opportunity to enter a local university. How do we compete with other nation when, as a global city, our own citizen are deprived the opportunity to go for tertiary education?
When I visited the local universities, we saw many foreign students which took away the opportunity for our own citizens to be admitted. These foreign students are given a scholarship by our Government to take the university place from our own citizens. Many of them did not opt to become Singapore citizens.
If my son were to study in an overseas university, there is the tendency that he would not come back to Singapore. I hold this fear based on the experience of my relatives. If we were to lose a fourth generation citizen, how can Singapore be able to sustain as a nation without a deep root of its own citizens. If a significant crisis or disaster were to hit singapore, who will defend this country? Why can't the local universities accept our own local students?
Alan
My observationAlan has asked me to post this letter to invite the views of other readers. He also asked me to carry out a survey. I will think about how to organise this survey.
My son passed GCE "A" level with many As, 1 B, and 2 Es. He was not accepted into a local university. He applied to NUS, NTU, SMU and SUDT and appealed twice, but was rejected.
Local universities are funded by taxpayers and our fourth generation citizen cannot have the opportunity to enter a local university. How do we compete with other nation when, as a global city, our own citizen are deprived the opportunity to go for tertiary education?
When I visited the local universities, we saw many foreign students which took away the opportunity for our own citizens to be admitted. These foreign students are given a scholarship by our Government to take the university place from our own citizens. Many of them did not opt to become Singapore citizens.
If my son were to study in an overseas university, there is the tendency that he would not come back to Singapore. I hold this fear based on the experience of my relatives. If we were to lose a fourth generation citizen, how can Singapore be able to sustain as a nation without a deep root of its own citizens. If a significant crisis or disaster were to hit singapore, who will defend this country? Why can't the local universities accept our own local students?
Alan
My observationAlan has asked me to post this letter to invite the views of other readers. He also asked me to carry out a survey. I will think about how to organise this survey.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Pinnacle Notes 6 & 7
Hi Mr Tan,
Morgan Stanley has just informed investors that another two of Pinnacle Notes, Series 6 & 7 have failed due to mandatory redemption (see attached).
For those who still hold hope they can hang on till maturity dates and they may still get back their principle if nothing else fails, this is a wake-up call and they should just join the legal action organized by the US lawyer. Please help to post this in you Blog.
The Town Council who invested in this “created-to-fail” product is also looking at $3 million dollar loss as reported in this 2008 News report. Who is accountable?
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/390407/1/.html
Benedict
My comment
Investors who wish to join the legal action to be held in US courts by a reputable US legal firm working on a contigency fee basis can send an e-mail to tkla.km@gmail.com. The lawyer will take the fee and expenses only on successful outcome. If the lawyer is unsuccessful, they will bear the expenses and the investors will not need to pay any fee or expenses.
Morgan Stanley has just informed investors that another two of Pinnacle Notes, Series 6 & 7 have failed due to mandatory redemption (see attached).
For those who still hold hope they can hang on till maturity dates and they may still get back their principle if nothing else fails, this is a wake-up call and they should just join the legal action organized by the US lawyer. Please help to post this in you Blog.
The Town Council who invested in this “created-to-fail” product is also looking at $3 million dollar loss as reported in this 2008 News report. Who is accountable?
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/390407/1/.html
Benedict
My comment
Investors who wish to join the legal action to be held in US courts by a reputable US legal firm working on a contigency fee basis can send an e-mail to tkla.km@gmail.com. The lawyer will take the fee and expenses only on successful outcome. If the lawyer is unsuccessful, they will bear the expenses and the investors will not need to pay any fee or expenses.
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