Straits Times Interactive - THINK

Once a gangster, now a big boss

Sat, 26 May 2012 22:00:00 GMT

Twice a week, Mr Rick Quek leaves his office in Boon Lay Way to attend night classes at a private school in Orchard Road.

Raise pay and productivity of low-wage workers

Sat, 26 May 2012 22:00:00 GMT

I applaud the idea of giving a $50 pay rise to our low-income workers ('$50 pay rise for low-wage workers?'; last Sunday). It is a good start, and hopefully, companies will pay more attention to productivity so that they can continue to pay their low-wage workers more.

Public sector should lead in hiring ex-cons

Sat, 26 May 2012 22:00:00 GMT

Last Sunday's article, 'Prison visit inspires young leaders to help', reported that 1,586 prison inmates found jobs last year before their release, which was an increase of 35per cent over the previous year.

PUB has regular patrols around wetland bridge

Sat, 26 May 2012 22:00:00 GMT

The PUB shares Mr Michael Low's concerns that cyclists may pose a danger to pedestrians if they do not dismount from their bicycles when crossing the bridge at Lorong Halus ('Wetland reserve needs wardens on the walkway'; last Sunday).

Snow City takes safety seriously

Sat, 26 May 2012 22:00:00 GMT

We thank Miss Chu Yuet for her feedback ('Snow City should ensure safety of customers'; April 29).

Remember those in police, civil defence forces too

Sat, 26 May 2012 22:00:00 GMT

I fully support Mr K.C. Vijayan's call for a proper memorial for all national servicemen killed on duty ('Honour our fallen national servicemen'; last Sunday).

Pay tribute by helping the dependants

Sat, 26 May 2012 22:00:00 GMT

While the contributions of national servicemen towards nation building in the past 45 years should not be forgotten, a memorial is only useful as a national symbol if it connects comprehensively ('Honour our fallen national servicemen'; last Sunday).

More meaningful to have memorial along NS route

Sat, 26 May 2012 22:00:00 GMT

Mr K.C. Vijayan's suggestion to honour our national servicemen who died while in service with a proper memorial struck a chord with me ('Honour our fallen national servicemen'; last Sunday).

Where's reverence for Mother Ganga?

Sat, 26 May 2012 22:00:00 GMT

Early this month, Dr G.D. Agrawal was forcibly taken by police to a hospital in Varanasi in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh.

100-year-old church in dire need of repairs

Sat, 26 May 2012 22:00:00 GMT

St Joseph's Church in Victoria Street is justifiably proud of its century-old stained glass windows.

Shoebox flats = Inhuman? Where's the logic?

Sat, 26 May 2012 22:00:00 GMT

If there was one thing that incensed those who hated the hugely popular sitcom Friends - and there were many, including me - it was the idea that Rachel, Ross, Phoebe, Joey, Monica and Chandler lived in large New York city apartments, without any of them possessing high-value skills.

If you know an unsung hero, shout it out

Sat, 26 May 2012 22:00:00 GMT

The hero sits on a wall, is pasted in a scrapbook, resides in the memory. The hero is personal yet universal, accompanying us on our journey from child to adult, alive in our heads as a sort of imagined self of what we'd like to be.

Singapore's still home, wherever I may be

Sat, 26 May 2012 22:00:00 GMT

'Are you Singaporean?'

This is one question I have been asked time and time again by people here who speak to me for the first time.

Can we cope with 8 million on the island?

Sat, 26 May 2012 22:00:00 GMT

Xenophobia is alive and well around the world, including in some corners of this island.

Going beyond the science of a disease

Sat, 26 May 2012 22:00:00 GMT

Early this year, medical student Joshua Tan Kuan, 20, began visiting a stroke patient in a community hospital because he wanted to observe how chronic illnesses developed.

Doctors need skills and heart

Sat, 26 May 2012 22:00:00 GMT

A typical patient today is around 70 years old and has several chronic ailments such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.

So it is more important than ever to have doctors who see the patient as a whole rather than just his disease, says Associate Professor Yeoh Khay Guan.

Say 'yes' to HIV test

Sat, 26 May 2012 22:00:00 GMT

It is disappointing to note that although public hospitals have offered routine HIV screening since 2008, most patients do not want it. A study by Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) carried out between 2009 and 2010 found that eight in 10 inpatients refused to get tested for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that causes Aids. HIV is contracted through sexual contact or infected blood, and there is always a chance, however slim, that a person could have been infected - perhaps through contaminated blood transfusions, especially when these have been carried out in another country, infected needles, or even through just one sexual partner who happens to be carrying the virus but does not know it. Patients should agree to the test, not just to have peace of mind but to also not infect others close to them if they are tested positive. The cost of the test is, after all, only $6 to $10 after a subsidy.

From kopi kia to master chef

Sat, 19 May 2012 22:00:00 GMT

More than 40 years ago, neighbours often accosted Madam Chong Kim Lan to complain about her son Tony.

Various initiatives to engage seniors

Sat, 19 May 2012 22:00:00 GMT

Mr Paul Chan calls for collective efforts to help the elderly stay away from despair ('Help save the elderly from despair'; last Sunday).

Wet trays, poor valet service at mall

Sat, 19 May 2012 22:00:00 GMT

Recently, I visited Changi City Point and came away with two observations.

Ants, birds have no place in foodcourt

Sat, 19 May 2012 22:00:00 GMT

My family and I patronise the Food Park foodcourt at Sunset Way. However, some hygiene lapses there have raised our concerns about its food safety.

Cheaper way to manage daily doses

Sat, 19 May 2012 22:00:00 GMT

The National Healthcare Group's personalised management system to help patients keep track of which drugs to take, and when, is laudable, but this service comes at a recurring cost which may be a strain for low-income earners ('Cutting out worries over pill dosages'; May9).

Wetland reserve needs wardens on the walkway

Sat, 19 May 2012 22:00:00 GMT

Two incidents marred my enjoyment of the beautiful scenery during my walk at the Lorong Halus Wetland in Punggol recently.

Buskers are performers, not beggars

Sat, 19 May 2012 22:00:00 GMT

Busking thrives in London, New York and Melbourne, where the public show themselves to be an appreciative and generous audience, but not in Singapore.

S'pore legal system will move with the times

Sat, 19 May 2012 22:00:00 GMT

Law Correspondent K.C. Vijayan bounced the idea of a separation of the dual role of the Attorney- General as legal adviser to the Government and that of Public Prosecutor ('Attorney-General's job better split into two?'; last Sunday). However, he did not mention that our A-G has two solicitors-general to assist him in discharging his duties - twin pillars of legal support.