Dear Sir,
My family and I bought some land in Canada 7 years ago and have yet to see our profits actualised. Is this investment a scam? We haven't tried asking for our money back but reading about the same company being raided in Malaysia makes me think it may be one.
REPLY
It is difficult for the investors to get back their money from land banking projects. Many investors have waited a long time, and have now given up hope of getting back their money.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Law on found items
The Police told me that I am not allowed to keep found items and that these items have to be reported to a neighborhood police station. The officer asked, "Did I consult a lawyer about my Lost & Found portal?"
I am not aware that there is a law regarding the return of found items to the Police. The Police officer was not able to point out the law to me anyway. If the Police does not know, how do you expect the citizens to know about such a law?
I searched the Internet to look for the existence of such a law in Singapore. I could not find any mention of it. I know that there is a law against theft of property. If somone finds a property that could be traced to the owner, e.g. car, computer, mobile phone, and keeps the property or sells it away, the finder could be guilty of stealing the property. In that case, it is better for the finder to report the found item and hand it over to the Police to be kept in its centralised store.
But the Police should make it clear to the public that they can report a lost item to be traced. The Police needs an efficient matching system. Perhaps they can use my portal or create one of their own.
There is the concept of "finders keepers". I believe that if an item is lost and it is not possible for the finder to trace the owner, the finder is entitled to keep the item. However, if the owner comes back one day to claim the item, and assuming that the owner is able to prove ownership, then the item has to be returned to the owner.
Tan Kin Lian
I am not aware that there is a law regarding the return of found items to the Police. The Police officer was not able to point out the law to me anyway. If the Police does not know, how do you expect the citizens to know about such a law?
I searched the Internet to look for the existence of such a law in Singapore. I could not find any mention of it. I know that there is a law against theft of property. If somone finds a property that could be traced to the owner, e.g. car, computer, mobile phone, and keeps the property or sells it away, the finder could be guilty of stealing the property. In that case, it is better for the finder to report the found item and hand it over to the Police to be kept in its centralised store.
But the Police should make it clear to the public that they can report a lost item to be traced. The Police needs an efficient matching system. Perhaps they can use my portal or create one of their own.
There is the concept of "finders keepers". I believe that if an item is lost and it is not possible for the finder to trace the owner, the finder is entitled to keep the item. However, if the owner comes back one day to claim the item, and assuming that the owner is able to prove ownership, then the item has to be returned to the owner.
Tan Kin Lian
Monitor my blog
Someone asked me, "How did the Police learn about my Lost and Found portal?". I suspect that they are instructed to monitor my blog to look for seditious or defamatory statements.
Various categories of public housing
Our HDB flats have become expensive and is now a burden for many young people to start their first home.
To solve this problem, I have suggested that a new category of HDB housing be offered based on cost of the flat. This could bring down the price by 30% to 50%. The resale value of this new category will be based on the cost of a new flat (which will increase with inflation) less depreciation of the flat.
I believe that it is possible to have the various categories of HDB flats to co-exist side by side. Right now, we have HDB and executive apartments. What is wrong with a third category, with different conditions?
Some people may choose to pay more for the "market based" HDB flats. Other people may prefer to pay less for the "cost plus" HDB flats. Give them a choice. From my survey, the demand for "cost plus" flat is likely to be higher than "market based". It does not matter how the final choice will turn out. It is good to offer the choice.
Tan Kin Lian
To solve this problem, I have suggested that a new category of HDB housing be offered based on cost of the flat. This could bring down the price by 30% to 50%. The resale value of this new category will be based on the cost of a new flat (which will increase with inflation) less depreciation of the flat.
I believe that it is possible to have the various categories of HDB flats to co-exist side by side. Right now, we have HDB and executive apartments. What is wrong with a third category, with different conditions?
Some people may choose to pay more for the "market based" HDB flats. Other people may prefer to pay less for the "cost plus" HDB flats. Give them a choice. From my survey, the demand for "cost plus" flat is likely to be higher than "market based". It does not matter how the final choice will turn out. It is good to offer the choice.
Tan Kin Lian
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Video: How to solve the Shape Quiz
Lesson from Mao
Someone told this story to me. Mao Tse Tung was admired and loved by the people of China for his contributions to building the nation during the first three decades of his leadership. During the last decade, he lost the respect of the people due to many mistakes that were made in his attempt to perpetuate his power, which worsen the living conditions for the people.
Treat people equally
DPM Teo Chee Hean is quoted to have said, "A company that does not discriminate against any particular age group or gender will naturally have access to a large pool of potential hires".
I agree with this concept of non-discrimination and ask that it be applied to all aspects of Singapore life. We should treat people equally in respect of the following (just a few examples):
- school fees
- medical fees at government facilities
- income tax relief for children
- contribution to CPF
We are so used to being differentiated according to our residential status, employment status, educational level, education level of our mother, year of birth and other factors that it becomes part of our daily lives. It is not only unfair to those in the wrong groups - it also makes life complicated in Singapore.
Tan Kin Lian
I agree with this concept of non-discrimination and ask that it be applied to all aspects of Singapore life. We should treat people equally in respect of the following (just a few examples):
- school fees
- medical fees at government facilities
- income tax relief for children
- contribution to CPF
We are so used to being differentiated according to our residential status, employment status, educational level, education level of our mother, year of birth and other factors that it becomes part of our daily lives. It is not only unfair to those in the wrong groups - it also makes life complicated in Singapore.
Tan Kin Lian
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