In recent times, the realm of consumer complaints in Singapore has been dominated by reports of stalls imposing steep prices for meals, generating waves of public outrage.

However, a fresh concern has emerged, this time in connection with contactless payments. The spotlight is now on a particular shop in Singapore that has garnered widespread attention for levying a S$0.20 charge on customers opting for cashless transactions, sparking a vigorous debate on the subject.

The Viral Outrage

On a fateful Wednesday (9 Aug), a concerned netizen took to the Complaint Singapore page on Facebook to share her recent experience at a local shop.

The pivotal point of her grievance was a seemingly innocuous QR code affixed to the shop’s premises, inviting patrons to make payments through their respective bank applications.

This modern and convenient payment method, however, came with an unexpected price tag – an extra S$0.20 fee.

Unraveling the Dilemma

The observant netizen couldn’t help but voice her perplexity over this peculiar practice. She raised a valid question – if PayNow, a prominent digital payment platform in Singapore, is devoid of charges, why was this particular shop burdening its customers with an additional fee?

Amidst the growing cacophony of opinions, the netizen threw another question into the ring – do businesses receive incentives or grants for adopting cashless payment systems?

This query hints at a larger consideration: if businesses are indeed incentivized to embrace cashless transactions by the government, should they then be imposing additional charges on customers who choose this mode of payment?

Netizens’ comments

1. No it’s not true.. I run a business.. this qr code payment Is free we don’t have to pay any service charge.. pse report the shop
2. There is no bank fee charge per transaction if QR code is UEN paynow but only charge merchant service & admin fee monthly. So this doesn’t matter with the consumers. Consumers shouldn’t pay this unknown fee while merchants have grants to claim from gov. Kindly report to MAS if you wish to. But can choose to ignore and just pay CASH
3. Bank do charge Merchant for Paynow transactions. It’s not free
4. I also run a business. My customers pay me via my UEN/QR code without any extra charges or fees. My bank also do not charge me any extras.
5. Nb so free or not free?

41-year-old Raj Jumar Bala, the owner of a bar in Little India, went on trial on 10 August after being accused of molesting and raping a 17-year-old girl who ran away from the Singapore Girls’ Home and started working for him, according to The Straits Times.

The prosecution had lined up 13 witnesses to testify against Raj Kumar.

What happened?

The alleged offences took place between 21 February 2020 to 22 February 2020 at a rental flat.

A witness identified as B1, who had also run away from home, testified that she had been working and staying at Kumar’s bar in Dunlop Street after coming to know about the job opportunity from another witness, B2, who was also a runaway as well.

B1 had allegedly been assaulted by Kumar but continued staying at the bar because she was pregnant and a runaway.

The victim and a friend then learned from B2 about the job opportunity in February 2020 and went to interview for a job, and were hired by Raj Kumar who told them that she could stay at the bar with B1 and B2.

The bar was then raided on 21 February after someone acquainted with the runaway girls reported that they were working at Kumar’s bar.

He drove the three girls to a rented flat and said that they could stay there, before arranging for a staff to send their belongings over, as well as providing them with food and alcohol.

Kumar then proceeded to drink with the girls, with the victim then getting very drunk, before he allegedly engaged in obscene acts with the victim and B1 on the 2nd floor of the unit.

B1 then witnessed Kumar raping and molesting the victim, who couldn’t fend him off because she was too intoxicated.

The following morning, the victim told B2 that she was raped and left the flat, before heading to Kumar’s bar to collect her salary.

She then went to stay with a friend and told him about what had happened to her about 2-3 weeks later, before eventually turning herself in to the home (which she had run away from) on 20 July 2020.

On 5 August 2020, she then told her Ministry of Social and Family Development case worker that she had been raped.

Singaporeans are gearing up for a significant event that will shape the future of their nation.

On September 1, citizens will head to the polls to exercise their democratic right and cast their votes in the upcoming presidential election. However, the anticipation is not without suspense. The question of whether the election will be a contested one or a walkover will be unveiled on Nomination Day, slated for August 22. In this article, we delve into the intricacies of the Singaporean presidential election process and the factors that will determine its outcome.

The Presidential Elections Committee holds a pivotal role in shaping the election landscape. This committee is tasked with meticulously screening all individuals aspiring for the presidency. Their decision holds immense weight, as it will determine whether the election will witness a single candidate or a field of contenders.

The Countdown to Nomination Day

All eyes will be on August 22, the much-awaited Nomination Day. On this day, the nation will learn the outcome of the committee’s deliberations. Will there be multiple qualified candidates vying for the presidency, or will Singaporeans see an uncontested election? The answers lie in the hands of the committee.

The One-Candidate Scenario

In the event that only one eligible candidate emerges, Nomination Day will herald their formal declaration as the President of Singapore. This scenario simplifies the process, but it also reflects the uniqueness of the democratic system in Singapore, where the viability and popularity of potential candidates play a crucial role.

The Prime Minister’s Announcement

The Elections Department made a significant announcement through a press release, revealing that Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had issued the writ of election. This act sets the wheels in motion for the upcoming election and signals the beginning of a period of heightened political activity in the nation.

In his Facebook post Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said:

“Today, I issued the Writ of Election for the Presidential Election. Nomination Day will be on 22 August.

A few individuals have already declared their intention to run for the Presidency. The media have widely reported on them, and I’m sure we will hear more from the candidates themselves during the campaign period.

The President represents all Singaporeans, and stands as a symbol of our unity and aspirations. Listen to what each candidate has to say, and assess them and their views carefully. I hope everyone will vote wisely for the best candidate for this important role. – LHL”

Image Source: Facebook/Lee Hsien Loong