ShareJunction - Member Posts

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Dr Wijeyasingha, 40, who is the son of former Raffles Institution principal, Eugene, added that Dr Balakrishnan is " very, very rattled" by the challenge from his party.

On Saturday, Dr Balakrishnan had described SDP's candidates as " a team of strange bedfellows" and that the party was trying furiously but unsuccessfully to change its public image.

" If you look at the statements principally of Dr Vivian in the last few days, you would recognise that he is very, very rattled," said Dr Wijeysingha.

" The fact that a highly trained opthalmologist hides behind the newspaper and issues these comments shows a man running scared," said the civil society activist, who joined the SDP last July.

" Once our team was announced, he's gone into overdrive, but there's been nothing of a substantive policy nature about his criticisms," he added.

Dr Wijeyasingha said, " It's one of these little things he's dropping in the arena. He hasn't said how we've changed, he hasn't said what he sees as a change."

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GROW AND SHARE [GAS]

Dr Wijeysingha and his fellow SDP colleagues all pledged to donate half of their MP's allowance, if they're elected, to set up a fund for the needy. Based on the current monthly MP allowance of $13,000, that works out to about $6,500 per candidate.

Dr Wijeysingha (left) and his fellow SDP candidate, Michelle Lee. (Yahoo! photo)

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SGX STI trading volumes are tOO lOw

due tO hIgh brOkerage cOsts

making it nOt wOrthwhIle to trade actIvely

pharoah88 ( Date: 07-May-2011 14:01) Posted:

in order to make lots of money from TRADING ? ? ? ?

brOkerage rates must be reduced ? ? ? ?

Hawkeye ( Date: 07-May-2011 13:26) Posted:

Anyway politics do not bother those who have lots of money.

Our purpose here is to get to make lots of money and do what we want to do rather than do what we need to do.

So concentrate here to discuss what stocks will bull or what stocks will slide. Share our infor and hope to get more info to make a good judgement in our investment or trade.

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If citizens can run own shows and live like a villiage ? ? ? ?

just have own VILLAGE CHIEF will do ? ? ? ?

nO need to have cabinet and partliament already ? ? ? ?

In Australia and NZ, when you had problem, your neighbour tells you not to call the government, we will help you.

Hawkeye ( Date: 06-May-2011 21:10) Posted:

Is the people deserve to be SERVED??

People had money they keep to themself. If the donate - a little.

The unfortunate or poor - people blame Government problem.

Is People no fault? Looking people - change all the government in the world is also no use. People do not help others but rather point fingers.

In Australia and NZ, when you had problem, your neighbour tells you not to call the government, we will help you.

Government job is to govern and look after the country and make sure things work.

Government job by right is not to serve you like a maid. No wonder Singapore had trouble getting people who are able to join politics because people treat government people like a MAID.

warrenbegger ( Date: 06-May-2011 19:54) Posted:

Sure very pain!!! LOL!!!

The problem is,

They serve the peoples first? Or

They serve themself first? $$$$$

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they want to be paid S$10 millions each ? ? ? ?

as long as GST is ZERO like in Hong Kong ? ? ? ?

life will be OK ? ? ? ?

Hawkeye ( Date: 06-May-2011 23:16) Posted:

No matter what you pay them, they make a lot of money. With power and power to approve money is everywhere for those who have power.

We pay them millions. Our neighbour pay them a few thousand but they are hundred millionaires.

Whoever you vote, they are all the same. Are you sure all those politicians love to serve you? Dreaming for a Dream Team? Its a Dream thats for sure to dream of some politician to serve you. The Americans must be laughing at us. The naive Singaporeans.

Important is we look after ourselves. We are at this forum to look for leads and information so we can make better decision to make more money.

We help ourself. Have money the whole world is your servant. No money you are the servant.

warrenbegger ( Date: 06-May-2011 22:38) Posted:

And if they r paid so much, if they serve more, do more and care more. No one will talk!

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cost reduction will be good for S T I ? ? ? ?

with the High S$ exchange rates

did the car prices come down ? ? ? ?

did the petrol prices fall ? ? ? ?

Jackpot2010 ( Date: 07-May-2011 10:06) Posted:

Most people r expecting opposition to wins 2 SMC + 1 GRC today. If so STI should move UP on Mon. Good check n balance (if 2+1) but more GRC wins will spell disaster for STI!

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in order to make lots of money from TRADING ? ? ? ?

brOkerage rates must be reduced ? ? ? ?

Hawkeye ( Date: 07-May-2011 13:26) Posted:

Anyway politics do not bother those who have lots of money.

Our purpose here is to get to make lots of money and do what we want to do rather than do what we need to do.

So concentrate here to discuss what stocks will bull or what stocks will slide. Share our infor and hope to get more info to make a good judgement in our investment or trade.

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Hong Kong home sales fall to two-year low on curbs, rates

A slowdown is almost inevitable when there’s a combination of government curbs, mortgage rate hikes and unpredictable events.

Midland Holdings’ chief analyst

Buggle Lau

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TRUE AND TRUE

warrenbegger ( Date: 06-May-2011 19:19) Posted:

A good company must need a good auditor (Opposition).

If not boss anyhow do business (family business or people's business???).

Isolator ( Date: 06-May-2011 13:53) Posted:

Is time for the change.... PAP members and friends should have gained enough personally from their ruling all these years... What we are seeing so beautiful now may not be true..... Is time to send a new party into the paliament to reveal the truth.... Is time to we bring back the soul to Singapore.... Vote for the future! Democracy! lol

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ENBLOC

an EVIL SCHEME

Owners OWNED the LEASE for 99 YEARS.

That is an ENTITLEMENT of RESIDENCE and a RIGHT Of OWNERSHIP including ALL the RISKS of the PURCHASE.

WHEN there is BRIGHT FUTURE in the LONG TERM ? ? ? ?

the AUTHORITY robs the OWNERS of the FUTURE BENEFITS ? ? ? ?

by FORCED PURCHASE at an ARBITRARILY FIXED PRICE NOW ? ? ? ?

it is like FORCING Genting SP shareholders to SELL at S$0.320 when its IR project was announced ? ? ? ?

Laulan ( Date: 06-May-2011 11:35) Posted:

Not all PAP Mps are bad. But few are good. Out of 87 MPS, only a handful can be said to be doing real good work for the people.

There are many policies that are stifling the people. Look at this situation I came across.

There was an enblock at a certain area in Sims Drive. (Aljunied GRC?). The HDB wants back the couple of blocks for re-development (sometimes it eventually turns out for something else, so we won't knw the real purposes). Owners were given new flats in exchange at a new location. But " stupid" HDB policy prevented some owners from getting the new flats because they are lower income families judging from their CPF contributions. So theoretically cannot afford future installments, according to HDB's theory. They are refused to be given their entitled flats after agreeing to enblock. They were not given the new flats to select. So I think they will become homeless soon, i.e. when their enblocked flats are pulled down or redeveloped. Currently the families are still staying there, but who knows what HDB can do. I know the MPs have not done anything to help, nearly a year already and soon these people will suffer without homes..

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Lack of debate on

private housing

colin taN

property@mediacorp.com.sg

It is a pity that after several days of heated oratory ahead of Polling Day, there has been little debate, if any, on the private housing market. After all, a condominium is one of the 5C’s besides cash, car, credit card and country club membership that many Singaporeans aspire to have.

Colin Tan is head, research and consultancy, at Chesterton Suntec International.

Almost all of the discussion on housing has been focused on the public housing sector. This is expected as there is more political mileage to be gained from a vigorous debate on it. While private housing is not exactly a hot button issue, it does not mean that the majority is happy with the current state of affairs, based on the many letters and opinions covered by the media so far.

Under the present buoyant housing market conditions, many potential upgraders, not just those living in HDB flats but those living in older private estates, have had their housing aspirations put on hold. However, the sentiment here is less extreme. It is one of disappointment and exasperation rather than anger or discontent.

It is a shame that there is little debate on private housing because in a small place like Singapore of some 712 square kilometres, our property markets cannot be strictly compartmentalised into high-end private, mass market private and public housing and dealt with separately with different policies for each segment.

As we have seen since 2007, what happens in one sector invariably affects other segments — all the more so when the various segments are open for investment buying and as the proportion of housing sales by investors — as opposed to owner occupiers — increases over time.

Establishing stability or reducing price volatility should be sought for all segments. There should not be a separate playground [CASINO] for the rich and famous.

We cannot look at London, New York or Tokyo to get an idea of what property prices in Singapore would be like in the future.

In these cities, when property prices get too high for locals, they relocate to the outskirts. In tiny Singapore, if we were to do this, we would have to cross the borders and find ourselves in a different country.

Because of this, housing prices here cannot reach the dizzy heights as we have seen for those in London, New York or Tokyo — the affordability of homes to locals will always act as a constraint.

If we have policies that allow prices in one segment to rise unchecked, I am very sure they will backfire.

On Wednesday, it was reported that property stocks fell on fears that a possible raising of the household income ceiling for HDB build-to-order (BTO) flats could cool demand for mass market private properties. The Government had indicated that the S$8,000 income ceiling for families buying a flat from HDB could be raised to S$10,000 after the General Election.

If this comes to pass, there will definitely be more demand for BTO flats, but will it mean less demand for mass market housing? I doubt so, as most of these potential buyers are already out of the market for private housing as they cannot afford the prices demanded by developers. This is why they are clamouring to get into the public housing market.

At the moment, if you have been tracking the profile of buyers, most of the buying of mass market projects are by investors – both local and foreign.

Given the low interest rate environment, I cannot see a let-up in buying from these investors.

Of late, the buying and showflat attendances may have been affected by the electioneering but I expect normal business to resume after Polling Day.

The only threat is more policy measures to cool the market.

But what could be more severe than the sellers’ stamp duty measures implemented in mid-January?

An interest rate hike?

Not likely, because the Monetary Authority of Singapore has stated that a blanket rise will have repercussions on other sectors of the economy.

Maybe a more creative way of raising the cost of housing loans?

We shall see.

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Friday: 7 May 2011

Malaysia Raises Interest Rates to 3% BLOOMBERG

Malaysia yesterday raised interest rates for the first time this year and asked banks to set aside more cash as reserves for a second time, joining India in stepping up the fight against inflation, amid surging oil and food prices worldwide.

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) increased its overnight policy rate to 3 per cent from 2.75 per cent. The statutory reserve requirement level will rise to 3 per cent from 2 per cent, effective on May 16.

BNM governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz, the first to raise rates in Asia last year as the region led a recovery from the global recession, is resuming rate hikes after pausing since July as inflation accelerated to a 23-month high.

India boosted borrowing costs this week for the ninth time since mid-March of last year as rising prices force nations to tighten monetary policy at the risk of slowing growth. The South-east Asian nation’s economy may expand 5 to 6 per cent this year, easing from a decade-high of 7.2 per cent last year, according to the central bank.

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Friday: 7 May 2011

Malaysia Raises Interest Rates to 3% BLOOMBERG

Malaysia yesterday raised interest rates for the first time this year and asked banks to set aside more cash as reserves for a second time, joining India in stepping up the fight against inflation, amid surging oil and food prices worldwide.

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) increased its overnight policy rate to 3 per cent from 2.75 per cent. The statutory reserve requirement level will rise to 3 per cent from 2 per cent, effective on May 16.

BNM governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz, the first to raise rates in Asia last year as the region led a recovery from the global recession, is resuming rate hikes after pausing since July as inflation accelerated to a 23-month high.

India boosted borrowing costs this week for the ninth time since mid-March of last year as rising prices force nations to tighten monetary policy at the risk of slowing growth. The South-east Asian nation’s economy may expand 5 to 6 per cent this year, easing from a decade-high of 7.2 per cent last year, according to the central bank.

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Friday: 7 May 2011

Malaysia Raises Interest Rates to 3% BLOOMBERG

Malaysia yesterday raised interest rates for the first time this year and asked banks to set aside more cash as reserves for a second time, joining India in stepping up the fight against inflation, amid surging oil and food prices worldwide.

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) increased its overnight policy rate to 3 per cent from 2.75 per cent. The statutory reserve requirement level will rise to 3 per cent from 2 per cent, effective on May 16.

BNM governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz, the first to raise rates in Asia last year as the region led a recovery from the global recession, is resuming rate hikes after pausing since July as inflation accelerated to a 23-month high.

India boosted borrowing costs this week for the ninth time since mid-March of last year as rising prices force nations to tighten monetary policy at the risk of slowing growth. The South-east Asian nation’s economy may expand 5 to 6 per cent this year, easing from a decade-high of 7.2 per cent last year, according to the central bank.

x 0

Friday: 7 May 2011

Malaysia Raises Interest Rates to 3% BLOOMBERG

Malaysia yesterday raised interest rates for the first time this year and asked banks to set aside more cash as reserves for a second time, joining India in stepping up the fight against inflation, amid surging oil and food prices worldwide.

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) increased its overnight policy rate to 3 per cent from 2.75 per cent. The statutory reserve requirement level will rise to 3 per cent from 2 per cent, effective on May 16.

BNM governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz, the first to raise rates in Asia last year as the region led a recovery from the global recession, is resuming rate hikes after pausing since July as inflation accelerated to a 23-month high.

India boosted borrowing costs this week for the ninth time since mid-March of last year as rising prices force nations to tighten monetary policy at the risk of slowing growth. The South-east Asian nation’s economy may expand 5 to 6 per cent this year, easing from a decade-high of 7.2 per cent last year, according to the central bank.

x 0

Friday: 7 May 2011

Malaysia Raises Interest Rates to 3% BLOOMBERG

Malaysia yesterday raised interest rates for the first time this year and asked banks to set aside more cash as reserves for a second time, joining India in stepping up the fight against inflation, amid surging oil and food prices worldwide.

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) increased its overnight policy rate to 3 per cent from 2.75 per cent. The statutory reserve requirement level will rise to 3 per cent from 2 per cent, effective on May 16.

BNM governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz, the first to raise rates in Asia last year as the region led a recovery from the global recession, is resuming rate hikes after pausing since July as inflation accelerated to a 23-month high.

India boosted borrowing costs this week for the ninth time since mid-March of last year as rising prices force nations to tighten monetary policy at the risk of slowing growth. The South-east Asian nation’s economy may expand 5 to 6 per cent this year, easing from a decade-high of 7.2 per cent last year, according to the central bank.

x 0

Friday: 7 May 2011

Malaysia Raises Interest Rates to 3% BLOOMBERG

Malaysia yesterday raised interest rates for the first time this year and asked banks to set aside more cash as reserves for a second time, joining India in stepping up the fight against inflation, amid surging oil and food prices worldwide.

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) increased its overnight policy rate to 3 per cent from 2.75 per cent. The statutory reserve requirement level will rise to 3 per cent from 2 per cent, effective on May 16.

BNM governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz, the first to raise rates in Asia last year as the region led a recovery from the global recession, is resuming rate hikes after pausing since July as inflation accelerated to a 23-month high.

India boosted borrowing costs this week for the ninth time since mid-March of last year as rising prices force nations to tighten monetary policy at the risk of slowing growth. The South-east Asian nation’s economy may expand 5 to 6 per cent this year, easing from a decade-high of 7.2 per cent last year, according to the central bank.

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Regulatory consistency needed to avert crisis repeat SINGAPORE — Experts have called for a global central bank and financial authority to monitor and regulate markets to help avoid a recurrence of the 2008 to 2009 worldwide crisis.

Christopher Howells

christopherh@mediacorp.com.sg

Speaking at a conference organised by the Singapore Management University (SMU) yesterday, central bankers and academics said that leveraging by so-called “shadow banks”, such as hedge funds and investment banks, had made it difficult to track money globally.

Mr Ravi Menon, managing director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore, called for greater global consistency in regulation.

“This high degree of interdependence means that governments in major economies can no longer act in isolation. Regulatory policies must be globally consistent to minimise the risk of arbitrage.

Supervisory actions must be internationally coordinated to maximise their effectiveness,” he said.

Mr Menon added that regulators used to worry about institutions that were too big to fail but now they are more worried about those too interconnected to fail.

This is because cross-border bank lending has exceeded 40 per cent of world gross domestic product.

He stressed, however, that although global policies should be consistent, regulation and supervision must also cater to domestic context and circumstances to be effective.

Mr Andrew Sheng, chief advisor to the China Banking Regulatory Commission, said, “Finance has created a life of its own. It has become very abstract, very virtual and we can create liabilities as if there’s no tomorrow, because we can leverage this.

And the result is, of course, that we now have a crisis of fiat money, money created by the shadow banking system, global credit creation, with no global institution to maintain the hard budget constraint. And the reflexivity between credit creation globally drives interest rates lower and lower and then creates that asset bubble.”

Participants also noted that the rebalancing in the global economy is still ongoing, with the right recipe of regulation, capitalisation and minimising risk still to be addressed.

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Although global policies should be consistent, regulation and supervision must also cater to domestic context and circumstances to be effective.

Mr Ravi Menon,

MAS managing director

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Regulatory consistency needed to avert crisis repeat

Christopher Howells

christopherh@mediacorp.com.sg

Speaking at a conference organised by the Singapore Management University (SMU) yesterday, central bankers and academics said that leveraging by so-called “shadow banks”, such as hedge funds and investment banks, had made it difficult to track money globally.

Mr Ravi Menon, managing director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore, called for greater global consistency in regulation.

“This high degree of interdependence means that governments in major economies can no longer act in isolation. Regulatory policies must be globally consistent to minimise the risk of arbitrage.

Supervisory actions must be internationally coordinated to maximise their effectiveness,” he said.

Mr Menon added that regulators used to worry about institutions that were too big to fail but now they are more worried about those too interconnected to fail.

This is because cross-border bank lending has exceeded 40 per cent of world gross domestic product.

He stressed, however, that although global policies should be consistent, regulation and supervision must also cater to domestic context and circumstances to be effective.

Mr Andrew Sheng, chief advisor to the China Banking Regulatory Commission, said, “Finance has created a life of its own. It has become very abstract, very virtual and we can create liabilities as if there’s no tomorrow, because we can leverage this.

And the result is, of course, that we now have a crisis of fiat money, money created by the shadow banking system, global credit creation, with no global institution to maintain the hard budget constraint. And the reflexivity between credit creation globally drives interest rates lower and lower and then creates that asset bubble.”

Participants also noted that the rebalancing in the global economy is still ongoing, with the right recipe of regulation, capitalisation and minimising risk still to be addressed.SINGAPORE — Experts have called for a global central bank and financial authority to monitor and regulate markets to help avoid a recurrence of the 2008 to 2009 worldwide crisis.