Following the financial meltdown in USA, many investors in Singapore were affected also. Many of these investors has bought structured products from the major local banks like DBS, UOB, OCBC and POSB.
Bank Staffs and Relationship managers have told investors that the structured products are principal guaranteed. They will be able to take back their principal amount should anything happen. But this is not the case as most structured products are Principal Protected.
There is a difference between the term 'Principal Guaranteed' and 'Principal Protected'. Most of the structured products are Principal Protected. It means it will at least return the principal amount back after the investment period ends. But if the product were to run into problems (bank bankrupt or investment problems), investors may not get back the principal amount. In the worst scenario, investors will not even get a single cents back.
Fixed Deposit is a Principal Guaranteed products. If the product were to met with problems, the bank still must return the principal amount. Investors will only lost part or all the money if the bank went bankrupt.

Another of our future Singapore talent has beem lost during his army stint. We may not know what happen to the deceased that resulted in her death. But many Singaporeans who have gone through the Army know that the Army Medical System is still not good enough.
His life may have been save if he was send to the hospital rather than to a Army Medical Centre where only the doctors are properly trained. The delay of 1 hour may have resulted him in not getting the necessary medical attention. Hospital doctors and nurses are more well trained to handle the emergency than the Army.
I am asking the Minstry of Defence to change its directives now, all emergency cases should now be directed to the Hospital rather than the Army. With 4 cases of death this year, life can be saved if handle by the professioals of our healthcare system.