My oh my! This is the LAST DAY of January 2015!! 2015 is now officially 1/12th GONE!! Hopefully I am 1/12th on the road to achieving my 2015 Resolutions! :-)
1. "AirAsia captain left seat before plan lost control: Sources - Reuters Jan 31, 2015
SINGAPORE/JAKARTA/PARIS - The captain of the AirAsia jet that crashed into the sea in December was out of his seat conducting an unorthodox procedure when his co-pilot apparently lost control, and by the time he returned it was too late to save the plane, two people familiar with the investigation said.
Details emerging of the final moments of Flight QZ8501 are likely to focus attention partly on maintenance, procedures and training, though Indonesian officials have stressed publicly that it is too early to draw any firm conclusions."
Does not look good from this. Hopefully more details can be uncovered and that it was not due to pilots' errors. Rest in peace.
2. "New alcohol laws aimed at those who cause trouble - The Straits Times Jan 31, 2015
Islandwide curbs on late-night public drinking and the sale of alcohol are not to stop people from enjoying liquor.
Instead, they are meant to tackle troublemakers and serious alcohol-related offences, said Second Minister for Home Affairs S. Iswaran.
He highlighted that over the last three years, there was on average one rioting incident and two cases of serious hurt that involved liquor each week. "And the trend has been on the rise." He revealed these numbers yesterday, when the landmark Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Bill was passed after a spirited three-hour debate.
The new laws, which are expected to take effect on April 1, make it illegal to drink in public places, including void decks and parks, from 10.30pm to 7am. The takeaway sale of alcohol from 10.30pm will also be banned.
Little India and Geylang will be designated as Liquor Control Zones, with stricter restrictions.
The 17 MPs who spoke, including those from the Workers' Party, widely supported the Bill, with only Non-Constituency MP Lina Chiam failing to back it. But at the same time, there was a recognition that the new laws are an imposition on personal freedom. Some questioned whether the powers given to the police, such as the right to make a person take off his clothes to check for containers of alcohol, were too much.
But Mr Iswaran assured the House that the police will be measured in their approach and will focus enforcement on areas where there are public disorder issues.
"It is certainly not the intent of this Bill to seek out every person who is consuming liquor peacefully in a remote place," he said, describing the laws as balanced and reasonable.
He also clarified several issues. Condominiums will not be considered public places, so people can, for instance, drink by the pool after 10.30pm. And while workers' dormitories are considered public places, they will still be free to drink in their quarters, as long as permitted by their dorm operators.
As to why the new curbs did not simply target specific places with alcohol-related complaints, Mr Iswaran said this will only push the problem to other areas."
I am GLAD that the 2nd Minister is pointing the OBVIOUS. That the new bill is meant for those who enjoy their drink but could not keep themselves out of troubles instead of those who simply enjoy their drinks! LOL!!
Lessons for me are, or STILL ARE:
1. responsible drinking is a pipe dream? Too bad to those who want and enjoy drinking in a public place after 10.30 p.m.;
2. are the incidents and statistics quoted to support the enactment of such a bill justified it to be considered an overkill or a good anticipatory move? I guessed by and large one has to go with the majority of people who were (or may be) harassed by irresponsible and senseless drinkers creating harm to themselves, others and properties! Though a bit MORE details on the split of those trouble makers and trouble spots and circumstances can be helpful to win a few more sceptics;
3. also how did the laws enforcement agencies cope with the current incidents of drunk drinkers will be helpful for the public to appreciate the need to give the S'pore Police Force some relief. With the heavier penalties, perhaps the police officers can be better deployed to deal with more serious issues and/or crimes instead of breaking up fights, arresting drunk drinkers who created nuisance of themselves and others, etc.
March on 'No drinking in public after 10.30 p.m. Singapore'. It has been decided. Now let's try to enforce it and track the numbers for 3-, 6- and 12-month to assess how effective it has been!
A KPI for lawmakers and laws enforcement officials?
1. "AirAsia captain left seat before plan lost control: Sources - Reuters Jan 31, 2015
SINGAPORE/JAKARTA/PARIS - The captain of the AirAsia jet that crashed into the sea in December was out of his seat conducting an unorthodox procedure when his co-pilot apparently lost control, and by the time he returned it was too late to save the plane, two people familiar with the investigation said.
Details emerging of the final moments of Flight QZ8501 are likely to focus attention partly on maintenance, procedures and training, though Indonesian officials have stressed publicly that it is too early to draw any firm conclusions."
Does not look good from this. Hopefully more details can be uncovered and that it was not due to pilots' errors. Rest in peace.
2. "New alcohol laws aimed at those who cause trouble - The Straits Times Jan 31, 2015
Islandwide curbs on late-night public drinking and the sale of alcohol are not to stop people from enjoying liquor.
Instead, they are meant to tackle troublemakers and serious alcohol-related offences, said Second Minister for Home Affairs S. Iswaran.
He highlighted that over the last three years, there was on average one rioting incident and two cases of serious hurt that involved liquor each week. "And the trend has been on the rise." He revealed these numbers yesterday, when the landmark Liquor Control (Supply and Consumption) Bill was passed after a spirited three-hour debate.
The new laws, which are expected to take effect on April 1, make it illegal to drink in public places, including void decks and parks, from 10.30pm to 7am. The takeaway sale of alcohol from 10.30pm will also be banned.
Little India and Geylang will be designated as Liquor Control Zones, with stricter restrictions.
The 17 MPs who spoke, including those from the Workers' Party, widely supported the Bill, with only Non-Constituency MP Lina Chiam failing to back it. But at the same time, there was a recognition that the new laws are an imposition on personal freedom. Some questioned whether the powers given to the police, such as the right to make a person take off his clothes to check for containers of alcohol, were too much.
But Mr Iswaran assured the House that the police will be measured in their approach and will focus enforcement on areas where there are public disorder issues.
"It is certainly not the intent of this Bill to seek out every person who is consuming liquor peacefully in a remote place," he said, describing the laws as balanced and reasonable.
He also clarified several issues. Condominiums will not be considered public places, so people can, for instance, drink by the pool after 10.30pm. And while workers' dormitories are considered public places, they will still be free to drink in their quarters, as long as permitted by their dorm operators.
As to why the new curbs did not simply target specific places with alcohol-related complaints, Mr Iswaran said this will only push the problem to other areas."
I am GLAD that the 2nd Minister is pointing the OBVIOUS. That the new bill is meant for those who enjoy their drink but could not keep themselves out of troubles instead of those who simply enjoy their drinks! LOL!!
Lessons for me are, or STILL ARE:
1. responsible drinking is a pipe dream? Too bad to those who want and enjoy drinking in a public place after 10.30 p.m.;
2. are the incidents and statistics quoted to support the enactment of such a bill justified it to be considered an overkill or a good anticipatory move? I guessed by and large one has to go with the majority of people who were (or may be) harassed by irresponsible and senseless drinkers creating harm to themselves, others and properties! Though a bit MORE details on the split of those trouble makers and trouble spots and circumstances can be helpful to win a few more sceptics;
3. also how did the laws enforcement agencies cope with the current incidents of drunk drinkers will be helpful for the public to appreciate the need to give the S'pore Police Force some relief. With the heavier penalties, perhaps the police officers can be better deployed to deal with more serious issues and/or crimes instead of breaking up fights, arresting drunk drinkers who created nuisance of themselves and others, etc.
March on 'No drinking in public after 10.30 p.m. Singapore'. It has been decided. Now let's try to enforce it and track the numbers for 3-, 6- and 12-month to assess how effective it has been!
A KPI for lawmakers and laws enforcement officials?
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