Sunday, January 24, 2010

Travel Authorisation To US

Travel Authorisation To US

From January 12, Singaporeans heading to the United States must obtain travel authorisation at least three days ahead of their trip. Otherwise, they may be denied boarding, experience delayed processing, or be refused admission at a US port of entry.

The US embassy in Singapore said travellers can apply through the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) at the Department of Homeland Security's ESTA website.

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/

UK raises terror threat level

Britain raises terror threat level

Britain raised its terror threat level from substantial to severe on Friday, suggesting that an attack is "highly likely", Home Secretary Alan Johnson said.

The change comes just weeks after a failed plane bombing in the United States, and days ahead of two major international conferences on Yemen and Afghanistan in London on Wednesday and Thursday.

"The Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre has today raised the threat to the UK from international terrorism from substantial to severe," Johnson said.

"This means that a terrorist attack is highly likely, but I should stress that there is no intelligence to suggest than an attack is imminent."

In a television statement shortly afterwards, Johnson refused to say whether the change in the threat level -- to the fourth in a five-level scale -- was linked to the failed Detroit plane bombing on December 25.

"We never say what the intelligence is and it would be pretty daft of us to do that," he said, adding: "It shouldn't be thought to be linked to Detroit or anywhere else for that matter."

He said the JTAC, a unit within the MI5 domestic intelligence agency, "looks at all factors and no one should draw any assumptions from this".

-News courtesy of Channel Newsasia-

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Frequent visitors to Malaysia

Frequent visitors to Malaysia can "fast track" through immigration

Singaporeans who travel frequently to Malaysia can now "fast track" through immigration.

If they have recently entered Malaysia at least four times in a month, they can apply for a special pass which allows clearance through either Woodlands (above) or Tuas checkpoint without having to fill up the white immigration card.

With the Malaysia Automated Clearance System (MACS) pass - a sticker embedded with a Radio Frequency Identification chip that is stuck in the passport - they can zip through immigration clearance in Malaysia without worrying if their passport has been stamped.

The MACS pass costs RM30 (S$12.50) and is valid for one year. Spouses and children of frequent travellers can also apply for the pass.

For application details, visit www.imi.gov.my.

-Information courtesy of Channel Newsasia-

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Malaysian fuel price by car size

Malaysian fuel price by car size

The bigger your car, the more you will have to pay for petrol from May 1.

This is because the Malaysian government is going to change the way fuel is subsidised.

It is planning for a fuel pricing mechanism that will ensure only targeted groups, particularly those from the lower-income, will receive fuel subsidy.

Also, foreigners who drive into Malaysia to fill up their tanks will not be eligible for subsidy and will have to pay more for fuel.

“The bigger the engine, the higher petrol will cost,” Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said yesterday.

The move was based on the assumption that those in the lower income group would normally drive a car with a lower engine capacity and thus be eligible for the subsidy, he said.

“For RON95 petrol, the subsidy is 30 sen per litre. The current price of RON95 petrol is RM1.80 compared with the actual price of RM2.10.

“Malaysians who are not eligible are those who drive a higher engine capacity car or non-Malaysians. They will have to pay RM2.10 or more for RON95,” he told a press conference after launching the new corporate identity of the F&N soft drinks division here yesterday.

-News courtesy of The Star-

Monday, January 4, 2010

S'pore consulate in Johor Bahru

Opening of Singapore Consulate-General in Johor Bahru, Malaysia

The Singapore Consulate-General in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, has commenced operations. Apart from facilitating interaction and cooperation between Singapore and Johor Darul Takzim, the Consulate-General will provide consular services for Singaporeans visiting, living and working in Johor. The Consulate-General will also process applications for nationals requiring visas to enter Singapore.

The address and contact details of the Singapore Consulate-General in Johor Bahru are:

Suite 35.02, Level 35
Johor Bahru City Square Office Tower
106-108, Jalan Wong Ah Fook
80000 Johor Bahru

Tel: +60-7-226 5012
Fax: +60-7-226 5013

The Consulate-General will open daily from Monday to Friday between 8.30am to 1pm, and 2pm to 5pm. It will be closed on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays.

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Happy new year 2010

Wish everyone a happy new year!