S'pore needs more educated immigrants to make country dynamic, says MM Lee

Singapore's Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew has reiterated the need for Singapore to attract more educated immigrants.

Speaking at the Indian New Year celebrations in Little India on Saturday, Mr Lee said Singaporeans must recognise that with a declining population, the country needs such people, including those who have studied or worked in the US and Europe.

With the economy in a buoyant mood after the government upgraded its growth forecast for the year, Mr Lee said Singapore needs to grow as an attractive hub for international trade, investment and talent to sustain long-term growth.

"We benefited from being open to immigrants from around the world, especially China, India and the region. Throughout history, Singapore has welcomed migrants. When I first took office, we had 62,000 babies every year from a population of 2 million. Today, Singapore citizens produce only 32,000 babies in a year when we should have 60,000 just to replace our population," said MM Lee.

Little India is a glowing example of how early immigrants have flourished and taken root in the country.

Mr Lee said the government understands the concerns of Singaporeans over new immigrants and foreign workers. So it has taken steps to moderate the inflow and widen the differentiation between citizens and non-citizens.

Having educated immigrants here, said Mr Lee, makes Singapore more competitive and dynamic.

"The majority of the new PRs and citizens are skilled workers and professionals in finance, IT and R&D. They bring new skills, global connections and a strong drive to create better lives for their families," said Mr Lee.

Mr Lee gave an example of how one immigrant is making a difference.

"Shyam Srinivasan came from Chennai at age 14, and went to Geylang Methodist Secondary School and Victoria Junior College. He took up citizenship and obtained a teaching scholarship from the Public Service Commission," said the Minister Mentor.

"Last year, he graduated top of his class in Physics at Oxford University. He is now doing his Masters in Applied Physics at Columbia University. He will come back and complete his NS. He will educate and inspire the next generation of Singaporeans," he said.

Their presence has also helped to shape the Singapore landscape.

Mr Lee cited how many Indian temples today have been refurbished to look "elegant" and "colourful".

"Our immigration policies have brought in better educated and wealthy Indians who have made that qualitative difference to our lives. Their support of these temples has resulted in this transformation, reflecting the transformation that is taking place throughout Singapore," said Mr Lee.

Mr Lee said the challenge is to integrate newcomers into Singapore society and an event like this Indian New Year Celebration is a good example of how integration can be done.

The event brings together different communities, not just among the different Indian ethnic groups, but also Singaporeans of all races. -

Taiwan to create 137,000 jobs

TAIWAN'S government aims to spend more than US$500 million (S$690 million) to create 137,000 jobs this year, in its latest move to ease the island's unemployment, an official said on Friday.

The Council of Labour Affairs, which is already spending NT$9.3 billion (S$414 million) to create jobs, has pledged the additional funds in a bid to keep the jobless rate below five percent, the official said.

The council will subsidise local governments to expand their staff in tourism promotion, labour safety and green industries, as well as the private sector to hire middle-aged workers, he said.

Taiwan's unemployment rate stood at 5.76 per cent in February while Premier Wu Den-yih has offered to resign if he fails to push it below five per cent by the end of this year.

It has been improving steadily from a record 6.13 per cent in August, as the island's export-dependent economy emerged from its worst post-war recession with a pick-up in global demand.

China's economy booms

CHINA on Thursday posted its fastest economic growth in almost three years, quashing any doubt about its robust recovery from the global crisis.

But its surprisingly strong 11.9 per cent expansion in the first quarter of this year has also stoked fears of overheating, while raising pressure on Beijing to remove the yuan's peg to the United States dollar.

China is the second Asian economy this week to report a stellar first-quarter rebound after Singapore, which grew 13.1 per cent, reflecting Asia's position in leading the world out of recession.

China's performance trumped the median forecast of 11.7 per cent in a Bloomberg survey, buoyed by a rebound in industrial production and an 18 per cent rise in retail sales.

This led National Bureau of Statistics spokesman Li Xiaochao to declare that the Chinese economy is 'off to a good start' this year.

'In 2009, China was among the first countries to recover. This year, the economy's momentum has increased,' Mr Li said at a press conference to announce the results on Thursday. 'Our 8per cent growth target this year is achieveable.'

Obamas earned US$5.5m

PRESIDENT Barack Obama and his wife have doubled their income since he took office, declaring a joint gross income of US$5.5 million (S$7.6 million) for the 2009 fiscal year, the White House said on Thursday.

Mr Obama earned an annual salary as president of US$374,460 since his inauguration in January 2009, according to his tax filings released on Thurs

In 2008, Mr Obama and his wife, Michelle, declared a joint gross income of US$2.65 million, most of which also came from royalties on his books Dreams Of My Father and The Audacity Of Hope. According to his 2009 documents, the Obamas paid US$1.79 million in federal taxes and US$163,303 in state taxes to Illinois where the couple owns a home in Chicago.

Mr Obama also received US$1.4 million last year when he won the Nobel Peace Prize, but he has donated his prize money among 10 charities, the White House said, and the sum is not part of the US$5.5 million declared income.

The couple also donated US$329,100 to 40 different charities in 2009, with the largest reported gifts being US$50,000 to CARE and the United Negro College Fund. In 2007, the Obamas said they had earned US$4.2 million. -

Pay your income tax through Pos Malaysia

Income tax can now be paid at any Pos Malaysia outlets and via online transaction at www.posonline.com.my starting tomorrow.
"This new service offering, in collaboration with the Inland Revenue Board, provides ease and convenience for customers to pay their income tax at any of our extensive network of 696 outlets all over the country or online at the click of the mouse," Pos Malaysia Bhd said in a statement today.

It said payment mode for transaction at Pos Malaysia outlets is cash only while transaction with PosOnline is done by debiting from the customer’s personal account from any of the following banks:
Hong Leong Bank, CIMB Bank, RHB Bank, Bank Rakyat, EON Bank, Affin Bank, Al-Rajhi Bank, Bank Islam and MEPS CASH.

"There will be no extra charges to customers for using our payment channels," Pos Malaysia said.

Coping with hypertension

Blood pressure is the force in the blood vessel that transports blood to every part of our body. Blood pressure is described by two numbers: the systolic and the diastolic.

The systolic pressure is the upper number and it measures the pressure in our blood vessel when the heart is pumping out blood. The diastolic is the lower number and it measures the pressure in our blood vessel when it is at its most relaxed stage which is in between heart beats.

So, if your doctor says your pressure is 120/60, it means your systolic pressure is 120mmHg (millimetre mercury) and diastolic 60mmHg. Both measurements are important as either one can pose serious health problems if high.

According to the latest British Hypertension Society (BHS) definition, hypertension is defined as systolic blood pressure equal or greater than 140mmHg, diastolic pressure equal or greater than 90mmHg, or both.

In many people with hypertension, both the systolic and diastolic pressure readings are high. However, in selected elderly people, they suffer only isolated systolic hypertension. In both condition, the risk and complications are the same.

Generally, people should start monitoring their blood pressure from the age of 20. Those with high or moderately high readings should monitor their pressure once every few weeks.

Causes of hypertension

In more than 90% of adults with hypertension, there is no identifiable cause. This type of hypertension is normally known as primary hypertension or essential hypertension.

Even though no cause is linked to this type of hypertension, studies have shown that certain factors can lead to its development. They include high salt intake, lack of exercise, being overweight, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, family history of hypertension and environmental stress.

In the remaining 5% to 10%, the hypertension can be related to underlying conditions such as kidney disease, heart problem, hormonal disease or selected medications.

This type of hypertension is known as secondary hypertension because a cause is identifiable. Some young people have this type of hypertension and treating the underlying cause may cure the condition.

Symptoms and complications

Hypertension is a silent killer. Most people with hypertension have no symptoms at all. High pressure is only discovered when complications such as stroke or heart attack set in. Some may complain of headache and giddiness. But these symptoms are not specific to hypertension.

In the long run, uncontrolled or unnoticed high blood pressure can lead to severe complications such as stroke, heart attack, heart failure, heart enlargement, kidney failure, bleeding in the retina of eye, damage to peripheral blood vessel, etc.

Most of these complications are preventable if high blood pressure is treated early.

Treatment

The BHS advocates medication if the systolic pressure is 160mmHg or higher, and the diastolic pressure is 100mmHg or higher, or both. For those with lower readings but above normal (that is, 140/90mmHg) but experience no complications, the society advises lifestyle changes and close monitoring of pressure.

There are many types of medication to treat hypertension and each has its own specific usage. Certain medications are more suitable for hypertensive patients with diabetes while some are suitable for young people. Your doctor will decide which one is the most suitable for you.

If one medication is not sufficient to control your pressure, your doctor may combine it with another type. Sometimes, doctors may use up to three or four different types of medication.

Prevention

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Be compliant with medication – this is very important. One recent local clinical study has shown that Malaysians are not compliant with anti-hypertensive medication. If you have any doubts about the medication, talk to your doctor or get counselling.

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Go to your doctor for follow-up treatment. Do not assume that a normal reading during one of the follow-up sessions warrants you to stop taking medication. Hypertension is a lifelong condition. Vigilant treatment and follow-ups can reduce risk of getting severe complications.

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Exercise regularly (aerobic exercise) and maintain an ideal weight.

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Reduce salt and saturated fat intake.

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Stop smoking and reduce alcohol intake.

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Consume at least five portions of fresh fruits and vegetables every day.

More fish, nuts, fruit - less risk of Alzheimer's

Certain food combinations, including fish, fruit, and nuts, are linked to a reduced risk of contracting the brain-wasting disease Alzheimer's, according to a recently released study.

The study published in the online edition of the journal Archives of Neurology, also found a link between decreased Alzheimer's risk and consumption of fewer high-fat dairy products, red meats, organ meats and butter.

Researchers at the Columbia University Medical Center in New York, observed 2,148 adults aged 65 and older who did not have Alzheimer's.

Participants provided information about their diets and were assessed for the development of dementia at year-and-a-half intervals for an average of four years.

During the study, 253 of these test subjects developed the disease, the scientists said.

Among the foods associated with reduced Alzheimer's risk were salad dressing, nuts, fish, tomatoes, poultry, fruits, and dark, leafy green vegetables.

Reducing intake of high-fat dairy, red meat, organ meat and butter also were associated with a reduced Alzheimer's risk.

"Our findings provide support for further exploration of food combination, based dietary behavior for the prevention of this important public health problem," the researchers concluded.

They noted that past scientific literature regarding the impact of individual nutrients or food items on Alzheimer's has been inconsistent, partly because most people combine in their meals a complex array of nutrients and food items that are likely to be "synergistic."