Foreign workers who shine: Read Raymond Anthony Fernando's letter to the press

My letter to The Straits times on the above matter is published today, Friday 31^st July 2015.

Over the past month, I had pleasant encounters with two foreign workers here. One is a doctor from Hong Kong and the other a Malaysian in customer care.

Dr Jason Lau, a medical officer attached to the Ear, Nose and Throat unit of Tan Tock Seng Hospital, had on two occasions, inserted a camera scope through my nose to reach my throat to check if a suspected fish or chicken bone was stuck in it. Dr Lau’s guidance and reassurance, coupled with his patience and care, made the intimidating procedure much easier to handle. His competence and knowledge revealed that two small tonsils in my throat were causing me pain. He prescribed medication that took care of them.

The other foreign worker who made an impression is Mr Nisook Ramalingam from the Singtel Mobile department, who goes out of his way to advise me on the best, cost-prudent options for my handphone usage at home and abroad. He returns calls promptly and because of his knowledge, I am assured of getting the “extra mile” service.

Their professionalism in ensuring that Singaporeans are well-looked after will slowly but surely help contribute to whittling down the resistance some have towards foreign workers here.

Raymond Anthony Fernando

http://www.straitstimes.com/forum/letters-in-print/bouquets-5

 

Elderly abuse: Raymond A Fernando's 2 press letters

(1) Letter to The New Paper:   ELDERY ABUSE

Tougher laws, regular visits to the elderly

My letter to The New Paper on the above matter is published today – Monday 27^th July 2015

Elderly abuse appears to be on the rise here. 

I am outraged to read of the abuse suffered by 58-year-old Kamisah Burel and how her daughter and a neighbour were allegedly involved.  

There must be more effective preventive strategies, stronger laws and policies to tackle elder abuse.

But policy makers must also recognise that caregiving is a daunting task.

Family caregivers who have little or no support can suffer burnout when they can no longer cope, and become abusive themselves.

Grassroots leaders, Members of Parliament and mayors should make the effort to visit the elderly periodically.  A database with their names should be maintained and updated regularly by the authorities. 

And the laws must still come down hard on those who abuse the defenceless. 

A clear message must be sent that the Government will not tolerate any neglect or abuse of the elderly. .

 

RAYMOND ANTHONY FERNANDO 

(2) Letter to The Straits Times: Appoint block leaders to help abused seniors

My letter to The Straits Times on the above subject is published today, Monday 27^th July 2015.

Elder abuse appears to be on the rise. The recent case of a man who allegedly told his neighbour to feed her 58-year-old mother faeces and urine highlights the need for better protection for our seniors, some of whom may be suffering abuse in silence (“Neighbour charged with abetting abuse”; last Saturday).

Taking care of the elderly is no easy task because some seniors – who could be grappling with serious medical conditions, including psychological issues – can test one’s patience. And financial problems can add to the already heavy strain on the caregivers.

To help stamp out elder abuse, community spirit and good neighbourliness must prevail. To this end, I propose that block leaders be appointed in all housing estates. These block leaders, working with the areas’ MPs and the grassroots leaders, can be the point persons to be consulted if there are suspected cases of abuse.  They can keep a watchful eye on any form of abuse, look into suspected cases, and provide the necessary support.

Raymond Anthony Fernando

 

http://www.straitstimes.com/forum/letters-on-the-web/appoint-block-leaders-to-help-abused-seniors

 

Impressed by care, service of two foreigners: Raymond Anthony Fernando’s letter to MediaCorp’s TODAY Newspaper

Recently, I encountered two foreigners working here — a doctor from Hong Kong and a Malaysian in customer care — who showed that they have Singaporeans’ interests at heart and displayed excellent care and service.

Dr Jason Lau, a medical officer attached to the ear, nose and throat unit of Tan Tock Seng Hospital, had to insert, on two occasions, a camera scope in my nose to reach my throat to check if a suspected fish bone or chicken bone had got stuck.

Though the procedure was intimidating, his guidance and reassurance, coupled with his patience and care for me, made it easier. With his competence, he discovered that two small tonsils were causing me pain and prescribed medication for this.

Mr Nisook Ramalingam, from Singtel’s mobile department, also impressed me by going out of his way to advise me on the best options for my phone usage, locally and overseas, so that I can be financially prudent.

He returned calls promptly and because of his knowledge, I was assured of that much-needed extra mile of service.

Professionals like them can gradually change perceptions of those who are resistant to foreigners working here.

 

RAYMOND ANTHONY FERNANDO

 

http://www.todayonline.com/voices/impressed-care-service-two-foreigners

 

 

 

Raymond's letter to The Straits Times: Offer 50% percent SG 50 bonus to former civil servants

 

My letter to The Straits Times on the above subject is published today, Tuesday 23^rd June 2015.

It is a thoughtful gesture of the part of the Government to give a one-off attractive bonus to all public sector officers (“Civil servants to get $500 one-off payment to celebrate SG50”; last Thursday).

This special bonus to celebrate 50 years of nation building will undoubtedly recognise the efforts of our hard-working civil servants who often work long hours. These workers are fortunate to be able to hold on to a job with a steady income and support themselves and their loves ones.

But SG50 must also recognise the many other Singaporeans, including former civil servants, who have also contributed to our vibrant economy and helped in nation building through the years. They must never become a forgotten lot, given that many have made significant contributions to public service.

Many of our former public sector officers do not have a job with a steady income, as securing jobs beyond above age 50 is not easy due to ageism. They have to cope with the rising cost of living and expensive medical care – especially for those who missed out on the Pioneer Generation package.  Some have the unenviable task of taking on caregiving tasks.

I appeal to the Government to offer a 50 per cent one-off SG bonus to our former public service officers who have served for 10 years or more in the public sector.  Those will disabilities should also be given something.

In offering recognition to Singaporeans – be it through cash rewards or medical benefits, let there be a fair distribution of support, for it would not be right to please one group and displease others.  When this happens, whether we like it or not, we become a divided society.

Raymond Anthony Fernando
http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/forum-letters/story/offer-50-sg50-bonus-former-civil-servants-20150623

Verghese’s music should be sold in tribute: Raymond A Fernando’s letter to the press

My letter to MediaCorp’s TODAY Newspaper on the above personality is published today, Monday 22^nd June 2015.

Having enjoyed the music of The Quests for decades, I was saddened by the death of its popular guitarist Reggie Verghese, who had to grapple with ill health over the past few years (“The Quests’ Reggie Verghese dies, aged 67”; June 18).

He reminded me of Hank Marvin, lead guitarist of The Shadows. To this day, I can listen to the The Quests over and over, and not get bored.

I recall the days of black-and-white television, when the group was on many local shows.

It was a pleasure to watch and listen to Verghese perform. He was a guitar maestro who, together with his band, took local music to a high level and influenced other performers to contribute to the music industry.

To cherish and remember the icon he was, our radio stations could accord a fitting tribute to Verghese by playing the band’s music. It would also help if record companies could reproduce and market the music of The Quests on CD, which many Singaporeans, young and old, would surely buy. In celebration and support of SG50, seniors could be offered a discount.

Many of  our local performers who can no longer secure contracts because of ageing issues may have difficulty paying for medical treatments. As part of efforts to recognise these musicians who brought glory to Singapore’s music scene, I propose that a fund be set up to help them with such expenses. A person should not be forgotten just because he or she is ill.

RAYMOND ANTHONY FERNANDO

 

http://www.todayonline.com/voices/vergheses-music-should-be-sold-tribute

 

 

 

 

SEA Games: Letter to The Straits Times: Organising large events no easy task

My letter to The Straits Times on the above matter is published today, Friday 19^th June 2015.

I fully empathise with the unhappiness expressed by many sports enthusiasts who purchased tickets to support the SEA Games closing ceremony, but were denied entry due to overcrowding (“Why were ticket-holders denied entry?” by Mr Adrian Ho Kok Wai and “Ticket-holders given the runaround, denied entry” by Ms Yan Liping; Forum Online, both published yesterday).

While Team Singapore has done us proud and given us the best performance so far, wining 84 gold, 73 silver and 102 bronze medals, the memorable event was marred by poor organisational skills. The public address system broke down and the oversale of tickets caused much displeasure among many Singaporeans.

Often front-liners are on the receiving end of frustrations when things go wrong. However, organising major events on a large scale is certainly no easy task. Even if one is highly academically qualified, if you are not equipped with a wealth of experience, you can easily fumble.

Therefore, it is imperative that experienced event planners or retired public service officers who have hands-on experience in organising events on a large scale are invited to sit on committees in charge of planning large-scale events.

There should be a detailed checklist and a contingency plan in place.  After the event is over, the main organising committee should conduct a post-mortem to address problems such that future events are handled better.

Raymond Anthony Fernando

http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/forum-letters/story/organising-large-events-no-easy-task-20150619

 

MERS OUTBREAK : Have quarantine centre at Changi Airport - Raymond's letter to the press

My letter on the above subject is published today in The New Paper, Monday 15^th June 2015.

I share Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s view that we must stay vigilant with the outbreak of the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) in South Korea as reported in “It can come and will come’ (The New Paper, June 12). 

Such life-threatening infectious diseases will hit the world from time to time.  That said, we   cannot live in fear all the time, or our lives will be badly disrupted and the economy will suffer. 

At the same time, we have to be vigilant.  Most travellers enter Singapore at Changi Airport and this is where potential infections have to be stopped.   Once infected people leave the airport, viruses can spread easily.

If a deadly infectious disease begins to spread among the general population, it can cause panic and we have to prevent that.

The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Transport should collaborate and build a quarantine centre at Changi Airport, where suspected carriers of viruses can be housed till their condition is confirmed and they are either moved to the relevant hospital, or, if they are cleared, allowed to leave.

 

RAYMOND ANTHONY FERNANDO