Malaysia VEP information counter opens at Singapore’s Woodlands industrial park, despite no public announcement on location

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Singapore’s first-ever information counter for drivers to inquire about Malaysia’s Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP ) was launched on Monday ( Aug 19 ) without much fanfare because the only driver CNA who met there by noon had only learned about its location from a friend. &nbsp,

TCSens, the vendor chosen by Malaysia’s Road Transport Department ( JPJ) to handle inquiries from Singapore drivers, made no public announcement regarding the exact location of the office in Woodlands, nor by the authorities there. &nbsp,

A staff member at the TCSens business in Johor’s Danga Bay second let CNA know about the office’s place.

When CNA arrived at 8.45am, the company, which is located at 186 Woodlands Industrial Park E5, was clear. No evidence indicating that the location was the VEP data center were displayed at the office, nor did there are no waiting drivers it. &nbsp,

The building’s table list, however, listed the second floor system as” MY VEP PTE LTD”. &nbsp,

A VEP details shop will be set up in Woodlands earlier this month, according to Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke, to assist individuals with their queries. &nbsp,

He stated at the time that a Singaporean company would run the shop in partnership with TCSens.

On Monday, team people running the heart arrived at about 8.47am to set up activities. &nbsp,

Six data counters, six chairs, a TV screen, and six information counters were visible inside the company. &nbsp,

But, no vehicles were seen at the workplace in the first hours of operation. &nbsp,

At about 10.20am, a vehicle arrived at the office to check about his VEP program.

A friend who visited TCSens ‘ Johor Bahru office and inquired about the beginning of the Singapore company contacted Mr. Jackson Tan, a private-hire drivers, to inform CNA of the information. &nbsp,

” Even on the Malaysia side, they only told my friend ( the address )… Not even the unit number ( of the office )”, the 55-year-old told CNA. &nbsp,

The Woodlands office’s director, Mr. Ng Poh Heng, claimed it was purely an “enquiry center.”

The company is here to assist Singaporeans who have issues and problems with applying for the VEP online, which is required to provide Malaysia.

Because the center is an enquiry center, Singaporeans do n’t have to travel all the way to Johor Bahru to get it done. So whatever issues they have, they can request it these face-to-face, “he said.

CNA is aware that drivers ca n’t install or collect their radio frequency identification ( RFID ) tags at the office.

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After 3 surgeries for scoliosis, she started a support group: ‘I was once like you. I can give you some hope’

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Extreme scoliosis you press the heart and lungs, and affect their ability to fully functionality, said Liew. After taking her O-Level test, Liew underwent spinal fusion surgery to treat her physical appearance and prevent health issues.

To prevent growth in the unusual segment of the spine and stop the curvature from growing, the surgeons fuse the curved spine ( the bones that stack up to form the backbone ) into a good bone.

This involves placing small pieces of bone in between the bones that are to be fused in a tooth bone. The back is kept in place until the integration occurs through metal rod. After the merging, the shafts are no longer needed, but are not generally removed unless they cause problems.

It was a major procedure, and the 16-year-old was rightly worried.

” Those were the weeks before Twitter. No single we knew had scoliosis”, Liew recalled.

The mother of Liew’s buddy, a friend in her 30s who had had this operation, looked round and discovered her. She met me and assured me that a normal life could be direct after surgery. That gave me a lot of hope and confidence. I knew that I was never alone”, Liew said.

Putting off the concern, she underwent the eight-hour operation.

” I cried post-surgery because of the tremendous pain. I had a sense that something was on my back when I woke up. I could n’t turn. I struggled to breathe. I had to learn how to walk again”, she said.

However, the procedure was powerful and ended her spine to a slight curvature.

” I told myself, this is my career – I am reformed and transformed. This shaft will be my long companion”, she said. ” If you are more accepting of the situation, you will be able to restore faster”.

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The ‘DSA academies’ offering ‘10-year series’ and intense training camps to help kids into top schools

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“UNEVEN Using FIELD”

The schools CNA spoke to said they have spoken with parents who have the sole intention of sending their baby to a prestigious institution rather than encouraging them to pursue an interest in sports or skill.  

In this spirit, Ms Chua’s work also involves managing kids ’ expectations.

“Being in a particular sport or domain area, ( parents ) always assume that if ( their child ) is good in that (area ), that the school should take ( their child ).  

“ But sometimes, they have to understand that there are lots and lots of other people as well, and it ’s not just ( their child ), ” she said.  

Wong Wei Long, the founder of the Scholar Basketball Academy, claimed that he had to “bluntly ” speak out against parents who use the sport as a means of a DSA end in his preparation course.

To the ex-national basketball player, love is more critical.

Why not try it if their kids love it, they say? ” said Mr Wong. “Because if ( children ) want it and have a goal or dream, we should push for it. ” 

Edward Chew, the founder and educator of the Findings tuition center, claimed that the DSA’s success ensures that learners enter schools on the required merit and reach to their potential.  

“ In the long term … that ’s a win for the system, ” he said. “If they are … pressured into that position, or fail to reach their potential, that ’s in some way a decline. ”

According to Dr. Chew, parents must learn to deal with their panic, insufficiency, and uncertainty so that as many children as achievable come away with outcomes they are happy with and find joy in.

What is the secret to accomplishing this? regular communication between parents and children to realize their changing pursuits, he continued.  

Then there is the larger issue of fairness and equity, with some academic institutions claiming that the DSA selection process has evolved into something that can be “studied ” for.  

The unequal playing field may become even more but thanks to intensive DSA-oriented efforts by better-resourced families, said Dr. Chew.

“For the less-resourced parents … It’s not easy for ( them ) to find the time, energy or information to find the best path for their children. ” 

Mr. Lee of the Goalkick Football Academy agreed, claiming that getting ready for DSA collection has become as simple as taking tuition classes.

More money can be spent on fee for those with more money than less money, and this also applies to this area as well, he said.  

“Those who have more, go for more. ”

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IN FOCUS: A father and daughter’s journey to find their long-lost relatives in China

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Amy thought she had gained a lot from her brief but valuable journey. &nbsp,

I came into my family in China with no expectations and small knowledge, but meeting them gave me a sense of hope that there is more to learn about and more relatives to get to know,” she said. &nbsp,

We all talk loudly like we want to fight, and I do n’t think we look alike, but I did notice some similarities with my relatives in China and Singapore. The women in our community also have a tendency to get round and large, Amy said in a chuckle. &nbsp,

” I certainly feel a sense of connection with them… When we met them, it was different from meeting a man or perhaps long-lost friends, there was no challenge. We only embraced each other without any doubts and it just happened naturally.

Regarding her father, he claimed that feeling at peace after seeing his family once more. &nbsp,

My parents had frequently discuss the family’s situation in China and the home they had left behind when I was younger. &nbsp,

” But going back this time, I may see for changes in their life, and that made me feel so glad and comforted me, too,” he said. &nbsp,

A Century REUNITED

Amy and her father assisted in finding our long-lost friends by bringing closure to community members on both sides of the household who had long apposed to rekindle their relationship but were unable to do so. &nbsp,

Knowing that this line of relatives existed and that we were then in effect gave my home a sense of accuracy and comfort. &nbsp,

I called my friends in China after I questioned whether it was the same as it was for them. For family from Shantou and Singapore to be able to communicate on Twitter, Amy had established a group. &nbsp,

Unable to communicate Teochew, my family became my interpreter, helping me to ask the questions I did not possess the vocabulary to respond.

What struck me as I listened to my family and her aunt talking in Teochew and how it appeared to be some sort of connection between the two despite never having met.

” Can I contact you big girl? You’re older than me best? “asked my family’s aunt Chia Xi Qin in Teochew.

To which, my mother replied” Well! I believe I’m a few years older than you.

During the call, Xi Qin, who had been in Shenzhen working when Amy visited, told us that his mother ( Amy’s aunt ) had initially been wary when the pair showed up at the door.

Our family was a little cautious, but when she realized who they were, she welcomed them, said Xi Qin,” For decades, we did not have any contact with our family in Singapore, and then abruptly one showed up.”

We were already aware that we had relatives in Singapore, and Amy’s mother and some of her sons had already visited us. But when Amy sent us photos of her aunties in the Twitter group, I soon recognized them.

I have a strong idea of Amy’s mother because she used to stay for at least a month when she visited us. She would often bring clothes with her, and I would always make a quick decision to take the people I liked the most, he joked.

I could tell Amy’s mother was in trouble when she last visited, but she said she may return the next year, but she never did. &nbsp,

” Amy and her dad showed up at our door without any communication or word from the other side all these times.”

” This attend meant a lot to us,” he said. The Singapore and Chinese cousins in my generation have never met each other, we do n’t even know what each other looks like, but we are finally in touch and for that, I’m very, very happy”.

Three weeks have passed since our last visit, and the dust has settled. When abuzz with a burst of messages, videos and ancient photos, the household chat group is now mostly peaceful. &nbsp,

But unlike the silence that both sides endured for so many times, this one is secure. Our Chinese family are a message or contact away from our family, despite decades of unconnectedness. &nbsp,

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ActiveSG users unhappy over switch to new booking platform, say it is confusing and more troublesome

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CHILD COULD NOT ENTER WITHOUT PARENT&nbsp,

One of his students had to depend on his family to show employees the passage go before he could enter the lake on Thursday, according to swim instructor Mr. Yao, who constantly teaches at Sengkang Swimming Complex. &nbsp,

The child used to be able to provide using his EZ-Link id, or what&nbsp, ActiveSG calls the School Smart Card.

” So now without EZ-Link card, the younger ones ( who ) do n’t have phones with them… have issues, because then the parents have to come”, said Mr Yao, 42.

” Usually the mother will just drop ( my student off ) then he uses the bus card, the EZ-Link card. The family had to travel and apply her phone to show the complete without the EZ-Link cards from yesterday, and then she could leave.

The child’s absence from college with his or her Smart Card is a mystery.

According to ActiveSG’s FAQ, pictures of the move will not be accepted.

However, to verify that parents have purchased a pass for them, babies who are unaccompanied by parents simply need to go to the gate and ask for their parents ‘ mobile number or NRIC range. They must take along their School Smart Card for confirmation.

Mr. Yao noted that users will now have to purchase an access pass using a PayNow or credit card, making the process more challenging, particularly given that the move is only valid for one day. &nbsp,

” So you cannot use it if you buy on the day and then immediately there is heavy weather.”

CNA has contacted SportSG for opinion. &nbsp,

ActiveSG cited a couple factors in its FAQ in its move to a web-based system, including how this makes it possible to reach more people because it eliminates the need to download and install an application for various websites. &nbsp,

Updates are automatically made available with a net app, and customers will always have the most recent features and bug fixes without the need to download something, the FAQ stated. &nbsp,

It claimed that a user can access a web application more conveniently when they use a website hyperlink or saved shortcut. &nbsp,

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MaNaDr ordered to suspend telemedicine services after MOH uncovers possible wrongdoing such as issuing multiple MCs

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Following a Ministry of Health ( MOH) investigation that found potential wrongdoing, including the issuing of multiple medical certificates (MC) over a short period of time, a clinic at Beach Road has been directed to suspend its outpatient telemedicine services from Friday ( Aug 16 ).

According to a press release released on Friday, MaNaDr Clinic, which is located at City Gate along Beach Road, is “probably engaged in regularly engaging in therapeutically and ethically improper practices for its outpatient health services.”

The clinic is now licensed to offer outpatient health services&nbsp, via three modes – at its everlasting premises, any momentary premises as well as electronically.

According to MOH, its preliminary results revealed that there were” a large number of people who had undergone very little teleconsultations, and circumstances of various medical certificates issued over a short period of time to the same patients.”

According to the government, MaNaDr Clinic’s telehealth services are being investigated by the MOH after receiving numerous complaints over the past few months through its website and mobile app.

” To protect the health, safety, and happiness of individuals, MaNaDr Clinic has been directed to prevent the provision of inpatient health services via teleconsultation starting on August 16 until further see.”

Small TELECONSULTATIONS, MULTIPLE MCs ISSUED

A “very large number of cases seen by MaNaDr Clinic involved pretty little teleconsultations”, said MOH on Friday.

” For instance, in a sampled month, more than 100, 000 teleconsultations included movie calls with patients of one second or less in length, with the least being one minute”.

” These brief interviews raise questions about the patient safety and quality of diagnostic attention.”

Some patients received several MCs in a short amount of time, usually within a fortnight.

More than 1, 500 people were given MCs on five or more occasions, according to MOH, with 19 being the highest amount of MCs given to a single person in a fortnight.

Although these teleconsultations were brief, some of the corresponding case notes also contained in-depth details that did n’t seem to be” commensurate with the duration of teleconsultation.”

” In other instances, the situation notes were really limited or small, potentially compromising the consistency of individual care”, it added.

Next year, &nbsp, CNA reported&nbsp, concerns about particular telemedicine apps reportedly issuing MCs when exceedingly short consultations. After a distant conversation that lasted only 43 moments, a CNA writer obtained an MC from MaNaDr.

MOH stated that it will continue to look into MaNaDr Clinic and will not be hesitant to take any additional legal action against the doctor and its essential appointment holders.

Additionally, it stated that it is looking into any potential breaches of the Singapore Medical Council’s ( SMC) ethical code and guidelines.

MOH may refer any health professionals to the SMC for disciplinary action if they have possible ethical violations of the moral code and guidelines.

The ministry added that it will be monitoring and auditing another licensed providers of ambulatory medical care via teleconsultation, especially those who do so via platforms like the MaNaDr platform.

According to MOH,” All healthcare companies who are authorized under the Healthcare Services Act to offer outpatient medical solutions remotely via teleconsultations are reminded to follow their legal obligations under the Healthcare Services Act, as well as the appropriate regulations and appropriate licensing conditions ( including the Licensing Conditions for Remote Provision of Outpatient Medical Service ).”

” Medical practitioners who practice telemedicine are re-arrested that they must always adhere to the SMC’s ethical code and ethical guidelines when doing so.”

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Japanese music and food find growing acceptance in South Korea amid warming bilateral ties

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After a previous program with a similar topic ended its work earlier this year, the market was appreciative of how it was received. It first aired in May.

Seoul-based CReA Studio, which created both indicates, said it took a great chance bringing the concept to life.

” There were concerns that this ( concept ) could cause some backlash. But amazingly, people responded quite positively”, the film’s CEO Seo Hye-jin said.

She added that people found the two programs” sensational” because Japanese music have never before been aired on popular South Korean television.

INITIAL WORRIES ON Welcome

South Korea’s free-to-air systems typically do not show Chinese information.

When South Korea was under Chinese colonization for 35 years, remains from more than a century.

Some North Korean singers who were invited to the music show first expressed concern because they lacked knowledge of how the general public would respond to their rendition of Japanese.

” I thought it would be great if I could, as a singer, take part in this historic moment, when we can sing songs and become one ( through music )”, said veteran South Korean singer Lyn.

Korean viewers were very open to it, even though we spoke a different language, and I do n’t believe they ever connected it to any agonizing historical events or other things.

Utagokoro Rie, a song from Japan and a member in the program, claimed she was unaware of the country’s troubled history before making her first actually trip to South Korea for the program.

” When I first appeared on the show and sang, I was n’t thinking about ( politics ) at all”, the 51-year-old told CNA.

” But after this present aired, I heard Koreans claim that I serve as a bridge between South Korea and Japan. When they said that to me, I felt a sense of duty.

SOUTH KOREA-JAPAN Relationships

Relations between Seoul and Tokyo quickly improved after Yoon Suk Yeol became leader of South Korea in 2022.

He and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida resumed making mutual visits as the two nations ‘ officials, a discipline that had been discontinued since 2011;

Both leaders want to strengthen security assistance, working with frequent allies, including the United States, to better manage North Korea’s nuclear threats.

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FAQ: What you need to know about the ban on bicycles, kick-scooters on pedestrian-only paths

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WHAT ABOUT CHILDREN RIDING A Motorcycle?

Kids travelling on a “wheeled toys” are considered walkers and are, thus, allowed on pedestrian-only lines, said LTA.

A “wheeled toys” refers to a child’s motor vehicles, bike, bike or a similar toys, but only when it is being used by a child who is below 12 years old.

WHY THE MOVE TO CONVERT FOOTPATHS?

It’s intended to increase protection for everyone, especially pedestrians of all ages and types.

Officials are implementing this presently because Singapore has since developed&nbsp, more than 200km of riding paths that run parallel to trails. &nbsp,

” Previously, we did n’t have enough of the facilities to separate out the ( pedestrians and riders )” ,&nbsp, Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat told reporters on Wednesday ( Aug 14 ).

We now feel that this is the proper time for us to make this move because we have 200km of dedicated riding roads out of the 600km that are currently in use, he continued.

” Our goal is to improve health for our people, particularly for our elders and young children who walk.”

Mr. Chee claimed that the move was not caused by a rise in accidents involving effective mobility.

In fact, there have been fewer engaged flexibility incidents on footpaths since 2019!

” In 2019, we had about 303 situations. Last year in 2023, this came down to 70-plus situations. So this is not because the lines have become more dangerous”, he said.

WHAT RESPONSIBILITIES DO YOU FEEL FOR RULE AFFECTING?

Those caught riding on pedestrian-only paths in breach of the rule can be fined up to S$ 2, 000 ( US$ 1, 520 ) or jailed for up to three months, or both.

There will be a grace period before police activity begins as of July 1, 2025 to allow users to adjust to the new regulations.

In the meantime, LTA said its surface group did “engage and instruct” riders and non-motorised PMD customers if they are riding on the wrong way.

Path users will also receive advice to teach them, the organization continued.

ARE THERE MITIGATING FACTORS?

Mr Chee said LTA will have to be “flexible and fair” in the protection strategy.

If riders have to avoid roadblocks and stray recently into the pedestrian-only way and do so safely, that is” no unacceptable”, Mr Chee explained.

” Also, I think it’s also not intolerable for pedestrians to go onto the bike lanes to avoid obstacles, but we encourage them to keep to their own roads”.

In response to CNA’s questions, LTA stressed that it will take actions against&nbsp, those who are speeding or riding in a impulsive and reckless way, regardless of the way used.

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