Source : TODAY, Friday, November 23, 2007
A lawyer is alleged to have gone missing with $37,555 suspected to have been taken from a client's account.
The money allegedly came from a conveyancing transaction that Mr Zulkifli M Amin was handling for a couple selling a private property at Yio Chu Kang Road.
Ms Sharon Leong said she noticed something was amiss when she received a notice that the sale of their condominium apartment, due to go through on Nov 6, would be delayed by 10 days.
The couple had a deposit of $37,555 with the law firm, she said. When the sale went through last Friday, the cheque was returned to them. But when they tried to cash it this week, it bounced, she added.
Ms Leong said she called the law firm, Sadique Marican and ZM Amin Advocates and Solicitors, which said the amount would be returned. Yesterday, Ms Leong went down to its office at Raffles City. She claimed she was told that Mr Zulkifli, a partner, was missing and could not be contacted.
She made a police report last night. When contacted, a police spokesman told Today it was "inappropriate to comment on police investigations, if any".
The firm, a self-described "boutique practice", could not be reached for comment yesterday. According to its website, Mr Zulkifli's main role was head of the firm's conveyancing and real estate department, which has an annual turnover of "more than a million dollars", and he was "well respected" by peers.
Ms Leong, a bank officer, told Today that she and her husband had never met Mr Zulkifli. They had allegedly been introduced by the property agency handling the sale, which had acted as a middleman throughout the transaction. This was the couple's first sale of a private property.
Cases of lawyers vanishing with clients' money have made the news recently.
David Khong Siak Meng, in his 40s, allegedly skipped town in August with $68,000 after a conveyancing transaction he handled as the sole proprietor of a law firm. The Law Society is still investigating the case.
In June last year, David Rasif fled with more than $12 million of a client's funds. He was struck off the bar last week.
The case resulted in new rules that tightened the handling of clients' account by lawyers.
Friday, November 23, 2007
S'pore Needs More Energy-Efficient Buildings: Expert
Source : The Straits Times, Nov 23, 2007
ARCHITECTS yesterday said homes and buildings in Singapore could be much better designed for the steamy climate, but developers are just not asking for that type of architecture.
Cambridge University architecture professor Koen Steemers told an architectural conference in Singapore that local buildings are not built to minimise energy consumption.
He cited the example of single-glazed glass panels. These are used in many buildings in Singapore, but they absorb heat quickly while failing to maximise natural ventilation.
Professor Steemers found plenty of support among architects around town as well as those attending the international conference on Passive and Low Energy Architecture (Plea). Those who follow this discipline factor in climatic and environmental conditions when seeking to keep buildings comfortable.
RDC Architects director Rita Soh told The Straits Times that this type of architecture was once common in Singapore; it can be seen in older bungalows and shophouses that maximise the use of light and ventilation to fit the hot, humid conditions here. As Singapore grew more affluent, Western-looking buildings with glass facades and full air-conditioning became more popular.
Parliamentary Secretary for National Development Mohamad Maliki Osman told the conference, organised by the architecture department of the National University of Singapore (NUS), that maximising a building's efficiency has become even more important, given rising demand for energy and the soaring costs.
'Often, the most cost-effective strategy is to incorporate energy efficiency measures at the design stage of a facility. This is where incorporation of passive and low energy architecture is essential,' said Dr Maliki.
At Singapore's AIM & Associates, principal architect John Ting said it was 'timely' to revisit the passive architecture concept. Local architects are well-equipped to design such buildings, but developers have to commission them first, added Mr Ting.
Consumers are part of the equation as well: Developers build what homebuyers want, said Mr Chia Hock Jin, the executive director of the Real Estate Developers' Association of Singapore (Redas).
'We do realise that sustainability is becoming increasingly important,' said Mr Chia, adding that Redas recently formed a design committee to examine sustainability issues from the developers' perspective.
The Building and Construction Authority (BCA), which sponsored the conference, said about 70 buildings in Singapore have been awarded the Green Mark certification; 40 are awaiting assessment. The scheme, launched in 2005, rates buildings based on their environmental impact and energy efficiency.
Dr Stephen Wittkopf, an assistant professor at NUS' architecture department and the conference chairman, said the university plans to hold public seminars for construction industry players to promote the Plea concept, starting next year.
Mr Tai Lee Siang - the president of the Singapore Institute of Architects and a speaker at the three-day event, which is being held in South-east Asia for the first time - noted an encouraging trend where food and beverage outlets are making greater use of outdoor space.
'The momentum is only just about to kick in. We have to get rid of the mindset that sustainable architecture costs more. This is something that's got to change,' said Mr Tai.
The conference ends tomorrow.
ARCHITECTS yesterday said homes and buildings in Singapore could be much better designed for the steamy climate, but developers are just not asking for that type of architecture.
Cambridge University architecture professor Koen Steemers told an architectural conference in Singapore that local buildings are not built to minimise energy consumption.
He cited the example of single-glazed glass panels. These are used in many buildings in Singapore, but they absorb heat quickly while failing to maximise natural ventilation.
Professor Steemers found plenty of support among architects around town as well as those attending the international conference on Passive and Low Energy Architecture (Plea). Those who follow this discipline factor in climatic and environmental conditions when seeking to keep buildings comfortable.
RDC Architects director Rita Soh told The Straits Times that this type of architecture was once common in Singapore; it can be seen in older bungalows and shophouses that maximise the use of light and ventilation to fit the hot, humid conditions here. As Singapore grew more affluent, Western-looking buildings with glass facades and full air-conditioning became more popular.
Parliamentary Secretary for National Development Mohamad Maliki Osman told the conference, organised by the architecture department of the National University of Singapore (NUS), that maximising a building's efficiency has become even more important, given rising demand for energy and the soaring costs.
'Often, the most cost-effective strategy is to incorporate energy efficiency measures at the design stage of a facility. This is where incorporation of passive and low energy architecture is essential,' said Dr Maliki.
At Singapore's AIM & Associates, principal architect John Ting said it was 'timely' to revisit the passive architecture concept. Local architects are well-equipped to design such buildings, but developers have to commission them first, added Mr Ting.
Consumers are part of the equation as well: Developers build what homebuyers want, said Mr Chia Hock Jin, the executive director of the Real Estate Developers' Association of Singapore (Redas).
'We do realise that sustainability is becoming increasingly important,' said Mr Chia, adding that Redas recently formed a design committee to examine sustainability issues from the developers' perspective.
The Building and Construction Authority (BCA), which sponsored the conference, said about 70 buildings in Singapore have been awarded the Green Mark certification; 40 are awaiting assessment. The scheme, launched in 2005, rates buildings based on their environmental impact and energy efficiency.
Dr Stephen Wittkopf, an assistant professor at NUS' architecture department and the conference chairman, said the university plans to hold public seminars for construction industry players to promote the Plea concept, starting next year.
Mr Tai Lee Siang - the president of the Singapore Institute of Architects and a speaker at the three-day event, which is being held in South-east Asia for the first time - noted an encouraging trend where food and beverage outlets are making greater use of outdoor space.
'The momentum is only just about to kick in. We have to get rid of the mindset that sustainable architecture costs more. This is something that's got to change,' said Mr Tai.
The conference ends tomorrow.
Lawyer Goes Missing With Couple's $40,000
Source : The Straits Times, Nov 23, 2007
ANOTHER lawyer appears to have skipped town with a client's money. After a cheque for $40,000 from the law firm handling a couple's condominium sale bounced, the couple were told by the firm that Mr Zulkifli Amin, the lawyer handling the matter, could not be reached and that the money was missing.
Speaking to The Straits Times yesterday, Mrs Sharon Ang, 33, a bank officer, said the cheque was the last payment from the sale of their $1 million apartment in The Calrose Condo in Yio Chu Kang Road.
Another lawyer from the firm of Sadique Marican & ZM Amin at Raffles City told the couple yesterday afternoon that Mr Zulkifli had gone missing and the police had been notified.
It is understood the firm is assisting investigations.
Last night, Mrs Ang and her husband also lodged a police report on the missing funds.
She had never met Mr Zulkifli, who had been appointed by the real estate agent handling the sale. She said: 'I was always dealing with someone else who answered the calls on his behalf.'
A graduate of the National University of Singapore, Mr Zulkifli began practice seven years ago, starting out at Drew & Napier.
In November 2003, he set up his own firm focusing on insurance, conveyancing and matrimonial matters.
About eight months later, he teamed up with Mr Marican in their present firm, where he headed its conveyancing and real estate department.
According to the website of the firm, which has four lawyers, Mr Zulkifli oversees a department with an annual turnover of more than $1 million and he is 'well-respected among his peers and clients'.
Mr Zulkifli is the third lawyer in three months to have allegedly skipped town.
Two others disappeared in August and September with $68,000 and $32,000 respectively of their clients' money, also involving conveyancing transactions.
At least six other lawyers had pocketed money in earlier years. The biggest case to date - ex-lawyer David Rasif, who fled in June last year with more than $12 million of clients' funds.
ANOTHER lawyer appears to have skipped town with a client's money. After a cheque for $40,000 from the law firm handling a couple's condominium sale bounced, the couple were told by the firm that Mr Zulkifli Amin, the lawyer handling the matter, could not be reached and that the money was missing.
Speaking to The Straits Times yesterday, Mrs Sharon Ang, 33, a bank officer, said the cheque was the last payment from the sale of their $1 million apartment in The Calrose Condo in Yio Chu Kang Road.
Another lawyer from the firm of Sadique Marican & ZM Amin at Raffles City told the couple yesterday afternoon that Mr Zulkifli had gone missing and the police had been notified.
It is understood the firm is assisting investigations.
Last night, Mrs Ang and her husband also lodged a police report on the missing funds.
She had never met Mr Zulkifli, who had been appointed by the real estate agent handling the sale. She said: 'I was always dealing with someone else who answered the calls on his behalf.'
A graduate of the National University of Singapore, Mr Zulkifli began practice seven years ago, starting out at Drew & Napier.
In November 2003, he set up his own firm focusing on insurance, conveyancing and matrimonial matters.
About eight months later, he teamed up with Mr Marican in their present firm, where he headed its conveyancing and real estate department.
According to the website of the firm, which has four lawyers, Mr Zulkifli oversees a department with an annual turnover of more than $1 million and he is 'well-respected among his peers and clients'.
Mr Zulkifli is the third lawyer in three months to have allegedly skipped town.
Two others disappeared in August and September with $68,000 and $32,000 respectively of their clients' money, also involving conveyancing transactions.
At least six other lawyers had pocketed money in earlier years. The biggest case to date - ex-lawyer David Rasif, who fled in June last year with more than $12 million of clients' funds.
Road Closures Around Suntec City On Monday
Source : Channel NewsAsia, 22 November 2007
Several roads in the Suntec City area will be closed on Monday (November 26) due to security arrangements for this year's National Day Awards Investiture at Suntec Convention Centre.
The road closures will be in effect from 5pm to 11 pm. Public bus services will also be affected.
Police advise the public to use public transport to get to Suntec City or Marina Square.
Those driving to Marina Square using Nicoll Highway are advised to use Republic Avenue to go into Temasek Avenue.
Roads closed include one carriageway of Temasek Boulevard in the direction of the Fountain of Wealth between Raffles Boulevard and the roundabout.
The opposite carriageway of Temasek Boulevard from Rochor Road will remain open.
The left-most lane of Nicoll Highway heading towards the city between Suntec City Driveway and Raffles Boulevard and the left-most lane of Raffles Boulevard between Bras Basah Road and Temasek Boulevard will also be closed.
To alleviate congestion in the area, police may also close the stretch of Nicoll Highway heading towards the city between Middle Road and Bras Basah Road. - CNA/ac
Several roads in the Suntec City area will be closed on Monday (November 26) due to security arrangements for this year's National Day Awards Investiture at Suntec Convention Centre.
The road closures will be in effect from 5pm to 11 pm. Public bus services will also be affected. Police advise the public to use public transport to get to Suntec City or Marina Square.
Those driving to Marina Square using Nicoll Highway are advised to use Republic Avenue to go into Temasek Avenue.
Roads closed include one carriageway of Temasek Boulevard in the direction of the Fountain of Wealth between Raffles Boulevard and the roundabout.
The opposite carriageway of Temasek Boulevard from Rochor Road will remain open.
The left-most lane of Nicoll Highway heading towards the city between Suntec City Driveway and Raffles Boulevard and the left-most lane of Raffles Boulevard between Bras Basah Road and Temasek Boulevard will also be closed.
To alleviate congestion in the area, police may also close the stretch of Nicoll Highway heading towards the city between Middle Road and Bras Basah Road. - CNA/ac
Koh Brothers Buys 2 Shell Kiosks For $19.6m
Source : The Business Times, November 23, 2007
It aims to use one site for condo, other for hotel project
KOH Brothers has bought two petrol kiosks from Shell - one in Bukit Timah and the other in Changi - for close to $19.6 million.
The first site, at 383 Bukit Timah Road, is next to Koh Brothers' freehold serviced apartment complex, Alocassia Apartment. The site has a strata land area of 13,500 square feet and cost Koh Brothers $13.3 million.
Singapore-listed Koh Brothers bought Alocassia Apartment - a residential and commercial site - in May last year for $30 million.
The company intends to convert the whole site to full residential use and launch a luxury condominium with about 50 units in the third quarter of next year, chief executive Francis Koh told BT.
With the new acquisition, the entire freehold site covers 44,900 sq ft and has a 1.4 plot ratio. The latest purchase brings the price paid by Koh Brothers for the site to $799 per square foot (psf) per plot ratio, including an estimated development charge of $6.9 million.
Mr Koh estimates the project could break-even around $1,250 psf since the company does not plan to tear down the whole building. Luxury apartments in the Bukit Timah area now go for about $1,800-$2,000 psf.
'Given its prime location, freehold status, proximity to reputable schools and easy accessibility to the city centre, we are confident the site will appeal to home buyers who appreciate the exclusivity and prestige,' Mr Koh said.
The second site bought by the company - at 80 Changi Road - adjoins its freehold Changi Hotel.
Bought for $6.3 million, the site has a strata area of 8,000 sq ft. The entire freehold Changi Road site now has a total area of 26,400 sq ft.
Mr Koh said the company will look to build a newer, larger hotel on the combined site. Changi Hotel is now a three-storey, 61-room hotel.
Shell's general manager for retail, Henry Chu, said such sales allow the company to capitalise on the hot property market.
'The timing of closure and sale of these sites is a commercial decision and is to allow us to take advantage of the buoyant property market to maximise our returns,' he said.
It aims to use one site for condo, other for hotel project
KOH Brothers has bought two petrol kiosks from Shell - one in Bukit Timah and the other in Changi - for close to $19.6 million.
The first site, at 383 Bukit Timah Road, is next to Koh Brothers' freehold serviced apartment complex, Alocassia Apartment. The site has a strata land area of 13,500 square feet and cost Koh Brothers $13.3 million.
Singapore-listed Koh Brothers bought Alocassia Apartment - a residential and commercial site - in May last year for $30 million.
The company intends to convert the whole site to full residential use and launch a luxury condominium with about 50 units in the third quarter of next year, chief executive Francis Koh told BT.
With the new acquisition, the entire freehold site covers 44,900 sq ft and has a 1.4 plot ratio. The latest purchase brings the price paid by Koh Brothers for the site to $799 per square foot (psf) per plot ratio, including an estimated development charge of $6.9 million.
Mr Koh estimates the project could break-even around $1,250 psf since the company does not plan to tear down the whole building. Luxury apartments in the Bukit Timah area now go for about $1,800-$2,000 psf.
'Given its prime location, freehold status, proximity to reputable schools and easy accessibility to the city centre, we are confident the site will appeal to home buyers who appreciate the exclusivity and prestige,' Mr Koh said.
The second site bought by the company - at 80 Changi Road - adjoins its freehold Changi Hotel.
Bought for $6.3 million, the site has a strata area of 8,000 sq ft. The entire freehold Changi Road site now has a total area of 26,400 sq ft.
Mr Koh said the company will look to build a newer, larger hotel on the combined site. Changi Hotel is now a three-storey, 61-room hotel.
Shell's general manager for retail, Henry Chu, said such sales allow the company to capitalise on the hot property market.
'The timing of closure and sale of these sites is a commercial decision and is to allow us to take advantage of the buoyant property market to maximise our returns,' he said.
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