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22 Feb 2020
Ministry of Health
Suggestion View - 1
A coronavirus number worth highlighting

I have been very impressed with our nation's transparency in the communication of data and updates about the coronavirus, the persistent contact tracing and the meticulous follow-up procedures throughout the crisis (WHO impressed by how S'pore handles outbreak, Feb 20). It is reassuring to know that the Government is handling the crisis with efficiency and integrity. I suggest that the authorities highlight the net number of active coronavirus patients - that is, th......



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22 Feb 2020
Infocomm Media Dev Agency (IMDA)
Suggestion View - 3
Onus of proving fake news should fall on Government

I must disagree with Justice Belinda Ang that the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (Pofma) does not constrain free speech and that the onus should be on the person making the statement to show that it is true (Judge: Onus not on Govt to prove statement is false in Pofma cases, Feb 20). Pofma may not require removal of the original statement but it forces the person to label it false even though he may not agree with the argument. It may also cause the public ......



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22 Feb 2020
Advertising Standards Authority of Singapore
Reply View - 1
Asas depends on consumer complaints to regulate ads

We thank Mr Michel Stravens for his feedback (Beware misleading ad practice by retailers, Feb 14). The Advertising Standards Authority of Singapore (Asas) is the self-regulatory body that regulates advertisements to ensure compliance with the Singapore Code of Advertising Practice (Scap). Under Scap, ads should not mislead consumers by omitting material information, or by being inaccurate or untruthful, whether in pricing or promotions. Asas uses the ......



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22 Feb 2020
Covid-19 epidemic
Suggestion View - 173
Contact tracing is an ineffective and wasteful activity

Contact tracing is implemented under Dorscon Orange. I find it to be an ineffective and wasteful activity. Let me explain why. Mr X took the bus and changed to the MRT train to go to have lunch with his friend in a shopping mall.  He visited his club in the afternoon and was found to have a fever.  He went to a clinic and was sent to hospital. He was found to have the covid-19 virus. Who are the people that he might have infec......



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22 Feb 2020
Covid-19 epidemic
Suggestion View - 93
Controlling the spread of the virus - Singapore's approach

The World Health Organization (WHO) praised Singapore for our efforts in dealing with the covid-19 virus. They must be impressed with the effort that are being taken under Dorscon Orange to have temperature scanning, contact tracing and the home quarantine. Here is a report. https://sg.news.yahoo.com/covid-19-praises-singapore-tremendous-080418750.html There is no doubt......



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21 Feb 2020
Football Association of Singapore (FAS)
Feedback View - 2
Don't leave out young talent in SAF and Home teams in privatisation push

I share Mr Sebastian Tan's regret on the fate of Home United, though for a different reason (Sad to see Home United name go, Feb 20). For years sports enthusiasts have raised the issue of the clash of national service with the development and progress of young up-and-coming sports talents. At least in football, we have seen for years the participation of the Singapore Armed Forc......



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21 Feb 2020
National Environment Agency
Suggestion View - 2
Take hygiene standards at food establishments a notch up

I commend the launch of the "SG Clean" quality mark system aimed at improving public hygiene for our food and drink sectors (Food stalls to sport 'SG Clean' mark for hygiene standards, Feb 17). Given the current Covid-19 crisis, the timing is spot on. It is also an opportune time to drive home the danger of food poisoning. After all, it was not long......



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21 Feb 2020
IRAS
Reply View - 2
Over 95% of GST refunds paid out within 7 days

We thank Mr Manmohan Singh for his feedback (Give SMEs more help in this tough climate, Feb 15). The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (Iras) pays out more than 95 per cent of the goods and services tax (GST) refund claims within seven days of receipt of the GST returns. However, it may withhold refund for a small number of GST refund claims suspected to be incorrect or fraudulent, pending the audit and investigation outcome. Iras has to safeguard......



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20 Feb 2020
Out of the box
Suggestion View - 678
Bad reaction to minister's speech to the SCCCI

An audio of the minister Chan's speech to the SCCCI was leaked out. The public was shocked to hear the recording. The minister was highly criticized in social media over two issues: a) His use of Singlish, which is unbecoming of a highly paid minister b) His description of the behavior of some people (e.g. those who rush to stockpile food and masks) as idiots, stupid and selfish. I like to share my perspective. I sai......



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20 Feb 2020
Ministry of Health
Suggestion View - 99
First Level screening for Covid-19 infections

I saw a recent statement from the ministry of manpower telling employers not to send their workers for screening of workers at the hospital, if the workers are healthy. It is difficult for the employer to make this determination of whether the workers should or should not be sent for screening. I suggest that the ministry of health introduce the following system for first level screening of Covid-19 infections. a) Appoint a network of clinics from the public and pri......



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20 Feb 2020
Ministry of Manpower
Feedback View - 3
Agency charges same amount for new and transfer maids

I employed a transfer foreign domestic worker through a maid agency last month. She had been sent back to the agency after working seven months with her former employer. Still, I was charged the same agency fee as if I were employing a new maid who had yet to arrive in Singapore. I asked for a reduction in the agency fee, as the maid's previous employer would already have paid that amount, but my request was rejected. The reason given was that it is t......



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20 Feb 2020
National Environment Agency
Feedback View - 2
Errant funeral services firm let off easy

The National Environment Agency (NEA) had on Jan 4 barred funeral services firm Harmony Funeral Care from using government-run after-death facilities after it was found not to have put in place sufficient measures to ensure the proper handling of the late Mr Kee Kin Tiong. It was announced that NEA would lift the suspension only when it was satisfied that all necessary measures had been put in place. I hope the NEA can clarify what "necessary measures" have been put......



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19 Feb 2020
Ministry of Health
Suggestion View - 69
Leave the scarce supply of face masks for the hospital workers

Minister Chan said that the govt has to conserve the limited supply of surgical masks for use in the hospitals. I agree with this approach. The doctors and nurses are at the most risks, as they have to take care of the infected patients at close proximity. This means that less masks are available for use by the general public. I find it acceptable. The risk of i......



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19 Feb 2020
Smart Nation
Suggestion View - 86
Getting people to use cashless payments

We now have more than 20 platforms offering cashless payments. This is too fragmented.  We need a universal cashless payment system that is as universal as cash. It should be used by all customers and merchants.  To achieve this goal, the universal system must meet the following goals: a) It must be easy to use. b) It cannot be confined only to consumers who have a mobile phone and knows how to use an app. c) It should be low c......



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19 Feb 2020
Smart Nation
Suggestion View - 93
How to make merchants like cashless payments

Most people find that they have to carry too many cards. That's right. Each person should be required to carry no more than (say) 6 cards. Each card should be actively used. These 6 cards card be: a) an identity card b) a transit card c) a credit card d) an employee or school card e) a cash card (but it must be universally accepted) f) whatever if your favorite. I get annoyed with the PG or the MG card or the......



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19 Feb 2020
SCDF
Suggestion View - 3
Hold food rationing drills to prepare people for real crises

After the recent public hoarding of food and other daily necessities upon the coronavirus outbreak response level turning to code orange, it is assuring to know that the Government always has a ready stockpile of food and other essential items to tide us over any emergency or crisis. It may be less of a challenge to maintain the said stockpile in normal times. I envisage that the real challenge is in the equitable allocation of the food and items when stocks run low during......



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19 Feb 2020
Covid-19 epidemic
Suggestion View - 3
Dispose of used masks responsibly

Over the past few weeks, the coronavirus outbreak has led to some rushing to buy and use masks. During my early morning walks around the neighbourhood, I have noticed, to my dismay, used masks discarded in various places, including void decks, playgrounds and the open field in a park. They have become a daily eyesore. It is ironic that masks have become a source of contamination, thanks to the callousness of some. And it pains me that these people do not spare a ......



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19 Feb 2020
National Environment Agency
Suggestion View - 1
Tackle bird problem at hawker centres, coffee shops

It is heartening to read about the quality scheme to raise cleanliness standards and safeguard public health amid the coronavirus outbreak (Food stalls to sport 'SG Clean' mark for hygiene standards, Feb 17). The scheme needs the concerted effort of both stallholders and the public to succeed. At this juncture, I am sure everyone will play his part.......



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18 Feb 2020
Ministry of Finance
Suggestion View - 123
Duty of govt to ensure workers are gainfully employed

During the negotiation to resolve the US-China trade war, the US side complained that China was subsidizing its state owned enterprises and gave them an advantage over American businesses. The Chinese side explained that the state subsidy was necessary to ensure that these enterprises are able to continue to keep the workers employed. If the workers are retrenched, it would lead to a loss of income and social unrest. I consider the ......



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18 Feb 2020
Immigration and Checkpoint Authority
Feedback View - 4
$10 to replace identity card more reasonable

The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) explained that the NRIC is made of highly durable polycarbonate material, subjected to stringent tests and not easily damaged (IC not easily damaged with normal handling, Feb 10). But the identity card in my possession is thin and cracks easily (it has already chipped twice within a year under normal usage). The ICA also reasons that its replacement fee of $60 for an identity card covers the costs incurred by the autho......



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18 Feb 2020
Covid-19 epidemic
Suggestion View - 4
Self-sufficency critical to our survival

The idea of producing masks in Singapore is a reminder for us to cherish the value of strategic capability in times of crisis (Singapore should produce its own masks, by Mr David Kong, Feb 11). Having gone through the dark days of the Japanese Occupation, I raised the issue of Singapore's food production capability with the chairman of the Economic Development Board in the 1970s. The recent panic buying of essential items brings to mind unpleasant experiences in pas......



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18 Feb 2020
Covid-19 epidemic
Suggestion View - 3
Use robots to minimise risk of virus spreading

It is unfortunate that a Certis officer was likely infected by the coronavirus while doing his job to serve quarantine orders to two people from Wuhan (Certis officer had served quarantine orders before symptoms set in, Feb 11). We now know that the virus is highly contagious. When I read that enforcement officers from the Ministry of Manpower are doing house visits to check on workers serving the mandatory leave of absence (LOA), I worry for them (and for those who they come into......



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18 Feb 2020
Singapore Red Cross
Reply View - 1
Many avenues to donate to Red Cross

I thank Phillip Tan Fong Lip for his letter (Create donation hotline, Feb 7). The Singapore Red Cross launched a public appeal on Feb 4 to deliver assistance and support communities in China affected or at risk of being affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The needs are tremendous, and so are the resources required to support these communities. Our decision to respond to this crisis is in line with our humanitarian mission - to serve the vulnerable in their time of......



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17 Feb 2020
Singapore Armed Forces
Feedback View - 6
In-camp training must go on

 am surprised that when Singapore moved its disease outbreak response to orange, there were a number of suggestions on social media platforms that in-camp training be suspended (SAF takes measures to prevent spread of virus, Feb 12). Such a move would open a can of worms as other units in the Home Team would also demand suspension of their training. Singapore cannot afford that given its vulnerability. If we place self-interest over nation, Singa......



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17 Feb 2020
Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS)
Suggestion View - 2
Airlines should allow ticket cancellations with refunds

Together with many countries, Singapore has been affected by the outbreak of the coronavirus. We know that this virus is asymptomatic - infected people may not display any symptoms but may, nevertheless, be carriers and infect others. As there is an incubation period, the taking of temperatures has limited effectiveness. What we have been advised is to exercise good hygiene and restrict non-essential travel. This is logical as travellin......



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17 Feb 2020
Ministry of Manpower
Suggestion View - 3
Defer routine health checks for maids for now

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) should consider deferring routine health checks of maids so that they do not pose an additional strain to the healthcare system in the midst of the battle against the coronavirus. There are about 250,000 foreign maids in Singapore. With health screening required every six months, this means that on an annual basis, half a million health checks need to be done. This translates roughly to 30,000 to 40,000 health checks a month. Given the......



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17 Feb 2020
Covid-19 epidemic
Suggestion View - 239
Do not issue code Orange next time!

The health minister issued code Orange and caused the following outcomes: a) There was panic with the public at large rushing to stock up food and other supplies. b) Many workplaces have to set aside many workers to do temperature scanning and collect data for contract tracing c) Some countries started to impose restrictions on travel to and from Singapore.  Instead of issuing code Orange, the health minister could have taken the following steps:......



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17 Feb 2020
Covid-19 epidemic
Suggestion View - 125
Provide hand sanitizers at public places

The medical experts advised that people should wash their hands frequently to get rid of the virus.  I suggested that the govt should provide hand sanitizers for use by the public at all public places, such as MRT stations, bus interchanges, malls and markets.  Some people said - the sanitizers will run out quickly.  Sure, they will run out, because they will be used quickly. How about employing people to go round every hour to fill up ......



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17 Feb 2020
Covid-19 epidemic
Suggestion View - 254
Measures to stop the spread of the virus

Under code orange, the govt implement the following strategies to stop the spread of the virus: a) Have workplaces implement temperature scanning b) Record contact details for contact tracing. A lot of work is done, but I sense that these measures are not effective. What are better ways to stop the spread of infection? I suggest these ways: a) Implement temperature scanning at public places - MRT stations, bus interchanges, marke......



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16 Feb 2020
Covid-19 epidemic
Negative View - 230
MP wear a mask to visit an infected person

Mr Tan I am not taking sides but I think Mr GMS does have a point. A ruling party MP has responded to a Facebook post by an opposition politician that criticized her for wearing a mask during a visit to a block with one of Singapore’s coronavirus patients. In her response on Facebook the same day, Ms Cheng said: “One of our residents here at Tampines East is a confirmed patient of the nCoV.” She explained that she had gone to the patient’s block to help the Tampines Town Council w......



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