TR EMERITUS

The job market in Singapore is in recovery, especially after the Covid-19 Pandemic. Many companies are now actively hiring again, which has increased job seekers in the market. However, with the increase of job seekers, there has also been an increase in job scams. There are many different job scams, but they all have one common goal: to cheat job seekers out of their hard-earned money. In fact, in the first half of this year, 2022, the highest type of scams in Singapore were job scams which cost the victims around S$58.5 million. This is a huge number for sure, and quite sad that people are still being lured into these job scams. This blog post will look at some common methods used by scammers and how you can avoid falling prey to them. Methods Used By Scammers One of the most common methods scammers use is advertising fake jobs on online classified sites. They will use attractive job descriptions and offer high salaries to lure victims into applying for the job. Once the victim has applied for the job, the scammer will then ask for personal information such as NRIC number or bank account details, ostensibly for "verification purposes ". They may even go so far as to ask for a copy of your passport or employment pass. Once they have obtained this information, they will use it to withdraw money from your bank account or to obtain a loan in your name. Another common method used by scammers is selling false training courses that promise guaranteed employment after completion. They will often use persuasive sales and high-pressure tactics to get victims to sign up for the course. The courses are usually expensive, and victims will find that they do not lead to any real job opportunities after completing the course. Most job seekers out of Singapore receive a WhatsApp or text message from unknown numbers asking them to apply for a job in Singapore. The message will contain a link redirecting the victim to a fake website that looks like a legitimate job portal. The victim will then be asked to input their personal information, such as name, address, and contact details. Once the victim gives this information, the scammer can use it against them in many ways. Another way is that some of these victims are trafficked for forced labor or sexual exploitation. How To Avoid Job Scams Now that we know some of the methods used by scammers let's look at how you can avoid falling prey to them. Do your research As it goes, if the deal is too good, think twice! Often than not, these job adverts will promise you hefty salaries for the little work required. Do your research on the company and the job role that is being offered to ensure that it is legitimate. A simple Google search can help reveal a lot about a company. Be wary if you cannot find any information about the company online. Check the job portal If you are using a job portal to look for a job, make sure it is legitimate. Some of the most popular and legitimate job portals in Singapore include JobsCentral, JobStreet, and Indeed. Do not apply for jobs through links sent to you by unknown numbers via WhatsApp or text message, as these are mostly scams. Avoid clicking on suspicious links If you are an avid casino player, you have probably come across various links when checking out casino bonuses, such as the PlayCroco Casino bonuses. Although some of these may be legitimate, many of them are not. The same goes for job-related links. Do not click on links you do not trust, as they may lead you to a fake website. Be wary of personal information requests As we mentioned, scammers often ask for personal information such as your NRIC number or bank account details. Do not give out this information unless you are absolutely sure the company is legitimate. Beware of high-pressure sales tactics If you are considering signing up for a training course, be wary of any company that uses high-pressure sales tactics to get you to sign up. These courses are usually expensive and may not lead to any real job opportunities. Report any suspicious activity If you come across any job-related scams, report them to the relevant authorities, such as the Singapore Police Force or the Singapore Ministry of Manpower. By doing so, you can help to prevent others from becoming victims. Avoid paying anything upfront Desperation can make you do things you would not normally do, but try to avoid paying anything upfront for a job, no matter how great it sounds. This is a surefire way of getting scammed, and you will not get your money back. Wrapping up Job scams are becoming more common in Singapore, as scammers take advantage of desperate job seekers. However, by being vigilant and doing your research, you can easily avoid falling prey to these scams. So do not let yourself be scammed - stay safe out there!        Read More →

I refer to the report, “Multilateral order is ‘best bet’ for small states, which cannot survive if ‘might is right’: PM Lee (TODAY, Sep 23). I read with deep contemplation of the logic and reasoning of PM Lee’s speech for a Forum of Small States (FOSS). In relation to the survival of a small country: Mencius(372-289BC), the Confucian philosopher ever stated that a small country’s survival could not merely rely upon another mighty/big country’s protection. As, the relations of dependence and adhesion would not last long. Mencius advocated that the political leaders of a small country should strategically apply their wisdom and artifice to deal with the threats, allures and vicious provocation from any mighty countries as and when needed. It is good to learn that multilateralism works for and benefiting small countries especially in this turbulent, ever-changing and unpredictable world order. Nevertheless, it is also vital for small countries to apply pragmatism whenever in the disadvantaged situations or dilemma. Simultaneously, it is significant for a small country to heed the advice from the Confucius: It would be no harm to displease a big country which has proven track records of “noble moral integrity”, instead of offending a big country which is “vile character and vicious scheming”. In today’s complexity of world order, it’s sometimes inevitable for a small country to deploy “art of deceit” in dealing with difficult diplomacy. Anyway, it will be a rational trajectory - If a superpower has no solid background of morality and humanity, it will gradually fall into the state of decadency. Vice-versa, if a small country can persistently formulate and execute its policies of benevolence and win the vast supports of her people, it will gradually become stronger in all aspects.   Teo Kueh Liang (Mr)      Read More →

It’s now official, tennis fans around the world will no longer have the chance to watch Roger Federer play again. The Swiss Maestro, who was the most dominant player on the men’s circuit for the better part of the 2000s and 2010s, played his last match and retired from the game at the ripe old age of 41. Mr. Federer has been called “Greatest of All Time,” even though his record hall of 20-Grand Slam wins has been surpassed by his two biggest rivals, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Given that both men are considerably younger, its likely that they will surpass more of Mr. Federer’s records. However, on the night of his last match, the world got to see why Mr. Federer is considered the “Greatest Ever” tennis player – the obvious outpouring of emotion from everyone of his rivals at the thought of his exit showed the world that Mr. Federer had transcended his sport. Like Mohammad Ali in boxing, Mr. Federer had become bigger than the sport. A list of tributes to Mr. Federer can be found in the following link. Furthermore, the one person who seemed particularly distressed by Mr. Federer’s retirement, was Rafael Nadal, possibly Mr. Federer’s greatest rival: What makes all these scenes at the retirement of a 41-year-old tennis player so powerful is the fact that they are a reminder that basic human decency and friendship can exist in the heart of intense competition and rivalry and respect are not mutually exclusive. This message has become particularly important in a day and age where you have to be in one camp or another. The most famous example comes from US politics, where you had former President, George W Bush talking about “You are with us or against us.” This was then brought to an extreme under former President Trump, where you were either foaming in the mouth or drooling at the very thought of his existence. As with any global trend, America merely provides the most visible examples. It’s not the only place where this happens. Singapore, has become increasingly like this, especially when it comes to politics and the expression of politics – the media. Singapore used to be very simple. There was one political party, expressing one political view, expressed through one newspaper. However, in recent years, you’ve seen the proliferation of political parties and the growth of “online” media. Unfortunately, instead of having a proliferation of views, you get two. As PN Balji, former editorial director of MediaCorp (and for the record, my former boss at BANG PR and main contractor on the Susan Lim and Ku De Ta litigation cases), says, “According to the mainstream media, everything the government does is right and according to the Online media, everything the government does is wrong.” I take my own experiences as an example. I have been “branded” as “anti-establishment” by a few senior corporate figures but at the same time I also get accused of being a “foreign talent,” by some of the online crowd. The reality is that I agree with certain people on certain occasions and I disagree with them on others. For example, I believe Donald Trump’s handling of Covid-19 bordered on criminal incompetence but I give him credit for “operation warp-speed,” which got the vaccine out in record time. If I were to move closer to home, my main issue with the Singapore system is that it’s branded itself as perfect and any criticism is considered an act of blasphemy and this attitude does get mirrored by the other side. I actually think Singapore is on the whole, fairly well run. However, it is not utopia and active citizenry has to voice that fact out on a regular enough basis. It is essentially the one thing that an ordinary person can do to make sure the guys in power don’t develop “God Syndrome.” One also needs to make the point that the price of being in power and being paid by the public (in Singapore, its lavish pay), is that you’re going to bear the brunt of public criticism. We don’t criticize the opposition the way we criticize the government is because the opposition isn’t in power and not responsible for getting things done. Sure, extremism sells. Who wants to read a longish piece that gives you both sides when you can spend ten second on a piece that gets you drooling or foaming? However, the problem with living in a “cult” is that you end up living in an enclosed world where you don’t get exposed to “best practices,” and you end up stagnating. As an ethnic Chinese, I am well aware of a history where China assumed it was the best at everything and ended up being humiliated in every sense of the world by countries it thumbed its nose at. Rivalries and competition should bring out the best in parties. Look at the car market, where the Detroit Big Three had to make better cars that were more fuel efficient because the Japanese manufacturers had entered the market. The existence of a “rival” that you need to respect makes you look at they may be doing right and change what you may doing wrong. In boxing, we had Ali-vs-Frazier. Brutal fights and for a while they didn’t get along but, in the end, they resected each other and understood the other was essential for their greatness. Top level male tennis players before Mr. Federer either won Wimbledon or the French open. When Matts Wilander won three grand slams in 1988, it was the biggest fete since Jimmy Connors in 1974. Then came Mr. Federer who proved that you could win on grass and clay and suddenly you had Mr. Nadal and Djokovic doing the same. Mr. Federer will be missed from tennis. As he bows out of the public stage, we should also miss him for reminding us that greatness is not a solo act but an act of inspiration for others to aspire to greatness. He was the living example that you could have rivals who respected you and that life is not an extreme of this cult or that. Mr. Federer symbolized the better things that seem to have vanished from the modern world.   Tang Li *Although I’ve been based mainly in Singapore for nearly two decades, I’ve had the privilege of being able meet people who have crossed borders and cultures. I’ve befriended ministers and ambassadors and worked on projects involving a former head of state. Yet, at the same time, I’ve had the privilege of befriending migrant labourers and former convicts. All of them have a story to tell. All of them add to the fabric of life. I hope to express the stories that inspire us to create life as it should be.      Read More →