In a report published by The Economist this week, PM Lee tops the list of the salaries of selected leaders – he is paid more than 40 times Singapore’s GDP per person, an astonishing statistic considering the fact that Singapore is one of the smallest country in the world with a land mass of only 700 square meters.

In contrast, India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who is the leader of the 7th largest country in the world is paid less than one time the country’s GDP per person.

PM Lee is paid more than S$3 million dollars a year, or more than 5 times the annual salary of U.S. President Barack Obama. On top of his salary, he is entitled to a pension for life (even upon stepping down) amounting to two-thirds of his last-drawn pay.

Despite disgruntlement among Singaporeans at the obscene pay packages of their leaders, they continue to insist that they be paid at “market rates” pegged to the private sector in order to retain their “services” in government.

The median salary of an average Singapore worker is only $2,400 monthly compared to a junior minister who can expect to take home more than $160,000 in the same period of time.

PAP ministers and MPs are expected to get a hefty 8.8 percent or more pay hike at the end of the year on the back of an improving economy.

http://www.temasekreview.com/2010/07/06/singapore-pm-lee-has-highest-salary-among-world-leaders/

금융센터 경쟁력 TOP 10

1. London, United Kingdom
2. New York City, United States
3. Hong Kong
4. Singapore
5. Tokyo, Japan
6. Chicago, United States
7. Zurich, Switzerland
8. Geneva, Switzerland
9. Shenzhen, China
10. Sydney, Australia

* Global Financial Centres Index is a ranking of the competitiveness of financial centres based on 26,629 financial centre assessments from an online questionnaire together with over 60 indices. It is compiled by Z/Yen Group and published twice a year by the City of London Corporation

THE COMPANIES ACT AND COMPARABLE LEGISLATION
The Companies Act makes no distinction between Independent, Non-Executive, or Executive Directors with regard to their responsibility as a Director. The Act merely states that ‘a Director shall at all times act honestly and use reasonable diligence in the discharge of the duties of his office’. It neither defines nor indicates the existence of the position of an ‘Independent Director’. Therefore, there is no formal recognition of ‘Independent Director’ by the local laws. The relevant laws in the UK, Australia, and Hong Kong offer the same definition of Directors’ duties, following the common law principle that ‘Directors must act bona fide in the interests of the company’. It should be noted, however, that the Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission hasrecognised that’ there is a growing general expectation by market commentators that independent non-executive directors are appointed to the board to represent the minority shareholders’. This is the stance that minority shareholders have taken in Singapore.

ORIGIN OF THE NOTION OF THE ‘INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR’ IN SINGAPORE
The Code of Corporate Governance (’the Code’), which lacks the force of law, introduced the notion of the ‘Independent Director’ in Singapore. Clause 2 of the Code, entitled ‘Board Composition and Balance’, advocates ‘a strong and independent element’ on the Board. It defines an Independent Director as ‘one who has no relationship with the company, its related companies or its officers that could interfere, or reasonably perceived to interfere, with the exercise of the Director’s independent business judgement with the view to the best interests of the company’. It illustrates four relationships as examples of situations which would deem a director to lack independence. The Code promotes independence on the Board by stipulating that an ‘Independent Director’ should be able to exercise objective judgment on corporate affairs, in particular, independent of management. It further declares, ‘No individual or small group of individuals should be allowed to dominate the Board’s decision making.’ The Code falls short, however, of expressly mentioning independence from majority shareholders. Whilst it seeks to preserve the independence of ‘Independent Directors’, there is nothing in the Code to ensure the successful implementation of this noble objective. Further, the Code does not provide any mechanism to achieve its objective.

LACK OF ‘INDEPENDENCE’ IN THE OFFICE OF INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS
As the law stands, the majority shareholder(s) can dictate the composition of the Board. Although all shareholders can vote on the appointment of Directors, the dominance of the majority ensures that their nominees prevail. This undermines the implied objective of the Code. To be truly ‘Independent’, a Director cannot be, nor perceived to be, controlled. It is fallacious to expect an ‘Independent Director’ to exercise his or her mind impartially against the wishes or interest/s of the majority shareholder(s), when the tenure of his or her office depends on their appointment by the majority shareholder(s). If the authors of the Code were serious about practically ensuring a’strong and independent element on the Board’, then the Code should stipulate that the appointment of Independent Directors should be made by an independent party and not by the majority shareholder(s).

In the recent case of Isetan, minority shareholders attempted to unseat three non-executive directors whom they referred to as ‘Independent Directors’. The move arose because of the alleged failure by these directors to ensure that the Board resolves to distribute the Section 44A tax credit to shareholders. This clearly demonstrates the expectations of minority shareholders that non-executive directors display independence in decision-making at Board level.

Although it is well accepted that the duty of all directors is to protect the interests of shareholders including minority shareholders, it is the so-called ‘Independent Directors’ who are entrusted by the minority shareholder(s) to protect their interests. In spite of their appointment by majority shareholder(s), ‘Independent Directors’ are expected to pay particular attention to the interests of the minority shareholder(s). It is this juxtaposition that diminishes the actual and perceived independence of ‘Independent Directors’. This is especially true when their interests may be compromised by the expectations of the majority shareholder(s). As a guiding principle, they should always act impartially, looking out for the best interest of the company, its shareholders and in particular its minority shareholders. ‘Independent Directors’ should discharge their duties without fear or favour.

Until such time that the appointment of ‘Independent Directors’ is made by an impartial source, it is questionable
whether there will ever be a ’strong and independent element on the Board’. Securities Investors Association (Singapore) (SIAS), Singapore Institute of Directors (SID), Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Singapore (ICPAS) and the Law Society could together play a pivotal role here on behalf of minority shareholders. They could provide suitable candidates as ‘Independent Directors’ to corporate Boards. The ‘Nomination Committee’ could then invite the nominees from these institutions or from minority shareholders of the company directly to the Board.This would demonstrate a fundamental desire to promote independence. For this to eventuate, there must be momentum from legislative quarters and a similar ‘corporate will’ to adopt this position on their Board. Until such time, the concept of the ‘Independent Director’will remain a myth to the detriment of minority shareholders.

David Gerald
President & CEO
Securities Investors Association (Singapore)

(http://www.sias.org.sg/sites/sias.org.sg/CMS/File/singaporeInvestor/fa-davidgeraldMarch.html)

우리의 송편과 비슷하지만… 초콜릿등이 들어간 서양식 디저트 같은 것도 있으면서…

짠 달걀이 들어있는 등 좀 이상하고 황당한 조합도 있긴하다…

12 Mooncakes You Don’t Want to Miss in 2009(http://sparklette.net/food/mooncakes-2009/)

1. Tung Lok

Tunglok Mooncake

the pastry is first baked, before being chilled, a process that gives the skin a crunchy texture. sounds intriguing? this marks the debut of the first baked-and-chilled mooncakes in singapore!

they come in three flavors:
- green tea with chestnut lotus ( $42.80 for 8 )
- hokkaido milk with mocha ( $42.80 for 8 )
- custard ( $44.94 for 8 )

Tunglok Mooncake

i must also highlight the adorable bite-size mooncakes that are even smaller than your usual mini mooncakes. they come in eight flavors such as pomelo white lotus, strawberry, purple potato and longan red date. ($47.08 for 16; two of each flavor)

besides the convenience, i think that these dainty pastries may actually help reduce overeating! well, unless people start popping them like popcorn, of course.

Tung Lok
Mooncake hotline: (65) 9088 8008
www.tunglok.com

2. Peony Jade
fruits have made a foray into our favorite pastry this time of the year. durian, the king of fruits, is undoubtedly the most commonly used fruit. almost every merchant has a d24 durian mooncake on its menu.

Peony Jade Mooncake

now, it looks like the “lesser” fruits are putting up a good fight, too! check out the range of fruity mooncakes by peony jade restaurant.

Peony Jade Mooncake

The alcoholic lychee-tini and ganache flavor really takes the cake! this is a limited edition offering that features a liquorice truffle at its core, filled with the taste of what happens to be my favorite cocktail, the lychee martini! ($45 for 9)

Peony Jade
- 3A Clarke Quay #02-02
- Keppel Club, Bukit Chermin Road, Singapore 109918
Mooncake hotline: (65) 6375 5562 / 6276 8327
Mooncake website: www.peonyjade.com

3. InterContinental Singapore
man fu yuan chinese restaurant at the intercontinental singapore has a range of beautiful and meticulously-created mooncakes. back by popular demand is their mini snowskin mooncake filled with japanese sweet potato paste and champagne chocolate. ( $42.80 for 8 )

what’s new this year?

Intercontinental Mooncake

snowskin mooncakes filled with cempedak, or avocado and mango mousse. another fruit-inspired creation! the fresh fruits are blended and made into a paste, with mini cubes and pulp of the fruits thrown in for good measure.

the whole pastry is entirely made of fruity goodness with no extra additives. oh, except for the fact that chocolate pearls are included, too. good stuff! ($42.80 for 8; four of each flavor)

InterContinental Singapore
Man Fu Yuan
80 Middle Road
Singapore 188966
Mooncake hotline: (65) 6825 8519 / 8520
Mooncake website: www.singapore.intercontinental.com

4. The Fullerton
from the ultra posh fullerton hotel, we would expect nothing less. aside from their bestselling chocolate baileys snowskin mooncake ($52 for 4), they also have the 15 treasures premium gift set.

this lavish set contains 14 blocks of assorted baked mooncakes, all with varying fillings. what’s the 15th treasure, you ask? well, it’s the centerpiece of a 6-inch-wide mooncake with 8 yolks. 8 yolks! now, THAT is a full moon. ($168)

then, they also have these milky-colored snowskin mooncakes.

do not mistake them for bars of soap. available in cranberry, blueberry and green apple flavors, these mooncakes are the hotel’s new offerings for 2009. the shape looks really exquisite, too, especially with that depression in the middle. ($52 for 4)

The Fullerton
1 Fullerton Square
Singapore 049178
Mooncake hotline: (65) 6877 8188
Mooncake website: www.fullertonhotel.com

5. Kia Hiang Restaurant
not to be outdone by the east-meets-west creations of the big players, the more than 30 year old kia hiang restaurant has whipped up several creative new flavors. bak kwa mooncake, anyone? yep, yep, they have it.

more tantalising flavors include durian, chocolate with rum and raisin, green tea, and the creamy blueberry and cheese. for more, check out my full review of kia hiang mooncakes with pictures, ratings and prices.

Kia Hiang Restaurant
201 Kim Tian Road #01-400
Singapore 160201
Mooncake hotline: (65) 6273 7352 / 6272 0087
Mooncake website: www.kiahiang.com.sg

6. Carlton Hotel
carlton hotel has introduced three new snowskin mooncakes: lavender, wheatgrass & melon seed, and hazelnut & nata de coco ($47.08 for 8). of these, lavender has got to stir the most curiosity!

Photo credit: sgdessert

when i think of lavender, aromatherapy and air fresheners come to mind. having this floral scent in a mooncake is definitely unusual! in this case, the aroma is subtle, infused perfectly with the white lotus paste. any stronger, i’m not sure if it could remain as appetising.

Carlton Hotel
76 Bras Basah Road
Singapore 189558
Mooncake hotline: (65) 6349 1292
Mooncake website: www.carltonhotel.sg

7. Fairmont Singapore
year after year, szechuan court at fairmont singapore never fails to wow its fans. this year, the restaurant continues its tradition of bringing impressive flavors to the table with the new pretty in pink feuilletine-hazelnut mooncake with wafer crunch nuts.

in place of the usual lotus paste, you get a velvety smooth hazelnut filling. at its center is a white chocolate ball filled with swiss chocolate and bits of wafer and hazelnut nuts. looks like this little beauty is all good on the inside, too! ( $45 for 8 )

like raffles hotel, szechuan court has a champagne truffle and ganache mooncake ($48 for 8). peony jade also has it this year. does anyone know who first came up with this bestselling flavor?

other flavors featuring liquor to bring a little high are rum and raisin chocolate truffle and baileys chocolate. what takes my breath away is the latter. that truffle simply screams of seduction! ( $46 for 8 )

Fairmont Singapore
Szechuan Court
80 Bras Basah Road
Singapore 189560
Mooncake hotline: (65) 6338 8785
Mooncake website: www.fsfestiveorders.com

8. Concorde Hotel
for muslim friends, check out the mooncakes of concorde hotel (formerly le meridien). they are all halal certified!

like kia hiang, the hotel has specially baked low sugar mooncakes that come with white lotus filling and yolk. great for the health-conscious ($39/40 for 4)

if you’re not too concerned about the calories, go for the sumptuous chocolate omochi. with the soft and chewy mochi and all the rich chocolaty deliciousness, it’s hard to resist this one! ($38 for 4)

Concorde Hotel
Spices Cafe
100 Orchard Road
Singapore 238840
Mooncake hotline: (65) 6739 8370
Mooncake website: www.concordehotel.com.sg

Mooncakes are halal certified.

9. Polar Puffs & Cakes
bet you didn’t expect to see this one here. the bakery chain of polar puffs & cakes continues its unique offering of cakes made in the shapes of cartoon characters.

say hello to hello kitty!

ahhh! aren’t these the sweetest things? perfect for families with little girls. even older girls. okay, girls. hello kitty comes in four flavors: white lotus, pumpkin taro, yam and white chocolate cheese. everybody say yum yum! ($30.80 for 6)

just when you thought that things can’t get any cuter, they even give you a free hello kitty lantern with every purchase of a box of kitty mooncakes! i think snowy would like that. meow!

oh yes, a reader highlighted that the bakery chain is also halal certified

Polar Puffs & Cakes
Various outlets
Mooncake website: www.polarpuffs-cakes.com

10. Goodwood Park Hotel
obviously, when we’re on the topic of the best mooncakes, the good name of goodwood park hotel always comes up. the hotel is famed for its tropical fruit mooncakes like mango with pomelo, durian, and cempedak.

this year, goodwood park fans can welcome another new fruity flavor — soursop! we’re talking silky smooth puree and juicy pulp made from the freshest soursops. the tangy taste may not be everyone’s cup of tea, though, especially in a pastry that is traditionally sweet. but i know some adventurous people would take a liking to it.

all four flavors are available at $22 for two pieces and $40 for four pieces, except for durian that costs $26 for two pieces and $48 for four pieces.

Goodwood Park Hotel
22 Scotts Road
Singapore 228221
Mooncake hotline: (65) 6730 1867 / 1868
Mooncake website: www.goodwoodparkhotel.com

11. Bakerzin
have you ever seen a black mooncake? homegrown café chain bakerzin has created the fascinating midnight-colored mooncake, the sesame truffle.

this quirky mooncake gets its skin color from bamboo charcoal powder. the filling is a combination of lotus paste and black sesame paste. in the midst of the dark filling is a ball of white chocolate ganache. what does that resemble? (hint: look out the window!) ( $36 for 8 )

if black isn’t your color, go for lighter pastels. they have brandied cherry truffle, rum and raisin, pink champagne truffle, and malt whiskey truffle. ( $36 for 8 )

as you indulge in these exotic mooncakes, you may feel good about the fact that you are doing charity at the same time. for every box of mooncakes sold, bakerzin will donate $1 to the singapore make-a-wish foundation.

Bakerzin
Various outlets
Mooncake website: www.bakerzin.com

12. Raffles Hotel
having raved about raffles hotel’s legendary snowskin mooncake with champagne truffle and ganache again and again, you know it will make it to this list somehow.

Photo credit: mehmeh

when friends seek my opinion for the best mooncakes to buy, this is the first that i would recommend. ’nuff said.

and oh, here’s my review on raffles’ delectable mooncakes.

Raffles Hotel
(North Bridge Road Entrance)
1 Beach Road
Singapore 189673
Mooncake hotline: (65) 6412 1122
Mooncake website: www.raffleshotelmooncakes.com

Bonus: Godiva
look! godiva chocolatier has launched a mid-autumn collection, too!

these belgian chocolates are packaged like mooncakes, with 4 large pieces to a box. they are filled with classic praline and crispy bits of roasted hazelnut. i can live with that

Godiva
(65) 6273 1611
Mooncake website: www.godiva.com.sg

——————————————————————————–
what a kaleidoscope of colors and flavors! these are, of course, my personal picks. i’m sure i have missed out many other excellent choices! add your own picks in the comments and we can all share!

so, have you bought your mooncakes yet?

Want more mooncakes?
bet you thought this was the end, didn’t you? nope, not quite

there is now a “remix” of this list! yes, after doing more mooncake scouting, i uncovered more mid-autumn gems! i have compiled a list of 12 more mooncakes you don’t want to miss.

check them out!

또한, 최신 설비를 갖추고 있어 심한 파도에도 흔들림 없이 더욱 편안한 여행을 할 수 있도록 했다. 게다가 이전과 동일한 가격에 운행된다.

싱가포르-빈탄-싱가포르 왕복 티켓의 성수기 성인 요금은 $63.20이며, 비수기 요금은 $52.20 이다. $36을 추가하면 ‘비즈니스 클래스’를 이용할수 있다. 업그레이드된 페리는, 빈탄이 싱가포르 교외지역 역할을 할 수 있게 하려는 10여년에 걸친 종합계획의 하나이다.

Real estate consultancy firm DTZ in its report on Tuesday said monthly rentals of luxurious homes slid 18.8 per cent to S$5.20 per square foot, a level not seen since the third quarter of 2006.

Rent of units in prime districts also saw a drop, down 16.2 per cent to S$3.65 per square foot per month.

The decline was largely due to corporate downsizing and increased supply from newly completed projects.

DTZ’s findings showed that some 10,122 private residential units were completed in 2008, about 17 per cent more than the annual average of 8,671 units recorded in the past 10 years.

Meanwhile, prices of private homes fell at a slower pace in the first quarter of 2009.

DTZ said prices of freehold private apartments in the prime districts of nine, 10 and 11 dipped by 3.7 per cent to S$1,120 per square feet, compared with the 14 per cent drop in the previous quarter.

Luxurious home prices declined 3.6 per cent after a 22 per cent plunge in the fourth quarter of 2008.

But despite the gloomy economic conditions and job losses, DTZ said response to the two new launches in February created a stir in the property market.

Overwhelming take up rate for Caspian and Alexis also prompted other developers to bring forward new launches and relaunched projects at lower prices. Units in the mid-tier and mass market segments went for under S$1,000 per square foot or about S$1 million per unit.

In all, some 1,323 private homes were sold in February, the highest since August 2007 when 1,731 units changed hands.

- CNA/yb (원문링크)

싱가포르 노동부(Manpower Ministry)에서 실시한 실업률 조사에 따르면, 2008년 전체 실업자 수가 69,900 명으로 2007년 44,300 명과 비교해 평균 57.8% 증가한 것으로 확인 되었습니다.

특히 학위(Degree) 소지자의 실업자수는 2008년 14,800 명으로 2007년 6,200 명과 비교해 평균 123.1%로 큰 증가폭을 보였습니다.  

올해 5월 ~ 7월 에는 대학교 졸업 후 직장을 찾는 구직자들이 12,000명 정도 추가될 전망으로 실업률이 더욱 증가할 것으로 예상됩니다.

일요일이라 예약을 하고 갔는데… 6시에 가니 실제론 자리가 넉넉하다. ^^

둘이 가서 주문을 시작… 무엇을 먹을까 고민하다…

돼지갈비냐… 삼겹살이냐… 메뉴에는 2개 이상 주문하여야 한다지만…

다른 종류로 하나씩해서 2개도 가능하다해서…
돼지갈비하나 삼겹살하나를 주문…

찌개나 기타 다른 것들 주문할까 하다… 두명이 먹기엔 좀 많을까도 싶어..

일단 고기만 달라했다. 그랬더니 (중국인) 종업원 왈…

“그거가지곤 모자랄텐데…” “다른거 모 안시켜요…”…

조금 기분 나쁘게 … 이것만 시키냐는 표정을 짓는거다 ㅡ.ㅡ;;;

음료수라도 드실래요 라나 ㅡ.ㅡ;;; 참나… 모라 하고 싶었지만…

교육이 잘 안된 직원이겠지 하고 참고…
불쾌한 표정으로 이따 더 시킬테니 이것만 달라했다.

구석자리라 그런지… 바쁘긴했지만 사람이 다 찰 정도는 아니었는데도…

고기를 구워주지도 않고… 한참 구워먹고…
판을 갈아달라 해도 소식이 없다 ;;;

후… 간만에 고기먹으러 와서 좀 기분이 그렇다…

대충 먹고 서둘러 나오려고… 계산서 달라니… 또 한세월;;;

3호점 내고… 확장하면서… 관리가 잘 안되는 건지…

지난번 갔을 때 몇번의 좋은 기억이… 이렇게 망가져서 좀 안타까웠던 하루.

Property agents said this was the lowest level recorded in the last two years – even lower than last October when global stock markets slumped.

Even so, developers placed more projects on the market, with 204 units released in January. This was slightly higher than the 157 private homes released a month earlier, which had been the lowest level since June 2007.

Despite these gloomy numbers, real estate agency Propnex Realty expects a brighter February. The firm said this is because there has been good take-up from some recent launches this month.

For instance, the new developments Alexis and Caspian had enjoyed strong take-up with over 750 units sold.

CEO of PropNex Realty, Mohamed Ismail, said: “February has been a good month and is likely to post a record number of transactions, far exceeding the peak of last year – close to 800 over units.” This will be about eight times the number sold in January.

According to property consultant Colliers, potential buyers would have been waiting for the Budget announcement before making any purchase, and were also occupied with preparing for the Lunar New Year.

But while sales were seen picking up, analysts said one trend would likely persist throughout the year.

Director of consultancy and research at Knight Frank, Nicholas Mak, said: “Most units launched and sold by developers last month were in the suburban areas. Launch and sales activities by developers in the prime district almost came to a halt. Less than 10 units were transacted.”

Mohamed Ismail said: “The appetite for many consumers today is when the property price, the overall quantum is less than S$800,000. There are many people willing to buy.

“Not only from the perspective of consumers, even financial institutions and the banks are very comfortable to lend to people for property that are below a million because the risk and spread for the bank is so much better.”

Thus analysts expect most upcoming launches to fall under this category. They said developers may ride the new wave of sales and launch more units in the second half of February.

They said as many as 1,000 units may be launched next month, a level not seen since July 2008.

And to support sales, analysts said that going forward, developers are likely to work with banks on financing schemes. For example, two recent developments launched – Alexis and Caspian – have interest-absorption schemes.

- CNA/yt (원문 보기)

에어컨 온도도 낮추고, 쓸데없는 전기 사용을 줄여보았다.

그래도 세금이 나오는게 잘 안내려서… 다른 방 사람들을 의심(;)하고…

진지하게 다시 모여서 논의하기도 해 보았다.

그래도 줄지 않았다…;;;

어느달은 내가 2-3주 출장을 다녀왔는데도,
세금이 거의 비슷하게 나온 것이다 ㅡ.ㅡ;;;

같이 사는 사람들이 정말 너무하다는 생각이 들었다…

그런데…

그런데…

어느날 알고 보니… 이 싱가포르 정부녀석들이…
전기세 등을 실제 미터를 보고 매달 체크하는 것이 아니라…

지네 맘대로 매달 estimate을 한다는 것이다!!!

도대체 우리들이 이번에 쓸 전기/수도량을 무슨 수로 안다는 것인가…

지난달과 지지난달을 기준으로 한다면 말이 되지만…

매년이나 6개월 마다 실제 체크를 해서 기준점을 변경한다면 몰라도…

전체 싱가포르 전기/수도 사용량 등을 가지고…
우리들의 사용량 변동을 고려하지 않은채…
매달 과금을 하고 있었던 것이다.

외국인들 경우 거의 이것을 모르는 경우가 많은 것 같다.
현지인들도 잘 모르니…

싱가포르 정부 참 재밌는 점이 많다 @@

게다가… 지네들은… 자기들이 체크해서…

http://www.spservices.com.sg/
웹사이트에서 입력을 하면 제가격으로 부과되는 것이다!!!

얼마전 이 사실을 알게 되어… 이곳에 실제 사용량을 입력하니…

보통은 매달 100-200불씩 절약이 되고… 출장을 가거나 그러면

3-400불 이상이 절약이 되는 것이다.

싱가포르에 사는 모든 분들… 특히 세사시는 분들은… 주인과 이야기를 해서…

제대로 된 가격만을 지불하시기 바랍니다 ^^

집을 사신분들은 절대 매달 체크해서… 신고하는 날 신고하시고…

연 수천불을 절약하시기 바랍니다!!!

싱가포르의 한국인들 화이팅!!!