《联合早报》Oct 13, 2007
虽然所有的新建大厦都须采用无障碍设计，但如果各别建筑的设施无法让年长者及残疾者连接通行，他们连抵达大厦都有问题，更不用说要使用大厦设施了。
建设局推出建筑环境通行准则(Code on Accessibility in the Built Environment)，取代现有的无障碍通行准则，以加强大厦和大厦之间的连接设施，全面打造无障碍环境，让年长及残障者出门时通行无阻。
大厦与公共设施之间也必须通行无阻
建筑环境通行准则明年4月1日生效，列明新建大厦须与毗邻大厦及公共设施之间通行无阻，方便老弱、残障者及推婴儿车出门的家庭往来。基础设施如巴士站、公园、广场及停车场等，都须方便不良于行者使用。
国家发展部政务部长傅海燕昨天为建设局举办的“建筑环境通行无阻”座谈会开幕时宣布这个消息。她吁请商业大厦和购物中心业主主动修建无障碍设施，以照顾顾客利益。
现有准则着重于大厦内的无障碍设计，新准则范围更广，延伸至大厦与大厦之间、及大厦和社区各种设施之间的通行设施，强调的是整个生活环境的互通性。准则对象也从残障者扩展至年长者、孕妇及有幼童的家庭。
建筑环境通行准则也着眼于生活细节，以提升残疾者的生活素质。
例如，准则要求业者提供至少一台自动提款机供轮椅使用者使用，除了轮椅使用者电梯外，大厦其他电梯按钮也须以点字（braille）来呈现号码，及以凸纹（tactile）协助视障者辨认方向。电梯紧急铃声也须附有灯光，照顾失聪者需要。
无障碍通行准则在1990年推出，之后兴建的大厦都须遵守。虽然在1990年前兴建的大楼无需遵守准则，不过建设局积极鼓励业主为公众打造无障碍环境。
建设局估计，乌节路、珊顿道及勿拉士峇沙路等繁忙地带有大约四成旧建筑需要翻新以提升大厦设施，方便有需要者使用。
傅海燕说，一些业主或许是因为费用或大厦面积等问题而未增建无障碍设施，所以当局不会强制旧大厦遵守准则，而是采取循序渐进方式，鼓励业者为大众利益提升设施。她鼓励业者向建设局申请款项，资助部分提升设施的费用。
4000万元资助业主设无障碍设施
未来五年，建设局将拨4000万元鼓励大厦业主为用户增设无障碍设施。建设局可资助高达四成的无障碍设施增建费用，每座大厦顶限为15万元。
除商业大楼外，各组屋区已陆续打造无障碍环境。
社区发展理事会西北区市长张俰宾博士受访时说，每个人民行动党管理的市镇理事会所管辖范围内，至少已有一个邻里完成提升工作，市镇会已展开第二阶段工程，接下来会有更多邻里增建无障碍通行设施。
张俰宾博士也是14个人民行动党管辖的市镇会协调委员会主席。
Monday, October 15, 2007
Asset Inflation May Not Always Be A Bad Thing
Source : The Straits Times, Oct 15, 2007
Property owners, for instance, could gain as asset prices climb.
AS RECENTLY as four years ago, it was the fear of falling consumer prices and its corrosive effect on the stock market and residential properties which gave investors sleepless nights.
Now, economists are worrying about the very opposite phenomenon - rising levels of inflation and their impact on the global economy.
Inflation, like its cousin deflation, is usually seen as an economic bogeyman with the potential to wreak economic havoc if it runs out of control.
But there are circumstances under which investors - property buyers for instance - can win from rising consumer prices.
First, think back to 2003, when Sars stalked much of East Asia and the deflation beast was on the loose. Buying sentiment was so poor that even though residential property prices plummeted, there were few takers.
Downward spiral
AND nearly every condo owner had a grim tale or two to tell of the blight on their posh estates - when, say, an unfortunate neighbour’s flat was repossessed by the bank and put up for mortgagee sale, after he had defaulted on his mortgage.
Such scenarios often turn into a downward spiral. The more buyers postpone purchases, the more sellers are forced to cut prices.
Deflation becomes the enemy of the borrower saddled with huge debts.
Even though he might have borrowed at a 1 per cent interest rate from the bank, if the price of his property falls by 5 per cent, he is actually paying 6 per cent rates in real terms.
Worse, he may suffer negative equity, as the value of his home slips below the amount owed on the mortgage.
In practice, this type of nasty economic downward spiral works like a massive dampener on the stock market too. From 2000 to 2002, the benchmark Straits Times Index ended lower each year for three consecutive years.
Fast forward to now, and the scenario could hardly be more different. Property prices are soaring and there is an air of growing prosperity.
The main gripe now is about how expensive condos are and how much extra cash is needed to fill up the car’s petrol tank, as inflation climbs.
Those old enough to have lived through the tumultuous 1970s, when inflation was in double digits, warn that too much inflation is a bad thing.
Then, like right now, inflation was unleashed by a lethal cocktail of rocketing oil prices and low interest rate policies by successive United States Federal Reserve chairmen, which caused prices of goods to surge, even as the global economy wallowed in recession.
But those looking back at the 1970s also observed that the era provided ample opportunities for great fortunes to be created.
Overall, the stock market performance back then was decidedly unimpressive.
After hitting record highs in 1972, blue chips such as OCBC Bank and United Overseas Bank sank to a fraction of their values, as a gigantic stock market bubble burst with the onset of rampant inflation, after oil prices quadrupled.
But in Singapore and Hong Kong, this also created an environment where interest rates on loans became effectively negative, as inflation galloped ahead of mortgage rates.
In other words, paying off a loan with 5 per cent interest was a breeze if, for instance, prices - and presumably wages - were rising at 7 or 8 per cent year.
Those who took out big loans to finance real estate purchases in Singapore and Hong Kong, where prime land was in scarce supply, were amply rewarded for taking the risks.
Inflation eroded the costs of their borrowings, while providing the perfect backdrop for soaring property prices.
This spawned a new generation of billionaires such as Hong Kong’s Li Ka Shing and the Hong Leong group’s late patriarch Kwek Hong Png, as they rode the property bubble caused by worldwide stagflation - inflation coupled with stagnant economies - to create massive business empires.
It is too early to say whether the world is on the verge of entering a scenario like that seen in the 1970s, which wrought havoc in global economies but also richly rewarded the few who were fortuitous enough to recognise how they might profit from it.
But one thing is certain. Inflation is here to stay, as long as oil prices continue to stay at their current sky-high levels of above US$80 a barrel.
Negative interest
AND with the Fed bowing to domestic pressure by cutting interest rates to combat a souring mortgage crisis back home, prices of prime assets such as Singapore real estate may go on a roll, as funds flee from the falling returns offered by a weakening dollar.
So just like in the 1970s, home owners may get to enjoy effective negative interest rates once again, as their home prices appreciate well above the servicing costs on their mortgages.
For a young couple just starting out in life, the best bet is to get married early and apply for a new HDB flat.
Although they will have to slog to pay back the enormous home loan they take out, it will be the best insurance they can take out to protect their Central Provident Fund life savings from being eroded over the years by inflation.
The odds are good that, like their parents before them, they will stand to reap huge capital gains, as property prices swing up.
Inflation can pose some serious economic headaches if it begins to run out of control, as it can create major uncertainty throughout an economy. People on fixed salaries suffer badly too.
But for some investors at least, inflation can represent a happy problem to live with, at least for now.
As one economist observes, the opposite of inflation - deflation - is like quicksand, easy to get stuck in, but difficult to escape.
Inflation may have its problems but, for some, it can be turned into fabulous investment opportunities.
WIN SOME, LOSE SOME
Inflation can pose some serious economic headaches if it begins to run out of control, as it can create major uncertainty throughout an economy. But while inflation may have its problems, for some, it can be turned into fabulous investment opportunities.
Property owners, for instance, could gain as asset prices climb.
AS RECENTLY as four years ago, it was the fear of falling consumer prices and its corrosive effect on the stock market and residential properties which gave investors sleepless nights.
Now, economists are worrying about the very opposite phenomenon - rising levels of inflation and their impact on the global economy.
Inflation, like its cousin deflation, is usually seen as an economic bogeyman with the potential to wreak economic havoc if it runs out of control.
But there are circumstances under which investors - property buyers for instance - can win from rising consumer prices.
First, think back to 2003, when Sars stalked much of East Asia and the deflation beast was on the loose. Buying sentiment was so poor that even though residential property prices plummeted, there were few takers.
Downward spiral
AND nearly every condo owner had a grim tale or two to tell of the blight on their posh estates - when, say, an unfortunate neighbour’s flat was repossessed by the bank and put up for mortgagee sale, after he had defaulted on his mortgage.
Such scenarios often turn into a downward spiral. The more buyers postpone purchases, the more sellers are forced to cut prices.
Deflation becomes the enemy of the borrower saddled with huge debts.
Even though he might have borrowed at a 1 per cent interest rate from the bank, if the price of his property falls by 5 per cent, he is actually paying 6 per cent rates in real terms.
Worse, he may suffer negative equity, as the value of his home slips below the amount owed on the mortgage.
In practice, this type of nasty economic downward spiral works like a massive dampener on the stock market too. From 2000 to 2002, the benchmark Straits Times Index ended lower each year for three consecutive years.
Fast forward to now, and the scenario could hardly be more different. Property prices are soaring and there is an air of growing prosperity.
The main gripe now is about how expensive condos are and how much extra cash is needed to fill up the car’s petrol tank, as inflation climbs.
Those old enough to have lived through the tumultuous 1970s, when inflation was in double digits, warn that too much inflation is a bad thing.
Then, like right now, inflation was unleashed by a lethal cocktail of rocketing oil prices and low interest rate policies by successive United States Federal Reserve chairmen, which caused prices of goods to surge, even as the global economy wallowed in recession.
But those looking back at the 1970s also observed that the era provided ample opportunities for great fortunes to be created.
Overall, the stock market performance back then was decidedly unimpressive.
After hitting record highs in 1972, blue chips such as OCBC Bank and United Overseas Bank sank to a fraction of their values, as a gigantic stock market bubble burst with the onset of rampant inflation, after oil prices quadrupled.
But in Singapore and Hong Kong, this also created an environment where interest rates on loans became effectively negative, as inflation galloped ahead of mortgage rates.
In other words, paying off a loan with 5 per cent interest was a breeze if, for instance, prices - and presumably wages - were rising at 7 or 8 per cent year.
Those who took out big loans to finance real estate purchases in Singapore and Hong Kong, where prime land was in scarce supply, were amply rewarded for taking the risks.
Inflation eroded the costs of their borrowings, while providing the perfect backdrop for soaring property prices.
This spawned a new generation of billionaires such as Hong Kong’s Li Ka Shing and the Hong Leong group’s late patriarch Kwek Hong Png, as they rode the property bubble caused by worldwide stagflation - inflation coupled with stagnant economies - to create massive business empires.
It is too early to say whether the world is on the verge of entering a scenario like that seen in the 1970s, which wrought havoc in global economies but also richly rewarded the few who were fortuitous enough to recognise how they might profit from it.
But one thing is certain. Inflation is here to stay, as long as oil prices continue to stay at their current sky-high levels of above US$80 a barrel.
Negative interest
AND with the Fed bowing to domestic pressure by cutting interest rates to combat a souring mortgage crisis back home, prices of prime assets such as Singapore real estate may go on a roll, as funds flee from the falling returns offered by a weakening dollar.
So just like in the 1970s, home owners may get to enjoy effective negative interest rates once again, as their home prices appreciate well above the servicing costs on their mortgages.
For a young couple just starting out in life, the best bet is to get married early and apply for a new HDB flat.
Although they will have to slog to pay back the enormous home loan they take out, it will be the best insurance they can take out to protect their Central Provident Fund life savings from being eroded over the years by inflation.
The odds are good that, like their parents before them, they will stand to reap huge capital gains, as property prices swing up.
Inflation can pose some serious economic headaches if it begins to run out of control, as it can create major uncertainty throughout an economy. People on fixed salaries suffer badly too.
But for some investors at least, inflation can represent a happy problem to live with, at least for now.
As one economist observes, the opposite of inflation - deflation - is like quicksand, easy to get stuck in, but difficult to escape.
Inflation may have its problems but, for some, it can be turned into fabulous investment opportunities.
WIN SOME, LOSE SOME
Inflation can pose some serious economic headaches if it begins to run out of control, as it can create major uncertainty throughout an economy. But while inflation may have its problems, for some, it can be turned into fabulous investment opportunities.
CapitaLand Building 2 Primary Schools In China Later This Year
Source : Channel NewsAsia, 14 October 2007
CapitaLand is planning two more initiatives as part of its corporate social responsibility efforts.
Chua Tin Giap's concept
The company is building two primary schools in China later this year and bringing an artist from China for an exhibition at the Singapore Art Museum in January next year.
CapitaLand also supported this year's Creative Youth Xchange competition, which required young people to re-examine their relationship with the environment by creating concepts to help it.
Competitors from all over Asia and Singapore spent ten days at the Singapore Sports School attending workshops on their concepts.
A presentation ceremony was held on Sunday evening and Malaysian Chua Tin Giap was picked as the winner.
His concept was a recycled diaper changing mat for babies.
He came up with the idea after talking to his friends and mentors in the competition.
Chua won S$10,000 in cash for his efforts.
He said: "It is made of cotton wool and recycled paper, which is environmentally friendly. And we solve problems for parents who are concerned about hygiene inside the baby changing room."
The judges singled out eight of the final twelve concepts for further development.
The partners and organisers in the competition hope suitable end products will be displayed in CapitaLand malls. - CNA/so
CapitaLand is planning two more initiatives as part of its corporate social responsibility efforts.
Chua Tin Giap's conceptThe company is building two primary schools in China later this year and bringing an artist from China for an exhibition at the Singapore Art Museum in January next year.
CapitaLand also supported this year's Creative Youth Xchange competition, which required young people to re-examine their relationship with the environment by creating concepts to help it.
Competitors from all over Asia and Singapore spent ten days at the Singapore Sports School attending workshops on their concepts.
A presentation ceremony was held on Sunday evening and Malaysian Chua Tin Giap was picked as the winner.
His concept was a recycled diaper changing mat for babies.
He came up with the idea after talking to his friends and mentors in the competition.
Chua won S$10,000 in cash for his efforts.
He said: "It is made of cotton wool and recycled paper, which is environmentally friendly. And we solve problems for parents who are concerned about hygiene inside the baby changing room."
The judges singled out eight of the final twelve concepts for further development.
The partners and organisers in the competition hope suitable end products will be displayed in CapitaLand malls. - CNA/so
Farmers, Reflect On Predecessors' Sacrifices
Source : The Straits Times, Oct 15, 2007
I REFER to the report, 'Granite stockpile: Farmers take 'fresh' approach' (ST, Oct 11) and would like to offer my views.
Since the days of early settlement up to the 1990s, the Kranji area has been populated by generations of farmers. Eking out a humble living, they farmed in order to survive.
With land acquisition, these farmers had to leave. Most, if not all, left without protest even though their livelihood was affected. Like so many Singaporeans over the decades, they probably accepted change for the common good.
Ironically, the land along Neo Tiew Road was put out to tender and a new breed of farmers took over. The tender system by which land was leased meant only affluent individuals or businesses could operate plots there. Some even sought out a retirement lifestyle, quite unlike the hardscrabble lives of the early farmers.
Now, the proposed granite stockpile has upset these new- generation farmers. Despite an earlier assurance from the authorities, they have taken up their case with the Prime Minister.
However valid their grouses, be they about dust or a change in overall ambiance, I hope they can see things in perspective by accepting that sacrifices still need to be made. Reflecting on the stringent sacrifices made not so long ago by their predecessors may help.
Errol Goodenough
I REFER to the report, 'Granite stockpile: Farmers take 'fresh' approach' (ST, Oct 11) and would like to offer my views.
Since the days of early settlement up to the 1990s, the Kranji area has been populated by generations of farmers. Eking out a humble living, they farmed in order to survive.
With land acquisition, these farmers had to leave. Most, if not all, left without protest even though their livelihood was affected. Like so many Singaporeans over the decades, they probably accepted change for the common good.
Ironically, the land along Neo Tiew Road was put out to tender and a new breed of farmers took over. The tender system by which land was leased meant only affluent individuals or businesses could operate plots there. Some even sought out a retirement lifestyle, quite unlike the hardscrabble lives of the early farmers.
Now, the proposed granite stockpile has upset these new- generation farmers. Despite an earlier assurance from the authorities, they have taken up their case with the Prime Minister.
However valid their grouses, be they about dust or a change in overall ambiance, I hope they can see things in perspective by accepting that sacrifices still need to be made. Reflecting on the stringent sacrifices made not so long ago by their predecessors may help.
Errol Goodenough
Accreditation Scheme For Estate Agents Exists
Source : The Straits Times, Oct 15, 2007
I REFER to the recent letters on the regulation of real estate agents ('Industry regulation of estate agents overdue'; ST, Oct 3 and 'How is public protected if agents are not accredited?'; ST, Aug 7).
Currently, there is an accreditation scheme known as the Singapore Accredited Estate Agencies (SAEA) Scheme which was launched by the Minister of State (Finance) on Nov 10, 2005. This scheme has the support of the Ministry of Finance, Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore and Housing & Development Board. Under the scheme, it is expected that all agents and agencies will be accredited by Jan 1, 2009.
Our agency has been accredited under the scheme. We support the scheme as it seeks to improve the image of the industry by accrediting agencies as well as agents. In my view, agencies, especially those that undertake mass recruitment, should be responsible for the actions of their employees and associates and should not expect the authorities to control the agents on their behalf.
The difficulty with this scheme is that it is not seen as mandatory. Therefore, there are still agencies and agents who have not sought accreditation. Perhaps the authorities could make the SAEA scheme compulsory for all agents. This will go a long way to regulate the industry. The SAEA scheme can be reinforced with a licensing or practising certificate or other form of mandatory accreditation. The aim is to ensure agencies conduct their business properly, including supervision of employees and associates.
There is no need to introduce other licensing schemes at this moment. Let us all strengthen and support the SAEA scheme. As bosses of agencies, we should exercise control over our agents and take responsibility for their actions. Agents on their part should assume personal responsibility for their conduct. The consumer body should also work with SAEA to educate home buyers.
Charles Ee Hoon Kee
Managing Director
Asia-Elite Realty Network
I REFER to the recent letters on the regulation of real estate agents ('Industry regulation of estate agents overdue'; ST, Oct 3 and 'How is public protected if agents are not accredited?'; ST, Aug 7).
Currently, there is an accreditation scheme known as the Singapore Accredited Estate Agencies (SAEA) Scheme which was launched by the Minister of State (Finance) on Nov 10, 2005. This scheme has the support of the Ministry of Finance, Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore and Housing & Development Board. Under the scheme, it is expected that all agents and agencies will be accredited by Jan 1, 2009.
Our agency has been accredited under the scheme. We support the scheme as it seeks to improve the image of the industry by accrediting agencies as well as agents. In my view, agencies, especially those that undertake mass recruitment, should be responsible for the actions of their employees and associates and should not expect the authorities to control the agents on their behalf.
The difficulty with this scheme is that it is not seen as mandatory. Therefore, there are still agencies and agents who have not sought accreditation. Perhaps the authorities could make the SAEA scheme compulsory for all agents. This will go a long way to regulate the industry. The SAEA scheme can be reinforced with a licensing or practising certificate or other form of mandatory accreditation. The aim is to ensure agencies conduct their business properly, including supervision of employees and associates.
There is no need to introduce other licensing schemes at this moment. Let us all strengthen and support the SAEA scheme. As bosses of agencies, we should exercise control over our agents and take responsibility for their actions. Agents on their part should assume personal responsibility for their conduct. The consumer body should also work with SAEA to educate home buyers.
Charles Ee Hoon Kee
Managing Director
Asia-Elite Realty Network
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