February 28, 02:36 AM 
514 Chai Chee Lane 03-16, Singapore 469029 Sound Smarter in Sixty Seconds (SSISS) is Mothership’s daily brief on the important headlines of the day. We will also contribute our views on the issues at hand.
The passing of former minister Chua Sian Chin
Former minister Chua Sian Chin, 81, who served as a Minister from 1968 to 1984, died of heart failure on Wednesday. As MP for MacPherson for 23 years, he was also the youngest Cabinet member in 1968 and held portfolios such as Health, Home Affairs, Education. While studying law in London, he met Mr Lee Kuan Yew, who was speaking to the Singapore and Malayan students there. Chua recounted what a profound impression Mr Lee made on him and his fellow students.
Our political leaders (PM Lee Hsien Loong and President Tony Tan) took to social media to praise Chua's contributions as our pioneer generation of leaders. Chua launched the Keep Singapore Clean campaign, improved public health and promoted bilingualism. As PM Lee remarked, Chua's "contributions live on in our policies and institutions". The leaders' FB posts are illuminating, especially for the millennials, who would not have been aware of Chua's contributions.
Eight town councils raise their service and conservancy charges from April
Close to 500,000 households in Ang Mo Kio, Jurong, Marine Parade, Moulmein-Kallang, Nee Soon, Pasir Ris-Punggol, Potong Pasir and Sembawang will be affected. The town councils cited a spike in electricity tariffs and increased expenditure on post-upgrade lift maintenance as reasons for the hike in charges. “With the grants, the town councils have managed to post some surpluses. However, such surpluses have been in the decline over the years. With continuously rising maintenance and operation costs, the town councils would not be able to sustain their operations without incurring operating deficits,” they said.
Town councils have large sinking funds which are set aside for major programmes like the Lift Upgrading Programme and cyclical maintenance such as repainting, repairs, etc. Perhaps town councils could consult with residents how the sinking fund can be better utilised or used to offset the spike in electricity tariffs. Nobody likes to pay extra for something they have no say in or cannot opt out of.
Top photo from PM Lee Hsien Loong Facebook.
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