Dr James Barnard wins Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize

SINGAPORE : The inventor of an eco-friendly method of treating used water has been named this year's Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize winner.

The international award recognises outstanding contributions towards solving global water problems.

It will be handed out at the Singapore International Water Week in July.

In fish farming, algae that grow in the water is an important part of the ecology - as a food source for the marine life. However, excessive algae bloom can quickly turn fatal.

Dr James Barnard, winner of the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize, said: "Other organisms feed on the algae, fish feed on the other organisms, and of course we eat the fish. That is the normal chain of events.

"The main problem is when the system becomes imbalanced, the algae growth becomes excessive, and when it's excessive, it disturbs the water balance so the fish can no longer survive in it."

This happens when nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus are not removed from used water before being discharged into lakes and rivers.

In 2008, the outbreak of algae bloom in waters off China's Qingdao disrupted the Olympics sailing competition and damaged marine life.

Dr Barnard's technology, known as Biological Nutrient Removal, uses micro-organisms already present in the water to remove the nutrients.

Pioneered in the 1970s, this technology is currently used in thousands of water treatment plants worldwide.

It is more eco-friendly compared to traditional treatments as it does away with the use of resource-intensive chemicals. It can also result in up to 90 per cent of cost savings.

The Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize received a record 72 nominations from 29 countries this year. Dr Barnard's technology stood out from the competition for his innovative and cost-effectiveness in treating used water.

Dr Barnard said he would donate the S$300,000 cash prize to charity. The South African native also hopes to use the money to improve school systems in his country.

Past winners include Professor Gatze Lettinga from the Netherlands for his anaerobic technology for used water treatment, and Dr Andrew Benedek for pioneering low-pressure membranes.

- CNA/al

A global Malay on Lee Kuan Yew

Original posting:

"There is nothing as depressing as watching a man way past his use-by date trying to revive the old glory days, strutting his opinionated  versions of what should be." - Anak si-Hamid

The Malay archipelago

These days, the Malays in Singapore are not trying too hard to hide their contemt towards Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew.I have friends and relatives there, OK, so I know. The Minister Mentor's latest diatribe against the Malays in his latest book is the last straw for some. One more smart remark, Kuan Yew, and the Malays in Singapore may do a Hindraf on you!

Anak si-Hamid is no longer just a Malay in Singapore (she has homes in both sides of the Suez) but I'm sure Malays living on both sides of the Causeway and who are familiar with Kuan Yew's politics will enjoy reading. And she's not just hitting out at one man or one race; the best shots are reserved for her own ...

"However,  the Muslim-Malays also had their own turncoats and desperados who were happy to sell their people for a song, like the way Singapore was 'acquired'  from the Johor rulers.  And this Wayang is still going on today."

Read the rest of her posting, HMV (His Mentor's Voice), H E R E

Muncul Foto Seksi MD, Pembobol Citibank Rp 17 M

Jakarta - Penangkapan MD, pembobol dana nasabah Citibank N.A. Cabang Indonesia, sebanyak Rp 17 miliar, tak hanya menjadi buah bibir internal di bank asing itu. Aneka grup di BBM dan pun ramai 'mendiskusikan'-nya, apalagi kisah MD disertai dengan foto-fotonya yang cantik dan seksi.

"Rame bener smua bbman grup kaya kebakaran," tulis seorang Tweeps, merujuk pada isu MD. Aneka forum diskusi juga banyak yang mengobrolkannya. Namun rata-rata tidak mengomentari kasus pembobolan itu, melainkan aneka fotonya yang cantik, seksi dan modis.

Ada foto MD tengah berdiri di depan mobil Ferrari merah, ada yang sedang berpose dengan teman-teman, ada yang berpose sendirian dengan senyum lebar, maupun tengah berada di tengah pesta dengan dandanan glamor. Dalam aneka forum di internet, nama MD dipanjangkan menjadi Melinda Dee, ada juga yang menulis Malinda Dee. Usianya juga ditulis, namun dengan versi berbeda yaitu 37 tahun dan 47 tahun.

Berita MD juga melintas batas hingga ke Singapura. Sebuah website singaporearticles.com menulis kisahnya lengkap dengan foto-fotonya.

Kadiv Humas Mabes Polri Irjen Anton Bachrul Alam mengungkapkan kasus MD pada hari Jumat lalu. MD melakukan manipulasi data dan mengalihkan dana milik nasabah ke rekening tersangka. Kasus ini terungkap setelah nasabah Citibank lapor polisi karena dana di rekeningnya berkurang.

Polisi menyita sejumlah alat bukti seperti  sejumlah dokumen transaksi dan 1 unit mobil merek Hummer-3 Luxury Sport Utility B 18 DIK yang ditaksir senilai Rp 3,4 miliar.

MD dijerat pasal 49 ayat 1 dan 2 UU no 7 tahun 1992 sebagaimana diubah dengan UU no 10 tahun 1998 tentang perbankan dan atau pasal 6 UU no 15 tahun 2002 sebagaimana diubah dengan UU no 25 tahun 2003 sebagaimana diubah dengan UU no 8 tahun 2010 tentang tindak pidana pencucian uang.

Director Country Corporate Affairs Head Citi Indonesia Ditta Amahorseya mengatakan pihaknya menjamin perlindungan bagi nasabahnya terkait kasus penggelapan dana Rp 17 miliar oleh MD. Citibank menegaskan semua nasabah aman dan akan diberi penggantian bagi yang dirugikan.

"Adalah komitmen kami untuk melindungi kepentingan nasabah kami, termasuk secepatnya mengembalikan kerugian yang dialami oleh nasabah yang hilang melalui transaksi tidak sah di dalam rekening mereka secara adil dan tepat waktu," katanya. Ditta juga memastikan bahwa saat ini MD sudah tidak bekerja lagi di Citibank.
(nrl/asy)

Melinda Dee Karyawarti Pembobol 17 M di Citibank

Nama Melinda Dee mungkin belum akrab terdengar di telinga kita, sebulm adanya pemberitaan mengenai pembobolan rekening nasabah sebesar 17 M yang dilakukan oleh karyawati bank itu sendiri, melinda dee yang saat ini berusia 37 tahun nekat melakukan tindakan perampokan dana nasabah sebesar 17 M

Ada beberapa cara yang di pakai melinda dalam melakukan aksinya untuk menguras dana nasabah, seperti memanipulasi data rekening dan memindahakn dana rekening nasabah ke rekening pribadi wanita cantik ini
menurut keterangan polisi kasus ini pada hari Jumat lalu. Melinda melakukan manipulasi data serta mengalihkan dana milik nasabah ke rekening dia sendiri. Kasus ini muncul ke permukaan setelah nasabah melaporkan hal ini ke kantor polisi karena merasa dana yang dia simpan di bank berkurang
Polisi melakukan penyitaan atas alat bukti seperti dokumen transaksi serta 1 unit mobil mewah bermerek Hummer-3 Luxury Sport Utility B 18 DIK yang ditaksir senilai Rp 3,4 miliar.
Sesat Setelah melakoni pemeriksaan dari pihak yang berwajib Melinda Dee langsung ditahan di Rutan Bareskrim Polri. MD dikenakan pasal penggelapan, sebagaimana Undang-undang No 8 Tahun 2010 tentang Pencucian Uang atau money laundring.
Berikut ini beberapa Foto Melinda dee yang berhasil saya dapatkan dari kaskus, dan situs detik.com




Meskipun cantik akan tetapi perbuatan melinda dee atau MD tidak patut di contoh,


Via http://www.sugeng.web.id/2011/03/melinda-dee-karyawarti-pembobol-17-m-di-citibank.html

Tin Pei Ling vs Chen Show Mao – and a very scary thought

Despite what Lim Boon Heng, that minister who has been without a portfolio for some 15 years, has said, the PAP’s slate of new candidates are a dud. At least as far as I am concerned. I can’t remember any time in the past where the scraping of the barrel by the PAP was so pathetic.
And the signs are already there. Of course, the media is sugar-coating the dud candidates the PAP is selling. Desmond Choo? Desmond Lee? Tin Pei Ling? Seriously? When one starts to talk about one’s own sob story in order to gain sympathy, you can be sure the barrel is really empty.
But there is a serious issue here which Singaporeans must consider and consider very seriously indeed.
And it is this: With a complicit and compliant media, these duds are being sold and marketed as people with the genuine stuff. And riding piggyback on senior members into Parliament. This itself is ironic. I mean, if they have the genuine stuff, why would they need to coattail on others?
I am really concerned that someone like Tin Pei Ling, whom I presume hasn’t had even 10-years of working experience, is going into Parliament via the easy and convenient back door.

At the same time, someone like Chen Show Mao may not be in Parliament at all. Chen is expected to be on the WP ticket for the elections. The man’s credentials are second to none – studied at Harvard, Oxford, Stanford, Rhodes scholar, fluently bilingual, and with experience in international mergers and acquisitions, and he also sits on the advisory board of the Singapore Management University.

PAP's Tin Pei Ling - not even 10 years of working experience

Now, Tin Pei Ling and Chen Show Mao. Which do you think should be in Parliament? I mean, seriously.
Tin Pei Ling is a dime a dozen. You can probably scrap some of her ilk off the sidewalks at Orchard Road.
Chen, on the other hand, is what the PAP would crave for – and indeed, badly needs.
Yet, the truth and reality is that Tin Pei Ling will get into Parliament, while Chen Show Mao may not.
Every opposition party’s new candidates have to go through the baptism of fire in a contest at every election. Chiam See Tong fought twice before winning, and since then, he’s had to fight each of the six elections – and win them all. A total of 8 elections.
Low Thia Khiang too had to fight 5 General Elections – losing his first and winning the other four.
Chiam and Low NEVER had a walkover, or had the “privilege” of entering Parliament by piggybacking on others.
This is what leaders should do. This is what each and every MP must do – fight in an open contest, and not hide behind coattails and worse, say if they get into Parliament they want to “understudy” the senior members.
We pay S$15,000 a month to each MP.
For such a large sum of money, it is incumbent that each MP contest and win each and every election – just like what Chiam and Low have done and will have to do in this election as well.
No hiding. No piggybacking. No coattails to hang on to.

WP Chairman Sylvia Lim - may not get into Parliament

But the point I want to make is this:
It would be really really sad and bad for Singapore if someone like Tin Pei Ling is slipped into Parliament without a single vote cast in her favour, while those like Chen Show Mao, Sylvia Lim or even Low Thia Khiang do not get in.
Indeed, the dud slate of candidates the PAP is offering – and if each and everyone of them gets into Parliament – puts Singapore in a precarious position, moving forward.
Here’s another scary thought: In the 2006 general election, all 24 new PAP candidates got into Parliament – a 100% success rate.
While only 2 from the opposition were elected.
So, when you cast your vote, think very very carefully.

Via

Retirees see pension tax as attack on middle class

Republican Gov. Rick Snyder is drawing recall threats and angry protests over his attempt to do what no Michigan governor has tried in more than 40 years: Tax the pension and 401(k) incomes of millions of retirees.
The move has brought demonstrators to the Capitol and has thousands of seniors reminding the new governor that they could make re-election difficult for him and lawmakers who go along. Democrats oppose the move, and even some GOP lawmakers are casting about for an alternative to avoid raising taxes on a powerful interest group.

Snyder remains undeterred. The multimillionaire former Gateway computer executive says Michigan _ which has some of the nation's most generous senior tax breaks_ can't afford the $900 million it loses because of them, and that retirees need to pay their share rather than pushing the burden onto younger residents.

Arnold Eick, a 73-year-old former General Motors manager, says he needs those tax breaks to stay afloat. Like many retirees, he's incensed that he and the working poor who would lose a tax credit are being asked to pay more so Snyder can reduce business taxes.

"I just can't understand how anybody can be that unfair, that evil, to take from the poor and give to the rich," Eick said.

Michigan currently charges no income tax on public pensions and exempts up to $45,120 worth of income from private pensions, 401(k)s and IRAs for an individual retiree, with limits of twice that for a retired couple. Treasury figures show about a fifth of the tax returns filed each year include pension income.

Eick says his out-of-pocket health expenses hit $27,000 over a three-year period because GM took away health care for salaried retirees. If the pension exemption also ends, the Flushing resident estimates he and his wife may owe $3,000 in annual income tax _ something he says could make meeting his mortgage payment impossible.

"We're going to have to leave our home," he said while carrying a sign promising retribution. "I'm old but I can recall two things," it said. "1. Tax refunds. 2. You."

Snyder campaigned last year on a promise to replace the complex and unpopular Michigan Business Tax with a 6 percent corporate income tax, a move that would eliminate $1.7 billion in revenue. But he didn't reveal until last month that he wanted to pay for it by requiring more money from individual taxpayers.

Via http://www.bismarcktribune.com/news/national/article_645d7273-7599-580c-b015-26b8cd4ee7a9.html

GST Service Rendered By Rikvin

The GST rate in Singapore is set at 7%. Except those which are clearly stipulated by the laws, all goods and services are taxable by GST. Among others that are exempted are financial services and the lease or sale of residential properties.

Rikvin assists companies—both local and foreign—in registering for GST with IRAS as part of its specializations.

“Companies that have annual turnover of more than S$1 million from sale of any taxable goods and services should register for GST collection eligibility so they can collect GST from their clients,” explains one business consultants of Rikvin, “the same thing can be said to companies with valid bases to suppose that the turnover will reach S$1 million in the next 12 months.”

Besides this compulsory, companies may also register voluntarily.

“There is no limit to the structure of business that can register for GST. Even government bodies, statutory boards, non-profit organizations, clubs and associations or management corporations and organizations should or could register for GST,” says Rikvin in continuation.

The business consultant adds: “When a company is registered for GST, it is authorized to claim back the GST it incurred on its business purchases. If its GST paid is more than the GST collected, the company can collect the difference from IRAS through GST refund. Also, if GST rate increases, it is sensible for a company to register voluntarily and collect GST to claim back the GST contracted on business purchases.”

As part of its services, Rikvin can provide assistance in assessing whether the company is obliged to register for GST or voluntarily register for it. For voluntary registration, Rikvin will help in weighing down the impact of registration to its performance and overall existence.

“Sole proprietors register the GST in their personal name as their businesses don’t have legal personality separate from them. There will be one GST registration number issued for all the businesses owned by one sole proprietor,” elucidates Rikvin.

Rikvin says in addition: “For partnerships, the taxable turnover of all partnerships having the same composition of partners will be taken in composite to ascertain the liability to register for GST. If the same partners setup 2 partnership ventures, the total turnover of these 2 business ventures will determine the necessity of registration.”

Rikvin’s accountants help companies in two ways. They can register for GST the companies with IRAS and file for GST on basis such as monthly, quarterly, and semi-annually.

For more information, visit:
http://www.rikvin.com
20 Cecil Street, #14-01, Equity Plaza, Singapore 049705
Main Lines : (65) 6438 8887
Fax : (65) 6438 2436
Email : info@rikvin.com

Rikvin provides Singapore Company Registration service including securing your Singapore Employment Pass and Singapore EntrePass Visa for Singapore Business Migration.

 

Via http://www.impactwire.com/a/8345/GST-Service-Rendered-By-Rikvin

Mr. and Mrs. Incredible (2011)

Release Date: 3 February 2011
Cast: Louis Koo , Sandra Ng Kwan Yue
Desc: In ancient China, a husband and wife, both of them retired superheroes, contend with the high cost of living, infertility, and other contemporary life issues.

Source: [DVD]
File Size: 478.15 MB
Video format: .MP4
Video resolution: 480×320
Video duration: 100 min

Download The Movie:
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Via

Tin Pei Ling : Singapore Parliament Candidates

The ruling party introduced its 3rd batch of candidates today. The youngest of this batch and possibly in the new slate of candidates is Ms Tin Pei Ling who will succeed Mr Matthias Yao in Macpherson.
Many people may think Ms Tin Pei Ling is too young to be a member of parliament to represent Singaporean interest, particularly the elderly, the poor and the middle-class as hailing from a good background, earning a hefty amount of salary per month, and with few experiences of life, she may not touch base with the group of Singaporeans who genuinely need to be represented in terms of housing, employability and social assistance. Though she has some years of grassroots experience, I think Ms Tin would need to hunker down and touch base more with her citizens and her grassroots leaders to learn more about the problems the needy and poor have if she becomes a Member of Parliament.
The chances of Ms Tin being voted into parliament is very high as she is part of the GRC team with a senior minister anchoring the team. Same goes with the new young ruling party candidates, most of whom will be participating the election in a GRC team and hence the possibility of them being member of parliament is increased.
Like many Singaporeans, I do not want someone who is very young as a member of parliament to represent my interests unless he or she can empathize with the people he or she is representing. I sincerely hope the new young PAP cadres who want to join parliament do not do it for the glory and the $20,000 allowance per month and be a Yes-men they should truly represent the genuine needs of the people.

Via http://balimetro.com/tin-pei-ling-singapore-parliament-candidates/