Feasting with the Wandering Souls

I was walking down the streets from the carpark to my home after a long day at work. The usually quite and uneventful walk was profoundly different today. The air was laced with a acrid smell of burnt paper and covered with a light hazed of smoke. Strips of white paper with silver and gold paintings were strewned all over the walkway. The pathway was lighted not by the usual fluorescent lamp but by an eerie yellow light of red candles that were set apart close to each other. Here and there, there were heaps of paper being burnt in the glowing pile or burnt and black residue marked by the patches of blackened grass. 

Something about tonight is different. As I tried to recall the significant of tonight and looked around the neighbourhood, I saw a group of people over a burning heap of fire chanting and and in various forms of procrastinate. I t then hit me in realisation the significance of today, it is the start of the Hungry Ghost festival. 

Just as the Americans has Halloween to celebrate in October, the Chinese has the ‘Hungry Ghost festival’. I remembered the ‘spooky’ details that was 'shared' or rather told to me when I was young with the apparent intent to scare me when I was young back then. The tales are still being shared till now. There are even movies centred around the Hungry Ghost Festival. 

Hungry Ghost festival is a popular occasion that is taken very seriously by the Chinese. This festival that falls on the 7th month of the lunar New Year is celebrated mainly in China, Singapore and Malaysia. According to Chinese traditional believe, it its said that during this month, the gates of hell are opened to free the hungry ghosts who then wander off to Earth to seek food. Some even think that the ghosts who has unfinished business on Earth would seek revenge on those who had wronged them in their lives. The reason why the Chinese celebrate this festival is to remember their dead family members and pay tribute to them. They also feel that offering food to the deceased appeases them and wards off bad luck.

The Chinese believe that their dead relatives or loved ones returned to visit their living relatives during the 7th month. Thus they would then prepare a sumptuous meal for the ‘hungry ghosts’. By satisfying the ghosts good fortune and luck are assured in their lives. Prayers are offered to the deceased by burning joss sticks and hell money. I is a common sight in Singapore to see entertaining ‘wayang’ shows and concerts performed on outdoor stages in some neighborhoods. These events always held at night are to appease those wandering ghosts. But watchers beware, if ever you decide to enjoy the wayangs, do not ever occupy the front row which is reserved for the dead. Even in death, they are given priority seating. For me even to get a priority seating in a cinema, I will have to reserve months in advance which may not necessarily land me with one. 

Superstitions

An interesting superstition that the Chinese have about the festival is that it is bad to go swimming during the 7th month. They think that an evil ghost might cause you to drown in the swimming pool. I am not however sure if this is closely observed in our society nowadays. A visit to the swimming pool, you will see hordes of people tanning themselves. I supposed the only reason why we stay away from the water would be if there is a government waning to say that the water is polluted. In addition to this, children are also advised to return home early and not to wander around alone at night. This belief is due to the reason that the wandering ghosts might possess children. Hmmmm I wonder how would this affect St James and Ministry of Music discos and pubs.

Offerings to the Dead

The Chinese also do a lot of offerings to the deceased. These offerings are made by burning fake money notes, which are also known as ‘hell money’ and even paper television or radio sets. Some families also burn paper houses & cars to give to their dead relatives. The Chinese feel that these offerings reach the ghosts and help them live comfortably in their world. Too bad no one would give me any of these earthly possession when I am still around. I wouldn't mind the extra case and bigger cars. My only question is do the ghost suffers from the same high oil prices and inlfation as we do?

Dark Knight.. Dark Scene

I finally convince myself to pull myself off from work and all other non ending commitments or lack thereof to afford a moment of R&R. Movie was my choice after mulling it over for sometime. I log on to the Golden Village website to choose between the number of movies on show. Not much of a choice I must say but at the end, I choose Dark Knight.

There has been much hype about the movie before it was showned. Frankly I dont really enjoyed watching the previous Batman movies which to me was forgettable but the movie that was starred by Heath Ledger, his last movie before he died has received many good reviews and many claimed that it is the movie of the year. The Dark Knight will hit theaters with all the hoopla and fanboy avidity of the summer season's earlier movies based on comic books.

Seating at the cinema with a cup of coffee and popcorn, I can only conclude... heads up: a thunderbolt is about to rip into the blanket of bland we call summer movies. The Dark Knight is a potent provocation better then Batman begines. Feverish action? Check. Dazzling spectacle? Check. Devilish fun? Check. The movie has all these element in it.

The Dark Knight creates a place where good and evil — expected to do battle — decide instead to get it on and dance. The movie evolved with Batman, a.k.a. playboy Bruce Wayne was tired of being the white knight and unhappy with the label of being a vigilante. He decides then to leave the hero stuff to district attorney Harvey Dent and by doing so hopeful to stop the DA from moving in on Rachel Dawes, the lady love who is Batman's only hope for a normal life.

Everything gleams like sin in Gotham City and the bad guys seem jazzed by their evildoing. Take the Joker, who treats a stunningly staged bank robbery like his private video game with accomplices in Joker masks, blood spurting and only one winner. Ledger is mad-crazy-blazing brilliant as the Joker and his performance is miles apart from Jack Nicholson's. Ledger takes the role to the shadows, where even what's comic is hardly a relief. No plastic mask for Ledger; his face is caked with moldy makeup that highlights the red scar of a grin, the grungy hair and the yellowing teeth of a hound fresh out of hell. To the clown prince of crime, a knife is preferable to a gun, the better to "savor the moment."

In its rethinking and transcending of a schlock source, The Dark Knight is up there with David Cronenberg's 1986 version of The Fly. It turns pulp into dark poetry. Just as that movie found metaphors of cancer, AIDS and death in the story of a man devolving into an insect, so this one plumbs the nature of identity. Who are we? Has Bruce lost himself in the myth of the hero? Is his Batman persona a mission or an affliction? Can crusading Dent live down the nickname (Two-Face) some rancorous cops have pinned on him? Only the Joker seems unconflicted. He knows what he is: an "agent of chaos." Your worst nightmare.

Personally, having transfixed on my seat watching the movie throughout without even blinking an eye or falling asleep which many oast movies that I have watched is capable of doing, I can safely say that Dark Knight is worth the $10 ticket money. My only lingering thoughts after watching the show is on the character of Rachel Dawes. I remembered seeing her as the girl that captured the heart of Spiderman and now she captured the heart of Batman.. what is with her and men in spandex.

Why Are We Cool about Hot Prices?

All over the globe the rising oil and food prices seems to have an equilibrium effect on the people. Hardships and Stress. And in response to those stresses and perceived hardships people take it to the streets to express their displeasure, anger and rage.India and Malaysia raised gasoline prices last month with the two Asian countries citing soaring oil costs as they struggle under the growing burden of subsidies for the motor fuel.Prices in Malaysia rose a dramatic 40 percent.

The price hike in India, the second this year, was smaller, about 11 percent in New Delhi, the capital, but will still weigh on consumers. India also raised prices on diesel fuel and cooking gas.In Malaysia, long lines of vehicles formed at gasoline stations overnight to fill up before midnight when the new pricing came into effect, and brawls broke out as some motorists tried to jump the queue. Angry protesters fueled by the opposition parties cries for change in the government leadership has taken to the streets to protest the sudden increase in the fuel prices which they claimed to be aimed in increasing the government coffers without the regard of the needs of the masses.

In Indonesia, thousands of students across the country took to the streets in opposition to fight the government's plan to raise fuel prices. Although smaller in number, the rally was reminiscent of a wave of student demonstrations in May 1998 that led to the resignation of then president Suharto after 32 years in power.The scene is also similar up north in Thailand as thousands of truckers went on a half-day strike in Bangkok demanding government help against rising fuel prices. Roads were blocked into Bangkok, piling more pressure on a government already facing a prolonged street protest over its attempt to change the constitution.

As we see the streets protests across the globe and more prominently in the streets of our immediate neighbours, we should be asking ourselves why is it we Singaporeans are sheltered and seems nonchalant with the happenings around us. Are we just not affected? The only close resemblance of a protest over the rising oil and food prices were those that were organised by Chee Soon Juan and 18 others. If we could even called it a street protest.We could explain our lack of response to what is happening around us to eight simple reasons.

1) The Heart : Are we Scarry Cat?

Do you think we will take it out to the streets with big banners saying that we are unhappy with the price increase? That will never happen at least in my lifetime or our children lifetime. Unlike our neighbours in the north or the south, Singaporeans is never known to openly expressed our displeasure with any government policies. I supposed that the only riots that had occurred in Singapore was way back in the 50s.

2) Energy Booster : The $ 4 billion payouts.

The government had announced a $ 4 billion GST offset package to all Singaporeans with the lower income receiving a larger portion. Though the GST offset package may not be a lot but it is helpful lessening the pain considerably. The payouts has had a positive effect on Singaporeans in general.

3) The Legs - Help is Just a Walk Awake.

Singaporeans know for a fact that complaining will be futile and that nothing good will come out of it. So instead of complaining they do the next logical step that is to seek help from their Member of Parliament. The MPs will be able to give them some sort of financial assistance and the government has been quite generous in giving out handouts through agencies such as the Resident's Committee (RC) and the Community Development Council (CDC).

4) The Brain - Are we Just more Well Informed & Rational.

To a certain extent it is true that Singaporeans as a whole are more well informed of what is happening outside its borders and the far reaches of the globe. This could be due to the fact that television ownership is amongst the highest in the world with every household in Singapore owning at least one television set. The viewership to the free to air channels such as Channel News Asia has also increased steadily. The print media has also complemented in circulating news.Singaporeans are generally appreciative that the prices increases are necessary and are an expected reaction to the increasing oil prices because of global shortages. They are also aware that businesses are free to adjust prices in response to their cost structures.

5) The Memory: We have a Rather Short Term Memory.

We may not be daring enough to take it to the streets but we are not short in the department of complaint. If there is one thing that Singaporeans in general are good at that would be to complain over every single thing that they can think of, from why the road is not straight to why the rubbish is not collected. We will complain for two days, murmurmed in silence and in two or so days, we will get used to the changes, accept it and lovewill be back to normal.

6) The Hand: We don't Want to Waste our Time

Let's faced it will we transcend beyond the boundaries of verbal complain to actually doing something about it. Personally 'I wouldn't write bother to write a a letter of complaint to the government and including a proposal with alternative suggestions to the government because I'd just get a standard 'Thank You' reply from the government thanking me for the letter.

7) Pain Sensors: We have a high threshold of pain

Singaporeans in general have a very high threshold of pain. When the GST increased was announced, people were expected to be badly hit with the increase but the GST pay out annnouncement increase our tolerance to the GST increase. When the oil prices went spiralling up, we were expecting public transport fares to shoot up by more than 1 per cent but the 1 cent increase lowers the expectation. Although they are not overjoyed, most feel that they can live with a 1 cent increase in their bus fares.

8) The Skin: We do not feel the heat

The Singapore's enigma is best describe as "The frog in the Hot Water" podigy. 'The challenges that Singaporeans faced are are calibrated with little increments over time making us less susceptible to the increase in heat if it is done a little at a time. The opposite polar effect would be Malaysia's sudden increase in the oil prices by 41% increasing massive public protest.

Organ for Sales? Why not Legalised It.

The issue of organ transplant has received new found interest in Singapore in recent days not because of a renewed eagerness for Singaporean to come forth and be organ pledgers but because of the recent court trial against two Indonesian Sulaiman Dernanik and Toni who were convicted recently in a District Court for charges under the Human Organ Transplant Act (HOTA) and the Oaths and Declaration Act (ODA).

Though the arrest and prosecution of the two individuals have received front page news, the fact that the sales are to be made to C K Tang executive Chairman Tang Wee Sung for $ 22K have received greater interests and public debate over the morality of the rich and the have over those who are less fortunate. This is Singapore first prosecution under the act since it was first enacted and already it has generated much debate within the community and in parliament. There is now calls for the government to seriously looked at the issue and questioned the morality of the banned or lacked thereof.

Singapore like many other countries across the globe adopted the banned in the sales of organ based on the principles of morality. We believe that human lives have intrinsic value and should not be degraded by means of their commodification.

Ceteris paribus, what would be the main motivation behind one's reason for the sale of one's organs? Was it because of one's own desire towards the preservation of precious life. Iran is the only country in the whole world that allows the sales of organ. The procurement and sales of organ through the government was touted as having no financial gain but the donors will be compensated for the loss of income during the period of recuperation. Donors also enjoy government health subsidies which is much sought for in a country as poor as Iran. On top of that there are also the element of gift which is based on the concept of 'ikhlas' or as one's willing. The so called gifts which is privately arranged is made between the donors and the buyer. If were to study the Iranian model of organ 'sharing' it seems clear and evident that poverty remains the chief motivating factor behind the sales. The existence of such financial duress in the procurement of organs as commodities from the poor communities is a travesty of distributive justice

However having argued that, should society and governments play the role of a moral guardian and condemn a man to death purely to uphold the principle of morality. This is what the law that prohibits the sales of organs is doing to many people. Kidney patients have to suffer the agonizing experience of the dialysis daily just to keep themselves alive for years just because the wait for suitable donor long.

Many argues that a human body and its part should not be allowed to be bought, sold or traded. Allowing the trade of organ will only benefit a section of the community, the rich as unfortunately showned in the recent case and is out to exploit the poor. The poor will not be able to jump into the band wagon of benefiting themselves from the sales and purchase as they, logically do not possess the economic ability to do so.

Yes, if one were to put forth the above as an argument against the sales and purchase of human organ, these are good arguments. But however against those arguments the underlying facts remained that lives that could have been saved by the sale were not saved because of morality, principle and law. Is the law by itself draconian?

Every day, three people in Singapore lose the use of their kidneys but just only one cadaveric kidney becomes available every week. That would mean that 20 people were added into the existing list of hopeful recipients and only one of them went through the transplant each week. Multiply that by months, we have 80 new patients each month and by the end of the year 960 patients, of which only 48 of them will receive a new kidney from donors. What of the other 9 12 patients?

What are the options available to them? Wait for their turn and to go on dialysis or remain hopeful that a close relatives came forth to willingly donate their kidney before their time runs out, or, go overseas and try to get a kidney on the black market. More than 300 Singaporeans have done just that. Yest they may have broken the law but the starking fact remains that they are still alive to face the music.

It is well established that both the quality of life and the survival rate are far greater for those who receive transplants compared to those who are on dialysis. Wouldn't it be better to introduce a system where organ trade system exists in a manner that protects the interest and well-being of the donor.

In retrospect, by allowing the able to purchase kidneys direct from donors, this will increase the life savings organs available for transplant. The rich that buy the organ can automatically be taken off the waiting list for a cadaveric organ. A shorter waiting list would translate into a better survival real those in need transplants.

The sellers would benefit financially. For many, the sale might lead to a better life for his or her family. However there are still those who argued that the argument that money received helps the seller-donor rise above his poverty is gravely flawed. It must be the duty of a civilized society to ensure that none of its citizens is in such a dire state of poverty that the poor have to be reduced to selling themselves piecemeal for survival.

Should society stop the sale of organ, or should the decision be left to the individual sellers? Those who speak against the sales themselves are not in need of an organ themselves. But if you are one of those small percentage that are in dire need of the organ or are has someone close who suffers from organ failure, I am certain that you may not be so quick to deplore the act.

In every society, there is a situation where change may not necessarily be easily acceptable. When Singapore first ban of smoking in public places, many have spoken up against it condemning the ban as an infringement to individual rights. Now that many other countries have seen light and benefit behind it, they themselves have adopted and implemented the ban in their own country. Who knows perhaps Singapore can take the lead in studying and implementing a system which permits the sales of organ that would strike a balance between individual needs and societal principal.

High & Dry - Feeling the Pinch

It is closed to 4 months now since I was the proud owner of a spanking new Mazda Cx-7. Call it mere selfish indulgence but the look of the CX-7 with its curvy streamline facade will make any guys melt and jump at any opportunity to be behind its wheels. As my friend once said to me, a ride is very important in determining whether you get laid or not. Personally, I have never seen that materialise, so I cant say that the statement bears any truth behind it.

Driving a CX-7 on the road sure give you a good feeling, the sense that you are the king of the road. I dare say that it has made more than a few eyes and head turns especially when I drive slowly through a crowded street with my undercarriage blue lights gleaming bright illuminating the tarred road below.

However the joy of driving the car has always been short lived when it hit you hard with the realisation of how it is going to pinch you hard on your pocket when you need to drive in into the pump station. Everytime I have to visit the pump and insert the nozzle into the car, it will set me back by more then $ 150 for a full tank of petrol.

The only comfort that I have is that I seldom drive the car as I used to. I supposed the parking lot infront of my house is more closely acquainted with my car then I am. Any other person the thought of selling their ride seems to be an inviting and logical option opened. Many of my friends have ditch their once proud ride for public transportation. But for me the thought of going public after driving for more then a decade just seems unappealing.

The only option available for me is to limit petrol wastage and practise these few petrol savings tips.

It's not a competition

I supposed it is a curse in many fast developing countries where the number of cars almost equal to the population that everyone on the streets is always rushing off to somewhere. If we are not rushing to work or home we are hurriedly heading to appointments. Without fail man of us have this temptation of weaving in and out of traffic. Cutting across people's path and trying hard to get ahead the pack. However do note that driving aggresively often means sudden accelaration and braking, which wastes petrol and will make you unpopular with other road users. At the end of the trip you should not be expecting any price but you may expect angry curses or if you are unlucky a friendly up your ass finger.


Too fast, bill furious


There is an old adage, slow wins the game. You can get 35 percent better fuel mileage out of your current vehicle by using a device most drivers already have. That would be your right foot. No need to spend hundred of dollars on fuel saving devices that will not have any effect at all on your fuel consumption. Just lighten your load on your foot. Most drivers agonizing over the cost of petrol failed to realize the enormous impact their driving style has on fuel consumption.


Keep to the speed limit. While different cars have different speeds at which they are the most fuel efficient, it is a good idea not to drive too fast. It will be safer too. If you want a big gain in fuel mileage, though, you need to seriously lay off the pedals when driving around town. Accelerating more slowly away from green lights and stopping more gradually for red lights cut fuel consumption. Slamming down the gas pedal pushes more fuel into the engine while it also keeps the engine running faster. You can also save a lot of gas by just lifting your foot off the accelerator as soon as possible when approaching a yellow or red light or a stop sign. For one thing, letting up on the gas sooner gives your car more coasting time.


Get in tune

Car is like us. At times we need a visit to the doctor's office to get us up and going again. The engine that keeps the car running needs regular checks too. Check the engine and air filters regularly. A properly tuned engine and clean air filters will leave you and your car purring with delight. Fixing a car that is out of tune or has failed an emissions test can boost gas mileage by about 4 percent. So be sure to give your car regular tune-ups. You'll also want to watch out for worn spark plugs. A misfiring spark plug can reduce a car's fuel efficiency by as much as 30 percent. Keep a close eye on your engine's air filter. When the engine air filter clogs with dirt, dust and bugs, it causes your engine to work harder and your car becomes less fuel-efficient. Replacing a clogged air filter could improve your gas mileage by as much as 10 percent and save you 15 cents a petrol. It's a good idea to have your engine air filter checked at each oil change.

Fill up with a lower-octane gasoline.

Buy the lowest grade or octane of gasoline that is appropriate for your car. Unless your car requires premium gasoline, filling up your car with high-octane fuel is a waste of money. That pricey premium fuel won't boost your car's fuel economy or performance in the least, so skip it. If you're not sure what grade of fuel works best for your car, open up your owner's manual and take a look. As long as your engine doesn't knock or ping when you fuel up with regular unleaded, you're good to drive on this much cheaper gas. Passing on pricey premium gasoline could save you hundreds of dollars a year.

Don't top off.

Don't bother topping off when filling your car's gas tank. Any additional gas is just going to slop around or seep out. Why waste your money paying for gas your car won't use? Stop pumping at the first indication that your tank is full when the automatic nozzle clicks off.

Tighten up that gas cap.

Gas will evaporate from your car's gas tank if it has an escape. Loose, missing or damaged gas caps cause 147 million gallons of gas to evaporate each year, according to the Car Care Council. So be sure to tighten up that gas cap each time you fuel up your car. "

Go for the shade.

The hot sun that makes the inside of your car feel like a sauna also zaps fuel from your gas tank. If you let your car bake in the sun there's going to be a greater amount of evaporative emissions that take place than if you park in the shade. So park your car in the shade of a building or tree whenever possible. And buy a good windshield shade. A windshield shade blocks sunlight and helps to keep heat out of the inside of your car.

Pump them up

Don't get caught driving on underinflated tires. Underinflated tires wear down more quickly and they also lower your car's gas mileage. Tires that have low pressure offer more resistance so the engine is going to work harder to keep the car at a cruising speed. Your car's gas mileage may plummet by as much as 15 percent. Driving on underinflated tires may also reduce the life of your tires by 15 percent or more. Check your tire pressure once a month. Buy a digital gauge and keep it in your glove box. Compare the pressure in your tires with the recommended pressure listed in your owner's manual and on the placard in your car door. Then inflate your tires as needed. Be sure to check tire pressure when your tires are cold. A good time is early in the morning after your car's been idle overnight.


Don't idle


Waiting for someone? Consider turning off the engine if it is going to be more than a five minute wait. When the car is the only reasonable way to get from a to b, you can save fuel by cutting back on idling. If you idle for more than thirty seconds, you are better off turning off the car and restarting it. Plus, the more gas burned, the more carbon dioxide enters the atmosphere. So turn the ignition off at long stoplights and other lengthy hold-ups. And rather than using the drive-through, just park and go in.


Lose Weight


Are you carting junk around in your boot? Lose it. Carrying extra weight just means you burn more petrol lugging it around. And if you needed more incentives to lose weight, here is another: You'll be doing something good for the environment. You may also consider loosing the spare tyres that we seldom use at all. I do. Mine is now part of my bed post. In current context help is just a call away when you run into a flat tyre.

A Drop of Life !!!!

Today marks the eleventh time that I donated my blood and the moment it was being drawn out from my veins, it is a difficult sensation to describe. You feel a sense of satisfaction that you have contributed to the society in your very own small way. 

I remembered the first time when I started donating 10 years ago, old enough for me to be donating blood. It was not exactly a voluntary one I must say. I was going through my National Service at the Police Academy and we were all shipped out in our squad made to run to the gymnasium for the drive. My first experience going under the needle was not a pleasant one. The nurse that was attending to me, an elderly experience looking person was telling me the steps that will happened as if she could see how apprehensive I looked. Trying to assure me that I will not even fell a bit, I can sense she was lying through her teeth when the needle broke the barrier and ultimately my virginity. 

From the moment the needle pierced my skin I can tell that I am off for a ride. I was waiting expectantly for my blood to flow out of me naturally, but a second, two seconds passed, nothing happened. Hei !! I thought blood is red, well that is what I grow up believing in, my the tube that is now dangling lazily at the end of the needle which is in me seems empty. Has my blood turned white out of fear? At least my face is. I soon realised that something is wrong. If the stoic face of the nurse did not give away the slightest sign of problem, her voice does. She was helplessly looking for my vein and turning the needle around in a futile attempt to locate my veins. As if the whole universe decides to play a cruel joke on me, my veins decides not to appear itself or make itself apparent. She quickly called for an attending doctor, a young guy whose youthful face betrays his skills. He took over the needle or what is left of it from the nurse and tried the same tactics as the nurse did only this time worst. He probe my veins with an effort as if I am non existence, a lifeless corpse that is lying on the operating table for him to experiment on. If I thought that the nurse was cruel, I was 'dead' wrong when I was under him. He took off the needle and jabbed it up again into me merciless and this was repeated numerous time. It seems like an eternity to me. At the very last moment that I couldn't take it anymore and was just about to yank my hand away, miraculously blood flow down my veins into the tube of life. I looked like a junkie for the next few days with the marks and bruises. But nevertheless I am proud of it.

The harrowing experience that I had almost a decade ago has long past. I am now longer quivered by the thought of donating blood and I have 11 times of experience to proof it. I supposed as the old adage goes, take a leap of faith, and that is precisely what I did whenever I sat myself on the donating bed to subject myself under the tender care and mercy of the nurse. Though I cannot say that I am an avid loyal donor unlike many others in the National Blood Centre Hall of Fame, I guess I am proud in my own reserved way for having the courage to go through the experience.

When I visited the Blood Centre I was asked by the nurse if I would like to donate just platelets and plasma via a process called apheresis. The nurse explained to me that they hook you up to a machine that takes the blood, centrifuges it, removes the platelets and most of the plasma and then gives you back everything else. . I cringed. "Oh, no," I said. "You can just have a whole pint." They gave me a health questionnaire to fill out. I sat down and began circling Y's and N's.

When I had completed the survey, I only had to wait a few minutes before a nurse called my name and we went into a screening room. We went over my answers while she took notes clarifying the Y's and N's. Things like where I've traveled in the last three years and what sorts of medications I take. Then she proceeded to the mini-physical. She took my pulse (a little high, I was nervous), my blood pressure (good.), my temperature (normal) and my weight (oh yeah I gain 2 kilos), and then she pricked my finger to do the hematocrit (just north of 38). I was going to be able to donate blood.

I walked into another room where I was greeted by another nurse. She directed me to an available bed and directed my to sit on it. She walked towards me, a pleasant looking young lady and commit small talk. She grabbed a bag from under the bed and start looking for a vein. I have always had this problem of running veins where my veins would just refused to sit still. When she found one she marked it with a felt tip pen. She washed my arm and painted an iodine circle over the vein. "That's my bulls eye," she said. My nurse excused herself to go get the needle and wash her hands. I nervously examined the chair. My eyes got wide as the nurse returned. Maybe it was just my perspective, but the needle looked huge.

The nurse pulled on latex gloves and I stared at the needle. It was hollow, only sharp and pointy at the bottom, tapering away into smoothness. I felt like I could just fall into the black hole in the center of the needle. I took a deep breath, trying to relax. The nurse tightened the blood pressure cuff and amazed me as she slid the needle without preamble into my vein. She aimed for the target and missed. My veins acted out again. She hesitantly aimed again and misses. Feeling desperate, she called for assistance, short of shouting for it. Another staff came over with a smile on her face and went over the needle. She pulled it out, aimed and pushed, burgundy, almost brown blood rushed into the tube and poured in a controlled line down my arm and over my wrist into the bag near the floor. The bag laid on a seesaw machine which rocked it back and forth, mixing the blood with a preservative.

I squeezed the grip the nurse gave me, the finger prick bleeding all over its casing. The magazine that I had brought along to pass my time and distract my attention was open, but I only read about a paragraph. Instead, I preferred to watch the gush of red leaving my body. "I know I shouldn't be surprised about this," I said. "But, its warm where the tube is touching my arm." The nurse smiled, "That's just your body temperature. It's a little cold in here." Less than ten minutes elapsed when the machine that was "sweshswashing" my blood beep and a continuous loud tone. It almost made me jump from my bed expecting blood to have had overflowed on the floor. The nurse came over and smiled again. She bend over and off the machine. "It is done" she says. I was almost surprised at the speed of it. I don't remember it being this fast. She spoke again. "Okay, now I'm going to take your samples." She put a knot in the tube leading from my arm into the bag and then she filled several little vials with more blood. She slid the needle out of my arm as effortlessly as she'd put it in. Taking out a tray I had my choice of bandages. I went with ridiculous, neon blue.

As the nurse wrapped my arm she asked how I was feeling. "Fine," I said, a little surprised. I had thought, surely losing some blood would make me feel light-headed or a little grossed out. I felt neither. She then passed me a beverage coupon and asked me to drink lots of water and refrain from physical activities. I stood, walked and left the room to the beverage counter where I got my choice of juice and snack. The juice was a no-brainer (soya bean), but the choice of snack was a bit more difficult. After reading all the labels like the health freak I am, I finally settled on plain doughnut.

Its estimated that every three seconds someone needs blood and Singapore needs about 350 units of blood daily. I flipped through the literature on the table and read that one pint often helps more than one person, someone gets your plasma and someone gets the other junk. Blood is needed during bone marrow transplants for leukaemia patients, for thalasemia patients needing regular blood transfusions, during daily surgeries and for accident victims. This is only a short list of its uses.

This makes me feel good. I was just helpful and I really didn't have to do anything. I had to sit in a chair and let someone stick a needle in me. It seemed like even less of a big deal as I ate my doughnut and drank my soya bean. As I walked in, into the room there were five others giving when we arrived. A young guy was leaving as I came in and another elderly Chinese man came in while I was finishing up donating. They must have a steady stream most days of people wandering in, giving blood, eating beverages and then leaving. But, even so, I bet the Centre always wish they had a few more donors every month. Every 12 weeks you are eligible to give blood. Its every eight weeks for platelets. I got out my calendar and wrote down a reminder eight weeks down the line. Next time, I'll have to try to not be so chicken and just give the plasma.

Street Punks - The Real Bane of Our Streets

What has happened to our drivers? Has the pressure of rising oil, cost of living, the seemingly shortening time, demands at work, home and family, or the rising mercury thermostat be the caused of violent outburst on the streets.

There have been several cases of road rage or violent outburst amongst road users as a result of traffic accident or traffic related disputes. And those violent outburst will more than often result in one assaulting the other. If you are thinking that the violent outburst are only limited to those who spent more time on the streets and thus are exposed to the streets elements than think again. Now and again seemingly well mannered individual with respected job are falling into the violent swirl of road rage. One might begin to wonder what is the cause of it.

Road rage (also road violence) is the informal name for deliberately dangerous and/or violent behavior under the influence of heightened, violent emotion such as anger and frustration, involving an automobile in use. This can involve deliberately hitting another person or vehicle or object with his/her own vehicle. Other possibilities include hitting the person or vehicle with an item which is not his vehicle, but which ultimately hits another person or vehicle.

The latest incident of road rage happened just recently when a taxi driver who was enraged that his path was blocked by an incoming lorry and that the victim who was at his rear honking him to give way loses his temper and rained 15 blows on the driver causing a fractured cheekbone. Though one may argued that it takes two hands to clap, does the act justify the reaction. Many would say that one had not been pushed to the brink of insanity he or she will never had reacted in the manner that he had. But we have to understand that act of road violence no matter what the cause are should not and cannot be condoned. Singapore roads as it is are packed with cars 24/7 and that we are always exposed to the elements of inconsiderate driving by others who shares the same streets as we do. But does that mean that we should resort to violence whenever someone cuts across our path.

Former Chief Justice Yong Pung How has made in mandotory for any person charged for road rage to serve a minimum jail sentence as a general deterence to others. He declared in 1992 that jail sentences should be dealt to all road-rage offenders and few people convicted of the crime have escaped jail.

But the seemingly tough sentencing practise does not seems to abate the situation. We are seeing and reading more cases of road violence in Singapore over the years. Just this year several cases were reported in the newspaper. Last month, an avid cyclist was attacked by a man and woman after an incident involving their van. In April, a couple heading home late at night had a nightmare ride in a taxi after the cabby honked at another car. The driver, in his rage, nearly caused a collision. A major in the Singapore army is appealing a road rage conviction after he was accused of headbutting a car passenger. On 4 Mar this year, a motorist was jailed for a week for fighting with a delivery rider over a road traffic incident. In April last year, a cabby was fined $1,000 when he was convicted of road rage, hitting a school bus driver with a metal rod. He is appealing his conviction.

Could the increasing number of road rage cases in Singapore be reflective of the stressful working environment that we all are in. Many of us have an impulse to "flip off" or curse at a driver who annoys us. Most of us don't do it; or we curse quietly. Others of us honk or flash our lights to express our annoyance. A few of us take out our shotguns and fire at other drivers. Could this be a sign of mental breakdown of pathological illness?

As traffic ground to a halt on the Pan Island Expressway at the exit of the Central Expressway, I noticed myself becoming extremely impatient. I was in no particular hurry, to get home but I did not want to just sit there in the car waiting for the traffic to clear. Cars started using the shoulder blatantly to whiz by me, and I found myself getting irritated at them. I asked myself, if they have the audacity to do it, I don't see why I shoudl not. Eventually I used the shoulder myself for a short distance to get off at the nearest exit. I was able to drive down a few hundred meters passed by several cars who I dare not looked at, as I have this funny feeling of their piercing eyes and fould mouths all looking and cursing at me at the same time. I told myself for the next one week, I should not buy 4D or TOTO as I will never be able to win with the amount of curses that I have been receiving unknowingly. However before long, the road shoulder disappears magically as it appears and I am becoming stuck again as I approached the exit. As I merged in with another lane of traffic a car quickly drove beside me to keep me from entering the lane. It began to feel like a competition. I kept driving and she kept driving. She screamed something at me which I have no idea about and I stopped to let her continue. My heart was pounding as I pulled into the lane behind her. Cursing at her and her mother and her parents before her.

Was this woman suffering from a mental disorder or was I? Some of our driving behavior may stem from our innate territoriality. Ask ourself, we all take significantly longer to leave a parking place if we notice someone else is waiting for it We seem to be saying "I have this space right now, and I won't give it up until I'm ready." Driving slowly in the "fast lane" seems to be conveying a similar message. Cars also provide some degree of anonymity. It feels like it is my car against your car rather than me against. you. This anonymity may allow us to act out impulses we would never act out face-to-face. As the roads and expressways become more crowded these problems will only get worse.

One of the bests way to avoid becoming a victim of a "road rage" driver is to consciously avoid responding in kind. Remember that what may appear to be harassment may be simply a mistake in driving. One study found that a large percentage of drivers reported having been tailgated, but only a very much small number admitted to having tailgated others. If the other driver's aggressive behavior is intentional, the best thing to do is to avoid eye contact and get out of the way. Don't allow driving to become a competition. Remember our lives as it is, is already very stressful, why should we contribute more to it.

Unbottling the Bottled Water

Our infatuation with drinking high-priced "natural" water from a bottle rather than from the tap is contributing to global warming and could even qualify as an immoral act. Buying bottled water used to be a sign of water shortages. Now we buy it come rain or shine, no joke intended.

Unfortunately, for something as simple as water there is a huge environmental waste associated with it and one many environmentalist are now asking for us to do away with it or at least cut down on its usage.

Water quality in Singapore are amongst the highest in the world and yet despite rising water bills we fork out an billion of dollars on buying water off the shelvaes every year. That equates to an average of 41 litres per person every year. Second only to carbonated soft drinks in popularity. Furthermore, consumption of bottled water is growing more quickly than that of soft drinks and has more than doubled in the past decade. Bottled water has now overtaken coffee and milk in sales nationally, and is catching up with beer. To some, it’s an affordable luxury. To others, a healthy alternative to sugary drinks. Regardless, many consider it a staple.

It was not always like this though. Only a decade or less ago, if your supply had been cut off or there was a drought then you used to have a bit of a search to find bottles of water in your local store. Now our supermarket shelves are jam packed with water from all kind of distributor.

Why is bottled water so Popular?

It cannot be the taste, since most people cannot tell the difference in a blind tasting. Much bottled water is, in any case, derived from municipal water supplies, though it is sometimes filtered, or has additional minerals added to it. Nor is there any health or nutritional benefit to drinking bottled water over tap water. In fact in a study conducted in the states bottled water was compared with tap water and was found that nearly a quarter of the samples of bottled water had significantly higher levels of bacteria. Another study carried out at the University of Geneva found that bottled water was no better from a nutritional point of view than ordinary tap water.

Wer can contribute the populatity of bottled water to the marketing strategy. Bottled water is undeniably more fashionable and portable than tap water. The practice of carrying a small bottle, pioneered by supermodels, has become commonplace. Of course, tap water is not so abundant in the developing world. And that is ultimately why I find the illogical enthusiasm for bottled water not simply peculiar, but distasteful. For those of us in the developed world, safe water is now so abundant that we can afford to shun the tap water under our noses, and drink bottled water instead: our choice of water has become a lifestyle option. For many people in the developing world, however, access to water remains a matter of life or death.

So why is bottled water so bad?

There is enough oil used in the production process of water bottles in Singapore to keep 10,000 cars on the road for a year. About 1.5 million tons of plastic are expended in the bottling of 89 billion litres of water each year. The total amount of energy used to produce and deliver one bottle of water is the equivalent of filling the same bottle a quarter full of oil. Bottled water for Singaporean consumers produces about 33,200 tons of CO2 emissions each year. Only 10% of water bottles are recycled - most go to landfill. In total we have discarded more than 3 billion empty containers. Having travelled the long distance to reach the shelves at the market place many of it end up being refigerated and chill thus contributing to the soaring electricity costs.

A quarter of bottled water bought travels up to 16,000km to reach our consumers. in addition to the energy cost of producing, bottling, packaging, storing and shipping bottled water, there is also the environmental cost of the millions of tons of oil-derived plastic, from non-renewable sources, needed to make the bottles.

Tap water versus bottled water

In an effort to help turn consumers away from bottled water there has been a growing amount of publicity about its negative impact. However, it is difficult to argue against people drinking water because of its health benefits.

A recent campaign attempted to get round this by trying to get people to carry on drinking water but just not the branded bottled variety. The DIY Bottled Water campaign focused on the difference, or lack of, between tap water and its branded and bottled alternatives. If you could not tell the difference then it was surely time to stop buying it.

In essence it was asking consumers, why are you paying all this money for another bottle of water when you could just refill your own from the tap? The bottled water industry is a triumph of marketing over common sense. It has become a symbol of our disposable culture at its dumbest. In countries such as Singapore, where high quality water is literally on tap, it's time to bin the bottle.

And that is where the arguments against bottled water become so strong for environmental campaigners. We are told that we have an abundant supply of safe drinking water which we are fortunate enough to have available to us all, yet we are consuming millions of bottles of very similar water.Are you willing to give up the bottle?

How Not to Lose Your Inherintance in Bangkok.

It has been almost a month now since my last trip to Bangkok and the smell, the spirit, the hustle and bustle and the smog from the city of Bangkok still lingers.

I cannot forget the many wonderful sights and smells that can never be experienced in Singapore. As I just gotten off the plane at Bangkok's spanking new Suvarnabhumi Airport, which to me just seems incomplete to a certain extent due to its unpainted walls and tiled flooring, I then made a trip to the exchange counter and changed my crisp Singapore dollars which I withdraw from Singapore Changi Airport. As I handed over my Singapore dollars to the sweet looking lady with a smile, I was handed over a stack of thousand bath notes. Out of the sudden I felt rich most probably in my entire life I have never held a stack of one thousand bills before. Well my friend, before you are thinking of heading down to Bangkok on the next available plane, just between you and me, that stack of notes will be gone before you can say "Sawadee!"

No doubt having grown up and stayed in Singapore for my entire life, Thailand is a paradise compared to the sterile, clean, cold environment of Singapore city. With the dizzying array of stuffs that you can get from the streets and shopping centres, either real or otherwise, you may end up spending even if not your inheritance, the remainder of your available credit limit on excess baggage if you are not careful.

RATCHAPRASONG

My first day in Bangkok was spent in the upmarket streets of Ratchaprasong, Bangkok's answer to Singapore Orchard road belt. Even if you are thinking of spending to your heart delight and thinking that Singapore's currency rate gets you a better deal and bargain, you better think again and arm yourself with a calculator. The prices of products in the shopping malls may set you off then you bargain for. Things are not as cheap as that you can find in Singapore. Ratchaprasong is Bangkok's premier shopping stretch with designers stores the like of Zara, Gucci and Prada. For the Bangkok's virgin, ahhhh I don't mean virgin literally but those that have never been to Bangkok city before, Ratchaprasong is NOT, I repeat NOT where you go to get 'Knock-Offs' that the city is famous for. What you see here are as real as it gets. There are no FAKES. So don't start bargaining the price or ask for discounted prices as that may end you being booted off.

PRATUNAM MARKET

The last time that I was in Pratunam some four years ago, there was the one and only Pratunam. The famous Pratunam market. Now the place is doing so well there are now Three Pratunams, the original Pratunam Market, Pratunam Centre and the more stylish and upstyle Platinum Mall that sprung up across the street. We always asked ourselves, do great clothes and an expensive price tag always go hand in hand together? Not in Bangkok, if you know where to shop. In this wonderful, congested and thoroughly confusing city, anything is possible, especially if you on the hunt for cheap clothes or shoes. Pratunam Market which open daily from morning until the late afternoon is the place to hit for great clothes at rock bottom prices.

In the heart of the city, the market is easily accessible from Ratchaprarop Road. A dusty 'Pratunam Market' sign is an indication that you have hit the right spot. Stepping into the small lanes, I find myself in the middle of a clothes-maze where lanes bisected each other at random and all look the same with clothes hanging from every available space that the shop owners could think off to display their produce. If you become disoriented by the smell, sight and noise, don't worry continue on walking and eventually you will walk out of the market. Tiny stalls and even tinier shops are crushed together on both sides displaying everything from T-shirts to formal evening wear, from beach wear to winter jackets, children's clothes and even bizarre outfits.

Keen in Prado, Gucci, Louis Vuitton or any other designer wear? There are several places that you can fulfill your heart desire. Either you can head towards the upmarket Ratchaprasong or you can find the same product here in Pratunam. The market is abounds in designer fakes which all look the same but are a hell lot cheaper. Perhaps four, five or more times cheaper than the real stuff. If you have a deeper pocket and have fetishes of designer goods but cant afford more than one of it, then you can purchase more than two or three pieces of the less then genuine goods to enjoy the benefits of wholesale price. Shoppers lugging enormous bags weaving themselves in between the crowd are a common sight. Most can't believe their luck and buy entire wardrobes at one shot. Of course, they never let on back home about 'the Pratunam Market origins' of their designer wear. Don't be afraid to bargain till you get the price you want. A bit of advice: wear good walking shoes and light clothing. It's hot business shopping in Pratunam Market and you need to be comfortable when you walk around checking for quality and bargains.

If you are one of those that cannot live without the creature comfort of aircon, the two other Pratunam malls sells the same goods but you can browse for clothing and souvenirs away from the humid and hot environment. Most of the goods cost not more than 200 bath a piece so it is a shopaholic's paradise. However buyers beware, you need to be in possession of a wad of cash with you and you will see those wad dwindling fast. If you think your piece of plastic which has the word 'Platinum' would be of any use, think again, all payment is upfront by cash only.

CHATUCHAK MARKET

The weekend pilgrimage site for all bargain hunters and a mecca of cheap product, BIG does not even start to describe Chatuchak. If you have the morbid habit of trying to list down all the goods that are on sale, just forget about it. By the time your pencil finishes it last lead you have not even started the list yet. This is where you come to fulfill your clothing, home improvement, interior decoration needs plus a couple of food, pets and exotic knick knack vendors thrown in just to boggle the mind.

It would be no exaggeration to say that hardly anyone especially Bangkok residents doesn't know where or what Chatuchak Market is. This is The Worlds Biggest Weekend Market selling practically everything under the sun, from the smallest nails, to foods, trendy fashions, antiques intricate wooden carvings, masks from far-off lands, adorable fluffy dogs, colorful fish of every hue and singing birds. There are countless numbers of individual booths overflowing with every imaginable type of wares to catch your fancy. Once inside the market, you will be catch up in a world of bursting crowds and stalls stretching as far as the eye can see. If you are thinking of decorating your home, searching for that perfect piece of furniture or decoration, be it antique, modern, Thai or Western? Or perhaps a lovingly created ethnic handicraft to brighten up your space? Ceramic products, whether they be tea cups, coffee mugs, pots, traditional Thai Benjarong or ceramic dolls. Well, come to Chatuchak Market and chances are you won't go home empty-handed.

Chatuchak Market has an endless selection of food and drinks, ranging from small beverage stalls on almost every soi or corner , iced refreshments, noodles, rice & curries and Thai-style fast foods. This is where I had my prawn. I enjoyed the unique salesmanship tactics employed by the different vendors, who rely on shouting, making odd noises, playing music and even wearing outlandish dress, to capture the attention of passing shoppers. The real charm of the Chatuchak Mattel lies in the fact that you can-and should-bargain with each stall you are interested in. Whether you will snare a bargain or not is a test of your own negotiating skills. So, don' t be surprised if the same goods bought by you and your friends from the same shop carry different prices. Now, are you ready to begin your quest to find what you have been searching high and low for ? Well then, mingle with the crowds, sweat it out and have fun in The World's Biggest Weekend Market. Only sheer determination can keep you in the market for more than a few hours, longer then that you may need to seek counselling for post traumatic shopping syndrome.

Taking Public Transport

As in many other parts of the world that I have been to, bus is the cheapest way to get around and mercifully less hazardous to health and more assured to your safety than the endearingly quaint tuk tuks with their stunt drivers weaving in and out through black fumes on the roads which does a similar job to the taxi. However if you are a thrill seekers and one who does not mind loosing a bit of your sanity then tuk tuk would be just the answer for you. So named because of the sound of their engine, these are motorized rickshaws and are popular amongst tourists for their novelty value

Ferries & River Boats

A leisurely cruise down the Chao Pharaya River will take you close to many of the local attractions and Wats (Temples) that you may wish to visit. There are many piers that you may take the boat from but the cheapest and most convenient is to but a whole day pass which allows you to travel up and down the river till you are nauseated. Just take extra caution not to fell into the water. I do not know what is down there. Not since the last clean up that were done. Another form convenient travel would be by river which cuts across the city in a zippy. It is a more cleaner and safer means of transportation at least if you were to fall into the river the chances of you disappearing will be less.

Taxis

I have lost count on the actual number of taxis companies there are in the city of Bangkok but what I can say with a certainty is that the taxis are painted in the most weirdest colours that one could imagine. Have you seen pink chosen as a colour of choice for a taxi. Well if you have not than Bangkok is the place to go to. The flag down rate of the taxi is 35 bath which is like a few Singapore cents, but I had my own shares of encounters with unscrupulous drivers that will roll their eyes and tell you that the meter is not working when you ask them to press the meter button. Taxi rides within the city is cheap and rarely cost more than 100 bath unless the driver brought you around for a silent sight seeing, so it is unlikely to cause your heart to stop unlike the notorious Bangkok trip.

Down and Dirty, Don't go there.

Bangkok's Patpong is the gaudiest and most unrestrained red-light district in Asia, probably the world. It is a by-word for all that is unpermissible, and much that isn't, to seekers-after-pleasures of the flesh. For years tourism officials have tried to play down Patpong's lurid attractions, but it remains one of Bangkok's most visited areas. Lying between Silom and Suriwongse roads, the four acres of bars and massage parlours that lie within Patpong's two main streets are crowded nightly with seekers after sexual pleasure, as well as curious tourists who come to gaze on the glittering neon and the boy and girl bait set to lure punters into the bars.

The girls tell sad stories, most often fiction. Many men fall in love with Patpong girls but the men's stories then become more poignant than the girls. They run out of money and the girl runs out on them. C'est la vie!
You can walk safely through the neon-lit streets, avoiding the touts who will proffer a calling card listing, in up to four or five languages, the stuff of porno magazines. You can ignore them and do some shopping instead, or have a meal at one of the excellent restaurants in the area. You don't need to even look inside a club to feel the buzz.

I guess my only regret is not having the opportuinty to be there during my last visit. Bangkok is a city that will assail your every sense. It is busy, polluted, noisy and really not that clean. But there is nothing in the world quite like it and that is the reason why so many of us just keep coming back.

ERP Enigma

Six years ago, former Speaker of Parliament Mr Tan Soo Khoon known for his sagacity brought the Singaporean parliamentarians a peek into the future when he spoke on the hot topic of Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) during a budget debate. In his speech he said that the Government’s policy has been that the cost of ownership of cars would be reduced over the long run, but the cost of usage will increase thus the ERP charges will be increased periodically. In his usual actics way of putting his point across, Mr Tan said "We have ERP almost everywhere, or soon-to-be everywhere, (and) we are going to have ERP day and night. I think very soon, ERP will mean ‘every road pay’. “Sir, the day will be quite soon when the only safe place to leave your vehicle is at home, if you are lucky enough to own a landed property. You can well imagine that, one day, if I drive out of my house, the first thing I hear would be this ‘beep’ sound coming from the little device on my dashboard, and everywhere you go, you will be hearing ‘beep, beep, beep’, instead of car horns.”

While the worst-case scenario describe has yet to emerge into a reality, come 7 July motorists will have to face higher ERP charges and those travelling along certain roads leading into the city and away from it will be greeted with more gantries across their path. The government justify the introduction of the gantries in respond to growing congestion on our roads as growing traffic congestion will have an adverse impact on the economy.

From July 7, family life in Singapore should improve, at least for those who pass through traffic gantries as congestion has an adverse impact on family life as family spends more time on the road rather than together. Businesses, too, will become more competitive as the cost of crossing these gantries goes up, leading to faster travel times, which should then lead to lower transport costs overall.

However those who are against the increases in the ERP charges and the introduction of new gantries would argued that the ERP system has helped in smoothing traffic flow, especially in the Central Business District. The main quarrel with the timing of the new round of increases is that it comes in the wake of higher petrol prices and insurance costs. Many would argue that traffic congestion here is still tolerable compared with the traffic jams in Bangkok, Jakarta and even Kuala Lumpur. In fact, some contend that traffic in Singapore could be even smoother but for the ubiquitous road works, tree pruning and numerous traffic lights. Some would say that the reason why traffic is delayed on the roads is because if the presence if numerous traffic light. Singapore probably has more traffic lights per kilometre of road than anywhere else in the world.

The business community has also voiced their opposition to the increases. Car parks in the malls dropped dramatically when the announcement and the problem only seems to be abated when the authorities decided to introduce a “window period” in the mornings between 9.30am and noon that business at the malls in the Orchard Road area improved.


In any case, why raise costs when inflation is already ranging at record levels? The government has been encouraging us to switch to alternative form of transportation such as buses, Mrt and taxis but if the authorities want you to switch to public transport, why do buses and taxis also have to pay ERP charges? Last year, SBS Transit had to pay $2.9 million in ERP charges, $5.8 million in road taxes and absorbed almost $37 million in output GST (up from $28.5 million). The increases in all the charges would ultimately be transferred to the consumers who have had to bear the cost. If the ERP system is not a revenue-raising exercise then the funds raised is surely eye raising and this is only from a part of the public service company. Increase the number by including the taxi companies, SMRT and TIBS.

As the number of gantries increased and the oil prices continues to rise, we are forced to resign and accept it as part of life in Singapore. ERP has synonymous be known as Every Road Pay.