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Straits Times
15-07-2025
- Health
- Straits Times
Forum: Set up a hotline to report vaping
It is indeed sad and troubling that many Singaporeans still do not see the need to call out a person vaping in public. With vaping becoming a growing global crisis, its prevalence, especially among the young, must be tackled with firmer measures and more urgency. The least we can do as members of the public is to report it to the authorities when we spot it. If we remain silent out of fear or indifference, we risk normalising what is an addictive and harmful habit. We need a whole-of-society effort to stop this from taking root in Singapore. Parents, schools, community members, workplaces and the authorities must work in concert. A simple solution could be to set up an anonymous hotline for members of the public to report vaping discreetly. We must not turn a blind eye to vaping and allow it to harm our society. Foo Sing Kheng
Straits Times
29-06-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Forum: Worrying that more fresh graduates are unemployed
D ata from 2025's graduate employment survey – revealing that the proportion of graduates who remained unemployed grew to 12.9 per cent in 2024, up from 10.4 per cent in 2023 – is worrying (Fewer uni graduates in 2024 found full-time work, but they had higher pay: Survey, Feb 24). For graduates from private universities, the findings are also bleak (Less than half of private university grads find full-time jobs, despite slight increase in salaries, May 26). Young graduates are finding it more difficult to secure a permanent position for several reasons, including disruption by artificial intelligence. It was reported that a substantial number of graduates are taking up internships, part-time or temporary employment, freelance work or gigs. I applaud the stoicism of the fresh graduates who are open to accepting gig work, contract roles and internships. However, I hope that employers would be more willing to engage these young job seekers and place them in a permanent position, especially those who have gone through internship. In Budget 2025, workforce support measures were introduced to help fresh graduates navigate the uncertain economic landscape. Employers must also do their part in giving young graduates a platform to put their knowledge to use, failing which there may be fewer graduates in time to come, as many may not see the need to seek higher education if they cannot secure a permanent job after four years in a university. Foo Sing Kheng More on this Topic Forum: What readers are saying Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
12-06-2025
- Straits Times
Forum: Taxi operators should keep dangerous drivers off the road
Forum: Taxi operators should keep dangerous drivers off the road I refer to the report 'Taxi driver jailed over Pasir Ris accident that killed elderly woman' (June 12). The taxi driver is a repeat offender with five previous speeding offences. The sentencing of five months and two weeks is hardly a deterrent. Just a day before, an elderly pedestrian died after an accident involving another taxi driver near Kallang MRT station. (Woman dies after accident near Kallang MRT station; taxi driver arrested, June 11). I believe more can be done by taxi operators to keep such dangerous drivers off our roads. Pre-emptive measures can be taken. Operators should have a system to monitor cabbies' bad driving habits. Drivers with repeat offences can be temporarily suspended or required to attend safety courses to improve their driving. The Government can consider suspending operators with too many cabbies who are repeat traffic offenders. It could act as a good 'wake-up call' for the operators. Foo Sing Kheng More on this Topic Forum: What readers are saying Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
08-06-2025
- Straits Times
Forum: Rely on surveillance technology for night security in school buildings
It is very puzzling to see the lights in many school buildings switched on every night. I understand that the primary reason is security. But I believe that with the latest in surveillance technology, there should not be a need to switch on so many lights. Instead, perhaps only the lights along the common corridors should be activated. Deployment of more advanced surveillance equipment can help deal with suspicious activity. Such surveillance devices can be linked to school personnel, who can in turn request assistance from the neighbourhood police if needed. I hope that the relevant authorities can come together to maintain security in schools and, at the same time, reduce usage of electricity with better surveillance equipment. Foo Sing Kheng More on this Topic Forum: What readers are saying Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
30-04-2025
- General
- Straits Times
Forum: Toilet cleaner aunty took the hard knocks of life in her stride
Forum: Toilet cleaner aunty took the hard knocks of life in her stride The toilet cleaner at my office died suddenly three weeks ago. She was in her 70s. I didn't notice her death until a colleague mentioned it to me in passing. Aunty was a very warm and friendly person. She was always the first to reach the office. She would greet me with a warm smile every morning. Aunty was childless, and looked after her husband, who has dementia. She was stoic in facing her hardship and never grumbled about her fate. She took leave only to take her husband for medical appointments. Aunty represented the pioneer generation of Singaporeans who worked hard and never sought an easy way out. Life must have been hard for her at her age. Her perseverance and determination in dealing with her life is something that is admirable. Foo Sing Kheng More on this Topic Forum: What readers are saying Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
