Category Archives: Singapore

Somerset 313 Smoke Curtains

I was having tea with my friend at the Coffee Bean at 1130AM and discussing about investment when suddenly the Fire Alarm was activated. It rang for a while and later went off. But the SMOKE CURTAINS come down and crush onto the furniture at Coffee Bean. Staffs remove the chairs and tables and allow the smoke curtain to touch the ground.

IMAG0058

Smoke Curtains coming down at Coffee Bean.

IMAG0059

This is the cooliest fire prevention technology I have seen at Somerset 313, even the elevator can be covered up. No access from B2 to B3 as escalator seal up. Is this protection or preventing customers from escaping on B1 and B2.

The best part is there is no public announcement that the Fire Alarm was a false alarm. Customers and staff was confused on this smoke curtain. So business just continue with the smoke curtains down.

IMAG0062   IMAG0067

As lunch time approaches, security and technician was still not able to lift up the smoke curtains. They use a manual chain to rise it up but it got stuck and they have to release it back again. They are back on the phone asking for help.

IMAG0068

Smoke Curtain damage part of the tenants furniture. Staffs just take easy and chat on the table as no customers will be coming.

IMAG0064

Smoke Curtains cover the B1 and B2 floors so that no smoke can penetrate the level.

I left the place at 130PM to meet my vendors and the smoke curtain was still not raise up yet.

This photo story is bought to you by HTC Desire S.

Jurong Point Rewards Queue System

Is Singapore ready for a gracious society? I think we are still not that ready after seeing an incident unroll at Jurong Point Customer Service Centre. A man has queue at the customer service centre to get his rewards. The staff inform him that he need to purchase something more in order to get the rewards. He continue his shopping and return later to the staff to exchange the rewards. The staff inform him that he need to queue again. He insist not queueing again as he had done it before. The staff insisted he do it as it is not fair to the others who are in the queuing system. The security guard was call in to control the situation. In additional, he customer also want to complain to the management that she is rude to him. I think the staff did the correct thing to control the situation.

Whenever shopping centres come out promotion, queue cannot be avoided in order to get the rewards.  Sometimes information on how to fulfill the rewards or promotion is not available in the shopping centre but at the customer service itself. We also queue and the staff inform us that we need to NETS $100 to get a $10 voucher. I still need to NETS $30 more to qualify for the voucher and so we went shopping again and requeue later to get my voucher.

Make or Renew Malaysia Passports in Singapore

I am renewing my Malaysia Passport in Singapore and sharing the application process with all of you. This information is dated on 17 February 2009 and some rules and regulations may change from time to time.

There is no information for the application or renewal of Malaysia Passport in Singapore. This applied mainly to Malaysian residing in Singapore and holds PR status in Singapore and finds their passport expiring soon.

The Malaysia High Commission is back to its original location after completing renovation works.

Location
High Commission of Malaysia
301 Jervois Road
Singapore 249077
Tel: 6235 0111
Fax: 6733 6135

The temporary location at Hill Street was good as it was a central location. But now they are back at Jerovis Road which may inconvenient some as location not central. The good side is a new building awaits you after renovation. The building is now air-conditioned  and no more queuing under the hot sun or under the rain. Toilets are located nearby and there is also a vending machine for snacks and drinks.

Entry to the High Comm
You will see the main entrance along Jervois Road. Do not join the queue without a security pass. Walk to the Guard House on the left side where you see another gate and exchange for a security pass. Use any ID other than your Malaysia IC or Singapore PR IC as you need it later. People start to form the queue outside starting from 7AM in the morning. The guard will let the people in around 730AM to 8AM.

Step 1. Take Photographs
Two passport sized photos, blue background only.

You will neeed Two Passport sized Photos for your Passport Application. Please do not attempt to try to go to any Photo Studio outside and take the Photo. It may result in rejection and a waste of money for you. Take the Photos at the High Comm where they provide the service and it will be 100% accepted. They provide you the right size and importantly the right shade of blue background that is required. If you taken from outside, they may reject you just on the shade of the background. This service cost $S6 for the Instant Photo Services.

Step 2. Filling Forms
Do not bother to download the from from the Internet
as they will not accept it. You need to pay for the form and cost you
S$0.50 cents. Fill in properly as each form cost $0.50 cents. Fill up the forms accompany with the required documents and photos.

Step 3. Getting Queue Number
The staff here will verify your form and all the necessary documents. You cannot get a queue number unless you complete the form plus the required documents and two passport sized photos.

Step 4. Submitting Form
Wait for your Queue Number to be call and submit all the forms and the necessary documents. The passport cost RM$300 but do not need to bring you Malaysia Ringgit. It is chargeable in Singapore Dollars and will be converted based on the day exchange rate. You will made the payment once they have verified your form and all the supporting documents. They will return the Queue Ticket to you so that you can use it to collect your Passport.

Documents
Please ensure you make front and back copies on the same piece of paper so as to make the staff work easier.

Adults
Original Malaysia IC and Copy
Original Singapore IC and Copy
Expiring/Current Passports

Children
Malaysia Birth Certificate and Copy
Singapore Birth Certificate and Copy
Parents Malaysia IC and Copy
Parents Singapore IC and Copy
Expiring/Current Passports

I created this post for the reference of people who are PRs and have
Singapore blue IC in Singapore.
You will need to provide a copy each of your Malaysian IC (front and
back MY KAD) and a copy each of your Singapore IC (front and back). If
possible, photocopy them together on one paper so easier for the staff
to handle your documents. If you forget to photocopy, you can do it at
the High Comm next to the photo kiosk. Get it done so you do not have
to join another long queue.

I am not sure about those who hold work permits and student passes. But I believe best you need additional documents like your employer documents and studying Institutions documents.

Step 5
Return your security pass to the guard house.

Everything completed in a single day! All submissions must be done in the morning(Best at 8AM to 9AM) and all collections are done after 230PM on the same day.

Step 6
You will need to return after 230PM to collect your Passport. You need to go to the Guard House again to exchange the security pass. Then walk to the front entrance like in the morning. Show the security guard the security pass and the Queue Ticket you have obtain in the morning.

Step 7
It is a bit of messy in the Passport Area. This my experience on that day and may be different for you. I just approach the counter with my Queue Ticket as there was vacancy. They got my Queue Ticket and get it processed and pass me my Passport. If all counters are full, the applicants will queue behind until a counter is available.

ATM
Remember to bring money with you to the embassy. You can draw money from the petrol station just across the road(further down at the cross junction).

Re-Entry Pass
For those who have Re-Entry Pass on your old Passport, you need to go to the immigration Authority at Lavender(next to Lavender MRT) to get your Re-Entry Pass. Go to the 5th level and get a form to fill up. Obtain the Queue Ticket and go to the designated counter to get you Re-Entry Pass to be process.

One Phone Number for Life

The era has finally arrive in Singapore, all mobile phone users will get to keep one mobile phone number for life. The full mobile number portability will kicks in on 13 June 2008. Consumers will be able to keep their existing mobile number when they switch mobile operators.

Porting Existing Number
Currently we need to port our existing number to another mobile operator. One time administration fee will apply unless waive by the mobile operator due to promotion. It takes one working day to port the existing number to another telco. Your existing mobile number will then appear on another party’s caller-ID when you Call, SMS or MMS.

Ported Already
Subscribers who have switched operators and currently have their calls forwarded from their old mobile numbers, will be moved to the new service for free. From April 22, the telcos will start informing the 130,000 subscribers using the call-forwarding service to decide which number they would like to keep. They will have until May 14 to decide, and the migration will be completed by June 13.

Telcos will offer more competitive prices and plans in their bid to keep their existing subscribers. There will not be any price war but of course there will be promotions to lure consumers to switch Telcos.

Broadband Access for all

Recently I listen to the BBC World pocast and the commentor was talking about giving more broad band access to the America public during the current general election. The America public wanted to have better access to broad band access as presidential election is also been fighted online through YouTube and social networking webite like Myspace, Facebook and many others. America should look at the Singapore Government model of our Wireless@SG network where users can access the wifi network for free. As long you have a laptop with wifi network capability and find a hotspot with the Wireless@SG network logo, you can access the net for free.

Shop N Save Supermarket at Admiralty MRT

Many residents in the Admiralty area is waiting for the opening of the Shop N Save Supermarket at Admiralty MRT on 2nd Februray 2008 at 7am. It is a good location and many people need to pass by it to go home or to the bus stop. Residents are looking to the special discounts offered by the supermarket. Admiralty will be having two supermarket which are Prime Supermarket and Shop N Save. Business at Prime Supermarket will be affected and we will see in the coming months who will emerge as the supermarket winner at Admiralty Place.

shopnsave

Check out the Shop N Save Supermarkets weekly promotions starting every Thursday. Pls also look out for their 3 days special weekend promotion, Promotion is subject to stocks availabilty at each store.

Singapore Airlines A380

Singaporeairlinea380

Singapore Airlines will begin its maiden flight of A380 from Singapore to Sydney today. It will mark a milestone for Singapore airlines and the avivation industry. The A380 will be meant for the premium customers as the ticket prices are 10 to 30% more expensive. With more airlines using A380 in the future, more customers will be able to take the A380 at a more afforable rates. Fly Singapore Airlines.

Odex Revolution

We support the ODEX REVOLUTION.
ODEX should not give the downloaders such a heavy fine. Why did they not take action against the real pirates who uploaded the animation? WE do not support illegal downloading and piracy. But end users should be given a chance such as a warning letter. Action should be taken when the downloaders continue with their downloading activities. We SUPPORT ISP such as Starhub, Singtel and Pacific Internet for not disclosing the IP address of their customers. Privacy of individuals should be protected.

Pls visit the ODEX REVOLUTION site to support their activities>>>
ODEX Discussion Thread at STOMP>>>

Wear the Black Ribbon on 25 August to support ODEX REVOLUTION.
Click here to find out more>>>