Latest news with #BernardTay
CNA
29-05-2025
- General
- CNA
Demerit points for speeding are a stronger deterrent than fines, observers say
SINGAPORE: Increasing the number of demerit points as a penalty for speeding is a stronger deterrent than higher fines, given the higher incomes in Singapore, observers said on Thursday (May 29). harsher penalties for speeding will take effect from Jan 1 next year. A motorist caught exceeding the speed limit by 20kmh or less will face six demerit points, up from four. The composition fine will also increase by S$50 (US$39), to S$200 for light vehicles and S$250 for heavy vehicles. The penalties increase for those who exceed the speed limit more. Those who exceed the limit by 40kmh can be prosecuted in court, and those who exceed it by 50kmh or more will receive 24 demerit points, resulting in an immediate suspension of their licence. Associate Professor Walter Theseira from the Singapore University of Social Sciences' School of Business said demerit points are "more important" given that incomes are rising in Singapore. 'No matter how much money you make, getting a critical number of demerit points will result in a driving suspension, which is something that deters even very rich drivers,' he said. 'I expect the demerit point increase to actually be more important for many drivers in Singapore.' Mr Bernard Tay, chairman of the Singapore Road Safety Council, echoed that view. 'You go out to eat, another S$100 is nothing nowadays,' he said. The demerit point system is likely more effective since people would be concerned about that. People get a licence because they want to drive, and that can be taken away due to speeding offences, he added. 'What (they) want, you take it away, it's the most painful. Money (can be earned) back.' He also noted that a licence can also be revoked in serious cases, which would mean the driver has to take a driving test again. 'The fear of losing their licence may be far more sobering than a fine,' said Mr Jonathan Wong, founder of Tembusu Law. The demerit points accumulate and each violation brings the driver closer to suspension or revocation, which could disrupt their daily routines and livelihoods, he said. RIGHT TIME TO INCREASE PENALTIES Mr Tay added that the move to introduce stiffer penalties is timely, as speeding violations have increased in recent years. In 2024, there were 191,931 cases, a jump of 64.8 per cent compared to the previous year. Part of the reason may be that more cameras have been deployed, but either way, speeding puts road users at risk, he said. The police said in their annual road traffic statistics report that 33.1 per cent of fatal accidents last year were due to speeding, up from 24.4 per cent in 2023. 'It's the right time to send a message,' Mr Tay said, adding that education can only go so far, and the last resort is to change the rules to make the penalties tougher. As roads get busier, the law has to adapt and stay relevant, said Mr Wong of Tembusu Law. "I think the increase in fines and demerit points aims to strike a balance; firm where it needs to be, especially for high-risk behaviours like speeding, but still trying to be grounded in fairness," he said. Assoc Prof Theseira also said it was important to increase fines even if demerit points are more important. Low financial penalties when incomes are high are less effective, especially if they are outweighed by the benefits of breaking the rules, he said. 'For example, low parking fines are ineffective if it is cheaper to take a chance parking illegally than to pay for expensive parking. So revising the fine level upwards periodically is necessary to keep pace with rising incomes.' He noted that in some countries such as Finland, fines are pegged to the income of the driver. 'Richer people pay more for the same offence.' DRIVING WITH MORE CAUTION Drivers previously caught speeding said the increased penalties would make them more careful about staying within the speed limit. "I'll definitely be more careful. Increasing the number of demerit points and having harsher fines will ensure people are more careful," said 57-year-old Mr Gopal. He was caught driving 12kmh over the speed limit near Thomson Road and initially fined over S$100. The fine was dismissed after he appealed, as he had a "clean record', the real estate agent said. Another driver, Mr Ang, who once exceeded the speed limit by less than 20kmh at Ang Mo Kio, said the new regulations are good for those who are new on the road and taxi drivers. "The new regulations are good for new drivers because a lot of them are reckless. Or those old taxi uncles. They drive long hours and most of the time they're not cautious on the road," said the 30-year-old salesman, who has been driving for almost a decade. He was caught speeding while rushing between back-to-back appointments but was let off with a warning. Since then, he has become more cautious, especially now that he knows where the speed cameras are located. He also tries to spot Traffic Police officers using cameras for anti-speeding operations. "I roughly know where those snipers will be … so I will slow down." However, not all drivers have been able to avoid fines. Ms Marine was caught driving over 10kmh above the speed limit at the Bartley flyover while sending her son to school. She was fined $200 and penalised with 12 demerit points. Getting caught once was all it took to make sure she did not exceed the speed limit again, and Ms Marine believes the harsher penalties will deter more speeders from pushing the limit, particularly in school zones. 'Most people who drive should have no problem in paying the money, but if they clock up all the demerit points, it will forfeit their right to drive which brings a lot of inconvenience in their daily life,' the 41-year-old business owner said.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'If you're not Korean, you can't cook Korean food' – Jinjja Chicken reveals Singaporean roots
Imagine if you really wanted some Korean food, but you find out the owner of the stall isn't Korean. Would you still give it a chance, or just assume that the food wouldn't be any good? That was exactly what happened to Bernard Tay, the founder of Jinjja Chicken. Jinjja Chicken was founded in 2015, and for the last decade, Bernard has laid low, avoiding revealing that Jinjja Chicken is a homegrown brand. He admits that the misconception that Jinjja is a Korean brand is a common one, and in the past, he did not bother to correct people. Even those close to him had the assumption that he had bought the franchise. Bernard chose to sell Korean fried chicken as he was a big fan of the dish. He recalled an incident where a potential customer asked the cashier if the owner of Jinjja Chicken was Korean. When he was told that the owner was Singaporean, he walked away, saying that the food wouldn't be good since the owner wasn't Korean. 'There is a stigma that if you are not South Korean, you can't cook Korean fried chicken well,' Bernard said. Now that Jinjja Chicken is doing well with 8 outlets locally and about S$10 million in yearly revenue, Bernard is ready to let the public know about the brand's Singaporean roots. The brand also plans to open outlets in other parts of Asia, such as China, Thailand and Vietnam. 'We are a Singaporean brand and we are also doing well overseas,' said Bernard. 'I hope people will support Singaporeans who dare to sell cuisines which are not local.' Jade's Chicken: Authentic Korean-owned stall with honey butter fried chicken, jjajangmyeon & army stew in Toa Payoh coffeeshop The post 'If you're not Korean, you can't cook Korean food' – Jinjja Chicken reveals Singaporean roots appeared first on
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
YAHOO POLL: Jinjja Chicken is Singaporean – does it matter to you if it's not Korean?
Jinjja Chicken is a popular fast food chain specialising in Korean friend chicken – including outlets in a number of Southeast Asian markets. It's also 100% Singaporean. In a recent interview with the Straits Times, co-founder Bernard Tay revealed he started the restaurant chain in 2015 and along the way decided he would not correct any assumptions the brand was South Korean. He was worried customers would react negatively if he did, and it would risk the Jinjja Chicken brand being labelled as inauthentic. Other polls YAHOO POLL: Are you concerned about deepfakes during GE2025? YAHOO POLL: Do you really need $1 million to achieve financial freedom in Singapore? YAHOO POLL: Do you agree that Changi Airport truly is the best in the world? If authenticity is a huge factor for Korean foodies in Singapore, there would be plenty of Korean restaurants run by Koreans to choose from instead of Jinjja Chicken. The F&B business is a tough unforgiving environment and rental prices continue to hurt businesses whether they are authentic or not. Jinjja Chicken struggled initially but today operates 8 outlets in Singapore, generating about $10 million annually and employing 170 staff. "It is time to let people know that we are proudly 100% owned by Singaporeans. We are a Singaporean brand and we are also doing well overseas," Tay said. So we want to know: Does it matter to you if Jinjja Chicken is Singaporean? Related After a decade, Jinjja Chicken founder admits brand is Singaporean not Korean – says it's time to 'support locals who dare' 'It hurts, losing everything' – Mentai-Ya owner abruptly shuts all stalls with over 550k in losses 17 authentic Korean restaurants in Singapore run by Koreans No.1 Fish & Chips restaurant bids farewell to Singapore's shores in May
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
After a decade, Jinjja Chicken founder admits brand is Singaporean not Korean — says it's time to ‘support locals who dare'
SINGAPORE, April 19 – Singaporean entrepreneur Bernard Tay has today admitted the local origins of his Korean fried chicken chain, Jinjja Chicken, which he launched in 2015. The Straits Times reported that the brand is co-owned by Tay and another Singaporean partner, and now operates eight outlets in Singapore, generating about S$10 million (RM33 million) annually and employing 170 staff. 'It is time to let people know that we are proudly 100 per cent owned by Singaporeans. We are a Singaporean brand and we are also doing well overseas. 'I hope people will support Singaporeans who dare to sell cuisines which are not local,' Tay reportedly said. The halal-certified brand currently has franchise outlets in Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei, with another scheduled to open in Brunei this August. Tay said many customers assume Jinjja is a South Korean brand, and he initially chose not to correct the misconception due to concerns over perceived authenticity. He cited a specific incident in 2017 at the Northpoint City outlet, where a customer left upon learning that the owner was Singaporean, doubting the quality of the food because it wasn't South Korean-owned. Before launching Jinjja, Tay worked at his family's food business, Molly's Nonya Kuehs, and used his savings and a bank loan totalling over S$350,000 to open the first outlet in Bugis Village in October 2015. He obtained halal certification to appeal to a broader market, and his wife Christine Tay joined the business as marketing director in 2016. Tay said he developed Jinjja with help from a branding agency and a chef friend, while sourcing authentic recipes from South Korean contacts he met while running a trading company for food ingredients. Despite having no culinary background, Tay said he worked in the kitchen during the early days, handling everything from food prep to dishwashing in gruelling 14-hour shifts without breaks. Tay said he now has set his sights on expanding into Thailand, Vietnam, China and possibly Australia through franchising.
