Thanks for all your support and enthusiasm. The Online Quiz results (held from the 26th to 30th March 2007) are out and the winners have been chosen.

Congratulations to the following winners:

First Prize: Tan Wen Feng Alvin U040242W (Ipod Nano)

Second Prize: Alvin Ang U046770R

Third Prize: Lester Lam U058812X

Thank you for all your support!
We look forward to your active participation in future online quizzes!

Tian Leng
CAPA Director
NUS Students' Political Association

by Tsui Wing Hong

In the recent months, and dating back as far as recent years, Singapore has both enjoyed and endured events after events of publicity, ranging from positive and progressive, to derogative and detrimental. From our “lack of neighborliness” as accused by some regional nations during the fiscal crisis of 1997/1998, to the purchasing of a telecommunications company, Singapore has been branded as a little red dot and nose-wax (for a lack of better translation). This does not undermine Singapore’s efforts in proving that we ARE capable of reaching out with a helping hand, from billion dollars loan during the same fiscal crisis mentioned above, to humanitarian aid during the 2005 Tsunami crisis. How do we extinguish ourselves as a regional economic leader without the baggage of being selfish and purely materialistic without morals? How do we change and rid the mentality of our regional neighbours of their negative sentiments they have in relation to our bilateral relationship?

by Low Tian Leng

Singapore, a global city of 4.4 million people, has a comprehensive, efficient and affordable public transport system and network of smooth-flowing roads that support the economy and enable our people to move about easily, safely and conveniently. Land Transport Authority (LTA) is the leading corporation that undertakes the Herculean onus of planning and managing the Singapore Land Transport system.

It is inescapable fact that we make use of the services developed by LTA everyday. Almost every one of us has an EZLink Card that is at the forefront of cashless transport transactions. Other than that, our “Certificate of Entitlement” and “Electronic Road Pricing” Systems are well known throughout the world, and proud to be with learning partners with excellent organizations in London, Shanghai and Japan.

By Ong Boon Kiat, Gary

Yet again, the life sciences venture, strongly advocated by the Singapore government, was brought into the limelight where the issue about the viability and sustainability of Singapore’s stand as a biomedical hub of the future.

Prior to this, it was the life sciences conundrum which mentioned about the harsh reality of A*STAR Chairman Mr Philip Yeo words, remarking that life sciences graduates are only fit to wash test tubes. As such, this cruel fact had fell upon to the pioneering batches of life sciences graduates where they had to become junior lab researchers, sales representatives of the pharmaceutical companies and some find themselves landing jobs in areas out of their academia – banking, finance, real estate etc.

Cabs in Singapore – Our Fair Weather Friend?
By Tay Meng Hwee Daniel

I would have been impressed with David Blaine’s “Disappearing 9000 pound Elephant” act if I have not already seen a much more impressive disappearing act – the disappearance of thousands of taxis from the streets of Singapore.

It is no secret that before surcharges kick in, taxis miraculously disappear. But having had the unfortunate experience of waiting 76 minutes for a taxi at Raffles Hospital made me realize how bad the situation has gotten. During my long wait, I saw cabs circling the Bugis area and yet, these cabs did not seem to be able to see that there were close to thirty people in the queue at Bugis Junction. Well maybe the rain was too heavy, reducing visibility so much that our friendly taxi drivers could not see the long queues. Watching the blue “taxi” light on top of the vehicles pass by for 76 minutes however, allowed me to notice a pattern. These taxis would circle the building and suddenly have their “taxi” changed to “on call”. Well, of course there was still a few which turned in to pick up passengers, especially the ones which had no choice after they dropped off their initial passengers. Is it a new rule in Singapore that I would have to pay a fine of $5.20 for taking a cab in the rain?