Article 4: Serious actions taken against former NKF chairman and treasurer

Hot News // Thursday, May 17, 2007

Ex-NKF's Yong, Loo get maximum fine

Ansley Ng
ansley@mediacorp.com.sg

FORMER National Kidney Foundation (NKF) chairman Richard Yong and ex-treasurer Loo Say San — who were found guilty by a court yesterday of failing to exercise due diligence over a software upgrade project for the NKF — were both slapped with the maximum fine of $5,000.

To reflect the "gravity of the matter", District Judge Jasvender Kaur also barred Yong from taking on directorship of any firm for four years, while imposing a similar ban on Loo for three years.

It was the first criminal conviction of the NKF's former board members since the charity scandal, Singapore's biggest, erupted in July 2005.

The duo's punishment should "serve as a timely reminder to all directors of the need to exercise the degree of care mandated by their position of responsibility", said Deputy Public Prosecutor Chew Chin Yee.

Yong and Loo were found guilty under the Companies Act of giving the go-ahead for $1.3 million to be paid to Forte Systems, which eventually failed to deliver the software.

Forte Systems was owned by former NKF chief T T Durai's friend, Mr Pharis Aboobacker.

Yong and Loo, together with Durai and another board member Matilda Chua, were hauled to court after they resigned amid the charity scandal.

Yong and Loo are facing claims for $100,000 each in legal costs as a result of conceding to a civil suit brought against them by the new NKF in February for a lapse in duties as board members.

Durai — charged with corruption — will return to court on May 28, while Chua — accused of share rigging — will be back on a yet-to-be disclosed date.

Yong and Loo, along with several NKF staff, had met Mr Aboobacker in Chennai, India, in November 2004 to work out details of the deal and a discount on its price.

Yong, said Judge Kaur, was an "ornament ... without any real understanding" of what was going on at the meeting, while Loo's calculation of the proposed number of hours spent on the project was not "rational" and he "was not aware of NKF's rights under the agreement".

DPP Chew said the duo should have sought the opinion of the NKF executive committee before allowing the deal.

The lawyer for both men, Mr Chia Boon Teck, said in mitigation that his clients had not "acted in bad faith or dishonestly".

Both men, who could also have been jailed for up to a year, have 10 days to appeal.

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Last year, Mr. Durai of NKF (National Kidney Foundation) was found guilty of misusing the donations from the public meant to help the suffering patients under the organisation's care. This incident took the country by storm and today, we see our government treating such issues very seriously. This is in hopes of rebuilding the citizens' faith in helping those in need.

Previously, charity organisations sought the media's help in collecting donations from the public. Mediacorp would organise shows to attract the public to call in and donate and this was extremely successful. However, the viewers have called in not just because of the performances. Rather, they sympathise with the patients and their plight and are merely taking the chance to give what they can through these opportunities.

After the NKF incident however, two major negative impacts have hit Singapore.

Firstly, when the corruption and negligence of officials at NKF was exposed, Singaporeans felt appalled and definitely, cheated. They have been donating their hard-earned money to the organisation in hopes of making a difference in just one of their lives. However, what they have actually been doing is to donate cash which ends up being misused by people for personal reasons. Since then, they have begun to lose faith in charity and many have stopped donating. It is not that they have turned. Rather, they simply do not trust the charity organisations will use the money wisely and effectively. In the long run, it is possible these citizens may turn apathetic and may no longer have space in their hearts for the needy.

Next, as a result of the loss of faith, the patients have received fewer funds from the society. The equipment is expensive to maintain and upgrade, and at times expert help and consultation may cost money too. The patients are innocent, and yet, due to irrational and self-centered actions committed by those whom they are entrusted to, they have to take the brunt of the damage.

I do not blame the people who refuse to donate. It is understandable they are wary after such an incident has occurred. It would take time for their wounds to heal before they are willing to open their hearts out again. The government has looked upon this issue gravely and have realised the severe implications such incidents can have. If history should repeat itself there would be no place for charity in Singapore. The severe penalties they have imposed are not just to punish the guilty but for deterrence as well. As a student I may not have a full grasp of the situation and I do not fully understand what has been going on within the organisation. However, I am sure that things have gone wrong and that they are trying very hard to rectify their mistakes. I truly hope the people whom we trust enough to be put in charge of charity organisations would prioritise the needy and put their needs at the centre of all their decisions.

Word count: 498

Article 3: Domestic workers getting underpaid?

Hot News // Monday, May 14, 2007

Indonesia wants maids to be paid 25% more

Joseph Yadao
joseph.yadao@mediacorp.com.sg

COME July 1, it may get more expensive to hire an Indonesian domestic worker.

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Under plans to raise the minimum wage for its overseas workers, the Indonesian government said it will increase this figure to $350 — or 1.9 million rupiah — a month for those working in Singapore.

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This is 25 per cent higher than the current wage of $280 — a figure that has not changed for more than 10 years.

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"We won't send workers if the provisions are not followed," said Mr Jumhur Hidayat, the head of the National Agency for Indonesian Overseas Workers Placement and Protection, according to the Tempo newspaper on Friday.

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The wages, he said, was set following discussions between the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore, the TKI service company and maid agents in Singapore.

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However, enforcing this minimum wage policy may be easier said than done, said agents here.

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"It will be hard to enforce it legally, unless the Ministry of Manpower introduces a minimum wage system for maid agencies to follow," Mr Desmond Ding, owner of maid agency SG Manpower Employment Services, told Today.

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A ministry spokesman said there is no minimum wage set for foreign domestic workers here. The market forces determine the wages, and the terms and conditions of each contract are up to the employer and maid, she said.

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A similar move by the Philippines government to raise the minimum wages of Filipino maids to US$400 ($608) from March 1 — up from $300 to $350 — didn't have much impact, said agents.

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Said one agency owner: "I don't know of any Filipino maid being paid the minimum of US$400."

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If anything, the new rules will affect new domestic workers from Indonesia — Singapore's largest source of maids — rather than those already working here.

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As the employers' consent must be given to transfer a maid, the employer has the upper hand when it comes to these contract discussions, said Mr Ding, citing instances where maids have been given an ultimatum to either accept lower wages or be sent back home.

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But several agents hope employers embrace the higher wages.

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"The current salary, $280, is too low. This increase is fair," said Workforce Recruitment Centre owner Wilson Wong.

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Maids here are paid much lower than their counterparts in Hong Kong, who can earn as much as $700 a month.

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My grandparents have employed a domestic worker from Indonesia and she has proven to be a great asset to the family. Other than completing her assigned household chores diligently, she is a great companion to my grandparents. Indeed, I suppose no one can refute the fact that domestic workers deserve credit for helping their employers deal with maintaining their family and homes. Yet, I was shocked when I came across this article and realised that the maids here were paid only a meagre amount of $280!

Before we can conclude how much pay a maid should receive, let us consider the work she does. In Singapore, every working individual spends most of his time at work. After returning home from a hard day's work, why would anyone wish to spend precious time meant for rest on doing housework? These menial chores take up a lot of time. Thankfully for the maids, employers are now able to enjoy a hot bath before retiring to bed, instead of having to worry about such bothersome tasks. While one might argue that such work require little skill and expertise, we have to understand it requires great effort, especially for the landed properties, and that it does their employers a great deal of service.

Now that we have established that their work deserves credit, let us consider if $280 a month is doing them justice. No doubt, back in their homeland, $280 in Singapore currency is a considerable sum of money. As such, many people would agree that it is a fair sum. However, if we were to regard $280 in local context, it is truly a incredibly small amount of wages to be given on a monthly basis. $280 a month does not even work out to $10 per day, which is the amount of pocket money most teenagers receive. I suppose this is a debatable issue. I am but a secondary student and it is hard for me to judge on such affairs with regards to the concept of money and market prices. However, personally, I feel the maids should be given more, especially if their counterparts in other countries are receiving nearly thrice of what they earn. Singapore citizens are certainly capable of giving much more.

As stated in the article, the wages are pretty much determined by the market forces and conditions are set by the employer. If a person is able to afford the employment of a maid in the first place, raising the wages by another $70 should not be a problem. The issue at hand is no longer merely shortchanging them of $70, but rather it would affect our national prestige as a leading power in the world economy.

In conclusion, while I am not able to determine if their pay is just, as I have a weak understanding of the economy, I would say that if the employers are able to, they should pay their maids the just amount designated by the Indonesian government.

(Word Count: 496)

Reflection

Before I start, let me clarify that this is NOT an article about gender bias or a debate with regards to the superiority of either sex. The title of the article might be misleading, but this is actually an article on what makes good bosses/leaders. (not included in word count)

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According to research done in the article, most people seek out qualities in leaders such as ethics and integrity, lead by example, communication, accountability, building trust, and being knowledgeable and wise.

Sounds familiar doesn't it? These are actually the core values in which the school has been trying to build unto us. The school has recognised the importance of these values in not only molding us into good people, but effective leaders as well.

However, the value topping the wanted list (ethics and integrity) seem to be what Rafflesians are lacking most nowadays. Putting this value down onto a small scale, we can see our friends copying work from one another in class daily. During tests, some students would leak the questions out to those who have not taken it. Now, while these may not seem to amount to much currently, what is worrying is the build-up of such habbits, as well as the continual degradation of our integrity. What would happen if we continue on like this for another 20 years? Would we be rising up the rungs of the social ladder through backstabbing and sabotaging others?

However, as a student, I do not understand how society works and I have made many assumptions by saying so. It is highly possible that people do not act the same way they do in school. Perhaps taking a shortcut by copying another’s work in school is a small issue and they change their behaviour in future as they understand the consequences.

It is a well known fact that Rafflesians are smart. However, being academically smart fufills only one of the qualities as stated in the first paragraph -- being knowledgeable. If this is what we are so proud of, then it really is nothing much to boast of. While the Raffles Programme aims to give her students a well-rounded education, values such as trust and honour cannot be taught easily. It is something which has to be developed over time.

Of course, not to be too cynical, there are definitely exemplary students existing within the school. Going through the Raffles Programme for a span of 4 years would definitely have some impact upon us. I am not trying to say being a Rafflesian would equate to being someone without moral values. My point here is that being successful in the academic field does not necessarily mean success in life.

In conclusion, I would like to emphasize once again the importance of the core value of integrity. This is the very basis and foundation to us in working with others. A good leader is one whom others can trust. Before we can set an example, or set visions for others to follow, we need to command respect from them by showing them how good a person we are in the first place. While there are many Rafflesians who have shown this quality in the most admirable ways, there are definitely still some who do not.

Article on Female Bosses

ub Date: 03/02/2007   Pub: BT              Page: 2
Edition: Weekend

Headline: Do women make good bosses? Yes, say most top execs
By: Chuang Peck Ming
Page Heading: Top Stories
Subject: Surveys, Women Workers
Notes:
Chart
  

Ethics, integrity most desired leadership traits, poll shows

[SINGAPORE] Most senior executives think women can make good bosses, though a
sizable number reckon men are more natural at it, a poll by the Singapore Human
Resources Institute has found.
 Sixty-four per cent of the executives polled said gender makes no difference
when it comes to being a good leader. Still, 31 per cent felt that men make
better leaders, while only 4 per cent thought women do so.
 Yet it is the soft skills that senior executives - most of them human
resource directors and above - generally seek when looking for a dream leader.
Ethics and integrity top the list of desired leadership qualities, according to
53 per cent of the 192 executives polled.
 Lead by example (52 per cent) was ranked second, followed by vision (51 per
cent), communication (48 per cent), accountability (37 per cent), building
trust (36 per cent), knowledgeable and wise (33 per cent), motivator (29 per
cent), supportive (28 per cent) and inspiring (25 per cent).
 'At least four in 10 respondents saw three of the desired behaviours
demonstrated by their supervisors,' the report says. 'These were ethics and
integrity (50 per cent), accountability (49 per cent) and communication (46.5
per cent).'
 Only one in three indicated that their bosses, many of whom are chief
executives and managing directors, have two other key traits - leading by
example and being visionary.
 Most of the executives polled work in the manufacturing sector and almost
half at multinational corporations.
 Many do not see their bosses as visionary, inspiring, motivating or
knowledgeable and wise. Nor do they think most bosses lead by example. And
bosses do not put in enough effort to build trust and are not supportive.
 'This could indicate that the leaders at a senior level may lack these
qualities or that their actions and vision might not be clearly communicated or
communicated,' the report says.
 While the poll indicated that the senior executives are generally happy with
their bosses' performance - and there is good camaraderie between them - 54 per
cent of respondents felt there is still room for leadership training.
 Bosses are also not engaging their staff fully to motivate and develop their
skills and abilities, according to the poll.
 Still, the bosses fared well on personal rapport. More than seven in 10 of
the executives polled are impressed that bosses know their audience when they
address them. And more than half appreciate that bosses talk about principles
or values behind their decisions and often explain their actions.
 On the other hand, many of the respondents believe their bosses must improve
personal communication skills. Fifty-eight per cent of those polled complained
that their achievements are seldom, or never, recognised by their bosses.
 Yet many bosses practise empowerment, giving more than half of respondents
polled the freedom to do what they believe is right - and involving them in
decision-making.
 But this should not come as a surprise, the report says. At least 42 per
cent of the executives hold director-and-above appointments. 'Moreover, they
are leaders in their own field.'
 The poll also found that 41 per cent of executives quit jobs because of sour
relations with bosses, while only 12 per cent resigned because their bosses had
quit.

Reflection

Reflection

Abortion defiles the sanctity of life. Fetuses are not merely clumps of cells we are talking about here – they are fragments of our very own DNA. They are fellow human beings. If we are unable to justify the murder of Huang Na (an incident which caused a very big woo-ha, I might add), how is it that people find abortion acceptable? Are they not murderers?

Of course, looking at things from one perspective is not enough. When there are two human entities within a single body, one of their rights must prevail over the other. People use this argument to justify abortion, and I agree there are some situations which fit this reasoning (e.g. rape victim having a misbegotten brood).

However, in most cases in our society, the reasons for abortion are within control. Statistics have shown that there are approximately 126,000 abortions happening daily, which in turn would show there are approximately 46 million number of abortions per year! Now this might seem to be a hugely shocking number – but what is even worse is that out of these 46 million abortions, only about 1% occur because of rape or incest. 6% occurs because of potential health problems regarding either the mother or the child, and 93% occur because of ‘social’ reasons, which would encompass the teenagers in the article.

Most cases of abortion results from irresponsible behaviour. As can be seen from the article, many women have undergone the operation multiple times. One of them even commented that “using a condom will lessen sexual satisfaction” and so conveniently decides to practice casual sex and for that few moments of pleasure. That is simply rash and immature. The article is trying to send the message that using contraceptives would remove unwanted pregnancies and in turn, reduce the rate of abortions.

Another point the article is trying to make is the mindsets of teenagers nowadays. I quote, "I fall asleep in the doctor's clinic and when I wake up, the baby is gone," From their point of view, the baby is of no relation to them, and since they are not born, abortion would not constitute to anything. However, do they not understand that with each operation they undergo, another life is taken? While they feel no pain, a soul is being ripped apart in their body. I understand that as young teens with unwanted pregnancies, undergo immense stress. The thought of having to bring a baby up at this young age is simply horrifying - it would ruin their future. However, i stand by my viewpoint. Either abstain from sex, or use contraceptives.

I do not personally know any one who has had an abortion, or an unwanted pregnancy for that matter. Perhaps
this would indicate that I am in no position to comment on this issue. I admit that I am prejudiced in the sense I
have always thought abortion was wrong, and it constitutes murder. Perhaps there is a reason justifying their
actions. But, perhaps there isn't.

References:
http://www.cbrinfo.org/Resources/fastfacts.html

Article on Abortion

Pub Date: 13/08/2006   Pub: ST              Page: 4
Day: Sunday

Headline: Abortion after abortion after abortion ...
By: Nur Dianah Suhaimi
Page Heading: news
Subject: Abortion, Singapore Youth
Notes:
Photo illustration
  

How teens deal with unwanted babies

Some teens are choosing abortion repeatedly to deal with unwanted pregnancies
and continuing with unprotected sex afterwards, instead of using contraceptives

SHE is 18 years old and a student, but she has already become pregnant three
times, because possible side effects have put her off taking birth control
pills.
 The first two times, she aborted the foetus. The third time, her
gynaecologist refused to perform an abortion, saying her womb could not take
another procedure.
 Like her, many young women here are falling into the abortion trap - and not
just once. They get pregnant, go for an abortion and then continue having sex
without protection.
 Doctors and counsellors say many of these girls believe they will not be
unlucky enough to get pregnant again. Yet, some find themselves on the
gynaecologist's table again and again.
 The Ministry of Health does not have figures for teens who have had multiple
abortions. The total number of teenage abortions has been declining steadily
over the years, reaching a seven-year low of 1,341 in 2004. However, some teens
appear to be contributing more to abortion figures than others.
 The Sunday Times spoke to 20 youngsters who got pregnant as teens, with 12
saying that they have since had multiple abortions. More disturbingly, they do
not see it as a big deal, though all declined to give their full names.
 'I fall asleep in the doctor's clinic and when I wake up, the baby is gone,'
said Jamie, a 21-year-old waitress who underwent her first abortion when she
was 17 and has had two more since.
 'I don't see or feel any baby. Maybe that's why I don't feel guilty when I
abort.'
 Administrative assistant Anne, 23, was 19 when she went for her first
abortion. Last year, she went for another. Both times, she got pregnant because
she never bothered with contraceptives.
 'Using a condom will lessen sexual satisfaction. So I thought I'd take the
risk,' she said.
 Lenny, 17, a secondary school student, went for an abortion earlier this
year after having unprotected sex with her boyfriend on staircase landings and
in deserted carparks. Despite having to pay $400 for the procedure with her
savings and some cash borrowed from friends, she has gone back to having
unprotected sex.
 'If I keep condoms in my bag, my parents might find them. I rather not leave
any traces of my sex life,' she said.
 This kind of attitude is common, according to a gynaecologist who runs a
clinic in Chinatown.
 'They think they will never get pregnant. They're like chronic gamblers who
don't believe they will lose. But they keep on losing.'
 Gynaecologist Jen Shek Wei agrees, adding: 'The risk of getting pregnant is
always there. It is like Russian roulette. Occasionally, you'll get caught. And
some women get caught more than others.'
 Most gynaecologists said it is a known fact that many women visit different
doctors for subsequent abortions to spare themselves the embarrassment.
 'They might be hiding previous terminations from the doctor and there's no
way we can tell. Most times, we don't dwell too much on their history because
they may feel like they are being criticised,' said Dr Loke Kah Leong, who runs
a women's clinic in Tampines.
 One counsellor at aLife, a volunteer group that helps women in pregnancy
crisis, added: 'We see those with multiple abortions only once in a while.
Sometimes, they don't want to come back to us when they're pregnant again
because they're scared we will scold them.'
 The dangers most commonly related to abortion include the risk of cervical
infection and bleeding.
 Having an abortion may also lessen the chances of conceiving in future.
 However, this latter fact, often used to scare girls into being more
careful, can actually worsen the problem.
 Teens whom The Sunday Times spoke to said they tended to use contraceptives
less often after an abortion because they believed it would be harder to get
pregnant.
  'It is a gross exaggeration to say abortions rule out the possibility of
future pregnancies,' said gynaecologist Lee Kim Kwong.
 Subsequent infertility is actually not a big problem in Singapore, because
procedures are carried out properly by certified gynaecologists.
 But while the physical damage may be minor, the emotional trauma can be
harder to prevent. Also, not all teenagers are blase about flushing out their
foetues.
 Ms Rose Boon from Family Life Society has counselled a woman who still
suffers from severe post-abortion depression 10 years after she underwent one.
 One 22-year-old deals with her teenage abortion four years ago by
celebrating the child's birthday each year with a candle-lit cake and clothes
as a birthday present.
 The birthday, which falls on the day of the abortion, is celebrated with her
boyfriend, the baby's father.

ndianah@sph.com.sg


I fall asleep in the doctor's clinic and when I wake up, the baby is gone. I
don't see or feel any baby. Maybe that's why I don't feel guilty when I abort.'
 - JAMIE, 21, a waitress


They think they will never get pregnant. They're like chronic gamblers who
don't believe they will lose. But they keep on losing.'
 - A GYNAECOLOGIST in private practice