PP calls for charter rejig before election

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PUBLISHED: 9 Sep 2024 at 19: 42

Parit Wacharasindhu
Parit Wacharasindhu

The main opposition party, the People’s Party ( PP ), urged the new government on Monday to support the passage of a section-by-section charter amendment and the creation of a new constitution to ensure that both steps are taken in time for the upcoming general election.

PP list-MPParit Wacharasindhustressed that the need for section-by-section revisions was justified because certain issues need to be addressed immediately and cannot wait for a whole new charter to be written, a process that can take up to two years.

His request came as the Paetongtarn Shinawatra government’s plan speech was being presented to parliament on Thursday. &nbsp,

Before officially beginning its job, the government is required to make its speech to parliament in accordance with the constitution. More than 30 MPs have been assigned by the opposition group to debunk the plan speech. &nbsp,

Mr. Parit said the group may raise concerns about the new charter’s roadmap, referendum questions, and whether the authorities would help a wholly elected charter drafting body.

Based on the government’s review plan speech, the mandate act is broadly defined, similar to the transformation declared to congress by the preceding Srettha Thavisin management.

” The fully elected charter drafting body is n’t stated in the policy statement. While Pheu Thai has proposed it earlier, there is no official confirmation from the state”, he said.

He also expressed concern that the new law and its natural laws will likely not be available by the upcoming elections after three polls on the new charter. &nbsp,

Nevertheless, he noted that the fresh government’s and the Senate’s views on policy article may be apparent later this month when the PP-sponsored documents go up for debate.

The Move Forward Party proposed three law act documents before it was disbanded and reborn as the PP in an effort to stop future uprisings and repeal the junta-backed 20-year nationwide approach.

Of the three charges, one proposes scrapping Part 279 of the contract, which says all announcements and commands of the now-defunct National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO ) and its chief are lawful and constitutional.

Another aims to stop future dictatorships by allowing state officials to disobey orders from those who are trying to seize strength and forbid judges from recognizing a revolution as a means of establishing a genuine state.

The 20-year regional plan and the regional reform plan, which are both proposed in the most recent costs, are now included in Sections 16 and 65 of the law.

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Singapore passes law to ration power during emergencies, set up energy fund

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WHAT IT IS ABOUT

The law made recommendations regarding the development and planning of equipment, the development of new market mechanisms, and energy security.

Tan Discover Leng, the second secretary for trade and industry, claimed that energy rationing might be necessary to maintain power balance in the event of a severe and long disruption to all of Singapore’s fuel imports.

People will have access to electricity for their daily needs, as well as receiving objective for services like medical and communications, and will be given as much advance notice as feasible. &nbsp,

Businesses will not be held responsible if they do not fulfill their obligations by following EMA’s recommendations for power rationing.

Once the situation improves, the rationing measures will be lifted. &nbsp,

” Power rationing is only a last resort. Dr. Tan, who noted that the UK has also implemented power rationing as part of its energy resilience strategy, said it is one part of Singapore’s preparation for an increasingly uncertain world.” I hope we will never have to use it.” &nbsp,

The law establishes the Future Energy Fund for investments in clean energy projects that may involve significant commercial, technological, and geopolitical risks in addition to power rationing. &nbsp,

The initial injection will be S$ 5 billion ( US$ 3.8 billion ) in FY2024, with further top-ups in the years to come.

Other proposals include:

  • Owners and occupants of important energy infrastructure can be directed by EMA to grant electricity and gas licensees access to the infrastructure, which may include waterfront jetties and transmission cables.
  • Requiring EMA’s approval when repurposing energy and gas assets
  • allowing EMA to recover costs incurred as a result of initiatives it takes in order to promote energy security, market growth, and decarbonization. MTI stated that EMA will only take action when necessary and that the ministry must approve proposed new rates. EMA further stated that EMA will not attempt to turn a profit.
  • Unless otherwise permitted, requiring prescribed power generation companies to only purchase gas from a central gas company, known as Gasco for the moment. By the end of the current fiscal year, Gasco is anticipated to be established as a government-owned business, which will purchase and supply gas to the power sector, increasing the scale of the operation. Singapore had stated that it would establish Gasco to reduce the volatility of electricity prices.

WHY IT MATTERS&nbsp,

Dr Tan said that the proposals will strengthen Singapore’s ability to “plan for and develop a decarbonised, secure, and cost-competitive energy system” against the backdrop of geopolitical, commercial and technological uncertainties which can threaten the country’s energy security. &nbsp,

Given that Singapore still relies primarily on imported natural gas for its energy needs and lacks alternative energy sources, the proposals, particularly those aimed at centralizing gas procurement and power rationing, are intended to ensure energy stability.

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More rain for Bangkok, flooding for Ang Thong, Ayutthaya

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PUBLISHED: 9 Sep 2024 at 16: 57

This year, more weather is forecast for the Bangkok place, and flooding is expected in the provinces of Ang Thong and Ayutthaya. &nbsp,

More than half of Greater Bangkok was expected to experience rainfall this year, with especially heavy falls forecast for Sunday, according to the Meteorological Department’s Monday estimates. &nbsp,

The Crisis Prevention and Mitigation Department warned of storms in piece of Ang Thong and most of the areas of neighboring Ayutthaya over the next 24 hours, and the Hydro-Informatics Institute reported spills from two major rivers in Ayutthaya state.

The Chao Phraya River movement was measured at 1, 498 cubic feet per minute on Monday, according to the university.

The ocean is still tolerable, according to the Royal Irrigation Department. During the 2011 Great Flood, the Chao Phraya storm dam released 2,700 m3/s.

After causing deaths and wreak havoc in the Philippines, Vietnam, and southeastern China, the former very storms Yagi has been downgraded to a low pressure system. &nbsp,

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FAQ: What you need to know about Singapore’s proposed law to protect platform workers

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CPF Achievements

Why is the state lowering the contributions made by software workers and operators to CPF?

To assist software workers in achieving the same levels of cover and appropriateness as employees who make the same amount, the CPF contribution rates may gradually increase over the next five years. &nbsp,

Workers may also notice a general increase in their entire earnings as a result of the CPF efforts from system operators.

The increased efforts are required for those born on or after January 1, 1995 because younger software workers need them more because of housing requirements and because they are more likely to benefit from the compound interest, according to MOM.

Will platform workers continue to receive the operator’s share of the contributions if they do n’t choose to receive the higher CPF contributions? &nbsp,

No, they will not. The operator will only deduct the necessary MediSave contributions from platform workers ‘ wages and send them to the CPF Board each month for those who do not opt in. &nbsp,

Is there a cut-off time for software workers born before Jan 1, 1995, to settle in to the increased Pension efforts?

There is no timeframe, older platform workers may settle in at any time. &nbsp,

However, older workers are advised to opt in early to receive the Platform Workers ‘ CPF Transition Support (PCTS ) if they are eligible. This program aims to lower the influence on take-home pay for employees.

Starting the following month, program workers who choose to participate on or before the 15th of the month will receive the higher contributions. Then, it will begin a month later. &nbsp,

For instance, if a program employee chooses to participate on April 15, the higher contributions will begin on May 1. If he or she chooses to participate on April 16, the higher achievements will begin on Jun 1.

Is employees change their minds after opting in?

It would not be “practical” for program providers to help opt-outs, the Manpower Ministry said.

Because employers would have to monitor the status of employees and compare the CPF contributions that are due when employees choose to settle in and out of work several days.

” This may incur significant business expenses for software workers”, MOM added. &nbsp,

Therefore, software workers are advised to carefully consider their choice based on their individual circumstances before opting in. &nbsp,

Program workers will have enough time to make their decisions before CPF contributions are implemented by the opt-in website. &nbsp,

What about lower-income software personnel who might be affected by the increased Pension efforts? &nbsp,

Lower-income platform workers who earn S$ 3, 000 ( US$ 2, 300 ) or less per month– after the deduction of expenses, including income from platform work and other employment sources – will qualify for the updated PCTS scheme.

In 2025, the government will cover 100 % of lower-income workers ‘ CPF contributions. This means that their take-home pay wo n’t decrease in 2025. &nbsp,

Starting in 2026, the offset proportion will eventually decrease, ending in 2029.

Starting in 2025, all platform workers who are eligible for the Workfare Income Supplement ( WIS ) scheme will start receiving monthly payments instead of annually. To aid them in saving for retirement, this program tops the earnings of lower-income workers.

Moreover, from 2029, program workers whose Pension efforts are aligned with those of employees may receive higher WIS payments. Additionally, there will be a higher Neb percentage in dollars. &nbsp,

Are there any safeguards in place to protect software operators from discrimination against program workers who need or choose to contribute more money to the CPF? &nbsp,

If the Bill is passed, this will ultimately protect an increasing proportion of workers because it will be required for all system staff born in 1995 or later to contribute to the increased CPF. &nbsp,

Therefore, it may be “more useful” for software providers in the long term to treat workers pretty, regardless of whether they opt in or are subject to mandatory Pension contributions, MOM said.

Software employees also have the choice of switching software operators. Therefore, it is “in the attention” of operators to handle all workers quite so as to keep them, the ministry added. &nbsp,

Additionally, now that system work associations is now represent platform workers, they can collaborate with the operators to protect against unfair practices.

Additional guidelines will also be included in the Tripartite Guidelines on Fair Employment Practices to make it clearer that platform operators and intermediaries should n’t discriminate against people based on traits that are n’t related to the job.

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‘I hope that I do good’: From children to the elderly, Singapore gets ready for Pope Francis’ visit

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Pope Francis is now touring Asia for 11 times as a four-nation. It is his first journey since September last year and his longest since taking over the Catholic Church in 2013.

The 87-year-old papacy began the journey in Jakarta, Indonesia next Tuesday, before travelling to Papua New Guinea.

He landed in Timor-Leste on Monday, and will be in Singapore from Wednesday to Friday.

A pleasant service held at Parliament House on Thursday is one of the things Pope Francis ‘ plan includes. Later that evening, he will even attend the National Stadium and offer the homily.

About 370 primary and secondary pupils may add a 1, 600-strong singing to speak more than 30 songs in English, Latin, Taiwanese, Malay and Tamil.

Mr Titus Chang, choir teacher-in-charge at CHIJ Secondary ( Toa Payoh ), said the school first learned in May that it would be involved in the mass.

The Catholic female ‘ class, which is celebrating its 170th celebration this year, is also extra special for the bishop’s visit.

” It has been decades of preparation. I believe the girls at my school put in a lot of effort and work really, really hard, and they are all very excited to see this important event,” he continued.

” Whether ( they ) are Catholic or… are non-Catholic, I think this is a great opportunity for our students to come together and foster this sense of community”.

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S0 million govt subsidy to cover deferred public transport fare hikes; 4-month extended concession for graduating students

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SINGAPORE: To cover the cost of deferring further public transport fare hikes, the government will be pumping in an additional S$ 250 million ( US$ 191 million ) in subsidies to support public transport operators. &nbsp,

A higher number of public transportation tickets will also gain more low-income households as a result of the Dec. 28 start-up’s transportation suffer increases.

Graduating individuals, however, may enjoy an extended period of four weeks of capitulation benefits. &nbsp,

These are just a few of the measures that have been put in place to help reduce the cost pressure on public transportation operators as well as the burden of the fare increases that were announced on Monday ( Sep 9 ) for commuters. &nbsp,

The Public Transport Council ( PTC ) announced a 10-cent fare hike per journey on public transport for adults, with a 4-cent hike for concession card holders such as students, seniors and persons with disabilities.

The Ministry of Transportation ( MOT ) reported that the S$ 250 million subsidy is in addition to the over S$ 2 billion in annual public transportation subsidies needed to keep bus and train services running, as well as the additional S$ 900 million over eight years for the Bus Connectivity Enhancement Programme. &nbsp,

” In entire, this equates to more than S$ 1 in incentives for every trip taken on open carry”, said MOT in a press release on Monday. &nbsp,

The S$ 250 million will be used to support a 12.9 % deferred fare increase that will be applied to the following fare assessment exercise. &nbsp,

The greatest fare adjusting was 18.9 %, but the PTC had chosen to see a 6 % increase in charges to help travellers avoid the full increase. &nbsp,

In comparison, both road users SBS Transit Rail and SMRT carriages had applied for the whole 18.9 per share fare increase.

PTC stated that the more government subsidies will help to lower the fare increase while also taking into account the cost of providing public transportation. &nbsp,

Individuals CAN ENJOY EXTENDED CONCESSION FARES

Individuals can also enjoy concessionary charges for four months after graduating starting on December 28. &nbsp,

Now, students in secondary schools, Institute of Technical Education colleges, young colleges, polytechnics and various authorities or government-aided secondary institutes and available private education institutions pay pupil concessionary fares. &nbsp,

Some of these students may have to give adult fares before enrolling in another school and are qualified for concessionary fares once more when they graduate. &nbsp,

According to PTC, Chee Hong Tat, the Minister for Transport, earlier this year requested an improvement in response to input from parents and students. &nbsp,

After this, PTC made the decision to continue offering these fares to graduating students who were ready for concessionary tickets for four weeks after their studies were over. &nbsp,

This may begin with graduating pupils whose eligibility for concessions expires on or after December 28 this year, and it will also apply to the entire graduating class. This means that the improvement will be beneficial for both students who are transitioning from student agreement benefits and those who are in the middle of their studies. &nbsp,

In total, around 75, 000 college students are expected to gain from this shift every month. &nbsp,

The college students for this year will need to touch their existing concessionary cards at any ticket system at MRT stations and bus interchanges, or attend a ticketing counter between October 1 and December 31 in order to prolong the validity of their concessionary cards. &nbsp,

Kids whose graduations are scheduled for 2025 or later may be informed by their universities that their concessions will continue until the end of their studies. &nbsp,

Less than 0.5 % of the complete public transportation fare revenue is spent on providing these kids with extended concessionary charges rather than adult tickets. &nbsp,

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Public transport fare hike: Adults to pay 10 cents more per journey from Dec 28

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WANTING TO GET Prices TO READ AND KEEP FARES AFFORDABLE

A deferred fare quantum of 12.9 % will result from the 6 % increase, which will be transferred to the next fare review exercise, bringing it down from 15.6 % to 12.9 %.

This allows us to” close the gap between cost and charges where we can keep the financial viability of our public transportation system,” Ms. Ang said.

PTC will continue to weigh this against our goal of making people transportation affordable. &nbsp,

To protect the&nbsp, delayed suffer adjustment, the state will provide an extra payment of S$ 250 million in the coming year.

PTC stated that the more government subsidies will help to lower the cost of providing common transportation and also reducing the fare increase. &nbsp,

Both road operators SBS Transit Rail and SMRT Trains had applied for the whole 18.9 per cent suffer boost- that is, 3.3 per share derived from inflation, wages and energy prices, plus 15.6 per cent in delayed adjustments.

They cited components like the slow recovery of public transportation ridership as well as inflation-related price pressures. &nbsp,

SBS Transit’s coach portion had reported a lost of” many million dollars” yet with government support, while SMRT Trains recorded an operating profit of S$ 6.2 million with government assistance. &nbsp,

Lower-income households will get public transport vouchers, which&nbsp, can be used to top up fare cards or buy monthly passes. &nbsp, The vouchers this year will be worth S$ 60 each, compared with the S$ 50 in vouchers provided last year. &nbsp,

Adults and concession groups who frequent the PTC should consider purchasing monthly passes to help them lower their public transportation costs, according to the PTC. &nbsp,

Additionally, there wo n’t be any changes to the fares for commuters who make cash payments.

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Dogs with mouths taped shut in Pattaya spark debate

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PUBLISHED: 9 Sep 2024 at 15: 53

A dog with its mouth taped shut is seen in soi Pattaya-Na kluea 12 in Pattaya, Thailand in this photo posted on Facebook on Sunday. (Photo: Chaiyot Pupattanapong)
A dog with its tongue taped shut is seen in cmos Pattaya-Na kluea 12 in Pattaya, Thailand in this image posted on Instagram on Sunday. ( Photo: Chaiyot Pupattanapong )

On social media, people are debating whether a group of stray dogs in Pattaya are guilty of animal cruelty by keeping their mouths shut to avoid them cutting people.

A Twitter users posted pictures of 10 dogs in the Chon Buri district of Chon Buri’s Bang Lamung district, which are seen with taped mouths scurrying around in the soi Pattaya-Na Kluea 12 area. Some were carrying water containers, slung around their heads. &nbsp, &nbsp,

The unidentified man who feeds them was thought to be at fault.

The dogs howl frequently and have attacked visitors who are walking along the street, according to a security guard working in the area.

People claimed that the puppies were left in this situation throughout the day, with the exception of their serving time.

The broadly shared article had a lot of opinions beneath it. Since the dogs were prevented from having water during the daytime, according to many, and rubber audio was used instead of typical dog collars,

Some claimed that the area’s aggressive dogs were the best and that they often injured passing dogs. &nbsp,

Local authorities and animal welfare organizations may check the location, according to advertisements.

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Thailand to begin distribution of handout scheme this month

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First 145 billion baht of the “digital bag” initiative targeted at vulnerable parties

PUBLISHED: 9 Sep 2024 at 15: 32

People shop at a market in Bangkok on Oct 2, 2023. (Reuters file photo)
On October 2, 2023, people store at a business in Bangkok. ( Reuters file photo )

A deputy finance minister on Monday emphasized the need for short-term economic stimulus and said that Thailand will deliver 145 billion ringgit of its “digital bag” handout program earlier than scheduled to aid vulnerable groups.

Julapun Amornvivat claimed that the government had prepared 450 billion ringgit in full for its signature handout program, which aims to encourage economic growth by transferring 10,000 baht to 50 million Thais to invest in their localities during a finances debate in the senate.

The measure, which was scheduled for deployment in the last quarter of this year, is the core of&nbsp, Thailand’s plans to start Southeast Asia’s second-largest sector, which grew 2.3 % in the second quarter.

A court’s sudden removal of Srettha Thavisin as prime minister last month, which led to a change in government, has skepticism about when the guaranteed signal methods will start to take effect.

Part of the flyer will now be in funds, Mr Srettha’s supporter and son, Paetongtarn Shinawatra said last year.

Officials in charge of finance, Julapun, reported that 32 million people had already enrolled in the program, including those who were resilient, but not those who had no smartphones, for which funds were to be received via an application.

The first round of obligations, which Mr. Julapun claimed may be made later in September and would be made from the 2024 finances and other sources, was not immediately obvious. It would be in cash.

His remarks come after Ms. Paetongtarn, the daughter of socially renowned businessman Thaksin Shinawatra, promised to spur the business right away and implement Mr. Srettha’s policy goals at the weekends.

Her fresh government released a policy statement on Sunday that Ms. Paetongtarn will offer to parliament after this week.

The handbook program has received criticism from economists, including two former central bank governors, for being financially irresponsible. The state disagrees, but it has had to look for sources of funding.

It insists the plan is needed to reinvigorate the economy, which the central bank expects to expand only 2.6 % this year, up from 1.9 % in 2023 and much barren of most regional classmates.

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Traffic police officer jailed for speeding while on duty, causing death of 58-year-old pedestrian

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A traffic police officer in Singapore was sentenced on Monday ( Sep 9 ) for killing a 58-year-old pedestrian while traveling at a speed of 108 kilometers per hour.

Muhammad Firdaus Yusoff, a 32-year-old Singaporean, was jailed for seven weeks and banned from obtaining any travelling permission for eight years.

He admitted to one count of riding a motorcycle without giving other road users a fair chance of respect by moving at a rate that was more than twice the 50kmh reduce next month. He was &nbsp, on his approach to an accident&nbsp, at the time of the event.

The Singapore Police Force previously informed CNA that it began looking into Firdaus, who holds the rank of SGT ( 3 ), and that it had suspended him from frontline duties.

District Judge Kok Shu-En told Firdaus during sentencing that “you of all citizens ought to have known how risky it is to be traveling at such frequencies.”

She did point out that he was not moving at that” important” rate for a “frivolous” reason; rather, she was traveling to attend an accident that “understandably requires some degree of urgency.” &nbsp,

THE Event

Firdaus reportedly joined the traffic police in 2020, according to the judge.

He checked that his allotted scooter was in good condition and without problems when he started his shift on Jun 21, 2023, at around 1 p.m.

When he was despatched to enter a situation where a bike skidded and an ambulance were required, he was returning to the customers authorities headquarters in Ubi at around 5:30pm.

Firdaus was aware that the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) had already been dispatched to the scene of the collision at Buangkok Drive and Hougang Avenue 6, but he was unaware of the extent of the wounds or fatalities.

The situation was hardly classified as an incident.

Firdaus ‘ task as the first police officer dispatched to the affair was to determine the nature of the accident and whether additional officers tools were required.

If he arrived before the doctors, he was moreover required to control transportation and administer first aid.

He was aware, however, that he was not required to travel above the speed control while intervening in such cases.

Firdaus rode on street 1 of a three-lane route along Hougang Avenue 3 near a Kim Chuan Road crossing while driving to the incident.

The sufferer, a 58-year-old person, was crossing the road from Firdaus ‘ left to right.

When Firdaus applied tough brakes while sounding his horn, the victim realized that the sufferer had never noticed the motorcycle’s direct lighting and siren.

He was unable to turn right in the direction of the target in time.

The victim was thrown off his bicycle after it overturned and fell on its edge and was thrown onto the lawn edge of the center divider by the collision.

The sufferer was taken to a hospital, but he later passed away from many wounds sustained in the incident.

The victim’s crossing of the road was not within 50 meters of an overhead gate, which was located farther up the road, the court was told.

Hence, the victim was no jaywalking. Any commuter who is not crossing at a motorist crossing is also required to supply the right of way to incoming vehicles, according to the prosecution.

Studies revealed that Firdaus ‘ motorcycle had a rate of 108 km/h on the record before the collision, which was a significant decrease in speed.

Firdaus was aware that the speed limit for that route was 50 kilometers per hour. If he had followed this, he would have been able to avoid the incident, the prosecutors said.

Daphne Lim and Lim Jia Rong, the sheriff public prosecutor, requested five to seven months in prison for Firdaus, as well as an eight-year driving restrictions.

According to them, Firdaus had driven more than 50 kilometers per hour over the speed control.

” This was dangerous riding and as a police officer, the accused should have known better”, they said.

However, the lawyers noted that there was” some necessity” to the event. Firdaus was the first police officer dispatched there, despite the fact that it was n’t an emergency, and he would have to administer first aid if SCDF had not yet arrived.

Firdaus had likewise switched on his horn and blinkers to warn people of his existence, the trial acknowledged.

A large number of community members took becomes talking to Firdaus while he was being taken away in court, which made him cry.

For using without expected consideration, causing death, he could have been jailed for up to three years, fined up to S$ 10, 000, or both.

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