Woman to take Mental Test

She challenged bank's call to assess her ability to handle $8.9m account By Selina Lum

A 92-YEAR-OLD woman who sued OCBC Bank for freezing her $8.9 million account has been ordered by the High Court to undergo an independent psychiatric test.

Madam Hwang Cheng Tsu Hsu took OCBC to court after it refused to let her touch the money, on the grounds that it had doubts about her mental capacity.

Last month, a lower court granted OCBC's application for Madam Hwang to be examined by an independent psychiatrist to evaluate whether she was mentally fit to handle her finances.
Madam Hwang then challenged OCBC's move and appealed against the decision, as well as an earlier decision rejecting her request for summary judgment - asking the court to decide without a full trial.

On Tuesday, Justice Tan Lee Meng dismissed her appeal on the summary judgment issue. Her lawyer Andrew Ee then withdrew the appeal against the issue of appointing a psychiatrist.

At the hearing, OCBC's lawyer questioned if Madam Hwang was the one driving the lawsuit.
Why is she vigorously resisting being examined by a court-appointed expert if she is indeed mentally fit to handle her financial affairs, asked Mr Adrian Wong.

'This makes no sense unless the plaintiff (or the true engine behind the suit) is afraid that she will fail a re-examination.'

Madam Hwang's lawyer had pointed out that she had already been found mentally fit by a psychiatrist and a psychologist.

A separate application by Madam Hwang, asking the bank to release $18,000 a month as household expenses, will be heard at a later date.

The sum includes $3,600 for her adopted daughter, who is her caregiver and only child; $1,000 for toiletries; and $3,000 for holidays and entertainment.

The impasse between Madam Hwang and OCBC began in May when she and her daughter, Madam Amy Hsu Ann Mei, 43, went to the bank to ask about opening a joint account. The bank refused.

The women visited OCBC again in May to close Madam Hwang's account. This was also denied.

OCBC later said it had doubts about Madam Hwang's mental capacity.

The bank said it was acting prudently and refused to accept any instructions on any of Madam Hwang's accounts until she was shown to be mentally fit.

She proceeded to sue OCBC to have her locked funds returned.

On Tuesday, Mr Ee argued that the matter did not need to go to trial, citing her earlier mental examinations.

However, Mr Wong said the reports only dealt with whether Madam Hwang was fit to make a will and not whether she was capable of handling her accounts.

He also noted discrepancies in these mental reports.

In psychiatric and psychological tests, Madam Hwang could not recall items like a book, chair or clock after five minutes.

Yet, she scored full marks for her response to the question: Tell me about the parole system in Singapore.

Mr Wong urged the court to see the case 'in its proper context', citing an article about the responsibility of banks in fraud against the elderly.

He noted that at a previous hearing, Mr Ee had indicated that Madam Hsu was not prepared to give an undertaking that the money be used only for her mother's expenses.

Assistant Registrar David Lee, who was hearing the matter, reminded Mr Ee that his client was Madam Hwang, not the daughter, said Mr Wong.

The lawyer also drew attention to irregularities in a letter from Madam Hwang authorising her daughter to act for her.

The letter was signed by Madam Hsu on behalf of her mother.

'In effect, she was authorising herself to deal with the plaintiff's accounts,' said Mr Wong.

(source : www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_313027.html )

My Comments:
1) Does the bank have the right to freeze a person's bank account?
2) Does an old woman age 92 incapable to handle such a huge 8.9 mil asset?
3) On one hand, I think the bank has the right to "suspect" because this 8.9 mil asset is too huge to imagine and how an old lady being able to handle it? On the otherhand, I question the rights the bank has to freeze one's bank account.

Another fatal accident at North-South Highway

TWO Singapore children survived a deadly accident early yesterday morning on Malaysia's North-South Highway when the coach they were in crashed into a tree and split in two, according to Shin Min Daily News.

The accident, which happened around 2am, killed 10 people. The bus was travelling from Ipoh to Singapore.

The newspaper reported that the Singapore children, a girl aged five and a boy aged seven, escaped with scratches.

One of the dead was a 20-year-old Malaysian woman who was a university student here, the paper added.

The crash was one of two fatal accidents on the North-South Highway over the weekend that involved Singaporeans.

On Saturday evening, a 59-year-old man died when the car he was in plunged off the road and hit a tree.

The victim was with his wife and three sons, who all suffered injuries. One son was badly hurt.

The family was on the way home after a vacation in Malacca.

According to Shin Min Daily News, the vehicle was being driven by the man's eldest son, who lost control near Pagoh, Muar.

The man was flung out of the car and died at the scene.

(source: www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_311858.html )

My Comments:
(1) Although travelling during the night saves the traveller's time, it may be more dangerous because visibility and tiredness can easily cause an accident.
(2) The driver may be rushing to complete the journey so that he can continue with his next assignment.
(3) With a vast part of the journey without any street-lamps, the road conditions are not favourable even to a seasoned driver.
(4) Going to Malaysia via a coach is very popular and common for the locals. But the occurrence of accidents is also quite high especially during the school holidays.

Shopping Time for All

Did you go to Spore Expo recently for the IT show?

Did you go to Spore Expo recently for the John Little Sale?

The IT show was held in Hall 5 & 6. The John Little Sale was in Hall 4. The former was meant for men. The latter was for women.

This was the best shopping time for everybody.

I bought quite a number of items during the John Little Sale. It was really value for money as a dress for a girl cost $10, a simple blouse cost $10 etc.

I will worry about my credit card bill later.

Story Books Time

The weather for the past few days has been cloudy and wet. It was such a good time to remain in-doors. I was glad to spend most of this time reading books.

And I am not ashamed to share with you that I read Charlotte's Web by E.B.White, Animal Farm by George Orwell and now into Boy Tales of Childhood by Roald Dahl.

Charlotte was just a small and ordinary spider. Yet she managed to use her determination and wits to save Wilbur, a pig from being slaughtered. She died in the end. After I read this book, I passed to Isa. Isa shed her tears and did not like this ending.

Animal Farm might be a bit complicated for her. Isa has yet to read this book. However, I like this book. "All animals are equal. But some animals are more equal than others". Is not this a reflection in this world?

I know Roald Dahl is a popular author among the children. This is my first time reading his book. I have yet to finish reading it. But this book is attractive enough for me to read on.

I have enjoyed my quality time with books and Isa.

What about you?

Genting - City of Entertainment

My family went to Genting during the last weekend. It is just a 6 hours' drive by coach.

Genting is a City of Entertainment. It is also a City that Never Sleeps, a place where young and old can have their fun. The young and darings can go for the rides in both indoor and outdoor theme parks. The old can just sit in front of the jack-pot machines to get their thrill. All will be spoilt for the choices of entertainment available in Genting.

We stayed in the First World Hotel which is the largest hotel in the world. It comes with 6118 rooms. Depending on the types of rooms, the amenities vary accordingly. Our room was quite basic. But is just nice for us because we only return to the room to sleep. We were out of the room most of the time.

Food is pretty expensive in Genting. A plate of chicken rice or noodles can cost as much as RM 14.50. This works out to be about SGD 7 per plate ! But the restaurants and cafes are always crowded. There is no poor people in Genting.

Friends,
If you have not thought where to head during this year-end holiday, why not consider Genting? It is quite near to home. With the attractive currency exchange rate, Malaysia seems to be the best choice for a short retreat.

(source: http://www.genting.com.my/ )

A Memorable Dinner at Fullerton Hotel

To celebrate the Japan emperor's 75th birthday (actual date on 23 Dec), the Japan embassy hosted a dinner at one of the ballrooms in Fullerton Hotel recently.

The guests of honour include Japan Ambassador and our Defence Minister, Mr Teo Chee Hean.

I must say that this dinner has been very impressive and memorable among other dinners of such events. Food and fruits such as pears, apples, melons and pesimmons, salmon etc were flown in from Japan.

The pear (nikkori) is large and has meltingly sweet juice. The apple (sun fuji) is yellowish-white, very juicy with a strong sweetness and fresh fragrance. The persimmon (fuyu) has dense and soft flesh. It has sweet and delicious juicy too.

I love the melon (musk melon) the best. I was told that these melons are grown in glass greenhouses under complete cultivation management. They are raised with complete concentration of all nutrients. The taste and fragrance are both very satisfying.

This is also my first time eating unlimited serving of raw fish/seafood.

I tried the sake (traditional Japanese rice wine), There were several bottles of various tastes. I opted the one meant for beginner. Again, the taste and smell was just nice and wonderful.

The governments of both Japan and Singapore have been working closely and promoting ties for many years. All would like to see the present situation continues.

Maybe my next holiday would be to Japan.

Kungfu Panda

For friends especially with kids, I am sure you have watched the cartoon movie Kungfu Panda quite some time ago.

I watched it many times. I watched again during my return trip on an 18-seater coach from Genting.

I forgot which character mentioned the below phrase but it was very meaningful.

"Yesterday was a history, tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift and that is why it is called present".

How many of us after appreciating this phrase and can learn to apply it to our daily life?