The new north gas laws- a possible drifter for ties?

Posted by Shaun at 1:08 pm under Current Issues | 1112 Reads | Post Comment

Well there had been quite alot in the news of the new cross-border pump rules for Singaporean vehicles up north, let be those from Thailand similarly not able to pump subsidized petrol 50km from the borders. I remembered it being almost implemented and mentioned last few weeks only to be rumored to be scrapped, but revived again in today’s Straits Times. As with every new rule introduced, there will be bound to be flak and comments.

If you are to consider this new rule just another in the bag similar to those cross-border water issues of the past or let be fighting over rocks and islands on the South China sea, well that is open for anyone’s deduction, especially if you can see that coming (will cigarettes be next?). Notably official remarks on the issue from our side had been rather quiet as well.

Just as you can hear those petrol station bosses on the fringe of the 50km radius dancing with glee, with that comes many talk about it in town as well, let be coffee shop talk. You also can’t deny the possible social, geographical zoning and monetary implications of this already topic, especially with Singapore long standing 3/4 tank rule seeming rather irrelevant now as well.

This is to very much of dismay to those who work across or run businesses across the causeway as well. My dad recently told me how some of his Singapore-based friends who set up businesses and factories just across the border expressing deep dissatisfaction of the rules making life more difficult for them, given the already high prices of petrol.

The question looming in their heads right now is them questioning the recognition of their investment efforts in Johor itself (even I will give it some thought if I were in their shoes). There are also a handful of Malaysians I know as well who are affected by it, having own Singapore registered cars as well. So it’s not just a matter of who’s driving it, but where the car came from? Or will that be a possible area of exploitation? As ultimately, won’t it the owners/citizens themselves who are open for local tax related exemptions/issues?

Whatever the implications, just as how we respect any policies of the north, we should not take lightly the possible social implications involved.

2nd Jun

Monday, June 2nd, 2008

Trilympics 2008 19-20th July (Organised by SMU, SVC and JJC at Toa Payoh Stadium)

Posted by Shaun at 11:47 am under Runs & Sports | 2782 Reads | Post Comment

The Trilympics 2008 is a collaborative effort between Singapore Management University (SMU), Student Volunteer Corps (SVC) and Jurong Junior College (JJC), as a tribute to youth volunteerism and support for disability sports in Singapore. Inaugurated in 2006 as part of the Olympic Dream Series, it aims to reach a climax in September 2008 as part of a send-off party for Singapore Disability Sports athletes heading to compete in the 2008 Paralympics, Beijing.

Objectives
• To raise funds for SVC and Singapore Disability Sport Council (SDSC).
• To promote volunteerism among students and to bring awareness to disability sports.
• To show our support and a send off for our disabled athletes to the 2008 Beijing Paralympics.

“Around the World in Just 1 Day”
Trilympics 2008 will see participants attempting to go “Around the World in Just 1 Day”, without leaving Singapore. The distance of 40,000 km will be clocked as participants run, jog, walk, and spin on stationary bicycles.

Event Details
Date: 19th to 20th July
Time: 1pm (19th) to 1pm (20th)
Venue: Toa Payoh Stadium
Address: 297 Lor 6 Toa Payoh (319389)

Events Lineup

School Challenge (Team Awards)
The “School Challenge” will take place on the 20th of July from 8am to 12pm. Schools can compete with teams of 25 to cover the greatest distance accumulated from both individual components; on the track and on the stationary spinning machines. Prizes will be awarded to the Top Five schools.

Trilympics Challenge (Individual Awards)
All Trilympics participants, including those involved in “School Challenge”, will also be eligible for individual awards under the “Trilympics Challenge”. “Trilympics Challenge” will last throughout the event. Awards include Trilympics Champion, Trilympics Winners, and Individual Champion Medallists. Also, complete 40km of spinning or 50 laps of running to receive a personalized certificate.

Fundraising: “A Pledge A Lap”
The organizers hope to raise a sum of $200,000 through Trilympics 2008 through donations and the sale of pledge cards. For every pledge card sold, a distance of 400m will be completed by the seller or other participants. The funds raised will go directly;
• To promote/sustain youth volunteerism in disability sports and youth development programmes.
• To promote participation and raise awareness of disability sports in Singapore.
• To support disabled athletes in their quest for sporting excellence in Paralympics 2008.

Spinning
The Spinning program is the original and most popular group cycling class. With no complicated moves to learn, and music that begs your legs to pedal, getting into the best shape of your life has never been more fun.
Expect Different with one hour spinning sessions by top-notch instructors from Star Trac, one of the world’s leading health and fitness companies, on their Spinner® bikes.

Boccia
A Boccia Tournament will also be held on 20th July at Toa Payoh Stadium. The two categories involved are Special (for people with disability) and Open. All schools and organizations are eligible for the Open category. 24 teams of three will compete in a round-robin knockout tournament.

Fringe Events
• President’s Duathlon
• Wheelchair handling clinic
• Food Vendors
• Boccia Clinic
• Appearances by Singapore Unicyclists
• Lucky Draw
• Performances by SMU and JJC

The organizers truly hope to build on this event platform to provide future endeavours aimed at championing social causes. In the likes of the New Paper Big Walk and various mass events, the organizers hope to spin off a series of related events on the national calendar, to be eagerly anticipated by both the able-bodied and disabled in Singapore.

Be a part of Trilympics 2008
You can help us make Trilympics 2008 a success in either of the two ways or both:
• By going “Around the World in Just 1 Day” with us,
• Pledging your support by selling our $2 pledge cards

Contact Information:

For more information, please contact

Ms Sarah Ng at:
Trilympics2008 [at] gmail.com
94314461
Mr Nicholas Oh at:
Trilympics2008 [at] gmail.com
94238960

Registration
Help out for a mission and cause! Register online now.

1st Jun

Sunday, June 1st, 2008

Official Graduation Photos Out!

Posted by Shaun at 11:46 am under Polytechnic | 2011 Reads | 2 Comments

The official photos of last week’s SP Graduation are out! Haha these are the few good ones I’ve picked up. You can view more on the SP grad day photos gallery as well.