IT IS appreciated that the Government has made a timely realisation of rising living costs in Singapore. Corresponding actions to increase salaries of civil servants and acknowledgment of the impact of rising living costs on the needy are heart warming.

THE year 2007 was one of rising prices in all areas.

I READ with shock the recent Straits Times advertisement by Singapore Airlines (SIA). With the opening of the new Terminal 3 at Changi Airport on Jan 9, SIA will split its check-in locations to 102 destinations in 42 countries between T3 and T2. To make matters worse, the split in check-in destinations between the two terminals seems to be random. There is specific check in for countries in Europe and Asia at both terminals - Russia, Turkey and Pakistan at T2, and France, Spain and China at T3, for example.

I AM glad that some of the new or upgraded MRT trains have larger seats with distinctive colours. I assume the darker seats are meant for the elderly, pregnant women and those with very young children. If so, I applaud SMRT for this good initiative.

I REFER to the report, 'Record number of litterbugs nabbed' (ST, Dec 31). I urge the Government to consider some drastic measures against litterbugs.

I REFER to the letter, 'Revise CPF housing grant for singles too' by Ms Florence Tan Siew Bee (ST, Dec 27).

I REFER to Mr Richard See Huat Lye's letter, 'Draw tickets arrived days after the event' (ST, Dec 31).

I THANK Mr Wong Poo Yang ('Have new polytechnic year start in January'; ST, Dec 13) for his query on whether the polytechnics could start their academic year at the same time or 'around the same time' as junior colleges will from next year in view of the earlier release of O-level results.

I REFER to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's speech for the new year.

I REFER to the letter, 'Don't make coaches convenient scapegoats' (ST, Dec 31) by Mr Lim Teong Chin'.

I REFER to the letter, 'Draw tickets arrived days after the event' (ST, Dec 31), by Mr Richard See Huat Lye.

IT WAS reported in the article, 'Insurance industry to be hit by new CPF rules' (ST, Nov 7), that the president of the Life Insurance Associate, Mr Mark O'Dell, had postulated 'that investment-linked products provide opportunities for superior returns, compared to the rates offered under the CPFIS'.

MUCH has been discussed about the Gifted Education Programme (GEP) - whether it has fulfilled its aims, whether its students are elitist and whether they lack life skills. After being a GEP student for three years, here is my perspective.

I SALUTE the Government that really cares for the well-being of the elderly citizens of Singapore.

I REFER to the letter, 'Why a 40-minute wait for bus?' by Mr Daniel Buay Kwok Ming (Online forum, Dec 20).